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 Profile: A journey from fighter jets to the cosmos Xinhua) 09:37, April 25, 2025 JIUQUAN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- In the boundless expanse of space, Chen Zhongrui is on the brink of realizing a childhood dream, one inspired by the pages of martial arts novels, where legendary Kungfu heroes defy gravity to "soar across rooftops." According to the 40-year-old Chinese astronaut, the space station's near-weightless embrace will offer him the exhilarating sensation of soaring freely, just as he once imagined in his childhood dreams. Chen, a former fighter pilot, embarked on the Shenzhou-20 crewed mission this Thursday, joining two fellow astronauts on a journey to China's space station in low-Earth orbit. Born in 1984 in central China's Huaxian county, Chen's journey to becoming an astronaut began with a deep fascination for mechanics, eventually leading to a distinguished career as a fighter pilot. "Since childhood, I've been fascinated by the workings of machines," Chen said. As a toddler, he wanted to try driving tractors to thresh wheat, but his parents, worried about his safety, forbade it, leaving him in tears. By junior high, his passion had shifted to the sky, and the exhilarating thrill of aircraft cockpits beckoned him. After intense physical training, Chen's dedication paid off in 2003 when he was accepted into a military flying academy, where he began his journey as a cadet pilot. Over time, he honed his skills, becoming a seasoned fighter pilot and a skilled instructor. "I have a natural aptitude for flying, and my passion has driven me to delve deeper, constantly striving to be the best I can be," Chen said. BEYOND THE BLUE SKY Now, Chen has soared beyond his childhood dreams, breaking through the atmosphere and venturing into the vast expanse of space. He fondly recalls his first encounter with Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut in space, who visited his academy shortly after completing the country's historic first space mission in 2003. "That was my first time meeting an astronaut," Chen said. In 2013, he once again found himself connected to China's manned spaceflight program. During an airborne training mission, he received an unexpected order to clear the airspace to make way for the return of the Shenzhou-10 astronauts. Those two experiences planted the seed of becoming an astronaut in his heart. When the selection notice arrived in 2018, he submitted his application without a second thought. By September 2020, his determination bore fruit as he was chosen as part of China's third batch of astronaut candidates. The path to becoming an astronaut was fraught with challenges. Mastering complex theoretical concepts -- many of which he had never encountered before -- proved mentally taxing. "Courses like thermodynamics and orbital mechanics were completely unfamiliar to me," Chen admitted. As a pilot, Chen was accustomed to memorizing entire manuals before taking the controls. But life as an astronaut called for a different kind of discipline, one that required unwavering adherence to detailed procedures, executed step by step, and in flawless coordination with his crewmates. He had to unlearn old habits, retrain his muscle memory, and adapt to a whole new operational mindset. Whether in the cockpit of a fighter jet or aboard a spacecraft, Chen still feels the same childlike thrill when engaging with machinery. "It's something innate," he said. "The more complex the machine, the more exhilarated I am." NEW TASKS The Shenzhou-20 mission will involve complex extravehicular activities, precise experimental operations and routine maintenance tasks. "Our main task is to install protective panels, along with perhaps a robotic arm end-effector, and a cable adapter. The adapter works to save time in future storage work," Chen explained. Chen said that when he and fellow rookie astronaut Wang Jie began training, he felt a tinge of anxiety, worried they might fall behind their seasoned mission commander, Chen Dong, a veteran of two spaceflights. He sought to close the gap by striving for perfection in every training session, pushing his limits, drilling relentlessly, and honing each detail until it met the highest standard. A China Central Television video captured how the Shenzhou-20 astronauts overcame challenges through underwater simulation training, replicating the conditions of space to enhance their skills. Under the mission commander's guidance, Chen was seen installing tool brackets near the model node cabin. "Exiting and entering the model node cabin was difficult due to the bulky extravehicular suits, which were prone to scraping," Chen recalled. "He's calm, approachable, and always wears a smile, staying composed in any situation," said mission commander Chen Dong, praising Chen's demeanor. "As a former pilot, he has strong operational skills and can quickly master new tasks." His crewmate Wang described him with three words: responsible, thoughtful, and sincere. Pledging his full commitment to the mission's success, Chen Zhongrui expressed his excitement: "I am eager to behold our magnificent Earth from space and sense the boundless expanse of the cosmos." "I'm equally thrilled to experience weightlessness and fulfill my dream of flying like a Kungfu master," Chen added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Algeria-backed Polisario separatist group has been entrapped by its own crimes committed against civilians in Moroccan Sahara. Time of accountability has arrived with the return of Donald Trump to the White House as the U.S. President is determined to bring closure to the Sahara regional issue in favor of Rabat. The Polisario armed militias, funded and sheltered by the Algerian regime, will either disarm and disband or face sanctions with its supporters as more and more reports are emerging from around the world, exposing their ties with terrorist groups such as Al AQaeda, the Iranian regime and its proxies operating in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Southern Algeria, and Sahel. Japanese media outlet PanOrient News has joined the Washington Post, Syrian TV and international media Monte Carlo in sounding the alarm over the alliance existing between the Algerian regime and Hezbollah, which has trained Polisario militias to guerrilla tactics in order to undermine Moroccos stability and territorial integrity. Hundreds of the Polisario mercenaries and senior Algerian officers were captured in Syria following the collapse of Assad regime. They were fighting with Assad troops against the Syrian people. Algerian authorities have tried to obtain their release but the new Syrian leaders turned down the Algerian request. The Iranians have trained Polisario fighters in connivance with Algerian junta to expand their influence in North Africa, specifically the Maghreb, said PanOrient News, noting that Japanese Public Security Agency (PSIA) recognizes Polisario close connections with terrorist organization of Al-Qaeda branch in the Maghreb. Congressman Joe Wilson is working on a legislation designating the Polisario as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The American Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and the Hudson Institute have published reports setting the legal grounds for branding the Polisario separatist group a terrorist organization. Several experts and politicians from the United States, UK, France, Latin American and European Parliaments call on the Trump administration to include the Polisario in the terror black list for seeking to destabilize Morocco, one of the United States and Europes most trusted partners in Africa. The 2025 Crans Montana Forum (CMF) opened on Friday in Casablanca under the theme: Africas International Trade: Maritime Safety and the Security of Ports and Navigable Routes. This two-day event marks the first in a series of high-level forums scheduled in Morocco and forms part of the Royal Initiative aimed at enhancing access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. Commenting on the Royal initiative, Jean-Paul Carteron, founding president of the Crans Montana Forum, said this initiative is a historic event and a guarantee of peace. The initiative which envisions the port of Dakhla as a strategic hub for West Africa holds transformative potential for the region, he said, noting that the support from Sahel countries came spontaneously and immediately. We can even extend this to Chad, which is also concerned. This access is crucial for driving economic growth and development, and ultimately serves as a foundation for peace. His Majesty gives these countries the opportunity to open up, grow economically, and achieve social balance all essential elements for lasting peace, he insisted, explaining that economic development underpins institutional progress. The Crans Montana Forum president also hailed Moroccos southern city of Dakhla as a miracle and an exportable model for other African nations. Speaking at the opening of the Forum on behalf of the foreign ministers of the three member countries forming the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso), Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop emphasized the leadership of King Mohammed VI as well as the openness and special consideration shown by Morocco toward our Sahel countries. Under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Moroccos support has always been steady, urging everyone to be clear-sighted, to listen, to understand and to grasp the root causes of what is happening, he said. Diop particularly praised the Royal Initiative to facilitate access for Sahel states to the Atlantic Ocean. Our three countriesBurkina Faso, Mali and Nigersupport this initiative, as it addresses the challenges our nations face, he said. For the Malian Foreign Minister, this initiative can enhance the access of Sahel countries and the region to the Atlantic, and consequently help them distribute their goods, facilitate industrialization, and attract international partners. This initiative aligns with our goals within the Confederation of Sahel States, namely to establish major projects in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure to enhance connectivity among our countries, Diop added. Daniel Mukoko Samba, Deputy PM and Minister of National Economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), commended King Mohammed VI for his ambitious vision for Morocco and for Africa, and hailed the Monarchs call on Moroccan citizens and business leaders to deepen ties with the rest of Africa, as well as the Royal Initiative to provide Sahel countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean. This initiative reflects the Kings commitment to greater regional integration and economic inclusion across the continent, he said, noting that CMF 2025 comes at a pivotal moment for Africa, as the continent seeks to define its own path forward. By meeting here in Casablanca alongside Sahel states that have chosen a new direction and with the participation of a country like the DRC we affirm our belief that the DRC can serve as a bridge between Southern Africa and the rest of the continent, he said. He added that Africa remains open to global partners who show genuine interest in working with African countries and supporting the structural projects needed to integrate the continent more fully into the global economy. The Crans Montana Forum 2025 is taking place amid a sustained momentum driven by Moroccos significant advances in the field of maritime transport. The Kingdoms experience, guided by the vision of King Mohammed VI, is at the center of discussions at this gathering, which brings together high-level political and diplomatic figures upholding the importance of South-South cooperation in securing and fostering prosperity in Africas maritime space. The event gathers experts, business leaders, and international maritime stakeholders who will focus debates on port security, international cooperation, maritime sector digitalization, challenges facing African industry, and the future of the Port of Dakhla. The forum also features conferences on economic development of territories through the securing of ports and maritime routes and enhanced international cooperation as a key component of any security strategy. Participants will visit the Casablanca Smart Port facilities. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code OPEC+ is considering adding more barrels to production, particularly as some members like Kazakhstan struggle to meet output reduction commitments. Oil prices are expected to end the week with a decline following reports that OPEC+ may increase output and due to positive developments regarding the situation in Ukraine. Crude oil prices were about to end the week with another loss following a report that OPEC+ may be considering another larger than initially planned output boost in June. A renewed hope for peace in the Ukraine contributed to the bearish mood among traders. Benchmarks were both up at the time of writing, with Brent crude at $66.98 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $63.21 per barrel. The weekly trend is downward but it will be a slim decline. Earlier this week, Reuters reported OPEC+ could add more barrels to production after its June meeting to get quota laggards in line after trying unsuccessfully to do that by extracting commitments of compensatory cuts from the biggest ones, Iraq and Kazakhstan. The report cited unnamed sources familiar with the groups talks on the topic. Kazakhstan has proved to be particularly bothersome for OPEC+, with its energy minister recently saying the government could not force independent operators to reduce output and had no intention of cutting output at state-managed fields because this would affect future production, Reuters also noted in its report. Kazakhstan's statement cements our view that OPEC+ may implement another accelerated three-month unwind again in the May meeting and it may continue again in July and through the summer, Energy Aspects Amrita Sen said following that statement. In other bearish news for oil prices, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told CBS that Moscow and Washington were moving in the right direction with regard to the Ukraine, saying that We are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points - elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned. Meanwhile, Irans Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi said this week he was willing to travel to Europe for negotiations on Irans nuclear program with European powers, suggesting Tehran wants to mend fences, which may at some point lead to the lifting of U.S. sanctions. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Since U.S. President Donald Trump came into office in January, funding has become more uncertain across several sectors, including energy and research. Following recent Department of Energy (DoE) funding cuts, several universities and research institutions are now fighting back. In April, the DoE announced a new policy action aimed at stopping inefficient spending by colleges and universities across the United States. The agency said it would continue to expand American innovation and scientific research. A new policy memorandum stated that the DoE would limit financial support of indirect costs of DoE research funding to 15 percent. This policy change was expected to support annual savings of $405 million. The DoE said the policy aligned with Trumps commitment to bring greater transparency and efficiency to federal government spending. The purpose of Department of Energy funding to colleges and universities is to support scientific research not foot the bill for administrative costs and facility upgrades, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated of the move. With President Trumps leadership, we are ensuring every dollar of taxpayer funding is being used efficiently to support research and innovation saving millions for the American people. The DoE provides more than $2.5 billion a year to over 300 colleges and universities to support its research activities. Part of the financing, often over 30 percent, contributes to indirect costs, including facilities and administration costs, according to the agency. DoE data suggest that these costs are higher than the rate of other for-profit, non-profit, and state and local government grant awardees, and the agency aims to address the issue. Following the announcement, a group of universities, which included Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts to stop the DoE cuts. The plaintiffs argued that the funding reduction would devastate scientific research at Americas universities and undermine the countrys reputation as a global leader in innovation. The lawsuit states that The pace of scientific discoveries in the national interest will be slowed... Progress on a safe and effective nuclear deterrent, novel energy sources, and cures for debilitating and life-threatening illness will be obstructed. Americas rivals will celebrate, even as science and industry in the United States suffer. The suit suggested that the policy change was unlawful and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. Other institutions involved in the legal action are Cornell University, the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Princeton University, the University of Rochester, the Association of American Universities, the American Council on Education, and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. The group suggests that the funding reduction would make the U.S. less competitive at a time when Trump is attempting to solidify the countrys position as a global superpower. It would be, quite simply, a self-inflicted wound and a gift to competitors and potential adversaries such as China, it said. The group also emphasised the negative effect the move would have on U.S. economic opportunities, the workforce pipeline, and families prosperity. Later in April, a federal judge decided to temporarily block the governments research funding cuts to universities. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order blocking the DoE from implementing the new policy. The National Institutes of Health has been battling against similar cuts in indirect research costs. In March, a federal judge in Boston blocked the government from going forward with the cuts, a decision that the administration is appealing. Several U.S. research institutions have complained about significant funding cuts in recent months, under the new Trump administration. In February, Trump halted the first National Nature Assessment (NNA), which had been in the works since 2022 and was nearing completion. Around 150 authors contributed to the report, which assessed the status, observed trends, and future projections of U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystems. Trump has repeatedly made clear that he intends to reduce national spending on renewable energy projects as he focuses his attention on expanding the countrys fossil fuel production. In March, the DoE cancelled two awards to the non-profit green energy think tank RMI in Colorado. One was for almost $5.3 million to retrofit low-income multifamily buildings in Massachusetts and California to help reduce energy use and emissions, while the other was aimed at assessing business models for electric vehicle carsharing in U.S. cities. The projects were just two on a list of around 300 clean energy projects under review. Many of the funding cuts seem to be concentrated in states that did not vote for Trump in the presidential election, such as California. The DoE is expected to halt funding for hundreds of projects supporting climate-friendly initiatives, such as solar power, heat pumps, battery storage, and renewable fuels. The attack on university research and green energy funding could slow the progress of the U.S. green transition and ultimately make the country far less competitive at an international level across numerous industries. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com - The unpredictability of Donald Trumps policy measures has resulted in S&P 500 volatility shooting through the roof, despite gaining 5% since the Easter holidays restored the markets hope of a better future. - Rendering normal market signals even more difficult to read, the US Treasury yields have been irresponsive to the weakening dollar as the 10-year yield remained relatively rangebound around 4.3% over the past two weeks. - The VIX index, used by the Chicago Board Options Exchange to gauge the stock markets expectation of volatility, hit a 5-year peak of 52.33 on April 8 the only two times in history when it was higher were the onset of COVID-19 and the first days of the 2008 financial crisis. - Whilst institutional investors remained net sellers of US stocks in the week ended April 22, according to Bank of America, whilst retail investors increased their US equity exposure for the 19th straight week, marking a massive divergence in strategies. In the latest edition of the Numbers Report, we will take a look at some of the most interesting figures put out this week in the energy and metals sectors. Each week well dig into some data and provide a bit of explanation on what drives the numbers. Numbers Report April 25, 2025 In the latest edition of the Numbers Report, we will take a look at some of the most interesting figures put out this week in the energy and metals sectors. Each week well dig into some data and provide a bit of explanation on what drives the numbers. Lets take a look. Trump Brought Market Volatility to a New Level - The unpredictability of Donald Trumps policy measures has resulted in S&P 500 volatility shooting through the roof, despite gaining 5% since the Easter holidays restored the markets hope of a better future. - Rendering normal market signals even more difficult to read, the US Treasury yields have been irresponsive to the weakening dollar as the 10-year yield remained relatively rangebound around 4.3% over the past two weeks. - The VIX index, used by the Chicago Board Options Exchange to gauge the stock markets expectation of volatility, hit a 5-year peak of 52.33 on April 8 the only two times in history when it was higher were the onset of COVID-19 and the first days of the 2008 financial crisis. - Whilst institutional investors remained net sellers of US stocks in the week ended April 22, according to Bank of America, whilst retail investors increased their US equity exposure for the 19th straight week, marking a massive divergence in strategies. Saudi Arabia Has Had Enough of Cheaters (and Shale) - Kazakhstans Energy Minister announced this week that the Central Asian country will prioritize its national interests over OPEC+, stoking tensions amidst members of the oil group as it struggles to contain overproduction amidst mid-tier producers. - Kazakhstan needs a $116 per barrel price of oil to balance its budget, whilst Saudi Arabia requires $91 per barrel, suggesting that an accelerated unwinding would damage both as they would need to borrow more from the financial markets. - With Saudi Arabia rumoured to seek a policy U-turn on OPEC+ unwinding, speculation is rife that the groups voluntary cuts could be accelerated again into June, after a largely unexpected 411,000 b/d rise in May. - Saudi Aramco has cut its Asian prices by a hefty $2.30 per barrel last month, indicating that Riyadh is potentially ready for a price war to weed out high-cost competition as drilling new wells has become a loss-making enterprise for many US shale producers. Chinese LNG Imports Slump on Trade War Fallout - Chinas imports of liquefied natural gas are in a freefall, with April set to post a 20% decline from a year ago as Chinese buyers will only take in 4.9 million tonnes, seeking to maximize other fossil options such as coal. - Chinese appetite for LNG has also waned on the back of the ongoing trade war between Beijing and Washington, halting US LNG imports altogether since March, despite having a notable position on term deals. - Bloomberg expects 2025 to be the first post-COVID year to see a year-over-year decline in Chinese LNG imports, only to reinforce Japan as the largest buyer globally (Japanese buyers have already imported more than 3 mtpa LNG more than China this year to date). - China has also boosted domestic gas production in recent years, with nationwide output growing 5% year-over-year to 22.7 bcm, equivalent to roughly two-thirds of total gas demand. China Mulls Exempting Ethane Imports from Debilitating Tariffs - Embattled petrochemical producers across Asia are more than keen to see any de-escalation of trade tensions and Beijing might provide some source of optimism soon, with rumours suggesting Beijing could exempt ethane from its 125% retaliatory tariffs on US goods. - The US is an almost exclusive supplier of ethane globally, accounting for some 99.8% of all seaborne deliveries, with China being by far the largest market for it, as ethane crackers crack the feedstock into ethylene. - China imported 1.4 million tonnes of US ethane in Q1 2025, worth some $720 million, posting a 12% growth rate from a year ago as buyers hurried to buy as much as possible (March saw the highest monthly imports ever, at 615,000 tonnes). - US propane was not included in the rumoured list of exempted goods, containing 131 products across 56 categories, mostly dealing with pharmaceuticals, electromechanical parts and engines. EU Electricity Prices Are Coming Down - Europes continued fight to lower electricity prices is finally bearing fruit, with April seeing a halving of wholesale spot prices compared to seasonal peaks in January, largely driven by lower natural gas prices. - Germanys electricity prices have averaged 72 per MWh so far in April, a notable change compared to 144/MWh in February, as the return of spring winds allowed for higher wind generation, further buoyed by longer days and higher solar radiation. - Swinging back from an unusually cold February that saw German gas demand rise to a 3-year seasonal high (simultaneously boosting coal output), temperatures across Europe are expected to be 2.2C above the 10-year average in the first decade of May. - The Old Continents gas benchmark TTF fell by 25% this month, currently trading at 32.5 per MWh ($11.2 per mmBtu) as the US-China trade war eased pricing pressures on LNG ahead of the summer restocking season. US Gas Prices Collapse on Warmer Weather - Henry Hub futures, the US benchmark for natural gas prices, settled below $3 per mmBtu for the first time this year as booming production and relatively high domestic inventories weighed on overall sentiment. - Continuing with a trend of higher-than-assumed stock builds, the EIA reported an 88 bcf boost to US gas inventories in the week ended April 18, effectively reducing the deficit to the five-year average to 44 BCf (or 2%), despite an unusually cold January-February. - Dry production of US natural gas has been hovering between 105 and 106 Bcf/d, whilst LNG feedgas demand remained at 16 BCf/d and Lower-48 consumption trends rangebound around 70 BCf/d, creating a 15-20 BCf/d between supply and demand. - With temperature forecasts for the next two weeks indicating balmy weather that will trigger weak heating and cooling demand, May 2025 could see the highest gas inventory build in a decade. Hedging Collapse Might Indicate the End of Cocoas Epic Bull Run - The top-performing commodity of 2024, cocoa, is now showing signals of finally slowing down after an incredible 185% rally last year alone, as chocolate makers hedging habits indicate there is a light at the end of the tunnel. - Cocoa harvests have been battered by weak harvests in Ghana and the Ivory Coast since 2023, aggravated by diseases such as the swollen shoot virus that lowers cocoa yields by 50% within two years. - Attesting to the change of fortune, chocolate producers have cut their long positions used to hedge against higher prices ahead to a 20-year low, although the total volume of contracts traded has also fallen. - Front-month cocoa futures are currently trading around $9,400 per metric tonne, however the outlook is steeply backwardated with the December 2025 contract trading $1,000/mt lower, suggesting the supply shortages should improve into H2 2025. Thats it for this weeks Numbers Report. Thanks for reading, and well see you next week. So, I started to cast around for something else to trade. Stocks seemed the obvious choice, but the more I looked at the stock market, the less inclined I became to get involved. Firstly, while I had always tracked US stocks, I had never done so in any detail and, having just moved to the country, I felt that I lacked the kind of deep, intuitive understanding of American companies When I left the interbank forex market, something that happened more than twenty years ago now, my first thought was that if I wanted to trade in my own account, foreign exchange was a logical place to start. I had, after all, spent twenty years immersed in that market and understood its influences and tendencies. I quickly came to realize, however, that trading from home, without seeing order flows or what other big players were doing, was a lot more difficult than doing so in a well-connected dealing room. Over the past three weeks, as markets of every stripe have been in turmoil, everyone is looking for an indicator. What can data points or other markets tell us about stocks? Is the worst of the drop over, or are the up days just an exaggerated dead cat bounce (a market term for a retracement of a down move that means nothing on the basis that even a dead cat will bounce if you throw it to the floor hard enough), and will we be seeing new lows before too long? Everybody has their own favorite indicator that they believe will give them some insight into the future. Mine is crude oil. Over the past three weeks, as markets of every stripe have been in turmoil, everyone is looking for an indicator. What can data points or other markets tell us about stocks? Is the worst of the drop over, or are the up days just an exaggerated dead cat bounce (a market term for a retracement of a down move that means nothing on the basis that even a dead cat will bounce if you throw it to the floor hard enough), and will we be seeing new lows before too long? Everybody has their own favorite indicator that they believe will give them some insight into the future. Mine is crude oil. When I left the interbank forex market, something that happened more than twenty years ago now, my first thought was that if I wanted to trade in my own account, foreign exchange was a logical place to start. I had, after all, spent twenty years immersed in that market and understood its influences and tendencies. I quickly came to realize, however, that trading from home, without seeing order flows or what other big players were doing, was a lot more difficult than doing so in a well-connected dealing room. So, I started to cast around for something else to trade. Stocks seemed the obvious choice, but the more I looked at the stock market, the less inclined I became to get involved. Firstly, while I had always tracked US stocks, I had never done so in any detail and, having just moved to the country, I felt that I lacked the kind of deep, intuitive understanding of American companies and the American economy that such an undertaking would require. After a while, I settled on oil futures as the best market for me. Oil is, like forex, a global market that is sensitive to economic and monetary conditions and very focused on growth. Those fundamental factors drive long-term moves and trends but within those trends, technical factors drive two-way, short-term moves. That is the same setup as the forex market, and that, I felt, gave me an edge when I started trading crude. What I quickly came to realize, though, was that the global outlook and growth focus of energy traders often made them very good forward indicators of stock market moves. The pandemic crash in 2020, for example, started in crude futures about a month and a half before stocks reacted. The above charts represent crude futures (top) and the S&P 500 (bottom) and, as you can see, crude turned downwards very early in January, while stocks kept climbing into the second half of February. There have been many other, less dramatic examples over the last five years of crude anticipating problems or starting to bounce back well before stocks, but space doesnt permit showing all of the charts. So, what does all this say about what is happening now? Well, as Donald Trump has softened his stance on the things that caused the crash: the trade war with the rest of the world and calling for the removal of the Fed Chair, stocks have bounced back strongly. Crude has recovered to some extent too, but in a far less dramatic manner, recovering only around a third of its losses versus close to two thirds for the stock market. That may, in part, be because energy traders generally take a longer-term view of any news that may emerge. They tend to react to what the news will lead to, rather than to the news itself. That is why crude dropped early in 2020, even as the government here were reassuring us that Covid was a Chinese problem, or nothing to worry about at all. Energy traders saw it differently, understanding as they did that in the modern world, if China sneezes, everybody else catches Covid, so to speak. What we are seeing now, with the muted rebound in crude, is somewhat similar. Oil traders understand two things that seem to have eluded the stock market. The first is that whatever Donald Trump says should be taken with a grain of salt. He says what he needs to in order to deal with an immediate problem, but sees those words as just a negotiating tactic, not a commitment to action. Thus, with stocks plummeting, he said what the market wanted to hear, but what he said tells us nothing about his actual intentions. The fact that on Thursday, China announced that, contrary to what Trump had implied, no trade talks were taking place proves that once again. And if you think that the President will just leave Jay Powell alone if he keeps rates at a level that will exacerbate economic growth issues while Donald is in the White House, you havent been following the Trump business or political careers very closely. Second, given the history of oil as a geopolitical weapon subject to sanctions, import bans, and tariffs for decades, energy traders are all too aware that there are no winners in a trade war, at least as far as the oil business is concerned. If America wins in its tit for tat battle against China, that will presumably involve weakening the Chinese economy, the worlds largest oil importer. If they dont, then we are set for a long, slow strangulation of free trade around the world. You dont have to be an avid Adam Smith fan to realize that that would not be good for global growth. Either way, oil suffers. Some of the lack of enthusiasm in the oil market is due to issues specific to the commodity, but not all of it. There definitely seems to be a feeling amongst energy traders that no matter what Donald Trump may say, we are heading for a period of chaos that will restrict growth, both domestically and globally. They could be wrong, of course, but history suggests they are right. That is why I am still sitting on a substantial cash position. I have started, as I indicated last week, to nibble at some oil stocks on the basis that either oil will realign itself with stocks, in which case oil stocks will jump, or the oil market will be proven correct in its skepticism, in which case oil stocks will outperform as a more defensive play. That, however, will involve only around 10-20% of my available cash. The rest will continue to sit on the sidelines for a while based on my belief that oil is one of the best forward indicators for the stock market, so the relatively weak bounce that we are seeing in black gold is a warning not to get too enthusiastic about stocks quite yet. In 2020, British Columbia approved LNG Canada, the first megaproject of its kind to get the green light in this Canadian province. LNG Canada consists of an export plant that cools the natural gas to a liquid using a combination of hydroelectricity and natural gas, states LNG Canada a consortium of Shell, Mitsubishi Corporation, Petronas, PetroChina and Korea Gas Corp. The accompanying pipeline, called Coastal GasLink, is a partnership owned by affiliates of TC Energy, Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), and US private equity firm KKR. Completed in late 2023, it extends 670 km from the Montney natural gas field in northeastern BC to the LNG terminal in Kitimat. Initially LNG Canada will export LNG from two processing units or trains with capacity of 2.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The plan is to double capacity to four trains, at 5 billion cubic feet per day. Billed as the largest private-sector construction project in Canadian history, the CAD$40 billion development, including a liquefaction plant, pipeline and gas drilling, is slated for completion in mid-2025. Thats for Phase 1. LNG Canada expects to export 14 million tonnes of natural gas per year, generating an estimated $575 million annually. A proposed Phase 2 would double exports to 28 million tonnes annually. In early April, the facility received its first LNG carrier, the Maran Gas Roxana. The Greek-flagged vessel carried a load of LNG to be used for equipment testing at the LNG Canada site. It's estimated that BC has stores of 93 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, mostly found in the northeast. That explains why there are five potential LNG projects at various stages of approval in the province. LNG Canada is controversial both from an environmental and an economic perspective. Proponents say LNG is the cleanest-burning fuel in the world and helps to replace emissions from dirtier sources of electricity, namely coal, thus improving air quality. LNG projects have been supported by both the B.C. Liberal and NDP provincial governments as a driver of economic growth and as a means of reducing Canadian energy export reliance on the United States. (LNG Canada for example will ship LNG primarily to Asian markets.) Related: Trump Eyes Sovereign Wealth Fund to Back U.S. Mining During the current federal election, the Conservative Party has promised to approve future projects quickly and to repeal Liberal Party rules surrounding environmental protections, they say are hindering investment. The Liberals have also expressed support for future projects and speeding up approval processes. (CBC News) Natural Resources Canada estimates LNG has the potential to add $7.4 billion to the national economy a year by opening up new overseas markets for a product that is otherwise landlocked in North America. Critics argue that LNG creates its own emissions, including the potent greenhouse gas methane, through the liquefaction and transportation process, as well as through drilling and flaring natural gas. Extracting the fossil fuel involves fracking, which has the potential to cause water pollution and has been associated with earthquakes. The B.C. Climate Emergency Campaign earlier this year gave BC a failing grade on several climate-action goals, in part because of its support for LNG projects. They say building massive LNG terminals that require huge upfront capital investments locks in future greenhouse gas emissions at a time when the world needs to be planning for a lower-carbon future, CBC News reported. How about the viability of Canadian LNG? Will the plants make money in an oversupplied natural gas market that has cratered prices? Source: DOB Energy According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the outlook is dim. Its April 25, 2024 headline reads Tidal wave of few LNG supply to flood market amid demand uncertainty. The graph below says it all. Global LNG supply capacity is expected to increase 40 percent by 2028 as Europe, Japan and South Korea slash imports. Source: IEEFA The largest share of supply additions will come from the US and Qatar, likely pushing Australia to third place among global LNG suppliers. [G]lobal LNG suppliers and traders will increasingly depend on growth in emerging markets to both compensate for falling imports elsewhere and absorb a flood of new supply, the IEEFA states. However, such rapid LNG demand growth in emerging economies is not guaranteed, even in an oversupplied market. Countries in South and Southeast Asia, for example, will face distinct barriers to rising demand, including fiscal and credit challenges, extensive infrastructure delays, and contracting issues, among other obstacles. Regarding Canada, the full IEEFA report is far from sanguine: Largely due to high construction and pipeline costs, Canadas once-lofty ambitions to become a major player in the global LNG market have faded. As just one example, Spanish energy firm Repsol abandoned plans last March for an LNG export project on Canadas east coast, citing the high cost of shipping gas from western Canada. Several projects are still looking for financing, including Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims LNG and FortisBC still hopes to expand its Tilbury LNG facility outside of Vancouver. Of roughly 20 LNG projects once proposed in Canada, most have now been shelved. A recent article by BOE Report notes that Canada and the United States began proposing LNG export facilities at roughly the same time in the early 2010s. In typical lets not wait around fashion, the United States seized the moment and has become the worlds largest LNG exporter in the world since then. Canada has exported zero. Nothing. From 2010 to 2021, the US grew their natural gas exports by 485 percent, while Canadas exports declined by 18 percent. Resource Works, a natural resource advocacy group, says the countrys failure to push more strongly for LNG has put it in a weak position. But its not like there havent been chances. When Europe was scrambling for natural gas following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came to Canada looking for help. He was told there was no strong business case for Canadian LNG exports to Europe. A similar response was delivered to the Japanese and Greek prime ministers and the Polish president in 2024. Meanwhile, the US and Qatar ramped up their LNG exports by locking in long-term contracts with Asian and European buyers. Germany, despite its penchant for renewables, invested in floating LNG terminals. Canada not only failed to position itself a global supplier, it threw up hurdles. The federal governments Bill C-69, renamed by opponents the no pipeline law, created an onerous and unpredictable regulatory process for major energy projects. The provincial CleanBC plan made it clear that investment in the sector would face endless hurdles. The results have been severe. Since 2015, Canada has seen $670 billion in cancelled resource projects, including multiple LNG terminals on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Energy East pipeline, which could have supplied LNG facilities in New Brunswick and enabled exports to Europe, was cancelled due to regulatory delays. The proposed expansion of Repsols LNG terminal in Saint John faced the same fate. Investors, spooked by uncertainty and government hostility, took their money elsewhere. British Columbia plans to export most of its LNG to Asia, particularly China and Japan. But even before LNG Canada begins, the United States is pulling the rug out from under it. In early April the US, Japan and South Korea committed to placing US LNG to bolster energy security and mutual benefits, as per S&P Global. The trilateral joint statement came as Tokyo and Seoul were talking to Washington about boosting US LNG imports and considering investments in the Alaska gas pipeline. S&P Global states: In his speech to Congress on March 4, Trump said, My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where Japan, South Korea and other nations want to be our partners with investments of trillions of dollars each. "It will be truly spectacular. It is all set to go," Trump added. Finally, Policy Options says that Banking on LNG exports is a high-risk gamble for Canadas future growth. The publication notes the global LNG market is oversupplied, and its emissions benefits are overstated. Canada should thus look elsewhere for growth, like critical minerals. Author Michael Sambasivan argues that developing Canadas access to global gas markets might decrease dependence on American buyers, but it would also increase the countrys reliance on fossil fuels during a time when the global LNG market is becoming oversaturated. He says it is also becoming increasingly clear that LNGs reputation as a transition fuel is unfounded, with the potential for LNG to displace coal emissions unsupported both economically and scientifically. While backing LNG expansion may look tempting in the face of newfound American aggression, it would also increase the risk of our economy getting to the station after the LNG train has already left. Sambasivan backs the IEEAs position regarding LNG demand destruction, noting that the war in Ukraine spiked natural gas prices, causing South and Southeastern Asian markets to not expand their LNG intake capacity. While European nations expanded their LNG usage to decrease reliance on Russian gas, the EUs energy regulator predicts that Europes LNG demand has peaked and will steadily decline over the back half of the 2020s. China is promoting domestic procurement of gas and is looking at a massive new pipeline from Russia, while Japan and South Korea plan to expand nuclear power to reduce fossil-fueled power generation. It all means that, globally, LNG suppliers will compete fiercely for customers, even in circumstances where the world does not quickly decarbonize. Projections for supply far outpace those for demand, even under the IEAs least climate-ambitious scenario. By Andrew Topf for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com - Russia on Thursday launched its biggest airstrike on Kyiv in a year, clocking in at nearly 70 missiles and nearly 150 drones in half a day. A dozen civilians were killed and scores of others injured. Kyiv says the missiles were potentially supplied by North Korea. Trump called on Putin to stop hostilities and get back to peace talks. The attack puts - The recent terrorist attack in Kashmir, in which at least 26 civilians were killed, has reignited Indo-Pakistani tensions. As of late Thursday, the situation was dangerously and rapidly escalating, with back-and-forth retaliatory measures threatening a major disruption of regional stability. India attributes the attack to Pakistan-backed militant proxies (The Resistance Front), and has retaliated by stopping the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Wagah border crossing and revoking Pakistani visas. Pakistans tit-for-tat response has been to halt trade, suspend airspace, freeze bilateral agreements, and warn that Indias move to halt the Indus water supply was a direct act of war, which, of course, it is. Its tough timing for New Delhi, as well, under the pressure of national elections, where every response has to be a major show of force or votes will be lost. The problem now is that Pakistan has followed Indias lead and appears to be giving up on managing the escalation, threatening a fast destabilization of the region. Keep an eye on what happens along the Line of Control. Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict - The recent terrorist attack in Kashmir, in which at least 26 civilians were killed, has reignited Indo-Pakistani tensions. As of late Thursday, the situation was dangerously and rapidly escalating, with back-and-forth retaliatory measures threatening a major disruption of regional stability. India attributes the attack to Pakistan-backed militant proxies (The Resistance Front), and has retaliated by stopping the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Wagah border crossing and revoking Pakistani visas. Pakistans tit-for-tat response has been to halt trade, suspend airspace, freeze bilateral agreements, and warn that Indias move to halt the Indus water supply was a direct act of war, which, of course, it is. Its tough timing for New Delhi, as well, under the pressure of national elections, where every response has to be a major show of force or votes will be lost. The problem now is that Pakistan has followed Indias lead and appears to be giving up on managing the escalation, threatening a fast destabilization of the region. Keep an eye on what happens along the Line of Control. - Russia on Thursday launched its biggest airstrike on Kyiv in a year, clocking in at nearly 70 missiles and nearly 150 drones in half a day. A dozen civilians were killed and scores of others injured. Kyiv says the missiles were potentially supplied by North Korea. Trump called on Putin to stop hostilities and get back to peace talks. The attack puts him in a difficult position because it follows White House claims that there has been progress towards a peace deal. An attack on Kyiv signifies there is no progress. Discovery & Development Rhino Resources just struck light oil at its Capricornus 1-X well off the coast of Namibia, marking its second discovery in the Orange Basin. The well hit 38 meters of net pay with solid reservoir quality andcriticallyno water contact, making it a promising find for the Cape Town-based explorer and its heavyweight partners, including Azule Energy (a BP [BP.L]/Eni [ENI.MI] JV) and Namcor. The well will be temporarily plugged while post-drill analysis plays out, but its another notch in Namibias belt as it charges toward first oil by decades end. With Shell (SHEL.L), TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), Galp (GALP.LS), and now possibly Chevron (CVX.N) circling 20262027 drilling plans, Namibias oil patch is gaining momentum. - BW Energy (BWE.OL) confirmed a sizable oil find at its Bourdon prospect offshore Gabon, with the DBM-1 ST2 sidetrack showing roughly 25 million barrels of recoverable reserves out of 56 million barrels in place. The well hit 11.2 meters of net pay within a 35.2-meter hydrocarbon column in the Gamba formation, with oil showing the lowest viscosity yet among Dussafu license discoveriesaveraging just 3.5 cp. The field lies near existing infrastructure, 15 km from the BW Adolo FPSO and 7.5 km from the MaBoMo facility, setting it up as a new production cluster. BW says it plans at least four wells and will book the new volumes in future reserve updates. - Turkey is pushing to expand its oil and gas footprint abroad, with state-run Turkiye Petrolleri AO (TPAO) eyeing new exploration deals in Bulgarias Black Sea, Libya, and Iraq. A deal with a foreign partner to explore Bulgarian waters is expected next month, adding to Bulgarias recent tie-up with Shell (SHEL.L). TPAO is also circling Libyas first exploration tender in 17 years and reviewing prospects in Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. The broader goal: boost domestic output, build a regional gas hub, and ease the country's heavy dependence on energy imports. - Chevron (CVX.N) is eyeing a 2026 or 2027 drilling campaign in Namibias Walvis Basin under Petroleum Exploration License 82, expanding its offshore play just north of the prolific Orange Basin. While its first Orange Basin well came up dry, Chevron is keeping its foot on the gas, aiming to capitalize on Namibias red-hot exploration landscape. - Reconnaissance Energy Africa (RECO.V) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Angolas ANPG to explore 5.2 million onshore acres in the Etosha-Okavango Basin, a geologic extension of the Damara Fold Belt where the company is already active in Namibia. The 24-month deal gives ReconAfrica exclusive early-stage access to the acreage, with Sonangol holding a 20% stake and ReconAfrica the remaining 80%. Plans include geochemical surveys, seep detection, and a 2D seismic campaign, all with minimal upfront commitments. The ONE GUYANA FPSO has arrived at the Stabroek Block, marking a major milestone for Guyanas largest oil project yetYellowtail, which is set to produce 250,000 bpd at full capacity. Startup is expected later this year, pushing total Stabroek Block output to around 900,000 bpd by year-end. ExxonMobil (XOM.N) operates the block with a 45% stake, while Hess (HES.N) holds 30% and CNOOC 25%. The FPSOs arrival keeps Guyanas rapid production ramp-up firmly on track. Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions - EQT Corp. (EQT) is acquiring Olympus Energys upstream and midstream assets in southwest Pennsylvania for $1.8 billion$500M in cash and 26M EQT sharesadding 90,000 net acres and about 500 MMcfd of production. The bolt-on gives EQT over a decade of high-quality Marcellus inventory, plus seven years of upside in the Utica, aligning with its integrated strategy and nearby infrastructure. Analysts highlight EQTs ability to fund deals with premium-valued stock and its edge in low-cost gas amid rising demand from LNG and datacenters. EQT also raised 2025 production guidance to 2,2002,300 bcfe while trimming capex, thanks to operational efficiencies and synergy gains. - ConocoPhillips (COP.N) is planning staff cuts later this year as part of a sweeping restructuring effort following its $23B acquisition of Marathon Oil. Layoffs are expected in Q4, though the company hasnt disclosed how many of its 11,800 employees will be affected. With Boston Consulting Group advising, the restructuringdubbed Competitive Edgehas already begun with operational consolidation, to be followed by changes to corporate and support functions. Like peers Chevron (CVX.N) and SLB (SLB.N), Conoco is under pressure to cut costs amid sub-$65 oil, even as it eyes asset divestments in Oklahoma to streamline its post-M&A portfolio. The EU and China are planning a summit in Beijing, further indicating efforts to normalize relations and navigate global trade challenges. The potential removal of sanctions comes as China seeks to strengthen ties with the EU amidst trade tensions with the United States. China is in the final stages of discussions to lift sanctions against European Parliament members, aiming to repair relations with the European Union. China and the European Parliament are in the "final stages" of discussions about removing sanctions on its lawmakers as part of a move to open the door for mended relations between Beijing and the bloc. "Discussions with the Chinese authorities are continuing and in their final stages," a spokesperson for the European parliament told RFE/RL. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola "will first inform group leaders once the Chinese authorities officially confirm that sanctions have been lifted," the spokesperson added. "It has always been the European Parliament's intention to have the sanctions lifted and resume relations with China." The discussions to lift sanctions come as Beijing tries to make inroads against the backdrop of an unfolding trade war with US President Donald Trump's administration. In the face of 145 percent tariffs from the United States, China's largest export market, Beijing is now looking to improve relations with the European Union after years of strained ties with the 27-country bloc. Beijing implemented the sanctions back in 2021 against several members of European Parliament (MEPs) after Brussels had used measures of its own on Chinese officials and entities because of human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, such as ethnic Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, in China's Xinjiang Province. In response, the European parliament then froze the ratification of an EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) that was designed to deepen trade ties between the two massive markets. A deal toward lifting the sanctions, which was first reported by German daily Suddeutsche Zeitung, has raised speculation that China and the EU are moving to normalize their ties as both navigate pressure from the Trump administration. The EU and China are also set to hold a summit in Beijing in July. An EU official who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations said that "it's correct that we are working on lifting the sanctions." However, the official said that the move "has absolutely nothing to do with making any trade deal" and that the previously agreed CAI with Beijing faced obstacles back in 2021 before China sanctioned MEPs and that this "is even more true today." The EU official added that talks with Beijing have been under way for several months and they predated tariffs deployed by Trump, which includes a 20 percent tariff for the EU, although this is currently suspended for 90 days to allow time to negotiate trade deals. Noah Barkin, senior adviser at Rhodium Group, a consultancy, says Beijing is looking to use the removal of sanctions as a precursor to boosting trade ties with Brussels after years of tensions over Chinese support for Russia in its war against Ukraine and a record number of trade investigations launched by the European Commission looking into Chinese companies and government trade policies. In an April 23 blog post, Barkin wrote that EU officials have told him "China hopes the removal of sanctions will lead to a revival of the CAI, sending a powerful signal about EU-China cooperation at a time when Beijing and Brussels are under intense pressure from a global trade war launched by President Donald Trump." Barkin added that despite these expectations from China, he sees "the chances of a meaningful rapprochement between the EU and China as slim." The EU sanctions on Chinese entities are to remain in place and it is unclear if China is planning to remove the blacklisting of all the MEPs and European entities targeted back in 2021 or only for some. The list of MEPs includes Michael Gahler and Miriam Lexmann, lawmakers from Germany and Slovakia, Raphael Glucksmann from France, and Ilhan Kyuchyuk from Bulgaria. Reinhard Butikofer, a German lawmaker and former leader of the European parliament's China delegation, has since left the body. The Chinese blacklist also includes two EU-linked committees, three national parliamentarians, the Mercator Institute for China Studies, the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, and two academics researching China and Xinjiang. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com As India looks to boost its nuclear power generation, the government is considering allowing foreign companies to own up to a 49% stake in Indian nuclear power plants, government sources told Reuters on Friday. Even if India passes amendments in its nuclear foreign investment laws to allow up to 49% foreign stakes, any foreign investment will likely still need prior government approval, according to Reuters sources. Currently, India has 8 gigawatts (GW) of operating nuclear capacity, operated by the state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). In February, the federal budget outlined plans for a significant push toward nuclear energy as part of Indias long-term energy transition strategy. The government now targets the country to have 100 GW of nuclear power generation capacity installed by 2047, positioning nuclear energy as a major pillar in Indias energy mix, the cabinet said. Indias government could also accelerate the construction of nuclear power plants by attracting foreign firms if it changes the liability laws. India plans to remove an unlimited liability clause in its nuclear energy laws in a bid to attract foreign firms, especially U.S. companies, to its nuclear energy sector. The Indian Department of Atomic Energy has prepared a bill that would remove a clause in the Civil Nuclear Liability Damage Act of 2010 that exposes suppliers to unlimited liability if accidents occur, government sources told Reuters earlier this month. Indias largest power utility, NTPC, plans to invest over the next two decades $62 billion in building 30 GW of nuclear generation capacity, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters earlier this year. NTPC is also reportedly looking to hire consultants for feasibility studies for small modular reactors that could potentially replace some of the utilitys old coal-fired power plants. NTPC has issued Indias first such exploratory tender for SMRs, which are considered to be the future of nuclear power. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iraq has sent a delegation to Syria to study if it could restore an oil pipeline that carried crude from Iraq via Syria to ports on the Mediterranean, the media office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Friday. The Iraqi delegation is headed by the President of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, Hamid Al-Shatri. The delegation arrived in Damascus on Friday and is scheduled to meet with the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed al-Sharaa, along with several senior Syrian government officials. The talks will also address expanding trade exchange in ways that benefit the interests of both brotherly peoples, and exploring the possibility of rehabilitating the Iraqi oil pipeline that runs through Syrian territory to the ports of the Mediterranean Sea, the Iraqi PMs office said. The Iraqi delegation will also discuss with the Syrian officials matters related to counterterrorism cooperation and the strengthening of joint arrangements to secure the shared border against potential breaches or threats. The meetings in Damascus will reaffirm Iraqs support for Syrias unity and sovereignty, and underscore that Syrias stability is essential to Iraqs national security and to the security of the broader region, the media office of the Iraqi PM said. Following the insurgence that toppled the Assad government from power in Syria at the end of 2024, the country has seen spiking energy prices and a deeper energy crisis as deliveries of crude oil from Iraq and Iran were halted. Earlier this year, the EU suspended a handful of sanctions against Syria, including those related to energy, banking, and reconstruction, and the oil is now flowing again from Kurdish-controlled regions in the northeast. In February, Kurdish-led authorities started shipping oil from fields they control in the northeast to the new central government in Damascus, marking a fairly significant move towards reconciliation, and potentially, stability post-Assad. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iran and Russia are enhancing further their energy cooperation as Russian companies signed a deal to develop oilfields in Iran and the countries discuss the creation of a natural gas hub in the Islamic Republic. Irans Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad is currently on a visit to Moscow, where the two countries that are under U.S. sanctions committed to increase their cooperation. Early this year, Iran and Russia signed a so-called Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which included among various other commitments a pledge to expand cooperation in the energy sector, including in energy supply and swap operations. Russia and Iran have been deepening their cooperation, including in the energy sector, for years, and especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine cut off a lot of Moscows previous oil and gas customers. Paknejads visit to Moscow this week comes as the two counties seek to forge deeper cooperation in the finance and banking sectors, too. During the visit, Iran finalized four agreements with Russian companies to develop seven oilfields in Iran, the minister said. The deals are worth a total investment of about $4 billion, Iranian media quoted Paknejad as saying. Russia and Iran also signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in the oil and gas sector that could be finalized into contracts in the future. Teams of expert from both countries are negotiating the details of these possible new oil and gas contracts, Paknejad said. In addition, Russia and Iran are holding talks on potential imports of natural gas from Russia, which could be followed by gas swaps and transit to other countries, according to the Iranian official. Iran and Russia will also aim to double their annual bilateral trade to $10 billion, the Iranian minister added. The potential for trade between Iran and Russia is far greater than the current $5 billion level, Paknejad was quoted as saying. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A growing number of Russian insurance firms, some of which sanctioned by the U.S., have applied with Indias authorities to insure tankers shipping Russian crude oil to India, according to various sources familiar with the matter. Sberbank Insurance, which is sanctioned by the U.S., is one of the companies applying for approval to cover oil tankers docking in India, Russias key crude customer alongside China, sources have told Bloomberg. Other Russian insurers seeking permits to provide protection and indemnity coverage to Russian oil tankers bound for India include Balance Insurance, Ugoria Insurance, and ASTK, according to Bloombergs sources. Indias shipping authorities have already approved five insurers from Russia to cover oil tankers carrying Russias crude to the worlds third-largest crude oil importer. 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. As a result of the Russian flow reshuffles in the past three years and the cheaper Russian oil, OPECs market share in India slumped to an all-time low in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. OPEC held a share of below 50% of Indias crude oil imports, 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 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. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com LINCOLN A bill designed to give prospective parents more options for giving birth got the votes it needed to advance in the Legislature on Thursday, but key amendments did not, leading the bills sponsor to say, Its not what I want, and its not what I promised a lot of people. Its not what the people of Nebraska are looking for. State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair said other lawmakers gutted my bill, so he wont ask the speaker to schedule it for a next round of debate. Hansen said hes been working to expand birth options for Nebraska families for years. Legislative Bill 676 would allow for a certified nurse midwife to attend home births Nebraska is the only state that does not allow this and let CNMs work independently, without a partnership with a physician. Hansen said about half of Nebraska counties dont have maternal care facilities and more are closing, enhancing the need for access to home births and birth centers. One proposed amendment would have allowed for certified professional midwives to work in the state and create a supervisory board. CPMs are trained and credentialed to care for and support a parent during pregnancy, birth and postpartum but do not have nursing certifications. It also would allow Medicaid reimbursement for doula services, a provision from a bill that Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha introduced. Another amendment, Hansen said, was designed to address concerns from hospital and health professional organizations that opposed the bill at a public hearing. Hansen highlighted that the amendment would require CPMs to disclose their liability coverage. He dubbed the package of the bill and its amendments the momnibus. The bill passed comfortably with 40 votes, but both amendments failed in close ballots that did not follow partisan lines. Democrats and Republicans in the body each shared experiences that made them wary or welcoming of home births. Most concerns hinged on CPMs and their level of training, questioning if they could handle complex birthing situations. I dont know about you, but I want the best trained person to do medical work on me. And I would think others would want the same thing, Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte said. He also pressed the issue of liability and hospitals potentially picking up the responsibility for adverse home birth scenarios. Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln said complications she experienced giving birth required hospital treatment. That isnt to say that somebody elses experience is going to go like mine, but I cant erase those feelings and those experiences, she said. Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood said his CPMs performed four births for his daughter, a labor and delivery nurse. She preferred the level of care a midwife could provide, Clements said: In hospitals, theyre inducing labor. They have a hurried approach. The doctors have many patients, and she wanted an individual person attending her at home who was monitoring just her. Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln said she had a midwife when she gave birth and said it was safe 40 years ago and safe now. The thing I love about midwives is they understand their own limitation and their own training and their own background, which I think were selling them short on, she said. During the debate, Hansen said he wanted to keep working on the bill and made arrangements with Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, a member of the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee, to negotiate the amendments before the next round of voting. Fredrickson proposed an amendment to keep the doula portion of the momnibus but remove the segment about CPMs. Several senators said they liked Fredricksons amendment, but he withdrew it and said hed keep working with Hansen. While Hansen was still rallying support, he asked senators to at least give mothers in the state of Nebraska options and said, lets actually make delivery in a home more safe than what we have now. Regulation is important, he said, because midwives are working now in Nebraska without supervision, certification or education requirements. Throughout the debate, Hansen referenced the high level of engagement advocates for home births have had with the Legislature. Several families with young children watched the debate from the balcony of the senate floor. After the votes for the amendments failed, laughter from the lobby was audible in the chamber. Hansen said he heard the laughs but declined to comment on who had that reaction. While Hansen said he didnt want to push the cut-down version of the momnibus, he still wanted to see expanded birth options. Maybe its just a fight for another day, he said. By Oregon State Senator Dick Anderson You have heard time and time again that Oregon is in a housing crisis, but we didnt get here overnight. There is a combination of factors that have created a severe imbalance between housing supply and demand, driving up costs and making it difficult for many residents to find affordable places to live. One major driver is Oregons chronic underproduction of housing. Estimates suggest Oregon is short anywhere from 87,000 to 140,000 homes to meet current demand. This gap didnt happen overnight and has been decades in the making. New construction lagged behind population increases, particularly between 2015 and 2019, when the state added three residents for every new housing unit built- double the national average. The lack of supply, and the large demand for homes has pushed home prices and rents to skyrocket. As of 2023, the typical home in Oregon cost around $528,000, significantly higher than the national average. Rental costs jumped 17% from 2020 to 2022 alone. For a minimum-wage worker, affording a two-bedroom apartment requires working 82 hours a week, an impossible burden for most. Even if you arent a minimum-wage worker the burden of rent is hard to ignore. Oregons land use policies, which date back to the 1970s, particularly the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) system, play a significant role in this crisis as well. In 1973 Senate Bill 100 established the UGB system that Oregon has. Designated to curb sprawl and protect farmland, UGBs limit where new housing can be built- concentrating development within designated urban areas. These preserve Oregons natural beauty, a draw for many residents, restricts the supply of buildable land. Developers often face a shortage of shovel-ready lots due to permitting delays, high fees, and financing challenges, even when land is zoned for residential use. This bottleneck drives up land costs and stalls construction as well as local regulations and focus on single-family homes which hinder denser, more affordable projects. Population growth and migration have intensified this demand. In the last 20 years, the states population has increased by about 750,000 people. Remote workers and retirees, especially from high-cost states like California, have further strained rural and suburban markets, tripling housing prices in some areas within months. This influx, coupled with slow construction, overwhelms existing stock. Economic factors amplify the crisis. Wages havent kept pace with the housing costs. While prices have soared, incomes have only doubled over decades in some regions, leaving renters and buyers stretched thin. Half of Oregons renters spend over 30% of their income on housing, and a quarter spend over 50%, making them cost-burdened and vulnerable to eviction or homelessness. The states homelessness rate reflects this: Oregon ranks third nationally in homeless persons per capita and first for unsheltered children- with chronic homelessness nearly doubling over the last 15 years. These are major problems! Finally, zoning and regulatory hurdles exacerbate the shortage. Single-family zoning dominates many areas, limiting multifamily housing that could serve moderate- and low-income residents- 95 % of the housing deficit targets these groups. Efforts to relax zoning, like legalizing accessory dwelling units or duplexes, face resistance from NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) sentiments, while infrastructure funding lags, delaying large-scale projects. Even with recent investments- like Governor Koteks $376 million housing package in 2024, production (around 12,000 units annually) falls short of her 36,000-unit goal. In short, Oregons housing crisis is a perfect storm of insufficient supply, restrictive land policies, rapid demand growth, and economic pressures, all colliding to make homes unaffordable for too many. Solutions exist- more construction, smarter zoning, targeted subsidies. Overcoming decades of underbuilding and entrenched interest remains a steep challenge. So, what is currently being done? Construction is a mixed bag. Oregon is still short a lot of homes- and while Governor Kotek is pushing for 36,000 new units annually, the states only hitting about 12,000. Her 2025 legislative efforts are gaining traction with some cities already doubling their middle housing permits. However, rural areas and smaller cities lag, some even dropping to zero permits as well. Red tape, high land costs, and prevailing wage laws- which add an addition 10-20% to project costs, are slowing things down. Senate Bill 974 is a bill I put forward this legislative session that has bipartisan support. This bill streamlines engineering, planning and review processes to speed up housing developments within Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs). This bill cuts the red tape to build homes faster. In some areas of the state, it can take cities up to 8 weeks to get a permit approved to be able to even start building, and this is only if the permit is complete- missing documents, unclear plans or failure to meet code requirements trigger revisions, restarting the review clock. Many building permits require review by multiple different agencies, each with its own review timeline, causing bottlenecks. This bill will require a city, or county to complete a review of a land use application for a single-family dwelling in 45 days. Where the law currently stands there is no time limit for engineering or final platting and design reviews. This cant be the case when we are in a crisis and time is essential. This bill will be up for a vote on the Senate floor Monday. Like Senate Bill 974, Senate Bill 6 ensures building homes and middle housing can happen fast in Oregon. Senate Bill 6 is a shot clock bill which requires building departments to approve or deny building applications in 45 business days or less. This clock only starts when the application is deemed complete. This bill will only apply to residential homes and middle housing in subdivisions (no commercial and large scale). This bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Housing Committee and was moved to Joint Ways and Means because of an indeterminate fiscal element. We got that removed so this bill could be sent to the senate floor for a vote. Other states are currently passing similar bills like this currently- California is passing a bill with a 30-to-60-day building permit requirement and Arizona is passing a bill with a 15-day requirement. If other states can do it, there is no reason that Oregon cant do this as well. Its entirely possible. It is also worth noting that Texas and North Carolina passed legislation that requires approval in just a few weeks. In Texas, a developer can now move forward with construction if a municipality takes more than 30 days to review a completed application. A bill that has passed the Senate with strong support is Senate Bill 1086. This bill creates a statewide apprenticeship program to train more building inspectors and speed up housing construction. With Oregon short 115 inspectors annually, this bill breaks the logjam to get homes built faster while ensuring safety. This bill will now go to the House and if it passes, will make its way to the Governors desk to be signed into law. We didnt get into this housing crisis overnight. Some could argue that it has been decades in the making with the passing of Senate Bill 100 in the 1970s. However, there is one thing that we can all agree on- something needs to be done now to fix this! When you are in a crisis that means all hands-on deck. We need to cut the red tape, expand UGBs, streamline the application process and start building homes today, not tomorrow or next year. These bureaucratic delays are inflating construction costs and driving up the costs of homes. File photo: most dangerous By Oregon State Representative Boomer Wright Newletter Excepet Earlier last week, hundreds of students, teachers, and their families panicked after an active shooter threat was made at Silverton High School. The school went into lockdown and police officers from multiple agencies arrived at the scene, only to determine it was a prank, also known as swatting. FOX12: Silverton High School cancels Friday classes, events after 2 swatting incidents Swatting occurs when someone makes a false emergency report to send law enforcementoften a SWAT teamto an unsuspecting persons home, school, or place of worship. What some may see as a prank can quickly become deadly. According to the Educators School Safety Network, there was a 546% increase in the number of false active shooter reports from the year 2018/2019 to the year 2022/2023, in which there were more than 446 false reports. Representative Darcey Edwards from Banks, introduced HB 3935 this session that would make swatting a felony in Oregon, bringing real consequences to those who abuse our emergency systems and put lives at risk. Currently in Oregon, making a false report is considered a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by 10-30 days in jail. In addition to the upgraded felony charge, House Bill 3935 would make swatting punishable by 5-10 years in jail and/or a $125,000-$250,000 fine, or both. HB 3935, that died in committee just two days prior to the swatting incident in Silverton, which has renewed support for this concept. As a priority bill, Rep. Wright is introducing a new swatting bill (HB 3969) with Rep. Edwards. HB 3969 will carry forth the same upgraded felony charges for swatting punishable by 5-10 years in jail and/or a $125,000-$250,000 fine, or both. We owe it to our schools and communities to act. HB 3969 is a commonsense, bipartisan solution to a growing public safety threat. By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Oregon Congresswoman Maxine Dexter showed her priorities when she took a multi-day tip 3,740 miles away to foreign nation to check up on due process for a criminal who (1) illegally entered the United States, (2) tied to international crime gang MS-13 (3) tied to human traffickers (4) domestic violence charge while in Oregon thousands of people and family members have had no due process because courts across Oregon have been dropping criminal cases because the state public defender funding and staff has gone empty. There are no team of lawyers or handful of Congress members traveling asking if Oregon crime victims lost due process needs help. The media has ignored crime victims and over-saturated gang members. We also note that Oregon Congresswoman Maxine Dexter voted against the Laken Riley Act which helps report crimes by illegal migrants to authorities. If you appreciate this graphic we produce then support our efforts: Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe ATLANTA As the Trump administration continues to impose tariffs, small businesses and farms across the state are feeling the pressure of what is to come. The tariffs are a little concerning especially the one on China because China is our No. 1 customer, said Ron Kindred, chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association and owner of Kindred Farms in Atlanta. Our concern going forwards is that we hope this doesn't last very long, that they negotiate an agreement sooner rather than later and that we don't lose any market shares going forward." Kindred Farms was one of three stops on U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthis "tariff tour" Thursday, in which the congressman aimed to highlight the impacts of President Donald Trumps tariffs on Illinois small businesses. Krishnamoorthi, who was raised in Peoria, said it was important for him to be downstate and meet with residents in areas that are vital to the state. His district encompasses communities in the west and northwest suburb's of Chicago. In addition to his visit to Atlanta, Krishnamoorthi visited Testa Produce, a family-operated produce wholesaler in Chicago, and Cloud Mountain Kombucha brewery in Urbana. "My biggest takeaway is people are very concerned about two words; chaos and uncertainty," Krishnamoorthi said. "Chaos because they don't know who to believes or what is actually the truth about what's going to happen with regard to the tariffs. And then uncertainty means less hiring and less investment." Krishnamoorthi, of Schaumburg, is among those believed to be considering running for the U.S. Senate after Dick Durbin announced his retirement this week. He said, during his stop in Atlanta, he will be making an announcement on the decision at a later time, but his focus Thursday was to talk with those who are being caught in the crossfire of the tariffs. "As a former small business person, I can tell you it's a moment of high vulnerability and we don't want that," Krishnamoorthi said. "It's hard enough to be a farmer. Why would you want to put yet another impediment in the way of their success?" Kindred, who has been farming soybeans since 1980, said he is concerned about the tariffs and any other retaliatory actions from China, which is responsible for more than half of all soybean exportations from the U.S. Illinois is also the No. 1 soybean-producing state and the fourth largest agricultural exporting state in the country. "This time of year South America is supplying the soybeans to China because their harvest is done and typically this is when they buy most of their soybeans from South America, and wintertime is when we usually supply soybeans to that market," Kindred said. "The last time we lost a little market share was when the last tariff was on at 2018." Kindred was previously the chairman of the Illinois Soybean Growers SoyPac and a soy advocate for the growers' Voice for Soy program. He also represented Illinois on the American Soybean Association board and served as both vice president and secretary for the group. Kindred said he understands the purpose of what the Trump administration is doing with trying to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. from China, but the agricultural industry is being caught in the middle. Kindred was in Decatur on Tuesday for the unveiling of the nation's first B99 biodiesel fuel pump, which is composed of 99% renewable and cleaner burning fuels like soy oil, for semitruck commercial fleets. The hope is to see these new pumps spread across the nation as demand for less polluting fuel grows, as well as uncertainty around tariffs with China. "Those are the kinds of things we're focusing on as an organization trying to impact and tell our story about the tariffs and what it means it us, but also the things were doing outside of that to possibly negate some of the impacts," Kindred said. Krishnamoorthi said Democrats need about three Republican members from the House on their side to block Trump's ability to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act which is being used to carry out these tariffs. This comes after a dozen states sued the Trump administration on Wednesday to stop its tariff policy, saying it is unlawful and aiming to block government agencies and its officers from enforcing the tariffs. "From what I can see is the emergency is now because of the chaos and uncertainty. Let's end that emergency," Krishnamoorthi said. "Congress should have a lot more control over trade policy, and while we want the executive branch to maintain discretion under certain laws, this is going overboard." SPRINGFIELD Even as Illinois' political geography shifted under Sen. Dick Durbins feet, the five-term incumbent never forgot where he came from or the people who first sent him to Washington, downstate political observers said. Durbin worked tirelessly to direct federal resources for economic development and to rectify systemic flooding issues in his hometown of East St. Louis, recalled state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea. And no Durbin visit to the Metro East region was ever complete without a stop at Kruta Bakery in Collinsville, a favorite from his childhood. That's the type of roots that he had in the Metro East that are going to be missed, Hoffman said, alluding to Durbin's announcement this week that he will not seek reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2026. Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, calling Durbin a true friend to Decatur going back, has a similar feeling as he prepares to walk out the door. She noted that it was Macon Countys strong support for Durbin that pulled him across the finish line in his initial run for Congress in 1982, when he defeated eleven-term incumbent Republican Rep. Paul Findley by a razor-thin 1,400-vote margin in a district that stretched from Quincy to Springfield to Decatur. "It was Macon County voters that put him in office, and he never forgot that, Moore Wolfe said. And even though he is one of the most powerful people in America, he has still made time for Decatur. I mean, I get invited to sit down with him for lunch at least once or twice a year. He truly cares about what happens here. It's hard to imagine having that kind of access again to someone in that major of a position," Moore Wolfe said, a sentiment echoed by a number of local government and community leaders across Central and Southern Illinois. Indeed, Durbin has been downstate Illinois voice in the Senate for nearly three decades. He inherited the mantle directly from Sen. Paul Simon, a Democrat from Makanda who served for a dozen years before passing the torch to his handpicked successor. Its not a hard-and-fast rule, but Illinois representation in the Senate has historically often been divided between a person from the Chicago metropolitan region and another from Central or Southern Illinois. The legacy of a downstate voice being in the United States Senate has directly benefited downstate communities for quite some time, said U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, whose district overlaps with areas Durbin represented during his time in the House. And so the announcement of Senator Durbin's retirement is undeniably a loss for our downstate communities as he's been my real kind of go-to person. Among others, the lineage of downstaters in the upper chamber also includes Alan Dixon, a Belleville Democrat who served from 1981 to 1993; Everett Dirksen, a Pekin Republican who served from 1951 to 1969; and Scott Lucas, a Democrat from Havana who served from 1939 to 1951. The latter two also served stints as their party's leaders in the Senate. But the traditional balance appears likely to end with Durbin. Given Illinois strong Democratic tilt in federal elections, the party is heavily favored to hold Durbins seat. But nearly all of the declared and likely candidates live in Chicago or the suburban collar counties, reflecting the broader shift in the states political geography since Durbin was first elected to the upper chamber in 1996. Over the past few decades, Democratic power has waned downstate as voters historically aligned with the party through labor unions and economic interests but often out of step with the national party on cultural issues like abortion and guns, have shifted heavily towards Republicans. It was a gradual movement that went into warp drive with President Donald Trump's ascendance onto the national political scene. On the flip side, Chicagos suburban collar counties, once the bedrock of the state Republican Party, have now become reliably Democratic, a change that can be partly attributed to the regions diversification but also to backlash against the GOPs increasingly rigid social conservatism and the unpopularity of Trump among white voters with college degrees, particularly women. Even in the case of Durbin, I think he believed it was more his responsibility for good government than it was a political opportunity to get votes (in downstate Illinois), particularly later in his career when he was well-established and had a really strong base throughout the state, and could expect strong support in Chicago and the suburbs," said John Shaw, the director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Durbin, addressing reporters gathered in his Springfield backyard the same place he announced his candidacy for Senate in 1996 acknowledged earlier this week that as a downstate Democrat, hes part of kind of a vanishing breed when you consider federal office, particularly United States Senate. But, he said, the region shouldn't be written off. My message to everyone interested in running for office statewide: Run in the entire state from one corner to the next, Durbin said Thursday. Don't assume a damn thing. These are voters who want to hear from you and want to know if youre going to make their lives any better. Potential contenders have downstate ties The only declared candidate so far is Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who hails from the Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. She was endorsed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday, cementing her status as a frontrunner in the race. However, several other candidates are expected to jump in over the coming days and weeks. Among them: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville and Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson. Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs, who now lives in Chicago but has deep roots in Champaign County, is also reportedly among those considering a bid. All have some degree of downstate ties, Frerichs most directly. The Gifford native served as Champaign County Auditor and represented parts of east-central Illinois in the state Senate before his election to statewide office in 2014. Krishnamoorthi was raised in Peoria. Kelly attended Bradley University in Peoria and her congressional district, though based in Chicago and its south suburbs, includes swaths of downstate stretching as far south as Danville. Many have traveled the state extensively. Krishnamoorthi, long expected to run for Senate once Durbin retired, has been hosting official congressional events and appearing at political events across central and southern Illinois over the past year. This week, this included stops in Logan County and Urbana to highlight the impact of tariffs on farmers and businesses. Kelly made a point to visit all corners of the state when she was chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois from 2021 to 2022. Stratton frequently travels the state and has served as chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, a group set up to address the challenges facing the states rural areas. She has also spearheaded the "Ag Connects Us All" campaign, which is her attempt to bring people across regional, racial and cultural lines on the issue of agriculture. "So they all have a card to play in terms of the downstate messaging," said Porter McNeil, a Quad Cities-based political consultant. "And the question would be, 'who has the resources to drive that message and to build a campaign around those messages downstate?'" McNeil, who is not affiliated with any campaign, suggested that Frerichs may have an advantage downstate in a field of candidates whose political careers were molded in the Chicago region. "Mike Frerichs has the lane downstate if he runs," McNeil said. "He's really the only downstater that whose name is on the shortlist. So there is a lane to take, and that's his lane should he decide to run." Whether Frerichs runs or not, a crowded primary in which votes will be spread widely among the candidates means that downstate voters could still play a key role in deciding who the nominee is. As an example, McNeil recalled the 2002 Democratic gubernatorial primary, when Rod Blagojevich's aggressive campaigning downstate helped put him over the top in a three-way race in which he lost in Cook County and the collar counties. 'Whatever we're doing, keep doing it' Several downstate community leaders and elected officials say they hope Durbin's replacement maintains a focus on the needs of the entire state. I want to see a commitment to our downstate communities, Budzinski said. And that means showing up first and foremost. It means listening. I think it's about meeting our voters in downstate Illinois where they are, and not expecting them to meet you where you are on issues. John Penn, a longtime Central Illinois labor leader who retired as vice-president and Midwest regional manager of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), said Durbin's willingness to cooperate with both political parties earned him respect throughout the state. Penn, of Bloomington, would like to see that quality continue in Durbin's successor, as opposed a focus on "retribution" that some political figures may bring to the job. There's just so much hatred out there, Penn said. I'd like to say dislike, but it's hate. (Illinois needs) somebody that's going to get along and pass legislation for the people and stop all the bickering. Durbin's successor should focus both on the immediate as well as having a long-term agenda, Penn said. I want to know what you're going to do 10, 15 (or) 20 years from now, he said. Because serving the state of Illinois is all about the future. It's all about our grandkids, our great-grandkids, Penn said. Linda Foster, president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, also voiced hope that Durbin's eventual successor would avoid going with the same-old, same-old of politics. 'One side for this,' 'One side for that.'" "We need someone who can cross the line for the right reasons, Foster said. Nobody should be left behind, whether it's health equity, whether it's access to education, whether it's young people getting the experiences they need. Hoffman, who has represented portions of the Metro East in the state legislature on-and-off since 1991, said that "it always is a loss when you lose someone who grew up in the same area you grew up, understands the dynamics of relationships in that area, understands the industry in that area, understands the school systems, referring to Durbin. So I would say, yeah, it's going to be a loss to central and southwestern Illinois," he said. "But I can assure you that for me to support someone, you're going to have to prove that you understand the needs of downstate Illinois, not just the city of Chicago and then around the surrounding suburbs. In some ways, Durbin said, he had to do the reverse before he was elected in 1996: introduce himself to voters in the northern portion of the state. Durbin was able to do so and, over the course of his time in the Senate, it became harder to pin down exactly where he was from. "I'll let you in on a little secret: We did some polling after 10 or 12 years I'd been in the Senate," Durbin recalled. "And we asked the voters, 'Where do you think Durbin's from?' "The people in Chicago said, 'Well, of course he's from Chicago.' The people downstate said, 'Well, of course, he's from downstate.' And I said, 'Whatever we're doing, keep doing it.'" "You build up a base of support," Durbin said. "And I've tried to do that." 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 celestial shadow known as the Circinus West molecular cloud creeps across this image taken with the Department of Energy-fabricated 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera (DECam)one of the most powerful digital cameras in the world. Within this stellar nursery's opaque boundaries, infant stars ignite from cold, dense gas and dust, while outflows hurtle leftover material into space. Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA Image Processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), D. de Martin & M. Kosari (NSF NOIRLab) A celestial shadow known as the Circinus West molecular cloud creeps across this image captured from Chile with the 570-megapixel Department of Energyfabricated Dark Energy Cameraone of the most powerful digital cameras in the world. Within this stellar nursery's opaque boundaries, infant stars ignite within cold, dense gas and dust, while outflows hurtle leftover material into space. This winding, shadowy form, accentuated by a densely-packed starry background, is the Circinus West molecular clouda region rich in gas and dust and known for its host of newly formed stars. Molecular clouds, the cradles of star formation, are interstellar clouds that are so dense and cold that atoms within them bond with each other to form molecules. Some, such as Circinus West, are so dense that light cannot pass through, giving them a dark, mottled appearance and earning them the name dark nebulae. The cloud's flourishing population of young stars has offered astronomers a wealth of insight into the processes driving star formation and molecular cloud evolution. This image was captured with the Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a program of NSF NOIRLab. It showcases the western portion of the larger Circinus molecular cloud, an impressive celestial object located about 2,500 light-years from Earth in the constellation Circinus. It stretches 180 light-years across and boasts a mass 250,000 times that of the sun. A celestial shadow known as the Circinus West molecular cloud creeps across this image taken with the Department of Energy-fabricated 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera (DECam) one of the most powerful digital cameras in the world. Within this stellar nursery's opaque boundaries, infant stars ignite from cold, dense gas and dust, while outflows hurtle leftover material into space. DECam is mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA/N. Bartmann (NSF NOIRLab). Image Processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), D. de Martin & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab). Music: zero project - Through the Looking Glass Circinus West is known for harboring dozens of young stellar objectsstars that are in their early stages of development. Despite being shrouded in dense gas and dust, these infant stars make themselves known. Zooming in, various clues to their presence can be seen dotted throughout Circinus West's snaking tendrils. One indication of newly formed stars are the sparse pockets of light seen bursting through the murky clouds. This light is emanating from actively forming stars, and the cavities around them have been carved out by molecular outflowspowerful jets ejected from protostars as a way to release gas and momentum that built up during formation. These energetic outflows are much easier for astronomers to find than the embedded stars themselves and are a powerful tool for studying stellar nurseries. Many of the bright spots seen throughout the dark clouds indicate the positions of young stars that have ejected the material around them. Multiple outflow sources can be seen within Circinus West's central black plume, an area known as the Cir-MMS region that loosely resembles a downward-stretched hand with long, shadowy fingers. Near the center of this region the radiation from a newborn star is carving out a cavity from within the opaque cloud. And at the extreme bottom left of the central cloud another announces its birth with an explosion of light. A close-up of two Herbig-Haro (HH) objects found in the Circinus West molecular cloud: HH 76 (above center of image) and HH 77 (lower left). HH objects are glowing red patches of nebulosity commonly found near newborn stars. They form when fast-moving gas thrown out by stars smashes into slower-moving gas in the surrounding molecular cloud or interstellar medium. This image was taken with the Department of Energy-fabricated 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera (DECam)one of the most powerful digital cameras in the worldmounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA. Image Processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), D. de Martin & M. Kosari (NSF NOIRLab) A close-up of Herbig-Haro (HH) object 139, found in the Circinus West molecular cloud. HH objects are glowing red patches of nebulosity commonly found near newborn stars. They form when fast-moving gas thrown out by stars smashes into slower-moving gas in the surrounding molecular cloud or interstellar medium. This image was taken with the Department of Energy-fabricated 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera (DECam) one of the most powerful digital cameras in the world mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA. Image Processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), D. de Martin & M. Kosari (NSF NOIRLab) Another signpost of star formation, of which there is no shortage of in Circinus West, is the presence of Herbig-Haro (HH) objects. HH objects are glowing red patches of nebulosity commonly found near newborn stars. They form when fast-moving gas thrown out by stars smashes into slower-moving gas in the surrounding molecular cloud or interstellar medium. Visually scanning Circinus West will reveal countless HH objects. To the left of Cir-MMS, three recently discovered HH objects can be seen fluttering across the face of the dark clouds. Studying the outflows in Circinus West may offer valuable clues into the star formation process and also reveal how young stars impact their environment. With such a variety of outflows, it serves as a natural laboratory for studying not just the life cycles of stars but also the dynamics of molecular clouds and the mechanisms governing the evolution of galaxies. The massive outflows occurring there may even resemble the conditions under which our solar system formed, providing us a glimpse into the processes that led to our own emergence in the universe. Provided by NSF NOIRLab 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: Juvenile bonobo embraces a distressed companion during post-conflict consolation. Credit: Zanna Clay / Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Psychologists from Durham University, UK, have observed the behavior of 90 sanctuary-living apes to establish whether bonobos were more likely than chimpanzees to comfort others in distress. The study, led by Dr. Jake Brooker, found that both species consoled their peers at similar rates, with the greatest variation actually occurring within each species. This challenges long-held assumptions that bonobos are the more empathic ape and instead highlights the variation within each species. Two young bonobos embracing. Credit: Zanna Clay / Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary It is the first time that the two species' consolation tendencies have been directly compared. The study has been published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. The researchers studied 40 bonobos at the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 50 chimpanzees at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. Victim bonobo with pout face being consoled by a juvenile bystander. Credit: Zanna Clay / Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary In total, the team logged 1,400 hours of observation across the two species, focusing on how individuals reacted to a group member that had experienced a naturally occurring moment of distress, such as a fight. They found that older apes were less likely to console than younger apes in both bonobos and chimpanzees. This suggests that emotional sensitivity to others emerges early in ape development. Mother chimpanzee embracing her distressed juvenile son. Credit: Jake Brooker / Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust In bonobos, younger individuals were more likely to console others and be consoled. In chimpanzees, young males and close social partners consoled the most. Both species console each other in a similar way to humans, with behaviors including embracing, hand grasping, and touching. Dr. Brooker, of Durham University's Department of Psychology, said, "For a long time, bonobos have been thought of as the more empathic ape, while chimpanzees are typically spoken about as the violent, despotic ape. However, we found that chimpanzees are just as likely to console one another as bonobos. Adult chimpanzee embracing juvenile chimpanzee. Credit: Jake Brooker / Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust "Instead, like recent studies comparing bonobos and chimpanzees in aggression, social tolerance, and sexuality, our findings highlight the important individual and social variation within each species. Just like humans, bonobos and chimpanzees may flexibly show empathy depending on the individual, the group, and the surrounding social culture." At Chimfunshi, chimpanzees live in large naturalistic miombo woodland forest enclosures. Credit: Jake Brooker / Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust Senior author of the study, Professor Zanna Clay of Durham University's Department of Psychology, added, "Although empathy is very important for our own species, our findings show that empathic behaviors, like consolation, appear to be a common trait we also share with our two closest ape relatives. Juvenile chimpanzee holding the hand of adult following social conflict. Credit: Jake Brooker / Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust "Finding these overlaps between our two close cousins suggests our last common ancestor likely showed these empathic capacities too. A next step will be to see how much these patterns are also observed in other settings, particularly in the wild." The research team says that collecting more data on different groups of apes in a variety of settings would help further our understanding of our closest living relatives, which in turn could shed light on the evolution of human social behavior. More information: Jake S. Brooker et al, Within-species variation eclipses between-species differences in Pan consolation, Evolution and Human Behavior (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2025.106682 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 Cranfield University spin-out company Frontier Space has sent a fully automated laboratory into orbit as part of a European Space Agency project to assess the viability of creating lab-grown food in microgravity. The laboratory contains three payloads and was launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 21 April 2025, housed inside a re-entry capsule provided by German startup ATMOS Space Cargo. Frontier Space focuses on solutions for industrializing biotechnology in space. It is the creator of SpaceLab, a scalable, modular, autonomous lab-in-a-box designed to industrialize in-orbit manufacturing of high-value bioproducts. This particular mission doesn't involve the full SpaceLab, but instead uses what Frontier CEO Aqeel Shamsul describes as "an EGGS (Early Gen micro-Gravity Service) payload, which is a small device customized for this specific mission." Shamsul says that this mission "represents a significant opportunity to mature Frontier Space's technology" and will test and evaluate parts of Frontier's SpaceLab such as its microfluidics chips and onboard imaging system. Understanding how to grow vital supplies in space One of the three payloads on this mission is from Imperial College London, and involves transporting biological specimens into orbit before returning them to Earth for analysis. Researchers at Imperial College have already used a bioreactor on Earth to genetically engineer food from yeast in a process they call "precision fermentation," but this experiment will help them to understand whether that process works in space, and what challenges they may have to overcome. If successful, this could be one of the building blocks that give astronauts the ability to manufacture the consumables they need rather than having them sent from Earth. Food, pharmaceuticals, fuel and bioplastics are heavy and expensive to launch into spacefood alone is estimated to cost as much as 20,000 per person, per day for astronauts on the International Space Station. Manufacturing these products in microgravity would solve one of the fundamental problems that needs to be addressed before long-distance, crewed space missions or off-world manufacturing facilities can become a reality. "We dream about a future where humanity heads off into the dark expanses of space. But carrying enough to feed ourselves on the journey and at our destination would be unimaginable in cost and weight," said Dr. Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro from Imperial College's Department of Bioengineering. "If just a handful of cultivated cells could provide all our food, pharmaceuticals, fuels and bioplastics using freely available resources, that would bring the future closer." Frontier Space spun out of Cranfield University in 2021, and David Cullen, Professor of Astrobiology and Space Biotechnology at Cranfield University, sees its success as a validation of the work being done at the university. "It's rewarding to see technology developed under Cranfield's BAMMsat program transition to commercialization, with significant potential across many applications." Professor Cullen, who also serves as Frontier Space's Science and Technology Advisor, continued, "It's fantastic that Frontier Space is helping drive the rapid market growth in using space environments to develop advanced bioscience, biotechnological, and pharmaceutical knowledge and products." 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: Iraqi farmer Hadi Saheb says he is cultivating 20 times more land than before in the Najaf desert thanks to groundwater and a government initiative. Farmer Hadi Saheb cannot wait to see his wheat fields flourish in the heart of the desert after he tapped into groundwater reserves in water-starved Iraq. He is just one of many Iraqis who have turned to drilling wells in the desert to help sustain the country's agriculture. It is a risky move that threatens to deplete the groundwater in a nation already battered by frequent drought and scarce rainfall. Although Iraq's fertile plains traditionally stretch along the once-mighty Tigris and Euphratesthe two rivers whose levels have plummetedSaheb's vast lands lie in the heart of the southern Najaf desert. "Year after year the drought worsens, and the desertification intensifies," said the 46-year-old, dressed in a white abaya as a duststorm swept through the area. So he has turned to groundwater, taking advantage of a government initiative. This leases desert land to farmers at a symbolic price of one dollar per dunum (0.25 hectares in Iraq's measurement), provides subsidized irrigation systems, and buys their harvest at a preferential rate. Now that he doesn't have to rely solely on rainfall, Saheb said he cultivates 20 times more land than before, and his harvest has increased to 250 tons. An irrigation system supplied by groundwater operates in a wheat field near Iraq's central city of Karbala. "It would be impossible to continue without groundwater, which we cannot extract without drilling wells," he said. Like many other farmers, Saheb has upgraded his irrigation techniques. 'Strategic reserve' He now relies on a center-pivot method involving equipment rotating in a circle to water crops through sprinklers. This uses at least 50% less water than floodingthe vastly more wasteful traditional way used for millennia, during which the land is submerged. According to the agriculture ministry, Iraq cultivated 3.1 million dunums (775,000 hectares) this winter using groundwater and modern irrigation systems, while the rivers watered only two million dunums. In Najaf, desert farming has expanded significantly. According to Moneim Shahid from Najaf's agriculture authorities, crop yields have been boosted by new irrigation methods, tougher seeds and fertilizers suitable for arid soils. Farmer Zain al-Abidin adjusts the irrigation system in Najaf, where desert farming has expanded considerably. Shahid said he expects a harvest in Najaf this year of at least 1.7 tonnes of wheat per dunum in the desert, compared with 1.3 tonnes in areas irrigated by rivers. Last year Iraq had a very good harvest, exceeding self-sufficiency with a production of 6.4 million tonnes of wheat, according to agriculture ministry figures. Religious institutions such as the Imam Hussein Shrine in the holy city of Karbala back the authorities and also support desert farming. Qahtan Awaz from the shrine's agriculture department said the institution, which employs families to farm desert areas, is cultivating 1,000 hectares and aims to more than triple that amount. Today, groundwater reservoirs help mitigate agricultural losses caused by drought, an already frequent phenomenon in Iraq that is worsened by a warming planet. But preserving those resources is proving to be a challenge. Shahid from Najaf's agriculture authorities, said "we should be vigilant" in protecting groundwater, calling it "a strategic reserve for future generations". Its use "should be rationed ... and sprinklers could help regulate consumption", he said. Wheat grows in circular fields irrigated with groundwater near Karbala, Iraq. 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. Depleting supplies The Najaf desert lies above the Umm el-Radhuma and the Dammam aquifers, which Iraq shares with neighboring Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Water levels in both aquifers have declined, according to the United Nations which has also voiced caution that aquifers worldwide are depleting faster than they can be replenished naturally. A 2023 UN report warned that Saudi Arabia used much of its groundwater to grow wheat in the desert, depleting more than 80% of its resources and forcing authorities to stop cultivating wheat after 2016. Sameh al-Muqdadi, a water politics and climate security expert, warned that Iraq's groundwater levels have already dropped. Water used to be found 50 or 100 meters deep (165-330 feet), but today wells are dug 300 meters deep, he said. "People believe that these resources will stay forever... which is not true," Muqdadi warned. Wheat grows around a groundwater stream near Karbala. Authorities have no estimates for Iraq's groundwater, and the most recent figures date back to the 1970s, he said. "If you don't have any estimation, you cannot manage your resources." "Groundwater is a contingency measure, and it should be used only in urgent cases" such as droughts "to sustain food security only", not to expand farmland for commercial purposes, Muqdadi said. But unfortunately, "this is what we have nowadays". 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: By developing a microscopic quantum elasticity theory, this work describes the dynamics of deformations in a quasicrystalline lattice of bosonic particles at the lowest temperatures. Figure (a) illustrates an example of such a quasicrystalline structure. The study provides, for the first time, predictions about how standard lattice sound waves, as shown in Figure (b), interact with phason excitationspeculiar to non-periodic quasicrystal patterns, depicted in Figure (c). Additionally, these excitations couple to the modulation of the quantum phase of the macroscopic wavefunction, which governs the quantum behavior of low-temperature bosonic particles. These predictions shed light on the dynamics and thermodynamics of quantum quasicrystals and are experimentally verifiable, for instance, using ultracold atomic gases. Credit: Mendoza-Coto, Bonifacio & Piazza. Quasicrystals, exotic states of matter characterized by an ordered structure with non-repeating spatial patterns, have been the focus of numerous recent physics studies due to their unique organization and resulting symmetries. Among the quasicrystals that have sparked significant interest among the physics community are so-called quantum quasicrystals, which are comprised of bosons (i.e., subatomic particles that have spin in integer values, such as 0, 1, 2, and so on, and can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously). Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPIPKS) recently introduced a new theoretical framework that describes low-energy excitations in bosonic quantum quasicrystals. Their newly devised theory, outlined in a paper published in Physical Review Letters, is an extension of conventional theories of elasticity, which also accounts for the unique symmetries of quantum quasicrystals. "This paper is part of an ongoing collaboration with two colleagues, Prof. Francesco Piazza and Dr. Mariano Bonifacio, which began in 2022 when I was a guest scientist at MPIPKS in Dresden, Germany," Alejandro Mendoza-Coto, first author of the paper, told Phys.org. "We were studying quantum self-assembled quasi-crystalline phases in cavity QED models, and at a certain point, we concluded that, considering future experimental verification of our results, the study of the low-energy excitations in these systems would be relevant. "Another compelling reason to consider this problem was the existence in the literature of previous symmetry arguments predicting five gapless excitation modes for these systems, while a first-principles theory supporting this conclusion was still lacking." Initially, Mendoza-Coto, Bonifacio and Piazza tried to study the entire excitation spectrum of quasicrystals numerically, but when this proved challenging, they started conducting theoretical analyses. As they progressed in their analyses, they realized that a first-principles elastic theory for bosonic quantum quasicrystals was still lacking, and they set out to develop one. "We drew inspiration from several different papers focusing on the construction of a low energy effective theory for supersolids," said Mendoza-Coto. "I believe that the main point to highlight here is the recognition that if we wanted to pursue a first-principles theory for modulated bosonic systems, we needed to include not only the expected fluctuations in the phases of the modulated pattern and the condensate itself but also the respective density field fluctuations conjugate to each phase fluctuation field introduced. This is a very important consideration that separates our work from others in the literature." The main idea behind the team's theory is that to study low-energy fluctuations at the ground state of a quantum quasicrystal system, one needs to consider more than fluctuations in the phases of the density pattern and condensate wave functions that are already expected to occur. Specifically, they should also account for other conjugate fluctuations (i.e., which are mathematically linked to expected fluctuations). "In my view, this is the most important detail that we recognized in order to build a first-principles theory with the appropriate number of degrees of freedom, which at the same time is consistent with the symmetry properties already expected for this system," explained Mendoza-Coto. "Once you know which kind of fluctuations need to be included and in which way they should be added to the ground state wave function, the calculations are quite straightforward, and our conclusions do not rely on further assumptions." 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. After the researchers obtained the low-energy action for the simplest possible quasicrystal structure (i.e., the dodecagonal quasicrystal), Piazza suggested extending their study to other possible quasi-crystalline structures. This allowed them to better understand the extent to which their theory could be generalized across different quantum quasicrystals and thus make predictions about the physics observed in these systems. "This later proved valuable, as we found that different kinds of quasicrystal structures display different hybridization features between modes and even anisotropic properties, certainly a nice finding of our work," said Mendoza-Coto. "I believe that our results are, to a point, the analog for non-homogeneous phases of the well-known Bogoliubov excitation spectrum for homogeneous condensates. "To obtain closed analytical expressions for the excitation energies at low momentum in quantum quasicrystals is, in my view, a very nice result, as the standard method to pursue this kind of calculation in the literature is a numerical one." The recent work by Mendoza-Coto, Bonifacio, and Piazza could inform future studies to better understand bosonic quantum quasicrystals and their underlying physics. In the future, the theory they introduced could help to understand phase transitions in quantum quasicrystals and potentially also in supersolids (i.e., states of matter with a crystalline order that combine some properties of solids and superfluids). "I think that this work will help us in the search for novel exotic phases in systems hosting superfluidity and topological defects, such as the proposed super-hexatic or super-nematic phases," added Mendoza-Coto. "I have several projects following up this research. We are already working on extending this work to one-dimensional quasicrystals in cavity QED conditions, as well as other projects related to the application of this formalism to supersolids." More information: A. Mendoza-Coto et al, Low-Energy Excitations in Bosonic Quantum Quasicrystals, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.136003. Journal information: Physical Review Letters 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Mile Ribeiro from Pexels Sharks are often perceived as the ultimate beasts, an image largely imposed on them by the media. Yet, shark bites are rareonly around 100 or so happen every year, and just around 10% are fatal. Sharks may bite for a multitude of reasons, ranging from competition and territorialism to predation. Now, an international team of researchers have found that there might be an additional, little-discussed motivator causing sharks to bite: self-defense. "We show that defensive bites by sharks on humansa reaction to initial human aggressionare a reality and that the animal should not be considered responsible or at fault when they occur," said first author of the Frontiers in Conservation Science study, Dr. Eric Clua, a shark specialist and researcher at Universite PSL. "These bites are simply a manifestation of survival instinct, and the responsibility for the incident needs to be reversed." Panic bites In French Polynesia, shark bites have been recorded since the early 1940s. Records including reliable information about bite motivation, however, begin later. Between 2009 and 2023, 74 bites were documented, four of them likely motivated by self-defense, which may trigger 35% of all shark bites. Self-defense bites are in response to human action that is, or is perceived to be, aggressive. Such activities include spear fishing or attempts to grab the shark. There are typically no warning signs. These bites may be delivered repeatedly and usually leave superficial, non-lethal wounds. This pattern of low lethality is also common in defense-motivated bites inflicted by land predators such as bears and large birds such as cassowaries. "Some species of coastal shark, such as the gray reef shark, are both particularly territorial and bold enough to come into contact with humans," Clua said. A human merely intruding into their space could be enough. When sharks strike in self-defense, they might use disproportionate force and may deliver greater harm than is threatened. "We need to consider the not very intuitive idea that sharks are very cautious towards humans and are generally afraid of them," Clua said. "The sharks' disproportionate reaction is probably the immediate mobilization of their survival instinct. It is highly improbable that they would integrate revenge into their behavior and remain above all pragmatic about their survival." Disproportionality between initial aggression and self-defense action is also common in humans. While collecting this data on a global scale remains difficult, the researchers made a start by comparing shark bites in a database that categorizes bites as "provoked" or "unprovoked"a classification that could be crucial to determine motivation. To this end, they extracted data from the Global Shark Attack Files, where almost 7,000 bites have been documented since 1863. The researchers focused on bites linked to activities that might put people in proximity to sharks and were classified as "provoked." This showed that 322 bite events could have been motivated by self-defense, a figure close to the percentage (around 5%) of self-defense bites recorded in French Polynesia. This indicates that the observations made there might be transferable to the rest of the world. The best course of action to avoid being bitten is to steer clear of any activity that could be considered an aggression. This also includes trying to help stranded sharks, as attempts to help will not necessarily be perceived as such. "Do not interact physically with a shark, even if it appears harmless or is in distress. It may at any moment consider this to be an aggression and react accordingly," Clua cautioned. "These are potentially dangerous animals, and not touching them is not only wise, but also a sign of the respect we owe them." More information: The Talion law 'tooth for a tooth': self-defense as a motivation for shark bites on human aggressors, Frontiers in Conservation Science (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2025.1562502 Provided by Frontiers 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 strong laser pulse heats up a surface and disturbs the electrical double layer. Credit: MPI-P Charged surfaces in contact with liquidssuch as biological cell walls or battery electrodesattract oppositely charged ions from the liquid. This creates two distinct charged regions: the surface itself and a counter-charged region in the liquid: the so-called electrical double layer. While pivotal to energy storage devices, the speed of its formation has remained elusive. A team of researchers has now developed a light-based technique to observe this ultrafast process. The results validate previous models and extend their applicability to diverse systems, from biological membranes to next-generation energy storage devices. The work is published in the journal Science. Whether in the batteries of electric cars, where charge carriers are separated during charging to provide energy for driving, in electrolytic capacitors that can be found in almost every electronic device, or in electrolysis, where water is broken down into its components, hydrogen and oxygen: in all these technological processes, charge carriers in liquids have to move toward an interface. Such processes can also be found in biological processes in the human body and are used for energy storage. What all processes have in common is that a so-called "electrical double layer" forms at an interfaceat the poles of the battery, at the plates of the capacitor, the electrodes in electrolysis, or at the cell membrane. While one sidee.g. the electrodeis negatively charged, the corresponding positive charge in the form of mobile ions is found on the liquid side. How quickly these double layers, which are only a few nanometers thick, can form or how quickly they react to a perturbation is important for understanding how quickly an energy storage device can take up and release the electrical energy, for example, for applications like battery charging. For a low number of mobile charge carriers, theoretical models and measurements have long predicted these dynamics and can describe the movement of ions in this double layer well. However, if the number of charge carriers is increased, as in biological systems and is necessary for batteries, the assumptions of these models break down. It has therefore remained a mystery how exactly the electrical double layers form. "Until now, it has not been possible to study the exact processes involved in the formation of the double layer," says Mischa Bonn, Director at the MPI for Polymer Research. "It is simply not possible to study processes that take place as quickly as the movement of ions with electronic circuits, because the circuits themselves can only provide a limited temporal resolution. We use ultrafast optics to circumvent that limitation." Therefore, the team at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research and the University of Vienna used an optical measurement method to study the formation of the double layer. For this purpose, they added acid to water, which causes positive ions (H 3 O+) to form. These ions preferentially arrange themselves at the water surface, where they form an electrical double layer. A strong laser pulse in the infrared range was used to heat the surface, removing H 3 O+ from the surface, thereby perturbing the double layer. By investigating the surface with further laser pulses after a time delay and detecting the reflected light, they were able to quantify how the ions moved away from the surface to reach a new equilibrium. They combined their experimental results with computer simulations. This enabled them to prove that the formation of the double layer is primarily caused by electric fields, even at high concentrations. The new methodology opens up new ways to study such processes at interfaces in a wide range of chemical and biological systems. In addition, the team found that even complex interfaces can be described using relatively simple physical models. They confirm that the existing theoretical frameworks describe the double layer formation remarkably accurately. More information: Alessandro Greco et al, Ultrafast aqueous electric double layer dynamics, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adu5781 Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain University of Central Florida (UCF) scientists and their collaborators discovered new insights into the formation of distant icy objects in space beyond Neptune, offering a deeper understanding of our solar system's formation and growth. Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists analyzed far-away bodiesknown as Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs)and found varying traces of methanol. The discoveries are helping them better classify different TNOs and understand the complex chemical reactions in space that may relate to the formation of our solar system and the origin of life. The findings, published in The Astronomical Journal Letters, reveal two distinct groups of TNOs with surface ice methanol presence: one with a depleted amount of surface methanol and a large reservoir beneath the surface, and anotherfurthest from the sunwith an overall weaker methanol presence. The study suggests that cosmic irradiation over billions of years may have played a role in the first group's varying methanol distribution, while raising new questions about the second group's muted signatures. Reaching back in time and space TNOs are important to our understanding of our solar system's origins because they are incredibly well-preserved remnants of the protoplanetary diskor disk of gas and dust surrounding a young star such as the sunand can give scientists a thorough glimpse into the past. UCF Department of Physics Research Professor Noemi Pinilla-Alonso, who now works at the University of Oviedo in Spain, co-led the research as part of the UCF-led Discovering the Surface Compositions of Trans-Neptunian Objects (DiSCo) program which includes UCF Florida Space Institute (FSI) Associate Professor Ana Carolina de Souza-Feliciano. Pinilla-Alonso says the research helps piece together the history of the solar system's chemistry and gain insights into exoplanets, where methanol and methane play a crucial role in shaping atmospheres and hinting at the conditions of potentially habitable worlds. "Methanol, a simple alcohol, has been found on comets and distant TNOs, hinting that it may be a primitive ingredient inherited from the early days of our solar systemor even from interstellar space," Pinilla-Alonso says. "But methanol is more than just a leftover from the past. When exposed to radiation, it transforms into new compounds, acting as a chemical time capsule that reveals how these icy worlds have evolved over billions of years." Methanol ice is a key precursor that may lead to organic molecules such as sugars, and its discovery in TNOs paves the way for so much more, she says. These spectral differences reveal that not all TNOs formed from the same molecular ingredients, Pinilla-Alonso says. Instead, their compositions reflect their originswhere and how they formedand their transformations over time. "What excited me the most was realizing that these differences were linked to the behavior of methanola key ingredient that had long been elusive on TNOs from Earth-based observations," she says. "Our findings suggest that methanol is being destroyed on the surface of TNOs by irradiation, but remains more abundant in the subsurface, protected from this exposure." 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. Pinilla-Alonso worked alongside UCF FSI researchers, including de Souza-Feliciano, who synthesized the laboratory data with modeling to better explain the behavior of methanol. De Souza-Feliciano helped to better visualize the findings by reproducing some of the spectral features the scientists were seeing and therefore could give mathematical support for the data in the study. "One of the biggest surprises came from the methanol behavior," de Souza-Feliciano says. "From laboratory data, its signatures at shorter wavelengths differ from the fundamental ones in longer wavelengths." De Souza-Feliciano collaborated on prior DiSCo research projects using JWST that characterized binary objects and other distant TNOs. "The main DiSCo paper addressed the main characteristics of the three groups of TNOs," she says. "This paper goes into detail about one of them, known as the cliff group, which is the nickname for the spectral group where the reflectance did not increase after approximately 3.3 microns." Not only are these cliff group TNOs time capsules for our solar system, but the group houses cold-classical TNOs which have largely stayed in place since their formation, de Souza-Feliciano says. "One of the reasons why this group is a key for the outer solar system understanding is [because] it contains all the cold-classical TNOs," she says. "The cold-classical TNOs are the only dynamic group that probably stayed in the place where they formed from the formation of the solar system to today." Rosario Brunetto, an astronomer at the Universite Paris-Saclay, led the research with fellow scientists Elsa Henault and Sasha Cryan. He says he believes this collaborative discovery will provide foundational knowledge of our solar system and ignite interest in planetary science. "This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of TNOs but also provides a crucial reference for interpreting JWST's observations of other distant objects, such as Neptune Trojans, Centaurs and asteroids, as well as for future missions exploring the outer solar system," Brunetto says. "Beyond its scientific significance, the search for methanol in the solar system also fuels curiosity and inspires new generations to explore the cosmos and understand the chemical evolutions in space." UCF FSI Assistant Scientist Charles Schambeau and UCF physics graduate student Brittany Harvison also contributed to the research. More information: R. Brunetto et al, Spectral Diversity of DiSCo's TNOs Revealed by JWST: Early Sculpting and Late Irradiation, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2025). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/adb977 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters TRENTON The weather is already getting hot, and New Jersey Democratic lawmakers are sweating over the political impact of big spikes in electric bills that are due to kick in soon. Legislators held a second joint hearing Friday on energy costs, which have become a major issue in this years governors race and the election for control of the state Assembly. At issue are big price increases due to begin in June following an annual electricity auction that resulted in soaring power prices that consumers will pay this year. Atlantic City Electric has been granted a rate hike of over 17%, and the company sought an additional 8% increase to help pay for smart meters. Customers of other utilities elsewhere in the state are also facing similar rate hikes. Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy blamed PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that serves more than 65 million people across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Illinois and nine other states and jurisdictions, for the increases. Murphy wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, asking for an investigation into possible market manipulation during PJMs recent electricity auction. The manufactured PJM cost crisis was foreseeable and preventable, Murphy wrote, adding the auction resulted in exorbitantly high price increases that PJM will unjustly pass down on to everyday New Jerseyans. Climate group warns of threats to Jersey Shore 25 years in the future A recent analysis from Climate Central projects significant flood risk along Americas costs by 2050, with New Jersey among the three states most at risk. PJM responded that it has not seen evidence that supports a finding of market manipulation in the 2025/26 capacity auction, but we take such allegations very seriously. Ratepayer advocates from Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey are seeking to have the FERC order PJM Interconnection to rerun its last base capacity auction, a move they say could lead to more than $5 billion in consumer refunds. On Wednesday, the state Board of Public Utilities ordered electric companies to submit plans to mitigate the impact of rate hikes during the hot summer months. Republicans jumped on that, saying the Democrats are trying to delay the higher bills from hitting consumers before this years primary in June and general election in November. They say Murphys administration is to blame for higher energy costs by pushing offshore wind projects and moving away from the burning of fossil fuels. Its a five-alarm fire in the Democrat party to contain the danger of their costly, failing energy policies before the election this fall, said Anthony Bucco, the state Senate minority leader from Morris County. Instead of moving quickly to fast track reliable, affordable power to increase supplies, the BPU and Trenton Democrats are instead scrambling to deflect this emergency with bureaucratic gimmicks that delay price hikes. The pricing chaos will only get worse without fundamental change away from their predictably bad policies. State Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, called the BPU the Bureau of Propaganda and Untruths. Telling utility companies to kick the can down the road on rate hikes until after the election doesnt change the fact that Trenton Democrats and the BPU pushed an unreliable, unaffordable energy disaster plan that broke our system, he said. Their duty is to the ratepayers. The ratepayers are not happy. Our phones are buzzing. Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, R-Ocean, said, The Legislature was asleep while the present administration steered us all into the green wilderness. New Jersey has invested heavily in pushing offshore wind, hoping to become the East Coast leader in an industry that until just three years ago looked promising. But financial and political setbacks, including an attack on the industry by President Donald Trump, have the industry reeling, with serious doubt about whether any offshore wind farms will be built in New Jersey anytime soon. Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, D-Mercer, asked executives of the states major electric companies why the rates are going up so drastically. Were trying to find out who is at fault, he said. Why is it 20%? Were shaking our heads about a lot of things. Executives from the states major electric utilities touted their efforts to enroll more customers in payment assistance and energy efficiency programs but said they do not set the generation price of power. We did not cause this rate spike, said Richard Thigpen, senior vice president with PSEG. We are acutely aware of the difficulties these price hikes are causing. We recognize that these unfortunate increases will be delivered to customers on bills with our name on it. Nobody wants to see these price spikes. Its not good for PSEG. Phil Vavala, regional president of Atlantic City Electric, also said his company does not set the price of electricity, but charges for distributing it to customers. Rising costs such as those announced in February are not sustainable, he said. Thigpen said the arrangement under which prices are set through auctions isnt working as intended. Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, asked the executives whether they would be willing to charge less for distributing power temporarily to help customers deal with the soaring prices. If you dont make a billion dollars and you only make $800 million, you should be OK with that for a year, particularly when theres a crisis, she said. Assemblyman Julio Marenco, D-Essex, also asked the utilities to accept lower earnings to help their customers. Its direct too-damn high, he said of the rates customers pay. Thigpen responded by saying that in his three-plus decades in the industry, Im still looking to meet the person who believes their utility bill is just about right. Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, said he believes the auction results were driven in part by the anticipation of a massive influx of power-thirsty artificial intelligence centers that might not materialize. He called for the auction to be redone, with corrections of the corruptions that are in place. Testa asked the executives whether New Jerseys pursuit of offshore wind energy hurt the state. It certainly didnt help, Thigpen replied. For months, Forest Grove Elementary sixth graders have learned about the Holocaust and the people who experienced its horror. Theyve been writing and illustrating a graphic novel about one child who survived the war in hiding. On Thursday, they got to meet the man that child became. Andre Andy Holten, visited the Quad-Cities from New Mexico Thursday to speak on his experience as a victim of the Holocaust. Holten, 86, is one of the worlds dwindling number of Holocaust survivors. His visit to the school in Bettendorf fell on Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah, observed in 2025 on Thursday, April 24. The book, Hide to Survive: The Andre Holten Story, will be published this fall by the non-profit Understanding Works. Hide to Survive is a part of Understanding Works A BOOK by ME series, which aims to empower students to preserve history by telling the stories of unsung heroes. When Holten was 5 years old, he went into hiding in Haarlem, Netherlands, after Holtens parents asked the Christian couple Johannes and Petronella Meijer to take Holten under their wing. Holten went by the name Hans Van Heel in the wars two final years. The Meijers had no knowledge of Holtens real name, Holten told the sixth graders Thursday. Besides two letters he received from his parents, Holten had no contact with his family. After the war, he did not meet another blood-relative until he was around 40 years old. He wanted to get rid of people, Holten said of Adolf Hitler, who orchestrated the genocide of Jews and other groups. He called them sub-human. In 1944, Holtens parents were loaded onto a train bound for Auschwitz concentration camp. His mother immediately died in the camps gas chambers. His father worked at Birkenau, a nearby camp, and died that August. When they died, his father was 34, and his mother was 30. If they had no use for people, they sent them this way, Holten said, pointing left, describing Nazi concentration camps. Straight to the gas chamber. Holten survived the war and completed high school while living with the Meijers, before immigrating to the United States in 1956. He earned a physics degree from the City College of New York and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Holten now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he worked as a substitute teacher for 22 years. Whats more powerful than telling another persons story? Wendy Reyes, sixth grade teacher at Forest Grove Elementary, said. Reyes said the bookmaking process has been truly powerful for the students, and said its an honor to host Holten in-person. Before Holtens visit, students have worked to write and illustrate Holtens story, and edit the story into 10 pages. The process requires the creativity and critical-thinking skills necessary in real-world experiences, Reyes said. Meeting a Holocaust survivor will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of these kids, Reyes said. Mariana Karfis, 12, a sixth grader at Forest Grove, said meeting Holten was meaningful. Holtens visit and others like it can keep young people engaged and interested in real history, even when brutal, Karfis said. Thats our history, Karfis said about the Holocaust. It really happened. Karfis said Holtens visit was a rare opportunity. Her generation will be one of the last generations able to meet survivors of the Holocaust, she said. Around 90% of the global population of Holocaust survivors will die within 15 years, according to a 2025 report by the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, titled Vanishing Witnesses. More than 220,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors remain living in more than 90 countries, according to a similar report by the same group. About 34,000 of those individuals live in the United States. At the time of the study, the median age for survivors was 87. Much of Holtens presentation, Holten said, was reserved for audiences unaware of his story, and have not been drafting a book on his life, like the students at Forest Grove Elementary. You guys are special, because you know so much, Holten said. Im very impressed. Thank you. Partway through the presentation, Forest Grove Elementary principal Chris Welch brought Holten into the hallway, where the schools fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students lined the length of the corridor. Welch thanked Holten for visiting and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Holocaust. The sixth graders also presented Holten with a hand-drawn sign that read Thank you for sharing your life with us! We will share your story with care! Later, Reyes presented Holten and Holtens relative, Frank Appleton, the Meijers grandson, with gifts. Holten also spoke publicly at the Moline Public Library Thursday evening. His talk "I Survived the Holocaust; My Parents Died in Auschwitz" was supported by the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities. A truly amazing school superintendent is hard to find and impossible to forget. Thats what one of the signs made by Lone Rock Middle School students said as students held them outside Superintendent Robert DoBells house last week. DoBell entered end-of-life care this month after doctors said his leukemia had returned. Doctors gave him weeks to months to live, he told the Ravalli Republic in an interview on Wednesday. My spirit and my mind are OK, my body is not doing real well, he said. We're at the end here, and we're making preparations to go see my family and in heaven and transition to the next life. Seeing the middle school students in his yard was an unbelievable show of community support, he said. My heart was just so full, he said. DoBell was tearful recalling what he told students who gathered in his yard. ...that I love them and that I believe in them, and you know just that they're gonna do great things with their lives, with their parents and with the school he said. That their whole lives were ahead of them and that we're going to be right there, next to and helping them as much as we can. Elementary School Principal Shelby Murphy, who is helping run the school in DoBells absence, said the student council and the school counselor organized the trip in less than 48 hours. We don't know when he will pass, Murphy said. DoBell was first diagnosed last year and took a six-month leave of absence during his treatment. He rang the bell a celebration for beating cancer in March. But in early April he felt the bone pain return and had a petechial rash a sign for possible leukemia. Test results sent back from Spokane showed leukemia in his bone marrow. Doctors said in order to fight it, DoBell would need to go through chemotherapy again and get a bone marrow transplant all from Portland, since that treatment isnt available in Missoula. DoBell decided that wasnt right for him. I didn't want to do any more treatment, he said. No more pokes and prods and chemo. DoBell spends his days now reading and responding to the hundreds of messages of support from colleagues and former students. For the things that we did to help them through their tough times through high school or having their kids come to Lone Rock, or whatever it may be is given back 100 times now to me, he said. Teaching runs in the family for DoBell. His grandmother taught physical education and so did his father, who later worked as a principal. His mother, Catherine Dehlin, taught special education and his sister, Genny Siewell, works as a teacher now too. Saying goodbye to his nephews who came from Oregon sophomore Hunter and fourth-grader Douglas was hard, DoBell said. They're as close to kids that I have, personally, they're kind of my legacy I guess, those two boys, DoBell said. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, DoBell moved to Stevensville in 2001 and spent four years there teaching town government, social studies and foreign language, and another eight as principal of the high school. He moved to Three Forks for the next six years two as the high school principal and the next four as district superintendent. After his fathers death he moved home and took a year to get his life back in order before returning to Stevensville and getting back in front of students. He started at Lone Rock in 2020 and also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana. School Board Chairman Gary Leese said they hired DoBell after a resignation, with the COVID-19 pandemic on the rise, and the district feeling some panic. It was with calm, caring steps that Robert kept our school doors open, Leese said in an email to the Ravalli Republic. Robert was the guiding light for us. DoBell said when he received his diagnosis he worked with the district to help come up with a game plan for his absence, with school counselor and administrator Tania Jensen also retiring after this school year. DoBell also signed all the eighth graders' diplomas and certificates of achievement ahead of time. I wouldnt feel right if all that stuff wasnt put together before I left, he said. Leese said DoBells knowledge of school finance was a blessing, but he also filled in for whatever needed to be done that day be it washing dishes in the kitchen, or subbing in a classroom. He will leave behind some very big shoes to fill and his presence will be missed by our students, our staff, and our community, Leese said. May we never forget how much he accomplished and how he did it. He was a true shepherd to his flock. He dearly loved Lone Rock School and he cared deeply for his students, his staff, and his community. The community values in the Bitterroot of morals and work ethic are why he chose to live and work there. There have been plenty of folks that are adults now that I've had as students that we continue to help, he said. That's the definition of a community being able to know that you're a part of something bigger than yourself is something that we all need to remember. Murphy said the school decided to tell middle schoolers whats happening, but let parents decide how to talk to the younger children and said at school that DoBell is sick. Theres a crisis management plan in place for alerting families when the time comes, and the school will be bringing counselors and therapy dogs to campus to help, Murphy said. The kids have been making crafts with a fishing or University of Montana Grizzly theme two things DoBell loves. Teachers made coloring books using artificial intelligence to include the Griz, fishing and We love Mr. DoBell, Murphy said. A fifth-grade teacher made a joke book filled with contributions from students in the classroom to make him laugh. Staff is sending him the positive messages theyre receiving, Murphy said, to show DoBell the legacy he is leaving behind and the impact that he has had on students and on them. DoBell said adult former students reached out to say thank you for being there for them during rough patches in their lives in high school. The philosophy he led with was you made a bad choice, and you're going to have a consequence for a choice, but you're not a bad person, he said. I think when you take that kind of compassion for kids and they see that it's genuine, they're going to remember that, DoBell said. And they have, and I've received hundreds of text messages to that effect. DoBell said he wants to be remembered as giving and loving and as someone who cares for kids. Hes being cared for by his mother and girlfriend, oncology nurse Christina Morman, Big Sky Home, Health and Hospice Care. He said readers who want to support him should support their local youth group or school booster club. I'm taken care of by loved ones, and I know that I'm going to be OK no matter what, he said. God's looking for me, and I'm OK with God and Jesus and going home and letting this disease progress the way that it's going to progress. Its typically not intentional. As you stroll through a gallery, your gaze lands on a piece of art that moves you and you think, Id like to bring that home. For Dr. Monroe Harris, it began in 1988 with two prints from the DuSable Black History Museum in Chicago: Mamas Knee, by Romare Bearden and The Banjo Lesson, by Henry Ossawa Tanner. Those were the first two, Harris said. I guess you can say those were the first official pieces of art that we bought. And then it just continued from there, Harris said. He and his wife, Dr. Jill Bussey Harris, moved from Louisville, Kentucky, to Chicago in 1984 for his residency for oral surgery. Harris says that moving to the vibrant city of Chicago exposed them to a world of art they hadnt seen. For more than 30 years, the Harrises have gathered a collection of art that transforms their home into a gallery-like haven. Inside their West End home, artwork adorns the walls, telling stories and capturing moments much like a museum exhibit. Among the treasured works are pieces from renowned 20th-century African American artists, including Jacob Lawrence and Elizabeth Catlett. And Amy Sherald, the painter commissioned to paint Michelle Obamas portrait as first lady of the United States. Harris says theyve purchased pieces from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. More than just a pretty picture on the wall, Harris explained. Each item in their collection is not just decor, but a testament to their dedication to celebrating culture and creativity. Its an eclectic array of artists, African American artists from the African diaspora and Caribbean artists. Primarily, Im trying to make sure that we are part of a group of people that are intentionally preserving the culture for those that come behind us. Harris passion for art extends beyond the walls of his well decorated home. In 2018, Harris was elected president of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts board of trustees, becoming the first African American to hold the position at the museum. Ive been affiliated with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for years, so Ive been involved in developing their strategic plan to include more African American artists in the collection. And over the past 10 years or so, that has come to fruition. So when you go into the Contemporary Gallery, the American Gallery, you will see a number of paintings and pieces of art that are from people of color, which Im really proud of, Harris said. Art collecting in Richmond not just for the wealthy The VMFA is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States, putting world class art right in the center of our city. The museums Sydney and Frances Lewis Collection, art nouveau and art deco collections donated by Sydney and Frances Lewis in 1985, is one of the top postwar collections in a comprehensive museum in the United States. Its a collection that inspired Eric Thomas-Suwall, one-half of the collecting duo along with his husband, Rob, known as The Icy Gays on Instagram. When I think of Richmond, I always think of Sydney and Francis Lewis and the collection that they left to the VMFA. That was really important to me as a kid, Thomas-Suwall said. Thomas-Suwall is a co-founder of Main Projects, a gallery space at 1625 W. Main St. He and Laura Martin Mills opened Main Projects in February to showcase a wide range of artists, including local and international talent. The gallerys current exhibit, Matter and Form, has pieces starting at $1,000 and increasing to $80,000. Both are avid art collectors and want to dispel the myth that collecting is only for the wealthy. Thomas-Suwall and his husband, along with their collection focused on contemporary female and queer artists, have been the subject of feature stories in art-centered outlets such as Cultured Magazine and Larrys List. They share posts of their collection to their over 12,000 Instagram followers, drawing attention and bringing a fresh look to art collecting, which can often be a quietly kept passion. It just gave us a hook, Thomas-Suwall said. The art world is a little bit closed off. People are intimidated by it. Its good to have a way to get yourself out there and get people talking about you and to know who you are. You cant click to buy. You have to inquire. And the art world can be a little bit standoffish. Mills also runs Exhibition A, a site that sells prints of original works and limited editions, creating a much lower entry point into art collecting for a new generation of collectors. The site has prints for as low as $75 and original works for up to $3,000. The lofty entry into the art world is the very reason Southside Contemporary Art Gallery opened at 1309 Hull St. in 2023. We literally try to wave people in, collector and founder Ra-Twoine Fields said. We say, Hey, come into the gallery. Its free. We try not to treat the experience as a transactional one, but being able to educate people and asking Do you have an art collection? Southside Contemporary Art Gallery is dedicated to showcasing Black artists and actively works to encourage greater participation from the Black community in the art world. The gallery hosts educational programming such as Art Collecting 101. We have been focusing a lot on educational programming and centering our accessibility and exposure of contemporary fine art. Just ensuring that were also empowering and educating people and creating a space where they can feel welcome. Most people appreciate art. Most people like art, Fields said. The bigger picture For a majority of art collectors, its the love of art that comes first. Susan Grant, a collector and longtime art admirer, believes in valuing art beyond monetary gain. She described her collecting journey as more serendipitous. Theres joy in art collecting, and it doesnt matter what kind of art you like, Grant said, telling a story about finding artwork by a dumpster near Virginia Commonwealth Universitys campus. It was big and obviously something an art student couldnt stick in their little car to go back home, so it was out at the dumpster. I looked at it, and it just spoke to me. I just absolutely loved it. That thing hung on my wall for years. She and her husband have only one rule they abide by. We both have to love it, said Grant. Most of our most of our art collection comes out of our travels to Europe and then our specific galleries that we use in New York, Santa Fe and even Asheville. However, we do support local artists, we very proudly have Mickael Broth and S. Ross Browne. Grant, much like Harris and many other collectors, play a huge role in supporting the local art scene. Making a purchase provides artists such as S. Ross Browne the support he needs to continue his craft. I think its important to have a relationship with artists to even see yourself as a patron of the arts, Browne said. Browne is renowned for his powerful paintings that explore themes of identity, history and the African American experience. Based in Richmond, hes sold greeting cards for as low as $5 and commissioned pieces that have sold for mid-five figures. He gets requests from all over the United States. When people think of art collecting, they always think of people who are at Sothebys putting a hammer down on $5 million or more. And thats not necessarily what it is. Its about having access to art shows. You can go to any exhibition, youll find something that you might be able to afford, and artists and galleries will often negotiate, Browne said. There are several ways to begin, and Richmond is an easy place to start. Richmond is a city filled with artists after all. There are auctions like the Visual Arts Center of Richmonds annual Collectors Night or Cabin Fever at 1708, plus a host of galleries from Pamplemousse Gallery to Ada Gallery and Crossroads Art Center. Richmond also has many art-centric events like Arts in the Park or the Fan Arts Stroll. Right now, I would say that the ideal thing is to find an emerging artist who hasnt become famous. You get their work at a reasonable price. More established artists, of course, are going to require more funds in order to purchase. My recommendation to somebody is to start with community. Look around, see whos who in the community thats doing things, and also look online or if there are galleries near you. Whenever we travel, we usually try to find an African American art gallery, to look at and see whats out there, and something might pique your interest. Community arts programs may be on the chopping block in Richmonds proposed city budget for 2026. After a February report from the citys auditor found officials had improperly awarded roughly $1 million in grants to ineligible nonprofits in 2023, Mayor Danny Avula announced his administration would overhaul the program that supports partnerships with private organizations. Avulas proposed budget for next fiscal year, unveiled on March 27, included $4 million in year-over-year reductions to nonprofit funding, paring the figure back from $13 million to $9 million. During his budget presentation, the mayor said the cuts reflect a need to maintain a balanced budget. It will leave some institutions with substantial funding gaps and with uncertainty as to how they will fill them. The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, located on West Leigh Street, has received $100,000 in city funding annually since at least 2022, budget records show. Under Avulas proposed financial plan, the museum would see that number reduced to zero. Naturally, we were disappointed to learn of the recent cuts. The museum has been on a trajectory of growth and expanded engagement over the past year, and this change does have an impact. Nevertheless, as an institution devoted to the preservation and education of Virginias Black history and culture, we remain undeterred, the museum spokesperson said in a statement. At a time when there are ongoing efforts to erase Black history, we remain steadfast in our mission to be truth-tellers to preserve, honor, and share the full narrative of our nations history, which includes Virginias Black history stories, she added. News of the possible budget cuts to city arts organizations was initially reported by The Richmonder. Meanwhile, the Richmond Symphony and The Richmond Boys Choir have received $150,000 and $70,000, respectively, since 2023. If Avulas proposal is adopted, both groups would get nothing. For the Richmond Symphony, this cut will impact community events such as the Mile of Music and the Big Tent series, which offers free concerts to the community. We dont yet know what effect it will be, Richmond Symphony CEO Lacey Huszcza said. She said the budget cuts could mean that these community events might not happen at all or they might need to move to a different locality to seek different funding. I dont think well know exactly what the effect is until were closer to the date and can figure out how the funding plan works out, Huszcza said. ART 180s funding would decrease from $35,000 to $25,000, CultureWorks funding would decrease from $406,400 to $356,400 and the Richmond Performing Arts Alliances funding would decrease from $180,000 to $100,000. Last year, RPAA supported 20 organizations, including Cadence theater, Latin Ballet of Virginia, Richmond Shakespeare, Richmond Symphony and more through nondepartmental funding. This funding also covered tickets for groups such as Virginia Voice to attend a Virginia Opera performance and provided live audio description for individuals who are blind or vision-impaired. A decrease in funding will increase the financial burden of these organizations to continue their productions and to keep ticket prices stable. Over the years, the city has been a great partner, and we know they recognize the importance of supporting local artists and nonprofit arts groups and providing city residents with access to the arts, RPAA executive director Abbi Haggerty said. In the budget announcement, Avula said that for many years, the city of Richmond has allocated significant general fund dollars to nonprofit and charitable organizations that serve city residents. ... However, recent assessments have raised concerns about the effectiveness and oversight of the current nondepartmental process. As such, the current approach has created the misconception that the city functions as a philanthropic institution, rather than a government stewarding public funds. According to the proposed budget, the reductions to nonprofits are necessary in order to focus limited resources on the citys highest priorities, including housing, youth development, early childhood, and health. However, Richmond-area arts organizations say the potential cuts limit the communitys ability to engage in the arts. Its critical for for us as an organization to be able to reach our community and provide those connecting spaces, the Symphonys Huszcza said. I think one of the most powerful things about arts and culture is our ability to connect community members, to bring people together, to improve those feelings around health and wellness, to provide space for emotional connection and emotional expression. There are a number of people who arent able to make it to our performances in the concert hall, either from financial barriers or from distance or physical barriers. And these programs (like the Big Tent series and Mile of Music) are a way for us to bring performances to them and connect them, for people to experience the arts close to their homes, in the outdoors, around their community. When news broke that a struggling Richmond hospital generated outsized profits from a federal discount system, the city clamored for answers. City leaders called for accountability from Bon Secours, the hospital chain that owns Richmond Community Hospital. State lawmakers pushed a bill that would compel transparency. On Thursday, a new report from the U.S. Senate answered those questions. In total, Richmond Community Hospital generated $276 million over five years through a government program known as 340B, which allowed them to buy expensive drugs at a steep discount. The hospital qualified because of its low-income patient demographic, but Bon Secours then sold those drugs to well-insured patients in wealthy Richmond neighborhoods, a legal loophole that critics say needs reform. The report also includes a detailed response from Bon Secours, which said its using the program the way it was intended: To keep struggling hospitals in low-income neighborhoods afloat. Controversy around Richmond Community Hospital broke after a September 2022 investigation by the New York Times showed how key services at the hospital fell by the wayside, even as the hospital generated massive revenue for Bon Secours through the discount program. The hospital had closed its ICU and become a glorified emergency room, a former doctor told reporters. Later, The Times-Dispatch reported on how millions of dollars were transmitted out of the hospital to the not-for-profits headquarters in Ohio. Shortly after those reports, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, who chairs a Senate committee that oversees health care, opened an investigation into Bon Secours Mercy Health and another hospital network, Cleveland Clinic, for an accounting of their 340B finances. The companies responses alongside responses from drugmakers and insurers form the basis of his report. Cassidy said the findings underscore concerns that 340B discounts arent actually arriving to needy patients. Congress needs to act to bring much-needed reform to the 340B Program, said Cassidy in a release announcing the findings. This investigation brings Congress and the public one step closer to better understanding the reforms needed to the 340B Program. 340B Program Congress created the 340B program in 1992, with the intention of helping make safety-net hospitals more profitable. It allows certain hospitals to buy drugs at around half the typical price. Drugmakers are required to honor that discount if they want access to state Medicaid programs. For years, only safety-net hospitals and their in-house pharmacies qualified. In 2010, a change in the law allowed 340B hospitals to distribute drugs through an unlimited number of satellite pharmacies. That change has seen 340B hospitals across the country add thousands of pharmacies, including ones that arent physically located at the safety-net hospital itself. Like other qualifying safety-net hospitals, Richmond Community Hospital registered satellites in the wake of that rule change. It now lists pharmacies and clinics across the greater Richmond region at locations that might not otherwise qualify for the benefit. The hospital distributes drugs for its clinics in Mechanicsville, Midlothian and Richmonds West End, according to filings with the Health and Human Resources agency, which regulates the program. The program has few rules around how a hospitals savings should be spent, although it does require that savings be prohibited from going to ineligible patients. Cassidys report states which drugs generated the most value. Bon Secours generated $21 million dollars from Krystexxa, an IV infusion for treating gout. It generated $19 million from Keytruda, a cancer therapy. And it netted $18 million from Neulasta, a protein treatment used alongside chemotherapy. In total, Bon Secours achieved the $276 million number through a combined $232 million in savings on drugs that it would have had to buy at a higher cost, and an additional $44 million from selling those drugs at a higher markup to patients paying with insurance or out of pocket. Asked how it was spending that money, the company told Cassidy its revenue from the program flows into an indistinguishable general fund category. In short, revenue is revenue, and all revenue is used to pay for expenses incurred in pursuit of our mission, the hospital told Cassidy. The not-for-profit has long said it is using the program legally and as it was intended when it was established. In January 2023, hospital CEO Mike Lutes said the media had portrayed a misleading narrative about the program. Later that year, the not-for-profits president told Cassidy that those narratives were propagated by the pharmaceutical industry. Ultimately, the discourse around the 340B Program pits drug manufacturers self-interest against hospitals and clinics acting consistent with their charitable, nonprofit missions, said Bon Secours President John Starcher. Reaction A community organization the Richmond Coalition for Health Equity formed to address concerns that Bon Secours had let Richmond Community Hospital fall into disrepair. The hospital was founded in 1907 by Black doctors whose early mission was to combat health inequity caused by segregated health care. Bon Secours bought the hospital in 1995. Former Mayor Levar Stoney called for a federal investigation into the unintended consequences of 340B. And Commonwealths Attorney Colette McEachin also criticized the hospital. The federal government gave Bon Secours a lot of money, with the understanding that certain things would be done. And those things have not been done, McEachin said at a coalition meeting in January 2023. That money has been diverted. And it has hurt the Church Hill community, and it has hurt the greater Richmond Community, McEachin said. The coalition demanded that Bon Secours reinvest all of its 340B savings and revenue into the struggling hospital, which still serves a predominantly Black patient demographic. The hospital has said this would be financially infeasible. One coalition member, Clarence McGill, said that the hospitals founder would be rolling in their graves because of how Bon Secours cut services to the poor neighborhood. Bon Secours can be a spiritual example in this community, but only if they change their strategy regarding 340B, McGill said. With public scrutiny on the hospital, Bon Secours announced a commitment to improving services in Church Hill. The health system replaced a long-broken MRI machine, added outpatient clinics and gave the building fresh paint and new signage. It plans to contract an artist to paint murals on the street. Adjacent to the hospital, the network constructed the East End Medical Office Building, which Bon Secours had promised years earlier as part of the deal that brought the Washington Redskins training camp to Richmond. The facility houses a behavioral health center to treat depression and substance abuse. And last fall, it opened an urgent care to treat low-acuity ailments. Still, the hospital is not what it was. Steve Markel, chairman of the board for the Markel Corp., a financial holding company, said he is disappointed Bon Secours hasnt invested more in Church Hill. The system as a whole is not as committed to the East End as it should be. But Cynthia Newbille, who represents the area on Richmonds city council, said last fall she is happy with the state of the hospital and that Bon Secours had listened to the community. Theyve definitely been responsive, Newbille said at the time. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, said the findings in the report are concerning and that he is committed to restoring accountability of the 340B system. We must ensure that this program is helping the vulnerable patients it is intended to serve, he said. Wittmans district includes parts of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield counties but not Richmond Community Hospital. Hospital would literally not exist without 340B Starcher, the hospital networks president, wrote to Cassidy that 340B keeps the small East End hospital from shuttering. Thats because the hospital treats a high number of Medicare and Medicaid patients. These patients lose the hospital money, because those programs dont fully reimburse hospitals for the cost of a patients care. Without a way to generate revenue, such as through its outpatient infusion centers, RCH would literally be unable to exist as a hospital, and Richmonds East End would be without access to a key community provider of behavioral health, primary care and other services, said Starcher. Starcher went on to explain that fully staffing Richmond Community Hospital would have been irresponsible and duplicative given the availability of ICUs and specialists at other large area hospitals. Starcher named VCU Medical Center, Chippenham Hospital and HCA Henrico Doctors Hospital. Simply put, just because an entity participates in the 340B Program should not require it to offer every medical specialty available, said Starcher. Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday asked John Reid, the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, to step down over explicit photos that Reid denies he reposted on social media. In a video statement he posted on X on Friday afternoon, a defiant Reid said he will not back down. He said he is the target of a coordinated assassination attempt to force Virginias first openly gay statewide candidate off the GOP ticket. Whats happened today was my worst fear a total fabricated internet lie so basic that a middle schooler could have constructed it, said Reid, who spoke while standing in front of portraits of Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor. Its predictable, but what I didnt expect was the governor I have always supported to call and demand my resignation without even showing me the supposed evidence, while offering me a chance to respond. I did not accept that, and I deeply resent it. The news of Youngkins call for Reid to withdraw, first reported by The Richmonder, rocked the statewide campaign days after the GOP appeared to solidify its slate for statewide office. A spokesperson for Earle-Sears did not respond to several requests for comment. Youngkins Spirit of Virginia PAC said in a statement Friday afternoon: The Governor was made aware late Thursday of the disturbing online content. Friday morning, in a call with Mr. Reid, the Governor asked him to step down as the Lt. Governor nominee. State Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, chairman of the state GOP, said that if Reid were to withdraw, he would call an emergency meeting of the State Central Committee to determine a method of nominating a new candidate. Until John Reid steps aside, I dont have any role to play as Republican Party of Virginia chairman, Peake said. Reid, a longtime conservative radio host in Richmond, says he saw the posts the governor took issue with, and it is not his account that reposted them, although it has a similar username to his Instagram page. A Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter viewed explicit photos and videos that were reposted. They did not include images of Reid. The Governor did call me today and said there were salacious pictures on the internet reposted by an account that uses my Instagram handle, Reid said in a statement earlier Friday. As long as I have been in the public space, I have been a target for malicious and salacious lies, Reid added. This is the second overt attempt to try to force me from the race. Reid became the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity dropped out because of health concerns following heart surgery last month. Reid had said in an April 17 post on X that shady anonymous political people were trying to drive him out of the contest. Herrity said Friday, We were aware of some disturbing images and disturbing posts, which made my decision to drop out of the race even harder. It made my decision very, very difficult, he said. Asked if he would reconsider his decision if Reid were to withdraw, Herrity said, I cant reconsider. Democrats will pick their nominee for lieutenant governor in a June 17 primary. Six candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination. Reid asserts different standard In his video statement Friday afternoon, Reid said critics are holding him to a different standard because he is gay. I was on-again, off-again single and dating for many years before I met my partner over eight years ago. Am I really expected to answer every twisted, intrusive question about my previous relationships? Every person I ever had sex with? Every dating app I was ever on? Must I share my gay Tinder profile, every profile picture on the internet? The 78,000 photos on Facebook? Every late-night text? Is anyone at the Richmond state capitol or in D.C planning on doing the same? Its not my place to judge others, so I wont, but I havent publicly performed or publicly posted anything pornographic. Have I seen porn? Yes. Have I had one-night stands? Yes. Are my exes all still in love with me? No. What more can I possibly tell you? Why am I the candidate who has to answer these questions on this topic? Lets be honest: its because Im openly gay, and I have never bowed down to the establishment, and I will not. The first volley Richmond political analyst Bob Holsworth said Youngkin intervened two days after an evangelical Christian group in Lynchburg published a call for Reid to withdraw his candidacy to unite a divided Republican Party. Holsworth called the internet post by the Virginia Christian Alliance the first volley by Republicans who want Reid off the ticket. My sense is that the furor over the pictures is actually in some ways a disguise for what theyre really concerned about, he said. That is, somebody running on their ticket who is openly gay and in a relationship with another man, Alonzo Mable. The Virginia Christian Alliance posted an essay by the Rev. Joshua Daniel Pratt, of All Nations Community Church in Lynchburg, who urged Reid to resign his nomination and step down for the good of the party and the commonwealth. Pratt noted other recently surfaced photographs that he said show Reid posing with drag queens, and warned about a backlash to his candidacy among conservative Republicans. John Reid may be a competent candidate with a solid conservative resume, but for many in the GOP especially its evangelical base his candidacy represents a bridge too far, he writes. In his April 17 response, Reid posted what he called some of my favorite images including a photo of Reid with President Donald Trump and an image of Reid and Mable in formal dress. After 20 plus years EVERY DAY on TV and radio and in public life I am the most transparent candidate to EVER run for office in Virginia, Reid wrote in his April 17 post. And note to the holier than thou jerks stop being ridiculous or trying to bully me to quit. Not gonna happen. Im your best bet for YOU to survive against the leftists. Remember that. The GOP ticket of Earle-Sears, Reid and Attorney General Jason Miyares has been scheduled to hold its first joint appearance Wednesday evening in western Henrico County. In his video statement Friday afternoon, Reid said: Im not a perfect person. Ive never said I was, but Im not a liar and Im not weak. And Im not going to be bullied. The Family Foundation Action, another conservative organization, backed Youngkin in a post to X on Friday evening. We strongly support Gov. Youngkins call for John Reid to step aside as the Lieutenant Governor candidate. Virginians want elected officials who represent their values. Holsworth said Friday that Republicans could risk a backlash in the general election from independent and moderate Republican voters for being seen as pushing out a gay man. Investigative police make arrest in American womans murder Chicxulub Puerto, Yucatan Police have made an arrest in the murder of a 71 year old American woman that happened last week. In custody is 43 year old Damon Royce N, the womans son. Members of the Secretariat of Public Security (SSP) of the State Investigative Police (PEI), made the arrest Thursday. Police say the man in custody is originally from St. Petersburg, Florida. In a statement, the SSP (Secretaria de Seguridad Publica) said he is likely responsible for the murder of his own mother, Linda L. J., 71, also an American national. Linda N was killed April 16 inside her home in the seaside community of Chicxulub Puerto in the state of Yucatan. Police say she was strangled to death before being stuffed into a suitcase and dumped in a nearby area. Her son is the main suspect. The events occurred between the afternoon and evening of Wednesday the 16th at the womans home on 17-B Street and 48th Street in Chicxulub Puerto, municipality of Progreso. According to the complaint and evidence obtained by the investigating police and prosecutors, the suspect was alone in the house with his mother. He allegedly beat her repeatedly, placed a rope around her neck and pressed until she stopped breathing. The cause of death was asphyxiation by strangulation, they reported. He stuffed the body into a suitcase and placed it on top of a black bag which he dragged for several blocks until he reached a construction site. There was a ditch next to the fence of the building where he hid the body which was found by authorities Tuesday, the SSP said in their statement. Yucatan police say a judge issued an arrest warrant for the 43 year old man who is currently facing charges of aggravated femicide. Mexican authorities intercept 5 ton shipment of liquid mercury Manzanillo, Colima Profepa immobilizes a shipment of more than 5 tons of mercury that was intended to be illegally exported to Bolivia. The Federal Attorneys Office for Environmental Protection said the shipment was stopped due to a lack of permits. Feds found the shipment set for export in the Port of Manzanillo, Colima from where they seized five tons of liquid mercury. The product was intended to be sent in paint cans to the multi-member state of Bolivia. Profepa inspectors, elements of the FGR Mexico and officers of Aduanas and SEMAR went to the Port of Manzanillo in Colima on April 16 with the objective of making an inspection visit related to the discovery of a shipment of 5 tons of mercury, in which they determined that it did not have the permission of the environmental authority to be exported. This toxic element was identified by customs authorities, they said. The Mexican National Customs Agency reported the discovery of the shipment after confirming its presence through physical and chemical analysis conducted by its central laboratory. Based on this, Profepa (the Federal Attorneys Office for Environmental Protection) requested the immobilization of the shipment at customs and its placement in a controlled area. Profepa (Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente) personnel, in collaboration with members of the Attorney Generals Office (FGR) and the National Customs Agency, confirmed the presence of mercury in 20-liter plastic buckets. The contents were corroborated through random sampling of some of the 216 buckets identified, they said in a statement. According to Article 414 of the Federal Penal Code, anyone who illegally engages in trafficking, importing, or exporting substances, among others, that are hazardous due to their corrosive, reactive, explosive, toxic, flammable, radioactive, or other similar characteristics, is punishable by one to nine years in prison and a fine. Exposure to mercury, even in small amounts, can cause serious health problems. Mercury is a chemical element whose use, handling, storage, manufacturing, import, and export are restricted by the Minamata Convention due to its significant environmental and health impacts. Highlights of the Minamata Convention include a ban on new mercury mines, a phase-out of existing ones, a reduction in mercury use in a range of products and processes, the promotion of measures to control emissions into the atmosphere and to land and water, and the lack of regulation of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. This agreement seeks to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of this element and its compounds. With this action, Mexico complies with the agreement, combats international mercury trafficking and protects human health and the environment. " " Apollo 11 astronauts, from left: Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin. Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock Some brave explorers travel across oceans; others blast off into space. This list of famous astronauts celebrates the pioneers of space exploration those who took "one giant leap" for humankind and expanded our reach beyond Earth. These astronauts have played major roles in NASA missions, space shuttle launches and international efforts aboard the space station. Their accomplishments span decades, nations and milestones across our solar system. When will Singapore General Election results be out? Here's your guide to Singapore's GE2025. Supporters of the Workers Party attend a rally on 24 April 2025, ahead of the general election in Singapore. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su) SINGAPORE Voting has closed at 8pm on Saturday (3 May) in Singapore. When will the general election results be out? Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's People's Action Party (PAP) is widely expected to comfortably extend its 66-year dominance in the city-state. But the question is whether the opposition can make further gains as locals consider issues such as the high cost of living. Earlier, polling started when polling stations opened at 8am and ended at 8pm. Some 2.6 million Singaporeans headed to the polls in what is Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first general election as PAP leader. In total, there are 92 out of 97 parliamentary seats to be filled there was a walkover on Nomination Day at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC. The Elections Department (ELD) encouraged voters to consider casting their votes in the afternoon on Polling Day to avoid long queues in the morning. Read about the results of the Singapore General Election 2025 here as they are announced throughout the night. Walkover on Nomination Day 2025 In the first walkover at a Singapore General Election since 2011, the People's Action Party (PAP) team retained Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC on Nomination Day after a surprise no-show from the Workers' Party (WP). In the 2011 General Election, the PAP team led by then-Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew were elected as the representatives of Tanjong Pagar GRC. ADVERTISEMENT The PAP had a surprise of their own too at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, with newcomer Goh Pei Ming, an ex-Singapore Armed Forces chief of staff, replacing Manpower Minister Tan See Leng at the last minute. Besides Goh, the other members of the GRC who were elected unopposed are Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, incumbent Members of Parliament Seah Kian Peng and Tin Pei Ling, and new candidate Diana Pang. Other developments of note at Nomination Day 2025 include DPM Heng Swee Keat's and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean's retirement from politics, a four-cornered fight among the WP, National Solidarity Party (NSP), Peoples Power Party (PPP) and PAP for Tampines GRC, and DPM Gan Kim Yong's move to lead PAP's team to contest Punggol GRC against WP's team led by its "star" candidate Harpreet Singh. On Nomination Day, candidates made their bids for 97 seats across 33 constituencies. Parties that will be contesting the Singapore General Election 2025 include the People's Action Party (PAP), Workers' Party (WP), Red Dot United (RDU), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), People's Power Party (PPP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) and Singapore United Party (SUP). Triggering Singapore General Election 2025 Singapore's Parliament was dissolved on 15 April ahead of a general election (GE2025) on 3 May. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, "President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, on the advice of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, has dissolved Parliament on Tuesday, 15 April 2025. The Prime Minister also advised that Nomination Day be on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, and the President has agreed." ADVERTISEMENT The vote will be the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took over from Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as leader of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in May 2024. In March, under Wong's leadership, Singapore passed an historic $143 billion Budget for 2025, the largest in the countrys history. In a post on his Facebook page, Wong said, "Earlier today, I advised the President to dissolve Parliament and issue the Writ of Election. Nomination Day will be on Wednesday, 23 April. Polling Day will be on Saturday, 3 May. More details here: https://go.gov.sg/ge15apr "We are witnessing profound changes in the world. It is becoming more uncertain, unsettled and even unstable. The global conditions that enabled Singapores success over the past decades may no longer hold. "That is why I have called this General Election. At this critical juncture, Singaporeans should decide on the team to lead our nation, and to chart our way forward together." Following the dissolution of Parliament and the issuing of the Writ of Election on 15 April, here are the other notable dates leading up to the polls in Singapore's general election 2025: ADVERTISEMENT 23 April: Nomination Day; also the start of a nine-day campaigning period for candidates. 2 May: Cooling-Off Day 3 May: Polling Day How can you find out your constituency in the upcoming General Election? The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) released its report on 11 March. Singapores electoral map will see significant changes ahead of the 2025 General Election (GE2025). The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) proposed the introduction of five new Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and six new Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). These changes come as a result of rapid population growth in areas such as Punggol, Sembawang, and Tengah. Voter numbers will rise to 97 Members of Parliament, ensuring a better reflection of the growing population across the island. While some constituencies remain unchanged, others are realigned to address new housing developments and population trends. Read more on the electoral boundary changes for GE2025 here. ADVERTISEMENT Which constituency are you in? Check here at the Elections Department's Electoral Division Enquiry. This embedded content is not available in your region. Who can vote in Singapore's General Election? According to the Elections Department Singapore (ELD), you can vote if your name is in the certified Register of Electors (RE) for an electoral division (constituency). Your name will be included in the RE before polling day if you are: A Singapore citizen; At least 21 years of age; Not disqualified from being an elector under any prevailing law (a) Registered Singapore address on NRIC or, (b) If residing overseas, has registered a Local Contact Address (LCA). Learn more about the qualifying criteria. Not sure if you're eligible? You may check your eligibility by following these steps: Online via Singpass app; Online at the Elections Department Voter Services using your Singpass; At community centres/clubs and ServiceSG Centres (with NRIC/passport); At Singapore overseas missions serving as overseas registration centres (with NRIC/passport); or At the Elections Department office, (with NRIC/passport) by making an e-appointment. How to use VoteQ? VoteQ (activated on Polling Day) is a website where a voter will be able to find out the number of voters queuing at their allotted polling station, by keying in the postal code. In an advisory on Thursday (1 May), ELD said voters can check the queue status by scanning the QR code on their poll card as well. According to the ELD website, "The polling station queue status will be updated in approximately 5 min intervals during the morning peak polling hours and then at approximately 10 min intervals in the less peak period in the afternoon and evening. The queue status may also be updated whenever there is a substantial change in the queue situation." How to cast your vote in Singapore's General Election? The ELD advises that you will receive your poll card through the post at your latest residential address registered with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) two to three working days after Nomination Day if you are a qualified elector and your electoral division is contested. Alternatively, you may access your ePoll card via your Singpass mobile app or online at Voter Services using your Singpass after Nomination Day. You can use the Singpass mobile app to access your ePoll card and use it in lieu of the hard copy poll card. You can also log on to Voter Services on the ELD website via Singpass to retrieve your ePoll card. What identity documents are approved for use to enter a polling station? The ELD says to bring an original NRIC, a digital IC or identity cards issued by the Ministry of Defence, Singapore Police Force or Singapore Civil Defence Force for uniformed personnel or a valid passport. Is Polling Day a public holiday in Singapore? Yes, Polling Day is a public holiday for the general and presidential elections. Do you still have to vote if you're working on Polling Day? The ELD advised that because voting is compulsory in Singapore, eligible voters must cast their vote. "Polling hours are from 8am to 8 pm. Under the law, all employers must give employees, who are qualified electors, a reasonable period of time for them to vote. Affected employees are advised to promptly inform their employers if they need to request for time-off, so that appropriate work arrangements can be made to cover their duties when they are away," ELD said. Can I vote in Singapore's General Election if I'm overseas for work or holiday? You won't be able to vote if you're not physically in Singapore. According to ELD, being overseas is a valid reason for not voting. However, your name will still be removed from the Registers of Electors after the election. You may apply to restore your name to the registers at Voter Services using your Singpass. Because you have a valid reason for not voting, there will be no administrative fee levied when you apply to restore your name to the register. Each week, exclusively for Slate Plus members, Prudie discusses a new letter with a fellow Slate colleague. Have a question for Prudie? Submit it here. Dear Prudence, My best friend and I are both single, child-free women in our forties. In fact, shes about a year younger than I am. When we were in our twenties and early thirties, we were often mistaken for a lesbian couple when wed go out to eat, shopping, or various other places together. This never bothered either of us. However, as the years have gone by, the differences in both our genetics and lifestyle, self-care, and style choices have grown more pronounced, and people are now more likely to mistake us for mother and daughter. My friend (the supposed mother) gets extremely irate whenever this happens. Several times, shes made an embarrassing scene, and regardless is always put in a foul mood that ruins the rest of the day. How can I convince her to just let this go, with no more than a quick, polite correction: No, were just friends, no need to mention our ages? Not Her Daughter Jenee Desmond-Harris: First of all, I know people always say high school education should cover stuff like how to do your taxes, but I also think maybe it could include a courseor at least a unit in a larger course on how to not cause people unnecessary distresson how to keep your opinions about strangers appearances to yourself. Especially things that could be hurtful or are based on assumptions that could be hurtful if theyre incorrect. Dont ask Are you pregnant? (This has happened to me! It wasnt a lot of fun!). Dont ask Is the small child with you your grandchild? and dont ask Are you mother and daughter? Evidently people need some explicit instructions in this area. Lizzie OLeary: I am sitting with this question a lot because right now I am running through the emotional responses I would have if I was either one of these people! Jeez Louise, strangers, keep your mouths closed! I have a few thoughts, but I think it matters how honest these friends are with one another. The LW says best friends, but there are besties whose feelings you protect, and besties you level with. Which do you think this is? Jenee: Ummm given the frequent irate emotional outbursts and bad moods that last all day when the friend hears something she doesnt like, Im definitely going with best friend whose feelings you protect / best friend who needs everything to be sugar coated to protect her feelings. This is not a person who handles perceived criticism very well. Lizzie: Very true! So maybe this is an indirect bank shot situation. One way to do that would be what the LW has done, which is to calmly but firmly stick with Were friends, thanks. And gently say to her friend, Hey, people are dopes. Dont sweat it. And maintain calm emotional co-regulation, like you do with a toddler losing their mind. But the other way might be a softly-softly I see that really bugs you. Do you want to tell me about it? It opens up a door, and maybe its one the friend doesnt want to walk through, but it gives her a quiet chance. Jenee: Okay, so I thought you were going to go even further and suggest saying Youre a beautiful woman and the fact that people keep asking if youre my mom isnt about that. Its just that a few things about your appearance are sending a signal that youre older. The grey hair and the sweaters with crochet flowers on them are things people typically associate with people who have at least a decade on us, and so theyre jumping to conclusions. I already know this wont work because of what I said about the friends sensitivity. Its so tempting though! I mean if she really is upset as being perceived as older, solving the underlying problem could really help! I also have a more unhinged idea: Plant a person, like your friendly local barista, and ask them to do you a favor and ask if shes your daughter the next time you show up at the coffee shop together. Am I on to something here? Lizzie: Oh man you are SO much better at this stuff than I am. I am always like How can I have a direct conversation about this thing?? Which, uh, sometimes backfires. I think you can totally do that if the person is smooth. It could go sideways, in which it might be worse, though? You dont want to be hilariously called out for having planted a barista. Im sorry, this is making me laugh, in a sort of rom-com way. It feels like a great plot point. But honestly, I really like your first idea. Its a little honest and a little Oh the dumb patriarchy. Jenee: Right, and I obviously wouldnt suggest mentioning things like Your skin looks completely parched or The shape of your stomach has changed due to perimenopause. We want to stick to issues that have easy fixes! Either way, I do think a little white liewhether in the form of calculated, softened feedback or hiring an actor, whatever!is okay to take care of a friends feelings. Lizzie: Please dont get me started on perimenopause tummies. I am very pro big pants right now. White lie it is! [gavel!] Jenee: And you can send me some of the links for those pants. For a new feature, Prudence asks readers for their thoughts on the letters shes received. Her reply will be available every Friday only for Slate Plus members. Dear Prudence is Slates advice column. Submit questions here. Hey Prudence, Regarding Little Creep, I absolutely believe that camera-wielding kid needs boundaries and consequences. I think a sane man would, on hearing the accusation, ask the young man Did you do this? If the kid answers No, then that gets followed up with Good, dont. If for some reason he fesses up, its No, dont do that. Dont be a creeper. Because there will be consequences if I see it or if I have reason to suspect it. As for LW contacting exs new GF? Do they know each other? It seems like they must, because how else would LW have means to contact New GF? (And please dont mention Facebook, cesspool that it is, though that might be a possibility.) This isnt something to present as a declaration. If LW were to do so, she needs to be careful to describe what happened and not embellish in any way. Describe him coming into an area where he damn sure knew he wasnt supposed to be. Twelve is more than old enough to know better. I say all of this with a warning to LW that New GF may not want to hear it, or New GF goes directly to Ex to report the exchange and LW is depicted as Crazy Psycho Stalker. Ti-Ger-Cat Hey Prudence, Sure, we have our phones out all the time, but most of us arent trying to enter a bathroom where someone else is already taking a shower. It seems to me you skipped right over that part and youre acting like that is no big deal. Macha, Chaos Banshee Hey Prudence, Hes 12, not 4. He had been there before enough to have to be told which areas were the private areas, so it wasnt a new space. Have you met a 12-year-old since you were one? Typically developing 12-year-olds know enough to give people privacy in their bed or bathrooms. She doesnt like him and wasnt a good match for their family, but his behavior was abnormal and unacceptable. Else You know, I received several messages suggesting that I didnt take the 12-year-olds creepy behavior seriously enough. And Im open to the idea that the people who said this were on to something. Honestly, I struggled with this letter in a way I normally dont. Before filing the column, I did something I do only about four times a year and asked a colleague if my response was off base or if I was somehow minimizing the risk of sexual assault. Their feedback led me to emphasize how upsetting the bathroom incident must have been, but they didnt suggest that I change my advice overall. Still, I get it. I definitely understand the urge to make sure someone is keeping an eye on the kid and monitoring his behavior. And the above suggestion about how to address it with him makes a lot of sense! The only thing is, the letter writer is no longer in his life so she isnt in a position to implement it. I agree that if the letter writer decides to report the incident it should be in a clear, concise and factual way. And Id go as far as to say Im almost certain New GF and Old GF would receive it in a Crazy Psycho Stalker way regardless! LW shouldnt care about that if shes really serious about her concerns. I do also think she should seriously ask herself how much of this inclination to speak up is based on emotions about her ex moving on that have nothing to do with the kids behavior. One fun fact about the letter that readers would have no way of knowing is that the unedited version described the relationship with the ex in the present tense. I changed it because it was confusing but it did suggest to me an ongoing attachment and desire to be connected in some way or another or meddle in the exs new partnership. I really hope the worrisome behavior on the kids part isnt serving as an excuse to do that. Hey Prudence, In the case of All My Trips Are Guilt Trips Now, I would 100 percent still send Mom photos. But I would also comment on her FB posts about your trips: Really wish you could have come too, Mom. And leave it at that. ANYONE under 75 already understands the situation clearly. My parents are super active (83 and heading off for a 19-day European tour), but they are still slower than their children. Some trips work great with them, and some dont. Wish I could go with them on this upcoming tripslower or not! I still want any time I can get with them since we dont live near each other. Having said that, she is your mom, and maybe it would be worth asking her where she might like to go with you all on a family trip. Maybe a beach location. It may not be your ideal for now, but a shorter trip (four days or so) could be a lovely way to have some family timeand snap a lot of photos. A.L. Jackson I love the idea of a public comment, and the idea of a beach trip with a full 2012 style Facebook album that can provide mom with tons of hours of online interaction. Hey Prudence, For the mom who takes your pictures, maybe its time to put her in Facebook time out. Hide your posts from her so shes still in your friends but doesnt see your pictures. BBTiffiD This seems little harsh to me! Its not as if shes commenting My daughter is a bitch for not taking me along. Hey Prudence, No, the mom in second letter isnt secretly proud or whatever; shes whiny and entitled, and enjoys the echo chamber of her and her friends complaining endlessly. I can see wanting to travel and see her kids more, of course. But this constant youre bad children act is hardly going to endear her or her company to her progeny. goddessoftransitory Again, a little harsh! She didnt say they were bad children. And if her life is such that she enjoys an echo chamber of complaints, maybe that says something about whats missing and where the letter writer could make it a bit more joyful. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Even casual observers of Americas NIMBY wars will be familiar with the dog-eared playbook of reforms that pro-growth politicians are now deploying to boost the supply of homes: Ending single-family zoning, banning parking requirements, permitting mini-houses (or Accessory Dwelling Units) in the backyard. How about redoing the building code to make it possible to construct small apartment buildings like single-family homesthat is, quickly and cheaply? Thats what the Dallas City Council passed on Wednesday afternoon, making Dallas the first city in the country with a special set of rules for small apartment buildingsthose that are smaller than 7,500 square feet and have eight units or fewer. Those types of buildings, with regional variations that include Bostons triple-deckers, Chicagos three-flats, and L.A.s dingbats, are often similar in size to large single-family homes. But they are in awfully short supply, thwarted by a gauntlet of restrictive land use lawshence the nickname missing middle. In Dallas, a developer, attorney, and former council member named Philip Kingston hit on a new snag that seemed to be holding back those little buildingseven where they were otherwise permitted by zoning. A few years ago, Kingston was cutting his teeth as an infill developer when he found himself getting outbid for small properties, only to see them transformed into fancy, two-family homes. I was thinking, why are their numbers not matching mine? I can build six units, he said. He estimated the city has lost a thousand units of housing to these underbuilt sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem, he concluded, was that the duplex guys were playing by a different set of rulesa Dallas building code adopted from the IRC, or International Residential Code, the countrys model code for single-family houses. If you wanted to build three or four units, however, you were working under the IBC, or International Building Code, which governs the construction of everything from a three-flat to a commercial skyscraper. The IBCwhich, contrary to the name, is a mostly American institutionhas recently come under fire as a hidden force shaping architecture and driving up housing costs in U.S. cities. One of its most controversial requirements is that small buildings have every apartment accessible by two staircases. Theres no evidence that design makes apartments safer in a fire, but it does stop small pieces of land from turning into homes, and many cities and states have passed rules to revise that piece of the code. At Kingstons urging, Dallas has gone a step further. Advertisement Council member Chad West, a co-sponsor of the Dallas bill, has for years warned that the Texas boomtown is risking its reputation as an affordable place to live: If we dont want to end up like Seattle or Portland or San Francisco, or priced out like New York City, weve got to do something different in the city of Dallas and we have to start being proactive about it now, West said in 2023. The results of his efforts have been a mixed bag; Texans love their freedom but they love single-family zoning even more. The region is growing rapidly, but mostly through sprawl many miles from the core. Advertisement Nevertheless, after several years of work with city staff, the new one-to-eight family code passed easily. I try to make decisions based on data, and I havent seen evidence that the enhanced security measures [in the IBC] are needed, West said. More safety is always better, but at some point, you cant live your life in a bubble and you have to consider cost considerations. Building codes are written in blood, the expression goesbut perhaps they can be revised in green. Later this spring, the International Code Council, which writes the IBC and IRC, will consider including triplexes and quadplexes in the residential codemeaning that some of the changes in Dallas could go nationwide in a few years. Advertisement Advertisement Kingstons view is that the costs of the higher-caliber IBC go well beyond a second staircase. The commercial code includes studies of drainage, electrical load, and other design specifications that both cost money to execute and take up time to go over with city staff (who themselves may be more familiar with the residential code). Many architects and engineers in the sprawling Dallas area, he noted, dont even work with the IBC. There are house architects and multifamily architects. Its a bright line. There are no architects who want to do an eight-unit complex. Advertisement Advertisement He drew inspiration from Canada, which permits a lower design standard for small residential buildings under three storiesnot requiring a sprinkler system, for example. That does make life easier for small builders in Canada, though the hard cutoff at three stories distorts what gets built in its own way, said Conrad Speckert, a Canadian architect and student of the code. In Canada you dont see a lot of four-story buildings, even if the zoning allows it. In many cases it remains more feasible to build three stories because of the construction costs, consulting, and complexity that come with that scale jump. Advertisement Related From Slate Trump Is Actually Killing the Best Way to Bring Back Blue-Collar Jobs Read More The overwhelming concern is fire safety. The first U.S. city to try smuggling apartment buildings into the single-family code was Memphis, which decided to do so for buildings of three to six units in 2021 in response to a plan by Opticos Design (whose founder, Daniel Parolek, coined the expression missing middle). There is very little market activity, John Zeanah, the Memphis and Shelby County director of planning and development, told me. A lot of neighborhoods need new housing, a lot of neighborhoods need subsidy. We needed to think about not just what zoning barriers needed to be rolled back, but what the cost of delivering that product was. The regulatory wall between two and three units seemed like a natural place to focus. Advertisement But the Tennessee fire marshal did not agree. Despite two years of conversations between Memphis planners and state fire officials, the state would not budge. In the end, Memphis settled for a new state law last year that exempts buildings of three-to-four units from sprinkler requirements and allows buildings up to six stories to have a single staircase. Advertisement In Dallas, the city settled on a fire safety compromiseone- and two-hour firewalls between units. Is this new code the magic bullet that will create infill housing abundance in Dallas? Probably not. But at least one developer will be taking advantage: Kingston himself. Hes looking forward to a city with more small apartment buildings and fewer luxury duplexes and McMansions. More places for people to live, in neighborhoods that already have jobs, schools, and shops, perhaps even in the place of sprawl on the edge of town. And if its a little easier to hear the neighbors through the walls, well, you get what you pay for. Affordable infill, green building, Kingston said. Were trying to get into heaven like everyone else. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. As with many other Obama-voting millennials, I never had much use for conservative media. My political coming-of-age coincided with a moment when information streams were already splintering into deeply partisan lanes, a process that became supercharged in the MAGA era. Ascendant irritants like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk determined that delicate liberals were not their target demographic and never made much of an effort to bring us into the fold. No hard feelings, really. I only have so much time on this Earth; Id like to spend as little of it as possible listening to what Will Cain has to say. So trust me when I say that I cant quite come to grips with my new habit, one that Im hugely embarrassed to be admitting in public. You see, ever since Trump won a second term, Ive found myself reading quite a bit of National Review. In fact, Id reckon that Ive been on the sites homepage almost every single day. Im not sure what exactly has come over me. National Review wasand probably still isthe nations standard-bearer editorial vessel for conservative thought, so, naturally, it is well outside my wheelhouse. The publication was founded in 1955 by the legendary gadfly William F. Buckley Jr. as a salon for the various right-leaning fraternities in American life: fire-eating libertarians, orthodox Catholics, conspiratorial anti-communists. While the erosion of the print-media business has squeezed the magazine into more of a boutique operation than it was during its earlier decades of thought leadership, it nonetheless remains one of the barometers of the conservative movement. Historically, its demeanor is known for being more erudite, more citified, and more openly Ivy League than the car-dealership Republican majority currently occupying Capitol Hill. But nonetheless, National Review always managed to marry its cosmopolitan respectability with some good old-fashioned rightward crankinessbitterly haranguing college-aged activists, Planned Parenthood doctors, congresswomen that dare wear white to the State of the Union, and many other brain-dead culture-war flashpoints that turn Thanksgiving dinner sour after a couple bottles of wine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This might make you think that Im hate-reading the magazine. Oftentimes, I probably am. But if Im being honest with myself, my postelection addiction to National Review does not come from a sensation Id describe as animosity. Instead, I think Ive become mesmerized by the extremely noticeable agony of its impossible posture, one that has become incoherent within this cartoonish state of affairs. This publication exists as a beacon for serious conservative values at an extremely unserious time, and, naturally, it seems to lapse further out of rhythm with an unhinged Republican caucus every single day. How do you broker detente with a Trump administration that has taken on a late-Romanov odor of feral decline? The answer, of course, is that you dont, and you cant. But National Review must try anyway. Advertisement In that sense, if youre looking for a political formation thats somehow even more adrift than the shattered establishment Democrats, I do recommend following my cue and clicking over to National Reviews homepage. Its a sight to behold. Yes, the magazine toasts Trumps successes in the winnowing political avenues where the two forces share common ground. National Review has published some downright psychotic tributes to the presidents deportation policy and has paid lip service to some of his more outre policy ideas (the magazine has been amenable to the capture of Greenland, and the Gulf of America situation). But the overarching tone, across the board, is oddly diffident. National Review is neither victorious nor defeated within its Republican trifecta; if it has a binding conceit, it seems to be a nihilistic embrace of the inevitable calamity that awaits us here at the end of the American century. On that point alone, I can relate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, National Review tracks our age of humiliation. The magazine is currently home to an entire editorial subdivision dedicated to Trumps berserk tariff program. Headlines include: Here Comes Trumpflation, Warning Lights Are Flashing, and The Trump Slump. Elsewhere, in the News & Policy section, the stories become even more abstract and psychically displaced. My favorites include Does Trump Know Why He Was Elected? and the quite reasonable Mindlessness Is Still Not a Virtue. The staunch opposition to MAGA-dom that the magazine once proudly championed, like when the editorial board rejected the presumptive Republican nominee out of hand in early 2016, has become threadbare by many long years of defeat. That has left it in the wilderness. National Review is not pro-Trump, nor anti-Trump; instead, it is something like anti-anti-Trumpperfectly willing to criticize the presidents gracelessness, petulance, and myriad boneheaded decisions, but nonetheless paralyzed by the undeniable reality that the magazines cerebral vision of conservatism has lost all currency. It is the great irony of National Review: The left is demolished, but given the circumstances of its undoing, the magazine doesnt have the capacity to savor its ultimate accomplishment. From here on out, it watches the world burn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are shaky foundations for an editorial perspective, and frankly, I think thats why National Review has been lapped by a slew of other non-MAGA conservative media projects. There is the surprising influence of the Bulwark, co-founded by the old-school neocon Bill Kristolan ostensibly right-wing salon that advocates for some eyebrow-raising ideological reforms in the Republican Party. (For instance, the Bulwark has sniped at Mike Johnsons intentions of stripping down Obamacare.) Meanwhile, the Dispatch, co-founded by former National Review editor Jonah Goldberg, takes basically the same approach, without the same brazen Democrat-courting ovations. (When I filed this article, the homepage took aim at both David Zweig and RFK Jr.) Bari Weiss the Free Press follows a more strident, smarmier, but similar version of this blueprint, sometimes with BuzzFeed-esque inquisitions into the administration thatat the very leastorbit around the right questions. (Is Donald Trump Breaking the Law? Seven Experts Weigh In.) Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Its Clearer Than Ever What Jeff Bezos Wants With the Washington Post Read More National Review, meanwhile, has cemented its bizarre, lukewarm MAGA-agnostic demeanor, which is untenable in a political media age that demands either complete fealty or total resistance to the president. It has left the magazine detached from a corresponding movement, and I think thats largely because for as much as National Review loathes Trump, it will always hate liberals more. The magazines Woke Culture section brims with breathless coverage of the remote outer rim of perceived progressive excesses. (You can read twotwo!stories about a trans woman competing in fencing at a liberal arts college.) Similarly, National Review continues to open its pages to single-issue wing nuts from the depths of the far-right fever swamps, including psychotic anti-IVF Catholics, sweaty homeschooling advocates, and Armond White, the veteran whack-job film critic who, in a recent review, asserted that Moana 2 was a trans allegory. If you come to National Review expecting a Bulwark-style allergy to partisan warfare, you arent going to find it. The magazine sticks to its guns, and people like me are in its sights. Tellingly, during a recent fundraising drive, National Review rallied its donors with a straightforward message: The Left Is Only Hibernating. Advertisement In other words, it can be difficult to detect exactly how much distance there is between National Review and Trump on the issues, rather than the vibes. Frankly, the two entities find themselves simpatico on some of the presidents most monstrous measures. The magazine treated the campus Palestine protests like the siege of Fallujah, with one writer applauding Trumps decision to strip Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil of his green card. More chillingly, when Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk was black-bagged for no apparent reason, editor-in-chief Rich Lowry retorted with a piece headlined, No, People Arent Being Kidnapped or Disappeared. Still, those tacit approbations of MAGA-style illiberalism are consistently marbled into a magazine-wide repulsion of the broader institutional ramifications of the Trump age. It all makes for a schizophrenic read. Advertisement Honestly, I think thats why I keep coming back. National Review has acknowledged that the advent of Trump signals a necrotic rot at the heart of American society, but the magazine has come to terms with the fact that it does not have the cachet to stop it. So, rather than expressing full-throated dissent, it has instead fallen back on its eternal bugaboos, staring directly into the void and chanting its founding dictums: Liberals are annoying and bad, and all of this is probably their fault, anyway. I admire the panache. Even here, when were both about to die, National Review wants to remind me that I will always be its enemy. Dope Thief, Apple TV+s adaptation of the 2009 Dennis Tafoya novel of the same name, is set in a post-COVID Philadelphia and follows two formerly incarcerated best friends, Raymond (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), who have cooked up a new scheme to make some cash: Theyve been posing as Drug Enforcement Administration agents and robbing local drug dealers under the guise of federal drug busts, pocketing the money, and handing any found drugs over to their silent third partner, Son (Dustin Nguyen), to sell. Like in most crime dramas, things are going well (albeit tenuously) when we first meet our hapless heroesuntil they, of course, stick up the wrong house, which happens to be both owned by an incredibly powerful organized crime ring and under surveillance by actual undercover DEA agents. The show, which began streaming in mid-March, covers a lot of ground, both figurativelyit humanizes complex characters, all while keeping the audience interested in a gritty crime mysteryand literally, as it foregrounds a different side of Philadelphia that isnt often shown on screen. But this cant all be pulled off without nailing the hardest chapter: the final one. The series finale of Dope Thief, titled Innocent People and released on Friday, finally reveals the origins of the organized crime ring that has been threatening Raymond and his loved ones all season. However, when this truth is revealed, further questions emerge. I spoke to the shows creator, screenwriter Peter Craig (co-writer of such hits as The Town, The Batman, and Top Gun: Maverick), about Dope Thiefs shocking ending, what it says about family and absolution, and how he managed to highlight a version of Philly thats often forgotten in depictions of my hometown. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slate: Youre obviously no stranger to bringing noir stories to life. As someone whos really familiar with the genre, what drew you specifically to this story? Peter Craig: What drew me to it was that its the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern kind of version: These are usually the characters that are not covered for the whole story. The point of view is almost always the guy whos the greatest driver, or the guy whos the mastermind, or the guy who has an incredible skill. And if you go look at The Thomas Crown Affair and all these things, nobodys following those guys that are just carrying the bag or discarding things, or the collectors or deliverers. A lot of times theyre great actors. I was always really into Yaphet Kotto and those movies. But I was really drawn to the fact that it was an intimate portrayal of low-level criminals who make all these mistakes, partly because of blind spots that theyve grown up with, and partly because theyre just kind of hairy, they think theyre on their way out. I like stories about people that are figuring things out on the fly and are not experts yet. We live in a world where, clearly, there isnt expertise everywhere. Theres an awful lot of the Dunning-Kruger effect, and theres an awful lot of messiness. I was attracted to the opportunity to deal with all the messiness of people who are not bad people, they just think theyre embezzling off of a neighborhood theyve grown up in their whole lives. Advertisement Advertisement Another thing that centers this entire story is this idea of family and its many different definitions. What do you think is the shows final definition of family? Advertisement In the benign sense, its what youre willing to define it as yourself. But ultimately, what are you willing to give yourself up for? What are you willing to die for? Ray was willing to die for a bunch of people in this. He was willing to die for Theresa and the dog, and he really wanted to for his dad at the end. He was willing to give everything up for Manny. Its sort of like, who do you value above yourself? And he wound up having a lot of people that he put above himself at the end. Who can you really be credible and authentic with? In a weird way, he doesnt know Mina [an undercover DEA agent, played by Marin Ireland] at all at the end of the story, but theyre almost like family. Theyve almost been trauma-bonded in the way he and Manny were. Advertisement Thats how I saw it, as a new family of sorts. Theyre family because they went through such a parallel but opposite experience, such a symmetrical thing. They were both victims who eventually refused to be victims. Advertisement Advertisement But I dont know about Son at the end there. He calls Ray his family, but I dont entirely believe him. See, Son is a mastermind. Whats so crazy to me about Son is that he wouldve gotten away with everything if he had just gotten rid of Ray or cut him off completely. But he has this little conscience that keeps thinking, I cant let this guy go. I cant let this guy die. Ive got to help him now. Its just a little bit of codependency in him that made him not the gangster that he should be. In his world, its weakness, but in reality, it was just a little bit of humanity that was left in him that actually made him vulnerable to the whole thing. You could easily have told this story from Sons point of view, and it would be a more traditional story. Hes kind of a Vietnamese Tony Soprano, and the only head fake is that hes bigger than we thought he was. We sort of think hes a mid-level operative, and hes actually a high-level operative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that beautiful house in Chestnut Hill, who could be surprised about his level? Its true! Not everybody knows Philly as well as you do, and those houses are fortresses up there. You mentioned Rays father, who is played by Ving Rhames and comes in toward the end of the series. Ving Rhames is a legend. I loved seeing him in this role. Did you immediately know that it had to be him when you were casting? He was totally my first choice. So many people saw him first as Marsellus in Pulp Fiction, but I got into all of his stuff after that. The craziest thing about Ving is that hes Juilliard-trained. Hes so technical, hes so good, and everybody thinks hes that guy. Hes not. Hes an incredibly sweet guy. That was one of those submissions where we were like, What the hell, lets just try that first. Lets take the shot at the moon and see if he wants to do it. And he did. Partly because of BrianBrian was already playing Ray, and he liked that idea of playing his father. So I didnt have a list after him at all. It was Ving or bust for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final episode is titled Innocent People, but it begs a big question: Do you think anyone in this show is innocent? Thats exactly the question youre supposed to ask: Who would they be? Theyre almost all bystanders along the way whove been rolled over, but I think the idea is that innocence can be earned, too. You can reclaim innocence by washing yourself of something. But it is definitely an ironic title, because theres not a single person in the whole storythat weve at least coveredthat is innocent. I also remembered, when I was coming up with the title, that Mina went into this thinking she was going to protect innocent people. She had this idea, when she lost her daughter, that she could give herself up for innocent people. Ray has this same idea, but, for me, theres a feeling that its a construct. Were all participating in the same nightmare a little bit, even now. You cant be neutral on a moving train. If youre letting the things happen around you, youre also complicit. Advertisement Advertisement In that way, Im still ruminating on the revelation about Jack (Gabriel Ebert), one of the undercover DEA agents. We spend the first third of the show thinking hes a good guy, and then we spend the second third realizing hes a bad guy, and then the final episode blows every previously conceived notion that we had about Jack up to bits. Hes been collecting evidence that proves that the Alliance is the DEA, but we will never know if he was collecting the evidence to extort the Alliance or to bring them in. Is Jack a good guy? Advertisement I think he was completely tangled up with himself the same way Ray and Manny are throughout the story, the way that Mina is, the way that everybody is. There were so many compromises that he made. I think he was another person that believed he was going to do the right thing at one point, but he panicked, did the wrong thing so many times, kept digging, and is constantly trying to double down to redeem himself. Advertisement Theres this kind of weird moral gambling that they all do where they really are constantly doubling down on something to say, This is going to make me a good person now. Mannys doing it with his girlfriend Sherry. Hes like, I cant be bad if I love you this much. But love never redeems anybody, unfortunately. Its just a feeling that we have. And theyre just all gamblers, because the water they live in is already so corrupt and polluted that it almost requires you to be corrupt and polluted to survive in it. I think thats a really textbook noir premise. I think The Batmans a little like that, too. Im really into Charles Willeford and those kinds of stories, where the characters think theyve given up on their morality, but they havent. Its still kind of tugging them in various ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another question related to the big reveal: Was there ever a discussion about whether you should try to disguise the voice of Bill McKinty (Peter McRobbie), who plays an integral role in the final episode? Because as soon as we hear him speak in the final episode, Im like, Thats the guy. We sort of decided we didnt care. The audience being a little bit ahead of everybody in that place wasnt that different from the rest of the show. The audience is like, This isnt a show where Ray and Manny are such masterminds that they outsmart us, like Mission Impossible or something. This is a show where were kind of wishing Ray and Manny would listen to us when were saying Dont do that. Partly, too, is when we disguised the voice more, it felt broader. It felt even cheesier. We had a little bass and an echo and various effects, and none of them felt that good. I wanted the shock to just be that hes going to go farther than you thought he was. And hes actually more the voice than he is McKinty. That was the bigger twist than who he was, I think. Advertisement Advertisement Im a Philly native, and I found a lot of the choices of Philly-fying the show to be really interesting. How did you go about making the show really centric to Philadelphia? Both with the performances but also with the actual locations and the writing? And the music too. We use a lot of [Philadelphian rapper] Freeway. I was just about to say that. Theres a Freeway cut at the end of the pilot episode that was really solid. We were thinking about what Ray would have been listening to in the late-90s era, and there are a few other Philly songs in there, here and there. We thought a lot about where we shot. We thought Ray would be trying to live a little bit anonymously. Hes still in West Philly, but hes getting a little closer to the University of Pennsylvania, where he can act like hes a student or something else, and where people are moving in and out. Those places are kind of anonymous. We figured that hes trying to live in gray areas of the city, places where gentrification hasnt totally taken hold, but where there are enough changes in the neighborhood that youre not really asking who that is moving in, in the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing I loved about Philly is the way Philly neighborhoods fight for their soul in a way that cities Ive lived in dont. In L.A., gentrification and changes to neighborhoods are just a tide. They just come and they just go, and theres nothing anybody can do about them. Nobody even really tries to change it. In Philly, if theres a film crew walking around, people pull over and ask, Are you real estate developers? Because we dont want you here. People are really careful about things like: This is my neighborhood. This defines me. And I appreciate it. I think its why every neighborhood is so distinct and every neighborhood still has so much character in it. I kind of fought to keep it that way. So that kind of polyglot empire that Philly is, and the fact that Ray and Manny know it, and they know the way neighborhoods communicate with each other, means they know where theyre safe and they know where theyre not. I loved it so much and I thought it was really just a perfect landscape for them. Why would they leave someplace that they knew how to navigate so well? Philly is also unique in that the second you leave it, you are in such a totally different logic. Advertisement Advertisement Frankly, the majority of the depictions that we get of Philly in the media are depictions of white people or majority-white neighborhoods. In actuality, the city is incredibly segregated, but still extremely diverse. It is a Chocolate City. Same thing about Atlanta, too. I lived in Atlanta for a while, and Philly struck me as that, but also, its a Black-run city like Atlanta is. I love that. I also feel that white Philly and Black Philly, they get along with each other, but its an odd thing. It has that dichotomy the way a lot of places do. Advertisement As a white man, how did you go about showing a Blacker Philadelphia? I just immersed myself in things, basically. One thing that I told Brian was, Just tell me where Im wrong, too, because Im listening. Im going to try to do the best I can with everything that Ive observed and experienced, but Im going to get things wrong. Brians a producer on this, too, and I just asked him to be watching my blind spot on that stuff, and I said Id be watching his. It was a true collaboration. It was the same with everybodyI told the whole crew, Anybody, where anything doesnt feel right, speak up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think theres this illusion on paper that, because I wrote all of the show, its not as much of a collaboration. In a weird way, it became more of a collaboration, because Im really permeable and Im just there to learn and to try to empathize, and to try to feel where everybodys experiences connect with each other. Brian has said this in interviews, too, how much our experiences were similar in ways that you would never think they were, in terms of our fathers and our upbringing. I had this really bifurcated life, where my mother was very, very successful and my father wasnt. My father had a really different kind of hustlers life, and I grew up kind of on the move with him a lot. And Brian was, I think, really relieved to hear how much back-and-forth we were going to have and how much we were going to try to understand each other the whole way. This wound up being the truest partnership I think Ive ever had, in terms of making this authentic to all that. Advertisement Advertisement And those themes of the show, which I myself have experienced in my surroundings as a Black person from Phillyaddiction, incarceration, people feeling trappedare directly related to the racial segregation of the city. So this is the first time the city felt somewhat real to me on screen. Usually, as a Black Philly native, you see portrayals where you think, OK, I know people who talk like that, but I dont talk like that. My cousins dont talk like that. Thats not our slang or our neighborhoods. Advertisement I was really appreciative of Philly and all these actors. We had an almost completely Philly-based crew. It was really great to get embraced by all of them, because Philly doesnt always embrace an outsider, you know? It just doesnt. We were really careful, too, to make sure the landscape of Philly looked accurate, meaning that law enforcement was going to be mostly Black. When Mina calls suicide prevention, you cant tell because you never see him, but thats a very good Black actor on the line. Advertisement Brian and I both hate this idea that characters of any color have to be emblematic of that role. I actually find that to be racist. If Sons supposed to be emblematic of the Vietnamese experience, thats not fair. And if Peter McRobbie is supposed to be emblematic of law enforcement, thats not fair. So hopefully we can complicate things enough that everybody just gets to be an individual in this big landscape. Related From Slate Why The Last of Us Had to Deliver That Controversial Twist Read More A classic aspect of a tried-and-true noir is that the audience should always be wondering two things at the same time: How on earth did this normal guy manage to end up here? But also, how is he still alive? You have to ride this line between being the luckiest and unluckiest protagonist on earth. Ray has seen his fair share of both by the end, but when you think about everything that hes lost, do you consider him lucky or unlucky? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucky, actually. Brian would, too. We are both sober, and we both saw this as not a sobriety journey, but in a way it kind of is. Ray cant live with himself at the beginning. You put a disguise on to do something, you occupy a certain character. Youve got these characters that are already so blocked up, theyre so in the way of themselves, of their own friendship. Theyre textbook codependent friends, because they keep reliving the trauma that bonded them to begin with. So I do think that Rays lucky, because hes forced to decide that he wants to be alive and hes forced to decide that he really does love all these people. One of the things that I think some people can really roll with, but which frustrates some people, is that they cant leave Philly. They dont know how to leave Philly. And I think a lot of people dont get that. A lot of people are like, Why dont you just get the hell out of there? But theres more uncertainty outside the city than there is inside it. And so the shape of this is really different from a typical action show or a typical crime show. It just keeps going more and more inward, and getting more and more claustrophobic, and keeps operating in smaller and smaller spaces, instead of bigger and bigger. Rays lucky at the end, because hes going to go on and hes going to live, and thats all you have. I mean, thats all you can steal. Thats his ultimate heist. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Earlier this month, Pete Buttigieg resurfaced after a family vacation with a souvenir for his fans: a freshly sprouted beard. A recent appearance on Jon Stewarts podcast found the formerly bald-faced politician sporting a set of whiskers for the first time since his fleeting pandemic beard of 2020. A couple of weeks later, he showed up on a manosphere podcast, beard still going strong. As beards go, Buttigiegs is tame and restrained, more military than metalhead. Its shaved into a tidy shape with a ruler-straight upper boundaryabout as short as facial hair can get without languishing in a spiky in-between phase. If a beard could have a type A personality, this one would. Still, as a category of physical feature, beards carry a whiff of anti-establishment rebellion in the traditionalist world of U.S. politics, and Buttigieg is not known to buck convention. Even a prim beard seemed so incongruous with the extransportation secretarys usual clean-cut style that when he popped up on-screen for Stewarts podcast recording, the host was taken aback. Look at you with the scruff, Stewart quipped. Buttigieg chuckled, though he looked a little embarrassed at having to expound on his look. It was very rare in my former life that I could go more than a day without shaving, he explained. The recent family trip gave him an opportunity to lay down the razor and let his (well-mannered, reined-in) freak flag fly. Well go with it for a little while, Buttigieg said. Well see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gays on the internet, as you might imagine, are respectfully registering the opinion that the beard should stick around. The comments on Stewarts Instagram post about the podcast are a chorus of Daddy Pete! and ohhh daddy Pete, we are here for it! and SCRUFFY DADDY PETE. Setting aside the question of whether a meticulously shaped beard trimmed to within an inch of its life qualifies as scruffy, there is some political insight to be gleaned from Buttigiegs choice to adopt what a gay news site called off-duty zaddy vibes. To find it, you have to go back to the beginning of the Buttigieg beard story, which begins long before this months fuzz. More than five years ago, during the Democratic presidential primary that made the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor a national name, a gay film director named Jim Fall (Trick, The Lizzie McGuire Movie) used FaceApp to add robust facial hair to three photos of Buttigieg from his time in the Navy Reserve. Fall told the Advocate that he was moved to make the images after being wowed by Buttigiegs ability to stay cool and smart during a presidential debatehe hoped to help voters consider the candidate in a new light. I think seeing Pete with a beard gives people pause, Fall said. Its like, dang, hes smart and sexy. Thats an intoxicating combination. Advertisement Advertisement The images, and the hashtag #BeardedButtigieg, went viral. Within a day, other people began posting additional altered Buttigieg photos: His official headshot with a beard. A photo from the debate with a beard. A dreamy, off-center portrait, modified with playfully tousled hair and, obviously, a beard. The fake Buttigieg did not share the vibes-based weaknesses some Democrats found in the real Buttigiegs candidacynamely, that he seemed like a brown-nosing striver whose life seemed fastidiously planned to support a future presidential run. The imagined facial hair gave him a welcome dose of personality. With bristly cheeks and chin, the straitlaced Rhodes scholar and McKinsey alum suddenly became playful and rugged. The possibility emerged that he may have, once or twice in his life, broken a rule. Buttigiegs usual baby face, which made him appear even more like a kid genius on a debate team than his thirtysomething years would warrant, was roughened up with a dash of worldly wisdom. He looked attractive enough to be within spitting distance of sex symbol statusand, crucially, old enough to be president. Advertisement Advertisement In politics, where image is paramountand in the universe of men, where gender-conforming options for aesthetic enhancement are scarcethe beard is a particularly powerful tool. It can turn a scientifically unlikable face into something a bit more palatable. (See: Ted Cruz.) It can be a physical manifestation of humble reinvention, allowing a rejected candidate to mourn and build anew. (See: Beto ORourke.) Sometimes, its at the core of a viable political persona. Do you think J.D. Vances own baby face would have made it to the U.S. Senate and now the White House were it not partially obscured by a beard? Advertisement Advertisement For Buttigieg, the beard looked to be a path from insufferable wunderkind to slightly-less-predictable leader, and the #BeardedButtigieg mock-ups were highly convincing. Plenty of online viewers were fooled, believing that Buttigieg had once had a beard or recently sprouted a new one. Grow that beard back and you have my vote, read one representative comment on a #BeardedButtigieg Instagram post from Perez Hilton. The fake photos were taken so seriously in some corners of the queer community that the Advocate published an entire column arguing that Buttigieg should grow a real beard, which would cement his legacy in American memory alongside the likes of, and I am not joking here, Abraham Lincoln. Advertisement Over the past decade, plenty of other politicians have been photoshopped (or FaceAppd) with facial hair for a good laugh. But none have gone as viral or been appreciated with such fervor as the Buttigieg ones. The images were gleefully passed around in pro-Pete circles, like the r/Pete_Buttigieg subreddit, ostensibly in celebration of the candidate. It looked like lighthearted fan art, but the subtext was clear: This guy ignited so little sexual interest in his actual form that his comparative hotness and gravitas in fake photos felt like a revelation. No one was obsessively posting collections of photos of Buttigieg himself, mooning over his smile or jawline. The FaceAppd pics were the only ones to capture Americas attention. Advertisement Buttigieg must have noticed. A month after #BeardedButtigieg, confined to his home at the start of the pandemic, the then-candidate took a cue from the fantasy character his fans had created: He began posting photos and videos of himself with a brand-new beard. But the new Pete didnt last long. He had his presidential campaign to consider. Then there was the ramp-up to the 2020 election, and his tenure as transportation secretary. He didnt have another chance to let his whiskers bloomuntil he lost his job a few months ago. Advertisement Now, without the pressure of a Cabinet position, Buttigieg is ready to recapture all that beard thirst. After five years and a set of twins, this beard is grayer than the last one, particularly on the right cheek. (A charming bit of asymmetry that FaceApp would never deviseA.I. will not take the jobs of real beards!) But the new beard still lends Buttigieg the rough-around-the-edges glow that wooed his fans all those years ago. With his new face blanket, hes making the media rounds as one of the Democratic Partys sharpest and most resolute communicators. As opposed to his bare, soft-cheeked look, the beard better suits a politician whos trying to make a name for himself as an uncowed truth-teller ready to take the fight to the opposition. This should not be taken as an insult to naked-faced Buttigieg but as a compliment to the beard as a vehicle for personal transformation. All the man has to do is not perform a tedious, skin-irritating daily task, and a natural bodily function turns him into a sexier version of himself. I cant think of a beauty intervention with a better return on investment. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Thursday, the ACLU filed an amended complaint with U.S. District Judge James Boasberg seeking to revive proceedings in his courtroom against the Trump administration. Boasberg had previously sought to block the Trump administrations misuse of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to summarily deport Venezuelan migrants. On April 7, however, the Supreme Court held that migrants fighting deportation had to sue in the district where they are confinedmostly in Texas, far from Boasbergs courtroom in D.C. Now the ACLU is back before Boasberg seeking a new preliminary injunction on behalf of plaintiffs whove already been unlawfully expelled to a Salvadoran prison. Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the potentially immense consequences of this clever maneuver on this weeks Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: Lets talk about whats happening in Judge James Boasbergs federal court in Washington, where the whole drama about these flights to CECOT began last month. A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court lifted the classwide restraining order that Boasberg put into effect. The majority told the ACLU that it filed for relief in the wrong court and that migrants facing deportation under the Alien Enemies Act had to file habeas petitions in the districts where theyre being held. That was supposedly game over for Boasberg. Hes still doggedly pursuing criminal contempt proceedings against officials who allegedly defied his orders, but it seemed as though the action on the merits had moved elsewhere. Advertisement Now we have news that the ACLU has gone right back to his court for another bite at the apple. Theyve amended their complaint to, among other things, make Andry Hernandez Romero a lead plaintiff. Romero is the openly gay hairdresser whom the government expelled to a Salvadoran prison. Now the ACLU says its not over in Judge Boasbergs court, and theyre asking him to order everyones return from El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Joseph Stern: This is a super smart move that almost certainly preserves Judge Boasbergs jurisdiction over this case. Romero is now one of at least six plaintiffs named by the ACLU who are currently confined at CECOT in El Salvador, not an immigrant detention center in Texas or anywhere else within the United States. As professor Steve Vladeck points out, the Supreme Court has previously held that D.C.s federal courts are the proper venue for habeas petitions brought by people held outside the U.S. So even though the Supreme Court has ruled that people being detained within the U.S. must file their petitions where theyre being held, those who are already in CECOT almost surely have a right to file in D.C.s federal courts. That means Judge Boasbergs courtroom, since he was already assigned to this ongoing case. Advertisement What the ACLU did here was expand the class of plaintiffs that its representing to encompass those confined overseas. ACLU attorneys said: We understand that we cant argue on behalf of people held in Texas in your court. They have to go through federal courts in Texas. But we have at least 238 people already sent to CECOT. They have to be able to sue somewhere. And it should be here. Thats based on precedent established, in part, during Guantanamo litigation years ago. And we know people imprisoned in El Salvador can still sue because the Supreme Court already allowed Kilmar Abrego Garcia to file suit, through his lawyers, even though hes currently in a Salvadoran prison. At a minimum, this move should preserve Judge Boasbergs ongoing ability to preside over this case. It also lets him issue further orders saying that these individuals are in the constructive custody of the United States. And, ideally, it will allow him to rule that this entire class of people must be returned home, or at least be afforded the due process that the Supreme Court said they must receive. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate The Supreme Courts Late-Night Rebuke to Trump Is Extraordinary in More Ways Than One Read More I want to make explicit whats implicit here. The administration continues to take the legal position: Too bad, so sad, theres nothing we can do in El Salvador, theres nowhere these people can go to seek redress. So its especially important that the ACLU has upped the ante. Its telling Judge Boasberg that hes still in charge of this case and reminding him that the Supreme Court has rejected the governments arguments that theres simply nothing it can do to get anyone back. It feels like the lawyers are very much trying to keep this alive after the court has said its inadequate for the government to claim the plaintiffs have simply disappeared and have no recourse. It also means the ACLU doesnt have to start from square one. We already know Judge Boasberg thinks the Alien Enemies Act likely does not apply to these plaintiffs. We know Judge Boasberg thinks these individuals have a constitutional right to due process before theyre deported to El Salvador. And the Supreme Court has affirmed that aspect of his decision unanimously by saying they must receive due process. Of course, we know they were denied due process on March 15 when they were unlawfully loaded onto these planes, sent off to El Salvador, and deposited in a prison in direct violation of Boasbergs orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But until this latest filing, Judge Boasberg could only assist them through his criminal contempt proceedings. He had told the government that it could purge contempt by asserting custody over these individuals, which would allow them to fight for their release from CECOT and return to the United States. Now he has a more direct path to say that these people have been denied their constitutional rights and the government must fix that. And he can continue to pursue criminal contempt proceedings at the same time. He could even remove the option to purge contempt now that its no longer necessary to cajole the government into assisting the plaintiffs. He could simply charge ahead with contempt proceedings. Thats just my speculationI dont know exactly how hell handle it. But he holds a lot more cards than he did last week. And I think its always a good thing when Judge Boasberg is holding more cards. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Free speech was the battering ram that Elon Musk used to justify his pursuit of Twitter in 2022. He talked about the platform as the new digital town square. He said social media companies moderation policies should be no more restrictive than national laws. I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means, he wrote after agreeing to a $44 billion takeover. In the three years since making the deal, Musk has continued to cloak himself in the armor of a free speech warrior, out there fighting for the rest of us. Turns out free speech is very expensive, he said a year ago, urging all of us to support this bedrock principle by subscribing to X Premium. Its been a lot of sizzle and the opposite of steak. Musk unbanned a bunch of right-wing (and even some left-of-center) accounts, pitching that as an anti-censorship move. (He allowed back some legit Nazis, but also the Krassenstein brothers. Fair is fair.) But he also banned and suspended accounts, like the one that did nothing more than share public information about his own private jet usage. He tried to restrict peoples linking to other social media platforms, only bailing from that effort after a heartwarmingly cross-ideological backlash. He has sued researchers who have reached damning conclusions about Nazism on X. He has juiced the platforms algorithm to send ideologically friendly posts soaring, while throttling posts with links to outside information. Few people have ever done less to promote the free and open exchange of information on the internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its notable that lawmakers in MinnesotaDemocratic ones, at thathave given Musk an opening to sell himself as a free speech guy in a manner that is not just a fugazi. Through his company, X, Musk filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in federal district court that puts him on the free-speechier side of a debate. These lawmakers have created a double whammy: a law that could genuinely curtail free expression online and a public relations coup for Musk, whose own interests intersect with a free speech argument. One can see the idea behind Minnesota statute 609.771 (USE OF DEEP FAKE TECHNOLOGY TO INFLUENCE AN ELECTION). A.I. deepfakes could bork our information ecosystem even worse than it is already borked, making it so that people can sparsely tell what is real online and what is not. Minnesota lawmakers have been rightfully concerned about deepfakes in two contexts: sex and politics. The states statute against nonconsensual sexual deepfakes has not generated as much controversy. Most people agree, or at least dont fight the idea, that there is no social utility in letting people indulge their creative urge to ruin other peoples lives with A.I.-created sexual imagery. Advertisement Advertisement The states statute about deepfakes and electionsfirst signed into law by Tim Walz in 2023 and updated in 2024is thornier. The whole thing is just a few paragraphs and list points. The law sets out a detailed, noncontroversial definition of a deepfake, and then states that a person who disseminates a deep fake or enters into a contract or other agreement to disseminate a deep fake is guilty of a crime under certain circumstances. In Minnesota, its a crime if the person knows (or acts with reckless disregard in not knowing) that a deepfake isnt real and shares it during an election season without the consent of the depicted individual and with the intent to injure a candidate or influence an election. Punishments range from small fines to up to five years in prison. (Candidates for state or local office are barred from office if theyre convicted of this crime.) The state attorney general, Keith Ellison, is nominally supposed to enforce this law, and so he is the named defendant in Musks lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement The most glaring issue with the Minnesota law is that if you CTRL-F your way through it (and again, its not long), you will not find the words parody or satire or any collection of words pointing in that direction. Now, I do not personally have a great problem with simply banning all deepfakes out of hand. I find that deepfakes, even ones that are supposed to be funny, are almost never funny. They strike me as a waste of electricity and a piss-poor substitute for more thought-intensive forms of art. If a constitutional amendment were on the table to make all deepfakes of any intention punishable by up to 10 years of watching an awful A.I.-generated Harry Potter spinoff on a loop, I would support that amendment. Advertisement Advertisement But in the world we have now, criminalizing political deepfakes without a satire exemption is like fighting gravity. No, its not essential to democracy that you be able to look at a sloppy deepfake of FBI agents hauling Donald Trump into custody. No, the American experiment does not rest on your ability to see a made-up image of Kamala Harris and Barack Obama carrying on an affair. But criminalizing parody opens up enough dangerous doors that even the most self-interested people who oppose it are onto something, and it sure does seem like this law could criminalize parody. It doesnt carve out permission for people to share obvious fakes in service of some larger political point. In this way, it differs from Californias similar law, which does exempt parody but is still in jeopardy of going down in the courts. Advertisement Enter Musk, who is not the first person to sue over Minnesotas law but knows a layup when he sees one. Musk brings the suit through X. He has a business case for being involved, arguing that the law turns the government into a social media moderator and imposes unfair liability on sites like Musks. In the filing, Xs lawyers share just the kind of deepfakes I describedthese ones, of Trumps imaginary and violent arrest in the streetsand make the case that because the deepfake exists on its platform, it is disseminating it and could be in big trouble under the text of the Minnesota statute. The lawsuit only spends a little time on satire and, given Musks position, more on his platforms liability. Advertisement Related From Slate This Is Probably the Best Way to Fight Elon Musk Read More Well hes right! Hes just right. You may not be particularly concerned with the liability of a social media platform controlled by the right-wing billionaire whose free speech maneuvering has not been on the level for years. But in this case, Musk isnt the only theoretically liable party. So is any creatively challenged dork who believes theyve got a hilarious parody deepfake in the hopper that they absolutely must share during a political campaign. If you post one of these deepfakes, your friends should make fun of you until you cry. You should be cyberbullied, even. But jailed? Maybe for a few days, if the deepfake is especially cringe. But generally not. Some problems are best confronted with social sanctions rather than criminal. Advertisement Musks lawyers use some overcooked language that may remind you who they are working for. They claim that the law will create blanket censorship, a line that may make your eyes roll out of the back of your head when you remember that Musk now co-runs the executive branch with someone who sues media companies over coverage he disfavors and muses about making it easier for public figures to prove libel. You do not, in general, have to hand it to the man. But thats exactly why its such a gift that Minnesota has given Musk this opportunity to fight for free speech, rather than free speech. Advertisement Advertisement X demands a jury trial. It wants the court to declare that the law violates the First and 14th amendments and is null and void, and it wants an injunction that would prevent the state AG from enforcing the law. Musk, as always, has a self-interest. It seems unlikely that Ellison has the time to drink from the firehose of political deepfakes on the internet and do a bunch of prosecutions of individuals every election season. There may very well be a way that he can devote time and resources to coming after a social media company like X, though, and Musk and his lawyers would like to preempt that possibility. The Venn diagram of what advantages Musk and what advantages the free flow of ideas in a democracy has historically just been two circles that have nothing to do with each other. But here, the diagram has the tiniest overlapping section in the middle. You just have to squint at it for a minute. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250425/key-takeaways-from-preview-of-russian-fm-lavrovs-interview-on-cbs---1121929525.html Key Takeaways From Preview of Russian FM Lavrovs Interview on CBS Key Takeaways From Preview of Russian FM Lavrovs Interview on CBS Sputnik International Key takeaways from a preview of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrovs Interview on CBS. 2025-04-25T07:02+0000 2025-04-25T07:02+0000 2025-04-25T07:02+0000 world russia ukraine sergey lavrov vladimir putin donald trump cbs https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/19/1121929770_0:127:3189:1920_1920x0_80_0_0_1ddce65d32f34c416a7c3b9a786ea884.jpg Sergey Lavrov gave an interview to CBS Face the Nation, underscoring that Russia and the US are moving in the right direction toward a settlement in Ukraine. The full interview is scheduled to air this Sunday.Check out Lavrovs statements on the Ukrainian conflict in a preview of the interview: https://sputnikglobe.com/20250425/lavrov-some-elements-of-the-ukraine-deal-need-to-be-fine-tuned-1121929196.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sergei lavrovs interview on cbs, key takeaways from a preview of russian foreign minister sergei lavrovs interview on cbs. what did lavrov say in cbs interview https://sputnikglobe.com/20250425/moldovan-authorities-stage-provocations-ahead-of-elections---opposition-1121929299.html Moldovan Authorities Stage Provocations Ahead of Elections - Opposition Moldovan Authorities Stage Provocations Ahead of Elections - Opposition Sputnik International The Moldovan authorities are trying to sow discord and hatred in society ahead of the parliamentary elections, staging multiple provocations on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in World War II, the leader of Moldova's Victory Coordination Committee, Alexei Petrovich, said on Thursday. 2025-04-25T03:59+0000 2025-04-25T03:59+0000 2025-04-25T04:38+0000 world moldova wwii victory day europe day opposition parties provocation https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/12/1121887844_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_d2b2f34f6c74caa2b29b33c388671016.jpg On Tuesday, Petrovich said that the Chisinau authorities had decided that on May 9, only Europe Day would be celebrated on the main square of Moldova, and those wishing to celebrate Victory Day would have to look for other locations."What are the Moldovan authorities trying to achieve by staging one provocation after another on the eve of Victory Day? A ban on holding a march on the central square of Chisinau, a refusal to pay military honors to the fallen soldiers of the Red Army, the non-participation of our national army in the Victory Parade on the Red Square ... And before that, the blasphemous refusal to award veterans of the Great Patriotic War with jubilee medals. The authorities need discord and chaos, they need enmity and hatred in society ahead of the elections. And they have not come up with a better way to instill them than to do all that," Petrovich wrote on Telegram.Meanwhile, Moldova's opposition Pobeda bloc said its activists had held one-man protests in various cities and towns against the actions of the authorities.The activists were protesting fear, repression and impunity of the current government, according to the statement.The head of Moldova's Gagauz autonomy, Yevgenia Gutsul, was detained at the Chisinau airport on March 25. A Chisinau court arrested her for 20 days on charges of violating rules for campaign financing and document forgery. On April 9, the court placed Gutsul under house arrest for 30 days, which her supporters slammed as political pressure. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250418/moldovas-crackdown-on-archbishop-markell-is-attack-on-dissent-1121892551.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20250422/gagauzias-parliament-speaker-banned-from-leaving-moldova-for-two-months-1121911359.html moldova 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 moldova provocations, moldova authorities crackdown on opposition, opposition in moldova, moldova democracy crackdown, victory day in moldova https://sputnikglobe.com/20250425/putin-and-witkoff-hold-three-hour-meeting--1121932677.html Putin and Witkoff Hold Three-Hour Long Meeting Putin and Witkoff Hold Three-Hour Long Meeting Sputnik International The meeting between Putin and Witkoff lasted three hours and was constructive and useful, said presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. 2025-04-25T15:06+0000 2025-04-25T15:06+0000 2025-04-25T15:11+0000 world vladimir putin yuri ushakov ukraine russia us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/19/1121932515_0:156:3089:1894_1920x0_80_0_0_7da0733023acf3eafaf46d192f15405b.jpg Today's conversation helped bring positions closer not only on Ukraine but also on other international issues, he noted. During the meeting, the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine was discussed, Ushakov stressed. Productive dialogue between Russia and the US will continue to be carried out in the most active manner, he added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250415/kremlin-russia-and-us-strive-for-peace-but-europe-pushes-for-conflict-1121874536.html ukraine 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 putin and witkoff, presidential aide yuri ushakov, meeting https://sputnikglobe.com/20250425/ukraine-destroys-new-jerusalem-church-in-belgorod-region-1121929080.html Ukraine Destroys New Jerusalem Church in Belgorod Region Ukraine Destroys New Jerusalem Church in Belgorod Region Sputnik International As a result of a drone attack, the all-wood New Jerusalem church complex was completely destroyed, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed. 2025-04-25T03:02+0000 2025-04-25T03:02+0000 2025-04-25T04:15+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine orthodox church church war crimes russia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/19/1121928927_0:0:600:338_1920x0_80_0_0_2c8268209f1df98bb08a360c9539852b.jpg Gladkov added that the Ukrainian military intentionally targeted rescue teams to prevent them from putting out the blaze."There are several lightly injured victims. The firefighting equipment was injured because when the extinguishing started, the drone was still hovering and continuing to drop. Therefore, as far as I know, the degree of injury is light. But it will be known more precisely later," the Belgorod and Starooskolsk diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church said, adding that the Ukrainian forces attacked the temple on purpose, and it was completely destroyed. ukraine 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 russian church attacked, ukraine destroys russian church, new jerusalem church in russia, ukraine attack on churches, ukraine against orthodox christianity China allocates 47.1 bln yuan to support water conservancy Xinhua) 09:58, April 25, 2025 BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Finance said on Thursday that it has allocated 47.1 billion yuan (about 6.54 billion U.S. dollars) to support water conservancy projects across the country, including those to enhance flood and drought prevention. Of the total, 22.1 billion yuan will be used to support the management of small and medium-sized rivers with a basin area of 200 to 3,000 square kilometers, the treatment of flood control channels, and the maintenance of water conservancy projects, according to the ministry. A total of 9.8 billion yuan will be allocated to support rural water supply and agricultural water conservation projects. Some 15.2 billion yuan will be used for projects including lake and river management and soil and water conservation, according to the ministry. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Toutle Lake School Board will meet 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Toutle Lake Jr/Sr High School library to consider public comment on a state-mandated policy that concerns inclusivity for transgender students. The policy covers subjects like restroom and locker room use for transgender students, asking for preferred pronouns, and communicating with students families. Other area school districts like Longview, Kelso, Kalama and Castle Rock have adopted the policy, while Woodland School District slightly altered the rule. In a Thursday statement, Superintendent Chris Schumaker said the rule can cause disagreements. We recognize that Policy 3211 is a complex and divisive issue with a broad range of perspectives, he wrote. Regardless of where individuals stand on this policy and state law, we can all agree that we care deeply about our students and collectively want to do all we can to support our young people. Data from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction states three students out the 682 in the district identify as nonbinary in the 2024-2025 school year. The data does not say whether any of the 325 female and 355 male students are transgender. Tuesdays public comment will be structured. The board has scheduled 60 minutes for public comment, with 30 minutes each for speakers for and against the policy, according to the statement. Speakers from each position will alternate. If one position does not use up its full time, the remaining time will go to the other position. Interested speakers must sign up online or by calling the district office no later than 3 p.m. Tuesday, and should state their position when signing up. Speakers will have three minutes each and will speak in the order they signed up. The policy was on the agenda for the boards April 22 meeting, but the board tabled it to allow for additional public comment due to the number of interested community members who attended, Schumaker said. Our community is struggling to accept Policy 3211, he wrote in an email. We are firm believers in local control, and many people feel that this policy dictates to us how, when and where we keep our students safe. What is Policy 3211? Policy 3211 and its accompanying procedure, 3211P, outlines how schools should create an inclusive environment for transgender and gender-expansive students. A state law passed in 2019 requires school districts to adopt policies and procedures that at minimum match the Washington State School Directors Association model policy and procedure. The model procedure, which was most recently updated in 2022, states that students should be allowed to use the restroom that corresponds with their identity and cannot be required to use an alternative restroom, but can request an alternative restroom if they choose. It also states that locker room use should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but that students should generally be allowed to use the one that corresponds with their identity and cant be required to use a locker room that conflicts with their identity. Reasonable alternatives for extra privacy include allowing students to use a separate space like a nearby office or restroom, or follow an alternate changing schedule. Toutle Lakes procedure, which was most recently updated in November, restricts bathroom use by sex assigned at birth but allows transgender students to use staff restrooms for privacy if they prefer. It also states that transgender students will receive modified locker room access to protect their and others privacy. Toutle Lakes policy currently matches WSSDAs example policy. The agenda for the April 22 meeting does not specify what policy changes the board is considering. One parent, who asked to remain anonymous because they have a child who currently attends school in the district, said they do not support changing the policy. Transgender people have the right to exist and should be able to use whatever facilities they feel safe using, the parent wrote in an email. All that aside, the potential to lose funding from the state for noncompliance is going to harm the school far more than a transgender student using a different bathroom than their biological sex dictates ever could. State law on discrimination The requirement for schools to adopt the model policy and procedure falls under chapter 28A.642 of the Revised Code of Washington, which prohibits discrimination in public schools. If school districts are found to be violating the requirements of that chapter, the state superintendent of public instruction can impose sanctions such as placing the district on probation or terminating some or all of its state funds. In February, OSPI found that La Center School Districts gender inclusivity policy violated state requirements. According to the investigation report, La Centers procedure required district staff to inform parents if their student requested name or pronoun changes, even if the student did not feel safe sharing that information. It also states that the district would not offer gender affirming lessons or activities that could cause students to question their gender. OSPI required La Center to change its policies, but did not specify in the report what the consequences would be if it didnt. The U.S. Department of Education announced April 14 that it was investigating OSPI for violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment and Title IX with the required changes. Woodland School District updated its procedure in 2024 to prohibit staff from withholding information about a students gender identity from their parents, but does not require staff to proactively inform them. It also prohibits staff from asking students for their pronouns, which former Woodland Superintendent Michael Green said at the time was intended to protect students from having to choose between outing themselves and lying about their identity. 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 Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing productivity and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. It powers self-driving cars, social media feeds, fraud detection and medical diagnoses. Touted as a game changer, it is projected to add nearly US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by the end of the decade. Africa is positioned to use this technology in several sectors. In Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, AI-led digital tools in use include drones for farm management, X-ray screening for tuberculosis diagnosis, and real-time tracking systems for packages and shipments. All these are helping to fill gaps in accessibility, efficiency and decision-making. However, it also introduces risks. These include biased algorithms, resource and labor exploitation, and e-waste disposal. The lack of a robust regulatory framework in many parts of the continent increases these challenges, leaving vulnerable populations exposed to exploitation. Limited public awareness and infrastructure further complicate the continent's ability to harness AI responsibly. What are African countries doing about it? To answer this, my research mapped out what Ghana and Rwanda had in place as AI policies and investigated how these policies were developed. I looked for shared principles and differences in approach to governance and implementation. The research shows that AI policy development is not a neutral or technical process but a profoundly political one. Power dynamics, institutional interests and competing visions of technological futures shape AI regulation. I conclude from my findings that AI's potential to bring great change in Africa is undeniable. But its benefits are not automatic. Rwanda and Ghana show that effective policy-making requires balancing innovation with equity, global standards with local needs, and state oversight with public trust. The question is not whether Africa can harness AI, but how and on whose terms. How they did it Rwanda's National AI Policy emerged from consultations with local and global actors. These included the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Rwandan Space Agency, and NGOs like the Future Society, and the GIZ FAIR Forward. The resulting policy framework is in line with Rwanda's goals for digital transformation, economic diversification and social development. It includes international best practices such as ethical AI, data protection, and inclusive AI adoption. Ghana's Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations conducted multi-stakeholder workshops to develop a national strategy for digital transformation and innovation. Start-ups, academics, telecom companies and public-sector institutions came together and the result is Ghana's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 20232033. Both countries have set up or plan to set up Responsible AI offices. This aligns with global best practices for ethical AI. Rwanda focuses on local capacity building and data sovereignty. This reflects the country's post-genocide emphasis on national control and social cohesion. Similarly, Ghana's proposed office focuses on accountability, though its structure is still under legislative review. Ghana and Rwanda have adopted globally recognized ethical principles like privacy protection, bias mitigation and human rights safeguards. Rwanda's policy reflects Unesco's AI ethics recommendations and Ghana emphasizes "trustworthy AI." Both policies frame AI as a way to reach the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Rwanda's policy targets applications in health care, agriculture, poverty reduction and rural service delivery. Similarly, Ghana's strategy highlights the potential to advance economic growth, environmental sustainability and inclusive digital transformation. Key policy differences Rwanda's policy ties data control to national security. This is rooted in its traumatic history of identity-based violence. Ghana, by contrast, frames AI as a tool for attracting foreign investment rather than a safeguard against state fragility. The policies also differ in how they manage foreign influence. Rwanda has a "defensive" stance towards global tech powers; Ghana's is "accommodative." Rwanda works with partners that allow it to follow its own policy. Ghana, on the other hand, embraces partnerships, viewing them as the start of innovation. While Rwanda's approach is targeted and problem-solving, Ghana's strategy is expansive, aiming for large-scale modernization and private-sector growth. Through state-led efforts, Rwanda focuses on using AI to solve immediate challenges such as rural health care access and food security. In contrast, Ghana looks at using AI more widelyin finance, transport, education and governanceto become a regional tech hub. Constraints and solutions The effectiveness of these AI policies is held back by broader systemic challenges. The US and China dominate in setting global standards, so local priorities get sidelined. For example, while Rwanda and Ghana advocate for ethical AI, it's hard for them to hold multinational corporations accountable for breaches. Energy shortages further complicate large-scale AI adoption. Training models require reliable electricitya scarce resource in many parts of the continent. To address these gaps, I propose the following: Investments in digital infrastructure, education and local start-ups to reduce dependency on foreign tech giants. African countries must shape international AI governance forums. They must ensure policies reflect continental realities, not just western or Chinese ones. This will include using collective bargaining power through the African Union to bring Africa's development needs to the fore. It could also help with digital sovereignty issues and equitable access to AI technologies. Finally, AI policies must embed African ethical principles. These should include communal rights and post-colonial sensitivities. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Five Vincentian "icons were inducted last Saturday night during the inaugural St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cultural Hall of Fame, at Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn, New York, hosted by the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Cultural Organization (DCO). The inductees were: Franklyn Frankie McIntosh, D.Litt for his role in the performing arts; Veronica John and Roy "The Dragon Ralph (both posthumously) for culinary arts and visual arts, respectively; the Spiritual Baptist Religion in the heritage and legacy category; and historian Dr. Adrian Fraser for literary arts. Franklyn McIntosh, D.Litt DCO described McIntosh, D.Litt., as "a true giant in the world of Caribbean music. It said his "holding an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of the West Indies reflects his vast accomplishments, and that he is "celebrated as a musical genius, calypso maestro and a foundational architect of Soca music. "His innovative arrangements, infectious melodies and profound inspired contributions have left an indelible mark on the Caribbean music scene, solidifying his place as a not only a national but also a regional treasure, DCO said. In his acceptance speech, McIntosh said that, when he migrated to New York, he came with the "skillset and experience that he obtained in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He, however, said he was "grateful to America, especially Brooklyn College (City University of New York) for the opportunity to fully develop his skills. Veronica John It remembered John as a "culinary visionary, who founded VeeJays Restaurant in Kingstown, the Vincentian capital. DCO said John had "profound impact on Vincentian cuisine, and that VeeJays was "more than just a restauranteur. "She was a culinary matriarch, who defined the essence of Vincentian hospitality and championed the unique flavors of the nation, it said. "Her influence on the Vincentian palate and culinary traditions continues to resonate today. In accepting the award in honour of her late mother, flanked by her nephew, Liam Minors, 10, Linette John said Veronica Johns journey was "guided by passion. "Her culinary experience was soulful, she said. "It was a way of bringing people together. Her legacy will live on. Spiritual Baptist religion DCO characterized the Spiritual Baptist Religion as "a cornerstone of Vincentian history and identity, which is "recognized for its enduring legacy. "This seminal institution shaped the social and spiritual fabric of the nation, embodying resilience and unwavering faith in the face of historical persecution, it said. "Its inclusion highlights the importance of faith and community in the Vincentian narrative. Accepting the award on behalf of the Spiritual Baptists of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Bishop Philip Quow, who was born in Rose Hall and grew up in Rose Hall and Coulls Hill both in North Leeward, St. Vincent and the Grenadines said: "We were born in obscurity. . Twenty-one years ago, we were registered in Geneva (Switzerland) and became an established religion. "We have been survivors, Bishop Quow added. "Our evolution has been astonishing. Today is, indeed, a fait accompli. "Im proud to say our Houses of Worship are built with other established religions, he continued. "I thank God for how far we have come. Roy The Dragon Ralph DCO said Ralph was "an iconic mas man and visionary costume designer. "His revolutionary contributions transformed Vincy Mas, injecting creativity, innovation and awe-inspiring artistry into the annual carnival celebrations, it said. "He pushed the boundaries of costume design and brought a fresh perspective to traditional mas, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations of mas men and women. Garry Buddha Ralph, who accepted the award on behalf of his father, said Ralph was "not just a man of great talent and passion for the artshe was a visionary, a cultural ambassador and a true icon in his own right. "Many of you may know him for his unforgettable presence as one of the most iconic mas men this country has ever known, the younger Ralph said. "For those who had the pleasure of witnessing his work, they will know that his designs werent just costumesthey were expressions of history, heritage and the heartbeat of our culture. Dr. Adrian Fraser DCO said Dr. Fraser, "a distinguished historian, author and educator, is recognized for his unwavering dedication to preserving and disseminating Vincentian and Caribbean history. "His extensive research, insightful publications and commitment to education have played a vital role in fostering a deeper understanding of our and the regions rich cultural heritage, and complex historical narratives, it said. After Bert Fraser, who flew to New York from the Dallas area in Texas, introduced his brother, Dr. Fraser, the latter noted that for over 20 years, hes written about the Spiritual Baptists and wrote a book "specially for them. Dr. Fraser also thanked DCO for initiating the ceremony and for inducting him the Cultural Hall of Fame. Later, he told THE VINCENTIAN that he felt "humbled to be honoured. "Im honoured to have been selected, Dr. Fraser added. "What they have done is not only historic its something that should have been done before. Its really appreciated. The selection DCO said the selection of the inaugural inductees was "a meticulous and comprehensive process. It said nominations were solicited from the Vincentian public, and that "each submission underwent a rigorous vetting and fact-checking process by a diverse panel, comprising DCO members and Vincentians residing both in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and across the Diaspora. "This commitment to inclusivity ensured that the selection panel truly represented the global community of Vincentians, guaranteeing a process free of bias and rooted in genuine merit, DCO said. "The inaugural class of inductees represents a pantheon of Vincentian luminaries, each a titan in their respective field, it added. "This landmark initiative aims to enshrine the legacies of individuals and institutions that have significantly shaped and enriched Vincentian culture and heritage both within St. Vincent and the Grenadines and across the Diaspora. Carlos "Rejector Providence said DCO has "long recognized the need to honor, respect and celebrate our heroes not just to glorify the inductees but to also inspire and educate this and future generations about the tireless and ingenious work of our heroes, thus encouraging continuity. Workers of the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, April 22, took to sitting outside the main building of the Ministry to further extend the seriousness to their complaints of unhealthy working conditions. The process of temporarily relocating workers assigned to the Ministry of Education was expected to commence on April 24. Desrita Gilkes-Boucher, Public Relations Officer (PRO) and 2nd Vice President of the Public Service Union (PSU), told THE VINCENTIAN that following a meeting between members of the union and Education officials on April 23, the decision was taken to relocate temporarily the 90 plus workers to the former teachers training college at Arnos Vale, and upstairs the building occupied by the telecommunications company FLOW in Kingstown. Senior education officials were expected to meet with staff to work out the logistics, Gilkes-Boucher said. She added that the process of relocating staff to the facility at Arnos Vale was expected to commence immediately, however some retrofitting was required at the building occupied by FLOW in Kingstown. Workers assigned to that location were told that that facility would be ready shortly. The decision to relocate the workers was taken after employees at the Ministry of Education staged a sit out on April 22, following complaints of mould within both buildings located on the compound of BRAGSA in Kingstown. Several members of staff were reported to have falling ill. Union officials told THE VINCENTIAN that they were made aware of the situation back in February 2025, following which, Giles-Boucher explained, members of the PSU met with Education officials including Myccle Burke, the Ministrys Permanent Secretary. The issue was taken to Cabinet and the decision taken to relocate. However, the employees decided to take the form of industrial action because of the slow response on the part of the relevant authorities. Elroy Boucher, President of the PSU, said that the action was taken because the union wanted those who had the power to make the decisions would take into consideration the interest and health of the workers and that the environment was safe. "So, all this action here is to just to try and secure a safe working environment for the workers at the Ministry of Education, Boucher told THE VINCENTIAN. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves weighed in on the issue while speaking on radio on April 23. He assured that government was committed to ensuring that the work environment for the employees was safe. "We have a direct responsibility for our employees, the governments employees that you have places of work which are healthy, theres no argument about that, Dr. Gonsalves said. He said that he had received a three-page report from the Ministrys PS which outlined plans to find alternative locations, namely the facility at Arnos Vale and Kingstown, and that Cabinet approved this recommendation on April 16. But there were many things that government was trying to do since late 2023 when, the Prime Minister said, that the Ministry of Education first began getting reports from staff members about respiratory related challenges. "And the reports came initially from the Chief Education Officer and three officers in the staffing unit; and then the reports increased as other officers began to make similar complaints, Dr. Gonsalves said. According to Gonsalves, the Environmental Health Office/ Ministry of Health and BRAGSA were immediately engaged. Both agencies submitted independent reports following assessments of the building, following which there were some minor roof repairs done to try to address the problem. However, the complaints persisted. In 2024, a private company was engaged to conduct further assessment, and mould was identified in the offices of the Minister of Education, the Permanent Secretary, the Chief Education and Deputy Chief Education Officers, the Data Unit and Senior Education Officers. With relocation in mind, negotiations began with the owner of a building in Kingstown but that did not work out, Gonsalves said. Negotiations with respect to alternative locations also fell through. After multiple visits to the former Teachers Training College compound, that location was formally approved and also the upper floor of the building occupied by FLOW to which BRAGSA was assigned to commence retrofitting work. "There is a solution at hand, the Prime Minister assured. Group Sales Manager Steel Frame Engineered Solutions Jesse Scott and Minister of Housing Orando Brewster at the signing ceremony. (Source: API SVG) The government of St. Vincent on Tuesday 21st April, signed an agreement for the procurement of 300 pre-fab houses from Steel Frame Engineered Solutions Limited of Trinidad and Tobago. Minister of Housing, Orando Brewster said that the estimated cost of the project is USD 7million. "Steel Frame Engineered Solutions will provide pre-fab homes and we are only responsible here locally for the construction of the bases, the Sewage system and .... it will take 7 days to erect one of these homes, said the Housing Minister. The houses are said to form part of the government response to providing homes for those affected by the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Last week Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves said, " those houses, when they start arriving, they are coming in batches of fifty (50) And we have signed a contract for three hundred of those houses, coming in six (6) batches of fifty each. An advance team from the company in Trinidad, contracted to deliver the houses, is scheduled to arrive here today, April 25, to conduct assessment and training with builders and contractors. The 300 units as referenced will follow on 21 pre-fab units purchased by the government from Guyana. Twelve of those 21 units arrived here in May 2023 with the remaining expected then, to arrive by early June. On January 20 2023, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines signed a 6 million EC loan arrangement with Demerara Bank Ltd (Guyana) for the purchase of 50 pre-fabricated houses, from Guyana sources. The government says it is committed to building one thousand houses in 2025 for families affected by Beryl and the eruption of La Soufriere. People walk past a burning barricade during a protest against insecurity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on April 16, 2025 (Fildor Pq Egeder/Reuters) The security situation in Haiti is in "free fall, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned, as armed groups continue to unleash deadly violence in the capital and other areas across the Caribbean nation. In a statement on Thursday, April 17, HRW said criminal gangs have escalated their attacks in Port-au-Prince since late last year, and only 10 percent of the city remains under government control. "Haitis security situation is in a free fall and Haitians are suffering horrific abuses, said Nathalye Cotrino, the rights groups senior Americas researcher. The situation worsened dramatically after the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, which created a power vacuum. In 2024, the gangs launched attacks on prisons and other state institutions across Port-au-Prince, fuelling a renewed political crisis. The campaign of violence led to the resignation of Haitis unelected prime minister, the creation of a transitional presidential council, and the deployment of a United Nations-backed, multinational police mission. That Kenya-led police force formally known as the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) has failed to take control back from the gangs, however. Observers say the mission has been underfunded and ill-equipped. Recently, so-called "self-defence groups have formed in response to the armed gangs, leading to more deadly violence. Protests have also broken out in Port-au-Prince against the countrys transitional presidential council, which has been unable to restore security. On April 7, the authorities declared a new, one-month state of emergency amid the violence. "Declaring emergencies without equipping police with necessary resources, like effective armored vehicles, will not solve the insecurity crisis, the National Human Rights Defense Network, a leading Haitian rights group, said in a recent report. "The absence of state response has turned the police into firefightersconstantly reacting without strategic directionwhile towns fall one after another, the group said. According to UN figures, at least 1,518 people were killed and another 572 were injured between January 1 and March 27 in gang attacks, security force operations, and acts of violence committed by the "self-defence groups and others. Speaking to HRW, an aid worker in Haiti said people "no longer have a safe place to go. "Women seeking help have not only lost loved ones, but have also been raped, displaced and left on the streets, starving and struggling to survive. We dont know how much longer they can endure such suffering, the aid worker said. "All [victims] ask is for the violence to stop. With no support from the police or government, they feel abandoned. They ask, Why is no one helping us? Why do Haitian lives not matter if we are human too? The UN also says more than 1 million Haitians have been displaced by the violence, while half of the country some 5.5 million people face acute food insecurity. In early April, Save the Children reported that more than 40,000 children were among those displaced in the first three months of 2025. "Children in Haiti are trapped in a nightmare, the groups Haiti country director, Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, said in a statement. "They are living in deadly areas controlled by armed groups, being robbed of a normal childhood, and at constant risk of recruitmentwhile humanitarian aid struggles to reach them, she said. A team of volunteer radio operators and others associated with the recently rebranded Youlou Amateur Radio Association YARA, spent the Easter weekend engaged in a training session designed to sharpen the SAR (Search and Rescue) skills of Mayreau fisherfolk and Tobago Cays Marine Park (TCMP) rangers, as well as hosting an informal awards ceremony for the members of the YARA and seafarers. YARAs founder and Director Donald De Riggs J88CD, noted that the training aspect, " is indicative of the importance our group attaches to the safety of life at sea, and safety generally. So, while we celebrate a significant milestone on our journey, we are still focused on our main task, saving lives, which has kept going for the last 30 years, not 30 weeks or 30 months. De Riggs highlighted that volunteer members, who are not required currently to pay a joining fee or monthly subscription, give of their best, whenever required to do so, in keeping with YARAs motto, Maximum Participation, as was evident during the Easter weekend. At about 9 AM on Friday, April 18, four fishermen and their teams along with the Tobago Cays Marine Park (TCMP) rangers held a pre-simulation briefing to ensure that all stakeholders were au fait with the sequence of events. Participants then proceeded to the staging area of Petit Tabac. The simulation involved the rescue of one female and two males from the open sea by the Mayreau fishermen and the TCMP rangers patrol boat. Two other support vessels observed the training activity from close range. Yaras Director Donald De Riggs J88CD chaired the evaluation session that followed, with Leading Seaman John and Sgt. Owen Isaacs of the SVG Coast Guard providing invaluable guidance and advice to the fishermen and sharing recent experiences of rescuing boats in distress. The fishermen recommended that similar training sessions be held at least every two years and annually if possible. The following day, a three-person team from Grenada joined the Vincies for the awards ceremony and seafood only luncheon. Awards were presented to two categories of persons: members and support volunteers, e.g. boat captains, who are not necessarily amateur radio operators but who use and need to use VHF marine radios in their everyday operations. During the awards ceremony, Floyd Dowden J39JX, the Executive Manager Operations and Administration of the Grenada Co-Op Bank (GCB), lauded the consistent work of the RRL/YRM cum YARA over the years, including responding to disasters in Grenada and Dominica among others. Interestingly, the GCB has sponsored the anniversary T-shirts for YARA every five years, starting with our 20th anniversary as well as for Operation X between 2006 and 2010. On the heels of a successful weekend exercise and celebration, YARA took the opportunity to extend thanks to: SOL Petroleum and Mobil lubricants for providing fuel, etc. for all the boats involved in the simulation exercise; Barefoot Charters for availing a catamaran pro bono for the entire weekend; BOSVG, NTRC, Ollies Screen Prints and the GCB for their support. Gratitude was also extended to: Leslie Edwards J88LE who made the awards; Captain "Jah Mo who gave the crew an informal course in seamanship; and the SVG Coast Guard and TCMP management team. Margaret Wildman J39KK and Molica Mulzac/Ward J88NMF presented the awards. And the YARAs Director reminded those present that even though the organization was in part in a celebratory mood, they were still on standby for any maritime emergencies, as it was a weekend replete with regattas and excursions. The joint team that attended the weekend outing included Margaret Wildman J39KK, Joy Flemming J39JF and (team leader J3) Floyd Dowden J39JX, Kavern Ferril J88NEI, Aleisha Browne J88NAB, Eban Olliver J88NGL, James Ollivierre J88NJT, Justin Da Silva J88DA, Keandre Moore, Terry Franklyn and (team leader J8) Donald De Riggs J88CD. (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). 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. The Arizona Daily Star Sportsmens Fund raises money so children from low-income households and active military families in Southern Arizona can attend summer camp on scholarships funded by Star readers. We send local kids to weeklong YMCA, Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts) and Girl Scout overnight camps, as well as overnight camping at Camp Tatiyee for school-age children with special needs. Our goal is to raise $225,000 to send at least 500 kids to overnight camp. So far, weve received 557 donations totaling $108,669.72, or just over 48% of our goal. Since 1947, the Sportsmens Fund has helped pay for 44,391 children to go to camp. Were one of the oldest 501(c )(3) charities in Arizona and one of the most efficient, with 97 cents from every dollar going to send kids to camp. Your contribution to the Arizona Daily Star Sportsmens Fund Send a Kid to Camp Fund qualifies for the Arizona tax credit for donations to qualifying charitable organizations. Our code is 20450. Joint filers can donate up to $ $987 for 2025 taxes, and others can donate up to $495 for 2025 Arizona taxes. Credit-card donations and details on the camps we sponsor: azsendakidtocamp.org Send checks, payable to Sportsmens Fund, to: Send a Kid to Camp, P.O. Box 16141, Tucson, AZ 85732-6141 For more information: Debbie Kornmiller at 520-954-3139 or info@azsendakidtocamp.org Donations are welcome throughout the year. Recent donations include: Clay Campbell, $365.66. Cade Campbell, $418. James Carden, $200. Terry Fortunato, $104.70. Joseph and Patricia Frannea, $104.70. James Gillie, in honor of Mary Gillie, $100. Michael Halladay, $100. Hugh Jones, $470. Jeremy Kahn, $100. Thomas Neil, $200. Nanette and Steve Pageau, in memory of my brother Rick Kaneen who loved camping, $417.85. Jane Schwartz, $52.51. David Stevenson, in memory of my dad who took us camping throughout our childhood, $417.85. One anonymous donation of $104.70. A legal argument being hashed out in courtrooms across the U.S. was at the heart of a Tucson hearing Wednesday, as a Trump administration attorney tried to argue the governments termination of an international students record in a federal database doesnt affect her legal status, despite the fear and self-deportations those terminations have caused. Two days later, judges widespread rejection of that Department of Justice strategy, and a growing number of legal wins for students, seem to have prompted the Trump administration to reverse course. The Associated Press reported Friday that the government is now restoring terminated records for some students, though its unclear how many, as lawsuits against the administration pile up. In Tucsons U.S. District Court on Wednesday, government attorney Denise Faulk argued unsuccessfully in the end against the need for a temporary restraining order to protect a Pima County-based student plaintiff. She said the cancellation of the students record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems database, known as SEVIS, doesnt actually mean her legal status was canceled, a claim disputed by the students attorney and rejected by federal courts across the U.S. in recent days. The Pima County masters student from India, identified only as Arizona Student Doe #1, is so scared of being arrested and separated from her U.S. citizen husband and 2-year-old daughter that shes been living in a secret location, for fear that immigration authorities could find her at home, said her attorney, Matt Green, on Wednesday. The student has stopped working and has been taking classes remotely, he said. Faulk argued Wednesday that at this point, the student, who was set to graduate in May, has faced no actual harm due to the April 2 cancellation of her SEVIS record by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security. Nobody has told her she cant go to school. Nobody has told her she cant graduate. Nobody has told her she cant go to work, said Faulk, although across the U.S., universities are advising students correctly, experts say, based on current regulations that the terminations mean they cant work and are at risk of being detained. Arizona Student Doe #1 is the plaintiff in one of three lawsuits filed by 13 Arizona international students in Tucsons U.S. District Court this month. The complaints are among dozens filed by students nationwide, as plaintiffs claim they were not given a chance to respond before DHS canceled the SEVIS records, a due process violation, and seek a halt to the governments actions. Judges in Michigan, Illinois and D.C. are among those who already rejected the DOJ argument that SEVIS terminations have no effect, which Green said ignores the reality facing students who, without a SEVIS record, have no way to prove their legal status. On Friday, DOJ attorneys read a statement in multiple courthouse proceedings reversing the governments position. The statement, obtained by the AP, said, ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain Active or shall be re-activated if not currently active and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination. NCIC is the National Crime Information Center, maintained by the FBI. Atlanta immigration attorney Charles Kuck said lawyers are trying to figure whether students visas will also be restored and what prompted the reversal. We dont know why, but losing 50 different times, with another 150 cases pending, probably doesnt bode well for your legal strategy, he told the Arizona Daily Star on Friday. He said litigation will continue until its clear ICE is complying with the law. Contradictory positions In Tucsons federal courthouse Wednesday, Chief Magistrate Judge Jennifer Zipps pressed Faulk for assurance Student #1 would not be detained or otherwise harmed by the SEVIS cancellation. One thing that concerns me is you said so far, she hasnt suffered adverse consequences, Zipps said to Faulk. But if there are other adverse consequences that could result from this ... if the court waited to enter a (protective) order until one of those occurred, it would be too late. I probably shouldnt have said so far, because we dont know that anything else is going to happen, Faulk said. ... I cant address the litany of possible harms that have happened to other people. The unnamed plaintiffs student visa was also revoked by the U.S. State Department on March 31 after it learned of a prior arrest, which Green said was a misdemeanor charge that was later dismissed and that shouldnt affect her legal status. DHS gave no explanation for the termination of her SEVIS record. Faulk cited a declaration from DHS official Andre Watson thats appeared in dozens of cases nationwide, as the Department of Justice seeks to defend itself against a slew of lawsuits from students. Terminating a record in SEVIS does not terminate an individuals nonimmigrant status in the United States, wrote Watson, assistant director of the national security division for ICEs Homeland Security Investigations unit, in the April 16 filing. Watson said regulations dont allow the ICE-managed Student Visit and Exchange Program to terminate a students nonimmigrant status, and that the program has never claimed it was doing so. Green argued the loss of a SEVIS record amounts to a functional loss of status. The only way students can comply with the terms of their status as foreign students, as well as apply for work and practical-training opportunities, is with an active SEVIS record, he said. The DOJ argument contradicts sworn testimony from two designated school officials whose job is to ensure international students remain in status, Green said. It also contradicts the position of another DHS agency, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, which Green said is the agency best positioned to make that assessment. While ICE is an enforcement arm of DHS, its USCIS that determines whether non-citizens are eligible for immigration benefits, and the agency has previously decided that a SEVIS record termination does cancel legal status as a foreign student, Green told the court Wednesday. This is their wheelhouse, he said of USCIS. The government is in a difficult position here this afternoon, because it has the right hand not agreeing at all with the left hand, and the left hand (USCIS) really is the more knowledgeable component here. Universities baffled by DOJ position Cancellation of a SEVIS record has real consequences under existing regulations, despite what DHS is now claiming, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. The DHS argument has baffled everyone who knows the regulation part of this, she said Thursday. The bigger question that it begs is: If a SEVIS termination has no legal ramification, then why is the government taking the action in the first place? Even as DHS argues in court that the terminations have no effect, government officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been warning of dire consequences for students who remain in the U.S. without status. DHS reiterated that warning in an unsigned Wednesday email, responding to the Stars questions about DHSs courtroom argument. DHS did not address the Stars questions, citing privacy concerns, but said it conducts regular reviews of the SEVIS database to see if visa holders are in compliance. DHS reiterated its public position in the email: Individuals who remain in the U.S. without lawful immigration status may be subject to arrest and removal. For such individuals, the safest and most efficient option is self-deportation. Aw said the term self-deportation is misleading, because it suggests there are grounds for a legal deportation, which there arent in these cases. Attorney Kuck has told the Star he suspects DHS used an automated process powered by artificial intelligence to cross-reference SEVIS records against databases of criminal or civil violations, canceling records that had any law enforcement contact, no matter how minor. The lack of individual consideration would explain what he called the clumsiness of the cancellations, making it easier for students to prevail in court, he said. Wednesdays case, as in the other Arizona student lawsuits, centers on the SEVIS cancellation, not the State Departments student-visa revocation. Typically, even if a students visa is revoked, they are still allowed to stay in the country to finish their studies as long as their status as foreign students in the SEVIS database remains active, Green said. A student visa only controls the students entry to the country, not his or her legal status as a foreign student once they are here. At least 1,220 students at 187 schools have had their visas revoked or SEVIS record terminated since late March, an AP review found. The students often had only minor encounters with law enforcement, such as speeding tickets, on their records. In other cases, students had no law enforcement encounters. The cancellations have upended life for students who chose to study and start their careers in the U.S., Aw said. Were talking about human beings, she said. Were talking about young people for the most part who are far from home, far from their families, and far from the support systems they normally count on. Devastating for students The Arizona lawsuits name as defendants President Donald Trump, ICEs Phoenix office director John Cantu, acting ICE director Todd Lyons and DHS secretary Kristi Noem. The plaintiffs all requested anonymity in the proceedings for fear of retaliation from the Trump administration. DHSs claim that SEVIS terminations have no effect isnt reassuring to students, many of whom have already opted to leave the U.S. rather than risk being detained. That includes some University of Arizona students, who have fled the U.S., Chair of the Faculty Leila Hudson has said. Students with terminated records have also received notices from the U.S. embassy in their home country, authored by the U.S. State Department, warning that if they dont leave the U.S., they risk deportation possibly to a country that is not their home country, said Jesse Evans-Schroeder, one of the attorneys representing Arizona Student Doe #1. Thats another conflict with the DOJs position in court, she said. Students are panicked, theyre terrified, theyre ashamed, she said, adding many of them feel deeply obligated to their families who have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for their education. Its devastating. When a SEVIS record is terminated, university officials cant update it anymore, which has consequences, Aw said. Lets say a student is graduating. You cant even go into the record to say the student has graduated, she said. This is why folks are baffled when the government says, This doesnt have implication for your status. Then why are you doing it? The governments lack of transparency has had a chilling effect, Aw said. The confusion and lack of clarity means every (international) student is wondering, Am I next? she said. Not reassuring Like Faulk in Tucsons federal court, DOJ attorneys have struggled to defend the governments position that SEVIS record cancellations dont cancel legal status, and theyve taken pains to avoid assuring the court that student plaintiffs are safe from deportation. In a D.C. court case before a frustrated District Judge Ana C. Reyes, DOJ attorney Joseph Carilli could not explain the impact of plaintiff Akshar Patels SEVIS record cancellation, nor say whether Patel was in the U.S. legally. Judge Reyes called the situation Kafkaesque, according to a transcript of the April 16 proceedings, in which the judge ultimately granted Patel a temporary restraining order, after multiple DHS officials couldnt rule out ICE coming after the student if he attended classes. How are you not able to answer that question? Reyes asked Carilli. I mean, how is Mr. Patel supposed to know if hes here legally if you dont even know if hes here legally? ... This isnt Schrodingers visa. Either hes here legally or hes not here legally. If you cant answer that question, you have to explain why you cant answer that question. I cannot answer that question, Carilli replied. In the Tucson courtroom Wednesday, Green cited a Western District of Michigan case in which the judge rejected the DOJs argument that the threat of arrest or deportation was speculative. In her ruling for the plaintiffs, Judge Jane Beckering called that assertion not especially reassuring. She cited the case of Tufts University graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk who was approached and surrounded by six officers (several wearing masks and/or hoods), stripped of her cellphone and backpack, handcuffed, and taken into custody in an unmarked vehicle without prior notice of her visa revocation. Huge loss for U.S. On Thursday, Judge Zipps granted the temporary restraining order for Arizona Student Doe #1, protecting her against further government action while litigation is pending. Zipps also granted her request for anonymity, which the DOJ also opposed. Ultimately, Zipps and other judges around the country will rule on whether to impose preliminary injunctions to halt DHSs actions. Students revoked visas have not yet been reinstated, despite the DOJs apparent reversal on the SEVIS records, Evans-Schroeder said. The reactivation of the SEVIS records is far from the end of the story, she said. As far as we know, they could be scheming to pick these students up, detain them, and place them in removal proceedings based on the visa revocations. Kuck said ICEs reversal doesnt undo the hardship students have already faced. Ive got kids who lost their jobs, who might not get them back, he told the AP. Weve got kids who missed finals, missed graduation. How do you get any of that stuff back? Many international students have lost faith theyd be safe studying in the U.S., and that will hurt U.S. universities, as well as the economy, Aw said. International students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 378,000 jobs here in the last school year, she said. Most of the Arizona-based international students whom Green has consulted with are pursuing careers in science, technology and math. Not only are they talented, they also pay full freight at U.S. universities that benefit from their enrollment, he said. At stake is American competitiveness, Aw said. Yet were seeing actions taken that have a chilling effect not only for today, but it can have implications long and wide. Foreign-student interest in pursuing masters and doctoral degrees in the U.S. declined by 38% between January and March, Aw said, citing data from Studyportals, which helps students evaluate international study options. Students and their families have a lot of choices of where they can go to study, she said. Theyre reading the news in their home countries and if their goal was, The U.S. is where I want to come, we can assure you theyre now looking at other destinations. ... That is a huge loss for the United States. Arizonas Democratic Party is in turmoil and looking for a way forward after behind-the-scenes tension between the party chair and state officeholders exploded into public view. Party Chair Robert Branscomb revealed the conflict in a letter Saturday to members of the state committee, pointing the finger especially at Tucsons own U.S. senator, Mark Kelly. The conflict centered on Branscombs firing of the previous executive director, Morgan Dick, and hiring of a new one, Michael Ruff. Shortly after I relieved the previous ED (executive director) of her duties, I received a call from Senator Mark Kelly, who strongly discouraged me from making staffing changes without consulting him, Branscomb wrote to the committee. Branscomb went on, 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. I found this sentiment troubling, as it undermined the independent leadership you elected me to bring. The discord blew up after the party organized a hiring committee, including representatives of all the statewide elected Democrats and other important interest groups, to find a new executive director. Rather than hiring either of the two finalists recommended by the committee, Branscomb hired a party insider, Michael Ruff. Thats what really angered the powers that be, Branscomb said in his Saturday letter. I received a text from one of our U.S. Senators stating he would no longer support or participate in state party fundraising. Shortly after, the other Senator called me directly demeaning me and demanding I reverse my decision within 24 hours or face consequences. Branscomb won his position in a January vote, defeating previous chair Yolanda Bejarano, who was supported by Arizonas top elected Democrats. Dick said Branscomb unexpectedly fired her a few days after his election. She offered to help the transition but got no response and moved on, she said. After Branscombs public broadside on Saturday, Kelly, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes wrote him a joint response. Weve spent the last several months meeting regularly with the Chair and working to support the party through the transition, the letter begins. Unfortunately, his statement today includes many false claims and is the kind of bad-faith response weve come to expect from the new leadership over the last several weeks. It goes on: While the Chair has lost our trust, were not going to let that deter us from our mission of winning in 2026. In the midst of all this, on April 16, the state partys elected secretary, Lisa Sanor, resigned, citing Branscombs poor leadership in part. Branscomb has supporters, though, who have complimented him for his transparency about the partys power dynamics. All Democrats should be concerned about the issues raised in this letter, Tucson City Council candidate Sadie Shaw said in a Star op-ed. The one good thing about the episode, Morgan Dick and Democratic strategist Tony Cani said, was that top Democratic elected officials appear united with each other, if not with the party chair. There are three main possibilities for moving forward, Cani said. One is that the two sides resolve their conflict. Another is that Branscomb resigns or is pushed out in a special vote by the state committee. The last is that the partys top elected officials simply route the money they raise elsewhere. This happened when Republican Doug Ducey was governor and Kelli Ward was party chair. Ducey, as head of the Republican Governors Association, routed money raised for the governors race that year through the Yuma County Republican Party instead of the state party. This is a bummer, but I dont think its devastating for the party, Cani said. Goldman gets going in CD6 A well-known Tucson immigration attorney launched this week a campaign for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Congressional District 6. In his introductory video, Maurice Mo Goldman presented himself as a fighter willing to take on the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. We dont have time for fear. We dont have time for excuses. The fight is now, Goldman says in the video. In an interview, Goldman said the people on the streets are demanding more from Democratic officeholders, even though their powers are limited since theyre the minority in both chambers of Congress. People are begging for louder voices, and you only see a handful of the usual suspects within the Democratic Party, he said. We need to put up the strongest fight we can. Goldman grew up in Tucson, the grandson of Holocaust survivors and the son of an immigration attorney, Gloria Goldman. He attended Greenfields Country Day School, Syracuse University for college, and Hofstra University for law school. He is married and the father of three children. Goldman is going up against one established candidate in Joanna Mendoza, who is from Pinal County and started running in January, raising about $816,000 in the first quarter. Chris Donat has also filed to run for the Democratic nomination. Tucson Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani currently holds the office, after winning re-election for the first time in 2024. Republicans have a small registration advantage in the district that runs from the southeast corner of Arizona, across much of the Tucson area to Casa Grande. City sets November elections In addition to three City Council seats up for election on Nov. 4, Tucson voters will have their say on the citys proposed general plan, as well as a potential franchise agreement between the city and Tucson Electric Power Co. For now, the Nov. 4 election date for the franchise agreement is purely a placeholder, as terms of a proposed franchise agreement between the city and TEP have not been finalized yet, city attorney Mike Rankin said Tuesday night. The city had to call the election at least six months in advance to ensure statutory compliance, Rankin said. Tucson voters rejected the last franchise agreement two years ago. Prop. 412 proposed a 25-year agreement between the city and the utility that would have imposed a monthly fee on residents to help fund underground installation of a new high-voltage transmission line routed through midtown, as well as future city climate-action programs. The city and TEP have been in a legal battle over the Midtown Reliability Project for years now: the city wants the line undergrounded in accordance with ordinances banning new, overhead transmission lines on designated scenic and gateway corridors, but the utility contends that undergrounding the lines would be prohibitively expensive. The City Council also called an election for its proposed general plan, Plan Tucson 2025, which addresses how the city will protect the local environment, responsibly manage water resources and plan land use, among other goals. OKLAHOMA CITY Despite not being on the agenda, the proposed academic standards for social studies prompted more than 30 minutes of discussion at Thursdays Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. If I wouldve known what I know now, I wouldve voted no, Tulsa-area representative Chris VanDenhende said. Its too late. Theyre out the door. The social studies standards were approved at the boards February meeting and are still awaiting action by the Oklahoma Legislature. After Thursdays OSBE meeting, a joint resolution was filed with the Senate calling for the disapproval of both the social studies and science standards. However, since that Feb. 27 meeting, three board members have publicly said they were not given a full picture of what they were voting on and questioned Thursday whether they were misled by state Superintendent Ryan Walters about the content and vote timing. Walters used a portion of his remarks at the beginning of the meeting to accuse board members of lying about the process followed and creating a fake controversy by speaking out about the proposed standards. That, in turn, prompted objections from board members. I dont appreciate being called a liar, board member Michael Tinney said. One of three board members to speak out since that Feb. 27 meeting, Tinney said multiple times Thursday that he attempted to prepare for the vote in advance by downloading a draft version of the standards from the OSDE website. However, that version did not match what was provided to the board via email, prompting criticism from Walters. Mr. Tinney, with all due respect, I cant control what you download off of the internet, Walters said. What I can control is what we gave you. As per a handout distributed by OSDE staff to reporters prior to Thursdays meeting, the social studies standards were not finalized until Feb. 26 and emailed out to board members at 4:01 p.m. that day with a subject line of Final SBE Meeting Agenda, New and Updated Supporting Documents. The boards Feb. 27 meeting started at 9:30 a.m. That emails time stamp and subsequent meeting start time were specifically cited in the Senate Joint Resolution filed Thursday as cause for legislative concern. The proposed standards would put a greater focus on religious themes and include more than 40 references to the Bible and to Judeo-Christian values and Christianity. If they are formally adopted, students would be taught stories from the Bible about figures like David and Goliath and how they may have influenced the nations founding fathers. The new standards also would call for students to learn about things like discrepancies in the 2020 presidential election, which President Donald Trump has said was rigged. The content regarding the 2020 presidential election was not included in the draft version and was not referenced during discussion at the Feb. 27 meeting. During his weekly press availability Thursday, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said his caucus could look at the standards during its next meeting on Monday but added it was unlikely that there would be any action on a resolution from the Democratic caucus to reject the standards as presented. If the Legislature does not take action on the standards by May 1, they will be automatically adopted. Weve certainly had members digging into it and looking at it, but ultimately, when you look at the standards themselves, we did not have items that we want to revise or send back, at least not at this point, Hilbert said. Well have a caucus meeting on Monday and if it comes back up again, but as of right now, it does not appear to be the case. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton told reporters Thursday that conversations about the future of the standards are still ongoing within his chamber, in part because of objections raised by Gov. Kevin Stitt and questions as to whether board members knew what they were voting on. It is still open and we are looking at it again, he said. Of course, time is of the essence on this, so we will move pretty quick. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Walters acknowledged that the document changed substantially after the public comment period, but said that the new board members were advised that there were changes from what was originally put forward. I stand by the decisions that were made, he said. Ultimately, it was up to me to make the final decisions of what are we going to put in and what are we going to take out. After initially considering an outright rejection, the board also voted 4-1 twice with objections from Walters to table the minutes from the January and February meetings, in part because members questioned the accuracy of the minutes as presented. It doesnt reflect the discussion that actually went on that day, board member Ryan Deatherage said, noting that the minutes stated he had made a motion to approve the social studies standards. The Kingfisher County resident cast the lone no vote at that meeting. Mondays Australian Story report Duped profiles Donna Nelson, the victim of a sophisticated love scam. In January 2023, Perth grandmother Donna Nelson flew to Tokyo expecting to meet her future husband, following a two-year online relationship. Instead, customs officers found two kilograms of methamphetamine in a suitcase shed been asked to carry, and she was arrested. Last November, Australian Story followed Donnas five daughters as they attended her long-awaited trial for drug smuggling. Despite Japans 99 per cent conviction rate, Donnas daughters were confident she would be among the fortunate one per cent and be home for Christmas. Even though I knew what we were up against, I still felt confident, daughter Kristal Hilaire tells Australian Story. You cant be guilty of something you didnt know and didnt have intention of doing. Before her trial, Donna a 59-year-old Nyaki Nyaki woman and community leader had spent 22 months in solitary confinement with no family contact. Shes pretty much confined to her cell for 23 hours a day, explains daughter Ashlee Charles. She has to eat in her cell, she isnt allowed to talk loudly, shes not allowed to sing, shes not allowed to talk to other people who are detained. Says her Japanese lawyer, Rie Nishida: She actually told me she felt she is suicidal at a certain point. She told me she almost forget how to speak. Donna Nelson was the victim of a sophisticated love scam. Her fiance, who called himself Kelly, said he was a businessman based in Japan. After two years of daily online contact, he invited her to Japan to meet in person, booking her a flight with a stopover in Laos and asking her to pick up a sample suitcase for his Japanese boutiques. With these romance scams, peoples usual reaction is, how could you be so stupid, says lawyer Luke McMahon. But it really lacks an appreciation for how sophisticated these scammers are. Its this persons job. Thats what they do. They do it every day. Donna was sentenced to six years in prison, despite the court accepting she was the victim of a scam. No effort has been made to investigate Kelly or the syndicate he belongs to, either in Japan or Australia. In a dramatic and absorbing episode, Australian Story reveals the details of the elaborate scam that led to Donna Nelsons arrest and provides exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the family as they attend the trial, digest the shock sentence and prepare for an appeal. Monday 28 April, 8pm on ABC. In 1970 actors of stature including Division 4s Gerard Kennedy and Terence Donovan marched through the streets of Melbourne carrying a coffin, designed to represent the future of Australian drama unless local quotas were placed upon TV networks. Its a fight that remains relevant today as the industry awaits quotas on Streaming platforms. The late Kennedy (pictured left) and Donovan were pioneers of this movement, ultimately successful in their union lobbying, leading to thousands of jobs and drama hours which have entertained millions here and abroad. With the passing of Kennedy this week, actor Jason Donovan paid tribute on Instagram. Along with my Dad, Gerard Kennedy used his high profile during the early 70s, enlisting the help of other actors and entertainers, lobbying successive governments to change the policy on local content quotas, he wrote. These efforts worked and with bipartisan support from the Gorton and Whitlam governments, an Australian film and television industry was created out of nothing. The result of that campaign was an obligation on commercial television broadcasters to broadcast Australian stories. It also led to the creation of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Without people like Gerard we might not have seen the growth in the industry during the 70s and 80s and indirectly Australian films such as The Man From Snowy River, Breaker Morant, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Priscilla, Muriels Wedding, Crocodile Dundee, Strictly Ballroom etc. Without his action there would not have been Neighbours or Home and Away. All uniquely Australian. All successful on the international markets. And all providing the training and experience of production crews and actors that are the bedrock of the Australian film and television industry today. I pay tribute and respect to not only an incredibly versatile actor but a trailblazer of Australian TV, a respected actor whose talents were welcomed into millions of homes .. and to me a man of humility and warmth. My thoughts and love to Gerards family. Fly high you absolute Aussie legend. X TV Historian Andrew Mercado said, At the time, TV executives were aghast that Gerard Kennedy and Terence Donovan, and other actors from Crawfords cop shows, were publicly demanding they tell more Australian stories. Although there were other factors involved in what happened next, it would appear that some punishment was dished out to these actors, given all the free-to-air networks suddenly axed Homicide, Division 4 and Matlock Pollice within a few months of each other. This almost decimated Crawford Productions, but the company was able to re-build itself aand the actors were proved to be right. Australians did want to watch more Aussie shows and along with new Crawfords shows like The Sullivans and Cop Shop, a golden era of TV production meant less of a reliance on international programming. Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said, Our industry benefited greatly in the past from legendary actors like Gerard Kennedy and Terence Donovan and many others who recognised the importance of Australian having its own screen industry to bring its own unique stories to audiences here and around the world. Their efforts helped us build a world renowned industry in a tough English-language market dominated by the USA. Even today SPA continues on with that very same advocacy. Our famous faces provide our industry with the important firepower to help make our case both to Governments and to the Australian public so we remain indebted to them in so many ways. High speed trains have been allowed for the BBC's 2025 series while they were banned in the 2024 show Fin and Sioned are competing on Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) A Race Across the World rule change has been revealed following last year's competition. High speed trains have been allowed for the 2025 RATW series while the five teams are racing through China. Transport is central to the teams getting around on Race Across the World and can make a huge impact on the competition which sees the winning pair take home 20,000. Taking part this year are sisters Elizabeth and Letitia, brothers Melvyn and Brian, former married couple Yin and Gaz, teenage couple Fin and Sioned as well as mother and son duo Caroline and Tom. Why high speed trains are allowed on Race Across the World 2025 From the towering pathways and ancient battlements of the Great Wall of the China, the teams begun the 14,000 km race through China and Nepal to get to the final checkpoint in Kanyakumari on the southern tip of India. ADVERTISEMENT In the 2025 series, it was explained contestants could take high speed trains through China. RATW's narrator John Hannah said in the voiceover: "Teams will have to navigate the first 100km through sprawling suburbs to the heart of Beijing. From there high speed trains connect the whole of China. Escaping the capital tonight could make or break this first leg." High speed trains were banned in Japan during the 2024 series featuring winners Alfie and Owen. (Studio Lambert) Cast your mind back to the 2024 series. RATW contestants were banned from using high speed trains in Japan. Japan's high-speed rail system Shinkansen, but known more widely as "bullet trains", were not allowed to be used during the race. Bullet trains are the most convenient and fastest way to travel in Japan. Yahoo UK understands the reason why high speed trains have been allowed in the 2025 series is because Japan is a much smaller country than China. If the contestants had got the high speed train in Japan, they would have missed a lot of the country. As China is so big, this doesn't have such a big impact on the experience opportunities. ADVERTISEMENT While the BBC show is a race, it tests the contestants ability to be able to balance the racing element with the experience of seeing the country. What are the Race Across the World rules? Brian and Melvyn on Race Across the World 2025. (BBC/Studio Lambert) The rules for RATW are strict but straight forward to ensure that the competition is fair. Contestants start the race by handing over their phones and credit cards on-camera. Flights are banned from the BBC show with the exception of where travel is impossible, for instance where RATW couldn't go through China in 2024 so the contestants had to catch a flight. At the time, a Race Across The World spokesperson told Yahoo: "At the time of planning the route, due to time constraints and difficulties in travel in the aftermath of the global pandemic, it was not possible for production to travel through China and so a flight was organised from Seoul to Hanoi." ADVERTISEMENT Another exception to the rule happened in series two when contestants got a flight over Ecuador because of civil unrest at the time. There is no unfair advantage when this happens as the contestants leave the airport in the same order they arrived at the checkpoint. All teams are allocated a budget of just more than 1,000 per person which is the lowest in the show's history. They must rely on the kindness of strangers and work to top up their funds. Elizabeth and Letitia are in the lead at the end of leg one on Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) RATW's narrator John Hannah said in the voiceover for the first episode: "The teams must pass through seven checkpoints, only when they reach one will they learn the destination of the next. They'll need to cross through the vast ranging landscapes of Asia's most ancient civilisations: China, Nepal and India. "They have to do it all for the lowest budget yet. The equivalent cost of flying the route, just over 1,000 per person. Around 22 per day. In the shadow of the Great Wall, ready to forge adventurous paths across China." ADVERTISEMENT Last year's contestants Stephen and Viv told Yahoo that they had to turn down money from strangers on the show because it is not allowed. There is 20,000 prize money for the pair who cross the finish line first. Race Across the World continues at 9pm on Wednesday on BBC One. For his era as a star and director, Clint Eastwood certainly carved out his own niche within the Western genre. Even for the films he didnt direct, an Eastwood Western feels like he owns everything about the production. And given its the genre where he made a name for himself as a leading man, its wild to realize that Eastwood only directed four Westerns himself. And within those four, its even more impressive when you have to say a perfectly good and highly entertaining feature like Pale Rider is his lesser Western as director and star. Truly, lesser is a very loose term, but if youre going to rank his films, one of them has to pull up the rear, and Pale Rider is that film. Its no misgiving to suggest that Pale Rider is a modernized reimagining of George Stevens 1953 classic Shane starring Alan Ladd and Jean Arthur. Swap Ladd with Eastwood, Arthur with Snodgress, Van Heflin for Michael Moriarty, Emile Meyer for Richard Dysart, Jack Palance for John Russell, and cattle for gold and you damn well have the same story. Not that theres anything wrong with that. Even through the strikingly obvious similarities, Eastwood takes the story and makes it his own. Ill never take anything away from Shane, its a genre classic and a genuine favorite. But what I like about Eastwoods approach to the material is the ambiguity of Preachers origins. Virtually appearing out of nowhere, he carries more similarities to Eastwoods spectral Stranger from High Plains Drifter than Alan Ladds violence-weary gunslinger. Has he always been a drifter? Or was he sent there from powers beyond because it was time for his brand of vengeance? Ive always taken to this brand of lost souls storytelling and I appreciate that Eastwood doesnt waste dialog time spelling it out for the audience. All he needs are six bullet scars early in the film and six gunshots at the end to complete the character arc. Adding to the Eastwood flair for moody atmospheric films, Pale Rider marks his final collaboration with cinematographer Bruce Surtees. Similar to past efforts, this film offers a striking contrast between light and dark and the hard shadows in between. The scene where Eastwoods Preacher negotiates with Dysarts LaHood is a great piece of work with minimal lighting and plenty of moral ambiguity. After this film, itd be cameraman Jack Green who would stand as cinematographer for Eastwoods next thirteen features along with Richard Schickels documentary Eastwood on Eastwood. As I said at the outset, I think Pale Rider is the lesser of Eastwoods four Westerns as a director. It just doesnt carry the same weight as High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales, or Unforgiven. But at the time it was made, Pale Rider was Eastwoods first Western in almost a decade. While there were still some great films made in that decade, the genre had faded from popularity. If nothing else, Pale Rider is a welcome reminder that even if the genre isnt en vogue a great film can still ride along and deliver on its promise for an exciting adventure. While not the best Western Eastwood ever made, theres plenty to admire about it. Its beautifully shot. The pace is brisk and to the point. It has a sense of humor and lightheartedness but knows when its time to get serious and let the action play out. And with any Eastwood venture, the film is populated by a colorful cast of characters. Chris Penn is a highlight as the arrogant villain's son, Josh LaHood. Richard Kiel (about the only guy taller than Eastwood in this film) gets a couple of fun scenes. Doug McGrath gets a memorable-if-tragic turn. Richard Hamilton stops in as the cantankerous shopkeeper, while Charles Hallahan and Marvin McIntyre get to play two of LaHoods heavies. And if you squint tighter than Eastwoods steely stare, youll spot the late iconic character actor Billy Drago as one of John Russells evil deputies. Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Joining Dirty Harry and The Outlaw Josey Wales for this round of Eastwood releases, Pale Rider saddles up to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as a single-disc 4K UHD + Digital release from Warner Bros./SDS. Pressed on a Region Free BD100 disc, the disc is housed in a standard black case with identical slipcover art. The disc loads to a static image main menu with standard navigation options along the bottom of the screen. HCM CITY Around 30,000 export-ready products are on display at the Global Sourcing Fair Viet Nam that opened in HCM City on Thursday. Now in its third edition, the B2B trade event has brought together over 400 exhibitors from Viet Nam, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan (China), India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, South Korea and the Netherlands. They are showcasing items across fashion and accessories, home and gifts an electronics and home appliances, spread over 500 booths. The fair provides businesses with a chance to connect with verified suppliers, discover new products and establish valuable partnerships. It is expected to draw over 10,000 buyers, sourcing agents and retailers from key markets like the US, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, the UK, the Middle East, the UAE, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan (China), Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and ASEAN. Global Sourcing Fair Viet Nam 2025 is more than just another trade fair and is a turning point for businesses aiming to succeed in todays fast-moving global marketplace, Sam Hui, vice president of Global Sources, a multichannel online-to-offline sourcing platform and one of the events organisers, claimed. As companies face unprecedented challenges and strive to diversify their supply chains, this event becomes the critical platform where global buyers and top-tier manufacturers from Viet Nam and Asia come together to forge transformative partnerships. It is an unparalleled opportunity to secure the future of international trade, drive innovation, and unlock new avenues for growth. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, deputy secretary general of the Viet Nam Textile & Apparel Association, said: Global Sourcing Fair Viet Nam has become an important platform for us to promote Viet Nams textile and garment industry to the international market. Last year, the exhibition attracted thousands of international buyers and delivered highly positive outcomes for participating companies, she said. With its support for local industries, it provides opportunities to expand Viet Nams global reach and connect with industry partners, helping textile firms grow their international business, she added. The fair features products from the Viet Nam Pavilion focused on home goods, furniture, fashion, textiles, and handicrafts. The Korea Pavilion showcases K-Beauty products, wellness items and household goods. The India Pavilion presents hand-woven fabrics, finely embroidered garments and culturally rich handcrafted textiles. Exhibitors from Bangladesh highlight their strengths in jute rugs, footwear and bags, while suppliers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan (China) display the latest in electronics, home appliances, and cutting-edge technology, including audio and video equipment, computers and gaming products, mobile accessories, and smart home devices. The event includes a business matching programme, expected to facilitate more than 2,000 meetings, enabling buyers to connect directly with leading suppliers. Jointly organised with the Viet Nam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company, the expo being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre and will run until April 26. VNS HCM CITY Waiving visas for nationals of key countries and adopting flexible visa policies tailored to different tourist segments will boost Viet Nams competitiveness vis-a-vis its neighbours, a seminar heard in HCM City on April 24. Speaking at the Which Tourists Should Viet Nam Grant Visa Exemptions To? seminar hosted by Thanh Nien (The Youth) Newspaper, its editor-in-chief Nguyen Ngoc Toan said while Viet Nam has the opportunity to elevate its tourism globally, it is still hampered by a conservative visa policy that is more restrictive than that of its neighbours. Viet Nam is currently in a highly challenging situation, striving for rapid economic growth to enter a new era while also facing reciprocal tariffs from the US that could hit exports of key industries. In this context, certain sectors must step up to ease the burden on exports. Tourism, we believe, is one of the most promising. This urgency is why Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed various ministries to finalise proposals for visa policy reforms by the end of April, demonstrating the Governments strong commitment to creating a more attractive tourism environment. Dr. inh The Hien, director of the Research Institute of Informatics and Applied Economics, said tourism would be one of the least affected sectors amid the global economic uncertainty now. Viet Nam received over six million international visitors in just the first three months of this year. This indicates strong potential for a record-breaking performance in 2025. Nguyen Quoc Ky, chairman of Vietravel Corporation, said Amid the robust global tourism recovery post-Covid and intensifying regional competition, visa exemptions have become a strategic tool for Viet Nam to assert itself as a top destination in Asia. Viet Nam offers visa-free entry to only citizens of 29 countries and territories, and stays ranging from 14 to 90 days, much lesser than competitors like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore do. To meet its ambitious target of 2530 million visitors annually by 2030, and projected revenues of US$36 billion, equivalent to 1214 per cent of GDP, the tourism industry is calling for a breakthrough in visa policies that targets strategic markets and aligns with global travel trends. Nguyen Quang Trung, head of development planning at Vietnam Airlines, said with six million international arrivals in Q1 alone, the goal of 2223 million in 2025 is entirely within reach if visa and aviation policies are implemented in a synchronised and effective manner. Trung and Ky both called for expanding the list of visa-exempt countries, focusing on markets with strong tourism and investment potential. They recommended adding 20 EU countries not currently exempt prioritising Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Portugal and North America (the US and Canada), Australia, and emerging markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. Trung suggested trialling 12-month visa exemptions for mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan (China), and India, extending visa-free stays to 90 days for travelers from Europe, North America and Australia, offering long-term visas for investors and professionals, simplifying the e-visa system, and reducing the visa processing time to less than 24 hours. Ky suggested flexible policies such as 1530 day visa waivers for luxury tourists (spending $2,0005,000), MICE visitors, Gen Z travelers under 35, and family visits verified through documentation. Additionally, special programmes like Welcome Back to Vietnam for return visitors within five years or 30-day visa waivers during off-peak seasons could further boost arrivals, he added. He also backed continuing the 30-day visa exemption for all visitors to Phu Quoc and leveraging APEC Business Travel Cards for 60-day stays. Nguyen Thu Thuy, marketing director of Vinpearl, a subsidiary of Vingroup, proposed a segmented approach to visa exemptions, targeting high-spending travelers from Australia and New Zealand, nature and premium experience seekers from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, emerging winter travel markets like Kazakhstan and Mongolia, off-peak long-stay travelers from Eastern Europe and high-spending Gulf tourists from the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. She also proposed a product-linked visa model, with exemptions granted only to tourists booking full-package tours with licensed providers and following scheduled itineraries. Vinpearl also suggested a visa sandbox model in select locations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Ha Long to pilot flexible visa policies before a nationwide rollout. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Tourism, said visa-free entry alone is not enough, pointing out: If tourism products are not appealing and service quality is poor, tourists will not return. We must prioritise the visitor experience over raw numbers. She suggested targeting high-end tourists who seek premium services, aiming to enhance the quality of tourism while easing the burden on infrastructure. Delegates called for integrating e-visa systems with ticketing, hotels and tour platforms to create a seamless one-touch experience for international tourists. They stressed it is vital to synchronise infrastructure upgrades, digital visitor management and marketing through online travel agencies and social media to position Viet Nam as an open, safe and welcoming destination. VNS WASHINGTON DC US Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer had a productive virtual meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade (MOIT) Nguyen Hong Dien to discuss the US-Viet Nam bilateral trade relationship, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on April 24. Accordingly, Ambassador Greer discussed next steps between USTR and MOIT following President Trumps call with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam on April 4. Both sides agreed on the importance of making swift progress towards reciprocal and balanced trade between the US and Viet Nam. The ministers instructed their teams to engage in technical discussions in the coming days to discuss efforts to expand market access and address unfair trade practices. VNS TOKYO The Vietnam Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai opened its doors to visitors on Thursday, launching a series of cultural and promotional activities highlighting Viet Nams image and development vision. Spanning 300sqm, the pavilion showcases Viet Nams history, culture, and innovation through modern exhibition technologies including holograms, VR, and digital mapping. Designed as a cultural gateway, it tells the story of a dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable Viet Nam rooted in strong human values. The event also marked the announcement of National Tourism Year 2025, themed Hue -Ancient Capital, New Opportunities, featuring 170 activities throughout the year Promotional materials, performances of Hue traditional music, and displays such as the five-paneled Ao Dai (traditional long dress) and local crafts are presented both inside and outside the pavilion. For the first time, provinces across Vietnam will take turns showcasing their economic and tourism potential at a world expo, offering international visitors new partnership opportunities. A special video celebrating key national milestones will be screened during major holidays. The Vietnam Pavilion also dedicates space to celebrate 52 years of diplomatic relations with Japan, with symbols of bilateral friendship reflected in many exhibits. Traditional water puppetry and daily cultural performances are also part of the schedule. Speaking at the opening, Tran Nhat Hoang, deputy commissioner general for Viet Nam at EXPO 2025, emphasised Viet Nams commitment to contributing to a shared global future centered on inclusive and sustainable development. Viet Nams National Day at EXPO 2025 is scheduled for September 9, promising a vibrant display of the countrys culture and achievements. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam wishes to enhance oil and gas cooperation with Algeria, especially in the supply of petroleum services, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, told Chairman of the Algeria-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group, Saleh Djeghloul, during a working session in Ha Noi on Thursday. Tan praised Algerias role and stature as one of North Africas leading economies and a promising market with strong demand for imported goods, affirming that Algeria is one of Viet Nam's key partners in the region. He noted the robust growth in two-way trade, with Viet Nams exports to Algeria reaching nearly US$150 million so far this year, more than doubling year-on-year. This upward trend, he said, lays a strong foundation to expand economic and trade ties by leveraging each nations strengths. The host encouraged Algeria to tap into Viet Nams reliable supply of agricultural products, seafood, processed foods, consumer goods, and construction materials. He also proposed revising the 1994 Bilateral Trade Agreement to facilitate export-import activities and urged both sides to promote business participation in trade events, inviting Algerian firms to the Vietnam International Sourcing from April 4-6 and the Vietnam Foodexpo from November 12-15. In the energy sector, Tan called for Algerias support to ensure the stable and efficient operation of the joint oil and gas venture, and facilitate the Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group (Petrovietnam)s access to new projects in the country. Djeghloul, visiting Ha Noi from April 21-26, expressed Algerias profound regard for Viet Nam and reaffirmed the commitment to fostering cooperation between the Algerian Parliament and Viet Nams National Assembly. He outlined Algerias ongoing policy reforms aimed at reducing reliance on oil and gas exports, creating an open investment environment, and boosting domestic production. Highlighting Algerias rich mineral resources, including world-class iron ore reserves, and its renowned agricultural products like olives and dates, he invited Vietnamese firms to explore industrial investment opportunities in Algeria. The Algeria-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Group stays ready to act as a bridge to advance Viet Nams proposals, contributing to the strong political and diplomatic ties between the two nations, he said. VNS SINGAPORE Viet Nam has risen to the top four largest seafood export partners of Singapore, after Malaysia, Indonesia and Norway, in the first quarter of 2025. The Viet Nam Trade Office in Singapore cited that statistics from Enterprise Singapore as saying that in Q1, the city-states total seafood import value reached nearly S$283.6 million (more than US$216 million), an increase of 1.1 per cent year-on-year. During the period, Malaysia and Indonesia were the largest and second biggest seafood suppliers to the Singaporean market with value reaching $$37.4 million and S$32.2 million, respectively, accounting for 13.2 per cent and 11.4 per cent of the total market share. Norway came third, with S$30.4 million, or 10.7 per cent. Viet Nam's seafood exports to Singapore reached S$28.7 million, an increase of 19.3 per cent compared to the same period last year, accounting for 10.1 per cent of the total market share. To support Vietnamese seafood enterprises in finding and expanding alternative markets for the US market, which is affected by tariffs, in early April, the Viet Nam Trade Office in Singapore had a meeting with the leaders of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). The two sides agreed to continue to coordinate in providing local information, connecting trade between Vietnamese and Singaporean seafood enterprises while enhancing trade promotion, participating in seafood exhibitions in Singapore, increasing the presence of Vietnamese goods in the country in the coming time. The office recommended that Vietnamese seafood producers need to focus on controlling the quality of goods, regularly updating local regulations, improving product packaging, and enhancing product quality and productivity to increase competitiveness with similar products from countries in the region. VNS HCM CITY With the five-day Reunification and Labour Day holiday fast approaching, Vietnamese travelers are gearing up for trips around the country and abroad. Travel platforms have reported a notable surge in Vietnamese individuals seeking accommodations for their upcoming getaways. According to data from digital travel platform Agoda, interest in international travel during this holiday has soared from 26 per cent to 46 per cent year-on-year, based on accommodation search data. Booking.com notes that the extended five-day break, one of the longest holidays of the year, is fueling interest in both domestic and international travel among the Vietnamese. The company revealed that 41 per cent of Vietnamese travelers have expressed a desire to travel during public holidays this year. From serene coastal getaways to culturally vibrant cities, Vietnamese travelers are eagerly embracing diverse experiences to make the most of this extended holiday period. Booking.com's 2025 Travel Trends data indicates that 65 per cent of Vietnamese travelers place a high priority on good weather when planning their trips. This preference explains the popularity of destinations like a Nang and a Lat, known for their favourable climates during this extended holiday period. Coastal destinations such as a Nang, Vung Tau, and Nha Trang continue to attract travelers seeking beach holidays and seaside relaxation. Simultaneously, cities like a Lat, Hue, Hoi An, and Ha Noi, renowned for their cultural heritage and historical significance, remain top choices for travelers keen on exploring Vietnam's rich history and vibrant culture. Moreover, Vietnamese travelers have shown a strong interest in international destinations during this holiday period. According to Agoda, the top 10 international destinations favoured by Vietnamese travelers include Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Bali, and Osaka. Lam Vu, country director for Viet Nam at Agoda, said: This extended holiday is inspiring more Vietnamese travelers to venture abroad and explore exciting destinations across Asia. All-time favorites like Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul offer endless adventure, culture, and culinary experiences to enjoy." The rich cultural tapestry and diverse landscapes of the Asia Pacific region continue to allure Vietnamese travelers, according to Booking.com's report. Short-haul destinations are proving to be popular choices, with all top 10 most-searched cities experiencing increased interest compared to the same period last year. Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo emerge as the preferred getaways for this extended weekend, while Shanghai has also entered the top 10 list, indicating a growing interest in culturally rich and easily accessible destinations. Prepare well for a better trip To ensure a smooth and worry-free holiday experience, experts advise travelers to consider purchasing travel insurance, as many Vietnamese still underestimate the importance of travel insurance and the potential risks that can disrupt even the most well-planned vacations. They highlight that unexpected events such as natural disasters, medical emergencies, lost luggage, or flight delays can unexpectedly impact travel plans, leading to unforeseen expenses and stress. Therefore, having comprehensive travel insurance can provide financial and physical protection, offering travelers peace of mind and confidence during their journeys. For instance, the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 resulting in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction across Myanmar and Thailand, serves as a stark reminder of how unpredictable travel can be. With Thailand being a top destination for Vietnamese travelers, such disasters highlight the need for both financial and physical protection. Medical emergencies abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and without travel insurance, travelers may face overwhelming expenses for hospital bills, emergency evacuations, or trip cancellations. Travel insurance is not just about coverage-it's about confidence and peace of mind, said a representative from regional insurtech, Igloo Vietnam. When youre thousands of kilometers away from home, one minor issue can ruin the whole trip. From lost luggage and delayed flights to serious medical emergencies, Igloo said that travelers should be equipped with the right protection for peace of mind - especially as international incidents like natural disasters or flight cancellations become increasingly common. To prepare better, Igloo suggests travellers carefully consider coverage by reviewing the policy details carefully and check if it covers medical expenses, emergency assistance, lost passports, trip cancellations, and others. A comprehensive plan will protect travellers throughout their journey, it said, stressing that not every policy fits every trip. Solo adventures, adventure sports, or overseas business trips come with different levels of risk - and require insurance tailored to your specific travel needs, Igloo said. The company also suggests travellers look for insurers that offer round-the-clock customer service in your preferred language. This can be a huge advantage when filing claims or seeking help while abroad. Purchasing travel insurance as soon as a flight or tour is booked ensures travellers will be covered in case of unexpected changes like trip cancellations, rescheduled flights, or visa rejections. No one wants things to go wrong on their vacation. But if they do, travel insurance can be your financial safety net - helping you minimise losses and continue your journey with peace of mind. A memorable trip isnt just about where you go - its about how well youve prepared before you leave, the company said. Viet Nam is emerging as a significant outbound tourism market, with a sharp increase in international trips over recent years. In 2024, Japan welcomed over 620,000 Vietnamese tourists, an 8 per cent increase from 2023 - placing Viet Nam among its top 10 source markets. South Korean also saw a 30 per cent increase in Vietnamese visitors, making Viet Nam its largest ASEAN source market. Thanks to its affordability and close proximity, Thailand remains a top destination for Vietnamese travelers. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Viet Nam now ranks eighth among Thailands top source markets. Meanwhile, Singapore and Malaysia also continue to appeal to Vietnamese travelers seeking family-friendly and culturally rich experiences. VNS HCM CITY Leading publishing houses and book companies across Viet Nam have released new publications on the history and development of the country and HCM City to mark the nation's 50 years of glory (April 30, 1975 2025). The HCM City-based Tre (Youth) Publishing House has introduced four book sets about President Ho Chi Minhs legacy, notable Vietnamese figures, literature, culture, geography and history. The highlight of the Presidents legacy set is the English book titled Uncle Ho, the Name That Illuminates Viet Nams Beauty, that includes over 150 photos and documents about the life and revolutionary activities of Uncle Ho. The book is compiled by the Ho Chi Minh Museum and translated by An Nhien and John Maher. Speeches and writings by the President from 1920 to 1969 are featured in the book Vi oc Lap Tu Do, Vi Chu Nghia Xa Hoi (For Independent and Freedom, For Socialism). The publisher has released a collection of books portraying notable figures dedicated to the development of the country and HCM City, including General Vo Van Kiet, late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh, Professor Tran Van Giau, and revolutionary and historian Tran Bach ang. For literature, there is a six-book novel Van Bai Lat Ngua (Card Game Showdown) by Tran Bach ang, based on the story of a communist secret agent Pham Ngoc Thao from North Viet Nam, who was a member of the Viet Nam Workers Party (now the Communist Party of Viet Nam). Another work is a collection of three books titled Van Hoc Mien Nam Luc Tinh (Literature in the South) by Nguyen Van Hau about the development of Southern literature from the 17th century to 1945. The set about the countrys culture, geography and history describes the battles leading to the Great Spring Victory in 1975 and portraits of heroes who contributed to the victory. Meanwhile, Tam Book, a freshman in the industry, in collaboration with the HCM City General Publishing House, published a book Lich Su Sai Gon Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (History of Sai Gon Ho Chi Minh City). The book introduces the formation of Gia inh (now HCM City) and the citys administration, culture and people when Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh established territorial sovereignty in the south in 1698. In 1976, Sai Gon Gia inh was renamed Ho Chi Minh. The city has become the countrys hub of economics, finance, trade, culture, science and technology, innovation, education, and integration. The book also includes maps of the city from different periods. The work is written by Huynh Ba Loc, a history lecturer at the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. It is illustrated by photographer Minh Hoa and painter Diep Xuong Vy. According to Tam Book, the writer simplified the book so that readers can read the book in one breath to explore every corner of the city and understand its cultural characteristics. All the books are available at bookstores nationwide and on e-commerce platforms. VNS HA NOI A special exhibition themed Song of Peace has been launched at the Hoa Lo Prison Relic as part of the activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) The exhibition is in three sections - All for The Front Line, Opening The Way To Unification and The Country Is Full Of Joy. Each section features documents, images and artefacts from the American War in Viet Nam, showcasing various aspects of the effort to liberate the South of the Vietnamese revolution. The first exhibition section, All for The Front Line, re-enacts the Northern youth enthusiasm at joining the army and their desire for the countrys unification, with various historical movements like Ba San Sang (Three Ready) and Ba am ang (Three Responsibilities) The second exhibition Opening The Way To Unification showcases the spirit of the revolution army and the people amidst the fierce resistance war. This section presents the historical timeline of the war to liberate the South and unify the country, starting with the Tet (Lunar New Year) Offensive and Uprising in 1968, to the ien Bien Phu in the Air Victory in 1972. The last section exhibits images of the Party, the people, and the army when they achieved total victory in the 1975 Spring Offensive. The Ho Chi Minh Campaign achieved complete triumph on April 30, 1975, ending the long and arduous resistance war to save the country against foreign invaders. A highlight of the exhibition was the re-enactment depicting the sacrifice of eight young volunteers in the Bo Trach cave, in the central province of Quang Binh in 1972. They were trapped inside the cavern after a bombardment from the US Army's aircraft and lost their life after eight days of failed rescue attempts. Through the heartfelt performances of the amateur actors, the moving story of the dedication and sacrifice of these young male and female volunteers was authentically and profoundly recreated. Cao Thi Hanh Kiem, former Chairwoman of the Thanh Xuan District's Association of Former Youth Volunteers, said the exhibitrion evoked profound memories of a time of war and fire. She said: My comrades and I endured the harsh months and years of the Truong Son Trail, witnessing our fellow soldiers fall to bring peace to the nation. "The images at the Song of Peace exhibition conjured up memories of Truong Son. I am deeply moved and cannot hold back my tears." The exhibition runs until the end of May at the Hoa Lo Prison Relic, at No. 1 Hoa Lo Street, Tran Hung ao Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi. VNS GENEVA Swiss photographer Roland Schmid has shared touching stories gathered from his visits to Viet Nam and heartfelt encounters with Agent Orange (AO) victims, highlighting their resilience and determination to integrate into society. Schmids photo exhibition, titled War without end, has drawn significant public attention. Through raw and powerful imagery depicting the lasting consequences of AO/dioxin on both Viet Nams natural environment and its people, particularly the younger generations, Schmid delivers a message of compassion and solidarity with the victims, especially children. Besides causing diseases, AO contains dioxin, which affects human genes, Schmid told a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Switzerland on the occasion of the nation's 50 years of glory (April 30, 1975 2025), saying generations of Vietnamese people are still suffering its effects long after the war ended. Having visited Viet Nam multiple times, Schmid said he is deeply moved by the lingering effects of the toxic defoliant sprayed by the US military during the war. Despite the suffering, he expressed admiration for the spirit and resilience of the Vietnamese people, and their inspiring stories of overcoming adversity. Looking ahead, the photographer plans to continue collaborating with organisations such as Green Cross Switzerland and the Switzerland-Viet Nam Friendship Association on projects that aim to address the lingering consequences of AO/dioxin exposure. VNA/VNS VIENTIANE State President Luong Cuong and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation offered flowers in tribute to late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane and visited the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum in Vientiane on Friday, as part of his state visit to Laos. Placing a basket of flowers at the statue of the revered Lao leader, President Cuong reaffirmed the profound respect and enduring gratitude of the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for President Kaysone Phomvihanes pivotal role in building, preserving, and strengthening the unique and time-honoured Viet NamLaos relationship, an invaluable legacy for both nations. During his tour of the museum, the Vietnamese President learned about the life and revolutionary contributions of President Kaysone, an iconic leader of the Lao people and a close and trusted friend of Viet Nam. The visit also underscored the deep-rooted solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries' revolutionary movements. President Kaysone Phomvihane, together with President Ho Chi Minh and President Souphanouvong, laid the foundation for the special, steadfast, loyal and pure relationship between Viet Nam and Laos, which has been diligently cultivated by successive generations of leaders of the two countries and has become an invaluable asset of the two peoples. The close-knit relationship between Viet Nam and Laos has overcome all challenges of time, becoming a great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, a vivid demonstration of the spirit of proletarian internationalism and the aspiration for independence and freedom of the two peoples. The same day, President Cuong and the Vietnamese delegation also laid a wreath at the Monument of Lao Heroes and Martyrs in Vientiane, paying homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Laoss independence, national protection, and development. VNS BEIJING Vice President and General Secretary of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha held a meeting with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Friday as part of her working visit to China. At the meeting, Ha congratulated China on its recent great achievements, including the successful organisation of the third session of the third sessions of the 14th National Peoples Congress (NPC) and the CPPCC; as well as remarkable accomplishments made by the Party, State, and people of China over more than 40 years of reform, and in over a decade of the new era under the leadership of Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping. Viet Nam regards the development of relations with China as a consistent guideline, a natural and strategic choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy, she stated, affirming that Viet Nam supports a strong and growing China that plays an active role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world. She took the occasion to express deep gratitude for the significant and valuable support from the Chinese Party, State, and people for Viet Nam during its struggle for national independence in the past, as well as in its ongoing efforts for national development and building. She stressed that the third friendship exchange between the VFF Central Committee and the CPPCC National Committee in Guangxi on Wednesday (April 23) serves as a concrete step in implementing the common perceptions reached by the top Party leaders of the two nations, especially following the recent successful visit to Viet Nam by Xi, Ha noted, adding that this marks a new milestone in the growing relationship between the two countries and is a meaningful activity to commemorate the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. She underlined the vital role played by the VFF and the CPPCC in the political and social life of each country, particularly in promoting the strength of the entire people; gathering social forces; and mobilising domestic and international resources for national development. The Vietnamese official expressed her satisfaction with the deepening relationship between the two organisations, reflected via the regular exchanges and meetings, as well as increasing exchanges and cooperation between VFF and CPPCC chapters in border localities of the two nations. Ha made several recommendations to further step up cooperation between the two front agencies, including enhancing all-level exchanges to further strengthen mutual understanding and political trust; increasing the exchange of information and experience, and upholding the role of the VFF and the the CPPCC in the new era of development for the two countries. She also suggested promoting the involvement of both organisations in fostering people-to-people and youth exchanges, and intensifying efforts to popularise each country's development achievements and the Viet Nam-China friendship, saying that this will help consolidate a favourable social foundation for the further growth of bilateral relations. Ha expressed her belief that under the strategic guidance of the top Party and State leaders of Viet Nam and China, and with the direct leadership and regular direction of their presidents, the traditional friendship and cooperation between the VFF and the CPPCC will continue to grow stronger and reach new heights, aligned with the Viet NamChina relations. Recalling the outcomes of the state visit to Viet Nam by the top Chinese leader on April 14-15, Wang highlighted that in an atmosphere of sincerity and friendship, both sides shared updates on the situation in their respective Parties and countries, engaged in in-depth discussions, and reached important common perceptions on continuing to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promoting the building of a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. The Chinese official stressed that the CPPCC is willing to expand exchanges, friendship, and cooperation with the VFF, particularly in delegation exchanges and people-to-people interactions, to enhance mutual understanding and experience sharing in the implementation of tasks, thus realising the common perceptions of the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and countries. VNS BANGKOK Viet Nam has identified the advancement of science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation as top national priorities, considering them as vital tools to avoid the middle-income trap and to usher the country into a new phase of development, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung. Delivering a speech at the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok on Thursday, Hung, who also serves as Viet Nams Permanent Representative to ESCAP, affirmed the countrys support for the UNs efforts to strengthen global governance of technology in line with its charter and international law. He called on ESCAP to facilitate the implementation of the global digital compact in the region and to step up initiatives surrounding emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). The diplomat further stressed the importance of equitable access to technologies, urging developed nations to share knowledge and transfer technologies to developing countries. Hung also advocated for enhanced capacity building and the promotion of innovative financial mechanisms to support digital transformation efforts. On the sidelines of the session, which runs from April 21 to 25, the Vietnamese diplomat also addressed a special event discussing measures to advance inclusive and sustainable urban development, where he highlighted infrastructure development as one of Viet Nams three strategic breakthroughs. Hung identified transit-oriented urban development as a key element in improving the quality of urban planning, stimulating economic growth, and fostering sustainable cities. He also cited efforts to implement related models in both Ha Noi and HCM City - the two largest cities of Viet Nam. Expressing his appreciation for international partners cooperation with Viet Nam in urban development, Hung called for strengthened partnerships to promote smart technologies and innovative initiatives for sustainable urbanisation in the nation. The 81st ESCAP session has gathered some 650 delegates from over 52 member states and territories, along with representatives from international organisations. It is expected to conclude on Friday with the adoption of a series of regional resolutions on collaboration regarding climate-water interlinkages, sustainable urban development, and the growth of middle-income countries. VNS VIENTIANE State President Luong Cuong and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation attended a Viet Nam-Laos friendship exchange programme in Vientiane on Friday morning as part of his two-day state visit to the neighbouring country. The programme with theme "Viet Nam - Laos, our two countries, the love is deeper than the Red River - Mekong River" was broadcast live on the Lao National Television. Also attending the event were General Secretary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and many high-ranking leaders of the Lao Party, State and Government, as well as hundreds of Vietnamese students and more than 1,000 veterans and representatives of generations of Lao students who had studied in Viet Nam. Before the exchange programme, the two leaders and officials of the two countries enjoyed special Vietnamese-Lao performances by the art troupe of the General Department of Politics under the Lao Ministry of National Defence. They also visited a photo exhibition organised by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), spotlighting the outstanding milestones of the special relationship between the two countries and the Vietnam-Laos combat alliance. The photo collection displayed at the exchange includes 30 typical photos selected from the photo archives of the Vietnam News Agency, which vividly and authentically depict the close and lasting relationship and comradeship between the two Parties and people of the two countries, who have always stood shoulder to shoulder in the struggle for national independence, as well as in the current cause of national construction, protection and development. In an atmosphere imbued with brotherhood and warm comradeship of the exchange programme, President of the Lao Veterans Association Sen. Lt. Gen. Sengnouane Xayalath shared touching stories about the time he participated in the combat alliance between the Lao People's Army and the Vietnam People's Army. He affirmed that it was a period of arduous struggle, but also demonstrated the revolutionary spirit, heroic resilience and noble sacrifice of Vietnamese volunteer officers and soldiers, their Lao counterparts and the people of all Lao ethnic groups who fought side by side for independence and freedom. Sengnouane emphasised that the Lao Party, State and people always remember the great contributions and are deeply grateful for the great contributions and noble sacrifices of Vietnamese soldiers and people for the revolutionary and democratic cause in Laos and that those contributions were in accordance with the sacred teachings of President Ho Chi Minh that: "Viet Nam and Laos, our two countries, the love is deeper than the Red River and Mekong River". Meanwhile, a representative of the Lao youth expressed his pride in the heroic history of struggle of the two nations, in the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and people of Laos and Viet Nam that Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong laid the foundation and were diligently cultivated by generations of leaders of the two countries. Speaking at the exchange programme, President Cuong expressed his joy to visit Laos again, but this is the first time in his position as the State leader, to meet comrades and brothers who shared dangers and hardships, were willing to sacrifice for each other and closely attached to the Vietnamese revolution as well as the Viet Nam-Laos relationship and to witness the strong development of Laos after nearly 40 years of renovation. Emphasising that this is the time when the people of the two countries are joining in the joyful atmosphere to celebrate the glorious victories of each country and the common victory of the two peoples of Viet Nam and Laos, the President said that it is necessary to respect and remember the contributions of the beloved leaders of the two peoples such as President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, along with heroes, compatriots, comrades and soldiers of the two peoples who sacrificed for the struggles for national liberation and in building the great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos. He emphasised that every victory in the past struggle for national liberation as well as in the current cause of building and defending the Fatherland of Viet Nam has seen the valuable support, wholehearted, righteous and effective assistance of the Party, State and people of the Lao ethnic groups, and expressed the deep gratitude of the Vietnamese Party, State and people to their Lao counterparts. The President affirmed that both sides need to pass on these heroic pages of history to the younger generation, so that they can clearly understand the value of the special solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos, and continue to nurture this relationship. He pointed out that the common victory of the two nations in the past struggle for national liberation and in building and defending the Fatherland today has left invaluable lessons that are still valuable. As the world situation is undergoing epochal changes, President Cuong said that Viet Nam recognises the need to further promote the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos, turning the invaluable assets that previous generations have worked hard to build into a solid foundation for extensive, effective and mutually beneficial cooperation activities, focusing on economic, trade, investment, science and technology, education and people-to-people exchanges. The Party, State and people of Viet Nam have always strongly and comprehensively supported the cause of innovation, protection and construction of Laos. With the spirit of "helping you is helping ourselves", Viet Nam is ready to share all successful experiences with Lao comrades and friends in stabilising the macro economy and in implementing major policies such as streamlining and building an efficient, effective and efficient organisational apparatus; scientific and technological breakthroughs, innovation and digital transformation; and promoting international integration in the new situation. In addition to the pillars of politics, security, defence and foreign affairs, the President hoped that the two sides will further promote the connection between the two economies, especially infrastructure and transport connectivity to exploit the strengths and potential of each country, while strengthening the connection between Vietnam and Laos with countries in the region, including Cambodia, Thailand, ASEAN countries and other partners. Emphasising that the youth is the spring of the country, the future of each nation, President Cuong expressed his joy and excitement to meet young Vietnamese and Lao people in this exchange programme, thereby recognising the bright future of Laos and worthy successors to the great solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos. To promote the precious solidarity that generations of fathers and brothers have worked hard to build, he hoped that the two Parties and States will continue to coordinate closely, creating the most favourable conditions for all classes and all people of the two countries, especially the young generation, to regularly exchange, discuss and cooperate. The President affirmed that the Party, State and people of Viet Nam always dedicate all the best and sincerest sentiments and all possible resources to promote people-to-people exchanges, educational cooperation, especially for Lao students. He believed that each Lao student is a cultural bridge and an ambassador of the Viet Nam - Laos friendship, stressing that Vietnam will continue to strengthen cooperation in training high-quality human resources for Laos, especially in key areas such as economics, science and technology, and state management. With his confidence in the increasingly bright future of Viet Nam Laos relations, President Cuong once again affirmed that Viet Nam will continue to be a reliable companion, strongly and comprehensively supporting Laoss efforts to innovate, protect and build the country. He also believed that with the determination in every action and effort coming from the heart of every Lao and Vietnamese person, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos will be constantly consolidated and developed. VNA/VNS HCM CITY A Chinese military transport aircraft landed in Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City on Friday, carrying more than 100 personnel from the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) ahead of a multinational parade rehearsal celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025). China's Xi'an Y-20 military aircraft arrived around midday, transporting 118 Chinese officers and soldiers to Viet Nam, according to the Chinese Consulate General in HCM City. Speaking at the welcome ceremony, Colonel Tran Ba Khuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Military Training and Schools under the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army, expressed his delight at receiving the delegation from the LPA. He also extended his best wishes to the delegation for successful training and a strong performance in the upcoming parade and procession, contributing to the overall success of the commemoration event. The PLA troops will travel to the neighbouring province of Binh Duong for training exercises before joining joint parade rehearsals with the armed forces of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia for the grand parade taking place in downtown HCM City. A preliminary state-level parade and procession rehearsal is scheduled for Friday evening along Le Duan Street, near the Independence Palace in District 1, HCM City. Responding to questions about the participation of military troops from Laos, Cambodia and China in the parade next week, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said the anniversary is an event of special importance, not only for the Vietnamese but also for international friends who supported Viet Nam in its past struggle for national independence. "This is particularly true for Laos, Cambodia and China the three neighbouring countries with a long-standing traditional friendship and bonds with Viet Nam," said Hang. "We are much elated for the participation of military members and officials from China, Laos and Cambodia during this anniversary, representing the solidarity, friendship and ever closer cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries," the spokesperson stressed. VNS HA NOI Fifty years ago, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) broadcast the first victory announcement, a pivotal moment in the nation's history, heralding the war's end and the country's reunification. At noon on April 30, 1975, firecrackers echoed at the VNA headquarters at 5 Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Ha Noi as the Secretariat authorised the news agency to signal the triumph with celebratory bursts. The historic bulletin declared: "At exactly 11.30am on April 30, 1975, the flags of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam flew atop the puppet regimes Presidential Palace and across the city. Sai Gon, renamed HCM City, has been completely liberated." VNS MOSCOW The delegation from the Viet Nam People's Army (VPA) has arrived at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, Russia, late April 24 (Moscow time), to prepare for participation in the military parade on Red Square commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War (May 9). The Vietnamese contingent comprises 68 officers and soldiers from the Army Officer School No.1, selected for their exemplary discipline and physical standards. They will join military units from various countries in the parade next month. Major General Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Rector of the Army Officer School No. 1, stated that the delegation underwent rigorous training in Viet Nam to ensure synchronised and precise marching formations, reflecting the professionalism and strength of the VPA. From Friday, the military personnel began familiarising themselves with their new environment, living conditions, and training routines. The current weather in Moscow is quite ideal for training, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. Russias official invitation for Viet Nam to send a contingent to participate in the parade on Red Square, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, not only reflects respect and recognition of Viet Nams role, but also serves as vivid evidence of the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in the fields of defence and military-technical cooperation. Amidst ongoing complex developments in the global situation, Viet Nams decision to send a contingent to participate in the military parade on Red Square affirms its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, and diversification. It also reflects Viet Nams sense of responsibility in contributing to the building and maintenance of a peaceful, stable, cooperative, and development-oriented environment. VNS HA NOI The ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 (AUD2025) officially commenced its Northern Route in Ha Noi on April 25, marking a major milestone in regional efforts to promote sustainable mobility, cross-border cooperation, and innovation in the automotive sector. The ceremonial flag-off was held at the Malaysian Embassy in Ha Noi, attended by ambassadors, ASEAN diplomats, and high-level representatives from both Malaysia and Viet Nam. The initiative, co-organised by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) under Malaysias Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), and the Embassy of Malaysia in Ha Noi, features a convoy of electric vehicles (EVs) travelling more than 9,000 kilometres across nine ASEAN countries. The journey aims to deepen regional integration through smart transportation solutions and policy harmonisation. Delivering the welcome remarks, Malaysian Ambassador to Viet Nam Dato Tan Yang Thai, underlined the symbolic and strategic importance of the AUD2025: This event, centred on the theme of Uniting Automotive Across Borders, is a powerful symbol of ASEAN's shared commitment to a greener, smarter, and more connected region. As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, we are immensely proud to lead this 9,000km convoy journey through nine ASEAN countries. The ASEAN Unity Drive 2025, which was flagged off by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Malaysia on 20 March 2025, reflects Malaysia's vision for our Chairmanship: Inclusivity and Sustainability. It is a bold declaration of ASEAN's commitment to a greener, smarter, and more connected region, fostering regional unity, cultural exchange, and sustainable mobility. he emphasised. Malaysian Ambassador to Viet Nam further highlighted the significance of cooperation between ASEAN members, stating: Viet Nam, for instance, has emerged as a key player through VinFast, a homegrown success story showcasing how ASEAN can lead globally in electric mobility. This highlights an opportunity for ASEAN members to pursue complementary strategies within the EV sector. The convoy includes six Proton e.MAS 7 and four Proton X Series vehicles and is set to travel from Ha Noi through Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, before concluding at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025, the countrys largest mobility showcase to be held from May 915 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS). Mr. Bakri Alias, Senior General Manager of MARii, also emphasised the purpose of the drive in his speech, noting: ASEAN Unity Drive initiative is a manifestation of these goals aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration and integration within the ASEAN automotive ecosystem. Through this convoy, we aim to build stronger networks, promote cleaner and smarter mobility solutions and encourage policy alignment across the region. Viet Nam marks a significant stop in our journey. Here, we engage with key local players to exchange insights and explore opportunities that support mutual growth within the automotive industry, he added. The initiative aligns with Malaysias proposal of 18 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, which include the ASEAN EV Policy and Guidelines. These efforts seek to catalyse regional EV development, harmonise infrastructure, and facilitate investment. By embracing innovation, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and investing in green technologies, the AUD2025 reflects ASEANs aspirations to become a competitive and sustainable hub for automotive growth. As the fifth-largest economic bloc in the world, ASEAN aims to strengthen its position in global supply chains and attract future-ready investments. The drive not only celebrates ASEANs 2025 vision of being politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially responsible, but also coincides with Viet Nams landmark celebrations the 50th anniversary of national reunification and the 30th anniversary of its accession to ASEAN reinforcing the spirit of unity and shared progress in the region. VNS Thu Hoai Hua Chung * HCM CITY Through intelligence, bravery and unique and creative tactics, the Biet ong Sai Gon (Sai Gon Special Forces) carried out extraordinary operations and achieved remarkable success in combat during Viet Nams resistance war against US imperialism in what is now HCM City. With their operations, the Sai Gon Special Forces achieved brilliant victories that stunned both the country and the world. Their legendary achievements, especially during the 1968 Tet General Offensive and Uprising, played a significant role in the historic victory on April 30, 1975, which led to the liberation of the South and national reunification. The Sai Gon Special Forces were one of the most important special units in the war. They operated deep inside enemy territory, mainly in urban areas where US forces and the Sai Gon regime had a strong presence. Secrecy and separation were strict rules the members of Sai Gon Special Forces lived by. They never asked about each others backgrounds or origins, only called each other by code names, and strictly followed cover professions. They could be a lawyer, a contractor or even a Vietnamese government official working behind enemy ranks. According to Associate Professor Dr. Phan Xuan Bien, former head of the HCM City Party Committees dissemination and education board, the Sai Gon Special Forces grew out of political foundations and the intense nationwide struggle since the pre-uprising and early resistance periods in the South, and developed strongly during the war. This was a local armed force that fought inside enemy-occupied urban areas. In 1965, the Sai Gon Gia inh Military Zone was tasked with building a special task force capable of launching sudden, coordinated attacks on enemy command centres when the time was right. To carry out this mission, the Sai Gon Gia inh Special Forces (F100 Unit) was established. It became an elite assault force, handling both strategic and tactical operations targeting enemy headquarters. During the war, the Sai Gon Gia inh Special Forces operated secretly right inside the enemys stronghold. Its members followed what were called the three transformations becoming open, legal, and local and the three togethers, referring to living, eating and fighting alongside local people. This deep bond with local communities helped them survive and carry out effective urban guerrilla tactics. In his book Biet ong Sai Gon (Sai Gon Special Forces), Hero of the Peoples Armed Forces Colonel Nguyen uc Hung (alias Tu Chu), commander of F100 Unit, wrote that the unit was the central special force of the Sai Gon Gia inh Military Zone. It was organised on an appropriate scale and built upon the advantages of earlier units in terms of structure, operational experience and combat tactics. At inception, F100 Unit comprised 11 combat teams and two logistics teams. According to Hung, the most important factor in creating the strength of the special forces was their network inside the city, consisting of fighters and local special forces bases. These members held enemy-issued travel permits, had legitimate cover occupations and lived permanently in the area, enabling them to perform essential tasks such as maintaining communication, gathering intelligence, providing shelter, storing weapons for long periods, and at times directly supporting or joining combat missions. This was a broad network, carefully selected from among people of all ages and social classes from across the country such as children and the elderly who often served as couriers, letter carriers or simple scouts, and nationalist businesspeople who provided financial support and encouraged their children inside enemy ranks to gather intelligence, Hung wrote. Remarkable victories The Sai Gon Special Forces joined many important battles, especially during the 1968 Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising. They launched surprise attacks on major US and Sai Gon regime targets, including the Independence Palace, US embassy, Sai Gon Radio Station, General Staff Headquarters, and Sai Gon Navy Command. The battles had a great impact, helping the entire country defeat the US "local war" strategy and forcing it to de-escalate the war. Hero of the Peoples Armed Forces Colonel Nguyen Van Tau (alias Tu Cang), former head of the H.63 intelligence group, recalled that the attack on the US embassy by 17 Sai Gon Special Forces commandos, who confronted US military police and paratroopers, caused a huge sensation and shocked the US. US newspapers described it as one of the most distressing moments in the countrys history, revealing deep divisions over the war, he said. The achievements of the Sai Gon Special Forces during the 1968 Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising had a great spiritual and psychological impact: they inspired both the army and the people to fight harder. The 1968 Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising was the epogee of the Sai Gon - Gia inh Special Forces military skill and leadership in urban combat and the courage of revolutionary fighters. Speaking about the uprising, Pham Chanh Truc, former standing deputy secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, said the 1968 Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising was a thunderous uprising that terrified and confused enemy forces. The sudden attacks in the Sai Gon Gia inh area especially caused extreme panic among US and Sai Gon regime troops, he said. One of the most striking actions was the Sai Gon Special Forces attack on the US embassy, which lasted six hours and shook the nerve centre of US imperialism, he said. The 1968 Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising changed the war situation and brought the southern revolution to a new stage, he said. It sapped the US imperialists will and forced them to de-escalate, he said. The achievements of the Sai Gon Special Forces struck a huge and direct blow and played a key role in defeating the US imperialists invasion plans, forcing them to the negotiating table to end the war, he said. Speaking about the achievements of the Sai Gon Special Forces, the late General Vo Nguyen Giap had said they demonstrated extraordinary bravery, creatively applied the military art of peoples war and achieved immortal feats of arms. Operating inside enemy strongholds and facing countless dangers and hardships, the special forces officers and soldiers relied on the protection and help of the people for their resounding achievements, especially during the 1968 Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising. As an elite force of our army, the commando units in general and the Sai Gon Gia inh Special Forces in particular, embodied the essence of Vietnamese military thinking in the Ho Chi Minh era: Fighting with unwavering determination, using the few to defeat the many, the small to overcome the large. "Their actions made a worthy contribution to the victory in the resistance war against foreign imperialist invasions. VNS * This is part of a three-part series on the Sai Gon Special Forces by Vietnam News Agency reporters. HA NOI A counterfeit ring selling fake health supplements for children has been busted. Police in Ha Noi said the gang used forged test certificates in a bid to prove the goods were safe. The also claimed the items had been imported from France, Germany and the US. The suspects targeted nutritional supplements for children and supplied two products called BABY SHARK and Medi Kid Calcium K2. During the investigation, police determined these products had been manufactured by Herbitech Technology Co., Ltd., located in Phu Lo Commune of Ha Nois Soc Son District. The ringleader has been identified as Pham Vu Khiem, director of Herbitech Technology Company. Police found that the company had produced and processed more than 200 items worth hundreds of billions of ong, but lacked any proper quality control. Although the products were advertised as being imported from France, Germany and the US, their production costs and quality did not match the claims. At the police station, Khiem admitted to falsifying product certification results, specifically, altering failed tests to show as passing, in order to release the products to market. Major Nguyen Van Thanh said that the counterfeiters would mass-produce supplements according to customer requirements. To legitimise the fake products and allow them to circulate, the suspects would send samples for testing at authorised labs, asking them to verify whether the ingredients and quantities matched the declared formula. When test results failed to meet the declared standards, the suspects would either negotiate with the labs to modify the results or falsify entire test certificates, the policeman said. VNS TOKYO The Japanese and Philippine governments have entered the final phase in coordinating the early signing of a bilateral general security of military information agreement (GSOMIA) at a summit scheduled for later this month, according to Japanese government sources. GSOMIA is necessary for exchanging highly confidential military information between signatory nations. Japan and Manila are also likely to agree to start negotiations to sign an agreement, under which the Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military will be able to provide food, fuel and other supplies to each other. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is scheduled to visit Viet Nam and the Philippines from April 27 to 30. Ishiba aims to use the trip to strengthen security cooperation with the two countries. Ishiba will meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Manila, and they will confirm strengthening cooperation between the SDF and the Philippine military while also working to make progress regarding Japans Official Security Assistance (OSA) programmes. Through the OSA, Japan provides defense equipment for free to countries that share the same values. The leaders are also likely to discuss such issues as conducting joint drills with the countries coast guards. Ahead of his visit to the Philippines, Ishiba will visit Ha Noi and meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. To boost communication between Japan and Viet Nam, Ishiba and PM Pham Minh Chinh are expected to agree to hold two-plus-two meetings between the countries vice foreign and defense ministers. Their first two-plus-two meeting will likely be held in Japan by the end of the year. Ishiba and PM Chinh are also expected to agree to proactively use the OSA programmes. As Japan has never implemented an OSA programme in Viet Nam, it will be the first if realised. They will also likely agree on fostering personnel in the semiconductor industry. In addition, Ishiba is expected to have discussions with the two leaders on how to respond to the administration of US President Donald Trumps tariffs. The Japanese side hopes to have close communication with the two countries. THE JAPAN NEWS/ANN This marks the companys first acquisition in Vietnam and 11th acquisition globally, following the latest acquisition of Japanese e-gifting subscription software company, AnyReach, first announced on February 14 and concluded on March 31. The e-commerce market in Vietnam is expected to grow to $63 billion in 2030 from $22 billion in 2024. In addition, the same report highlighted that within video commerce, video influencers in Vietnam grew by 11 per cent with a 2022-2024 compound annual growth rate, compared to the Southeast Asia average of 9 per cent increase over the same period. The same report also highlighted that last year, video commerce made up 20 per cent of total e-commerce Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) in Southeast Asia, compared to 2022 where video commerce contributed to less than 5 per cent of GMV. Video commerce includes live shopping through interactive livestreams, along with creator-led video content with affiliate links and built-in transaction capabilities. Founded in Ho Chi Minh City in 2021, Vibula provides e-commerce firms in industries such as health and beauty, food and beverage, fashion, and electrical and home appliances, with four key service lines, including social commerce marketing management, e-commerce store management, campaign management, and multichannel networks. AnyMind Group will leverage Vibulas know-how of live commerce to strengthen its human-AI hybrid model of live commerce by expanding its expertise into other operating regions, including acquired e-commerce enablers Digital Distribusi Indonesia and Arche Digital in Malaysia. Meanwhile, Vibula will leverage AnyMind Groups live, generative-AI utilising, e-commerce platform, AnyLive, to enable its customers to turn live shopping into a 24/7 sales channel through a combination of human hosts and AI hosts. AnyLive is a platform that delivers AI-generated live-stream content to various e-commerce and social media platforms. The platform utilises GenAI to create virtual live streamers modelled to reflect a brands identity. These GenAI-powered avatars can stream continuously, presenting products and driving sales in multiple languages, meanings businesses can run live commerce in multiple languages without the constraints of time or location. Quang Vinh, founder of Vibula, said, "We built Vibula to create a social commerce model that combines battle-tested operations with the power of scalable technology. Our strategic partnership with AnyMind accelerates that vision not just for the Vietnamese market, but for the entire region. This marks the beginning of a bold new growth chapter, where we move forward with greater control and conviction. We are fully committed to becoming a major force in this new era of commerce." Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder of AnyMind Group, said, "Vietnam has one of the most vibrant live commerce ecosystems outside of China, and Vibula is a shining example of the promise of this ecosystem. The synergies are unmatched, and by combining Vibulas expertise in social and live commerce with our technology, we are creating new possibilities for brands, merchants and creators in the region." AnyMind and Forencos team up for expansion in Vietnam AnyMind Group, a BPaaS company for marketing, e-commerce and digital transformation, announced on November 25 that it has become a strategic partner of Forencos in Vietnam. Airwallex set to acquire Vietnam's CTIN Pay Tencent-backed payments startup Airwallex has signed definitive agreements to acquire CTIN Pay, an intermediary payment service provider in Vietnam. Michael Chiu, chairman, Hong Kong Business Association in Vietnam High among them has been Hong Kongs technical and know-how support for the development of Vietnams financial markets. Recently, several significant conferences have been held to assess the progress and plan the next steps for one of the potentially most significant steps in the development of Vietnams capital markets: the establishment of international financial centres (IFCs) in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. The idea of an IFC has been around for a long time. Several actions have followed at various levels to implement the idea, and each step has seen direct or indirect interest from the Hong Kongs financial sector. As Vietnam moves forward with its vision to establish Ho Chi Minh City as an IFC, there is much to learn from Hong Kong. Recognised as one of the worlds premier global financial markets, Hong Kong has cultivated a robust capital market superstructure that enables local and foreign businesses to raise funds efficiently and compete globally. Vietnam can take away valuable lessons from Hong Kongs experience, particularly in three fundamental areas that enabled its rise. One of the first foundations of Hong Kongs success lies in its well-established legal and regulatory environment. Rooted in common law, its transparent and independent judiciary instils confidence in market participants. Its regulatory bodies, such as the Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), together with the Independent Commission Against Corruption, operate with autonomy and professionalism, ensuring a level playing field, investor protection, and minimal corruption. To replicate this environment, Vietnam should continue its reforms towards strengthening its legal infrastructure for financial markets, emphasising regulatory consistency, transparent dispute resolution, and investor protections. Establishing an autonomous financial regulatory body dedicated to facilitating capital markets in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang could offer the stability and confidence investors seek. Meanwhile, Vietnamese financial service sector professionals should take advantage of the recent liberalisation of the visa process in Hong Kong for trainees and professionals to get direct work experience there. Secondly, Hong Kongs stock exchange, HKEX, is among the largest in the world by market capitalisation, and it is popular for initial public offerings, especially from mainland China and Southeast Asia. What distinguishes the HKEX is its multi-currency clearing systems, open capital flows, and the ability to accommodate both traditional and emerging financial instruments from equities to green bonds and digital assets. The HKEX has also pioneered connect programmes to facilitate cross-border access between mainland China and global investors. These mechanisms enhance liquidity, market depth, and regional financial integration. This kind of initiative, especially in the context of an IFC in Vietnam, could allow a channel for partnering Vietnams capital markets with the HKEXs. Hong Kong can provide still more opportunities for cooperation with Vietnam by deepening the liquidity pool through mechanisms such as dual listings, encouraging long-term institutional investors, and enhancing trading, clearing and custodial infrastructure. Strategic partnerships with regional exchanges, such as those in Singapore, Shanghai, and Tokyo, can also facilitate knowledge transfer and cross-listings, boosting Ho Chi Minh Citys visibility. Thirdly, Hong Kong has positioned itself as a fintech leader in Asia, and it can feed some of Vietnams hunger to learn more for its burgeoning Fintech sector. The HKMA launched the Fintech 2025 strategy, encouraging banks to adopt comprehensive digital strategies while creating infrastructure such as a faster payment system and fintech supervisory sandbox. In addition, initiatives like the InnoHK research clusters encourage research and development in AI, blockchain, and green finance. Each of these may be of interest to Ho Chi Minh City as it develops its own IFC. To take advantage of these opportunities, Ho Chi Minh City should continue to support the development of the digital economy, leveraging its young and tech-savvy population, creating a regulatory sandbox to allow for experimentation with new technologies, encouraging digital payment systems, and offering guarantees or co-investment schemes for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises can accelerate innovation. Vietnams strong economic growth trajectory, young demographics, and increasing integration into regional and global trade provide a strong foundation for Ho Chi Minh Citys IFC initiative. However, reaching such a status will require more than just infrastructure it will demand long-term policy coherence, legal certainty, and reliable dispute resolution mechanisms. Finding its own niche in a world of competing financial centres is not easy in a rapidly changing environment, but Vietnam has certain areas in which it is strongest and where Hong Kong might be able to help it to succeed most effectively, such as agricultural trade finance in the Mekong Delta, domestic futures markets, and infrastructure funds. Taking advantage of the Hong Kong model including its rule-based environment, diversified financial offerings, and commitment to innovation Vietnam can craft a localised roadmap that respects its unique advantages while continuing its climb up the rankings for global securities markets. Ho Chi Minh City and Danang ready to build financial centres Ho Chi Minh City City and Danang are ready for the construction of new regional and international financial centres in Vietnam, according to city leaders at the announcement ceremony of the governments resolution on developing regional and international financial centres in Vietnam, held in Ho Chi Minh City on January 4. Vietnam to develop first financial centres Vietnam has the necessary elements and conditions to develop an international and regional financial centre, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on January 4. Deputy PM discusses financial centre development with ECB With the countrys National Assembly expected to issue a resolution this year on the establishment of international financial centres, Binh said the Vietnamese Government hopes to obtain the ECBs advice in shaping policies for financial regulation, investment attraction, risk management, and anti-money laundering efforts. The symposium, Global and Vietnamese practical experiences in dengue vaccine implementation, co-hosted by the Vietnam Paediatric Association and Takeda Vietnam in March, brought together leading experts in dengue fever prevention, control, and treatment, with the participation of over 500 healthcare professionals from across the country, both in person and online. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Duy Cuong, director of the Centre for Tropical Diseases at the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital, "There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, and the progression of the disease is highly complex and unpredictable. Many healthy individuals with no underlying conditions still experience rapid deterioration. In some cases, within just four to five days of fever, patients can experience shock, haemorrhage, liver damage, and severe thrombocytopenia, requiring accelerated intensive care treatment to survive the critical phase." Beyond the risk of death, dengue fever patients may endure lasting impacts. The disease often leaves behind post-recovery complications such as hair loss, fatigue, sleep disturbances, persistent headaches, joint pain, and mild depression, symptoms that can linger for weeks, or even months, after recovery. Experts at the symposium also emphasized that a severe case of dengue fever not only threatens the patient's life but also consumes significant human resources and treatment costs. Dr. Nguyen Huy Luan, head of the Vaccination Unit at Medicine University Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City said, "There are dengue patients who require months of treatment, with reaching costs nearly VND1 billion ($40,000) per case." Renowned healthcare professionals at the symposia discussed the burdens of dengue fever on Vietnamese people. Photo: Takeda Vietnam According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, director of Children's Hospital 1 and vice president of the Vietnam Paediatric Association, "Even a single severe dengue case can put immense pressure on a healthcare institution. At peak times, emergency departments may receive up to 30 critical cases in one night. Alarmingly, some previously healthy children attending school just a day earlier can deteriorate rapidly within 24 hours." The Ministry of Health recommends daily check-ups and testing for dengue patients undergoing outpatient treatment. Even in the absence of warning signs, hospitalisation is advised for close monitoring, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, those who are overweight or obese, and people living alone, to ensure early detection and timely intervention of potential complications. Dengue fever remains one of the few infectious diseases where, despite a solid scientific understanding of the virus, its transmission, diagnosis, and treatment, the epidemic continues to spread and grow increasingly complex, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. This concern was highlighted by Prof. Dr. Vu Sinh Nam, senior advisor on Dengue Fever at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. He noted that dengue is no longer confined to the southern region. It has now spread to the Central Highlands, central provinces, the north, and even remote mountainous areas. "Whats most concerning is the unpredictability of this epidemic," he said. "Some years see large-scale outbreaks, while others show a decline. In 2024, for instance, we saw localised flare-ups, with Haiphong reporting the highest number of cases nationwide," said Nam. Amid the complex developments of the dengue epidemic, experts are urging a holistic approach for effective prevention. This strategy includes targeted vector control measures against Aedes mosquitoes, public education, and environmental management. Additionally, vaccination is a vital tool to lower hospitalisation rates and reduce mortality rates. Speaking at the symposium, Dr. Le Hong Nga, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC), said, "We cannot wait for an outbreak before taking preventive measures." Nga went on to call for clear communication on integrated prevention strategies, from year-round mosquito control to proactive vaccination so that every individual becomes a vital contributor in the collective effort to prevent and control the disease. Prof. Dr. Vu Sinh Nam, senior advisor on Dengue Fever at the NIHE (third on the left), emphasised the need for proactive prevention as dengue fever is ever-more unpredictable. Photo: Takeda Vietnam Dr. Derek Wallace, president of Takedas Global Vaccine Business Unit, said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended Takedas dengue vaccine for introduction in countries with high dengue burden and transmission intensity to maximise public health impact. In addition, the dengue vaccine has been prequalified by WHO, underscoring its quality and reliability as an important dengue prevention method suitable for public initiatives. The vaccine is currently approved in 40 countries, with more than 12 million doses distributed globally in both public and private drives. According to Dr. Derek Wallace, Takeda aims to scale up production to 100 million doses annually by 2030, expanding manufacturing capacity in Germany and India to meet global demand. In addition, the company remains committed to ongoing safety monitoring and post-vaccination impact assessments. Also at the symposium, Benjamin Ping, general manager of Takeda Vietnam, said, "Dengue prevention requires a coordinated approach. We are committed to supporting Vietnam's efforts through integrated strategies, including vaccination, stronger community awareness and close collaboration with healthcare partners to broaden dengue vaccine access and reduce the impact of dengue." Vietnam's Ministry of Health has raised concerns about the growing threat of dengue fever, warning that the disease could spread widely in the near future as the country heads into the rainy season the peak period for outbreaks. Official data reveals that between December and February, dengue cases across Vietnam surged by nearly 99 per cent compared to the same period last year, with over 16,600 infections and one fatality reported. In the southern region, experts at the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute are predicting an outbreak. The HCDC reported over 6,300 cases in the city from January to April, a figure almost 2.5 times higher than the same period last year and exceeding the three-year average. C-ANPROM/VN/NON/0018 Takeda's health innovation and net-zero ambition Global biopharmaceutical group Takeda, which achieved carbon neutrality in 2020, is committed to its mission of further securing people and the planet, including the development of preventative therapies for infectious diseases - such as its dengue vaccine - which are on the rise due to climate change. Integrated solutions for dengue fever prevention in Vietnam Dengue vaccines being available in Vietnam contribute to strengthening the prevention and control strategy for this infectious disease, but synchronized implementation of multiple solutions is needed to ensure vaccine sustainability. An Hoang Ha Ha joined Freshfields in 2005 and is a key senior team member of the Freshfields Vietnam team. Over the past two decades, Ha has been instrumental in successfully executing Freshfields clients most significant transactions in the market, with a focus on the banking and financial services sectors. Ha has acted for all of the Japanese mega banks and several other global financial institutions on their investments in Vietnam into a range of financial institutions, spanning banks as well as consumer finance, insurance, securities, and fintech companies. The new counsel is also a trusted advisor to clients, known for his profound transactional expertise. In addition to his transactional work, Ha leads Freshfields Vietnams antitrust and competition law practice. His in-depth knowledge of the Vietnam Competition Law has been crucial in assisting multinational investors with merger filings on cross-border transactions. Thomas Ng, Freshfields Asia regional managing partner, and Eric Johnson, managing partner of Freshfields Hanoi office, wrote, On behalf of Freshfields partners, we congratulate Ha on his well-earned promotion and look forward to his continued success and contributions to the legal profession in Vietnam. This promotion underscores Freshfields commitment to the Vietnam market and the strength of our Vietnam team, they added. By elevating a highly skilled and experienced professional like Ha, Freshfields demonstrates confidence in the potential of the Vietnamese legal market and our intention to invest in the countys continued growth. This strategic move not only strengthens Freshfields presence in Vietnam but also reinforces our long-term vision of fostering a robust and dynamic legal practice. Tomoko Nakajima, a partner in Freshfields Tokyo office added, I am absolutely delighted that Ha has been promoted to counsel at Freshfields. He is highly respected by our Japanese clients for his exceptional ability to navigate and advise on the most high-profile and complex transactions, particularly in the banking and financial services sectors. This well-deserved recognition honours Has achievements and enhances the firms capacity to leverage his profound knowledge and experience in working with Japanese investors in Vietnam. Coffee prices began to recover following the US announcement of a temporary 10 per cent import tariff on goods from Vietnam, representing an increase of $480 per tonne compared to the slump of two weeks ago. Local coffee exporters work to improve recognition Do Ha Nam, chairman at Intimex Group, cautioned that Vietnamese coffee exporters should not become complacent as the US remains one of their key strategic markets. Intimex Group is Vietnams leading coffee exporter, accounting for approximately 19 per cent of the countrys total coffee export market. In the 2024 season, the company exported over 255,000 tonnes of coffee, generating around $1.5 million. Vietnam is not the only country exporting coffee to the US. Nations such as Brazil, Colombia, and Indonesia also produce large quantities of coffee and are continuously improving quality, he said. This puts pressure on Vietnam to maintain its competitive edge, particularly in robusta, Vietnams main export, especially as these countries currently face lower tariffs than Vietnam. According to Nam, Brazil is taking the lead in exporting coffee to the US with 8.13 million bags in 2024. Meanwhile, Vietnam and Indonesia each exported only around two million bags to the American market, mostly robusta. To cope with US tariff policy, Intimex is accelerating market diversification efforts by seeking opportunities to boost export volumes to Europe, the Middle East, and countries with free trade agreements with Vietnam. At the same time, the company is working to improve quality, reduce costs, and build brand recognition to enhance competitiveness. Intimex is also adopting a strategic and pragmatic approach by increasing imports of US food products into Vietnam to help balance the trade relationship, Nam added. According to the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association, the country exported 1.45 million tonnes of coffee in the 20232024 crop year, bringing in more than $5.4 billion. Vietnamese coffee is now present in 80 countries and territories, with the US accounting for over 81,000 tonnes, or 8 per cent of total export value. The US is Vietnams fourth-largest coffee export market, after the Germany, Italy, and Japan. Trinh Duc Minh, chairman of the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, emphasised that while the US may not be the largest market, it is highly important due to its preference for premium coffee, especially processed varieties like roasted and instant coffee. Vietnamese coffee previously entered the US duty-free. The imposition of tariffs on this agricultural product will undoubtedly impact Vietnams coffee sector, he stressed. Dak Lak is deemed the coffee capital of Vietnam, with 210,000 hectares of coffee plantations yielding over 520,000 tonnes annually. Minh added, In the long run, Vietnams coffee industry can pivot towards markets with a stronger demand for robusta, such as the EU, China, Japan, and South Korea. The Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association currently includes 200 businesses, with seven of them exporting to the US, mainly small volumes of speciality coffee. According to the US National Coffee Association, the coffee industry contributes around $343 billion annually to the American economy, with roughly 75 per cent of Americans drinking coffee regularly. For decades, imported coffee has been tariff-free in the US due to its complete dependence on foreign supply, as it lacks domestic coffee production. As such, a blanket tariff on all supplying nations could lead to coffee prices in the US rising by at least 50 per cent, or potentially more. Le Duc Huy, chairman at Simexco Dak Lak, said it is currently focusing on fulfilling existing orders to the US. We are making the most of the 10 per cent tariff window to ship out all pending orders within the next one or two months, Huy noted. He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has proposed the US exempt key agricultural exports, including coffee, from the new tariffs. Were hopeful the talks will lead to positive outcomes for our future export plans, he added. By the end of Q1, Vietnams coffee exports reached 495,780 tonnes, worth $2.81 billion, down 15.3 per cent in volume but up 45.8 per cent in value on-year due to high prices, according to Vietnam Customs. In Q1, Vietnam exported 32,395 tonnes of coffee to the US, valued at $180.3 million, down 13 per cent in volume but up 51 per cent in value compared to the same period in 2024. The event marked a milestone for one of the largest foreign-invested companies in Vietnam as it transitions towards sustainable development, with CME Solar Investment as a key partner. The first phase of a rooftop solar energy project, invested in and implemented by CME Solar Investment at Samsung Electronics Vietnam in Yen Phong Industrial Park The first phase will have a capacity of 2.38 MWp. It is expected to generate approximately 2.59 million kWh of clean electricity annually and help cut about 2,460 tonnes of CO emissions, based on the emissions factor certified by Vietnamese authorities. This is the first partnership between Samsung Electronics Vietnam and CME Solar to develop renewable energy infrastructure at Samsungs manufacturing facilities across Vietnam. Beyond its role as investor, CME Solar is also responsible for the entire process from technical design, legal procedures, and construction, to acceptance testing and operation all in compliance with SEVs rigorous safety and quality standards. Speaking at the ceremony, Kim Iee Soo, general director of the SEV factory, stated: The rooftop solar initiative launched today holds great significance, not only in terms of economic value but also in demonstrating Samsungs commitment to environmental and social responsibility in Vietnam and across the globe. This project is a vital part of Samsungs sustainable development strategy, contributing to environmental protection, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating a greener future for generations to come. CEO of CME Solar Chung Dieu Tuan and Kim Iee Soo, general director of the SEV factory, at the groundbreaking ceremony Chung Dieu Tuan, CEO of CME Solar, said Vietnam is on a journey towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and businesses play a pivotal role in this transition. We are confident that our collaboration with SEV will not only deliver energy efficiency but also contribute to building a greener and more sustainable future. Samsung Electronics Vietnam has invested over $23.2 billion in the Vietnamese market. Its manufacturing facilities for smartphones and electronic devices play a key role in Samsungs global supply chain. The implementation of the renewable energy initiative in Bac Ninh demonstrates SEVs strong commitment to fulfilling its environmental goals by linking economic growth with sustainable development. This project marks the beginning of the green transformation of manufacturing operations and opens the potential for similar initiatives to be replicated across Samsungs entire network of factories in Vietnam. Moreover, the collaboration between two leading players in the technology and energy sectors is a clear testament to the industrial sectors robust shift towards sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions amid the global economic transition. The groundbreaking ceremony is a significant milestone that reflects the pioneering spirit, effective partnership, and long-term commitment between Samsung Electronics Vietnam and CME Solar in supporting Vietnams journey towards a green, low-carbon economy. Optimising energy through rooftop solar systems will bring economic benefits and contribute meaningfully to the sustainable development of both communities and the environment. The seafood sector, currently Vietnams sixth-largest export industry to the US, is seeking solutions to mitigate the impact of the US policy to implement a blanket 10 per cent import tariff on Vietnamese goods into the States. Le Hang, deputy general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), warned in early April that around 25,000 tonnes of seafood scheduled for export to the US between April and May, along with some 29,500 tonnes already under contract, will be directly impacted by the newly imposed tariff. She cited the example of a $500,000 shrimp shipment that previously faced a 5 per cent tax, or $25,000, would see that tax figure double. Vietnamese seafood exports to the US currently enjoy a tax rate of zero or 5.5-7 per cent to anti-dumping duties and will now face an additional 10 per cent reciprocal tax. This means that the tax on Vietnamese seafood entering the US will increase significantly but compared to the previously announced rate of 46 per cent, it is still much lower, Hang said. The US is one of Vietnams top export markets, not only holding a high market share but also having a significant influence on the seafood industry, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The annual export turnover to this market is around $2 billion, accounting for one-fifth of the total seafood export value, with key products such as shrimp 20 per cent, basa fish 25 per cent, and tuna over 40 per cent. According to VASEP, more than 400 Vietnamese companies are currently exporting or planning to export seafood to the US, with large and high-value orders. Faced with the prospect of the new countervailing duty, many companies are confused and concerned about the need to renegotiate signed contracts. Ho Quoc Luc, chairman of the board at Sao Ta Food JSC, one of the top five shrimp exporters in Vietnam, stated that Vietnamese seafood companies often pay the full cost, insurance, and freight before shipping goods to their partners. With an import duty of 10 per cent, along with related costs and other taxes such as subsidy taxes and anti-dumping duties, the total tax burden that Vietnamese seafood exporters must bear when exporting goods to the US could reach 40 per cent, Luc said. Nguyen Van Dao, CEO of Godaco Seafood JSC in the Mekong Delta province Tien Giang, expressed concern that the new tax would prevent the company from achieving its targets for 2025 and will require a change in its operational strategy. Godaco, one of the top 10 basa fish exporters in Vietnam, currently owns eight factories and 30 farming zones with a processing capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year. With an export turnover of approximately $100 million in 2024, Godaco aims to maintain this turnover in 2025, with a total export volume of 40,000 tonnes. In the context of the new tax causing risks regarding profits, markets, and purchasing power, seafood companies should diversify their markets, enhance their capabilities, and improve product quality to overcome this challenging period, he noted. In addition to the US, Godaco Seafoods main markets include the EU, China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Nguyen Van Kich, chairman of the board at Cafatex Seafood JSC, stated that the US imposition of a 10 per cent reciprocal tariffs means seafood enterprises have three months to process orders signed with partners. However, ramping up production in a short period may lead to domestic seafood raw material prices being pushed up. The current priority is to fulfill signed orders and retain customers while waiting for a clearer direction, Kich said. According to a report by Dragon Securities, the tax deferral means Vietnamese basa fish will benefit greatly, reclaiming market share from tilapia and pollock from the US. The export volume of basa to the US this year could increase by 35 per cent compared to 2024. In 2024, Vietnams seafood export turnover reached $10 billion, primarily focused on major consumer markets such as China, the US, Japan, the EU, and South Korea, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Vietnam is currently the worlds third-largest seafood exporter, behind only China and Norway. The 2025 edition focussed on the impact of AI in the e-commerce industry, and was an opportunity for agencies, organisations and businesses to exchange views on market potential, technology trends, and prominent solutions in the sector today. Lai Viet Anh, deputy director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy Speaking at the event, Lai Viet Anh, deputy director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said, "This years forum has a topical theme, reflecting the development of, and transition to, AI across all aspects of life. Cloud computing and other foundational technologies will fundamentally change all organisational models of social activities, specifically business models and methods." Le Minh Trang, associate director of NielsenIQ Vietnam, said, "65 per cent of respondents to our survey acknowledge that AI brings positive benefits to their lives. In the Asia-Pacific region, 49 per cent of consumers admit that AI plays an important role in consumer decision-making." Against the backdrop of ongoing global economic fluctuations, AI is seen as a key factor helping Vietnamese e-commerce businesses break through, transform their growth models, and adapt flexibly to the market. Nguyen Ngoc Dung, chairman of VECOM, said, "The application of AI in e-commerce still has some limitations. This may stem from incomplete access to AI tools and applications that do not fully meet specific business requirements. But that is why we are here, to gather opinions and solutions to ensure that the application of AI in e-commerce achieves even greater results." The Vietnam Online Business Forum is an annual event organised by the Vietnam E-Commerce Association. With a diverse range of topics covering strategies, operations, domestic markets, and global exports, the forum provides the most practical and up-to-date insights for businesses in their journey to conquer the AI era. The forum, coordinated by more than 30 businesses and sponsors operating in the e-commerce sector, was previously held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 22, with the participation of various agencies, organisations, businesses, and individuals active in e-commerce in Vietnam and internationally. According to the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy, Vietnams e-commerce market reached around $22 billion in 2024, with a growth rate of over 25 per cent. The e-commerce sector accounts for over 9 per cent of total retail revenue. However, Vietnams e-commerce is facing new, more difficult, and challenging situations. The exhibition floor at Vinexpo Asia, where global producers meet Asia-Pacifics growing demand Held at Marina Bay Sands from May 27-29, the event is expected to welcome over 1,100 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, and 11,000 professional visitors from across 70 nations. As global consumption patterns shift, Southeast Asia has emerged as a key region for growth. Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of the Vinexposium group, shared, The global wine and spirits industry faces a pivotal geo-economic challenge with declining consumption worldwide. In this context, seizing commercial opportunities is imperative. Southeast Asia, with Singapore as its key business hub, is where growth happens. Vinexpo Asia in May will be the prime event for industry leaders to connect and thrive in this dynamic region. Vinexpo Asias 2025 edition will draw stakeholders from both established markets like Japan, South Korea, and China, and emerging markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Asia-Pacific accounts for 10 per cent of global wine imports, with beverage alcohol consumption projected to grow by 1.5 per cent in 2025. The ready-to-drink segment is forecast to expand even faster, at nearly 5.9 per cent. Singapore itself anchors this momentum. The city-states wine sector is projected to grow three per cent in 2025, supported by its vibrant gastronomy scene, where 54 restaurants earned Michelin stars in 2024. Singapore also leads the region for premium wine and spirits, accounting for 60 per cent of market volume in this category. Vinexpo Asia brings together global expertise and regional opportunity Vinexpo Asia 2025 will reflect these market dynamics with a strong international presence. Exhibitors from France, Italy, and Australia will feature prominently, alongside Spain, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and key Asian producers like China and Japan. Argentina and Chile will represent South America. New highlights include the "Welcome to the Organic World" (WOW!) section, showcasing organic and biodynamic wines, and the debut of Wines Unearthed, a platform for boutique producers seeking regional distribution. Spirits will also take centrr stage, with leading names from Japan, the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, and China. The Vinexpo Academy will round out the programme with masterclasses, conferences, and tastings led by top sommeliers and industry experts. Following its successful 2023 edition, which hosted over 1,000 exhibitors, 3,512 pre-scheduled meetings, and nearly 10,000 trade visitors from 64 countries, Vinexpo Asia 2025 is set to further cement its role as a catalyst for growth and collaboration across Asia-Pacifics wine and spirits market. . , . , . , . . VanTran Transformers is celebrating the opening of its second Waco manufacturing facility. During ceremonies Thursday officials said they expect to triple sales to $1 billion as they continue to spend nearly $100 million retrofitting and growing into the former Sherwin-Williams distribution center on Texas Central Parkway. MGM Transformers, based in Commerce, California, bought VanTran, which has been in Waco more than 50 years, after touring the local facility and experiencing its impressive corporate culture, MGM CEO Doug Banty said. MGM and VanTran have announced big plans and goals, including increasing employment in Waco from the current 245 to 700 and boosting annual sales from $321 million to 1 billion, VanTran President Ty Gayeski said in an interview. Gayeski said the company will make hiring locally a priority. He believes the area talent pool is sufficient, though agreed the company must compete against other new plants going up with a combined value approaching $2 billion, including Graphic Packaging International, Walmart and Electrolit. He said employees can expect to make $23 to $30 an hour, including pay-for-performance bonuses, and staffers can expect cost-of-living adjustments as employment moves toward 700 people. Applicants should have the typical manufacturing skill-set. VanTran also needs welders and assemblers. Transformers made in Waco will carry varying prices, but Gayeski quoted $275,000 each as the prevailing going rate. He said regular customers include Oncor, Eversource, United Rentals and Aggreko. Banners displayed at the 430,000-square-foot plant mention Southern Co., Burns & McDonnell and Active Solar Development LLC. Gayeski said the combined company has a nationwide sales team pushing its products. The new facility will focus on custom liquid-filled transformer production to meet soaring demand from data centers, renewable energy, EV charging infrastructure, and utilities, according to a press release. Transformers are the backbone of a modern electric gridpowering the infrastructure behind AI data centers, clean energy, and the reshoring of U.S. manufacturing. The U.S. transformer market is projected to grow from $8.3 billion in 2022 to over $14 billion by 2032, underscoring the urgent need for domestic production capacity at scale. Banty said the combined company, which will keep the name VanTran Transformers here, already has spent $30 million upgrading and repurposing the former warehouse to accommodate the first production phase. But it will add two additional phases and production lines as demand dictates, Banty said, motioning toward the sprawling space still available. Banty said VanTran runs two shifts at its current location, 7711 Imperial Drive, and a single shift at the new location, 2700 Texas Central Parkway. The company will continue to operate the 50,000-square-foot complex on Imperial Drive even as VanTran Transformers transitions to Texas Central Parkway. They had other options, but chose Waco, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce President Matt Meadors said during Thursdays event. He thanked Banty and Gayeski for showing faith in the local economy and recognizing its potential. He said Waco, McLennan County and the chamber are business friendly and welcome the opportunity to become strategic partners. He said there are 25 other organizations locally devoted to workforce development. Waco Mayor Jim Homes said the new plant and what it means to Waco and McLennan County stokes his passion for economic development. He said Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and SpaceX mogul Elon Musk found Central Texas to their liking, so it should come as no surprise MGM Transformers wants to be here. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Waco, told the crowd, specifically VanTran officials, You are around a bunch of capitalists. The American dream is alive and well in Texas. He said VanTran arrives with the right product at the right time, referencing booming population growth in the Texas triangle stretching from Sherman to San Antonio to Houston, and the economic ripples created by arrivals such as Samsung, which will create $40 billion in Austin-area infrastructure enhancements. Within five years, the grid will need to produce two times the electricity it produces today, Sessions said of growing electricity demand that companies such as VanTran can assist in addressing. We speak your language. We carry your flag, Sessions said. Banty recalled his trip to Waco about a year ago, when MGM continued its VanTran courtship. VanTran had an amazing reputation. We had researched the company, examined all the data. But its impossible to really know until you look someone in the eye, Banty said. We stepped into the factory and immediately felt the magic, the heartbeat. Returning home, we were not thinking about a business plan or return on investment. We were thinking about the people and their passion, their desire to build something greater than themselves. We also had researched Texas, knowing it was full of capitalists and people willing to work with you. The biggest obstacle proved to be VanTrans 50,000-square-foot home base, Banty said. The new team would need much more room to grow. That was when local real estate agent Bland Cromwell got involved. Historically, on industrial transactions of this size, the timetable can be a year to a year-and-a-half, like we had with Allergan, Coke and Caterpillar, Cromwell said. This transaction came together more quickly based upon the parties involved and a willingness to get the project completed. I have represented the ownership of the former Sherwin-Williams distribution center facility for many years, and it was a great move to get the distribution center converted to a manufacturing facility. Banty said he signed a lease that, with options, could exceed 20 years. Were here for the long haul, Banty said. He's served the community as a public dispatcher for 26 years, and now, unfortunately, he's facing kidney failure. In 2017, Jeremy Clark was diagnosed with stage 3B kidney failure, which has now advanced to stage 5 with only 7% functionality remaining. Clark has recently started dialysis and will unfortunately require a life-saving kidney transplant. On April 25 law enforcement agencies are teaming up with Renown and Nevada Donor Network to host a living donor drive for Clark. They're encouraging the community to come to the event and fill out an application to see if they're a potential match to donate a kidney to Clark. Even now, Clark is working at the Reno Police Department as a graveyard dispatcher. "A beautiful thing about being able to donate to Jeremy is he's a father, he's a grandfather, he's a husband, and he's a public servant in our community, so this kidney donation can really help improve his life drastically," said Officer Hunter Mercurio, Reno Police Department. "He's currently on dialysis, so this could not only improve his life, but also help give him a longer life as well." According to Renown workers, living donation is a common procedure nationally and is the best way to get an organ transplant in this country. "It ensures not only the best outcome for the recipient, but it also makes available another deceased donor organ to go to someone who doesn't have the option of living donation," said Ashley Cardenas, the transplant administrator for Renown Transplant Institute. It's a thorough process to become a living donor because they want to make sure the donor will not suffer after donating. The most popular options for living donations are liver and kidney. Cardenas says, "Kidney donation for living donors is the most common organ that is donated. It's also the organ that we have the highest level of need for. There are over 100,000 people on the list for an organ transplant. and the vast majority of those are waiting for a kidney." Officer Mercurio adds, "If you have the organ donation on your ID card, that's a beautiful thing; it helps a ton of different people. You can help up to 30 different people with organ donations. Sometimes a living donor is a better match than a deceased person for a donation; there's a better match for the donation, and the recovery time is better as well." Cardenas goes on to explain that they're seeing an increase in diseases that are leading to end-stage kidney failure, like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and stress, which are all increasing the rate of organ failure. As for compatibility when donating, Cardenas says, "When it comes to matching for living donation, things like size and blood type do play a part, but just because you are not blood type compatible does not mean you are not able to donate." There are programs in place now where a donor and recipient may not match one another but could be entered into a matching system, where that donor would donate to somebody else whose donor would then donate to the person they had originally wanted to receive their kidney. This process is called paired donation, which Cardenas says is an excellent option for incompatible pairs. Cardenas tells us, "Living donor kidneys on average work faster, longer, and better than deceased donor organs. The typical life span now for a living donor for a kidney is 15 to 20 years." It's also easy to find out if you're a match to donate. Cardenas says, "The most important test to determine that compatibility is going to be your blood type testing and then another test called HLA. Essentially we're looking at how well your body would match the potential recipient." "The process in order to be tested to become a living donor starts with just a basic medical and social screening," she said. "Next we would move on to some blood tests to determine what your overall health would look like and whether or not you may be a match for the person you're interested in donating to." At the living donation event, the community will also learn more about the process for living donation and take a few more tests to make sure the applicant is healthy. Officer Mercurio says, "If you are concerned about the donor process or donating a kidney, I know that can sound kind of scary, but just know coming out tomorrow there's a lot of information that will be spread, so you're not just coming out to sign up and there's a commitment or anything like that. It's more for informational purposes, and if you do feel like you gain that confidence through information, it's an opportunity to help warm you up to that." The event will be Friday, April 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Reno Police Department on 911 Kuenzli Street in the Community Engagement Room. Cardenas also reminds the community, "Previously patients like Jeremy had to travel hundreds of miles outside of the state to be able to access transplant-related care; now he has the option of potentially receiving his donation and his transplant right here at home in Reno, so if we're able to hold these kinds of events here at home, I think the solution is likely to be found here as well." Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFR) will break ground on its newest Fire Station 35 on Monday, April 28, at 11:00 a.m. The station will be located off Interstate 80 and Waltham Way, on the north side of I-80, near Apples data center. Station 35 is being established through a significant contribution from Apple, which provided both the land and funding for construction. Apple has been part of the local community since 2012 through its adjacent data center. Additionally, the City of Sparks hosts a satellite ground station that supports Apples Emergency SOS via satellite, a feature that enables iPhone users to contact emergency services while outside cellular coverage. The new fire station will enhance emergency response coverage along the I-80 corridor, from east of Vista to Wadsworth, including future development areas within the fire district. It will also reduce reliance on Station 37, which currently serves the Hidden Valley community and assists other local fire departments such as Sparks Fire and Storey County Fire. Station 35 will respond to incidents including car crashes and brush fires along I-80, support Storey County Fire in developments along USA Parkway, and provide quicker mutual aid to Fernley and Wadsworth residents. The 13,000-square-foot station will feature three apparatus bays and accommodate four to eight firefighters on a 24-hour basis. Initial equipment will include a Type 1 fire engine, a Type 3 brush engine, and a water tender. Additional space will be available for a specialty vehicle and a paramedic ambulance in the future. The construction of Station 35 aligns with the Nevada Department of Transportations project to widen and upgrade the I-80 Freeway. The groundbreaking ceremony will include representatives from TMFR, Washoe County Commissioners, construction contractors, and Apple. 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 have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival returns April 10-13, 2025, and is a must-attend event for food lovers and wine enthusiasts. Set against the iconic backdrop of Pebble Beach, this four-day festival brings together some of the worlds top chefs, winemakers, and culinary talent for an unforgettable celebration of food, drink, and culture. Guests can enjoy a range of exclusive events, from intimate dinners and luncheons to engaging wine seminars and walk-around tastings. Whether you're savoring gourmet dishes prepared by culinary icons or sipping rare wines, each experience is carefully curated to showcase the best in gastronomy. With a lineup of emerging professionals & industry legends like Kwame Onwuachi, Nina Compton, and Claudette Zepeda, and renowned wineries such as Levy & McClellan Estate, Quilceda Creek, and Castello Di Ama, this festival is a true paradise for those passionate about food and wine. In addition to the impressive culinary offerings, the festival also provides a chance to engage with world-class experts and learn from the best in the business. Wine lovers will find plenty of opportunities to discover new labels, while those looking to expand their technical knowledge can enjoy insightful seminars and panels. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just starting to explore the world of wine, theres something for everyone. (Courtesy of Pebble Beach Food & Wine) Taking place in one of the most scenic locations in California, the festival offers guests not only extraordinary food and drink but also the chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Pebble Beach. From the stunning ocean views to the elegant venues, every moment of the festival is designed to delight the senses. For a weekend filled with culinary mastery, unforgettable wine pairings, and exclusive access to the world's best chefs and winemakers, the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival is the premier event to attend in 2025. Dont miss out on your chance to be part of this exceptional gathering. // For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival. Trade uncertainty challenges US growers, rural communities: Almond Board of California 10:01, April 25, 2025 By Liu Yang ( Global Times The Almond Board of California in the US told the Global Times on Thursday that trade stability is critical to California's specialty crop economy, and ongoing uncertainty poses challenges for growers and rural communities, in another example of growing concerns within the US over negative impact of Washington's tariffs. "As you are aware, it's still such a fluid situation," the group said in an email sent to the Global Times, noting that as one of the state's leading agricultural exports, California almonds rely on access to more than 100 global markets. "Supporting a diverse and resilient export strategy remains a top priority to ensure the long-term success of the industry. We continue to engage with trade partners and stakeholders to encourage open dialogue and constructive solutions that support fair and stable trade." According to the group, China was one of the top destinations for California almonds in the 2023/24 crop year, reaching more than 106 million pounds and becoming the second-largest trade partner with the board in the Asia-Pacific region. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced last week that the western US state, which has the largest economy in the US, is suing the US administration over its sweeping "unlawful tariffs" on international trading partners, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The "unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy, driving up prices and threatening jobs," Newsom said in a statement, adding that "we're standing up for American families who can't afford to let the chaos continue," Xinhua reported. California is the US' breadbasket, supplying roughly one-third of US vegetables and 75 percent of its fruits and nuts. But it also exports much of its produce - close to $24 billion worth in 2022, The Guardian reported. "The uncertainty is probably more of a problem than the tariff itself," said Zachary Williams, sales director for Stewart &Jasper Orchards in Newman, California. "Uncertainty about whether there will be, or won't be, is a little harder to plan around," Williams was quoted by The Guardian as saying. "The first trade war was a disaster for California agriculture and in particular for tree nut exports - and they never really recovered," Colin Carter, professor emeritus of agriculture economics at the University of California, Davis, was quoted by The Guardian as saying. "Prices for pistachios and almonds have only just begun to rebound but now the tariffs are even higher." According to China's General Administration of Customs, China's imports of US nuts sharply declined to $17.1 million in March from $44.4 million in February. Almond Board of California said that it is closely monitoring recent developments related to trade policies affecting the agricultural sector. Recently, US officials have sent various messages about tariffs against China and trade talks. Asked to comment on the US President's remarks that the US' tariffs against Chinese goods were "very high" and will drop "substantially," and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's claim that China-US tariff war will de-escalate, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday that "the person who tied the bell must untie it." The unilateral tariff increase was initiated by the US, and if the US really wants to solve the problem, it should heed the rational voices of the international community and domestic parties, completely cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and find a way to resolve differences through equal dialogue, He said. The spokesperson further noted that Washington's abuse of tariffs violates fundamental economic and market principles, and these measures fail to address its own issues while severely undermining the global economic order and disrupting normal business operations and consumers' lives, while facing strong opposition both internationally and domestically. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) By David Honour, Head of Insurance Consulting at XPS group We work closely with insurers to help them meet these challenges head-on. There are five key questions that every insurance C-suite should be prepared to answer: 1. Are your products and services truly consumer-centric? The implementation of the Consumer Duty represented a fundamental shift in regulatory expectations. No longer is it enough for insurers to demonstrate compliance, the focus is now on proving that products deliver good outcomes for customers. The challenge is pronounced for legacy products. Insurers must rethink their approach to pricing, product design, and customer engagement, ensuring that transparency and value for money are embedded into every offering. Those who successfully implement Consumer Duty will not only mitigate regulatory risk but also enhance trust and loyalty in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The insurance C-suite needs to invest more in leveraging data and advanced analytics to help understand customer needs and behavior, to ensure products are kept simple and truly focus on customer outcomes while being profitable. 2. Are you investing in the right technologies to drive transformation? Digital transformation is no longer optional; its a strategic imperative. Advanced analytics, AI, and cloud-based platforms are redefining how insurers interact with customers, assess risk, and streamline operations. InsurTech solutions are rapidly enhancing customer engagement through gamification and real-time data-driven personalisation. However, many insurers still grapple with legacy systems that hinder progress. The successful firms will be those that invest in seamless digital ecosystems, enabling them to respond dynamically to market shifts. Too often we have seen insurers attempts at digital transformation fail. It is vital that insurers deliver effective and strengthen the assessments of the business case for change, establish measurable KPIs that enable effective monitoring, and put in place strong governance and oversight tied to executive sponsorship. 3. How resilient is your balance sheet in the face of increased scrutiny? The PRA is intensifying its focus on insurers liquidity and risk management practices. The 2025 Life Insurance Stress Test (LIST) results, new liquidity reporting requirements, and the PRAs solvent exit planning framework are all set to reshape capital strategies. Insurers must be proactive in ensuring robust stress testing, scenario planning, and capital optimisation. Transparency is also keyinvestors and regulators expect clear communication on financial resilience. The firms that thrive will be those that take a forward-looking approach to risk management rather than reacting to regulatory pressures. 4. Are you well-positioned to capitalise on opportunities in the BPA market? The BPA market remains one of the most dynamic segments in UK insurance, with over 50bn expected to be transacted in the UK alone this year. New entrants, evolving pension trustee expectations, and the recent signals by the government for the potential to allow pension schemes to extract surplus will drive new strategies and increased competition across the market. I think that innovation is key hereinsurers that differentiate themselves through flexible structures, operational efficiency, and enhanced member experiences will be best placed for success. The growing demand for deferred premium BPAs highlights the need for tailored solutions that require careful actuarial and investment planning. So, if youre an insurance executive, and your BPA strategy is not shifting to consider these additional factors and market pressures outside of pricing alone, I would argue that it is time to reassess. 5. Are you aligning with ESG and the productive finance agenda? ESG factors are no longer just a compliance issue - they are a business imperative. The UK Green Taxonomy and Transition Plan Taskforce guidelines are shaping investment strategies, while insurers are expected to play a key role in funding sustainable infrastructure and productive finance initiatives. Firms must also navigate the balance between regulatory requirements and achieving strong investment returns. For example, the Solvency II reforms provide opportunities for insurers to explore new asset classes, but this requires careful due diligence and risk assessment. Again, are you prepared to answer the question of how you are embedding ESG into your core strategy to drive long-term value creation? My final thoughts The insurance industry continues to evolve rapidly. The firms that will thrive are those that tackle these pressing questions with strategic clarity. Insurers must navigate regulatory changes, technological transformation, capital resilience, competitive pressures, and ESG imperatives - all while maintaining a relentless focus on customer outcomes. We are committed to supporting our clients in addressing these challenges, ensuring they are well-positioned to seize opportunities and drive sustainable growth. By proactively answering these five key questions, insurance leaders can move beyond compliance and resilience - to innovation and leadership in the evolving market landscape. A Stirring Salute to a Forgotten Patriot: The Relevance of Kesari Chapter 2 in Todays India 2 It is importantindeed, imperativeto remember and revere the lives of nationalists who carved the path of Indias freedom with both intellect and courage. Among such stalwarts was Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, a towering yet under-recognized figure in Indias freedom struggle. The newly released film Kesari Chapter 2, which premiered on 18 April 2025 to mark the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, is a powerful cinematic resurrection of his storya tale that not only demands remembrance but commands deep reflection. Directed with conviction and emotional depth, Kesari Chapter 2 serves as a divine sequel to the 2019 film Kesari, and this time, it transports us into the judicial corridors of colonial India, where morality battled might, and a single man stood unshaken against an Empire. Inspired by the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu and Pushpa Palat, the film unfolds the extraordinary life of C. Sankaran Naira man of law, letters, and national resolvewho dared to indict the British Crown for the genocide at Amritsar. In an era when Jallianwala Bagh has become a mere pitstop on the tourist trail, stripped of its original context and diluted in collective memory, this film restores its place as a searing symbol of British brutality and Indian resistance. Through a gripping courtroom drama, the movie recounts Nairs decision to legally challenge General Reginald Dyer, the architect of the massacre. Assigned to investigate the incident with an expected cover-up in mind, Nair instead chose truth over complicity, a choice that led him to sue the British government and Dyer himself. The narrative is enriched by a supporting cast of compelling charactersPargat Singh, a fiery young revolutionary, and Dilreet Gill, a bold law studentwho accompany Nair in his crusade for justice. On the other side stands Neville McKinley, a bitter Anglo-Indian lawyer fueled by personal vendetta and colonial allegiance, setting the stage for a courtroom clash that transcends mere legalitiesit becomes a battle for the soul of a nation. As a writer and citizen, I cannot help but feel deeply moved by the decision to bring such a monumental yet forgotten chapter of Indian history to the screen. Sir Sankaran Nairs unwavering stand against the British Raj, his dignified dissent within the Viceroys Executive Council, and his fierce critique of imperialism have been masterfully portrayed, reminding us that not all battles are fought with gunssome are fought with words, reason, and moral integrity. The film is not just a biopicit is a clarion call to todays youth. It urges us to seek inspiration not merely from trending hashtags but from the pages of our own past. How many among us, even those moderately aware of Indias freedom struggle, truly knew the legacy of Chettur Sankaran Nair before this film? His contributions were vastAdvocate-General of Madras, puisne justice of the Madras High Court, Education Minister on the Viceroys Council, President of the Indian National Congress in 1897, and a relentless proponent of Dominion Status for India. Born in the illustrious Chettur family of Mankara, Palakkad, Nairs journey was that of brilliance from the very beginning. From his early education at Kozhikode and Madras to his law degree and judicial appointments, he was a man deeply rooted in both tradition and intellect. His wife, Palat Kunhimalu Amma (Lady Sankaran Nair), stood by his side, and their family continued the legacy of distinction. His resignation from the Viceroys Council in 1919, post the Jallianwala massacre, was not merely symbolicit was a thunderous statement. Even in retirement, his influence continued, whether through his critique in Gandhi and Anarchy (1922) or his active involvement with the Simon Commission deliberations. When others sought relevance through political convenience, Nair sought it through truth and principle. To the filmmakers, I offer my deepest respect and admiration. You have not only brought history aliveyou have ignited a conscience. In an age where content often panders to escapism, Kesari Chapter 2 dares to educate, elevate, and inspire. It reminds us that behind every Independence Day celebration, there were voices like Nairs that roared in courtrooms, councils, and conventions, demanding dignity for a nation that had been long denied it. In conclusion, this film is more than a tributeit is a torch. A torch passed from one generation to another. Let it burn in our hearts. Let it light the minds of the youth. And let us never again forget the name Sir Chettur Sankaran Nairthe man who took the Empire to court and, with a pen sharper than a sword, struck a blow for Bharat Mata. Jai Hind. Bombay HC Shields Kunal Kamra from Arrest, But Defamation Probe Over 'Traitor' Jibe to Continue 2 The Bombay High Court on Friday granted comedian Kunal Kamra permanent protection from arrest in connection with a criminal case registered against him in Mumbai for his satirical jibes directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The court, however, allowed the investigation to continue. A division bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and SM Modak ruled that if the police intend to question Kamra, they must do so in Chennai, where he is a permanent resident, with prior notice and assistance from local authorities. The bench also directed that no trial court proceedings can commence against Kamra unless the High Court decides on his plea to quash the FIR. The case stems from a March 23 video uploaded to Kamras YouTube channel, where he performed a parody song criticizing Shindewithout naming him directlyby alluding to his 2022 rebellion against then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, which triggered a major political upheaval in Maharashtra. In the video, Kamra referred to the political defector as a traitor. Following the viral video, Shinde supporters from the Shiv Sena faction allegedly vandalized The Habitat, the Khar-based studio where the act was filmed. On March 24, Mumbai Police booked Kamra under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitas provisions for defamation and public mischief. Though summoned thrice for questioning, Kamra has yet to appear before investigators. Earlier, the Bombay High Court had granted Kamra interim protection from arrest on April 16, which has now been made permanent. The Madras High Court had also extended him interim protection until April 17, recognizing his residence in Tamil Nadu. While Kamras legal team argues that the satire was within the bounds of free speech, the controversy continues to stir debates on the limits of political humour and freedom of expression in India. Journalist Assaulted While Covering BJP Protest in J&K Over Pahalgam Terror Attack 2 A senior journalist was hospitalized after being assaulted while covering a BJP protest in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district on Wednesday, following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Rakesh Sharma, a reporter for Dainik Jagran, was attacked at Kalibari Chowk while documenting the protest led by BJP legislators Devinder Manyal, Rajiv Jasrotia, and Bharat Bhushan. The assault has sparked strong condemnation from journalistic circles, with calls for an FIR against the accused. A video of the incident, showing the assault on Sharma, has gone viral on social media, further fueling outrage. Sharma claimed that while he was covering the protest, a BJP activist named Himanshu Sharma accused the journalists of speaking the separatist language for questioning the security situationspecifically regarding the infiltration of terrorists into Kathua and the Pahalgam attack. Despite the peaceful tone from BJP leaders, the situation escalated when Sharma and other journalists were confronted by a group of party supporters, including Himanshu Sharma, Ravinder Singh, Ashwani Sharma, Manjit Singh, Tony, and Parveen Chuna, who then physically attacked Sharma in full public view. The assault was interrupted by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravinder Singh, who helped Sharma get medical attention at the Government Medical College hospital. Following the incident, a group of senior journalists met with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, Shobhit Saxena, demanding immediate action, including the filing of an FIR and the arrest of those responsible. In response to the assault, journalists in Kathua staged a protest, donning black bands, and announced a boycott of all BJP programs until action is taken against the perpetrators. Solidarity protests were also held outside the press club in Jammu. The Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemned the attack, calling it a direct assault on the presss right to question security issues in the wake of rising terror attacks. PCC spokesperson Ravinder Sharma demanded an apology from BJP president J.P. Nadda and swift action against the accused. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in the region and the growing intolerance toward critical questions. Medha Patkar Arrested, Freed Hours Later in 24-Year-Old Defamation Case Involving Delhi LG 2 Activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was arrested on Friday and released hours later after furnishing bond assurances in a 24-year-old defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The arrest followed a non-bailable warrant issued earlier this week after Patkar failed to submit probation bonds as directed by the court. The case dates back to 2001, when Saxena, then heading the Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties, accused Patkar of defamation over a press note titled True Face of Patriot issued by her on November 25, 2000. The note, according to the court, questioned Saxenas patriotism and integrity, calling it a direct attack on his personal character and public image. In May, Patkar was convicted of criminal defamation under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code. While the court granted her one years probation in April citing the non-grave nature of the offense, it warned that failing to follow the termsincluding furnishing probation bonds and paying a 1 lakh finewould nullify the leniency. Patkar was expected to appear before the court on Wednesday but remained absent, prompting the judge to issue the warrant, stating she was deliberately violating the directions. She was arrested Friday morning and produced before Additional Sessions Judge Vipin Kharb at Saket Court, who allowed her release after her counsel assured that the probation terms would be met later that day. The case was initially filed in an Ahmedabad court and later transferred to Delhi in 2003. Patkar pleaded not guilty in 2013, but the judgment in May ruled that her statements caused potential irreversible damage to Saxenas public standing, especially given the sensitive nature of patriotic identity in public discourse. SC Slams Rahul Gandhi for Savarkar Remarks, Stays Defamation Case 2 The Supreme Court on Friday reprimanded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his controversial remark about Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar, where he claimed that Savarkar had collaborated with the British. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan was hearing a petition that challenged an Allahabad High Court order, which had refused to quash the summons issued by a Lucknow magistrate court regarding Gandhis remarks. While the court stayed the criminal defamation proceedings against the Congress leader, it did not hold back in criticizing his comments. The defamation case was filed following a complaint by lawyer Nripendra Pandey, who accused Gandhi of insulting Savarkar during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in November 2022. Gandhi had referred to Savarkar as a British servant who allegedly received a pension from the colonial authorities. The Supreme Court bench called Gandhis statements irresponsible and warned the Lok Sabha MP that it would take suo motu action if he made similar remarks in the future. You have a good point on law and you will get a stay, but any further statement by him will be taken up suo motu. No words on our freedom fighters. They gave us freedom and we treat them like this? the bench remarked. The bench further questioned whether Mahatma Gandhi could be labeled a servant of the British for referring to the viceroy as your faithful servant in his letters. The court also pointed out that Gandhis grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had praised Savarkar in the past. The defamation case had a tumultuous journey through the courts. In June 2023, an additional chief judicial magistrate had dismissed Pandeys complaint, but the complainant appealed. The sessions court allowed the plea and sent the matter back to the Lucknow magistrate court, which then issued summons to Rahul Gandhi in December. The Congress leader had challenged the order in the High Court, which refused to set aside the summons on April 4. Designers refined the grille opening with a squarer shape on the 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. (Drew Phillips/Hyundai/TNS) TNS Hyundai is shifting some production of its Tucson SUVs to its Montgomery plant in response to the Trump Administrations automotive tariffs. Financial Post is reporting the move has already begun and affects Tucsons to be sold in the U.S. market. Previously, they had been made at the South Korean automakers affiliate Kia Corp.s Mexico plant. It is also moving production of Canada-bound cars, which had been made in the U.S., to the Mexico plant. CFO Lee Seung Jo, head of the planning and finance division, talked about the moves during a conference call. The Montgomery plant has been building Tucsons since February 2021. The plant was projected before the tariffs to manufacture more than 150,000 this year in Montgomery. The company also plans to offset some production hiccups through its new Georgia plant, which is gradually increasing production capacity. We expect a challenging business outlook to continue due to intensifying trade wars and other various unpredictable macroeconomic factors, Hyundai said in a statement, according to the New York Post. Last month Hyundai created a tariff task force to minimize the impact of the tariffs through local sourcing of auto parts in the U.S. Earlier in April, Hyundai announced it is ending its free scheduled maintenance visits for new car buyers as a tariff measure. The company also announced that it doesnt have any immediate plans to raise prices in response to the tariffs, and last month revealed plans to invest $21 billion on its U.S. manufacturing operations. An Alabama middle school teacher has been arrested on charges that she was sexually involved with a student eight years ago. Opelika police on Friday announced the arrest of 47-year-old Jill Brisendine Campbell. The Opelika Middle School teacher is charged with second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy. The investigation began on April 15 when police received a report from a former student. That student told police an inappropriate sexual relationship had taken place while the student was in the seventh and eighth grades at Opelika Middle School. Police said an investigation revealed evidence that corroborated the victims statement. Opelika City Schools is fully cooperating with the investigation, police said, and has placed Campbell on administrative leave. Anyone with additional information is asked to call detectives at 334-705-5220. Tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. A Henager police officer has been charged with allegedly sharing child pornography through social media. DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said Joshua Min Kwon, 40, of Henagar, has been charged with public dissemination/display of obscene matter under 17. Kwon was arrested Thursday evening and transported to the DeKalb County Jail. The case is still under investigation and additional charges could be pending, Welden said. According to the sheriffs office, a DeKalb County investigator assigned to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a social media account used to share child pornography. DeKalb County Investigators and Special Response Team, along with ALEA, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, and the Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant at a residence in Jackson County early Thursday morning. After reviewing IP address details and logs, obtaining electronic devices, and speaking with witnesses, it was determined a potential suspect was a police officer employed with the town of Henagar. Welden called the arrest a sad day for law enforcement. Once again, right is still right and wrong is still wrong no matter what, Welden said in a statement. If youre in the wrong, we will do our best to enforce the law no matter who you are! And I hope this strongly shows that we will do so if it has happened in DeKalb County! Kellie Johnson, the former vice president of First Community Bank in Cullman, intends to plead guilty to federal embezzlement charges in May, according to court documents. Between July 2013 and June 2023, Johnson embezzled $2,376,325.07 of the moneys, funds, assets, and securities of First Community Bank of Cullman, the filing alleges. The defendant conducted unauthorized Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions to pay personal expenses that cleared through First Community Bank of Cullmans account with the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, Georgia, it reads. Johnson is scheduled to go before a federal judge May 14th and intends to change her plea to guilty, according to court documents. Demarcus Parker pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder in a 2020 shooting in Montgomery County. (Contributed) A Montgomery man has been sentenced to prison for a 2020 shooting that killed a man and injured a woman. Demarcus Cordarious Parker, 30, was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison for the slaying of 26-year-old Tyler Wayne Price and the wounding of surviving victim Natalie Gibson. Parker pleaded guilty earlier this month to murder and attempted murder, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Azzie Oliver. The shooting happened just before 6 a.m. on April 25, 2020, at a home on Moore Road in the Grady community. Oliver said Parker drove from Montgomery to Gibsons home, which was about 25 miles away from Montgomery. When Park arrived, the district attorney said, he saw and shot Price. He hen fired rounds into the house, striking Gibson in the back. Gibsons children were also inside of the home at the time of the shooting but were unharmed. Demarcus Parker shot two innocent people, Oliver said. What he did was truly malicious. Ms. Gibsons life has been forever altered by his senseless actions, and Mr. Prices family must endure the constant pain of losing their loved one to gun violence, Oliver said. I am grateful to my team and the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office for working vigorously to get justice for both of them. My office, she said, is committed to ensuring that the only outcome for people who commit violent crimes is being locked away in prison for a very long time. A 45-year-old man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of animal cruelty involving cats, according to authorities. (Santa Ana Police Department/TNS) TNS A California man who police believe killed more than a dozen neighborhood cats after luring them to his property was arrested Wednesday, according to authorities. Over several weeks, the Santa Ana Police Department has received multiple reports of suspected animal abuse and missing cats. Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 45, of Santa Ana was arrested Wednesday and booked at the Santa Ana City Jail on felony charges related to animal cruelty, authorities said. Yessenia Aspeitia, a media relations coordinator for the Santa Ana Police Department, said officials couldnt provide the exact number of cats the suspect is believed to have harmed, but it is over a dozen. Authorities allege Acosta was positively identified by several victims and witnesses as the man who lured their cats away from their homes. Officers from the Santa Ana and Westminster police departments, along with Santa Anas Animal Control Division, searched Acostas home in the 2300 block of West Wilshire Avenue on Wednesday morning and took him into custody. Aspeitia said the department could not provide any additional information about evidence collected from the home. Investigators are currently assembling a timeline of the alleged incidents, Aspeitia said. Officials are combing local social media groups for accounts of stolen or missing cats to incorporate alongside formal reports made to the department over the course of several weeks. Local cat owners in recent weeks have shared photos on social media of their missing cats and home security footage showing a man luring them away from their homes. Among them was Eva Corlew of Westminster, who posted that her 10-month-old Bengal Lynx cat, Clubber, was stolen from her driveway in March. Clubber was eventually reunited with Corlew, according to the Westminster Police Department. Aspeitia confirmed Acosta is being investigated regarding Clubbers abduction. ___ 2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Alabama is home to more historically Black colleges and universities than any other state in the nation. Now, as President Donald Trump threatens university funding and diversity initiatives, the states 14 HBCUs are in a state of uncertainty as they scramble to secure their futures. Ensuring that qualified individuals are provided the same opportunities as others is wrong how? said Tommy Graham, an alum of Miles College near Birmingham. Trump has sent mixed messages to HBCUs, who focus on educating Black Americans but who also support a wide array of research, scholarship and jobs. Recent executive orders banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and pausing many avenues of federal funding have left HBCU administrators in a difficult position. Some Bishop State Community College students were shaken up by an executive order pausing federal funding in January, according to Carl Cunningham, dean of students. They were concerned about the status of their financial aid packages. Weve assured our students that we are there to support them in their endeavors, Cunningham said. Administrators will support the schools 4,100 students by any means necessary. HBCUs contribute billions to local economies and produce influential leaders. And they rely heavily on federal funding, both for research and teaching and for student support. An estimated 70% of students at HBCUs receive Pell grants and are considered financially high-need, according to the United Negro College Fund. Federal funding is a critical aspect for Americans, especially in regards to education, Graham said. I survived off the Pell Grant. She has followed fellow Miles students on social media since graduating last year. She and others are watching federal changes and wondering how they will impact colleges with a mission to support Black Americans. She said the term DEI has become misused by opponents. While federal courts have temporarily halted parts of the White Houses executive orders, uncertainty remains. And other actions are impacting how Black Americans say their historic accomplishments are remembered. The U.S. Department of Agriculture temporarily canceled and then reinstated a $19 million scholarship program for HBCUs. The cancellation jeopardized the financial status of dozens of Alabama students. Tuskegee, a historically Black city and home to Tuskegee University, almost had its own history erased when the Tuskegee Airmen was removed from the U.S. Air Forces training materials. The information was later added back. HBCUs including Alabama State are still receiving grants from the federal government, despite threats of funding cuts at other universities. ASU recently received $800,000 from the Department of Energy to do research in Tennessee. This three-year grant is moving forward and will support eight students, according to the university. I always tell people, HBCUs get more bipartisan support than most entities, said Walter Kimbrough, Talladega Colleges interim president. Hes had great conversations with Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville and Rep. Mike Rogers. He said he expects continued support from Congress. Kimbrough and Cunningham said they expect continued support for HBCUs from the current Trump administration. But Kimbrough said that Talladega College is taking a proactive approach to funding opportunities after financial setbacks last year. Theyre working with partners like the United Negro College Fund and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund on funding strategies. Cunningham said its important to let politicians know of the importance of HBCUs and the work that we have done for over 100 plus years within the United States. He said despite persistent challenges getting adequate funding, these schools produce top-tier talent. The expected lifetime earnings of 2021 Alabama HBCU graduates is more than $15 billion, according to the United Negro College Funds HBCU Impact Report. Local and regional economies gained $1.4 billion from HBCUs in 2021. More than 13,000 jobs were created on and off campus. Among the Black American population in the country, 40% of Congress, 50% of lawyers and 80% of judges graduated from an HBCU, according to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Author and professor Deondra Rose believes that bringing up a lack of funding to politicians is one way to keep HBCUs from being ignored. She said theres a tight connection between the work at HBCUs and the democracy that weve come to enjoy. The work that HBCUs have done historically is to all of our benefit, Rose said in March. Giving HBCUs their due celebration and acknowledgement is a really important part of helping people to recognize that connection. HBCUs have been underfunded for more than a century, according to Alabama A&M alum and journalist Adam Harris. Black people have had to fight to get into institutions with white students so that they might be afforded the same resources as white students, Harris said in his book on the history of HBCUs, The State Must Provide: Why Americas Colleges Have Always Been Unequaland How to Set Them Right. When they tried to enroll, the government fought back as hard as it could in courtrooms and on campuses to prevent them from doing so, Harris said. The historically Black colleges they attended in the meantime were never adequately funded. A 2023 federal per-student funding analysis showed Alabama land-grant HBCUs were underfunded compared to other land-grant schools by more than $500 million, according to Inside Higher Ed. During the Biden administration, federal officials asked states to improve funding to local HBCUs, but that impetus has not been taken up by the new Trump administration. In January, the news release noting the disparity and a notification to Gov. Kay Ivey was removed from the Department of Educations website. Harris told AL.com he expects further resource segregation or a continued downward trend in financial allocation for HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions compared to predominantly white institutions. Presidents Joe Biden and Trump expressed support for HBCUs in their previous terms. In Trumps first term, his administration supported $355 million in funding and forgave hundreds of millions of dollars in loan debt. Under Bidens administration, there were $1.3 billion in total federal investments, according to a White House fact sheet. On April 23, Trump announced a new White House Initiative on HBCUs. The initiative will prioritize private-sector partnerships, institutional development, and workforce preparation in high-growth industries like technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. The goal is to foster research, improve affordability and retention and building pipelines for students to attend HBCUs. The initiative includes an annual meeting and a board of advisors within the Department of Education from philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, private foundations and current HBCU presidents. Alabamas $10 billion education budget wont include raises for teachers this year, but lawmakers are covering a few new benefits for educators. State teachers will get paid parental leave and workers compensation for the first time. They also will not have to pay higher health insurance premiums. All in all, advocates say the package is a win for teachers. When we started this session, if someone would have told me that we would have PEEHIP fully funded, parental leave and a new workers comp program for Alabama educators, I would have never thought it was possible, Amy Marlowe, executive director of the Alabama Education Association, told AL.com. So I just give kudos to Governor Ivey and to the legislature for a session thats been one of the best on record for Alabama educators. The Alabama House approved a nearly final version of the budget package Thursday. But the Senate must approve changes which include $80 million more for a school choice program before the governor can sign off. Other big-ticket items include a $375 million school funding overhaul, new regional career tech centers, and increases to literacy, math and afterschool programs. Colleges and universities will get a smaller share of the budget at $2.5 billion, a 6.6% increase from last year. K-12 schools will get $6.7 billion, a jump of about 5.9%. The full $12.1 billion package is made up of four buckets: New benefits for teachers The Foundation Program, which funds teacher salaries and other operational expenses, increased by $143 million this year but many of those funds will go toward the state health insurance program, PEEHIP. The insurance program told members in 2024 that changes to federal programs and increases in prescription drug costs might require rate increases. Going into the session, we were looking at the numbers and we had some very disturbing news from PEEHIP that member premiums were going to have to go up $104 a month, and that money was going to have to come out of educator and retiree pockets, Marlowe said. Lawmakers chose to fund the insurance program instead of teacher raises this year. Teacher pay has risen in the last few years, to an overall statewide average of $61,213, though there are large variations across districts. The newly funded amount, Marlowe said, is nearly equivalent to a 3% raise for most active educators. Its a balancing act, she said. In a 2% raise, if you go off the average teacher salary, most educators would not have received as much as $104 a month in take home pay, plus that would have been taxed. So those are all the things that we look at when we balance the monies available. School choice and a new funding formula The state will begin the transition to a student-based school funding formula, which would fund schools based on student need rather than headcount alone. The program, called the RAISE Act, passed unanimously and now heads to the governors office. The legislature is beginning the shift by putting $375 million into a new reserve fund. If signed, Alabama schools could get as much as $158 million more in funding starting in the 2025-26 school year. Lawmakers want to focus on high-poverty districts, charter schools and schools with large populations of English learners, students with disabilities and gifted students. The House also authorized the state to draw up to $80 million from the same fund to help meet increased demand for the new CHOOSE Act, which provides families with tax credits to spend on private education. Nearly 37,000 students applied for the program this year, far outpacing its current capacity of an estimated 14,000 accounts. Any of the leftover funds will go back to the reserve account, Garrett said. This will make sure that weve got the funds to cover the initial year, and in the budget well be looking at future years, he said, noting that the state had twice as many applications as we thought they were going to have. Marlowe, however, said shes disappointed to see so much money go toward students who arent in public school. About two-thirds of this years applicants are already in private school or homeschooled. As we warned legislators when that bill was originally passed, the kids that were going to benefit the most were the ones that were already in private school, she said. So all of thats coming true, and the very idea that we would give them even more money before the program started, just anticipating what might happen, is not something that we support at AEA. She said shes grateful, however, to see bigger investments in low-income public schools. She also commended lawmakers for fully funding the Literacy Act and the Numeracy Act which require interventions that some districts may struggle to pay for themselves. With the resources that we had, the budget chairs and the legislature have done the very, very best job possible that they could have to help schools that need improvement, she said. Future budget outlooks Recent economic windfalls have generated millions of dollars for Alabama schools. But that sugar high could be over soon, state finance experts have warned. Garrett told reporters earlier this week that he is confident the state has enough reserves built up to weather any financial storms. The states education budget, however, is only allowed to grow so much and that cap will decrease next year from 6% to 5.75%. Marlowe said she will continue to keep a close watch on financial reports. With everything going on in Washington right now, its impossible to predict the road ahead, she said. We actually did better this year than we thought we were going to do. So who knows what next years fiscal forecast will look like? Some Alabama school districts could get hundreds of dollars more per student, totaling as much as $11 million in additional funding, to support high-needs students. Districts with lots of English language learners, such as Tarrant and Albertville, appear to be early winners in an effort to revamp the states school funding formula. But every district in the state would get additional funding. Im confident all of it will be used to increase student achievement at Albertville City Schools, said Bart Reeves, superintendent for the district. We want to narrow that learning gap with our kids. I know we want to do that. Currently, school funding in Alabama is based on enrollment; schools receive about $7,700 from the state for each student they serve. Its been that way for decades. Lawmakers, educators and advocates want to move to a different formula one thats based on need, rather than headcount alone. With the new program, called the RAISE Act, some high-needs districts could get as much as $400 more per-pupil moving forward, new projections show. Lawmakers currently plan to budget $375 million to pre-pay up to three years of the program. The bill, Senate Bill 305, now heads to the governors desk. (Scroll down to see how much your district could get). By the 2025-26 school year, the RAISE Act would add: $68 million for high-poverty schools, an increase of $37 million $49 million in new funding for special education $33 million for English learners, an increase of $17 million $12 million for gifted students, an increase of $1.3 million $1.2 million in new funding for charter schools Advocates say the program could create transformational change for students. Districts can get some state grant money to pay for certain student services, but the RAISE Act would make that process easier by automatically sending funds to districts. It also would double the amounts that some some systems get for English learners and students in poverty. This gives districts the resources they need to serve the diverse needs of those students, whether thats additional aides or teachers, support personnel, or whether its additional wraparound services or summer and afterschool programs, Mark Dixon of the A+ Education Partnership, an education advocacy group that has championed the effort, told AL.com. There are different kids that have different needs, and so the goal here is to give the districts the flexibility to make the funding decisions based on the needs of the students in their classroom. Cant see the table? View it here. While increases vary from district to district, every system will get more money to serve students with different learning needs. In total, schools would get about $164 million in weighted funding next year, a $106 million increase from the 2025 fiscal year. The legislation allows those weights to grow over time. Data provided by the Alabama Education Association shows that districts with large populations of English learners, including Tarrant, Albertville and Russellville, could benefit the most from weighted funding. The program would also create brand new line items for students with disabilities and schools with concentrated poverty. Reeves says the extra $1.2 million that lawmakers plan to send to his district this year for a total of $2.6 million in weighted funds would help him hire new aides and auxiliary teachers for elementary classrooms, and would possibly fund future reading camps that the district is now supporting with local money. More than a third of students who attend schools in Albertville are English learners, and those early grades are crucial for building language skills, leaders said. But that takes resources. You take care of grades K through four, and I promise youre going to see increases in academic achievement, he said. Thats what we are excited about. The bill requires school districts to submit plans showing how the funds would be used and to report on student outcomes. It also will create two state-level boards to monitor progress and enforce any corrective actions. But overall, supporters say, the program will give districts more flexibility to make the most out of the funds. Lawmakers are still working out the details of the education budget. Theyve consolidated about $58 million in grants for at-risk youth, English learners and gifted students, and plan to draw $375 million out of a reserve account to fund the first three years of the program. The full package awaits final approval from the Senate before it heads to the governor. The long-term goal, advocates say, is to eventually move toward a totally new formula, rather than keep layering weighted funding on top of the current budget. Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, said that would take a lot of work and likely a constitutional amendment or two to pull off quickly. It gives districts the ability to shift their mindset and think from a student funding perspective to fund students vs resources and thats a change in mindset that needs to happen over time, Dixon said. We hope to move to a fully student-weighted formula in the future, but right now the focus is on implementing this well and making sure were doing the best that we can for students. Cant see the map? View it here. Walton Goggins the Alabama native whos been dominating TV screens with his standout performances on HBOs The White Lotus and The Righteous Gemstones will soon make his debut as the host of Saturday Night Live. Goggins, 53, is set to host SNL on May 10, with Arcade Fire as the music guest. The NBC series announced the final three hosts for its 50th season via social media posts: Quinta Brunson of Abbott Elementary on May 3 with music guest Benson Boone, Goggins on May 10 with Arcade Fire and Scarlett Johansson on May 17 with Bad Bunny. RELATED: SNL 50: Alabamas biggest moments on the legendary comedy show Goggins, born in Birmingham and raised in Georgia, has owned Sunday nights on HBO in recent weeks, displaying his formidable dramatic and comedic skills. Walton Goggins, a Birmingham native, stars in Season 3 of "The White Lotus" on HBO. (HBO photo) On The White Lotus, he plays the haggard, irascible and rather mysterious character of Rick Hatchett, a man who travels to a fancy hotel in Thailand seeking vengeance for the death of his father. On Righteous Gemstones, hes Baby Billy Freeman, a former child star who continues his quest for success in hilarious ways, creating his own brand of chaos in a family of dysfunctional televangelists. Alabama native Walton Goggins, right, went toe-to-toe with Timothy Olyphant in the FX series "Justified," 2010-2015. (Prashant Gupta/FX) Goggins previously earned fame as Boyd Crowder, a charismatic villain who leaps off the the screen in Justified, an FX series that aired for six seasons, 2010-2015. He also got fans talking with his portrayal of Cooper The Ghoul Howard in Fallout, a post-apocalyptic series on Amazon Prime. The actor has received two Emmy nominations to date, in 2011 for Justified and in 2024 for Fallout. RELATED: 5 iconic TV performances by Alabama actors Goggins has a long list of TV credits that includes roles in George & Tammy, Vice Principals, The Unicorn, The Shield, Six, Sons of Anarchy and more. Hes also appeared in movies such as Fatman, Tomb Raider and Quentin Tarantinos Django Unchained, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Hateful Eight. In February, Goggins also starred in his first Super Bowl commercial, spoofing his career as an actor while also plugging his Walton Goggins Google Glasses for GoDaddy Airo. (Photo by Andrew Lee; used with permission from the Sprouthouse Agency) The swordfish Reuben with caraway slaw, Triple Crown Sauce and fries is one of the lunch options at Bayonet. (Photo by Andrew Lee; used with permission from the Sprouthouse Agency) Downtown Birmingham diners will soon have a new lunch option. Bayonet, the new raw bar and seafood-focused restaurant from celebrated Alabama chef Rob McDaniel and his wife, Emily, will start opening for lunch beginning Thursday, May 1. The restaurant -- at 2015 Second Ave. North, next door to the McDaniels first restaurant, Helen -- has offered happy hour and dinner service since opening in March. Beginning on Thursday, Bayonet will offer continuous service from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The lunch options will change frequently, but highlights will include: Egg Salad Sando with chives and caviar. Dry-Aged Tuna Tartare with matsutake garum and potato chips. Tuna Burger with whole-grain mustard, lemon aioli and fries. Swordfish Reuben with caraway slaw, Triple Crown Sauce and fries. Cobia Schnitzel with gribiche and piparra peppers. Also beginning Thursday, Bayonet will start accepting reservations for both lunch and dinner service. Guests may make reservations through Resy. Walk-ins will still be welcome. The tuna burger with whole-grain mustard, lemon aioli and fries is another lunch option at Bayonet. (Photo by Andrew Lee; used with permission from the Sprouthouse Agency) From raw oysters to black grouper Located in the historic Berry Building, the Bayonet space boasts 17-foot ceilings, a custom-built raw bar, subway tile trim, and commissioned artwork from Birmingham chef and artist Roscoe Hall. The restaurants name refers to the Spanish bayonet plant, a resilient evergreen with white, bell-shaped flowers and long, sharp-tipped leaves that symbolizes strength, protection, endurance, growth and resilience . . . a lot of things that we represent as a restaurant, Rob McDaniel said in an earlier interview with AL.com. Bayonets raw bar showcases oysters from the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coasts and from North Carolina to New Brunswick, Canada, along the Atlantic Coast. Other current selections include seafood gumbo, firefly squid and black grouper. A Haleyville native and Auburn University graduate, Rob McDaniel attended the New England Culinary Institute and worked under Chris Hastings at Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham and Drew Robinson at Jim N Nicks Bar-B-Q before becoming the founding executive chef at SpringHouse restaurant near Lake Martin in 2009. After a decade at SpringHouse, McDaniel and his wife moved to the Birmingham metro area to open Helen in August 2020. Emily McDaniel is the hospitality director and co-owner for both Helen and Bayonet. During his time at SpringHouse, McDaniel was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South for five consecutive years. In 2024, as the executive chef at Helen, he was selected as a James Beard semifinalist for the sixth time. Bayonet is at 2015 Second Ave. North in Birmingham, Ala. The phone is 205-829-1899. For more information, go here. A former Alabama state prison officer who pleaded guilty to sex with an inmate must register as a sex offender, even though the sexual misconduct was with a consenting adult, the Alabama State Supreme Court ruled Friday. Briana Marquise Matthews, a 31-year-old Birmingham woman, was arrested in 2021 on two counts of custodial sexual misconduct involving an inmate at St. Clair Correctional Facility where she was employed. We firmly believe that individuals like Briana, who pose no threat to the public, should not be subjected to the same lifelong restrictions intended for true sexual predators, said her attorney Leroy Maxwell. This outcome is the product of poorly vetted legislation with unintended, unjust consequences. In 2022, Matthews pleaded guilty to the crimes and was sentenced to 10 years with 18 months to serve. She was ordered to serve six months in prison and the rest in community corrections followed by three years of probation. It was only after she began probation that she learned she was required to comply with Alabamas sex offender registration and notification requirements. Matthews contends she and her attorney at the time of the plea had not been informed in her plea agreement that she would have to follow the sex offender registration guidelines. Her convictions, they said, were based on consensual sexual encounters with an adult inmate. She had no prior convictions or criminal charges, and did not have a propensity to reoffend. In short, Matthews argued, sex offender registration is designed to protect the public from perverts, adding that her circumstances do not make her a danger to society. In the eyes of the law, an inmate cannot legally consent to sex. The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Matthews appeal, and Matthews attorney said he is deeply disappointed with the decision. Briana Matthews was a young correctional officer who made the poor choice of engaging in a consensual relationship with an adult inmate, Maxwell said. As a result, she was convicted of improper custodial sexual misconduct and is now branded a sex offender for life. The states sex offender registration and notification act prevents convicted sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of any school, child-care facility or residential camp. It also restricts the offender from working or volunteering at businesses that cater to children or those located within a certain proximity to locations frequented by children. There are multiple instances in which a convicted sex offender can apply for relief from the restrictions. Sexual misconduct is among those examples, but custodial sexual misconduct is not addressed either way. Matthews argued that she should be eligible for relief because custodial sexual misconduct is similar to sexual misconduct, and because the only reason her actions constitute a crime is due to the other participating adult being incarcerated. She also noted that other states allow sex offenders relief from registration requirements for offenses more serious than hers. Briana Matthews is not a predator and should not be treated as one, Maxwell said. We remain hopeful that lawmakers will soon correct this injustice. Gov. Kay Ivey's dog, Missy, a blended collie mix adopted from the Montgomery Humane Shelter, has died. (Photo by Billy Pope) Billy Pope Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday that Alabamas First Dog, her beloved Missy Ivey, has passed away. Missy, a blended collie mix, was about 10 years old. The governor adopted Missy from the Montgomery Humane Shelter in January 2019. Missy was the governors constant companion, whether she was working in her office at the Governors mansion, hosting a backyard gathering, enjoying a meal, or taking her pontoon boat out on the lake, the governors office said in a news release. Missy was a great friend, Ivey said. After the best days and the hardest ones, it was always so good to return to the Governors Mansion and be greeted by Missy. She really made it feel like home, and I will miss her dearly. The governor thanked all the employees at Montgomery Veterinary Associates for giving excellent care and comfort in her final days. The governor encouraged all Alabama families to hold their pets extra close. A crowd gathered at the Baldwin County School Board meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Central Office in Loxley, Ala. John SHarp What started as a social media uproar over a disruptive student at Elberta Elementary turned into a public referendum on school leadership in Baldwin County. But when the dust settled at Thursdays school board meeting, it wasnt torches and pitchforks that filled the room it was mostly praise for the school. Eddie Tyler has turned the school system around to be one of the most innovative and successful ones in the state, said Anne Davis of Daphne, a retired teacher, summing up the tone of most who spoke. Only three voices dissented against the school, including Elberta parent Whitney Scapecchi, who demanded Tylers resignation and accused the administration of prioritizing politics over students. This district doesnt have a PR problem, it has a leadership crisis, she said. Were not satisfied. Were not done. You have lost the trust of the teachers, children, and families. Scapecchis criticism came after a month of online furor, much of it targeting Tyler and longtime political consultant Jonathan Gray, who resigned Tuesday. Gray, a key figure behind many of the districts initiatives over the past decade, will officially step down at the end of April. This (meeting) is positive, Tyler said afterward, brushing off the backlash. People get angry. They are parents. Lashing out at me, thats OK. Thats their right. It doesnt accomplish anything. Tyler, after the meeting, said any citizen can come before the board and call for his resignation at any time. It would be up to the School Board to remove him, and there was no indication on Thursday that it was under consideration. Tylers current three-year contract doesnt expire until July 2027. Political consultancy The Baldwin County School Board listens to the public during its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Central Office in Loxley, Ala. John Sharp Tyler will continue leading the school system without Gray, who he praised for having a positive influence on education in Baldwin County. He said the school system, through his office, had an agreement with Gray that paid him $9,500 a month. School Board member Ken Bradley had requested the school board discuss pressing pause on its political consultancy. But Tyler said the relationship with Gray was through his office, and not the school board. There was an agreement with myself, and I have discretionary money (to pay for the consultancy work), Tyler said. We dont bring those agreements to the board. Tyler, in a statement to AL.com, said Strategy Inc. began discussions with the school system a year ago, noting that the time commitment did not align with the compensation we could provide. He said that this week, the agency informed the school that they had new business engagements requiring them to move on. We will forever be grateful for his work on behalf of our system, Tyler said. Gray has worked with the school system three times over the past 20 years. Even though I have worked with nearly a dozen school systems across the state of Alabama including Mobile County and Jefferson County, my work in helping make Baldwin County the best county school system in Alabama will always be among the (top) of that list (of achievements), Gray said in a statement to AL.com. He added, Over the last couple of months, I have had to step back from some of my former time commitments to take on some new and amazing opportunities. As a result, I tendered my resignation on Tuesday and wish nothing but continued success for this amazing school system. Gray wasnt at the board meeting, but he said he was pleased it was filled with mostly positive comments. He acknowledged there had been threats and negative commentary on social media about his role with the school system, and over the schools handling of the situation in Elberta. Tyler said some of the statements on social media have been slanderous and libel. He said he felt blessed to be at the Baldwin County School System for the past 10 years. Indeed, most of the comments during the board meeting included praise for the school system under Tylers leadership that began in 2015. At that time, the school system was reeling from a stinging property tax referendum defeat and had few answers over how to proceed with a major capital plan to address overcrowded schools. The school system, with assistance from the county and state lawmakers, has stabilized its finances. It has also since created a pay-as-you-go capital building program that has led to new school buildings throughout the county including the opening last August of the Baldwin Preparatory Academy, the $100 million career tech and vocational school in Loxley. Gray was at Tylers side during most of that time, helping provide consultancy and contacts in getting the so-called penny tax stabilized and creating a reoccurring revenue source for school building projects. Gray said the successes over the years have been game changing. It hasnt always been smooth sailing. The split of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from the county school system created friction with the beach communities, which has reignited this year over a dispute over a sales tax distribution. Elberta situation On top of that, the concerns in Elberta include parents upset over claims of being largely ignored with their concerns about a special needs student who has become aggressive to peers. Sarah Young, the school systems attorney, said the situation is complicated because of multiple federal laws, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), establish requirements for public schools regarding the education of special needs students. Federal laws require public schools provide special needs students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). We are open, Young said. We know we make mistakes. Young noted that every school in Baldwin County has law enforcement officers present to respond to any problematic situations. In addition, the school board has a crisis alert system allowing school staff and law enforcement officers to respond quicker if a teacher is in need of help. Some parents with special needs students who spoke during the board meeting praised how the school administers its programs. Their documentation on things going on with my children is impeccable, said Kristen Townsend of Daphne, who has twin 9-year-old boys who both have autism who are also attending school at Belforest Elementary School. Its challenging to send special needs students off every day. But my children are thriving and its due to the Baldwin County Schools. Damage control Critics of the school system mostly did not discuss the issues in Elberta, acknowledging privacy rights prevented specific details from being aired in a public venue. Scapecchi argued that empathy for one child does not outweigh the rights of others. She claimed Grays resignation was because of public pressure online. Thats not accountability, thats damage control, she said. Rebecca Watson, who heads up the Baldwin County chapter of Moms for Liberty, said the school system was putting politics ahead of our kids. She said the board meeting amounted to being a dog and pony show filled with pro-Tyler and school system speakers that also included relatives of board members. To pretend everything is happy and everything is great is just going to make it worse, she said. Bradley, the school board member, said he felt the concerns about the school system illustrated a passion people have about it. Broadly speaking, parents have concerns about public education across the country, he said. The difference in Baldwin County is that people really care about the public school system. I designed my retirement after I retired from the Army, so my son could go to Perdido School. This is a good school system, and its where we want our children. A Holocaust memorial statue has been installed at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. Tom Gordon A Holocaust memorial steel sculpture that is 800 pounds and seven feet tall, done by metal artist Reuben Halpern, will be dedicated at Elmwood Cemetery on Sunday, April 27. Shaped like a dead tree, the sculpture rests on rusted railroad tracks, a reference to railcars used to transport Jewish families from across Europe to Nazi extermination camps. Members of Temple Beth-El who helped fund the memorial sculpture will lead a ceremony on Sunday at 9 a.m. in Block 40 at Elmwood Cemetery, 600 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. About 170 Holocaust survivors settled in Alabama after World War II. Only a few are still alive. The Alabama Holocaust Education Center will have a Holocaust Remembrance Day program at the Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham on Sunday at 3 p.m. Advance registration is requested. Statue honoring prolific civil rights attorney Fred Gray outside of the Alabama Bar Association looks in downtown Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Safiyah Riddle) AP Legendary attorney Fred Gray once deemed the chief counsel of the Civil Rights Movement by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was honored with a statue outside the Alabama State Bar Association on Thursday. Growing up in Montgomery on the west side, I never thought that one day my image would be in stone to honor my professional career, the 94-year-old said in an impassioned speech at the statue unveiling in downtown Montgomery. Gray represented prominent civil rights leaders like King, Rosa Parks and John Lewis throughout the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama, allowing activists to intentionally leverage mass arrests and civil disobedience to push for equal rights. Gray also represented participants in Selma-to-Montgomery marches in March 1965, which led to the Voting Rights Act in August later that year. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., left, and Tuskegee attorney Fred Gray break into laughter at a joke told by a speaker at a political rally in Tuskegee, Alabama, April 29, 1966. King was on a whistle-stop tour through Alabama to encourage block-voting by blacks in the May 3 Alabama primary. Gray, who represented King as his attorney, was a candidate for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives at the time. (AP Photo/Jack Thornell) ASSOCIATED PRESS On Thursday, Gray emphasized his gratitude for the countless other people he represented who arent often recognized including Claudette Colvin, who was arrested in 1955 when she was a teenager after she refused to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus, months before Parks earned worldwide appreciation for doing the same. I humbly accept this award for all those unknown heroes and clients whose names never appear in print media, whose faces never appear on television. They are the persons who laid the foundation so that you can honor me here today, Gray said. The statue is engraved with the words lawyers render service, a phrase coined by Gray that is now championed by the Alabama Bar Association. Gray was the first Black president of the statewide organization in 2002. Grays role in the Civil Rights Movement was the first of many accomplishments in his 70 years practicing law. In 1970, he became one of Alabamas first Black state legislators after Reconstruction. Around the same time, Gray represented Black men who filed suit after the government intentionally let their illnesses go untreated in the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study. His work eventually led to an official apology from President Bill Clinton on the governments behalf in 1997. Gray is currently involved in a lawsuit seeking to remove a Confederate monument from a square at the center of mostly Black Tuskegee. In 2022, Gray received the nations highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Gray, who is an ordained minister, attributed his successful career to his faith in God and the support of his family, many of whom were in the audience as he spoke. Gray is currently involved in a lawsuit seeking to remove a Confederate monument from a square at the center of majority black Tuskegee. He acknowledged Thursday that the court system doesnt always deliver justice but said that he would continue to keep working until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a stream. As the May 7 deadline approaches for federal REAL ID enforcement, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says some people could wait until later to get it. To reiterate, May 7 is not the last day citizens can obtain a STAR ID, reads a recent ALEA release. May 7 is the federal enforcement date. This means if you are 18 and older and plan to fly domestically after May 7, or enter certain federal facilities, then you will need a form of federally accepted ID, which is a STAR ID, unexpired and valid passport/passport card, active military ID, etc. If you do NOT plan to fly in May or in the immediate future, you still have plenty of time to get a STAR ID from an ALEA Examining Office after May 7, according to ALEA. To reiterate, May 7 is not the last day citizens can obtain a STAR ID. May 7 is the federal enforcement date.... Posted by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday, April 24, 2025 The release adds that a STAR ID is not required to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Alabama or to vote. An unexpired passport or one of the accepted forms of federal identification listed on the TSA website can also be used to fly in Alabama after May 7, according to ALEA. STAR which stands for Secure, Trusted, Reliable is part of the Real ID Act, which modifies federal laws dealing with security, authentication and issuance procedure standards for state driver licenses and identification cards. Alabama STAR IDs will look like traditional driver licenses except with a gold star in the upper left corners. This is not a new program as STAR ID services were made available statewide in 2012 in Alabama, reads ALEAs release. What is new and what has been extended due to covid, is the federal enforcement of the REAL ID Act. This Act was passed by congress in 2005 and requires domestic air travelers and citizens accessing certain federal facilities to have a form of federal identification, to add an extra layer of security. Residents can apply for STAR IDs at ALEA Driver License examining offices. You can see a list of those here. Applicants must present four documents to verify identity/date of birth, Social Security number and address of principal residence. Among the accepted documents are a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization. Other documents will be needed to verify Social Security number and address. You can see a complete list of accepted documents here. A digital billboard on Birminghams Southside makes it clear that not everyone approves of President Donald Trump's planned appearance at the University of Alabama. Contributed Fans of President Donald Trump are cheering his upcoming appearance at the University of Alabama, but a digital billboard on Birminghams Southside makes it clear that his welcome is far from unanimous. Molester, felon grabs UA by the diploma, says the billboard near Vulcan at 20th and 21st Street South. Trump will deliver a spring commencement address May 1 at Coleman Coliseum. The poster features an image of the back of Trumps head and references his civil case where writer E. Jean Carroll accused him of a 1996 sexual assault. A jury found him liable and awarded Carroll millions in damages. Trump was also convicted on criminal charges in New York of improper use of campaign funds. If there were any other president from any party, it should be a point of pride. But this is not any other president that weve ever had, said Joellyn Beckham, one of the message organizers using the name BBD, or Bright Blue Dot. The poster also alludes to an early controversy from a hot mic moment on the Access Hollywood television show when Trump was recorded making crude remarks. Yes, there are a lot of people who do want him, but at that school theres probably an equal number or more who do not want him, Beckham said. This will be a stain on the school. For several months BBD has sponsored a series of billboards with images and words criticizing Trump, his administrations sweeping changes, and his political allies including Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville. An early BBD poster skewered Britt and urged her action to prevent planned funding cuts at UAB. The message featured a photo of Britt speaking with a raised hand with the caption, Lip service over public service? Raise your hand. Another recent poster illustrated both senators, with Tuberville wearing a Soviet-era Russian hat. Beckham and others said Trumps pre-graduation appearance places the states flagship school in the same category of conservative private schools such as Liberty University, founded by GOP activist and televangelist Jerry Falwell. This is personal. He pretty much besmirches everything he touches here, its policy, the environment or its people, said Angela McCain, state organizer for Alabama 5051, a national anti-Trump political organization. He does a lot of mean-spirited things and people you thought were decent have become indecent. As a state though, Alabama is squarely Trump Country. The president carried the state overwhelmingly in each of his three runs for president. Also, Republicans hold every statewide elected seat and maintain a supermajority in the state legislature. Trumps speech a day before official graduation exercises is a point of debate around the state and at the university. The UA Democrats, on social media, slammed the visit, and called Trump an unpopular, divisive, and authoritarian president. This insult will not go unanswered, the College Democrats said in the post. We cannot allow this to happen with our commencement ceremonies. More than 21,000 people now signed a Change.org petition opposing Trumps appearance. The UA Democrats have also opposed the visit. On the other side, Republicans have cheered on the appearance and pushed hard against Democratic criticism. We are honored to welcome the president back to Tuscaloosa and we are proud to attend a university where America first values are dominant and, thanks to our states Republican lawmakers, common sense is taught, a statement from the UA College Republicans reads. We are disappointed to see the inflammatory reaction from our radical leftist counterparts, the UA College Democrats. Still, McCain said the criticisms will not deter her or others from expressing their dismay and disgust over the appearance. McCain said a protest is planned on campus during Trumps appearance there. We are doing our best to let him know that he is not welcomed anywhere, not even in the deepest red state, she said. This man doesnt respect anybody so why does he deserve anyone elses respect? Hes a hypocritical, nasty, nasty, human. Birmingham Water Works Board chairwoman Tereshia Huffman Joseph D. Bryant The chair of the beleaguered Birmingham Water Works Board did not violate ethics laws when she voted to approve a series of grants to a local nonprofit, state officials declared today. Earlier this week, Tereshia Huffman, who currently leads the board overseeing Alabamas largest water utility, was accused of conflicts of interest and violating policy regarding four grants totaling $40,000 over two years. After a review of the information provided in the complaint, we have determined that there is no evidence on the face of the complaint that would constitute a violation of the Ethics Act, Brian H. Patterson, assistant general counsel for the Ethics Commission, wrote in a letter to Huffman on Friday. According to the anonymous complaint Huffman was accused of failing to disclose family relationships to organizers of groups who received the grant money. I am a woman of faith who values her integrity above all else. When false accusations were filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission, those who know me, my work ethic and my character all knew that the truth would quickly be revealed, Huffman said in a statement to AL.com. I would never damage my reputation or the reputation of the Birmingham Water Works in any way. As Chair of the board, I have supported BWWs ethics policies without hesitation. Huffman is a cousin to the Hilliard family, a well-known politically-connected family whose members include former Congressman Earl Hilliard and Earl Hillard Jr., a senior aide to Mayor Randall Woodfin. Grant awards from the water works are made by the board collectively after the utilitys lawyers vet them, water works officials said. The complaint against Huffman came at a critical time for the utility, just a day before state senators considered legislation that would fire the current board and strip Birmingham of its longtime dominance over the utilitys management. A regional board would replace it with five of the seven members from the suburbs and surrounding counties. Birmingham would have just two seats on the panel. The senate bill was approved overwhelmingly Thursday, and the house version heads to the floor next week. Huffman and her supporters on board Wednesday spent considerable time lambasting the complaint and whoever filed it as part of a politically motivated conspiracy to undermine both the agency and its chair. Several board members hinted that they knew some of those behind the complaint and vowed to find the others. At some point in time were going to find out who wrote this complaint, board member Dalton NeSmith, an attorney from Blount County, said Wednesday. Thats all Im going to say about that. While board members assailed the ethics complaint and the complainant, state law offers some protection to whistleblowers. Section 36-25-24 of the Alabama Code prohibits employers from retaliating against public employees who in good faith report violations. On the other hand, supervisors are allowed to take civil action against employees who file reports without good faith. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announces over $200,000 in grants to reduce violent crime in Birmingham and Jefferson County. AP Gov. Kay Ivey announced the allocation of two grants totaling over $237,000 aimed at reducing violent crime in Jefferson County and Birmingham, according to a news release from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). The Jefferson County Commission has been awarded $137,242, while the city of Birmingham will receive $100,000 under the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods grant program. A goal of Project Safe Neighborhoods is to incorporate research, data analysis and lessons learned from other violent crime reduction initiatives to inform its decision-making on the most effective violence reduction strategies. Violent crime has terrorized many neighborhoods and resulted in unnecessary heartache, Ivey said in a statement. This program uses multiple resources to find local solutions to help communities weed out this evil and reduce crime in our neighborhoods. In all of Jefferson County, there were 194 homicides in 2024. The grant to Jefferson County will enable the Sheriffs Department to purchase equipment to join the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. This technology will enhance the ability of the Sheriffs Department and more than 20 law enforcement agencies in the county to solve crimes by tracing firearms and ballistic evidence, according to the release. The funding will be used to purchase equipment that will enhance our investigative efforts to combat violent crime. The equipment will allow us to identify those who continue to commit violent crime and disrupt their criminal activities, Sheriff Mark Pettway said in a statement. Birmingham ended 2024 with 151 homicides, the highest number of killings in the city in nearly a century. This year, Birmingham homicides dropped nearly 50% in the first three months of 2025 to a low not seen in eight years. While homicides are down this year, officials say there is more work to be done. The Birmingham Police Department plans to use its funds to update outdated or insufficient equipment. Police officials stated that the new upgrades will improve both communications and management of case files. Project Safe Neighborhoods is part of a nationwide effort to unite local, state and federal officials to devise strategies for combating violent crime cohesively. ADECA is administering the grant from funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. Map with the proposed zoning change from Residence 2A to Residence 2 in the city of Huntsville. The affected neighborhoods are in yellow. City of Huntsville The Huntsville City Council voted Thursday to rezone parts of the city to keep apartments out of established neighborhoods. The approval to rezone neighborhoods from Residence 2-A to Residence 2 came despite concerns by a couple of residents during a public hearing that the measure seemed to protect wealthier neighborhoods while the city needed more affordable workforce options. It would be a mistake, one that favors the privileged over the public, Slaughter Road resident Levi Montgomery said. You were saying this is protecting neighborhoods. I ask protecting them from what? From nurses, teachers and young families who need somewhere to live? But District 4 City Councilman Bill Kling and District 3 City Councilwoman Jennie Robinson said many of the neighborhoods being rezoned were not affluent neighborhoods, but aging neighborhoods where people with moderate incomes lived. Robinson said many of the neighborhoods were home to nurses, teachers and young families. Kling said the rezoning had the support of several neighborhood associations and hoped other neighborhoods would be added to the list. Manager of Planning Services Thomas Nunez said 52 neighborhoods are being rezoned. Mayor Tommy Battle said that all the neighborhoods involved were already platted only as single-family homes. He cited a neighborhood where homes were demolished, and apartments were built in their place. Battle said the apartments were not in character of the neighborhood. Nunez also said the zoning change would not keep developers from adding affordable housing options such as townhomes and duplexes. He also said other neighborhoods would be evaluated and could be rezoned later. The previous zoning would have allowed for the development of multifamily units (apartments and build-to-rent products). None of the neighborhoods involved contains undeveloped land in which apartments can be built, which was a concern of Planning Commission member Kyle Collins, who called the rezoning a good thing during a meeting in February. Nunez said the city did not want to rezone to strip somebodys property rights. He said during the February Planning Commission meeting the rezoning would protect the investment of current property owners. The change does not include restrictions that are not already included in R2A. City officials said the previous zoning designations were established decades ago. A comprehensive policy review by the city includes a policy to conduct zoning designation reviews every 10 years, ensuring that future development aligns with existing zoning standards. For more information on the rezoning change, visit HuntsvilleAL.gov/r2rezoning. See story: Is Huntsville about to ban apartments in your neighborhood? - al.com This is an opinion cartoon. Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, was abducted by ICE without charge. And denied bond. Why? Sounds like a good question for President Trump. Lucky for us, he graciously invited himself to give an insurrection merchandising speech at Alabamas commencement event next week in Tuscaloosa. Insurrection, commencement? Whatever. If its spewing from Dear Leaders pie hole its gonna be toxic. But lets talk about Alireza Doroudis predicament. Sign up for JD Crowes newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to JDs weekly newsletter, Crowe Jam. Excerpts from AL.com reports: Alireza Doroudis fiancee ashamed Trump speaking at University of Alabama: A very sad time for Tuscaloosa The fiancee of an Iranian-born University of Alabama doctoral student facing deportation said she is saddened by news that President Donald Trump will deliver a speech prior to the universitys spring commencement ceremonies. I just cant believe what my eyes are seeing, Sama Bajgani said. Free Doroudi!: Crowd gathers to protest detainment of Alabama graduate student Judge Maithe Gonzalez said Doroudi failed to meet the burden of showing that he was not a threat to national security. Gonzalez also ruled Doroudi was a flight risk due to being in the country with a revoked F-1 visa, no family in the country and what she said were scarce ties to the community. If he is deported, Doroudi will be sent to Iran, the judge said. Im flabbergasted, said Doroudis attorney, David Rozas. She said it would be our duty to show he is not a national security risk but the government has put forth no evidence in the record that my client is actually a national security risk, Rozas said. Theyre asking us to prove a negative, which is impossible to do. He has not been arrested for any crime, nor has he participated in any anti-government protests, the statement from Rozas said. He is legally present in the U.S., pursuing his American dream by working towards his doctorate in mechanical engineering. According to ICEs website, an individual can, stay in the United States on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your student status. Rozas added that a teacher from the University of Alabama was prepared to testify to Doroudis legal status during the hearing. Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe JD Crowe is the cartoonist for AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler at jdcrowe@al.com. FBI director Kash Patel seen 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. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP The FBIs arrest Friday of a Wisconsin judge who allegedly obstructed immigration agents from apprehending an undocumented man was an example of the Trump administration descending into authoritarianism or a justified action against judicial corruption, according to where pundits and social media influencers fall on the political spectrum. Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a Friday morning post on X that had been taken down before being reposted. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patel continued. Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, Patel said, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. Duggans arrest polarized pundits on both sides of the political aisle. This is a rubicon crossed, tweeted liberal commentator Molly Jong-Fast. The Lincoln Project, a political group formed by Republicans who oppose the MAGA agenda, said Dugans arrest was reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. This happens in North Korea, Russia, and now its happening here, the group said. MAGA is not American. This happens in North Korea, Russia, and now it's happening here. MAGA is not American. https://t.co/lOtFbgx43Y The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) April 25, 2025 Steve Schmidt, founder of The Lincoln Project who has worked on several Republican campaigns, said the arrest was conducted by the American Gestapo: When Kash Patel was confirmed as the Director of the FBI, we knew there would be abuses of power. I react to the arrest of Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan and explain how Patel has made the FBI into "America's Gestapo." Watch here: https://t.co/u928dkSeHY pic.twitter.com/VsYmE03DuT Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) April 25, 2025 This is an ominous event. This is a lawless administration, Schmidt said in a YouTube video. And we know that this arrest by the FBI is not legitimate because of the tweet Reichsfuhrer Patel that he quickly deleted before reposting, Schmidt said. Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla who has a visible Trump administration role through the Department of Government Efficiency, commended the arrest of Duggan. More judicial corruption, he tweeted. More judicial corruption https://t.co/5YDGiRWyhf Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 25, 2025 Keep it coming, tweeted Conservative influencer Benny Johnson. This is what I voted for. Two judges down in the past 24 hours. Keep it coming. This is what I voted for. pic.twitter.com/59EO2LYG8V Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 25, 2025 U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Dugans arrest should serve as a warning to other judges. We are going to prosecute you and we are prosecuting you, Bondi said during an appearance on Fox News America Reports. FOX NEWS: When you see these judges trying to obstruct your efforts to make this country safer, what is your message to them? BONDI: We are going to prosecute you and we are prosecuting you pic.twitter.com/7Q5999mFP8 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 25, 2025 Bondi also posted to X that no one is above the law, a phrase also tweeted out by President Donald Trumps political operation: Portraits of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were turned to face the wall at a Wisconsin Army base. Department of Defense The commander at an Army base in Wisconsin was suspended after portraits of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were turned to face the wall. In a statement, the senior commander at Fort McCoy and the U.S. Army Reserve said Col. Sheyla Baez-Ramirez was suspended last week for administrative reasons. As previously stated, she was not suspended for misconduct, the statement went on to say, adding that no one on the Fort McCoy leadership team, which includes Col. Baez-Ramirez, directed or supported the removal of any leader portraits. The Leader Board was corrected upon notification of the issue. The Defense Departments rapid response account on X tweeted a photo of how the leader board had been shown at the base before the issue was corrected: Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy. WE FIXED IT! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened. pic.twitter.com/y0gcRtBQZq DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) April 14, 2025 In a separate statement issued last week, the U.S. Army Reserve characterized the incident as an act of vandalism. The Fort McCoy leadership team and the Army Reserve were unaware of the vandalism of the Leadership Board at a building on Fort McCoy, WI. Once it was brought to their attention, the leadership at Fort McCoy took immediate action to correct it. Additionally, the command initiated an investigation to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, the statement read." The investigation remained ongoing as of Friday. Hegseth has faced scrutiny over revelations he disseminated Yemen attack plans through the encrypted chat app Signal in group texts. One of the group chats included a magazine reporter while the other featured Hegseths wife, brother and personal attorney. Trump came to Hegseths defense despite a report that the administration was looking into replacing Hegseth. Compassion, kindness, and the ability to identify a triangle; these are some of the attributes AL.com readers say theyre looking for in their next governor. Though there are no candidates officially running, speculation is running high that Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth might face off for the 2026 GOP primary. In a post to Facebook Friday, AL.com asked What do you want to see from the next person in office? In 2026, Alabamians will elect a new governor. What do you want to see from the next person in office? Tell us the priorities, values, or changes that matter most to you. Posted by al.com on Friday, April 25, 2025 Nearly 1,000 people responded. And while some have a particular candidate in mind like Doug Jones, who was mentioned the most, the majority of commentors focused on qualities they would like to see in state leadership. Compassion. Kindness. Dignity. Respect for all constituents. The willingness to move the state forward, wrote Elaine Henry in a comment that received over 200 likes. In other words, anything but what weve had for the past 20+ years. Somebody that the lobbyists cant buy, wrote Bedeah Waters. None of our representatives work for US. Bring that back. But the overwhelming majority of commentors were very vocal about what, or more accurately who, they didnt want to represent them. I can tell you what I DONT want to see, Tommy Tuberville, wrote Angie Barned in the second most liked comment. ANYONE and I do mean ANYONE other than Tommy Tubberville (sic) Im afraid we are doomed," wrote Sharon Chancellor. Tuberville for months has been in conversations surrounding the 2026 race. Yellowhammer News reported Tuberville told a group of donors at a private event on Wednesday night that his mind is officially made up and that he would run for governor rather than a second term in the U.S. Senate. But Tuberville downplayed his interest on Thursday, and said he and his wife are still weighing their options. While I appreciate all the interest, Suzanne and I are still praying about how to best serve the people of Alabama. When I have an official announcement about my future, youll hear it directly from me, he posted on social media. Commentor Jay A Gee also took a dig at the senator, writing he preferred someone who actually knows the 3 Branches of Government, oh and someone who actually lives in Alabama. The subject of Tubervilles residency came up during the race for the Republican nomination for Senate in 2020, Tubervilles first run for public office. Former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who challenged Tuberville in the race, raised the issue of Tubervilles residential property in the Florida panhandle. AL.com reported at that time that Tuberville and his wife, Suzanne, were both registered voters in Alabama and owned a home here, according to the Alabama Secretary of States Office. But by July 2023, the Tubervilles did not own a single square foot of property in Alabama after selling parcels in Macon and Tallapoosa counties for $1.4 million, according to a Washington Post report And while a spokesman for Alabamas senior senator maintained to the Post that Tubervilles primary residence is an Auburn house owned by his wife and son, campaign finance documents and property records suggest Tubervilles main home is in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, the paper reported. Theres no problem with that. We looked at that six, seven years ago. Its just people that are probably, maybe, wanting to run for governor. Hey, if you want to run, go run on your abilities. Dont try to trick somebody else. Theres nothing to that, Tuberville has said of residency questions. Ainsworth, who is considering a run for governor next year, has said that Tubervilles decision on whether to enter the race would not affect his plans. Sen. Tuberville, hes done a good job, Ainsworth has said. But that doesnt have any impact on my decision. The next few months could be warmer than average, according to forecasters. Above is the temperature outlook for May, June and July. All of Alabama has increased chances for above-average temperatures, with higher probabilities for south Alabama. Climate Prediction Center Meteorological summer doesnt begin until June 1, although Alabama is already feeling summer-like heat. But what will the summer bring to the state? The Farmers Almanac (which differs from the Old Farmers Almanac) has offered a guess with its summer forecast. But its not much of a surprise for those accustomed to Alabama summers. The Almanac is forecasting a brutally humid and wet summer season for Alabama, and the rest of the Southeast as well. (The Almanac includes Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida in its Southeast region.) The Almanac also said it could be wetter than usual along the Gulf Coast over the summer months. And there could be a possible hurricane threat. The Almanac said that a hurricane will be possible for the Florida Gulf Coast during the second week of August, and that storm could go on to threaten the southeast Atlantic coast of the U.S. The Almanac also said a second hurricane threat will be possible along the Atlantic coast during the second week of September. August and September typically are some of the most active months for hurricanes in the Atlantic. What about the Fourth of July? The Almanac has a forecast for that. The Almanac says to be on the lookout for big thunderstorms in north Alabama (as well as parts of Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia) on Independence Day. What about the forecast for the rest of the U.S.? Heres the Almanac summer forecast for the rest of the U.S.: Northeast and New England (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.): Broiling with average precipitation. Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin): Sultry, thunder-filled. North Central (Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana): Scorching with average rainfall. South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico): Sizzling, showery. Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho): Warm, dry. Southwest (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona): Hot, very dry. What about other summer outlooks? NOAAs Climate Prediction Center has an outlook for temperature and precipitation for the months of May, June and July. The temperature outlook, shown at the top of this post, includes higher chances for above-average temperatures in Alabama over those three months. South Alabama has a 50-60 percent probability of above-average temperatures, and the rest of the state has a 40-50 percent probability. What about rain? This is the precipitation outlook for the months of May, June and July. Southwest Alabama has the best chances of seeing above-average precipitation during those months. CPC The precipitation outlook, also for the months of May through July, includes above 40-50 percent probability for above-average rainfall for Alabamas coastal areas. The rest of south Alabama and the southern half of central Alabama has a 33-40 percent probability for above-average rainfall. The rest of the state will have equal chances for above-average or below-average rainfall over those three months. The Climate Prediction Center will update those forecasts frequently. Some upcoming dates: English News Wearable robotics bring a high-tech edge to hiking in China Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 22 Avril 2025 While tourists are the primary market, the company also sees broader applications: the exoskeletons are already being tested for use by sanitation crews and goods porters in scenic areas, promising a high-tech lift for more than just hikers. By Fan Haotian, Tian Xianjin, Wang Zhe, People's Daily With crisp spring air and sun-drenched skies drawing crowds into the mountains, many hikers across China are finding that their treks now come with a new companion: cutting-edge robotic assistance. High above the forested valleys of central China's Hubei province, the Enshi Grand Canyon draws visitors with jagged cliffs and towering peaks, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. During this year's Qingming Festival holiday, the area welcomed 25,000 tourists - a year-on-year increase of over 30 percent. For Mr. Yang, a local resident recovering from a leg fracture, the journey to the Qixingzhai scenic area of the canyon began with a cable car ride. But the real challenge came after: a daunting staircase carved into the mountainside. Still hesitant to push his limits, Yang was offered something unexpected - a wearable robotic exoskeleton. In seconds, the lightweight device was strapped to his waist and legs. To his surprise, each step grew easier. "It's like wearing a waist pack," he said. "You can really feel the push going uphill - even on level ground, it helps you move forward." Recently, the scenic area brought in more than a dozen robotic exoskeletons from Shenzhen, the tech hub in south China's Guangdong province. Lightweight at just around 1.8 kilograms, the devices offer three to five hours of battery life and six power levels, allowing users to fine-tune their experience - dialing up for steep climbs, or easing off on gentler paths. In parks and peaks across China, high-tech hiking aids are no longer a novelty - they are quickly becoming part of the outdoor experience. The rise of wearable robotics reflects a broader wave of innovation sweeping through the country's tourism and fitness industries, making trails more accessible to a wider public, including those with limited mobility. At Helan Mountain National Forest Park in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, more than 20,000 tourists visited during this year's Qingming Festival holiday. About 300 tourists of them strapped into robotic hiking gear. Elsewhere, iconic destinations like Mount Taishan and Huangshan Mountain are also embracing the shift. Visitors can now rent not only robotic exoskeletons but also smart trekking poles and robotic walking assistants - all designed to ease the burden of steep inclines and long trails. "These products are incredibly popular and often booked out in advance," said a staff member at Mount Taishan scenic area. Since January, the scenic spot has offered robotic hiking assistants for rent at 80 yuan ($10.92) for a three-hour session - and demand has been brisk. Mile Bot, a robotics company based in Huangshan city, east China's Anhui province, has developed a smart walking robot tailored for outdoor hiking and stair climbing. The device recently underwent field trials on the slopes of Huangshan Mountain. "We gathered a great deal of user feedback during the trials," said Zuo Zongsheng, a company executive. "Now we're refining the design to make the product more intuitive and user-friendly." The robot's core design draws from Mile Bot's experience in rehabilitation robotics, where the company has developed medical-assist products, including exoskeletons for lower-limb paralysis recovery and treadmill-based recovery devices in medical setting. The hiking model, by comparison, is sleek and compact: a battery pack, motorized power arm, thigh straps and fasteners make up the entire unit. "Flip the switch, and the motor kicks in, guiding your leg forward with every step," Zuo explained. "It takes less than 30 seconds to put on, and users can select from five power levels based on the terrain." What sets the device apart, Zuo said, is its flexible drive system - designed to mimic natural movement more smoothly than traditional rigid mechanisms. It not only feels safer but also more responsive to the user's stride. Looking ahead, Mile Bot plans to trim the device's weight, bolster its durability, and introduce seasonal versions with breathable or insulated materials for different weather conditions. While tourists are the primary market, the company also sees broader applications: the exoskeletons are already being tested for use by sanitation crews and goods porters in scenic areas, promising a high-tech lift for more than just hikers. 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) Image: Siege of Constantinople (Philippe de Mazerolles, ca. 1460) With over thirteen million inhabitants, Constantinople is by far the largest city in Europe. To the visitor, the ancient center presents itself as a confusing maze of winding streets, dilapidated townhouses, and narrow squares with weathered monuments. Nowadays, however, few Westerners are familiar with the tragic history of the place. As we have long ago denied our Christian origins and are constantly indoctrinated by revolutionary activists to hate our own heritage, history in general has been dismissed. Failing scientific tradition and integrity, we play along with the victim-offender dichotomy of Western culpability and non-Western innocence. The price for academic cowardice in the West, complicated by poor education and common ignorance, however, may ultimately prove to be high. Constantinople has led a turbulent life. Founded in 324 on the site of an existing city, Byzantium, whose history according to Herodotus dates back to 667 BC, it was proclaimed the capital of the Roman Empire in 330. After Germanic tribes overran the Western Roman Empire in 376476, the invaders themselves fleeing from the Huns, the city retained its position as the administrative and cultural center of the Eastern Roman Empire until the Ottoman siege in 1453. For over a thousand years, the heir to the Hellenistic-Roman civilization experienced alternating periods of prosperity and adversity. What sealed the fate of the Roman Empire was something like civilizational exhaustion and an inability to contain the belligerent energy of invading tribes. Rather than scientific and artistic inferiority, the collapse of the Western Roman Empire was due to an indecisive (divided, incompetent) central government, widespread decadence, and falling birth rates. A similar decline later marked the Eastern Roman Empire which came under increasing pressure from Seljuk Turks (Ottomans) and Bulgarians. In the long run, neither the Western Roman nor the Eastern Roman Empire could resist invading masses of people with pagan and Islamic belief systems, respectively. A sad interlude was the creation of the Latin Empire of Constantinople. Leaders of the Fourth Crusade, a pious undertaking originally intended to retake Jerusalem from the Muslims, turned against their Christian brothers, frustrated with failed intrigues, and treacherously decided to sack the city in 2004, replace the Orthodox with a Catholic emperor, and divide the province into vassal states intended for the conspirators as rewards. After a long period of decline, the Byzantine Empire was restored in 1261. That Christians could really be so inconsiderate as to fight each other rather than join forces and confront the external enemy from the east was like a reenactment of the grueling rivalry of Greek city-states in the shadow of an expanding Achaemenid Empire. There are also parallels in more recent history. Leaving aside the Dantean carnage of WWI, a monument to Christian suicidality, European powers have gambled with civilization time and again. Rather than allow the Russian Empire to expand at the expense of the Ottoman Empire and capture Constantinople, both the British and the French chose to enter the Crimean War on the Ottoman side for the sake of the balance of power in Europe. And in these years, Russia is waging war against Christian breakaway provinces (e.g. Georgia, Ukraine), as they are apparently perceived, while staying on friendly terms with Muslim strongmen from the region. It is as if the Christian suicide orgy will never end. We continue to make short-term decisions as if we do not know friend from foe. Christians have been expelled from the Levant, Mesopotamia, and North Africa. In the Caucasus, Armenians and Georgians suffer for the sovereignty of their respective lands, sandwiched between Muslim nations in the east and west. Ominously, expectations are not much brighter in Western Europe where stagnant populations in a vicious spiral of material indulgence, spiritual poverty (including historical unawareness), and masochistic self-doubt are humbling themselves before the supremacist enemy. Islam has waged war against them since the seventh century. Nevertheless, on the back of irresistible migrations, it has recently been allowed to expand unhindered in the middle of their society. As late as after WWI, Christians made up the majority in Constantinople. And after WWII, the Christian majority in Lebanon was intact. Meanwhile, the war against Christians has been dragging on. The most powerful weapon in that war is ultimately demographic. In that respect, nothing has changed since the beginning of time. Thanks to state-directed massacres, community harassment, and forced displacement, Christian majorities have been transformed into minorities. Conversely, new majorities are growing exponentially due to high birth rates, taking over entire cities and lands. Supposedly, the proportion of Christians in Turkey declined from 2025% in 1914 to about 2% in 1927 further dropping to as little as 0.20.4% today. However, the Islamic-nationalist rulers were not finished with their work yet. Against this background, the so-called Istanbul pogrom took place in 1955. Atrocities planned and orchestrated by the ruling party (and a number of security agencies) were directed against Greek residents of Constantinople. As is also used in police states like the Iranian one, when there is a need to give government repression the appearance of street disorder, armed thugs from the province were drafted in for the occasion. People identified as Greeks, but also Armenians and Jews, were assaulted, and property belonging to Christians was plundered and burned down. Like Nazi authorities on Kristallnacht in 1938, Turkish police, complicit in the pogrom, remained passive during the mob attacks going uninterrupted until a declaration of martial law. Thus, army intervention followed nine long hours of staged anarchy. Of the estimated 65,000 inhabitants of Greek origin who lived in Constantinople in 1955, a mere 2,500 descendants remain today. On the whole, Turkish nationalists got away with their crimes once again in 1955. It is hardly unreasonable to assume that they have been encouraged by pioneering experiences on a much larger scale from the beginning of the century. In line with this suspicion, apparently without caring about international law and justice, they invaded and occupied Cyprus in 1974. Relying blindly on Americans to come to their rescue, as they did in WWI and WWII, Western Europeans have become soft-spoken and pliant. They are said to believe in soft power. However, this falls short in the face of implacable enemies desiring to deceive and dominate you. Since 1979, Europeans have been conducting a critical dialogue with the Tehran Mullahs without any apparent success. For years, Europeans tried to oblige the Russians to peaceful coexistence by expanding trade unsuccessfully. Faced with an immediate demand for military mobilization and mass production of war materiel, decision-makers in Brussels are paralyzed by concerns about welfare benefits and climate change. It takes strength and sound judgment to be a good leader. And nations need good leaders to survive. History teaches us something about events and trends testing the will and ability of a nation to survive. If tricked into self-loathing by Marxists and Islamists alike, we renounce our place in history. It is sobering to consider the plight of Christians in their lands of origin following Islamic conquests. Those, who mislead us with tales of white-Christian imperialism-colonialism, conceal the fact that Christianity preceded Islam in the Old World. Advancing from the Arabian Peninsula, warriors of the Rashidun Caliphate first put Christians to flight along the Mediterranean. From the Gulf of Guinea to the Bay of Bengal, ongoing persecution of Christians involves assault, looting, and vandalism. For cowards to actually believe that they get another chance from above every time they fail is idiotic. Constantinople was the splendid capital of an empire that lasted for over a thousand years. However, it ultimately succumbed to ideological supremacism and unlimited brutality. Philosophical-scientific ideas and technological superiority may provide advantages in the short term. In the end, however, it is those showing both faith in destiny and resolve who emerge victorious. The tragedy of Constantinople should be a reminder to anybody, who belongs to the Christian community, to resist defeatism, come to their senses, and save civilization while there is time. Otherwise, they may become extinct. Jesse Watters says, These people [Democrat leadership] have convinced themselves that when theyre not in power, theyre going to diebut nobodys dying. They never do. [snip] Trumps the first president in forty years to cut waste, fraud and abuse. Democrats are jealous that he is doing things that they ran on and never did. Thats what is making them crazy. Their dirty little playbook was to say that they were going to do stuff, never do it, and then just keep running on it again, and again, and again, so they could be politicians for life, and get rich insider trading and taking half the week off. But Trump is fixing the problems and finding their fraud. So, the jigs up. And when they say the worlds going to end. Yeah, their worlds ending. Their reality is over, and they never thought it would happen. So, they are having a hard time coming to grips with reality. Clinical psychologists call this a psychotic break, when you sever yourself from reality and live in a different world that you have created in your own mind. Is Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-MD, having a psychotic break? Raskin stated, [W]hen we come back to power, and we will, we are not going to look kindly upon people whofacilitated authoritarianism in our country, because thats an assault on our Constitution, and on our people. Raskin was ranting about President Trumps deportation of illegal alien criminal gang members back to their country of origin. Raskin added, The whole idea that [Nayib] Bukele doesnt have any power to return an American prisoner who was sent to him under an agreement where he is getting paid $6 million by America is ridiculous. Obviously, something has slipped in Raskins mind. The American prisoner to which Raskin is referring is not an American, but is instead an illegal alien from El Salvador who has been found to be a member of MS-13 in two different American courts and now has been returned to his country of origin where he was imprisoned because he is a criminal. Further proving that something has slipped in Raskins mind, concerning foreign countries supporting Trumps policies, Raskin has threatened them with retribution when [Democrats] come back to power. Raskin has even called for cutting off foreign aid to El Salvador in response to its cooperation with the Trump administrations deportation of illegal alien criminal gang members. Raskins comments were made on Pod Save America hosted by Tommy Vietor on April 19 with Vietor agreeing with Raskin that Democrats should threaten to take action against any foreign government that participates in the extraordinary rendition of American citizens. The Google dictionary defines rendition to mean, the practice of sending a foreign criminal or terrorist suspect covertly to be interrogated in a country with less rigorous regulations for the humane treatment of prisoners. Well, joining Raskin, it looks like Vietors mind has slipped as well, as the word rendition would not describe an American citizen, but on top of all of that, these deportees are not American citizens. That is why these illegal aliens are being deported back to the country from which they came. These deportees are Salvadoran gang members running violent criminal rackets in the U.S. undermining the U.S. democracy and safety of American citizens. Jesses Watters stated, Barack Obama deported three million illegals. No one called him a dictator, and no one said citizens are next. Obamas people didnt even think it was controversial. Then Jesse played a clip of an interview taken with a member of Obamas administration who stated that Obama was deporting 400,000 illegals per year, and now we have the Democrat party crying over 261 illegal alien violent gang members being deported to their country of origin, which then promptly put them into prison, because of crimes already committed against humanity. Then Jesse brought up the truth that Obama drone-striked an American citizen overseas, with Jesse asking the questions, What has more due process? Your president murdering you without a hearing? Or your president flying an illegal alien home? Is it any wonder that old-time level-headed Democrats are leaving the sinking Partys ship? Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., after 44 years of service, has decided not to run for re-election in 2026. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., did not seek Senate re-election in 2024. Manchin lamented the divide between Democrats and Republicans across the country, and stated that Americans were just plain worn out by the partisanship. Manchin was ranked as the most bipartisan member of the U.S. Senate by one nonprofit organization. Democrats have left or are leaving because the Democrat party is itself, having a psychotic break. Even the liberal Harvard University Youth Poll shows that the approval ratings for Democrats in Congress among Americans age 1829 is 23%, which is a nosedive from the 42% approval in the spring of 2017 at the start of Trumps first term. So, there is hope that people are realizing that the Democrat party is having a psychotic break and is totally out of touch with American citizens and common sense. What is fascinating and horrifying at the same time, is when you observe who it is agreeing with the Democrat party as they threaten foreign countries supporting President Trumps policies. The agency agreeing with the Democrat partys politics isthe Chinese Ministry of Commerce, which is threatening countries that dare cut deals with the United States of America. Who are these Democrats representing, their constituency, or China? Are they acting like a U.S. representative, or, are they acting like the Chinese leader who Joe Biden called a dictator at least twice? So, who is the dictator, Trump or the Democrats who are acting in the same fashion as a communist dictator? One cannot help but notice that Raskin quit wearing his pirate skull-cap after an op-ed criticized him concerning the fact that he looked like a pirate. Even without his pirates hat, he apparently still has a pirates heart. Perhaps that is what is wrong with all of the Democrat party. They all have lying, thieving pirate hearts, and Trump is stopping them and ending the grift. Trump called Democrats the enemy from within, stating that they are more dangerous than any foreign adversary of the United States. Was he wrong? Image: Edward Kimmel from Takoma Park, MD, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. We still use the internet under net neutrality regulations (aka Obamanet), despite its repeal by the Trump administration in 2017 and an unsuccessful attempt to reimpose them on the federal level by the Biden administration. The issue persists because regulations equivalent to net neutrality were enacted as state laws by nearly all Democrat-controlled states, effectively imposing it as a nationwide mandate. For example, California passed a harsh net neutrality law, SB-822, in 2018 while the FCC repeal of Obamanet was still enjoined and litigated. This California legislation was challenged by industry groups in 2018, who were joined by the Department of Justice in 2020. This was a half-hearted effort. The plaintiffs brought only claims and arguments based on federal preemption. The court did not grant an injunction, and the litigation continued into the Biden administration, when plaintiffs dropped their case. Plaintiffs elected not to bring constitutional claims, despite net neutrality laws and regulations breaching at least the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, and the famous Section 230. The industry groups were likely intimidated, and the DOJ was in shambles. Image by Grok. Contrary to the massive propaganda, net neutrality regulations and laws do not regulate broadband internet service providers. These laws regulate how citizens access and use the internet from their homes. It is achieved by defining all the ways customers want to obtain content and services over the internet as broadband internet access, then prohibiting all services that allow customers to exercise their First and Fourth Amendment rights. The target of the regulations is the citizenry, not industry. This is how it is done in Californias SB-822, which offers the following definitions (emphasis added): Broadband Internet access service means a mass-market retail service by wire or radio provided to customers in California that provides the capability to transmit data to, and receive data from, all or substantially all Internet endpoints... Broadband Internet access service also encompasses any service provided to customers in California that provides a functional equivalent of that service or that is used to evade the protections set forth in this title. [snip] Internet service provider means a business that provides broadband Internet access service to an individual, corporation, government, or other customer in California. With those definitions in mind, SB-822 states in relevant part that It shall be unlawful for a fixed Internet service provider, insofar as the provider is engaged in providing fixed broadband Internet access service, to engage in any of the following activities:. (1) Blocking lawful content, applications, services, or nonharmful devices, subject to reasonable network management. [Authors note: porn and content causing mental illness are lawful, but most parents want them blocked from access by their kids] [snip] (3) Requiring consideration, monetary or otherwise, from an edge provider, including, but not limited to, in exchange for any of the following: (A) Delivering Internet traffic to, and carrying Internet traffic from, the Internet service providers end users. In a free market, high volume edge providers, such as Google, YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, TikTok, CNN, or their consumers, should pay for the delivery of their content. Thats how all other industries work. Here, everyone else is forced to pay. Notice the central trick, common to all net neutrality rulings: the capability to exchange data with substantially all Internet endpoints is misrepresented as the customers consent, intent, or even commitment to exchange data with substantially all Internet endpoints. From this point, the violation of rights is claimed as protection. Importantly, customers do not require protection from internet service providers since they can effortlessly switch providers or pursue legal recourse. However, California law explicitly prohibits consumers from waiving any of the protections purportedly provided by it (SB-822, paragraph 3104). Robert McChesney, a co-founder of Free Pressthe neo-Marxist group instrumental in pushing Obamas net neutrality regulationswrote in 2008: No one thinks any longer that media reform is an issue to solve after the revolution. Everyone understands that without media reform, there will be no revolution. Starting in 2010, Obamas net neutrality represented the media reform they sought. This aligned closely with Big Tech interests, partially explaining the affinity between Big Tech billionaires and revolutionary groups. This is how net neutrality regulations since 2010 and state-level laws since 2018 violate the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments. First Amendment Violation Net neutrality laws and regulations compel internet users to financially support the dissemination of speech they oppose, constituting the especially severe infringement of the First Amendment rights known as compelled speech. Additionally, net neutrality laws and regulations prevent publishers from purchasing network bandwidth and related services to disseminate their content. This is analogous to restricting newspaper publishers access to paper and printing presses. Fourth Amendment Violation Net neutrality laws and regulations intrude into citizens homes, thus breaching the Fourth Amendment. This breach is physical because we access the internet through modem-routers within our homes. Net neutrality prohibits internet service providers (ISPs) and other businesses from offering content filtering and network security services to interested consumers. While the regulations theoretically allow interference with harmful traffic, ISPs are technically unable to differentiate between harmful and legitimate traffic, rendering network-side security services impossible. Children face severe dangers beyond mere exposure to pornography, and parents are powerless. Fifth Amendment Violation Net neutrality laws and regulations involve taking citizens ISP fees, thus violating the Fifth Amendment. The ISP fees taken and redistributed through net neutrality are about $240 billion annually. This amount includes mobile and fixed Internet. A fraction of this immense sum funds significant propaganda efforts and amicus appearances supporting net neutrality. As long as the state net neutrality laws stand (i.e., not pre-empted by the federal government and not struck down by courts), free political debate will be impossible, and far-left tech and media will continue to reign. The issue is somewhat technical. There is a complete argument against net neutrality (aka open internet, aka Obamanet) regulations, which includes further historical, economic, and legislative context. The good news is that the Democrats have finally figured out that calling Trump "Hitler" is a loser. The bad news is that they are switching to "dark woke," a new strategy based on throwing everything they have at the President. Here it goes: "Resistance" Democrats are starting to abandon civil politics in favor of a new provocative and combative "dark woke," a new report says. The term "dark woke" refers to an online meme that gained popularity in January amid President Donald Trumps inauguration. Under the "#darkwoke" tag, left-leaning X users share jokes and memes delighting in or wishing for the suffering of Trump supporters. Though the term is largely an online phenomenon, some members of the Democratic Party are beginning to see some benefits to the "crass" and "rude" attitude. "Republicans have essentially put Democrats in a respectability prison," Bhavik Lathia, a communications consultant and former digital director for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, told the New York Times on Monday. "There is an extreme imbalance in strategy that allows Republicans to say stuff that really grabs voters attention, where were stuck saying boring pablum. I see this as a strategic shift within Democratic messaging -- Im a big fan of dark woke." So it's dark woke now! It looks like the face of this new movement is Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a lady who represents the one district in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that everybody wants to move out of. Just take a car ride around the district, and tell me if that's where you want to settle down. Texas is leading the nation in relocations, but no one is looking for a property in that district. The Democrats think that "dark woke" will make it easier for them to communicate with young people and recover all those votes that they used to count on election day. Time will tell, but using four-letter words to talk about Trump and Musk is probably not going to turn their fate around. Recent polls show that the party leadership has reached a historic low. I hope that the Democrats don't interpret those "lows" as not using enough bad words or turning up their name-calling. My guess is that people who will buy into that new approach are already voting for them. David Hogg, the DNC #2 who started this conversation, is right about one thing. The party is not doing well when poll after poll shows approval ratings in the 20s. So wait for Jasmine and the gang to unleash profanity and whatever else they come up with. Will it work? Probably not, but I hope that we sit back and let them have the microphones for a while. Let them talk because the country needs to see what the other side is all about, i.e., nothing of substance. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: AT via Magic Studio Europe has genuflected to Islam while America has bent the knee to multiculturalism; both are arguably the same. The engine is Marxism, and were seeing that what cant be won at the ballot box is doing amazingly well in the streets and growing in power and acceptance in our courts. Marxism is more than a textbook definition; it is an always morphing state of mind with only one defining quality: the subservience of the individual to the State and/or an authoritarian that knows best. Whether people call themselves progressive, leftist, anarchist, socialist, or communist, among other names, all are ideologies that seek to control people through whatever narrative serves them best. Today, that narrative is multiculturalism, a cultural reworking of economic Marxism. The goal is to restrict individuals ability to think and act in their best interest in favor of the imperial they, with few knowing who actually pulls the strings (visualize Bidens Trojan Horse presidency). The cudgel they use with the greatest effectiveness is placing a little person on your shoulder, constantly whispering in your ear the unfair advantage others have that you dont. Class envy was Marxs most potent teaching. Image created using AI. Karl Marx leveraged the concept of class envy as a critical tool to highlight the inequalities within capitalist systems and advocate for communism. He argued that the division between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (working class) created a fundamental antagonism. This antagonism stemmed from workers alleged exploitation, for they produced wealth but received only a fraction of its value, while the bourgeoisie profited disproportionately. The connective tissue of multiculturalism uniformly weaves a misleading tale of caring for the downtrodden and those who, for whatever reason, arent enjoying being part of a country of free and self-reliant people. Part of that connective tissue is incipient hatred for the successful, especially independent thinkers and entrepreneurs. We see this vividly play out in violent and illogical demonstrations on our campuses and streets by uneducated young people led by professional agitators. The beauty of the lefts hatred is that it never has to be based on provable truths; it just must be believed, much like any other religion that demands faith over provable fact. While not a religion per se, it takes on many of the same trappings, fooling weak and uneducated minds with popular narratives in place of actual knowledge and truth. Examples abound. Here are two particularly instructive examples of the daily lunacy that progressives unceasingly step in. The first is domestic, and involves the attacks on Teslas as a protest against Elon Musk (who owns less than 13% of Tesla shares): Soros-backed Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty will not seek criminal charges for the Tim Walz staffer who vandalized at least six Teslas in Minnesota, causing $20,000 in damage. The Hennepin County Attorneys Office will seek diversion rather than criminal charges. Last week, TGP reported that a fiscal policy analyst for Minnesota Governor (and failed VP candidate) Tim Walzs administration was caught on camera vandalizing a Tesla. Dylan Bryan Adams, 33, was caught on camera keying a Tesla while walking his dog. Oh, and he keeps his government job! Meanwhile, in Europe, we just witnessed a startlingly similar assault on law and justice using political lawfare against the likely next French President (based on current polling): Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzling European Union funds (of which she received none). She and her party, National Rally (RN), were accused of diverting over 4 million to pay staff in France. The court handed her a four-year prison sentence (two years suspended), a 100,000 fine, and a five-year ban from running for public office. This ban prevents her from participating in the 2027 presidential election. She plans to appeal the ruling. It is important to note that Marine Le Pen is the leading voice against the present Islamization of Europe today: The progressive Islamisation of our country and the increase in political-religious demands are calling into question the survival of our civilization. One need not agree with everything she says, but current policies in Europe, especially in France, will inevitably lead to the outcome she warns us of. While the details, at a fundamental level, both the American and European left are totalitarians. Our valued and historic systems of government and ethics are being turned on their heads. These hateful usurpers of truth and light must not be allowed to succeed. Hold fast to our traditions, history, God, and family itself, which are the objects of their hatred. Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com. If you like American Thinkers content, please consider subscribing here for an ad-free experience and access to an exclusive, weekly newsletter offering insight from the editorial staff. If I were to tell you that a man allegedly walked into a gun store, stole more than two thousand dollars worth of gear (body armor, magazines, pepper spray), left behind a list of items he needed to getwhich included survival gear and knives and a bow and arrowsreportedly schemed to carry out a mass casualty event in the next 24 hours, and posted disturbing gun images to social media with misspelled hashtags like #deathtoamerikkan&israelliImperialism, what kind of man do you think Im talking about? (Word to the wise, Israeli is spelled with just one L.) If you guessed an Islamic jihadi, youd be correct. Charges: Strong indicators Mankato shoplifter was preparing to conduct some sort of attack Mohamed Adan Mohamed was arrested last week; a BCA agent said "there were strong indicators that Mohamed was preparing to conduct some sort of attack (Mass Casualty Event) in the next pic.twitter.com/7HsDMInncP Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) April 23, 2025 Now, if I were to ask you to guess where this man was when he allegedly engaged in this sick behavior, what would you say? I mean, he should live in Somalia or Ethiopia, or wherever he and his family actually hail from, but instead, weve been cursed with open borders political executives, and for decades, third world Muslims have been pouring in, bringing with them the chaos and death of their culture and homelands. So this is actually a story out ofMinnesota. Yes, a place which had historically low crime rates thanks to the demographics of the state at that time. But then Ilhan Omar and her ilk blew in and turned the Land of 10,000 Lakes into Somaliland, USA. Remember this, from 2016? A man who stabbed nine people at a mall in central Minnesota before he was shot dead is a soldier of the Islamic State, the militant groups news agency said on Sunday, as the FBI investigated the attack as a potential act of terrorism. Why does the name Mohamed (to include all the other spelling variations) always seem to equate to jihadism and mass casualty events? Just wait until this Mohamed becomes the new darling of the left, and Tim Walz invites him to dinner, where Gwen Walz can gush about how much she would have loved to open the windows to smell the blood, and really soak in the touchstone moment of change and revolution that could have manifested, were it not for pesky law enforcement officials and a general public desire for law and order. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Its big news: Judge Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, was arrested today because she allegedly assisted an illegal alien in escaping when ICE agents showed up at the courthouse to arrest him. If youre like me, youre not surprised that a leftist judge broke the law. Instead, youre extremely surprised that the federal government is making her pay the price for her illegal conduct. The underlying allegations are simple: In a criminal complaint, the U.S. Justice Department said Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, refused to turn over the man after immigration agents showed up to arrest him in her courtroom on April 18, and that she tried to help him evade arrest by allowing him to exit through a jury door. (You can read all the allegations here.) According to Pam Bondi, Dugan acted with overwrought intent: Wild! Attorney General Pam Bondi explains what really happened with Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan that led to her arrest by FBI: "The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy, because he had been deported in 2013, came back into our country, charged with committing these pic.twitter.com/Af7a1JdJR4 Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 25, 2025 Just as the allegations are simple, so is the law. Per 8 U.S.C. 1324: (a) Criminal penalties (1)(A) Any person who [snip] (iii) knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation; [snip] shall be punished as provided in subparagraph (B). According to subparagraph (B), the consequences are steep: Since Dugan presumably acted not for financial gain, which could mean up to 10 years in prison, but for other reasons (e.g., fighting imaginary Nazis), she faces fines or up to five years in prison, or both. Dugan has now joined Judge Jose Joel Cano, the recently resigned New Mexico judge, and his wife, Nancy, who were arrested for allegedly knowingly harboring in their home an illegal alien who is a Tren de Aragua member. Because I am accustomed to morally corrupt leftist judges, having practiced law in the San Francisco Bay Area for 30 years, it doesnt surprise me in the slightest that these judges, assuming the allegations are true, blatantly violated federal law. After all, as weve seen for years now, leftist judges will not apply the law to favored defendants, whether because the defendants belong to a Democrat protected class (race, sexual identity, etc.) or because the judges disagree with the law. Given that fact, why would they balk when it came to their own conduct and laws with which they disagree? So, no surprise there. Im also unsurprised at the way the news is being greeted on the left, which is that its just so wrong that she was arrested. After all, for leftists, there is no difference between people who are innocents rounded up strictly based on their race, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, rounding up people who arrived in this country illegally and committed heinous crimes, such as murder, rape, and drug and sex trafficking. Theres also no difference in their minds between the innocents being slaughtered en masse and people here illegally being returned to their own countries or, if criminals, sent to a prison: NOW: Hundreds of protesters gather at the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee to support of Judge Hannah Dugan who was arrested and accused of helping a man elude ICE agents last week. More on @CBS58 tonight at 4 and 5pm pic.twitter.com/gTypvGRdRH PAVLINA OSTA (@pavlinaosta) April 25, 2025 HAPPENING NOW: Protesters have gathered outside a federal courthouse in Milwaukee following the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan pic.twitter.com/pHyS7poLD0 Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) April 25, 2025 Then theres Milwaukees mayor, Cavalier Johnson, complaining that its just so wrong for the Trump administration to scare innocent illegal alienswith the implication that the judge acted righteously: Unbelievable. The Democrat Mayor of Milwaukee Cavalier Johnson just criticized the Trump administration for arresting Judge Hannah Dugan for obstructing ICE from arresting an illegal accused of domestic violence, because it's "scaring immigrant communities" and "it's making our pic.twitter.com/4Fe0NxOR11 Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 25, 2025 Milwaukees County Executive had exactly the same linehow dare the Trump administration scare these nice illegal aliens? My statement on the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan. pic.twitter.com/i02SG1xfTZ County Executive David Crowley (@DavidCrowleyWI) April 25, 2025 Then theres Milwaukees mayor, Cavalier Johnson, complaining that its just so wrong for the Trump administration to scare innocent illegal alienswith the implication that the judge acted righteously:Milwaukees County Executive had exactly the same linehow dare the Trump administration scare these nice illegal aliens? So, no, none of the above surprises me. What surprises me is that, faced with judges who allegedly openly violated very clear laws, the Trump administration actually arrested them. Ive been worried that Pam Bondi and Kash Patel might have been all hat and no cattle, but perhaps they were just getting their ducks in a row, cleaning the rot out of their agencies, finding people they can trust, and making sure to pick cases that are so blatant that, even if rogue judges or juries pervert the outcome, the public will know whats going on. Image: X screen grab. If you like American Thinkers content, please consider subscribing here for an ad-free experience and access to an exclusive, weekly newsletter offering insight from the editorial staff. While media pundits and other high-profile Democrats have relentlessly fearmongered about President Trumps plans to gut entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicaid, it turns out Gavin Newsom was quietly doing exactly that. From Kristen Hwang at CalMatters just yesterday: In 2022, California made sweeping changes to its Medi-Cal program that reimagined what health care could look like for some of the states poorest and sickest residents by covering services from housing to healthy food. But the future of that program, known as CalAIM, could be at risk under the Trump administration. In recent weeks, federal officials have signaled that support for creative uses of Medi-Cal funding is waning, particularly uses that California has invested in such as rent assistance and medically tailored meals. Medi-Cal is Californias name for Medicaid. Medically tailored meals in laymans terms is: healthy food. According to Hwang, beginning in 2022 the Biden administration began to offer federal waivers that would allow states to experiment with their Medicaid programs to try to save money and improve health outcomes and hence, CalAIM was born. So naturally, Newsome took the opportunity to implement socialist ideas that have failed since their inception, and obliterated the states finances. For context, CBS News reported less than two weeks ago that there is currently a $6.2 billion hole in the states Medicaid budget. For more context, those are the losses after just one year. So Newsoms actually been gutting and stealing from Medi-Cal enrollees to pay for more food stamps and housing the bums, giving the public the illusion of less homelessnesswhich has been a major complaint from the voterswhile the media accuses Trump of being the threat to entitlement programs. Got it; sounds about right. Like I noted in a blog yesterday, only the government is a condemning observationand its at-play again. Only a government, running a state that happens to be the worlds fourth largest economy, only being beaten by the United States as a whole, China, and Germany, with a GDP of more than $4.1 trillion, could be on the brink of insolvency. If youre one of those people who hasnt yet figured out the problem, allow me to explain, a la James Carville: its the policies, stupid! Image: Gage Skidmora, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr, unaltered. In just under three weeks, the political establishment demonstrated its speed and ruthlessness when it came to taking down former national security adviser Mike Flynn. Freshly appointed and barely settled into his role, Flynn was the target of a coordinated sting operation that most now know was highly illegal. Flynn was pressured into resignation and publicly humiliated. Two months later, the out-of-power political class installed Robert Mueller as special counsel. Mueller, in turn, tapped Rod Rosenstein the very man who signed off on those dubious FISA warrant renewals that followed to lead the charge. Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in a display of weakness that still reverberates, recused himself, handing over control of a historic investigation to those with glaring conflicts of interest. Rosenstein had far more reason to recuse himself than did Sessions. The contrast between that rapid, calculated maneuver and the current behavior of Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel is striking and troubling. More than three months have passed since President Trump returned to the Oval Office, and despite bold rhetoric and carefully staged photo ops, neither Bondi nor Patel has delivered anything resembling real accountability for the entrenched criminal elements within the government. This inaction has not been lost on Flynn, who is demanding that Bondi and Patel hold the Crossfire Hurricane conspirators accountable. Instead, what we have is theater. Bondi recently took to the podium to tout RICO charges against Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang whose brutality is undeniable. Patel has taken to social media to amplify the announcement, touting the move as a major victory. But to many in the America First base, this all rings hollow. It is not that these actions are unimportant, but rather that they are insufficient. They are misdirected energy, falling far short of the kind of justice that was promised. The people who orchestrated the lawfare against Flynn, who signed off on fake dossiers and falsified warrants, who ran political hit jobs under the guise of national security investigations these are the individuals still enjoying power, prestige, and protection. And yet, Bondi and Patel have yet to announce serious investigations, let alone indictments, against the very actors who tried to undermine the constitutional order. January 6 defendants, many of whom continue to suffer under what they see as political persecution, are not keeping quiet about this double-standard, either. They were promised justice. They were promised that the real criminals who weaponized government institutions against private citizens and political opponents would be held accountable. Today, those promises are increasingly taking on the appearance of empty rhetoric. Meanwhile, the FBI is putting out press releases celebrating the capture of ten of Americas most wanted criminals and boasting of massive narcotics seizures. Although these victories serve some purpose in law enforcement, they also serve another: distraction. They are shiny objects meant to obscure the absence of any meaningful progress in draining the swamp. And also to run out the clock. Then there is the case of Seth Rich a mystery that hovers like a ghost over the nations conscience. Attorney Ty Clevenger recently sent a blistering letter to Bondi and Patel, questioning their lack of initiative in uncovering the truth behind Richs death. To date, there has been no sign that either official is taking this matter seriously. And let us not forget the Epstein files. Bondi, who was positioned as a fearless prosecutor with a track record of taking on powerful interests, has yet to release critical documents relating to one of the most explosive scandals in American history. The public, who anticipated a parade of elites tied to Epsteins black book, is still waiting. Bondi and Patel were not handed easy jobs. That much is true. But they were not handed ordinary mandates, either. They were entrusted with the sacred task of restoring justice and rooting out corruption at the highest levels of government. To date, their performance suggests either a lack of will or a surrender to the forces they were appointed to confront. The swamp has not been drained. In fact, it seems to be winning. For all the talk of law and order, of restoring constitutional norms and holding the powerful accountable, Bondi and Patel have thus far delivered little more than symbolic gestures. RICO charges against foreign gangs, drug busts, and social media bravado will not suffice. What the country needs what justice demands is the courage to go after the most pressing enemies of the republic. Until Bondi and Patel demonstrate that they are willing to do that, they are not change agents. They are placeholders. And the swamp reminds them every day who really runs the show. Todd Baumann is the director of operations for Special Guests Publicity. www.specialguests.com. Image: Pam Bondi. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Washington State is a geographically blessed place. Its got two gorgeous mountain ranges that invite outdoor activities, a rare and beautiful rainforest, a gorgeous coastline with a great harbor around Seattle, and a climate and soil that are perfect for all kinds of agriculture. Its also gone completely insane, for its now engaged in the highly unconstitutional act of giving financial benefits based openly on race and is on the verge of making infanticide legal. Washington has been a Democrat redoubt for a long time. Its last Republican governor left office in January 1985, the State House of Representatives hasnt had a Republican majority in the 21st century, while the State Senate last managed a fragile Republican majority in the 2017-2018 session. As with most Democrat-controlled states, on an acre-by-acre basis, its mostly a red state, but the demographic heft (and, perhaps, election fraud) in the coastal, urban regions is enough to control the states politics. And as weve learned, when you have a Democrat-majority state government, you get laws that are unconstitutional, illegal, and immoral. In the unconstitutional and illegal category, Washington has just passed a law that provides forgivable loans (i.e., no-strings cash) of up to $120,000 for first-time homebuyers. Oh, wait, I misspoke. The law doesnt apply to all first-time homebuyers; it applies only to blacks and, perhaps, can be stretched to accommodate other racial minorities: Washington has signed a new law offering $120K in forgivable loans exclusively for black first-time homebuyers. pic.twitter.com/EeomJw1RXg Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 24, 2025 The law is ostensibly intended to counteract the disparate impact of the free market itself, which sees fewer black than white homeowners. Here are a couple of useful facts about Washington State: It never had slavery or Jim Crow. As of the 2020 census, blacks comprised only 12.4% of Washington residents. I cannot tell you why blacks are less likely to buy homes, but given that its illegal to deny them loans or the right to purchase based on their race, the answer might lie in their life decisions as they relate to finances. And I dont care that historically theyve been poor. Asian immigrants arriving in America in the 1960s and 1970s were not only poor, but they were also unable to speak English. Through lifestyle choices, though, such as working unbelievably hard, saving money, emphasizing their childrens education, and avoiding drugs and crime, they thrived...and bought homes. And heres a useful point about the Constitution: Under the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause, neither the federal government nor individual states may discriminate based on race. That principle was enshrined in the Civil Rights Act. Barring white first-time homebuyers from receiving a helpful $120,000 check is discrimination. The law must be strickenand Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon for the Civil Rights Division is on the casebut the point is that Washington legislators are so crazy that they passed it in the first place. What the federal government cannot end, though, is a bill thats currently on Governor Bob Fergusons desk, and that hes likely to sign. This bill does away with the prohibitions against concealing a childs birth and makes it extremely difficult, when an infants body is discovered, for the coroner to determine what caused the babys death unless murder is obvious. The bill is intended to protect women who induce abortions and abortion practitioners who botch the job. But of course, it makes brutal infanticide easy: Substitute Senate Bill 5093 (SSB 5093) repeals the crime of concealing a birth and guts the authority of coroners to investigate suspicious infant deaths unless theres an obvious, provable crime attached. Democrats are disguising it as a measure about dignity in pregnancy loss. Its not. It amounts to a state-sanctioned shield for traffickers, abusers, and anyone else looking to cover up a dead infant. Unless a baby is clearly murdered with intent and theres a smoking gun, no ones allowed to ask questions. Thats not compassion. Thats enabling murder. For a long time, the Christian West looked askance at the Spartans, who determined which babies were unworthy of life and left them exposed on hillsides to die. We also sneered at pagan cultures that sacrificed a few babies here or there to appease their arbitrary and capricious nature gods. But in my lifetime, we elevated abortion to a sacrament, excusing it as the necessary disposition of clumps of cells in exchange for womens self-fulfillment. And now, weve abandoned all pretenses of biblical morality in favor of Spartan infanticide, which is presented, not as murder, but maternal mercy. Image made using AI. Elon Musk has announced that he will be gradually withdrawing from his DOGE responsibilities, with savings-to-date of government expenditures of about $160 billion. According to Axios: Elon Musk said Tuesday that he will take a major step back from his work as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency. Why it matters: The Tesla CEO has become a close and outspoken ally of President Trump, but his government-slashing work via DOGE has sparked a damaging backlash on Tesla. The big picture: Musk said on Tesla's earnings call that "my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly" likely starting in May, declaring the effort "mostly done." "I'll have to continue doing it for I think the remainder of the President's term just to make sure the waste and fraud that we stopped does not come roaring back, which it will do if it has the chance," Musk said. "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 as long as it would be useful," he added. His net worth has declined since Jan. 1 by $122 billion because of the coordinated Democratic terrorist activity (described as terrorist so aptly by Earick Ward in his blog on April 23 against him and Tesla. The $160 billion amounts to 2.19% of the estimated federal budget of $7.3 trillion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. The federal government therefore is spending $160 billion every eight days. At a minimum, what we need is to go back to the pre-COVID budget of 2020 of $4.7 trillion. Thanks to Biden and the Dems, somehow our budget increased by 55% in the five years from 2020 to 2025 (you and I obviously know how and why the Democrats did it). I am guessing that 99.9% of all Americans do not have any grasp of any numbers, much less the fact that the estimated Present Value of the Future Discounted Cash Flow of our future Federal liabilities amounts to approximately $300 trillion, and the ramifications thereof. I guess what Im trying to say is that the $150 billion is not even a down payment on what needs to be done to save the country financially. Elon, Trump, etc. represent our country's last chance to save itself, and with it the world, in every sense of the word, and not only from bankruptcy (by accounting definitions, the country is already bankrupt). I consider God to be manifesting himself through Musk and Trump. But because of Democratic terrorism (and the unbelievable weaponization of the legal system against Trump and his rightful executive authority under Article II, and the spineless actions of Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett), I am now despairing of them being able to save this last great hope for mankind." We are up against unspeakable evil. May God help us all. Image: Grok, AI-generated picture, via X Googles parent company, Alphabet, is raking in the cash. In the companys latest earnings report, Alphabet saw an increase in revenue by about 12-14% year over year. For the first quarter ending March 2025, Alphabet managed to bring in a total of $90 billion in revenue. This increased over the previous year, when it made around $80 billion. Alphabet sees increased revenue Unsurprisingly, search and ad revenue make up the majority of it. According to the numbers, YouTube advertising brought in $8.93 billion. This is actually just shy of what analysts estimated at $8.97 billion, but kudos to Alphabet for coming this close. However, overall advertising revenue is up 8.5%, raking in a whopping $66.89 billion. Google Search also performed admirably. Alphabet files it under Search and other and it accounted for $50.7 billion. This is an increase of 9.8% from $46.16 billion the previous year. The company attributes its AI Overview feature to its growth, where it now has 1.5 billion users per month. This is up from 1 billion users back in October last year. In a way, Alphabet is lucky because it is primarily a software-driven business. This means that when Trumps tariffs kick in, it wont be as affected compared to other tech companies, such as Apple, who make a lot of its money from selling hardware. However, this doesnt mean that Alphabet is completely safe. Googles antitrust case Google is in the middle of a monopoly case where, if it is found guilty, it could be forced to divest some of its products. This includes the Chrome browser, which, last we heard, could end up in the hands of OpenAI. Losing Chrome wouldnt just be a blow to the companys branding, but also its revenue. Many users rely on Chrome to browse the web. Google search is also the default search engine for the browser. This means that Google gets a lot of visitors from Chrome itself, which in turn helps its advertising business. Losing Chrome could cut Google off from a lucrative source of revenue. However, at the end of the day, the increase in revenue is good news for Alphabet and its investors. Whether or not itll be able to maintain that growth for the rest of the year remains to be seen. New Android distribution numbers are in, and Android 15 is not exactly shining bright, it failed to gain traction. Considering how rarely Google releases such information, this is the first time were seeing Android 15 on the list at all, as it debuted in September. Android 15 distribution is not great, it is running on only 4.5% of devices As youll see in the pie chart below, Android 15 is running on only 4.5% of devices. Do note that these numbers are from April 1, so One UI 7 had not yet been pushed to devices. That percentage would possibly be a bit different if it was. It is at this point, though, to a number of Samsungs Galaxy phones. In any case, Android 15 trails behind a number of other versions, including Android 9 Pie, Android 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. In fact, Android 14 is running on the majority of devices, and its not even close. Its currently installed on 27.4% of Android phones. It is followed by Android 13 with 16.8% of device installs, Android 12 with 12.8%, Android 11 with 15.9%, Android 10 with 10.2%, and Android 9 Pie with 5.8% installs. All of those versions are above Android 15. Android 8.0 and versions below it do not cross the 3% mark Youll notice that Android 8.0 and 8.1 Oreo are also on the list, as are Android 7.0 and 7.1 Nougat, Android 6 Marshmallow, Android 5.0 and 5.1 Lollipop, and Android 4.4 KitKat. All of them are installed at 3% or less devices. Android 5 Lollipop and Android 4.4 KitKat are installed on only 0.1% of devices at this point. Do note that Android 16 is expected to arrive in early June to Pixel devices. Chances are, well see it on the list the next time Google shares Android distribution numbers with the world. The company is doing it only once or twice a year at this point. It was a monthly affair before. Trumps tariffs are leading many big tech companies around the world to rethink their production and pricing strategies. Apple, one of the leading US names in the industry, could be one of the hardest hit by the tariffs imposed on China. A new report claims that, to mitigate the impact, Apple will move manufacturing of the US market-destined iPhones to India. Big tech companies seeking to diversify their production base due to Trumps tariffs Currently, Apple manufactures most iPhone devices in China. These handsets are among the Cupertino giants main sources of revenue. Therefore, the firm likely wants to avoid any measure that could negatively impact iPhone sales. If it maintains manufacturing in China, Apple may have to significantly increase the price of these devices. Therefore, according to reports, the brand is looking to diversify its production to other regions. Apple is not the only company that has been considering moving the manufacturing of its devices. However, it is one of the top names due to the huge popularity of all its products worldwide. Some reports from early April said that the company could increase production of US iPhones in Brazil. This would help mitigate the tariff burden it would receive if it continued producing in China. That said, the report didnt seem to have very solid grounds, so the industry took it with a pinch of salt. Most US iPhones could be made in India by 2026 Now, Financial Times reports that Apple could move all US iPhone production to India next year. Its noteworthy that India was also targeted by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. However, the tariff (26%) was much lower than the one imposed on China (245%). Furthermore, India is among the countries for which the United States has paused tariffs. Washington is taking this action with countries that have reached out for negotiations. China denies that negotiations are currently underway with the United States. However, President Donald Trump stated that the two countries are, in fact, in talks. The outcome of these meetings could be crucial not only for Apple, the United States, and China, but also for the global economy. That said, 2026 could be a year where all US iPhones will have a Made in India seal. Well have to wait and see how events unfold in the coming weeks. Googles Chrome is one of the most popular browser apps on Android devices, yet it has long not offered a native PDF viewer. However, the search titan has finally addressed this issue and has provided a built-in PDF viewer in the Chrome app for Android devices. You no longer need a third-party app to open PDF files in Chrome for Android Chrome is finally rolling out built-in support for opening PDF files directly inside the app on Android devices. Previously, attempting to open a downloaded or linked PDF file directly from Chrome on Android would prompt you with an Open with message. Then, it highlighted a third-party app like Google Drive to let you open the PDF file. Chrome now simply opens these files without you having to exit the app. The feature was first spotted in February last year, but it wasnt functional at the time. Chrome had an Open PDF inline on Android pre-V flag. The feature finally began working in December, but Google kept it locked behind these flags until now. Supports built-in annotation, search, and more The PDF file reader inside Chrome provides a built-in annotation functionality, which you can access by tapping the pencil icon. Tapping the icon brings up a bar that has many buttons, including one for a pen, highlighter, eraser, undo, redo, and visibility. You can pick the line width and the color for the pen and highlighter options. As you can expect, the eraser button allows you to delete an annotation. There are two arrows to let you undo or redo your last annotation. Besides, theres an eye icon that lets you scroll through the page. You can also hold and drag the annotation bar and place it anywhere on the screen. Furthermore, theres a built-in search feature that lets you find text throughout the PDF files. According to Android Authority, the built-in support for opening PDF files in Chrome is available on Android 15. However, the functionality hasnt yet appeared on devices running older versions of Android. Earlier reports have indicated that it should work on devices running Android 12 or later. We will know more in the coming days after the official wider rollout of the feature. Recently, the EU imposed big fines on Apple and Meta, two of the leading US big tech companies. Apple was the hardest hit with a 500 million fine. Meta, on the other hand, got a 200 million one. The sanctions come in response to certain business practices at both firms. Like most of the recent major sanctions imposed by the EU, the latest ones fall under the Digital Markets Act. Since its establishment, Europe has had much more power than before to directly confront tech giants. Apple claimed it is being unfairly targeted by the European Commission. The company also claims that the regulators demands may pose a risk to user privacy and security. The EU measures are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for our products, and force us to give away our technology for free, the brands statement reads. The White House responds to the latest EU fines on US companies Now, its the US White House responding to the EU fines against Apple and Meta. This novel form of economic extortion will not be tolerated by the United States, said a spokesperson, as reported by Reuters. Extraterritorial regulations that specifically target and undermine American companies, stifle innovation, and enable censorship will be recognized as barriers to trade and a direct threat to free civil society. Basically, the US government thinks that the EU is overstepping its bounds with these types of sanctions. JD Vance, Vice President of the United States, had already publicly declared his opposition to overregulation in Europe. Trumps entire cabinet seems to share the same position on the matter. What was the cause of the fines? In Apples case, the fine is a consequence of the companys failure to comply with its obligations to App Store developers. Some time ago, the commission required the Cupertinos giant to allow developers to freely set alternative payment methods besides Apple Pay. However, it appears the company has not implemented this requirement on a large scale. On the other hand, Metas sanction stems from its pay-or-consent policy. If youre not aware, the EU required Meta to offer an alternative where users could continue using their social media platforms without the collection of usage data. Metas response was to offer European users the option to pay for maintaining their privacy. Otherwise, the social platform assumes the user consents to the data tracking. Teresa Ribera, the EUs new antitrust chief, was pleased with the resolution. It sends a strong and clear message [The DMA] protects European consumers, she said. The commission states that both Apple and Meta had fallen short. As expected, Apple plans to appeal the fine, and Meta is likely to do so as well. Hopefully, more news will emerge soon. Google Pixel phones enjoy long-term software support that many users of other brands would like. However, fans of these devices have grown accustomed to strange feature behaviors after some updates. This seems to be happening again with the latest April 2025 update. According to reports, some Google Pixel devices are experiencing delayed notifications after installing the new firmware. Notifications are among the key features you expect to work well on your smartphone. They basically will keep you updated on everything thats happening in your apps and messaging services. Proper notification operation is necessary for both everyday situations and professional environments. That said, lately, this feature has been causing problems for Pixel handset users. As reported on Reddit and support forums, some Google Pixel device owners are experiencing delayed notifications after installing the latest April 2025 update. Its as if the device silently accumulates all the notifications it receives while locked. Then, they all pop up at once when you unlock your smartphone. In some cases, the notifications are completely missingthey never arrive, even after unlocking the device. Users claim that the issue even affects the VoIP calling feature of messaging apps like WhatsApp. So, it appears that the latest monthly update messed up background notification handling. The number of reports is not extremely high at the moment, though. This suggests that the issue could be occurring in a small percentage of units. Still, the official Pixel Community account is tracking reports to raise them with the development team. Interestingly, the changelog for the latest monthly update for Pixel phones doesnt mention any changes or improvements to notifications. Its intriguing that the firmware is affecting this particular aspect. Hopefully, those affected will receive a solution soon in the form of a hotfix. Motorola just unveiled its new Razr family for 2025, including a new third model the Razr Ultra. Which is a tad confusing, because internationally, Motorola called the Razr Plus the Razr Ultra. So on the naming side of things, Motorola added an Ultra to the US and a Plus to the rest of the world. But, having said that, Motorola has just put the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 on notice. Why? Because Motorola essentially destroyed the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Yes, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a year old (or almost a year old) at this point, with the successor coming in July, most likely. Motorola has been beating the Flip for a few years now, in one big area the cover display. Motorola was first to offer a full-sized cover display on a flip phone, which Samsung then sorta did. Though the Flip 7 is supposedly going to be even larger this year. But where Motorola has beaten Samsung is in what you can do on the cover display. With the Razr, Motorola lets you run any, and we do mean any, Android app on the cover display. Samsung still limits you to a handful of apps, which is a Labs feature, so its not even truly built-in. Motorola just stepped up its game, again Now, on the specs side, Motorola has also stepped up its game. For the first time, Motorola is offering a Razr with the absolute latest and greatest chipset from Qualcomm. Last year, Motorola used the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which was technically the latest, but it was a bit slower than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. And in 2023, Motorola used the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Which was almost a year old at that point. So with the Razr Ultra this year, Motorola is offering up a truly flagship flip phone, that appears to have no real compromises. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Samsung only offers 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for $1,099. Sure the Motorola Razr Ultra is more expensive at $1,299, however, Samsung does offer a 512GB model for $1219. Though we do expect to see a price increase this year on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7, thanks to Trumps Tariffs. Though President Trump did only impose a 25% tariff on South Korea, so we may not see all that big of an increase this year. Motorola took AI to the next level And if that wasnt enough, Motorola also just schooled Samsung on AI. Though this might be a little premature. Motorola did announce a partnership with Perplexity, which doesnt really sit well with us, seeing as Perplexity has been proven to plagiarize journalists, but it is what it is. Samsung is also rumored to be working on a deal with Perplexity. So this could also come to the Galaxy Z Flip 7. With the Razr Ultra, Motorola introduced a new AI Key on the left side of the phone. This button makes it easy to jump right into Moto AI to do all sorts of different things. And Motorola isnt just relying on Perplexity or Gemini for its AI. It is also working on partnerships with Meta and Microsoft Copilot (which will be coming soon). Providing the user with all sorts of AI tools, Motorola is going to direct the user to the correct tool to use. Additionally, Motorola is making it easier to know what kind of AI tools are available on your phone. While I havent reviewed the Razr Ultra just yet, I did get to spend a good hour or two with the device on Wednesday, and the feeling I get from the AI tools is, they are helpful, intuitive, and out of the way. Versus some of the AI tools on other devices that are in the way, and are mostly gimmicks. The colorful and unique flip phone As phone reviewers, we really enjoy having bright and bold colors on phones. The reasoning is a bit of a first-world thing, as a red leather Razr Ultra is going to look great in pictures. But what about the normal consumers? Those that are just buying a phone because it works, versus because they need to review it for work? Well, it appears that users are also interested in these bold colors and materials. Motorola said during our briefing on Wednesday that around 65% of their phones sold in 2024, none of them were black, white, or neutral colors. Proving that users want colors on their phones. This is something that not only Samsung, but also Apple, and to an extent, Google, need to take note of. The Razr Ultra is available in four unique colors: PANTONE Rio Red, PANTONE Scarab, PANTONE Mountain Trail, and PANTONE Cabaret. These use a leather-inspired material, suede-inspired material, wood, and Alcantara. Each one is a different material, really providing users with some incredible options. So its no wonder why Motorola has such a huge chunk of the flip phone market right now Motorola claims over 70%. Would you buy the Razr Ultra over the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7? The price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in Canada has leaked, giving consumers in the US an even closer approximation of what the cost is going to be in US stores. Samsung obviously hasnt announced pricing yet. For any regions. However, the pricing has already leaked for the Korean version as of earlier this morning, and there were rumors about its price in Europe earlier this month. With those pieces of information available, its easy to make an assessment of what the possible (perhaps even likely) price of the phone will be stateside. Based on the Korean price leaks from this mornings report, the Galaxy S25 Edge in the US will start at around $1,049 based on the conversion rate, although, as mentioned, the actual US price is probably going to be higher. And it would seem thats an accurate assessment to make based on the conversion rate for the Canadian pricing. The Galaxy S25 Edge price in Canada will start at CAD $1,678.99 Unlike the pricing from rumors and earlier leaks, some of which come from third-party retailers, the price for the Galaxy S25 Edge in Canada comes from Samsungs own Canadian website. So its probably safe to say that these are accurate prices. The pricing details were noticed by Roland Quandt, who posted a screenshot of them on Bluesky (via SamMobile). Samsung doesnt have a listing price up yet for the phone. It does, however, have a Galaxy Offer Terms page with terms and conditions, and this is where the information on the prices is found. If you scroll toward the middle of that page, under Terms and Conditions of Use, youll see a section labeled Buy an eligible Galaxy S25 smartphone or appliance to get 20% off Galaxy 10FE Series tablets. You can expand this section, and in it, youll find pricing for a bunch of devices. The Galaxy S25 Edge is one of those devices thats listed. Samsung also hasnt removed the pricing at the time of writing. According to this section on Samsungs website, the 256GB model will retail for CAD $1,678.99. Meanwhile, the 512GB model will retail for CAD $1,858.99. Based on the conversion, the US price for the 256GB model will start at around $1,212.15. Now, Samsung isnt going to price a phone at $1,212.15. Its an odd price point. With that in mind, the price could be somewhere closer to $1,099.99 for the 256GB model, or perhaps $1,199.99. Official US prices should be revealed on or just before the end of May May 30 is reportedly the date Samsung plans to fully reveal the Galaxy S25 Edge in the US. So, this is probably when the company will officially announce US pricing. Theres always a chance it could talk about pricing beforehand, but it would make less sense to do this. Its already going to be doing a full reveal for the end of next month. So, it seems like the most reasonable time to talk about official prices. Theres also a chance that official prices could leak before then. At the very least, theres now a better idea of what the cost is going to be. Even if the costs arent exact. Motorola has officially announced the new 2025 lineup of Razr phones, and now T-Mobile has revealed how much it will cost you if you plan to buy or upgrade to one on its network. Youd think it would be a lot of money given the type of phone, but there are always bonus offers and promotional offers to be had. The 2025 Motorola Razr line of phones is no different. Theres also the fact that, compared to some other foldable phones, the Razr line is not usually among the most expensive. So consumers are already kind of a step ahead there. Naturally, T-Mobiles promotional offer includes trading in your old phone. Itll likely be worth it, though, depending on the phone you have currently. There are two offers on the books for subscribers to take advantage of. You can save up to $1,000 on a new Motorola Razr with T-Mobile As always, the amount you get back for a trade-in depends on the phone youre trading in. For example, you might get more for last years equivalent Razr, or a new flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, if a trade-in isnt in the cards for you, there is another option. Adding a new line of service. Heres how things break down according to T-Mobiles offer details. If you trade in an eligible device, you can get up to $1,000 off any phone in the Motorola Razr 2025 lineup. Including the Razr Ultra 2025. Discounts for the trade-in may vary based on the model of the Razr as well. So keep that in mind. That being said, your other option is to add a new line of service, and T-Mobile says you can still get up to $1,000 off this way. However, the new line has to be added to a Go5G Plus, Go5G Next, Experience More, or Experience Beyond plan. For other plans, there are still some offers available. If youre not on one of the plans mentioned above, you can get up to $500 off when trading in an old phone or up to $600 off when adding a new line. Those discounts arent as large, but theyre still pretty good and would knock the final price down significantly. Discounts are applied as bill credits This should come as no surprise, but any discounts that T-Mobile is offering on the new Razr phones arent immediate. Theyll be spread out over the bill in credits applied to the bill fee each month. Bill credits are applied over a 24-month period as well. So, it will take some time to save that money. Theres also an offer for Metro subscribers. If you bring over an existing line from another carrier and sign up for a Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plan, you can get the Motorola Razr 2025 for $319.99 (plus tax). Thats not bad considering your current carrier might be more expensive than Metro every month. T-Mobile says the Razr lineup will be available starting May 15. A batik workshop with Global Mamas. Photograph: Nicholas Ruffalo/Global Mamas Crafting in Ghana Global Mamas, in the port town of Elmina, creates financial prosperity for local women through the production of handcrafted goods using traditional techniques. We joined them at a batik workshop, where Mavis Thompson showed us how to dip our chosen designs into melted wax, and stamp a length of cream cotton. After dyeing the fabric using natural pigments, we plunged it into boiling water to remove the wax. As the cotton had to be sun-dried between each stage, we sat on low stools and watched the other Global Mamas produce larger, more complex designs. Our vibrantly coloured tablecloths are a reminder of a happy afternoon with Mavis and the mamas. Helen Jackson An anti-mafia walking tour in Sicily Say Sicily, and people often think The Godfather. Go beyond the cliches by joining the three-hour Addiopizzo walking tour of Palermo (32), organised by the local grassroots anti-mafia movement of the same name. They support businesses who refuse to pay the pizzo protection money extorted by the mafia. The tour takes in the moving Wall of Legality mural depicting mafia victims and the courthouse where the stories of those who have stood up to Cosa Nostra are told. Rest your tired feet afterwards with a panelle (chickpea fritter) and a gelato at pizzo-free businesses. Selena Daly Guardian Travel readers' tips Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will be featured online and may appear in print. To enter the latest competition visit the readers' tips homepage - A cloud forest adventure in Ecuador Santa Lucia Cloud Forest Reserve is a community-run eco project nestled in the heart of Ecuadors rainforests. Hike through mist-draped jungle, swim beneath cascading waterfalls and savour home-cooked meals in cosy cabins, while joining local researchers as they track elusive Andean bears and assist with community outreach initiatives. This is genuinely sustainable tourism protecting one of the planets most threatened ecosystems while creating vital income for local families. Pickup trucks are available from Quito, though the local bus journey through the Andean foothills is an unforgettable way to arrive. Its a truly unique holiday wild, breathtaking and genuinely impactful. Staying at the ecolodge, visitors can also join guided hikes and birdwatching trips. A two-day, one-night stay starts at $190. Bobby Organic vineyards and biodiversity near Bordeaux On a family holiday to Bordeaux last autumn we noticed that winemakers were increasingly turning to environmentally friendly methods such as biodynamics and having draught horses rather than machines till the soil. We went on an estate tour that was more than just tasting the odd glass of wine. Our guide informed and educated us about the benefits of organic cultivation and winemaking methods, and at Chateau de La Dauphine, we were invited to explore the permaculture vegetables and beehives. At the Caves de Rauzan estate, a biodiversity trail wound its way through the countryside. We toured the vineyards on ebikes hired in Bordeaux. Nigel Inclusive walking tours in Edinburgh In Edinburgh, I was struck by Mercat Tours Our Stories, Your City a community initiative funded by visitor donations. It enables disadvantaged residents to experience five-star tours and historic attractions on their doorstep so they encounter first-hand the history which shaped their community without financial barriers or stigma. This builds a sense of pride and belonging for those excluded, and evidences tourism as a force for good. To me, its a beautiful example of a meaningful travel business and their world-class storytelling not just employing local people but providing unexpected benefits for vulnerable locals. Carron Stay with locals in Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan has a growing Community Based Tourism Association through which visitors can stay with local people. We stayed overnight in Kyzyl-Oi, with Tinatin Saidinova and her family. Located on the ancient Silk Roads, the small village is surrounded by red mountains, with the Kokomeren River nearby. Our room was simply furnished with single beds, and we shared a bathroom with our guide and driver. The dining room was the focal point, with Tinatin ensuring we were well fed on Kyrgyz dishes, including chak chak, deep-fried dough drenched in honey. We drank coffee in a tiny cafe, bought Russian beers from the shop, and felt wed contributed to village life. Roy Messenger Winning tip: cottages in County Tyrone Because of the Troubles, the Sperrin mountains used to attract only a few holidaymakers, but some pioneers worked relentlessly to bring in more adventurous visitors. The best example is An Creagan in Tyrone, near Omagh, which offers two-night stays from 340 or three nights from 360.50 in cottages of varying sizes, including one complimentary breakfast. Its a community-owned resort that has given work to about 300 local people. The accommodation consists of traditional cottages, and there is a much-needed bar and restaurant that locals support all year round. Nature lovers come for its paths and cycle trails, and stargazers for its unpolluted skies. It is about an hours drive from Derry or Belfast, but a world away from both. Tom Irish singer Brian McFadden has said music manager Louis Walsh came across a bit bad in the new Boyzone documentary. Dublin-born McFadden, 45, rose to fame in boyband Westlife, which former X Factor judge Walsh managed, alongside pop group Boyzone. McFadden, who left the group in 2004 and is now a part of supergroup Boyzlife comprised of himself and Boyzones Keith Duffy expressed his admiration for Walsh. Ive got nothing but good things to say for Louis, he told ITVs Good Morning Britain (GMB). Westlife, minus Brian McFadden, with manager, Louis Walsh (Haydn West/PA) Louis gave me my career, its the same with Boyzone. Everything he did was to try and make both bands successful. And I think he was, he came across, unfortunately, in the documentary, I think it was edited that he came across a bit bad. But listen, Ive nothing but love for Louis. Asked if he had spoken to him recently, he said: Yeah, Louis always good. Youll always make a laugh with him. Docuseries Boyzone: No Matter What, which charted the meteoric rise of the band and the challenges faced by its members, premiered on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW in February. Duffy, Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch, Michael Mikey Graham and Stephen Gately rose to fame in the Irish boyband in the 1990s selling millions of albums and releasing hit singles including Words, A Different Beat and No Matter What. In the 2000s Walsh helped to launch Westlife to fame, comprised of McFadden, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Kian Egan. Members from both bands have spoken about their relationship to Walsh, with Lynch saying their estranged manager subjected them to a gruelling touring schedule. Keating told the PA news agency at the documentarys premiere that some of the things he did were wrong. The choices he made werent right, and hes apologised somewhat, but you know. It is what it is. Its grand. Its OK. You know, Im still here, he said. Walsh gave his side of the story for the documentary and says in the trailer that the members believed their own publicity and forgot I wrote it. McFadden appeared on GMB to discuss the new Boyzlife song, Save The Day, about the everyday heroes all around us. Vladimir Putin welcomes the US envoy Steve Witkoff to the Kremlin. Photograph: Kristina Kormilitsyna/Reuters Crimea will stay with Russia, Donald Trump told Time magazine in a largely sympathetic profile on Friday. And with that statement, the US president made clear that he wanted to carve up another country, Ukraine, and so legitimise the forcible seizure of land made by Moscow 11 years ago. From reading the transcript of the interview, Trumps thinking is hardly coherent. Crimea, he says, wouldnt have been seized if he had been president in 2014, but it was handed to them by Barack Hussein Obama and now Crimea has been with them [Russia] for a long time so it is time to accept the seizure. Related: Trump envoy meets Putin hours after Moscow killing of Russian general The president does not even pursue the argument that a recognition of Russias occupation of Crimea is a necessary price of ending Russian military assault on Ukraine, though perhaps he thinks it and instead the conversation is moved on by the reporters to discussing Trumps aspirations for annexing Greenland and Canada. The only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state, he added. Wars seldom end satisfactorily. The struggle, violence and sacrifice often does not bear the promised fruit. Invaded suddenly by Russia, Ukraine fought off the capture of Kyiv and existential collapse in the spring, summer and autumn of 2022 but has been unable to expel the attackers since, leaving Kyiv facing the reality of Russia occupying about 18% of its territory. But the proposed US settlement term sheet now in the public domainand verified by Trumps comments about Crimea is redolent of great power thinking at the end of previous wars: the carve-ups of Versailles in 1919, where a country that had only been narrowly defeated was treated as if it were conquered, or Potsdam in 1945, which divided Europe into west and east. Ukraines own peace plan an older version of which was also leaked on Friday tries a different tack: a full ceasefire on the current frontlines first, then a discussion about territories later. It is not the conversation that the US or Russia want to have, but Kyiv argues, with European support, that peace should be rooted in international law, not capitulation. Agreements unjustly imposed do not endure. The difficulty for Kyiv is, first, that it is the US proposing to give de jure recognition of Russian control of Crimea so, a direct agreement with Russia. The second is that if Ukraine were determined to fight on, and hope that Trump would walk away, it risks losing military intelligence again and the US may not sell Kyiv critical weapons such as Patriot air defence missiles. Russia, meanwhile, is responding with a series of increasingly aggressive punishment bombings aimed at Ukrainian civilians. Nineteen were killed when a childrens playground in Kryvyi Rih was bombed on 4 April; 35 died in a morning missile attack on Palm Sunday, 13 April, in central Sumy as families promenaded into town. Three more died overnight in Pavlohrad when a drone hit an apartment block. This suggests a growing confidence that Russia will not be punished for starting a war, while Trump makes simple demands on social media for the war to stop. On Thursday, the US president said Vladimir, STOP! after 12 were killed by Russian bombing in Kyiv, and he complained that 5,000 soldiers a week are dying an exaggeration and more importantly a false equivalence. Western officials estimated that 250,000 Russian soldiers have been killed during the three-year invasion, their deaths often caused in crude infantry assaults ordered by Moscows commanders against Ukraines frontlines. Meanwhile, Kyiv acknowledged the deaths of 46,000 of its own troops in mid-February, so together the total military fatality rate is less than 2,000 a week. For all the Russian aggression and the casualties it has caused, the proposed US peace terms say that while Ukraine should be compensated somehow, all sanctions on Russia going back to 2014 should be removed and Washington and Moscow should engage in economic cooperation on energy and other industrial sectors. So not just a carve-up, but a rapprochement that Ukraine cannot prevent. Peace discussions do more than end wars. They often set diplomatic standards for the period thereafter. Perhaps there will be last-minute changes, but the warmer tone of the US-Russia discussions compared with Trumps beratings of Zelenskyy does not engender much hope. Ukraines options fight on and risk losing the US, or accept a formal loss of Crimea are not attractive, even if the latter may pave the way to a ceasefire. Michael Gloss was killed in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine in April last year A 21-year-old man who died fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine has been identified as the son of a senior official in the CIA. Michael Gloss was killed on the front line in the eastern Donetsk region in April last year, Important Stories, a Russian investigative outlet, reported. He was the son of Juliane Gallina, the CIA deputy director for digital innovation, and Larry Gloss, a US navy veteran who took part in Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War of the early 1990s. Michael Gloss (second left) is pictured with his parents and two sisters In 2021, Michael Gloss enrolled at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, a liberal arts college known for encouraging students to interact with nature. The following year, he was detained by police at a climate protest in Washington, DC. On social media and in online chats with members of the Rainbow Family, a countercultural group that traces its roots to the activism of the 1970s, Gloss spoke of his disgust with America. He wrote on Telegram: When I finally figured out how the US political system works, I realised that violence is an integral part of it. On Instagram, he posted a picture of himself putting up his finger to the US Capitol. Another post showed a burning American flag. Gloss puts his finger up to the US Capitol in an Instagram post Acquaintances of the former boy scout and high school lacrosse player said he was enraged by Israels war in Gaza and had become an avid consumer of conspiracy theories. According to Important Stories, he told one friend that Western hegemony was fading and that the future would be a multipolar world dominated by the Brics nations, a line familiar from Russian propaganda. Brics is an intergovernmental group comprising Russia, India, China, Iran and several other countries. Robed wanderer earned Jesus nickname Before eventually joining the Russian army, the long-haired activist wandered through Europe and Turkey, sometimes dressing in a long medieval robe and carrying a wooden staff. In April 2023, he travelled to Israel to visit eco-villages. Authorities confiscated his belongings and deported him. In Turkey, now calling himself Hamza, he joined the relief effort after the earthquake in the Hatay region. He gained a reputation as a nature-loving eccentric at a gathering of the Rainbow Family in the Turkish border town of Kiyikoy, at one point being filmed shepherding abandoned chicks into a cardboard box. Gloss bought a long, red robe in a Turkish clothing shop. A friend, Gamze, told Important Stories that Gloss bought all the bread in a bakery and handed it out to Rainbow attendees and that people started to call him Jesus. Hungry for blood In May 2023, he wrote online: Mum was telling me I could just come back any time. She was trying to make me collapse and call her for a ticket home. But he said he was set on his path. He said: I find myself more and more alive by the minute. Hungry for blood and glory. It will be a sad day for ItthoBaal [a name he had adopted] when the club must be passed on to the next incarnation. But as of now, I might have just incarnated in time to defeat mortality AND the military industrial complex. When asked how he planned to defeat the latter, he said people would not believe him if he said. Gloss enters Russia In the summer of 2023, he travelled through Russia, attending a festival and taking pictures in Red Square, wearing a red keffiyeh. In early September, he wrote on Telegram that his Russian visa would expire in a week. By autumn 2023, he obtained a Russian visa in Istanbul and crossed into Crimea. Glosss pose appears to be a nod to the hammer and sickle symbol of the Soviet Union By Sept 5, he had enrolled in the Russian military, and an entry with Michael Alexander Glosss data appears in the EMIAS medical database. His address was listed as that of a medical examination room given to foreign recruits, Important Stories reported. During training for the 137th airborne regiment in the city of Ryazan, he told fellow recruits that he wanted to gain Russian citizenship so he could pursue environmental infrastructure projects in the country, Important Stories reported. Videos posted by Nepalese and other foreign recruits show Gloss smiling with his head shaved. He told Mert, a Rainbow Family friend, that he joined not to fight but to gain a passport. Gloss (right) poses with other foreign recruits In one message, he said: My goal in life is to build an infrastructure for the oxidation of water in a supercritical state. To put an end to environmental pollution and the diseases and deaths associated with pollution, that is: cancer, lymphoma and all the hormonal problems associated with microplastics and estrogens in water. Important Stories spoke to a member of the 137th regiment who said that, after training, Gloss was sent to the assault units. He last logged into Telegram in March. According to an obituary by his family, Gloss died on April 4. At the time, the 137th regiment was fighting north-west of Soledar, between the towns of Rozdolivka and Vesele. The positions were described as unfavourable and the landscape severe in a Telegram post by the 106th division, which includes the 137th regiment. The exact circumstances of Glosss death are unclear. Eight months after his death, Glosss family held a funeral for him in Fairfax, Virginia. Juliane Gallina, Glosss mother, is the CIA deputy director for digital innovation In the obituary, Glosss membership of the Russian army is not mentioned. It reads: Michael was affectionate and curious, with a gift for building and fondness for nature and all its creatures. [He] had a heightened sense of fairness [and] wanted the world to be a better place. He knew the names of trees and plants, loved sleeping under stars, and cooking on an open fire. With his noble heart and warrior spirit, Michael was forging his own heros journey when he was tragically killed in Eastern Europe on April 4 2024. Ms Gallina, a navy veteran, joined the CIA in 2019. On LinkedIn, her profile says her current role involves striving to accelerate the digital transformation of my agency to maintain strategic advantage for our nation. The CIA was contacted for comment. The brazen assault in a tranquil meadow in Pahalgam, where families were picnicking, shattered Kashmirs relative calm and struck at the heart of its tourist revival. Photograph: Jagadeesh Nv/EPA Indias furious response to the terrorist massacre of 26 men in a popular travel destination is being shaped by public rage at the deadliest civilian attack in Kashmir in a quarter-century. The brutality of the assault in one of Muslim-majority Kashmirs marquee tourist spots and its national resonance leaves Prime Minister Narendra Modi needing to signal strength, but without triggering uncontrolled escalation between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, analysts say. The outpouring of anger has been widespread, said Brahma Chellaney, a veteran Indian commentator. The victims came from all over India, from at least 15 different states. Modi is trying to assuage national anger, which has been intense. The attackers reportedly made their victims reveal their religion by reciting the Kalma, the Islamic declaration of faith. Those who could not do so were shot dead. Related: Pakistan and India exchange fire as UN calls for maximum restraint The brazen assault in a tranquil meadow in Pahalgam, where families were picnicking, shattered Kashmirs relative calm and struck at the heart of its tourist revival. In 2019, Modis Hindu-nationalist government revoked Kashmirs semi-autonomous status and split the territory into two federally ruled zones. The government also allowed non-locals to buy land. An ensuing security clampdown reduced terrorist activity, and tourism surged: a record 3.5 million people visited the Kashmir Valley in 2024. Modi framed Kashmirs normalisation as a political triumph, though simmering local discontent remained amid heavy militarisation. Chellaney said: This kind of massacre is deeply embarrassing for any government, and doubly so for the Modi government, which projects itself as strong on national security. The government must now weigh a response that balances domestic fury with strategic restraint. India and Pakistan have fought three wars two over Kashmir and have repeatedly come close to the brink. Underscoring the danger, Pakistans defence minister, Khawaja Asif, said on Friday there was risk of all-out war if India opted for a forceful military response. Chellaney said: Modi has made strong statements in the past. But hes a man who is reluctant to do kinetic action. He might hold back again, seeking instead to ease public anger through actions that stop short of full-scale military retaliation. Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based analyst, said that while there was much anger and tough rhetoric, the governments actual response is likely to be careful and deliberate. He said the government would want to ensure any such action is well-planned and effective. The memory of the 2019 Pulwama attack, in which 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed in a suicide bombing claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, looms large. The episode led to India launching the Balakot airstrikes deep inside Pakistan its first such incursion since the 1971 war. While hailed domestically as a bold move, critics disputed the effectiveness of the strikes. Veteran analyst C Raja Mohan wrote in the Indian Express: There are many imponderables Modi must deal with, including the significant capabilities of the Pakistan army. But given the horrific nature of the attack and the outrage that has convulsed the nation the PM may have no option but to explore some major risks. India believes an obscure group calling itself the Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility for the attack, is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was behind the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks. Pakistan denies any involvement, but India insists it has clear evidence of cross-border complicity and has named two of the terrorists as Pakistani nationals. Modi has vowed to pursue the attackers and their handlers to the ends of the Earth and reduce to dust whatever little land these terrorists have. Kugelman said: Its crucial to separate rhetoric from intent in this emotionally charged moment. Chellaney concurs, noting that Modi may have a reputation for strength, but in actual practice over 11 years, he has been averse to utilising the military for any cross-border mission. That reluctance, however, is now being tested not just by a shaken domestic audience and anger on social media, but by unusually vocal public grief in the Kashmir Valley itself. There have been candlelit processions. It really is unprecedented the anger in Kashmir, Chellaney said. Kashmiris have flooded into the streets, waving placards saying: United in Grief. Kugelman, meanwhile, says that Indias symbolic moves carry weight. India has suspended the 1960 Indus waters treaty a rare symbol of bilateral cooperation that had survived previous wars. Pakistan retaliated by suspending the 1972 Simla agreement, the basis for border management and dispute resolution. That may not be enough to assuage Indian public revulsion at the attack. The global landscape from Gaza to Ukraine has made previously sacrosanct territorial arrangements seem less permanent. That context may yet embolden a tougher line from Delhi, but for now, Modi is walking a tightrope between nationalist expectations and strategic prudence, Mohan said. The sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand forces will be remembered at a dawn service marking Anzac Day. A congregation will gather in central London for the annual event commemorating the national day of remembrance for fallen Antipodean servicemen, old soldiers and those still serving. Stephen Smith, Australias High Commissioner, and Chris Seed, acting High Commissioner for New Zealand, will attend the service at the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner along with fellow countrymen and women, with the Duchess of Edinburgh also due to pay her respects. Wreaths will be laid at Antipodean memorials and prayers said during the service. The Princess Royal is in Turkey to mark the anniversary of the landings on the beaches of Gallipoli (Yui Mok/PA) Anzac Day has been commemorated in the capital since the first anniversary of the First World War Anzac Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landings at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1916, when King George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey. Since then, the services have become an important moment for thousands of New Zealanders and Australians, who honour the sacrifices of their countrymen and women in all wars. Anzac Day will also be marked by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph due to be attended by the Duchess of Edinburgh, who will later join the congregation at Westminster Abbey for a service of commemoration and thanksgiving. The Princess Royal is in Turkey to mark, on behalf of the King, the 110th anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on the beaches of Gallipoli. On Thursday Anne delivered a message from Charles during a service at Turkeys Canakkale Martyrs Memorial, with the King extending his special thoughts and prayers, and describing how we may take some solace in the warm friendships and deep alliances that have emerged from the desperation of Gallipoli. Hannah Dugan, a county judge in Milwaukee, participates in a candidate forum in 2016. Photograph: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network The FBI on Friday arrested a judge whom the agency accused of obstruction after it said she helped a man evade US immigration authorities as they were seeking to arrest him at her courthouse. The county circuit judge, Hannah Dugan, was apprehended in the courthouse where she works in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 8.30am local time on Friday on charges of obstruction, a spokesperson for the US Marshals Service confirmed to the Guardian. Kash Patel, the Trump-appointed FBI director, wrote on X: We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest. He said that agents were still able to arrest the target after he was chased down and that he was in custody. Patel added that the judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. Dugan appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later on Friday morning before being released from custody. Her next court appearance is 15 May. Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. A crowd formed outside the courthouse, chanting: Free the judge now. In a statement shared with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, an attorney for Dugan said: Hannah C Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge. It continued: Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated. Trump weighed in on his Truth Social platform by sharing an image of the judge found on the judges Facebook page by the rightwing blogger Libs of TikTok, which showed Dugan on the bench wearing a KN95 face mask and displaying the Ukrainian national symbol of a trident. The Milwaukee city council released a statement following the arrest: This mornings news that Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by federal authorities is shocking and upsetting. Judge Dugan should be afforded the same respect and due process that she has diligently provided others throughout her career. Perhaps the most chilling part of Judge Dugans arrest is the continued aggression by which the current administration in Washington, DC has weaponized federal law enforcement, such as ICE, against immigrant communities, the statement reads. As local elected officials, we are working daily to support our constituents who grow increasingly concerned and worried with each passing incident. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat representing Wisconsin, called the arrest of a sitting judge a gravely serious and drastic move that threatens to breach the separation of power between the executive and judicial branches. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by, Baldwin said in an emailed statement after Dugans arrest. The leftwing senator Bernie Sanders said the move was about unchecked power. Lets be clear. Trumps arrest of Judge Dugan in Milwaukee has nothing to do with immigration. It has everything to do with [Trump] moving this country towards authoritarianism, he said in a statement. The Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren said in a social media post: This administration is threatening our countrys judicial system. This rings serious alarm bells. Later in the day, the FBI director posted a photograph of the judge in handcuffs on X with the caption: No one is above the law. The judges arrest dramatically escalates tensions between federal authorities and state and local officials amid Donald Trumps anti-immigration crackdown. It also comes amid a growing battle between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary over the presidents executive actions over deportations and other matters. Related: A battle looms over rule of law as some courts start to flex their muscles against Trump In a statement Wisconsins governor, Democrat Tony Evers, accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level. I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nations judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime, Evers said. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law. It was reported on Tuesday that the FBI was investigating whether Dugan tried to help an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest when that person was scheduled to appear in her courtroom last week, per an email obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Dugan told the Journal Sentinel: Nearly every fact regarding the tips in your email is inaccurate. The arrest of Dugan is the first publicly known instance of the Trump administration charging a local official for allegedly interfering with immigration enforcement. Emil Bove, the justice departments principal associate deputy attorney general, issued a memo in January calling on prosecutors to pursue criminal cases against local government officials who obstructed the federal governments immigration enforcement efforts. Bove stated in the three-page memo: Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands or requests. Dugan has been charged with the federal offenses of obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest, according to documents filed with the court. The administration alleged that in the original encounter, the judge ordered immigration officials to leave the courthouse, saying they did not have a warrant signed by a judge to apprehend the suspect they were seeking, who was in court for other reasons. Prosecutors said that Dugan became visibly angry when she learned that immigration agents were planning an arrest in her courtroom, according to court filings. Dugan ordered the immigration officials to speak with the chief judge and then escorted Flores Ruiz and his attorney through a door that led to a non-public area of the courthouse, the prosecution complaint said. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, citing sources it did not identify, said Dugan steered Flores Ruiz and his attorney to a private hallway and into a public area but did not hide the pair in a jury deliberation room as some have accused her of doing. Dugan was first elected as a county judge in 2016 and before that was head of the local branch of Catholic Charities, which provides refugee resettlement programs. She was previously a lawyer at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, which serves low-income people. The case is similar to one brought during the first Trump administration against a Massachusetts judge, who was accused of helping a man sneak out a backdoor of a courthouse to evade a waiting immigration enforcement agent. That prosecution sparked outrage from many in the legal community, who slammed the case as politically motivated. Prosecutors under the Biden administration dropped the case against Newton district judge Shelley Joseph in 2022 after she agreed to refer herself to a state agency that investigates allegations of misconduct by members of the bench. However, Pam Bondi, the attorney general, gave a media interview in which she said the administration would target any judges it believed were breaking the law. Bondi said on a Fox News segment that she believed some of these judges think that they are beyond and above the law. They are not, and we are sending a very strong message today if you are harboring a fugitive, we will come after you and we will prosecute you. The Associated Press contributed reporting Luke Littler threw away the chance to silence the baying Liverpool crowd as Gerwyn Price claimed victory on night 12 of the Premier League. Littler, booed on to stage on the banks of the Mersey owing to his allegiance to Manchester United, capitulated against Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals of the weekly competition. The 18-year-old, who won at this venue 12 months ago, looked like he would let his darts do the talking as he surged into a 4-0 lead before losing 6-5. What. A. Fightback! Michael van Gerwen recovers from 4-0 and 5-3 down to defeat Luke Littler and claim a HUGE victory in his push for Play-Off qualification! https://t.co/CxOorrGvzH #PLDarts25 pic.twitter.com/5pNiJZ3YYE PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 24, 2025 In the city where footballs Premier League title could be wrapped up on Sunday if Arne Slots Reds earn a point against Tottenham at Anfield, Littler missed the chance to tighten his grip on the darts Premier League. World number one Luke Humphries closed the gap on league leader Littler, despite losing 6-4 to Price in the final at the M&S Bank Arena. The Welshman claimed his third nightly win of the competition, having beaten Chris Dobey and Rob Cross en route to the final, and he is looks a good bet to reach the play-offs in London at the end of May. He was in imperious form throughout the evening, but especially in the final, where he averaged 104.43, hit three 180s and threw a decisive 151 check out. PRICE PREVAILS IN LIVERPOOL! Gerwyn Price cements his place in the top four with a trio of sparkling displays in Liverpool, defeating Luke Humphries to clinch his third nightly win of the season! pic.twitter.com/j0JTaXm1H4 PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 24, 2025 I was under pressure to win the first game and get some points on the board, he said. It was a cracking match. I am happy with this one. I am playing really well. Every week is vital for points, it was vital I got some points, I wanted to get five today and ease the pressure on me. When there is no pressure on me I play some good darts. Gerwyn Price won night 12 of the Premier League in darts (Peter Byrne/PA) I am in some good form and if I carry on playing like I am and push forward, I dont see why I cant win it. I am playing reasonably well, I am more consistent than most. If I keep playing like this the results will follow. It was a homecoming to forget for Liverpudlian Stephen Bunting. Bunting was hoping to hit the mark in his home tournament, where he received a rapturous welcome, but he was hammered 6-1 by Cross in the opener and made the short journey home early. TV presenter Gregg Wallace has said he thought about suicide all the time after allegations of misconduct were made against him. The 60-year-old stepped away from hosting BBC cooking show MasterChef after a host of historical complaints came to light last year, which led to an external investigation by the shows production company, Banijay UK. Speaking in an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper, Wallace said of the storm of complaints: Nobody should be left on their own to face something like this. Its very difficult to explain the pressure unless youve been through it. I thought about suicide all the time is my insurance up to date? Will Anna (Wallaces wife) get some money? She doesnt deserve this, it would be better if I wasnt here. Gregg Wallace stepped back from MasterChef after allegations emerged (Yui Mok/PA) Speaking about a number of social media posts he made following the allegations, the former greengrocer said he felt he had to speak out because people were saying what they liked about me and it wasnt true. Wallace claimed he had not been contacted by the BBC after the claims became public, which led to him posting a video on Instagram where he claimed they had been made by a handful of middle-class women of a certain age. The presenter continued: I hadnt slept for four days. The feeling of being under attack, of isolation, of abandonment was overwhelming. Nobody from the BBC contacted me once these stories started breaking absolutely nobody at all. News channels were updating hourly with new allegations. There was a tidal wave of abuse on social media, a dozen reporters outside the gate. Youre watching yourself get personally ripped apart, criticised, accused of all sorts of stuff over and over again. Youre thinking, this isnt true, it isnt true, whats coming next? You dont sleep, your chest races, your body feels like its shutting down because it cant cope with the levels of stress. You feel really dirty and horrible because everybody is saying youre a pervert. Women big, respected personalities I thought I had a decent relationship with were attacking me. He went on to claim Banijay arranged for a crisis mentor to support him, whom he said was a life raft he clung to. In the Mail interview, Wallace admitted to putting a sock over my private bits and opening his dressing room door shouting hooray, but claimed he did this to three friends who were in the studio after filming had finished, rather than while it was taking place. He also told the newspaper that allegations of inappropriate jokes were also probably true, saying they sounded like the sort of comments Id have made. Wallace also claimed allegations he had groped crew members were absolutely not true. The London-born presenter added: I dont want to make myself sound innocent because, Ive come to realise, I must have offended a lot of people over the years when you look at the number of complaints. But people on MasterChef are in a very stressed situation and many of them are going to leave disappointed with shattered dreams. I think there has been a lot of misunderstanding of my intention, and so many of the complaints are from so long ago. Theres a difference between what they think I said and what was actually said. He went on to admit he was very slow to wake up to the changing nature of the work environment and added he had a massive wake-up call seven years ago that his energetic greengrocer persona was becoming redundant. Wallaces lawyers previously told the BBC it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. The most recent series of MasterChef: The Professionals continued to air last year amid allegations against Wallace, but two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials were pulled from the BBCs schedule in December 2024. BBC bosses previously said the corporation will not tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect and will continue to champion a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful. A memo sent to staff by the BBC director-general, Tim Davie, and Charlotte Moore, chief content officer, said the corporation would be supporting MasterChef producer Banijay UK in its investigation. Earlier this month, Banijay UK said in a statement: It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors. These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously. HR contact details are promoted and contributors are assigned a point of contact on set available to discuss any issues or concerns. Banijay UK declined to comment on Wallaces interview when contacted by the PA news agency. Samaritans can be contacted free on 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org. Other sources of support are listed on the NHS help for suicidal thoughts webpage. Support is available around the clock, every day of the year. There were gasps in the public gallery when footage of the assault was shown in court. (Photograph: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)/PA) A headteacher who was caught on video attacking his deputy with a large adjustable spanner, in an assault motivated by overwhelming sexual jealousy, has been jailed for more than two years. Anthony John Felton, 54, concealed the wrench in his jacket pocket as he approached his colleague, Richard Pyke, 51, from behind. Video of the incident showed him taking out the heavy tool and then repeatedly swinging it at Pykes head. Pyke fell to the floor and attempted to kick away Felton before colleagues at St Josephs Roman Catholic comprehensive school in Aberavon, south Wales, heard the disturbance and came to his aid. When graphic CCTV footage of the incident was played to Swansea crown court there were gasps in the public gallery at the ferocity of the attack. Ieuan Rees, for the prosecution, said Felton believed Pyke had slept with another teacher with whom he had recently been in a relationship. The evidence of his wife and the admissions he made to her suggested Mr Felton had been in a relationship with another member of staff and had recently discovered he was the father of her child, he said. Furthermore, he believed that Mr Pyke had now begun his own relationship with that lady. After the attack, Felton fled the school in his car and then emailed staff to apologise for the problems and distress his actions were likely to cause, the court heard. Felton, who had been headteacher since September 2023, pleaded guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, at a hearing earlier this month. In a victim impact statement address to Felton, Pyke said: You had my complete trust in every way and you used that to manoeuvre me into a position of utter vulnerability. And then you attacked me from behind. He added: The fear that you could attempt to do me such harm, smiling at me just seconds before, will always be with me. On Friday, Judge Paul Thomas sentenced Felton to two years and four months in jail and issued an indefinite restraining order. The judge said the ambush by a headteacher on their deputy was: I suspect, entirely without precedent. He added: You are more than intelligent enough to realise when you plotted this bizarre attack that the impact and ramifications would be immense and far-reaching. Ultimately, the trigger for your act of extreme violence was of your own doing, the overwhelming sexual jealousy arising from an adulterous affair and the uncontrollable rage it created in you. John Hipkin KC, speaking for the defence, said Felton had recently suffered due to the death of his mother and a cancer diagnosis. After the attack, police said Pyke had been discharged from hospital after suffering minor injuries. The headline of this article was amended on 27 April 2025 because an earlier version incorrectly referred to the school as a primary school. The King paid a special tribute to Australian and New Zealand forces who fell during the Gallipoli landings in 1915 as dawn broke on Anzac Day. Services took place as the sun rose across the two nations on Friday marking the 110th anniversary of the ill-fated assault on the peninsula in north-west Turkey during the First World War. Troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps shortened to Anzac landed on the western shore of the Gallipoli peninsula on April 25 1915 as part of the failed campaign that lasted into 1916. Later, the Princess Royal will represent the royal family in person at a dawn service at Anzac Cove where those landings took place more than a century ago. Today, on #AnzacDay, The King has paid tribute to all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peace keeping operations. This year is particularly poignant as commemorations take place to mark the 110th anniversary of the first landings at pic.twitter.com/5Lgxpt9Zno The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 24, 2025 Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh will take part in the annual Anzac Day commemorations held in London, joining Australians and New Zealanders for a dawn service at the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and later a Westminster Abbey service of commemoration and thanksgiving. In a message on social media Charles, who attended the dawn service in Gallipoli on Anzac Day in 2005 and 2015, said he wanted to pay a special tribute to Australian and New Zealand veterans, and those who are on active service today. Through the generations, you have continued to enact the indomitable spirit of Anzac forged in terrible conflict and preserved in peace of courage, mateship and sacrifice, he said. The Princess Royal attended an event at the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park on Thursday (Yui Mok/PA) More than 100,000 troops died in the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War by the UK and allies to capture the Dardanelles Strait. The assault in 1915 was intended to wound the then Ottoman Empire and cut off a key connecting water route between the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea, a move which would have also aided Russia. Many from Australia and New Zealand have travelled to Turkey to take part in anniversary services. The Princess Royal talks to Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon at a reception, hosted by Jill Morris, ambassador to the Republic of Turkey (Yui Mok/PA) Anne attended services across Gallipoli on Thursday and laid wreaths for the fallen of several nationalities, including the UK and Ireland, France and Turkey. Later she met New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as well as senior political figures and diplomats during a reception at the Kolin Hotel in Canakkale. During speeches, Anne hailed Turkish friends and emphasised the importance of passing on the tradition of remembering those who have fallen in war. The Princess Royal walks beside the graves of Turkish soldiers in the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park (Yui Mok/PA) She quoted Turkish hero Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, saying: There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this island, they have become our sons as well. Anne described words such as these as having paved the way for ferocious battles that took place on this land to be replaced by long-lasting friendships and strong alliances that we must take forward to the future. Laurence Fox is due to appear in court after allegedly sharing a compromising photo of TV star Narinder Kaur on social media. The actor-turned-politician is said to have shared a compromising image in a tweet posted in April 2024 of Kaur, 52, who appears regularly on Good Morning Britain and has previously appeared on GB News. Fox, 46, of Peldon, Essex, is due to appear Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday charged with two counts under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He is accused of sharing a photograph or film of person in intimate state intending to cause alarm, distress or humiliation in the first count, while the second alleges he sent a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation. The police previously said Fox had been charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which relates to an image that was posted on a social media platform in April 2024. Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act relates to cyber flashing. The charge was introduced in 2023 and makes it an offence to intentionally share a sexual image of someone without consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, humiliation or for sexual gratification. Upskirting, taking pictures of people under their clothes without their permission, became a specific criminal offence in 2019. Offenders can face up to two years in jail and be placed on the sex offenders register. Fox was fired from GB News in October 2023 after an on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans. Luigi Mangione attends a pretrial hearing at New York state supreme court. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Luigi Mangione on Friday pleaded not guilty to Manhattan federal court charges that he stalked and murdered the UnitedHealthcare chief executive, Brian Thompson, late last year. Mangione, 26, walked into court just before 1pm. He was wearing tan jail garb with a white long-sleeved undershirt. He spoke with his lawyers, who sat alongside him, and at one point appeared to smile; he could be seen flipping through papers on the table. Judge Margaret M Garnett asked Mangione to stand, and Mangione confirmed to the justice that he had seen a copy of this indictment and had had enough time to discuss it with his lawyers. Garnett asked Mangione his plea. Mangione said: Not guilty. Mangione could face the death penalty in a case that shocked America for the killing of a top business executive on New Yorks streets but also triggered an outpouring of anger against the countrys for-profit healthcare industry. As with previous proceedings, throngs of supporters of Mangione queued up outside to secure a much-coveted seat in court. Many sported medical masks or sunglasses, or both, and were reticent about speaking to media but did attack the healthcare system. Related: The alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer faces the death penalty. Will a jury impose that punishment? I am a chronically ill person. I live in chronic pain, one woman said in explaining why she was at court. She said that she had never been in that much medical debt compared to others, but when I say not that much I mean like $30,000. Even if it were proved that Mangione killed Thompson, she said, she believed his guilt embodies an ethical grey area. The healthcare industry kills thousands and Thompson was one man, she said. One life [versus] like a thousand lives, that moral dilemma, she said. When asked about the announcement prosecutors would seek the death penalty, she said: Its state-sanctioned murder. Hes a political prisoner school shooters dont get that. As those waiting in line chatted among themselves, an LCD-screen truck, displaying support of Mangione, repeatedly drove by the courthouse. One image featured a photo of Mangione smiling that read: END THE DEATH PENALTY NOW. The intelligence whistleblower Chelsea Manning was also among those in line. Mangiones arraignment comes months after his arrest for allegedly gunning down Thompson outside a New York hotel on 4 December. He was apprehended on 9 December at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a restaurant worker purportedly recognized him from law enforcement advisories and tipped off police. In federal court, Mangione faces stalking, murder through use of a firearm, and firearms offense charges. Mangione is also charged with a host of murder and firearms counts in New York state court. Pennsylvania state prosecutors are also pursuing a case against him related to alleged weapons possession and false identification. He has also maintained his innocence in the state cases. While Mangione was already staring down the prospect of life imprisonment following his arrest, Donald Trumps attorney general, Pam Bondi, raised the stakes several weeks ago by announcing that she was directing prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Bondi called Thompsons killing a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. She stated that her decision was in keeping with President Trumps agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again. Related: Hannibal Lecter treatment of Luigi Mangione backfired, says fundraising organizer In court, Garnett cautioned prosecutors against making inflammatory statements. She urged them to abide by local court rules that bar attorneys from making public commentary that could impede Mr Mangiones right to a fair trial and to pick a fair jury. Im specifically directing the government to convey my directive to Mr Clayton, Garnett said, referring to acting Manhattan federal prosecutor Jay Clayton. The judge also directed that prosecutors request that he convey the same to Attorney General Bondi and her associates. The last time federal prosecutors in Manhattan pursued the death penalty was in the case of Sayfullo Saipov, an Islamist extremist who murdered eight people in a truck attack. During the penalty phase of Saipovs trial, jurors could not unanimously decide on whether to impose a death sentence, resulting in him being automatically sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. Gregory Germain, a professor of law at Syracuse Universitys College of Law, previously told the Guardian that nearly all recent federal death penalty cases took place during Trumps first term. Germain said he believed that Trumps justice department would not agree to an deal in which Mangione pleaded guilty in exchange for a life sentence. He has political reasons, wanting to seem tough on crime by supporting the death penalty, Germain said. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangiones lead defense attorney, raised several constitutional points during the proceeding. She said there was a handshake deal forged between Manhattan prosecutors and Bidens justice department, under which his state case would be tried first. But now that federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, Friedman Agnifilo said they would fight this plan. Its partly scheduling, your honor, but its also constitutional issues [that] are going to be impacted if we are forced to try that case first, she said. Friedman Agnifilo also alleged in court that authorities had been listening in on Mangiones privileged communications. We were just informed by the state court prosecutors that they were eavesdropping on all of Mr Mangiones calls, she said. They were listening to his attorney calls and all of his other calls going on. They said it was inadvertent that they were listening to a call between Mr Mangione and me. Friedman Agnifilo asked the judge to put a directive in place to prevent this from happening again. Garnett asked the prosecutor Dominic Gentile about the alleged recording. Gentile said this was the very first weve heard of this situation and that such would not be normal practice. Garnett told Gentile that she wanted prosecutors to file a letter within seven days outlining what they knew about the recording. Plymouth crown court heard Chick had made six statements to police about Butlers behaviour and had been frustrated they did not do enough to help her. Photograph: Devon and Cornwall police/PA A man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years for stabbing his estranged wife to death in Devon after she had made repeated allegations to police that he had been stalking and harassing her. Paul Butler, 53, stabbed Claire Chick 23 times outside her apartment block in Plymouth on 23 January. Plymouth crown court heard Chick had made six statements to police about Butlers behaviour and had been frustrated they did not do enough to help her. The 48-year-old nurse and university lecturer emailed her solicitor saying she was upset with the police for not doing all they could. At a previous hearing, Butler, from Plymouth, pleaded guilty to murder and possession of a bladed article. Chick told friends her life was a living hell at the hands of Butler after their marriage broke down after only a few months in 2024. She wanted a divorce and felt trapped by Butler, who accused her of sleeping with other men, the court heard. She was frightened by his unpredictable behaviour and moved to a flat, but he followed the removals van and admitted fitting a tracker to a car. He also repeatedly sent messages to her in which he would threaten to kill himself. Butler, a former doorman, was arrested several times for stalking and harassment but he broke bail conditions ordering him to leave her alone and was still on bail when he stabbed her, the court heard. Chick signed her final statement to police the day before her death and the prosecutor, Joanna Martin KC, said: She believed he would murder her. Butler had previous convictions for violence and sexual offences against girls and women from 1986-88 when he was a teenager. Martin told the court that by January this year Butler had formulated a plan as he wore a camouflage jacket, cap and rucksack and bought three kitchen knives from a supermarket. The attack was caught in harrowing CCTV and dashcam footage shown to the court during a 22-minute compilation of events. Chick shouted get off me but suffered 23 stab wounds in a short space of time and probably died at the scene, Martin said. Martin said Butler suspected Chick had moved on with a new relationship with a man called Paul Maxwell, who came across the fatal attack. Butler chased Maxwell off before fleeing himself and dumping the knife and then his cap and jacket in a bin. Chick worked as a lecturer in adult nursing at the University of Plymouth. A statement from the university earlier in the year described her as a nurse, lecturer and personal tutor, and said she was the associate head of school for international in the universitys school of nursing and midwifery. She had been involved in developing nursing programmes in Europe, Africa and Asia. After Chicks death, Devon and Cornwall police made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to previous contact with the victim. Our investigation into Claire Chicks contact with Devon and Cornwall police prior to her murder in January is ongoing, an IOPC spokesperson said. Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Ms Chicks family and we are keeping them updated on the progress of our investigation. Singer Matt Goss has released a charity single commemorating the upcoming 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The song, Not Forgotten, is a tribute to those who have served the country and the sheet music and lyrics will become available to schools, choirs and churches. Goss, former lead singer of 1980s pop group Bros, is known for songs including Somewhere To Fall and If You Were Here Tonight, and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. Veterans and serving military with Matt Goss (Schmooly/The Not Forgotten/PA) Proceeds from the song will go to The Not Forgotten, a charity that provides support to veterans and service personnel living with injury, illness or isolation. The video for the single features a collaboration with the Bands of the Household Division, the Countess of Wessexs String Orchestra and an Irish Guards Piper as well as veterans of all three military services who have been supported by The Not Forgotten. Earlier in the year at RAK Studios in London, the first official playback of the single and the showcase of the music video took place, watched by serving military personnel and veterans of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. Richard Walker, chief executive of The Not Forgotten, said: Today is a momentous day for The Not Forgotten as a charity and as a community. We are really excited to have a mainstream commercial song written, performed and dedicated to our work and the 10,000+ veterans and serving personnel we support. Second World War veteran Dorothea Barron, 100, gives Matt Goss a hug (Schmooly/The Not Forgotten/PA) Matt Gosss deeply moving song will mean our beneficiaries are visible in areas that havent traditionally celebrated veterans and military service, and this means a lot; particularly in this 80th year of commemorating victory in the Second World War across the country and the Commonwealth. To all those involved in the single thank you. And to all those who will get behind this cause, listen to the song and remember our heroes we salute you. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has outlined a packed schedule for VE Day that includes a Churchill speech performance, a flypast by the Red Arrows and aircraft used to support Ukraine, and a military procession of 1,300 members of the armed forces. The King and Queen will host a tea party for Second World War veterans and street parties, picnics and community celebrations are being encouraged across the country. Not Forgotten is available to stream now on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music. OnCue, an ambulance subcontractor, has paid as much as 1,000 a week in penalty charge notices issued by TfL and individual councils - Grazyna Bonati/Alamy Ambulance drivers have claimed they are being fined for parking non-emergency vehicles in low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs). The rules are supposed to exempt ambulance drivers, but many non-emergency ambulance drivers are still being issued with fixed penalty notices, The Times reported. More and more roads in the capital are being designated as school streets, which ban drivers from parking on them at certain times of the day. It has led ambulance drivers to claim that they are forced to choose between being fined or dropping off and picking up patients at the end of the road. Peter Wakefield, a compliance officer at OnCue, an ambulance provider, told The Times: We pick up the patient, and then the ambulance will get a penalty charge notice for going down that road because its not allowed at that time. The ambulance would have to stop at the limit of that road and then call the patient and ask them to walk there. What happens if theyre a wheelchair user? Its those sorts of instances councils dont consider. Londons low traffic streets are managed by local councils and Transport for London (TfL), and there is no city-wide policy for non-emergency ambulances and how low traffic restrictions apply to them. Ambulance drivers are meant to be exempt from low-traffic neighbourhood fines, but many providing non-emergency services are being targeted - Shakeyjon/Alamy Freedom of information requests by The Times revealed that 2,300 parking fines have been issued to private ambulance providers working for Barts Health NHS Trust in East London for driving through low traffic neighbourhoods and bus lanes. Less than 2 per cent of these are successfully appealed against. This has led some ambulance drivers to take longer routes to avoid bus lanes and LTNs entirely, unsure whether they are exempt from restrictions or not. Speaking to The Times, BisMark Asiamiah, a non-emergency ambulance driver for Guys and St Thomas Hospital, said he had received a fine from Waltham Forest council for driving in a bus lane, which was taken out of his monthly wage. Ive now decided that I dont want to drive in any bus lane because I dont know if they will give me a ticket. It could be that area is free for me to drive through, but I dont know, he added. OnCue, a subcontractor whose 270 registered ambulances are used by multiple NHS trusts, including Barts Health, has paid as much as 1,000 a week in penalty charge notices issued by TfL and individual councils. Mr Wakefield told The Times that OnCue does not appeal against the penalty charge notices issued to its ambulances in these circumstances, weighing that this process is more effort than it is worth. The company has reportedly tried without success to have its fleet come under the TfL exemption from bus lane fines, which applies to vehicles sponsored by one NHS Trust. A TfL spokesman said: We continue to monitor these arrangements to ensure that the scheme is working as intended. He told The Times that NHS Trusts could provide TfL a list of subcontracted vehicles they use. Leader of Reform UK party Nigel Farage talks to boxers at the Boxclub gym in Hull, Britain, 25 April 2025. - ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Shutterstock The local elections are just around the corner, with voters heading to the polls on May 1st. Its the first big test for the political parties since the general election, particularly the Reform Party, who are expected to make big gains in the North. The party hopes to claim a win in Runcorn and Helsby as their first ever by-election victory, making them a very serious contender for the governing party in the next big election. Cleo and Kamal are joined by Luke Tryl, executive director of More in Common and The Telegraphs data expert Ollie Corfe to find out which seats we should be watching, where Labour and Tories could be losing seats to Reform, and why Nigel Farages party could end up being the biggest in the country. Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates Laurence Fox arrives at Westminster magistrates court with partner Elizabeth Barker - Jordan Pettitt/PA Media Laurence Fox has appeared at court wearing a two-tier Britain hat after being accused of sharing a compromising photo of a TV presenter on social media. Fox, the founder of the Reclaim party, is said to have shared an image of Narinder Kaur, 52, in a tweet posted in April last year. The 46-year-old, from Peldon, Essex, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Friday, charged with two counts under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Wearing a black jacket and a light blue shirt, Fox spoke to confirm his name and enter not guilty pleas to both charges. Before the hearing began, he blew a kiss to his partner in the public gallery. Paul Goldspring, the Chief Magistrate, said the case was an either way offence, meaning it could be tried without a jury in the magistrates court or by a jury at a crown court. Fox confirmed that he would like to be tried by a jury at a crown court. Judge Goldspring said: I determined the allegations were suitable for summary trial, but you exercised your right to choose trial by jury. Fox, a former GB News presenter, is accused of sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state intending to cause alarm, distress or humiliation in the first count. The second count alleges he sent a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation. Fox allegedly shared an explicit image of Kaur, who rose to fame as a Big Brother housemate, getting out of a taxi in April last year on X. The picture was taken in 2009 without her knowledge or consent, prior to legislation being enacted that outlawed upskirting. Fox is alleged to have shared the image online. He later deleted the alleged picture. Posting on X at the time, Kaur, who waived her right to anonymity, said the image was unimaginably mortifying. She has appeared on shows including Good Morning Britain, Jeremy Vine On 5 and Loose Women after getting her start on Big Brother in 2001. Fox has been charged under section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act, which relates to cyber flashing. The charge was introduced in 2023 and makes it an offence to intentionally share a sexual image of someone without consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, humiliation or for sexual gratification. Upskirting, which is the taking of pictures of people under their clothes without their permission, became a criminal offence in 2019. Offenders can face up to two years in jail and be placed on the sex offenders register. Fox was fired from GB News in October 2023 after an on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans. Sir Alan Bates led the campaign that revealed faults with the Horizon software that the Post Office is still lumbered with - Andy Stenning The Post Office paid 600 million to continue using the faulty Horizon IT system, despite deciding to abandon it over a decade ago. Although the IT system from Fujitsu was flawed and contributed to 900 sub-postmasters being incorrectly prosecuted for theft or fraud, the Post Office was unable to change the software system. The terms of the original 1999 deal with Fujitsu, the Japanese computer giant, has meant the Post Office has been stuck with the system and unable to build a replacement. Sir Tony Blair, the former prime minister, and other senior Labour government figures were warned about potential problems with the terms of the deal before it was signed, according to the BBC. The Post Office said it apologises unreservedly to the victims of the Horizon IT scandal, adding it was committed to moving away from Fujitsu and the Horizon software Under the terms of the original 548 million deal between Fujitsu and the former Labour government, the Post Office did not own the computer code for the core part of the Horizon system. Sir Tony Blair, the former prime minister, was warned about potential problems with the terms of the deal - PA/Chris Ison Since 2012, the Post Office has tried to switch IT suppliers, but buying the rights to the code from Fujitsu or building a new system from scratch were considered too expensive. At the same time, the amounts paid to Fujitsu to retain Horizon continued to grow. Since 1999, the Post Office has allocated 2.5 billion to contracts with Fujitsu. Of that total, over 600 million has been spent on interim or extension agreements to maintain the Horizon system, even after the search for alternative suppliers began in 2012, according to analysis by data firm Tussell and the BBC. The Post Office, which is owned by the Government, did not own the IT code, so it was unable to inspect the part of the software that processed transactions and had to rely on assurances from Fujitsu that it was functioning correctly. Warnings issued in 1999 In May 1999, Sir Tony received an update from the Treasury, which warned that the terms of the deal with Fujitsu had foundered, with the ownership of the intellectual property being a major sticking point, according to documents obtained by the BBC. It warned that Fujitsu could be in a position to drive a costly settlement with the Post Office if it ever tried to change suppliers. Gordon Brown, the then-chancellor, and other government officials were also warned about the issue of who owned the code. The Horizon deal with the Post Office went ahead in July 1999. Earlier this year, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the business minister, told the House of Lords that the Post Office was unfortunately, still dependent on the Horizon system, and the only way Fujitsu could be out of the picture immediately would mean shutting all local post offices. Between 1990 and 2015, more than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted of crimes including theft, fraud and false accounting as a result of the faulty Horizon computer software. In 2024, Rishi Sunak, then prime minister, described the Post Office scandal as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nations history. Fujitsu was later removed from the UK governments list of preferred suppliers. Over 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted of crimes including theft, fraud and false accounting as a result of the faulty Horizon computer software - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph In 2016, the Post Office tried to replace the Fujitsu IT system with one built by IBM at a cost of 40 million but it failed. As a result, it had to extend its contract with Fujitsu for at least four more years at a cost of 107 million. The Post Office told the BBC that it finally obtained the rights related to the Horizon software and code in 2023 for 10 million, although it is not known if this includes the core system that processes transactions. The BBC reported that the Post Office may try to use this licence for Horizons replacement. But while this is being built, IT experts said they believed the Post Offices contract with Fujitsu would need to be extended beyond March 2026, when it is currently due to end. Rick Prior had suggested police officers were increasingly nervous about challenging people from some ethnic minority backgrounds - Geoff Pugh The head of the Metropolitan Police Federation has been sacked after speaking to The Telegraph. Rick Prior, who represented 30,000 officers in the capital, was suspended last year after warning that members were concerned about being labelled racist. He challenged his suspension in the courts but after giving an interview to The Telegraph to raise awareness and crowdfund for his case, he has now been formally dismissed and banned from ever standing for election again. The officer, who has more than 30 years of service with the Metropolitan Police, including working in royalty protection, claimed he would have received fairer treatment from the regime in North Korea. The case began last October when Mr Prior, who was democratically elected to represent rank and file officers in London, gave a television interview warning that his members were becoming increasingly nervous about challenging people from ethnic minority communities. In the interview, with GB News, Mr Prior said: Theres a striking crisis of confidence at the moment within policing in general and certainly within the Metropolitan Police, whereby officers are withdrawing from any kind of proactive policing for fear of falling foul of the IOPC [Independent Office of Police Conduct], or a vexatious or malicious complaint. His comments reflected what he said was a growing unease among officers to use force and came in the wake of a string of high-profile incidents including the conviction of one constable who challenged a woman for refusing to show a valid bus ticket. A Metropolitan Police officer was fined 1,500 for assault after wrongly arresting a woman for bus fare evasion in Croydon. His conviction was then quashed on appeal. Assumption of racism Mr Prior warned that such incidents were eroding the confidence of his members. He explained: There seems to be an assumption of racism right from the off, particularly when its a white officer and a member of the public from a minority ethnic community and it almost seems as if the onus is then on the police officer to prove that the interaction wasnt racist. But the day after Mr Priors interview was broadcast he was suspended by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) for allegedly making comments that were discriminatory in nature. The Metropolitan Polices own Department of Professional Standards assessed the comments and swiftly concluded they did not amount to misconduct. Mr Prior vowed to fight his suspension insisting it was a fundamental free speech issue. But because it was his own staff association that was taking action against him, they would not fund any legal advice or action in support of his defence. Last month he gave an interview to the Telegraph to raise awareness of his case and appeal for financial assistance to continue his fight. But on Thursday after a hastily convened panel at Police Federation headquarters he was dismissed from his elected post and banned from ever standing again. Speaking again to The Telegraph, he said: I was suspended by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) because I dared to speak the truth of what members I represent have been telling me for months. Now I have been sacked for simply trying to defend myself. I feel I would have been treated more fairly in the Democratic Peoples Republic of North Korea. It was of no surprise that this kangaroo panel found against me; however, even I was taken back by quite how vindictive they were permanently removing me from office and imposing a lifetime ban on me ever standing for election as a Federation Rep again. Prior to appeal decision Vowing not to surrender to their bullyboy tactics he said he would seek a judicial review over the decision. He added: I will have to again go cap in hand to the very generous benefactors who kindly supported me previously to raise further funds. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank everyone who have so generously supported me both financially and emotionally to date. This includes the fantastic support Ive received from Lord Young and Bryn Harris at the Free Speech Union whose support has been invaluable. The thousands of comments of support that were left with the donations genuinely moved me to tears. Thank you so much. Lord Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, said: Its becoming increasingly clear that the process Rick has been put through, from suspension to expulsion, has been designed to stop him from running in the forthcoming Police Federation elections. Its the kind of chicanery youd expect in student politics, not the representative body for police officers. A spokesman for the PFEW confirmed that Mr Prior had been found in breach of the Federations standards. The spokesman added: As a result, Rick has been removed from his position as Chair and as a Federation representative and also prevented from standing for election to any Federation position. Both sanctions are imposed on a permanent basis. In line with our standard policy on governance matters, the Federation will not be commenting on the details of the case. Rhianan Rudds mother says she was let down by everyone from social services to MI5 and the police - Central News/Web Collect In the autumn of 2020, Rhianan Rudd gouged a swastika into her forehead in a declaration of her love for Adolf Hitler. She had just turned 15. A little more than a year later, she killed herself in a childrens home in Nottinghamshire while in the care of her local authority. Rhianan had been diagnosed with autism as a child. Hers was a disturbing and disturbed life; a life which presents a chilling insight into the ease with which a teenager can be sucked into the hate-filled world of white supremacists. By the time of her death at the age of 16, Rhianan was an adherent of two far-Right terror groups: the Atomwaffen Division and the Order of Nine Angles, a bizarre neo-Nazi satanist cult. The youngest girl in the UK ever to be charged with terrorist offences, she had planned to build a bomb and blow up a synagogue. Her short life raises profound questions for society about how the authorities deal with children who pose a threat but are also deeply damaged themselves. Alexia Durran, the Chief Coroner for England and Wales, ruled on Monday that she could not be sure Rhianan had intended to kill herself. Rhianan was radicalised by an American white supremacist called Dax Mallaburn who was dating her mother, Emily Carter. Mallaburn has since fled the UK, having left Rhianans mother for a family friend, Ann, who had been helping to care for the troubled teenager. Ann Mallaburn, as she now calls herself, has defended her partner in a rambling 3,000-word email sent to The Telegraph, the contents of which could not be revealed for legal reasons, until now. The inquest into Rhianans death was told that authorities had suspected Mallaburn of sexually grooming the schoolgirl while living with Carter in the home they all shared in Bolsover, Derbyshire. The coroner was told that Mallaburns influence on Rhianan was not known to her mother. So how on Earth did this tragedy unfold? Rhianans mother, Emily Carter (centre), with Anna Moore and Jesse Nicholls from her legal team Rhianans case first reported by The Telegraph has exposed the terrifying pull that extreme Right-wing ideology has on young people, both here and in the US. MI5s director general, Sir Ken McCallum, revealed last year in a rare public speech that 13 per cent of UK terror suspects close to one in seven are now under the age of 18. The vast majority support extreme Right-wing causes. Young people, said Sir Ken, were being driven by propaganda that shows a canny understanding of online culture. He recognised the difficulties for the intelligence services and counter-terrorism police in tackling the threat posed by vulnerable children. Rhianan Rudds bizarre descent into a world of neo-Nazi terrorism, from being the bubbly, kind and loving youngster her mother remembers, highlights that dilemma better than any other. Rhianan was born in Brentwood, Essex, on September 16 2005, spending her early years on a nondescript suburban housing estate in nearby Basildon. Her family was fractured: her parents separated when Rhianan was young, although her father who only had sporadic contact with her still lives in the area. Rhianan had two older sisters and a brother. In a heart-rending statement read out at the start of the inquest, Carter who called her daughter Rhirhi asked for her to be remembered as a child who had brought so much joy, not the one who had become hate-filled and notorious. She was a little giggler, said her mother, generous, with a kind heart but also different. Rhianan loved animals and baking and collected Japanese manga comic books. Her walls were covered with drawings and pictures of My Little Pony, and she dressed, her mother says, goth style one day, prim and proper the next. For a time in 2016 and 2017, one of Rhianans older sisters looked after her. Her autism meant she got fixated on things, says her mother, but she was a child who never lost her temper or became irritated and I felt blessed having her. And then it all began to go wrong. Her being groomed was huge, and I saw Rhianan change, her mother said in a statement read out by her lawyer at the start of the inquest. She didnt say who had groomed her daughter or when. But the inquest would go on to hear that both Mallaburn and another neo-Nazi called Christopher Cook had been involved in her radicalisation. Emily Carter saw a marked change in her daughter after Dax Mallaburn came into their lives Mallaburn, 50, a convicted criminal jailed in the US for possession of weapons and with a large swastika tattoed on his forearm, came to the UK in 2017, having met Rhianans mother through a pen-pal prison scheme in which women exchange correspondence with US inmates. Carter had flown to the US to meet her penpal lover in August 2016 - she knew at the time he had convictions relating to violent, organised crime - and then returned to the UK in November. Mallaburn followed her to Britain 12 months later. The coroner would find that Mallaburn had played a material role in introducing and encouraging Rhianans interest in extreme Right-wing theories and Right-wing materials. In 2022, Carter said she had been unaware of Mallaburns involvement in radicalising her daughter. He [Mallaburn] wasnt involved, to my knowledge. He was involved in that [extremism] in the US, but not while he was with me, she told The Telegraph. She emphasised that they had split up and she had severed all ties with him. I have got nothing to do with him now, because anything to do with him brings trouble. Carter declined to elaborate further. In a later interview, given on the eve of the inquests conclusion, she said: When I started writing to him through the prison pen pal system, he was not in any Right-wing place or anything. When he came out and I met him, he never showed any views. Obviously, people were going to judge because of the way he looked and the fact that he still had a great big swastika on his arm. But I never saw or heard anything of those views from him at all. I might not like the guy, but Im not going to lie about somebody. Mallaburns past history is a nasty one. While serving time in jail in South Carolina in 2005 on firearms offences, he circulated a hit list that included the name of an undercover FBI agent who had infiltrated the Hells Angels gang and whose life was at risk as a result. US court papers described Mallaburn as a known associate of the Arizona branch of the Aryan Brotherhood, a notorious neo-Nazi prison gang with thousands of members across the US. His gang nickname, according to court papers, was Whitey. By May 2017, Mallaburn had been released under supervision from prison, but an Arizona court ordered his detention over fears he would either flee or pose a danger to the safety of the community. It is unclear why Mallaburn was suddenly sent back to jail. But by now he had been in contact with Carter through an organisation (not named in the inquest) that connected prisoners to pen pals. By November 2017 Mallaburn had won her over, relocated to the UK and moved in with her and Rhianan in their home in Bolsover. Dax Mallaburn had been imprisoned for firearms offences and was a known associate of the Aryan Brotherhood How a convicted criminal with known links to a neo-Nazi group, who had circulated a hit list naming an FBI agent, managed to evade UK border controls and inveigle himself into a family with a vulnerable child seems scandalous. The Home Office has declined to offer an explanation about what went wrong at the border. It insists that officials have robust safeguards in place to keep out those who intend to sow hatred and division. Despite the rhetoric, Mallaburn got in. Within two years, he was suspected of inappropriate behaviour. Social workers already involved with Rhianans care had become concerned that Mallaburn was sexually grooming her. Rhianan complained to them in 2019 that he had touched her sexually. She had just turned 14. But when police visited the girl at her home she retracted the allegations. Behind closed doors, Mallaburn was teaching her his version of the Second World War. In the days before she took her own life, Rhianan would tell a counter-terrorism official that Mallaburn had explained to her what really happened, describing her mothers partner as a literal Nazi. By September 2020, Rhianan had developed a fixation with Hitler and far-Right material so alarming that Carter reported her to Prevent, the Governments anti-extremism programme intended to stop vulnerable people becoming terrorists. I need help with my 15-year-old daughter, Carter wrote in a letter to counter-terrorism police, pleading for support. She has a very unhealthy outlook on fascism she also has massive dislikes for certain races and creeds. Counter-terrorism police didnt delay. By the end of the month, officers had interviewed Rhianan, who told them she wanted to blow up a synagogue. During the course of that interview it emerged that Rhianan had been in regular contact with Christopher Cook. Cook was 18 or 19 and Rhianan just 14 when they first communicated, and they were both infatuated with the Third Reich. They had met on an instant messaging platform called Discord that is largely used to discuss computer games. Covid had not helped. In lockdown, Rhianan - unsupervised and isolated at home, concluded the coroner, had engaged extensively in online discussions that contributed to her radicalisation. Using coded language, Rhianan and Cook who called himself Coo discussed Nazi ideology. He encouraged her to read books by James Mason, an American neo-Nazi described as the godfather of fascist terrorism, and supplied her with manuals on bomb-making, guerilla warfare and the targeting of black, Jewish, gay and trans people. The pair had also been in contact through WhatsApp, where they exchanged sexually explicit images. In the background, Mallaburn was egging Cook on. An MI5 officer, reading from a statement given behind a screen at the inquest, told the coroners court: The police were also informed that Cook had been in contact with US Person 1 and they had briefly discussed Right-wing extremist ideology. US person 1 indicated to Cook that Rhianan should be taught properly. The Telegraph has established that US person 1 was Dax Mallaburn. A child protection team with Derbyshire County Council found that Cook and Mallaburn had encouraged Rhianan to look at violent material. Counter-terrorism police passed to MI5 their suspicion of radicalisation of Rhianan by Mallaburn. At the inquest, Supt Stephen Riley, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands was asked if his officers were satisfied that Mallaburn had been largely responsible for her radicalisation. He was one of the most significant contacts, the superintendent replied. MI5 contacted their counterparts at the FBI over their concerns about Rhianan and her links to Cook. As it transpired, Cook had been on the radar of US authorities a whole year earlier, prompting their inquiries in October 2019. Christopher Cooks story is by turns terrifying and pathetic. He was just 17 when he first dreamt up a plot to cripple the US power grid, spread chaos and cause a race war. He aimed to recruit 40 like-minded fanatics to attack power stations with assault rifles and home-made bombs. Cooks ultimate goal was grandiose: to create an Aryan homeland through a white supremacist revolution. A handbook written by Cook and his three co-conspirators declared that they would not desist until every enemy of fascism has a rope around their neck. Rhianan began chatting to Christopher Cook on the messaging platform Discord, which is popular with gamers Cook, like Rhianan, had issues while growing up. By the age of four, his parents were struggling to cope and he was subsequently diagnosed with ADHD and put on medication by the start of first grade (equivalent to year two in the UK). By 13 he had started to dabble in neo-Nazi ideology and was becoming radicalised online. His mother, Diane, a lifelong Democrat voter, has been left distraught. He chose a very dark path, she would later tell a judge at her sons sentencing. Cook met his fellow plotters in a chat room, before launching The Front, a combat terror cell. Despite being its youngest member, he was its de facto leader. Cook was in charge of recruitment and, according to sources close to his family, became infatuated with Rhianan, and she in turn clearly fell under his spell. It is not certain when they first came into contact, but at the same time Rhianan was dreaming of blowing up a synagogue in the UK, Cook was criss-crossing the US, travelling through Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee and Texas in search of recruits for The Front. Its joining requirements included the demand for a physique photo to demonstrate a fitness for action. Recruits had to be white, and couldnt be obese or deformed, according to promotional material. The cell fortunately, given its murderous intent was sloppy. The FBI appears to have infiltrated it early on and at every turn police followed the movements of Cook and his two co-conspirators, who had made suicide necklaces with the drug fentanyl to be ingested if caught. But even that failed. When one of The Fronts leaders was pulled over by a traffic cop, he swallowed the suicide pill but survived. The FBI finally made arrests in August 2020, and in February 2022 Cook pleaded guilty to terrorism offences. He was 20. He remains out of reach of UK authorities. Now 23, he is serving a 92-month sentence in Bennettsville federal prison in South Carolina for orchestrating a plot to blow up power stations in a failed attempt to spark a race war. Emily Carter sent a victim impact statement to the US judge for consideration in sentencing Cook, although none of the charges related to the grooming of her daughter. The letter remains sealed and its unclear whether it contributed to the 92 months handed down to Cook, with 30 years supervised release. Cook, according to his family, has now rejected his far-Right views and is trying to reform. They are distraught at what happened to Rhianan. In emails sent from prison to two investigative reporters in Ohio, Cook declined to answer any questions about Rhianan. Asked about the allegation that he had exploited and radicalised her, his response was terse. No comment, he wrote. By contrast, his replies to everything else were often rambling and, at times, pretentious. He stressed that he no longer espoused white supremacist views. Most fascists, he told the Ohio journalists, are fat rejects whod be killed in their own dream states and communists still dont understand economics. I dont care what society has to offer, Im not interested in it. But Ive changed, Im not bitter or angry at it either I cant be angry at everyone anymore. I can only be an aristocrat in my own little world. Cooks lawyer, Peter Scranton, based in Columbus, Ohio, says his client was, like Rhianan, both depressed and isolated, adding: Obviously their mental health wasnt good and they werent helping each other. Scranton points the finger at Mallaburn, whom he refers to as the stepfather. She was already on the path, he says of Rhianans infatuation with the far Right prior to meeting Cook online. Chris [Cook] felt her stepfather was the whole problem. In October 2020, just as Rhianan was handing a USB stick with damning evidence on it to counter-terrorism police, Mallaburn had decided to leave the UK. His application to remain in Britain had been turned down by the Home Office in March of that year. And by now he had split with Carter and begun a relationship with the family friend who was helping to care for Rhianan. Ann Mallaburn (the name she now uses) had met Rhianan through the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chesterfield. (Dax Mallaburn was also a member and attempted to use his connection to the Mormon church to bolster his application, which failed, to remain in Britain.) Mallaburn was quizzed by counter-terrorism police at Heathrow prior to boarding his flight back to the US. He was interviewed again by Homeland Security on arrival and allowed into the country. He eventually settled in Cancun, the Mexican resort that is a favourite of US tourists. Ann, who is 40, joined him in August 2021, taking a flight from London to Mexico City. Ann Mallaburns father, who did not wish to be identified, had contacted The Telegraph, concerned about her welfare. He said: My daughter completely fell under his [Mallaburns] spell. She has since joined him in what I think is a country in South America. Dax Mallaburn is believed to live in Cancun, Mexico, from where he posted a message on Facebook marking Rhianans death - Facebook The Telegraph contacted Ann Mallaburn in November 2022, six months after Rhianans death. She replied with a lengthy email in which she supports Mallaburn, for whom she left her husband and two children, and is adamant that he was not responsible for Rhianans death. She acknowledged his far-Right links but insisted he was no longer involved. Due to Daxs past, while in prison, he was aligned with what is perceived in England to be the far-Right, she wrote. Dax renounced this many years ago. Attempts were made against his life as a direct result of him leaving the gang. You should also note that the Aryan Brotherhood are a criminal organisation not a terrorist organisation, primarily within US prisons, which are divided along racial lines. Dax has never been charged with any race crime. He was interviewed by the FBI about Rhianan and her online relationship with a man in Ohio. On October 7 2020 [he was] interviewed at Heathrow by anti-terror and by Homeland Security in the US about, not Rhianan, but her online boyfriend in Ohio. She cast light on Rhianans own torment, which she had witnessed first hand. A source at Derbyshire County Council says, Ann was a family friend who did help look after her [Rhianan], but it wasnt foster care or any other kind of official care arrangement. Dax Mallaburns partner, Ann, left her family in the UK to live with him in Mexico. She insists that he no longer has far-Right views Ann Mallaburn wrote that Rhianan was aligned with a number of groups, not just Atomwaffen Division, but also Order of Nine Angles, among others, which I understand to be a strange, quasi-Christian/Muslim/Pagan neo-Nazi organisation. She maintains that Rhianan was courted by what I can only call a melting pot of neo-Nazi sympathisers. She added: If I for one second believed Dax had those same leanings as Rhianan, I would not be with him today. It is my opinion that Rhianan was failed by Social Services on multiple occasions, right back to [when she lived in] Essex. By the autumn of 2020, Rhianans behaviour was becoming increasingly erratic. Her school in Derbyshire also reported her to Prevent after being made aware of disturbing WhatsApp messages she had shared. One fellow student who saw the messages told teachers: It was getting to the point where she wanted to kill someone at school and blow up a Jewish place of worship. Then, in October 2020, she carved a swastika into her forehead, which led to her being admitted to Chesterfield hospital. She subsequently told a social worker she wished she had done it bigger to make more of a statement. (Later in the childrens home Rhianan would try to scratch the swastika out.) Derbyshire County Council opened a child protection inquiry while police, working alongside MI5, decided to arrest her, alarmed that she now posed a risk to national security. On October 21 2020, counter-terrorism police raided Rhianans home and arrested her. Two detectives and 19 uniformed officers descended on the property. Rhianan was so delicately built, the handcuffs didnt go small enough, as her mother recalled, and just fell off her hands. It must have been a pitiful sight. They just held her arms and just walked around. Thats how small she was, she said. Rhianans bedroom, they discovered, had become a shrine dedicated to Hitler. The arrest forced Prevent to cease its de-radicalisation work with her. There was no turning back. Rhianan was finally charged in April 2021 with six separate terrorism offences, including the possession of instructions to make a bomb and another on how to 3D-print a gun. Her mother recalled her little girl coming down the staris and telling her: Guess what Ive done. Ive downloaded a bomb manual. At 15, she had become the youngest female ever charged under the Terrorism Act. The decision to prosecute was hugely controversial. It is not unusual for terror suspects also to be suffering from serious mental health problems, but even inside MI5 there were concerns that entering a young, mentally unstable girl into the criminal justice system was unwise. Were seeing more and more of these cases and it doesnt sit comfortably, one intelligence officer wrote in an email which was made public at Rhianans inquest. The officer went on to state, however, that opening an investigation is sometimes the only way of understanding the threat and the necessity to investigate them in the interests of national security. A senior investigating officer in Counter Terrorism Police concluded that no exception can be made in Rhianans case. The prospect of dragging such a damaged child Rhianan had a history of self-harm through the courts was clearly problematic. But by December 2021, all charges against the girl, now aged 16, were dropped. Theresa May, when home secretary, had put in place a unit within the Home Office to identify victims of trafficking and slavery. It concluded that Rhianan, having been groomed and exploited by Cook in Ohio, had been trafficked, even though she was born in the UK and had never left Britain. But the threat of imprisonment and the stress of a full-blown counter-terrorism investigation had taken its toll. In our submission, Rhianan was subjected to an extraordinary and exceptional level of state involvement in the period leading up to her death, said Jesse Nicholls, her familys lawyer, at the inquest, adding that her known vulnerability made her unable to cope. Rhianan had a history of self-harm and took her own life in the shower at the age of 16 - Leigh Day Solicitors Not long after the charges were dropped, in January 2022, Rhianan was placed in the care of Bluebell House childrens home in Nottinghamshire. Pradeep Manaktala, who founded Blue Mountain Homes (which ran Bluebell House), says Rhianan appeared a very happy child but felt conflicted. Her mood continued to fluctuate wildly at times she suffered a recurrence of disturbing thoughts, at others she felt more hopeful and focused on her GCSE exams. Manaktala blamed her radicalisation on Mallaburn. He taught her to look at the world that way, he says, but at the same time she was being cared for and given unconditional love here by our black and Asian staff. She found it difficult to reconcile this with what she was being told by this white supremacist preacher. Rhianan at times appeared to be responding. I wish life could be normal. I just want to be myself, she wrote in her diary while in the childrens home. But her life was anything but normal to the extent that on a day trip to Alton Towers, accompanied by a support worker, she donned a German military uniform; she also celebrated Hitlers birthday on April 20 2022 by speaking in a German accent and wearing combat gear. With charges dropped, Prevent began working with her again in Bluebell House. But any intervention was perhaps too little, certainly too late, and possibly too challenging, according to her familys legal team. Nicholls, a barrister at the human rights chambers Matrix, suggested the final Prevent session may have had a causal connection to her self-inflicted death just a few days later. Rhianan scrawled a note declaring Kill the Jews that was found by care home staff; and told her mother on a home visit that she wanted to contact yet another American extremist, who had previously sent her photographs of himself in camouflage clothing and holding a gun. Despite the madness, care home staff became convinced her behaviour was showing signs of improvement. But on May 19 2022, Rhianan was found dead in her shower in the childrens home. She was dressed all in black. In the hours before taking her own life she had posted on Instagram a simple, heartbreaking message: Im delving into madness. Three years on from Rhianans death, Emily Carters pain is still evident. I miss her more than life itself. I miss her smile, her laugh and her conversations, she said in the statement read out at the start of the inquest, I will see her again one day and I know she will be the same Rhianan I have always loved and cherished. I miss her more than life itself: Rhianan Rudds mother, Emily Carter She believes her daughter was badly let down by everyone from social services to MI5 and the police. Its been devastating, she says, how everything has gone and the way it was handled. It was wrong in every aspect. Carter admits she herself made mistakes, though she does not specify what these were. But she continues to direct her anger chiefly at the agencies that she says failed her daughter. Im not perfect. Ive made mistakes, she says. And I want the organisations to put their hands up and admit theyve made mistakes and to rectify their mistakes so it doesnt happen again. And then that way everybody can be happy, except me, because Ive already lost my daughter. They need to just make sure they do changes and do changes for the better, because I dont ever want this to happen to another family. This has been devastating. Three days after Rhianans death, Ann Mallaburn posted a manga-style self-portrait by Rhianan on her Facebook page, with the message: Rest in Peace. You deserved so much more. None of it was ever your fault. Dax Mallaburn commented, seemingly without irony: She will be missed dearly and never forgotten. A woman holds a sign in celebration after the Supreme Court ruling - Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters Trans people will avoid hospitals so they do not experience the humiliation of being placed on wards that match their biological sex, activists have warned MSPs. The Equality Network and Scottish Trans said it was very likely that people would avoid necessary hospital care rather than be placed on a ward that was opposed to their gender identity. In a joint letter to Holyroods equalities committee addressing the impact of last weeks Supreme Court ruling, they said that trans people faced being outed at work or in the NHS if they were forced to use facilities that matched their biological sex. They also insisted that trans women were women despite the courts ruling that the definition of woman for the purposes of the Equality Act is based on biological sex. If the ruling forces trans women to use male changing facilities and toilets, they argued this would result in repeated breaches of their human rights, including their right to privacy. But the UKs equalities watchdog told the committee that the case resolves difficulties that risked jeopardising the rights and interests of women and same-sex attracted people. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said this included the challenges faced by those seeking to maintain single-sex spaces, and the rights of same-sex attracted persons to form associations. Nicola Sturgeons plans to allow people to self-identify their legal gender by signing a simple declaration were vetoed by the UK Government over concerns they undermined womens safe spaces. But it has emerged that swathes of Scotlands public sector have adopted self-ID anyway to allow trans people to access female lavatories and changing rooms. In its submission to the Supreme Court, the SNP Government argued that it was unlawful for women-only clubs and associations to exclude biological males with gender recognition certificates (GRCs). For example, its legal submission stated that it would be unlawful for a lesbian association to bar biological males with GRCs who were sexually attracted to women. Experts have warned the self-ID policy will have to be ripped up in the wake of the courts ruling that the definition of woman is based on biological sex. Legal experts such as Dr Michael Foran, a public law lecturer at Glasgow University, have said the ruling is clear that services can exclude trans women from female-only services where it is proportionate. Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy, the Equality Networks chief executive, and Vic Valentine, the manager of Scottish Trans, told the committee they were deeply concerned about the judgments potential implications. They said a narrow interpretation would allow trans people to continue accessing single-sex services that aligned with their gender identity but a wider interpretation was they could be excluded by default. Arguing that the latter would strip trans people of their right to privacy, they said: For example, someone having to use the toilet at work that corresponds to their biological sex, as opposed to their gender identity, would out them as trans to their colleagues. Or someone who is placed on a hospital ward that corresponds to their biological sex as opposed to their gender identity, may be immediately outed as trans to others on that ward, and their visitors. They also claimed this could potentially open trans people up to experiences of discrimination, harassment, abuse and violence, before adding: We also think it is very likely that trans people would avoid necessary hospital care due to the potential humiliation of being placed in a ward where they clearly do not belong. The pair questioned whether it was feasible to create third spaces, solely for trans people given they constitute less than 0.5 per cent of the population. They also argued that determining someones biological sex was not as straightforward as seeing whether they had a male or female anatomy, saying there was a multitude of diversity in humanity. But For Women Scotland, the feminist group that won the Supreme Court case, noted that the SNP Governments lawyers had conceded that self-identification was not lawful. Trina Budge, Marion Calder and Susan Smith, the groups directors, wrote to the committee that trans people with or without a gender recognition certificate would be counted as their sex for all purposes under the Equality Act. They also said they would not appear before the committee while Maggie Chapman, a Green MSP, remained a member. She was filmed last weekend attacking the bigotry, prejudice and hatred that we see coming from the Supreme Court. Tess White, a Conservative committee member, has tabled a motion recommending that the parliament remove Ms Chapman. Ms White said Ms Chapmans position was untenable, adding: I urge my fellow MSPs on the committee to do the right thing on Tuesday and back my call to recommend that she be removed from her position. The Scottish Greens declined to comment. Hundreds of koalas were injured or left starving after Budj Bim national park was devastated by bushfire, the Victorian government says. Photograph: Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action The Victorian government has used aircraft to shoot about 700 koalas in south-west Victoria. The government says the unprecedented step was taken to prevent further suffering of the animals, after a fire in Budj Bim national park burned through 2,200 hectares, including a large area of manna gum, a key food source for koalas in the park. While aerial culling is routinely used in controlling invasive species such as deer and pigs, this was the first time wildlife have been shot by air for welfare reasons. The drastic action has sparked outrage and received global media attention so why do it? Should fire-affected animals be euthanised? Lisa Palma, chief executive of Wildlife Victoria, says the organisation was deeply saddened by the devastating impact on the koala population due to the fires in the Budj Bim national park. National parks are the last bastion for our wildlife and increasing severity of bushfires and other extreme weather events puts Australias incredible native species like the koala at significant risk. Related: Massive swarms of bogong moths once resembled rain clouds then their numbers crashed to earth The tragic reality is that bushfires typically lead to substantive loss of life and suffering for our wildlife and the most compassionate course of action for wildlife suffering severe burns and injuries is often euthanasia. Palma says no koala should lose its life without deep consideration and care, and Wildlife Victorias priority was ensuring that any method of euthanasia the government used after a bushfire was humane, instant and has appropriate oversight. The state governments chief biodiversity officer, James Todd, says the sole objective of the aerial cull was to prevent further suffering in animals affected by the fire, and involved specialist staff working with experienced vets, wildlife carers and animal welfare experts. Due to direct impacts of the fire, the poor health and low likelihood of survival of many animals due to the ongoing drought conditions and lack of food post-fire, many of the animals are requiring euthanising. Was aerial culling the right approach? This decision to employ this method was not taken lightly, Todd says, noting that it was informed by an experienced veterinarian and leading wildlife welfare ethics experts. Other methods were deemed not appropriate given the extremely rugged terrain, the inability to safely access the area by foot, the remote location of animals high in the canopy, and safety risks from fire-affected trees, he says. The options were to just leave them to deteriorate or take proactive steps to reduce suffering by using aerial assessments. Deakin University associate prof Desley Whisson, a wildlife ecologist who specialises in koala management, thinks it was a merciful, compassionate response in the circumstances, and one made despite the repercussions. Its political suicide, she says. It would have just been easier for them to walk away and not do anything. This is quite a drastic response, she says. But if youve got helicopters flying over an area and you see hundreds of koalas that are burnt, or covered in fire retardant, or otherwise showing signs of distress, I think you would want to make a decision to put them out of their misery. Palma says while the organisation would not like to see aerial killing of wildlife become the norm, euthanasia should be carried out using the approach that causes the least stress to the animal, as humanely as possible, and always be scrutinised. Is aerial culling accurate? Todd says koalas were euthanised only after being individually assessed first, often at less than 30 metres, supported by use of binoculars and other optical aids. He says an initial aerial trial supported by a ground-based veterinary assessment demonstrated that aerial shooting was both accurate and humane. According to Todd, a wildlife vets assessment during the trial showed that all koalas assessed and euthanised by the aerial team during the trial were in very poor health and would have continued to suffer in a deteriorating state of welfare if they had remained alive. But arent koalas endangered? While koalas in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory are listed as endangered under federal laws, the situation in Victoria and South Australia is quite different, with too many koalas and not enough trees in many places. Related: Calls to halt kangaroo culling in Victorias Grampians after bushfires Rolf Schlagloth, a koala ecologist based at Central Queensland University with 20 years experience researching the animals in Victoria, says the legacy of koala management in Victoria since colonisation has meant that when fires do occur, the impacts are worse. He questions the effectiveness and accuracy of aerial culling and thinks a ground-based approach would have been preferable, albeit more expensive. But he emphasises that any emergency response is a Band-Aid solution that doesnt address the underlying landscape issues. The real issue is the lack of connectivity and failing to properly manage koala habitat and native vegetation. In south-west Victoria, blue gum plantations have exacerbated the problems of insufficient and fragmented habitat that is too small for the number of koalas. Plantations were like a lolly shop for koalas, Schlagloth says. So, the koalas move in, and then when their home is harvested, they go back to the native forest, but theres already koalas there and they cant disperse because theres farmland around. So weve got this whole problem, and this koala overpopulation, or tree under population, he says. What comes next? Schlagloth says the state government now needs to take responsibility for the situation facing koalas in Victoria. The koala is a flagship species. If we cant solve the problems of the koala, what hope do other species have that dont have that profile. Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill has praised Pope Franciss unwavering commitment to justice and peace. Ms ONeill has confirmed she will travel to Rome to join leaders from across the world for the pontiffs funeral on Saturday. The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will not be in attendance. Michelle ONeill has confirmed she will attend the funeral of Pope Francis (James Manning/PA) Ms ONeill said: I am proud to be attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, paying my respects on behalf of everyone at home who cherished his leadership and looked to him as a spiritual and moral guide. Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader of deep humility, compassion and courage, with an unwavering commitment to justice and peace. His passing is deeply felt in Ireland and across the world, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire millions. I am proud to be attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, paying my respects on behalf of everyone at home who cherished his leadership and looked to him as a spiritual and moral guide. Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader of deep humility, compassion, and Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) April 25, 2025 Ms Little-Pengelly said she was not attending because she did not receive any invitation. In a post on X, she said: We didnt receive any invitation. That is why Im not attending. The (First Minister) subsequently sought one and was able to obtain one just today. Responding to criticism of her lack of attendance, she said she had expressed genuine condolences on the death of Francis. Ms Little-Pengelly said it was not right or fair to play politics with such a sombre issue of gravity and reflection. We didn't receive any invitation. That is why I'm not attending. The FM subsequently sought one and was able to obtain one just today. I have expressed my genuine condolences on the death of Pope Francis. It is not right or fair of you to play politics with such a somber issue Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) April 25, 2025 Speaking to the BBC, Ms ONeill said Francis had been a progressive voice within the Catholic church. She said: I said I would be a First Minister for all and it is important that I continue to demonstrate that. Much like Pope Francis himself, I think that you have to lead by your actions. The First Minister added: I think in any walk of life an inclusive voice, a progressive voice is always going to be something that anybody will have common ground with. I am somebody of faith, I am somebody that will very much look with interest as to who will be the next pope. I do hope that how the new pope will conduct business will be very much in the spirit of Pope Francis. Ms ONeill referred to Franciss visit to Ireland in 2018. At that time Pope Francis marked our own peace process, our own anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. But he also did something that was important, particularly for those victims of clerical abuse, of mother and baby homes and Magdelene laundries, he did absolutely acknowledge wrongdoing in the past. For me that was a huge moment in time in which to try to create healing, look towards the future and acknowledge the wrongdoing. I think that is one of his legacies that will be very much felt by many. Ms ONeill will join political leaders including US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Irelands premier Micheal Martin at the ceremony. Irelands president Michael D Higgins, Irish deputy premier Simon Harris, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell will also attend. The Popes funeral is expected to begin at 9am UK time on Saturday. Ms ONeill will travel to Rome later on Friday. The Northern Ireland Assembly, which is currently on Easter break, will hear tributes to Francis when it returns on Monday. Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after battling illnesses including pneumonia in recent months. On Easter Sunday, he had blessed thousands of people in St Peters Square in Vatican City. Tributes were paid from across Northern Ireland, including by Ms ONeill, Ms Little-Pengelly and Stormont speaker Edwin Poots. The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin will attend the Popes funeral on Saturday (Liam McBurney/PA) Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin paid tribute during a mass at St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh on Thursday night. The Archbishop compared the late Pope to his namesake, St Francis of Assisi, by saying he immediately began to prioritise the poor and the marginalised. Not just those who are financially poor, but everyone who is exploited, excluded, forgotten, or abused, he said. Pope Francis especially wanted to reach the hearts of those who are spiritually poor, those who feel empty inside. To them he offered the joy of the Gospel, a reason for living, a reason for hoping and an invitation to a personal encounter and friendship with Christ. All the parties standing in the May 1 local and mayoral elections will be aware that opinions polls suggest there has been an unsettled public mood in recent months. Polls measuring national voting intention have been carried out almost every week since Labour won the general election in July 2024. They first suggested Labour was holding steady at 30% of support or just above, with the Conservatives in second place at around 25% and Reform in third place at just below 20%. But since late autumn 2024, two clear trends have been under way. (PA Graphics) The first is a slow drop in support for Labour, which dipped below 30% in November then continued to fall to its current weekly average of between 23% and 25%. The other trend is an increase in support for Reform, which climbed above 20% in December and then rose further, to reach its present weekly average of between 24% and 25%. At the same time, there appears to have been a slight drop in support for the Conservatives, with the party now tending to score closer to 20% than 25%. An average of polls with fieldwork completed during the seven days to April 20 puts Reform on 25%, Labour on 23%, the Tories on 21%, the Liberal Democrats on 14% and the Greens on 10%. Six months earlier, in the week to October 20 2024, the averages were Labour 30%, Conservatives 25%, Reform 20%, Lib Dems 13% and Greens 8%. Opinion polls are snapshots of the prevailing national public mood, not projections or forecasts. They also offer only a limited guide to what may or may not happen in local elections. Some 1,641 council seats in England are up for grabs on May 1 across 23 local authorities. Elections are also taking place for four regional mayors and two local mayors, while voters in the constituency of Runcorn & Helsby will choose a new MP. Local and mayoral contests can reflect voters attitudes about neighbourhood concerns, such as when bins are collected, the state of parks and pavements, or access to libraries and hospitals. But they can also be a verdict on how parties and leaders are handling national issues which this year could mean the NHS, the cost of living, or even foreign affairs such as tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump and the conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East. No scheduled elections are taking place on May 1 in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. It is nonetheless the first big test at the ballot box for political parties since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister and since Kemi Badenoch took over as Conservative leader. Reforms rise in support in the national opinion polls suggests the party has some momentum ahead of May 1. But local factors, combined with an unpredictable turnout and fierce competition from other parties, including independent candidates, make the outcome of this years elections harder than usual to predict. All poll averages have been calculated by the PA news agency and are based on polls published by BMG, Deltapoll, FindOutNow, More in Common, Opinium, Survation, TechneUK and YouGov. Angela Merkel deliberates with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the official agenda on the second day of the G7 summit in 2018 in Charlevoix, Canada. Photograph: Getty Images A spectre is haunting Europe: the spectre of Donald Trump flying to the Vatican this weekend and publicly feuding with international leaders in front of St Peters Basilica in the midst of the sombre rituals and rites that will mark the funeral of Pope Francis. The US leaders first international trip of his second term comes at one of the most politically fractious and fraught moments in recent memory, as his America first project sets fire to US alliances and trade relationships around the world. Between international tariffs, the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza, the Trump teams open antipathy toward Europe and its hard line on immigration from Central and South America, the papal funeral could prove to be a minefield of international diplomacy. Related: When is Pope Franciss funeral, who will be there and what happens next Trumps international engagements in the past have set the stage for some of his most explosive confrontations, and he has bristled at world leaders who have criticised him publicly and castigated those he views as insufficiently deferential. Gatherings of world leaders have set the stage for some of his most divisive debates, such as the 2018 G7 meeting that saw him clash with Angela Merkel and other western leaders, or the 2017 Nato summit at which he famously shoved past the Montenegrin prime minister to get to the front of a group photograph. Compounding tensions are the Trump administrations difficult relationship with the Vatican itself, including Pope Franciss criticism of Trumps deportation policies as a major crisis and declaration that builders of walls sow fear. Adding to the diplomatic minefield, it was announced on Friday that the former president Joe Biden, whom Trump has repeatedly and continually criticised, would also attend the funeral. Trumps predecessor is a lifelong Catholic who had met Pope Francis several times and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January before leaving the White House. There is little doubt that Trumps trip to the Vatican which Italy has encased in a ring of steel with Nato jets, snipers and thousands of police at the ready will provide plenty of white-knuckle moments as the volatile US president navigates controversy amid the pomp and circumstance of a papal funeral. Assuming Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends on Friday he said military meetings might preclude him from making the trip the funeral will be the first time the Ukrainian leader has been in the same place as Trump since the US president and the vice-president, JD Vance, berated him in the White House in February. Trump cut short that meeting, saying Zelenskyy was gambling with world war three and being very disrespectful. He has now floated the prospect of the US recognising Russian control of Crimea and accused Zelenskyy of delaying a peace deal, testing the Ukrainian presidents patience and raising the danger of a new meltdown in bilateral relations. Then there are the EU leaders, members of a bloc that Trump has said was formed to screw the United States. At their head is the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Despite imposing (and then pausing) a 20% tariff on all goods from the EU, Trump and von der Leyen have not spoken directly or arranged an EU-US summit over the brewing trade war, meaning a meeting on the sidelines of the funeral could be well-timed. Von der Leyen had tacitly criticised the US in print, saying that Europe has no bros and no oligarchs and that the west as we knew it no longer exists. But there are some bright spots in the crowd for Trump. Italys Giorgia Meloni will attend following a friendly White House visit earlier this month that marked her ascent as one of the key envoys between Europe and the United States. And EU officials have been said to believe a summit with the US is within reach, with Trump saying that therell be a trade deal, 100%. Frances Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer have also hammered out friendly relationships with Trump, and the outgoing Polish president, Andrzej Duda, who was viewed as that countrys best conduit to Trump, will also attend. Related: Pope Franciss funeral is loaded with potential for diplomatic awkwardness Other attenders have also criticised Trump in public, including for his recent imposition of global tariffs that shook world markets, leading him to issue a 90-day pause for nearly all countries except for China. Among them is Brazils Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the leftwing leader who said of Trumps tariffs: Its not going to work. No high-level officials from China will take part in the funeral, curbing the potential for sideline discussions or a standoff over the trade war between Washington and Beijing. Vladimir Putin has also decided to deploy a fairly low-level official, the culture minister, Olga Lyubimova, as Russias envoy to the funeral, meaning that important contacts over a potential peace deal on the Russian war in Ukraine are unlikely to take place. Israel meanwhile will be represented by its ambassador to the Vatican, in contrast to Pope John Paul IIs funeral in 2005, when the country sent a presidential delegation. The apparent snub follows the late Pope Franciss criticism of the war in Gaza; the Times of Israel quoted an Israeli diplomat calling the delegation a low point in a spiral. Pope Francis had repeatedly slammed Israels cruelty in Gaza and had called the humanitarian situation there shameful in January. The absence of a high-level delegation from Israel will reduce the likelihood of substantive discussions over the war following the collapse of the ceasefire negotiated earlier in Trumps term. Trump has said that he is planning to meet foreign leaders during the trip, although he has not specified whom. I have a lot of meetings set up, Trump said. Yet he will not be seated front and centre at the funeral. In the areas allocated to foreign leaders, the front rows are designated for Catholic royalty, which will include King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. Then would come the non-Catholic royalty, including Prince William in the place of his father, King Charles III. And finally come other foreign leaders, including Trump. The greatest wildcard remains Trumps own behaviour at the funeral. While he has clashed with European leaders at past summits, he has also toned down his criticism of opponents during public appearances as well. At Jimmy Carters funeral in January, Trump sat next to Barack Obama, a rival whom he has publicly attacked for more than a decade, and yet the two traded jokes and smiled while speaking during the service. Then he complained about flags in the US flying at half-mast during the mourning period that coincided with his inauguration. The US president has never been known for his tact. And as world leaders gather in the Vatican this weekend and millions tune in to follow the funeral, it is Washington that will be sending the elephant in the room. Credit: IZ.RU/Telegram A senior Russian general was killed in a car bomb attack in Moscow on Friday, hours before the US chief negotiator arrived in the capital for a further round of talks with Vladimir Putin. Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the main operations directorate of Russias army, was killed on Nesterov Boulevard in the Balashikha suburb shortly before 11am, according to Russias investigative committee. The explosion was caused by a homemade device filled with shrapnel, a statement read. The Kremlin blamed Ukraine for the killing. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Vladimir Putin, said: The Kyiv regime once again simply shows its true nature. Despite the peace talks, we must be on guard and understand the nature of this regime. Baza, a Russian media outlet with sources inside law enforcement agencies, said the bomb was strapped to a parked Volkswagen car and detonated remotely when Moskalik, who lived in the neighbourhood, walked past. Ukraines intelligence services are suspected of a string of assassinations on Russian soil, including the similar killing of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov in December. Yaroslav Moskalik was responsible for planning military operations in Ukraine Footage posted by well-placed Telegram channels shows the blackened wreckage of the car burning next to a block of flats on Friday morning. A second person was also killed in the blast, according to the Kommersant newspaper. Moskalik, who held the rank of lieutenant general, was responsible for planning military operations in Ukraine. Rybar, a Russian war blogger with over 1.2 million subscribers on Telegram, said he was viewed as one of the most intelligent and demanding officers in his directorate. He had participated in a number of high-level Russian delegations, including a meeting in October 2015 of the Normandy Format. The meeting was made up of teams from Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France who oversaw the Minsk agreements designed to end the war between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in 2014. Bomb was strapped to a Volkswagen and detonated when Yuroslav Muskolik walked past, according to Russian media outlet Baza - YURI KOCHETKOV/EFE/Shutterstock On Friday afternoon, Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps special envoy, landed in Moscow for a fourth meeting with Putin. He was set to present the latest US peace plan, which controversially includes American recognition of Russias claim to the Crimean peninsula, which Russia seized by force in 2014. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Witkoff, who has said he likes the Russian president, was filmed walking around Moscow with his girlfriend. Alongside him was Kirill Dimitriev, a key Putin aide who heads Russias sovereign wealth funds and is serving as a go-between in the peace negotiations. Unlike many senior Russian officials, Mr Dimitriev studied in the US, attending Stanford and Harvard before beginning his career at Goldman Sachs. In the Kremlin, Putin welcomed Mr Witkoff with open arms and the pair exchanged pleasantries before sitting down on either side of a long, white oval table. The talks lasted for three hours and narrowed gaps between Washington and Moscow, according to Yuri Ushakov, an aide for Putin. The US presidents efforts to bring about a swift end to the war have been undermined by continuing Russian attacks on Ukraine. Vladimir, STOP! he posted on X on Thursday after a Russian drone strike killed 12 people in the capital, Kyiv. Hours later another Russian attack killed three more people, including a child, in the city of Pavlohrad. Earlier this month, Russian forces launched a spring offensive aimed at capturing more territory in eastern Ukraine. Putin is boosting spending and recruitment in the Russian military, in a sign that the Russian leader is prepared to drag the war out in the hope of securing further concessions. Mr Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, of delaying the peace deal. I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky, the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky. So far its been harder. Gen Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps Ukraine envoy, has said the car bombing violated the rules of war SBU, Ukraines intelligence service, did not respond to requests for comment on the killing of Moskalik. Sources in the service admitted it was behind the assassination of Kirrilov, the general in charge of Russias chemical and nuclear forces, who was killed by a bomb hidden in a scooter. Gen Keith Kellog, Mr Trumps Ukraine envoy, said that attack violated the rules of war. In February, Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russia separatist from Ukraine, was also killed by a bomb inside a gated residence in Moscow. Even under the Biden administration, Washington was known to counsel against targeted assassinations on Russian soil. The Trump administrations closeness to Putin may encourage Ukrainian spies to act more brazenly behind enemy lines, analysts said. There are so many Ukrainians who know how to do things like that [the bombing], said a former senior figure in the Ukrainian government, speaking on condition of anonymity. If Ukraine is betrayed, they will not need any government to continue fighting. Dan Byman, a Georgetown professor and senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Security Studies, said: The Trump administration already has a very strong narrative on whats going on in Ukraine and has put more blame on Russia than Ukraine for any problems. It has highlighted what it sees as Ukrainian negative steps in opposition and downplayed, in my view, much more egregious Russian bombings. I think [the bombing] is likely to reinforce Trump administration views that Ukraine is aggressive and doesnt want to go along with the peace plan. After exploring Strandhill beach, County Sligo, relax with a soak in a seaweed bath. Photograph: Image by Sherry Galey/Getty Images The beauty of slow travel is having the space to discover local magic otherwise easily missed. Chatting with a farmer about some quirk of local history. Following a tip for the best seaview walks or trad music sessions or whatever youre having yourself. Gold-dust moments like these unfurl on self-guided routes along Northern Irelands Causeway Coastal Route and Irelands Wild Atlantic Way, which pick up at Derry~Londonderry. We asked locals along this northern coastline for their favourite gems on a route from the charming seaside town of Ballycastle, County Antrim, to the buzzing surf town of Strandhill, County Sligo. Ballycastle Traditional Music Trail Musician Micheal O Seanain explains that the Ballycastle Traditional Music Trail was born of the reputation and tradition of music in Ballycastle, where theres been music in various bars since the mid-1950s and 60s (currently Wednesday to Friday and the first Saturday of each month). Book on to the Saturday afternoon trail to meet a pair of experienced local musicians at a shoreside bar for stories and music. Over a few hours youll visit two more heritage pubs, learn about instruments from uilleann pipes to Irish bouzouki, share a song and even try some brush dancing. Ballycastle makes a charming overnight stay before day tripping to Rathlin Islands seabird colonies of guillemots, razorbills, and puffins. Thanks to a campaign to eliminate rats and ferrets, the future of these colourful ground-nesters on the island should be secure. O Seanain also recommends seeing the coastline by horseback. Horserides from Benone beach to Downhill beach Hazel Patterson describes Crindle Stables as a family-run affair that evolved from her daughter Hannahs desire to ride with unicorns. While that dream didnt quite pan out, Hannah did showjump at international competitions with Team Ireland. Today Hannah and her sister Amy run Crindle Stables and Crindle Bespoke together with their parents. We offer a combination of farm and equestrian experiences and exploring the coast, Hazel says, incorporating the history, the culture, the characters and the authenticity of our area. Bookable experiences include mixed ability beach rides from Benone beach to Downhill beach through the shallow waters, sand dunes, streams and rocky waterside environs below Mussenden Temple. Its the ultimate mindfulness; when youre on the horse you literally cannot think of anything else. Then after all that connection with nature below and around you, I highly recommend zoning out with a sauna on the beach. Hazel suggests either the local Hotbox saunas or hopping on the summertime ferry across Lough Foyle to The Sea View Sauna in County Donegal. Wood-fired saunas in the Inishowen peninsula Former school pals Darragh Kelly and Ronan Doherty, who run Sea View Sauna, have two wood-fired, barrel-shaped saunas with views through full-moon windows on to beauty spots in the Inishowen peninsula. The first, overlooking the Stroove lighthouse near the Moville-Greencastle coastal walk, proved so popular that they set up a second at Culdaffs beautiful blue flag beach. Kelly is a regular in his saunas. Im a professional MMA fighter, he says, and take my recovery very seriously. I use a lot of ice baths and saunas, and was going to get one for my house but then I thought why keep it to myself? Now I use it at the beach whenever I want. Freshly shucked oysters from Ardara For the full Atlantic experience, nothing beats eating freshly shucked oysters straight from the water. For that, Kelly would send you to County Donegals western coast, just above Ardara. Here, Edward Gallagher runs Irish Premium Oysters, a shoreside working farm where his semi-retired oyster farmer father, Jimmy, leads tours. Several times weekly, Jimmy welcomes visitors to walk out with him at low tide to see how the oysters grow from seed and to taste how peated water from local bogland lends a unique flavour to Gallaghers Speciale oysters. Its not all about the oysters however, Edward says. In a group of four, one will be mad about the oysters and the other three are more amazed to hear Jimmys tales about the curse put on this bay that caused the local heron to disappear. (No spoiler alerts; Jimmy will have to tell you the rest himself.) My father has any amount of time on his hands, Edward says, so he wont be shy of sharing recommendations in the area, whether for favourite local walks or secret beaches. For another altogether different working farm experience, however, he might send you down to Grange, just north of Sligo town. Sheepdog demonstrations north of Sligo town Here, Martin and Trish Feeney are childhood neighbours turned sweethearts turned the husband and wife team who run Atlantic Sheepdogs, with the help of their next generation of three little men, a loyal pack of nine border collies and several flocks of diverse sheep breeds. Having learned from his father, Eugene, at the age of 11, Martin became the youngest ever competitor to win the annual international young sheepdog handler title. His personal hobby has become a unique award-winning tourist attraction, with daily sheepdog demonstrations year-round. Its a raw unfiltered Ireland, learning about real life on the farm in real time, Trish says. Martin does all the demos, and hes witty and chatty and has a lovely way of putting the story across. Our visitors love the warm Irish family welcome, and they love seeing the bond he has with the dogs and how intently they listen to him, whether its a whisper or a whistle. Voya Seaweed Baths, Strandhill From their family farm, Trish would send you to the buzzing surf town of Strandhill, where Voya Seaweed Baths beckons with the final unwind of your slow-travel tour: a long soak in a hot bath filled with organic seaweed hand-harvested from the wild Atlantic shoreline for all its healing, detoxifying, nourishing properties. Strandhill is a busy place, Trish says, but then you step into the calm and serenity of Voya. And the seaweed baths themselves are like bringing the seaside inside. Where better to contemplate the special memories youve gathered along the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way, and plan your return visit? Discover more at Ireland.com Three men have been jailed for plotting to kill a former cagefighter convicted of Britains largest cash robbery. Paul Allen, then 41, was paralysed for life after shots were fired at his large detached rented home in Woodford Green, north-east London, in 2019. A jury at the Old Bailey was told the intention was to kill him, and that the attackers very nearly succeeded, before convicting brothers Louis Ahearne, 36, and Stewart Ahearne, 46, and Daniel Kelly, 46, of plotting to murder Allen with others unknown. Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC sentenced Kelly, who did not appear at court, to 36 years in prison with an extended licence period of five years while she jailed Louis Ahearne for 33 years and Stewart Ahearne for 30 years. The judge said on Friday: I have no doubt that this agreement to murder Paul Allen involved other people apart from the three of you and that you three were motivated by a promise of financial gain. The culpability of each one of you is very high. The harm caused to the victim was very serious indeed short of killing him it could hardly be more serious. He is currently paralysed and relies on others for every single need. She said injuries like Mr Allens remain life-threatening. Louis Ahearne was previously jailed by a court in Geneva for stealing Ming Dynasty artefacts (Met Police/PA) The judge singled Kelly out as the shooter and highlighted him having been higher up in the chain of the conspiracy, as she also told of him being the subject of two outstanding extradition requests one to Switzerland for a Geneva museum burglary and another to Japan for an alleged robbery. She found him to be legally dangerous. Kellys barrister, Ruth Jones, said she could offer limited mitigation for her client as he had chosen a life of criminality. The defendant has 20 previous convictions for 60 offences, starting with shoplifting when he was 11 and escalating to convictions for aggravated burglary, carrying weapons and supplying class A drugs. Louis Ahearne has six convictions for 14 offences including dwelling house burglaries and possessing a stun gun while Stewart Ahearne has nine convictions for 26 offences including supply of class A drugs and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. During the trial, prosecutors alleged the background to the shooting was that Allen was a sophisticated career criminal. He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court in 2009 for his part in Britains biggest armed robbery, at Securitas in Kent, in which 54 million in cash was stolen, much of which has never been recovered, the court heard. By 2019, Allen had been released from prison and moved from south London to a large detached property in Woodford, north-east London, where he lived with his partner and young children. The court heard how the defendants had planned the shooting carefully, carried out surveillance and fitted a tracker device to the victims car to track his movements. The scene on Malvern Drive in Woodford Green, north-east London, where 41-year-old Paul Allen was shot in the throat (Samar Maguire/PA) At around 11.09pm on July 11 2019, six shots were fired through the back doors and windows, striking Mr Allen in the neck as he stood in the kitchen. Detective Superintendent Matt Webb said: The court heard how the defendants, hardened organised criminals, acted together in a well-planned and orchestrated manner to shoot their victim. It is only for the intervention of police first responder and medical professionals that the victim wasnt killed. This attack may look like the plot to a Hollywood blockbuster but the reality is something quite different. This was horrific criminality. The court heard how this was a clear and defined attempt to take a mans life with those responsible making significant efforts to ensure this was successful. During the police investigation, DNA was recovered from the garden fence and matched Kelly and Louis Ahearne. Bullet casings in the garden were matched to a Glock handgun that was compatible with a laser sight recovered from Kellys address. The court heard that the three men snatched Ming dynasty antiques worth more than 3.5 million US dollars (2.78 million) from a Swiss museum shortly before the murder plot. The trio were also said to have gone to a gated community in Kent disguised as police officers days before the shooting, burgling one apartment and attempting to burgle another. A cup stolen by Louis and Stewart Ahearne (Met Police/PA) Jurors heard agreed facts about the defendants previous criminality relating to a burglary at the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva on June 1 2019, a month before Allen was shot. Three pieces of Ming-era porcelain were taken from the museum, which had a combined insurance value of 3,580,000 US dollars (2,760,000). The items were an early 15th century bottle with a secret pomegranate decoration, a small wine cup known as the chicken cup and a 14th century An Huan phoenix design bowl. The defendants flew to Hong Kong on June 14 2019, where they attempted to sell the phoenix bowl at an auction house. On October 16 2020, Stewart Ahearne was arrested with another man at a London hotel as they tried to sell the Ming vase to an undercover police officer. Stewart Ahearne (Metropolitan Police/PA) A later search of a property revealed a passport in the name of Stewart Ahearne and a book on Ming dynasty antiques, the court was told. The brothers were extradited from Switzerland to face trial over the shooting. Avirup Chaudhuri, for Louis Ahearne, said his client has been described by prison operation staff as a model prisoner who goes above and beyond his duties to support everyone. It is his primary concern now that he does his best to set a better example to his son, Mr Chaudhuri added. He has only seen him once in the last five years. Terrence Woods, for Stewart Ahearne, argued that his client had no control over the events of the shooting and was not present at the scene. Mr Woods said the older Ahearne brother had developed into a model prisoner and told of how he made a speech saying female prison staff deserved the support of prisoners after an incident at HMP Wandsworth which led to the conviction of a member of staff. Louis Ahearne, from Greenwich, south-east London, and Stewart Ahearne and Kelly, both of no fixed address, had denied the charge against them. The Pope will be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, which is located outside the Vatican - PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images Transgender women will greet the Popes coffin at the church where he will be buried. In what will be a unique moment and an extraordinary gesture, 40 mourners chosen from the poorest communities, including trans women and migrants, will greet the pontiffs coffin as it is carried up the steps of Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. Prisoners on day release, victims of human trafficking, prostitutes and the homeless are also included in the invitation. They will each hold a white rose, greeting the coffin following its transportation from St Peters Basilica, where the funeral service will take place, to the site of his burial at Santa Maria Maggiore, two and a half miles away. It emerged on Friday that the pontiff had said he was told by the Virgin Mary that he should be buried at the church in one of the less salubrious neighbourhoods of Rome rather than in the more grandiose surroundings of St Peters which is where popes in the modern era have been laid to rest. Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, who is the titular head of the Santa Maria Maggiore church, told reporters that Pope Francis had spoken to him in May 2022, pondering about where he would be buried. He said he thinks popes have to be buried in the basilica [at St Peters] and he was thinking the same way. But after a week on May 20 he called me. It was 3pm and he said Mary told me Prepare your tomb [at Santa Maria Maggiore]. The Cardinal then found a suitable spot inside the church where Pope Francis will be laid to rest on Saturday. The request to invite the poor and dispossessed is understood to have come from Pope Francis himself. He left details for how his funeral should be conducted, including the burial at a church outside of the Vatican, in dying wishes contained in his last testament. The Rome daily newspaper Il Messaggero, among other outlets, reported that trans women were being included in the group of disadvantaged people chosen to meet the coffin. The Telegraph asked a Vatican spokesman, who would neither confirm nor deny the reports. Joe Stanley, chairman of the LGBT+ Catholics group based in London, said: This is wonderful. It really reinforces the Popes message that Christ loves everyone and that everybody as a human being has a right to be included in the Catholic Church. In some ways it is not surprising. We know the Pope had very good contacts with the trans community in Rome and Ostia. We know he certainly had lunch with them on several occasions. It is part of his general message that he kept trying to put across that you are included in the Church and that all of us are imperfect Catholics. Inside Santa Maria Maggiore, which is two and a half miles away from St Peters Basilica - Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters The contrast of the greeting at Santa Maria Maggiore with the grandeur at St Peters will not be lost on the watching world. High-profile guests including Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales will watch the state funeral along with at least 250,000 people in St Peters Square, with hundreds of thousands more packed onto the streets watching on huge screens. The late pontiff reportedly began meeting trans women at the start of the pandemic, many of whom were sex workers. Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a close friend of Pope Francis for over two decades, was also heavily involved in supporting trans women. The French-Argentine nun, who was seen sobbing by the pontiffs coffin earlier this week, has dedicated more than 56 years to serving disadvantaged communities, including transgender women. Ms Jeanningros, now 81, brought groups of fairground workers, homeless people and transgender women to the Vaticans general audiences. A nun prays near the site for the tomb of Pope Francis inside Santa Maria Maggiore a day before his funeral - Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters In 2023, Pope Francis signed a document that stated that a transexual even one who has undergone hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery may receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful as long as there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or disorientation among the faithful. Elsewhere in the document, the Pope also confirmed transgender people could be godparents and witnesses at a wedding. However, the following year he said that to erase the difference between men and women would be to erase humanity. He added: Today the worst danger is gender ideology, which erases differences. Vatican News, the in-house media arm of the Vatican, reported that the group, comprising poor people, homeless, prisoners, migrants and transgender individuals had wanted to say their own goodbye to a Pope that many considered their father. Bishop Benoni Ambarus, a senior bishop in charge of migrant and other charitable causes told Vatican news: I find this a very moving choice, because Pope Francis is being received by... his favourite children, who will surround him on this final journey. I think its something truly beautiful. Bishop Ambarus said that the migrants and homeless people that had been selected had previously met the Pope. The bishop said there would also be a small group of transgender individuals I know, who live with a community of nuns and whom we support. The final list of attendees remained to be finalised because prisoners from Romes Rebibbia prison had still to receive authorisation for day release. Adams cartoon - 26/04/2025 What is the massive advantage that Vladimir Putin has over the Nato allies? Not superior military power. Although Russia has the largest stock of nuclear weapons in the world, combined Nato forces are much stronger. Not economic power: his countrys finances are unstable and its non-war economy is severely damaged. The Nato powers are far richer. Not even Russias alliances, although China certainly helps. It is that Putin knows what he wants. He even took the trouble to set it out in his pre-invasion essay of 2021, On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians. He wants the Russian Empire back. By contrast, Nato has never been sure what it wants. It knows it does not want war and dislikes what Putin is doing. But it has never agreed about the seriousness of the threat or the extent of its obligations, even before the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Now the alliances internal disagreement is much, much worse. Because he knows what he wants, Putin has, for many years, studied Nato behaviour. He long ago concluded the allies were weak and divided, as proved when he occupied Crimea in 2014. Even though he severely miscalculated Ukrainian reaction to his special military operation in 2022, he was not wrong in his reading of Natos confusions. With Donald Trump, he has a president even weaker on this subject than Joe Biden. On the whole, one tries to avoid comparisons with the 1930s. They can so easily seem melodramatic. In this case, though, the parallels do help illuminate. Hitler, too, knew what he wanted. He had set it out in Mein Kampf, whose publication in English he suppressed once he gained power. He, too, studied how his potential opponents in the democracies chiefly Britain, France and, at a large remove, the United States responded as he sought to dominate Europe. Each stage reinforced Hitlers view. The allies acceptance of his recovery of the Rhineland, the Austrian Anschluss, Neville Chamberlains last-minute readiness, at Munich in 1938, to help force Czechoslovakia give up the Sudetenland to the Nazis all showed that his opponents would let him get what he wanted. After nearly seven more years and millions of deaths, Hitler was proved wrong. But though his ultimate aims were mad and bad, his thinking along the way was, based on French and British behaviour, rational. Our enemies are little worms. I saw them at Munich, he said to colleagues, Chamberlain shook with fear when I uttered the word war. It is easy to forget that the word appeasement was originally coined by its supporters and was overwhelmingly popular. In the shadow of 1914-18, appeasement favoured peace. It also contained the idea of guilt, always strong among democracies and quite unknown among dictatorships. The Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh: Germanys grievances were justified. These were not discreditable feelings. Chamberlain, armed with his rolled umbrella rather than a gun, perfectly embodied their respectability. But they created the space for darker thoughts that it was nothing to do with us, and that yes, Hitler might be a bit rough, but werent the Jews at one and the same time greedy capitalists and agents of the Bolshevik menace? Appeasement blinded people to reality. Its eventual consequence was summed up by Edvard Benes, the president of the humiliated Czechoslovakia: We were not defeated by Hitler, but by our friends. He also said: Its a betrayal which will be its own punishment. They think they will save themselves from war and revolution at our expense. They are wrong. This whole sequence is echoed in the story of Ukraine. The fear factor, for example, led Merkels Germany to eschew rearmament and make itself hostage to Russian oil and gas. It led President Biden to tremble whenever Putin pointedly reminded him that Russia has tactical nuclear weapons. The guilt factor has been deployed, too: we humiliated Russia at the end of the Cold War, it is said. Our vagueness about Ukrainian history was also exploited: werent they Nazis? Arent they all corrupt? Among the more primitive Right-wingers, the fact that Ukrainians want to be in the European Union proves they have been bought up by George Soros. Putin attacks Western arrogance, but what he well understands is our timidity. It is the fact that Ukraine is not in Nato which makes our response so confused. If it had been, as are the also ex-Soviet Baltic states, he would not have dared attack. Because Ukraine wants to be a Nato member but isnt, the allies help it, but never enough. And now we have Donald Trump. He is an unashamed appeaser (when was he ever ashamed of anything?). Peace is the word always on his lips and he thinks all these deaths are horrible. As for guilt, President Trump simply transfers it wholesale. In February, he publicly bullied President Zelensky in the Oval Office and told him he had no cards. Now he states that it was Zelensky who started the war, a fact completely missed by close observers who continue to claim that it was Russians that took Crimea in 2014 and Russian tanks that rolled into Ukraine in 2022, not the other way round. Trump is fomenting a coup against Zelensky. Today, Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv and long-time political rival, showed signs he might like to oblige. As at Munich, where the Czechs were not allowed any part in negotiating their own future, Trump will not have Ukraine at any table set by him. Nor will he criticise any wrong committed by Russia, except the odd attack which feels unwelcome on a particular day (like the latest Russian bombing in Kyiv which, he says, is very bad timing). Nor will he construct any deal which makes Russia accept any principle or hand back more than a sliver of Ukrainian land. What concessions has Russia had to make this week, Trump was asked. Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession. That is like excusing a thief because he promises not to take anything else. Never has Trump said that Russia was wrong to invade. In this respect, he is much worse than Western appeasers in the 1930s. After all, when the appeasing was going on, Hitlers annexations had been almost bloodless. This time, Trump has before him the evidence of probably more than 200,000 deaths, including thousands of Ukrainian civilians and hundreds of murders which are war crimes. Hitler did not order such things (though individual murders within Germany were already numerous) until September 1939. Where Trump, heading Nato, ought to be helping Ukraines position against Russia, and could use renewed military support if Putin offered no concessions, he is not even acting neutrally between the parties. He is on Russias side. As a way of punishing aggression, creating a lasting peace, taking responsibility for the outcome, respecting the sovereignty of individual states or leading the most important defence alliance in the world, Trumps behaviour is genuinely wicked. Heading the first chapter of his excellent book, Appeasing Hitler, Tim Bouverie uses a quotation from the British ambassador in Berlin when the Nazis came to power in 1933: I have the impression that the persons directing the policy of the Hitler government are not normal. Many of us, indeed, have a feeling that we are living in a country where fanatics, hooligans and eccentrics have got the upper hand. Something similar could be said today, not only in Moscow, but in Washington DC. Nicola Packer outside Isleworth crown court. Photograph: Ben Whitley/PA There was absolutely nothing to indicate that a woman accused of taking abortion pills illegally was pregnant in the weeks before she delivered a foetus, a court has heard. Nicola Packer, 44, is on trial at Isleworth crown court accused of administering poison with intent to procure a miscarriage in November 2020, during the second Covid lockdown. She obtained the pills after a remote consultation with MSI, a registered provider referred to in court as Marie Stopes, which had been prescribed to her under legislation that allows pills to be sent by post in pregnancies of under 10 weeks gestation. She was arrested at the hospital she attended after delivering a foetus at home. The crowns case is that Packer did not believe she was less than 10 weeks pregnant when she took the drugs. The remote prescribing legislation was introduced during the Covid crisis, before being made permanent. Terminations are usually available up to 23 weeks and six days of pregnancy, with no time limits in place in certain circumstances, such as a severe foetal anomaly or if the mothers life is at risk. Giving evidence via video link, the witness, who cannot be named, said that Packer, whom she said she had been friends with for years, had come to stay with her and her husband during lockdown. The jury heard that while staying with the couple at their home in the UK and when the three travelled abroad together the friend would regularly see Packer without clothes. They had spent time in a swimming pool and in hot tubs, the court heard, and were comfortable enough together that Packer would not wear many clothes in the house. The friend said she would see her cooking with very little on, or walking round the house with very little on. You were able to see her with no clothes on right up until the end of October 2020, Fiona Horlick KC, defending Packer, said, addressing the friend. There was nothing that ever indicated to you that she was pregnant? Horlick asked. Nothing, the friend said, absolutely nothing. She said she had noticed no change in dress size. No, nothing. The friend also said that Packer had not changed her drinking habits at any point, and described herself, her husband and Packer drinking a lot of wine and cocktails together. In October, she said, there was no change from any other month, really. She also told the court that some time in October Packer had also asked to borrow tampons, later confirming to the court that she had supplied her with these, and said this was around the time they were isolating at home having returned from a trip abroad early that month. We had discussions about period pains, had discussions about whether hers were worse than mine, because I was going through menopause, the friend said. We had a discussion about that in October, she asked whether I had any tampons. Photographs of the defendant, some of which showed her in a state of undress, were also shown to the jury and the witness by the defence. I would like to make it crystal clear that it was the defence who chose to show those photographs to the witness, the judge, Martin Edmunds KC, said. They did so as part of the defence case, and clearly with the consent of the defendant. Also giving evidence, DC Lucy Gallimore told the court that after Packer phoned MSI on 2 November to seek an appointment for a termination, web searches on her phone included is at home abortion treatment effective up to 12 weeks and abortion limit UK. She is alleged to have taken the pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, on 6 November. The trial, which is scheduled to last between five and six weeks, continues. A Ukrainian soldier looks out of a shelter on the anti-drone firing position in Kostyantynivka When Donald Trump blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for the failure to reach a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine this week, it is impossible to draw any conclusion beyond this: the American president is no longer living on planet Earth. As much was already obvious, but perhaps now we have enough clarity to say that when it comes to Ukraines fight for its survival, no deal is better than a bad one. Lets start with the so-called peace plan being proposed by the US: Trumps seven-point-proposal, released on Tuesday. At its heart, that deal forces Ukraine to cede Crimea and the best part of the four occupied territories to Russia. Ukraine will also be barred from joining Nato, all US sanctions on Russia will be lifted allowing the countrys war machine to rev back up and Ukraine will sign a minerals deal with American companies for the pleasure. Putin could hardly be happier. That deal is coming at a time when after three years of fighting, nearly one million casualties (according to British officials) and the loss of 4,000 tanks, the Russian army has been badly bruised. European armies are also getting serious about defence spending: Britain has made cuts to fund the army and Germany has rewritten its debt rules for the same purpose. If Trump bolstered this coalition with his overwhelmingly powerful military, or even offered it as a backstop, then Putin would surely come to the negotiation table rather than just sit back and watch as a terrible deal got pushed down Zelenskys throat. If Trump had any grasp of warfare he would understand that you dont cave in when the enemy is at its weakest. But he doesnt and wont listen to anybody who does so he wants to end the fight now. Indeed for all his business-like approach, there has been no progress against the hard reality of war. Thats unsurprising given the presidents closest advisors are real estate men like Steve Witcoff, the Middle East envoy when what the present moment really calls for is people with direct military experience. Thats who youd want if you wanted to sign a good deal. So ask yourself this: whats the worst that could happen if Trump does step away from negotiations? The last deal he got over the line resulted in the Taliban taking over Afghanistan. Ukraines best option, provided they are fully backed by Europe, may be to just keep fighting. The Russian bear is injured; Trumps attempts at peace today will only allow it to recover and go again tomorrow. Sir Keir Starmer addresses crew members on board HMS Prince of Wales - Richard Pohle/Getty The US has privately offered to provide security guarantees for Sir Keir Starmers coalition of the willing, The Telegraph understands. US officials have opened the door to giving intelligence and logistical support for British and European soldiers to back up a Ukraine peace deal from land, air and sea. Donald Trump claimed a peace deal was pretty close after Steve Witkoff, US diplomatic envoy, held in-person talks with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. The development during negotiations is seen by No 10 as a significant breakthrough. The Prime Minister has been pressing Mr Trump for such guarantees for two months. Whether the US would be willing to step in if Western soldiers were attacked by Russia a critical point in the viability of the project remains in the balance. Sir Keir, Mr Trump and Emmanuel Macron, French president, will all be in Rome for the Popes funeral on Saturday, where informal conversations on Ukraine could happen, although no formal meetings are expected. Mr Trump said on Friday that Russia and Ukraine, I think theyre coming along. He added: I think were pretty close. No deadline. I just want to do it as fast as possible. His upbeat message came on the same day the Kremlin accused Ukraine of being behind a car bomb that killed Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy chief in the Russian army, near Moscow. Credit: IZ.RU/Telegram Sir Keir and Mr Macron have been pushing the coalition of the willing proposal under which European allies would use their soldiers to help enforce any peace deal. More than 30 nations have indicated support, although only a handful have publicly offered to put troops on the ground in Ukraine. A central question has been whether Washington is willing to provide what has been described by UK figures as a security guarantee or a back-up for this force. There is an acceptance from European leaders that Mr Trump will be unwilling to give troops, but also that US support is essential to make the deterrent work. Publicly, Mr Trump has often waved away calls to give security guarantees. He has argued Americans entering Ukraine to gain access to rare minerals will stop Russia from attacking. But The Telegraph understands that in private US negotiators have made clear in recent weeks that they are willing to provide support and assistance to a Western force. One form of assistance discussed is intelligence sharing. This is already the bedrock of the historic special relationship between the US and UK. Another is logistical support. European aircraft, military vessels and soldiers on the ground will need supply chains and help understanding Russian movements in Ukraine and beyond. The Prime Minister hinted at progress behind the scenes in an interview with The Telegraph on Thursday when asked whether Mr Trump had offered security guarantees. Sir Keir said: There are ongoing discussions and hes said a number of times that hed have our back, as you know. And Ive been clear that thats an important component of what we need to do. Nothing has been finalised, with negotiations on a peace settlement continuing. Ukraine and its allies are demanding Crimea is not formally accepted as Russian. Senior British figures have stressed it is hard to predict what Mr Trump will ultimately approve or when. Mr Trump has declined to explicitly promise that Washington would be willing to come to the aid of European allies if they were attacked by Russian troops while keeping the peace in Ukraine. When asked during Sir Keirs visit to Washington in February, Mr Trump joked that Britain was strong enough to stand up to Russia. Operational discussions over the coalition of the willing have been divided into four so-called buckets of military activity skies, sea, land and regeneration. The first and second would involve European allies somehow policing the airspace above Ukraine and the Black Sea to make sure Russia does not violate the terms of peace. The third regards troops stationed on the ground in Ukraine. Sir Keir and Mr Macron have publicly floated this possibility, which goes beyond their involvement in the conflict to date. It is expected that the UK military training of Ukrainian soldiers, called Operation Interflex, will move from Britain to western Ukraine. Further British soldier deployments beyond this limited involvement are still being considered, UK sources insist. Ukrainian soldiers rather than Western troops are now expected to man the front line with Russia after any peace settlement. Keeping Western troops away from the contested border would limit the chances of Nato being dragged into the conflict. Ukraine is not a Nato member, unlike Britain, France and many other European allies. UK officials on Friday moved to downplay suggestions that the plans for deploying troops in Ukraine had been scaled back. Reluctance from MoD One Whitehall source noted that France had originally pushed the proposals at the start of the year, potentially leading to heightened expectations of what was practical. We begrudgingly said go on then, the source said regarding Frances initial plans. There was reluctance this end. That came from the Ministry of Defence. The fourth area of the coalitions plans, regeneration, is about how the Ukrainian military now considered the most lethal fighting force in Europe can be sustained in the long run. This is considered by some in Downing Street to be the most critical element in deterring Russia from launching another invasion. The question of whether European allies can keep providing weapons to Ukraine after a ceasefire, and whether the US will sanction selling its arms to Kyiv, will need to be settled. Under British plans, these four different elements need not all be deployed at the same time. Immediately after any ceasefire is agreed it is likely that the Ukrainian soldiers alone will provide the deterrence and be joined by the coalition later. Support from European aircraft, ships and troops on the ground could then be added over time. In a fresh sign of the domestic political challenges of selling any UK military involvement, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, urged caution on committing troops in Ukraine. Mrs Badenoch said: This is something that we need to be very careful about, in how we provide support. We should do it with the United States. Pam Bondi at the justice department in February. Photograph: Craig Hudson/Reuters Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, has revoked a Biden administration-era policy that restricted subpoenas of reporters phone records in criminal investigations. An internal memo, first reported by ABC News, shows Bondi rescinding protections issued by her predecessor, Merrick Garland, for members of the media from having their records seized or being forced to testify in the course of leak investigations. The memo says federal employees who leak sensitive information to the media for the purposes of personal enrichment and undermining our foreign policy, national security, and government effectiveness are engaging in conduct that could be characterized as treasonous. This conduct is illegal and wrong, and it must stop, the memo states. The justice department will not tolerate disclosures that undermine President Trumps policies, victimize government agencies, and cause harm to the American people. Bondis memo states that she has concluded that it is necessary to rescind Merrick Garlands policies precluding the Department of Justice from seeking records and compelling testimony from members of the news media in order to identify and punish the source of improper leaks. But, she said, the department would continue to employ procedural protections to limit the use of compulsory legal process to obtain journalists records, acknowledging that a free and independent press is vital to the functioning of our democracy. Under the new policy, Bondi wrote, the attorney general must also approve efforts to question or arrest members of the news media. The move comes after Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, said she had made multiple criminal referrals to the justice department related to alleged leaks in the intelligence community. One of the leaks included information leaked to the Washington Post, Gabbard told Fox News on Wednesday. She went on to describe the leakers as deep-state criminals with partisan political purposes to undermine President Trumps agenda. In 2022, Garland issued regulations to restrict how federal prosecutors could pursue leak investigations, following revelations that justice department officials under the previous Trump administration had secretly obtained the phone records of reporters at the Washington Post, CNN and the New York Times. Bondis memo comes as Donald Trump, who has frequently branded journalists the enemy of the people, has escalated his attacks on the US media landscape since returning to the White House in January. The new Trump administrations war on the press has included seizing control of the White House press pool from news organisations, engaging in a highly publicized dispute with the Associated Press over the wire agencys decision not to adopt the name Gulf of America instead of Gulf of Mexico into its stylebook, and moving to dismantle Voice of America (VoA). The justice department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrived in Italy on Friday night - Guglielmo Mangiapane/REUTERS The Vatican is preparing to handle big egos as world leaders fly in for the state funeral of Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Westminster has said. Follow the Popes funeral live Cardinal Vincent Nichols said the ceremony on Saturday would be a masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance. Donald Trump, the US president, is among the leaders set to attend the service, which will be held outside St Peters Basilica on Saturday. His Catholic predecessor, Joe Biden, will also be in attendance, according to Il Messaggero, the authoritative Rome daily. Mr Trump, due to arrive on Friday evening, will be joined by Sir Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, and the Prince of Wales, attending on behalf of the King. Security measures are being ramped up in preparation for the Popes funeral - Shutterstock/Giuseppe Lami Michael D Higgins, the Irish president, will also attend the funeral and arrived in Rome on Friday. The Vatican said at least 130 foreign delegations had confirmed their attendance at Pope Franciss funeral, including around 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Vatican sources told The Telegraph: The Vatican is a small machine trying to take on an enormous task at very short notice. We are being as flexible and understanding as we can be, given the egos flying in. The funeral will go ahead and in a way that is suitable but getting there has been quite a process. The Vatican didnt even know until Thursday evening exactly who was coming, so nothing could be planned in advance. World leaders will stay outside the Vatican, which has no capacity to support foreign heads of state. They are expected to reside within the confines of ambassadorial homes or well-guarded presidential suites in hotels. Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, and his wife Brigitte pay their respects to the Pope inside Saint Peters Basilica - VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Cardinal Nichols said organisers of the funeral are geniuses at dealing with these big events. He added: I think theyve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome that they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content. The Vatican has not released official details yet, but clues as to the seating plan could be gleaned from the last funeral of a sitting pope that of the Polish pontiff John Paul II in 2005. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said the ceremony on Saturday will be a masterpiece of stage management - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has broken his silence in the wake of the death of the Pope, offering condolences three days after the pontiffs passing. The pontiffs death has revealed rifts between the Vatican and the Jewish state. Just hours after Pope Franciss death was announced, Israels foreign ministry posted a short message on X: Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing. But it was deleted just a few hours later without a reason. On Thursday night, the official account of the prime minister posted on X: The State of Israel expresses its deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and the Catholic community worldwide at the passing of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace. After the deletion of the original message, an Israeli ambassador told The Telegraph: Its like a bullet, once shot, it cant be retrieved. The damage is done, and nothing can be fixed. Israels foreign ministry declined to comment on the deletion. On Friday, worshippers will continue to queue to see Pope Francis lying in state, with more than 125,000 people lining up so far. It is the final day members of the public will be able to pay their respects in person before the coffin is closed in a ceremony this evening. The funeral service is expected to attract as many as 500,000 people to St Peters Square. Once the service is completed, Pope Franciss coffin will be taken 2.5 miles away to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he had chosen to be buried. A collage by street artist Laika depicts Pope Francis reading a paper with a list of world leaders and a text bubble saying But who invited them? - Piero Cruciatti/AFP The late pontiff will be the first pope in over a century to choose a final resting place outside the Vatican, but he had a personal attachment to the basilica and always prayed there before departing on and after returning from overseas trips. Pope Francis was also greatly concerned for the needs of impoverished people and refugees, communities with which the basilica is heavily involved. The Holy See press office has confirmed a group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading up to the basilica to pay their last respects to Pope Francis before the burial of the coffin. Vatican officials have also released much-anticipated images of Pope Franciss tomb. The simple structure features a replica of the cross the late pontiff wore on his chest and is made with marble from the Italian region of Liguria, where his grandparents lived. Writing in his will, Pope Francis requested a tomb that must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration. A sole inscription of the late pontiffs Latin name, Franciscus, is engraved on the tomb. kanonsky - Getty Images Weve all fantasized about packing our bags, moving to another country, and embracing a new way of life and culture. However, the entire moving processfrom considering the expenses to cutting through red tapecan be so overwhelming that it often keeps that dream, well, just a dream. But what if we told you that some countries will actually pay you to make the move? Countries all around the world, from Europe to Asia, are offering opportunities for people to relocate in an effort to revive struggling towns and local communities. These incentives can vary by locationsome offer grants to start new businesses, cover living expenses to repopulate dying towns, or provide stipends to renovate historic homes. Before you jump on a plane, its essential to understand the specific terms and conditions of each program to ensure you meet their requirements and contribute to revitalizing your new hometown. These initiatives often require a commitment of time and effort to maintain residencyand maybe eventually citizenship. Plus, its wise to research all prerequisites of moving abroad, including digital nomad offerings, visa requirements, healthcare, language, local laws, customs, and taxes. This preparation helps you understand what to expect and become a better global citizen. If youre ready to take the leap, weve compiled a list of countries offering grants and programs that pay you to move there. Your new adventure awaits! Chile Photo credit: tifonimages - Getty Images Entrepreneurs of tech start-ups or established companies can move to Santiago, Chile through Start-Up Chile . The program, which was established in 2010, offers three, equity-free monetary grants depending on the launch phase of your business. The Build grant is designed for early-stage start-ups, where entrepreneurs have the opportunity to grow their business through a four-month acceleration program that provides you with 15 million Chilean pesos (roughly $15,000). The next grant, Ignite, is designed for startups with a functional product that are less than three years into development; this stage offers 25 million Chilean pesos (roughly $25,000) and the opportunity to access an extension of 20 million Chilean pesos (roughly $20,000) to continue growing their business. The final eight-month program, Growth, is for consolidated companies seeking to expand in Chile and offers a fund of 75 million Chilean pesos (roughly $100,000), equity-free. Ireland Photo credit: Atlantide Phototravel - Getty Images In 2023, Ireland launched its "Our Living Islands" program with the goal of repopulating and revitalizing communities, as well as establishing thriving economies on 30 of its more remote islands. The policy offers participants up to 84,000 to move, purchase, and restore one of the older, abandoned properties on these islands. However, there are a couple of caveats to the program. The islands are cut off from the mainland due to the daily tide and lack bridges or causewaysmeaning you must rely on a boat or plane to travel between the two. Additionally, the program does not facilitate immigration procedures, so participants must follow the traditional process to obtain Irish residency. Italy Photo credit: den-belitsky - Getty Images Italy has made headlines for its 1 home initiative, where you can apply for grants to restore abandoned and dilapidated properties in rural areas. However, there are towns that will simply pay you to move there. The region of Tuscany launched a program that provides between 10,000 and 30,000 for you to move to one of 76 mountain towns and purchase a permanent home. Similarly, Sardinia offers grants of up to 15,000 for buying and renovating property in towns on the island that have fewer than 3,000 residents. U.S. citizens must apply for a long-term residence permit to qualify for these programs. Plus, Italy has introduced a digital nomad visa, and towns like Ollolai have started initiatives where visitors can stay for free, up to a month with the visa. Japan Photo credit: kanonsky - Getty Images If Japan is calling your name, you're in luck. The island nation invites people from around the world to volunteer in its local communitiesand get paid for it. The Regional Revitalization Corps program offers participants a salary of three million Japanese yen (approximately $19,000) to live and work in rural communities for at least one year, with the option to stay up to three years. The main requirement for the program is a high level of fluency in Japanese, which might just be the motivation you need to keep up with your daily Duolingo practice. Mauritius Photo credit: ViewApart - Getty Images Mauritius doesnt pay individuals to simply relocate like some other places on the list, but it offers a program that supports entrepreneurs with funding to start and grow their businesses. The country provides 20,000 Mauritian Rupees (roughly $440) to start-up businesses willing to relocate to this small island in the Indian Ocean. To qualify, applicants must present a promising business idea to a government committee for approval and fulfill the necessary visa requirements. Spain Photo credit: David C Tomlinson - Getty Images Similar to other countries in the European Union, Spain is on a mission to boost the population and economies of its smaller towns. People who work in the tech industry and qualify for the country's digital nomad visa are eligible to apply to a program to live in Extremadura as a way to repopulate the region. The grants in this program include: 10,000 for those under 30, and 8,000 for others, to live in towns with fewer than 5,000 residents. An additional grant (5,000 for under-30s, 4,000 for others) is available for a third year after staying for two. Spain also has a Entrepreneurs Visa program that provides funding and support to entrepreneurs, offering up to $50,000 and a one-year visa. Switzerland Photo credit: (c) HADI ZAHER - Getty Images Albinen, Switzerland has faced a decrease in population over the last years, leading the small village to launch their own incentive program. The town is offering 25,000 Swiss francs (around $30,000) per adult under the age of 45 and 10,000 Swiss francs (around $12,000) per child to incentivize people to move. Like other programs on this list, there are a few requirements that need to be met before you can qualify. You must apply for a permanent residency permit as well as commit to buying a property and making it your permit residence for at least 10 years. You Might Also Like Getty Images. EatingWell design. Key Points Buying certain foods in bulk may help you avoid elevated prices when tariffs go into effect. Cooking oils, spices and imported cheeses and wines are all likely to be affected. President Donald Trumps 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends on July 9. A few weeks ago, I bought four bottles of avocado oil. I wasnt planning for a big gatheringjust stocking up for the future. After all, I use Chosen Foods avocado oil spray nearly every time I cook, whether Im searing a pork chop or air-frying broccoli. And while a pair of 13.5-ounce spray bottles tends to cost $16 or more, I was worried that prices were about to rise steeply. Thats because on April 2, President Donald Trump announced wide-sweeping tariffs with the goal of evening up trade deficits with the rest of the world. Those tariffs are currently on a 90-day hold that is set to end on July 9. Even so, tariffs against China remain in effect, and they range up to 245%, depending on the type of product being imported. Related: 6 Foods That Will Likely Be Impacted By the New Tariffs What Are Tariffs? Tariffs are taxes on importedor exportedgoods. That means that when a product is shipped from one country to another, each country can apply a relevant tariff, with the rate depending on the country and what kind of product is changing hands. Tariffs increase prices for foreign buyers, translating to higher costs on anything affected, whether its cars or groceries. The importing companies will be responsible for paying the tariff, and much of that price increase will be passed on to consumers. The good news is that while there are some elevated tariffs in place against Canada and Mexico, food products are still traded tariff-free under the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Still, tariffs against Canadian and Mexican products have fluctuated, and its possible that the exception for agricultural and food products could go away. That would make for major changes in the produce section, since Mexico is the largest exporter of fruits and vegetables to the U.S. There may also be disruptions to the supply chain, meaning that while demand stays the same, supplies could go down. That results in both less product and higher prices, like what weve seen with eggs in recent months due to the avian influenza outbreak. Following these changes may create whiplash for some shoppers, but were here to help. Just like at the height of the COVID pandemic, it may be time to stock up on some favorites. Often, the most budget-friendly way to do so is by heading to Costco. These are the Costco finds that may be wise to stock up on before tariffs take effect, so keep them in mind on your next run to the store. Related: Tariffs Could Make Groceries PricierHeres One Smart Way Around It What to Buy from Costco Before Tariffs Take Effect Cooking Oil Theres more than one reason that I was buying all the avocado oil I could fit in my pantry. One is the fact that most avocados that hit our shelves come from Mexico. If tariffs on food go into effect against Mexico, that avocado oil could be headed for a spike in price. The other reason is that most healthy cooking oils are also made from imports, which makes them likely to go up in price. Olive oil, for example, is mostly made from fruits picked in the Mediterranean. Most of the olive oil imported to the U.S. comes from Italy and Spain, both of which would face 20% tariffs as members of the European Union should the reciprocal tariffs go into place. If you decide to pick up some of those trusty oils on your next Costco run, remember to keep your oils in a cool, dark place for the longest shelf life. Steak Despite the large presence of the National Cattlemens Beef Association and its classic Beef, Its Whats for Dinner campaign, lots of the red meat eaten in the U.S. is imported from Canada. At Costco, you have a great opportunity to buy fresh beef, then cut it up into portion-size steaks to freeze and consume later. Just make sure your favorite cutting board and a good knife are handy, and you can go to work. Salmon As Canadian imports of salmon have sunk in recent decades, China has picked up much of the slack. You know where this is going. Even if you buy American, demand created by the high prices of the foreign-caught fish will likely make one of your favorite healthy proteins go up in price. This is another one to portion and freeze. As an added bonus, cooking salmon from frozen isnt just easyits delicious, too. And if you want to have your fish stored securely, it might not be a bad time to buy a vacuum sealer on your next Costco trip, too. Imported Cheese While there are American-made brands of European-inspired cheeses, the real deal can often be the highest quality. Tariffs on goods like Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy and Swiss Gruyere (the latter of which may end up with a 31% markup) could put the hurt on cheese lovers. Hard cheeses like those freeze surprisingly well, so dont be afraid to stock up! Related: 5 Grocery Swaps That Can Help You Avoid Tariff Price Increases Wine Yes, California wines are awesome, but sometimes you want authentic French Champagne for a celebration. And we know that Costco has a superb selection of wineyou can even invest in something like Lafite Rothschild before it becomes even pricier than it already is. Sommeliers have a few recommendations for you, if youre looking for suggestions. Rice According to the USDA, rice imported to the United States mostly comes from Asia, and that includes varieties like basmati from India and Pakistan and jasmine from Thailand. Should the original reciprocal tariffs go into place, there would be a 36% markup on rice imported from Thailand. If youre a big fan of jasmine rice, grab a bag from Costco and store it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Spices Whether you love cumin to make your favorite Mexican and Moroccan dishes or need vanilla for your baked goods, youre likely relying on foreign-grown spices to make your dishes as tasty as possible. Kirkland-brand vanilla beans at Costco come from Madagascar, which may soon face a 47% tariff. Costcos generic vanilla extract is more vague about its originsits processed in the U.S. but made with imported beansso theres a good chance it will face an uptick in price as well. Countries like China and India are the leading exporters of spices to the rest of the world. That means those already pricey products could end up facing a 26% tariff when imported from India. Imported products from China are already facing varying tariffs of up to 245%. If youre planning on making dishes like our Cumin Chicken & Chickpea Stew or sipping a mug of chai, go ahead and keep any spices you buy in a cool, dry place. If you dont use your spices as much, its A-OK to freeze them in sealed packages. The Bottom Line Theres no denying that food prices are in flux right now, and the economic and culinary landscape will certainly continue to change. We should know more about U.S. tariffs by July 9, when Trumps 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs will officially end. At that point, some of the tariffs may go into effect at their original rates, while others may have been negotiated down during the pause. But theres one thing we know for certain: Its always smart to shop in bulk when you can. Costco is your best bet for many of the products we listed, but just use the rule of thumb that if its imported or if our market relies on lots of imports of a specific food, prices will probably rise this summer. If some of your favorite everyday items will be affected, buying now could help you save a little money down the line. Related: The 10 Best Deals to Buy at Costco Right Now Read the original article on EATINGWELL A Black man who was Tasered and left hospitalized after an arrest earlier this month has died, and his family is demanding justice and accountability. John Daniel LJ Scott Jr., 39, died Tuesday from his injuries sustained in an April 15 arrest by the Decatur Police Department, his familys lawyers said. The family's attorneys said Scott "was in the midst of a mental health crisis" and should have received immediate medical care, but instead "endured excessive force during his arrest." "His condition worsened after being transported to Morgan County Jail, where he was left untreated until it was too late, the attorneys said. It's not clear what the official cause of his death was. The family is now calling for a thorough investigation into the actions of the officers involved. Decatur Interim Police Chief Nadis E. Carlisle Jr. said the Madison County Sheriffs Office is officially leading the investigation into the circumstances of Scotts death, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and FBI may be asked to provide additional support and resources. The arrest Decatur police responded to a 911 call on April 15 placed by Scotts mother, "who requested assistance due to a mental health crisis involving her son," police said. The officer spent nearly an hour "engaging with Scott before clearing the scene without incident," police said. Later that same day, at 8:15 p.m., officers were dispatched to a disturbance call at Brookridge Apartments and found Scott, "who was observed in the parking lot, sweating heavily and exhibiting erratic behavior." Morgan County EMS was immediately requested. Officers were notified that Scott had an active warrant out of Morgan County, and officers encouraged him to voluntarily board the ambulance for a mental health evaluation and care, which he refused. Body camera footage released April 18 shows that officers spent about 20 minutes trying to get Scott to enter the ambulance. At the start of the footage, Scott was seen sweating excessively and wiping his face with his shirt. He was articulate and was seen shaking hands with officers, trying to make light conversation and jokes. Officers repeatedly encouraged him to enter the ambulance, or else they'd have to arrest him and take him to jail on the warrant. Scott later appeared nervous, asking to take a moment and a few breaths. He is seen on the footage staying near the ambulance door, but he was hesitant to enter. After about 20 minutes, the officers stated that they would arrest him and moved to do so, instructing him to turn around. Scott appeared to be mildly panicked and unable to turn around. Decatur police said in a statement that Scott "became combative" when officers moved to arrest him. As at least four officers moved in to arrest him, Scott is seen in the footage falling to the ground and starting to yell and howl. Officers struggled with Scott on the ground, trying to get him to turn onto his stomach and put his arms behind his back. A Taser is heard being deployed several times as officers repeatedly order him to turn onto his stomach. "I cant breathe!" Hes heard yelling from the ground in the body camera footage. Officers are heard telling him to let go of their legs as they try to get him to comply. Once he was cuffed, the officer ordered him to get up and into the car, but he was unable to and had to be pulled up off the ground by multiple officers. Due to his significant physical size and strength, officers were forced to employ measures in response to his resistance (including Taser deployments) with multiple unsuccessful attempts to gain control, police said in a statement. He was transported to Morgan County Jail and placed in a cell. Over an hour later, the jail staff "noticed Mr. Scott was exhibiting signs of medical distress," and an ambulance was called, police said. He was transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital and on to Huntsville Hospital for treatment. Police said his arrest came after "a series of incidents likely linked to both medical and mental health struggles compounded by suspected drug-induced psychosis." Attorneys for Scott's family said an autopsy has been performed and results are pending. Meanwhile, attorneys for the family say the tragedy "follows a disturbing pattern of incidents within the Decatur Police Department" and is part of "broader systemic failures" in how law enforcement responds to those in mental crises. It comes as the city of Decatur is reeling from a high-profile police excessive force case. Steve Perkins, 39, was fatally shot outside his home on Sept. 29, 2023, by Decatur police as his truck was being repossessed. In that case, Mac Marquette is charged with murder in Perkins' death. His trial is set to start on June 9. The shooting sparked protests and unrest in the northern Alabama city of 60,000 people. An Alabama woman was taken into custody in what police are calling a "domestic-related homicide" case. According to the Birmingham Police Department, 30-year-old Shatice Jackson was charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Mickese Bostic, who was killed on April 20. Witnesses told police that Jackson ran over Bostic, "causing the vehicle to collide with him and his neighbor's house," the press release stated. WBRC and WBMA reported that Bostic, 27, was between the car and the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect and victim have children together, and police believe one was present when the incident unfolded. Crime: Oklahoma man faces charges in connection with deadly dog-fighting camp Jackson and Bostic reportedly got into a verbal dispute According to the reports, Bostic had an Easter Sunday party at his house, where he and Jackson got into an argument. She left but later returned and allegedly committed the crime. Police said she was arrested and booked in the local jail on no bond. Local news reported that she appeared in court on April 23 but was given a new date to allow her attorney to file a notice of appearance. Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama woman faces charges for running over father of her children Arbor Day is April 25, marking a day of hope and appreciation for trees and all that they bring to the environment for those who celebrate. Trees help to reduce the erosion of topsoil caused by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate temperatures, clean the air and also provide habitats for wildlife, according to the Arbor Day Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. Trees are renewable resources, or natural but limited energy resources that can be replenished, and Arbor Day is a day created to celebrate them. Arbor Day is also celebrated in other countries such as Barbados, China and the Philippines. In the U.S., it is commonly celebrated on the last Friday of April, but many states observe it on different dates depending on the best planting times in those areas, the Arbor Day Foundation said on its website. Celebrations include tree-planting events and seedling giveaways. Here's how Arbor Day came to be, and how people can get out of the house to celebrate. When did Arbor Day begin? The holiday dates back to the 1800s, when journalist Julius Sterling Morton moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska with his wife. They moved there in 1854 and bought 160 acres of land, mostly on the flat plains, per History.com. The pair planted trees and shrubs, and when Morton became editor of the states newspaper, Nebraska City News, he stressed just how vital plants and trees were. With rapid settlement and industrialization taking place during the late 19th century, a large amount of forest resources were consumed, according to the Forest Historical Society. The U.S. population tripled, and with each person came the plowing of another three to four acres of land. First lady Dr. Jill Biden used a ceremonial shovel to plant a tree on the North Lawn of the White House on April 30, 2021 in Washington, DC. Morton also joined the Nebraska Board of Agriculture and in January 1872, he had an idea to encourage Nebraskans to plant trees in their communities. It was called "Sylvan Day," a nod to forest trees, and it was officially celebrated on April 10, 1872. Eventually, the day was known as Arbor Day, according to History.com. Arbor Day became an official state holiday in Nebraska in 1885, History.com said on its website. Earth Day 2025: Why we celebrate the planet that keeps us grounded, how to get involved Is Arbor Day a federal holiday? Arbor Day is not a federal holiday. However, it was first recognized nationally in 1970 by then-president Richard Nixon. Two years later, on April 24, 1972, Nixon issued a proclamation commemorating 100 years of Arbor Day. He quoted a monument in Nebraska City honoring Morton, who created Arbor Day. "Other Holidays Repose Upon The Past; Arbor Day Proposes For The Future," Nixon wrote in his proclamation. "So it does, for the planting of trees is an action that yields a long-range benefit on generations to come. Arbor Day uniquely symbolizes the truth that the earth belongs to every generation, not just to ours." He proclaimed April 28, 1972 as National Arbor Day and encouraged Americans across the country to celebrate and do what they could to spread the word of "the necessity and value of this elemental natural resource." Are there any activities for kids on Arbor Day? When Arbor Day was first celebrated in April 1872, children in Nebraska planted more than one million trees, according to the Forest Historical Society. Tree-planting became even more popular among schools in 1882, and children were sent home with trees to plant in their own yards, reported History.com. While people of all ages celebrate Arbor Day, some notable childrens activities the Arbor Day Foundation suggests include: Organizing nature art shows Baking cookies and cupcakes with tree designs Making green drinks such as bubble tea, milkshakes and iced coffee Planting, hugging, climbing, adopting, or sponsoring trees Getting outside to visit a local park or forest, or clean one up Organizing a nature or tree scavenger hunt Gathering a bag of leaves and trying to identify the species of trees Find out when Arbor Day is celebrated in your state, and which events are happening in your area at Arborday.org. Contributing: Julia Gomez 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: Arbor Day 2025: What to know about the holiday celebrating trees China launches Shenzhou-20 manned spaceship for new diverse in-orbit tasks Xinhua) 10:13, April 25, 2025 The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin) JIUQUAN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The astronauts are in good condition, and the launch of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The spaceship will then perform a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the Tiangong space station complex, and the Shenzhou-20 crew will conduct an in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-19 crew. The space station complex has entered the docking orbit, with good working conditions that meet the requirements for the rendezvous and docking with the spaceship and the entry of the astronauts, the CMSA said. The Shenzhou-20 crew, consisting of mission commander Chen Dong, and astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, will undertake a range of tasks, including space science experiments, application tests, extravehicular activities, and cargo handling. Their mission also involves installing protective devices against space debris, and deploying and retrieving extravehicular payloads and equipment. They will also participate in science education, public outreach, and other onboard experimental activities. LIFE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS The new life science experiments to be carried out by the trio will involve zebra fish, planarians and streptomyces. Notably, the Shenzhou-20 mission marks China's first space-based investigation into the regeneration of planarians, an organism known for their extraordinary ability to regrow organs, said Lin Xiqiang, spokesperson for the CMSA, at a pre-launch press conference on Wednesday. "This project will enhance our understanding of fundamental mechanisms of regeneration at the individual level and could provide insights into human health issues related to space-induced injuries," said Lin. He added that the Shenzhou-20 mission will further zebra fish experiment based on the zebra fish-hornwort co-cultivation ecosystem established during the Shenzhou-18 mission, and seeks to clarify how protein homeostasis regulates bone mass decrease and cardiovascular dysfunction caused by microgravity. As for streptomyces, which can serve as critical players in soil health and plant resilience, the related experiment will study the expression patterns of microbial active substances and enzymes in space environments to lay the foundation for developing microbial technologies and products utilizing space resources, he added. In addition to the three biological experiments, the crew will also conduct 59 space science experiments and technology tests, covering fields such as space life science, microgravity physical science, and new space technologies. Breakthroughs are expected in areas like the cultivation of vascularized brain organoid chips, and the study of preparing high-temperature superconducting material in space. China's space station has now hosted over 200 scientific projects, with nearly 2 tonnes of scientific materials and applied equipment sent to orbit and nearly 100 experimental samples returned to Earth. "Currently, we are conducting space science experiments according to plan, with all projects progressing smoothly," said Lin. ASTRONAUT TRAINING Lin told the press that the country's fourth group of astronauts are being trained in fundamental spaceflight theory and a range of exercises, including psychological training and training on adapting to the space environment, along with specialized training sessions. Among this group, astronauts from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions selected as payload specialists are expected to make their first spaceflight as early as 2026. According to Lin, China will select and train two Pakistani astronauts for space missions, and one of them will serve as a payload specialist on a future Chinese space station flight. China is also discussing with other nations regarding potential foreign astronauts participating in the country's future space station missions. Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's manned space program and the fifth manned mission during the application and development stage of China's space station. It also marks the 571st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series and the 20th flight mission of the Shenzhou spaceship. The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Bei He) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Bei He) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Bei He) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Photo by Han Qiyang/Xinhua) The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. China successfully launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Food & Wine / Getty Images Key points Bad Bunnys new album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos celebrates Puerto Rican identity and resistance, highlighting the islands fight against gentrification and colonialism. The song Pitorro de Coco shines a light on pitorro, Puerto Ricos beloved homemade moonshine rum, infused with fruits like coconut, pineapple, mango, prunes, and more. Pitorro is traditionally crafted from molasses and varies widely in flavor, reflecting personal touches and deep cultural roots. Since Bad Bunnys sixth studio album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos) was released this January, it has been lauded as both a celebration of Puerto Rico and a statement of resistance against forces that threaten the islands independence, such as gentrification and colonialism. There are personal and political messages to be gleaned throughout the albums vibrant songs, but one delicious point of Puerto Rican pride that Bad Bunny illuminates in his song Pitorro de Coco is an alcoholic drink often referred to as the islands unofficial national spirit: pitorro. While appearing on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this year, Bad Bunny brought a bottle of pitorro for the host to try, complete with pieces of coconut still infusing inside. After taking a sip, Jimmy Fallon exclaims, Thats delicious! and its likely youll exclaim the same thing after sampling this strong spirit. For anyone who is still unfamiliar with the joys of pitorro, heres everything you need to know about the liquor and what it means to Puerto Rico. What is pitorro? In addition to other nicknames ranging from pitrinche to lagrima de monte (mountain tears"), pitorro is often referred to as moonshine rum, a moniker that highlights how the spirit is made. Just like other rums, pitorro is distilled from molasses. Pitorro is also often homemade in Puerto Rico, hence the term moonshine. Its this homemade quality that has likely contributed to the many variations of pitorro, and its the customization of this spirit that makes it so special. Pitorro is aged with fruits that infuse the liquor with their flavor, and the spirit can be infused with ingredients ranging from coconut to mango, prunes, pineapple, guava, and more. (Bad Bunnys song Pitorro de Coco translates to coconut pitorro.) Pitorro can be additionally flavored with spices, nuts, or coffee, depending on your preference. Puerto Rico Distillery, a Maryland-based distillery that produces the pitorro its founders, father-daughter team Angel Rivera and Crystal Rivera, wanted to see on liquor store shelves, uses raisins, prunes, and cranberries to flavor its traditional pitorro. But the distillery also offers a variety of pitorros, including a pineapple-infused spirit and an almond version flavored with almond extract, local honey, and brown sugar. The Riveras note that there are two key differences between pitorro and other Puerto rican rums or American moonshine, telling Food & Wine "What sets pitorro apart from other rums is that it is not aged in wooden barrels. Rum is best known for the practice of aging it in wooden barrels for years and even decades. Pitorro is aged in dark glass containers that only serve to protect the rum from excessive light. "What sets pitorro apart from American moonshine is that the fruits used to infuse flavor into pitorro are tropical fruits that have historically not been available in the United States." What does pitorro taste like? The wide array of ingredients you can use to infuse pitorro means that its flavor profile can vary significantly. Per Angel and Crystal Rivera, "The craft of pitorro flavoring truly has limitless flavoring combinations that are squarely in the hands of those flavoring their pitorro." Like rum, the molasses used as the base for pitorro provides a slight sweetness. The Riveras explain that "Common tasting notes associated with pitorro include those of a strong yet smooth rum with a sweet nose and the character of molasses on the palate. This delicious clear rum then serves as a blank canvas that is infused with natural fruits flavors." Pitorro tends to be stronger than other rums and often has a higher alcohol content. This is not only true for homemade versions of the spirit: Puerto Rico Distillerys pitorros are 100 proof, or 50% alcohol by volume (ABV). Pitorro 101 Pitorro is a Puerto Rican rum thats traditionally homemade, although there are a some commercially available options today, giving it the nicknames of moonshine rum or Puerto Rican moonshine. There are strict standards that define commercially produced Puerto Rican rum, ranging from naming conventions to the continuous distillation process that produces it. Homemade pitorro is much less regulated but also produced from molasses. The fruits, spices, nuts, and added ingredients of choice that infuse pitorro with flavor are what make the spirit so customizable and set it apart from other moonshines. Many pitorros are known for their higher alcoholic content and are frequently higher than 40% ABV. What does pitorro mean to Puerto Rico? Although pinpointing an exact origin is difficult, multiple sources say that the first references to pitorro can be traced back to the 18th century. Not only has the liquor been part of Puerto Rican culture for roughly two centuries, but its also been a staple in peoples homes. Many families may have their own recipes that have been passed down through generations. Related: Jamu, an Ancient Indonesian Tonic With Turmeric and Ginger, Is More Than a Simple Beverage When the United States passed the Jones Act in 1917, it extended Prohibition to Puerto Rico, banning alcohol on the island. Consumers were already crafting their own moonshine rum, but this escalated their efforts. As Atlas Obscura reports, making pitorro was both a practical way to acquire alcohol and a means of expressing political resistance against the U.S. government. Pitorro is a celebratory beverage. It is especially popular during the Christmas season, and coquito a creamy, spiced, coconutty, Puerto Rican holiday drink was originally made with pitorro, although most recipes youll find online now simply call for rum. For the Riveras, "Pitorro is Puerto Rican culture, because culture includes everything that defines a group of people. It encompasses everything from art, music, foods, beverages, and traditions. Pitorro is the national spirit of Puerto Rico and is regularly highlighted in Puerto Rican art, music, and present in Puerto Rican social gatherings and traditional practices." How to drink pitorro You can certainly use pitorro to create cocktails if coquito doesnt interest you, Puerto Rico Distillery has plenty of recipes for pitorro-based drinks but this strong spirit is often enjoyed on its own in a small glass or cup. You can drink it straight, over ice, or with a wedge of lime. However, keep in mind that this liquor is likely higher in alcohol content than other rums you're familiar with, which mostly clock in at 80 proof, and you might feel its effects quickly. Read the original article on Food & Wine BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that accusations by his former foreign minister that he is a drug addict are slander, after the ex-official published a letter recounting an incident he alleges took place in France. Alvaro Leyva, who was foreign minister for nearly two years until May 2024, said in a lengthy public letter posted on X on Wednesday that Petro had "disappeared" for two days during an official visit to France in 2023. The letter also alleged that the president has "a drug addiction problem." Leyva provided no evidence to support his claims and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters has no independent information corroborating the accusations. "Put simply, I've been slandered," Petro said on X late on Wednesday, adding in a separate post that during the 2023 visit he had been spending time with his eldest daughter and her family, who live in France. Petro's daughter, Andrea, also posted on X, saying he had been with her family. Petro's office did not immediately respond to a message seeking further comment. Leyva, an 82-year-old conservative, was appointed by leftist Petro when he took office in August 2022 and said in his letter that he felt the president's ability to govern was being affected by several ongoing situations, including what he said was Petro's use of his speeches to "incite a class war." Colombia's former justice minister, Wilson Ruiz, said on Wednesday he had asked the investigative committee of the lower house to look in to Petro's mental and physical health because of the alleged drug use. Contact information for Ruiz was not immediately available. (Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb in Bogota; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Former U.S. Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he learned his punishment for the crimes that led to his expulsion from Congress. Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, appealed for mercy. In a federal court a short drive from his old congressional district, he said through tears that he was humbled and chastened and understood he had betrayed his constituents' trust. I offer my deepest apologies, he said, adding: I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently wasn't convinced. Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. Its always someone elses fault. The New York Republican, who must report to prison July 25, didnt respond to reporters questions outside the courthouse. Hours later, though, he took to social media angling for a White House reprieve, despite saying in recent days he wouldnt seek clemency. I believe that 7 years is an over the top politically influenced sentence and I implore that President Trump gives me a chance to prove Im more than the mistakes Ive made, he wrote on the social platform X late Friday. Santos, 36, served in Congress less than a year before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues. He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. His plea deal included agreeing to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties. From the moment he declared his candidacy for Congress, Santos leveraged his campaign for his own enrichment and financial benefit, U.S. Attorney John Durham, whose office prosecuted the case, said outside court. Santos victims included a woman with brain damage and two octogenarian men, prosecutor Ryan Harris told the judge. Defense lawyer Andrew Mancilla had asked the judge for a sentence of two years, portraying Santos as a troubled figure who grew up in a broken house and was subjected to bullying throughout his life. As a result, he built the man he wanted to be, not who he was, Mancilla said. He did that because he believed that the world would not accept him for who he was. Deep down, he is warm, kind, caring and thoughtful, Mancilla said. But, the lawyer said, now everyone hates George Santos. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio. In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. He falsely claimed to have been a volleyball star at a college he never even attended. He had referred to himself during the campaign as a proud American Jew, but later acknowledged that he was Catholic and insisted he'd only said he was Jew-ish after learning that his maternal family had a Jewish background. Reporters uncovered that Santos had been accused in Brazil of using stolen checks to buy clothing, and that he had once been charged in Pennsylvania with using bad checks to buy puppies from dog breeders. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign. He told lie after lie until it caught up with him until we caught up with him and exposed him for what he truly was: an opportunist and a fraud, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican, said outside court Friday. Her office also investigated Santos. Before winning office, Santos collected unemployment benefits from New York state while actually working for a Florida company. Once in Congress, he cosponsored legislation intended to root out unemployment fraud. As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective and apologetic in social media posts, but at other times seemed to relish his notoriety. He launched a podcast called Pants on Fire with George Santos, and earned hundreds of thousands of dollars selling cheerful, personalized video messages on Cameo. He leaned into his longtime support of Trump, praising the new administration. The week of his sentencing, Santos told The Associated Press by text he was ready to face the music. On X, he made one final plug for his Cameo account. Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today, Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis. ___ Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz and Jake Offenhartz in New York contributed to this story. ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo. By Leticia Fucuchima, Marcela Ayres and Bernardo Caram SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) -ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, is weighing a major investment in a data center in Brazil, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, tapping abundant wind energy on the country's northeast coast. The company is in talks to partner with renewable energy producer Casa dos Ventos to develop a facility in the Pecem port complex in the state of Ceara, two of the sources said, requesting anonymity to comment on confidential negotiations. The discussions come as Latin America's largest economy seeks to position itself as a global hub for the fast-growing data center industry, leveraging its ample renewable energy. One of the sources said initial talks are focused on a 300-megawatt (MW) data center, but the project could eventually expand to 900 MW in a second phase. A second source said total demand for the project could approach 1 gigawatt. The project would make Brazil a pillar of the Chinese company's operations in the Western Hemisphere. In February, ByteDance announced plans to invest $8.8 billion in data centers in Thailand over five years. TikTok declined to comment on its plans in Brazil. Pecem is considered a location for Brazilian data centers due to nearby submarine cable landing stations and the concentration of renewable power generation in the region. Casa dos Ventos, which partnered in 2022 with TotalEnergies on its wind power portfolio, has already requested grid connection for a data center project in Pecem. Brazil's national grid operator ONS initially denied it due to stability concerns, given the heavy demands of such facilities. Brazil's Mines and Energy Ministry is now assessing the possibility of allowing more grid capacity for data center projects in Pecem and other areas, two of the sources said. TikTok and the ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ByteDance could not be reached. Casa dos Ventos declined to comment on the talks with ByteDance, but said in a statement that it is "committed to turning the Pecem port into a hub for technological innovation and energy transition." "The company is developing the country's largest data center and green hydrogen project, which will be powered by renewable energy from its portfolio. In developing both projects, it is evaluating partnership opportunities with companies that can support their implementation," the company said. (Reporting by Leticia Fucuchima in Sao Paulo and Marcela Ayres and Bernardo Caram in BrasiliaAdditional reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Fabio Teixeira in Rio de JaneiroEditing by Marguerita Choy) Chinas refusal to accept Boeing planes has become one of the most visible flash points of the U.S.-China trade war. Beijing has even sent planes assembled in China back to the U.S. as it retaliates against steep tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg admitted that China has refused to accept two planes that were ready for delivery, thanks to the tariffs. He added that the planemaker was planning to meet 50 Chinese orders this year, but is now actively assessing other options. That shouldnt be too difficult, says Steven Townend, CEO of BOC Aviation, one of the worlds top jet leasing companies. Airlines turn to companies like BOC Aviation when they want to expand their fleet without necessarily making the expensive decision to buy a new plane. Boeing continues to see strong demand for their aircraft, Townend says. Its relatively easy for them to find alternate customers for those planes right now. The aviation industry is still facing a shortage of planes owing to manufacturing struggles at both Boeing and Airbus, caused by factors including the COVID pandemic, safety scandals, and hiccups at major suppliers. Airplanes are made up of 10,000 different parts, and a delay with any one of those can delay the whole plane, Townend says, adding that an airline would probably not get a plane before 2030 if it were to order one from Airbus or Boeing today. That makes a suddenly available Boeing jet a hot commodity. Airlines in Malaysia and India are reportedly eyeing jets that are now suddenly on the market, thanks to Chinas refusal to take them. At the end of March, BOC Aviation announced that it was ordering 50 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The company currently has a total order book of 346 aircraft, including both Airbus and Boeing planes, which Townend points out is the second-largest among plane lessors. BOC Aviation has a portfolio of 829 aircraft and engines owned, managed, and on order. The company counts carriers like American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways among its clients. Tariffs are still a problem Still, Townend warns that continued U.S. tariff uncertainty could hurt an industry that started the year with a positive outlook. In December, the International Air Transport Association projected that 5.2 billion people would travel by air in 2025. That would be the first time more than 5 billion people have taken to the skies. The group also projected that airlines would earn $36.6 billion in profit this year. Things dont look quite so rosy now. In recent weeks, major U.S. airlines have either pulled or softened their guidance, citing uncertainty. On Thursday, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan warned that the U.S. airline industry is already in a recession. Fellow aviation CEO Robert Isom of American Airlines recently warned analysts that uncertainty is what were living with now. At the moment, Townend says a tariff-induced hit to travel is still largely constrained to the U.S., with no evidence of a similar drag on European or Asian airlines. Yet continued uncertainty will inevitably be a global drag on the industry. Everybody is watching the situation on tariffs, he says. If this uncertainty runs for a material length of time, then inevitably it will affect global trade, and one of the things that drives airline traffic is global trade. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Jeffrey Goldberg and President Donald Trump. - Getty Images President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will meet with Jeffrey Goldberg, the Atlantic editor-in-chief who, in late March, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat that involved classified information and several top Trump officials. Trump said via Truth Social that he will sit for the interview out of curiosity and as a competition with himself. The president claimed the conversation will allow him to judge whether The Atlantic can truthfully write a story about him, alleging the publication writes fictional stories without offering proof. Are they capable of writing a fair story on TRUMP? The way I look at it, what can be so bad I WON, the president wrote. The interview will be conducted by Goldberg alongside Atlantic writers Michael Scherer and Ashley Parker, Trump wrote. The president added that he was informed it will be part of a longer story titled, The Most Consequential President of this Century. The Trump-Goldberg interview comes less than a month after National Security Adviser Mike Waltz inadvertently added the top Atlantic editor to a Signal chat in which top defense advisers discussed a US attack on locations in Yemen. The resulting Signalgate scandal shocked US officials and journalists alike, intimating a significant lapse in security protocols and care on the officials part. After being added to the Signal chat, Goldberg opted to stay silent because he was unsure if the conversation was legitimate. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth then shared classified information in the group chat about a US strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen. Notably, Goldberg did not include screenshots of texts in his first report. The Trump administration initially downplayed the scandal, insisting that the texts viewed by Goldberg did not include classified information. Hegseth insisted that nobodys texting war plans and described Goldberg as deceitful and highly discredited. In response, Goldberg reversed course, sharing screenshots from the chat to allow readers to draw their own conclusions. MAGA media outlets have largely defended the president and his officials over the lapse. The day after the scandal broke, Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany, a former Trump aide, called the move an obvious mistake before claiming Goldberg is not a credible reporter. Fox News primetime host Jesse Watters went so far as to suggest Goldberg had somehow infiltrated the group chat. And Waltz, who reportedly added Goldberg to the chat, repeatedly stressed that he did not know Goldberg personally. Trump has previously raged against Goldberg, who in 2020 wrote a story about the president calling Americans who died in war suckers and losers. Trump on Thursday again called that report a made-up HOAX. The Atlantic declined to comment. Goldberg, Parker and Scherer were seen leaving the White House late afternoon on Thursday Hadas Gold contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL A Florida woman was arrested and accused of impersonating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer to kidnap her ex-boyfriend's wife. Authorities arrested Latrance Battle and charged her with kidnapping, falsely impersonating an officer while committing a felony and robbery, the Bay County Sheriff's Office said in an April 21 news release. The victim, who is in the process of obtaining legal residence in the United States, told investigators she went with Battle because she believed Battle was a real immigration agent, but grew suspicious and frightened. How suspect posed as an immigration agent On April 10, Battle approached the victim, who was working the desk at a Days Inn hotel in Panama City at the time, according to a criminal complaint. Battle was dressed in all black with a white face mask, the complaint said. When the victim asked if Battle would like a room, Battle unzipped her jacket to reveal the word "ICE" printed on a black shirt. Battle also showed the victim a "Sheriff's Office" card that identified her as an ICE agent and told the victim she had to go with her, the sheriff's office said. The victim did not want to get in trouble or cause more "ICE agents" to show up, so she let her boss know what was happening and then willingly left with Battle in the back seat of Battle's car, according to the court document. While in the car, the victim tried to call her husband and her lawyer using her cell phone, but Battle "forcibly snatched" the phone away and would not give it back, the complaint said. Battle reportedly had a handheld radio that she was talking on, making the victim believe she was coordinating with other "ICE agents." The victim became suspicious when Battle kept driving past where she knew the sheriff's office was. Battle kept "talking bad" about the victim's husband and talked to the victim about how she would have to "suffer the consequences" of her husband's actions, according to the complaint. The victim became fearful when Battle drove up to an apartment building and said ICE would be waiting for them there, the complaint said. Victim is ex-boyfriend's wife After they arrived, Battle told the victim to get out of the car and go into one of the apartment units. Battle ran into the apartment, and the victim used the opportunity to walk quickly away. She asked a bystander if she could use his phone and called law enforcement, according to the complaint. While waiting, the victim called her husband, who told her the description of the "ICE agent" sounded like his ex-girlfriend, Tracy. When a deputy arrived, the victim was shaking and frightened, the complaint said. Deputies later confirmed the ex-girlfriend was Battle, who lived in the apartment building. When the victim's husband arrived on the scene, he explained that he had an injunction against Battle, his ex-girlfriend, for issues in the past, the complaint said. He told the deputy that the most recent issue was about two years ago. Battle had an initial appearance in court on April 12 and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 29, according to court records. The public defender's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on April 25. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Florida woman accused of impersonating ICE to kidnap ex's wife A federal judge in New York sentenced former Rep. George Santos to over seven years in prison Friday. "Where is the remorse?" U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert asked Santos before sentencing him to 87 months behind bars and ordering him to almost $374,000 in restitution. He was ordered to surrender by July 25. Seybert handed down the sentence after Santos made a tearful plea for mercy and acknowledged he'd "betrayed the confidence" of his constituents. The judge did not appear moved by Santos' sobs. She said doesn't like sending people to jail, but Santos was fully deserving of the lengthy sentence. John J. Durham, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, called the sentence "justice" after the hearing, and said Santos was "finally held accountable for the mountain of lies, theft, and fraud he perpetrated. Santos, 36, had pleaded guilty in August of last year to charges of committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors had urged Seybert to throw the book at Santos, the disgraced former Republican congressman, to "reflect the seriousness of Santoss unparalleled crimes." "From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santoss unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives," prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum, in which they asked Seybert to sentence him to 87 months in prison. Prosecutors said that despite his guilty plea to the pair of felony fraud charges and a teary expression of remorse to news cameras after the proceeding Santos is "a pathological liar" who isn't actually remorseful about his actions. Prosecutors noted he'd recently launched a weekly podcast called "Pants on Fire with George Santos," which they called a perfect crystallization of his lack of genuine contrition and his tone-deaf efforts to continue turning lies into dollars." Former Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, on Friday in Central Islip, N.Y. "It is abundantly clear that, without a substantial deterrent, Santos will continue to deceive and defraud for years to come. That is especially true given Santoss craven efforts to leverage his lawbreaking as a springboard to celebrity and riches" while failing to pay restitution to the people he swindled, prosecutors said. Santos' attorneys had urged Seybert to sentence him to the minimum of two years. "His conduct, though involving dishonesty and abuse of trust, stemmed largely from a misguided desperation related to his political campaign, rather than inherent malice," his attorneys contended in a court filing, noting that he had no criminal history. "Moreover, the public nature of this case and Mr. Santos's fall from a position of public trust serve as a stark warning to others who might contemplate similar offenses," their filing said. Asked this month on his podcast whether he planned to ask President Donald Trump for a pardon, Santos said, "You bet your sweet a-- I would." In an interview with NY1 this week, Santos said he hadn't reached out to Trump, but he added that he believes "the president is aware of my situation. "If he feels like I'm worthy of a commutation or of clemency or whatever the case is, he can make that decision," he said. Santos was elected to Congress in 2022, when he flipped a seat on Long Island from Democratic to Republican, helping cement a narrow GOP majority in the House. Questions about his background emerged before he even started his term. The New York Times reported that he had lied about or embellished parts of his resume and personal history. That led to other fabrications' being revealed, including a claim that he was Jewish. He later said he was Jew-ish. Those lies were later revealed to include campaign finance fraud. He was indicted in federal court on Long Island on a wide array of charges in 2023. Prosecutors said he committed identity theft and swindled donors to enrich himself and live a luxurious lifestyle. Among those whose credit card information he used to make unauthorized donations were three "elderly persons suffering from some degree of cognitive impairment or decline," prosecutors said. He was also later hit with a scathing House Ethics Committee report that found he spent campaign funds on rent, luxury designer goods, personal trips to Las Vegas and the Hamptons, cosmetic treatments and a subscription to the adult content site OnlyFans. The House voted to expel him in December 2023. Santos claims to have raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars since then, thanks in large part to personalized videos he was selling on the website Cameo. Then-Rep. George Santos in the Longworth Building in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 10, 2023. In their sentencing memo, prosecutors suggested he might have been inflating those claims, as well. "Santos represented to the Probation Department that he has earned approximately $400,000 during the first month of his career on Cameo and now receives $5,000 per month on average. Yet he represented in a financial statement to the government that his lifetime earnings from Cameo are only $358,256. Clearly, he is lying to someone," the filing said. They also said Santos told prosecutors that he'd been paid $200,000 by a documentary filmmaker but that he'd told the Probation Department the amount was $250,000. Prosecutors noted that under the terms of his plea agreement, Santos had agreed to pay a $200,000 forfeiture and over $373,000 in restitution to his victims. In a court filing this month, they said that "Santos has forfeited nothing and has not repaid any of his victims." In his interview with NY1, Santos said: "As of today, right now, I'm unable to pay anything. I don't know if that's going to change within the next 24 to 48 hours, prior to sentencing, because I am still working on trying to make some kind of meaningful attempt at restitution because it is my obligation." President Donald Trump talks to reporters during a meeting with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in the Oval Office at the White House on April 24 in Washington, DC. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Five days before his 100th day in office and 93 days since his own deadline passed for resolving the conflict in Ukraine President Donald Trump is frustrated his efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine have so far fallen short, and has privately told advisers that mediating a deal has been more difficult than he anticipated, sources familiar with the discussions told CNN. Behind the scenes, he frequently brings up how much Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hate one another, one of the sources said an unsurprising fact, but one the president argues further complicates negotiations. On Thursday, his agitation boiled over as Russia launched its worst assault on Kyiv since last summer, killing at least 12 people. The attack, Trump said, came at an inopportune moment: just as he believes he is on the verge of securing a deal, which he has told aides he wants in place by his 100th-day anniversary. I didnt like last night, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, where he was meeting with Norways prime minister. I wasnt happy with it, and were in the midst of talking peace, and missiles were fired, and I was not happy with it. It was a rare moment of criticism directed toward Russia from a president whose ire over the course of his time back in office has mostly been aimed at the Ukrainians. The exchange shined a light on a rising sense of exasperation among the president and his advisers at his inability to mount a successful pressure campaign against Putin to end the war. Trump bristled at a reporters suggestion that he had not applied pressure to the Russian leader. You dont know what pressure Im putting on Russia, Trump snapped. Were putting a lot of pressure on Russia, and Russia knows that. Trump then argued that it takes two to tango, and you have to have Ukraine want to make a deal, too. Moscow, he said, has already made a substantial concession by not taking the whole country. Stopping the war, he said, is a pretty big concession. Earlier in the day, he addressed Russias president directly on Truth Social, writing: Vladimir, STOP! an unusually personal plea to convince Putin to cease the aerial bombardment. Not necessary, Trump lamented, and very bad timing. Still, the rare flash of anger toward Putin paled in scale and scope to Trumps sustained criticism of Ukraines Zelensky, whom he accused this week of prolonging the war in his own country by not agreeing to a US peace plan that would grant Russia most of the territory it has seized. Some US allies are highly alarmed by that framework, CNN reported earlier Thursday, citing multiple diplomatic sources. Trumps social media message to Putin totaled 30 words; his dispatch a day earlier directed toward Zelensky was 259. Trump signals his timeline While Trump said again Thursday that he had no allegiance to leaders on either side of the conflict, that question is very much at the center of the path forward for the administration as it enters the next 100 days. But for one of the first times, he signaled a timeframe for his patience. Asked what he would do if Putin kept firing bombs on Ukraine, Trump said: Id rather answer that question in a week. I want to see if we can have a deal. No reason to answer it now, but I wont be happy, let me put it that way. Inside the Oval Office, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store had brought along his finance minister Jens Stoltenberg, who served as the secretary general of NATO during Trumps first term in office. Stoltenberg found success in that period convincing Trump of the importance of the defense alliance and avoided a US withdrawal from the bloc, earning him a reputation as a Trump whisperer when it came to matters of European defense. Trump on Thursday seemed to remember him fondly, calling him tremendous. An hour after the Norwegians pulled out of the White House driveway, however, officials did one better: the sitting NATO chief Mark Rutte arrived for his own meeting with Trump, talks not originally on the presidents schedule. The session focused mostly on planning for NATOs summer summit in the Hague, which some European officials have feared Trump might skip as his enmity for the defense alliance festers. But Rutte also told reporters in the White House driveway Ukraine was discussed. After Trump insisted earlier in the day that Putin still wanted to reach peace, Rutte sounded decidedly less certain. I worked with him for four years between 2010 and 2014, Rutte said, describing the period he served as prime minister of the Netherlands. I stopped trying to read his mind. Rutte went on to argue that the US European allies are united in their view of Russia being a long-term threat. We all agree, in NATO, that Russia is the long-term threat to NATO territory, to the whole of the Euro-Atlantic territory, Rutte told reporters. The NATO secretary said that something is on the table for Russia in terms of a peace deal with Ukraine, but he argued that its up to Russia to bend. Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court now. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Chock Chapple has disclosed why he and The Golden Bachelorette star fiancee Joan Vassos cant get married this summer. The two, who got engaged on the hit ABC reality show last fall, havent set a wedding date, and Chock told Parade why in an exclusive interview. Speaking on Tuesday at Hulus Get Real House event in Beverly Hills, Chock said, Her sons getting married in the summer, and then another [son 's] probably going to get engaged, so were like, Lets just put [a wedding] on hold for now. SIGN UP for our The Bachelor newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Bachelor Nation news, exclusive interviews, episode recaps & more Nick, her oldest, is getting married, and then shes waiting, but she thinks Lukes going to get engaged. I think theyve been looking at rings, so its all good. Chock, 60, explained of devoted mother Joan, 62, Shes like, I dont want to compete with my sons wedding and a lot going on. Our schedules booked through October, so its just crazy busy. In fact, Chock was flying solo at the Hulu event on April 22, and told Parade Joan was in New York preparing to be a guest on Andy Cohens Watch What Happens Live. Shes so excited to be on the Bravo talk show, he said. But more important to Joan and Chock than media appearances are family events, and Chock is definitely going to be right by Joans side at her sons wedding: Theyve got the invitations out. Were very much looking forward to it. Chock said Nick lives in Philadelphia, and hes talking about staying in Philadelphia or maybe getting transferred to Boston, so well see what happens. Related: 'Golden Bachelorette' Joan Vassos Reveals Why Her Wedding Plans Have Been Put on Hold (Exclusive) Joan, a widow, had four children with her late husband, John Vassos, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2021. She touched viewers as a contestant on Gerry Turners inaugural The Golden Bachelor season when she had to self-eliminate to take care of her daughter Erica, who was experiencing postpartum depression. Erica recovered, and Joan soon got a starring role of her own on the first season of The Golden Bachelorette. Fans embraced the blonde beauty from Rockville, Maryland getting engaged to Wichita, Kansas-based insurance executive Chock. He proposed to Joan during the shows finale in Bora Bora. Since then, Joan has told Parade why she and Chock havent been living together. In March, she said they wouldnt cohabitate until they found a perfect New York home. "Everybody looks at this like .... 'There's no way this can work because you're not together every minute,'" Joan said. "We don't feel the same way about it. We feel like we both have pretty rich lives in our 60s. You find somebody [at that time of life], chances are they have stuff going on. They have family or they have jobs or they have friend groups, or they have hobbies. So you might not need to spend every waking moment together or you might not need to live in the same city, and that's how we feel right now about it." Related: 'Golden Bachelorette' Joan Vassos Reveals Why She's Not Moving in With Chock Chapple (Exclusive) And in an earlier interview this year, former private school administrator Joan had also told Parade, Planning a wedding is just not on the schedule right now. It just seems like it would be an overwhelming thing to add to all that were already doing. And plus, were just really enjoyinggetting to do all these things but also being at each others homes, meeting each others friends, getting to know each others families. At the Hulu party, Chock showed his support as ABCs new Golden Bachelor, Mel Owens, was announced and updated Parade about his relationship with Joan: We still talk two to three times a day [on weekdays], easy. Weekends maybe three or four times. She was in Wichita, and then we were just in the Dominican Republic, and I will go there [to Maryland] next week for a weekend for a bunch of birthdays, and the following week after that shes going to be back in Wichita. So, we see each other at least every other week and its going very well. Shes a great lady! Chock admitted that fans are constantly asking them when theyre going to the Chapple er, chapel. As you get older, its really not that important, he smiled. We want to get married, but the timing just needs to be right. Related: ABC Announces Former NFL Star As the Next 'Golden Bachelor' American Kerri Cunningham fell for Brit Dirk Stevens when they met as teenagers on vacation. They were each other's first love, but lived on opposite sides of Atlantic. Almost three decades later, life brought them back together. - Courtesy Kerri Cunningham and Dirk Stevens When American teenager Kerri Cunningham was dragged by her parents to Europe in the summer of 1993, she was less than impressed. Dragged might sound like dramatic wording, but thats how 14-year-old Kerri saw it at the time. Kerri reacted to the vacation plans from the teenage point of view of Oh, its taking away from my summer break, and I want to hang out with my friends. Leaving her beachside hometown in the Hamptons, in New York, was the last thing she wanted. I was dreading the trip, Kerri tells CNN Travel today. Looking back today, Kerri says this was all a bit of a spoiled brat, teenage attitude. The trip embarking first to the UK, then France and culminating in a two-week-bus tour around Italy was an amazing opportunity. Kerri realizes now that she was fortunate. Her parents wanted their daughters to see the world. But it was hard to see it that way back then. All teenage Kerri could fixate on was the time away from her life in New York. Little did Kerri know this voyage to Europe would change her life forever. That shed still feel the reverberations of this trip three decades on. A significant meeting The first few days of the trip were uneventful, at least in Kerris mind. She sulked her way across the UK, and boarded a ferry with the other tour participants from Dover, England to Calais, France. She was glad two of her sisters were on the trip too, but she still resented being there. And then I saw Dirk, recalls Kerri. And it instantly got better. As the ship crossed the English Channel, and the White Cliffs of Dover retreated into the distance, Kerris parents got chatting to an English family, the Stevenses, who were also en route to the continent to embark on the Italy bus tour. Dirk was their 15-year-old son. Like Kerri, he was a reluctant teenage tagalong to a family holiday. But then he smiled at Kerri, and everything started to look up. Kerri thought he was so handsome. I was immediately smitten, she admits. Hugh Grant was really big at that time. And he sort of had this young Hugh Grant hair. Being an American girl, Hugh Grant was the guy. A bad haircut, says Dirk today, laughing. But it worked at the time. Dirk tells CNN Travel he also felt an instant attraction to Kerri. He vividly remembers his first impression of her: Beautiful smile, dark hair, really pretty. Before long, the two teens were sitting side-by-side, sharing headphones and listening to Kerris Walkman music player. Their parents bonded quickly, too. We all just got chatting and hit it off, recalls Dirk. Our dads are sort of similar guys, you know, like to take machines apart, make something new, build something, design something, have a bonfire As the group disembarked the ferry in France and boarded the bus to Italy stopping off here and there en route the two families grew even closer. Our dads would be in a pub somewhere or grabbing a drink, and the moms would be shopping, recalls Kerri. Kerri and Dirk met while traveling with their families in Europe and became close right away. There are pictures of us with bottles of champagne wed taken at dinner," says Dirk. - Courtesy Kerri Cunningham and Dirk Stevens Their parents friendship helped cement Kerri and Dirks bond, and Kerri also enjoyed observing the way Dirk interacted with his family. Dirks dad used a wheelchair, and Dirk was often the family member whod help his dad navigate the cobbled streets of Italy. Heres this 15-year-old whos pushing his dad all over Europe in this wheelchair, and not complaining about it, and getting on with it, but doing it with a smile on his face, Kerri recalls. She noticed that Dirk seemed to always see the bright side of everything. His warm, breezy attitude won her over. I had never met anyone my age who was so comfortable with himself and his family and so accepting of me and mine, says Kerri. Everything was just easy and fun. We just got each other and there was a very strong attraction. In the evenings, while the parents were deep in conversation and Kerris sisters were doing their own thing, Dirk and Kerri would steal time alone. Us two, sneaking off recalls Dirk. There are pictures of us with bottles of champagne wed taken at dinner. They became fast friends, which became romantic, as Dirk puts it. At one of the Italian hotels, they danced together, arm-in-arm. They always sat together at dinners, stealing glances and sharing in-jokes. We just felt so comfortable together, says Dirk. I remember being on a gondola in Venice and just laughing the entire time. Im pretty sure we stole a few kisses when our parents werent looking, says Kerri. I thought he was the cutest boy I had ever met. A summer to remember At the end of the two-week tour, the Cunninghams and the Stevenses promised to stay in touch. There was already talk about getting together the following summer. Still, for Dirk and Kerri, saying goodbye wasnt easy. In fact, it was awful, says Dirk. Just as you find someone special, you have to say goodbye, he recalls. But, our parents had already said wed meet them next summer. Nothing was planned at that point, but everyone was excited for the idea. Back in their respective hometowns on opposite sides of the Atlantic, the Cunningham family and the Stevens family remained connected. Mum would talk to Mom and wed be on the phone after, recalls Dirk. And Dad with Dad. Soon dates were arranged and the excitement and anticipation builds up. A plan was in place: the Stevenses would visit New York in the following summer of 1994, and stay with the Cunninghams at their home on Long Island. As they counted down to this reunion, Dirk and Kerri exchanged letters, sending each other magazine clippings and writing dispatches about their lives on opposite sides of the Atlantic. They also enjoyed long phone calls with the old plug-in phones, when you had a really long extension lead so you could go and sit on the stairs or in the bathroom to try and get privacy, as Dirk recalls. My dad was very strict, so I wasnt allowed to talk to many boys on the phone, says Kerri. But Dirk was an exception. Unlike other boys our age, he wasnt afraid to talk to my parents on the phone, she says. In fact, I think he really enjoyed it! And my parents really loved him. For Kerri and Dirk, the 12-month countdown to their reunion only intensified their feelings for each other. Wed missed each other for a year, were desperate to see each other, says Dirk. Kerri remembers the moment she saw Dirk again on Long Island in summer 1994. He smiled at her. Right away, she felt at home. She loved how he greeted her, calling her darling. I know its an English thing, says Kerri of the pet name. But when he called me darling in person, in emails or on the phone my heart would just melt. It was a very exciting time, says Dirk of that summer in New York. Kerri and Dirk spent every moment together. They hung out at the beach together, Dirk tagged along to Kerris summer job. They spent long evenings in each others company. This was first-love stuff, says Dirk. Knowing that our time together was limited, made it all the more special. We loved each other and were great friends, but we lived an ocean apart and never even considered being together. I guess we thought How could we? We were just teenagers, says Kerri. When Kerri and Dirk said goodbye at the end of Dirks visit, they did so accepting that we couldnt be together, she says. But knowing that wed get to see each other again at some point, adds Dirk. Yeah, says Kerri. I kind of felt like, Oh, well always well always Have this, says Dirk, finishing Kerris sentence. Changing times After their New York summer, Kerri and Dirk continued to write letters and speak to each other on the phone. But as they finished up high school, this communication gradually slowed down. Calls became every two months, then three months recalls Dirk. Then they dropped off almost completely when they graduated. It was still the mid-1990s, and there was no social media offering easy long distance back-and-forth. Staying in touch required time and effort. We both got busy. We loved each other, but we werent sure when wed get to see each other again, says Dirk. We were both students that couldnt afford expensive flights. Life gets in the way. We were both going to college, working, dating and our lives were moving ahead, says Kerri. We were so far apart, being together just didnt seem possible. Still, even when they werent in touch, the two always thought of each other fondly. Plus, their parents remained connected, so Kerri and Dirk got regular secondhand updates on each other. Mum would pass me on information about Kerri and the family, recalls Dirk. Wed catch each other every now and then. As email became more commonplace, Kerri and Dirk would send the occasional note back and forth. Theyd write, as Dirk recalls it, how you doing? Thought of you today. Miss you. Emails were easier than phone calls, he says. Then, in Kerris first year of college, her father was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease. When she was 19, he passed away. It was a devastating loss for Kerri and the Cunningham family. The Stevenses were also heartbroken to hear the news. Around the time of her fathers death, Kerri had been supposed to go to Paris with some girlfriends. The trip got called off. Through the grapevine, Dirks mother heard about Kerris canceled vacation. She immediately offered a suggestion to Kerris mother: shed love to take Kerri and Dirk to Paris, together. Dirks mother had studied there when she was younger, and knew the city well. It was the least she could do, she said, after the loss theyd weathered. Looking back today, Kerri suggests that Dirks mother was also keen for Dirk to reconnect with Kerri. She knew how much we cared for each other and I think she wanted us to be together as much as we wanted it, says Kerri. Kerris mother encouraged her daughter to go. Soon, Kerri started daydreaming about Paris again. Flights were booked and hotels arranged and Kerri and Dirk got back in regular touch. Via email, they started counting down the days until their reunion. All that excitement built up again, says Dirk. Kerri hoped seeing Dirk would be a balm to her grief. And when he picked her up from the airport in February 2001, she was proven right. In February 2001, Kerri and Dirk reunited in Paris, France. "It was very romantic," says Kerri. Here they are pictured outside the Moulin Rouge. - Courtesy Kerri Cunningham and Dirk Stevens It was like theyd never been apart, though it had been seven years since theyd last seen each other in person. They were now in their early 20s. We were different, wed grown up a bit, says Dirk. Kerri was more beautiful. It happened to be Valentines Day week, says Kerri. It was very romantic. With Dirks mother leading the way, Kerri and Dirk visited Notre Dame, took walks on the Seine, climbed the Eiffel Tower, visited the Moulin Rouge and toured the Louvre. They also went off the tourist track. Mum had studied Art History and languages there, so she took us to see unusual buildings, unique architecture, cafes she remembered says Dirk. Everywhere in Paris felt suffused with romance. The Eiffel Tower was emblazoned with a big red heart. All the restaurants had roses on the table centerpiece. Everywhere we went Dirk would say Do you like that? I ordered it special, just for you. And his mom and I would laugh, says Kerri. But it really did feel, recalls Kerri, like everything in Paris that week was for us. It was magical, she says. After his mom would go to bed, wed go out and find a little bar where we would have drinks and dance and share our fears and our dreams. It was so lovely and I didnt want it to end. The trip was perfect, but it also felt bittersweet. Kerri was grieving her father. Some part of her also saw Paris as a farewell to her teenage love for Dirk. As an adult, she felt the barriers of ever being together even more acutely. It just seemed impossible, she says. Dirk and Kerri were now in their early twenties, tied to their respective home countries through jobs, friends and commitments. They said farewell at the end of the week with no plans to see one another again. We knew wed keep in touch and fate would do its thing, says Dirk. Its always a tough goodbye, with hugs, tears and kisses. I guess it always felt like a vacation romance and we told ourselves thats all it was to avoid getting hurt, says Kerri. Different directions After Paris, Kerri went back to New York and Dirk returned to the UK. As they moved through their twenties, Kerri and Dirk both made life choices that cemented them on different paths. I had different girlfriends, and ended up having a baby and later getting married and having three children, says Dirk. Meanwhile, Kerri met and fell in love with a fellow Long Islander, Dean. The Cunningham family and the Stevens family remained in touch. Kerris mother went to Dirks sisters wedding in the UK. Dirks parents visited Kerris mother in New York. And Dirks parents attended Kerris wedding to Dean, in the summer of 2010. All the families were still connected and loved each other, says Dirk. Through their families, Kerri and Dirk learned updates about one another, and how they were navigating lifes ups and downs. In 2015, Dirks daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder. Then in 2016, his mother died suddenly. And that same year, Kerris husband Dean was diagnosed with a terminal Glioblastoma brain tumor. Dirk reached out to Kerri after hearing the news, offering his support from afar. But Kerri was swept up in hospital appointments, caring for her husband and processing the inevitable loss that was to come. It was 20 years after my dadit just felt like This is happening again, recalls Kerri. I remember looking at my mom and my sister and just saying, I cant do this. But you do it, you find the strength and you do it. Eighteen months after his cancer diagnosis, Dean passed away. I lost him in 2017, says Kerri. We did not have any children. In the aftermath of Deans passing, Kerri says her world turned upside down. She didnt know how to process the loss or what to do next. A couple of years passed in a blur. Kerri fell into a relationship that didnt feel right. She agonized over the future. Then my aunt suggested a trip to Ireland with her to get away, says Kerri. Around the same time, Dirk emailed me to see how I was doing. I told him of my upcoming plans for Ireland and he asked if he and his dad could meet us there. We hadnt seen each other in 17 years. Kerri was surprised when Dirk suggested joining her in Dublin. She said Dirk and his father were welcome to come along, but internally, she doubted they would. Kerri knew Dirk was married, with three children in the picture. She thought it was unlikely that he would board a flight to Dublin to see old family friends out of the blue. But unbeknownst to Kerri, Dirk was separated from his wife. The couple had gone through a tough time and were in the process of getting divorced. Dirk had moved in with his father. Dirk didnt mention any of this to Kerri in his emails. He didnt want to seem like he was trying to overshadow Kerris loss. And he didnt have any specific intentions when he got back in touch. Hed just been trying to reconnect with old friends in the wake of his marriage breaking down. He knew his father would enjoy seeing Kerri, and it was easy for them to get to Ireland from their home in England. An Irish reunion Dirk and Kerri reunited in Ireland in 2019. They hadn't seen each other in over 17 years, but reuniting felt "like home," as Kerri puts it. - Courtesy Kerri Cunningham and Dirk Stevens Until the moment Kerri and Dirk reunited in Dublin, she didnt believe hed come. But then, suddenly, he was in front of her. Standing there, in person, for the first time in almost two decades. When we saw each other, we hugged so tightly and I started crying. I realized I had never stopped loving him and, boy, was it nice to be hugged by such an old, true friend, recalls Kerri. She surprised herself by feeling the same sentiment shed felt when she reunited with Dirk on Long Island, in the summer of 1994: It felt like I was home. Dirk felt this same feeling when he saw Kerri: a surprising certainty that everything was right with the world, despite everything theyd been through while they were apart. The two spent the rest of the day in Dublin together, with Dirks father and Kerris aunt completing the party. They toured the Guinness Factory and went out for dinner as a group. And as Dirk pushed his fathers wheelchair through the Dublin streets, Kerris aunt walked alongside, Kerri had a feeling of deja vu. It felt like the summer theyd first met, touring Europe in 1993, like we were teenagers again. Just exploring a city with our chaperones. Dirk and Kerri opened up to each other on the Ireland trip. It felt like some divine intervention that we were there for each other," she says. - Courtesy Kerri Cunningham and Dirk Stevens They were only together for a couple of days, but during this time, Kerri and Dirk opened up to each other. She told Dirk about her unhappiness and uncertainty amid her grief. He told her about his marriage breakdown. As old friends do, we talked about all the good and bad going on in our lives and the truth came out, says Kerri. It felt like some divine intervention that we were there for each other. That holiday, the time we spent, was just perfect, and it was just what we both needed, unknowingly, perhaps, says Dirk. It helped that their long history led to an easy comfort, even after years apart. They felt able to be totally honest with each other. It was very freeing to just be with someone that you trust and spill your guts to them, says Kerri. Perhaps it was Kerri and Dirks ease with one another that explained why, everywhere they went, strangers assumed they were a couple. In a pub, just having a conversation in a queuetheyre like, Oh my God. How long have you two been together? Youre the nicest couple weve ever met, recalls Dirk. And were like, No, were not. Were old friends, and we just came with my dad and her aunt. The two laughed off strangers assumptions, but both wondered if there was something in them. As they readied themselves to say goodbye, both Kerri and Dirk hoped this wouldnt be goodbye forever. And then, before Kerri left for the airport, Dirk decided to take a chance: he told Kerri he loved her. Maybe we can make this work? he asked her. For Kerri, this was the decisive moment. It was scary and unknown, but she felt she should take a leap of faith into a life with Dirk. She knew she loved him too. I knew I had to give us a real chance, because something much bigger had brought us back together, she says today. Continuing the journey Today, Kerri and Dirk live life together, as a team. - Courtesy Kerri Cunningham and Dirk Stevens The leap of faith paid off. Today, six years since they reunited in Ireland, Kerri and Dirk are a couple, now in their forties, living life together, as a team. Kerris job still ties her to the US, while Dirks kids live with him fulltime, so hes in the UK. But the couple make the back and forth work. Kerri splits her time across the Atlantic, and loves spending time with Dirks children. She says getting to know them has been a real gift. In the six years since they reunited, Kerri and Dirk have helped each other rebuild their lives, embrace the present and embark on a new future together. Needless to say, both of our families were over the moon, adds Kerri. Dirks father recently passed away, but before he died, he told Kerri she was the best thing that happened to his son. Kerris mother, who is in her eighties, is also very supportive. When Kerri told her shed reunited with Dirk, Kerris mother told her their love story was written in the stars. While she doesnt love me being so far away most of the year, she knows that I am where Im meant to be, says Kerri. While Kerri and Dirk wish that her father and his mother had also lived to see them finally get together, Kerri believes they know. She feels their presence, their influence in her life, all the time. We have lots of angels that look over us, Kerri says, referring to all the loved ones she and Dirk have lost, including her late husband, Dean, who shell always hold close to her heart. Dean and I, we traveled all around the world, and we did fun stuff, and he lived an amazing life as well. Im forever grateful for those years, Kerri says, reflecting that Dean would be very happy to see where she is today. Navigating the loss of her late husband also helped Kerri have the courage to embrace her new chapter with Dirk. While she always felt safe and comfortable with Dirk, she knew any relationship comes with risk, with its challenges and uncertainties. But after Dean died, I said, Im not afraid of anything, because I feel like Ive been through the worst thing possible, recalls Kerri. If this doesnt work, then it doesnt work. And when Dirk makes her laugh and makes her smile, Kerri embraces that happiness wholeheartedly and gratefully, not taking any of it for granted. We always have fun, Kerri says of her life with Dirk. You cant be sad forever. Life goes on, and I think everybody deserves to be happyand the hard times are always the hardest when youre in them and you realize how strong you know we all are. Were all a lot stronger than we think we are. Together, Kerri and Dirks attitude to life is to accept and enjoy the journey, as Dirk puts it. Enjoy the journey, echoes Kerri. Thats how we started. We started out on a journey. And we met each other. And now were just continuing the journey, says Dirk. Let the universe take you along. You know, it will guide you where youre meant to go. Kerri adds jokingly that the moral of their story is go on a trip with your parents when youre a teenager, even if you dont want to. But more seriously, Kerri suggests its allow yourself to be happy, and to be open to the universe. We were always meant to be together, she says of Dirk. We are twin flames that found our way back to each other after all those years. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Pete Hegseth wants Donald Trump to see him as a fighter amid the negative stories swirling around the defense secretary, two U.S. officials told NBC News, and has been focusing more on public and television appearances including on his old network, Fox News in which he can speak directly to the president. Trump had told Hegseth during a recent phone call that he did not approve of his texting information about airstrikes in Yemen to a Signal group that included Hegseths wife, his brother and his personal attorney, describing what the defense secretary had done as childish, one U.S. official and another person familiar with the conversation said. The call ended with Trump telling Hegseth to keep fighting, however. As he battles to keep his job amid a flood of reports about his behavior and infighting in his Pentagon, Hegseths behavior has become erratic, and he seems increasingly insecure about his job and standing in the administration, leading him to frequently reinforce to staff that he cant allow himself to be fired, according to two officials familiar with the situation. Officials who operate in Hegseths vicinity describe him as difficult and prickly, and said that he berates and yells at the staff. The officials described a tense environment with fighting, even yelling, among Hegseths senior staff. Last month, Hegseth was furious about leaks of his having approved a military briefing for Elon Musk on China, according to multiple defense officials. When officials found out The New York Times was preparing to report the meeting, Hegseth screamed at Adm. Chris Grady, the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saying he would f---ing polygraph him to find out if he leaked the information about the meeting, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the meeting. Hegseth staffers also threatened to polygraph Adm. Sam Paparo, the commander of U.S. IndoPacific Command, and Lt. Gen D.A. Sims, the director of the Joint Staff, the officials said, and told the Joint Chiefs who had access to information about the Musk briefing and the agenda that they would be subject to polygraphs, the officials said. The Wall Street Journal was first to report that Hegseth yelled at Grady and threatened him with a polygraph. As he deals with questions about his job performance, his handling of sensitive information and how long hell be able to hold on, Hegseth has had a significantly diminished staff around him. Last week, three officials Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Hegseth; Darin Selnick, Hegseths deputy chief of staff; and Colin Carroll, chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg were all told they were implicated in a leak investigation, placed on administrative leave and escorted from the Pentagon. They were not given specifics about the allegations against them but all were terminated last Friday. They released a joint statement the next day in which they said, 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. They went on to call the experience unconscionable, but said they continue to support the Trump-Vance administration, without referencing any support for Hegseth. Days after being fired, Selnick and Caldwell were both exonerated. Its not clear if Carroll was, as well. In another sudden staff shake-up, Hegseths chief of staff, Joe Kasper, also left his role last week. On Monday, a senior defense official provided this statement to NBC News: Joe Kasper will continue to serve President Trump as a Special Government Employee (SGE) handling special projects at the Department of Defense. Secretary Hegseth is thankful for his continued leadership and work to advance the America First agenda. During a Fox News interview Tuesday, Hegseth was asked whether Kasper has a new role. Hes staying with us, going to be in a slightly different role, but hes not going anywhere, certainly not fired. You make changes over time, and were grateful for everything Joes done. On Friday, the Pentagon announced that Hegseth had tapped four officials who'd already been working in the building to support him in whats known as the front office. That includes Justin Fulcher, Patrick Weaver and Ricky Buria as senior advisers. Sean Parnell, who has been serving as the assistant to the defense secretary for public affairs and chief Pentagon spokesman, is now also a senior adviser. No individual had been identified as Hegseths chief of staff. Regular workforce adjustments are a feature of any highly efficient organization, the Pentagons acting press secretary, Kingsley Wilson, said in a statement. Secretary Hegseth will continue to be proactive with personnel decisions and will work hard to ensure the Department of Defense has the right people in the right positions to execute President Trumps agenda. In the meantime, revelations about Hegseths use of Signal and potential security risks hes creating with it have not stopped coming. The latest is that Hegseth had a special internet line installed in his Pentagon office in defiance of the Defense Departments normal security protocols so that he could use the Signal app on a personal computer there, according to two officials familiar with the matter. The so-called dirty line, referred to that way because its not secured, increases the likelihood of the office being hacked or surveilled by a foreign adversary or another entity because it doesnt have the same security filters as other, highly secure lines in and out of the office. Hegseths office is considered a SCIF, or sensitive, compartmentalized information facility, which is specially designed to protect communications. The existence of the line was first reported by The Associated Press on Thursday. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for the Senate. CHICAGO Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to endorse his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, for the Senate on Friday, just two days after longtime Sen. Dick Durbin said he would not seek a sixth term. Pritzker plans to make the announcement news of which was shared in advance with NBC News at an event in the citys Southside neighborhood of Bronzeville, where Stratton grew up. The backing which is sure to include financial resources from Pritzker, a billionaire instantly lifts Strattons profile in a race that is expected to draw a crowded field given that Durbin has held the seat for nearly 30 years. The group could include at least two Democratic members of Congress. Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential hopeful, has historically not been shy about tapping his vast wealth to support his own campaigns, as well as Democratic efforts across the country. He is armed with a robust political operation in the state, as well as the political muscle to spur Strattons chances. Over the past six years, Ive had the privilege of working with Juliana Stratton, one of Illinois fiercest fighters for working families. She is a tested and steady leader who leads from a place of integrity, pragmatism, and dedication, Pritzker said in a statement. Julianas lived experience has made her a passionate and compassionate advocate able to get big things done. Im proud to call her not just a partner in governance, but a true friend. Pritzker and Stratton came into office in 2018 after a bruising election against another free-spending candidate, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner. The two have ushered in popular changes in the state, including protecting reproductive rights, raising the minimum wage and eliminating the states tax on groceries. Stratton on Thursday became the first person to launch her Senate campaign, just one day after Durbin, 80, announced he would not seek re-election next year. He said it was time for the next generation to lead the party. Getty Images; Tesla Inc.; Rebecca Zisser/BI Tesla has said its robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas, will take place in June. The company has about 300 test operators and has worked to built up "critical miles." It also rolled out a test version of its robotaxi app to Autopilot engineers and held an event with local first responders. Tesla is racing toward its planned robotaxi debut in June, with hundreds of test drivers quietly laying the groundwork across Austin. Over the past few months, about 300 Tesla test operators have been driving through the city's streets around the clock using prototypes of the company's self-driving software as a part of the program the company internally calls "Project Rodeo." In the months leading up to the launch, Tesla has held a training event with local first responders, worked to build up "critical miles," formed a team of remote operators, and rolled out a test version of its robotaxi app to Autopilot engineers in Austin and San Francisco. The carmaker has used test drivers to hone its advanced driver-assist software since at least 2016, but Tesla has intensified its efforts over the past year, four current and former workers told Business Insider. During Tesla's layoffs in April 2024, it eliminated several test drivers and moved Project Rodeo from general vehicle testing to the Autopilot department under Ashok Elluswamy, its vice president of AI software, three people with knowledge of the situation told BI. Since then, the intensity of the program has increased substantially, and many workers have shifted from updating Tesla's Full Self-Driving system to robotaxi development, two people said. A looming deadline Internally, Tesla has set a June 1 deadline for the launch, insiders said, and Musk has been told during weekly Autopilot meetings with Elluswamy's team that the company is on track to hit it. Workers said they had not received details about the event or what it would entail. Publicly, it has provided a handful of details. On Tesla's earnings call Tuesday, Musk said Austin residents would be able to pay to ride in a self-driving Model Y. He estimated that the program would launch with 10 to 20 cars. "It feels very forced," a former worker said. "It's this breakthrough moment for Tesla, but there is also this feeling of so many last-minute details being up in the air." One worker described the June 1 deadline as more "aspirational" or "motivational." "A June 1 deadline makes a June 30 launch more likely," they said. Tesla has not publicly announced a precise date for the event beyond "June." The company did not respond to a request for comment. Key hurdles The former employee said hitting a June 1 deadline presents challenges due to the difficulty of logging critical miles testing done in complex or high-risk driving situations, such as navigating heavy traffic, handling unprotected left turns, or responding to sudden obstacles. These scenarios are crucial for evaluating whether the self-driving system can handle edge cases without human intervention. Test drivers who spoke with BI described the testing process involved in accumulating critical miles. Tesla assigns test drivers to specialized testing routes, including "critical" tracks, where they're encouraged to avoid intervening, and "adversarial" tracks, which simulate emergency scenarios like reentering traffic from a roadside stop. Elluswamy said during the earnings call that it's "super rare" to get critical interventions and that test drivers can go days without an intervention. "You can't easily know whether you are improving or regressing in your capacity" with the autonomous software, he said. Tesla has also been working with local emergency services, documents obtained by BI show. The company met with the city's autonomous vehicle task force, which includes members of the Austin Fire Department, in December. It first reached out in spring 2024, documents show. In March, Tesla performed about six hours of testing with local first responders, including members of the police and fire departments, at a closed testing track, one former worker said. About 60 drivers were split between Tesla test vehicles and personal vehicles in order to mimic normal traffic scenarios, the person said. A spokesperson from the Austin Police Department confirmed that Tesla held a testing day with first responders from Austin, Williamson County, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Representatives for the Austin Fire Department and the autonomous vehicle task force did not respond to a request for comment. Engineers are testing out the robotaxi app Tesla has begun demoing its robotaxi app with employees. The carmaker released an Apple TestFlight version to engineers earlier this year. It was released in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area. It allows Tesla employees to get free rides within a geofenced region, a virtual area that denotes where the vehicle can safely operate, two people said. In Austin, the robotaxi service is set to roll out across such an area, a person with knowledge of the program said. The demo program features a safety driver who sits in the driver's seat and can take over when needed. There has been some discussion around using remote operators as safety drivers for the public rollout, two people familiar with the matter said. The workers operate in a designated facility in California with remote controllers, one person said. The company has moved some test drivers into remote operator roles, two people said. Tesla had remote operators on deck during its robotaxi event in October; the workers are told to take over only in the event of an emergency, much like Waymo's or Zoox's remote operators, they said. While Austin and San Francisco remain high-priority testing areas, Tesla employs test drivers across other cities, including New York, Phoenix, Seattle, and Atlanta. Musk has said the self-driving cars will roll out to other cities over the course of the year. For now, Austin is the key stomping ground for Tesla test drivers. "There's just always a convoy of Teslas just going all over to Austin in circles," Musk said Tuesday. "It's going to look pretty bizarre." Do you work for Tesla or have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at gkay@businessinsider.com or Signal at 248-894-6012. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider After visiting all of the national parks in the US, I have a few favorites and ones I'm in no rush to go back to. Emily Pennington I've visited all of the national parks in the US. Of the 63, I have a few favorites and letdowns. National parks like Gates of the Arctic, Big Bend, and Yosemite have blown me away. I didn't love Dry Tortugas National Park or Gateway Arch National Park neither felt immersive. One of the top things that travelers love to do when they visit the United States is to embark on a great American road trip, filled with plenty of stunning national parks. From Yellowstone's thundering herds of bison to Yosemite's towering granite walls, there's no shortage of natural wonders inside the millions of acres of American parkland. Of course, with 63 different parks to visit, it's inevitable that some won't be a slam dunk for every single visitor. I spent the entirety of 2020 visiting all of the US national parks, and although most were absolutely spellbinding, there are several that I won't be rushing back to anytime soon. Below, I'll get into four of my all-time favorites plus three let-downs that some travelers might want to skip. I truly love Grand Teton National Park. The landscapes in Grand Teton National Park are incredible. Emily Pennington Rising up from the Snake River Valley like a gaggle of shark's teeth, the Teton Range is one of the most impressive landscapes on the planet. Plus, the park is just a stone's throw from Jackson Hole, Wyoming's famed cowboy-town-turned-ski-haven. As such, there are loads of phenomenal restaurants nearby and chic lodges to bed down in when you're not hiking its hundreds of miles of trails. In summer, grab your bear spray and spend a day hiking to Trapper Lake. If you're visiting when it's snowy out, book a wildlife-viewing trip with Jackson Hole Eco Tours for a chance to photograph moose and wolves. Gates of the Arctic National Park is unlike any place I've ever been. Visitors can get to the Gates of the Arctic National Park via bush plane. Emily Pennington Yes, it's one of the most remote national parks of the bunch, but Alaska's massive Gates of the Arctic is one of the few places on earth that completely upended what I thought a wilderness area could be. Home to thousands-strong caribou migrations, wild rivers, and the imposing peaks of the Brooks Range, this far-north site is well worth the time it takes to get there. Alaska Alpine Adventures is one of the few tour operators that'll bring guests to this Arctic Circle expanse. Choose between a backpacking trip to the Arrigetch Peaks or a river-rafting tour either way, you'll be privy to the park's otherworldly solitude and miles of verdant tundra. Big Bend National Park truly offers something for every kind of traveler. Big Bend is in Texas near the Mexico border. Emily Pennington Tucked away in remote West Texas, Big Bend offers a scenic escape from the state's mostly flat landscapes. It's also a fantastic park for those of us with short attention spans choose between scenic drives (like the boulder- and cactus-strewn Ross Maxwell), riverside hikes (like Santa Elena Canyon), or rafting adventures along the Rio Grande. When you're not out adventuring, be sure to take a dip in the park's steamy Langford Hot Springs. There's a good reason Yosemite National Park is so popular. Lembert Dome is one of many peaks in Yosemite National Park. Emily Pennington Made even more famous by films like "Free Solo," Yosemite has always been renowned for its roaring waterfalls, stellar Sierra Nevada hiking, and sky-high cliffs of glacially-polished granite. Yosemite National Park is surrounded by striking, mountainous landscapes, forested hillsides, and quaint gateway towns. Sure, it's one of the more crowded national parks, but I've always found it easy enough to escape the throngs by trekking in the area's high country, road tripping over to Hetch Hetchy, or visiting in autumn (when most kids are back in school). On the other hand, Indiana Dunes National Park left me feeling underwhelmed. I didn't feel transported into nature in Indiana Dunes National Park. Emily Pennington It can be fun to spend half a day tottering around on Indiana's famed lakeside sand dunes unfortunately, I found this site to be small and city-bound. While exploring Indiana Dunes National Park, hikers are routinely greeted by views of power plants and Chicago's copious skyline. Also, the dunefield used to be much larger than its current sprawl sadly, much of its mass was carted away by glass companies and manufacturers in the early 1900s. I found the park itself to be a reminder of why we need to preserve important landscapes before they are overly developed by corporate interests. To me, this park is more of a symbol of Western industrialization than a pristine piece of nature. Gateway Arch National Park hardly feels like a real park. Gateway Arch National Park feels more like a monument than a park. Emily Pennington More glorified cityscape than nature preserve, Gateway Arch was established as a national park in 2018, after a Missouri senator sponsored a bill to redesignate the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The move followed a $380 million renovation of the site, refurbishing the arch and adding an underground history museum to the downtown St. Louis property. Although the space-age architecture of the arch itself is impressive, I found this to be the most surprising national park of my quest. With its manicured lawns and paved pathways, it doesn't feel like a typical national park. Even an acting deputy director of the National Park Service has said that the small site fits the department's definition of a national monument much more than a park. Unlike most public lands, Gateway Arch charges additional funds for important attractions once guests enter the premises, like going up inside the arch, which can feel like a Disneyland-style cash grab. I wasn't very impressed by Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park felt like more of a monument than an escape. Emily Pennington Maybe I just got a bout of bad weather on the choppy boat ride out to Florida's Dry Tortugas, but I found this to be the least impressive of America's beachy national parks. Its snorkeling areas felt small and relatively uninhabited by marine life during my visit. Although the park's Civil War-era fort is an impressive feat of engineering, it feels much more like a national monument dedicated to our country's history than a blissful island escape. Like most of my least-favorite national parks, access to Dry Tortugas is largely controlled by a private tour operator, meaning that most travelers will have to pay for a ferry ride from Key West to this small cluster of islands. In my opinion, you could visit nearby Biscayne National Park or jet set to the Virgin Islands for a more immersive tropical park experience. Read the original article on Business Insider Massachusetts State Police arrested Karen Read on suspicion of killing John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer who was found dead outside a Canton home in 2022. On Friday, jurors in Read's second murder trial visited the home to make observations for the case. - Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe/Getty Images The dense snow and blizzard-like conditions outside the Massachusetts home are gone. But the mystery of who may have killed Boston Police Officer John OKeefe on a frigid night in Canton lingers as jurors visited the house near where his body was found. OKeefes girlfriend, Karen Read, was back in court Friday for her second murder trial, accused of killing OKeefe with her Lexus SUV. Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death. Her first murder trial ended in a mistrial last year after the jury said it could not reach a unanimous verdict. Karen Read, center, listens to testimony during her trial, Friday, April 25, 2025, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. - Josh Reynolds/Pool/New York Post/AP Around midday Friday, jurors boarded a bus from the courtroom in Dedham and made the roughly 20-minute journey to the house in Canton, about 20 miles south of Boston. Thats where OKeefes body was found in the snow blanketing the front of the house in the predawn hours of January 29, 2022. Shards of glass and splotches of blood were found nearby. Jurors in Kare Read's second murder trial traveled by bus Friday to the site of John O'Keefe's 2022 death in Canton, Massachusetts. - Pool/WBZ Before traveling to the house Friday, Judge Beverly Cannone told jurors that she and attorneys on both sides of the case would join them. I have to make something very clear: The purpose of this view is to help you better understand the evidence you will hear at trial and help you appreciate the location and surroundings, Cannone told the jury. The observations that you make while on the view may be used and considered by you in your deliberations in reaching a verdict, the judge said. Also, while you are on the view, you are not to take any notes or photographs. You are not to conduct any investigation in this case. You really are simply to stop and look. The prosecution and defense each told the jury what they believed jurors should pay attention to at the scene. When jurors arrived at the home, Reads black Lexus LX 570 was parked outside but in a different spot from where jurors from Reads first murder trial saw it when they visited the house last year, CNN affiliate WCVB reported Friday. Karen Read's Lexus SUV was placed Friday near the site where John O'Keefe died in 2022. This image was taken shortly after jurors in Read's murder trial viewed the SUV. - Pool/WBZ Instead of being near the end of the driveway, the SUV was parked near the flagpole where OKeefes body was found. Prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV after dropping him off at a party and returned hours later to find him dead. Defense attorneys say Read was a victim of a conspiracy involving the police. What we know about the house and the couples last night The night before OKeefe was found dead, he and Read went out drinking at two bars with friends. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Reads SUV and drove to the Canton home of OKeefes colleague for an after-party. There, OKeefe got out of the vehicle, and Read later drove home. Early the next morning, Read and two friends drove around in a snowstorm looking for OKeefe and found his body in the front yard of the Canton house, according to court documents. Prosecutors say Reads SUV had a broken taillight, and pieces of it were found outside the Canton home. But in Reads first trial, the defense theorized OKeefe was beaten in the home and mauled by the homeowners German shepherd, Chloe, and then tossed out in the snow to die. The police then conspired to fabricate evidence and lie under oath to protect their own, the defense alleged. A medical examiner determined OKeefe suffered multiple skull fractures consistent with blunt-force trauma that led to bleeding in the brain. He also had two swollen black eyes and several abrasions and scrapes on his right arm, the autopsy found. Hypothermia was a contributing factor in his death, the autopsy said. What both sides of the case say During opening statements this week, special prosecutor Hank Brennan said the states case will rely on facts, science and data and told jurors they will hear Reads own public statements about the case in recent media interviews. Brennan described comments from a Canton firefighter and paramedic who responded to the scene and found OKeefes body. After the paramedic asked Read what happened, the prosecutor told jurors, Youll hear her words I hit him, I hit him, I hit him. Paramedic and firefighter Jason Becker testified Friday that Read told him her last conversation with OKeefe, who Becker said Read referred to as her husband, was an argument. I didnt feel like it was my role to really find out the details on what was said, but thats what she said to me, Becker said. Defense attorney Alan Jackson said the trial will show OKeefe wasnt hit by a vehicle. Jackson accused Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator who has since been fired, of lying and fabricating evidence. Jackson told jurors that during the first search of the house, police didnt find any pieces of taillight around OKeefe. However, Jackson said, after Proctor took possession of the vehicle, about 46 pieces of bright red taillight started magically showing up in places already searched by officers. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Elise Hammond, Eric Levenson, Braden Walker, Dakin Andone and Faith Karimi contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The second trial of Karen Read, a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her Boston officer boyfriend, wrapped up its fourth day of full testimony on April 25. Jurors visited the Canton, Massachusetts, address where Read, 45, was accused of deliberately striking Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe with an SUV and leaving him to die in the snow in January 2022. After returning to the courtroom, jurors heard testimony about Read's blood alcohol test that day from Dr. Garrey Faller and about her interaction with firefighter Jason Becker who helped transport her for a psychiatric evaluation. Court proceedings ended for the day at about 1 p.m. Prosecutors in opening statements on April 22 said Read hit OKeefe in a drunken rage. Her defense team, led by attorney Alan Jackson, said the incident never happened and that Read was framed for OKeefes death. The jury in Reads first murder trial was unable to reach a verdict, leading to a mistrial in July 2024. Reads case has drawn national buzz, with internet sleuths dissecting arguments from each side. Its also spurred multiple true-crime podcasts, movies and television shows. Supporters of both Read and OKeefe are barred from demonstrating within 200 feet of the courthouse. Testimony covers Karen Read's alcohol test Physician pathologist Garrey Faller testified about the chemistry process used to test Read's blood for alcohol on Jan. 29, 2022, the morning O'Keefe was found dead. The test showed a blood alcohol content of 93 milligrams per deciliter, Faller said. That converts to a 0.093% blood alcohol content by volume. During questioning by Read's defense attorney, Faller said that the type of alcohol test done in a medical setting for the purpose of diagnosing health issues is different than the type of test used in forensics and relied upon in a court of law. Faller said the serum testing is just as accurate as whole-blood testing. The defense argued that Read's anemia may have influenced the result of the alcohol test. Karen Read jurors depart for viewing of crime scene Jurors and the lawyers on both sides of the case departed the courtroom after brief instructions the morning of April 25 for a trip to the address where O'Keefe was found dead. Judge Beverly Cannone told jurors the purpose of the viewing was to better understand the context of the location and evidence being discussed in the case. She said their observations during the viewing can be used when they eventually deliberate on the case. "Your job is to simply stop and look. Its really no more complicated than that," Cannone said. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan and defense attorney David Yannetti each told jurors which aspects of the property they wanted them to pay attention to, including Read's Lexus SUV at the site, a flag pole and fire hydrant. "We'll be asking you to take a good look a that Lexus. To stand next to it. To size it up. To take it in," Yannetti said. What happened in the first days of the trial? Five witnesses took the stand in the first three days of testimony, including OKeefes mother, two of his close friends, a firefighter who was on the scene the morning he was found dead and a restaurant manager who provided surveillance footage to investigators. Much of the testimony has revolved around Reads actions in the days and hours surrounding OKeefes death. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Nicholas Guarino read aloud text messages between Read and OKeefe for more than an hour on the stand. Karen Read in court. The trial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court at Dedham on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Pool Photo by Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger In the messages, OKeefe and Read discussed their strained relationship and both at different points acknowledged they were dissatisfied. Things haven't been great between us for a while, OKeefe wrote hours before he died. OKeefes mother, Peggy OKeefe, cried on the stand recounting the day she found out her son died. She said she spoke by phone with Read, who told her she had left O'Keefe at a party. How to watch Karen Read trial CourtTV has been covering the case against Read and the criminal investigation since early 2022, when O'Keefe's body was found outside a Canton home. You can watch CourtTVs live feed of the Read trial proceedings from Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. Proceedings begins at 9 a.m. ET This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karen Read trial updates: Day 4 of testimony concludes A Massachusetts mother plunged to her death in front of three of her horrified children while the family was hiking at a natural landmark Wednesday, according to authorities. Married mother of four Carolyn Sanger, 49, dropped between 50 and 75 feet at the Purgatory Chasm State Reservation around 2 p.m. while she was hiking with her kids and other family members, according to Sutton police and reports. We believe it was simply a loss of footing and a trip, family friend Tim Paoli told Boston 25. Massachusetts mother of four Carolyn Sanger died while hiking with her family on April 23, 2025. Boston 25 News That particular part of the trail, my understanding is its a scarier part of the trail. We dont believe she was on her phone or anything like that. Medical professionals who also happened to be hiking in the area tried to provide aid, but Sanger, of Topsfield, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Investigators are probing the scene, but believe the fall was accidental. For those that knew Carrie, know that she was a bright light; a wonderful, selfless mother who has raised four incredible, respectful, responsible kids, loved ones said in a GoFundMe post. She was a friend to all and her smile and kind spirit will be greatly missed. She passed too early- but she left the earth doing what she loved, with the ones she loved. Sanger poses for a photo with her family including her four children. GoFundMe Married mother of four Carolyn Sanger, 49, dropped between 50 and 75 feet at the Purgatory Chasm State Reservation around 2 p.m. Sanger used to work as an oncology nurse before she pivoted to open a wellness business, according to the fundraising page. Shes an amazing, amazing human, her husband, Michael Sanger, told WCVB. She was the brightness and the light on a dark day for a lot of people. The couple met in college and were set to mark 20 years of marriage in September. Manizha Bakhtari, the Afghan ambassador to Austria, is the last such diplomat remaining in position despite facing challenges and threats from the Taliban (Sourced/The Independent) Manizha Bakhtari is on a mission to show that resisting the Taliban doesnt mean wanting a war again in her home country. As the last serving female ambassador from Afghanistan anywhere in the world, she is at the forefront of efforts to deny the Islamist group the international recognition it badly craves. The UN still refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the Taliban regime in Kabul, in place since Nato forces withdrew from the country and the last democratically elected government collapsed in August 2021. Individual countries are following the UNs lead, but many now host Afghan diplomatic missions led by Taliban appointees, often out of practicality rather than ideology. Austria, where Bakhtari leads the Afghan embassy, has held firm. And from there, Bakhtari is trying to spread the message across Europe that it would be a mistake to recognise or deal with a Taliban regime that fosters extremism and denies women many of the most fundamental rights. Her story has started gaining attention, and is now the subject of an 80-minute documentary entitled The Last Ambassador that received a standing ovation at last months Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival. It follows her journey from being first appointed as envoy to Austria by the previous Ashraf Ghani-led administration to her present status as head of a mission disowned by Kabul. It also shows her activities running secret classes for Afghan girls banned by the Taliban from attending school. In an interview with The Independent at a conference on Afghanistans future hosted by Madrid earlier this year, Bakhtari explains what resistance means for her. Resisting the Taliban doesnt mean that I want war in Afghanistan, she says. That is how many politicians treat us in this world, believe me they see [the word] resistance and theyre like you are warlords and you want another war in your country. It is very painful, you know, because resistance does not mean to take [up] arms again. It means to stand against injustice. The Taliban has done its best to get rid of critical voices from the previous administration and, like in many countries, it issued a diktat firing Bakhtari shortly after capturing Kabul. But Austria still recognises her accreditation, so she continues to represent the interests of Afghan nationals in the country. Bakhtari continues to raise the republic governments flag at her diplomatic mission (Sourced/The Independent) I am not taking orders from them Taliban men, she says. My legitimacy is not coming from the Taliban approval. Whatever they say, whatever their rule, it is their problem. Not mine. I dont have to accept their words because they have not been recognised within and outside of Afghanistan. They do not even have legitimacy among our own people. Over the past four years, Taliban representatives have steadily taken over more and more missions around the world, with Norway the latest European nation to accept an appointee from the group last month. India held out until the tenure of the last Afghan ambassador reached its time limit, and then quietly ushered in an official agreeable to the Taliban in late 2023. And the Afghan embassy in the UK was closed in September 2024, at the request of the British government, after the Taliban sacked all its staff. Asked whether it is inevitable that foreign governments will be forced to deal with the Taliban as Afghanistans de facto rulers, Bakhtari is adamant. Lets forget the fact that the Taliban have been a terrorist group and put it aside, because right now the international community wants everyone to forget this, she says, What about their policies today? Not 20 years back lets concentrate on the past four years forgetting their suicide attacks and atrocities. What have the Taliban done for the prosperity and welfare of Afghans? Jobs? Respected basic human rights? Forget about girls education for a second. What about boys education? What are our boys studying? the ambassador asks. They do not have proper education or educated teachers. The Taliban have long altered the curriculum and are teaching regressive subjects to millions of Afghan boys who earlier studied under working Afghan women. So yeah, I am not taking orders from those who are yet to be recognised by even one authority, she says. Though Bakhtari is the only female Afghan ambassador still standing, she is not alone as a woman working through diplomatic channels for the interests of the old Afghan republic. At the Herat Security Dialogue in Madrid, The Independent also met Nigara Mirdad, deputy head of mission at the now shut-down embassy of Afghanistan in Poland. Mirdad was in hospital in September last year with her 11-year-old daughter, who has diabetes and needed insulin, when the ambassador informed her that their Warsaw mission was being closed. She says she tried to fight back but in vain, and without any funds coming in from Kabul, she appealed to the diplomatic missions in Canada, Germany and the UK to help her pay for gas in the bitter sub-zero Polish winter. She recalls how it felt when she watched TV coverage of the Taliban sweeping Kabul in 2021. I didnt eat for days and the tears wouldnt stop rolling down my face, she says. Both Mirdad and Bakhtari knew what was coming for Afghan women under Taliban rule the same horror they endured as young women in their early twenties. Nigara Mirdad, deputy head of mission at the Afghanistan embassy in Warsaw, speaks at an event in Poland (Sourced/The Independent) In 1996, when she was just 12 years old, Mirdad recalls, Taliban militants entered the Panjshir valley and her neighbourhood prepared to fight. People said girls and women should be killed and thrown in the rivers to prevent the Taliban from touching them, and the Afghan men should go and fight the Taliban. And from that time, it stayed in my mind if the Taliban comes closer, me and the women of my family will be killed and thrown in the river, she says. Like Bakhtari, she has received threats from the Taliban in recent years. I received many messages from the Taliban supporters and even the spokesperson of the Talibans interior affairs ministry after they came to power. He said: OK, you wait when we take all the embassies in Europe, we will see you, she says. Bakhtari says women like them are seen by the Taliban as a threat to their control. They hate women. [They] fear that educated and empowered women will confront them and the structures of oppression they have built. With education, with empowerment and with the ruling society, women will question them, she says. She says women cannot afford to give up their country, or the idea that things can change. We cannot afford to lose hope, she says. That is the only thing keeping millions in Afghanistan alive. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called on Friday for part of a controversial telecommunications bill to be changed or eliminated, after critics said the legislation could limit free speech and permit government censorship. The bill moved quickly through Senate committees on Thursday less than 24 hours after Sheinbaum proposed it, after the local broadcast of a U.S. government advertisement discouraging migration stirred controversy. Sheinbaum argues the legislation would prevent foreign governments from broadcasting political or ideological propaganda in Mexico. Critics say the bill would deliver control of telecoms to the state through a new agency to replace Mexico's previous telecoms agency, which Sheinbaum's allies in Congress voted to abolish last year. At a press conference on Friday, Sheinbaum said one of the bill's articles, no. 109, should be "clarified" to curb criticism. "If it's causing confusion and people think it's about censorship, that has never been the goal. In any case, the article should be removed or its wording modified to make it absolutely clear that the government of Mexico is not going to censor anyone, especially not what is published on digital platforms," she said. On Thursday, the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico made a "respectful call" to the Senate "ensure spaces for consultation and to take into account international standards on freedom of expression, access to information, privacy, digital rights, and Indigenous rights." While lawmakers had planned to secure final Senate approval next week, Sheinbaum on Friday called for debate to continue into the coming weeks and months. The ruling Morena party and its allies in Congress have a wide majority in Congress that has allowed them to pass many laws and key constitutional reforms since Sheinbaum took office in October. Critics say the bill's problems go beyond Article 109 and are part of a broader power grab. "Morena is going for total control of the internet, social media, radio and TV," opposition senator and former presidential candidate Ricardo Anaya wrote on X. "This is not an isolated event. It is part of a plan for censorship and control." (Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez; Editing by Alistair Bell) Marc Fiorito / Food & Wine Chefs at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen Buy Passes Here Whether its your first time or your 42nd, if youre thinking about joining us at the 2025 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, June 20-22, purchase one of the last remaining tickets available and use my guide below to plan your weekend. Build your schedule by signing up for some of the 80 cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, panel discussions, spirits tastings, and Grand Tastings. Producing a Food & Wine Classic is like putting together a special issue of the magazine in real life. Magic happens when you bring some of the worlds most talented people together in beautiful spaces. Done right, it feels like an adult culinary summer camp in the Rocky Mountains with lots of killer wine and dozens of surprise-and-delight moments over the course of a three-day event. Here are some of the programs that our team has planned for Aspen that Im really excited about: First up, our Best New Chef Eras Dinner at the top of Aspen Mountain headlined by 1990 F&W Best New Chef Nancy Silverton and 2019 F&W Best New Chef Kwame Onwuachi, 2001 F&W Best New Chef Wylie Dufresne, 2015 F&W Best New Chef Katie Button. Like many of you, I grew up watching Martin Yan on TV, and he is finally making his Classic debut, bringing his positive energy to the Aspen stage with a demo about The Joy of Noodles. Related: The Best Cooking Tips We Learned at the 2024 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen Phil Rosenthal will join Silverton to cook and talk about their upcoming L.A. diner Max + Helen's, a project near and dear to our hearts. We're also working on a screening of his upcoming Season 8 of his Netflix streamer Somebody Feed Phil. F&W Executive Features Editor Kat Kinsman is leading a conversation series and live taping of our Tinfoil Swans podcast, which kicked off season 3 earlier this month, with guests like Padma Lakshmi of Taste the Nation and Ayesha Curry. Who has the better palate, chefs or sommeliers? Im putting $50 on the chefs for the label-free tasting competition featuring 2022 F&W Best New Chef Justin Pichetrungsi of Anajak Thai and 2013 F&W Best New Chef Chris Shepherd facing off against two sommeliers. Pichetrungsi, a natural born teacher, is also leading a cooking demo called No Rules, No Limits: Thai Cooking My Way. Be sure to come by a pop-up wine bar curated by F&W Special Projects Editor Lucy Simon and at the Grand Tasting Pavilion where we'll feature snacks from some of our favorite chefs and hard-to-get wines, along with dishes from the magazine. Want to learn how to be a better home cook? Start with Superpowered Pantry: Secret Ingredients for Dynamo Dinners, a demo taught by Tiffany Derry; Mex-Italian: Two Incredible World Cuisines Collide with Claudette Zepeda; or The Magic of Cooking with Turmeric with Maneet Chauhan. These are just three of the 20 cooking demos throughout the weekend. Related: An Oral History of the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen at 40 With more than 50 specialized wine, cocktail, and beverage seminars, the drinks programming will feature a mix of old world and new world wines, beers, cocktails, sake, tequilas, and investing and collecting advice. June Rodil will be hosting The Future of Wine is Female and Monica Samuels will be hosting Sake vs. Wine: The Ultimate Showdown. To cap things off, Gregory Gourdet is throwing a Caribbean Cookout at the top of Aspen Mountain celebrating the foodways and cocktails of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora with 2020 F&W Best New Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph and 2024 F&W Best New Chef Camari Mick. And our fellow F&W Pros with trade passes to the Classic, the American Express Trade Program is coming back with newly announced speakers, including Onwuachi, Andrew Zimmern, and Mashama Bailey. I hope to raise a glass with you in Aspen! Tickets are available here. Read the original article on Food & Wine WASHINGTON NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte refused during a visit to Washington to weigh in on President Donald Trumps controversial peace plan for Ukraine, which would allow Russia to maintain control of territory it seized by force from the U.S. ally. Rutte told journalists after talks with Trump and other officials that a deal to end the war will involve compromises but would not discuss specifics of the U.S. plan, including a de facto recognition of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Peace without recognition? Yet, in declining to comment on the future of Crimea, a region of Ukraine that Russian separatists seized in 2014 prior to the start of the current war, Rutte noted that the Soviet Union had annexed three Baltic states during World War II until its collapse in 1991. The U.S. never officially recognized Lithuania, Estonia or Latvia as part of the Soviet Union. And after regaining their independence, the countries joined NATO in 2004. So zooming out from the talks, there is a difference between a de facto acknowledgement of one state having captured parts of another country, and a legal and legally accepting that fact, now this part of that country, or that whole country, in the case of the Baltics, or in this case of Ukraine, is now part of Russia. That's different, Rutte said. Trump envoy meets Putin Rutte sat for an interview as Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The conversation with journalists followed a surprise meeting with Trump at the White House the day before while Rutte was in Washington for planned talks with members of Trump's national security team. It was the relatively new NATO chief's second visit to Washington in the three months since Trump returned to office. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks to members of the press at the White House in Washington, DC on April 24, 2025 following his meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss the situation in Ukraine. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP) (Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Speaking to a group of journalists on April 25, the NATO chief repeatedly sidestepped questions about various statements Trump has made about Russia's war against Ukraine. The most recent of those came in a Time magazine interview that published earlier in the day. Trump in the interview said, "Crimea will stay with Russia." He also said of Ukraine, "I dont think theyll ever be able to join NATO." Ukraine NATO bid 'still totally valid' Rutte argued several hours later that the alliance's pledge in 2024 that Ukraine's eventual entry into NATO is irreversible is "still totally valid." "There was no specific date, and more specifically, it was never said that the entry of Ukraine into NATO would be linked to a peace deal. It's always separate," he said. "It was never promised to Ukraine that as part of an end of the conflict with Russia, it would become a member of NATO. So that text of a irreversible path for Ukraine into NATO stands and is still totally valid." He also would not say how much money members of the alliance would commit to spending on their collective defense at NATOs June summit in the Netherlands, due to the ongoing nature and sensitivity of the discussions. NATO: How much will Europe pay? But Rutte, a former prime minister of the Netherlands, said the amount would address gaps between NATOs current capabilities and the results of a data-driven defense planning process currently underway. The process will determine what is needed to protect member states from threats emanating from Russia and China, which is engaged in a military buildup. NATO allies previously agreed to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense and roughly a third still have not reached that target. Trump is pressing them to more than double that amount to 5%, which is higher than what even the U.S. currently spends. I think it'll be a percentage, Rutte said. I think still as a percentage of GDP, most likely. And the defense ministers in June will decide, finally, this idea now on the targets. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NATO chief says Europe will pay more for defense, stays mum on Ukraine By Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Taras Atamanchuk found safety for his family near Houston, Texas. The 32-year-old moved to the U.S. with his wife and daughter in 2023 through former President Joe Biden's parole program for Ukrainians with U.S. sponsors, landing a job as a software engineer with an annual salary of $120,000. In February he tried to renew his two-year work permit, but President Donald Trumps administration had quietly stopped processing renewals or applications by Ukrainians. He now worries about how he will support his family, which includes a son born last year. "I can't work and there's no place to go," he said. In his first hundred days in office, Trump has taken dramatic steps to strip legal immigration status from hundreds of thousands of people, increasing the pool of those who can potentially be deported as he tries to ramp up removals to historic levels. The Republican president has moved to end humanitarian legal entry programs launched by his Democratic predecessor and revoked visas of thousands of students who took part in protests or had minor criminal charges, including traffic offenses. The breadth of the crackdown has stunned immigrants who lost their legal status. Some Democrats have criticized Trumps strong-arm tactics as plainclothes and masked immigration officers have descended on homes, workplaces and university campuses. Americans are split on Trumps immigration approach but he has a 45% approval rating on immigration, better than other major issues, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-April found. The message that his campaign gave is, Were going to go after the criminals, but what he is doing is a much, much broader effort, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow with the American Immigration Council, a pro-immigrant advocacy group. Trump said in March that he was weighing whether to strip the legal status of the 240,000 Ukrainians who entered under Biden's parole program. A similar move to revoke legal status from 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans was blocked in federal court earlier this month. The Trump administration has paired the crackdown with a push to encourage migrants in the U.S. illegally to self deport - threatening steep fines and highlighting efforts to send deportees to notorious prisons in El Salvador and Guantanamo Bay. Polina Hlova, 25, from the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, was working as a dental assistant in Florida when she and her husband lost their work permits in March. She constantly checks for updates on pending applications and said the stress has been overwhelming. My emotions, I cant control it, she said. Im just crying every day. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the Trump administration was undoing what it views as unlawful Biden programs that allowed migrants to enter the U.S. The Trump administration is not stripping legal status from immigrants it is unwinding the Biden administrations illegal paroling of hundreds of thousands of aliens into the United States," he said in a statement. "Aliens who have not received asylum or other legal status to remain in the United States cannot be allowed to remain in our country indefinitely." Desai said parole programs should be used on a case-by-case basis and when there is a "significant public benefit." LEAVE NOW Immigration attorneys earlier this month reported that clients who used a Biden-era app to schedule an appointment to cross the U.S.-Mexico border were among those pressed to leave the U.S. The app, which was meant to alleviate chaos at the border, was rebranded by the Trump administration as CBP Home and is now used to facilitate self-deportation. Migrants who entered the country legally using the app - then known as CBP One - received a tersely worded email telling them their status had been revoked. "It is time for you to leave the United States," it read. Claudia, 35, her husband and their four children entered the U.S. using the CBP One app in August 2023, fleeing gang threats in Michoacan, Mexico, and applied for asylum. On the evening of April 11, she was checking her email for any correspondence from her kids' school in California's Central Valley, when she got the email. It was in English, but her email provider automatically translated it into Spanish. "I felt dizzy," she said. Desai, the White House spokesperson, criticized the CBP One program. The fact of the matter is that the Biden administrations CBP One app was an illegal tool to effectively launder illegal immigration by allowing would-be illegal border crossers to obtain flimsy legal grounds to just walk right into the United States," he said. U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Trump's policies have "restored integrity to our immigration system, ended policies that were magnets to illegal immigration, and delivered a clear message to illegal aliens to self-deport or face the consequences." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 145,000 immigration violators during Trumps first three months in office - up from 113,000 in all of fiscal 2024, a DHS spokesperson said. Deportations were down in Trump's first three months in office from 195,000 last year to 130,000 this year, DHS statistics show, due to a higher number of encounters at the border under Biden where migrants could be sent back more quickly. VISAS REVOKED The Trump administration stunned major universities with arrests of students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests, including Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident, raising questions about free speech. Starting in March, ICE sent hundreds of names of foreign students to the State Department asking them to revoke their visas, according to a U.S. official not authorized to speak about the matter. The names initially appeared to be students who had police contact during a protest, the official said. Later, it was students with criminal charges, including for traffic violations. The State Department declined to comment. On April 8, Prasanna Oruganti, an Indian PhD student at Ohio State University received an email from her university alerting her that her status had been terminated in an ICE-maintained database known as SEVIS, according to court documents. They told her the reason given was Other- individual identified in criminal records check and/or has their visa revoked. Oruganti had not been notified that her student visa had been revoked, and her only criminal record was a traffic misdemeanor after she misjudged the distance turning a corner and her car hit some decorative bricks, she said in court documents. Oruganti sued and a judge blocked the termination, so that she can, for now, continue to study. A mechanical engineering student at the University of California Riverside with one quarter to go until graduation was given the same reason as Oruganti for his status revocation. It didnt make any sense, I was super confused, the 23-year-old Indian national, who is identified in court documents as VJ, said in an interview. He had lived in the U.S. since he was 10, as a dependent on his mothers H-1B visa for skilled workers. When he was a sophomore in college, he was arrested for public intoxication, he said, but he had disclosed the offense when he applied for his student visa. He has sued to get his status reinstated, but worries that he will be detained or deported. I still dont know if I can go to class or not, he said. Ive just been completely under the radar. (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Editing by Mary Milliken and Michael Learmonth) By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four Republican states have asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to let them ban soda, energy drinks and other food items from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, according to an agency spokesperson. President Donald Trump's administration has said it will hastily approve such waivers submitted by states as part of its agenda to "Make America Healthy Again," a slogan popularized by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and his supporters. More than 41 million Americans receive benefits from the SNAP program, the nation's largest food assistance program. Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas and Indiana have submitted waivers to the agency, a spokesperson said on Thursday. The agency did not make copies of the waivers available. Arkansas wants to exclude soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, "unhealthy drinks" and candy, according to a copy of the waiver on the website of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Indiana hopes to exclude candy and soda, according to an April 15 press release from Governor Mike Braun. Nebraska would exclude soda and energy drinks, according to an April 7 letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins by Governor Jim Pillen. Reuters could not immediately verify the content of Iowa's waiver. Iowa lawmakers have been considering a bill that would limit SNAP purchases to whole foods like eggs, milk and vegetables. Soda and candy lobby groups have criticized the waivers. Some anti-hunger groups and lawmakers have said restricting certain items from SNAP is stigmatizing to benefit recipients. (Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington, editing by Deepa Babington) A southern Dutch municipality said Thursday it "most likely" accidentally dumped 46 precious artworks including one by Pop Art master Andy Warhol during a town hall renovation last year. The Maashorst municipality said the works, including a rare 1980s Warhol silkscreen print of the country's former monarch Princess Beatrix, disappeared during work on the town hall in Uden, when that borough was incorporated into a new local administration. "It's most likely that the artworks were accidentally taken away with the trash," the Maashorst municipality said in a statement. The artworks were stored in a basement during the renovations "but researchers concluded that they were not handled with care," local broadcaster Omroep Brabant reported. Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands opens the exhibition When the new Maashorst municipality wanted to take an inventory of the paintings, it was found that dozens were missing. Criminal charges were laid and the municipality employed an independent investigations agency to try to found out what happened to the artworks. The agency concluded there were several reasons why the artworks could have landed in the dustbin. "Ownership was not properly established, no policies and procedures were established regarding the renovation and insufficient action was taken when the artworks turned out to be missing," it said. "Nor were there any guidelines for the registration, storage, conservation and security of the artworks," it added. The Maashorst municipality said it was unlikely that the artworks will ever be found. "This is not how you treat valuable items," Maashorst's mayor Hans van der Pas told Omroep Brabant. "But it happened. We regret that," he said. The Maashorst municipality said the investigation of the missing artworks was conducted from November to March and submitted its final report this month. The findings will not be made fully public to protect the privacy of the interviewees. Last November, officials said thieves used explosives to steal four works by Warhol including a print of Queen Beatrix from a different gallery in the south of the Netherlands, with two of the screenprints being abandoned nearby. Gallery owner Mark Peet Visser told The Associated Press that the thieves attempted to make off with all four works from Warhol's 1985 series called "Reigning Queens." The works depicting Queen Beatrix and Queen Ntombi Tfwala of Swaziland were found abandoned on the street. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates St. Louis woman says family decimated by cancer after living near toxic creek for decades WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's energy security council plans to host a summit in Alaska in early June, when it hopes Japan and South Korea will announce commitments to the Alaska LNG project, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Trump has touted the $44 billion Alaska liquefied natural gas project, which would deliver gas from the state's North Slope fields via an 800-mile (1,300 km) pipeline for domestic use and send it to customers in Asia as LNG, bypassing the Panama Canal. While the project has been talked about for years, progress has been limited by cost and the amount of work needed. Trump, who has pushed allies to buy U.S. energy while simultaneously threatening trade tariffs, has asked Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to support the Alaskan plan. Last month, Taiwanese state energy company CPC Corp signed a non-binding agreement with the state-run Alaska Gasline Development Corp, to buy LNG and invest in the project, a move Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said would ensure the island's energy security. The summit being planned by Trump's National Energy Dominance Council, which wants to maximize production of oil and gas, would take place around June 2. It was first reported by The New York Times. The White House and the Interior Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Separately, officials from Thailand, which could also be a consumer of the LNG from Alaska, and South Korea are expected to visit the state to talk about the project sometime in the next two weeks, said the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. It would be the first visit to Alaska by officials from Thailand to talk about the project in Trump's second administration. South Korea's Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said on Thursday in Washington that he was not aware of a plan to announce its commitment, and "there are still a lot of things that need to be done" through due diligence of the Alaska LNG project in order "to understand the local situation more accurately". Ahn said that the country is dispatching an inspection team, and results of the due diligence would need to be seen to see how discussions will proceed. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Additional reporting by Joyce Lee and Hyunjoo Jin in Seoul; Editing by David Gregorio) Alexis Lewis was a 22-year-old trying to do everything right. She was enrolled at a local community college in Knoxville, Tennessee, with dreams of being a nurse while working two jobs, earning just enough to get by. "I was taking care of myself at the time," she said. But, like thousands of Americans every year, Lewis' path was derailed by one trip to the emergency room. "I would have panic attacks and pretty much have to go to the emergency room," Lewis said. "And at the time, I didn't have insurance." Lewis said she was satisfied with the medical care she received at the largest nonprofit hospital in east Tennessee in 2018, but the $6,500 bill wrecked her finances. "I'm still behind on everything, trying to catch up," said Lewis, who is now a licensed practical nurse. Lewis' story is not unique. Although America's approximately 3,000 nonprofit hospitals are required by law to provide free or discounted medical care to those who cannot afford it, a CBS News investigation found hundreds of those hospitals continue to bill the lowest-income Americans. In return for caring for the poor, the hospitals are exempt from an estimated $37 billion in state, federal and local taxes every year, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Yet a CBS analysis of IRS tax data found over 400 nonprofit hospitals attempted to collect more than $800 million dollars in a year from patients who otherwise would qualify for charity care. The practice of hospitals receiving massive tax breaks and then billing patients who should receive free care "is not something that really should be allowed," said Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, a think tank that studies the nonprofit hospital industry. "For nonprofits, it really should not be about maximizing the bottom line," he said. Billing lower-income patients is not a choice most hospitals make. CBS' analysis found most nonprofit hospitals do not bill low-income patients eligible for charity care. They say they aim to treat all patients without putting them in financial jeopardy. In a statement to CBS News, the American Hospital Association said hospitals and health systems "take seriously their responsibility to provide care for everyone, regardless of ability to pay," and said the true driver of medical debt is inadequate health insurance coverage. "Too many patients either do not have adequate coverage or their coverage imposes cost-sharing requirements that they cannot afford to pay," the AHA said. "Hospitals continue working to close this insurance gap, but can never completely close that gap while also covering the high costs associated with maintaining around-the-clock, high-quality hospital care." But in a medical system that can be difficult to navigate under the best circumstances, the 26 million Americans who lack health insurance risk financial devastation from a single treatment. Health care debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States, and affects an estimated 41% of American adults. A growing debt On a cold autumn morning in late 2024, it was standing room only at the Knox County General Sessions Court. Among the crowd were defendants in civil cases, many of them brought by a debt collection agency on behalf of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Judge Patricia Long moved quickly through the docket. "If you breach the payment arrangement, then [the debt collector] can do things like get money out of a bank account or garnish wages," Long instructed them. It was the same court that Lewis had been summoned to months ago to deal with the financial legacy of her 2018 visit to the emergency room at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Lewis said she didn't have insurance at the time. Federal law requires each nonprofit hospital to have a policy to determine which patients are eligible for free and discounted care. Those policies must be prominently posted in physical spaces where patients enter and must be posted online. Information about charity care is also supposed to be on the hospital bill. CBS News confirmed UTMC satisfies each of these requirements. But there is no requirement that hospitals verbally communicate the policy to patients, or ensure those receiving care understand that they could be eligible for assistance. Federal law also does not specify exactly what those policies need to say. There is almost no penalty if hospitals fail to live up to their own policies. Lewis - who was a 22-year-old student at the time of her treatment - doesn't remember anyone telling her about financial assistance, even though she said her income at the time was far lower than UTMC's threshold for financial help. The hospital said it provided Lewis with a 55 percent uninsured self-pay discount on her original bill. Providing discounts to uninsured patients is required by state law. In December 2018, court records show UTMC produced an affidavit stating that Lewis owed $3,457 for her medical treatment. "This communication is from a debt collector," the document states. In July 2019, Lewis was served with a civil warrant to appear at the Knox County General Sessions Court. She was working at Target at the time. The case was resolved when Lewis and UTMC agreed she would pay $20 a month starting in October 2019 on the $3,457 in debt, plus 7.5% interest, according to court records. The terms of that agreement would have left Lewis in debt to UTMC for life. According to CBS News calculations, $20 monthly payments would never pay off a debt of $3,457 at 7.5% interest because the amount of accrued interest added to the debt each month is more than the monthly payment. And so, the debt she was paying grew. By 2022, the balance had increased to $4,524 and she had fallen behind. The hospital, working with a debt collection firm, began pursuing a court order seeking to forcibly take the payments out of Lewis' paycheck from a Knoxville-area nurse staffing company. In July 2024, Lewis' debt to UTMC neared $5,000. She said her wages were garnished about $2,200 in two months. Eventually, Lewis agreed in September to a payment plan of $150 per month. "I don't have the money," said Lewis, now a mother of two. "But they can come get me, I guess...I just know I don't have the money." A UTMC spokesperson said the hospital made multiple outreach attempts by phone and mail to discuss payment arrangements for patient-responsible balances with Lewis before her account was transferred to a third-party vendor for payment remediation. In a statement, UTMC said it takes several steps to proactively identify and support patients who may qualify for financial assistance. "We also recognize that medical expenses can be challenging and complex, especially in situations where severe or specialty needs are being treated," UTMC said. "Each patient's situation is unique and there are many factors that may contribute to financial assistance gaps, such as incomplete applications, missing documentation or missed communications. We partner with patients to remediate these factors to the best of our ability and provide more than $190 million in financial assistance discounts in 2023." The hospital's tax returns show that since 2020 it has tried to collect more than $6 million - including $1.4 million in 2023 - from patients who the hospital knew would have been eligible for charity assistance. 'No transparency' Efforts to compel nonprofit hospitals to increase transparency about their community benefits - including free and discounted care for those who need it - have been ongoing for decades. When the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, its reforms included new requirements for nonprofit hospitals in the federal tax code. Hospitals, as a result of the ACA, are required to provide a community benefit plan and it must include a policy to provide free charity care to those who cannot pay. However, the ACA's requirements stopped short of spelling out exactly what those policies must say - and provided little in the way of enforcement or oversight. What the ACA did require is a new effort to collect data on the financial practices of nonprofit hospitals regarding low-income patients - often referred to as charity care. As part of the updated IRS nonprofit tax return form, hospitals must report "bad debt" stemming from patients who would be eligible for free or reduced care - but for some reason did not receive it. In those cases, hospitals attempt to collect money from low-income patients and write it off as "bad debt" if those collection efforts fail. Keith Hearle, a healthcare finance consultant tapped by the IRS to help implement the tax provisions of the ACA, was in the room for formative early conversations about the new tax return forms. The reforms enacted under the ACA helped increase the level of public disclosure, he said, but did not go far enough in asking nonprofit hospitals to explain their charity care spending. "More transparency is better than less transparency," Hearle said. "The hospitals shouldn't be embarrassed about shedding light on these policies and how they're carried out," he said. But experts say the IRS should be doing more with the newly-reported information. Although the IRS reviews the tax-exempt status of hospitals every three years, a 2023 report by the Government Accountability Office found the agency "had not revoked a hospital's tax exempt status for failing to provide sufficient community benefits in the previous 10 years." Jessica Lucas-Judy, Director of Strategic Issues at the GAO and the author of the report, said the tax returns filed by nonprofit hospitals - and IRS' oversight of them - need to be improved. "We found 30 in one year that reported no spending at all on community benefits," Lucas-Judy said. "That doesn't mean that the hospitals weren't providing community benefits. It's just that there was no transparency." Nonprofit hospitals are generally acting within their rights and are not violating any federal law when they seek to collect payment from low-income patients. But there are moral and ethical reasons why hospitals should not pursue people in court for medical debt they cannot pay, said Eli Rushbanks, general counsel and policy advocacy director at Dollar For, an advocacy group that helps patients find out if they qualify for assistance. "It is immoral to sue patients who cannot afford their bills as a tax-exempt hospital," Rushbanks said. "These are by definition low and middle income patients who received a bill that they couldn't pay, which is unlike almost any other type of bill," he said. "A medical bill is not like a credit card bill. This is almost never something that you took on willingly or knowingly, and it's almost always a thing that happened to you." Nonprofit hospital debt is one piece of a national health financial system that advocates say is badly in need of reform. Early this month, the nonprofit group Undue Medical Debt announced that it had made a private deal to buy $30 billion of medical debt belonging to an estimated 20 million individuals and wipe it away. But the group said its move merely puts a Band-Aid on a broken system. "This deal underscores that the way we finance healthcare in the U.S. is fundamentally broken," Undue Medical Debt president and CEO Allison Sesso said in a statement. 'Abusive collection practices' Across the country, federal and state lawmakers have spent decades on reforms to the nonprofit hospital system. Change has been slow. Some states require hospitals to use software that determines whether a patient is eligible for free or reduced care - reducing the burden on patients to fill out paperwork proving their need. This method of screening patients is called "presumptive eligibility." In Oregon, state law requires financial screening of all patients with bills over $500 dollars to assess their need for assistance. One year after Oregon's law took effect, Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland saw its charity care eligibility rates jump dramatically -- from 12% to 64%. "Making use of presumptive eligibility software at the point of care standard practice could limit the toll of medical debt on low-income patients," researchers wrote in a 2024 article in Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care. But such drastic changes have been rare, and patients at many nonprofit hospitals are still left to navigate a complex paperwork maze. Hearle, the healthcare consultant who helped the IRS draft new rules following the passage of the ACA, said there are a range of reasons that patients eligible for charity care fall through the cracks. "One end of the spectrum, patients aren't being told about financial assistance, that charity care is available," Hearle said. "On the other hand, though, you've got patients who just simply will not apply. This is like, 'I don't want to, I don't want to apply for charity, even though I technically would be eligible for it.'" Elsewhere on the spectrum, he added, are patients who are confused or daunted by the paperwork requirements needed to apply. In a 2023 survey by Dollar For, the Washington state-based advocacy group, more than half of charity-care eligible patients said they didn't get any information about financial assistance from their hospital. Fewer than half reported filing an application for free or reduced-cost care. "These are patients who, by and large...cannot afford the bill that they've been given," said Rushbanks. "They were happy with their treatment. Sometimes it was life-saving. They want to pay the hospital or their doctor what they can, but they can't." A steady drumbeat of media coverage has uncovered hospitals aggressively suing patients in Missouri, Virginia and elsewhere, with the reports often followed by reforms by individual hospitals. The IRS announced in 2024 that it was auditing 35 nonprofit hospitals - a vast expansion of existing efforts. But for many policymakers, that review does not go far enough. And in a bipartisan effort last November, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, sent a joint letter to the IRS urging them to crack down on nonprofit hospitals that are not fulfilling their mandate. Some nonprofit hospitals benefit from tax breaks while "shirking their responsibility to provide charity care and engaging in abusive collections practices that harm their patients and communities," Grassley and Warren wrote. Among the senators' requests was for the IRS to clarify standards for nonprofit hospitals' financial assistance policies and practices. "A standardized approach would facilitate consistent protection for patients and transparency in the hospital billing and collections process," Warren and Grassley said, "ensuring that patients who qualify for financial assistance under existing hospital policies receive it." Nothing has changed since the senators sent their letter. Meanwhile, lawmakers are making some progress enacting charity care policies state by state. In New York, Governor Hochul signed a law prohibiting hospitals from reporting medical debt to credit agencies. California now requires hospitals to provide charity care to eligible patients and reimburse those who were wrongly billed. Earlier this year, Texas, lawmakers introduced a bill that would bar hospitals from pursuing debt collection until they confirm a patient is ineligible for charity care. For patients like Lewis--now working as a nurse in the Knoxville area--those reforms haven't come soon enough. According to UTMC, she is current on her payments. From her perspective, the nonprofits aren't holding up their end of the bargain. "They call themselves nonprofits, but they're profiting off sick people who don't realize they could be getting help," she said. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates Russia's foreign minister says "negotiations continue" for peace talks over war with Ukraine A teacher and an aide at a Pennsylvania elementary school abused autistic students who are nonspeaking, and Central Bucks administrators misled police and parents about the abuse, an independent investigation has found. Lawyers with Disability Rights Pennsylvania a nonprofit with federal authority to investigate public agencies on behalf of people with disabilities substantiated a whistleblower complaint that was submitted to the local district in November. The nonprofit reported that students in a special education classroom at Jamison Elementary School "experienced abuse, neglect, illegal restraints, use of aversive techniques, and disability discrimination" under state and federal law. Staff and administrators in Pennsylvania's third-largest school district also broke state law when they failed to report suspected child abuse immediately. When they did, the agency found administrators shared "incomplete and misleading" information with police, according to the report released on April 23. Although the district's internal investigation had found evidence of abuse in the classroom, Central Bucks "erroneously informed parents of students in (the) Classroom and the local police conducting the ChildLine investigation that the Districts investigation found no evidence of abuse," investigators wrote. ChildLine is Pennsylvanias child abuse hotline. 'Appropriate discipline' recommended for educators Investigators from the nonprofit, who interviewed 20 people in the course of its three-month investigation and reviewed internal district emails and documents, student and personnel records, and multiple ChildLine reports, recommended that the two Jamison classroom staffers be placed on leave and disciplined by the district and "relevant governing bodies" for abusing and neglecting the students. Investigators also recommended that administrators "involved in these issues" be "subjected to appropriate discipline." The report noted that discipline should come from the school board, as Superintendent Steve Yanni was "directly involved in these issues." The accused teacher declined to be interviewed by a lawyer for the nonprofit. She has denied wrongdoing to the Bucks County Courier Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, through a public relations professional. Investigators also advised Central Bucks to require its employees to undergo child abuse training before they start work, rather than allowing them six months to do so, which is the district's current practice. The Bucks County Courier Times contacted the Central Bucks administration, school board members, Warwick police and others named in this story for comment. The Central Bucks school board and assistant superintendent, Charles Malone, released a statement April 23 saying it had received the nonprofits report that afternoon and would review it with utmost seriousness. It is important that we take the appropriate time to carefully evaluate the information presented before commenting or acting on any details, the statement said. Probe finds abuse, neglect, discrimination against students Disability Rights Pennsylvania's findings and an earlier state investigation found that students were illegally restrained. Although the state report didn't evaluate whether the restraints constituted child abuse, the federal monitor found that the teacher and aide abused children by restraining them. Additionally, the staffers abused one student by encouraging him to self-stimulate inappropriately while undressed on the bathroom floor, denying him water and verbally harassing him, investigators found. All students in the classroom were abused, the report stated, because they either observed or experienced abuse, neglect, inappropriate punishment and demeaning treatment "on a daily basis." The primarily nonspeaking children also faced neglect because the teacher and the aide prevented the students from being evaluated by the school nurse for potential injuries. The "discriminatory views" that staffers and administrators held about autistic children played a role in the district's mishandling of the abuse allegations, investigators found, including the failure of multiple staffers to report abuse concerns to ChildLine. "The most telling statement came from Dr. Yanni," the superintendent, investigators wrote, "who said that 'if these events had occurred in a second-grade classroom, then yes, the teachers would have been removed.'" Although Yanni told investigators that the district would've placed the staffers on leave if there had been a criminal investigation, this never happened, even during the criminal investigation by Warwick police, according to the report. Instead, the nonprofit report and an attorney for Central Bucks confirmed that the two staffers went on medical leave (which is typically initiated by the employees themselves) last winter. Administrators withheld info from police: investigators Disability Rights Pennsylvania found that Central Bucks never provided "any of the documentation with the full allegations" to Warwick police. Yanni repeatedly failed to share relevant information with police and the child abuse hotline, investigators found, and didn't provide notes from staff interviews or the whistleblower report. Yanni only reported allegations about one student. The law calls for all allegations to be reported to ChildLine, and not vetted by school administrators first. Jim Pepper, a school board member and parent of one of the children abused in the Jamsion classroom, said in December that when he shared the whistleblower complaint with Warwick police Detective Sergeant Aaron Richwine, who was investigating the claims, Richwine told him it was the first time he'd seen the full complaint. Yanni and Mike Petitti, a Central Bucks spokesperson, disputed this claim, stating to the USA TODAY Network in January that they had shared everything with police. But there is "no evidence" that Yanni ever provided the whistleblower complaint or the district's full investigative report to police, nonprofit investigators found. District administrators instead provided a "fact-finding summary, which the police considered sufficient for closing the case. The fact-finding team was led by the head of human resources, Rob Freiling. "Thus, it was just a self-fulfilling circle: Dr. Yanni provided limited information in the ChildLine report and to the police; Dr. Yanni told the police that the Districts investigation found no abuse; the police relied on that conclusion in closing the file; and Freiling disowned any responsibility for the District to investigate abuse as it was the polices role," investigators wrote. The district's fact-finding team did not include any special education staff, according to the report. Local police have refused to provide their investigative file to Disability Rights Pennsylvania despite the nonprofit's federal access authority, according to the report. The nonprofit is "considering next steps" to obtain the file. There is no evidence that Bucks County Children and Youth investigated the Jamison allegations. Its still unclear why ChildLine classified Yanni's first report as law enforcement only, the nonprofit wrote. Though the district's internal investigation in November had substantiated several abuse and neglect allegations, including "nudity and self-stimulation, water restriction," and "use of restraints," according to the nonprofit's report, Yanni and Freiling told police and Pepper in December that there was no evidence of abuse. Yanni also lied to Pepper when he told him that the finding of water restriction was related to spending too much time at water fountains, according to the federal monitor's report, and that despite Pepper's concern about marks on his son's body, the district's investigation found "absolutely no report of physicality like you mentioned." Yanni told the Bucks County Courier Times he only reported that the aide had pushed or grabbed a student and had spoken inappropriately to him because those were the allegations the district couldn't "clear" in its investigation. But Yanni told investigators from Disability Rights Pennsylvania that it was because the whistleblower had only mentioned those two allegations on Nov. 20. In fact, the whistleblower had submitted her full written complaint to Freiling, from HR, on Nov. 18. The district failed its obligation to report child abuse concerns in a timely manner after learning of the allegations in November, the report found. Yanni made a ChildLine report only after the whistleblower emailed to ask if she should, investigators found. Yanni informed school board members about the allegations in January, and school officials became concerned that he hadn't reported enough information about the allegations to authorities, so Yanni made another ChildLine report Jan. 11 while school board members watched over Zoom, investigators wrote. Yanni ran out of space to include the whistleblower complaint in his report, and again reported only some allegations involving one student, Pepper's son. Disability Rights Pennsylvania noted its concern over the limitations to ChildLines written reporting features and the fact that Yanni couldnt get through on the phone for at least 40 minutes when he made his first report. Culture of retaliation in Central Bucks: Report Disability Rights Pennsylvania can evaluate personnel issues, such as retaliation, only to the extent that they contribute to potential abuse or discrimination under the nonprofit's federal authority. A "culture of fear and retaliation" at Jamison and among the Central Bucks administration allowed the abuse in the Jamison classroom to persist, investigators found. The school board did not place the superintendent on leave when concerns that the district had mishandled the investigation first came to light, and the superintendent, in turn, did not place any of the subordinates involved in the investigation on leave. Since then, multiple staffers expressed concern that administrators could retaliate against them while they remained in their positions, according to the report. Staff and administrators who work at Jamison were concerned that the principal, Dave Heineman, would retaliate against them for reporting concerns about the classroom teacher in part because they believed he had an inappropriate relationship with her, according to the report. Around Nov. 17, Heineman called Alyssa Wright, the head of pupil services and special education, to ask if he could fire the whistleblower for questioning the teacher, according to the report. Although Heineman maintained in an interview with Disability Rights Pennsylvania that he was unaware of problems with students in the classroom, the nonprofit later found this was untrue, according to the report. Still, Heineman had urged district leadership not to put the teacher on leave during a November meeting with administrators, according to a letter Katie Veisz sent to Yanni in March. Yanni had acknowledged a "culture at Jamison of favoritism" related to Heineman during an interview with this news organization in January. Heineman was put on paid leave last month, approximately a week after the district received Veisz's letter. There is no evidence that any other administrators have been placed on leave related to the Jamison allegations, although the assistant superintendent, Nadine Garvin, is retiring early. Earlier in March, Wright, the head of special education, wrote to Yanni that the district was "concealing abuse and neglect," according to the nonprofit report. Wright also wrote that she believed the district was preparing to fire her. Wright had been left out of the district's investigation at Jamison, she told investigators. School board members are also awaiting the results of a third-party investigation into the Jamison allegations that they approved earlier this year. Jess Rohan can be reached at jrohan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Autistic students abused at PA elementary, admins misled police Vice President JD Vance shocked many across the Atlantic when in a recent interview with UnHerd he argued that Europe should have done more to stop the war against Saddam Hussein more than two decades ago. According to the vice president, standing by the United States when it was in particular need had been a mistake. This offers an important signpost for U.S. allies charting their futures. Much of Europe was rightly skeptical of the idea that democracy could be introduced by armed intervention in Iraq, believing war could only turn a rogue state into a failed state. Although a failed state is better than a rogue state that has weapons of mass destruction, Baghdad did not, as it turned out, possess such weapons. This upended all earlier calculations. Especially when the world learned that the new failed state had become a breeding ground for pathologies such as terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld contrasted the old Europe, which under the leadership of French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder was building an anti-American alliance, with the new Europe, which supported the United States. The French president said at the time that Poland had wasted an opportunity to sit silent and Vance has now agreed with him. Although Polish public opinion viewed the intervention in Iraq dimly, Polands political elite saw it as a way to strengthen the alliance with the U.S. and the countrys international standing. An instinctive Atlanticism prevailed, regardless of which party was in power. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld was not far from the truth when he labeled Poland the most pro-American country on the globe, including even the United States. Poland sent a contingent of 2,500 troops to Iraq in 2003. After Denmarks refusal, the Poles took command of the Multinational Division Central-South MND-CS, taking responsibility for the South-Central-Zone, inhabited by nearly 4 million Iraqis. The Polish-led sector included 8,500 troops from 22 countries. Nor did Polish forces in Iraq avoid losses: 28 Poles lost their lives and 150 were wounded. Participation in the Iraq operation was assessed by the Polish establishment as a military success, a political draw and an economic failure. The experience gained in logistics, operations and command over a significant multinational force was applied to the reform of the armed forces and the introduction of a professional army. Polands political independence and agency on the international stage were also strengthened. However, hopes for economic benefits in the form of lucrative contracts for Polish companies did not materialize. Thus, until recently we believed that in the overall we had been right to support the United States at the time. Vice President Vance, however, argues that we joined the wrong side: that by engaging militarily in Iraq as a U.S. vassal we contributed to a strategic disaster. In other words, we were suckers: we should have opposed Washington along with old Europe. But the vice presidents take is ahistorical. In 2003 no force existed that could have prevented the administration of President George W. Bush from invading Iraq and removing Saddam Hussein. The U.S. would have launched military operations even without its allies, no matter the diminished legitimacy of such a war. It was not until years after the invasion of Iraq that the enormous costs (human, financial, political) became apparent and turned the American public against the whole enterprise. The vice president suggests to Americas allies that they should actively oppose those U.S. moves they deem questionable or misguided. If they fail to do so, they will be declared co-responsible for the strategic disasters of U.S. policy such as the one in Iraq. But was this in fact JD Vances intended message? Jacek Czaputowicz was Polands foreign minister from 2018 to 2020. He is professor at the University of Warsaw. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., on Thursday joined a small group of Senate Republicans who have held in-person town halls in their states -- bucking directives from GOP leadership that they hold these events virtually where there is more control. In small-town Kearney, Nebraska, Ricketts fielded questions from fiery constituents about topics such as cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency to the state's federal workforce, tariffs and congressional budget plans, among other issues. Ricketts was often interrupted during the roughly hourlong event, similar to what his fellow GOP senators who have held town halls have experienced, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas. "Tax the rich!" was one notable chant. "So you're anti-veteran?" another audience member cut in after the senator repeated that he was focused on "controlling spending" when asked about cuts to veterans programs. MORE: GOP Sen. Grassley gets another earful at Iowa town hall Republicans have largely avoided holding in-person town halls during the current, two-week congressional recess, but Ricketts is planning on holding two more on Friday in addition to the Thursday town hall: one in Valentine and one in Scottsbluff. He largely took a defensive tone during his event on Thursday, highlighting how he's put up defenses for his constituents against the Trump administration while also maintaining his support for most of the White House's current policies. "I know some of the decisions being made are going to be tough. We've got to get our spending on control as we talk about some of those issues," Ricketts said. "So if somebody has an issue, contact our office and we'll review those. We do that all the time. As I mentioned before, we are having conversations with administration behind the scenes." PHOTO: Sen. Pete Ricketts speaks at a town hall meeting in Kearney, Neb., April 24, 2025. (Josh Funk/AP) On standing up to the White House Ricketts was asked if he will "step up" to the president and say that some of the spending cuts are "too much." He responded that he is having conversations with the White House behind the scenes in objection to some of its moves, such as sweeping tariffs and cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development, though he was interrupted by boos. "I've already done that on things like tariffs. When he first announced his tariffs, I had conversations with a number of Cabinet members about, hey, here's how it's going to impact [Nebraska]," he said. "It's an $100 million impact. Lay off people -- that's a problem. You're hurting Americans, and specifically Nebraskans, if you don't fix this. "Or on the stuff with USAID, I said there's obviously things that we don't want to spend money on," he added. "There's also good things we do do that help promote U.S. interests around the world. So I talk specifically about those. So those conversations are ongoing with regard to different issues about what they're doing and how we're, you know, what the right way forward." MORE: Democratic Party 'doubling down' on town hall meetings targeting Republican-held districts Ricketts was also asked if he is scared of retaliating against Trump. He repeated that he has stood up to the president by reaching out to Cabinet members in the White House. "I used a couple of examples how when I was concerned about his policy, I reached out to the appropriate Cabinet members say, hey, here's what's going to happen, the consequences of what your decisions are. To say, you guys need to be thinking about these things as you're going through decision-making process," Ricketts said. "So the answer is, I will continue to be who I've always been," he said. "You've seen me eight years as governor. You see me for two years as a senator. That's what I'm running on as I look forward to [the next election]." On tariffs Ricketts said a number of times that Trump wants to "level the playing field" with his implementation of tariffs. "It's going to be a process. It's going to create some disruption. The idea is to get this done so we can get beyond it and end up on the playing field," Ricketts said. "And one of the things the president wants to do is level the playing field on tariffs. The world charges us four times the level of tariffs on an average weighted value basis that we charge the rest of the world." PHOTO: Sen. Pete Ricketts speaks with Kearney, Neb., Mayor Jonathan Nikkila before holding a town hall meeting in Kearney, Neb., April 24, 2025. (Josh Funk/AP) On Social Security, Medicare and spending cuts When asked about the Senate's plan for protecting entitlements, Ricketts said Congress is engaging in conversations about the subject. "Protecting Social Security is one of the priorities President Trump has already talked about," he said, to big rounds of boos. "Figuring out a solution to protect Social Security is not going to be an easy thing. "One thing I do want to say, though, is there's been a lot of talk about, you know, cutting Social Security through the reconciliation process. By law, you actually can't touch Social Security through the reconciliation process," he added. MORE: Democrats launch billboards asking public to demand town halls from GOP representatives Ricketts claimed the Senate will probably go "beyond" the House's goals for cutting spending. "That's just make sure we hit that target, we will be going far above that. In fact, I expect that, you know, if you look familiar with the House's goals for cutting spending, we'll probably go beyond what the House does," he said. On the timeline for reconciliation, Ricketts said he expects the process to "take a while"-- maybe getting worked out in the fall. "The tax cuts expire at the end of December, so we've got a hard deadline there, but this is going to be a lot of work between now, over the next several months, to get this all kind of place," he said. Republican Ricketts defends himself at Nebraska town hall, says he told White House it's 'hurting Americans' with Trump tariffs originally appeared on abcnews.go.com China-based online retailers Shein and Temu are set to hike prices for U.S. customers on Friday as they weather costs imposed by President Donald Trumps tariffs. The pair of companies released identical statements earlier this month announcing plans to pass along some of the tax burden to shoppers. Both firms set a date of April 25 on which the price hike would take effect. "Due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up," the statements said. "To keep offering the products you love without compromising on quality, we will be making price adjustments." MORE: These companies said they will raise prices in response to Trump's tariffs Shein did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment about the exact timing and level of price increases. Neither did Temu. When Trump announced so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, he also closed what's known as the "de minimis" loophole, which allowed for duty-free import of goods valued at less than $800. The low-cost shipping had helped fuel bargain shopping online at firms like Temu and Shein. The trade spat between the U.S. and China escalated earlier this month when Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese goods to a whopping 145%. China responded with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods and other countermeasures. Temu sells competitively priced versions of everything from sneakers to jewelry to drones. The company is a United States-based offshoot of Chinese e-commerce giant Pinduoduo, which boasts one of the countrys most popular apps, selling a wide range of products to more than 750 million users each month, according to a 2022 earnings report. Shein, a popular fast-fashion brand, sells low-cost clothing made in China to customers throughout the U.S. PHOTO: An employee sorts out garments for the online Chinese e-commerce company Temu at a clothing factory in Guangzhou, in southern China's Guangdong province on April 16, 2025. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images) Officials from both the U.S. and China have expressed a willingness to negotiate over tariffs and other trade issues, but the countries dispute whether such talks have begun. MORE: US and China clash over status of trade talks. Here's what to know. President Donald Trump said late Wednesday the worlds two largest economies are actively discussing trade issues. A day later, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jaikun contradicted Trumps account, dismissing it as fake news. The two sides have not discussed tariffs, Guo said. Soon afterward, Trump reaffirmed his view, telling reporters that representatives of the two countries had met as recently as Thursday morning. When asked to identify the representatives involved, Trump declined to say. China on Friday pushed back again, refuting the notion that the two sides had held trade discussions. "The United States should not confuse the public," Guo told reporters. An array of companies have announced plans for price increases in response to Trump's tariffs, including Best Buy, Nintendo, AutoZone, Ferrari and Hermes. Shein and Temu set to raise prices in response to tariffs originally appeared on abcnews.go.com South Koreathe poster child for East Asias drop in marriages and childbirthseems like a strange target market for Match Group, operator of dating platforms like Tinder Hinge. Korea has an acute challenge when it comes to long-term relationships, with a pretty shocking 40% decline in marriages over a 10-year-period, notes Malgosia Green, Asia CEO for Match. Match Group recently launched a made-for-Korea version of its Pairs app, which targets those seeking more serious relationships or marriage, in contrast to more casual apps like Tinder and Hinge. (Match also offers Tinder in South Korea.) Green thinks that Pairs could be a good fit for South Korea, given the apps success in neighboring Japan, another country with a declining population. Extrapolating from government data, she suggests that one in 10 marriages in Japan happens due to Pairs. Twenty-five percent of marriages in Japan happen through dating apps. We can deduce our share of that because Pairs is the leader in Japan, she explains. Match has tailored Pairs to East Asian markets. The app asks users tough questions like How often do you want to meet your mother-in-law or Do you want kids: awkward in any date setting, but perhaps particularly in East Asia, where people tend to be more circumspect. Pairs doesnt publicly surface those answers, but the app does try to match people who align on these real mind match questions. This is our go-to-market feature for the Korean market, Green says. Asia's demographic change Despite a mild uptick in births and marriages last year, South Korea's demographic situation remains the most extreme among East Asian societies followed by Japan, and others like Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Mainland China. South Korea reported 222,400 marriages in 2024, down from 322,807 in 2013. Fertility rates fell over the same period, falling to 0.75 children born per woman in 2024, down from 1.19 children in 2013. Where's Match going next in Asia? Match reported $3.5 billion in revenue for 2024, a 3% increase. Yet Asia revenue declined by 6% over the same period to reach $284 million. Global paying users also declined 5% year on year to reach 14.9 million users. The company recently brought in Zillow cofounder Spencer Rascoff to be its CEO in February as it tries to attract more users. Still, Green thinks the Asia-Pacific region presents new opportunities for Match: 2024's revenue dip in the region aside, paying users in Asia increased 9% year on year to reach 1 million users. Japan and South Korea not only try to give monetary incentives to encourage people to have children, but actively try to get people to meet through events like government-organized speed-dating. Green says that Match is already partnering with prefecture governments in Japan. While Match is now focused on South Korea, Green is looking to India as the company's next target in Asia. Despite a long history of arranged marriages, Green says that todays Indian parents are hoping to give their children more agency. Marriages for love are more accepted today compared to five years ago, Green says, citing survey data. We see an opportunity there for a high-intent marriage-oriented app, Green says. Theres no one playing that space at scale. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com A Texas mother who officials say took alcoholic Jell-O shots to her childs elementary school Christmas party has been arrested. Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, was charged with injury to a child in connection to a party Dec. 20 at Jones Elementary School in Tyler Texas. Bernal purchased the Jell-O shots from a home business she found on Facebook, according to the arrest affidavit. The shots were laid out on a table along with treats students had brought to share in a cafeteria where fifth-grade classes gathered, officials said. Fifteen students consumed the shots, and nearly all reported having stomach aches and headaches, the affidavit said. One student told police he vomited twice at school that day, and another student said he passed out at school after consuming the Jell-O shot, according to the affidavit. One student reported that he had six Jell-O shots and got dizzy. When he returned to his classroom, he got dizzy and fell and felt like he could not get back on his feet, the affidavit said. When questioned by a Tyler Independent School District police officer, Bernal said she did not know the shots contained alcohol, but conceded they do taste different, the arrest affidavit said. She said she discovered the shots had alcohol only after the children had consumed some of them, according to officials. Bernal did not immediately respond to a message left on a phone number listed under her name. A teacher told police that two other teachers tried the shots and said they believed the shots contained alcohol. The teacher tried one herself but couldn't tell because of the flavor, police said. The teacher took the kids back to her class and sent those who consumed a Jell-O shot to the nurse's office. After that, just four children remained in her class, officials said. The party took place just before holiday break, and the investigating officer interviewed teachers when they returned to work Jan. 6. 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. Bernal was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school, the file said. The Facebook sweets business Bernal had purchased the shots from had a clear disclaimer on its website stating the shots were made with Smirnoff vodka, the affidavit said. In my opinion, there is no way Bernal could have missed the fact that the Jell-O shots she purchased and brought to her daughters 5th grade Christmas party contained drinking alcohol, the officer wrote in the affidavit. Testing of the shots also indicated the shots did contain ethanol. Bernal was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on Monday and posted $75,000 bond the same day. It's not immediately clear if she's retained an attorney. The Tyler Independent School District said it was aware of Bernal's arrest. "At the time, a parent volunteer brought homemade Jello to the celebration, which was later found to contain alcohol. Unfortunately, some students consumed the Jello before the situation was discovered. Staff acted immediately to address the situation, informing parents and working with law enforcement," the district said. The district said Bernal has not been allowed back to campus. "We take this matter very seriously and remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students," the statement said. By William Schomberg WASHINGTON (Reuters) -British finance minister Rachel Reeves met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday to discuss a trade deal, shortly after saying that improving business ties with the European Union was "arguably even more important." Reeves held discussions with Bessent at a gathering of world finance chiefs at the International Monetary Fund that has been dominated by concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump's import tariffs. "The UK-U.S. relationship has delivered prosperity for businesses and working people on both sides of the Atlantic," Reeves said in a brief statement on social media. "Today I met with Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss the UK-U.S. economic prosperity deal and our goal of reaching an agreement that is in both our national interests," she added. Britain, like many other countries, wants to ease the impact of Trump's tariffs - which would be particularly high for UK car and metals exporters - by striking an economic agreement with his administration that could also foster more tech investment. Reeves sought to show Trump's team during her trip to Washington that she shares the president's concerns about the world economy - in particular China's export-heavy model - but she has also said that high tariffs are not the answer. At the same time, Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer are hoping to remove some post-Brexit trade barriers with the EU. The United States is Britain's single biggest trading partner but the EU as a bloc buys more of the country's exports. "I understand why there's so much focus on our trading relationship with the U.S. but actually our trading relationship with Europe is arguably even more important, because they're our nearest neighbours and trading partners," Reeves told the BBC. Earlier this week, she said Britain would not rush to secure a deal with Washington and ruled out making concessions on food standards which could jeopardise London's ability to boost food exports to the EU. Reeves met German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies earlier on Friday in Washington to prepare for a gathering of European leaders which will seek to improve ties between Britain and the bloc which were strained by the 2016 Brexit vote. "We discussed the upcoming UK-EU Summit in May, marking an important moment in the reset between the United Kingdom and the European Union," Reeves said. She and Starmer promised voters last year they would speed up Britain's economy which the IMF this week said looked set to grow by 1.1% in 2025, still faster than in Germany and France but down from a previous forecast of 1.6% partly due to the hit to the world economy from Trump's tariffs. Reeves also held talks on Friday with China's finance minister Lan Foan after this week announcing tougher customs controls and strengthening Britain's anti-dumping system which could impact Chinese exporters. "Our clear-eyed reengagement with China ensures we grasp opportunities when it's right for the UK," she said on X, adding the two sides would continue cooperation. (Reporting by William Schomberg; Additional reporting by David Milliken in London; Editing by Andrea Ricci) By Mike Scarcella (Reuters) -A U.S. judge has set a May 2 hearing to discuss remedies the U.S. Justice Department and a group of states might ask the court to impose on Google after it ruled the Alphabet unit illegally dominates two markets for online advertising technology. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, in the Alexandria, Virginia federal court, indicated the hearing aims to get an early and broad sense of the potential remedies before focusing on specific measures. The hearing will come after Brinkema in a blockbuster order on April 17 found Google liable for "willfully acquiring and maintaining monopoly power" in markets for publisher ad servers and the market for ad exchanges that sit between buyers and sellers. Google and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Brinkema presided over a non-jury trial last year before issuing her opinion this month. She will eventually decide how Google must restore competition in those markets, such as by selling off parts of its business. The judge's ruling was the second that declared Google to hold an illegal monopoly. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington in August 2024 ruled Google used exclusive agreements with Samsung Electronics and others to bolster its alleged search engine monopoly. Mehta in that lawsuit, also filed by the Justice Department, is now weighing whether to force Google to sell its popular Chrome web browser as one remedy to restore competition in search. Google has denied the government's claims in both antitrust lawsuits. Google has not offered Chrome for sale. The company has said that it plans to appeal the two rulings that it holds an illegal monopoly in search and advertising markets. (Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Douglas Gillison WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The new head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday said that the agency has stifled innovation for the cryptocurrency sector by fostering "regulatory uncertainty" in prior years. "Market participants engaging in this technology deserve clear regulatory rules of the road," Paul Atkins said in his first remarks since being sworn in as chairman of the agency as chairman earlier this week. He spoked at the SEC's crypto roundtable, which the Republican leadership launched weigh how securities laws may apply to digital assets, an area of tension between the sector and the agency under previous leadership. Atkins, who has worked with crypto firms in recent years, has widely been expected to take a softer tack with the industry. The agency's previous chair, Gary Gensler, had targeted what he described as widespread noncompliance of the industry with U.S. securities laws. Even before Atkins' arrival, the SEC has dramatically shifted its position on crypto in recent months, seeking to create new regulations for the sector and pausing or altogether walking away from enforcement cases. When asked about the potential for the SEC to suspend trading of Chinese companies as trade tensions rise between the world's two largest economies, Atkins said that the agency will take action if companies do not abide by U.S. laws. (Reporting by Douglas GillisonAdditional reporting by Chris Prentice, Editing by Franklin Paul) By Emma Farge and Nidal al-Mughrabi GENEVA/CAIRO (Reuters) - The World Food Programme said on Friday it had run out of food stocks in Gaza due to the sustained closure of crossings into the enclave, while Gaza authorities said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 78 people in the past 24 hours. "The WFP has depleted all its food stocks for families in Gaza," a WFP statement said, adding the U.N. agency on Friday delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in Gaza. "These kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days," it added. The agency said no humanitarian or commercial supplies had entered Gaza for more than seven weeks as all main border crossing points remained closed, resulting in the longest closure the Gaza Strip had ever faced. Israel has previously denied that Gaza is facing a hunger crisis. The military accuses the Hamas militants who have run Gaza of exploiting aid - which Hamas denies - and says it must keep all supplies out to prevent the fighters from getting it. Since March 2, Israel completely cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, and food stockpiled during a ceasefire at the start of the year has all but run out. WFP warned that if the aid blockage was not lifted it might be forced to end its critical assistance. On March 31, all 25 WFP-supported bakeries closed after wheat flour and cooking fuel ran out, while parcels giving families two weeks of food rations were depleted. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office on Friday said that famine is no longer a looming threat and is becoming a reality. "Thousands of Palestinian families are now facing starvation after becoming unable to provide even a single meal for their children," it said in a statement. Fifty-two people have died due to hunger and malnutrition, including 50 children, while more than one million children are experiencing hunger daily, it added. The Israeli ministry of foreign affairs said 25,000 aid trucks had entered Gaza in the 42 days of the ceasefire - before it shut the border at the start of March - and that Hamas had used the aid to rebuild its war machine. Food prices have risen 1,400 percent compared to during the ceasefire, WFP said, adding that more than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance which could feed one million people for up to four months is currently stuck at the border crossing. STRIKES IN GAZA On Friday, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 78 people in different areas of the enclave in the past 24 hours. Residents said Israeli forces operating in Shejaia and Rafah in northern and southern Gaza blew up clusters of homes overnight. Citing attacks initiated from those areas, the Israeli military ordered residents of Beit Hanoun and the Beit Lahiya towns to leave their homes in a post published on X by an army spokesperson late on Thursday. The new orders caused a new wave of displacement as many families began leaving their homes in the early hours on Friday, according to witnesses. Sources familiar with the mediation said a Hamas delegation was expected to visit Cairo on Friday to meet Egyptian officials and discuss ways to salvage stalled ceasefire talks. Since a January ceasefire collapsed on March 18, Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,900 Palestinians, many of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced as Israel seized what it calls a buffer zone. An attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023 killed 1,200 people, and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza. Since then, more than 51,300 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, according to health officials. (Reporting by Emma Farge, Additional reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva, Editing by Rachel More, William Maclean) There is a lot of speculation about the effects of President Donald Trump's tariff plans, but none have been seen yet, as many companies are still sorting through how they will be affected. As first-quarter results roll out, you'll get more commentary on how tariffs will affect various businesses, but one very important company has already offered commentary on tariffs. Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM) is one of the world's most important companies, as it is the chip foundry for many of the world's top companies. It made a comment on tariffs that will likely shock readers, and all investors should heed its CEO's words. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More TSMC's CEO is bullish on the rest of 2025 Taiwan Semiconductor is one company that could be affected by tariffs, as most of its chips are made in Taiwan. While TSMC has built a plant in Arizona and announced a $100 billion investment to build more facilities in the U.S., the vast majority of its production is overseas. On another note, TSMC's chips haven't yet been slapped with a huge tariff rate. Semiconductors are currently exempt, but President Trump has noted that there will be an upcoming semiconductor tariff. Regardless, the possibility of tariffs affecting demand for its chips hasn't been felt yet, which is why TSMC's CEO C.C. Wei had this to say on the company's recent Q1 conference call: We understand there are uncertainties and risks from the potential impact of tariff policies. However, we have not seen any change in our customers' behavior so far. Therefore, we continue to expect our full year 2025 revenue to increase by close to mid-20s percent in U.S. dollar terms. So, TSMC hasn't seen any effects of tariffs. Let's see how that shakes out if a semiconductor-specific tariff is announced, but it's business as usual for Taiwan Semiconductor as of right now. This likely isn't the case for every company, so this speaks to Taiwan Semi's strong position. Despite its strong growth outlook and lack of tariff effects, the stock has been heavily sold off, which allows investors to scoop up shares for a steal. The stock still hasn't reacted to the news Despite strong Q1 results, Taiwan Semiconductor still trades like its business is about to fall off a cliff due to tariff effects. TSM PE Ratio Chart TSM PE Ratio data by YCharts Nineteen times trailing earnings and 16 times forward earnings is a dirt-cheap price tag for one of the world's most important companies, especially when it projects that 2025 revenue will increase in the mid-20% range. This stock looks even cheaper when you compare Taiwan Semiconductor to the broader market, as measured by the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC). The market trades for about 21.4 times trailing earnings and 19.8 times forward earnings, which is far more expensive than TSMC's stock in both cases. The CEO of this company, who is much better connected in the tech world than almost anyone else, just told investors that the company hasn't felt any tariff impacts and doesn't anticipate any. However, the stock hasn't recovered from this sell-off and continues to move lower even after his optimistic statements. This clearly indicates that it's a great buying opportunity for the stock, and I think it's among the best buys in the market right now. Even if a semiconductor tariff slightly affects TSMC's demand, it's still the most important chip foundry in the world, and its steps to move some production to the U.S. will benefit it. Thanks to AI, there's just too much growth in the chip industry, and Taiwan Semiconductor is one of the best ways to invest in this trend. Should you invest $1,000 in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now? Before you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, 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 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 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 $566,035!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $629,519!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 829% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 155% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of April 21, 2025 Keithen Drury has positions in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. by Melani Manel Perera For days, Catholics and non-Catholics alike have been paying tribute to Pope Francis. A national day of mourning has been declared to coincide with the funeral. Cardinal Ranjith recalls the support given to the victims of the Easter massacre. For President Dissanayake, he was an example of compassion, justice and interreligious harmony for all the people. Colombo (AsiaNews) - In Sri Lanka, people have been talking for days about the passing of Pope Francis, an event that has affected not only Catholics but all citizens of the country who saw in the pontiff an example of humility, a defender of peace and human dignity, an example of morality in a turbulent phase. Tomorrow, 26 April, to coincide with the funeral, the government has declared a day of national mourning; today, all Catholic schools remain closed as ordered by the Department of Education of the Archdiocese of Colombo, with Vatican flags at half-mast and religious services in all churches to honour his memory. Masses are also planned for tomorrow in all the dioceses of the island, while the solemn celebration is scheduled to take place in St. Lucia's Cathedral in Colombo at 6 p.m. Before leaving for Rome to attend the funeral and take part in the conclave to choose the successor, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith released a video message in which he recalled the Argentine pope's 2015 trip to the Philippines, which also included a visit to Sri Lanka. The cardinal went on to emphasise his concern about the attacks on Easter Sunday 2019 and his closeness to the local Catholic community, keeping himself constantly informed of the situation and providing a lot of help. He also gave us the opportunity to meet 41 victims of the attacks in person, concluded the Archbishop of Colombo. Among those who publicly expressed their condolences was Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In his message, he expressed his gratitude and condolences, adding that the Sri Lankans will remember him as a friend of the people and a beacon of moral clarity in turbulent times. Pope Francis unwavering commitment to the poor, his tireless call for global unity and his spiritual guidance touched millions of people of all faiths. In Sri Lanka, his memory is cherished with particular affection, the statement continued. May his legacy of compassion, justice and interreligious harmony continue to inspire generations to come, the president concluded. In recent days, AsiaNews has met and collected testimonies from Catholic and non-Catholic leaders and personalities who wish to remember the example and legacy of the pontiff, as well as to thank him for his testimony of deep faith. Fr Hari Haran, director of catechesis and youth minister for the diocese of Ratnapura, said that as a theologian and someone who studied his important writings closely during his pontificate, I feel that this is a great loss for all humanity. I will remember him for a long time, he continues, as a pope of hope alongside the least among us: the poor, the marginalised and migrants. In a world dominated by indifference, he spoke of mercy. When people began to hate their Muslim brothers because of ISIS, he stood by them and began to build bridges. He worked hard, he concludes, to implement the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. Sister Deepa Fernando, a nun and rights activist in Colombo, describes Pope Francis as one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever met in my life. I deeply admire his profound commitment to justice and reconciliation. His love for the poor is a powerful reflection of Jesus mission. His concern for those suffering in conflict-ridden regions such as Gaza, the Middle East and other parts of the world highlights his compassionate and inclusive vision. I was particularly moved when he said he preferred a Church that is bruised to a Church that is sick: a strong reminder of the Church's mission to be present among the marginalised, even at the cost of its own well-being. The Pope's death has also left a deep mark on the faithful of other religions, including the Venerable Madampagama Assaji Mahanayaka Thero, co-president, and Rev. Fr. Anura Perera, secretary, of the Dharmashakthi Sri Lanka organisation. He fought for justice and equality for all nations and religions, and above all for peace in the world in countries torn apart by war. He was a great man, they say, who worked hard to resolve conflicts caused by power struggles between countries and comforted the poor of the world when they needed someone to care for them. Abdul Rahman, a sheikh and activist in the Negombo region, said: On behalf of the Muslim community, we offer our deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His commitment to interfaith dialogue, compassion and social justice inspired many around the world. He upheld the values of understanding, peace and love, promoting unity between different faiths. At this time of grief, we honour his legacy of promoting harmony and kindness, the Islamic leader concluded. Finally, the Christian Women's Movement (MoCWV) issued a brief statement on the Pope's death, recalling Laudato Si' on our common home and his work on behalf of creation, human beings and animals, as well as his call to care for the environment. Today's news: Ahmad al-Sharaa reported to have told US congressman that Syria could join the Abraham Accords under certain conditions; Marcos supporters denounce Chinese influence in the midterm election campaign; Myanmar arrests astrologer who causes panic by announcing new earthquake; Peppa Pig cartoons now available in Tibetan. HONG KONG-VATICAN Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, has been authorised by the court to leave the city to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican. Zen, who is 93, left last night and is expected in Rome. Hong Kong authorities have not yet fully returned his passport after his arrest in 2022 on suspicion of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law. The cardinal and four other pro-democracy activists are seeking to overturn their convictions linked to a now-defunct fund to support the 2019 protesters. The appeal hearing is set for 3 December. SYRIA-ISRAEL Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is reportedly open under certain conditions to joining the Abraham Accords and normalising relations with Israel. This was stated to the Jerusalem Post by Marlin Stutzman, a Republican member of the US Congress, who recently met with him in Syria. Among the conditions listed by the new leader in Damascus is that Syria remain a united and sovereign state. MYANMAR In Myanmar, an astrologer has been arrested for causing panic with his prediction of a new earthquake in a video that went viral on TikTok. John Moe The posted his prediction on 9 April, just two weeks after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that killed thousands of people. He warned that on 21 April, a new earthquake would hit every city in Myanmar. Experts say earthquakes are impossible to predict. PHILIPPINES-CHINA The Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas the political alliance supporting President Marcos Jr. said it was alarmed and concerned by reports of possible foreign interference in the 2025 mid-term elections. During a Senate hearing on Thursday 24 April, National Security Council spokesman Deputy Director-General Jonathan Malaya said yesterday that there were indications of Chinese state-sponsored information operations seeking to interfere with the 12 May elections. CHINA-TIBET Peppa Pig, the beloved character from a children's animated series, now speaks Tibetan. The Tibet Fund, a US-based non-profit organisation, has announced the launch of a local language version. The fund says the initiative is aimed at strengthening Tibetan language education for young students and preserving their cultural and linguistic identity. GEORGIA The Secretary General of the OSCE, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Feridun Sinirlioglu, has arrived in Tbilisi. His visit was presented by the Georgian Dream party as a legitimisation of its power, despite the harsh assessments of last November's elections. Opponents of the Coalition for Change refused to meet with the Turkish diplomat. KYRGYZSTAN The Kyrgyzstan Ombudsman for Children and Youth has expressed concern about the increase in cases prohibited by law of marriages organised by coercion of underage girls, resulting in 353 girls between the ages of 13 and 17 giving birth in 2024, with 29 allegations of violations of the law by the Attorney General's Office, one of the highest statistics in all of Central Asia. by Lisa Bongiovanni Between 2000 and 2020, the region recorded an urban population growth rate of around 2.3% per year - one of the highest globally. By 2050, more than half of the Pacific's population will live in urban areas. Milan (AsiaNews) - The rapid urbanisation that is also sweeping across the islands of Oceania was discussed at the 81st session of ESCAP, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, which ends today in Bangkok and focused on the issue of megacities. The urban wave is proving to be much more powerful than expected, even on islands, and the phenomenon is a problem that should not be underestimated. Between 2000 and 2020, the region recorded an urban population growth rate of around 2.3% per year - one of the highest globally. By 2050, more than half of the Pacific's population will live in urban areas. The report by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to monitor urban transformation highlights one of the most complex issues of the phenomenon: the lack of reliable estimates. The forecasts and graphs reported in the document, on which the United Nations bases its estimates, are cautious, revealing the problem of systematic underestimates that are difficult to correct. For example, Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, reached 130,000 inhabitants ten years earlier than expected. In Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, official data underestimate the actual population by 43%, revealing that the country has already reached the levels predicted for 2050. A similar situation applies to Papua New Guinea, where experts and government agencies have raised doubts about the census methodology. In Port Moresby, the capital, a reanalysis of the data suggests that the population in 2019 was 760,000, 62% higher than the official figures. The one million mark will be reached by mid-2025. The problem is not just limited statistical capacity or irregular censuses. Rapid urbanisation complicates data collection, making it difficult even to trace urban boundaries. Many statistics are based on outdated boundaries dating back decades, which do not reflect the actual expansion of cities. Growth is concentrated mainly in peripheral areas that are often excluded from municipal boundaries, as in the case of Port Vila. In addition, new dwellings escape monitoring because they are not always legal. Families, often without alternatives, settle in informal, unregistered settlements without title deeds. This underestimation has critical repercussions on the daily lives of those living in these places, resulting in a serious shortage of services. As if more than twice the number of guests showed up for lunch, the first effect is that there is not enough room for everyone. Rapid and uncontrolled urbanisation puts pressure on infrastructure and housing, contributing to the expansion of informal settlements: in Port Moresby and Honiara, more than half of the buildings are not legal. This causes a series of serious complications related to security and the economy, but that is not all. In addition, sanitation services are inadequate and the spread of disease is more likely. Waste management is also affected, with direct effects on public health and the environment. However, urbanisation in the Pacific islands is not just an example of inefficiency. The cities in the region also offer unique alternatives to Western urban design that are typical of the Pacific and therefore deserve attention. According to the ESCAP report, urban planning on these islands is more community-focused, promoting solutions that are more inclusive of kinship and family groups and more attentive to the ecosystem. However, this potential risks being wasted without adequate support. According to UN experts, recent increases in funding have not been sufficient and require a more strategic and forward-looking approach. Careful and thoughtful intervention is therefore essential to ensure that urbanisation becomes a positive force for the future of the Pacific. 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. 25 April 2025 18:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more At a hearing held Friday at the Baku Military Court, victim Aghalar Aliyev testified in the ongoing trial of Armenian nationals accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, Azernews reports. The case concerns a series of offenses linked to Armenias military aggression, including acts of terrorism, genocide, violations of international humanitarian law, and the financing of terrorism. Aghalar Aliyev, who was born in Shusha, recounted his early life, noting that he had studied at school alongside Armenians. Responding to questions during the trial, he stated that he was serving in law enforcement when Armenia began making territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Highlighting the emergence of separatist activities in the late 1980s, Aliyev said, The Miatsum movement began operating openly in February 1988. They said that the Armenians demand that Garabagh be given to Armenia. He also described observing helicopter movements between the former occupied territories of Azerbaijan and Armenia: I have seen the helicopters myself. Both people and weapons were transported from Armenia. The trial, which continues in Baku, is part of Azerbaijans broader legal process addressing the consequences of Armenias decades-long occupation and the crimes committed during that period. 25 April 2025 16:59 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more In a region once synonymous with conflict, Azerbaijan is charting a new course, one that blends pragmatic diplomacy, energy security, and forward-thinking climate leadership. Over the past five years, Baku has not only resolved a decades-long conflict on its own terms, but emerged as a stabilising force and strategic partner in both Eurasian and European affairs. Through unwavering political will and deep strategic diplomacy, she has steadily transformed the South Caucasus into one of the most stable regions in Eurasia. Over the past five years, Baku has taken decisive steps to consolidate peace, build resilience, and position itself as a trusted partner between East and West. Following its swift and largely unilateral resolution of a decades-long conflict in the aftermath of the 2020 Second Garabagh War, Azerbaijan has emerged as a reliable and forward-looking actor in regional and global affairs. Its post-conflict diplomacy is not merely about reconstruction or internal development; it is a deliberate effort to reshape regional dynamics and attract responsible global partnerships. This strategic depth was on full display during President Ilham Aliyevs recent state visit to the Peoples Republic of China. The bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping and the signing of multiple cooperation agreements, including a joint declaration on a comprehensive strategic partnership, further amplified Azerbaijans regional and transregional relevance. The South Caucasus, long viewed through a lens of instability, is now seen as a vital corridor and crossroads of geostrategic significance. The visit of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to Baku this week underscored a diplomatic truth thats been quietly unfolding: the European Union increasingly sees Azerbaijan not just as a supplier of gas, but as a geopolitical partner whose importance spans energy, security, and sustainability. It is a clear recognition of Azerbaijans growing geopolitical weight and diplomatic maturity. Her meeting with President Aliyev and remarks during the joint press conference signal a pivotal shift in EU-Azerbaijan relations, one that opens a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. The European Union no longer views Azerbaijan through outdated stereotypes or singular frames. Instead, it acknowledges the countrys expanding strategic role, particularly in the normalisation of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. Notably, the EU increasingly perceives this issue as one approaching resolution a recognition that reflects the effectiveness of bilateral negotiations and diminishes the relevance of external mediation. Crucially, the EU now openly supports Azerbaijans role in securing peace and prosperity in the region. Kallass visit is further proof of Europes recognition of Azerbaijans indispensable contributions to continental energy security. As the leading supplier of natural gas to over 10 European countries, Azerbaijan ranks first in terms of geographic diversification of supply sources a fact that underscores its centrality in Europes energy architecture. But beyond hydrocarbons, a deeper and greener partnership is unfolding. Azerbaijans upcoming presidency of COP29 places it at the heart of global climate governance. Both Baku and Brussels have a shared interest in expanding cooperation on renewable energy, green hydrogen, smart grid infrastructure, and carbon-neutral development strategies. European investment in Azerbaijans green transformation, particularly in the Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur regions, designated as green energy zones, has the potential to redefine the energy transition in the broader Caspian and Black Sea regions. Projects involving offshore wind, solar power, and electricity interconnectors, including the landmark Black Sea cable project, are strategic multipliers for both sides. In this light, Azerbaijan is not merely a supplier of energy, but a partner in sustainability. It is a nation capable of shaping the regions green future and Europes clean energy transition all while maintaining regional stability and resisting external interference. As Azerbaijan and the EU move forward with negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, this relationship is no longer transactional. It is transformational. The convergence of strategic, economic, and environmental interests promises a new era of cooperation one based on mutual respect, shared values, and a clear-eyed recognition of global realities. In a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, the EU must leave behind past misunderstandings and embrace a future of pragmatic engagement. Azerbaijan has demonstrated that it is ready, not just to talk peace, but to build it; not just to extract energy, but to innovate it. The question now is whether Brussels is ready to match that vision with equal resolve. 25 April 2025 13:09 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The next meeting of the Joint Commission on international road transport between Azerbaijan and Latvia was held in Baku on April 23-24, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency (AYNA). It was noted that the current state of international road transport between the two countries, transportation challenges, and solutions were discussed. An agreement was reached to double the annual quota of "Permission" forms exchanged bilaterally to increase participation of carriers from both countries in international cargo transportation. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 25 April 2025 14:55 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more On May 10, Baku will host the Sustainable Agriculture Investment Forum. Azernews reports, citing this was made by Mammad Musayev, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations, during the conference themed Constitution and Sovereignty The Development of Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan. He noted that the Forum will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture, and jointly organized by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan, and the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA/KOBIA). Musayev invited entrepreneurs to actively participate in the event. "The exchange of views, proposals, and analyses taking place today will contribute to the development of entrepreneurship and the strengthening of our countrys sovereign economic potential. Together, we will strive to build a stronger entrepreneurial communityboth by exercising the rights granted by our Constitution and leveraging the economic opportunities created by the state." "I am confident that the implementation of the latest technologies in the liberated territories of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur, the creation of new jobs, and the restoration of our fertile lands will play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of the population and boosting our economy. Public-private partnerships will continue to support us on this path," Musayev added. 25 April 2025 17:58 (UTC+04:00) The initial selection stage of the Azercell Cup 2025 programming competition has successfully concluded, drawing the participation of nearly 4,000 6th and 7th grade students across Azerbaijan. The event is jointly organized by Azercell, the Ministry of Science and Education, and the Institute of Education, Azernews reports. Held online, the first round aimed to identify young talents in programming and digital technologies. Out of the thousands of participants, 216 students qualified for the second stage, which is scheduled to take place on May 3. The final round will be held on June 7. The leaderboard for the selection stage is available at: https://azercellcup.org/competition/115/leaderboard To further support talent development, special training sessions will be organized for the top 30 performers. These sessions aim to enhance students skills in informatics and programming, and outstanding participants may earn the chance to join Azerbaijans national informatics team for future international competitions. Launched in 2021, the Azercell Cup is designed to spark students interest in digital technologies, programming, and computer science, while contributing to their academic and personal growth. 25 April 2025 12:49 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Vienna has celebrated the 120th anniversary of the birth of Muhammad Asad bay (Kurban Said or Lev Nussimbaum), a writer, who occupies a special place in Azerbaijani literature, Azernews reports. The head of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, Leyla Gasimova, opened the event with an introductory speech and spoke about the significance of the writer's literary heritage and the great interest in his work. Despite the disagreements and extensive discussions in literary circles regarding the personality of Muhammad Asad bay, who lived a difficult life, and the authorship of his most famous work, the novel "Ali and Nino", it is in this work that the reader gets the opportunity to become more familiar with the events that took place in Azerbaijan at the beginning of the last century, national-ethnic relations and, above all, the tolerant environment. In her speech, the director of the Vienna Jewish Museum Barbara Staudinger noted that the capital of Austria has a rich Jewish history, emphasized that this community contributed to the development of cultural life, and that another creative personality in the person of Muhammad Asad Bay, who lived in Vienna for several years and wrote his most famous works in this city, enriched world culture. Yagut Abdalla, who defended her dissertation at the University of Vienna on the topic of "Modern Europe or Lagging Asia. East and West in the Works of Muhammad Asad Bay", in her speech spoke about the most important stages in the life of the once famous and then forgotten author. In her report, Yagut Abdalla focused on the Viennese period of Muhammad Asad Bay's work (1933-1938), his social circle and acquaintances there, especially his literary connections with the Austrian writer Annemarie Selinko, and also analyzed the relationship between the novel "Ali and Nino" and one of her works. Sebastian Januszewski, an employee of the Berlin House of Literature and a researcher of the legacy of Muhammad Asad Bay, spoke about the Berlin period of the writer's work (1921-1933), which spanned more than ten years. The report, entitled "Asad Bay in Berlin - the City Where Lev Nussimbaum Became a Writer", presented information about the writer's writing activities in Germany, as well as his numerous articles in the prestigious magazine "Literary World", his participation in the "Attic" club of artists who emigrated from Russia, and his membership in the poets' club. The owner of the Hans-Jurgen Maurer Publishing House operating in Germany, Hans-Jurgen Maurer, spoke in his report about the last years of the life of Muhammad Asad bay in Italy (1938-1942). The report tells about the last years of the life of Asad bay, who found refuge in the Italian town of Positano, escaping from persecution. He spent these years in loneliness, deprivation and suffering. The report also spoke about the people who took care of the writer in his difficult days, in particular, about his correspondence with Alice Schulze, who was his nanny, and the role of these people in his life. After the speeches, an exchange of opinions on issues of interest to the participants took place, in addition, the works of Muhammad Asad bay, photographs reflecting different periods of his life, and letters written by him in his own hand were exhibited in the Cultural Center. 25 April 2025 15:07 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Azerbaijan Culture Days has concluded in Kyrgyzstan with a captivating evening of jazz music at the Kyrgyz National Conservatory, Azernews reports. This concert, which featured a lineup of talented Azerbaijani artists, served as a fitting finale to the four-day cultural showcase. At the outset of the concert, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan Timurlan Azhymaliev addressed the audience, extending warm congratulations to the Azerbaijani delegation on the successful execution of the Days of Culture. He emphasized that such cultural exchanges serve to strengthen the bonds between the fraternal peoples of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Kyrgyzstan for their warm hospitality and for ensuring a high standard of organisation throughout the events. His remarks underscored the spirit of collaboration that characterizes the relationship between the two nations. The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Bishkek Latif Gandilov, further amplified the sentiment of camaraderie, highlighting the ongoing development of bilateral relations across various spheres. He acknowledged the concerted efforts made by the leaders of both countries to promote unity and equality among their peoples, reinforcing the shared values and cultural heritage that bind them together. The Ambassador also took the opportunity to thank the Kyrgyz leadership for the generous hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation, which greatly contributed to the success of the event. Following these heartfelt speeches, the spotlight turned to the ensemble of Azerbaijani musicians, who showcased the rich tapestry of their culture through an enchanting performance. The jazz trio, consisting of Elbay Mammadzade on piano, Saleh Mammadov on bass guitar, and Eyvaz Gashimov on drums, mesmerized the audience with their renditions of timeless pieces. They performed a delightful selection of compositions, including A. Melikov's "My Flowers," T. Guliyev's "You are Mine" and "Sad Song," D. Reeves's "Tango," E. Mammadzade's "Mikail's Dance," and music from the beloved opera "Carmen" by G. Bizet, as well as V. Mustafazade's evocative "Spring" and the spirited Azerbaijani folk dance "Yalli." Through their impressive performances, the musicians brought to life the depth and nuances of Azerbaijani jazz art, captivating the audience and creating an atmosphere filled with joy and shared cultural appreciation. The Azerbaijan Culture Days, which spanned four exhilarating days on the ancient and culturally rich lands of Kyrgyzstan, left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of attendees. With a dynamic and colorful program that highlighted the artistry and heritage of Azerbaijan, the event not only celebrated the cultural legacy of a nation but also reinforced the enduring friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. As the curtains closed on this remarkable celebration, the memories created will undoubtedly resonate for years to come, paving the way for future collaborations and cultural exchanges. 25 April 2025 17:38 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more National Art Museum has hosted another concert as part of the project "Music in the Museum", Azernews reports. Teachers and students of the Specialized Piano Department at Baku Music Academy participated in the event. The class concert dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the great composer was held at the initiative of People's Artist, Professor Ulviyya Hajibayova and Doctor of Philosophy in Art History, Associate Professor Nargiz Salmanli. In the concert program, students performed works by such prominent composers as U.Hajibayli, J.S. Bach-Busoni, S. Prokofiev, C. Debussy, S. Rachmaninoff, A. Scriabin, G. Garayev, J. Ramo, F. Chopin, and P. Tchaikovsky. Speaking at the event, Honored Teacher, Deputy Rector for Educational Affairs at the Baku Music Academy, Professor Narmina Guliyeva reflected on the rich creative legacy of Uzeyir Hajibayli and praised the performances of young musicians who continue his traditions. She emphasized that the realization of such concerts and the presentation of a professionally prepared program is of great importance for preserving the heritage of Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the founder of Azerbaijani music culture. Founded in 1937, Azerbaijan National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decorative-applied arts of Western Europe. Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush. The museum has successfully organized and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists. These exhibitions have not only attracted art enthusiasts but have also contributed to the cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and other countries. 25 April 2025 18:21 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A cultural project "lifba" (Alphabet) has been presented in the Chellah Nature Reserve, located in the center of Rabatthe capital city of the Kingdom of Morocco and renowned as one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Azernews reports citing Azertag. The project was presented in celebration of the World Book and Copyright Day (April 23). This event was organized by one of Azerbaijan's leading media platforms, NARGIS magazine, with support from the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Azercell Telecom, and facilitated by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Morocco. Participants included the editor-in-chief of NARGIS magazine, Ulviya Mahmud, along with the magazine's team. The event was attended by the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family Naima Ben Yahya, Head of the High Authority of Audiovisual Communication Latifa Akharbash, along with other government officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, media, non-governmental organizations, and the Azerbaijani diaspora, totaling about 150 guests. Detailed information was shared about the projects carried out by NARGIS magazine since 2012 in various countries, focusing on culture, art, and the environment. It was highlighted that the book "lifba" (Alphabet) initiated by the editor-in-chief Ulviya Mahmud, has significantly contributed to the promotion of Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage since its inception in 2019, playing an essential role in preserving and transmitting this heritage to future generations. The book, which has been translated into Arabic and French, was previously showcased in Istanbul, Berlin, and Doha before its presentation in Rabat. During the event, Azerbaijani pianist and composer Ruslan Agababayev, who traveled from the United States, along with Moroccan musician Mustafa Antar, presented exquisite pieces of Azerbaijani and world music. Additionally, an installation titled "Welcome to Azerbaijan" by Rashad Alakbarov was showcased. Accompanied by jazz compositions from renowned Azerbaijani pianist and musician Aziza Mustafa-zadeh, guests were presented with a fashion collection featuring 14 traditional national women's costumes representing various regions of Azerbaijan. A short documentary animated film titled "The Story in Letters" by Azerbaijani director Mehran Ismailsoya and screenwriter Agamehdi Abidov was also screened, reflecting the rich culture and history of Azerbaijan through the lens of the alphabet. To conclude the event, participants were treated to samples of Azerbaijani national cuisine. 25 April 2025 12:01 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more A peaceful demonstration was held in Washington, D.C., in front of Sheridan Circle with the participation of members from the Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas. The protest was organized in response to a march by the Armenian diaspora commemorating the so-called "Armenian genocide," Azernews reports. The event gathered hundreds of diaspora members from various U.S. states. Participants raised the flags of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and other Turkic nations while chanting slogans such as ASALA Must Be Held Accountable for Armenian Terrorism, U.S. Supports the Turkish-Armenian Historical Commission, and Reconciliation Is Better Than False Accusations. Photos of diplomats and their families who fell victim to Armenian terrorism were displayed, while acts of terror committed against Turks and Azerbaijanis were strongly condemned. Protesters emphasized that both Turkish and Azerbaijani communities advocate for peace and called for historiansnot politiciansto evaluate the events of 1915. In the evening hours, demonstrators continued voicing their messages as they marched past the U.S. embassies of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, directing their slogans at the Armenian diaspora members moving from Sheridan Circle toward the White House. 25 April 2025 10:56 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Chairman of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, Inam Karimov, visited Hangzhou, People's Republic of China, on April 2223 as part of an official visit to strengthen international judicial cooperation, Azernews reports, citing the Supreme Court. The Court noted that Inam Karimov first held a bilateral meeting with Zhang Jun, Chief Justice of Chinas Supreme Peoples Court. During the meeting, Karimov provided a detailed overview of ongoing judicial and legal reforms in Azerbaijan. Both sides emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences between judicial systems and discussed areas of mutual interest as well as prospects for future cooperation in the legal field. Following the bilateral talks, Karimov participated in the 20th meeting of the Presidents of Supreme Courts of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. Discussions during the session focused on expanding collaboration among the judicial institutions within the SCO framework. In his speech at the conference, the Azerbaijani Chief Justice underscored the significance of the platform in fostering long-term legal cooperation among friendly nations. He noted that such forums offer invaluable opportunities for constructive dialogue, sharing of best practices, and exploring innovative legal approaches for the future. Karimov highlighted the progressive judicial reforms implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. He pointed out that extensive legislative amendments have been adopted in recent years, significantly contributing to the development of Azerbaijans judiciary. In a separate session, Inam Karimov delivered a presentation on Legal Applications of Artificial Intelligence. He noted that AI offers vast potential for legal systems, including easing workloads and improving access to justice. However, he stressed that AI should serve as a supportive tool and not replace the role of judgeslegal decisions must always remain in the hands of experienced judicial professionals. At the conclusion of the discussions, the Supreme Court heads of SCO member states signed a Joint Statement, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the rule of law and enhancing cooperation in the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. 25 April 2025 13:22 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more A working meeting between the defense delegations of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan took place in Baku, reinforcing the growing defense ties between the two countries, Azernews reports. According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, the meeting was held within the framework of the bilateral military cooperation plan for the current year. During the session, the Department of Military Strategy and Defense Planning of Azerbaijans Ministry of Defense delivered an in-depth presentation to the Uzbek delegation, highlighting the progress achieved in defense planning and project management within the Azerbaijani Army. The two sides exchanged views on the development of mutual cooperation and addressed a number of issues raised by the Uzbek guests. The meeting concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts and a group photo, underscoring the friendly and collaborative spirit of the engagement. This meeting is part of Azerbaijans broader efforts to strengthen military partnerships with fellow members of regional organizations, including the Organization of Turkic States, of which both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are members. 25 April 2025 12:52 (UTC+04:00) The meeting marks a significant step in enhancing diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and the European Union, underscoring the importance of strategic cooperation and dialogue in the region. Azernews reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared via their official social media account, the two officials began their bilateral talks on key matters of mutual interest. Azerbaijans Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, has met with the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 25 April 2025 15:19 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The European Union considers Azerbaijan a significant partner in the region and has certain expectations regarding the strengthening of bilateral ties, Azernews reports, citing Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, as she said during a joint press conference with Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are progressing as a two-way path. The European Union is Azerbaijans largest trading partner. We highly appreciate the efforts undertaken to eliminate the scars of conflict and to save lives, Kallas stated. She reaffirmed the EUs close support for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the ongoing efforts toward achieving a sustainable peace agreement. The EU welcomes the progress made on the text of the agreement and looks forward to further developments. Kallas emphasized the EUs full support for the efforts of both Azerbaijan and Armenia toward achieving lasting peace. There is now a real opportunity for both sides. I welcome the agreement on the draft peace treaty and look forward to the next steps, she said. The EU also commended Azerbaijans humanitarian support to Ukraine, with Kallas praising Azerbaijans leadership in hosting COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference, later this year. At a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges, Azerbaijan has helped diversify the EU's energy supply and strengthen our energy security. Such multilateral efforts show how countries can jointly impact global processes, she said. Kallas further announced that the EU and Azerbaijan have agreed to resume talks on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. This partnership must be based on mutual respect including respect for EU Member States and on fundamental principles such as the rule of law and human rights, she emphasized. She also highlighted the long-standing nature of the EU-Azerbaijan partnership, describing the EU as Azerbaijans largest trading partner and biggest investor. Additionally, the EU is providing significant support for mine clearance operations in Azerbaijan, aiding the country in addressing the aftermath of conflict and saving lives. 25 April 2025 17:09 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more A one-on-one meeting took place between Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Secretary General of the OSCE, Feridun Sinirlioglu, Azernews reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the talks, the sides exchanged views on AzerbaijanOSCE cooperation, regional security, and the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both officials emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and ensuring long-term stability across the OSCE area. The meeting comes amid broader diplomatic efforts to reinforce peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus and signals continued engagement between Baku and the OSCE on strategic issues. 25 April 2025 23:12 (UTC+04:00) Public hearings on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Lyova Mnatsakanyan and others, who are accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of a war of aggression, acts of genocide, violation of the laws and customs of warfare, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, forcible retention of power and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia's military aggression, continued on April 25. The hearings held at the Baku Military Court were presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). Each of the accused was provided with an interpreter into the language of their choice, as well as defense attorneys. Present at the hearings were the accused and their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors in charge of public prosecution. The trial continued with the testimonies of the victims. After the testimonies, the victims answered the questions of public prosecutors, representatives of the victims, defense attorneys and the accused. Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the panel of judges, interpreters, etc. to those of the victims who were participating in the hearings for the first time, and also explained their rights and obligations stipulated by national legislation. The hearings proceeded to the victims giving their testimonies and answering questions. Victim Aghalar Aliyev stated that he was born in the city of Shusha and went to the same secondary school with Armenians. He said he worked in law enforcement agencies when Armenia was putting forward territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Aghalar Aliyev recalled that the Miatsum movement was openly launched in February 1988. They said that the Armenians want Karabakh to be annexed to Armenia. They began with stone terror. The stone terror consisted of the fact that the Armenian crowd that gathered in Asgaran, at the entrance to Khankendi, and in Khanabad would stone all cars going outside of Shusha, including buses. Some people was injured, other peoples car windows were broken in the process. Then they began to fire on residential areas with heavy weapons. On November 20, 1991, they shot down our helicopter. On the morning of the day the helicopter was shot down, I had my wedding in Shusha. This was the last wedding in Shusha. On that day, it was the first time the Armenians had fired heavy weapons at Shusha. They kept the whole city in trepidation. In response to questions from the Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, the victim noted that, unfortunately, we had nothing to answer them with. In the meantime, they had everything the 366th motorized rifle regiment was based in Khankendi and most of its officers and servicemen were Armenians. While we did not find a single bullet in our service weapons, they had loads of weapons at their disposal. In response to questions from public prosecutor Fuad Musayev, the victim spoke about the movement of helicopters from the once occupied territories of Azerbaijan to Armenia and back. I saw the helicopters myself. People were being transported from Armenia, along with weapons, he said. Aghalar Aliyev said he had participated in negotiations with the Armenian side. He noted that once, immediately after an exchange of prisoners and hostages, the Armenian side opened fire on their bus. As a result, the already wounded Azerbaijani rescued from the captivity was wounded again. He said that he knew Arkady Ghukasyan, one of the accused, as he was the editor of the newspaper Sovetskiy Karabakh. Aghalar Aliyev said that the newspaper was calling for the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from their lands. As an example, he cited the interview given to the newspaper by Seyran Ohanyan, who later became the minister of defense of Armenia. Then representatives of the victims, defense lawyers and the accused asked the victim questions. Responding to the victim's statements, the accused Arkady Ghukasyan claimed that in 1992 the newspaper Sovetskiy Karabakh was no longer published, that he worked as a deputy editor in that publication, and that he did not know the victim. Victim Ordukhan Karimov also said in his testimony that he knew Arkady Ghukasyan, one of the accused. He said that he had been to places where Armenian armed forces committed the incident as part of an investigation group. Ordukhan Karimov emphasized that in the summer of 1991, four Azerbaijanis were burned by Armenian militants in the village of Sirkhavend. He noted, Those who were burned and killed were two fathers and two sons. Seven other people were burned in Garadaghli. We could not reach the Meshali on the day of the massacre and were able to leave only a day later. When we finally got to the village, the smell of human flesh was in the air, as residents had been burned. When answering questions from the head of the Public Prosecution Department of the Prosecutor General's Office, Nasir Bayramov, he also mentioned the regular rocket fire on Shusha. When there was shooting, the population was hiding in the basements of their homes. I had three children, and they were all small. They were in the basement for so long that their bodies were covered with various wounds. Victim Maharram Huseynov said that he had worked at the Shusha Police Department in the 1990s, noting that Shusha Armenians were also involved in the rallies held in Khankendi at that time. When answering questions from representatives of the victims, Maharram Huseynov said that in the early hours of February 11, 1992, the villages of Malibayli and Gushchular were attacked by Armenian armed forces and occupied. They killed dozens of our compatriots. Some people were wounded, many others were taken prisoner. Shortly afterwards, the deranged terrorists committed the Khojaly genocide on the night of February 25-26. The Khojaly genocide was, in the truest sense of the word, an unprecedented act of terror in the history of mankind, he added. Maharram Huseynov answered the question of a representative of the victims about whether there were heavy weapons, including rockets, in Shusha at the time. If we had had heavy equipment, we would have fired at them when the brutal Khojaly genocide was being committed so that they would be afraid and stop. Victim Arif Ibrahimov said that the houses belonging to his relatives in Shusha were destroyed. He noted, Our house was in Shusha. I also traveled to and from Khankendi a lot. There were 32 houses belonging to our relatives in Shusha. After Shusha was liberated, I went there, and none of those houses were there any more. Victim Avaz Mammadov said that he was born in Shusha, lived and worked there as a teacher. He said, Since the day the Armenians held a rally in February 1988, they were planning on occupying Shusha. Avaz Mammadov noted that initially cars leaving Shusha were stoned, people were injured and windows of their vehicles were smashed. In response to questions from public prosecutors Vusal Abdullayev and Tarana Mammadova, the victim said that at the next stage the Armenian army fired on settlements inhabited by Azerbaijanis, including Shusha, attacked villages, killed people, took people prisoner and tortured them. At the next stage, Shusha was fired on with T55 tanks, heavy artillery and rockets. The civilian population, Shusha women spent nights in the basement with their babies, he continued. Victim Niyazi Hasanov said that the villages of Malibayli and Gushchular were under attack starting from late December 1991. According to him, the attacks intensified from February 7. The victim stated that he and his mother were wounded as a result of gunfire from the an infantry fighting vehicle on February 9, adding that he still had shrapnel remains on his body. While answering questions from the Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, Tugay Rahimli, he said that no roads or corridors were provided for the civilians to leave when villages were attacked. He noted, We were forced to go out through the forest and reached the village of Abdal-Gulabli in Aghdam district. From Abdal-Gulabli, they took us to the Aghdam hospital. After the Khojaly genocide, many wounded people were brought to that hospital. Our beds were arranged under plane trees in the hospital yard. Doctors were helping us there so that we would not die. Victim Sadirkhan Ahmadov also spoke about the attack on the villages of Malibayli and Gushchular by the Armenian army, noting that he was wounded during those events, that Azerbaijans lands were occupied and that his relatives were killed. Forensic medical examination reports regarding Niyazi Hasanov and Sadirkhan Ahmadov were also read out in court. The next court hearing is scheduled for April 28. We recall that a total of 15 Armenian nationals are being charged with numerous crimes involving direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, its state bodies, military forces and illegal armed formations, verbal and written instructions, orders and assignments, provision of material and technical support, central governance, as well as the exercise of rigorous control, with the aim of committing military aggression and acts of terror against the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territory of Azerbaijan in violation of domestic and international law, and involving Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Mushegi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan and others, including criminal acts committed during the course of the war of aggression waged by the aforementioned criminal group. The said persons, i.e. Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan, are being charged under Articles 100 (planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression), 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection), 103 (genocide), 105 (extermination of the population), 106 (enslaving), 107 (deportation or forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (enforced disappearance of people), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114 (mercenary service), 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict), 118 (military robbery), 120 (intentional murder), 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing terrorism), 218 (creation of a criminal association (organization)), 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation and possession of weapons, their components, ammunition, explosives and devices), 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security), 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure), 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279 (creation of armed formations and groups not provided for by law) and other articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 25 April 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The governments of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are set to sign a landmark railway agreement aimed at boosting regional connectivity and economic integration, Azernews reports. Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, held a telephone conversation with Uzbekistans Foreign Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, to discuss progress on the proposed Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project. According to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Mr. Dar shared insights from his recent discussions in Kabul regarding the trilateral initiative, emphasizing its potential to transform regional trade and logistics. The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, enhance trade and economic cooperation, and exchanged views on key regional and international developments. The UAP railway project is seen as a strategic game-changer, creating a direct trade corridor between Central and South Asia. Once completed, the railway could significantly reduce transport time and costs, while offering landlocked Central Asian countries more efficient access to seaports via Pakistan. Experts believe this initiative could pave the way for deeper regional integration and greater economic stability in the broader region. 25 April 2025 11:25 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that any military action initiated by India would be met with full force, stating that such a scenario could spiral into a full-scale war between two nuclear-armed neighbors, Azernews reports. Asif urged the international community to pay close attention to the escalating tensions, emphasizing the potential for a "catastrophic" conflict. Any action initiated by India will be responded to with full force. If they attack or take a similar step, it will result in a major retaliation, he said. The minister stressed that the presence of nuclear weapons on both sides of the border raises the stakes significantly: The tension between nuclear-armed countries is always worrying. These are two nuclear statesif the situation gets out of control, the consequences can be catastrophic." The sharp rhetoric comes in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, where gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists, killing at least 17 people. The incident has reignited long-standing hostilities in the region, where cross-border accusations and military alerts have often accompanied periods of violence. Regional observers are watching closely as both nations increase security measures and harden their rhetoric, raising concerns over a possible escalation. 25 April 2025 16:31 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On April 24, US President Donald Trump declined to label the 1915 mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide, instead using the Armenian phrase Meds Yeghern (Great Crime). The decision breaks from the policy of former President Joe Biden, who had officially recognised the events as genocide during his term, Azernews reports. In his official statement, Trump said: "Today, we remember Meds Yeghern and the beautiful souls who suffered in one of the most terrible tragedies of the 20th century. Beginning in 1915, during the final years of the Ottoman Empire, one and a half million Armenians were exiled and marched to their deaths We join once again with the Great Armenian Community in America and around the world in mourning the many who perished." While Trump also avoided the term "genocide" during his first term, his latest remarks have sparked criticism from prominent Armenian-American groups. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) said Trump had "shamefully withdrawn from Americas recognition and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide." The Armenian Assembly of America added that the statement "does not represent a change in US policy" since both Congress and US courts have already recognised the genocide. In a parallel move, the European Union also softened its language. The EU Monitoring Mission on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border initially used the term Armenian genocide in a social media post but quickly replaced it with Armenian victims of 19151923. Other EU institutions likewise avoided the term in official statements. Interestingly, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also did not explicitly condemn the perpetrators of the 1915 events. He instead used the phrase massacres and mass deportations and referred to the tragedy as Meds Yeghern. The softened rhetoric by both Trump and the EU comes amid heightened geopolitical sensitivities in the South Caucasus, including ongoing peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and a reassessment of language that could impact diplomatic relations with Turkiye, a key regional player that strongly opposes the term "genocide." 25 April 2025 17:43 (UTC+04:00) A senior Russian military official has been killed in a car explosion near Moscow, as Vladimir Putin began his high-stakes meeting in the Kremlin with Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Azernews reports citing The Guardian. The Russian authorities named the officer as Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the main operations directorate of the general staff of the Russian armed forces. The blast appeared to be similar in nature to previous attacks on Russians that were later claimed by Ukraine and could cast a shadow over Fridays talks between Moscow and Washington. The Kremlin published a short clip showing Putin and Witkoff shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting down on opposite sides of a white oval table to start their meeting behind closed doors. Putin was flanked in the meeting with Witkoff, who holds no formal diplomatic credentials, by his senior foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Trump has played up Witkoffs visit his fourth to Russia in recent months claiming a peace deal is within reach. The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now, Trump told reporters on Thursday. I think were going to make a deal I think were getting very close. In an interview with Time magazine published on Friday, Trump said that Crimea will stay with Russia, the latest example of the US leader putting pressure on Ukraine to make concessions to end the war while it remains under siege. During the interview, Trump posed beside a portrait of himself reportedly given to him by Putin, a symbolic nod to the warm ties between the two leaders that has unnerved Ukraine and much of Europe. Reuters on Friday published two sets of documents outlining the US and Ukrainian proposals for ending Russias war in Ukraine, revealing significant differences on issues ranging from territorial concessions to sanctions. The latest apparent Ukrainian assassination deep inside Russian territory is unlikely to sit well with the Trump administration which has been desperate to show tangible progress on peace before Trumps 100th day in office next week. Despite Putins refusal to agree to a ceasefire and continued missile strikes on Ukraine, the US president has repeatedly criticised Volodymyr Zelenskyy over stalled peace talks, while adopting a more cautious tone toward the Russian leader. FBI Director Kash Patel has announced that the FBI has arrested a Democrat judge in Wisconsin who helped an illegal alien hide from ICE agents who were in her courtroom to arrest him. After the chief judge allowed ICE to enter her courtroom where the illegal alien had a case pending, presiding Judge Hannah Dugan allowed the illegal alien to hide out in her jury room to evade ICE. She has now been charged by the FBI with the federal felony of obstructing a federal officer or giving false information in an investigation which carries five years in prison. In the end, the illegal alien criminal was chased down on foot and captured, despite Dugan trying to cover for him. This is going a step further to cover for illegal alien criminals than other Democrat judges have gone so far, and it has had a sting in its tail for her, as it should. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/fbi-arrests-wisconsin-judge-accused-helping-illegal-immigrant-hide-ice-patel https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14648203/Wisconsin-judge-arrested-FBI-helping-illegal-migrant-evade-arrest.html The FBI has also just arrested another Democrat judge, this time in New Mexico, for harboring an armed illegal alien who was a member of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang gang at his home. Both Judge Juan Cano and his wife were arrested for harboring an illegal alien. The illegal alien gang member was living in a casita behind the judge's home and had just been arrested for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Cano managed to submit his resignation from his judgeship before the FBI arrived to arrest him and his wife. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/breaking-fbi-arrests-democrat-new-mexico-judge-wife/ US Attorney General Pam Bondi has revealed that Judge Cano broke up the cellphone of one Tren de Aragua gangster and walked the pieces personally to a dumpster to try to protect himself. The FBI was able to lift two photos of decapitated bodies from the cellphone that the gangster was about to send out. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/watch-attorney-general-pam-bondi-drops-extremely-damning/ Energy Security Ed Miliband said the Government is standing firm on net zero (Kin Cheung/PA) The Government is not for bending on net zero, Ed Miliband has said as he urged opponents of the policy to bring on the fight. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has met her US counterpart (Danny Lawson/PA) Rachel Reeves has met her American counterpart as the UK and US seek to hammer out a trade deal. The Chancellor met US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent on Friday afternoon, after having claimed Britains relationship with the EU is arguably even more important than trading links with the US. Man who was face of IRA in US on escaping arrest from RUC, 'traitor' Denis Donaldson and why he had to stand aside Katye-Louise eyes dream career after Translink honour Young Belfast woman Katye-Louise Richardson dreams of painting for a living, and its one step closer after the gifted Ulster University student won her first major art competition. Not only is the 20-year-old a little richer; shes also going to see her work on display at one of Northern Irelands busiest stations. It follows a collaboration between Belfast School of Art and Translink to create a unique piece of student art for permanent exhibition at York Street Station affectionately known as The Students Station with Katye-Louise securing the top prize. Katye-Louise Richardson's painting My vision was an oil painting of numerous people reflected against the glass of a train window, as well as people sitting inside the train, she said. Her winning work comprises reflections in the window of a train. Theres a woman sitting in the train and lots of overlapping figures on the glass, she said. Its a reference to transport and travel being the one area where so many people from different walks of life come together and share the same overlapping experience for a particular moment in time. Katye-Louise, from the New Lodge area, said the aim of the piece was to encourage public transport and promote sustainable travel, while also capturing the sense of connection that public transport creates linking lives, stories, and communities across the country. Katye-Louise Richardson She said being from the local area helped inspire her. The New lodge is just five minutes away from York Street Station, she said. My family and I have used this and previous stations at Yorkgate/York Road often and I remember getting the train a lot in my childhood to go to Portrush or Bangor. Being local, and understanding the history of this area and the other areas surrounding York Street Station, I wanted to create a piece that reflects all communities; something everyone can see themselves in. Katye-Louise, who works part-time at Belfasts Europa Hotel, said local artist Colin Davidson was a key influence in her creative process. Aesthetically, the style is loosely based on Colin Davidsons reflection paintings, she said. I had the opportunity of seeing one of these paintings in person and I was mesmerised by it. She also referred to his powerful Silent Testimony exhibition the stories of 18 people connected by their individual experiences of loss through the Troubles. When you walked into the gallery, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife, she said. Thats what I want to do with art too. When people look at my work, I want them to feel something. I want it to make a difference. Her mum Claire (42), an operations manager, and her recruiter stepdad Nicky (40) are both so proud of her for turning her winning concept into reality. Katye-Louise Richardson's dream job is to be a full-time artist So too is her baby sister Lailah, whos one year old, and the subject of her ongoing art coursework at university. Colin Davidson also praised her winning efforts. As Chancellor of Ulster University, I am immensely proud that Katye-Louises work will grace the walls of Belfasts impressive York Street Station, he said. The former Belfast Royal Academy pupil said her painting also aims to show that public transport is a great leveller. A bus or train can be the only way some peoples lives overlap, she said. Even though everyone is always on their own life journey, there are some points in time where people might be going the same way. Katye-Louise said she often takes the train to Lurgan to visit her 20-year-old boyfriend, Kacper Szymczak, whos originally from Poland. She said he has been a source of great encouragement when it comes to her art, so its perhaps fitting that shell pass her painting every time shes on her way to see him. Katye-Louise Richardson Itll be crazy to walk past my piece when Im going through the station, she said. When they announced that I was the winner I couldnt breathe or walk or move. It all felt so surreal. Winning the competition came with a professional fee and materials support, reflecting real-world practice. Translink and Ulster University jointly contributed 1,500 to fund the commission. 800 of it has already been spent on materials for her creation. Katye-Louise said shell put the rest into a savings account, while she deliberates over whether to buy new products or go on a well-earned holiday. I like the idea of travelling to France and Italy to visit some of the galleries and get more inspiration, she said. Then again, I might just buy some more art supplies. Unsurprisingly, her dream job is to be a full-time artist. Although she was advised to consider doing a business degree, Katye-Louise opted for art instead and shes never looked back. You have to do what you love in life, she said. Youre only here once. Alleged rape victim left in limbo after suspect goes on the run for two years Co Down man claims he is a freeman of the land and does not recognise the courts Freeman of the land, Paul Conrad Wilson at Newry police station Allison Morris Sat 26 Apr 2025 at 07:59 A Co Down man charged with raping and falsely imprisoning a woman has been on the run for almost two years after refusing to attend his trial, claiming to be a freeman of the land. Irish League LIVE | All the action from Windsor Park as Linfield and Dungannon Swifts lock horns in Charity Shield A fundraiser has been set up to support the family of a popular Belfast barber who remains in intensive care following a seizure. Jay Millar, known as Jay the Barber, runs a business in north Belfast and went viral on TikTok after giving haircuts to the homeless in 2023. He previously shared his experience of growing up in the care system. On Sunday 20 April Jay took unwell, suffering from a seizure which resulted in a fall, hitting his head and being admitted to an Intensive Care Unit where he was put into a medically induced coma. Those behind the fundraiser said Jay is a man who has never stopped giving nor asked for anything in return, but people are now being asked to help out his family in their hour of need. Jay (left) and his team at Jay's Barber Club. Since Jay took unwell on Sunday and was admitted to ICU, where he currently remains, many people have been asking about the possibility of a fundraiser to help support the family. So with some thought, we have decided to create a Go Fund Me page, the page states. Jay is well known to the community in Belfast and beyond for all of the work he has done with the homeless, in hospitals, with those in care, children's homes and hospices. He is a man who has never stopped giving and has never asked for anything in return. Now we ask for the community to give back, to help out his family in their hour of need. With two businesses and a family to support, Jay will have a severely reduced income whilst he is in hospital and in recovery, meanwhile his family will still have personal and business bills to cover. We hope that whatever is raised can go some way to relieving a bit of that worry from his family. After being live for just a few hours the page had already raised 2,000, with hundreds of people rallying to help the man. Barber Jason (Jay) Millar of Jay's Barber Club (Photo by Kevin Scott) News Catch Up - Friday 25 April On Tuesday, the Jays Barber Club Facebook page announced news of his ill health. We are devastated to confirm that Jay was involved in an incident on Sunday morning. Jay had a seizure which resulted in a fall and head injury, it stated. He was rushed to intensive care where he has remained in a medically-induced coma and is currently stable at these early stages. We thank you for your outpouring of messages It is still very early days and this is all of the information we can give right now. Many people responded by wishing Jay a speedy recovery, among them DUP leader Gavin Robinson. Mr Robinson said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with Jay and hope that he makes a speedy recovery. Jay has never shied away from the difficulties that he has encountered as a young lad. With a pair of clippers and a heart of gold, he has restored dignity and hope to people who felt forgotten. Now we hold on to hope for Jay and pray that he has comfortable days ahead. Jay Millar It comes as it was announced the mans business has been nominated for barber shop of the year and training provider of the year for the third year running at the NI Beauty Excellence Awards. In a post on Facebook, Jays Barber Club wrote: Once he wakes up we know he'll be as proud as ever. Thank you all for all of your kind messages, comments, shares, media articles and more over the past couple of days. It has been such a comfort to the family and Jay will absolutely love reading them all. If you would like to donate, you can do so via Go Fund Me. Stormonts top press officer has been removed from his role by the head of the NI Civil Service. It is understood neither the First nor deputy First Minister were consulted before the decision by Jayne Brady to move Chris McNabb to another Stormont role, following what has been described as a personality clash. First reported by the News Letter, it is believed that Michelle ONeill and Emma Little-Pengelly wanted Mr McNabb to be reinstated, but he decided to accept an offer for a new position. Mr McNabb has headed the Executive Information Service (EIS) for more than a decade and is popular with journalists and politicians. It is understood the relationship between Mr McNabb and Ms Brady had deteriorated over issues he felt brought into question the impartiality of the NICS. Chris McNabb (left) with Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Stormont sources told the Belfast Telegraph that the decision by Ms Brady was short-sighted as there is no plan B in terms of someone being lined up to take over the running of the Executive Information Service. Jayne Brady, for whatever reason, took this decision, but it seems she hasnt thought it through, one source said. I would describe it as a reasonably clumsy decision. No one is indispensable in a job, but it was fair that the First and deputy First Ministers questioned why Chris is being moved, as he hadnt done anything wrong. "Jayne Brady just seems not to have valued the advice being given by Chris. It appears there has been no forward thinking as to how the EIS will be able to deliver the same level of service without someone else, with adequate experience, lined up to fill the role. It is understood Mr McNabb is still in post on paper, but will soon be formally moved to another internal position at Stormont. The Executive Office has been contacted for comment. Civil Service head Jayne Brady News Catch Up - Friday 25 April Jayne Brady was brought in to head up the NICS in 2021 in what was the first external appointment in the organisations history. She had previously been a senior official at Belfast City Council. Speaking at the time of her appointment, Ms Brady said she was honoured to take up the role, which came at a time when the NICS was still reeling from the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. The NICS has a dedicated and skilled workforce who have done an outstanding job in the most challenging of circumstances, she said. I will work with colleagues across the service to further develop the NICS as a high-performing organisation that effectively supports the institutions of government. I am under no illusions about the scale of the challenges ahead, but I am looking forward to supporting the Executive in delivering their commitments and priorities during my tenure. Concerns have previously been raised about Ms Brady acting outside her remit, such as when she wrote directly to then Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris in January 2024 asking him to release funds to make public sector pay awards. In her letter to Mr Heaton-Harris, Ms Brady said the correspondence was being sent without prejudice to any decisions that an incoming executive might take, but that she was concerned about the public services, citizen safety and wellbeing, and the stability of public finances posed by underfunding. You have publicly stated that the UK government cannot, and will not, stand by and allow public services and finances to decline further, she said. This Thursday will represent the single biggest day of industrial action in a generation, reflecting the strength of feeling and deteriorating, and frankly untenable, position we are now in. A spokesperson for NICS said: We do not comment on internal staffing matters. Criticism as deputy First Minister and husband take in the tennis alongside stars at Wimbledon Irelands president and premier will be among attendees for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. President Michael D Higgins is attending the ceremony for the late pontiff with his wife Sabina Higgins, having also viewed Franciss remains during his lying in state on Friday. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and deputy premier Simon Harris will also be in attendance alongside ambassador to the Vatican Frances Collins. Speaking ahead of the funeral, Mr Martin said: It is an honour to represent the Government and people of Ireland at the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, and to reflect on and appreciate the remarkable achievements of his life. Taoiseach Micheal Martin (Brian Lawless/PA) He had a deep commitment to service. He was a man of great humility who lived his life with an unwavering commitment to the principles of compassion, peace, and human dignity, providing an example to all. He was a voice for the marginalised, the poor, and the migrants. He truly lived the Gospel in his actions and in the example he set. Pope Francis showed leadership in the church. He pursued his vision of a Catholic Church that is open, compassionate, and does not shy away from the challenges the world faces. First and foremost, my attendance at Pope Franciss funeral is an appreciation of his lifes work and an opportunity to offer, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, my deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to his family and friends, to the College of Cardinals and to all those who mourn him, a much loved person and respected leader. Tanaiste Simon Harris (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Harris added: Since we learned of Pope Francis passing on Easter Monday, we have seen widespread appreciation and respect from all corners for his work and his legacy. In an uncertain world, the respect, kindness, and care he showed for the most vulnerable is a lesson in compassion that all of us can learn from and bring with us. I am humbled to have the opportunity, on behalf of the people of Ireland, to pay my respects in person to Pope Francis, who was so beloved by many on this island and indeed across the world. In an earlier statement, Mr Higgins said: The world was struck by the generosity given by Pope Francis, right until the very last moments of his life, in terms of seeking to embrace, as he put it, all of humanity. Through his life and his work, Pope Francis led by example in embracing so many of the most important issues facing humanity. First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill (Liam McBurney/PA) Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill has also said she will attend the funeral of Pope Francis. She said: Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader of deep humility, compassion and courage, with an unwavering commitment to justice and peace. His passing is deeply felt in Ireland and across the world, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire millions. First Minister Michelle ONeill has confirmed she will attend Pope Franciss funeral on Saturday (Liam McBurney/PA) Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill has praised Pope Franciss unwavering commitment to justice and peace. Ms ONeill has confirmed she will travel to Rome to join leaders from across the world for the pontiffs funeral on Saturday. The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will not be in attendance. Michelle ONeill has confirmed she will attend the funeral of Pope Francis (James Manning/PA) Ms ONeill said: I am proud to be attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, paying my respects on behalf of everyone at home who cherished his leadership and looked to him as a spiritual and moral guide. Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader of deep humility, compassion and courage, with an unwavering commitment to justice and peace. His passing is deeply felt in Ireland and across the world, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire millions. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Ms Little-Pengelly said she was not attending because she did not receive any invitation. In a post on X, she said: We didnt receive any invitation. That is why Im not attending. The (First Minister) subsequently sought one and was able to obtain one just today. Responding to criticism of her lack of attendance, she said she had expressed genuine condolences on the death of Francis. Ms Little-Pengelly said it was not right or fair to play politics with such a sombre issue of gravity and reflection. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Speaking to the BBC, Ms ONeill said Francis had been a progressive voice within the Catholic church. She said: I said I would be a First Minister for all and it is important that I continue to demonstrate that. Much like Pope Francis himself, I think that you have to lead by your actions. The First Minister added: I think in any walk of life an inclusive voice, a progressive voice is always going to be something that anybody will have common ground with. I am somebody of faith, I am somebody that will very much look with interest as to who will be the next pope. I do hope that how the new pope will conduct business will be very much in the spirit of Pope Francis. Ms ONeill referred to Franciss visit to Ireland in 2018. At that time Pope Francis marked our own peace process, our own anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. But he also did something that was important, particularly for those victims of clerical abuse, of mother and baby homes and Magdelene laundries, he did absolutely acknowledge wrongdoing in the past. For me that was a huge moment in time in which to try to create healing, look towards the future and acknowledge the wrongdoing. I think that is one of his legacies that will be very much felt by many. Ms ONeill will join political leaders including US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Irelands premier Micheal Martin at the ceremony. Irelands president Michael D Higgins, Irish deputy premier Simon Harris, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell will also attend. The Popes funeral is expected to begin at 9am UK time on Saturday. Ms ONeill will travel to Rome later on Friday. The Northern Ireland Assembly, which is currently on Easter break, will hear tributes to Francis when it returns on Monday. Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after battling illnesses including pneumonia in recent months. On Easter Sunday, he had blessed thousands of people in St Peters Square in Vatican City. Tributes were paid from across Northern Ireland, including by Ms ONeill, Ms Little-Pengelly and Stormont speaker Edwin Poots. The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin will attend the Popes funeral on Saturday (Liam McBurney/PA) Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin paid tribute during a mass at St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh on Thursday night. The Archbishop compared the late Pope to his namesake, St Francis of Assisi, by saying he immediately began to prioritise the poor and the marginalised. Not just those who are financially poor, but everyone who is exploited, excluded, forgotten, or abused, he said. Pope Francis especially wanted to reach the hearts of those who are spiritually poor, those who feel empty inside. To them he offered the joy of the Gospel, a reason for living, a reason for hoping and an invitation to a personal encounter and friendship with Christ. The Popes funeral will be attended by world leaders and dignitaries (PA) Some 250,000 mourners paid their respects to Pope Francis over a three-day lying-in-state, the Vatican said on the eve of his funeral. World leaders and dignitaries were arriving in Rome on Friday, to attend what will be a huge gathering in St Peters Square for his requiem mass. The final mourners had a chance to see the Pope close up in the grand surrounds of St Peters Basilica, before his coffin was closed in private. US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were among those due to arrive into Rome on Friday, and the Prince of Wales is also set to attend the mass on behalf of his father the King. Irish President Michael D Higgins was among those to pay his respects in the basilica, having arrived earlier in the day. The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has predicted the funeral will be a masterpiece in stage-managing big egos. A Vatican spokesperson has confirmed Franciss birth country of Argentina, then Italy, will take precedence. Thereafter, reigning sovereigns will be seated in alphabetical order, but in French language, followed by heads of state. Irelands delegation comes ahead of both Prince William and the British Government delegation in the official order of precedence, because it is led by head of state Mr Higgins. It falls between groups from Indonesia and Iceland, also led by those countries heads of state. Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway, and William follow soon after in a category set aside for crown princes. The British Government delegation includes Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy. US President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania are seated ahead of both the Irish and British delegations, in between Estonia and Finland. Cardinal Nichols, who will take part in his first conclave to elect a new pope in the coming weeks, said the funeral organisers are well used to dealing with the sensitivities of such big events. In an interview with the PA news agency in Rome, he said the funeral will be without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance. Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at Pope Franciss lying-in-state (President of Irelands office/PA) He added: In the past, Ive seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events. I think theyve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome that they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content. Scaffolding has been erected to provide international media with the best vantage points overlooking St Peters Square while there is a strong Italian police presence managing numbers and security. US President Donald Trump is among world leaders expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis (Niall Carson/PA) Following Saturdays open-air funeral in the square, Franciss remains will be taken through the streets of Rome in another break with tradition, as his body is brought to a simple underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions. The Vatican said a group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading to the basilica to pay their last respects before the interment of the coffin, in a nod to Franciss particular care for the downtrodden. Paul Butler was jailed for life for murdering his ex-partner Claire Chick (Elizabeth Cook/PA) A former doorman who murdered his estranged wife after a six-month campaign of stalking and harassment when he refused to accept their relationship was over has been jailed for life. Paul Antony Butler, 53, stabbed university lecturer Claire Chick, 48, in a frenzied attack outside her home in Plymouth in January this year. Plymouth Crown Court heard the mother-of-twos murder was the culmination of a months of harassment, stalking and violence at the hands of Butler. Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, said Ms Chick had made six statements to the police about the defendants conduct and he had been arrested three times for assault, harassment and stalking. Paul Butler has been jailed for life for murdering Claire Chick (Devon and Cornwall Police/PA) Despite being on bail and banned from going near her, 6ft 5in Butler continued to stalk his 5ft 2in wife and even put a tracking device on her car, Ms Martin said. When he learned she had formed a new relationship he went to her flat wearing a camouflaged hooded top and waited for her to come out of the building. He then attacked her in the street stabbing her more than 20 times with a large kitchen knife he had bought hours earlier from a supermarket. A passing motorist described Butler as really going for it, Ms Martin said. Butler then fled the scene but not before chasing Ms Chicks new partner, Paul Maxwell, who had returned from a regularly evening run and witnessed the murderous assault, shouting at him: Ill f****** do you too. Ms Chick was taken to Derriford Hospital but declared dead an hour after the attack. After fleeing the scene, Butler went to McDonalds for food and told a friend: I am pretty certain I have ended her. I loved her so much. I meant to get him, but f*** him. I killed her. I tried to get him, but he ran. Butler was arrested the following day at a hotel in Liskeard and told police: She trusted me and she loved me and I cant believe I have done this. She has children and grandchildren I have destroyed so many lives. I dont care about me. He added: I am a monster. I have just seen hell, I am going to hell. This is what I am going to look forward to. The court heard they became neighbours in 2021 after Ms Chick, a lecturer in nursing at the University of Plymouth, moved into the street following the end of her first marriage. By the following summer they were a couple, and they married in June 2024. Prior to the wedding she expressed some doubts, and the honeymoon was the end of the relationship, Ms Martin said. Claire Chick worked as a lecturer in nursing at the University of Plymouth (Devon and Cornwall Police/PA) They had a huge argument. She told friends she regretted getting married and everything was about him. On August 23 she told him she wanted to live alone. He made it clear he would make her change her mind. He would tell her he loved her, make threats of violence and threaten suicide. He also expressed feelings of jealously and thought she was seeing someone. He told her he was seeing over people in order to provoke jealously. With his escalating behaviour, Ms Chick contacted the police telling officers in her final statement the day before she was killed: I only feel that Butler will kill me if further action is not taken. I am in fear of leaving my house. Ms Martin said: After the relationship was over there was constant texting, the tracking of her car, placing the restriction on the sale of her house, threatening suicide. She felt that he had made her life hell. She did repeatedly tell him to leave her alone and she felt violated by him Then on the day of her murder going to her workplace to watch her. She believed he would murder her. The day before the attack, Butler changed his Facebook profile to the Stangray Strangler and when a friend of Ms Chick told her, she replied: I just wish he would get on with it and put me out of my misery. That day Ms Chick contacted her solicitor about Butler breaching his bail conditions and expressing concern this had not been acted on by the police. Ms Martin added: She describes her life as a living hell. At a previous hearing Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth pleaded guilty to murder and possession of a bladed article. Adam Vaitilingam KC, defending, said: He knows a life sentence is inevitable for the crime he has committed. He knows he will be an old man before he can be considered for release on licence. Mr Butler does not accept every fact that is made against him during the period of months after Claire Chick left him. There were a number of times in the middle of December they did meet up and spent time together. However misguided his belief seems, he did believe they would get back together. He does not accept on any occasion before that night that he was violent towards her. He is adamant that he didnt go to the address that night to attack Claire Chick. He says someone else was the target of the attack. Passing sentence, Judge Robert Linford said Butler had carried out a frenzied, brutal, murderous attack amidst a relationship of obsession and control. The victim personal statements read to the court set out in graphic detail the effects of your savagery, he said. You did not just hurt and kill Claire you have caused untold harm and misery to her family and friends. The loss of Claire has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of so many people. You are responsible for all this suffering by so many and you alone. It was on any view a frenzied and deliberately murderous attack. This was a frenzied attack, I repeat, involving the infliction of a minimum of 23 stab wounds. It was nothing less than sheer murderous brutality. The judge also imposed a concurrent 18-month prison term for possession of a bladed article. An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation is currently examining Ms Chicks previous contact with the Devon and Cornwall force. Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew added: We are committed to fully co-operating with an ongoing independent investigation by the IOPC. Having met some of Claires family following her tragic death, the force has conducted an urgent review of all our active stalking investigations. This has resulted in immediate changes to our stalking and harassment procedures. New policies have been implemented to ensure we provide greater focus on safeguarding victims, targeting perpetrators at the earliest opportunity and encouraging reporting. Devon and Cornwalls Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: The statistics on violence against women and girls are truly shocking on average, one woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex every five days in England and Wales. One in five women will be stalked in her lifetime, and one in four will experience domestic abuse. These are our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. Many women feel unable to report to police for fear of not being believed, being trivialised, or coming to serious harm, or worse, as a result of coming forward. Thats why we need new, robust, radical strategies to give women and girls the confidence that we can, and will, prevent violence and abuse from happening, intervene before offences escalate to a dangerous level, and catch perpetrators and bring them to justice. The Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph (PA) The sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand forces will be remembered at a dawn service marking Anzac Day. A congregation will gather in central London for the annual event commemorating the national day of remembrance for fallen Antipodean servicemen, old soldiers and those still serving. Stephen Smith, Australias High Commissioner, and Chris Seed, acting High Commissioner for New Zealand, will attend the service at the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner along with fellow countrymen and women, with the Duchess of Edinburgh also due to pay her respects. Wreaths will be laid at Antipodean memorials and prayers said during the service. The Princess Royal is in Turkey to mark the anniversary of the landings on the beaches of Gallipoli (Yui Mok/PA) Anzac Day has been commemorated in the capital since the first anniversary of the First World War Anzac Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landings at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1916, when King George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey. Since then, the services have become an important moment for thousands of New Zealanders and Australians, who honour the sacrifices of their countrymen and women in all wars. Anzac Day will also be marked by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph due to be attended by the Duchess of Edinburgh, who will later join the congregation at Westminster Abbey for a service of commemoration and thanksgiving. The Princess Royal is in Turkey to mark, on behalf of the King, the 110th anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on the beaches of Gallipoli. On Thursday Anne delivered a message from Charles during a service at Turkeys Canakkale Martyrs Memorial, with the King extending his special thoughts and prayers, and describing how we may take some solace in the warm friendships and deep alliances that have emerged from the desperation of Gallipoli. Flowers are placed in front of a picture of Pope Francis at Westminster Cathedral in central London (James Manning/PA) Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, will be laid to rest on Saturday morning in Rome. His funeral will be attended by more than 150 delegations, including 54 heads of state and 12 reigning sovereigns, the Vatican confirmed, as well as thousands of faithful. Here is what exactly happens leading up to and during the funeral: Friday April 25 7pm People wait in a line to pay their respects inside St Peters Basilica at the Vatican (Domenico Stinellis/AP) At 7pm local time (6pm BST) public access to the queue to visit Franciss coffin officially closed after it was visited by 250,000 people. The coffin, originally in Franciss residence in the chapel of the Santa Marta, had been moved to St Peters Basilica on Wednesday morning for three days in public view. The coffin did not pass through the Apostolic Palace for another exposition, as was done previously for John Paul II, and was not displayed on an elevated bier the so-called Canaletto or death bed as happened with both John Paul II and Benedict XVI. 8pm At 8pm local time, Pope Franciss coffin will be closed in the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin at St Peters Basilica. The liturgical rite, presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will mark the end of public viewing of the coffin. The cardinals present at the sealing of the coffin will be Giovanni Battista Re, Pietro Parolin, Roger Mahony, Dominique Mamberti, Mauro Gambetti, Baldassare Reina and Konrad Krajewski. The sealed coffin will then remain in St Peters Basilica until Saturday morning. Saturday April 26 8.30am Archbishops and bishops will begin to assemble in the Constantine Wing, a corridor adjacent to St Peters Basilica. They will wear chasuble (the outer garment worn by clergy during services), alb, belts and a simple white mitre. Cardinals inside St Peters Basilica at the Vatican (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Priests and deacons will also assemble at 8.30am in the area set aside for them in St Peters Square. They will wear a chasuble, alb, belt and a red stole. 9am At 9am, the patriarchs and cardinals will meet in Saint Sebastians Chapel in the Basilica. They will wear the white Damascene mitre. They will all then walk in the funeral procession alongside Franciss coffin, where the late Pope will be dressed in a red chasuble, damask and golden papal mitre. 10am At 10am local time (9am BST) the funeral will begin and the coffin will be laid in the square in front of St Peters Basilica. The service will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Deacon of the College of Cardinals. The Prince of Wales, who is attending the service on behalf of the King, is listed beside the Prince of Norway in the order of precedence for international attendees. William and Haakon are listed in their own category as crown princes, and are followed in the order of precedence by representatives from the Andorran government. The British Government delegation includes Sir Keir Starmer, who will be accompanied by his wife Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy, UK ambassador to the Vatican Chris Trott, and Ailsa Terry, the Prime Ministers private secretary for foreign affairs. The UK Government delegation is listed between groups from Qatar and Serbia led by those countries heads of government. Irelands delegation comes ahead of both William and the British Government delegation as it is led by head of state President Michael D Higgins. It falls between groups from Indonesia and Iceland, also led by those countries heads of state. Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina paying their respects (President of Irelands office/PA) Franciss birth country Argentina will take precedence in the seating, followed by Italy. The reigning sovereigns will then be seated in alphabetical order in the French language, followed by heads of state. The French language is used as traditionally French was considered the language of diplomacy. Other figures expected to be in attendance include US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as former US president Joe Biden. The funeral will follow the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff and the guidelines set out in Universi Dominici Gregis, a document issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996. The ceremony will begin with the entrance antiphon, a selection of psalm verses or scripture passages that are traditionally sung or recited. This will be followed by the Penitential Act which allows the faithful to confess their sins to God. The opening prayer comes after the Penitential Act. People wait in line to pay their respects to Pope Francis (Andreea Alexandru/AP) The first reading will be given in English by Kielce Gussie, a journalist from Vatican News. The second reading will be delivered in Spanish by Edgar Pineda. This will be followed by the Universal prayers. Before the end of the mass, Cardinal Re will sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense. At the end of the service, valedictory rite and final commendation, where the Pope is formally entrusted to God, will take place. Franciss coffin will then be carried to the left of the altar at St Peters. 11.45am At the end of the funeral approximately 11.45am local time the procession will begin. Franciss coffin will be taken from St Peters Square to Santa Maria Maggiore where he will be buried. This is expected to take around 30 minutes, depending on crowds. The route crosses the river Tiber and passes Piazza Venezia followed by the Colosseum. Francis left instructions asking to be buried in a simple underground tomb in Romes papal basilica of Saint Mary Major. The burial will be held in private. A view of the St Mary Major Basilica, where Pope Francis will be buried, in Rome (Bernat Armangue/AP) This makes Francis the first pontiff in more than a century not to be buried at St Peters Basilica. The last pope who asked to be buried outside of the Vatican was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903. A group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading to Saint Mary Major to pay their last respects to Francis before he is entombed, the Holy See said on Thursday. The Vatican announced that people will be able to visit Franciss tomb from Sunday morning. The funeral marks the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and masses for the repose of the late Popes soul. The Novemdiales masses will be held each day at 5pm local time in St Peters Basilica, apart from the mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday April 27, which will take place at 10.30am in St Peters Square. The secret meeting of cardinals, known as the conclave, to pick Franciss successor is expected to begin between 15 and 20 days after the Popes death. Two men have been jailed after attempting to smuggle of cannabis into the UK hidden inside boxes of watermelons (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service/PA) Two men have been jailed after attempting to smuggle up to 1.5 million of cannabis into the UK inside crates of watermelons in a lorry. Prosecutors said Scott McSeveney, 37, masterminded the plan to smuggle the class B drugs from Spain to Scotland, and enlisted HGV company owner Steven Lawson, 48, to transport them. Lawson left the UK in July 2020 and travelled to the Spanish town of Benicassim to collect the drugs, which were hidden inside 30 pallets of watermelons. However the plan unravelled when Lawson was stopped by Border Force officers at the Eurotunnel port in France, after they found an anomaly in his load. The officers were working on behalf of the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Police Scotland officers in the Organised Crime Partnership Scotland. They searched the cargo and discovered 159 packages of cannabis with a combined weight of 155kg in boxes labelled as watermelons. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The drugs were valued at about 604,200, but if sold in smaller quantities had an estimated street value of 1,590,000. Lawson was arrested, and police later also detained McSeveney. McSeveney, from Shotts, North Lanarkshire, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on March 20 to involvement in the supply and sale of controlled drugs. On Friday at the same court, he was sentenced to eight years and two months in jail, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said. Lawson, also from Shotts, was found guilty on April 4 following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow of involvement in serious organised crime. He was sentenced on Friday at the same court to five years behind bars. Sineidin Corrins, depute procurator fiscal for serious casework at COPFS, said: These two men were integral to an attempt to import large quantities of class B drugs into Scotland. But they failed thanks to partnership working between COPFS and the National Crime Agency, Border Force and Police Scotland to disrupt a network of drugs supply. These drugs would have caused immense harm. But with these convictions, we have removed them from the streets and made communities safer. We will continue to collaborate with our partners as a member of Scotlands Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to tackle serious organised crime, and this kind of case highlights the extensive work that has been ongoing against these groups. The 159 packages of cannabis were hidden inside 30 crates of watermelons (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service/PA) Prior to the smuggling bid, McSeveney had been seen at the offices of the Lawson-owned MCL Transport in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. At around the same time he was also identified using the encrypted Encrochat messaging platform discussing ways to traffic cannabis from Europe inside an HGV including by modifying the vehicle to allow drugs to be imported undetected. Donald Lawrie, NCA operations manager, said: McSeveney and Lawson were working in partnership for an organised crime group determined to smuggle a large quantity of illicit drugs into Scotland, where they were destined for our streets. McSeveney sent thousands of messages in an attempt to get his criminal venture off the ground, and he was well versed in what he thought were the best ways to evade law enforcement. The NCAs work in the Organised Crime Partnership, and with our partners in Border Force, has seen two criminals brought to justice. As well as being jailed, both men were also made subject of Serious Crime Prevention Orders, which will last for three years following their release. They will also now be subject to confiscation action under Proceeds of Crime laws to recover monies illegally made. Police Scotland Detective Superintendent Steven Elliot said: Drugs cause misery in our communities and we will use all resources at our disposal to disrupt this illegal trade coming into Scotland. This significant recovery underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the countrys Serious and Organised Crime Strategy as well as working with our partners. The public continues to play a vital role in assisting our investigations and helping us continue to bring those responsible for this type of crime to justice. We urge anyone with information or concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Anthony Albanese said the protests were a disgrace (Lukas Coch/AAP Image via AP) The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law, Mr Albanese told reporters. This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice, he added. The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere before general elections on May 3 in which indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in north-west Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers first combat of the First World War. It is considered Australias most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. An honour guard officer salutes a memorial to the dead during Anzac Day commemorations in Nelson Bay, Australia (AP Photo/Mark Baker) A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. The Melbourne-based First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, an indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country in Melbourne. Mr Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a disgrace. There is no place in Australia for what occurred, Mr Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. Hecklers yelled this is our country and we dont have to be welcomed, echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The partys extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by US President Donald Trumps policies. The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. MPs in the opposition Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the Labour Party government 452,953 Australian dollars (217,708) over two years. But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I dont agree with the booing and I dont agree, in our democracy, that people cant accept the views of others, Mr Dutton told reporters. We have a proud indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today. Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, FILE) He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. They want to humiliate us over and over again, Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to indigenous leaders. Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspects identity in accordance with its usual policy. The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behaviour and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police, a police statement said. Syrias new flag is raised during a ceremony where it was added to the 100 flags flying in line at United Nations headquarters (AP Photo/Kena Betancur) Syrias foreign minister has attended a UN Security Council briefing after raising his countrys new flag at the international bodys headquarters. It was the first public appearance by a high-ranking Syrian government official in the United States since the fall of president Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December. Asaad al-Shibani is in a delegation from Damascus new government who have travelled to the US this week in hope of receiving relief from harsh sanctions that were imposed by America and its allies after Mr Assads brutal crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011 that spiralled into a civil war. We are open to the international community and look forward to being treated the same way, Mr al-Shibani said, as reported by state-run news agency Sana. With the removal of the reason for the sanctions, they must be lifted. Asaad Al-Shibani unfolding the Syrian flag during the ceremony at the UN (Kena Betancur/AP) The presence of a new Syria was in evidence outside the UN headquarters as Mr al-Shibani watched the three-starred flag previously used by opposition groups replace the two-starred flag of the Assad era as the countrys official emblem. Members of the Security Council, the UNs most powerful body, welcomed the new interim minister shortly after, saying his attendance is a positive step towards a more prosperous Syria. But many countries and UN officials warned there is still much more work to be done. Syria has moved beyond a caretaker government to a new, expanded and more diverse cabinet, Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, told the council. This is an improvement from what went before. Yet it is still not a fully inclusive framework for political transition. And this leaves many Syrians unsure of their place in the emerging new Syria. Other Syrian officials attended meetings at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund this week in Washington, but it was unclear if Trump administration officials would meet Mr al-Shibani during the visit. The United States continues to closely monitor the actions of the Syrian interim authorities, Dorothy Shea, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, said in her remarks. We remain hopeful that the interim cabinet announced by the interim authorities at the end of March represents a positive step. People gathered for the ceremony after a delegation of Syrian officials travelled to the United States this week (Kena Betancur/AP) But, she added, the US expects to see additional action and the appointment of more qualified and representative individuals to serve in critical positions. President Donald Trumps administration has yet to officially recognise the current Syrian government of Ahmad al-Sharaa, an Islamist former insurgent who led the offensive that toppled Mr Assad. The Republican administration has also left the Assad-era sanctions in place, although it has provided temporary relief to some restrictions. The militant group that Mr al-Sharaa led, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, remains a US-designated terrorist organisation. Two Republican members of the US Congress, representatives Marlin Stutzman of Indiana and Cory Mills of Florida, arrived in Damascus last week on an unofficial visit organised by a Syrian-American non-profit group and met Mr al-Sharaa and other government officials. Mr Mills told the Associated Press before meeting Mr al-Sharaa that ultimately, its going to be the presidents decision to lift sanctions or not, although he said that Congress can advise. Mr Mills later told Bloomberg News that he had discussed the US conditions for sanctions relief with Mr al-Sharaa, including ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons left over from the Assad era, co-ordinating on counter-terrorism, making a plan to deal with foreign militants who fought alongside the armed opposition to Mr Assad, and providing assurances to Israel that Syria would not pose a threat. He also said that Mr al-Sharaa had said that Syria could normalise relations with Israel under the right conditions, without specifying what those conditions are. Other western countries have warmed up to the new Syrian authorities more quickly. The UK government on Thursday lifted sanctions against a dozen Syrian entities, including government departments and media outlets, and the European Union has begun to roll back its sanctions. Donald Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of prolonging the war in Ukraine (Alex Brandon/AP) US President Donald Trump has said in an interview that Crimea will stay with Russia as Ukraine comes under mounting pressure to make concessions to end the war between the two countries. Zelensky understands that, Mr Trump said, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding: Everybody understands that its been with them for a long time. The US president made the comments in a Time magazine interview conducted on Tuesday. Mr Trump has been accusing Mr Zelensky of prolonging the war by resisting negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Western European leaders, however, have accused Mr Putin of dragging his feet in the negotiations and seeking to grab more Ukrainian land while his army has battlefield momentum. The war could be approaching a pivotal moment as the Trump administration weighs its options. Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Friday before leaving for the Popes funeral on Saturday Alex Brandon/AP) Senior US officials have warned that the administration could soon give up attempts to stop the war if the two sides do not come to a settlement. That could potentially mean a halt of crucial US military aid for Ukraine. Crimea is a strategic peninsula along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. It was seized by Russia in 2014, while former US president Barack Obama was in office, and years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022. Theyve had their submarines there for long before any period that were talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea, Mr Trump said. But this was given by Obama. This wasnt given by Trump. Mr Zelensky has repeated many times during the war that recognising occupied territory as Russian is a red line for his country. Vladimir Putin greets Steve Witkoff prior to their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Speaking to reporters on Friday as he left the White House to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, Mr Trump said there is no deadline for the conclusion of peace talks. I just want to do it as fast as possible, Mr Trump said. Negotiators are pretty close to a deal, he added. He promised to meet with foreign leaders while in Rome, and said it was possible he could meet Mr Zelensky. He also demanded on social media that Mr Zelensky immediately sign a long-delayed agreement giving the US access to his nations mineral resources. Meanwhile, Russia has continued its bombardment. A drone struck an apartment building in a south-eastern Ukraine city, killing three people and injuring 10 others, officials said on Friday, a day after Mr Trump rebuked Russias leader for a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv. A child and a 76-year-old woman were among the civilians killed in the night-time drone strike in Pavlohrad, in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, the head of the regional administration, Serhii Lysak, wrote on Telegram. At least 12 people were killed in Thursdays attack in Kyiv (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Russian forces fired 103 Shahed and decoy drones at five Ukrainian regions overnight, Ukraines air force reported. Authorities in the north-eastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions reported damage to civilian infrastructure but no casualties. Amid the peace efforts, Russia pounded Kyiv in an hours-long barrage on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 87 in its deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since July. The attack drew a rare rebuke of Mr Putin from Mr Trump, who has said that a push to end the war is coming to a head. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Mr Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Mr Trumps frustration is growing as his effort to forge a deal between Ukraine and Russia has failed to achieve a breakthrough. Donald Trump lashed out at Vladimir Putin via social media on Thursday (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) US envoy Steve Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow on Friday, their second meeting this month and the fourth since February. The Kremlin released a short video of Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff greeting each other. How are you, Mr president? Mr Witkoff could be heard saying. Fine, just fine, thank you, Mr Putin responded in rare remarks in English, as the two shook hands. Mr Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov and envoy for international co-operation Kirill Dmitriev joined the two at the table for the talks. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with CBS Face The Nation that he agreed with Mr Trumps opinion that negotiations are moving in the right direction. Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff before his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Russia, he said, is ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned. He declined to provide further details, according to excerpts of the interview that will air on Sunday. Meanwhile, a senior Russian military officer was killed by a car bomb near Moscow on Friday, Russias top criminal investigation agency said. The attack follows the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on December 17, 2024, when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building exploded as he left for his office. Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the killing of Lt Gen Kirillov. Since Russia invaded, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks believed to have been carried out by Ukraine. Russian forces used Thursdays attack on Kyiv as cover to launch almost 150 assaults on Ukrainian positions along the roughly 620-mile front line, Mr Zelensky said late on Thursday. The frame of a burnt out vehicle at the scene where Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in a car bomb (AP Photo) When the maximum of our forces was focused on defence against missiles and drones, the Russians went on to significantly intensify their ground attacks, he wrote on Telegram. Mr Zelensky noted on Thursday that Ukraine agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Russian attacks continued. During recent talks, Russia hit the city of Sumy, killing more than 30 civilians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, battered Odesa with drones and blasted Zaporizhzhia with powerful glide bombs. Three people have died and 10 others are injured after a Russian drone struck a residential building in a south-eastern Ukrainian city, officials said on Friday. The attack comes a day after US President Donald Trump rebuked Russias leader for a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv while Washington endeavors to stop the more than three-year war. Among the civilians killed in the night-time drone strike in Pavlohrad, in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, were a child and a 76-year-old woman, the head of the regional administration, Serhii Lysak, wrote on Telegram. Russian forces fired 103 Shahed and decoy drones at five Ukrainian regions overnight, Ukraines air force reported. Authorities in the north-eastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions reported damage to civilian infrastructure but no casualties. Russia pounded Kyiv in an hours-long barrage on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 87 in its deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since July. At least 12 people were killed in Thursdays attack in Kyiv (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The attack drew a rare rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin from Mr Trump, who has said that efforts to end the war are coming to a head. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying, Mr Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform, adding: Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Mr Trumps frustration is growing as his effort to get a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has failed to make a breakthrough. Senior US officials have warned that the administration could soon give up attempts to stop the war if the two sides do not come to an agreement. But Mr Trump said in an interview with Time magazine published on Friday that the US and Russia have had very good talks, and were getting very close to a deal. US envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to meet with Mr Putin in Moscow on Friday, their second meeting this month and the fourth since February. Addressing a key sticking point in the negotiations, Mr Trump said Crimea will stay with Russia under a US-brokered settlement, according to the interview transcript. The interview took place on Tuesday, the magazine said. Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan to arrive in Rome on Friday for the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vaticans St Peters Square on Saturday. It was not immediately clear if they would meet separately. Donald Trump lashed out at Vladimir Putin via social media on Thursday (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Meanwhile, a senior Russian military officer was killed by a car bomb near Moscow on Friday, Russias top criminal investigation agency said. The attack follows the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on December 17, 2024, when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building exploded as he left for his office. Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the killing of Lt Gen Kirillov. Since Russia invaded, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks believed to have been carried out by Ukraine. Russian forces used Thursdays Kyiv attack as cover to launch almost 150 assaults on Ukrainian positions along the roughly 620-mile front line, Mr Zelenskyy said late on Thursday. When the maximum of our forces was focused on defence against missiles and drones, the Russians went on to significantly intensify their ground attacks, he wrote on Telegram. Western European leaders have accused Mr Putin of dragging his feet in the negotiations and seeking to grab more Ukrainian land while his army has battlefield momentum. Mr Trump accused Mr Zelenskyy of prolonging the killing field by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimea peninsula as part of a possible deal. Russia illegally annexed that area in 2014. Mr Zelenskyy has repeated many times during the war that recognising occupied territory as Russian is a red line for his country. Mr Zelensky noted on Thursday that Ukraine agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Russian attacks continued. During recent talks, Russia hit the city of Sumy, killing more than 30 civilians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, battered Odesa with drones and blasted Zaporizhzhia with powerful glide bombs. Adobe Stock Jesus, who was fully God, prayed often, which is an example of the importance of prayer in our lives. Praying connects us with our Father in heaven, offers us hope, and provides us guidance. Scripture also encourages us to pray with others. Praying with others is not only a powerful means of connection to our Lord but also with the person whom we are praying with. Considering that marriage is the joining of two people into one, what better person to pray with than your spouse? Joint prayer can align your ideas, goals, mission, and emotions. It is a means of spiritual connection with your spouse. Here are five things to pray about with your spouse. 1. Your Marriage God was the designer of marriage and set it up to reflect the gospel and His glory. Even Jesus' relationship with the church is described through the metaphor of marriage. This highlights its importance and eternal impact. Even if your marriage seems to be going well, it is good to be praying over it. The devil does not want Christian marriages to prosper. Prayer is a way to prevent him from getting a foothold. Pray for the communication in your marriage, for continued friendship, for forgiveness, for time to connect, for understanding, and biblical intimacy. Pray for each of your biblical roles in the marriage and that God will help you meet them. 2. Your Children Parenting can be a source of conflict for parents if they are not careful. The sacrifice, business, sleeplessness, and continual changing of seasons in parenting can drive couples apart or put them on edge. If Christian couples have children, they should be praying for wisdom in their parenting and for help with specific parenting issues. They should also be praying for each child individually and specifically. Pray for your children's current needs and issues, for their salvation, and their futures. Pray for wisdom and guidance in training, discipline, and guiding your children. Pray that your children will not divide you but unite you. Pray for patience and compassion as you parent. Pray that God will show you how your family can benefit His kingdom. 3. Your Home Our homes are important places for the gospel to grow. Our homes bless our spouse, our children, our extended family, and any other family that we welcome. Christian households have immense power and purpose in a world where families and homes are no longer a place of wholeness and joy. Jesus himself often did ministry within the context of homes. Pray that God would reveal how your home is to be used. Pray over problems or needs in the home. Pray for guidance on decisions regarding your home. Pray for hospitable hearts and that God will use your home for His glory. Pray for the nitty-gritty details of homemaking and the home economy because the Lord cares for all those things. 4. Your Purpose It can be easy to go through the motions of modern life. We go to work, we eat, we participate in recreation, we connect with friends and family, and so on. These are all good things, but sometimes, we can feel as though this is simply a meaningless and repetitive life. This is because God has designed us for more. He wants us to glorify Him through these everyday means. Couples should seek the Lord in their everyday activities to determine His purposes for them. They should pray for God's plan and purposes to be completed in their lives. They should bring their common duties and delights before Him and offer them to Him. These prayers will infuse new purpose into simple habits and routines and will unite Christian couples in the act of doing all things for God's glory. 5. Your Future They say that the only constant is change. This is true for all of us, and change can often be challenging in marriage. People change, circumstances change, finances change, family dynamics change, and even our locations change. Couples should commit all their plans and unexpected changes to the Lord. Though much is unknown to us, everything is known to God. Asking for His direction, wisdom, and will to be accomplished in your future will help ease the fear and burden of planning for or adjusting to new seasons. Prayer can be a difficult habit to cultivate personally, but even more so with another because it feels vulnerable. Talk with your spouse about how you feel comfortable praying together. Some may want to write their prayers out first, use a pre-written liturgical prayer, take turns, or even have their spouse do most of the out-loud praying. Consider making prayer lists together, maybe in a shared notebook, and then coming together for intentional times of prayer. Set reminders in your calendar for when you will pray while physically together or timers where you can pray in a united way while at separate locations during the day. Whether you are joined in spirit or reality, we know that praying together is a powerful tool. Jenny Nanninga is a Christian writer, wife and mom to five daughters living on the Central Coast of California. Jenny loves encouraging women to grow in grace as they learn to know and follow Jesus and to find their worth in Him. You can read her Patheos.com column "She Believes" here. 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. Interview: Xi's visit draws strategic blueprint for long-term, multifaceted win-win cooperation with Cambodia -- expert Xinhua) 10:37, April 25, 2025 PHNOM PENH, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to Cambodia has produced fruitful outcomes, drawing a strategic blueprint for long-term, multifaceted win-win cooperation between the two countries, a Cambodian expert has said. Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told Xinhua in a recent interview that Xi's state visit to Cambodia yielded substantial and far-reaching outcomes, ushering in a new chapter in the iron-clad friendship between Cambodia and China. A landmark highlight of the visit was a joint statement by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Xi to upgrade bilateral ties to an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era. "The outcomes of the visit have not only reinforced strategic political trust, but also mapped out a practical and forward-looking roadmap for comprehensive bilateral cooperation," he said. The outcomes also aimed to continuously enrich the "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework and forge greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy. Phea said the outcomes have offered concrete steps to implement China's three major global initiatives: the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative. He said that under the GDI, the visit's outcomes fast-tracked key initiatives such as the Industrial Development Corridor and the Fish and Rice Corridor, both essential to Cambodia's economic transformation. "These outcomes have also given strong support to Cambodia's ambitious goals of becoming an upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2050," he said. Xi's visit resulted in the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents. "These fruitful results have injected more vigorous momentum into the development of trade, infrastructure, digital economy, green growth, security, education and health," Phea said. According to the joint statement, the Chinese side supports Cambodia in developing Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project under the principle of feasibility and sustainability. Phea said Cambodia expresses deep appreciation to China for supporting the project, which has long been seen as Cambodia's century-old dream. Phea said China also pledged to help strengthen Cambodia's clean energy capabilities, including hydropower, solar and wind energy. On the security front, the two countries stress their commitment to upholding the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and adhering to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Phea said the two countries emphasized peaceful dispute resolution, regional stability and concrete cooperation under the GSI, which would reinforce Cambodia's growing role in regional peace-building and multilateral diplomacy. Phea said cultural ties between the two countries have achieved fruitful results, notably the celebration of the China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year in 2024 and the designation of 2025 as the China-Cambodia Year of Tourism to revitalize tourism and deepen people-to-people bonds. "Ongoing efforts to restore Cambodia's cultural heritage -- such as at Angkor and Preah Vihear -- reflect a strong civilizational partnership," he said. "Further cooperation in education, vocational training, Chinese language teaching, healthcare and traditional medicine illustrates the multifaceted scope of bilateral engagement." Phea said that more importantly, both countries reaffirmed the value of think tank cooperation and pledged continued support for the Cambodia-China Think Tank High-Level Forum. This initiative aims to deepen scholarly collaboration and provide informed policy dialogue to support long-term bilateral development, he added. "The outcomes of President Xi's visit not only laid a solid foundation for deepening bilateral ties, but also elevated Cambodia's developmental aspirations and global profile," he said. "By integrating global initiatives with Cambodia's national strategy, the visit has opened new avenues for shared prosperity, sustainable development and regional peace," he said. "It stands as a testament to the enduring iron-clad friendship between Cambodia and China and offers a model for constructive South-South cooperation in the new era." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The case of a Williams College student accused of using a device to secretly record people in a college bathroom has triggered calls for stronger legislation in the state. Eagle Archives, July 2, 1957: The Marauders drum and bugle corps will be absent from the 1957 Fourth of July Parade after a split with the Pittsfield Firemens Association, which demanded the return of all instruments amid tensions over name changes and sponsorship. Editor's note: This article has been updated to more accurately reflect the status of Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory. PITTSFIELD When middle school student Kristen Cuevas got into the pool at the YMCA on Monday, she didn't know how to swim. On Thursday, she jumped into the water with other students to practice floating techniques and safely get to the side of the pool all while smiling. I learned how to swim, said Cuevas, who participated in the Stop Youth Drowning swim program this week. This has been a [good experience]. Through a collaboration between the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, the Berkshire Family YMCA, local business Dulye & Co. and Pittsfield Public Schools, 22 teen and pre-teen students received one-on-one swim lessons for free during April break. The five-day program offered students instruction in the pool, swim gear, lunch and transportation. The pilot program culminated in a recognition ceremony Friday with Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti attending. Eliminating the stigma around learning how to swim and providing survival skills is a priority for the Stop Youth Drowning: Safe Swim Berkshire Initiative. Weve spoken a lot about how important [swimming] is as part of the social-emotional development of children, said Abby Allard, development and communications manager of Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center. It is such a cultural thing. It's especially important for this group of students, many of whom were present last summer when middle school student Earl Giver Essien, who was 12 at the time, died in an apparent drowning at Beartown State Forest. Its been very emotional, said Linda Dulye, president and founder of Dulye & Co. The whole goal was we had a community [hit] with a tragedy, and we needed to make something positive. I just felt there needed to be a bright light that came out of this. On July 17, 2024, Essien was participating in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program at Herberg Middle School while on a field trip when she went swimming with a group of students. Sometime between when the students entered the water and when they were ready to head home, Essien went missing. She was later pulled from the water, unresponsive. The investigation into her death remains open and active, according to the Berkshire District Attorneys Office. Essiens death is one of a number of local drownings in the Berkshires over the last decade, highlighting the importance of the program, organizers say. Jennifer Roccabruna, a physical education teacher in Pittsfield Public Schools, said swimming often is challenging for children and especially those from other countries who may have different experiences with water. Dulye later agreed. There are nuances with water, she said. Having [the kids] have that confidence regardless of the setting is very important. This middle school age is so critical for the evolution. Roccabruna notes that children who dont learn how to swim at a young age often miss the boat. Roccabruna and Dulye have worked closely with Girls Inc. and the YMCA for five months to build the program. Each instructor was carefully vetted and offers the students one-on-one training in the pools. The instructors are mostly retired women, along with Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center Aquatics Director Prashad Abeysinghe. On Thursday, the program was running simultaneously at the YMCA and Girls Inc., with a focus on body position and learning how to safely jump into the water. Roccabruna was at Girls Inc., and Dulye was at the YMCA. Watching them apply the knowledge has been glorious, Dulye said. It has been euphoric. They split between two sites to make the environment more conducive to focusing on each individual. The kids have a structured schedule that has them in the pool for 30 minutes, followed by lunch. Im feeling good today and its all [credit] to my instructor, student participant Henrietta Owusu said. Im much more confident in the water and holding my breath. The program has also received support from local businesses, with George Haddad, owner of Haddad Auto Group, donating a vehicle so Roccabruna and Dulye can get the kids to and from the locations. Everybody has a story of somebody being connected to an unsafe water situation, and the community has truly come together, realizing we've got a problem here, Roccabruna said. The kids are primarily 12- to 14-year-olds with some a little bit younger. Most of the kids are from other countries, notably Ghana and the Philippines, as well as the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Paul Manzolini has three kids in the program and was watching them from the observation deck at the YMCA. Anytime you can learn new life skills that you can carry with you through life is important, he said. That was my main reason for wanting to get them in here. Manzolini is appreciative of the volunteers and their work with the kids. You can tell that theyre passionate about what theyre doing, he said. That resonates through the kids, too. The instructors have been enjoying building relationships with the kids. The focused training allows them to get to know each other and grow together. Ive seen a progression from Day 1, said Claire Langois, YMCA aquatics director. Kristen was able to relax and float on her back. We focused on staying calm and doing forward movement. [Shes mastered it.] Abby Allard, development and communications manager at Girls Inc., also volunteered to be an instructor. It was a no-brainer for me to volunteer, Allard said. [My student Yolaniz Aquino] came in with very limited skills and had some challenges. I think its great to build that intergenerational connection. Allard has also built a strong bond with Aquino. I feel that Yolaniz and I have really built that rapport, and weve been chatting, Allard said. Were talking about our families today, and weve had a lot of laughs. The program is hoping to continue its positive momentum and run a summer session in June. They are also going to continue looking for grants. The sustainability of this program is extremely important, Roccabruna said. This isnt one and done. She noted that Kayla McNeice, branch director at the YMCA, got the program off the ground with a grant. Dulye is hoping other businesses will step up and help the program move forward. We want this to be a permanent learning experience for youth in our community, Dulye said. It needs the support of multiple organizations. I want [this] to hopefully inspire other business owners and companies. PITTSFIELD More than 40 seniors lined Center Street on Thursday morning, united under a simple message: Keep your hands off Social Security. At the protest, organized by the newly formed Berkshire County chapter of Third Act, residents sounded the alarm over actions by the Trump administration that they see as escalating threats to Social Security including staffing cuts, office closures and potential privatization. They warned that these changes could make it more difficult for the more than 70 million Americans who rely on Social Security to access their retirement, disability, survivor and family benefits. [President Donald] Trump and [Elon] Musk keep saying they're not going to touch Social Security, but they've managed to eat away at the underpinnings of the institutions, and you have to worry that at some point they'll collapse, said Mary O'Brien, a former Middle Berkshire register of deeds. The rally was held in front of the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building, which houses offices for the Social Security Administration, among other agencies. The office had previously appeared at risk of being shut down when the building was listed as a surplus property under consideration for sale by the Trump administration. That listing has since disappeared. For many participants, the fight for Social Security is not just political its personal. If I did not get Social Security, I would not be able to pay my rent, said Brian Lowry, a retired doctor. So I'm very much for preserving it. After all, we put money in it. Although Frank Bisignano, Trumps pick to head the Social Security Administration has said there are no plans to privatize the administration, protesters remain wary of the possibility. People have contributed to Social Security from the time they started working. It belongs to the people, not to Trump, and we don't want it to be privatized, said Lita Moses, one of the events organizers. Ann Carey, a retired participant in the protest, said she relies on Social Security and worries about how the agencys planned 12 percent workforce reduction and operational restructuring could affect access to services. Without [Social Security], I would have to really scrounge, Carey said. Even though the Trump administration says they're not cutting the budget, they're eliminating the staff and the services, which makes getting it almost impossible. The agency has already experienced increased outages to its online services, including My Social Security accounts, as 326 jobs have been cut from the technology office's 1,600-person staff. Carey also raised concerns about the Trump administration knowingly placing living people specifically migrants into the agencys dead file, cutting off their access to credit, banking and other financial services. As a native of Pittsfield, where many who held industrial jobs will not have a pension and over 20 percent of the population is 65 or older, O'Brien worries that impacts to Social Security could be detrimental to the community. If Social Security were to be disrupted, diminished, less accessible, even unavailable, to any part of this Pittsfield social order," O'Brien said, "I think we would see the city fall into an absolute ghetto of poverty and need. I thought we were on a sort of upper curve, maybe gradual, but getting there socially, economically. And now I see Trump undermining every pillar of hope for the future that I see," she said. "So I'm very concerned and upset. Protesters also took the rally as an opportunity to voice some of their other grievances with the federal government. I'm angry about the way the country is going, said participant Doug Cannon. I'm angry about the policies that are being put out, making [it] more difficult for people to get Social Security, making it more difficult for Blacks, Latinos, the underprivileged, to get jobs, to get training, set about cutting educational financing for student, you name it. Although many in the crowd were retired, protesters insisted that their fight is for the future, and they have no intention of backing down. I'm hoping that with pressure on the government, that they back down on doing anything to destroy Social Security, Moses said. Its crucial. The early 19th century barn, whose last residents were bats, is now headed to Egremont, where it will be restored in preparation for a new life and a new owner who cant wait to figure out exactly what to do with it. Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Donald Morrison is an Eagle columnist and co-chair of the advisory board. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield City Council urges School Committee to release more information about the PHS investigation Citing a growing lack of trust in the Pittsfield school system, city councilors are urging the School Committee to release a public summary of the investigation into misconduct at Pittsfield High School. Unfortunately, its looking more and more likely that Pittsfield residents will be blocked from viewing the full findings of a school staff misconduct investigation funded by their tax dollars. When Pittsfield School Committee Chairman William Cameron reneged on his initial pledge of full transparency and said the full report will not be publicly released, we aired our concerns: This tack not only violates the most basic principles against official opacity but risks compounding the already grave trust issues the citys school district has created for itself. We also praised several city councilors who urged the School Committee to be as transparent as reasonably possible with the reports release so that lost trust can be rebuilt rather than further damaged. Its worrisome enough that the School Committee chairman has appointed himself arbiter of what Pittsfield citizens should or shouldnt know about the findings of a probe they paid for. Whats worse is it seems that even the official voices who called for the utmost transparency are now resigning themselves to seeing far fewer than all of the facts reported for public view. At their latest meeting, city councilors unanimously approved a petition filed by the councils Vice President Earl Persip III requesting a public summary of the investigations findings. We have praised and continue to appreciate the comments of at-large Councilor Persip and others who have stressed the need for as much official openness as reasonably possible regarding the release of this necessary investigation into alarming systemic concerns at Pittsfield High School. Yet the public summary called for in the petition sounds essentially indistinguishable from the executive summary the School Committee has already insufficiently offered. Whether local officials want to call it a public summary, an executive summary or something else, a critical issue looms: Who will curate such a summary and thereby decide what facts unearthed by a taxpayer-funded probe are suitable for public knowledge? This PHS investigation was necessary because of alarming allegations against several faculty members as well as the questionable oversight and managerial culture that let these and other controversies fester. The school community has understandably lost a significant amount of trust in those who would decide what the public gets to know vs. what will be kept from their view. How much of the PHS investigation will the public see? Some councilors want at least an 'executive summary' to be released City councilors say they don't need a full airing of what could possibly include defamatory statements, but they want to see a redacted version or an executive summary, arguing that's required to rebuild trust and understand what might need to be corrected. We understand that city councilors who share our concern for transparency are simply trying to get as much of it as they can from a School Committee whose chairman now favors needless secrecy. Yet while the unanimously approved petition was well-intentioned, we fear that the standard of transparency demanded by this matter is only being undermined more. Thats not just our opinion. Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi summed up those concerns at the very same meeting in which the public summary petition was approved: I think most of the community, including myself, was disappointed to hear that information was being withheld and to see that the goalpost keeps being moved. Students and parents do not have trust in our school system. Councilor Lampiasi is absolutely right. The goalposts are shifting far from what should be the core goal: A public vetting of the truth, no matter how painful, so that the healing of trust and the improvement of oversight are possible. That is what is owed to the people of Pittsfield, especially students and their families not a summary of findings that the School Committee finds palatable. If the School Committee seeks to faithfully represent the voters that hired them and dutifully protect the reputation of their troubled district, those goalposts must not move any farther away from complete transparency. In fact, wed like to see School Committee Chairman Cameron recommit to his promising initial pledge of public-facing accountability regarding this reports findings. Such an approach need not be mutually exclusive with protecting privacy, preventing the spread of false rumors and shielding the district from defamation liability; limited redactions could cover all of that. If the School Committee wants to help its district earn back some of the trust its lost, though, such redactions should be kept to the absolute legal minimum. On the other hand, if the School Committee would prefer to squander more trust, its on track to do so by insisting the people of Pittsfield dont deserve to know the full findings of an investigation funded by their tax dollars. Health Ministry unveils national zero Measles-Rubella elimination campaign April 25, 2025 | Friday | News Measles-Rubella elimination campaign 2025-26 marks an opportunity to achieve 100% immunisation coverage image credit- pib Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda virtually launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination campaign 2025-26 on the first day of the World Immunisation Week (24-30 April), marking a significant step towards India's goal of eliminating Measles and Rubella by 2026. On the occasion, Union Health Minister released multi-language M-R IEC materials (posters, radio jingles, MR elimination and official U-WIN launch film) for creating awareness in the communities. These IEC materials were also shared with all States/UTs for adaptation and rollout during the MR Elimination Campaign 2025-26. Measles and Rubella are highly infectious viral diseases that can lead to serious illnesses, lifelong complications, and even death. Due to their high infection rate, India has set a goal to eliminate these diseases by 2026. In 2024, India has recorded a remarkable decline of 73% in Measles cases and a 17% reduction in Rubella cases in comparison with 2023. India's plan for eliminating measles and rubella includes a comprehensive framework: Immunisation: Achieve and maintain high population immunity with > 95% vaccination coverage with 2 doses of measles and rubella containing vaccines in each district of the country. 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. Intel shares fell nearly 6 per cent in premarket trade on Friday after the chipmaker's weak revenue and profit forecast disappointed investors hoping for reassurances from new chief executive Lip-Bu Tan's turnaround strategy. Once a dominant force in the chip industry, Intel is struggling to catch up with rivals after years of missteps, battling to gain ground in AI while its largest market, China, remains locked in a trade war with the US. Advertisement The company is also a major employer and investor in Ireland, with more than 4,900 staff at its Leixlip plant, which includes its new Fab 34 chipmaking facility. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said he was continuing to engage with Intel in what he called a difficult time for staff in the midst of continued uncertainty. Mr Burke said in a statement on Friday: "I note the publication of Intels Q1 financial results last night and comments from CEO Lip Bu Tan that they were a step in the right direction, while also confirming there will be a reduction in Intels workforce globally. "While no specifics around the number or location of job cuts were flagged, the company have said they plan to reduce operating costs by $500m this year and $1 billion next year, and stated this will include a reduction in the workforce, particularly in management and non-core engineering roles. It is likely to be several weeks before detail is available on the impact of these cost reduction measures." Advertisement Mr Burke said it was positive that Intel said it would continue to focus investment on their core business, the manufacturing of semiconductor products, which is the primary activity in Ireland. Investors and analysts, who are counting on Tan appointed CEO last month to drive a turnaround, were left disappointed by the companys weak financial forecast despite his signals of cultural change and renewed focus on core engineering. "The clearest sense from the CEO transition is that this is going to take time," Morgan Stanley analysts said. The California-based company said it expects revenue of $11.2 billion to $12.4 billion for the June quarter, compared with analysts' average estimate of $12.82 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Despite chips being exempted from US president Donald Trump's tariffs for now, a major hit to Intel could come from China's retaliatory tariffs on US imports, with chips manufactured in the US set to face levies of 85 per cent or higher, based on the state-backed China Semiconductor Industry Association's (CSIA) notice earlier in April. Advertisement Amid Tan's attempts to streamline the company and cut costs, Intel also said it is reducing its adjusted operating expense target to approximately $17 billion in 2025, down from its previously stated goal of $17.5 billion, and is now targeting $16 billion in 2026. Tan said Intel is examining its factory footprint. In February, the company said it was pushing back a $28 billion factory project in Ohio until 2030. Ireland Enterprise minister engaging with Intel amid repor... Read More "We will continue to take a closer look at our existing factory footprint to ensure that we are making the most efficient use of our in-store capacity before committing to any additional spending," Tan said on Thursday. Tariff-led volatility had pushed customers to stockpile Intel chips, boosting sales for the first quarter but weighing on the second, CFO David Zinsner said. Intel has gained 7.2 per cent so far this year, outperforming AI chip leader Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, which have each fallen nearly 20 per cent. Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices are yet to report results. Revolut could be offering mortgages in Ireland by the autumn. The online bank initially plans to offer home loans through its app with telephone support from staff, but may also consider using brokers in the future. Advertisement According to The Irish Times, Revolut is also hoping to make the application process "a lot slicker" and less "unwieldy". The UK-based financial technology group began market testing in Lithuania, home of its euro zone banking licence, earlier this month and has issued some home loans there. Ireland Revolut rolls out in-app calls feature for custome... Read More Joe Heneghan, chief executive of Revolut Europe, told The Irish Times that he hoped the firm's mortgage offer would be ready for Irish customers in the final quarter of the year. Revolut has 3 million customers in the Republic, making it well-placed to take on the three Irish banks that accounted for 92 per cent of 12.6 billion of mortgages issued last year. Others also trying to loosen the banks stranglehold on mortgages include Avant Money, ICS Mortgages, which has become more active in the last year, and new entrants Nua Money and MoCo. Revolut, which has staff across 42 countries and more than 50 million customers, recorded a jump in net profit of 129 per cent last year to 790 million (922 million). The people of Ireland have appreciation for the life of Pope Francis, President Michael D Higgins has said. Mr Higgins and his wife Sabine have travelled to Rome ahead of the funeral of the late pontiff. Advertisement They will pay their respects at the lying in state of Francis in St Peters Basilica in the Vatican on Friday. On Saturday, the couple will return to St Peters Square for the popes funeral. In a statement ahead of the funeral, Mr Higgins said: As President of Ireland, I am pleased to communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the life, the documents and the contacts to the most vulnerable all over the world made by Pope Francis, who I was honoured to meet with on five occasions. The world was struck by the generosity given by Pope Francis, right until the very last moments of his life, in terms of seeking to embrace, as he put it, all of humanity. Advertisement Through his life and his work, Pope Francis led by example in embracing so many of the most important issues facing humanity. In particular, he was a strong advocate for the fulfilling of obligations in relation to Mother Nature and the indigenous peoples who are paying the highest price for the consequences of climate change, he was a strong spokesperson for how global poverty could be eliminated, and he gave leadership in relation to the rights of migrants. In attending the funeral and celebrating the life of Pope Francis, it is important to stress his work on our shared humanity and on the importance of peace, sustainability and of rights. A record 15,418 people were living in emergency accommodation in the Republic last month, 4,675 of whom are children, figures show. Opposition parties called for a radical reset on housing to stem the constant increase in homelessness. Advertisement The official figures show there were 40 more people, 22 of whom were children, using emergency accommodation in March compared with February, when 15,378 were recorded as homeless. The figures for January saw 15,286 people homeless, 4,603 of whom were children. The true number of people who are homeless is thought to be much higher, as the monthly figures do not include people sleeping on the streets, couch-surfing or those who access accommodation in domestic violence refuges or Direct Provision. The monthly Department of Housing tally has been growing steadily for years as governments have struggled to address the housing crisis which emerged after the recession. Advertisement House prices and rents have skyrocketed, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, as supply remains constrained and demand has increased. The Government has increased its new-build housing targets for the coming years in response, but missed last years overall target and its social homes target for several years running. The Central Bank of Ireland has also warned that the State is on track to miss its housing targets for the next three years. Homelessness charity the Simon Communities of Ireland said that since March last year, an extra 1,552 people are in emergency accommodation. Advertisement Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: This time four years ago, it was reported that 8,060 men, women and children were experiencing homelessness. That number has nearly doubled since then. Its hard to fathom how we can reverse these figures in the next five years without urgent action. If were serious about ending homelessness by 2030, we need to start treating it like the crisis it is. Housing and homelessness must become a top priority for Government. Advertisement Our latest Locked Out Of The Market report highlights the severe shortage of options in the private rental sector. We need to act now to protect people from falling into homelessness. Prevention is not only the most economically sensible approach, its also the morally right thing to do. Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said the rise is a direct consequence of the failure of the Government to address this ever-deepening housing and homelessness crisis. Mr O Broin also accused the Government of slashing funding for local authority social housing acquisitions. Advertisement Pointing to analysis of year-on-year changes for funding to schemes such as Housing First and Tenant-in-Situ, he said cuts would mean more people would become homeless. This Government is actually slashing funding for local authorities for these vital schemes, ranging anywhere from 35 per cent to an astonishing 100 per cent cut in Cork, he said. He added: In Dublin City, the impact of the cut by James Brown will reduce funding by at a minimum 50 per cent. What that means is less Tenant-in-Situ acquisitions, less Housing First acquisitions, and that means more people, including families with children, will become homeless, and those people in emergency accommodation will be in that accommodation for even longer. Labour TD Conor Sheehan said each week brings a new low in the Governments handling of the housing crisis. There is no way to sugarcoat this. Its a national scandal, and it is a direct result of Government failure to treat housing as the emergency it clearly is, he said. Despite the rhetoric, there is no urgency, no strategic leadership, and no willingness to admit the scale of the crisis. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the latest figures were a shameful milestone for a government that never prioritised homelessness. Ireland Current housing output means targets for 2025 unli... Read More Mr Hearne, the partys housing spokesperson, said the proposed removal of rent caps and cuts to the tenant-in-situ scheme will add to already rising levels of homelessness. Overall, there are 256 more children in emergency accommodation than there were six months ago. These trends will continue unless there is a radical shift in Government policy, he said. Rising levels of homelessness will continue to outpace any social and affordable housing delivery from the State unless there is a radical shift in Government policy, which must have a far greater focus on the tenant-in-situ scheme. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Friday for dawn services and street marches to commemorate Anzac Day, a day of remembrance shared by the two nations to remember those lost to war. However, at least two Australian services were disrupted by protests, with hecklers disrupting services in Melbourne and Perth. Advertisement A small group of hecklers disrupted a dawn service attended by 50,000 people at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne with boos and jeers. Cadets carrying Australian flags march past thousands of people lining the street to pay tribute in Sydney (Rick Rycroft/AP) The booing began when Indigenous man Mark Brown started the service with a so-called Welcome to Country a ceremony in which Indigenous Australians welcome visitors to their traditional land. The interruptions continued at any mention of Indigenous soldiers. Hecklers yelled this is our country and we dont have to be welcomed, echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. Advertisement The partys extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and is inspired by US President Donald Trumps policies. Hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged Mr Brown to continue. Veteran Affairs minister Matt Keogh credited the heckling as led by a person who is a known neo-Nazi. Were commemorating some of those soldiers who fell in a war that was fought against that sort of hateful ideology, and so it was completely disrespectful and its not something that is welcome at Anzac Day commemorations ever, Mr Keogh said. Advertisement Victoria Police said a 26-year-old man was directed to leave the service. The man had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behaviour and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a Victoria Police statement said. A heckler also disrupted the Welcome to Country at the main dawn service in the Western Australia state capital of Perth. Western Australia premier Roger Cook condemned the interruption as totally disrespectful and disgusting. Advertisement This is a solemn occasion. Its one where we should come together as a community and for someone to use it to make a political point and in that disrespectful way is really quite unacceptable, Mr Cook said. A veteran, centre, is assisted as they march in Sydneys Anzac Day parade (Rick Rycroft/AP) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton took a day off campaigning ahead of the nations upcoming federal elections on May 3 as a mark of respect. Mr Albanese attended a dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in the national capital of Canberra. Each year, we renew our vow to keep the flame of memory burning so brightly that its glow touches the next generation and the generation after that, Mr Albanese told a gathering of 25,000 people. Advertisement Mr Dutton laid a wreath at a dawn service in the Queensland capital city of Brisbane. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon travelled to Gallipoli to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the landing day. He told a dawn service at Anzac Cove that New Zealands contribution of 16,000 soldiers to the Gallipoli campaign was disproportionately large from a national population that was then only one million people. What happened here scarred generations of New Zealanders. While we remain proud of those who serve, we do not glorify what happened here. We know too much to do that, Mr Luxon said. Instead, we acknowledge the courage and tenacity of the Anzacs and we respect the valour of the Ottoman Turks who resisted them, he added. People watch as New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivers a speech at Anzac Cove in Turkey (Emrah Gurel/AP) The service was also attended by the Princess Royal. Anne represented the British royal family and the kings representative in Australia, Governor-General Sam Mostyn. Charles, who is the head of state of both Australia and New Zealand, sent a message thanking that countrys Second World War veterans for their service as the 80th anniversary of the end of that conflict nears. The New Zealand government was aware of 81 surviving veterans in that country, news website Stuff said. In 2025, Australia has fewer than 1,300 surviving veterans from the Second World War, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. April 25 marks the date in 1915 when the newly formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers first combat of the First World War. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned anti-indigenous rights protesters who disrupted two Anzac Day dawn services. The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law, Mr Albanese told reporters. Advertisement This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice, he added. The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere before general elections on May 3 in which indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in north-west Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers first combat of the First World War. It is considered Australias most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. Advertisement An honour guard officer salutes a memorial to the dead during Anzac Day commemorations in Nelson Bay, Australia (AP Photo/Mark Baker) A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. The Melbourne-based First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, an indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country in Melbourne. Advertisement Mr Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a disgrace. There is no place in Australia for what occurred, Mr Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. Hecklers yelled this is our country and we dont have to be welcomed, echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The partys extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by US President Donald Trumps policies. Advertisement The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. MPs in the opposition Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the Labour Party government 452,953 Australian dollars (217,708) over two years. But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I dont agree with the booing and I dont agree, in our democracy, that people cant accept the views of others, Mr Dutton told reporters. Advertisement We have a proud indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today. Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, FILE) He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. They want to humiliate us over and over again, Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to indigenous leaders. Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspects identity in accordance with its usual policy. The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behaviour and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police, a police statement said. Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven US Reaper drones in less than six weeks, a loss of aircraft worth more than 200 million dollars (150 million) in what is becoming the most dramatic cost to the Pentagon of the military campaign against the Iran-backed militants. According to defence officials, three of the drones were shot down in the past week, suggesting the militants targeting of the unmanned aircraft flying over Yemen has improved. Advertisement The drones were doing attack runs or conducting surveillance, and they crashed both into the water and onto land, officials said, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. The US has increased its attacks on the Houthis, launching daily strikes since March 15, when US President Donald Trump ordered a new, expanded campaign. He promised to use overwhelming lethal force until the Houthis cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. A burning oil tanker after US airstrikes targeted the Ras Isa oil port held by Yemens Houthi rebels in Hodeida (Al Masirah TV via AP) US Central Command (CentCom) spokesman Dave Eastburn said on Thursday night that the US has struck more than 800 Houthi targets. Advertisement These strikes have destroyed multiple command-and-control facilities, air defence systems, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities, advanced weapons storage locations, and killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders, Mr Eastburn said. Another defence official said that although hostile fire is likely the cause of the drone losses, the incidents are still under investigation. The official noted that the increase in US strikes can add to the risk to aircraft, but said the US will take every measure possible to protect troops, equipment and interests in the region. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to comment on sensitive military issues. Advertisement The sophisticated drones, built by General Atomics, cost about 30 million dollars (22 million) each, and generally fly at altitudes of more than 12,100 meters. Houthi leaders have consistently touted the strikes in public statements. One of the defence officials said the US lost Reaper drones on March 31 and on April 3, 9, 13, 18, 19 and 22. US senators, meanwhile, are raising concerns about civilian casualties caused by the American strikes in Yemen. Advertisement Democratic senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Tim Kaine of Virginia wrote to defence secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday, questioning whether the Trump administration is abandoning the measures necessary to meet its obligations to reducing civilian harm. Specifically, they questioned reports that US strikes at the Ras Isa fuel terminal in Yemen last week potentially killed more than 70 civilians. An MQ-9 Reaper aircraft is seen in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, in 2024 (Tech Sgt Joseph Pagan/US Air National Guard via AP) Military leaders agree that ingraining civilian harm mitigation practices within US operations leads to better outcomes and that civilian casualties actually undermine the mission that the military has been sent in to do, their letter said. In addition to downing the drones, the Houthis have been persistently firing missiles and one-way attack drones at US military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They have not hit any. Advertisement The US has been using an array of warships, fighter jets, bombers and drones to strike the Houthis, and aircraft can now launch from two Navy carriers in the region. Mr Hegseth decided in March to beef up the Navy warship presence in the Middle East, ordering the USS Harry S Truman to extend its deployment there, as the USS Carl Vinson steamed toward the area. The Truman, along with two of the destroyers and a cruiser in its strike group, is now in the Red Sea. And the Vinson, along with two destroyers and a cruiser, is in the Gulf of Aden. The third destroyer assigned to the Truman is in the Mediterranean Sea. Two other US Navy destroyers are in the Red Sea, but are not part of the fleet connected to the Truman. Mr Hegseth is weighing whether to grant a request by CentCom to once again extend the Trumans deployment. A decision to do that could keep the Truman and at least some of its strike group in the region for several more weeks. Smoke rises from a location which Houthi rebels said was struck by US drones (AP Photo) It has been rare in recent years for the US to have two aircraft carriers in the Middle East at the same time. Navy leaders have generally been opposed to the idea because it disrupts ship maintenance schedules and delays time at home for sailors strained by the unusually high combat tempo. Last year, the Biden administration ordered the USS Dwight D Eisenhower aircraft carrier to remain in the Red Sea for an extended time, as US warships waged the most intense running sea battle since the Second World War. Prior to that, it had been years since the US had committed that much warship power to the Middle East. The Houthis have been waging persistent missile and drone attacks against commercial and military ships in the region in what the groups leadership has described as an effort to end the Israeli war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. From November 2023 until this January, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing four sailors. That has greatly reduced the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees one trillion dollars (751 billion) of goods move through it annually. Some 250,000 mourners paid their respects to Pope Francis over a three-day lying-in-state, the Vatican said on the eve of his funeral. World leaders and dignitaries were arriving in Rome on Friday, to attend what will be a huge gathering in St Peters Square for his requiem mass. Advertisement The final mourners had a chance to see the Pope close up in the grand surrounds of St Peters Basilica, before his coffin was closed in private. US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer were among those due to arrive in Rome on Friday, and the Prince of Wales is also set to attend the mass on behalf of his father, the King. President Michael D Higgins was among those to pay his respects in the basilica, having arrived earlier in the day. The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has predicted the funeral will be a masterpiece in stage-managing big egos. Advertisement A Vatican spokesperson has confirmed Franciss birth country of Argentina, then Italy, will take precedence. Thereafter, reigning sovereigns will be seated in alphabetical order, but in the French language, followed by heads of state. Irelands delegation comes ahead of both Prince William and the British Government delegation in the official order of precedence, because it is led by head of state Mr Higgins. It falls between groups from Indonesia and Iceland, also led by those countries heads of state. Advertisement Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway, and William follow soon after in a category set aside for crown princes. The British Government delegation includes Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy. US President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania are seated ahead of both the Irish and British delegations, in between Estonia and Finland. Cardinal Nichols, who will take part in his first conclave to elect a new pope in the coming weeks, said the funeral organisers are well used to dealing with the sensitivities of such big events. Advertisement In an interview with the PA news agency in Rome, he said the funeral will be without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at Pope Franciss lying-in-state (President of Irelands office/PA) He said: In the past, Ive seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events. I think theyve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome that they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content. Advertisement Scaffolding has been erected to provide international media with the best vantage points overlooking St Peters Square while there is a strong Italian police presence managing numbers and security. US President Donald Trump is among the world leaders expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis (Niall Carson/PA) Ireland Irish bishop tells of tears at Vatican for Pope Fr... Read More Following Saturdays open-air funeral in the square, Franciss remains will be taken through the streets of Rome in another break with tradition, as his body is brought to a simple underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions. The Vatican said a group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading to the basilica to pay their last respects before the interment of the coffin, in a nod to Franciss particular care for the downtrodden. A Russian general has been killed by a car bomb, Russias top criminal investigation agency has said, in the second such attack on a top Russian military officer in four months. The Investigative Committee said that Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car in Balashikha just outside Moscow. Advertisement The committees spokeswoman, Svetlana Petrenko, said the explosive device was rigged with shrapnel. She said that investigators were at the scene. Russian media ran videos of a vehicle burning in the courtyard of an apartment building. Flames and smoke rise from the scene of the explosion (OSTOROZHNO NOVOSTI via AP) The committee did not mention possible suspects, but Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova declared without offering evidence that there are reasons to believe that Ukrainian special services were involved in the killing. Ukrainian authorities did not comment on the attack. Advertisement If the investigation confirms the Ukrainian trace in this case, this will once again demonstrate to the world community the barbaric and treacherous nature of the Kyiv regime, which is betting on an escalation of military confrontation with Russia and irresponsibly ignoring constructive proposals aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the conflict, Ms Zakharova said. The attack follows the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who died on December 17 when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building exploded as he left for his office. Police and investigators at the scene where Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik was killed (AP Photo) The Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the killing of Lt Gen Kirillov and Ukraines security agency acknowledged that it was behind that attack. Lt Gen Kirillov was the chief of Russias Radiation, Biological and Chemical Protection Forces, the special troops tasked with protecting the military from the enemys use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and ensuring operations in a contaminated environment. His assistant also died in the attack. Advertisement Fridays bombing came just as US President Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss a US-brokered peace plan for Ukraine. The meeting is their fourth encounter since February. They may be the most powerful people on earth, but for the seating arrangement at Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, all foreign leaders will play second fiddle to the Argentines and Italians and surrender to the whims of the French alphabet. About 130 foreign delegations had so far expressed their desire to attend the funeral, the Vatican said on Friday, and more were expected to do so throughout the day. Advertisement Those include around 50 heads of state who have been confirmed as attending, among them US President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs. Apart from the VIPs, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral in St Peter's Square, which starts at 10am (9am Irish time) on Saturday. Italian police have laid on one of the most complex security operations in decades. The official delegations will sit in a section to the right of the altar at the top of the steps leading toward St Peter's Basilica. Advertisement Pride of place goes to Argentina, Francis' native country, whose president, Javier Milei, will sit in the front row. Milei, a maverick right-wing libertarian, had heaped insults on Francis while he was campaigning in 2023, calling him an "imbecile who defends social justice". But the president shifted his tone after he took office that year. Next comes Italy, the country that surrounds the Vatican and which agreed in 1929 to recognise its sovereignty as the world's smallest state. It gets the second-best seats in the VIP section also because the pope is Bishop of Rome and primate of the Catholic bishops of Italy. Advertisement That is when the alphabet in French still considered the language of diplomacy kicks in for the other delegations. The countries following Italy are ordered according to their names in French and not in their native languages. So, it is Etats Unis and not United States, Allemagne instead of Deutschland (Germany), and Pays-Bas instead of Nederland (The Netherlands). Ireland, however, doesn't really shift position, being Irlande in French. Royalty will also take precedence. Reigning monarchs -- expected to include royalty such as the kings and queens of Spain and Belgium and Prince Albert of Monaco -- will be seated in front of other heads of state. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Friday that no distinction would be made between Catholic and non-Catholic royalty for the seating order. Advertisement After the royals come the remaining heads of state. Trump, who attracted criticism from Francis because of his immigration policies, will sit ahead of many other leaders because Etats Unis begins with an 'E'. That alphabetic logic means that Trump - currently engaged in trying to get a peace deal in the war in Ukraine - will not be sitting near Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Former US President Joe Biden, who has been the target of constant criticism by Trump, is attending the funeral, but will not be part of the official US delegation, a diplomatic source said. This means Biden, a lifelong Catholic, should be sitting further back, with other VIPs. - Reuters Syrias foreign minister has attended a UN Security Council briefing after raising his countrys new flag at the international bodys headquarters. It was the first public appearance by a high-ranking Syrian government official in the United States since the fall of president Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December. Advertisement Asaad al-Shibani is in a delegation from Damascus new government who have travelled to the US this week in hope of receiving relief from harsh sanctions that were imposed by America and its allies after Mr Assads brutal crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011 that spiralled into a civil war. We are open to the international community and look forward to being treated the same way, Mr al-Shibani said, as reported by state-run news agency Sana. With the removal of the reason for the sanctions, they must be lifted. Asaad Al-Shibani unfolding the Syrian flag during the ceremony at the UN (Kena Betancur/AP) The presence of a new Syria was in evidence outside the UN headquarters as Mr al-Shibani watched the three-starred flag previously used by opposition groups replace the two-starred flag of the Assad era as the countrys official emblem. Members of the Security Council, the UNs most powerful body, welcomed the new interim minister shortly after, saying his attendance is a positive step towards a more prosperous Syria. Advertisement But many countries and UN officials warned there is still much more work to be done. Syria has moved beyond a caretaker government to a new, expanded and more diverse cabinet, Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, told the council. This is an improvement from what went before. Yet it is still not a fully inclusive framework for political transition. And this leaves many Syrians unsure of their place in the emerging new Syria. Other Syrian officials attended meetings at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund this week in Washington, but it was unclear if Trump administration officials would meet Mr al-Shibani during the visit. Advertisement The United States continues to closely monitor the actions of the Syrian interim authorities, Dorothy Shea, the deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, said in her remarks. We remain hopeful that the interim cabinet announced by the interim authorities at the end of March represents a positive step. People gathered for the ceremony after a delegation of Syrian officials travelled to the United States this week (Kena Betancur/AP) But, she added, the US expects to see additional action and the appointment of more qualified and representative individuals to serve in critical positions. President Donald Trumps administration has yet to officially recognise the current Syrian government of Ahmad al-Sharaa, an Islamist former insurgent who led the offensive that toppled Mr Assad. The Republican administration has also left the Assad-era sanctions in place, although it has provided temporary relief to some restrictions. The militant group that Mr al-Sharaa led, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, remains a US-designated terrorist organisation. Advertisement Two Republican members of the US Congress, representatives Marlin Stutzman of Indiana and Cory Mills of Florida, arrived in Damascus last week on an unofficial visit organised by a Syrian-American non-profit group and met Mr al-Sharaa and other government officials. Mr Mills told the Associated Press before meeting Mr al-Sharaa that ultimately, its going to be the presidents decision to lift sanctions or not, although he said that Congress can advise. Mr Mills later told Bloomberg News that he had discussed the US conditions for sanctions relief with Mr al-Sharaa, including ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons left over from the Assad era, co-ordinating on counter-terrorism, making a plan to deal with foreign militants who fought alongside the armed opposition to Mr Assad, and providing assurances to Israel that Syria would not pose a threat. He also said that Mr al-Sharaa had said that Syria could normalise relations with Israel under the right conditions, without specifying what those conditions are. Advertisement Other western countries have warmed up to the new Syrian authorities more quickly. The UK government on Thursday lifted sanctions against a dozen Syrian entities, including government departments and media outlets, and the European Union has begun to roll back its sanctions. US President Donald Trump has said in an interview that Crimea will stay with Russia as Ukraine comes under mounting pressure to make concessions to end the war between the two countries. Zelensky understands that, Mr Trump said, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding: Everybody understands that its been with them for a long time. Advertisement The US president made the comments in a Time magazine interview conducted on Tuesday. Mr Trump has been accusing Mr Zelensky of prolonging the war by resisting negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Western European leaders, however, have accused Mr Putin of dragging his feet in the negotiations and seeking to grab more Ukrainian land while his army has battlefield momentum. The war could be approaching a pivotal moment as the Trump administration weighs its options. Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Friday before leaving for the Popes funeral on Saturday Alex Brandon/AP) Senior US officials have warned that the administration could soon give up attempts to stop the war if the two sides do not come to a settlement. That could potentially mean a halt of crucial US military aid for Ukraine. Advertisement Crimea is a strategic peninsula along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine. It was seized by Russia in 2014, while former US president Barack Obama was in office, and years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022. Theyve had their submarines there for long before any period that were talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea, Mr Trump said. But this was given by Obama. This wasnt given by Trump. Mr Zelensky has repeated many times during the war that recognising occupied territory as Russian is a red line for his country. Vladimir Putin greets Steve Witkoff prior to their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Speaking to reporters on Friday as he left the White House to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, Mr Trump said there is no deadline for the conclusion of peace talks. Advertisement I just want to do it as fast as possible, Mr Trump said. Negotiators are pretty close to a deal, he added. He promised to meet with foreign leaders while in Rome, and said it was possible he could meet Mr Zelensky. He also demanded on social media that Mr Zelensky immediately sign a long-delayed agreement giving the US access to his nations mineral resources. Meanwhile, Russia has continued its bombardment. A drone struck an apartment building in a south-eastern Ukraine city, killing three people and injuring 10 others, officials said on Friday, a day after Mr Trump rebuked Russias leader for a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv. Advertisement A child and a 76-year-old woman were among the civilians killed in the night-time drone strike in Pavlohrad, in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, the head of the regional administration, Serhii Lysak, wrote on Telegram. At least 12 people were killed in Thursdays attack in Kyiv (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Russian forces fired 103 Shahed and decoy drones at five Ukrainian regions overnight, Ukraines air force reported. Authorities in the north-eastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions reported damage to civilian infrastructure but no casualties. Amid the peace efforts, Russia pounded Kyiv in an hours-long barrage on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 87 in its deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since July. The attack drew a rare rebuke of Mr Putin from Mr Trump, who has said that a push to end the war is coming to a head. Advertisement I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Mr Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Mr Trumps frustration is growing as his effort to forge a deal between Ukraine and Russia has failed to achieve a breakthrough. Donald Trump lashed out at Vladimir Putin via social media on Thursday (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) US envoy Steve Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow on Friday, their second meeting this month and the fourth since February. The Kremlin released a short video of Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff greeting each other. How are you, Mr president? Mr Witkoff could be heard saying. Fine, just fine, thank you, Mr Putin responded in rare remarks in English, as the two shook hands. Mr Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov and envoy for international co-operation Kirill Dmitriev joined the two at the table for the talks. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with CBS Face The Nation that he agreed with Mr Trumps opinion that negotiations are moving in the right direction. Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff before his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Russia, he said, is ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned. He declined to provide further details, according to excerpts of the interview that will air on Sunday. Meanwhile, a senior Russian military officer was killed by a car bomb near Moscow on Friday, Russias top criminal investigation agency said. The attack follows the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on December 17, 2024, when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building exploded as he left for his office. Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the killing of Lt Gen Kirillov. Since Russia invaded, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks believed to have been carried out by Ukraine. Russian forces used Thursdays attack on Kyiv as cover to launch almost 150 assaults on Ukrainian positions along the roughly 620-mile front line, Mr Zelensky said late on Thursday. The frame of a burnt out vehicle at the scene where Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in a car bomb (AP Photo) When the maximum of our forces was focused on defence against missiles and drones, the Russians went on to significantly intensify their ground attacks, he wrote on Telegram. Mr Zelensky noted on Thursday that Ukraine agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Russian attacks continued. During recent talks, Russia hit the city of Sumy, killing more than 30 civilians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, battered Odesa with drones and blasted Zaporizhzhia with powerful glide bombs. Three people have died and 10 others are injured after a Russian drone struck a residential building in a south-eastern Ukrainian city, officials said on Friday. The attack comes a day after US President Donald Trump rebuked Russias leader for a deadly missile and drone attack on Kyiv while Washington endeavors to stop the more than three-year war. Advertisement Among the civilians killed in the night-time drone strike in Pavlohrad, in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk region, were a child and a 76-year-old woman, the head of the regional administration, Serhii Lysak, wrote on Telegram. Russian forces fired 103 Shahed and decoy drones at five Ukrainian regions overnight, Ukraines air force reported. Authorities in the north-eastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions reported damage to civilian infrastructure but no casualties. Russia pounded Kyiv in an hours-long barrage on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 87 in its deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since July. At least 12 people were killed in Thursdays attack in Kyiv (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The attack drew a rare rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin from Mr Trump, who has said that efforts to end the war are coming to a head. Advertisement I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying, Mr Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform, adding: Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Mr Trumps frustration is growing as his effort to get a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has failed to make a breakthrough. Senior US officials have warned that the administration could soon give up attempts to stop the war if the two sides do not come to an agreement. But Mr Trump said in an interview with Time magazine published on Friday that the US and Russia have had very good talks, and were getting very close to a deal. US envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to meet with Mr Putin in Moscow on Friday, their second meeting this month and the fourth since February. Advertisement Addressing a key sticking point in the negotiations, Mr Trump said Crimea will stay with Russia under a US-brokered settlement, according to the interview transcript. The interview took place on Tuesday, the magazine said. Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan to arrive in Rome on Friday for the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vaticans St Peters Square on Saturday. It was not immediately clear if they would meet separately. Donald Trump lashed out at Vladimir Putin via social media on Thursday (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Meanwhile, a senior Russian military officer was killed by a car bomb near Moscow on Friday, Russias top criminal investigation agency said. Advertisement The attack follows the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on December 17, 2024, when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building exploded as he left for his office. Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the killing of Lt Gen Kirillov. Since Russia invaded, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks believed to have been carried out by Ukraine. Russian forces used Thursdays Kyiv attack as cover to launch almost 150 assaults on Ukrainian positions along the roughly 620-mile front line, Mr Zelenskyy said late on Thursday. When the maximum of our forces was focused on defence against missiles and drones, the Russians went on to significantly intensify their ground attacks, he wrote on Telegram. Advertisement Western European leaders have accused Mr Putin of dragging his feet in the negotiations and seeking to grab more Ukrainian land while his army has battlefield momentum. Mr Trump accused Mr Zelenskyy of prolonging the killing field by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimea peninsula as part of a possible deal. Russia illegally annexed that area in 2014. Mr Zelenskyy has repeated many times during the war that recognising occupied territory as Russian is a red line for his country. Mr Zelensky noted on Thursday that Ukraine agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Russian attacks continued. During recent talks, Russia hit the city of Sumy, killing more than 30 civilians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, battered Odesa with drones and blasted Zaporizhzhia with powerful glide bombs. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic, sharply criticised President Donald Trumps erratic trade policies on Wednesday, saying that they risk doing so much damage around the world and that most Americans do not support them. The unpredictability is just awful for everybody around the world, Branson said during a business trip to Saudi Arabia. Its just erratic, unpredictable, which is very, very difficult for business to deal with. Im just sad, incredibly sad: Sir Richard Branson has publicly criticised Trump. Credit: Louise Kennerley He added: An unsettled world is not good for anybody. People delay decisions on investment and spending. Bransons comments were striking because many business leaders have avoided direct public criticism of Trump, apparently for fear of antagonising his administration. The Duke of Sussex has said life is better when spent off social media. Prince Harry spoke out as he and wife Meghan unveiled a memorial in New York dedicated to children who have lost their lives because of the harms of the internet. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have spoken out at a memorial about the work to be done to better protect children online. Credit: GC Images Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Prince said: Life is better off of social media. I say that as a parent, and I say that as someone who has spoken to many of the kids here tonight who arent on social media because they have lost a brother or a sister to social media. But clearly enough is not being done. Some of the stories here are truly harrowing. Then, when that day becomes purposefully used, and youve built up some financial confidence in what you can afford, you might step down another day to three days a week. Each step, taken carefully, can allow you more time to be sure about your approach to your future retirement. How to fund the shift You dont need to stop working completely to access your super. If youre over 60, a Transition to Retirement income stream may allow you to draw a modest income while continuing to work part-time. Your super stays invested and working for you, and if youre still contributing, you could even reduce your overall tax bill. As Kat McPhee from Aware Super says on the podcast, this strategy can help you scale back your hours while maintaining your income offering flexibility without the financial shock. Its a smart option many Australians still dont realise is available. But for those looking to step back gradually without stepping out entirely, it can be a game-changer. Loading Alternatively, you might choose to move your super into the full retirement phase and return to work in a more suitable or flexible role, one that better fits this next stage of life. If youre over 60 and have left a role classified as gainful employment, this is entirely possible. The key point? Retirement no longer has to be declared once and for all. You can choose between a transition to retirement or leaving one role, shifting your super into the retirement phase, and then returning to work in a different role. And you can do it on your own terms, with more flexibility, more control, and more options to live the way you want. Plan for the part-timing years Theres a growing middle ground between working full-time and full retirement: the part-timing phase. These are the years when you gradually shift your focus from work to whats next. Nearly 80 per cent of Australians say theyd prefer to ease into retirement rather than stop suddenly. But not every workplace is set up for that. If youre over 55, you have the right to request flexible work under the Fair Work Act. Employers dont have to say yes, but they must consider the request, and many are realising the value of retaining experienced staff in flexible roles. Importantly, this transition isnt just financial. The emotional side matters, too. Work provides structure, social connection and purpose things a pension cant replace. One listener said, I didnt miss the job, but I missed being needed. Which is why easing in slowly can be such a wise move. Take a sabbatical. Travel. Volunteer. Try a new pursuit. Create a bit of breathing room to find out what youll actually miss and what you wont. Two women featured in my upcoming book did exactly that. One took four months overseas, came back with clarity, and shifted to permanent part-time. Another gradually stepped back to focus on her health and grandchildren and never looked back. Loading The rise of the slashie lifestyle Younger generations coined the term slashie someone with multiple roles or income streams. But its catching on in midlife and pre-retirement, too. Gen X and Boomers often describe it as a portfolio lifestyle: a mix of work, creativity, volunteering and space to breathe or multiple roles, each of which combine to give you a greater sense of purpose. Its not always about money. Its about meaning. And with the right financial foundation, many people are discovering they dont need to do just one thing any more. They can shape a life from the things they want to do not just what they have to do. Australians in their 50s and 60s are entering this phase with far more financial tools and far more flexibility than previous generations. Many still have time to grow their balances. Others are realising they dont need as much as they once thought, if they plan smart and live well. The earlier you start thinking about dipping your toe in, the more freedom youll have to shape this next chapter. Whether you want to caravan, consult, surf, sew or spend more time with family, easing in financially and emotionally can make all the difference. Because in the end, the best kind of retirement might not be the one you plan perfectly on paper. Its the one you get to test drive, one step at a time and have confidence in. Bec Wilson is the author of the bestseller, How to Have an Epic Retirement, and the newly released Prime Time: 27 lessons for the new midlife. She writes a weekly newsletter at epicretirement.net and hosts the Prime Time podcast. Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making financial decisions. On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker, and just over a week later on May 8, Germany surrendered. This years Anzac Day, therefore, marks almost exactly 80 years since of the end of WWII in Europe. This sad anniversary gives our commemoration added significance. Adolf Hitler in about 1933. The words we are taught to recite on Anzac Day are lest we forget by which we typically mean: remember the fallen. This year, lest we forget must take on a new and more urgent meaning: to remember how WWII began so we can prevent it from repeating. With every passing year, remembering the horrors and causes of that war becomes ever more difficult. Very few who fought in WWII are still with us. The 18-year-olds who enlisted in 1945 are now turning 98. Even those who were children at that time, with the haziest recollections of what it meant, are entering their twilight years. Soon all direct memory of that war will have disappeared completely. Can deep understanding of the costs and causes of global war survive beyond the span of a human life? Are we doomed to re-fight those wars every 80 to 100 years? Or can historical understanding guide us to safety? Can we keep the lessons of 1939 to 1945 near the forefront of our minds? We have to hope so. More to the point, we have to ensure it is so. Today we commemorate the thousands of countrymen and countrywomen who have given their lives or served in the nations armed forces. It is 80 years since World War II ended, 60 years next Tuesday since Robert Menzies announced he would send an Australian battalion to Vietnam, and 110 years today since the Diggers went ashore at what would become known as Anzac Cove. Every year, Herald reporters and photographers aim to bring you lesser-known stories that encapsulate the Anzac spirit of endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship. This year, Julie Power writes on the moving story of two best friends, Sid and Ted, who grew up in Sydneys west, only to be taken by the Japanese and sent to Sandakan. Tim Barlass tells us about Gwenda Garde, now 102, who helped hunt Japanese submarines as a teenager from a hut outside Canberra. Michael Ruffles and Kate Geraghty have spoken to the last Australian air force pilot who departed Vietnam 50 years ago today five days before the fall of Saigon. And European correspondent Rob Harris takes us to the Cotswolds, where a small English village still remembers the few hundred young Australians who left an impression in 1918. Anzac Day comes at the end of a week that has included the Easter break, the ongoing federal election campaign and the passing of Pope Francis. Amid these events, two other stories have stuck with me: the alleged murders of Thi Kim Tran and Audrey Griffin. The deaths of these women mustnt be overshadowed or forgotten. Throughout the week, more horrific details emerged about Trans brutal killing last Thursday, when she was kidnapped from inside her Bankstown home by masked men who forced her into a black SUV at gunpoint before she was murdered and set alight. Police say she was an innocent victim after her husband allegedly stole drugs from the organised crime network he allegedly worked for. No arrests have been made over her death. Anthony Albanese wants it on the record: he is not feeling cocky about Labors election prospects. Theres no complacency from my camp, I assure you of that, the prime minister told reporters at a press conference this week. And this election is certainly up for grabs. He went on to publicly remind his Labor colleagues about Bill Shortens devastating 2019 loss, when the bookmakers paid out a Labor victory that never eventuated. But actions speak louder than words, as the cliche goes. And the Albanese I have witnessed in action over the past week on the campaign trail has exuded a calm confidence, a man who looks like he is surfing a wave to victory on May 3. Far from frenetic, the penultimate week of campaigning has been positively languid by the normally gruelling standards. A week bookended by public holidays was always going to be a more low-key affair, but Albanese has leant into the sedate pace. It was not the behaviour of someone trying to upend the dynamics of the campaign or scrounge for every last vote. The contrast with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been stark. The far-right hecklers who disrupted the Welcome to Country ceremonies at Friday mornings Anzac Day services in Melbourne and Perth were quickly condemned as fringe actors. But what they shouted We dont need to be welcomed, according to reports has become a common refrain. It is repeated with rising frequency in conservative debates about Welcomes to Country on social media, in Sky News segments and even the Senate. Police lead away white supremacist Jacob Hersant, who heckled the Welcome to Country at the dawn service at Melbournes Shrine of Rememberance. Credit: Getty Images The Coalition stoked this debate earlier this year, when it brought the phrase into mainstream politics by pledging to wind back spending on Welcomes to Country if it formed government. Welcomes to Country should be reserved for rare occasions, especially when the taxpayer is being asked to pick up the tab, the oppositions Indigenous affairs spokeswoman, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, said in February this year. These trends have coincided in a rise of independent candidates being elected to parliament at the expense of support for major paries. Meanwhile, voter disengagement has grown. The 2022 election recorded the smallest proportion of voter turnout since the 1920s, when compulsory voting was introduced. The Australian Election Study found that in 2022, nearly one-fifth fewer people care a good deal about the election compared to two decades ago, in 1993. In the same period, the number of people who did not watch an election debate doubled, with 30 per cent avoiding the contest in 1993 compared to 66 per cent in 2022. Mara Board, a humanitarian and development student who lives in St Marys, said she pays more attention to global issues than Australian political news. Loading I dont really see the government doing anything, said Board. People my age are really into politics and whats going on, but not over here in Australia. [Politicians are] just not really around doing much for people our age, they dont really talk to us. With the chance to form government on the line in the final week of the election, political parties are about to kick off a furious bout of campaigning to capture the support of the large cohort of undecided voters. But Sheppard does not expect these outcomes to count for much. [Political parties] cant fatten the pig on market day, and you cant convince people weeks out from the election that you will be better than you have been for the last three years, she said. Chambers said most of the little local news media he consumes comes from the internet, despite his recognition of the importance of politics. Im not too interested but I know its important, he said. Despite his indifference Chambers plans to vote Labor, just because I believe [Coalition Leader Peter] Dutton is trying to get rid of the union, he says. That obviously affects me. And Labor always helps out the trades supposedly at least. Jeannie Boros, 66, said she is not interested in politics and most of her knowledge of it comes from television news programs. Jeannie Boros, 66, said she would end up voting the same way she always had. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui. When it comes to voting in this election, she will be guided by a simple principle: stick with what she knows. I listen to both parties, but I just go back to my old party. Its just ingrained [in me], she says. The big block on undecideds was a quirk of Australias compulsory voting system, which creates both benefits and risks for the democratic process. Loading In another country, these soft voters wouldnt vote, we would just call them non-voters, and that is absolutely unique to Australia, Sheppard said. Despite the rise in popularity of independent politicians, compulsory voting props up the major parties, according to Sheppard. Being loyal doesnt necessarily mean youre engaged. In Australia, we have about the highest rates of partisanship in the world. It declined everywhere in the world before it started to decline here, and it was held up until now by compulsory voting. Sheppard said there were two distinct groups among the large cohort of undecided voters those who are reading policy announcements and thinking hard and the ones who dont. Ollie Sardelich, 27, is one of the highly engaged voters. Ollie Sardelich says voters not paying attention risks making things worse. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Choosing to put your head in the sand kind of just makes things worse, she said. However, the disengaged voters vastly outnumber those who are actively weighing up their choices, and they are likely to get their ballot casting duty over with as early as possible. Three years on from Brisbanes Greenslide, three seats are in the firing line as the next federal election approaches. But while the partys weakest seat, Ryan, might be leafy, locals arent so sure its still Green. Established as an electorate in 1949, Ryan was a blue seat that is, held by the conservative Liberal Party or its Queensland successor, the LNP for all but 11 months in 2001 until the Greens Elizabeth Watson-Brown won in 2022. Ryan part of which is pictured here to the right of the river includes riverside suburbs dominated by high density housing and younger voters, and leafier and semi-rural parts of the city. The electorate covers two dozen suburbs, from urban riverside areas near the University of Queensland campus to more affluent suburbs where at least 80 per cent of residents are homeowners. Backward Virgin soldiers Checking in at Melbourne Airport for our flight home to Sydney with Virgin Australia on a Sunday morning recently was not a great experience with the airline really needing to lift its game. Check-in and bag drop are all self-service, with no other options, and in this busy and crowded area there was only one poor Virgin staff member to be called on for assistance by passengers when things regularly went wrong. Delays were the result, with luggage tags frequently needing to be re-issued, people with accessibility issues having to be attended to and the screens at the bag drop kiosks refusing to work over and over again. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown NSW Letter of the week: Paine thriller El Chalten and Mount Fitz Roy. Credit: iStock I loved Julie Millers Larger than life article on Chilean Patagonia (Traveller, April 26) and entirely agree about the natural majesty of Torres del Paine. But please dont forget El Chalten, my favourite village in Argentinian Patagonia. The 3405 metres high Mount Fitz Roy named after Robert Fitzroy, captain of HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin as a passenger towers over El Chalten in the Los Glaciares National Park. There are numerous opportunities for hiking, with the village considered the national capital of trekking in Argentina. Eileen Kennedy, West Pymble, NSW ATM to bank on Regarding your story on Central America (Traveller, April 12), the nation of Belize is well known for its barrier reef, but inland there are other water activities. The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (ATM) near San Ignacio is a Mayan religious site and famous for the discovery of the Crystal Maiden (the skeleton of a 17-year-old male who may have been subject to a sacrifice). A visit involves walking through creeks and jungle, a jump into a pond and then into the darkness for a damp crawl around rocks and through cave chambers to view the artefacts that are displayed as they were over thousands of years. Michael Copping, Oatley, NSW History lesson I welcome your recent story in praise of Central America. However, it is not correct that the Spaniards who arrived in the 16th century destroyed the regions great Mayan cities. They did not see them because the Maya had abandoned those cities centuries earlier and most lay hidden in the forest until the late 18th century. Perhaps of more concern is the suggestion that the Maya themselves were destroyed and no longer exist, when they are everywhere in Central America today, speaking their languages, wearing their beautiful woven garments, staying faithful to their culture, and numbering around seven million. Lets not wipe people out with the stroke of a pen or a keyboard. Annie Lanyon, Manifold Heights, Vic Springs attached Speaking of double beds (Traveller, April 12), while travelling solo in Italy my almost empty hotel in Sansepolcro insisted on giving me a room on the third floor (no lift) just so they could give me a single bed. No letto matrimoniale (double bed) for a single female. As a woman in my 70s, maybe I wasnt as invisible as I thought. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights, NSW Tip of the week: Jaime la France Twilight at Mont Saint-Michel. Credit: iStock My love for France goes back decades, but for the last 10 years it evolved into an annual visit. There is always plenty of planning and research involved as each trip has a theme. The most emotion-filled trip was to Mont Saint Michel, with the trip via Normandy aboard trains and buses and reminders along the way of the regions war history. My two days at Mont Saint Michel left an unforgettable imprint. Its museums, chapel, prison cell and even watching omelettes being made to the rhythm of music were all mind-blowing. Iwona Liberte, Malvern, Vic Unguarded moment Beware the Uber scam in Cape Town, South Africa. At the cruise terminal there, as we headed to meet our Uber driver, we were intercepted by a driver professing to be the car we ordered. Alas, our guard was down, and he assured us the app was not working. Therefore, he needed card payment at the end of the trip. Needless to say the card was hit, the app being down was a scam. My advice is to check the rego, do not offer a credit card and stay vigilant. Jan Naughton, Wahroonga, NSW Time of my life In 1971 as a young, 24-year-old single woman I travelled around Europe for three months alone (Traveller, April 13). I didnt have an iPhone or a credit card. I had a Eurail pass (which was first class travel then), travellers cheques (remember them?) and a youth hostel card. I stayed at youth hostels and ate there most of the time. Not only that, but I never felt unsafe except in Italy which I left pretty quickly. I met lots of other young people at the hostels and often explored a city with them and then moved on. Contact with home (Australia) was poste restante or an expensive public phone (which had to be booked). Some banks also had a postage service. It was the time of my life. Come on young people. Get a life. Elaine Hoyle, Avalon Beach, NSW Duke of hazards Thylacine, commonly called the Tasmanian tiger. Credit: Fairfax Media The answer to question 14 in the Traveller Quiz on April 13 was, of course, the now extinct thylacine. There is a pelt of one in Hobarts Tasmanian Museum, but weve seen another. My wife and I were astounded to see one in its glass case in the wonderful Natural History Museum in Vienna, Austria. It is a full taxidermy example and was shot by Archduke Franz Ferdinand on his visit to Tasmania in 1893, along with many other hapless creatures. Australia welcomed him with a full 21-gun salute on arrival. He was, of course, shot and killed in Sarajevo in an incident historians say started World War I. The thylacines revenge perhaps? Lance Dover, Pretty Beach, NSW Computer says pay Booking online with Qantas? Double check your dates. My booking error for mid-June has cost me more than $600 to change. With reserved seating now decoupled from my ticket, I lost that fee too. Complaints process? A vicious circle; the complaints form recommends calling customer service who then email a link back to the complaints form. Henri Bemelmans, Highton, Vic Grandest tour Were just home from a trip to the US where we visited the Grand Canyon for the first time. It was spectacular. We stayed in Flagstaff and drove via Desert View Drive, entering Grand Canyon National Park early with a seven-day pass costing $US35 ($55). We also highly recommend visiting the gorgeous desert town of Sedona, Arizona, known for its vibrant arts community, two hours south of the Grand Canyon and an hour from Flagstaff. Kimerley Brown, Bowral, NSW Editors note: Our writer, David Whitley, agrees about Sedona, with his recent piece declaring it Americas most beautiful city. Up the river I just completed a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia with 100 Australian passengers travelling down the Mekong River for seven days and with everyone experiencing a visa problem. Before travelling there, the Cambodian visa process took many weeks, with some visas not recognising email addresses. At the Cambodian border entering Vietnam, officials boarded the ship, removing two passengers with their luggage who were told to fly back to Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, as the dates on their visa had the wrong month. After numerous phone calls and stress the two women were allowed to re-board. Visa application processes need to be easier in countries wanting tourists they need to make Australians welcome. Karen Childs, Carlingford, NSW The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. See hardiegrant.com Is there any more evocative term in travel than Silk Road? Reaching back through history to the second century BC and Chinas Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), rulers created it as a route between Asia and Europe. Alexander the Great and Marco Polo were among the many who traversed the web of caravan tracks the route comprised. It was used for more than 1500 years before sea trade became the easier option. Golden Eagle Gold Class Cabin. With freedom and romance replacing trade and power as the wind beneath their travelling wings, the hippies and footloose backpackers of the 1960s and 1970s revived it, with painters, authors and musicians chronicling their bohemian odysseys for posterity. He was always at this time going to ease out, the president told reporters in the Oval Office. Shaun Maguire, one of Musks closest friends and an adviser to DOGE officials, said that he was confident the endeavour would thrive without Musks full-time involvement. He compared DOGE to a Falcon 9 rocket an initial thrust of energy powers the rocket even after it has separated from its engines. At this point, a rocket is only a couple hundred kilometres from earth, but it has escaped its gravity well and can travel far into the solar system, Maguire said. DOGE has escaped [Washington] DCs gravity well. Maguire, who was involved in interviews for Pentagon appointments during the presidential transition, said he believed that history will judge DOGE very favourably, well beyond what is appreciated today. Musk has placed DOGE allies across the federal government, seeking to dismantle some agencies, including the US Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The New York Times has identified more than 60 employees hired to work for Musks effort, although some have since left the federal government. Many have worked with the billionaire in the private sector, including at least 20 who have ties to Musks companies. DOGE is led by Steve Davis, Musks top adviser and enforcer. Loading Although Musks aides have pushed for staff reductions and have cancelled contracts, some of the groups most contentious work has been harnessing the federal governments vast trove of personal data, in part to help drive Trumps deportation policies. DOGE staff members have overridden the objections of career civil servants at the Social Security Administration and the IRS to access closely held data about immigrants. Inside a Social Security database, Musks team put into place a system to list living immigrants they claimed were criminals as dead, in an effort to cut them off from financial services and force them to leave the country. All told, DOGE has tried to gain entry to more than 80 data systems across at least 10 federal agencies, the Times found. Those data sets include personal information about federal workers; detailed financial data about federal procurement and spending; and intimate personal details about the American public. Some of Trumps advisers have watched anxiously as Musk has taken risky political swings at agencies that tens of millions of Americans rely on. Loading At the Social Security Administration, rushed policy changes have led to panicked beneficiaries overwhelming field offices. And a return-to-office policy and layoffs of probationary employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs have imperilled the agencys mental health care program and threatened its ability to conduct medical research. Musk came into the Trump administration claiming he would find governmental cost savings so large that they sounded impossible to budget experts. In February, the group posted an online wall of receipts that detailed the savings from thousands of cancelled grants, contracts and office leases. But that site included claims that confused billion with million, double- or triple-counted the same cancellations and even took credit for cancelling programs that ended when George W. Bush was president. This month, at a cabinet meeting, Musk said he had so far cut $US150 billion from next years federal budget far less than the $US1 trillion he claimed he would extract. Loading DOGE has triggered sharp cuts to the federal workforce and the budgets of some agencies. But it is difficult to gauge exactly how much it has saved, because DOGEs public claims have been riddled with errors and guesswork that inflated its success. Musks slashing of the government has been politically costly, but he remains in good standing with the president, according to people familiar with Trumps views. While some of Trumps close aides and advisers have argued with Musk, the president still praises him at nearly every opportunity, and still invites him to hang out at his clubs and to bring along his children. Trump has told advisers that Musk put it all on the line for him. And he feels bad about what he calls left-wing lunatics attacking Tesla dealerships to protest Musks role in the Trump administration. Trump also respects the power of Musks social media platform, X, even as the president retains a commercial interest in Truth Social, his own platform. Donald Trump feels bad about what he calls left-wing lunatics attacking Tesla dealerships to protest Musks role in the Trump administration. Credit: Bloomberg In private, Trump has occasionally indicated to associates that it might be time for Musk to move on and spend more time with his companies. But the president is unlikely to ever pressure Musk to leave, or do anything deliberate to alienate him. He remains grateful for the hundreds of millions of dollars that Musk spent to elect him in 2024, and mindful of the additional $US100 million that Musk has pledged to Trumps political operation, the associates note. On Tuesday, Musk told analysts that he planned to dial back his government work to a day or two per week to turn his attention back to his companies. Administration officials with knowledge of Musks schedule said that they had already noticed he had reduced the amount of time he spends in Washington. For more than five years, Yolanda Tinajero has longed for her brother Arturo Benavides, one of 23 people slain at a Walmart in El Paso in 2019 by a self-described white nationalist. At the shooters final hearing on Tuesday, Tinajero looked straight at the 26-year-old who had pleaded guilty to killing her brother in a hateful rampage, and extended him grace. Adriana Zandri, who lost her husband Ivan Manzano, hugs his killer, Patrick Crusius. He also received an embrace from Yolanda Tinajero. Credit: AP I feel in my heart to hug you very tight so you could feel my forgiveness, especially my loss, Tinajero said, according to the news outlet El Paso Matters. Hugs were generally not allowed in the courtroom, so Judge Sam Medrano shocked those watching when he acquiesced to her wish. Even defendant Patrick Crusius was caught off guard, said his attorney Joe Spencer. As Tinajero approached, the defendant whispered to Spencers co-counsel, Is she going to hug me? State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Le secteur bananier camerounais affiche des performances remarquables en ce debut d'annee 2025, a appris cameroun24. Selon les donnees revelees par Eco-Finance, les quatre agro-industries operant dans la filiere ont exporte 57 999 tonnes de bananes entre janvier et mars 2025. Un chiffre qui confirme la vitalite de ce segment cle de l'agrobusiness national. PHP, leader inconteste de la filiere bananiere Avec 40 183 tonnes exportees sur la periode, la Societe des Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP) confirme sa position de geant inconteste du secteur. L'entreprise, basee a Njombe-Penja (departement du Moungo), represente a elle seule : ? 74,4% des exportations totales ? Une croissance soutenue par rapport aux performances des annees precedentes ? Un ancrage territorial fort dans cette zone reputee pour sa production bananiere Une filiere structuree mais concentree Si PHP domine largement le marche, trois autres acteurs se partagent les 25,6% restants : Boh Plantations CDC (Cameroon Development Corporation) Plantations du Moungo Cette concentration souleve des questions sur : ? La diversification des acteurs dans la filiere ? L'equilibre geographique de la production ? La competitivite des petits producteurs face aux geants agro-industriels Perspectives et defis pour 2025 Les analystes soulignent plusieurs enjeux pour le secteur : ? Maintenir la qualite pour concurrencer les bananes d'Amerique latine ? Developper la transformation locale pour augmenter la valeur ajoutee ? Optimiser la logistique portuaire de Douala #Agrobusiness #Cameroun #Exportations #Bananeraie #PHP #EconomieVerte Cameroon Exports 57,999 Tons of Bananas in Q1 2025: PHP Dominates Market Cameroon's banana sector has demonstrated strong performance in the first quarter of 2025, with export figures revealing both the vitality and concentration of this key agribusiness segment. According to data from Eco-Finance, the country shipped 57,999 tons of bananas abroad between January and March, with industry giant Plantations du Haut Penja (PHP) maintaining its market dominance. PHP Commands 74.4% Market Share The Njombe-Penja based producer solidified its leadership position by exporting: ? 40,183 tons - representing 74.4% of national exports ? Consistent year-on-year growth in production volumes ? Strong competitive advantage in the Moungo production basin Sector Concentration Raises Questions While PHP leads, three other operators share the remaining 25.6%: Boh Plantations Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) Plantations du Moungo Industry analysts highlight several structural considerations: ? Need for greater player diversification ? Geographic balance in production capacity ? Competitiveness challenges for smaller producers 2025 Outlook: Quality and Value-Add Focus Key sector priorities include: ? Maintaining quality standards to compete with Latin American producers ? Developing local processing capabilities to capture more value ? Optimizing Douala port logistics for export efficiency Market Watch: With PHP planning expansion and the Ministry of Agriculture promising support measures, observers will monitor whether competitors can close the gap in this strategically important sector. #Agribusiness #CameroonExports #BananaTrade #PHP #GreenEconomy Ekanga Ekanga Fernand (Stagiaire) Belgium - Pensions and benefits If you have lived or worked in Belgium and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Belgium and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Belgium or Canada, or both. The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Belgium came into force on January 1, 1987. Available benefits If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Belgian pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Belgium, this agreement may help you qualify for: Canadian old age and disability benefits Belgian old age and disability benefits If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for: Canadian survivor benefits Belgian survivor benefits You may qualify for a Canadian or Belgian benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that countrys pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Belgium will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Belgium's pension program. Eligibility Canadian benefits The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan ( CPP ) and the Old Age Security ( OAS ) program. If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan ( CPP ) benefit based on your contributions to the CPP , Canada will consider periods of insurance under to the pension program of Belgium as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan. If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension because you have not lived in Canada for the minimum number of years, Canada will consider periods of insurance under the pension program of Belgium and periods of residence in Belgium after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada. Note: Quebec Pension Plan ( QPP ) contributors The Government of Canada's international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP , please consult the Quebec Pension Plan. Belgian benefits The pension program of Belgium covers employed persons. There are special schemes for self-employed persons and public employees. To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Belgium, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years. If you have not contributed to the Belgian pension program for the minimum period and you are a Belgian or Canadian national, Belgium will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as periods of insurance under the Belgian pension program. If you are a Canadian citizen, under the Agreement you can receive a Belgian benefit while residing in Canada. Advertisement Pakistans cement industry has experienced positive growth, driven by a strong export performance. Cement exports from Pakistans southern region are gaining momentum, with recent trends indicating improved pricing, particularly in the African market. Several factors are driving this shift. According to AHL Research, export rebates previously offered by countries exporting cement to Africa have been discontinued. With these incentives removed, exporters have adjusted their pricing, making Pakistani cement more competitively priced in key export markets. Additionally, supply constraints in Algeria have increased the demand for imported cement in Africa. The revival of construction activity in Syria has also contributed to the overall rise in cement demand across the region. These evolving dynamics have benefited Pakistans cement industry, especially for manufacturers in the southern region. During the 9MFY24-25, Pakistans total cement exports surged by 28 per cent yearly, reaching 6.5Mt. The southern region led this growth, recording a 33 per cent YoY increase to 5.4Mt. Exports from the south now account for 54 per cent of total cement sales, a significant rise from the 10-year average of 34 per cent. Cement plants in the southern region are expected to see positive impacts on their earnings in the upcoming quarters. By Abdul Rab Siddiqi, Pakistan Middle Valley Church of God, located at 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, announces that Pastor Mitch McClure will be preaching on Sunday, April 27, in the 10:30 a.m.service. His sermon title will be, Help Me Fix My Problems(I Need Jesus Now!). The goal of this sermon series is to assure the listener that they have access to God through Jesus Christ in all situations of life along with His promises to help. All are welcome to participate. Each Sunday at 5:30 p.m. the church conducts a Prayer Meeting. The Prayer Meeting is open to all who wish to participate and is designed to encourage prayer. Information on various methods of prayer will be shared with participants. The goal of this prayer meeting is to encourage Believers to seek God through prayer. All are welcome to participate. Each Wednesday at 7 p.m., an Interactive, Interesting, and Informative Bbile Study will be held in the church auditorium. Pastor Mitch McClure is currently leading this Bible study. The topic of the Bible study will be how worldview impacts our lives. All are welcome to participate. The goal of this Bible study is to encourage Believers to study the Bible and discuss with others, making the Scripture their guide. Middle Valley Church of God is a community focused church with various ministries in the Middle Valley area and in Cusuna, Honduras. The community is welcome to join in times of worship and community service. MVCOG has been ministering in the Middle Valley Community since 1948 from the same location. If you have questions, please contact the church office at 423.843.1539. All are welcome. Erlanger recently came together to honor and recognize social workers across the system. Peers were able to nominate social workers in various departments, selecting four Social Worker of the Year recipients.This years recipients are Cheryl Smith, MSW, LPN (Erlanger Baroness Hospital), Gennie Childs, LCSW (Outpatient-Erlanger Medical Group), Jenny Dixon, MSW (Erlanger East Hospital) and Alexandra Brzezienski, LMSW (Children's Hospital at Erlanger).Ms. Smith has worked at Erlanger for more than 25 years."During her tenure, she has dedicated herself to helping patients who were most vulnerable. Her experience in the Emergency Department has made her an amazing resource for her peers and a advocate for her patients," officials said.Ms. Childs was nominated by her peers for her generosity towards families facing pediatric cancer. "She is considered as a social worker who 'goes out of her way' to provide support," officials said. One peer who nominated her said, Gennie exemplifies the highest standards of the profession, demonstrating unwavering commitment to her patients, families, and colleagues.Ms. Dixon is a social worker at Erlanger East Hospital who has a passion for serving mothers and newborns. "Peers commend her for her tireless efforts to support growing families, approaching each situation with kindness and an open mind," officials said. "Jenny's tact and willingness to always go the extra mile makes her a special part of the Erlanger East family."Nominations for Ms. Brzezienski mention her "strong passion to connect pediatric patients with all the resources they need." Alexandra's peers note that she is "a champion for social justice and excels at tackling all the unique challenges pediatric social work embodies.""This year's winners exemplify the intersection of professionalism, commitment and advocacy, said Jessica Long, LMSW, psychiatry director, Erlanger. The work they do not only beautifully represents Erlanger's goal to compassionately care for people, but shows that social work practice can be expertly implemented and highly valued throughout the entire Erlanger network." Chattanooga entrepreneur and small business owner Kimberly Thompson will open Ooltewahs first luxury pet boutique at Cambridge Square this spring. Fetch & Fifth will occupy 1,000 square feet on the developments public square with space preparations now underway in anticipation of a grand opening in late June of this year. Cambridge Square is a commercial and residential community located off Lee Highway in Ooltewah, less than a quarter mile east of I-75. Development began on the project in 2013. Since that time the community has become home to more than 45 commercial tenants, the vast majority of which are locally owned and operated. Fetch & Fifth is a lifestyle boutique curated for pets and their owners who demand "style, sophistication and superior quality," according to Ms. Thompson who moved from Birmingham to Chattanooga in 2020 to open Love, EROS, an eclectic womens boutique on Main Street in the citys Southside district. Ms. Thompson plans to instill a similar personalized and welcoming touch into her new Ooltewah concept, reflective of her current boutiques milieu. Fetch & Fifth lives at the intersection of fashion, function, and fur, Ms. Thompson said. We offer an elevated retail experience featuring high-end pet apparel, bespoke accessories, luxury grooming products, and chic essentials that seamlessly blend the modern lifestyle of pets and their owners. Whether youre pampering your pup or treating your feline to something fabulous, Fetch & Fifth is where pet panache meets human fancy. Cambridge has become home to a number of local retailers with offerings that include womens apparel, custom jewelry, hair and nail salons, med-aesthetics, home decor, fresh flowers and childrens clothing. Ms. Thompson is delivering a fresh and fun approach to our retail family at Cambridge, said Jim Cheney who oversees leasing and marketing for the development. She adds a lot of energy and creativity to the mix, and her focus on customer service and hands-on engagement are very much in line with the brick-and-mortar shopping experience we seek on the Square. Were excited about her concept and look forward to having more four-legged shoppers at Cambridge. Nearly all counties in Tennessee reported unemployment rates below 5% in March, according to newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). Only four of Tennessees 95 counties recorded unemployment rates of 5% or higher, with the highest at 5.7%. Unemployment rates decreased from February to March in 70 counties. Rates remained the same in 17 counties, and they increased in eight counties. Williamson County once again reported the lowest rate for March at 2.4%, down two-tenths of a percentage point from February. Cheatham had the next-lowest rate at 2.6%, a decline of one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month. Rutherford, Wilson, and Knox counties followed, all with rates of 2.7%. Pickett County had Tennessees highest unemployment rate in March at 5.7%. The rate was down six-tenths of a percentage point from Februarys rate of 6.3%. Hardeman County had the second-highest rate at 5.2%, the same rate as the previous month. Johnson County followed with a rate of 5.1%, a decline of seven-tenths of a percentage point from February. Data released last week showed that Tennessees seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 3.6%, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the previous month. Unlike the statewide rate, county rates are not adjusted to account for seasonal impacts on employment. A complete analysis of the March 2025 county unemployment data is available here. May 7 is National Skilled Trades Day, recognizing the value and benefits of careers in the skilled trades. The latest episode of State of the Workforce, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Developments TV program, spotlights the demand for skilled trade professionals across the state and how Tennesseans can find low-cost or no-cost training at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Tennessee will release statewide unemployment data for April on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. CDT. Former state Rep. Patsy Hazlewood, testifying about former fellow legislator Robin Smith, told a Nashville jury on Thursday, "I think she was incredibly dishonest. I don't like the fact that I was misled." Ms. Hazlewood, along with current state Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, testified for the government in the case in which former House Speaker Glen Casada and his former top aide, Cade Cothren, are standing trial on federal criminal charges. Ms. Smith earlier pleaded guilty to a single charge of dishonest services and is due to be the star witness for the government. Prosecutors said Ms. Smith hatched a plan in which she and Casada would get payments for lining up legislators for a service that provided constituent mailers. It was noted that legislators get $3,000 each for such services. The government said Cothren and Casada were out of favor at the time after a "scandal" involving allegedly salacious and racist emails so it was decided to set up a company (Phoenix Solutions) operated by a fake person (Matthew Phoenix) - actually run by Cothren. Ms. Hazlewood said Ms. Smith, a former Hamilton County and Tennessee Republican Party chairman, approached her about doing a mailer. Ms. Hazlewood said Ms. Smith told her it would be provided by an individual who had lived in Northeast Tennessee, but who had moved with his partner to Santa Fe, New Mexico for a lifestyle change. She said Ms. Smith had worked with Phoenix before and "vouched for his work." Ms. Smith said she had met Matthew Phoenix at Turning Point USA (a conservative group working with young people), it was stated. Ms. Hazlewood, asked if she had gone along with the mailer if she knew that Cothren was actually doing the work, said definitely not. She cited "the scandal," which she said involved "very graphic things." She said, "I had two young grandchildren at the time." She stated, "I had no faith or trust in his integrity. I had no interest in working with him." Ms. Hazlewood said, "I trusted Robin pretty implicitly." She said, "She (Ms. Smith) told me lies about who they were (Phoenix). She told me that Matthew Phoenix was a real person. That was a total fabrication." Ms. Hazlewood said looking back she is not sure that all the mailers that she paid for were delivered. She said always when she did a mailer a number of them would come back as undeliverable. On this one, she said she does not remember any undeliverables. Cost for the mailers was $3,275.40 for the front and back color mailers. Ms. Hazlewood said she was able to cover the cost because she had some accrued funds from prior years in her mailer account. The witness said the mailer situation "reflects on me personally as well as the Legislature itself." Rep. Helton-Haynes said she had initially been introduced to Robin Smith by her now husband (Assessor of Property Marty Haynes). She said Ms. Smith ran her legislative campaign in 2018. She said Ms. Smith spoke to her about a mailer and she gave the go-ahead. She said she assumed it was being done through Ms. Smith's River Edge Alliance consulting firm. Rep. Jay Reedy testified that he was approached by Nick Crawford, who was associated with the Phoenix firm, and he agreed to do a mailer. He said he only learned when approached by the FBI that Cade Cothren was involved in the production. He said, "I couldn't believe it. In my mind, that was a very corrupt way of doing business." Rep. Reedy said he is a cattle farmer and also has a locksmith company, but he makes it a point not to do business with the government. He said Cothren "has a very abrasive reputation." Of Casada, he said the former House speaker had helped him win a campaign. Later, he said, "I started to have my doubts about him." Defense attorneys, in their questioning, focused on the fact that legislators were generally happy with the mailers from Phoenix and had no complaints. Nearly 30 leaders from Wilmington, N.C., are visiting Chattanooga this week "to learn about the citys continued economic renewal," a visit that featured a presentation and tour of the former U.S. Pipe/Wheland Foundry site that is being transformed into a mixed-use, publicly-owned stadium that will be home to the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce visits one city per year to learn about how other communities grow their local economies and improve their residents quality of life. They chose to visit Chattanooga in large part because of projects like the stadium project that are already generating new local investment, stadium officials said. Wilmington continues to redevelop properties in our downtown riverfront district, many of which are former industrial sites. We are excited to be in Chattanooga to learn how this community has managed a similar transformation successfully for the benefit of residents and visitors, said Natalie English, CCE, IOM, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. These trips are great learning environments that facilitate the strengthening of community relationships. Our group returns home with a passion to get engaged with initiatives in the Wilmington region. Notable visitors from Wilmington included: New Hanover County Commissioners Rob Zapple and Stephanie Walker Jim Hundley, Wilmington Chamber Board Chair Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber President & CEO Ernio Bovio, President of the Novant Health Coastal Region Jeff Bourk, Director of the Wilmington International Airport The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and River City Company assisted the Wilmington Chamber in coordinating their visit. Officials said, "The mixed-use stadium will be jointly owned by the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County and is expected to spur $1 billion in new investment and $2.3 billion in economic impact to the area, according to an independent analysis conducted by Younger. Not only is the stadium development expected to pay for itself through future tax revenue generated around the stadium through a financial tool known as a TIF, but it will generate $186 million in new education funding for Hamilton County Schools and $102 million in new tax revenue for the city and county over the next 30 years, without raising taxes, according to the independent analysis.. Day Shift April 24: A Squad 25-004313 4214 Ringgold Road Delayed Pedestrian Struck Police spoke with a woman at the ERPD Sally Port. She told police her son attends ERHS and alleged was struck by a blue pickup truck this afternoon while crossing the street at Bennet & Tombras.Police spoke with the juvenile who said he was not injured, did not fall and was able to walk to Pioneer Park to relay the story to his waiting mother. 25-004304 200 BLK Eads Street Apartment Aggravated Assault The caller reported a delayed assault perpetrated by her friend. She alleged the woman entered her apartment, grabbed her hair, and struck her in the face but had no visible injuries. Simultaneously, the other party met with the Chattanooga Police Department and reported that our caller invited her inside the apartment and then shoved her, grabbed her by the hair, and struck her in the face with a liquor bottle following a verbal altercation. The party also had a visible bleeding laceration to the side of her head consistent with her story. The party in East Ridge was taken into custody, charged with Aggravated Assault, and transported to jail. 25-004317 400 BLK Camp Jordan Parkway Alarm Distress Officers responded on report of staff fighting a patient. On arrival, the suspect initially calmed down but then became aggressive when a nurse tried to administer medication. Consequently, a TASER was brandished and the party agreed to keep her behavior under control. The woman was not charged due to her mental state. 25-004320- 300 BLK Dunlap Ave- Deceptive Practice Police spoke with a man who advised his bank account was used to purchase $7100 in phones. A leasing company sent him emails confirming the lease. The victim advised there were yet to be funds removed from his account. However, the first payment would be drafted on May 5, 2025. He was advised to contact his bank and put a stop payment on his account. Night Shift April 24: C Squad 25-004339 4214 Ringgold Road Warrant Service While in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, a man was served with five Forfeiture Capias warrants from the City of East Ridge. The original charges for the capias warrants were the following: Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Prescription Drug Fraud, Theft of Property, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony, and Possession of Drugs for Resale. 24-008192 4214 Ringgold Road Warrant Service While in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, the same man was served with two original warrants for Forgery and Conspiracy to Commit Theft over $1000. 24-008204 4214 Ringgold Road Warrant Service While in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, the very same man was served with two additional warrants, from a separate case, for Forgery and Conspiracy to Commit Theft over $1000. 25-004289 3600 BLK Maiden Drive Follow-up Police located a woman and discussed the conditions of the Temporary Protection Order (TPO). She was served the TPO the previous day; however, incorrect information was provided to her by the law enforcement officer serving it. Based on the conversation, she was clear on the requirements of the court order. 25-004324 1500 BLK Burns Avenue Assist EMS Police responded to the report of a infant fading in and out of consciousness. Police provided care until EMS and ERFD personnel arrived on scene. The child was transported to a local hospital by EMS for additional care. 25-004327 1700 BLK McDonald Road Focused Traffic Enforcement Police conducted focused traffic enforcement in the areas of Hilton Drive and McDonald Road for approximately one hour. The enforcement action yielded two citations for speeding, one citation for financial responsibility, and one citation for a license violation. 25-004331 1400 BLK Mana Lane Disorder Police responded to a disorder at this residence and determined that two adults were engaged in a verbal argument. Police spoke to the individuals, and they agreed to separate for the night. No signs of an assault were observed. 25-004333 5300 BLK Ringgold Rd Traffic Stop / Arrest Police initiated a traffic stop with a black Ford Ranger for a light law violation and the driver was identified. A probable cause search of the vehicle yielded 35 grams of Methamphetamine, half a gram of suspected cocaine and paraphernalia related to illegal drug sales. He was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine for Resale, Possession of Cocaine for Resale, Simple Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 25-004336 3200 Ringgold Road Traffic Stop / Arrest Following a traffic stop for a window tint violation, a man was arrested and charged with Driving on a Revoked License for DUI. He was transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident. 25-004337 6500 BLK Ringgold Road Motor Vehicle Crash with Injuries Police and Fire Department personnel responded to a crash with injuries. On scene, police determined the crash was the result of a two-vehicle head on collision. All five occupants of the two vehicles showed signs of injury or shock. EMS transported three individuals to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. 25-004341 3800 BLK Block Ringgold Rd. - Certificate of Need Police responded to a suspicious person climbing a tree behind the restaurant. Officers identified the male and determined he was attempting to harm himself. The male was placed into protective custody and transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. Melissa Hefferlin and Daud Akhriev photo by John Shearer Craig Kronenberg, Melissa Hefferlin and Daud Akhriev, from left photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Property at 1405 Williams St. photo by John Shearer Previous Next Before the Southside and Main Street area became popular for urban living and restaurants, it was initially in its modern rejuvenation a burgeoning area for local artists. That included Daud Akhriev and Melissa Hefferlin, who moved there in the early 2000s at the encouragement of fellow artist and sculptor Cessna Decosimo. They did not move into an older building with then-cheaper rent as might have been typical but found a vacant lot with only a metal shed on it for sale. What resulted with the help of architect and longtime friend Craig Kronenberg was the areas own large piece of art for these artistically inclined people a new construction featuring a unique studio, courtyard and art gallery. While Mr. Akhriev and Ms. Hefferlin moved out a few years later and have rented the property amid their work and lives that now include living part-time in Spain, they have decided to sell the multi-purpose building at 1405 Williams St. The property is currently listed for sale by Fletcher Bright Realty Co. for $2.75 million, evidence to how popular and desirable the Southside has become since they built the structure. While the total amount of space is 3,726 square feet and includes two bedrooms and four bathrooms, describing the structure influenced by two accomplished artists and an also recognized architect that way might only hint of the structures seemingly creative offerings. According to listing agent and Realtor Bethany Patten, the property which received a prestigious American Institute of Architects Architecture Excellence Award in 2005 -- is definitely unique. The facade has an industrial feel with a limestone and zinc exterior, and the inside has a European-inspired courtyard and Parisian art studio, she said. The south wall of the courtyard is a mosaic mural created by Daud. And Melissa and Daud lived in the penthouse above their gallery. The gallery space is on the first floor facing Williams Street, with an office space and separate entrance for residents. Above it are two areas for living that can be combined. In the middle is the open courtyard, while in the back is a large studio space with a Louvre museum-like slanted clear covering that allows plenty of natural light. Parking for two vehicles is in the rear. Although the couple often had gallery open houses in the early years, a recent open house for perspective buyers brought back some memories for the couple. That was because many visitors were seeing it for the first time and reacted just like the previous visitors had, they said. To be in here and watch people come in and see their faces light up was nice, said Ms. Hefferlin as she and Mr. Akhriev and Mr. Kronenberg sat in the courtyard with Ms. Patten recently before giving me a tour. Both before and since living in the residence, the couple has had a life as detailed and full as some of their paintings and mosaics. Ms. Hefferlin, who was born in 1968, had grown up in Apison attending Collegedale Academy and UTC before finding herself studying at the Russian Academy in what is now St. Petersburg in 1990. That is when she met Soviet Union native Mr. Akhriev, who was born in 1959. They moved to Apison in 1991 and lived there for several years before coming to the Southside when it was in its early period of revival and not so trendy. Mr. Akhriev even remembers buying some bread from the now-popular Niedlovs Bakery by knocking on the door of another building where they were located when the operation was just getting started. He also remembers coming to the Southside Grill when it was almost a business island unto itself and at another time realizing the Main Street area was in the last vestiges of being known as a local hangout for the prostitution trade. Architect Mr. Kronenberg once wrote a white paper, or informational research sheet, about the Southside and cited such factors as the help of the Lyndhurst Foundation, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise and River City Company in its revival. He and his fellow architect wife, Heidi, also became active in the area both through work and personally as residents. He had grown up in the historic architectural mecca of Chicago and worked for a period for the large firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, including in Los Angeles. He also helped design some of the Manila skyline while working in Asia. He came here in 1996, and he and his wife opened their own firm in 1999. He had met Heidi, the sister of Melissa, while working in Los Angeles. Besides the Williams Street studio, he has also received personal recognition in recent years for the Southern Surgical Arts Building at 1405 Cowart Street and the stone and modernist-style Ravens Crest home overlooking the Sequatchie Valley. His now-large firm of which he is now a partner emeritus was also involved in the redesign of Miller Park, among numerous other projects. Melissa Hefferlins work includes a lot of still life and figurative painting done in oil and through lino-style prints. Reaching back to her Collegedale roots, she also has a couple of Little Debbie and McKee family murals at Erlanger Hospitals Kennedy Childrens Outpatient Center. Mr. Akhriev is known as a sought-after instructor in figurative and landscape painting and has created a variety of paintings. The eclectic artisan is also known for his four nine-foot feminine bronze figures placed by the city of Chattanooga in different places around town and representing the four seasons. He has also done several mosaics at places such as the Erlanger Hospital chapel, the Ireland Fine Arts Building at Baylor School, Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church and St. Peters Episcopal Church off Ashland Terrace. He also did a mosaic at the Williams Street studio building on the market, and that might be like artistic icing on the cake for a buyer. Other unique features inside the listed property include some limestone quarried near Winchester that Mr. Akhriev installed himself on a courtyard wall. Some fossils were in them but later washed out. Some wood was salvaged from the Rock-Tenn Building that was taken down when Finley Stadium was built, and it was incorporated into the building, too. Heidi asked to salvage the heart pine, and it was put on the floor of the studio, said Mr. Kronenberg. Tommy Hobbs and Scott Kelley had also helped with some of the lumber and woodwork. Mr. Kronenberg said the interior courtyard was inspired by the Algerian-style courtyards with which he was familiar. The home also has a tall door to carry large pieces of art in and out, and a stoop outside the front door for gathering during special events. The whole residential, gallery and studio facility gives the feel of perhaps being in another place, including Europe or maybe a larger American city. Melissa Hefferlin admits that they once did have a view of the entire Chattanooga Choo Choo train station terminal, although the iconic sign at the top is still visible amid all the new construction as the area evolves. But views inwardly are still uniquely the same. As the couple and Mr. Kronenberg continued to talk with Ms. Patten in the courtyard during the recent tour, it was like an art and architectural history lecture with facts and anecdotal stories about the building and how it came to be. But all three possessed an easily approachable manner as the Greenwich Village-like artsy discussion continued. One reason Ms. Hefferlin and Mr. Akhriev are selling the property is that they are moving into the old Hamilton National Bank building in the historic Rossville downtown district near the state line. Mr. Kronenberg and his wife are also following them down there as that area revives. But as the conversation concluded in the courtyard, the focus on the past was on the Williams Street building now on the market. The couple say selling it is definitely bittersweet, and that came to mind after the recent open house. I sent a text to Craig saying it was an emotional evening for me because we havent lived here in a decade or so, she said. But she added that the reaction was timeless and brought back warm memories. They (visitors) saw the courtyard and their cares just dropped away and they sort of entered a magical space. I sort of remembered what it was like when we were here and that happened all the time. Mr. Akhriev is also feeling some emotion. When it is sold, it will be bittersweet. But when were driving by, I will remember all of those great times we had with all the family and friends, and that we did something for the city. For Mr. Kronenberg, glancing at the building that is now for sale brings both memories of an award-winning project of which he is proud and the deeper connection with his in-laws who are also dear friends. Yes, I am proud of the work we did on this building. And this building is just one of many projects in our lifetime of collaboration with Daud and Melissa, he said, adding that he first knew Melissa when she was living with her sister and going to school in Los Angeles, and they collaborated on different projects. Now the building has a new and different future waiting on it. For those looking for a unique multi-purpose building in this price range, Ms. Patten feels it is appealing. The daughter of Lee Weigel Patten and the late Cartter Patten, she understands a little about the multiregional influences on the property as well. That is because she was gone from Chattanooga for 35 years before moving back to the Chattanooga area from San Francisco during the COVID-19 pandemic with her husband, Kenneth Neal, and daughter, Annabel, who is graduating from St. Nicholas School and will attend Girls Preparatory School in the fall. As a result, this self-admitted lover of historic properties and Chattanooga history has a little history behind her when she adds of the new historic landmark of sorts, Its a bright star in Chattanoogas architectural scene. * * * Jcshearer2@comcast.net The Tennessee Supreme Court held Friday that a lawsuit against a nursing home facility may continue, even though the plaintiff in the case, resident Annie Jones, had died. Ms. Jones was an elderly resident of Life Care Center, a nursing home in Tullahoma, Tn. In 2019, while nursing home employees were helping Ms. Jones bathe, one of the employees took a video call from her boyfriend, a jail inmate. The employee positioned the phone in a way that showed Ms. Joness nude body on the video call. The jail was monitoring the call and saw the video. Ms. Joness daughter, Calisa Joyce Sons, filed a lawsuit on behalf of her mother against Life Care in Crockett County. The lawsuit alleged that Life Care committed the tort of intrusion upon seclusion, which is a type of invasion of privacy. Life Care argued that the trial court should dismiss the lawsuit because Ms. Jones was so mentally impaired that she was unaware of the video call and was not injured by it. The trial court dismissed the lawsuit and Ms. Sons appealed. While the appeal was pending, Ms. Jones died. The Court of Appeals reversed the trial courts dismissal of the lawsuit. The Tennessee Supreme Court granted Life Cares request to appeal. On appeal, Life Care argued that Ms. Sonss lawsuit abated, or ended, when Ms. Jones died, and it asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit. Under Tennessee law, most tort lawsuits can continue to go forward even if the plaintiff dies. There is one exceptionsuits for wrongs affecting the character of the plaintiff abate, or end, when the plaintiff dies. Life Care argued that the privacy tort of intrusion upon seclusion fit this exception. The Tennessee Supreme Court disagreed. It held that, even though Ms. Jones was severely cognitively impaired, she nevertheless had the right not to involuntarily have her nude body put on display. The Court found that the privacy tort of intrusion upon seclusion does not involve the plaintiffs character at all, so the lawsuit on behalf of Ms. Jones did not abate when Ms. Jones died. The Court reversed the trial courts dismissal of the lawsuit. To read the opinion in Annie J. Jones, By And Through Her Conservatorship, Joyce Sons a/k/a Calisa Joyce Sons v. Life Care Centers Of America d/b/a Life Care Center of Tullahoma, authored by Chief Justice Holly Kirby, visit the Supreme Court opinions section of TNCourts.gov. In a recent Profile of Valor on Georgia native MajGen James Livingston (USMC), I noted: When contemplating a Marines Marine, some of the first names that come to mind are LtGen Lewis Chesty Puller and Col Wesley Lee Fox. I never had the opportunity to meet Lt. Gen. Puller, but I have had the privilege of multiple meetings with Medal of Honor recipients Livingston and Fox. In fact, Col Fox was one of the earliest advocates for the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the birthplace of the Medal of Honor, as we were in our formative stage 10 years ago.He lauded the importance of our educational curriculum: One must have good character, solid principles, and high ethical standards to inspire others to follow and those are the traits we teach to young people. Wesley Fox was the son of John Wesley and Desola Lee Fox. He was born on their family farm near Herndon, Virginia, and was the oldest of 10 siblings. He dropped out of school after eighth grade, wanting to follow in his fathers footsteps as a farmer. At the onset of the Korean War, inspired by the service of other family members, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1950 at age 18. According to Wesley, I saw it as a chance to catch up to my cousin Norman, whod jumped into Italy and Normandy in WWII. So, one rainy day when we couldnt work on the farm, a buddy and I drove to the recruiters in Washington, D.C. I told the Marine recruiter I was trying to decide between the Marines and the Airborne. He said, Hell boy, whats wrong with the Paramarines? That did it. I didnt know the Paramarines disbanded in 1944! If Id seen an Army recruiter first, who knows? After completing recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was deployed to Korea as a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. Wounded in action in September 1951, he was recovering at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, when he was awarded a Bronze Star with Combat V (valor). While at Bethesda Naval Hospital, I talked to a lot of old salts and decided on all the things I wanted to do in the Marines. He reenlisted after the Korean War for six years, I suspect thinking that combat as a Marine was easier in some ways than farming! After completing Marine Recruiters School, he was assigned to recruiting offices in Washington, DC, and Maryland. Between 1960 and 1965, then-Gunnery Sergeant Fox served in locations from Okinawa, Japan, to Paris, France, then the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. In 1966, he was commissioned a second lieutenant, becoming a platoon commander with the 2d Force Reconnaissance Company at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From there, he served a tour in Vietnam starting in 1967 and in November 1968 became company commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. [They] badly needed lieutenants, more than they could get through normal means, so they decided to select 5,000 NCOs for temporary commissions. On February 22, 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon in Quang Tri Province, Lt Fox was wounded twice, refusing medical attention for his second severe wound because he was the most senior officer in command and insisted he would remain so until the enemy retreated. It was the rainy season, and we couldnt get helicopter support. On February 22, 1969, my understrength company came under intense fire from a large, well-concealed force. I got shrapnel from an RPG, and a sniper that had killed one of my Marines just missed me, before I shot him. I decided we had to go right at them. He added: Though I wanted to break contact and get out of there, the realization of what that involved made my decision easy. I couldnt leave without knowing I had every Marine with me. Having to carry my dead and wounded out, I wouldnt have any Marines left to hold off the enemy, so I couldnt do that without losing every Marine we had. I figured we would all stay in that valley forever, or we would all walk out together. Asked how he kept his cool under fire, Wesley said: The best way to keep your cool is to keep thinking and doing things and dont get locked into the idea you cant do anything. The only time I came close to losing it was when the machine gun had me pinned down in that hole, firing right over me. I couldnt do a damn thing but lay there and think about it. I really dont know where it would have gone from there if it hadnt been for the clouds moving out. I thought, damn, Ive got to be able to use air support. Fortunately, I had a radio and called Colonel Smith. He said, Ive got a couple OV-10s on station just in case you can use 'em. So my Marines marked their positions with smoke, and we had those OVs come in on that machine gun. If it hadnt been for those two OV-10s, probably none of us would be walking this earth today. For his actions that day, Fox was awarded the Medal of Honor. His citation notes: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of Company A, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau Valley. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Foxs company came under intense fire from a large well-concealed enemy force. Capt. Fox maneuvered to a position from which he could assess the situation and confer with his platoon leaders. As they departed to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked and Capt. Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command group, except the executive officer. Capt. Fox continued to direct the activity of his company. Advancing through heavy enemy fire, he personally neutralized one enemy position and calmly ordered an assault against the hostile emplacements. He then moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft support with the activities of his men. When his executive officer was mortally wounded, Capt. Fox reorganized the company and directed the fire of his men as they hurled grenades against the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded again in the final assault, Capt. Fox refused medical attention, established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation of casualties for medical evacuation. His indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired his marines to such aggressive action that they overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed a large bunker complex." After Vietnam, Wesley served with Marine units in the U.S. and worldwide, until retiring as a full Colonel in 1993 after 43 years of service. It was mandatory retirement at the age of 62, or he would have fought on! As an admiring young Marine wrote in tribute to Col Fox: In retirement, he became Deputy Commandant of Cadets for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets in Blacksburg. From there, he devoted much of his time to inspiring the current generation of American Patriots in uniform. He authored three outstanding books on Marine leadership: Marine Rifleman, Six Essential Elements of Leadership and Courage and Fear, a Primer. Inscribed copies of those books, gifts from Wesley, sit on the shelf above me as I write this profile. They have become benchmarks for leadership standards in all service branches and now many businesses. He was and will always be a Marines Marine a legendary warrior who mastered the art of leadership. Asked which of his six essential elements of leadership is the most essential care, personality, knowledge, motivation, commitment, and communication Wesley said: Care. If a leader doesnt care, he is maybe a director, but he is not a leader. If he doesnt care about his people, they are not with him all the way down the road. As for what he wants people to know about leadership, he said: We need to realize that leading others is what leadership is all about, and its what our country and our communities need. Leaders have followers, not subordinates. Leaders care and do the right thing, not just for their personal benefit or for the bottom line, but for their team. Col Wesley Fox: Your example of valor a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty and in disregard for the peril to your own life is eternal. "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends." (John 15:13) Live your life worthy of his sacrifice. Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis Pro Deo et Libertate -- 1776 Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen -- standing in harms way in defense of American Liberty, and for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Drivers traveling on I-24 in Grundy County should be aware of upcoming roadway activities that will impact traffic. On Monday and Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Tennessee Department of Transportation maintenance crews will close the right lane on I-24 East at mile marker 130 for pavement repairs on the right shoulder. Drivers are encouraged to use caution as they travel through this area and expect delays. This work is weather-dependent. Should inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances cause delays, it will be rescheduled for a later date. Uniformed police officers will be present to assist with traffic control and law enforcement. As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel. Get the latest construction activity traffic updates from the TDOT SmartWay Map. Travelers can also call 511 for statewide travel information. The Move Over Law was passed in 2006. The penalty for violating the law in Tennessee carries the possibility of up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $500. The three-decade director of the Tennessee Legislature Office of Legislative Administration testified Friday that former state representative Robin Smith took an unusual interest in getting payments pushed through for a company called Phoenix Solutions. Connie Ridley said she eventually found out that Phoenix Solutions was a sham company that was really operated by Cade Cothren, former chief of staff to former House Speaker Glen Casada. Cothren and Casada are facing criminal charges in Nashville Federal Court. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted by a jury that is now hearing the case. Ms. Smith, of Hixson, pleaded guilty to a single count of honest services fraud and is due to testify for the state. Her sentencing is in June. Ms. Ridley said Ms. Smith was heavily involved in a legislative program that gave $8,000 annually to senators and $3,000 per year to representatives for constituent mailings. Ms. Smith had a consulting firm called Rivers Edge Alliance, and Casada had a consulting firm called Right Way Consulting. Many legislators have second jobs. Prosecutors said Phoenix Solutions was set up after "the scandal" that prompted Cothren to step down from his $200,000 per year legislative post and Casada to vacate the House Speaker's seat. The scandal involved alleged salacious and racist emails. Ms. Ridley said there were some 10 vendors to choose from for the mailers, including Ms. Smith, though she said doing so by a legislator "was considered somewhat of a conflict of interest." Prosecutors said Casada and Ms. Smith received "kickbacks" from Cothren on the mailing jobs they lined up. Ms. Ridley said Ms. Smith complained to her about slow payment for Phoenix Solutions invoices. The witness said, "I was not aware that this company involved her." Ms. Ridley said an email from Phoenix said they were "concerned that this had not been paid." They said it was "a poor reflection on the state of Tennessee." She said she told Ms. Smith that the company needed to submit a W9 tax form. She said when that eventually came in it listed a Matthew Phoenix as the owner. Prosecutors said that was a made up individual because those involved with the firm knew legislators would not want to work with a firm headed by Cothren. Ms. Ridley said Ms. Smith also brought in mailer work for Reps. Patsy Hazlewood and Esther Helton-Haynes and others. She said there was "an urgency from her to get the invoices paid." She said she told her W9s were needed for each of those. Ms. Ridley said the Legislature decided to tighten the rules on the constituent mailers and that brought "some pushback" from Robin Smith, "who was concerned about the expanded requirements." Ms. Smith wrote, "Is something going on?" Ms. Ridley, who retired last year, said it was necessary to set up Phoenix Solutions on direct pay. She said this involved emails from Matthew Phoenix and a Candice McKay. One email complained of "unnecessary drama" in the payment process and said Tennessee "is not the easiest state to deal with." She said Ms. Smith forwarded her the emails. The direct deposit money was to go - not to New Mexico where Ms. Smith said Matthew Phoenix was living in Santa Fe, but to the firm's "Nashville office." It was testified earlier that New Mexico is a state where the names of the owners of businesses are confidential. Ms. Ridley said she became curious about Phoenix Solutions and she obtained a cancelled check from the bank for the firm in May 2020. She said, "It was signed by Cade Cothren." She said she continued to approve invoices for Phoenix Solutions for several more months after the FBI advised her to do so as their investigation continued. Ms. Ridley said had she known that Cade Cothren was the owner of Phoenix Solutions "I would not have approved him as a vendor. I do not have confidence in his judgment and decision making." Pic story of former commander-in-chief of Long March-11 rocket project Xinhua) 10:41, April 25, 2025 Yang Yiqiang monitors the progress of the vibration test at the CAS Space's experimental center in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2025. Yang Yiqiang once served as former commander-in-chief of the Long March-11 rocket project. In December 2018, he founded CAS Space, a company focusing on rocket development and space launch services. CAS Space's Lijian-1 carrier rockets have already completed multiple launches, supporting remote sensing and experimental satellites. The upcoming Lijian-2 rocket will be capable of supporting satellite internet networking technology and cargo transport missions for the China's Space Station. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Yang Yiqiang has a box meal after a meeting at the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Beijing, capital of China, April 17, 2025. Yang Yiqiang once served as former commander-in-chief of the Long March-11 rocket project. In December 2018, he founded CAS Space, a company focusing on rocket development and space launch services. CAS Space's Lijian-1 carrier rockets have already completed multiple launches, supporting remote sensing and experimental satellites. The upcoming Lijian-2 rocket will be capable of supporting satellite internet networking technology and cargo transport missions for the China's Space Station. (Xinhua/Yin Gang) Yang Yiqiang stands in Qian Xuesen's office in Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Beijing, capital of China, April 17, 2025. Qian is a late scientist who is considered the father of China's space program. Yang Yiqiang once served as former commander-in-chief of the Long March-11 rocket project. In December 2018, he founded CAS Space, a company focusing on rocket development and space launch services. CAS Space's Lijian-1 carrier rockets have already completed multiple launches, supporting remote sensing and experimental satellites. The upcoming Lijian-2 rocket will be capable of supporting satellite internet networking technology and cargo transport missions for the China's Space Station. (Xinhua/Yin Gang) This portrait photo shows Yang Yiqiang with a model of Lijian-1 carrier rocket in Beijing, capital of China, April 17, 2025. Yang Yiqiang once served as former commander-in-chief of the Long March-11 rocket project. In December 2018, he founded CAS Space, a company focusing on rocket development and space launch services. CAS Space's Lijian-1 carrier rockets have already completed multiple launches, supporting remote sensing and experimental satellites. The upcoming Lijian-2 rocket will be capable of supporting satellite internet networking technology and cargo transport missions for the China's Space Station. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Yang Yiqiang (2nd, R), along with the staff, monitors the progress of the vibration test at the CAS Space's experimental center in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2025. Yang Yiqiang once served as former commander-in-chief of the Long March-11 rocket project. In December 2018, he founded CAS Space, a company focusing on rocket development and space launch services. CAS Space's Lijian-1 carrier rockets have already completed multiple launches, supporting remote sensing and experimental satellites. The upcoming Lijian-2 rocket will be capable of supporting satellite internet networking technology and cargo transport missions for the China's Space Station. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The threat posed by microplastics is growing daily: by 2060, the production of plastic waste could rise to an alarming 125 kilograms per person. In light of these alarming forecasts, the French start-up Lactips has developed a ground-breaking solution: CareTips, a globally unique polymer that is fully bio-based, biodegradable in all environments and water-soluble. From protein to industrial polymer Lactips' core innovation concept is as simple as it is revolutionary: the transformation of a natural protein into an industrial-grade polymer. The company's particular strength lies in the immediate applicability of its solution - CareTips can be integrated into existing industrial plants without modification, enabling companies to make a smooth transition to more sustainable alternatives. Wide range of applications Lactips develops innovative microplastic-free products to meet the environmental, health and regulatory requirements of the industry. The company offers tailor-made solutions for different product requirements, whereby the functionality and biodegradability of its products can be adapted to a wide range of applications. One focus is on paper coating technology. For example, Lactips is working with the company 900.care to develop plastic-free paper packaging. Development phase and financing Lactips is currently in a dynamic growth phase. In November 2024, the company secured 16 million in financing, enabling it to accelerate its international expansion and drive the commercial development of its natural, water-soluble and biodegradable polymer. In February 2025, Lactips also expanded its offering in the field of paper coating to respond to the growing demand from the packaging industry. Headquartered in Saint-Paul-en-Jarez, France, the company is positioning itself as a pioneer in the fight against microplastics. SBC President Clint Pressley Addresses the SBC Executive Committee Meeting, September 17, 2024. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Baptist Press Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley is poised to be nominated for a second term as head of the denomination. The Biblical Recorder reported last week that Texas Pastor Michael Criner will officially nominate Pressley at the SBC's Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place in Dallas, Texas, in June. It is my honor to nominate Clint Pressley for a second term as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Criner stated, as quoted by the Recorder. He noted that while this renomination is no surprise, it is coming after sincere prayer and ongoing conversations with a wide number of SBC pastors. Criner believes that Pressley has displayed clarity, conviction, and courage throughout his first year in office since being elected to the position in June 2024. He remarked, One of the most admirable qualities of Clint is that in every environment where he has represented the SBC, he has joyfully pointed us to the very best of who we are and what we do. Pressley, who serves as the pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, was elected at the SBC's Annual Meeting held in Indianapolis, Indiana, last year, receiving 4,244 votes, or 56.12%. He defeated Dan Spencer, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Sevierville, Tennessee, who garnered 3,305 votes, equating to 43.71% of the vote. Pressley succeeded Bart Barber, who was elected president of the SBC in 2022 and reelected in 2023 but had to step down after serving the maximum of two consecutive terms. In addition to his role as SBC president, Pressley has a history of leadership within the convention, having served as vice president of the SBC's Pastors' Conference in 2013 and as the first vice president of the SBC from 2014 to 2015. He is also a trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a member of the North Carolina Baptist Board of Directors. Home News Success for Israel at ICC: Appeals court orders re-examination of Criminal Courts jurisdiction In a rare victory for Israel in the international arena, the International Criminal Courts (ICC) Appeals Chamber unanimously ordered a lower chamber to re-examine Israels arguments disputing the courts jurisdiction over the country. Last November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during the Gaza War. Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised the ICC's decision: We said it from the start: The International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC) doesn't have, and never had jurisdiction to issue arrest warrants against Israel's Prime Minister and its former Minister of Defense. 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 Israel is not a member of the ICC and is not party to the Rome Statute. The ICC Appeals Court instructed the Court today to do what it should have done from the start: to make a determination with respect to jurisdiction. On this topic, there is only one correct answer: the Court has no jurisdiction over Israel. The warrants were issued unlawfully. They are null and void, Saar stated. The five judges didnt rule over the jurisdiction itself but criticized the Pre-Trial Chamber for not properly considering Israels arguments in the case and ordered the reassessment. While agreeing with the decision to reexamine Israels arguments, an aide to the prime minister criticized the ICC for not suspending the arrest warrants, stating, Israel expects the [ICC] to cancel the warrants immediately. The aide told The Times of Israel that the ICC's decision highlights the injustice done to Prime Minister Netanyahu and the former defense minister, when the Court issued absurd warrants without having the authority to do so. Israeli United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon said the decision to reconsider Israel's case exposes the lack of legitimacy behind the political arrest warrants. When international institutions punish democracies and ignore terrorism, they harm not only Israel but the very values on which the free world is built, Danon added. Since Israel didnt ratify the Rome Statutes, the treaty that established the ICC and defines its jurisdiction, Jerusalem argues that the court doesnt have authority over the country and therefore has no grounds to issue international arrest warrants against its leaders. In a detailed explanation of its decision to issue the warrants, the ICC had written it found reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant each bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. Israel also challenged the courts jurisdiction over the Palestinian Territories, based on the Rome Statute's own defining articles. The absence of sovereign Palestinian territory means that there is no territory of' a State (within the meaning of Article 12(2)(a)) over which the Court may exercise its jurisdiction, Israel claimed. Israel argued that if the court were to assert jurisdiction over the Palestinian Territories, it would require it to act in contravention of binding Israeli-Palestinian agreements that expressly leave such matters to direct negotiation between the Parties, and to make determinations that are wholly unsuitable for an international criminal tribunal. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Bondi memo lays out directives to protect children from chemical, surgical mutilation 'Protecting Americas children must be a top priority' Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memorandum this week laying out several directives by which the U.S. Department of Justice aims to enact President Donald Trump's executive order protecting children from chemical castration and surgical mutilation. "Pursuant to the President's directive, I am issuing the following guidance to all Department of Justice employees to enforce rigorous protections and hold accountable those who prey on vulnerable children and their parents," Bondi wrote in the memo titled "Preventing the Mutilation of American Children." The memo went on to direct the enforcement of "laws outlawing female genital mutilation" and the investigation of "violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and False Claims Act" regarding the long-term side effects of chemical and surgical mutilations. 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 Bondi instructed the DOJ's Office of Legislative Affairs to "[promote] new legislation protecting children" that would "establish a long statute of limitations and retroactive liability, so that no one providing such 'treatment' will escape liability." "The Department of Justice will work with members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees to bring this bill to President Trump as soon as possible," she said, adding that she will also be working with legislators to enact such laws at the state level. The memo denounced the Biden administration for enabling what Bondi described as the medical community's exploitation of vulnerable children and their parents, noting that the previous White House routinely amplified transgender-identifying individuals. "The Biden administration bears enormous responsibility for the medical community's fraud and exploitation of parents and children who have fallen prey to radical gender ideology," Bondi said. "President Biden personally advanced the agenda by hosting transgender activist influencers like Dylan Mulvaney at the White House, opposing state-level bans on gender-affirming care for minors, threatening legal action against Medicaid and Obamacare providers who fail to offer such care, and appointing Rachel Levine a leading transgender activist who personally identifies as transgender to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health." Bondi noted that gender ideology has captured much of popular culture and exploded among young people. "Dissenting voices are bullied into silence, and 'allies' are praised and rewarded," Bondi said. "Tragic and absurd as it is that 1.4% of 13- to 17-year-olds now identify as transgender, that is the predictable result of a coordinated, unchecked ideological attack on America's children." Bondi also framed gender ideology as part of a larger attack on children from multiple fronts. "Protecting America's children must be a top priority, whether from drug cartels, terrorists, or even our own medical community," Bondi said. "Every day, we hear more harrowing stories about children who will suffer for the rest of their lives because of the unconscionable ideology behind 'gender-affirming care.'" Trump's executive order from January established that the U.S. government "will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called 'transition' of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit these destructive and life-altering procedures." During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump made protecting children from mutilation a key promise in his platform. During a rally in Rapid City, South Dakota, in September, Trump reflected on how rapidly many have come to accept ideas related to gender ideology that would have been unthinkable even in the recent past. "Could you imagine 10 or 15 years ago having some politician ... saying, 'I will stop child mutilation without parental consent?'" Trump asked at the time. "Can you imagine if you had made that statement 10 years ago, they would say, 'Is this guy crazy?'" Home News Court sides with parents, says Scottish schools can't have all gender-neutral bathrooms Scottish schools have been ordered to provide gender-segregated toilets following a case brought by concerned parents against Scottish Borders Council (SBC). The recently opened Earlston Primary School in the Scottish Borders only included gender-neutral toilets on the premises. An initial complaint by Sean Stratford and Leigh Hurley, whose son was formerly a student there, was rejected. 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 However, later at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, the SBC admitted that they actually have a legal obligation to provide gender-segregated toilets. Rosie Walker, the legal representative of the parents in the case, said, "This case will have far-reaching implications." According to the BBC, Walker said that all Scottish schools should now be reviewing their current toilet arrangements to ensure that they comply with regulations. According to the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967, schools should have 50/50 provision of toilets for boys and girls. She added that the ruling, combined with last weeks Supreme Court decision that the legal definition of woman is based on biological sex, gave focus to the importance of protecting sex-based rights and single-sex spaces." The SBC acknowledged that the parents concerns were valid and, for that reason, did not contest the matter when it came to court. A spokesperson for the Scottish government told the BBC, "Local authorities have statutory responsibility for the school estate, including provision of toilets." "The Scottish government is committed to ensuring that our Transgender Guidance for Schools remains up to date and fit for purpose. "As with any significant legal or policy developments, we will consider whether the guidance requires to be updated to reflect upon these." It was also confirmed that updated guidance for schools on trans matters will be published shortly. Following the Supreme Court judgement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he agreed with the biological reality of sex, having previously taken the view that men could be women and women could be men. This article was originally published by Christian Today. Home News Religious 'nones' outnumber Catholics, Protestants in Germany for first time: survey For the first time in modern German history, more Germans identify as religiously unaffiliated than as Roman Catholics or Protestants, according to a new survey published by the Weltanschauungen research group (Fowid) and reported by Evangelical Focus. The 2024 data reveal that 47% of Germanys population an estimated 39 million people now consider themselves to have no religious affiliation. In contrast, the combined number of Protestants and Roman Catholics stands at 38 million, or 45% of the population. The shift marks a significant milestone in Germanys religious landscape and underscores the ongoing decline in membership among the countrys two historically dominant Christian denominations. 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 Over 1 million church members leave in 2024 In 2024 alone, the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches each recorded the departure of approximately 580,000 members. It was the fourth time in recent years that the two churches combined have lost over one million members within a single year. Roman Catholics now comprise 24% of the population, while Protestants affiliated with the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) account for 21%. According to Fowid, Protestants had seen steeper membership declines in the years leading up to 2020. However, in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Roman Catholic Church experienced the greater losses, a trend that continued into 2024. Muslims make up 3.9% of the German population, with other religious communities accounting for 4.1%. The number of Muslims increased by approximately 80,000 last year, with figures based on asylum application data reported in the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees 2024 Annual Report. Few Germans attend services regularly Beyond affiliation, the survey also tracked church attendance patterns. It found that only 5% of Germans attend a religious service at least once a month. Among Roman Catholics, 6.6% reported attending monthly services. In the EKD Protestant churches, that figure was significantly lower at 2.3%. By contrast, about 25% of Muslims were reported to attend mosque for Friday prayers or other regular services. The survey also highlighted higher levels of religious practice among smaller religious communities. While official church members showed relatively low participation, about half of those in smaller faith groups attend services regularly. Long-term trends continue Fowid researchers say the data confirm long-term patterns of declining institutional Christianity in Germany. While some segments of the population maintain nominal affiliation, active participation is increasingly rare. The continued drop in church membership and attendance reflects broader secularization trends across Europe, though Germanys demographic changes such as religious diversity through migration also contribute to the evolving landscape. The findings illustrate a significant realignment of Germanys religious identity, with unaffiliated individuals now forming the single largest group, surpassing both Catholic and Protestant adherents for the first time. This article was originally published by Christian Daily International. Home News Trump admin. seeks to improve American education through Artificial Intelligence President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Wednesday to establish a comprehensive national framework to prepare American students for the workforce of the future and spur innovation in American Artificial Intelligence. By establishing a strong framework that integrates early student exposure with comprehensive teacher training and other resources for workforce development, we can ensure that every American has the opportunity to learn about AI from the earliest stages of their educational journey through postsecondary education, Trump states in the order, billed Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth. Fostering a culture of innovation and critical thinking, the order explains will solidify our Nations leadership in the AI-driven future. President Trumps push to use AI in an attempt to help improve American education comes just months after the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a congressionally mandated test designed to measure the general state of education nationally, painted a grim picture of student performance at both the fourth and eighth-grade levels in reading and math. 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 data from the assessment showed that more than half of fourth graders nationwide have not mastered reading at a proficient level for their grade, and the share of students considered proficient is now 2 percentage points lower than two years earlier. The data shows that the majority of the nations school systems have failed to master effective reading instruction, ignoring not only how it should be taught (e.g., proven science) but also the importance of engaging students with rich content and literature that stimulates the mind and ensures that vocabulary and comprehension increase, Center for Education Reform founder and CEO Jeanne Allen told The Christian Post in a statement. When students are not reading on grade level by third grade, their lifelong choices are severely limited. One long-term study found that when a student fails to meet this bar, they are four times more likely to drop out of school. In fact, 88 percent of these dropouts were struggling readers in third grade, added Mindy Sjoblom of OnYourMark Education. To spur innovation and better prepare students for the workforce of the future, the Trump administration will promote the integration of AI into education, provide comprehensive AI training for educators, and encourage early exposure to AI concepts and technology through a variety of public-private partnerships with schools and organizations in the AI industry. The presidents policy on AI education will be implemented through the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, with Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, serving as its chair. Among the efforts to be implemented by the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education is the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge. The task force is expected to have a plan for that challenge ready within 90 days of the order. The challenge is also expected to be held no later than 12 months after the plan is submitted. The Challenge shall encourage and highlight student and educator achievements in AI, promote wide geographic adoption of technological advancement, and foster collaboration between government, academia, philanthropy, and industry to address national challenges with AI solutions, the order states. The challenge is also expected to reflect various age categories distinct geographic regions for competition, and a variety of topical themes of competition to reflect the breadth of AI applications, encouraging interdisciplinary exploration. The order further highlights how resources will be provided for K-12 AI education through the various public-private partnerships. The Task Force shall seek to utilize industry commitments and identify any Federal funding mechanisms, including discretionary grants, that can be used to provide resources for K-12 AI education. To the extent practicable and as consistent with applicable law, agencies shall prioritize funding for such purposes when it would further the aims of the program for which funding is available, the order states. The order also requires the secretary of Labor to seek to increase participation in AI-related registered apprenticeships within 120 days of the order. A registered apprenticeship, according to the programs website is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience with a mentor, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. Registered Apprenticeships are also industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. Harvard Sues Trump Over Funding Freeze, Indiana Enacts Parental Rights Law, Preacher Continues American Idol Run link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:26 07:26 Top headlines for Friday, April 25, 2025 In this episode, we explore Harvard University's legal battle against the Trump administration over its decision to freeze grants to the Ivy League institution, examining the potential implications for higher education. Next, we turn our focus to Indiana, the latest state to pass legislation bolstering parental rights in light of growing concerns about transparency between schools and parents nationwide. Finally, we pay tribute to Richard Wilke, a revered bishop of The United Methodist Church and co-creator of the influential Disciple Bible Study series, following his passing at the age of 94. 00:11 Harvard sues the Trump administration over funding freeze 01:03 Indiana enshrines parental rights bill into law 01:53 Israel rejects 'twisted condemnation from Germany, France, UK 02:52 Vatican school accused of legitimizing efforts to erase Armenians 03:45 Ga. AME churches to install solar microgrids to help communities 04:48 Richard Wilke, bishop who created Disciple Bible Study, dies 05:38 Aspiring preacher Canaan James Hill continues 'American Idol' run Home News FBI arrests judge, former Catholic Charities administrator, for helping illegal immigrant evade arrest The FBI arrested a Wisconsin judge and former Catholic Charities administrator on Friday for allegedly obstructing a criminal investigation and impeding the arrest of an accused illegal immigrant at her courthouse in Milwaukee earlier this month. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested after she allegedly hid Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz in a nonpublic part of the courthouse when federal law enforcement attempted to arrest him on April 18, according to the criminal complaint. Flores-Ruiz had been appearing before Dugan that day for a pre-trial conference on three misdemeanor battery charge that included allegedly punching someone more than 30 times on March 12, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 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 Flores-Ruiz, who had been deported in 2013 before illegally crossing over the border again at an unknown date, also allegedly punched a woman who tried to break up the fight. When she learned federal law enforcement were waiting to arrest Flores-Ruiz, Dugan became visibly shaken and directed him and his attorney through a restricted door that allowed them to bypass where agents were waiting, according to the complaint. Witnesses uniformly reported that Judge Dugan was visibly upset and had a confrontational, angry demeanor, according to the complaint. Dugan, who has been on the bench since 2016, also served as administrator and executive director of the nonprofit Catholic Charities of Southeastern Wisconsin from 2006-09, according to her bio. She also practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society. The Christian Post has reached out to Catholic Charities USA, and will update this article if they respond. FBI Director Kash Patel accused Dugan on Friday of endangering federal law enforcement by effectively requiring an FBI agent and DEA agent to chase Flores Ruiz down on foot before he was ultimately placed in ICE custody. "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest," Patel tweeted following Dugan's arrest. "Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public," he added. ICE officials have arrested two other people in courthouse hallways in recent weeks, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Appearing Friday on Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi explained the details of Dugan's alleged actions, which she described as hard to believe. Wild! Attorney General Pam Bondi explains what really happened with Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan that led to her arrest by FBI: "The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy, because he had been deported in 2013, came back into our country, charged with committing these pic.twitter.com/Af7a1JdJR4 Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 25, 2025 When Dugan discovered federal law enforcement had shown up to arrest Flores-Ruiz, Bondi said, the judge "goes out into the hallway, screams at the immigration officer." "She's furious, visibly shaken, upset; sends them off to talk to the chief judge," she added. "She comes back into the courtroom you're not going to believe this takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers. Takes them out a private exit and tells them to leave, while the state prosecutor and victims of domestic violence are sitting in the courtroom." "We could not believe that a judge really did that," Bondi said. "You cannot obstruct a criminal case. And really, shame on her. It was a domestic violence case of all cases, and she's protecting a criminal defendant over victims of crime." "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, said Craig Mastantuono, Dugan's attorney. Dugan faces her next court appearance on May 15. Dugan's arrest came a day after the FBI arrested a former New Mexico judge for allegedly harboring an accused illegal immigrant and member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in his guesthouse. Democratic former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose "Joel" Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were each slapped with two charges of evidence tampering for allegedly allowing Cristhian Ortega-Lopez to live with them. Home News Man claims megachurch youth pastors 16-year-old daughter began sexually abusing him at 14 Editors' note: Warning, this article contains graphic details that some readers might find offensive. Greater Grace World Outreach Church in Baltimore, Maryland, said they are investigating allegations made by a former member that church officials were aware that he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a daughter of Youth Pastor John A. Love beginning when he was 14 and she was 16. The former member, John Capello, who is now in his 40s, made the allegations in a complaint filed in the Baltimore City Circuit Court on April 14. The lawsuit names Greater Grace World Outreach Church and Pastor Love as defendants and accuses them of negligence. The church is additionally accused of breach of fiduciary duty and vicarious liability. 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 Less than a year ago, The Banner reported on alleged child sexual abuse and cover-up within the Maryland church and Capellos lawsuit is the first legal response to those allegations. In an April 18 statement, officials at the megachurch stated that they are aware of the lawsuit and have asked experts from Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment to investigate the allegations. We are aware of a lawsuit that has been filed against GGWO regarding allegations of mishandling disclosures of sexual assault, but at this time we have not been served with the complaint. We remain firmly committed to the truth and accountability, and GRACE has full discretion to investigate and report all allegations of sexual abuse or mishandling at GGWO, the megachurch said. Because the investigation is ongoing, we cannot speak to any specific allegations in order to protect the integrity of that process, but we are committed to full transparency and accurate communication, no matter what GRACEs process finds, the church added. It was also recently reported that the church revoked the ordination certificates of two pastors accused of sexual misconduct. One pastor was told he was required Biblically to immediately resign. In Capellos lawsuit, which The Christian Post reviewed, he explained that his parents were employees of the church and his whole life had revolved around it. From birth, Plaintiff's entire childhood was structured within Greater Grace's insular community, wrote Capellos attorneys, Robert K. Jenner, Kathleen R. Kerner, Elisha N. Fridley, and Joshua Wolberg of Jenner Law, PC. Basyle (Boz) Tchividjian, of BozLaw P.A., also representing Capello. At just two years old, Plaintiff was encouraged to commit his life to missionary work for Greater Grace. He was systematically taught that Greater Grace's leaders held delegated authority from God over all aspects of his life, as specifically instructed by [founder] Carl Stevens and enforced through the church's hierarchical structure. Capello alleges that when he was 14, in the summer of 1995 he was allowed to go on his first Greater Grace mission trip, known as the Summer Harvest Trip to the Czech Republic and Poland. He alleges that while he was preparing for the trip, Pastor Loves then 16-year-old daughter, who was a prominent varsity athlete within the Greater Grace community, sought relationship advice from him about her relationship with her boyfriend. He stated that he was uncomfortable with the conversation because, at the time, he had no experience with relationships or dating. He said he went on the Summer Harvest Trip in July 1995 and traveled by van from Warsaw to Prague. He explained that he sat in a window seat in the second-to-last row of the van next to Pastor Raymond Fernandez, who was later convicted of sexually abusing three boys in the youth group. After the van stopped for a restroom break, Pastor Loves daughter asked Pastor Fernandez if she could sit next to Plaintiff, and he told her that it was okay to do so. Ms. Love leaned her pillow against Plaintiff while he tried to sleep. Plaintiff fell asleep and woke up sometime later to find Ms. Loves hand inside his pants, touching his genitalia, the lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff froze, not knowing what was happening or what to do. This was the first time Plaintiff ever ejaculated. Prior to this assault, Plaintiff had never had any kind of physical contact other than hugs from his family, it adds. Capello alleges that Fernandez witnessed the sexual assault but said nothing. He further claims that the next day, Fernandez confronted him and claimed it was his fault for what had been done to him. Later that same day, after the team arrived in Prague, Fernandez allegedly falsely claimed to Pastor Love that Capello and his daughter had mutually engaged in inappropriate touching despite protest from Capello. During this confrontation, Pastor Love explicitly blamed the fourteen-year-old Plaintiff for being sexually assaulted while sleeping, expressing disappointment and surprise at what he characterized as the Plaintiff's misconduct. Pastor Love categorically rejected the Plaintiff's truthful account that he had been asleep when [his daughter] began touching his genitals without consent, the lawsuit says. Capello alleges that when they returned home, he struggled with fear and shame and worried that he would be punished if his parents found out what happened. Pastor Love, he adds, misled him to believe he spoke with his parents about what happened and they were understanding. Pastor Love then instructed the Plaintiff never to discuss the matter again, stating that if he truly sought forgiveness, the incident must be completely forgotten, the lawsuit notes. Capello alleges he buried what happened to comply with church leadership until 2013, when he discovered his parents did not know of the abuse. Despite burying the initial encounter with Pastor Loves daughter, Capello claims in his lawsuit that she continued to sexually assault him both on and off Greater Grace property from 1995 to 1997, while Plaintiff was 14 to 16 years old. In 1995, during the fall of the Plaintiffs sophomore year of high school, Pastor Loves daughter sexually assaulted the Plaintiff outside the school restroom near the lockers at Greater Grace Christian Academy, the lawsuit alleges. Between 1995 and 1997, while the Plaintiff attended Greater Grace Christian Academy and endured repeated sexual assaults by Pastor Love's daughter, Pastor Love systematically exploited his spiritual authority to silence the Plaintiff. As youth pastor, he had near-daily opportunities to preach to the youth and manipulated these platforms to reinforce harmful teachings, it notes. Capello alleges that Pastor Love repeatedly used the biblical story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife as evidence that any man who failed to escape a sexual encounter was wholly at fault, regardless of circumstances. Capello alleges that Pastor Love frequently confronted him between 1995 and 1997 about talking to his daughter, even though he tried to explain he was trying to stay away from her. He further claims that between 1998 and 1999, he got a break from the frequent sexual assaults from Pastor Loves daughter when she went off to college outside the Baltimore area. He said in the fall of 1999, when he was 18, he enrolled at Greater Graces Maryland Bible College. When he was approximately 21, in 2002, Pastor Loves daughter allegedly began sexually assaulting him again. She pressured the Plaintiff into having sexual intercourse with her, but he refused, as he always had before, the lawsuit alleges. That same year, the churchs founder had called him into a meeting with Pastor Love. Capello said he was accused of having sex with Pastor Loves daughter and impregnating her. Without evidence or investigation, Pastor Love accused the Plaintiff of having sexual intercourse with his daughter and impregnating her. He escalated his intimidation by claiming to possess video evidence of this alleged incident, though he refused to produce it when challenged, the lawsuit states. Capello said they tried to force him to marry her but he refused. He said he went on to marry a different woman from the church, and they stayed active as members there until 2013 when they left. Capello alleges that he recognized with the help of a therapist that he was a victim of repeated sexual assaults and emotional and spiritual abuse. Home News Pentagon thwarts Trump order, restarts Biden-era policy paying for trans sex-change surgeries The Pentagon will resume the Biden-Harris administration policy of using taxpayer dollars to pay for sex-change surgeries and cross-sex hormones for trans-identified soldiers, bucking efforts by the Trump administration to enhance military readiness by ending such practices and banning trans-identified individuals from serving in the military. A memo from the Pentagon dated Monday and released on Thursday states that the DOD is reverting to the Biden-Harris policy concerning trans-identifying service members, according to Politico. The directive comes after two federal judges last month blocked the Trump administrations efforts to stop individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria from enlisting, which the government argued would ensure "military readiness." 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 Service members and all other covered beneficiaries 19 years of age or older may receive appropriate care for their diagnosis of [gender dysphoria], including mental health care and counseling and newly initiated or ongoing cross-sex hormone therapy, Stephen Fry, the Pentagons acting assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs, stated in a memo dated April 21. In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, the Pentagon referred the outlet to the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. On Thursday, the Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to enforce its policy regarding trans-identifying service members as the legal battles continue. At the beginning of his second presidential term, Trump signed an executive order titled "Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness, citing a longstanding DOD policy that dictates the medical standards for U.S. military service. According to the volume of instructions, it is DOD policy to ensure that service members are "Free of medical conditions or physical defects that may reasonably be expected to require excessive time lost from duty for necessary treatment or hospitalization, or may result in separation from the Military Service for medical unfitness." As the executive order noted, mental and physical health conditions, including bipolar disorder, suicidality, or other conditions requiring medication or medical treatment, are "incompatible" with active duty. The order asserted that individuals expressing a "false 'gender identity' cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service." In February, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a written policy to implement the executive order. The document stated that the DOD would not fund service members' sex-change surgeries or cross-sex hormone therapy, and that the department only recognizes two sexes, male and female. "Military service by Service members and applicants for military service who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria is incompatible with military service," the document stated. "Service by these individuals is not in the best interests of the Military Services and is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security." Last month, a three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administrations request to pause a lower court's decision blocking enforcement of a ban on trans-identified military service members. By denying the administration's request, the appellate court left in place the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle. In his 65-page ruling, Settle stated that the governments arguments regarding trans-identifying individuals serving in the military were not persuasive. He claimed that the Trump administration failed to provide evidence that trans-identifying service members over the past four years had negatively impacted the military. "The government's unrelenting reliance on deference to military judgment is unjustified in the absence of any evidence supporting 'the military's' new judgment reflected in the Military Ban, Settle wrote. Settle's ruling followed a separate decision by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., an appointee of former President Joe Biden. According to Reyes, "leaders have used concern for military readiness to deny marginalized persons the privilege of serving." In an interview with C-SPAN's morning program "Washington Journal" on Feb. 5, Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., said he's been told the number of trans-identified individuals who've signed up to serve in the military has been as high as 15,000. The congressman said many join the military because they can get their prescription drugs, procedures and trans surgeries paid for. "We need to focus on deployability. [...] they are not ready to deploy at any given time," he said, noting that it "ultimately harms our readiness and harms the culture of our military." As many as 15,000 trans-identified individuals signed up to join the U.S. military to get FREE elective sex-change surgeries and hormonal drug cocktails, says @PatHarriganNC "That harms our readiness; it harms the culture of our military." pic.twitter.com/xmh8UapC0j Melissa Barnhart (@MelBarnhart) February 5, 2025 Home News US Navy SEAL denied religious exemption under Biden speaks at Bondi's 'anti-Christian bias' meeting 'The Left thought that they could just run us over' A U.S. Navy SEAL who was denied a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate under the Biden administration featured as a witness during Attorney General Pam Bondi's first meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the Federal Government earlier this week. Navy SEAL Phil Mendes was among the several Navy special warfare officers who joined a lawsuit from First Liberty Institute after being relieved of duty for refusing the vaccine and denied a religious exemption from the U.S. Department of Defense, according to a press release. Hiram Sasser, who serves as executive general counsel for First Liberty Institute, told The Christian Post that their organization was honored their former client was given the chance "to testify and tell the story of what all the SEALs suffered under the Biden administration in terms of their religious objections to the vaccine mandate." 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 just think that the Left thought that they could just run us over, and I think they figured we were pretty near the end, where they could just shove us off a cliff," he said. "But this current administration arrived and said, 'That day is not today.'" The task force meeting, which convened Tuesday, was attended by senior cabinet officials and agency heads, each of whom offered examples of alleged anti-Christian bias exhibited during the prior administration in their respective jurisdictions, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In her opening statement before they began their closed session, Bondi noted that the task force President Donald Trump established by executive order in February intends to "identify any unlawful anti-Christian policies, practices or conduct across the government. ???? BREAKING: First Meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. pic.twitter.com/PRlqJO48MD Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 22, 2025 The task force will also seek input from the faith-based organizations and state governments to end anti-Christian bias, find and fix deficiencies and existing regulatory practices that might contribute to the anti-Christian bias, she added. Another Christian witness who testified during the meeting was Michael Farris, the founder of Patrick Henry College and an elder at Cornerstone Church, which the Internal Revenue Service investigated and charged with alleged violations of the Johnson Amendment. Scott Hicks, provost and chief academic officer of Liberty University, also testified, describing how the Biden administration allegedly fined both Liberty University and Grand Canyon University because of their Christian worldview. "As shown by our victims' stories today, Bidens Department of Justice abused and targeted peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses," Bondi said in a statement after the meeting. "Thanks to President Trump, we have ended those abuses, and we will continue to work closely with every member of this Task Force to protect every American's right to speak and worship freely." Sasser acknowledged to CP that regardless of the task forces endeavors, anti-Christian bias could "of course" seep back into the federal government under a future administration. "We will deal with it the way we always deal with it," he said. We all have to stand together, and we have to fight against that kind of discrimination. Trump first floated the idea of an anti-Christian bias task force during a speech at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, in February 2024. In his speech, he characterized the barrage of indictments and exorbitant fines against him as a foretaste of what many on the Left would like to do to anyone who stands in the way of their political agenda, which he noted is any person of faith who worships an authority higher than the state. Home News Texas hospitals spent millions to care for migrants illegally in the US Texas hospitals reportedly treated tens of thousands of patients who were in the United States unlawfully, resulting in over $121 million in healthcare costs. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission released data Friday showing that Texas hospitals "incurred $121.8 million in health care costs for persons not lawfully present in the U.S." in November 2024. Additionally, individuals who are not lawfully present in the U.S. visited Texas hospitals over 31,000 times in November alone. 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 During a Texas House of Representatives Public Health Committee hearing earlier this week, an executive for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission detailed what the agency has learned from data collected by 558 hospitals in the state. The hearing comes as lawmakers consider legislation from Republican Rep. Mike Olcott that would codify Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order from last summer, which required hospitals to collect patients' immigration status in an annual report. Per the order, Texas hospitals were instructed to collect information on Nov. 1, 2024, on patients unlawfully in the U.S. Hospitals were told to gather the number of inpatient discharges, the number of emergency visits and the cost of providing care to such patients. The hospitals in the state were expected to turn in their first months of data by March 1. Lawmakers at the hearing addressed the findings based on the available data. "The number of visits was in the thousands, the tens of thousands, and the costs were in the millions," Victoria Grady, director of provider finance at HHSC, said, according to The Texas Tribune. "We should be finalizing the data by the end of the week." Grady said part of the reason for the delay in the data becoming public is that the agency sometimes receives the data in paper form. On occasion, the data is mailed to the HHSC, and the agency then has to manually input the data onto a spreadsheet, according to The Texas Tribune. Olcott compared House Bill 2587 to Senate Bill 1718 in Florida, which passed in 2023. The Florida bill requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a question on the admission forms about the patient's immigration status. In addition, Senate Bill 1718 requires hospitals to submit quarterly reports to the Agency for Health Care Administration to help determine healthcare costs. "Since 2005, we've 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." While hospitals are required by federal law to provide emergency medical treatment to patients regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay, the purpose of Olcott's bill is to determine how often illegal migrants are receiving more than basic medical care and what the cost could be for taxpayers in the state of Texas. "The point of this bill is to simply get a handle on how much this is occurring, and how much is it costing Texas taxpayers, and these hospitals," the Republican state representative said. If passed, House Bill 2587 would formalize the order, requiring hospitals to annually report on the "uncompensated hospital care" provided to individuals who were persons not lawfully present at the time health care services were provided to those patients." According to the Texas Hospital Association, hospitals in the state spend $3.1 billion a year on uninsured care that is not reimbursed by any supplemental payments. The association also noted that one out of six residents in the state have no health insurance, and about one in four Texans have coverage through government sources, including Medicare and Medicaid. Home News Threat to deport persecuted Christians hits close to home for North Carolina church Members of a North Carolina church are urging the Trump administration not to deport nearly two dozen Christian refugees from Afghanistan after they were ordered to leave the United States within days before their asylum claims have been heard by a judge. Julie Tisdale, a seminary student who attends Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, is among members of her church who have been speaking out on behalf of the Afghan Christians who were ordered to leave the country by a deadline that passed about a week ago. "We've been advocating with members of Congress and senators," she said in an interview with The Christian Post. "We've had some conversations with the staff who work on immigration issues in those offices. So in terms of advocacy, I would say that's been the big thing as well as some media stuff." 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 an op-ed published by The Christian Post last week, Tisdale lamented that Afghan Christians who attended her church had received emails informing them that they had seven days to leave the country. The refugees in question had arrived in the U.S. after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan led to the Taliban taking control of the country, putting Christians in the country at grave risk of prosecution and torture. Tisdale said all of these individuals "were deemed to face such a credible fear and were granted documented, legal status to be in the country, to obtain work permits, to get driver licenses, to rent apartments to do all the normal things they need to do to be self-supporting." "Their journeys to the United States were harrowing, long and complicated, but they all entered the U.S. legally," she wrote. "That is not actually an easy thing to do. Immigration authorities interview individuals to assess whether they face a credible fear of persecution and torture in their home countries." The seminary student characterized her efforts as "trying to just spread the word and make sure that a broad base of people is aware of what's going on." "Lots of people have written individual letters to their senators and congressmen as well, or made phone calls to their offices," she said. So far, Tisdale says they've received "two types of responses," ranging from "automated responses that do not address the issue that we're concerned about at all" to "meetings in person, phone calls, emails with members of staff who work specifically on immigration issues within those offices" that have yielded "meaningful engagement." 'Personal connections' Tisdale said that a member of her church spent time in Afghanistan and knew "many of these people." "So it was through his personal connections that they first came to Apostles and began to connect with other members of the church," she said. "So it's all been very organic through personal relationships." Tisdale expressed gratitude that "nothing has happened" to the Afghan Christians even though nearly a week has passed since their deadline to leave the country. "We are continuing to pursue all of these avenues to try to ensure that their legal picture and their legal status here remains clear. They have always been here legally. They've always followed all of the rules, and so, we are seeking clarification and assurances that legal status has not changed," she said. "And so beyond just our efforts to clarify the situation and make sure that they have the assurances and the documentation that they need ... nothing has changed. We are raising money as well ... to help with their legal expenses. So we will be contributing to that over the coming weeks, months, however long it takes for their asylum cases to be processed." Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and the ensuing Taliban takeover, Afghanistan Christians have been among those who have resettled in the U.S., in addition to those who helped the U.S. military during the war. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicated it would not renew the Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Afghans in the country, with potential deportations that could begin in May. The Biden administration granted Temporary Protected Status to people fleeing Afghanistan in 2022. CP made multiple requests for comment from the White House and various immigration agencies regarding the Afghans connected with Tisdale's church. No direct comment was provided on those individuals. But U.S. Customs and Border Protection acknowledged to CP that "CBP has issued notices terminating parole for individuals who do not have lawful status to remain." The agency added, "This process is not limited to CBP One users and does not currently apply to those paroled under programs such as [Uniting for Ukraine] and [Operation Allies Welcome]." Operation Allies Welcome, initiated in 2021, is a program for vulnerable Afghans who have resettled in the United States. Afghanistan ranks as the 10th worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors International's World Watch List. Most Christians in Afghanistan are converts from Islam, which makes practicing their faith in public nearly impossible, the group says. The Evangelical humanitarian aid organization Samaritan's Purse helped connect hundreds of Afghans who have resettled in the U.S. with churches that can support their needs. Rev. Franklin Graham, who heads Samaritan's Purse and is the son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham, has also been in touch with leaders in Washington on the issue. "I am not aware of any Afghan Christians that have been deported at this point, and I know this is being discussed in Washington at the highest levels," he told The Christian Post in a statement. "I spoke with Senator Lindsey Graham about it, and I know that other leaders are discussing the issue with the President. I have been told that the deadline has been pushed back in order for cases to be reviewed. We believe this will be resolved, and I appreciate the efforts to try and help Afghan Christians." In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger expressed concern with the revocation of protections for Christians fleeing Afghanistan, calling for a 90-day pause. "These refugees, many of whom have already applied for asylum and possess documentation of lawful parole, face a credible threat of imprisonment, torture, or death if returned to the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan," Raffensperger wrote. Tisdale said the refugees who attend her church have been meeting in her church building for a little over a year, saying they hold Bible study and worship in their native language. "Those who have a better command of English also join us and worship with us," she said. "We've gotten to know them a little bit," she added. "We have a number of people in our congregation who work with refugees in some capacity or are just interested and concerned, so it's been a pretty natural fit for us." Identifying the 22 refugees as a mixture of families and individuals, she stressed that "they are entirely or, at the very least, primarily self-supporting." "Some of them I know have initial hearings as early as next month, but those are initial hearings, not final hearings," she detailed, saying the system is "backed up." "I'm not sure that there is really a limit on how long this can take," she continued. "They're looking at long processes." Facing 'certain' death Tisdale expressed certainty that if deported to Afghanistan, the refugees would be tortured and killed. "And they know that's certain because they have already experienced torture for no crime other than conversion," she said. "I have heard those stories firsthand. I've heard the stories about the ways in which the authorities were made aware of their conversion and then promptly arrested them. They disappeared for days, weeks, possibly longer." "They suffered all sorts of torture while in prison, and so having endured that once, were they to be returned, there is no way that the Taliban would allow them to survive," she predicted. "It would not be a quick death. It will be significant torture, and they will die." She praised the refugees who attend her church as "good, normal people who are Christian believers living quietly and peaceably." "They're self-supporting. They just want to work and be given a chance to live a life free from fear," she said. "They're not asking for anything extraordinary. These are not people who have committed any kind of crime. They simply want to live and be able to exercise their faith." 'Do what is good' Citing St. Paul's instructions in Romans 13 to "do what is good" so as to "have no fear of the one who is in authority," Tisdale said, "These Afghan Christians have been doing, and continue to do, what is good." "No one facing credible fear of persecution and torture in their home countries should, after fleeing to the United States, be forced to live in fear here," she asserted. "Refugees who are following Paul's instruction to 'aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one'" are "living in fear," she said. She believes the order for the Afghanistan Christians to leave the country runs afoul of American principles: "a country that invites the 'huddled masses yearning to breathe free." "At the very core of our identity are founding ideals of freedom, religious liberty and justice. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson writes that all men are endowed by God with rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that governments are instituted among men for the purpose of securing these rights. That is what we are asking the U.S. government now to do," she asserted. "These Afghan Christians ask for nothing more than the chance to pursue life, liberty, and happiness." Tisdale urged Christians to "pray for mercy, and write to your senators, representatives, and the White House" on behalf of the Christian refugees, adding, "Our best hope for helping our brothers and allies is to make our collective voices heard." Home Opinion How Trump handles Ukraine could affect nuclear weapons worldwide The frenetic and nonstop pace of the Trump Administrations actions and initiatives since the Presidents inauguration on January 20th has impacted the American public with sensory overload. The actions taken on immigration, government spending, DEI, tariffs, trans issues, foreign policy, etc. have had media heads spinning and the American public experiencing periodic vertigo. It has been the busiest first 100 days (April 30th is the 100th day) since President Franklin Roosevelts commencement of the New Deal in 1933. I believe it is safe to say that President Trumps administrations actions have made all the segments of the American electorate, wherever they currently reside on the political spectrum, experience some degree of discomfort, if not vexation. Many of President Trumps initiatives carry with them potential long-term consequences both for Americans and for people across the globe. 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 However, none of the issues has the potential for long-term harm and danger to more people both in America and around the world than the initiatives to seek to bring a cease fire and peace in the Russo-Ukraine War. The war in Ukraine, precipitated by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has already become the bloodiest war in Europe since the end of World War II. The casualty figures are regarded as closely guarded national security secrets by both countries, but independent estimates by highly trusted third-party intelligence agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, estimate that Russia has suffered between 462,000 and 728,000 killed or wounded, and Ukraine has suffered approximately 307,000 killed or wounded. While it is estimated that approximately 2% of all Russian men between 20 and 50 have been killed or wounded since February 2022, the Russians appear to be winning a war of attrition with Ukraine. Why? While significantly more Russians are being killed than Ukrainians, the population differential is such that Ukraine will be bled out long before Russia will. Why? Russias population is currently approximately 146 million and Ukraines is 37.8 million. No matter how brave the Ukrainians are (and they have amply demonstrated their courage), Russia has four times the population of Ukraine, and they will simply run out of soldiers before Russia does. Plus, the war is being fought almost exclusively in Ukraine, and thus, its civilian casualties are much higher. The Trump Administration has signaled in recent days that if the Russians and the Ukrainians do not react more positively to the Presidents peace initiatives, the U.S. will withdraw as a sponsor of peace talks and move on. If by moving on, it means also withdrawing military aid from the Ukrainians, the Russians will eventually wear down the Ukrainians. Such a military defeat will be devastating to the Ukrainians, but also to the West, to the United States, and to President Trump. As Stalin biographer and historian Stephen Kotkin noted recently, Americans hate war, but they hate losing a war even more. All Americans should remember that when the U.S.S.R. ceased to exist in 1991, for a brief moment, Ukraine, which had been one of the Soviet Republics, was the third largest nuclear power in the world because of its share of the Soviet nuclear weapons housed on its soil. The Ukrainians agreed, at the urging of President Clinton, to give up their nuclear arsenal in return for promises from the United States and the United Kingdom guaranteeing their security (mainly from any future Russian aggression). These guarantees were embodied in the Budapest Memorandum (1994). Does anyone today seriously argue that Ukraine did the best thing for Ukraine by surrendering its nuclear arsenal and trusting instead in the signed word and promise of the U.S.A. and the U.K.? Does anyone think Russia would have invaded Ukraine if Ukraine were a nuclear power? If we abandon the brave Ukrainian people to Russia and we break our solemn word to protect them, the international consequences will be dire indeed. The dictators and aggressors of the world will take notice. And the countries of the world that are in potential danger, according to their ability to do so, will either strengthen and modernize their nuclear arsenals or seek to acquire nuclear weapons as soon as possible. As far back as President De Gaulle, the French have doubted whether when push comes to shove, the Americans would risk nuclear attack to defend France. Thus, he developed the Force de frappe, an independent French nuclear deterrent. Currently, the French nuclear force is the fourth largest nuclear force, following the U.S., the Russian Federation, and the Peoples Republic of China. The French have already announced plans to modernize and strengthen their nuclear forces. The United Kingdom has announced similar plans. Other countries, such as Poland, have hinted at nuclear development as well. If the U.S. allows Ukraine to be defeated by Russia, the International Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaties will be considered obsolete, and only countries that possess independent nuclear deterrence will be considered safe in a very dangerous world. One can imagine Japan joining the nuclear club and India and Pakistan modernizing their nuclear arsenal. And unless Iran is prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt will do whatever is necessary to defend themselves from nuclear blackmail, which will inevitably include the acquisition of nuclear weapons. The more nations that have nuclear weapons, the more likely they are to be used, with the resulting humanitarian catastrophes. And when people both internally and externally object to new nations going nuclear, the answer will be, remember what happened to Ukraine! Is this really the legacy President Trump wants for himself or for our country? Abonati-va sa primiti pe email saptamanal lista articolelor adaugate pe parcursul saptamanii. Adresele .ru nu sunt acceptate. Email NEWSLETTER By Ivelin Radkov, Adobe The Charity Commission is investigating a property dispute between two religious charities. The regulator previously opened a statutory inquiry into the Dudley Central Mosque and Muslim Community Centre but has now opened a second investigation into a property dispute between it and another charity. Its statutory inquiry into the Muslim Community Centre and Mosque 1977 opened on 3 April and will investigate the respective charities roles in managing a shared property on Birmingham Street, Dudley, and how related charitable funds are being banked. The commission said that due to the ongoing dispute, those involved have so far been unable or unwilling to resolve the issues. Its initial investigations before opening an inquiry into the Muslim Community Centre and Mosque 1977 concluded that it is an unregistered charity but it is unclear who its current trustees are. The inquiry will look at whether the unregistered charity has a sufficient number of charity trustees and whether its property is being properly managed and safeguarded. It will examine whether the charitys trustees are complying with their legal duties and whether there has been any misconduct or mismanagement. The commission will also look at the extent to which the charity is being managed in accordance with its governing document and whether the document is fit for purpose. Ongoing inquiry Meanwhile, the regulators inquiry into Dudley Central Mosque and Muslim Community Centre , which opened in 2022, is ongoing. The commission opened its inquiry after the charity failed to file its accounts for four consecutive years. As part of its investigation, it appointed an interim manager to review and revise the charitys governing document and ensure the election of new trustees. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, The 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland was a wake-up call for public entities and insurers alike, challenging long-standing assumptions about the risks of insuring large public infrastructure projects. A year later, the market is still experiencing the fallout as major carriers reduce coverage limits and pull out of certain infrastructure categories altogether. Public entities have been left to cobble together coverage from multiple carriers, often with significant gaps. Related: NTSB Says Maryland Could Have Reduced Risk of Key Bridge Collapse Many carriers that havent historically handled these asset types are entering the market to fill the gaps. Understanding the current state of the marketand public entities pain pointsis vital for insurance professionals across all roles who may be handling related policies and claims for the first time. Understanding The Rise in Infrastructure-Related Insurance Cases In the past, infrastructure insurance followed a relatively predictable model. A small group of major carriers absorbed most of the risk for large infrastructure, often assuming 50% or more of a policys total limit. That made it possible for municipalities to secure full coverage from just one or two insurers, with risk typically concentrated around localized damagesuch as the failure of a single bridge span. Key Bridge followed this model, with a single insurer taking on a significant portion of the policy. But when the entire structure gave way in March 2024, it exposed the scale of potential losses and the limitations of previous risk models. Now, those same insurers are capping their exposure and scaling back participation, forcing municipalities to rely more heavily on layered coverage in which multiple insurers share risk at different levels. Related: Designs for New Baltimore Bridge Unveiled Almost a Year After Deadly Collapse Many insurers are also reducing the limits offered through excess coverage layers, further complicating efforts to secure sufficient protection for large infrastructure. Meanwhile, some insurers have withdrawn from high-risk infrastructure categories altogether. Certain types of infrastructure are becoming nearly uninsurable, with movable bridges like drawbridges or lift bridges often flagged as too risky. The current risk landscape is complex, but infrastructures historically low loss ratio still makes it appealing to many carriers. A growing number of carriers will likely continue to engage in this market, starting with a measured approach that limits exposure. Claims Delays And Documentation Gaps: What to Expect Moving Forward When working with public entities to secure coverage, insurance professionals should expect extended timelines and delays. Most public entities lack immediate access to the engineering assessments required by insurers. Thats because before the Key Bridge collapse, most major insurers conducted and owned their own infrastructure evaluations. Now, municipalities must supply their own third-party reports, and years of underfunded maintenance programs have left many with outdated documentation or gaps in repair history. Budget constraints further complicate matters. While public entities have traditionally based their insurance budgets on the prior years spending, premiums are rising significantlyand municipalities are struggling to keep pace. Some are scaling back coverage or self-insuring portions of their infrastructure, while others are redirecting funds toward maintenance projects just to meet pre-coverage requirements. Many insurers now require municipalities to complete infrastructure improvements before offering coverage. Whether its repainting steel structures to prevent corrosion, repairing minor concrete cracks, or conducting full-scale maintenance projects, these costs come directly out of public entities already-tight budgets. These shifts yield new challenges for insurance professionals. When public entities self-insure a portion of their risk, coverage gaps may not become apparent until a claim is filed, leaving municipalities responsible for a larger share of the financial burden than anticipated. This lack of clarity can lead to delayed settlements and complex claims negotiationsand insurance professionals must be prepared to navigate this intricate landscape. By understanding how self-insurance, layered coverage structures, and municipal budget constraints impact insurance outcomes, professionals in the industry can help municipalities manage expectations and recover losses more effectively. A New Era of Infrastructure Insurance The infrastructure insurance market is undergoing a significant shift. Long-standing assumptions have been upended by large-scale losses, while reduced carrier participation is forcing municipalities to adjust their coverage strategies. As layered policies, budget-driven coverage gaps, and new asset types become more common, insurance professionals must be prepared to navigate evolving expectations and processes. That requires a clear understanding of how public entities operate, where coverage limitations may emerge, and what documentation may be required before writing a policyor resolving a claim. While the market is changing, public infrastructure remains a relatively low-risk space. With awareness of shifting conditions and the right expertise, insurance professionals can play a key role in helping municipalities secure appropriate coverage. Johnston is the National Public Entity Practice Leader for Amwins. He joined Amwins in 2013 and also serves as an executive vice president in the Amwins office in Atlanta. 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. Michele Fiore, who was convicted of fraud involving a charity for a slain police officer, was pardoned Wednesday by President Trump. (John Locher, Associated Press file photo) LAS VEGAS, Nevada A former Las Vegas City Council member and state lawmaker who was convicted after reportedly using money meant for a statue to honor a slain police officer to instead get plastic surgery has been pardoned by President Trump. Fox 5 Vegans reports Michele Fiore, a loyal Trump supporter, was scheduled to be sentenced on May 14 after she was convicted in October of six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She faced up to 140 years in prison, Fox 5 reports. CBS News reports Fiores lawyers filed a motion Thursday asking a judge to vacate her sentencing date because of Trumps full and unconditional pardon. Fiore has maintained her innocence despite the conviction, reports say. Today, I stand before you not just as a free woman, but as a vindicated soul whose prayers were heard, whose faith held firm, and whose truth could not be buried by injustice, Fiore said in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Review-Journal reports Fiore was accused of setting up a charity to honor Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer Alyn Beck. Beck and his partner were killed in 2014. The charity raised more than $70,000, reports say. But prosecutors say Fiore not only used the money raised for plastic surgery, but also for rent and to pay for her daughters wedding, the Review-Journal reports. The White House confirmed Fiore had been pardoned but did not comment on the presidents decision. The pardon comes less than a week after Fiore lost a bid for a new trial. In a statement, Nevada Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett called the pardon reckless and a slap in the face to law enforcement officers. (The Associated Press contributed to this story.) A person passes the office of the California Employment Development Department in Sacramento, Calif. California has the fourth-largest economy in the world, reports show. (Rich Pedroncelli, Associated Press file photo) AP CLEVELAND, Ohio California isnt just an economic juggernaut in the U.S. USA Today reports the state had a nominal gross domestic product of $4.1 trillion in 2024, easily leading the U.S. and now passing Japan ($4.02 trillion) as the fourth-largest economy in the world. The data is from the International Monetary Fund and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Gov. Gavin Newsome issued a news release Thursday lauding his states economic success and also criticizing President Trumps tariffs, saying they threaten the state and the nation. California isnt just keeping pace with the world were setting the pace," Newsome says in a statement. Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation. And, while we celebrate this success, we recognize that our progress is threatened by the reckless tariff policies of the current federal administration. Californias economy powers the nation and it must be protected. Only the U.S. as a whole, China and Germany have larger economies, CNN reports. When it comes to ranking of states overall, Ohio finishes No. 7 overall in 2024 with a GDP of $928 billion, USA Today reports. According to the data, the top 10 economies in the U.S. are: California ($4.1 trillion) Texas ($2.7 trillion) New York ($2.3 trillion) Florida ($1.7 trillion) Illinois ($1.1 trillion) Pennsylvania ($1.02 trillion) Ohio ($928 billion) Georgia ($883 billion) Washington ($855 billion) New Jersey ($847 billion) The Guardian reports that Newsom sued the Trump administration last week, challenging his authority to issue tariffs against multiple nations. A view of the US Capitol building ahead of US President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2025. Republicans in the U.S. Congress plan to introduce a sweeping $150 billion defense package that will give an initial $27 billion boost to President Donald Trump's controversial Golden Dome missile defense shield and bolstering shipbuilding, according to a document and a congressional aide. The measure would supercharge the national defense budget with new money to build 14 warships and lift homeland security spending. This will add $150 billion to the already approved $886 billion national security budget for 2025. It will be part of Trump's sweeping tax cuts bill, which will cut taxes by about $5 trillion and add approximately $5.7 trillion to the federal government's debt over the next decade. The Republican leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees hammered out the legislation that will be unveiled as soon as Friday evening, Republican Senator Roger Wicker told Reuters in an interview. He is chairman of the Senate committee. The measure, details of which have not been previously reported, includes a $27 billion investment in Golden Dome to build more missile interceptors and purchase Terminal High Altitude Area Defense antiballistic missile batteries, according to the congressional aide. THAAD is made by Lockheed Martin. Elon Musk's SpaceX and two partners have emerged as frontrunners to win a crucial part that would track incoming missiles as part of the Golden Dome program, Reuters reported last week. The bill's focus on strengthening the country's military presence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, is a key component of a broader strategy to prevent conflict. "Strength, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, will make China less eager to break the status quo, which has led to a vast global prosperity among people who've never had it before. This is part of a plan to prevent war." He said it was designed to address the military's most pressing needs, with a focus on supercharging key areas such as naval shipbuilding, missile defense, and space sensing. The bill includes a range of provisions aimed at enhancing the country's military capabilities. The largest item is $29 billion for the procurement of 14 new ships, and a "historic" investment in unmanned ships, according to the document seen by Reuters. The legislation also provides significant funding for the development of innovative technologies, including a $5 billion investment in autonomous systems, a substantial increase from the $500 million allocated by the Biden administration. Additionally, the package includes $20 billion in funding for the production of new munitions, the expansion of the country's supplier base, and the replenishment of critical minerals stockpiles. Notably, much of the funding allocated in this package will not expire at the end of the fiscal year, providing a significant boost to the country's defense capabilities. The measure will move forward through the process of reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that allows Congress to pass budget-related bills with a simple majority vote, bypassing the usual 60-vote threshold required for most legislation. The Intel headquarters in Santa Clara, California, US, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Intel Corp. is scheduled to release earnings figures on April 24. Intel CFO David Zinsner said President Donald Trump's tariffs and retaliation from other countries has increased the likelihood of a recession. "The very fluid trade policies in the U.S. and beyond, as well as regulatory risks, have increased the chance of an economic slowdown, with the probability of a recession growing," Zinsner said on the company's quarterly earnings call on Thursday. Intel reported better-than-expected first-quarter results, partially because some customers stockpiled chips ahead of tariffs, the company said. However, guidance for revenue and profit was below expectations, pushing the chipmaker's stock down more than 5% in extended trading. Intel's forecast for the current quarter is $11.2 billion to $12.4 billion. Zinsner said the range is "wider than normal" due to uncertainty caused by tariffs. The company's outlook underscores how sensitive manufacturers are to trade restrictions, even for companies that are committed to building products in the U.S. While Intel manufactures some of its advanced processors domestically, it also partners with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung in Korea to manufacture chips, and imports chipmaking machinery from ASML in Europe. The company also needs parts and materials that come from China. Zinsner said the tariff environment makes it harder for Intel to predict its performance for the quarter and the year, and added that it's now anticipating that the total market for its chips could shrink, especially if consumers stop buying new computers. "The biggest risk we see is the impact of a potential pullback in investment and spending, as businesses and consumers react to higher costs and the uncertain economic backdrop," Zinsner said. Although Intel has enough production in disparate places around the world to mitigate some of the tariffs, the company "will certainly see costs increase," he added. One possibility is that consumers may opt for laptops and other computers based around older-generation chips, which are less expensive, said Michelle Johnston Holthaus, CEO of Intel Products. "The macroeconomic concerns and tariffs have everybody kind of hedging their bets in what they need to have from an inventory perspective," Holthaus said on the earnings call. Beyond tariffs, Intel faces efforts by the U.S. government to require licenses to ship advanced chips for artificial intelligence to countries like China. Intel's earnings report on Thursday was its first under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who was appointed to the job last month. Tan said he planned to cut Intel's operational and capital expenses in order to make the company more efficient. WATCH: Intel is dead money in its current strategic form, says Susquehanna Roland South Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun (right) arrives at Incheon International Airport on April 23, 2025, as he departs for Washington for finance and trade ministers' talks with the U.S. South Korea has asked for "calm" and "orderly" discussions with the U.S. on trade issues, as Asia's fourth largest economy reportedly seeks to work out a deal with the U.S. by July to avoid tariffs. In the so-called "2+2" talks in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. According to South Korean media outlet Yonhap, Choi told reporters that further talks will focus on four categories: tariff-and non-tariff measures; economic security; investment cooperation; and monetary policies. A readout from South Korea's Ministry of Finance said Choi proposed to seek mutually beneficial solutions for both countries, as well as communicated South Korea's concerns about tariffs, according to a CNBC translation. The deal will reportedly be pursued by July 8, the day U.S. President Donald Trump's 90-day tariff suspension is due to end. Choi also emphasized in the Thursday talks that South Korea is a "reliable partner." Ahn proposed measures such as a contribution by both sides to the reconstruction of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, sustainable and balanced South Korea-U.S. trade, and strengthening South Korea's energy security. He requested reciprocal and item-specific tariff exemptions for South Korea, the readout said. Both sides decided to continue holding working-level meetings and more high-level discussions in the future, it added. Though South Korea, like most other countries, has been temporarily spared the "reciprocal" tariffs, the country still faces a 25% levy on steel and aluminum imports to the United States, as well as another 25% on automobile imports, which are some of the country's largest exports to the U.S. South Korea's Hyundai and Kia are among the top eight bestselling brands in the U.S, according to car marketplace Carpro. The country is also the fourth largest exporter of steel to the U.S. in 2024, according to the International Trade Administration under the U.S. Commerce Department. In a Thursday note, ANZ said "While South Korea has good odds of negotiating a trade deal with the US, its electoral calendar may extend the timeline for a comprehensive agreement. A new government will be in place following the 3 June election and its stance will likely shape the outcome of negotiations." South Korea will head to the polls on June 3 to pick a new president. The country's Constitutional Court removed then president Yoon Suk Yeol from office on April 4 over his short-lived declaration of martial law. CNBC's Blair Baek contributed to this report. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai during the Google I/O developers conference in Mountain View, California, on May 10, 2023. Alphabet 's stock gained 1.7% on Friday after signaling strong growth in its search and advertising businesses amid a competitive artificial intelligence environment and uncertain macro backdrop. "GOOGL's pace of GenAI product roll-out is accelerating with multiple encouraging signals," wrote Morgan Stanley's Brian Nowak. "Macro uncertainty still exists but we remain [overweight] given GOOGL's still strong relative position and improving pace of GenAI enabled product roll-out." The search giant posted earnings of $2.81 per share on $90.23 billion in revenue. That topped the $89.12 billion in sales and $2.01 in EPS expected by LSEG analysts. Revenue grew 12% year over year and ahead of the 10% anticipated by Wall Street. Net income rose 46% to $34.54 billion, or $2.81 per share. That's up from $23.66 billion, or $1.89 per share, in the year-ago period. Alphabet said the figure included $8 billion in unrealized gains on its nonmarketable equity securities connected to its investment in a private company. Adjusted earnings, excluding that gain, were $2.27 per share, according to LSEG, and topped analyst expectations. Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Friday: Goldman Sachs upgrades Charles Schwab to buy from neutral Goldman Sachs says the financial services provider shows "durable EPS growth." "We upgrade SCHW to Buy from Neutral with a $100 12-month price target, implying 27% upside from the current stock price." Citizens JMP initiates SoFi at buy Citizens JMP says the consumer lending platform is well positioned. "We initiate coverage of SoFi Technologies with a Market Outperform rating and a $17 price target, implying ~38% upside, supported by SoFi's growth trajectory, improving profitability profile and undervaluation relative to its earnings potential over time." Citigroup initiates Super Micro at neutral Citi said in its initiation of the stock that it sees "positive AI server demand momentum offset by heightened competition." "We initiate coverage on Supermicro with a Neutral/High Risk rating and $39 target price representing ~12% [expected total return]. With 8% of AI server revenue share, Supermicro remains one of the leading players to GPU-as-a-Service cloud providers and enterprises, and we expect Supermicro to continue to benefit from broader secular trends in AI-driven infrastructure." Mizuho upgrades FMC to outperform from neutral Mizuho says the chemical manufacturer's shares are attractive at current levels. "At the current valuation, we believe downside is limited and see risk/reward as attractive. In our view, the challenges facing FMC are well-known and mostly priced in." UBS upgrades Philip Morris to neutral from sell UBS upgraded Philip Morris following its latest earnings. "After another strong quarter (1Q25 EPS was +6% ahead of expectations) and FY25 EPS guidance raise, we are raising our EPS estimates by +3%." RBC upgrades Procter & Gamble to outperform from sector perform RBC called the Crest toothpaste maker's most recent earnings report a "clearing event." "In short, we are believers of the PG strategy and believe it has the right management team and capabilities to deal with the complexity and dynamic nature of the environment." KeyBanc upgrades Lowe's and Williams-Sonoma to overweight from sector weight KeyBanc called Lowe's and Williams-Sonoma "high-quality." "Considering the notable pullback in stocks, we are upgrading LOW, WSM, and LZB to Overweight (from Sector Weight) as we see buying opportunities for patient investors for these high-quality businesses." HSBC upgrades Trane and Waste Management to buy from hold HSBC called both companies high quality with limited effect from tariffs. " Trane: Upgrade to Buy, [discounted cash flow]-derived [target price] to USD415 (from USD405). Concerns on data center growth provide an attractive entry point to a long-term growth story. Waste Management: Upgrade to Buy, DCF-derived TP to USD265 (from USD210). A defensive stock with > 30% EBITDA margins and ROEs, and attractive growth from sustainability investments." UBS reiterates Palantir at neutral The bank says the stock is "resilient" but that it is sticking with a neutral rating. "Bottom line, Palantir seems very resilient, with the one key risk being that the company is exposed to Fed deal delays that our checks argue are happening today. We remain constructive on Palantir's fundamentals but are Neutral-rated with the stock still +43% YTD and the multiple at ~123x 2026E FCF." Citi upgrades Hasbro to buy from neutral Citi says the effect of tariff headwinds has been overblown for the toy company. "We are upgrading HAS from Neutral to Buy, as Hasbro has been, by far, the biggest positive surprise of the post-Liberation Day environment to date. This has much less to do with the company's tariff exposure or even its ability to mitigate this exposure, and is more about the underlying momentum of the business, specifically Wizards of the Coast, for which guidance was raised ~25% after just two months." JPMorgan reiterates Alphabet at overweight JPMorgan raised its price target to $195 per share from $180 following Alphabet earnings on Thursday. "Against a backdrop of competitive and macro concerns, Google delivered solid 1Q results w/upside in advertising revenue and operating income." William Blair reiterates Nvidia and Broadcom at outperform The firm says both stocks remain top investment ideas. "Top Picks. While volatility is not likely to go away soon, we remain positive on AVGO and NVDA going into the first quarter [results]. With the stocks having priced in a lot of the risks around China, tariffs, and slower growth, we expect the first quarter will showcase the continued strength of each respective model." Morgan Stanley reiterates Intel at equal weight Morgan Stanley says Intel investors need to be patient following the company's earnings report Thursday. "The clearest sense from the CEO transition is that this is going to take time." Bank of America reiterates Skechers at buy Bank of America says "global demand trends remain solid" for Skechers. "We reiterate our Buy rating; although the current tariff structure poses near-term margin challenges, we think the brand's value proposition will help drive share gains and think sourcing and pricing mitigation strategies will ease the tariff impact in 4Q and beyond." Bank of America reiterates Nike as buy The investment bank lowered its price target on Nike to $80 per share from $90 but said tariffs are manageable. "Under the current scenario, we think tariffs are manageable, and weakening demand for U.S. brands in China is priced in." Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia as overweight The firm says it is sticking with the stock as a top pick but lowered its price target on Nvidia to $160 per share from $162. "The idea that we are in a digestion phase for AI is laughable given the obvious need for more inference chips which is driving a wave of very strong demand though near term #s are capped by supply/export controls." Deutsche Bank reiterates Amazon as buy Deutsche Bank is sticking with the dominant e-commerce platform heading into earnings on May 1. "All in, with so many questions likely still hanging in the balance for the 2H coming out of Amazon's 1Q earnings, we wouldn't be surprised if AMZN shares are somewhat range-bound in the medium term." Cantor Fitzgerald reiterates Tesla as overweight Cantor Fitzgerald says it is sticking with the investment thesis behind Tesla shares. "While we expect some near-term headwinds due to macro conditions, tariffs, Mr. Musk's polarizing politics and likely removal of EV Tax Credit, our long-term bullish thesis remains intact." Morgan Stanley upgrades RenaissanceRe Holdings to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley says the insurance company's shares are attractive. "We upgrade RNR from Equal-weight to Overweight given what we view as attractive valuation." Funding by VC investors in tech-based companies has declined by about 79% between 2022 and 2024, from around $10.1 billion to approximately $2.2 billion, according to data intelligence platform Tracxn. Koumaru | Istock | Getty Images Venture capitalists typically have a strong appetite for risk, but some investors in Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly cautious. "I think there's a huge flight to safety," Aaron Tan, co-founder and CEO of used car marketplace Carro, told CNBC. He added that some VC investors in the region are now opting for "safe bets" that demonstrate profitability, rather than the typical high-growth tech startups. "I see a lot of investments these days which worries me a little bit [into] what I [think] are not venture-backable companies, because ... they are really offline in nature," he said. Venture capital or private equity? This shift has become more apparent over the last two years, as some venture capital investors have moved their focus from riskier early-stage startups to later-stage companies that are more established, according to insiders. Right now, the venture funds are becoming PE funds. Aaron Tan Co-founder and CEO, Carro "Right now, the venture funds are becoming PE funds," said Carro's Tan. Rather than aiming for 100x returns, which is traditional for venture capital firms, some VC investors have been going for 3x or 4x returns, which is more typical in private equity, he added. "You're seeing a lot more investments by traditional VC funds into what I call brick-and-mortar businesses," Jeremy Tan, co-founder and partner at Tin Men Capital, told CNBC. "At best, they are tech-enabled businesses, right? By that, I mean you have an app, you have a loyalty interface, but beyond that, [you're] still setting up, essentially, physical stores ... And can they deliver the same return profile? I think it's a question mark," added Tin Men Capital's Tan. From logistics companies, restaurant chains, convenience stores and even farms, some VC investors have been allocating more of their capital to traditional sectors and businesses, but without the war chest or type of operational involvement typical of private equity firms. In Southeast Asia, venture capital investments have nosedived since 2022. Funding by VC investors in tech-based companies has declined by about 79% between 2022 and 2024, from around $10.1 billion to approximately $2.2 billion, according to data intelligence platform Tracxn. Meanwhile, funding by VC investors into offline, non-tech sector-based businesses also fell albeit less by 61% in the same period, from about $1.3 billion to about $527.7 million, according to Tracxn. Southeast Asia's startup struggles This all comes on the backdrop of an ecosystem that has been going through the wringer. Industry insiders say that many startups in the region remain unprofitable. At the same time, many funds in Southeast Asia have raised too much money and haven't delivered proper returns to their investors, also known as limited partners. "A lot of the VCs have raised too much money, right? So you run out of places to deploy, and I think they are just trying to figure out how to make a return for their investor, for the LPs," said Tin Men Capital's Tan. On top of that, "the macro economy is very weak, be it in Indonesia, be it in Thailand, be it even in Singapore... [and] there is a clear lack of exits in this part of the world," said Carro's Tan. Exits which offer investors a way to withdraw their money and profit from their investments have been scarce in the region. Notably, many of the Southeast Asian companies that listed have only provided "lackluster" exits for investors at best, said Carro's Tan. "There really just aren't that many good [tech] deals to be done in this part of the world," said Carro's Tan. Many startups remain overvalued, and a valuation correction has yet to occur, he added. watch now "[Many] funds here have pinned their hopes on an IPO," said Tin Men Capital's Tan. However, recent market turbulence has led many startups to delay their public listings. Startups serving Southeast Asia also face unique challenges as the economy is an aggregation of different countries with different languages, cultures, regulatory environments and more. "So, the probability of building large companies [in the region] is much lower than the U.S.," Tin Men Capital's Tan noted. "So, as a result, investors are asking: 'Where's the money?' ... Which, at the end of the day the issue we have on hand is that LPs (limited partners) are not interested in investing right now," said Carro's Tan. The path forward Hannah Dugan speaks during a forum at the Milwaukee Bar Association in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while seeking election to Milwaukee County Circuit Court, March 15, 2016. Mike De Sisti | Via Reuters Federal authorities have arrested a Wisconsin judge and a former New Mexico judge in two separate cases, accusing them of interfering with Trump administration immigration enforcement efforts. Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday morning and charged with obstruction. She is accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers after he appeared in her courtroom April 18. Dugan's arrest came one day after federal authorities arrested a former New Mexico judge, Joel Cano, and his wife on charges related to the Canos' reported harboring of an undocumented immigrant with alleged ties to the notorious gang Tren de Aragua. The actions against judges mark a sharp escalation in the Trump administration's aggressive efforts to remove undocumented immigrants from the U.S. "Nobody should be surprised by the arrest of two judges," Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, said in a statement Friday. "If you actively impede our enforcement efforts or if you knowingly harbor or conceal illegal aliens from ICE you will be prosecuted," Homan wrote on X. Dugan's arrest drew swift condemnation from Trump's critics. "Americans are watching with outrage the stunning news that Trump's FBI has arrested a sitting judge in Milwaukee for alleged obstruction of an immigration arrest," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said in a statement. "This is a drastic escalation and dangerous new front in Trump's authoritarian campaign of trying to bully, intimidate, and impeach judges who won't follow his dictates," said Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. "We must do whatever we can to defend the independent judiciary in America." Arrest in New Mexico A former New Mexico judge, Joel Cano, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested after ICE accused them of harboring members of a Venezuelan gang. Courtesy: Dona Ana County Jail) Cano, a former Dona Ana County magistrate judge, and his wife, Nancy Cano, both face charges of tampering with evidence, jail records show. Cano, who had served on the bench since 2011, submitted his resignation letter March 3, days after Homeland Security raided his home, court documents obtained by NBC News show. Federal agents had received a tip in January that Cristhian Ortega, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela whom authorities suspect of being a Tren de Aragua member, and others were staying on the Canos' property. Ortega is charged in a separate federal case in New Mexico with possessing a firearm as an illegal alien. A sworn affidavit in Cano's criminal case said Homeland Security agents conducted another raid at the former judge's home Thursday, in search of a cell phone they believed was Ortega's. According to the affidavit, in an interview with agents Cano said "that he destroyed the cellphone that belonged to Ortega by smashing it with a hammer and discarded the remaining pieces in the city trash dumpster approximately five weeks ago." Cano has denied any knowledge that the three people were affiliated with the gang. "The very first time I had ever heard that the boys could possible have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by agents ... on the day of the raid," Cano wrote in a March letter to the state Supreme Court responding to allegations against him. The Wisconsin arrest A U.S. Marshals Service spokeswoman confirmed to CNBC that Dugan was arrested at about 8:30 a.m. local time on courthouse property. Dugan was released on bond after making her initial appearance Friday morning in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee before Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries, according to her case docket. Dugan's "arraignment and plea" proceeding is set for May 15, the docket shows. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Chief Judge Carl Ashley told NBC that the judicial code of conduct restricts him from commenting on the matter, but said Dugan's court calendar "will be covered by another judge as needed." FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X that the FBI believes Dugan "intentionally misdirected federal agents away" from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz as agents were attempting to arrest him at the courthouse. Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, seen in a mug shot taken when he was arrested in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 14, 2025. Courtesy: Milwaukee County Sheriff "Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public," Patel said in the post. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday that the FBI was looking into Dugan's conduct surrounding an attempted arrest by ICE agents in the courthouse on April 18. On that day, Dugan "became visibly angry" after learning that ICE agents were waiting in the hallway to arrest Flores-Ruiz after a hearing in his criminal battery case, according to an FBI special agent's sworn affidavit unsealed Friday. Dugan and another judge entered the hallway and confronted the arrest team, telling one deportation officer that he needed a judicial warrant to make an arrest instead of an "administrative warrant," the affidavit said. Dugan then ordered them to go to the chief judge's office, it said. After returning to her courtroom, Dugan "escorted Flores-Ruiz and his counsel" through a jury door, which leads to a nonpublic area of the building, the affidavit said, citing "multiple witnesses." Flores-Ruiz and his attorney then returned to the hallway and took an elevator down to leave the building, the affidavit said. After being told that Flores-Ruiz was in front of the courthouse, agents ran toward him and identified themselves as law enforcement officers, it said. "Flores-Ruiz turned around and sprinted down the street. A foot chase ensued," according to the affidavit. "The agents pursued Flores-Ruiz for the entire length of the courthouse and ultimately apprehended him near the intersection of W. State Street and 10th Street. Flores-Ruiz was handcuffed and detained," it said. Dugan's criminal complaint shows she has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, and obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a federal department or agency. George Santos, who was expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, arrives for the sentencing in his criminal corruption charges at Central Islip Federal Courthouse in Central Islip, New York, on April 25, 2025. Former Rep. George Santos, whose web of lies about his life led to his expulsion from Congress, was sentenced Friday to more than seven years in prison in his federal fraud case. The New York Republican must also pay restitution of $373,750, a judge ruled in U.S. District Court in Long Island. Santos admitted last August to engaging in a multipronged campaign finance scheme, stealing unemployment benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic and lying on House financial disclosure forms. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Santos pleaded guilty to a single count each of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He also agreed to restitution and forfeiture totaling nearly $580,000. The volatility on Wall Street has cooled as the end of April nears, but that may be more about a lack of true catalysts and a growing skepticism of President Donald Trump than a rebound in investor optimism. JPMorgan strategist Dubravko Lakos-Bujas said in a note to clients Friday that, while risks from tariffs appear to have come down in recent days, many investors seem to have "Trump exhaustion" and are hesitant to jump fully back in to stocks even on positive headlines. Examples of the market tuning out the White House came on Friday, as several contradictory pieces of tariff news came and went, causing at most a short-term ripple for stocks. Those tidbits included a newly published Time Magazine interview from Tuesday, with the president saying it would be "total victory" if the U.S. has high tariffs of 20% to 50% on foreign countries a year from now. Then, in two different sessions with reporters on Friday, Trump said "we are very close to deal" with Japan but needed "something substantial" from China to lower tariffs. All that led to a modest gain of less than 1% on the day for the S & P 500 , which is still down for the month even after a big week . At this point, investors may need to wait for more concrete information on the economy and trade before the recent uptick for stocks can become a true rally, or revert back to a recessionary market. "In the very short term, the equity pain trade likely remains to the upside as the market prepositions on tariff de-escalation. However, as the summer approaches, we could start to see some softness in activity due to aggressive tariff related front-loading, lagged effects of other policies, and lower business investment activity," Lakos-Bujas wrote. The strategist said this dynamic could keep the S & P 500 "range bound" between JPMorgan's year-end base case of 5,200 and bull case of 5,800. The index was trading around 5,500 for much of Friday the dead center of that range. .SPX 5D mountain The S & P 500 traded around 5,500 for much of the day Friday. Wells Fargo strategist Christopher Harvey said in a note Friday that he still sees proof that the market is reacting to daily chatter from the Trump team, but the result is still a set area on the chart for the S & P 500 to bounce around. The bottom line is that the market needs real proof of progress on the trade front for a breakthrough, not just presidential commentary. "We have posited there is a 'Trump collar' keeping the SPX in a 5,000-5,600 range in recent weeks. When markets are excessively weak, we should expect to hear a positive sound bite from the Administration; the rally is then arrested when a White House official takes the opportunity to lean back into tariff rhetoric," Harvey wrote. "We are maintaining this 5,000-5,600 SPX collar until there is tangible evidence of tariff negotiation progress, not merely reports of 'constructive dialogue.'" CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting. Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles, and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited! Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief executive Brian Thompson, appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on New York state murder and terrorism charges in New York City, U.S., Feb. 21, 2025. Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty Friday in New York federal court to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione faces a possible death sentence in the case if he is convicted in the federal case of murdering Thompson, who was gunned down on a Manhattan street in December. The 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate is separately charged in New York state court with the slaying. Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson on Dec. 4 as the CEO was walking into the Hilton Hotel in midtown. UnitedHealth Group , the parent of Thompson's health insurance giant, was hosting an event for investors at the hotel that day. Mangione was arrested five days later at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He is charged U.S. District Court in Manhattan with murder through use of a firearm, two counts of stalking, and a firearms offence. Mangione appeared there Friday before Judge Margaret Garnett to enter his plea. In this article MELI Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT MercadoLibre CEO Marcos Galperin CNBC The CEO of Argentina's MercadoLibre often called the Amazon of Latin America sees big opportunity for Latin America in the U.S.-China trade war. "If Latin America plays its cards well, I think could benefit from this volatility," MercadoLibre CEO and founder Marcos Galperin told CNBC's Robert Frank on the sidelines of Riverwood Capital Management's LatAm Tech Forum in Miami. Galperin is Argentina's richest person with an $8.7 billion fortune by Forbes' estimate. watch now Shares of MercadoLibre, an e-commerce and payments firm, have surged by nearly 30% this year, while Amazon, facing massive exposure to President Donald Trump's wide-sweeping tariffs, is down 15%. Galperin told CNBC that Latin American firms, especially in Mexico, stand to gain from escalating tensions between U.S. and one if its chief trade partners. He noted that many American companies have already moved their manufacturing operations to Mexico from China and other Asian countries. Mexico has a free trade agreement with the U.S. that means some imports from the country are exempt from Trump's tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexican goods. The U.S. president has hit China hardest, however, with a 145% tariff rate on Chinese goods. Get Inside Wealth directly to your inbox The Inside Wealth newsletter by Robert Frank is your weekly guide to high-net-worth investors and the industries that serve them. Subscribe here to get access today. Flags with the logos of Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, maker of the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy are pictures while the company presents the annual report at Novo Nordisk in Bagsvaerd, Denmark, on February 5, 2025. Novo Nordisk scored a huge legal victory that largely restricts compounding pharmacies from marketing or selling cheaper, unapproved versions of the drugmaker's blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic. A federal judge in Texas late Thursday rejected a bid by compounding pharmacies to keep making copies of Ozempic and Wegovy while a legal challenge over the shortage of those drugs unfolds. That came in response to a February lawsuit from a compounding trade group against the Food and Drug Administration's determination that the active ingredient in those drugs, semaglutide, is no longer in shortage in the U.S. Patients flocked to the cheaper copycats when Ozempic and Wegovy were in short supply over the last two years due to skyrocketing demand, or if they didn't have insurance coverage for the costly treatments. During FDA-declared shortages, pharmacists can legally make compounded versions of brand-name medications. Many telehealth companies, such as Hims & Hers , also offered those copycats. But drugmakers and some health experts have pushed back against the practice because the FDA does not approve compounded drugs, which are essentially custom-made copies prescribed by a doctor to meet a specific patient's needs. "We are pleased the court has rejected the compounders' attempts to undermine FDA's data-based decision that the shortage" of semaglutide is resolved, said Steve Benz, Novo Nordisk's corporate vice president, legal and U.S. general counsel, in a statement. "Patient safety remains a top priority for Novo Nordisk and the extensive nationwide legal actions we have taken to protect Americans from the health risks posed by illegitimate 'semaglutide' drugs are working," he said, referring to the company's more than 100 lawsuits against compounding pharmacies and other entities across 32 states. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman specifically denied the Outsourcing Facilities Association's bid for a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the FDA from taking action against its members for making copies of semaglutide. That decision upholds the FDA's previous determination that the semaglutide shortage in the U.S. is over and means the FDA can now immediately go after so-called 503A pharmacies that are making compounded versions of semaglutide according to individual prescriptions for a specific patient. Those pharmacies are largely regulated by states rather than the FDA. The decision also means the FDA can start targeting federally regulated 503B pharmacies, which manufacture compounded drugs in bulk with or without prescriptions, after May 22. The agency's actions can include product seizures and warning letters to pharmacies. "Hey, how are you?" "Hey, how's your sore back?" "Sorry, I'm running a little late; I'll meet you for dinner at 6:15." If you have been on the receiving end of an increasing number of seemingly random and innocuous texts like those, you aren't alone. And it wasn't a wrong number. Online scammers are increasingly turned to "wrong number" message tactics, aided by AI, to trick phone users into providing access to personal information and financial accounts. Ann Nagel, who works at a college in suburban Chicago, received a text that was convincing enough to make her think she should respond. "I had actually thought it was from one of my members from an organization I run in town. It had me going for a few seconds," Nagel said. But she quickly realized it was a scam when the texter asked Nagel to send a Vanilla Visa gift card and scratch off the back numbers. Nagel quickly ended the text exchange. "They are a tricky bunch of thieves, no doubt," Nagel said. Steve Grobman, chief technology officer at McAfee, says there is usually much more going on than just an innocent wrong number. The texters have multiple objectives by sending seemingly harmless missives to your phone. First, he says, the scammers most often based overseas are validating that the mobile number is active and the person is willing to engage and respond. "They are adding the number to their database so they can target it surgically for future scams," Grobman said. They can note in their files that this person could be a potential future victim even if the initial exchange doesn't bear fruit. And if a person, phone company, or wireless carrier blocks a number, the scammers will move onto the next one, as has been happening during the recent wave of toll fine scams. "Once the first objective is met, what they are trying to do is build some sort of relationships," Grobman said, and he added that these criminals are often working as part of well-funded, well-organized criminal enterprises. Scammers are willing to put in the work to reach their ultimate aim, which is parting you from your money, and Grobman says the highest yield scams are ones that involve forging a personal relationship that can be turned into a form of what is known as a "pig butchering scam. "It is slow; you feed the victim and slowly gain trust and move it forward," Grobman said. In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to scams that started with text messages, according to the Federal Trade Commission, five times higher than what was reported in 2020. Life savings, retirement accounts are the ultimate target Long, draw-out, text scams sometimes including a romantic element are chasing someone's life savings or retirement account. "Because there is such a large payoff, it is worth the extra time required to grow it," Grobman said. McAfee's research shows that 1 in 4 Americans have received these wrong number texts, although email still leads the way in overall online scam attempts, at 47 percent, followed by 24 percent via text, and 24 by social media. AI is making these once time-consuming, laborious scams more efficient and easier to target people. AI can help criminals zero in on area codes for tailored texts, comb through social media profiles, and build out family networks. "Wrong number" texts, in particular, are increasing because of the confluence of data dumps over the past few years combined with AI's availability. "This allows scammers to create highly believable scams, higher levels of engagement, and higher levels of victims falling for scams," Grobman said. "Consumers need to be very careful. You really shouldn't engage," he added. But that can be difficult for some because psychology is as much a part of the text scammer's toolkit as AI and software. "Their effectiveness taps into something much deeper: our human need for connection," said Malka Shaw, a New Jersey-based psychotherapist in private practice who has seen a rise in text scam victims in her practice. Shaw says the long shadow of Covid continues to casts its darkness over this problem. "We're living in a time where loneliness has reached epidemic levels. Especially in the wake of the pandemic, so many people feel disconnected and unseen," Shaw said. People who have endured trauma in their past or are lonely can find themselves more drawn into connections that can come via text. "Their cognitive biases will be down, and they'll say, 'I need that contact.' That is how they get you in," Shaw said. AI in the hands of criminals makes it easy and fast to scan social media profiles for people who might seem lonely and then connect them to a phone number. 'Mini-ransoms' for locked social media accounts Even if the innocuous scams don't yield a big pig-butchering payday, they can still be worthwhile. Eder Ribeiro, director of global incident response at TransUnion, says emptying someone's life savings is the primary goal, but hackers can still derive secondary value from the texting. "Data is money," Ribeiro said, adding that even if they only get a name and phone number, such info can be sold on the dark web, or perhaps they'll get enough data to sell on the dark web and crack your email. In some cases, a text scammer will be able to extract enough of a response to track down the person's social media accounts and lock them out and people are willing to pay to reclaim their accounts. "We see people pay smaller amounts of money to gain access to their social media," Riberio said, adding that those "mini-ransoms" can be between $200-$800, not the huge payday the hacker was seeking, but still something. "They can find out stuff about most people and use it for extortion, fraud, or the information can be aggregated for the data and sold," Ribiero said. Dustin Brewer, senior director of proactive cybersecurity services at BlueVoyant, says the best advice for recipients of unwanted texts is to ignore the messages. Do not initiate a response and mark them as spam. These simple steps empower people by making a firm decision while removing the text from their inbox. "And doing so makes me an undesirable target for the scammer, and no follow-up messages occur for the most part," Brewer said. Marking it spam could help others by alerting your messaging app that this message is potential bait for a scammer. Some messaging apps use this type of reporting to detect future scams and protect other users, Brewer said. But TransUnion's Ribiero says, for now, expect the texts to continue. "The frequency is increasing because it works, and if you get results, you keep doing it," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, on the day he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 23, 2025. Nearing the tone-setting 100th day of his second administration at the end of April, U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Russia and Ukraine to end their three-year conflict at the steep price of territorial concession. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, a former real estate mogul turned Kremlin whisperer, arrived in Moscow on Friday. Footage carried by Russian state news agency Tass showed he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin whom he has encountered thrice prior at a fragile time in the Moscow-Washington relations that have only thawed since Trump's January return to the White House. The Kremlin has so far approached U.S.-sponsored Ukraine peace negotiations which resulted in a partial, ill observed ceasefire on energy infrastructure last month with amiable intractability, avoiding ire that Trump has largely directed at Ukraine's leadership for its hesitations throughout the talks and its insistence over explicit security guarantees. The Washington leader has repeatedly called out his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for overestimating his leverage in both the conflict and the discussions, as well as earlier this week disregarding the possibility of renouncing Crimea. But intensifying Russian attacks against Kyiv earlier this week following a lull over the Easter holiday led Trump to take a rare shot against Putin on Thursday. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV," Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform. "Not necessary, and very bad timing," the White House leader added. "Vladimir, STOP!" "I didn't like last night, I wasn't happy with it," Trump said in a separate press briefing. "We're putting a lot of pressure on Russia, and Russia knows that." Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: T-Mobile Shares pulled back 11% after the company's wireless subscribers for the first quarter missed Wall Street estimates. T-Mobile reported 495,000 postpaid phone additions in the first quarter, while analysts polled by StreetAccount were looking for 504,000. Alphabet The Google parent company gained about 2% on the heels of better-than-expected first-quarter results . Alphabet reported $2.81 in earnings per share on revenue of $90.23 billion, while analysts polled by LSEG forecast $2.01 in earnings per share and $89.12 billion in revenue. Skechers Shares fell 4.8% after the footwear maker posted weaker-than-expected revenue for the first quarter and withdrew its 2025 guidance due to " macroeconomic uncertainty stemming from global trade policies ." The company's earnings for the quarter came in above analysts' estimates, however. Gilead Sciences The biopharmaceutical stock fell 2.5% after first-quarter revenue came in at $6.67 billion, missing the consensus forecast of $6.81 billion from analysts polled by LSEG. However, the company earned $1.81 per share, excluding items, in the quarter, beating Wall Street's estimate of $1.79 a share. Saia Shares of the shipping company fell 31% after first-quarter results missed estimates and showed a slowdown in March. Saia reported $1.86 in earnings per share on $787.6 million in revenue. Analysts surveyed by FactSet were expecting $2.76 in earnings per share on $812.8 million in revenue. BMO Capital Markets downgraded the stock to market perform from outperform and said the issues were "company specific." Intel The chipmaker declined 7% after Intel's current quarter missed investors' expectations. Intel forecast revenue in the June quarter of $11.8 billion at the midpoint, while consensus forecasts called for $12.82 billion, per LSEG. Management anticipates earnings will break even. Intel also announced plans to reduce both its operational and capital expenses. Boston Beer Shares of the Samuel Adams brewer were more than 1% higher after better-than-expected first-quarter results. Boston Beer notched earnings per share of $2.16 on revenue of $453.9 million, while analysts polled by FactSet were looking for 56 cents per share on revenue of $435.6 million. Boston Beer cautioned that tariffs could hurt full-year earnings. Tesla The Elon Musk-helmed electric vehicle company surged 10%. Shares have advanced more than 17% this week as the broader market tries to recover from a steep sell-off for much of April. CNBC's Jesse Pound, Alex Harring and Sean Conlon contributed reporting. Get Your Ticket to Pro LIVE Join us at the New York Stock Exchange! Uncertain markets? Gain an edge with CNBC Pro LIVE , an exclusive, inaugural event at the historic New York Stock Exchange. In today's dynamic financial landscape, access to expert insights is paramount. As a CNBC Pro subscriber, we invite you to join us for our first exclusive, in-person CNBC Pro LIVE event at the iconic NYSE on Thursday, June 12. Join interactive Pro clinics led by our Pros Carter Worth, Dan Niles and Dan Ives, with a special edition of Pro Talks with Tom Lee. You'll also get the opportunity to network with CNBC experts, talent and other Pro subscribers during an exciting cocktail hour on the legendary trading floor. Tickets are limited! Demonstrators at UC Berkeley rally to support the Freedom to Speak, Freedom to Teach, and Freedom to Learn, For Everyone, at Sproul Plaza in Berkeley, Calif. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into the University of California, Berkeley's foreign funding disclosures, the department said on Friday. The investigation, which is seeking records relating to foreign sources of funding to the university, was initiated after a review found Berkeley's disclosures to the government may be "incomplete or inaccurate," the department said in a statement. The department cited 2023 media reports indicating that Berkeley failed to disclose hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from a foreign government. The investigation comes two days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to enforce existing laws requiring universities to disclose specific details about foreign funding, including the source and purpose of the funds, amid worries by Trump of foreign influence at universities. "Over the course of the last two years, UC Berkeley has been cooperating with federal inquiries regarding 117 reporting issues, and we will continue to do so," Assistant Vice Chancellor Dan Mogulof said in an email to Reuters. The department launched a similar investigation into Harvard University last week. "The Biden-Harris Administration turned a blind eye to colleges and universities' legal obligations by deprioritizing oversight and allowing foreign gifts to pour onto American campuses," said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The Trump administration has launched a crackdown against top U.S. universities, over pro-Palestinian campus protests and a range of other topics like transgender rights and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding to those institutions. Rights advocates have condemned what they call an assault on free speech and academic freedom. A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Wealthy philanthropists are grappling with a new landscape for giving, as government cuts create more funding needs but political battles make donations more fraught, according to several advisors. Whether it's the legal battle at Harvard University, the cuts to foreign aid or sudden loss of research funding, major donors are facing shifting dynamics and are either holding back or staying under the radar as they seek to avoid getting caught in political crosshairs, donors and advisors said. Harvard last week received almost 4,000 gifts online totaling more than $1.1 million in the wake of its battle with the Trump administration, according to reporting from The Harvard Crimson. The gifts came after the White House froze more than $2 billion in federal funding when Harvard rebuffed its demands, which included an audit of the school's student body for "viewpoint diversity." Along with cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development and other federal funding sources for nonprofits, reports suggest the Trump administration is also considering broader scrutiny of the nonprofit sector, potentially targeting organizations with causes or positions that contradict the administration or are viewed as overly partisan. In response, nonprofits have launched their most aggressive fundraising efforts since the Covid pandemic, arguing that the very future of the nonprofit sector and free speech is under attack. So far, however, major donors haven't responded with large public gifts the way they did in 2020 and 2021. Harvard President Alan Garber and other leaders have been reaching out to the school's roster of mega-donors including Michael Bloomberg, Ken Griffin and others but none have so far announced major gifts. Advisors to some large donors say their clients don't agree with Harvard's positions or the school's progress on antisemitism and other issues. Other clients don't want to be seen publicly opposing the administration. Philanthropy experts and advisors say some of today's wealthy donors and foundations don't want to be seen as taking sides for fear of public criticism. Some are giving but doing so quietly and privately. Other donors agree with Trump administration criticisms that many nonprofits or institutions have become too ideologically one-sided and political and should be seeking to reform or compromise. The recent trend of nonprofits relying on larger gifts from a smaller pool of ultra-wealthy donors has made the problem worse, since they can no longer rely on large numbers of small donations from grassroots fundraising. A report from Altrata found that ultra-high-net-worth individuals those worth $30 million or more now account for 38% of all charitable giving worldwide. The world's 3,200 billionaires account for 8% of all individual philanthropy. For most of today's big donors, the nonprofit turmoil erupted so quickly that they're still processing and assessing the best response. Nicholas Tedesco, CEO of the National Center for Family Philanthropy, said members are asking how to navigate the political climate and how to best protect their grantees. "The questions they're asking first and foremost are, what is the risk to philanthropic individuals and families to move resources, and how can we protect our grantee partners, and how do we, the philanthropic individuals and families, navigate an environment of risk that allows us to have fidelity to our mission and be responsive to the needs of our constituents?" Tedesco said. BJ Goergen Maloney, head of private advisory at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, said clients have gotten the message that nonprofits feel in crisis. "Donors are feeling funding urgency, similar to the early Covid-19 crisis for nonprofits, especially those reliant on federal funding," she said. She added that many nonprofits are merging or closing for economies of scale, especially overseas. Ed Chaney, a lawyer who advises tax-exempt organizations, said some of his private foundation clients have even stopped giving to causes singled out by the Trump organization. "I'm seeing some folks kind of sanitize things a bit. I see some folks who are ready to brawl," he said. "It ultimately comes down to the individual circumstances of the philanthropic entity." Chaney noted that wealthy donors tend to move slower than small-dollar donors as they rarely make major donations for general operating support. "They have to negotiate a gift agreement and all that sort of stuff," he said. "It's possible that bigger donors responded but they started a conversation that's not going to end for a while." Some philanthropists are trying to show resolve, even if they haven't committed to a specific dollar gift this year. In late March, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project launched its "Meet the Moment" pledge. So far, 118 signatories representing $23.7 billion in assets have committed to support nonprofits in their time of need, namely through unrestricted and multiyear funding. Another public statement , which says charitable giving is a First Amendment right, has been signed by more than 500 foundations as of Thursday morning. The Kenneth Rainin Foundation has signed both pledges and said it will distribute an extra $4 million this year. Shelley Trott, the family foundation's executive director, said many funders are stepping up their support but doing it quietly to avoid government scrutiny. "The work has unfortunately been politicized," she said. "We are all trying to find our footing because this is unprecedented." She added that the threat to Harvard's tax exemption and broader attacks on academia have "galvanized" some philanthropists and emboldened them to speak out. "We must stand together to protect the freedom to direct private resources to the issues people care about," Trott said, "regardless of politics or who is in power." Jordana Barrack, executive director of Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, said many funders are moving slowly, as they aren't sure how to prioritize their giving in the face of dire need. "We don't have enough resources to save everyone and keep all these organizations open," she said. "How do we decide what does get Band-Aids and what doesn't? That's the tough part that a lot of funders are overwhelmed by, and it's slowing down their decision-making process." Mighty Arrow, created by New Belgium Brewing co-founder Kim Jordan, has a mandate to spend down its assets by 2040. But family foundations designed to exist in perpetuity have to consider how increased spending during a depressed market will deplete their endowments. Priscilla Kersten, president of Square One Foundation, said her top priority isn't the longevity of the foundation, which her parents started in 1957 with their manufacturing fortune. Square One recently launched a rapid response fund and hosted a six-hour conference for grantees so they could coordinate resources. "The market is just the market, and it will come back," she said. "If we can't meet the moment during our lifetimes, I honestly don't know what we've established this foundation and grown it for." Key takeaways: The FBI, along with law enforcement in Canada, Australia, and Nigeria, carried out Operation Artemis, targeting sextortion schemes that have led to over 20 teen suicides in the U.S. since 2021. The operation resulted in 22 arrests in Nigeria, with at least one suspect tied to a U.S. victim who died by suicide after being extorted. This global law enforcement initiative stemmed from a two-year FBI investigation linking thousands of reports of teenage boys being coerced into sharing explicit photos online. The FBI and its partners in Canada, Australia, and Nigeria have dismantled a major sextortion network that preyed on teenage boys onlinean exploitative scheme blamed for more than 20 youth suicides in the United States since 2021. The multi-agency effort, dubbed Operation Artemis, culminated in the arrest of 22 people in Nigeria. At least one of the suspects has been directly linked to an American victim who died by suicide after being ensnared in the devastating scam. The FBI said these arrests mark the first coordinated global law enforcement response to financially motivated sextortion, a crime that has escalated rapidly with the rise of social media. A months-long investigation The FBI launched the operation nearly two years ago after noticing a surge in reports of teen boys being lured into sending explicit images to people posing as peers on social platforms. Once the images were shared, the victims were blackmailedthreatened with public exposure unless they paid money. Analysis of victims phones and social media accounts exposed a pattern of coercion and desperation, with many teens engaging in frantic attempts to preserve their dignity and prevent exposure. These young victims often feel trapped, ashamed, and terrified, said an FBI spokesperson. Tragically, some feel they have no way out. The FBI said the operations success underscores the power of international collaboration in combating cyber-enabled crimes that cross borders and target vulnerable individuals. Authorities are urging parents, educators, and caregivers to talk openly with teens about online safety and to report any instances of sextortion to law enforcement immediately. The Vatican has been accused of covering up what it knows about unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Pope Francis recently died aged 88 UFO investigator and filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee has implored the Vatican to share its knowledge of UFOs, following the recent passing of Pope Francis and ahead of the appointment of a new Pope. The filmmaker said: "If the Church is truly committed to spiritual truth and human enlightenment, then it must no longer suppress information that could fundamentally reshape our understanding of our place in the cosmos." Lee - whose new book, 'God Versus Aliens', explores the religious aspects of UFOs - has suggested that the Catholic Church is still withholding the Third Secret of Fatima, a mysterious message supposedly delivered by an apparition to three children in Portugal in 1917. The Church has officially released the full message, but numerous researchers insist that the truth remains concealed from the public. Lee said: "What the children saw and described - an intense shining object, sudden weather changes, and a radiant being who communicated messages - fits the classic pattern of close encounters. "This was not the Virgin Mary. This was a non-human intelligence trying to communicate with us. And the Vatican knows it." Lee is now calling for the next Pope to be totally transparent about the issue and to share the Vatican's knowledge of UFOs. Lee has even suggested that some outlandish incidents described in religious texts could actually have been alien encounters. The filmmaker - who is known for exploring links between religion, history, and extraterrestrial life - told MailOnline: "What people are seeing in the sky, they could be genuine extraterrestrial UFOs, but there's also most likely going to be secret military technology years and years ahead of what we think they've got. "I think people in the UFO community need to be aware of that. It's not just little green men visiting, it's more complicated. I think the public deserves to know. We don't need to be protected from this information." Listen, the news business is tough. Yes, fact-checking is important, but when theres a breaking story, theres not always time to get it straight before those bastards at Insert Competing Publisher get the scoop. Sometimes, though, it pays to be cautious, at least if you dont want some very powerful enemies because you forced them to read about their own deaths. 5 Mark Twain Of course, preeminent American humorist Mark Twain most famously announced that reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated, but he actually had to do it twice. The first time, his cousins illness resulted in a game of telephone that led to his notorious quip, but 10 years later, after The New York Times reported that his boat was lost at sea, he wrote an article for the same newspaper investigating his own possible death. At least, after both mistakes, we got some great writing out of it. 4 Gabriel Garcia Marquez Unfortunately, we got some rather bad writing out of a Peruvian newspapers announcement of the death of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez in 2000 after hed actually only been diagnosed with cancer. Some kind of mix-up resulted in a farewell poem supposedly written by Marquez being published alongside the announcement, which seemed to upset Marquez more than the announcement itself. What could kill me is someone thinking I wrote such a corny thing, he said. It ended up being pneumonia, but he had a point. 3 Alice Cooper Unlike most such mistakes, Melody Maker knew exactly what they were doing when they published a satirical obituary of Alice Cooper in 1973. They were talking about the death of his career, but so many fans reached out to them in confused anguish that they had to publish a retraction, quoting the man himself as saying, I lost $4,000 ... at blackjack last night. I could have died! and Am I alive? Well, Im alive and drunk as usual. 2 Ernest Hemingway To be fair, it wasnt that big of a leap to assume that Hemingway had died in a plane crash in Africa in 1954. He was hurt very badly, and hed actually been involved in two plane crashes, and its not like the mid-1950s were a great time for surviving such incidents. But survive, he did, and he was so amused by his own obituaries that he collected them in a scrapbook to read every morning over a glass of champagne. We like Twitter and cold brew, but you do you, Ernie. The Golden Globes just announced the date of the 2026 ceremony, for all those award show superfans who like to plan out their TV viewing schedules seven months in advance. Nikki Glaser will be returning to host, and presumably Ricky Gervais will be returning to tweet out worse monologue jokes from his bathtub. While much of Hollywood seemed to enjoy Glasers act, the hype surrounding the comedians Golden Globes debut was very much focused on her comedy roast cred. Obviously this made some stars nervous. And, apparently, it made one star in particular very nervous. Glaser appeared at the TIME100 summit, and revealed that several attendees of the Golden Globes told her afterwards that they were really, really scared about what she was going to say, purely because of the Tom Brady roast. But as Glaser pointed out, shes hired to be mean at roasts, whereas at the Golden Globes, its not my job to ruin their night. Don't Miss I wish I would have known that, because I would have just something to diffuse that a little bit, Glaser acknowledged. Next times going to be a lot more fun, because I think they know the tone that I have now. One of the stars most terrified by Glaser was Timothee Chalamet. Thats because a reporter had asked Glaser which actor she was going to skewer and she responded not really anyone, but in order to serve a compliment about a performance, I have to make a joke with it, so I probably want to say something to Timothee Chalamet, cause I just loved his performance in A Complete Unknown. So Ill probably make a joke about him. Advertisement Unfortunately this info got back to Chalamet. He was just going to skip my monologue and get there late. Just so he didnt have to deal with it, Glaser recalled. And I get it because hes there with his girlfriend whos already the subject of so many jokes. To ensure that her favorite nominee would be in attendance, she left a fawning message for his publicist, saying I love Timothee. Im not telling you the jokes, but I promise you the jokes are uplifting him. Im a huge fan, I would never do anything to ruin his night. Advertisement Luckily that worked, and Glaser didnt have to resort to her back-up plan: begging Chalamet to show up on time from the red carpet while swearing that she loves Kylie Jenner and even wears her line of cosmetics. I dont. Because I lose lip gloss too much to spend $45 on it, Glaser joked. Advertisement In the end, her lines about Chalamet were mostly quite tame; she joked about his mustache, dunked on Bob Dylans singing voice and made a joke that forever bonded him with Adam Sandler. This past weekend, Kevin Smith began his Dogma: The Resurrection Tour, which involves screening the 1999 Biblical satire in movie theaters across the country and answering audience questions. As of this writing, no one involved with the Catholic church has attempted to blame the death of the Pope on the return of Dogma. After Smiths tour, Dogma will be getting a wide theatrical re-release, a Blu-ray edition and presumably more sequels that only exist in the directors head. But all of this is only possible because, as weve mentioned before, Smith regained the rights to Dogma from real-life shit monster Harvey Weinstein. Not only did Weinstein hoard the movie for decades, rendering it inaccessible for fans, according to Smith, he once dangled the possibility of expanding the Dogma-verse in front of eyes, but only because he had ulterior motives. Advertisement Advertisement During a promotional stop on The Woody Show, Smith explained how Weinstein ended up owning the rights to Dogma in the first place. After word of the film began stirring up controversy, Miramaxs parent company, Disney, told Weinstein, You have to get rid of this movie. You never should have made it in the first place. So Harvey and Bob Weinstein personally bought the film then licensed it out to theatrical and home video distributors. Although I never saw a receipt, Smith pointed out. Theres no proof that they ever paid Disney back, which is a point of contention. But even though he owned it, Harvey Weinstein had no interest in Dogma, ignoring Smiths requests to renew the home video license. So you can imagine Smiths surprise when Weinstein called him out of the blue years later to chat about the movie he had been actively ignoring. And he goes, Dogma, I just realized, we got it, and were not doing anything with it. This could be a sequel or a streaming series, Smith recalled. Mind you, I havent heard from this person in 12 years, and I was so excited. Advertisement While Weinstein promised Smith that hed get the ball rolling on the project the following week, just six days later, The New York Times published a bombshell article detailing the producers history of sexually harassing women, the first of many damning reports about the future convicted rapist. Smith was a little freaked out that he had coincidentally reconnected with Weinstein before the article dropped, but he soon learned that it wasnt a coincidence at all. After telling a former Miramax employee that Weinsten had reached out about making more Dogma projects, they bluntly responded, He was just trying to see if you were one of The New York Times sources. Advertisement Advertisement Smith realized that Weinsteins interest in Dogma wasnt sincere, it was him going like, Is he one of the people? And once he had me on the phone and we talked for a minute, he was like, Hes not one of them. And moved on. Although Smith was quick to point out that this dick move was still the least egregious thing the monster ever did. In 2018, stand-up star and former Daily Show correspondent Michelle Wolf set the American news media ablaze with her burn of then-Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Now that nobody is allowed to roast the powerful anymore at the WHCD, Wolf wants all the smoke. When Wolf hosted the annual meeting of Americas most important political leaders and the journalists who are supposed to hold them accountable during Donald Trumps first term as president, she unloaded a series of scathing smackdowns on the entirety of Washington, D.C. and its most influential citizens. But somehow, out of all the brutal roasts Wolf delivered to the frowning faces of the political elite, one of Wolfs most mild burns of the night became the only line from the White House Correspondents Dinner to elicit multiple weeks of round-the-clock commentary in all the major news outlets and Wolf has a pretty good idea of why that was the case. Don't Miss Four years after the most divisive set of Wolfs comedy career, Wolf secretly recorded a 15-minute routine that she performed to a cozy crowd in Denver, Colorado in which she addressed her White House Correspondents Dinner and told all the jokes that even she thought were too mean for the black-tie event. Well, in the wake of the White House Correspondents' Association firing would-be host Amber Ruffin ahead of this Saturdays gala over Ruffins critical remarks about the Trump Administration, Wolf released the recording of her 2022 show Dinner Time exclusively on Punchup Live, revealing that Sanders and her smoky makeup were lucky that Wolf didnt turn up the heat. A lot of people hated it, a lot of people loved it, Wolf said of her set at the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner. And, to be fair, that is the lane I like to be in, you know? Id rather be loved or hated than someone whos just like, Shes fine. Wolf later added of the gala, I was under the impression that it was a roast, maybe I was wrong. Advertisement While Wolf knew that her speech would be divisive, Wolf said that she took umbrage with how the media handled her politically provocative performance, specifically with how they focused on this remark she made about Sanders: I actually really like Sarah. I think shes very resourceful. But she burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye. Like maybe shes born with it, maybe its lies. Its probably lies. As Wolf clarified in Dinner Time, she was not, in fact, insulting Sanders looks with the jab, as so many politicians and political commentators claimed in the wake of the event. If anything, Wolf was praising the press secretary. If were really categorizing things, thats a compliment. Im complimenting her eye makeup and her ingenuity of materials, Wolf explained to the Denver crowd, pointing out that she actually did insult the appearances of many men that night, although no one batted a smoky eye when she made fat jokes at Chris Christies expense. Advertisement The reason you can make jokes about mens looks and no one gets mad at you is because no one ties mens looks with their ability to do a good job, Wolf stated plainly. Now a woman, if you say that shes ugly, because were so concerned with everyone being beautiful, when you say shes ugly, they assume youre saying shes bad at her job. Which is crazy because we all know an ugly woman is always better at her job. I dont think Sarah was bad at her job, I think Sarah was actually very good at her job. She was press secretary, her job was to spin things. And she spun things so fast, she spun so much her one eye gave up, Wolf cracked. That is a joke about looks or, look. Advertisement Throughout Dinner Time, Wolf delivered plenty of punchlines that proved how, if she wanted to, she could have given everyone in Washington, D.C. an eating disorder with her burns about their appearances. Wolf teased the digs she didnt deliver at the White House Correspondents dinner, including jokes such as, Sarah Sanders looks like a young Mrs. Doubtfire. And: Sarah Sanders dad is Mike Huckabee and her mom is, I also think, Mike Huckabee. Advertisement But really, the media backlash following the 2018 dinner was never about Wolfs eye shadow joke. I didnt make fun of Sarahs looks, but the reason they said I did is to distract from what I actually did, Wolf explained. What I actually did was call out the media for their relationship with Trump. I said, You pretend you hate Trump, but I actually think you love him, because youre profiting off of him. I think that was true then, I think it only got more true. Given how the White House Correspondents Association just axed Ruffin ahead of tomorrows capitulation ceremony, Wolfs assessments of the media in 2018 and in 2022 may have actually been too generous. The media, the left, the right, the government in general, they dont care what we do so long as were fighting one another, Wolf argued. Because as long as were fighting one another, well never go after the real problem, which is them. The one person in America who didnt realize The Conners was ending? That was Roseanne Barr, according to her son and representative Jake Pentland. Neither Barr nor her family watched a minute of the series after it rebranded from Roseanne to The Conners, Pentland told TMZ. Thats why the original sitcoms titular star had no idea the series was coming to a close after seven seasons. We dont care about cheap knockoffs, Pentland told Us Weekly. We support the real brands. We only pay attention to things that matter to the American people. Roseanne still believes she got screwed when she was fired for her controversial social media activity (she tweeted that Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett was the offspring of Muslims and the Planet of the Apes). But Pentland says there is a silver lining: The comedian and her family are happy that crew members on The Conners got seven years of work out of her misfortune. Don't Miss While her son claims Roseanne ignored the show because its an off-brand imitation, the comedian gave a different reason for not watching The Conners back in 2023. I just cant bear it, she told The Los Angeles Times. When they killed my character off, that was a message to me, knowing that Im mentally ill or have mental health issues, that they did want me to commit suicide. They killed my character, she continued. And all of that was to say thank you for bringing 28 million viewers, which they never had before and will never see again. Because they can kiss my ass. Advertisement Even Barrs rabbi, Shmuley Boteach, was pissed off that ABC killed off her character. That it was done through an opioid overdose lent an unnecessary grim and morbid dimension to an otherwise happy family show, Boteach and Roseanne said in a statement to Us Weekly back in 2018. (Er, an otherwise happy family show? No sitcom wallowed in misery like Roseanne and its successor, The Conners. But its still understandable why Barr didnt want to see her fictional counterpart bite the dust.) Assuming Pentland is telling the truth about the familys viewing habits, well never know what Barr thought of The Conners finale since she didnt watch it and isnt planning a binge anytime soon. But he says there was one good thing about the final episode it means that chapter of Barrs life has officially come to a close. CISOs can learn two lessons from a US health insurance providers admission this month that misconfiguring Google Analytics led to the disclosure of personal health information of 4.7 million subscribers, says an expert. Those lessons, according to Brandon Evans, a senior instructor at the SANS Institute and a Tennessee-based independent security consultant, boil down to this: read the documentation of any third party service you sign up for, to understand the security and privacy controls; know what data is being collected from your organization, and what you dont want shared. Its important to understand these giant platforms make it easy for you to share your data across their various services, he said. So look out for settings to share data that you may not intend to share. Rocco Ritchie rejects the 'nepo baby' label. Rocco Ritchie has hit out at the nepo baby label that he is saddled with The 24-year-old artist the son of pop star Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie is attempting to forge his own career and doesn't want to be grouped with other celebrity offspring whom he regards as uninteresting. Speaking to Fantastic Man magazine, Rocco said: "I always think it's funny that back in the day, some of the most beautiful cathedrals that were ever built would be built by generation after generation of the same family. "And now, if you are born from a family and I'm not saying this is wrong you start looking at nepo babies and they are not the most interesting bunch, are they?" Rocco explained that he never felt comfortable in gilded circles and preferred to socialise with skateboarders in London's South Bank when he was growing up. He recalled: "Straight away, I was like, this is the place. Best years of my life. I mean, how much fun are upper-class people? Not that much fun." Rocco has held six art exhibitions to date but revealed that he dropped out of the prestigious London art school Central Saint Martins after just one year as a result of his paintings being criticised by a tutor as they were "too masculine". He said: "I think he was trying to say it was vulgar. And I didn't think it was vulgar. "I was 18, doing s***** figurative paintings; my work wasn't even developed enough for anyone to have opinions on it back then." Rocco has inherited his filmmaker father's taste in tweed and three-piece suits and gave a scathing verdict on the way men dress in the modern world. He said: "Menswear... I don't even want give that word the power it has. It's so different from what it used to mean. I always see on Instagram people popping up and saying, 'This is my outfit!' "People really like to show what they're buying and how they're dressing. First of all, who cares? Second of all, this is s***. I mean, who am I to judge? But... "There's a difference between someone walking in a room and you going, 'Whoa, who's this swaggerer over here?' Or they walk in the room and you go, 'What are you wearing?' "I feel like it's a very thin line a very not-distinct line. I mean, I don't want to sound like a little s***, but most men do not dress well." 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. China says U.S. Pentagon chief's remarks hype up "China threat" Xinhua) 10:42, April 25, 2025 BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday said the United States should discard its "persecutory delusion" about the Chinese military. Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the comments in response to recent remarks by U.S. military and defense officials warning of China's growing military capabilities, including U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who reportedly said China's hypersonic missiles could destroy all U.S. aircraft carriers in 20 minutes. "We have a sober understanding of our own development and hope that the U.S. side will cast away its 'persecutory delusion' and stop using others as excuses," the spokesperson said. "Some people in the United States always view the Chinese military through tinted glasses of bias, cooking up the so-called 'Chinese military threat.' I believe this is precisely what obstructs exchanges between the two countries' militaries," Zhang said. The spokesperson stressed that non-conflict, non-confrontation and peaceful coexistence are the most fundamental common interests between China and the United States, as well as a shared expectation of people around the world. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Timothee Chalamet made a surprise visit to his old school this week. Timothee Chalamet visited his old school The 'A Complete Unknown' actor delighted pupils at New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, which he graduated from in 2013, when he came in to offer career advice to students on Wednesday (23.04.25). The school's Instagram page shared several photos from Timothee's visit, including him reuniting with his old teachers, addressing the class, and posing for pictures with current students. They wrote: "When you have a guest speaker for your Career Management class... and Timothee Chalamet walks in the room... you know its going to be a great day. "Thank you @tchalamet for visiting LaG today and providing important advice for our aspiring actors. Thank you to Harry Shifman, Sandy Faison and Kim Bruno, Timothees former teachers and principal for joining us!" The 29-year-old actor has previously praised the prestigious performing arts school for having "totally shaped" him. He told Anderson Cooper on '60 Minutes' earlier this year: "[LaGuardia] was a fantastic place for me to go. It totally shaped who I am and who I was. "I just felt like I could be however I wanted to be," And Timothee had even taken the 'A Complete Unknown' script to his former drama teacher, Mr. Shifman, so they could discuss the role. He recalled: "I said that to Shif, 'If I would have had to go to a different high school, I wouldn't have been an actor.' He said, 'Oh, you would have found your way to it.' I really don't know." The teacher himself praised the 'Wonka' star for his "beautiful gifts". He said: "I do think everyone can develop their creativity. But not everybody is Mozart. "I think he has beautiful gifts, and a kind heart, and a willingness to really work hard.... It's pretty impressive." Last October, Timothee caused a stir when he turned up at his own lookalike competition at New York City's Washington Square Park, but the event ended on a sour note when the police tried to break up the contest, arresting four attendees. Event organiser Anthony Po was subsequently fined $500 for hosting a public event without a permit, and it later emerged the 'Dune' star's team offered to cover the cost. Anthony told People: "The production [cost] like $4,000, so it's like legit the best case scenario. "They need to do something stronger to [disincentivize] us. "They offered to pay the ticket, which is truly funny." However, Anthony rejected the kind offer from Timothee's team, and digital invite app Partiful paid the fine instead. The organiser didn't manage to meet the 'Wonka' actor at the event, and the real Timothee didn't make the top 10 lookalikes - despite being the actual actor. Anthony said: "I think if he would've stayed for the end of it, maybe I would've given him runner-up or something." The great unbreakable rule is supposed to be that no country can change another nations borders or government by force. The end of the Hitler war put a stop to all that sort of thing, or so we are told. Much has been made of this since the latest Ukraine peace talks flopped on Wednesday. As it happens, I agree who doesnt? that nations should not gain territory or anything else by aggressive brutality. I am also against countries changing other peoples governments, or fomenting people power or civil wars on their territories, or any of those hoary old tricks, which can be just as bad as an invasion in the long run. But there is, in fact, no such rule, and it is time we recognised it. This country and the US, for example, jointly invaded Iraq in 2003 to change its government. It was a nasty government, but lots of countries have those and we do not invade them. What we actually wanted to do was to reduce the power of next-door Iran, which was the opposite of what happened, but never mind. Nobody in London or Washington has ever been punished or dragged off to the International Court in the Hague for this. We suffer no sanctions or boycotts. Amazingly, when our politicians piously condemn similar actions by Russia, nobody (except me) laughs. For 2003 is now long ago, firmly locked away in the cupboard of the yesterdays. But it is in that cupboard that we can find so many other examples of the disagreeable truth. A ballistic missile explodes over Kyiv yesterday after Russia's latest strike The biggest of all is the great Yalta appeasement, when the Western nations handed over much of Europe, bound and gagged, to Josef Stalins untender mercies. They were afraid to fight him instead. Included in this package was the bodily shifting of the whole territory of Poland. To compensate it for losing so much of its land to Moscow, to its east, Poland was awarded a sizeable bite out of Germany, to its west. This arrangement, along with the Russian seizure of the German city of Konigsberg, now Kaliningrad, has survived the end of the Cold War. Millions suffered terribly in this and other linked border changes, and multitudes died in vast, unspeakably cruel ethnic cleansing, which is almost entirely forgotten. On the basis of this bloody, cynical horror rested the entire period of prosperous and peaceful Western European history, which lasted until very recently. Well, that, too, is long ago and far away. So how about another event recent enough to have filled our TV screens in the 1990s, the Yugoslav wars? It will probably be another 50 years before any kind of fair, calm history is written of this horrible brawl. It has, I suspect, more culprits and villains than we like to admit and pretty much no saviours or heroes. But at the end of it, several astounding things had happened. An entire country, Yugoslavia, had ceased to exist. It was replaced by several small nations that were swiftly drawn into the orbit of Europes postmodern, polite but firm empire, the EU. Nato had abandoned its famous defensive posture and had launched bombing raids on Yugoslavia and especially Serbia, which were not in response to any attack on its members. And a new country, Kosovo, had been carved violently out of Serbia, formerly the dominant nation in Yugoslavia. Currently 108 out of 193 UN members have recognised Kosovos declaration of independence. But the country it has declared independence from, Serbia, has not done so and is not likely to. Only external force could have brought this about, even if it is hard to identify exactly who did what. Another Nato country, Turkey, has a poor record on the invasion front. In 1974 it seized Northern Cyprus, eventually swallowing more than a third of that island countrys territory. Turkeys army is still there, and is not likely to leave, ever. The grab is not officially recognised, but nothing serious has ever been done to reverse it Turkey remains a key part of the Western alliance. You could argue in both these cases that the locals, the Kosovar Albanians and the Turkish Cypriots, were grateful for the lawless interventions of outsiders. Both faced living under hostile governments, a horrible fate. But the Russian majority inhabitants of Crimea, who in 1992 were prevented by Ukraine from holding a referendum on their future, are also grateful to Moscow for their rescue from Ukrainian rule. Theres no doubt that they would have voted to join Russia, if allowed. Then theres 1978, when Israel handed back the Sinai Peninsula, which it had captured from Egypt 11 years earlier. This huge surrender of territory was thanks to the once-famous Camp David accords the work of US President Jimmy Carter, who forged a deal between Israel and Egypt even though the two states were so mutually hostile that their leaders, Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel, could barely bring themselves to speak to each other. There is little doubt that this major handover of strategically vital land was the delayed result of Egypts surprise attack on Israel in 1973. When the world approves of this sort of deal, it calls it land for peace. When it disapproves, it calls it appeasement. The two are the same. But the closest to home of all these events is the hardest to see. Thanks to brilliant Blairite spin-doctoring then and since, much of Britain has yet to realise that the United Kingdom surrendered to the Provisional IRA at the fabled Good Friday Agreement in Belfast in 1998. The IRA was richly rewarded for three decades of murder, torture and kidnapping. If it lost, why do you think the long-ago acts of British soldiers in Northern Ireland are still being investigated, while Patrick Magee, the multiple murderer who tried to assassinate the British Cabinet in Brighton, is a free man? Why did the terrorist godfather Martin McGuinness find himself dining with the late Queen at Windsor Castle, wearing white tie and tails instead of his IRA balaclava? Is this what happens to the defeated? And before all that long a large chunk of our national territory will pass irrevocably under the rule of a foreign state, as the direct result of a violent attack on this country, and of our wish for that attack to stop. The 1998 agreement is clear. All it will take is a referendum, and the six counties of Northern Ireland will become part of the Irish Republic. This is what our government signed, though Ukrainians might be struck by the way our cave-in followed strong pressure from the US, which abruptly dropped its supposed close ally. The defeated must do as they are told. If only poor President Zelensky of Ukraine had spin doctors as good as Sir Anthony Blairs propaganda team. He might then be able to persuade his battered people to pretend they had won. As it is, his chances of selling any sort of peace to his own nation are nil. Perhaps we could at least help him by explaining he is not the first to give land for peace, and wont be the last. One of my late fathers proudest moments came in 1942, when the Cambridge authorities posted the results of the history finals exams, known as the Tripos, on the notice boards outside the universitys Senate House. Although he had been totally blind since he was nine, which meant he depended on Braille and having books read aloud to him, his name was right at the very top of the rankings. With a stunning starred double-first, he had outshone every other student of history in his year. He was quietly proud of this for the rest of his life. But there will be no such moment of glory for any similarly brilliant Cambridge students in future. This month, it emerged that the university authorities have gone one step further than their decision in 2021 to abolish the 300-year-old practice of posting exam results on the Senate House notice boards, for all to see. Theyve decided that in future they will stop telling students, even in private, anything at all about their position in the rankings. As they explain it, the idea is to promote a healthy work-life balance on campus and discourage a culture of overwork, which they say is having a negative impact on you guessed it undergraduates mental health. This month, it emerged that the University of Cambridge have decided that in future they will stop telling students, even in private, anything at all about their position in exam rankings The decision means that from the next academic year onwards, those who excel will never know the full extent of their achievement. Nor will they experience that special satisfaction, felt by my father until his dying day, of knowing they were the brightest of the bright in their youth. Of course, it will also mean that those who perform badly will be spared the heavy blow to their self-esteem of coming deep in the bottom half of the rankings, well beneath friends and contemporaries. On that point, believe me, I know what Im talking about. Indeed, if you had visited Cambridge in 1975, three decades after my fathers glittering achievement, you would have had to read a long way down the history Tripos rankings on the Senate House notice board before you reached my own name. Reader, I blush to admit that I earned a dismal 2:2, the lowest score in my year among history students at Corpus Christi, the college that had also been my fathers. Had you raised your eyes to the top of the list, incidentally, you would have seen the name of my old friend Patrick Hodge. You know the one. He is now Lord Hodge, the Deputy President of the Supreme Court, who shot to nationwide fame the other day by proving himself able to tell the difference between a man and a woman. Strictly between you and me, Im not sure that most of us really needed a panel of judges, with double-first-class minds, to help us distinguish between the sexes. But I suppose we should all be grateful to Patrick and his colleagues for clearing up our poor, befuddled Prime Ministers confusion. Im straying a little from my point this week, which is that we cant just wish away differences in intelligence, aptitude for certain tasks, capacity for hard work, biological sex or anything else, simply by pretending they dont exist. The fact is that we are all different, and league tables of every sort are an invaluable aid to employers, policy-makers, parents seeking the best schools for their young, patients looking for the safest hospitals, and all kinds of other people, to help us distinguish between the wheat and the chaff. Nowhere is this more true than in the academic world, where those who believe that all should have prizes have been dishing out top grades like Smarties, ever since the great dumbing-down of GCSEs, university degrees and other qualifications began in earnest under John Major and Tony Blair. The great dumbing-down of GCSEs, university degrees and other qualifications began in earnest under John Major, left, and Tony Blair, right This is not only unfair to the brightest and most hard-working students, who these days find themselves given the same grades as the idle duds. Its unjust, too, to those who have little aptitude for academic work, but are given a false sense of their talents and employability. Indeed, you have only to watch quiz programmes such as Tipping Point or The Chase to realise there are many in our universities these days who are quite unsuited to higher education. Im thinking of geography students who believe the River Amazon is in Africa, or students of history who think Julius Caesar was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. No wonder so many leave universities these days, with nothing to show for their time there apart from mountainous student debts and a job at McDonalds or Starbucks, flipping burgers or peddling undrinkable coffee. Arent examiners quite as likely to harm mental health by raising false expectations, through inflating grades and blurring the distinction between the mediocre and the best, than they would be by giving students an honest assessment of their performance in relation to others? Meanwhile, shouldnt they also spare a thought for employers? In this world of cut-throat competition, after all, how are businesses supposed to choose between dozens of candidates, if they all have exactly the same qualifications with nothing to separate the whizz-kids from the wallies? Yes, I know that league-table rankings are far from an infallible guide to the worth of an individual or an institution. But if they are rigorously compiled, allowing for fair comparisons, at least they give some indication of relative strengths and weaknesses whether of job candidates, schools, hospitals, education systems, pubs, restaurants, investment funds, airlines or anything else you may care to mention. Of course, Cambridge is acting from the kindest of motives, hoping to avoid upsetting the snowflakes among todays young, who seem to go into meltdown at the slightest suggestion of stress. But abolishing rankings altogether does no favours to anyone. As for me, I somehow survived the humiliation of that public display of my 2:2 degree on the Senate House notice board. I didnt take to my bed for the rest of the year, wailing about the damage to my mental health. After a pint or two to drown my shame, in fact, I simply resolved to make the best of it, telling myself Id got no worse than I deserved. Ah, well, perhaps in those days we were just made of sterner stuff than todays lot. But heres a remarkable thing. The following year, after Id successfully applied to join a graduate editorial training scheme in the West Country, I asked the training manager how on earth he had set about whittling down the 1,200 candidates for the available places, of which there were only 12. He told me the first thing he did was bin applications from all graduates with first-class degrees, believing they were too intellectual to write simply about the sort of stories that interested ordinary readers. As it happens, I think this was pure rubbish, and it wasnt true even in those far-off days when only a tiny proportion of the student population won firsts. But I wasnt complaining. For it meant that my failure to match anything like my fathers achievement had kept me in the running for a career that has looked after me very nicely throughout the half century since. The moral for others who score disappointing exam results? Cheer up. You never know your luck. It's 11 years since I watched Russian troops stripped of military insignia seize Ukrainian army bases in Crimea, while their president, Vladimir Putin, publicly denied that any of his forces had crossed the border. We feel so helpless, one teacher told me with tears in her eyes as thuggish armed groups prowled the streets. Our rights are violated, our children threatened with guns and there is nothing we can say or do about it. She was right, sadly. Following the first annexation of European terrain since the Second World War, the 2.3 million Crimean citizens of Ukraine faced a terrible choice: flee their homes or submit to Russian servitude. One family I befriended moved to Bucha. Eight years later in March 2022, following Putins attempt to seize the whole of their country, this pleasant suburb of Kyiv became synonymous with Russias bloody war crimes after 278 corpses were found and evidence emerged of torture, enforced disappearances and summary executions. Despite such atrocities, frightening numbers of people in the West have fallen for the fake news pumped out by Putin that so fouls up social media. A drone explodes in Kyiv during a Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital yesterday At least 12 people were killed in the missile strike. Pictured, rescue workers recover bodies from the rubble And how sickening it is that one of the Kremlins stooges has turned out to be the supposed leader of the free world: a US President who debases democracy by bending weakly to Putins will and parroting his propaganda. Reports suggest Donald Trump is pushing a seven-point peace plan that gives Moscow almost everything it wants, while simultaneously attempting to bully Ukraines leaders into capitulation, by threatening to walk away and leave them to continue their brave fight for freedom without all-important American military aid. The key concession is a recognition of Russias legal right to Crimea, which suggests the White House now sanctions the right of countries to invade, ethnically cleanse and loot land belonging to other nations. Bear in mind that, like every other region of their country, the citizens of Crimea voted for Ukrainian independence in a 1991 referendum staged after the Soviet Unions collapse. And Russian Unity, the political party which seized control after Putins troops appeared in 2014, had won a pathetic four per cent vote share at the preceding election. Despite the atrocities, frightening numbers of people in the West have fallen for the fake news pumped out by Putin that so fouls up social media Reports suggest Donald Trump is pushing a peace plan that gives Moscow almost everything it wants, while simultaneously attempting to bully Ukraines leaders into capitulation Yet Trump seems content to rip up the settlement that has served our continent so well since the 1945 defeat of another fascist dictatorship even as Russia suffers substantial military losses while struggling to make significant advances on the ground. This sets a dangerous legal precedent that could be exploited by Moscow in the future, since its desire to take over the rest of Ukraine remained undimmed and its expansive ambitions could well include one or more of the Baltic states. By showing itself to be an unreliable ally, Washington not only leaves Nato seriously undermined but offers encouragement to Chinas grotesque dictatorship in its determination to seize democratic Taiwan as it seeks to become the dominant global superpower. Other elements of Trumps peace plan are equally shocking: lifting sanctions and welcoming Putin back into the international fold on the one hand, while offering no meaningful security guarantees to Kyiv, let alone demanding any reparations from Russia, on the other. The Kremlins response unleashing the worst attacks on Kyiv for nine months shows Putin feels emboldened by Trumps stance, especially given the US failure to approve fresh military aid for Ukraine. Britain, like the rest of Europe, can be under no illusions. The world has become more dangerous. Democracy is under threat. We can no longer rely on the US. And Russia almost certainly behind a wave of grey zone sabotage attacks on undersea cables, computers and factories see us as the enemy. We need to follow the lead of nations such as Poland and Estonia that, having lived in the shadow of Russian rule for decades, are under no illusions about the grave threat posed by Moscow. Poland is expecting to spend 4.7 per cent of its GDP on defence this year and Estonia has pledged to spend 5 per cent by next year. The UK, meanwhile, spends just 2.3 per cent and a planned rise is far too small and slow. As Trump attempts to force an unjust peace on Ukraine, we must banish the complacency over an expansionist Russias threat to our continents security. To the joggers, dog walkers and pram pushers, we must have been a familiar sight. Even the seagulls who cruised the sky scanning for discarded sandwich crusts and fish and chip wrappers seemed to know us. My wife Tressa and I, a middle-aged couple whiling away the afternoon in Royal Victoria Park in Southampton, our favourite place. Sometimes wed stop to watch a cruise liner ease itself down the shipping lane. I wonder where its going, Id say. The Canaries or the Caribbean? What do you reckon, Tressa? Her eyes would leave the skyline and meet mine, briefly, before sliding away silently. I still saw love in those eyes; to me, they were like the portholes of that boat, gliding past, gateways into Tressas faraway mind, which seemed to be slipping further away from me every day. How much could she see and understand? Id no idea. While I treasured our walks in the park, they were some of the loneliest times of my life. Tressa was just 51 when she was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy a rare form of dementia and a cruel one, ultimately robbing people of their ability to walk, talk and see. It felt especially cruel to be facing this terrible diagnosis at such a young age. Our daughters were just 15 and 13, and we were at that stage in life where we were finally beginning to relax, with the exhausting baby years long behind us. Kevin with Tressa, who was just 51 when she was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy a rare form of dementia and a cruel one, ultimately robbing people of their ability to walk, talk and see We were starting to find each other as a couple again and I was falling in love anew with that vibrant blonde whod stolen my heart all those years ago. Yet here I was, aged 59, pushing my still-beautiful wife as I had done for the last four years through the park in her wheelchair. Chatting and very rarely getting a reply. Zipping up her coat, wiping the raindrops from her face and silently heading for home. In 1989, I was a 32-year-old bachelor, living in London and working for the BBC, when I decided I wanted to find my one. I put an ad in the dating column of a newspaper and, yes, it was corny. I wrote something like handsome man seeks a lady for walks, travel, cinema and going out to lovely places. But it worked! I had many responses but only followed up on one. Tressa was a nurse, working in London, ten months older than me and going through a divorce. I was smitten from the start. I recognised a lady when I saw one. Not only was she beautiful but she was always impeccably dressed, in tailored, smart coats, her hair pushed back in a hairband. For our first date we went to London Zoo. Tressa explained how her parents had bought her a pony as a child and it left her loving all animals. When we met, she had five cats. She was funny and witty. We fell in love, laughing. Within 18 months Tressa was expecting our first child; we lived in south London for two years before moving to Southampton, where she was from, to raise our family by the sea. The happy couple on their wedding day in 1996. They met through a dating column in a newspaper We married in 1996 and had another daughter. I was working for a housing association in Winchester but outside of office hours my world revolved around Tressa and the girls. Tressa became a full-time mum and she was brilliant at it. By the time we reached our 40s, we loved spending time together as a family. Wed go on holiday to Center Parcs and visit Tressas parents who had a holiday home in Malaga. If I had to pinpoint the age life got tricky for Tressa, Id say it was around 48. The children came home from school one day, complaining that theyd opened their lunchboxes and found them empty. Once again, Tressa had forgotten to put the sandwiches, drinks and snacks inside. She was mortified, not sure why she had forgotten. A few months later I came home from work to the horrifying sight of firefighters outside. When Tressa had gone to pick the children up from school, shed left something cooking in the microwave, which caught fire, causing some smoke damage in the kitchen. Another time she told me she was popping around to see her mum and taking the children with her in the car. After 20 minutes I noticed the car was still on the forecourt. I went outside to see what the problem was and she was sitting there with the key in the ignition and the engine running, looking utterly baffled and frightened. I dont know whats wrong with me. I cant remember which pedal is the brake and which one the clutch, she said. She didnt drive again after that. All of these incidents might raise a red flag for those who understand dementia, but Tressa was only in her late 40s; it just hadnt crossed my mind. As for other possible explanations, I didnt know what the perimenopause was and Tressa was equally perplexed and unable to explain what was happening to her. We were both politically minded and in 2005, when Tressa was 49, she got involved with the local Lib Dem party, leafleting for our MP Chris Huhne. It was when I saw shed dumped a load of leaflets outside in the bin that I finally realised something serious was going on. Her younger sister had been worried for some time and she was the one who took her to the GP and for the subsequent tests to establish what was happening. After a year of tests we were told by her consultant at Southampton hospital that she had dementia and that Tressa, now aged 51, had just six years to live. I couldnt believe it and neither could Tressa. We had a good cry about it together but only once. Right, Tressa said, wiping the tears away. Lets not talk about this ever again. I want us to enjoy the rest of the time we have left. So, after that we just got on with things. We focused on us as a family and doing things with the girls. Wed visit Victoria Park regularly, always stopping for an ice cream, whatever the weather, or to share a bag of chips with the seagulls. Tressa took a host of tablets but Im not sure they did much good because the disease took hold quickly. Some days shed be there, picking just the right shade of scarf or lipstick to go with her outfit then Id find her at a loss over how to do up the buttons on her jacket. During the first year we were still sleeping together in the marital bed, but I knew wed soon need to change things in our home. My sister-in-law oversaw the planning application for an extension and I extended the mortgage to cover it so that we could have a downstairs bedroom with a medical bed that had a hoist over it. Kevin has now been on his own for the last four years. He says: 'I didn't want to think about dating anyone. The problem is Tressa was a real lady and it will be hard to find someone like her again' The prognosis meant Tressa would eventually lose her ability to walk unaided or do anything for herself, so we also built an en-suite with a walk-in shower. We did this within two years of the diagnosis, thinking we had loads of time, but within a year Tressa needed help with the most basic tasks. I wanted to keep my wife at home; our teenage daughters were still in school and I wanted them to be able to see their mum even though by the time she was 55 she could no longer walk. Luckily, while Tressa was at home, she always recognised them. I probably wasnt the best father during those years, prioritising Tressa over the girls to my continuing regret and shame. When I was at work, a team of carers took over, yet the minute I got in, Tressa became my number one focus. Meals were cooked, school uniforms were washed. But was I there for them? Emotionally? Probably not as much as I could have been. They had their friends but I suppose, for them, their overriding memory of that part of their childhood and their mother would be of a roster of carers, coming in and out, and their father distancing himself as he mourned the woman who was being stolen by stealth. At weekends and during holidays, after Id got the chores done, Id take Tressa out in the wheelchair to our favourite park. Id push her down those familiar paths and sit on the benches, where wed enjoyed countless ice cream cones and stare out to sea. Youre there, arent you Tressa? Id say, taking her hand in mine. I know you are. I was adamant that Tressa was too young to go into a home; besides, Id got myself into a routine of cleaning and dressing her in new bedwear before heading out to work. Then Id worry all day about whether the carers had turned up on time. Fortunately, my sister-in-law popped in during the daytime to care for her too, because by 55 my darling Tressa needed round-the-clock care. Id get little sleep and have to go to work the next day, worried about the carers doing as good a job as I did. I loved my wife deeply; I knew she was still in there and listening to me. My bosses were very sympathetic towards my situation, allowing me to start work late and finish late too. As the years passed, Tressa surpassed the doctors initial six-year prognosis. I like to think she always recognised me, even though she had lost the ability to speak at 60. The last time we visited the park together was that same year, in 2016, just before Tressa went into a nursing home. Shed caught an infection and had to be hospitalised. I knew she wouldnt be coming home again. From that point, my life took a different routine. I visited Tressa almost every evening after work. I didnt bring the children every time by then they were 26 and 24. Sometimes Tressa would look at me and I could tell she was listening to me. Id stay with her from 7.30 till 10 most evenings. I never saw friends or had any sort of social life. On the day Tressa died, aged 64, I received a call at 4am telling me to come to the nursing home. It was the summer of 2020 and I had to mask up because of the pandemic. Tressa was lying in bed with her eyes closed, yet when I called out to her, she opened her eyes and looked at me. I told her how much I loved her. Her eyes closed again and she took her last breath. Im utterly convinced she wanted to say goodbye to me before she died. When she had gone, she looked so peaceful. I did take solace in the fact that right to the end, my wife knew my voice. After Tressa died, I was traumatised. I was 64; today, at 68, Ive been on my own for the last four years. I didnt want to think about dating anyone. But I know Tressa would want me to be happy and Im slowly starting to put myself out there socially. The problem is Tressa was a real lady and it will be hard to find someone like her again. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. Predictably, I first heard the term Turkey teeth while watching Love Island. The girls were discussing the boys. I think he has Turkey teeth, one said sagely, and I remember thinking: Do birds have teeth? Dont turkeys have beaks? Soon, of course, I learned that she was talking about the trend for acquiring a set of ultra-bright pearly whites in Istanbul, at a fraction of the price they might cost in the UK. Turkeys dental prowess is the reason that these days we rarely see a stained or wonky tooth on British reality TV, in public life, or inside the mouths of so many members of Instagram-addicted Gen Z. Remember Elvis Presley was shocked by The Beatles teeth on their 1965 US tour, wondering why on earth they didnt get them fixed. These days, to glimpse a discoloured or misplaced tooth on screen or on stage is as rare as spotting a snow leopard. That comedians have been making fun of The White Lotus star Aimee Lou Woods gappy teeth shows how far we have come, for good or evil, from Pattie Boyd, the gap-toothed muse of rock stars, with her delightful diastema the technical term and resultant lisp which sold a million packets of Thmiths Thcrisps in the 1960s. When my second teeth came through, they were overcrowded and crooked, which meant I spent my childhood with one hand flying to my mouth if called on to speak or moved to giggle. On regular dentist visits, I always received a filling unsurprising, as I was weaned on Walnut Whips which no one questioned: it was normal. My parents never once showed me how to brush my teeth, there was no such thing as floss or electric toothbrushes. (I was thrilled, on my first visit to the US in the early 1980s, to discover Plax, a mouthwash to battle plaque.) Liz Jones travelled to Turkey to get treatment at a dental clinic in Istanbul My mums teeth, ravaged by poor nutrition in the war years coupled with the fact that she had seven children, were pulled out when she was in her mid-40s: again, not unusual. She spent the rest of her days a toothless crone, enduring ill-fitting dentures that clicked as she spoke. When I was 11, my mum marched me to an orthodontist (on the NHS, of course; this was the 1960s). Four teeth were extracted and I was fitted with braces. The braces on my lower jaw were cemented in place, while I was given a plastic brace with wicked-looking wires for my top teeth. On the pavement outside the dentist, I collapsed to the kerb in a dead faint. I thought my life was over. The only respite was that I could remove the top brace overnight, although small hooks had been drilled into my top teeth, over which I stretched teeny plastic bands to pull my teeth apart. Suffice to say, over the course of many years my smile became straighter, although the food which stuck between the wires meant no boy would ever dream of kissing me. The respite didnt last long. Until my 30s I was anorexic, subsisting on sugar-free fizzy drinks and apples, both of which corroded the enamel, rendering my teeth grey and fragile. When I was 40, by then a magazine editor, Id begun to hear about veneers. My Harley Street dentist had Martine McCutcheon and the future Princess of Wales as patients, and recommended I spend 10,000 on having my smile renovated. My front teeth, top and bottom, were drilled to stumps, then veneers glued on top. They looked perfect, though turned green after a curry. At the time, I was infuriated by a newspaper running a story on my teeth, saying I was profligate, when they were only the price of an ordinary car. But now, 25 years later, my teeth are past their sell-by date. They are chipped and stained. I have stopped smiling in photos, the hand is back in front of my mouth. BEFORE: Dr Ozdemir assures Liz that she wont go home looking like Rylan Clark, the X Factor contestant-turned-TV presenter renowned for his gleaming gnashers AFTER: Liz says, 'I feel as though I own a new outfit: I want to take my new teeth places, show them off, smile and dazzle more' Id had the mercury fillings replaced over the years, but the white replacements are now discoloured. I need gnashers that match the rest of me, honed as I am by Botox and Pilates. And so I travel to Istanbul, to the Dentakay clinic, run by Dr Gulay Akay. She has six clinics in Turkey, one in Mexico (convenient for Hollywood stars), one in Saudi and a consulting office in London, where a CT scan helps dentists in Turkey plan treatments and predict cost. Named Best Dental Clinic in Europe in 2022, it now employs more than 60 dentists and treated 15,000 patients in 2024 in Turkey alone. Why is Turkey synonymous with teeth? First, the lack of NHS dentists in the UK. Remember Valerie Holsworth, the pensioner who back in 2005 told Tony Blair she had to extract seven of her own teeth because she couldnt get an appointment? Since then, dentistry has become even worse: in some areas, only 30 per cent of English adults have seen a dentist in the last two years. Private dentists are beyond the means of most. My complete new set of teeth and renovated gums in Turkey will cost just under 7,000, while the bill in Harley Street would be around 30,000. (An implant at Dentakay costs 800; in Harley Street, that figure hovers around 2,000.) The amount of new technology at Dentakay, plus the training given at its academy, is staggering, and no dentist joins without at least six years experience. But this doesnt stop the snobby jibes, the widespread assumption that all Turkey teeth are too white, too fake-looking, a painful mistake that will probably need corrective treatment back home. Horror stories abound on social media, to be fair. Yet Dr Akay is enraged that Turkish dentists have such a bad name in the UK. The good news is that looking after our teeth has become another aspect of self-care, perhaps eliminating the need for drastic measures altogether. Brushing teeth is no longer a chore, to be got through as swiftly as possible, but a meditation. Mintel reports that, in 2023, the oral health market jumped by almost 9 per cent from 2022, with retail sales reaching more than 1 billion. I find it comforting that every dentist I meet in Istanbul is female and smiley. Dr Ayca Ozdemir and Dr Cansn Celebi Kuccuk examine my teeth, and a 3D X-ray, or tomography, is taken of my skull. Instead of enduring the horrible gunk to make a mould of my teeth, an AI-assisted probe takes a gentle journey round my mouth, creating a thousandth of a millimetre virtual impression of my teeth and gums, which I am then shown on screen. Cosmetic dentistry is not for the faint-hearted. I stare at the image in horror. My lower incisors are very long in the tooth, due to age and over-zealous brushing. I can see dark seams and fillings. How did I ever go out, looking like this? Let alone smile at a man in daylight? Im ashamed, but the shock means no matter the injections, the drilling and the scraping to come, you know it will be worth the pain. I am put up in a hotel near the clinic, as traffic in Istanbul is horrendous, but its a dry hotel, which dismays me somewhat, as the next few days are very difficult indeed. On day one, after the X-rays and virtual mould, I am given a treatment plan. My teeth are now too thin for veneers, so Im prescribed 24 crowns. These are not like the old, porcelain crowns, which can discolour and reveal those black seams. The new ones are made of zirconium, chosen for its durability and natural look. Im given a colour chart to choose from; its like browsing at Farrow & Ball. Most people go for options one or two, which are too fake, Dr Ozdemir tells me. I suggest three, which is more natural. She assures me I wont go home looking like Rylan Clark, the X Factor contestant-turned-TV presenter renowned for his gleaming gnashers. I had thought there was no hope for my low-slung gums, but miraculously the surgeon, Dr Gunay Gasml, tells me she will perform a transplant on my penultimate day (Im in Turkey for eight days in total). After performing a gingivectomy where gums are cut with a scalpel to make them even and aesthetically pleasing she will extract flesh from the roof of the mouth and, after cleaning my exposed roots, sew the flesh in place. There will be stitches, a plaster on the roof of my mouth covering the extraction site, and a return visit in six weeks for the stitches to be removed and the wounds checked. I must not use an electric brush on my new gums, just a manual brush, softly stroking upwards, away from the gum line. On day two, all of my teeth are drilled to tiny stumps and every filling is removed. I try to stop my tongue from sliding over them. During a loo break the drilling takes almost five hours a mask is hooked over my ears so I dont glimpse the stumps in the mirror and faint in horror. A temporary, plastic set of teeth is placed on the stumps until my return the next day; I become very familiar with Mercimek Corbas, the traditional lentil soup. The virtual impressions are sent to the Dentakay laboratory, where technicians will make my new teeth. The next day, I return to have more X-rays and photos taken for the lab guys, and facsimiles of the crowns tried out for size. The poor dentists, wearing masks, struggle to get me to hear open and close, as Im deaf. On day five, I arrive to have the new crowns fitted, which is painless and takes barely an hour. The AI probe again takes a tour of my new mouth, and I stare in amazement at the screen. Every tooth is perfect. Like my old teeth, but so much better and not a childhood, sweet-induced filling in sight. I almost cry with gratitude when I take a selfie. My teeth resemble those of Meghan Sussex, or even Margot Robbie. But the worst is yet to come. Saturday, day six, is the day of my surgery. The roof of my mouth is anaesthetised there have been so many needles, Im past caring and small pieces of flesh are cut away with a scalpel. There is blood; I look like Sly Stallone as Rocky. Next, the pieces are sewn carefully in place over the exposed roots of my lower teeth, like hitching up a pair of drawers. I tell the surgeon Im sorry Ive been such a baby, and she sympathises: she knows it has been traumatic. I take a picture. I no longer have teeth that belong to a dead person! The roof of my mouth is sore, but Im given painkillers, antibiotics and told not to drink alcohol. Chance would be a fine thing... On day eight, I have a check-up and am given a mouth guard, which slots over my upper teeth, to be worn overnight for three months: it keeps everything stable and stops grinding. Although my treatment costs are well below that of Harley Street, you do have to factor in flights and hotels, and a return visit should you need gum surgery. I had to return after six weeks. Although its dubbed health tourism, I was in no fit state to see the sights or enjoy the local food. The political unrest and an earthquake near Istanbul could set any set of teeth chattering. Now, two-and-a-half months later, completely healed, I find my new teeth have become like an extra pet, needing nurturing. Im fanatical about cleaning them, using my Waterpik flosser twice daily (it does what it sounds like, and flosses with water, which feels a bit like being waterboarded). Turkey teeth might seem an indulgence, but a healthy mouth, especially as you age, means better nutrition, and will definitely encourage you to be more sociable. I feel as though I own a new outfit: I want to take my new teeth places, show them off, smile and dazzle more. I am more confident when talking, and if I ever go on another date with a man, I will not hesitate to smile, rather than requesting a table in the darkest corner. I cant help but stare at everyone elses teeth, too, wondering why they dont travel to Istanbul. So many men of my age think owning rotten teeth is a badge of honour, or just something we should put up with, but to be honest its a surefire libido killer. I think of my mum, condemned to being an old lady in her 40s, ashamed, uncomfortable, unable to eat certain foods, and wish she could have had Turkey teeth. On the plane home, almost every seat contains a woman who, like me, has had her teeth refurbed, and row after row of men with scalps speckled with the tell-tale red plugs of a hair transplant. And though we are all sore, and definitely poorer, I find it sweet that each passenger has invested in themselves, taken a leap, strived to be their best. Optimism radiates from every seat. We havent given up. I love my new teeth. Its the best decision Ive ever made. A travel expert has revealed the one thing he does before kicking back and enjoying a holiday at sea - and it's a simple trick that he says every passenger should follow, but one that is rarely mentioned in onboard safety briefings. Travel expert Dr Steve Burgess runs CME Vacations, which educates healthcare professionals at conferences held in overseas destinations. A keen cruise holiday fan, Dr Burgess says the one rule he swears by could alert passengers to danger on the high seas before alarm systems sound, giving them vital seconds to escape during an emergency. The medic explains that placing a bottle of water on the floor of your stateroom - close to your bed - is one easy way to immediately tell if a liner is encountering problems such as entering dangerous waters, smoke or even flooding. He explained: 'Most passengers have no idea there's a simple five-second check they should perform the moment they enter their cruise cabin. 'Placing a water bottle on your cabin floor isn't a hydration reminder - it could literally save your life.' How? The medical doctor says the bottle reflects how the ship is moving, saying: 'The water in your bottle will react to ship movements that you might not consciously register, especially when you're sleeping. 'It serves as an early warning system that could give you precious minutes to react during an emergency.' A doctor has revealed the one thing he tells fellow medics to do when they board a cruise ship ahead of a holiday - saying it's a super simple safety trick that could alert tourists early to potential danger The tip involves placing a bottle of water close to your bed in your cruise stateroom The signs passengers should look out for include is if the water is 'sloshing unusually' or 'rippling'. Dr Burgess says it could signify a listing ship or abnormal vibrations, which might mean there's a mechanical problem with the liner - something which, he adds, could be worth raising with crew to investigate further. The water bottle might also be able to indicate whether there's a fire-related emergency; if smoke is seeping into a cabin the bottle is likely to show condensation - another red flag that passengers should be aware of. Often, smoke can reach a room before smoke alarms detect it, so the water bottle could be the first obvious sign of danger. The expert says while problems with liners are very rare, the water bottle trick is something he teaches healthcare professionals attending his courses. He says: 'It costs nothing, takes seconds to implement, and could provide the early warning that makes all the difference in an emergency. 'What makes this tip so valuable is that it works while you sleep. Most emergencies at sea happen overnight when passengers are least alert and most vulnerable. 'Having this passive monitoring system in place gives you peace of mind and potentially crucial extra minutes to respond appropriately.' Not just for hydration: Dr Burgess says 'This simple habit has become second nature for experienced cruisers, but it's almost never mentioned in the safety briefings' He continues: 'While cruise ships today are incredibly safe, and serious incidents are rare, being prepared is something we emphasise in medicine - and it applies equally to travel. 'This simple habit has become second nature for experienced cruisers, but it's almost never mentioned in the safety briefings.' Dr Burgess isn't the only doctor to advise passengers on cruise ship holidays, with one US medic advising against them completely in light of recent federal cuts in the US. Dr. Rubin, a pediatrician who often shares information about allergies and how to combat them, posted a recent TikTok clip detailing why he won't be boarding a cruisein the near future. 'Here's why you're not gonna see me on a cruise ship anytime soon, and I encourage people to consider this before they book a cruise,' he urged in the video. Dr. Rubin then spoke about the cuts made to federal agencies recently, and how that has impacted overall health and safety checks on the ships. 'Well one of [the cuts] is to the CDC's vessel sanitation program, which conducts health inspections on cruise ships at least twice a year and they trace outbreaks to help reduce the chances of more people getting sick,' he explained. Dr. Rubin continued saying there has already been 12 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year alone, in comparison to eight last year. 'These cuts make no sense because its not funded by taxpayer dollars,' he continued. 'Then cruise ships pay for these health inspections so it's not like we're saving any money from the taxpayers perspective,' the medical professional insisted, before declaring: 'This makes absolutely no sense.' The response to Dr. Rubin's video was divided, with some accusing him of 'fear mongering.' 'We cruise every year and just went in mid February, which is prime time for norovirus. We were on Carnival's biggest ship and were fine,' one user responded. Last week, Dr. Rubin (pictured) a pediatrician who often shares information about allergies and how to combat them, posted a recent TikTok clip detailing why he won't be boarding a cruise Rubin the spoke about the cuts made to federal agencies recently, and how that has affected the overall health on the ships (stock image) 'I'm a travel agent and you're fine,' declared another. Other users agreed wtih Dr. Rubin's assessment. 'I'm anti-cruise even in normal times. Ships are just one giant Petri dish and it's a hard pass for me,' one user wrote. 'They call Norovirus "cruise ship virus" for a reason,' someone else chimed in. 'I caught covid on last one. Never again,' swore another. In March, a contagious virus outbreak on the the Coral Princess cruise ship left dozens of passengers and crew ill and in isolation during their nearly three-week-long voyage. The ship set sail from California on February 21, with 69 of the over 1,000 passengers and 13 of the 895 crew members struck down by norovirus. Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The ship was travelling from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, calling at ports along the west coast of Mexico before travelling through the Panama canal into the Caribbean. According to the CDC, this is the second outbreak of the virus on the cruise liner this year after the Coral Princess reported cases back in January. Passengers and workers who were struck down were isolated to try and contain the outbreak, public areas were thoroughly disinfected, The New York Post reported. Last year, was the worst year ever for stomach flu outbreaks on cruise ships in the US. According to the CDC, there were 16 outbreaks in 2024. A staggering five of those incidents took place in December 2024 alone - causing 890 cases. The last time there were that many outbreaks in one year was in 2012. Jo Wood's grandchildren call her "gangster gran". Jo Wood's grandchildren call her Gangster Gran The 70-year-old model - who raised Jamie, 50, Jesse, 48, Leah, 46, and Tyrone, 41, with ex-husband Ronnie Wood - has been honest with her family about her partying past, and her admission to having taken drugs in her younger years led them to bestow a new nickname on her. She said on Good Housekeeping UK's 'My Life in a Biscuit Tin' podcast: "They call me Gangster Gran. "And I was in the car with them - I know I shouldn't say this - they turned around, they were giggling, two of them because I've got 10 [grandchildren], but the two that are very close is Maggie and Kobe. "And they were giggling, and they went, 'Gran, have you done any drugs?' "I said, 'Of course I have, but I don't recommend it.' I said, 'Because it didn't get me anywhere, except lots of sleepless nights.' "And they said, 'What was it like?' I said, 'I had fun at the time, but that was the situation that I was in.' "You can't be dishonest because they'll find out. "So, I tried to warn them that it was a waste of time, but I was in a very special situation. "So then they said, 'We're going to call you Gangster Gran from now on.'" Jo and Ronnie lived in the US together but she told the Rolling Stones rocker she wanted to return to the UK following a shocking incident while having dinner at a New York restaurant with a friend. She explained: "We went out for dinner one night to an Indian restaurant in Times Square. "And my friend Melissa went to the bathroom, and she was ages. "And suddenly came back, the doors flew open, and she was standing there covered in blood. "And she had been beaten up and robbed in the toilet because somebody was high. "And I said to Ronnie, 'Ronnie, we are going home. We are definitely going home.'" Jo recently claimed Ronnie's bandmate, Sir Mick Jagger, used to "try it on" with her. Speaking to Lizzie Cundy and Mike Parry on the 'Loving And Living' podcast, Jo said: "I felt crazy in love with [Ronnie]. He was funny, he was mad, he was great. "[Mick Jagger] certainly did try it on and I did get really mad at him. I said, 'In your wildest dreams Mick Jagger'. He had Jerry [Hall], I didn't fancy him at all. "[Mick] loves women, he does. Doesn't make him a bad person, I just didn't fancy him at all." Jo used to love travelling the world and partying with the Rolling Stones and quickly developed a strategy of trying to "make friends" with groupies so she could give them a warning to stay away from Ronnie. She said: "It was me, Keith and Ronnie as the little gang. We used to hang around and stay up all night. "The only [rivalry] there was Mick and Keith arguing. They argued a lot about everything. "Keith used to say, 'I can't stand that b****y song', and when Mick did an album Keith was furious and wouldn't talk to him for years. "There was always groupies and I would like at the girls backstage and think, 'I wonder if I'll see her back upstairs later', but I was always nice to them because if I made friends with them it's like, 'Leave my man alone'." The Spencer sisters stepped out with their rarely-seen mother last night as they attended an exclusive West End event. Lady Kitty Spencer, 34, and her younger twin sisters Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza, 32, brought the glamour to the red carpet as they arrived at the press night for The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum. The sisters, who are Princess Diana's nieces, were flanked by their rarely-seen lookalike mother Victoria Aitken, 59, who looked as chic as her model daughters as they posed ahead of the launch of the musical. While Lady Kitty, who is now mother to a daughter, Athena, who turns two this month, opted for classic polka dots in a tea dress complete with a statement collar and bejewelled buttons. Meanwhile the twins opted for power suits in both navy and silver, with their signature blonde tresses styled in loose waves. Former model Victoria channelled the same look as her twin daughters, opting too for a chic tailored black suit and crisp white shirt, paired with block heels and jazzed up with statement eyeliner. Victoria used to model for Dior and Levi and was once described by Ralph Lauren as 'the most beautiful girl in the world,' according to Tatler. While her daughters are the darlings of high society in the UK, Victoria is seldom seen on their arms at public events, though she has notable made a few more appearances in recent months. The ex-model met Earl Spencer in the late 1980s and he proposed just six weeks after their first meeting. The Spencer sisters, who are the nieces of Princess Diana, teamed up with their rarely-seen mother Victoria Aitken as they attended the press night of The Great Gatsby musical on the West End last night In 1989 they wed in a lavish ceremony at which Prince Harry was a page boy, and moved to South Africa shortly after. The couple went on to have four children; the three Spencer sisters and a boy, Louis, 31 (who holds the title of Viscount Althorp). Raising the children in Cape Town, the couple wanted to ensure they grew up out of the spotlight. However in 1997, following eight years of marriage, they went their separate ways and began the divorce process. Victoria decided to stay in the sunny country with their four children, Louis, Kitty, Amelia and Eliza, whereas Earl Spencer returned him to the UK after they divorced. Lady Amelia Spencer donned a metallic power suit to attend the event, bringing some sparkle to the red carpet Pictured L-R: Victoria Aitken, Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Eliza Spencer, Lady Amelia Spencer. The twin sisters opted for power suits with Aspinal of London bags It was during the divorce process that Earl Spencer's sister Princess Diana died. In February 2010, after turning 18, Kitty told The Mail on Sunday her father was 'hands-on' while growing up and despite travelling regularly between the UK and South Africa, he was only ever a 'phone call away'. Cape Town holds a special place in Kitty's heart, as she was raised in South Africa with her siblings and attended Reddam House school in Cape Town. When her parents divorced, Kitty began splitting her time between South Africa and the UK, where she stayed at Althrop, the family's seat in West Northamptonshire. She married Michael Lewis, 66, in 2021, who was also born and raised in South Africa. Amelia, who is the first cousin of Princes William and Harry, also met her real estate beau Greg Mallett while they were both studying at the University of Cape Town. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have become 'disaster tourists' while Harry 'misses being a prince because he was good at it', the former editor of Vanity Fair and friend of the late Princess Diana has said. New York-based Tina Brown, 71, claimed that Prince Harry, 40, took pleasure in his previous position and that he was once successful at adding a 'sizzle' into the royal family. In conversation with The Telegraph, Brown explained: 'He really knows how to play the role of the prince.' 'I think he really likes it. That's what's so ironic. For a bit he thought he didn't because the Palace is boring and oppressive and so on. 'Now he's had a few years doing it without them, I think he really misses being a prince because he was good at it.' The 71-year-old, who previously undertook the role of editor in chief of Tatler, added that the impact of Harry's philanthropic pursuits is now limited due to his celebrity-like status. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's public appearances are no longer groundbreaking, and they've become 'disaster tourists,' Brown claimed. She gave the example of the couple visiting victims of the Los Angeles fires in January, when they handed out food parcels at the Pasadena Convention Centre to those affected by the devastating blaze. Brown claimed that Harry is aware of becoming a 'disaster tourist', adding 'I think Harry feels it keenly. But he's obviously loyal to his wife.' The Duke of Sussex (pictured with the Duchess of Sussex last year in Colombia) 'misses being a prince', Tina Brown has claimed New York-based Tina Brown, 71, claimed that Prince Harry, 40, took pleasure in his previous position and that he was once successful at adding a 'sizzle' into the Royal Family Elsewhere in the interview, Brown gave her thoughts on whether a royal reconciliation could ever be on the cards. While she believes that Harry might be open to rekindling his familial relationships, the same can't be said for the Prince of Wales, she said. Brown claimed that Harry's book Spare, which she believes was driven by the Montecito-based couple's 'appetite for money', has ruled out any chances of a reunion from Prince William's side due to the book's bombshell claims about the Royal Family. It comes after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unveiled a memorial in New York City on Wednesday, which is dedicated to 'honouring the lives of children lost to online harm'. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also called for more protections for children from the dangers of social media, claiming that 'enough is not being done'. Called the 'Lost Screen Memorial', the installation features 50 large, illuminated smartphones, each displaying the lock screen photo of a child who died after being exposed to bullying behaviour online. The images of the children were shared by parents who are members of The Archewell Foundation Parents' Network. They donated the pictures to 'honour their children's memories and to call attention to the urgent need for safer online spaces'. The former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown said Prince Harry's philanthropic pursuits are no longer as impactful compared to when he was a working member of the Royal Family Meghan volunteering with Baby2Baby at Dr Owen Lloyd Knox Elementary School in Los Angeles in 2020 As the monument was unveiled, the parents were invited to New York to lay flowers at each handset. There is also virtual version of the installation, which will include information about each child. In addition, some of the parents have recorded a personal voice message for people to listen to. Harry and Meghan attended a private vigil at the site with families of the children as part of the Archewell Foundation's 'No Child Lost to Social Media' campaign. And Harry told BBC Breakfast: 'We want to make sure that things are changed so that... no more kids are lost to social media. Life is better off social media.' The 40-year-old Duke added that he was 'grateful' that his children Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lilibet were still too young to be online. Speaking to journalists at an Archewell Foundation event, Harry also said: 'The easiest thing to say is to keep your kids away from social media. 'The sad reality is the kids who aren't on social media normally get bullied at school because they can't be part of the same conversation as everybody else. 'Life is better off of social media. I say that as a parent, and I say that as someone who's spoken to many of the kids here tonight who lost a brother or a sister to social media. But clearly, enough is not enough. Enough is not being done.' He continued: 'Some of the stories here are truly harrowing. You think you've heard the worst of it until nights like this, here in America. Some of these stories - they are crime scenes - and these companies are getting away with it by saying, "We don't need to give you disclosure". Tina Brown pictured in March speaking at an International Women's Day event in collaboration with Diane von Furstenberg in New York The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in California 'For families, some of the arguments that are being made around privacy - you're telling a parent, you're telling a dad and a mum that they can't have the details of what happened.' The Duke also accused technology firms of 'getting away with it', saying they did not need to disclose information to families in Britain due to privacy considerations. Prince Harry said: 'These children were not sick. Their deaths were not inevitable - they were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online, the kind any child could encounter. 'No child should be exploited, groomed, or preyed upon in digital spaces. 'To the platforms, they may be seen as statistics. To their families, they were cherished and irreplaceable. 'While social media companies claim to be taking action, most still withhold critical data from grieving parents - data that could provide answers and accountability. This is a growing crisis. 'Social media is quietly taking our children, and those with the power to make change are failing to act.' The installation has been described as a continuation of The Archewell Foundation's The Parents' Network initiative, which 'supports families navigating the digital world, working to safeguard them from online harms, and supporting their mental health recovery process'. In a statement about the installation, James Holt and Shauna Nep, Executive Directors of The Archewell Foundation, said: 'This memorial is a collective act of remembrance, and a call to action. Each photo represents not just a child lost, but a family forever changed. 'These parents are sharing the most painful parts of their lives so that no other family must experience the same heartbreak. 'We hope this memorial inspires all of us - tech leaders, policymakers, and community members alike - to listen to their stories, to learn from them, and most importantly, to act. Online spaces should be safe by design, not an afterthought.' On Thursday, Meghan took to Instagram to discuss the installation unveiling. She shared a video of the event, which was accompanied by a long caption. It said: 'An important and emotional evening last night in NY as we unveiled #NoChildLostToSocialMedia with parents and families who have lost their children to online harms. 'My husband and I have worked with many of these families for the last several years, and through The Archewell Foundation and our program The Parents' Network, we support them in their grief and stand with them in their call for action. 'No matter how divided the world may be, we can all agree that we want our children to be safe from harm. That is a universal truth. 'If you choose to be on social media, let's be the example for our youth, sharing goodness and kindness and positivity. Let's tell our children that they are enough, and that this life is worth living. 'And let's ensure that no child is lost to social media. With your support, we can effect change.' Jazz, feathers, glitzy flapper dresses and roaring party anthems are all on the menu in the latest Great Gatsby musical adaptation on the West End. But it seems the glamour has not been enough to wow critics, many of whom have slammed the production at the the London Coliseum - starring Amber Davies and Corbin Bleu - as 'glib', 'vulgar' and even 'ludicrously lavish'. Some even claimed it was 'disrespectful' to the original F. Scott Fitzgerald novel the play, also a book by American playwright Kait Kerrigan, is based on. Giving it two stars out of five, Clive Davis of The Times found it 'big, brash, noisy and oddly one-dimensional'. Elsewhere, offering the same score, Claire Allfree hit out at the 'screechy clodhopping musical that amps up the Roaring Twenties cliches at the expense of anything Fitzgerald had to say about class, money and the scissoring chasms between appearances and reality' in the Telegraph. And ranking it only one star, The Guardian's critic Arifa Akbar found that 'despite the glut of vocal and visual crescendos, the peaks of the story flatline'. Not all were underwhelmed, however, as The Stage, offering a generous four out five praised it as a 'feat of spectacle and seduction'. Meanwhile, dishing out three stars, the Mail's Veronica Lee enjoyed how the set design elevated a dazzling array of scenes. Jazz, feathers, glitzy flapper dresses and roaring party anthems are all on the menu in the latest Great Gatsby musical adaptation on the West End. Pictured, Corbin Bleu and Amber Davies as Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker This musical adaptation arrives in London following its 2024 Broadway premiere, where it won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design. Jamie Muscato and Frances Mayli McCann pictured as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan The production is running from April 16 to September 7. In February, the complete casting for the West End production was revealed. Joining the previously announced Jamie Muscato as Jay Gatsby and Frances Mayli McCann as Daisy Buchanan are Corbin Bleu as Nick Carraway, Amber Davies as Jordan Baker, Joel Montague as George Wilson, John Owen-Jones as Meyer Wolfsheim, Jon Robyns as Tom Buchanan and Rachel Tucker as Myrtle Wilson. Adapted from the beloved historic novel, The Great Gatsby follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his quest to win back the heart of married socialite Daisy Buchanan, his former flame. It's been revered for its commentary on class, Prohibition-era America and portrayal of the Jazz Age. This musical adaptation arrives in London following its 2024 Broadway premiere, where it won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design. THE TIMES Rating: Clive Davis found that where the original novel is 'concise, understated and allusive', this adaptation is reportedly - not. 'It's not the cast's fault that they struggle to bring the characters to life. Jamie Muscato brings steely charm to the role of the enigmatic businessman who plays master of ceremonies to the revellers that drift from one party to another on what Fitzgerald called 'that slender riotous island',' he penned. 'But beyond scattering the phrase 'old sport' in all directions, this Gatsby is little more than a loner with a taste for yearning power ballads and a spot of tap-dancing.' Elsewhere, Corbin Bleu's Nick Carraway was a touch too 'cheeky chappie'. However, the Times critic enjoyed the striking set design and found the music to be 'in mood is closer to Billy Joel than George Gershwin, and no worse for that'. TELEGRAPH Rating: Claire Allfree's general feeling was that this gtlizy adaptation 'pounces on the party vibe and misses almost everything else'. Writing for The Telegraph, she offered: 'A more ambitious creative team might have turned The Great Gatsby's keening lyricism, elusive spirit and sheer tragic beauty to its advantage. 'Instead, we get a screechy clodhopping musical that amps up the Roaring Twenties cliches at the expense of anything Fitzgerald had to say about class, money and the scissoring chasms between appearances and reality.' THE GUARDIAN Rating: Giving the production only one star out of five, Arifa Akbar of The Guardian felt that 'no amount of Charlestons from a fine cast can put the fizz into this'. She felt that while the cast is clearly competent, especially as vocalists, the musical as a whole 'looks sterile for the lack of emotional drama around it'. 'Fitzgerald's central couple fizz with charisma on the page, lighting up every room with their smiles, but here they are smoothed to two dimensions, as slick and empty-eyed as those of Doctor TJ Eckleberg's in the advert that looms behind them,' she added. 'That is no fault of the cast the mood is simply too perky, the pace brisk and breezy, the story's heart subsumed by the mission to put on a high-octane musical.' THE INDEPENDENT Rating: Writing for the Independent, Alice Saville found that while the musical is visually stunning - and the cast vocally competent - there is a lack of a 'basic level of respect for F Scott Fitzgerald's elegy for the Roaring Twenties, or an understanding of what makes it more than an excellent theme for a hen do'. 'This take on The Great Gatsby was a flop on Broadway,' she added. 'Perhaps London audiences are more likely to be wowed by a level of all-American fireworks not seen on the West End since 42nd Street. But I suspect not.' THE STAGE Rating: The Stage praised the musical's portrayal of a 'classic story of dashed American dreams' as 'an impressive glitzy romcom musical'. 'Visually, the show is stunning. Paul Tate DePoo III's scenic and projection design is all sumptuous Roaring Twenties, meticulous in its detail,' the review read. 'A truly staggering number of picture-perfect scenes glide in and out, and there is always something fresh to see, a new variation. 'Lighting from Cory Pattak is equally masterly, bringing intense atmospherics along with some retina-frying climactic effects. Linda Cho's costumes are to die for.' It admitted that 'literary purists' likely won't be pleased - but broader audiences will be delighted by the production. WHATSONSTAGE Rating: Writing for What'sOnStage, Alun Hood found the production to be stellar on a technical level - but a touch 'glib' when it comes to the plot itself. 'Theres seldom a moment where its clear why there needed to be a musical of The Great Gatsby beyond the fact that it was there and already spawned a couple of movie versions,' he wrote. 'The plot, which fizzles only periodically into life, probably suits the screen better than the stage, though Brunis gleaming production, simultaneously garish and elegant, sometimes approaches the cinematic. The storytelling is rudimentary.' DAILY MAIL Rating: The Mail's Veronica Lee found that while the production is lavish and opulent - it's not the perfect day out for Fitzgerald purists. 'Marc Bruni's dazzling production of The Great Gatsby opened on Broadway last year and now with a mostly British cast bursts into life in the West End,' she wrote. 'But while the musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's great American novel about money and class looks like a million dollars, the creators still struggle to overcome the essential problem of the work: none of the leading characters are likeable, not even narrator Nick Carraway (Corbin Bleu), who may not be nasty or vapid but is still (whisper it) a bit of a sap. 'Paul Tate dePoo III's scenic and projection design and Cory Pattak's lighting create a dazzling array of scenes, conjuring up the 1922 Long Island mansions of old-money socialites Tom and Daisy Buchanan (Jon Robyns and Frances Mayli McCann) and their party-loving new neighbour Jay Gatsby (Jamie Muscato), who has made his fortune from bootlegging and is determined to win Daisy's heart. 'Gatsby in famous film incarnations by Robert Redford and Leonardo DiCaprio is enigmatic. Muscato captures the character's cool detachment, and has a beautiful singing voice in a production that sounds terrific (even if the songs are as ephemeral as the green lamp at the end of Daisy's dock). 'McCann and Rachel Tucker, as Tom's mistress Myrtle, also impress in their solo numbers. 'The creators (script by Kait Kerrigan, Jazz Age-infused music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Nathan Tysen) have taken a few liberties with the novel, so it may not be an evening for hardcore Fitzgerald purists. 'Instead, the show focuses on the Gatsby-Daisy love story, with mere nods to the novel's more nuanced examination of the dark side of the American Dream. But while it may not fully engage one's emotions, this is a Show with a capital S. It looks fabulous. It has a talented ensemble for the big set pieces and it offers a lot of bang for its (and your) buck.' Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday at the age of 88, the world has been waiting with bated breath to see who will succeed him. Cardinals from across the world have gathered in the Vatican to pay their respects to the first Latin American Pope whose funeral will take place on Saturday. During the nine-day mourning period called novemdiales, people have flocked to see the late leader of the Catholic Church lie in state. But as Catholics and heads of state across the world mark his passing, the cardinals are already busying themselves with preparations for the Papal Conclave. All eyes are on the Vatican and those who could be voted in as the next Bishop of Rome. And one candidate is Cardinal Frank (Francis) Leo, the Archbishop of Toronto. The Canadian, 54, took on the role in 2023 and just a year later Pope Francis made the holy man a cardinal. Cardinal Frank has already paid his respects to the late pope and in an interview with CBS revealed he would be making his way to Rome very soon and hoped that God would guide him and his fellow Catholics. One candidate for the role of Pope is Cardinal Francis (Frank) Leo, the Archbishop of Toronto (pictured) who recently paid his respects to the late Pope Francis in an interview with CBS Cardinal Frank Leo arrives at St. Peter's Square earlier this week ahead of Pope Francis' funeral - he is one of four Canadian cardinals to vote in the conclave Followers have been swooning over the cardinal who they have compared to a very high profile figure 'The Church is a family and were a little like orphans now. And so we turn to the Lord that he may inspire, that he may guide, he may lead, and its important that we have a holy father, spiritual father to guide the church for decades to come,' he told CBS. Frank is one of four Canadian cardinals who will be eligible to vote in the conclave but it wasn't his role in the next papal election that has captured people's imaginations. Instead social media users have pointed out that he looks like another high-profile Canadian. In the comments section underneath a clip of the cardinal speaking to CBS, users revealed that they thought he reminded them of none other than Justin Trudeau - the former Canadian Prime Minister who stepped down last month. One TikTok user wrote: 'Is it just me or doesnt he look like Justin Trudeau?', while another said, 'He kind of looks like Justin Trudeau'. 'If he would read bedtime stories on an app, Id listen to them,' addeda nother. Peter Turkson, 76, the former Bishop of the Cape Coast, would be the first black Pope and would have the appeal of reaching out to Africa. He occupies the middle ground on the tricky subject of gay relationships, arguing that laws in many African countries are too harsh but that the views of Africans on the subject must be respected. And people flooded to the comments to reply in agreement, commenting: 'He has his mannerisms and cadence I think too', and 'Thats what I thought'. Cardinal Frank leading a Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis at St Michael's Cathedral Basilica Pope Francis on Easter Monday at the age of 88 and the world has been waiting with bated breath to see who will succeed him (pictured in 2014) It wasn't Cardinal Frank's role in the next papal election that has captured people's imaginations but his similarity to former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau (pictured) Others swooned over him. 'What a beautiful, calming voice and demeanour he has. I could listen to him talk all day,' said one. Interest in who will become the next pope has become a widely anticipated event and the conclave could bring about the first black or Asian Pontiff, and cardinals in the race include one who called same-sex marriage a 'defeat for humanity'. Peter Turkson, 76, the former Bishop of the Cape Coast, would be the first black Pope and would have the appeal of reaching out to Africa. He occupies the middle ground on the tricky subject of gay relationships, arguing that laws in many African countries are too harsh but that the views of Africans on the subject must be respected. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, has emerged as the frontrunner in the betting markets. He would have the appeal of being the first Asian Pope, the region with the fastest-growing Catholic population. Pietro Parolin, 70, is the closest to a 'continuity candidate', having worked with Pope Francis as Cardinal Secretary of State. He 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'. The Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Peter Erdo, 72, would be the second Pope, after John Paul II, to have administered in the former Soviet bloc, when church leaders were often persecuted. In the comments section underneath a clip of the cardinal speaking to CBS, users revealed their shock at the similarity between the cardinal and the former leader of Canada Erdo is a deep conservative who has spoken against divorced or remarried Catholics receiving holy communion. The Portugese cardinal, Jose Tolentino, 59, has had a number of Vatican roles and has advocated that biblical scholars engage with the modern world by watching films and listening to music. Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, 69, was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019 and two years ago, the Pope made him the Vatican peace envoy for Ukraine where he visited Moscow. Mario Grech, 68, from Malta, is the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops and has called for the church to 'learn a new language' when dealing with gay couples and divorcees, Robert Sarah, 79, was born in French Guinea and another possibility as the first black pope although age is not on his side. He has previously denounced gender ideology as a threat to society. He has also spoken out against Islamic fundamentalism. Vincent Nichols, 79, received his calling to the priesthood while watching his beloved Liverpool FC from the Kop at Anfield. But now Britains top Catholic is said to stand an outside chance of succeeding Pope Francis and becoming the first English Pontiff since the 12th century. Liverpool-born Cardinal Vincent Nichols has been Archbishop of Westminster and head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales since 2009. Sources 'that know the couple well' have shed light on the monarchy's future The Princess of Wales sees her future role as Queen as a 'supportive' one, palace insiders have revealed. Kate, 43, is said to have been inspired by the work of Prince Philip, who always made it clear that his role was to support the monarch - then his wife, Queen Elizabeth II. In a new piece published in The Times, several sources 'that know the couple well' shed light on what the future could look like when William and Kate take to the throne. For Kate, this will mean 'acting as a gatekeeper to ensure that William can do his work while also finding time to be a hands-on father, and that everyone understands that this is the deal'. In addition, sources say she is 'allergic to any PR gimmicks', instead choosing her own authentic approach - for example, the highly personal video announcing she had cancer on camera from a bench in Windsor last year was her own idea. Kate and Prince Philip enjoyed a good relationship, with Prince William saying he was thankful that Kate, who married into the royal family in 2011 after meeting William nearly a decade earlier, had 'so many years' to get to know his grandfather. And now she appears keen to follow his approach to 'make an individual contribution', while at the same time 'being clear' that her main role is to support the King. Elsewhere in The Times piece, insiders claimed that the Prince of Wales wants to move away from 'ribbon-cutting' and focus on work with tangible impact. The Princess of Wales sees her future role as Queen as a 'supportive' one, palace insiders have revealed Recent months have seen William, 42, make his focus on other initiatives clear. In October, he revealed he took 'inspiration' and 'guidance' from his mother Princess Diana in his work to end homelessness, where he was also seen giving out hugs while visiting a charity. Speaking in an ITV documentary titled Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, the Prince of Wales showed the behind the scenes journey of his campaign Homewards, which charted the first year of the project. The future king has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and temporary accommodation a thing of the past in his ambitious five-year initiative programme. 'I've slowly tried to work out what I can bring to the role and platform that I have,' he explained. 'I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness. 'I don't believe we should be living with homelessness in the 21st century.' William also described it as a 'unique opportunity' to create lasting change, as he builds on the legacy of his late mother Princess Diana. Kate hopes to act like a 'gatekeeper' when William takes the throne, sources in The Times revealed. Pictured together in February The Princess of Wales was always said to have enjoyed a good relationship with Prince Philip, and is now said to be following in his footsteps. Pictured in 2017 at Trooping The Colour He has long been passionate about the issue of homelessness and is royal patron of charity The Passage, after visiting one of their shelters with his mother when he was 11. In 2009 he spent a night sleeping rough to understand the plight of the homeless at Christmas and has joined a Big Issue seller at his pitch for the last two years in a row. Homewards brings together a range of organisations to develop solutions in Newport, South Wales, three neighbouring Dorset towns, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, the south London Borough of Lambeth, Belfast, Aberdeen and Sheffield. The Prince and Princess Wales will celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary next week in romantic style - at an isolated self-catering cottage for two on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. The couple, who walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, are visiting the Scottish Isles as part of a two-day visit to highlight their resilient local communities, as well as the wild natural beauty of the region. They will arrive on Tuesday and undertake a number of engagements in picturesque Tobermory - made famous by the hit children's show Balamory - visiting a community hub and an artisan market. Kate and William will also visit a local Croft to learn about sustainable farming and hospitality. But as part of their efforts to highlight the importance of the self-sustaining economy in the Inner Hebrides they plan to rent a house for the night on the island, it can be revealed. The Prince of Wales wants to move away from 'ribbon-cutting' and focus on work with tangible impact, royal insiders have claimed Speaking to The Times , sources have alleged that William wants to reframe his role as being one for 'projects not patronages' - which is why his efforts to champion the Earthshot Prize, and similar initiatives, have been so ardent He has long been passionate about the issue of homelessness and is royal patron of charity The Passage, after visiting one of their shelters with his mother when he was 11 The Prince and Princess of Wales will rent a house for the night Inner Hebrides to mark their anniversary The couple are both more at home in the countryside than anywhere else, making it the perfect way, say sources, for them to also celebrate their first wedding anniversary since Catherine revealed she was in remission from cancer. The couple have endured what William last autumn described as a 'brutal' year, making their time away even more precious. A royal source explained that the tourism industry contributes 'significantly to the economy of the Isles', which see hundreds of thousands of people visit every year, adding that the Prince and Princess are looking forward to 'showing their support for the islands with their stay'. Known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay - and Lord and Lady of the Isles - William and Catherine will be visiting both the Isles of Mull and Iona. It is their first visit to the Inner Hebrides, which Their Royal Highnesses have been keen to visit for some time, it is understood. The focus of their trip is to highlight rural island communities and the stunning natural environment in which they live. Mull and Iona are breathtakingly beautiful places - home to dramatic mountains, ancient forests, and stunning beaches, as well as an abundance of wildlife, lochs and waterfalls. Mull is known as the one of the 'larders of the UK' with its plethora of family-run independent businesses selling produce that has been fished, farmed or produced on the islands. Kate and William (seen in March) will also visit a local Croft to learn about sustainable farming and hospitality during their trip Kate and William are pictured on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their wedding ceremony in Westminster in April 2011 Iona, its tiny neighbour, is popular with visitors thanks to the unique place it holds in the history of Scotland. Both have thriving tourism industries in the summer who come for the breathtaking landscapes and coastlines. A source said: 'For The Duke and Duchess, this visit is all about the power of communities, and highlighting that by building stronger and better-connected communities we can perhaps build a steady path to more loving and compassionate society. 'What we will see on their visit to the Inner Hebrides is that we can learn powerful lessons from ways of life on Mull and Iona, specifically about how we reconnect with each other. 'The simpler way of life that these island communities enjoy, steeped in nature and built on strong person to person connections, offers a powerful model for transforming our own health and wellbeing, and in turn the communities within which we live.' Queen Silvia of Sweden supported herself with a crutch as she joined King Carl XVI Gustaf, 78, at a funeral service for his cousin this week. The royal, 81, wearing all-black for the occasion, carried a walking stick in one hand, as her husband leant his arm for her to lean on. Both appeared solemn as they made an appearance following the passing of Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg - who is also distantly related to King Charles III - at the church St Moriz in Coburg, Germany. They were among the friends of and family of the deceased, who passed away on April 3, aged 82. While the image may have sparked concern for fans, Silvia appears to be in healthy spirits and is recovering from a 'foot surgery' for bunions. As reported by the Sweden Herald, the Royal Palace had earlier this month confirmed that Silvia had undergone an operation which 'went well'. 'The operation is the reason why the Queen will take it easy during April until Easter,' a spokesperson added. The procedure was reportedly to treat hallux valgus, which the NHS calls 'bony lumps that form on the side of the feet' - and surgery is the only way to get rid of them. Queen Silvia of Sweden supported herself with a crutch as she joined King Carl XVI Gustaf , 78, at a funeral service for his cousin this week The royal, 81, wearing all-black for the occasion, carried a walking stick in one hand, as her husband leant his arm for her to lean on Silvia and Carl were among other royals who showed up to pay their respects to the late Andreas, including their daughter Princess Madeleine and the King's sister, Princess Christina. Andreas, who as reported by Tatler was the head of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, was born in Germany but relocated to New Orleans with her, after she split with his father Prince Friedrich. In 1965, he returned to Europe, and by 1971 wed Carin Dabelstein, who he had three children with. His wife passed away in 2023. According to the outlet, King Charles was represented at the funeral by his first cousin once removed - the Margrave of Baden. It comes as Silvia last month joined her family at the annual Representatives Dinner in Stockholm. She and Carl made an appearance as Crown Princess Victoria, 47, led the way in a stunning floral gown, and was accompanied at the Royal Palace in the Swedish capital by her husband Prince Daniel, 51, and her younger brother Prince Carl Philip. It comes as Silvia last month joined her family at the annual Representatives Dinner in Stockholm Some 150 guests represented a wide range of fields, including the diplomatic corps, parliament, government, sport, business and culture. The theme of the evening seemed to be springtime florals as Victoria, her mother the Queen, and Princess Christina all wore themed dresses to welcome in the warmer weather gracing Europe after a cold winter. Victoria showcased her hourglass figure in the elegant multi-coloured gown, patterned with delicate flowers and featuring a cinched-waist and long sleeves. She wore her chestnut brown hair brushed back into an elegant chignon and accessorised with a striking, two-tier diamond tiara. For the formal occasion, Victoria added a pale blue sash, which is believed to represent membership of the Royal Order of the Seraphim, Sweden's highest-ranking order of chivalry. The royal kept her make-up relatively simple for the state dinner, adding a smoky eye, bronzer and a slick of lipstick. Prince Daniel, meanwhile, was dressed in white tie attire, featuring a tailcoat suit and gleaming bowtie. His jacket was adorned with several medals and badges, and he also wore the blue sash. Similarly, Prince Carl Philip, 45, looked dapper in his white tie attire along with the pale blue sash. Victoria linked arms with her brother and her husband to pose for photographs in the opulent rooms of the Royal Palace, while the King and Queen of Sweden, who will this year celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary, posed separately. Like her daughter, Queen Silvia also re-wore one of her favourite gowns for Wednesday's state dinner. She was first pictured in the full-length, sequinned dress in July 2017 at the 80th birthday celebration of Prince Max of Bavaria. A Harvard doctor studying cutting-edge therapies for cancer and lung disease has revealed how his research has been brutally axed by President Trump. Dr John Quackenbush detailed the sudden cut to his funding to understand how the devastating diseases affect and progress differently in men and women - a hurdle that has stifled progress on finding cures. The 63-year-old scientist who has been a professor at the prestigious university for the last 20 years explained that the about $2.4 million research project was meant to find personalized and improved treatments for both sexes. The project had been submitted in November 2020 and was approved by former President Joe Biden's administration in September 2021 - but the grant was axed with no prior notice on April 4 this year. Dr Quackenbush believes it was wrongly terminated as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on the government's bankrolling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) research projects. He told DailyMail.com that the funding slashes will worsen the research crisis and set medical advancement back by decades. 'Females have twice the lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's than males do,' he added. 'Males have a much higher risk of developing colon cancer but respond better to chemotherapy. 'We know and have known for decades that many diseases are different in males or females. But nobody has been able to scratch the surface of why these differences exist and how we might be able to use these differences to better treat disease in everyone.' Pictured: Dr John Quackenbush, a Professor of Bioinformatics at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health 'So, I submitted a grant application about four years ago in which we had proposed to better understand what drives some of these differences,' the Professor noted. The project has already contributed to nearly 30 peer-reviewed papers on new methods that shed light on sex differences in managing chronic diseases. The professor of bioinformatics at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health revealed that his team had submitted an application, asking the National Institute of Health for a renewal of their ongoing project in November 2024 during the Presidential election. But while applications are usually reviewed and approved within months, theirs kept being delayed. 'It was supposed to first be reviewed in February, then we found out it's going to be reviewed in March, then we found out it's going to be reviewed at the end of March, then we found out it was going to be reviewed in April. 'About two weeks ago, we checked on the NIH website and there was no date for the review. And we were astonished, because everything pointed to this grant being reviewed.' After seeing the sudden change in their application status, Dr Quackenbush approached their program officer for information. But much to his dismay, the official told him that the specific program they had applied to had been terminated by the federal government. This program, announced in a 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) published by the NIH, solicited research grant proposals to address 'gaps in our current understanding of diseases and conditions in women are the result of the continued over-reliance on male models'. Dr Quackenbush believes it was a part of the latest budget cuts by the Trump administration as it did not align with current policy. He said: 'They're not just terminating grants, they're terminating whole programs that are funding research into areas that don't align with current policy. 'And you know, we shouldn't be in a position where the the opinions of individuals in government about what's appropriate or what's inappropriate should be dictating how we look at these fundamental scientific questions. 'The cuts that are happening are kind of across the board. It's almost happening at random. It's completely irrational. There's sort of no rhyme or reason about any of this.' On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting all 'equity-related' federal grants or contracts in an effort to end Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Scientists have since alleged that agency officials are being told not to approve grants that include the words 'women,' 'gender' or 'diversity' - of which comparing disease in men and women was a focus Dr Quackenbush's project. On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting all 'equity-related' federal grants or contracts in an effort to end DEI programs In an April 11 letter to Harvard, the Trump administration called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies In the US, it is estimated that nearly 1million women receive a cancer diagnosis each year, while an estimated one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in the US, with 35,000 men dying the disease each year. Meanwhile, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women - killing over 40,000 each year. Since submitting the project in 2021, the Professor and his team have made 'tremendous progress' but now these cancellations threaten long-term research and training, potentially delaying future treatments by years. Their groundbreaking research has already contributed to nearly 30 other peer-reviewed papers that have focused on state-of-the-art forms of treatment and their application for a range of chronic illnesses including cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. He commented: 'If scientists [are] really committed to improving the human condition, then we should be in a position to look at health in everyone, to understand how to improve the health of everyone and that should be our fundamental priority. 'And you know, we shouldn't be in a position where the the opinions of individuals in government should override scientifically sound approaches to addressing basic questions in human health. President Donald Trump pictured here with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In an April 11 letter to Harvard, the Trump administration called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded the university audit views of diversity on campus and stop recognizing some student clubs - arguing that campuses had allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at protests last year. However, Harvard President Alan Garber refused to agree and hours later, the government froze over $2.2 billion in federal scientific grants given to the University. When asked why the current administration had targeted Harvard's medical research in regards to anti-Semitic harassment, Dr Quackenbush said: 'The rationalization that is being presented to the general public is absolutely ludicrous. 'If there are allegations of anti-Semitism against Harvard or any other university, the rational approach would be to do an investigation to find out what the causes are, to find out whether or not the responses were appropriate and to take steps to remedy that, to prevent it from happening.' Harvard President Alan Garber has refused to agree to Trump's demands and hours later, the government froze over $2.2 billion in federal scientific grants given to the University He also told the website that the halt in federal grants not only impacted medical research but also put generations of upcoming scientists and their discoveries in jeopardy. 'We use this [money] to train the next generation of scientists. Our PhD students and our postdoctoral fellows, the training they get is largely an apprenticeship. 'My PhD students come and work with me because we're going to go into the lab and we're going to work together, they're going to see how to do science and they're going to learn by doing it. You take away my research grants, you take away my abilities and train the next generation. 'We're seeing people who are doing science get laid off. We're seeing projects that were had been running for years being terminated. Even if they turned on the funding tomorrow, the damage is done. 'It takes years to build a research program, and as we're seeing, it takes just minutes to potentially destroy that in ways that could take even longer to rebuild. And we're not making these choices for rational reasons.' This week, the FDA issued a stark warning over a hugely popular hair-loss drug taken by millions of men saying it may pose a 'potentially serious risk' to their genitals. Now, men who took the drug, finasteride, are coming forward with disturbing claims alleging it left them with shrunken or bent penises, burning testicles, and deep emotional scars. In one devastating case, a grieving mother said the drug drove her son to take his own life. Sawyer Hart, 28, revealed how the nightmare began last year when he turned to finasteride after noticing his hairline receding. He was prescribed a medicated hair gel containing finasteride through Keeps, a telehealth startup offering hair-loss treatments. But Sawyer claims the vetting process was so lax that he could have uploaded 'a picture of my dog' and still been approved. Following the instructions, he began rubbing the gel into his scalp daily. But within a week, things took a dark turn. He told this website: 'I got erectile problems that were like, really noticeable, and it's like, you know, I was a single guy. Sawyer Hart, 27, claimed that after taking finasteride he suffered from erectile dysfunction, pain in his testicles and panic attacks for the first time in his life 'I could get an erection, but it was maintaining it that was very difficult. When you put the condom on or something, it just wasn't strong enough to maintain it. 'I knew it was a problem, but when I went to see an old girlfriend I knew it was a pretty big problem, so I stopped taking it.' Finasteride stops the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone responsible for hair loss. But about two to three percent of patients experience sexual function problems, according to doctors, including erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and reduced ejaculate. Hart also started to experience pain in his testicles, describing it as if his genitals were 'burning like they were on fire.' When the symptoms became too much, he stopped taking the drug but the ordeal was far from over. Just a week after quitting the gel, Hart said he was driving back from Napa Valley when he was hit by a wave of overwhelming anxiety seemingly out of nowhere. Then came the panic attacks. Daily, for weeks. He became so anxious he struggled to be around other people, often unable to make eye contact. 'It was odd,' he said. 'Maybe this makes me sound bad, but before this I didn't believe in anxiety, that it was a real thing. It doesn't sound like a real thing, you know?' Mark Millich said that after taking finasteride his genitals shrunk, and he also suffered from serious mental health problems His panic attacks, once relentless, have now slowed to less than one a week. It took months for his erections to return to normal after stopping finasteride. 'I would say it's livable,' he said, speaking about his mental health issues. 'It's not like back to normal, but, you know, it is livable and I am grateful for that.' Hart said he was not warned by Keeps about the side effects before he received his prescription. Keeps did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment, but they previously told the Wall Street Journal that they have treated more than one million patients and takes great care to disclose finasteride's side effects on its website. 'Patient safety and transparency are our top priorities,' a spokeswoman said, before adding that studies show it is rare for finasteride to cause side effects. Online, the company has a page listing 11 side effects of finasteride, including problems with sexual function, and another detailing post-finasteride syndrome or when patients say side effects from finasteride persist. Your browser does not support iframes. In 2011, the FDA had depression added to the list of side effects caused by finasteride after many users reported the complication. The warning label lists at least seven potential side effects, also including impotence, breast enlargement, breast tenderness and a rash. There have also been reports of male breast cancer. Studies say that this may be a result of lower levels of DHT in the body, with experiments on rats finding that those with higher levels of the hormone were less likely to be depressed. Initially sold as a pill, around the 2020s it also became popular to use the drug topically, or as a gel, although this was not approved by the FDA. Telehealth companies like Hims and Keeps sell the drug online for about $25 to $90 for a 30-day supply, using similar pricing for both versions. Mark Millich, a 30-year-old veteran, has said this version caused his genitals to shrink and change shape. He started taking the drug at the age of 26 after becoming worried about his thinning hairline. He was prescribed an oral version of the drug by Hims after filling in a 14-question questionnaire online. He said he never spoke to a doctor. Henry Goyzueta, 50 and a father-of-one, was also said by his mother to have developed penis shrinkage and lost his libido after being prescribed finasteride. His mother said the drug, which she also blamed for causing him to suffer from mental health problems, led to his suicide After his first doses, however, he said he began to feel dizzy, anxious and slurred his words. Then he said his libido sank and his genitals started to change. Speaking on his YouTube channel Moral Medicine, he said the drug caused him to develop Peyronie's disease when scar tissue forms in the penis causing it to bend or have curvature when erect. 'I got Peyronie's disease, that happened within a month or two after coming off finasteride,' he said. His doctors could not say whether the condition was caused by the medication, with Peyronie's often linked to injuries sustained during sex that cause scar tissue to form in the penis. A 2023 study showed that there have been more than 830 reports of 'penile curvature' or Peyronie's disease to the FDA's drug monitoring system among finasteride patients. But scientists said the results were 'highly speculative' and 'very questionable', saying more research was needed to determine whether the drug could cause the condition. It isn't clear how finasteride may cause the issue, but the Cleveland Clinic says the enzyme it blocks is mostly active in the genitals suggesting it could possibly lead to damage in the area. Millich said he initially did not believe that finasteride could have caused the complication, since his first symptoms were cognitive and included insomnia and depression. A new doctor later warned him of the potential link. He said that Hims never warned him about 'the vast majority' of potential side effects that could be caused by the medication, or that they could become permanent. A spokeswoman for Hims said: 'The clinical framework our providers follow reflects decades of experience from our medical team and advisory board and is backed by rigorous quality standards.' 'Every customer is clearly presented with essential information, including potential side effects, in multiple places before they begin treatment and throughout their care journey to help them make informed decisions and use their medication safely.' Hims has a webpage on finasteride side effects, listing decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculate disorder though it says these occur in less than one percent of patients. It also has a page on post-finasteride syndrome, saying a 'very small' percentage of men taking finasteride develop this complication. In its alert, the FDA warned that the compounded topical finasteride sold by these companies had not been approved by the agency and that they had received 32 reports of adverse events linked to these drugs. The side effects include: Erectile dysfunction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, brain fog, depression, fatigue, insomnia, decreased libido and testicular pain. The UK's health authorities also urged men on finasteride to be 'vigilant' for possible psychiatric and sexual side effects in April last year. Former finasteride patients also say the oral version which doctors say is more popular carries risks and can have severe side effects. Scientists on the trial said, however, that clinical investigations would be needed to confirm whether finasteride can cause Peyronie's disease. The data is from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System, where events do not have to be confirmed to be included in the data. In an extreme case, Erica Goyzueta said her son Henry had committed suicide after being prescribed the drug. The 50-year-old father-of-one had suffered from a urinary tract infection after using a hotel pool and jacuzzi on a vacation. He was prescribed antibiotics, but when problems persisted nurses at the hospital also prescribed him finasteride. It is not clear why this decision was taken, given that finasteride is not used to treat urinary tract infections. Within days of starting on the drug, he suffered from libido issues, saying his penis felt 'dead', like it was 'shrinking' and that there was 'nothing there anymore'. Then, he developed mental health issues and severe anxiety. His mother said he became agitated, and found it difficult to be around other people and started to feel depressed. She said: 'Things got worse. He said, 'I feel, I feel worthless, I feel hopeless, I don't feel the love to my son anymore, mama, I can't feel anything'.' The symptoms persisted after he stopped taking the drug, and then shortly after Thanksgiving, he died by suicide. Several studies have investigated a potential link between finasteride and suicide, although the results have not been conclusive. Scientists say this could also be linked to the potential impact on mood of reducing the levels of hormones like DHT. A non-hormonal male contraceptive that prevents sperm from leaving the body remains effective for at least two years, groundbreaking research suggests. The implantable contraceptive, known as Adam, is a gel that is injected underneath the scrotum. The Virginia-based company behind the product, Contraline, says this approach offers a convenient alternative to existing methods such as condoms and vasectomies. The hydrogel is designed to break down in the body after a set period of time, restoring fertility. Contraline has released findings of its study of 25 men that showed the gel successfully blocked the release of sperm for two years in the two participants who saw out the entirety of the trial. It said no serious adverse side-effects had been recorded though the results of the study do not include data on the reversibility of the implant. Founder Kevin Eisenfrats, told the Guardian: 'This is really exciting because our goal since day one has been to create a two-year-long male contraceptive that is what the demand is for. 'And we have the first data to show that that's possible.' The above graphic demonstrates how the hydrogel blocks sperm from exiting the body, helping a man avoid getting a woman pregnant. Doctors are not sure whether it is reversible, but have shown the gel is effective at blocking sperm for at least two years. A male contraceptive pill has been years in the making. Today, men have condoms or withdrawal as the only two practicable birth control options. Researchers recruited 25 men at various points over the two year trial and injected them with the contraceptive. The implant was inserted via a minimally invasive procedure into the vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm from the testes, under local anaesthetic. Doctors then made a small incision underneath the scrotum to expose part of the vas deferens. They then injected the tube with the gel before reinserting it into the body and stitching the incision closed. All participants were monitored after the procedure and no serious adverse events were reported. All participants also experienced a drop in sperm count, indicating the contraception was effective in preventing sperm from leaving the body. Eisenfrats heralded these results as a 'great proof of the concept', with more results expected to follow. Adam is not the first experimental contraceptive that acts by blocking the function of the sperm ducts. This approach means that men can still experience ejaculation, because the fluid for this is produced in another area. Eisenfrat explained, however, that some of the other male-contraceptives currentlyon trial use materials that do not break down in the body, resulting in infertility. There are, however, concerns that such implants could cause scaring of the sperm ducts and lead to permanent sterilisation. Results from the Adam trial have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal and do not include real life data on whether the injection can prevent pregnancy. According to Eisenfrats, the hydrogel has been shown to break down over time in animal trials, revealing a short period of efficacy. 'The way to think about this is sort of like the IUD [intrauterine device] for men', the chief executive told The Guardian. He added that after a two-year period, men could decide whether to get another implant. The team are also reportedly working on a procedure to enable 'on-demand reversal', which would use at-home sperm tests to check whether contraceptive was still effective. For women, traditional non-hormonal intrauterine devices, also known as a copper coil or IUD, last for five to ten years, depending on the type of device used. After an IUD is removed, fertility levels are expected to return to previous levels right away. Some women opt for an intrauterine system, or IUS, which uses the release of the hormone progestogen to stop pregnancy. The hydrogel designed by Contraline does not interfere with a man's hormones. While the results of the Adam show promise, some experts have raised concerns over how reversible the gel is and have warned that sperm could find a way around the blockage, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy. Professor Richard Anderson, an expert in hormonal male contraception at the University of Edinburgh, warned that at present it remains unclear how long a single implant lasts and it is yet to be shown that it can be removed. A major hurdle to male contraceptives, expert say is that they would need to interrupt the production of millions of sperm made every day. Most of the male birth control possibilities undergoing clinical trials target testosterone, blocking the male sex hormone from producing healthy sperm cells. Doctors say, however, the testosterone-blocking action can trigger weight gain, depression and increase cholesterol. The female contraceptive pill which contains synthetic versions of female hormones estrogen and progesterone has been linked with similar side effects. Taking a common infection-fighting medication as a toddler can raise the likelihood of obesity in later life, a new study has found. Researchers in Finland discovered children who took antibiotics before the age of two were 20 per cent more likely to have a body mass index in the obese category by the age of 12, compared to kids who didn't touch the medicine. Children given antibiotics under two were also 10 per cent more likely to be overweight by the time they left primary school. The study authors, from the University of Oulu, urged GPs to 'be cautious about prescribing antibiotics for young toddlers, especially unnecessary prescriptions for upper respiratory tract infections.' Nearly 4 million prescriptions for antibiotics are given to children aged under 14 every year in the UK, official data shows. The medicines are commonly dispensed to treat suspected bacterial infections such as strep throat, pneumonia and gastroenteritis, as well as skin and ear infections. However experts have previously called for a limit on antibiotics, warning that over-prescription is causing the pills to lose their power and making common infections harder to treat. Now, the Finnish scientists say there is another health risk of taking the medicine to keep in mind. Researchers found that children exposed to antibiotics in the first two years of life had a 0.067 higher BMI and are nine per cent more likely to be overweight. They are also at a staggering 20 per cent greater risk of being obese 'Antibiotic exposure in the first 24 months of life was associated with a higher BMI at two years of age, compared to unexposed ones, and the same was seen in the long-term analysis until the age of 12 years,' the researchers said. This could spell problems for later life. A recent analysis found that 55 per cent of children living with obesity remained so into adolescence, while 80 per cent of obese adolescents carried the extra weight into adulthood. For the study, experts followed 33,095 children in Finland from birth to the age of 12, and tracked antibiotic exposures in the first two years of life. Researchers set out to compare the effects of antibiotic exposure before pregnancy, during pregnancy, at birth, and in childhood on the subsequent overweightness and obesity in children. The mothers of 39 per cent of children were exposed to antibiotics one year before pregnancy, 27 per cent of mothers during pregnancy, and 68 per cent of children in the first two years of life. The study measured overweightness and obesity twiceonce at aged two and once at 12. They found taking the drug before pregnancy, during pregnancy, or around the time of birth made no difference to their baby's weight throughout childhood. Childhood obesity is an increasing challenge worldwide, with over 159 million school-aged children diagnosed with obesity in 2022 But researchers found taking the drugs in the first two years of life did make a significant difference to the risk of obesity and significant weight gain. Experts have long known about the potentially detrimental impact of antibiotics on the vital microbes in our gut that help to maintain a healthy weight. Scientists say that these powerful drugs can kill off important bacteria that would normally feed on some of the food eaten, which frees up more food for the body. Some studies have shown that killing certain gut bugs with antibiotics may also increase appetite. Childhood obesity is an increasing challenge worldwide, with over 159 million school-aged children diagnosed with obesity in 2022. Data from 2023 showed a quarter of four and five-year-olds were overweight or obese, and for ten to 11-year-olds the figure was one in three. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have called for more action to protect children from the dangers of social media. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have called for more action to protect children from the dangers of social media The Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled a memorial in New York City on Thursday night (24.04.25) to "honour the lives of children lost to online harm", and Harry admitted he was "grateful" his and Meghan's children - Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lilibet - aren't old enough to be online yet. Speaking to 'BBC Breakfast' in New York, he said: "We want to make sure that things are changed so that... no more kids are lost to social media. "Life is better off social media. "The easiest thing to say is to keep your kids away from social media. "The sad reality is the kids who aren't on social media normally get bullied at school because they can't be part of the same conversation as everybody else." The Lost Screen Memorial features 50 lightboxes, which are designed to look like smartphones. Each one features a photograph of a child whose life was cut short due to "harms of social media". In a statement shared with Sky News, Harry said: "These children were not sick. Their deaths were not inevitable - they were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online, the kind any child could encounter. "No child should be exploited, groomed, or preyed upon in digital spaces. To the platforms, they may be seen as statistics. To their families, they were cherished and irreplaceable. "While social media companies claim to be taking action, most still withhold critical data from grieving parents data that could provide answers and accountability." Last year, Harry, 40, told how he feared children exposed to Internet "rabbit holes" could end up taking their lives "within 24 hours" of viewing harmful material. He told CBS: "We always talk about in the olden days, if kids are under your roof, you know what they are up to. At least theyre safe. "But now, they could in the next room, in a tablet or phone, going down these rabbit holes, and within 24 hours they could be taking their life." Meghan, 43, added: "Our kids are young - theyre three and five - theyre amazing, but all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so as we can see whats happening in the online space, we know that theres a lot of work to be done there and were just happy to be able to be a part of change for good. Blurry vision and seeing spots could means you're at high risk of developing early-onset dementia, researchers have discovered. Experts from New Zealand found that people were far more likely to be diagnosed with the disease in their 60s, 50s an even 40s if the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye was abnormally thin. This problem is known medically as retinal thinning, and causes distorted vision which includes seeing spots, lines or flashing lights, as well as changes in colour perception. Dementia risk was also raised in those with signs of narrowing arteries and wider veins in the eye, which can cause pain or pressure as well as loss of vision in one eye. The researchers, from the University of Otago, suggested that both problems suggest insufficient blood flow to both the eye and the brain, which could contribute to the development of the memory robbing condition. They added that it could also be a sign of poor circulation throughout the body, which is also a known risk factor for the disease, as well as heart attack and stroke. Thorough eye examinations could therefore be a useful method of targetting those at risk of developing the disease, according to study author and psychology researcher Dr Ashleigh Barrett-Young. Early diagnosis is considered critical for better outcomes as dementia treatments can combat symptoms and slow down progression. The the obscure clue in your eye that could reveal you will get dementia as young as 45-years-old all comes down to your blood vessel health and the thickness of your retina, researches from New Zealand have said For the study, experts analysed data from participants of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, which recorded 45 years of health data from 900 New Zealanders with an average age of 45-years-old. They combined photos and scans of participants retinas with cognitive tests designed to predict a persons risk of the disease. Assessments were carried out at birth and ages three, five, seven, nine, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 26, 32, 38, and most recently at age 45. Results showed those with retinal thinning and poor eye blood vessel health were far more likely to show signs of cognitive decline aged 45 often a precursor to dementia. The researchers advised that the imaging could be a simple and low-cost method of assessing dementia risk among middle-aged adults. However they warned the test could only show potential risk and is not a definitive diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. The disease can cause memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time Around 900,000 Britons are currently thought to have the memory-robbing disorder. The researchers advised that the imaging could be a simple and low-cost method of assessing Alzheimers disease and related dementias among middle-aged adults The size of your temporalis muscle, which helps to open and close your jaw, has also been linked to dementia risk. If the muscle is smaller, it can serve as an indicator of overall muscle loss, a condition known as sarcopenia, which is often associated with the devastating diagnosis. It's estimated that around 7.5 per cent of the 944,000 Britons with the disease have young-onset dementia, where symptoms occur younger than 65. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia in younger people, accounting for around a third, in comparison to about 60 per cent in those over 65. Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time. Senior medics today sounded the alarm over 'short-sighted' and 'harmful' Government plans to allow wood-burning stoves in new homes in England. The home-heating devices, which have become a popular fixture in middle class homes, are said to be one of the main drivers of harmful air pollutants in UK cities. Research has suggested they may raise the risk of lung cancer, asthma and even heart problems. Yet the Government yesterday revealed log burners would be allowed in the properties amid plans to ensure that new homes can become zero carbon. It was possible to significantly reduce smoke by using the 'right fuels, appliances and practices', it said. Experts, however, told MailOnline the move is 'short-sighted and scientifically unsound' and urged officials to 'phase out the use of wood-burners' completely. Other senior doctors, who called the decision 'very disappointing', also warned air pollution limits across the UK were still dangerously high. Paediatric registrar and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) clinical fellow, Dr Alice Wilson, told MailOnline: 'We are very disappointed to see the Government's decision as wood-burners release harmful air pollutants. The home-heating devices, which have become a popular fixture in middle class homes, are said to be one of the main drivers of harmful air pollutants in UK cities Symptoms of lung cancer are often not noticeable until the cancer has spread through the lungs, to other parts of the body 'Air pollution exposure at every stage of the human lifecycle, from gestation right through to adulthood, adversely impacts health. 'Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution exposure because they breathe more air than adults in proportion to their body weight, so they take in more pollutants. 'The health impacts are amplified due to their smaller bodies and developing organs. 'Air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death in children under five, both in UK and globally.' She added: 'RCPCH feels strongly that more must be done to phase out the use of wood-burners and raise public awareness of the health harms they cause. 'Governments and local authorities must act to protect the most vulnerable, who have the least power and resources to control their environments.' Professor Gesche Huebner, director of the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter, also told MailOnline she had 'serious concerns' over the plans. 'While it's easy to see the appeal of wood burners, the reality is that these stoves release substantial amounts of fine particulate matter that harms human health, particularly affecting the lungs and heart,' she said. The Government yesterday revealed log burners would be allowed in the properties amid plans to ensure that new homes can become zero carbon 'In light of our climate goals and the imperative need to protect human health, this decision appears scientifically unsound and environmentally short-sighted.' Proponents of the home-heating devices have consistently argued they provide 'good back-up options' for rural homes. But Professor Huebner added: 'The new homes we are talking about will hardly ever be in those locations so it is not worth opening this can of worms.' Toxins generated by burning wood have long been linked to a range of lung and heart problems including asthma and stunted lung development in children. Domestic combustion, which includes wood burning, also contributed to a third of the UK's total PM2.5 emissions in 2021 particles in the air invisible to the human eye that can enter into blood and penetrate deep into the lungs. Last year, a study by England's chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty, also found that even modern wood-burning stoves produced 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating. Research has suggested the devices may even raise the risk of lung cancer. Ella Kissi-Debrah, nine, died in 2013, after three years of seizures and 27 visits to hospital for treatment to breathing problems One US study found using an indoor wood stove or fireplace increases womens' risk of developing lung cancer by 43 per cent compared with those that don't. Researchers, who tracked over 50,000 Americans, also found people who used their wood burner on more than 30 days a year saw their lung cancer risk increase 68 per cent. Only stoves officially given the 'Ecodesign' mark are allowed for sale in the UK and any wood for sale must be certified 'ready to burn'. But in August, a letter signed by more than 100 doctors warned that toxins generated by burning wood are an 'invisible killer'. Last September, the RCPCH also urged the Government to bring in Ella's law, and for the Government to commit to World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines. Ella's law is named after Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah, who died in 2013 aged nine after suffering a fatal asthma attack. A 2021 coroner's report found air pollution contributed to her death. She was the first person in England to have air pollution named as a cause of death by a coroner. Ella lived just 80ft from a notorious pollution 'hotspot' on the busy south circular road in Lewisham, south-east London one of the capital's busiest roads. Between 2010 and 2013 she had numerous seizures and made almost 30 hospital visits. The Government's decision comes after more than 1,500 businesses and woodland owners wrote to ministers in February arguing that modern wood-burning stoves are far cleaner and could help reduce reliance on electricity, gas, and liquid fuels. Responding to the move today, a government spokesman said: 'The Future Homes and Buildings Standard, to be published later this year, will ensure all new homes are energy efficient and use low-carbon heating systems. 'As set out in the Future Homes Standard consultation, the use of a wood fuel appliance as a primary heating system would not achieve the standards proposed, however, their installation would still be permitted as a secondary heating source.' Officials this week sounded the alarm over a surge of serious cases of a diarrhoea-causing bacterial infection that's been linked to colon cancer. Rates of a rare strain of the bug E.coli, found commonly in contaminated lettuce, have risen almost 10-fold in England in just seven years. Cases of the infection are thought to be linked to the mysterious epidemic of colon cancer among the under 50s. Now, experts have told of the potential reasons behind the E.coli explosion including climate change, more vigilant reporting by hospitals and a rise in the number of people vulnerable to severe illness. It may also be the case that more shoppers are opting for prime sources of the bug, such as lettuce, either via ready made sandwiches or bagged salads. Studies suggest leafy greens are responsible for half of all E.coli outbreaks. Experts believe lettuce's texture can make it more prone to the bacteria and fact it's not cooked, which would usually kill off bugs, increases the risk. Professor Paul Hunter, a renowned infectious diseases expert from the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline: 'Watering during growth allows the potentially contaminated water to rest on the lettuce leaf. Last year, more than 280 people were struck down by STEC in an outbreak linked to ready meal sandwiches containing contaminated lettuce grown in the UK Last year, more than 280 people were struck by the harmful strain, called STEC, in an outbreak linked to ready meal sandwiches containing contaminated lettuce grown in the UK. 'The rough and waxy surface of the leaf also makes it difficult to wash off E. coli,' Professor Hunter added. 'The main risk comes from bacteria attached to the leaf surface. Most other vegetables are either peeled or cooked before eating. 'Things like cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers may not be cooked but grow some way off the ground so less likely to be contaminated.' A 2019 review of research co-authored by Professor Hunter also analysed 35 STEC outbreaks linked to lettuce between 1995 and 2018. Eight were found to have 'poor practice' such as insufficient disinfection when processing of the vegetables, which 'may have contributed to the outbreak'. A further six were linked to animal faeces near the growing fields. 'Where the type of lettuce was reported, it was usually Cos lettuce, though Iceberg and Mesclun lettuce were each implicated in one', Professor Hunter said. Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli include severe diarrhoea and vomiting, according to the UK Health Security Agency 'We also found bagged lettuce already prepared for use to be a common factor.' But experts also warn that warm, wet weather increasingly common due to climate change can create an 'ideal' breeding ground for STEC to spread. A report released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) earlier this week blamed a combination of 'high rainfall' and warm temperatures for a STEC outbreak affecting more than 250 adults in summer of 2022. The 'majority' of cases had consumed iceberg lettuce, officials said. 'Prolonged periods of heat', including temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius 'followed by high rainfall' likely caused contaminated soil to be mixed with water and spread over crops, they added. Experts also warned last year that people could be at especially high risk of contracting the bug due to unusually high levels of rainfall. Professor Eileen Wall, head of research at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), a research institution focused on agriculture and life sciences, said: 'Rain can cause contaminated water to splash onto the leaves of the lettuce, while warmth provides a favourable temperature for bacterial proliferation.' Bacteria could spread to lettuce through irrigation water particularly if the water is contaminated with faecal matter, she added. Your browser does not support iframes. Another factor likely to be involved in the rise is the increase in surgical procedures on patients who need catheters, which are known to be an infection hotspot. E.coli can also be contracted via the urinary tract; where bacteria from the bladder enters the bloodstream via the genitals. Professor Hunter said: 'If you're older you are more likely to have a urinary catheter which is a big risk factor. 'Equally, as you get older, you can get more problems with the bowel that could ultimately lead to bacteria entering the blood.' It may also simply be the case that the UK has adopted a more vigorous method of reporting E.coli cases. The official figures include patients who become so ill with the infection they seek help at a GP clinic or hospital. It means a rise in cases could also mean more Britons are in poorer health, and more likely to become very sick with E.coli. Official data published in August last year showed that severe E. coli cases have surged by more than 4,000 in a single year the biggest annual rise in four years. A MailOnline analysis of the data revealed that severe E. coli infections are up roughly 10 percent on the previous year, amounting to more than 46,000 cases in England between June 2023 and June 2024. Your browser does not support iframes. Rates of a rare strain of the bug E.coli known as non-0157 shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) have risen almost 10-fold in England in just seven years The previous three years saw much smaller rises of around just four per cent. It comes as concerning research this week suggested E.coli may be to blame for a disturbing rise in colon cancer cases in under 50s, a phenomenon that has baffled doctors around the globe. US researchers analysed the DNA of 981 colon cancer tumours in patients aged either under 40 or over 70, across 11 countries. They found traces of colibactin, a cancer-linked toxin produced by certain strains of E. Coli, lurking in tumors from patients under 40. Limited research has also previously shown that the toxin colibactin is produced by some non-O157 STEC strains. STEC is considered to be extremely infectious, and in up to 15 per cent of cases, the bug can cause haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure. Children under the age of five are at the highest risk of HUS. A small proportion of adults may develop a similar condition called thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP). As the Texas measles outbreak spirals to become the biggest since it was declared eradicated two decades ago, a second killer disease is now on the rise. The US has recorded 8,472 cases of pertussis known as whooping cough so far this year, according to the CDC a highly infectious bacterial disease that causes severe coughing fits and leaves patients struggling to breathe. That is more than double the 4,252 cases recorded by the same time last year, with experts warning the nation could now be on course for its largest outbreak of the vaccine-preventable disease in three quarters of a century. At least three people have died from the bacterial infection this year, including a child under five in Washington state the first person to die from whopping cough in the area since 2011. About 10 deaths are typically recorded from the disease every year in the US, particularly among babies under one year old who are most at risk. Five doses of the vaccine are 98 percent effective, but this protection wanes over time. The surge comes amid a dip in vaccinations against the disease, with CDC data showing only 92 percent of kindergarteners are immunized against the disease and below the 95 percent levels required for herd immunity. Meanwhile, the measles outbreak in the Southwest has surged to more than 624 cases in Texas alone and spilled over to at least four other states, infecting at least 115 others. Two unvaccinated girls ages six and eight have died in the outbreak. In a private meeting this week, CDC officials warned in stark terms that the outbreak was now the biggest in the US since 2000 when measles was officially declared eradicated thanks to high vaccination rates. Experts have already warned that the measles outbreak in Texas could cost the US its measles elimination status, and persist in the country for more than a year. Whooping cough cases are already at more than double the level they were this time last year, data shows. The disease is particularly dangerous for small children and babies (stock) Your browser does not support iframes. Whooping cough spreads easily via coughs and sneezes, with symptoms initially resembling a cold runny nose, fever, and mild cough. Within five to 10 days, however, patients develop the characteristic violent and rapid cough, emptying the lungs of air, following by a 'whoop' sound as they breathe in. The disease is especially dangerous to babies under one year old, with data suggesting about one in 100 children under six months who get infected die from the disease. And those who catch whooping cough and survive have a higher risk of other complications like brain damage, officials warn. Two infant deaths from whooping cough have also been reported in Louisiana over the last seven months. And in Idaho, an adult was reported to have died from the disease in February. It was not clear whether these individuals were vaccinated. Amid the surging infections, Chad Neilsen, the head of infection control and prevention at Nemours Children's Health in Florida, told ABC News if cases continue to rise the US could face its biggest outbreak since 1950. 'If we continue this pace, we'll have close to 70,000 cases of pertussis,' he said with this exceeding the tally for every year since 1950. '[That would make] it one of the worst years we've seen in the US in quite some time.' Last year, a mother in the UK urged parents to get their children vaccinated against the disease after her son Spike Ray was left with brain damage after catching whooping cough at just 11 days old. Susan, from West Sussex and who has been a midwife for 24 years, said: 'Every time I hear someone say they or their child doesn't need the vaccine because whooping cough is "only a cough" I want to pull out a picture of my son hooked up to machines and covered in wires, fighting for his life in intensive care, when he was tiny and say, "Does this look like just a cough to you?". Spike was left brain-damaged after catching whooping cough at just 11 days old. He was too young to receive a vaccine. Now, his mother Susan is urging all pregnant women to get vaccinated Despite making a miraculous recovery as a baby, Spike's life was forever altered by the bacterial infection, medically called pertussis 'The vaccine wasn't given to babies as young as Spike was when he fell ill only at six weeks old. 'Now it is given to pregnant women, before their child is even born to protect the child in the first few months of life, but there is a real lack of awareness about it, which makes me so angry.' The disease can be prevented via vaccination with the Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, or DTaP, vaccine. It is administered in five doses offered at two, four, six and 15 to 18 months of age and between the ages of four and six years. It protects about 98 out of 100 children for at least a year after the fifth shot, but protection fades over time. By five years after the fifth shot, about seven out of 10 children still have protection against the disease. People are recommended to get booster shots against the infection every 10 years. Data suggests about 28 percent of US adults follow this. Pregnant women are also offered a vaccine against whooping cough, to provide immunity to children after they are born. Your browser does not support iframes. In cases where people catch the disease, doctors try to treat whooping cough using antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Data shows only 92.3 percent of kindergarteners were vaccinated against whooping cough in the 2023 to 2024 school year, the latest year available. This is down from about 95 percent before the Covid pandemic, and the level that experts say is needed to help prevent an outbreak. Your browser does not support iframes. Doctors urge everyone to get vaccinated, in part to help protect those with underlying conditions for whom the shots are likely to be less effective or prevent them from getting the vaccine. Washington state has recorded the most cases this year, at 941 infections while its region, the Pacific, including Oregon and California has recorded the most infections overall at 2,227 so far this year. The Midwest region Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin has recorded the second most at 1,794 infections. On average, about 10,000 cases and 10 deaths from the disease have been reported in the US every year. Last year, there were more than 17,500 infections reported and 10 deaths. A dangerous animal tranquilizer that can kill humans has become the latest 'zombie' drug to run rampant in the US. Officials are warning that medetomidine, a powerful drug used for sedation and pain relief in dogs and cats, is being mixed with fentanyl and other opioids and sold in multiple states. The drug is not intended for human use and can cause changes to a person's mental state - making them extremely sedated or 'zombified.' It can also slow the heart rate to the point that the organ is unable to pump enough blood to the body, resulting in heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest or death. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office identified the first-ever case of medetomidine intake in the Pennsylvania drug supply in May 2024. By the end of the year, officials found 46 people who had died from fatal drug overdoses over the year had consumed medetomidine. And experts are warning it has now made its way into three-quarters of the illicit drug supply. Dr Michael Lynch, an emergency medicine doctor at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said: 'We know it's probably in about half to three-quarters of our drug supply. '[It can] depress your breathing a little bit, lowers your heart rate, and, to a lesser degree, can lower your blood pressure. And it can last for several hours where people are very, very sleepy. Officials are warning that medetomidine, a drug used for sedation and pain relief in pet dogs and cats, is being mixed with fentanyl and other opioids and sold in multiple states. (file photo) He told CBS: 'It is so different and so severe and progresses so rapidly and doesn't respond to the usual treatments that we use for withdrawal from different substances like alcohol or opioids or benzodiazepines.' Medetomidine was also detected in several seized drug samples across Maryland in July 2022, suggesting the drug is spreading. The recommended dose of medetomidine for dogs is 750 micrograms and less than 20 mg for cats given through an IV drip. Despite not being intended for use in humans, there is another form of medetomidine, sold under brand names Dexdor and Precedex, that is used for sedation and muscle relaxation in people. It remains unclear how much of medetomidine can be lethal to human life. Medetomidine is often cut with other drugs like fentanyl because when mixed with opioids and other substances, it greatly increases the sedative effects of each drug, which people may perceive as a better or stronger product. The sedative has most frequently been observed in samples containing fentanyl and xylazine, but the drug has also been identified together with heroin and cocaine, the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education said. In addition to dropping the heart rate dangerously low, it can cause serious effects such as hallucinations and last longer than other illicit substances it is mixed with. The drug, which is estimated to be 200 times more powerful than xylazine, also slows neurological functions in the body, resulting in confusion and lethargy, as well as symptoms of opioid overdose like shallow breathing and small pupils. The drug is not intended for long-term human use and can make dangerous changes to heart rate and mental state - leaving patients in a state of extreme sleepiness. Pictured: People, some with drug dependency issues sit along a sidewalk in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Some medetomidine overdose symptoms include uncontrollable vomiting, excessive sweating, life-threatening levels of blood pressure, fluctuating mental state, tremors and a heart rate over 100 beats a minute. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has asked healthcare providers to use naloxone, usually used to treat opioids as treatment against medetomidine overdose - despite the latter drug not being an opioid. The medication works by attaching itself to medetomidine receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of it by neutralizing it. It can quickly restore normal breathing if it has slowed or stopped due to an overdose and help the body return to its a normal state. Dr Raagini Jawa, infectious disease and addiction medicine physician at UPMC told the Post Gazette: 'Naloxone is still the first-line agent for overdose reversal. 'We really need to educate people about rescue breathing and making sure were protecting their airways and calling for help, so that if they need oxygen, emergency services can provide supplemental oxygen support for them.' An urgent warning has been issued to parents after a child was blinded in an incident involving a washing pod. Luca de Groot, four, bit into gel the capsulefilled with concentrated detergentwhile helping her mother, Jodi Lowe, with the laundry. According to Jodi, Luca began screaming and inadvertently rubbed the product across her eyes before she could intervene. Jodi bundled her daughter into the shower to try and rinse away the chemicalsbut when Luca's screaming worsened, she rushed her to hospital. Shocking photos show Luca's red, swollen eyes covered in painful blisters and scabs which broke out days after exposure to the detergent. After 16 days in hospital, Luca was discharged home but her sight is yet to fully return in one eye. Jodi, who lives in Perth, Western Australia, believes warnings on the packaging need to be improved in light of her daughter's severe injuries. The washing capsule, sold as Omo in Australia but marketed under the name Persil in the UK, was branded as a '3 in 1 'capsule with 'Comfort Freshness'. Luca de Groot, four, bit into gel the capsulefilled with concentrated detergentwhile helping her mother, Jodi Lowe, with the laundry According to Jodi, Luca began screaming and inadvertently rubbed the product across her eyes before she could intervene The washing capsule, sold as Omo in Australia but marketed under the name Persil in the UK, was branded as a '3 in 1 'capsule with 'Comfort Freshness' Jodi, 34, a sales manager, said: 'Luca was helping me with the laundry and I gave her the pod just to hold while I put the washing on. 'And by the time I'd turned around, she'd already bitten into it and it went into her eyes. They're quite solid so when you pop them, they spray. 'And kids being kids she rubbed her eyes, which meant it went across both eyes. 'She's never had the urge to bite before. It's very out of character for her. She helps me with the laundry a lot but doesn't normally play with them. 'They do look and smell quite nice. They're attractive to kids. 'I put her into the shower and looked at the back of the product and it said to 'seek medical advice' so I didn't think it was going to cause much of an issue. 'She was screaming and really upset. 'I noticed she wasn't calming down, she was still hysterical. I called [a medical phone advice service] and they told me to go to hospital.' Shocking photos show Luca's red, swollen eyes covered in painful blisters and scabs which broke out days after exposure to the detergent After 16 days in hospital, Luca was discharged home but her sight is yet to fully return in one eye Jodi, 34, a sales manager, said: 'Luca was helping me with the laundry and I gave her the pod just to hold while I put the washing on' After a 16-day hospitalisation, Luca was discharged but doctors believe she will have redness around her eyes for the next six to 12 months. Jodi said: 'Her sight in her left eye isn't fully there yet but is coming back slowly. She has a slight vision impairment. 'It could've been a lot worse. It's been pretty traumatic. It's not easy seeing your daughter in so much pain with nothing you can do.' Jodi believes the current warnings on the Persil and Omo packaging are 'not good enough', insisting that they should be changed. Jodi said: 'I know [Persil] say keep them away from the kids but on the packet it doesn't say anything about going to a hospital. It just says 'seek medical advice'. 'It needs to be more. It's not good enough how it is. 'I didn't realise the extent of injuries they could cause. You wouldn't think direct contact could cause pretty excessive burns, three surgeries and 16 days in hospital. 'There needs to be more awareness on their packaging.' In October, McFly star Harry Judd's three-year-old son Lockie was rushed to hospital after a similar incident The 38-year-old pop star's wife Izzy took to Instagram to detail the 'traumatic' few days the family had suffered and warn others A Unilever spokesman said: 'Consumer safety is of paramount importance to Unilever. Any incident with children involving laundry capsules is one too many. 'Our liquid detergent capsules are not intended for use by children, and packaging is fitted with child safety closures and warnings on the front and back of pack. 'We have spoken to the mother about her child's incident and will conduct a review of the warnings and safety advice on our laundry capsule range in Australia.' It's not the first time children have been injured by washing pods and tablets. In October, McFly star Harry Judd's three-year-old son Lockie was rushed to hospital after a similar incident. The 38-year-old's wife Izzy took to Instagram to detail the 'traumatic' few days the family had suffered and warn others. Alongside a black and white snap holding her youngest child's hand, the author, 40, revealed her son was rushed to A&E after he got hold of a washing pod and it burst, squirting the contents into his eye. He had 22 litres of fluid flushed into his eyes over several hours before the pH levels came down to a normal level. Izzy Judd, 40, revealed her son was rushed to A&E after he got hold of a washing pod and it burst, squirting the contents into his eye Izzy said at the time: 'It's been a traumatic few days the reason I'm sharing this is because I don't want another family to experience this and although we all get told the risks of cleaning products at home, reminders are always important. 'So please, please put cleaning products high up and completely out of reach- this has been my scariest moment as a mum, I'm so sorry for others who have experienced these kind of awful accidents too.' There have been numerous incidents reported of children mistaking washing pod for 'candy', and attempting to eat them, suffering poisoning, burns and sight loss. Bizarrely, in 2018 the makers of US detergent brand tide was forced to issue a warning in light of the social media-driven 'Tide pod Challenge', which encouraged young people to upload videos of themselves biting into Tide washing pods. GORILLAS IN OUR MIDST by Alan Toyne (Summersdale 10.99, 336pp) Gorillas in Our Midst is available now from the Mail Bookshop Gorilla babies are cuter than human babies, if Alan Toyne is to be believed. She affects a smile, he coos of Afia, whom he must hand-rear when her mother cant cope. We hear about the little gorillas rubbery flared nostrils, smooth ridges of dark skin across her muzzle, long eyelashes and crazy wispy eyebrows. You feel Alan would not be above opening his wallet and flashing a photo like a proud dad. I was unprepared for the instinctive eruption of parental affection Afia awoke in me. Alan was a zookeeper in Bristol, working long days and nights with total dedication. I lost track of what day it was and dreamt about gorillas each night. Looking after Afia, he has to wear a string vest so the gorilla can cling on as if to its mothers fur. The baby needs bottle-feeding every two hours and, as primates require around-the-clock social interaction, Afia comes home and sleeps in Alans bed. Its charming and comical at first, taking a gorilla in and out of the car seat, swaddled in nappies, the whole teething ring and teddy bear routine. But gorillas are not sweet for long. Within a few months, ludicrously strong, theyll have you in a headlock. At first, Alans daughter laughs: Thats insane. Youre sat with a gorilla on the sofa. Soon enough, the gorilla is screaming with rage, a shrieking mass of muscle, jealously chasing the petrified daughter away, perceiving her as a threat. Go Ape: Alan playing with baby Afia Afia, and another requiring adoption called Hasani, get to be frighteningly boisterous, chewing the furniture and ripping out the wi-fi router. They slap Alans head and bite his arms, which become a mass of bruises. As wrestling is part of the teaching programme, Alan is open to attack but without thick gorilla skin and fur to soften the play bites, they bloody hurt. What I wouldnt fancy is the way gorillas pee and poo indiscriminately, on the string vests and into Alans pockets, all over me keys. Its the same for his colleagues. Once, going to the lavatory in the middle of the night, a fellow keeper found a baby gorilla grabbing hold of an intimate part when it swung me old fella about. I doubt that has happened to many people. Another thing that made me laugh is that you can remedy shock caused by loud noises in young gorillas by sitting them in front of the TV when Richard Osman is on. They adore him, perhaps sensing an affinity. Baby gorillas require around-the-clock social interaction, Afia comes home and sleeps in Alans bed Re-introducing the baby gorillas to the rest of the group is a dangerous process. Despite preparing females for surrogacy duties by using soft toys saturated with the babies smell rejection is still a possibility. The little gorillas may be crushed and killed, torn quite literally limb from limb, right in front of us. As Alan admits, working in zoos carries the risk of death. He writes of a dominant breeding male gorilla weighing 31 stone: If they get hold of you, youre not coming out in one piece. If a gorilla decides to throw a punch, my head would come off. The keepers stay their own side of the barriers, never going within arms reach and the reach of a gorillas arm is long. If an anaesthetised, fully grown gorilla is taken from the compound for medical treatment, Alan is armed with a rifle in the event it suddenly wakes up. The risk assessment forms fill page after page. What Alan calls primate social politics are not dissimilar to our own. This book describes in detail the way gorillas jockey for position, continually switching alliances. Theres much punching and biting, the males big and bulky with a puffed up stance, baring yellow fangs, snarling and swiping rivals with their huge hands. All these characters, with names such as Sal, Moki, Kera, Komi, Kala and Ayana, were, Im afraid, as confusing to me as the identities of the Russian gentry in Tolstoy. Yet Alan knows each and every one at a glance, noticing nuances of facial expression and body language. Prime mates: A baby gorilla clings to keeper Alan Toynes string vest When the gorillas ingest medication, it is concealed in peanut butter and honey, universally adored by primates. We hear about gorilla blood transfusions, vaccinations and CT scans, which are performed the same as in the world of weird, hairless bipedal apes Alans phrase for humans. The average gorilla meal consists of eight cucumbers, 30 tomatoes, 12 yellow peppers, a few kilos of carrots, parsnips and courgettes, lots of lettuce and a coconut, which their jaws crack with ease. The theme of wee and poo continues. Gorillas fling it about if distressed and they often appear nervous and wary, emitting high-pitched fear screams. There are dried trails of diarrhoea down the glass windows and a zookeepers shift concerns much sweeping up and mucking out. The stench from the collected gunk stays with you for the rest of the day. Not that this worries Alan in the slightest. As much as he tries to keep professionally distant, reminding himself that a gorilla baby is not a miniature hairy version of one of us, he nevertheless confesses to becoming emotionally infatuated. Seeing the gorillas interacting fills him with crazy heights of emotion. Of course, it is cheering to know the keepers adore their work theres a lot of blubbing in the staffroom following the death of one of their animals. But, in the end, Gorillas In Our Midst made me very uneasy. The concrete pens, steel nesting sites, padlocks, cages, locks, gates, a giant steel frame portcullis and the sliding mesh doors opened and closed by hydraulics a zoo is a maximum-security prison. Alan says it is all in aid of conservation as there aint no wild left for half the species we got here owing to carbon emissions, pollution, snares, poaching and the bushmeat trade. Zoo Keepers know each and every gorilla at a glance, noticing nuances of facial expression and body language Well, thats just another good reason to loathe humankind, which destroys all it encounters. And if zoos move animals around to maintain a level of genetic diversity within the captive population, who wants to be kept in captivity? Im sure on the whole gorillas would prefer to find themselves in West African rainforests. Schools like mine in South Wales went on trips to Bristol Zoo, which opened in 1836. Its shocking looking back at the tiny cages. I remember, too, Animal Magic on the telly with Johnny Morris. He dressed in a cap and polished boots (zookeepers resembled bus conductors in those days), impersonated the animals and gave them jovial words to say an anthropomorphism thats no longer in fashion, and rightly so. The show was filmed in Bristol with 440 episodes between 1962 and 1983. I was not sorry, in the final chapter of this book, when Bristol Zoo closes and half the keepers are made redundant. Where Alan goes and what he does today is not divulged. The animals are apparently moved to an area outside the city with more space. But its still not right, is it? PARALLEL LIVES by Iain Pears (William Collins 18.99, 288pp) Parallel Lives is available now from the Mail Bookshop When Francis Haskell and Larissa Salmina met in Venice in the summer of 1962, no one could have predicted that these two very different people were destined for each other. Francis was an uptight Englishman, prone to bouts of depression and unsure about whether he was homosexual. Larissa, who was Russian, had lived through the horrors of the siege of Leningrad and the terror of Stalins purges, yet was optimistic, adventurous and fiercely patriotic. Neither of them expected to fall in love and neither of them particularly welcomed it, writes Pears in this quirky book. Francis, the grandson of an Iraqi Jew, was brought up to be an English gentleman, going to Eton and then Kings College, Cambridge. Larissa, born in Leningrad (now St Petersburg), came from minor Russian nobility but her father, a soldier, had cannily thrown his lot in with the Communists during the Russian Revolution. In 1941, 11-year-old Larissa and her mother were trapped in Leningrad when it was besieged by the Germans. To survive, the two women ate anything they could find even cats. There were corpses lying on our stairs there were corpses lying in the courtyard, Larissa recalled. Somehow this failed to dent her natural exuberance. She studied Fine Arts in Moscow and landed a prized job at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, where she specialised in Italian art. In 1962, she was chosen to lead the Soviet delegation to the Venice Biennale. Francis was by now librarian of Cambridge Universitys fine art faculty. He was introduced to Larissa in a restaurant in Venice and they talked till one in the morning. He found her wholly delightful, full of enthusiasm exceedingly intelligent and cultivated. Although Larissa told him she was married to a Russian naval officer, he began pursuing her. Newly weds: Francis and Larissa on their wedding day in 1965 One night, when it was clear Francis had no idea how to move their relationship beyond friendship, Larissa decided it was time to take charge of the situation. Their path to a life together was far from smooth. Larissa had to secure a divorce from her first husband and there were endless bureaucratic hurdles before they could marry in Moscow in 1965. She was eventually allowed to move to England thanks to an accommodating KGB officer at the Soviet embassy in London. Francis, who was appointed professor of history of art at Oxford University, was a changed man after his marriage. His self-doubt receded and Larissa became the focal point of his world, giving him life and purpose. Larissa, who left home with great reluctance, became a renowned expert on Russian art. The book ends shortly after Larissa arrives in England, though Pears author of An Instance Of The Fingerpost and a friend and neighbour of the couple tell us they were extremely happy, joyfully visiting up to five museums a day on their travels. Larissa leaps off the page, a born survivor with a terrific store of anecdotes: the cousin who was eaten by a bear, or the Matisse painting she stole from the Italian government and repatriated to Russia. By contrast, Francis remains an enigma. Nevertheless, drawing on their diaries, and on conversations with Larissa who died recently aged 93, this is a warmly sympathetic book. On finishing, youll feel a glow that, against all the odds, this unlikely couple got their happy ever after. The Pretender By Jo Harkin (Bloomsbury 18.99, 464pp) The Pretender is available now from the Mail Bookshop Its 1480, and England is undergoing a particularly thorny patch as the warring factions of Lancaster and York look to the throne, fight bloody battles, imprison princes in the tower and indulge in mayhem and machinations in the quest for power. Meanwhile in a quiet little hamlet, naive, endearing ten-year-old farmers son John Collan is about to have his life upended. Hes taken from his home by canny political operators and transformed into Lambert Simnel, a pseudonym for his real identity Edward Plantagenet, wholl become king of England once Henry VII is disposed of. Ambitious, mischievous and well written, Jo Harkins stand-out second novels boldly drawn characters and their ruthless aspirations make for an entertaining read. The Golden Hour By Kate Lord Brown (Simon and Schuster 18.99, 448pp) The Golden Hour is available now from the Mail Bookshop Heady and romantic, Kate Lord Browns escapist tale heads to 1939 Cairo in the company of gilded, headstrong Juno Munro and handsome, intuitive Max Aeberhardt as they search for the tomb of the legendary queen Nefertiti on an archaeological dig. Heat, dust and forbidden passion play their part in this swoony story, but theres also a stalwart friendship alongside the sexual tension one based on long-held secrets, as Lucie Fitzgerald discovers when she visits her dying mother Polly in 1970s Beirut. Best friends with Juno since childhood, Polly slowly unspools the tragic story of Juno, her whirlwind marriage to troubled Alec and her overwhelming obsession with Max who, like an old-style Hollywood hero, declares of their love: We redraw the maps. We realign the stars with the Valley of the Kings as a backdrop. The Midnight Carousel By Fiza Saeed McLynn (Michael Joseph 16.99, 368pp) The Midnight Carousel is available now from the Mail Bookshop Theres a dark, magical glimmer to this enthralling debut from Fiza Saeed McLynn, which opens in 1900 in a foundry workshop in Paris as grieving carousel maker Gilbert Cloutier hurries to finish his beautiful, uncanny masterpiece in time for the citys Great Exhibition. Ensconced in the wilds of Essex, living in rural poverty, outsider Maisie Marlowe is fascinated by a flyer for the mysterious carousel, little realising that itll play a central role in her intrepid story. In a series of quietly discombobulating events, she ends up in prohibition-era Chicago, helping to run an amusement park, where Cloutiers strange merry-go-round seems linked to the unsolved disappearances of people in both France and America. It adds an eerie edge to an already beguiling tale of a brave woman claiming her hard-won happiness against the odds. Vintage enthusiasts set your alarms: the It-girl and style icon Alexa Chung will be selling from her very own wardrobe on the popular secondhand platform, Vinted, from the 4th May. Expect clothing, bags, sunglasses and shoes from sought-after brands like Prada, JW Anderson, Khaite, Magda Butrym and Galvan London to name a few. Further highlights include a Miu Miu embroidered bralette, a pink Gucci bag and a coral silk 1930s vintage dress worn by Chung herself at Paris Fashion Week. Alexa Chung will be selling from her own wardrobe on Vinted When asked why she is an advocate of thrifting, Chung emphasises the charm and individuality that secondhand shopping can bring to the way you get dressed: I think theres something so romantic about connecting to another era through what we wear and I love the rush of unearthing an unexpected item that might knock your personal style out of its regular lane. This Prada bag will be among the items she's selling With rising concerns about the environmental and ethical costs of the consumer goods industry, pre-loved retail is in a boom era. By the end of last year Vinted reported having 105 million users across more than 20 different countries, including 16 million users in the UK. Unlike on eBay, there are no selling fees and the money you make remains in the app in a pot for you to save up and spend or withdraw to a personal bank account. A spring clear out may be on your list too and a refresh can help you update your look for the new season. I am doing it because my style is evolving and vintage has the ability to breathe new life into your wardrobe, says Chung. These items carry so many memories and we had great times together, but the idea that they can live on in someone elses wardrobe and be new again is very appealing. Alexa Chung will have a second drop of clothing on Vinted this summer Preview this exciting selection here. Or wait for the second drop of unique items from brands like Dior and Loewe coming in June 2025. All sales proceeds from Chungs wardrobe on Vinted will be donated to Endometriosis UK as her charity of choice. The suspects in the dismemberment of a Florida teenager could be handed the death penalty for their crime against the 16-year-old girl, officials said. The two individuals in question were identified as 35-year-old Steven Gress and his 37-year-old girlfriend Michelle Brandes. The former is accused of luring the victim, identified as Miranda Corsette, through a social media application in February the couple allegedly killed her a week after. Potential Death Penalty Authorities arrested the couple last month and charged them with first-degree murder for the brutal killing of Corsette. Additionally, Gress was charged with kidnapping but he has pleaded not guilty to both charges against him. The Se. Petersburg Police Department, the teenage girl was staying with the couple after being lured to their home on Feb. 14, 2025. Corsette was reported missing to the Gulfport Police Department on Feb. 24, 2025. Investigators said that there was a dispute that happened on Feb. 20, 2025, where the couple allegedly beat the teenage girl. Arrest affidavits filed for the suspects claim that they "repeatedly beat" and tortured the teenager while holding her captive for a week, according to NBC News. The couple is believed to have eventually suffocated Corsette by stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping the teenage girl's face with plastic wrap. So far, officials have not stipulated what led to the dispute between the three but noted that the couple "felt the victim had stolen a ring." Court documents revealed that the defendant and co-defendant in the case dismembered the body of the teenager and left her remains in a dumpster in Ruskin, Florida. Authorities initially arrested Brandes last month and charged her with the murder of Corsette. Repeated Beating A warrant revealed that at the time of the teenage girl's death, she was beaten daily for a week. Gress also told police that he sent photographs of the victim's worsening injuries to a few of his acquaintances as well as his mother, People reported. One of the people who received the images also shared the photos with members of the St. Petersburg Police Department. The warrant alleges that there were five photos and in each one Corsette looked to be in increasingly worse physical condition. After the couple was arrested last month, State Attorney Bruce Bartlett of the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against the suspects. He cited the "especially heinous, atrocious" nature of the crimes that the couple are accused of committing, as per AOL. Originally published on parentherald.com Fox & Friends star Brian Kilmeade has declared Donald Trump is getting 'embarrassed' by Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine. The outspoken MAGA supporter notably broke ranks with the president in doing so, all on the set of the hit morning show. 'Vladimir Putin, I think to a degree, is embarrassing President Trump when he bombed Kyiv in this brutal attack,' Kilmeade, 60, said, recalling the recent Russian strike on a residential neighborhood in Kyiv and how it killed 12. 'The worst, youre watching it now. The worst in a year and killed these innocent people.' The conservative then brought up how Trump issued a frantic plea to Putin afterwards, via Truth Social. In it, Trump wrote, 'Vladimir, STOP!' - a demand Kilmeade said served as proof the president is embarrassed. 'If hes going to embarrass the president, Trump let him know yesterday,' Kilmeade said, before offering an eerie warning. 'Its going to get worse, and there are sanctions queued up,' he insisted, painting Trump's handling of the situation as poor. Brian Kilmeade declared Donald Trump is getting 'embarrassed' by Russian President Vladimir Putin due to stalled diplomacy talks with Ukraine - doing so on Fox and Friends Friday He painted Trump's handling of the situation as poor, before explaining why he believes he is being 'embarrass[ed]'. He said Putin is acting however he wants - with Trump's desires barely an afterthought, paving the way for the recent Russian strike on Kyiv that killed 12 'Russia is one of our fiercest rivals, I would say adversary,' Kilmeade - long a critic of Putin - said at another point during his speech on the Fox & Friends. 'And theyve been cut down to size thanks to the fighting force of the Ukrainians in our weapons and our training in our intelligence - in a way that we didnt think was possible.' 'Ukrainians are [still] fighting' more than three years later,' the ardent conservative continued. '[That] has embarrassed Russia to no end.' He also said Putin is basically acting however he wants - leaving Trump's desires unheard. The attack - and subsequent olive branch - should leave the Republican 'embarrass[ed]', he said, also bringing up Putin's mass conscriptions of fighting age men and the enlistment of North Korean fighters. Trump, meanwhile, recently refused to categorize Putin as a dictator, and on multiple occasions has insisted the two are still in good standing. He has blamed Joe Biden for failing to find a solution that would satisfy both sides. On Thursday, Trump, like Kilmeade, was forced to issue a rare criticism following the renewed Russian war effort - though toward his foreign counterpart, whom he referred to by his first name. 'I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV,' he wrote on Truth Social, days after Russia allowed an armistice on Easter. That's left the pair's peace talks are in limbo - and Trump seemingly pleading for a solution Trump desperately Vladimir Putin to 'get the peace deal done, 'on Truth Social Thursday, following the worst attack on Ukraine seen in months An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine on April 24, 2025 'Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!' the conservative continued. 'Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!' The post represented a drastic shift in tone from public statements offered by both leaders in recent months, including one from Putin after Trump won over Kamala Harris - a result the Russian leader celebrated. In a statement, he referred to Trump as a 'courageous man', while also appearing to hint at a possible end to the conflict. Months later, rescue workers were using flashlights to sift through the charred rubble of partially collapsed homes following the Russian strike on a residential neighborhood in Ukraine's capital. It saw some 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four air-to-surface missiles and 145 Shahed and decoy drones deployed - between there and four other regions of Ukraine. The attack came hours after Trump lashed out at Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what he framed prolonging the conflict by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula. The peninsula has emerged as a sticking point in the peace talks, after it was annexed by Russian in 2014. At the time, world leaders decried the act and hit Russia with sanctions. It has been under Russian occupation ever since, but is widely considered to be part of Ukraine. Bosses at Comcast are in the midst of splitting NBC News and its sister broadcaster MSNBC - but there's one anchor both are desperate to hold on to. Morning Joe and weekend-edition Today anchor Willie Geist has been deemed 'too talent[ed] for either network to pass up, staffers told Politico. MSNBC is mere months away from fully parting from parent Comcast after being pegged to spearhead a new company called SpinCo. Other Comcast assets making the jump along with MSNBC include USA, CNBC, and E!, while NBC News will remain with NBCU. The Peacock Network will retain its usual programming - sans some familiar faces. The Politico report revealed how NBC News and MSNBC are in the process of divvying up on-air talent to fill out both networks. For the most part, negotiations have been straightforward, with almost all on-screen talent told they'll need to pick one network or another. Many have had the choice made for them by bosses. But Geist is such an asset to both that they've agreed to share, Politico reported. Willie Geist - who plays double-duty as a Sunday anchor at Today and a host on MSNBC - is in talks with the networks about appearing on both even after MSNBC splits from NBCUniversal later this year Geist began appearing on Morning Joe in 2007, and has since surfaced as a fixtures. He started appearing on the Sunday edition of Today in 2012. It now bears his name Meanwhile, MSNBC election expert Steve Kornacki and veteran political journalist Andrea Mitchell are both making there way to NBC News - news reported weeks ago. Also leaving MSNBC is longtime anchor Jose Diaz-Balart, whose show was based at the network's soon-to-be shuttered studio in Miami. Stephanie Ruhle, who doubles as an MSNBC host and NBC News senior business analyst, is also staying with MSNBC. Politico reported she may soon lose that second title - one 'she adores' - as well as her occasional guest spots on Today. Today Show stalwart Jacob Soboroff, meanwhile, is expected to head over to MSNBC, due to being well-liked by his prospective boss. Meanwhile, as the schism continues, staffers interviewed - more than three dozen overall - said that most of the stars MSNBC desire are also the ones NBC is happy to let go. Geist, so far, appears to be the sole exception. Neither network wants to lose him to the spinoff, staffers said - describing a secret standoff within 30 Rock. Wherever the 49-year-old goes, he won't have to go very far - with MSNBC merely moving to another part of the Rockefeller Center which has long been the home of NBC. NBC News boss Cesar Conde and MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler are in the process of divvying up on-air talent to fill out both networks - and both see as Geist as too good to lose Neither network wants to lose him to the spinoff, staffers said - describing a secret standoff. Geist is now in the process of deciding between the two - while continuing to man both desks The Politico report painted him as one of 'the lucky few whom both networks would love to keep,' while revealing other facets of the ongoing transition. Just last month, Geist served a surprise substitute for NBC News' Kelly Clarkson while reporting live from the red carpet at SNLs 50th - an appearance Politico pointed out. Meanwhile, longtime NBC exec Mark Lazarus - the soon-to-be CEO of the new spinoff 'SpinCo,' is working relentlessly to safeguard the future of MSNBC, and losing Geist is likely not on his list of plans. He and the former CNN exec he's tapped to lead the news station, Rebecca Kutler, were the ones to cut ties with Joy Reid, the Politico report confirmed. The decision came more than a year of pushback from Comcast executives against Reid's tirades both on- and off-air, staffers said. 'Her social media also gave the Standards Department heartburn,' the Friday report states. Kutler did the honors with Lazaruss seal of approval Both NBC News boss Cesar Conde and then-President Rashida Jones reportedly struggled to find a solution - before it was announced MSNBC was breaking ranks as the flagship of a coalition of old Comcast channels. The result was a one-year contract an MSNBC exec previously told DailyMail.com was essentially a severance package - one that expired as Kutler took the reigns. Wherever he goes, he won't have to go very far - with MSNBC merely moving to a new floor in 30 Rock A salary cut also wasn't enough to see Reid quit, paving the way for Kutler to do the deed. More importantly, she made the move even though MSNBC is set to soon be freed from Comcast, leaving Kutler and Lazarus to make all creative decisions. Geist, meanwhile, has been Morning Joe since 2007. He started appearing on the Sunday edition of Today - which now bears his name - in 2012. He has yet to announce any future plans. A CNN crime correspondent admitted the Trump administration 'has a case' against the Milwaukee judge arrested for allegedly hiding a undocumented migrant. The crime reporter, Katelyn Polantz, was speaking about County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan who has been accused of obstructing the arrest of Eduardo Flores Ruiz, 30, on April 18. Appearing on CNN's The Arena, Polantz said that the arrest of the Dugan was not without precedent, and sided with the government in her analysis. She told Kasie Hunt: 'Well, they have a case, and that case is going to go on in court. She hasnt entered a plea yet. She was released after her appearance.' Hunt also cited the 2019 case of Massachusetts Court Judge Shelley Richmond Joseph who was indicted on federal charges of obstruction. Judge Joseph and former court officer Wesley MacGregor were accused of helping a twice-deported defendant from leaving a courthouse through a rear door to avoid immigration officials. Polantz continued: 'Those charges were dropped in the Biden administration against that judge in Massachusetts, but she ended up cutting a deal. So it was a legitimate case.' Flores-Ruiz, who is from Mexico, had been charged with battery for allegedly punching someone 30 times in the face after they complained about his loud music. Katelyn Polantz said that the arrest of the Dugan was not without precedent County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of obstructing the arrest of Eduardo Flores Ruiz, 30, on April 1 When ICE agents showed up to arrest him in court, Dugan, the government claims, hid him. She was taken into custody Friday at the Milwaukee County Courthouse according to the US Marshals Service. Dugan appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. She faces charges of 'concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest' and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. Her attorney Craig Mastantuono said: 'Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.' An affidavit describes Dugan as being 'visibly angry' over the arrival of ICE agents at the courthouse and that she described the situation as 'absurd'. She then retreated to her chambers before she directed the arrest team to speak with the chief judge and led them from the courtroom, the affidavit adds. Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of 'wait, come with me,' before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a jury door into a non-public area of the courthouse. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on Air Force One as he travels to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, Friday, April 25, 2025 The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because 'only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.' Speaking on Fox News on Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said that Dugan had 'put the lives of our law enforcement officers at risk'. Dugan has been the Milwaukee County Circuit Judge for nine years after taking office in 2016 and winning re-election in 2022. Her arrest comes a day after former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody following a raid on their home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The couple are facing charges of evidence tampering after they were allegedly caught harboring an illegal immigrant, named as suspected Venezuelan gang member Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, in their home. 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. The Justice Department had previously signaled that it was going to crack down on local officials who thwart federal immigration efforts. UK car factories recorded a first increase in outputs in 12 months as March saw an 18.2 per cent rise in passenger vehicle production, official figures show. Some 79,018 motors came off British assembly lines last month, which marked the first year-on-year increase in car manufacturing since February 2024. Trade body bosses said the uplift in outputs was partially due to a 'weak' March in 2024 as it pointed to first-quarter production being 3.2 per cent down on where it was this time last year. Notably, of the 79k cars made in Britain in March, 31,661 were EVs. That means almost half (45 per cent) of outputs are battery powered as UK manufacturers continue their transition to electric vehicles. A year ago, just 38 per cent of new cars made here were EVs. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said attention for UK car makers will now focus on how they will adjust to Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on all vehicles imported into the USA. He said 'navigating the new era of trade uncertainty is now the major challenge' for Britain's automotive manufacturing sector. Car production rose in March for the first time in a year - and almost half of outputs were electric. But the trade body hasn't celebrated the uplift, instead focusing on 'trade uncertainty' following Trump's 25% import tariffs, which it described as a 'major challenge' for the sector The notable jump in car outputs was driven by 'robust demand' from overseas markets, with 73.3 per cent assembled cars in March exported - a rise of 30.6 per cent on foreign deliveries in the same month of 2024. Mainland Europe was again the UKs biggest importer and accounted for 57.2 per cent of total exports, up 28.9 per cent year on year. The Americas, in the month before Trump's punishing import tariffs were announced, was the second biggest export market, accounting for more than one in seven models (15 per cent) shipped - which was up by more than a third on last March. Given these figures reflect the level of US appetite for UK-made cars before the tariff announcement, the SMMT said manufacturers face 'considerable uncertainty' once US demand likely weakens, with knock on effects on other markets and the supply chains. Some 79,018 motors came off British assembly lines last month, which marked the first year-on-year increase in car manufacturing since February 2024 Trade body bosses said the uplift in outputs was partially due to a 'weak' March in 2024 as it pointed to first-quarter production being 3.2% down. Nissan's Sunderland plant (pictured) is the biggest producer but the Japanese brand faces its own struggles 'Trade discussions must continue at pace to reach a deal that supports jobs, demand and growth on both sides of the Atlantic,' the industry rep said. 'Increased protectionism and retaliatory tariffs being levied in key markets mean a rapid response from government is needed, given the immediate challenges facing the industrys exports,' it continued. 'It is also essential the UK does all it can to assure its longer term production competitiveness. 'Industry looks ahead to the comprehensive industrial strategy, due before the summer, which must have automotive and advanced manufacturing at its heart, and set concrete measures that support the growth of Britains most valuable goods export industry.' 'Trade discussions must continue at pace to reach a deal that supports jobs, demand and growth on both sides of the Atlantic,' the SMMT said on Friday More than one in seven exported models in March were shipped to America, which is the second largest overseas market behind Mainland Europe. Pictured: Nissan car terminal at the Port of Tyne The latest independent outlook compiled ahead of rapidly changing trading conditions with the US - estimates that car and van production will fall by 7.8% in 2025 to 818,200 units. Pictured: Mini's Plant Oxford factory Hawes has long been rallying for the Government to introduce EV incentives to kickstart EV appetite as public demand for battery cars has waned badly and car companies have been forced to swallow 4billion in discounted pricing to encourage sales in the last year. But his attention has now shifted to encouraging further trade negotiations with the US President. 'A March uplift to manufacturing is overdue good news, although the performance was boosted by a comparatively weaker month last year, when holiday timings and product changeovers combined to reduce output,' he said in Friday's statement. 'With the last quarter showing demand for British-built cars rising overseas, navigating the new era of trade uncertainty is now the major challenge. 'Government has rightly recognised automotive manufacturings critical role in Britains export economy and must now show urgency and creativity to deliver a deal that supports our competitiveness, spurs domestic demand for the latest cleanest vehicles, and helps factory lines flourish.' The latest independent outlook compiled ahead of rapidly changing trading conditions with the US - estimates that car and van production will fall by 7.8 per cent in 2025 to 818,200 units, before rising slightly by 1.2 per cent in 2026 to 827,700 vehicles. With a favourable government strategy, however, this could rise to 834,900 units and set the industry on the path for further growth, the trade body said. It comes amid reports that the UK Government is considering lowering import tariffs on US cars to just 2.5 per cent in an effort to broker a deal with Trump. Paul Barker, Editor at Auto Express, said the reduction would make American-made cars - including the Ford Mustang and BMW X5 - cars but also raises 'serious questions about the resilience of the UK car industry'. He said: 'It's vital we see a deal to stave off the punitive tariffs UK car makers are facing. But if the Government pushes too hard and fast for a deal with the US -particularly under an unpredictable Trump presidency - there's a real risk we could see UK-based manufacturing further weakened. Official manufacturing figures come a day after Nissan - Britain's largest car producer - announced it expects to make 4billion net losses for the fiscal year as it embraces drastic cost-cutting measures to save it from the brink of collapse. It looks certain to be the company's largest ever loss and comes as its new CEO is expected to lower the axe on thousands of global jobs, reduce production capacity and shutter some of its vehicle plants. It has yet to rule out closing its Sunderland factory as part of its restructure. The plant - which employs around 6,000 people in the North East - built a total of 282,124 units. This output represented more than one in three (36.2 per cent) passenger cars made in UK factories in 2024. There is only one star at this years Washington financial gatherings. As much as Rachel Reeves likes to make a splash, it is the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. His appearance before bankers at the Willard Hotel, which hosted an 1861 peace congress to try to avert a war between states, needed a video feed as it was so oversubscribed. The big hope among those gathered here is that Bessent is for real and is able to moderate the social media flow from his boss President Trump. In the last 72 hours he is credited with calling a pause to the campaign against Jay Powell at the Federal Reserve. Just hours after Trump had labelled him a loser and called on Powell to step down, the President was back on social media saying he had no intention of sacking the Fed chair. The markets had tanked and Bessent helped to engineer change. He also has offered an olive branch to China of sensible trade negotiations not conducted under the threat of ever more hostile trade barriers. Calming influence: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's appearance before bankers at the Willard Hotel needed a video feed as it was so oversubscribed At the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, there is relief that Bessent has decided to work on reform rather than tear them down, as proposed by the Right-wing Heritage Foundation in its Project 2025 blueprint for Trump Two. Bessent and the US, the founding and controlling shareholder in both the Fund and World Bank, are demanding real change. Visitors to Washington might be puzzled at why these two institutions occupy so much space in the heart of the city adjacent to the White House. Bessent must have been reading too many Chancellor Reeves speeches with his reference to restoring the foundations of the Fund and the Bank. That is code for paring back the IMF mission to something closer to what its founders envisaged at Bretton Woods. He wants a close focus on surveillance, making sure country policies are effectively policed, and resolving balance of payments imbalances. In the mid to late 20th century resolving trade deficits, of the kind the US has with China, was a critical mission. In recent times the IMF broadened its horizons, focusing on fashionable issues such as climate change, gender and social reforms. Anyone who has read an IMF Article 4 report on the annual inspection by fund officials of member countries will be aware of mission creep beyond the macro to social policy. In the UK, for example, it has been an advocate of charging for health services. That may be sensible but it is an appropriation of a wider agenda which thrusts it into politics. No one in the UK will forget how Christine Lagarde, now president of the European Central Bank, thought it her duty as managing director of the IMF to interject herself into the Brexit debate. Taking some lessons from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, Bessent wants a clampdown on remuneration and staffing. Managing director Kristalina Georgievas weak defence is to insist Fund budgets have remained frozen for several years. The World Bank faces different issues. Before leaving office, the Biden administration backed new funding for the International Development Association (IDA), the arm of the Bank which provides grants to the poorest countries. The US pledged $4billion (3billion), but there are doubts as to whether it will be paid in full, or at all. Behind closed doors the World Bank is becoming a proxy battleground for the struggle between the US and China. The Americans see no justification for Chinas receipt of $1billion (752,000) of loans from the Bank, down from $2.5bn (1.9billion). If the US were to remove funding for IDA, where it is the biggest shareholder, it would open up a path for Beijing to be ever more dominant, both as a borrower and funder. Bessent and Trumpers insist the Bank use its triple AAA credit rating to maximise market funding. Reform rather than demolition of the Bretton Woods institutions is what is on offer from their most influential funder. The grandees running the show, Kristalina Georgieva at the Fund and Ajay Banga at the Bank, are being forced to ingest some nasty medicine. The first all-electric Range Rover is undergoing the final stages of its development ahead of its official unveiling later this year, with bosses saying it will emerge as the 'most capable luxury SUV' on the planet. The British brand has just completed a second gruelling winter programme in the Arctic Circle, with its prototypes covering some 45,000 miles across frozen lakes and tracks. The sub-zero conditions are seen as the ideal testbed for its advanced thermal management system, which regulates the temperature of the batteries and e-motors to maximise the available range. The frozen lake tracks also provided 'invaluable testing conditions for dynamics, including single pedal driving capability and switchable, twin-chamber air-suspension,' the Tata-owned company said. The Range Rover Electric is expected to be revealed in production form towards the end of this year, with first deliveries arriving in early 2026. While little information has yet been divulged on its performance statistics or price, the company has confirmed it will be equipped with a 117kWh battery pack. Here's what that means in terms of miles between charges... The eagerly anticipated Range Rover Electric has just completed its second winter season of development in the Arctic Circle ahead of its unveiling this year - here's what we know about it Why is Land Rover testing it in the Arctic Circle? The icy conditions of Arjeplog, Sweden, where the Range Rover has spent the last few months is the optimum environment for the brand's engineers to validate the Range Rover Electrics 'ThermAssist' technology. This is an advanced on-board thermal management system designed to reduce heating energy consumption by up to 40 per cent, essentially meaning it can charge and drive more efficiently. It aims to recover heat to warm the electric drivetrain and the cabin's ambient temperatures so that its well-heeled customers don't feel the freeze when it plummets as low as -10C. Thomas Muller, executive director for product engineering at JLR, explains: 'Rigorous testing procedures in extreme and unpredictable conditions like those experienced in Arjeplog are crucial to Range Rover Electric's real-world reliability and resilience. 'Our second winter season in the Arctic Circle has provided the perfect opportunity for us to put our new ThermAssist technology to the test, and it has surpassed our expectations. 'It will help to ensure Range Rover Electrics range remains intelligently optimised while also ensuring charging speeds are maintained when a top-up is required.' The British brand has just completed a second gruelling winter programme in the Arctic Circle, with its prototypes covering some 45,000 miles across frozen lakes and tracks The sub-zero conditions are seen as the ideal testbed for its advanced thermal management system, which regulates the temperature of the batteries and e-motors to maximise the available range The tough winter terrains have been used to hone the Range Rover EV's switchable twin-chamber air suspension, which has been tuned to take into account the considerable increase in bulk due to the addition of its large battery pack, and the all-wheel-drive system JLR's dedicated test team has also been fine-tuning the Range Rover Electric's single-pedal driving characteristics - which will set it apart from the conventional combustion Rangie. Once the driver comes off the throttle, the regenerative system will slow the car while sending energy back into the battery - this is a typical feature of all electric cars. However, Land Rover has combined it with its 'Terrain Response' system, meaning the EV can come to a complete stop and engage the Hill Hold assist without the driver ever needing to apply the brakes. The tough terrains have also been complimentary for testing the SUV's switchable twin-chamber air suspension, which has been tuned to take into account the considerable increase in bulk due to the addition of its large battery pack, and the all-wheel-drive system. Matt Becker, vehicle engineering director, says that by increasing its torsional stiffness of the electric luxury SUV, his team has maintained the 'customary Range Rover driving experience' that promises to 'feel familiar' to existing customers. 'We have delivered on this promise by marrying all the essential Range Rover elements with new and advanced technologies,' he added. JLR even shipped out an example of each generation of Range Rover that came before this one to use as reference points for its driving characteristics. Four models spanning back to the 1970 original were used for comparison purposes. The Range Rover's second season in the Arctic Circle has seen extreme cold tests flank an extended period last year where the prototypes were being honed in the United Arab Emirates in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius with humidity levels of 90 per cent. The company's vehicle engineering director claims the EV retains the 'customary Range Rover driving experience' and promises to 'feel familiar' to existing customers JLR even shipped out to Sweden an example of each generation of Range Rover that came before this one to use as reference points for the EV's characteristics Four models spanning back to the 1970 original were used for comparison purposes Electric Range Rover: New powertrain; same look JLR isn't leaving anything to the imagination ahead of the full reveal of its Range Rover EV. Images of its test mules performing in the Arctic Circle show them completely uncamouflaged a stark contrast to how the company usually treats its prototypes ahead of their reveal. JLR said the decision to provide a glimpse of the vehicle without disguise is to 'underline the build quality of the initial prototypes'. But that's not to say you can spot many differences to the conventional Range Rover that's been on sale since 2022. While it might look the same as the petrol/diesel Range Rover on sale since 2022, the EV is a major step for JLR as it looks to accelerate its shift to battery power The EV version looks almost identical to the Range Rover already in showrooms - bar what looks like a tweaked grille design, the lack of exhausts and the flap that slides across to reveal the charging socket, seen here during its first Artic Circle testing in 2023-24 Finished in black paint, the EV version looks almost identical to the vehicle already in showrooms - bar what appears to be a tweaked grille design, the lack of exhausts and the flap that slides across to reveal the charging socket. The brand says the 'modernist design language' stays true to the 'Range Rover bloodline'. The underbody is also likely to be tweaked to improve aerodynamic efficiency - this extending battery range - though won't be an obvious giveaway for the green drivetrain bolted above. Bosses at the British marque have previously stated the electric Rangie will offer 'comparable' performance to the existing V8 model, which suggests it should have in the region of 520bhp JLR says the Range Rover Electric is undertaking extreme temperature testing to ensure the drivetrain and battery and cope with varying conditions What's the battery range? JLR has remained tight lipped on many of the performance details for the Range Rover Electric, until now. We already know that it will use an 800V architecture, which will put it on par with the likes of Porsche's Taycan, Kia's EV6 and EV9 SUV, Hyundai's Ioniq range and the Lotus Eletre, to offer the fastest ultra-rapid charging speeds. However, the revelation this week that it will use a 117kWh battery does provide some indication of what its range could be. Mercedes-Benz's equally hulking EQS SUV incorporates a 118kWh battery pack and is good for a claimed range of 337 miles. This will likely be treated as a benchmark for the Range Rover Electric. It says its 117kWh battery is 'fully encased and smartly packaged, consisting of 344 prismatic cells in a double-stacked layout'. Bosses at the British marque have stated it will offer 'comparable' performance to the existing V8 model, which suggests it should have in the region of 520bhp. And it's promised to be the smoothest, quietest Range Rover yet, given its electric credentials. Initially, the batteries will be supplied by a third-party company. However, following the completion of JLR's 4billion Somerset gigafactory - funded by parent group Tata and scheduled to open in 2026 - the company will be able to start using its own batteries. JLR is desperate for the Range Rover Electric to 'exceed its already renowned performance on low-grip surfaces' in a bid to ensure the 'all-terrain, all-weather and all-surface capability of the Range Rover remains unparallelled' JLR has also been testing the Range Rover Electric in the UAE in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius with humidity levels of 90%. No pricing information has been provided, but expect it to far exceed the 105,675 for the entry Range Rover on sale now How much will it cost? The Range Rover Electric will be built in Britain at the company's Solihull plant - where it will be assembled alongside the existing mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid Range Rover models. JLR opened the waiting list for Range Rover Electric in December and by February claimed to have taken more than 16,000 'expressions of interest' - though these aren't necessarily orders. In fact, JLR says 'client reservations' will be open from the end of this year, with first deliveries likely coming early in 2026. Until the car is officially unveiled, pricing will remain under wraps. However, given the combustion engine Range Rover starts at 105,675, the all-electric model could ring in around 130,000. The British car maker has promised it will be 'the most capable electric luxury SUV' when it does arrive. Unilevers new boss said he is moving swiftly to turn around the Dove and Hellmanns owner as sales rose in the first quarter. In his maiden address, Fernando Fernandez said it was on track to hit annual targets and distanced himself from its previous woke posturing. Fernandez, the former finance chief who took over in March after the ousting of predecessor Hein Schumacher, said Unilever began the year with a resilient performance. He said: We are moving at pace, confident in making progress in 2025 and beyond. The consumer giant, whose brands include Lynx and Persil, saw sales grow 3 per cent during the first three months of the year. Price increases of 1.7 per cent helped, but it also sold 1.3 per cent more in volume. Turnaround: Unilever's new boss Fernando Fernandez said the firm was on track to hit annual targets and distanced himself from its previous 'woke' posturing Schumachers strategy to do fewer things better has paid off as demand for its power brands such as Dove and Vaseline rose sharply. And the group stuck by its forecast for annual sales to grow between 3 per cent and 5 per cent. Fernandez echoed his predecessor in making clear he will steer it away from a woke agenda, vowing not to force feed messages about the environment on to brands. Investors had fiercely criticised the notion that it should prioritise doing good in the world above profit. Fund manager Terry Smith accused it of virtue-signalling after it claimed Hellmanns mayonnaise had a social purpose. And the new chief also shrugged off reports that its Ben & Jerrys founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have been keen to buy back the ice cream firm. The division, where sales rose 4 per cent to 1.54bn, is to be spun off and listed in Amsterdam. Fernandez said: The separation and listing of ice cream is the option we considered to maximise shareholder value. That has not changed. Ben & Jerrys is not for sale. Unilever has axed 6,000 jobs in a restructure set in motion by Schumacher last year. Schumacher, who had only been in the post since July 2023 before he was ousted in February, announced plans to slash 7,500 jobs to save 470million. Fernandezs optimism came even though Donald Trumps trade war has cast a shadow over global supply chains. He warned of declining consumer sentiment in North American markets but anticipated a very limited and a manageable impact. We have many levers within our own system to handle it, he said. A bitter row has broken out over allegations of misconduct surrounding 87-year-old Davos founder Klaus Schwab days after he retired as chairman of the global gathering of elites. Schwab reportedly faces accusations, which he denies, including that he asked junior staff to withdraw thousands of dollars from cash machines for him. A whistleblower letter is said to claim the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 1971, used its funds to pay for private, in-room massages at hotels. The anonymous letter to the WEF board, whose members include Queen Rania of Jordan, former US vice-president Al Gore and BlackRock boss Larry Fink, prompted it to launch an investigation. But in a statement reported by the Financial Times, Schwab criticised former colleagues for responding to calumnious and unfounded allegations without giving him the chance to respond. Schwab said he was the victim of a character assassination and denied all claims against him, which also included allegations that he asked staff to promote him for a Nobel Peace Prize. Denial: Davos founder Klaus Schwab (pictured) reportedly faces accusations including that he asked junior staff to withdraw thousands of dollars from cash machines The whistleblower reportedly said he manipulated the WEFs global competitiveness report after being approached by countries unhappy with their ranking. Schwab said: Some governments contacted me offering corrections to take updated data into account or to correct flaws. I passed on this information to the teams. To construct this as manipulation is an insult to my academic standing. The WEF organises an annual January gathering of elites at the Swiss resort of Davos. This year it was attended by nearly 3,000 senior figures including presidents, prime ministers and chief executives, and featured a live videolink address by Donald Trump days after his inauguration as US president. This week, it was announced that Schwab was stepping down as chairman and quitting the board. Subsequently, a report in by The Wall Street Journal cited allegations of financial and ethical misconduct by Schwab and his wife, Hilde, including claims that the family mixed personal affairs with Forum resources. The WEF said its board backed an independent investigation. While the Forum takes these allegations seriously, it emphasises that they remain unproven, and will await the outcome of the investigation to comment further, its statement said. Topshop is returning to the High Street. Part-owner Asos will launch a Topshop website later this year, and it has agreements with other retailers for them to sell the Topshop brand in their stores. Boss Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte said shoppers want the much-loved fashion label to have its own presence, and did not rule out standalone Topshop stores. The time has come to come back, to be much more present with consumers in the UK, but also globally, he said. Asos rescued the Topshop brand after it went into administration in 2020 with the closure of its 70 stores. It has since sold a 75 per cent stake to its biggest shareholder, Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen. Asos sales fell 13 per cent to 1.3billion in the six months to March 2 as losses narrowed to 241.5million from 270million a year before but Calamonte said: This first half is the strongest sign yet that our transformation strategy is working. Forget the leaders' debates, don't bother with the newspaper editorials, the real battle lines for this federal election are being drawn on social media as influencers and podcasters sway the minds of young Australians. Following on from the Trump election in the US in which he scorned traditional media while wooing the burgeoning audience of influencers, this Australian poll may well be decided by the content creators, digital pundits and podcasters. Media personality Abbie Chatfield, YouTuber Ozzy Man Reviews and Olympic diver Sam Fricker welcomed political leaders onto their podcasts over the last few months. The latter was invited to attend Peter Dutton's budget response in March, after which he shared a reel explaining the Opposition's policies next to a smiling Mr Dutton. The landslide of digital coverage has led Monash University to declare there will be a 'youthshake' on May 3. For the first time, Millennial and Gen Z voters are expected to outnumber Boomers and Gen X at the polls. 'We are seeing the shift in terms of the dynamics,' former press secretary to Scott Morrison, Andrew Carswell, told Daily Mail Australia. 'Young people don't consume media in the same way that Boomers do and they need to be reached by both sides of politics. Australian personalities Abbie Chatfield (left) and Ozzy Man Review (right - pictured with Anthony Albanese) have welcomed politicians onto their podcasts 'The risk is bias, that you're going to have this divergence of influences on the Left and the Right, all battling for hearts and minds but no one in the middle balancing all arguments.' Daily Mail has spoken to a handful of some of the most active voices from across the political spectrum who are talking to - and influencing - young voters. Hannah Ferguson: 'Trusted left-wing voice' As co-founder and chief executive of Cheek Media Co. and co-host of its biggest podcast, Big Small Talk, Hannah Ferguson, 26, is a political commentator with millions of Australians listening to her and her social media channel. 'People are looking for a trusted left-wing voice to challenge what mainstream media offers,' she said. 'I'm not saying people have to agree. I want to have really respectful dialogue.' In January, she shared photos with Chatfield on her Instagram suggesting they were 'brainstorming' with a notebook saying: 'How to keep Peter Dutton OUT!!!' '[It] is not that I'm anti-conservative, it's that I'm anti-Peter Dutton and his views,' she said. Ms Ferguson said people consider her a 'left-wing, hardcore feminist' but this is wrong, claiming she aims to speak across the political spectrum. Social media commentator Hannah Ferguson (pictured) was invited to the Federal Budget As one of the 'new media' invited to the budget, Ms Ferguson was caught in the crossfire of some reports which said they were paid by the government. She said she has never taken money from a political party or associated organisation, nor has she collaborated on a social media post. But, does she have political aspirations? Yes. Ms Ferguson said in three years she will run for a political position though she would not say for whom. Konrad Benjamin: 'Why the hell not?' A podcaster and influencer creating similar left-leaning content is Konrad Benjamin, the former teacher behind podcast and social media account Punter's Politics. Over the last year, the 35-year-old has created explainer videos on government policies, going viral in 2024 with a rant about the lack of tax on oil and gas companies. 'A lot of millennials are looking at my platform as I talk about broader, systemic things that are fundamentally broken in politics in Australia,' he said. Mr Benjamin does not have political aspirations but, with a captive audience of 398,000 Instagram followers, he still holds influence. Why does he do it? 'I started Punter's Politics getting outraged [while] discovering how scammed Australians have been by oil and gas and different corporations not paying taxes.' Konrad Benjamin's Punter's Politics has built up 398,000 followers since it started in 2024 But, despite his campaigning, Mr Konrad said he won't share his personal political leanings. 'I deliberately avoid it because it quickly turns into a tribal battleground where everyone writes someone off because they support someone else.' This reporter asked him about his avoidance of tribalism when Climate 200 has run targeted advertisements using Punters Politics as the moniker. 'They said, "Do you mind if we take your reel and use it" and I'm like, "Well, that's the issue I'm talking about, and you're going to get the issue out, then why the hell not?"' Mr Benjamin said he has not received payment from a political party or affiliated group for his content. The fear of tribalism is not unfounded, with Andrew Carswell identifying a widening political divide. 'Young people, certainly 18 to 35 and even the generation above, are more polarised now,' Mr Carswell said, citing a 'cleaving' between male and female voters in the demographic. 'We're seeing increasingly young women progressing more to the Left and young men floating a bit into the middle, a little dabbling with the Right.' Property investment influencer and entrepreneur Josh McCann (pictured) shares advice with his followers but has peppered political videos into his feed Influencer Josh McCann (pictured) has included political commentary among his usual videos Josh McCann: 'My right to talk about politics' Property investment influencer and entrepreneur Josh McCann, 26, is one such figure who appears to have 'dabbled' with the Right. Across his TikTok and Instagram accounts, he offers advice to his 7000 followers but has recently peppered political videos into his feed. Speaking in front of a Sky News article about Peter Dutton's property portfolio, the entrepreneur asks: 'Our next prime minister?' But Mr McCann has said he may be 'politically more conservative' but Peter Dutton likely will not have his vote. 'Telling people he's going to be great a Prime Minister because he's got a property portfolio does not equate to someone running a country well,' he said. 'But it definitely helps with [social media] engagement,' he said. Mr McCann doesn't plan to pursue a political career but he, like Punter's Politics, finds social media a vehicle to make his point heard. 'It's not my greatest interest but, when it does relate to what I do for work and what I believe in, as a long term way of building wealth in property, then I feel like it's within my right to talk about [it],' he said. Conservative commentator Barclay McGain (pictured) campaigned for Donald Trump in 2024 While Mr McCann might not personally align with the Opposition leader, recent polling revealed young Australian men have made their admiration for Peter Dutton clear. 'Our lads are... by far the demographic most supportive of Peter Dutton,' Essential Media's executive director Peter Lewis wrote in the Guardian. Barclay McGain: 'Peter Dutton says the quiet part out loud' One example is Barclay McGain, who campaigned for Donald Trump in 2024 and said the Opposition Leader's 'similarities' to the US President are a factor in his appeal. The 25-year-old is general manager of CPAC Australia, a regular conservative voice in the media and long-time campaign volunteer for the Liberals - he joined the party on his 16th birthday. He also highlighted Mr Dutton's opposition to the Voice Referendum, his appearance on Fricker's podcast and his rhetoric linking the housing crisis to immigration. 'As a young person trying to get into the property market... [young men] say, "Wow, [Mr Dutton] is a guy who's almost saying the quiet part out loud",' he said. 'For ages, we've been told that to criticise something like immigration is racist. 'But I think it's a worthwhile discussion to say no one's anti immigrant, but we do need to have a sensible discussion about what is an appropriate number.' Mr McGain (far left) has been a member of the Liberal party since his 16th birthday Mr McGain is no stranger to controversy. He was sacked from his electorate officer role for former Federal MP Andrew Laming in 2020 after a social media post came to light showing him grinning with a racially offensive figurine. He returned to work six months later, but was publicly blasted in 2021 when he dressed up as acquitted US shooter Kyle Rittenhouse for a party - with the hashtag #NotGuilty. Now campaigning for the Liberals in Brisbane this election, this reporter asked whether Mr McCann regretted his actions five years later. He said no. 'I've never intended harm to anyone, and as a result, I don't feel as though I owe anyone an apology.' Overall, Andrew Carswell said digital commentators, influencers and campaigners are part of an exciting new world but their platforms come with dangers. 'The risk is there is no kind of fact-checking capability,' he said. 'But I think the opportunities outweigh the risk because it brings more voices into politics.' Just under five months into her job as the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas admits it has been a rollercoaster start as US President Donald Trump has turned the global order on its head. "Every morning you wake up and it's like do I dare, do I dare? OK, what's happened?" she told AFP, grimacing as she mimed checking her mobile phone. "It's crazy." A former prime minister of Estonia, Kallas, 47, was picked as foreign policy chief by her fellow leaders last June on the back of her fierce support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. A hawkish critic of the Kremlin, she spent her career advocating for a strong NATO and close ties between Europe and the United States. Now, in just a few short months Trump has upended much of that, reversing US support for Kyiv, drawing closer to Moscow and unpicking the Western alliance that has underpinned Europe's security for generations. "It's like, you know, if you take a vase and you broke it, you can glue it back together -- but it's not the same," Kallas said, speaking in her 12th floor office in the European Commission's headquarters. "So I have the same feeling that you can patch it together but the trust is broken -- and it's not the same." As the world scrambles to adjust to Trump's upheaval, so Kallas has had to recalibrate her role -- and fast. The new US administration is openly hostile to the European Union and has sidelined the bloc as it pushes ahead with efforts to end the Ukraine war. Kallas experienced firsthand this attitude when she flew to Washington in February only for Secretary of State Marco Rubio to cancel a meeting. She insists she actually has "very friendly" relations with Rubio after positive meetings at other events and a string of phone calls. Meanwhile Europe has increasingly splintered into smaller groups with big powers such as France and former EU member Britain taking the lead on marshalling a response. Kallas agrees these "coalitions of the willing" are useful -- especially to circumvent opposition from Russia-friendly countries such as Hungary -- but she frets the EU is punching below its weight. "Our adversaries don't like the European Union because we are strong when we act together," she said. "But if we are together, then we are equal powers, and there's a difference. Then we can talk like equals." The job of EU high representative, as it is officially called, has frequently been described as a near impossible task. The 27 member states still all set their own, sometimes clashing, foreign policies and the position lacks the powers to force them into line. "The member states don't want her to set the tone, to lead, they want another bureaucrat," said one diplomat, speaking as others on condition of anonymity. "So anybody there will face criticism." Kallas is the only former national leader to hold the post and has sought to bring that clout to bear. That has sometimes seen her rub the notoriously territorial diplomats and bureaucrats in Brussels up the wrong way. "She is often too dogmatic, too stubborn, unable to see the wood for the trees," a second senior diplomat said. Kallas quickly came up against the limits of her powers after trying, and failing, in a push to get member states to pledge a mammoth 40-billion-euro arms package for Ukraine. In the face of opposition from powerful players such as France and Italy, she scaled back the push to two million artillery shells -- and now claims two-thirds of that has already been done. "What is the most frustrating is the petty fights between the EU institutions," Kallas said. "I don't mind if the thing gets done. I mean, this is important right now, not who gets to score a point." Kallas insists the head-spinning changes caused by Trump also have upsides for her job as she seeks to boost Europe's influence from Asia to Africa and Latin America. "It's invigorating us because we see all these countries at our door," she said. "Everybody is looking at Europe because we are the credible, reliable and predictable partner. That is actually, also an opportunity for us to grow our geopolitical power." She is pushing the EU's diplomatic arm to be more nimble and points to successes like getting most member states to vote for a UN resolution backing Ukraine despite US pressure. "It's hard to navigate this but you have to be really agile and ready to move and change also your thinking," she said. And does she really think she has an impossible job over the next five years in office? "I'm trying to do my best and hope that it's good enough," she said. "It's difficult definitely -- but ask me again in 55 months". Paul Cale is at war with the Australian Government One of Australia's greatest soldiers has warned the Federal Government it's behaviour towards army veterans will end in even more bloodshed. Paul Cale served in the Australian Army for about 30 years as a member of the 1st Commando Regiment, 4RAR Commando and the 2nd Commando Regiment. He completed five combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, serving as a team leader in the Tactical Assault Group - Australias elite anti-terror unit. But just days before ANZAC Day, the Australian war hero went public with his own personal hell delivered not by his years of combat, but his treatment by those who paid him to become a state-sanctioned killer. Cale told Daily Mail Australia he and his fellow veteran colleagues had been pushed to the brink by underhanded Australian Defence Force officials hell bent on ruining his business that provides jobs for returning servicemen. 'It's horrendous and it's worse than Afghanistan,' he said. 'At least in Afghanistan you get to shoot back.' Cale, who runs Kinetic Fighting - a training school for military, law enforcement, and civilians - is in the process of taking his struggle with the Commonwealth all the way to the High Court of Australia. Paul Cale served in the Australian Army for near on 30 years and is now at war with those who tasked him Paul Cale during another tour to Afghanistan The war veteran last year alleged the Australian Department of Defence engaged in questionable business practices, claiming it reneged on a contract expansion for Kinetic Fighting, leaving veteran employees jobless. Just weeks ago, Cale hit social media to claim he was directly threatened by an ADF official. 'I was directly threatened by a uniformed member of the Australian Defence Force with the destruction of my company and personal reputation if I didnt pay them a percentage of our Defence contracts,' Cale claimed. Cale told Daily Mail Australia when that person was investigated by an ADF team they largely agreed with his allegations, but were overruled by higher authority. 'We've asked for that report under Freedom of Information and like the whole thing has been redacted. The whole thing is just black,' he said. 'That has all the evidence. Defence knows what's going on.' Bureaucratic red tape has seen investigations into investigations over the saga drag on for five years. Fears for Cale's own well being emerged last week after he hit Instagram with a message that suggested he was at his wits end. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ADF SUICIDES A Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide last year found 2007 serving or former defence personnel died by suicide between 1985 and 2021, and an average of three per fortnight in the past decade. The commission was established in 2021 and received thousands of submissions from current and former personnel and their families. Its purpose was to consider ways to reduce the disproportionate rates of suicide in the defence and veteran cohort. The government later agreed or agreed in principle to 104 recommendations, noted 17 recommendations, and did not support one recommendation in part. In response, it said it would establish a new Defence and Veterans Services Commission a new statutory entity to oversee enduring and systemic reform. Advertisement 'Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care,' Cale told his followers. 'Love the soldiering, hate the hypocrisy. No doubt a sentiment shared by many when we look at the (Australian Defence Force) recruitment and retention rates.' He referenced a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, stating the department's intent to resolve the issue, but claimed the Army ignored his company afterwards. 'As my legal team prepare for trial, I have no intention of being all consumed in a process designed to wait you out with enough stress and pressure that you end it all,' Cale stated. Cale, who has overseen delivery of the Army Combatives Program and Individual Combat Behaviours training for the ADF, claimed he was approached by Defence to supply a service via two trials over a 12-month period. However the rug was pulled out from under him and his team after he failed to cough-up cash to the corrupt ADF big wig, he claimed. The backflip cost Cale a small fortune and the fallout now threatens to bankrupt the decorated soldier, who maintains he will continue his struggle for justice until the day he dies. 'You don't expect rounds to be coming at you from behind,' Cale said. 'That's how I feel with the government. What is going on? I'm clearly facing the enemy now and i know who the enemy is.' Paul Cale is no stranger to fights Paul Cale now teaches people preparing to go to war Cale said while he believed he was reacting 'fairly well' to his situation, other veterans in his group were struggling in silence. 'I've got one guy that disappears for weeks on end just medicated out of his head and they're veterans and they're not taking it anywhere near as well as me,' he said. Cale described the suicide of veterans as the 'perfect outcome' for the Commonwealth Government. 'When you look into suicide there is no legal liability for suicide. It's like the perfect outcome for the government,' Cale said. 'Because if I commit suicide there's no investigation into that. That's "oh you committed suicide, you're a sad veteran". After starting a Gofundme to help his legal challenge, Cale secured financial support from a private company that committed to fund his legal expenses. He engaged a high profile barrister who later provided the government with a 420-page cache of documents backing the company's version of events. When Defence finally agreed to come to the table for mediation, Cale claimed he was strung along and dismissed. Cale's fundraiser was pulled after a corporate swooped into help his new battle Cale received a letter from Deputy PM Richard Marles that claimed Defence was working with his company to resolve the issue. Cale claims the department has 'no intention to mediate' Cale hit Instagram to deliver the ADF a message last week With his business in tatters, Cale fears if bankrupted he will be unable to continue his legal fight. 'It would be someone else who would need to litigate because I'll be bankrupt,' he said. 'I can't hold on for two years for a trial ... because the government will take you right to the day of trial and once I'm bankrupt I can't litigate.' The war hero compared his struggle with bankruptcy to the way veteran suicides are treated. 'It's not like anyone goes "Why did he kill himself? What happened there?". That doesn't come into it and it's the same as going bankrupt. "Oh you can't litigate. Sad you".' Cale said he was a veteran who built programs for the ADF that were used by the entire force. 'For free. No charge. Over four years in Afghanistan I was never caught up in any war crimes or anything like that. I was 100 percent down the line and "bang" this is what they're doing.' he said. 'You can go bankrupt, your company can go under and we'll crush you.' Daily Mail Australia contacted the Department of Defence for comment on Cale's various allegations, but did not receive a response in time for publication. Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 PANDA 1300 726 306 On June 2 2015, the lives of two amateur metal detectorists were changed forever after they stumbled across a hoard of Anglo-Saxon coins and gold jewellery worth up to 12million. George Powell, a convicted burglar, and Layton Davies, a modest grandfather, were the unlikely pair who were set to walk away with a fortune when they uncovered the treasure which experts believe were hidden by the Vikings in the ninth century. What instead followed was a series of chaotic decisions fuelled by greed that would culminate in prison sentences, life-on-the-run and a 'cursed' mystery haul that has barely been recovered 10 years later. Resembling the hapless characters in BBC hit show The Detectorists, Powell and Davies had spent years leisurely roaming over rolling fields, hoping they would come across a life-changing hoard that would make them filthy rich. Then one fateful summer's day in June 2015, Powell, who had 22 previous convictions for 55 offences involving burglary and deception, and Davies, a school caretaker from Pontypridd, thought they had accomplished their dream. Davies, a model detectorist, perhaps wishes he had never agreed to make the 110-mile round trip to farmland in Eye, near Leominster, in Herefordshire, with serial offender Powell in his VW Campervan. What started off as an uneventful day, with typical hours of mundane detectoring, was suddenly interrupted by the unmistakable 'beep' of their machines. Perhaps it was the usual worthless tat - scrap metal or some old tractor parts. They could never have imagined that once they started digging, they would uncover a 1,000-year-old hoard of Anglo-Saxon coins and jewels that experts believe were buried by Vikings. This time they had struck gold. Pictured left to right: George Powell, Simon Wicks and Layton Davies. Wicks helped the pair to try and sell the hoard and all were jailed Coin dealer Paul Wells (pictured) was also convicted after he kept some of the stash. He was the only one spared jail Only 31 of the coins and pieces of jewellery discovered at farmland in Eye, near Leominster, Herefordshire, have ever been recovered, with the majority of the hoard still missing The treasure dated back 1,100 years and included a ninth century gold ring (pictured) It was after this Eureka moment that Powell and Davies began to make a series of misjudged decisions that led to their downfall. Their first was to boastfully take a photo of the hoard laid out on a Tesco carrier bag - a picture which would show the scale and value of their haul and prove to be the incredibly damning evidence. Despite deleting the photo in a bid to cover their tracks, it did not take long for police to uncover it in their investigation to bring down the amateur detectorists. The photo was analysed by Dr Gareth Williams, an expert consultant in both Viking and medieval coins at the British Museum, who estimated there was a 300-coin hoard worth 12million. A ninth-century gold ring, a dragon's head bracelet, a silver ingot, a fifth crystal rock pendant and up to 300 coins, some from the reign of King Alfred, were part of the historic collection. The collection of items, many of which were Anglo Saxon but are typical of a Viking burial hoard, dated back 1,100 years to the reign of King Alfred the Great. It is thought the trove was buried by someone within the Great Viking Army in either 878 or 879, which by then was being forced back east by an alliance of Saxon forces. Had Powell and Davies abided by Treasury laws, they could have walked away as millionaires - but they were responsible for their own downfall after attempting to sell their hoard illegally and keep the profits in secret. Treasure belongs to the state and must be declared to the coroner within 14 days under the 1996 Treasury Act. At this point, the hoard is then valued, bought by a museum and the proceeds are shared between the finder and the owner of the land. Resembling the hapless characters in BBC hit show The Detectorists, Powell and Davies had spent years leisurely roaming over rolling fields. Pictured: Toby Jones and Mackenzie Crook starring in the show George Powell (pictured) is still on the run after refusing to attend court for a confiscation order of 600,000 Historians believe the coins were of Anglo-Saxon origin and had been hidden by a Viking as they had been in the area around that time The treasure thieves tried to flog items in small batches to various customers on the black market instead of reporting the discovery A judge said the treasure-hunters had 'cheated the public' by concealing the treasure - like this silver ingot - which 'belonged to the nation' Another flaw in Powell's treasure quest was failing to seek permission to dig on the land where the hoard was found. Normally, a detectorist gains permission and they make a deal to share and proceeds, usually taking half each. Powell had sought permission for a different field and tenant, potentially too scared to approach the owner of the field where he found the hoard who was a nobleman - Lord Cawley. Instead of declaring their stash, they embarked on a treacherous journey to steal it, enlisting the help of coin dealers. Initially, Powell and Davies boasted of their collection, sharing photos of the coins on websites and getting them valued by Paul Wells, a coin dealer at a Cardiff antiques emporium. Joining the series of slip-ups, Wells kept a small handful of coins and was arrested alongside Powell, Davies and a fourth member - Simon Wicks. Coin collector Wicks met Powell at a M4 service station and took a hoard of rare coins to a coin dealer in Mayfair. He denied Powell had given him the Anglo-Saxon coins, despite the patina precisely matching the others from the hoard. Knowing they were about to be busted, Powell and Davies reported their discoveries to the National Museum of Wales, handing over three pieces of gold jewellery and two coins which they claimed was all that they found. The police issued an arrest warrant for treasure thief George Powell (pictured here in 2019) after he failed to appear in court A four-year investigation by West Mercia Police led to all four men being convicted at a trial at Worcester Crown Court in 2019. Prosecutor Kevin Hegarty KC told the trial it was as if the hoard had a bewitching effect on all who came across it. Hegarty said an expert valuation of the hoard had found it could be worth between 3 to 12million, adding a find of 'immense archaeological, historical and academic value' had been lost to the nation. Powell never gave evidence at his trial, while Davies embarrassingly claimed they owned the coins already and took them to a field in a rucksack and laid them out on the Tesco bag in a bid to claim false provenance. The jury did not fall for this and all four men were convicted - with Wells the only one who was spared jail. Powell was sentenced to 10 years in prison, later reduced to six and a half years on appeal. Davies was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, later reduced to five years on appeal. But of course, the saga did not end there. Powell and Davies were subjected to 600,000 confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act. If this was not paid or the coins were not returned, they would serve a further five years and three months in jail. Unable to pay the money, Davies returned to jail - while Powell refused and has been at large ever since. Still brazenly toying with the law, when Gwent Police posted a picture of Powell on their Facebook appealing to his whereabouts in October 2024, the treasure-hunter commented that he didn't like the image they used because he was hungover when it was taken. When a reporter for the South West Argus messaged him on Facebook, he insisted he was not on the run and he was 'simply just not guilty of anything, nor is he a threat to public safety'. Powell said: 'I was convicted in 2019 for finding treasure in a field that I had permission to be on. 'Assumptions found me guilty and I received 6 and half years in jail. 'Rapists don't get anywhere near that sentence and what I did wasn't a crime because as you know, no one reported it lost or stolen with it being in the ground for 1500 years.' He added: 'I'm not running from anything and apparently I'm being recalled back too prison for missing an appointment I don't deserve especially after serving an large sentence for a 'never-heard-of so-called' crime.' Despite insisting he had not stolen anything, the location of the rest of the hoard remains shrouded in mystery 10 years on. Photos show there were an estimated 300 coins, yet there are potentially 250 coins that have never been recovered from one of the most fascinating hoards in history. Powell has been urged to hand himself in by none other than Wicks, now a grandfather-of-nine who never thought he would wind up in prison. He told The Sun last week: 'These coins have been a curse from the day they were found. Prison is the last place I thought I'd end up in life.' He added: 'I've heard George is on the run, which is crazy. If you are out there mate, you should really hand yourself in. 'I wish I could speak to him and talk some sense into him. 'I'd say, "Do the decent thing and hand the bloody stuff in".' The family of a teenager behind a first-of-its-kind sperm race has told Daily Mail they were in the dark about the shocking contest until last week. Baby-faced Eric Zhu teamed up with other teenage tech overachievers to create the eye-popping spectacle scheduled that will take place on April 25 in a downtown Los Angeles space that's normally used as an interior set for Hollywood movies. Their plan is to live race sperm in order to raise awareness of male infertility. They're using $1.4million in funds raised from Silicon Valley investors to throw the event. But Zhu's parents had no clue he was behind it. I had no idea what was going on until my international friends called me last Wednesday, he recalled Zhus father, Sam, 49. They said they saw some news about it on a website. His wife, Yan, 47, and younger son, Eddy, an accomplished competitive swimmer, will be attending the race in person while Sam livestreams it at home. Despite a last-minute change of venue, amped up spectators are expected to cheer on two college students who will have their spermatozoa battle it out to the finish line in a microscopic talent competition. I had no idea what was going on until my international friends called me last Wednesday, he recalled Zhus father, Sam, 49. They said they saw some news about it on a website. They are pictured with Zhu's mom and brother Baby-faced Eric Zhu teamed up with other teenage tech overachievers to create the eye-popping spectacle scheduled that will take place on April 25 in a downtown Los Angeles space that's normally used as an interior set for Hollywood movies Tickets for the event are listed as $20 for students and $40 for general admission. VIP tickets are priced at $999.99. A description of the event on the Dice ticket platform boasts with fanfare: Witness the worlds first live sperm race where science meets sport. Two college students, featuring Tristan Mykel and Asher Proeger, will compete in the ultimate battle of fertility and fitness, racing their own sperm under the microscope. It states there will be live visuals and epic commentary or the historic showdown. The event was originally to be held at the Hollywood Palladium, a famed Los Angeles concert location, but venue bosses didnt like the press they were getting and cancelled the contract last week. Palladium ended up kicking us out of the venue, Zhu told Daily Mail. They didn't like the press at all. Zhu and his team of entrepreneurs, including former Mr Beast content strategist Garrett Niconienko, scrambled to find a new venue and now the show is being held at the LA Center Studios in downtown Los Angeles. I feel that this kind of idea is crazy, but I think about it, it makes sense as well, Sam, a biological scientist for a large agricultural company. Sperm, pictured here under a microscope, swim at an average speed of 5mm per minute (stock image) Initially I was very surprised but now I think it's a good idea. Sam first heard about his sons bizarre scheme from a friend across the other side of the globe on April 16. His eldest son started his first money-making business when he was 13 from the bathroom of Carmel High School in the Indiana town (pop: 100,000) where the family live. Zhu began creating and scaling business models in lockdown during the Covid pandemic, helping companies, including venture capital firms, manage their data systems. He told Daily Mail he was kicked out of Carmel High School after starting his first business, Aviato, in the bathroom while skipping classes. I was stuck at home during Covid and just started speaking with as many people as possible in business and finance.. Eventually, with his first business flourishing, Zhu moved to San Francisco when he was 15, opened an office and began connecting with tech gurus such as Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI. Another tech wunderkind, 16-year-old Nick Small, head of business manager consulting firm Stealth, is also a co-founder of the sperm start-up. The event will feature stats, leaderboards and instant replays. play-by-play commentary, instant replays and leaderboard. The race track being used is 8 inches long and is modelled on the female reproductive system. Faster sperm is healthier sperm, Zhu told Daily Mail. And no one has really paid attention to sperm health recently. Like if you look at it, like 50 years ago, sperm count has declined by half. Two students from rival universities, the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, were found to have matching biomarkers and selected to take part. The companys manifesto, Zhu wrote online, states: Sperm racing isn't just about racing sperm (although, let's be honest, that's hilarious). it's about turning health into a competition. it's about making male fertility something people actually want to talk about, track, and improve. We're taking a topic no one wants to touch and making it interesting, measurable, and weirdly changing this paradigm. Because health is a race and everyone deserves a shot at the starting line. We've put together a team of researchers and operators who's built things people said couldn't workand made them massive. Zhu commented that the goal was to have fun while raising awareness about male fertility. We want to turn health into competition, he told Daily Mail. Sperm is surprising as a biomarker. The healthier you are, the faster sperm moves. Once the fresh sperm samples have been retrieved - shortly before the race - they will be placed in a pipette and injected into a microfluid device. A live video feed, magnified 40 times to display the 0.05mm sperm, will track their progress to the finish line. Sperm typically swim at about 5mm per minute, meaning each race will take at least 40 minutes. Whichever crosses the finishing line first, as verified by advanced imaging, will be declared the winner. Were taking a topic no one wants to touch and making it interesting, measurable and weirdly changing this paradigm, Zhu said. Zhu added the goal was to have fun while raising awareness about male fertility. We want to turn health into competition. His parents moved to the States China 25 years ago to attend graduate school and were living in New Jersey when they started a family before moving to Indiana. My wife and I, we are quite open-minded, said Sam of his approach to parenting. We dont like other Asian parents - they put on too much pressure for the study of mathematics or other activities to ask a lot of work from kids. We just let them do what they are interested in. Sam said he believes there are two main factors for raising kids. The first one is safetyyou need to be safe outside, he said. The other is no drugs! His high-flying soon is good at getting along with people. He learned lot from genius people he met in San Francisco. He learned from those people older than him and hired a lot of genius people, who are are smarter than him. For centuries, highbrow scholars have debated the myriad mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry. There are still questions about the stunning 11th century depiction of the Norman Conquest, not least where it was made and who commissioned it. But now, nearly 1,000 years on from the Battle of Hastings, a new academic row has broken out: exactly how many penises feature on the embroidery? Seven years ago, Oxford academic Professor George Garnett claimed to have identified 93 depictions of male genitalia. Five were on soldiers, while 88 belonged to horses, including the steeds of England's King Harold and William the Conqueror. However, medieval scholar and expert on Anglo-Saxon nudity, Dr Christopher Monk, believes he has found another appendage, taking the real figure to 94. In the original count, the human genitals are all attached to naked figures. But there is one contested depiction of a running man with something hanging low beneath his tunic. Medieval scholar and expert on Anglo-Saxon nudity, Dr Christopher Monk, believes he has found another penis in the Bayeux Tapestry Seven years ago, Oxford academic Professor George Garnett claimed to have identified 93 depictions of male genitalia. Above: A wider view of the section of tapestry that features the man and the alleged appendage Dr Monk is sure it is indeed his manhood. 'I am in no doubt that the appendage is a depiction of male genitalia the missed penis, shall we say?' he told the HistoryExtra Podcast. 'The detail is surprisingly anatomically fulsome'. But Professor Garnett is firm in his view that this is a scabbard of a sword or dagger. He said: 'It's quite clear to me that what is being depicted in that instance is the scabbard of his sword or dagger because right at its end is a yellow blob, which I take to be probably a depiction of brass. 'If you look at what are incontrovertibly penises in the tapestry, none of them has a yellow blob at the end.' Podcast host and tapestry expert Dr David Musgrove said: 'The possibility of there being another penis in the Tapestry is fascinating. 'It invites us to think again as to why there are these explicit scenes in what is otherwise a story of politics, power and pitched battle. 'It's a reminder that this embroidery is a multi-layered artefact that rewards careful study, and remains a wondrous enigma almost a millennium after it was stitched'. The tapestry is thought have been woven in the 1070s to celebrate the victory of William, Duke of Normandy, over the Anglo-Saxon King Harold in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William the Conqueror's horse horse has the largest appendage Another well-endowed horse seen on the Bayeux Tapestry It is nearly 230 feet (70 metres) long and 18 inches high. Writing about his original research in 2018, Professor Garnett, of St Hugh's College, Oxford, said: 'By my calculations there are 93 penises in what survives of the original tapestry.' He said four were attached to men, whilst what may be a fifth appears on a soldier's corpse in the margin below the embroidery. 'There is also what appears to be a pair of testicles, the penis itself being concealed by a discreetly positioned axe handle,' he said. 'All of these human male genitalia are confined to the upper or lower borders. 'There are 88 penises depicted on horses, all in the main action; and curiously, none on dogs, or on any of the other many creatures in the main frame or borders. 'With the possible exception of the dead soldier, all the human members are shown tumescent [erect]. A small minority of the equine ones are too.' The expert added that it was likely no coincidence that King Harold is seen 'mounted on an exceptionally well-endowed steed'. In the original count, the human genitals are all attached to naked figures A scene from the Bayeux Tapestry showing two naked figures And the 'largest equine penis by far' is seen on a horse presented to a figure who 'must be' William just prior to the battle, Professor Garnett went on. 'The clear implications are that the virility of the two leading protagonists is reflected in that of their respective mounts, and that William was in this respect much the more impressive of the two, as the denouement of what survives of the tapestry showed to be the case.' Discussing the impact of his research, Prof Garnett told the podcast: 'I think my academic colleagues were mostly very entertained. One of them said to me, 'You're not a historian of masculinity; you're a historian of masculinities, 93 of them'. ' He insisted that his work is not about sensationalism it is about understanding medieval minds. 'The whole point of studying history is to understand how people thought in the past,' he says. 'And medieval people were not crude, unsophisticated, dim-witted individuals. Quite the opposite.' HistoryExtra - an offshoot of BBC History Magazine - is inviting the public to offer thoughts on the 'missing penis' on its social media channels. 'My mother always said don't marry for money - divorce for money,' goes a quote attributed to US comedian Wendy Liebman. Nowhere is that more true than in England and Wales, where some of the world's wealthiest couples come to settle their differences after calling an end to their marriages - and sometimes, even before. Divorce laws permit people who have foreign marriages to file for a split regardless of where it was registered - and can also launch bids for financial relief even if the divorce was granted abroad. There are legal tests to overcome, largely revolving around at least one of the parties being being domiciled in England and Wales at the time they apply, or being habitually resident for a period of time. But should a test be met, those who are less well off than their spouses can take advantage of what experts say are some of the most generous settlement principles in the world. Judges in divorce cases adhere to the principle of non-discrimination, meaning a homemaker is generally regarded as having contributed equally as much to their marriage as the breadwinner, regardless of financial status. This means lesser earners stand a good chance of being handed a share of their partner's assets to ensure they can continue living to a reasonable standard - sometimes rushing to ensure the divorce is heard here rather than somewhere else. 'England and Wales are considered to be one of the most generous jurisdictions for the financially weaker party,' Stacey Nevin, a partner and mediator within the family department of law firm Kingsley Napley, told MailOnline. 'It can sometimes be quite easy to attach yourself to this country for the purpose of divorce proceedings, so it's not uncommon to find that one party's preference is to get divorced here because the outcome can be significantly better (for one party).' Combined, it goes some way to explaining why so many wealthy figures from abroad seek divorce here (or are made to), turning London's courts into a battleground for some of the most expensive - and bitter - divorce battles in the world. Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, with his ex-wife Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan The princess (right) employed the fearsome Baroness Shackleton (left) to represent her during what became the most expensive divorce settlement in British legal history The Sheikh reportedly filed for divorce in 2019 - prompting the Princess to flee to the UK fearing for her safety (pictured in 2012) The Dubai ruler's record split with his second wife Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has a reputation for being hard-nosed and uncompromising when confronting political adversaries on the international stage. The Scotland-loving ruler of Dubai, however, had to compromise to the extreme after he was sued by the second of his six publicly known wives. Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan was awarded 554million by the High Court after judges ruled that her ex-husband had probably conducted a campaign of harassment and intimidation prior to their 2019 divorce. The settlement included a 251m lump sum, with another 290million to pay for maintenance for her two children Jalila and Zayed for the rest of their lives. Much of the bulk sum is being spent on security arrangements after judges ruled that, on the balance of probabilities, the Sheikh had likely abducted two of his mother children from abroad and brought them back to Dubai. Princess Latifa was abducted from a yacht off the coast of India in 2017 and Princess Shamsa was abducted while in Cambridge and returned to Dubai in 2000. She had fled the United Arab Emirates for Britain in 2019 after he filed for the split in Dubai without her knowledge - and later admitted paying 7m to alleged blackmailers in order to keep an affair with a British bodyguard under wraps. When she did, the Sheikh posted a poem entitled 'You Lived, You Died' on Instagram that was perceived to be a threat to the princess. He later removed the post once the ruling was made. Mr Justice Moor wrote in his judgment: 'There will remain a clear and present risk to HRH for the remainder of her life, whether it be from HH (the Sheikh) or just the normal terrorist and other threats faced by the princess in her position.' The Sheikh was close friends with Queen Elizabeth II, after the pair bonded over their love of horse racing (pictured at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2014) Princess Haya bint Al Hussein outside the Royal Courts of Justice in 2020 in the thick of her hugely expensive divorce proceedings The court found the Sheikh had likely abducted Princesses Shamsa and Latifa (above, left and right), two daughters he had with another of his wives The 554m payout is the biggest ever agreed in Britain - but was, astonishingly, 900million less than what her lawyers were demanding. And it came tax free, as the princess is a member of Jordan's diplomatic mission, despite living in a plush 100m mansion in Kensington. The total legal bill came to somewhere in the region of 70million. Sheikh Mohammed a close friend of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who bonded with her over their mutual love of horse racing was also found to have had his agents 'hack' the phones of his ex-wife and her lawyers. Among the targets of the hack - which he denied - was the fearsome solicitor Baroness Fiona Shackleton, also known as Steel Magnolia, who has represented the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and the then-Prince Charles in divorce proceedings. The Sheikh's spokespeople said following the December 2021 ruling: 'The court has now made its ruling on finances and he does not intend to comment further.' The princess was subsequently granted full custody of her children in March 2022. Tatiana Akhmedova was divorced from her Russian oligarch husband in 2000 - but sued him for financial restitution in 2013 after he sold his stake in ZAO Northgas for $1.375billion Farkhad Akhmedov was found by judges to have embarked on an ambitious scheme to hide his wealth Ms Akhmedova had tried to claim the superyacht Nova, which Akhmedov had purchased from Roman Abramovich - but failed after a court ruled it couldn't be taken from Dubai The Russian oligarch who tried to hide his millions A messy scrap between a Russian billionaire businessman and his ex-wife saw her give up a bid to claim his 200m superyacht as her own - because it was registered in Dubai. Farkhad Akhmedov and Tatiana Akhmedova - later Soroka - were married for 20 years, enjoying a lavish lifestyle after he made millions from his early investment in, and subsequent takeover of, Russian gas firm ZAO Northgas. But the Azerbaijan-born businessman filed for divorce in Russia in 2000. Twelve years later, he sold his stake in Northgas for $1.375 billion. Ms Soroka then filed a petition for financial relief in 2013 - prompting him to embark on what judges said was a scheme to hide as much of his wealth from her as possible, scattering it across the world. Heartbreakingly, the scheme involved their eldest son Temur, who was transferred eye-watering sums of money and given property to hide it from his mother. The courts said he 'lied... breached court orders; and failed to provide full disclosure of his assets' - following orders as he was 'utterly dependent on his father for financial support'. In 2016, judges ruled that she should be awarded what was then the UK's biggest ever divorce settlement of 453million, comprised of a 350million lump sum plus property. Akhmedov refused to recognise the settlement, prompting the court to freeze his assets. Ms Soroka said she received only a few 'trinkets', and set her sights on a bigger target: his 200million superyacht, Luna, bought from ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. The 377ft (115m) expedition yacht is the world's second largest, and boasts two helipads, a pool and mini submarine. She tried to seize the vessel with the help of a crack squadron made up of former members of the elite British Special Boat Service - the water-bound answer to the SAS. The case saw a bitter split emerge in the Akhmedov family as it emerged that Ms Soroka's son Temur had helped his father to hide money Despite winning her case, Ms Soroka later sued her own lawyer - Baroness Shackleton (pictured above with Ms Soroka) - over her perceived failure to seize the yacht But despite winning a court case in the Marshall Islands, where the yacht was registered, that paved the way for the boat to be handed over, the court there later told Ms Akhmedova that it could not compel Dubai authorities to surrender it. A judge would later note she had been the 'victim of a series of schemes designed to put every penny of (her) husband's wealth beyond her reach.' Ms Soroka, described as being 'very nervous' at having to give evidence against one of her own children and occasionally on the verge of tears, was ultimately awarded 150million, half of which she had to pay to a financial backer. She ultimately attempted to sue her own lawyer - 'Steel Magnolia' Baroness Shackleton, at the coal face of another high-profile divorce battle - over the failure to claim the yacht, which was later found docked in Miami. The Baroness' firm, Payne Hicks Beach (PHB), denied allegations of negligence. Ms Soroka last month served a 'notice of discontinuance' - a formal end to her legal proceedings against the firm. Quoting the opening line of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, Mrs Justice Knowles observed: 'All happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way... the Akhmedov family is one of the unhappiest ever to have appeared in my courtroom.' Former Miss UK Kirsty Roper married businessman Ernesto Bertarelli in 2000 after meeting him in Italy on holiday (pictured in 2003) She was named Miss UK in 1988 and went on to be named runner-up in Miss World that year (pictured right, with Miss World Linda Petursdottir, centre, and Miss Korea Yeon-He Choi, left) The couple are believed to have divorced sometime in the summer of 2021 - but the settlement was reached behind closed doors The songwriter who became Britain's richest divorcee Former Miss UK Kirsty Roper married Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli in 2000 after meeting him on holiday in Italy three years prior. But by the summer of 2021, the marriage had fallen apart and, after some frank and 'amicable' discussions, the pair had split and filed for divorce. And in being granted 400million in what the parties said was an amicable split, she became the beneficiary of the largest divorce payment for a British-born individual to date. Unlike the other court battles listed here, which were fought out in public, discussions between Ms Roper and Mr Bertarelli took place behind closed doors. She is believed to have signed a prenuptial agreement before marrying the Italian-born businessman. Alongside a 350m lump sum, she was also handed the keys to a 52million home in Switzerland - to go with her 8million Swiss ski chalet. One of her friends told the Mail: 'The settlement was more generous than it had to be. They didn't want a long, drawn-out court case in Switzerland and he wanted to recognise the length of their marriage.' Mr Bertarelli needn't stress: his personal net worth is, as of 2025, somewhere in the region of $11.6billion - and his wider family is worth more than twice that, having inherited drug manufacturer Serono alongside his sister. After being crowned Miss UK in 1988, Kirsty was second runner-up in that year's Miss World pageant. She then became a successful songwriter, co-writing All Saints' No 1 single Black Coffee, a worldwide hit in 2000. Ms Roper's family once owned Churchill China, the world-renowned pottery maker based in Stoke-on-Trent. Barrister Jason Galbraith-Marten KC found himself the target of legal action from his 'nasty, vindictive and self-absorbed' ex-wife Catherine de Renee Ms de Renee attempted to seek additional financial restitution following their divorce from outside of the UK - later moving to London to better her chances But the courts have agreed to impose an extension on a civil restraining order after she made a series of false allegations against her ex-husband The barrister vs. the 'sensual' painter This week, top barrister Jason Galbraith-Marten KC and his Australian painter ex-wife Catherine de Renee's messy divorce fight came to a head after 16 years of scrapping in the British courts, as well as Down Under. Ms de Renee, 44, who specialises in 'sensual' female portraits, was unhappy at being handed 72,500 of marital assets in Australia. She maintains she was left relying on benefits while her ex, reportedly a millionaire, continued living in their 1.6million home in Fulham, west London, with his new flame. The case, while not among the most expensive, highlights how British courts can be weaponised by foreign individuals to fight out their break-ups. This practice, of attempting to change legal jurisdiction to find one that best suits your case, is known as 'forum shopping' or 'divorce tourism'. Painter Ms de Renee, who describes her work as being filled with 'drama, intensity and lingering eroticism', tried to bring a legal bid in the UK courts as a foreigner, which failed in 2016. She then moved to London the next year, and continued her pursuit of what judges called 'nasty, vindictive and self-absorbed' legal action against her ex-husband. Child maintenance payments were upped from 1,315 to 2,684 a month after a successful legal action against Mr Galbraith-Marten; then his counter-suit brought the bill back down to 1,960. But judges were deeply concerned by her persistent - and at times contentious - litigation. Mr Justice Cobb, in a December 2023 judgment, said of Ms de Renee: 'She has spent all of (her daughter's) life putting her own warped sense of reality before any care or consideration of (her daughter's) best interests.' But judges hit pause on her furious litigating after she made a series of 'fabricated' allegations against her ex, ranging from attempted murder to attacking her cat. A civil restraining order was granted in 2019, extended to 2024, and then extended again for a further two years after a hearing that concluded this week. The same judge later labelled the entire affair'depressing' - and said the ban on Ms de Renee's 'vexatious' proceedings would free up the court for worthier cases. A masked gunman stormed a used car dealership in south Florida and opened fire - injuring one person and killing his own half brother before he, too, was shot. The mass shooting unfolded at around 1pm on Thursday at Price Right Motors in a warehouse district of Miami, when the unidentified shooter allegedly pulled out a rifle and started firing at the store's owner, Eddie Rivero, 38, WSVN reports. It is now believed that the shooter is Rivero's half brother, as Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz claimed at a news conference Thursday night that the two brothers had an ongoing dispute when the shooter arrived at the dealership and got into a confrontation with Rivero. 'This unfortunate situation is domestic-related and not a random act of violence,' she clarified Thursday night, according to NBC Miami. A family member had earlier explained to CBS Miami that the shooting stemmed from a 'misunderstanding' between the two men. After the gunman opened fire on his brother and injured another unidentified victim, he may have turned the rifle on himself, law enforcement sources suggested to Local 10 News - though officials have not yet confirmed whether the shooting was an attempted murder-suicide. All three victims were rushed to the nearby HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where Rivero underwent surgery Thursday afternoon, before succumbing to his injuries. The unidentified shooter, meanwhile, remained in critical condition Thursday night while the third victim was in stable condition, Cordero-Stutz said. Eddie Rivero, 38, was shot and killed at the used car dealership he owns in Miami on Thursday - reportedly by his own half brother Details about the moments leading up to the shooting remained unclear Thursday evening, but Carlos Martinez - the owner of nearby Eddie's Cake Company - said he was on the phone with his sales manager at the time. 'He says to me that, "Hold on, there's a guy with a gun at the dealer,"' Martinez recounted to NBC Miami. 'He goes "Hey, I'll call you back, there's a guy with a gun." But Martinez said he stayed on the line with his sales manager, who told how Rivero started to speak to the man while he had a gun pointed at him. 'He's telling the guy "Don't do it, don't do it, you don't have to do this,"' the bakery owner said, noting that his sales manager told him the gunman had a mask obscuring his face. At that point, Martinez said, a female deputy entered the business - unaware of the situation inside. 'My sales manager screams out, "He's got a gun,"' Martinez said. 'Apparently the shooter then turns around and is pointing the gun at the cop and talking to the cop... but I guess he turns back to the [dealership] owner and shoots the owner, I believe twice. 'The police officer takes off, the shooter grabs a rifle... and starts shooting towards wherever the cop was. 'Then everyone went inside and all the sudden, they started hearing all kinds of gunfire.' Heavily armed Miami-Dade sheriff's deputies, police and officers from the Florida Highway Patrol swarmed the scene and opened fire Some were carrying riot shields with their weapons drawn as they set up a perimeter outside of the dealership Videos posted on social media showed the chaotic scene unfolding from a nearby store, where people could be seen scrambling for cover as the shots rang out. Soon, heavily armed Miami-Dade sheriff's deputies, police and officers from the Florida Highway Patrol swarmed the scene and opened fire. Some were carrying riot shields with their weapons drawn as they set up a perimeter outside of the dealership. SWAT officers were also seen inspecting vehicles parked outside, according to the US Sun. But no deputies were injured in the shootout, Cordero-Stutz said. 'We are very grateful that there were not more or additional victims due to this situation and that our deputies were not injured during this situation,' she told reporters. At least 23 children from Idol Cheer - a cheerleading training camp near the dealership - were forced to hunker down behind crime scene tape One father claimed nearly an hour passed between when the shots were fired and deputies reuniting the girls with their parents As they were escorted out, some of the girls saw people lying on the ground, bleeding - despite deputies' efforts to shield their eyes Meanwhile, at least 23 children from Idol Cheer - a cheerleading training camp near the dealership - were forced to hunker down behind crime scene tape. Rudy Sorondo, a strength trainer whose 10-year-old daughter was at the cheerleading camp, told the Miami Herald how he was with a client when he received an alert about a possible active shooter. 'It was madness,' he said, noting that nearly an hour passed between when the shots were fired and deputies reuniting the girls with their parents. When they finally did emerge, some of the girls saw people lying on the ground, bleeding - despite deputies' efforts to shield their eyes. 'The girls were freaking out,' Sorondo said. 'They never saw that much blood, let alone from gunfire.' Both a pistol and a rifle have now been recovered from the scene. Still, police are continuing to investigate the shooting - and although they say there is no ongoing threat to the public they are asking residents to avoid the area. A veteran and a Channel 9 reporter had a heated debate after a known neo-Nazi booed during a Welcome to Country at an Anzac Day dawn service. Thousands of people turned out under the cloak of pre-dawn darkness in Melbourne on Friday to commemorate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. But the air of reverence for the Anzacs was broken during Bunurong elder Mark Brown's Welcome to Country, when loud heckles and boos threatened to drown him out. The ugly scenes sparked condemnation from across the political spectrum with Defence Minister Richard Marles describing those responsible as 'idiots' and Peter Dutton branding them 'mentally unwell'. But a veteran has defended the disruptors in a heated exchange with Channel Nine reporter Mark Santomartino in the aftermath of the service. 'The reason why we're here, is because our friends fought and died for this country, blood sweat and tears - like their ancestors did,' the veteran told the reporter. He questioned whether it was 'the right time and place' for a Welcome to Country. 'I have a lot of veteran mates that haven't come today solely because of the Welcome to Country. An apparent veteran (pictured, right) has defended the disruptors in a heated exchange with a Channel Nine reporter in the aftermath of the service The air of reverence for the Anzacs was broken during Bunurong elder Mark Brown's (pictured) Welcome to Country, when loud heckles and boos threatened to drown him out 'Because our friends died for this country, for this soil - and for them to be welcomed is a slap in the face.' The reporter said he wasn't suggesting there 'aren't people that feel that way'. 'What I'm saying to you is: to get up there and boo during a sacred ceremony is going to be seen by a lot of people as disrespectful', he added. The veteran hit back, stating: 'That's where we as Australians and you as the media need to tell the right story'. 'Yes, it was disrespectful, but these are the reasons people are not agreeing with it because it's not the right time or place for it.' The veteran argued that neither the Welcome to Country or the booing was the 'right time for it'. 'I agree with the whole service but the Welcome to Country and the booing...It's not right to welcome veterans, World War Two... this is about all the people who have died for this country. 'For them to welcome us to this country is disrespectful'. Neo Nazi Jacob Hersant was allegedly one of the men who took part in the booing Thousands of people turned out under the cloak of pre-dawn darkness in Melbourne on Friday to commemorate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice Jacob Hersant, a prominent neo-Nazi figure, was allegedly among those loudly booing. Their voices were picked up by microphones and loudspeakers, making the disturbance clearly audible to the rest of the crowd. 'It's our country!' one yelled as elder Mark Brown began his address. 'We don't have to be welcomed,' screamed another. The boos and shouts lasted the entire three minutes of the Welcome to Country, as Mr Brown carried on with his address in his sonorous voice. After the Welcome to Country, Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner delivered the official Anzac Day address, which acknowledged Aboriginal Australians. This prompted yet more boos. 'How many more? This is s***,' one man reportedly shouted. A woman then shouted 'always was, always will be' - before the crowd erupted with applause and helped drown out the disquiet. Hersant told the media after the service: 'This is a day for the Anzacs, it's not for Aboriginals.' Attendees film some of those allegedly booing during the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Melbourne, including Jacob Hersant (circled) A small crowd that had gathered to witness his exchange with the Channel Nine reporter while the service was still running started to boo and jeer Hersant (pictured) Herasant, the first person to be charged and convicted for publicly making a Nazi salute in Victoria, was later filmed having a heated exchange with the same reporter. 'Why can they politicise it and make it about white guilt...over and over again. This is about the Anzacs,' Hersant told the reporter. Santomartino, the Channel Nine reporter, kept grilling him, asking why he felt he had the right to boo when it was about 'all Australians'. A small crowd that had gathered to witness the exchange while the service was still running started to boo and jeer Hersant. He was spoken to by police and escorted from the service. It is understood he did not perform a Nazi salute, despite some reports. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said those responsible should 'face the full force of the law'. 'There is no place in Australia for what occurred in Melbourne this morning,' he said in a statement. 'A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, un-Australian, and disgraceful. The people responsible must face the full force of the law.' Defence Minister Richard Marles described the booing as 'outrageous and appalling', and branded those responsible as 'just idiots'. 'It should be condemned in the strongest possible terms,' Mr Marles told Sky News. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called for the police to 'come down heavily' on the disruptors. 'Our diggers fought against the Nazis. That this movement, the neo-Nazis, has any presence in our country at all is just an outrage and a disgrace,' he told Channel Nine. 'You look at the Nazi ideology, the deaths that it led to, the destruction - not just in Europe but across the world that it could be glorified by Australians here shows that these people are mentally unwell.' Sunrise host Nat Barr has slammed those who booed Welcome to Country at Melbourne's Anzac Day Dawn Service. Thousands of people had turned out in the city's quiet, pre-dawn darkness on Friday to commemorate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. But it was a group of between six and ten people whose heckles and boos during Bunurong elder Mark Brown's Welcome to Country who cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a touching commemoration. Sunrise's Nat Barr strongly condemned the behaviour, calling it 'disgusting' and saying she didnt care if people were tired of 'Welcome to Country' ceremonies. 'Save your protests. 'We do not care what you are sick of. Today is not the day to share it.' The small group's voices were picked up by microphones and loudspeakers during the Welcome to Country, clearly audible to the hushed crowd and broadcast media. 'It's our country!' one yelled. 'We don't have to be welcomed,' screamed another. Sunrise host Nat Barr (left) unleashed on a handful of far-right protesters who booed during Welcome to Country at Melbourne's Anzac Day Dawn Service Thousands had gathered to offer respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice The boos and shouts lasted the entire three minutes of the address, with Mr Brown never seeming to waver. Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner delivered the official Anzac Day address after, which acknowledged Aboriginal Australians - prompting further boos. 'How many more? This is s***,' one man reportedly shouted. A woman then shouted 'always was, always will be' - before the crowd erupted with applause and helped drown out the disquiet. Barr was not alone in her disgust. Politicians including Defence Minister Richard Marles, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan unleashed on the small group. RSL Victoria also said the heckling was completely out of keeping with the intention of the solemn event. Jacob Hersant, a prominent neo-Nazi figure, was allegedly among those loudly booing. 'This is a day for the Anzacs, it's not for Aboriginals,' he told media after the service. Despite the boos and heckles, Bunurong elder Mark Brown (pictured) continued with the Welcome to Country address at the start of the commemoration service Hersant was spoken to by police and escorted from the service. Anzac Day marks the moment thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers rowed towards the desolate shores of Gallipoli at half light during World War I. Over 600 were killed on April 25, 1915, alone, with nearly 9,000 Australians and almost 3,000 New Zealanders killed during the bloody Gallipoli campaign. A Welcome to Country is a traditional ceremony performed by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elders to formally welcome visitors to their land and to give their blessing for events taking place on their traditional lands An Idaho judge made a bombshell ruling on Thursday when he decided Bryan Kohberger's autism diagnosis does not preclude him from facing the death penalty for the murders of four college students. Kohberger, 30, is just months away from his capital murder trial for the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho on November 13, 2022. Autopsies showed the four were all likely asleep when they were attacked, some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times. Prosecutors have said they intended to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted at his trial, which is set to begin in August. But his attorneys asked Judge Steven Hippler to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment, citing Kohbergers diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. They have also filed several other motions challenging the death penalty, including one based on purported violations by the state in providing evidence. 'Mr. Kohbergers autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death,' defense attorneys wrote in court papers. They argued that executing someone with autism would constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution. Bryan Kohberger, 30,can face the death penalty if he were to be convicted at his upcoming capital murder trial, a judge ruled Thursday He is charged in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin , Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves Prosecutors, however, argued that under Supreme Court precedent, the only mental disability that precludes imposition of the death penalty is an intellectual disability - and Kohbergers diagnosis was of mild autism 'without accompanying intellectual . . . impairment.' The judge agreed. Judge Steven Hippler (pictured) 'Not only has Defendant failed to show that ASD is equivalent to an intellectual disability for death penalty exemption purposes, he has not shown there is national consensus against subjecting individuals with ASD to capital punishment,' Hippler wrote in a 15-page order on Thursday. 'ASD may be mitigating factor to be weighed against the aggravating factors in determining if defendant should receive the death penalty, but it is not [a] death-penalty disqualifier.' The ruling is just the latest blow to Kohberger's defense - after Hippler ruled earlier this month that his team can only present evidence of his autism diagnosis as a reason for his courtroom behavior if the defendant himself takes the stand to testify. The defense wanted to present expert witness testimony about his autism diagnosis, which they claimed could explain to jurors Kohberger's potentially 'odd' behavior in the courtroom. 'Specifically, Defendant asserts testimony about his ASD will help the jury understand that his behavioral characteristics, such as his flat affect, intense eye contact, awkward body posture and lack of emotive responses, are associated with his ASD and should not be interpreted in sinister light,' Hippler's court order reads. He then concluded that 'if Defendant does not testify, evidence of his diagnoses to explain his courtroom demeanor is not relevant and/or inadmissible.' Hippler noted that he has never noticed any 'odd' or inappropriate behavior from Kohberger Judge Hippler also noted that he had never noticed any 'odd' or inappropriate behavior from Kohberger, such as that described by the defense, during his many times in the courtroom. 'The Court has had the opportunity to observe Defendant through multiple hearings over the past several months, some lasting all day. Not once has the Court perceived Defendant to be acting in an odd or incongruent manner or otherwise demonstrating signs at counsel table that would warrant any explanation to the jury,' the judge wrote. 'His demeanor has been entirely appropriate.' Kohberger was diagnosed him with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) while behind bars. It now remains unclear whether jurors will hear about his OCD, as Hippler said he would reserve judgment on that until the trial. The defense, though, has claimed Kohberger has a tendency to wear gloves and dispose of shower curtains due to his OCD. It also causes sleep difficulties that have led to a habit of nighttime driving, they allege. That may be relevant to the case, as Kohberger has repeatedly claimed he was driving around alone looking at the moon and stars on the night of the brutal stabbing in November 2022. The college students were stabbed in their off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho (pictured) in November 2022 In other court orders, Hippler ruled that the term 'bushy eyebrows' would not be struck from the trial, paving the way for surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen's critical eyewitness testimony about what she saw the night of the murders. 'D.M.'s testimony about "bushy eyebrows" is highly relevant in this case,' the judge ruled. 'D.M. is the only eyewitness to the intruder responsible for the homicides. It is the jury's task to determine whether Defendant is that person.' The judge pointed out that Mortensen's accounts have been 'consistent' and that 'there is nothing confusing about her testimony.' Mortensen has said she came face-to-face with an intruder inside the off-campus student home the night of the murders. According to investigators, she heard noises in the home at around 4am that morning - followed by an unknown man's voice saying something to the effect of 'It's okay, I'm going to help you.' When she peered round her bedroom door, she saw a man walk past her room on the second floor and head in the direction of the back sliding door. The intruder, she described, was tall, dressed in all black and was wearing a mask. Due to the mask, Mortensen could only see the eyes and eyebrows of the figure, and recalled seeing his 'bushy eyebrows.' But the defense wanted to block the term 'bushy eyebrows' from the trial as the lawyers picked holes in Mortensen's reliability as a witness. They noted that she admitted she was drunk at the time, told police she was in a dream-like state, had drawings of people with prominent eyebrows on her walls, and that she was not separated from other witnesses following the discovery of the murders. They also argued that Mortensen did not mention eyebrows at all during the first three police interviews - only mentioning them when asked by officers. The lynchpin, the reliability is not there, the defense said. Prosecutors, however, argued that her account and description of the intruder had been consistent in every interview - the man was white, a few inches taller than her, dressed in all black, wearing a mask, was skinny and had a voice she did not recognize. The state also argued that the focus on eyes and eyebrows was natural, given that was the only facial feature she could see beneath the mask. DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath (seen in a stock image) left behind at the scene Kohberger, a PhD student, was ultimately tied to the murders through a Ka-Bar brown leather knife sheath, featuring a US Marine Corps seal, which was found next to Mogen's body in her bedroom on the third floor of the home. DNA on the sheath was traced back to Kohberger using Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), according to prosecutors. Following his arrest, it was found to be a statistical match. While the murder weapon has never been found, Kohberger's Amazon shopping history reveals he bought a Ka-Bar knife, sheath and sharpener from Amazon back in March 2022, according to a prosecution filing. It was shipped to his parents' home in Pennsylvania. Following the murders, Kohberger searched to buy a replacement knife and sheath, prosecutors allege. In addition, prosecutors say Kohberger has been tied to the murders through his white Elantra which matches the car seen leaving the crime scene at the time of the murders. Cellphone records also allegedly show that Kohberger may have stalked the King Road home at least a dozen times in the lead-up to the murders - and that he turned his phone off while committing the crime to try to cover his tracks. More than 1,000 people gathered on a NSW beach to honour Audrey Griffin, who police believe was murdered after a night out with friends, just hours after her alleged killer was found dead in his jail cell. The 19-year-old's mother, Kathleen Kirby, shared a heartbreaking post hours before the crowd, dressed in white, flocked to Terrigal Beach on the Central Coast at dusk on Thursday. 'Let's focus today on unity, remembrance, and the love we all share for Audrey,' Ms Kirby said. 'It's about standing together, remembering her light, and showing through our presence that we want change, awareness, and a safer future for everyone,' she added. Ms Kirby also asked that people do not discuss details of the case with media and that they 'leave that part' to herself and her partner Trevor. 'Anything said publicly could jeopardise the case,' she said. The case against Ms Griffin's accused murderer, Adrian Noel Torrens, will not proceed, however, after he was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in Sydney on Thursday afternoon. Corrective Services NSW has launched an investigation into the 53-year-old's death. Audrey Griffin's mother Kathleen Kirby has issued a heartbreaking message after her death More than 1,000 people gathered at Terrigal Beach on Thursday evening to remember the popular 19-year-old Ms Kirby said the day was about 'unity' and demanding a safer future for women Torrens was charged on Monday with the murder of Ms Griffin after her body was found partially submerged in Erina Creek on the NSW Central Coast in March. Police said it was not initially a murder case, however, Torrens was charged after detectives received new information following a four-week investigation. It was alleged the pair were not known to each other but were involved in an altercation in the early hours of March 23. Ms Griffin had spent the previous night catching up 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. She had left the Gosford Hotel about 2am and walked towards her father's house after unsuccessfully trying to get an Uber. During the walk, police believe she encountered Torrens and the pair fought. 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. Audrey Griffin (left)was a keen sportswoman pictured with and her mother Kathleen (right) Ms Griffin's family said the 19-year-old 'brought endless laughter and joy to everyone'. Pictured is Audrey visiting Japan 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. A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman said the death in custody had been reported to the state coroner and would be subject to a public inquest. Adrian Noel Torrens, 53, was found dead in his cell 'Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police investigate all deaths in custody regardless of the circumstances,' she said in a statement. A spokesman for NSW Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong also acknowledged 'the family and loved ones of Audrey Griffin' and noted that 'this case will now not be able to be prosecuted through the courts'. Torrens also faced 11 unrelated charges of domestic violence, including using a mobile phone in a harassing or menacing manner and 10 counts of breaching an apprehended violence order. The domestic violence charges were set to return to court in May. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 A Chinese rocket carrying three astronauts to the country's space station blasted off from its remote launch site Thursday, the latest milestone in Beijing's race to become a leading celestial power. Beijing has pumped billions of dollars into its space programme in recent years in an effort to achieve what President Xi Jinping describes as the Chinese people's "space dream". The world's second-largest economy has bold plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by the end of the decade and eventually build a base on the lunar surface. Thursday's launch of the Shenzhou-20 mission is intended to ferry a team of three astronauts to China's Tiangong space station. The Long March-2F rocket lifted into the air in a plume of flame and smoke at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Base in the desert of northwest China, AFP journalists saw, heralding the start of the six-month mission. Leading the newest crew is Chen Dong, 46, a former fighter pilot and veteran space explorer who in 2022 became the first Chinese astronaut to clock up more than 200 cumulative days in orbit. The other two crew members -- 40-year-old former air force pilot Chen Zhongrui, and 35-year-old former space technology engineer Wang Jie -- are embarking on their first space flight. Hundreds of people brandishing bouquets and miniature national flags packed into the streets of the space base hours before the launch to see the astronauts off on Thursday afternoon. A band played a rousing military march as the trio, clad in white spacesuits, waved in front of a red banner proclaiming: "Learn from our astronauts! Salute our astronauts!" "We wish you success!" the crowd shouted in unison as the crew members passed. Live images on state television then showed the three astronauts being transported by bus to the launch site, beyond which vast stretches of empty desert could be seen. The crew will work on Tiangong for six months, carrying out experiments in physics and life sciences and installing protective equipment against space debris. For the first time, they will also bring aboard planarians -- aquatic flatworms known for their regenerative abilities. The team will also conduct spacewalks, replenish supplies and carry out general maintenance on the space station. Three astronauts currently aboard Tiangong are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29 after completing handover procedures. Busloads of space enthusiasts waited by a barren highway several hours ahead of Thursday's launch, braving the high desert sun to catch a glimpse of the rocket perched on the horizon. A kiosk by the entrance to the launch base did brisk trade in toy rockets and mission-themed memorabilia. During a government tour on Wednesday afternoon, AFP journalists saw the rocket ensconced in a sky-blue launch tower, surrounded by red flags as workers in blue jumpsuits made final checks before the launch. China's space programme is the third to put humans in orbit and has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon as it seeks parity with the world's two most established celestial powers, the United States and Russia. Crewed by rotating teams of three astronauts every six months, Tiangong -- whose name means "celestial palace" in Chinese -- is the jewel in its crown. China has been excluded from the International Space Station since 2011, when the United States banned NASA from collaborating with Beijing. It has since sought to bring other countries into its space programme, and signed a deal with longtime ally Pakistan in February to bring the first foreign astronaut aboard Tiangong. As part of this process, "two Pakistani astronauts will be selected to come to China for training", the CMSA confirmed on Wednesday. Sir Keir Starmer has challenged the US President by explicitly stating that Ukraine must be allowed to decide the terms of a peace deal with Russia. The UK Prime Minister's public call to stand by the war-town country comes just hours after he took a swipe at Donald Trump. The British leader told The Telegraph: 'We are at an intense stage in the negotiations. In the end, Im always mindful of the fact that it is Ukraine that must decide on those issues its not for other people to decide on behalf of Ukraine. 'It is for Ukraine to decide. And Russia must come to the table for that unconditional ceasefire.' Starmer also contradicted Trump's claim that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had been the aggressor whose decisions lead to the invasion of Ukraine. When asked whether Zelensky was to blame for a peace deal not being signed, Starmer said: 'No. Russia is the aggressor. Never forget that Zelensky was offered safe passage out of his country in the first week of the conflict. 'At that point, everybody thought that Russia would succeed very quickly in its intent of taking over Ukraine. 'And he stayed to fight and to lead his country, which hes done with huge courage and resilience for over three years, as has his whole country. Its Russia that needs to come to the table and agree to a ceasefire.' It comes after Starmer insisted the latest deadly strikes on Ukraine are a 'reminder that Russia is the aggressor' after Trump's extraordinary rebuke to Volodymyr Zelensky. Sir Keir Starmer (pictured on Thursday) has challenged the US President by explicitly stating that Ukraine must be allowed to decide the terms of a peace deal with Russia Smoke rises in the distance following an air strike in Kramatorsk, eastern Donetsk region, on April 24, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine Starmer also contradicted Trump's claim that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) had been the aggressor whose decisions lead to the invasion of Ukraine The PM condemned the large scale drone attack on Kyiv believed to have killed at least nine people and injured another 70 - including six children. The intervention came as the US president turned his ire on Vladimir Putin, venting frustration at the 'unnecessary and badly-timed' attack and appealing for him to 'stop'. The comment was a contrast to earlier this week when Mr Trump condemned Mr Zelensky for being 'harder' to deal with than Putin and refusing to give up territory for peace. Russia's combined missile and drone attack triggered fires, smashed buildings and buried residents under rubble in the Ukrainian capital. At least 45 drones were detected, the Kyiv City Military Administration said, adding that Ukraine's Air Force would update the figures later. 'There has been destruction. The search is continuing for people under rubble,' the State Emergency Service wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Asked for his reaction to the attacks as he visited Rolls-Royce in Bristol, Sir Keir told broadcasters: 'I think it's a real reminder that Russia is the aggressor here and that is being felt by the Ukrainians, as it has been felt for three long years now. 'That's why it's important to get Russia to an unconditional ceasefire. 'Obviously, we had talks in London this week, Paris last week. We're making progress towards the ceasefire. It's got to be a lasting ceasefire. 'But these attacks these awful attacks are a real, human reminder of who is the aggressor here and the cost to the Ukrainian people.' Captain Colin McGannity (RN) Commander of the Carrier air group, Defence Secretary John Healey, Commodore James Blackmore commander of the carrier strike group, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Vice Admiral Andy Burns Fleet commander and Captain Will Blackett Captain of HMS Prince of Wales walk on the take off ramp of HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, in Plymouth, Devon Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social site: 'I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. 'Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!' The attacks come at a critical moment in the war, as both Kyiv and Moscow are under pressure from the United States to show progress towards a peace deal. Mr Trump and the Ukrainian President clashed again yesterday on efforts to end the three-year-old war in Ukraine, with Trump accusing him of 'prolonging the 'killing field' by refusing to give up territory. Trump warned the Ukrainian president he can 'have peace, or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country'. The White House tried to turn the screw yesterday, with vice president JD Vance telling Kyiv to surrender land or the US would walk away. But Zelensky is refusing to countenance any Russian claim to annexed Crimea, or hand over a fifth of the country to the Kremlin, as per the US-dictated deal put forward. The PM boarded the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier as it heads towards the Indo-Pacific Earlier, Sir Keir insisted Britain is 'sending a message' to enemies today as he hailed HMS Prince of Wales deploying. The PM boarded the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier as it heads towards the Indo-Pacific. The strike group will travel to the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia on an eight-month voyage, accompanied by escort ships from international allies. Sir Keir - who was wearing a new 'Prime Minister' branded fleece for the occasion - told broadcasters that the UK's role in global security was 'hugely important'. 'This is a mission that's going to go across the entire world, down to the Indo-Pacific as well,' he said. 'It's a UK sense of our leadership and a message to our adversaries but also an important UK message to our allies about the way that we work with our allies in what we do in our defence and security. 'I'm very proud of what all the teams are doing here.' He added: 'We all know that the world is more uncertain than it felt a few months or years before we're in a new era. 'That's why we've doubled down on defence spending as a Government.' Sir Keir was shown F-35 jets on board the carrier in Plymouth, Devon. Zelensky (pictured arriving at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, South Africa) is refusing to countenance any Russian claim to annexed Crimea, or hand over a fifth of the country to the Kremlin, as per the US-dictated deal put forward. Rescuers working the site of an apartment building in Kyiv that hit by a Russian ballistic missile The Carrier Strike Group also includes destroyer HMS Dauntless and frigate HMS Richmond along with warships from Norway and Canada. The deployment comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for Nato allies to do more to provide their own defence. The 3billion carrier's journey to the Indo-Pacific is also aimed at demonstrating the UK's commitment to allies in the region nervous about China's actions in relation to Taiwan and disputed sea lanes. Around 4,000 UK military personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF will join Operation Highmast, with allies from Spain and New Zealand also set to take part along with the Norwegian and Canadian personnel. 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. A Texas mortuary owner has been arrested for allegedly using the severed arms of corpses for twisted science experiments before sending them to the crematorium. Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, 50, was taken into custody earlier this month after a police raid uncovered power tools tainted with human remains and a chilling digital trail of experimental notes, including photos of detached arms in various states of decomposition, KVUE News reported. The 'experiments' allegedly involved Bui injecting formaldehyde - a colorless gas used to preserve specimens in medical labs - into the arms of dead bodies and observing how the chemical affected the lifeless flesh. Bui was ultimately charged with abuse of a corpse and five counts of tampering with governmental records, though she has since been released on a $27,500 bond. 'Our legal team remains fully committed to defending and advocating for our client, Adeline Bui, with the expectation of fairness and due process,' Jessica Huynh, Bui's attorney, told People. The disturbing revelations began unfolding on April 2, when the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) alerted the Austin Police Department's Homicide Unit about gruesome allegations linked to Capital Austin Mortuary Services and its owner, Bui, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KVUE News. An investigator with the TFSC told police that, a month earlier, a former embalmer accused Bui of fraudulently filing at least 10 death certificates using his name and license - all without his consent. Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, 50-year-old owner of Capital Austin Mortuary Services in Texas, was arrested for allegedly using the severed arms of corpses for experiments, which involved injecting formaldehyde into the limb to observe how the chemical affected the preservation and then cremating the remains In a shocking twist, the embalmer also revealed that he had learned about alleged 'experiments' Bui was carrying out on severed arms inside the mortuary. These so-called experiments entailed Bui injecting formaldehyde into the arms to observe 'the effect it had over time on severed extremities', according to the affidavit. Once Bui was done experimenting on the arms, according to the TFSC investigator, 'the severed body parts to be placed in the crematory retort, where the body parts in their dissected and disturbed state, would be cremated'. The former employee who filed the initial complaint showed police a screenshot from a work computer dated December 2023, appearing to show Bui documenting updates on her 'project' under a conversation thread named 'Freedom Art Experiment'. The thread also featured images of what authorities described as severed arms, each progressing through various states of decomposition. After reviewing the evidence obtained thus far, investigators said they uncovered a staggering 129 instances where Bui allegedly used the embalmer's name - each time without his consent or knowledge - to file official death certificates with the State of Texas. Based on the evidence, ADP concluded that Bui was deliberately falsifying death certificates to continue operating her business, take in bodies and profit - all while 'likely committing the offense of Abuse of a Corpse'. On April 10, the Austin Police Department obtained a search warrant for Capital Austin Mortuary, where investigators soon discovered power tools tainted with human remains. On April 10, the Austin Police Department obtained a search warrant for Capital Austin Mortuary, where investigators soon discovered power tools tainted with human remains During the search, officers interviewed Bui, who ultimately confessed to the disturbing acts she had carried out at her business - including that household power tools were used during the process. According to the affidavit, Bui admitted to using the former embalmer's identity to complete and submit official death documents through the state, each time without his knowledge or consent. Authorities said Bui also came clean about forging his signature on a Death Certificate Amendment Form, using his driver's license to submit the application when he was no longer employed at the mortuary. Shockingly, Bui admitted to her bizarre experiments while speaking to investigators, explaining further that she had directed her own employees to take part in the project. Bui confessed to ordering her employees to conduct experiments on the corpses, which aimed to study the effect of the embalming fluid on the limb - both with and without the chemical, according to the court docs. This process included 'cutting heads, arms and spines from remains sent to her facility while acting in the licensed capacity as a mortuary', investigators said. The affidavit also claimed that Bui collaborated with MedtoMarket - a medical-training company - on the project, allegedly experimenting on up to 15 bodies with the facility's permission and keeping them updated on the results. In a search warrant obtained by KXAN, investigators seized an iPhone and an iPad, believing they contained further communication between Bui and an official from MedtoMarket. The affidavit also claimed that Bui collaborated with MedtoMarket - a medical-training company - on the project, allegedly experimenting on up to 15 bodies with the facility's permission and keeping them updated on the results Investigators spoke to the company's CEO, who they explained had a contract with Bui's mortuary for 'transport and cremation services.' Though the CEO denied any 'experimental testing', he confirmed that he had knowledge of the mortuary embalming arms to see how long they could be preserved. According to KVUE, he also denied going to the mortuary to observe the project's process for himself, while stressing once again that it was 'just embalming and not testing'. When officers asked if that was normal practice in the industry, the CEO responded that 'medical schools do it all the time, yeah', according to the affidavit. The police department spoke with the executive director of the TFSC, attempting to determine if there was 'any possible legal way' for Bui's mortuary to have been granted permission to carry-out experiments on the remains obtained from the medical-training facility. The executive director explained that Capital Mortuary 'is not a registered anatomical facility', adding that it is 'performing embalming services beyond the licensed scope of its authority'. In regards to Bui performing them at her mortuary specifically, the executive director emphasized that 'it is unlawful for a commercial embalming establishment to use a dead human body for research or educational purposes'. Austin Police Department confirmed on Wednesday that the TFSC's administrative investigation and the department's criminal investigation remains active and ongoing. 'APD and the TFSC are committed to enforcing state regulations, protecting the public from predatory practices and ensuring that decedent remains are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Texas law,' the APD said in the statement. Bui was booked into the Travis County Jail on April 18, but has since been released on bond. Although she has not yet entered a plea, she is expected back in court on May 9. A single photo of Aboriginal soldiers has sparked many Australians to remember their service during the war. The black and white image, originally published by The Argus in 1940, recently resurfaced on social media. It shows 14 proud volunteers from Lake Tyers in Victoria, seated in two neat rows, smiling for the camera as they wait to receive their Second Australian Imperial Force uniforms. These men would soon be sent to fight in the Second World War - serving a country that, upon their return, failed to honour them equally. Shared the day before Anzac Day, commenters were touched by the photo and echoed the sentiment written in the caption: 'Lest we forget.' But it also spurred conversation about how Aboriginal veterans weren't treated equally when they came home. 'If they came back, they had no rights to receive benefits as their white mates,' one user said. 'Returned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women were often denied the honour and rights given to other returned servicemen and women.' Another said: 'Brave men. Shameful history as they were never treated equally on their return.' Lake Tyers volunteers, waiting for their Second Australian Imperial Forces uniform. Argus, 1940. (front row, front to back) Joseph Wandin; Cornelius Edwards; James Scott; Campbell Johson; William Hayes; Lawrie Moffat; Cyril Scott. (back row, front to back) Rupert Harrison; Otto Logan; Jack Hood; Stanley Harrison; Richard Harrison; Creswick Harrison; Ron Edwards Aboriginal recruits from Lake Tyers line up for morning parade after joining the 2nd AIF in 1940 A spokesperson from the Department of Veterans Affairs said Indigenous people have a proud history of serving in the Australian military. 'The contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our modern military history dates back to the Boer War, over 120 years ago.' According to the Australian War Memorial, many Indigenous Australians who served their country with courage returned home only to face the same discrimination they had endured before enlisting. Despite their military service, most were excluded from joining RSL clubs - allowed in only on Anzac Day - and were often turned away from hotels and pubs. They continued to encounter widespread prejudice in employment, access to veterans benefits, and daily life. The Soldier Settlement Scheme, which was meant to help returning servicemen by offering land, was largely inaccessible to Aboriginal veterans. While a few succeeded, many were denied land and the support that came with it. Lake Tyers Mission located in Victoria's East Gippsland and established in 1861, was designated by the state government as a site to relocate and concentrate Aboriginal people from across the state. They were forcibly relocated there from reserves at Coranderrk, Ebenezer and Lake Condah reserves, the memorial said. Australia's Indigenous people have a proud history of serving in the Australian military The reserve lands were then dispersed as soldier settler blocks for returned servicemen from the First World War, later described as 'the second dispossession' of Aboriginal people. At the beginning of the Second World War, Indigenous people were not allowed to serve in the military, with many enlisting by claiming another nationality in a bid to fight for the country. As the war progressed, this changed and thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served the nation with distinction. Current estimates are that 1,000 to 1,300 Indigenous Australians fought in the First World War, of whom around 250 to 300 made the ultimate sacrifice. During the Second World War, an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people served in the Australian military. A left-wing activist who assaulted a white Muslim man she mistook for a 'racist' at a pro-immigration protest just days after the Southport stabbings has been spared prison amid claims of 'a two-tier justice system.' Caroline Leneghan grabbed an iPhone from victim Dylan Fontaine and smashed it on the ground during a heated exchange at the event in Bournemouth. The former NHS nurse then physically lunged at him when he attempted to pick it up. Based on his appearance, Leneghan yelled out that he was a racist and a fascist, inciting others to 'swarm' around him and putting him in fear of being attacked. In fact Mr Fontaine, who is white, is a Muslim convert and was at the demonstration in support of asylum seekers. The event was held just days after the civil unrest that occurred across the country in the wake of the Southport murders last summer. At the time there had been attacks by far-right groups on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers that were fuelled by misinformation that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was a Muslim asylum seeker. Leneghan, 43, who has the Palestinian flag as her Facebook profile, denied charges of assault and criminal damage but was found guilty following a trial. Left-wing activist Caroline Leneghan (pictured leaving Poole Magistrates Court in February) has been spared prison amid accusations of a two-tier system after she mistook white Muslim convert Dylan Fontaine as a 'racist' and assaulted him Dylan Fontaine (pictured leaving Poole Magistrates Court in Februrary), was physically lunged at by Leneghan Former NHS nurse Leneghan, 43, was found guilty of assault and criminal damage following a trial at Poole Magistrates Court She had previously been warned by magistrates that her case would be treated in the context of the 'widespread disorder' that took place last summer after the murders of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. Despite this and the fact Leneghan has shown no remorse, she walked free with a six month prison sentence suspended for two years. District Judge Orla Austin said it was only the fact Leneghan was 20 weeks pregnant that she was not going to jail. Her sentence is in sharp contrast to the scores of right-leaning protesters who have been given lengthy jail terms for public order offences during anti-immigration demonstrations after Southport. One of the most severe sentences was handed to Lucy Connolly, a Northampton childminder, mother of a 12-year-old daughter and wife of a Tory councillor. She was jailed for 31 months for stirring up racial hatred for a tweet on the night of the Southport killings. Martin Houlden, the chairman of Reform UK Bournemouth, said on Thursday: 'The case of Caroline Leneghan is yet more evidence of two tier policing. 'Why has she been allowed to walk free after inciting actual physical violence toward a person at a demonstration when others such as mum Lucy Connolly, are serving jail sentences for nothing more than ill-advised Tweets? The protest at the Roundhouse Hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset, where Caroline Leneghan turned on Dylan Fontaine on August 7 last year 'Why is the Judiciary protecting those on the left?' Last week, a Home Affairs select committee published a report that found there was no evidence of two-tier policing during the incidents of civil unrest last summer. Magistrates in Poole heard that Leneghan went to the Roundhouse Hotel in Bournemouth on August 7 last year for a pro-immigration rally. The hotel houses asylum seekers and it was thought the event might attract anti-immigration protesters. Leneghan said she was there as part of the 'Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign' as she felt there was a 'crossover' with the plight of asylum seekers. The Fontaine brothers said they had been made aware of the protest in the WhatsApp group BCP Against Racism. The court heard that she took it upon herself 'to decide who should or shouldn't be there' and singled out Mr Fontaine and his brother Steven, believing they were members of the far right. But the pair were in fact practicing Muslims who were also there in solidarity with asylum seekers. The Roundhouse hotel houses asylum seekers and it was thought the event, held in the wake of the Southport stabbings, might attract anti-immigration protesters Victoria Hill, prosecuting, said: 'The victim was there with his brother and he was on the same side of the road as the defendant. 'She took objection to his presence and told him and his brother that they did not belong there and they should be on the other side of the protest. 'As a result of the defendant's behaviour and concerning remarks Mr Fontaine videoed her as he had been videoing much of the event. 'There were no physical injuries to Mr Fontaine but there was damage to his phone. The back of the phone was smashed and cracked. 'To some extent she was quite evasive with officers and changed her appearance in regards to what she was wearing.' Giving evidence, Steven Fontaine, 29, said: 'She said "you don't belong here, you should be on the other side, you're racist". 'She was proper frantic and going mad. 'She shouted "they're racist" and everyone turned around and just swarmed all around my brother. 'I said "what makes you think that?" The event was held just days after the civil unrest that occurred across the country in the wake of the Southport murders last summer. Pictured: Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle in Southport At the time of the Bournemouth incident there had been attacks by far-right groups on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers that were fuelled by misinformation that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was a Muslim asylum seeker. Pictured: A car set alight during the riots in Sunderland 'She was basically saying "you're not Muslim, judging by what you're wearing". 'There were people in balaclavas and she wasn't talking to them so it was based on what I look like. She decided I wasn't a typical Muslim.' He said Leneghan was 'loitering' around them so his brother, Dylan, 28, started filming her. Fontaine told the court: 'Tensions were high and I was being shouted at that I was a racist. Someone grabbed me, people were pulling and grabbing me. 'Luckily there were some people that knew me and they calmed down the situation. If I hadn't known anyone there it could have been a lot worse.' On video footage shown in court, Leneghan is heard confronting Dylan Fontaine, saying 'You clearly don't belong here', and 'You're looking very suspicious', and 'I don't think you're one of us'. Dylan Fontaine can be heard asking 'Why are you assuming my beliefs?' before she replies 'because I can tell from looking at you', adding 'the clothes for a start'. Mr Fontaine was dressed casually at the time in grey shorts, a black top and a cap. In a second clip Leneghan can be heard saying 'He's a fascist, you both are... Why don't you go back over there?' while pointing to the other side of the road where there was a small group of what were believed to be far-right protesters. Leneghan then grabbed his iPhone and threw it on the floor, smashing the device. She then tried to prevent Mr Fontaine from picking it up and 'lunged' at him several times before shouting: 'He's a racist, get him.' Leneghan refused to give police her details at the scene and tried to change her clothing to evade officers before eventually providing her information. Mr Fontaine said afterwards he wasn't physically injured but 'felt sick'. He spoke to a police officer and initially decided not to make an official complaint before later changing his mind. Leneghan told the court the brothers 'stood out' and seemed suspicious because they were keeping to themselves. 'They didn't look like they were trying to be part of our group,' she recalled. Ewa Russell, defending, said: 'Without a shadow of a doubt the matter is aggravated by the circumstances and given her personal circumstances, it should not attract a custodial sentence. 'She said in hindsight she should have walked away and showed an element of regret.' In sentencing her, Judge Austin told Leneghan: 'In my view this is a disgraceful incident caused against the backdrop of national distress. 'You were calling them fascists and racists just by looking at them and your actions left Mr Fontaine at risk of being attacked. 'I don't accept that you are in any way remorseful and accept the seriousness of what you caused. 'I am of the view that this is a maximum sentence case which would be 26 weeks in prison. 'I now have to look at the fact that you are 20 weeks pregnant. I believe the risk of reoffending is low and there are risks for the pregnancy, especially around pre-eclampsia, and so I am going to suspend the sentence for the next two years. 'There is also a prohibited activity requirement meaning you cannot join any assembled gathering or demonstration for the next two years.' Leneghan, from Bournemouth, was ordered to pay Mr Fontaine 300 compensation as well as 200 court costs and a victim surcharge of 154. The CPS have been approached for comment as to why Leneghan was not charged with racially aggravated assault or incite violence or hatred. In February 2024 Leneghan was part of the controversial pro-Palestine protest that took place outside the family home of former Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood in Bournemouth. President Donald Trump pardoned Nevada Republican politician Michele Fiore who was convicted for fraud after prosecutors claimed she used money raised for a fallen police officers memorial for personal use. An active and unapologetic Trump supporter, Fiore's career included serving as a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and state lawmaker and rose through the Nevada Republican party despite a long history of controversial news coverage. In 2014, she raised tens of thousands of dollars through a charity and political action committee for a statue honoring Metropolitan Police Department officer Alyn Beck, who was shot and killed in the line of duty. In 2024, Fiore was found guilty of six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud after she used the money raised for the memorial for plastic surgery, rent, and payments on her daughters wedding. She was suspended in July 2024 from her position as justice court judge in Nye County after her conviction. Nevada Judge Jennifer Dorsey wrote in her opinion that not a dime of the money raised was used for a memorial. Instead, each check was quickly converted to cash and spent on Fiores expenses like rent, cosmetic procedures, and her daughters wedding, Dorsey wrote. Fiores lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing a pardon granted by President Trump on April 23, 2025. Fiore, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, posted a picture of her with the president on Facebook Michele Fiore participates in a Republican debate in Henderson, Nevada, in 2016 Fiore celebrated the news in a lengthy post on Facebook. Today, I stand before you not just as a free woman, but as a vindicated soul whose prayers were heard, whose faith held firm, and whose truth could not be buried by injustice, she wrote, citing Isaiah 54:17 in the Bible declaring that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. The court found Fiore guilty of converting donation checks to cash and then spending it on personal use. Fiore was facing a sentencing hearing on May 14, but was pardoned before it took place. I am deeply and eternally grateful to President Donald J. Trump for granting me a full and unconditional pardon, she wrote on Facebook. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford condemned the president's pardon in a statement. 'Donald Trumps blatant disregard for law enforcement is sickening, and pardoning someone who stole from a police memorial fund is a disgrace,' he wrote. 'As Nevadas top cop, I believe theres no room for reprieve when it comes to betraying the families of fallen officers. I will continue to stand with our men and women in uniform.' Michele Fiore, a Pahrump, Nev., judge who ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2022, speaks to reporters outside U.S. District Court in Las Vegas Fiore frequently professed her support for the Second Amendment, posing with rifles on numerous occasions Fiore claimed she was unfairly targeted by her political opponents for destruction. For nearly a decade, I endured relentless persecution by a federal machine determined to break me, she wrote, listing the many investigations and accusations against her character. Through it all I never stopped praying. I meditated, I cried out, and I trusted in Gods justice, she said. Fiore blamed attorney Steven Myhre for singling her out for legal persecution. He pursued this vengeance for years, misusing the power of his office to fulfill a vendetta. However Steve, I am not going to prison. I am preparing to return to the bench, she said. She announced she would return to her position as a county judge after her pardon. On Monday, I will walk back into my courtroom as the elected Justice of the Peace not because man permitted it, but because God ordained it, she said. To those who weaponized the justice system against me: I dont need to return fire. The truth already has. In 2021, she ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor launching her campaign with an ad of her toting a handgun and boasting she was attacked by the media as 'a gun toting calendar girl' and a 'lady Trump.' Fiore's gun advocacy even includes a pro-second amendment calendar she posed for in 2015. The calendar was dubbed 'Michele Fiore's 2016 Walk The Talk 2nd Amendment Calendar' The photos featured Fiore posing sometimes provocatively, but always with a firearm In 2022, Michele Fiore was reprimanded for a physical fight with fellow councilwoman Victoria Seaman, who claimed she broke her finger and pulled her hair as she tried to throw her to the floor. She also made headlines for her support of the Second Amendment, posing frequently for photos with guns and including them on her Christmas cards and calendars that she offered for sale to supporters. Sydneysiders looking to commemorate Anzac Day by heading to one of the city's pubs for a traditional drink have been met with massive lines stretching back blocks. Queues had formed from as early as 9am at venues like the Clovelley Hotel in the eastern suburbs and The Vic on the Park in Marrickville in the Inner West - where by midday police were not letting any more people line up. Also in the early afternoon The Clock in Surrey Hills had a two hour line, Bellevue Hotel in Paddington had a three hour line, and both the Sackville in Balmain and Royal Paddington had huge queues, social media page Bondi Lines said. Other pubs that still had long lines well after 12pm were the Cat and Fiddle in Balmain, The Glenmore at the Rocks, Harbord Hotel in Freshwater, and The Dolphin Hotel in Surrey Hills. Some people said the lines were 'cooked' and they would be staying away, while others questioned whether the tone of the day as a memorial to those who died at war protecting the country was being forgotten. 'What does Anzac Day mean anymore?' one person asked. 'It's just been turned into another Australian drinking holiday,' another added. Earlier, hundreds of thousands of Australians across the country attended what has become the other great Anzac Day tradition of the dawn service. Long lines snaked their way outside most Sydney pubs on Anzac Day including the Harbord Hotel in Freshwater (pictured is the line about 1pm) The Clovelley Hotel in the eastern suburbs had a long queue before 9am (pictured) Among them was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who marked the day at the Australian War Memorial, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton went to a commemoration in his electorate of Dickson in Brisbane. The prime minister read a dedication at the Canberra service, saying the 25,000 who gathered before dawn ought to think of those who went to battle but did not come home. 'We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice,' Mr Albanese said. 'Let us therefore once more dedicate ourselves to the ideals for which they died. 'As the dawn is even now about to pierce the night, so let their memory inspire us to work for the coming new light into the dark places of the world.' The prime minister attended the service with his fiancee, Jodie Haydon. The service was briefly interrupted by an attendee who yelled 'free Palestine' before the national anthem was played, with one heckler telling the protester to 'kick a landmine'. For most of the service, it was only the sounds of bird calls emanating around the memorial that could be heard among the bugle calls and bagpipe laments. Dawn services and a commemorative drink are two of the day's big traditions The Clock Hotel in Surrey Hills had people waiting for blocks (pictured) It was important to take time out of the flurry of an election campaigning to honour Australia's defence forces, 110 years after the Gallipoli landings, Mr Albanese said. 'We contemplate the debt we owe them - those who finally came home, their hearts reshaped by all they had seen, and those who tragically never did,' Mr Albanese said. Mr Dutton marked the day with a dawn service at Kallangur, in northern Brisbane, alongside his wife Kirilly. Hundreds of people attended the service, where the opposition leader and his wife laid a wreath to commemorate the sacrifice made by Australian troops. Experts are warning that Elon Musk's cuts to waste, fraud and abuse at the Department of Government Efficiency may end up costing taxpayers billions. Musk is currently planning to transition out of DOGE at the start of May to a more part-time role after share-holders questioned when he would go back to focusing on his work at Tesla. Donald Trump has repeatedly lauded Musk, who has become a national lightning rod for spearheading the effort to slash agency spending, fire federal workers on short notice, and identify billions in savings by slashing unnecessary spending. However, some are worried that Musk may have hurt the taxpayers as much as he's helped them, with the 'First Buddy' claiming he's saved $150 billion getting rid of around 12 percent of the federal workforce. A nonprofit that studies the federal workforce, the Partnership for Public Service, said that all of the firings could cost over $135billion when factoring in lost productivity, paid leave and some workers being re-hired. 'Not only is Musk vastly overinflating the money he has saved, he is not accounting for the exponentially larger waste that he is creating,' Max Stier, the chief executive of the nonprofit said. 'He's inflicted these costs on the American people, who will pay them for many years to come.' The Budget Lab at Yale University said that the 32,000 workers being fired at the IRS - 22,000 on DOGE's advice alone - would cost $8.5billion in 2026 alone. Experts are warning that Elon Musk's (pictured right) cuts to waste, fraud and abuse at the Department of Government Efficiency may end up costing taxpayers billions A nonprofit that studies the federal workforce, the Partnership for Public Service, said that all of the firings could cost over $135billion when factoring in lost productivity, paid leave and some workers being re-hired There could be an even greater cost from the at least 30 lawsuits filed against the Trump administration that implicate DOGE. A spokesman for the Trump administration seemed to confirm that the 'monumental and historic' cuts could have costs but that they were saving the taxpayers from wasting even more money. 'It's important to realize that doing nothing has a cost, too, and these so-called experts and groups are conveniently absent when looking at the costs of doing nothing,' Harrison Fields told The New York Times in a statement. Fields said of the IRS that 'every single cut has been done to make the government more efficient and not to be a burden to the American people or cut any critical resources or programs they rely on.' 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. But his own poll numbers have taken a hit, amid relentless coverage of his 'fork in the road' email to federal employees and what Musk himself has called occasional 'mistakes.' That included such moves as suddenly firing nuclear safety workers, only to immediately hire them back, something that was cited as potentially costing the taxpayers even more money. Trump praised Musk at one point in the past tense on Wednesday after the DOGE chief said he would pare back his government work to a day or two per week after Tesla profits plunged. He was a tremendous help both in the campaign and what hes done with DOGE, Trump told reporters when asked about what role Musk would play in the future. Trump praised Musk (pictured) at one point in the past tense on Wednesday after the DOGE chief said he would pare back his government work to a day or two per week after Tesla profits plunged He complained that Musk was treated unfairly and said he cant speak more highly about any individual. The president spoke after the world's richest man told Tesla shareholders Tuesday 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. Trump complained that members of the public took it out on Tesla amid controversy over DOGE firings. 'I also know that he was treated very unfairly by the I guess you call it the public by some of the public, not by all of them. I say he makes an incredible car. Makes - everything he does is good. But they took it out on Tesla. And I just thought it was so unfair, because he's trying to help the country.' Trump himself bought a Tesla in a show of support as the company's stock plunged. I also want him to make sure that hes going to be in great shape, Trump said, alluding to the car companys problems. 'And I told him, I said, "You know, whenever you're ready. I'd like to keep him for a long time, but whenever you're ready.' He was a tremendous help both in the campaign and what hes done with DOGE, President Donald Trump said of Elon Musk, who is cutting back his time working with the government Trump praised Musk, his children, and his products, and said he was always going to leave around this time He was always at this time going to ease out, Trump said of Musk, who is a designated Special Government Employee on a temporary assignment that can get renewed. 'And when he goes back to Tesla, that'll be taken care of,' Trump said, predicting good things for the electric car company. 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. Musk has aligned himself with President Trump - a move that has angered fans who previously leaned more centrist and to the left However, he still plans to put in one to two days per week still helping out with DOGE, he claimed. 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. 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. Federal prosecutors have officially declared their intent to seek the death penalty for alleged assassin Luigi Mangione. The 26-year-old is facing a slew of federal charges - including murder through the use of a firearm, which makes him eligible for the death penalty - for the December shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione - who is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, and is housed in the same unit as other famous faces including Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried - is expected to plead not guilty to the charges when he shows up to federal court on Friday. But just hours before he is due to appear in court, federal prosecutors filed a formal notice in the Southern District of New York stating they will seek the death penalty if he were to be convicted of Thompson's murder. The filing from the Manhattan US Attorney's office declares that Mangione 'presents a future danger because he expressed an intent to target an entire industry, and rally political and social opposition to that industry.' '[He engaged] in an act of lethal violence and he took steps to evade law enforcement, flee New York City immediately after the murder and cross state lines while armed with a privately manufactured firearm and silencer,' the document states, according to Fox News. Prosecutors also claimed in the filing that Mangione's decision to target Thompson outside of a Manhattan hotel made clear that he sought to 'amplify an ideological message, maximize the visibility and impact of the victim's murder and to provoke broad-based resistance to the victim's industry,' ABC News reports. Thursday's filing, though, just marked a formality in the government's case against Mangione, as Attorney General Pam Bondi previously announced that her office would seek the ultimate punishment. Federal prosecutors officially declared their intent to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione hours before he is due to appear in court Mangione is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (pictured) outside a New York City hotel on December 4, 2024 'After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again,' she said earlier this month. Bondi went on to claim that Thompson's murder was 'an act of political violence.' 'Mangione's actions involved substantial planning and premeditation and because the murder took place in public with bystanders nearby, may have posed grave risk of death to additional persons,' the attorney general said. Yet Mangione was met with an outpouring of support after his arrest as morbid fans vented their fury with the healthcare system. Those fans have since gushed over his sockless loafers and chic courtroom sweaters, and were left devastated last week when they learned photography and videography of his court appearance on Friday will be banned. Mangione's attorneys have not yet responded to the formal petition for the death penalty, but have previously claimed that Bondi's announcement was 'unapologetically political' and breached government protocols for death penalty decisions. In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, the lawyers argued that prosecutors who were seeking to execute Mangione were 'carrying out Trump's agenda.' Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that her office would push for the death penalty against Mangione earlier this month The filing referenced a press release and an Instagram post by Attorney General Pam Bondi that 'plainly stated' Mangione is guilty of the murder of Thompson, despite his ongoing trial. In seeking safety from the punishment, documents referenced a press release and an Instagram post by Bondi that 'plainly stated' Mangione is guilty of the murder of Thompson, despite his ongoing trial. 'The stakes could not be higher. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt,' the court documents state, claiming that the public addresses from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding Mangione's case have violated his Due Process rights,' the filing said. Attorney Karen Agnifilo also previously argued that the police leaked writings they said belonged to Mangione and labeled them a 'manifesto' - thereby spreading fear in an effort to justify prosecutors' terrorism charge. The writings were released shortly after Mangione was arrested at a Pennsylvania McDonald's following a five-day search for the masked man who gunned down Thompson. He was allegedly found with a 9-millimeter pistol and silencer, clothing that matched the apparel worn by the shooter in surveillance footage, and a notebook describing an intent to 'whack' an insurance company CEO, according to court filings. But Agnifilo now says there is 'absolutely no evidence' to suggest her client wrote the so-called manifesto as she called out prosecutors for sharing the message. When Mangione was arrested, he was allegedly found with a 9-millimeter pistol and silencer, clothing that matched the apparel worn by the shooter in surveillance footage of Thompson's murder (pictured) Meanwhile, Mangione is facing separate charges in the Big Apple and lesser charges of false identification and weapons charges in Pennsylvania. If he were to be convicted in the federal case, the jury would hold a separate phase of the trial to determine whether to recommend the death penalty. Any such recommendation must be unanimous, and the judge would be required to impose it. The family of a Special Forces soldier who died in a parachuting accident has joined thousands of Australians commemorating those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Channel Seven reporter Grace Fitzgibbon - with her father Joel, a former Labor defence minister - took to social media on Anzac Day to pay homage to her brother Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon. Jack, 33, was performing a 'routine' drill in March last year at an RAAF base in Richmond, in Sydney's northwest, when it is understood his parachute failed to open. He suffered critical head injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital in Sydney's west, where he died. On Thursday evening, Ms Fitzgibbon documented her attendance of Sydney's Harbour Sunset Tribute, writing on Instagram: 'Sunset tribute for my brave brother.' She then shared photos with her father and boyfriend, Az, at North Bondi RSL Club on Anzac Day - the latter was a good friend of Jack's and one of the pallbearers at his funeral. Mr Fitzgibbon also posted on LinkedIn the same day, honouring his son with a caption: 'Forever 33. Lest we forget.' 'Today, tomorrow and forever we will love you and miss you,' he said. Former Labor minister Joel Fitzgibbon took to social media on Anzac Day to honour his son Jack (pictured), who died when his parachute failed to deploy during a military training drill Channel Seven reporter Grace Fitzgibbon (left) shared a photo of her father Joel (centre) and her boyfriend Az (right) at North Bondi RSL Club on Anzac Day Mr Fitzgibbon made an address at the RSL club honouring those who died in military service The former Labor minister addressed the hundreds gathered at the RSL club, honouring the 'Australian soldiers [who] had given their life to our country'. The family has also set up '14 for Fitzy' on social media, a running community brought together to celebrate Jack. Ms Fitzgibbon previously paid tribute to her brother in a pre-recorded eulogy at a funeral service at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Cessnock in March last year. Hundreds of people including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Defence Minister Richard Marles, attended Jack's funeral service. Soldiers also lined the streets of Cessnock to pay tribute to the Lance Corporal. For many, the words 'Changi' and 'Thai-Burma Railway' are enough to conjure images of Japanese barbarity towards Australian and British prisoners in World War II. But thousands of captured Australian soldiers were subjected to unimaginable brutality at lesser-known and more isolated prisoner of war camps in the Pacific - and some of the horrors there were even worse. Australians were held on Hainan, an island off the south coast of China, where they were used as slave labour, and at Ambon in Indonesia (then the Dutch East Indies) where prisoners died in medical experiments. Even more appalling were the degradations and deprivations faced by the doomed occupants of Sandakan, a camp in north Borneo. As Allied troops approached Borneo more than 1,000 emaciated Australian and British prisoners were made to trek 260km through swamp and dense jungle from Sandakan to Ranau. The Sandakan death march - actually a series of marches - is considered the greatest atrocity committed upon Australians during the bloodiest conflict in history. Only six men - all Australian - who had been interned at Sandakan or Ranau survived the war by escaping shortly before the Japanese surrender. An estimated 2,428 Allied servicemen - 1,787 Australians and 641 British - held at Sandakan died in Japanese captivity between January and August 1945. Thousands of captured Australian soldiers were subjected to brutality in prisoner of war camps across the Pacific in World War II. This emaciated soldier from the 2/21st Battalion was incarcerated at Bakli Bay on Hanian, an island off China's south coast The single greatest wartime atrocity committed upon Australians took place with the Sandakan death marches between two camps in Borneo. Only six Australians at Sandakan in January 1945 survived the war. These four Sandakan officers were suspected war criminals By the war's end some Australians were being held as far away as Burma, Thailand, Korea and Japan. About 8,000 of about 22,000 Australian prisoners - more than one in three - had been killed or died in the camps About 8,000 Australians were held captive by the Germans and Italians during World War II but the fates of more than 22,000 taken prisoner by the Japanese were far worse. Most were captured in early 1942 as the Imperial Japanese Army swept through Malaya, New Britain, the Dutch East Indies and Singapore. 'Changi' is used to describe both Singapore's Changi Gaol and the much larger Selarang barracks camp where 15,000 Australians were taken in February 1942. While the overcrowded prison's brutal reputation is well-deserved, the Selarang camp was relatively comfortable until near the end of the war. There is no such confusion about the horrors experienced by the 13,000 Australians who laboured on the 415km long Thai-Burma Railway in 1942-1943, most notoriously at Hellfire Pass. By the war's end some Australians were being held as far away as Burma, Thailand, Korea and Japan. About 8,000 - more than one in three - had been killed or died in the camps. In February 1942, about 1,100 men of Gull force, consisting of the 2/21st Battalion supported by anti-tank artillery, engineers and others, surrendered to the invading Japanese on Ambon. Two companies of Gull Force were immediately massacred after their capture at the island's airfield. Most Australian prisoners were captured in early 1942 as the Imperial Japanese Army swept through Malaya, New Britain, the Dutch East Indies and Singapore. Allied soldiers are pictured after the surrender to the Japanese in Malaya in February 1942 These three prisoners pictured at Shimo Sonkurai No 1 Camp were deemed fit to work on the Thai-Burma Railway. About 13,000 Australians were among the Allied prisoners forced to carve the 415km line through the jungle 'Changi' is used to describe both Singapore's Changi Gaol and the much larger Selarang barracks where 15,000 Australians were taken in February 1942. Captured Diggers are pictured in the Selarang barracks, which until late in the war were relatively comfortable Many of the prisoners who passed through Changi were sent to work on the Thai-Burma Railway and died of disease, starvation and beatings. Australian prisoners are pictured laying tracks in Burma Two other groups escaped home to Australia by island hopping across the Arafura Sea but the rest were imprisoned in a camp at Tantui (sometimes Tan Toey) near Ambon town. Conditions at Tantui were at first tolerable but after rapidly deteriorated after another successful escape by a small band of Australians in March. In October, 263 of the Australians at Tantui, including most of the senior officers and medical personnel were taken to Bakli Bay camp at Hainan. In February the next year an Allied air raid blew up a munitions dump at the camp and the only Australian doctor officer was killed. Despite the best efforts of a Dutch doctor and an Australian dentist rates of death and illness kept rising and a back-breaking work regime commenced. One crippling task was known as the 'long carry', a pointless exercise in which prisoners were made to haul bombs or bags of cement between villages. Prisoners died in experiments conducted by the camp's Japanese doctor who took nine groups of 10 prisoners and killed about 50 by injecting them with a substance supposed to be vitamin B and the protein casein. Others who traded for food outside the camp were beaten and tortured, while some said to have 'disappeared' were executed. The island of Hanian, off China's south coast In February 1942, about 1,100 men of Gull force, consisting of the 2/21st Battalion supported by anti-tank artillery, engineers and others, surrendered to the invading Japanese on Ambon. Most were taken to Tantui camp (pictured) On Hainan, where many died from disease including dysentery and malnutrition, the workload was unbearable. 'Jeez, they worked us like slaves,' one prisoner recalled. Discipline dissolved and a desperate Lieutenant Colonel William Scott tried a terrible way to maintain some sort of order after suffering an emotional breakdown. Scott decreed subordinates who broke military regulations would be dealt with by their captors who delivered electric shocks and life-threatening bashings. That practice destroyed relations between officers and enlisted ranks in the camp which remained fractured for decades after the war. The first Australians arrived at Sandakan to build two airstrips in mid 1942 and like on Ambon at the start conditions were almost bearable, according to Private Keith Botterill. 'We had it easy the first twelve months,' he later said. 'Sure we had to work on the 'drome, we used to get flogged, but we had plenty of food and cigarettes.' In late 1942 a new form of punishment known as the 'cage' introduced systematic violence as small transgressions were met with swift retaliation. The cage was a 130cm by 170cm barred wooden structure only high enough to sit down. Prisoners crawled in through a narrow opening and sat at attention through the day. At Bakli Bay prisoner of war camp many Diggers died from disease including dysentery and malnutrition and the workload was unbearable. 'Jeez, they worked us like slaves,' one prisoner recalled. The camp is pictured Discipline at Bakli Bay on Hainan island dissolved and a desperate Lieutenant Colonel William Scott (above) tried to maintain order by handing rule breakers over to the Japanese for punishment At night there was no bedding, no food was permitted for the first week and guards came twice daily to deliver beatings. Time in the cage for misdemeanours could last from a few days to a month. Mass beatings of work details under gunpoint also began, as Warrant Officer Bill Sticpewich recalled. 'My gang would be working all right and then would be suddenly told to stop,' he said after the war. 'They would walk along the back of us and smack us underneath the arms, across the ribs and on the back. They would give each man a couple of bashes if they whimpered or flinched they would get a bit more.' Major camp offences could lead to arrest by the Japanese secret police, the Kenpeitai. Lieutenant Rod Wells, who had been a school teacher, was caught helping another soldier build a radio and spent four months under merciless interrogation, including torture. 'The interviewer produced a small piece of wood like a meat skewer, pushed that into me left ear, and tapped it in with a small hammer,' Wells later said of his ordeal. One of the most sadistic of the Ambon guards was camp manager and interpreter Masakiyo Ikeuchi, who in September 1947 was executed by firing squad for war crimes. Ikeuchi is pictured right next to Masachi Haraguchi, another suspected war criminal Lieutenant Rod Wells (above) was tortured at Sandakan in Borneo for helping build a radio Wells lost his hearing and further torment awaited. He was sent to Outram Road Gaol in Singapore, a prison used by the Japanese for secondary punishment. Billy Young, who had enlisted at 15 and was taken prisoner when Singapore fell, attempted to escape from Sandakan and was sent to Outram Road. Like Wells, he suffered further brutality, but unlike almost every man they had known at Sandakan, the pair at least survived the war. Conditions at Sandakan worsened when the Japanese moved most Australian and British officers to the Batu Lintang camp at Kuching in what is now Malaysia. Rations were reduced even further and even the sickest prisoners were made to labour on the airstrip, which was repeatedly bombed by the advancing Allies from September 1944. As it became clear Japan was losing the war punishments became even harsher and beatings more regular. In January 1945 the Japanese stopped issuing rice altogether and each prisoner took 85 grams of rice a day from their own accumulated stores. In anticipation of Allied landings the camp's commandant ordered the remaining prisoners to be walked westward to Ranau. The first 455 prisoners thought to be fit enough to travel - all of whom were malnourished or seriously ill - left in nine groups between late January and early February 1945. Private John Macmillan was arrested at Sandakan for bringing radio parts and medical supplies into the camp and sent to Outram Road Gaol in Singapore then to Changi. Macmillan's weight dropped from 85kg to 41kg during his time in Japanese custody Gunner Albert Cleary (above) was tortured at Ranau for 11 days before he died of dysentery Most were barefoot and many afflicted with beriberi. Botterill was with the third group to leave Sandakan and took 17 days to make the journey. Of the 50 who started, 37 reached Ranau. Those who were too slow or collapsed of exhaustion were shot, beaten to death or bayonetted. Behind the final group on the first march a Japanese killing squad disposed of any prisoners who had been unable to go on and were clinging to life. Once the survivors made it to Ranau, every day more of them died. In early March, Gunner Albert Cleary escaped but was recaptured four days later and tied to a log. For 11 days Cleary was beaten with fists, boots and rifle butts, spat at and urinated on. Near death, he was washed in a creek by his fellow prisoners and taken to a hut where he died. By May, only about 30 prisoners were still alive at Ranau. Two of them, Botterill and Private Richard Murray, stole 20kg of rice from their captors for a planned escape. Botterill and Murray had known each other since enlistment and been captured together in Singapore. Private Richard Murray (above) sacrificed his life at Ranau so his comrade Keith Botterill could live Once the theft was discovered, the surviving prisoners were lined up to find the culprit for what they all knew was a capital crime. No-one spoke but Murray stepped forward to save Botterill's life. His was bayoneted to death and his body thrown in a bomb crater. 'The Japanese found a biscuit bag (that we stole) and asked who owned it,' Botterill said. 'I told Murray not to say it was his as he would be killed but at length he did admit having stolen the food and he was tied up outside the guardhouse. 'I said that I would go up and untie him that night and we would escape. However at about five o'clock that afternoon he was taken away and bayoneted.' Of those who reached Ranau, by late June only five Australians and one British prisoner were still alive. Back at Sandakan, between February and May about 885 Australian and British prisoners had died. The camp was burnt and a second round of marches began in late May with about 530 prisoners sent off in 11 groups accompanied by guards. These men were even sicker than those in the first parties, were provided fewer rations and often had to forage for food during the approximately 26-day march. Within a day, 12 members of the second party of were dead. Private Nelson Short, who was part of that group, described leaving mates behind. 'If blokes just couldn't go on, we shook hands with them, and said, you know, hope everything's all right.' Short, who survived by eating snails and tree ferns, said some men who could not keep up were beheaded. Just 183 made it to Ranau. Along the way, Gunner Owen Campbell and Bombardier Richard Braithwaite fled into the jungle where they were eventually found by Allied rescuers. The Japanese had planned to let the last 288 prisoners at Sandakan starve to death but in mid June decided to send 75 men on a final march. None appears to have survived beyond 50km. There were 38 prisoners left alive at Ranau in July when Botterill escaped from the camp with Sticepwich, Short and Lance Bombardier William Moxham. The 23 prisoners who could still walk at Sandakan were taken to the airstrip and shot. The remaining 28 died of disease, starvation and exposure before the Japanese surrender on August 15. An estimated 2,428 Allied servicemen - 1,787 Australians and 641 British - held at Sandakan died in Japanese captivity between January and August 1945. Graves are pictured at the site of Sandakan after the war Those who died at Sandakan were identified by members of the Australian Prisoner of War Contact and Inquiry Unit. Two members of that unit are pictures sifting through the personal belongings of dead prisoners after the war A Chinese cook, Wong Hiong, witnessed the death of the last Sandakan prisoner - Private John Skinner - who was dragged to a drain wearing a loin cloth. Hiong watched Sergeant Major Hisao Murozumi force the Australian to kneel as he tied a black cloth over his eyes. 'He did not say anything or make any protest,' Hiong told war crimes investigators. 'He was so weak that his hands were not tied.' Morozumi cut Skinner's head off with one sword stroke and pushed his body into the drain. The last prisoners at Ranau were shot in late August. Botterill, Short, Sticepwich and Moxham had been hidden from the Japanese by villagers after their escape and survived the war, as did Campbell and Braithwaite. Sandakan commandant Captain Hoshijima Susumi, his successor Captain Takakuwa Takuo and his second-in-command Captain Watanabe Genzo were executed in 1946 for war crimes. India and Pakistan exchanged an escalating series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures on Thursday after New Delhi blamed its arch-rival for backing a deadly shooting attack in contested Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue and punish the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians in the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam on Tuesday, accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism". "I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," Modi said in his first speech since the attack in the Himalayan region. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth". Indian police in the region have identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistani. The attack at Pahalgam in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir was the deadliest for a quarter of a century and marked a dramatic shift with the targeting of civilians, rather than Indian security forces. New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties and withdrew visas for Pakistanis on Wednesday night. On Thursday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a rare meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) with top military officials, including powerful Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, in the capital Islamabad in response to India's accusations and measures. "Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a statement released by Sharif's office said after the NSC meeting. "In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic," it said. The slew of tit-for-tat measures announced by the Pakistan government include expelling Indian diplomats and cancelling visas for Indian nationals with the exception of Sikh pilgrims. Islamabad said Indian military advisers were "persona non grata" and were "directed to leave Pakistan immediately". The main Wagah border crossing in Punjab will close on both sides. Pakistan also warned that it would consider any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River an "act of war". Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, designated by the United Nations as a terrorist organisation. Police have offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest. While the measures taken so far are largely symbolic, some fear New Delhi's diplomatic moves may just be an opening salvo -- with the potential risk of military action between the nuclear-armed neighbours. In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan. At the Attari-Wagah frontier, Pakistani citizens had already started to leave. "We just want to go home," said an exhausted-looking Mehnaz Begum, a Pakistani businessman from Karachi, as he left India. Modi led two minutes of silence in memory of those killed, all but one of whom was Indian. "I say this unequivocally: whoever has carried out this attack, and the ones who devised it, will be made to pay beyond their imagination", Modi said, speaking in Hindi during a visit in Bihar state. "Whatever little land these terrorists have, it's time to reduce it to dust. The willpower of 1.4 billion Indians will break the backbone of these terrorists." Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the high-altitude territory in full but governing separate portions of it. Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. Indian security forces have launched a vast manhunt for the attackers, with large numbers of people detained in the operation. A soldier was killed on Thursday in clashes with gunmen at Basantgarh in Kashmir, the Indian army said. Kashmir's main city of Srinagar appeared calm on Thursday, with residents expressing shock at the attack, which has hit the region's key tourist industry hard, and fear of what is to come. "Everyone I have spoken to is heartbroken and shocked," said Siddhi Wahid, a Kashmiri historian and political commentator. Tuesday's assault occurred as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons. Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith. In Pakistan, activists and members of religious parties staged an anti-India protest on Thursday. The attack has enraged Hindu nationalist groups, and students from Kashmir at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation. "It is a deliberate and targeted campaign of hate and vilification against students from a particular region and identity," Jammu and Kashmir Students Association convenor Nasir Khuehami said. The pilot killed in the tragic crash of an experimental aircraft at a Virginia military base has been revealed to be a renowned stunt flyer. A single seater MX Aircraft MXS crashed while 'on approach' to the Langley Air Force Base in Hampton on Thursday morning, just two days before the biennial Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show. Rob Holland, a legendary aerobatic pilot set to perform in the show this weekend, was named as the victim in the horrific accident, the Holland's official Facebook page confirmed. 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today,' the post read. 'Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history.' 'Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday,' it added. As his loved ones requested time to grieve, they included an important reminder in his memory at the end of their post: 'Never ever give up on your dreams.' Although the cause of the crash remains unknown, the base confirmed that the 11.39am crash was related to the air show. Officials confirmed that the expect to continue on with the scheduled show, despite the devastating and unexpected circumstances, WTKR reported. Rob Holland, a legendary aerobatic pilot, was named as the victim in the horrific crash of an experimental aircraft at a Virginia Air Force base on Thursday morning A single seater MX Aircraft MXS crashed while 'on approach' to the Langley Air Force Base in Hampton on Thursday morning (pictured), just two days before the biennial Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show In the two-plus decades Holland spent as a full-time airshow pilot, he secured 37 medals in international competitions and was crowned a 13-time US National Aerobatic Champion The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Defense are actively investigating the crash. Officials with the Joint Base Langley-Eustis announced a cancelation to a media availability with the US Air Force Thunderbirds pilots scheduled for Thursday afternoon 'due to unforeseen circumstances'. 'Today we lost a friend of our Air Force family,' Col. Matthew Altman, Joint Base Langley-Eustis commander, told WTKR. 'On behalf of our entire JBLE team, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator.' The ill-fated aircraft was custom-built to Holland's specifications of carbon fiber, resulting in the plane's capability to withstand 16Gs and roll at a jaw-dropping 500 degrees per second, according to Holland's website. In the two-plus decades Holland spent as a full-time airshow pilot, he secured 37 medals in international competitions and was crowned a 13-time US National Aerobatic Champion. Holland's family posted this picture with a heartbreaking caption announcing his loss, adding: 'Never ever give up on your dreams' 'The world lost an extraordinary pilot, an incredible person and a true hero who inspired countless lives,' the E3Aviation Association posted to their website. 'With over 15,000 flight hours across more than 180 aircraft types, Rob's skill was matched only by his boundless enthusiasm for flight.' An investigator with the NTSB is expected to arrive at Langley on Friday to begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft before transporting it to a secure facility for further evaluation. A man has handed himself in to authorities following the shooting death of a teenager at a beach in NSW this week. Ekampreet Singh Sahni, 18, was shot in the torso at a carpark next to Bar Beach in Newcastle on Wednesday night, where he had been attending a car enthusiasts meetup. Police said there was an altercation at the event about 11.40pm and a man got out of a white SUV and fired a gun towards Mr Sahni before they then fled. The incident sparked a manhunt, and a white SUV was later found burnt out in the Newcastle suburb of Tingira Heights 15 minutes away. Police cordoned off the area and spent most of Thursday scouring the beach and carpark for clues, with officers seen using metal detectors to scan the foreshore grass. On Friday, a 22-year-old man walked into Newcastle police station accompanied by his lawyer and was arrested, The Newcastle Herald reported. NSW police earlier described the shooting as 'senseless' and released a further statement on Friday. 'A man has been arrested as an investigation continues (into) the fatal shooting of a man in Newcastle earlier this week,' a spokesperson said. Ekampreet Singh Sahni, 18, was shot in the torso at a carpark next to Bar Beach in Newcastle on Wednesday night Police at the carpark early on Thursday (pictured) 'About 11.20am, a 22-year-old was arrested at Newcastle Police station, where inquiries continue.' Family friend Iqbal Singh said it was not only tragic for Mr Sahni's parents but also the community. 'He was such a nice kid he's a good bloke, very hard working,' he told the ABC. Newcastle City Police District Commander, Acting Superintendent Steve Benson earlier said police would interview those involved in the brawl but were not assuming it was connected. 'We don't believe the fight was organised, and we don't believe that this incident is related to that earlier fight at the car park,' he said. 'I will say the investigation is in its infancy, so we're looking at all lines of inquiry. 'It's only a number of hours into the investigation and we're yet to establish a motive,' he said. Police said a rifle was used and that the white SUV had been stolen. A man who killed a mother-of-two claiming it was a 'sex act gone wrong' has been sentenced to life in prison. Alcwyn Thomas had spent the day drinking heavily and taking cocaine before strangling 45-year-old Victoria Thomas to death at the house they shared, on Caerphilly Road, in Birchgrove, Cardiff. Thomas, 44, admitted manslaughter but maintained that Victoria's death was a 'sex act gone wrong' and that it was during 'erotic asphyxiation' that she died. He denied murder but was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. He has now been sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum term of 20 years. CCTV footage from the afternoon of August 19, 2024, showed the couple visiting The New Inn on Caerphilly Road and then Club 3000 Bingo in Gabalfa with members of the Thomas' family. Police said his mood was described as 'argumentative and moody' and that he had drunk a total of 16 pints of lager as well as taking cocaine. The force added that footage appeared to show him having an argument between the couple, who were not married, before getting in a taxi. Alcwyn Thomas had spent the day drinking heavily and taking cocaine before strangling 45-year-old Victoria Thomas to death at the house they shared Victoria Thomas has been described as a 'much-loved daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and niece' Thomas has now been sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum term of 20 years The court heard the defendant confronted his partner when she was alone in the spare bedroom of their home before grabbing her throat and strangling her to death. Victoria's body was found during the early hours of the next morning, following concerns for her welfare, while Thomas was found sleeping in his own bed. A South Wales Police statement said: 'The last sighting of Victoria alive was at 9.26pm when the couple returned home. 'Just after 11pm, Thomas sent texts to his sisters saying, "Sorry I done something so bad". 'Victoria's body was found during the early hours of Tuesday, August 20, after Thomas' niece, concerned by the texts, went to check on her welfare. 'When police arrived, Thomas was asleep in the couple's bedroom on the middle floor. 'He replied "no comment" during police interview but later admitted intentionally strangling Victoria.' Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Powell, said: 'Victoria Thomas was a much-loved daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and niece. CCTV footage from the night of Victoria's death showed the couple walking to The New Inn on Caerphilly Road just after 2:30pm They then headed to the Club 3000 Bingo in Gabalfa, where they met with members of the defendant's family Police said Thomas (pictured) had drunk a total of 16 pints of lager as well as taking cocaine on the night of Victoria's death 'Her devastated family have shown tremendous patience and dignity during this heart-breaking ordeal. Our thoughts are with them today as they have been throughout. 'Alcwyn Thomas has shown no remorse and maintained that Victoria's death was some kind of sex act gone wrong. He made no effort to revive her or seek help for her and having killed her he went to sleep in their bedroom. He now has to face up to the reality of what he did and spend a very long time in prison.' In a statement, Victoria's family said: 'As a family we are very grateful that justice has been done in this case. 'We would like to thank everyone involved at South Wales Police who in addition to conducting a thorough and successful investigation have provided the most fantastic support to us all throughout. 'Thanks to victim support for everything they have offered the family to try and make our lives slightly easier. 'We would also like to thank the CPS and in particular the team involved in the preparation of the court case and Mike Jones KC for his excellent presentation of the evidence which led to the successful conviction of Vicki's murderer. 'We will never get Vicki back and that is something that we will have to live with for the rest of our lives but knowing that Thomas would not live the rest of his days in freedom provides some level of comfort'. The victim's mum, Gillian Thomas, in an emotional statement to the court, said: 'Forty seven years ago Vicki's heart started beating inside me, conceived with love. What gave you the right to stop her heart beating? 'No one gave you that right, you just took it. Only you know the reasons why. I hope none of your family will feel the pain we have had to endure.' Volodymyr Zelensky will have to 'give up territory' to Russia in order to achieve peace in Ukraine, the mayor of Kyiv has warned as Vladimir Putin ignores Donald Trump's plea to end the violence and launches another massive drone attack. The Kremlin launched 103 drones in overnight attacks targeting Ukraine, causing damage in the Kharkiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Three people, including a child, were killed and eight more were also wounded in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad, the regional governor said Friday. Zelensky has repeatedly said that Ukraine won't concede land to Russia, but Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has now admitted that doing so may be the 'painful solution' to achieving piece. 'One of the scenarios is to give up territory. It's not fair,' Klitschko told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday. 'But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary.' The mayor, however, admitted that Zelensky has not involved him in discussions about a possible route to peace. He said that is 'not my function, it is the function of President Zelensky' and that 'President Zelensky does himself'. Kiltschko's remarks come as US-led effort to secure a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has not made progress, fuelling frustration from Trump. Trump on Thursday offered rare criticism of Putin, urging the Russian leader to 'STOP!' after a deadly barrage of missile strikes on Kyiv. The comments about Putin came after Trump lashed out at Zelensky on Wednesday and accused him of prolonging the 'killing field' by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula as part of a possible deal. Russia illegally annexed that area in 2014. Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko, pictured Thursday speaking to the BBC following a massive Russian missile attack on Kyiv, has warned that Volodymyr Zelensky will have to 'give up territory' to Russia in order to achieve peace in Ukraine The Kremlin launched 103 drones in overnight attacks targeting Ukraine, causing damage in the Kharkiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Pictured are drone strikes over Kharkiv overnight Russian troops struck the Dnipropetrovsk region early this morning. In Pavlograd, as a result of the strike, at least three people were killed, including a child. Eight more people were injured Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 103 drones in overnight attacks across Ukraine, causing damage in five regions. Air defence units shot down 41 drones, and another 40 drones were redirected by electronic warfare, the air force said on Telegram. At least three people were killed in Pavlohrad in the overnight attacks, according to Serhiy Lysak, governor for the central Dnipropetrovsk region. 'The aggressor again conducted a mass attack on the region with drones,' Lysak said on Telegram, adding that 11 drones where destroyed over the region. Lysak said that several fires had broken out in the city, posting a photo of a fire raging on some levels of a multi-storey building. He said that six of the wounded where hospitalised while two others, including a 15-year-old girl, were treated on site. 'Unfortunately, there are already three dead in Pavlohrad. Among them is a child,' he said in a later update. Search and rescue operations were ongoing, he added. The industrial city of Pavlohrad had a pre-war population of about 100,000 people. It is an important railway hub for the Dnipropetrovsk region, connecting it to the east of the country. As a result of the attack, fires had also broken out on the sites of enterprises in the Synelnykivskyi and Samarivskyi districts, Lysak added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured on Thursday) has repeatedly said that Ukraine won't concede land to Russia , but Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has now admitted that doing so may be the 'painful solution' to achieving piece The overnight drone attacks caused fires in the region, engulfing buildings and cars in flames. Firefighters are pictured a clearing debris in the Dnipropetrovsk region this morning Emergency services saved 10 people, including two children, this morning in Pavlograd. rescuers are pictured working in the Dnipropetrovsk region today Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv was also under drone attack, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said, adding that according to preliminary information several private buildings were damaged. Zelensky, quoting Ukraine's top commander, said early on Friday that Russian forces had tried to use mass air strikes as cover for intensified land-based attacks, but these were repelled. 'The Russians in fact tried, under cover of their mass air strikes, to make ground advances,' Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app, referring to a report from top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi. 'When our forces were concentrating to the maximum on defending against missiles and drones, the Russians went ahead with intensified ground attacks. But they were repelled in worthy fashion.' The attacks come just one day after Russia launched its deadliest strikes on Kyiv in months and after Russia's foreign minister said Thursday that Moscow was ready to do a deal on its war in Ukraine. 'We are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points... which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this,' Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with CBS News. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is due in Russia today, where he is expected to hold another round of ceasefire talks with Putin. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 103 drones in overnight attacks across Ukraine, causing damage in five regions. Pictured are firefighters battling a blaze caused by the strikes Several fires had broken out across the region as a result of Russia's overnight strikes. Firefighters are pictured battling blazes this morning Air defence units shot down 41 drones overnight, and another 40 drones were redirected by electronic warfare, Ukraine's air force said. Pictured are firefighters and Ukrainian Emergency Services personnel early Friday morning in the aftermath of the strikes Lavrov said the talks process was moving in the right direction, and negotiations would continue with Washington. He said the US president was 'probably the only leader on Earth who recognised the need to address the root causes of this situation', but said Trump 'did not spell out the elements of the deal'. Trump, however, issued a direct appeal to Putin Thursday following missile and drone strikes on the Ukrainian capital, which left at least 12 people dead. It was the latest in a wave of Russian aerial attacks that have killed dozens of civilians, defying Trump's push to bring about a rapid end to the bloodshed. 'I am not happy with the Russian strikes,' Trump said on social media. 'Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!' Trump, who is accused of favouring Russia and has often vilified Zelensky, was asked by reporters what concessions Moscow had offered in negotiations to end the war. 'Stopping taking the whole country - pretty big concession,' he replied. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, hoping to take the country in days, but has since been bogged down in a bloody war with huge casualties on both sides. Fire brigades in Ukraine respond to a fire caused by massive Russian shelling overnight Search and rescue operations at the site of the Russian attack on a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine on April 25, 2025 Rescuers pulled two cats out of the rubble of a residential building destroyed by Russian missile in Kyiv, according to reports on Telegram. The frightened but unharmed animals were handed over to the Ukrainian Red Cross Zelensky, who cut his trip to South Africa short to deal with the aftermath of Thursday's strikes, questioned whether Kyiv's allies were doing enough to force Putin to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire. 'I don't see any strong pressure on Russia or any new sanctions packages against Russia's aggression,' Zelensky said, highlighting that Trump had previously warned of repercussions if Moscow did not agree to pause the fighting. Trump on Wednesday had accused Zelensky of frustrating peace efforts by ruling out recognising Russia's claim over Crimea, a territory the US president said was 'lost years ago'. 'We do everything that our partners have proposed; only what contradicts our legislation and the Constitution we cannot do,' Zelensky said in response to a question about Crimea. In contrast, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday it was Moscow, not Kyiv, that needed to move forward in negotiations. 'The balls are clearly in the Russian court now,' Rutte told reporters at the White House after meeting Trump. Princess Anne has remembered 'brave Anzacs' in their own words during a dawn service in north-west Turkey where thousands fell 110 years ago. On a day when the sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand forces who were killed in the Gallipoli landings in 1915 was recognised in services across the world, the Princess Royal laid a wreath on that fateful coastline. Troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - shortened to Anzac - landed on the western shore of the Gallipoli peninsula on April 25, 1915, as part of the failed campaign that lasted into 1916. In a message on social media King Charles, who attended the dawn service in Gallipoli on Anzac Day in 2005 and 2015, said he wanted to pay a special tribute to Australian and New Zealand veterans, and those who are on active service today. 'Through the generations, you have continued to enact the indomitable spirit of Anzac - forged in terrible conflict and preserved in peace - of courage, mateship and sacrifice,' he said. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh joined Australians and New Zealanders for a dawn service at the Australian War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph ahead of a Westminster Abbey service of commemoration and thanksgiving. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Sam Mostyn were among crowds who travelled from the southern hemisphere for the dawn service. During the service at Anzac Cove, Princess Anne reflected on the words of three men who were involved in the assault, including one of the first to land on the beach. Princess Anne lays a wreath during the 'Spirit of Place' ceremony and dawn memorial service at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula The Duchess of Edinburgh attends a dawn service at Hyde Park Corner commemorating Anzac Day The Duchess of Edinburgh lays a wreath during the service in London She described the 'pluck' that 'our boys' had shown, while another described the 'terrible sight of hundreds of dead and wounded lying all along the beach - I shall never forget it'. The Princess Royal spoke of the eight month long campaign which cost and changed the lives of tens of thousands of Australian, New Zealand, British and French soldiers. 'Their words have helped us understand and support families left behind,' she said. '110 years later, we stand here at dawn to commemorate the Anzacs, remembering their bravery, courage and sacrifice. 'We also remember all Australian and New Zealand men and women who since that day have served their country in wars, conflicts and peace missions. Their service is not forgotten, we will remember them.' In his address, Mr Luxon described Gallipoli as a name 'etched into New Zealand's national identity'. 'It represents not only this shore and these hills, but the valour that was shown here on both sides, the terrible sacrifice and the utter tragedy of war,' he said. 'Some 16,000 Kiwis served here. At that time we were a nation of just a million people. Our contribution as a small nation at the bottom of the world was disproportionate. The Duchess of Edinburgh lays a wreath during the dawn service at Hyde Park Corner The Princess Royal delivers a speech during the 'Spirit of Place' ceremony and dawn memorial service at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula People watch the 'Spirit of Place' ceremony and dawn memorial service take place at Anzac Cove An Australian soldier plays a pipe during the service the Anzac Cove beach, the site of the April 25, 1915, World War I landing of the Anzac Australian and New Zealand soldiers take part in the 'Spirit of Place' ceremony Attendees wait for the start of the service at the Anzac Cove beach The dawn service at Hyde Park Corner, London, commemorating Anzac Day Aussie's are seen celebrating with servicemen and women on Anzac Day 'What happened here scarred generations of New Zealanders. While we remain proud of those who serve, we do not glorify what happened here, we know too much to do that, instead we acknowledge the courage and the tenacity of the Anzacs, and we respect of the valour of the Ottoman Turks who resisted them.' More than 100,000 troops died in the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War by the UK and allies to capture the Dardanelles Strait. The assault in 1915 was intended to wound the then Ottoman Empire and cut off a key connecting water route between the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea, a move which would have also aided Russia. Princess Anne attended services across Gallipoli on Thursday and laid wreaths for the fallen of several nationalities, including the UK and Ireland, France and Turkey. Later she met Mr Luxon as well as senior political figures and diplomats during a reception at the Kolin Hotel in Canakkale. The Princess Royal talks with the Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, as she attends the Commander's Reception Princess Anne lays a wreath at the monument during the ceremony held at the French Military Cemetery Princess Anne, left, and and Deputy Minister of Tourism Gokhan Yazgi, right, stand during the international service in recognition of the Gallipoli campaign During speeches, Princess Anne hailed Turkish friends and emphasised the importance of passing on the tradition of remembering those who have fallen in war During speeches, Princess Anne hailed Turkish friends and emphasised the importance of passing on the tradition of remembering those who have fallen in war. She quoted Turkish hero Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, saying: 'There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours. 'You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this island, they have become our sons as well.' She described words such as these as having 'paved the way for ferocious battles that took place on this land to be replaced by long-lasting friendships and strong alliances that we must take forward to the future'. Police are investigating a protest incident at a popular fountain which caused the water to run red on Anzac Day. Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson expressed her fury on Friday that Mission Bay's Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain, in the city's inner east, had been damaged. Photos shared on her Facebook show the memorial covered with red liquid and surrounding water dyed with red paint or dye. 'I respect the right for peaceful protest. What I don't respect or condone is wilful damage of public property,' she said. 'Our wonderful Mission Bay fountain was only cleaned yesterday! 'A police report has been done, we have CCTV in the area and another clean will occur today!' The protest, which was about Israel's war in Gaza, appeared to coincide with Anzac Day, with a poster stuck to the foundation with a remembrance poppy at the bottom. Above the poppy was the phrase: 'Never again is now.' Locals took to social media to debate whether it was disrespectful to hold the protest on Friday The poster urged the New Zealand government to act to uphold 'international law'. 'How many more children slaughtered in Gaza,' it asked. '18 months of genocide. Blood on their hands.' New Zealand news website, Stuff said police received a report at about 5am local time that people were near the fountain while the caller set up for an Anzac service. The report is being assessed by officers. Locals appeared to be split on the protest, arguing in the comments on the choice of day to make a statement. 'How totally disrespectful to the men and women we remember today who fought for these morons,' one commenter said. Another said: 'ANZAC day is not the day to do this.' But one user said that it: 'Breaks my heart that people are more concerned with red food colouring in a fountain.' Revellers took to Sydney's historic pubs in droves on Anzac Day to play two-up and toast the diggers. Thousands gathered at the Martin Place cenotaph at 4.20am to take part in the official New South Wales Anzac Day Dawn Service. Eight hours later, following a march and a Hyde Park commemoration service, many Aussies went in search of a drinking hole. When it comes to two-up, a favourite pastime of Australian soldiers during World War I, few venues rival those found in The Rocks, between Sydney Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay. Wild scenes were witnessed at The Australian Heritage and The Glenmore hotels, where games of two-up kicked off at midday. Aussies tested their fortunes around a raised two-up ring outside The Australian Heritage Hotel, famed for having been built the same year the Great War began in 1914. Images taken by Daily Mail Australia captured the boozy happenings outside the hotel, where fortunate revellers raised wads of cash while losers dropped to their knees for obligatory push-ups. In the neighbouring The Glenmore Hotel, drinkers piled row upon row before a streetside barricade under balconies draped in Australian flags. Two-up fortunes were mixed as always with some revellers heading home richer and others leaving empty-handed Drinkers commemorated Anzac Day in the time-honoured tradition of two-up games at pubs across the country. Pictured is an unlucky punter at the Australian Heritage Hotel Patrons tested the barricades erected outside pubs in The Rocks as venues were warned to expect larger than usual crowds Patrons were pictured carrying cans of Aussie beer and mixed spirits from Great Northern and VB to Bundaberg and Fellr seltzers. As the afternoon unfolded, drinkers downed their paddles to listen to the bagpipes and drums of the Scots Marching Band. Waiters looked to be outnumbered by the many NSW Liquor and Gaming inspectors deployed across the city to ensure two-up rules were being enforced. Riot police vehicles, too, were seen nearby drinkers outside The Glenmore Hotel. Sailors smiled on, dressed in buttoned-up, double-breasted suits, polished black shoes and bell-bottomed hats, some on their heads others under their arms. Because it fell on a Friday this year, venues across the city were warned to prepare for unusually large Anzac Day crowds. Last year, Anzac Day was on a Thursday, meaning Aussies were largely expected to return to work the following day. Even then, alcohol sales at bars and pubs across the country doubled, with a 141 per cent uplift in spirits and a 105 per cent increase in beer sales, according to NIQ's Australia Pulse and Report. A waiter is pictured carrying a number of empty beer jugs while maneuvering the busy crowds Drinking goes hand-in-hand with Anzac Day celebrations. Last year, alcohol sales in Australian pubs and bars nearly doubled The courtyard of The Glenmore Hotel is pictured from above on Anzac Day, where a bustling crowd gathered to drink and pay their respects 'Anzac Day is a time when Australians come together, and as this year it marks the start of a long weekend, we expect venues to see an increase in patron numbers,' L&GNSW acting executive director of regulatory operations Gabbie Gallagher said. 'Pubs and clubs must be vigilant in managing risks linked to the service of alcohol, intoxication, increased crowd numbers and gambling disputes.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marked the occasion at the Australian War Memorial while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton attended a commemoration in his electorate of Dickson in Brisbane. 'We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice,' Mr Albanese said. 'Let us therefore once more dedicate ourselves to the ideals for which they died. 'As the dawn is even now about to pierce the night, so let their memory inspire us to work for the coming new light into the dark places of the world.' JK Rowling's long-running spat with India Willoughby deepened today as she condemned the transgender newsreader for saying murderer Wayne Couzens would have 'loved' the Supreme Court gender ruling. The UK's highest court gave a unanimous ruling on April 16 that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex'. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces such as toilets or changing rooms if 'proportionate'. Harry Potter author Rowling has been among those celebrating the ruling on social media, having been at the forefront of women's rights campaigns in recent years. But Willoughby has criticised it, tweeting on April 19: 'I'll tell you who would have LOVED the new 'Prove You're A Woman' ruling from the UK Supreme Court: Wayne Couzens. The policeman who murdered Sarah Everard. Agree @PatsyeStevenson?' Couzens was sentenced to a whole-life order after he abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in March 2021 while he was a serving Metropolitan Police officer. Early this morning, Rowling angrily responded to Willoughby's tweet, saying: 'Every time you think @IndiaWilloughby can't go any lower he hits a deeper layer of subsoil. 'Rapists and woman-killers tend not to 'love' legal restrictions on where and how they can access vulnerable females. If you're capable of feeling shame, India, now would be the moment.' JK Rowling (left) has been in a long-running spat with trans presenter India Willoughby (right) In a tweet today, JK Rowling condemned India Willoughby for her post about Wayne Couzens The tweet posted by India Willoughby about Wayne Couzens on April 19 following the ruling Rowling, 59, has continued to label Willoughby, also 59, as a 'man', despite the journalist - who was born Jonathan - transitioning to become a woman in 2015. Patsy Stevenson who was mentioned in Willoughby's tweet - was among the women arrested at a vigil for Miss Everard in Clapham Common soon after her death, while pandemic restrictions were active. The Met later paid damages to Stevenson who bills herself as a gender equality campaigner but still condemned the ruling as 'devastating for the trans community'. Stevenson has not responded on social media to Willoughby's tweet, but said on April 18 of the ruling: 'All women will be at risk. Trans women should not be subject to this, and you think an officer wont lie about thinking a cis woman is trans just to strip search them? 'Every woman is going to be forced to endure strip searches by male officers. What the f**k.' Patsy Stevenson who was mentioned in Willoughby's tweet - was among the women arrested at a vigil for Sarah Everard in London's Clapham Common soon after her death in March 2021 Sarah Everard was murdered by Wayne Couzens after disappearing while walking home Last week, Rowling described Willoughby as 'the gift that keeps on giving' in a separate online spat in which she insisted that the broadcaster 'remains a man'. That came after Willoughby, who was Loose Women's first transgender co-host, said the court's decision marked a 'grim day for Britain'. Rowling was previously pictured celebrating last week's ruling with a drink and a cigar on board her superyacht. The author has since accused the Prime Minister of siding 'with the persecutors' and showing a lack of remorse amid his U-turn on gender. She warned earlier this week that women would not forget the stance taken by Sir Keir Starmer and other politicians who had backed trans activist groups. In 2022 Sir Keir stated 'trans women are women' but flip-flopped on Tuesday after the Supreme Court's ruling and said 'a woman is a biological woman'. It sparked anger from Rowling who labelled those who could only now 'muster the truth' as 'cowards'. Rowling celebrated last week's court ruling with a drink and a cigar on board her superyacht Campaigners Susan Smith (left) and Marion Calder (right), co-directors of For Women Scotland, celebrate outside the Supreme Court in London the ruling on April 16 Campaigners take part in a rally organised by trans rights groups, trade unions, and community organisations at Parliament Square in London on April 19, three days after the court ruling She wrote: 'Will any of them issue an apology or admit they made a serious error in siding with activist groups lying about what the law said, and which had measurable, severe impact on some of society's most vulnerable women?' At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir refused to concede he was wrong to say 'trans women are women' after being repeatedly challenged by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over his shifting views on gender. Rowling has been hit by accusations of transphobia in recent years and has associated herself with the acronym 'Terf' (trans-exclusionary radical feminism). Her views have prompted many of the stars who acquired fame and fortune through the Harry Potter franchise to either support or condemn her. Leading actors such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have all distanced themselves from Rowling and spoken out in support of transgender people. But other stars have expressed their horror over Rowling's treatment, including Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter. However, Rowling was this week branded a 'heinous loser' by The Last Of Us actor Pedro Pascal, whose sister Lux recently came out as a transgender woman. A priest has joined mourners under fire for taking selfies beside the late Pope's body, as the Vatican urged faithful to avoid taking 'bad taste' photos. In a series of posts shared to Instagram, one Brazilian rector shared photos and videos from the Vatican, including a photo of himself next to the corpse of the pontiff. The cleric, who covers holy topics for an audience of 115,000 online, shared his post from the Basilica of St Peter with the simple message, 'Rest in Peace Pope Francis'. While followers in his network echoed his condolences in the comments, such photos have proven controversial - and even invoked a warning from the church itself. 'Visitors are invited not to take photos,' a spokesperson for the Vatican told The Times. A source from the church added that mourners have been queuing for hours to see the pope and pay their respects - 'but taking pictures is not in the best of taste'. Mourners, too, have joined in criticism of social media users for their conduct inside the basilica - as officials prepare for the funeral in St Peter's Square on Saturday. The Pope, who died on Monday aged 88, had been in the role since 2013, and was dubbed the first real 'digital' pontiff, heading the church as it found its place in the internet age. A priest joined others in posting a selfie with the late pontiff - adding 'rest in peace' Mourners pose for selfies near the open casket of Pope Francis, in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Another faithful posted a similar image online standing in front of the late Pope's dead body Tens of thousands of pilgrims have made the journey to St Peter's Basilica since it was opened to the public for believers wanting to pay their respects to the late pope. The pope's death on Monday came as something of a shock after he was tentatively discharged from hospital and resumed papal activities - including joining crowds in the 'Popemobile' on Easter Sunday, and meeting U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The Vatican confirmed on Monday that the Pope had died from a stroke and irreversible heart failure in his beloved Casa Santa Marta residence, prompting an influx of faithful to the Vatican as the body was moved to the basilica. How mourners have expressed their grief has proven a point of controversy, however. Officials have released photos of Francis in his velvet-lined coffin and did not ban public pictures, but guards reportedly stopped some mourners using phone cameras. A Vatican source said: 'It would be good if people could try and remember where they are and have a little respect but there's little else that can be done.' One faithful said the atmosphere was ruined by people 'ignoring warnings' and taking photos instead of paying proper respects. She explained that she and her husband kept their phones in their pockets throughout the experience, adding that it was 'sad to see such disrespectful behaviour'. The viewing of the body of Pope Francis in Saint Peters Basilica, the Vatican, Rome Crowds gathered around the coffin while holding their phones in the air Nuns take photos from inside St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City Janine Venables, 53, from Pontypridd, south Wales told MailOnline: 'What did surprise me is the fact that earlier we were told no photos in the Sistine Chapel and here people were getting their phone out and doing selfies with the coffin. I did think that was a bit in poor taste and Im surprised no one stopped them. A BBC reporter said they saw nuns in St Peter's Square 'glaring' at a man wearing headphones and 'dancing around the square', before lamenting the lack of 'respect'. Inside the basilica, some nuns were also photographed gathering around the pontiff's open casket with their phones in hand. When crowds arrived before the body of Francis in the basilica, they were requested to put away their selfie sticks, but the phone screens remained front and centre. While it had been expected that St, Peter's would close at midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, it remained open throughout the night to allow more people to pay their respects. The Vatican then kept St Peter's open past the scheduled hours to accommodate the queues, only closing the doors between 2:30am (0030 GMT) and 5:40am Friday. On Friday, the Vatican was making its final preparations for the Pope's funeral as the last of the huge crowds filed through to view the coffin. The body of Pope Francis is placed into St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 23 Many of the 50 heads of state and 10 monarchs attending Saturday's ceremony in St Peter's Square, including US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, are expected to arrive later today in Rome. At least 130 foreign delegations are expected at his funeral, including Argentina's President Javier Milei and Britain's Prince William, and a no-fly zone will be in force. Italian and Vatican authorities have placed the area around St Peter's under tight security with drones blocked, snipers on roofs and fighter jets on standby. Further check-points will be activated on Friday night, police said. The Argentine pontiff, who had long suffered failing health, defied doctors' orders by appearing at Easter, the most important moment in the Catholic calendar. It would be his last public appearance. Condolences have flooded in from around the world for the Jesuit, an energetic reformer who championed those on the fringes of society in his 12 years as head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. He used his last speech to rail against those who stir up "contempt... towards the vulnerable, the marginalised, and migrants". Any attempt by India to cut off water to Pakistan will be considered an 'act of war', Islamabad has said as troops from the nuclear-armed nations exchanged fire overnight. The UN urged both New Delhi and Islamabad to show 'maximum restraint' after Pakistani troops reportedly fired at an Indian position on the border. Relations between the historical adversaries have plunged to their lowest level in years following Tuesday's militant attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. Vikram Misri, the Indian foreign secretary, accused Islamabad of sponsoring 'cross-border terrorism' as New Delhi ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave within 72 hours. India also suspended a decades-old water sharing treaty brokered by the World Bank in 1960 as part of its response. The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed up by Modi, decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty 'until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism', Misri said. The Indus river, which flows through India to Pakistan, is crucial for millions of farmers in both nations. The suspension of water sharing ahead of the sowing season in Pakistan may have a significant impact on its crop production, with experts warning it will lead to a spike in food prices. The UN urged both New Delhi and Islamabad to show 'maximum restraint' after troops exchanged fire along the border overnight India also suspended a decades-old water sharing treaty brokered by the World Bank in 1960 as part of its response The suspension of water sharing ahead of the sowing season in Pakistan may have a significant impact on its crop production, with experts warning it will lead to a spike in food prices Supporters of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), carry flags and banners, during a protest against the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India A statement from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office said: 'Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty, and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force.' Senator Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's former Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environment, told MailOnline: 'With zero evidence, India has laid the entire blame on Pakistan, and used this tragedy as an excuse to dismantle all diplomatic and other ties like the Indus Waters Treaty that have stood the test of time and several wars.' Khalid Hussain Baath, chairman of a national farmers' union in Pakistan, said India's move came at a time when there is both a water shortage and low predicted rainfall. 'This is a true war,' he added. Pakistan responded to the moves by suspending all visas issued to Indian nationals under an exemption scheme with immediate effect and closing its airspace to Indian flights. UN officials urged both sides to engage peacefully after troops exchanged fire overnight along the Line of Control (LOC) that separates the two countries, though Pakistani officials played down the incident. 'There is post-to-post firing in Leepa Valley overnight. There is no firing on the civilian population. Life is normal. Schools are open,' said Syed Ashfaq Gilani, a senior government official in Jhelum Vally district. Three Indian army officials said that Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late on Thursday. The officials said troops retaliated and no casualties were reported. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: 'We very much appeal to both the governments to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further. 'Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement.' But earlier today the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram K Doraiswami, refused to rule out a military response to the Kashmir attack. He told Times Radio: 'Let's see. All options are on the table. 'We will bring these people to justice. I think there should be no doubt on that account. 'We will reserve the right to deal with the people who attack civilians.' Your browser does not support iframes. Relations between the historical adversaries have plunged to their lowest level in years following Tuesday's militant attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists UN officials urged both sides to engage peacefully after troops exchanged fire overnight along the Line of Control (LOC) that separates the two countries Pakistan warned it could suspend the Simla Agreement, a critical peace treaty brokered after the 1971 war between the two nations. Under the agreement,and Pakistan went on to establish the LOC, previously called the Ceasefire Line, a highly militarised de facto border that divides disputed Kashmir between the countries. India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. The two sides have long accused each other of backing forces to destabilise one another, and New Delhi describes all militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism. India's army chief is to visit Pahalgam, the tourist hotspot where Tuesday's deadly attack took place, to lead a high-level security review. Authorities have already demolished the houses of two suspected militants, according to Indian media. One of the properties belonged to Asif Sheikh, a member of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group, who were allegedly involved in the deadly shootings in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Earlier today UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told Modi he was 'horrified' by the incident. A Downing Street spokesperson said: 'He expressed his deep condolences on behalf of the British people to all those affected, their loved ones and the people of India.' Authorities have already demolished the houses of two suspected militants, according to Indian media Students pay homage at a school in Chennai to the deceased who were killed by gunmen in Kashmir's Pahalgam Yesterday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an all-party meeting with opposition parties to brief them on the government's response to the attack, with fears that New Delhi's retaliation could go even further. In 2019, when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a paramilitary convoy, killing 40 soldiers, India claimed to strike a militant training camp inside Pakistan. Pakistan responded with air raids, downing an Indian military aircraft and captured an Indian pilot who was later released. Two years later, in 2021, the two countries renewed a previous ceasefire agreement along their border, which has largely held despite attacks on Indian forces by insurgents in Kashmir. A student killed a girl and wounded three other pupils in a stabbing spree on Thursday at a private school in France that prompted demands for tighter security in schools after a series of attacks. The youth -- whose identity has not been revealed but who had expressed an admiration for Adolf Hitler -- was overcome by teachers after staging attacks in several classrooms, witnesses said. He is now in custody having further shocked a country that has seen a series of school knife attacks. The suspect sent a rambling email to other students just before the attacks. In the latest case, the assailant attacked fellow students with a knife at the Notre-Dame de Toutes-Aides grammar school in the western city of Nantes. One of the three wounded, a girl, was said to be in critical condition. President Emmanuel Macron, writing on X, said the courage of the teachers who floored the youth had prevented a higher toll. "Through their intervention, teachers likely prevented other tragedies. Their courage demands respect," he said. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou urged "an intensification of controls in and around schools" following the attack. He called for a response to the "endemic violence" among some youths and demanded proposals to prevent further knife attacks. Bayrou said secure gates at all schools was a possibility. AFP spoke with one student who gave an account of what happened. "I was in the cafeteria with my friends and we were told that a high school pupil had stabbed students in several classrooms," she said, without giving her name. "We were told not to leave the cafeteria for about 20 minutes and then we were confined to a gym." She added the assailant "was known to be depressed, he said he loved Hitler". The suspect sent a long email to other pupils in which he said "globalisation has transformed our system into a machine to decompose humanity". He advocated a "biological revolt" to facilitate a return to "the natural order of things, even if cruel" instead of "globalised ecocide". The school administration sent a message to the families of the 2,000 students, informing them of the incident. Students had been immediately confined inside the school, the statement added. Worried parents gathered outside the school, which had been cordoned off by police and some French soldiers. Ludivine, 48, said the attack had happened in her daughter's class. "As an anxious mother who doesn't let her out alone, I never thought anything would happen to her at her school," she said. French Education Minister Elisabeth Borne said in February that police would start random searches near schools for hidden knives and other weapons in a bid to deal with the rise in attacks. A child is fighting for life after they were found unconscious in a backyard pool on Friday afternoon. The young boy was flown to Brisbane after being found in a pool at a property near the Queensland/NSW border. Paramedics were called to an address in Glen Niven, north of Stanthorpe, after reports the boy suffered a medical episode while in the pool at 2.20pm. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said the boy was in a critical condition. He was transported to Stanthorpe Hospital to meet with a rescue helicopter before being taken to Brisbane. Paramedics arrived to find the youg bou unconscious Donald Trump is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at Pope Francis' funeral mass despite being among the first to confirm that he would be attending the service. Trump, who is accustomed to being front and centre at world events, is unlikely to have a prominent position in the seating arrangements when he arrives at St. Peter's Basilica tomorrow morning. The Vatican is today making final preparations for the pontiff's funeral and has not yet released the official seating chart. Many of the 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs will be in attendance, but tradition suggests that precedence for front row seating will be given to Catholic royalty. Foreign dignities will likely be sat in large block on one side of the coffin, across from the cardinals, patriarchs, bishops and archbishops, The Telegraph reports. Catholic royals will be seated in the front row, followed by non-Catholic royals, including Prince William. World leaders, heads of states and other foreign dignitaries will then be sat behind them. Trump, however, is not likely to be pleased with the seating arrangements, given that he mocked his predecessor Joe Biden for having to sit in the rear at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral three years ago. He said that Biden's 14th row seat showed there was 'no respect' for the US anymore and alleged that if he was president he would have been moved closer to the front of the audience of 2,000 mourners. Trump did not attend the service bidding farewell to Britain's longest reigning monarch - as invites were limited to current heads of state. Donald Trump (pictured with Pope Francis in May 2017) is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at Pope Francis' funeral mass despite being among the first to confirm that he would be attending the service Pope Francis lies in state in a coffin as people pay their respects at St Peter's Basilica at The Vatican, on April 25, 2025 A solemn looking woman takes to her knees and cries as she mourns Pope Francis while he lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 25, 2025 Faithful queue to enter St. Peter's Basilica to pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state today Donald Trump mocked his predecessor Joe Biden for having to sit in the 14th row at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral three years ago (pictured) Ivanka Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and President Donald Trump stand with Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican in May 2017 The Vatican is making final preparations for the pope's funeral today as the last of the huge crowds of mourners file through St Peter's Basilica to view his open coffin. Many of the foreign leaders attending Saturday's ceremony, including Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, are expected to arrive in Rome later today. Trump, who is travelling with first lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to arrive today after Francis' coffin has been sealed. Italian and Vatican authorities have placed the area around St Peter's under tight security with drones blocked, snipers on roofs and fighter jets on standby. Further check-points will be activated tonight, police said. At least 130 foreign delegations are expected at his funeral, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Argentina's President Javier Milei and French President Emmanuel Macron. A no-fly zone will be in force. Prince William, who is attending the funeral on behalf of King Charles, will be in the company of other royals, including Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. The King and Queen of Sweden and the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway will also be present. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences late Thursday, after a notable delay that some attributed to strained ties with the Vatican, as Francis had repeatedly criticised Israel's conduct in Gaza. Netanyahu will not attend tomorrow's service, with Israel only being represented only by its ambassador to the Vatican. Huge crowds of mourners queue outside St Peter's Basilica today to view Pope Francis' open coffin on the final day of his lying in state Over 128,000 people have already queued to pay their last respects to Francis, whose coffin will be closed at 8pm (6pm GMT) today in a ceremony attended by senior cardinals Mourners, some feeling emotional, pay their respects to Pope Francis on April 24, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican Dutch Cardinal Wim Eijk arrives at the Vatican today as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica for the final day Your browser does not support iframes. Vast crowds of people this morning packed Via della Conciliazione, the wide avenue leading to the Vatican, for the third and final day of the pope's lying-in-state. Over 128,000 people have already queued to pay their last respects to Francis, whose coffin will be closed at 8pm (6pm GMT) today in a ceremony attended by senior cardinals. For a second night in a row, the Vatican kept St Peter's open past the scheduled hours to accommodate the queues, only closing the doors between 2.30am and 5.40am Friday. The Catholic Church's first Latin American pope died on Monday aged 88, less than a month after spending weeks in hospital with severe pneumonia. The Argentine pontiff, who had long suffered failing health, defied doctors' orders by appearing at Easter, the most important moment in the Catholic calendar. It would be his last public appearance. Condolences have flooded in from around the world for the Jesuit, an energetic reformer who championed those on the fringes of society in his 12 years as head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. He used his last speech to rail against those who stir up 'contempt... towards the vulnerable, the marginalised, and migrants'. The pope's coffin was set before St Peter's altar for his three days of lying-in-state, with Francis dressed in his papal vestments - a red chasuble, white mitre and black shoes. Faithful pay their respect to the late Pope Francis who will lie in state inside St. Peter's Basilica until Friday, at the Vatican, Thursday April 24, 2025 Faithful are seen inside St. Peter's Basilica to pay homage to the body of Pope Francis on April 24, 2025 in Vatican City People wait in line under the rain to enter St. Peter's Basilica to view Pope Francis lying in state, at the Vatican, Thursday, April 24, 2025 Italy's civil protection agency estimates that 'several hundred thousand' people will descend on Rome on what was already set to be a busy weekend due to a public holiday on Friday. After the funeral, Francis's coffin will be driven at a walking pace to be buried at his favourite church, Rome's papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The hearse will pass down Rome's Fori Imperiali - where the city's ancient temples lie - and then the Colosseum, according to officials. Big screens will be set up along the route on which to watch the ceremony, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said. The pontiff was a champion of underdogs, and a group of 'poor and needy', will be at Santa Maria Maggiore to welcome the coffin, the Vatican said. Francis will be interred in the ground, his simple tomb marked with just one word: Franciscus. People will be able to visit the tomb from Sunday morning, as all eyes turn to the process of choosing Francis's successor. Cardinals from around the world have been returning to Rome for the funeral and the conclave, when a new pontiff will be elected. Members of the Swiss Guard stand next to the coffin containing Pope Francis' body, on the day of the translation of his body, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, April 23, 2025 Pope Francis' body is carried in a coffin into Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on the day of its translation, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025 The faithful queue to pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025 In the absence of a pope, the cardinals have been meeting every day to agree the next steps, with another meeting held on today. They have yet to announce a date for the conclave, but it must begin no fewer than 15 days and no more than 20 days after a pope's death. Only those under the age of 80 - currently some 135 cardinals - are eligible to vote. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was number two to Francis, is the favourite, according to British bookmakers William Hill. They put him ahead of Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, the Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Manila, followed by Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson, and Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna. The UK's air defences were breached by Russian missiles in a grim war game, it was revealed today. A simulation run in the wake of Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine showed Britain could not prevent all strikes getting through. The scenario from 2022 was revealed by Air Commodore Blythe Crawford, head of the RAF Air and Space Warfare Centre until last week. In a talk at the Royal United Services Institute, he said before the exercise there had been an assumption that the UK homeland was safe. 'We have stood for years at the western edge of Europe feeling as though the rest of the continent stood between us and the enemy,' he said, according to The Times. 'We in the UK over the last few decades have become focused on being garrison safe and making assumptions that we are safe to operate from the home base because most of the wars we've been fighting have been overseas. The aftermath of a Russian missile strike on Kyiv this week A simulation run in the wake of Vladimir Putin's (pictured) full-scale invasion of Ukraine showed Britain could not prevent all strikes getting through The scenario from 2022 was revealed by Air Commodore Blythe Crawford, head of the RAF Air and Space Warfare Centre until last week (pictured in 2020) 'We need to reverse that thinking and assume that, from here on, we're under threat in the home base now as well.' The simulation - part of the RAF's 36million Gladiator programme - looked at how 'day one' of the conflict would unfold. The UK faced 'hundreds of different types of munitions' attacking from various directions. Air Commodore Crawford said the outcome was 'not a pretty picture', with some missiles making it through. He stressed that significant work had been done since then to bolster the defences. 'We [loaded] night one of Ukraine into that synthetic environment and played it out against the UK and, as you can imagine, it was not a pretty picture,' he said. 'It reinforced the fact that we really need to get after this.' It is thought the military has toughened some aircraft shelters and practised landing Typhoon aircraft on ice in Finland. An agreement signed with Germany in October included provisions to work on air and missile defence. There is a 'layered' approach from the RAF, Navy and Army working with Nato allies. An MOD spokesman said: 'The UK stands fully prepared to defend itself against any threat alongside our NATO allies. 'Our military is equipped with a range of advanced capabilities to provide a layered approach to air and missile defence. 'This includes the world-class Sea Viper missile system which has successfully shot down a Houthi rebel ballistic missile and attack drones in the Red Sea.' A popular TikTok astrologer has been arrested in Myanmar for causing panic after he predicted a powerful earthquake - just a month after a devastating tremor killed over 3,000 people. John Moe The, who has more than 300,000 followers on the social media platform, warned on April 9 that a 'very strong' quake would hit 'every city in Myanmar' in 12 days' time. 'People should not stay in tall buildings during the day,' said the caption on his video viewed 3.3 million times', he said. He also told followers to take important things with them and to stay away from buildings. The 21-year-old John Moe The was arrested in a morning raid on his home in central Monywa city on Tuesday, according to a statement by Myanmar's military government. 'We got a tip-off about fake news being spread through a TikTok account that a severe earthquake will hit,' said the statement. 'Action will be taken effectively against him according to the law. Likewise, we will also take action effectively against those who write or spread or share fake news.' John Moe The's TikTok account, titled 'John (Palmistry)', issues regular text predictions against the backdrop of a swirling cosmos. TikTok astorloger John Moe The (pictured) was arrested in Myanmar on Tuesday for causing panic after he posted a video predicting an earthquake The TikToker's forecast came a month after the country was rocked by a devastating earthquake that killed thousands City residents try to cope with the effects of the 7.7 earthquake as seen on April 08, 2025, in Mandalay, Myanmar His forecasts included other weather disasters, the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was deposed in the country's 2021 coup, and American airstrikes on Myanmar's soil. The account has been taken down since his arrest, however. Last month's 7.77 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar's central belt killed more than 3,700 and has left 60,000 living in tent encampments, according to the UN. The earthquake hit large swathes of the country, damaging roads and bridges while leaving several areas without power or communications. The quake also rocked neighbouring Thailand, causing a high-rise building under construction to collapse, burying dozens of people alive. Tremors were also felt as far as China and India. Earthquake early warning systems do exist - sensing the jolt and beaming out a signal faster than the speed of the shock-wave. Novice monks are seen inside a shelter in a makeshift tent camp following a strong earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, April 3, 2025 Last month's 7.77 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar's central belt killed more than 3,700 and has left 60,000 living in tent encampments People clear the debris at the collapsed Ottara Thiri Private Hospital in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, 25 April 2025 he community living around the earthquake-ravaged Shwe Bone Shein Mosque tries to cope with the damage and support each other during this difficult time However the United States Geological Survey (USGS) says predicting tremors ahead of time is scientifically impossible. 'Neither the USGS nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake,' says a statement on their website. 'We do not know how, and we do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future.' Generation Z are increasingly online and don't want to do any job that pays less than 40,000 a year, MPs have been warned. In astonishing and dispiriting evidence to peers a youth adviser from Blackpool said that many in the city, one of the poorest areas of the UK, 'simply don't want to work at all'. Graham Cowley, who works on getting Neets (youths not in education, employment or training) into college or work, said there had been 'a change in attitude to the concept of work'. Facing the Lords' Social Mobility Policy Committee he said work had to be done earlier in the education system to convince schoolchildren of the value of 'putting a shift in' as adults. His warning came after an analysis earlier this month reveled that more than half a million Neets aged 16 to 24 have never had a job. A staggering 13 per cent of all 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK are not in education, employment or training - equating to nearly one million young people. Mr Cowley told peers of a discussion he had with a youth worker in one of the poorest areas of Blackpool about the problem. 'His response was ''these kids are on the internet 24 hours a day, and they don't want to work for anything less than 40 grand',' he told astonished Lords. As they gasped, he added: 'I had that reaction, and he said ''you may laugh but that is the reality''. 'There's something about what's going on in the minds of these young people. Graham Cowley, who works on getting Neets (youths not in education, employment or training) into college or work, said there had been 'a change in attitude to the concept of work'. New research by the Learning and Work Institute (L&W) showed that three in five (58 per cent) of NEETs have never had a paid job A staggering 13 per cent of all 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET) - equating to nearly one million young people 'I believe if we were able to get to them earlier and imbue them with a sense of ''you need to put a shift in, to get what you want in life'' then I think there's a real value in doing that.' Mr Cowley was also asked about falling numbers of people taking up apprenticeships, replying: 'Not everybody, I have to say in our experience, wants to do work. 'Unfortunately, there has been a change in attitude, I believe, and I don't know what drives it, there is a change in attitude to the concept of work. we need to get in early and redress that balance really.' His remarks followed the publication earlier this month of research by the Learning and Work Institute that showed 13 per cent of all 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK are not in education, employment or training. That number, backed by figures published this year by the Office for National Statistics, equates to almost one million young people - the highest level since 2013. Sir Keir Starmer has said the number of inactive young Britons is a 'moral issue', with the Prime Minister warning of a 'wasted generation'. Cowley's remarks will do little to allay those concerns, particularly with the British jobs market increasingly becalmed following Rachel Reevess budget last October, which left employers with less cash to fund pay rises and take on new staff. The analysis showed how the majority of NEETs are economically inactive (59%). This is primarily because of a long-term health condition or disability The Learning and Work Institute found NEET rates were significantly higher in Wales (15 per cent) and the North East (16 per cent) compared with London (9 per cent) and the South East (10 per cent). Stephen Evans, the institute's chief executive, said the number of NEETs who have never had a paid job is 'really very stark and very worrying'. 'It's not a massive surprise for 16-year-olds,' said Evans of research suggesting that 58 per cent of NEETs have never been in paid employment. 'But the fact that you've got people heading into their mid-twenties and half of them have never had a proper job is quite shocking. 'It is going to have a long-term impact on their career prospects if we don't do something quite urgently.' Cowley called for a stronger emphasis on instilling the importance of a strong work ethic at a young age. 'Theres something about whats going on in the minds of these young people,' he told the committee. 'I believe if we were able to get to them earlier and imbue them with a sense of, "You need to put a shift in, to get what you want in life" then I think theres a real value in doing that. Lord Watts countered that it was natural for young people facing the prospect of earning low incomes to feel deflated and conclude it would be 'more comfortable to stay in the house than it is to go and try and find your way through life'. As part of Labour's bid to overhaul the welfare system, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, is planning a 'Youth Guarantee' for 18- to 21-year-olds. The initiative would require mayors and local authorities to ensure young people have access to an apprenticeship, training and education opportunities or assistance with finding a job. Those who refuse to take up work and training opportunities would lose their benefits, the government has warned. Keri Starmer could unveil a youth mobility scheme with the European Union allowing thousands of under-30s to work in the UK after winning over Yvette Cooper. The Home Secretary is said to be willing to consider a 'one in, one out' or capped operation, having previously been opposed to any type of exchange over fears it would affect the current astronomical net migration figures. The Prime Minister, who met European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen in London yesterday, could unveil a scheme for those aged 18 to 30 within weeks, the BBC reported last night. But it will not happen before the May 1 elections, where Labour is battling Nigel Farage's Reform UK for English council seats and the Westminster constituency of Runcorn and Helsby. Ministers including Chancellor Rachel Reeves are said to be in favour of a scheme that could help economic growth without crossing the government's red line blocking full freedom of movement. And German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning: 'I am now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction.' The Times, which first reported Ms Cooper's softening of opposition, suggested EU citizens coming to the UK under the scheme could be legally barred from seeking asylum, as a defence against abuse if the EU admits countries like Albania and Serbia. A Home Office source told the paper: 'Yvette's primary objective is to reduce net migration and any discussion about visa schemes needs to be seen in that light.' The Home Secretary is said to be willing to consider a 'one in, one out' or capped operation, having previously been opposed to any type of exchange over fears it would affect the current astronomical net migration figures. The Prime Minister, who met European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen in London yesterday, could unveil a scheme for those aged 18 to 30 within weeks, the BBC reported last night. Ministers including Chancellor Rachel Reeves are said to be in favour of a scheme that could help economic growth without crossing the government's red line blocking full freedom of movement. Downing Street said that 'both sides are discussing a range of issues' when asked if there are plans for a youth mobility scheme with the EU. A Number 10 spokesman said on Friday: 'We've always been clear about the nature of these discussions. 'Both sides are discussing a wide range of issues which is entirely normal for any negotiation. I don't think we could have been clearer that this is not about returning to the EU, but we will not be defined by the debates and arguments of the past. 'What we will be defined by is putting more money in the pockets of working people and providing Britain with long-term stability and security.' The spokesman later added: 'The Prime Minister has been very clear about the benefits that a better partnership with the EU can bring and how it can unlock benefits for British people and British business.' Pushed again on whether the idea of a youth mobility scheme was on the table, the spokesman said: 'I'm just not going to get into the detail of the discussion that is taking place.' The Prime Minister welcomed Ms von der Leyen to Number 10 on Thursday ahead of a UK-EU summit next month aimed at 'resetting' Britain's post-Brexit relationship with the bloc. A Downing Street spokesman last night described Thursday's meeting as 'long and productive', covering areas including Ukraine, energy security, the global economy and defence. They said: 'Discussing the ongoing negotiations to strengthen the UK-EU partnership, they both agreed that good progress had been made. 'They asked their teams to continue their important work in the coming weeks, with the aim of delivering as ambitious a package as possible at the first UK-EU summit next month. 'The Prime Minister was clear that he will seize any opportunity to improve the lives of working people in the United Kingdom, drive growth and keep people safe and he believes a strengthened partnership between the UK and the EU will achieve this.' Labour has committed to improving Britain's trade deal with the EU, including reducing barriers for food exporters and increasing co-operation on defence. At the start of Thursday's meeting, Ms von der Leyen said talks could 'pave the way' to the UK joining the Security Action for Europe (Safe) programme that allows EU countries to co-operate on defence procurement. But the Government has also faced pressure to agree a youth mobility scheme with Brussels, both from the EU itself and its own MPs. Earlier this week, more than 60 Labour backbenchers urged the Government to negotiate a youth mobility scheme as part of the desired reset with the bloc. In a letter to Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister in charge of negotiations with the EU, 62 MPs and 11 peers called for 'a new and bespoke youth visa scheme' for UK and European citizens under 30. In their letter, the MPs and peers said any youth mobility scheme should be in line with the UK's existing arrangements with countries such as Australia and Canada, with a time limit on visas and a cap on numbers. They said: 'A bespoke scheme would extend new cultural, educational and economic opportunities to young people in the UK without returning to free movement.' The group also called for deeper collaboration with the EU on defence and a deal on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures to reduce border checks on food products, both of which are in line with Government policy, among other suggestions. On Wednesday, a group of 62 Labour backbenchers wrote to Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister in charge of negotiations with the EU, calling for a 'new and bespoke youth visa scheme' for UK and European citizens under 30. But in the Commons on Thursday, Mr Thomas-Symonds said it was 'not part of our plans', and the official readout of Sir Keir's meeting with Ms von der Leyen made no mention of youth mobility. The UK-EU summit is scheduled to take place on May 19. A Home Office spokesman said: 'These are matters for the Cabinet Office. No proposals have been put to the home secretary or suggested by her.' Chinese critics of Donald Trump's radical tariff campaign continue to ridicule the president and his deputy in cutting AI-generated memes shared widely online. Accounts across the political spectrum have laid into 'Chairman Trump' and 'the eyeliner man' as the burgeoning trade war heats up between the two superpowers. Social media users around the world are using AI to mock the Trump Administration. Although the content is not exclusively being created in China, it has been widely shared on Chinese social media. One Chinese content creator, who once parodied Xi Jinping in his stand against the 'shamelessness of the totalitarian ruling class and dictators', racked up hundreds of thousands of views with a satirical 'Song of MAGA' on YouTube. The song featured AI-generated depictions of Trump, Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and Elon Musk marching through the streets under red socialist banners, carrying Chairman Mao's 'Little Red Book' in a parody of the administration and its following. 'Led by Chairman Trump, we shout "MAGA",' the lyrics read, before cutting a sobering portrayal of the officials working in blue overalls in a factory - reflecting Trump's plans to encourage domestic manufacturing in the US through use of strict tariffs. The video built on meme videos already in circulation across Chinese social media accounts, painting a bleak future for Americans, looking unhealthy and unhappy as they pivot to low wage industrial roles. Other videos, mirroring content shared on American social media, targeted JD Vance by depicting the vice president in drag and branding him 'the eyeliner man'. Chinese critics of Donald Trump's radical tariff campaign are ridiculing the US president and his deputy in cutting AI-generated memes shared widely online Chinese accounts have reimagined JD Vance with AI to depict him applying eye makeup One Chinese content creator, who once parodied Xi Jinping in his stand against the 'shamelessness of the totalitarian ruling class and dictators', racked up hundreds of thousands of views with a satirical 'Song of MAGA' on YouTube The song featured AI-generated depictions of Trump, Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and Elon Musk marching through the streets under red socialist banners, carrying Chairman Mao's 'Little Red Book' in a parody of the administration and its following One nationalistic Chinese TikToker portrayed Vance in costume and makeup, demanding an apology for his comments about 'Chinese peasants'. Netizens across the political spectrum have found common ground in their criticism of Donald Trump's shock and awe approach to negotiating favourable trade deals. 'Absurd Words in the Walled Country', an open critic of 'the CCP's authoritarian rule', accompanied his 'The Song of MAGA' video with a serious plea for the United States not to 'become another China'. 'We do not want to see America ruled by a dictator,' they wrote. 'We do not want to see America fall into the hands of a few oligarchs.' 'Since Trump took office, there have been erratic policies, reckless changes, chaotic governance, trade wars with the world, plunging stock markets, rising prices, and serious damage to the economy. 'The interests of ordinary Americans have been severely harmed. He has alienated allies and supported Russian aggression. All of this pains us deeply...' One video targeting Vice President JD Vance depicted the Ohio native in drag and branded him 'the eyeliner man' Netizens across the political spectrum have found common ground in their criticism of the Trump Administration's shock and awe approach to negotiating favourable trade deals Accounts across the political spectrum have laid into 'Chairman Trump' as the burgeoning trade war heats up between the two superpowers Social media users around the world are using AI to mock the Trump Administration. Although the content is not exclusively being created in China, it has been widely shared on Chinese social media The parodic song was set to the tune of 'We Walk on the Great Road', a Chinese patriotic song of the Mao era alluding to the Great Leap Forward - Mao's push to industrialise China, resulting in mass famine and the deaths of an estimated 30 million people. 'Forward we go, forward we go,' the satire reads, showing Americans working on a production line. 'The power of MAGA will overflow.' The video was in tune with American memes circulating widely on Twitter/X, Instagram and Reddit. JD Vance was later depicted in the video in his inflated AI-generated form, with a scruffy beard and mane of curly hair, selling vegetables loose on the pavement. Others meanwhile packaged copies of Trump's 'Art of the Deal', drawing a thinly veiled comparison to Mao's widely-distributed book of quotations. Writing first in English, and then in traditional Chinese, the author of the video was keen to stress their criticism was against the administration and not the wider American people. 'We love the free and democratic United States,' they said, adding: 'We oppose the CCPs authoritarian rule. We oppose the CCPs exploitation and oppression of the Chinese people!' One nationalistic Chinese Weibo user portrayed Vance in costume and makeup, mocking the comments he previously made about 'Chinese peasants' One X user tried to double down on the suggestion that Vance actually does wear eyeliner The Chinese content was in tune with American memes circulating widely on Twitter/X, Instagram and Reddit. US social media users have also branded Vance the 'eyeliner man' One user shared a meme depicting Vance with dark eye makeup One X user hit out at the tariffs, warning Vance that his eye makeup would soon become more costly thanks to America's tariffs Chinese accounts have also joined in with the American trend of reimagining JD Vance with AI in makeup or as Chairman Mao. One video showing 'Chili Sauce made in China' featured Vance's likeness in winged eyeliner read: 'Peasant brand chili oil made in China, tastes great.' Vance's quote - 'We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture' - has drawn fury in China. The same TikToker jibed: 'I was so angry when you said that to me that I ate three eggs in one go,' referring to the soaring price in the United States. AI-generated videos mocking Trump and his top team have been going viral for weeks as the trade war between the US and China deepened. Earlier this month, Trump, Elon Musk and Vance were depicted working on a production line making trainers. Chinese accounts, including those affiliated with Beijing officials, promoted the video and photos ridiculing the so-called 'US Manufacturing Revival Plan'. Mao Ning, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, at the time shared an AI-generated meme of a MAGA hat labelled 'made in China', with the price raised from $50 to $77 to poke at the self-inflicted pains of the tariffs to be felt by US consumers. AI-generated videos mocking Trump and his top team have been going viral for weeks as the trade war between the US and China deepened. Earlier this month, Trump, Elon Musk and Vance were depicted working on a production line making trainers A viral TikTok meme using AI-generated 'Americans' mocked the US government's desire to bring manufacturing jobs back to American soil AI generated video shared on TikTok portrayed Americans making phones in factories Mao Ning shared an AI-generated image depicting MAGA hats priced up amid the trade war Chinese state media outlet CGTN published a 2-minute 42-second music video titled, 'Look What You Taxed Us Through' Lyrics transcribed in English and Chinese appeared to bash the tariffs from the perspective of the American consumer Chinese state media outlet CGTN earlier this month published a 2-minute 42-second music video titled, 'Look What You Taxed Us Through (An AI-Generated Song. A Life-Choking Reality)'. The AI-generated song reeled off: '"Liberation Day," you promised us the stars. But tariffs killed our cheap Chinese cars.' Lyrics transcribed in English and Chinese appeared to bash the tariffs from the perspective of the American consumer. The outlet added: 'For many Americans, "Liberation Day" hailed by Trump administration will mean shrinking paychecks and rising costs. 'Tariffs hit, wallets quit: low-income families take the hardest blow. As the market holds its breath, the toll is already undeniable. 'Numbers dont lie. Neither does the cost of this so-called "fairness".' 'Warning: Track is AI-generated. The debt crisis? 100 percent human-made.' Hundreds of high-profile world leaders are flying into Rome today ahead of Pope Francis' funeral as thousands of Catholic faithful queue at the Vatican to pay their respects on the final day of his lying in state. At least 130 foreign delegations had confirmed their attendance at the pontiff's funeral in St. Peter Basilica's tomorrow, including around 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs, the Vatican has said. US President Donald Trump, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the heads of state converging on the Italian capital today. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish premier Micheal Martin and the nation's President Michael D Higgins are also on the guest list to attend tomorrow's ceremony. Britain's Prince William is attending the funeral on behalf of King Charles. Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, the King and Queen of Sweden, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway are among the royals attending the service. Italian and Vatican authorities have launched a huge security operation around St Peter's Square with drones blocked, snipers on roofs and fighter jets on standby. Police say that further check-points will be activated tonight. The Vatican is making final preparations for Francis' funeral today as the last of the huge crowds of mourners files through St Peter's Basilica to view his open coffin. Thousands of mourners packed the Via della Conciliazione, the wide avenue leading to the Vatican, this morning for the third and final day of the pope's lying-in-state. Almost 130,000 people from all over the world have bid farewell to the pontiff, who died on Monday in his rooms at the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel after suffering a stroke, since his coffin was brought to St. Peter's on Wednesday. Almost 130,000 people from all over the world have bid farewell to Pope Francis since his open coffin was moved to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday. Mourners are pictured outside the basilica this morning as the queue for the final day of his lying in state The faithful have joined a long line outside St Peter's Square to view the body of Pope Francis laying in state inside St Peter's Basilica today Mourners, flanked by Swiss Guard soldiers, pay their respects to Pope Francis as he lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday Security personnel stand guard as Pope Francis lies in state inside St. Peter's Basilica this morning. Italian and Vatican authorities have launched a huge security operation around St Peter's Square with drones blocked, snipers on roofs and fighter jets on standby. Police say that further check-points will be activated tonight People wait in a queue near the Vatican to see Pope Francis lying in state today People queue to enter St. Peter's Basilica this morning on the final day of Pope Francis' lying in state. The Basilica was open for most of the night, shutting its doors for only three hours between 2.30am and 5.30am Vast crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturday's funeral in St Peter's Square, which will see the highest-ranking members of the Catholic Church and major political leaders come together to bid a final farewell to Francis. At least 130 foreign delegations are expected at his funeral and a no-fly zone will be in force. Trump, who is travelling with his wife First Lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to arrive today after Francis' coffin has been sealed. VIP GUESTS AT POPE FRANCIS'S FUNERAL Here is a list of VIP guests whose offices have confirmed they will be in Rome for Pope Francis's funeral tomorrow: - Americas - ARGENTINA: President Javier Milei. BRAZIL: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Janja. HONDURAS: President Xiomara Castro. UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. UNITED STATES: President Donald Trump and his wife Melania. - Europe - AUSTRIA: Chancellor Christian Stocker. BELGIUM: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, with Prime Minister Bart De Wever. BULGARIA: Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov. CROATIA: President Zoran Milanovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. CZECH REPUBLIC: Prime Minister Petr Fiala. DENMARK: Queen Mary. ESTONIA: President Alar Karis. EUROPEAN UNION: EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. FINLAND: President Alexander Stubb. FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron. GERMANY: President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz will not attend. GREECE: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. HUNGARY: President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban. IRELAND: President Michael Higgins and his wife Sabina, plus Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheal Martin. KOSOVO: President Vjosa Osmani. LATVIA: President Edgars Rinkevics. LITHUANIA: President Gitanas Nauseda. MOLDOVA: President Maia Sandu. MONACO: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. THE NETHERLANDS: Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp. NORTH MACEDONIA: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. NORWAY: Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. POLAND: President Andrzej Duda and his wife. PORTUGAL: President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. ROMANIA: Interim President Ilie Bolojan. RUSSIA: Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova. SLOVAKIA: President Peter Pellegrini. SLOVENIA: President Natasa Pirc Musar and Prime Minister Robert Golob. SPAIN: King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. SWEDEN: King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife Queen Silvia, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. UKRAINE: President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska. UNITED KINGDOM: Prince William representing head of state King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. - Middle East - ISRAEL: Yaron Sideman, Ambassador to the Holy See. - Africa - CAPE VERDE: President Jose Maria Neves. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: President Faustin-Archange Touadera. DR CONGO: President Felix Tshisekedi. GABON: President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. - Asia - INDIA: President Droupadi Murmu. PHILIPPINES: President Ferdinand Marcos and first lady Liza Marcos. Advertisement The US President is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at Francis' funeral mass despite being among the first to confirm that he would be attending the service. The Vatican has not yet released the official seating chart, but tradition suggests that precedence for front row seating will be given to Catholic royalty. Foreign dignities will likely be sat in large block on one side of the coffin, across from the cardinals, patriarchs, bishops and archbishops. Catholic royals will be seated in the front row, followed by non-Catholic royals, including the Prince of Wales. World leaders, heads of states and other foreign dignitaries will then be sat behind them. Trump, however, is not likely to be pleased with the seating arrangements, given that he mocked his predecessor Joe Biden for having to sit in the rear at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral three years ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is not attending the mass - offered his condolences late Thursday, after a notable delay that some attributed to strained ties with the Vatican, as Francis had repeatedly criticised Israel's conduct in Gaza. Israel will only be represented at the funeral by its ambassador to the Vatican. A UK cardinal has predicted the funeral will be a 'masterpiece' in stage managing 'big egos' as world leaders fly in to pay their respects. The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said organisers of what will be an enormous gathering of well-known names 'are geniuses at dealing with these big events'. In an interview with the PA news agency in Rome, the Archbishop of Westminster said the funeral will be 'without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance'. He added: 'In the past, I've seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events. 'I think they've been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome - that they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday, will go home reasonably content.' Cardinal Nichols has described recent days since the Pope's death on Easter Monday as 'deeply emotional'. He told how 'moving' it was to sit in the basilica and watch as others solemnly filed past the coffin this week. Meanwhile, queues of faithful filed into St. Peter's throughout the night and in the early hours of Friday, on the last day to bid farewell to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral on Saturday. St Peter's, for a second night in a row, was kept open past the scheduled hours to accommodate the queues. The Basilica was open for most of the night, shutting its doors for only three hours between 2.30am and 5.30am. Francis' coffin will be closed at 8pm (6pm GMT) today in a ceremony attended by senior cardinals. After his funeral tomorrow, the coffin will be driven at a walking pace to be buried at Francis' favourite church, the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Mourners in the final queues to see the pope's remains have expressed their gratitude to the late pontiff. Nicoletta Tomassetti, 60, who visited the Basilica in the very early hours of Friday morning, said: 'Night is the most intimate moment, the Lord always manifests himself at night. 'It was very emotional, in prayer, I asked the pope for some things and I know he will give them to me.' Miracles Luna, a 74-year-old retired doctor from the Dominican Republic who attended the lying-in-state Thursday, said she thought he was 'one of the best popes we have in the Catholic Church'. 'He was very merciful, identified with the people, poor people, so for me, for us he is the best one.' The Argentine pontiff, who had long suffered failing health, defied doctors' orders by appearing at Easter, the most important moment in the Catholic calendar. It would be his last public appearance. Condolences have flooded in from around the world for the Jesuit, an energetic reformer who championed those on the fringes of society in his 12 years as head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. He used his last speech to rail against those who stir up 'contempt... towards the vulnerable, the marginalised, and migrants'. People queue inside St. Peter's Basilica this morning on the last day to bid farewell to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral tomorrow Pope Francis lies in state in a coffin at St Peter's Basilica at The Vatican, on April 25, 2025. Queues of faithful filed into St. Peter's throughout the night and in the early hours of Friday to say their final goodbyes to the pontiff Solemn looking women, including one who appears to be crying, pay their respects as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica today Nuns queue for security checks to enter St Peter's Square and pay their respects to late Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica this morning Worshippers from the United States pray outside St. Peter's Basilica today, where Pope Francis lying in state. Mourners in the final queues to see the pope's remains today have expressed their gratitude to the late pontiff Visitors queue today to enter Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, where the Pope will be buried after his funeral tomorrow Francis' coffin will be closed at 8pm (6pm GMT) today in a ceremony attended by senior cardinals. After his funeral tomorrow, the coffin will be driven at a walking pace to be buried at Francis' favourite church, the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Mourners are pictured queuing to enter the Basilica of Saint Mary Major today Cardinal Stephen Brislin arrives at the Vatican today, as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's A group of nuns and other faithful join a long line outside St Peter's Square to view the body of Pope Francis laying in state inside St Peter's Basilica today People line up to pay their respects to Pope Francis lying in state inside St. Peter's today The pope's coffin was set before St Peter's altar for his three days of lying-in-state, with Francis dressed in his papal vestments - a red chasuble, white mitre and black shoes. This evening, at the end of his lying-in-state in the basilica, Francis's coffin will be closed privately in the presence of a few aides. Following Saturday's open-air funeral in the square, Francis's remains will be taken through the streets of Rome in another break with tradition, as his body is brought to a simple underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions. The hearse will pass down Rome's Fori Imperiali - where the city's ancient temples lie - and then the Colosseum, according to officials. Big screens will be set up along the route on which to watch the ceremony, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said. Cardinal Nichols said this will 'enlarge the stage on which this is played out, and will give the people of Rome, especially, something that they will appreciate very deeply'. He added: '(Pope Francis's) favourite title was 'I'm Bishop of Rome', so they will say goodbye to their bishop.' The pontiff was a champion of underdogs, and a group of 'poor and needy', will be at Santa Maria Maggiore to welcome the coffin, the Vatican said. Francis will be interred in the ground, his simple tomb marked with just one word: Franciscus. People will be able to visit the tomb from Sunday morning, as all eyes turn to the process of choosing Francis's successor. Your browser does not support iframes. People visit the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Pope Francis will be buried on Saturday, a day before the pontiff's funeral mass People queue for security checks to enter St Peter's Square and pay their respects to late Pope Francis this morning A nun carries flowers past the site for the tomb of Pope Francis, inside the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major today, one day before his funeral Believers pray at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major today, one day before the pope's funeral Priests and security personnel gather outside St. Peter's Basilica this morning, where Pope Francis lying in state A solemn looking woman takes to her knees and cries as she mourns Pope Francis while he lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 25, 2025 Cardinals from around the world have been returning to Rome for the funeral and the conclave, when a new pontiff will be elected. In the absence of a pope, the cardinals have been meeting every day to agree the next steps, with another meeting held this morning. They have yet to announce a date for the conclave, but it must begin no fewer than 15 days and no more than 20 days after a pope's death. Only those under the age of 80 - currently some 135 cardinals - are eligible to vote. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was number two to Francis, is the favourite, according to British bookmakers William Hill. They put him ahead of Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, the Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Manila, followed by Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson, and Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna. Cardinal Nichols, who will be one of three UK cardinals to take part in the conclave process to elect the next pope, likely beginning in just over a week's time, has also spoken of the weight felt by those who will choose a successor. Ahead of taking part in his first conclave, and sharing that he does not expect 'for half a second to be the one who is asked to pick up this cross' and become pope, he said he will 'try my utmost to play a good part in the process'. A member of the security personnel stands guard as faithful queue to enter St. Peter's Basilica to pay respect as Pope Francis today Italian Police patrol the Tiber river on Friday, April 25, 2025, ahead of Saturday's funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican Nuns arrive in the St Peter's Square to view the body of Pope Francis laying in state inside St Peter's Basilica this morning Members of the clergy react as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica today Umbrellas and other personal items are confiscated by the police officers from people before entering St. Peter's Basilica to pay respects to Pope Francis today A pedestrian takes a picture with a smartphone (centre) as visitors queue to access St Peter's Basilica today Workers build a tribune with the St Peter's Basilica of the Vatican in the background, on Via della Conciliazione street in Rome on April 25, 2025 Italian soldiers patrol the area today as part of security measures as faithful arrive at St. Peter's Square to pay their respects to Pope Francis Egyptian Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copt Catholic Church Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak (centre) holds a cross as he arrives at The Vatican, on April 25, 2025 Nuns look on as they queue to enter the Vatican, with St Peter's Basilica in the background in Rome on April 25, 2025 Faithful arrive at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City today to pay their respects to Pope Francis A view shows an area outside St. Peter's Basilica where Pope Francis's coffin is to be laid during his funeral ceremonies as workers today prepare for the service Asked about having described the prospect of conclave as intimidating, he said: 'It's the weight, the consequence of the choice we make, which is, even on the world stage, is significant.' He described being chosen as pope as 'a moment of a mini death, almost' for someone who at that point places 'themselves into the hands of the Church to be offered to God'. On his thoughts about a future pontiff, Cardinal Nichols said: 'I think the next pope is going to have to carry on that work (by Francis) of speaking to the hearts of people about hope, about the mercy of God, about the highest calling of what it means to be a human being.' China is using a series of steel structures to lay claim to a disputed area of the Yellow Sea, South Korea has claimed. Seoul is considering setting up countermeasures to three Chinese installations erected off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. South Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed 'deep concern' over what some experts have referred to as an encroachment on their territorial waters. Satellite images show that the sea rig has been installed in an area where the two nations' exclusive economic zones overlap. The structure, which is an old French oil rig with a helicopter landing pad, is located near the Chinese Shenlan-1 and Shenlan-2 platforms. They are all built in the Yellow Sea, which serves as a vital corridor for trade, fisheries and military navigation. South Korean officials said they conveyed their concerns to Chinese officials during a scheduled meeting on Wednesday. Beijing have insisted the structure is a fish farm support facility and dismissed any notion that it has to do with territorial rights. Satellite imagery of a Chinese structure in the provisional measures zone in the Yellow Sea Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said yesterday that the facility was 'in compliance with domestic and international law,' and 'unrelated to bilateral maritime delimitation' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said yesterday that the facility was 'in compliance with domestic and international law,' and 'unrelated to bilateral maritime delimitation.' 'The construction does not contravene the agreement between China and South Korea,' Guo told reporters, adding that Beijing was 'willing to work with Seoul to enhance dialogue and communication and properly address relevant issues.' 'The structure is within both Chinese and international law and does not violate the China-South Korea fisheries agreement,' the Chinese embassy in Seoul said in a statement last month. But South Korea's public broadcaster KBS have reported that Seoul's survey vessels have been prevented from approaching the strcutures by the Chinese coast guard. There are now growing worries among South Korean politicians and anti-Beijing campaigners that China is quietly infringing on foreign territory. Luke De Pulford, the Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, told MailOnline: 'Beijing pretends not to be expansionist yet expends huge resources making ludicrous claims to other countries' territories and international waters. 'The Second Thomas Shoal, South China Sea, and now this. If we fail to deter this aggression, we will only have ourselves to blame when escalation follows.' The structures are located in the provisional measures zone, a disputed area where, under an agreement signed in 2001, fishing boats are permitted to operate. The agreement, however, expressly forbids the construction of facilities as well as searching for or developing natural resources in the area. There are now growing worries among South Korean politicians and anti-Beijing campaigners that China is quietly infringing on foreign territory Beijing have insisted the structure is a fish farm support facility and dismissed any notion that it has to do with territorial rights Na Kyung-won, a member of parliament from South Koreas ruling People Power Party, said: 'What China is doing installing artificial structures in disputed waters and blocking access is a gangster-style tactic used in the South and East China Seas' In 2020, Beijing unilaterally declared the zone to be its 'internal waters'. Na Kyung-won, a member of parliament from South Koreas ruling People Power Party, said: 'What China is doing installing artificial structures in disputed waters and blocking access is a gangster-style tactic used in the South and East China Seas. 'Its clear they are now trying to turn the Yellow Sea into a grey zone to support their territorial claims. 'A firm and stern response is needed to address Chinas unfair attempts to change the status quo.' In 2014, China sparked similar fury after a Chinese oil platform carried out drilling within Vietnam's exclusive economic zone in the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. After a standoff between the two nations, China withdrew the platform a month earlier than originally planned. Beijing has also anchored large buoy's within Japan's exclusive economic zone, claiming they are weather and ocean monitoring devices. In 2014, China sparked similar fury after a Chinese oil platform carried out drilling within Vietnam's exclusive economic zone in the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea After a standoff between the two nations, China withdrew the platform a month earlier than originally planned 'This is a clandestine tactic to claim our waters inch by inch and restrict the operations of the US-South Korea alliance,' Jaewoo Choo, head of the China Research Center at the Korea Research Institute for National Security think-tank in Seoul, told the Financial Times. Nam Sung-wook, a professor at the Graduate School of Public Administration at Korea University, added: 'We should have taken action sooner. 'If any country doesn't respond to such territorial issues immediately, it becomes a fait accompli.' Both countries agreed to continue consultations on the matter at all levels, with a mutual understanding that the issue should not hinder broader bilateral relations, Seouls Foreign Ministry said. Last month UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'We are concerned by dangerous and destabilising activities by China in the South China Sea. 'The UK and world economy depends on these trade routes being safe and secure.' A depraved man in Spain will spend 19 years behind bars for making his elderly mother a 'prisoner in her own home' and raping her on a near daily basis. The 47-year-old, named only as Rafael CDVM by Spanish press, was sentenced in Cadiz for repeatedly sexually assaulting his 83-year-old mother, who has since died. Police started investigating the horrific case - which took place in the coastal town of Chiclana de la Frontera - in the Spring of 2023 after two of the elderly woman's caregivers discovered blood stains on her underwear. They had previously witnessed the woman's perverted son threatening to 'kick' her and 'rip' her head off, according to court documents seen by Spanish newspaper El Pais. The victim had also told her caregivers: 'My little boy slept here today, and I don't want him to. I don't want him in my bed.' The carers - who were 'constantly under surveillance' by Rafael - also found bruises on the elderly woman's body on several occasions, and made several complaints via email and text message to the company that employed them about the ongoing abuse. After receiving reports of the horrific abuse endured by the old woman, social services visited her. A Spanish man was sentenced to 19 years in prison for raping his mother 83-year-old mother. Pictured: Provincial Court of Cadiz The disturbing case took place in the Spanish town of Chiclana de la Frontera (pictured). Police started investigating the case in the Spring of 2023 after the elderly woman's caregivers reported her son to social services She confessed that her son had gotten into bed with her and raped her and said that he 'does it almost every day'. But seven months after the investigation was opened into the disturbing case, the elderly woman died and her testimony could not be considered as evidence in her son's trial. The victim's caregivers, a social worker, and a forensic doctor testified, however. Rafael's defense argued that he suffers from an intellectual disability, but forensic doctors noted that his 'intellectual capacity was sufficient to discern what was right and wrong'. A statement issued by the Provincial Court of Cadiz said: 'This court understands that the defendant generated a hellish and terrifying environment for his mother.' Judges also described Rafael's actions as 'reprehensible' for subjecting his mother's life 'to a veritable hell', claiming he made her a 'prisoner' in her own home and subjected her to his 'whims and caprices of an aggressive nature.' News of the horrific case comes after a depraved father was sentenced to 17 years behind bars after he raped and 'prostituted' his seven-month-old daughter in his Spanish apartment. The 27-year-old waiter, named only as Santiago, had been investigated in 2022 for distributing more than 100 child pornography videos and 270 images online. During the investigation, Spanish police discovered that the man, who is of Venezuelan origin, had filmed himself in two instances raping his daughter in his flat in the neighbourhood of Aluche in south west Madrid. He was also found to have distributed footage of the horrific act on the dark web. The shocking discovery led to his arrest in 2023. Santiago reportedly told police at the time of his arrest: 'I was sick and couldn't stop what I was doing', according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo. At the trial held earlier this month, Santiago admitted to the charges brought against him of one count of sexual assault of a minor and one count of production of child pornography. Santiago was also found to have used various social media platforms and instant messaging services to both download and distribute 'extremely harsh' child pornography content. He has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, is prohibited from approaching his daughter within 500 meters and has been stripped of parental rights for 10 years. A suspect is dead following a shooting at a warehouse in Southwest Miami-Dade that left two others injured, according to 7News sources. The incident unfolded around 1 p.m. Thursday in the 7300 block of Southwest 45th Street, near the Palmetto Expressway and Bird Road. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Miami-Dade Police Department's Special Response Team, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO), and Florida Highway Patrol, responded swiftly to the scene. Authorities confirmed that three people, including the gunman, were shot and transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. The suspect died at the hospital following a police-involved shooting. The conditions of the two other victims have not yet been released. Social media videos captured chaotic moments as gunfire rang out in the warehouse parking lot. In the footage, people are seen running for cover. Another video showed a wounded individual in the bed of a pickup truck, and another being carried out by emergency personnel. Authorities later confirmed that the scene had been secured. "We want the community to know that right now there is no imminent threat. This is an active scene. As you can see, we will be working this for quite some time," said MDSO Sheriff Rosie Cordero Stutz. "We will be looking for additional victims to make sure we are not missing anyone, and I ask the community if there was anyone here that has video or information, our investigators need that information and they can contact the sheriff's office or Crime Stoppers." A business owner in the area said he and his employees were forced to shelter in place as the situation unfolded. Parents looking to pick up their children from Idol Cheer, located nearby, were instructed to go to the reunification center at 7391 SW 44 Street. Officials continue to urge the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues. While the westbound lanes of Southwest 40th Street have reopened, the eastbound lanes remain closed at this time. A man has been escorted out of Melbourne's flagship Anzac Day dawn service after interrupting speeches with white supremacist comments. The man was accosted by those around him, with one man telling him to "shut your mouth and show respect" in a heated encounter. A small group were heard booing and heckling during the service, as Uncle Mark Brown performed a Welcome to Country. Other members of the crowd cheered and clapped in an effort to drown out the jeers. Police issued a statement regarding the small group, saying a 26-year-old man from Kensington has been interviewed for offensive behaviour and was directed to leave the Shrine of Remembrance. Known neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant was also in attendance and escorted out of the event by police. #anzacday #dawnservice #melbourne #10newsfirst Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed those who interrupted Welcome to Country ceremonies during dawn services in Melbourne and Perth, claiming they must 'face the full force of the law'. Mr Albanese described heckling incidents during the Welcome to Country messages during the Anzac Day ceremonies on Friday morning as 'disgraceful'. 'There is no place in Australia for what occurred,' he told reporters in Canberra. 'The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt, and the people responsible must face the full force of the law. This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice. 'Anzac Day is when we come together to remember all those who have served our country in war and the cause of peace, including those who continue to serve our nation today.' Tens of thousands gathered to pay their respects to soldiers past and present at Melbourne's Anzac Day Dawn Service on Friday morning. When a group of protesters began to boo during Bunurong elder Mark Brown's Welcome to Country, outraged attendees quickly drowned them out with cheers in protest. In a video recorded at the service, one heckler can be heard telling the crowd: 'Australia is for the white man.' The smiling heckler is pictured being escorted from a dawn service in Melbourne where he interrupted a Welcome to Country to protest: 'Australia is for the white man' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial on Friday wearing a commemorative poppy Surrounding audience members ordered the heckler to be silent. 'Our son is fighting, mate', one woman said. 'Shut your mouth and show your respects,' another said. The young man smirked before repeating: 'Australia is for the white man.' 'The country was federated on white Australia,' he added. After being accused of being racist, the man said: 'The Anzacs fought for a white Australia. The Anzacs were racist.' Another attendee then told him he was 'disturbing the peace', before a woman yelled: 'There were black diggers at Anzac Cove, mate.' Some time later, he was escorted away from the crowd by two men dressed in military uniforms while attendees applauded. Bunurong elder Mark Brown's (pictured) Welcome to Country at Melbourne's Anzac Day Dawn Service was interrupted by a group of hecklers Prominent neo-Nazi figure Jacob Hersant is pictured at the Melbourne Dawn Service where he allegedly interrupted a Welcome to Country with boos Jacob Hersant, a prominent neo-Nazi figure, was allegedly among those loudly booing. 'This is a day for the Anzacs, it's not for Aboriginals,' he told media after the service. Hersant was spoken to by police and escorted from the service and it was understood he did not perform a Nazi salute, despite some reports. A spokesperson for Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia a 26-year-old man from Kensington was directed to leave the area following the disruption. Police have interviewed him for 'offensive behaviour' and will proceed via a summons. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Mr Hersant was the individual identified by Victoria Police. Meanwhile, WA Police have appealed for information following a lone heckling incident at the King's Park Dawn service on Friday morning. That incident is believed to have involved a single heckler who yelled obscenities during a welcome by Noongar Elder and veteran Di Ryder. Sunrise host Natalie Barr (left) described the heckling as 'disgusting' during Friday morning's broadcast A spokesperson for WA Police said: 'Shortly before 6.00am during yesterdays ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Kings Park, an unknown man was heard yelling during the proceedings. 'Bystanders asked the man to refrain from yelling, and no further disturbance occurred. The man left the scene shortly afterwards. 'The ANZAC Day service is a solemn commemoration, and any disorderly behaviour at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police. 'Inquiries are ongoing.' A number of political and media figures have joined the Prime Minister in condemning the disruptions, including Sunrise host Natalie Barr who described the Melbourne incident as 'disgusting'. 'Save your protests,' she said. 'We do not care what you are sick of. Today is not the day to share it.' A man shot dead by police after running towards them with a knife rang 999 himself to report 'a man with a gun' at the train station he was at. David Joyce, 38, had only been out of prison a matter of months, having been jailed for possession of firearms and making his own gun three years ago, when he was fatally shot outside Milton Keynes Central Rail station. Mr Joyce, who lived in Milton Keynes but was originally from Galway in the Republic of Ireland, was at the railway station armed with a 12cm steak knife. He died of a single gunshot wound to his abdomen after an armed officer fired at him when he ran at two officers. It is understood that cannabis-smoking Mr Joyce had become agitated and paranoid just hours before he was gunned down telling a neighbour 'the police are out to get me'. Today an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) revealed police had been alerted following a 999 call at 12.55pm from a phone used to call the force before - and linked to Joyce. The man, believed to be Joyce, reported 'there is a man with a gun down at the train station in Milton Keynes' before hanging up. The call handler rang back and spoke to the man again who said the man with the gun was acting suspiciously, looked like he was about to do something bad and 'definitely' had a gun. David Joyce, 38, had only been out of prison a matter of months having been jailed for possession of firearms and making his own gun three years ago, MailOnline has learned He was shot dead by armed police officers after running at them with a knife outside Milton Keynes station Officers were called to Milton Keynes Central following reports of a man carrying a firearm just before 1pm on April 1 (picture from the scene) CCTV footage shows Joyce making a phone call at a time which matches with when the 999 call to police was made. One of Joyce's neighbour described him as a 'quiet lad' whose 'mental health issues meant he didn't have a job.' 'On the day he was shot, he came to my gate and started talking to me,' the neighbour said. 'He was very paranoid and said "Can't you see them? The camerasthey're following me everywhere. The police are out to get me." 'It was a bizarre conversation but a few hours later he was shot dead by armed police. 'He had a knife apparently and ran at them but I wonder if they could have handled it differently because he was clearly unwell. 'He admitted that he'd been sentenced to five years in jail and told me he was some sort of engineer who built his own gun. 'He had a fascination with firearms and weapons but I remember he told me he had made a big mistake making the gun saying 'I did something very silly'. Joyce, originally from Galway in Ireland, had made his own gun and had only just come out of jail for firearms offences Joyce was shot at close range and was treated by officers at the scene before being rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead nearly an hour later Residents living above the station in Milton Keynes reported hearing a loud 'bang' Another neighbour added: 'He'd only been out of prison a few months. 'I used to see him smoking weed outside the block. The smell would drift up to my flat. He kept to himself and didn't have much family in the area.' In photographs posted on his Facebook page Mr Joyce is seen taking aim with a rifle and bow and arrow in a woodland. He also posted a snap of a Taser he had crafted himself from a '200,000 voltage ignition coil' and boasted of making a 'burning laser' which would cut through plastic and 'blind you instantly'. Mr Joyce, lived with his partner, who were engaged in 2013, in a ground floor flat in the Hodge Lea area of Milton Keynes. In a chilling premonition outlining his fate, Mr Joyce wrote on Facebook in 2016: 'Keep having the same kind of mad dreams over and over, getting shot at, having gun fights, being attacked by creepy weirdos and being in jail. 'Not to mention getting stabbed and oh yes, my favourite, the poltergeist I always dream of being locked in a house with. Telling you I do wake up full of adrenaline expecting something or someone to be there. This is every night.' Joyce also bragged online about making his own taser and was pictured posing with deadly bow and arrows He was jailed in 2022 after being charged with two counts of possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon and one count of possession of an article for use in connection with conversion of imitation firearms. Following his shooting police revealed that Mr Joyce had 'moved at speed towards officers' with a knife in his hand outside the rail station's main entrance He was shot at close range and was treated by officers at the scene before being rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead nearly an hour later. IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: 'We again extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of David Joyce and all those affected by this incident. 'We continue to keep his family informed of our progress. 'Our investigators are working hard to piece together the circumstances leading up to Mr Joyce being shot by a police officer and have already carried out a significant amount of enquiries. 'As part of our enquiries, we have taken accounts from the police officers involved, gathered a large volume of CCTV including from inside and outside the station, obtained the officers' body-worn video and police vehicle dashcam footage, completed house-to-house enquiries at nearby properties and taken statements from members of the public who witnessed the shooting. 'We previously issued a witness appeal which identified more witnesses who have been contacted to obtain statements. Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police said the shooting had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the incident which led to Joyce's (pictured) death 'We have also shared our investigation's terms of reference with Mr Joyce's family, TVP and HM Coroner. 'In line with investigations following a fatal police shooting, we will look at the decisions and actions of TVP officers prior to and during their interaction with Mr Joyce including the medical care they provided at the scene; if the lethal force was necessary, justified and proportionate; and whether the officers followed policy. 'All officers who attended the incident remain as witnesses in our ongoing investigation as there is no indication that any of them may have committed a criminal offence or breached police professional standards of behaviour.' A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: 'Our officers and those from British Transport Police were called to reports of a man carrying a firearm at the station on Elder Gate at 12.55pm this afternoon. 'Our armed officers responded and challenged a white man who was carrying a knife outside the station. He moved at speed towards officers with the knife before a shot was fired by police. 'Life-saving actions were immediately taken at the scene, but the man was pronounced dead at 1.44pm.' Following the incident, Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police said the shooting had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. He said: 'This is of course a shocking incident there is no ongoing risk to the public. 'Of course it is right that the IOPC review this incident, but from what I understand at this early stage I am confident that the officers should be praised for their actions to protect members of the public. 'As a society we ask the police to put themselves in harm's way every single day on our behalf, most of those officers are unarmed. 'The small number of armed officers often face even greater risks and carry a still greater responsibility. 'Whilst it is right that yesterday's incident is independently reviewed, it is important that we also recognise exactly what we are asking of our armed police officers. 'It is tragic that a man died in yesterday's incident, but I am thankful to the police officers who responded bravely and acted decisively in order to protect the public. If they had not done so the outcome could have been much worse.' Wood-burning stoves will be allowed in new-build homes across England despite concerns over their impact on air pollution and carbon emissions. The Government has confirmed in a surprise letter to the Stove Industry Association (SIA) that the appliances will be permitted as a 'secondary heating source'. Ministers are working on a 'Future Homes Standard' which aims to ensure all new homes and buildings are energy efficient and use low carbon heating systems. The plan is due out later this year, and anti-pollution campaigners had hoped it would ban wood-burners which have become a fashionable status symbol in recent years. But the decision to allow them was today condemned as 'ridiculous', and follows the Climate Change Committee calling for wood-burners to be phased out in homes. Environmentalists fear they are very dangerous to health - with a recent report from England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty finding even modern wood-burners produced 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating. However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has now written a letter to the SIA to confirm they will be permitted in new homes. The letter, published by the SIA, read: 'A full technical consultation on the Future Homes Standard was launched in December 2023 and closed in March 2024. Campaigners are worried about the impact of wood-burning stoves on air pollution (file image) 'Under the standards proposed in the consultation, a wood burning stove would be permitted as a secondary heating source in new homes.' The letter also said: 'The Government acknowledges that it is possible to significantly reduce the level of smoke emitted through domestic burning if the right fuels, appliances and practices are used.' What are the rules on wood burners and how much can you be fined for breaking them? The Government is trying to reduce air pollution by issuing fines for illegal log burner use, in an attempt to reduce harmful pollutants such as tiny particles called particulate matter being released straight into the home as well as into the air outside. Domestic wood burning is the UK's largest single source of particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is linked to health problems such as heart disease, strokes and lung cancer . While wood burners are not banned outright anywhere in the UK , there are regulations withing 'smoke control areas' which mean certain wood burners cannot emit more than 3g of smoke per hour. But if the log burner is on a list of Defra-exempt appliances that produce fewer smoke emissions, the owner can apply for an exemption. People must also use an approved fuel, which varies depending on their location with a list provided on the Defra website. Owners are also advised to look for the 'Ready to Burn' logo on fuel packaging, which means the fuel has less than 20 per cent moisture and therefore complies with Defra rules. All new log burners must also adhere to 'Ecodesign' rules to reduce smoke and pollutant emissions. Homeowners are also advised that wet wood is less efficient than naturally dried or 'unseasoned' wood, because more energy is wasted in turning the moisture in the wood into vapour. Anyone with wet or unseasoned wood, should dry it out for at least a year before using it and wait until it has less than 20 per cent moisture. Local authorities in England can issue fines of between 175 and 300 for people breaking the rules or up to 1,000 for using unauthorised fuel in an appliance not on the Defra-exempt list. This could go up to 5,000 for repeat offenders if the situation goes to court. Advertisement It comes after the SIA wrote to the MHCLG in early February in a letter co-signed by other groups including the Confederation of Forest Industries and British Flue and Chimney Manufacturers Association. That letter aimed to 'highlight the significant benefits of modern wood burning stoves, including their role in reducing carbon emissions, alleviating energy system strain, improving air quality, and promoting sustainable energy solutions'. Speaking about the response from the Government, SIA chair Andy Hill said: 'We are delighted that it has been officially confirmed that under the proposed Future Homes Standard, the installation of a wood burning stove will be permitted. 'We are also particularly heartened to see that government acknowledges the impact of domestic burning best practices. Responsible use of modern wood burning appliances is something the SIA and its members have advocated for over many years. 'The SIA welcomes the government's positive response and looks forward to continued engagement as policies are developed and implemented. 'We believe that modern wood burning stoves can play a crucial role in achieving cleaner air, supporting local economies, and providing consumers with sustainable and flexible heating choices.' But Jemima Hartshorn, the co-founder of the Mums for Lungs campaign group, told MailOnline that the MHCLG's decision was 'completely ridiculous'. She added: 'We're hoping the Government will reconsider this absolutely ludicrous position. This is clearly a decision that is not in the interest of climate. 'It goes against all evidence, and it can't be brought in alignment with the Government's focus on cleaning up the air, on making sure the next generation of children is the healthiest that has ever lived in the UK.' Yesterday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was going 'all out' for a low-carbon future and accelerating the push to net zero. But Ms Hartshorn said the Government's decision goes against this, adding that burning wood is 'not net zero' and is 'not carbon neutral'. It comes after the Scottish Government dropped a ban on installing wood-burners in new homes or conversions last November following a backlash. Ben Pearce, head of the Health Effects of Air Pollution programme at the Impact on Urban Health, said: 'We are deeply concerned by the Government's decision to allow wood-burning stoves in new homes. 'This contradicts the Chief Medical Officer's report, which points out that even modern 'eco-design' stoves emit 500 times more harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) than gas boilers. Houses seen under construction at a development in Basingstoke, Hampshire (stock picture) 'Wood burning contributes to 43,000 premature deaths annually in the UK, disproportionately affecting urban and lower-income communities, and posing a serious threat to children's health. This outdated practice should have no place in our homes or our future.' Homeowners and others on social media were also unimpressed. One wrote: 'Crazy stupidity by Labour, solar panels must be mandatory and wood burning stoves illegal in new builds.' Another said: 'What a disgrace and joke. You must be insane to have one of these in your home.' And a third tweeted: 'This is despite growing body of research stating PM2.5 particles emitted are responsible for health problems.' A fourth added: 'Another backwards step by this stupid government.' While a fifth said: 'That's like putting a coal mine in a playground - backward and dangerous.' A Government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Future Homes and Buildings Standard, to be published later this year, will ensure all new homes are energy efficient and use low carbon heating systems. 'As set out in the Future Homes Standard consultation, the use of a wood fuel appliance as a primary heating system would not achieve the standards proposed, however their installation would still be permitted as a secondary heating source.' The standards aim to ensure homes and buildings will be 'zero carbon ready', meaning no further work will be needed for them to have zero carbon emissions once the electricity grid has fully decarbonised. A previous report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies found the only source of PM2.5 emissions that increased between 2003 and 2022 was domestic combustion (shown in the yellow line) The consultation set out that the Government expects heat pumps and other forms of low carbon heating to be used once the new standards are in place. While the Government believes wood heating systems would be unlikely to meet the required standard for a primary heating system, it has now confirmed their installation would still be permitted as a secondary heating source. A secondary heating system is defined as one which operates separately from the main heating system and which does not provide most of the heating in the house. Ministers have also pointed out that legislation is in place to restrict the sale of the most polluting fuels used in domestic burning, including the sale of small volumes of wet wood for domestic burning; limits on the emission of sulphur and smoke from manufactured solid fuels; and phasing out the sale of traditional 'bituminous' coal. Clean-air campaigners have been lobbying for wood-burners to be banned from built-up areas, including London, by citing claims by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that they presented a bigger problem than car exhausts. Most major cities in England fall under a Defra Smoke Control Area, in which some wood-burners are permitted. Defra's guidance acknowledges their rise in popularity, adding: 'Smoke from burning causes air pollution which harms the health of millions.' A recent report from England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty (above) found even modern wood-burners produced 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating But industry experts have pointed out that Defra has since admitted in its report 'Emissions of Air Pollutants in the UK Particulate Matter' that domestic combustion emissions have significantly fallen behind traffic pollution. And they point to figures showing that harmful domestic emissions have actually fallen by 72 per cent since 1990, and by 18 per cent between 2020 and 2023 alone. Particulate matter (PMs) are small particles made up of a variety of materials, some of which can be toxic, and some of which can enter the bloodstream and be transported round the body with serious impact on health. Domestic wood burning is the UK's largest single source of particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is linked to health problems such as heart disease, strokes and lung cancer. A report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies last December found the only source of PM2.5 emissions that increased between 2003 and 2022 was domestic combustion. Only four fines were issued for illegal wood burning in Smoke Control Areas across England in the year to August 2024, despite 5,600 complaints. This is the moment a plane crashed into the sea killing six on board just yards from a luxury hotel along the coast of Thailand this morning. Terrifying footage captured the Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter plunging into the water in the Cha-am district, around 80 miles southwest of the capital, Bangkok. Horrified guests at the Baby Grand Hua Hin Hotel watched as the aircraft slammed into the ocean during a 'parachute practice' exercise shortly after 8am local time (2am GMT). Isara Supasa said she heard the plane's engine and saw it nose dive into the shallow water. She added: 'I was shocked and ran onto the beach. There was no sign of life coming from the plane.' Several locals, along with passing fishermen, rushed over to the wreckage. Five people were pulled from the water by divers, but they were pronounced dead at the scene. A sixth person died later in hospital, according to a Royal Thai Police statement on Facebook. This is the moment a plane crashed into the sea killing six on board just yards from a luxury hotel along the coast of Thailand this morning Terrifying footage captured the Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter plunging into the water in Hua Hin, around 125 miles south of the capital, Bangkok Several locals, along with passing fishermen, rushed over to the wreckage. Five people were pulled from the water by divers, but they were pronounced dead at the scene. A sixth person died later in hospital, according to a Royal Thai Police statement on Facebook The registration of the plane, N964VK, indicates it was operated by the Royal Thai Police. Authorities are examining the aircraft's black box data recorder to determine the cause of the crash. According to officials the crash happened during a test flight for parachute practice. National Police Chief Police General Kitrat Phanphet said: 'The Royal Thai Police express their deepest condolences to the brave officers who lost their lives. He added: 'The families of the victims will be closely supported and funeral arrangements will be made for them. 'I have ordered a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash.' Thai media reported the aircraft went down about 100 metres from the shore in Cha-am district, a popular weekend getaway around 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of the capital. The two pilots killed were identified as Police Colonel Prathan Khiaokham and Police Lieutenant Colonel Panthep Maniwachirangkul. Pictured: The plane wreckage floating in the water after the crash Horrified guests at the Baby Grand Hua Hin Hotel (pictured) watched as the aircraft slammed into the ocean during a 'parachute practice' exercise shortly after 8am local time (2am GMT) Another pilot, Police Captain Jaturong Watthanaphaisan, sustained severe injuries and was taken to Hua Hin Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. An engineer, Police Lieutenant Tanawat Mekprasertsuk, and a mechanic, Police Lance Corporal Jirawat Maksakha, were also killed in the incident. Another mechanic, Police Sergeant Major Prawat Phonhongsa, was injured and remained missing this morning. It comes after in 2023 an engine erupted into flames on a tourist plane carrying 321 people in Thailand. The aircraft's tyres exploded during takeoff, leading to the pilot abruptly aborting the departure. In the emergency 309 passengers and 12 crew on a Russian tourist plane in Phuket, Thailand, were offloaded and forced to await a new aircraft. Dramatic pictures and footage showed the Boeing 767-306ER hit by sudden fire due to an 'engine surge'. There were reports of a 'loud bang' in the takeoff emergency. The landing gear also ignited in flames on the same right side of the aircraft as the aircraft aborted its departure, said reports. Keir Starmer has debuted a 'Prime Minister' branded fleece - in an echo of US political styles. Sir Keir was pictured wearing the top on a visit to the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier yesterday. It is the first time since entering Downing Street last July that the premier has been spotted in a garment displaying his status. Although long favoured in the US - by the likes of JFK, George W Bush and more recently Donald Trump - British politicians have been cautious about adopting them. In 2008 Gordon Brown declined to take ownership of a personalised bomber jacket he was offered as a gift by Mr Bush during a trip to the States. However, Boris Johnson was regularly pictured wearing branded outfits, while Priti Patel donned a coat marked 'Home Secretary'. Sir Keir was accompanied on his visit to the flagship carrier yesterday by Defence Secretary John Healey, whose own fleece was marked 'Secretary of State'. Keir Starmer has debuted a 'Prime Minister' branded fleece - in an echo of US political styles The PM donned the personalised garment on board the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier yesterday as it heads towards the Indo-Pacific Although long favoured in the US - by the likes of JFK, George W Bush and more recently Donald Trump (pictured) - British politicians have been cautious about adopting them Boris Johnson was regularly pictured wearing 'Prime Minister' branded outfits (pictured on the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in 2021) Mr Johnson on a visit to the Spaceport in Cornwall in 2021 The PM boarded the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier as it heads towards the Indo-Pacific. The strike group will travel to the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia on an eight-month voyage, accompanied by escort ships from international allies. Sir Keir was shown F-35 jets on board the carrier in Plymouth, Devon. The Carrier Strike Group also includes destroyer HMS Dauntless and frigate HMS Richmond along with warships from Norway and Canada. The deployment comes as US President Donald Trump pushes for Nato allies to do more to provide their own defence. The 3billion carrier's journey to the Indo-Pacific is also aimed at demonstrating the UK's commitment to allies in the region nervous about China's actions in relation to Taiwan and disputed sea lanes. Mr Johnson on a visit to a naval base in Scotland Priti Patel donned a coat marked 'Home Secretary' as she joined an NCA operation in 2021 Around 4,000 UK military personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF will join Operation Highmast, with allies from Spain and New Zealand also set to take part along with the Norwegian and Canadian personnel. 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. A perverted hotel manager who raped woman and sneaked into rooms to secretly lick the feet of sleeping guests may have had other victims, police fear. Ahmed Fahmy carried out a string of sickening sex attacks over the course of 16 years, using his job to gain access to victims as they were at their most vulnerable. The 46-year-old, who worked at hotels and B&B's across London, would creep into the rooms of female guests before caressing and licking their feet as they slept. The Egyptian had attacked one victim after she returned to her room onboard the unique 230-a-night Sunborn Yacht Hotel in London's Docklands in March 2022. His offending would escalate, with the foot fetishist going on to rape a woman as she stayed at a guest house in Golders Green in January 2024. Police bodycam footage showing the moment he was arrested by police in the lobby of his workplace showed the predator pretending to be shocked by simply looking at the floor and saying 'woah'. Despite his attempts at deception he would be convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was jailed for 13 years this week. Police, however, fear there are many other victims - including those who were visiting the UK from abroad - who are yet to come forward. Ahmed Fahmy pretends to be shocked when confronted by the police officer in January 2024 Fahmy sits in the back of a police van after being arrested by the Metropolitan Police Fahmy began his spree when he sexually assaulted a woman at a hotel in Wembley, North West London, in 2008. He massaged her feet, grabbed her and tried to kiss her. Fahmy assaulted a second woman at the four-star Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Royal Victoria Dock on March 31, 2022. At his trial at Harrow Crown Court last July, prosecutor Soma Varapu revealed: 'While she was intoxicated he entered a room with her and sexually assaulted her. He sucked her toe.' The twisted night manager was finally caught in January 2024 when he targeted a group of young female tourists staying at the Anchor Guest Hotel in Golders Green, North London. When three of the women returned to the hotel in the early hours of January 20 without their room key, Fahmy demanded one of them withdraw 80 from a nearby cashpoint for a different room. They complied and later went to bed, however one of the women later awoke to Fahmy inside her room, licking her feet. She pushed him off and told him to leave and he returned to his duty at the front desk. Fahmy was jailed after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault Footage of Fahmy walking around the hotel has also been released by the Metropolitan Police But two more of the group later returned from their night out having also misplaced their room key. Instead of offering them a new room, Fahmy coerced one of the women into sharing his room, where he raped her. During the investigation detectives uncovered and linked him to two other non-recent sexual assaults, which largely centred on Fahmy touching women's feet. The offences took place in a hotel on Western Gateway in East London, and at a residential address in Alliance Close, Wembley. The victims were in their 40s and 30s respectively. Matthew Dalton, prosecuting, said the 'case was that the defendant has exploited his position working at two hotels to indulge his foot fetish' by sexually assaulting victims and later abused his position by raping a hotel guest. Ged O'Connor, defending, said Fahmy has spent his time in custody 'very fruitfully' and has got 'trusted status'. Fahmy appeared today via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs and was sentenced to ten years in prison, with an extension period of three years. An extended sentence consists of a custodial term which reflects the seriousness of the offending followed by an extended licence period, according to the Crown Prosecution Service. Fahmy assaulted a woman at the four-star Sunborn Yacht Hotel in Royal Victoria Dock, London Judge John Lodge told the defendant he will be made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, and said he has already registered as a sex offender which will last for the rest of his life. He said he came to a finding the defendant is 'someone who is dangerous', adding: 'I come to that finding taking into account the number of offences, their circumstances and the fact that you have been able to manipulate your employment position in order to commit these offences.' The judge added: 'You were in circumstances where you could see vulnerable people, often vulnerable because they had come to London to enjoy themselves, had taken drink, and you took advantage. 'I'm fully satisfied that you are a dangerous offender.' Today the Metropolitan Police appealed for any other potential victims to come forward and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have met Fahmy while he was working at various hotels across London. The force believes some of the victims were visiting London from abroad. Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable James Gomm said: 'Fahmy used manipulation to abuse his position as a hotel worker and get close to his victims. Fahmy targeted tourists staying at the Anchor Guest Hotel in Golders Green, North London 'He demonstrated a clear pattern of offending and abuse. 'I would also like to commend the victim-survivors who have shared their experience to date for the bravery they have shown throughout the investigation and the court proceedings.' 'We believe there may be other victims and I would encourage anyone affected to get in contact with us you will be listened to and receive specialist support and guidance, not only from the police but independent charities and services. ' Fahmy of Hampstead, North West London, worked in at least four hotels across the city and one in the centre of Marlow in Buckinghamshire. He pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault but was convicted of all charges at Harrow Crown Court, sitting at Hendon Magistrates' Court, on July 25 last year. The Met said victims can contact the police by reporting online, or by emailing NWMailbox.Sapphire@met.police.uk who will arrange contact with them. They can call 0208 733 6311 between 7am and 11pm, Monday to Friday Retiring senator Linda Reynolds is suing the federal government over its conduct in reaching a multi-million settlement with former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins. The lawsuit concerned a $2.445million payout made to Ms Higgins in 2022, who claimed the Senator did not support her after she came forward with allegations she had been raped by Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019. The former Defence Minister claimed in a statement on Friday she was not involved in the Ms Higgins settlement which, she said, occurred over a single day and gave the impression of publicly affirming Ms Higgins' claims. Senator Reynolds's lawyer Martin Bennett confirmed to the ABC he lodged the suit with the Federal Court of Australia on Thursday. 'It sent a message to the nation that those allegations were so true, so damning, so abhorrent that the Commonwealth was prepared to pay her $2.445million after only a single instance of mediation,' Senator Reynolds said in the statement. Senator Reynolds described the conduct of Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and the Commonwealth's lawyers handling the settlement as 'egregious'. She wrote that the Attorney-General and the Commonwealth's lawyers had taken over her defence of Ms Higgins' claim 'without my consent'. She added they erred in: 'Failing to take any instructions from me, failing to test Ms Higgins' allegations, denying me an opportunity to attend the mediation, denying me an ability to retain my own legal counsel, settling the claim on my behalf without my consent and failing to provide me with sufficient or accurate information about the terms of the settlement.' Senator Linda Reynolds is suing the Commonwealth and law firm HWL Ebsworth for their conduct surrounding a $2.4million settlement with former staffer Brittany Higgins Ms Higgins with her partner David Sharaz. The pair were forced to sell their French home to defend a defamation suit brought by Senator Reynolds last year 'The Attorney-General and his ministers had been such staunch public supporters of Ms Higgins, politicising her untested, unsubstantiated and untrue allegations against me and it is impossible to reconcile how they considered they could act in my best interests and advocate for me in those circumstances.' The Senator is suing the Commonwealth for a breach of its fiduciary duty. She is also suing law firm HWL Ebsworth, which acted for the Commonwealth, for negligence. Ms Reynolds last year referred the payout to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Last year she launched a defamation case against Ms Higgins for three social media posts she claimed damaged her reputation. A verdict has yet to be handed down following the five-week trial which ended in September. Ms Higgins was forced to list the French home she shared with her partner David Sharaz for sale to cover the costs of defending the defamation suit. The announcement came at what was likely a difficult time for Ms Higgins who revealed on Wednesday her baby boy was undergoing surgery. Senator Reynolds alleged Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus took over her defence of the settlement brought by Ms Higgins without her consent or instructions Bruce Lehrmann has always denied he raped Ms Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 A criminal trial against Mr Lerhmann in relation to the alleged rape was abandoned following juror misconduct before a re-trial was cancelled due to concerns for Ms Higgins' wellbeing. Federal Court Justice Michael Lee found on the balance of probabilities that Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins after he brought an unsuccessful defamation suit against Channel 10. Mr Lehrmann is currently appealing the finding and continues to maintain his innocence. The Attorney-General's office was approached for comment while HWL Ebsworth declined to comment. Nigel Farage's Reform UK is on course for thumping wins in two Red Wall mayoral elections next week, a new poll suggests Andrea Jenkyns, the former Tory minister, is set to romp home in the vote to become Reform mayor of Brexiteer-heavy Greater Lincolnshire, thrashing the second-placed Tories by as much as 15 points. And in neighbouring Hull and East Yorkshire, former boxer Luke Campbell is ahead of his Labour challenger in one of Sir Keir Starmer's party's heartlands. The YouGov poll is predicting a bad night for the two main parties, with Labour on course to lose the mayoralty of the West of England to the Green Party, although the gap is just four points. In the fourth mayoral election taking place on May 1, in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire, former Tory MP Paul Bristow is 12 points ahead of Reform. While Ms Jenkyns is on course to become mayor in the east Midlands county, she could yet be stripped of the post. The former Conservative minister faced an investigation by election chiefs after complaints that she does not live in the area. While she appears on the electoral register in Lincolnshire, complaints were made that she does not actually live there - having given several interviews in which she has admitted she lives in Leeds. This has since been rejected, with North Kesteven District Council's electoral registration officer finding she uses her Lincolnshire home as her primary residence. 'I do not make any determination that the subject was not entitled to be registered in respect of the address or has ceased to be resident at the address', the determination said. Andrea Jenkyns, the former Tory minister, is set to romp home in the vote to become Reform mayor of Brexiteer-heavy Greater Lincolnshire, thrashing the second-placed Tories by as much as 15 points. Your browser does not support iframes. And in neighbouring Hull and East Yorkshire, former boxer Luke Campbell is ahead of his Labour challenger in one of Sir Keir Starmer's party's heartlands. 'Accordingly, she is entitled to remain on the electoral register at that address.' While the council official acknowledged Dame Andrea may move from the address in future if she were to lose the election, they suggested this was not relevant. 'Many people move for work despite their work being subject to a probationary period. 'A degree of uncertainty about one's working future is not unusual,' they said. Dame Andrea previously said she will move to Lincolnshire 'full time' if she wins the election, suggesting that she does not live there currently. Last month, she told Lincolnshire Live: 'I have got a place I rent, but I have a son with special needs, and any parent wouldn't pull their child out of school until they know they've won. If I win on 1 May, I will move here full time.' It is a criminal offence to make false claims on the electoral register or to make a false statement on nomination papers. The Electoral Registration Officer has confirmed that a formal objection - branded 'vexatious' by Reform, had been made regarding her entry on the electoral register. Speaking after the conclusion of the hearing into the matter held on Friday, Dame Andrea said: 'From the start this has been a political hit job aimed at smearing my candidacy. 'I am proud to live in Lincolnshire and it would be the honour of my life to be mayor of the place I grew up in and live in.' The regional mayoralty comes with an investment fund worth 720million over the next 20 years and powers over skills and transport. Reform has performed well in Lincolnshire, with Richard Tice becoming MP for Boston and Skegness at the general election and a number of former Conservative councillors have defected to the party. However, the Tories hold eight of the 12 parliamentary constituencies and held half of the council seats across Greater Lincolnshire in last May's elections. It came as former home secretary Sir James Cleverly said the Conservative Party should stop 'obsessing' about Reform UK if it wants to win back disillusioned voters. In an interview with GB News's Gloria De Piero to be broadcast on Sunday, the former home secretary urged his party to address why people were backing Reform rather than trying to 'calibrate (our) actions to respond to the existence of Reform'. His intervention comes as Conservative frontbenchers continue to debate the party's response to the rise of Reform ahead of May's local elections. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has ruled out a national coalition, but left the door open to deals between local councillors, while shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick told a party meeting in March that he wanted to form a 'coalition' of Reform and Tory voters. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has ruled out a national coalition, but left the door open to deals between local councillors, while shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick told a party meeting in March that he wanted to form a 'coalition' of Reform and Tory voters. But Reform leader Nigel Farage has consistently ruled out a deal with the Conservatives, saying his supporters would be 'revolted' by such a prospect. Sir James told GB News: 'The question we ask ourselves is does Reform exist because of other things that have happened? 'And my contention is that it does. 'And so if we address the reasons why people are going to Reform, you don't then need to address Reform. And this, I think, is what we need to do.' He went on to say that the Conservatives should consider why voters, and particularly young men, felt 'disillusioned' with politics. He said: 'Why do we not have answers to their questions? 'Why do we not seemingly have a way of giving them the opportunity they feel they need? 'Now, I don't have all the answers at my fingertips at the moment, this is what a period in opposition is about. 'If you address those things, you don't then need to play whack-a-mole with policies that Reform might put forward.' Intoxicated passengers could be at risk on the tube unless safety is improved, a coroner has warned. Mary Hassell, senior coroner for Inner North London, warned of future deaths after Artist Sarah Cunningham was hit by a northbound Northern Line train at Chalk Farm station. The 31-year-old was drunk as well as being on cocaine and ketamine when she was hit by the train after she walked into a tunnel at 3.30am on November 2 last year. It took Tfl workers two days to find Ms Cunningham's body after she was reported missing. The family's lawyers, Leigh Day, have said they are 'concerned that Transport for London does not appear to have committed to any actions to reduce the risks of this happening again in future'. They said CCTV footage played in court showed the artist spent around five minutes in the entrance hall at Chalk Farm station before she was let through the barriers by a member of the public There were no workers at the barriers as one was taking a break while another was on a phone call, which meant the CCTV was not being monitored. A staff member at the station told the inquest he had seen Ms Cunningham on CCTV and was worried for her safety. Artist Sarah Cunningham was hit by a northbound Northern Line train at Chalk Farm station The 31-year-old was drunk as well as being on cocaine and ketamine when she was hit by the train after she walked into a tunnel at about 3.30am on November 2 However when he went to see her, he could not find her and did not go back on the footage to check where she had gone. Once she entered the station, she was on the platform for 12 minutes, initially lying on a bench before narrowly missing a northbound train, running up to the carriage as the doors were closing. She then entered the tunnel. Leigh Day said the inquest heard there was an 18-minute gap between Miss Cunningham entering the tunnel and the next train passing through the station. In her report, Ms Hassell said TfL planning should have a greater focus on the safety of intoxicated passengers on its network. She said: 'Extreme intoxication is also known to be a risk to the individual who is intoxicated. However, it struck me that the risk to the individual is not necessarily at the forefront of TfL corporate thinking. 'Clearly, individuals have responsibility for their own drinking and/or drug taking, and the consequences thereof. Intoxication carries additional risk, whatever the activity. 'However, public transport is encouraged for many good reasons. Not least, it is a matter of public policy that those who are or may become intoxicated should make travel plans that do not involve being in charge of a vehicle. The London Underground is an obvious alternative. 'Realistically, some London Underground passengers will be intoxicated and that has to inform TfL's corporate planning.' The report said Miss Cunningham, who was a resident at the Lisson Gallery in London and had exhibited art in Berlin, New York and Los Angeles, was a 'sporadic user of drugs on a recreational basis'. The last photo Ms Cunningham shared on social media shows her in Seoul, South Korea Once she entered Chalk Farm station, she was on the platform for 12 minutes, initially laying on a bench before narrowly missing a northbound train, running up to the carriage as the doors were closing Thomas Jervis, a partner at Leigh Day said: 'Sarah's family believe her case is one in a long line of others shining a light on TfL's approach to public safety'. Pictured: Sarah Cunningham Thomas Jervis, a partner at Leigh Day said: 'Sarah's family believe her case is one in a long line of others shining a light on TfL's approach to public safety. 'They welcome the senior coroner's prevention of future deaths report and sincerely hope that TfL use it as a real opportunity to make meaningful changes so that individuals are safe on the transport network.' The report said TfL has a duty to respond by June 16. Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Sarah Cunningham, who tragically died at Chalk Farm Tube station on November 2 2024. 'We are supporting the coroner in relation to the inquest into this incident and we have carried out our own internal investigation, which we have shared with the coroner. 'We recognise the important role our staff play in protecting customers from harm and we will always take action to learn from incidents and improve operational safety.' A Reform UK candidate at next week's local elections was last year convicted of defrauding a council of more than 5,000, it can be revealed. Martyn Cubitt is standing for Nigel Farage's party for the Burwell division of Cambridgeshire County Council next Thursday. It comes less 12 months since he pleaded guilty to two fraud offences at Cambridge Magistrates' Court after illegally claiming council tax support. The 66-year-old defrauded East Cambridgeshire District Council of 5,669.17 in offences committed between 2013 and 2023. He was fined 200 and ordered to pay 1,000 towards the costs of the prosecution, as well as a 32 victim surcharge, following a court hearing on 28 May last year. Council tax support is a reduction in bills for residents on low incomes. It is available to those of working age with less than 10,000 in savings or capital, or of pension age with less than 16,000 in savings or capital. Cubitt, who previously stood as a UKIP candidate in Burwell, said he and his wife only had access to two bank accounts that jointly contained less than the prescribed limit. But a fraud investigation revealed that between them the couple held 16 different bank accounts at some point during the dates the offence was committed. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was pictured eating cockles during a local election campaign visit to Ramsgate, Kent, this week Reform candidate Martyn Cubitt defrauded East Cambridgeshire District Council of 5,669.17 in offences committed between 2013 and 2023 Cubitt also pleaded guilty to a second offence of failing to notify the council that his wife had begun paid employment when the council tax support was being claimed. Reform sources stressed that Cubitt paid back every single penny instantly, and that the offences were committed due to circumstances he was completely unaware of. The party are hoping for a breakthrough at the local elections across England on 1 May, with polling experts predicting Reform could win around 400 to 450 councillors. But Mr Farage's outfit has been stung by a series of revelations about their candidates in the run-up to the council contests. A Reform candidate in Durham was last week revealed to have called for the hanging of Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance and described a golliwog toy as 'so cute'. It came after the party was forced to suspend Stephen Hartley - a candidate in Oxfordshire - after he was shown to have praised Jimmy Savile. He described the notorious paedophile as a 'working class hero', an 'innocent man' and a 'scapegoat'. Meanwhile, a Reform candidate in Lancashire was revealed to have accused the late Queen Elizabeth II of 'scrounging'. And a council hopeful in Shropshire was shown to have called for a statue of far-right thug Tommy Robinson 'in every town square'. Reform faced a series of scandals over their candidates for last year's general election, after which Mr Farage promised to overhaul the party's vetting procedures. A Tory source said: 'Nigel Farage promised to have second to none vetting - and yet again it appears this was just another of his lies. 'But given one of his MPs is a convicted abuser, maybe Reform UK are all too happy to have criminals standing for them. This is not a serious political party.' Reform declined to provide a comment. The man who confessed to opening fire during a Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago, killing seven and injuring dozens more, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti delivered seven consecutive life sentences Thursday to Robert E. Crimo III, 24, for first-degree murder, fulfilling the prosecution's request. The sentencing followed heart-wrenching testimony from survivors and families of the victims. Crimo pleaded guilty last month to 21 counts of first-degree murder three for each person killed and 48 counts of attempted murder, changing his plea just moments before his trial was set to begin. The shooting occurred in Highland Park, about 30 miles north of Chicago, and left victims ranging in age from their 80s to an 8-year-old boy. Crimo refused to appear in court for his sentencing on Wednesday or Thursday despite being warned that the hearing would proceed without him. He also declined to submit a written statement to the court. "You will not hear my grief," said Keely Roberts, whose son Cooper, 8, was left paralyzed from the waist down. "You are now irrelevant." Legal experts note that while it's rare, defendants have the constitutional right to skip trial proceedings, including sentencing. "Certainly in crimes of violence it's not unusual for a defendant to show some remorse," said David Erickson, a former appellate judge and professor at Chicago Kent College of Law. During emotional courtroom testimony, survivors described the deep trauma left behind by the attack. Some called Crimo a "monster." Others shared that they no longer feel safe in public spaces. One woman, Erica Weeder, recalled lying on the ground with her husband as chaos unfolded around them. "A mass shooting is like a bomb blast throughout a community," she said. She underwent weeks of treatment to remove shrapnel from her body, while her husband was shot in the elbow, the bullet embedded for weeks. Prosecutors portrayed Crimo as cold and calculating, firing 83 rounds in just 40 seconds from a rooftop. "This was his evil plan. He intended to end the happiness that he saw around him," said Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart. Even without his presence in court, prosecutors presented evidence prepared for trial, including portions of Crimo's police confession. In the video, Crimo appeared emotionless, arms crossed as he admitted to initially hesitating due to a gun malfunction before deciding to follow through. "I walked up the stairs, jumped on the roof and opened fire," he said. Highland Park Police Officer Brian Bodden said Crimo remained disturbingly calm during the interview, even laughing and joking at times. To illustrate the horror of the day, prosecutors played video from the parade. One clip showed a band performing "You're a Grand Old Flag" just before gunfire erupted, with musicians and parade-goers running for cover as sirens wailed. Tears filled the courtroom as names of the victims were read aloud: Katherine Goldstein, 64; Jacquelyn Sundheim, 63; Stephen Straus, 88; Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78; Eduardo Uvaldo, 69; and married couple Kevin McCarthy, 37, and Irina McCarthy, 35. Crimo's father, Robert Crimo Jr., was charged in connection to how his son obtained a gun license. He pleaded guilty in 2023 to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct and served less than two months in jail. A New Mexico judge who let an alleged Tren de Aragua gangster live with him hung his head in shame as he and his wife were hauled from their home in handcuffs. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody on Thursday following a raid on their home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The couple are facing charges of evidence tampering after they were allegedly caught harboring an illegal immigrant, named as suspected Venezuelan gang member Christhian Ortega-Lopez, in their home. Homeland Security investigator Jason Stevens told KFOX14 that officers initially only intended to arrest Nancy Cano, but 'as we started obviously conducting our interviews and started looking at evidence, we subsequently arrested Mr. Cano as well.' 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. In shocking images that emerged this week, Ortega-Lopez was seen enjoying Christmas with the couple as the judge and his wife posed with firearms. The arrest of Cano and his wife follows the detainment of Ortega-Lopez in February after a separate raid on the home, which led the judge to resign from his position. In a statement following Cano's arrest, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said: 'Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliensincluding more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang. 'If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That's a promise,' Noem said, per Fox News. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano hung his head in shame as he and his wife were hauled from their home in handcuffs after allegedly being caught harboring an illegal immigrant with gang ties in their New Mexico home The judge's wife Nancy Cano was also seen being hauled away in handcuffs, and the couple are facing charges of evidence tampering following a raid on their home Nancy Cano was seen smirking (right) in her mugshot as she and her husband's booking photos were released following their arrest on Thursday According to authorities who raided Cano's home on Thursday, investigators discovered evidence linking Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang. This included text messages, images of tattoos and gang-related clothing. Following Ortega-Lopez's arrest, further investigations also reportedly led to the seizure of four firearms from the home of the judge's daughter, April Cano. Ortega-Lopez is facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted on federal charges of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. 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. '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 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 Cano, a Democrat who served as a judge since 2011, resigned last month after Ortega-Lopez was detained in February after a separate raid on the home 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, and he moved into the couple's home in April 2024 Ortega-Lopez is facing up to 15 years in prison Ortega-Lopez was issued a Notice to Appear after he crossed the border, however he was allegedly later found to be living on the judge's estate. Former ICE Field Office Director John Fabbricatore told WPMI after the judge's ties to the alleged gangster were revealed that the accusations cast a shadow over his entire judicial career. 'To see that a judge would allow this to happen. Its very concerning. Its concerning. What else has the judge been doing?' he said. 'Dona Ana County has been a hotbed of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, human smuggling for many, many years.' Following the judge's resignation from the bench last month, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that Cano would be permanently barred from holding any judicial office in the state. Scrutiny fell on Ortega-Lopez's social media following allegations that the judge was harboring him, with many showing the alleged illegal immigrant posing with weapons. 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. The alleged Tren de Aragua member is seen next to the Democrat judge sometime last year Cano poses among four other young men, holding beers beside a barbecue When cops raided the home earlier this year, three phones associated with Ortega-Lopez were found, with one allegedly containing 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, 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 Kentucky family has accused American Airlines of ignoring their dad's medical distress and allowing him to catch his connection flight, which they claimed led to his death. John William Cannon, 62, died two years ago this month after suffering a 'syncopal,' or fainting, event while traveling on the airline Kentucky to Colorado for his female partner's celebration of life ceremony in April 2023. While deplaning in Texas, Cannon suffered the fainting event and was helped to the floor of the jet bridge, but was later released to catch his connection flight despite 'exhibiting concerning signs of medical distress,' the complaint, viewed by DailyMail.com, read. The father was experiencing labored breathing and losing consciousness - symptoms the family said should have clued American Airline's employees to help Cannon further. His son, Kyle, and the family's attorneys argue his death was the 'direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault of' the airline. 'The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritizes inaction over intervention,' lawyers Joseph LoRusso and Jessica McBryant told DailyMail.com. 'This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change.' Kyle is seeking damages for his father having to go through 'conscious pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of time and income, medical expenses, and other damages prior to his death,' People reported. John William Cannon, 62, died two years ago this month after suffering a 'syncopal,' or fainting, event while traveling on the airline Kentucky to Colorado The Cannon family is seeking $75,000 in damages, plus attorney fees. American Airlines said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'We are reviewing the complaint.' Cannon died of a heart attack while paramedics were taking him to a hospital in rural Durango, Colorado. Cannon boarded American Airlines (AAL) Flight 1444 from Louisville to Dallas-Fort Worth on April 28 at around 12:30pm. He collapsed while deplaning in Dallas and was 'helped to the floor of the jet bridge', the complaint states. 'Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, John was released to make his connecting flight,' the lawsuit adds. 'While Mr. Cannon exhibited concerning signs of medical distress, AAL personnel proceeded to transfer him to his connecting flight.' He flew from Dallas to Durango onboard Flight 4896, but allegedly fell unconscious 'during the flight, and/or at the time of de-boarding.' The complaint, which does not note the exact time the flight landed, states that crew called emergency services at 4:04pm to report Cannon's deteriorating condition, allegedly after the deplaning process was complete. File photo of an American Airlines Airbus A321 airplane departing Los Angeles International Airport Firefighters rushed to the scene and gave Cannon an 'oxygen treatment' before removing him from the aircraft with the help of paramedics, according to the suit. He was taken to Durango's Mercy Medical Center in an ambulance, but suffered a 'sinus bradycardia' - a heart rhythm where your heart beats slower than expected - during transport, which progressed to cardiac arrest. 'The ambulance crew performed approximately 10 minutes of chest compression, administered two doses of epinephrine, and delivered multiple Automated External Defibrillator (AED) shocks,' the complaint states. But despite paramedics' best efforts, he did not resume a sustained heart rhythm and effective blood flow, and was pronounced dead the next morning at 1:29am. The lawsuit - initially filed in Denver County District Court, but removed to Denver federal court Tuesday - accuses American Airlines of negligent delay in medical aid, failure to deny boarding in Dallas, neglect in first aid delivery, and medical triage negligence. It alleges that crew did not pay appropriate attention to Cannon's condition, failed to prioritize his needs, and did not take reasonable steps to get him to the care of a physician in a timely manner. Lori Vallow Daybell has spoken out from jail, revealing her shock as she was found guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. The verdict was handed down to the 'Doomsday Mom,' 51, in an Arizona court on Tuesday after the jury deliberated for about three hours. Her convictions stem from a series of disturbing events that began in 2019, when she and Chad Daybell, a doomsday author, became romantically involved. The couple's apocalyptic beliefs led them to take extreme actions, including the deaths of family members and the disappearance and murders of her two children. In 2023, Vallow Daybell was extradited to Arizona to face additional charges related to the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in 2019. Cox claimed self-defense and was not charged; he died later that year from natural causes. She now faces another life sentence on top of the one she is currently serving in Idaho for the murders of her two children, Tylee Ryan, 16, and Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7, and the conspiracy to murder her husband Chad Daybell's former wife, Tammy Daybell. In an interview with AZFamily's Briana Whitney in Phoenix on Thursday, Vallow Daybell expressed disbelief over the jury's ruling in the case. Lori Vallow Daybell, 51, has spoken out from jail, revealing her shock as she was found guilty of conspiring to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow In an interview with AZFamily 's Briana Whitney (pictured) in Phoenix on Thursday, Vallow Daybell expressed disbelief over the jury's ruling in the case 'I mean, obviously I knew that was a possibility, yeah, so, it was a bit of a surprise actually,' Vallow Daybell admitted. During the harrowing trial, which lasted over two weeks, Vallow Daybell chose to represent herself - an unusual move that surprised many. She said she was 'worried' that if she testified or called anyone, the state would have gotten a rebuttal and that she didn't want to go through 'all that'. But, the 'Doomsday mother' had plenty of fiery cross-examination of her family, friends and even a woman her ex-husband dated. Her only surviving brother, Adam Cox, 56, testified for the prosecution and said he believed his sister was behind Vallow's murder. 'It all happened so fast I am still processing,' she said, adding the encounter was the first time she had seen her brother in years. 'It was different when I was up there with him because you've known him your whole life.' The twisted mother added that she felt she was unable to share 'the most important' evidence needed to prove her innocence. In 2023, Vallow Daybell was extradited to Arizona to face additional charges related to the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow (pictured), who was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in 2019 She now faces another life sentence on top of the one she is currently serving in Idaho for the murders of her two children, Tylee Ryan (right), 16, and Joshua 'JJ' Vallow (left), 7, and the conspiracy to murder her husband Chad Daybell's former wife, Tammy Daybell 'In the judicial system, the way that it works is that they really don't let you put on a defense, they just don't' she explained in the interview, adding,' they don't let you put on your defense the way that you want to present it.' 'The procluded me basically from having a defense, they procluded me from things that would be most important to prove your case. So, if the judge procludes all those things, what are you supposed to get up and say?' Vallow Daybell said. In another striking moment during the rare interview, Vallow Daybell was asked what it was like to see her 16-year-old daughter in body-camera footage, captured at the scene in 2019, shown during the trial. 'Well, I understand where Tylee is in heaven. I know what she's doing and where she is, so it's been almost six years since she passed away,' Vallow Daybell responded with a disturbing calmness. She then made the shocking claim that her daughter died by suicide, blaming the emotional toll of events involving Vallow. 'I mean, this is the catalyst, right? What happened with her and Charles was the catalyst of her killing herself. So I was precluded from talking about that. I was precluded from bringing that up.' Whitney quickly pressed back, pointing out, 'But the detectives obviously don't say that she killed herself.' 'I'm aware of what they say, but they weren't there.' Vallow Daybell said, unfazed. Her convictions stem from a series of disturbing events that began in 2019, when she and Chad Daybell (pictured), a doomsday author, became romantically involved During the harrowing trial, which lasted over two weeks, Vallow Daybell chose to represent herself - an unusual move that surprised many She also claimed to have told her other son, Colby Ryan, the truth about what 'really' happened to JJ In a phone call later shared on Colby's podcast, she alleged that Tylee Ryan killed JJ and then took her own life. However, both Tylee and JJ's remains were discovered in 2020, buried on Chad Daybell's property in Idaho. The Thursday interview also saw Vallow Daybell address peculiar text messages with Alex Cox, where she talked about becoming 'like Nephi,' a person in the Book of Mormon who God commands to kill another man. 'They've been totally and completely misconstrued,' Vallow Daybell told Whitney. 'We weren't speaking of anything that was happening here we were speaking of things happening in the spirit world. So, anybody that's going to read texts of yours. It's going to be way over their head in the sense that they hadn't had those experiences so they have nowhere to put them.' She also claimed Adam Cox, Charles Vallow and Brando Boudreaux, her niece's ex-husband, were plotting against her. Both Tylee and JJ's remains were discovered in 2020, buried on Chad Daybell's property in Idaho Adam Cox testified that Charles Vallow's murder just before he and Vallow were planning an intervention to bring his sister back into the mainstream of their shared faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He testified that before Vallow's death, his sister had told people her husband was no longer living and that a zombie was living inside his body. Vallow Daybell is scheduled to go on trial again in early June, accused in a scheme to kill Boudreaux. Investigators said Alex Cox shot at Boudreaux at his home in October 2019, nearly hitting him in the head. A BDSM loving New York City lawyer's fetishes have been revealed in court as he is hit with new charges in a horrific assault and prosecutors warn that there may be 'hundreds' more victims. Ryan Hemphill, 43, who was found not guilty of charges in 2015 of choking and assaulting his then-girlfriend at knifepoint, has been hit with another slew of claims that he allegedly tortured six women in his Manhattan apartment. Yet, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Mirah Curzer told Judge Ann Scherzer in a statement that they 'have reason to believe these six victims are only the tip of the iceberg'. The lawyer was arrested on March 1 and accused of using cattle prods, shock collars and waterboarding on six new victims during 'multi-hour ordeals', according to an indictment obtained by the New York Post. Hemphill has been charged with 24 charges of predatory sexual assault and numerous counts of rape in the first and third degrees, facilitating a sex offense with a controlled substance, and second-degree assault. He has also been charged with bribing a witness, criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of ammunition and of certain ammunition feeding devices. 'The defendant inflicted enormous suffering and trauma on these six women, raping them repeatedly and torturing them for hours simply because he enjoyed their pain and fear,' Curzer added. 'And then he threatened and intimidated them to make sure they never came forward.' Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Mirah Curzer told Judge Ann Scherzer in a statement that they 'have reason to believe these six victims are only the tip of the iceberg' The lawyer was arrested on March 1 and accused of using cattle prods, shock collars and waterboarding on six new victims during 'multi-hour ordeals' Curzer said on Thursday that Hemphill's apartment near the Empire State Building had been fitted with numerous surveillance cameras which were found to have contained images of dozens, if not hundreds, of women. Many of the women captured on camera were naked and blindfolded, Curzer said. Prosecution further claimed that Hemphill 'kept [the videotapes] as trophies'. Hemphill also allegedly threatened the women he had been accused of torturing, and flaunted connections to NYPD law enforcement and mobsters to keep his victims silenced, prosecutors claimed. Text messages were shown to the court, exposing some of the alleged threatening language Hemphill used against his victims. 'I'm leaving here in five minutes if you're not here I'm gonna f***ing unleash federal hell on you,' a text thread sent on November 30 said. 'You're gonna wish you were f***ing dead.' Another text thread he allegedly wrote on December 22 said: 'You prostitute. Did you not notice all the police business cards on my f***ing coffee table?' 'I know half the precinct you f***.' Hemphill also allegedly threatened the women he had been accused of torturing, and flaunted connections to NYPD law enforcement and mobsters to keep his victims silenced 'The defendant inflicted enormous suffering and trauma on these six women, raping them repeatedly and torturing them for hours simply because he enjoyed their pain and fear,' Curzer said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told members of the media: 'He wielded his law degree and money as both sword and shield, coercing and silencing survivors. The defendant told these survivors he was untouchable.' 'The indictment makes clear that he was wrong.' Bragg added in a press release that Hemphill had conducted the alleged assault of the six women over just five months. Hemphill allegedly raped these women orally, vaginally, anally, and often under the threat of torture if they did not comply. 'He forced or tricked them into ingesting various controlled substances that rendered them unconscious or significantly impaired,' the release said. 'He slapped and punched them repeatedly and tied them up with handcuffs and other restraints.' In one alleged instance, one of his victims was left shackled to his bed for an 'extended period while she begged him to let her go'. The private executive lawyer also used a cattle prod and shock collar to torture his victims with electricity, as well as threatening them with guns and knives, urinating on them, verbally humiliating them and demeaning them. Some of his victims were allegedly convinced of divulging their past sexual traumas to Hemphill, who then reenacted the acts described to him. Many of the women he met through websites such as Seeking.com, SugarDaddy and SugarDaddyMeet, FetLife and Craigslist, offering them 'large sums of money and in exchange for sex and companionship.' Pictured: Fake cash Hemphill allegedly used to 'pay' sex workers and women Videos of the torture and abuse were also allegedly recorded by Hemphill's extensive number of cameras. Many of the women he met through websites such as Seeking.com, SugarDaddy and SugarDaddyMeet, FetLife and Craigslist, offering them 'large sums of money and in exchange for sex and companionship.' 'In many cases, he never paid them the agreed-upon amounts, and sometimes he paid them with fake money,' the release said. Hemphill's alleged intimidation of his victims included flaunting his connections, as well as his status as a lawyer. In one instance, based on evidence from a victim's cellphone, he allegedly drew up a contract in which he agreed to pay a woman $2,000 in exchange for dropping a complaint she filed with the Manhattan Special Victims Squad. Others of his victims were allegedly forced to record videos in which they state that they consented to being raped and tortured. An investigation led to the discovery of large amounts of drugs in his apartment, including heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, and fentanyl. Investigators also found high-capacity magazines and hundreds of bullets, the press release said. The private executive lawyer also used a cattle prod and shock collar to torture his victims with electricity, as well as threatening them with guns and knives, urinating on them, verbally humiliating them and demeaning them An investigation led to the discovery of large amounts of drugs in his apartment, including heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, and fentanyl. Investigators also found high-capacity magazines and hundreds of bullets, The investigation further found handcuffs, the cattle prod and fake cash that he is believed to have used to 'pay' sex workers. The Manhattan lawyer had admitted in a trial in 2015, filed by his then-girlfriend, that he enjoyed rough sex and often acted out his fetish fantasies with sex workers and other women. His then-girlfriend, Christina Leos, claimed that while the pair both enjoyed rough sex, Hemphill crossed the line after he put a 10-inch Bowie knife to her throat in 2013. 'I thought I was going to die,' she said in court, the Post reported. Hemphill, however, was found not guilty on all charges. 'This was an overcharged case to begin with and the District Attorney's office had little to no evidence,' Hemphill said. 'It should have never gotten to this far.' Now, Hemphill faces the court again for a number of similarly disturbing charges. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said: 'The details in this case are beyond disturbing - a sustained, calculated campaign of violence and cruelty that targeted vulnerable women. This kind of predatory abuse has no place in our city and will be met with the full force of the law.' Tisch went on to thank investigators and the Special Victims Division and further thanked Bragg for their 'unwavering commitment to pursuing justice in even the most horrific of cases.' Donald Trump proposed allowing Russia to keep Crimea and other areas of Ukraine it currently controls as well as banning Kyiv from joining NATO, it has emerged - prompting a pushback from European and Ukrainian officials. Leaked documents highlighting the vastly different proposals from the US and Europe for resolving the conflict show the White House far more willing to concede Ukrainian territory to Moscow. Plans drawn up by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff call for US recognition of Russia's control over Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014, as well as the removal of sanctions currently in place. It also proposes de facto recognition of Russia's hold on areas of southern and eastern Ukraine that Moscow's forces control. The document, which was presented to European officials last week before being passed onto their Ukrainian counterparts, also states Kyiv will have a 'robust security guarantee' with European and other friendly states acting as guarantors - but will not join NATO. The American proposal was handed over last Thursday during talks in Paris, with the European counter-proposal presented at further negotiations in London on Wednesday. The text prepared by European and Ukrainian officials defers detailed discussion about territory until after a ceasefire is concluded. There is no mention in the document of recognising Russian control over any Ukrainian territory. The revelations emerged as Witkoff touched down in Moscow for his fourth meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prior to Wednesday's meeting in London, Zelenskyy said Kyiv would not recognise the annexation of Crimea in exchange for a peace deal. Witkoff met Putin in Moscow earlier today - his fourth encounter with the Russian leader Plans drawn up by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff call for US recognition of Russia's control over Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014 Prior to Wednesday's meeting in London, Zelenskyy said Kyiv would not recognise the annexation of Crimea in exchange for a peace deal It also suggests there will be no limits on Ukrainian forces and no restrictions on Ukraine's allies stationing their military forces on Ukrainian soil. To back this up, Kyiv will receive robust security guarantees from major nations with an 'Article 5-like agreement'. The principle in the NATO charter states that an armed attack against one alliance member is considered an attack against all, suggesting any future Russian invasion would result in Western countries coming to Ukraine's defence. Sanctions would only be 'gradually eased' instead of removed entirely, according to the proposals, which were first seen by Reuters. They would also be reinstated if Russia breaks the terms of the agreement. Ukraine would receive financial compensation for damage inflicted in the war from Russian assets abroad that have been frozen under the plans. In contrast, Witkoff was lighter on detail, suggesting Ukraine would be compensated financially, but not clarifying where the money would come from. Last night Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a top Putin ally, said that Russia is 'ready to reach a deal' but that there were still details to be 'fine-tuned'. He told CBS that Trump 'believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction'. 'The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process,' Lavrov clarified. The European proposals suggest Kyiv will receive robust security guarantees from major nations with an 'Article 5-like agreement' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a top ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Russia is 'ready to reach a deal' but that there were still details to be 'fine-tuned' Trump said that negotiators are 'very close' to a deal Trump has indicated that he is prepared to hand over major concessions to Moscow in order to end the conflict, which started in 2022 when Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Asked what Russia has offered so far to move the peace process along, Trump said yesterday: 'Stopping the war. Stopping taking the whole country.' 'Pretty big concession,' he added. 'This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now. 'I think we're going to make a deal ... I think we're getting very close.' Witkoff met Putin in Moscow earlier today - his fourth encounter with the Russian leader - with a video published by the Kremlin showing the pair shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting down on opposite sides of a white oval table. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has denied allegations brought forward by his former foreign minister that he has a drug addiction just a day after revealing he is banned from traveling to the U.S. Alvaro Leyva, who served for almost two years until he was ousted in May 2024, wrote on a letter he shared on X on Wednesday that Petro had disappeared for two days during an official visit to Paris in 2023. In the letter, which was delivered to the president's office a day earlier, Leyva claimed it was during that time that he noticed that the president was using drugs without offering concrete proof. 'I'm sorry to say this today late, admittedly but around that time I was already aware of episodes of similar behavior on your part,' the former top diplomat wrote. 'It was in Paris that I was able to confirm that you had a drug addiction problem.' Leyva, an 82-year-old conservative, then went on to say that he was unable to do anything at the time because of his position within Petro's administration. 'But what could I have done? I was certainly inferior. I should have approached you, helped you, assisted you in a timely manner,' Leyva said. 'I harbor the regret of not having tried to reach out to you. The truth is, you never recovered. That's how it is. Your recovery, sadly, has not taken place.' Petro, a former member of the 19th of April Movement guerrilla group, immediately took to X on Wednesday and explained that he taken advantage of the trip to France to spend time with his daughter, Andrea Petro, and her children. Colombian President Gustavo Petro shut down allegations brought forward by his former foreign minister that he has a drug addiction just a day after revealing he was stripped of his United States visa Alvaro Leyva, who was foreign minister of Colombia for two years before he was removed in May 2024, delivered a letter to President Gustavo Petro claiming he was a drug addict 'It became a sin for me to be with my family,' the leftist leader said. 'Because several of my children and my mother live abroad, and because of the persecution we suffer, I have very few opportunities to see them. 'I didn't think this fact would unleash such terrible suspicions in the people I've shaken hands with.' In a separate post later in the day, Petro said it would have been impossible to have gone missing because of the security provided by the French government. 'The writer is so vulgar that he forgot to tell you that during an official visit by a head of state to France, there is always direct and permanent physical protection from the French secret service,' he wrote. 'I've simply been slandered.' Andrea Petro also dismissed Leyva's accusations and said her father was with her. 'In France, my dad found something rare in Colombia: family time, privacy, calm,' she wrote on X. 'His favorite pastime was spending time with my daughters, being a grandfather without distractions. Guilty of disconnecting him a little? I admit it. We were just looking for a peace that isn't allowed there.' Colombia's former justice minister, Wilson Ruiz, piggybacked on Leyva's letter on Wednesday and called on the lower house to look in investigated Petro's mental and physical health. In a separate post later in the day, Petro said it would have been impossible to have gone missing because of the security provided by the French government Leyva said the leftist leader had gone missing for several days during an official visit to Paris in 2023 and that it was during that trip that he noticed that Petro was a drug user Leyva's stunning claims came a day after Petro shocked the South American nation and revealed that his travel visa to the United States had been revoked by the administration of President Donald Trump. Petro said Finance Minister German Avila would take his place at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, D.C. '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's unknown when Petro had his travel visa suspended. In a statement to DailMail.com on Wednesday, the U.S. Western Hemisphere Affairs said that 'visa records are confidential under U.S. law; therefore, we cannot discuss the details of individual visa cases.' Colombia's Foreign Relations Ministry and the President's office did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to get into the specifics of Petro's claims during Tuesday's press briefing. Gustavo Petro, the first leftist elected as president of Colombia, revealed this week that his travel visa to the United States had been revoked 'Of course, we don't speak about direct individual visa issues. We visa records are confidential for everyone. But we are aware of the reports; we're aware of what he said,' Bruce said. In the event that Petro's visa was canceled, the Department of State would have formally communicated its decision. Petro has clashed with the Trump, who threatened 'decisive retaliatory measures' against government officials over Petro's refusal to let two United States military flights full of migrants land in January. The Colombian leader slammed the Trump administration for the alleged mistreatment of 160 people, who were handcuffed on the planes. Trump snapped back 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. Petro responded by announcing U.S. imports would face a 25 percent tax before he eventually backed down and agreed to accept the migrants. The last Colombian president who had his United States travel visa revoked was Ernesto Samper in July 1996. Samper, who ruled from 1994 to 1998, was accused of accepting at least $6 million from drug cartels to fund his campaign and later cleared by lawmakers. Terrifying new details have emerged in the University of Idaho murders case, with a bombshell court order revealing how a surviving roommate says she saw one of the victims bodies minutes after coming face-to-face with the masked killer inside their home. What survivors Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke saw and heard in the early hours of November 13, 2022, will play a central role in the looming trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger. Kohberger is accused of killing their four roommates - Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin - in a stabbing frenzy in their shared student home. Mortensen and Funke called 911 at around mid-day on November 13 - some eight hours after the killing spree. Bombshell new court records reveal that Mortensen saw a man - who prosecutors say was Kohberger - walking past her bedroom door in the early hours of the morning, at around 4am. She told investigators that she emerged from her room and saw Xana lying on the floor - presumably dead - but thought she was drunk and had passed out. Mortensen carried on towards Funke's room, and together they stayed there until daylight. D.M. then exited her room and began running toward B.F.'s bedroom. 'On her way, she noticed Xana lying on the floor of her bedroom, with her head towards the wall and her feet toward to the door. D.M. thought Xana was drunk, the records state. Around eight hours later, the roommates called 911 call after realizing their friends were dead. New details about her terrifying ordeal and the events of that night were revealed in Judge Steven Hippler's court order Thursday, as he ruled that jurors will hear that 911 call at Kohberger's trial this summer. Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke 'The Court finds that some of the hearsay statements on the 911 call do not qualify under the exceptions cited by the State and, therefore, must be redacted,' Hippler ruled. The judge will also allow jurors to see the call transcript as well as texts between the surviving roommates during those terrifying hours. 'However, the balance of the 911 call as well as the texts and conversations noted herein are likely admissible provided that the requisite foundation is laid at trial. The transcript will be allowed as demonstrative aid, again assuming proper foundation is established.' This marks yet another blow to suspected killer Kohberger who wanted to ban the call and texts from his high-profile trial. In another order Thursday, the judge also refused to rule out the death penalty despite his recent autism diagnosis. The 30-year-old criminology PhD student is facing the death penalty for the murders of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in Moscow, Idaho, back on November 13, 2022. The four University of Idaho students were brutally stabbed to death in the early hours of the morning in the off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, that the three young women shared with their two other roommates. The horror murders - the first homicide in seven years for the small, tight-knit college town - plunged the community into fear and sent shockwaves across the country. Around six weeks later, on December 30, 2022, police swooped on Kohberger at his parents' home in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania and charged him with the murders. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf at his arraignment. Bryan Kohberger snapped this creepy selfie six hours after the brutal Moscow murders The off-campus home where the four University of Idaho students were murdered on November 13, 2022 The Washington State University student was tied to the murders through DNA found on a Ka-Bar leather knife sheath left behind by the killer at the scene. As well as the DNA evidence, prosecutors say Kohberger's white Hyundai Elantra also matches the car seen leaving the crime scene at the time of the murders. Cellphone records also allegedly show that Kohberger may have stalked the King Road home at least a dozen times in the lead-up to the murders - and that he turned his phone off while committing the crime to try to cover his tracks. Mortensen came face-to-face with an intruder inside the off-campus student home that night - making her the sole surviving eyewitness who saw the perpetrator who murdered her friends. Judge Hippler's new court order revealed that new details about Mortensen's account of that night. The four victims and their roommates had all spent the night of Saturday November 12 out at bars or parties. At around 2am, Mortensen, Funke, Goncalves and Mogen were back at the home on 1122 King Road and 'met up in Kaylee's bedroom and talked for while before going to bed,' the document states. Kernodle and Chapin - who had been at a frat party - were not home yet. The four friends debated going out to a food truck for a late snack, but ultimately went to bed. According to investigators, at around 4am, Mortensen heard strange noises in the home - followed by a man's voice, that was not Chapin, saying something to the effect of 'It's okay, I'm going to help you.' When she peered round her bedroom door, she saw a man walk past her room on the second floor and head in the direction of the back sliding door. The intruder, she described, was tall, dressed in all black and was wearing a mask. Due to the mask, Mortensen could only see the eyes and eyebrows of the figure, and recalled seeing his 'bushy eyebrows.' Following that terrifying encounter, Mortensen placed a series of panicked calls and texts to her roommates. Only Funke answered. The others were already dead. Between 4.22am and 4.26am, Mortensen and Funke exchanged a string of texts where they frantically tried to determine what was going on in their home. Mortensen - whose room was on the second floor, along with Kernodle's - then ran to Funke's room on the first floor. Goncalves' and Mogen's rooms were on the third floor. 'D.M. then exited her room and began running toward B.F.'s bedroom,' the court order reveals. 'On her way, she noticed Xana lying on the floor of her bedroom, with her head towards the wall and her feet toward to the door. D.M. thought Xana was drunk. 'Once D.M. arrived at B.F's room, they locked the door and both made additional unanswered calls to the other roommates.' Over the next eight hours, Mortensen's cellphone data shows she made several more texts and calls to her roommates, while also creating, editing and deleting images and videos, and accessing various social media sites including Instagram and Snapchat, court documents show. On Snapchat, she used the Snapmap function to try to check Chapin and Kernodle's location. With still no response from any of the four victims, at around 11.50am Mortensen called a friend and asked her to 'come over and check the house because she was scared,' the document states. Best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen (left) were found dead in the same bed in Mogen's room on the third floor. Young couple Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (right) were found dead in her room on the second floor Kaylee Goncalves family arrive for a court hearing in 2023. The family said an earlier 911 call would not have saved the victims The friend E.A. and her boyfriend H.J. came to the home and met Mortensen and Funke at the bottom floor of the three-story house. The two roommates and H.J. made their way to the second floor, where H.J. 'went to the kitchen to grab kitchen knife,' the document states. According to the documents, Mortensen and Funke then saw Kernodle lying on the floor. Mortensen testified to the grand jury that she saw Kernodle that time for a 'split second' and 'just started bawling because thought she had just like don't even know. thought maybe she was still just drunk and all asleep on the floor.' At that moment, H.J. told the young women to 'get out' and they all went outside. When H.J. emerged from the house soon after, he 'was pale white and mentioned something about someone being unconscious,' the document states. He told them to call 911 and the distressing phone call was placed. Kohberger's defense wanted the judge to ban jurors from seeing the texts or the 911 call, claiming they were hearsay and that 'there is no evidence they were sufficiently startled by the events.' Bryan Kohberger (pictured during his extradition in January 2023) is facing the firing squad if convicted The defense claimed that 'despite stating she was scared, [Mortensen] ran to B.F.'s room instead of leaving the house or otherwise calling other friends and family for help.' The judge disagreed, writing that 'the events are sufficiently startling to both D.M. and B.F for purposes of the excited utterance exception.' 'D.M. and B.F. are young female college students and the self described "scaredy cats of the house,"' he wrote. 'They were awoken from sleep after night of drinking with D.M. reporting that she heard noises and saw masked intruder in their home. None of the other roommates were responding to their calls and texts, further indicating something was amiss. It would be potentially terrifying for anyone, including these young women. 'To argue that they would have run out of the house or called someone else for help had they really been startled unempathetically ignores these circumstances and the trauma and confusion they were evidently experiencing, which likely offset logical thought... They were clearly under stress and attempting to make sense of frightening situation.' The harrowing details come as Mortensen is expected to be a key witness in Kohberger's trial. Last week, the judge ruled that she will be able to use the term 'bushy eyebrows' to describe the man she saw inside the home, saying it is 'highly relevant in this case.' The defense wanted to block the phrase 'bushy eyebrows' from the trial and have tried to pick holes in Mortensen's reliability as a witness - including that she admitted she was drunk at the time, told police she was in a dream-like state, had drawings of people with prominent eyebrows on her walls, and that she was not separated from other witnesses following the discovery of the murders. Prosecutors, however, argued that her account and description of the intruder had been consistent in every interview - the man was white, a few inches taller than her, dressed in all black, wearing a mask, was skinny and had a voice she did not recognize. Prosecutors want to show jurors a chilling selfie captured by Kohberger around six hours after the murders as evidence of his 'bushy eyebrows' at the time of the murders. The judge sided with the state. 'D.M. is the only eyewitness to the intruder responsible for the homicides. It is the jury's task to determine whether Defendant is that person,' the judge said. He pointed out that Mortensen's accounts have been 'consistent' and that 'there is nothing confusing about her testimony.' In another blow to Kohberger's defense strategy, the judge also ruled that Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted. Due to changes in state law, he could be executed by firing squad. The judge also ruled that the defense can only present evidence of his autism diagnosis as a reason for his courtroom behavior if Kohberger himself takes the stand to testify. Footage captured a white Hyundai Elantra around the victims' home at the time of the murders DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath (seen in a stock image) left behind at the scene The judge also ruled that jurors can be presented with Kohberger's Amazon shopping history, which reveals he bought a Ka-Bar knife, sheath and sharpener from Amazon back in March 2022. It was shipped to his parents' home in Pennsylvania. Following the murders, Kohberger searched to buy a replacement knife and sheath, prosecutors allege. The murder weapon itself has never been found. The flurry of court orders have been made after the defense and the prosecution went to battle in a courtroom showdown earlier this month over critical evidence in the high-profile case. Kohberger is next due in court in mid-may for a pre-trial hearing. He is slated to go on trial in August. A major security operation is underway in Rome ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival to the Italian capital - as the Vatican makes its final preparations for Pope Francis' funeral. Trump is expected to arrive in Italy later this evening, Metro reported, and will be accompanied by First Lady Melania. The area surrounding the US Embassy in Rome is being tightly monitored by police as the city prepares to host one of the most high-profile political figures on the Vatican's guest list. Pictures and videos show the roads surrounding the villa the president is believed to be staying at being cordoned off, while police cars are currently lining the perimeter of the property. It is also understood that traffic in the area is being redirected, while armed soldiers are being stationed across several intersections in the city. Trump today spoke with reporters as he and first lady Melania prepared to depart for Rome on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House. The security operation comes after reports that the US President is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at the Pope'es funeral mass emerged, despite being among the first to confirm his attendance. The Vatican has not yet released the official seating chart, but tradition suggests that precedence for front row seating will be given to Catholic royalty. Foreign dignities will likely be sat in large block on one side of the coffin, across from the cardinals, patriarchs, bishops and archbishops. A major security operation is underway in Rome ahead of President Trump's arrival to the Italian capital for the Pope's funeral US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on April 25, 2025. Trump is heading to Rome, Italy for the funeral for Pope Francis Pope Francis died on Monday after suffering a stroke Catholic royals will be seated in the front row, followed by non-Catholic royals, including the Prince of Wales. World leaders, heads of states and other foreign dignitaries will then be sat behind them. Trump, however, is not likely to be pleased with the seating arrangements, given that he mocked his predecessor Joe Biden for having to sit in the rear at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral three years ago. Hundreds of high-profile world leaders have started flying into Rome today ahead of the pontiff's funeral. At least 130 foreign delegations had confirmed their attendance at Pope Francis' funeral in St. Peter's Basilica tomorrow, including around 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs, the Vatican said. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President, Ukrainian leader Emmanuel Macron, Irish premier Micheal Martin and the nation's President Michael D Higgins are also on the guest list to attend tomorrow's ceremony. Prince William is attending the funeral on behalf of King Charles. The area surrounding the US Embassy in Rome is being tightly monitored by police It is also understood that traffic in the area is being redirected, while armed soldiers are being stationed across several intersections in Rome Pope Francis meets the President of United States of America Donald Trump in the Private Library of the Apostolic Palace with his wife Melania, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. Vatican City, May 24th 2017 President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump depart on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House today in Washington The security operation comes after reports that the US President is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at the Pope'es funeral mass emerged Security measures have tightened as people queue to pay their respects to late Pope Francis, with a view of the Vatican's colonnade, a day prior to the late Pope's funeral A nun (C) looks on as she queues to pay her respects to late Pope Francis, with a view of the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica, a day prior to the late Pope's funeral The Vatican said over 128,000 people have already paid their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state in St Peter's Basilica ahead of his funeral set for tomorrow People queue to pay their respects to late Pope Francis Mourners, including a handful praying and becoming emotional, pay their respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica on April 25 Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, the King and Queen of Sweden, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway are among the royals attending the service. Thousands of mourners have been queuing outside St Peter's Basilica to view the Pope's open coffin for the third and final day of his lying-in state. Italian and Vatican authorities have also launched a huge security operation around St Peter's Square with drones blocked, snipers on roofs and fighter jets on standby. Police say that further check-points will be activated tonight. The pontiff died on Monday in his room at the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel after suffering a stroke. Vast crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturday's funeral which will see the highest-ranking members of the Catholic Church and major political leaders come together to bid a final farewell to Francis. Former president Barack Obama was out to dinner without Michelle at a romantic restaurant in San Francisco amid speculation about their marriage continues. The Democrat, 63, was pictured on Wednesday heading inside Quince, a famous three-Michelin-star eatery and celeb hotspot in the Bay area. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff was seen walking in the restaurant moments before Obama, but it's unclear if the two were together, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Obama's outing comes days after he was finally photographed with Michelle as they stepped out for a date in Washington DC over the weekend. 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. Prior to the DC outing, Obama was last seen with Michelle in December, nearly five months ago. Speculation over the state of the Obama's marriage began after the former first lady decision not to attend President Jimmy Carter's funeral or the Inauguration - which both took place in January. Barack Obama is seen entering Quince restaurant in San Francisco Wednesday night. He did not dine with his wife Michelle, amid rumors the couple's marriage is on the rocks Michelle is pictured in Austin last month, She has repeatedly taken what onlookers have claimed are swipes at her husband Quince has three Michelin stars and is renowned for its romantic ambiance - but former President Obama was not there for a date Michelle addressed the speculation during a recent interview with actress Sophia Bush for an episode of her podcast Work in Progress. '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?' Michelle's 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. 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 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 I couldnt have asked for a better partner and friend to go through life with, Obama 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. 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!' A rescue operation has finished on Sydney Harbour after a man fell off a cliff at Balls Head Reserve. NSW Police and ambulance told the Daily Telegraph on Friday night that police and paramedics climbed down a rock face to reach the man, who was suffering from serious head injuries after falling onto boulders. At the time, a NSW Police spokesperson said the patient was 'in a serious situation' after falling off a trail. 'We were called to the scene following reports a man had fallen from rocks', a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said just after 9pm. 'Paramedics are trying to reach him. He is currently on a rock near the water on Sydney Harbour.' NSW Ambulance told Daily Mail Australia that the rescure team eventually got to the man who had a shoulder and head injury. Police rescued and assessed him at scene before he was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital at 11:10pm. Turkish, Chinese bookstore launch cultural exchange initiative Xinhua) 10:58, April 25, 2025 ISTANBUL, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's prominent publishing house, Kirmizi Kedi, on Wednesday unveiled a dedicated section in its Istanbul stores showcasing books that introduce Chinese culture. The initiative is part of the partnership between Kirmizi Kedi and China's largest bookstore chain, Xinhua Bookstore, aimed at promoting cultural exchange through literature. "We agreed that this partnership between the two bookstore chains would be significant in strengthening cultural ties between our two countries," Haluk Hepkon, owner of Kirmizi Kedi, told Xinhua. "As of today, we have brought that vision to life," he added. Many books from China have been translated into Turkish. Similarly, Kirmizi Kedi will introduce sections featuring its own publications and books that showcase Turkish culture to Chinese readers in Beijing in June, according to Hepkon. He also praised Xinhua Bookstore's long-standing legacy and extensive network of over 11,000 branches across China. Yuan Hu, assistant general manager of Xinhua Bookstore's Head Office, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration with Kirmizi Kedi. "Together, we launched a Xinhua-Kirmizi Kedi Chinese Culture Corner here. So that Turkish readers could get to know our culture through our books," Hu told Xinhua. He mentioned that they are looking forward to welcoming Kirmizi Kedi's presence in their bookstores in China. Over the past year, Kirmizi Kedi has consistently hosted events bringing together poets and writers from both China and Turkiye for thought-provoking discussions on literature. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A ballistic missile that struck a residential building in Kyiv on April 24, killing at least 12 people and injuring 90 others, was made in North Korea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on Facebook, citing preliminary data. The missile was part of a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault that targeted multiple Ukrainian cities overnight, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service. Among the 90 civilians injured were six children. "If the information that this missile was made in North Korea is confirmed, it will be further proof of the criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang," Zelensky said. He condemned the deepening military ties between the two countries, accusing them of collaborating to develop and deploy deadly technology against civilians. "They kill people and destroy lives together, this is the only purpose of their partnership," he added. Zelensky said that more than 200 missiles and drones were launched across Ukraine as part of the April 24 assault. A Ukrainian military source told Reuters that the missile that hit the residential building in Kyiv was a North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missile. The KN-23, reportedly capable of carrying a one-tonne warhead, is believed to be more powerful than its Russian equivalents. A November 2024 CNN investigation previously reported that KN-23 missiles contain Western-made components. The attack comes amid growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Kyiv estimates that more than 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed in support of Russia's war effort, primarily in Russia's Kursk Oblast. The South Korean Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) reported earlier this month that North Korea has earned more than $20 billion through its military support to Moscow, including weapons shipments and manpower. Between August 2023 and March 2025, North Korea reportedly sent over 15,800 containers of munitions to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly referred to North Korea as a "partner" and confirmed that a 2024 defense treaty between the two countries is currently active. He has also floated the possibility of involving Pyongyang in future negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Former New York lawmaker George Santos sobbed as he was jailed for spinning a web of lies that eventually saw him steal identities and commit fraud. He was sentenced on Friday to 87 months in prison, over seven years, with an additional two years of supervised release. 'Where is your remorse? U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert asked Santos during the Friday sentencing. 'Where do I see it?' With the disgraced lawmaker, the judge said, 'its always someone elses fault.' Santos wept as he told the court he felt 'humbled' and realized he had betrayed his constituents' trust. 'I offer my deepest apologies,' he said, adding: 'I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead.' Santos, 36, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The former congressman was also ordered to pay at least $373,749.97 in restitution and forfeit over $200,000, according to a plea agreement he made last year. He faced up to 22 years in prison, but was widely expected to get a six to eight year sentence. Lawyers representing Santos asked that the ex-lawmaker receive the minimum sentence of two years in prison, but federal prosecutors pushed back, noting in a recent court filing that the Republican 'remains unrepentant' for his crimes. Former Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. The ex-lawmaker pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated last August, but his sentencing was not until Friday He said in court in August: 'I am committed to making amends and learning from this experience' The prosecution painted Santos as a bombastic serial liar who eventually turned to criminality to support his expensive lifestyle that was built on audacious fabrications. Between his guilty plea and Friday's sentencing, Santos would go on tirades on social media, claiming he did not commit crimes that he admitted in court and lashing out at his detractors. Some of the evidence included how Santos called Department of Justice a 'cabal of pedophiles.' It also included social media posts in which he denied using campaign funds to make purchases at Hermes, despite having done so. 'Santos did use campaign contributions made to Redstone Strategies LLC to make luxury purchases at, among other stores, Hermes,' the prosecution said refuting a recent claim by Santos on X. Ahead of his sentencing on Thursday, Santos said: 'Im doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances.' 'I will be in court tomorrow, ready to face the music.' He also told the New York Times this week: 'Right now, my expectation is Im going to prison for 87 months.' 'I came to this world alone. I will deal with it alone, and I will go out alone,' he shared. Santos denied that he dressed in drag while he was in Congress. But that was a lie, and after he was booted from Capitol Hill he reemerged as his drag persona Kitara Ravache in Cameo appearances where he would wear red lipstick, a red feather boa and a brown wig Santos pathologically lied about his life and himself when running for Congress in 2022. The tall tales were not revealed until after the election and he was expelled from Congress The former Republican started a podcast in December, 'Pants on Fire,' where he dishes on his counterfeit history, which includes lies about him working on Wall Street, attending New York University, playing collegiate volleyball and being Jewish. But those lies, mostly told when he was campaigning for his congressional seat in 2022, were just the tip of the iceberg. His expulsion came after a bombshell House Ethics Committee report detailed his proclivity to deceive donors about his bona fides before using the contributions to prop up his lavish lifestyle. The Republican has been accused of funneling political donations to spending on Botox, designer clothes, casino holidays, and OnlyFans fees. He also allegedly collected $24,000 in unemployment benefits while he did have a job, lying about his income on disclosure forms, and inventing donations to make his campaign look better. '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,' Santos wrote to the judge this week. He claimed in his letter to the judge that his 'colorful' commentary online is now being inappropriately 'repurposed as a sword against me.' But prosecutors say that's because Santos has not learned his lesson. 'Put plainly, Santos is not genuinely remorseful, despite accepting responsibility as part of his allocution,' the prosecution wrote. 'If he were, his actions would be different.' President Donald Trump claimed that China's President Xi Jinping called him amid the countries' tariff war as Beijing disputed that talks are happening. Trump sat down with Time magazine to mark the first 100 days of his second term - a milestone he will hit on Wednesday - and released the interview early Friday morning. Time asked Trump whether he would call Xi, if the Chinese leader did not call him. 'No,' the president replied. 'Nope,' he said when pressed again. Time then asked Trump if Xi had called him. 'Yep,' Trump revealed. 'He's called. And I don't think that's a sign of weakness on his behalf.' Trump would not bite when Time asked if it would have been a sign of weakness if the American president had called first, instead making a comparison he has made several time in recent days. 'But I am this giant store,' Trump said. 'It's a giant, beautiful store, and everybody wants to go shopping there. And on behalf of the American people, I own the store, and I set prices, and I'll say, if you want to shop here, this is what you have to pay.' President Donald Trump insisted Friday morning that he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though wouldn't comment on whether the conversations happened since the trade war with China escalated Chinese President Xi Jinping is photographed on Wednesday. China's Minister of Foreign Affairs continues to deny that the two countries are currently engaged in trade negotiations, while Trump claims Xi called him first Time's interview was released at 6 a.m. Friday. At 6:15 a.m. China's Minister of Foreign Affairs X account posted a message: 'China and the U.S. are NOT having any consultation or negotiation on #tariffs. The U.S. should stop creating confusion.' Trump was then asked about the discrepancy when he and first lady Melania Trump departed the White House to attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome. 'I spoke to him (Xi) numerous times,' Trump said. When pressed about whether the two leaders had spoken since Trump placed 145 percent tariffs on China, the president replied, 'I don't - I don't want to comment on that.' 'But I've spoken to him many times,' Trump said. When asked for specifics about when the call occurred and what was discussed, Trump did not say. 'I'll let you know at the appropriate time,' Trump answered. 'Let's see if we can make a deal.' President Donald Trump (left) holds court with reporters outside the White House mid-morning Friday, while first lady Melania Trump (right) looks on. The president and first lady are heading to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis On Thursday, Trump lashed out at a reporter when asked why China was calling it 'fake news' that the two countries were engaged in trade talks. 'Well, they had a meeting this morning,' Trump shrugged. 'So, I can't tell you, doesn't matter who "they" is, we may reveal it later. But they had meetings this morning and we've been meeting with China,' the president added. He then told the journalist 'you have your reporting wrong.' It was China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun who made the comment, saying Thursday, 'all of this is fake news.' A depraved Republican lawmaker stripped his daughter naked and molested her in a Las Vegas hotel room after getting her blind drunk to celebrate her 21st birthday. John Jessup, 50, pleaded guilty in November to abusing his daughter Rachel on January 26, 2024, when they took a vacation together to Sin City for her coming of age. Rachel, who agreed to be identified in court and subsequent interviews, spoke through tears at her father's sentencing Thursday as she recounted the horror moment she woke up naked in a hotel bed with her father. She described a chilling night out with her father where he plied her with alcohol and continually told her: 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.' Jessup is a former Hancock County Commissioner and councilman who was forced to step down over his depravity. He's been jailed for a maximum of 15 years for the depraved act of incest, and will serve a minimum of six years behind bars. Rachel said the sexual assault came after she and her father went out drinking the night before at Harrah's Hotel and Casino on the Vegas strip, where Jessup urged his daughter to 'keep up' with him as he continually ordered her drinks. After he plied her with several Long Island ice teas, she said she told Jessup she wanted to take a break, but he kept pressuring her to keep up with him to the point where he dragged her to a strip club. At the club, Jessup ordered himself a private dance while leaving his daughter sitting at the bar, and she said they only returned to their hotel after she began throwing up from the alcohol. She broke down in tears as she recalled the last thing she remembered from the night was showing with her clothes on, before waking up to discover Jessup molesting her. Rachel Keesling, the daughter of depraved Republican lawmaker John Jessup, described the horrific moment she woke up in a Las Vegas hotel room to find her father molesting her John Jessup, 50, is facing up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting his daughter Rachel (pictured together campaigning for him). Rachel said she identified herself as the victim of her father's sex attack after seeing him get re-elected to the Hancock County Council, which she said was 'heartbreaking' Rachel said she woke up in a Harrah's hotel bedroom (seen in a stock image) naked with her father touching her, which she said 'shattered' her life Rachel said that when she woke up and moved, her father stopped. Court records said he then apologized to her, and when he was interviewed by cops months later in May 2024, he insisted he had done 'nothing criminal.' '(Jessup) told detectives it was just a f*****-up drunk night', prosecutors said, per the Las Vegas Review Journal. Rachel was adopted by her stepfather the day before the sentencing and now goes by the surname Keesling. Rachel urged the court to impose the lengthiest possible prison sentence on her father. Prosecutors asked for a sentence of eight-to-20-years, but a judge handed him a sentence of six-to-15-years. When Jessup was first arrested, it was only reported that he had assaulted a woman in the Vegas hotel room, but Rachel was not identified. She said she decided to come forward and identify herself as the victim of her father's 'sickening' acts because he had been elected to the Hancock County Council in Indiana despite his arrest for sexual assault. As she came forward, she told WADT it was 'heartbreaking' to see her father be re-elected, adding: 'I just told myself, 'They're uninformed. You can't be mad because they don't have the full story.'' In her remarks at her father's sentencing, she said since her father assaulted her, 'My life feels like it's shattered.' Jessup's eventual guilty plea came days after he won election, and because Indiana law prevents convicted felons from office, he was forced to immediately resign. Jessup, a former Hancock County Commissioner and councilman in Indiana, plied his daughter with alcohol on a drunken night out while telling her 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas', before she woke up naked in bed with him molesting her, she said Jessup's daughter broke down in tears at his sentencing as she urged a judge to sentence her father to the maximum sentence, and said her stepfather officially adopted her the day before Jessup's sentencing and she now goes by a different surname The shocking sex attack unfolded in a hotel room in Harrah's Hotel and Casino on the Vegas strip, after the father and daughter spent the night drinking on the casino floor and a strip club Rachel, seen with her boyfriend Dakota Lanning, bravely spoke out at her father's sentencing this week as she urged a judge to impose the maximum sentence Rachel described the horrific effect the assault has had on her in the year since the Vegas trip, which has included a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety and depression. She said she frequently suffers from panic attacks, and even had to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases following the sex attack. Deputy District Attorney Morgan Thomas said at Jessup's sentencing that the former politician attempted to deflect responsibility for the crime for some time before his eventual guilty plea, and said he even blamed his daughter for the assault. 'Fathers are supposed to protect their children. Theyre not supposed to violate them when they are vulnerable,' Thomas said. In a statement to the court as he was sentenced, Jessup apologized for tearing apart his family, and said the fallout of his sickening act led him to lose his children, grandchildren and job. Jessup told the judge he became sober after realizing he was an alcoholic following the night in Las Vegas, and said while he did not blame alcohol for what happened, he turned his addiction around and has been sober for 451 days. 'Im not the same man I was,' he said. Following his arrest, Jessup was also accused of sexual harassment by Misty Moore, the director of Hancock County Homeland Security (pictured) Hancock previously served as the Hancock County Board of Commissioners from 2017 until his arrest, having been first elected to the Hancock County Council in 2016. Following his arrest, he also faced allegations of misconduct in his political role. Misty Moore, the director of Hancock County Homeland Security, alleged that Jessup sexually harassed her at work, in the form of inappropriate text messages and in-person remarks. She said the harassment endured for almost two years because Jessup was technically her boss and had the ability to fire her, and alleged that officials failed to step in after she reported him. Karoline Leavitt spoke to student journalists at the White House and got hit with tough questions about the Trump administration yanking visas for international students. Leavitt, who is staying behind during President Trump's trip to the funeral for Pope Francis in Rome, took time to speak to college journalists being mentored by members of the White House Correspondents Association. Leavitt, 27, spoke about the challenges of her job and her strategies for acting as an 'internal investigative reporter' when stories break. 'There are no shortcuts when it comes to preparation,' she told them in the White House briefing room. During a Q&A, some of the scholarship winners hit her with direct questions about simmering controversies of the Trump administration including arrests of student protesters and deportations of alleged gang members to El Salvador. One such question came from the front row of the White House briefing room, where professional TV journalists usually try to press her for information. Luke Radel, who reports for Citrus TV, the campus station for Syracuse University, asked Leavitt about the sudden revocation this week of three students this week. That led to a campus protest Thursday that drew several hundred people. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt met with college student scholarship winners at the White House then faced some tough questions about deportations of student visa holders and the treatment of the Associated Press 'What do you say to students on college campuses who are maybe afraid that they or their friends could get swept up in what's happening here?' he asked. Leavitt said American students studying at a university or obeying the laws 'should not be afraid.' 'The revocation of visas is a right that the secretary of state holds under the Immigration and Nationality Act. And if a visa student, a foreign national, who came here with the privilege to study at one of our universities, is acting in an adverse way to our foreign policy interests the secretary of state has the right to revoke that privelege,' Leavitt responded, in comments Radel posted on his X account. 'Is protesting illegal behavior?' he asked her in a follow-up question, something professional reporters can't always get away with during briefings. 'No but illegal harassment of students on college campuses and engaging in criminal behavior absolutely is illegal,' she parried. One questioner wanted to know about the Associated Press losing its spot in a 'pool' of reporters who get the closest access to the president. The move is the subject of a federal court fight. 'There was no revocation,' Leavitt countered. 'We've actually expanded the access to the press pool,' she said. None of the students appeared to throw Leavitt off her game. Another aspiring journalist asked about a Venezuelan man deported to El Salvador. A federal judge in Maryland ordered the administration to facilitate his removal. Luke Radel, a Syracuse University student journalist, pressed Karoline Leavitt on deportations of student visa holders Leavitt spoke to student journalists at the White House Friday, on a day the president headed to Rome One questioner asked about international students who have had their visas challenged The questions came during a week when Leavitt used the same podium to rip into the 'dispicable' media for calling a deported alleged gang member a 'Maryland man.' Leavitt, 27, who worked in the first Trump administration and has a nine-month-old son, spoke of personal challenges being the 'biggest adjustment' to the job. 'The whole world is watching and you don't really know what that will mean until you do it,' she told the students. 'You have to have a strong work ethic no matter what you do,' she said, saying the DC news cycle starts around 5 am. She also gave a clue about her political future, having launched a failed run for Congress in New Hampshire before Trump made her a campaign spokesperson. 'I have no intention of ever running for public office again,' she said. Leavitt might ordinarily have been expected to join Trump on his trip to Rome. She had lined up media hits Friday, and the White House said she has a busy week next week. Communications Director Steven Cheung is on the trip. Trump and his team aren't attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner this weekend amid tensions between the administration and the media that culminated with the cancellation of remarks by comedian Amber Ruffin. The nun who was allowed to break protocol to say goodbye to her close friend Pope Francis returned on Friday for a final farewell hours before his coffin is sealed. French-Argentine nun Sister Genevieve Jeanningros was allowed into a restricted area on the first day of the pontiff's lying-in-state to pray before the coffin. The area is traditionally reserved for cardinals, bishops, and priests, but the 81-year-old was allowed in to grieve their friendship, which lasted more than four decades. The moving images circulated widely on social media as she joined more than 150,000 mourners in paying their respects beside the open casket. Jeanningros was seen again on Friday at St Peter's Square, and visiting the Basilica of St Peter to pay her respects once more before the funeral on Saturday. The nun, of the order of the Little Sisters of Jesus, was joined by others as they made the difficult journey to see the pontiff, who died only on Monday, aged 88. The Pope had personally visited Jeanningros, whom he playfully referred to l'enfant terrible (the terrible child), in July in Ostia to acknowledge her humanitarian work. Sister Genevieve Jeanningros returns to visit Pope Francis lying-in-state on Friday, April 25 French-Argentine nun, Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, was seen in footage from the first day of Francis' lying-in-state approaching a restricted area to pray before the coffin of the late Pontiff Sister Genevieve Jeanningros (C) of the order of the Little Sisters of Jesus, arrives at St. Peter's Square, ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican City, 25 April 2025 The nun made an emotional farewell to her friend of over four decades earlier this week Some 150,000 people have passed by Francis's coffin as he lay in state over the past three days in St Peter's Basilica. But the queue for the basilica will close to the public at 6pm local time, with viewings expected to end at 7pm. That time has been pushed back already, remaining open through the night on Thursday to allow more people to pay their respects. Criticism has landed on some mourners taking selfies in front of the open casket, with the Vatican 'inviting' people 'not to take photos'. But it was the appearance of Genevieve Jeanningros on Thursday that most moved onlookers around the world. Jeanningros was seen stepping toward a red rope surrounding the coffin with the assistance of an official, who guided her forward. Dressed in a blue headscarf and navy attire, she stood quietly to one side of the open casket. She then burst into tears and brought her hands to her face, feet away from the late Pope. Taking a tissue, she wiped her eyes and remained in place for a moment. Despite breaking what is traditionally regarded as protocol, no security official intervened, allowing Francis' close friend an intimate moment of farewell. Pope Francis received in audience Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, of the Little Sisters of Jesus with the Members of the National Union of Traveling Attractionists at the Vatican, in March 2023 The 81-year-old stood close to the casket as she wept for her late friend She could be seen being guided by officials (far left) as they allowed her to break protocol Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a long-time friend of Pope Francis, pays homage to him at St. Peter's Basilica .Pope Francis during a visit to Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, Little Sister of Jesus, and the community of carnies and circus people at the Luna Park in Ostia Lido in Rome, in July 2024 Their July meeting in Ostia, held at Luna Park fairground, publicly highlighted the Pope's respect and adoration for the nun who has dedicated her time to helping those facing marginalisation and social exclusion. The nun has dedicated more than 56 years to serving the most disadvantaged people, especially transgender women, in the region. She reportedly lives in a caravan with another nun, Anna Amelia Giacchetto. The relationship between Jeanningros and Francis began when he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Their connection was strengthened by their shared commitment to the most vulnerable and by the wounds of the Argentine dictatorship. Every Wednesday, the nun brought groups of fairground workers, homeless people, and transgender women to the Vatican's general audiences. Francis not only received them but also invited them to lunch and offered financial support. The viewing of the body of Pope Francis in Saint Peters Basilica, the Vatican, Rome Tens of thousands of mourners again filed into St. Peter's Basilica on Friday on the last day to pay final respects to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral on Saturday. Long queues snaked around St. Peter's Square and the surrounding roads, before being funnelled through the heart of the basilica in a single column leading to the central altar, where Francis' open-topped coffin was displayed on a dais. The body of the 88-year-old pope, who died on Monday in his rooms at the Vatican's Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke, was brought to St. Peter's in a solemn procession on Wednesday. Since then, about 150,000 people from all over the world have bid farewell to the pontiff, the Vatican said. 'It's a very strong feeling (to be here),' said Patricio Castriota, a visitor who, like the pope, is from Argentina. 'This farewell was very sad, but I thank God that I was able to see him'. 'He's the only pope we've had who came from South America, a pope who had many good intentions for the Catholic Church,' Castriota told Reuters. 'He cleaned up (a lot) of the bad, maybe not all of it, but he tried.' Francis, who was pope since 2013, was the first pontiff from the Western hemisphere and was known for an unusually charming, and even humorous, demeanour. His 12-year papacy was sometimes turbulent, with Francis seeking to overhaul a divided institution but battling with traditionalists who opposed his many changes. 'He humanised the church, without desacralising it,' said Cardinal Francois-Xavier Bustillo, who leads the Church on the French island of Corsica. Queues on Friday morning were stretching halfway down the main boulevard leading through Rome into the Vatican. People were pressing forward slowly, some waiting hours, in order to have a few minutes inside to pay their respects to Francis. The Post Office has paid an astonishing 600m-plus for its hopelessly flawed Horizon computer system - since deciding to get rid of it. Fujitsu had won a 548m contract to provide the money-handling Information Technology system in 1999 in the first place. In total the Post Office has paid a mind-boggling 2.5bn for Horizon. Consistent glitches in the software led to 700 postmasters being convicted of pocketing the money for themselves, from the launch of Horizon to 2015, with dozens jailed. Thousands more were forced to pay non-existent shortfalls Yet the Government only finally got to grips with the scandal last year, following the broadcast of ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Disgraced former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells was stripped of her CBE in the programmes wake, her crocodile tears while giving evidence at the Post Office Inquiry drawing little sympathy. A bill was finally fast-tracked through parliament to quash most of the convictions involving Horizon. Yet despite their exoneration, many postmasters still await compensation. Meanwhile, the very firm behind Horizon has continued making a mint from its shoddy product. According to the BBC, since the Post Office decided to replace Horizon in 2012, it has paid Japanese firm Fujitsu more than 600m, on top of the 548m agreed in the first place by Tony Blairs Labour Government, and numerous other interim payments. The Post Office has paid out 2.5bn to Fujitsu - including more than 600m since deciding to seek an alternative to his infamously flawed Horizon software Then-Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair was warned in 1999 the Post Office's contract for Horizon involved Fujitsu retaining ownership - and massive bargaining power - over the software The Government belatedly acted to exonerate wrongly convicted postmasters following the broadcast of ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, starring Toby Jones as victim Alan Bates Horizon is still being used now, with no replacement ready and it is claimed that Prime Minister Blair had been warned that the contract terms with Fujitsu would potentially make it difficult for the Post Office to break it off without huge expense. And because Horizon is still in use, problems continue, with seven in ten sub-postmasters last year surveyed by the Post Office Inquiry saying it still produced unexplained discrepancies in accounts. The Post Office long accepted Fujitsus false assurances there were no problems with the IT system, despite mounting evidence, and ploughed on with wrongful private prosecutions, even when it did seek an improvement, the 1999 contract proved a problem. Before the deal was signed, Premier Sir Tony Blair had been warned in May 1999 there was an issue over the fact that Fujitsu would retain ownership of Horizon software computer code. As a result, a document reveals, the premier was advised that if the Post Office tried to switch to another IT firm, Fujitsu would be in a strong position to drive a costly settlement. Then-chancellor Gordon Brown was also sent a document raising the issue over the ownership of the computer code, it is claimed. Yet the then-Labour Government signed the contract regardless. It meant the Post Office did not own the key computer code at Horizons heart, and had 18,000 branches reliant upon it. So when it wanted to switch to a different IT firm in 2012, it was left with a choice of paying a price for that code set by Fujitsu or forking out for entirely new software, at vast cost. Fujitsu - the Japanese firm's UK HQ in Bracknell pictured - has continued to reap billions from British taxpayers even as the scandal over its Horizon software for the Post Office unfolds Former postmaster Alan Bates was rewarded with a knighthood last year for his campaigning with fellow victims of the Horizon scandal Former Post Office CEP Paula Vennells' tears at the Post Office Inquiry last year drew little sympathy as she failed to explain why wrongful prosecutions of postmasters continued Computing expert Jason Coyne, who was at the forefront of exposing flaws in the Post Office computer system, says it was madness to take on Horizon while not owning its software programme. The Post Office finally bought the rights to the by-then-infamous computer code in 2023, for a cheap 10m, and it is understood it may be used as a basis for a replacement. Even so, it is feared even more tens of millions will end up being handed over the Fujitsu after the current extension agreement with the firm expires next March. A spokesman for Sir Tony Blair would not discuss the details of the Horizon contract discussions in 1999, but said everything was taken very seriously. The spokesman added: The final decision was taken after an investigation by an independent panel recommended it was viable. It is now clear that the Horizon product was seriously flawed, leading to tragic and completely unacceptable consequences, and Mr Blair has deep sympathy with all those affected. A spokesman for Gordon Brown said he would not have seen the memo about the contract, with it only sent to his office as a formality. The fact no-one had refused to accept Fujitsu retaining ownership of the software code meant that by 2013, according to documents unearthed in the Post Office Inquiry, executives were being warned it meant we may be unable to agreewith Fujitsu on reasonable terms. And in 2016, a year after the last Horizon-based prosecution of a postmaster, Fujitsus ownership appears likely to have scuppered talks with the IBM computing giant over it being brought in instead. Procurement contracts expert Ian Makgill said: Fujitsu were fighting the whole time to protect their investment and their intellectual property, rather than looking after the interests of the sub-postmasters. Fujitsu has declined to discuss details of it control of Horizon, but said it is focused on supporting the Post Office in their plans for a new service delivery model. Fujitsus total of some 200 contracts with the Government over the last decade alone amount to 6.7bn, and counting. It means the creator of Horizon continues coining it in long since the Post Office scandal was becoming widely known, let alone to its postmaster victims including campaign leader Sir Alan Bates, knighted last year after the success of the drama in which he was played by actor Toby Jones. A Post Office spokesperson told the Daily Mail a move away from Horizon and Fujitsu was ongoing, adding: Post Office has a five-year plan to deliver a new deal for postmasters and put the organisation on a solid footing for future success. We are looking at Post Offices technology and data strategically, to ensure that we reduce central costs and provide postmasters with the tools they need to serve their customers and run profitable businesses into the future. A married Alabama lunchroom worker was terminated on Wednesday after she was arrested for allegedly having 'deviant sexual intercourse' with a student at her home. Amy Nicole Wigginton, 41, was placed in cuffs on April 4 following her alleged tryst with a student at Lauderdale County High in Alabama, near the border of Tennessee. She was charged with two counts of a school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student. Lauderdale County School District initially placed her on administrative leave following the arrest. The school board then voted unanimously to fire her during a recent meeting, Superintendent Jerry Hill told local news outlet Times Daily. Court records previously reviewed by ABC affiliate, WAAY, alleged that Wigginton had sex with a student at the high school under the age of 19 on two separate occasions. She is accused of committing the acts on March 7 and March 31 after bringing the student on her property. Wigginton confessed to the crimes during an interview with police, according to authorities. Amy Nicole Wigginton, 41, was reportedly fired from her job as a lunchroom worker after she was arrested for engaging in sex acts with a student Wigginton is reportedly a mother and a wife. Her family hasn't spoken publicly about the allegations Wigginton was arrested on April 4 and charged with two counts of a school employee engaging in a sex act or deviant sexual intercourse with a student She was booked into the Lauderdale County Jail on a $100,000 bond, which she has since posted. Wigginton, who is currently out of jail, reportedly waived her rights after the arrest. Authorities haven't confirmed the nature of the alleged sex acts and the identity of the victim. It is unclear his exact age. The age of consent in Alabama is 16 years old, however, school employees can still be charged with sex abuse against students. Employees can still be arrested if the student is 18 years old as long as they're over the age of 22, according to Alabama Law. Sexual contact with a student is a Class C felony in the state, and consent can't be used as a defense. The Lauderdale County School System released a statement at the time of Wigginton's arrest that read, 'The Lauderdale County Board of Education is aware of the allegations, and the employee has been placed on administrative leave. 'We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials, and have no further comment on this matter.' Wigginton's family hasn't publicly addressed the allegations. According to her Facebook profile, she is a mother and a wife. Wigginton was employed at Lauderdale County High School in Rogersville, Alabama, near the Tennessee border Wigginton was placed on administrative leave after the arrest, but has now been terminated from her position DailyMail.com reached out to school board officials in Lauderdale County for confirmation of her termination but didn't immediately hear back. Despite her confession, Wigginton has not entered a plea at this time. Her preliminary hearing has been set for June 23. All a Pennsylvania pet owner wanted to do for his dog's last meal was get her a steak dinner and a kind Texas Roadhouse employee make sure it was the best she's ever made. Hunter Metzger was on a mission to give his eight-year-old Great Dane, Iris, a wonderful last day before she was scheduled to be put down. He took her out on car rides and visited family members to give their last goodbyes. Then to round out the perfect last day, they headed to the Ephrata Texas Roadhouse. 'You have to give them a good send off!' Metzger told DailyMail.com in a phone interview Friday. 'It's super important.' When he put in the online order to the restaurant, he noted the meal would be his dog's last, thinking it might touch a few hearts, but he never thought the restaurant would go above and beyond for the family. When workers stationed on to-go approached Kate Weston with the order, she knew what she had to do, she told News 4 San Antonio. 'The to-go people know I'm such an animal lover,' she told the outlet. 'They showed me and I was like oh my god, I've got to make this the best steak ever. Employees decorated the back of the receipt, offering their condolences to the Metzger family and Weston wrote 'made with love' on the top of the meal's container. Hunter Metzger was on a mission to give his Great Dane, Iris, a wonderful last day before she was scheduled to be put down. He took her out to rides and visited family members to give their last goodbyes. And to round out the perfect last day, he wanted to give her a steak dinner The family placed an online order at the Ephrata Texas Roadhouse, noting that the food - a steak, a roll with cinnamon butter, mashed potatoes and fries - would be the 'last meal for our dog' 'You have to give them a good send off!' Metzger (pictured) told DailyMail.com in a phone interview. 'It's super important' The 120-pound dog ate a platter of rare steak, fries, a roll with cinnamon butter, and mashed potatoes that the Ephrata Texas Roadhouse whipped up for the family. 'She kept trying to get the steak off the plate,' the father-of-one, who has twins boys on the way, told DailyMail.com. It wasn't the first steak Iris had, it was her favorite meat. Metzger certainly felt the love when he came to pick up the last meal, as employees approached him to say sorry and told him the dinner was 'prepared with love'. 'In that moment, nothing mattered but getting Iris her last meal,' Weston told News 4 San Antonio. Photos showed Iris being presented her meal - on a glass plate, no less - in what appears to be a backyard. The old dog had her tongue out as she eyed her crispy fries and her unseasoned rare steak. She laid down to eat her meal, one strip of steak at a time. The restaurant's kind gesture moved Metzger, who absolutely did not think the employees would show as much love as they did. When workers stationed on to-go approached Kate Weston with the order, she knew what she had to do: Make the best steak she ever has Metzger certainly felt the love when he came to pick up the last meal, as employees approached him to say sorry and told him the dinner was 'definitely prepared with love' He took to a local Facebook group to tell his experience, writing: 'I would like to give a shout-out and a big THANK YOU to the Ephrata Texas Roadhouse! 'We laid our sweet pup to rest last night, and for her last meal, we got her a steak dinner from Texas Roadhouse. 'Not only did the restaurant not let us pay for the meal, the wonderful employees took the time to write a note on top of the container and a message on the back of the receipt (and also offered their condolences in person when I picked up the food). 'This kind of customer service and demonstrated compassion sets this Texas Roadhouse team a level above the rest! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!' Weston - who posted a screenshot of the private Facebook group - didn't expect the thank you. 'It's insane,' she told News 4 San Antonio. 'My brother texted me, he's like: "Hey, I just saw your post on some random restaurant group I'm in." I'm like: "What do you mean?"' As for Metzger, the sweet moment provided him a 'bright spot in this tough time.' The family decided to put Iris down after she stop responding to medical treatment for a nasal growth. The restaurant even footed the bill for Iris' last meal As for Metzger, the sweet moment provided him a 'bright spot in this tough time' He remembers his beloved met, who he had since she was eight months old, as always trying to act small and sit on everyone's laps 'She was always trying to sit on people's laps,' he told DailyMail.com. He also remembered her for the joy she brought his family, especially her three-year-old. 'She loved him as much as he loved her,' the soon-to-be father-of-three said. DailyMail.com has contacted Weston for comment. Advertisement Actor-turned-political activist Laurence Fox has denied sharing an upskirting photo of TV star Narinder Kaur on social media. The three-times failed election candidate, who was once best known for his role on ITV detective drama Lewis before becoming a right wing commentator, allegedly shared a compromising image of Ms Kaur in a tweet in April 2024. The 46-year-old, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with two counts under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He is accused of sharing a 'photograph or film of person in intimate state intending to cause alarm, distress or humiliation', in the first count, while the second alleges he sent a 'photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation'. Fox, of Peldon in Essex, was seen outside court wearing a hat emblazoned with the words 'Two-Tier Britain' - a reference to perceived differences in judicial outcomes depending on the race of the defendent. At the hearing he spoke to confirm his identity and entered not guilty pleas on both counts. He elected for a jury trial and is set to appear at Woolwich Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing on May 23. Fox is accused of making the post to his then-400,000 followers in the midst of an online spat with Ms Kaur over politics. Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox has denied sharing an upskirting photo of Narinder Kaur. Pictured: Fox arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London today Fox appeared at court on Friday afternoon smoking a cigarette and wearing a hat emblazoned with the words 'Two-Tier Britain'. Pictured: Fox arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London today with his partner Elizabeth Barker He is accused of sharing compromising images of Narinder Kaur (pictured) in April 2024 The picture was taken in 2009 as the Good Morning Britain and Jeremy Vine regular got out of a taxi - without her knowledge or consent. The police previously said Fox had been 'charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003' which 'relates to an image that was posted on a social media platform in April 2024'. Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act relates to 'cyber flashing'. The charge, introduced in 2023, makes it an offence to intentionally share a sexual image of someone without consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, humiliation or for sexual gratification. Upskirting, taking pictures of people under their clothes without their permission, became a specific criminal offence in 2019. Offenders can face up to two years in jail and be placed on the sex offenders' register. Fox dropped acting in favour of a career in right-wing provocation after he was dropped by his talent agency over controversial remarks he made on Question Time. He was dumped after claiming that an audience member calling him a 'white privileged male' was racist during a discussion about Meghan Markle, and later admitted he had been radicalised by YouTube videos crusading against 'wokeness'. Ms Kaur reported Fox to the Met Police after he allegedly shared a compromising image of her. Pictured: Ms Kaur outside the Londoner Hotel in London in December 2023 Laurence Fox swapped acting for political activism after being radicalised by YouTube videos - and has tried and failed several times to be elected (pictured at the 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election count, where he lost his deposit) Fox was married to actress Billie Piper for nine years before they divorced. Pictured: The pair at a press night performance of Dear Lupin in London in 2015 His posts lashing out at 'woke' culture, political correctness and gender have provoked widespread criticism - as have those spreading conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and vaccines. Fox lost a libel court battle after labelling two individuals, Simon Blake and a drag queen called Crystal, 'paedophiles' on social media. He was ordered to pay them 90,000 each by the High Court; a judge labelled his remark 'harmful, defamatory and baseless'. He founded the Reclaim Party in 2020, which gained its first and only MP in Andrew Bridgen in 2023 after he was expelled from the Tories for comments comparing the COVID-19 vaccine to the Holocaust. Bridgen left months later. Fox has stood for election three times: in 2021 for the London mayoralty, in the 2023 Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election and in 2024 for the London Assembly. Each time, he failed to receive enough votes to receive his deposit back. He also attempted to stand for the London mayoralty in 2024, but did not fill in the nomination forms correctly and so was barred from running. Fox also presented a regular Friday night show on GB News for a time and was previously married to actress Billie Piper, with whom he has two children. They separated after nine years. A woman who accused twin brothers - and property magnates - of violent sexual assault has claimed in text messages she believed they would kill her if she spoke out. In December, the unnamed alleged victim sued Alon and Oren Alexander, the latter of whom was a famous luxury real estate broker at Douglas Elliman, and claimed they lured her to a 2016 New Year's Eve party in Miami Beach to take turns raping her. In newly released text messages between her and a friend, she called the brothers' family 'the worst people' because she said she believed they would hire a hitman to kill her if she went public with her claims. 'Ya that's why I've been scared to reach out honestly bc I'm not sure what they are capable of. They are Israel's and honestly savages,' she wrote in a June 2024 text message provided by the state attorneys office to NBC 6. 'Like I always thought they would hire someone to kill me if I spoke out,' she added. In her filing, she also said that their cousin and friend, Ohad Fisherman, also a real estate agent, helped the 37-year-old brothers rape her by leading her into a bedroom and locking the door. Miami-Dade prosecutors, who have now leveled criminal charges against the men, called what allegedly happened a 'gang rape.' The latest development in the case is that the alleged victim's sister was ordered to by Judge Lody Jean to provide her cell phone to an expert so her text messages from December 31, 2016, to January 1, 2017, can be extracted and provided to the defense. A woman who accused Alon Alexander (left) and twin brother Oren Alexander (right) of raping her at a New Year's Eve party in 2016 claimed that their family would have hired a hitman to kill her if she spoke out about their alleged crime Ohad Fisherman, another real estate agent, was accused by the alleged victim of closing and locking the door so Oren Alexander could rape her The 37-year-old brothers are now facing charges for allegedly drugging and raping multiple women between 2010 and 2021. On top of the felony charges of sexual battery from the state of Florida, the brothers are also facing legal trouble from the federal government, which is flexing is massive resources to uncover every possible alleged victim of theirs. US attorneys with the Southern District of New York returned a three-count indictment in December against the twin brothers and their older brother, Tal Alexander, 38, also employed as a luxury realtor in New York City and Miami. Federal prosecutors say the men were prominent in Manhattan and Miami party scenes. They used this to run a sex trafficking scheme in which they promised dozens of women romantic relationships, enticing them with luxury travel and parties only to assault them violently, prosecutors said. More than 60 women who claimed the brothers raped them were interviewed by federal prosecutors. The unidentified woman at the center of the case in Miami-Dade, which is ongoing, had provided screenshots of the incriminating text messages. Defense lawyers for the brothers and Fisherman said they did not feel this was sufficient, insinuating the screenshots could have been tampered with in a number of ways. The Alexander brothers, previously known as star real estate agents with Douglas Elliman, have been taken into custody alongside their brother Tal (center) amid allegations of rape, sex trafficking and sexual assault Pictured: Alon Alexander (right) and his twin brother, Oren, (left) attend a bond hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami, Florida on December 13, 2024 'You cannot just take a screenshot of a text message and say this is from this day and this is what was said because, hey, defendants could find cell phones and remember text messages any day of the week,' said Juan Michelin, an attorney for Fisherman. Prosecutors objected to the forensic extraction the defense was looking for as it amounted to 'an invasion of her right to privacy,' said Lara Penn, an Assistant State Attorney. Ultimately the judge granted the defense's request. The Alexander brothers and Fisherman have pleaded not guilty in this case. The Alexander brothers, including older brother Tal, were arrested at separate properties in Miami on the morning of December 11. The initial indictment accused them of three sexual assaults said to have taken place in 2016, 2017 and 2021. A superseding indictment, which came after investigators spoke to more accusers, claimed the brothers repeatedly drugged and raped dozens of women from 2010 until 2021. One of the most public accusers is a woman named Maria Suska, who gave an exclusive interview to Good Morning America in March. Maria Suska is one of the most public accusers, giving an interview to Good Morning America detailing the night she was allegedly raped by Oren Alexander inside the famed Versace Mansion in 2014 She claimed Oren Alexander forcibly raped at her at the famed Versace Mansion in 2014. According to her, he stripped her top off, ignored her pleas for him to stop and raped her - claims that Oren's legal team have strongly denied. She said Alexander, whom she described as a 'six-foot guy, very heavy set, very strong,' would get more violent the more she begged him to stop. 'First, I told him to calm down. Calm down,' she said. 'He didn't.' 'He started to strip my top off. I said, stop. And I started angrily, yelling louder. The more I said, stop, the more he got violent with me.' When it was over, she said he simply smirked and uttered these haunting words: 'Oh, that was good.' Seven years after three Russian sisters killed their father in a case that shocked the nation, a Moscow court has posthumously found him guilty of sexually abusing and torturing them, a verdict that could overturn their prison sentences. In 2018, the Khachaturyan sistersKrestina, Angelina, and Mariafatally attacked their father Mikhail Khachaturyan in their Moscow home, claiming years of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. At the time, their admissions led to murder charges and a 20-year prison sentence, according to the Sun. A Moscow court formally convicted Mikhail Khachaturyanwho was killed with his own hunting knifeof multiple crimes including violent sexual acts, grievous bodily harm, and the production of child pornography involving his daughters. Court evidence revealed a harrowing pattern of control, including repeated rape, beatings, death threats, and the exploitation of his daughters in pornographic content. Psychological evaluations confirmed all three sisters suffered from abuse-induced PTSD and "abuse syndrome" dating back to at least 2014. Additionally, the court's findings confirmed the sisters' long-standing claims of being terrorized by their father. Following the ruling, the sisters' defense teams are pushing for full acquittals or reclassification of their actions as justified self-defense. Meanwhile, members of the Khachaturyan family, including Mikhail's sister, dispute the court's findings and vow to appeal the decision, claiming the girls fabricated the abuse to inherit his assets. Originally published on Lawyer Herald A former doorman who murdered his estranged wife after a six-month campaign of stalking when he refused to accept their relationship was over has been jailed. Paul Antony Butler, 53, stabbed university lecturer Claire Chick, 48, in a frenzied attack outside her home in Plymouth in January this year. Plymouth Crown Court heard the mother-of-two's murder was the culmination of a months of harassment, stalking and violence at the hands of Butler. Ms Chick had reported Butler to police six times before her murder. Judge Robert Linford said the former nightclub doorman and taxi driver had carried out a 'deliberate and frenzied murderous attack'. He added: 'You did not just hurt and kill Claire you have caused untold misery to her friends and family 'The loss of Claire has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of people. You are responsible for all this suffering and you alone. 'If you are released, and I emphasise if you are released, you will be on licence for the rest of your life.' The mother's murder was the culmination of a months of harassment, stalking and violence at the hands of Butler. Pictured: With Ms Chick Paul Antony Butler, 53, admitted murdering Claire Chick, 48, during an incident in Plymouth in January Claire Chick, 48, a lecturer in adult nursing at Plymouth University, was killed in the West Hoe area in January Butler, dressed in a blue and white zip-up top over a white t-shirt, wept in the dock at Plymouth Crown Court as statements were read out from her family and new partner Paul Maxwell. Addressing Butler directly, Claire's eldest daughter Bethany Hancock-Baxter said: 'The anger I have for you is one I have never experienced in my life. 'Even with this anger and immense hate I have for you I couldn't bring myself to do that to anybody. 'All I can do is imagine her being petrified knowing you were going to kill her, the number 23 is all I can think. How can you do that to somebody you claim to love.' A statement from her father, Alan Butler, was also read to the court. In it he said: 'Claire was kind, caring, bubbly and larger than life. 'She'd asked for the police to help her several times. I thought wrongly that she was safe, it eats away at me that I couldn't protect her. 'She died in horrendous circumstances and I am tortured by the thought of what happened that night. 'You have murdered my daughter, taken our future, broken my heart and you will go straight to hell.' Lydia Peers, Claire's youngest daughter, said: 'Paul Butler did this to her and he has done this to our family, his selfish mind and cold-blooded hands caused all this pain we feel today and will continue to feel. Claire pictured with 53-year-old Paul Butler, who murdered her after a six-month stalking campaign Forensics officers used torches to search the street as they worked late into the night following the discovery of her body Police erected a police cordon between Great Western Road and West Hoe Road after Ms Chick was found 'seriously injured' in the street 'You didn't love her in the slightest, stabbing her 23 times isn't love, that's murder. You, Paul, are a murderer. 'This is no accident, this is no mistake, you made sure she was gone and never coming back. 'How dare you do this to our family. I will miss her happiness, she was the light that lit up any room she ever went into. 'The pain I am feeling today is the worst kind of pain ever, it is an emptiness and a loss.' Mr Maxwell glared at Butler as he said: 'I loved Claire, she was beautiful, funny, kind and made the world smile whenever she was around. The loss of Claire has left an irreplicable void in my life. 'The terror from that night that somebody might harm me just as Butler harmed Claire that night is forever overwhelming in my mind. 'No punishment can undo what has been done but I urge the court to consider the devastating impact this had had on my life Ms Chick, previously known as Claire Butler, had five grandchildren who call her 'favourite grandma', according to a heartbreaking family tribute Butler is pictured wearing a fancy dress lifeguard costume in a picture taken from social media 'The suffering you inflicted will not be forgotten and neither will the fight for justice, today the voice of the victim Claire Chick will not go unheard.' Claire met Butler when she moved in next door to him on Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, following the breakdown of her first marriage in 2021. The couple married in June 2024 but by August the relationship had already broken down and Claire told him she no longer wanted to live with him. The following month she first called the police to report his stalking. Jealous Butler continued to terrorise Claire including waiting outside her house, peering through her windows and placing a tracker in her car. On November 22 he was arrested for assaulting her by pushing her over, causing bruising. On December 31 he was arrested again for stalking her and given bail conditions not to approach her. He changed his Facebook name to 'Stangray Strangler', prompting Claire to tell her daughter: 'I wish he would just get on with it and put me out of my misery'. In a final witness statement to police, she wrote: 'I honestly feel like Butler will kill me if further action isn't taken immediately.' The court was shown CCTV and dashcam footage of the moment on January 22 when 6ft 5in Butler, wearing a camouflage coat with a hood up, grappled with Claire outside a flat she had rented to escape him before repeatedly driving a knife 10cm into her chest. Joanna Martin KC, prosecutor, told the court there was 'no chance of survivability' and Claire almost certainly died at the scene. Court sketch of Paul Butler (left) appearing at Plymouth Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of Claire Chick People light candles during a vigil in memory of Claire Chick organised by her daughters Bethany and Lydia at Smeaton's Tower lighthouse on Plymouth's Hoe Earlier in the day Butler had visited nursing lecturer Claire's office in breach of his bail conditions but was chased off by security. He later bought a set of kitchen knives from Sainsbury's in the city centre before walking to the Hoe area of Plymouth where Claire's flat was located. After murdering Claire, Butler dumped the jacket and knife nearby and fled, texting a friend 'I'm pretty sure I ended her. I loved her so much.' He was found the following evening by police having barricaded himself in a hotel room in Liskeard, Cornwall and taken an overdose of painkillers. Last month Butler -who has historic sex assault convictions - pleaded guilty to murdering Claire and possession of a bladed article. Adam Vaitilingham, KC, for Butler, said: 'Nothing I say today should be seen by anybody as him in any way trying to minimise his responsibility for what he did on January 22. 'He knows a life sentence is inevitable for the crime he has committed and he will be an old man by the time he is considered for release on licence. 'However misguided it may be, he did believe they would get back together.' Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Chris Lithgow, Senior Investigating Officer in the case for Devon and Cornwall Police, said Butler 'brutally murdered Claire Chick outside her own home in a violent and cowardly attack.' He added: 'It is testament to the thorough and comprehensive investigation by detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team that Butler pleaded guilty to this offence and today he starts a minimum term of 27 years in prison. 'Claire Chick was dearly loved, adored and admired by many and her family have demonstrated enormous courage and dignity. 'I would like to thank and commend Claires family who have shown nothing but strength and restrain throughout this difficult process. I hope that the conclusion of the case today will help them heal and move forward, but my thoughts and sympathies remain with them.' Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said the force had made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to its previous contact with the victim. He added: 'We are committed to fully co-operating with an ongoing independent investigation by the IOPC. It would be inappropriate to comment in more detail at this stage to ensure we do not compromise the investigation. 'Having met some of Claires family following her tragic death, the Force has conducted an urgent review of all our active stalking investigations. 'This has resulted in immediate changes to our stalking and harassment procedures. 'New policies have been implemented to ensure we provide greater focus on safeguarding victims, targeting perpetrators at the earliest opportunity and encouraging reporting. 'One of our priorities is to ensure we continue to improve how we investigate stalking and harassment, focusing on dealing proactively with dangerous perpetrators and giving greater confidence to victims of this harmful and dangerous crime.' A Wisconsin Democratic judge has been arrested for allegedly hiding a violent undocumented migrant in a jury deliberation room to stop ICE from taking him into custody. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of obstructing the arrest of Eduardo Flores Ruiz, 30, on April 18. Ruiz, who is from Mexico, had been charged with battery for allegedly punching someone 30 times in the face after they complained about his loud music. When ICE agents showed up to arrest him in court, Dugan, the government claims, hid him. She was taken into custody Friday at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. 'The FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction -- after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week,' FBI director Kash Patel said. 'We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject -- an illegal alien -- to evade arrest.' Patel added: 'Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public.' Milwaukee County circuit judge Hannah Dugan is accused of obstructing the arrest of an undocumented migrant She was taken into custody Friday at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Flores Ruiz for three charges of misdemeanor battery after his court appearance with Judge Dugan on April 18. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Judge Dugan has been accused of hiding the migrant and his attorney in a jury deliberation room. Sources told the outlet that she in fact took him and his lawyer to a side door in the courtroom and directed them to a private hallway into the public area. Chief Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Carl Ashley said in an email that ICE agents had been told to wait until Flores Ruiz' hearing had ended. Dugan has been the Milwaukee County Circuit Judge for nine years after taking office in 2016 and winning re-election in 2022. Her current term is set to expire on August, 2028. Her arrest comes just a day after former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody following a raid on their home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The couple are facing charges of evidence tampering after they were allegedly caught harboring an illegal immigrant, named as suspected Venezuelan gang member Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, in their home. 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. In shocking images that emerged this week, Ortega-Lopez was seen enjoying Christmas with the couple as the judge and his wife posed with firearms. FBI director Kash Patel has since deleted the post where he announced the judge's arrest Dugan's arrest just a day after former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife were arrested after being accused of harboring an undocumented gang member 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 The arrest of Cano and his wife follows the detainment of Ortega-Lopez in February after a separate raid on the home, which led the judge to resign from his position. According to authorities who raided Cano's home on Thursday, investigators discovered evidence linking Ortega-Lopez to the Tren de Aragua gang. This included text messages, images of tattoos and gang-related clothing. Following Ortega-Lopez's arrest, further investigations also reportedly led to the seizure of four firearms from the home of the judge's daughter, April Cano. Ortega-Lopez is facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted on federal charges of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. 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. A housing estate is being infested by rats because of residents in blocks of flats throwing their food waste straight out of the window. It is claimed that people living in upper floors find it easier to open their windows and lob food scraps out rather than use the bins. As a result, rats have been enticed to the area and have been seen congregating around the two 10-storey buildings. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool Council, which owns the building, has written to all residents of Sterte Court in Poole, Dorset, explaining they are having to set traps to catch the unwanted rodents. A letter from BCP Homes states: 'Individuals are throwing food from their windows in addition to leaving food on the ground, attracting more vermin onto the estate.' Residents are now calling on their neighbours to stop this practice as they say 'once the rats have taken hold, it's difficult to get rid of them'. Hazel Colley, who lives on the fifth floor of the block, said earlier this month she was having to pick up food left on the ground. She added: 'The trouble is, some people who live here throw their food out of the windows. I was out earlier this month picking up food around the ground. Rats have been enticed to the area and have been seen congregating around the two ten-storey buildings It is claimed that people living in upper floors find it easier to open their windows and lob food scraps out rather than use the bins 'I can't complain about the council because they are doing what they can to address it. But once the rats have taken hold, it's difficult to get rid of them.' Nikki Taylor, 45, said she has previously seen two dead rats outside. She added: 'The upper floors are terrible for clearing things out. The problem is some people chuck food out of the windows and for the rats, it's an easy meal.' Mother-of-one Joanne said she has noticed rats at Sterte Court ever since she moved in three years ago. She said: 'One time food actually hit my daughter. Another time she almost picked one up. 'Rats are coming through the doors because people leave the rubbish.. I've reported it before.' Resident Mark Brown added: 'It's attracting bottle flies that are coming through my window. I live above the bins. BCP Council, which owns the building, has written to all residents of Sterte Court in Poole, Dorset, explaining they are having to set traps to catch the unwanted rodents 'No lids have been put directly over the bins and the bin stores are open.' A BCP Council spokesman has reassured residents that steps are being taken to deal with the problem, including regular visitors by a pest control contractor. He said: 'We understand the distress that this will cause and would encourage residents to report any sightings of rodents and to ensure that the public areas are kept free of food waste. 'New bins have been provided in the communal waste storage areas and update letters have been sent to all residents with guidance and advice. 'We continue to monitor the situation.' A disturbing video captured the moment the remains of a heroic 20-year-old Michigan young man washed up on a popular beach in Cancun. The footage showed Quintana Roo Civil Protection workers carrying the body of Alejandro Gonzalez on the shores of Chacmool Beach on Wednesday. Gonzalez was with a group of friends to the tourist hotspot when he disappeared on Sunday evening. The College of Creative Studies student ran into the water after he saw one of his friends struggling to stay afloat as she was being dragged by a current. Gonzalez was able to save the woman but was swept further into the Caribbean Sea and was not seen again. 'We held out hope, and prayed for a miracle,' Gonzalez's mother, Renee Gonzalez, wrote in a heartbreaking post on Facebook. 'While the outcome wasn't what we wanted, God did answer our prayers. Alejandro's body has been found, Matt and I are going to be able to bring our baby home.' The Facebook post also featured the last picture that was taken of Alejandro moments before his disappearance. Michigan resident Alejandro Gonzalez drowned after he rescued a friend at a beach in Cancun on Sunday The remains of Michigan student Alejandro Gonzalez were recovered Wednesday, three days after he was dragged into the sea after rescuing a friend from drowning 'The smile on his face reminds me how happy he was to be with his friends and spending time somewhere new,' Renee wrote. 'It's good to know he was so happy.' The heartbroken mother lauded her son's courageous decision to risk his own life to save his friend, who was among the former Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy classmates on his spring break trip to the Mexican resort city. 'That is who Alejandro was, he put others above himself always,' Renee told ABC affiliate WJRT. 'He loved his friends so much that the reason he's not here is because he was trying to save one of them. She got pulled out, and he wanted to help make sure she made it back to shore, and she made it, and he didn't.' Alejandro worked as a barista at Sips 476, a coffee shop in Saginaw. 'He is an absolute hero,' his godmother, Melissa Pocock, said. 'The Bible says that there's no greater love than a man lay down his life for another, and that's what he did,' said Pocock. Alejandro Gonzalez was a student at the College of Creative Studies Renee, who set up a GoFundMe account, had been planning on traveling to Mexico before authorities located Alejandro's body and will now wait for her son's remains to be flown back to the United States. 'Thank you all again for all the love and support. We are going to continue to accept donations, while it looks like Matt and I won't be going to Mexico,' she said. 'We are going to need help with the expense to bring him home, and all of the expenses that come with a situation like this.' The fundraiser has garnered nearly $10,000 toward its $15,000 goal as of Friday afternoon. Your browser does not support iframes. President Donald Trump is underwater on immigration, a key campaign issue that helped propel him to the White House, according to a new poll. Fifty-three percent of Americans now disapprove of Trump's handling of the issue, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. His approval on the issue is at 48 percent. That is a turnaround from February, when Trump's approval was at 50 percent, with 48 percent disapproval. The surprising reversal comes despite Trump and his team repeatedly stressing immigration issues and trumpeting an astonishing drop in the number of border arrests reported by authorities. 'Between January 20 and April 1, only 9 illegal aliens were released into the United States, a staggering 99.9% decrease from the 184,241 released into the country under Biden during the same period last year,' according to a White House fact sheet touting the achievement. The poll comes just days after Fox News released a new nationwide poll of Trump's overall public approval rating which had him at just 44 percent down from 100 days into his first term, and trailing his predecessors. That poll also had Trump underwater on immigration, although a separate question had Trump doing better when respondents were asked about his performance on controlling the border. A majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump's handling of immigration in a surprising new poll The results could reflect national controversy over other elements of Trump's immigration policy which has become a complex fight both about safety and alleged gang members as well as due process and the weight of judicial rulings. Concerningly for Trump, the poll shows 56 percent disapproval among independents on immigration. Democrats disapprove by 90 percent, and just 11 percent of Republicans disapprove. An Economist/YouGov poll had 50 percent public support for bringing back Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man and Salvadoran immigrant who was deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador last month despite a judge's order not to remove him. In the new Washington Post poll, 46 percent support bringing him home compared to just 26 percent who say he should stay in El Salvador. The administration has also been cracking down on leaders of anti-Israel student protests, carrying out a broader mass deportation campaign, and going after student visa holders. On Friday White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt got hit with a question from a student journalist about the revocation of student visas for three Syracuse University students. Trump hammered the immigration throughout his campaign, and credits an immigration chart he featured at his rallies with saving his life when assassin shot at him. (Trump had turned toward the image). The administration has appeared to relish the controversy over a Venezuelan man deported to El Salvador in March and sent to a notorious prison. At the White House this week, Leavitt tore into the 'despicable' media for describing Kilmar Abrego Garcia as a 'Maryland man' in headlines. Lawyers for the man, who came to the country illegally, are fighting to have the administration bring him back after a judge called for it to facilitate his return. FBI Director Kash Patel sparked confusion on social media after he deleted a post touting the arrest of an anti-Trump judge in Wisconsin accused of 'obstructing' ICE. The FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan after she 'intentionally misdirected federal agents away from' an illegal migrant, Patel wrote. 'Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week,' Patel wrote. 'We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest,' the post added. Patel's account deleted the post on X moments later for unknown reasons. The post was then reposted without edits two hours later, without an explanation. A spokesperson for Patel did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment. The arrest took place early Friday morning at the Milwaukee County Courthouse at 8:00 am. The FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan after she 'intentionally misdirected federal agents away from' an illegal migrant. US Marshals confirmed the arrest and revealed that Judge Dugan is now in federal custody. She is being charged with two federal felony counts: obstruction and concealing an individual. Dugan was filmed by reporters leaving the federal courthouse in Milwaukee on Friday after she was charged and released. The news was also confirmed in an X post by Attorney General Pam Bondi. 'I can confirm that our FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by ICE,' she wrote. 'No one is above the law.' Dugan, a Democrat who was elected to the Circuit Court in 2016, sparked a federal investigation after she allegedly tried to help an illegal immigrant avoid arrest following an appearance in her courtroom on April 18. Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican illegal immigrant was facing three counts of misdemeanor battery as he arrived at the courthouse for a hearing. When ICE agents arrived at the courtroom with a warrant, Dugan directed them away from her courtroom and allowed the defendant to leave. Bondi revealed on Fox News Friday afternoon that Dugan reportedly 'screamed' at immigration officers and sent them away before allowing the defendant and defense attorney back into her private chambers and told them to leave via a private exit. ICE agents in Milwaukee County have been appearing at the courthouse to arrest illegal immigrants charged with crimes and moving to deport them. As the uptick in arrests continued, Dugan placed a message on her door reminding attorneys that there were ways to avoid appearing in court and instead appear on Zoom. 'If any attorney, witness coordinator, or other court official knows or believes that a person feels unsafe coming to the courthouse to courtroom 615, please notify the Branch 31 clerk to request court appearance via Zoom,' the message read. Late paedophile Rolf Harris' personal firm has finally been wound up two years after his death - giving his family a 1.2million pay day and lumping HMRC with a 122k refund bill. The disgraced TV star set up RHE Investments to handle a substantial part of his multi-million fortune in 2012. Now liquidators have given notice that the firm will be officially closed on 25 July. The wind up process began five months after he died in May 2023 and now that it's being dissolved it means a nice lump sum for his niece, Jennifer Harris, who lives in Australia. His niece stood by him when he faced indecent assault charges, and she moved to close the company and signed the Declaration of Solvency from Sydney. She also attended numerous court hearings with Harris and is a director of two of his companies. The final report was filed yesterday, April 25, with around 1.2million going to Jennifer after paying liquidator and accountant fees of 9k. But the company was also due a refund for 127,474 from HMRC. Disgraced TV star Rolf Harris (above) set up RHE Investments to handle a substantial part of his multi-million fortune in 2012 - and liquidators have given notice that the firm will be officially closed on 25 July Now that it's being dissolved it means a nice lump sum for his niece, Jennifer Harris (above, right) who lives in Australia - she stood by him when he faced indecent assault charges, moved to close the company and signed the Declaration of Solvency from Sydney Harris and wife Alwen (above, left) had been directors but resigned in 2015 - he left most of his 16million estate to his only child Bindi after dying aged 93 This is because an overdrawn director's loan of 392k was paid back in full so any corporation tax paid on that sum has to be refunded. Harris and wife Alwen had also been directors but resigned in 2015. He left most of his 16million estate to his only child Bindi after dying aged 93. Harris's death certificate revealed that he died of 'metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of neck' the medical term for neck cancer and 'frailty of old age'. He had been struggling to talk after cancerous tumours grew in his neck after he was freed from jail in 2017 for a string of sex offences including children as young as eight. He was fed through a tube before his death. The Australian-born TV presenter was a family favourite for decades before being convicted of a string of indecent assaults in June 2014. These included one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens and a catalogue of abuse against his daughter's friend over 16 years. He was jailed for five years and nine months after being convicted of 12 assaults which took place between 1968 and 1986. A Minnesota woman has been arrested in the infamous killing of 'baby angel,' 14 years after the baby girl's body was found floating down the Mississippi river. Jennifer Nichole Baechle, 43, was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Thursday morning after DNA evidence found her to have been the newborn's mother. 'For more than 13 years, Baby Angel's tragic death has weighed heavily on the hearts of this community,' Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said in a press release. 'We are grateful to be able to provide answers for this community and for Baby Angel.' The newborn baby girl's body was found inside a bag on the river on September 5, 2011, along with incense, a pendant, and multiple angel figurines. 'I could never get what she looked like out of my head,' former Sheriff David Brand said at a press conference. 'She looked like she was just sleeping when they brought her off the river. It's just the way that had to happen.' 'That baby could have been adopted or turned over.' An autopsy revealed she had been born only a day or two before her death, with her umbilical cord - 4-inches of which was still attached to her body - determined to have not been cut by a medical professional. Jennifer Nichole Baechle, 43, was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Thursday morning after DNA evidence found her to have been the newborn's mother The newborn baby girl's body was found inside a bag on the river on September 5, 2011, along with incense, a pendant, and multiple angel figurines 'While her birth mother remained hidden, this community wrapped its arms around this little girl,' Sheriff Ron Ganrude said. 'More than 150 peopled gathered to mourn this baby girl and ever since they have waited in patience for answers' 'The medical examiner noted several fractures on the front and side of the infant's skull,' the criminal complaint obtained by NBC News said. 'There was bleeding on the brain. There was no evidence of medical intervention on the infant.' Evidence said that the infant had sustained the head injuries while still alive. Baechle was determined as a possible lead in March 2023 by Firebird Forensics Group, and Ganrude said that Baechle was asked to voluntarily give a DNA sample but refused. According to the complaint, investigators searched her trash and found a 'discarded female hygiene product' which was sent for a DNA test and determined that the infant was Baechle's child. 'The genetic results obtained from the unidentified female infant are 570,000 times more likely to occur in a biological child of [the] defendant than in someone unrelated to [the] defendant,' prosecutors said according to the Winona Post. They added that the findings were 'very strong evidence' that the infant was Baechle's daughter. The incense found in the bag with the child additionally matched the DNA sample taken from Baechle's trash. According to the complaint, investigators searched her trash and found a 'discarded female hygiene product' which was sent for a DNA test and determined that the infant was Baechle's child 'The medical examiner noted several fractures on the front and side of the infant's skull,' the criminal complaint said. 'There was bleeding on the brain. There was no evidence of medical intervention on the infant' '[Baby Angel] deserved more than a watery grave. She deserved more than a life cut short,' Sheriff Ron Ganrude said Family members told police they immediately recognized the pendant left in the bag with the infant, which they were certain belonged to Baechle, and have not kept in contact with her since 2011. They added to investigators that Baechle also collected angels, prosecutors said. Baechle is charged with causing the death of another by committing or attempt to commit neglect or endangerment of a child. Prosecutors wrote that she caused the death of another person due to 'her culpable negligence, whereby she created an unreasonable risk and consciously took a chance of causing death or great bodily harm.' Ganrude said Baechle turned herself in on Thursday morning, accompanied by her attorney, after a judge signed an arrest warrant for her. '[Baby Angel] deserved more than a watery grave. She deserved more than a life cut short,' he added. 'Advances in investigative technique and in science are happening all of the time. That is why it is so important to never give up on any unsolved case,' said Cathy Knutson, Deputy Superintendent of Forensic Science Services at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Baechle appeared in court on Thursday after her arraignment and was given a $200,000 unconditional bond and a $20,000 conditional bond. Family members told police they immediately recognized the pendant left in the bag with the infant, which they were certain belonged to Baechle, and have not kept in contact with her since 2011 An autopsy revealed she had been born only a day or two before her death, with her umbilical cord - 4-inches of which was still attached to her body - determined to have not been cut by a medical professional Conditions included GPS monitoring and that she stays within the state of Minnesota. She is believed to have posted bail by Thursday afternoon. 'While her birth mother remained hidden, this community wrapped its arms around this little girl,' Ganrude said. 'More than 150 peopled gathered to mourn this baby girl and ever since they have waited in patience for answers.' 'Today's charges are the first step in holding [Baechle] accountable,' he added. Shocking footage captured the moment two police officers fought off several teen girls as they attempted to break up a wild catfight outside a school. The melee unfolded around 3pm Thursday outside Entrepreneur High School in Highland, California, as a witness filmed the fight escalate to the point where one girl punched and pulled a female officer by the hair. It reportedly began as officers with the San Bernardino school police attempted to break up a fight in the school parking lot, and the footage begins as several other girls join in the scrum. As a female officer handcuffed one girl on the ground, a male officer shoved two teens away as he yelled: 'Back up, back up.' One of the girls then screamed expletives in his face, and struck the officer in retaliation to him pushing her away from the fight. When the girl then attempted to attack the female officer handcuffing another teen on the ground, the male officer swept her legs and took her to the ground as well to put her under arrest. At that moment, another girl joined in the chaotic scene as she screamed at the female officer to 'get off of her', and pulled out her phone to film the confrontation. It appeared the first girl who was arrested had been fighting the second, as when she was picked up in handcuffs she screamed in the other girl's face as she lay on the ground. Shocking footage captured the moment two police officers fought off several teen girls as they attempted to break up a wild catfight outside a school The fight escalated to the point where one of the girls pulled the female cop by the hair and dragged her from her partner, as others continued to fly into the clash The wild brawl escalated further as another woman in a red top and sweatpants flew into the fight. Squaring up face-to-face with the female officer, she appeared to say: 'Don't touch me... goddamn, we're gonna fight.' She approached one of the teen girls who was already handcuffed by one of the officers, telling her to 'stop, stop' and appearing to refer to the girl as her daughter. After a brief moment where the officers and the woman spoke, the girl who was first put in handcuffs then attacked the female officer again. 'Get the f*** off of her,' the older woman in red yelled at the female officer as she defended herself from being struck by the teenager. In a shocking act as the female officer confronted the older woman, another teen snuck up behind the cop and grabbed her by the hair. The melee unfolded around 3pm Thursday outside Entrepreneur High School in Highland, California as a witness filmed the fight escalate with several women joining in One of the young girls was seen in the shocking footage screaming expletives in an officer's face, before he tackles her to the ground and arrests her A woman in a red top and sweatpants joined in the brawl and appeared to refer to one of the arrested girls as her daughter, before squaring up to an officer and saying: 'Don't touch me... goddamn, we're gonna fight' The male officer was forced to step in as one of the girls attacked his partner as she tried to handcuff a girl on the ground The girl clung on for several seconds as she dragged the cop away from the older woman, before both officers wrestled her to the ground to place her under arrest. According to ABC7, several people were eventually handcuffed after the melee, however it is unclear if any have been charged. The San Bernardino school police did not immediately respond to a request for further information on the outcome of the incident when contacted by DailyMail.com. A grieving man has been dragged from the hours-long queue to see the body of Pope Francis, after he began screaming. Shocking footage showed the man inside the Vatican shouting in broken Italian: 'I want to see the Pope.' He shouted: 'The Pope is dead... My name is Samuel, Peter is dead. Samuel is here.' The man, who has not been identified, was gently led out. But photos taken shortly after the uproar showed him thrashing against several guards outside the Vatican. Emotions are high among the tens of thousands of people who have flown into Italy from across the world to pay their respects to the late pontiff, who died on Monday at the age of 88. The nun who was allowed to break protocol to say goodbye to her close friend Pope Francis returned on Friday for a final farewell hours before his coffin is sealed. French-Argentine nun Sister Genevieve Jeanningros was allowed into a restricted area on the first day of the pontiff's lying-in-state to pray before the coffin. Shocking footage showed the man inside the Vatican shouting in broken Italian: 'I want to see the Pope' He shouted: 'The Pope is dead... My name is Samuel, Peter is dead. Samuel is here' Photos taken shortly after the uproar showed him thrashing against several guards outside the Vatican The disruptive man has not been identified The area is traditionally reserved for cardinals, bishops, and priests, but the 81-year-old was allowed in to grieve their friendship, which lasted more than four decades. Jeanningros was seen again on Friday at St Peter's Square, and visiting the Basilica of St Peter to pay her respects once more before the funeral on Saturday. The nun, of the order of the Little Sisters of Jesus, was joined by others as they made the difficult journey to see the pontiff. The Pope had personally visited Jeanningros, whom he playfully referred to l'enfant terrible (the terrible child), in July in Ostia to acknowledge her humanitarian work. Some 150,000 people have passed by Francis's coffin as he lay in state over the past three days in St Peter's Basilica. But the queue for the basilica will close to the public at 6pm local time, with viewings expected to end at 7pm. That time has been pushed back already, remaining open through the night on Thursday to allow more people to pay their respects. Criticism has landed on some mourners taking selfies in front of the open casket, with the Vatican 'inviting' people 'not to take photos'. Sister Genevieve Jeanningros returns to visit Pope Francis lying-in-state on Friday, April 25 French-Argentine nun, Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, was seen in footage from the first day of Francis' lying-in-state approaching a restricted area to pray before the coffin of the late Pontiff But it was the appearance of Genevieve Jeanningros on Thursday that most moved onlookers around the world. Jeanningros was seen stepping toward a red rope surrounding the coffin with the assistance of an official, who guided her forward. Dressed in a blue headscarf and navy attire, she stood quietly to one side of the open casket. She then burst into tears and brought her hands to her face, feet away from the late Pope. Taking a tissue, she wiped her eyes and remained in place for a moment. Despite breaking what is traditionally regarded as protocol, no security official intervened, allowing Francis' close friend an intimate moment of farewell. Their July meeting in Ostia, held at Luna Park fairground, publicly highlighted the Pope's respect and adoration for the nun who has dedicated her time to helping those facing marginalisation and social exclusion. The nun has dedicated more than 56 years to serving the most disadvantaged people, especially transgender women, in the region. She reportedly lives in a caravan with another nun, Anna Amelia Giacchetto. The relationship between Jeanningros and Francis began when he was Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Pope Francis received in audience Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, of the Little Sisters of Jesus with the Members of the National Union of Traveling Attractionists at the Vatican, in March 2023 The 81-year-old stood close to the casket as she wept for her late friend She could be seen being guided by officials (far left) as they allowed her to break protocol Their connection was strengthened by their shared commitment to the most vulnerable and by the wounds of the Argentine dictatorship. Every Wednesday, the nun brought groups of fairground workers, homeless people, and transgender women to the Vatican's general audiences. Francis not only received them but also invited them to lunch and offered financial support. Tens of thousands of mourners again filed into St. Peter's Basilica on Friday on the last day to pay final respects to Pope Francis ahead of his funeral on Saturday. Long queues snaked around St. Peter's Square and the surrounding roads, before being funnelled through the heart of the basilica in a single column leading to the central altar, where Francis' open-topped coffin was displayed on a dais. The body of the 88-year-old pope, who died on Monday in his rooms at the Vatican's Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke, was brought to St. Peter's in a solemn procession on Wednesday. Since then, about 150,000 people from all over the world have bid farewell to the pontiff, the Vatican said. 'It's a very strong feeling (to be here),' said Patricio Castriota, a visitor who, like the pope, is from Argentina. 'This farewell was very sad, but I thank God that I was able to see him'. 'He's the only pope we've had who came from South America, a pope who had many good intentions for the Catholic Church,' Castriota told Reuters. 'He cleaned up (a lot) of the bad, maybe not all of it, but he tried.' Francis, who was pope since 2013, was the first pontiff from the Western hemisphere and was known for an unusually charming, and even humorous, demeanour. Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, a long-time friend of Pope Francis, pays homage to him at St. Peter's Basilica .Pope Francis during a visit to Sister Genevieve Jeanningros, Little Sister of Jesus, and the community of carnies and circus people at the Luna Park in Ostia Lido in Rome, in July 2024 His 12-year papacy was sometimes turbulent, with Francis seeking to overhaul a divided institution but battling with traditionalists who opposed his many changes. 'He humanised the church, without desacralising it,' said Cardinal Francois-Xavier Bustillo, who leads the Church on the French island of Corsica. Queues on Friday morning were stretching halfway down the main boulevard leading through Rome into the Vatican. People were pressing forward slowly, some waiting hours, in order to have a few minutes inside to pay their respects to Francis. A 4-year-old girl was found alive after being trapped in a New York apartment for two weeks with the corpses of two of her family members. Authorities have confirmed that the girl remained stuck in the apartment for two weeks following the deaths of her 38-year-old mother and 8-year-old brother, News 12 The Bronx reported. They said she survived by eating chocolate. The child is now in the custody of her grandfather, Hubert Cotton, who has confirmed that she is okay. "They said she had a heart attack," Cotton told the outlet. "I didn't get the real thing yet but that's what the police said." Police responded to the address on Friday after being asked to conduct a wellness check on the family, discovering the girl and the bodies of her family members. However, many are still suspicious as to what caused the deaths of the girls mother and brother, after the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) reportedly visited the residence earlier that week. Authorities have yet to release the official causes of death for the two deceased. Originally published on Lawyer Herald Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to all charges Friday in the federal case brought against him alleging he killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, who has attracted a significant fan following, denied murder through the use of a firearm, another gun offense and two counts of stalking. Military whistleblower Chelsea Manning again showed up to support the alleged murderer in Manhattan Federal Court. It was the second time Manning who spent seven years behind bars for passing secrets to WikiLeaks has been at court to see the man accused of shooting Thompson on a Manhattan street. Mangione walked into court in leg shackles with his hands cuffed behind his back. He was not wearing the loafers he wore at his previous state court hearing he wore them without socks and his preppy sweater. This time he was wearing dark socks, prison issue sneakers and a tan colored prison-issued top and pants. Young women in the audience craned their necks to see him as his hands were freed and he sat down at a table with his lawyers, smiling as his attorney made a comment to him. Luigi Mangione is pictured in a court sketch with his lawyers Karen and Marc Agnifilo and Avi Moskovitz in Manhattan Federal Court on Friday Federal prosecutors officially declared their intent to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione hours before he appeared in court Chelsea Manning wore a dark suit and pink tie when she joined the line for Mangione's hearing on Friday Judge Margaret Garnett asked Mangione to stand and asked him if he had read the indictment. He said: I have. Mangione waived the public reading of the indictment and was asked to enter his plea. He said: Not guilty. Prosecutors said they have around one terabyte of data including Mangiones iCloud account and information from his social media accounts. The judge ordered prosecutors to hand it all over within a week. Prosecutor Dominic Gentile said that he understood that the state trial would be going first, followed by the federal trial. But Mangiones lawyer Karen said that they would now be opposing the handshake deal with the prior administration apparently referring to the Biden administration whereby the state case was first. She said that because the death penalty was now on the table, she would be requesting the federal case go first. The judge said that both sides had to file motions as to whether prosecutors should be precluded from seeking the death penalty. Security cameras caught the man who killed Thompson in action. Cops say that man is Luigi Mangione but his supporters disagree UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down outside a New York City hotel on December 4, 2024 Mangione (pictured at his extradition hearing from Pennsylvania) walked into court in leg shackles with his hands cuffed behind his back Manning, 37, was one of several supporters who turned up at Manhattan Federal court for the latest hearing for Mangione, who now faces the death penalty if found guilty. After the hearing, she told DailyMail.com she believed the death penalty case was being rushed through by the Trump administration. We have a capital case thats being speed run,' said Manning. We dont do that, we dont do that in America. We dont do that with our justice system. We dont speed run justice. She said the request for the death penalty before an arraignment was 'unprecedented'. Mangione supporters who turned up at court claim Donald Trump is only seeking Mangione's execution because the president needs a fall guy. Speaking outside court before his latest appearance before a judge, Mangiones supporters said that Trump was targeting him even though there was nothing solid against him. They defended Mangione, who is accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Thompson, and said that he had great values and that health insurance is a 'right'. Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, was due to appear at the federal court in Manhattan to enter a plea to murder through the use of a firearm, firearms offense and two counts of stalking. The allegation of murder with a firearm makes Mangione eligible for the death penalty, if he is convicted. The stress of waiting for the hearing got too much for some in the crowd Protestors held placards protesting the case brought against Mangione One person claimed the prosecution was only brought because Mangione's popularity Lower Manhattan saw a sea of people protesting the case against Mangione The hearing was the first since Attorney General Pam Bondi with the support of Trump said the Justice Department will ask for a penalty of death. Judge Garnett, a Biden appointee, issued a rebuke to Bondi for her comments regarding the case: Bondi has called the alleged murder a cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. The judge said that given the nature of the case she reminded both sides about public comments they made that could impact or affect Mr Mangiones ability to get a fair trial or to choose an impartial jury. The judge said she would be speaking to Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in New York, and asking him to relay this to Bondi as well. In another development, Mangiones lawyer Karen Agnifilo told the court that prosecutors in the state case had informed them they had been eavesdropping on his phone calls. She said they claimed it was inadvertent and included calls between her and Mangione, which are protected by attorney client privilege. The calls were handed over by federal prosecutors, Agnifilo said. Judge Garnett ordered the prosecution to send her a letter within 7 days explaining what had happened. She set the next court date for December 5 when, she said, she hoped to set a trial date for some time in 2026. After the judge departed Mangione stood talking with his lawyers and brought a smile to face of a female paralegal who was with his team. At one point he shrugged his shoulders in a joking way and she smiled broadly. Trump has called the December shooting a 'cold-blooded, horrible killing' but Mangiones lawyers have called top level administration officials' comments a breach of protocol and are demanding the possibility of the ultimate penalty be removed from the case. Mangione supporters stood outside the courthouse in downtown Manhattan hours before the hearing hoping to get a seat. Many of them were masked an apparent tribute to Mangione and declined to comment. But Sandra Minestro, 33, said that she was there to show her support because she thought that healthcare is a right. Its not right that people dont have the money to pay for health insurance, she said. Judge Margaret Garnett (left) criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi for her comments on the case. Bondi has called the alleged murder a cold-blooded assassination that shocked America A van protesting the government's intention to execute Mangione if he is found guilty drove through the streets of lower Manhattan The truck showed video of Mangione being led into court for an earlier appearance under intense security Asked if she was there to support Mangione or for healthcare reform, she said: A bit of both.' Minestro had a sign that said: Lives over profit and Free Luigi with a cartoon of Luigi from the Mario Bros. video games. Manning, a former Army private, was among them. When she appeared at a Mangione hearing in February she said she was there to exercise her sixth amendment rights to view court proceedings. April Cheree, 49, said she wanted to make sure Mangiones rights werent being violated. She said she got the Covid-19 vaccine but that it had caused her problems with her employers she is currently between jobs. I do understand his unhappiness, his disgruntlement because Im also on a wait, Im still waiting for return calls and waiting for return (medical) services, she said. We all feel that. I understand why hes unhappy and fighting for someone to hear him. Cheree said that she was impressed with Mangione going to Penn State and being valedictorian of his high school class. Protestors appeared to claim that Thompson's killing was 'counterproductive but not criminal' Artist Scott LoBaido's turned up outside court with a graphic protest at the government's decision to seek the death penalty I havent found anything solid in reference to what theyre saying to make him a criminal, she said. He does have really great values proper to the (allegations), a really great family. Trump was seeking the death penalty because Mangione has a really strong population following him. Cheree said: They have to find the guy with the perfect stigma. Its not because hes the worst guy, hes the top guy. Hes got the right image. In most cases when they have a fall guy, he fits perfectly. They want us to view him that way and place this disposition on him. Prosecutors claim that Mangione shot Thompson, 50, a father-of-two, outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4 last year. He allegedly used a ghost gun and wrote Deny. Depose. Delay on the bullets in a sign of his anger at the healthcare system which reportedly sprang from his long term back problems. Mangione allegedly fled New York and was arrested days later at a McDonalds in 200 miles away in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Police allegedly found a notebook in his backpack in which he wrote that killing Thompson was targeted, precise, and doesnt risk innocents. Police believe Mangione saw the execution-style killing of Thompson as a symbolic takedown and that he saw himself as a hero. Mangione also faces 11 counts in a state court in New York the trial there will take place first including murder in the first degree and murder in the second degree. The murder charges state that he killed Thompson in furtherance of an act of terrorism and as a crime of terrorism. Additionally, Mangione faces gun charges in Pennsylvania. He has denied all the allegations. A mother who has lived in the US since she was a child was detained during a green card interview and now faces deportation for missing a court hearing decades ago. Rosmery Alvarado applied for permanent residency after her husband, Nixon Alvarado, became a US citizen on March 19 and had her first interview on Wednesday. Her daughter Carina Moran said she waited at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Kansas City while her parents went inside. 'I sat outside expecting both of them to walk out later. After an hour, I watched my dad and lawyer walk out without my mom,' she said. 'We were lied to, and our family has been torn apart.' Rosmery was born in Guatemala and Nixon arrived from El Salvador when he was 18. Their four children are all American citizens, and the family lives in Pittsburg, Kansas. Moran believes the interview was a trap to detain Rosmery, and claimed USCIS officers let Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into the office. Rosmery Alvarado (pictured with her husband Nixon) was detained during an interview for a green card and faces deportation Rosmerry with her four children, who were all born in the US She explained that her father told her the officers seemed satisfied with her application, and told them 'everything looks good for you two, and things will be OK'. 'My dad was asked to step out of the office where my mom was sitting. The second he did, she was detained by two immigration officers,' Moran said. 'She was taken out the back side of the building and put into a white van. All we could do was watch.' The mother-of-four is being held at an ICE facility hours away from home and her family were told she would be deported to Guatemala within three days. Why Rosmery was detained and was subject to a deportation order is not entirely clear. Moran told WDAF that her mother's lawyer said the problem stemmed from Rosmery failing to appear in court when she was a minor, but didn't elaborate. 'We thought we had all of our defenses, we had the evidence, we had everything we were prepared, everyone in my family is a citizen. I thought that would protect her,' she told the local station. Moran wrote online that she 'never claimed my mother to be perfect' and cryptically alluded to a vaguely troubled history. 'Despite my mother's past, she's always done everything to protect her children and I will always stand by that,' she wrote. 'My siblings and I have been hurt countless times growing up and my parents have always been our protectors. 'We are a normal family and normal people that make mistakes everyday, but we have worked through every rough moment to stay together. 'My mom will always be the most kind hearted, hardworking, funny, and loving woman I know. She's protected us from the moment she knew of us and I wish I could do more to protect her at this time.' DailyMail.com attempted to contact Moran for clarification. Rosmery Alvarado applied after her husband, Nixon Alvarado, became a US citizen on March 19 (pictured after his citizenship ceremony) Rosmery's daughter Carina Moran described how she waited outside the USCIS office for her parents to return, only to see her mother bundled into a white van by ICE Her lawyer filed a deportation stop that, if approved, would allow Rosmery to return home to fight her removal. If not, she will be deported. Moran said until then, her family could only speak to her remotely. 'I will not get to hug my mom or say goodbye, my siblings won't get to either, and my dad has to take on all of her responsibilities alone,' she said. 'I am heartbroken that she will not watch us graduate, she won't be there during the most important moments of our lives and I won't get to share my first experiences with her anymore. 'I will miss her every day because I can't see or hear her. I didn't realize how much I need her every day. 'I never thought this would happen to my family and I feel completely lost and angry that we can't do more for her right now other than wait.' Moran said her family members went to school, worked jobs, participated in their community, and 'do everything every other family does in Pittsburg'. 'We are just normal people trying to live a normal life in our small town,' she said. Moran started a fundraiser to pay for her mother's legal defense, which has $8,700 in donations so far. If Rosmery is deported, the funds will pay for somewhere to live in Guatemala, shipping her possessions there, and medical care for her diabetes and tumor treatments. ICE is yet to comment specifically on Rosmery's situation. Kemi Badenoch today brushed aside talk of 'stitch ups before an election' as she insisted the Conservatives will not do a deal with Reform UK. The Tory leader continues to face questions about a potential pact with Nigel Farage's outfit, who are consistently outperforming the Conservatives in the polls. Earlier this week she was forced to dismiss remarks by Robert Jenrick, her shadow justice secretary, in which he floated the possibility of a future Tory-Reform 'coalition'. Mrs Badenoch is braced for a grim set of local elections next week, at which experts have said the Tories could shed around 500 council seats across England. Meanwhile Reform are expected to pick up around 400 to 450 councillors and key mayoral contests in Greater Lincolnshire, and Hull and East Yorkshire. Significant gains by Mr Farage's party would pile fresh pressure on the Conservatives. But, speaking to reporters during a campaign visit in Warwickshire on Friday, Mrs Badenoch said there would be no forthcoming agreement with Reform. 'We are not doing a deal with Reform, there's not going to be a pact,' she said. Kemi Badenoch brushed aside talk of 'stitch ups before an election' as she insisted the Conservatives will not do a deal with Reform UK The Tory leader continues to face questions about a potential pact with Nigel Farage 's outfit, who are consistently outperforming the Conservatives in the polls Mrs Badenoch added: 'What we need to do right now is focus on ensuring that voters have a credible Conservative offer. 'When we start talking about stitch ups before an election, it sounds as if we're not thinking about the people out there, just about how we win. 'Winning is just the first step, we need to talk about how we're going to deliver for the people of this country. 'And that's why I'm travelling all over the UK now making sure that people understand what the Conservative offer is 'Especially for next week's local government elections, which are not an opinion poll but about who's going to run services.' Mrs Badenoch added that her job as Tory leader is 'not to give the party away'. 'Reform have said their ambition is to destroy the Conservative Party,' she continued. 'I'm the custodian of the Conservative Party, we've been around for a long time. 'We've had our ups and downs but my job is not to give the party away, but to make sure that we're delivering for the British public. 'When you start hearing about coalitions before any votes have been cast, the public hear stitch ups. 'People just organising to try and win, rather than doing what is right for local people.' In an audio recording obtained by Sky News, Mr Jenrick said he wanted the 'fight' against Labour to be 'united' and vowed to create a 'coalition' to achieve that. He added that if Mr Farage's party became a 'permanent or semi-permanent fixture on the British political scene', then 'life becomes a lot harder' for the Tories. Speaking to the UCL Conservative Association in March, Mr Jenrick said: 'You head towards a general election, where the nightmare scenario is that Keir Starmer sails in through the middle as a result of the two parties being disunited. 'I don't know about you, but I'm not prepared for that to happen.' Mr Jenrick, who was defeated by Mrs Badenoch in last year's Tory leadership contest, added: 'I want the fight to be united. 'And so, one way or another, I'm determined to do that and bring this coalition together, and make sure we unite as a nation as well.' A source close to Mr Jenrick said: 'Rob's comments are about voters and not parties. 'He's clear we have to put Reform out of business and make the Conservatives the natural home for all those on the right, rebuilding the coalition of voters we had in 2019 and can have again. 'But he's under no illusions how difficult that is we have to prove over time we've changed and can be trusted again.' A Texas father was outraged after finding out his teenage daughter allegedly married a West Virginia man after he showed up on his doorstep looking for her. The unidentified teen's father called police after Dylan Ray Riffle, 24, of Walkersville, West Virginia, showed at his home in Forestburg, Texas, on April 4, around 10.30am, Texomas Homepage reported. The father, who was not identified, told police Riffle was claiming to be looking for his wife and when asked who he was there to see, he replied: 'Your daughter.' The father then pulled out a gun and pointed it at his face, asking the man if he was aware the girl was a minor, to which Riffle said the girl had told him she was 20. He later told investigators that the girl, whom he allegedly married online, had been lying to him for months. Riffle had flew from West Virginia to Texas to meet his 'wife' for the first time after they met in a 'VR chat, the outlet reported. They were originally set to meet in Galveston, which is 375 miles from the girl's hometown. The man had rented an Airbnb for them, but after their plans fell apart, he flew to Dallas and ride-shared to Forestburg, the outlet said. Riffle admitted to detectives about talking to the minor about having sex and officers found several nude photos of the girl on his phone, Texomas Homepage reported. The unidentified teen's father called police after Dylan Ray Riffle, 24, of Walkersville, West Virginia, showed at his Steadham Road home in Forestburg, Texas, on April 4, around 10.30am. He asked for the man's daughter, who he claimed was his wife The father then pulled out a gun out, asking the man if he was aware the girl was a minor, to which Riffle said the girl had told him she was 20. Riffle was arrested for online solicitation of a minor, possession of child pornography, and enticing a child (pictured: Forestburg) The girl reportedly declined to tell police much, outside of saying she was not a victim. She told them she was 'mentally unable to speak about anything' and refused to answer their questions, the outlet said. Riffle was arrested for online solicitation of a minor, possession of child pornography, and enticing a child, the outlet said. He was booked into the Montague County Jail on April 4. He is being held on a $45,000 bond. Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson will stand trial on corruption charges next year, following a police investigation into city council contracts. Trial dates have been set for the former Labour politician, 67, and his co-defendants, including former politician Derek Hatton and an ex-director and assistant director of Liverpool City Council. The men appeared at Preston Crown Court on Friday. Anderson, who was the city's elected mayor from 2012 to 2021, is charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. He is alleged to have sent or arranged to have sent 'threatening letters' to himself. The defendants were charged as part of Operation Aloft, launched by Merseyside Police to look into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from the council between 2010 and 2020. Anderson, of Knotty Ash in Liverpool, is also accused of conspiring with his son David Anderson, 37, and the council's former assistant director of highways and planning Andrew Barr, 51, to arrange special access in a manner to benefit David Anderson and his company SSC. He did not enter pleas to the charges on Friday. Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson will stand trial on corruption charges next year, following a police investigation into city council contracts Anderson, who was the city's elected mayor from 2012 to 2021, is alleged to have sent or arranged to have sent 'threatening letters' to himself The former mayor (left) is charged with bribery, misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office David Anderson, of Wavertree, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. Barr, of Ainsdale, Merseyside, did not enter pleas to the charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and a count of bribery. Hatton, of Aigburth, Liverpool, who was deputy council leader and part of Labour's militant faction in the 1980s, pleaded not guilty to offering a bribe. The 77-year-old, wearing a pale blue suit, is also charged with counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office but did not enter a plea to the charge. His wife Sonjia Hatton, 49, of Aigburth, did not enter a plea to a charge of misconduct in a public office. She is accused of providing and seeking confidential council information over matters of commercial and business use to Mr Hatton's contacts and to his business dealings. The five defendants are due to stand trial on October 5 2026, with the case expected to last 15 weeks. The council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh, 56, and Philippa Cook, 49, both of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty to two counts of accepting a bribe. Anderson was charged following Operation Aloft, a Merseyside Police probe looking into the awarding of commercial and business contracts from the council between 2010 and 2020 Anderson and his co-defendants will stand trial on October 5 2026, with the case expected to last 15 weeks The former mayor's son, David Anderson, has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office Derek Hatton, 77, of Aigburth, Liverpool, who was deputy council leader, pleaded not guilty to offering a bribe. He was also charged with counselling or procuring misconduct in a public office but did not enter a plea to the charge. His wife Sonjia Hatton, 49, did not enter a plea to a charge of misconduct in a public office Julian Flanagan, 53, and Paul Flanagan, 71, both of Knowsley, who founded construction business The Flanagan Group, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. They are alleged to have conspired with each other to bribe Kavanagh and Cook between November 2015 and September 2020 by giving them financial or other advantage, including building, decoration or maintenance work, in return for improper performance by Kavanagh in his employment by the council. James Shalliker, 38, of Downholland, Lancashire, and Adam McClean, 54, of Woolton, are both alleged to have conspired with another man, Mark Doyle, to bribe Kavanagh and Cook with cash, the use of storage, vehicles or vehicle parts and building work. Both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to bribe. A trial for the six defendants was fixed for February 23 next year and is expected to last around 12 weeks. Honorary Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham granted all defendants bail. A South Carolina man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting his stepfather to death right in front of his horrified mother. Daniel Adame-Guatemala, 25, was identified as the suspect in the killing of 29-year-old Christian Hernandez on February 24, 2022, the same day Hernandez was found dead in his trailer home at the Godwin Mobile Home Park in Beaufort, South Carolina. Hernandez, who had multiple fatal gunshot wounds, was married to Adame-Guatemala's mother, who identified her son as the killer. The mother, the only witness to the crime, told police that Adame-Guatemala emerged from a bathroom while they were eating dinner at the table and began firing a 9mm handgun at Hernandez and in the vicinity of his mother. Adame-Guatemala had prior convictions for public disorderly conduct and second-degree domestic violence. He lived with his mother and stepfather for several months after his release from prison for those earlier charges. After the shooting, Adame-Guatemala took the family pickup truck and spent the next several months on the run the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, the US Marshals Service and Mexican authorities. He first went to Mexico, where he had relatives, but later went all the way down to South America, according to police. Daniel Adame-Guatemala, 25, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing his stepfather in front of his mother in their trailer park home in Beaufort, South Carolina Christian Hernandez, who was married to Adame-Guatemala's mother, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds on February 24, 2022 Given the amount of evidence against him, Adame-Guatemala agreed on Wednesday to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and an illegal weapons charge Roughly four months after Hernandez's death, Adame-Guatemala was captured in June 2023 by US Border Patrol agents when he tried to get back into the US at a checkpoint in Hildago, Texas. Given the amount of evidence against him, Adame-Guatemala agreed on Wednesday to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and an illegal weapons charge. 'The violent death of a loved one must be terribly excruciating and doubly so when that death is at the hand of a family member,' said Deputy Solicitor Mary Jones of the 14th Circuit Solicitors Office, who prosecuted the case. 'It is not clear why the defendant in this case acted in such a violent manner. However, such violence makes it clear he belongs in prison.' Jones added that the family cooperated with police and aided in Adame-Guatemala's prosecution. 'They did not relish the prospect of testifying against him. Because the defendant also took responsibility for his crime by pleading to voluntary manslaughter, we agreed this was an appropriate resolution and merciful for his family,' she said. Specifically, Adame-Guatemala entered an 'Alford Plea,' which means he maintains his innocence while acknowledging that if his case went to trial, there would likely be enough solid evidence to convict him. As with all plea bargains, an 'Alford Plea' is not a right the defendant is entitled to, so it must be something that is offered and agreed to by the prosecution and the judge. Circuit Judge Martha M. Rivers handed down the 20-year sentence. However, with the amount of time he's already served in pre-trial detention, he'll be spending a little more than 18 years in prison. A Milwaukee judge arrested for allegedly hiding an undocumented migrant from ICE has a sign on her courtroom offering Zoom hearings to those who 'felt unsafe' coming to court. 'If any attorney, witness coordinator, or other court official knows or believes that a person feels unsafe coming to the courthouse to courtroom 615, please notify the branch 31 clerk to request court appearance via ZOOM,' reads the sign on County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan's door. It's not uncommon for judges to offer Zoom hearings for victims of violent crimes who fear facing their aggressors. But the sign is circulating online following Dugan's arrest Friday, which has sent waves across the political spectrum. Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on the courthouse grounds, according to US Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron. She appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. Her next court appearance is May 15. 'Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety,' her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. Dugan is accused of escorting the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, and his lawyer out of the courtroom through the jury door on April 18 as a way to help avert his arrest, according to an FBI affidavit filed in court. Ruiz, who is from Mexico, had been charged with battery for allegedly punching someone 30 times in the face after they complained about his loud music. The affidavit suggests that Dugan was alerted to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway. A sign on Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan's door is seen on Friday, the day of her arrest for accusations that she hid an undocumented migrant from ICE Milwaukee County circuit judge Hannah Dugan is accused of obstructing the arrest of an undocumented migrant She was taken into custody Friday at the Milwaukee County Courthouse The affidavit describes Dugan as 'visibly angry' over the arrival of immigration agents in the courthouse and says that she pronounced the situation 'absurd' before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse, displaying what witnesses described as a 'confrontational, angry demeanor.' She asked one of the officers if they had a judicial warrant and was told that the warrant was instead administrative. After a back-and-forth over the warrant, the affidavit says, she demanded that the arrest team speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom. After directing the arrest team to the chief judges office, investigators say Dugan returned to the courtroom was and was heard saying words to the effect of 'wait, come with me' before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a jury door into a non-public area of the courthouse. The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because 'only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.' Dugan was elected in 2016 to the county court Branch 31. She also has served in the courts probate and civil divisions, according to her judicial candidate biography. Protesters demonstrated outside federal courthouse Friday in Milwaukee after county Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Dugan is accused of escorting the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, and his lawyer out of the courtroom through the jury door on April 18 as a way to help avert his arrest Before being elected to public office, Dugan practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981 with a bachelor of arts degree and earned her Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the school. Dugans arrest comes amid a growing feud between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the presidents executive actions on immigration and other matters. Trump administration officials have sharply criticized what they have described as 'activist' judges they say claim have overstepped their authority and unfairly impinged on the presidents executive powers by blocking many of his efforts. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who represents Wisconsin, called the arrest of a sitting judge a 'gravely serious and drastic move' that 'threatens to breach' the separation of power between the executive and judicial branches. 'Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by,' Baldwin said in an emailed statement. 'By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line.' There was 'absolutely no indication' a woman accused of having an illegal abortion was pregnant in the weeks leading up to her miscarriage, a court has been told. Nicola Packer, 45, allegedly took abortion medication at home on November 6 2020 and went to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital the following day, Isleworth Crown Court heard. She is charged with 'unlawfully administering to herself a poison or other noxious thing' with the 'intent to procure a miscarriage'. Packer denies the charges and claims she believed she was less than 10 weeks pregnant at the time of taking the abortion medication. The court has heard Packer had been in a bondage, dominance and submission (BDSM) relationship with a husband and wife, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. All three had been in the BDSM 'scene' and lived together from when the UK went into lockdown in March 2020 and for parts of that year, the court heard. Giving evidence by video-link on Friday, the wife told jurors Packer - who she called 'Nicky' - stayed with her and her husband. The court heard the wife was living in the same place as Packer in October and November 2020 and often saw her without her clothes on. There was 'absolutely no indication' Nicola Packer, 45, who is accused of administering an illegal abortion, was pregnant in the weeks leading up to her miscarriage, a court has heard Packer, pictured yesterday outside Isleworth Crown Court, west London, denies the charges and claims she believed she was less than 10 weeks pregnant at the time of taking the abortion medication Asked by Fiona Horlick KC, defending Packer, whether there was any indication that Packer was pregnant by looking at her, the wife said: 'Absolutely none.' The wife told the court: 'She had a period sometime in October and asked to borrow a tampon, she was taking the (contraceptive) pill.' Jurors heard the trio would drink alcohol together, and the wife said Packer's drinking habits did not change in the lead up to her miscarriage. Packer, then 41, took prescribed medications mifepristone and misoprostol when she was around 26 weeks pregnant, the court has heard. The legal limit for at-home abortions is 10 weeks. It is alleged she knew she had been pregnant for more than 10 weeks. Packer, who sat near her defence team in the court room, denies the charge and claims she did not believe she had been pregnant for that long, the court heard. The typical full gestation term is 40 weeks and the outer limit for abortions in the UK is 24 weeks. The court previously heard that Packer allegedly carried the foetus into Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in a backpack The wife told jurors her husband and Packer had a 'friends with benefits' relationship, but at the time she believed they were not having sexual intercourse. She told the court she and Packer had a 'close' friendship and she knew Packer did not want children. Packer said she learned about the pregnancy on November 2 2020, the court heard. The defendant contacted Marie Stopes, one of the world's largest providers of contraception and abortions, that morning and tried to book an appointment for an abortion. Searches on her phone after calling the clinic included 'is at home abortion treatment effective up to 12 weeks' and 'abortion limit UK', DC Lucy Gallimore told the court. On November 5, 2020 the defendant's phone records has searched on the internet for 'signs of ectopic pregnancy', jurors heard. Packer allegedly took abortion medication the next day, the court heard. The wife told jurors Packer had not been feeling well and had 'bouts of endometriosis' which caused her pain. At Isleworth Crown Court, Packer denied unlawfully administering to herself a poison or other noxious thing' with the 'intent to procure a miscarriage She said her husband took Packer to hospital on November 7 for what she thought was an appointment. 'I assumed it was for endometriosis, which Nicky suffered from and I knew she had been complaining about it and suffering pains for a long time,' the wife told the court. The defendant told the husband she needed an operation and would stay in hospital overnight, the court heard. Jurors previously heard Packer told two midwives on November 8 that she had taken abortion pills received in the post from Marie Stopes. Packer said she thought she was less than 10 weeks pregnant and when she had looked into the toilet bowl she saw 'something larger than she had expected', the court heard. She is then said to have arrived at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital carrying a foetus in her backpack and told doctors that she had miscarried, a court previously heard. Police arrested her later that day. The trial, set to last four to five weeks, continues on Monday. Two primary school locations funded by Mark Zuckerberg's joint foundation with his wife, Priscilla Chan, have abruptly closed after the school struggled to progress academically and find investors. The Primary School launched in 2015 and opened a year later with funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in East Bay and East Palo Alto, California, but is now shuttering its doors. The school announced that resources would be available for parents to find a replacement and that classes would continue through the 2025-2026 term. The Primary School was a passion project for Chan, who helped build the school with educator Meredith Liu. It aimed to help low-income families in the community who were priced out of their neighborhoods when Meta built their headquarters in the neighboring Silicon Valley. The school promoted diversity, equity and inclusion, and was branded as a way for the Zuckerberg's to give back to the community. However, the school had a high turnover rate and officials weren't able to secure additional funding from the public sphere or other private investors because they couldn't demonstrate improvements. Jean-Claude Brizard, the chairman of the board of directors, told the New York Times that attempts to secure funds repeatedly fell flat. The Primary School, a private institution with two locations in California, is abruptly closing after 10 years The school's funding was through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, launching just miles away from Meta headquarters Priscilla Chan (left) founded the school in 2015 to prioritize healthcare and education in low-income communities 'If something is fully reliant on philanthropic funding or even frankly 50 percent that is not sustainable long term,' Brizard said. He admitted that he had advocated for the 'nuclear option' and posed whether it was time to invest in the community in other ways. The school's statement said that CZI is making a $50 million investment in the communities and will provide parents with 'transitional specialists' to find new schools for students. 'This was a very difficult decision, and we are committed to ensuring a thoughtful and supportive transition for students and families over the next year,' The Primary School's statement read. Students in East Bay will be transferred to other schools in the area, while East Palo Alto is collaborating with Ravenswood City School District to take in the displaced students. 'Over the years the District has added dedicated family engagement roles, strengthened health programs, and expanded early childhood care,' the school's statement read. 'We look forward to sharing our learnings to support their bolstering of crucial student and family services.' The school administration or CZI offered a reason for the abrupt closure, but parents have speculated that the decision was a result of Trump's crackdown on DEI policies. Despite the school's massive funding from CZI, it struggled to secure additional funds from other private investors or the public sector The school championed DEI and had a diverse student body, with 85 percent of the students identifying as people of color and 67 percent of leadership hires identifying the same Zuckerberg has strayed away from left-leaning and philanthropic causes, following in President Trump's lead by ending DEI efforts at Meta. The company has also loosened restrictions on hate speech since Trump took office, and CZI also shut down DEI initiatives. The Primary School had frequently boasted DEI efforts and committed to antiracism learning in 2020. The mission of the schools was to bolster a team effort approach in raising a child, acknowledging the disproportionate challenges marginalized communities face. 'Because of systemic racism, communities of color are disproportionately affected by these challenges and have the added burden of not being able to afford or access adequate services,' their website reads. The school's website also outlines a comprehensive DEI plan, detailing a task force that was formed in 2020 and has continued up until last year. The plan detailed four pillars of anti-racism, which included pursuing equitable outcomes for students and families, strengthening DEI practices with staff, speaking out and taking action, and staying active and accountable. Brizard told the New York Times that the decision to close the school wasn't due to crackdowns on DEI, and CZI told the publication that they were still committed to helping the community in other ways. The school's chairman of the board of directors said that the decision to close the school was not a result of the Trump administration's crackdown on DEI However, impacted parents are demanding answers, wondering why the schools were closed out of nowhere. Emeline Vainikolo told the Times that the parents received the shocking news during a breakfast meeting held by school administrators. She explained that the parents were left 'dumbfounded' and they weren't given a reason for the closures. 'He's a billionaire. Why would he want to close this?' Vainikolo questioned. Another mother slammed Chan, 'Overnight, she gave us a complete reversal that none of us could have imagined.' 'That's all we ask with our heart that she support us and not leave us halfway with our children.' Parent Isabel Vargas told the San Francisco Standard that the school was 'highly publicized as a gift to the community.' 'They were already taking our homes because of Facebook, landlords pricing us out. Now they're gonna take this away too. It seems unfair.' Other parents spoke of the hole the closure will leave in their community, with Veronica Van Leeuwaarde noting employees at the school helped her schedule an appointment so that her son could receive an ADHD diagnosis. 'Honestly, just talking about it makes me want to cry, because it's just impacted my family so much,' she said. Parents said that the school's abrupt closure will leave a hold in their community as they now have to grapple with finding alternatives for their students Parents questioned the reasoning for the closure, as The Primary School's administration and CZI declined to provide a comprehensive reason for the decision When Zuckerberg announced the schools in 2015, he noted that, 'Health and education are closely connected. When children aren't healthy, they can't learn as easily. 'Many kids and teachers across the country deal with the consequences of poor health in classrooms every day. He praised his wife for noticing the connection between health and education during her work as a pediatrician and teacher. The school was intended to bring quality healthcare and education together for low-income communities that typically don't have access to either. The abrupt closure has underscored this message, leaving parents to wonder what led to the decision. DailyMail.com reached out to CZI and the Primary School for comment, but didn't immediately hear back. Shaken neighbours have spoken of their heartbreak after a 'gentle, grandfather figure' was murdered and left undiscovered for months in his West London flat. Concerns had been raised over the welfare of Michael O'Donnell, 65, who had not been seen since February 24. But the Metropolitan Police found him dead in the Samara Drive flat in Southall on Wednesday morning after neighbours reported an unpleasant smell that had been getting worse for many weeks. Locals to the leafy, suburban estate are reeling over the horror of the killing, with two arrests made already. Kelly Barnes, 28, told Metro that her family had moved to the area because of its safe reputation and transport links. 'We haven't been here long but we have been very impressed. It seems so safe relative to some areas. To see police cars everywhere and to find out there's been a killing is utterly shocking,' the publisher said. Another mum said they are now scared of the area because they similarly thought it was a safe place for their family and couldn't believe anyone would want to hurt an old man. With flats selling for 340,000, the residents of the regenerated land are now double locking their doors and not letting their children walk to school alone. Michael O'Donnell, 65, was murdered and left undiscovered for months in his West London flat Mr O'Donnell was a 'gentle, grandfather figure' who was loved by locals to the block of flats Metropolitan Police found him dead in the Samara Drive flat in Southall on Wednesday morning after neighbours reported an unpleasant smell The neighbour who reported the 'horrible smell' said Mr O'Donnell was a 'gentle, grandfather figure' who was loved by locals to the block of flats. He said the Fire Brigade came to investigate the initial smell some weeks ago who believed it was coming from the bins. But it became worse and passersbys would have to cover their faces when walking past Mr O'Donnell's flat. The building's cleaner alerted the smell again to the police who made the discovery of his body two days ago. Neighbours had noticed that Mr O'Donnell had not been seen for some time but presumed he had gone on holiday. Police have been gathering CCTV from the block's security team and a forensic team have been seen gathering evidence. A shocked father-of-two described how the generous Mr O'Donnell would often help his disabled son onto the bus. 'It was so kind of him as he himself walked with a stick. He was always smiling, joking and was very well liked. He was never any trouble, far from it. It was a pleasure to have him as a neighbour,' he said. Police have been gathering CCTV from the block's security team and a forensic team have been seen gathering evidence Passersbys said they would have to cover their faces when walking past Mr O'Donnell's flat A woman who lives in the same building as Mr O'Donnell said he 'was very kind and he always held the door for us' A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and preventing a lawful burial as well as a 28-year-old woman for suspicion of murder A woman who lives in the same building as Mr O'Donnell said he 'was very kind and he always held the door for us and said "no, you go", so a very nice guy.' It is believed that Mr O'Donnell had been living on his own for a number of years and police are asking the public to tell them when they last saw in the past two months. Locals said he was frequently visited by his son, but otherwise kept to himself. A 54-year-old man from Southall was arrested on suspicion of murder and preventing a lawful burial on Wednesday, April 23. He remains in custody. A 28-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie from the Met's Specialist Crime Command said: 'Family liaison officers are supporting Michael's family at this distressing time and my thoughts remain with them. 'We continue to work diligently to gather evidence and establish what led to Michael's' death and I would ask any local residents to take a careful look at these images to check whether they know him. 'Have you seen him since Monday, 24 February either alone or with anyone else?' Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police on 101 providing the reference CAD2369/23APR or online by visiting the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) Website. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. The Trump government has terminated employees working on U.S. global climate policy and climate aid as part of the State Department's restructuring, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a new report revealed. The terminated employees were under an office that played a major role in U.S. negotiations with other countries regarding global climate change efforts, Reuters reported Thursday. State Department cuts climate policy, aid office Federal workers in charge of global climate policy and climate aid in the United States have been dismissed, the outlet reported, citing four sources familiar with the termination notices. The terminated federal workers were specifically career employees under the State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs' Office of Global Change. They played a lead role in negotiations involved with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN process for negotiating how "dangerous" human interference in the climate system can be prevented. It is unclear if some office functions before the layoffs will be folded into other bureaus or units within the Department. Move aligns with Trump's climate views News of the unit cuts came a few months after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would withdraw the country from the Paris climate agreement. He has also said he will withdraw the U.S. from negotiations over decarbonization measures at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Notably, officials from the office affected in the latest round of federal agency cuts represented the country at the IMO. State Department downsizing meets backlash Rubio's proposal to slim down the Department has been met with fierce opposition by some Democrats and advocates. According to Rubio, the State Department is "bloated" and requires restructuring that will include cutting down human rights offices. The Secretary of State has called "fake news" a weekend report by the New York Times about a supposed draft executive order that will "drastically overhaul" the department, but the reported job cuts at a climate office may suggest otherwise. Also, on Tuesday, Rubio unveiled "sweeping changes" to the department that he said should reverse "decades of bloat and bureaucracy" within the agency. 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 Rubio has yet to address concerns about the potential consequences of a sudden, sweeping overhaul of the country's diplomatic department. Originally published on IBTimes A GOP lawmaker who sexually assaulted his own daughter after she passed out drunk on her 21st birthday in Vegas would down Long Island iced teas to rile him up for his sex attacks. John Jessup, 50, enjoyed the vodka, tequila, rum, gin and triple sec cocktail on the night daughter Rachel woke up to find her molesting him in Harrah's Hotel last year. And now Jessup's former colleague Misty Moore has said Jessup gulped back the same potent liquor mix while sleazing on her during his time as Hancock County Commissioner in Indiana. Moore, the director of Hancock County Homeland Security, said she was targeted by Jessup as they crossed paths in Indiana politics, and recalled one lunch meeting where he crossed the line. She claimed to the Indy Star that he downed several Long Island ice teas before repeatedly touching her ear as he commented on her hair, and she was forced to bat his hands away while trying to maintain professionalism - because Jessup was technically her boss. 'I didn't want to make him mad, and I didn't know where the boundary is,' she said. 'Yes, this feels inappropriate, but he's also kind of trying to be my friend, but he's my boss... I knew that anytime I would've ever raised a frustration with anything, he could walk in here the next day and fire me.' The story eerily echoes the story Rachel told Thursday at her father's sentencing, where she said he pressured her to 'keep up' with drinking Long Island ice teas in a Las Vegas casino before she woke up naked in bed with him in January 2024. Jessup was convicted of sexually battering his offspring, who bravely identified herself to speak out against her dad, and will be jailed for between six and 15 years. Misty Moore (pictured), the director of Hancock County Homeland Security in Indiana, said she was sexually harassed by councilman John Jessup, and shared an eerily similar story to his daughter's when she revealed he sexually assaulted her last year Moore said she was targeted for two years by John Jessup, 50, who is facing up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting his daughter Rachel (pictured together) Moore said the harassment from Jessup began with creepy, unsolicited text messages as they often crossed paths in Hancock County politics, particularly after she took over the county's response to recovering from the pandemic. She shared texts with the Indy Star showing how, in one example from May 2022, he messaged her: 'Seeing you a lot today lol.' In another text, he said: 'Just thought maybe you had missed me.' Moore said she often replied with an emoji or short response in hopes that Jessup would leave their conversation there without angering him. She said that for much of the years-long harassment campaign, Hancock County officials were aware of Jessup's leery conduct, and said the Board of Commissioners failed to take any action when she reported it to them. After attempting to brush off the behavior for as long as she could, Moore said she felt anguished after seeing Jessup was arrested last October for sexually assaulting a woman in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, the victim in that attack was revealed to be his own daughter Rachel. Moore said she tried to brush off Jessup's behavior because, as she was the director of Hancock County Homeland Security and he was the Hancock County Commissioner, he was technically her boss and could fire her Moore shared creepy texts she received from Jessup, including telling her 'I thought you had missed me' and 'I suppose I can leave you alone' Jessup seen in his social media alongside his wife with a caption: 'Forever love' As Jessup was sentenced on Thursday, his daughter broke down in tears as she recalled how he plied her with Long Island ice teas and told her: 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' That November, Jessup won re-election to the Hancock County Council, which his daughter Rachel said was the tipping point that led her to publicly identify herself as the victim. Jessup subsequently resigned days after his re-election win, and at his sentencing on Thursday he was condemned to six-to-15-years in prison. As she came forward, Rachel told WADT it was 'heartbreaking' to see her father be re-elected, adding: 'I just told myself, '(the voters are) uninformed. You can't be mad because they don't have the full story.'' She finally had the chance to condemn her father at his sentencing on Thursday and put her ordeal in her own words, saying that the moment she realized her father sexually assaulted her 'shattered' her life. Rachel, who agreed to be identified in court and subsequent interviews, said the sex attack came as she and her father took a trip to Las Vegas in January 2024 to celebrate her 21st birthday. She spoke through tears on Thursday as she described a chilling night out with her father where he plied her with alcohol and continually told her: 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.' Rachel Keesling, the daughter of depraved Republican lawmaker John Jessup, described the horrific moment she woke up in a Las Vegas hotel room to find her father molesting her in gut-wrenching testimony at his sentencing this week Jessup served on the Hancock County Council from 2016, and won re-election in November days before he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his own daughter The night began, she said through tears, in Harrah's Hotel and Casino on the Vegas strip, where Jessup urged his daughter to 'keep up' with him as he continually ordered her drinks. After he plied her with several Long Island ice teas, she said she told Jessup she wanted to take a break, but he kept pressuring her to keep up with him to the point where he dragged her to a strip club. At the club, Jessup ordered himself a private dance while leaving his daughter sitting at the bar, and she said they only returned to their hotel after she began throwing up from the alcohol. She broke down in tears as she recalled the last thing she remembered from the night was showing with her clothes on, before waking up to discover Jessup molesting her. In her remarks at her father's sentencing, she said since her father assaulted her, 'My life feels like it's shattered.' Rachel said that when she woke up and moved, her father stopped. Court records said he then apologized to her, and when he was interviewed by cops months later in May 2024, he insisted he had done 'nothing criminal.' '(Jessup) told detectives it was just a f*****-up drunk night', prosecutors said, per the Las Vegas Review Journal. The shocking sex attack unfolded in a hotel room in Harrah's Hotel and Casino on the Vegas strip, after the father and daughter spent the night drinking on the casino floor and a strip club Rachel said she woke up in a Harrah's hotel bedroom (seen in a stock image) naked with her father touching her, which she said 'shattered' her life Rachel, seen with her boyfriend Dakota Lanning, bravely spoke out at her father's sentencing this week as she urged a judge to impose the maximum sentence In a statement to the court as he was sentenced, Jessup apologized for tearing apart his family, and said the fallout of his sickening act led him to lose his children, grandchildren and job Rachel has disowned her dad over his disgusting behavior. She was adopted by her stepfather the day before the sentencing and now goes by the surname Keesling. Rachel described the horrific effect the assault has had on her in the year since the Vegas trip, which has included a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety and depression. She said she frequently suffers from panic attacks, and even had to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases following the sex attack. Deputy District Attorney Morgan Thomas said at Jessup's sentencing that the former politician attempted to deflect responsibility for the crime for some time before his eventual guilty plea, and said he even blamed his daughter for the assault. 'Fathers are supposed to protect their children. Theyre not supposed to violate them when they are vulnerable,' Thomas said. In a statement to the court as he was sentenced, Jessup apologized for tearing apart his family, and said the fallout of his sickening act led him to lose his children, grandchildren and job. Jessup told the judge he became sober after realizing he was an alcoholic following the night in Las Vegas, and said while he did not blame alcohol for what happened, he turned his addiction around and has been sober for 451 days. 'Im not the same man I was,' the pervert said. The terrifying face of an alleged Tren de Aragua gangster was revealed on Friday after he was arrested by ICE officers in Denver, Colorado - a sanctuary city. Joel Matos-Nieto, a 23-year-old illegal Venezuelan migrant with a face full of tattoos, has been accused by ICE of being a member of TdA, a gang whose members often have very specific ink. According to pictures shared by ICE's Denver Field Office, Matos-Nieto was arrested on a street in Denver and was seen handcuffed next to an agent with the DEA, which often participates in ICE raids. Since its founding in a Venezuelan prison in 2014, TdA has since become an international criminal organization that has been responsible for drug smuggling, sex trafficking and retribution murders. Matos-Nieto wasn't accused of anything as serious as murder, but he has prior convictions for motor vehicle theft, obstructing a police officer and criminal mischief, according to ICE. He had received a final order of removal with a deadline of April 23 and was apprehended two days later. Matos-Nieto is currently in custody at the Denver Contract Detention Facility, a jail run by the GEO Group, a private prison contractor. The arrest of Matos-Nieto in Denver comes after over a month after the city's mayor, Mike Johnston, was called in front of the House Oversight Committee to answer for his apparent lack of regard for immigration enforcement. Joel Matos-Nieto, a 23-year-old illegal Venezuelan migrant, was arrested Friday in Denver, Colorado ICE has claimed he is a member of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang is known for its tattoos. Its members have been involved in drug smuggling, sex trafficking and retribution murders Johnston was present in March alongside Michelle Wu of Boston, Brandon Johnson of Chicago and Eric Adams of New York. Johnston's handling of this issue came into focus in June 2024, when the TdA members muscled their way into at least three apartment complexes in Aurora, near Denver. At the time, Aurora police said members of the gang who came from Venezuela 'forcibly' took over. In terrifying security camera photos, they were seen casually walking outside residents' homes with rifles in hand. 'As of now, the Aurora-Multi-Family Properties are in the complete control of the Gangs, who have refused to relinquish that control until the Gangs receive an agreement from the Owners providing for the joint operation' of the complex,' police wrote in an incident report. DailyMail.com exclusively reported that TdA, which President Donald Trump designated as a terrorist organization, took over a fourth property in the Denver area in late January. In early February, approximately two weeks after President Donald Trump took office, ICE agents stormed into one of the apartment buildings and arrested as many as six men. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testified in front of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday to address his city's response to illegal immigration Footage surfaced in late August showing the moment an armed Venezuelan gang seized control of the Edge of Lowry apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado Tren de Aragua gang tattoos (pictured above) were part of a Department of Homeland Security bulletin shared with federal agents in 2023 It's unclear precisely how many migrants were rounded up as part of the targeted enforcement, however, sources told the DailyMail.com the total fell short of the 100 migrants ICE had hoped to nab. As agents went door-to-door looking for them, several migrants climbed onto the roof of the property. One eyewitness described one migrant as appearing as though he might jump, but that did not happen. Video of the incident shows several men on their knees with their hands behind their backs as armed agents behind them bound their wrists with zip ties. Since Trump took office, the federal government says it has arrested 394 TdA members. While the gang's activity started about 10 years ago in Venezuela, its reach has expanded to the United States, where its members are suspected in the shooting of two New York City police officers and the killing of a former Venezuelan police officer in Florida. DailyMail.com first broke the news that TdA had crossed into the US in October 2023. A judge brought a clerk he was having an affair with into his chambers moments before the sounds of sex echoed through the courthouse where he worked. Judge Jay Quam was reprimanded by the Hennepin County Court in Minnesota for his affair with the young subordinate and sexually harassing other clerks. Quam, 62, retired last month after his conduct was exposed in an investigation by the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards. The public reprimand issued by the board found he 'abused his authority and tarnished the reputation of the judiciary'. The judge, who was on the bench since 2006, was married to Kristi Carlson, a senior vice president at Best Buy and a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce board of directors. They have two children. Quam and the unnamed woman began their relationship while she was his law clerk, but it ended after she stopped working for him. But years later in 2022, they reconnected and staff began seeing - and hearing - them together in the courthouse for 'no apparent business reason'. 'On at least three occasions, a court staff person overheard explicit sounds of sexual activity while Judge Quam and his former clerk were in his chambers,' the reprimand detailed. Judge Jay Quam was reprimanded by the Hennepin County Court in Minnesota for his affair with the young subordinate and sexually harassing other clerks Quam was married to Kristi Carlson, a senior vice president at Best Buy and a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce board of directors. They have two children 'Within the past year, an attorney saw Judge Quam and his former clerk "canoodling" outside the courthouse sitting close together with hands on each other's knees.' Not content with just one affair, Quam tried to add more of his clerks to his rotation by making dozens of suggestive comments. His comments included compliments about their 'clothing in an awkward or flirtatious way, and offered compliments about food intake and appearance'. One clerk estimated that she alone was subjected to 50 to 60 inappropriate comments during the time she worked for him. Quam looked one clerk up and down and told her, 'Yeah, you definitely have a runner's body', and told another she looked great for someone who just had a baby. Another time, he invited a clerk to a bar so he could 'ee another side of her after a few drinks'. Judge Quam visiting with law students at a St Thomas Law School event Quam harassed clerks and had sex with one of them inside the Hennepin County Court in Minnesota His staff reported that he also stood unnecessarily close to them, and leered in a way that made them uncomfortable. In response to Judge Quam's conduct, clerks began to wear longer skirts, avoid his invitations to coffee or lunch, and act in an extra-professional way to avoid attracting unwanted attention,' the reprimand read. 'Clerks are fearful that Judge Quam may have an impact on their career and expressed uncertainty about including him as a reference. 'Judge Quam's inappropriate comments not only harmed the clerks and court staff personally, but also harmed the public's confidence in the integrity of the judiciary.' The board noted that Quam admitted to his misconduct, and if he hadn't retired it 'may have sought more serious discipline' against him. China has escalated its war of words by branding American and Japanese destroyers as 'enemy vessels.' The People's Liberation Army made the unprecedented peacetime move in an information display set up for an open day at the country's navy. The sign onboard the Nanjing Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, which is part of the PLA Navy's Eastern Theatre Command whose main role is to aggressively patrol the Taiwan Strait, said the Chinese vessel was able to 'strike large and medium-sized enemy surface vessels such as the US Arleigh Burke-class and Japan's Atago-class destroyers.' The sign further claimed that the vessel was able to use 'supersonic trajectories, possessing a high penetration probability and accuracy, significantly enhancing the PLA Navy's maritime dominance capabilities.' The South China Morning Post reported that while similar displays in years gone by have only listed generic missile specifications, this was the first time American and Japanese ships were labelled as belonging to the 'enemy.' The sign was spotted on the same day the USS William P. Lawrence, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was seen transiting through the Taiwan Strait. And it comes the week 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 People's Liberation Army made the unprecedented peacetime move in an information display set up for an open day at the country's navy The sign was spotted on the same day the USS William P. Lawrence, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, (pictured) was seen transiting through the Taiwan Strait 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.' 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. Your browser does not support iframes. Sailors were all smiles as they lined up on the aircraft carrier's vast four-acre flight deck to wave goodbye to loved ones Further west in Plymouth, and frigate HMS Richmond was waved off by families as it departed the city to join the carrier group Commodore James Blackmore is leading the UK Carrier Strike Group. He is pictured on the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has doubled down on Crimea, rejecting any suggestion Ukraine will hand over the region to the Kremlin after a beaming Vladimir Putin welcomed Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff for peace talks. Yesterday a video published by Russian state media, showed Putin welcoming the US negotiator exchanging a few words in English before they discussed a peace plan for Ukraine. Putin, who is understood to be fluent in English, rarely speaks the language and has only done so on a few public occasions. The Kremlin later said they had been in talks of a 'possibility' of a direct ceasefire. The talks went ahead despite a Russian general being killed in a Moscow car bomb attack, with the country laying blame on Ukraine. In turn, Ukraine outraged by a Kremlin strike on Kyiv that left 12 dead. However Ukraine remains fearful that Trump could force it to hand over Crimea - a Black Sea annexed seized by Russia in 2014 - with the US president previously asserting: 'Crimea will stay with Russia'. But Zelensky has remained steadfast that the territory belongs to the Ukrainian people, asserting that their 'position is unchanged', later adding: 'The constitution of Ukraine says that all the temporarily occupied territories... belong to Ukraine.' Trump wants to broker a truce between Moscow and Kyiv, but has failed to extract any major concessions from Putin despite several rounds of negotiation. He has threatened to walk away from talks if he does not see progress towards a ceasefire. Witkoff and Putin's meeting yesterday came just hours after a car exploded in the Moscow region, killing Russian General Yaroslav Moskalik. Nobody has yet claimed responsibility for what appeared to be a deliberate attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has doubled down on Crimea, rejecting any suggestion Ukraine will hand over the region to the Kremlin It comes after Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin yesterday, with the duo smiling and shaking hands Pictured: Young girls crying at a site of a destroyed house following a deadly Russian strike on Thursday Friends of Danylo Hudya, 17, who was killed in the strike, gather together at the remains of a house 'There are reasons to believe that Ukraine's special services were involved in the murder,' Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. Ukraine did not immediately comment. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Witkoff and Putin had held a 'constructive' conversation, including 'a discussion on the possibility of renewing direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine'. Trump criticised the Kremlin on Thursday after a drone attack on Kyiv killed at least 12 people, and posted on social media: 'Vladimir, STOP!' and added 'Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!' When asked how he would respond if Russia did not accept a deal, Trump said Thursday: 'I won't be happy, let me put it that way. Things will happen.' But Trump also said there had been significant progress in peace talks. 'This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,' Trump told reporters on Thursday. 'I think we're going to make a deal ... I think we're getting very close.' The US has not revealed the details of its peace plan, but has suggested freezing the front line and accepting Russian control of Crimea - a peninsula annexed by the Kremlin in 2014 - in exchange for peace. Trump was quoted as saying in a TIME magazine interview published on Friday: 'Crimea will stay with Russia.' 'Zelensky understands that,' he continued, referring to the Ukrainian president. 'And everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time.' Kostiantyn Bycheck, 35, who was injured in Thursday's airstrike, being left with several scars Plans drawn up by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff call for US recognition of Russia's control over Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014 Russian media circulated the purported scene of the explosion in Moscow region on Friday The moment of the explosion said to have killed Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Trump added: 'They've had their submarines there for long before any period that we're talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea... But this was given by Obama. This wasn't given by Trump.' Leaked documents highlighting the vastly different proposals from the US and Europe for resolving the conflict show the White House far more willing to concede Ukrainian territory to Moscow. Plans drawn up by Witkoff call for US recognition of Russia's control over Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014, as well as the removal of sanctions currently in place. It also proposes de facto recognition of Russia's hold on areas of southern and eastern Ukraine that Moscow's forces control. While Trump criticised the Kremlin on Thursday after a drone attack on Kyiv killed 12 people, Zelensky has revealed it may be one of the reasons he may be unable to attend Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday. It would be the first time the Ukrainian President would have come face to face with Trump following their explosive exchange in the White House last February. Pope Francis' coffin has been sealed, ahead of his funeral tomorrow morning. The pontiff, who dies on Monday at the age of 88, will be buried following a funeral service attended by the world's leaders who are jetting in to Rome to pay their respects. Since his passing, more than 250,000 mourners have viewed his body over the past three days. The final mourners had a chance to see the Pope close up in the grand surrounds of St Peter's Basilica, before his coffin was closed in private. At 7pm local time public access to the queue to visit Francis's coffin officially closed. The coffin, originally in Francis's residence in the chapel of the Santa Marta, had been moved to St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning for three days in public view. The coffin did not pass through the Apostolic Palace for another exposition, as was done previously for John Paul II, and was not displayed on an elevated bier - the so-called "Canaletto" or "death bed" - as happened with both John Paul II and Benedict XVI. At 8pm local time, Pope Francis's coffin was closed in the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin at St Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis ' coffin has been sealed, ahead of his funeral tomorrow morning The pontiff, who dies on Monday at the age of 88, will be buried following a funeral service attended by the world's leaders The liturgical rite, presided over by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will mark the end of public viewing of the coffin. The cardinals present at the sealing of the coffin will be Giovanni Battista Re, Pietro Parolin, Roger Mahony, Dominique Mamberti, Mauro Gambetti, Baldassare Reina and Konrad Krajewski. The sealed coffin will then remain in St Peter's Basilica until Saturday morning. Upon the beginning of the service, archbishops and bishops will begin to assemble in the Constantine Wing, a corridor adjacent to St Peter's Basilica. They will wear chasuble (the outer garment worn by clergy during services), alb, belts and a simple white mitre. Priests and deacons will also assemble at 8.30am in the area set aside for them in St Peter's Square. They will wear a chasuble, alb, belt and a red stole. At 9am, the patriarchs and cardinals will meet in Saint Sebastian's Chapel in the Basilica. They will wear the white Damascene mitre. They will all then walk in the funeral procession alongside Francis's coffin, where the late Pope will be dressed in a red chasuble, damask and golden papal mitre. At 10am local time (9am BST) the funeral will begin and the coffin will be laid in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica. The service will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Deacon of the College of Cardinals. The body of Pope Francis lies in a casket before it's sealed, at St. Peter's Basilica, ahead of his funeral at the Vatican, April 25, 2025 This photo taken and handout on April 25, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows the rite of the Velatio before to seal the coffin of Pope Francis on the eve of his funeral at The Vatican The Prince of Wales, who is attending the service on behalf of the King, is listed beside the Prince of Norway in the "order of precedence" for international attendees. William and Haakon are listed in their own category as crown princes, and are followed in the order of precedence by representatives from the Andorran government. The British Government delegation includes Sir Keir Starmer, who will be accompanied by his wife Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy, UK ambassador to the Vatican Chris Trott, and Ailsa Terry, the Prime Minister's private secretary for foreign affairs. The UK Government delegation is listed between groups from Qatar and Serbia led by those countries' heads of government. Ireland's delegation comes ahead of both William and the British Government delegation as it is led by head of state President Michael D Higgins. It falls between groups from Indonesia and Iceland, also led by those countries' heads of state. Francis's birth country Argentina will take precedence in the seating, followed by Italy. The reigning sovereigns will then be seated in alphabetical order in the French language, followed by heads of state. The French language is used as traditionally French was considered the language of diplomacy. Huge crowds of mourners queue outside St Peter's Basilica today to view Pope Francis' open coffin on the final day of his lying in state Donald Trump mocked his predecessor Joe Biden for having to sit in the 14th row at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral three years ago (pictured) Other figures expected to be in attendance include US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as former US president Joe Biden. The funeral will follow the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff and the guidelines set out in Universi Dominici Gregis, a document issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996. The ceremony will begin with the entrance antiphon, a selection of psalm verses or scripture passages that are traditionally sung or recited. This will be followed by the Penitential Act which allows the faithful to confess their sins to God. The opening prayer comes after the Penitential Act. The first reading will be given in English by Kielce Gussie, a journalist from Vatican News. The second reading will be delivered in Spanish by Edgar Pineda. This will be followed by the Universal prayers. Before the end of the mass, Cardinal Re will sprinkle the coffin with holy water and incense. At the end of the service, valedictory rite and final commendation, where the Pope is formally entrusted to God, will take place. Francis's coffin will then be carried to the left of the altar at St Peter's. Faithful queue to enter St. Peter's Basilica to pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state today A solemn looking woman takes to her knees and cries as she mourns Pope Francis while he lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 25, 2025 Pope Francis lies in state in a coffin as people pay their respects at St Peter's Basilica at The Vatican, on April 25, 2025 At the end of the funeral - approximately 11.45am local time - the procession will begin. Francis's coffin will be taken from St Peter's Square to Santa Maria Maggiore where he will be buried. This is expected to take around 30 minutes, depending on crowds. The route crosses the river Tiber and passes Piazza Venezia followed by the Colosseum. Francis left instructions asking to be buried in a simple underground tomb in Rome's papal basilica of Saint Mary Major. The burial will be held in private. This makes Francis the first pontiff in more than a century not to be buried at St Peter's Basilica. The last pope who asked to be buried outside of the Vatican was Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903. US president Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump touched down in Rome last night as the world prepares mark Pope Francis' funeral. Trump is one of dozens of world leaders who jetted to Italy ahead of the historic funeral of the pontiff, who died at the age of 88 on Monday. Today, the world's elite will be attending the formal funeral of the trailblazing religious figure, after three days where the world was given the chance to pay their respects to the late Catholic leader. Yesterday evening, droves of faithfuls lined the streets of the Vatican City as they waited to pay tribute to Pope Francis. The President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has predicted the funeral will be a 'masterpiece' in stage-managing 'big egos'. A Vatican spokesperson has confirmed Francis's birth country of Argentina, then Italy, will take precedence. Thereafter, reigning sovereigns will be seated 'in alphabetical order, but in French language', followed by heads of state. Trump is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at Pope Francis' funeral mass despite being among the first to confirm that he would be attending the service. US president Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (both pictured) have arrived in Rome ahead of Pope Francis' funeral Trump is one of dozens of world leaders jetting into Italy to attend the historic funeral of the pontiff Following three days where the world was given the chance to pay their respects to the deceased Catholic leader, the world's elite will today be attending the formal funeral of the trailblazing religious figure Countless people queue to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, at the age of 88 Priests heading towards St Peter's Basilica pay their respect to Pope Francis Trump, who is accustomed to being front and centre at world events, is unlikely to have a prominent position in the seating arrangements. Trump, however, is not likely to be pleased with the seating arrangements, given that he mocked his predecessor Joe Biden for having to sit in the rear at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral three years ago. He said that Biden's 14th row seat showed there was 'no respect' for the US anymore and alleged that if he was president he would have been moved closer to the front of the audience of 2,000 mourners. Trump did not attend the service bidding farewell to Britain's longest reigning monarch - as invites were limited to current heads of state at the time. There were doubts however that Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky would make the Pope's funeral today, saying if he had time, he would attend amid urgent meetings with military chiefs. According to a guest list released by the Vatican, the Prince of Wales was due to sit next to Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway and his wife Princess Mette-Marit, as crown princes had their own separate category. The heir to the throne was due to fly out to Vatican City first thing this morning on the Kings Flight. It is being seen as a significant milestone in the princes growing role as a global statesman and future monarch. He is expected to fly back to the UK afterwards, giving him ample time later to watch his beloved Aston Villa take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final on television. President Trump who was seen with his arm around Melanias waist as they boarded a helicopter en route to Air Force One will be sandwiched between delegations from Estonia and Finland, with Sir Keir sat between Qatar and Serbia. As such Ireland's delegation, which includes President Michael D Higgins, his wife Sabina Higgins, as well as Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and Tanaiste Simon Harris will come ahead of William and the British Government. Droves of faithful supporters lined up as they prepare to pay tribute to the late Pope Countless more faithfuls can be seen lining the streets of the Vatican City yesterday ahead of the religious figure's funeral Yesterday was the final day of farewell ahead of Pope Francis's funeral (Pictured: Faithfuls queuing along the streets of the Vatican City) Trump is expected to have a 'third-tier seat' at Pope Francis ' funeral mass The Trumps are one of countless powerful couples who will be attending the funeral of the Pope today Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Fiumicino Airport following the arrival of U.S President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, near Rome, Italy, April 25, 2025 Ireland's Vatican ambassador Frances Collins is also set to attend the Pope's funeral as a part of the Irish delegation. Cardinal Nichols, who will take part in his first conclave to elect a new pope in the coming weeks, said the funeral organisers are well used to dealing with the sensitivities of such big events. In an interview with the PA news agency in Rome, he said the funeral will be 'without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance'. He added: 'In the past, I've seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events. 'I think they've been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome - that they know how to deal with big egos. 'And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content.' The requiem mass will begin at 10am and comes after three days of Pope Francis lying in state in an open wooden casket inside St Peters with 250,000 people filing past. Officials shut the Basilica at 7pm last night with French president Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte among the last in so the casket could be sealed in a ceremony led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the camerlengo, a cleric who runs the Vatican after a popes death or resignation. U.S President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One at Fiumicino Airport, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, near Rome, Italy, April 25, 2025 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Rome U.S President Donald Trump sits inside a vehicle upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, near Rome, Italy, April 25, 2025 The French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were among the last world leaders to pay their respects to Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica on Friday night The Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, front left with his wife Rosangela da Silva, was also in attendance at Pope Francis's lying in state The Vatican has published an 87-page order of service for the funeral, which will be in a mixture of Latin, Italian and English, enabling the huge crowd packed into the Vatican and surrounding streets to follow the event. In a break with tradition, Pope Francis asked in his will to be buried not in the traditional cemetery of the Popes under St Peters, but at Santa Maria Maggiore church, four miles away. Once the service is over, the cortege will make its way across the River Tiber from the Vatican and head to Santa Maria Maggiore, passing iconic Rome locations such as Piazza Venezia, the Forum and the Colosseum. Officials expect huge crowds to line the streets and giant TV screens have been installed across the city to allow as many people as possible to follow the event which will be beamed worldwide to an audience of billions. Behind the coffin will be cars carrying relatives of Pope Francis, among them his cousin Mauro Bergoglio, who had told an Argentine station he couldnt afford the airfare but a travel firm stepped in to help. US president Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One with First Lady Melania Trump at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International airport in Fiumicino Spain's King Felipe VI, seated, signs a book of condolences for Pope Francis in Madrid as Queen Sofia and Queen Letizia look on. The king and his wife will be at the pontiff's funeral Guests arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St Peter's Square at the Vatican Mourners are seen with a banner that reads: 'Goodbye Father, master and poet, the students' Former US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill make their way to Pope Francis's funeral mass Personal assistants including his faithful nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, will be in the cortege and behind them will be the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, who will lead the funeral and burial. The journey is expected to take around 30 minutes and once at Santa Maria Maggiore, a group of around 40, including transgender people, the homeless, migrants and prisoners, will greet the coffin at the steps, each holding a white rose. Pope Francis was well known for his campaigning for social justice and would often speak out for marginal communities, so they have been specifically invited to take part in the funeral. Once the coffin reaches Santa Maria Maggiore, it will be solemnly carried inside and buried in a nave to the left-hand side, between two chapels in the earth as he requested. A marble slab bearing his name in Latin, Franciscus, and a cross will then be placed on top. Live TV coverage will stop at the point the coffin enters the church, but officials said they will release images of the burial later. Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported that Pope Franciss funeral would cost around 1.5 million Euros, while that of Pope John Paul II in 2005 cost five million Euros. Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini, centre, with the Slovakian foreign minister Juraj Blanar, left, ahead of the funeral of Pope Francis US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk to their limousine upon arrival at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome on April 25, 2025 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on Air Force One at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International airport in Fiumicino People queue on the street ahead of Pope Francis' funeral. A quarter of a million have paid their respects at St Peter's Basilica Security is on high alert for the event, with extra police and army units carrying drone busters and sharp shooters on rooftops overlooking the Vatican. Following the funeral, pilgrims will be allowed to visit Pope Franciss tomb from Sunday, and there then follows nine days of official mourning before the start of the conclave, the process to elect his successor. Scaffolding has been erected to provide international media with the best vantage points overlooking St Peter's Square while there is a strong Italian police presence managing numbers and security. Following Saturday's open-air funeral in the square, Francis's remains will be taken through the streets of Rome in another break with tradition, as his body is brought to a simple underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions. The Vatican said a group of 'poor and needy' people will be present on the steps leading to the basilica to pay their last respects before the interment of the coffin, in a nod to Francis's particular care for the downtrodden. President Donald Trump said a meeting with Joe Biden in Rome was not high on my list as he shrugged off his former rival attending Pope Francis funeral. He and first lady Melania Trump had late-night arrival in Rome ahead of Saturdays state funeral at St. Peters Basilica. Trump revealed he hadnt known that Biden and wife Jill Biden would also be at the basilica for the service. Oh he is? I didnt know, he told reporters on Air Force One. When asked if he would meet with the former president, Trump replied: Its not high on my list. Its really not. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on Air Force One as he travels to attend the funeral of Pope Francis But the president will have some sit downs, including with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. Im going to be meeting with some people, Trump said of his trip, and a little bit quickly. Frankly, its a little bit disrespectful to have meetings when youre at the funeral at the pope. He didnt address if hed met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also will be attending the funeral. Trump has been pushing hard for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. His envoy, Steve Wiskoff meet with Vladimir Putin earlier Friday in Moscow. Its a little tough because we dont have much time, he said. The Trumps are spending less than 24 hours in the Eternal City, coming in specifically to honor the late pontiff. I think were going to try and see a couple of people who are important to what we do, the president said without getting specific. After the official arrival at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, the first couple headed toward the ambassadors residence, Villa Taverna, where theyll be spending the night. There the president will take photos with members of the military before getting some sleep. The Trumps are scheduled to fly back to the United States as soon as the funeral is over. The president described Pope Francis as a good man. He loved the world actually. He was just a good man. I met him twice. I thought he was a fantastic kind of a guy. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One at Fiumicino Airport, to attend the funeral of Pope Francis Then-President Joe Biden meets with Pope Francis in 2021 The Trumps will join a range of political and cultural figures at the Vatican on Saturday, including Prince William, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spains King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, and Javier Milei, the conservative President of Pope Francis native Argentina. Delegations from about 130 countries, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs, will attend the state funeral. But the president could find himself seated toward the back of the Basilica for the Catholic mass. The Vatican has strict protocols and seating order, which was heavily enforced when Pope John Paul II was buried. Catholic royalty, such as the Spanish King, get the first row. Next come non-Catholic royals such as the Prince of Wales, who will attend the funeral on behalf of King Charles III, along with the King and Queen of Sweden and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Norway. After them will be Trump and other world leaders. The leaders will be seated alphabetically, according to the name of their country in French as that was the traditional language of diplomacy when the protocols were made. The president, dressed casually Friday for the eight-hour flight with his tie off and shirt unbuttoned, told reporters on Air Force One he was attending the service partially because he won Catholic voters in the 2024 election. Trump won Catholics by more than 120,000 votes when he faced former Vice President Kamala Harris. It was Trumps anti-abortion policies and his appointment of conservative judges onto the Supreme Court who ultimately overturned Roe vs. Wade that put the voting bloc in his corner. In 2020, the Catholic vote was evenly split between Trump and Biden, who was the first Catholic president since John F. Kennedy. Trump himself identifies as a non-denominational Christian. First lady Melania Trump is Catholic. The Trumps met Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican in 2017 during the presidents first term. At the time, Melania described it as an experience she would never forget. She brought a pair of rosary beads for the pontiff to bless. Melania Trump in the Beast after the Trumps arrive in Rome President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hold hands after arrival in Italy She is the first Catholic first lady in the White House since Jacqueline Kennedy. But most may remember that meeting because of a cute moment involving the pontiff and the first lady, when the pontiff asked her what she feeds the president. Pizza? the first lady was heard answering. But it may have been a lost in translation moment as some think the first lady said potica, which is a traditional sweet nut roll pastry from Eastern Europe. President Trump and Pope Francis also had their differences. In 2015, Trump said Francis was too political, and the pontiff later suggested Trump wasn't Christian over his "build a wall" rhetoric. Trump, responded that for a religious leader to question a persons faith is disgraceful. The trip to Rome marks Trumps first foreign trip of his second term. He is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia next month. It's a well known saying that if you don't succeed try again and in the case of King George VI and his pursuit of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon the merits of perseverance are clear to see. As it took the Duke of York, then known as Prince Albert or 'Bertie', three marriage proposals before the young Scottish aristocrat finally said 'yes'. Elizabeth was uneasy about marrying the prince due to her uncertainty about living a life centre stage as part of the Royal Family. But by marrying the spare rather than the heir, she might have assumed the couple could avoid the spotlight more easily. However, history had other ideas. On Saturday, it is the 102nd wedding anniversary of when a young Elizabeth and Prince Albert said 'I do' and emerged from Westminster Abbey as the new Duke and Duchess of York. It was a matrimony which broke a lot of conventions. Elizabeth - while still a member of aristocracy - was not what the Windsors would have considered marriage material at a time when British princes traditionally married princesses from continental Europe. But the wedding was allowed to go ahead in the spirit of political modernisation and because the then-Prince Albert was only the spare. Prince Albert, the Duke of York and future King George VI, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on their wedding day on April 26, 1923 The Duke and Duchess of York leave Buckingham Palace for their honeymoon It was filmed on silent newsreel which gives a glimpse into the day of the wedding. In the footage the newly married couple can be seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace The soon-to-be princess then took the 1,800 guests at Westminster Abbey by surprise when she unexpectedly laid her bouquet at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in a tribute to her brother, Fergus, who died in the First World War. Her dress was very much in the fashion of the 1920s, made from silk and embroidered with pearls and beads. Dress-maker Elizabeth Handley-Seymour, designed the piece, which boasted a train from both the waist and shoulders. Over her face Elizabeth wore Queen Mary's lace veil and, like Queen Victoria, she wore a coronet of orange blossom instead of her tiara. In keeping with the theme of modernity, the newly formed BBC asked for permission to broadcast the ceremony over the radio. However, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Randall Davidson, objected to the proposal out of concern that 'men might listen to it in public houses'. It was, however, filmed on silent newsreel which gives a glimpse into the day of the wedding. In the footage, Elizabeth can be seen leaving Bruton Street, in Mayfair, on her way to the Abbey and getting into a horse-drawn carriage. Lady Elizabeth with her parents the Earl and Countess of Strathmore (left) and the Duke of York's parents King George V and Queen Mary (right) The Daily Mail's coverage of the wedding included photographs of the bridesmaids and other leading figures at the ceremony Elizabeth's dress was very much in the fashion of the 1920s made from silk and embroidered with pearls and beads, which was designed by Elizabeth Handley-Seymour Later on, the newly married couple can be seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace - surrounded by the Royal Family - as they wave to their well-wishers. The Duke did not at this moment expect to inherit the Crown and so his wedding was more low-key than if he had been heir to the throne. Even so, royals from around Europe gathered for the event. Among them were King Alfonso XIII and Queen Ena of Spain, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway and Queen Marie of Romania. For their honeymoon, the couple travelled to Polesden Lacey manor house in Surrey. The future King and Queen's journey down the aisle was far from a straightforward. When George first proposed to Elizabeth in 1921, she turned him down due to her misgivings about royal life. In response, Elizabeth told him afterwards in a letter: 'It makes me so miserable to think of it - you have been so very nice about it all - please do forgive me.' The couple exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey before 1,800 guests. Above: The Duke and Duchess of York standing side-by-side before the Archbishop of Canterbury Randall Davidson A postcard celebrating the wedding of Prince Albert, later King George VI, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon His second proposal came in March, but again he was rebuffed. Telling him he was one of her 'best & most faithful friends', she said she was 'so terribly sorry about what happened yesterday'. The Duke was now in despair, fearful that the only woman he wanted to marry may never agree. However, the pair continued seeing each other, including at successive shooting weekends at Glamis and Elizabeth's English family home, St Paul's Walden Bury in Hertfordshire. Friends and acquaintances were now aware that the Prince was in love with Elizabeth. In January 1922, he took her to dinner and again proposed, having told his friend the Duchess of Devonshire that it would be 'the last time' that he would do so. This time, she said she needed time to think about it. It was during another shooting weekend at St Paul's Walden Bury that she finally said yes. The then-Duke and Duchess of York in 1931 at Royal Ascot. By 1930 they had two daughters, Princess Margaret, born that year, and Princess Elizabeth, born in 1926 Elizabeth and George with a young Princess Elizabeth in 1927, less than a decade later the Duke and Duchess of York then became King George VI and and Queen Elizabeth and their daughters became heir and spare Writing to a friend, she said: 'I feel terrified now that I've done it - in fact no one is more surprised than me.' On the day that news of their engagement appeared in the Press, a member of the household at St Paul's told the Daily Mail: 'The engagement was a great surprise to everybody here. 'It was pretty well known that the Duke was very, very fond of Lady Elizabeth, but as to her feelings towards him little was known. 'Last weekend, though, after the proposal, she was all smiles and it was easy to see that she was very happy indeed. 'Everybody in the neighbourhood is tremendously glad, for Lady Elizabeth is such a sweet girl and everybody loves her.' By 1930 they had two daughters, Princess Margaret, born that year, and Princess Elizabeth, born in 1926. They had largely settled into life as the spare, assuming the Crown would never be placed atop of the duke's head. But destiny had other plans when, following King George V's death, King Edward VIII's desire to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson sparked the biggest constitutional crisis in centuries. Bertie found himself thrust on to the throne when Edward abdicated for the union. The Duke and Duchess of York then became King George VI and and Queen Elizabeth and their daughters became heir and spare. George VI and the Queen on their honeymoon. Integral to the success of the King's reign was the deep bond he shared with his wife King George's reign was one that saw the brutal upheaval of the Second World War - and by his side throughout was Elizabeth. At the outbreak of war in 1939, there were suggestions that the Queen and her daughters could be evacuated to Canada. But a defiant Elizabeth shut this rumour down by saying: 'The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave.' The Royal Family therefore lived through the Blitz alongside the rest of London. After the war, the King and Queen faced the challenge of uplifting a population that had been battered and bruised. While King Edward had been regarded by figures such as Archbishop of Canterbury Cosmo Gordon Lang as desperately unsuited to be King - which he demonstrated during his eight tumultuous months on the throne - George emerged as a successful and much-loved monarch. Integral to this success was the deep bond he shared with his wife, a woman who became a loyal lieutenant to her daughter when she inherited the throne after George's death in 1952. Despite the sadness of his loss aged 56, the Queen Mother would commit herself to royal duties for much of the rest of her own life - demonstrating how the initial doubts she had about entering royal service were misplaced. The King and Queen will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales as they lead the nation in marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. From a Buckingham Palace balcony fly-past to hosting a tea party for veterans and members of the Second World War generation, the Royal Family will be front and centre of the country's commemorations for Victory in Europe. The organised events are all the more poignant as there are so few servicemen and women left. On Monday, May 5, the four senior royals, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke of Kent, will be joined by Sir Keir Starmer on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, alongside veterans from the Royal British Legion, to observe military units processing down The Mall. Members of the public will be able watch the procession of more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces, uniformed services and young people, which will start when Big Ben strikes noon, as an actor recites extracts from Winston Churchill's famous VE Day speech. The Royal Family will then return to Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past from the balcony. It is hoped but not yet confirmed they will be joined by the Waleses' three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Royal Family will be front and centre of the country's commemorations for Victory in Europe. Pictured: London's Bond Street decorated with Union flags for the 80th anniversary of VE Day this year The King and Queen will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales as they lead the nation in marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Pictured: The King and Queen at the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral earlier this month It is hoped but not yet confirmed the Royal Family will be joined by the Waleses' three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Pictured: The Prince and Princess of Wales at the annual Commonwealth Day Service last month Later in the day the King, as patron of the Royal British Legion, and Queen will host a tea party for around 50 veterans and people who lived through the war, including British and Commonwealth Armed Forces, Wrens, members of the Special Operations Executive and those who contributed to the war effort on the home front. On May 6 Queen Camilla will view a stunning new display of 30,000 ceremonial poppies at the Tower of London resembling a wound to reflect the sacrifices made during the war and on May 8 the entire family will reunite again for a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. King Charles will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, followed by the Prince of Wales. Queen Camilla will lead other royals in laying flowers at the Innocent Victims' Memorial outside the Abbey's Westminster Door. Later that evening the King and Queen will attend a live celebratory concert from Horse Guards Parade, presented by Zoe Ball. Mark Atkinson, director general of the Royal British Legion, said: 'The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a special moment for the country and the Royal British Legion is incredibly proud to put Second World War veterans at the heart of the commemorations.' Princeton University student Lauren Blackburn was found dead at Lake Carnegie on the morning of April 25, according to an email sent by Regan Crotty, Dean of Undergraduate Students. Blackburn had been missing since April 19, last seen near Firestone Library. A search effort intensified earlier this week after a phone believed to belong to Blackburn was detected near the lake, prompting water rescue teams to begin a targeted search late Monday night. Blackburn was an English major and a member of New College West. He was recently awarded the 2024 Sam Hutton Fund for the Arts and graduated from a high school in Indiana, according to local media reports. In response to the news, a gathering will be held at 5 p.m. at the New College West Head of College House. Support staff from the Office of Religious Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, and residential life teams will be available to offer assistance to students and community members. Blackburn's death marks the third undergraduate death at Princeton in the past two years, and the seventh since 2021. Previous deaths have been ruled suicides, though Crotty's message did not specify a cause of death in Blackburn's case. Prince Harry was so fed up with playing second fiddle to his brother Prince William, that he titled his bombshell memoir Spare. But the Mail's Royal experts have questioned if history is now repeating itself in his marriage to Meghan Markle. The American actress, 43, wore a 4,000 Ralph Lauren suit as she delivered a rousing speech about the 'Power of Flower Sprinkles' at the Time 100 summit on Wednesday. Rather than taking to the stage alongside her, the Duke of Sussex, 40, was seen chaperoning his wife to and from the venue in New York, as well as supporting her from the audience. 'There's a really interesting video doing the rounds on social media which shows their car pulling up to the event venue,' the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English said on the latest episode of Palace Confidential. 'Meghan is on the side nearest to the photographers who I assume are paparazzi or news photographers or videographers, and Harry is on the far side of the car,' she continued. 'He comes round and tries to chivalrously put his hand on her arm and she literally swerves him and goes to greet the person they are meeting with a big bear hug. 'The word spare part came to my mind. Why is he there and what is he doing?' Describing Harry at the Time 100 Summit, Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor, said: 'The word spare part came to my mind' Rebecca English (centre) is joined on Palace Confidential by host Jo Elvin (right) and the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden (left) Rebecca, who recently accompanied King Charles and Camilla on their state visit to Italy, is joined on this week's episode of the hit YouTube show alongside host Jo Elvin and the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden. 'The event is about [Meghan],' Richard explained. 'She is the one onstage speaking.' 'But is that a bit of a sting as well though?' Jo questioned before bringing up the couple's front cover for Time Magazine in September 2021. Following their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry and Meghan were both named in the magazine's list of the top 100 most influential people. At the time, the striking cover sparked endless memes on social media, with one critic suggesting that Harry looked more like Meghan's hairdresser explaining what he did with her layers than her husband. However, this year, the Sussexes have not been featured on any of the five worldwide covers for the most influential people list. Notably, they did not even break into the top 100 names. Speaking on Palace Confidential, Jo points out that it was just Meghan who took to the stage on Wednesday evening - despite both of them being named as the top 100 most influential people in 2021. 'I think it is a fair point to make,' Rebecca replied. 'It does make you wonder what [Harry] is doing with his life to counterbalance that out in America.' Meghan Markle arrives at the Time 100 Summit in New York City with Prince Harry Prince Harry chaperoned his wife from their private car as she arrived at the prestigious venue After Meghan's appearance at the event, the couple left via a side door, flanked by security 'This year was very much going to be Meghan's year with her podcasts and her TV series,' Richard added. 'I think we are always going to have this situation.' In what was described by the Sussex website as a 'dynamic conversation' with TIME Magazine CEO Jessica Sibley, the Duchess said it had been an 'incredibly busy' time recently as she launched her Netflix show, new podcast and lifestyle brand As Ever - but being a mother gave her 'perspective'. The Duchess said of her new ventures: 'I think as a working mom, and again, these are three projects that we're all launching really at the same time. 'The behind the scenes for the past year and a half have been incredibly busy and ambitious.' Meghan added that Archie is set lose 'his first tooth this week' and that she hoped they would be 'back home in time for it'. 'Frankly, being a parent gives you the most illuminating perspective, because what is seemingly so big, somehow becomes so microscopic in importance compared to what's happening with your children,' she said. The ex-actress, who rose to fame on the legal drama Suits, was also keen to talk about 'flower sprinkles' - a product associated with her lifestyle brand As Ever. 'They are tiny little flower petals that are dried. I started putting them on salads, I started putting them on scrambled eggs,' she said. Meghan has a 'dynamic conversation' with TIME Magazine CEO Jessica Sibley The Duchess opened up about how she has been 'incredibly busy' in recent months with new projects including her Netflix series, podcast and lifestyle brand Meghan appeared on stage during the Time 100 Summit in New York yesterday Richard revealed he found Meghan's flower sprinkles 'irritating' The Duchess urged the audience to take flower sprinkles really as an analogy' for the small ways you can 'add a little splash of magic' to everyday life. Despite Meghan's rather contagious enthusiasm for flower sprinkles, Richard was not convinced. 'I just think they are irritating, aren't they?' he said on the latest episode of Palace Confidential. 'Here's, you know, an omelette. I'm going to throw a load of dried flowers on top. Big deal. 'Why don't you make a tasty omelette, instead? Sorry, you're starting to wind me up now.' Laughing along, Rebecca said: 'She puts them on everything from scrambled eggs to a yogurt parfait. 'I was thinking: "I would just be lucky if I get my family with a little bit of cereal down them and out the door in the morning, let alone sprinkle it with flowers."' For more fascinating (and hilarious) insights from the Mail's team of unrivalled royal experts, watch the latest episode of Palace Confidential in full now and subscribe to the Daily Mail Royals YouTube channel. Princess Anne has suffered a 'bruised leg' following an 'incident' at her Gatcombe Park Estate, ten months after she was hospitalised with concussion following a serious accident there. The King's sister was seen hobbling and in pain when she accompanied him to church on Easter Sunday, and was leaning heavily on an umbrella. Social media commentators also pointed out that she appeared not to wait in order exchange pleasantries with the Dean of Windsor following the service. Instead she squeezed past the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who were busy chatting to the cleric, and walked gingerly straight to her car, placing her umbrella in first. Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, did stop for a few pleasantries, however. While mystery has surrounded her condition, The Mail can now reveal that the 74-year old princess was, in fact, suffering from 'a bit of a bruised leg'. It is understood that the nasty injury was result of an incident at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire a few days previously. No further details of what happened are known. She is not believed to have required medical treatment, however. Princess Anne suffered a 'bruised leg' following an 'incident' at her Gatcombe Park Estate (above), ten months after she was hospitalised with concussion following a serious accident there At one point the Princess Royal appeared to be using an umbrella as a walking shift to help as she hobbled out The King's sister was later assisted as she got into a Land Rover to be driven away A source said: 'As ever, she just keeps going without fuss or fanfare.' Indeed the princess, who turns 75 this summer, has stoically been in Turkey this week on behalf of the King attending commemorations of the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign. On Thursday she attended several multi-national services to mark the event and, as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, visited the grave of a deceased soldier. Today she also attended a dawn memorial service at Anzac Cove and conducted audiences with the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Governor-General of Australia, as well as attending two further memorial services. Her dedication to duty, so reminiscent of her late parents, will undoubtedly be praised. Indeed, Anne is regularly known as the hardest-working member of the Royal Family. But the incident does, once again, highlight the significant number of older working royals, most of whom are in their seventies and eighties. However the Princess Royal has always insisted that 'retirement isn't an option'. Princess Anne suffered a 'bruised leg' following an 'incident' at her Gatcombe Park Estate (above), ten months after she was hospitalised with concussion following a serious accident there On Thursday she attended several multi-national services to mark the event and, as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, visited the grave of a deceased soldier (above) Today she also attended a dawn memorial service at Anzac Cove (above) and conducted audiences with the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Governor-General of Australia, as well as attending two further memorial services The Princess Royal is known as the hardest-working member of the Royal Family and has always insisted that 'retirement isn't an option' In February she returned to the intensive care unit where she was treated for head injuries last year to 'fill in the blanks' following last year's accident and thank medics for her care. She spent five nights at Southmead Hospital in Bristol following the mystery incident at her Gloucestershire estate on June 23. According to the Princess, she had set out alone in the evening on foot to feed her chickens - but has no recollections 'whatsoever' of what happened next. Medics believe, however, her injures - which also included clear bruising on her face and head - were consistent with being struck by a horse's hoof or head. An air ambulance was scrambled to the estate but after being assessed she was taken to hospital by road. At the time Buckingham Palace said she was admitted as a 'precautionary measure for observation' but it later emerged that she had been in intensive acre. When she visited the hospital the princess told hospital staff that it was 'useful' to meet them as she was still unable to recall what happened. 'You have been filling in the blanks, which partly, from my perspective is really useful to know how it happened, because I seriously don't have any idea, and sadly, I don't have huge memories of being in here either, ' she said. She spent five nights at Southmead Hospital (above) in Bristol following the mystery incident at her Gloucestershire estate on June 23 According to the Princess, she had set out alone in the evening on foot to feed her chickens - but has no recollections 'whatsoever' of what happened next Medics believe, however, her injures - which also included clear bruising on her face and head - were consistent with being struck by a horse's hoof or head 'But I'm l also grateful in a weird sort of way that I remember nothing, because that has huge advantages - you can just carry on.' Hinting strongly at the seriousness of the accident and her concussion which the Mail understands left King Charles 'deeply worried' she also said in an interview: 'You're jolly lucky... if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis and last summer I was very close to not being.' Asked if she had any memory of what happened, she admitted: 'No, nothing. I know where I thought I was going and that was to go to the chickens. 'No, nothing to do with horses. Seeing the chickens was my regular visit. I don't have any idea what I was doing in the field, because I never normally went that way.' She said with unusual seriousness: 'It just reminds you, shows you, you never quite know, something [happens] and you might not recover. Take each day as it comes, they say.' The princess confirmed there were no lasting injuries, but added: 'You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus, really.' The Mail understands the accident and her concussion left King Charles (above) 'deeply worried' Asked if she had any memory of what happened, she admitted: 'No, nothing. I know where I thought I was going and that was to go to the chickens Anne is a key member of the King's slimmed-down working monarchy and has stepped up amid his cancer diagnosis, taking on duties such as official investitures. She carried out her first public event in 1969 aged 18 when she opened an educational and training centre in Shropshire. And last year she undertook 474 engagements, once more making her the hardest-working royal. She says retirement 'really isn't an option' for members of the Royal Family. The number of major metro areas in the US that are seeing home prices fall has nearly doubled since January this year. Among the 300 largest housing markets in the country, 60 have been dropping in price on a year-over-year basis, according to one study. In January, 31 were falling. Between March 2024 and March 2025, home prices across the country as a whole rose by 1.2 percent, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. That's much slower than the 4.6 percent year-over-year increase last spring. Scroll down for the full list of the 60 areas where prices have fallen the most. In Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana, inventory has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels, so house prices are falling, according to a ResiClub analysis. But in regions with tight inventory, like much of the Northeast and Midwest, prices continue to rise. The price declines are the biggest in Punta Gorda, FL (down 9.85 percent), followed by Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL (down 8.02 percent), North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL (down 7.59 percent), Naples-Marco Island, FL (6.76 percent), Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX (down 4.56 percent) and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL (down 4.5 percent). Orlando has seen home prices slashed amid economic uncertainty in the US Jacksonville, FL, is one of the markets where prices have been dropping on a regular basis ResiClub's Lance Lambert did the study Homebuyers are gaining leverage in Sun Belt regions like the Gulf Coast and Mountain West. During the pandemic housing boom, these areas saw major price surges. But as pandemic migration slowed down and mortgage rates skyrocketed, cities like Tampa and Austin were forced to lower prices. The surplus of new homes in the Sun Belt is also forcing builders to lower prices and offer incentives. If weaker markets like Tampa continue to list an abundance of homes, it will potentially create even more opportunities for homebuyers looking for a deal. Overall, home 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. Your browser does not support iframes. Prices in Tampa, FL, are being slashed as a surplus of homes come on the market New Orleans is among the cities where inventory has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and is experiencing a modest home price correction Jacksonville FL, is one of the markets where sellers are dropping prices on homes Scottsdale, AZ, has made the list of major metro areas where home prices have been dropping 'A lot of buyers, especially first-timers, are backing off because they're nervous about a potential recession,' Redfin agent Venus Martinez explained to the Daily Mail. '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.' And inventory is continuing to rise. New listings are up more than 11 percent from a year ago, Redfin reports. In 2024, experts correctly predicted that prices would drop in many of the areas which are now seeing values fall. Former hotspots such as Fort Worth, Texas, and Tampa, Florida, were starting to see prices being lowered last year. Austin, Texas and Cape Coral, Florida saw the biggest drops in prices in 2024, with other Florida hotspots such as Lakeland, Tampa and Crestview also experiencing a real-estate downturn as residents tried to sell off their condos at a massive discount. The trend will continue into late 2025, ResiClub reports. Due to the overall excess of homes and fewer buyers biting because of the US economy, sellers will be increasingly forced to slash their prices for the foreseeable future. Since the release of Jaws in 1975, many people have been absolutely terrified of sharks. Now, scientists have worked out the main reason behind some of their attacks. And their discovery could prove valuable advice for anyone thinking of getting in the sea. Despite their fearsome reputation, there are only around 100 shark bites per year - roughly 10 per cent of which are fatal. Sharks may bite for a multitude of reasons, ranging from competition and territorialism to predation. Now, an international team of researchers found that there might be an additional, little-discussed motivator causing sharks to bite. It might sound unlikely, but the animals may also bite due to self-defence, experts say. So, while it might sound obvious, if you want to avoid a shark attack, simply leave sharks alone - even if they look like they're in distress. Since the release of Jaws in 1975, a lot of people have been absolutely terrified of sharks. But now, scientists have worked out the main reason behind some of their attacks Dr Eric Clua, a shark specialist and researcher at Universite PSL, said: 'We show that defensive bites by sharks on humans a reaction to initial human aggression are a reality and that the animal should not be considered responsible or at fault when they occur. 'These bites are simply a manifestation of survival instinct, and the responsibility for the incident needs to be reversed.' He said that self-defense bites are in response to human action that is, or perceived to be, aggressive. This can include during obvious activities such as spear fishing but a human merely intruding their space could be enough. 'Do not interact physically with a shark, even if it appears harmless or is in distress,' Dr Clua said. 'It may at any moment consider this to be an aggression and react accordingly. 'These are potentially dangerous animals, and not touching them is not only wise, but also a sign of the respect we owe them.' Some species of coastal shark, such as the grey reef shark, are both particularly territorial and bold enough to come into contact with humans. This graphic, provided by the researchers, explains how self-defence shark bites on humans usually meet three criteria Shark fins are pictured as they swim the Mediterranean sea waters off the coast of Hadera in central Israel on April 22, 2025. Remains have been found after a man went missing following a suspected shark attack How to avoid a shark attack The best way to avoid being bitten is to steer clear of any activity that could be considered an aggression. This includes trying to help stranded sharks, as attempts to help will not necessarily be perceived as such. 'Do not interact physically with a shark, even if it appears harmless or is in distress. It may at any moment consider this to be an aggression and react accordingly,' Dr Clua cautioned. 'These are potentially dangerous animals, and not touching them is not only wise, but also a sign of the respect we owe them.' Advertisement When sharks strike in self-defence, they might use disproportionate force and may deliver greater harm than is threatened, he explained. 'We need to consider the not very intuitive idea that sharks are very cautious towards humans and are generally afraid of them,' he said. 'The sharks' disproportionate reaction probably is the immediate mobilization of their survival instinct. 'It is highly improbable that they would integrate revenge into their behaviour and remain above all pragmatic about their survival.' His research has focused on shark bites in French Polynesia, where they have been recorded since the early 1940s. Records including reliable information about bite motivation, however, begin later. Between 2009 and 2023, 74 bites were documented, four of them likely motivated by self-defense, which may trigger 3 to 5 per cent of all shark bites. They said their findings might be transferable to shark bites in the rest of the world. Thanks to the film Jaws, most people view sharks as terrifying beasts. But while only 47 people were bitten last year, tens of millions of sharks were killed by humans Your browser does not support iframes. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science. Figures show that in 2024, just 47 people were hurt in unprovoked shark attacks the lowest level in almost 30 years. This included four deaths, during a year experts deemed 'an exceptionally calm year for shark bites'. The majority of these bites happened in the USA, with 28 attacks recorded across six states. Half of the country's shark attacks happened in Florida, where the long coastline and warm water make it more likely people and sharks will come into contact. Elsewhere, Australia recorded nine shark bites, while 10 other territories recorded one bite each. Meanwhile, in the average year, humans kill tens of millions of sharks. Commenting on the figures at the time Dr Diego Vaz, Senior Curator of Fishes at the Natural History Museum, said: 'Millions of sharks are killed each year, from newborns through to fully grown adults, and we're also destroying their environment. 'In comparison, 47 people being bitten seems so small, especially across so many kilometres of beach around the world. 'We need to remind ourselves that we're entering their environment as visitors, and so we need accept the risks that brings and take precautions where needed. 'Sharks have been on Earth for over 400 million years, much longer than humans, so we're the ones who are invading their space.' A California woman has sparked outrage across the internet after rejecting her 'dream' job with NASA due to 'the current administration.' Daniela Lucas, 26, a PhD student in bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego, recently shared a TikTok video in which she shows herself declining an internship offer with the space agency's Human Health and Performance program. In the 19-second clip, Lucas dramatically runs her hands over her face, as if struggling with the decision, while melancholy music plays in the background. She recorded the moment as she opened the acceptance letter, moved the cursor to 'Decline Offer' and then clicked 'Submit.' 'No one tells you how hard it is to reject an offer from your dream internship at NASA because of the current administration,' she shared in the video. Lucas also mentioned that she had spent years working toward landing an internship with the space agency, only to have to decline the opportunity. The PhD student has since blocked her TikTok account, but the video has made waves on X where people are shocked that Lucas would forgo an opportunity of a lifetime. 'This is just sad. I mean, it's good for NASA, obviously, but these young people are letting four years of a president they don't like limit them so much. It's heartbreaking. The Democrats have a lot to answer for,' one X user commented on the video. Daniela Lucas, 26, a PhD student in bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego, recently shared a TikTok video in which she shows herself declining an internship offer with the space agency's Human Health and Performance program NASA's internships are considered 'prestigious' with over 2,000 students applying for a spot each year. However, recent estimates have shown that there is only a five percent acceptance rate, according to Space Crew, a platform featuring jobs at top space companies. The program Lucas was accepted into focuses on humans living, working and thriving in space. 'Our mission is to lead the global spaceflight community in protecting astronaut health and ensuring human mission performance,' the program's website reads. While Lucas has blocked her social media, her student page on the UC San Diego website is still visible, the New York Post reported. It says she 'was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela,' and immigrated with her doctor father and family to Florida in 2015. DailyMail.com has reached out to Lucas for comment and has yet to receive a response. 'I was determined to make a positive impact to make my parents' immigration efforts worthwhile,' her biography reads. Lucas said she decided to reject the offer due to 'the current administration' NASA's internships are considered 'prestigious' with over 2,000 students applying for a spot each year. However, recent estimates have shown that there is only a five percent acceptance rate 'It all started with a full ride scholarship at a local community college, Miami Dade College.' Her dramatic decision has gone viral on X, where millions have viewed and commented on it. 'She's going to regret that. Opportunities like this don't come around often,' one user commented. Another added, 'If she let politics impact her decision to intern with NASA that much, then it's probably for the best. It means she might bring politics into the workplace.' 'I feel like NASA dodged an asteroid there,' one user joked. 'This has to be fake. No way someone is smart enough to land a NASA internship only to turn it down,' said another. 'But if it's realshe sure showed them! Or not.' 'Self-canceling. This is the final frontier of the woke,' a commenter wrote. Many users pointed out that Lucas would not have had to interact with President Donald Trump directly during the internship. While the Trump administration has proposed major budget cuts to NASA for fiscal year 2026including nearly a 50 percent reduction in its science programs the president also took notable actions in support of the agency during his first term. He reestablished the National Space Council in 2017 to coordinate U.S. space policy across federal agencies and the private sector. That same year, he signed the INSPIRE Women Act, encouraging NASA to promote STEM education and careers for women and girls. NASA also launched the Artemis program under Trump's direction, aiming to return Americans to the moon and land 'the first woman and the next man' by 2024. However, due to Trump's stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, references to 'the first woman' have since been removed from the public view about America's return to the moon. Any commuter knows the frustration of watching the train they've just run for already pulling away from the platform. But an incredible new version of the London Underground map promises to make missing the train a thing of the past. Created by engineer and writer Ben James, this live version of the iconic Tube map reveals the real-time location of every train in the capital. Curious travellers can watch their train move along the lines, and see the exact time it will pull into the station. Using open data from Transport for London, the map works out where each train is on its current route and reveals any blockages, delays, or traffic as it happens. Data-obsessed commuters can even zoom in to see the model number of any train and learn when it will reach its next few stops. On social media, commuters have hailed the revolutionary new Tube map as a game-changer for London transport. One enthusiastic commenter wrote on X: 'This kind of sign should be in every bus stop, station and airport!' Your browser does not support iframes. An engineer has created a new version of the London Underground Map which reveals the location of trains in real-time Unlike the real Transport for London (TFL) Tube map (pictured), this live version matches the real geography of the city of London On social media, commuters have been hailed the live tube map as a game-changer for their daily commute on the London Underground (stock image) To try the map out for yourself, all you need to do is click on the interactive map in this article. Selecting the map will reveal the sprawl of London's topography overlaid with colourful lines representing each of the different Tube lines. Within the lines, you will be able to see dark shapes representing the trains as they move between stations. If you want even more information, hover over any of the trains to pull up a more detailed description. This will reveal the train's serial number, origin, destination, expected time of arrival and even how much progress it has made towards its next stop. Zooming out reveals a fascinating overview of London's underground network stretching all the way from Chesham in the northwest to Upminster in the east. In this view, you can also see just how misleading the real London Underground map can be. Rather than connecting in a neat grid as Transport For London's (TfL) version would suggest, the real layout of the Tube is far more spread out. This incredible map allows users to watch live as trains travel from station to station along the underground lines Hovering over a train brings up a more detailed set of information, including the train's serial number and its estimated arrival time For anyone after more detailed information, the website also includes live departure boards for any station in London Likewise, looking from above it is also clear just how much the London Underground favours locations north of the river, with just a few solitary lines extending into the south. Yet the most fascinating part of this map might be revealed when you start to zoom in. Getting closer, the city's grid pops up into a near-perfect 3D representation of the city and some of its most famous landmarks. You can scroll over to Westminster to take a look at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament or even pan to Trafalgar Square and watch as trains pull into Charing Cross Station. Any Londoners using the map will also be able to waste plenty of time trying to find their own houses amid the 3D grid. Since Mr James published his creation earlier this month, transport fans have flocked to social media to share their enthusiasm. One keen commenter shared a screenshot of the live map, writing: 'It works! Live tracking my train on the district line. Super cool.' 'Simply brilliant', another added. Zooming in reveals a near-perfect 3D map of the city, complete with famous landmarks like the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament You can watch as trains pull into Charing Cross station by the 3D rendering of Trafalgar Square This is not the first alternative London Tube map. Last year a cartographer created a new version of the map using concentric circles and spokes, which the creator claims is easier to understand While one commenter joked: 'Don't do this to me! I need to focus at work... Love this!' Whether you live in London or not, the map is a truly fascinating and oddly relaxing way to explore the city's chaotic underground. But this isn't the first time that inspired commuters have produced their own takes on the famous Tube map. Last year, Dr Max Roberts, a cartographer based in Essex, created a 'concentric-circles-and-spokes' map. This version charted the stations across all 11 lines of the London Underground, as well as the Elizabeth Line, Croydon Tramlink, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Overground, Great Northern City Line, and Thameslink Services. The original London Underground map was drawn up almost 90 years ago by Harry Beck, an electrical draughtsman who based his map on the circuit drawings used in his day job, rather than focusing on geography. However, Dr Roberts complains that the modern version is 'in a very poor state' with too many lines and stations squeezed into a small space. His new version uses circles and spokes radiating from a central point to show the connections between the stations in a more organised way. A beauty therapist was left 'absolutely sick to the stomach' after discovering a suspected dead rodent embryo in her lettuce from Tesco. Georgia Rizzi was about to fix lunch with the romaine lettuce from Tesco Extra in Chichester, West Sussex, when she spotted something unusual. She said: 'I had no idea there was anything in there from outside the packaging and didn't notice when I broke a little bit from the top to give to my rabbit, Mochi. 'But when I took the lettuce out and opened it up the smell hit me first, and then I could see there was something between the leaves. 'At first I thought it was a tomato, as it looked red and squishy! 'But when I shook it into the sink, to my absolute horror a dead baby rat fell out.' Video taken by Georgia, 34, captures the stomach-churning moment the suspected animal is shaken loose from the veg, which was of Spanish origin. For Miss Rizzi, it was a close call. A beauty therapist was left 'absolutely sick to the stomach' after discovering a suspected dead rodent embryo in her lettuce from Tesco Georgia Rizzi was about to fix lunch with the romaine lettuce from Tesco Extra in Chichester, West Sussex, when she spotted something unusual She said: 'I had a friend and her 18-month-old daughter come for lunch, and I bought the lettuce to use as salad in a wrap. 'I felt absolutely sick to my stomach, the smell was overwhelming. 'And the thought that I not only nearly ate it myself, but nearly served it to my friend and her young child was horrifying. 'As silly as it may sound I just wanted to burst into tears.' Georgia, from Bosham, has now returned the lettuce to the store and been refunded. She said: 'I wouldn't want this or worse to happen to somebody else. 'At the very least I would like an apology from Tesco, assurances as to what they are doing about it, and to be honest I want to be compensated for the distress that it has caused.' She added: 'Always check your products it's so important to wash fresh fruit and veg!' Video taken by Georgia, 34, captures the stomach-churning moment the suspected animal is shaken loose from the veg, which was of Spanish origin The exact nature of the contaminant has yet to be confirmed, but Tesco has now launched an investigation The exact nature of the contaminant has yet to be confirmed, but Tesco has now launched an investigation. A spokesperson said: 'We are sorry to hear about this. 'We work closely with our suppliers to ensure there are robust quality procedures in place, and our lettuce is thoroughly checked throughout the growing, harvesting and packing process. 'We have spoken with the customer, provided a refund and our technical team is fully investigating the potential cause.' When it comes to bitter tastes, lemons, coffee, or even Brussels sprouts might spring to mind. But these foods pale in comparison to one substance, which has been dubbed the 'most bitter tasting thing ever'. According to experts from the Technical University of Munich, a mushroom called Amaropostia stiptica is officially the most bitter thing in the world. The mushroom is widespread in Britain - and despite being extremely bitter, it's not toxic. Also known as the bitter bracket fungus, this tree-growing mushroom is so unpleasant that scientists decided to investigate its molecular makeup. The researchers found three previously unknown bitter chemicals, one of which might be the most bitter substance ever discovered. Named oligoporin D, this chemical activates specialised bitter receptors in our mouths which also help detect natural poisons. This compound is so potent that you would be able to taste a single gram of the substance dissolved in 106 bathtubs of water. Scientists have discovered the most bitter tasting thing on Earth, and say it makes lemons or Brussels sprouts seem tame in comparison (stock image) Bitter is one of the five basic taste sensations, along with sweet, sour, salty, and savoury or 'umami'. The three chemicals extracted from the bitter bracket fungus were applied to lab-grown tasting cells. Each of the chemicals activates at least one of the 25 different bitter receptors known to science, with each compound producing reactions at different concentrations. The most potent of all, oligoporin D, was able to activate a bitter receptor called TAS2R46 at concentrations as low as 63 millionths of a gram per litre. Bitter - along with sweet, salty, sour, and savoury - is one of the five basic taste sensations. However, scientists still don't exactly understand why some things are bitter and why it tastes so bad to us. What makes the puzzle of bitterness especially strange is that the supposed bitter receptors aren't just found in our mouths. Researchers have found these 'taste' receptors in human stomachs, inside the colon, and even on the skin and they play different roles in all of these places. Scientists investigating the bitter bracket fungi (pictured) discovered three previously unknown bitter compounds, including one which might be the most bitter substance ever found Scientists used to think that our bitter detectors had evolved to spot substances that are poisonous - producing an unpleasant taste to encourage us not to eat things we shouldn't. For example, researchers from ShanghaiTech University recently discovered that the TAS2R46 receptor triggered by oligoporin D is also activated by the deadly poison strychnine. But researchers are now realising that there are just too many exceptions to the rule for this simple theory to make sense. Despite being one of the most bitter substances on the planet and being of no gastronomic interest, the bitter bracket fungus is not harmful to eat. The death cap mushroom, amanita phalloides, reportedly has a pleasant nutty flavour despite containing a lethal mixture of deadly toxins. In a statement, the authors point out: 'However, humans are not the primary predator of mushrooms; numerous other vertebrates and invertebrates consume them, and their receptors may be tuned to separate toxic from nontoxic mushrooms better.' Part of the problem stems from the fact that the bitter compounds in fungi are relatively understudied. Researchers working on the BitterDB database have found over 2,400 bitter molecules. The chemical oligoporin D (illustrated) is so bitter that you could taste a single gram of the chemical dissolved in 106 bathtubs worth of water What makes this discovery strange is that the bitter bracket mushroom is not actually harmful to humans. Whereas the death cap mushroom (pictured) is reportedly quite tasty despite being lethally toxic. This challenges the theory that our bitter receptors evolved to help avoid consuming poison However, the majority of these come either from flowering plants or synthetic human-made products. Meanwhile, bitter chemicals from animals, fungi, and bacteria are rarer in the database. On the scale of evolution, this means scientists are only looking at a comparatively 'new' set of chemicals. Flowering plants only emerged around 200 million years ago but bitter taste receptors are believed to have developed around 500 million years ago. This means looking at compounds derived from fungi like oligoporin D could be key to understanding our complex relationship with bitterness. Lead researcher Dr Maik Behrens, from the Technical University of Munich, says: 'Our results contribute to expanding our knowledge of the molecular diversity and mode of action of natural bitter compounds. 'In the long term, insights in this area could enable new applications in food and health research, for example in the development of sensorially appealing foods that positively influence digestion and satiety.' An estimated 90 per cent of iPhones are made in China, but this may be about to change. The tech giant is reportedly planning to shift production of all iPhones that are sold in the US to India, due to President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. Apple is making the switch from China to India as soon as next year, according to the Financial Times, citing people 'familiar with the matter'. Apple sells more than 220 million iPhones annually worldwide, of which around 60 million are sold in the US. Despite being famously marketed as a iconic American product that's 'designed in California', an estimated 90 per cent are made in China. However, China has been the target for the most aggressive of Mr Trumps new tariffs which adds a charge on goods imported from other countries. Already, around 10 to 15 per cent of iPhones are assembled in India, according to investment firm Evercore ISI, but now Apple wants to ramp this up. All 60 million of the estimated iPhones sold in the US will be made in India by the end of 2026, the Financial Times report claims. iPhones are mostly assembled in China - but ones sold in the US could be made in India starting from 2026, a report claims. Currently, the majority of iPhone handsets are manufactured in China, but the country has been the target for the most aggressive of Mr Trumps new tariffs 'The target would mean doubling the iPhone output in India, after almost two decades in which Apple spent heavily in China to create a world-beating production line that powered its rise into a $3tn tech giant,' it says. Mr Trump initially announced plans to impose tariffs of more than 100 per cent on imports from China. The administration has since offered an exemption for smartphones, although it has since said this is only temporary. The devices are still subject to a separate 20 per cent rate that applies to all imports from China. Experts have already warned the price of electronics generally, and not just Apple products, are likely to rise because of the new import taxes introduced on China, which remains a key manufacturing hub for many firms. 'We believe this is going to be an important move for Apple to be able to maintain its growth and momentum,' said Daniel Newman, chief executive at the Futurum Group research firm. 'We are seeing in real time how a company with these resources is moving at relative light speed to address the tariff risk.' The iPhone maker is set to report its latest financial results next week when the impact and response to the tariffs could be discussed. Apple's goal to source from India the entirety of the more than 60 million iPhones sold annually in the US by the end of 2026 (file photo) Analysts had previously warned that consumer goods such as iPhones could be among the hardest hit by Trump's broad tariffs. US iPhone prices might rise sharply due to Apple's heavy dependence on Chinese imports which could affect Apple's sales Higher prices could squeeze Apple's margins and give Android smartphone makers a competitive edge. Trumps tariff announcements already wiped $700 billion from Apples market value. MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment. READ MORE: Earthquake rocks iconic US city that sits on ancient fault line Texas has experienced a surge in seismic activity over the past few hours, with a swarm of quakes shaking the western part of the state. The latest tremor, a magnitude 3.3, hit at 8:43am ET, east of West Odessa near the New Mexico border. The US Geological Survey (USGS) detect another 3.1 magnitude around 4am ET in the same area, which followed a swarm of smaller quakes less than 2.5 magnitude. Seismic activity above 2.5 in magnitude can often be felt and cause minor damage. However, no damages or injuries have been reported following Friday's earthquakes. While West Texas has several fault lines, the earthquakes were likely caused by induced seismicityearthquakes triggered by human activities, particularly oil and gas operations. Those operations cause quakes mainly through wastewater injection, which increases underground pressure and lubricates faults, making them more likely to slip. Texas contributes 42 percent of the nation's crude oil, making it the largest producer in the US. This is a developing story... More updates to come. Texas has experienced multiple earthquakes since 12:30am ET. The latest tremor, a 3.3 magnitude, hit at 8:43am ET east of West Odessa, along the New Mexico border The state is also known for its extensive use of fracking, or the process of extracting oil and gas from deep underground by blasting large quantities of water, chemicals, and sand into rock formations to crack them open and release the fuels trapped inside. Fracking is not usually the direct cause of an earthquake, but the process of disposing wastewater produced through fracking that can trigger tremors. A 2022 study by the University of Texas at Austin concluded that 68 percent of Texas quakes above magnitude 1.5 were 'highly associated' with oil and gas production. Dr Alexandros Savvaidis recently explained how more drilling could end up leading to more seismic activity in the state. 'Deep injection wells, in particular, are linked to higher-magnitude earthquakes,' Dr Savvaidis told KMID. 'Whereas shallower injections seem to be less hazardous in terms of large seismic events.' The USGS detected Friday's quakes all in the same area, signaling they were likely triggered by fracking processes. 'The practice of deep injection of oil field wastewater, known as saltwater disposal, has the strongest tie to the increase in the rate of earthquakes and to the strongest earthquakes that have occurred in recent years,' said Peter Hennings, research professor at The University of Texas's Bureau of Economic Geology. However, it was not until 2015 did researchers first discover that the state's earthquakes were due to fracking. While West Texas has several fault lines, the earthquakes were likely caused by induced seismicityearthquakes triggered by human activities, particularly oil and gas operations Scientists from the Southern Methodist University looked at 84 days from November 2013 to January 2014, finding 27 magnitude 2 or greater earthquakes hit around Azle that is home to fracking practises. Matthew Hornbach, a Southern Methodist University geophysicist, said the timing and location of the quakes correlates better to the drilling and injection than any other possible reason. 'There appears to be little doubt about the conclusion that the earthquakes were in fact induced,' USGS seismologist Susan Hough, who wasn't part of the study team, said. 'There's almost an abundance of smoking guns in this case.' The strongest earthquake reported in Texas was the 6.0 magnitude quake with an epicenter in Valentine in Jeff Davis County on August 16, 1931. Newspapers reported shaking was felt as far east as Taylor, just north of Austin, and as far south as San Antonio. An alarming seven tremors shook the area that day, some lasting as long as 72 seconds. The series of quakes started early morning and continued to the early afternoon. West Texas was hit by a 5.0 magnitude earthquake this past February, near the border of Culberson and Reeves counties. The USGS reported about 950,000 people felt weak to light shaking. An alleged North Korean ballistic missile launched by Russia during its large-scale assault on Ukraine on April 24 contained at least 116 components sourced from multiple countries, most of them manufactured by U.S. companies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday. The attack, one of the most intense in recent months, involved 215 missiles and drones fired across Ukraine, with many striking Kyiv. At least 12 civilians were killed and 87 injured during the assault. In a message posted on Telegram, Zelensky directly called out both Russia and North Korea, urging the international community to step up enforcement measures. "The lack of sufficient pressure on Russia allows them to import such missiles and other weapons and to use them here, in Europe. The lack of sufficient pressure on North Korea and its accomplices enables, in particular, the production of such ballistic missiles," he said. Zelensky also emphasized the global nature of modern warfare, warning that international conflicts can quickly entangle multiple players. "Any war can quickly involve many different actors... That is why it is so important for defense to be based on collective efforts as well," Zelensky said. Ukraine has repeatedly urged for tougher sanctions on Moscow and its military partners, as well as faster delivery of Western air defense systems. The president reiterated Ukraine's gratitude to allied nations for their ongoing support. "Ukraine is grateful to everyone around the world who is helping us protect the lives of our people, supplying us with air defense systems and missiles for them," Zelensky added. The April 24 missile barrage occurred just hours after President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump condemned the strikes, describing them as "not necessary" and "very bad timing." He also made a direct appeal to Russian President Putin, writing, "Vladimir, Stop!" Although Trump voiced frustration with Russia's continued aggression, his administration has not introduced any new sanctions or punitive measures in response to the latest assault. Ukraine previously agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States in March. However, Russia has not accepted the terms and continues to advance its offensive operations. Alaska's Mount Spurr has experienced 66 earthquakes in the last week, signaling 'an elevated level of unrest.' The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) issued an update Friday, saying that the 11,000-foot-tall volcano has a lower level of erupting than it reported earlier in the year, but warned the event is still possible. In March, AVO sounded the alarm that Mount Spurr could blow in the next few weeks, but ground deformation has slowed over the last month, and the shoreline along the crater has not lost ice as it would if magma were rising to the surface. 'The likelihood of an eruption has decreased from March, but the volcano remains at an elevated level of unrest and an explosive eruption (or eruptions) like those that occurred in 1953 and 1992 is still possible,' the AVO shared in the update. 'We would expect to see weeks or more of more elevated unrest that would provide advance warning of an eruption.' Mount Spurr is located about 78 miles from Anchorage, which is home to nearly 300,000 people who are preparing for the eruption. Locals have rushed to stock up on food and protective gear in the event the volcano blows without notice. If the eruption does happen, Mount Spurr would spew multiple plumes of ash rising as high as 50,000 feet into the air, Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the AVO at US Geological Survey (USGS) told DailyMail.com. Each ash-producing explosive episode would last three to four hours, and the resulting cloud could blanket the city of Anchorage and other nearby communities in a thick layer of dust. Officials said that when the eruption happens it will be similar to the event in 1992 (pictured) The eruption would also produce destructive mudslides and avalanches of volcanic debris racing down the volcano's side at over 200 miles per hour, 'but fortunately, there are not any communities in that radius that would be affected,' Haney said. While AVO said the likelihood of an eruption has decreased, the number of earthquakes has remained consistent throughout April. The seismic activity is due to magma rising to the surface, causing stress and cracking in the surrounding rock. AVO conducted two flights to the volcano this week, with one on April 23 that was unable to measure gas emission due to high winds. But the flight on Wednesday allowed the crew to check Mount Spurr, finding steam coming from vents near the summit and the crater lake. 'No significant surface changes were observed at Crater Peak,' the AVO said. 'Gas data from the flight are still being processed, but emission rates appear broadly similar to or slightly lower than those measured in March.' The updated also noted that sulfur dioxide emissions were detected in satellite data on April 19, 21 and 22. Sulfur dioxide is released from magma, which suggests the molten rock is still pushing toward the surface. Mount Spurr is located about 78 miles from Anchorage that is home to nearly 300,000 people preparing for the eruption Residents of Anchorage are now stocking up on protective gear, including TikToker Lia, who showed off how she and her family are preparing for the imminent eruption AVO noted that 'steaming from the summit continues to be visible in web camera images during periods of clear viewing conditions.' 'AVO continues to closely monitor activity at Mount Spurr for signals indicating the volcano is moving closer to an eruption using local seismic, infrasound, and GNSS (GPS) stations, web cameras, airborne and satellite gas measurements, regional infrasound, lightning networks, and satellite images,' the agency shared. While the likelihood of an eruption without additional warning is currently low, the volcano poses hazards for recreators on Mount Spurr. That is due to elevated carbon and sulfur dioxide levels in low-lying areas around or downwind of the gas vents, such as within the craters atop Crater Peak and Spurr summit. The AVO noted this is not present in local communities. The agency predicts the eruption will be similar to those in 1953 and 1992, which saw, 'one or more explosive events, each lasting as long as a few hours, would produce ash clouds carried downwind for hundreds of miles and minor (up to about inch) ashfall over southcentral Alaska.' Residents of Anchorage are now stocking up on protective gear, including TikToker Lia, who showed off how she and her family are preparing for the imminent eruption. 'Mount Spurr is about to erupt, and I want to make sure we are prepared because we have never gone through a volcanic eruption,' she said. She explained that the biggest concern is ash that will be blown from the explosion over the city, showing she purchased several respirators, goggles and air filters for her vehicle. Lia said she purchased swim goggles from Amazon, explaining that they needed to be tight around the head in order to keep the ash out. She also purchased a pair of goggles for her dog, which is what many Anchorage residents have done to protect their pups. Lia said her doors and windows 'seal up very nice nicely' so she did not purchase tape. However, other residents have stockpiled duct tape that they will place around window sills and door openings to protect against ashfall and other hazards. 'So now we just wait for it to erupt and see how it goes,' said Lia in the TikTok, explaining that experts are predicting about a quarter-inch of ash to blanket Anchorage. Anchorage locals have shared photos of their pups' protective gear on the Facebook page for a local pet shop, AK Bark, that is selling goggles and dog respirators Officials advised people to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside. Residents of Anchorage have not taken the warnings lightly and have purchases necessary gear for themselves and their dogs. 'We're getting ready for the volcanic eruption,' said TikTok user Angela ot'oydaatlno Gonzalez in a recent video, 'Check out the dogs.' Wearing a pair of goggles, she sits with her two dogs who are also sporting protective eyewear. 'They're not happy with the goggles,' Gonzalez says. 'We have to get them ear protection next, and something to cover their bodies.' She also shows all the items she has purchased over the last few weeks in preparation for a Mount Spurr eruption, including protective masks, dog booties and tape to close off any gaps in windows and doors and jugs of water. Anchorage residents Alliana Salanguit and Jesslin Wooliver told NPR that they bought protective gear for their dog, Iroh, as soon as scientists announced that Mount Spurr may erupt. 'I searched 'pink, dog goggles, small,' and it was the top result,' Salanguit said of Iroh's heart-shaped goggles. 'Aren't they darling?' AK Bark, an Anchorage pet store sells protective eyewear for dogs, and owner Mark Robokoff told NPR he sold more than 500 pairs in March. He added that a shipment dog respirators is also headed to the store, and he's already presold 1,800 of them. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more A popular Australian eye cream has wowed thousands of beauty fans all over the world with its impressive results, selling one bottle every 60 seconds. Before-and-after photos show the jaw-dropping results of My Perfect Eyes cream from The Perfect Cosmetics Co, with shoppers noticing a 'temporary eye lift' in less than a minute. Lasting up to eight hours, the potent eye cream has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and under-eye puffiness. The dermatologist-tested formula is said to be a go-to on film sets, where actors need a quick cosmetic refresh to achieve a more youthful appearance for flashback scenes. Shoppers looking to save are in luck as The Perfect Cosmetics Co has launched a massive 40 per cent off sale on everything, including the best-selling eye cream. With one bottle sold every minute globally and 500,000 units sold per year, My Perfect Eyes has racked up more than 1,100 five star reviews. Trustpilot has hundreds of reviews from customers who had seen the product in action on TV and were skeptical it truly was as good as it seemed, but were floored with the results when they tried it for themselves. 'I couldn't believe my eyes when I watched a TV demo of this product and admit I [was] highly skeptical. So I was over the moon when I got to use it myself,' one customer wrote. 'I swear it takes 15 years off me.' My Perfect Eyes has more than 1,100 five star reviews on Trustpilot with customers raving that they looks 'years younger' after trying the product Jaw-dropping before and after photos show a dramatic reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Many delighted customers report appearing years younger thanks to the dermatologist-tested formulation: 'Wonderful, I just couldn't believe how much younger I looked. Very very pleased. Thank you so much.' 'My family and friends have noticed a big difference in my confidence when I'm wearing My Perfect Eyes, it's my little secret and I don't necessarily want to share it, but I think I should, I think everyone should wear My Perfect Eyes.' Another added: 'Truly amazing product, at 82 I did not expect such a brilliant result, cheered me up no end.' The Australian skincare brand is offering 40 per cent off everything, including the eye cream One bottle of the potent eye cream sells every 60 seconds around the globe Brand founder Penny Lane revealed that the dermatologist-tested formulation has even been used on film sets in flashback scenes when actors need to appear as their younger selves In clinical trials by Ozderm, 100 per cent of participants reported an immediate reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while 96 per cent reported a dramatic reduction in puffiness*. The formulation has even been used on film sets to turn back the clock for actors in flashback scenes. The Perfect Cosmetics Co founder Penny Lane shared on social media that Australian actor David Wenham relied on the product to appear as a younger version of his character. To buy My Perfect Eyes cream from The Perfect Cosmetics Co, click here. *The clinical trial for My Perfect Eyes was conducted on 24 participants, aged between 39 and 71, by Ozderm Skin Testing and Dermatology Studies in NSW. Individual results may vary Humans can do good things as well as bad and good things are happening in Brazil's Pantanal. Both jaguars and hyacinth macaws are making a comeback and I have seen it with my own eyes. I stayed at Caiman, a lodge in the Pantanal where you find 81,000 square miles of wetland. The last guest who left without seeing a jaguar did so in 2020. This is because the lodge combines research into the life, behaviour and conservation of jaguars with tourism that helps to fund it. Bruno Sartori from Oncafari (onca being Portuguese for jaguar), a partner organisation with Caiman, said: 'It is my mission to make everybody who gets in this vehicle fall in love with at least one jaguar.' He soon found us two, by way of radio-tracking. He knows them, all by name: first came Surya, exhausted and breathing hard after knocking down a calf for breakfast and dragging it into the shade. As she lay there panting Dakari scrambled up behind her: a fubsy cub almost six months old, climbing enthusiastically on top of his mother to reach the calf. Manfully he tried to drag it a little further, but the task was a long way beyond him. He then tried to open up the carcass, but he lacked the skill and had to wait. Surya put a vast velveted paw on his head to tell: nice try. Jaguars are bulky animals, stocky, strong and imposing. The biggest jags of all live in the Pantanal. They are powerhouses,with the strongest bite of any cat in the world. They can chomp through the shells of turtles and feed on caimans, the (relatively) small crocodilians of the Pantanal. The Pantanal is a place for strong biters. Hyacinth macaws can open nuts that you would struggle to break with a hammer: the strongest bite of any bird in the world. They are the world's largest flying parrot. At one point, Maria Edouarda Monteiro hanging from a rope 20ft above my head calling down in a voice filled with joy: 'One beautiful chick is here!' And she lowered it down in a bucket: a half-formed hyacinth macaw. The chick was weighed and checked over. It was 69 days old, with another 40 or so to go before it spreads beautiful hyacinth-blue wings and flies. Simon stayed in Brazil's Pantanal, the world's biggest wetland area, measuring 81,000 square miles The Pantanal is home to the world's biggest jaguars, which Simon was lucky enough to see for himself Hyacinth macaws, which Simon also saw during his stay, can open nuts that you would struggle to break with a hammer: the strongest bite of any bird in the world. Photo credit: K. Ramalho This is another wildlife conservation initiative and another Caiman partner: the Hyacinth Macaw Project. One of the problems macaws face is the shortage of living accommodation: they nest in holes in mandivu trees and these are not always available. So the project and Maria have set up nestboxes all over land owned and managed by Caiman Lodge. Bruno and Maria mix cool science and warm passion: gathering information about the animals they study while giving them a better chance to survive. Guests at Caiman help to make all this possible: not a bad feeling as you savour the many comforts-- pool, sauna, gym, good food - of the lodge. The jaguar and the macaw take starring roles in an enthralling ecosystem: one you begin to learn the moment you arrive almost deafened by the sound of birds: the Chaco chachalaca and the great kiskadee. Then there were great crowds of sulphur butterflies, bright yellow as was the name suggests, gathering round puddles, and the superb ruddy daggerwing. In the Pantanal they like, Africa style, to claim a Big Five mammal species and I saw, well, all of them: jaguar, marsh deer, Brazilian tapir, giant anteater and capybara. Caiman Lodge is doing all it can to provide virtuous tourism: to show wonders to the traveller while safeguarding these wonders for future times that will be more troubled than our own. Here we can see and savour the right kind of love. Many people dream of seeing the world. But very few have seen quite as much as Luca Pferdmenges, a 23-year-old juggler and influencer, who has now officially visited every single country on the planet. The intrepid German traveller completed his impressive goal in Palau, an island nation in the Western Pacific Ocean, on April 24. MailOnline Travel caught up with Luca to find out which of the globe's 195 countries has the best food, which country he liked the least and where you should add to your bucket list. The juggler, who shot to fame after reaching the finals of a German talent show in 2016, explains that there are a few countries he'll definitely be returning to. Luca says: 'I keep going back to Latin America - I love Mexico and Colombia especially - they just have so much to offer, great people and amazing food. Tel Aviv in Israel is also one of my favourite places.' But there's are a few destinations he's far less likely to return to. 'My least favourite country would probably be Nauru [northeast of Australia],' reveals Luca. 'It's just a tiny island. You can drive around it in like half an hour and then you've seen it all. It's not got much to offer. Luca Pferdmenges, a 23-year-old juggler and influencer, who has now officially visited every single country on the planet. He's pictured in Palau, his last country MailOnline Travel caught up with Luca to find out which of the globe's 195 countries has the best food, which country he liked the least and where you should add to your bucket list 'There are no great beaches and there's just a phosphate mine in the centre. The people were very friendly, but it's not a place that excites me.' Egypt also failed to impress Luca, who says: 'I didn't really enjoy [it] too much. It has a lot of history which is fascinating for sure but there were places that were just too touristy for my liking. 'You go to Cairo and everyone is trying to sell you stuff and just use you as a money bag. You get similar experiences in a lot of those holiday destinations that are very touristy, such as Zanzibar in Tanzania.' He also 'lacks the drive' to return to the Maldives, explaining: 'They have some of the prettiest beaches in the world but at some point it's like "what else does it have?" And the answers are very slim.' Luca reveals that the other countries he's unlikely to return to are those that are 'very dangerous', such as Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Somalia and Sudan. He explains: 'I had a great time in Sudan with my guide. But they are tough places. They're the ones, where if I'm being honest, I'd say "Nah, I wouldn't want to go back".' And while Luca says that he 'never had a gun pointed at him' on his travels, his adventures haven't been without their hair-raising moments. The traveller was very close to a shooting in Afghanistan, witnessed a car jacking in Papua New Guinea and had a chain ripped from his neck in Argentina. Luca will keep travelling now he's reached goal. LEFT: He's pictured in Bhutan. RIGHT: Luca in Chad More recently, the social media influencer reveals that he was even arrested in Mali. Luca tells MailOnline: 'I was accused of taking a photo of a roundabout, which I didn't even do. 'I was on a motorbike taxi and I had some dust in my eye. I took out my phone to look at my eye and the guy came up to me, grabbed me tightly and took me and locked me in a room. 'And he wanted $150/112 to let me go which is a ridiculous amount for Mali. I decided to wait there until he let me go. Eventually I paid $20/15 and left. I don't like putting money into bribery but sometimes it's very hard to avoid.' While he's picked up more than three million followers on TikTok, Luca explains that he's also received a lot of negative social media comments for visiting some of the more controversial destinations on his list, such as Syria when it was under the Assad regime and North Korea. However, he claims that it's unfair to judge a country based on stereotypes, explaining: ''I never judge a country by its politics. There are millions of people living in a place and countries are not defined by their politics.' He reveals that he has met friendly people all over the world but says that Pakistan and Iran's residents stand out. 'Pakistan is really hospitable,' says Luca. 'Same with Iran. It's hard if you travel to those places to pay for a meal because everyone wants to invite you to their house.' 'I spent three weeks in Pakistan and I was invited for free meals in almost every restaurant.' LEFT: Luca didn't really enjoy Egypt, where he's pictured above. RIGHT: In Kiribati Luca visited North Korea (above) when it reopened its borders after Covid But the world's best food? That accolade goes to Ethiopia, says Luca, who is a vegan. He explains: 'It's just my absolute favourite. Injera is this amazing fluffy bread that's served with lots of different sauces. And the cuisine is very often vegan by default.' Mexico and the Middle East also receive top culinary marks from Luca. The adventurer says: 'Israel and Lebanon have amazing food. It's one of the reasons I love Tel Aviv so much.' As for the world's most underrated destinations, Luca recommends Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Myanmar which he describes as places that 'people normally don't think about visiting but have so much to offer'. Luca adds: 'I've been to Uzbekistan three times and I could go back and see so many things. If you go to the south of Kazakhstan, you'll find mountains just like the ones in Switzerland but it costs a tenth of the price. In Myanmar, the people are so amazing and so happy that you've come to their country.' El Salvador is also one of his top choices. Luca reveals: 'It's such a great place with friendly people and great food. They have pupasas, flatbreads filled with cheese, which are amazing and very tasty.' So what's next for the man who's seen everything? 'I will keep travelling,' says Luca. 'But it's a huge mission to try to tick off every country in the world. You really have to travel in a very structured way if you want to achieve that goal. 'I'm looking forward to just being able to choose the destinations where I want to go and travel to the places that actually excite me.' Want to see more of Luca's adventures? Follow him on Instagram (@thegermantravelguy) or TikTok (@thegermantravelguy). A travel influencer who has explored the world has urged holidaymakers to visit three 'hidden gem' destinations before they 'get too popular.' Tia, 26, from England, has visited 66 countries over three years since quitting a job in 2021 to travel full-time. From Oman, to Switzerland, to Singapore, the content creator has documented her global adventures in videos uploaded to Instagram, where shares budget travel hacks, hiking and travel recommendations and advice regarding local customs. In one video, posted to her account @teetravels_ on April 5, she highlighted three countries in Europe and Asia that are less-frequented by tourists, encouraging her followers to visit before they 'blow up' in popularity. Tia's first recommendation is Taiwan, which she described as one of the 'coolest' places she's visited. In the clip, she said: 'Compared to the other east Asian countries, you can experience the same things, and more, for a fraction of the price - and with way less crowds.' The globetrotter gushed over the island's 268 mountains, coastline, 'cool' and trendy cities, 'impressive' temples, 'insanely friendly' locals, 'amazing' architecture and 'some of the most underrated' nature spots. As well as sampling the delicious options at the endless number of night markets in Taipei, Tia also suggested tourists visit Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, CiEn Pagoda, Wenwu Temple, Yuanzui Mountain and Jiufen. Tia, 26, from England, has visited 66 countries over three years since quitting a job in 2021 to travel full-time Next up is Slovenia, a central European country the content creator described as a 'nature-lover's paradise.' She highlighted the nation's 'beautiful' lakes, gorges, waterfalls and mountains, while adding she was dazzled by the brilliance of the shade of bright blue water flowing in alpine rivers. Tia added: 'Ljubljana is such an underrated city with lovely colourful buildings and a great alfresco setting in summer.' She personally recommended visitors explore Lake Bled, Tomlin Gorge, Triglav National Park, Pericinik Watercall, Lake Jasna, Soca river and Velika Planina. Last, but not least, is the Maldives - which happens to be home to ultra-affordable, lesser-known islands where tourists can enjoy crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches for much less than its iconic luxury resorts. Tia said: 'People are realising that you can travel the Maldives on a budget visiting the local islands and this is a total game changer. 'I spent less than 35 a day on picture-perfect beaches. While tourism in the Maldives isn't new, budget travelling the local islands is booming.' She advised her followers to snorkel in Maalhos, surf in Thulsdhoo, and walk along the stunning beaches in Dhiffushi. Tia's first recommendation is Taiwan , which she described as one of the 'coolest' places she's visited Next up is Slovenia, a central European country the content creator described as a 'nature-lover's paradise' The Maldives happens to be home to ultra-affordable, lesser-known islands where tourists can enjoy crystal-clear waters and white-sand beaches for much less than at its iconic resorts In the comments, reactions were mixed among viewers, though many agreed with Tia that the three highlighted destinations were some of the best they had visited In the comments, reactions were mixed among viewers, though many agreed with Tia that the three highlighted destinations were some of the best they had visited. One person wrote, 'Taiwan was one of my favourite trips I'd go back in a heartbeat,' as another shared: 'The rivers in Slovenia really are so blue! Maldives is on my list.' A third wrote, 'I neeeeed to explore budget Maldives!' while another said, 'We went as a family to Slovenia in the summer and it was such an incredible place!' However, one person fumed: 'Of course they will, because you and other influencers are exposing them lol. All the hidden gems will be ruined.' Another said: 'Please stop influencing Taiwan. We dont want it becoming the next Japan.' Having saved up all year, Chantelle Thompson had been looking forward to a big family holiday to Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, due to fly on May 25, 2025. But the 40-year-old sales assistant, husband Alan, 48, and 12-year-old son Matthew were left distraught last night whenBalkan Holidays - the travel company they'd booked through - suddenly announced it was to cease trading with immediate effect. 'I'm pretty angry,' Chantelle, from Teeside, tells us. 'We only found when Balkan put a statement on Facebook. We've not heard anything from them. 'The holiday cost 1,700, and wed been saving up nearly a year for it. 'We dont know when our refund is going to come, and if we want to book another holiday, sorry, we dont have any money under the mattress. 'By the time we get our refund, theyll probably have put the prices up on flights too!' Balkan, which offered holidaymakers trips to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus, said it would aim to process refunds as fast as possible, working in order of departure date. Direct customers have been asked to contact the company directly to arrange refunds, but expectant travellers who booked trips via a third party have been told they will need to speak to their travel agent to get their money back. Chantelle Thompson, her husband Alan and son Matthew, 12, all pictured, have been left 'gutted' after their holiday to Bulgaria was cancelled amid Balkan Holidays collapsing Having booked through a travel agent, Chantelle contacted them first thing this morning - with Balkan having released the statement after her travel agent closed. 'Theyre as much in the dark as we are,' she says. 'They said, "We're shocked how this has happened. We werent expecting it." 'Theyre waiting for updates from head office.' Chantelle and her family were due to be flying from Teesside International Airport - just a 30-minute drive from where they live. She says: 'It was perfect because my husband works behind the airport as a warehouse operative, so we could leave the car at the airport, which would've saved us money on parking.' But alternative flights to and from Bulgaria on the same dates in May are very limited from there. She continues: 'Unfortunately we're going to have to fly from a different airport if I want the same dates. Ive checked online myself. 'We're going to have to go up to Newcastle, which I know is only an hour away, or go a couple of hours to Manchester or Leeds-Bradford. Balkan Holidays was launched nearly 60 years ago, and specialised in trips to Bulgaria (File image of Silistar beach in Bulgaria) 'My son's also going to have to miss one or two days of school with other flights, as they come back late, nearly midnight, so I can't get back and expect my son to get up and ready for school with only a few hours' sleep. 'The next flights are on Monday, and he'll get back on the Monday afternoon, so he's going to miss school either way. 'Hes got 100% attendance and he really doesnt want to miss school. 'We're all gutted, to be honest.' Balkan Holidays was launched nearly six decades ago, and specialised in trips to Bulgaria. It offered departures from 17 British airports, more than any other UK tour operator. At its peak, it served 130,000 people a year. But its numbers have dwindled in recent years, with it being licensed to carry just 27,817 Atol-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026. It said in a statement on its social media pages and website: 'We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th of April 2025, closed for business in the UK. It offered departures from 17 British airports, more than any other UK tour operator. At its peak, it served 130,000 people a year (File of Borsh beach) 'The company has not gone into liquidation, however all forward holiday bookings have been cancelled. 'All clients will be notified and refunded in full. 'May we kindly ask for patience as we process the refunds and appreciate your understanding. 'Thank you for your past business and please accept our most sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience.' Balkan Holidays have been contacted for comment. A female solo traveller has taken to TikTok to share three destinations she wouldn't recommend to tourists heading off on their first trip alone. And her suggestions might surprise you. Courtney (@shetravelledtheworld) explains at the start of the video that she has been to 71 countries. She reveals that although she loves the three places on the list with 'all my heart', she doesn't consider them to be good choices for solo travel. The Philippines Courtney says that she considers the Philippines to be 'the hardest Southeast Asian country to navigate'. Whereas travellers usually follow a 'particular route' in other parts of the region, making it 'easy to meet' other people, she says people tend to start and end their travels in the Philippines in 'very different places'. She says that this means that if you 'meet good people', you 'often don't really get an opportunity to travel with them because everyone's on a very different route'. A female solo traveller has taken to TikTok to share three destinations she wouldn't recommend to tourists heading off on their first trip alone Courtney says that she considers the Philippines to be 'the hardest Southeast Asian country to navigate' Another reason Courtney doesn't recommend the Philippines for first-time travel is because it's 'very expensive' and prices tend to get 'extortionate' if you 'leave your travel plans late'. The traveller reveals this means that tourists in the Philippines aren't usually able to be spontaneous when they plan their route. Courtney adds that travel days in the Philippines tend to be 'very long' with a lot of logistics to sort out. Despite these issues, Courtney adds that the Philippines is 'worth the visit' for its 'natural beauty'. South Korea The traveller explains that she 'loved' South Korea, especially the culture, fashion and food. However, she explains that a lot of people there 'don't speak English' which makes the country 'more difficult to navigate'. She says: 'I remember on my first day there I was trying to figure out the bus passes, I didn't know who to ask, there wasn't really anyone to ask.' The traveller explains that she 'loved' South Korea, especially the culture, fashion and food. However, she explains that a lot of people there 'don't speak English' which makes the country 'more difficult to navigate' Courtney explains that when it came to eating out in South Korea, all the food seemed to come as a 'sharing portion'. She explains: 'I met this girl from the UK who was teaching in Korea and I feel like without her, I would have been so lost and confused. 'But I was hanging out with her and her friends and we would order a dessert.' Courtney says that even the dessert felt like it was a 'lot of food' for 'one person'. She adds that some Korean barbeque restaurants 'won't seat you if you're alone', explaining that it's much more common to eat out as a group. Costa Rica The last destination that Courtney wouldn't recommend for first-time solo travellers is Costa Rica. She reveals: 'Costa Rica was my first introduction to Latin America and I did a group trip.' The last destination that Courtney wouldn't recommend for first-time solo travellers is Costa Rica Courtney explains that after the group trip ended, she spent about five days 'doing my own thing'. She reveals that she found the 'logistics' quite difficult and that the trip 'ended up being quite expensive'. The traveller reveals that a four-hour bus ended up costing her $70/52, leaving her shocked at the price. Courtney adds: 'There definitely is a backpacking scene and I stayed in some cool hostels but I would say places like Mexico, Guatemala or even Belize, the backpacking scene just makes it so easy.' She says that in those three countries, people tend to travel along a similar route, making it easier to 'meet people and socialise'. Fake, ITV1 Rating: Fake is a drama based on the memoir of journalist Stephanie Wood, who fell for a romance scammer. Easily done. Who hasn't fallen for an airline captain whose assets have been mistakenly frozen and needs cash now? But this, it soon becomes clear, isn't that. Nowhere near. Instead, it takes a deep, dark, forensic dive into how you, I, or anyone might fall into the grip of a maliciously clever imposter. It's slow at first but bear with, bear with, as it does build into a gripping psychological thriller. This is an Australian production, set in Melbourne, with the main character now called Birdie (played by Asher Keddie, who gives a magnificently nuanced performance). Birdie is a magazine writer, approaching 50, single, no children. You know what it's like. Fake is a drama based on the memoir of journalist Stephanie Wood, who fell for a romance scammer Easily done. Who hasn't fallen for an airline captain whose assets have been mistakenly frozen and needs cash now? But this, it soon becomes clear, isn't that. Nowhere near. Instead, it takes a deep, dark, forensic dive into how you, I, or anyone might fall into the grip of a maliciously clever imposter Go anywhere and you'll have people ask: 'Seeing anybody?' Birdie would, it's true, love to meet someone. She first encounters Joe (David Wenham) via a dating app. ('Love my kids, love my farm, love my dog', says his profile). The series opens with their first date in a bar. Joe looks slightly like Harrison Ford, but gone off, and there is something off about him from the start. She knows it, we know it, but can we put our finger on it? We can't. Yet. He is a 'grazier', he tells her, which I initially thought must mean someone who eats small amounts of food all day long but is, I now know, an Aussie term for 'rancher.' He is also an architect, he continues, but stepped away from that to lead a more simple life in a shack amidst 100 acres. He has an ex-wife, whom he paints as crazy, and a couple of kids. He is too pushy, barely asks her a single question, gives her (and us) the creeps. She cuts the evening short run, Birdie, run! but when she tells her mother she won't be seeing him again her mother talks her round. This is an Australian production, set in Melbourne, with the main character now called Birdie (played by Asher Keddie, who gives a magnificently nuanced performance, pictured right) She first encounters Joe (David Wenham, pictured) via a dating app. ('Love my kids, love my farm, love my dog', says his profile) You are too fussy, Birdie. No one is perfect, Birdie. Time is slipping by, Birdie. Birdie agrees to a second date (the cinema). And so it begins, my friends, and so it begins. They become a couple. He is, however, not Mr Reliable. He may ghost her, be late for a date or even be a no-show, but his explanations are always just this side of plausible. His son had an accident and cut his head open, he may text, and later she'll receive a photo of stitched scalp. He plays with the doubts he knows she has. For instance, he suggests they book into a luxury hotel 'but it's $1,000 a night!', she protests and because he doesn't use a credit card himself, as he objects to the fees, would she put it on hers? She sees the flag, that is red, but in the lift coming back from dinner in that hotel he takes a wad of cash out of his pocket and pays her back. 'You thought I wouldn't,' he says. Now she feels shame. Now she feels it was wrong to have ever mistrusted him. Won't she end up lonely and bitter if she never trusts anyone? Now she's on the back foot. So clever. The narrative drive comes from knowing the lies will have to unspool, and who is Joe, really? Who is this person who is so deliberately cruel and capable of such a calculated deception? Will he get his comeuppance? We also come to understand Birdie who, deep down, knows that Joe is, well, a dirtbag but pushes all that down further because she wants it so much. (I believe this is called 'willful blindness'). They become a couple. He is, however, not Mr Reliable. He may ghost her, be late for a date or even be a no-show, but his explanations are always just this side of plausible He plays with the doubts he knows she has. For instance, he suggests they book into a luxury hotel 'but it's $1,000 a night!', she protests and because he doesn't use a credit card himself, as he objects to the fees, would she put it on hers? This is artfully constructed and so multi-layered you never think of Birdie as a fool. Except once. Early on, when a colleague offers to perform a background check on Joe, she demurs. Why? When most of us won't even buy a kettle without having put the research in? I didn't get that at all. But I was riveted, and while all eight episodes are available on ITVX, it will also be available on normal ITV (is that what it's now called?) from next Saturday. I am paid to know about TV but even so I am often as confused as you. (Quick question: what is U&Alibi and do any of us need it?) A Jeopardy! contestant made ITV history when they won the biggest jackpot ever seen on the show. Stephen Fry, 67, introduced three contestants, Jordan Henshaw, Rosemary Mallace and Ben Jones to the rebooted game show on Thursday's episode. Jeopardy! is a quiz programme with a twist where the answer is given and players must provide the question in response. The host welcomed nine-day returning champion Ben and commented, 'today we have two new challenges for him in the shape of Rosemary and Jordan'. His cash total was already a whopping 59,730 at the start of the instalment. During the last round, Stephen read the final question: 'Matthew Broderick starred in the title role of the 1980s comedy film 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off', directed by this man.' Stephen Fry, 67, introduced three contestants, Jordan Henshaw, Rosemary Mallace and Ben Jones to the rebooted game show on Thursday's episode The host, pictured, welcomed nine-day returning champion Ben and commented, 'today we have two new challenges for him in the shape of Rosemary and Jordan' Ben's, pictured, cash total was already a whopping 59,730 at the start of the instalment Ben, a hotel receptionist from Caerphilly, correctly said: 'Who is John Hughes?' 'You thought it was John Hughes, and you were right did direct it yes,' Stephen commented. 'Oh my goodness, how much did you wager? Not too much, frankly. You weren't that confident, were you?' 400 was added to bring his winnings for that episode up to 4,800. 'Which makes you for the tenth time our champion of the day,' Stephen exclaimed. 'Dare we look and see what your running total now is? You have made 64,530, wow, good heavens,' the host added. Stephen commented how it was the end of the series and went on, 'we've had two tremendous champions but none greater than this young man who will have become a hero of the valleys, I have no doubt.' Last month, Stephen revealed the secrets of how to go far as a game show contestant - and it's not to study English at Cambridge or have a whopping IQ. Speaking ahead of his arrival as the host of returning series Jeopardy! the broadcaster explained that the psychological side of quizzing is as important as any obscure fact. He said: 'It's just that simple thing: stay calm. It's easy to say because a lot of people haven't been on television before. Stephen commented how it was the end of the series and went on, 'we've had two tremendous champions but none greater than this young man who will have become a hero of the valleys, I have no doubt.' Last month, Stephen revealed the secrets of how to go far as a game show contestant - and it's not to study English at Cambridge or have a whopping IQ 'Even though there's no audience, people are nervous because they're on television, or worried about how they look and what they're wearing and they're nervous because they want to win. 'They're very excited, and that slight tension and strain is inimical.' Jeopardy! first aired in the UK back in 1983 and was originally broadcast by Channel 4 before moving to ITV in 1990, and then to Sky Max in 1995. The show was eventually shelved and later rebooted last year. Jeopardy! airs on ITV1 and streams on ITVX. Jojo Rabbits child star Roman Griffin Davis looks unrecognisable six years on from his acclaimed film debut that shot him to fame. The 18-year-old is arguably best known for played Johannes "Jojo" Betzler in satirical drama film, directed by Taika Waititi, back in 2019. The movie is adapted from author Christine Leunen's 2008 novel Caging Skies. 'Jojo is a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic,' the synopsis reads. 'Aided only by his imaginary friend - Adolf Hitler - Jojo must confront his blind nationalism as World War II continues to rage on.' Roman plays the protagonist in the movie and starred in JoJo Rabbit when he was just 12. Jojo Rabbits child star looks unrecognisable six years on from acclaimed film debut that shot him to fame Roman plays the protagonist in the movie and starred in JoJo Rabbit when he was just 12, but he recently turned 18 (pictured) The 18-year-old is arguably best known for played Johannes "Jojo" Betzler in satirical drama film, directed by Taika Waititi, back in 2019 (right) But now, six years on, the star recently turned 18 and looks worlds apart from the youngster he once was. Sharing some snaps of himself on Instagram, he wrote: 'Its my 18th! Thank you mum thank you Dad! 'Im very happy to be here.' Many rushed to share their birthday wishes, but others shared their shock at how grown up he looks. One said in the comments section: 'Oh wow thats a long way after Jojo Rabbit.' 'Stop growing up!' 'You grew bro.' 'CANT BELIEVE HOW TIME FLIES.' The movie is adapted from author Christine Leunen's 2008 novel Caging Skies 'Jojo's all grown up.' 'When did you grow up so much???' Roman was joined by Thomasin McKenzie, Taika Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, Alfie Allen, Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson. The young star was also nominated and won a number of awards for the role. He received the gong for Best Young Performer at the 2020's Critics' Choice Awards. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild. The 1 hour and 48 minute film became a huge hit back in 2019. It has received 80% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as 94% on the Popcornmeter. Many rushed to the critics site to share their thoughts on the movie. One said: 'This is a good film. it explores a touchy subject in with both reverence and humor. Very strong execution of an interesting story.' 'It was emotional with a mix of comedy and sadness.' 'Sbsolute must see!!!' 'A crazy comedy film with a tough drama, simply a perfect film, I cried in the scene with the mother hanging, it was tough.' 'It's a comedy. It's a satire. It's a drama. It's a war story. It's a love story. It's... brilliant.' Since JoJo Rabbit, the young actor has appeared in a number of other films. He played Art in black comedy Silent Night back in 2021. The star has also taken on the voice of Walter Dickens in The King of Kings and another role in The Long Walk. He's also due to star in 500 Miles and Greenland: Migration. Emily In Paris star Camille Razat has quit the hit Netflix series. The French actress, 31 - who plays Camille in the romantic comedy drama - took to Instagram to reveal the shocking news with an emotional goodbye post after fans fumed at bosses for 'destroying the character'. Camille has played Emily's pal and love rival in the show since the programme hit the streaming service back in 2020. Now, after five years on our screens as Camille, the actress is ready to move on. Sharing various snaps from her time on the show, she wrote: 'After an incredible journey, Ive made the decision to step away from Emily in Paris. 'It has been a truly wonderful experience, one filled with growth, creativity, and unforgettable memories. Emily In Paris star QUITS hit Netflix series with emotional goodbye post after fans fumed at bosses for 'destroying the character' The French actress, 31 - who plays Camille in the romantic comedy drama - took to Instagram to reveal the shocking news with an emotional goodbye post after fans fumed at bosses for 'destroying the character' Camille (pictured) has played Emily's pal and love rival in the show since the programme hit the streaming service back in 2020. 'Im deeply grateful to @starmandarren and the entire team at @netflix and @paramountpics for their trust and for giving me the opportunity to bring Camille to life and leaving the door open for her return, as she will always be a part of Emily In Paris world. 'This character has meant a lot to me, and I feel that her storyline has naturally come to an end. It felt like the right moment to explore new horizons. 'Ive recently wrapped two series: Nero for Netflix and the Lost Station girls for Disney+. Im also excited to share that Ive launched my own production company, @tazar_production. 'We mainly produce music videos and short films for now, but were currently developing our first feature film, something Im truly passionate about and excited to grow. 'I leave the show with nothing but love and admiration for the cast, crew, and fans who have supported us along the way. 'Thank you for the beautiful ride.' Her fans and co-stars rushed to the comments section to share their support. Lily Collins said: 'Love you sister. Its been a wild ride and an absolute pleasure. Youre a rockstar. So proud of you.' Emily In Paris premiered on Netflix in October 2020 and the show, created by Darren Star, has had 40 episodes run over four seasons It stars the likes of Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie and Lucien Laviscount Philippine Beaulieu added: 'Youll be so missed ma cherie Frenchie!!!' Lucien Laviscoun wrote: 'From day one youve been my rider on this show. Your passion for story telling, your dark sense of humour, your unwavering ability to stay true to yourself, when everythings pushing you in a different direction. 'Youre special Camille and I feel absolutely honoured to of been able to dance with you these past seasons. Keep on shining. 'Im going to miss laughing with you. Im cheering you on in everything you do.' Emily In Paris premiered on Netflix in October 2020. The synopsis on the streaming service reads: 'New passions. New fashions. New Emily? 'A plucky American marketing whiz spreads her wings in life and love after landing her dream job in Paris.' The show, created by Darren Star, has had 40 episodes run over four seasons. It stars the likes of Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery, William Abadie and Lucien Laviscount. Camille has played a number of other roles over the years. She appeared as Lea Morel in The Disappearance in 2015. She's also had roles in Capitaine Marleau, Rock''n Roll, Girls with Balls, Paris Pigalle and The 15:17 to Paris. Most recently she played Quitterie in The Accusation and is due to appear in Waltzing with Brando. Stream all seasons of Emily In Paris on Netflix now. Former Coronation Street star Bill Fellows has revealed that he has landed a huge role on a rival soap just six months after he left the cobbles. The soap actor, 68, played the role of Stu Carpenter on the ITV1 series since October 2021. And now he has landed a role in Casualty and has already started filming scenes for the popular-medical show. Taking to Instagram, Bill shared a sneak peek of the upcoming scenes as he shared a picture of himself covered in fake blood. The actor also shared a behind-the-scenes photo of himself getting into character, complete with an NHS staff pass hanging proudly around his neck. Its currently unclear as to who Bill will play but his snaps suggest that he will be involved in a gruesome incident. Former Coronation Street star Bill Fellows has revealed that he has landed a huge role on a rival soap just six months after he left the cobbles The soap actor, 68, played the role of Stu Carpenter on the ITV1 soap opera since October 2021 And now he has landed a role in casualty and has already started filming scenes for the popular-medical show as he took to Instagram to share some gruesome pictures During his exit from the show, he insisted that has 'no regrets at all' over leaving after a dramatic stint on the show. While he hasn't 'ruled out' the idea of a comeback at some point, he thinks that his character has 'evolved' since he joined as a homeless man, who had been wrongly imprisoned for murder in the years before his arrival. He said: 'I have no regrets at all. It is the right time to go for me and for Stu. I will look back with fond memories and I wouldn't rule out coming back in the future. 'But Stu has evolved, we started off with a homeless guy who was wrongly accused of murder and then we get to the point three years later where this guy's got almost a quarter of a million pounds and has cleared his name and made it a life for himself. 'I'm really pleased with the story, because it's been fully, fully formed.' During his time on the show, Stu has worked as a chef at Speed Daal and also struck up a relationship with his boss Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King). Having realised that his quest to try and mentor troubled teen Mason Radcliffe (Luca Toolan) has put Yasmeen and her business at risk, Stu tells her he has decided to go and live permanently with his granddaughter in Germany. Away from Coronation Street, Bill is best known for his role as George Catrick in the hit Apple+ series Ted Lasso. During his exit from the show, he insisted that has 'no regrets at all' over leaving after a dramatic stint on the show But he has been a regular face on British television since the 1980s with appearances in dramas such as Byker Grove, Heartbeat and Casualty over the years. From 1997 until 1998, he had a main role in the Sky One series Dream Team, which also featured his future Corrie co-star Alison King, who has now played Carla Connor for nearly 20 years. Bill had previously auditioned for the role of Richard Lucas, who is the long-lost brother of cafe owner Roy Cropper (David Neilson), but the part eventually went to Paul Brown. He said: 'I had yes [thought about doing a soap before], in fact, I auditioned for the role of Roy's brother, Nina's dad before I got the role of Stu. 'I wasn't right for the part but it was for three weeks so it was fate really because I got this part and stayed three years. I am so proud to have been in Corrie. 'It is a massive part of all our lives, especially at my age, 67, it has been around all my life.' Speaking about what he has got planned now he's finished working on the soap he said: 'I am fortunate in that I have a busy few months coming up. I am doing a couple of Episodes of a BBC sitcom based in Middlesbrough called Smoggie Queens with Mark Benton. 'And then I am working on a film with Mark again and Stephen Tompkinson about low level gangsters in Middlesbrough. 'It is kind of ironic that I am hedging back to the North East to work as it is even further from my home down south than Corrie is! 'But it is my hometown and I know a lot of people there so I am very much looking forward to that. 'There is a Vampire film in the pipeline which is looking promising. I want to keep working on varied projects and I also want to travel a bit, I am quite laid back but excited about the future. Coronation Street is on ITV at 8pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and available to stream from 7am on ITVX. Peppa Pig fans will be squealing with delight after a huge gender reveal party at London's Battersea Power Station has spilled some big news for the Pig family. After Mummy Pig broke the internet back in February when she revealed live on Good Morning Britain that she is pregnant with her third piglet, the family have gone all out for their gender reveal announcement. As the sun sets later today the Battersea Power Station chimneys will light up pink to reveal Mummy and Daddy Pig are expecting a baby girl - a little sister for Peppa, four and George, two. Mummy Pig, whose job involves doing 'very important work' on her computer, and her husband Daddy Pig, who 'takes big numbers, transmutes them and calculates their load-bearing tangents', first announced their surprise pregnancy in February. Good Morning Britain's showbiz correspondent Richard Arnold landed the exclusive, as Mummy Pig showed off her ultrasound and baby bump and revealed she was due in the summer. The global smash hit cartoon celebrated the gender reveal news with a VIP party at the world's first-ever permanent Peppa Pig store at Battersea on Friday, featuring fundraising in support of NCT, the UKs leading charity for pregnancy and parents. Peppa Pig fans will be squealing with delight after a huge gender reveal party as London's Battersea Power Station has spilled some big news for the Pig family Mummy Pig broke the internet back in February when she revealed live on Good Morning Britain that she is pregnant with her third piglet NCT (National Childrens Trust) was announced earlier this month as the official Pregnancy and Parenting Charity Partner for Peppa Pig in the UK. And the excitement doesnt stop there as fans can join the Pig family on the big screen with Peppa Meets the Baby, a brand-new cinema experience launching May 30 in over 2,600 cinemas across 19 countries. The hour-long, song-filled screening features 10 brand-new episodes, as Peppa and George prepare for the arrival of their baby sister. In addition, the gender reveal episode will air on YouTube on May 3 as part of the Peppa Pig Tales series. Speaking to Grazia magazine about her pregnancy, Mummy Pig revealed she and Daddy Pig had 'so many ideas' for baby names. She revealed: 'Too many, frankly! Oink! Knowing its a girl has narrowed our options down a bit Im not sure Peter, Percy or Patrick Pig really work as girls names! But its too difficult to choose now. 'When shes here and looking up at me and Daddy Pig, well just know the perfect name. Thats what we did when Peppa and George were born.' Peppa Pig first aired in 2004 and has since been broadcast in 180 territories and translated into 40 languages. It's spawned books, toys and even two theme parks, with the global Peppa empire now worth over 1billion. As the sun sets later today the Battersea Power Station chimneys will light up pink to reveal Mummy and Daddy Pig are expecting a baby girl Mummy Pig and her husband Daddy Pig are already parents to Peppa, four, and George, two (pictured with Grandpa Pig and Granny Pig) Creators Neville Astley and Mark Baker admitted they were worried the idea would never get off the ground, and that people were initially bored with the idea. People in the pub would ask us, What are you drawing? Wed say, A pig, called Peppa, its going to be big. Theyd lose interest and wander off, explained Astley. The pair created Peppa and her family while working in each others houses or at the local pub. They told the Radio Times they were inspired by 1970s and 1980s cartoon classics including Roobarb and Pingu, after realising that children like stories about animals. 'Wed made this little trailer for Peppa but hadnt got anywhere, recalled Baker. Its very difficult to sell your own creative work. The good thing about Phil is hes quite thick-skinned. They soon found an energetic little girl, Lily Snowden-Fine, to voice Peppa - despite her being only four years old and unable to read, instead repeating lines spoken by her mother. Good Morning Britain's showbiz correspondent Richard Arnold landed the exclusive, as Mummy Pig showed off her ultrasound and baby bump and revealed she was due in the summer When her family moved to Canada, the job went to Cecily Bloom. She was followed by Harley Bird. The current voice of Peppa is Amelie Bea Smith. The creators explained that the secret to Peppas long-lasting appeal is the shows simplicity, as well as ensuring the piglet is never the butt of the jokes. We put a lot of work into making everything look as effortless as possible,' said Baker. We can laugh at the adults, but children dont like it if we laugh at the children in the show. Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles is opening up about a trauma that has hung over her family for decades. The 71-year-old businesswoman (born Celestine Ann 'Tina' Beyonce) delves into her childhood growing up in Texas in her new memoir Matriarch. One incident that looms over her was her brother Lumis 'Skip' Joseph Beyonce's brutal encounter with police that 'changed my family forever,' according to People. Tina who recently looked back on her devastating breast cancer diagnosis recounted how Skip was arrested in 1967 when he was returning home one night after going out on a date. Her brother whose nickname referenced his habit of skipping as a child had taken a taxi, but instead of dropping him off at home, the driver left him at the wrong address. The house was apparently nearby, as the owner knew Skip, but they didn't immediately recognize him and called police about a strange man standing on their doorstep. Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles is opening up about a trauma that has hung over her family for decades. The 71-year-old businesswoman (born Celestine Ann 'Tina' Beyonce) delves into her childhood growing up in Texas in her new memoir Matriarch; seen December 9 in Hollywood One incident that looms over her was her brother Lumis 'Skip' Joseph Beyonce's brutal encounter with police that 'changed my family forever,' according to People; seen March 29 in LA She later realized her error and called Tina's family to get them to come pick up Skip, but police officers arrived before they did and proceeded to arrest him delay. According to Tina, the neighbor protested to police that Skip was 'he's a good boy,' but the police were unmoved. By then, her family had also arrived on the scene, but there was nothing they could do to stop officers from taking Skip away. '"Please dont let them kill my son,"' Tina recalled her mother who was well aware of the danger a black man arrested in the South face pleaded. 'She said it over and over, a sobbing prayer,' the Knowles family matriarch added, noting that her mother tried to make an impression on the lone Black officer who was part of the arresting party. Any relief the family might have felt when they got a call the next day to come pick up Skip at the station was brutallly shattered when they arrived and saw he was drenched in blood after being brutally beaten by police. 'They could have killed him... we thought he was dead,' Tina confessed. She added that the horrifying incident had a lasting impact on her parents, who were filled with 'constant fear and anxiety' because of the state violence unleashed on Skip. After going on a date one night in 1967, Tina's brother was dropped off at the wrong house. The neighbor called police who quickly arrived to arrest him The neighbor, recognizing Skip, protested that he was a 'good boy,' and Tina's family arrived to beg for his life, but police arrested him anyway; seen with Solange (L) and Beyonce (center) in 2006 When her family picked him up at the police station the next day, Skip was covered in blood after being brutally beaten. She said police then harassed the family for years, and the same officer that beat him even arrested her later; seen with ex Richard Lawson in 2023 According to Tina, one of the police officers who had arrested her brother and may have been involved in his beating later arrested her too, though it's unclear what the charge was. She writes in her memoir that after Skip's bloody ordeal, she and her family were 'harassed by the police for years.' The experience of constant, seemingly unwarranted surveillance forced them to be 'on guard all the time,' and the experience was particularly hard on her mother. Despite the fear that the same violence enacted on Skip could befall her or her family members, Tina later worked up the courage to join civil rights demonstrations She credits her family from keeping her from feeling eternally bitter about the injustice they dealt with. 'My parents weren't the parents that said, oh, you could be anything you want to be. I never heard that,' she continued. 'I heard get you a good government job and, you know, settle for less, basically. 'But on the other side of it, was that your family is everything. As long as you've got your family, as long as you've got God first, life is amazing,' Tina added. Earlier this week, the mother of Solange Knowles confessed that she had recently been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer after a routine mammogram. Earlier this week, the mother of Solange Knowles confessed that she had recently been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer after a routine mammogram 'I was nervous,' she admitted to Gayle King on CBS Mornings. She said her famous daughters were 'joking' with her to keep her spirits up amid multiple surgeries and appointments The fashion designer, who shares her famous daughters with her ex-husband Mathew Knowles, 72, said that Beyonce and Solange had been supporting her through multiple hospital visits and surgeries. 'I was nervous,' she admitted to Gayle King on CBS Mornings. 'And so they started just joking with me.' One way Solange lightened the mood was by showing her a viral video about the word 'demure.' 'I start laughing. I get out of my head... Then I said, "I'm just so happy that y'all are here",' she recalled. Invisible Boys star Joseph Zada has scored his big Hollywood break by being cast in the leading role in the upcoming The Hunger Games movie. The Aussie actor, 20, beat out hundreds of fellow actors auditioning for the coveted role in the prequel film Sunrise on the Reaping, set almost 30 years before The Hunger Games trilogy. Joseph will play a younger version of iconic character Haymitch Abernathy, who was portrayed by Woody Harrelson from 2012 to 2015. 'After auditioning hundreds of gifted performers from around the world, [Zada] stood out,' Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erin Westerman said in a statement. 'Not just for talent, but for the emotional truth brought to the iconic role. Haymitch has always been a fan favourite. 'His origin story is one of the most anticipated in the franchise. We can't wait for fans to experience the story that shaped one of the most compelling characters in the series.' Invisible Boys star Joseph Zada has scored his big Hollywood break by being cast in the leading role in the upcoming The Hunger Games movie The movie is set to be released in November 2026 and is directed by veteran The Hunger Games filmmaker Francis Lawrence. It will co-star Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Whitney Peak and I, Tonya actress Mckenna Grace. The Hunger Games movies are based on the book series by Suzanne Collins and tell the story of Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem in North America. The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 1218 from each of the twelve districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death. Joseph rose to fame earlier this year in the lead role in the Stan series Invisible Boys, opposite Pia Miranda. In February, Invisible Boys author Holden Sheppard revealed why he thinks the Stan Original Series based on his best-selling novel is more relevant than ever. The Australian writer said the adaptation of his 2019 Young Adult book about four gay teenagers living in a small Western Australian town is a story that needs to be told in the politically charged world of 2025. 'The show is dropping in a more hostile environment than the book did. The book came out in 2019 and there was this sense that same-sex marriage had just been legalised in Australia,' Holden told Daily Mail Australia. The Aussie actor beat out hundreds of fellow actors auditioning for the coveted role in the prequel film Sunrise on the Reaping Joseph will play a younger version of iconic character Haymitch Abernathy, who was originally portrayed by Woody Harrelson 'People were like, maybe we don't need stories like this anymore. But 2025 turns out to be needing this story more than we did six years ago, so I am glad,' he said. 'It's like a little beacon of hope right now. Let's show four young gay men being defiant, being bold, proud and just giving the middle finger to the world.' The shock US election win of Republican candidate Donald Trump in November has led to a surge of conservative policies being implemented in America, with his executive orders being seen to target the transgender community. It has also led to an influx 'anti-gay' views being openly discussed on social media by conservatives who feel empowered by Trump's victory. Holden's book draws on his own experiences as a young gay teenager growing up in the regional WA town of Geraldton - and he worked hard to ensure the Stan series authentically portrayed gay relationships. He believes the series will appeal to all kinds of viewers because the themes explored are universal. All ten episodes of Invisible Boys are available to stream now, only on Stan. Megyn Kelly blasted 'smug' George Clooney for his 'naked partisanship' in an explosive 11-minute rant after he mocked her journalism career in a new interview. Earlier this week, Clooney questioned 'what' Kelly a former Fox News anchor and host of Sirius XM's The Megyn Kelly Show has 'done to be a journalist' during his sit-down with Patti LuPone for Variety's Actors on Actors: Broadway series. The Oscar-winning actor also seemed to suggest that he's done more as a journalist than Kelly while claiming he's 'been shot at to try to get stories out' in conflict-stricken areas like Darfur. Kelly didn't hold back as she responded to Clooney's remarks during Wednesday's episode of her podcast. She branded Clooney a 'coward' as she criticized his New York Times op-ed calling for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump. '[Clooney's] starring in a play about Edward R. Murrow because Clooney fancies himself a journalist, you see, and has lots of thoughts on how journalists need to do journalism,' Kelly began, as per PageSix's transcription. Megyn Kelly blasted 'smug' George Clooney for his 'naked partisanship' in an explosive 11-minute rant after he mocked her journalism career in a new interview Earlier this week, Clooney (pictured Thursday) questioned what Kelly has 'done to be a journalist' during his sit-down with Patti LuPone for Variety's Actors on Actors: Broadway series. 'He does it mainly by stumbling upon the biggest story of the decade, that a sitting president is mentally infirm and ought to be 25th Amendment'ed right out of office, and then burying it, saying absolutely nothing for weeks on end. 'And then only after that president humiliates himself on the national stage at a Presidential debate, and then refuses to step down as the entire Democrat Party watches its electoral chances up and down the ticket go swirling down the toilet.' 'Finally, he decides to write an op-ed in the New York Times saying Joe Biden is not up for the job,' Kelly continued. 'That's not journalism, George it's cowardice and naked partisanship. You're not fooling anyone.' Kelly didn't stop there as she quickly turned her focus to Clooney's Broadway stint. He is currently appearing in the stage adaptation of his 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck, which centers around real-life pioneering broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. She speculated that Clooney's move to the stage was done as a result of Hollywood roles 'getting a little hard to come by' for the actor as he ages. 'So now he's starring in his Broadway show by the way, what's the matter, George? Are the Hollywood roles getting a little hard to come by as you age and get decidedly more smug and self congratulatory? I'm just asking!' During his one-on-one interview with LuPone for Variety, Clooney opened up about his left-leaning politics and the backlash he's faced in recent years. 'I don't care much in terms of what they say,' he told LuPone. Kelly didn't hold back as she responded to Clooney's remarks during Wednesday's episode of her podcast She branded Clooney (pictured Thursday) a 'coward' as she criticized his New York Times op-ed where he called for Joe Biden to exit the 2024 presidential race against Donald Trump Kelly's name was brought up while he discussed the Good Night, and Good Luck play's finale montage which features real footage of Kelly and other prominent people like Trump's right-hand man, Elon Musk. 'We don't tell people what to think when we show that montage at the end, for instance,' he said. 'You see Megyn Kelly, who's come out and said I'm not a journalist. I didn't say I was a journalist.' Clooney continued: 'I've at least been to Darfur and Sudan and the Congo and been shot at to try to get stories out. I'm not quite sure what she's done to be a journalist. 'Having said that, we only show her words in this play. We don't tell people what to think. It's not out of context. We don't manipulate it. We literally just go, 'These are your words.'' The actor then gave President Donald Trump a rare compliment while making a bold prediction about the Republican Party's future. Trump recently criticized the Clooney for for his New York Times opinion piece calling for Joe Biden to withdraw as the Democratic presidential nominee last year. '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.' Despite Trump's criticism, Clooney complimented Trump and acknowledged his charm. '[Republicans] don't have anybody that's as charismatic as him. He's charismatic. There's no taking that away from him. He's a television star,' Clooney said. 'That's not journalism, George it's cowardice and naked partisanship. You're not fooling anyone' Kelly then speculated that Clooney's recent move to the stage was done as a result of Hollywood roles 'getting a little hard to come by' for the actor as he ages; seen Thursday Clooney predicted that Trump will 'go away' while discussing the future of the GOP and compared him to other political figures. 'We've done this before. From President Jackson to [Joseph] McCarthy to this, the authoritarian, the demagogue, it goes away when they go away. And he will go away,' he said. 'We've been in much worse places. The only thing that's different is the source of information and how much and how many different sources. It's the only thing that's different. 'But it's not nearly as violent, even though it feels violent. It's not nearly as hopeless as it was at that moment in time.' 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 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. Clooney, who has been out promoting his Broadway debut as renowned journalist Edward R Murrow in Good Night and Good Luck, told CBS Mornings he is unphased by Trump's criticism of him. During his recent Variety interview, Clooney gave President Donald Trump a rare compliment while making a bold prediction about the Republican Party's future Clooney then predicted that Trump will 'go away' while discussing the future of the GOP and compared him to other political figures 'I don't care,' Clooney said. '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]. That is their right. It's my right to say the other side.' Clooney, who in June last year raised $30million at a fundraiser for Biden's 2024 campaign, is largely credited as being the nail in the coffin to Biden dropping his re-election bid. CNN recently asked the Oscar-winner who he thought should lead the Democrats going forward. 'There's one person in particular I think is spectacular,' he said, before singling out Maryland Governor Moore, who he says is 'levitating above' the rest. 'I think he is a guy that handled this tragedy in Baltimore beautifully. He's two tours of active duty in Afghanistan. He speaks sort of beautifully, he's smart. He's a proper leader.' Clooney is referring to Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse in early 2024 which killed six maintenance workers. 'I like him a lot, I think he's someone we could all fall in behind,' Clooney added. John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg revealed he is 'boycotting' his former boss Anna Wintour's Met Gala this year. Schlossberg, 32, who has worked as a political correspondent for Vogue magazine, discussed his boycott of fashion's biggest night in a series of Instagram posts, and revealed he is launching his own network. 'Hey, Anna Wintour. I'm sorry but I'm boycotting the Met Gala this year. I can't go in good conscience with so much happening around the world and at home,' the Kennedy heir shared in one video directed at the Vogue Editor-in-chief. 'It's just not the time,' Schlossberg who is Kennedy's only grandson added, 'It's not the time for a party like that. So I'm calling on everybody to boycott the Met Gala. It's not the time.' 'BOYCOTT MET GALA 2025 sorry Anna WINTOUR but its NOT THE TIME @voguemagazine,' he wrote in the caption. His boycott seemingly stems from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg, 32, revealed he is 'boycotting' his former boss Anna Wintour's Met Gala this year; seen at the 2017 Met Gala with his mom Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, who has been a political correspondent for Vogue magazine, discussed his boycott in a series of Instagram posts; Wintour seen at the 2024 Met Gala In another post he shared an AI overview of the boycott, which read: 'The Met Gala has faced calls for boycott due to the event's perceived opulence and its juxtaposition with global crises, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza.' In another video he was seen on a paddle board, as he admitted that he 'loves to party' and has been to the Met Gala before and 'had a great time.' 'But this year, with so much happening around the world and at home, I cannot in good conscience go to the Met Gala,' he continued. Jack then shared that he will be launching his own network. 'Instead, I'll be launching something brand new. Something of my own. Something important and informative. Thank you all so much, I'm boycotting the Met Gala.' In yet another post he shared a Vogue article about himself from 2024, with the caption: I GUESS I SHOULDVE KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT then Id have fit in at the MET GALA.' He also shared a Tweet, writing, 'FASHION IS POLITICAL So then why is VOGUE SO QUIET ?! VOGUE shouldnt be so scared of my boycott OF THE MET GALA they should focus on issues and use their platform to take a stand. corporate interests often succeed in making fashion less attractive and relevant BOYCOTT.' In another Tweet he wrote: 'WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE MET GALA THIS YEAR Its not the time for that: instead of partying, Ill be focused on launching my new live channel.' 'Hey, Anna Wintour. I'm sorry but I'm boycotting the Met Gala this year. I can't go in good conscience with so much happening around the world and at home,' the Kennedy heir shared in one video 'It's just not the time,' Schlossberg added, 'It's not the time for a party like that. So I'm calling on everybody to boycott the Met Gala. It's not the time' In another video he was seen on a paddle board, as he admitted that he 'loves to party' and has been to the Met Gala before and 'had a great time' 'But this year, with so much happening around the world and at home, I cannot in good conscience go to the Met Gala,' he continued His boycott seemingly stems from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In another post he shared an AI overview of the boycott He also shared a Tweet, writing, 'FASHION IS POLITICAL So then why is VOGUE SO QUIET ?! VOGUE shouldnt be so scared of my boycott OF THE MET GALA' In another Tweet he wrote: 'WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE MET GALA THIS YEAR Its not the time for that: instead of partying, Ill be focused on launching my new live channel' This year's Met Gala exhibit is going to include garments, paintings and photographs that explore 'the indelible style of Black men in the context of dandyism, from the 18th-century through present day'; Anna seen at 2019 Met Gala In 2017, Jack attended the Met Gala with his mother, Caroline Kennedy. He also wrote a number of articles for Vogue in 2024. The Kennedy heir has become notorious from his off-the-wall social media posts and passionate rants. Jack, is the son of JFK's daughter Caroline - who served as the US Ambassador to Australia under President Joe Biden - and her husband Edwin Schlossberg, a designer and artist. As is tradition, the first Monday in May 2025 will see the most famous names in the business showcase their interpretation of this year's Met Gala theme - Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. The photos taken of the celebrities walking up the staircase of New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art will be judged by fashion lovers all over the globe. Vogue confirmed that the dress code for the night is 'Tailored for you.' For this year's gala, every chair or committee member is black except for Anna, who has the lead chairperson for the event since the 1990s. NBA superstar LeBron James is the honorary chair, while Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams are the other co-chairs for the event. The rest of the committee members include artist Andre 3000, author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, global athletes Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens, designer Grace Wales Bonner and painter Jordan Casteel. Designer and fashion titan Dapper Dan, rapper Doechii, actress Ayo Edebiri, respected fashion editor Edward Enninful and playwrights Jeremy O. Harris and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins are also on the committee. While artist Rashid Johnson, actress and director Regina King, filmmaker Spike Lee and author Tonya Lewis Lee, actress Audra McDonald, musician Janelle Monae, actor Jeremy Pope will join them. When the theme was announced last October, it sparked fears of an 'appropriation disaster' from fashion fans. The Kennedy heir who is JFK's only grandson has become notorious from his off-the-wall social media posts and passionate rants; seen in 2024 Jack, is the son of JFK's daughter Caroline - who served as the US Ambassador to Australia under President Joe Biden - and her husband Edwin Schlossberg, a designer and artist; seen in 2015 The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City revealed that the Costume Institutes spring 2025 exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style was inspired by Monica L. Millers 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity. According to Vogue, the exhibit is going to include garments, paintings and photographs that explore 'the indelible style of Black men in the context of dandyism, from the 18th-century through present day.' Many commenters said they couldn't wait to see how stars such as Zendaya, her stylist Law Roach, Janelle Monae, Rihanna and Teyana Taylor interpret the theme. However, others were more concerned about appropriation and representation. 'Am I the only nervous about this?' one fashion fan asked as another said, 'A good theme but lets hope no one will appropriate cultures.' Blake Lively sparked a furious response from Megyn Kelly at the TIME100 all-star gala on Thursday night in New York City, following the actress' controversial inclusion on the publication's Most Influential People list. The 37-year-old Another Simple Favor actress was joined by her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, though he wasn't included on the elite list, amid the ongoing scandal of her rift with It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni. Kelly, who was also included on the list, took offense to Blake being included. 'She shouldn't be here,' she told Daily Mail on the red carpet. Blake and Justin's legal feud remains red hot. She has accused him of sexually harassing her on the set of their movie, It Ends With Us, while he and his fans say she has twisted the truth to paint him as the villain. In the latest episode of the sordid saga, Lively is accused of colluding with his former publicist to leak his private text messages. Kelly told Daily Mail Lively has 'bastardized' the Me Too movement in her quest to nail Baldoni to the cross. Blake Lively sparked a furious response from Megyn Kelly at the TIME100 all-star gala on Thursday night in New York City, following the actress' controversial inclusion on the publication's Most Influential People list The 54-year-old conservative journalist blasted Blake and her ongoing lawsuit against Justin Baldoni in an impassioned rant while speaking to DailyMail.com on the red carpet. According to Megyn, Blake who left readers outraged over her TIME100 cover 'shouldn't be here' The 37-year-old Another Simple Favor actress was joined by her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, at the event, though he wasn't included on the elite list 'It's a ridiculous joke. She shouldn't be here,' she said of Blake. 'I think [Blake has] launched a fake Me Too allegation against [Justin], and she's lived to regret doing it, because virtually every allegation she has made has fallen apart,' Megyn added. 'So for her to be honored for doing that, to try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing, is a scandal.' The subject is familiar turf for Megyn. She famously went up against former Fox News giant Roger Ailes before his death in 2017. Her experiences and those of other high-profile female anchors and reports at Fox were later dramatized in the 2019 film Bombshell, in which Charlize Theron played Megyn. She believes TIME only nominated Blake to generate publicity, and said it was 'very wrong' of the magazine to lend its legitimacy to the controversial star. 'I think [Blake has] launched a fake Me Too allegation against [Justin], and she's lived to regret doing it, because virtually every allegation she has made has fallen apart,' Megyn added According to the lawyer, thoroughly investigating the Gossip Girl star's claims was necessary to prevent other future accusers from being tarnished Blake arrived at the gala in a shimmering red off-the-shoulder Zuhair Murad gown that highlighted her cleavage and featured a modest train trailing behind her She added some extra color to the look with Lorraine Schwartz Colombian emerald earrings, jade rings and emerald cuffs. She wore her long blond hair in thick waves that cascaded elegantly down her back Megyn also joked to DailyMail.com that she wouldn't be making an effort to avoid Blake or Ryan, but she had a 'feeling she's going to be avoid me.' As for the rumors of a feud between Blake and her Another Simple Favor costar Anna Kendrick, the conservative host was less concerned. She added that even though Blake and Ryan have 'very powerful PR people and lawyers,' it's important to be 'clear-eyed' and to 'call out' claims when they aren't legitimate. 'Otherwise, no one who has actually experienced these things is going to be believed,' Megyn declared. The Megyn Kelly show host ended the interview weighing in on Blake's bestie Taylor Swift being dragged into her lawsuit drama. 'I mean, look, either Taylor Swift is her dragon or she isn't. I don't know. That's what Blake Lively says, so I guess I have to take her at her word, even though I really shouldn't,' she insisted, referring to Blake's text message comparing herself to Khaleesi, the dragon-controlling queen played by Emilia Clarke on Game of Thrones. 'If I were Taylor, I'd speak out about it. Obviously, she's reportedly distanced herself from Blake Lively.' Megyn then proceeded to give the thumbs up. While Blake was partying with the stars at the TIME100 Gala, Justin Baldoni's attorneys filed 14 new claims against his embattled former publicist Stephanie Jones. They accused Jones of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, breach of contract, defamation and fraud against former publicist Jennifer Abel. The filings accused Jones, Abel's former boss, of snooping on Abel's company mobile phone for her private messages up until January of this year, then allegedly plotting with Lively to create a subpoena for a 'sham lawsuit' that would cover up that the messages were leaked. Ryan favored classic men's style with a black tuxedo and bow tie Joining the A-list couple on the red carpet was Blake's mother, Elaine Lively She looked elegant in a flapper-inspired black dress with chevrons of black sequins, along with a sheer black section covering her chest and sleeves In a shocking turn, Abel's filing also accused Jones of making 'bizarre' claims of supposed information about Abel to her staff, which she acquired based on 'psychic readings.' 'In one instance, Jones announced to Abels subordinates that she had learned through psychic readings that Abel was an alcoholic and a gambling addict,' while Abel contended the claims had 'no basis in reality' and instead raised concerns about whether 'Jones was in the midst of a mental breakdown.' In another incident, Jones allegedly said her psychic alerted her that Abel would become pregnant with twins, which humiliated and infuriated Abel, as she had told Jones she was dealing with fertility problems. Jones lawyers blasted the new claims as just distraction and noise and a few debunked conspiracy theories in a scathing statement to DailyMail.com on Thursday. Blake arrived at the gala in a shimmering red off-the-shoulder Zuhair Murad gown that highlighted her cleavage and featured a modest train trailing behind her. She added some extra color to the look with Lorraine Schwartz Colombian emerald earrings, jade rings and emerald cuffs. She wore her long blond hair in thick waves that cascaded elegantly down her back. Ryan favored classic men's style with a black tuxedo and bow tie. The Deadpool star posed for several photos together with his wife, but photographers at the event also wanted to snap some solo pictures of him. Blake was the spitting image of her mother as they embraced on the red carpet In one awkward moment, TIME CEO Jessica Sibley struggled to explain why Blake had been included on the TIME100 and bizarrely said the actress was having 'a great year' Blake was one of the speakers, and she gushed that it was 'surreal and deeply significant' for her to be honored 'in a time where the most valuable currency seems to be anger, it feels like an act of defiance to commune and celebrate all the good that is alive in the world,' according to People In one hilarious moment, photographers farther along the line begged him to move over to another backdrop by chanting his first name repeatedly and shouting that the other part of the backdrop was 'the Canada of the map,' a reference to his birth country, though he also gained American citizenship in 2018. Blake even got in on the fun and clapped along with the photographers to get her husband to play along. Joining the A-list couple on the red carpet was Blake's mother, Elaine Lively. She looked elegant in a flapper-inspired black dress with chevrons of black sequins, along with a sheer black section covering her chest and sleeves. In one awkward moment, TIME CEO Jessica Sibley struggled to explain why Blake had been included on the TIME100 list despite the controversy that has overwhelmed her and her film projects amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni. 'I think she's having a great year,' she said bizarrely. She said the magazine's goal was to be 'the humanities guide to trust in journalism,' adding that the magazine was 'excited to tell her story.' Blake was one of the speakers inside the gala, and in her brief speech she appeared to allude to her accusations against Baldoni and their bitter legal back-and-forth. 'I have so much to say about the last two years of my life,' she said, seemingly alluding to her troubles with her costar, before declaring that the gala was 'not the forum' for those thoughts She took a dramatic turn while paying tribute to her mother Elaine, who she said was a 'survivor of the worst crime someone can commit against a woman.' Blake said her mother found the strength to go on living after hearing a woman who faced similar circumstances on the radio She gushed that it was 'surreal and deeply significant' for her to be honored 'in a time where the most valuable currency seems to be anger, it feels like an act of defiance to commune and celebrate all the good that is alive in the world,' according to People. Blake added that it was a 'significant responsibility' to have the power of influence over others. She reportedly reminded her fellow attendees that 'How we use that matters. 'Who and what we stand up for, and what we stay silent about, what we monetize versus what we actually live, matters,' she said. 'I have so much to say about the last two years of my life,' she said, seemingly alluding to her troubles with her costar, before declaring that the gala was 'not the forum' for those thoughts. Instead, she chose to speak about 'the feeling of being a woman who has a voice today.' She paid a special tribute to her mother Elaine, who she said was a 'survivor of the worst crime someone can commit against a woman.' 'My mom never got justice from her work acquaintance who attempted to take her life when she was the mother of three young kids years before I was born,' Blake continued. Among the stunning A-listers at the event was Scarlett Johansson, who put on a busty display in a sleek black sleeveless halter dress that emphasized her hourglass figure The Avengers: Endgame star wore a rigid gold necklace with a small chain dangling down, and her dress featured a gold bar securing its ruched midriff. She added a splash of color with her scarlet nail polish Demi Moore, 62, looked as glamorous as ever when she hit the red carpet. The Substance star arrived in a shimmering cream-colored satin dress with a matching sport coat draped over her shoulders The Oscar nominee's bodice was covered in delicate ruching, and her long, rippling skirt reached down to the ground. She wore her raven locks parted down the middle, and she added some sparkle with long, dangling diamond earrings Comedian and in-demand awards-show host Nikki Glaser contrasted the somber all-black ensembles with a beige off-the-shoulder dress with a striking black belt tied just below her bust. She accessorized with a small black clutch and wore pointed black heels She said it was only when her mother heard a woman speaking on the radio who had gone through a similarly abusive situation that she regained the strength to move on with her life. 'Because of hearing that woman speak about her experience instead of shutting down in fear and unfair shame, my mom is alive today,' Blake declared. 'She was saved by a woman whose name she'll never know.' She ended her speech with thanks to all men 'who are kind and good when no one is watching,' which she said included her 'sweet husband,' Ryan. Among the stunning A-listers at the event was Scarlett Johansson, who put on a busty display in a sleek black sleeveless halter dress that emphasized her hourglass figure. The Avengers: Endgame star wore a rigid gold necklace with a small chain dangling down, and her dress featured a gold bar securing its ruched midriff. Scarlett who didn't appear to be joined by her husband, SNL writer and Weekend Update host Colin Jost added a splash of color with her scarlet nail polish. She was attending the gala amid concerns that her major new career move could be overshadowed by Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' ongoing drama, as Ryan is her ex-husband. Demi Moore, 62, looked as glamorous as ever when she hit the red carpet. The Substance star arrived in a shimmering cream-colored satin dress with a matching sport coat draped over her shoulders. She and Ed Sheeran were on the same page when it came to lightening up the event with their outfits. He opted for a striking pale pink suit that he dressed down with a white T-shirt The pop star complemented his suit with white Nike's featuring pink Swoosh logos Nicole Scherzinger set temperatures soaring in a low-cut black sequined gown with satin strips showcasing her cleavage The Oscar nominee's bodice was covered in delicate ruching, and her long, rippling skirt reached down to the ground. She wore her raven locks parted down the middle, and she added some sparkle with long, dangling diamond earrings. Comedian and in-demand awards-show host Nikki Glaser contrasted the somber all-black ensembles with a beige off-the-shoulder dress with a striking black belt tied just below her bust. She accessorized with a small black clutch and wore pointed black heels. She and Ed Sheeran were on the same page when it came to lightening up the event with their outfits. He opted for a striking pale pink suit that he playfully dressed down with a white T-shirt. The pop star complemented his suit with white Nike's featuring pink Swoosh logos. Nicole Scherzinger set temperatures soaring in a low-cut black sequined gown with satin strips showcasing her cleavage. Severance star Adam Scott opted for classic elegance with a well-tailored double-breasted black tuxedo that he wore open. He complemented the jacket's wide, peaked lapels by wearing a particularly large black satin bow tie. Severance star Adam Scott opted for classic elegance with a black tuxedo. He complemented the jacket's wide, peaked lapels by wearing a particularly large black satin bow tie Joining the Parks And Recreation star was his wife Naomi Scott, who wore a similarly tasteful low-cut black dress with a rippling skirt Adrien Brody contrasted Adam's look with a more modern double-breasted suit with particularly skinny lapels and a single button in the shape of a pink flower The two-time Oscar winner and star of The Brutalist was joined by his partner Georgina Chapman The ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein shimmered in a white satin dress with contrasting ruffled black sleeves and a black cape trailing behind her Serena Williams wore an unusual black off-the-shoulder dress that looked as if it had been shredded. It had slim horizontal cutouts over her midriff and legs, and she paired it with rumpled sheer black gloves and pointy black heels strapped around her ankles Gayle King cut an elegant figure in a sparkling key lime green dress with a plunging neckline. She accessorized with a shimmer silver clutch Padma Lakshmi stood out in a long, shimmering silver dress. The raven-haired beauty carried a chunky charcoal clutch and wore light open-toe heels Joining the Parks And Recreation star was his wife Naomi Scott, who wore a similarly tasteful low-cut black dress with a rippling skirt. Adrien Brody contrasted Adam's look with a more modern double-breasted suit with particularly skinny lapels and a single button in the shape of a pink flower. The two-time Oscar winner and star of The Brutalist was joined by his partner Georgina Chapman. The ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein shimmered in a white satin dress with contrasting ruffled black sleeves and a black cape trailing behind her. Serena Williams wore an unusual black off-the-shoulder dress that looked as if it had been shredded. It featured slim horizontal cutouts over her midriff and legs, and she paired it with rumpled sheer black gloves and pointy black heels strapped around her ankles Gayle King cut an elegant figure in a sparkling key lime green dress with a plunging neckline. She accessorized with a shimmer silver clutch. Padma Lakshmi stood out in a long, shimmering silver dress. The raven-haired beauty carried a chunky charcoal clutch and wore light open-toe heels. The retired Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman flaunted her fit figure in a red halter-style gown. The gold medalist and anti-sexual abuse activist wore a single-shoulder sleeveless design with matching red open-toe heels Her fellow gold medallist Simone Biles put on a leggy display in a sheer beige bustier-like minidress Another journalist, CNN anchor Abby Phillip was a vision in a white dress. She accessorized the long-sleeve look with a slim silver clutch The retired Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman flaunted her fit figure in a red halter-style gown. The gold medalist and anti-sexual abuse activist wore a single-shoulder sleeveless design with matching red open-toe heels. The longtime ABC News journalists David Muir and Diane Sawyer posed together on the red carpet. David wore a black tux with a full chest and a pleated shirt, while Diane rocked a cream-colored suit with gold bars clipped onto her lapels. Another journalist, CNN anchor Abby Phillip was a vision in a white dress. She accessorized the long-sleeve look with a slim silver clutch. Diego Luna, the star of the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor, wore an intriguing black double-breasted with an unusually small patch of shirt showing. He paired it with a black shirt and stuck to the standard bow tie. Dax Shepard and The Good Place star Kristen Bell both beamed ear to ear. The podcast star wore a tight black tux with a casual dotted necktie, while his wife Kristen sizzled in a red off-the-shoulder dress. Diego Luna, the star of the acclaimed Star Wars series Andor, wore an intriguing black double-breasted with an unusually small patch of shirt showing. He paired it with a black shirt and stuck to the standard bow tie Dax Shepard and The Good Place star Kristen Bell both beamed ear to ear. The podcast star wore a tight black tux with a casual dotted necktie, while his wife Kristen sizzled in a red off-the-shoulder dress The longtime ABC News journalists David Muir and Diane Sawyer posed together on the red carpet. David wore a black tux with a full chest and a pleated shirt, while Diane rocked a cream-colored suit with gold bars clipped onto her lapels The singer Hozier looked classy in a double-breasted black tuxedo with a slim bow tie Snoop Dogg and his son Cordell Broadus both favored black ensembles. Snoop wore a textured suit with gold buttons running up his lapels, and he spiced it up with green-and-black wingtip derbies. Cordell rocked a casual black tracksuit with sneakers Shogun star Hiroyuki Sanada favored classic elegance in a black tux Wicked director Jon M. Chu changed up things with a dark purple tux, a black bow tie and a prominent gold luxury wristwatch She was picture hobnobbing with several other A-listers, including a beaming Demi Moore The actresses were also joined by Blake's mother Elaine (L) and the fashion designer Georgina Chapman, who is in a relationship with Oscar winner Adrien Brody Blake's husband Ryan Reynolds was caught up in a giggling fit at something Aly Raisman said to him After unleashing her fury at Blake, Megyn managed to cut an elegant figure by the stairs with her husband Douglas Brunt Shogun's Hiroyuki Sanada (R), caught up with film and sports stars, including (LR) Demi, Aly, Simone Biles and Scarlett Johansson Scarlett seemed to have a great time as she caught up with Serena Williams The singer Hozier looked classy in a double-breasted black tuxedo with a slim bow tie. Snoop Dogg and his son Cordell Broadus both favored black ensembles. Snoop wore a textured suit with gold buttons running up his lapels, and he spiced it up with green-and-black wingtip derbies. Cordell rocked a casual black tracksuit with sneakers. Shogun star Hiroyuki Sanada favored classic elegance in a black tux, while Wicked director Jon M. Chu changed up things with a dark purple tux, a black bow tie and a prominent gold luxury wristwatch. They've been married for four years and are raising two toddlers together. Now Stassi Schroeder is spilling the tea on her wild sex life with Beau Clarke. The star has revealed the strangest place she has got frisky with her spouse. During season two of Vanderpump Villa, Stassi revealed the mood struck in a rather peculiar setting - their daughter's ball pit. The revelation arose when the couple were asked about the 'strangest place' they had ever had sex in while playing a drinking game on the show. 'Oh my God, I don't know! Are we so vanilla?' a mortified Stassi replied when she was unable to immediately think of a place. Stassi Schroeder has revealed the strangest place she has had sex with husband Beau Clarke 'I mean, we are not strange,' A red-faced Beau added. 'We're boring!' Stassi replied. The memory then arrived in Stassi's mind: 'Oh, I got it! After Hartfords first birthday party, we had sex in her ball pit,' she jubilantly declared. 'We did! We did!' Beau said before they high-fived one another. 'And we also changed the balls the next day!' he noted. 'No we didn't!' Stassi exclaimed. In a confessional, Stassi mused: 'Now that this is coming out, none of the other moms at Hartfords school are going to let their kids come to her birthday party.' Schroeder is starring as a spying 'special VIP' in the second season of Lisa Vanderpump's reality competition Vanderpump Villa, set in a 12th century castle in the South of France. 'Remember when I used to tell you don't get involved in other people's business?' the 64-year-old RHOBH alum told her in the trailer. The Vanderpump Rules alum once got frisky with her hubby in their daughter's ball pit Stassi posted a series of photos from a ball pit on Instagram back in January 2022 The pair married in a small backyard ceremony in September 2020 during Covid and welcomed their daughter Hartford in January 2021 The couple are pictured in June 2019 'Well now, I want you to do the exact opposite. Snooping.' Stassi and Beau's love story began in 2017, and viewers watch their relationship unfold on Vanderpump Rules. They eventually became engaged in 2019 - with Vanderpump Rules cameras rolling - and tied the knot in September 2020 in a small backyard ceremony. They welcomed their daughter Hartford in January 2021 before saying marrying again at the Hotel de Russie in Italy in May 2022. Schroeder is starring as a spying 'special VIP' in the second season of Lisa Vanderpump's reality competition Vanderpump Villa, set in a 12th century castle in the South of France Their second child, son Messer Rhys, was born September 2023. The LMU grad was only 24 when she became a server at Lisa's WeHo restaurant SUR and went on to star in Vanderpump Rules for eight seasons until she was fired in 2020. Stassi - who was dropped by her agent and publicist - was accused of making 'racially-insensitive comments' on her Straight Up podcast as well as filing a false police report in 2018 against the only African-American on the show, Faith Stowers. Schroeder first found fame competing in the eighth season of CBS' The Amazing Race with her family in 2005. Kristen Stewart's new wife Dylan Meyer has officially confirmed their marriage by giving fans a closer look at their laid-back wedding ceremony. The Twilight star, 35, tied the knot with the screenwriter, 37, on Sunday at the Mexican restaurant Casita del Campo near their home in LA's trendy Silver Lake neighborhood. And on Thursday, Meyer proved she's in newlywed bliss as she shared the first photos of their nuptials to Instagram. One photo showed Meyer, who went braless under a see-through blouse, and Stewart sharing a kiss as they seemingly had their first dance. The other snap showed the couple with their arms wrapped around one another as they gazed into each other's eyes. 'I do. I really really really really really do,' Meyer captioned the post, which has amassed over 35,000 'likes.' Kristen Stewart 's new wife Dylan Meyer has officially confirmed their marriage by giving fans a closer look at their laid-back wedding ceremony; the couple seen in 2022 Fans flocked to the comment section to declare Meyer and Stewart who have been together for six years the 'best brides in the world.' Meyer's IG post comes days after footage of Stewart delivering her heartfelt vows during their casual wedding ceremony began circulating online. While the A-list actress is no stranger to performing in front of crowds, Stewart was clearly brimming with nervous enthusiasm as she read her vows off a piece of paper. Kristen's heartfelt words were momentarily interrupted as she fumbled to adjust her microphone, sparking some laughter from the crowd and lightening the already sweet moment. At one point, Kristen sweetly took Dylan's hands into her grasp. Dylan also read her vows off a piece of paper, and Kristen appeared moved by her words as she rubbed her eyes. Friends and family gathered around the couple but gave them some space as they watched the ceremony unfold with their phones capturing the scene. For their nuptials, the couple opted for an edgy twist on their bridal wear, with Dylan sporting a sheer top and silky taupe skirt while Kristen wore a taupe set combined with a white T-shirt. The Twilight star, 35, tied the knot with the screenwriter, 37, on Sunday at the Mexican restaurant Casita del Campo near their home in LA's trendy Los Feliz neighborhood And on Thursday, Meyer proved she's in newlywed bliss as she shared the first photos of their nuptials to Instagram 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. 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. 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 seen in 2022 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. '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. TMZ reported that Kristen and Dylan procured their Los Angeles County marriage license on Tuesday of last week; the couple seen in 2022 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; the couple seen in 2022 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. Justin Baldonis legal battle with Blake Lively has taken a bizarre new twist, with lawyers launching 14 new claims against his embattled former publicist, Stephanie Jones, on Thursday. Baldoni's, 41, movie company, Wayfarer, and his publicist for the film It Ends With Us, Jennifer Abel, both filed new claims including a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, breach of contract, defamation, and fraud against Jones. They accused Jones of snooping on Abel's private messages all the way until January this year, and plotting a 'flagrant abuse of process' with Lively, 37, to generate a subpoena from a 'sham lawsuit' to cover up Jones allegedly leaking messages to Lively. Abel's new filing also accused Jones of making 'bizarre' claims about Abel to her staff based on supposed information from 'psychic readings.' 'In one instance, Jones announced to Abels subordinates that she had learned through psychic readings that Abel was an alcoholic and a gambling addict.' Abel added that the claim had 'no basis in reality', and instead 'raised alarm about whether Jones was in the midst of a mental breakdown.' Justin Baldoni's, 41, legal battle with Blake Lively, 37, has taken a bizarre new twist, with lawyers launching 14 new claims against his embattled former publicist Stephanie Jones Jones camp added that Abels latest filing offers no evidence for her claims, and many are recycled. Abel's court document said: Although Jones had always been volatile, she now appeared to be actively unraveling.' On a different occasion, Jones announced, again per her psychic, that Abel would soon be pregnant with twins, humiliating and infuriating Abel, whoJones knewhad struggled with fertility issues, the filing said. Jones' lawyers shot back, calling the new claims 'just distraction and noise' and 'a few debunked conspiracy theories', in a scathing statement to DailyMail.com. The two bombshell documents filed in New York federal court totaled a combined 125 pages. The same night the documents were filed, Lively attended the TIME100 all-star gala in New York City, following her controversial inclusion on the publication's Most Influential People list. She was joined by her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, at the event. She sparked a furious response from Megyn Kelly, who told DailyMail.com Blake 'shouldn't be here.' Megyn accused her of 'bastardiz[ing] Me Too allegations' in her quest to sue Baldoni for sexual harassment, which he has denied. The latest filings in the legal war were made in Jones' lawsuit against Abel. After Lively and Baldonis legal battle exploded into the courts in December, Jones sued her former staffer Abel in January claiming that Abel plotted behind her back to steal Baldoni as a client, and falsely pinned an alleged smear campaign against Lively on Jones. Trial-watchers were expecting a run-of-the mill filing this evening: a boilerplate denial of Jones claims. But instead, Baldoni and Abels lawyer Bryan Freedman went on the offensive. Abel's filing accused Jones of stealing her personal data from her Jonesworks PR firm company phone when she announced she was quitting in July 2024. Baldoni's movie company Wayfarer and his publicist for the film It Ends With Us, Jennifer Abel, both filed new claims including a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, breach of contract, defamation, and fraud against Jones (pictured) Abel's new filing accuses Jones of 'bizarre' claims to staff, based on 'psychic readings,' including false accusations about Abel (pictured) being 'an alcoholic and a gambling addict', which Abel says caused alarm about Jones being 'in the midst of a mental breakdown' They accused Jones of snooping on Abel's private messages all the way until January this year, and plotting a 'flagrant abuse of process' with Lively to generate a subpoena from a 'sham lawsuit' to cover up Jones allegedly leaking messages to Lively She claimed Jones had illicit access to all her personal texts through her iCloud account until as recently as January this year. Abel claimed the alleged snooping amounted to a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violations of Stored Communications Act and violations of the Federal Wiretap Act. The claws were out in the filing, with Abel giving a damning description of Jones workplace. She claimed morale at Jonesworks was Abysmal, that it had a toxic workplace culture, and staff constantly gossiped and complained. Abel even claimed Jones would regularly turn on deafening music so that she could berate her employees free from scrutiny. She quoted an unnamed former employee allegedly saying I dont think there was one day in the office that someone wasnt crying. Abel claimed that when she left and Jones seized her company phone, the PR boss had been sharing her private text messages with the entire office, mocking and disparaging her. The filing even claimed Jones retained access to Abels iCloud for multiple months thereafter, monitoring and intercepting her private communications in real-time [...] not only with her clients, fiance, doctors, parents, and friends but also with the undersigned counsel. In their filings, both Abel and Wayfarer cited another twist in the case that was revealed by DailyMail.com last week. Jones' lawyers shot back, calling the new claims 'just distraction and noise' and 'a few debunked conspiracy theories', in a scathing statement to DailyMail.com After Lively and Baldonis legal battle exploded into the courts in December, Jones sued her former staffer Abel in January claiming that Abel plotted behind her back to steal Baldoni as a client, and falsely pinned an alleged smear campaign against Lively on Jones And now Baldoni and Abels lawyer Bryan Freedman (pictured) went on the offensive. Abel's filing accused Jones of stealing her personal data from her Jonesworks PR firm company phone when she announced she was quitting in July 2024 DailyMail.com uncovered how Lively used her little-known company Vanzan Inc. to quietly file a mysterious lawsuit against unnamed defendants in September last year, months before her public legal battle with Baldoni began She then used the lawsuit to secretly issue a subpoena to Jones for embarrassing texts between Baldoni, Abel and his crisis PR Melissa Nathan, without alerting any of them. Public records for Vanzan Inc list a business address in New York City and its CEO as 'Blake Reynolds' DailyMail.com uncovered how Lively used her little-known company Vanzan Inc. to quietly file a mysterious lawsuit against unnamed defendants in September last year, months before her public legal battle with Baldoni began. She then used the lawsuit to secretly issue a subpoena to Jones for embarrassing texts between Baldoni, Abel and his crisis PR Melissa Nathan, without alerting any of them. The texts, allegedly showing a smear campaign plot against Lively, were used in her bombshell California legal complaint in December that kicked off the public legal war between the two Hollywood stars, and were shared with the New York Times in an explosive article the next day. In their legal filing on Thursday night, Abel and Wayfarer slammed the tactic as a sham lawsuit and nothing more than a transparent ploy to obtain subpoena power. Abel called it a flagrant abuse of process. Since there were no identifiable parties and no party had been served, the subpoenas were issued without notice, depriving Abel of any knowledge of the subpoena, much less the opportunity to object, her filing said. She accused Jones of having already leaked texts with Livelys team and using the secret Vanzan lawsuit to create a veneer of legitimacy and plausible deniability. As a result of Jones malicious scheme, Abels life has been turned upside down, her filing said. In an unimaginable invasion of Abels privacy and dignity, Jones and the Lively Parties now possess the full contents of Abels iCloud and email accounts, including her photos, text messages, and emails. Abel lives in fear of what is to come, given the vast troves of personal data in the possession of these hostile actors. Wayfarers filing accused Jones of a breach of contract for giving up the messages, claiming it violated the confidentiality provision by voluntarily and maliciously disclosing Confidential Information. The same night the documents were filed, Lively attended the TIME100 all-star gala in New York City, following her controversial inclusion on the publication's Most Influential People list. She was joined by her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, at the event Lively sparked a furious response from Megyn Kelly, who told DailyMail.com Blake 'shouldn't be here.' Megyn accused her of 'bastardiz[ing] Me Too allegations' in her quest to sue Baldoni for sexual harassment, which he has denied In her December complaint, Lively claimed Baldoni had acted unprofessionally on the set of the domestic abuse movie It Ends With Us in which the pair starred and Baldoni also directed As well as two counts of Breach of contract, they accused Jones of breach of implied covenant and defamation. Jones lawyers hit back with statements to DailyMail.com slamming the new claims as a distraction from what they say was a straightforward breach of contract by Abel. Jones attorney Kristin Tahler accused Freedman of reversing course, dropping previously touted claims, presenting zero new evidence. Tahler was referring to Abels previous stance that she had suffered false imprisonment, trapped at the Jonesworks office and intimidated into signing documents and giving up her company phone a claim that did not appear in the new filings on Thursday. This case will be decided on the mountain of evidence that demonstrates Wayfarer Studios and Ms. Abel deliberately breached their contracts with Jonesworks, which the defendants have conspicuously failed to rebut, fellow attorney Maaren Shah added. The defendants' weak attempt to assemble their own case against Ms. Jones amounts to nothing more than a few debunked conspiracy theories and media gimmicks that have no basis in fact or evidence. Until DailyMail.com's discovery of the Vanzan lawsuit, the timeline of the courtroom battle between Lively and Baldoni appeared to begin in December, when she filed a California Civil Rights Department complaint and a federal lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation. Lively claimed he had acted unprofessionally on the set of the domestic abuse movie It Ends With Us in which the pair starred and Baldoni also directed. She also accused Baldoni and his team of publicists of launching a smear campaign against her amid the release of the film last summer. Baldoni filed a countersuit in January. Both parties deny the allegations against them. The New York Times published an explosive story about the alleged sexual harassment and smear campaign immediately after Lively's California filing, referring extensively to the embarrassing texts between Baldoni's publicists obtained by Lively's lawyers. The paper reported that the texts included in Lively's filing had been obtained by a subpoena a curious detail that raised eyebrows at the time. Freedman pointed out that he wasn't aware of a subpoena and that none of his clients had been subpoenaed in the matter at that stage. The latest salvo comes on top of months of claims and counterclaims over the fallout from It Ends With Us, with lawyers for both Lively and Baldoni publicly slugging it out. The film at the heart of the feud, based on the 2016 bestseller by Colleen Hoover, was released in August and was a box office hit Many of the revelations that have emerged have proved highly embarrassing, not least Lively memorably comparing herself to Game of Thrones character Khaleesi and referring to husband Ryan and pal Taylor Swift as 'my dragons'. Some of her more lurid claims also came under scrutiny, not least her assertation that Baldoni had sexually harassed her by nuzzling her neck during a scene and commenting on how she smells none of which was recorded due to microphones being turned off. But footage first published DailyMail.com revealed that it did have audio which picked up a full account of the conversation and revealed that it had been about the smell of Lively's fake tan. She also faced criticism for serving legal papers to Baldoni's team in the middle of the devastating wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles in early January. Other revelations from the initial complaint included Lively's alleged failure to read the novel on which It Ends With Us is based until long after filming had begun. Baldoni's cross-complaint also revealed that he and his family had been forced to spend the premiere of It Ends With Us sitting in a basement because Lively refused to allow him to be in the same room as her. Ryan Reynolds debuted his newly dyed hair as he ditched his graying locks while attending the Time100 Gala in New York City on Thursday. The Deadpool actor, 48 - who accompanied wife Blake Lively on the red carpet amid their ongoing lawsuit with Justin Baldoni - became the latest member of the 'midlife crisis' hair dye club with other stars such as Ben Affleck and George Clooney. Reynolds opted for a light brown shade for his wavy locks while the stubble around his chin and jawline appeared to also have the same tint. The star had begun embracing his silver hair years earlier - and could be seen sporting the color nearly 10 years ago during an outing in London in 2016. Ryan has previously opened up about aging during a past interview with Vogue, and said, 'There are so many bizarre and unhealthy standards placed on so many people. 'And not just in the public eye, but in regular life outside of that world. In terms of aging gracefully, I never bemoan a birthday.' Ryan Reynolds, 48, debuted his newly dyed hair as he ditched his graying locks while attending the Time100 Gala in New York City on Thursday Reynolds opted for a light brown shade for his wavy locks while the stubble around his chin and jawline appeared to also have the same tint He added, 'We all want to be old people at one point, so you may as well enjoy getting there. I think it's sexy to embrace [aging], rather than combat it.' And while talking to Variety in 2022, Reynolds explained that he has slowly stopped doing his own stunts in films. 'You're not allowed to eat Advil like cereal,' the actor joked. 'Things start to hurt. After I turned 35, being thrown onto cement wasn't hilarious anymore. It had been upgraded to hell.' Ryan further expressed, 'I really like physicality in movies. I think it's important to do as much of [the stunt work] yourself as you can, but I'll step aside when there's something that's just too gnarly and there's a trained professional ready to go.' Earlier this month, Ben Affleck was also spotted showcasing a new look as he also said goodbye to his silver hair and beard. Similar to Reynolds, the Oscar winner opted for a brown shade. The Good Will Hunting star first debuted the transformation while making an appearance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. And in March, George Clooney shocked fans when he stepped out with a darker head of locks after rocking the silver fox look for years. The reason was due to the actor recently making his Broadway debut in the production of Good Night, And Good Luck - where he took on the leading role of CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow. He added, 'We all want to be old people at one point, so you may as well enjoy getting there. I think it's sexy to embrace [aging], rather than combat it' Earlier this month, Ben Affleck was also spotted showcasing a new look as he also said goodbye to his silver hair and beard Clooney also revealed that his wife Amal - whom he tied the knot with in 2014 - was not a fan of the look. In February the star told the New York Times: 'My wife is going to hate it because nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his hair. My kids are going to just laugh at me nonstop.' Earlier this week while stopping by CBS Mornings told host Gayle King of the hair dye job: 'I know it's not good.' King also told the Hollywood star, 'I have to take a moment looking at you with the dark hair.' George then said, 'Oh, It's not good! I'm not used to it, you never get used to it. Listen, I started getting gray when I was 25 so I've been grey most of my life so it's not my favorite look. 'And my wife, she thinks it's funny. Well, they [his children] laugh at it [his hair] because honestly nothing makes you look older than being 63 and dying your hair.' Reynolds strutted on the red carpet on Thursday with his own new hair color with wife Blake Lively - who was recently named Time100's Most Influential People of 2025. At the Time100 Gala, the Gossip Girl alum - who is currently embroiled in Justin Baldoni lawsuit drama - sparked a furious response from Megyn Kelly following the actress' controversial inclusion on the publication's Most Influential People list. And in March, George Clooney shocked fans when he stepped out with a darker head of locks after rocking the silver fox look for years Clooney also revealed that his wife Amal - whom he tied the knot with in 2014 - was not a fan of the look; couple seen in 2024 in NYC George then said, 'Oh, It's not good! I'm not used to it, you never get used to it. Listen, I started getting grey when I was 25 so I've been grey most of my life so it's not my favorite look'; seen earlier this month in NYC The conservative journalist blasted Blake and her ongoing lawsuit against Justin Baldoni in an impassioned rant while speaking to DailyMail.com on the red carpet. According to Megyn, Blake - who left readers outraged over her Time100 cover - 'shouldn't be here.' The red carpet feud erupted amid a new lawsuit filing in Blake and Justin's legal battle in which his production company and his publicist for his film It Ends With Us, Jennifer Abel, accused his embattled former publicist, Stephanie Jones, of allegedly plotting with Blake to cover up efforts to leak Abel's sensitive text messages to the actress. At the Time100 gala, Megyn ramped up her attack against the Gossip Girl star, accusing her of 'bastardiz[ing] Me Too allegations' in her quest to sue her It Ends With Us director and costar Justin for sexual harassment, which he has denied. Baldoni later followed up by launching a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her publicist and her husband Ryan - which all have denied as well - and he also filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times for its reporting on her allegations. 'It's a ridiculous joke. She shouldn't be here,' she said of Blake. 'I think [Blake has] launched a fake Me Too allegation against [Justin], and she's lived to regret doing it, because virtually every allegation she has made has fallen apart. 'So for her to be honored for doing that, to try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing, is a scandal.' The subject is familiar turf for Megyn, as she reportedly told investigators that she had been sexually harassed by her former Fox News boss Roger Ailes. Her experiences and those of other high-profile female anchors and reports at Fox were later dramatized in the 2019 film Bombshell, in which Charlize Theron played Megyn with the aid of extensive facial prosthetics. Reynolds strutted on the red carpet on Thursday with his own new hair color with wife Blake Lively - who was recently named Time100's Most Influential People of 2025 According to Megyn, Blake - who left readers outraged over her Time100 cover - 'shouldn't be here' The Megyn Kelly show host, who showcased her svelte figure in a red sleeveless dress, joked that she hoped to get a selfie with Blake and Meghan Markle 'in the distance' because they had provided her with 'so many hours of content.' She said Time was just trying to generate publicity for the magazine by putting 'big stars' on the cover, but it was 'very wrong' to lend its legitimacy to the controversial star. Megyn joked to DailyMail.com that she wouldn't be making an effort to avoid Blake or Ryan, but she had a 'feeling she's going to be avoid me.' As for the rumors of a feud between Blake and her Another Simple Favor costar Anna Kendrick, the conservative host was less concerned, as it was Blake's alleged attempts to 'bastardize Me Too allegations against people who don't deserve it' that got her blood boiling. According to the lawyer, thoroughly investigating the Gossip Girl star's claims was necessary to prevent other future accusers from being tarnished. She added that even though Blake and Ryan have 'very powerful PR people and lawyers,' it's important to be 'clear-eyed' and to 'call out' claims when they aren't legitimate. 'Otherwise, no one who has actually experienced these things is going to be believed,' Megyn declared. Blake arrived at the gala in a shimmering red off-the-shoulder gown that highlighted her cleavage and featured a modest train trailing behind her. She added some extra color to the look with multiple rings and bracelets decorated with jade, and she wore her long blond hair in thick waves that cascaded elegantly down her back. 'So for her to be honored for doing that, to try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing, is a scandal,' Kelly added; Baldoni seen in 2024 in L.A. Ryan favored classic men's style with a black tuxedo and bow tie. The Deadpool star posed for several photos together with his wife, but photographers at the event also wanted to snap some solo pictures of him. In one awkward moment, Time CEO Jessica Sibley struggled to explain why Blake had been included on the Time100 list despite the controversy that has overwhelmed her and her film projects amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni. 'I think she's having a great year,' she said bizarrely. She said the magazine's goal was to be 'the humanities guide to trust in journalism,' adding that the magazine was 'excited to tell her story.' Scarlett Johansson was attending the gala amid concerns that her major new career move could be overshadowed by Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' ongoing drama, as Ryan is her ex-husband Among the stunning A-listers at the event was Scarlett Johansson, who put on a busty display in a sleek black sleeveless halter dress that emphasized her hourglass figure. The Avengers: Endgame star wore a rigid gold necklace with a small chain dangling down, and her dress featured a gold bar securing its ruched midriff. Scarlett - who didn't appear to be joined by her husband, SNL writer and Weekend Update host Colin Jost - added a splash of color with her scarlet nail polish. She was attending the gala amid concerns that her major new career move could be overshadowed by Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' ongoing drama, as Ryan is her ex-husband. The music and comedy worlds are in mourning with news of the passing of Hee Haw star Lulu Roman. The performer - who appeared on over 150 episodes of Hee Haw from 1969 to 1992 - passed away at 78 on Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Her son Damon Roman confirmed she passed in Bellingham, Washington, where she moved to be with her son seven months earlier. No cause of death was released at this time, though her former publicist Ben Laurro released a statement to People. 'Lulu Roman was unsung. She endured much adversity in her life that helped her become a joy to others,' Laurro's brief statement read. Of her role in Hee Haw, she previously said that she had been 'hired to be the fat girl' as she spoke publicly about her health journey on The 700 Club in 2010. She later lost 200 pounds after the show had ended. The music and comedy worlds are in mourning with news of the passing of Hee Haw star Lulu Roman The performer - who appeared on over 150 episodes of Hee Haw from 1969 to 1992 - passed away at 78 on Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter Lulu was born Bertha Louise Hable on May 6, 1946 in Dallas, in a home for unwed mothers, and she was placed in Buckner Orphans Home. She was born with a thyroid condition that would lead to her obesity, though she was never adopted. After graduating from W.W. Samuell High School in Dallas in 1964, she started performing a comedy act called Lulu Roman, the Worlds Biggest Go-Go Dancer. She primarily performed at a number of Dallas clubs owned by the now-infamous assassin Jack Ruby, who gunned down Lee Harvey Oswald on live television. One of Lulu's fans was country music star Buck Owens, with Lulu stating in a 2020 interview that he, 'liked my sense of humor.' 'He told me once that hed just sit and observe me. I said, "Lord have mercy!" He said it was real interesting: "Youre a master at quick wit." I wasnt sure what he was talking about, but I got hold of it later,' she said. It was Owens who would ultimately recommend her to Hee Haw producers and pave the way for her appearance on the show's first episode in 1969. She added in a 2024 interview, 'They needed one boy next door, one fat dumb man, one fat dumb woman. Buck said, "I got your girl! Shes in Dallas!"' She was born with a thyroid condition that would lead to her obesity, though she was never adopted. She primarily performed at a number of Dallas clubs owned by the now-infamous assassin Jack Ruby, who gunned down Lee Harvey Oswald on live television She converted to Christianity in 1973 and convinced the Hee Haw producers not only to re-hire her, but also allow her to sing While she originally only had background roles, she would ultimately get speaking roles in regular segments like The Culhanes. An arrest for drug possession (marijuana, speed, LSD and meth) in 1971 lead to her exiting the show for a few years as she was sentenced to four years in prison. She converted to Christianity in 1973 and convinced the Hee Haw producers not only to re-hire her, but also allow her to sing. 'After I gave my heart to Jesus, the Lord started working on me and making me into quite a different person than when I started,' she said in an undated interview. That led to a new gospel singing career, releasing the first of her dozen albums in 1974, despite never having any formal training for singing. She was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and appeared in Hee Haw Honeys, The Love Boat and the 1972 movie Corky. Roman published her autobiography This Is My Story; This Is My Song in 2019, two years after her youngest son Justin passed away in 2017. Nicole da Silva is urging Australians to put violence against Australian women first in their minds as they enter the polling booths for the federal election. The Wentworth star, 43, is best known for portraying affable prison boss Franky Doyle in the award-winning TV drama between 2013 and 2018. In her first interview in several years, the actress called attention to the 23 Australian women who have died at the hands of violence this year. The deaths occurred between January 13 and April 21. 'The rate of femicide in this country is completely unacceptable,' she told Confidential ahead of her return to the stage in The Lover at Enmore Theatre. According to the Australian Femicide Watch, 103 Australian women and 16 children were killed in 2024, with 26 of those deaths occurring by April last year. 'It really is going to be a case of the government that comes in actively and genuinely trying to change that tide, and trying to change those numbers,' Nicole said. Wentworth star Nicole da Silva is urging Australians to put violence against Australian women first in their minds as they enter the polling booths for the federal election According to the Australian Femicide Watch , 103 Australian women and 16 children were killed in 2024, with 26 of those deaths occurring by April last year. In the first four months of 2025, 26 women have been killed. Each heart on the Memorial map represents one death 'The way we accept domestic violence in this country and the way its perpetrated through the legal system, through the frontline workers, is unacceptable,' 'I really hope that our politicians start to heed some of that.' Her words come as Adrian Noel Torrens, 53, died in custody three days after his arrest for allegedly murdering 19-year-old Audrey Griffin. The government department tasked with keeping the accused killer of a 19-year-old woman alive so he can face trial for her alleged murder has sent condolences to people 'affected by his death'. The Central Coast man was found unresponsive in his cell at Silverwater Jail in Sydney's west about 4.50pm on Thursday and couldn't be revived by paramedics and corrective services officers. 'Violence against women and domestic violence affects everyone,' Nicole continued. 'It limits and narrows the options for men and boys in this society. Its a bigger conversation than just women.' Nicole Da Silva, who is best known for portraying Franky Doyle (left) in TV drama Wentworth, said the rate of femicide in Australia is 'completely unacceptable This week, both Labor and the Coalition announced their policies to reduce the rates of gender-based violence ahead of the federal election on May 3. Both major parties have committed to continuing an existing 10-year plan to address the 'national crisis', which was updated last year to dedicate $900million to frontline services. Nicole, who has also starred in Rush, Doctor, Doctor and One Night, said the responsibility to address this crisis falls on every Australian. 'I think whats been lacking in the dialogue so far is men speaking up and holding other men accountable and actively wanting to change a kind of inherently misogynistic system,' she concluded. An Australian podcaster and comedian has been left 'mortified' after experiencing a very awkward misunderstanding at a cafe. Christian Hull, who hosted the Complete Drivel podcast, shared a photo to social media on Friday of him sitting at an outdoor cafe in a rainbow patterned jumper staring into space. The Brisbane-based social media personality has 1.9million followers on TikTok and a further 296,000 on Instagram, but was issued with a humbling reminder that online fame does not always translate to real life on Friday. 'I had a "main character syndrome" moment and I'm so embarrassed. Mortified. I'm at a cafe sitting outside and just ordered so can't leave. Here is what happened,' Christian began. The comedian described a painfully awkward interaction while dining in the stylish rainbow-striped top. 'I hear "Thats a gorgeous jumper!", and before even looking up or confirming that compliment was for me, I took it, he explained. Australian podcaster and comedian Christian Hull has been left 'mortified' after experiencing a very awkward misunderstanding at a cafe '"Thank you so much," I say, as I raise my head to look at the ladies complimenting me only to see them talking to another woman in a green sweater. Christian added he was left red-faced after the humiliating misunderstanding. 'I was loud. So loud they heard. It was so f***ing awkward because none of the four pairs of eyes looking at me addresses what's just happened,' he said. 'They weren't even talking to me! I have no one to laugh with. Or clarify how insane this was. They go back to complimenting the green sweater. 'I'm sitting here opposite them waiting for my burger... so embarrassed. I just want to hide and not be seen!' Earlier this month, Christian was caught up in another embarrassing incident at Brisbane Airport, and shared a post to social media in which he apologised to a fan for being short with them. 'I'm on my way to Sydney to see family. Im currently at Brisbane Airport and just suffered a HUGELY EMBARRASSING INCIDENT,' he began. 'Firstly to the lady that asked for a photo, and I hurried her along, I apologise. I don't have to run to my flight, I was lying. 'Secondly, to the lady I heard calling my name I'm so sorry I ran away from you... here is what was happening. I P***ED MY PANTS!' Earlier this month, Christian was caught up in another embarrassing incident at Brisbane Airport, and shared a post to social media in which he apologised to a fan He added he was in a rush to clean up the mess and so didn't have time to chat to his fans, as he normally would. 'One day I will share the full story but my pants were soaked with urine... I was running to buy new pants and board a flight. Time was of the absolute essence,' he wrote. 'This was so disgusting and stressful. I had cleaned myself at the bathroom but there was no way I was sitting in piss soaked pants for the next 7 hours while I travel to the Blue Mountains. 'WHY AM I SUCH A DISASTER?' Tyra Banks looked nearly unrecognizable as she attended Daily Front Row's Ninth Annual Fashion L.A. Awards on Thursday. The supermodel, 51 - who recently revealed the surprising reason she fled the U.S. to move to Australia - joined other celebrities at the event, such as Brooks Nader and Chappell Roan. Banks was the recipient of the Fashion Icon Award during the festivities, which took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The star walked the red carpet with a bold makeup look which comprised of thicker eyebrows as well as a silver shadow around her eyes. A warm blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow and a light pink, matte tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch. Tyra turned heads wearing a dark brown coat that fell down towards her ankles and was secured with a belt around her waist. Tyra Banks, 51, looked nearly unrecognizable as she attended Daily Front Row's Ninth Annual Fashion L.A. Awards on Thursday The star walked the red carpet with a bold makeup look which comprised of thicker eyebrows as well as a silver shadow around her eyes Additional fabric draped down the left side and shoulder pads added a stylish flare to the overall ensemble. She slipped into a pair of closed-toed, brown pumps to coincide with the color scheme of the look. The star's brunette locks were parted in the middle, and flowed down in light waves to brush past her shoulders. Banks opted to not add any flashy pieces of jewelry to allow the ensemble to be the main focal point for the special evening. The TV personality paused for a brief photo session upon arriving to the venue - and was later seen addressing the crowd as she accepted the Fashion Icon Award. Tyra has opened up about beauty and aging over the years, such as during a recent interview with Essence this year. 'I know sometimes people my age, they look at a younger generation and they get jealous of their youth, their vitality, and that they have so much ahead of them,' she expressed. 'But I don't look at the younger generation and get jealous of that, because I was once that. I experienced that. I don't have that inside of me.' Banks was the recipient of the Fashion Icon Award during the festivities, which took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel; seen on America's Next Top Model above in 2005 A warm blush was added for a radiant glow and a light pink, matte tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch The TV personality paused for a brief photo session upon arriving to the venue - and was later seen addressing the crowd as she accepted the Fashion Icon Award And in 2023, Banks revealed the secret behind her ageless appearance while talking to DailyMail.com - which she credited as to having 'extra weight' on her face. 'I do think one secret is extra weight, because I've not been too skinny,' she explained at the time. 'I think if you're really skinny, it will age your face. So I think a bit of juice, as it keeps the face nice and juicy naturally. I haven't had injections.' Tyra continued, 'The only thing I did was my nose, and that was many years ago. I'm not anti [injections] maybe one day I will, but I haven't done it yet.' Back in 2018, the star opened up to share that she had gotten a nose job earlier on in her career during an interview with People. 'Natural beauty is unfair,' she stated. 'I get really uncomfortable when women who are these natural beauties judge anybody who does anything to themselves.' She also wrote about the topic in her memoir titled Perfect Is Boring and Banks further expressed: 'I had bones in my nose that were growing and itching. 'I could breathe fine, but I added cosmetic surgery. I admit it! Fake hair, and I did my nose. I feel I have a responsibility to tell the truth.' And in 2023, Banks revealed the secret behind her ageless appearance while talking to DailyMail.com - which she credited as to having 'extra weight' on her face; seen in February in Santa Monica Tyra also shared, 'If you like your natural self, don't worry about it. But if you feel insecure about something... 'I have a magic bag of beauty tricks to make you who you want to be. Permanent or temporary, I do not judge that.' Banks continued, 'Fix it or flaunt it - I think women should be able to do both. There is a boundary line, either you're super natural or you live at the plastic surgeon. 'It's okay to hop back and forth over that line. You want a hair weave? Fine. You want permanent eyebrows? Fine. We as women need to stop judging.' Back in 2018, the star opened up to share that she had gotten a nose job earlier on in her career during an interview with People; seen in 1998 in NYC She opened up about her decision to move herself and her family across the globe during a guest appearance on Today With Jenna & Friends last week Along with her latest appearance at the 2025 Fashion Awards in L.A., Tyra has been busy with her move to Sydney, Australia. She opened up about her decision to move herself and her family across the globe during a guest appearance on Today With Jenna & Friends last week. 'So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream. I was going to Australia a lot because we were making a lot of our ice cream there in a big facility doing our recipes, and I just fell in love with it.' The model added, 'So I was like, "I'm happy here, and they love to eat some ice cream, so are we gonna do this, family?" And we did it!' George Clooney made a self-deprecating joke while receiving a beloved Broadway honor on Thursday. The 63-year-old actor returned to New York City to make his Broadway acting debut with the stage adaptation of his 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck. The stage show opened in previews in mid-March with its official premiere in early April, running through early June. The actor - who recently paid Donald Trump a rare compliment - was honored on Thursday with his portrait put on display at the iconic Manhattan restaurant Sardi's, a time-honored tradition for Broadway performers. While accepting the honor and taking a first look at his portrait, he cracked a joke about his hair. While his coif was darkened for his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow on stage, the portrait featured his typical grey hairstyle, which he seemingly prefers. George Clooney made a self-deprecating joke while receiving a beloved Broadway honor on Thursday. While accepting the honor and taking a first look at his portrait, he cracked a joke about his hair. While his coif was darkened for his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow on stage, the portrait featured his typical grey hairstyle, which he seemingly prefers 'I like the hair color. It's much better than my hair color right now,' Clooney joked while holding the portrait. 'That's better. It's grey, mostly grey. There we are, thank you so much,' the actor added at the restaurant. When it came time to sign the portrait, he joked about signing as his longtime friend Brad Pitt. Clooney co-wrote (with his producing and writing partner Grant Heslov), directed, produced and starred in 2005's Good Night, and Good Luck. The film portrayed the conflict between legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) and the Red Scare propagated by Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy, with Clooney playing producer Fred W. Friendly. The film earned $54.6 million from just a $7 million budget and was nominated for six Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor (Strathairn) and Best Director (Clooney). Clooney and Heslov returned to write the stage adaptation, with Clooney now portraying Murrow himself in his Broadway stage debut. When asked by CBS why he didn't play Murrow in the original film, Clooney replied, 'Murrow had a gravitas to him that at 42 years old I didn't-- I wasn't able to pull off.' 'I like the hair color. It's much better than my hair color right now,' Clooney joked while holding the portrait 'That's better. It's grey, mostly grey. There we are, thank you so much,' the actor added at the restaurant When it came time to sign the portrait, he joked about signing as his longtime friend Brad Pitt. Clooney and Heslov created the original film as a response to the U.S. war in Iraq, and they revived this story to hold up a mirror to Donald Trump. 'You know, I just thought it was a good time to talk about when the press held government to account,' Clooney said. Heslov added, 'Originally it wasn't for today, today. But it'sthis is a story that stands the test of time. I think it's a story that you can keep telling over and over. I don't think it will ever-- thematically get old.' Clooney added, 'Journalism and telling truth to power has to be waged like war is waged. It doesn't just happen accidentally. You know, it takes people saying, we're gonna do these stories and you're gonna have to come after us. And that's the way it is.' Michelle Keegan and husband Mark Wright put on a loved-up display as they enjoyed their first night out since welcoming their baby daughter Palma. The actress, 37, and the TOWIE star, 38, announced the birth of their first child in March and have been enjoying the first few weeks of being parents. And on Thursday, the pair dressed to impress as they stepped out for a romantic meal at the Corinthia London. Michelle showed off her incredible figure in a black strapless jumpsuit, teamed with strappy heels and minimal jewellery. Meanwhile, Mark cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo from M&S, and flashed his dazzling white smile for the camera. Sharing the snap to Instagram, Mark penned: 'Mum and Dad just got scrubbed up, ready for our 1st night out' Michelle Keegan and husband Mark Wright put on a loved-up display as they enjoyed their first night out since welcoming their baby daughter Palma Sharing the snap to Instagram, Mark penned: 'Mum and Dad just got scrubbed up, ready for our 1st night out' Michelle gave birth to a baby girl in March and has been sharing glimpses into her new mum life ever since. Last week, Michelle and Mark took the little one on her first visit to five-star hotel, Corinthia London for a long weekend. Sharing a slew of stunning snaps, Michelle looked effortlessly stylish as she made her way around the big smoke, baby bag and pram in tow. In one image, she showcased her gorgeous figure in a white wrap around top and matching trousers, as she posed for a glamorous mirror selfie, before slipping into a more casual getup of black trousers, a white T-shirt and tan jacket. She left her brunette tresses down and accessorised with a pair of oversized brown sunglasses to protect her eyes from the spring sun. Another picture showed the new-mum looking effortlessly stylish as she enjoyed a sunny day out with baby daughter. Michelle teamed a chic brown leather jacket with alabaster trousers and comfy trainers while shielding her eyes behind shades. The stunner wore her long brunette locks in a half up half down style and pushed her beloved daughter in her 1,249 for the iCandy Peach 7 Coco pushchair. The actress, 37, and the TOWIE star, 38, announced the birth of their first child in March and have been enjoying the first few weeks of being parents Last week, Michelle and Mark took the little one on her first visit to five-star hotel, Corinthia London for a long weekend The pair took the little one on her first visit to five-star hotel, Corinthia London for a long weekend, where they gifted her a personalised dressing gown Captioning the post: 'The perfect week' the former Coronation Street star also shared a number of posts which were dedicated to her daughter's name. These included a personalised dressing gown with her name embroidered on the front from the hotel, some clay mugs - one stamped Palma and another stamped Palma's mama - and two gorgeous gold necklaces - one with her daughters' name written out and another with a string of P's across it. Earlier in the week, Mark took to his Instagram Stories to give an insight into the lavish trip, where hotel staff kindly gave them some adorable gifts for Palma. The doting father shared a sweet video of him and Michelle walking into their very luxurious hotel suite, complete with an extravagant chandelier and spiral staircase. Michelle flashed a huge smile as she cradled baby Palma while hotel staff had put photographs of them with their daughter in silver frames on a table. A toy bunny was also placed on the table with 'Palma Wright' written on a red bow around its neck in a heartwarming personal touch. The hotel also gifted baby Palma a dressing gown and tiny slippers with her name embroidered across it, with Mark sharing a picture of the items to Instagram. He also gave an insight into their high-end stay, complete with a very lavish meal and stunning rooftop views of London's city centre. Another picture showed the new-mum highlighting her gorgeous figure in a white wrap around top and matching trousers, as she posed for a mirror selfie Captioning the post: 'The perfect week' the former Coronation Street star also shared a number of posts which were dedicated to her daughter's name including some clay mugs She also wore two gorgeous gold necklaces - one with her daughters' name written out and another with a string of P's across it 'It's the little touches... special,' Mark gushed in a caption alongside his videos. Mark recently opened up about what he's finding difficult as a first-time parent of a newborn on his Heart FM radio show this morning with his co-host Olly Murs . The revelation came as they read out a message from a listener who said sorting through their clothes is 'tiring'. Mark jokingly responded: 'Lisa, I'm going to go back to what you just said there, it's very tiring sorting your clothes in your room don't talk to me about tired right now. 'Because Palma, my little baby, is making me extremely tired. I turned up this morning and Olly went "you look shattered".' Laughing, Olly quipped: 'You know what, it's your eyes, it is the first time I've seen these little bags in all the years I've known you, just here, and it is a dad thing, it is a parent thing, all of a sudden you get these little bags under your eyes.' Mark agreed: 'Yeah, they say dad bod don't they, they never warn you about dad eyes'. Despite the lack of sleep, the reality star continued to gush about how much he's loving being a dad. He said: 'It is the best thing ever. It is the best thing ever. Except when I am trying to wind her after a bottle at 2am, nightmare.' Mark described fatherhood as the 'biggest achievement' of his life after welcoming Palma into the world with Michelle on March 6. He told Olly: 'Mate, it's actually hard to put into words. 'It's the biggest achievement of my life its all I think about but obviously hats go off to my wife she is an absolute super human, a superhero for bringing this baby into the world.' Sharing his appreciation for Michelle, he added: 'It makes you realise what our mums did for us and makes me have so much more respect than I already had and what women had to go through. 'It's the best feeling in the world. I wake up every morning just so excited to see her face.' Michelle and Mark whisked their baby daughter Palma off on their first London city break as a family Mark has described fatherhood as the 'biggest achievement' of his life after welcoming Palma into the world with Michelle on March 6 Recalling the first moment he held Palma, he continued: 'That moment when I held her in my arms, it gets me emotional now thinking about it. 'I suppose everything else goes out the window and its made me realise what life is all about and my little baby Palma I love you so much and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. 'It's a very special feeling. I cant really put it into words. We've waited a little bit of time, we've chased our dreams and our careers and now we're here. We've got a baby.' Mark and Michelle announced the news of their daughter's birth last month with a sweet snap shared to Instagram. It's believed the couple chose the name Palma because of their strong links to Mallorca, their go-to holiday destination and the setting for their pregnancy reveal photoshoot. The couple tied the knot in May 2015 and they live together in a 3.5million Essex mansion which they built from scratch. Coronation Street star and acting icon Nigel Havers has shockingly admitted he 'wanted to kill' fellow I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! campmate Lembit Opik amid their bitter feud. The 73-year-old, who played conman Lewis Archer in the ITV soap, joined the ex politician, 60, in the Australian jungle back in 2010, but quit after just nine days after objecting to electric shock trial. Nigel branded his experience on the reality show 's***' and said that he'd be in prison for murdering Lembit, with whom he clashed in camp, had he not left when he did. He told The Guardian: 'You think it looks bad on TV. S**t, it was terrible. It was the boredom more than anything'. 'There was a bloke called Lembit Opik, the politician. After a couple of days, I wanted to kill him. Had I stayed, I would've killed him and I'd be in prison now. So it seemed like a good idea to leave.' MailOnline have contacted Nigel's reps for further comment. Coronation Street star and acting icon Nigel Havers, 74, has shockingly admitted he 'wanted to kill' fellow I'm A Celeb campmate Lembit Opik The actor joined the ex politician, 60, in the Australian jungle back in 2010, but quit after just nine days after objecting to electric shock trial (Lembit pictured on the show in 2010) While in the jungle Nigel had been seen growing tired of Lembit's conversation, telling him on several occasions he was 'dull'. Last year the former MP revealed that he and the actor had not shared a single word since their time in camp and slammed the 'two-faced' actor for 'rubbishing' him over the years. He told The Sun: 'We've not been on each other's Christmas lists since 2010. Yeah, Nigel Havers was two-faced. He pretended to be my friend. I only realised what he really thought when I saw the show after I came out'. Nigel again spoke about his distaste for his co-star during a 2018 appearance on GMB: 'If I'd stayed there I would have killed somebody, his name was Lembit Opik and I was just about to murder him.' However following his interview Lembit was quick to hit back at Nigel as he took to X to accuse the actor of 'blaming him for everything'. He wrote: 'Poor Nigel Havers: only celeb to walk out of jungle in my series. He fell in lake - blamed me. In car back to hotel - he blamed me. Now hes blaming me for his departure from camp! I apologise for it all: and for his appearance on BENIDORM in case he blames me for that too.' Lembit was the second celebrity who was sent home by the public vote with Loose Women's host Stacey Solomon going on to win the series. Nigel dramatically quit I'm A Celeb, just hours after complaining to producers about treatment of contestants. Nigel (R) branded his experience on the reality show 's***' and said that he'd be in prison for murdering Lembit (L) with whom he clashed in camp, had he not left when he did He said: 'There was a bloke called Lembit Opik, the politician. After a couple of days, I wanted to kill him. Had I stayed, I would've killed him and I'd be in prison now' Last year the former MP revealed that he and the actor had not shared a single word since their time in camp and slammed the 'two-faced' actor for 'rubbishing' him over the years Nigel dramatically quit I'm A Celeb (pictured) just hours after complaining to producers about treatment of contestants He finally left camp, after he was seen objecting to the Kangaroo Court task, which saw camp members given electric shocks if they failed in the special trial. Nigel was seen fuming: 'I'm not up for it, I dont do electric shocks so Im leaving. I cannot waste another second of my life. I will probably do something drastic like probably go. 'If you are gaining something, thats a fantastic thing. But if youre not gaining something...' He said another reason he had decided to quit the show was because he didn't want his wife to see him 'in prison'. Nigel had also been complaining about the lack of intelligent conversation between campmates, calling many of the discussion topics 'inane'. Saying: 'There has been non-stop chat, never a pause ever. I'm 59 and I don't want to waste it sitting around talking absolute b******s.' Earlier this year Nigel shared insight into his colourful love life and been married three times, but he said he wouldnt know where to start if he was back on the market today. The star of The Charmer and Chariots Of Fire, said he the idea of online dating completely baffling. Whatever happened to going to a party and saying, Hello, what are you doing next week? he murmurs in that familiar silky voice. Thats so much nicer. I dont think I could cope with swiping left and right. I wouldnt know how to do it, for a start. It must be so complicated. In that respect, Im very glad Im in my early 70s. Nigel pictured as Lewis Archer in Coronation Street with co-star Sue Nicholls in 2010 Earlier this year cheeky Nigel revealed during his younger dats his father walked in on him in bed with two women On second thoughts, Nigel thinks that if he were single, hed somehow make a go of it. Someone would obviously teach me. But if I was 30 now, Id know exactly how to do it! Nigel came of age in the Swinging Sixties and says he didnt hold back. I swung as much as I could! he chuckles. When he was a drama student in London, his father Sir Michael Havers was a distinguished lawyer and future Attorney General, and had a flat at the Inns of Court. When his dad wasnt there, the flat became party central for Nigel and friends. One Saturday night I had a few people over for an evening; some cocktails and food. And then we all bunked down, as they say. About nine or ten oclock the next morning, I heard a key turning and I thought, Oh my God! Whos that? The next thing I knew my father walked in. I was in his bedroom, in his bed, which was not a good place to be, with a couple of girls. I had to make them disappear quickly. And my father said, Ill be back in an hour and youll face the music! So we quickly got the place together and everyone disappeared and I sat there. An hour went by, then two and he never came back. Dad never mentioned it. But I never did that again. Maya Jama showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy red bikini as she shared a selection of snaps from her sun-soaked holiday in Thailand on Thursday. The Love Island host, 30, took to Instagram as she expressed her gratitude at being able to take her family on the 'dream' trip. Joined by family, including her lookalike mother Sadie and model brother Omar, 27, the TV presenter penned an emotional caption as she confessed 'seeing the smiles on their faces is one of the best feelings'. Lounging on an outdoor sofa, Maya showcased her ample cleavage in the red two-piece before also sharing a bikini snap as she admired the view from her balcony. She also joined former islander Kaz Crossley for a Muay Thai session as the pair showcased their toned abs in sportswear. Maya began her lengthy caption: 'We used to dream of holidays like this'. Maya Jama showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy red bikini as she shared her gratitude during 'dream' Thailand family getaway in snaps on Thursday The Love Island host, 30, took to Instagram as she expressed her gratitude at being able to take her family on the 'dream' trip She continued: 'My heart & soul is full to the brim, being able to take my family away and seeing the smiles on their faces is one of the best feelings, memories to last a lifetime. '20 slides isnt enough & I could write a 2 page letter on what it took to get to this from where we come from but il [sic] save it for another day.' She added: 'Dreams come true, work hard and pour into those who pour into you'. In another snap, Maya appeared in great spirits as she beamed for a selfie on the back of her brother's motorbike. The star also posed up a storm in a stylish black co-ord as she flashed her toned abs in a simple bralette and matching ruffled skirt. Maya also gave fans a glimpse at her luxurious villa, posting snaps of the gorgeous beach sunset, lavish sunset dinners and another of her relaxing in the pool. The star has been keeping fans up to date on her travels and shared stunning bikini snaps to her Instagram last Friday. She posed up a storm in a skimpy black bikini top and matching tie-side bottoms while enjoying a day out at the beach. She also joined former islander Kaz Crossley for a Muay Thai session as the pair showcased their toned abs in sportswear Maya began her lengthy caption: 'We used to dream of holidays like this' as she gushed over how far she has come The star also posed up a storm in a stylish black co-ord as she flashed her toned abs in a simple bralette and matching ruffled skirt Meanwhile, in another snap, Maya appeared in great spirits as she beamed for a selfie on the back of her brother's bike Maya also gave fans a glimpse at her luxurious villa, posting snaps of lavish sunset dinners and another of her relaxing in the pool She also shared a gorgeous beach sunset snap She also captured a serene moment as she cooled off in the crystal-clear sea, soaking up the idyllic surroundings. Maya captioned the stunning snaps with: 'Every other day another time zone.' Maya is currently taking a well-deserved break from her TV and brand commitments to spend some quality time with her family. She has recently launched a new project, giving her ex Stormzy a run for his money with a new fast food menu with Uber Eats - two months after his McDonald's collaboration. The TV personality dipped her toes into the fast food business shortly after the rapper released his personalised menu in February. Stormzy's McDonald's collaboration, called The Stormzy Meal, includes nine chicken nuggets, fries, BBQ dips, a Sprite Zero, and an Oreo McFlurry or apple pie. Meanwhile, Maya's Uber menu includes a burger with watermelon jam, which she praises for its inflammatory benefits. The menu also offers ackee and saltfish, a staple Jamaican breakfast which she says will revive fans due to it being rich in vitamins A and C. Meanwhile, in another stunning snap, Maya put on a busty display in a lace cami top as she nonchalantly posed for the camera during a night out Maya has been keeping fans up to date on her travels and has shared a series of stunning bikini snaps to her Instagram A griddled chicken salad and coffee-infused sticky toffee pudding are also up for grabs. Maya said: 'I rarely get time off, but when I do, I love to simply sit back on the sofa, indulging in a little self-care and devouring a takeaway - and nothing helps me bounce back from a late one like it. 'That's why I'm happy to be teaming up with Uber Eats to bring my Revive And Thrive menu to life. 'Featuring classics that I always crave, like mac 'n' cheese and sticky toffee pudding to ackee and saltfish, these dishes are packed with flavour - and a few secret ingredients that I swear by to help me get back on form.' Maya went her separate ways with Stormzy last year and she has since been linked to Ruben Dias. Demi Moore and Georgina Chapman publicly showed their support for Blake Lively amid her lawsuit with Justin Baldoni. The Gossip Girl star, 37, was named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people and looked in good spirits at the gala despite fans claiming it was 'embarrassing' that she had been included. At the event, she caught up with Demi, 62, and Georgina, 49, with the trio posing for snaps alongside Lively's mother Robyn. Since Blake's court filing she has been bombarded with hateful messages on her social media. She has accused her It Ends With Us co-star Justin of orchestrating a smear campaign against her with a PR representative who boasted 'we can bury anyone'. One person who has turned against Blake was Megyn Kelly, who hit out at the actress following her controversial inclusion on the publication's Most Influential People list. Demi Moore and Georgina Chapman publicly showed their support for Blake Lively as they attended the TIME100 Gala with the star and her mother Robyn amid her lawsuit The Gossip Girl star, 37, was named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people and looked in good spirits despite fans claiming it was 'embarrassing' she had been included The 54-year-old conservative journalist blasted Blake and her ongoing lawsuit against Justin in an impassioned rant while speaking to DailyMail.com on the red carpet. According to Megyn, Blake who left readers outraged over her TIME100 cover 'shouldn't be here.' The red carpet feud erupted amid a new lawsuit filing in Blake and Justin's legal battle in which his production company and his publicist for his film It Ends With Us, Jennifer Abel, accused his embattled former publicist, Stephanie Jones, of allegedly plotting with Blake to cover up efforts to leak Abel's sensitive text messages to the actress. At the TIME100 gala, Megyn ramped up her attack against the Gossip Girl star, accusing her of 'bastardiz[ing] Me Too allegations' in her quest to sue her It Ends With Us director and costar Justin for sexual harassment, which he has denied. Justin later followed up by launching a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake, her publicist and her husband Ryan which all have denied as well and he also filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times for its reporting on her allegations. 'It's a ridiculous joke. She shouldn't be here,' she said of Blake. 'I think [Blake has] launched a fake Me Too allegation against [Justin], and she's lived to regret doing it, because virtually every allegation she has made has fallen apart,' Megyn added. 'So for her to be honored for doing that, to try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing, is a scandal.' Blake posed up a storm with fellow actress Demi as the pair cosied up for snaps together Blake has accused her It Ends With Us co-star Justin of orchestrating a smear campaign against her with a PR representative who boasted 'we can bury anyone' Megyn Kelly blasted Blake and her ongoing lawsuit against while speaking to DailyMail.com on the red carpet. According to Megyn, Blake 'shouldn't be here' The 37-year-old Another Simple Favor actress was joined by her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, at the event, though he wasn't included on the elite list The subject is familiar turf for Megyn, as she reportedly told investigators that she had been sexually harassed by her former Fox News boss Roger Ailes. Her experiences and those of other high-profile female anchors and reports at Fox were later dramatized in the 2019 film Bombshell, in which Charlize Theron played Megyn with the aid of extensive facial prosthetics. The Megyn Kelly show host, who showcased her svelte figure in a red sleeveless dress, joked that she hoped to get a selfie with Blake and Meghan Markle 'in the distance' because they had provided her with 'so many hours of content.' She said TIME was just trying to generate publicity for the magazine by putting 'big stars' on the cover, but it was 'very wrong' to lend its legitimacy to the controversial star. 'I think [Blake has] launched a fake Me Too allegation against [Justin], and she's lived to regret doing it, because virtually every allegation she has made has fallen apart,' Megyn added According to the lawyer, thoroughly investigating the Gossip Girl star's claims was necessary to prevent other future accusers from being tarnished Blake arrived at the gala in a shimmering red off-the-shoulder gown that highlighted her cleavage and featured a modest train trailing behind her She added some extra color to the look with multiple rings and bracelets decorated with jade, and she wore her long blond hair in thick waves that cascaded elegantly down her back Megyn joked to DailyMail.com that she wouldn't be making an effort to avoid Blake or Ryan, but she had a 'feeling she's going to be avoid me.' As for the rumors of a feud between Blake and her Another Simple Favor costar Anna Kendrick, the conservative host was less concerned, as it was Blake's alleged attempts to 'bastardize Me Too allegations against people who don't deserve it' that got her blood boiling. According to the lawyer, thoroughly investigating the Gossip Girl star's claims was necessary to prevent other future accusers from being tarnished. She added that even though Blake and Ryan have 'very powerful PR people and lawyers,' it's important to be 'clear-eyed' and to 'call out' claims when they aren't legitimate. 'Otherwise, no one who has actually experienced these things is going to be believed,' Megyn declared. While Blake was partying with the stars at the TIME100 Gala, Justin's legal battle with her took on a new twist as attorneys for his production company Wayfarer and his It Ends With Us publicist Jennifer Abel filed 14 new claims against his embattled former publicist Stephanie Jones. They accused Jones of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, breach of contract, defamation and fraud against Abel. The filings accused Jones, Abel's former boss, of snooping on Abel's company mobile phone for her private messages up until January of this year, then allegedly plotting with Lively to create a subpoena for a 'sham lawsuit' that would cover up that the messages were leaked. Lisa Riley flashed a peace sign as she posed with her Mandy Dingle body double on the set of Emmerdale. The beloved actress, 48, and her double Angela rocked the same exact outfit which included a cerulean blue leather jacket with a leopard print top underneath. They both wore black leggings and a grey skirt, styling their raven locks into Mandy's trademark ponytail. As Lisa donned blue boots, Angela instead opted for more comfortable sneakers ahead of filming new soap scenes. The comedian appeared in her highest spirits, flashing a peace sign and a funny smooch while striking a pose with her 'lovely' body double. Sharing the snap on Thursday, Lisa took to her Instagram page and captioned one of her more recent posts: 'As if one Mandy Dingle was not enough this morning filming at the village at @emmerdale ..you get TWO, THANKYOU to my lovely body double Angela, absolute sweetheart' Lisa Riley, 48, posed with her Mandy Dingle body double on the set of Emmerdale on Instagram on Thursday The comedian is well-known for playing Mandy Dingle in the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale between 1995 and 2001, and from 2019 onwards (pictured on the show in 2024) 'Next time you get Mandys Cowboy Boots also just another day at work!!!! #emmerdale #bodydouble #work #filming #actor #actorslife #onset #stunt.' The soap star recently revealed she sought therapy after struggling to cope with her grief in the wake of best pal Robin Windsor's death. The former Strictly Come Dancing star was found dead in a hotel room in London on 19 February 2024 aged 44. The performer was a professional dancer on the BBC show from 2010 to 2013 - partnering with Lisa during the 2012 series - and his death prompted an outpouring of grief across the dancing world. And over a year after his passing, the Emmerdale actress opened up on the toll the loss has taken on mental health and emotional wellbeing, admitting her 'heart's hurting'. Speaking to OK! magazine, she shared: 'Id never had therapy since losing my mum in 2012. However, with Robin, I had to start having therapy. It really does work. I lost mum, then Robin, and two and half months after Robin we lost my aunt suddenly when she was on holiday. She died having dinner. It was awful.' Meanwhile, the Mandy Dingle star told how without her work colleagues, there were times she didn't feel like she could carry on with her job amid her grief. However, ever the professional, she mustered up the strength to push through with her work, noting how getting into character as bubbly Mandy was her 'coping mechanism'. The soap star appeared very radiant, after recently revealing she sought therapy after struggling to cope with her grief in the wake of best pal Robin Windsor's death (pictured together in 2013 on Strictly) Over a year after his passing, the Emmerdale actress opened up on the toll the loss has taken on mental health and emotional wellbeing, admitting her 'heart's hurting' (pictured in August) She said: 'I lost my best friend. Im so lucky with our dressing room crew at work. Without those girls, some days, I wouldnt be able to carry on. I put the wig on, the make-up and the costume and be funny, but my hearts hurting. My husband-to-be Al has been amazing, but yes, I lost my gay best friend. He and I were Velcro together.' She added: 'I put Mandy Dingles lashes on and kept going thats exactly what I did with my mum. That was my coping mechanism.' After his death was announced, heartbroken Lisa paid tribute to her pal on Instagram, writing: 'My bestie, my robin, my angel... now our forever angel, who is loved, will always be loved, forever in my heart... my very broken heart.' In the months after Robin's passing, Lisa revealed her heartbreak after the death of her close friend. Talking to The Mirror in June last year, Lisa compared the sadness at losing Robin to how she felt after losing her mother to breast cancer in July 2012 and added: 'So to then lose my best friend as well... It was like, 'Why does God take the best?'. The actress who has appeared in Emmerdale for nearly 30 years went on to reveal that being at work had been hard. She said: 'He was such a big part of my life. There have been days when I didn't want to go in front of the camera. I had to paint Mandy Dingle on put the wig and lashes on and go out there. But it's so painful.' The TV star - who accepted the Posthumous Award on his behalf at The British LGBT Awards that same month - added that her co-stars including Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle, and Lucy Pargeter who plays Chas Dingle have been a 'godsend' and 'a great therapy.' The former Strictly Come Dancing star was found dead in a hotel room in London on 19 February 2024 aged 44 'Id never had therapy since losing my mum in 2012. However, with Robin, I had to start having therapy. It really does work,' Lisa said Robin was found dead in a London hotel, it has emerged, as his friends detailed his battle against mental health struggles and thoughts of suicide. On January 27 2024, Robin had posed in front of a marina with Cape Town's Table Mountain in the background with the caption: 'This place is the distraction of all distractions!' He looked happy as he took pictures of elephants on safari and relaxed in a lodge overlooking the stunning Leopard Mountain game reserve. The dancer had also enjoyed a one-night stop in Mozambique and was seen relaxing on the beach and posing with a Lemur in Madagascar in the days beforehand. But Robin's last post on Instagram, shared to his 46,000 followers on January 28, was a more muted selfie in the near-dark with the caption: 'Hiding in the shadows.' Seven days earlier, the dancer had reposted a quote saying: 'Trauma teaches you to expect and accept the bare minimum. 'In this new season, may you adjust your standards and learn to receive the maximum. You are worthy. You are enough. You deserve overflow.' Advertisement Pip Edwards has been enjoying a pamper filled wellness retreat in Thailand with son Justice. But it was back to reality for the P.E Nation founder, who was spotted touching down at Sydney airport on Saturday. The 44 year old was not afraid to show off her 'animal magnetism' stepping out in a pair of black and white leopard print pants. She augmented the eye catching garment with a black leather belt with an embossed silver buckle that cinched her svelte waist. The fashionista also wore a plain white tank top for the trip, that showed off her toned and bronzed arms. Pip finished her look with a pair of well-worn sneakers, choosing to wear her blonde locks back for the flight. Pip Edwards has been enjoying a pamper filled wellness retreat in Thailand with son Justice. But it was back to reality for the P.E Nation founder, who was spotted touching down at Sydney airport on Saturday She accessorised with a $6,000 Chanel handbag that she carried over her shoulder and some subtle bling in her ears. Pip also carried a large black jacket in her arms along with a large black suitcase that featured the P.E Nation logo emblazoned across the front. Justice, 18, meanwhile looked casual in a pair of blue shorts and a white T-Shirt, accessorising with a pair of white headphones perched atop his head. Pip looked quite relaxed and refreshed as she made her way through the airport, obviously rejuvenated after her idyllic vacation. The mother and son duo were welcomed back into Australia by Pip's parents Gloria and Barrie, who were waiting dutifully for their daughter and grandson to arrive. The group looked chuffed to be in each other's company again, happily hugging and kissing as they joyfully reunited. It appears that Pip's mother Gloria received the fashion memo as she was also spotted wearing an eye-catching animal print jacket. Dad Barrie, meanwhile was happy to help his daughter with her bags, dutifully wheeling a silver suitcase to the car. The 44 year old was not afraid to show off her 'animal magnetism' stepping out in a pair of black and white leopard print pants She augmented the eye catching garment with a black leather belt with an embossed silver buckle that cinched her svelte waist She accessorised with a $6,000 Chanel handbag that she carried over her shoulder and some subtle bling in her ears The Ksubi creative director and her 18-year-old son Justice have spent the past week undergoing an 'equilibrium of health' programme on an island near Bangkok. In addition to a lengthy summary of her time at RAKxa, an 'incredible integrative wellness retreat', Pip shared an image of a scarcely seen tattoo on the back of her neck to Instagram this week. The cursive tattoo, which is not new, says, 'Never Look Back.' It is written in the same cursive font as her more 'this must be the place' tattoo underneath her bicep a nod to the beloved Talking Heads song. Additionally, she has her son's name emblazoned on the arch of her foot in an Old English font, as well as a simple star tattoo. The sentiment is obviously something she is taking away from retreat, which is priced upwards from $9350 for an individual's five-night stay - per the company's website. 'I am also quickly approaching my 45th birthday and I am so grateful to have had this experience to really disconnect from the hustle and bustle of my day to day city life,' Pip wrote on Instagram Wednesday. 'And to return to my body, focusing on its strength, nourishing it with a tailored program of clean foods, and refuelling it with all the energetic spiritual love its been craving. Pip also carried a large black jacket in her arms along with a large black suitcase that featured the PE Nation logo emblazoned across the front The mother and son duo were welcomed back into Australia by Pip's parents Gloria and Barrie, who were waiting dutifully for their daughter and grandson to arrive The group looked chuffed to be in each other's company again, happily hugging and kissing as they joyfully reunited It appears that Pip's mother Gloria received the fashion memo as she was also spotted wearing an eye catching animal print jacket Dad Barrie, meanwhile was happy to help his daughter with her bags, dutifully wheeling a silver suitcase to the car 'I set out to take this time to be in a bubble of health with my son, but its been so much more than that,' she added. 'I have never felt more at peace, more healthier and happier than I am today. And so grateful for my son to watch this transformation.' The rebalance program that Pip underwent includes doctor consultations on fitness and anti-ageing, meditation, Pilates, chakra balancing, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, an oxygen chamber session, and an anti-oxidant IV drip with seven different specialists. 'I have learnt so many unique tools specific to me to assist with improving the quality, longevity, and happiness of my life,' Pip continued in her caption. 'And the main take away for me is so simple, it is to learn how to breathe!' 'Breathe properly and deeply - but truly understanding the connection of my breath to my physical, my mental and my spiritual. 'Give your body and yourself the love and attention it deserves. Maybe Im writing this just to remind myself to slow down more often, in order to maintain my fast pace!' Justice's father Dan Single, 44, also has a tribute tattoo to their son on his arm. An A-list star looked completely unrecognisable in an unearthed snap from the Noughties. She is one of Hollywood's most successful comedy actors, as well as a writer and producer. The Australian actress launched her acting career in 2003, with a role in a SBS comedy series. She went on to find fame in a blockbuster Hollywood film in 2011, before taking on a lead role in the a musical comedy trilogy. Now 45, the star has become well known for her outrageous on-screen persona and scene-stealing performances. So, can you guess who it is? An A-list star looked completely unrecognisable in an unearthed snap from 2002. So, you can guess who she is? It's Rebel Wilson! Beaming for the camera in the snap, the Bridesmaids actress looked worlds away from how we know her now. Then, she had short dark curly hair which couldn't be more different from her new svelte look and wavy blonde locks. Dressed in a black glitter top and trousers, Rebel posed for the snap, where she received a $12,000 (roughly 5,700) Scholarship, at the Wharf Theatre in Sydney in 2002. Many know Rebel as 'Fat Amy' in the Pitch Perfect films, which became the highest-grossing musical comedy films of all time. But in 2020, she shed a whopping 36kg during her 'year of health' and some help from Ozempic. 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. Many know Rebel as 'Fat Amy' in the Pitch Perfect films, which became the highest-grossing musical comedy films of all time (pictured with Adam DeVine) But in 2020, she shed a whopping 36kg during her 'year of health' and some help from Ozempic (pictured April 19, 2025) 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 wasn't 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. 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 shares 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. Billie Piper looked incredible as she put on a leggy display for Thursday night's BAFTA TV Craft Award nominees' party. The Doctor Who actor, 42, was snapped strolling out of the V&A in South Kensington, London, linking arms with a friend. Piper, who recently starred in Netflix drama Scoop, wore a black dress layered with a partly see-through black overcoat which showed off her toned legs. She accessorised her outfit with cross-shaped golden earrings and a matching black and gold bag. Earlier in the night, the Scoop star was all smiles on the red carpet ready for the event, where she was joined by a host of stars. Billie Piper put on a leggy display in a glamorous all black ensemble as she attended the BAFTA TV Craft Award nominees' party in west London on Thursday evening The Doctor Who actor, 42, was snapped strolling out of the V&A in South Kensington linking arms with a friend Earlier in the night, the Scoop star was all smiles as she posed for photos on the red carpet Emma Willis, Nicola Coughlan and David Tennant were also in attendance at the swanky west London event. In her first public appearance since revealing she underwent keyhole heart surgery, TV Presenter Emma, 49, showed off her toned figure in a black bandeau crop top and a dazzling black suit. She attended the party with husband Matt Willis and the couple looked as happy as ever pictured on the red carpet. Meanwhile Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, 38, also put on a loved-up display on Thursday evening. On a week where she made headlines for hitting back at JK Rowling's comments over last week's Supreme Court ruling on transgender rights, Coughlan looked unphased as she cosied up to boyfriend Jake Dunn on the red carpet. Emma Willis made her first public appearance on Thursday after revealing she recently underwent keyhole heart surgery after living with an undiagnosed heart condition The TV presenter was all smiles as she cosied up to husband Matt Willis as they attended the BAFTA TV Craft Award nominees' party at The V&A in London Meanwhile Nicola Coughlan looked more loved-up than ever with boyfriend Jake Dunn, who she started dating at the end of last year David Tennant caught the eye in a black and gold butterfly patterned blazer and matching shirt as he stepped onto the red carpet The former Doctor Who star beamed as he posed for photos Jake dressed smart for the night in a navy suit which he wore over a brown jumper and smart shirt. The couple met after being introduced by her Derry Girls co-star and close friend Louisa Harland. One of the night's most eye-catching outfits was sported by former Doctor Who star David Tennant. The Scotsman arrived in a black and gold blazer with a huge butterfly attached to its shoulder before beaming for the paparazzi on the red carpet. Rocco Ritchie has admitted he struggles with his nepo baby status as he shared his brutally honest views on other celebrity offspring, privilege and men's poor taste in fashion. The artist, 24, who is the son of Madonna and Hollywood director Guy Ritchie, has held six exhibitions to date - including most recently in Paris, with the support of Giorgio Armani - and counts Stella McCartney and Donatella Versace among his famous collectors. Technically a nepo baby by definition, Rocco has made it clear what his views are on the concept as he referred to them as 'they' rather than 'we'. Speaking in the new issue of Fantastic Man magazine he explained he's unsure where he fits on the nepo baby spectrum because, despite having famous parents, he's carving out his own path. So intent was he on making his own way in the art world, he kept his professional identity secret at first, using the alias Rhed. But he ditched the pseudonym in 2022, and the following year, held an exhibition in London curated by Lucian Freud's old studio manager, David Dawson. Madonna's son Rocco Ritchie has rejected the nepo baby label after forging his own career as an artist and takes a swipe at 'uninteresting' celebrity offspring Rocco has made it clear what his views are on the nepo baby concept as he referred to them as 'they' rather than 'we' (pictured with his dad Guy Ritchie and his wife Jacqui Ainsley) He explained: 'I always think its funny that back in the day, some of the most beautiful cathedrals that were ever built would be built by generation after generation of the same family.' 'And now, if you are born from a family - and Im not saying this is wrong - you start looking at nepo babies and they are not the most interesting bunch, are they?' As well as trying to reject the nepo baby label, Rocco admitted he never felt comfortable mixing in privileged circles growing up - preferring to socialise with skateboarders in Londons South Bank. 'Straight away, I was like, this is the place. Best years of my life,' he said. I mean, how much fun are upper-class people? Not that much fun.' He dropped out of prestigious London art school Central Saint Martins - where a tutor had criticised his paintings for being 'too masculine' - after one year. I think he was trying to say it was vulgar. And I didnt think it was vulgar, he reflected. I was 18, doing shitty figurative paintings; my work wasnt even developed enough for anyone to have opinions on it back then. He transferred to the Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch, where he finally felt at home. So intent was he on making his own way in the art world, he kept his professional identity secret at first, using the alias Rhed He said: 'And now, if you are born from a family - and Im not saying this is wrong - you start looking at nepo babies and they are not the most interesting bunch, are they?' As well as trying to reject the nepo baby label, Rocco admitted he never felt comfortable mixing in privileged circles growing up - preferring to socialise with skateboarders He said: 'There, all my dreams came true. I just needed a school that would teach me to draw and paint. I signed up, went in and spent basically a year and a half, seven hours a day, just drawing. They didn't ask for homework. You just shut up and draw.' Known for his distinctive style, Rocco - who loves wearing tweed and three-piece suits, just like his dad - also delivered a withering review of how men dress today. 'Menswear... I don't even want to give that word the power it has. It's so different from what it used to mean. I always see on Instagram people popping up and saying, "This is my outfit!" 'People really like to show what they're buying and how they're dressing. First of all, who cares? Second of all, this is s***. I mean, who am I to judge? But... 'There's a difference between someone walking in a room and you going, "Whoa, who's this swaggerer over here?" Or they walk in the room and you go, "What are you wearing?" 'I feel like it's a very thin line - a very not-distinct line. I mean, I don't want to sound like a little s***, but most men do not dress well.' He adds: I think Savile Row is a dying situation. Its really hard to sell in this day and age. Its expensive and it takes a really long time. Do you really want to go and spend 5,000 on a suit that takes eight fittings and will be ready in a year? Madonna, 66, started dating Guy Ritchie, 56, after meeting at a party hosted by mutual friends Sting and Trudie Styler in 1999. They married in 2000 but split eight years later. They also share son David Banda, 19, whom they adopted from an orphanage in Malawi in 2006. Kirsty Wark has spoken out against the rise of opinionated presenters at the BBC, insisting it is not the role of broadcasters to share personal views. The 70-year-old TV presenter, who stepped down from Newsnight last year after three decades on the programme, said: We are not the story, and called for the BBC to remain a trusted friend amid ongoing debate over impartiality. Her remarks, made on The Spectators Women With Balls podcast, come in the wake of controversy surrounding Gary Linekers political commentary on social media, and wider concerns about personality-led journalism on Radio 4s Today programme. The Match of the Day host faced disciplinary action in 2023 after describing the Conservative governments immigration policy as immeasurably cruel and likening the language used to that of 1930s Germany. The row prompted a review of the BBCs social media guidelines, with new rules requiring all presenters - not only those in news and current affairs - to observe impartiality. Wark did not name specific colleagues but questioned the growing trend of presenters bringing personal perspectives into broadcasts. Kirsty Wark has spoken out against the rise of opinionated presenters at the BBC , insisting it is not the role of broadcasters to share personal views Wark's remarks come in the wake of controversy surrounding Linekers political commentary on social media. The Match of the Day host faced disciplinary action in 2023 after describing the Conservative governments immigration policy as immeasurably cruel and likening the language used to that of 1930s Germany Wark's comments follow similar concerns raised by Mishal Husain, who left Today last year after 11 years on the flagship programme. Speaking to British Vogue, Husain warned against the growing dominance of ego in broadcast journalism. Personality-focused journalism doesnt have to be bombastic, she said Wark, who joined Newsnight in 1993, also reflected on how the programme changed during her tenure, noting the impact of budget cuts and shifts in editorial tone. It was always a programme of record', she said Host Katy Balls asked: One of the debates at the moment - an evergreen one - is how opinionated a presenter should be, particularly on the BBC. Theres been some discussion around the Today programme: does one presenter interrupt too much? Do you think theres been a shift in how the broadcaster handles these things, or is it just something that resurfaces every few years? Wark replied: I think it comes up every few years. We talk about impartiality a lot, but actually what it is, is just straightforward basic journalism do the journalism, act like a journalist. We get people on sofas and in studios to give their opinion, but unless you're a BBC editor you don't really give your opinion. What you do is you make sure you interrogate every angle. She added: And I never had any trouble with that. I think that the BBC has got to be a trusted friend, it has to be a trusted friend. It has to be somewhere, at the end of the day, we go and work out, in this incredibly complicated world, what's going on. Our job is to winkle that information out of other people. Our job is not to give our own opinion to the audience - absolutely not to editorialise. 'And not to couch everything with Well, I think or A while ago this happened to me, or whatever it is. Be more straightforward. It's not about us. We always should remember that - it's not about us. We are not the story. The basic rules of journalism. Her comments follow similar concerns raised by Mishal Husain, who left Today last year after 11 years on the flagship programme. Speaking to British Vogue, Husain warned against the growing dominance of ego in broadcast journalism. Personality-focused journalism doesnt have to be bombastic, she said. It doesnt have to be about the presenters centering themselves. Hopefully, if theyre a personality with journalistic integrity, journalistic values, then they can be a conduit to the news for people. What was true to me was that I would very rarely use the word I, actually on air. I would quite often say Weve talked to so and so, because youre always part of a team. Wark, who joined Newsnight in 1993, also reflected on how the programme changed during her tenure, noting the impact of budget cuts and shifts in editorial tone. It was always a programme of record. We would write our own scripts, so you could be slightly more sideways... sometimes satirical, slightly witty, more diggy - and that was right across the political board, she said. I loved the freedom Newsnight gave me. It always married culture and politics. I thought it was a very rounded programme. But then things changed. Sienna Miller and Oli Green looked like a stylish pair as they head home after Fran Cutler's birthday bash at Nexus Club London on Thursday. The actress, 43, nailed boho chic in a white slip dress under a brown knitted jumper, teamed with a pair of chunky brown leather knee-high boots. The blonde beauty toted around her belongings in a silver-grey leather tote bag and styled her luminous tresses into loose beach waves. Meanwhile Oli, 28, wore a brown suede jacket and grey shirt, teamed with black jeans and Chelsea boots. Oli and Sienna joined her ex Tom Sturridge's fiancee Alexa, 41, at the event, who looked stylish in low-cropped jeans, which she paired with a revealing lace black top. She layered a long leather, fur-lined black coat over the skimpy top as she added inches to her statuesque frame with a pair of black pointed heels. Sienna Miller and Oli Green looked like a stylish pair as they head home after Fran Cutler's birthday bash at Nexus Club London on Thursday The actress, 43, nailed boho chic in a white slip dress under a brown knitted jumper, teamed with a pair of chunky brown leather knee-high boots Sienna previously dated Tom for four years and split in 2015. They are still on good terms, with Sienna calling Tom her 'best friend' whilst they co-parent their daughter Marlowe, 12. Sienna has given her seal of approval for her ex and Alexa and in December told Vogue UK: 'I'm really happy for them. It's genuinely lovely.' The actress even joked about their co-parenting situation and revealed that their daughter Marlowe has brought one of Alexa's jumpers home, which she has since claimed for herself. Sienna quipped: 'I've got one upstairs!' Following their split in 2015, it was claimed Sienna and Tom had different goals. A source said: 'Tom wanted to get married and have more children. Sienna didn't. Last year Alexa and Tom sparked engagement speculation when they were seen wearing matching rings. The son of award-winning film director Charles Sturridge, Tom seems open to marriage, while Alexa for her part, previously mused: 'I just don't get why marriage is different from non-marriage I just don't get it.' Meanwhile Sienna welcomed her first child with Oli last year after they started dating in 2022. Sienna has often been seen looking smitten with her younger boyfriend, Oli in recent months. Meanwhile Oli, 28, wore a brown suede jacket and grey shirt, teamed with black jeans and Chelsea boots She seemed to have enjoyed her star-studded outing as she celebrated Fran's (left) 62nd birthday celerbations Oli and Sienna joined her ex Tom Sturridge 's fiancee Alexa, 41, at the event, who looked stylish in low-cropped jeans, which she paired with a revealing lace black top Sienna has often been seen looking smitten with her younger boyfriend, Oli in recent months The Layer Cake actress and the Bridget Jones star, 28, have been spotted at some of the biggest events of the year, including Paris Fashion Week. The happy couple welcomed their first child together in 2023. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar about Oli, Sienna said: 'I didn't expect to take it seriously and then quite quickly, I fell in love. I wasn't like, 'I'm gonna get a younger boyfriend.' It was more, 'F*ck! Why are you young? That's so annoying'. 'There is a difference in the way that generation of men respect women. It's specific to him, he is very wise and well-adjusted, but I do believe it's also that generation. 'They have grown up with a slightly more level playing field. I see it in his female friends as well as in the men.' Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly left fans in hysterics as they parodied the Australian twins who went viral for speaking in perfect unison. In the new clip, Ant and Dec, both 49, watched twin sisters Bridgette and Paula Powers, 47, speak in unison during their live TV interview. The pair then playfully mocked the twins by speaking in unison themselves, leaving fans in hysterics. Kicking off the video, Ant asked Dec: 'What are you watching?' The pair then hilariously started speaking in sync, saying: 'Ahh it's those Australian twins that talk at the same time. 'I saw this, weird, isn't it? Imagine talking at the same time as someone else and saying exactly the same things, how do they do that? Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly left fans in hysterics as they parodied the Australian twins who went viral for speaking in perfect unison In the new clip, Ant and Dec, both 49, watched twin sisters Bridgette and Paula Powers, 47 (pictured) speak in unison during their live TV interview 'I can't imagine what it must be like. The weirdest part is, I don't even think they know they're doing it, bless them. 'Cuppa tea? ooo yeah go on then, biccy? You read my mind.' Sharing the post on their joint Instagram account, the duo captioned the hilarious clip: 'The Australian twins have nothing on us...' Within less than a day, the video gained more than 40,000 likes and fans flocked to the comment section to express their joy, with one even jokingly comparing the pair to the Chuckle Brothers. One fan wrote: 'This is why they win all the awards' followed by several laughing emojis. 'Giving off chuckle vision vibes (laughing emojis)'; On point. wonder how many takes it took.'; Celeb pal Marvin Humes also commented with clapping hands and rolling on the floor laughing emoji. Meanwhile, Adam Thomas commented several laughing emojis. The pair then hilariously started speaking in sync, saying: 'Ahh it's those Australian twins that talk at the same time!' Within less than a day, the video gained more than 40,000 likes and fans flocked to the comment section to express their joy, with one comparing the pair to the Chuckle Brothers Celeb pal Marvin Humes also commented with clapping hands and rolling on the floor laughing emoji Meanwhile, Adam Thomas commented several laughing emojis Ant and Dec were mimicking the moment the twins gave an interview recounting the terrifying moment their mother came face-to-face with an alleged gunman. The bizarre interview saw the twins 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 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. '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'. Kylie Jenner's boyfriend Timothee Chalamet made a surprise visit to his old school this week. The A Complete Unknown actor delighted pupils at New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, which he graduated from in 2013. The Oscar nominee was giving career advice to students on Wednesday. The school's Instagram page shared several photos from Timothee's visit, including him reuniting with his old teachers, addressing the class, and posing for pictures with current students. 'When you have a guest speaker for your Career Management class... and Timothee Chalamet walks in the room... you know it's going to be a great day,' the caption read. 'Thank you @tchalamet for visiting LaG today and providing important advice for our aspiring actors. Thank you to Harry Shifman, Sandy Faison and Kim Bruno, Timothee's former teachers and principal for joining us!' When Timothee was at New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School he dated Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon. Kylie Jenner's boyfriend Timothee Chalamet made a surprise visit to his old school this week The A Complete Unknown actor delighted pupils at New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, which he graduated from in 2013 'When you have a guest speaker for your Career Management class... and Timothee Chalamet walks in the room... you know it's going to be a great day,' the caption read; the exterior of the school They met while both attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. Lourdes later publicly confirmed they were romantically involved, calling him her 'first boyfriend.' The 29-year-old actor has previously praised the prestigious performing arts school for having 'totally shaped' him. He told Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes earlier this year: '[LaGuardia] was a fantastic place for me to go. It totally shaped who I am and who I was. 'I just felt like I could be however I wanted to be,' he added. And Timothee had even taken the A Complete Unknown script to his former drama teacher, Mr. Shifman, so they could discuss the role. He recalled: 'I said that to Shif, "If I would have had to go to a different high school, I wouldn't have been an actor." 'He said, "Oh, you would have found your way to it." I really don't know.' The teacher himself praised the Wonka star for his 'beautiful gifts.' He said: 'I do think everyone can develop their creativity. But not everybody is Mozart. When Timothee was at New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School he dated Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon Chalamet is seen here holding hands with Lourdes at the school in 2013 Lourdes holding her mother Madonna's hand on the red carpet Kylie Jenner and Chalamet attend the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March in Beverly Hills Jenner is a billionaire thanks to Kylie Cosmetics; seen modeling her line Khy 'I think he has beautiful gifts, and a kind heart, and a willingness to really work hard.... It's pretty impressive.' Last October, Timothee caused a stir when he turned up at his own lookalike competition at New York City's Washington Square Park, but the event ended on a sour note when the police tried to break up the contest, arresting four attendees. Event organiser Anthony Po was subsequently fined $500 for hosting a public event without a permit, and it later emerged the 'Dune' star's team offered to cover the cost. Anthony told People: 'The production [cost] like $4,000, so it's like legit the best case scenario. 'They need to do something stronger to [disincentivize] us. 'They offered to pay the ticket, which is truly funny.' However, Anthony rejected the kind offer from Timothee's team, and digital invite app Partiful paid the fine instead. The organizer didn't manage to meet the actor at the event, and the real Timothee didn't make the top 10 lookalikes - despite being the actual actor. Anthony said: 'I think if he would've stayed for the end of it, maybe I would've given him runner-up or something.' Dorit Kemsleys estranged husband PK Kemsley set tongues wagging Thursday night after he was spotted locking lips with a woman who looks strikingly similar to his ex right in the middle of Beverly Hills. The 57-year-old British talent manager, who split from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star in May 2024 after nine years of marriage, looked downright giddy as he stepped out with The Amazing Race alum and Ryan Seacrests former flame Shana Wall. Wall, 51 who famously dated Seacrest from 2003 to 2005 seemed just as smitten, wrapping her arms around PK as they laughed and kissed outside the celebrity hotspot Ciprianis. Dressed in a white halter top and matching skirt, the blonde beauty bore a striking resemblance to Dorit, from her glam style to her flowing waves cascading down her back. PK, meanwhile, kept it classic in his signature black suit. The pair shared more than just a few smooches, looking completely wrapped up in each other as they stood on the sidewalk like no one else existed. Dorit Kemsley s estranged husband PK Kemsley set tongues wagging Thursday night after he was spotted locking lips with a woman who looks strikingly similar to his ex right in the middle of Beverly Hills The new couple alert comes as PK and Dorit who met in 2011 and share two children, son Jagger, 11, and daughter Phoenix, 9 have reportedly not filed divorce papers; (Dorit and PK seen in 2016) The new couple alert comes as PK and Dorit who met in 2011 and share two children, son Jagger, 11, and daughter Phoenix, 9 have reportedly not filed divorce papers. The tension between them has been a hot topic among RHOBH fans, with rumors swirling that the off-screen drama could spill into the shows next season. Meanwhile, PK, whos currently focused on his sobriety journey, continues to manage talent for a roster that includes British music icon Boy George. He also has three children from his first marriage to Loretta Gold daughters Atlanta and Tatum, and son Daniel. The shocking PDA-packed night out comes on the heels of Dorit having a flirty moment of her own this time, in the comments section of a shirtless thirst trap posted by The Traitors winner Dylan Efron earlier this month. 'It's the proud look on your face for me!' Dorit wrote under the steamy snap. 'Oh, and the abs are also [three fire emojis]!!' The 33-year-old reality champ cheekily replied, '@doritkemsley still proud of you for getting 100% on the ab quiz.' Dorit and Dylan first sparked playful banter after appearing together on Watch What Happens Live. Wall, 51 who famously dated Seacrest from 2003 to 2005 seemed just as smitten, wrapping her arms around PK as they laughed and kissed outside the celebrity hotspot Ciprianis Dressed in a white halter top and matching skirt, the blonde beauty bore a striking resemblance to Dorit, from her glam style to her flowing waves cascading down her back PK, meanwhile, kept it classic in his signature black suit The pair shared more than just a few smooches, looking completely wrapped up in each other as they stood on the sidewalk like no one else existed Dorit was first introduced to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans in December 2016, just a year after giving birth to daughter Phoenix Efron, best known as Zac Efrons younger brother, is still happily coupled up with his high school sweetheart Courtney King. Dorit was first introduced to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans in December 2016, just a year after giving birth to daughter Phoenix. At the time, she and PK seemed like the ultimate glam duo and Dorit made it clear they werent about to let the cameras, or critics, shake their bond. We don't really let outside influences come into our little tight bond because it's me and him and we are so the yin and yang, she told The Daily Dish at the time. As far as the negative attention, he just says, "Oh, who cares? We are who we are." But by 2022, cracks in the facade started to show. Speculation swirled after co-star Erika Girardi boldly predicted at BravoCon that Dorit and PK would be the next couple to call it quits. They batted down the rumors through 2023 both on social media and during season 13 but the whispers proved true. The new couple looked totally loved up Speculation swirled after co-star Erika Girardi boldly predicted at BravoCon that Dorit and PK would be the next couple to call it quits Shana made a name for herself on The Amazing Race PK had the look of love In May 2024, the couple confirmed what fans had long suspected, posting a joint statement to Instagram Stories: We have had our struggles over the last few years and continue to work through them as two people who love each other and share two amazing children together, they wrote In May 2024, the couple confirmed what fans had long suspected, posting a joint statement to Instagram Stories: We have had our struggles over the last few years and continue to work through them as two people who love each other and share two amazing children together, they wrote. We have made the mutual and difficult decision to take some time apart and reevaluate our relationship while we prioritize our children. Days later, Dorit addressed the breakup more candidly in the comments of a now-deleted Instagram post, after a fan asked, wait i thought yall were stronger than ever?. Her response: We were. S--- happens. Its called lifetry it sometime. One day at a time. Sarah Michelle Geller and Freddie Prinze Jr. have been married since 2002, and are still going strong. So what is the secret to marital success? Apparently the answer has to do with having one's own personal space. The actress who was in Paris for Fashion Week in March, shared the secret on Thursday when she stopped by the Today studios for a chat with Jenna and Friends host Jenna Bush Hager and her guest host Tiffany Haddish. 'Separate bathrooms,' she state authoritatively to the astonished hosts. 'Thats it? Its that simple?' Hager queried. 'Its that simple,' the Dexter: Original Sin star, 48, confirmed. Sarah Michelle Geller, 48, and Freddie Prinze Jr, 49, have been married since 2002, and are still going strong; pictured in Los Angeles in January 2023 Comedian Tiffany Haddish had a different idea, inspired by the golden age of television. 'See, I was thinking it was like the Lucy and Ricky thing [ from I Love Lucy] where you both had twin beds, and then when yall want to get together, you push them together, and when you want to be apart, you push them apart,' she suggested. 'I had not thought of that,' the Wolf Pack star admitted, adding, 'that is actually a really good idea.' Geller and Prinze, 49, met on the set of 1999's I Know What You Did Last Summer, which is getting a reboot. The action star revealed on social media in November 2024 that she was with Prinze in Australia for production on the fright flick. A new trailer for the gory thriller was release on Tuesday. Geller's Helen Shivers was killed in the 90s film. Prinze, 49, reprises his role as Ray Bronson and Jennifer Love Hewitt, 46, returns as Julie James. When asked on Jenna and Friends on Today with Jenna and Friends on Thursday, the Wolf Pack actress said the secret to her successful marriage was 'separate bathrooms'; pictured in Culver City, CA in June 2000 The couple first met on the set of 1999's I Know What You Did Last Summer; seen here with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe Prinze is reprising his role as Ray Bronson in the reboot of the frightful story. Jennifer Love Hewitt, 46, returns as Julie James. The new film will debut on July 18 Geller kept details about the Buffy The Vampire Slayer reboot close to the chest, saying ' We won't do it until we know we're 100-percent ready and we're confident that we are giving you something that the audience is asking for, that's also original in its own right' Geller also admitted the long awaited Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot was also in the works, but said she wasn't allowed to talk about any details. 'We won't do it until we know we're 100-percent ready and we're confident that we are giving you something that the audience is asking for, that's also original in its own right.' The rebooted Buffy will make it to the small screen sometime in 2026. The new I Know What You Did Last Summer debuts in theaters July 18. Movie icon Michelle Pfeiffer broke down in tears when in Hollywood on Friday. The 66-year-old Scarface actress was receiving her hands and foot prints at the TCL Theater during the TCM Classic Film Festival. Also with the Maleficent movie star were her celebrity pals Elle and Dakota Fanning, whom she has worked with on the film I Am Sam. Michelle also starred with Elle in Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil and is now making a new series Margo's Got Money - based on the 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe - with her. And by her side was her powerful producer husband David E Kelley whom she gave a loving kiss to. Michelle looked ecstatic to be getting her prints, something Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe has done before her. 'A total dream come true. Thank you @tcmfilmfest & @chinesetheatres and my incredible team all these years for making this honor happen,' wrote the Oscar nominee. Movie icon Michelle Pfeiffer broke down in tears when in Hollywood on Friday. The 66-year-old Scarface actress was receiving her hands and foot prints at the TCL Theater during the TCM Classic Film Festival Also with the Maleficent movie star was her powerful producer husband David E Kelley She gave the man a sweet kiss as she touched his face The pinup had on a black suit by The Row with a pale ivory silky blouse and high heels also from The Row as her blonde hair was worn down. Kelley - who produced Big Little Lies - had on a suit and no tie. Pfeiffer posted a selfie in the car on the way to the ceremony: 'On my way to my @tcmfilmfest Hand & Foot Ceremony. Honored (and a little nervous!) to be joining one of the longest and most revered traditions in Hollywood history. Hair: @richardmarin Makeup: @valli.oreilly Styling: @samanthamcmillen_stylist,' she said. Michelle has had a busy time in Hollywood. The star has recently been making the family drama show Madison for Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, which is scheduled to premiere in 2025. Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO, said in a statement: 'Michelle Pfeiffer is a remarkable talent who imbues every role with emotional depth, authenticity and grace. 'She is the perfect anchor to the newest chapter of the 'Yellowstone' universe, 'Madison', from the brilliant mind of Taylor Sheridan.' Production on the show is set to begin in late August, with filming to take place in Montana, New York and Texas. Yellowstone has been a huge success since the show premiered in 2018. Her celebrity pals Elle and Dakota Fanning, whom she has worked with on the film I Am Sam. Michelle also starred with Elle in Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil and is now making a new series Margo's Got Money - based on the 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe - with her The pinup had on a black suit with a pale ivory silky blouse and high heels as her blonde hair was worn down The California native added hoop earrings The red carpet fixture's speech was typed on on her lap But Kevin Costner - who played John Dutton - was previously forced to deny that his exit from the show was due to a falling out with Taylor Sheridan, the co-creator of 'Yellowstone'. Kevin, 69, told Deadline in May: 'I have taken a beating from those f****** guys and I know a lot of times where it's coming from. 'I just elected not to get into that. But if you know me well enough, I made 'Yellowstone' the first priority, and to insinuate anything else would be wrong. I did not initiate any of those things. They did. 'I left exactly when they wanted, and it made it hard on me. It turns out they didn't have the scripts for 5B. They needed four more days just to complete the first eight episodes. I left early to give them what they needed to have a complete eight, and I felt bad that the audience didn't get ten.' Earlier this month Pfeiffer paid tribute to her former co-star and friend Val Kilmer following his death aged 65. Here the diva from Orange County was seen standing on the cement to make the imprint Afterwards, the Wolf actress signed her name on the cement After she pushed her hands into the cement she held them up and made a wild face Michelle was animated and seemed to be having a blast The actor, who rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in films such as 'Top Gun', 'Batman Forever' and 'The Doors', died from complications related to pneumonia after a long battle with health issues, with his passing announced by his daughter Mercedes. His death sparked a flood of tributes from Hollywood greats, and now Michelle Pfeiffer, 66, has added to them by sharing a black-and-white photograph of herself and Va; from the set of the 1985 ABC Afterschool Special 'One Too Many'. Alongside the image, she wrote: 'Rest in peace, Val.' The two actors first met while filming the special, which tackled the dangers of teenage drinking, and formed a close friendship that lasted decades. Val spoke openly about his bond with Pfeiffer in his 2020 memoir, 'I'm Your Huckleberry'. He described the connection they shared, saying: 'The secret pain that Michelle and I shared created an intimacy between us.' He revealed he had felt comfortable confiding in her about his strained relationship with his parents, while Michelle, in turn, spoke to him about the difficulties in her marriage to Peter Horton, whom she later divorced. The looker stood at the Perspex podium and addressed the crowd Though Val wrote fondly about Michelle, he admitted to having harboured a longstanding attraction to her younger sister, Lori Pfeiffer, now 59. He said in his memoir: 'I had an all-consuming crush on her younger sister Lori, who did not seem to reciprocate, even a little,' he wrote. 'In fact, she seemed to not even know I existed.' While speculation has persisted over whether Michelle and Val ever dated, the details remain unclear. However, Val reflected on their time together in a 2018 Instagram post, sharing the same image Michelle later used in her tribute. He said online: 'I first met Michelle through her husband Peter and Mare Winningham, who was my first girlfriend in high school. Earlier this month Pfeiffer paid tribute to her former co-star and friend Val Kilmer following his death aged 65 'It was so amazing to work with all three such talented people in one 'after school special' which was, to my memory, always a morality play designed to educate kids just home from school.' Val, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, spent the later years of his life largely out of the public eye, though he made a widely praised return to the screen in 2022, reprising his role as Iceman in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. Michelle has not publicly commented on Val beyond her Instagram post. Along with Mercedes, Val is survived by his son Jack, who he had during his marriage to actress Joanne Whalley. President Donald Trump's tariffs just cost America a chunk of Canadian business. Subaru, which sold 68,043 cars in Canada in 2024, is reshuffling its supply chain in response to escalating car trade scuffles. The company sold over 17,700 American-built vehicles in Canada last year, making up 26 percent of its 2024 sales. But the Japanese automakers Canadian division will slash US imports to just 10 percent by the 2026 model year, representing thousands of cars and millions of dollars lost. The biggest impact will be on the American-built Outback. The popular car will no longer ship north after 2026. Instead, it will feature a 'made in Japan' badge. Subaru Canada's CEO, Tomohiro Kubota, said the move will 'minimize the impact of the counter surtax,' according to Automotive News Canada. For Subaru, its cheaper to build and ship cars out of Japan than deal with the political whiplash of US trade policy. Canada's Subaru showrooms will now be supplied with more Japanese-built cars The Japan-based manufacturer already has plants in its home country, where its supplied Canadian dealerships with high-selling Crosstrek and Forester SUVs. Subaru didn't say if the adjustment will facilitate any production or job changes in Indiana. Previously, the company said the plant will begin assembling the Forester, one of its American best-sellers, later this year. Its unclear if any of those units will end up crossing the border. At this year's New York International Auto Show, the company's CEO, Atsushi Osaki, said the brand is committed to staying in the US market. 'We are dedicated to offering our American customers a wide range of options to meet their evolving needs,' Osaki said. Subaru declined to comment on this story. At the heart of Subaru's shift is a 25 percent import tax that Trump imposed earlier this year on vehicles from nearly every country, including Canada. The company just launched a new design for the popular Outback Subaru's CEO, Atsushi Osaki, said the company is commited to the US market The Outback is built in Indiana - the company may shift its production in response to the tariffs Lawmakers in Ottawa snapped back with retaliatory tariffs of its own, hitting US-built cars with duties up to 25 percent. Multiple car companies have been caught in the middle. For decades, the US and Canada have enjoyed free trade agreements allowing products to flow over the borders. American companies, including Stellantis and Ford, built giant factories in Canada, while international automakers built US plants and shipped products up north. Trump's tariffs effectively ripped up the agreements, including the USMCA agreement he renegotiated and signed during his first administration. The President has consistently said that his trade policies will force automakers to build their vehicles in the US. So far, his tariffs have had a mixed response from automakers. Stellantis attributed a 900-job layoff to the tariffs, Honda announced that the Civic Hybrid will have a final assembly plant in the US, and GM said its ramping up production of its high-priced, American-made pickups. Volvo also discontinued the S90 sedan from the US market. Multiple US automaker executives told DailyMail.com that American trade wars, combined with Trump's tariff waffling, have made them unsure about how to even set a price for their products. Tesla shares have surged more than 20 percent after CEO Elon Musk announced plans to devote much more time to the company starting in May. The news, shared during Tesla's first-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, amounted to an adrenaline shot for shareholders who have been irritated by Musk's divided attention after spending the last three months with the Trump administration. At Friday's close Tesla stock was trading as high as $284.96 per share, up 20% from Tuesday's closing price of $237.97. Some analysts are keeping their fingers crossed that this could be the start of an enduring recovery for the company. Since Trump's inauguration, the Tesla CEO has made waves as the unofficial head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role which has politicized Tesla's brand among consumers. Given DOGE's contentious work, including initiating sweeping federal layoffs, investors this year have grown worried about damage to the brand. 'Starting next month, I will be allocating far more of my time to Tesla,' Musk said during the earnings call, adding that 'the major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency' was done. He said he would 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. Since Trump's inauguration, the Tesla CEO has made waves as the unofficial head of DOGE, a role which has politicized Tesla's brand among consumers President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to the press as they stand next to a Tesla Cybertruck on the South Portico of the White House last month in Washington, DC Tesla shares surged more than 20 percent after CEO Elon Musk announced plans to devote much more time to the company starting in May Prior to Tuesday, Tesla stock was down 44% this year, and its first-quarter sales came in way under expectations. Musk himself said he was leading his companies 'with great difficulty' during his time with DOGE. Investors had their reason. Tesla boycotts and protests grew in the first quarter, while weak deliveries and sales data in the US and abroad led to a dismal earnings report on Tuesday. 'It's going to be viewed historically as probably the most important conference call Musk has ever had,' Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said about the DOGE step-back announcement, speaking to Bloomberg TV. Though a long-time Tesla bull, Ives was a loud critic of Musk's political ambitions in the first quarter. After getting a boost from Musk's DOGE departure, the stock saw a fresh catalyst for more gains on Friday. Even after falling nearly 50% from its December highs, Tesla's stock is still very richly valued based on the one yardstick that really matters in the long run: its earnings. At 110 times its expected per share earnings this year, the stock is valued more than 25 times higher than General Motors. The average stock on in the S&P 500 index trades at less than 20 times earnings. Given DOGE's contentious work, including initiating sweeping federal layoffs, investors year have grown worried about damage to the brand but Musk has announced he's stepping back Musk's imminent departure raises questions about the future of DOGE, although the White House insists its work will continue That leaves Tesla little margin for error if something goes wrong. Trump has regularly praised tech billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency for its role in cutting the size of the federal workforce and halting thousands of government programs and contracts. In just three months, entire government agencies have been dismantled and hundreds of thousands of workers from the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce have been fired or have agreed to take buyouts. Musk said he will soon be stepping back with his 130-day mandate as a special government employee set to expire at the end of May. His imminent departure raises questions about the future of DOGE, although the White House insists its work will continue. DOGE was created by an executive order Trump signed on his first day in office on January 20 to "modernize federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity." Despite its name, DOGE is not a government department created by an act of Congress. It is a temporary organization that took over an existing unit within the White House, the U.S. Digital Service. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, accompanied by President Donald Trump and his son X Musk, speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House in February A man sprays paint graffiti against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on a Tesla showroom in New York earlier this week Tesla boycotts and protests grew in the first quarter, while weak deliveries and sales data in the US and abroad led to a dismal earnings report on Tuesday People hold placards during a Tesla Takedown protest against billionaire Elon Musk, outside of a Tesla car showroom in central London earlier this month There have been protests outside of Tesla showrooms across the globe Its mandate, due to expire on July 4, 2026, now far exceeds the confines of the language of the initial executive order as its staffers sweep through government departments looking for spending and staff cuts. Musk, the world's richest person, does not draw a government salary, the White House has said. Critics say DOGE has been given extraordinary power by Trump and that it operates with no oversight and in secret, although Musk maintains it is transparent. On Friday, Tesla shares grew further after the US Department of Transportation announced looser rules on autonomous vehicles, with self-driving cars used for testing to be exempt from certain safety procedures. The change was presented as a way to help keep American firms competitive against a growing Chinese rivalry. 'This Administration understands that we're in a race with China to out-innovate, and the stakes couldn't be higher,' U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a statement. 'As part of DOT's innovation agenda, our new framework will slash red tape and move us closer to a single national standard that spurs innovation and prioritizes safety.' China moves to toughen crackdown on intellectual property infringement Xinhua) 11:05, April 25, 2025 BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday released a new judicial interpretation to intensify the crackdown on criminal cases involving intellectual property infringement. The interpretation aims to meet the growing public demand for strengthened intellectual property protection as criminal activities are "increasingly taking on new forms, becoming more complex and technologically sophisticated," said Tao Kaiyuan, deputy head of the Supreme People's Court (SPC). The interpretation lowers the threshold for criminal liability. For instance, in the case of selling infringing copies, the criterion for "a relatively large amount of illegal gains" has been reduced from 100,000 yuan (about 13,870 U.S. dollars) to 50,000 yuan. Harsher penalties have been included in the interpretation to target offenses with significant social harm and clear malicious intent. The interpretation raises the upper limit for fines, increasing the range from the previous "between one and five times the amount of illegal gains" to "between one and 10 times." The interpretation was jointly issued by the SPC and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. According to official data, from 2013 to 2024, procuratorates across China filed a total of 69,100 criminal cases involving intellectual property infringement, while courts concluded 64,600 such cases at the first-instance level. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The Justice and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Ministers today visited a tree nursery at Magilligan Prison which is part of an environmental scheme to protect and develop new Irish woodland. Run by prisoners and capable of producing up to 70,000 trees annually, the new nursery, within the walls of the prison, includes Holly, Guilder-rose, Hazel, Crab-apple, Willow, Bird-cherry and Wild-cherry trees. The Justice for Woodlands project is a joint venture between Magilligan Prison, Binevenagh Landscape Partnership Scheme, Woodland Trust, Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, and was established in 2022 after the receipt of an award for 54,190 from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. During their visit Justice Minister Naomi Long and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir spoke to staff and prisoners involved. Justice Minister Naomi Long said: This project will build on ecological and climate resilience by providing native trees for the creation of new woodland or expanding existing woodland. A significant element of the tree planting is also connecting people with nature. Prisoners are learning new skills and through educational opportunities, external training on tree nursery maintenance and development, they are growing trees for communities against which they have offended. Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said: Additional tree and woodland planting will be essential to enable us to mitigate against climate change and to deliver nature recovery. I am delighted with the progress that this project has achieved since the initial funding from my Department. Many of the native trees grown by the prisoners and staff at Magilligan will be planted in woodland expansion projects across Northern Ireland to create a long-lasting legacy from which our communities will benefit. It is also good to see trees being grown from local seeds and cuttings. Planting locally grown trees reduces the need for us to import trees and lowers the risk of bringing diseases into local populations. Aisling Gribbin from the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, said: The Magilligan Tree Nursery is the first large scale nursery of its kind in Northern Ireland and only the second in Ireland which does not rely on European imported stock. The prisoners are integral to a lot of the seed collection, processing and managing the trees in the nursery, and they also play a part in the planting of the new trees in the local community. Cllr Shaun Harkin says Workers Rights and Social Justice Week has went from strength to strength over the past few years. The Workers' Rights & Social Justice Programme is back in Derry taking place between the 26th of April and the 5th of May, 2025. People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin said, "Workers Rights and Social Justice Week has went from strength to strength since People Before Profit first proposed it to the Council in 2019. Trade unions represent up to 250,000 workers in the North and almost 1 million across Ireland, and are growing in Derry and across the island. I'll be joining the 'Celebration of Migrant Workers' Rally on Sunday. Migrant workers make a massive contribution to our society. Immigrant workers across the island of Ireland are central to the health service and many other sectors. Migrant workers are part of the working-class. They are leaders in our workplaces, our trade unions and our communities. Their contribution should be celebrated and not denigrated. James Connolly and Jim Larkin, two of Ireland's greatest working-class leaders, were immigrants. For centuries Irish workers have travelled across the world fleeing poverty, persecution violence and war, in hope of a better life. Irish refugees of the 'great hunger' who made it to the US on coffin ships were depicted as carriers of disease and drunkards with backward religious superstitions. Irish workers in Britain were treated with suspicion and viewed as a terrorist community. Today, the Trump Administration and its far-right supporters view tens of thousands of undocumented Irish workers who've built a life in the US as nothing but criminals who must be deported. Trumps supporters in Ireland are whipping-up up hatred and stoking violence against migrants. Conor McGregor and Tommy Robinson supporting goons rant about a 'new plantation' and 'unvetted military age males' flooding Ireland. They describe asylum seekers as 'invaders' responsible for rising crime and theats to women and children. It's all nonsense and can be debunked easily but facts don't matter to fascist thugs. They use social media to constantly spead sensational misinformation about migrants but ignore the fact that the vast majority of attacks on women happen in the home and by people they know. The far-right tries to blame migrants for the housing crisis and the state of the health service. This again is easily debunked but that doesn't matter when the aim of fascists is to do nothing but promote hate, division and violence. Let's direct anger and frustration where it belongs. The political establishment and the super-rich who are responsible for housing scarcity and NHS waiting times. They are responsible for deprivation, cuts to the Northlands Centre, cuts to Disability Benefit payments, cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment - and genocide in Gaza, and war after murderous war for oil and power in the Middle East and Africa. Let's punch up, not down. Let's organise for a united working-class that can take on billionaires, bullies and governments facilitating corporate profiteering." Derry all girls school St. Cecilias College has been shortlisted in the UKs best in Tes Schools Awards. The school has been shortlisted in the category of Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year. The UKs most inspiring teachers and schools have been shortlisted in this years Tes Schools Awards. The awards, dubbed the Oscars of education, recognise the very best teachers and schools from UK state and independent schools, across early years settings, primary and secondary. The shortlist was compiled by a panel of expert judges, including school leaders and sector experts. The schools and teachers they chose showcase the best of UK education within 22 award categories, covering all areas of school education. Inclusive Trust of the Year was added as a new category this year and the final category, Lifetime achievement award, will be announced on the night. Rod Williams, CEO of Tes, said: I'd like to thank all those that entered the Tes Schools Awards this year. Weve seen some incredible entries and more nominations this year than ever before, which just shows all the fantastic work that is being done across UK education. The Tes Schools Awards are a highlight of the education sector calendar, and it's important that we properly recognise the vital work that is being done across UK education, not just from the past academic year, but on a daily basis. Winners will be announced on 20th June at a glittering gala awards night at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London. To view the shortlisted schools in Northern Ireland, see the table below, or to find the full shortlist online, please visit: .tes.com/schools-awards/uk/shortlist 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. Delta Electronics sees India gains amid global tariff war, eyes local expansion Delta Electronics expects to boost its India operations as global tariff regimes continue to shift supply chains, a senior executive told Digitimes Asia in an interview, adding that the company is preparing to bring more global customers to its local manufacturing facilities. "Currently, we still feel this is more beneficial to India," said Benjamin Lin, President and CEO of Delta Electronics India. "We will try to bring more customers to visit India...our whole team is focused on this business." The Taiwanese electronics giant has seen rising interest in its Indian operations amid efforts by multinational companies to diversify away from China. Lin said Delta is having "many meetings with customers" and consulting with external advisors to understand how to capitalize on evolving tariff structures. The company operates a 120-acre manufacturing facility in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, split between a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for exports and a Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) for local sales. It currently manufactures and exports power supply units for consumer appliances, industrial power supplies, and telecom power modules, among others. Expanding local R&D and EV focus Delta, which entered India in 2003 through the acquisition of Ascom, has been steadily diversifying beyond telecom power solutions and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Its Bangalore-based R&D center now plays a significant role in developing products for both local and global markets, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. "We are targeting local EVs, and we're working on designs for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers," Lin said, noting that Delta has already seen positive feedback from Indian customers. The company is also readying its Krishnagiri site to begin local manufacturing of EV chargers. Globally, Delta supplies onboard chargers, traction inverters, and motors to luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. In India, the company is pursuing opportunities despite what Lin described as "very price-sensitive" domestic OEMs such as Tata and Mahindra. "We are ready; we just need to find the right match," he said, adding that their factory is on track to receive IATF 16949 certification by September, a prerequisite for automotive production. Betting on India's AI and data center potential Delta is also increasing its focus on India's emerging AI and data center markets. "India is well-positioned for AI applications," Lin said, citing the country's large IT talent pool and its growing adoption of AI technologies. The company plans to build a new team focused on server power supply solutions and expand collaborations with clients like IBM and Cisco. Delta's India operations are expected to play a larger role in supporting global growth. "We are already planning our five-year strategy, with a focus on expanding our design team," Lin said, adding that the company is recruiting from India's top engineering schools and collaborating with Taiwanese universities for dual-degree programs. Renewables and energy storage need policy push Despite India's 45 percent renewable energy share, Delta believes more government support is needed for energy storage systems (ESS). "If you cannot consume solar power during the day, it is wasted," Lin said. He emphasized the need for incentives and clearer policies to make ESS commercially viable, pointing to Delta's strength in power conversion systems and battery technologies. Lin also praised India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which he said now includes component-level manufacturing, calling it a positive step for companies like Delta that operate across multiple tiers of the electronics supply chain. Automation and robotics on the horizon While India's labor cost advantage has historically slowed the adoption of robotics, Delta sees a turning tide. "The robot market is growing, and there is potential in the industry," Lin said. Delta is working both as a developer of its own robots and a supplier of drives and controllers to other manufacturers. Lin added that India's government must carefully balance automation with employment concerns, especially as robots enter traditional manufacturing domains. With manufacturing currently accounting for 14 percent of India's GDP, half of which comes from the automobile sector, Delta sees automation and robotics as key to meeting future productivity and quality benchmarks. "As long as India continues to support the full ecosystem, from R&D to manufacturing, we are confident in our ability to grow here," Lin said. Article edited by Jack Wu Subscriber content preview SEATTLE Mayor Bruce Harrell on Wednesday shared his proposal for the renewal of the 2025 Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy. The proposed renewal would invest $1.3 billion in programs to support Seattle's children, youth and families over the course of six years. It is nearly double the current levy, which was passed by voters in 2018 and is due to expire at the end of the year. . . . Subscriber content preview BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota has become the first state to enact a law that could shield the maker of the popular Roundup brand of weedkiller from lawsuits. The law signed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong declares that federally approved labels on pesticides are sufficient to satisfy any failure-to-warn claims in court. . . . There's a great range of guests lined up for Friday night's Late Late Show with the likes of Mary Lou McDonald, Simon Pegg and Paloma Faith joining Patrick Kielty in studio. The Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou, will chat to Patrick about the very disruptive start to the new Dail term, her thoughts on the party's recent election performance, and their continuing priorities which include a united Ireland. Movie star Simon Pegg will be in studio on Friday night to discuss his upcoming role in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. The Shaun of the Dead, Run Fatboy Run and Star Trek star will chat to Patrick about all things acting, writing, producing as well sharing some stories from behind the scenes of his new film. READ NEXT: ALERT: Gardai issue urgent appeal for 13-year-old boy missing for almost a week Singing and podcast sensation Paloma Faith will also appear on Friday night's show. Paloma will discuss her Sunday Times bestselling book MILF, as well as celebrating her birthday in Ireland. Then for some comedic relief, Cork comedian Chris Kent will join Patrick ahead of his Irish tour 'Offline.' The comedian will chat about how unplugging from the digital world and fatherhood have both shaped his comedy. Music on the night will come from KhakiKid who will perform his song Date Nite in studio. You can catch the Late Late Show on Friday night at 9.35pm on RTE One. Pope Franciss work on peace and sustainability must be remembered by those attending his funeral on Saturday, Irish president Michael D Higgins has said. Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina paid their respects at the lying in state of Francis in St Peters Basilica in the Vatican on Friday. Mr Higgins and Sabina were pictured stopping at Franciss open coffin in the basilica for a few moments. On Saturday, the couple will return to St Peters Square for the pontiffs funeral, which will be attended by world leaders including US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Irish premier Micheal Martin, Irish deputy premier Simon Harris, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell are also expected to attend. Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill has also confirmed she will travel to Rome to join leaders from across the world for the pontiffs funeral. The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend. In a statement ahead of the funeral, Mr Higgins said: As President of Ireland, I am pleased to communicate the appreciation of all of the people of Ireland for the life, the documents and the contacts to the most vulnerable all over the world made by Pope Francis, who I was honoured to meet with on five occasions. The world was struck by the generosity given by Pope Francis, right until the very last moments of his life, in terms of seeking to embrace, as he put it, all of humanity. Through his life and his work, Pope Francis led by example in embracing so many of the most important issues facing humanity. In particular, he was a strong advocate for the fulfilling of obligations in relation to Mother Nature and the indigenous peoples who are paying the highest price for the consequences of climate change, he was a strong spokesperson for how global poverty could be eliminated and he gave leadership in relation to the rights of migrants. In attending the funeral and celebrating the life of Pope Francis, it is important to stress his work on our shared humanity and on the importance of peace, sustainability and of rights. This is the third papal funeral that Archbishop John Joseph Kennedy, a Dubliner who works at the Vatican, will attend. He is the secretary for discipline at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is responsible for religious discipline in the Catholic Church. The Archbishop said Franciss funeral will be more humble than other papal funerals, but it will have elements that will be typical of other papal funerals, such as world leaders being present. These world leaders are going to have a unique opportunity to meet each other, theyll be there at the ceremony before it begins and Im sure theyre going to exchange words, he told RTE Radio, adding that the word pontifex means bridge builder. He said the conclave would be interesting as Pope Francis had named three-quarters of the cardinals and many were from far away places. One of the challenges I think is that they are going to have to get to know each other. They might know each others names, and maybe even faces, but they have to understand what these men have in terms of a vision for the Church in the future. He added: I would love to see people translating the love that they had for Pope Francis and the love for his beautiful simple gestures into the practice of understanding of their faith. The Popes funeral is expected to begin at 9am Irish time on Saturday. A Sinn Fein TD has said trans constituents contacted him after being upset by a social media post made by one of his colleagues. Last week, Sinn Fein health spokesman David Cullinane apologised for a post on X, formerly Twitter, about the UK court ruling on excluding trans women from the definition of woman in equality law. Mr Cullinane said the complex issue needs to be approached with compassion and he apologised for any offence caused. The UK Supreme Court ruled last week that the terms woman and sex in the 2010 Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces, such as changing rooms and homeless hostels, if proportionate. On Wednesday evening, Mr Cullinane called for the ruling to be fully examined in this state. The Waterford TD said on X: The Scottish Supreme Court ruling on the legal meaning of woman is a common sense judgement. The ruling found that for the purposes of equality legislation a woman means a biological woman & sex refers to biological sex. It also confirmed that trans people are protected under their Equality legislation in a separate category of gender reassignment. He subsequently deleted the post and stated: I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the trans community following a tweet I sent last night. That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all. Im sure those in the trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterdays judgement, and I apologise that my words added to that. On Friday, Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said his colleague responded appropriately in deleting the tweet and apologising, adding that he was satisfied the matter was closed. Asked if the party needed to clarify its position on transgender people, Mr O Broin said: The partys policies are the partys policies. And David Cullinane did the right thing in removing the tweet and apologising. Ive been contacted by quite a few constituents who are trans, or family members of transpeople who were very upset by it. Obviously, the party is doing a piece of work around further developing a policy on trans rights and trans healthcare in due course. Dundalk Library will be holding a National Voter Registration Day event on Wednesday 30th of April 2025. The Morning Session will be from: 10:00 AM 12:00 PM while the Afternoon Session will be from: 2:00 PM 5:00 PM. Through the collaboration of community leaders, groups, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders the initiative hopes to improve voter registration. People in Louth are being encouraged to visit the NVRD website to verify their eligibility to vote, check the register, and learn more about their voting rights. The primary goals of this campaign are to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote is registered to vote, inform underrepresented groups, disadvantaged communities, and young people across Ireland of their right to vote and how to register to vote and promote the importance of active citizenship and participating in the democratic process. Read Next: Extra toilets for Louth beach as summer visitor numbers set to rise Speaking ahead of National Voter Registration Day, Liliana Fernandez, said: Although things are slowly improving there is still a lack of knowledge about voter rights among many people in Ireland and Louth. This has an impact on civic engagement and representation in Irish politics. This year we are continuing to collaborate with the Electoral Commission (An Coimisiun Toghchain), Local Authorities, PPNs, Civil Society Organisations and community leaders across the country to inform minorities and young people of their political rights, educate them on the roles of the President of Ireland, TDs and local councillors, the functions of our political institutions, and how to register to vote." Louth and the North East region saw a fall in the number of people recorded as homeless in March, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 222 adults accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation in the North East region, which comprises Louth, Monaghan and Cavan, during the week of 24-30 March 2025. It is down from 239 in February, and 263 in January. 204 were in Louth, down from 213 in February. 18 were recorded in total in Monaghan and Cavan. Of the 222 adults in March, 117 were male and 105 female. 42 were aged 18-24 years old; 115 aged 25-44; 58 aged 45-64; and seven were aged 65 and over. 133 were Irish citizens; 37 were UK/EEA citizens; and 52 were non EEA citizens. 55 families with 98 children also accessed local authority managed emergency accommodation during the week of 24-30 March 2025 in the North East region. This is the same number of families as reported in February, but it also represents a decrease in the number of children recorded as homeless, with 104 being recorded in February. Read next: Increase in new house completions in Louth Nationally however, 10,743 adults and 4,675 children, giving a total of 15,418 people, were recorded as homeless in March, up from 15,378 in February, and yet another record high number of homeless people in the State. This figure that does not account for those rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those in hidden homelessnesspeople sleeping in cars, on couches, or in unsuitable living conditions. 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. A record 15,418 people were living in emergency accommodation in Ireland last month, 4,675 of whom are children, figures show. Opposition parties called for a radical reset on housing to stem the constant increase in homelessness. The figures show there were 40 more people, 22 of whom were children, using emergency accommodation in March compared with February, when 15,378 were recorded as homeless. The figures for January saw 15,286 people homeless, 4,603 of whom were children. The true number of people who are homeless is thought to be much higher, as the monthly figures do not include people sleeping on the streets, couch-surfing or those who access accommodation in domestic violence refuges or Direct Provision. The monthly Department of Housing tally has been growing steadily for years as governments have struggled to address the housing crisis which emerged after the recession. House prices and rents have skyrocketed, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic, as supply remains constrained and demand has increased. The government has increased its new-build housing targets for the coming years in response, but missed last years overall target and its social homes target for several years running. The Central Bank of Ireland has also warned that Ireland is on track to miss its housing targets for the next three years. Homelessness charity the Simon Communities of Ireland said that since March last year, an extra 1,552 people are in emergency accommodation. Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: This time four years ago, it was reported that 8,060 men, women and children were experiencing homelessness. That number has nearly doubled since then. Its hard to fathom how we can reverse these figures in the next five years without urgent action. If were serious about ending homelessness by 2030, we need to start treating it like the crisis it is. Housing and homelessness must become a top priority for Government. Our latest Locked Out Of The Market report highlights the severe shortage of options in the private rental sector. We need to act now to protect people from falling into homelessness. Prevention is not only the most economically sensible approach, its also the morally right thing to do. Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said the rise is a direct consequence of the failure of the Government to address this ever-deepening housing and homelessness crisis. Mr O Broin also accused the Government of slashing funding for local authority social housing acquisitions. Pointing to analysis of year-on-year changes for funding to schemes such as Housing First and Tenant-in-Situ, he said cuts would mean more people would become homeless. This Government is actually slashing funding for local authorities for these vital schemes, ranging anywhere from 35% to an astonishing 100% cut in Cork, he said. He added: In Dublin City, the impact of the cut by James Brown will reduce funding by at a minimum 50%. What that means is less Tenant-in-Situ acquisitions, less Housing First acquisitions, and that means more people, including families with children, will become homeless, and those people in emergency accommodation will be in that accommodation for even longer. Labour TD Conor Sheehan said each week brings a new low in this Governments handling of the housing crisis. There is no way to sugarcoat this. Its a national scandal, and it is a direct result of Government failure to treat housing as the emergency it clearly is, he said. Despite the rhetoric, there is no urgency, no strategic leadership, and no willingness to admit the scale of the crisis. Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the latest figures were a shameful milestone for a government that never prioritised homelessness. Mr Hearne, the partys housing spokesperson, said the proposed removal of rent caps and cuts to the tenant-in-situ scheme will add to already rising levels of homelessness. Overall, there are 256 more children in emergency accommodation than there were six months ago. These trends will continue unless there is a radical shift in government policy, he said. Rising levels of homelessness will continue to outpace any social and affordable housing delivery from the State unless there is a radical shift in government policy, which must have a far greater focus on the tenant-in-situ scheme. Some 250,000 mourners paid their respects to Pope Francis over a three-day lying-in-state, the Vatican said on the eve of his funeral. World leaders and dignitaries were arriving in Rome on Friday, to attend what will be a huge gathering in St Peters Square for his requiem mass. The final mourners had a chance to see the Pope close up in the grand surrounds of St Peters Basilica, before his coffin was closed in private. US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were among those due to arrive into Rome on Friday, and the Prince of Wales is also set to attend the mass on behalf of his father the King. Irish President Michael D Higgins was among those to pay his respects in the basilica, having arrived earlier in the day. The leader of Catholics in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has predicted the funeral will be a masterpiece in stage-managing big egos. A Vatican spokesperson has confirmed Franciss birth country of Argentina, then Italy, will take precedence. Thereafter, reigning sovereigns will be seated in alphabetical order, but in French language, followed by heads of state. Irelands delegation comes ahead of both Prince William and the British Government delegation in the official order of precedence, because it is led by head of state Mr Higgins. It falls between groups from Indonesia and Iceland, also led by those countries heads of state. Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway, and William follow soon after in a category set aside for crown princes. The British Government delegation includes Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy. US President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania are seated ahead of both the Irish and British delegations, in between Estonia and Finland. Cardinal Nichols, who will take part in his first conclave to elect a new pope in the coming weeks, said the funeral organisers are well used to dealing with the sensitivities of such big events. In an interview with the PA news agency in Rome, he said the funeral will be without a doubt another masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance. He added: In the past, Ive seen it here over and over again that the combination of Rome and the Holy See, they actually are geniuses at dealing with these big events. I think theyve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome that they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content. Scaffolding has been erected to provide international media with the best vantage points overlooking St Peters Square while there is a strong Italian police presence managing numbers and security. Following Saturdays open-air funeral in the square, Franciss remains will be taken through the streets of Rome in another break with tradition, as his body is brought to a simple underground tomb in the basilica of Saint Mary Major, as per his instructions. The Vatican said a group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading to the basilica to pay their last respects before the interment of the coffin, in a nod to Franciss particular care for the downtrodden. Generous and fit people in Cork are being encouraged to take part in a Treadmill Challenge next month in aid of LauraLynn, Irelands only Childrens Hospice. The annual fundraiser began in Dublin and is coming to Cork for the first time on Thursday, May 22. It will take place during Childrens Hospice Week at Virgin Media Park, as well as in LauraLynns campus in Leopardstown, Dublin. How did this novel idea come about? The concept came from Australia, explains Mallow Regional Fundraiser Elaine Buckley. The team were looking to host a fun fundraising event, and the Treadmill Challenge was launched in Dublin last year with huge success. Cork got on the bandwagon. It was a 24-hour event to highlight the fact the services of LauraLynn are available to patients and their families 24 hours, offering 24-hour care, 24/7. This year, the Cork Treadmill Challenge will be the first time the event is held outside of Dublin. It is hoped well see a great turn-out, says Elaine. The event in Cork will be shorter than the Dublin one, at 12 hours. The event will take place over 12 hours from 10am to 10pm with participants registering for a half-hour slot, says Elaine. The charity is calling on members of the public, community groups, business owners, and companies in Cork to sign up for a slot to keep the treadmills in motion throughout 12 hours in Cork. Every step is important. Every step participants take on the treadmill helps LauraLynn support children with life-limiting conditions and their families through the challenges they face, says Elaine. The 12-hour event in Cork and 24-hour event in Dublin represent the continuous care that parents and carers provide to their children with life-limiting conditions. LauraLynn has a huge impact on parents and carers looking after their families. LauraLynn is our saviour, our helper, says LauraLynn mum, Gladys Akognon. Without their help and support, I wouldnt have been able to last this long. LauraLynn CEO Kerry McLaverty understands how much Gladys and other parents and carers rely on LauraLynn. She is thrilled to bring the Treadmill Challenge to Cork. This event not only raises vital funds for our hospice, but also brings our supporter community together in a powerful way, says Kerry. Every step taken during this challenge helps us provide essential care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families. She knows the power of the people, and of those in Cork. We encourage everyone in Cork to join us, says Kerry. Whether youre running, jogging, or walking, you can make a meaningful impact. Last year, the event attracted a number of well-known personalities from the worlds of television and sport, says Elaine, including Fiona Coghlan, Jodi Murphy, David Gillick, Muireann OConnell, and Laura Lynn patron Miriam OCallaghan. By fundraising to take part, participants help provide essential care and support, ensuring that children receive the best possible care at the hospice, in hospital, or in the comfort of the childs own home. May 22 promises to be an amazing day in Cork. Several well-known Cork personalities are signed up to attend our inaugural Cork event, says Elaine. Attendees can walk, jog, or run for their 30-minute time slot and are required to fundraise 250 per 30-minute slot. We require ongoing funding, adds Elaine. Our target this year is 10.1 million. The Childrens Hospice is in Leopardstown, Dublin, while our LauraLynn community-based care teams operate in Cork, Mallow and Dublin. To participate in Corks 12-hour Treadmill Challenge for LauraLynn, sign up to receive a time slot on www.lauralynn.ie/treadmillchallenge. Then activate the fundraiser to start the collection. Niamh Doyle at the launch of LauraLynns Treadmill Challenge, which will take place over 12 hours in Cork this year LauraLynn is Irelands only Childrens Hospice, providing palliative and hospice care and support for children (0-18 years), with life-limiting conditions and their families from all across Ireland. It provides a range of services including symptom management for children, music and play therapy, psychological support, family and sibling camps, short breaks, bereavement support, crisis and End of Life Care. Care can be availed of in LauraLynns specialist hospice in Leopardstown. Care can also be delivered in hospital, in the community, or in the familys home, depending on the location and medical needs of the child and the familys preference. LauraLynns Care in the Community Team currently provide care and supports to children and families in their homes in the Leinster region, the service operating from Mallow services families across Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford and South Tipperary, while Ballinasloe Community Team offer services and support to children and their families in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, North Tipperary, Sligo and Clare. It relies primarily on fundraised income to fund its hospice services. Since opening in 2011, LauraLynn has supported over 872 children and their families, including siblings, parents, and grandparents. About Mallow Community Services The LauraLynn in the Community Team is a community-based service with teams operating from our Hospice in Dublin, a base in Mallow, and a base in Ballinasloe, says Elaine. Our Community Team provides care and supports in the home for children and their families. We work collaboratively with services that already exist in the regions and complements those existing services supporting children and families in the region. LauraLynn has a multi-disciplinary team working across the service, providing care and supports to whole family units including siblings, parents, grandparents and the wider family. Medical care is provided along with additional palliative care supports including Music Therapy, Play Therapy, Counselling and Bereavement Care. LauraLynn has an ambitious growth strategy. Cork, Kerry and Limerick were identified as a region with a lot of need outside of the greater Leinster region, so were chosen as our first Community-based locations outside of Dublin, says Elaine. We have since expanded our community team in the west with a hub in Ballinasloe. In total, since opening in Mallow in 2022, 33 families have been supported and 3,500 visits completed. There are a total of 13 staff (some part-time) working from our Mallow Team Office, says Elaine. Including team lead, (nurse manager), clinical nurse specialist, music therapist, play therapist, staff nurses and an administrator. For further information, please visit lauralynn.ie. Its every debut authors dream. You write your first novel, publishers enter a bidding war to secure it for the highest price, and before you know it, a TV series has been optioned. But thats exactly what happened to first-time novelist Sarah Harman, whose satirical thriller All The Other Mothers Hate Me has been making waves through the publishing industry. Translation rights have been sold to 15 countries. Its a lightly caustic, satirical tale centring on former girl band member and now single mother Florence Grimes, an American living in London who incurs the bitchiness, back stabbing and biting snobbery of other mothers at the school-gate of the posh, private school that her son Dylan attends. When one of the pupils goes missing - a bully who happened to be Dylans partner on the school trip on the day he disappeared - and the finger is pointed at her bullied son, Florence discovers worrying signs that maybe Dylan had something to do with it. In an effort to clear his name, she forms an unlikely investigating partnership with highly strung American lawyer mum Jenny Choi to get to the bottom of the mystery. Its not so much the thriller aspect that makes this book so enjoyable. Its the interactions between the mothers at the school gate and beyond, the toxic WhatsApp groups, the nuanced comments and pushy attitudes which must be familiar to many parents who dont quite fit in with the status quo of the privileged few. Harman, 38, a former broadcast journalist and TV news anchor, is herself an American in London with two children, who moved to the city in 2018 as a foreign correspondent for NBC, but gave it all up in 2021 when she became burned out by the high-pressure news environment she worked in. She had studied English at university and dreamed of writing a book, she recalls. In 2022 I found myself unemployed and I thought, now is the time. And it was inspired by my own experiences of being an American in west London. The rest was imagination. Ive never been a pop star or had a child involved in a missing persons case. The school-gate elements are written slightly from experience, although her children are much younger than those in the book and werent at school when she was writing it, she recalls. I went on a lot of school tours. I have toured most of the selective day schools in west London and a few of the boarding schools. As an American, were obsessed with British boarding schools because of Harry Potter. But the day schools are actually where the drama is, because thats where the parents are. She heard stories which gave her material, including a WhatsApp group which was launching a petition against fluorescent lighting in the kindergarten, which they claimed was damaging their children. When I toured these schools, it seemed like each one of them is a tiny universe and they each have their own rules. I remember going to one, and this boy was telling me about the house ties. Just understanding what Im seeing on the outside is like the tip of the iceberg. The school gate experience is very different in the U.S, she says, because children are just dropped off in cars by their parents or nannies in a drive-through fashion. The WhatsApp groups, however, do seem to be international. Harman grew up mostly in Florida and had a big broadcasting career in the US, reporting on major news stories around the world for more than a decade, most recently as a foreign correspondent for NBC News. I just burnt out completely. I was done, she says candidly. I was in the UK for my last job and I just stayed. The transition from high-profile broadcasting journalist to debut novelist was a big adjustment, she agrees. I missed the people I worked with and the feeling of being in the field with a team. You dont feel that when youre sitting at a desk. But writing a book was a real bucket list item for me. She used her journalism experience of tight deadlines to help her discipline when writing the book, she remembers. Id worked really hard for someone else, for the broadcaster, so to take that and say, Im going to work that hard for myself, was a really good experience. She wont talk about her husband, who is also from the US, or her two children, but juggling family with writing a book clearly requires discipline. I stopped drinking alcohol and coffee, went to bed at eight and would wake up really early, at four, and write until breakfast time. My husband calls it Hobbit mode. It made me so boring. Harman confesses that it took her about two years to write, edit and submit the manuscript, which then went to a nine-way auction, and she remains totally overawed by the attention it received. I cannot emphasise to you enough how ignorant I was about the entire world of publishing or how anything worked before I started this. In my case, my agent sent it out and the next day she told me that we were going to have a really competitive situation. I was like, what does that mean? She said, Multiple people are interested. So yes, its just a dream scenario. I felt really lucky because when youre a debut author youre writing something that nobody is asking for and you basically have to take it and force it on the world and beg people to read it. It was just amazing to feel that several people want this. I felt elated. It was a dream come true. In my fantasy a good outcome was that someone wants to buy the book, but the fact that multiple people were interested, oh my God! The TV rights were also snapped up by Disneys FX following a bidding war and Harman is writing the pilot for the TV series, which is in the early stages of development. I really wanted to be involved. You know, everyone tells you not to get involved in your own adaptation. The road is paved in author tears. Its not done yet and I think it could still end in tears for me, but I thought that its such a cool opportunity, Ill kick myself if I dont try. While she is doubtful shell be involved in the casting, she says: As a debut writer, wouldnt it be nice if it was an unknown actress getting her big break, just like I got a chance? This book opened up so many doors for me. Id love to see that for someone else. All The Other Mothers Hate Me, by Sarah Harman, is published by 4th Estate. A Cork teacher has called for the Croke Park Hours, additional hours teachers are obliged to complete outside of teaching time, to be abolished, calling them detention for teachers. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI)s annual congress heard a motion from Corks Carbery branch suggesting that the ASTI negotiate with the department of education that any hours spent on extracurricular activities be considered part of Croke Park hours. John Byrne, Cork ASTI Standing Committee rep told The Echo: The Croke Park Hours were brought in during the years of austerity, teachers had to do some extra hours, some of which are given over to staff meetings, parent teacher meetings. Theyre often referred to as detention for teachers lots of teachers give a lot of goodwill and extra time to extracurriculars on top of their existing work day. Teachers are giving so much in class and outside, and then they have these imposed hours on top of that. He explained: Were really campaigning for their abolition, having these on top of the existing workload is just overloading teachers, who do lots of other things on top of teaching duty such as preparing classes and marking. The government arent really into listening to teachers voices on lots of things, and successive governments have paid little attention to our case for their abolition. At midday on Saturday, the Lord Mayor of Cork and the Ukrainian ambassador will be joined by members of the citys Ukrainian community and a locally based international charity to mark the 39th anniversary of a nuclear catastrophe that shook the world. On Saturday, April 26, 1986, the worst nuclear disaster in history occurred, an explosion and fire at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine which caused radioactive fallout to spew into the atmosphere. Dozens of people died in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, while the long-term death toll from radiation poisoning is believed to number in the thousands. While estimates of the eventual total death toll vary, a 2006 World Health Organization study projected 9,000 cancer-related fatalities in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Every year, Cork charity The Greater Chernobyl Cause commemorates the sacrifices of victims of the catastrophe and, in recent times, the war in Ukraine at an anniversary event in Fitzgeralds Park in Cork. This year, the Lord Mayor, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, will preside over the ceremony, while Larysa Gerasko, Ukraines ambassador to Ireland, will also be present. The event will be attended by city councillors, representatives from the Navy, Fire Brigade, and Defence Forces, and they will be joined by local people and members of Corks Ukrainian community. Poetry, music, songs, and prayers will mark the occasion, and candles will be lit, with a roll call of the fatalities from the 1986 nuclear disaster recited. They will observe a minute of silence prior to performing the Last Post and lowering the flag to half-mast. Fiona Corcoran, founder of The Greater Chernobyl Cause, said the charity opposed the war crimes committed by Russia against the Ukrainian people. We stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, who up until three years ago had homes, security, and normal lives, she said. Up until three years ago, people in Ukraine lived normal lives, complete with homes and security. Ms Corcoran began her charitable work in the region directly affected by the Chernobyl disaster, and after the subsequent collapse of The Soviet Union she widened her efforts in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. She said her charity continues to play a leading role in the supply of humanitarian aid right across Ukraine, adding that the empathy and love of the Irish is clearly evident as we stand with Ukraine in their time of need. As of February 2025, approximately 7,059 Ukrainian refugees were residing in Cork, with 1,500 in Cork city and 2,400 in Cork county, according to the National Association of Support Groups (NASC). The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, will launch a documentary film on Saturday morning celebrating almost half a century of a local group that represents one of the citys oldest communities. At 10am, Mr Boyle will visit the Rock Community Centre, located at the Rock Steps, Blarney St, home to the Blarney St and Surrounding Areas Community Association. Mr Boyle will launch the documentary, which looks at the history of the community association through its first 45 years. Local independent filmmakers Emma Coleman and Michael Carey recently visited the centre to interview local people who have been involved throughout the years for a documentary. Ms Colemans grandfather, Tom, is the chairman and a founding member of the community association, and he gave The Echo a brief synopsis of its early development. It all started in 1979 at a public meeting in Blarney St CBS, and it was overwhelmingly agreed that we would pursue the forming of a community association, said Mr Coleman At that stage, the St Mary of the Rock school was idle, derelict, and falling in to disrepair, and, as I like to say, we had the bird, but we had no cage, we had no focal point for the community in the area, so we decided we would pursue that property first and foremost to give us a home, he added. The association was actually formed in 1980, with myself, Bill Ramsell, and Alan McGregor (RIP) as founding members, and Bernard Allen (RIP) and Jim Kenneally (RIP) were both brought on as two trustees, as Cork City Council representatives, and they were always so very supportive of us. Purchasing the school from the diocese of Cork and Ross for 35,000, the association secured the home and focal point it retains to this day. Mr Coleman said that the association would be nothing without the locals who continue to make it what it is. The biggest asset we have is the people we represent. We should never forget the effort they made and the support given, he said. Mr Coleman said the film is around 45 minutes in length, and while the event is open to the public, it is invitation only, with all former and current members of the community association welcome. The Rock Community Centre is located at the Rock Steps, Blarney St, T23 WA22. A Cork teacher has said concerns around senior cycle reform arent going away as both secondary school teachers unions have voted to consider industrial action, should the implementation proceed as planned in September. From September, projects called Additional Assessment Components or AACs and other changes are due to begin rollout on a phased basis under accelerated Leaving Certificate reform plans. Teachers at both the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) annual congresses this week said there are several key issues of concern: inequity, lack of resources, inadequate training, workload for teachers, and difficulties in authenticating AI. Talks are ongoing with the department, with Education Minister Helen McEntee saying she hopes to conclude these by May. Protests outside schools in the last year have called for a pause. Siobhan ODonovan, ASTI standing committee representative and teacher at the Patrician Academy in Mallow, said they were disappointed by the minister saying there will be no pause and the changes will go ahead in September. We decided that both unions would propose this motion; were working very much in tandem with our sister union the TUI, that if a meaningful response is not achieved from the talks in May then we will ballot on industrial action up to and including strike action thats very much a last resort for us, she told The Echo. Theres very serious concern that AACs will be open to manipulation; if a student is completing 40% of their LC at home they could use AI or someone they know. Im an English teacher, would I help my son with his? Its an issue of equity; those that can afford extra help will get it, and why wouldnt they? There are also issues of equity around the resources schools have available, such as technology and equipment, particularly in the case of science AACs, with differences in laboratories in private and public schools. Teachers have to authenticate a piece of work and say if its done by their student, but if the standard is off and I dont sign off on it, where do I stand legally if a parent complains? said Ms ODonovan. This isnt where teachers want to go we are our students advocates, on their side this will put us in an insidious position. The elephant in the room is stress. The whole premise behind the senior-cycle reform is it will alleviate stress, but they will now be doing projects throughout fifth and sixth year as well as studying for the written exams, and the curriculum isnt reducing. For two years, students will be dealing with stress all the time. In 2027 you could see sixth-year students having meltdowns with all the work. Ms ODonovan said they were pleased to hear junior-cycle bands were being revised, but that it was a sign their feedback should have been taken seriously sooner. It took nearly 15 years for this to change. They called the unfairness of the wider bands an unintended consequence but we knew it as soon as we saw it. Teachers on the ground arent being listened to, and its far more serious at senior cycle. The Taoiseach said the planning process will mean that Midletons flood relief scheme will take time, but it will be work which will have life-saving implications for generations to come. Mr Martin said the catastrophic flooding that Midleton had experienced in the wake of Storm Babet in October 2023 had brought a very real threat of a loss of life. The Taoiseach was in Midleton on Thursday afternoon with the minister of state at the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin Boxer Moran to inspect the progress of flood relief works in the town. In mid-October 2023, the East Cork town was hit by catastrophic flooding after Storm Babet brought torrential rainfall to southern Ireland. Over two days, more than 100mm of rainfall hit Midleton, which was the equivalent of a months worth of rain in the town. With the ground already sodden after an extremely wet late summer and early autumn, swollen rivers burst their banks and around 400 Midleton homes and 300 businesses were flooded, with damages estimated at nearly 200m. Mr Martin told The Echo that the necessary budgeting was in place for the Midleton scheme, which he said should be completed by 2030 or 2031. My concern coming out of Storm Babet was there was a very real threat of loss life there, thankfully that did not happen, some people say if it was in the middle of the night it could have happened, others say if a full tide was there, there are many variables give rise to the impact of a storm, he said. Midleton is unique in terms of the various sources of threat, if you like, and if they all combine, it could lead to very, very nasty flooding event, so this scheme is absolutely essential to protect life and livelihoods. Mr Martin said he was impressed with the interim works undertaken by the OPW and Cork County Council in the East Cork town, describing as very effective flood barriers which would come into effect on the main street in the event of flooding. The Taoiseach visited the Woodlands housing estate, which was on the frontline of the flooding after Storm Babet in October 2023, where he inspected an extensive barrier, which he said in essence raised the river bank. Mr Martin said he had not visited residents whose homes had been flooded, but he intended to return and meet with them in the future. A lot of work is being done on an interim basis, notwithstanding the need to push on, get the main scheme delivered over the next number of years, he said. The expected completion date is around 2030, 2031, and that is due mainly to consents, and planning and various procedures that have to be gone through, because as you know, flooding schemes have been subject to many objections in the past, so getting it right from the outset is critical, the county council is taking the lead, theyre determined to get the process right, to get all the engagements right, all the consents right, that ultimately will make the planning process smoother. James OConnor, Fianna Fail TD for Cork East TD said he was delighted to have the Taoiseach and minister in Midleton after what has been a couple of extremely difficult years for residents in the wake of Storm Babet. We have a huge body of work, involving over 300 landowners now, to develop the main Midleton Flood Relief Scheme, and I also want to the other locations, Rathcormac, Killagh, Mogeely, Castelmartyr, and other rural parts of East Cork that were devastated by flooding, he said. Homes and businesses were underwater, so having the Taoiseach and Minister Boxer Moran here has been really, really positive. LATEST Gardai are investigating an arson attack on the house of a couple in their 80s near Kilcully cemetery in Cork. The attack took place at 9 pm on Thursday when the pensioners were at their home in Ballincrokig in Dublin Pike. The emergency services were called to the scene, and the house was evacuated. The couple were treated for smoke inhalation by members of the National Ambulance Service. However, they escaped serious injury. The house was sealed off for a technical and forensic examination. One of the lines of inquiry is that the property was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Gardai have indicated that no arrests have been made and that an investigation is ongoing. Two fire engines and a water tanker were deployed at the scene, which was attended by personnel from Cork City Fire Brigade and gardai. A garda probe is underway. Earlier A Garda spokesperson has told The Echo investigations are ongoing following a suspected arson attack last night, with no arrests made yet. No injuries were reported in the fire, which emergency services attended last night in Dublin Pike on the northside of Cork city on Thursday night, though a number of people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. A Garda spokesperson told The Echo: Gardai attended the scene of incident of suspected arson that occurred at a residence in the Ballincrokig area of Co. Cork at approximately 9pm last night Thursday, 24th April 2025. No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made at this time. The scene remains preserved for technical and forensic examination. Investigations are ongoing. 8.13am Emergency services attended the scene of a residential fire in Dublin Pike on the northside of Cork city last night. A number of units of the Cork City Fire Brigade attended at around 9pm on Thursday night and were there for two and a half hours, but there were no serious injuries reported. Robert OBrien, Third Officer at Cork City Fire Brigade told The Echo: It was a house fire in a bungalow. "The house was gutted when we got there, it was well alight. Everyone was out of the house when we got there, they were suffering from a small bit of smoke inhalation so they were treated by the ambulance. Two fire trucks attended the scene and tackled the blaze with a water tanker, with a senior officer also on site. As well as the ambulance, Gardai also attended the scene. The last fire unit left the scene at about 11.30pm, Mr OBrien said. There were no injuries to report, everyone was grand in terms of the fire brigade and the public, he said. Anne Horan from Ballineen in West Cork has been named the new president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO). Ms Horan has been a member of the INTO since she began teaching in 1980 and has worked at all levels of the union from staff representative to member of the Benefits Fund Committee to a full member of the Central Executive Committee. Following graduation from Mary Immaculate College, Ms Horan began teaching in Dunmanus NS, a one teacher school on the Mizen Peninsula in 1980, before moving to Limerick. She is currently a teaching principal in Carrickerry NS, a 3-teacher rural school in West Limerick. The INTO said: Anne has taught children of all ages and classes over her career. She sees education as important in helping each child to achieve their potential in life. She is a firm believer in the importance of personal development and enjoys studying to further her own knowledge base. Anne is forever grateful to the teachers and colleagues who provided support to her since the beginning of her career. Stressing the importance of attendance in union events, including Branch Meetings, she will, during her presidency, strive to encourage participation at all levels. Ms Horan said: The redevelopment of the curriculum marks an exciting new chapter for our primary schools. INTO is committed to securing face-to-face training and robust resources to support teachers through this important transition. While challenges lie ahead, together well ensure every child continues to receive the high-quality education they deserve. Some of these challenges ahead have been discussed over the last three days at the INTOs annual congress, which took place this year in Galway. Ms Horan previously told The Echo: The main topics up for discussion are underinvestment in primary education, workload for teachers and principals, the teacher supply crisis, and special education. People are getting very frustrated with these issues. Principals get calls at 8am saying someone is sick; theres no sub available. That leaves you with two options. You can split the classes, meaning the third class teacher would get some fourth class students too, and in a smaller school you could end up with a lot of classes in together. The second option is taking special education teachers away from their normal work and putting them into a classroom. She added that special education in general needs to be better resourced, with more investment into new classes opening in schools in Cork and across Ireland. More than 60% of Cork TDs and councillors have signed a letter calling for the government to provide the funding necessary to uphold commitments under the tenant-in-situ scheme and reopen it to new applicants. Six of the 10 TDs in Cork North Central and South Central and 19 of 31 city councillors have signed the letter, with Fianna Fail being the only party from which no members added their name. Housing minister James Browne, to whom the letter is addressed, is a Fianna Fail TD. The letter requests Mr Brownes urgent intervention in the crisis in Cork citys Tenant in Situ scheme, explaining that the scheme saved 79 families from homelessness in Cork city last year, and now families who are at the sale agreed stage are at risk of the sales falling through. This is due to funding supplied by the government, which Cork city council said last week was insufficient to allow them to continue the scheme this year and even honour existing commitments. The Echo has spoken with families personally affected, who were told their house would be bought by the council and they would be a tenant for life after their landlord announced they were selling the property they had been privately renting. The families now have no idea where they will be living in months time. The letter has been signed by Sinn Fein TDs Thomas Gould and Donnchadh O Laoghaire, councillors Kenneth Collins, Michelle Gould, Joe Lynch and Fiona Kerins. Labour TD Eoghan Kenny and councillors Peter Horgan, John Maher and Ciara OConnor have signed, along with Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice and councillor Niamh OConnor, People Before Profit-Solidarity councillor Brian McCarthy and workers party councillor Ted Tynan. Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn and his father and party colleague councillor Noel OFlynn are among the signatures, as are independent councillors Albert Deasy, Paudie Dineen and Kieran McCarthy. The majority of Fine Gael reps have also signed the letter TD Colm Burke and councillors Damian Boylan, Shane OCallaghan, Des Cahill and Gary OBrien, though South Central TD Jerry Buttimer and councillor for the north west ward Joe Kavanaghs signatures are absent. Green party Lord Mayor Dan Boyle and Deputy Lord Mayor Honore Kamegni also did not sign the letter, though their party colleague Oliver Moran did. The letter does not have any signatures from the three Fianna Fail TDs in Cork city Micheal Martin, Seamus McGrath and Padraig OSullivan, nor have any of the partys nine councillors signed. Mr Gould said: We believe that this is an issue that goes above politics. This is about empathy and compassion for those facing homelessness in Cork city. This was a scheme that worked and every single councillor and TD who has signed this has personally assisted families through this scheme. The Ministers cruel and heartless decision to cut the funding and end the scheme is something we are united in opposing. There will be an emergency meeting of Cork City Council on Tuesday night to discuss the scheme. A member of An Garda Siochana who intervened when he saw a man attempting to shoplift in a supermarket was threatened by the accused that he would slice him the next time he saw him. Now at Cork District Court, 28-year-old Gavin Reidy of Cul na Cille, Church Hill, Carrigaline, County Cork, has been jailed by Judge Treasa Kelly for three months. Sergeant John Kelleher said that at 6.30pm on Sunday, April 6, Garda Paraic OConnor was in half civilian attire when he observed Gavin Reidy in Aldi at The Elysian carrying a substantial amount of uncooked meat products to a total of 95 and was making great effort to conceal his face. Before Mr Reidy could leave the store, Garda OConnor spoke to him and identified himself as a member of An Garda Siochana. He cautioned Mr Reidy as to his clear intentions of theft. He became instantly irate and aggressive towards Garda OConnor saying: Youre not on duty, you cant f***ing stop me. He was intoxicated. Mr Reidy aggressively dumped the meat products into the vegetable section of the store and continued to verbally abuse Garda OConnor. He squared up to Garda OConnor in a violent manner shouting he was not on duty and could not do anything. Mr Reidy then said: Uniform or not, next time I see you, Ill f***ing slice you as he waved his hands in a violent and threatening manner in Garda OConnors face, Sgt Kelleher said. The young man pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour, being intoxicated and a danger, obstruction of a peace officer and attempt to commit a theft. Judge Treasa Kelly said he was very disrespectful to the guard on the day and that he should show respect to the gardai. Sgt Kelleher said the defendant had 94 previous convictions, including 46 for theft, five for threatening behaviour and 12 for being intoxicated and a danger. Eddie Burke solicitor said the accused was originally from Mallow and had left school at a young age and after some years with drug difficulties. He was doing much better recently and was on a treatment programme, which he intended to continue on his release from prison. Mr Burke said the young mans greatest concern was holding on to the accommodation recently secured for him through a housing support service. Judge Kelly backdated the three-month sentence to April 7 when Mr Reidy went into custody. A Cork man, who queued for three hours to pay respects to the late Pope Francis, has said that it was an honour to say goodbye to a man he deeply admired. Diarmuid ODalaigh, who is the owner of Oaklodge Nursing Home in Churchtown, appeared on the Neil Prendeville show on Friday morning to discuss his experience at the Vatican. Mr ODalaigh, who was accompanied by his two teenage sons, said that they had only just heard the news of the popes death before heading off on holidays. We queued up on Wednesday night after we arrived it seemed like a mile long of a queue coming from small streets [in the Vatican area], so we joined one of those and as we came nearer to the Vatican, there were three or four more lines that came together in St Peters Square, said Mr ODalaigh. It just seemed like a mass of people we had no idea how long we'd be there; we couldn't see out over the people to see whether they were moving or not. It [was] at a standstill for quite an extended period of an hour to an hour and a half but eventually they started leaving about 200 people in at a time. We got in then and it was a great privilege for us - Pope Francis [was] a man we deeply admired," he added. He was an honest man, a very frank man and he seemed to be everything that we admire in a leader, he seemed to hold it all in one. The atmosphere was quite subdued and reverential, [but also] kind of joyous Francis brought the best out in people there wasn't any pushing or anything like that. We were very close to the coffin - [but] you couldn't put your hand on it - it was a very simple box, a little bit like a wicker box, which speaks volumes about the man himself. I believe we will be talking about him for 100 years or more - he brought something very special to that role. The grants and supports available for third level students are a topical issue at this time of year, when students preparing for the Leaving Cert will be looking ahead to taking up a college place in the autumn and considering what financial supports will be available to them. The Student Grant Scheme is the main financial support for students studying in Ireland and abroad. It is commonly known as the SUSI grant as Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the awarding body. Grant applications are made online - there are no paper forms. Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year opened at noon on April 3. To apply, you must first register with SUSI, so you will need a Personal Public Service (PPS) number, an email address and a phone number. When you set up your SUSI account, you will receive a pin code which will allow you to go in and out of your account. It is important to remember this. It is also important that you regularly check the email address you use for your application as SUSI will use this to communicate with you and request any additional information they may require. Remember, the applicant is the student and not the parent. Do applicants need to be accepted for a course before they can apply? No, you dont need your Leaving Certificate results or to know what course you will be taking (you can add this at a later date). If you ticked the SUSI box on your CAO application, the CAO will notify SUSI of the course you have accepted. The closing date for priority applications is July 10, 2025, with a final closing date usually early in November. What about supporting documentation? If you are considered eligible on initial assessment of your application, you will get a provisional grant approval in the post and a personalised list of the supporting documents you will need to provide. On receipt, SUSI will then process your application to award stage, subject to confirmation of your acceptance on an approved course. What does the student grant cover? They are divided into Maintenance Grants and Fee Grants. The first help students with their living costs, while fee grants pay tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. From September, 2024, the Student Contribution fee is to be abolished for all incomes under 55,924. Can you get a student grant if you are studying outside of the State? The SUSI Maintenance Grant is available to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses of at least two years duration outside the Irish State. You will, however, have to pay fees in the same way as nationals of the country concerned. Remember that SUSI does not pay fees for overseas. Its only the maintenance part that is available Who qualifies for a student grant? Applicants must satisfy several conditions and you must meet all these. They include: Nationality condition Residence condition Means test Approved course of study Progression from your previous level of study Maximum period of grant assistance available at each level of study SUSI has a helpdesk for queries at support@susi.ie and by telephone at 0818 888 777. What is taken into account in the means test? If you are dependent on your parents, the means test for a student grant in 2025-2026 is based on your and your familys gross income for the previous full tax year (2024). If, for example, a student has a job in term time at weekends, that income will be counted in the means test and added to the parents income. However, 7,925 of the students income they earn outside term time is excluded. This is called holiday earnings and includes earnings in Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays. It is also worth noting that if you or your family have had a permanent change of circumstances from January 1, 2025, this will be taken into account. What about the means test for Independent Mature Students? If you are 23 or over on January 1, 2025, and live independently not dependent on your parents, you are assessed on your income (and that of your spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, if applicable). Mature students returning to education who are unemployed, parenting alone or have a disability and are getting certain payments from the Department of Social Protection may alternatively qualify for the Back to Education Allowance, but you cannot get that and the Student Grant at the same time. What income limits apply to the student grant? It varies, but if, for example, the student was coming from a family with less than four dependent children, to qualify for the maximum rate of grant the gross income limit would be 47,010 or less. However, if there is more than one student attending college from the same household, the limit may be increased by 4,950 for each student. If there are fewer than four dependent children and the family income is under 58,470, you get a partial maintenance grant. How much is the maximum amount of maintenance grant? The SUSI grant rate you get depends on the following factors: Your assessed means The distance you normally live from the college you are going to attend If you are a disadvantaged student If you normally live 30km or less from your college, you get the adjacent rate. If you live further away, you get the non-adjacent rate. This is based on the distance of where you ordinarily lived the year before you began college. The maximum adjacent rate is 1,774 The maximum non-adjacent rate is 4,292 (paid over 9 months 476.88 per month) Disadvantaged students can qualify for a special rate of maintenance grant. Once awarded, do students have to re-apply for the grant each year? You must renew your application for each year of your course. SUSI will contact you by email to remind you. Tom Tuite A Ukrainian man arrested in Dublin for possessing almost 1 million in illegal earnings was a trusted member of a transnational criminal organisation, a court has heard. Unemployed father of two, Vlodymyr Talriar (37), who has been in Ireland since last year and resided in a flat on Marlborough Road, Dublin 7, was refused bail by Judge Gerard Jones on Friday. Following a Garda National Drugs and Organised Bureau (GNDOCB) operation, Dublin District Court heard that Mr Talriar was caught red-handed and charged with possessing around 980,000 in suspected proceeds of criminal conduct. A contested bail hearing was told he had 314,060 at his home and 323,690 in his car on April 23rd and 342,000 on April 9th. Detective Garda Joanna Brown objected to bail and contended that the accused was a flight risk. She alleged that during the operation, he was stopped driving a car at Glenbeigh Road, Dublin 7. Searching the vehicle uncovered cash in bags before gardai went to his home and recovered more money. The detective said Mr Talriar consistently changed his story about the origin of the money, claiming that it was his savings or that he had been asked to collect and drop it off; the money was wrapped in bundles and appeared to be proceeds of crime. The court heard that he had been getting 244 weekly from social welfare. It was also alleged that he had delivered 850,000 a day before his arrest for an unnamed man he described as a friend/business advisor. The charges are under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, which carries a maximum 14-year sentence on conviction. The detective agreed with his solicitor, Luke Staines, that the accused had an ex-wife and two children living in Co Leitrim. The defence submitted that the accused was presumed innocent, had significant ties to this jurisdiction, had surrendered his passport, and would sign on twice daily at a Garda station. The detective alleged the accused was a trusted and highly respected member of a transnational organised criminal organisation and would have access to substantial funds to leave the jurisdiction. Mr Talriar listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter and did not address the court. She agreed with Mr Staines that the accused could face a two-year wait until his trial in the Circuit Court and that he had no prior convictions or warrant record. However, he stressed that setting bail conditions would not allay her fears that he would fail to turn up for his trial if released. Denying bail, Judge Jones held Mr Talriar was a flight risk. Legal aid was granted. 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. If we save the sea, we save our world Sir David Attenborough, Ocean with David Attenborough Almost every country in the world has signed on to safeguard a minimum of 30 percent of the worlds ocean by 2030, yet just eight percent is currently being protected. The rate of new marine protected area (MPA) designations is not fast enough to come close to touching this milestone. To address this urgent challenge, the Revive Our Ocean initiative launched Thursday and backed by British naturalist David Attenborough was designed to assist communities in efforts to pick up the pace of protecting our planets oceans, a press release from Revive Our Ocean said. The program is the first of its kind, pioneering a model that supports organizations creating effective community-led marine reserves. Despite overexploitation, the ocean has an incredible ability to recover if we take action now, said Kristin Rechberger, Revive Our Oceans founder and CEO of Dynamic Planet, in the press release. To meet the 3030 goal, we need to quadruple ocean protection in the next five years. Now we need all coastal communities in the world to create their own marine protected areas, because they work for everyone and can also be a good business. Aerial view of Australias coastline. James Donaldson / Revive Our Ocean Coordinated by Dynamic Planet and co-founded by National Geographic Pristine Seas, Revive Our Ocean aims to accelerate coastal protection globally and inspire worldwide change by equipping and enabling local communities to build as many new MPAs as they can. The initiative will start out by focusing on seven countries Indonesia, the Philippines, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, Portugal and the United Kingdom offering a solution to climate change and overfishing. Revive Our Ocean equips local communities and leaders with a set of practical tools, including an MPA How-To guide, as well as access to a network of top marine protection experts from around the world. Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the multiple benefits of effective MPAs; government red tape makes them difficult to establish; and they often arent designed with proper business plans, Rechberger said. The initiative strives to dispel the image of MPAs as weighing down national and local economies. A recent study that looked at MPAs in 34 countries found that the protected areas provide a host of economic benefits. In the over 50 MPAs examined by the researchers, protected areas were found to boost tourism and fishing, with profits reaching billions of dollars in some regions. Sharks and fish swim beneath the oceans surface at San Benedicto Island, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico, split shot from March to April 2016. Enric Sala / National Geographic Pristine Seas / Revive Our Ocean One of the greatest myths about Marine Protected Areas is that they solely benefit ocean biodiversity at the expense of jobs and income. REVIVE OUR OCEAN will reveal how MPAs can power regenerative businesses businesses that restore nature proving that conservation and economic prosperity can go hand in hand. Local communities engaged in fishing, tourism and other activities have known this for generations. Reviving marine life revives local economies and communities. Its time for the world to recognize that MPAs are the building blocks of the blue economy, Rechberger said. Revive Our Ocean supports an end to the fisheries practice of bottom trawling in MPAs. [M]any existing MPAs remain ineffective, with destructive industrial fishing practices such as bottom trawling still allowed within their boundaries. REVIVE OUR OCEAN supports the movement to end bottom trawling in MPAs by amplifying the work of leading organizations driving policy change to end paper parks for true protection, the press release said. Revive Our Ocean is a co-producer of the upcoming feature film Ocean with David Attenborough, which underscores the urgent need for large-scale action to safeguard the future of our ocean. Attenboroughs compelling storytelling exposes the oceans biggest challenges but, more importantly, delivers a message of hope if action is taken now, the press release said. The film will premiere in London on May 6, just before Attenboroughs 99th birthday. A kelp bed in the waters of Arran, Scotland. Henley Spiers / Revive Our Ocean Marine protected areas are the best way to restore the health and wealth of the ocean and the coastal communities that depend on it. We need MPAs to stop being the best kept secret of the ocean, said Dr. Enric Sala, founder of Pristine Seas, who served as one of the films scientific advisors. Revive Our Ocean has also produced a series of short films that illustrate MPAs transformative impact through testimonies and real-world success stories. The films highlight four groups that are crucial for advancing ocean protection: tourism leaders, fishers, mayors and heads of state. I was one of those children who were literally born on the sea. We were raised on a boat and I learned how to fish from my parents. I was helping them as we ran a small scale family business. I call the sea home. And to protect my home, I had to do something. I became a marine ranger so that I could fish again in the future. Because I love being a fisherwoman. Thats what I want for the future. To be able to make a living just from fishing and nothing else. I am extremely hopeful, said Aysenur Olmez, an Akbuk Gokova Bay fisher and the first woman marine ranger at Turkeys Gokova Bay Marine Protected Area, which was created by the Marine Conservation Society and is a member of the Revive Our Ocean Collective. 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. As temperatures rise, wetlands, which naturally act as both a sink and source of methane, may tip to emit more methane, according to new research from Smithsonian scientists. In a study published in the journal Science Advances, scientists examined anaerobic microbial activities in brackish coastal wetlands. Anaerobic microbes are found in areas without free oxygen, such as flooded wetlands, and they can draw oxygen from sulfate molecules to consume methane. Based on the research, the microbes could remove up to 12% of methane around the wetlands in normal conditions, even more than the microbes in zones with more free oxygen available. In salty areas with more sulfate, the anaerobic microbes were able to remove up to 70% of methane, Smithsonian reported. To test how the microbes would react to global warming scenarios, the scientists established an experiment in the wetlands at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Maryland. Using infrared lamps and underground cables, the scientists were able to increase temperatures in parts of the wetland area by 5.1 degrees Celsius in an experiment they dubbed Salt Marsh Accretion Response to Temperature eXperiment, or SMARTX. They also increased the carbon dioxide levels in areas of the wetland for a more accurate portrayal of global warming. Youre never going to get a warmer world without also having higher CO2 in the atmosphere What SMARTX is doing is trying to mimic that warmer world, with the aboveground and belowground heating, Genevieve Noyce, co-author of the study and senior scientist at SERC, said in a statement. But because thats not going to happen independent of CO2, we also cross it with CO2, so we have a real future that has both. After scientists increased the temperature of the wetland, the anaerobic microbes could not keep up with removing the increase in methane produced by other soil microbes, which were more productive under the higher temperature scenario. As such, methane emissions ultimately increased by up to four times as much compared to normal. In areas with higher carbon dioxide levels, the methane emissions rose by about twice as much as normal. This could be because the higher carbon dioxide leads to larger root system growth in plants, and those roots can bring more oxygen to the soil, the scientists explained. Wetlands are important ecosystems that sequester carbon and can both store and emit methane. However, with rising temperatures, the balance of storing and emitting methane could tip, causing wetlands to become an even larger source of methane emissions. This could then become a feedback loop, as methane is the second-biggest contributor to global warming behind carbon dioxide. If there is a large amount of methane emissions from wetlands, and if we dont know anything about that, then our carbon reduction target for mitigating climate change is going to be off track in the future, Jaehyun Lee, lead author of the study who was a postdoctoral fellow at SERC during the time of research, said in a statement. According to a previous study, wetlands have been emitting more methane since 2000, with particularly high levels of methane emissions in 2020 and 2021. At the same time, these vulnerable and important ecosystems are disappearing, with over 1,500 square miles of wetlands lost over the past two decades, another study found. With the results of the Smithsonian study, scientists noted that conservationists and policymakers will need to understand how warming will impact methane sequestering and emissions in wetland areas to better conserve these ecosystems. There is great value in protecting and restoring coastal wetlands to benefit climate, especially when we consider the many ecosystem services they provide to people, Pat Megonigal, senior author of the study and associate director of research at SERC, said in a statement. We also have to consider, how is climate change going to affect these delicate microbial processes, such as methane oxidation and methane production? (Photo: Fellowship Baptist Church)Rev. Josh Sullivan, the U.S. pastor who was kidnapped and later resecued by police in a shootout in South Africa in April 2025. Police in South Africa have rescued kidnapped U.S. pastor Josh Sullivan following a "high-intensity shootout" that left three of his suspected captors dead in the Eastern Cape Province. "Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in excellent condition," South African police said in a statement. The 45-year-old U.S. citizen from Tennessee had been conducting a service on April 10 at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell when four masked men broke in and abducted Sullivan. The assailants also stole two cellphones from members of the congregation before taking the pastor away in his light truck, a silver Toyota Fortuner that was later found abandoned, Newsweek reported. Lt Col Avele Fumba, of the Hawks special police unit, said Sullivan was "miraculously unharmed" and found to be in an "excellent condition" after being assessed by medics. "As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises. The suspects inside the vehicle, upon seeing law enforcement, allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team," police said. Tom Hatley, a pastor at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, and a mentor to Sullivan, confirmed the release. "Josh has been released. I just got 'the go-ahead to let it be known, '" Hatley posted to his Facebook page. "Thank you for your support and prayers. Please do not stop praying for The Sullivans. Praise The Lord Jesus Christ." - Ransom demand The BBC reported there were no immediate details on the kidnappers, who had made a ransom demand. There has been a dramatic increase in kidnappings for ransom in South Africa over the past decade. Sullivan's kidnappers had made a ransom demand, which prompting the intervention of South Africa's elite police unit, the Hawks. Hawks spokesperson Fumba said that as the officers approached the house, the suspects attempted to flee inside a vehicle, while opening fire. "The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded." Sullivan is a "church planter missionary", a missionary specializing in establishing new churches, or planting new congregations in areas where there are few or no existing Christian communities for the Fellowship Baptist Church. He has been a missionary in South Africa since moving to the country with his family in November 2018 to establish a church within the Xhosa-speaking community. Xhosa is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa and was the mother tongue of Nelson Mandela. Sullivan arrived in South Africa with his family from Tennessee in November 2018, according to his personal website. "We are looking to finish language school soon and plant a church to the Xhosa-speaking people," he writes on his site. Sullivan had been on the staff at Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, Tennessee, from February of 2012, according to the website. If youve performed a Google search lately, youve undoubtedly come across an AI Overview in your search results. This tool, powered by Googles Gemini, tries to save you some clicks by aggregating information from the links populated in your search results and succinctly delivering what it believes to be the information youre looking for. The accuracy of these overviews, however, often leaves a lot to be desired, and the tool has been plagued with hallucinations since its launch (with varying degrees of hilarity). Now Google is bringing the tool to YouTube, testing a video version of AI overviews for a small number of YouTube Premium members in the US across limited English search queries. While Google search results show LLM-generated text summaries, YouTubes AI overviews will function as something of a highlight reel for certain videos. In a post on YouTube Community forums, Google said that, "This new feature will use AI to highlight clips from videos that will be most helpful for your search queryThis is most likely to show when you search for more information about products youre shopping for (such as 'best noise cancelling headphones'), or when you search for more information about locations or things to do in those locations (such as 'museums to visit in San Francisco')." This raises some questions about the revenue model for creators on YouTube and how AI-generated clip reels would affect their incomes. A major concern with AI overview in search is Googles own summary absorbing traffic that would otherwise have gone to the publications shown in the search results. Bringing these tools to YouTube is likely to raise the same concerns for video content creators. Google will be collecting feedback on these overviews from Premium members, who can vote with a thumbs up or thumbs down on the AI-generated highlight clips. Google hasnt said how long this pilot will run for, or whether Google intends to expand YouTubes AI overview to anyone beyond Premium subscribers. Google has announced that it will no longer be bringing new Nest Thermostats to Europe due to the "unique" requirements of heating systems in the region. The company launched its redesigned fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat in 2024. "Heating systems in Europe are unique and have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes," Google says. "Therefore moving forward well no longer launch new Nest thermostats in Europe." The third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E will continue to function, receive security updates and be sold while supplies last. If you're in the market for a new thermostat that works with Google Home, though, you'll have to turn to a third-party option. Besides leaving behind a whole continent's worth of customers, Google announced that it's also ending software support for a few older Nest devices. The first and second generation Nest Learning Thermostats, along with the second generation model released in Europe, will no longer receive software updates or connect to the Google Home app starting October 25, 2025. Google says any routines you've programmed will still work and you can manually adjust the temperature on the Nest Thermostat themselves, they'll just otherwise become a bit less "smart" after October. As a consolation, Google is offering $130 off a new fourth-generation Nest Thermostat to affected customers in the US, $160 off for customers in Canada, and 50 percent off a Tado Smart Thermostat X for European customers. All three thermostat models Google is dropping are over a decade old, so on one hand, the decision makes sense. On the other hand, most people don't purchase a thermostat and expect it to have an expiration date. That's one of a few reasons to be skeptical of Google's continued commitment to its Nest products. It's nice that there's a snazzy new Nest Thermostat, but there's been little indication the company will ever make a new Nest Hub or Nest Audio, beyond plans to incorporate Gemini. Internet users weren't sure whether to laugh or cry after the president's Trump Store, run by the Trump Organization, unveiled 2028 campaign hats on Thursday. President Donald Trump has made multiple comments about running for a third term. Last month, he told reporters on Air Force One he was not joking. "I have had more people ask me to have a third term, which in a way is a fourth term because the other election, the 2020 election was totally rigged," Trump stated on March 31. "I don't want to talk about a third term now because no matter how you look at it, we've got a long time to go," he continued. Following Trump's comments, former White House Strategist Steve Bannon claimed he was working on "five or six different alternatives" that would allow the president to run for a third term. As images of the $50 "Trump 2028" cap spread, many social media users denounced the president and his supporters for blatantly disregarding the Constitution. "soft launching a fascist dictatorship is insane," X user @imnotpopbase wrote. soft launching a fascist dictatorship is insane poppy (@imnotpopbase) April 24, 2025 "He's openly being a fascist like WHAT?" another added. "I'm telling myself it's a joke but it's like kinda not funny at all," a third wrote. Im telling myself its a joke but its like kinda not funny at all (@eyeamwema) April 24, 2025 "If trump can run for a 3rd term than so can obama," @CGBBURNER joked. If trump can run for a 3rd term than so can obama CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) April 24, 2025 "The same people who claim to be 'pro constitution,'" a social media user noted, adding, "It's a cult." The same people who claim to be pro constitution Its a cult Hoodie Cam (@camhashoes) April 24, 2025 "IJBOL he really thinks he can violate the constitution and the two term limit.. what a joke," another X user stated. The hat's release even prompted MAGA supporters to question the ethics of Trump's ploy to run another term. "As a kind of Trump supporter, I don't want this at all, and will not vote for him if he can run again," @Wes3Jones wrote. As a kind of Trump supporter, I dont want this at all, and will not vote for him if he can run again Wes (@Wes3Jones) April 24, 2025 Despite the backlash, a few social media users shared they were excited to purchase the hat. "I can't wait to purchase!!!! TRUMP 2028 ! KEEP AMERICA GREAT !," @movebackbug_ wrote. I can't wait to purchase!!!! TRUMP 2028 ! KEEP AMERICA GREAT ! RJ (@movebackbug__) April 24, 2025 Although the 22nd Amendment makes it highly unlikely that Trump will be allowed to run, it isn't impossible. The amendment that restricts presidents to a two-term limit, which was added to the Constitution by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1951, can be changed. However, it would require a two-thirds vote of Congress and three-fourths vote of the states. Originally published on Latin Times Viewers of "Celebrity Big Brother" were left stunned during Thursday night's episode when JoJo Siwa made a harrowing revelation about her past, casually recalling that she had once received a bomb in the mail at the tender age of 12. The 21-year-old American pop star and dancer, who first rose to fame on Dance Moms in 2015, opened up during a chat in the Diary Room alongside fellow housemate Chesney Hawkes. When asked about the weirdest fan mail they'd ever received, Siwa delivered the bombshellliterally. "The weirdest thing I've ever had delivered to me... a bomb," she said, shocking both her housemates and audiences at home. Siwa went on to explain that she had been the target of a "crazy stalker" during her early rise to fame, revealing the individual sent her disturbing packages that included sex toys, knives, and ultimately a homemade explosive device. "I had a crazy, crazy stalker, and he sent me loads of things," she recalled. "But he sent me a bomba man-made bomb. And that got him put in prison for five whole years." The pop star clarified that she was only 12 or 13 at the time of the terrifying ordeal, and that the man was released from prison when she was around 17. "At the time it was very scary. Obviously, now, still, it's very scary. But I have an incredible team around me who protect and handle things like that the way they need to," she added, maintaining her composure. Social media exploded with reactions following the broadcast, with fans expressing both horror and admiration at Siwa's calm recounting of such a traumatic experience. "JoJo got sent a BOMB when she was a CHILD by a stalker???" one shocked viewer tweeted. "JoJo casually saying the craziest thing she's ever been sent is a BOMB, wtf!" said another. fucking hell... people are mentally unstable with celebrities. Jojo gets sent a BOMB, by a stalker, at only 12 years old?? & a fan of Chesney's, breaks into his home, through the CATFLAP, and took pics of his bedroom ?? #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/l9kOTvP6nr A (@sweeetener) April 24, 2025 Many praised Siwa for her strength and resilience. "How nonchalantly she's speaking about the bomb... I know it's serious, but she's so matter-of-fact about it," one user commented. things like this just make feel bad for jojo because being brought up as a kid in the spotlight would definitely be a very unusual experience. being sent a bomb and sex toys as a 12 year old is disgusting and traumatic. #CBBUK pic.twitter.com/RSywXiB6ZW . (@idk44455177) April 24, 2025 The countdown to the "Celebrity Big Brother" finale has officially begun, with this year's final six housemates now confirmed following a dramatic triple eviction. Battling it out for the coveted crown are: Chris Hughes, Danny Beard, Chesney Hawkes, Donna Preston, Jack P. Shepherd, and JoJo Siwa. Voting is now open via the "Celebrity Big Brother" app, where fans can cast up to five votes for their favourite finalist. The vote will temporarily freeze during Friday night's live final, when the winner of the 2025 series will finally be revealed. Supermodel Linda Evangelista has shared a raw and emotional update on her ongoing healing journey, revealing she still requires therapy to accept her reflection after a devastating reaction to a cosmetic procedure left her "permanently deformed." In an intimate interview for the May 2025 Beauty issue of Harper's Bazaar, the 59-year-old fashion icon discussed how the traumatic experience reshaped her relationship with her body, as well as how she's come to redefine beauty through pain, age, and survival. Evangelista first spoke out in 2021 about the effects of CoolSculpting, a fat-freezing treatment she underwent in 2016 that triggered a rare side effect known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH), as reported by Daily Mail UK. Instead of reducing fat, the procedure caused the growth of hard, enlarged fat deposits in various parts of her body, ultimately leading to disfigurement. "To my followers who have wondered why I have not been working while my peers' careers have been thriving, the reason is that I was brutally disfigured by Zeltiq's CoolSculpting procedure which did the opposite of what it promised," she wrote in a candid Instagram post in 2021. "It increased, not decreased, my fat cells and left me permanently deformed after undergoing two painful, unsuccessful corrective surgeries." In the new interview, Evangelista bravely admitted, "I still don't look in the mirror. I didn't want to see myself because I didn't love myself or like myself. I have to go through therapy to like what I see when I look in the mirror." Fighting back tears, she reflected on the deeper meaning of beauty, far removed from the glossy perfection of her modeling days: "I really think beauty is something you earn. I think of my grandmothers' faces and what the war did to them... they wore their hardships. They were so gorgeous. It had nothing to do with perfection or youth." In 2024, she discussed how her rise to supermodel status wasn't as swift as some of her peers. During a recent presentation at the WWD Apparel and Retail CEO Summit, Evangelista opened up about the challenges she faced early in her career, attributing her slower ascent to a lack of self-confidence rather than a lack of talent. "My rise to success working with incredible photographers and magazines and campaigns didn't happen overnight it took like three years," she shared. "Some of the other models went straight to the top, and my rise was so slow because what I was lacking was confidence." The Canadian-born model explained that, unlike some of her contemporaries, she didn't have a clear sense of who she was "supposed to be" in the industry, which delayed her breakthrough. Evangelista's candid reflection serves as a reminder that success in the highly competitive world of modeling is often a journey marked by personal growth and perseverance. Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, has called for a full boycott of the 2025 Met Gala, criticizing the event's tone amid global conflict and accusing "Vogue" of ignoring serious issues. In a series of passionate Instagram posts, Schlossberg, 32, directly addressed "Vogue" editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, his former boss, saying he will not attend the high-profile fashion night, DailyMail said. "Hey, Anna Wintour. I'm sorry but I'm boycotting the Met Gala this year," he said in one video. "I can't go in good conscience with so much happening around the world and at home... It's just not the time." Schlossberg, who previously contributed as a political correspondent for "Vogue," added in his post: "BOYCOTT MET GALA 2025 sorry Anna WINTOUR but it's NOT THE TIME @voguemagazine." He clarified that his protest is tied to global events, specifically the ongoing conflict in Gaza. An AI-generated video he posted described the Met Gala as "opulent" and "misaligned with the world's current struggles." Jack Schlossberg Urges Met Gala Boycott Over Global Crises The 2025 Met Gala, set for May 5, will highlight Black style under the theme "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The event's co-chairs include LeBron James, Colman Domingo, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams. Despite a mostly Black planning committee, Schlossberg believes the event sends the wrong message this year. "Instead of partying, I'll be focused on launching my new live channel," he announced. He said his upcoming project will be "important and informative," offering an alternative to what he sees as fashion's silence on political issues. In another fiery post, he shared a past "Vogue" article about himself with the caption: "I GUESS I SHOULDVE KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT then I'd have fit in at the MET GALA." He also questioned Vogue's editorial direction, asking, "Why is VOGUE so quiet?" and blaming "corporate interests" for keeping fashion "less attractive and relevant." Adding to the controversy, Schlossberg took aim at his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services. In a mock challenge, he said: "Me and you, one-on-one, locked in a room we hash this out. Nobody comes out until one of us has autism. What do you say?" According to Independent, the jab was in response to Kennedy's recent claims linking autism to environmental toxins. Schlossberg, who has long criticized RFK Jr., called his cousin's campaign "an embarrassment." Schlossberg's posts have quickly gone viral, with reactions ranging from support to confusion. Kanye West and Bianca Censori appear to be back on good terms after being seen shopping together at a sex store in Spain. The outing follows a rocky stretch in their marriage and recent headlines surrounding the rapper's new music. According to DailyNews, the couple was spotted last Saturday in Palma, Mallorca, just one day after being seen out for dinner. West, 47, was first seen entering the Equis Erotic Store alone, dressed in a black hoodie with the hood pulled tightly over his head. Store staff told TMZ that he later returned with Censori, 30, and the two spent around an hour browsing the shop. Though the store sells adult products, employees said the pair only bought clothing and accessories no pornographic materials or sex toys. Kanye Opens Up About Split with Bianca in New Lyrics The outing came just days after West released a song titled "Bianca," in which he addressed their reported breakup. In the lyrics, he admits to struggling after she left him, saying, "And that one time that you left me, I didn't get no sleep that night." The track also hints that the split may have been short-lived. Their public appearances come after a difficult few months. In February, reports suggested that both West and Censori had spoken to divorce lawyers. The tension peaked after West released swastika-themed merchandise and made several disturbing public statements. A source told Page Six that his actions, including making Censori appear nearly nude at the Grammy Awards, were the "last straw" for her. On Monday, West caused further controversy by claiming on social media that he had an incestuous relationship with a cousin when he was younger. He also teased a new music video for a track called "Cousins," which once again mentioned Censori. Despite the turmoil, West recently posted a photo of the couple together on X, captioning it "Fit pic," which fans took as a sign they may be reconnecting. Censori has remained silent publicly and has not addressed West's recent confessions or their current relationship status. The two married in December 2022, shortly after West finalized his divorce from Kim Kardashian. Originally published on Music Times India and Pakistan exchanged an escalating series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures on Thursday after New Delhi blamed its regional rival for backing a deadly shooting attack in contested Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to hunt down the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians in the tourist spot of Pahalgam on Tuesday, accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism." "I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," Modi said in his first speech since the attack in the Himalayan region. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth." Indian police have identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistani. The attack at Pahalgam is the deadliest attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir in a quarter of a century. New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties and withdrew visas for Pakistanis on Wednesday night. On Thursday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a rare meeting of the National Security Committee with top military officials, including powerful army chief Asim Munir. "Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a Pakistani statement said. "In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, attempts to link the Pahalgam attack with Pakistan are frivolous, devoid of rationality and defeat logic," it said. - 'Act of war' - In response to India's accusations and measures, Islamabad is expelling Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals -- with the exception of Sikh pilgrims -- and closing the main border crossing from its side. Pakistan also warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an "act of war." Some fear New Delhi's diplomatic moves may just be an opening salvo -- with the potential risk of military action between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India's air force and navy both carried out military exercises Thursday, according to an official statement and the PTI news agency. A soldier was killed Thursday in clashes with gunmen at Basantgarh in Kashmir, the Indian army said. Pahalgam marks a dramatic shift in recent Kashmiri rebel attacks, which typically target Indian security forces. In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war. At the Attari-Wagah frontier, Pakistanis had already started to leave. "We just want to go home," said an exhausted-looking Mehnaz Begum, a Pakistani national from Karachi. - 'Reduce it to dust' - Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a United Nations-designated terrorist organization, and offered a two-million-rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest. Modi led two minutes of silence in memory of those killed, all but one of whom was Indian. "Whatever little land these terrorists have, it's time to reduce it to dust," he said. Indian security forces have detained many in their vast manhunt for the attackers. The US State Department repeated Thursday that Washington "stands with India," echoing earlier comments from President Donald Trump. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since its independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it. Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. - 'Heartbroken' - Kashmir's main city of Srinagar appeared calm on Thursday, with residents expressing shock at the attack, which has hit the region's key tourist industry hard, and fear of what is to come. "Everyone I have spoken to is heartbroken and shocked," said Siddhi Wahid, a Kashmiri historian and political commentator. Tuesday's assault occurred as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons. Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith. The attack has enraged Hindu nationalist groups, and students from Kashmir at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation. pzb-sai-pjm-ecl-ash-sct/aha/sla 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. HELENA Its a time-honored April tradition at the Montana Legislature that, as spring flowers begin to blossom and lawmakers barrel into the late-session time crunch, bills knocked back to the dirt sprout back to life. So it was for Gov. Greg Gianfortes signature property tax relief proposal Friday, as lawmakers prepared to take a long weekend for their Easter holiday. That proposal, one of the Republican governors key priorities, would scale down taxes on primary residences and long-term rental properties, raising them on second homes and Airbnb-style short-term rentals in an effort to limit how much tax burden is shifted onto business properties. The measures supporters have argued its a fair way to boost taxes on out-of-state property owners who dont necessarily file Montana income taxes. The proposals initial implementation bill, House Bill 231, was narrowly voted down on a 25-25 margin on the Senate floor Thursday evening after opponents raised a laundry list of concerns including opposition to raising taxes on Montana residents who own multiple properties. Friday morning, House lawmakers resurrected the policy, amending most of HB 231s provisions into a new bill, Senate Bill 542. Then, Friday afternoon, the Senate voted to take another swing at the original bill, with Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, switching her Thursday opposition to Friday support during a reconsideration motion brought by Sen. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish. The House-side amendment, brought by Speaker of the House Brandon Ler, R-Savage, wiped clean the bills original language and added in provisions from other tax bills that have been debated this year. The shift drew bipartisan support, handily passing the House Taxation Committee. I do think we owe it to the state of Montana to at least try to move the ball forward and fix an ever-growing problem, Ler said. Two of the 21 House Taxation Committee members voted against the amendment. One of the opponents, Billings Republican Rep. Katie Zolnikov, echoed senators concern about extra tax burden falling on Montana residents who own multiple homes. If you talk to anybody in the investor world, one of the greatest ways to build wealth is through property, and Im concerned that this potentially penalizes that, Zolnikov said. The House-side tax committee also put other amendments on its bill Friday. In its current form, that bill now includes the following provisions: A homestead policy that reduces tax valuations for primary residences and long-term rental properties while specifying higher valuations for non-primary residences. That provision, which would require the state Department of Revenue to begin tracking which residential properties are and arent primary residences, would take effect in 2026. A $400-per-homeowner tax rebate available this year as a stopgap measure while the state revenue department implements the homestead provision. Those rebates would be available via an application period beginning this summer. Revised tax valuation rates that would apply only to 2025s property taxes, modeled on a Democratic proposal that employs a graduated rate schedule to levy more taxes on higher-value properties. A different set of graduated rates would apply to homestead-eligible properties starting in 2026. Rate adjustments for commercial property and agricultural land, including provisions intended to shield small business properties as tax burden is shifted off of residential taxpayers. Once the full homestead policy takes effect in 2026, homes on agricultural properties would have their tax valuations calculated the same way they do under current law regardless of ownership status. An opportunity for eligible property owners who fail to apply for the homestead exemption to get a refund if they successfully appeal their tax bill. The current bill text does not include a provision that had been added to the original bill providing automatic homestead qualification for properties within the boundaries of Indian reservations. Language intended to address a conflict with the Billings and Sunburst charters that could otherwise force those municipalities to keep their tax collections from adjusting to accommodate the bills rate shifts. The bill also backfills revenues for four years if the Legislatures effort to override those municipal charters is successfully challenged in court. The newly amended bill also includes a coordination clause that would nullify a competing property tax proposal, House Bill 528, if both bills pass. The original version of SB 542, sponsored by Sen. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale, would have frozen property values for two years and passed the Senate earlier this month. Assuming the newly amended version passes a vote of the full House, the bill will head back to the Senate, potentially landing in a conference committee that could tweak the new language or rewrite it in favor of something else. The original second home-tax measure, which includes many of the same provisions as the cloned bill but slightly different language for handling this years tax bills, is now set for another Senate debate next week. Fern, who had championed the original bill in its Thursday floor debate, said before Fridays re-vote that he wanted to take another swing at winning the majority support it needs to pass the chamber, perhaps by introducing further amendments. Im not fully aware of whats going on and not quite of the highest pay grade to know exactly what the master plan is, so I would appreciate the opportunity to present this to you, Fern said, adding Im going to get it right this time. As of Friday, the second-home tax bills had two major competitors. The first is HB 528, a simpler rebalancing measure that would slash residential tax values as part of an effort to offset recent home value growth. Opponents have argued it would shift too much tax burden onto business properties. A Senate floor vote on HB 528 had been set for Friday, but was delayed until next week. The other is Senate Bill 90, which would provide annual tax rebates instead of adjusting tax rates an approach preferred by Senate Republican leadership but that could run afoul of the governors stated opposition to using the state income tax dollars for long-term property tax relief. That bill has stalled in the House tax committee, with its opponents fending off repeated motions to pull it to debate on the House floor. Agriculture students in England and Wales are being encouraged to apply for financial support to help cover the cost of their studies. The Deakin and Combe Memorial Trust is now accepting applications for educational grants for the 2025-2026 academic year. These are available to students pursuing agriculture-related courses, as well as those whose parents or grandparents have contributed to the industry. The trust was first formed in 1944 in memory of George Deakin, vice president of the NFU and chair of the Pigs Marketing Board, who was tragically killed in 1943. For this year, the closing date for applications is 1 September 2025, with successful applicants receiving their grants by the end of October 2025. Last year, grants ranged from 500 to 1,000 and were awarded for various educational expenses, including training courses, laptops, and books. Applications are also being opened from previous recipients who have reported on how their previous grants were utilised. To apply, those interested can download the application form [PDF] or contact rachel.harper@nfu.org.uk for further details. The NFU is urging the government to give food production equal priority to environmental goals in the Land Use Framework (LUF), warning that food security is at risk if it doesnt. In its response to Defras consultation on the LUF, the union acknowledged the increasing pressures on land use from housing, renewable energy, infrastructure and recreation. However, it stressed that domestic food production must not be side-lined, especially in the face of global supply chain disruptions and climate volatility. Labour's consultation on the LUF, which closes for responses later on Friday (25 April), aims to set up a new, strategic approach to land use in England. With the UK population set to increase by 10% by 2050, the number of competing demands for land use will only continue to grow. As part of its response, the NFU is urging government to set a clear target for British food production, mirroring the existing legally binding targets for environmental outcomes. It is also advocating for a multifunctional land use strategy that supports both food production and sustainability. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said that geopolitical tensions and the vulnerability of global food supply chains, alongside an unpredictable climate, are making food production "so much harder". "We should not be adding to this by taking land out of production and assuming we can maintain the same levels of production," he said. As the government has repeatedly stated, food security is critical to the nations resilience, so its vital we invest in homegrown food production and ensure we make the best use of every hectare of our agricultural land. Mr Bradshaw emphasised the need for a dynamic countryside that supports a thriving farming industry capable of delivering affordable, sustainable food while contributing to environmental goals, job creation and energy. He also highlighted the significant challenges UK farmers have faced over the past 18 months, citing rising input costs, reductions in direct payments and policy instability as major concerns. We have taken a battering; volatile input costs, higher employer national insurance rates, reductions in direct payments and the family farm tax have all left their mark. "The closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has also threatened the livelihoods of numerous farmers, especially upland farmers and tenants, and undermined the ability of farm businesses to produce food and deliver environmental services." Looking ahead, the NFU president said the LUF presents a vital opportunity to support the farming sector and the wider economy. By investing in British farming, we can lay the foundations for the future of our industry, so farmers can continue producing food alongside caring for the precious environment. Alongside this, we need a trade policy with a robust system of core standards for food imports that protect farmers and consumers from imported food that would be illegal to produce here. The ratio of government deficit to gross domestic product (GDP) decreased from 3.5 per cent in 2023 to 3.1 per cent in 2024 in the euro area, and from 3.5 per cent to 3.2 per cent in the European Union (EU), according to Eurostat. In the euro area, the government debt to GDP ratio slightly increased from 87.3 per cent at the end of 2023 to 87.4 per cent at the end of 2024 (it was 88.1 per cent at the end of the third quarter [Q3] of 2024), and in the EU from 80.8 per cent to 81 per cent (it was 81.6 per cent at the end of Q3 2024). In 2024, all member states, except Denmark (plus 4.5 per cent), Ireland and Cyprus (both plus 4.3 per cent), Greece (plus 1.3 per cent), Luxembourg (plus 1 per cent) and Portugal (plus 0.7 per cent), reported a deficit. The government deficit:GDP ratio fell from 3.5 per cent in 2023 to 3.1 per cent in 2024 in the euro area, and from 3.5 per cent to 3.2 per cent in the EU. Twelve states had government debt ratios more than 60 per cent of GDP. Euro area government expenditure in 2024 was 49.6 per cent of GDP and government revenue was 46.5 per cent. For the EU, these were 49.2 per cent and 46 per cent respectively. The highest deficits were recorded in Romania (minus 9.3 per cent), Poland (minus 6.6 per cent), France (minus 5.8 per cent) and Slovakia (minus 5.3 per cent). Twelve member states had deficits equal to or higher than 3 per cent of GDP. At the end of 2024, the lowest ratios of government debt to GDP were recorded in Estonia (23.6 per cent), Bulgaria (24.1 per cent), Luxembourg (26.3 per cent), Denmark (31.1 per cent), Sweden (33.5 per cent) and Lithuania (38.2 per cent). Twelve member states had government debt ratios higher than 60 per cent of GDP, with the highest registered in Greece (153.6 per cent), Italy (135.3 per cent), France (113 per cent), Belgium (104.7 per cent) and Spain (101.8 per cent), an Eurostat release said. In 2024, government expenditure in the euro area was 49.6 per cent of GDP and government revenue was 46.5 per cent. The figures for the EU were 49.2 per cent and 46 per cent respectively. Government revenue and expenditure ratios increased last year both in the euro area and the EU compared to 2023. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Nikita Dutta's Jewel Thief has released on an OTT platform. The heist thriller has made waves among the stars' fans, as they eagerly waited for its release. Now, many fans are of the opinion that the makers have subtly announced a sequel to the movie. Curious social media users have started conversations around it, with many forming theories about a possible sequel to the movie. Saif's swagger vibes and Jaideep's dancing have also been point of conversations on social media. While fans have gone crazy over them, many are also waiting for the sequel with bated breath. As per many fans, the makers tease another sequel with the phrase The Heist Continues at the end of the movie. However, the official announcement for the same hasn't been done yet. During a previous interview, Jaideep spoke about his character. He said, "Jewel Thief is unlike anything I have done before. The character has a lot of shades and elements of mystery to him. The look is different than any of my other characters too and it was fun to get into the shoes of this role. The teaser has already sparked curiosity, and I cant wait for the audience to experience the full ride. During a conversation with Times Of India, Saif Ali Khan had said, "Jewel Thief is a fun caper, filled with double-crosses and classic heist elements! It has scale and pace, and it should be a really enjoyable ride." Speaking about collaborating with Jaideep Ahlawat, Saif also noted, "Jaideep is perhaps the most impressive actor I have worked with in recent times. He's incredibly skilled, and I have learned a lot from him during our time together on set." When will Tom Cruises Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning release in India? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paramount Pictures India (@paramountpicsin) About Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning Its a great time to be a Mission: Impossible fan. The upcoming film Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, featuring Hollywood star Tom Cruise, will release early in India. This means that the film will arrive in Indian cinemas days before the global release. Heres what we know:The film will reportedly hit Indian screens on May 17, 2025. On Friday, Paramount Pictures India shared an announcement that the film is arriving in the country six days ahead of the global release. The worldwide release of The Final Reckoning is set for May 23, 2025. They shared a post captioned, #MissionImpossible - The Final Reckoning now releases early in India. New date - 17th May. Releasing in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telugu.The update has kick-started a fan frenzy. A fan reacted to the news saying, Thanks @TomCruise anna. India will witness it first in the world. Another wrote, Lets f**king go.Recently, a behind-the-scenes video from the sets of The Final Reckoning was unveiled. It saw Tom Cruise and the cast shooting in extreme temperatures in the snow-clad wilderness of Svalbard, a remote location in the Arctic. Cruise shared, The landscape is just breathtakingly beautiful. While his co-star Simon Pegg said, If you want to shoot on the ice cap, you are going with temperatures that are absolutely the most extreme.Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film will see Tom Cruises Ethan Hunt return for one final mission. The actor has performed new death-defying stunts for the latest instalment. The ensemble cast also includes Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, and Angela Bassett. Known for his eloquence and authenticity, BTS frontman RM is once again winning hearts and raising eyebrows with his candid take on the K-pop industry and South Koreas high-pressure cultural standards. In a recent interview thats gone viral across platforms like TheQoo and Koreaboo, RM didnt hold back while responding to tough questions about idol training and societal expectations. When asked about the intense and often unforgiving K-pop trainee system, RM said, My company doesnt like it when I answer questions like this, because I do acknowledge parts of it. Some reporters are going to write headlines like, RM calls it a horrible system that destroys young people! Despite the risks, he chose to answer the question rather elaborately, But I think that system has, in its own way, played a role in shaping this unique industry. A lot has improved over time, too things like contract terms and training methods have changed significantly for the better. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RM (@rkive) His words, though measured, struck a chord with fans who have long speculated about the emotional and physical toll of idol life. The conversation didnt stop there. RM went deeper when asked about Koreas obsession with perfection and whether its uniquely tied to the countrys culture. He began to explain the history, saying, Westerners dont understand. Korea is a country that was invaded, devastated, and then divided in two. Just 70 years ago, we had nothing. We were a country that needed help from the IMF and the UN. But now, were a nation the whole world is watching. He went on to say, Then people from countries like France or the UK nations that colonised others for centuries come here and say things like, Wow you guys are way too hard on yourselves. Life in Korea is so stressful! View this post on Instagram A post shared by iAAAAAAAAiAAAAiAAAAAAAAiAAAA iAAAAAAAAeAAAAeAAAA | Tablo of Epik High (@blobyblo) The viral moment has sparked massive online discussion, with fans praising RM for being one of the few major idols to speak so openly about the reality behind what we see on the screens of the K-pop industry. See Also: Tom Cruise Shares A BTS Clip From The Arctic Shoot Of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning TSX and OTC: MPVD TORONTO, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) (OTC: MPVD) today announces production and sales results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 ("the Quarter" or "Q1 2025") from the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine ("GK Mine"). All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Q1 Production Takeaways (all figures reported on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated) 762,978 carats recovered, 40% lower than last year's comparable quarter (Q1 2024: 1,264,887 carats) 0.82 Average grade of carats per tonne, a 48% decrease relative to Q1 2024 (1.57 carats per tonne) 0 (nil) ore tonnes mined; a 100% reduction relative to last year's comparable quarter (Q1 2024: 1,946,856 ore tonnes mined), as all ore treated came from the stockpile. 925,773 ore tonnes treated, a 15% increase relative to last year's comparable quarter (Q1 2024: 805,557 tonnes treated) Q1 2025 Production Figures 2025 Q1 2024 Q1 YoY Variance Total tonnes mined (ore and waste) 10,092,47 7,885,445 28 % Ore tonnes mined 0 1,946,856 -100 % Ore tonnes treated 925,773 805,557 15 % Carats recovered 762,978 1,264,887 -40 % Carats recovered (49% share) 373,859 619,795 -40 % Recovered grade (carats per tonne) 0.82 1.57 -48 % Q1 Sales Results In the Quarter, 426,268 carats were sold for $44 million (US$30.7 million), averaging $103 per carat (US$72 per carat). In Q1 2024, 938,310 carats were sold for $89.4 million (US$66.1 million), averaging $95 per carat (US$70 per carat). Mark Wall, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Q1 is historically a challenging quarter for the operations. For Q1 of 2025 we saw the all- important total tonnes mined increase by 28% when compared to Q1 of 2024. As previously reported the first half of 2025 is focussed exclusively on stripping waste to reach the important high grade NEX orebody, and the improvements in mining performance have been a key focus area. Processing continued to go well, with a 15% improvement in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 of 2024. As we were treating low grade stockpiles while we strip waste to the NEX orebody we expected lower grades, although the stockpile grades performed below modelled grade with a processed grade of 0.82 carats per tonne. While the processing facility continued to perform very well, the low-grade stockpiles being treated resulted in low carat production for the quarter. During Q2 we will continue to work to find the best grade in the large stockpile we are treating, while we close in on accessing the high grade NEX orebody at the end of Q2" Earnings Release and Conference Call Details The Company will host its quarterly conference call on Wednesday May 14th, 2025 at 11:00am ET. Prior to the conference call, the Company will release Q1 2025 financial results on May 13th, 2025 after-market. Conference Call Dial-in Details: Title: Mountain Province Diamonds Inc Q1 2025 Earnings Conference Call Conference ID: 19522 Date of call: 05/14/2024 Time of call: 11:00 Eastern Time Expected Duration: 60 minutes Webcast Link: https://app.webinar.net/pKjva5r9zNm Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (+1) 888-699-1199 Participant International Dial-In Number: (+1) 416-945-7677 A replay of the webcast and audio call will be available on the Company's website. About Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. The Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property consists of several kimberlites that are actively being mined, developed, and explored for future development. The Company also controls more than 96,000 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and leases surrounding the Gahcho Kue Mine that include an Indicated mineral resource for the Kelvin kimberlite and Inferred mineral resources for the Faraday kimberlites. Kelvin is estimated to contain 13.62 million carats (Mct) in 8.50 million tonnes (Mt) at a grade of 1.60 carats/tonne and value of US$63/carat. Faraday 2 is estimated to contain 5.45Mct in 2.07Mt at a grade of 2.63 carats/tonne and value of US$140/ct. Faraday 1-3 is estimated to contain 1.90Mct in 1.87Mt at a grade of 1.04 carats/tonne and value of US$75/carat. All resource estimations are based on a 1mm diamond size bottom cut-off. For further information on Mountain Province Diamonds and to receive news releases by email, visit the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com. Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding Mountain Province's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Tom McCandless, Ph.D., P.Geo, and Tysen Hantelmann, P. Eng., independent advisors to the Company and Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to operational hazards, including possible disruption due to pandemic such as COVID-19, its impact on travel, self-isolation protocols and business and operations, estimated production and mine life of the project of Mountain Province; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; the future price of diamonds; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the ability to manage debt; capital expenditures; the ability to obtain permits for operations; liquidity; tax rates; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include the development of operation hazards which could arise in relation to COVID-19, including, but not limited to protocols which may be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and any impact of such protocols on Mountain Province's business and operations, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, changes in project parameters, mine sequencing; production rates; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Although Mountain Province 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 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. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as the property is developed. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. The principal assets of Mountain Province are administered pursuant to a joint venture under which Mountain Province is not the operator. Mountain Province is exposed to actions taken or omissions made by the operator within its prerogative and/or determinations made by the joint venture under its terms. Such actions or omissions may impact the future performance of Mountain Province. Under its current note and revolving credit facilities Mountain Province is subject to certain limitations on its ability to pay dividends on common stock. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to the limitations under the Company's debt facilities, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mountain-province-diamonds-announces-first-quarter-2025-production-and-sales-results-details-of-first-quarter-2025-earnings-release-and-conference-call-302437960.html China, Cambodia always stand by each other: Chinese defense ministry Xinhua) 11:13, April 25, 2025 BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China and Cambodia are ironclad friends who have always stood by each other through changing international circumstances, upholding trust, mutual support and shared progress, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Thursday. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference that the Chinese military is committed to elevating its relations with Cambodia to a new level. He noted that China is ready to work with Cambodia to make good use of the newly established "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism between the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries. The Chinese military is also willing to expand practical cooperation with the Cambodian side in areas such as education and training, joint exercises and drills, military medicine and health services, and equipment and technological exchange, Zhang said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 1:43 Pedro Pascal was expected to be everywhere this year. The Chilean actor has a packed schedule and many of his projects are set to be released in 2025, so he was expected to generate a lot of headlines. However, no one expected him to also engage in a social media feud with JK Rowlings, the author of the Harry Potter series. It all happened after Pascal appeared on the red carpet for the London premiere of the film 'The Thunderbolts' wearing the now iconic white T-shirt with black text that reads "Protect the Dolls," a message urging people to take care of transgender women. Her sartorial choice was no coincidence, nor was her activism just another stance. It's well known that her youngest sibling, Chilean actress Lux Pascal, is transgender, and that her relationship with her famous older brother is very close. Furthermore, the day before, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom issued a legal mandate stating that only biological women can be considered women. This was celebrated on social media by Rowlings, who revealed that she had invested her own money to achieve the ruling. The writer is openly against incorporating trans women into many women's activities, starting with sports. In fact, he has even argued with the lead actors of the Harry Potter films, including its protagonists Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, over the issue. "I love it when a plan works out," Rowling wrote on social media. The caption accompanied a photo of her smoking a cigar on a yacht. The image was reproduced by activist Tariq Ra'ouf, who urged his followers to boycott everything related to Harry Potter, including Universal Studios parks in Orlando and Los Angeles. "Disgusting and horrible SHIT, that's right. This is appalling and loser behavior," Pascal wrote in reaction to JK Rowling. Pedro Pascal calls J.K. Rowling a heinous loser after she celebrated the Supreme Courts ruling regarding trans womens legal identities. pic.twitter.com/LEGMD79PjQ Pop Base (@PopBase) April 24, 2025 The love of Lux and Pedro Pascal While the actor of series like 'The Last of Us' and 'The Mandalorian', as well as the upcoming 'Fantastic Four' film, among others, has previously declared himself left-wing and spoken out in favor of immigrants and other vulnerable sectors of society, this is the first time he has commented on something directly related to someone. Pascal is known for his good humor and is considered one of Hollywood's most beloved artists. However, transgender rights are a more personal and family issue. Here he is at the premiere of 'Gladiator 2,' accompanied by his father, Pepe Balmaceda, and his sister, Lux. Considering he'll continue to release projects this year, Pedro Pascal will have plenty of opportunities to express his position and expand his activism. Questions will undoubtedly arise, and all his fans are eagerly awaiting his answers. Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) (the "Company"), mobile AdTech developer and owner of the market-leading Kidoz Contextual Ad Network ( www.kidoz.net ), the Kidoz Publisher SDK and Kidoz COPPA Shield, announced todayits audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024. All amounts are presented in United States dollars and are in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Financial highlights from fiscal 2024 include: Total Revenue of $14,004,527 an increase of 6% over fiscal 2023 Total Revenue of $13,326,824. Sales and Marketing expenditure of $1,465,833, an increase of 16% from $1,268,218 in fiscal 2023. Non-Capitalized R&D expenditures of $3,445,018, an increase of 15% from $2,999,079 in fiscal 2023. Net income after tax of $353,140, compared to a net loss after tax ($2,012,056) in fiscal 2023. Adjusted EBITDA of $1,134,503 compared to Adjusted EBITDA of ($891,166) in fiscal 2023. Cash of $2,780,517 and working capital of $4,219,588 as at December 31, 2024, compared to cash of $1,469,224 and working capital of $3,220,646 as at December 31, 2023. Free Cash Flow as at December 31, 2024, of $1,305,230 compared to Free Cash Flow of ($823,640) as at December 31, 2023. "Record Company profits in 2024 marked a pivotal moment for Kidoz," said Jason Williams, CEO of Kidoz Inc. "Our investment in building a proprietary, privacy-first technology has positioned us as a key partner to the world's leading family brands. As digital safety shifts from a differentiator to an industry standard, we're well-positioned for continued growth driven by increasing demand for compliant, high-performance mobile solutions leading to greater profitability for Kidoz. Kidoz has built the privacy defining platform that enables the delivery of safe media to children at scale. We are constantly improving our system to stay ahead of privacy regulations and work closely with the leading certifier to ensure that every aspect of our operation is private and always keeps our brand partners completely safe. With many data and privacy risks inherent in the child-directed media landscape, Kidoz provides brands with a trusted solution. As we are seeing age confirmation requirements increase through the adoption of age gates, Kidoz's importance in the media ecosystem increases as firms look for established solutions to implement safe media offerings." The following tables present our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for each of our last four quarters. This data has been derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that have been prepared on the same basis as the annual audited consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion, include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of such information. These unaudited quarterly results should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements. Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 September 30 2024 June 30 2024 March 31 2024 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenue $ 7,444,505 $ 2,287,776 $ 2,479,175 $ 1,793,071 Cost of sales 3,277,093 1,079,212 1,233,994 836,674 Gross profit 4,167,412 1,208,564 1,245,181 956,397 Operating expenses and other income / (expenses) (1,983,399 ) (1,569,535 ) (1,586,313 ) (1,567,928 ) Provision for doubtful receivables (114,480 ) - - - Stock awareness program - - - - Depreciation and amortization (45,377 ) (45,313 ) (45,437 ) (108,052 ) Income (Loss) before income taxes 2,024,156 (406,284 ) (386,569 ) (719,583 ) Income tax (expense) recovery (159,499 ) - 919 - Income (Loss) after tax $ 1,864,657 (406,284 ) $ (385,650 ) $ (719,583 ) Basic and diluted Income (loss) per share $ 0.01 $ (0.00 ) $ (0.00 ) $ (0.01 ) Weighted average common shares, basic 131,304,499 131,304,499 131,304,499 131,304,499 Weighted average common shares, diluted 131,304,499 131,304,499 131,304,499 131,304,499 CAUTION REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES This press release refers to "Adjusted EBITDA" which is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is not presented in accordance with, or as an alternative to, GAAP financial measures and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). We encourage investors to review the GAAP financial measures included in the last Quarterly Form 6-K, including our unaudited consolidated financial statements, to aid in their analysis and understanding of our performance and in making comparisons. We use Adjusted EBITDA internally to evaluate our performance and make financial and operational decisions that are presented in a manner that adjusts from their equivalent GAAP measures or that supplement the information provided by our GAAP measures. Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as EBITDA (net income (loss) plus depreciation expense, amortization expense, interest, stock-based compensation and impairment of goodwill), further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash expenses and other adjustments. We use Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it more clearly highlights business trends that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures, since Adjusted EBITDA eliminates from our results specific financial items that have less bearing on our core operating performance. Our Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled as follows: Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 Net Income (loss) $ 353,140 $ (2,012,056 ) $ 1,934,806 $ 328,309 Less: Depreciation and amortization 244,179 558,740 45,377 139,945 Interest and other income (643 ) (1,049 ) (4 ) (6 ) Stock awareness program - 74,112 - 18,371 Stock-based compensation 379,247 515,116 101,899 130,928 Gain on derivative liability - warrants - (51 ) - - Income tax (recovery) expense 158,580 (25,978 ) 89,114 (25,978 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,134,503 $ (891,166 ) $ 2,171,192 $ 591,569 For full details of the Company's operations, please refer to the Securities and Exchange Commission website at www.sec.gov or the Kidoz Inc. corporate website at https://investor.kidoz.net or on the https://www.sedarplus.ca website. About Kidoz Inc. Kidoz Inc. (TSXV:KIDZ) ( www.kidoz.net ) is a global AdTech software company and the developer of the Kidoz Safe Ad Network, delivering privacy-first, high-performance mobile advertising for children, teens, and families, whose mission is to keep children safe in the complex digital advertising ecosystem. Through its proprietary Kidoz SDK, Privacy Shield, and advanced contextual targeting tools, Kidoz enables safe, compliant ad experiences that adhere to COPPA, GDPR-K, and global standards, without using location or personally identifiable information data tracking commonly used in digital advertising. The Kidoz platform helps app developers monetize their apps with safe and relevant ads, while uniting brands and families in a compliant mobile ecosystem. Google-certified and Apple-approved, the Kidoz network reaches hundreds of millions of users monthly, and is trusted by leading brands including Mattel, LEGO, Disney, and Kraft. Kidoz offers both managed and programmatic media solutions, including SSP, DSP, and Ad Exchange capabilities and provides a platform for mobile app publishers to monetize their active users through display, rich media, and video ads. Trusted by top brands and developers, Kidoz runs campaigns in over 60 countries and generates the majority of its revenue from AdTech advertising. The Company also operates Prado, its wholly owned over-13 division. For brands, Prado enables scaled access with high quality inventory and audience engagement across teens, families, and general audiences. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the company) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to anticipated future success of the company. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company. For a description of additional risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, readers should read the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC and the Annual Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis filed on SEDAR on April 24, 2025, and the prospectus filed under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act on March 9, 2005 and the SB2 filed July 17, 2007, and the TSX Venture Exchange Listing Application for Common Shares filed on June 29, 2015 on SEDAR, for a more thorough discussion of the Company's financial position and results of operations, together with a detailed discussion of the risk factors involved in an investment in Kidoz Inc. For more information contact: Henry Bromley CFO| ir@kidoz.net (888) 374-2163 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Kidoz Inc. BANGKOK, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Himel, a globally acclaimed manufacturer and supplier of electric products, hosted its 2025 Global Distributor Conference at the Millennium Hilton in Bangkok, Thailand. With the theme "Powering Infinity", this landmark conference not only solidified Himel's leadership in the electrical market but also reflected Himel's ambitious vision for the future. The conference welcomed Himel's leadership team and valued partners from over 40+ countries. Koon San ANG, Himel's International Sales Leader, shared Himel's recent achievement & outlined long-term strategic vision, stating, "Our long-term strategic vision encompasses digital transformation, expansion into new territories, localization initiatives, and collaboration with partners to diversify product offerings. By prioritizing customer needs and fostering trust and loyalty, we aim to build mutual success with our ecosystem." Danny WANG, Himel's Chief Marketing Officer, launched the "Powering Infinity" global campaign, an evolution of the erstwhile Powering Ambitions. "This campaign aims to empower all stakeholders to unlock infinite potential. By uniting partners, customers, and communities, we'll drive global impact and create boundless opportunities." The conference facilitated success case sharing among partners from various business sectors and regions who praised Himel's marketing efforts for building brand visibility and competitiveness. The event also included a special commendation ceremony, where trophies were awarded to honor the unwavering support of Himel's distributor community. Over 150 new product SKUs were displayed, and 6 new series were officially launched during the conference. WenJie QI, Himel's Overseas Marketing & Service Director,emphasized the company's customer-centric strategy, stating "HIMEL's strategy is centred around putting the customer first. We specialize in low-voltage solutions and cater to the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. By prioritizing customer feedback and adapting to local demands, we ensure that our offerings are tailored to meet their and market needs." During Gala Cruise dinner by the Chao Phraya River,Koon San ANG thanked again to all distributors and emphasized the vital role of a robust distributor network. "Deep connections with distributors are the bedrock for sustained growth and success in a competitive marketplace. Let's aim for an exponential growth together." The 2025 Global Distributor Conference was a triumph, reaffirming Himel's commitment to its global network and a future of innovation and growth. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2672573/df7a4b391a6013b46be20028fa3585a.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2672572/2025_Himel_New_Product_Launch_Ceremony.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/himel-celebrates-resounding-success-at-2025-global-distributor-conference-in-bangkok-302437973.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 24, 2025) - Data Watts Partners Inc. (CSE: DWTZ) ("Data Watts" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Collins as President and Director of the Company. Based in Sydney, Australia, Mr. Collins brings significant business acumen and international leadership experience to the Data Watts team. Mr. Collins has successfully led and delivered multiple large-scale infrastructure projects in Australia, with capital expenditures exceeding $3 billion. He holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Wollongong and a Candidate Master's degree in Property Engineering from the University of Technology Sydney. "We are delighted to welcome Patrick to our leadership team as we begin to define and implement our global vision," said Scott Young, CEO of Data Watts. "Having a senior executive based in Sydney provides us with direct regional representation and enhances our ability to execute our business model in Australia." As part of this transition, Ali Saheli will step down from the Board of Directors and as President and assume a new role on the Advisory Board. The Company will work with Mr. Saheli on advancing the Company's initiatives in the micro nuclear reactor (SMR) market, an area of strategic importance for Data Watts. Further updates and developments will be shared in future news releases. Additionally, the Company has entered into a loan agreement with a British Columbia-based corporation for up to $100,000. The loan bears interest at 7% per annum, and includes the issuance of 1,000,000 warrants, exercisable at $0.55 per warrant for a period of two years. The Company has also approved the issuance of 400,000 stock options to various consultants, with an exercise price of $0.55 per option. About Data Watts Partners Inc. Data Watts Partners. (CSE: DWTZ) is a leader in the Data Watts economy, namely uranium, SMRs, AI applications and quantum computing, DWTZ offers wholesale and retail investors access to some of the most exciting investment opportunities imaginable. As an Investment Issuer, the Data Watts investment edge comes from a unique understanding of uranium exploration, energy technology, and the downstream data and energy/wattage demand. Additional information about Data Watts Partners Inc. can be found on its website at www.datawatts.io. Neither CIRO nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements about timing, future projects, management estimates and future revenues are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), changes in laws, regulations, and policies affecting the Company's operations and the Company's limited operating history. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249744 SOURCE: Data Watts Partners Inc. EQS Newswire / 25/04/2025 / 10:00 UTC+8 (25 April 2025, Hong Kong) Leading higher education group - China New Higher Education Group Limited ("New Higher Education Group", together with its subsidiaries, referred to as the "Group"; stock code: 2001.HK), is pleased to announce the interim results of the Group for the six months ended 28 February 2025 ("Reporting Period"). In the first half of FY2024/25, the Group remained committed to its high-quality development strategy and continued to increase investment in high-quality development. It focused on providing better learning outcomes, higher employment quality, better service experience and more beautiful campus environment for students, laying a strong foundation for long-term, high-quality and sustainable development. During the Reporting Period, the Group's revenue from principal business amounted to RMB 1.413 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.8%; adjusted net profit amounted to RMB 456 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 7%. Increasing employment investment and achieving outstanding results in high-quality employment The Group's employment rate and the proportion of high-quality employment continued to improve. As of 31 December 2024, the final employment rate for the 2024 graduates reached 98.03%, maintaining a high employment rate for five consecutive years. The proportion of graduates with high-quality employment reached 37.72%. The number of graduates employed by famous enterprises, such as the Fortune Global 500 companies, China's Top 100 companies and A-share listed companies, increased significantly by 90% compared to the same period of last year. The Group continuously increases the investment in high-quality employment, promoting high-quality employment through multiple initiatives such as strengthening the construction of the employment team and enhancing employment service support. This year, the Group expanded its employment service centers to the Sichuan-Chongqing region. Through the four major employment service centers located in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and the Sichuan-Chongqing region, the Group consistently empowers graduates to secure high-quality employment opportunities. Among the 2024 graduates, one in four graduates signed contracts with renowned enterprises through the "Four Centers." Steadily enhancing teaching and learning standards and building a first-class campus environment To continuously improve student learning outcomes, the Group has made concerted efforts across multiple areas, including teaching reform, teaching facilities and teaching workforce, to enhance teaching and learning standards. During the Reporting Period, among the 39 academic competitions for university students that are the key focus of the Group and also recognized nationally, students won a total of 222 national-level awards and 462 provincial-level awards, with the number of the highest awards increasing by 100% to 24. Among these, students in specialized programs won 6 national first prizes, accounting for 25% of the total. In addition, the Group received one special award, four first prizes, and five second prizes at the provincial level for teaching achievements. In three national authoritative teaching competitions, faculty members won a total of 29 awards, including three first prizes, ten second prizes, and sixteen third prizes. The Group continues to ensure high-quality investment in campus environment development, creating beautiful and pleasant architectural landscapes, vibrant communal spaces, smart and user-friendly functional designs, and a culturally rich atmosphere. The Group firmly believes that a more beautiful campus environment remains one of its core competencies under the vision of "building the most student-oriented university with a century-long vision". Expanding brand advantage with continuous improvement in university rankings Driven by its high-quality development strategy, the rankings of the Group's eight universities are continuously improving. Among the 2025 China Private Universities Rankings by the Alumni Association, Yunnan School has risen to 9th place, while Northeast School has remained in the top 20 for four consecutive years, both recognized as top application-oriented universities in China. Among the 2025 National Higher Vocational Colleges Rankings by the Alumni Association, Guizhou School significantly moved up to 23rd and being rated as a first-class higher vocational college in China. Positioning as a long-term runner in the industry with the ESG performance consistently ranking at the forefront The Group adheres to implementing ESG development concepts and has been highly recognized by the capital markets for its ESG efforts. The Group received an ESG score of 37 from Standard & Poor's, ranking seventh in the world and first in China in the diversified consumer goods industry for consecutive years, and scored the highest in China's education sector. In addition, the Group has been selected for the S&P Global "Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) 2025", marking its inclusion in the S&P Sustainability Yearbook for two consecutive years. At the same time, Morningstar Sustainalytics' ESG Risk Rating classifies the Group's ESG risk as low in the latest evaluation, with the risk score decreased to 16.7, placing it in the top 16% of the 15,000 companies assessed globally. Moreover, the ESG philosophy has been deeply integrated into the institutions. Yunnan School, Guizhou School, Central China School, Zhengzhou School and Gansu School were selected as "Water-Saving Universities", Northeast School was selected as a "Green School", and Yunnan School was selected as a "Green and Beautiful Campus". Benefiting from prolonged policy support, the Group will continue to improve the education level of its Schools. Guizhou School is progressing smoothly in its application to become an undergraduate-level university. Currently, the construction of the third phase of Guizhou School has been fully completed. Both Yunnan School and Northeast School have successfully obtained provincial-level approval for the establishment of new master's degree-granting units. Looking ahead, the Group will continue to pursue high-quality development, continuously and steadily create value with ESG as a leading force, uphold the vision of "building the most student-oriented university with a century-long vision", continuously elevate the education level of its schools, position itself as a long-distance runner in the industry, and continue to provide education that satisfies of the people. -END- About China New Higher Education Group Limited (2001.HK): Founded in 1999, China New Higher Education Group is a leading higher education group in China. The Group fully implements Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, implements the fundamental task of cultivating students' morality, and takes "enabling every student to achieve career success and life fulfillment" as its mission, committed to "building the most student-oriented university with a century-long vision". The Group has 8 full-time colleges in 7 provinces across the country, with approximately 140,000 students and more than 10,000 faculty members. It has cumulatively trained more than 450,000 high-quality applied and technical talents for the society, making positive contributions to the high-quality development of national strategies and regional economies. As a leader in high-quality employment, the school of the Group have been awarded the "Top 50 in National Employment Services", "Top 100 Cases of Employment and Entrepreneurship for National College Graduates", and "Excellence Award for National College Graduates' Grassroots Employment" for multiple years in a row, with a far higher employment rate than the national average. 25/04/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com Detailed results from the CENTERSTONE trial show treatment with Xofluza reduced the odds of transmission, or spread of the influenza virus, from an infected person to household members by 32% 1 CENTERSTONE is the first global phase III trial that demonstrates the benefit of an antiviral in reducing the spread of a respiratory virus 1 Reducing the spread of infection within households could help limit transmission within institutions and communities, potentially easing the burden of both seasonal and pandemic influenza on healthcare systems2,3 Basel, 25 April 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has published a detailed analysis of the phase III CENTERSTONE trial of Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil).1 The trial met its primary endpoint, showing a single, oral dose of Xofluza taken by people infected with influenza reduced the odds of untreated household members contracting the virus by 32%.1 For the key secondary endpoint of influenza virus transmission resulting in symptoms, Xofluza showed a clinically meaningful reduction although statistical significance was not reached. Xofluza was well tolerated, with no new safety signals identified.1 "This trial is the first to demonstrate an antiviral effect that reduces transmission of influenza viruses within a household. This result may potentially have broad-reaching implications for public health," said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "This publication reminds us of the ongoing societal need for solutions that can help ease the burden of influenza on society." Results from the CENTERSTONE trial have been submitted to health authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Influenza poses a significant health and economic burden, particularly for those at high risk of influenza-related complications.2,3 Every year, seasonal influenza infects an estimated one billion people worldwide and causes millions of hospitalisations, with up to 650,000 deaths globally.2,3 Approximately one-third of all influenza virus transmission occurs within households.4 As many as 75% of working adults experience approximately two days of absenteeism due to influenza, whether they or someone within their household is sick, with most reporting that they go to work despite exhibiting symptoms.5 In the event of a pandemic, influenza would likely have a significant impact on the overall functioning of healthcare systems.6,7 With the co-circulation and burden of multiple respiratory viruses (including COVID-19) infecting individuals within and outside of the winter season, it is more important than ever to have effective options to treat and prevent the spread of influenza.6,7 This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Other Transaction Agreement number: HHSO100201800036C. About CENTERSTONE8 The CENTERSTONE trial [NCT03969212]was a global phase III trial investigating the efficacy of single-dose Xofluza, taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, to reduce the onward transmission of influenza within households. The trial was conducted in 272 sites across the globe, with over 4,000 participants, and involved otherwise healthy patients from five to 64 years who had been diagnosed with influenza via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid influenza diagnostic test, known as index patients (IPs), and those within their household (known as household contacts, HHCs). The design of this randomised, placebo-controlled trial was developed with input from the US FDA and leading experts in influenza. The primary endpoint was the proportion of HHCs who tested positive for influenza within five days after the IP had been treated with either Xofluza or placebo (1:1 randomisation within 48 hours of symptoms onset). There was a 32% reduction in the odds of transmission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.68 [95.38% CI: 0.50-0.93]; adjusted incidence of transmission:13.4% with placebo vs 9.5% with baloxavir; p=0.013) with Xofluza versus placebo.1 For the key secondary endpoint of symptomatic transmission of influenza virus by day five, Xofluza showed a clinically meaningful reduction, although statistical significance was not reached. There was a 25% reduction in the odds of transmission resulting in symptoms (aOR = 0.75 [95.38% CI: 0.50-1.12]; p=0.155). Numerical reductions were observed for additional endpoints, including transmission at the household level and transmission up to day nine.1 About Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) Xofluza is a first-in-class, single-dose oral medicine with an innovative mechanism of action designed to block viral replication by inhibiting the cap-dependent endonuclease protein, reducing the duration of infectiousness and disease. Xofluza has demonstrated effectiveness against a wide range of influenza viruses, including in vitro and in vivo activity against oseltamivir-resistant strains and avian strains (H7N9, H5N1) in non-clinical studies. 9,10,11 Xofluza is approved in more than 75 countries for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza types A and B.12 In several countries, Xofluza is approved for the treatment of influenza in otherwise healthy patients and as a preventative treatment (post-exposure prophylaxis). Xofluza represents the first innovation in mechanism of action for an influenza antiviral approved in almost 20 years for treatment in children, adolescents, and adults.14 Robust clinical evidence has demonstrated the clinical benefit of single-dose Xofluza in the treatment of influenza in several populations (otherwise healthy and high-risk individuals and, children) and as post-exposure prophylaxis in the EU for children aged one and older, and in the US and China aged five and older.11,13,15,16,17 Xofluza was also studied in a phase III trial in children under the age of one year (NCT03653364).18 Xofluza was discovered by Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and is being further developed and commercialised globally in collaboration with the Roche Group (which includes Genentech in the US). Under the terms of this agreement, Roche holds worldwide rights to Xofluza excluding Japan and Taiwan, which will be retained exclusively by Shionogi & Co., Ltd. About Roche in Influenza Influenza is a serious infectious disease and represents a significant burden to public health through annual epidemics and periodic pandemics.2,3 Seasonal epidemics result in an estimated one billion cases, millions of hospitalisations, and up to 650,000 deaths globally every year.2,3 Roche has a long history of developing transformative medicines and diagnostics that contribute to public health. Roche's Tamiflu (oseltamivir) has significantly improved the treatment of seasonal influenza and pandemic management. The Roche Diagnostics portfolio includes a range of tests and solutions that help differentiate influenza from other respiratory viruses, including the cobas Respiratory flex test, the cobas liat system, and the recently acquired LumiraDx point of care platform. Roche is committed to addressing the unmet need in influenza through its agreement with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialise Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil). About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's 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 Roche's 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. References [1] Monto, AS. et al. Efficacy of Baloxavir Treatment in Preventing Transmission of Influenza. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2413156 [2] ECDC. Factsheet about seasonal influenza. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-influenza/facts/factsheet. [3] World Health Organization. [4] Klick .B et al. Optimal design of studies of influenza transmission in households. I: Case-ascertained studies. 2011 Epidemiology and Infection, 140. [7] WHO. Global Influenza Strategy 2019-2030. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515320. [8] Clinical Trials.gov. Study to assess the efficacy of baloxavir marboxil versus placebo to reduce onward transmission of Influenza A or B in households [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03969212. [9] Hayden F, et al. Baloxavir marboxil for uncomplicated influenza in adults and adolescents. New England Journal of Medicine 2018;379:913-923. [10] Noshi T, et al. In vitro characterization of baloxavir acid, a first-in-class cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor of the influenza virus polymerase PA subunit. Antiviral Research. 2018;160:109-117. [11] Taniguchi K, et al. Inhibition of avian-origin influenza A [14] Roche.com. Roche's Xofluza approved by the European Commission for the treatment of influenza, the first new influenza antiviral for patients in almost 20 years. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2021-01-11. [15] Baker J, et al. Baloxavir marboxil single-dose treatment in influenza-infected children: A randomized, double-blind, active controlled phase 3 safety and efficacy trial. 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 Attachment Press Release April 25, 2025 Signify delivers update on CEO succession process; CFO Zeljko Kosanovic appointed interim CEO Eindhoven, The Netherlands -Signify(Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today delivered an update on the succession of CEO Eric Rondolat, who steps down after today's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM). The Supervisory Board stated that it is on track to complete its review of internal and external candidates and expects to conclude the process next month. Zeljko Kosanovic has been appointed as interim CEO of Signify in addition to continuing his role as CFO. "We are pleased that Zeljko Kosanovic has agreed to serve as interim CEO. With his extensive experience and knowledge of the business, Zeljko is well suited to lead the company through this transition period," said Gerard van de Aast, Chair of the Supervisory Board, Signify. "We look forward to continue working with Zeljko and the leadership team as we execute our strategy and position the company for long-term growth." --- END --- For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Tom Lodge Tel: +31 6 5252 5416 E-mail: tom.lodge@signify.com Investor Relations Thelke Gerdes Tel: +31 6 1801 7131 E-mail: thelke.gerdes@signify.com About Signify Signifyand hold the EcoVadisPlatinum rating, placing in the top one percentof companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom,on X, LinkedInand Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relationspage. Signify global brands include: Philips , Philips Hue , WiZ , Interact , ColorKinetics , Dynalite , Telensa , Signify myCreation , Signify BrightSites , NatureConnect , Trulifi . Market Abuse Regulation This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Attachment DONGYING, China, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On April 22, the 2025 Dongying Cultural Tourism Promotion Conference in Hong Kong themed "Ecological Dongying, where Yellow River Meets the Sea," was held at Silvercord Center in Hong Kong. Hosted by the Dongying Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the event attracted nearly 100 guests, including Hong Kong-based travel operators, academic exchange institutions, media representatives, and local residents. Through strategic cooperation agreements, destination showcases, new travel route releases, and a mutual tourist exchange mechanism, the event served as a fresh and dynamic platform for cultural and tourism collaboration between Hong Kong SAR and Shandong, opening a new chapter of win-win cooperation. A highlight of the event was the signing of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement for High-Quality Development of the Cultural and Tourism Industry between the Dongying Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Hong Kong Association of China Travel Organizers Ltd., signifying a new milestone in cross-regional cultural and tourism cooperation. During the conference, Dongying's cultural tourism ambassador led the audience on a captivating virtual journey under the theme "The Spectacle of the Yellow River's Inflow into the Sea -- Military Wisdom and Northern Delicacies." The presentation offered a new perspective on Dongying as a tourism destination with both ecological grandeur and cultural depth from the world-rare spectacle of yellow and blue waters converging, to the "international airport for birds" home to 384 species of migratory birds; from the strategic heartland of The Art of War, to the rich local flavor of intangible cultural heritage like Lyu opera; from the savory taste of Yellow River lamb and crispy Lijin pan-fried buns, to trendy youth-favorite IPs like the "Nodding Oil Pump Deity." The event also featured immersive cultural experiences, such as traditional lacquer fan-making and tastings of iconic local delicacies like Shikou roast chicken, enabling Hong Kong attendees to truly experience the warmth and authenticity of Dongying's culture and hospitality. The event was livestreamed via popular platforms including Rednote and Douyin, drawing over 200,000 online viewers. Messages like "Can't wait to check out the 'Yuan-Yang Pot' landscape!" flooded the comment section, showcasing the strong appeal and growing influence of Dongying's tourism brand, and further stimulating the interest and enthusiasm of Hong Kong citizens for tourism in Dongying. The event marks not only a significant step in Dongying's efforts to expand into the Hong Kong and Macao markets but also a new starting point for deeper bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism. Looking ahead, Dongying will continue to promote its unique "Ecology + Culture + Educational Travel" offerings to the international stage, so that more global travelers can witness the awe-inspiring confluence of the Yellow River and the sea, and experience Dongying's charm. Source: Dongying Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dbf5e50b-62c7-477d-bd9c-85fe7a615cb8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d3fb0fd0-fb26-41e8-a434-daaa0bca250a Contact person: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558. Regulatory News: Sensorion (FR0012596468 ALSEN) a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat and prevent hearing loss disorders, today announced that Pr. Natalie Loundon, pediatric ENT Surgeon, Director of the Center for Research in Pediatric Audiology, Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, AP-HP, in Paris, France, will make an oral presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO). The Conference is being held in Montreal, Canada, on April 30 May 3, 2025, and Pr. Loundon's talk "Principle and Practice of a Gene Therapy for Hearing loss: A Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial with SENS-501 in Children Suffering from Severe to Profound Hearing Loss" will occur on May 1st at 4.20 pm CET (10.20 am ET). Pr. Loundon is the Principal Investigator of Audiogene, Sensorion's Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating SENS-501, a gene therapy treatment for DFNB9, a genetic disorder causing severe to profound hearing loss due to mutations in the OTOF gene. Her presentation will include an overview of the rationale behind gene therapy approaches for inner ear hearing loss disorders and the Company's Audiogene clinical trial. About the Audiogene Trial Audiogene aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of intra-cochlear injection of SENS-501 for the treatment of OTOF gene-mediated hearing loss in infants and toddlers aged 6 to 31 months at the time of gene therapy treatment. By targeting the first years of life, when brain plasticity is optimal, the chances of these young children with pre-linguistic hearing loss acquiring normal speech and language are maximized. The study comprises two cohorts of two doses followed by an expansion cohort at the selected dose. While safety will be the primary endpoint of the first part of the dose escalation study, auditory brainstem response (ABR) will be the primary efficacy endpoint of the second part of the expansion. Audiogene will also evaluate the clinical safety, performance and ease-of-use of the delivery system developed by Sensorion. About Sensorion Sensorion is a pioneering clinical-stage biotech company, which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat, and prevent hearing loss disorders, a significant global unmet medical need. Sensorion has built a unique R&D technology platform to expand its understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of inner ear related diseases, enabling it to select the best targets and mechanisms of action for drug candidates. It has two gene therapy programs aimed at correcting hereditary monogenic forms of deafness, developed in the framework of its broad strategic collaboration focused on the genetics of hearing with the Institut Pasteur. SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) currently being developed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, targets deafness caused by mutations of the gene encoding for otoferlin and GJB2-GT targets hearing loss related to mutations in GJB2 gene to potentially address important hearing loss segments in adults and children. The Company is also working on the identification of biomarkers to improve diagnosis of these underserved illnesses. Sensorion's portfolio also comprises programs of a clinical-stage small molecule, SENS-401 (Arazasetron), for the treatment and prevention of hearing loss disorders. Sensorion's small molecule progresses in a Phase 2 proof of concept clinical study of SENS-401 in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (CIO) for the preservation of residual hearing. Sensorion, with partner Cochlear Limited, completed in 2024 a Phase 2a study of SENS-401 for the residual hearing preservation in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation. A Phase 2 study of SENS-401 was also completed in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) in January 2022. www.sensorion.com Label: SENSORION ISIN: FR0012596468 Mnemonic: ALSEN Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Sensorion and its business. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Sensorion considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the 2024 full year report published on March 14, 2025, and available on our website and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Sensorion operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Sensorion or not currently considered material by Sensorion. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Sensorion to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Sensorion shares in any country. The communication of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of local laws and regulations. Any recipient of this press release must inform oneself of any such local restrictions and comply therewith. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250424772613/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Noemie Djokovic, Investor Relations and Communication Associate ir.contact@sensorion-pharma.com Press Relations Ulysse Communication Bruno Arabian 00 33(0)6 87 88 47 26 barabian@ulysse-communication.com Nicolas Entz 00 33 (0)6 33 67 31 54 nentz@ulysse-communication.com Regulatory News: Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sopra Steria (Paris:SOP), a major player in the European tech sector, has today announced it has been awarded a three-year contract extension, with a value of more than 300 million, to continue delivering critical business services on behalf of six major UK government clients. The contract extension, which is part of the government's 'Synergy' procurement programme, is led by the Department for Work and Pensions and includes the Department for Environment, Food Rural Affairs; Health and Safety Executive; Home Office; Ministry of Justice; and Office for Nuclear Regulation. It will see SSCL continue to provide essential services across finance and accounting, pensions administration, payroll, procurement, and contact centre support, until at least 2028. The new agreement builds on SSCL's successful 12-year partnership with 22 different government departments and agencies, which has so far produced over 950m public sector efficiency savings. Over the course of the next three years, SSCL's government clients will continue to benefit from Sopra Steria's investment in the right people, insight-led solutions, and digital technologies, which are transforming the way business process services (BPS) are delivered across the public sector. This includes the migration of each department and its data to a new Oracle Fusion platform, paving the way for the transition to a new 10-year BPS contract after it is awarded next year following the conclusion of the ongoing BPS procurement. The SSCL contract extension further strengthens Sopra Steria's position in its four priority strategic UK markets (Public Sector, Financial Services, Defence Security, Aeronautics Space), where stakes relating to sovereignty and responsible digital technology are becoming increasingly critical. To this end, Sopra Steria is focused on developing high value-add solutions and a sustainable approach to implementing technology, at scale, to increase public sector efficiency and productivity, and deliver on its vision to drive positive change in business and society. John Neilson, CEO Sopra Steria UK, said: "This contract extension demonstrates the trust the UK government has in Sopra Steria, and the well-proven capabilities of SSCL, to deliver insight-led, transformative services, which save time and money that can be reinvested in frontline public services." About Sopra Steria Sopra Steria, a major Tech player in Europe with 51,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, is recognised for its consulting, digital services and solutions. It helps its clients drive their digital transformation and obtain tangible and sustainable benefits. The Group provides end-to-end solutions to make large companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and innovative technologies with a collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart of everything it does and is committed to putting digital to work for its clients in order to build a positive future for all. In 2024, the Group generated revenues of 5.8 billion. The world is how we shape it Sopra Steria (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) ISIN: FR0000050809 For more information, visit us at www.soprasteria.com Copyright 2025 Sopra Steria. All rights reserved. Sopra Steria and its logo are registered trademarks of Sopra Steria. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250424865926/en/ Contacts: Media contacts Sopra Steria Group Laura Bandiera, laura.bandiera@soprasteria.com, +33 (0)6 85 74 05 01 Aurelien Flaugnatti, aurelien.flaugnatti@soprasteria.com, +33 (0)6 30 84 75 81 Oscillate Plc - Notice of AGM PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, April 25 25 April 2025 Oscillate PLC ("Oscillate" or the "Company") Annual General Meeting and Change of Registered Office Oscillate Plc announces that it has posted a notice of its annual general meeting ("AGM") to shareholders. The Company's AGM will be held at the offices of Arch Law, Floor 2, Huckletree Bishopsgate, 8 Bishopsgate, London, United Kingdom, EC2N 4BQ, at 10.00 a.m. on 22 May 2025. A copy of the notice of AGM will shortly be available on the Company's website: https://oscillateplc.com/ The Company also announces that it has changed its registered office to C/O Arch Law Limited, Floor 2, Huckletree Bishopsgate, 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ. The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement. Enquiries: Oscillate PLC John Treacy Robin Birchall robinbirchall@oscillateplc.com https://oscillateplc.com Corporate Adviser Peterhouse Capital Limited Telephone: 020 7220 9795 STOCKHOLM, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire Door System, a Danish manufacturer of high-quality fire rated doors with particular expertise in the pharmaceutical, food and retail industries. "I am very pleased to welcome Door System to ASSA ABLOY. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to add complementary products and solutions to our core business," says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. "I am delighted that Door System will join the EMEIA Division. Their strong expertise in high-quality fire rated doors aligns well to our door segment vision, providing exceptional combined fire-rated, freezer and hygienic door solutions across industries through focus on innovation and excellence. We welcome the team at Door System to the ASSA ABLOY family," says Neil Vann, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of EMEIA Division. Door System was founded in 1998 and has some 80 employees. The main office and factory are located in Hrning, Denmark. Sales for 2024 amounted to about MDKK 125 (approx. MSEK 190) with a good EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2025. For more information, please contact: Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82 Erik Pieder, CFO and Executive Vice President, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 72 Bjorn Tibell, Head of Investor Relations, tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68, e-mail: bjorn.tibell@assaabloy.com About ASSA ABLOY ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in access solutions. Every day we help people feel safe, secure and experience a more open world. We operate worldwide with 63,000 employees and sales of SEK 150 billion, with leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. Our innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/r/assa-abloy-acquires-door-system-in-denmark,c4140231 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/7333/4140231/3409018.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/i/door-system-image,c3402246 Door System image View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/assa-abloy-acquires-door-system-in-denmark-302438141.html Die Finanzwelt ist im Umbruch! Nach Jahren der Dominanz erschuttert Donald Trumps erratische Wirtschaftspolitik das Fundament des amerikanischen Kapitalismus. Handelskriege, Rekordzolle und politische Isolation haben eine Kapitalflucht historischen Ausmaes ausgelost. Milliarden stromen aus den USA und suchen neue, lukrative Ziele. Und genau hier kommt China ins Spiel. Trotz aller Spannungen wachst die chinesische Wirtschaft dynamisch weiter, Innovation und Digitalisierung treiben die Markte an. Im kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir Ihnen 5 Aktien aus China vor, die vom US-Niedergang profitieren und das Potenzial haben, den Markt regelrecht zu uberflugeln. Wer jetzt klug investiert, sichert sich den Zugang zu den neuen Wachstums-Champions von morgen. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche 5 Aktien die Konkurrenz aus den USA outperformen durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! Smyrna, Tennessee--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Veteran-Led Publishing Company Brings Genesis to Life for Children Ages 2 to 8 In early 2025, Shield of Light Publishing, LLC officially launched with a focused mission: to deliver biblically faithful, engaging, and educational stories for children. Headquartered in Tennessee, the publishing house was founded by Dr. Jeffrey Nickle-an Army combat veteran, cybersecurity expert, and author writing under the pseudonym "Dr. Dime." Shield of Light Publishing Announces Launch: A New Era in Faith-Based Children's Literature To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/249633_7bb0c722449e4bae_002full.jpg Dr. Nickle's vision for the company emerged from a deeply personal journey. After suffering critical injuries in combat operations in 2017, followed by an extended period of recovery involving numerous surgeries and hospital stays, he sought solace in his Christian faith. Through this transformative experience, Dr. Nickle found renewed purpose in ensuring that the stories of Scripture are passed on to younger generations in a form that is both spiritually resonant and developmentally appropriate. Blending Spirituality and Creativity Through Rhythmic Narratives The debut publication from Shield of Light Publishing focuses on foundational stories from the Book of Genesis, designed specifically for readers aged 2 to 8. These narratives are presented in a carefully structured rhyme scheme, a literary technique aimed at enhancing memory retention and enjoyment for young children. Illustrations play a critical role in this storytelling approach. Each spread features dual-scene artwork capturing before-and-after moments of key biblical events, such as the creation narrative or Noah's Ark. These visual juxtapositions support cognitive development and deepen children's understanding of cause-and-effect relationships within biblical contexts. Adding another layer of engagement are "The Littles," whimsical childlike characters who guide readers through each tale. With expressions of awe and wonder, these characters model curiosity and faith, encouraging children to connect more personally with the biblical stories. A Commitment to Biblical Accuracy and Accessibility Shield of Light Publishing distinguishes itself by upholding a strong theological foundation in each of its publications. Every story undergoes rigorous vetting to ensure scriptural accuracy, while still being presented in a tone and format suitable for young audiences. This dual commitment-to doctrinal integrity and child-friendly accessibility-enables the company to serve not only children but also parents, educators, and faith leaders who rely on biblically sound materials. The goal is to create resources that are trusted by adults and treasured by children. "Faith isn't just something to be taught-it's something to be experienced," Dr. Nickle said in a recent statement. "Shield of Light Publishing brings biblical stories to life in a way that children can see, feel, and remember." Expanding Horizons: Future Plans for Christian Education Tools Looking forward, Shield of Light Publishing intends to broaden its impact by developing a range of digital and interactive learning tools. These may include audio versions of its books, app-based learning modules, and community-based faith initiatives. The goal is to extend the reach of biblical storytelling into new mediums and environments-offering parents and educators additional tools to foster spiritual growth at home, in classrooms, and within church communities. Additionally, plans are underway to collaborate with Christian educators and organizations to align the company's materials with broader curricula for early spiritual development. An Invitation to Rediscover the Bible Through a Child's Eyes Shield of Light Publishing aims to transform how young readers interact with Scripture. By weaving together storytelling, art, and theological depth, the company offers a refreshing and impactful way for families to explore the Bible together. Each release is designed to plant seeds of faith that children can carry with them as they grow-cultivating trust in God's promises and a deeper understanding of their spiritual heritage. With its inaugural Genesis-themed book already resonating with families and faith leaders, Shield of Light Publishing stands poised to shape the next chapter of Christian children's literature. For more information, visit theshieldoflight.com or follow the company on Instagram at @the_shield_of_light and on X at @shield_of_light. About Shield of Light Publishing Shield of Light Publishing, LLC is a Tennessee-based independent publishing company dedicated to producing biblically accurate, engaging, and accessible children's literature. Founded in 2025 by Dr. Jeffrey Nickle, a disabled U.S. Army combat veteran and author known as "Dr. Dime," the company focuses on storytelling that combines theological integrity with imaginative presentation. Its mission is to create spiritually enriching content that supports Christian education and helps young readers experience the Bible in meaningful, memorable ways. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249633 SOURCE: Plentisoft SHANGHAI, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ChangAn Automobile ("ChangAn" or "the Company"), an intelligent low-carbon mobility technology company, showcased its latest achievements in innovative technology, brand upgrades, and sustainable development at Auto Shanghai 2025 under the theme "Together for a Smarter World". The Company invited nearly 600 domestic and international media outlets and over 500 global partners to Shanghai to explore a shared future vision. On the first day of the show, ChangAn hosted a series of major press conferences and briefings. The Company showcased models from its three major brands - CHANG-AN, DEEPAL, and AVATR - each highlighting its unique strengths. ChangAn officially announced the pricing and specifications of the Q07, positioning it as a vehicle offering comfortable, worry-free driving experience. The DEEPAL brand, aimed at younger consumers, debuted the full-size SUV S09. Meanwhile, the AVATR 06 drew the spotlight, aiming to redefine the luxury electric vehicle standard with advanced design and assisted driving technology - a smart vehicle designed to understand its driver. During the exhibition, media participated in interactive showcases, such as riding in the CHANG-AN E07 equipped with the Intelligent TH Chassis to experience leaf- and snow-shaking movements synchronised with music. These features highlighted ChangAn's SDA digital platform and its advancements in smart perception. Attendees also engaged with robotic dogs and humanoid robots, demonstrating the Company's breakthroughs in intelligent technology and multi-scenario applications. Additionally, ChangAn's Intelligent TS Drive, Intelligent TY Cockpit, and BlueCore 3.0 were also showcased, pushing its intelligent capabilities to new heights. In his keynote at the 2025 conference, Zhu Huarong, Chairman of ChangAn Automobile, global sales rose 34.2% to 2.684 million vehicles in 2024, with 735,000 new energy vehicles and 536,000 sold internationally. At the conference, Li Mingcai, Executive Vice President of ChangAn Automobile, highlighted key global milestones. The Company launched its first international NEV manufacturing base in Thailand and developed eight overseas production partnerships, reaching a capacity of 580,000 units. In 2024, ChangAn ranked among China's top three auto exporters, with over 500,000 vehicles sold internationally and revenue surpassing $11 billion. The brand expanded into 20 new countries, entering over 100 globally, and now operates 1,150 sales channels. "This year, we will accomplish the setup and of the Middle East, Australian and UK subsidiary, and accelerate operations in high-potential markets such as Europe, Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, and we will have 10 regional business entities by 2025." said Mr. Li. ChangAn continues its push to become a world-class brand, with a strong focus on technological innovation. Mr. Wang Xiaofei, Executive Vice President of ChangAn, shared with the media that the Company has invested more than 40 billion yuan over the past decade in three core new energy areas. Over the next decade, the Company will invest more than 200 billion yuan into future automotive tech, expand its R&D team by 10,000 and develop intelligent car robots and flying cars - with flight tests expected by year-end. While pursuing high-quality corporate development, ChangAn Automobile has also deeply embedded sustainability into its strategy and operations. In April 2025, the Company released its 2024 ESG Report, highlighting its work in green ecosystems, products and services, and community partnerships. In 2024, ChangAn's new energy vehicle sales reached 735,000 units, cutting carbon emissions by 5.5 million tons throughout its life cycle, equivalent to planting 10,000 hectares of trees, and contributing to the development of a new low-carbon ecosystem through green transformation. "Looking ahead, ChangAn will steadfastly advance our Vast Ocean Plan, enabling more global users to enjoy intelligent, high-quality, and high-efficiency green ChangAn." said Mr. Li. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673184/image_5033332_25136749.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673185/2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/changan-global-media-and-partners-unite-to-share-future-at-auto-shanghai-2025-302438210.html SHANGHAI, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepRoute.ai, a pioneer in developing and deploying end-to-end smart driving solutions, today announced a partnership with Volcano Engine, a cloud and AI service platform, during Auto Shanghai 2025. The two companies will collaborate to accelerate the development of AI vehicles by integrating advanced large language models, smart driving systems, and cloud computing infrastructure. As part of the partnership, Volcano Engine will provide high-performance computing support to DeepRoute.ai, boosting training efficiency for the Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model evolution. "Computing power, data, and algorithms are the three engines behind VLA's evolution," said Maxwell Zhou, CEO of DeepRoute.ai. "With enhanced compute from Volcano Engine and our closed-loop data system, we are accelerating iteration. Algorithm innovation remains our core strength." Designed for versatility, DeepRoute.ai VLA model supports both camera-only solution and LiDAR-camera fusion configurations, compatible with various automotive computing platforms. Multiple AI vehicle models integrated with DeepRoute.ai's VLA model are set to release in 2025. Liwei Yang, General Manager of Volcano Engine Automotive and Head of the Institute of Intelligent Mobility and Embodied AI, also expressed his confidence in the collaboration and strong anticipation for DeepRoute.ai's VLA model to enter the market soon. This advanced system excels in long-context understanding, analyzing driving scenarios over extended time frames of up to dozen seconds. It provides step-by-step explanations of its decision-making process, offering insights into its surroundings, predictions and planned actions. By enhancing both performance and transparency, the VLA model fosters greater trust in smart driving technology. "To reach full autonomy, AI systems must evolve like human intelligence - from generalists to specialists," Zhou added. "VLA is the generalist foundation of smart driving and stands as one of the most promising paths toward fully autonomous driving." At Auto Shanghai 2025, DeepRoute.ai is showcasing its latest smart driving advancements, the VLA model and RoadAGI strategy at exhibition booth 8BD012. CEO Maxwell Zhou is also attending the panel on the stage, sharing insights into the company's vision for expanding AI-driven mobility. About DeepRoute.ai DeepRoute.ai is an artificial intelligence company dedicated to the research, development and application of smart driving solutions. Being the first to develop production-ready smart driving solutions and a pioneer in deploying end-to-end architecture, DeepRotue.ai aims to create artificial general intelligence in robotics through mass-produced passenger vehicles. DeepRoute.ai is headquartered in Shenzhen, with offices in Beijing and Fremont, California. For more information, visit deeproute.ai, follow DeepRoute.ai on LinkedIn, and X, and subscribe to DeepRoute.ai on YouTube. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2671528/DeepRoute_ai_Volcano_Engine_Photo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2643560/DeepRoute_ai_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/deeprouteai-and-volcano-engine-partner-to-accelerate-ai-driven-vehicle-innovation-302438218.html LONDON, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On 22nd May 2025, the free-to-attend Employee Engagement Summit marks its 10th anniversary with a move to the prestigious Evolution London, allowing 2,000 attendees to join us across 7 content stages. The summit remains dedicated to exploring the key theme: Redefining How Organisations Connect With Their Employees, bringing together the world's most influential brands and industry leaders for a transformative day. A Decade of Innovation: The Premier Event for Engagement Professionals This year's event promises an unmatched experience, featuring exclusive case studies, dynamic panel discussions, and executive interviews with senior voices from HSBC, Formula E, NHS Scotland, Nationwide, PepsiCo, L'Oreal, Oxfam, Channel 4, Jaguar Land Rover, De Beers Group, and more. A World-Class Expo: Connecting with 100 Employee Software Leaders Our Event Partners help employee engagement leaders drive tangible change in their organisations. They are an ecosystem of hand-selected vendors, each with a different area of expertise, from employee recognition to culture building to internal communications. The Summit features a dynamic expo showcasing over 100 of the industry's leading employee engagement providers as sponsors and exhibitors. Attendees can connect with the solutions they need to drive real impact, and Event Partners can meet face-to-face with senior decision-makers looking to invest in employee experience. Agenda Highlights: Main Stage Keynotes & Case Studies: A stage dedicated to those in C-Suite positions. Insights from the British Army, Virgin Group, and Formula E on aligning people strategies and future-proofing the workforce. A stage dedicated to those in C-Suite positions. Insights from the British Army, Virgin Group, and Formula E on aligning people strategies and future-proofing the workforce. Organisational Culture Deep Dives: Lloyds Banking Group, L'Oreal, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts share how they're building feedback-driven cultures and measuring engagement impact. Lloyds Banking Group, L'Oreal, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts share how they're building feedback-driven cultures and measuring engagement impact. Wellbeing & Inclusion: Ocado Group, WWF, and Channel 4 unveil holistic wellbeing and inclusion strategies that create meaningful connections. Ocado Group, WWF, and Channel 4 unveil holistic wellbeing and inclusion strategies that create meaningful connections. Internal Communications Masterclasses: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Tesco, and Dr. Martens showcase best practices for remote, hybrid, and AI-enhanced communications. King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Tesco, and Dr. Martens showcase best practices for remote, hybrid, and AI-enhanced communications. Talent, Recruitment & Retention: Jaguar Land Rover, Fortnum & Mason, and British Airways discuss talent development, impactful onboarding, and technology adoption for a connected workforce. Jaguar Land Rover, Fortnum & Mason, and British Airways discuss talent development, impactful onboarding, and technology adoption for a connected workforce. Employee Benefits, Reward & Recognition: Diageo, PepsiCo, Tom Ford, and G4S reveal how personalised rewards and recognition drive engagement and loyalty. Interactive Formats for Maximum Engagement Case Studies: Real-world success stories from global brands, packed with actionable takeaways. Real-world success stories from global brands, packed with actionable takeaways. Panel Discussions: Debates on the future of work, digital transformation, hybrid collaboration, and more. Debates on the future of work, digital transformation, hybrid collaboration, and more. Executive Interviews: Exclusive insights from Chief People Officers at the forefront of employee experience. Why Attend? Network with 2,000 senior employee engagement leaders Soak up world-class insights across 7 content stages. Discover the latest technologies and solutions Benchmark your strategies against the world's best and return with practical tools to redefine engagement in your organisation. Join Us Don't miss your chance to be part of the UK's most influential employee engagement event of the year. For HR leaders, secure your free place and redefine how your organisation connects with employees on 22nd May 2025: https://hubs.ly/Q03hBl560 For sponsorship enquiries, please email us at commercial@ebm.uk For media enquiries, interviews, or to request a press pass, please contact us here: enquiries@ebm.uk EmployeeEngagementSummit About the Summit: Celebrating its 10th year, the Employee Engagement Summit is the annual gathering for HR, internal communications, and employee engagement professionals. This year's summit at Evolution London features world-class speakers, actionable insights, and unparalleled networking opportunities, all focused on redefining how organisations connect with their people. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/employee-engagement-summit-2025-redefining-how-organisations-connect-with-their-employees-302438221.html LONDON, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global K-Beauty leader COSRX, in partnership with YesStyle, has officially closed recruitment for its first-ever Euro Supporters program, a pan-European influencer initiative that garnered overwhelming interest within just 24 hours of launch. Over 2,500 Applications Across Europe Signal Explosive Demand Designed to connect with the Gen Z beauty community across the continent, this groundbreaking collaboration between COSRX and YesStyle marked a first for both brands, spotlighting Korean skincare innovations through a new, interactive content marketing experience. The program received over 2,500 applications, demonstrating exceptional enthusiasm from beauty lovers in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France. "We were amazed to see such an explosive response with applications flooding in just hours after the announcement," said a COSRX representative. "This program wasn't heavily promoted, yet the momentum across social media and within the influencer community exceeded all expectations." Comments flooded in from beyond the five recruitment markets, with hopeful voices from the Netherlands, Portugal, and Poland expressing their desire to join. From "Wish EU was more than 5 countries" to "Fingers crossed Poland is on the list," the reaction signals a growing hunger for access to Korean skincare experiences across Europe. A New Chapter for K-Beauty in Europe Set to run from May through August 2025, the COSRX x YesStyle Euro Supporters program will equip 100 selected influencers with monthly bestsellers and new launches - including the cult-favorite Snail Mucin line and The RX series. Top-performing participants will enjoy exclusive benefits such as YesStyle Gold Memberships, special gifts for completed content missions, and even a sponsored trip to Korea for the three best creators. As part of COSRX's long-term vision to deepen its presence in Europe, the program reflects the brand's commitment to cultivating authentic local voices through next-gen marketing. "With a pipeline full of innovative product launches this year, our 100 Euro Supporters will play a key role in bringing those stories to life across TikTok and Instagram," the spokesperson added. COSRX invites fans to follow along as a new wave of European skincare creators shape the future of K-beauty content, one post at a time. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673143/COSRX_and_YesStyle_Conclude_Record_Breaking_Euro_Supporters_Recruitment.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648141/COSRX_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cosrx-and-yesstyle-conclude-record-breaking-euro-supporters-recruitment-100-influencers-selected-from-across-europe-302438172.html April 25, 2025 Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Royal Philips(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) provides an update on the Annual General Meeting 2025 which has been convened on March 24, 2025 (AGM). As previously announced, the AGM agenda includes the proposal to appoint Mr Bob White (American, 1962) as a new member of the Supervisory Board, with effect from May 8, 2025, given his extensive expertise and experience in health technology and quality. Since the company published the agenda for the AGM, Mr White has been nominated to become Chief Executive Officer at Olympus Corporation and has informed the company that in view of this nomination and his nomination at Philips, he will step down from other board positions he currently holds. In light hereof, the Supervisory Board and Mr White have agreed that he will become a member of Philips' Quality & Regulatory (Q&R) Committee but that he will not be acting as its chair as was previously communicated. Following shareholders' approval of all proposals in respect of the Supervisory Board composition at the AGM, Dr Paul Stoffels will become chair of the Q&R Committee of the Supervisory Board, and Mrs Herna Verhagen will succeed Dr Paul Stoffels as chair of its Remuneration Committee. Following his appointments at Philips and Olympus, Mr White will hold one non-executive and one executive position at publicly listed companies in line with current guidelines from proxy advisors on directors' external commitments. For further information, please contact: Michael Fuchs Philips Global External Relations Tel.: +31 61486 9261 E-mail: media@philips.com Dorin Danu Philips Investor Relations Tel.: +31 20 59 77055 E-mail: dorin.danu@philips.com About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 67,800 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. Forward-looking statements and other important information This release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Philips and certain of the plans and objectives of Philips with respect to these items. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements made about the strategy, estimates of sales growth, future EBITA, future developments in Philips' organic business and the completion of acquisitions and divestments. By their nature, these statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Your vote is important, regardless of the number of Calibre shares you hold. Securityholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the deadline on Tuesday, 29 April at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time). For assistance in voting, please contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by phone at 1-877-452-7184 (North American toll-free) or 1-416-304-0211 (outside North America), or by email at assistance@laurelhill.com (mailto:assistance@laurelhill.com) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (the "Company" or "Calibre") is pleased to announce that both Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS") and Glass Lewis & Co. ("Glass Lewis"), two leading independent proxy advisory firms, have recommended that Calibre Securityholders ("Securityholders") vote FOR the resolution approving the proposed business combination between Calibre and Equinox Gold Corp. ("Equinox") at the upcoming Special Meeting of Securityholders (the "Meeting") scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025. The Board of Directors of Calibre unanimously recommends that Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. Independent Proxy Advisory Firm Recommendations Following the announcement of the amended terms for the proposed merger between Calibre and Equinox (see news release dated April 23, 2025 (https://www.calibremining.com/news/news-details/2025/Equinox-Gold-and-Calibre-Mining-Amend-Arrangement-Agreement-in-Respect-of-Proposed-Business-Combination-Announce-Adjournment-of-Respective-Shareholder-Meetings-New-Meeting-Dates-Set-for-May-1-2025/default.aspx)), Glass Lewis has updated its recommendation. Glass Lewis now recommends that Calibre Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution, noting that the improved exchange ratio aligns with broader market expectations and offers greater downside protection while preserving the long-term upside potential of the combined company. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT - PLEASE VOTE TODAY The proxy voting deadline is 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Meeting Details The Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) at the offices of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Suite 2200, RBC Place, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. For complete details and access to all relevant documents related to the Meeting, please visit the Calibre Mining website here (https://www.calibremining.com/investor-relations/agm-materials/default.aspx). Securityholder Questions& Voting Assistance Securityholders who have previously voted AGAINST the Arrangement Resolution and who wish to change their vote can simply revote in favor. For further assistance, Securityholders may contact the Company's proxy solicitation agent: Laurel Hill Advisory Group Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184 About Calibre Calibre (TSX: CXB) is a Canadian-listed, Americas focused, growing mid-tier gold producer with a strong pipeline of development and exploration opportunities across Newfoundland & Labrador in Canada, Nevada and Washington in the USA, and Nicaragua. Calibre is focused on delivering sustainable value for Securityholders, local communities and all stakeholders through responsible operations and a disciplined approach to growth. With a strong balance sheet, a proven management team, strong operating cash flow, accretive development projects and district-scale exploration opportunities Calibre will unlock significant value. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Darren Hall" Darren Hall, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Ryan King SVP Corporate Development & IR T: 604.628.1012 E: calibre@calibremining.com W: www.calibremining.com (http://www.calibremining.com) Calibre's head office is located at Suite 1560, 200 Burrard St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3L6. YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@calibreminingcorp) / Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/calibremining/) / LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/calibre-mining-corp-cxb-/?originalSubdomain=ca) / Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CalibreMining) / X (https://twitter.com/CalibreMiningCo) The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "assume", "intend", "strategy", "goal", "objective", "possible" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. These include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the approval of the Arrangement by the Calibre Securityholders; application for a final order of the court approving the Arrangement and the approval thereof by the court; timing for closing the Arrangement; Calibre and the combined company's plans and expectations with respect to the proposed Arrangement, the expectations regarding exploration potential and production capabilities of the combined company; the potential valuation of the combined company following completion of the Arrangement; the accuracy of the pro forma financial position and outlook of the combined company following completion of the Arrangement; the expected benefits of the new board and management team of the combined company; and the anticipated impact of the proposed Arrangement on the combined company's results of operations, financial position, growth opportunities and competitive position. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, the possibility that Calibre Securityholders may not approve the Arrangement or Securityholders of Equinox may not approve the share issuance; the risk that any other condition to closing of the Arrangement may not be satisfied; the risk that the closing of the Arrangement might be delayed or not occur at all; the risk that the either Calibre or Equinox may terminate the Arrangement Agreement and either Calibre or Equinox is required to pay a termination fee to the other party; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships of Calibre or Equinox, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Arrangement; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of Calibre and Equinox; the effects of the business combination of Calibre and Equinox , including the combined company's future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; the ability of the combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the timeframe expected or at all; changes in capital markets and the ability of the combined company to finance operations in the manner expected; the risk that Calibre or Equinox may not receive the required court, stock exchange and regulatory approvals to effect the Arrangement; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed Arrangement; the risk of changes in laws, governmental regulations or enforcement practices; the effects of commodity prices, life of mine estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; the risks of mining activities; the fact that operating costs and business disruption may be greater than expected following the public announcement or consummation of the Arrangement; and other risks and uncertainties set out in Calibre's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, its management discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other disclosure documents of the Company filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. (http://www.sedarplus.ca/) Calibre's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. Calibre does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The 2nd International Investment Alliance for Renewable Energy (IIARE) successfully convened its 3rd International Finance and Frontier Technology Forum Alliance Conference in Paris on April 23. Representatives from the Economic and Trade Bureau of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the French Republic attended the meeting. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250424624398/en/ Highlights from Chairman Mr. Lyu's address, the venue, and the group photo with delegates Mr. Lyu Zexiang, President of IIARE and Chairman of China Energy International Group, delivered a welcome speech and announced the opening of the Forum. Several key projects were illustrated to demonstrate IIARE and Energy China's collaboration with Europe. "We have taken concrete actions to promote the green and low-carbon transformation, painting a series of meticulous and detailed 'fine brushstrokes' of new energy development," he says. "In the future, we look forward to making full use of the alliance platform to make more practical achievements." Major speakers include Mr. Li Wenguo, Vice Representative General of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Representative Office in France; Mr. Arnaud Melilli, Director of Asian Pacific Investments in Paris Region; Mr. Richard ABITBOL, Professor of the Institute of Administration and Management studies (IEAM), former adviser to the French prime minister; Ms. Lena HENRY, Senior Vice President, Schneider Electric Global Customer Experience Commercial Transformation; and Mr. Cui Meng, President, Europe Region, LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Representatives from leading Renewable companies including EDF, TotalEnergies, Akuo, and Voltalia also participated. Themed "Toward a Dual Carbon Future Gathered Wisdom for New Growth", the conference marked IIARE's inaugural forum held in a developed economy. It showcased China's contribution to renewable energy innovation and supply chain, facilitated valuable exchanges on European market prospects, and advanced renewable energy collaboration between China and Europe. The event highlighted actionable steps to provide affordable power and combat climate change. Established in 2018, IIARE is a leading force in global low-carbon energy transition, with founding members including Energy China. It unites top renewable energy enterprises specialized in planning, consulting, design, investment, financing, construction, equipment manufacturing, and operations. Notable members include Longi, VG Solar, Arctech, Sunpure, Huawei, CATL, Societe Generale China, Natixis Bank, BYD, Goldwind, Peric. So far, the IIARE has signed 202 renewable contracts, with a total installed capacity of 38 GW, including solar energy projects of 28.57GW, wind power projects of 7.89GW, bioenergy projects of 0.908GW, and others. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250424624398/en/ Contacts: Yao Rui ryao0832@ceec.net.cn New York, US (PANA) - With just weeks to go before a key ministerial meeting in Berlin, the UN and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to peacekeeping a vital tool for global stability that must now adapt to dwindling resources Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the first wedge hole GTCM25-056A, has intersected the Campbell Shear (CS) from approximately 2,665 to 2,707 metres downhole (vertical depth of 2,560 metres below surface), with the best visual mineralization concentrated between 2,689.30 and 2,707 metres downhole (as shown in photos 1 and 2 further below) on the Con Mine Option Property (CMO). Wedge hole GTCM25-056A was stopped at 2,837 metres downhole in volcanic rocks. Core samples have been sent to the lab and assays are pending. The program is continuing with a lateral wedge hole (GTCM25-056B)100 metres north at the same target elevation. In other news, the Company received an acknowledgement notice from Newmont Canada FN Holdings ULC that the Company has satisfied the requirement to incur an aggregate amount of C$8,000,000 (unaudited) in Qualifying Expenditures in Exploration Work on the Con Mine Option property pursuant to the Con Mine Option agreement. Chairman and CEO, Gerald Panneton, commented, "We are very excited to have intersected the CS around 2,665 metres downhole or approximately 600 metres below the current depth of the historic Robertson Shaft. This intersection proves our model which show the high potential for the CS continuation at depth down plunge from a 5.1 Moz deposit @ 16 g/t Au which was mined historically at a rate of approximately 1 Moz per 200 metres vertical on average. The objective of the 2025 wedge hole drilling program is to continue testing for high-grade gold in the CS ( past production of 5.1 Moz @ 16 g/t, refer to the Oct. 21, 2022 Technical Report) on the Con Mine below the historic Con Mine underground workings. The Con Mine Option (CMO) property is under option from a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation and is 100% acquirable by the Company upon fulfillment of certain conditions set out in the CMO property option agreement, as reported in the Company's news release dated November 22, 2021. The target is located downdip from the 5.1 Moz mined gold deposit plunging steeply to the south between elevation 1,900 metres (historic Robertson shaft depth) and 2,600 metres. Wedge Hole GTCM24-056A Highlights The CS zone starts at around 2,665 metres downhole, signified by an intensifying zone of crackle-style calcite brecciation and veining. From 2,681.20 metres downhole, shearing is more intense including some intervals with more veining, such as from 2,689.30 to 2,697.70 metres downhole, and containing laminated smoky quartz veins with up to 2% disseminated fine- to medium-grained pyrite and 1% blebby fine-grained pyrrhotite. Sphalerite is also noted. Between 2,697.70 and 2,707 metres downhole, veining transitions to more crackle-style calcite with minor pyrite and pyrrhotite. Deformed pyrite grains aligned with shear fabric suggest continued but diminishing deformation. A final chlorite-biotite altered pulse with trace arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite is noted at 2,706.80 metres downhole. Beyond 2,707 metres downhole and to the end of the hole, shearing is absent and chloritic alteration and calcite crackle and breccia textures occur. This material may represent the footwall which is noted to continue substantially beyond the main shear zone or an internal block or "horse" within the shear system, as referenced in historical Con Mine documentation Figure 1 below is a cross-section showing the master hole GTCM24-056 and wedge hole GTCM25-056A intersecting the CS at 2,665 metres downhole. The CS was initially intersected at depth in hole GTCM23-055, which intersected 12.63 g/t Au over 1.7m (refer to November 15, 2023 news release) in the CS structure approximately 150 metres below the Con Mine workings, demonstrating the potential of the CS is well open at depth. Figure 1a, further below shows wedge hole GTCM24-056A in greater detail. Figure 1 - Cross section showing master hole GTCM24-056, the hanging granite wall zone, the Con Shear, and the gold potential window of the CS targeted by wedge hole GTCM25-056A (see also November 15, 2023 news release). Figure 1a - Cross section showing the CS gold potential window targeted by wedge hole GTCM25-056A. The mineralization in drillhole GTCM25-056A is concentrated between 2,689.30 and 2,706.95 metres downhole and shown in photos 1 and 2 below: Photo 1: GTCM25-056A at 2706.80 to 2706.95 metres downhole showing chlorite-biotite altered rock with quartz-carbonate veining and fine-grained arsenopyrite and pyrite Photo 2: GTCM25-056A at 2695.33 metres downhole showing blocky arsenopyrite along vein margins The 2025 deep drilling program aims to expand the September 2022 initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") (see September 7, 2022, press release) of 109,000 Indicated ounces of contained gold and 432,000 Inferred ounces of contained gold between surface and 400 metres below surface along a 2-kilometre corridor of the Campbell Shear ( October 21, 2022 MRE titled " Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada " by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Senior Technical Advisor for the Company. About Gold Terra The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where approximately 14 Moz of gold has been produced, (refer to Gold Terra Oct 21, 2022, Technical Report) and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003). The YP and CMO properties lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com. For more information, please contact: Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO gpanneton@goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 416-710-0646 strazdins@goldterracorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The Company prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to Mineral Resources in this news release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "Proven Mineral Reserves" and "Probable Mineral Reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards. U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any Mineral Resources that the Company may report as "Measured Mineral Resources", "Indicated Mineral Resources" and "Inferred Mineral Resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the Mineral Resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "Inferred Mineral Resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances where permitted under NI 43-101. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (" forward-looking information "). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the current drilling on the Campbell Shear, potentially adding ounces to the Company's current YCG mineral resource, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp First-ever drilling program on MegaLi and LG4 blocks successful in identifying strong lithium-bearing anomalies Identification of zinnwaldite-like mica type, a superior lithium host compared to spodumene, with measured values ranging from 1 to 4% Li The Company explores the possibility of diversifying its project portfolio by targeting other Critical and Strategic Minerals (CSMs) that are a priority for the Canadian and Quebec governments Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - SPOD LITHIUM CORP. (CSE: SPOD) (OTCQB: SPODF), (the "Company" or "SPOD") announces the results from its winter drilling program on the MegaLi and Lithium Grande 4 ("LG4") projects. The MegaLi and LG4 properties consist of six claim blocks adjacent to Patriot Battery Metals Inc.'s Shaakichiuwaanaan project (formerly named Corvette Project) located in the James Bay area of Quebec, Canada. Mathieu Couillard, President and CEO of SPOD Lithium, said: "This first drilling program on MegaLi and LG4 was a true success, confirming strong potential for the discovery of an additional lithium (Li) deposit. Adjacent to Patriot Battery Metals Inc.'s Shaakichiuwaanaan project, we now understand that the size of the magmatic reservoir that generated the lithium-bearing pegmatites is regional in scale. The volume of the pegmatite system and its enrichment in lithium both indicate the fertility of the magmatic system and that we are at the right place for a potential discovery. The niobium/tantalum (Nb/Ta) ratios and the high fractionation of the rubidium (Rb) indicate a similar lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) signature as our neighbours and our goals remains to identify the location of the next spodumene-bearing pegmatite." Winter Drilling Program In December 2024, the ExploLogic team carried out on behalf of SPOD, an initial drilling program on the MegaLi and LG4 properties, consisting of 2,601.5 m in 12 holes. The drilling program targeted Block "A" and Block "D" on the LG4 property and Block "C" on the MegaLi property, all selected to follow up on two successful soil and rock sampling field programs which identified pegmatite trends in 2024 and zoned internal structures and accessory minerals such as beryl and tourmaline. Table 1 summarizes the drill hole results and Figure 1 positions them. Block C (MegaLi property) results: Geological units intercepted within the three drill holes (MEG-24-01 to 03 - totaling 750.5 m) of this block show an impressive shallow dipping stacking of LCT pegmatites and gabbros intersected over true width between 100 m and 300 m. Drill hole MEG-24-02 shows that the sequence continues at depth, under vertical depth of 300 m with Rb-enriched pegmatites. Figure 1: Regional geology with SPOD MegaLi and LG4 projects and Patriot Battery Metals Inc.'s Shaakichiuwaanaan environment. SPOD 2024 drilling program targeted the Corvette Lithium Trend as well as other similar environments. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7939/249763_4dee8da7743c0be2_002full.jpg Zinnwaldite-like mica crystals have been identified during the logging process and a portable LIBS analyzer (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) was used to confirm the presence of lithium. Values measured over the zinnwaldite crystals using the LIBS analyzer ranged between 1% and 4% Li in all MEG-24-01, 02, and 03. These analyses were concentrated directly on mica crystals and therefore do not represent wholerock. During the summer 2024 surface mapping and soil sampling, zinnwaldite was also recognized in the same area. Zinnwaldite is a superior lithium host to the well-known spodumene. It is a potassium-lithium-iron-aluminum-silicate-hydroxide-fluoride phyllosilicate mineral within the mica group that typically occurs in greisens, pegmatites and quartz veins, and is often associated with tin ore deposits. High anomaly cesium, rubidium and tantalum results also demonstrated the strong similarities with the lithium-bearing signature of a "Corvette Type" pegmatite identified in the scientific literature as LCT pegmatite. SPOD cautions that the mineralization at the Shaakichiuwaanaan project may not be indicative of the mineralization that may be identified on the Company's MegaLi and LG4 projects and is used as a conceptual exploration model only. Block D results: Analytical results from the samples of the seven drill holes (LG4-24-01 to 07 - totaling 1,115 m) targeting the Corvette trend (see Figure 1), demonstrated strong lithium contamination both in pegmatites and in host rocks. These findings support the interpretation that the source of the lithium is associated with a large-scale magmatic system that covers not only one limited area like a single deposit, but a large volume. Block A results: Numerous granodiorites dykes have been intercepted within the five drill holes (LG4-24-08 to 12, totaling 706 m) of this easterly area. Results have shown the higher cesium anomaly associated with niobium anomaly up to 2150 ppm Nb and a Tantalum anomaly up to 826 ppm Ta within LG4-24-12 from 101.5 m to 102.5 m. This unexpected NYF pegmatite environment enriched in fluor, niobium, tantalum elements and locally in molybdenum show an attractive potential in other SCMs which have never been tested before. Preliminary interpretations Due to recent soil sampling anomalies, the mapping and the assay results of the maiden drilling program on the MegaLi and LG4 properties, it is management's understanding that the lithium-bearing pegmatites found on the property are of similar chemical signature as the Corvette deposit and that the magmatic system that formed the Corvette deposit is of sufficient size to have impacted the host rocks at a regional scale. Table 1: Summary of SPOD 2024 drill program on MegaLi and LG4 projects Hole number Project Block Eastern Northern Az. Dip Length (m) Geological environment Results LG4-24-01 LG4 D 584 577 5 934 984 180 -45 179.0 Mafic sequence of the Guyer Group: Sheared amph./paragneiss contact No LCT element conc. LG4-24-02 LG4 D 584 556 5 934 885 180 -45 155.0 LG4-24-03 LG4 D 584 630 5 934 808 240 -45 137.0 LG4-24-04 LG4 D 584 634 5 934 813 90 -45 30.0 LG4-24-04A LG4 D 584 634 5 934 813 90 -45 125.0 LG4-24-05 LG4 D 584 609 5 934 692 140 -45 215.0 LG4-24-06 LG4 D 584 945 5 934 475 320 -60 143.0 Alternation of peg.-amph.-basalt-paragneiss. Pegs. vary from 1 to 5m at contacts. Cs: 100 to 150ppm concentrated within a 5m wide peg. at surface. Li: 90 to 150ppm within the amph. over 13 and 4m. LG4-24-07 LG4 D 584 945 5 934 475 320 -45 161.0 LG4-24-08 LG4 A 577 096 5 940 600 330 -45 125.0 Basalt. Eastern limit. Rare peg. veins with Cs anomaly No LCT element conc. LG4-24-09 LG4 A 577 096 5 940 600 200 -55 116.0 Basalt. Eastern limit No LCT element conc. LG4-24-10 LG4 A 575 355 5 939 740 330 -45 137.0 Metric granitic pegs. As 9m btw 111.6m to 120.7m Li anomalies btw 50 to 150ppm LG4-24-11 LG4 A 575 355 5 939 740 200 -55 152.0 44m of granitic peg. (48 to 92m) within granodiorite Li anomalies btw 50 to 150ppm even with amph. Host rock LG4-24-12 LG4 A 575 355 5 939 740 30 -60 176.0 Dense network of granitic peg. Within granodiorite No LCT element conc. MEG-24-01 MegaLi C 578 065 5 929 955 160 -65 170.0 200m of hybrid peg. (granitic and LCT). Alternation of peg. and gabbro 145m (8,9m-155m) of peg. and gabbro alternation with K/Rb ratios btw 15 and 40 and with Li-enrichment of 100 to 500 ppm MEG-24-02 MegaLi C 578 397 5 930 037 160 -65 395.0 280m (8m-287m) of peg. and gabbro alternation with K/Rb ratios btw 15 and 40 and with Li-enrichment of 100 to 500 ppm MEG-24-03 MegaLi C 578 368 5 929 599 160 -65 185.5 130m (8,9m-137m) of peg. and gabbro alternation with K/Rb ratios btw 15 and 40 and with Li-enrichment of 100 to 500 ppm TOTAL 2,601.5 Note: peg.: pegmatite; amph.: amphibolite; conc.: concentration; btw: between. Recent studies on the impact of geological structures on the formation of pegmatites (i.e. SILVA, D. et al., 2023, or CAWOOD, T.K. et al., 2024), demonstrating their signicant impact on the formation of pegmatites, also allow SPOD management to be very encouraged by the initial drilling results on these properties as structural setting and emplacement mechanism on the size and morphology of lithium-bearing pegmatites on the properties needs now to be seriously studied. Mr. Couillard President and CEO of SPOD Lithium, said: "We are pleased with the results of our projects, but we are uncertain whether we can create sufficient value under current lithium market conditions. With the support of our Board of Directors, we are exploring the possibility of diversifying our project portfolio by targeting CSMs that are a priority for the Canadian and Quebec governments. There are numerous tax incentives for developing these CSMs, and we intend to ensure all our shareholders benefit from them". Drilling sampling method and QA/QC Diamond drilling was done by Forage Fusion Drilling of Hawkesbury, Ontario. All the NQ-size core was recovered by the drillers, quick logged by an ExploLogic geologist onsite to ensure the follow up of the targeted zones and then, all core was sent to ExploLogic installations in Val-d'Or for proper logging and sampling by geologists. Samples generally vary from 0.5 m to 1.5 m depending on the geological environment. Sample preparation is then done by ExploLogic, where the drill core is sawed in half, with one half used for chemical analysis and the other half for control purposes and project record. All 1,268 samples collected during the core logging process are sent to the Agat Laboratory in Val-d'Or, Quebec, for analysis. Each sample is dried and crushed to 75% passing -2mm (10 mesh) and 250g are taken to be pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh). The sample is then treated by four-acid digestion (Code: 201-070) and analyzed by ICP-OES and by ICP-MS (Code: CGY) for a total of 48 elements, including metals and rare earth elements. A total of 306 analyses have also been requested for gold analysis (TMT-G5B method) and performed by fire assay on 50 g samples with an atomic absorption finish. Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) includes the use of duplicates representing one quarter (1/4) of the drill core, blank samples and material certified for Au, Ag and Cu. QA/QC additions to the sample stream total an additional 10% of samples analysed. Qualified Person Julien Davy, P.Geo., M.Sc, MBA, consultant geologist of SPOD, and Martin Demers, P.Geo, independent senior geologist, are qualified persons under National Instrument 43-101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects, and have prepared, supervised and approved the technical information in this news release. About Spod Lithium Corp. Spod Lithium Corp. is a leading exploration and development company focused on unlocking the vast potential of lithium resources. With a strategic approach to resource management and a commitment to sustainable practices, SPOD is dedicated to driving innovation and delivering value for its stakeholders. Founded in 2020, its primary lithium properties are strategically located in Quebec and Ontario, Canada, regions renowned for their rich deposits of these valuable resources. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or contact the Company through its website at www.spodlithiumcorp.com. Stay connected with SPOD Website: www.spodlithiumcorp.com Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/spod-lithium X (formerly Twitter): www.x.com/spodlithium Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249763 SOURCE: Spod Lithium Corp. GOTHENBURG, Sweden, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zinzino AB (publ.) announces that the company's annual report for 2024 in Swedish is now published on the company's website zinzino.com. The English version will be published within approximately 45 days. The 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held at the company's premises at Hulda Mellgrens gata 5 in Vastra Frolunda on May 28 at 4:30 p.m. The nomination committee's proposals for board members, the board's remuneration and auditors are presented in the notice to the annual general meeting. For further information about the annual general meeting, refer to the company's website zinzino.com. Link to the report: https://www.zinzino.com/site/gb/en-gb/about/investor-relations/ For more information: Dag Bergheim Pettersen CEO Zinzino +47 (0) 932 25 700, dag@zinzino.com Fredrik Nielsen CFO Zinzino +46 (0) 707 900 174, fredrik.nielsen@zinzino.com Pictures for publication free of charge: marketing@zinzino.com Certified Adviser: Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ.) This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/zinzino/r/zinzino-ab--publ--annual-report-2024,c4140171 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/10976/4140171/3410784.pdf Zinzino-arsredovisning-2024 https://mb.cision.com/Public/10976/4140171/89b5d018b43af17b.pdf Press-release-Zinzino-Annual-Report-2024 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zinzino-ab-publ-annual-report-2024-302438322.html 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! Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQB: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider, owner and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced that its operating subsidiary Cubeler Inc. ("Cubeler") and American alternative commercial financing provider NewCo Capital Group ("NewCo") have entered into a referral agreement to bring more financing options to Business Hub members. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, NewCo (https://www.newcocapitalgroup.com) is part of a multinational collaboration alongside Bizcap, a leading provider of business loans in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Singapore. NewCo and Bizcap are part of a new generation of alternative commercial financing providers leveraging technology to rapidly and responsibly extend capital to small and medium-sized businesses globally. NewCo and Bizcap have safely deployed over $2 billion in capital to over 45,000 businesses to help them grow, create jobs, and make valuable contributions to their respective communities. In Canada, capital of up to CAD $2,000,000 can be accessed either as a one-time advance of working capital or as a flexible "Line of Capital" that allows business clients to incrementally access funds up to a pre-approved limit. As part of this offering, NewCo Canada also provides loans in excess of $500,000, designed to meet the needs of businesses seeking financing through a more conventional structure. By partnering with the Cubeler Business Hub, NewCo can now simply enter the qualification criteria for its financing products into its dedicated Business Hub credit management account to find qualified business clients to lend to. "As our presence grows across Canada, our partnership with Tenet Fintech is a testament to the meaningful work we're doing to reshape access to capital for Canadian entrepreneurs," said Bruce Gurvitsch, Chief Revenue Officer at NewCo Capital Group. "Through our integration with the Cubeler Business Hub, we're enhancing our ability to deliver fast, flexible working capital solutions directly to the small and medium-sized businesses that drive the Canadian economy. This collaboration goes beyond integration; it reflects NewCo's commitment to delivering meaningful impact by providing the capital Canadian businesses need to grow, thrive, and lead in their industries." Building on this foundation, NewCo's leadership emphasizes a more hands-on, merchant-focused approach to serving Canadian businesses. "This partnership is about more than just market expansion, it's about building direct, meaningful relationships with Canadian merchants," said Albert Gahfi, CEO of NewCo Capital Group and Co-Founder of Bizcap. "Through the Cubeler Business Hub, we're able to connect directly with business owners, understand their unique challenges, and deliver funding solutions that are both practical and personalized. It's a hands-on approach that reflects our belief that access to capital should be as straightforward and supportive as possible." The Company believes that this alignment of personalized funding with platform-driven discovery is exactly what makes the partnership so impactful for the Business Hub and its members. "I don't know many entrepreneurs who don't think business development is important to their long-term success," commented Fredi Tasciyan, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Financial Institutions at Cubeler. "If we're going to continue to position the Business Hub as the ultimate business development platform for entrepreneurs, we have to make sure we continue to bring the best funding options to our members wherever they happen to be located. This partnership with NewCo checks off two important boxes for us in that regard. First, when it comes to funding options, we believe NewCo's Line of Capital product has the potential to be very popular on the platform based on what we've been hearing from our members. Second is the fact that, in addition to servicing North American business clients, NewCo is able to provide capital to businesses operating in Asia. This could prove to be a significant value-added feature of the platform for both North American and Asian members of the Business Hub once the platform's cross-border networking functionalities are enabled," concluded Mr. Tasciyan. About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/. About NewCo Capital Group NewCo Capital Group and Bizcap are part of a multinational collaboration, providing fast, flexible working capital solutions to small and medium-sized businesses across a wide range of industries. As trusted leaders in the alternative financing space, the companies have deployed over $2 billion to more than 45,000 businesses worldwide. By combining traditional underwriting expertise with cutting-edge technology, NewCo delivers tailored funding solutions within three hours and offers same-day financing. With a 4.8 out of 5 Trustpilot rating, NewCo is recognized for its commitment to transparency, reliability, and exceptional service. For more information about NewCo, including its expansion into Canada and how to partner, please visit www.newcocapitalgroup.ca. Forward-looking information Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249752 SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Sanu Gold Corporation (CSE: SANU) (OTCQB: SNGCF) ("Sanu Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. The Notice of Meeting, which sets out the business proposed to be conducted at the Meeting, the Information Circular and related meeting materials are now available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.sanugoldcorp.com/agm. The record date for the Meeting was April 3, 2025. Management's nominees for election to the Board are current board members Martin Pawlitschek, Fatou Gueye, Martino De Ciccio and new nominee, Peter Hemstead. If elected, Mr. Hemstead will also serve as Chair of the Audit Committee, bringing extensive financial expertise and governance experience to the Company. Martino De Ciccio, Chairman of Sanu Gold, commented: "We look forward to welcoming Peter to our Board of Directors. We are confident that he will make significant contributions to our Board and its Committees, given his extensive accounting knowledge and experience in the mining sector, as we continue to execute our strategy of unlocking exploration value." About Peter Hemstead Mr. Hemstead has over 25 years of management and finance experience in the mining industry. He has been a director of Fireweed Metals Corp. since April 2020 and served as Interim President & CEO of Fireweed from May 2024 until January 2025. He served as the CFO of Bluestone Resources Inc. from 2016 until December 2019 when he was appointed President & CEO and Chair of the Board until its acquisition by Aura Minerals Inc. in January 2025. He also served on the Board of Directors of Fiore Gold Ltd. from 2017 until its acquisition by Calibre Mining Corp. in 2022. Prior to that, he spent 10 years in a senior financial executive role at Capstone Mining Corp. (now Capstone Copper Corp.), leading the finance team through the successful expansion from an exploration and development stage mining company to an intermediate copper producer with multiple operations. Mr. Hemstead is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an Honours Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. About Sanu Gold Located within the Siguiri Basin, a world class gold district that is host to several operating mines and major new discoveries, Sanu Gold is exploring three high quality gold exploration permits in Guinea, West Africa. The Company has defined multi-kilometer long gold-bearing structures on each of the gold exploration permits, with multiple high-value drill targets and is targeting multi-million ounce gold discoveries. Sanu Gold is operated by a highly experienced team, with successful records of discovery, resource development and mine permitting. Martin Pawlitschek President & CEO, Sanu Gold Corp. For further information regarding Sanu Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.sanugoldcorp.com or contact: Corporate Office: 717 - 1030 West Georgia Street | Vancouver, British Columbia | Canada | V6E 2Y3 Telephone: (647) 473-7268 | www.sanugoldcorp.com 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/249739 SOURCE: Sanu Gold Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Sranan Gold Corp. (CSE: SRAN) (FSE: P84) ("Sranan" or the "Company") announces that the Company is participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment Conference in London on May 12-13, 2025. Oscar Louzada, CEO of Sranan Gold will be presenting about the Company's recent and future planned activities at the Tapanahony Gold Project in Suriname. Mr. Louzada commented: "Our participation in the 121 Mining Investment event in London offers an excellent opportunity to engage directly with investors and highlight developments at our newly acquired Tapanahony Project in Suriname, located in one of the most prolific greenstone belts of the Guiana Shield. We look forward to sharing upcoming key catalysts for Sranan Gold with investors at the event." 121 Mining Investment London will be hosting over 110 mining companies and more than 650 investors for two days of targeted 1-2-1 meetings. Investors who would like to attend 121 Mining Investment London can register for a free pass at https://www.weare121.com/121mininginvestment-london-spring/register-investor/. About Sranan Gold Sranan Gold Corp. is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in Suriname. The highly prospective Tapanahony Project is located in the heart of Suriname's modern-day gold rush. Tapanahony covers 29,000 hectares in one of the oldest and largest small-scale mining areas in Suriname. There is significant production from saprolite by local miners along a 4.5-kilometre trend, where several areas of mining have been opened. Sranan Gold is also exploring its Aida Property consisting of five mineral claims covering an area of 2,335.42 hectares on the Shuswap Highland within the Kamloops Mining Division. For more information, visit sranangold.com. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws including, without limitation, the timing, nature, scope and details regarding the Company's future exploration plans. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249705 SOURCE: Sranan Gold Corp. The next generation of skin resurfacing technology will debut at the ASLMS 2025 Conference Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC), a global, diversified pharmaceutical company, and its aesthetics business, Solta Medical, announced today Fraxel FTX will launch at the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) 2025 Annual Conference on April 25 in Orlando, FL. This event begins the rollout of Fraxel FTX to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other licensed aesthetic professionals across the United States, with plans to expand globally in the coming months. Fraxel is a leading treatment in skin rejuvenation, addressing common skin concerns such as sun damage, wrinkles, acne scars, and pigmentation irregularities. With the introduction of Fraxel FTX, the next generation of skin resurfacing technology, Bausch Health is setting a new standard in laser skin resurfacing. Designed to offer an even more precise, efficient, and comfortable treatment experience, this next generation product provides dermatologists and aesthetic professionals with advanced tools and is designed to deliver noticeable results after a single treatment in all skin types. "We are pleased to unveil Fraxel FTX at the ASLMS 2025 Conference," said Thomas J. Appio, CEO of Bausch Health. "This improved technology marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing aesthetic medicine and enhancing the patient experience. Fraxel FTX embodies our dedication to providing healthcare professionals with the cutting-edge tools they need to help deliver exceptional care." "Fraxel FTX retains its trusted, proven laser technology offering customized treatments to deliver noticeable results, while combining a modern design, ergonomic enhancements, and efficiency to support today's aesthetic practices," said Jiny Kim, Senior Vice President, Solta Medical, Bausch Health. Key Features and Benefits of Fraxel FTX: Dual Wavelength Fractional Laser: Fraxel FTX utilizes a highly refined fractional laser system that targets aging and sun-damaged skin, leaving surrounding healthy tissue intact to promote rapid healing. The 1550 nm erbium-glass laser and 1927 nm thulium laser treat superficial and deeper skin layers. Redesigned Ergonomic Handpiece: Featuring a 20% reduction in weight and size and new integrated cooling technology, Fraxel FTX is designed for patient comfort during treatment. Visible Results with Minimal Downtime: Patients can expect noticeable improvements in skin texture, tone, and clarity with minimal disruption to their daily routines. Fast Tracking Experience: Intelligent Optical Tracking with AccuTRAC provides efficient and consistent treatment delivery utilizing patented technology for efficient firing of the laser. Redesigned Console: A modern design with an integrated arm and cable assembly. Refreshed User Interface: The redesigned color touch screen and user interface are designed for flexible, personalized treatment settings, catering to aesthetic goals, as well as common skin concerns due to sun damage and aging. With the launch of Fraxel FTX, Solta Medical continues to lead the industry in innovation, providing solutions that aim to help practitioners deliver best-in-class results while improving patient satisfaction. For more information about Fraxel FTX and other Solta Medical products, please visit www.soltamedical.com. INDICATIONS The Fraxel FTX Laser System is indicated for: Fraxel 1550 nm wavelength is indicated for dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue; skin resurfacing procedures; treatment of dyschromia and cutaneous lesions, such as, but not limited to lentigos, solar lentigos, actinic keratosis, and melasma; and treatment of periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, and surgical scars. Fraxel 1927 nm wavelength is indicated for dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue; treatment of actinic keratosis; treatment of pigmented lesions, specifically lentigos, solar lentigos, and ephelides. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Contraindications Do not use on any patient who is ineligible for general surgery. Pre-screening should include, but not be limited to: Predisposition to keloid formation or excessive scarring. Changes following surgery . Skin indentations and textural changes following surgery. Systemic steroids (e.g. prednisone, dexamethasone), which should be rigorously avoided prior to and throughout the course of treatment. Patients undergoing isotretinoin acne treatment or with drugs in a similar class. Medical judgement should be used when treating patients with a predisposition to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Warnings and Cautions Protective eyewear or goggles should be worn by any patient, operator and assistant. Medical judgement should be used when treating patients with certain medical conditions. Improper use of Fraxel may cause personal injury or damage to the system. Adverse Events The following may be associated with Fraxel laser treatment: Blistering and burns; Temporary or permanent skin discoloration; Eye injury; Infection; Keloid formation; Prolonged redness; Scarring; Delayed wound healing / skin textural changes and Temporary bruising. The Fraxel FTX Laser System is Rx Only. See the Operator Manual for detailed directions, proper use, and full risk and safety information. For additional product information see www.fraxel.com/hcp. CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to the sale by or on the order of a physician. To learn more about the Fraxel FTX and how it can benefit your practice, contact Solta Medical. 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. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors. Our aesthetic business, Solta Medical, is a global leader in the aesthetics market, whose vision is to develop and support trusted aesthetic brands that provide value to our customers and patients. More information about Solta Medical can be found at www.solta.com. For more information about Bausch Health, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. Forward-looking Statements This news 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. These statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Bausch Health's overall business, including those more fully described in Bausch Health's most recent annual and quarterly reports and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events, information or circumstances after the date of this news 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) 569-3692 SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc. First-to-market innovations enhance efficiency, including HYPERVIT 30K, the world's fastest vitrectomy probe executing 30,000 cuts per minute 1-3 Breakthrough UNITY 4D Phaco delivers up to 2X faster nucleus removal and 41% less energy into the eye, supporting excellent patient care 4,*, Inventory will begin shipping to Australia, Europe, Japan and the U.S. from May onwards Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today announced the launch of the UNITY Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS) and UNITY Cataract System (CS). The new, versatile platform offers two configurations, a combined console (VCS) as well as a standalone cataract system (CS). This platform is designed to deliver superior efficiency for vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, while enabling exceptional outcomes for patients.2,4-6,* The systems feature many first-to-market technologies designed to deliver transformative surgical innovation for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery, including UNITY 4D Phaco, HYPERVIT 30K and the advanced UNITY Intelligent Fluidics system.1,4-7 With UNITY VCS/CS, surgeons can operate at more physiologic conditions without compromising efficiency.1 Surgeons will have the opportunity for hands on experience with UNITY VCS/CS during the 2025 American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meeting (ASCRS, Los Angeles, April 25-28) at the Alcon Booth (#1815). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250423876252/en/ UNITY VCS/CS Logo "Alcon has a long legacy of advancing phaco and vitreoretinal technology for surgical ophthalmology. With UNITY VCS/CS, we are introducing more than a dozen innovations designed to transform surgical outcomes while delivering significant efficiencies for surgery centers across the globe," said David Endicott, CEO of Alcon. "This tremendous accomplishment could not have been achieved without those who participated in the development process, including the surgeons who have been evaluating the machines in their practices over the last year. We are excited to start shipping inventory next month so more practices can experience this extraordinary innovation." The combination vitreoretinal and cataract system intelligently transforms vitreoretinal and cataract surgery with significant innovation. With the introduction of UNITY Intelligent Fluidics, a unique pressure and flow control technology with real-time sensing, surgeons can expect surgical stability and efficiency at each step of the procedure.1 Significant advancements in instrumentation for vitreoretinal surgery include: UNITY 27 Gauge Portfolio: Instrumentation that through breakthrough design and the inclusion of the Dynamic Stiffener technology, surpasses the limitations of traditional 27-gauge tools, delivering the stiffness of a 25-gauge system or better, in a smaller gauge. 6 27 Gauge Portfolio: Instrumentation that through breakthrough design and the inclusion of the Dynamic Stiffener technology, surpasses the limitations of traditional 27-gauge tools, delivering the stiffness of a 25-gauge system or better, in a smaller gauge. UNITY TetraSpot: A multi-spot illuminated laser probe that reduces laser application time by up to three times, enabling surgeons to deliver one, two, or four simultaneous laser spots for greater procedural versatility. 5, UNITY Illumination: Reduces blue light exposure to the eye and includes customizable light profiles for excellent tissue visualization, while providing up to 10,000 hours of reliability.1,8 "UNITY VCS has truly revolutionized the way I can perform during vitreoretinal surgeries," said Maria H. Berrocal, MD, CEO, Drs. Berrocal Associates. "During my approximately 130 cases with this new technology, I saw efficiencies across surgery types. The unique fluidics control together with the faster cutting speeds have certainly been a game-changer, as well as the 27 gauge portfolio-taking the instrumentation to the next level with stiffness and performance similar to 25 gauge-all delivering stability and efficiency throughout the procedure." The UNITY VCS/CS system is designed to allow cataract surgeons to operate with increased stability and efficiency at more physiologic conditions through its Intelligent Fluidics functionality.1 This new technology maintains a consistent level of intraocular pressure (IOP) to help support patient comfort during surgery, while allowing for higher average vacuum during lens removal.1 Other surgical performance enhancements include: UNITY Intelligent Sentry: Maintains anterior chamber stability while improving upon CENTURION Vision System with ACTIVE SENTRY , reducing post-occlusion surge volumes by 44%. 9,* Vision System with ACTIVE SENTRY , reducing post-occlusion surge volumes by 44%. UNITY Thermal Sentry: The first phacoemulsification handpiece that features a thermal sensor that works with a proprietary algorithm to estimate incision temperature in real-time and regulate ultrasound power.1 "I perform thousands of cataract surgeries each year and UNITY VCS/CS has streamlined my surgical procedures while enabling us to consistently deliver exceptional patient outcomes," said John Berdahl, MD. "The UNITY 4D phaco technology in particular has been impressive-breaking up even large, dense cataracts efficiently, while maintaining more physiologic IOP throughout the surgery. Beyond the device performance, it expedites our surgical workflow and introduces significant usability improvements-which the entire team greatly appreciates." UNITY VCS/CS is the first product to become available from Alcon's UNITY portfolio of next-generation surgical equipment solutions. UNITY VCS/CS users can benefit from Intelligent Services Solutions, including select remote service offerings and predictive service capabilities to minimize downtime. UNITY VCS has received CE Mark, and regulatory approvals in Australia, Japan and the U.S. Inventory will begin shipping to Australia, Europe, Japan and the U.S. from May onwards; and to other markets in third quarter of 2025 pending regulatory approvals. Surgeons attending the ASCRS annual meeting can demo the UNITY VCS/CS platform at Alcon Booth #1815. For more information, please visit MyAlcon.com or speak to your Alcon Sales Representative. About Alcon Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people's lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com About UNITYVCS/CS Indications Intended Use: The UNITY VCS (Vitreoretinal Cataract System) console, when used with compatible devices, is indicated for use during anterior segment (i.e. phacoemulsification and removal of cataracts) and posterior segment (i.e. vitreoretinal) ophthalmic surgery. In addition, with the optional laser this system is indicated for photocoagulation (i.e. vitreoretinal and macular pathologies), iridotomy and trabeculoplasty procedures. The UNITY CS (Cataract System) console, when used with compatible devices, is indicated for use during anterior segment (i.e. phacoemulsification and removal of cataracts) ophthalmic surgery. Refer to the Directions for Use for the accessories/consumables and User Manual for a complete listing of indications, warnings, cautions and notes. Based on bench data; reduction in surge is correlated to less change in anterior chamber depth. Based on N=10 handpieces, Artificial cataract lens IOP 55mmhg vacuum of 450 mmHg. Multiple-spot laser probe (4) is 3 times faster than single-spot laser probe. Mean fluctuation at flow vs. setpoint of 2.36 2.13, 4.19 1.97, 1.84 2.82, and 2.13 2.86 mmHg during phacoemulsification, irrigation/aspiration (IA), vitrectomy, and extrusion/fragmentation, respectively. References UNITY VCS and CS User Manual. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24644] Irannejad A, Tambat S, Abulon DJK. Retropulsion and Mass flow of 27-gauge Vitrectomy Probes: Comparison of Dual-blade/flat-tipped probes and single-blade/beveled probes. 2021. Poster presentation. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24379] Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24615] Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24576] Unity Phaco Handpiece Directions for Use. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24760] Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-25562] Connect with us on Facebook LinkedIn View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250423876252/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Daniel Cravens, Allen Trang + 41 589 112 110 (Geneva) + 1 817 615 2789 (Fort Worth) investor.relations@alcon.com Media Relations Steven Smith + 41 589 112 111 (Geneva) + 1 817 551 8057 (Fort Worth) globalmedia.relations@alcon.com HANGZHOU, China, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Twilight is the prime time for hunting, but dusk creates the most challenging conditions for traditional optics that struggle to see in the fading light. Using outdated equipment can result in missed opportunities at the vital moment, but HIKMICRO has the ultimate solution for hunting success at any light level and into the night. Over the past year, hunters around the world have abandoned traditional optics in favour of the HIKMICRO HABROK 4K, which has revolutionized round-the-clock hunting with its unrivalled digital and thermal capability. These game-changing digital binoculars are born out of HIKMICRO's refusal to accept the traditional twilight limitations. HABROK 4K has rewritten the rules of low-light hunting, enabling hunters to enjoy crystal-clear viewing from daylight to total darkness - it's not just a hunting tool, it's a movement. HIKMICRO HABROK 4K - The First Choice Digital and Thermal Binocular for Deer Hunters HIKMICRO developed the HABROK 4K by listening to hunters. This collaboration with the global hunting community means that HABROK 4K's ultra-refined twilight performance is based on real-world feedback from the people who are putting their kit to the ultimate test. That's why HABROK 4K has superseded traditional binoculars to become the go-to choice for hunters who demand the best performance in the toughest twilight scenarios. Twilight Tracking: Outperforming Optical Binoculars While other optics fail as the sun sinks beneath the hills, HABROK 4K rises to the challenge to become the ultimate low-light hunting companion. Outperforming traditional 10x56 binoculars with its 95% light transmission, it excels where the rest falter. Just like the wary buck emerging cautiously from cover in the fading light, HABROK 4K is now in its natural environment - cutting through the darkness to reveal the secrets of the twilight world. Where others see only blackness, HABROK 4K shows the finest detail - sharp and bright with the clearest definition. 4K UHD: Vivid Colors to Twilight While conventional optics reduce the golden glow of sunset to murky greys, HABROK 4K reveals the great outdoors in all its glory, bringing it to life in vivid full color 4K UHD. Nothing goes unseen; the chestnut hue and fine texture of the deer's coat, the subtle twitch of foliage on the woodland edge, and the glint of the last fiery rays catching the buck's antlers as it pauses to sniff the cool evening air. Apart from serving as important signs for the distant hunter watching from the hill, these details add to the thrill of the hunt. Twilight is the canvas on which HABROK 4K works its magical artistry, immersing you in the beauty of nature and creating memories that will last a lifetime. HIKMICRO EIS Stability: Precision at High Magnification The fading light gives the buck confidence to venture from the cover of the woods. The hunter zooms in closer, tracking every cautious step as the deer leaves its woodland sanctuary to feed on the open field. Even at high (22x) magnification, HABROK 4K's advanced Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) keeps the view rock steady. The hunter's hands are trembling from the exertion of the climb and the excitement of encountering such a worthy adversary, yet the image is unfaltering. A distant target and thumping pulse make no difference, the view through HABROK 4K remains smooth and stable, leaving the hunter free from distraction and fully focused on the drama of the twilight hunt. HABROK 4K is an All-In-One Solution: Making Easy Work of Day, Night and Twilight The buck moves behind a rocky outcrop, forcing the hunter to shift position to maintain visual contact. The HABROK 4K is light and compact, combining all viewing options in a single package. Free from the burden of carrying multiple optics, the hunter moves with ease to follow his quarry. From a new vantage point, the hunter switches HABROK 4K from full-color 5.5-22x60 binocular to thermal viewing. The buck's heat profile stands out like a beacon and the hunt resumes. Now the hunter switches HABROK 4K to night mode, utilizing its integral IR illuminator to banish the darkness. A pin-sharp monochrome image confirms that this is the beast the hunter wants. HABROK 4K's 1000m built-in laser rangefinder reveals exact distance to target. The hunter takes aim and the twilight adventure comes to a successful conclusion as the moon rises over the wild landscape. Twilight is the ultimate test in the hunt for the last five minutes, HABROK 4K has passed with flying colors. HIKMICRO - Pioneering the Future, One Sunset at a Time The hunt reaches its most critical point during the magical moments between day and night. HABROK 4K becomes an essential tool for success in these vital final five minutes of daylight, buying the hunter valuable extra time when traditional binoculars are no longer of use. With superior low-light performance, full-color 4K UHD imaging, and stability powered by advanced EIS technology, HABROK 4K continues to provide clear viewing in the fading light - when successful hunters need it most. Whether watching a buck as it creeps out from cover or tracking a deer moving swiftly across a twilight field, HABROK 4K ensures that no detail is missed. Own the hunt by entering the new season with the No.1 choice for all-day, all-light hunting excellence: HABROK 4K. The Legacy Continues - New HABROK 4K model coming in May HIKMICRO never stands still and works tirelessly to deliver the best digital and thermal hunting solutions on the market. The next step in the journey of all-light domination is a 4K upgrade for the HABROK HQ35L 5.5-22x. This model has been refined in line with feedback received direct from leading deer hunters. Breathtaking day, twilight and night viewing are ensured by a 640 thermal detector with 20mK NETD and 4K UHD image resolution. The long list of features includes 250m identification range, 1000m laser range finder, detachable IR illuminator, video and audio recording. HABROK 4K truly is the all-in-one deer hunting solution, delivering the highest level of performance by day and during the vital minutes of twilight. Share Your Twilight Highlights and Bag a Binocular Harness Join the movement by using the Last5minsofdaytimedeerhunting tag when you share your twilight hunting highlights with the HABROK 4K on social media. HIKMICRO is even offering the chance to get a free binocular harness while supporting international wildlife conservation. To take part in the Bag the Deal, Share the Care offer, simply purchase the HIKMICRO HABROK 4K HE25L/LN 5.5-22x60 from April 22 to June 30 2025 and complete registration via the official HIKMICRO website: https://www.hikmicrotech.com. You get a free binocular harness and HIKMICO will donate 1 to The International Council for Wildlife Conservation so you can share the care while owning the Last5minsofdaytimedeerhunting. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2663525/PR__HABROK_4K_KV.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2663526/PR_HABROK_4K_Kmsg.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/how-deer-hunters-are-rewriting-the-rules-of-twilight-with-hikmicro-habrok-4k-302434549.html New York, US (PANA) - As the planet heats up and the push to decarbonise gathers pace, Indigenous Peoples long among the worlds most effective environmental stewards are once again being left behind, a new UN report reveals TSX and OTC: MPVD TORONTO and NEW YORK, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province" or the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) (OTC: MPVD) announces today that the Company has mailed and filed its notice of meeting, management information circular (the "Circular") and related documents (collectively, the "Meeting Materials") to the holders (the "Shareholders") of common shares of the Company (the "Shares") in connection with the annual and special meeting of Shareholders to be held virtually meetnow.global/MC9DXS6 at 11:00 a.m. (EST) on May 16, 2025 (the "Meeting"). The Meeting Materials will be filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and will be accessible on the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com. In addition, to the routine matters of the election of directors, approval of the financial statements and the appointment of the Company's auditor, at the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to pass an ordinary resolution (the "WCF Resolution") approving a new working capital facility (the "ProposedWCF") from Dunebridge Worldwide Ltd. ("Dunebridge"), a related party of the Company, in the amount of CAD33,000,000, or the USD equivalent amount (the "Principal Amount"). The Company expects that, combined with the Company's recently completed refinancing transactions announced on February 19, 2025 and March 25, 2025 (the "Refinancing Transactions"), the Proposed WCF will address the majority of the Company's cash flow requirements through the balance of the 2025 calendar year at currently modelled diamond prices. Specifically, the Proposed WCF will allow the Company to finance its near-term share of operational expenses at the Gahcho Kue diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, the joint venture in which the Company holds a 49% interest and its joint venture partner of De Beers Canada Inc. ("De Beers") holds the remaining 51% interest. Mark Wall, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Mountain Province is grateful to have the continued support of Mr. Dermot Desmond, through Dunebridge, to meet the Company's current working capital requirements." Terms of the Proposed WCF On April 17, 2025, the Company entered into a non-binding term sheet with Dunebridge, setting the terms of the Proposed WCF (the "Term Sheet"). Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the Company may draw down against the Proposed WCF for a period of six months commencing on or about May 16, 2025. The Proposed WCF will mature on June 30, 2026. Drawn down amounts under the Proposed WCF will be subject to interest at a rate of 10.5% per annum (the "Facility Interest"). Interest at a rate of 7% per annum will be payable on the undrawn amounts (the "Commitment Fee Interest"). The Proposed WCF will have a facility fee of USD$1 million (the "Facility Fee"), payable in cash on maturity. Interest at a rate of 10.5% per annum will accrue on the Facility Fee from the date of the first draw down on the Proposed WCF. Penalty interest at a rate of 2.5% on top of the Facility Interest will be payable from December 31, 2025 should the Principal Amount or any part thereof not be repaid on or before December 31, 2025. All interest payments will be calculated on an actual/365 day basis and will be capitalized and compounded quarterly beginning on June 30, 2025. The Principal Amount outstanding must be repaid in full on or before December 31, 2025. The Facility Fee, Facility Interest and Commitment Fee Interest must be paid in full on or before June 30, 2026. The minimum initial draw down amount on the Proposed WCF is USD10 million, and thereafter, the Company must draw down on the Proposed WCF in increments of at least USD1 million. Any amounts repaid under the Proposed WCF may be re-borrowed on a revolving basis. During the term of the Proposed WCF, the Company is required to direct all proceeds from its diamond sales to Dunebridge to repay the Principal Amount then outstanding. Proceeds received by Dunebridge in excess of the Principal Amount then outstanding are to be paid to the Company within five (5) business days of receipt of such proceeds. Subject to settling the definitive terms of the Proposed WCF and the satisfaction of all conditions precedent to funding, including receipt of all regulatory and shareholder approvals, the Proposed WCF is expected to be made available to the Company on or about May 16, 2025, concurrently with the conclusion of the Shareholder Meeting. There can be no assurance that the Proposed WCF will be completed on the terms described herein or at all, in which case, the Company's future as a going concern will be in serious doubt. Definitive Documentation The Proposed WCF will be documented as an amendment (the "WCF Amendment") to the bridge secured facility agreement which the Company entered into with Dunebridge, as lender and administrative agent and the guarantors named therein on February 24, 2025 as part of the Company's recently completed series of refinancing transactions (the "Bridge Facility Agreement"). As such, it is intended that the covenants, events of default and security interests under the Bridge Facility Agreement will apply equally to the Proposed WCF. Insider and Related Party Participation Mr. Dermot Desmond, through Vertigol Unlimited Company ("Vertigol"), is the ultimate beneficial holder of 75,446,071 Shares (the "Vertigol Shares"), representing over 35% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares, and accordingly, an "insider" of the Company (as determined under the TSX Company Manual (the "Manual")) and a "related party" (as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")). Dunebridge, is also ultimately beneficially held by Mr. Desmond, which makes Dunebridge an affiliate of Vertigol, and therefore an insider of the Company under the Manual and a related party of the Company under MI 61-101. The Proposed WCF does not involve the distribution of any equity in the Company and will not affect Mr. Desmond's current equity position. Value of the Consideration to Insiders The Proposed WCF is estimated to result in the payment of consideration to Dunebridge, being the Facility Fee and interest payable on the Proposed WCF, of up to CAD3,647,554 (being the Canadian dollar equivalent of USD2,626,029 as at April 16, 2025) or 31.23% of the market capitalization of the Company based on the market capitalization of CAD11,676,819 as of April 16, 2025, such date being the last full trading day prior to the execution of the Term Sheet. Such consideration, is based on certain assumptions of management of the Company, including: (a) reasonable estimates as to the proceeds expected from the remaining sales cycles of the Company's diamonds in 2025; (b) that Dunebridge will exercise its right to sweep the proceeds from each of the Company's remaining diamond sales cycles and apply such proceeds to the repayment of the Principal Amount then outstanding; (c) that the Company will re-borrow the Principal Amount so repaid within five (5) business days of each such repayment, such that the Company will incur the Commitment Fee Interest during such five-business day period; (d) the foreign exchange rate of 1.3890 as at April 16, 2025, contemplated at the time of such assumptions; as published by the Bank of Canada, and (e) that the Company will repay the Principal Amount on or prior to December 31, 2025. The Company previously disclosed that the Refinancing Transactions would result in consideration to the insiders and related parties involved in the Refinancing Transactions of up to 229.14% of the market capitalization of the Company as of February 21, 2025. Together, the total consideration to insiders and related parties of the Company under the Refinancing Transactions and the Proposed WCF is expected to be up to 260.37% of the market capitalization of the Company. Review and Approval Process The Proposed WCF was considered by the same special committee (the "Special Committee") of independent directors of the Company (the "Board") created to consider the Refinancing Transaction. The Special Committee reviewed the Term Sheet, and upon input from Ernst & Young LLP, as financial advisor, owing in material part to the financial condition of the Company, and various other factors, recommended that the Board approve the Proposed WCF, enter into the Term Sheet and that management of the Company proceed with negotiating the definitive terms of the WCF Amendment. Disinterested Shareholder Approval Requirements The Proposed WCF requires disinterested shareholder approval pursuant to section 501(c) of the TSX Company Manual as the aggregate value of the consideration to insiders or related parties of the Company under the Proposed WCF and the Refinancing Transactions exceed 10% of the market capitalization of the Company. To meet the TSX's disinterested shareholder approval requirements, the Company requires the approval of a simple majority of the votes cast on the WCF Resolution by Shareholders attending the Meeting virtually or by proxy, with the votes attached to the Vertigol Shares excluded from such vote on the WCF Resolution The Proposed WCF is also subject to the final acceptance of the TSX under Section 501(c) of the Manual and is conditional upon receipt of the disinterested shareholder approval in accordance with the Manual. Similarly, under MI 61-101, the Proposed WCF, as a related party transaction, requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders attending the Meeting virtually or by proxy, excluding from such vote Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised by certain prescribed persons (the "MI 61-101 Minority Shareholder Approval Requirement"). Shares held by any person who is a related party of Dunebridge (subject to certain exclusions), will be excluded for the purposes of calculating the requisite Shareholder approval on the WCF Resolution to meet the MI 61-101 Minority Shareholder Approval Requirement. For this purpose, the Vertigol Shares, 623,792 Shares held by Mr. Jonathan Comerford, 30,000 Shares held by Mr. Brett Desmond and 352,624 Shares held by Arkendale Investments Ltd. (a company that is beneficially controlled by Mr. Brett Desmond), representing in the aggregate a 36.0% interest in the Company, will be excluded from the vote on the WCF Resolution for the purposes of MI 61-101. Right of First Refusal The Proposed WCF is subject to the amended and restated indenture (the "A&R Indenture") entered into between Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the Company and the guarantors named therein on March 18, 2025 in respect of the Company's Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2027 (the "Second Lien Notes"). Under the A&R Indenture, the Company is prohibited from entering into any "working capital facility" (which includes the Proposed WCF), without first providing notice to holders of the Second Lient Notes (the "Noteholders") in accordance with the procedures in the A&R Indenture (the "ROFR Process"). The Noteholders who are entitled to participate in the ROFR Process notified the Company that they do not wish to participate in the Proposed WCF. Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders Only holders of Shares of record as of the close of business on April 10, 2025, the record date for the Meeting, are entitled to receive notice of, attend (virtually) and vote at, the Meeting. Non-registered Shareholders (holders who hold their Shares through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, custodian, nominee or other intermediary) must appoint themselves as a proxyholder to be able to participate, vote and asks questions at the Meeting. Detailed instructions on how to participate, vote and ask questions at the Meeting are included in the Meeting Materials. About Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers in the GK Mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. The Gahcho Kue joint venture property consists of several kimberlites that are actively being mined, developed, and explored for future development. The Company also controls more than 96,000 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and leases surrounding the GK Mine that include an indicated mineral resource for the Kelvin kimberlite and inferred mineral resources for the Faraday kimberlites. For further information on Mountain Province Diamonds and to receive news releases by email, visit the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: the timing of the Meeting, the terms of the Proposed WCF; the anticipated benefits of the Proposed WCF on the Company's cash flow position; the expected outcome on the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern if the Proposed WCF is not consummated; the use of proceeds from diamond sales; expectations as to how the Proposed WCF will be drawn down and repaid; disinterested shareholder approval requirements under the Manual and MI 61-101 and the value of the consideration to insiders and related parties. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include the negotiating stances taking by the parties; the ability to obtain approval of regulators, parties and shareholders, as may be required; satisfaction of the conditions acceptable to the parties; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR+, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Although Mountain Province 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 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. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mountain-province-diamonds-announces-mailing-of-meeting-materials-for-annual-and-special-meeting-of-shareholders-to-approve-additional-working-capital-facility-302438066.html Brisbane, Queensland, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Limited (TSXV: GMG) ("GMG" or the "Company") provides a quarterly update with respect to the Company's previously announced "at-the-market" equity program (the "ATM Program") launched on June 13, 2024. The ATM Program allows the Company to issue and sell, from time to time, up to C$20,000,000 of its ordinary shares ("Ordinary Shares") from treasury to the public, at the Company's discretion, pursuant to an equity distribution agreement between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation (the "Agent"). During the quarterly period ended March 31, 2025, the Company issued a total of 866,500 Ordinary Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") at an average price of C$0.7965 per share under the ATM Program, providing gross proceeds of C$690,196.80. Commissions of C$20,705.90 were paid to the Agent in relation to these distributions, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of C$669,490.90. For further details on the ATM Program, see the Company's news release dated June 14, 2024. About GMG www.graphenemg.com GMG is a clean-technology company which seeks to offer energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene, including that manufactured in-house via a proprietary production process. GMG has developed a proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications. The Company's present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC-R") coating (or energy-saving paint), lubricants and fluids. In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of G+AI Batteries. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249768 SOURCE: Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. Irvine, California and Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) (FSE: 34Q0) ("QeM" or the "Company"), a leader in quantum-powered cybersecurity solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Helen Woo as Vice President of Business Development. Ms. Woo will play a key role in driving strategic growth initiatives as part of the Company's accelerated expansion into the U.S. market. Helen Woo brings a distinguished track record in corporate development, with deep expertise in navigating complex financial ecosystems and forging high-impact relationships across the public and private sectors. Her accomplishments have been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Senate, underscoring her leadership and civic engagement. In 2023, she was named Ambassador of the Year by the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, and most recently honored as Ambassador of the Month by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce in February 2025. "Helen's appointment is a strategic addition to our U.S. team at a critical time," said John Young, COO of Quantum eMotion America (QeMA) -QeM's newly established U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Irvine, California. "Her proven ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships, identify growth pathways, and champion innovation will directly support our mission to provide quantum-secure cybersecurity solutions to organizations preparing for tomorrow's digital threats." Commenting on her new role, Helen Woo said: "Quantum eMotion is tackling one of the most urgent challenges of our time-securing the digital world against quantum threats. I'm excited to help advance its mission and build lasting partnerships that drive impact and innovation." Ms. Woo will work alongside newly appointed Senior Vice President Farrah N. Khan and COO John Young at QeMA. With its vibrant technology ecosystem, proximity to key defense and enterprise markets, and a deep pool of technical talent, Southern California is a strategic launchpad for QeM's continued commercialization and growth in North America. Quantum eMotion's proprietary quantum random number generation (QRNG) technology is engineered to protect digital systems against both current and future threats, including those posed by quantum computing. The Company is actively working with partners across healthcare, blockchain, and critical infrastructure to integrate next-generation cryptographic solutions. About Quantum eMotion The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware and software security for connected devices. Thanks to its patented Quantum Random Number Generator, QeM has become a pioneering force in classical and quantum cybersecurity solutions. This security solution exploits quantum mechanics' built-in unpredictability and promises to provide enhanced protection for high-value assets and critical systems. The Company intends to target highly valued Financial Services, Healthcare, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Krown Technologies and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Corporation's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Quantum from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249769 SOURCE: Quantum eMotion Corp. To all Gate.io users and partners, Twelve years ago, I took the first step toward building Gate.io, driven by curiosity and a deep fascination for the world of crypto. Today, I'm honored to announce that Gate.io has reached its 12th anniversary. With this milestone, we are officially introducing our new Chinese brand name: "Damen" (??, meaning "The Gate"). Looking back on this journey, our growth and achievements have only been possible thanks to the unwavering trust and support from all of our global users and partners. As the saying goes, "Twelve years marks a full cycle." With a renewed sense of openness and conviction, we are stepping into a new era, one that belongs to the evolving world of Web3. Twelve years ago, we opened a gate. A gate to financial freedom. A gate for innovators, explorers, and builders in the crypto space. In 2013, this industry was still in its early, chaotic stages. Yet, driven by our belief in blockchain technology and a decentralized future, we set out to build a secure, transparent, and fair platform for digital asset trading. Twelve years on, Gate.io stands as one of the leading crypto ecosystems worldwide. We have seen the highs and lows of this industry. We've grown rapidly in bull markets and remained true to our mission through bear markets. We've expanded steadily from centralized trading to a broader decentralized ecosystem, from building infrastructure to active venture investment. Today, Gate.io is more than an exchange. It is a trusted safe haven for users around the world and a thriving blockchain ecosystem. What have we done right over the past twelve years? Relentless innovation, led by curiosity Twelve years ago, in a small studio, I quietly launched Bter, the predecessor of Gate.io. Since childhood, I have been drawn to technology and hands-on experimentation. My father encouraged me to explore freely and never stop asking questions. I spent countless weekends reading in bookstores. At one point, I had disassembled nearly every electronic device at home. Instead of stopping me, my father encouraged me to explore boldly. After middle school, I received my first computer. That moment sparked my passion for coding. By university, I was already developing websites and applications, some of which gained notable traction. Reading the Bitcoin whitepaper for the first time struck me deeply. I was instantly captivated. My first Bitcoin transaction happened on a forum. I was scammed, but that moment planted a seed that this space needed a platform that could offer fairness, transparency, and security. That conviction stayed with me. While doing my postdoctoral research, I created Bter, aiming to bring fairness, security and reliability to the crypto space. Technology was not a major obstacle for me. When we first started, I was the only one holding up the whole platform. In the early days, I handled everything myself, from product and marketing to community and support. Looking back, it was a time filled with challenges and unexpected joy. I spent time on every corner of the forums, listening, learning, and moving quickly. My first instinct at the time was to respond proactively and quickly to industry innovations and emerging trends. That instinct became my personal understanding of "blockchain speed." It's a habit I've maintained for over 12 years. In 2013, Gate.io was one of the first platforms in the world to list DOGE. That decision brought a wave of users. At one point, over 90% of DOGE's trading volume and more than half its supply were on our platform. When others dismissed it, we embraced it. To this day, I remain proud of that choice. Innovation has always been the soul of Gate.io. We led the way with many firsts-from Wallet.io, Gate Live, Tasks, and Chatroom, to more recent innovations such as Bots and the Pilot Section. As early as 2014, we designed and patented a fingerprint-based hardware wallet. Today, we hold hundreds of such innovations and technologies across our ecosystem. I have consistently encouraged my team to foster the spirit of innovation and have never hesitated to invest in product development and innovation. For me, innovation is not a buzzword. It is a way of thinking, a daily habit as easy as breathing. That mindset not only completes myself, but also Gate.io. And the spirit of innovation continues to power Gate.io. Security-first, steady always This industry is full of innovation and opportunity, but risk never disappears. The recent wave of security breaches, whether involving stolen assets from centralized exchanges or vulnerabilities in DeFi protocols, has brought the issue of security back to the forefront of the Web3 ecosystem. I often remind our team that although we are fortunate to be in a high-growth industry, we must always stay vigilant. Opportunity and risk go hand in hand. At Gate.io, protecting user assets has always been our top priority. This is not just a responsibility, but a fundamental principle we have upheld over time. In 2020, we proposed and open-sourced a Merkle Tree-based Proof of Reserves model. We believed the industry needed more transparency, and we acted before it became standard. Only after the FTX collapse in 2022 did the model gain wide adoption. Our philosophy is clear. Security always comes first. Users always come first. We have built a layered protection framework, from cold wallet management and multi-signature technology to 24/7 global monitoring and risk warning mechanism. We believe long-term value can only be built on long-term trust. Sustainable growth, through cycles In twelve years, we have witnessed the entire arc of blockchain development. From the early, chaotic days to the rise of DeFi. It was during this time that the DeFi ecosystem witnessed exponential growth, and Gate.io emerged as one of the top three platforms globally, playing a pivotal role in leading the industry's momentum. Gate.io has evolved through three major cycles. From rapid user growth, to innovation-driven expansion, to today's focus on stability and strategic positioning. We have emerged as one of the top exchanges globally. Throughout this journey, Gate.io has remained committed to steady and reliable growth, achieving remarkable milestones, including millions of users across our ecosystem and a continuously expanding global user base. We now offer the most diverse asset listing of any CEX, with over 3,800 tokens. In 2025, Gate.io has firmly established itself among the top tier of global crypto platforms. We regularly publish our reserve statistics, and now our total reserves exceed $10.328 billion, ranking us Top 4 globally, demonstrating our strong financial stability. Our platform token GT reached an all-time high of $25.96, increasing nearly 70% since the start of the year, and entering the Top 40 by market cap. Gate.io's programs like Launchpool and HODLer Airdrop continue to deliver user value. Launchpool alone has distributed over $20.36 million in rewards, launching more than 140 projects. Gate's comprehensive ecosystem upgrade, an all-in-one crypto experience Over the past year, the Gate ecosystem has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, expanding rapidly to cover the full spectrum of Web3 services and accelerating its transformation into a one-stop platform. Gate Web3 now supports almost 200 major blockchains. In the TON ecosystem, we were among the first to launch the Gate Mini App and Gate Wallet Mini App. These efforts have driven over one million monthly active users, placing us at the forefront of the ecosystem. We have launched the innovative MemeBox2.0, which allows users to seamlessly purchase trending on-chain meme tokens directly using their spot accounts with just one click. By combining the efficiency and convenience of CEXs with the asset diversity of DEXs, MemeBox2.0 delivers a secure Web3 trading experience to users. We have also continued optimizing our global payment network, enhancing on- and off-ramp access across regions. The Gate Card now supports multiple fiat currencies, with user growth of 327% and a 22x increase in top-up volume. Our goal is to make the crypto world more open, efficient, and user-friendly, enabling anyone to seamlessly begin their on-chain journey. At the same time, Gate Ventures has expanded its strategic investments globally, focusing on web3 quality sectors and investing in several high-potential long-term value projects. With over $300 million in AUM and more than 100 portfolio projects, Gate Ventures provides not only capital, but also strategic support, ecosystem integration, and long-term mentorship. By empowering early-stage innovators, we are helping build a more prosperous and dynamic Web3 landscape. Advanced global presence, built with strategic foresight Gate.io has always pursued global expansion with a long-term, forward-thinking vision. This year, we deepened our brand influence through bold cross-industry collaborations. From sponsoring FC Internazionale Milano to becoming an official sponsor of Oracle Red Bull Racing in Formula 1, we are forging powerful connections with top-tier global brands and expanding our visibility across new verticals. We are also leading the way in global compliance efforts. Gate Group has achieved positive progress in regulatory licenses across the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. In addition, we completed the acquisition of Coin Master, a licensed exchange in Japan, through one of our group entities this year. For years, we've invested heavily in building compliant operational entities in key jurisdictions. This ensures our platform continues to provide users with a secure and trusted trading environment worldwide. We believe compliance is the foundation of sustainable growth, and each step we take reinforces our commitment to longevity and user protection. Our global expansion is also powered by a world-class team. In recent years, we have attracted top talent from across the globe to drive innovation, optimize products, and scale new markets. These strategic moves are positioning Gate.io not only as a top exchange, but also as a long-term leader in shaping the future of the crypto industry. Twelve years is a milestone. It is also a new beginning. Gate.io is committed to opening the gateway to a new era for users around the world, ushering in a more open, more intelligent, and more connected crypto future. We are undergoing a comprehensive brand upgrade, redefining Gate.io's future not merely as a trading platform, but the super gateway between blockchain and the real world. Looking ahead, Gate.io will: Deepen its commitment to Web3 by accelerating the adoption of decentralized technologies, enhancing core infrastructure, and building a more open and permissionless digital ecosystem. Expand globally with a focus on compliance, strengthening cooperation with regulators worldwide to promote responsible innovation and ensure a secure, trustworthy trading environment for all users. Continue to drive innovation across key areas such as trading, payments, and asset management, making crypto a seamless part of everyday life. Cultivate a globally competitive team culture by attracting and empowering visionary talents, ensuring long-term growth through efficient, mission-driven collaboration. Strengthen cross-sector collaboration, working with quality projects, developer communities, regulators, and technical alliances to promote ecosystem interoperability, standards building, and global understanding of blockchain technology. Accelerate global brand influence through cross-industry partnerships and international platforms. Partner with top global brands and actively participate in international platforms, bringing blockchain into the spotlight of the mainstream audience. Twelve years of shared growth and resilience. Here, I want to sincerely thank every user, partner, and team member who has supported us along the way. Twelve years ago, we knocked on the gate to the crypto world. Twelve years later, we are still standing here, stronger, seeing an even broader future ahead. In the next twelve years, we won't just be opening the gateway to crypto, but also stepping into a new era of crypto together with you. The gate is open. The future is here. Gate.io is ready to build this extraordinary journey with you. Dr. Han Founder & CEO, Gate.io Disclaimer: This content does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation. You should always seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Gate.io may restrict or prohibit certain services in specific jurisdictions. For more details, please read the User Agreement: https://www.gate.io/user-agreement. Media Contact: Elaine Wang at elaine.w@gate.io SOURCE: Gate Global, Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Total Helium Ltd. (TSXV: TOH) (FSE: Y02) (the "Company") announces that effective at the close of markets on April 28, 2025, a series of 25,000,000 common share purchase warrants (the "Warrant") currently listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") under the ticker symbol "TOH.WT.A" will be delisted (the "Delisting"). The Warrants were previously issued by the Company in connection with a private placement financing and are exercisable to acquire an equivalent number of common shares of the Company at a price of $0.75 per share until May 1, 2025. The Company is Delisting the Warrants in order to facilitate an amendment (the "Amendment") to the terms of the Warrants. As previously announced, the Company intends to consolidate its common share capital on a ten-for-one-basis (the "Consolidation"). Following the Consolidation, the number of Warrants would be reduced to 2,500,000 and the exercise price adjusted to $7.50. Under the proposed terms of the Amendment, following the Consolidation, the exercise price of the Amended Warrants would be reduced to $0.25 post-Consolidation ($0.025 pre-Consolidation) and the term would be extended by an additional three years until May 1, 2028. In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, in the event the closing price of the post-Consolidation common shares of the Company exceeds $0.3125 for a period of ten consecutive trading days the term of the Warrants will be automatically accelerated and they will expire after thirty calendar days. The policies of the Exchange do not permit amendments to the terms of share purchase warrants while they are listed for trading on the Exchange. As a result, to facilitate the Amendment the Company applied to the Exchange to voluntarily complete the Delisting. In accordance with the policies of the Exchange, the Company is required to obtain the approval of the holders of the Warrants prior to completion of the Delisting. The Company obtained this approval through the written consent of holders of the majority of the outstanding Warrants, after excluding any Warrants held by promoters, directors, officers and insiders of the Company and their respective associates and affiliates. Completion of the Consolidation and the Amendment remain subject to the approval of the Exchange. In the event the Consolidation and the Amendment are completed, the Warrants will not be relisted for trading on the Exchange. In the event the Amendment is not completed, the Warrants will automatically expire as scheduled on May 1, 2025. Trading in the Warrants has been halted on the Exchange and is expected to remain halted until completion of the Delisting. ABOUT TOTAL HELIUM LTD. Total Helium is a helium exploration and production company with interests in the prolific Holbrook basin of Arizona. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.totalhelium.com). Forward Looking Statements Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249748 SOURCE: Total Helium Ltd. Tourism is booming in Panama, which is helping to fuel investor interest in Panama's well-established real estate market. Panama Tourism Boom Attracts Property Investors From 2022 to 2024, the number of visitors grew by 43%, from 1.9 million to 2.8 million a year, according to recently released data from Panama's Ministry of Tourism. In recent years, the government has been actively investing in tourism, which has been viewed as a relatively untapped gold mine, considering the country's natural beauty , easy airline access , and dollar-based economy. One side effect of the tourism boom: is a surge in interest in Panama's fast-growing real estate market , according to Duncan McGowan, CEO of Punta Pacifica Realty (PPR), the largest, sales, rental, and property management firm in Panama City. "We often see a direct correlation between tourism and international property sales," McGowan said. "Many of those visitors come back, stay longer, and become our future renters and buyers." Property investors are also tracking the growing preference for alternative accommodations. According to Yovana Segarra, president of Panama's Hotel Association, a significant percentage of tourists are opting for Airbnb or private accommodations instead of hotels. In recent years, rental rates in Panama City's most sought-after buildings have been rising, as demand increases for top apartments. "The convergence of trends suggests that this is a prime opportunity for investing in Panama," says PPR managing director Jeff Barton. "Sophisticated investors are moving away from markets in turmoil and seeking the stability and growth potential that can only be found in Panama." The growth of the tourism and real estate industry is converging in several hot markets. In downtown Panama City, there is new energy around the financial district of Obarrio, where a "superblock" is emerging around the new headquarters for CAF (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean), and MOVA , a landmark project designed by the prestigious Italian brand B&B Italia. Punta Pacifica Realty is also representing resort developments in Playa Caracol , a stunning white-sand beach just 70 minutes from the capital. Big projects are under construction, and the internationally recognized Radisson brand has already established a presence with its hotel. Playa Caracol has been compared to Tulum or Costa Rica before the burst in international tourism. The surrounding area - an eco-paradise for surfing, fishing , birding, kayaking, and hiking - has all the ingredients to attract international tourists and property investors. For those interested in learning more about Panama - its culture, tax system, healthcare services, and more - be sure to check out A Spotlight to Panama , a YouTube series showcasing the country's unique charm. To explore available properties with Punta Pacifica Realty, visit our website . Contact Information Sandy Chan Project Manager - Punta Pacifica Realty sandy@puntapacificarealty.com + (507) 6793-8160 Contact Information Duncan McGowan President of Punta Pacifica Realty sales@puntapacificarealty.com +1-786-528-3080 SOURCE: Punta Pacifica Realty OMP, a leading provider of supply chain planning solutions, invites attendees of the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2025 to attend Johnson & Johnson's featured session. The presentation will highlight how the J&J Innovative Medicine division is transforming its supply chain to tackle global challenges using OMP's Unison Planning. In this session, Joseph Bitterman, Vice President of Supply Chain Planning at Johnson & Johnson, will share how the Innovative Medicine division is driving a transformative planning initiative together with OMP. By leveraging advanced planning systems, agile practices, and AI-driven innovations, the division is boosting collaboration and delivering real results. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into this journey and walk away with actionable takeaways to elevate their own supply chain planning strategies. The Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2025, taking place May 5-7 in Orlando, brings together global supply chain leaders to explore strategies for navigating supply chain volatility and driving future readiness. This year's focus is on managing risk and responding to disruptions to ensure business continuity and operational excellence despite ongoing uncertainty. As a platinum sponsor of the conference, OMP invites attendees to visit booth 431 to learn more about Unison Planning. OMP's industry experts and leadership will be available to discuss today's pressing supply chain challenges and share how their solutions address complexity and deliver real results. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from Johnson & Johnson and discover how supply chain planning solutions like Unison Planning can help drive agility in today's disruptive world. Session at a glance Title: OMP: Transforming Johnson & Johnson's supply chain planning to navigate uncertainty Speaker: Joseph Bitterman, VP of Supply Chain Planning at Johnson & Johnson's Innovative Medicine division When: Monday, May 5, 2025, at 4:00 PM EDT Where: Orlando, Florida, Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Northern Hemisphere E To see where you can meet OMP next, visit their events calendar here. About OMP OMP helps companies facing complex planning challenges excel, grow, and thrive by offering the best digitized supply chain planning solution on the market. Hundreds of customers in a wide range of industries - spanning consumer goods, life sciences, chemicals, metals, paper, plastics and packaging - benefit from using OMP's unique Unison Planning platform. Contact Information Philip Vervloesem Chief Commercial & Markets Officer pvervloesem@omp.com +1-770-956-2723 SOURCE: OMP WUHU, China, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 24, 2025, Chery officially unveiled its new brand LEPAS, showcasing the debut model L8 at a global launch event themed "COLORFUL LIFE, MASTERFUL DRIVE." Over 800 key dealers and leading media representatives worldwide witnessed the milestone. Positioned as Chery's strategic cornerstone for "elevated positioning, enhanced value, and market growth," LEPAS pioneers the vision of "elegant mobility," aiming to reshape the future mobility ecosystem through intelligent technology and aesthetic design. Zhang Guibing, President of Chery International, announced LEPAS will launch five models within three years. The product rollout will commence with the segment-defining SUV L8 launching in December 2025, followed by the A-class urban L6 targeting metropolitan elites and the agile A0-class L4 designed for style-conscious female drivers. LEPAS will pursue global market expansion through diversified strategies, targeting a worldwide network of 1,200 sales outlets and annual production and sales volume of 500,000 units, thereby creating new growth opportunities for partners. Backed by Chery's global R&D network and technology expertise, LEPAS is built on four foundational pillars: Leopard Aesthetics Design, Luxurious Space, Intelligent Safety, and Chery Super Hybrid. LEPAS L8 draws design inspiration from the muscular contours of a sprinting leopard, masterfully blending dynamic aesthetics with mechanical philosophy. Its distinctive vertical-pupil headlights and minimalist interactive cockpit create a perfect balance between power and elegance. The vehicle achieves groundbreaking advancements in intelligent systems, safety features, and scenario adaptability, fulfilling users' dual aspirations for cutting-edge technology and sophisticated aesthetics. "LEPAS will innovate upon Chery's technology base to revolutionize human-vehicle interaction through intelligent solutions, delivering premium yet value-driven mobility experiences for users worldwide," stated Zhong Wei, Deputy CEO of LEPAS. Through LEPAS's global expansion, Chery marks its strategic evolution from automotive manufacturer to mobility lifestyle trendsetter, poised to reshape the global automotive value landscape with elegant approach. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673392/L8_LEPAS_Launch_Event.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chery-lepas-makes-global-debut-redefining-future-mobility-with-elegant-technology-302438392.html ISTANBUL, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronesans Holding, one of Europe's leading contracting and investment groups, has initiated one of the largest private sector investments in Turkiye to date: the construction of a new Polypropylene (PP) Production Plant and Liquid Bulk Terminal in Ceyhan. With a total investment of $2 billion, these strategic projects aim to increase Turkiye's industrial self-sufficiency, reduce foreign dependency, and enhance the country's position in global trade. Dr. Erman Ilicak, Honorary President of Ronesans Holding, said: "Once operational, these projects will directly contribute USD 300 million annually to reducing Turkiye's current account deficit." Ronesans Holding recently announced that it has secured total of $1.3 billion in financing for these projects -from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Spain's Export Credit Agency (Cesce). Dr. Ilicak highlighted the group's longstanding role in advancing Turkiye's economy through value-added projects: "Our story began with international contracting services. To date, we have undertaken projects worth a total of USD 50 billion. Seventy per cent of this, approximately USD 35 billion, was carried out abroad, and we have pioneered many firsts in the world in this field. We have worked on a wide range of projects, from Europe's longest tunnel to its tallest building, from the world's largest GTG facility to the world's largest seismically isolated building. Following this, we became a large-scale investment holding company operating in real estate, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and more recently, industrial facilities. Over the past 15 years, with the significant contributions of stakeholders such as the World Bank's investment arm IFC and the EBRD, we have structured our business in line with sustainable development goals." He continued: "Our model is centred on developing the right project with the right partners, and delivering it at the right time. We have successfully implemented this model with partners such as Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, Meridiam Infrastructure from France, Japan's Sojitz, Samsung C&T, and TotalEnergies. Together, we have completed $10 billion worth of investments in Turkiye. These initiatives have laid the foundation for broader transformation, and we will continue to focus on projects that help reduce our country's trade gap." Ceyhan Projects Developed with Expertise from 12 Countries Reflecting on shifting global economic trends, Dr. Ilicak said: "Protectionism is increasing, and supply chains are being reshaped. Energy and production are becoming localised. This transformation holds significant opportunities for countries like ours. In particular, strategic heavy industry investments are needed to reduce the foreign trade deficit arising due to imports of industrial machinery, plastics and chemicals, as well as industrial and precious metals. Over the past 10 years, industrial investments totalling approximately USD 20 billion have been made in Turkiye, including projects worth over USD 500 million. But this is not enough." He further emphasised: "To close the gap, Turkiye needs to allocate at least $12 billion annually over the next five years, totalling $60 billion. If an investment initiative of this scale is undertaken, we could see a USD 15 billion annual increase in GDP and a USD 10 billion reduction in the foreign trade deficit. At Ronesans Holding, we have secured international financing for our Ceyhan Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal investments, totalling USD 2 billion, which serve this very purpose. The construction of these projects, developed in collaboration with expert solution partners from 12 countries, are ongoing. Once operational, these investments will directly contribute USD 300 million annually to reducing Turkiye's current account deficit." Attracting Foreign Investment Through Strong Partnerships Dr. Ilicak also reflected on the importance of international collaborations: "Perhaps the most challenging project we undertook with the EBRD was Turkiye's transformation in healthcare. The EBRD shared its expertise from around the world. As a result, Turkiye was able to attract USD 15 billion in financing from abroad and carry out its healthcare transformation. We also worked with the IFC for many years on project financing. In difficult conditions, IFC has always stood by our side. We have formed company partnerships with them. Most recently, we have been developing a PPP hospital in Kazakhstan together. In every project we have undertaken, the first question they asked was, 'What will be the social impact of this?' Profitability was always the last topic. Those are the reasons why I am grateful to both banks." He concluded: "Our relations with Central Asian countries, in particular, have developed substantially. Then, our ties with African countries began to strengthen. Today, Turkiye has become a hub that serves a population ten times its own, meeting needs such as healthcare and education. We closely follow these developments and ensure that growing diplomatic relations are also reflected in trade. We are working to support the progress of Turkiye's industrialisation initiative. We secure financing from abroad to carry out our projects wherever possible instead of using our country's limited resources." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673351/Ronesans_Holding_President.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673352/Ronesans_Holding_Ceyhan_Polypropylene.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2213961/5287131/ronesans_holding_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2-billion-usd-polypropylene-pp-production-plant-and-terminal-investment-to-contribute-300-million-annually-to-turkiyes-trade-balance-302438408.html Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The recent lengthy prison sentences handed down to 37 people in Tunisia in the "conspiracy" case are a setback for justice and the rule of law, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said on Thursday Global training initiative Shake Your Future has pledged to mint 10,000 mixologists by 2030 Originally published on adweek.com By Robert Klara While AI hasn't booted human bartenders out of their jobs en masse, for the past several years, Bacardi - whose portfolio includes Grey Goose vodka and tequila brand Patron-has been investing its money to help ensure that it doesn't. Bacardi is expanding a global training initiative called Shake Your Future. The program (free of charge for those selected), bestows its graduates with an international bartender certification and has pledged to mint 10,000 mixologists by 2030. In February, it added Glasgow to a long list of European cities where it already operates. "The techniques of being a great bartender [include] the broader skills around hospitality itself," said Alex Tomlin, SVP and head of marketing for Bacardi North America, "which is essentially about customer interaction." Just as artificial intelligence has crept into professions like finance, retail, and content creation, it's been heading for the corner pub, too. In 2019, for example, U.K. startup DataSparq debuted its AI Bar, which uses facial-recognition technology to serve patrons in the order they walked in the door. Last year, Diageo introduced a digital platform called What's Your Cocktail?, which uses the company's FlavorPrint AI technology to generate personalized libations. In the back room, meanwhile, AI management app Backbar can crunch customer data to predict demand, control inventory, and order booze. Like many in the business, Tomlin has watched the growth of AI. He appreciates its power to help cut waste, boost margins, and even concoct some novel drink recipes. "But none of that changes the importance of why people go to bars," he told ADWEEK, "which is all about human interaction." In 2022, the liquor giant created Future Proof, a specialized curriculum for students at Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism. The training goes beyond how to pour drinks and into mixology's finer points including cocktail history and spirits distillation. Read more Training barkeeps to future-proof their careers. Bacardi View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bacardi-Martini, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Bacardi-Martini, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bacardi-limited Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Bacardi-Martini, Inc. MUNICH, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dyness, a global pioneering provider of energy storage solutions, is thrilled to announce its participation in Intersolar Europe 2025, taking place from May 7th to 9th at Messe Munchen, Germany. As a prominent player in the energy storage industry, Dyness will showcase its leading-edge energy storage solutions at Booth B2-131, offering visitors an exclusive preview of the future of energy storage. "We are thrilled to via Intersolar Europe and showcase our latest energy storage innovations to the global community," said Aaron Liu, CEO of Dyness. "With our rapid growth in the European market and an expanding network of international partners, we'll remain to be committed to customer-centric innovation, continuously pushing our limits to deliver efficient and reliable green energy solutions." At Intersolar Europe, Dyness will unveil its comprehensive energy storage solutions (ESS), tailored for a wide range of applications - from small-scale systems to large residential and commercial projects. These solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with leading local inverter brands such as Kostal, SMA, Victron, and more. Balcony ESS: Compact, Efficient, and Flexible For those seeking compact and smart ESS, Dyness PowerHI is the new product designed specially for balcony and small-scale energy applications. It features plug-and-play installation and can be expanded to 6 batteries with a maximum capacity of 14.4kWh, which can bring an efficient experience to users. The self-heating function ensures reliable performance in an operating temperature range of -20C to 55C, making it a flexible choice for balcony users. Residential ESS: High Performance for Smart Homes For residential applications, Dyness will showcase a new product line designed to provide safe, reliable and high performance energy storage solutions. The PowerDepot G2 supports up to 50 units in parallel and offers a scalable capacity range from 5.12 kWh to 256 kWh. It comes with a built-in aerosol fire suppression system that detects and extinguishes fires in as little as 5 seconds, providing a high level of safety. With a discharge rate of 1C, it delivers reliable performance even under high power conditions. With its high IP66 protection rating, it can be installed outdoors without fear. In addition, the flagship Tower Pro is easy to install by one person in 15 minutes thanks to its plug-and-play design. Meanwhile, the built-in aerosol fire extinguisher in each module eliminates fire hazards instantly. The heating pad ensures operation at temperatures as low as -20C. Tower Pro also supports continuous 1C fast charge/discharge, allowing it to support high power loads, which is especially important during power outages. What's more, with intelligent cell balancing, Tower Pro supports free mixing of modules within 3 years for easy expansion. Commercial & Industrial ESS Dyness will also exhibite excellent ESS for commercial and industrial applications, available in both indoor and outdoor configurations. For indoor C&I solutions, STACK100 is ideal for small commercial applications, supporting up to 12 clusters in parallel with a maximum capacity of 921 kWh, offering flexibility and scalability to meet growing energy demands. For outdoor C&I solutions, the DH200Y (Liquid-Cooling) and DH200F (Air-Cooling)-all-in-one energy storage systems with IP55 protection level, ensuring reliability even in challenging conditions. DH200F also supports intelligent STS, which can switch between grid-connected and off-grid within 20ms, making the enterprise worry-free about electricity use. After excellent iterative upgrades, Dyness is ready to show new energy storage solutions at Intersolar Europe. Join Dyness at booth B2-131 to explore these advanced energy storage solutions and discover how Dyness can help you optimize your energy usage while contributing to a sustainable future. For more information, please visit www.dyness.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2672307/Mark_calendars_experience_future_energy_solutions_Dyness_Intersolar_Europe_2025.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dyness-is-ready-to-showcase-advanced-energy-storage-solutions-at-intersolar-europe-2025-302437236.html Global superstar Joe Jonas and some of the world's most-followed content creators joined forces at an exclusive event in New York City last night to demonstrate that connecting in real life is one of the easiest ways to disconnect from the sometimes overwhelming world of social media NEW YORK, April 25, 2025teamed up with Dude With Sign (Seth Phillips) in New York City last night to create their latest social post - only this time they did so completely off their socials. Stepping away from their online feeds and into the real world, Jonas and Phillips - who have over 35 million followers between them - were joined by Victoria's Secret models Martha Hunt and Graice Carvalho , Yankees pitcher Luke Weaver , socialite Ivy Getty and high-profile influencers including Lil Cherry and Paul Olima at the 'Off Socials' event at Bleecker Street Bar. In an ironic slant on the digital sphere they dominate, Jonas and Phillips posed in windows decked out to look like Instagram reels to highlight a simple message: the best way to disconnect from the sometimes overwhelming world of social media is to connect in real life. The event celebrated the launch of a new Heineken campaign - SocialOffSocials - following the revelation that half of adults globally (52%) are overwhelmed by the pressure to keep up with social media. In fact, 62% (and 75% of Gen Z) say despite being able to connect with anyone instantly via their phone, they can feel lonely. In the spirit of going offline, Joe Jonas debuted his new track 'Heart by Heart' at the event - using the world's oldest social network, the bar - ahead of releasing it on digital channels. He also filmed part of the new music video at the event in front of the offline crowd to showcase the power of real-life moments over digital ones. Heineken has joined forces with Jonas and the creators in its latest advertising campaign - launching next week - dramatizing how they would react to empty social media feeds if more people were out having a good time IRL. Speaking at the event, Joe Jonas said: "It's so easy to fall into the habit of doomscrolling on your phone - I've definitely been there. We live in a world where everyone's glued to their social media feeds, so I'm excited to be part of this Heineken campaign encouraging people to put their phones down and connect in real life. I chose to debut my new song offline and in-person because it felt like the perfect time to return to what music is really about: connecting with people. The crowd was so real, so present, and completely locked into the music - that is something you can't experience by watching on social media." By teaming up with figures like Jonas and Dude with Sign whose lives are deeply embedded in online culture, Heineken - which has always championed quality socializing - playfully conveys that stepping away from social media makes for a more rewarding social life. Studying the screen time of 17,000 adults worldwide*, Heineken uncovered that the average person now spends approximately 5 hours and 48 minutes per day looking at their device. That equates to a massive 127,020 minutes a year - a full 88 days. The global report into scrolling and socializing habits found that three in five people (59%) across all age-groups say that the amount of time they spend on their phone has increased in the past year. Additional analysis by global research company Statista found that time spent socializing IRL has decreased by 35% over the past 24 years, whereas since the introduction of mobile based social media platforms such as Instagram (2010) and Snapchat (2011), the time we've spent scrolling has more than doubled (+54%)**. Now, nearly half of all adults (47%) would describe themselves as "always online" according to the Heineken report and that the stream of notifications they receive is "constant" (60%). As a result, half (51%) agree that their social battery can feel drained by the amount of time they spend speaking to people online - rising to almost two-thirds (62%) among Gen Z. However, an overwhelming 79% agreed that when they are out socializing they look at their phone less, proving that disconnecting from social media is easier when you are engaging in a more refreshing social life. Two thirds (64%) of people said they wish they could go back to a time when people socialized without smartphones. Nabil Nasser, Global Head of Heineken, said: "At Heineken, we've always believed that the best connections are created in real life. I'm a big fan and participant on social media, but it's also important to take a break and experience things IRL too. This campaign is a gentle reminder that stepping away from our screens can lead to more refreshing and meaningful social experiences, and help us feel less overwhelmed by the constant notifications on our phones. Working with creators - who are by their nature always online - to highlight the solution may seem ironic, but they too realize it's about balance and were as eager as us to encourage IRL socializing. So many people feel overwhelmed by the pressure of constant online engagement, so we want to show how easy it can be to take a break from social media." When you get social, you get off your socials. To find out more visit: https://youtu.be/99GzxjjyRs8 To download imagery of the event visit: https://dam.gettyimages.com/selects/heineken-brand-activation-with-joe-jonas Notes to editors Media contact: Heineken@wearetheromans.com Research: *Heineken commissioned survey of 17,000 adults of legal drinking age across the USA, UK, Spain, Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, India and the UAE. Research conducted by OnePoll, March 2025. Research can be broken down by country and further demographics on request **Worldwide Mobile Phone Usage and Socialization Data, modelled by Statista, March 2025 About Heineken HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ over 85,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY) Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5efe85c9-9b77-4ab4-9476-905d217dc8d4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f38f8ca-89f6-48e7-9c16-12f8a9cceb23 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8f10cbaf-8bc6-4cd5-a19d-a87851db57d5 SHANGHAI, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 23, SERES made a major announcement at Auto Shanghai with the debut of the Intelligent Safety ecosystem. Pioneering a new approach by defining safety through real-world scenarios, SERES sets a new benchmark for intelligent safety in the automotive industry. Pioneering Scenario-Based Safety with Industry-Leading Coverage Across Four Core Domains As the automotive industry advances through intelligent connectivity, electrification, and shared mobility, vehicle safety is undergoing a paradigm shift-from passive safety to "passive + active safety", and now toward all-dimensional protection. Pioneering the industry's first scenario-defined safety philosophy, SERES has developed an intelligent safety ecosystem encompassing four core pillars: life protection, vehicle body protection, health care, and privacy protection. Life Protection: SERES developed the industry's first 720 protection architecture and introduced the mass-produced and world's largest aluminum alloy integrated rear body, now featured in the AITO M9. Additionally, SERES is the first to develop a magnesium alloy version for production use. Moving forward, all AITO models will adopt this integrated casting technology. SERES also leads with a battery protection system and a 24/7 cloud-based battery safety monitoring, delivering comprehensive personal safety. Vehicle Body Protection: SERES continuously enhances active safety performance through continuously training the perception system. The comprehensive collision prevention capabilities - including frontal, lateral, and rear impact protection - have been significantly upgraded across all dimensions. Health Care: SERES employs healthy material technologies to create a five-sense wellness cabin featuring fresh air, baby-safe surfaces, eye comfort, harmonious quietness, and low electromagnetic interference-ensuring a healthy environment for all passengers. Privacy Protection: As vehicle intelligence advances, data and network security and privacy protection become ever more critical. SERES has built a multi-layered security architecture encompassing cloud, transmission, vehicle, and chip, providing full lifecycle data protection for users and their vehicles. Building a Safety Assurance Framework, Co-Creating a Security Ecosystem SERES has developed a holistic safety assurance framework that integrates R&D, testing, intelligent manufacturing, quality control, supply chain among others. This systematically ensures all-round protection for passengers, vehicles, and personal belongings. In R&D, SERES has logged over 11 million kilometers of testing across more than 1,300 scenarios, significantly shortening development cycles and enhancing product quality. On the manufacturing side, SERES employs 10,000-ton level die-casting and achieves 100% automated welding and chassis bolt assembly. Supported by an industry-leading intelligent testing and quality assurance system, the company leverages automation, big data, and full-scenario validation to guarantee vehicle safety. Globally Recognized Excellence and Expanding International Partnerships Since the beginning of this year, the AITO 9 and AITO 5 have undergone upgrades, while the AITO 7 has introduced a new color option. With the latest addition of the AITO 8, AITO has now formed four-model lineup, catering to users' diverse mobility needs. As of April 20, AITO users have collectively driven over 12.4 billion kilometers in intelligent range-extended electric vehicles. Since its debut at the Paris Motor Show 2024, AITO's innovation has captured global attention. At Auto Shanghai this year, international delegations visited AITO's booth to witness the launch of its Intelligent Safety ecosystem and experience the future of smart mobility. Distributors from the UAE, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Mongolia signed partnerships with SERES, joining the AITO family. Moving forward, AITO will collaborate with more global partners to redefine luxury. Firmly upholding the philosophy that "Safety is the greatest luxury," SERES is redefining the standards of luxury mobility in the new era and delivering an intelligent, secure travel experience that exceeds user expectations. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673388/image_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673389/image_2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/seres-debuts-intelligent-safety-at-auto-shanghai-2025-setting-industry-standard-and-capturing-global-spotlight-302438432.html DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global report for Risk Analytics Market is slated to expand from USD 32.25 billion in 2025 to USD 51.34 billion by 2030 at an impressive CAGR of 9.7% over the forecast period, according to new research report by MarketsandMarkets. The expansion of the risk analytics market is influenced by various factors, including the growing frequency and complexity of global risks, the increasing demand for efficient decision-making tools in companies, and technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Entities across various sectors, such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, are employing risk analytics to forecast potential disruptions and ensure regulatory adherence. The growing reliance on big data, combined with the rise in IoT devices, has expanded the volume of data available for analysis, enabling more precise risk evaluations. Moreover, the increase in cyber threats, coupled with the demand for robust cybersecurity strategies, is fueling the necessity for risk management solutions. Additionally, the evolving terrain of climate threats and natural calamities is prompting organizations to integrate climate risk models into their evaluations. Together, these components highlight the necessity for comprehensive and prompt risk management strategies, establishing risk analytics as an essential resource in today's business landscape. Browse in-depth TOC on "Risk Analytics Market" 285 - Tables 70 - Figures 380 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=210662258 Scope of the Report Report Metric Details Market size available for years 2020-2030 Base year considered 2024 Forecast period 2025-2030 Forecast units USD (Billion) Segments covered Offering, Risk Type, Vertical, and Region Geographies covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies covered Accenture (Ireland), Aon (UK), Capgemini (France), Crisil (India), Deloitte (UK), Diligent (US), EY (UK), FIS (US), IBM (US), Infosys (India), KPMG (Netherlands), Lockton (US), Marsh McLennan (US),Willis Tower Watson Plc (UK), MetricStream (US), Milliman (US), Moody's Analytics (US), OneTrust (US), Oracle (US), Protiviti (US), PwC (England), SAP (Germany), SAS Institute (US), ServiceNow (US), Verisk Analytics (US), Archer (US), Riskonnect (US), SafetyCulture (Australia), Quantexa (UK), Resolver (Canada), Fusion Risk Management (US), Z2Data (US), Provenir (US), Kyvos Insights (US), Interos (US), ProcessUnity (US), LogicManager (US), Sprinto (US), Centrl (US), Quantifi (US), Onspring (US), Zesty.Ai (US), Spin Analytics (UK), CubeLogic Limited (UK), Etiometry (US), RiskVille (Finland), RiskLogix (UK), and Risk Edge Solutions (India) By software type, the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) software segment will register the largest market share during the forecast period. Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) software is a leading solution in the risk analytics market because it plays a crucial role in helping organizations meet strict regulatory requirements and adhere to internal policies. GRC software ensures that organizations operate within legal and ethical boundaries while minimizing compliance risks. As regulations become more complex and specific to various sectors in different regions, businesses are increasingly adopting GRC solutions to automate compliance monitoring, maintain audit readiness, and ensure transparency. These systems offer real-time tracking and reporting capabilities, allowing organizations to quickly identify instances of non-compliance or policy violations and take corrective actions. Additionally, GRC platforms help consolidate and standardize compliance processes across various departments, enhancing efficiency and reducing the likelihood of human error. As companies grapple with rising costs from regulatory fines and the potential damage to their reputations, the demand for robust GRC systems continues to grow, solidifying their prominence in the risk analytics sector. Request Sample Pages @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=210662258 By risk type, strategic risks are poised for the second-fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Strategic risks are expected to witness the second-highest growth rate in the risk analytics market, due to their increasing influence on business sustainability and competitive position. As global markets become more volatile and interconnected, companies are compelled to proactively identify and manage risks related to market dependence, diversification of their offerings, and the sustainability of their business frameworks. A significant dependence on one market or product line increases susceptibility, leading companies to utilize risk analytics for enhanced understanding and scenario forecasting. The increasing focus on innovation and diversification heightens the necessity to evaluate risks associated with new products and ventures into unfamiliar markets. Additionally, changes in business models, including digital transformation and platform-centric strategies, bring about intricate, interconnected risks that conventional tools might fail to address efficiently. Strategic efforts such as growth plans and partnerships introduce additional risks, necessitating sophisticated analytics to assess potential effects and alignment with organizational objectives. Consequently, strategic risk analytics are increasingly essential for making informed decisions. North America will be the largest regional market during the forecast period. North America dominates the risk analytics market, thanks to its sophisticated technological framework, robust presence of major market players, and widespread utilization of data-driven decision-making in various sectors. The region hosts many prominent technology firms and financial organizations that significantly invest in cutting-edge analytical solutions to address and reduce risks. Moreover, the US enforces strict regulatory and compliance standards, including Basel III and Dodd-Frank, requiring organizations to implement strong risk management approaches. The substantial convergence of big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing further drives the need for sophisticated risk analytics solutions. Sectors like banking, insurance, healthcare, and cybersecurity heavily rely on these technologies to identify threats, thwart fraud, and ensure adherence to regulations. In addition, North America features a skilled workforce and a robust market atmosphere, establishing it as an ideal hub for developing and executing advanced analytics solutions. Collectively, these factors position North America as the leader in the global risk analytics industry. Inquire Before Buying @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=210662258 Top Key Companies in Risk Analytics Market: The major players in the risk analytics market include IBM (US), Oracle (US), FIS (US), Moody's Analytics (US), Lockton (US), Marsh McLennan (US), SAS Institute (US), MetricStream (US), Milliman (US), and Protiviti (US). Browse Adjacent Markets: Analytics Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Graph Database Market - Global Forecast to 2030 Geospatial Analytics Market - Global Forecast to 2029 Content Detection Market - Global Forecast to 2029 Enterprise Monitoring Market - Global Forecast to 2029 IT Operations Analytics (ITOA) Market - Global Forecast to 2029 Get access to the latest updates on Risk Analytics Companies and Risk Analytics 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. 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/risk-analytics-market-worth-51-34-billion-by-2030---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302438160.html EQS-News: PlusPlus Capital Financial S.a.r.l. / Key word(s): Legal Matter PlusPlus Capital Successfully Obtains Court Order for Initiation of Reorganization Proceedings 25.04.2025 / 16:30 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. PlusPlus Capital Successfully Obtains Court Order for Initiation of Reorganization Proceedings Tallinn, Estonia, 25 April 2025. PlusPlus Capital ("PPC"), a leading pan-Baltic and Finnish technology-driven receivables management group, has successfully obtained the initiation of the planned reorganization process. Harju County Court granted the Company's motion to dismiss the bankruptcy petition and to release the temporary trustee on 21 February 2025. Subsequently, the Company submitted a petition for reorganization. By order dated 24 April 2025, the court initiated the reorganization proceedings and appointed sworn attorney Urmas Ustav as reorganization adviser. The Company's management believes the reorganization to be the best solution for all parties involved and is fully committed to working with the reorganization adviser to develop a reorganization plan and achieve a successful outcome. Moreover, Reimo Tomingas, CEO and Member of the Management Board, has resigned from office for personal reasons. The Company thanks Reimo Tomingas for his contributions and wishes him success in the future. Kaarel Raik will continue as a Member of the Management Board. PlusPlus Capital will inform investors about the next steps in the reorganization process in due course. Contact: PlusPlus Capital Kaarel Raik, Member of the Management Board Email: kaarel.raik@plusplus.ee Phone: +372 56 606 148 About PlusPlus Capital: PlusPlus is a pan-Baltic and Finnish technology-driven receivables management company with offices in Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, and Helsinki. The Company acquires overdue loans and other non-performing exposures from financial institutions and non-financial sector merchants. With its core competence in handling claims against private individuals, PlusPlus prefers diversified portfolios balanced by geography, portfolio type, and other metrics. Since its inception in 2010, PlusPlus has bought over 120 thousand claims with nominal value of approximately EUR 270 million. The Company offers its clients affordable recovery solutions and aims to avoid litigious scenarios. In doing so, PlusPlus pursues win-win solutions that allow sellers to focus on their core business, provide affordable solutions for borrowers, and ensure adequate returns for investors. PlusPlus is a transparent and socially responsible company set to assist people in resolving problems connected with their insufficient solvency. The ambition of PlusPlus is to increase its market share and further strengthen its position as a leading player in its regional market. pluspluscapital.eu 25.04.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Environmental Testing Products Market, valued at US$3.41 billion in 2023, is forecasted to grow at a robust CAGR of 7.1%, reaching US$3.80 billion in 2024 and an impressive US$5.62 billion by 2030. The PFAS testing market is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period, driven by increased funding for wastewater treatment initiatives and heightened efforts to raise awareness about PFAS testing for environmental protection. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=35746911 Browse in-depth TOC on 'Environmental Testing Products Market' 318 - Tables 63 - Figures 352 - Pages By Based on product, the Environmental testing products market is segmented into instruments, consumables, and software & services. One primary factor evangelizing the environmental-testing instruments market would be the increasingly stringent legal requirements for different regulatory compliance-monitoring purposes, as well as other propelling factors like public awareness of environmental issues, increases in industrial activities, technological advancements, climate change initiatives, even emerging contaminants detection requirements, the growth of biobanking facilities, sustainability goals, and government support. These many facets will continuously morph globally into that future environment for the environmental testing instruments market, resulting eventually in a burgeoning of innovation and investment in this area. By on technology, the Environmental testing products market is categorized into liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, standalone mass spectrometry, Infra-Red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, PCR, immunoassay and other technologies, with liquid chromatography segment dominating the market share in 2023. Demand for liquid chromatography products in environmental testing stems from stringent government regulations, rising concern for the environment, advancements in technology necessitating the detection of emerging contaminants, growth in biobanking and research programs, sustainability objectives, increased investments into monitoring programs, and demand from industrial sectors. Along these lines, the liquid chromatography development will be an increasingly important focal point toward environmental protection and public health via accurate testing and analysis. By geography, the Environmental testing products market is categorized into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, with North America dominating the market share in 2023. The market for environmental testing in America grows because of tight regulatory frameworks, rising public awareness, an expansion of industrial activities, technological advancements, climate change initiatives, need for emerging contaminants detection, sustainability goals, and government funding support. All of these will keep developing and shaping the future face of the environmental testing market in North America for innovation and investment in this crucial sector. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=35746911 As of 2023, prominent players in the environmental testing products market are Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), Danaher (US), Waters Corporation (US), Shimadzu Corporation (Japan), Bruker (US), among others. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc (US): Thermo Fisher Scientific stands tall as a preeminent provider in the field of environmental testing products. It's really one of the battalions in the war against air, water, soil and other environmental matrices. Innovation and constant technology evolution will be the beacons for the future-to improve accuracy, efficiency, and usability of the environmental testing products towards development. The effects from the launching of the Thermo Scientific Q Exactive mass spectrometer have further enhanced laboratories in analyzing the presence of trace levels of contaminations in complex matrices. The successful entry of Thermo Fisher Scientific into the environment testing products market has been based on other pillars such as stricter regulation compliance requirements for environmental testing products, advancements in technologies, rising public awareness of environmental issues, growing industrial activities, climate change initiatives and emerging contaminants, sustainability interventions and wider global market expansion. Danaher Corporation (US): Danaher Corporation is an innovator in global science and technology and develops products that are found in all sectors, including environmental testing. The company provides a portfolio of products and solutions to satisfy the growing demand for environmental testing and monitoring. The integration of advanced technologies such as real-time monitoring, automation, and data analytics increases the efficiency and accuracy of environmental testing. The launch of XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysers by Horiba, a subsidiary of Danaher, enables rapid analysis of soil and sediment samples for heavy metals with quick results for environmental evaluation. Regulatory compliance, technological innovation, public awareness of environmental issues, growth in water quality testing and detection of emerging contaminants, government funding support, and sustainability initiatives drive Danaher Corporation's success in the environmental testing products marketplace. Those factors continue to evolve, and Danaher intends to be well-positioned to meet the increasing demand placed before them for effective environmental monitoring solutions across a variety of different sectors. Agilent Technologies (Ireland): Agilent Technologies is a major supplier of analytical instruments, software, and services within the environmental testing market. With instruments meant to monitor and analyse a variety of environmental samples like air, water, soil, and waste, the company has a wider product base. Agilent's instruments are used in laboratories for compliance testing for pollutants, including heavy metals, VOCs, and other hazardous substances. The sensitivity and rapidity brought in by the introduction of advanced methods like high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are increased in particular by the Agilent 6495 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS system, which provides amazing sensitivity for trace-level analysis of contaminants in complex environmental matrices. Agilent Technologies benefits from IM-technology development in environmental testing products as per stringent regulatory requirements, emerging contaminants, increased public awareness of environmental issues, rising industrial activities, and sustainability initiatives. This, together with the expansion of research facilities and government support, offers a growing spectrum for Agilent's environmental testing innovations based on the changing scenario of the above-mentioned factors. Waters Corporation (Netherlands): Several factors make Waters well-placed in the environmental testing market, such as the evolving regulatory requirements, technological innovations, increasing public awareness of environmental issues, new contaminants, increasing industrial activity, initiatives of climate change, expansion of biobanking facilities, and government funding support. Waters continue to play a vital role in the advancement of environmental testing in several areas with the development and supply of innovative analytical solutions that cater to these needs. Waters Corporation has newly developed methods and applications for detecting such emerging pollutants in their mass spectrometry technology. Innovative solutions are required by laboratories to effectively analyse the emerging contaminants. Shimadzu Corporation (Germany): Shimadzu Corporation's environmental testing products are thus driven by innovation technology, compliance with regulations, the rising awareness for the environment, the increasing industrial applications, emerging contaminants detection needs, sustainability initiatives, and global market applicability. Shimadzu's understanding of these factors ensures a continuous upgrade of capabilities and advantages in environmental testing, thereby allowing laboratories and industries to monitor and manage effectively their environmental impacts. Where stringent water quality standards exist, Shimadzu has specialized analysis equipment for water that conforms to local laws and standards, as well as accurate results. Shimadzu's gas chromatographs are used in petrochemical companies to analyze the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in emissions, adhering to environmental standard compliance. Organizations now focus on ensuring minimum damage to the environment by their operations, which requires even more reliable testing equipment. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Air Quality Monitoring System Market Chromatography Reagents Market PFAS Testing Market PCR Technologies Market Mass Spectrometry Market Get access to the latest updates on Environmental Testing Products Companies and Environmental Testing Products 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. 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/environmental-testing-products-market-worth-us5-62-billion-by-2030-with-7-1-cagr--marketsandmarkets-302438167.html KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) provided $ 23.3 million in construction loans and invested $10.7 million in low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) financing, and KeyBank's Commercial Mortgage Group also arranged $16.2 in Freddie Mac TEL permanent financing for the construction of two affordable multifamily housing projects in Los Angeles. The sponsor and developer, HVN Development also provided loans in the amount of $2.4 million for these two projects. California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA) will also issue $14.4 million of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds, as well as $7 million in recycled bonds to fund the permanent loans. The first apartment (North Mathews) located at 121 North Mathews Street, is a single four-story, 40-unit building that will comprise of six one-bedroom apartments and 33 two-bedroom apartments as well as one two-bedroom, revenue generating manager unit. All 39 LIHTC units will be rent-restricted and restricted to tenants earning at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). Rent restrictions are as follows: four units at 30% AMI, four units at 50% AMI, 23 units at 60% AMI and eight units at 80% AMI. The second apartment (Brynhurst) located at 6018 Brynhurst Avenue, is a single four-story, 50-unit building that will comprise of seven one-bedroom units and 42 two-bedroom units as well as one two-bedroom revenue generating manager unit. All 49 LIHTC units are restricted to tenants earning at or below 80% AMI. Rent restrictions are as follows: five units at 30% AMI, five units at 50% AMI, 29 units at 60% AMI, and 10 unites at 80% AMI. North Matthews and Brynhurst are located in highly walkable areas and near the LA Metro system which provides bus and subway service throughout Los Angeles. The property manager, Aperto Property Management, will oversee the management of both apartments. LifeSTEPS will offer on-site supportive services including financial literacy, computer training, home-buyer education, as well as health and wellness programs. All services are free for tenants and paid for by the sponsor/developer, HVN development. HVN Development has partnered with Integrity Housing, an experienced developer committed to identifying innovative solutions to ease California's housing crisis by increasing the affordable housing supply. Integrity Housing has completed nearly 40 affordable housing projects in California. Kortney Brown and Matthew Haas of KeyBank CDLI and Hector Zuniga from Key's Commercial Mortgage Group structured the financing. A bout KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) finances projects that stabilize and revitalize communities across all 50 states. As one of the top affordable housing capital providers in the country, KeyBank's platform brings together construction, acquisition, bridge-to-re-syndication, and preservation loans, as well as lines of credit, Agency and HUD permanent mortgage executions, and equity investments for low-income housing projects, especially Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing. KeyBank has earned 11 consecutive "Outstanding" ratings on the Community Reinvestment Act exam, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, making it the first U.S. national bank among the 25 largest to do so since the Act's passage in 1977. About KeyCorp In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. ### View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank Modulight Corporation | Company Release | April 25, 2025 at 13:00:00 EEST This release is a summary of Modulight's 1Q25 interim report. The whole report is attached to this stock exchange release as a pdf file, and is also available on the Modulight website at https://modulight.com/reports-presentations/. The figures in parentheses refer to the corresponding period of the previous year. This interim report is unaudited. Highlights in January-March 2025 Revenue was EUR 1,606 (1,059) thousand. Revenue increased by 52% compared to the same period last year and by 12% from the previous quarter, despite delays from customers. The market potential for treatments is growing as indications expand and product use spreads to more customers. EBITDA was EUR -582 (-1,314) thousand. EBITDA margin was -36.2 (-124.1) % of revenue. EBIT was EUR -1,585 (-1,978) thousand. EBIT margin was -98.7 (-186.8) % of revenue. Earnings per share (EPS) was EUR -0.04 (-0.04). Key figures Group EUR 1,000 unless otherwise noted 1-3/2025 1-3/2024 1-12/2024 1) Revenue 1,606 1,059 4,095 EBITDA -582 -1,314 -4,836 EBITDA-% -36.2% -124.1% -118.1% Operating result (EBIT) -1,585 -1,978 -8,337 Operating result (EBIT) -% -98.7% -186.8% -203.6% Earnings for the period -1,616 -1,872 -6,447 Earnings per share (EPS, EUR) -0.04 -0.04 -0.15 Acquisition of fixed and intangible assets -969 -1,205 -4,900 Free cash flow from operating activities -1,551 -2,519 -9,736 Cash and cash equivalents 2) 14,573 22,452 17,407 Net debt 2) -10,581 -16,444 -12,864 Gearing ratio 2) -22.2% -30.5% -26.1% Equity ratio 2) 88.1% 87.0% 87.5% Headcount (FTE) 2) 66 70 66 1) Audited 2) Figure refers to the end of the review period Outlook for 2025 Most of Modulight's customer projects are various types in the early stages of development. These projects are focused on commercializing Modulight's own products. In line with its strategy, Modulight is also transitioning from device delivery-based payments to a new treatment-session-based payment model (PPT business model). The progress of individual projects is difficult to predict, and macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty continue to impact market development. As a result, forecasting revenue is challenging, and Modulight does not provide guidance on revenue or profitability for the year 2025. Seppo Orsila, CEO Revenue and order intake continued the positive development that started last year. A new indication related to the treatment of eye cancer was added to the product development pipeline, and the planned development of the PPT business was advanced. Our profitability also improved despite the high level of product development activities. However, the progress of our business was slowed down particularly by delays in our customers' own third-party-related regulatory processes. Cash flow from operations weakened in the first quarter by 43%, totalling -1.3 (-0.9) million euros, mainly due to the timing of deliveries. We have observed growth in the market potential of our treatments. Revenue in the first quarter was 1.6 million euros, which was 52% higher than the corresponding period in 2024 and 12% higher than the previous quarter. However, the revenue level was still affected by our strategic transition to the PPT business model and delays in prototype deliveries. The revenue grew despite delays in customer projects. The growth and expansion of the order backlog, together with the progress of the PPT model, provide better visibility into the future. Increased trade policy tensions have so far not reflected in our customers' demand or feedback. A significant part of our exports to the United States is also service exports, meaning that, at the time of writing, it does not fall under new tariffs. Many of our American customers have production facilities outside the United States. Our substantial investment program has been completed, and related commissioning costs have decreased. This has partly improved profitability, although we continue developing our own product. Measured by EBITDA, profitability improved by 56% in the first quarter, amounting to -0.6 (-1.3) million euros. Our total operating expenses have decreased by 15% compared to the reference period, even though we have continued to increase investments in product development as well as in sales and marketing activities. We will continue improving operational efficiency while maintaining a high level of product development activities. Phase III clinical trials remained a key focus area of our work. The clinical results from our customers have been favourable. Notably, they have successfully broadened the studies' inclusion criteria. While this enhances the treatment's market potential, it may temporarily slow the pace of study advancement in the near term. Despite delays, the goal is to install a record number of devices during the spring and summer. Device fleet growth is especially expected in those indications where our profitability is above average and the product development pipelines are more mature. Customers have also expressed a desire to continue expanding and deepening collaboration, as previously reported. In addition, we have advanced our long-term research efforts and patent portfolio. The goal of our projects is to commercialize our own products. Our product development pipeline grew to 31 projects. These projects focus on commercializing our product platform for multiple different indications and medicines. We have increasingly focused resources on projects with existing customers as they move closer to commercialization. Additionally, it's worth mentioning progress in our second quantum computing customer relationship, for which we announced a new order in February. Investments in our factory - such as expanding production capacity and developing the biolaboratory - have strengthened our competitiveness. In addition, the synergies of our platform solution are increasingly visible as a competitive advantage and a distinguishing offering. This has materialized, for example, as increased orders from long-term customers and the trust to entrust larger projects solely to us. In the previous quarter, we highlighted micro-optics and mechanical development as a competitive factor. During the early part of the year, this has helped win new customers and deepen cooperation with existing ones. Our broad expertise and vertical integration enable the development of better products in shorter timeframes and improve our customers' supply chain reliability in multiple ways. In the current global situation, having our own production facility has become an increasingly important competitive advantage. We believe this has positively contributed to expanding our customer base as well as to the growing list of references. Through geographical expansion, we have gained new customers also outside the United States. United States remains the company's primary focus. Our sales and service operations have significantly strengthened over the past year - the best evidence of which are the increased order volumes and widening of the order base. At the same time, we have also developed opportunities for starting local production if needed. Currently, this need has not been observed. We increasingly have interesting customer accounts, along with a strong cash position and the ability to quickly respond to market opportunities - for example, by increasing product development. We will continue focusing on growth strategy-driven actions, such as expanding our PPT model and advancing product development pipeline projects toward the commercialization of our own products. We believe that by following our growth strategy and capitalizing on our strengths, our business will return to strong and profitable growth during our strategy period, which extends to the end of 2025. Financial reporting in 2025 In 2025, Modulight will publish the following financial reports: Half-year report January-June 2025: August 22, 2025 Interim report January-September 2025: October 24, 2025 Webcast Modulight's CEO Seppo Orsila will present the result in an English-language webcast on April 25, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. EEST. The broadcast can be followed at https://modulight.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tqzJj-yMSdKfvJGHv2WF5g. Questions are to be submitted in writing in the webcast portal. CFO Anca Guina will also be present to answer questions. Presentation materials will be available before the start of the event on the company's website at modulight.com/reports-presentations/. For further information, please contact: CEO Seppo Orsila, m. +358 40 830 4671 IR Ulla Haapanen, m. +358 40 830 4676 Email: ir@modulight.com Certified adviser: Sisu Partners Oy, m. +358 40 555 4727 modulight.com @modulight Modulight in brief Modulight Corporation is a biomedical laser company that designs and manufactures products for oncology, ophthalmology and genetics. The company also provides solutions for selected high value-add applications including quantum computing and digital press. The company's products include medical devices, subsystems, software, cloud services and specialized semiconductors. Modulight's products are used worldwide by many Fortune 500 companies, pharmaceutical companies, and well-known cancer centers and universities. Modulight was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Tampere, Finland. Follow Modulight: modulight.com | X | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | killcancer laserfamily Zachary Thomas of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub presents Connie Johnson, CEO of Immu-Lyfe, her first-place award in the 2025 Venture Accelerator Competition. ORANGEBURG, S.C. South Carolina State Universitys Institute of Business, Environment, Communications & Transportation (BECT) awarded $17,000 in prizes during its 2025 Venture Accelerator Competition, recognizing eight entrepreneurs for innovation and business development. The competition, held March 25 during the College of Business and Informations Systems 53rd Annual Business Week, marked the culmination of an eight-week accelerator program. The programs eight entrepreneurs, who included two students, participated in intensive training focused on digital marketing and entrepreneurship. The program included instruction from Gene Swank, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Propellant Labs. Swank bootstrapped his first venture with less than $100 in initial investment into a multi-million-dollar global corporation. He has been responsible for successful ventures in the manufacturing, technology, fashion, real estate & education verticals. Instructors also included Zachary Thomas of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, Gary Robinson from the Orangeburg Innovation Center, and Hope Williams, a marketing adjunct professor at SC State. Participants developed marketing plans and pitched their ventures to a panel of local business leaders. Winners included: Connie Johnson, CEO of Immu-Lyfe, earned first place and $7,500 for her natural, non-GMO immune-boosting supplement, inspired by her own health challenges. Second place and $3,500 went to Kimberly Webb, CEO of Melanated Maternal Support, a business focused on assisting mothers in rural areas with lactation support. LaKetia Manigault, CEO of 5 Star Salon & Desizn, took third place and $2,000 for her venture offering medical-grade wigs and hair treatments for women experiencing hair loss due to medical issues. Four runner-up awards of $1,000 were presented to: Darius Boone, CEO of BuzzBubbl, a social networking and event discovery app. Erinn Tracey, founder of SheWraps, a car detailing service run by women. Jaelin Fair, CEO of FairLedger, offering accounting and financial planning for small businesses. Taryn Sparkman, CEO of Her Haven Health, creating a safe space for underserved women facing abuse. Shawanda Sanders, CEO of Sunflower Residential Care, a facility for individuals with mental disabilities. Judges included Stephon Edwards, CEO of Paragon Builders LLC; Adolphus Johnson CEO of New America, Inc.; and Dave Kerford, BECT Advisory Council member and business consultant. They provided feedback and guidance to participants throughout the competition. Since launching the accelerator three years ago, BECT has trained 31 entrepreneurs from Orangeburg and nearby counties, supporting them with financial awards ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. The program is funded by a congressional grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information about the BECT Institute, email Dr. Barbara Adams, executive director, at badams@scsu.edu. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SIC) (OTCQB: SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") announces that the Company's planned spin-out of approximately half of its shares of Vinland Lithium Inc. ("Vinland") has been completed. Accounts holding at least 8,000 Sokoman shares will see approximately 50 Vinland shares credited for each 8,000 Sokoman shares owned, with the credit effective April 30, 2025. Details of the spin-out are contained in the Company's February 4, 2025, Management Information Circular, filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+. Sokoman will spin-out to its shareholders a total of 2,025,126 common shares of Vinland and will continue to hold 2,000,000 Vinland shares. Vinland has approximately 10,000,000 issued shares. Benton Resources Inc. is concurrently spinning out the same number of Vinland shares to its shareholders. Sokoman shares after the spin-out, herein "New Sokoman" shares, are identical to Sokoman shares currently listed ("Old Sokoman"), except that they are post-spin-out of Vinland. New Sokoman shares have a new identifying security number, CA83410N1096. No Vinland shares will be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") upon closing the Plan of Arrangement; however, Vinland has made a separate application to the Exchange for listing the Vinland shares. The New Sokoman common shares will be listed on the Exchange at market open on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, and the Old Sokoman common shares will be delisted from the Exchange effective close of business on April 28, 2025. Accounts holding less than 8,000 Sokoman shares will not participate in the Vinland share distribution. About Sokoman Minerals Corp. Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company and one of the largest landholders in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's emerging gold district. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100%-owned flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, Crippleback Lake, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. For full details of the agreement, please refer to the Company's press release dated October 11, 2023. Projects optioned with optionee fully vested are: East Alder Project optioned to Canterra Minerals Inc. (SIC retains shares of CTM plus 1% NSR) Startrek Project optioned to Thunder Gold (SIC retains shares of TGOL plus 1% NSR) Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com Twitter: @SokomanMinerals Facebook: @SokomanMinerals LinkedIn: @SokomanMineralsCorp 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. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249781 SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp. AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of "a-" (Excellent) of the rated operating subsidiaries of SiriusPoint Ltd. (SiriusPoint) (Bermuda) [NYSE: SPNT]. Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of "bbb-" (Good) of SiriusPoint, which is a non-operating holding company. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and Credit Ratings [ratings]). The ratings reflect SiriusPoint's consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings of the group's operating subsidiaries factor in their strategic importance to SiriusPoint. The revision of the outlooks to positive from stable reflects SiriusPoint's improved balance sheet strength fundamentals following actions taken by management including the derisking of the investment portfolio, reduction in catastrophe exposure, and the recent buy-back of shares and warrants previously held by CM Bermuda Ltd. AM Best expects that the group will maintain its risk-adjusted capitalisation comfortably at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supported by prudent capital management, effective underwriting exposure management and positive operating results. SiriusPoint's balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level at year-end 2024, as measured by BCAR. In 2024, the group repurchased all common shares and warrants held by CM Bermuda Ltd. for a price of USD 733 million, which has eliminated all risks associated with the financial difficulties of the former shareholder. In turn, SiriusPoint's reported equity at year-end 2024 decreased to USD 1.9 billion (2023: USD 2.5 billion). Nevertheless, AM Best expects the group will quickly grow its capital base organically through full earnings retention. Furthermore, the balance sheet strength assessment also considers SiriusPoint's actions in recent years to derisk its investment portfolio significantly, which is composed predominantly of cash and high-quality fixed income securities at year-end 2024. A partially offsetting rating factor is the group's limited capital fungibility due to a significant, albeit reducing, portion of consolidated available capital being held as a safety reserve in the group's Sweden subsidiary. SiriusPoint recorded positive underwriting results in 2023 and 2024. This represents a material improvement against the period prior to 2022, when the group's net combined ratios were consistently above 100%. AM Best expects SiriusPoint's prospective underwriting results to remain profitable with reduced volatility as its management continues to rebalance the business mix away from catastrophe-exposed property business toward less volatile accident and health and specialty lines of business. SiriusPoint reported a robust pre-tax profit of USD 233 million in 2024, benefiting from underwriting earnings, including approximately USD 108 million of reserve releases, and solid investment income, offsetting one-time expenses associated with the share repurchase transaction and the sale of some affiliated strategic investments. SiriusPoint's neutral business profile assessment reflects its market position as a mid-tier global (re)insurer, which operates from platforms in Europe, the United States, Bermuda and at Lloyd's. The group reported gross written premium of USD 3.2 billion in 2024 and has a good level of diversification by line of business. The FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of "a-" (Excellent) have been affirmed with the outlooks revised to positive from stable for the following subsidiaries of SiriusPoint Ltd.: SiriusPoint America Insurance Company SiriusPoint Bermuda Insurance Company Ltd. SiriusPoint International Insurance Corporation (publ) SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425122683/en/ Contacts: Todor Kitin, ACA Senior Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0335 todor.kitin@ambest.com Jessica Botelho-Young, CA Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0310 jessica.botelho-young@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Greg Ferron, Chief Executive Officer and President, PTX Metals (TSXV: PTX) ("PTX" or the "Company"), joined Tim Babcock, President, TSX Venture Exchange, TMX Group, to open the market to celebrate the Company's new listing on TSX Venture Exchange. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcsH62pnmMg PTX is a mineral exploration company focused on high-quality strategic metal assets in northern Ontario, allowing exposure for shareholders to Copper, Gold, Nickel, and PGEs. The Province of Ontario is renowned as a world-class mining jurisdiction for its abundance of mineral resources and investment opportunities. PTX's corporate objective is to advance its assets, and unveil the potential of its two Flagship Projects, the W2 Cu-Ni-PGE located in the strategic Ring of Fire, and the Shining Tree Gold Project, which neighbours multi-million ounce gold deposits in the Timmins Gold Camp. PTX is based in Toronto, Canada, with a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PTX. The Company is also listed in Frankfurt under the symbol 9PF and on the OTCQB in the United States as PANXF. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249791 SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange SHENZHEN, China, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shenzhen ZHUOYU Technology Co., Ltd. (ZHUOYU), a leading global provider of automotive intelligence solutions, proudly showcased its latest innovations at Auto Shanghai 2025. The company presented a comprehensive suite of advanced technologies, highlighting its commitment to advancing next-generation intelligent vehicle development in China. ZHUOYU introduced its flagship Vision-Language-Action (VLA) large model based on the NVIDIA DRIVE Thor, an integrated cabin-driving solution powered by Qualcomm's SA8775P, and the proprietary JIMU2.0 sensor. Also debuting were a stereo vision and inertial navigation fusion system trained by knowledge distillation, the ZHIZHOU LiDAR system for blind spot detection, and a vehicle-mounted drone system. In addition, ZHUOYU revealed the full list of its nine current automotive partners for the first time. As of April 2025, over 30 new models are in development under the company's ClixPilot program. During the exhibition, ZHUOYU also introduced its on-vehicle multimodal Vision-Language-Action (VLA) large model, powered by the high-performance NVIDIA DRIVE Thor platform, coupled with its own proprietary flagship compute controller. The system is capable of responding to complex driving scenarios within 100 milliseconds. The VLA large model supports both driver-assistance systems and in-cabin intelligent applications, enabling capabilities such as intelligent voice assistance and multimodal interaction. Another highlight of ZHUOYU's presentation at this auto show is the debut of its integrated cabin-driving solution in a production vehicle. Powered by the Snapdragon Ride Flex SoC (SA8775P), the system consolidates driver assistance and in-cabin intelligence on a single chip. Key features include multi-level automated parking, highway and urban navigation assistance, multi-display support with dual screens and a head-up display, as well as an immersive 7.1.4 surround sound system. ZHUOYU has introduced a novel knowledge distillation method that integrates inertial navigation with stereo vision. The technique employs an end-to-end isomorphic stereo model as a teacher to train monocular and heterogeneous stereo models, effectively transferring its representational capabilities. Models trained using this approach demonstrate significantly improved data efficiency and higher performance ceilings compared to those developed through conventional training methods. Moreover, ZHUOYU has made significant strides in enhancing intelligent driving systems with the introduction of more innovative technologies. One of the standout products is the JIMU2.0, a compact and integrated sensing module that elevates safety and performance in complex driving environments. The updated system combines an automotive-grade LiDAR with an inertial-aided telephoto camera, enhancing safety redundancy for intelligent driving systems and improving perception performance in edge-case scenarios. As a result, drivers can experience greater confidence and comfort while navigating challenging driving conditions. In addition to the JIMU2.0, ZHUOYU's automotive-grade solid-state ZHIZHOU LiDAR features an ultra-wide field of view (160 horizontal 144 vertical) to enhance safety in assisted parking and lane-change scenarios. With a low-profile design measuring just 3.5 cm in thickness, it enables flexible integration and provides critical redundancy for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). ZHUOYU also debuted its vehicle-mounted drone system, featuring an integrated docking station, control unit, and multimodal interface. Designed to work with consumer-grade drones, the system supports dynamic launch and landing, intelligent vehicle tracking, automated charging, and one-tap capture-and-edit functionality. The front-mounted configuration is tightly integrated with the cockpit system, while the rear-mounted option allows for rapid installation and removal. Outside the venue, ZHUOYU showcased vehicles outfitted with its latest technologies, offering immersive test drives that demonstrated the company's full-stack R&D capabilities. At Auto Shanghai 2025, ZHUOYU highlighted its end-to-end capabilities-from core technology development to engineering integration. The company's presence underscored the continued advancement of China's automotive intelligence sector, signaling a shift toward greater safety, comfort, and personalized mobility experiences. About ZHUOYU Technology Founded in 2016, ZHUOYU Technology is committed to delivering industry-leading intelligent driving systems and self-developed core components. The company provides a diverse range of advanced intelligent driving solutions tailored for passenger vehicles across various price points and powertrains. By aligning its capabilities with the demands of the automotive industry, ZHUOYU has established a highly efficient and rigorous automotive-grade management system. With exceptional supply chain management, quality assurance, and new product development capabilities, ZHUOYU continually optimizes processes to deliver high-quality, high-performance, and cost-effective intelligent driving products. Functional teams span sales, R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality control, ensuring comprehensive support across all areas of operations. By the end of 2024, the R&D team is projected to grow to over 2,000 professionals, encompassing a wide range of expertise in perception, planning, high-performance computing, functional safety, and system engineering. In the realm of intelligent manufacturing and quality systems, ZHUOYU has assembled a team of more than 400 engineers, 90% of whom have prior experience with renowned OEMs and Tier 1 manufacturers. This expertise provides robust support for the mass production of autonomous driving solutions, positioning ZHUOYU Technology at the forefront of the intelligent driving revolution. For more information, please visit https://www.zyt.com/en Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673362/Vehicle_Mounted_Drone_Feature_Video_2560_1440_EN_High.mp4 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zhuoyu-showcases-advanced-vehicle-intelligence-solutions-at-auto-shanghai-2025-302438493.html Regulatory News: The annual General Shareholders' Meeting of Verallia (Paris:VRLA) (the "Company") was held on 25 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Michel Giannuzzi, Chairman of the Board of Directors. The meeting was held in the presence of Patrice Lucas, Chief Executive Officer, Cecile Tandeau de Marsac, Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee and the Nomination Committee, Nathalie Delbreuve, Chief Financial Officer, Wendy Kool-Foulon, CSR Director General Counsel, as well as the Auditors of the Company. Kaon V and Bpifrance Participations, designated among the shareholders holding the greatest number of voting rights as at the date of the convening notice, acted as "scrutateurs" of the Meeting. With a quorum representing 81.20% of the shares of the Company, the Shareholders' General Meeting adopted all the resolutions submitted to its vote. The shareholders have notably approved the statutory and consolidated financial statements for the financial year which ended on 31 December 2024, as well as the distribution of a dividend of 1.70 per share, to be fully paid in cash. Such dividend will be paid on 15 May 2025. Furthermore, the General Shareholders' Meeting approved the renewal of the terms of office of Cecile Tandeau de Marsac and of the representatives of Brasil Warrant Administracao de Bens e Empresas S.A. (BWSA) and Bpifrance Investissement as Directors. Additionally, they also renewed the terms of office of BM&A as joint principal statutory auditor responsible for auditing the Company's annual and consolidated financial statements and; as sustainability auditor responsible for verifying information related to sustainability, for a period of six (6) years, i.e. until the end of the general shareholders' meeting to be held in 2031 to vote on the financial statements for the year ended on 31 December 2030. The presentation, the audio-visual rebroadcast and the detailed results of the votes of the General Shareholders' Meeting are available on Verallia's website (www.verallia.com) in the Investors section, sub-sections Regulated Information and General Shareholders' Meetings. About Verallia At Verallia, our purpose is to re-imagine glass for a sustainable future. We want to redefine how glass is produced, reused and recycled, to make it the world's most sustainable packaging material. We work together with our customers, suppliers and other partners across the value chain to develop new, beneficial and sustainable solutions for all. With almost 11,000 employees and 35 glass production facilities in 12 countries, we are the European leader and world's third-largest producer of glass packaging for beverages and food products. We offer innovative, customised and environmentally friendly solutions to over 10,000 businesses worldwide. Verallia produced more than 16 billion glass bottles and jars and recorded revenue of 3.5 billion in 2024. Verallia's CSR strategy has been awarded the Ecovadis Platinum Medal, placing the Group in the top 1% of companies assessed by Ecovadis. Our CO2 emissions reduction target of -46% on scopes 1 and 2 between 2019 and 2030 has been validated by SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative). It is in line with the trajectory of limiting global warming to 1.5 C set by the Paris Agreement. Verallia is listed on compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Ticker: VRLA ISIN: FR0013447729) and trades on the following indices: CAC SBT 1.5, STOXX600, SBF 120, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid Small and CAC All-Tradable. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425467919/en/ Contacts: Press contacts Sara Natij Laurie Dambrine verallia@comfluence.fr +33 (0)7 68 68 83 22 Verallia investor relations contact David Placet david.placet@verallia.com APPROVAL OF ALL RESOLUTIONS AVAILABILITY OF MEETING MINUTES Regulatory News: Seche Environnement (Paris:SCHP): The Combined General Meeting was held today from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Company's head office in Change, with all shareholders present or represented, having voted by mail or having given their proxy to the Chairman, totaling 85.92% of the shares making up the capital, and 91.33% of the voting rights. The Bureau was composed as follows: Chairman: Mr Joel Seche, Chairman of the Board of Directors Scrutineers FCPE Seche Croissance represented by Mr Manuel Andersen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FCPE Seche Croissance Jean-Pierre Vallee-Lambert, individual shareholder; Secretary: Neil Curtis, Group General Counsel Mr. Maxime Seche, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Baptiste Janiaud, Chief Financial Officer, commented on the main business and earnings figures for fiscal 2024, business activity to March 31, 2025, as well as the outlook for business and earnings for the current year and targets to 2026. The Chairman noted that no written questions had been put to the Board of Directors, and then turned the floor over to the shareholders present at the Meeting for an oral question session. No oral questions were asked. The Chairman proceeded to vote on the resolutions. All the proposed resolutions were approved, especially those concerning the financial statements and the appropriation of 2024 earnings. In particular, the Meeting approved the distribution of a dividend of 1.20 euro, unchanged compared to last year. The General Meeting also approved the renewal of the terms of office as Directors of Messrs. Joel Seche and Philippe Valletoux.1 The results of the votes by resolution and the minutes of the Meeting will be available from Tuesday May 6, 2025, on the Company's website: www.groupe-seche.com. Next communication Consolidated results to June 30, 2025: September 8, 2025 after market close About Seche Environnement Seche Environnement is a benchmark player in waste management, including the most complex and hazardous waste, and in environmental services, particularly in the event of environmental emergencies. Thanks to its expertise in creating circular economy loops, decarbonization and hazard control, and to the cutting-edge technologies developed by its R&D. Seche Environnement has been contributing for nearly 40 years to the ecological transition of industries and territories, as well as to the protection of living organisms. A family-owned French industrial group, Seche Environnement supports its customers with subsidiaries in 9 strategic countries and over 120 sites worldwide, including some 50 industrial sites in France. With some 7,300 employees, including around 3,000 in France, Seche Environnement generated revenue of 1,110.4m in 2024, of which around 32% outside France. Seche Environnement has been listed on Eurolist by Euronext (compartment B) since November 27, 1997. The stock is included in the CAC Mid&Small, EnterNext Tech 40 and EnterNext PEA-PME 150 indices, ISIN: FR 0000039139 Bloomberg: SCHP.FP Reuters: CCHE.PA 1 Following the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors today reappointed Joel Seche as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Maxime Seche as Chief Executive Officer, and Philippe Valletoux, an independent director, as Chairman of the Compensation and Appointment Committee, and as a member of the Audit Committee and CSR Committee. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425754960/en/ Contacts: SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT Analyst Investor Relations Manuel ANDERSEN Investor Relations Director m.andersen@groupe-seche.com +33 (0)1 53 21 53 60 Media Relations Anna JAEGY Deputy Communications Director c.descotes@groupe-seche.com +33 (0)1 53 21 53 53 Total 7.6 million raised through multiple transactions All convertible debt instruments removed from balance sheet during 2024 Commitment to lean cost structure while focusing on completing strategic goals Next clinical development steps for NOX-A12 validated by regulators Pursuit of several transaction structures in parallel for the company's drug candidates Regulatory News: TME Pharma N.V. (Euronext Growth Paris: ALTME), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of cancer by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), announces today its financial results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and provides a business update. The Annual Report 2024, as approved by the management and supervisory boards on April 24, 2025, is available on TME Pharma's website (www.tmepharma.com). TME Pharma achieved a number of significant clinical and regulatory milestones in 2024 and, as 2025 progresses, we remain committed to advancing the key initiatives that make up our strategic roadmap," said Aram Mangasarian, CEO of TME Pharma. "While strategic partnerships cannot be precisely timed, some of our discussions with potential partners and investors regarding strategic transactions for both NOX-A12 and NOX-E36 have been constructive. The regulatory validation of NOX-A12's Phase 2 randomized, controlled study design in glioblastoma by authorities in the US and Germany represented a key step in defining the clinical development pathway. Additionally, we have made important progress on getting NOX-E36 ready for clinical development in ophthalmic indications supported by promising preclinical data. While we pursue these clinical and strategic goals, we are also proactively preparing for contingencies to ensure operational continuity. Should strategic transactions not materialize by mid-2025, we will be ready to transition to a fully virtual and outsourced organizational structure, which would allow us to minimize costs while continuing to engage with industrial partners and investors to advance our clinical programs. By leveraging this flexible setup, we aim to preserve value for our shareholders." Business and Clinical Highlights for 2024 and 2025 Year-to-Date Brain Cancer (Glioblastoma) Unprecedented Clinical Benefit Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer in which TME Pharma's lead asset NOX-A12 has generated unprecedented clinical benefit in the GLORIA Phase 1/2 study. Newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma tumors resistant to standard of care chemotherapy (MGMT unmethylated) and that are not amenable to complete surgical removal face a devastating prognosis of median overall survival (mOS) of approx. 10 months on standard of care. The development of effective treatments for these patients TME Pharma's target population in the GLORIA trial is particularly challenging since these tumors tend to be more aggressive and less responsive to current therapies. Despite these unfavorable factors for the patients, TME Pharma's development program of its lead asset, the CXCL12 inhibitor NOX-A12, suggests a strong signal of clinical benefit in this patient population. In early March 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared TME Pharma's Investigational New Drug (IND) application on the basis of the protocol for its upcoming randomized Phase 2 trial in glioblastoma. Furthermore, in early April 2024, the company announced that the US FDA had granted Fast Track Designation for NOX-A12, in combination with radiotherapy and bevacizumab for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients with chemotherapy-resistant disease and measurable tumor remaining after surgery. Near-final efficacy data on glioblastoma patients treated with NOX-A12 combined with anti-VEGF and radiotherapy were presented by the lead investigator of the clinical trial, Dr. Frank Giordano, at a high-profile international cancer conference the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in September 2024 revealing statistically significant improvement in survival for this triple combination over a standard of care reference cohort as well as NOX-A12 radiotherapy alone (without anti-VEGF). The final median overall survival of the GLORIA 1/2 trial of the arm combining NOX-A12 with radiotherapy and bevacizumab achieved a remarkable 19.9 months. This exceeds what the company believes to be all relevant competitor studies conducted in the US or EU involving newly diagnosed, chemotherapy-resistant (MGMT unmethylated) glioblastoma patients. Promising New Opportunities for NOX-E36 in Ophthalmology TME Pharma's second clinical stage asset, the CCL2 inhibitor NOX-E36, previously completed four clinical trials and has already been administered to 175 human subjects. While in an oncology setting NOX-E36 targets the tumor microenvironment by modifying the innate immune system, it has also demonstrated significant potential in addressing unmet medical need in ophthalmic diseases affected by scarring (fibrosis) and inflammation. The anti-fibrotic mode of action of NOX-E36 has already been demonstrated in a relevant animal model, and the company believes that development in ophthalmological indications could be a promising opportunity to diversify its project portfolio. The company is pursuing resource-efficient possibilities to perform clinical studies such as investigator-initiated trials (IIT) funded and performed by research institutes, with TME Pharma supplying the drug. In parallel, TME Pharma is discussing with potential partners and venture capital firms the best way to develop NOX-E36 in the ophthalmology space with minimal or no financial contribution from TME Pharma's shareholders. TME Pharma has been collaborating with the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) for several years and recent data from preclinical studies by SERI was selected for poster presentation at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in May 2025. The preclinical data show that mNOX-E36 offers a more favorable safety profile than standard of care mitomycin C (MMC), while demonstrating comparable efficacy in reducing post-operative inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) following glaucoma filtration surgery, a common procedure to reduce intraocular pressure. Unlike MMC, mNOX-E36 does not destroy blood vessels in the conjunctiva, potentially overcoming the substantial toxicity seen with MMC, which is a key limitation of this current standard treatment. Fibrosis and inflammation are also significant causes of treatment failure in back-of-the-eye indications, such as age-related macular degeneration and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. TME Pharma believes that anti-CCL2 therapy with NOX-E36 offers a novel therapeutic approach to address these issues and potential to access larger markets. Due to these new findings and other unpublished data, TME Pharma and SERI have filed patent applications covering use of NOX-E36 in glaucoma filtration surgery and other ophthalmic diseases to support its development through a license to an industrial partner or the creation of a new corporate entity. Post-Period Event AI-Driven Drug Discovery In January 2025, TME Pharma announced a partnership with aimed analytics, a cutting-edge data analytics company, to enhance TME Pharma's capabilities to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery and optimization. The goal of the collaboration is to use AI to create new and improved drug candidates with accelerated timelines and without the need for resource-intensive laboratory testing. The collaboration should also strengthen TME Pharma's corporate profile for strategic transactions and reinforce ongoing partnering discussions. 2024 Financial Summary TME Pharma successfully strengthened its balance sheet by raising 7.6 million (gross) in 2024. Considering cash and cash equivalents of 3.2 million as of December 31, 2024, TME Pharma has financial visibility into June 2025. As in prior years, TME Pharma has not generated any revenues. The Group TME Pharma N.V., TME Pharma AG and TME Pharma Inc. does not expect to generate any revenues from any product candidates that it develops until the Group either signs a licensing agreement or obtains regulatory approval and commercializes its products or enters into collaborative agreements with third parties and relies on dilutive and non-dilutive financing until it reaches profitability. Research and development (R&D) expenses decreased 13% from K 2,652 in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 to K 2,296 in the FY 2024. The decrease in research and development expenses in 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily due to the clinical trial of NOX-A12 in brain cancer nearing completion, which required lower costs while at the same time generating more mature data. The pancreatic cancer clinical trial phase 2 protocol which has been approved by the FDA in the US has not been initiated, thereby keeping ongoing costs related to this clinical trial minimal. As a result, TME Pharma was able to decrease drug manufacturing costs, service fees and other costs related to the clinical trials and preclinical testing, in addition to lower personnel expenses, patent costs and consulting services, partly offset by higher other research and administrative expenses. General and administrative (G&A) expenses decreased from K 2,989 in the FY 2023 to K 2,981 in the FY 2024. The decrease in G&A expenses in 2024 compared to 2023 is mainly driven by lower personnel expenses as well as lower public and investor relations expenses and other expenses, partly offset by higher legal, consulting and audit fees in connection with the financing transactions in 2024. Other general and administrative expenses comprise mainly of depreciation of rights of use assets and equipment, supervisory board remuneration, insurance premium, and ancillary leasing costs. The finance income in the FY 2024 and 2023 was non-cash finance income. Finance income decreased from K 399 in the FY 2023 to K 32 in the FY 2024 as a result of ending the Atlas convertible bonds financing facility with Atlas Special Opportunities LLC (ASO). Finance income in 2024 mainly resulted from fair value adjustments of detachable warrants (ABSA Warrants) issued in connection with the preferential rights issue. In 2023, finance income of K 237 resulted from the derecognition of conversion rights in connection with the ASO financing upon conversion and redemption of the bonds and of K 162 fair value adjustments of ABSA Warrants issued in connection with the preferential rights issue. Finance cost decreased from K 1,518 in the FY 2023 to K 503 in the FY 2024 as a result of ending the Atlas convertible bonds financing facility with ASO. Finance cost in the FY 2024 and 2023 was non-cash finance cost, except for transaction costs of K 16 in 2024 and K 4 in 2023 borne by the company in conjunction with the exercise of ABSA Warrants (in 2024) and the issuance of Atlas convertible bonds (in 2023) as well as K 2 in 2024 and K 13 in 2023 relating to interest expense for lease liabilities. Finance cost in the FY 2024 of K 489 relate to the initial recognition of ABSA Warrants amounting to K 113 as well as losses of K 376 from exercises of such warrants. Finance cost in the FY 2023 of K 1,505 relate to the ASO facility (contractually entered into in 2020 and ended in 2023, except for outstanding convertible bonds that were fully redeemed in cash in the FY 2024) and comprise losses on initial recognition of convertible bonds, conversion losses, conversion right derivatives, interest in exchange for the lock-up of convertible bonds issued and outstanding as well as transaction costs. As a result of these factors, TME Pharma N.V. reports a net loss for FY 2024 of K 5,722 compared to K 6,736 in the FY 2023, a decrease of 15%. Outlook for 2025 TME Pharma's strategic focus for 2025 centers on maximizing the value of its clinical-stage assets, NOX-A12 and NOX-E36, through strategic partnerships, licensing agreements, and potential M&A. The company is pursuing these opportunities while maintaining a lean cost structure and actively preparing for a contingency plan involving a fully outsourced organizational structure, should targeted financing or strategic transactions not materialize by June 2025. NOX-A12 in Glioblastoma Given the unprecedented clinical data and clear regulatory pathway, TME Pharma has strategically prioritized the development of NOX-A12 in first-line, chemotherapy resistant glioblastoma since the company believes this indication offers the fastest path to regulatory approval for NOX-A12 in the solid tumor space. The partnering package for NOX-A12 in glioblastoma is particularly attractive due to: Significant Clinical Benefit : Statistically significant improvement in survival for NOX-A12 with radiotherapy and anti-VEGF bevacizumab compared to both the standard of care reference cohort (p=0.003) and the cohort treated with NOX-A12 and radiotherapy alone (p=0.021). : Statistically significant improvement in survival for NOX-A12 with radiotherapy and anti-VEGF bevacizumab compared to both the standard of care reference cohort (p=0.003) and the cohort treated with NOX-A12 and radiotherapy alone (p=0.021). Regulatory Validation: A clear regulatory pathway with a Phase 2 design approved by the US FDA and the German BfArM and enhanced regulatory interactions with Fast-Track status granted by the FDA in the US and Orphan Drug Designations granted in the US and EU. A clear regulatory pathway with a Phase 2 design approved by the US FDA and the German BfArM and enhanced regulatory interactions with Fast-Track status granted by the FDA in the US and Orphan Drug Designations granted in the US and EU. Commercial Protection: Commercial protection provided by the Orphan Drug Designations and potentially also by the patent application filed in 2022 covering the NOX-A12, radiotherapy and bevacizumab combination, which would provide cover into the 2040s if granted. Commercial protection provided by the Orphan Drug Designations and potentially also by the patent application filed in 2022 covering the NOX-A12, radiotherapy and bevacizumab combination, which would provide cover into the 2040s if granted. Non-dilutive Funding: Non-dilutive financial support of more than 7 million pledged for the approved Phase 2 trial once it is initiated, including a 2.4 million grant from the German federal government. Non-dilutive financial support of more than 7 million pledged for the approved Phase 2 trial once it is initiated, including a 2.4 million grant from the German federal government. Trial Readiness: Clinical trial grade (GMP) NOX-A12 sufficient to rapidly initiate the approved Phase 2 trial at the six centers already open in Germany. NOX-E36 in Ophthalmology TME Pharma recognizing NOX-E36 potential in ophthalmologyhas chosen to collaborate with the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) to maximize efficiency and minimize required resources for further development of the asset. The NOX-E36 program is poised for rapid advancement into the clinic on the basis of: Strong Scientific Rationale: Compelling preclinical proof-of-concept and clinical data supporting CCL2 as a valid target. Compelling preclinical proof-of-concept and clinical data supporting CCL2 as a valid target. Funding Opportunities: Funding for Phase 1b study potentially available through grants accessible to SERI Funding for Phase 1b study potentially available through grants accessible to SERI IP Protection: Joint patent applications filed for the use of NOX-E36 in eye diseases in March 2025. Joint patent applications filed for the use of NOX-E36 in eye diseases in March 2025. Drug Availability: GMP drug supply manufactured and ready to use pending local ocular toxicity bridging for subconjunctival administration, ensuring a smooth transition to clinic. GMP drug supply manufactured and ready to use pending local ocular toxicity bridging for subconjunctival administration, ensuring a smooth transition to clinic. Established Safety Profile: Excellent systemic safety and tolerability and dose-dependent pharmacologic activity established in 175 human subjects across previous clinical trials. As part of its most recent business planning TME Pharma is pursuing several transaction structures in parallel for its drug candidates: Out-licensing NOX-A12: Seeking an exclusive worldwide or regional out-licensing deal for NOX-A12 program to a pharmaceutical partner. The targeted transaction structure would bring in payments upon signature and significant regulatory and commercial milestones as well as providing for royalties on sales. Seeking an exclusive worldwide or regional out-licensing deal for NOX-A12 program to a pharmaceutical partner. The targeted transaction structure would bring in payments upon signature and significant regulatory and commercial milestones as well as providing for royalties on sales. Out-licensing NOX-E36: Seeking an exclusive worldwide out-licensing deal for NOX-E36 program both by TME Pharma and collaboration partner SERI to a newly formed company funded by venture capital partners. Seeking an exclusive worldwide out-licensing deal for NOX-E36 program both by and collaboration partner SERI to a newly formed company funded by venture capital partners. Asset Sale: Exploring the sale of the private operational subsidiary TME Pharma AG holding assets and intellectual property to a pharmaceutical partner or investor. This would result in TME Pharma N.V. holding either cash or shares of the acquiring entity. Exploring the sale of the private operational subsidiary holding assets and intellectual property to a pharmaceutical partner or investor. This would result in holding either cash or shares of the acquiring entity. Virtual Setup: As a contingency plan in case none of the above can be realized by June 2025, TME Pharma is preparing to change its organizational structure to allow it to continue pursuing the goals of financing, licensing or M&A transactions focused on its clinical stage assets, NOX-A12 and NOX-E36 while minimizing costs by outsourcing essentially all functions to maintain and advance the programs and conduct industrial partner and investor outreach. The outsourced staffing structure will likely be the most economically efficient option to manage collaborations and develop further transactions on NOX-A12 and NOX-E36 and so TME Pharma is actively preparing to transition to a fully outsourced staffing structure at the end of June 2025. About TME Pharma TME Pharma is a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapies for treatment of the most aggressive cancers. The company's oncology-focused pipeline is designed to act on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking tumor protection barriers against the immune system and blocking tumor repair. By neutralizing chemokines in the TME, TME Pharma's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses and enable greater therapeutic impact. In the GLORIA Phase 1/2 clinical trial, TME Pharma is studying its lead drug candidate NOX-A12 (olaptesed pegol, an anti-CXCL12 L-RNA aptamer) in newly diagnosed brain cancer patients who will not benefit clinically from standard chemotherapy. TME Pharma has delivered top-line data from the NOX-A12 three dose-escalation cohorts combined with radiotherapy of the GLORIA clinical trial, observing consistent tumor reductions and objective tumor responses. Additionally, GLORIA expansion arms evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in other combinations where the interim results from the triple combination of NOX-A12, radiotherapy and bevacizumab suggest even deeper and more durable responses, and improved survival. US FDA has approved the design of a randomized Phase 2 trial in glioblastoma and TME Pharma was awarded fast track designation by the FDA for NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy and bevacizumab for use in the treatment of the aggressive adult brain cancer, glioblastoma. NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy had also previously received orphan drug designation (ODD) for glioblastoma in the United States and glioma in Europe. TME Pharma has delivered final top-line data with encouraging overall survival and safety profile from its NOX-A12 combination trial with Keytruda in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients, which was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in October 2021. The company has entered in its second collaboration with MSD/Merck for its Phase 2 study, OPTIMUS, to further evaluate safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in combination with Merck's Keytruda and two different chemotherapy regimens as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The design of the trial has been approved in the United States. The company's second clinical-stage drug candidate, NOX-E36 (emapticap pegol, L-RNA aptamer inhibiting CCL2 and related chemokines), showing potential to address fibrosis and inflammation is evaluated in ophthalmic diseases with a high need for well-tolerated therapies with anti-fibrotic effect. Further information can be found at: www.tmepharma.com. TME Pharma and the TME Pharma logo are registered trademarks. Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp. Visit TME Pharma on LinkedIn and X. About the GLORIA Study GLORIA (NCT04121455) is TME Pharma's dose-escalation, Phase 1/2 study of NOX-A12 in combination with radiotherapy in first-line partially resected or unresected glioblastoma (brain cancer) patients with unmethylated MGMT promoter (resistant to standard chemotherapy). GLORIA further evaluates safety and efficacy of NOX-A12 in the expansion arm in which NOX-A12 is combined with radiotherapy and bevacizumab. About the OPTIMUS Study OPTIMUS (NCT04901741) is TME Pharma's planned open-label two-arm Phase 2 study of NOX-A12 combined with pembrolizumab and nanoliposomal irinotecan/5-FU/leucovorin or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in microsatellite-stable metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. Disclaimer Translations of any press release into languages other than English are intended solely as a convenience to the non-English-reading audience. The company has attempted to provide an accurate translation of the original text in English, but due to the nuances in translating into another language, slight differences may exist. This press release includes certain disclosures that contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are based on TME Pharma's current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the risks inherent in oncology drug development, including clinical trials and the timing of and TME Pharma's ability to obtain regulatory approvals for NOX-A12 as well as any other drug candidates. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and TME Pharma undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425912346/en/ Contacts: For more information, please contact: TME Pharma N.V. Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D., CEO Tel. +49 (0) 30 16637082 0 investors@tmepharma.com Investor and Media Relations: LifeSci Advisors Guillaume van Renterghem Tel. +41 (0) 76 735 01 31 gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com NewCap Arthur Rouille Tel. +33 (0) 1 44 71 00 15 arouille@newcap.fr RIO DE JANEIRO, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "We are not prepared, in the international arena, to combat organized crime in the digital environment." With this warning, the Public Prosecutor in Naples, Nicola Gratteri, drew the attention of participants at the 12th International Week of Magna Grecia, on Thursday (24), in Rio de Janeiro. The meeting focused on the debate about the new modus operandi of criminal organizations, which use the internet and new technologies to expand their illicit activities. Gratteri warned about the ease with which criminals find and trade illicit products on the dark web, from drugs and weapons of war to human trafficking. The prosecutor also pointed to the change in drug trafficking routes, with the port of Ecuador gaining prominence in relation to the port of Santos. Michelle Carbone, who heads the Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA) of Italy, emphasized the mafia's ability to adapt to new technologies and globalization, which allows them to operate on a global scale and commit crimes that transcend geographical borders. He highlighted the challenge represented by crypto-activities, where the action of criminals is global, while laws and the application of justice are still local. The Secretary of Public Security of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Victor Cesar dos Santos, stressed the transnational nature of digital crime and its impact in Brazil, where organized crime moved R$ 348.1 billion in 2024, ranging from drug trafficking to crimes related to fuels and other services. The event's participants advocated the need for a holistic approach and international cooperation to combat organized crime also in cyberspace. The president of the Magna Grecia Foundation, Nino Foti, highlighted the importance of collaboration between Italy and Brazil in this effort. The event also included the participation of Brazilian and Italian authorities, such as Congressman Francesco Romano, who addressed the challenges of digitalization in public administration, and experts such as Antonio Nicaso, who analyzed the rapid adaptation of criminal organizations such as the PCC and the 'Ndrangheta to the use of cryptocurrencies and other technologies. "There was a notorious case of a hacker attack on the security systems of the port of Antwerp, in Belgium, an important hub for international drug trafficking," he exemplified. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673437/Divulgaci_n_Fundaci_n_Magna_Grecia__Gabriel_Soares.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-world-is-not-prepared-italian-and-brazilian-authorities-warn-about-organized-crime-in-the-digital-environment-302438513.html Backlog1 increases to 5.4 million Regulatory News: Vinpai (ISIN: FR001400AXT1; ticker: ALVIN), a specialist in the design, manufacture and marketing of algae- and plant-based functional ingredients for the food and cosmetics industries, today announces its revenue for the first quarter of 2025. Philippe Le Ray, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, states: "After a challenging environment in 2024, the beginning of 2025 is marked by strong demand, as reflected by our robust backlog, now approaching 6 million. This first quarter appears to confirm an upward trend, with a rebound in North America, sustained demand in North Africa, and positive momentum in Asia-Pacific. Our industrial facility is now fully optimized to support a monthly revenue of over 1 million. We continue to leverage our innovation portfolio by integrating technologies we consider to be strategic across each of our areas of activity. First Quarter 2025 Activity Revenue in k Q1 2024 Q1 2025 % change 1st quarter 2,552 2,322 -9.0% Revenue for the first quarter of 2025 amounted to 2,322k, representing a 9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Business momentum remains steady with the modest recovery observed in the final quarter of 2024 and despite an uncertain global context impacting two key markets for the Company: on the one hand Algeria, where the diplomatic crisis with France has raised concerns over the flow of goods and financial transactions between the two countries, and on the other hand Mexico, where new tariffs are affecting the export of end products by the Company's clients to the United States. The decline of the revenue compared to Q1 2024, driven by these international factors, is not deemed material. Commercial momentum has remained strong, with the backlog increasing to over 5.4 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to 5 million a year earlier and 3.8 million as of December 31, 2024. Next financial announcement: 2025 first half revenue, on July 25, 2025, after markets close About Vinpai Vinpai is an ingredien'tech company specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of algae, plants, mineral and fiber-based functional ingredients offering manufacturers natural alternatives to chemical additives. Positioned in the most promising market segments, Vinpai now supports manufacturers in the food industry, its historical market, cosmetics and nutraceuticals, thanks to cross-technology know-how, enabling them to increase the nutritional qualities of their finished products. The combination and association of ingredients and food additives allows manufacturers to accelerate their development, optimize their production costs and generate profitability. Operating from two sites, in Saint-Dolay and Rieux (Morbihan) near the port of Saint-Nazaire, Vinpai has developed more than 3,500 formulas and now has 43 employees. In 2024, the Company generated revenues of 9.2 million, over 70% of which abroad, and is established in more than 36 countries. For further information: www.vinpai.com. Disclaimer This press release may contain forward-looking statements about the Company's objectives and prospects. These forward-looking statements are based on the current estimates and expectations of the Company's management, and are subject to risk factors and uncertainties, including those described in its 2023 annual financial report published on April 10, 2024 which is available on the Company's Investor Relations website (www.vinpai-finance.com). Readers' attention is particularly drawn to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's short- or medium terms working capital requirements, its current financing horizon being limited to the end of December 2025, which may be reduced in the event of an early redemption of the Convertible Bonds subscribed by Camlin Fine Science Limited2. The Company is also subject to other risks and uncertainties, such as the Company's ability to implement its strategy, the pace of development of Vinpai's production and sales, changes in the competitive environment and, more broadly, any risks associated with managing the Company's growth. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release may not be achieved due to these or other unknown risk factors and uncertainties, or factors which the Company does not currently consider material and specific. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause the actual results, financial conditions, performances, or achievements of Vinpai be materially different from those mentioned in the forward-looking statements. This press release and the information it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe, or the solicitation of an order to buy or subscribe, Vinpai shares in any country. _____________________________ 1 The backlog is defined as all orders validated by customers, recorded in the Company's ERP and to be delivered within a maximum period of 9 months. 2 For further details on the impact of the early repayment of the Convertible Bonds on the Company's financing horizon, please refer to the press release published by the Company on April 2, 2025. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425585232/en/ Contacts: Vinpai Philippe Le Ray Chief Executive Officer investors@vinpai.com NewCap Theo Martin Aurelie Manavarere Investor Relations vinpai@newcap.eu T.: 01 44 71 94 94 NewCap Nicolas Merigeau Media Relations vinpai@newcap.eu T.: 01 44 71 94 98 BANGALORE, India, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Photo Detector Market is Segmented by Type (Portable Type, Stationary Type), by Application (Consumer Electronics, Industrial Equipment, Aerospace And Defense, Automobile). The Global Photo Detector Market was valued at USD 3510.1 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 5918.5 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Claim Your Free Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-3F4632/Global_Photo_Detector_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Photo Detector Market: Demand for photo detectors is accelerating because optical sensing has become a foundational layer of digital transformation across industries. Smartphones, wearables, ADAS vehicles, smart-buildings, drones, biomedical test kits, and quantum-secure networks all rely on photodiodes, SPAD arrays, or CMOS image sensors to convert light into actionable data. Every new feature such as face authentication, lidar depth mapping, fluorescence-based diagnostics, hyperspectral crop analysis, or single-photon encryption in turn adds more detector channels per device. At the same time, manufacturing efficiencies and government semiconductor incentives are pushing device prices down, widening the addressable pool of applications. Tighter safety, energy-efficiency, and quality regulations further mandate redundant optical sensors in consumer and industrial equipment, turning photodetectors from optional components into non-negotiable design wins and locking in multiyear shipment growth. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-3F4632/global-photo-detector TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE PHOTO DETECTOR MARKET: Portable photodetectors convert smartphones, wearables, drone payloads, and field-testing gadgets into ubiquitous optical laboratories, shifting measurement from centralized benches to the network edge. Integration with low-power microcontrollers lets environmental scientists verify air quality on mountain trails and agronomists gauge chlorophyll in remote paddies, all without mains electricity. High-volume handset manufacturing cuts module cost below a dollar, making photoplethysmography and time-of-flight depth mapping commonplace in consumer devices. This mass adoption primes suppliers with cash flow to fund R&D for ultraviolet-C pathogen detection. Start-ups exploit open Bluetooth profiles to link photodiodes with cloud dashboards, spawning subscription services for athletes, diabetics, and construction inspectors, thus transforming one-time hardware sales into durable recurring revenue. Stationary photodetector systems, anchored in traffic intersections, semiconductor fabs, and utility substations, serve applications where stability, throughput, and calibration precision outweigh mobility. Smart-city planners layer lidar-based monitors with multispectral cameras to quantify vehicle counts, pedestrian flow, and emissions in real time, feeding AI engines that optimize signal timing and congestion pricing. In manufacturing, fixed spectrophotometers inspect wafer lithography or beverage clarity at line rates exceeding ten-thousand samples per hour, eliminating costly manual sampling. Utility operators embed photodiodes within switchgear to detect early arc-flash signatures, pre-empting outages. Because these installations lock customers into multi-year calibration and analytics contracts, stationary solutions generate predictable after-sales income that cushions vendors against smartphone-cycle volatility. Over time, artificial-intelligence upgrades further enhance data value and extend replacement intervals. Consumer electronics set the cadence for innovation in photodetector pixel density, quantum efficiency, and power budget. Each flagship smartphone integrates a growing constellation of optical modules-structured-light projectors for secure face unlock, laser autofocus, depth-sensing SPAD arrays, and ambient-color sensors that tune display white balance in real time. Smart-TV OEMs add gesture-recognition cameras to remote-free interfaces, while VR headsets string four or more inside-out tracking cameras around the visor, each dependent on high-frame-rate photodiodes with low dark current. The fierce feature race forces yearly redesigns, compressing product lifecycles and driving wafer starts at mixed-signal foundries. Volume economics from this consumer onslaught cascade into industrial and medical tiers, lowering barriers for niche deployments. Accessory ecosystems-ring lights, gimbals, and AR spectacles-likewise embed auxiliary photodetectors, magnifying aggregate demand. ADAS multiplies photodetector channels per car. Solid-state lidar arrays use dense SPAD networks to perceive pedestrians in fog, while interior driver-monitoring cameras employ NIR sensors to track distraction. Euro-NCAP protocols now demand automatic emergency braking and intelligent speed assistance, making multi-spectral optical sensing mandatory for five-star safety ratings. Tier-one suppliers sign decade-long volume contracts, ensuring foundry utilization. Premium carmakers differentiate with 4D lidar featuring single-photon avalanche diodes capable of picosecond timing, commanding high ASPs. Automotive qualification cycles create durable revenue annuities, while over-the-air firmware updates unlock advanced features, encouraging owners to subscribe, further monetizing embedded photodetectors. In point-of-care diagnostics, photodetectors form the critical read-out engine that turns biochemical reactions into quantifiable digital signals within minutes. Disposable test cartridges-ranging from lateral-flow COVID assays to microfluidic HbA1c panels-use embedded photodiodes or compact CMOS sensors to measure colorimetric or fluorescent changes produced by antigen-antibody binding or enzymatic activity. Because these detectors can resolve subtle intensity shifts, clinicians obtain lab-comparable accuracy at the bedside or pharmacy counter without bulky spectrophotometers. Pharmacy chains bundle readers with subscription data services, generating predictable consumable pull-through. Developing economies adopt low-cost photodiode readers to offset limited lab infrastructure, broadening geographic revenue. LEED, BREEAM, and national green codes mandate daylight harvesting and occupancy-based lighting controls, all dependent on lux and presence detection. Ultra-low-dark-current diodes keep standby power at micro-watt level, vital for sensor grids in commercial campuses. Performance-contract financiers bundle hardware, installation, and savings guarantees, shifting CapEx to OpEx and accelerating upgrades. LED-driver ICs now ship with integrated photodiode feedback loops, simplifying design and boosting attach rates. Carbon-reduction targets create repeat retrofit cycles as efficacy thresholds tighten. Hyperspectral drones and satellite surveys rely on high-QE detector arrays to monitor nitrogen uptake, fungal infections, and water stress at centimetre resolution. Variable-rate applicators cut fertilizer and pesticide usage up to thirty percent, justifying sensor investment. Governments subsidize agritech drones to meet sustainable-yield targets, injecting predictable demand. Commodity traders and crop-insurance firms pay for real-time imagery, creating secondary revenue channels for detector OEMs. Claim Yours Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-3F4632&lic=single-user PHOTO DETECTOR MARKET SHARE Asia-Pacific commands over half of global shipments, buoyed by China's smartphone corridors, South Korea's display fabs, and Japan's automotive-camera exports; semiconductor-sovereignty subsidies multiply wafer lines and shorten supply chains. North America and Europe together generate roughly one-third of revenue, driven by defense imaging, quantum research, and stringent safety rules that lift unit ASPs. Latin America and MEA trail in volume yet post double-digit growth through smart-city and agritech pilots, providing geographic diversification that cushions cyclical downturns. Key Companies: Hamamatsu Photonics Vishay Finisar Corporation Analog Devices Inc Hamamatsu Osram Bosch Thorlabs Picometrix LLC Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-3F4632/Global_Photo_Detector_Market SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - High Speed Photodetector Market was valued at USD 1507 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 2947 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period. - Photoelectric Detector Market was estimated to be worth USD 916.9 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1192.6 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Photodetector Chip Market - APD Photodetector Chips Market was valued at USD 169 Million in the year 2023 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 222 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. - Single-Photon Avalanche Photodiode Detector Market was valued at USD 684 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1060 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. - Silicon-Based Photodetector Market revenue was USD 137 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 219.8 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period (2023-2029). - Single Photon Avalanche Photodiode Market was valued at USD 491 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1641 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 19.1% during the forecast period. - Avalanche Photodetector Module Market - Avalanche Photodetector Chips Market - Avalanche Photodiode Arrays Market - Avalanche Photodiode (APD) market was valued at USD 145 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 182.9 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. 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GET A FREE QUOTE Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/5287542/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-photo-detector-market-to-hit-5-9-billion-by-2030--driven-by-advancements-in-consumer-electronics-and-automotive-applications--valuates-reports-302438572.html Everen Specialty, a Bermuda-based (re)insurer for energy markets worldwide, today announced the appointment of Carla Greaves as its new Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425273777/en/ Carla Greaves Ms. Greaves will join the Executive Leadership Team of the Everen Group, based in the Bermuda office, later this year. She succeeds Jane Peterson, Interim CUO, who will continue in a consultancy capacity to facilitate the transition. With more than 30 years of underwriting and leadership experience in the (re)insurance industry, Ms. Greaves brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success in the Casualty market where she is recognized for building high-performing teams, driving profitable growth, and successfully navigating complex market environments. Prior to joining Everen Specialty, Ms. Greaves held increasingly senior leadership positions, most recently serving as Global CUO for Casualty at AXA XL in Bermuda. "We are delighted to welcome Carla to the Everen Group," said Robert Foskey, President CEO of the Everen Group. "Carla is widely respected in the industry as an outstanding and experienced leader with deep technical expertise and a passion for building high-performing teams. Her proven leadership will be instrumental as we develop and execute on our new three-year strategic plan for Everen Specialty strengthening our underwriting capabilities and continuing to deliver a world-class service to our members and policyholders." He added: "Her appointment as CUO marks an exciting new chapter for Everen Specialty and underscores our commitment to providing stable energy insurance capacity for our members and policyholders for the long term. We look forward to the considerable experience and leadership Carla will bring to our business." Ms. Greaves commented: "I'm honored to join Everen Specialty at such a pivotal time. I look forward to working with the team to enhance underwriting performance, support the new strategy, and continue providing exceptional service to members and policyholders." Ms. Greaves holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John's University, as well as a professional designation from the Chartered Insurance Institute. About Everen Group: The Everen Group a group of leading energy insurance companies based in Bermuda includes two distinct operating companies providing complementary products: Everen and Everen Specialty. Everen is the largest energy insurance mutual company in the world, operating for over 50 years and acting as a pure mutual owned by its member shareholders. Its underwriting is 100% supported by its own balance sheet with no third-party capital and it offers up to $450 million of per occurrence limits. Everen Specialty is an industry owned commercial (re)insurer offering property and casualty insurance and reinsurance for members and non-members. Everen Specialty also has a subsidiary, OCIL Specialty, Ltd (OSL), writing U.S. surplus lines business through OSL Insurance Services (OISI), a managing general agent based in Houston, Texas. For further information about the Everen Group, please visit www.everengroup.bm View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250425273777/en/ Contacts: For inquiries regarding this press release, please contact Elizabeth Deacon, Communications Manager at elizabeth.deacon@everengroup.bm Glen Ellyn, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - College of DuPage Arabic Instructor Dina Khoury is the Collegewide Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for the 2024-2025 academic year. Representing the Liberal Arts Division, Khoury said she is honored to receive this recognition and grateful to be part of a supportive academic community with colleagues and students who inspire her. "This also means a lot to me, as a Palestinian woman, getting this recognition from one of the largest community colleges in the Chicago area," she said. Born and raised in Bethlehem, Palestine, Khoury remembers being surrounded by shepherds' fields, ancient olive trees and rich history and culture that deeply influenced her perspective. "Growing up, I learned the importance of resilience, heritage and family in a place that has known so much hardship," she said. "Like many young Palestinians, I dreamed of something more - more opportunities to grow and to study." In 2005, Khoury moved to the United States and began her master's degree program at National Louis University. It was her first time in the U.S., and everything felt new-different people she didn't know, an unfamiliar college system, and a language she still wasn't confident speaking. "I didn't know anybody, but I tried to connect with my instructors," said Khoury. "Once they knew where I was coming from and how excited I was to start the program, they were very helpful and supportive, talking to me before and after class." She recalled how after returning to the U.S. after visiting her family on a break, a professor who she had taken classes with asked about her visit and cared about how she was doing. That professor's thoughtfulness encouraged her to do the same with her students. "That connection gives them that sense of trust, and I feel helps them to push through more." Said Khoury. Khoury began teaching Arabic at COD in 2013. Several years into teaching, she was continually struck by how little students knew about the Arab world. After speaking with the dean and a few other professors, she designed a course for teaching Arabic culture, which she now encourages her students to take with the hope of creating a more complete picture. "You can't separate language from culture," she said. "Arabic culture is incredibly rich. Arab people are known for their generosity, their hospitality and their warmth. They go above and beyond to make others feel welcome. There's so much beauty in the Arab world that I want to share with my students." Along with learning the Arabic language and culture, Khoury hopes that her students learn to support and connect with each other. She strives to create an environment where students feel safe and feel bold enough to practice speaking Arabic more and to connect culturally, especially with students coming from troubled countries like Syria, Iraq and Palestine. "They come here with no friends or family-just for their education," she said. "At first, they feel lonely. But after they connect with me and with each other, they make friends and have someone to talk to. Many students tell me those were their best semesters." Khoury became chair of the Middle East Committee in 2023 and has since organized a field trip and invited several guest speakers to COD to educate students about the Middle East and the Arab world. She also serves as advisor to COD's Arab Student Association. Founded in fall 2024, the organization provides Arab students opportunities to connect with each other, hold events and socialize. "I carry my Palestinian identity with me as a source of strength, and the challenges I faced have fueled my drive to pursue my education," said Khoury, who is now working on her Ph.D. "I make sure everything that I do for my children and my students models perseverance and kindness. I want to show them that they can grow in their difficulties." College of DuPage Arabic Instructor Dina Khoury is College of DuPage's Collegewide Outstanding 2024-2025 Adjunct Faculty Member To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9467/249804_ece3b65024c03861_001full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249804 SOURCE: College of DuPage St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SIC) (OTCQB: SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") today announces a non-brokered private placement of flow-through ("FT") shares (the "Private Placement") for gross proceeds of up to CAD$400,000. The Private Placement is expected to close on or before May 7, 2025. The Private Placement is priced at CAD$0.05 per FT share, with each flow-through common share of the Company entitling the holder to receive the tax benefits applicable to flow-through shares in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The first closing of CAD$300,000 is imminent. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month and one-day hold period. "While our team has been fully engaged with the two bulk samples recently, we are looking forward to continuing our exploration on our other projects, as we believe they hold significant discovery potential," remarked Tim Froude, P.Geo., President and CEO of Sokoman. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company may pay finders' fees in cash and broker warrants as permitted by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The Private Placement is subject to Exchange approval. The Company will use an amount equal to the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the FT shares, pursuant to the provisions in the Income Tax Act (Canada), to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") on or before December 31, 2026, and to renounce all of the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers of the FT shares. The Company intends to spend CAD$400,000 of the flow-through proceeds on our exploration projects. About Sokoman Minerals Corp. Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company and one of the largest landholders in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's emerging gold district. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100%-owned flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, Crippleback Lake, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland, targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland. In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. For full details of the agreement, please refer to the Company's press release dated October 11, 2023. Projects optioned with optionee fully vested are: East Alder Project optioned to Canterra Minerals Inc. (SIC retains shares of CTM plus 1% NSR) Startrek Project optioned to Thunder Gold (SIC retains shares of TGOL plus 1% NSR) The Company would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the financial support of the Moosehead and Fleur de Lys Projects through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program during the past few years. Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com Twitter: @SokomanMinerals Facebook: @SokomanMinerals LinkedIn: @SokomanMineralsCorp 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. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249844 SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Alma Gold Inc. (CSE: ALMA) ("Alma Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 15,000,000 units ("Units") to be issued at a price of $0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds up to $1,500,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share (each a "Share") and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant (with two such half warrants being a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at a price of $0.20 for a period of two (2) years from closing. Proceeds received from the Private Placement will be used for general working capital purposes, including potential strategic initiatives currently under consideration. All securities will be will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from issuance. The Company does not intend to pay any finder's fees on the Private Placement. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Alma Gold Inc. Alma Gold Inc. is a gold-focused exploration company based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Alma Gold Inc. through its subsidiary Karita Gold Corp. is exploring the Karita West Project in northern Guinea, the Dialakoro project permits under application in the Siguiri Basin of Guinea and it owns the Clarence Stream North Gold Project in southwest New Brunswick, Canada. For more information on Alma Gold Inc., please visit our website at: https://www.almagoldinc.ca. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company's intention to complete a non-brokered private placement; the expected size, pricing and structure of the private placement; the anticipated use of proceeds; the issuance and terms of the common shares and warrants; and the Company's exploration plans and objectives. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the risk that the Private Placement may not be completed as currently proposed or at all; the availability of capital and investor interest; regulatory and stock exchange approvals not being obtained in a timely manner, or at all; changes in economic, market and business conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices and investor sentiment; unanticipated expenses or liabilities; and risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information is based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions as of the date of this news release, including assumptions that: all required regulatory approvals will be received in a timely manner; sufficient investor interest will be secured; and the Company will be able to use the proceeds from the Private Placement as intended. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249839 SOURCE: Alma Gold Inc. Goodwell, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - The Oklahoma State University A&M Board of Regents today voted to appoint Dr. Jim Hess as the 20th president of Oklahoma State University. The board's decision, which removes the interim title Hess has held since February, appoints Hess to a three year term and came during its regular meeting at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell. "Dr. Hess has proven himself as the right leader at the right time for Oklahoma State University," Board Chairman Jimmy Harrel said. "His deep understanding of OSU's land-grant mission gives our board complete confidence in his ability to lead the university forward. Every day, Dr. Hess demonstrates his commitment to putting students first in everything he's doing, which aligns perfectly with OSU's mission." The board's vice chair, Rick Walker, who made the motion for Hess's permanent appointment, said: "While we could have spent an entire year searching for a new president, seeing Jim's work up close over the past months has provided a level of insight and confidence that no interviews with outside candidates would have yielded. His positive impact across the OSU community has been swift. He immediately took action on key issues and legislative priorities, and his engagement with OSU's students, faculty, and staff has restored much-needed connections and stability throughout the institution." OSU A&M Regent Blayne Arthur added: "After observing Dr. Hess's immediate impact, the Board recognized we had already found OSU's ideal leader. His decades in Oklahoma higher education and unique perspective as both a faculty member and administrator give him an authentic understanding of our university. Dr. Hess is already positioning OSU to enhance its statewide impact through education, research, and agricultural leadership that drives Oklahoma's economy and future." "Dr. Hess understands that OSU's mission is to serve all of Oklahoma and his vision for student success is aligned with the future prosperity of our state," said Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Sean Burrage. "Jim has become a fixture in higher education in Oklahoma, and his appointment reflects a confidence that, under his leadership, OSU will continue to strengthen the state's workforce and drive our economy forward." OSU Faculty Council Chair Dr. Lisa Slevitch expressed strong support for the appointment, noting Dr. Hess's unique perspective as a longtime faculty member. "President Hess has breathed new life into the partnership between administration and faculty," Slevitch said. "His commitment has already strengthened our academic community. Faculty members appreciate having a leader who truly 'gets' us - someone who has walked in our shoes and understands our challenges. Even as interim president, he's taken concrete steps to improve the relationship between administration and faculty. His genuine care for faculty wellbeing is evident in his actions, and he recognizes that student success begins with faculty support." Dr. Hess has outlined a vision focused on student success, emphasizing that every university decision should enhance education and the overall student experience at OSU. Since taking the interim role, he has initiated several organizational changes to create closer connections between key functions and the students they support and impact. "I am honored by the board's trust and excited about OSU's future," said Hess following the vote. "We share a commitment to our students, an awareness of our challenges and possibilities, and a bold vision for this institution. We launch this journey with an urgency of purpose and the confidence that we can change lives, transform education, and pave the way for the next generation of Cowboys." Hess added: "This moment doesn't belong to me, it belongs to our students who work hard to pursue their dreams, to our faculty who ignite our students' minds and conduct life-changing research, to our staff who operate OSU with excellence every day, and to our alumni and friends who share their time and resources so generously with this institution." Hess earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Northeastern State University before completing his doctorate at Oklahoma State University. His career in Oklahoma higher education spans four decades, including leadership roles at Rogers State College, OSU-Tulsa, and the OSU Center for Health Sciences. PHOTOS: https://www.flickr.com/gp/ostatenews/H9DE0p1kr1 The Oklahoma State University A&M Board of Regents today voted to appoint Dr. Jim Hess as the 20th president of Oklahoma State University. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10198/249846_028d3e30244deb77_001full.jpg The Oklahoma State University A&M Board of Regents today voted to appoint Dr. Jim Hess as the 20th president of Oklahoma State University. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10198/249846_028d3e30244deb77_002full.jpg About OSU: Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 35,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 26,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 127 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 290,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world. About the OSU/A&M Board of Regents: The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges was established in 1944 under Section 31a, Article 6 of the Oklahoma Constitution. It comprises nine members: eight appointed by the governor with the senate's advice, and the ninth is the State Board of Agriculture president. The Board serves as the governing body for five institutions. These institutions include Oklahoma State University, Connors State College, Langston University, Northeastern Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, and Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The Board ensures these educational institutions' continued growth and success through its supervision, management, and oversight. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249846 SOURCE: Oklahoma State University WineFi, a London, UK-based wine investment platform, raised 1.5M in Seed funding. The round was led by Coterie Holdings with participation from SFC Capital and Founders Capital. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and further expand its team. Founded by Oliver Thorpe and Callum Woodcock, WineFi allows investors to build bespoke portfolios, or to co-invest in diversified, expertly curated portfolios. Combining quantitative data analysis with decades of wine expertise, it helps investors gain exposure to an historically high-performing, tax-efficient asset class possessing low correlation to traditional asset classes. The company serves both individual investors through its syndicate platform and family offices through bespoke portfolio services. All wines are stored in Coterie Vaults, a UK government bonded warehouse, where light, temperature, and humidity are carefully controlled to maintain investment grade quality. FinSMEs 25/04/2025 Actor Saif Ali Khan has never shied away from experimenting with his craft. Having been around for decades, Saif has successfully dabbled on to various platforms. Showcasing the spirit of a true blue artist in the most objective manner Saif Ali Khan never saw the platforms differently. Recently Saif opened up about that the different platforms helped Saif evolve as an actor too. He said, There were one or two people who asked my manager if I was doing TV now. There is nothing against TV; its a great medium. But I dont think the Netflix Series is like TV at all, there are differences. Being in front of the camera is a privilege; the older I get, the more I understand that. You have to be great, and try and be very good at everything, also respect the platform you are on. There is so much amazing stuff out there, and there are so many amazing actors doing fantastic work. I dont think I differentiate between a big movie or a small movie anymore; its just an opportunity to give a shot, and that has to be 100 percent commitment. Saif has truly excelled in the web space, his Sacred Games has been much loved. Now he is all set to win hearts with Jewel Thief that releases on Netflix India on 25th April 2025. Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan has brilliantly crafted the biographical drama of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule as the movie showcases the precious contribution of the couple, which played a crucial role in making India a progressive country. read more Star cast: Pratik Gandhi, Patralekhaa, Vinay Pathak, Sushil Pandey, Darsheel Safary, Suresh Vishwakarma, Joysen Gupta, Alexx ONell, Amit Behl, Akshaya Gurav and Jayesh More Director: Ananth Narayan Mahadevan After facing controversies and headlines, Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa starrer Phule has finally hit the screens today. Based on the life of social activist, businessman, anti-caste social reformer and writer, Jyotirao Phule aka Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule (the first female teacher of India), the biographical drama showcases the couples contributions to social reform and education in India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the trailer looked promising due to the nuanced acts of the lead cast, does it manage to impress the audience? Lets find out The plot starts in 1897 in Poona (now Pune), where villagers are scared due to the bubonic plague and are taken to medical camps by Britishers. In a panic, Savitribai Phule (played by Patralekhaa), without any fear or hesitation, carries a kid and takes him to the camp. Cut to 1848, young Jyotiba Phule ( Pratik Gandhi) is teaching English to his wife Savitri, which is not only liked by the upper caste or surroundings but also by his father Govind Phule (Vinay Pathak). Jyotiba secretly goes to his upper caste friends house along with Savitribai to educate young girls. But soon the upper caste people reach that place and destroy all the study material. Later, all the Brahmins warn Jyotiba through Panchayat to stop educating girls as it is insulting Indian culture and tradition and accepting the slavery of Britishers. To avoid any trouble for his father and elder brother, Jyotiba and Savitribai leave their home and go to Usmans house, who is Phules school friend. As they realize that people are not comfortable sending girls to schools because there are no female teachers, Savitribai Phule and Usmans sister Fatima get professional training and thus emerge as female teachers of India. On 15th May 1849, a small open school was started by Savitribai and Fatima with 30 girls and by 1852, the number of schools reached 20. While the problem of girl education is slowly and steadily being solved, Jyotiba realizes the condition of Shudras (lower caste) and widows is still miserable due to regressive and orthodox traditions implemented by the upper caste. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On 24th September 1873, Jyotiba starts the Satyashodhak Samaj to fight for the equal rights of the lower caste and combat caste discrimination. The couple also tackled the Great Famine in India, which was triggered due to drought in 1876 and solved it with great will and determination. For the upliftment of the Shudras (Dalits) and for spreading progressive thoughts including widow remarriage, Phule was bestowed with the title of Mahatma on May 11, 1888. Till the demise of the couple, Jyotiba and Savitribai gave their heart, soul and everything for the reformation of the country and making a place where girls can be educated with free minds and no fear. Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan has brilliantly crafted the biographical drama of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule as the movie beautifully showcases the precious contribution of the couple, which played a crucial role in making India a progressive country. Ananth takes you to that era and makes you part of Jyotiba and Savitirbais struggles, hardships and triumphs. While Sunita Radia has done a good job as DoP, Raunak Phadnis editing is good but could have been a bit crisper in the second half. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talking about the performances, Pratik delivers a stellar act as Jyotiba and his sincerity in portraying this great soul is visible in every frame. Patralekhaa too gives an eye-pleasing emotional performance and makes a special place in your heart. Supporting cast including Vinay Pathak, Sushil Pandey, Suresh Vishwakarma, Joysen Gupta, Alexx ONell, Amit Behl, Akshaya Gurav and Jayesh More have played their roles perfectly. Special mention for Taare Zameen Par actor Darsheel Safary, who played Jyotiba and Savitribais adopted son Yashwant with innocence and finesse. On the whole, Phule is a must-watch for all the Indians as it is a beautiful tribute to Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars) Phule is playing in cinemas Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will visit Baisaran Valley in Jammu and Kashmir today, where he will attend a security review meeting after the recent terror attack that killed 26. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump will depart from Washington today for Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, which is set to take place on the morning of Saturday, April 26 read more The incident has shocked the nation and led to condemnation both in India and overseas. Reuters Today will be a busy day. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to hold a security meeting today and will visit Baisaran Valley, following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam. US President Donald Trump will leave for Rome to attend Pope Francis funeral. Also, Pope Francis coffin will be sealed during a religious ceremony at St. Peters Basilica. Former US Congressman George Santos will be sentenced today in a case involving several fraud charges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Alabama, James Osgood is due to be executed today. He was convicted for the rape and murder of his girlfriends cousin. Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, is expected to appear in court today on federal charges. Today also marks the anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015. The 7.8-magnitude quake killed almost 9,000 people, left many more injured, and destroyed more than 600,000 buildings in Kathmandu and surrounding areas. Lets take a look at these events in detail: Army Chief General to visit Kashmir Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to visit Baisaran Valley today and take part in a security review meeting following the terror attack in Pahalgam. On Tuesday, four terrorists opened fire at a resort in Pahalgam, a popular destination in south Kashmir. Many tourists were present when the attack took place. Indian police officers stand guard outside the police control room in Srinagar, following a suspected militant attack near south Kashmirs scenic Pahalgam, April 23, 2025. Reuters The incident has shocked the nation and led to widespread condemnation both in India and overseas. As a response, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with immediate effect. The Integrated Check Post at Attari has also been closed without delay. Donald Trump in Rome US President Donald Trump will leave Washington today and head to Rome for Pope Francis funeral. He is expected to return on Saturday evening once the ceremony concludes. This will be Trumps first overseas visit since returning to the White House on January 20. Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome, Trump posted on Truth Social. Trump at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, US. Reuters/File Photo Pope Francis died on Monday morning at the age of 88, following a stroke and heart failure, the Vatican said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Pope, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, requested to be buried outside the Vatican, at Romes Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Sealing of Pope Francis coffin The coffin of Pope Francis, the first Latin American head of the Catholic Church, will be sealed today during a special liturgical ceremony in St. Peters Basilica. This will take place ahead of the papal funeral scheduled for the morning of Saturday, April 26. Members of the clergy celebrate Mass in memory of Pope Francis in La Paz, Bolivia. Reuters/File Photo The ceremony, called the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin, will be led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. Several Cardinals and senior Holy See officials are expected to attend the event. The ceremony marks the end of the public viewing period in St. Peters Basilica. Following the funeral Mass at St. Peters, Francis coffin will be moved to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome for burial. Sentencing of ex-congressman George Santos Former US congressman George Santos will be sentenced today after pleading guilty to several fraud charges. In a letter shared ahead of the hearing, Santos said he feels profoundly sorry for his actions, but argued that the seven-year sentence recommended by prosecutors is ridiculous and too severe. Prosecutors claimed in their own statement last week that Santos has shown no real remorse, contrary to what his lawyers have argued while pushing for a lighter sentence of two years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Santos admitted to deceiving donors and using the identities of nearly a dozen people to help finance his congressional campaign. He also argued that his colourful online posts are being unfairly used against him. Federal arraignment for Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, will be arraigned today on federal charges. Mangione, 26, is already facing murder and weapons charges under New York state law, which does not allow the death penalty. The federal charges do not introduce new offences but raise the stakes, as Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the state-level charges. The federal indictment, based on a grand jurys findings, includes charges of murder, stalking and firearms offences. If found guilty of the firearms charge, Mangione could face the death penalty, which federal prosecutors intend to pursue. Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealths insurance wing, was shot and killed on December 4 outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel where the company was holding an investor event. Execution of James Osgood James Osgood is scheduled to be executed in Alabama today for the rape and murder of his girlfriends cousin, a crime described by a prosecutor as a twisted fantasy. The execution will take place by lethal injection at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Osgood confessed to police that he and his girlfriend, Tonya Vandyke, attacked 44-year-old Tracy Lynn Wilemon in her bedroom on October 13, 2010. In the lead-up to his execution, Osgood dropped all legal appeals, dismissed his lawyer, and told the judge he was prepared to be executed for the crime. While he initially denied involvement, Osgood later confessed, saying he remembered seeing the fear in her eyes. He later asked the judge to impose the death sentence. 10th anniversary of deadly Nepal Earthquake On April 25, 2015, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 in magnitude struck Nepal, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The quake left the country reeling and caused fears of a major humanitarian crisis across the Himalayan region. Around 9,000 people lost their lives, with thousands more injured. More than 600,000 buildings in Kathmandu and nearby towns were either damaged or destroyed, according to Britannica. The quake left the country reeling and caused fears of a major humanitarian crisis. Reuters/File Photo The tremors were felt far beyond Nepal, shaking parts of central and eastern Nepal, northern Indias Ganges River plain, northwestern Bangladesh, southern Tibet and western Bhutan. The disaster was caused by thrust faulting along the Indus-Yarlung suture zone, a narrow east-west stretch running the length of the Himalayas, where tectonic compression led to intense fracturing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the immediate aftermath, the Nepalese government declared a state of emergency. The countrys army was deployed to aid in rescue and relief efforts, with nearly the entire force engaged in the response. With inputs from agencies Since its creation via executive order on January 20, Doge has eliminated over 216,000 federal jobs, dismantled the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USAID and faced multiple lawsuits over transparency and legal overreach. As Elon Musk prepares to scale back his role, more than 100 Doge staffers remain embedded across agencies with operations set to continue until July 4, 2026. But can the department function without Musk? read more A man sprays paint graffiti against Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) on a Tesla showroom in New York, US, April 22, 2025, in this still image taken from video. Extinction Rebellion NYC via Reuters As Elon Musk prepares to scale back from his high-profile leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), questions loom over the future of one of the most disruptive federal initiatives in modern United States history. Doge is one of the most sweeping and controversial initiatives launched by the Trump administration in its current term. While the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has served as the unofficial public face of Doge, his anticipated departure raises important questions about the departments ongoing operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite growing political pressure and legal scrutiny, Doges machinery remains active within the federal government continuing to cut costs, streamline departments, challenge regulations and restructure agencies. How Doge functions US President Donald Trump created Doge through an executive order issued on Inauguration Day in January 2025. The initiative was framed as a comprehensive effort to root out inefficiencies, eliminate waste, and reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy. The order set July 4, 2026 the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as Doges expiration date. According to Musk, the long-term objective was for Doge to become obsolete: The final step of Doge is to delete itself, he said in a post on social media in December. Doges operational blueprint embeds a dedicated team comprising a team leader, an engineer, a human-resources specialist and a lawyer within each federal agency. Over 100 such staffers are currently spread throughout various departments, including State, Interior, Defence and Health and Human Services. In just three months, Doge has triggered dramatic structural shifts across the government. According to a report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, over 216,000 federal jobs have been eliminated as a result of Doge-led reviews. Many of these cuts have occurred in agencies long criticised by conservatives for inefficiency or mission overlap. For example, Doge has played a central role in dismantling the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) actions that have provoked legal action and sharp criticism from opposition leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One of Doges targets has been the Office of Personnel Management, which it has largely brought under its control. This agency is responsible for managing the federal workforce and has become central to Doges goal of reshaping government employment. Simultaneously, the IRS has also faced potential workforce reductions, with projections indicating it may lose nearly a quarter of its employees. How Musks role & SGE status has been controversial While Elon Musk has not held a Senate-confirmed position within Doge, his presence has defined the public identity of the initiative. He has referred to Doge as a priority and committed substantial time to its launch and development. However, speaking on Teslas quarterly earnings call, Musk stated, Starting probably next month, May, my time allocation to Doge will drop significantly. He added that he would still remain available to assist, as long as the president would like me to. His status as a Special Government Employee (SGE) has sparked legal and ethical debates. By definition, SGEs are limited to 130 days of service within a 365-day period. In an April 9 letter to Trump, House Democrats cited this rule and expressed concerns over Musks continued involvement. They also pointed to potential conflicts of interest, given Musks leadership roles in Tesla and SpaceX companies that have dealings with several of the federal agencies Doge is tasked with restructuring. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A report released by progressive watchdog group Public Citizen accused the administration of misusing SGE rules. Jon Golinger, who authored the report, stated: Right now, the public has no way to know whether SGEs like Musk who dont file public financial disclosure reports or are permitted to oversee themselves are putting the peoples interests ahead of their own. Despite this criticism, White House officials have not confirmed a definitive end date for Musks involvement, suggesting that the duration of his service is being calculated based on actual days and hours worked a point still under review. What the other employees in Doge look like Although Musk has been the driving force behind Doge, the initiatives continuity does not hinge entirely on his presence. The departments embedded personnel, primarily consisting of engineers, attorneys and management consultants are expected to continue their work even after his withdrawal. Amy Gleason, a former US Digital Service official, has served as Doges acting administrator. However, her involvement in day-to-day operations appears limited, reported The Wall Street Journal. In contrast, Steve Davis, a longtime Musk collaborator from his time at SpaceX and The Boring Company, has taken a leading role in Doges operational efforts. Billionaire Elon Musk has reportedly asked his confidant Steve Davis (in picture) to recruit staff for Doge. File Image/AFP There is speculation that Davis may follow Musk back into the private sector, though no official statement has confirmed this. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other Doge-associated figures have taken influential positions throughout the federal government. Jeremy Lewin, who was instrumental in closing down parts of USAID, now holds a senior role at the State Department. Tyler Hassen, an oil executive who previously worked with Doge, is now positioned at the US Department of the Interior, reported The Wall Street Journal. Doge continues to coordinate closely with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Russell Vought. A staunch advocate of limited government and co-author of the Project 2025 blueprint, Voughts expertise in budgetary policy has played a critical role in shaping Doges regulatory and fiscal strategy. Paul Winfree, a former White House Domestic Policy Council deputy director, told The Wall Street Journal, Pairing that depth of expertise with OMBs policy leverage and Doges technological tool kit could amplify the effectiveness of both OMB and Doge. How Doges strategy is evolving Doges strategy is evolving. Following an executive order issued in February, its priorities are shifting from reducing headcounts to dismantling federal regulations. Agencies are now required to identify rules that are either unconstitutional or that impose excessive costs on the private sector without commensurate public benefits. Enforcement of such rules is to be deprioritised unless firmly grounded in statutory interpretation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This pivot indicates that even as Musk steps aside, the broader mission of reshaping the regulatory framework of the federal government will continue under Doges oversight. What legal challenges Doge faces The departments aggressive approach has drawn legal action from watchdog organisations and federal employee unions. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a lawsuit in February, arguing that Doge was violating the Freedom of Information Act by withholding internal communications and documents. US District Judge Christopher Cooper recently granted CREW a partial victory, ruling that Doge operates as a typical government agency and must comply with federal disclosure laws. Cooper ordered the agency to release key documents, including emails between Doge and OMB. Additionally, he directed Amy Gleason and Steve Davis to provide depositions within 24 days of the ruling. The case is expected to set important legal precedent regarding transparency obligations for quasi-governmental task forces like Doge. Further legal friction surrounds Doges access to sensitive taxpayer information. In a case brought by the Center for Taxpayer Rights, the IRS is accused of unlawfully sharing confidential data with Doge personnel. The outcome of the case could place significant restrictions on Doges ability to interface with federal databases. Meanwhile, in National Treasury Employees Union v. Vought, a temporary injunction has halted Doges attempted dissolution of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This represents one of several legal hurdles the administration faces in its attempts to restructure or shut down federal entities. What Doge has planned next Another major Doge project currently in development involves a new immigration pathway for high-net-worth individuals. Replacing the traditional EB-5 visa programme, the proposed gold card would offer residency and eventual citizenship to wealthy foreigners willing to invest $5 million in the United States. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated in February: Theyll have to go through vetting, of course, to make sure theyre wonderful world-class global citizens The president can give them a green card, and they can invest in America, and we can use that money to reduce our deficit. Doge staffers Marko Elez and Edward Coristine are spearheading the implementation, with Musk reportedly leading the development of the digital infrastructure for the programme. The visa initiative is expected to launch soon and may become a defining element of Doges legacy. Although Elon Musk is preparing to reduce his time commitment, Doge remains deeply entrenched in the federal government. Its teams are embedded, its directives are backed by executive authority, and its mission is closely tied to the Trump administrations long-term vision for a smaller, deregulated government. While Doge continues to operate under intense scrutiny with ongoing legal proceedings, public criticism, and ethical questions the systems and structures put in place are designed to outlast Musks tenure. His departure may change the optics, but not the momentum. For now, Doge marches toward its July 4, 2026 sunset clause. With inputs from agencies In 2015, a 7.8 earthquake hit Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 and injuring thousands. The earthquake resulted in losses exceeding $5 billion, roughly one-quarter of Nepals GDP at the time. In 1953, American biologist James Watson and English physicist Francis Crick described DNAs double helix structure for the first time read more On April 25, 2015, Nepal was shaken by one of the deadliest earthquakes. File image/Reuters April 25 has been a day of devastation for Nepal. It was on this day 10 years ago when the nation was shaken by one of the deadliest earthquakes. The powerful 7.8-magnitude temblor killed nearly 9,000 and left thousands injured. It was also the day in 1953, when scientists James Watson and Francis Crick first described the structure of DNA, unlocking the code of life and changing the course of biology forever. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres a closer look at the moments that made history on April 25 in Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today. Powerful earthquake devastates Nepal At 11:56 am on April 25, 2015, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck Nepal. Its epicentre was near Barpak in the Gorkha District, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu. The quake was the most powerful to hit the country since 1934. The damage was extensive. Nearly 9,000 people lost their lives, and over 22,000 were injured. More than 600,000 structures were either damaged or reduced to rubble. Among them were several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Durbar Squares in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, as well as significant religious sites such as the Swayambhunath and Boudhanath stupas, and the Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan temples. Several historic sites, including several UNESCO World Heritage sites, were either destroyed or reduced to rubble. File image. Reuters One of the most widely reported consequences of the quake was the avalanche it triggered on Mount Everest. At the time, many climbers were gathered at the Everest Base Camp during the peak of expedition season. The avalanche claimed at least 22 lives and injured more than 60 others. It was the deadliest incident on the mountain in recorded history. Beyond the capital and tourist areas, rural communities were also severely affected. Entire villages in remote regions were flattened, and access to these areas was made difficult by landslides and damaged roads. Rescue operations were further hindered by ongoing aftershocks. One of the most widely reported consequences of the quake was the avalanche it triggered on Mount Everest. The avalanche claimed at least 22 lives and injured more than 60 others. It was the deadliest incident on the mountain in recorded history. File image/ Reuters The economic impact was also significant, with estimated losses exceeding $5 billion, roughly one-quarter of Nepals GDP at the time. In response, the Nepalese government declared a state of emergency and mobilised the army for search and rescue operations. International support came swiftly. Countries around the world, along with various humanitarian organisations and the United Nations, contributed aid, personnel, and resources. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When DNA structure was described for the first time On April 25, 1953, scientists James Watson and Francis Crick published a seminal paper in the journal Nature, proposing the double helix structure of DNA. This discovery provided critical insights into how genetic information is stored and transmitted in living organisms. Their model described DNA as two strands forming a helical structure, with complementary base pairsadenine pairing with thymine, and guanine with cytosineheld together by hydrogen bonds. This arrangement explained the mechanism. This arrangement explained how DNA replicates and transmits genetic information. On April 25, 1953, scientists James Watson and Francis Crick published a seminal paper in the journal The breakthrough was made possible by the X-ray diffraction images, particularly Photo 51, produced by Rosalind Franklin, whose work was instrumental in revealing the helical nature of DNA. However, Franklin did not receive the same recognition as her male counterparts during her lifetime. In 1962, Watson, Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their contributions to understanding the molecular structure of nucleic acids. The elucidation of DNAs structure marked the beginning of modern molecular biology, paving the way for advancements in genetics, biotechnology, and medicine. This day, That year 1859: Construction of the Suez Canal officially began. 1901: New York became the first US state to mandate license plates 1990: Violeta Barrios de Chamorro became Central Americas first female president as she was sworn into office in Nicaragua. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 1990: The Hubble Space Telescope was sent into orbit 2021: Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao became the first person of colour to win the Academy Award for best director for Nomadland (2020) With input from agencies India has taken strong steps against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 after Tuesdays bloodshed in Pahalgam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also vowed strong action. Meanwhile, Pakistan has warned that any denial of lower riparian rights would be treated as an Act of War. With tensions rising, concerns are growing over the possibility of a larger conflict between the two nations. Heres how India and Pakistan compare in terms of economy, military and more read more Indian soldiers inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack in Pahalgam. AFP Tuesdays bloodshed in Pahalgam, which left at least 26 tourists dead in heavy gunfire, is among the deadliest attacks on civilians in India. The attack took place in the Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir and has deeply shocked the country. Many are heartbroken, and families who lost their loved ones are mourning. ALSO READ | 2 Pakistani nationals, 1 Kashmir local: Who are the Pahalgam terrorists? In response, India has taken strong steps against Pakistan. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with immediate effect. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Integrated Check Post at Attari has also been closed. Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to enter India under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) visa exemption scheme. To counter Indias steps after the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan said it would suspend the 1972 Simla Agreement and also close the Wagah border with India. While speaking in Bihars Madhubani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised strong action against those behind the Pahalgam attack, saying India will pursue the terrorists to the end of the earth. Meanwhile, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif warned that any effort to stop or change the flow of water that belongs to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty, and any denial of lower riparian rights, would be considered as an Act of War. With both countries taking tough steps after the Pahalgam attack, there is growing concern that the situation could lead to a bigger conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Here is a comparison of India and Pakistan in terms of economy, military and more: Wearing the same blood-stained clothes from the day of the Pahalgam terror attack, Asavari Jagdale led her fathers funeral procession in Pune on Thursday. What began as a peaceful holiday in Kashmirs scenic valleys turned into a nightmare for the family. Her father, Santosh Jagdale, and uncle, Kaustubh Ganbote, were shot dead in the attack. Her presence at the funeral, still in those clothes, became a powerful reminder of the violence that claimed innocent lives and shocked India read more Asavaris appearance became a powerful reminder of the violence that took her fathers life and left the city shaken. (Screengrab/ANI) Wearing the same blood-soaked clothes from the day of the Pahalgam terror attack, a 26-year-old woman led her fathers funeral procession on Thursday. For Asavari Jagdale, what started as a peaceful holiday in the scenic valleys of Kashmir turned into a horrific experience. Her father, Santosh Jagdale, and her uncle, Kaustubh Ganbote, were shot dead in the attack. At least 26 people died and many others were injured when terrorists opened fire in a meadow near Pahalgam town in Anantnag district of south Kashmir on Tuesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | India closes the tap on Indus Waters Treaty: How this may lead to energy and food crisis in Pakistan The attack has shocked the country and led to strong condemnation from across the world. In this report, we take a look at Asavari Jagdales heartbreaking story and what happened to the men in her family on the day of the attack. The heartbreaking tale of Asavari Jagdale Dressed in the same blood-stained clothes she wore on the day of the Pahalgam terror attack, Asavari, daughter of Pune resident Santosh Jagdale, led her fathers funeral procession on Thursday. Her appearance became a powerful reminder of the violence that took his life and left the city shaken. #WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra | Asavari Jagdale leads the last rites of her father, Santosh Jagdale who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.#PahalgamTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/blHSzMveRG ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025 In the middle of the chaos on Tuesday, Asavari showed great strength. She provided support to her mother and Ganbotes wife, Sangita, both at the scene of the attack and later at the hospital. The bodies of Santosh and Kaustubh were flown back to Pune on Thursday. Their last rites were held later in the day at Vaikunth Electric Crematorium in Navi Peth, where many people gathered to pay their respects. Anger and sorrow ran deep. Many mourners shouted slogans against Pakistan as grief and fury filled the air. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #Watch | Asavari Jagdale Performs The Last Rites Of Her Father, Santosh Jagdale, Victim Of Pahalgam Terror Attack In Pune, Maharashtra#JammuAndKashmir #PahalgamTerroristAttack #pahalgamattack pic.twitter.com/u1EznBVwoV News18 (@CNNnews18) April 24, 2025 According to Hindustan Times, Ganbote ran a snacks stall, while Jagdale pursued interior design. Their sudden and brutal deaths have left their families and the city heartbroken. ALSO READ | Newlywed Navy officer, US-based techie & more: The heartbreaking stories of tourists killed in Pahalgam How Asavaris father and uncle were killed They were not humans. They were demons, she told PTI. Recalling the incident, she said, While we were busy doing photoshoots at the point called Mini Switzerland in Baisaran Valley, we suddenly heard gunshots. We asked some locals about it, and they claimed that locals open fire to scare away tigers. However, the horror of the moment dawned on us as we saw people getting shot, while others were reciting the kalma. We knew this was different. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The group quickly ran to a nearby tent for safety. She explained that the terrorists first approached the tent where they were hiding and began shooting. One of the terrorists, a young man in his early 20s, ordered her father to stand up. VIDEO | Here's what Asavari Jagdale, daughter of Pune man killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, said speaking to PTI. "My father and my uncle were shot three bullets in front of me. I knew that my father was no more after the first bullet was shot... I got a lot of support from pic.twitter.com/Znm6AtRx1y Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 24, 2025 They said Chaudhari tu bahar aa ja, Asavari recalled. My father urged him not to harm them. He coldly said he would show us how to kill and sprayed three bullets, one of which hit my father on the head, another going through the ear, and the third getting lodged in his chest, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Her uncle, Kaustubh Ganbote, was shot in the back of the head, with the bullet piercing his eye. Other men were also shot dead, she said, recalling how the joy of people on vacation at a tourist destination turned into an unforgettable nightmare. Asavari said that the terrorists had asked people to recite the kalma (Islamic verses). Those who could, did. Those who could not, didnt, she said. Despite her father assuring them that they would comply, the terrorists shot both him and her uncle dead. We also came to know that a man was shot in the head when he went to buy snacks for his wife and son, who were busy with a photoshoot, she said. The boy asked the terrorists to kill her and her mother as well, but they walked away, saying they would not kill women and children. Amid the mayhem, I gathered courage and managed to escape with my mother and aunt. While coming down, my mother suffered leg injuries. A pony rider offered us support and hope; he gave us a pony ride to our driver, she recalled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She said that the people who had taken them to the spot on ponies helped them (three women, including herself and her mother) make the return journey. Later, they underwent a medical examination to check for injuries and were then moved to the Pahalgam Club. She said she is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her father, whose pyre she lit during the day, and her uncle. The entire episode was horrific. The cruelty with which the terrorists killed shows they were not humans. They were demons. Humans cannot be this cruel, she said, teary-eyed. #WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra | Asavari Jagdale leads the last rites of her father, Santosh Jagdale, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. #PahalgamTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/tFWcTwAsIL ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This attack is one of the deadliest civilian assaults in the country in nearly two decades. Security forces have begun a search operation to find those responsible. ALSO READ | Why is Hamas being linked to Pahalgam terror attack? In response, India took several strong actions against Pakistan on Wednesday. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to immediately pause the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. The Integrated Check Post at Attari has also been shut down with immediate effect. Pakistani citizens will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) visa exemption scheme. With inputs from agencies As a sea of mourners gather to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who lies in state at St Peters Basilica, some visitors have turned this into an opportunity to take selfies and photo ops. The move has drawn a sharp response from the Vatican, warning visitors against using their phones in front of the Popes open coffin read more A sea of mourners has gathered to express grief and pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who lies in state at St. Peters Basilica in Rome. AFP A sea of mourners has gathered to express grief and pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who lies in state at St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City. However, some visitors have turned the solemn occasion into an opportunity for smiling selfies and photo-ops. These images, some shared online, have caused a stir and sparked massive outrage online. The Vatican, in a sharp response, has cracked down on bad taste selfies in front of the Popes open coffin and has warned visitors against using their phones, the Mirror reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres a closer look at whats been happening. What a rotten age While the Popes lying in state was intended to be a time of quiet reflection and reverence. In line with his wishes, the casket was not placed on an elevated bier, ensuring that people could view it with ease and offer their final respects. However, some visitors seemed to have missed the message. A number of images have surfaced showing individuals posing for pictures just feet away from the Popes open coffin. These photos have sparked a significant amount of outrage, especially from those who felt the situation called for greater dignity and respect. While the Popes lying in state was intended to be a time of quiet reflection and reverence, a number of images have surfaced showing people clicking pictures just feet away from the pontiffs open coffin. AFP UK tourist Martin Gilsenan, who was present at the scene, shared his experience with the Mirror. People were being asked to put their selfie sticks away when they got to the front, he said. But despite these requests, he and his wife were surprised by the number of people who continued to take photos without being stopped. His wife found the behaviour very distasteful. Des gens font un selfie devant le corps du pape, expose dans la basilique Saint-Pierre de Rome. Quelle epoque pourrie dans laquelle les gens ne savent plus se tenir, meme devant un defunt...#PapaFrancesco pic.twitter.com/cSk0ZU2Sou Tanguy David (@tanguy_france) April 24, 2025 There were also many people looking around and getting upset with those on the phones, he added, noting the growing frustration of the crowd. Images from the scene show a number of people crowding around the Popes casket, seemingly ignoring the requests to refrain from taking pictures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The scene sparked a wave of criticism online. One user expressed their anger, writing, Fury at disrespectful mourners taking selfies with the popes corpse as the faithful line up to pay their respects. Another user reflected on the state of modern society, saying, What a rotten age, when people no longer know how to behave, even in front of a deceased person Also read: A visit that wasnt: Pope Francis was to come to India on PM Modis visit Vatican responds Following the flood of criticism on social media over visitors posting selfies with the Popes body, Vatican officials stepped in to address the situation. On Thursday, those standing near the wooden coffin were warned to put their phones away as they approached Pope Francis lying in state. Visitors are invited not to take photos, a Vatican spokesperson told The Times. A Vatican source added, They are queuing for hours, praying and paying their respects, but taking pictures is not in the best of taste. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The basilica opened its doors to the public at 11 am on Wednesday, just two days after the Pope passed away from a stroke on Easter Monday. Thousands arrived to offer their final prayers and reflect in silence. However, the massive turnout meant long waits, with some mourners queuing for up to four hours under the hot sun. In response, the Vatican extended access through the night to accommodate the growing crowd. Between Wednesday morning and 7 pm Thursday, nearly 90,000 people had visited the open coffin. Thousands arrived to offer their final prayers and reflect in silence at St Peters Basilica. Between Wednesday morning and 7 pm Thursday, nearly 90,000 people had visited Popes open coffin. AFP Valerio Russo, 66, who had just exited the basilica on Thursday, told the outlet that officials had begun to intervene more strictly. After people took photos at the start, officials were stopping them today, he said. Good thing too its a matter of respect. This is not a show, its a religious moment. Pope Francis, dressed in traditional papal vestments, will lie in state at St Peters Basilica until his funeral on Saturday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Vatican announced that the funeral will be held at 10 am on Saturday in St Peters Square. A public Mass will take place in front of the basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. This funeral will differ from those of previous popes, in line with the reforms Francis introduced last year. He had requested simpler rites, including the use of just one wooden coffin, rather than the traditional three. Francis had written that he wanted his last earthly journey to end at this very ancient Marian shrine. He also asked for a plain, unadorned tomb, bearing only the inscription Franciscus, according to the Vatican. He will be laid to rest on Saturday. AFP After the Mass, Pope Francis body will be laid to rest at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where seven other popes are also interred. In his will, Francis had written that he wanted his last earthly journey to end at this very ancient Marian shrine. He also asked for a plain, unadorned tomb, bearing only the inscription Franciscus, according to the Vatican. Who will attend Pope Francis funeral? World leaders and Catholic worshippers from around the world will attend the funeral. Heres a list of some of them US- President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump India-President Droupadi Murmu Ukraine- President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska Argentina- President Javier Milei Brazil- President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and First Lady Janja European Union- President Ursula von der Leyen UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres UK- Prince William representing the British royal family and PM Keir Starmer Belgium - King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with Prime Minister Bart De Wever East Timor - President Jose Ramos-Horta Germany - President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz Hungary - President Tamas Sulyok Italy - President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Latvia - President Edgars Rinkevics Lithuania - President Gitanas Nauseda Poland - President Ilie Bolojan Switzerland - President Karin Keller-Sutter Czech Republic - Prime Minister Petr Fiala With input from agencies A high-ranking Russian general was killed in a car bombing near Moscow, marking the latest in a string of targeted assassinations of pro-Kremlin figures. The killing of Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik just as peace talks between the US and Russia begin raises serious questions about Ukraines covert operations and Russias internal security failures read more According to Russian media, a car exploded in the Moscow suburbs, killing Major General Yaroslav Moskalik. Image/X A senior Russian military officer, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed on Friday in what was reportedly a targeted car bombing on the outskirts of Moscow. The incident is the latest in a growing series of assassinations of pro-Kremlin figures and military officials since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Moskalik, the deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, died in the blast that occurred in the town of Balashikha, located in the Moscow region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Russian investigative authorities, the explosion was triggered by an improvised explosive device packed with shrapnel and placed in a parked car. The bomb reportedly detonated remotely as Moskalik, a local resident, walked by. The attack coincided with a highly sensitive diplomatic moment as Russian President Vladimir Putin began a closed-door meeting in the Kremlin with Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump. Witkoff, who does not hold formal diplomatic credentials, has visited Russia four times in recent months to discuss a potential peace agreement. Trump, who has made ending the war in Ukraine a priority in his second term, told reporters, The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now. I think were going to make a deal I think were getting very close. The timing of Moskaliks assassination just as peace discussions were underway could complicate the already fragile dialogue between Washington and Moscow. Reuters recently published documents revealing significant disagreements between US and Ukrainian proposals on issues such as territorial concessions and the future of sanctions. Is there a pattern to the targeted killings? The killing of Moskalik is not an isolated incident. In recent years, multiple Russian generals, propagandists, scientists and pro-Moscow collaborators have been assassinated in attacks that bear similar hallmarks. While Ukraine has rarely claimed official responsibility for these operations, intelligence analysts and military experts widely believe that Ukrainian security services have been behind many of them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last December, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov who headed Russias Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed in Moscow by a bomb hidden inside an electric scooter near his apartment building. His assassination followed accusations by Ukraines Security Service (SBU) that Kirillov had used banned chemical weapons during operations in Ukraine. Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps appointed special representative for Ukraine and Russia, criticised Kirillovs assassination, stating that it could be in violation of the rules of warfare. Mikhail Zvinchuk, a military blogger with close ties to the Russian defence establishment, noted that Moskaliks profile had been rising within the Russian military. According to chatter behind the scenes, one scenario for personnel reshuffling at the general staff had Moskalik being considered as a potential head of the national defence management centre, primarily due to his methodical approach and thoughtfulness, Zvinchuk was quoted by The Guardian. Moskalik, 59, had been part of several significant Russian delegations in recent years. He participated in at least two rounds of international negotiations involving Ukraine and Western officials in 2015 and 2019 as well as in a 2018 diplomatic mission to Syria to meet with the Assad regime. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who is on the list of pro-Kremlin assassinations? Since the start of the war, Ukraine has reportedly pursued a strategy of targeting individuals it accuses of involvement in war crimes or propaganda supporting Moscows military efforts. These killings span across Russian territory and Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine. On December 17, 2024, just a few months before Moskaliks death, General Igor Kirillov was killed, as previously mentioned. Days earlier, missile scientist Mikhail Shatsky was shot dead in a forest near Moscow. In December 2023, former Ukrainian MP Illya Kyva, known for his pro-Russian stance, was shot and killed in a park outside Moscow. Similarly, in July 2023, Russian Navy officer Stanislav Rzhytskyi, reportedly involved in a deadly missile strike on Vinnytsia in July 2022 that killed 27 civilians, was gunned down in Krasnodar. Sergei Yevsiukov, the former head of the Olenivka prisoner-of-war camp in Russian-occupied Donetsk, died in a car explosion on December 9, 2024. The Olenivka facility was infamous for torture and abuse, and over 50 Ukrainian POWs were killed there in an explosion in 2022, which Kyiv described as a deliberate war crime. Another figure killed was Armen Sarkisian, the founder of the pro-Kremlin Arbat battalion operating in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region. He died in February 2025 after an explosion ripped through the entrance of a luxury residential complex in Moscow. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bomb had reportedly been hidden inside a couch placed near the entrance. According to Russian media, Sarkisian lost a leg and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The attack also killed another individual and injured four others. Sarkisian had been described by Ukraines SBU as a crime boss and was alleged to have recruited convicts to fight for Russia. One of the most prominent early assassinations was that of Darya Dugina, the daughter of ultranationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin. Dugina died in August 2022 when a bomb planted under her Toyota Land Cruiser detonated outside Moscow. Though her father was believed to be the intended target, the killing of Dugina was widely seen as a significant blow to Russias pro-war propaganda network. The Washington Post, citing intelligence sources, reported that the attack was carried out by Ukraines SBU. Pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, another high-profile propagandist, was killed in April 2023 during a public event at a cafe in St. Petersburg. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The explosive device had been concealed inside a decorative statue handed to him moments before the blast, which also injured 25 other people. What does this mean for Russias security & Ukraines strategy? Analysts suggest that these assassinations aim to achieve multiple strategic objectives. According to Ukrainian military analyst Dmytro Zhmailo, The fact that (Ukrainian) intelligence services can carry out such operations in Moscow severely undermines (Russias) morale and combat readiness. Every such operation is a failure of their security architecture. Zhmailo told The Kyiv Independent that such attacks force Russia to divert resources from the frontlines and increase internal security expenditure, thereby impacting operational effectiveness in Ukraine. In many cases, the individuals targeted had either played direct roles in military operations against Ukraine or were seen as key enablers of Moscows war effort through propaganda or administrative support. Analysts believe the killings are also meant to punish those accused of war crimes, especially as the prospect of prosecuting them through international courts remains slim. In Russian-occupied Ukraine, figures seen as collaborators have also been targeted. Oleksiy Kovalyov, a former MP from President Volodymyr Zelenskyys party who later joined the Russian-installed administration in Kherson, was shot dead in August 2022. Kirill Stremousov, another top figure in the illegal Russian government in Kherson Oblast, died in a car accident in November 2022. The Ukrainian partisan group Atesh claimed responsibility. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Where do the peace talks stand? The attack on Moskalik has come at a sensitive juncture. While T rump continues to push for a peace deal, the reality on the ground remains complicated. Despite the Trump administrations desire to show diplomatic progress before the presidents 100th day in office, the Kremlin has so far refused to agree to a ceasefire and continues to launch missile strikes on Ukraine. Putin recently reiterated that Moscow will not hold direct negotiations with Zelenskyy, asserting that Kyivs elections postponed under martial law undermine Zelenskyys legitimacy. Zelenskyy, on the other hand, has stated, [Putin] is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are being considered by Moscow as potential venues for a summit between Trump and Putin, due to their neutral stance. Traditional diplomatic sites in Europe such as Helsinki and Geneva are reportedly off the table due to the Wests continued support for Ukraine, reported TASS. As the war enters its third year, the conflict has increasingly spilled into Russian territory through a series of bold, covert attacks. With inputs from agencies Nazakat Ahmad Shah, a 30-year-old Kashmiri guide, didnt think twice before risking his own safety to save tourists during the Pahalgam attack. As terrorists began spraying bullets in Baisaran valley, Nazakat helped 11 tourists, including children, escape the horror, while tragically losing his cousin read more The 30-year-old Kashmiri guide, Nazakat Ahmad Shah, risked his own safety during the Pahalgam terror attack to to protect the people he had been hosting. Image courtesy: X I wanted to host them at my home, and since they were my guests, I would have taken a bullet before anything was to happen to them. That one sentence says everything about the kind of person Nazakat Ahmad Shah is. The local guide from Kashmir didnt think twice when gunshots rang out just kilometres away in Baisaran valley in Pahalgam on Tuesday, The Hindu reported. The 30-year-old guide risked his own safety as he ran to protect the people he had been hosting. The group, which included families and children from Chhattisgarh, were rushed to safety as chaos and tragedy unfolded around them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nazakat, however, lost his own cousin during the attack, which claimed the lives of 25 others and one local who ferried tourists on horseback. The incident was shared by the Chhattisgarh BJP youth wing worker Arvind Agrawal, who was among those saved by Nazakat. His story has since been widely shared online, with many calling the local Kashmiri the face of real bravery and humanity. Heres what happened. Hugged children as firing started Arvind Agrawal and his family, wife Pooja and their four-year-old daughter were on the last leg of their Kashmir trip. They were accompanied by the families of Kuldeep Sthapak, Shivansh Jain and Happy Wadhavan. The group of 11 were headed to Pahalgam on Tuesday with Nazakat Ahmad Shah, a local from Kashmir, who sells shawls in Chirmiri town of Chhattisgarh during the winters. They knew him personally, and he had looked forward to hosting them. Pahalgam was to be the last venue as my village is close by, and I wanted to host them because Kashmiris have a passion for hospitality, he told PTI. The group reached Baisaran around noon. Children were riding ponies, the adults were busy clicking photos. But soon, chaos broke out. Arvind Agrawal shared a picture of Nazakat and his four-year-old daughter during their Kashmir trip. Image courtesy: Instagram/@ArvindAgarwal Lucky (Kuldeep) and I were talking, and I told him we were getting late and should head back. He replied wed leave after taking a few more pictures, Nazakat recalled. While we were talking,we heard gunshots. Initially, we thought they were firecrackers. But suddenly, people started running in panic there were thousands of tourists running here and there. Thats when we realised it was gunfire. The gunfire came from close to where the group was standing, Nazakat recalled. The firing was taking place near the zipline, about 20 metres from where we were standing. I first asked all those around me to lie down on the ground. Then I spotted a gap in the fencing and guided the children towards it. We escaped from the spot before the terrorists could come near us, he told The Indian Express. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Arvind Agrawal said other tourists pulled him to safety, but his wife and daughter were some distance away, still with Nazakat and another family. Nazakat went back. I returned to find Agrawal jis wife, who had run in another direction. I found her nearly one-and-a-half kilometres away and brought her back in my car, he said. Thanks to Allah, I took all 11 guests safely to Pahalgam, he added. But the day came with heartbreak too. Nazakats cousin, 30-year-old Syed Adil Hussain Shah, was killed in the attack, reportedly while trying to stop the terrorists. Nazakat couldnt even attend the funeral. He chose instead to ensure the tourists got back safely. Tourism is our bread and butter. We are unemployed without it, and our childrens education depends on thisThe terror attack is like an attack on our hearts. We shut the doors of our shops and businesses and are protesting, he said. We are known for our hospitality and I believe tourists will come. Security forces should be more vigilant. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Will never be able to repay the debt of Nazakat Bhai After the traumatic experience in Pahalgam, the tourists who were saved by the Kashmiri guide took to social media to express their gratitude. Agrawal posted pictures of him and his daughter with Nazakat and wrote, You saved our lives by risking your own. We will never be able to repay the debt of Nazakat Bhai. Like Agrawal, Sthapak also posted a heartfelt message for Nazakat, a local newspaper reported. A letter written from the heart to Nazakat Bhai My brother, the passion and bravery with which you rescued us from there is still echoing in my ears. There was chaos, gunshots, screams and the shadow of death all around. No ordinary person can do that. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He described the moment when Nazakat picked up his child, sat him on his shoulders and ran 14 km on the hills. Nazakat bhai, you not only saved my life that day, you kept humanity alive. I will never forget you for the rest of my life, he added. With input from agencies Tamil Nadu has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs for a year, beginning April. According to the states food safety commissioner, food business operators use raw egg to make mayonnaise, which, if not stored properly, is a serious health hazard read more Tamil Nadu is the latest state to ban the sale and use of mayonnaise made with raw eggs, citing serious health concerns. AI-generated representative image Tamil Nadu is the latest state to ban the sale and use of mayonnaise made with raw eggs, citing serious health concerns. The one-year ban, which came into effect on April 8, 2025, applies to restaurants, street vendors, and all food businesses across the state. This move comes just months after troubling reports surfaced from Telangana, where a spate of foodborne illnesses were linked to contaminated egg-based mayonnaise used in popular street foods. Therefore, a ban is necessary to prevent such outbreaks and improve food safety in public eating spaces, officials say. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what exactly is the problem with egg mayo, and how can it be a health hazard? Heres what you need to know. What is in the mayonnaise? In its notification announcing the ban, the Tamil Nadu government described mayonnaise as a semi-solid emulsion containing egg yolk, vegetable oil, vinegar, and other seasonings. At its core, mayonnaise is made from three simple ingredientsoil, egg yolk, and an acid like lemon juice or vinegar. The process begins by blending egg yolks and seasoning with oil to create a thick, pale yellow sauce. A small amount of acid is usually added at the end to balance the flavour. Mayonnaise referred to as mayo is a thick, cold, and creamy sauce commonly used on sandwiches, hamburgers, composed salads, and French fries. Representational Image/Pixabay The science behind its creamy texture lies in the egg yolk. The proteins in the yolk act as emulsifiers, helping bind oil and waterwhich normally dont mixinto a stable blend. Notably, egg yolks themselves contain about 50 per cent water, which helps form the emulsion. Believed to have originated in 18th-century France or Spain, mayonnaise has evolved into a kitchen essential across the world. In India, its commonly used in sandwiches, salads, momos, chicken dishes, and especially shawarma. But its not a condiment built for rough conditions. Experts warn that mayo has a short shelf life and, if not stored properly, can quickly become a hotspot for harmful bacteria. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why raw eggs in mayo raise red flags Eggs are known to carry innumerous pathogens, which are usually neutralised in the cooking process (through the application of heat). But mayonnaise uses raw eggs. The Tamil Nadu government notification said: mayonnaise made of raw eggs is a high-risk food as it carries a risk of food poisoning. Unlike commercial mayonnaise, which uses preservatives such as calcium disodium EDTA and pasteurised eggs (heated to kill bacteria without cooking), egg-based mayo, which is often home-cooked, often uses raw, unpasteurised eggs. This lack of pasteurisation and the absence of preservatives make it more vulnerable to bacterial growth. This is especially relevant in Indian conditions, where improper preparation and storage amid hot and humid weather creates additional risk of contamination by microorganisms, especially Salmonella and E Coli. The Tamil Nadu government notification said: mayonnaise made of raw eggs is a high-risk food as it carries a risk of food poisoning. Improper preparation and storage amid hot and humid weather create a risk of contamination. AI-generated representative image Salmonella, a bacterium known to cause foodborne illnesses, can be present in eggshells due to contamination during egg production. According to the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC), they are a leading cause of foodborne illness, hospitalisations, and deaths worldwide. Symptoms of salmonella infection include watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Whereas, E coli. It can cause not just intestinal infections, but also urinary tract and other systemic infections if it enters the body through contaminated food. What are the authorities saying? With growing concern over these risks, Tamil Nadu authorities are taking the issue seriously. Food safety officials have asked all eateries, food stalls, and suppliers to stop using raw egg-based mayonnaise immediately. Theyve also warned that violations will lead to strict legal action. The ban has been enforced under Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which empowers state commissioners to prohibit unsafe food items for up to a year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Consumers are also recommended to check labels or inquire about the ingredients when buying mayonnaise-based items, especially from local eateries and food stalls. Tamil Nadu not the first state to ban mayo Tamil Nadus move follows similar steps taken by other Indian states in recent years. In November 2024, Telangana imposed a one-year ban on mayonnaise after a tragic incident in Hyderabad. A 31-year-old woman died and 15 others were hospitalised after eating momos served with mayonnaise, which was suspected to be the cause. Kerala was the first state in the country to ban raw egg-based mayonnaise. The decision came in 2023, after a nurse at Kottayam Medical College Hospital reportedly died from food poisoning after consuming al faham, a grilled chicken dish typically served with mayo. In another case from Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, several schoolchildren were admitted to hospital after falling sick from eating shawarma, which was accompanied by mayo. These incidents point towards the growing risks associated with the unregulated use of raw eggs and explain why more states are cracking down on such practices. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies The sharp decline in extreme poverty (living on less than $2.15 per day) from 16.2% in 201112 to just 2.3% in 202223 marks a major shift in living standards, according to a new World Bank report read more In a significant economic milestone, India has lifted 17.1 crore people out of extreme poverty over the past decade, while employment growth has outpaced the rise in the working-age population since 202122. According to a new World Bank report titled India Poverty and Equity Brief, the sharp decline in extreme poverty (living on less than $2.15 per day) from 16.2% in 201112 to just 2.3% in 202223 marks a major shift in living standards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rural extreme poverty dropped from 18.4% to 2.8%, and urban rates fell from 10.7% to 1.1%, effectively narrowing the rural-urban gap from 7.7 to 1.7 percentage points a 16% annual decline. India also transitioned into the lower-middle-income category. Using the $3.65 per day LMIC poverty line, poverty fell from 61.8% to 28.1%, lifting 378 million people out of poverty. Rural poverty dropped from 69% to 32.5%, and urban poverty from 43.5% to 17.2%, reducing the rural-urban gap from 25 to 15 percentage points with a 7% annual decline, added the report. Indias five most populous states Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh were home to 65% of the countrys extreme poor in 201112. By 202223, they played a significant role in poverty reduction, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the nationwide decline in extreme poverty. According to the report, despite this progress, these states continued to house 54% of Indias extreme poor as of 202223 and 51% of the multidimensionally poor between 2019 and 2021. On a broader scale, non-monetary poverty, measured by the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), fell sharply from 53.8% in 200506 to 16.4% by 201921. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias consumption-based Gini index improved from 28.8 in 201112 to 25.5 in 202223, although this may understate actual inequality due to data limitations. In contrast, the World Inequality Database indicates a rise in income inequality, with the Gini coefficient increasing from 52 in 2004 to 62 in 2023. Wage disparities also remain stark by 202324, the top 10% earned 13 times more than the bottom 10%, according to the report. Poverty estimates are expected to shift with the adoption of revised international poverty lines and updated 2021 purchasing power parities (PPPs). Using a new extreme poverty line of $3.00 per day and a lower-middle-income threshold of $4.20 per day, poverty rates for 202223 would be revised to 5.3% and 23.9%, respectively, added the report. With inputs from agencies The preliminary forensic reports and survivor accounts suggest that the five terrorists behind the killings were heavily armed with AK-series rifles and used advanced communication gear read more The digital footprints of Kashmir attack terrorists have been traced to safehouses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi by Indian intelligence agencies. According to sources, there are indications that a remote control room was set up to carry out the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, similar to the one used in the 26/11 attacks. These findings establish Pakistans role in the massacre of 26 tourists, all but one Indian nationals. The preliminary forensic reports and survivor accounts suggest that the five terrorists behind the killings were heavily armed with AK-series rifles, used advanced communication gear, and some were even dressed in military-style uniforms indicating a high level of training and coordination. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Our intelligence intercepts suggest a direct link with operatives based in Pakistan. We have traced the digital footprint to some safehouses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, which have been the key hubs for Lashkar-e-Taibas previous major attacks in India that are supervised by Pakistan army and the ISI from control centres, one of the sources was quoted as saying by Moneycontrol. Three of the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack have been identified: Adil Hussain Thoker, Hashim Musa alias Suleiman, and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai. Police have announced a 20 lakh ($23,400) reward for any information on them. According to intelligence officials, around 60 highly trained foreign terrorists are currently active in the Kashmir Valley, part of what is believed to be a coordinated, state-backed plot to push fighters into India. In December 2024 and January 2025, there were alerts that Pakistan army and ISI were actively facilitating infiltration of highly skilled terrorists of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad from the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) into India, another official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed a response beyond the terrorists imagination both to those who carried out the massacre and those who orchestrated it. Friends, today from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished, he said during an event in Bihar on Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah dialled chief ministers of all states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country. Had a telecon with Foreign Minister@FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages, EAM Jaishankar wrote on X read more External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed Pahalgam terror attack and cross-border linkages. Taking to X, Jaishankar wrote, Had a telecon with Foreign Minister@FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages." Had a telecon with Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed in Tuesdays Pahalgam terror attack that triggered widespread outrage within India and abroad. India on Wednesday announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of cross-border links to the terror attack. In its response to Indias actions, Pakistan on Thursday decided to shut its airspace to all Indian airlines and suspended trade with New Delhi including through third countries. Pakistan also rejected Indias suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any measures to stop the flow of water belonging to Pakistan under the pact will be seen as an act of war. With inputs from agencies Thokar, a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who also goes by the name Adil Guree, had legally travelled to Pakistan in 2018 and reportedly received terror training there. He returned to Jammu and Kashmir last year read more Intelligence sources say that Thokar served as the guide and logistics coordinator for terrorists in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people The house of one of the terrorists, Adil Thokar, allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack, was demolished by authorities on Thursday night. Thokar, a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who also goes by the name Adil Guree, had legally travelled to Pakistan in 2018 and reportedly received terror training there. He returned to Jammu and Kashmir last year. According to a report by the Times of India, intelligence sources say that Thokar served as the guide and logistics coordinator for terrorists in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, the Anantnag Police has announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the arrests of Thokar, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa. Security beefed up Security across the region has been beefed up following the terror attack in Pahalgam. A joint operation involving the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police is currently underway in the region. The operation has been extended to cover a 5-kilometre radius from the site of the attack in Pahalgam. Special forces, sniffer dogs, and various technical intelligence resources have been mobilised to locate the attackers. The Kashmir Valley has been swamped with additional checkpoints, with quick reaction teams being deployed in key installations and tourist hotspots. Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi will travel to Baisaran Valley on Friday to hold a security meeting following the attacks. All-party meeting Leaders across party lines on Thursday called for decisive action against terrorism and terror camps, and assured the government of their full support, even as some opposition parties flagged security lapses in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, where terrorists gunned down 26 people. During an all-party meeting to discuss the April 22 Pahalgam attack, the government said it was taking all measures to ensure security and assured the leaders of action against terrorism and its backers. It noted that the Pahalgam attack was aimed at vitiating the atmosphere at a time when the economy was on the upswing and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir was booming. With inputs from agencies After a high-level meeting, Shah instructed chief ministers to identify and deport Pakistani citizens back to their country read more Home Minister Amit Shah has vowed not to spare those behind the attack. PTI Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asked all chief ministers to expel Pakistani nationals from their respective states immediately, a day after the government ordered the suspension of all existing visas for citizens from the neighbouring country. After a high-level meeting, Shah instructed chief ministers to identify and deport Pakistani people back to their country. India on Thursday announced revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest as tensions between the two countries escalated over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The revocation of visas does not apply to the long term visas already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The move is part of a string of actions taken by the Indian government in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. Earlier this week, New Delhi announced the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. The punitive measures against Pakistan were decided at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after the attack. How has Pakistan reacted? Pakistan on Thursday responded to Indias measures by closing its airspace to Indian airlines, as it declared the suspension of IWT an act of war. Islamabad has also suspended the Simla Agreement and all bilateral agreements with India, Wagah Border Post, immediately. India has already ordered to shut the crossing down as part of measures announced on Wednesday (April 23). These decisions were taken during a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) , Pakistans top security body. The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his past remarks on freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, warning him against making such statements again. read more The Supreme Court on Thursday slammed leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks against freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, saying it would not allow such comments and warned of taking action on its own if it happens again. This came a day after Rahul Gandhi approached the Supreme Court, challenging an Allahabad High Court order that refused to cancel the summons issued to him in the case. The defamation case against Rahul Gandhi is based on his comments about Savarkar during a rally in Maharashtras Akola district on November 17, 2022, as part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Gandhi allegedly called Savarkar a British servant who received a pension from the colonial government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan said, Lets not mock our freedom fighters. The bench further asked senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, whether he knew that even Mahatma Gandhi used the words such as your faithful servant in his communications to the Britishers. The court strongly advised the Congress MP to refrain from making such comments, saying, You are a political leader. Why should you make comments like this? Dont do this. If the intention wasnt to provoke, then why make such statements? Gandhis lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that the charges of promoting enmity and public mischief did not apply. But Justice Dipankar Datta questioned the logic, noting that even Mahatma Gandhi used the phrase your faithful servant when writing to the British Viceroy. Would that make him a servant of the British? the judge asked. He also pointed out that Indira Gandhi, Rahul Gandhis grandmother and former Prime Minister, had praised Savarkar in a letter. The bench warned: No more words on our freedom fighters. They gave us our freedom this is not the way to treat them. Despite these strong remarks, the court stayed the Allahabad High Courts order that refused to quash the trial courts summons against Gandhi. It issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant, advocate Nripendra Pandey. Justice Datta also criticised Gandhis statement, saying: When you dont know the history of India, you shouldnt make such comments. In Maharashtra, Savarkar is worshipped by many. Singhvi clarified that Gandhi never intended to incite hatred or create enmity, and said the message from the court was loud and clear. The case was filed by Pandey under charges including promoting enmity and public mischief. He accused Gandhi of deliberately insulting Savarkar as part of a conspiracy to defame him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Lucknow bench of the high court had earlier said Gandhi could seek relief by filing a revision plea before a sessions court, making intervention by the high court unnecessary. Gandhi approached the Supreme Court to challenge that decision. As prime ministers, Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif draped themselves in diplomacy while scripting a brutal saga of bloodshed across India read more India-Pakistan relations have long been marked by cycles of hope and betrayal, but few figures encapsulate this dangerous pattern more vividly than Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif. Over nearly a dozen years in power combined, the Sharif brothers have perfected a duality that has left India battered and betrayed: smiling faces at peace summits and bloodshed on the ground shortly after. Far from being victims of Pakistans notorious military establishment, the Sharifs have played an integral role in perpetuating an anti-India agenda orchestrating and enabling a strategy of proxy warfare while hiding behind the facade of civilian diplomacy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nawaz Sharif and the betrayal of Lahore In 1999, Nawaz appeared to script a moment of historic reconciliation. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees bus journey to Lahore and the subsequent Lahore Declaration were hailed as diplomatic breakthroughs. But the ink on that declaration hadnt dried before Pakistani soldiers and militants under the direction of General Pervez Musharraf launched a covert invasion in Kargil. This act of aggression stunned India and the international community undermining the peace process and revealing the duplicity of Pakistans approach. Nawaz later claimed ignorance, suggesting the military had acted unilaterally. But this claim rings hollow. If true, it showcases his impotence. If false, it reveals complicity. Either way, the outcome was the same: trust shattered, lives lost and a peace initiative sacrificed at the altar of militaristic adventurism. Modis outreach and the mirage of normalcy Fast-forward to 2015. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took an unprecedented step by making a surprise visit to Lahore to meet Nawaz Sharif a gesture of goodwill intended to thaw relations. It was a moment charged with potential, rich in symbolism. But barely days later, the Pathankot Air Force base was attacked by militants from Jaish-e-Mohammed, a group based in Pakistan. As always, Nawaz condemned the attack. As always, nothing changed. The same groups, the same networks, the same denials. Once again, India learned that behind every peace gesture from Islamabad was a waiting dagger. It was the Lahore-Kargil script all over again, this time performed with new actors and targets. Uri attack and Indias shift in posture STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2016, Indian soldiers were killed in their sleep during a predawn raid on an army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. The attackers were linked to Pakistan-based terror outfits. This time, however, India responded differently conducting surgical strikes across the Line of Control. It was a turning point, signalling Indias refusal to distinguish between Pakistans military and civilian establishments when it came to state-sponsored terror. Nawaz, then nearing the end of his third term, found himself diplomatically isolated. His governments inability or unwillingness to dismantle terror infrastructure was no longer seen as a matter of political weakness it was seen as a policy choice. Shehbaz Sharif: A familiar script, more blood Inheriting this strategy of covert aggression was Nawazs brother, Shehbaz Sharif. During his tenure as prime minister from April 2022 to August 2023, and again from March 2024 onwards, the narrative of duplicity deepened. His time in office has been stained by some of the most gruesome terrorist attacks on Indian soil in recent years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On New Years Day 2023, gunmen stormed homes in Rajouri district, shot civilians at close range and planted explosives to inflict more damage. This was done by marking homes based on the religious identities of occupants. Hindus were targeted. Again, the TRF was suspected. The sheer brutality of the attack, targeting women and children, pointed to a re-escalation of communal and cross-border militancy. Then, in June 2024, militants armed with American-made M4 carbines weapons used by Pakistani Special Forces launched an ambush in Reasi. While the TRF initially claimed responsibility and later retracted, Indian intelligence was unequivocal: the operation had the signature of state involvement. Once again, the hand of the Sharif establishment veiled behind denials loomed large. The most devastating came in April 2025. In Pahalgams tourist-frequented Baisaran Valley, militants opened fire on unarmed civilians, killing 28 and injuring dozens. Several of the attackers were identified as Pakistani nationals. TRF justified the massacre by citing demographic changes echoing Islamabads rhetoric on Kashmir. The symbolism was deliberate: to internationalise the Kashmir issue, inject fear and challenge Indias sovereignty. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Monsters behind the mask: The Sharifs strategic duplicity The Sharif brothers have long positioned themselves as moderate, civilian voices within Pakistans power matrix. But this is a carefully cultivated myth. In reality, both men have functioned as willing participants and at times, frontmen of Pakistans deep state. Their peace overtures are never followed by policy reform. Terror groups continue to operate freely, rebrand, recruit and rearm under their watch. This isnt passive governance. It is active complicity. Their diplomacy is not aimed at building bridges, but buying time. Every handshake is a setup. Every summit a staging ground. Behind their smiles are strategic calculations aimed at keeping Kashmir inflamed, India on the defensive and global attention skewed. Civil-military divide: A convenient myth International observers often romanticise the civil-military divide in Pakistan, portraying figures like Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif as helpless idealists restrained by khaki-clad hawks. But this notion falls apart under scrutiny. While turf wars over power and control have indeed played out between the Sharifs and military generals, when it comes to Kashmir and India, the unity of purpose has been striking. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The military provides the guns, the Sharifs provide the global stage. The ISI trains, arms and directs terrorists. The Sharifs offer denials and diversions at press conferences and through statements. This seamless handoff between battlefield and boardroom makes Pakistans foreign policy under their rule not fractured, but frighteningly coherent. Diplomatic fraud as State policy The most dangerous legacy of the Sharif brothers is the normalisation of deception as state policy. Their approach has turned peace processes into booby-trapped rituals. From Kargil to Pahalgam, each diplomatic initiative has served as prelude to a bloodbath. These are not tragic coincidences, they are rehearsed betrayals. Indias repeated attempts to engage driven by democratic norms and regional stability have been met not with reciprocation, but retaliation. The Sharifs Pakistan doesnt negotiate in good faith. It negotiates in bad faith, with pre-planned fallback options involving Kalashnikovs and suicide vests. Twelve years of treachery Together, Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif have governed Pakistan for nearly 12 years. Their cumulative tenure has left behind not a trail of peace, but a scorched-earth legacy of sabotage, bloodshed and strategic deceit. Instead of dismantling the machinery of terror, they have ensured its survival and evolution. New names have emerged TRF, Peoples Anti-Fascist Front but the ideology, funding and safe havens remain unchanged. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India, once hopeful of civilian engagement, now approaches every Sharif regime with hardened scepticism. And rightfully so. The legacy of these two men is not written in treaties or summits, but in the names of those who died at Rajouri, Reasi, Uri, Pathankot, Pahalgam victims of a diplomacy that was never meant to succeed. Never again fooled The myth of the Sharifs as peacemakers must be retired permanently. They have not been architects of dialogue but engineers of deceit. The blood that has soaked Indian soil over the years has come not just from the barrels of terrorist guns but from the boardrooms of Pakistani power, where monsters masquerade as moderates and every olive branch hides a blade. India must remember the cost of misplaced trust and refuse to be fooled again. India must channel strategy over sentiment to deliver a decisive, calculated response that destroys Pakistans terror network without triggering wider conflict read more On April 22, 2025, the picturesque meadows of Baisaran in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam turned into a scene of horror when gunshots rang out. Terrorists, whom Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taibas offshoot The Resistance Force claimed as their gunmen, attacked a group of tourists. They killed 26 people and injured 17 others. This wasnt a random actit was a planned attack meant to shock the country, provoke a response and create more tension in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam has reignited national outrage and strategic debate. This was not an isolated strike but part of a continuing pattern of cross-border terrorism that has plagued India for decades. While India has historically responded with restraint, often choosing diplomatic isolation and surgical precision over full-blown retaliation, this time the strategic calculus feels different. The questions now are not only whether to retaliate, but how, when and with what blend of strategy, force and foresight. The place they chose was important. Attacking innocent tourists there was done to spread fear, stop life from returning to normal and disturb the peace that was slowly coming back to the area. India reacted quickly. It reduced its diplomatic relations with Pakistan. It also paused the Indus Waters Treaty, an agreement about sharing river water that had been in place since 1960. These steps were not ordinarythey showed that India was taking a tougher stand. Real war is no Rambos game. Real war is nothing like the stylised heroism of cinema. It is brutal, complex and deeply strategic. If the enemy knows you are coming, the cost of attack increases exponentially. Despite having lost conventional wars in 1965, 1971 and Kargil, Pakistan cannot be underestimated. Since its inception, its military has remained singularly focussed on conflict with India. With 75 years of sustained investment in conventional and unconventional warfareincluding proxy tactics and terrorismPakistan is far from a novice adversary. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India, however, is not without options. It holds a robust suite of military capabilities that range from surgical operations to full-scale offensives. Yet, these options must be measured not just in terms of capability, but in terms of consequence. Warriors dilemma: What should India do? India is facing a tough but familiar situation. There is a strong moral reason to take action. But at the same time, India has to be very careful, especially because it is in a region where countries have nuclear weapons. India has many powerful military optionslike airstrikes in high mountain areas and secret missions. But deciding when and how to use them is not easy. People are angry and want justice, but making a wrong move could cause bigger problems. If India reacts in a way that feels good now but harms its long-term goals, it would be, as Sun Tzuthe famed ancient philosopher from China, incidentally, Pakistans so-called iron brotheronce said, a victory that sows the seeds of future defeat. Options on the table: A strategic inventory Air Strikes: Spectacle and substance Indias air force, especially its Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter jets, provides a strong option for precise strikes on terrorist camps or important supply points across the Line of Control(LoC). India used this option effectively in Balakot in 2019, giving Pakistan a psychological shock without starting a full war. But things are different this time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan is alert this time. Its air defences are stronger now, their leaders are saying in non-stop television interviews aired in Pakistan. The world would be watching closely. Also, launching strikes now could lead to a bigger air conflictsomething both countries might find hard to control. Ground offensives: Limited war on difficult terrain Another option lies across the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistans recent disregard for the Simla Agreement coupled with LoC violations could justify targeted incursions to dismantle forward terror infrastructure. These would need to be swift, sharp and surgical to avoid slipping into a war of attrition. The terrain, heavily militarised and fortified, makes this option high-risk and logistically demanding. Surgical strikes: No longer the element of surprise Indias 2016 surgical strikes were a paradigm shiftthey proved that India could, and would, respond with lethal precision. But their repetition now would lack the element of surprise. Pakistans forces are on high alert and the strike corridors are monitored. The strategic advantage is diminished and the risks of failure or entrapment are higher. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sniper and artillery operations Low-scale, high-impact options like sniper operations, artillery shelling and targeted mortar fire have remained largely dormant since 2021. These could now be revived as a way to degrade enemy morale and infrastructure without committing to full engagement. But these tactics are slow-burnthey hurt, but rarely incapacitate. Their use must therefore be paired with a broader diplomatic or cyber strategy. Sun Tzus shadow: What ancient strategy teaches modern states To make smart decisions, India needs to think beyond the battlefieldand turn to an ancient Chinese book called The Art of War. Written by Sun Tzu more than 2,500 years ago, his ideas still make sense today, even in a world with missiles and nuclear weapons. His main message is: The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. After the attack in Pahalgam, India must think carefully about its goals. Does it want to punish, stop future attacks or change things for good? Each goal will require different actions. Sun Tzu would warn against reacting with anger. Instead, he would suggest taking actions that break the enemys will, mess with their plans and take advantage of their weaknesses. Deception, unpredictability and indirect action Sun Tzu writes, Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. Indias public anger might be a trickor it could become a problem if it leads to actions that Pakistan expects. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If Pakistan is ready for a response across the LoC, maybe India should consider attacking from a different placelike disrupting terror funding through cyberattacks, using information warfare to show Pakistans dishonesty or carrying out secret operations in other countries that support terror financiers. Being predictable makes you less effective. Sun Tzu says surprise is a powerful tool. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. Psychology of warfare Kinetic strikes, like airstrikes, damage infrastructure. But psychological warfare breaks the enemys will. If India can show, through diplomacy, media and secret actions, that no one who sponsors terror will go unpunishedand that any increase in violence will be met with strong and unpredictable responsesit can rebuild deterrence without needing to launch full-scale attacks. Sun Tzu said, To capture the enemys entire army is better than to destroy it. Similarly, weakening Pakistans ability to spread violence, even indirectly, is better than starting a full war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Avoiding the trap of rage One of Sun Tzus teachings is also useful here: If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. This can apply to Pakistan as well. Pakistans economy is weak and its military relies on conflict stories. India should avoid falling into a trap where Pakistans actions draw India into a long or internationally unpopular war. Sun Tzu also says, The wisest general wins first, and then goes to war. India must first create the right conditions for victoryinternational support, readiness at home and confusion for the enemybefore taking action. Not the other way around. Strategy over sentiment The pain of Pahalgam is raw, and rightly so. But a nations greatness lies not in its capacity for anger, but in its ability to channel that anger into strategic strength. Indias options are manybut the best ones will not be those that merely reply to Pakistan, but those that reshape the conflicts terms, leaving Pakistan reactive and India in control. Sun Tzus wisdom does not reject warfare. It redefines it. For him, warfare is not just about terrain or troopsit is about timing, deception, will, and clarity of objective. India must now embody those valuesnot to avenge this attack with fury, but to respond to it with foresight. In the end, the real victory will not be measured in bombed camps or disrupted supply lines. It will be in restoring a sense of security to every Indian citizenand in ensuring that no meadow in Kashmir is ever stained with innocent blood again. Lessons from Kurukshetra Nowhere is the strategic mind more finely illustrated than in the role played by Lord Krishna in the Kurukshetra war in The Mahabharata. Lord Krishna never picked up a weapon but orchestrated the wars outcome through an intricate blend of diplomacy, misdirection, moral persuasion and battlefield cunning. He used strategic guiledisarming Karna of his divine protection, staging illusions like eclipses to outwit opponents and employing warriors like Shikandi in ways the enemy could not counter. These moves were not unethical, they were contextual. Likewise, Indias response must be purpose-driven, not just punitive. Strategy must serve statecraft, not sensationalism. Krishna manipulated timelines, chose symbolic positions and executed an entire war campaign as psychological theatre. These are the tools India must now wield: combining real and symbolic moves, economic and kinetic strikes, public and classified messaging. Beyond revenge and toward strategic dominance The attack on Pahalgam demands a response, but not one governed by rage. Strategynot sentimentmust lead. India has the tools. It needs the clarity. India can do more than retaliate. It can reshape the theatre, redefine deterrence and reinforce its position not just as a military power, but as a force that understands when to wield the sword and when to sheathe it. PM Modi has previously hinted at military strikes in his speeches following the Uri and Pulwama attacks in 2016 and 2019 respectively. Could his recent address in Bihar suggest an upcoming military action? read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered strong words against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack. Vowing to pursue the terrorists from the ends of the earth, PM Modi has taken a slew of diplomatic measures to respond to the heinous attack. While the Defence Ministry has pledged to retaliate against the killing of 26 people in Pahalgams Baisaran meadows, there is no clear indication of what actions will be taken militarily. However, PM Modis recent speech might have pointed to a military strike on Pakistan, as have his previous remarks post the Uri and Pulwama attacks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What did Modi say during Uri attack? In September 2016, 18 soldiers were killed after four terrorists infiltrated an army base in the Indian Army base. It was one of the deadliest attacks on the Indian military in recent years and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a series of retaliatory military actions by India. On September 24, PM Modi said, People of Pakistan should question their leadership on why, when both countries gained freedom together, while India exports software, Pakistan exports terrorists. India has and never will bow down in the face of terrorism. India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time. People of Pakistan must ask their leaders as to what is the reason India exports software, but they export terrorism, he added. He further said, I want to tell you that your leadership is misleading you by telling you that they are prepared to fight with India 1,000 times. We are ready to fight. India carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control on September 28 and 29. What did PM Modi say after Pulwama attack? Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel lost their lives in 2019 after a suicide bomber affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of Indian paramilitary forces in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. In his speeches following the terror strike, Modi said, I want to tell the terror outfits and those aiding and abetting them that they have made a big mistake. They will have to pay a very heavy price for their actions. If our neighbour who is totally isolated in the world thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake. Our brave jawans have sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. Their sacrifice will not go in vain. I am giving this assurance to 130 crore Indians from the land of Jhansi, the land of the brave, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India retaliated to the Pulwama attack by launching an air strike on a terrorist training camp in Balakot, located in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on February 26, 2019. What has he said? The Pahalgam terrorist attack happened on April 22. Twenty-six people lost their lives, including one local pony-ride operator and a Nepali national. On April 24, Modi spoke in Bihars Madhubani, This attack has not just been on unarmed tourists; the enemies of the country have dared to attack the soul of India. I want to say in very clear words, those terrorists who have carried out this attack and those who conspired for this attack will get a punishment bigger than they could have ever imagined. Now the time has come to destroy the remaining ground of the terrorists. The will power of 140 crore Indians will now break the back of the masters of terror. Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world: India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist, and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid expectations of military action in response to the Pahalgam attack, experts have said that the presence of Rafale fighter planes equipped with Scalp missiles would allow India to perform better than it did in 2019 when India carried out airstrikes in Pakistans Balakot read more Rafale fighter jet is seen parked on the tarmac during its induction ceremony at an air force station in Ambala, India, September 10, 2020. (Photo: Reuters) Even though India has responded to acts of terror with cross-border actions previously, this time is expected to be different. Previously, India responded to an attack in Manipur in 2015 with attacks on insurgents camps in Myanmar. In 2016, India responded to an attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Uri, India responded with a surgical strike against terrorists in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK). In 2019, India responded with an airstrike in Pakistan proper in response to the Pulwama attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This time, however, it is expected to be different as the Pahalgam attack as well as means to conduct any military operation are much different. ALSO READ: There ought to be a response to terrorists & Pakistan too: Indias security grid mulls countermeasure For one, unlike the attacks in Manipur, Uri, or Pulwama, civilians were killed in J&Ks Pahalgam. As for the means, India now has superior war machines that would enable it to finetune any shortcomings that might have been there in the 2019 response. The induction of 36 Rafale fighter planes and Scalp missiles have given India an edge. Why 2024 is not 2019 In 2019, in the absence of any advanced fighter plane, India had to rely on old warhorses Mirage 2000s and MiG-21s. While the airstrike in Balakot was conducted by Mirages by using Spice-2000 precision guided penetration bombs, the incoming Pakistan aircraft the next day were primarily intercepted by MiG-21 warplanes. In the aerial combat, India said that one of the MiG-21s shot down a Pakistani F-16, a much advanced a superior fighter plane. However, Pakistan was otherwise able to bypass Indian aerial combat patrols, airborne early warning and command systems, air defences, and utilised a window when newer Sukhoi aircraft were not in the area. Thats why MiG-21s had to join the fight and did the bulk of the aerial combat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If such a situation were to arise today, it would be much different thanks to Rafale fighters and Scalp missiles. How Rafales give India an edge Compared to Mirages and Sukhois, and even Pakistani mainstay F-16 to a good extent, French Rafales are superior in range, avionics, and armaments. They carry Scalp and meteor missiles that have better range. Coupled with newer radars and electronic warfare systems, Rafales bring an edge to India in aerial combat. Of the 36 Rafales that India has procured from France, 18 are deployed in Haryanas Ambala to take care of the Western front with Pakistan. Considering the gravity of the situation, India may move Rafales deployed in the eastern sector to the Western front if the scale of the operation would demand it. However, concerns of any Chinese retaliation to help Pakistan would be considered in any such decision. In a post on X, strategic affairs analyst Abhijit Iyer-Mitra said that 36 Rafales with meteors, Scalp, and Mica missiles give India enough range and punch for hitting 36 ground targets while simultaneously being able to hold off all 72 PAF [Pakistani Air Force] F-16s at ranges over 250 kms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With two fuel tanks, four Meteors, one Scalp, and Two Micas each, India would be able to deploy a total of 36 long-range air to ground missiles, 144 long-range air to air missiles, and 72 medium-range missiles. This is not a gauntlet the PAF will want to run. The main thing here is to avoid close range entanglements which is where the PAF comes into its own. You need to keep this beyond visual range throughout in order to fully exploit your technological advantage, said Iyer-Mitra. In Central India, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently holding Aakraman annual exercise to hone war-waging capabilities. Scenarios of any confrontation with Pakistan are bound to be practised in the exercises. Heavy rainfall since Thursday afternoon has triggered major landslides in north Sikkim, damaging roads near Munshithang (on the way to Lachen) and near Lima (on the way to Lachung) read more Around 1,000 tourists were reported to be stuck in two high-altitude hill stations in north Sikkim following landslides that hit the region on Thursday (April 24). A senior police officer said Friday that some 1,500 other tourists were being accommodated in nearby villages until road connectivity is restored. Mangan superintendent of police (SP) Sonam Detchu Bhutia said the 1,500 tourists were rescued Friday, with some of them spending the night in places like police station, gurudwara, Indo-Tibetan Border Police camp. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They were taken out on Friday morning and have already left for Gangtok, Bhutia was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. Heavy rainfall since Thursday afternoon has triggered major landslides in north Sikkim, damaging roads near Munshithang (on the way to Lachen) and near Lima (on the way to Lachung), officials confirmed. Tourists currently in Lachen and Lachung remain stranded, and all travel permits for north Sikkim for Friday including pre-issued ones have been cancelled. Tour operators have been directed not to send any visitors to the region until conditions improve. This is a serious setback for Lachen, which only reopened to tourists in March 2025 after being cut off for over a year due to the devastating glacial lake outburst flood in October 2023. News agency PTI reported that while roads to Lachen and Lachung remained closed due to mudslides caused by heavy rainfall last evening, efforts were on to clear the routes as fast as possible. Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur said that all tourists are safe in various destinations in north Sikkim after getting stranded due to landslides. Pakistan is an ideological state, and the Pakistan Army has taken up the mantle of the guardian of the ideology. Kashmirs integration with India, therefore, is not palatable to Pakistans ruling establishment read more The gruesome massacre of tourists at Pahalgam has been condemned by all major world leaders, including US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Most world leaders have criticised the attack. That this attack took place at a time when US Vice President JD Vance was in India indicates the audacity of the attackers and their backers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a visit to a leading Muslim country, Saudi Arabia, had to cut short and rush back. He was met at the airport by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Home Minister Amit Shah was already in Pahalgam, taking stock of the ground situation. Terrorists have already been identified and their Pakistan links established. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias security establishment is in a huddle. The service chiefs are part of discussions looking at all options. This will not be allowed to go by. There is nationwide anger. There will be repercussions. A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials has arrived in Srinagar to investigate. India has to come hard. Recent events in Bangladesh, infiltration and riots in West Bengal, and the Pakistan Army Chiefs venomous position on Hindus are indicative of a major game play. Pakistan Army Chiefs Remarks Addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad earlier this month, General Munir didnt just speak about Balochistan. We will beat the hell out of these terrorists very soon. You think these 1,500 terrorists can take away Balochistan from us? he said. Even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan and Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, had famously said that Hindus and Muslims followed different philosophies, customs, and lawsmaking national unity impossible. Munir returned to the very roots of Pakistans ideological foundation. Our religion is different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are differentthats where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, we are not one nation, he said. He called on overseas Pakistanis to pass down this ideology to future generations. You have to narrate Pakistans story to your children so that they dont forget it, he added. In his speech, he was also tacitly giving a signal to moderate elements within the military establishment and Imran Khans supporters to take a hard-line stand. Pakistan Armys Direct Role in Pahalgam Hindu hatred is visible from the modus operandi of the attack. Footprints and tell-tale signs of the Pakistani Armys backing are emerging. Pakistan cannot stand peace and prosperity emerging in Kashmir. Tourist numbers have been going up. Public participation in elections has been very significant. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been working closely with the Central government for the betterment of the masses. Kashmirs integration with India was not palatable to Pakistans ruling establishment (Pakistan Army). Pakistan is an ideological state, and the Pakistan Army has taken up the mantle of the guardian of the ideology. Despite having an army of 1.3 million, the Pakistan Army claims that India cannot intimidate it. He forgets about the meek surrender of 93,000 able-bodied but defeated Pakistani Army soldiers in 1971. Political and Diplomatic Options for India The time has come for the oft-spoken mantraNever Forget, Never Forgiveto be put into action. India has for long taken the soft line. It cannot be seen as a weak state. Perhaps that is the reason some have taken India for granted. We have lessons to be learnt from Israel. There are diplomatic, political and military options. All need to be exercised in tandem. The world is with us. India must use its financial and diplomatic might to teach Pakistan a lesson. The government has rightly suspended the Indus Water Treaty. Now, India must more openly support insurgency in Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and PoK. India must work closely with Afghanistan and Pashtuns. Pakistans economy is in a mess. The politicians, generals and judges are all siphoning money and stacking it abroad. Pakistan has the highest number of beggars in the world. Saudi Arabia has just deported 4,000 of them. Military options The armed forces have already launched operation Tikka. A few terrorists have already been eliminated. Selectively mobilise the armed forces. Send a clear signal. Time for a multi-domain strike. Activate operatives to strike military establishments within Pakistan. Immediately abandon the ceasefire on LoC. Let guns blase. Make Pakistan run out of ammunition. Carry out much wider military air strikes against a host of terrorist camps. Use BrahMos and other cruise missiles. Get the Indian Navy to position itself in threatening slots. Sail a few submarines and the aircraft carrier into Arabian Sea. India is much better prepared than Kargil or Balakot. India has Scalp-EG, and Meteor. Coordinate with Baloch liberation and Pashtuns to open multiple fronts. Be ready to manage escalation. Expect and prepare for a Pakistani military retort, and be ready for a disproportionate response and give a bloody nose. India must work towards selective America and Israel-style assassinations of terrorist leaders in Pakistan plotting against India. Pakistan has few backers. Iran and Saudis are not their friends anymore. China will at best act as a mediator. The US, Israel and Europe will back India for a controlled aggression. The bigger aim is to show the Pakistan army in a poor light. Call the nuclear bluff. Punishment has not to be a one-time activity, it has to be a continuous endeavour from now on. Make it painful for them to support terrorism. Stop Aman ki Asha. Meanwhile, greater attention is required towards building military capability. Get the Indian Air Force war-ready. Stop downsizing the Indian Army. Get more nuclear submarines. Increase nuclear warheads. Get own house in order Many Indian politicians in UP and West Bengal are openly supporting anti-India elements to stay in power. It is time to take appropriate actions to curb this trend. Stop all illegal migration into the country, especially from Bangladesh. Many countries in Europe are already suffering because of this. There is a tendency for security forces and intelligence agencies to be less vigilant when there is an extended period of peace. This has to stop. If these terrorists were within the region for nearly a month, as reports indicate, then we need to look in the mirror. The Indian public has to be sensitised against terrorists. The time to act is now. Soft reaction will further invite similar terror acts in the future. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. If Pakistan chooses to abandon commitments, India will not be bound to pretend otherwise. The door to bilateralism was kept open despite provocation. Now, Islamabad has slammed it shut read more (File) In this June 28, 1972, photo, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, right, and President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto shake hands after signing and agreement in the Governor's Mansion, in Simla. AP Indias response to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, including a foreign national, was deliberate and forceful. After uncovering evidence linking the attack to Pakistani-based terrorists, the Indian government unveiled a five-point action plan. It included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari Wagah border crossing, cancelling visa exemptions, expelling Pakistani defence personnel, and reducing the strength of the Indian mission in Islamabad. In reaction, Pakistan has now announced that it is placing the Simla Agreement in abeyance. This decision effectively abandons the most significant framework that has governed bilateral relations for over five decades. It removes even the minimal commitment to peaceful resolution and stable diplomatic engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The implications are serious and one-sided. The Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 after Pakistans military defeat and the creation of Bangladesh, was not merely a peace treaty. It represented Pakistans formal acceptance of a bilateral framework for resolving disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir. The agreement committed both countries to respect territorial integrity, avoid altering the status quo, and refrain from seeking third-party mediation. It was a foundational understanding that gave Pakistan a seat at the table, not through parity but through Indias choice to pursue stability. Discarding Simla is not a neutral act. It removes the last remaining structure that kept the relationship from tipping into permanent hostility. Pakistan may have intended to signal defiance or create diplomatic leverage, but it has only weakened its own standing. The abeyance of Simla is not a blow to India. It is an admission that Pakistan has no interest in dialogue, only in disruption. This move must also be read alongside Pakistans attempt to label Indias suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as water warfare. That term has been used not to advance serious legal claims but to provoke international sympathy and distraction. India upheld the Indus Treaty for more than sixty years. That includes periods of full-scale war, proxy terrorism, and diplomatic cold spells. The decision to suspend it after a mass civilian terror attack is not aggressive. It is a message that terrorism will now come with consequences beyond condemnation. Pakistan has responded with noise but without substance. There is no legal or diplomatic principle that allows a state to support terror and then demand that treaties protecting its interests remain intact. The rules Pakistan wants to discard are those that benefit India. The ones it wants preserved are those that shelter its strategic behaviour. That selective approach is now exposed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The international community is unlikely to be moved. Most countries now view India as a stable partner and Pakistan as a chronic source of instability. That perception has not emerged from Indian lobbying but from Pakistans repeated inability to hold a consistent line on peace. In abandoning Simla, Pakistan has confirmed that it cannot be trusted to uphold agreements, even those it once relied on to gain international credibility. This development also marks a turning point in Indias approach. For years, India maintained the posture of restraint. It kept faith in agreements even when Pakistan showed little respect for them. That era is ending. A new posture is emerging, one based on reciprocity and strategic clarity. If Pakistan chooses to abandon commitments, India will not be bound to pretend otherwise. The door to bilateralism was kept open despite provocation. Now, Pakistan has slammed it shut. This is not a crisis for India. It is a moment of resolution. The loss of Simla frees India from the burden of an agreement that had become one-sided in practice. It opens the space for a more assertive and interest-driven foreign policy. India can now evaluate its future choices without being held hostage to outdated understandings that the other side no longer honours. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD History may well judge this moment as a missed opportunity for Pakistan. Instead of resetting ties through diplomacy, it has chosen to deepen confrontation. That choice will carry consequences. Simla was the last remaining cover that allowed Pakistan to appear interested in peaceful resolution. Removing that cover lays bare the reality. It confirms what India has long said, that peace cannot be sustained when one party refuses to act responsibly. In diplomacy, what is torn up can sometimes be rebuilt. But rebuilding requires trust, and trust must be earned. Pakistan has not just discarded a treaty. It has discarded the assumption that it wants peace. It will take more than words to walk back from that. India will not chase a partner that keeps walking away. It will deal with this moment with the quiet strength of a country that knows it has options. That strength comes not from loud declarations but from being rooted in principles that endure even when others falter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Aditya Sinha (X:@adityasinha004) is a public policy professional. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Some 250,000 people paid their respects to Pope Francis during a three-day lying in state at St Peters Basilica, the Vatican said on Friday, as public viewing ended and world leaders began gathering for his funeral read more A portrait of the late Pope Francis is seen at San Jose de Flores Basilica in Buenos Aires on Thursday. AFP Around 250,000 people visited St. Peters Basilica over three days to pay their respects to Pope Francis, the Vatican announced on Friday, as public viewing concluded and global leaders began arriving for his funeral. Among the final visitors was French President Emmanuel Macron, with total attendance surpassing the 195,000 who came to honor Pope Benedict XVI after his passing in 2013. What a great man! He loved everyone, every religion, AFP quoted 53-year-old Italian Igho Felici after viewing Franciss coffin. I had to be here, he added. All day long, large crowds filled Via della Conciliazione the broad avenue leading to St. Peters Basilica as pilgrims and tourists blended with Italians taking advantage of the April 25 public holiday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pope Francis lies in a simple wooden coffin, dressed in a red chasuble, white mitre, and black shoes, a rosary entwined around his fingers. The coffin is set to be closed in a private ceremony at 8:00 pm. Security has been significantly tightened around St. Peters, with drone activity restricted, snipers positioned on rooftops, and fighter jets on alert. Authorities said additional checkpoints will be in place by Friday night. Global tributes The Catholic Churchs first Latin American pope died on Monday aged 88, less than a month after spending weeks in hospital fighting severe pneumonia. It was like saying goodbye to a father who loved me and will continue to love me as and more than before, said Filipa Castronovo, 76, an Italian nun. The pontiff, who had long suffered failing health, defied doctors orders by making a public appearance on Easter Sunday, the most important moment in the Catholic calendar. It was his last public appearance. Condolences have flooded in from around the world for the Jesuit, an energetic reformer who championed those on the fringes of society in his 12 years as head of the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics. He used his last speech to rail against those who stir up contempt towards the vulnerable, the marginalised, and migrants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Its impressive to see all these people, French cardinal Francois-Xavier Bustillo said of the queueing crowds, describing Francis as a man of the people. Its a beautiful response, a beautiful embrace of his ministry, of his pontificate, he added. The Vatican has said more than 130 foreign delegations are confirmed for the funeral, including Argentinas President Javier Milei and Britains Prince William, many of whom began arriving early on Friday morning. Trump is expected to arrive on Friday evening for a visit of less than 24 hours, his first foreign trip of his second term. Accompanied by his wife Melania, Trump will face many foreign leaders but no meetings have been announced. The presence of Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky was in doubt after he said he may miss the funeral due to important military meetings following a deadly Russian strike on Kyiv. Selfie ban On Thursday the Vatican banned people from taking photos inside the basilica, a move that eased the queue. It came after some mourners took selfies with the coffin. After the funeral, Franciss coffin will be driven at a walking pace for burial at his favourite church, Romes papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The hearse will pass down Romes Fori Imperiali where the citys ancient temples lie and past the Colosseum, according to officials. Big screens will be set up along the route on which to watch the ceremony, according to Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who estimated the crowds at around 200,000. Francis was a champion of the underdog, and a group of poor and needy will be at Santa Maria Maggiore to welcome the coffin, the Vatican said. Francis will be interred in the ground, his simple tomb marked with just one word: Franciscus. People will be able to visit the tomb from Sunday morning, as all eyes turn to the process of choosing Franciss successor. Early May conclave possible Cardinals from around the world have been returning to Rome for the funeral and the election of a new pope. They have been meeting every day to agree the next steps, but have yet to announce a date for the conclave. Luxembourgs Jean-Claude Hollerich, a Jesuit who was a close adviser to Francis, said the conclave would likely begin on May 5 or 6. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is right after the nine days of mourning declared by the Holy See, which ends on May 4. Only those under the age of 80 - currently some 135 cardinals - are eligible to vote. Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was number two to Francis, is the favourite, according to British bookmakers William Hill. They put him ahead of Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, the Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Manila, followed by Ghanas Cardinal Peter Turkson, and Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna. Whos attending? World leaders and dignitaries from around the globe are set to gather in Rome on Saturday for the funeral of Pope Francis, marking one of the most significant diplomatic assemblies in recent memory. According to the Vatican, over 50 heads of state, a dozen royals, and top representatives from major international institutions will attend the ceremony at St. Peters Basilica. Among them are US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, King Felipe VI of Spain, and Prince William representing the United Kingdom. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Leaders from across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region will be present, underscoring Pope Franciss global influence and the deep respect he commanded as the head of the Catholic Church. From Argentinas President Javier Milei to Indias President Droupadi Murmu, and from Kenyas President William Ruto to King Abdullah II of Jordan, the diverse presence reflects Franciss legacy as a bridge-builder and voice for the marginalised. The full list includes presidents, prime ministers, royals, and senior religious figures, all united in paying tribute to a pope who reshaped the Churchs global role during his 12-year papacy. With inputs from agencies While a rattled Pakistan reacted to Indias action over the Pahalgam terror attack by putting on hold several treaties, what Islamabad missed is the fact that it handed New Delhi three big advantages by suspending the Simla Agreement read more Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, right, and President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto shake hands after signing Shimla Agreement. File Photo / AP Diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan has escalated following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Terrorists, armed with automatic assault rifles, targeted a tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people triggering angry responses from various quarters in India. While India took five big security measures against Pakistan, Islamabad responded dramatically. Following an hour-long meeting of Pakistans National Security Committee (NSC), which was chaired by Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the cash-strapped country introduced a host of measures it will take against India. Not only did Pakistan close its airspace for Indian airlines and suspend all trade with the fifth-largest economy in the world, but it also put on hold all bilateral treaties with New Delhi, including the 1972 Simla Agreement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Pakistan wanted to give a stern reply to Indias hits, it unwittingly handed India three major advantages by suspending the 1972 agreement. Before we dive into those advantages, it becomes important to understand how India and Pakistan got here and what the Simla Agreement entails. Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were among those present at the CCS meeting chaired by PM Modi. How did we get here? Following the Pahalgam attack, Indias Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) conducted a meeting. Following the meeting, it was announced that India is implementing five measures which New Delhi has termed as a decisive response to cross-border terrorism". These measures were as follows: 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. The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. 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 an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India. The defence/military, naval and air force advisers in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata. India will be withdrawing its own defence/navy/air force advisers from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The overall strength of the high commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55. A day after these measures were introduced, Pakistan held its own security committee meeting in search of a befitting response to India. The following are the countermeasures Pakistan decided to take: Rejection of Indias move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty warns that any diversion will be treated as an Act of War. Suspended the Simla Agreement and all bilateral agreements with India until India changes its conduct. Closure of Wagah Border Post immediately; return allowed only until 30 April 2025. Suspended all Saarc visas for Indian nationals, except for Sikh religious pilgrims; Indian SVES holders must exit within 48 hours. Declared Indian defence, naval, and air advisers persona non grata, to leave by 30 April 2025; reduced Indian high commission staff to 30 personnel. Closure of Pakistans airspace to all Indian-owned or operated aircraft immediately. Suspended all trade with India, including third-country routed trade. Pledged a full-spectrum national power response to any threat against Pakistans sovereignty. Pakistans top security body, the National Security Committee (NSC), earlier held a meeting to assess Indias slew of measures against the country While the initiatives taken by Pakistan did not surprise New Delhi, one measure which drew eyebrows was the suspension of the Simla Agreement. So what is the agreement all about? What is the Simla Agreement? The agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Bilateral Relations, also known as the Simla Agreement, was signed in July 1972 between then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Pakistani counterpart Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The agreement was signed following Pakistans comprehensive defeat in the 1971 war, which eventually led to the independence of Bangladesh. The agreement was expected to lay the foundation of a peaceful and stable relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India (R) and Pakistani President Ali Bhutto sign a peace agreement in July 1972 in Simla. File Photo/AFP The deal emphasises resolving issues between the two in a bilateral manner, superseding the UNs resolution on Kashmir. The fact that there has been only ne limited war since the agreement was signed reflects its effectiveness. The agreement stressed that nations go back to the Line of Control (LoC) and respect the region. 3 big advantages suspension of the deal offers to India While the suspension of the decades-old deal hampers the bilateral diplomatic routes both nations have taken, it opens doors to new possibilities. The following are the three big advantages India can have: Sanctity of LoC gone Subsections 1 and 2 of clause 4 of the Simla Agreement stated the following: (1) Indian and Pakistani forces shall be withdrawn to their respective side of the international border. (2) In Jammu and Kashmir, the Line of Control resulting from the cease-fire of December 17, 1971, shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to the recognised position of either side. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations. Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or the use of force in violation of this Line. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With the suspension of the Simla Agreement, the validity of LoC comes into question. Now, either side, especially India, can take steps it deems fit to alter LoC unilaterally. Interestingly, Pakistan has violated the Simla Agreement in the past. An Indian Army soldier uses a drone to keep vigil near the Line of Control (LoC). PTI In 1984, Pakistan attempted to take control of the Siachen Glacier, an Indian territory demarcated by the Karachi agreement. In response, India launched Operation Meghdoot in 1984, gaining full control of the glacier. With the recent suspension, both countries are no longer obligated to follow the LoC. Opening of military options Clause 1, Subsection 2 of the Simla Agreement states the following: (2) That the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon between them. Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation, and both shall prevent the organisation, assistance or encouragement of any acts detrimental to the maintenance of peaceful and harmonious relations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Simla Agreement said India and Pakistan would resolve their differences peacefully. Now, India can take military options without violating any treaty. The military option can be taken to ramp up security in the region frequently affected by terrorist infiltration. Involvement of global actors The Agreement compel India and Pakistan to resolve bilateral issues without intervention from global actors. While Pakistan was in good graces with the West when the Agreement was signed, things have changed since then. India can now use the leverage it has over major powers, including the Trump administration in the US, Israel, and West Asian and European countries, to completely isolate Pakistan. Regardless, Pakistan never respected this part of the treaty, taking matters to an international level, the latest being Pakistans outcry over the Abolition of Article 370. Over the years, India has become a key player in the global arena and enjoys the support of several Western actors. For Example, when the New York Times reported that the Pahalgam tourists were gunned down by militants in Kashmir, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee rectified the headline, referring to the gunmen as Terrorists. Hey, @nytimes we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK plain and simple. Whether its India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM the NYT is removed from reality. pic.twitter.com/7PefEKMtdq House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) April 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India currently enjoys support from the US, Russia, a number of countries across West Asia including Israel, and European nations. Not only this, its ties with China are also improving, causing insecurity in Pakistan. Despite clear advantages that India has with Pakistan putting the Simla Agreement on hold, it remains in the domain of the future to tell how it affects the two countries. An Alabama man convicted of raping and murdering a woman in 2010 was executed on Thursday after giving up his appeals and saying he deserved to die. read more Alabama executes man who gave up appeals and admitted guilt in 2010 rape, murder. Representational AI-generated image via DALL-E An Alabama man who gave up his appeals and said he deserved to die for a 2010 rape and murder was executed on Thursday evening. James Osgood, 55, was given a lethal injection and pronounced dead at 6:35 pm at a prison in southern Alabama, officials said. He was convicted in 2014 for killing Tracy Lynn Brown in Chilton County after he and his girlfriend assaulted her. Prosecutors said he cut her throat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his final words, Osgood apologised for the crime. I hadnt said her name since that day, Osgood said, adding he wasnt sure if he should say the victims name. Today will be the first time I said it. Tracy, I apologise. As the execution got underway, Osgood looked toward family members seated in a witness room and cried quietly as he lost consciousness. The curtains opened to the witness room at 6:09 pm. It was unclear what time the injection began. His breathing became deep and laboured and his head fell back on the gurney at about 6:15 pm. His breathing was no longer visible by about 6:18 pm and several minutes later, he was pronounced dead. Osgood recently told The Associated Press that he had dropped his appeals last year, adding, I am guilty of murder. In a letter to his lawyer explaining his decision to seek execution as soon as possible, he wrote that he was tired and no longer felt he was even existing. Im a firm believer in like I said in court an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I took a life, so mine was forfeited. I dont believe in sitting here and wasting everybodys time and everybodys money, Osgood told AP last week. Brown, 44, was found dead in her home on October 23, 2010, after her employer became concerned when she did not show up for work. Prosecutors said Osgood admitted to police that he and his girlfriend sexually assaulted Brown after discussing how they had shared fantasies about kidnapping and torturing someone. The pair forced their victim to perform sex acts at gunpoint. They said Osgood then killed Brown by cutting her throat. His girlfriend, who was Browns cousin, was sentenced to life in prison. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The jury found Osgood guilty after about 40 minutes of deliberation and unanimously recommended the death sentence. Osgood last week said he wanted to apologise to Browns family but didnt expect her relatives to forgive him. I regret taking her from them. I regret cutting her life short, he said. His initial death sentence was thrown out by an appeals court ruling that jurors were given improper instructions. At his resentencing in 2018, Osgood asked to be executed, saying he didnt want the families to endure another hearing. In handing down the death penalty at resentencing, the judge noted Osgood had a difficult childhood that included sexual abuse, abandonment and a suicide attempt. But the judge also said it was Osgood who cut Browns neck and stabbed her as she begged for her life. The Death Penalty Information Center reported last year that 165 of the 1,650 people executed since 1977 had asked to be put to death. A moratorium on the death penalty ended that year, and the centre said the overwhelming majority of the execution volunteers since had histories of mental illness, substance abuse or suicidal ideation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement calling the killing premeditated, gruesome and disturbing. She added, I pray that her loved ones can feel some sense of closure today. Alison Mollman, who represented Osgood for the last decade, said in a statement that Osgood called Taz by his friends was more than his worst actions. He made mistakes, terrible ones that he regretted until his dying day, but he didnt make excuses for his actions. He was accountable and he was sincere, said Mollman, legal director for the ACLU of Alabama. The execution was the second in Alabama this year and the 14th in the nation overall. On February 6, Alabama used nitrogen gas to execute Demetrius Frazier, 52, for his conviction in the 1991 rape and killing of a 41-year-old woman. Alabama in 2024 became the first state to conduct nitrogen gas executions, putting three people to death by that method last year. It involves replacing breathable air with pure nitrogen gas through a respirator mask, causing death by lack of oxygen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Condemned prisoners in Alabama can choose execution by injection, the electric chair or nitrogen gas. With inputs from AP With the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has made it clear that its itching for war. But why does a cash-strapped nation want a war that goes against all rationale? The answer may lie in the longstanding ideological opposition to India mixed with compulsions of General Asim Munir to restore the militarys primacy in the country. read more In his first public appearance since the Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to punish terrorists wherever they may be on Earth. In rare remarks in English, Modis message was as much for the world as it was for an Indian audience seething in anger at the mass-murder. From the soil of Bihar, I say this to the whole world: India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist, their handlers, and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism, said Modi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With the speech, Modi put Pakistan on notice. With its actions so far, Pakistan has not shown any desire to de-escalate or cooperate not that there are any such expectations. In New Delhi, there is no doubt that Pakistan has decided to end the period of relative calm in the bilateral relationship and return to the yesteryears of wars and conflict. Pakistan hits many birds with one stone First things first the Pahalgam attack happened with Rawalpindis blessing, says a specialist on the subcontinents geopolitics. This kind of attack can never happen without approval from the very top of the Pakistani military and intelligence establishment, says Prof Dhananjay Tripathi of the South Asia University (SAU), Delhi. In the FIR for the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said that terrorists carried out the attack acting on the instructions of their handlers across the border. The Pahalgam attack is not an act of some rogue elements or a self-financed group. The fact that such an attack has taken place tells you that they are ready for a broader conflict, possibly a war, says Tripathi. Paramedic carry a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag after assailants indiscriminately fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.(Photo: AP) With 26 civilians dead, the Pahalgam attack is seen as the worst act of terror since the Mumbai terrorist attacks of 2008. But the question is why Pakistan is itching for war and why now when the relationship has relatively been calm for years. The answers are many and both strategic and tactical. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Firstly, Pakistan has sought to shatter the impression of normalcy in Kashmir in recent years, says Aishwaria Sonavane, a Pakistan researcher at the Takshashila Institution. Since the abrogation of Article 370, the Modi government had portrayed the surge in tourism in Kashmir as a sign of normalcy after decades of terrorism. Even though there were attacks on minority Kashmiri Pandits and migrant workers, there had not been an attack on tourists. The Pahalgam attack changed that. There has already been mass cancellation of tourists bookings. Tripathi, the South Asia specialist at SAU, says that the attack on tourists by is an attempt to portray to not just India but the world that not even Hindus are secure in India the attack took place during US Vice President JD Vances visit to India. Tripathi adds that the attribution of the attack to the so-called The Resistance Front (TRF) is an attempt to pass it off as indigenous resistance to Indias rule the TRF is a cover that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) uses to portray its acts as those of a homegrown group instead of a foreign state-sponsored terrorist organisation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Secondly, the Pakistani Army appears to be triggering an external confrontation to save itself from domestic troubles, according to Takshashilas Sonavane. It looks like an attempt by the Pakistani Army to reassert control after a dip in public perception and recent internal security lapses involving the Baloch insurgency and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). A hyper-nationalist pivot also works as a distractionary narrative, says Sonavane. Thirdly, Sonavane says that Pakistan appears to be internationalising the Kashmir issue as the international attention on Kashmir had been waning after the abrogation of Article 370. Fourthly, Pakistan is reorienting itself, particularly regarding India, in a fundamental way, says Tripathi. In recent years, India stopped portraying Pakistan as a central challenge. As India grew economically and Pakistan remained mired in sectarian violence, terrorism became the only way for Pakistan to be relevant. With the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan is reasserting itself to India and the world. Its telling the world that its still relevant, says Tripathi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Munir sets tone for ties with India and new direction for Pakistan Days before the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani Army chief General Asim Munir set the tone for the new relationship with India in which he went back to the Partition and launched into a tirade against Hindus. In doing so, Munir sought to give new direction to Pakistan by wading into the longstanding identity crisis the country suffers from. Since its inception, Pakistan has dealt with the question of whether it is an Islamic nation or a country for the subcontinents Muslims. Apparently, Munir believes in the former. ALSO READ: Asim Munirs rant signals Pakistan reverting to instability, intimidation and ideology Pakistan is the only nation in the world founded on the basis of kalma, the declaration of faith that serves as the allegiance to God in Islam, said Munir. Our forefathers thought we are different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religions are different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different. Our thoughts are different. Our ambitions are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory that was laid there. We are two nations we are not one nation, said Munir. To settle the longstanding identity crisis, Munir appears to be putting the Islamic Pakistan in a renewed struggle against Hindu India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As part of the unfinished nation-building agenda Pakistan was after all created artificially from scratch Munir appears to now revive India as the common foe. Munir might be itching for war but why? Kashmir has been central to Pakistans approach to India and that has been driven not by geopolitical rationale or ambitions, but by ideology. I dont think its in Pakistans interest to confront India, but Kashmir has always been more of an ideological project. The way I see it, the jugular vein framing by General Munir echoes Indias atoot ang (inalienable part) narrative. It seems the Army felt domestically cornered and reverted to this familiar script, says Sonavne. However, Sonavane cautions against reading too much into Munirs speech or its ideological tone. She says that the speech was likely intended at a domestic audience to rally nationalist sentiment and reassert the militarys relevance. ALSO READ: Asim Munir: The son of an Imam, a muhajir, and Pakistan Army chief who triggered Pahalgam terror attack Counter-terrorism expert Abhinav Pandya says that Pakistan has always looked at India with a religious lens and Munirs audacity to say that Pakistan is the only nation in the world founded on the basis of kalma shows that the idea of a religious war continues to drive the conflict with India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pandya tells Firstpost, Pakistan is in perpetual religious war with India. India may be a secular state, but Pakistan has always considered India to be a Hindu state and thats why they carry out killings in the name of religion in Kashmir and elsewhere. The religious divide, a sense of racial superiority, and the unfulfilled agenda of the Partition continue to drive Pakistan. Pakistan fought four wars not over territory but because of a jihadist war on India. Pakistani Army chief General Asim Munir delivers a speech hailing the two-nation theory and drawing a distinction between Hindus and Muslims. (Photo: YouTube/ISPR) In a country founded in opposition to India, the hatred for India which they see as a Hindu India continues to drive the ruling elite of the military-intelligence establishment. In her book Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Armys Way of War, Prof Christine Fair noted that Pakistan military literature frames the threat from India in ideological and civilisation terms rather than of security. Fair went on to say that clashing with India is so central to their doctrine that not clashing with India would amount to a defeat. For Pakistans men on horseback, not winning, even repeatedly, is not the same thing as losing. But simply giving up and accepting the status quo and Indias supremacy, is, by definition defeatBy seeing victory as the ability to continue fighting, Pakistans army is able to seize victory even from the jaws of what other observers would deem defeat, noted Fair, a Professor of Security Studies Program at the Edmund A Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Washington DC. Being in a state of confrontation is a must for the existence of the Pakistani military and even grim economic realities would not change that, noted Tilak Devasher in his book Pakistan: Courting the Abyss. Even if, and this is a big if, the army is constrained to seek accommodation with India given the economic conditions of Pakistan, its visceral hatred for India is unlikely to change. Neither will it discard its strategy of bleeding India via non-state actors. Unless the army examines it and Pakistans first principles, the mindset will not alter though tactically it may be forced to make adjustments, noted Devasher, a former Special Secretary at Indias spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Such tactical adjustments might be like the ceasefire Pakistan reached with India in 2021. But the centrality of opposition to India among Pakistans ruling elite now appears to have overpowered the rationale of seeking peace. Against all rationale, for reasons that only Munir and his brethren in the military- intelligence establishment know fully, Pakistan appears to be itching for a war with India. Even though India has exercised sobriety in the response to the attack so far, the w word has already been thrown around by Pakistan. In response to India holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, the Pakistani government said it amounted to an act of war. Whether that war takes place or good sense prevails in Rawalpindi remains to be seen. Munirs upbringing and his experience in the military gives some insight into his statements, one of which is believed to have triggered the Pahalgam attack read more Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munirs recent speech on Kashmir is being widely seen as the precursor to the Pahalgam attack, where 26 people died at the hands of terrorists. Munir made the provocative speech on April 17, just five days before four terrorists opened fire at Pahalgams Baisaran meadow, killing tourists on vacation. Who is Munir, and how did his statement on Kashmir trigger the terror attack in Pahalgam? What did he say? Munir floated the two-nation theory and stressed that India and Pakistan are two different countries, as he delivered a provocative speech at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad. Addressing the public last week, Munir said that the people of Pakistan are different from Hindus in terms of their culture, ambition, ideologies, etc. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD You have to narrate Pakistans story to your children so that they dont forget it when our forefathers thought we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religion is different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different; thats where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, we are not one nation," the army general said. He reiterated that Pakistanis should not forget the story of Pakistan, how it was formed, and the sacrifices made by its forefathers, so that their bond with Pakistan never weakens, whether it is the third generation, or the fourth generation, or the fifth generation, they know what Pakistan is for them. Son of an Imam General Munir was born to a father who was a school teacher and an imam, suggesting that the army chief was raised in a religiously devout environment. This assertion is fastened by the instances where Munir has employed Islamic verses in his speeches. The army chief, a Hafiz-e-Quran or someone who has memorised the Islamic Holy Book in its entirety, has time and again delivered speeches promoting Islamic ideologies, and his earlier speeches on Kashmir have similarly been provocative in nature. A spy chief who wasnt Munir held the top post of Pakistans spy agency, the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), in 2018. But he did not get to hold the post for long, as eight months later, Munir was replaced by Lt.Gen Faiz Hamid on the orders of the then Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan. But after Khans dismissal from the government following a no-confidence motion, Munir came back to the scene and was made the countrys army chief. His career in the military began in 1986 under the Zia-ul-Haq administration. After graduating from the Officers Training School (OTS) in Mangla and earning the prestigious Sword of Honour, Munir was commissioned into the 23rd Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had skipped mentioning this detail after his call with Trump on March 28. He has reiterated that Canada will never become part of the US. read more Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney looks on before delivering remarks during his Liberal Party election campaign tour at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Reuters Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed that US President Donald Trump raised the matter of Canada becoming the 51st state during a call with him in March. According to a report by the Globe and Mail, Carney had skipped mentioning this detail after his call with Trump on March 28. The president brings this up all the time. He brought it up yesterday. He brought it up before, the Canadian prime minister said during a press conference on Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US President, on several occasions, has said that Canada should come under the ambit of the US and become its 51st state. Last month, Trump said he is serious about wanting Canada to become the 51st State in an interview with Fox News. I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st State because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada. And Im not going to let that happen, he said. Meanwhile, the new prime minister, Carney, has reiterated that Canada will never become part of the US. To be clear, as Ive said to anyone whos raised this issue in private or in public, including the president, it will never happen, he said. Canada needs US more Trump said Wednesday that Canada would cease to exist if it werent for the United States comments that came just days before Canadians are set to vote in an election dominated by Trumps remarks on the countrys economy and sovereignty. I have to be honest, as a state, it works great," the US president said. Trump also suggested Wednesday that he might increase import taxes on cars from Canada. Trump has a 25 per cent tariff on autos, although there are some exemptions related to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, and automakers are seeking other policy changes to minimise the tariff burden. Trump has separate 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods ostensibly to address drug smuggling into the US. With inputs from agencies Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week, said FBI Director Kash Patel in a post on X, which was later deleted read more FBI Director Kash Patel on Friday said that a US judge had been arrested for obstructing an immigration operation, escalating tensions between Donald Trumps administration and judges. In a now deleted post on X, Patel said, Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest. Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We will have more to share soon. Excellent work @FBIMilwaukee, he added. With Trump-appointed FBI directors post now deleted, Dugans status remained unclear. According to The Guardian report, citing Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, authorities have not officially named the defendant, but he is believed to be Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant charged with three misdemeanor battery counts. The outlet reported that Flores-Ruiz appeared in Judge Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a scheduling hearing. Sources told the Journal Sentinel that ICE agents arrived at the courthouse that morning. When they went to Judge Dugans chambers, she allegedly directed the defendant and his attorney through a side door in the courtroom, down a private hallway, and into a public area on the sixth floor. With inputs from agencies A bomb blast has killed four soldiers and injured three persons in Pakistans restive Balochistan province, according to the police read more At least four Pakistani soldiers have been in a blast in Pakistans restive Balochistan province, according to the police. Four soldiers of Frontier Corps, a federal paramilitary force, were killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Balochistans capital Quetta, The Express Tribune quoted the police as saying. The police said that three soldiers were also injured in the explosion. For decades, Pakistans Balochistan province has waged a self-determination movement against Pakistani rule. Those waging the movement say that Pakistan has unjustly occupied the province and has exploited its natural resources while doing nothing for the regions people. There are frequent reports of Pakistani forces excesses in the region, with thousands reported dead or missing after being detained by the forces over the years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A large chunk of Pakistans security related attacks are reported in Pakistan. Over the past year, deaths in such attacks in Pakistan have increased by 45 per cent, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2025. The explosion in Balochistan comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are the highest in years and bilateral relations have practically been suspended in the wake of Pahalgam terrorist attacks. Pakistan-backed terrorists killed at least 26 people in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday. Following the attack, India announced a slew of measures, such as downgrading diplomatic relations with Pakistan, cancelling all visas to Pakistanis, and putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. Pakistan called the action regarding the Indus treaty an act of war and announced that all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement of 1972, stand suspended. Following the blast in Balochistan, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called it a heinous conspiracy aimed at destabilising Pakistan, according to The Tribune. These brave sons of the soil have made the ultimate sacrifice for peace in Balochistan. Their heroism and commitment will always be remembered with pride and gratitude, said Naqvi. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths chief of staff is stepping down, marking the first major leadership change at the Pentagon under President Donald Trump. The move comes amid growing controversy and internal tensions within the department. read more US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths chief of staff is stepping down from his position, a senior defense official said on Thursday. This is the first such change in the Pentagons top leadership during the time of US President Donald Trumps presidency. 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His exit is the latest in a string of top Pentagon officials leaving, including three who were fired last week during a leak investigation after reportedly clashing with Kasper. Former senior advisors Darin Selnick, Dan Caldwell, and Colin Carroll responded on Sunday, saying Pentagon officials had unfairly attacked their reputation with false accusations. 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. Hegseths 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, its hard to see Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remaining in his role for much longer, wrote Ullyot. The leadership changes come as Hegseth faces a new scandal for reportedly using the Signal app to talk about US strikes on Yemen with his wife. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The White House is still backing him, even after it was revealed that he also shared strike details in another Signal chat where a journalist was accidentally included. Chinese publisher donates calligraphy teaching books, equipment to Tunisian university Xinhua) 13:11, April 25, 2025 Hichem Messaoudi (L), director of the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis and Tunisian director of the Confucius Institute, and representative from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group exchange cooperation agreements on Chinese calligraphy education in Tunis, Tunisia, on April 24, 2025. A Chinese university press and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese calligraphy education in the Tunisian capital on Thursday. The signing ceremony included a donation of specialized calligraphy textbooks and instructional equipment from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, a leading academic publisher affiliated with the prestigious Beijing Normal University, to the Confucius Institute. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) TUNIS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese university press and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese calligraphy education in the Tunisian capital on Thursday. The signing ceremony included a donation of specialized calligraphy textbooks and instructional equipment from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, a leading academic publisher affiliated with the prestigious Beijing Normal University, to the Confucius Institute. Kang Zhen, vice president of Beijing Normal University, underscored the profound historical and cultural significance of Chinese calligraphy during the event. He emphasized that the partnership aims to foster a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture among Tunisian youth and expand bilateral exchanges, particularly in education and youth development. Hichem Messaoudi, director of the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis and Tunisian director of the Confucius Institute, welcomed the initiative. He noted that China and Tunisia have made significant efforts in recent years to expand Chinese language education in the country, and that Tunisian youth are increasingly enthusiastic about learning the language and exploring Chinese culture. The new calligraphy program, he said, will further enrich cultural cooperation between the two nations. Chinese calligraphy, an art form involving the aesthetic rendering of characters using brush and ink, is regarded as one of the highest expressions of Chinese artistic tradition. Recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2009, it remains widely practiced today. The art continues to evolve through educational initiatives, exhibitions, and digital innovation, serving as a symbol of China's enduring cultural legacy. A representative from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group demonstrates the use of calligraphy teaching equipment in Tunis, Tunisia, on April 24, 2025. A Chinese university press and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese calligraphy education in the Tunisian capital on Thursday. The signing ceremony included a donation of specialized calligraphy textbooks and instructional equipment from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, a leading academic publisher affiliated with the prestigious Beijing Normal University, to the Confucius Institute. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Trumps claim over China talks comes even as Beijing earlier refuted that any talks are going on, arguing that USA must drop tariffs to initiate negotiations read more US President Donald Trump has revealed that Washington is in talks with Beijing to conclude a trade deal and that Chinese leader Xi Jinping called him to discuss tariffs, according to a Time magazine interview published Friday (April 25). However, the US president didnt reveal when exactly his Chinese counterpart called him. Hes called. And I dont think thats a sign of weakness on his behalf, Trump was quoted as saying by The Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump further claimed that he will be striking tariff deals with trade partners in about three or four weeks. I would say, over the next three to four weeks, and were finished, by the way, he said. Trumps claim over China talks comes as Beijing earlier refuted that any talks are going on, arguing that USA must drop tariffs to initiate negotiations. Beijing said there were no economic and trade negotiations between China and the United States. China quietly rolling back retaliatory tariffs Even as Beijing puts up a brave face, media reports Friday hinted that China may be moving to quietly roll back 125 per cent retaliatory tariffs on some US imports, including semiconductors. Earlier this month, the Trump administration slapped 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting China to respond with up to 125 per cent on American goods. This back-and-forth raised fears of a wider economic slowdown. Interestingly, China is making some exceptions. Its quietly exempting eight types of US semiconductors from these tariffs but not memory chips. CNN reports that these exemptions were revealed during customs checks, not through public announcements. Some companies may even get refunds if they already paid the duties. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that China may also exempt certain US medical equipment and chemicals like ethane, which Chinese industries and hospitals rely on heavily. Trump in the interview also predicted two big diplomatic moves: that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords the normalisation deals with Israel started under Trump and that the US will strike some sort of deal with Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (With inputs from agencies) For long Pakistan has taken cover of the Kashmir issue to mask its use of terrorism as state policy. After the Pahalgam terror attack, Firstpost spoke to former Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit. Heres what he says read more An Indian paramilitary vehicle escorts tourists after an attack in Pahalgam, about 90kms (55 miles) from Srinagar on April 23, 2025. Source: AFP As India navigates through the devastating Pahalgam attack that led to the death of 26 people, Pakistans former envoy to India defended his countrys policies in what India sees as decades-long streak of fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir through terrorism. In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost, Pakistans former High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said the Kashmir issue is at the core of tensions between India and Pakistan and whatever India does, this problem is not going to go away. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In my view, and I have been saying this all along, that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a core problem between Pakistan and India, Basit told Firstpost on Thursday. He urged both sides to discuss ways to settle the dispute. No matter what India does, this problem is not going to go away. It will continue to be there between Pakistan and India. It is time to think about how to settle this issue rather than ramping up to unnecessary rhetoric, creating more problems between our two countries, he said. Its ironical that the Kashmir problem between India and Pakistan began with the latter invading Jammu and Kashmir barely two months after Independence in 1947. As a princely state Jammu and Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession with India as per the provisions of the Indian Independence Act of 1947 that also paved the way for the creation of Pakistan through the partition of India. Jammu and Kashmirs accession to India was held legally valid by the United Nations. Basit assertion of the Kashmir issue remaining a perpetual problem appears to be an oversight of the historical fact, whether deliberate or a compulsion of a former diplomat. Pakistans former High Comissioner to India Abdul Basit. File Image Basit emphasised that once this issue is settled, Pakistan will live as a normal neighbour to India. The remarks from the former Pakistani envoy came in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that saw India announcing five big measures against Pakistan. In response, Pakistan conducted an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) and announced retaliatory measures. In the press release, which came shortly after Basits interview with Firstpost, Pakistan announced that it is suspending all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement, until New Delhi changes its conduct. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Once the dispute is settled, Pakistan will live as normal neighbours: Basit Basit said that the Kashmir dispute needs to be settled before anything else. The primary question is whether or not the two countries are willing to move in the direction of settling the Kashmir dispute. All other issues are peripheral in my view. Once this dispute is settled, you will see Pakistan living as normal neighbours and putting their relations on a positive trajectory, he averred. During the interview, Basit attempted to put forward Pakistans case in the ongoing diplomatic row. However, he glossed over some facts. When asked how some of the terrorists involved in the deadly attack were Pakistani nationals, Basit said, India started blaming Pakistan immediately after the attack or a false flag, I doubt there was any investigation or probe. When Firstpost mentioned the fact that J&K Police released the identity of three terrorists involved in the attack, out of which two were Pakistanis, Basit dodged the question, saying, We do not know. Not a shred of evidence has been shared with anyone. The Jammu and Kashmir Police has released the sketches of foreigner terrorists Hashim Musa alias Sulaiman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, and local terrorist Adil Hussain Thokar, believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack. (Photo: J&K Police) Earlier today, the J&K police shared the names of two Pakistani and one local terrorist involved in the killing. They were: Hashim Musa alias Sulaiman, Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, and Adil Hussain Thokar (Local). The police have put a 20 lakh bounty on each of the terrorists. The Kashmir issue has been at the epicentre of India-Pakistan tensions after Pakistan infiltrated the then-princely state of Jammu and Kashmir soon after the partition, leading to an all-out India-Pakistan war of 1947-48. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan has for long denied its role in terrorism in India, despite its top leaders having openly admitted to Islamabads so-called policy of bleeding India through a thousand cuts. Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said in TV interviews that the people who were seen as terrorists by the world were heroes for the establishment. The timing of it all The Pahalgam attack took place while US Vice President The incident drew all the attention from the visit. Interestingly, this is not the first time Pakistan has been accused of orchestrating such attacks during a monumental visit. There have been at least two instances in which terrorists carried out nearly identical attacks that also coincided with the visits of top US officials, one of them included the American presidents visit to the country. US Vice President JD Vance receives the ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival in New Delhi, India, on April 21, 2025. (Photo: X/Ministry of External Affairs) A similar attack took place in Chittisinghpora in J&K back in 2000 when terrorists killed 36 Sikhs in the region. The attack took place on the eve of the then-US President Bill Clintons visit to India. Two years later, terrorists killed 23 people, including 10 children, in J&Ks Jammu while a top State Department official was visiting India. Pakistan-backed terrorist groups were believed to be behind the attacks in both instances. One of the deadliest terror attacks that shook India was the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, also known as 26/11. On the fateful day, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists launched attacks at multiple locations in Mumbai, killing 166 persons in the nearly 60-hour siege. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While India has called out Pakistan for fostering terrorism whenever the issue has been discussed International level, Islamabad has seen the horrors of several terrorist groups within its soil. This begs the question of how India can sit at a negotiation table with Pakistan over the Kashmir dispute when Pakistan has been time and again accused of fostering terrorist groups, which also jeopardises Indias national security. In a post on X, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Irans Foreign Minister, took to social media to express Tehrans readiness to assist in easing the tensions between India and Pakistan. read more Iran has extended an offer to mediate between India and Pakistan following the deadly terrorist attack in Kashmirs Pahalgam town, which killed at least 28 people, including foreign nationals on April 22. The attack, widely seen as the most devastating in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike has sparked renewed tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Irans Foreign Minister, took to social media to express Tehrans readiness to assist in easing the tensions between India and Pakistan. Araghchi highlighted the long-standing cultural and civilisational ties between the two countries, emphasising Irans commitment to fostering peace in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater pic.twitter.com/5XsZnEPg2D Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 25, 2025 The move came days after terrorists opened fire at a tourist location near Kashmirs Pahalgam town on the afternoon of April 22, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. A gunfight broke out in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora on Friday, leaving one terrorist dead and two security personnel injured. According to a report, the terrorist was identified as top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli. read more A terrorist was killed and two security personnel were injured after an encounter broke out in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora on Friday. According to a report from India Today, the killed terrorist was top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli. The operation comes as security forces intensify efforts to track down Pakistani and local terrorists involved in the killing of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in the Pahalgam meadows on April 22. Acting on specific intelligence on Friday about the presence of terrorists, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint search operation in Bandipora. The terrorists were intercepted, leading to a fierce exchange of fire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier, sources said that one of the terrorists being chased by security forces was injured in the initial exchange of fire. In the same encounter, two police personnel from a senior officers security team were also hurt. Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar, where he was briefed about the ongoing operation in Bandipora. Houses of Pahalgam attackers demolished In another development, security forces and Jammu & Kashmir authorities demolished the houses of two terrorists suspected to be involved in the Pahalgam attack on Friday. The house of Adil Thokar, one of the terrorists allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack, was demolished by authorities. Thokar, also known as Adil Guree, is a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He had legally travelled to Pakistan in 2018, where he reportedly received terror training, and returned to Jammu and Kashmir last year. According to the Times of India, intelligence sources said Thokar acted as a guide and handled logistics for the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. Pakistans defence minister landed in controversy after admitting perhaps unintentionally that the country was doing the dirty work for the West, while trying to deflect questions about its track record on terrorism read more Social media users in Pakistan have slammed the countrys defence minister after he admitted in an interview that Islamabad has been doing dirty work for the West regarding support to terrorists and extremists in the region. His admission came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in India, in which 26 people were killed. New Delhi has hinted at Pakistans involvement in the massacre, a charge that Islamabad has strongly denied. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To defend Pakistan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday appeared on Sky News and claimed that the attack could have been staged by India. During an attempt to dodge questions about Pakistans long history of fostering terrorism, the Pakistani defence minister dug himself a hole when he blurted out that the cash-strapped nation is doing the dirty work for the West. Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States and West, including Britain, for 3 decades," Asif said when asked how the country supported and backed terrorist organisations in the past. However, he quickly backtracked on his assertion, insisting that supporting such groups was a mistake. That was a mistake, and we are suffering from that, he added, referencing the terror attacks that broke out on its own soil. Pakistani users, politicians slam Asif for self-goal After Asifs self-goal in the TV interview, livid Pakistani users and even opposition leaders took to X to express their frustration, with some accusing the minister of harming their countrys interest. Dr Shahbaz Gill, a leader of the opposition PTI party, termed Asifs interview as idiotic and a PR disaster. Khawaja Asif fumbles on Sky News with Yalda Hakim! His idiotic we did dirty work for US answer to terror support claims, then lame backpedal, is a PR disaster. Hes cluelessfirst lines all people hear!" Khawaja Asif fumbles on Sky News with Yalda Hakim! His idiotic we did dirty work for US answer to terror support claims, then lame backpedal, is a PR disaster. Hes cluelessfirst lines all people hear! [Video] pic.twitter.com/AWu2x1PJps Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) April 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another PTI leader Hammad Azhar wrote on X that Asifs irresponsible statement has caused great harm to Pakistan. It was Khawaja Asifs irresponsible statement in Moscow during feb 2018 that landed us in the grey list of FATF. The closed discussion on Pakistan was reopened during the FATF session. His latest irresponsible statement has caused great harm to Pakistan again. Khawaja Asif has not legitimately won an election since 2013 but is rigged into parliament by the establishment every time. His sole forte is his crass ability to attack his political opponents with misogynistic comments & classroom quality jibes. It was Khawaja Asifs irresponsible statement in Moscow during feb 2018 that landed us in the grey list of FATF. The closed discussion on Pakistan was reopened during the FATF session. His latest irresponsible statement has caused great harm to Pakistan again. Khawaja Asif has Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) April 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A furious Pakistani user outrightly wrote: Is he an Indian agent? Another user urged Pakistani ministers to refrain from appearing on Western media, arguing there were significant language barriers. Pakistani ministers should refrain from appearing on western media because most of the time they cant say what they actually want to say because of language barriers and they cant or dont know the right words(vocabulary) to say what they want to say, the user wrote. Hashim Musa, a Pakistani terrorist involved in the Pahalgam attack, had been active in Jammu and Kashmir for the past year. Officials said that he was behind at least three earlier attacks on security forces and non-locals. read more Security personnel rush to the spot after terrorists attacked a group of tourists at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir. PTI One of the main attackers in the Pahalgam incident, a Pakistani national named Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman, had been active in Jammu and Kashmir for the past year and was likely involved in at least three attacks on security forces and non-locals, Hindustan Times reported, citing officials. Musa is believed to be hiding in the higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range with four other terrorists who carried out the attack on tourists at Baisaran meadow on Tuesday, officials said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Jammu and Kashmir Police identified the four terrorists as Ali Bhai, alias Talha (Pakistani), Asif Fauji (Pakistani), Adil Hussain Thoker (from Anantnag), and Ahsan (from Pulwama). Police also released sketches of the suspects based on descriptions provided by the survivors of the attack. Musa is suspected to be working with other Pakistan-backed terror groups in the Valley, in addition to Lashkar-e-Taiba. As part of the investigation, security agencies are trying to identify potential links. An ongoing probe is also focused on locating local supporters of LeT who assisted Pakistani terrorists in moving from the border to various parts of Kashmir over the past year, an official said. Investigators are also scanning online activity to identify individuals in Kashmir who may have been in contact with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) or its proxy group, The Resistance Front (TRF), via encrypted messaging apps to plan attacks on non-locals, another officer said. The Pakistan-based Lashkar proxy group, The Resistance Front, has claimed responsibility for the terror attack. Another official added that several local residents and overground workers are already being questioned, particularly about Musas involvement. At all-party meet, government hints at security lapse The Indian government on Thursday (24 April) indicated that there may have been a security lapse in the Pahalgam terror attack. At an all-party meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged that certain failings needed to be investigated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If everything was fine, we wouldnt be having this meeting. Something went wrong, and we need to find out what, Shah reportedly told Opposition leaders. Sources said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioned why no security personnel were deployed at the site of the attack. With Pakistan putting on hold all bilateral agreements with India in a so-called tit-for-tat move, here are the key deals between Islamabad and New Delhi that are at risk of fading away read more How pakistan's decision puts several bilateral agreements with India at risk of fading away. Representational Image As India reels through the horrors of the Pahalgam attack, the countrys diplomatic ties with Pakistan have reached an all-time low. The security measures from India prompted Pakistan to introduce counter-measures, which many claimed were a step too far. Following an hour-long meeting of Pakistans National Security Council, Islamabad imposed a plethora of restrictions on India and openly condemned New Delhis decision to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. One of those measures was Pakistans decision to suspend all bilateral agreements with India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Pakistan saw it as a power move, the country ignored the severity of suspending some crucial agreements with India. These bilateral agreements not only protected the civilians of both nations but also safeguarded the critical military and nuclear infrastructure of both India and Pakistan. Here are some of the crucial bilateral agreements that will be affected by Pakistans recent move: The Delhi Pact The agreement was signed by Indias Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his Pakistani counterpart Liaquat Ali Khan following a meeting in New Delhi in April 1950. As per the deal, India and Pakistan agreed that their government would protect the interests of minorities in their respective nations. The agreement aimed to address the communal violence and large-scale displacement following the partition of India and Pakistan. Both governments agreed to hold each other accountable concerning the protection of minority rights. Indus Water Treaty The treaty was signed on September 19, 1960s and was brokered by the World Bank. It fixed and delimited the rights and obligations of the neighbouring countries regarding the use of the Indus River. The agreement was signed by Nehru and Pakistans former President Ayub Khan following six years of talks on water sharing. According to the treaty, the water of the western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab went to Pakistan and India was agreed to receive water from eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. The treaty further required the creation of a Permanent Indus Commission, led by a commissioner from each country. Following the Pahalgam attack, India put the deal in abeyance. While Pakistan complained that New Delhi could not unilaterally exit the treaty, with the latest move, even Islamabad has technically suspended the deal. Simla Agreement The agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Bilateral Relations, also known as the Simla Agreement, was signed in July 1972 between then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Pakistani counterpart Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The agreement was signed following Pakistans comprehensive defeat in the 1971 war, which eventually led to the independence of Bangladesh. The agreement was expected to lay the foundation of a peaceful and stable relationship between the two nations. The deal emphasises resolving issues between the two in a bilateral manner, superseding the UNs resolution on Kashmir. The fact that there has been only ne limited war since the agreement was signed reflects its effectiveness. The agreement stressed that nations go back to the Line of Control (LoC) and respect the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Agreement on the prohibition of attacks on nuclear installations and facilities The two nations signed the monumental deal in 1988, at a time when concerns over nuclear armament were at their peak. The agreement prohibits attacks on each others nuclear installations and ultimately came into force in 1991. The treaty requires both nations to exchange lists of their nuclear facilities annually, on January 1 of each year. The practice has been followed since 1992. This year too, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclear facilities as well as civilian prisoners. Agreement to visit respective religious shrines The protocol was singed back in 1974 and aimed at facilitating the visits of religious pilgrims from India and Pakistan to the shrines located in the respective countries. The 2018 version of the agreement covers 15 such locations in Pakistan and five in India. The Lahore Declaration The bilateral agreement was signed by the Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee and his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, during the formers visit to Pakistan in February 1999. In the declaration, both nations recognised that an environment of peace and security is in the supreme national interest of both sides and that the resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, is essential for this purpose. They also agreed to intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir through an accelerated process of their composite and integrated dialogue. The two nations also agreed to provide each other with advance information in respect of ballistic missile flight tests. However, the deal was disrupted by the Kargil crisis and resumed only in 2004, when the two countries formed expert groups to discuss conventional and nuclear confidence-building measures. Agreement on reducing risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons The agreement came into effect on February 21, 2007, for an initial period of five years. As per the deal, both nations expressed their commitment to improve the security and safety of their nuclear arsenal. Under the pact, India and Pakistan are obligated to inform each other in case of any nuclear accident. The measure was taken to minimise the radiological consequences of such an accident. The deal was extended in 2012 and 2017. LoC Agreement 2003 In November 2003, India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary. The deal is aimed at halting hostilities and was eventually reaffirmed in 2021. While the deal has been generally effective, there have been periodic violations and clashes in the region. With Pakistans latest measure, the future of these bilateral agreements and many others between India and Pakistan remains uncertain. Three days after the Pahalgam terror attack, tensions escalated along the Line of Control, with the Pakistan Army opening fire from multiple posts overnight. read more Three days after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Pakistan Army fired from multiple posts along the Line of Control (LoC) throughout the night, violating the ceasefire, according to sources. In return, the Indian forces retaliated. So far, no casualties have been reported on the Indian side. The Pakistani Army fired small arms along the border. Our troops responded. Further details are being ascertained. There have been no casualties, an official told India Today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Encounter in Bandipora Meanwhile, an encounter between terrorists and security forces was underway in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora district. Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in the Kulnar Bazipora area of Bandipora after receiving information about the presence of militants in the region. The operation turned into an encounter when the militants opened fire on the security personnel. The exchange of fire occurred just days after a terror attack by Pakistani terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The suspected Pakistani involvement in the terror attack has triggered fresh tensions between India and Pakistan. In response to what India has described as cross-border links to the attack, the government has taken a series of strong measures including expelling Pakistani military attaches, suspending the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty, and immediately shutting down the Attari land transit post. The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-tayyabas proxy group, The Resistance Front, has claimed responsibility for the terror attack. India on Thursday officially informed Pakistan that the decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, takes effect immediately. In a letter to Pakistans Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtuza, Indias Ministry of Water Resources said, Respecting a treaty in good faith is essential. But instead, we have seen continuous cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For the second consecutive day on Friday, Pakistan briefed Islamabad-based foreign diplomats on the rising tension with India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. read more Pakistan on Friday continued its diplomatic outreach to address growing friction with India, convening a second day of briefings for foreign envoys in Islamabad following the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam. According to a statement from the Foreign Office, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch met with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives stationed in the capital to update them on Islamabads position regarding the attack and its aftermath. Baloch conveyed the conclusions from Pakistans National Security Committee meeting, firmly rejecting Indias allegations that Pakistan had any involvement in the incident. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The attack on Tuesday saw gunmen open fire in the Pahalgam region, killing 26 peoplemostly touristsin what has become the most lethal assault in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The Resistance Front (TRF), widely believed to be a front for the banned Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the massacre. Baloch also cautioned against Indias escalatory actions and reaffirmed Pakistans resolve to respond firmly to any aggressive moves. In New Delhi, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday decided, among other things, to close the Integrated Check Post at Attari with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and any such visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled, it was announced. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27 and added that the medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. Mirroring Indias steps, Islamabad on Thursday closed the Wagah border post, cancelled visas given to Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and asked military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leave. All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30, Pakistan said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier on Thursday, Baloch briefed a group of Islamabad-based Heads of Mission and diplomats on the evolving situation following the Pahalgam attack. She condemned what she described as an Indian misinformation campaign against Pakistan, stating that such tactics would obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region. The Foreign Secretary underscored that Pakistan has always rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. With inputs from agencies Days after the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has called terrorists involved freedom fighters and has called India putting the Indus Water Treaty on hold an act of war read more Paramedic carry a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag after assailants indiscriminately fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.(Photo: AP) Ishaq Dar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, has called the Pahalgam terrorists as freedom fighters. A group of terrorists on Tuesday killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam. The police have identified at least two of those terrorists to be from Pakistan. They have been named as Hashim Musa alias Sulaiman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai. They are believed to be from Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interaction with the media, Dar on Thursday also said that Indias action regarding the Indus Water Treaty is an act of war. India on Wednesday announced, among a slew of other decisions, that the Indus treaty has been put in abeyance till further notice. The treaty governs the sharing the waters of the Indus river system between India and Pakistan. Dar said, Two hundred and forty million people in Pakistan need water you cannot stop it. It is tantamount to an act of war. Any suspension or encroachment wont be accepted. In response, Pakistan announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement of 1972 that ended the War of 1971 and laid the foundation of India-Pakistan bilateral relationship. Dar further said, If Pakistan is attacked directly, a tit-for-tat reply will be given, he said. Separately, the National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also called the Indian action regarding the Simla Agreement an act of war. Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparians will be considered as an act of war, said a statement after the NSC meeting. Continuing the rhetoric, Pakistan Defence Ministter Khawaja Muhammad Asif said: We will make them pay through their noses. If our citizens are harmed by India, Indian citizens will not remain safe either. It will be tit-for-tat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian government has formally blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The LeT, which is believed, to be behind the attack, is based in Pakistan and is supported by Pakistan. It has conducted numerous attacks in Kashmir and elsewhere in India. In the FIR registered in connection with the attack, the police said that terrorists carried out the attack acting on the instructions of their handlers across the border. Pakistans long-standing policy of funding, supporting terrorism against its rivals in the region is now coming back to haunt its food security read more Farmers in Pakistans largest Punjab province are livid at the government. The reason? The cash-strapped Pakistan government has scrapped the long-standing policy of setting a minimum support price for wheat purchase, leading to a crash in prices. This has angered the farmers as they arent getting a fair price for their wheat crop. Now, theyre forced to sell to private buyers at lower rates. The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI), which represents many farmers, warned that if this doesnt change, many may stop growing wheat next year, possibly leading to food shortages. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD All in all, decisions made by Islamabad out of economic compulsions may lead to food crisis in the country, which reflects a deepening crisis in Pakistans agricultural sector. The problem started last year when the government suddenly pulled out of the wheat market. This was part of efforts to meet conditions under the IMF programme. But the move was unplanned and poorly managed, leaving farmers unprepared. But problems for Pakistani farmers dont end there. The growing tensions with India in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, forced New Delhi to pull the plug on the Indus Water Treaty. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWt) is a deal brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960. Signed in Karachi by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then Pakistan President Ayub Khan, it determines the distribution of the waters of the Indus and its tributaries Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Jhelum, Chenab and Kabul. Now, this move by India came as another significant blow for the farmers. According to experts, the rivers that fall under the purview of the IWT are vital to Pakistan for its agricultural purposes. In fact, data reveals that Pakistan relies on the Indus River and its tributaries for approximately 80 per cent of its irrigated agriculture, which contributes 21 per cent to its GDP and supports 45 per cent of its workforce. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By pausing the IWT, India is effectively halting the flow of 39 billion cubic metres of water annually, threatening the neighbouring countrys water availability. A disruption in the water supply, especially in the summer months, will not only affect Pakistans agriculture but also have an effect on its trade, employment and food prices. Its a double whammy for Pakistani farmers. On the one hand, they feel the heat of Pakistans economic crisis; on the other, of security crisis. Pakistans long-standing policy of funding, supporting terrorism against its rivals in the region is now coming back to haunt its food security. This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues, said Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov read more Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, on April 25, 2025. Reuters US President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday met Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours in Moscow to discuss Washingtons proposal for ending the war in Ukraine. According to a Reuters report, Kremlin said the talks brought the two sides positions closer together. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, who participated in the meeting, called the discussion constructive and very useful. This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues, Reuters quoted him as saying. As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, Ushakov added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russia and Ukraine have not engaged in direct negotiations since the early weeks of the conflict, which began in February 2022. Witkoff, a real estate billionaire, did not immediately comment on the meeting. He has recently taken on a prominent role as Washingtons primary liaison with President Putin, as President Donald Trump continues to advocate for a deal to end the war, now entering its fourth year. Witkoffs latest visit comes on the heels of talks in which Ukrainian and European officials pushed back against several US proposals aimed at resolving the conflict the deadliest Europe has seen since World War II. It came a day after Trump criticised a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people, and posted a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media that read: Vladimir, STOP! On Friday, Trump told reporters: I think Russia and Ukraine, I think theyre coming along, we hope. Trump has also warned both sides, however, that the U.S. will abandon its effort unless there is genuine progress. Newcomer to diplomacy Witkoff, who had no diplomatic experience before joining Trumps team in January, has been portrayed by critics as out of his depth when pitched into a head-to-head negotiation with Putin, Russias paramount leader for the past 25 years. Video of the start of the meeting showed the American, accompanied only by a translator, seated opposite Putin, Kremlin aide Ushakov and Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, also with an interpreter. Witkoff has at times been accused of echoing the Kremlins narrative. In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson last month, for example, Witkoff said there was no reason why Russia would want to absorb Ukraine or bite off more of its territory, and it was preposterous to think that Putin would want to send his army marching across Europe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraine and many of its European allies say the opposite - that Putin, unless prevented, would try to overrun Ukraine and potentially attack a European NATO member. Putin denies any designs on NATO territory, and Moscow has repeatedly cast such charges as evidence of European hostility and Russophobia. According to texts seen by Reuters, the peace proposal Witkoff has presented calls for formal U.S. recognition of Russias control over Crimea - the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014 - plus de facto recognition of Russias hold on areas of southern and eastern Ukraine that its forces control. A rival European and Ukrainian document defers detailed discussion about territory until after a ceasefire is concluded, with no mention of recognising Russian control over any Ukrainian territory. There are also differences over the lifting of sanctions on Russia, the shape of security guarantees for Ukraine and the future size of the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this week that recognising Crimea as part of Russia would violate Ukraines constitution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump, in an interview with Time magazine published on Friday, said: Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelenskiy understands that, and everybody understands that its been with them for a long time. With inputs from agencies The Investigative Committee said that Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car in Balashikha, just outside Moscow. read more Ukrainian police officers stand near a damaged building after a Russian ballistic missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, early Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo) In the second such attack on a top Russian military officer in four months, a car bomb killed a Russian general on Friday, Russias top criminal investigation agency said. The Investigative Committee reported that Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, a high-ranking official in the Russian militarys General Staff, was killed when an explosive device detonated in his car in Balashikha, a suburb of Moscow. According to committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko, the bomb was loaded with shrapnel to increase its lethality. Investigators are currently examining the blast site. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russian news outlets circulated footage showing a vehicle engulfed in flames in an apartment complex parking lot. The committees spokesperson, Svetlana Petrenko, said the explosive device was rigged with shrapnel. She said that investigators were at the scene. Russian media ran videos of a vehicle burning in the courtyard of an apartment building. The committee did not mention possible suspects. The attack follows the killing of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who died on Dec. 17 when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building exploded as he left for his office. The Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the killing of Kirillov, and Ukraines security agency acknowledged that it was behind that attack. US allies were alarmed when Trump, following a heated argument with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, withdrew military and intelligence support to Kyiv read more Donald Trumps return to the power in the United States has left Washingtons allies scratching their heads on the issue of security. US allies were alarmed when Trump, following a heated argument with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, withdrew military and intelligence support to Kyiv. In South Korea, this made people realise the US security umbrella may no longer be reliable in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. South Koreans were also left anxious when Trump, just hours after taking office in January, described Pyongyang as a nuclear power. Some drew conclusions whether the US would treat North Korea as an establish nuclear state with no ambition of denuclearisation on the peninsula. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Debate over nuclear arms intensifies in South Korea Amid all these developments, South Koreans are now increasingly calling for developing a nuclear arsenal of their own, which would not just help Seoul wean itself off overreliance on US but also ward off threats from the North. We cant always rely on the U.S. Theyre looking after themselves first now, Kim Min-ho, a 29-year-old IT worker in Seoul, was quoted as saying by Nikkei Asia. If Trump is going to charge us for protection, maybe its time we protect ourselves. Why should North Korea have nuclear weapons but not us? A Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) survey last year revealed that 45 per cent of South Koreans now preferred having nukes of their own, against 40 per cent who still preferred reliance on US security umbrella. It was for the first time that more people favoured nuclear option against US reliance. Overall, some 60 to 70 per cent people in South Korea remain in favour of developing nuclear weapons but the support falls to just 30 to 40 per cent when they are informed about associated costs, including potential sanctions from the global community and collapse of alliances. What looks like overwhelming support becomes far more cautious when costs are factored in, said Lee Sang-sin, a senior researcher at KINU, speaking at a policy forum in March. The North Korea threat South Koreas relationship with nuclear weapons dates back to the 1970s when Seoul briefly pursued a covert nuclear programme. However, in recent years, as North Koreas nuclear arsenal expands, the idea of South Korea acquiring nuclear weapons has gained more attention. North Korea is estimated to have at least 50 nuclear warheads, and this number could increase significantly in the coming years. North Koreas growing ties with Russia have further complicated the security situation. Since late last year, North Korean troops have been confirmed to be on the ground in Ukraine, supporting Russias invasion. Analysts say North Korea is using the war to gain battlefield experience and test weapons that could be used in future conflicts in Northeast Asia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Will US allow South Koreas nuclearisation? The Trump administration has not signalled any change in US policy but the Pentagon now includes officials who have supported Seouls nuclear ambitions in the past. Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, for instance, has supported the idea of Seoul having nuclear weapons. Before taking office, even Trump himself said he wanted both South Korea and Japan to pursue nuclear weapons. Interestingly, even North Korea may also support the Souths nuclear move as it could provide legitimacy to their own nuclear arsenal, forcing the world to completely abandon the denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula. The regional implications of South Korea acquiring nuclear weapons would be significant, experts warn. Such a move could prompt Japan to pursue its own nuclear arsenal, which would likely trigger a regional arms race in East Asia. China, which reacted strongly by imposing sanctions on South Korea when it deployed US missile defence systems in 2017costing South Koreas economy about $7.5 billionwould likely respond even more harshly to any nuclear weapons development in the region. Former president Moon, 72, is accused of accepting a bribe of $151,000 through his former son-in-laws employment at the airline, along with the salary and living expenses provided by it read more South Korean former President Moon Jae-in speaks during a ceremony of the 103rd anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Day in Seoul, South Korea, March 1, 2022. File Image / Reuters South Koreas former president Moon Jae-in claimed Friday that prosecutors abused their power, were politically motivated and unjust to indict him on bribery charges.Moon, known for his dovish approach to North Korea and peacemaking efforts, was indicted Thursday in a case linked his ex-son-in-laws employment at a Thai airline. The case adds another layer to the political turmoil engulfing South Korea, where snap elections had to be called following Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment for declaring martial law. Former president Moon, 72, is accused of accepting a bribe of $151,000 through his former son-in-laws employment at the airline, along with the salary and living expenses provided by it. The company, low-cost airline Thai Eastar Jet, was controlled by a former MP from Moons party, who was allegedly seeking to gain favour with the then-president. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But during a televised meeting with the National Assembly Speaker on Friday, Moon said that not only is the indictment itself unjust, but I also felt that the prosecution was just pushing it through in a pre-determined direction, no matter what. He called the case a very clear exmaple of the prosecution being politicised. According to prosecutors, Moons ex-son-in-law was appointed managing director of Thai Eastar Jet despite lacking any relevant experience or qualifications in the airline industry. They added that he frequently took extended leave and handled only basic tasks, such as sending emails was was unemployed before joining the airline. Political revenge is a recurring theme in South Koreas landscape. The countrys only two other surviving former presidents, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, have both been found guilty of corruption and spent time behind bars. Prosecutors are also currently investigating a stock price manipulation case allegedly involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of conservative ex-president Yoon. Moon, who while in office brokered talks between Pyongyangs leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump during his first term, remains an influential figure in his liberal-leaning Democratic Party (DP). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lee Jae-myung, currently the DPs strongest presidential candidate, is leading the race by a double-digit margin over contenders from ex-president Yoons scandal-tainted conservative People Power Party (PPP). In a big change for Jordans politics at home and in the region, the Jordanian government officially banned the Muslim Brotherhood on April 23, 2025. This major step was announced by Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh. It came after years of rising tensions, security worries and trouble in the region. The ban includes taking away the groups property and stopping all their activities. Jordan says the group is a serious threat, accusing it of being involved in things like using drones, making explosives and getting help from other countries to cause problems. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ban: Jordan sets a firm limit According to The New York Times, Jordans Interior Ministry said the country could no longer ignore what the Brotherhood was doing. Minister Al Farrayeh said that some members of the group were secretly working against national security. This included using weapons, explosives and even advanced drone technology. Authorities also found a place where explosives were being made, linked to the son of a top Brotherhood leader. There were also efforts to destroy important documents that could link the group to these actions. This move is the result of years of worsening ties between the Jordanian government and the Muslim Brotherhood. The group has been active in Jordan since the 1940s. In the past, it was allowed to operate because it supported the monarchy and shared conservative values. But in recent years, Jordans leaders have started to see the Brotherhood as a threat to the countrys peace and stability. A long build-up to the ban Even though the April 2025 ban might seem sudden, it was actually the result of many steps taken over the years to shut down the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan. Back in 2016, the government closed the Brotherhoods main office in Amman. Then in 2020, the countrys top court supported the governments decision to dissolve the group because it had not officially registered as a legal organisation. Still, the groups political branch, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), was allowed to keep working legally and even gained support. But things got more serious recently. The Washington Institute reported that 16 members of the Brotherhood were arrested for having explosives and building drones. Two of them were on the groups top leadership team. Their confessions suggested they were working with and getting money from foreign groupspossibly Hezbollah and Hamas. This showed a level of planning and danger that Jordans government could no longer accept. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Brotherhoods shift toward radicalism Although the Muslim Brotherhood publicly said it was against violence many years ago, it has still been linked to militant actions in more recent times. Jordanian officials have long believed that some members were secretly involved in dangerous activities, even while the group spoke in a more moderate way in public. Reuters reported that some weapons found in Jordan this year were meant for use inside the countrynot just to smuggle into the West Bankand were connected to Brotherhood-linked groups that support Hamas. This connection to Hamas is a big problem for Jordan. Ghaith al-Omari from the Washington Institute pointed out that the Brotherhood often copies Hamass language and organises protests where people wave Hamas flags. These protests, usually led by the Brotherhood, sometimes turn into clashes with the police, adding more pressure in a country already dealing with political tensions. Irans suspected role worries Jordan One of the most worrying things for Jordans security forces is the possible connection to Iran. In recent years, Iran and its allieslike Hezbollah and Hamashave been growing stronger by smuggling weapons and spreading their ideas, especially to young people who feel left out or angry. Jordanian intelligence found plans to build drones and rockets and they suspect Iran might be involved, according to sources reported by Reuters. These actions match Irans bigger goal: to surround Israel with threats and weaken pro-Western governments like Jordans. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This isnt new. King Abdullah once warned that Iran wanted to build a Shiite crescenta group of powerful allies across West Asia. Even after the killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020, Iran kept pushing forward. And because Jordan helped the U.S. and Israel stop Iranian drones last year, it may now be more of a target. Trumps impact: More pressure on Jordan Theres also a US angle to all this. Jordans break with the Muslim Brotherhood also comes from its uneasy relationship with US President Donald Trump. As Jesse Marks wrote in Foreign Policy, Trumps plan to settle more Palestinian refugees in Jordan, as part of his West Asia peace deal caused a lot of concern in Amman. Jordan already has millions of Palestinian refugees and made it clear this idea was a red line. The Muslim Brotherhood took advantage of the public anger. They led big protests, calling the king a puppet of the West. Their message got even stronger as the conflict in Gaza grew worse. Many people became more upset about Jordans ties to Israel and the US. By 2024, the Brotherhoods political partythe IAFwon 31 of the 138 seats in parliament. Their campaign focussed almost completely on being against Israel and against the government, according to The New York Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What happens next to the IAF? The ban on the Muslim Brotherhood brings up important questions about the future of its political wing, the IAF. Even though the IAF is officially registered as a separate party, it shares many ideas and members with the Brotherhood. That makes it unclear whether the IAF will be allowed to keep operating. According to The Washington Institute, the IAFs strong performance in the 2024 elections surprised even Jordans top intelligence agency. This showed that many people supported the party, especially because of anger over Gaza, corruption and joblessness.. The war in Gaza has clearly changed Jordans political mood. Since over half of Jordans population is of Palestinian origin, many people feel deeply connected to whats happening in Gaza. King Abdullah has tried to balance thingsspeaking out against Israeli attacks while still working with Israel on security matters. But its getting harder to keep that balance as public anger grows. People are reacting strongly to the violence, images from the war and a feeling that their leaders are not doing enough. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Journalist Bassam Badari said that the gap between what the government says and what the people feel grew even wider after Jordan helped stop Iranian missiles headed toward Israel. After that, social media exploded with fake pictures of the king wrapped in the Israeli flag along with accusations that he had betrayed the Palestinian cause. The Brotherhood used this anger to its advantage, leading protests that made the king and government seem like they were helping the enemy and ignoring Palestinian suffering. A threat to the monarchy? The Brotherhoods defiancecombined with foreign entanglements and increased radicalismhas brought it into direct conflict with the core of Jordans security apparatus. By allegedly crossing red lines set by the palace, the group has turned from a political adversary into what is now treated as a national security threat. This was exemplified by King Abdullahs February speech to military veterans, in which he condemned unnamed actors for receiving orders from abroada clear reference to the Brotherhood. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This deterioration in relations is not without precedent. The 1970 conflict known as Black September saw Jordanian forces battling Palestinian factions after the latter attempted to challenge the authority of the monarchy. While the current crisis has not escalated to that level, the parallels are concerning. As Jesse Marks points out, Jordans stability cannot be taken for granted. A miscalculated crackdown or a spiralling public backlash could trigger a wider crisis. A precarious future Jordans ban on the Muslim Brotherhood marks more than just a security clampdownit is a statement of political intent in a kingdom that is increasingly under pressure from all sides. Internally, the move could inflame tensions with a population already reeling from economic hardship and war-induced trauma. Externally, it signals to Iran, Hamas and potentially the US administration that Jordan will not tolerate covert destabilisation or populist movements that flirt with terrorism. What happens next will depend on whether the Brotherhood chooses to fight back politically or quietly reorganise. For Jordan, the choices are equally fraught: clamp down too hard and risk backlash or show leniency and invite further defiance. Either way, the era of quiet coexistence with the Brotherhood appears to be over. While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said the two countries shared historical dispute and added he knew leaders from both sides read more US President Donald Trump stands, after delivering remarks on tariffs, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 2, 2025. Reuters US President Donald Trump on Friday (April 25) said India and Pakistan would figure out relations between themselves, acknowledging that tensions are running high following a terrorist attack in Kashmir in which 26 people were killed, all Hindu tourists. The attack is being considered the worst in nearly two decades. While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said the two countries shared a historical dispute and added he knew leaders from both sides. However, he refrained from answering when asked whether he would contact them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump said," That was a bad one (terrorist attack) The tensions have always been there (at the Indo-Pak border), but theyll get it figured out, one way or the other. I know both leaders. Theres great tension between Pakistan and India, but that has always been there " Trump earlier this week talked to Indian PM Narendra Modi over the phone and condemned the terror attack, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. 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 Pahalgam attack. 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. While Islamabad denies its involvement in the attack, The Resistance Front (TRF)a shadow group linked to the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to intelligence officials, the terrorists might have crossed over from Kishtwar in Jammu and reached Baisaran via Kokernag in south Kashmir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Trump administration said on Friday that it is restoring the student visa registrations of potentially thousands of foreign students in the United States whose legal status had recently been abruptly terminated. read more Students walk at the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., April 15, 2025. Image- Reuters The Trump administration is reinstating the legal status of international students whose records were recently terminated, a Justice Department lawyer said during a court hearing on Friday. Speaking in federal court in Oakland, California, government attorney Elizabeth D. Kurlan announced that student records would be reactivated while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) works on a revised policy to guide future terminations. The decision marks a shift from recent weeks, during which US authorities revoked the visas and status records of hundreds of international students, many of whom had been involved in political activism or faced past charges such as DUIs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Those students status had been revoked as a result of their records being terminated from a database of the approximately 1.1 million foreign student visa holders, putting them at risk of deportation. Since Trump took office on January 20, records for more than 4,700 students have been removed from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-maintained database known as Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The database monitors compliance with visa terms and records foreign students addresses, progress toward graduation and other information. To remain in the database, student visa holders have to obey conditions like limits on employment and avoiding illegal activity. Shortly before Fridays hearing in Boston University student Carrie Zhengs case, US District Judge F. Deniss Saylor said he had received an email from a lawyer from the government alerting him to a change in position by ICE. According to that email, ICE was now developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until that policy is issued, the SEVIS records for Zheng and similarly situated plaintiffs will remain active or will be restored, the email said. With inputs from agencies President Trump has said that the US would willingly support Israel in launching a military strike against Iran if renewed nuclear deal talks break down, though he emphasised that he prefers to resolve the issue through diplomatic means, according to a report read more Iran's and US' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken on January 27, 2022. Reuters File US President Donald Trump has said that the US would willingly support Israel in launching a military strike against Iran if renewed nuclear deal negotiations break down, though he emphasised that he prefers to resolve the issue through diplomatic means. In an interview with Time Magazine, reflecting on the first 100 days of his second term, Trump shared his broader views on Iran and the Middle East. Addressing reports that he recently discouraged Israeli proposals for joint strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump clarified that he didnt explicitly block the plans, but admitted he didnt make it comfortable for Israel to move forward. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I think we can make a deal without the attack. I hope we can, Time Magazine quoted him as saying. He, however, acknowledged, as he has throughout the process of bringing Iran to the table for nuclear talks, that military action may be required down the line. I didnt make it comfortable for them, but I didnt say no, Trump was quoted as saying. Ultimately, I was going to leave that choice to them, but I said I would much prefer a deal than bombs being dropped, he added. When asked if hes concerned about being dragged into a war with Iran by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump responded that, on the contrary, he may go in very willingly if diplomacy falls short. If we dont reach a deal, Ill be leading the charge, he declared. Negotiations between Iran and the US are set to resume on Saturday in the Omani capital Muscat, where technical experts from both sides will attempt to iron out the details of a potential agreement. The ongoing discussions are aimed at limiting Irans nuclear programme in return for easing the economic sanctions the US has maintained over nearly five decades of strained relations. Neither Washington nor Tehran has publicly commented on the decision to resume talks in Oman, though the Gulf nation has a long-standing role as a discreet mediator. Talks held in Rome last weekend offered a neutral setting for dialogue between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The latest round in Muscat comes as Iran strengthens ties with China and Russia. Araghchi held meetings with officials in Moscow last week and in Beijing earlier this week. On Thursday, representatives from Iran, China, and Russia met with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UNs nuclear oversight body. While the IAEA did not disclose details of the meeting, Chinas Xinhua news agency reported that the three countries expressed confidence in the IAEAs expertise and potential to support the process, while underscoring the importance of diplomacy. China also reiterated Irans right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Trump administration has excluded European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal France, Germany, and the United Kingdom from its direct negotiations with Iran, reflecting a similar approach taken in its talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Araghchi suggested further discussions with the European nations, writing on X: The ball is now in the E3s courtHow we act at this critical junction is likely to define the foreseeable future. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Earlier this year, Motorola launched its first moto ai beta program to test features like Catch me up, Pay attention, and Remember this. Building upon them, the company has announced a new set of features to its moto ai armoury that includes Next Move, Playlist Studio, and more. moto ai mainly relies on popular AI models from big players like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Perplexity, offering enhanced assistance and productivity. moto ai New Features April 2025 Next Move When prompted, moto ai analyzes your screen and offers tailored suggestions for actions you can take next in real-time. This is perfect for beginners and AI enthusiasts alike who want to learn what AI can do for them. Playlist Studio With this feature, users can generate a themed playlist based on their desired prompt. Prompting something like Pizza night Y2K jams will curate a list of songs based on that mood or theme. This feature works only with Amazon Music, and a free account is enough to access it. Image Studio It uses generative AI creation and editing capabilities to turn ideas into images, avatars, stickers, and wallpapers. Perplexitys AI-enhanced search When searching, moto ai offers the choice to Explore with Perplexity. Doing so will help users receive insightful and deeper results. Users can also leverage Perplexity Pro with a 3-month trial on all Motorola devices launched globally from 3/3/2025 onward. Look and Talk razr 60 ultra/razr ultra users can leverage this feature by simply placing their phone in stand or tent mode, looking at the screen, and can get immediate assistance. They can even use their voice for quick questions and receive audible responses. Google Photos connected to Gemini razr smartphone users in the US can now enjoy a Google Photos connected experience with Gemini on a smaller screen itself. Saying something like, My friend is visiting Barcelona. Look up where I went while I was there from my Photos, and create a sample itinerary, will scan the Photos library and bring the result. Signature Style and Group Shots Enhancing the photography experience, moto ai brings features like Signature Style and Group Shot. Signature Style uses AI to automatically tune images, adjusting color, lighting, and tone based on the scene. While taking group selfies, the Group Shot feature uses AI to recognise up to 10 faces/people, blend multiple shots, and create an image where everyones eyes are open. Availability All the new features have been rolled out. Please note that some features may be exclusive to razr devices, some may require an additional subscription, and others may be region-specific. One can access these AI features on eligible Motorola devices by just clicking the floating moto ai icon, double pressing the power key, or through moto ai app. Google has announced a program concerning certain Pixel 7a units that may experience unexpected battery swelling. This initiative aims to provide a resolution for customers with affected devices. Some Pixel 7a devices, identified as Impacted Devices, may qualify for a battery replacement repair at no cost or receive an alternative form of appeasement from Google. This comes after Google announced a battery replacement program for the Pixel 4a units earlier this year, experiencing reduced battery capacity and charging performance issues. The available options are contingent upon the users country and the devices warranty status. Eligibility and the specific options provided are subject to defined terms and conditions. It is specified that not all Pixel 7a devices are affected by the unexpected battery swelling issue. Consequently, devices not identified as impacted are not eligible for repair or other options under this particular program. Recognizing the Symptoms Symptoms associated with battery swelling in Pixel 7a devices may include: Visible swelling: The device might appear thicker than its normal profile, or the back cover may exhibit a bulge. The device might appear thicker than its normal profile, or the back cover may exhibit a bulge. Phone cover separation: Gaps or openings along the edges of the phone may be present, indicating the back cover is bulging or separating from the device body. Gaps or openings along the edges of the phone may be present, indicating the back cover is bulging or separating from the device body. Abnormal battery behavior: The phones battery may drain considerably faster than is typical, even with limited usage, or the device may fail to charge. A battery replacement at no charge is available for individual end-user owners of devices identified as impacted. It is noted that if a Pixel 7a device presents other forms of damage, such as damage from liquid exposure, contact with sharp objects, or the result of excessive force, it may not be eligible for a battery replacement without charge under this program. Eligible and impacted Pixel 7a devices are entitled to one battery replacement at no charge through this program. A battery replacement under this program does not extend the original standard warranty coverage of the Pixel 7a. The warranty period will conclude on its initially scheduled date, irrespective of the battery replacement. The option for battery replacement is available only in designated locations and is dependent on the availability of battery supplies. Walk-in repair centers offering battery replacement are located in the following regions: United States (Mail-in repair option is also available) India (Mail-in repair option is also available) Canada United Kingdom Germany Japan Singapore Appeasement options for devices that are out of warranty (these options are not available in India and the United States, where both mail-in and walk-in repairs are offered) include: A payment of $200 USD, converted to the local currency equivalent. A Google hardware discount code valued at $300 USD, converted to the local currency equivalent. This code is applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone from the Google Store, subject to availability. Appeasement options for devices that are under warranty (these options are not available in India and the United States, where both mail-in and walk-in repairs are offered) include: A payment of $456 USD, converted to the local currency equivalent. Checking Eligibility and Next Steps Users who suspect their Pixel 7a is impacted by battery swelling should visit the designated Google registration page to check their devices eligibility and review the specific options available to them. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. Employees from various business around the Grand Valley eat lunch Thursday before a keynote speech by Luis Benitez during the Western Colorado Economic Summit at Colorado Mesa University. In addition to the keynote speech, the summit also featured breakout sessions featuring various local municipal and business leaders, such as an economic trend report by Colorado Mesa University Economics Professor Nathan Perry, a session focused on water and agriculture in the cyber era, a session on transportation solutions, and a session on how Colorado benefits from a creative economy driven by things like film festivals and public art. Sun Sunday 96 /67 More sun than clouds. Highs in the mid 90s and lows in the upper 60s. Fri Friday 90 /65 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 60s. Chinese-funded trolls, other espionage threats bared in Senate Philippine News Agency By Wilnard Bacelonia April 24, 2025, 6:10 pm MANILA -- Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Thursday presented documents linking the Chinese Embassy in Manila to a covert online disinformation campaign in the Philippines, by allegedly tapping a local marketing firm. During the continuation of the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones' public inquiry into reported espionage activities in the country, Tolentino claimed the Chinese Embassy paid about PHP930,000 to Philippine-based Infinitus Marketing Solutions to create and operate troll farms. The keyboard warriors were tasked to spread disinformation, attack Philippine government officials, and promote pro-China narratives under fake social media profiles, he said, citing contract details and bank transfer information. Tolentino, who chairs the panel, showed monthly reports allegedly submitted by Infinitus to the Chinese Embassy, which included screenshots of troll posts, names of social media accounts, and metrics, such as engagement reach. One report claimed more than 50,000 Filipinos were drawn into online interactions with these fake accounts - some impersonating teachers, overseas Filipino workers, and community members. "Ito pong kontrata at kabayarang ito ay pagyurak sa dignidad ng mga Pilipino (This contract and payment undermines Filipinos' dignity)," he said. "They manufacture fake social media content against the Philippine government's policy, pretending to be motivated about concerns about peace in the region. What you are doing is wrong, and we will not accept it." He also disclosed that the same troll operations were used to attack President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., particularly after the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones Law in November 2024. He also cited the recent discovery of a submersible drone off the coast of Barangay Inawaran, San Pascual, Masbate as part of the evidence of China's intelligence-gathering efforts. "So, all of these incidents showed one thing and intention, which is to gather information about our people, about our armed forces, and about our defenses. That is why they (Chinese) are doing espionage," Tolentino said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 24, 2025 By Army Maj. Wes Shinego, DOD News Defense Officials Outline AI's Strategic Role in National Security Yesterday, senior Defense Department officials and experts from industry partners and throughout the government gathered in Washington to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, highlighting how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's push for innovation, lethality and readiness is shaping the department's approach to AI. The "AI in the New Administration: Agency Priorities" panel brought together Bianca Herlory, the Joint Staff AI lead, Wallace Coggins, the chief data and AI officer from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, and Ann Dunkin, former chief information officer at the Energy Department. Their insights clarified how the Defense Department aims to leverage AI to maintain military superiority and ensure national security. Herlory emphasized that AI is increasingly central to DOD efforts toward digital modernization. She underscored that as threats evolve, the Joint Staff is integrating AI-driven technologies into daily military operations to enhance commanders' decision-making and responsiveness. "AI is not entirely new, but advancements in computing power and big data are transforming how we think about processes not just acquisition, but our daily operations," Herlory explained. She noted that early experimentation, practical deployment of AI capabilities, and training and education programs are essential to responsibly integrate AI into military operations. Earlier in the day, Hegseth set the tone for these efforts during his speech at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he emphasized lethality, accountability and meritocracy over social engineering and bureaucracy. Consistent with this vision, the Defense Department is moving forward with AI implementations aimed at bolstering combat effectiveness and operational efficiency. Coggins stressed that AI plays a crucial role in safeguarding the military and its industrial base against espionage and data breaches. He said adversaries continually target sensitive technologies, personnel and critical infrastructure. "Our adversaries are aggressively seeking to undermine our defense industrial base," Coggins said, highlighting recent efforts at DCSA to consolidate data and leverage AI-driven analytics to protect sensitive information. He described ongoing information technology modernization initiatives designed to break down data silos and create secure, integrated environments where data can be efficiently harnessed for national security. "We perform about 10,000 background investigations daily," Coggins said. "AI can greatly streamline this process, making investigators' efforts more focused and effective by automating routine tasks and quickly aggregating crucial data." Ann Dunkin, sharing experiences from her tenure at the Energy Department, reinforced that AI's value extends beyond immediate operational efficiencies to broader strategic imperatives, including cybersecurity and nonproliferation. "AI holds great potential to counter threats across all sectors," Dunkin explained, emphasizing DOE's past initiatives to deploy AI for protecting America's critical energy infrastructure from cyberthreats. She noted adversaries' increased use of AI in sophisticated cyberattacks and argued for an aggressive AI-enabled defense posture. Her comments align with President Donald J. Trump's January 2025 executive order, "Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence," which prioritizes accelerating AI adoption without ideological biases or bureaucratic hurdles. The order aims to solidify American dominance in AI innovation to maintain strategic advantages over adversaries. The panelists also discussed recent guidance from the Office of Management and Budget designed to streamline AI adoption across federal agencies. All panelists agreed that the guidance fosters accelerated innovation while retaining essential safeguards around data security and responsible AI usage. "The new OMB memos clearly shift from risk aversion toward accelerated, safe adoption," Coggins said. Herlory added that this guidance aligns well with DOD's existing strategies, particularly its emphasis on innovation balanced with rigorous safety and ethical standards. When asked about the future of AI roles within government, all three panelists concurred that AI leadership would likely grow in importance. Dunkin noted that positions such as chief AI officer are rapidly becoming indispensable as the technology integrates deeply into national security and defense operations. Herlory emphasized that successful AI deployment depends heavily on collaboration across various military and governmental sectors. "AI initiatives must bring together diverse stakeholders, including policy, acquisition and operational teams," she said. Looking forward, each panelist identified promising AI applications relevant to their roles. Dunkin highlighted AI's transformative potential in achieving American energy dominance, referencing DOE's prior success using AI-driven processes to rapidly develop new battery technologies. Coggins anticipated significant enhancements in security investigations and mission integration capabilities. Herlory provided a broader vision, emphasizing AI's potential to provide military leaders with clearer, more comprehensive situational awareness. "AI can significantly enhance the Joint Staff's ability to integrate and analyze global military operations, ultimately enabling better, faster decisions," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New York Man Charged with Immigration Fraud for Concealing Role as Perpetrator of Rwandan Genocide Thursday, April 24, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A federal grand jury in Central Islip, New York, returned an indictment April 22 and unsealed today charging a New York man with lying on his applications for a green card and United States citizenship by concealing his past role as a leader and perpetrator of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. According to court documents, Faustin Nsabumukunzi, 65, of Bridgehampton, New York, was a local leader with the title of "Sector Counselor" in Rwanda in 1994 when the genocide began. Between April and July of that year, members of the majority Hutu population persecuted the minority Tutsis, committing acts of violence including murder and rape. An estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during the three-month genocide. Nsabumukunzi was arrested this morning on Long Island and is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. ET before U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert for the Eastern District of New York. "As alleged, the defendant participated in the commission of heinous acts of violence abroad and then lied his way into a green card and tried to obtain U.S. citizenship," said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "No matter how much time has passed, the Department of Justice will find and prosecute individuals who committed atrocities in their home countries and covered them up to gain entry and seek citizenship in the United States." "As alleged, Nsabumukunzi repeatedly lied to conceal his involvement in the horrific Rwandan genocide while seeking to become a lawful permanent resident and citizen of the United States," said U.S. Attorney John J. Durham for the Eastern District of New York. "For over two decades, he got away with those lies and lived in the United States with an undeserved clean slate, a luxury that his victims will never have, but thanks to the tenacious efforts of our investigators and prosecutors, the defendant finally will be held accountable for his brutal actions." "This defendant has been living in the United States for decades, hiding his alleged horrific conduct, human rights violations, and his role in these senseless atrocities against innocent Tutsis," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren B. McCormack of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. "The depraved conduct of which the defendant is accused represent the worst of humanity. As demonstrated through the tireless work of HSI New York agents, analysts, and task force officers, we will never tolerate the safe-harboring of individuals linked to such unimaginable crimes." As alleged in the indictment, Nsabumukunzi used his leadership position to oversee the violence and killings of Tutsis in his local area and directed groups of armed Hutus to kill Tutsis. He is alleged to have set up roadblocks during the genocide to detain and kill Tutsis and to have participated in killings. According to court filings, Nsabumukunzi was subsequently convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court for genocide. As further alleged, Nsabumukunzi applied for refugee resettlement in the United States in 2003, applied for and received a green card in 2007, and later submitted applications for naturalization in 2009 and 2015. Nsabumukunzi is alleged to have lied to U.S. immigration officials in his immigration applications, including by falsely denying any involvement as a perpetrator of the Rwandan genocide. As a result of his ongoing efforts to conceal his actions during the genocide, Nsabumukunzi has been able to live and work in the United States since 2003. Nsabumukunzi is charged with one count of visa fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1546(a) and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1425 (a) and (b). If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. HSI Long Island is investigating the case, with assistance from the Interagency Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the Justice Department's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Alessi and Katherine P. Onyshko for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Analyst/Historian Dr. Christopher Hayden and the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs. Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U.S. law enforcement through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also email HRV.ICE@ice.dhs.gov or complete its online tip form at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topic: Immigration Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Human Rights and Special Prosecution Section USAO - New York, Eastern Press Release Number: 25-424 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Peace Facility: Council adopts two assistance measures in support of Moldovan Armed Forces European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 24 April 2025 18:10 The Council adopted a seventh assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF)in support of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova tomodernise the country's short-range air defence capabilities. The adopted assistance measure is worth 20 million, and will financeshort-range air defence launchers and missiles. Earlier on 7 April, the Council adopted the sixth EPF assistance measure in support of the Moldovan Armed Forces' infantry mobility as well as air defence-related command and control capabilities worth 40 million. This measureis intended to financelight tactical mobility vehicles as well as command and control equipment for the tactical and operational integration of short-range air defence systems. The EU is Moldova's first security partner. The equipment we are delivering - such as vehicles, protective gear and mobile ambulances - are an investment in peace and to protect people. They aim at modernising Moldova's army and enhance its defence capabilities, in full respect with Moldova's neutrality. And more is coming. This year, we're providing 60 million in gear under the European Peace Facility, bringing our total contribution to nearly 200 million since 2021. - Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council These new actions bring EPF support to Moldova up to 197 million to date. Building on previous EPF assistance measures since 2021, this support will continue to enable the Moldovan Armed Forces to improve their operational effectiveness, accelerate meeting EU standards and interoperability, and thereby better protect critical civilian infrastructure as well as civilians in crises and emergencies. It will also enhance Moldova's capacities to participate in EU military CSDP missions and operations. The EU is committed to provide all relevant support to Moldova in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and to strengthen the country's resilience, security and stability in the face of destabilising activities by Russia. Background The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 for the financing of actions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy to prevent conflicts, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas European External Action Service (EEAS) 24.04.2025 EEAS Press Team History has taught us - often at a painful price - that isolationism and unilateralism breed instability. Eighty years ago, in the aftermath of the utter devastation brought about by the Second World War, the United Nations was born to prevent us repeating the mistakes of the past. With the UN Charter, a new era of international cooperation and a rules-based order was forged, grounded in the values and principles of justice and international law. The European Union has always upheld and will continue to uphold the UN Charter and its fundamental principles: sovereignty, equality of Member States, territorial integrity, political independence, and self-determination. These are not abstract ideals; they are the foundation of international peace and security. Yet, as we celebrate this milestone, we face grave challenges to our international order. Russia's unprovoked, illegal war of aggression against Ukraine is a direct assault on peace, security, and the very principles upon which the United Nations was founded. This war underscores that the rule of law must never be replaced by the rule of force. In many other conflicts raging from the broader Middle East, Sudan, Yemen, the DRC and elsewhere, warring parties must remember that even wars have rules. No country, big or small, can meet today's challenges alone. Collective solutions are the only sustainable path to tackle the complex challenges we face - from peace and security to sustainable development and upholding human rights. The United Nations is a unique forum to provide an equal voice for all. The adoption of the UN Pact for the Future sent a clear signal: the global demand for cooperation remains strong. The Pact offers a blueprint for a more just, inclusive, and effective system. The UN80 Initiative is another crucial step towards making the United Nations stronger, more agile, efficient, and more accountable. The European Union supports these efforts, committed to ensuring that the UN is fit for purpose and capable of delivering for all. As the geopolitical context evolves, the European Union will continue to be a credible, reliable, and forward-looking partner to the United Nations. At a time when others turn inward, the European Union steps forward: to lead, to partner, and to build bridges. Our commitment to multilateralism is not just a matter of principleit is a matter of global necessity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsahkna: Withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention is a clear message from Estonia - we are ready to defend our territory if necessary Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24.04.2025 Today, on April 24, the Estonian Government approved a draft proposal to be submitted to the Riigikogu, recommending that Estonia withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines. According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated the withdrawal process due to the deteriorating security environment caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. "Russia, our greatest security threat, is not a party to the Ottawa Convention and has mined over 100,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory," he said. "It is essential for the Estonian Defence Forces to have greater flexibility and freedom in choosing weapons systems, considering the nature of the threats directed at us and the behavior of a potential adversary." "With this step, Estonia sends a clear message: we are ready and capable of using all necessary measures to defend our territory and our freedom," Tsahkna emphasized. In parallel with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland have also decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention or have initiated the corresponding process. "Withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention does not affect Estonia's ongoing commitment to international law, including the observance and protection of international humanitarian law," the foreign minister stressed. The government will submit the draft to the Riigikogu for a decision. The bill will undergo two readings in the Riigikogu, and its adoption requires a majority vote. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Federal Foreign Office 24.04.2025 - Press release A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (24 April 2025) on the convictions in the so-called "conspiracy case" in Tunisia: It is with concern that we take note of the convictions and lengthy prison sentences handed down in Tunisia on 19 April 2025. The way in which the case was conducted did not in our opinion respect the defendants' right to a fair and impartial trial. We regret the fact that international observers, including the German Embassy in Tunis, were excluded from the court on the final day of the hearing. The holding of trials in public, and allowing for independent observation whilst recognising Tunisia's sovereignty, is an essential element of due process. European nationals were among those convicted. The privileged partnership between the EU and Tunisia is based on the shared ambition to uphold the rule of law as well as fundamental freedoms, democracy and inclusive socio-economic development. China's installation of aquaculture facilities in Yellow Sea in compliance with law, unrelated to maritime delimitation with S.Korea: FM Global Times By Xu Keyue Published: Apr 24, 2025 09:06 PM Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that what China set up in the provisional measures zone (PMZ) are the aquaculture facilities, and China's relevant activities are consistent with China's domestic law and international law. They do not contravene China-South Korea Fishery Agreement and have nothing to do with maritime delimitation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a query that the South Korea government expressed concerns about the Chinese fishing structure in the Yellow Sea. China is ready to continue to strengthen dialogue and communication with South Korea to properly handle relevant issues, said the spokesperson. Guo's remarks also came after the two countries conducted a maritime dialogue in Seoul on Wednesday. During the third meeting of the China-South Korea dialogue and cooperation mechanism of maritime affairs, the two sides held plenary sessions and working group meetings on maritime order and practical cooperation, engaging in comprehensive and in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral maritime affairs in a friendly and pragmatic atmosphere, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a release on Thursday. The two sides agreed to continue strengthening communication, properly manage maritime differences, advance maritime delimitation negotiations, and enhance cooperation in marine scientific research, environmental protection, search and rescue, fisheries, law enforcement, maritime and aviation security, as well as cooperation within multilateral frameworks. The two sides aim to enhance mutual trust and work together to make the Yellow Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation, further advancing the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership. China and South Korea also exchanged views on fishery aquaculture issues in the southern Yellow Sea, the ministry said in the release. The Yonhap News Agency claimed on Thursday that China has constructed a set of steel structures in the Provisional Maritime Zone (PMZ) near Suyan Islet. Director-General for Northeast Asian Affairs Kang Young-shin, who represented South Korea during the regular maritime talks in Seoul on Wednesday, conveyed South Korean government's concern and stressed the stance that its legitimate maritime rights should not be violated, South Korea's foreign ministry said, according to Yonhap News Agency. The session also established two subcommittees under the dialogue: a "maritime order" subcommittee tasked with addressing contentious issues, such as the controversial structures or poaching, and another focused on joint maritime cooperation, including maritime search, said the report. The two sides agreed to hold the following session in China at a mutually convenient time, it said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry previously said that Suyan islet is located in the northern part of the East China Sea under the sea level, over which China and South Korea have no territorial disputes. The islet is located in an area over which both countries have overlapping exclusive economic zone claims, the ministry said in 2006. In such a context, the right way to settle the issue should be maritime consultation and negotiation, rather than inciting public sentiment or provoking confrontation, Lu Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula issue at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. Any hype on the issue is not conducive to the South Korea, especially after hit by the economic shock from US tariff policies, it has become even more critical for South Korea to strengthen cooperation with China and improve bilateral relations, the expert said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exclusive: China Coast Guard enforces sovereignty, cleans up waste at Tiexian Jiao in South China Sea Global Times By Hu Yuwei and Fan Wei Published: Apr 24, 2025 05:31 PM The Global Times recently obtained an exclusive set of photographs, showing that in mid-April, the China Coast Guard (CCG) enforced maritime management and exercised sovereign jurisdiction at Tiexian Jiao in the South China Sea by conducting on-reef inspection and evidence collection of illegal activity. The Global Times learned from a source close to the matter that a group of CCG officers landed on Tiexian Jiao to conduct on-reef inspection and video-recording of illegal activity. Meanwhile, the CCG officers also displayed the Chinese national flag to assert sovereignty, cleaned up plastic bottles, wooden sticks, and other debris scattered across the reef flat. Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that this demonstrates the CCG's effective control, regular patrols over inherent territory, and responsible approach to marine environmental protection in accordance with laws and regulations. On January 25, Liu Dejun, CCG spokesperson, said that on January 24, Philippine vessels BRP 3003 and BRP 3004 intruded into the waters near Tiexian Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao without Chinese government approval, attempting an illegal landing and sand sample collection. CCG ships lawfully intercepted, warned, and repelled the Philippine vessels. "China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Tiexian Jiao, and their adjacent waters," Liu said. "The CCG will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in China's jurisdictional waters to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests." Since 2024, the Philippines has repeatedly attempted to dispatch vessels to waters near China's sovereign islands and reefs in the South China Sea "to monitor supposed artificial island creation activities." In May 2024, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela told a forum that the Philippine Coast Guard will take marine scientists to some areas in South China Sea to determine whether the coral piles were a natural occurrence or caused by human intervention, Reuters reported. This year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced plans to establish additional marine scientific research stations on islands in the South China Sea. As reported by The Philippine Star in March, the Philippine Navy has claimed to escort DENR personnel under the pretext of "marine biodiversity protection" during such activities. "The Philippines' so-called marine protection is a charade - using environmental issues as a cover for illegal territorial encroachment, justifying its increasingly isolated unilateral actions, and smearing China," Chen told Global Times. "The photos clearly show that coral, sand, and debris are naturally distributed by ocean currents, consistent with marine dynamics - not man-made." Chen noted that "marine environmental protection has always been part of the CCG's lawful duties. China's strict management and punishment of environmental damage, as well as its practice of cleaning up naturally drifted debris, demonstrate its responsible approach to South China Sea environmental stewardship. It is absurd for the Philippines to portray China - a genuine environmental protector - as a 'destroyer.'" The expert noted that the Philippines fabricates various excuses for its intrusion into South China Sea islands and reefs. Such behavior completely exposes its speculative mentality of being willing to act as a "pawn" for forces outside the region, trapping itself in a passive dilemma. Facing domestic public backlash over livelihood issues and China's strong countermeasures in firmly safeguarding its sovereignty, the Philippines has proven unable to effectively address these challenges. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel depriving Gazans of basic survival needs, U.N. warns IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 24, 2025 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarms over Israel's obstruction of aid deliveries to Gaza, leaving the population without essential resources for survival. On Thursday, the U.N. agency reported that Israel's ongoing airstrikes targeting makeshift shelters housing displaced Palestinians have resulted in "mass casualties." In its latest report, OCHA said that Gaza is experiencing its most severe humanitarian crisis since Israel launched the war in October 2023. OCHA further noted that aid efforts in Gaza have been severely disrupted by Israel's intensified military offensive, a prolonged blockade halting humanitarian and commercial deliveries for over 50 days, deadly attacks on aid workers and their facilities, and extreme movement restrictions. An OCHA official described the situation as the "deliberate dismantling of Palestinian life" in Gaza. The Israeli army resumed its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing 1,890 people and injuring 4,950 others despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement implemented in January. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister in charge of military affairs, Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave. 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu Speaks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Israel - Prime Minister's Office Media Statements The 37th Government 24.04.2025 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his condolences, and those of the Israeli people, to the Indian people over the Islamist terrorist attack in Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi thanked him for sharing in India's mourning and emphasized that the two countries stand shoulder to shoulder in the global campaign against murderous terrorism. The two leaders also discussed advancing the transportation and communications corridor that will link Asia - via Saudi Arabia and Israel - with Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vice-Minister Mitkus in Chisinau: focus on EU integration and regional security Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-04-24 On 23 April 2025, during a working visit to the Republic of Moldova, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus, met with Ina Coseru, Chair of Moldova's Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration. The meeting focused on the prospects of Moldova's EU membership and Lithuania's support for this process. On 23 April 2025, during a working visit to the Republic of Moldova, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus, met with Ina Coseru, Chair of Moldova's Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration. The meeting focused on the prospects of Moldova's EU membership and Lithuania's support for this process. "Lithuania has always supported and will continue to fully support Moldova on its path to the European Union. We are well aware of the efforts that the accession process requires. However, we also understand that these efforts contribute to the country's sustainable development and a stronger Europe. We welcome Moldova's steady progress in the negotiations and are ready to contribute even more actively," Mitkus underlined. The Vice-Minister also highlighted the important role of the Parliament of Moldova, particularly the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Committee, in ensuring effective parliamentary oversight of EU affairs and qualitative transposition and implementation of the acquis communautaire. "This is the key element for a smooth and successful accession process," said the Vice-Minister. During the visit, representatives of Lithuania also met with Serghei Diaconu, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Prime Minister of Moldova, to discuss the situation in Moldova and regional security challenges. Lithuania's Foreign Vice-Minister emphasized Lithuania's continued support for increasing Moldova's resilience. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address National Defence of Lithuania hits 35: the Ministry of National Defence celebrates with public Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2025-04-24 Civic Engagement, Historical memory Lithuania marks an important historical anniversary on April 25, the 35th birthday of the National Defence Department establishment. The Ministry of National Defence invites the public to remember and tribute the burden of the first defenders of the re-established state who took the responsibility for national security and to celebrate this special day in the history of the country together. "As we mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the National Defence Department, we wish to express sincere gratitude to all who believed in and created the national defence system of the sovereign Lithuania and celebrate side by side with the society of Lithuania. Their dedication, sacrifice and vision at the time gives us a strong and modern armed forces able to protect and defend the country we can be proud of today. National defence and security depends on all of us, that is why such an important anniversary is more than just a historical date but also a personal holiday to every citizen that we want to share with all the people of Lithuania," says Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene. According to Minister, the anniversary is not just a commemoration of a date in history. It is about expressing respect to everyone whose courage, faith and sacrifice laid the foundation of the security of Lithuania. It is a thank you to everyone who shared in building and strengthening the National Defence System, starting with the premier green-bands to the force of today whose heroism, sacrifice and dedication brings honor to our country and safeguards its future. The Ministry o National Defence invites the public to celebrate by attending the conference on the history of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the open debate afterwards at the Vytautas the Great War Museum in Kaunas. In Vilnius, the date will be marked shooting a segment of Vel Tie Patys podcast in the yard of the Library of the Military Academy of Lithuania with live audience. Hosts Mantas Katleris, Rolandas Mackevicius, and Mantas Stonkus with Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene and Chief of Defence of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaiksnoras will discuss Lithuania's readiness for national defence. The commemoration will culminate in a free "Re-established National Defence Turns 35" concert in the square in front of the MoD building. On April 25, 1990, just a couple of weeks in after the re-establishment of independence, the Government of Lithuania passed a decision to form the National Defence Department. It was the first institution entrusted with the further development of the national system of the state after the regained sovereignty, which laid the foundation for the strong and modern national defence we have today. Despite the particularly modest resources at the start, shortage of human resources and infrastructure, the role of the National Defence Department could not be overstated: from national service oversight, civil safety and protection of the first military sites to the first steps of developing the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The National Defence Department was also in charge of officer training organisation, enhancement of border guard and formation of its subdivisions across Lithuania. The Department was headed by Representatives of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania Audrius Butkevicius whose team comprised young patriots, reserve officers and activists of the Liberation Movement. In the fall of 1991 the Ministry of National Defence was established, A. Butkevicius was appointed as the Minister and the National Defence Department was dismantled after having completed its mission. This closed the brief but momentous existence of the National Defence Department which exemplifies how having very little does not prevent you from achieving very much, and the most important lesson - to take responsibility for the security of the country. Like the people who had faith in the future of the state did. Today, 35 years later, the Lithuanian Aramed Forces is stronger than ever, Lithuania counts the 21st year as a member of NATO and the National Defence System enjoys a steadfast trust of foreign partners. *** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Visit of OIC Secretary General's Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs The OIC Secretary General's Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Yousef M. Al Dobeay, visited Pakistan from 19-22 April 2025. During the visit, the Special Envoy and his delegation held meetings with the Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit Baltistan, States and Frontier Regions, Engineer Amir Muqam , Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, and Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch. During these meetings, the Pakistani leadership appreciated OIC's steadfast support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Special Envoy was apprised of the systematic human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and the destabilizing impact of India's belligerent rhetoric and retrogressive actions. It was underscored that the Kashmiris placed their trust in the OIC and the Muslim Ummah for proactive assistance in realization of their fundamental rights and freedoms, and the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Special Envoy also held a number of other meetings in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad. Ambassador Al- Dubeay highlighted that Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir continue to be the foremost priorities on the OIC's agenda. He also discussed ways to help alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiri people. This was the fifth visit of Ambassador Al Dobeay to Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, following his appointment as the OIC Secretary General's Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir. The visit was also a reaffirmation of the OIC's commitment to the Kashmir cause. Islamabad 24 April 2025 117/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan expresses concerns over killing of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 15:03, April 24, 2025 ISLAMABAD, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has expressed concerns over a gun attack in the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing dozens of tourists and wounding several others, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday. Spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Office Shafqat Ali Khan said in a response to media queries that "we are concerned at the loss of tourists' lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Kashmir." Pakistan extends condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery, he added. At least 25 tourists were killed and several others wounded on Tuesday after unknown gunmen fired at them in the Indian-controlled Kashmir, local police said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump to shut down agency funding developing countries: report People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 14:04, April 24, 2025 WASHINGTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that it will shut down the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a foreign aid agency known for funding infrastructure projects in developing countries, according to media reports. Employees were informed during a staff meeting that the agency is "coming to an orderly close," and that all ongoing programs will be discontinued. The announcement followed a staff-wide memo stating that the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, had mandated a "significant reduction" at the MCC. Established in 2004, the MCC has invested approximately 17 billion U.S. dollars in development assistance across developing countries that met its governance criteria. Over the years, the agency has signed numerous contracts and overseen major infrastructure projects around the world. The exact timeline for the agency's closure has not yet been disclosed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 8 ships 'accompanying' Chinese aircraft carrier off Luzon - PH Navy Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 24, 2025, 6:28 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday confirmed that a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier, along with eight other ships, were spotted and monitored operating within the waters of Northern Luzon. PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the aircraft carrier Shandong (CV-17), six destroyers and frigates, and two support vessels were first detected roughly 100 nautical miles northwest of Burgos, Ilocos Norte on April 22. The destroyers and frigates are serving as the aircraft carrier's escorts while the support vessels are either tankers or replenishment ships providing the flotilla with fuel and other essential supplies. "This was one of the larger or unusual formations we have monitored," he said in an interview. "And we kept monitoring them until they were almost within the bounds of our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) on the western part of Cagayan as of yesterday (Wednesday) evening." These ships got as close as three nautical miles to the country's northern island, but Trinidad said this is allowed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) under the right of innocent passage. "Provided that it is continuous and expeditious," he added. Trinidad further said they deployed the necessary assets to challenge the Chinese carrier battle group, which did not reply. "We always challenge foreign warships passing through our territorial waters to our EEZ. This time, we didn't get any reply," he added. While it is normal procedure for any foreign warship or vessel to reply when challenged, Trinidad said there are instances that these ships will not reply. Asked where these ships could have come from, the PN official said it is likely that the vessels came from China's South Sea Fleet. He said the radio challenge was issued by the country's land-based monitoring systems. Quizzed on whether the deployment of the Chinese carriers and its escorting vessels have something to do with the ongoing 'Balikatan" exercises, Trinidad said they are not "giving any meaning" to this. "What we do is we monitor and we challenge and we respond as necessary," he said. "What we do is we challenge them, we monitor them, to ensure that they traverse continuously and expeditiously." (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK aircraft carrier escort ship to possibly make PH port call -envoy Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora April 24, 2025, 3:17 pm MANILA -- There is a possibility of a Manila port call by the escort ship of the United Kingdom's aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which will set sail for the Indo-Pacific region in the coming months, UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils said. At a media reception at her residence in Makati City on Wednesday night, the envoy said HMS Prince of Wales departed from Portsmouth on April 22 for its eight-month mission in the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific. "We expect one of the vessels that is accompanying the carrier to stop in the Philippines," she told reporters. Around 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy and 592 from the Royal Air Force will be involved in the deployment called "Operation Highmast". The carrier strike group (CSG) will sail through the Indian Ocean, conducting exercises and port visits with partners including the United States, India, Singapore and Malaysia, before joining 19 partner nations for Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia. It also has a confirmed port visit to India and Japan, where it will train alongside the Japanese Self-Defence Forces. UK Defense Attache to the Philippines Bea Walcott, in the same reception, said the CSG would "spend a little bit more time in the Indo-Pacific region" but said engagement with the Philippines is not yet set in stone. Should a Manila port visit push through, Walcott said the UK could use the opportunity to build on the bilateral cooperation with the Philippine Navy. "If we have a port visit then there will be an opportunity, if the Philippine Navy wishes, to sail with them. In terms of anything more than that, we tend to leave discussion for later," she said. Beaufils said defense engagements between Manila and London have stepped up in recent years across air, land, maritime, space, and even cyber domains. And amid growing geopolitical uncertainties in the region, she said the UK is "committed and constant" in its "commitment to peace, stability, and to fostering an open, inclusive rules-based international order". The UK Ministry of Defence said this deployment highlights the strength of the UK's leadership in "seeking to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific," describing this area as a "critical region" for British trade. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH Navy detects 2 Chinese naval vessels off Luzon Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 24, 2025, 2:31 pm Updated on April 24, 2025, 4:02 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Thursday announced that it detected the presence of two China People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels off the northern coast of Luzon last April 22. In a statement, the PN said the presence of these two ships were spotted with the help of its "intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities." The PLAN vessels were seen operating in separate locations, it added. In a message to the Philippine News Agency, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong was first detected at about 3 a.m., some 101.3 nautical miles (NM) off Burgos, Ilocos Norte. At about 9:36 a.m., the vessel was spotted at about 2.23 nautical miles southwest of Babuyan Island, well within the Philippines' archipelagic waters. He added that the most recent confirmed position of the Chinese aircraft carrier as of Wednesday was at 179.6 NM east of Patunungan, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. The Shandong is described as a "short take off, barrier arrested recovery" (STOBAR) aircraft carrier of around 60,000 tons with a top speed of 31 knots. The ship measures 305 meters and has a beam of 75 meters. It is capable of carrying 30 aircraft. At about 11:47 a.m. on the same day, a Type 815A Chinese electronic surveillance ship (AGI-797) was also monitored around 33.11 nautical miles northwest of Dalupiri Island, or about 38.91 nautical miles northwest of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. "The PN remains on top of the situation and assures that all foreign naval movements within Philippine territory are being monitored closely and professionally to uphold national sovereignty and maritime security," Trinidad said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Balikatan' giving AFP chance to train on modern platforms Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 24, 2025, 10:18 am MANILA -- The ongoing "Balikatan" exercise provides the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) a chance to train on the use of its newly acquired weapons systems or capabilities similar to the platforms used by its US counterparts. This was stressed by Col. Doug Krugman of the US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force when asked why the NMESIS (short for Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System) would be used for this iteration of the "Balikatan" exercise. "I think it's in the exercise because the purpose of the exercise is to ensure we are advancing capabilities. The AFP has recently acquired BrahMos, a coastal defense cruise missile system and the NMESIS is (of) similar capability. So, as we are working (to) ensure interoperability, I think it's natural that we will bring a (similar) capability to exercise alongside AFP," Krugman said in an interview with PTV's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon Wednesday. The NMESIS was earlier described as a mobile anti-ship missile system with a range of 100 nautical miles. Krugman's views were shared by Brig. Gen. Michael Logico, assistant exercise director of the "Balikatan" for the Philippines. "I agree because we are also looking at the capabilities that we did not have before. So, with the presence of the NMESIS and we are also intending to train that in conjunction with our BrahMos system - these are capabilities that will expand our reach beyond our territorial waters," said Logico, also the "Balikatan" exercises spokesperson. The BrahMos is a cruise missile that is capable of being launched from a ship, aircraft, submarine, or land; has a top speed of about Mach 2.8 (about 3,400 km. per hour); and is capable of carrying warheads weighing 200 kg. to 300 kg. It has a range of 290 km. to 300 km. Logico also stated that the joint training between Filipino and US forces are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the interoperability and combat readiness of the two services. The "Balikatan" drills began on April 21 and end on May 9. This is the 40th iteration of the annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel threatens 'larger' onslaught in Gaza with new evacuation orders Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 7:21 PM Israel's army chief has threatened a "larger" onslaught in Gaza as the regime issued fresh evacuation orders ahead of a planned invasion across the besieged Palestinian region. "If we do not see progress in the return of the captives in the near future, we will expand our activities to a larger and more significant operation," the Israeli military's chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was quoted as saying. The Hamas resistance movement has said it will only release the remaining 59 captives, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. Separately, the Israeli military ordered Palestinians living in the northern areas of Beit Hanoun and Sheikh Zayed to evacuate a large-scale planned onslaught. The United Nations has warned that Israel's expanding evacuation orders across Gaza are resulting in the "forcible transfer" of people into ever-shrinking areas. Aid agencies estimate that the vast majority of Gaza's 2.4 million residents have been displaced at least once since the war began in October 2023. Israeli presses ahead with its deadly attacks to claim the lives of Palestinians across Gaza amid worsening humanitarian crises in the besieged Strip. Gaza rescue teams and medics said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 59 people since dawn Thursday. Six members of one family were killed when an airstrike leveled their home in northern Gaza City. A relative said the strike happened as the family was sleeping. Nine people were killed and several wounded in another strike on a former police station in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza. In another deadly attack, the bodies of at least a dozen people were recovered after the Hajj Ali family home, also in Jabalia, was struck, the civil defense said. Medics and the civil defense agency reported that another 26 people were killed in strikes across the territory. Meanwhile, at least one Israeli soldier killed and seven others wounded in the north of the strip. The military also acknowledged Thursday that Israeli tank fire killed a UN worker in the central Gaza city of Deir el-Balah last month. It had initially denied operating in the area where a Bulgarian employee of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was killed on March 19. The military on Sunday reported on a separate probe into the killing of 15 Palestinian emergency workers in Gaza. The Israeli killing of medics and humanitarian workers in Gaza on March 23 remains in limelight as more evidences confirm they were executed deliberately. Israel resumed its military invasion in the Gaza Strip on March 18, after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire that had brought a temporary halt to fighting in the blockaded Palestinian territory. The Palestinian death toll since the onset of the Israeli brutal military campaign in Gaza has exceeded 51,355. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi: Bab al-Mandab, Arabian Sea closed to Israeli, US ships Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 6:38 PM The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement says retaliatory operations carried out in solidarity with Gaza by Yemeni resistance have effectively halted the movement of Israeli and US vessels near Yemen's waters. "The Bab al-Mandab and the Arabian Sea are closed to Israeli and American ships. That's a fact," Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech on Thursday night. Yemenis, he said, targeted US vessels and naval carriers in nine operations over past week, adding both public demonstrations and military operations launched in response to the "US-Israeli genocide in Palestine" will continue. Houthi also slammed Washington for escalating aggression against Yemen, stating that the US had launched 260 attacks on civilian infrastructure in Yemen in the past week. "The US and the Israeli regime have realized that they have failed in their anti-Yemen campaign," he said. Houthi condemned Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip, citing Israeli attacks on "hospitals, medical centers, and paramedics," in Gaza, which he described as "barbaric crimes." Houthi also condemned Israel's use of starvation and deprivation as a weapon of war against civilians in Gaza. "Israeli regime prevents food and medical supplies from entering besieged Gaza Strip and impedes relief efforts in this area," he said. The ongoing Israeli blockade has left more than 3,500 children at risk of death due to hunger and malnutrition in the strip. Addressing the Israeli military's act of genocide in Gaza, al-Houthi said, "Occupation forces fear and avoid confrontations with resistance fighters in Gaza and they target defenseless civilians in the besieged Strip." He criticized the killing of innocent civilians, displaced persons, and the destruction of medical facilities in the strip, stating that they are "not achievements," and reiterated that Israeli forces remain "incapable of achieving so-called objectives" in their onslaughts. The death toll from US-Israeli genocidal war on Gaza has risen to 51,266, with nearly 117,000 Palestinians reported injured as the Israeli assault on Gaza continues. Houthi condemned the Israeli regime for aiming to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza and stated that in the occupied West Bank, settler "acts of terrorism" and aggression are intended to confiscate Palestinian homes and expand illegal settlements. "Israeli regime seeks to destroy refugee camps in the occupied West Bank in line with its land grab policy," al-Houthi stated, also slamming certain Arab governments and media outlets of enabling Tel Aviv's genocidal campaign through their silence or alignment with Israeli interests. Houthi also called for greater Palestinian unity in response to the crimes of the Israeli regime. "More Palestinians should come together and unite for the sake of Palestinian cause," he urged. Elsewhere in his speech, he criticized Israel's repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah, which was reached last year. "Israeli regime continues targeting villages in South Lebanon and continuously violating ceasefire and Lebanese sovereignty," he said. He called on the Lebanese government to apply "more pressure on Israeli regime to implement ceasefire agreement." Addressing Israeli acts of aggression in Syria, Houthi stated that Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty are being carried out with US support as part of the "Zionist project" aimed at controlling Syrian territory and movement. In closing, he condemned some Arab governments for criticizing Iran over its support for the Palestinian cause, suggesting such positions serve to deflect attention from Israeli aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India, Pakistan escalate tit-for-tat moves with military threats Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 6:20 PM India and Pakistan have cancelled visas for their nationals to each other's countries, with Islamabad warning New Delhi that it is committing an "act of war" by suspending a landmark water-sharing treaty. India said Thursday it will immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan as part of measures to downgrade diplomatic ties with its neighbor after 26 tourists were killed in an attack in Kashmir. India also said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked with effect from Sunday, and that all Pakistanis currently in India must leave before their visas expire based on the revised timeline. The country further announced cutting the number of diplomatic staff, closing the only functional land border crossing between the countries. The governments on both sides have hinted that the dispute could escalate to military action. The Indian government said the attack had "cross-border" links to Pakistan. Pakistan has denied any connection to the attack, warning that any Indian attempt to stop or divert flow of water would be met with "full force". Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that "any kinetic step by India will see a tit-for-tat kinetic response." The country closed its airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines, and suspended all trade with India, including to and from any third country. Hundreds of Pakistanis joined protests across the country, including in Kashmir, to rage against Indian threats after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government called for military action. "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers," Modi told a rally Thursday. "We will pursue them to the ends of the earth," he warned. Tensions deepened in 2019 after Modi changed Kashmir's status from a semi-autonomous one to direct federal control, but the two countries renewed a previous ceasefire agreement along their border in 2021. India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. New Delhi describes all militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism - a claim Pakistan rejects. The Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, allows for sharing the waters of a river system that is a lifeline for both countries, particularly for Pakistan's agriculture. The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers - Sutlej, Beas and Ravi - while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spain cancels arms deal with Israeli company over Gaza aggression Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 4:46 PM The Spanish government has scrapped a contract to purchase ammunition rounds for its police force from an Israeli firm amid the Tel Aviv regime's ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. A government source said on Thursday it had decided to stick to its October 2023 commitment not to provide Israeli companies with arms or revenue flows "and nor will it do so in future." The source said the Israeli company would be denied permission to import the material by the Spanish authorities on "public interest" grounds. The interior ministry would rescind the contract and government lawyers would respond to any subsequent legal claims, the source added. The decision came after leftwing junior partners in Spain's socialist-led coalition government called on the interior ministry to cancel a 6.6 million order for millions of bullets from an Israeli company. The collation partners said the deal breaches coalition agreements and undermines efforts to hold Israel to account over its actions in Gaza. "The parties that make up the progressive coalition government are firmly committed to the Palestinian cause and to peace in the Middle East," government sources said. "That is why Spain will neither buy arms from, nor sell arms to, Israeli companies." The purchase includes the acquisition of more than 15 million 9-mm rounds from Israel's IMI Systems. Spain, a long-time critic of Israel's policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, pledged in October 2023 to stop selling weapons to regime over Tel Aviv's brutal campaign in Gaza. The European country last year also widened that commitment to include weapons purchases from Israel. Spain's socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's conduct during the brutal war in Gaza. Sanchez's stance has been reinforced by Spain's decision last year to formally recognize a Palestinian state, and by the government's commitment to neither buy weapons from, nor sell weapons to, Israel since the outbreak of aggression against Gaza. Spain last year also called on fellow members of the European Union to suspend a free trade deal between the EU and Israel, amid the regime's ongoing aggression in the Gaza Strip. Since Tel Aviv launched its genocidal campaign last year, Spain and Ireland have been mounting pressure on the Israeli regime, jointly pushing to restore peace in West Asia. The developments come as Israeli aggression continues to claim the lives of Palestinians across Gaza amid worsening humanitarian crises in the besieged strip. The Health Ministry said Thursday Gaza's hospitals had received 50 martyrs and more than 150 wounded Palestinians in 24 hours. The systematic Israeli targeting of medical facilities has rendered 37 hospitals non-operational. The Hamas resistance movement has condemned the atrocities and urged effective measures to halt such attacks. The Palestinian death toll since the onset of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has exceeded 51,350. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China deploys naval group in warning to US, Philippines over drills Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 3:43 PM China has dispatched a naval group led by an aircraft carrier to the western Pacific Ocean following the United States' deployment of ship-sinking missiles in the Philippines, warning the US and its South China Sea allies that it is ready for further encounters at sea and in the air. The Philippine navy confirmed on Thursday that a pair of Chinese naval ships was spotted near the country, including the Shandong and the CNS Tianguanxing electronic surveillance ship. On the other hand, the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which left the island of Guam on Monday after a port visit, was underway in the Philippine Sea as of Wednesday. On Monday, the US and its allies in the western Pacific Ocean kicked off the Balikatan military exercises in the region. The significance of the 40th iteration of the annual drills is the deployment of advanced US military systems. As part of the exercises, the US has unprecedentedly deployed the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) to the Luzon Strait -- a chokepoint for Chinese naval access to the Pacific Ocean north of the Philippines. Analysts view the move as simulating a potential blockade of the Bashi Channel in the Luzon Strait in the event of an encounter in the Taiwan Strait. China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday warned the Philippines and other South China Sea countries against colluding with the United States and other external powers to stir up tensions. "Military cooperation between countries should not target or harm the interests of any third party, nor should it undermine regional peace and stability," ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang said. While calling for the South China Sea to remain "a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship," he warned the Philippines to avoid undermining the common interests of countries in the region. "The Philippines frequently conducts so-called joint patrols and exercises, and invites and deploys strategic and tactical weapons, seriously undermining the common interests of regional countries," Zhang said. China, he said, "firmly opposes any country strengthening military deployment in the region and provoking tensions and confrontation under the excuse of the Taiwan question." "Regardless of external challenges and turbulence, China will resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly maintain peace and stability in the region," he added. The drills are conducted as part of a US containment strategy formed by Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines that seeks to restrict the Chinese military's access to the Pacific Ocean and its deployment of aircraft carriers to the waters beyond the first island chain. Around 9,000 US soldiers and 5,000 Filipino troops are participating this year in the so-called "full battle test" exercises which started on Monday. Small contingents from Australia, Japan, Britain, France, and Canada are also participating, and 16 other countries have signed up as observers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address All 4 giant pandas at western Japan park to return to China in June Xinhua) 13:12, April 25, 2025 TOKYO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- All four giant pandas on loan to a theme park in the western Japanese prefecture of Wakayama will return to China around late June, ahead of the expiration of their lease agreement, the park's operator said Thursday. Adventure World amusement park in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, announced that the 24-year-old Rauhin and her three daughters, 8-year-old Yuihin, 6-year-old Saihin and 4-year-old Fuhin, will leave for their new home at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's Sichuan Province. Adventure World began a breeding cooperation program with the Chinese panda research base in 1994 and was home to Eimei, a special envoy for Sino-Japan friendship who came to Japan on loan in 1994. Under the joint conservation project, 17 giant pandas were born in the Wakayama park over three decades. According to the operator, it has reached an agreement with the Chinese side that as the joint project is set to expire in August, and the two sides decided the four pandas will go to China in June, when temperatures are relatively cool. "We hope that these four giant pandas can live a healthy and happy life after returning to China, and we also hope that the young ones can take on the mission of breeding new lives," the park said. The departure of the four giant pandas would mean Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo would be the only remaining giant pandas housed in Japan. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Fresh aggression: Nearly 30 Palestinians killed in fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 11:00 AM Israeli warplanes have conducted fresh aerial assaults across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 28 people, mostly women and children. The Gaza Health Ministry said the deadly Israeli strikes took place on Thursday and targeted the cities of Jabalia and Khan Yunis, as well as areas in the central part of the besieged territory. The ministry said at least nine people were killed in an air raid on a police station in Jabalia. The Israeli military acknowledged the attack, claiming that it had targeted a command and control center for resistance groups. Other Israeli strikes hit Khan Yunis, killing at least seven people, including a mother and her two children, and another two children, it added. At least six people, including two women and two children, lost their lives in Israeli air raids on central Gaza while four children and their parents were killed in attacks on Gaza City. Meanwhile, the ministry said a total of 50 Palestinians were killed and 152 others wounded in the past 24 hours in the Gaza Strip. Israel launched a genocidal war on Gaza October 7, 2023, after the Hamas resistance group carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. After one year and a half of war, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its declared objectives in Gaza, despite killing at least 51,355 Palestinians and injuring 117,248 others. The usurping entity accepted Hamas' longstanding negotiation terms under a Gaza ceasefire, which began on January 19. However, Israel unilaterally abandoned the truce on March 2, cutting off humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The regime also resumed its brutal bombing campaign and redeployed troops to the territory. On Wednesday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said more than 90 percent of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged during the Israeli onslaught. "With nowhere safe to go, families shelter in unsafe ruins," it noted. "IOM has shelter aid readyentry points must open NOW." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel deprives Palestinians in Gaza of 'necessities for human survival', warns UN Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 8:34 AM Israel is denying Palestinians in the Gaza Strip access to "necessities for human survival," while continuing to cause "mass casualties" in the blockaded Palestinian territory, the UN warns. It has been over 52 days since the Israeli regime blocked the entry of food, medicine, and other critical supplies into the war-torn Gaza Strip, even as aid agencies have time and again warned of a full-blown famine across Gaza. In a report on Wednesday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) sounded the warning, stressing that "bombardment on Gaza, including on tents sheltering displaced people, continues to cause mass casualties while the aid blockade over the past 52 days has deprived people of the necessities for human survival." In its latest situation assessment, titled Humanitarian Situation Update #282, the UN agency said that the coastal sliver "is now likely facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the 18 months since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023." The OCHA report further said that aid operations have stalled in Gaza due to a combination of Israel's expanding military offensives, blockade on the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies for the past 52 days. Additionally, the regime's targeting of aid workers and their facilities, along with strict movement restrictions across the region, has further hampered relief efforts, it added. "Gaza's health system remains critically strained, with severe shortages of medicine, equipment, and staff, and over half of functioning health facilities in areas under displacement orders," the UN agency said. "Israeli military strikes destroy over 30 heavy equipment vehicles, including critical equipment for search-and-rescue operations, waste removal, sewage maintenance, and water supply, raising serious public health concerns amid the ongoing crisis," it added. An OCHA official described the situation as the "deliberate dismantling of Palestinian life" in Gaza. Israel resumed its campaign of genocide in Gaza on March 18 after a two-month truce and sent troops back into the blockaded Palestinian region. Since then, Israeli military strikes have killed at least 1,600 Palestinians and injured thousands more. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India, Pakistan Tensions Rise After Tit-For-Tat Moves Following Deadly Kashmir Attack By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal April 24, 2025 ISLAMABAD -- Tensions between India and Pakistan are threatening to boil over as the two countries trade diplomatic and economic measures following a deadly attack in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir that has raised fears of another military escalation between the nuclear-armed rivals. India downgraded its ties with Pakistan on April 23 and accused it of supporting "cross-border terrorism" a day after 26 people were killed by gunmen at a Himalayan tourist attraction in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. A little-known militant group called The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the attack. Twenty-five of those killed were Indian nationals. The attack and its fallout risk inflaming ties between India and Pakistan, which both claim authority over the region. Among other punitive measures taken against Islamabad, New Delhi closed the main border crossing linking the two countries, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and ordered some Pakistani visa holders to leave within 48 hours. India also announced the suspension of the six-decade old Indus Waters Treaty, which shares water between the two countries. Pakistan has denied any involvement and responded with countermeasures of its own on April 24, suspending visas for some Indian nationals and expelling certain Indian diplomats and defense officials from the country. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called for a "credible investigation" into the attack and said "India must resist the temptation to exploit such tragic incidents to its advantage." He also hit back with a stern warning about New Delhi's suspension of the water-sharing treaty. "Pakistan vehemently rejects the Indian announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance," Sharif said in a statement following the convening of the country's National Security Council on April 24. "Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty...will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force," the statement added. The April 22 attack marks the area's worst assault on civilians in years and could bring a new wave of unrest to the region claimed by both Pakistan and India that has been the epicenter of an often-violent territorial struggle between the two countries. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on April 24 as he vowed to track down and punish the attackers. Modi did not refer to the attackers as being Pakistani, but police in Indian Kashmir claimed two of the three suspected militants were Pakistani nationals. They did not say how they identified the attackers. Modi is expected to meet with other Indian officials on April 24 to discuss the attack and how to respond to the tit-for-tat moves with Pakistan. India and Pakistan control separate parts of Kashmir, but both claim it in full. Since India's partition and the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the nuclear-armed neighbors have fought wars over the territory. The Pahalgam attack now risks reigniting long-running tensions. The water treaty, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed in 1960, regulates the sharing of waters of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan. It has withstood two wars between the neighbors since then and severe strains in ties at other times. The treaty stipulates that India must, with few exceptions, allow water from the western rivers to flow downstream into Pakistan. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were already weak even before the latest measures and countermeasures announced by New Delhi and Islamabad. Pakistan expelled India's envoy and has not posted its own ambassador in New Delhi since India revoked the semi-autonomous status of Kashmir in 2019. India has often accused Pakistan of involvement in an insurgency in Kashmir, but Islamabad says it only offers diplomatic and moral support to a demand for self-determination. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/india-pakistan-pahalgam-kashmir- water-treaty-war-sanctions-nuclear/33395642.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and the Situation in the West Bank Republic of Slovenia 24. 4. 2025 Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia fully supports the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom (E3) on April 23, 2025, regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We echo their grave concern over the intolerable situation caused by Israeli complete blockade of the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza for over 50 days, which has depleted essential supplies and placed civilians at acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease, and death. Slovenia supports the E3's urgent call for Israel to immediately restore rapid and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery, in full compliance with international humanitarian law. Like E3, Slovenia condemns all actions that exacerbate the crisis, including the politicization of humanitarian aid by Israeli authorities and plans to maintain a post-war presence in Gaza, which undermine prospects for peace and a two-state solution. Slovenia shares E3's outrage at recent strikes on humanitarian personnel, infrastructure, and healthcare facilities, and we join their demand for Israel to protect civilians, restore deconfliction systems, ensure the predictability, safety and freedom of humanitarian workers, and facilitate medical evacuations. Slovenia reiterates its call for Hamas to immediately release all hostages. In addition to the crisis in Gaza, Slovenia wishes to highlight the unacceptable conditions in the West Bank, where escalating violence, settlement expansion, and restrictions on Palestinian movement and access to resources have severely deteriorated living conditions. The systematic demolition of Palestinian homes, confiscation of land, and increasing settler violence, often with impunity, violate international law and further entrench the occupation. These actions not only exacerbate Palestinian suffering but also undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state, which Slovenia has consistently supported as part of a just and lasting peace. We urge Israel to halt all settlement activities, protect Palestinian civilians, and ensure accountability for violations in the West Bank, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. Slovenia calls for all parties to return to a ceasefire and create space for meaningful dialogue. Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool, and the demographic or political status of Palestinian territories must not be altered through unilateral actions. We stand ready to work with international community to support humanitarian efforts, protect civilian lives, and advance a negotiated two-state solution that ensures dignity and security for both Palestinians and Israelis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What's Brewing Between India and Pakistan? Sputnik News 20250424 Ilya Tsukanov Tuesday's deadly terror attack in Kashmir has pushed nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan to the brink of conflict. Here's how things got to this point, and where they could go from here. On April 22, militants from 'The Resistance Front' (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Salafi-jihadist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, shot 26 civilians (mostly tourists) and injured 17 others in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir. Survivors said the attackers asked victims their names and religion, ensuring they weren't Muslim before executing them. Police identified 3 suspects on Thursday saying two of them are Pakistani nationals. India suspects Pakistan's ISI intelligence service of funding, training arming TRF militants, and using them as a proxy to keep Kashmir in a perpetual state of chaos. Pakistan denies supporting TRF, but has openly expressed support for Kashmir militants' "fight for self-determination" at a moral, political, and diplomatic level. The Islamist insurgency in Kashmir, dating back to 1989, has claimed 45,000+ lives, including over 20,000 civilians, to date. India's response to the April 22 attack so far has included: Suspending the landmark 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Closing the Attari border post, the last remaining route for India-Pakistan land-based trade. Cancelling visas of Pakistani nationals and demanding their expulsion within 48 hours. Expelling Pakistani military attaches in New Delhi, and pulling out its own military attaches in Islamabad. Pakistan, for its part, put its Air Force on alert, stepped up border security, closed its airspace to Indian airlines and suspended all trade. Islamabad also warned "any kinetic step" (i.e. military action) "will see a TIT-FOR-TAT response." Pakistan emphasized that any attempt to deny access to water would be treated as an "act of war." A water-insecure country, Pakistan depends on the Indus River network and its tributaries for up to 80% of its surface water for agriculture, industry, hydroelectric power and drinking water. Balakot 2.0 Imminent? In February 2019, Indian warplanes targeted militant camps in Pakistan's Balakot in response to terror attack on its troops in Kashmir. Just before the strike, India briefed diplomats on Kashmir terror. Similar briefings took place on Thursday. Kashmir and India-Pakistan Relations Kashmir tensions were already simmering before Tuesday's terror attack. Earlier this month, tensions along the Line of Control spilled out into cross-border firing, with India accusing Pakistan of fueling tensions to distract from domestic economic and political troubles. Kashmir has poisoned India-Pakistan relations since 1947, triggering three of four major wars between the two countries. Some historians believe the UK deliberately sowed the seeds of enmity with a divide-and-rule strategy that separated the nations on independence in such a way as to guarantee conflict. Today, too, the dispute benefits the West, aiming to disrupt Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS cooperation. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Military Withdraws Its Forces From Base in Syria's Al Hasakah - Reports Sputnik News 20250424 BEIRUT (Sputnik) - The US military is withdrawing its forces from a base in Al Hasakah province in northern Syria, Syrian media reported. US military vehicles loaded with military supplies are leaving the base in the city of Ash Shaddadi, the Al Watan newspaper reported on Wednesday, adding that the columns are moving towards the Syrian-Iraqi border. Last week, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said that the United States plans to decrease its military presence in Syria in the coming months to under 1,000 troops to consolidate them at fewer bases in the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU May Reduce Purchases of US Weapons, Introduce High Reciprocal Tariffs - Reports Sputnik News 20250424 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The EU countries are considering the possibility of reducing purchases of American weapons and introducing tough economic restrictions against the United States as a response to the actions of the administration of US President Donald Trump, Politico reported, citing European officials. The measures under consideration include finding alternative suppliers of military equipment and ammunition, introducing high retaliatory tariffs, abolishing intellectual property protection measures for American companies, and reducing dependence on American technology giants, the report said on Wednesday. In addition, many countries were concerned about Washington's use of defense technologies as a lever of pressure on Ukraine, the report read. They also reportedly realized that it is not so easy to meet US demands to increase defense spending. As a result, the countries came to the conclusion that it is necessary to reduce dependence on American systems and develop their own. Polish government adviser on Ukraine Pawel Kowal told the newspaper that "confidence in the USA has been severely shaken," and that Poland will probably not place new major orders for American military equipment. The report noted that after the introduction of tariffs, the European Commission discussed the use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument against the US, which the media describes as the EU's most powerful economic weapon. The instrument is a set of progressive measures to combat economic coercion, the report said, adding that the first stage involves negotiations, followed by an increase in tariffs, exclusion from public procurement systems and restrictions on intellectual property rights protection. On April 2, Trump signed an executive order that implemented reciprocal tariffs on imports from various countries. The base tariff rate was established at 10%, with higher rates applied to 57 countries based on the US trade deficit with each specific nation. On April 9, Trump declared that a baseline tariff of 10% would be imposed for 90 days on over 75 countries that had not retaliated and had requested negotiations, except for China. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Foreign Secretary has issued a statement following reports of violence in and around El Fasher, Sudan. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon David Lammy MP 24 April 2025 Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said: The reports of violence in and around the city of El Fasher are appalling. Last week, the UK gathered the international community in London to call for an end to the suffering of the Sudanese people. Yet some of the violence in Darfur has shown the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing and may amount to crimes against humanity. Both sides must de-escalate urgently in Darfur and implement UNSCR2736, which calls on the RSF to halt its siege of El Fasher and bring an immediate stop to the fighting. The UK will continue to use all tools available to us to us to hold those responsible for atrocities to account. The warring parties have a responsibility to end this suffering. There are no exceptions to the laws of war: both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces agreed at Jeddah to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access. It is their responsibility to enforce these commitments, through command and control of their fighters and aligned militias. The RSF must immediately cease attacks on civilians, and the SAF and allied Joint Forces must allow safe passage for civilians to reach safety. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced; yet many more in Zamzam IDP camp and El Fasher are being blocked from fleeing this violence by the warring parties. They must be free to seek safety wherever they think best and be protected as they do so. The warring parties must give humanitarian actors the security guarantees needed to deliver aid rapidly, safely and at scale, including through a 72-hour pause in fighting. This must be through transparent notification of movement, rather than permission, throughout North Darfur and beyond. UN warns of rising deportations of Haitian mothers and newborns from Dominican Republic 24 April 2025 - The UN has raised concern over a growing number of vulnerable Haitians - particularly pregnant women, new mothers, and infants - being deported from the Dominican Republic. According to the UN migration agency, IOM, recent weeks have seen an increase in the deportation of women, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as children and newborn babies. The agency has emphasised the heightened risks these groups face being returned to Haiti, where access to basic services remains severely limited. On Tuesday alone, IOM staff at the Belladere border crossing in Haiti received 416 deportees, including 11 pregnant women and 16 women who are still breastfeeding. Meeting the needs "While IOM teams are not present during the deportation process itself, their efforts focus on the needs of deportees upon arrival, many of whom arrive in precarious and highly vulnerable conditions, often without any resources," said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, speaking in New York. He explained that IOM provides immediate humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and hygiene kits, as well as first aid, medical referrals, and psychosocial support. Special attention is given to maternal health, and temporary places to live are arranged for women who are breastfeeding when necessary, he added. Worsening conditions Mr. Dujarric also updated on the situation in Haiti, where rising violence and recent funding cuts are undermining essential services and worsening the humanitarian situation, particularly in the Centre Department. Escalating violence on the part of armed groups has triggered mass displacement, with more than 51,000 people, over half of them children, fleeing recent attacks. Many are now stranded at makeshift sites or seeking safety in other regions. No safety inside hospitals He noted that the University Hospital of Mirebalais - a major referral facility with about 300 beds - has suspended operations following a wave of insecurity in the area. "Armed attacks, a mass prison break and the destruction of public infrastructure forced the hospital to gradually shut down. Before its closure, it served nearly 850 patients each day, including through maternal care and advanced cancer treatment," he said. Meanwhile, two other hospitals in the area - St. Therese in Hinche and Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Artibonite - are now coming under increased strain and face critical shortages, including oxygen and emergency medical kits. Since the closure of the University Hospital in Mirebalais, they have treated more than 200 patients for gunshot wounds, strokes, suspected cholera and malnutrition. "St. Therese alone has received more than 3,500 internally displaced people - tripling its outpatient caseload," Mr. Dujarric said. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and humanitarian partners are working to relieve pressure on the health system in Centre Department. Mobile clinics are being deployed to reach 30,000 people in host communities and displacement camps, in coordination with the Haitian authorities and the Catholic charity Caritas. Humanitarians are seeking $908 million to support nearly four million people in Haiti this year. Only six per cent of the funding, $57 million, has been received to date. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hundreds killed in Sudan's camps for displaced people 24 April 2025 - Hundreds of civilians, including at least 12 humanitarian workers, have been killed in recent artillery shelling targeting the El Fasher and Zamzam camps in Sudan's Darfur region, triggering an unprecedented wave of displacement according to the UN. Violent clashes between armed militias and forces of the military Government have escalated dramatically across North Darfur in recent weeks as Sudan marked two years of civil war. The El Fasher and Zamzam camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were forced to flee their homes because of the conflict, were disproportionately affected. "The bombs were falling on the hospital. The sick and their mothers were killed. Those of us who survived left with only our children on our backs," said Hawa, a mother of three who was inside a hospital in the Zamzam camp during the shelling, speaking to the UN Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). Horror and displacement The attacks have destroyed critical infrastructure, halted water trucking services, and led to the collapse of already fragile health services, according to the UN. Zamzam IDP camp, which prior to the recent shelling housed at least 400,000 people, has now been nearly emptied. The UN has reported that over 332,000 people have fled the camp. Humanitarian organisations are warning of increasing reports of sexual violence, the targeting of civilians, and forced recruitment - particularly by elements of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. Aid under strain The sudden and massive influx of IDPs into already overwhelmed towns and host communities is increasing the strain on health services, water infrastructure, and local food systems. While IDP camps face soaring demand for emergency shelters, clean water, food, and protection services, fuel shortages have led to the near-total suspension of water trucking operations in many areas, including El Fasher. In Central Darfur, health partners report rising levels of malnutrition, especially among children. "In the past, we had three to four meals per day. For the past two years, giving [my children] one meal a day is a miracle," Hawa recounted. Although the UN is currently delivering life-saving food assistance in Tawila North Darfur, an immediate scale-up in humanitarian assistance is needed to prevent tens of thousands of newly-displaced people from falling further into acute vulnerability. UN agencies and their partners are urgently appealing for increased funding to avert further loss of life and irreversible humanitarian consequences. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seventh Air Force to extend Super Squadron test for second year, expand scope Published April 24, 2025 Seventh Air Force Public Affairs OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- Seventh Air Force is set to extend its "Super Squadron" test for a second phase in October 2025 after recently receiving approval by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The test examines Seventh Air Force's ability to increase combat force generation and maximize capability by consolidating aircraft and personnel in a large Super Squadron. The extension will establish a second super squadron here, with 31 assigned F-16 Fighting Falcons. The aircraft and approximately 1,000 Airmen will transfer to Osan Air Base from Kunsan AB over the summer. The movement of personnel and fighter aircraft is a temporary shift, seeking to optimize capabilities and maximize combat effectiveness. The CSAF approval was gained after analysis of the first phase, which began in October 2024. "The past months of data reveal that we're on the right track and the consolidated, larger unit has shown some increases in readiness and combat capability, while also exposing some challenges," said Lt. Gen. David Iverson, Seventh Air Force commander. "With this success we're now expanding the scope, by consolidating the F-16s in Seventh Air Force at Osan, to further determine if the super squadron construct is the right path for future airpower generation here in Korea." The initial Seventh Air Force Super Squadron test was launched to evaluate if the super squadron concept would maximize combat effectiveness when considering sortie generation, maintenance, manpower, and logistics requirements. The second phase will continue to assess those areas at a larger scale, as the increased numbers of aircraft and Airmen fully test limitations. "In the coming weeks, AFPC will begin making assignment updates," said Lt. Col. Aaron Tissot, Seventh Air Force director of manpower, personnel and services. "Our goal is to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transition for our Airmen throughout this process." With the movement of most remaining 8th Fighter Wing's F-16s from Kunsan AB to Osan AB during the test, the 8th FW will continue to operate as a primary exercise and rotational force bed-down location for U.S. air component forces in ROK. It will maintain active flightline operations and facilities, in addition to maintaining war reserve material and munitions at multiple locations across South Korea. This mission is a critical part of Seventh Air Force's task of providing credible combat airpower in the defense of the ROK-U.S. Alliance. "We acknowledge this is a major shift in how we operate here at Kunsan," said Col. Peter Kasarskis, 8th FW commander. "We'll meet this change with the same warfighter mindset the Wolf Pack has maintained through our history, and strengthen our ability to accept follow-on forces, defend the base and take the fight north." Seventh Air Force remains committed to ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. The Super Squadron test has no impact on Seventh Air Force's ability to employ airpower to deter aggression and defend South Korea against any threat. "This Super Squadron effort demonstrates our steadfast focus on readiness and combat capability to achieve U.S. national security objectives," Iverson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Cape St. George Arrives in San Diego after Modernization US Navy 24 April 2025 From Lt. Grace Kording SAN DIEGO -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) arrived Apr. 22 in its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego, California from Naval Base Everett, Washington, after conducting phased modernization at Vigor Shipyard in Seattle. This move was a permanent change of station for the crew and family members. "I am so incredibly proud of this dedicated crew and for all of the hard work and sacrifice that brought Cape St. George back to life. Repairing and restoring systems after an extended modernization was a herculean effort, and this talented crew is the reason the ship was able to return to sea and reintegrate into our Navy's fighting force," said Capt. Jennifer Pontius, commanding officer of Cape St. George. The cruiser began modifications in June 2021 and is scheduled to conclude in 2025. During this time, Cape St. George underwent extensive upgrades to its hull, mechanical systems, engineering, and combat systems in preparation for rejoining maritime operations. "It's been a long, rigorous journey bringing Cape St. George's power plant back to life, but I am proud of the work we have done. I was filled with so many emotions when we got underway after spending numerous hours restoring the engine room equipment, but I understand this is only the beginning of our mission," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Annsia Stewart. "We are ready to make San Diego our home!" The upgrades ensure Cape St. George remains one of the most technologically advanced and lethal ships in the U.S. Navy. "I arrived at Cape St. George while it was dry-docked, and it has been an amazing experience seeing the reconstruction to get the ship fully operational. It is an incredible opportunity to set a foundation for future Sailors," said Lt. j.g. William Neel, Strike Officer. Cape St. George was commissioned June 12, 1993. The ship's name commemorates the battle fought in the South Pacific off the island of New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago on Nov. 25, 1943. Modern U.S. Navy guided-missile cruisers are multi-mission Air Warfare, Undersea Warfare, Naval Surface Fire Support, and Surface Warfare (SUW) surface combatants capable of supporting carrier strike groups, amphibious forces, or independent missions. The mission of Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jordan FM stresses urgency of ceasefire, humanitarian aid entry into Gaza People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:04, April 25, 2025 AMMAN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. "It is necessary to do everything required to remove all obstacles to the entry of aid, and then work toward achieving the just and lasting peace we in the kingdom seek as a strategic option alongside all Arab countries, because achieving such peace is the only real guarantee for the security of everyone in this region," he said. Safadi and Szijjarto discussed ways to enhance the friendship between Jordan and Hungary, develop bilateral cooperation, and strengthen ties within the framework of the strategic partnership with the European Union. The two ministers also discussed the situations in Syria and Lebanon and emphasized the need to support the stability of both countries, the statement said. For his part, the Hungarian official affirmed that Hungary supports the realization and implementation of the strategic partnership between the European Union and Jordan as soon as possible, according to the Jordanian statement. Szijjarto also stressed the importance of Jordan's role in curbing illegal migration to Europe, saying, "We are certain that without Jordan's responsible stance, millions of illegal migrants would have spread throughout Europe, and there would have been waves of migration that Europe could not have managed." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dark Eagle Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Land-Based Hypersonic Missile [LBHM] With the cancellation of the AGM-183A of the US Air Force and the slower-than-expected progress of the Conventional Prompt Strike Weapon (CPS) of the US Navy, the "Dark Hawk" (LRHW) jointly developed by the US Army and Navy has almost become the only hypersonic weapon project of the US military. Fortunately, this only one is still doing well. On 12 December 2024, the US Department of Defense announced that the "Dark Hawk" had completed an "end-to-end" flight test at Cape Canaveral, Florida. If the maximum speed of 20 Mach and the maximum range of more than 4,450 kilometers are true, then the US military finally has a preliminary hypersonic weapon that can be used. The development history of the United States' hypersonic weapons can be said to be a perfect interpretation of what it means to get up early and catch the late harvest. Shortly after the end of World War II, the United States began to develop aircraft with speeds above Mach 3. The The development history of the United States' hypersonic weapons can be said to be a perfect interpretation of what it means to get up early and catch the late harvest. Shortly after the end of World War II, the United States began to develop aircraft with speeds above Mach 3. However, in the first decade of the 21st century, the US military was invincible, and the US military equipment and combat theories were focused on counter-terrorism. It was not until it was confirmed that China and Russia had made key breakthroughs in medium-range hypersonic weapons, and Russia had verified the power of such weapons on the battlefield, that the United States began to catch up in time. The US military was scheduled to test the US Army's Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), developed by Lockheed Martin, over the Caribbean in the last week of July 2024. A US defense official told Sputnik on 29 Jul 2024 that the Army and Navy had recently initiated a test of a conventional hypersonic system but avoided commenting on whether the test was successful. "The US Army and Navy recently initiated a test of a conventional hypersonic system at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida," the official said. "This test was an essential benchmark in the development of operational hypersonic technology." Similar to precision weapons being developed by the Air Force and Navy, the Army is developing its own unique hypersonic weapon. Hypersonic weapons move five times faster than the speed of sound and are designed to potentially deliver a precision-guided airstrike anywhere in the world within an hour. This land-based, truck-launched system is armed with hypersonic missiles that can travel well over 3,800 miles per hour. They can reach the top of the Earths atmosphere and remain just beyond the range of air and missile defense systems until they are ready to strike, and by then its too late to react. Extremely accurate, ultrafast, maneuverable and survivable, hypersonics can strike anywhere in the world within minutes. For the battery, the task force and the U.S. Army, they provide a critical strategic weapon and a powerful deterrent against adversary capabilities. Around since the early 2000s, hypersonic technology itself is not new, yet it is newly important. Today the United States is battling to outpace similar efforts from our adversaries. To address those threats, the Army is accelerating the fielding of its own long-range hypersonic weapon to deliver, by fiscal year 2023, an experimental prototype with residual combat capability - meaning Soldiers have it and can use it in combat if needed - to a unit of action. In this case, the unit is a battery in a strategic fires battalion. The Armys path for fast-tracking both hypersonics and directed-energy systems began in late 2018, when it renamed and refocused the efforts of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). As part of the overall Army modernization strategy, Army leaders asked RCCTO to lead the hypersonic and directed-energy efforts as they transition from the science and technology (S&T) community and into the hands of operational units. In March 2019, the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army directed the accelerated delivery of a prototype ground-launched hypersonic weapon with residual combat capability by Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. To execute this strategy, the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has selected two prime contractors to build and integrate components of the LRHW prototype. The top modernization priority --- Long-Range Precision Fires -- is heavily focused on to reclaim overmatch against near-peer competitors. The Army plans to invest $1.2 billion over the next five years toward a hypersonic weapon, which is being developed in collaboration with the Air Force and Navy under 0604182A / HX1 Land-Based Hypersonic Missile. A flight test of a land-based hypersonic missile, which can travel five times the speed of sound, is expected in fiscal 2023, Esper said. "It's a game-changer," Army Secretary Mark T. Esper said April 10, 2019. "It is a very difficult system to defend against due to its maneuverability and due to its speed and profile." The Army Hypersonic Project Office will work with the Weapon System Integration Contractor to get through Systems Requirements Review and move towards a Preliminary Design Review for the system. Funding will be used to order CHGBs and boosters for integration into All Up Rounds starting in FY21. Project HX1 funds USASMDC/ARSTRAT to prototype a Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) System is to provide the Army with a prototype strategic attack weapon system to defeat Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, suppress adversary Long Range Fires, and engage other high payoff/time sensitive targets. The LRHW Integrated System contractor will integrate Common Hypersonic Glide Bodies (CHGBs) with 2 stage boosters into canisters to create LRHW All Up Rounds (AUR) and a build a prototype LRHW System. A leave behind prototype LRHW system is expected as an Early Operational Capability (EOC). The AUR, with a case diameter of 34.5 inches (0.887 meters), would be launched from a 10 meter long transporter, erector, launcher [TEL] container. The two-container semi-trailer launcher is a modified M870 semi-trailer used in the Patriot SAM launcher, towed by an Oshkosh M983A4 8x8 tractor. Collaborating across services, agencies and with the Office of the Secretary of Defense through a Joint Service Memorandum of Agreement on design, development, testing and production, the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) are all accelerating initiatives to field hypersonic weapon systems using a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB). The Navy leads design of the C-HGB, while the Army will lead production and build a commercial industrial base. This cooperation enables the services to leverage one anothers technologies as much as possible, while tailoring them to meet specific design and requirements for air, land and sea. Col. John Rafferty, director of the Long-Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team, discussed the development of these new long-range precision weapons at the Association of the U.S. Army's Annual Meeting and Exposition, 09 October 2018. Rafferty said the services are collaborating on creating a common "hypersonic glide body," to provide a means for each service to deploy their hypersonic weaponry. He said the services will work alongside each other to develop the hypersonic weapons capability. "We're going to support the Space and Missile Defense Command's pursuit of the long-range hypersonic weapon and we'll help by developing the operational concept," Rafferty said. "But essentially what we're going to do is make sure that Soldiers are trained and ready to man the system when fielded, and that a mission-command structure and fire-control framework is in place. On 29 August 2019, the Army awarded an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement to Dynetics in the amount of $351.6 million to produce the first commercially manufactured set of prototype Common-Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) systems. Also on August 29, the Army awarded a second OTA agreement to Lockheed Martin in the amount of $347.0 million as the LRHW prototype system integrator. Starting in 2020, the Army will participate in a series of joint tests with the Navy, Air Force and MDA, focusing on range, environmental extremes and contested environments. The tests will be complemented by training events so Soldiers can learn to employ the new technology. "In order to achieve the disintegration and penetration effect, we need to have a mix of weapons, and exquisite, very expensive, hypersonic missiles with tremendous kinetic effect that are well-suited for strategic infrastructure and hardened targets," he said. Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC) Members have been selected to support Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) production and Long Range Hypersonic Weapon Integration Efforts. There will be opportunities in the future for Thermal Protection System (TPS) industrial base expansion and contracting for TPS production. The task of providing command and control for Dark Eagle operations falls to the Battery Operations Center, equipped with an AFATDS (Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System) which prioritizes targets received from various sensors and performs attack analysis using situational data combined with commander's guidance to provide timely, accurate and coordinated fire support options against preplanned and time-sensitive targets. The first complexes of American Dark Eagle hypersonic missiles can probably be deployed in the future in the western part of the United States at a base in Washington state. This was evidenced by images and accompanying information released by the US Army. On 07 October 2021, the Pentagon's photo and video distribution service posted photographs of the "equipment for long-range hypersonic missiles." The accompanying information indicates that the filming location is the Lewis McCord base in Washington state, the images themselves, according to metadata, were taken in mid-September 2021. According to the Internet publication The War Zone, the materials show trailers of prototype launchers, a tractor and "other important components of the complexes", but the hypersonic missiles themselves have not yet been delivered. Previously, the Pentagon did not expand on the possible location of the future deployment of Dark Eagle systems, the publication added. The War Zone points out that the delivered components are so far intended only for the familiarization of military personnel with them. The Pentagon hopes to begin test launches of the guided missile in fiscal 2022, which began on October 1. According to the plans of the military, the first complexes should enter service in the 2023 financial year. The U.S. Army equipped the I Corps 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, with the nations first prototype hypersonic ground equipment. Known as the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon, this land-based, ground-launched system will provide a critical weapon and powerful deterrent to adversaries. In August, Robert Strider, director of the American hypersonic weapons program, said that the Dark Eagle will be used in batteries of four installations, each of which has two missiles. As previously noted by the magazine "National Interest", the combination of the missile's hypersonic speed and the mobility of the complexes can become a serious threat to the defense of potential adversaries. Extremely accurate, exceptionally fast, maneuverable and survivable, hypersonics introduce a lethal combination that enable the long-range, rapid defeat of time-critical and high-value targets. Part of the Armys No. 1 modernization priority, Long-Range Precision Fires, hypersonics are also one of the highest-priority modernization areas the Department of Defense is pursuing in its push for integrated deterrence. The Army celebrated the delivery of the LRHW hardware with a ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on 07 October 2021. Today marks an important milestone in equipping our nations first hypersonic battery, said Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood, Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition, who also oversees the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office. From a blank piece of paper in March 2019, we along with our industry partners and joint services delivered this hardware in just over two years. Now, Soldiers can begin training. Delivery of the hardware began in March 2021 and finished at the end of September 2021. The delivery includes a battery operations center, four transporter erector launchers, and modified trucks and trailers that make up the LRHW ground equipment. The fielding to the 5-3 FA will be complete in fiscal year 2023. Delivering the ground hardware first will allow the Soldiers to train on the equipment, create doctrine for this first-ever system, and develop tactics, techniques and procedures. In executing hypersonics development and testing, the Army is closely linked with its joint service partners. In March 2020, the Army began a series of joint tests, focusing on range, environmental extremes and contested environments. The tests will be complemented by training events as the Soldiers learn to employ the new technology. Throughout the prototyping effort, Soldier-centered design touch-points were embedded and were influential in developing the system. Soldiers are at the center of this effort and are a critical part of the design effort. On 24 April 2025, the US Army announced "Dark Eagle" as the popular name for the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon following the system's successful end-to-end flight test of the common All-Up Round the previous December. Part of the name pays tribute to the eagle a master hunter known for its speed, stealth and agility due to the LRHW's combination of velocity, accuracy, maneuverability, survivability and versatility. In addition, the bald eagle the US national bird represents independence, strength and freedom. The word "dark" embodies the LRHW's ability to dis-integrate adversary capabilities, including anti-access/area-denial systems, communications capacity, long-range fires and other high-payoff/time-critical targets. The Dark Eagle brings to mind the power and determination of the United States and its Army as it represents the spirit and lethality of the Army and Navy's hypersonic weapon endeavors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kashmir An offensive launched in January 2020 by Indian forces in Kashmir had killed at least 116 rebels by June 2020, handing a blow to the armed rebellion that broke out nearly 30 years ago against Indian rule. At least 42 rebels were killed in June alone, according to an official tally. The security forces have pledged to wipe out armed rebellion from the region, but a slow trickle of youth continue to join the rebel ranks. Rebels enjoy popular support and those killed in gun battle are considered martyrs and were accorded mass funerals. But Indian authorities now confiscate bodies of slain rebels and transport them to remote mountainous locations where they are quietly buried. By 2020 the current active rebel strength is between 165 and 180 - a considerable drop from the early 1990s when armed fighters ran in thousands. The numbers slowed down drastically in the early 2000s, after which street protests became more commonplace. Kashmir's security situation has gradually worsened since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in 2014, data show, raising a question mark over his hard-line Kashmiri policy. In August 2019, India revoked a 70-year-old constitutional provision, Article 370, which guaranteed a limited autonomy to the disputed region - home to about 12 million people. India's Hindu nationalist government also rushed thousands of additional troops to the region, which is already believed to host more than half a million Indian forces, making it one of the world's most militarised zones in the world. New Delhi's decision to disband the local legislative body has also alienated sections of politicians who were previously loyal to New Delhi. A rights group said 229 people have been killed during military operations in the Indian-administered Kashmir in the first half of 2020. The Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) said in its biannual report published on 02 July 2020 that the region witnessed the extrajudicial executions of at least 32 civilians, besides killings of 143 militants and 54 armed forces personnel from January 1 to June 30, 2020. At least 57 gunfights took place between government forces and the militants following search operations, the report added. The Kashmir conflict dates back to 1947 when India and Pakistan gained independence from British colonial rule. Both countries claim the Himalayan region in its entirety. The dispute is blamed for causing two of their three wars and in 1999 again brought the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war. Since the late 1980s, a widespread armed insurgency against the Indian army had been underway in India-administered Kashmir. Today, at least 250,000 Indian and over 100,000 Pakistani soldiers are stationed along the 1,000 kilometer Line of Control which divides Kashmir into Indian and Pakistani controlled parts. Over the decades, Pakistan's civlian leaders have sought a political resolution of the Kashmir problem, while Pakistan's military leaders have sought to resolve matters by the force of arms. By 2016 Pakistan's sivlian government had lost control of security policy, whch was firmly in the hands of the military. The militant uprising and subsequent Indian military crackdown since 1989 killed nearly 70,000 people. Many Kashmiri favor independence from both India and Pakistan. The Coalition of Civil Society, a local human rights group, reported and drew attention to thousands of mass graves in remote parts of Kashmir and demanded that the government investigate them to make clear who the dead were and how they were killed. The organization also wrote scathing reports on cases of brutality involving some of the hundreds of thousands of Indian troops in the region and highlighted the widespread powers granted to troops posted in the area, which led to a culture of impunity and widespread rights abuses. The Public Safety Act, which applies only in Jammu and Kashmir, permits state authorities to detain persons without charge or judicial review for up to two years without visitation from family members. Police in Jammu and Kashmir allegedly routinely employed arbitrary detention and denied detainees access to lawyers and medical attention. Pakistans powerful military does not want war with India, but it surely is not interested in better relations with India. Real peace would mean an end to the armys elite status as saviors of the country and possible reductions in its substantial economic power. In twenty years of fighting, Kashmir lost seventy to eighty thousand people, and politically achieved nothing. In 2019, neither India nor Pakistan wanted a large war. Both understand that the other's nuclear stockpile is sufficient to reduce their country to a "smoking radiating ruin". A small war is another matter. Pakistan's military is always vigilant against the danger that peace might break out, that the mad momentum of negotiations might reduce the intensity of conflict, and hence the political influence of the military. A new Pakistani Prime Minister, a political outsider elected with the support of the military, must be brought to heal lest he get too big for his britches. India's Naredra Modi faced general elections on 01 April 2019, and a splendid little war with Pakistan would mobilize his base and cause the country to rally around the flag. By April 2020 Indian and Pakistani troops in disputed Kashmir were engaged in their most frequent cross-border fighting for at least two years, official data shows, even as the nuclear-armed rivals battle surging coronavirus outbreaks. Indian Army data showed 411 ceasefire violations by Pakistan's military in March, the highest number in a single month since at least 2018. That compares with 267 violations in March last year recorded by the Indian Army. Pakistan's military had recorded 705 ceasefire violations by the Indian Army since the beginning of the year. The Indian Army data showed 1,197 Pakistani violations during the same period. As summer approaches, infiltration into Kashmir typically picks up. An Indian security official said between 250 and 300 fighters were estimated to be ready to cross over from Pakistan, citing intelligence reports. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 24 April 2025 - Day 1156 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively thwart the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him an effective fire effect, exhaustion throughout the frontline. In total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 133 encounters. Russian zagarbniki engaged 72 missiles of different types to strike and launched 72 aviation strikes using 125 cab. In addition, the Russians used 1223 kamikaze drones to impress and carried out 4,578 shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian opponent launched aerial strikes in the areas of the settlements of Ridkodub and Putnikove. In the Kupyans .komu direction, Russian forces made four assaults of the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of New Kruglyakivka, Zagrizovoy and towards Boguslavka. There is currently one confrontation in progress. In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian zagarbniki 14 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the New Well, Torsky, Yampolivka and in the direction of Olgivka, Ridkodub and the New Mir. At the moment, Ukrainian defenders repel four attacks of the opponent. The Defense Forces stopped seven offensive actions of the harbinger near Bilogorivka, towards Verkhnyokamiansky and Grigorivka in the Siversky direction. So far, one confrontation is being sharpened. In the direction of Kramators komu, there are currently 13 fighting in the areas of Chasovoy Yar, Andriyivka and towards the White Mountain, Predtecinyogo and Diliivka. One confrontation is ongoing so far. An aviation strike by controlled bombs was suffered by the settlement of Kramatorsk. In the Toretsky direction Russians 14 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. Efforts of the attack of the Russian occupiers concentrated in the areas of Toretsk, Leonidivka and towards Diliivka and Novospasky. Six clashes are currently underway. Since the beginning of this day in the Pokrovsk direction, Russians 51 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of populated areas Tarasivka, Suhiy Yar, Berezivka, Malinivka, Elizabethtivka, Lisivka, Kotline, Udaachne, Novosergiyivka, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Nadiivka, kotlyarivka, Andriyivka, as well as in the direction of poprovsk, Novopavlivka, Chunyshine, Oleksiyivka, Stara Nikolaivka, Romanivka, Peace sweetheart. So far, 12 clashes are ongoing. The settlements of Oleksandro-Kalinove, Mykolaivka, Yablunivka, Hrodivka, Dry Yar, Udaachne, Novomikolaivka, Zeleny Kut, Novopavlivka and Pokrovsk suffered aerial strikes. Defense forces deter Russian attacks, the Russian enemy suffers significant casualties - today 216 Russian invaders were defecated in this direction, 109 of them irrevocable. Also destroyed 12 units of automotive equipment, seven motorcycles, four BPLA antennas, two Murom-M observation complexes, five BPLAs and one satellite terminal. In the Novopavlovsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped eight Russian assaults of the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Konstantinopil, Privilne and towards Rozliv. At the same time, Russian forces made aviation strikes on the area of the settlement Bagatir. In the direction of Gulyaipil, Russian forces launched aviation strikes in the area of Gulyaypol. In the Orihivsky direction, Russian forces tried eight times to advance near the settlements of Novodanilivka, Mali Sherbaky, Stepovo, Sherbaky and towards Mala Tokmacka. One battle is being sharpened so far. An aviation strike was hit by the settlement Primorske. In the pridniprovs komu direction, Ukrainian warriors have successfully stopped three Russian attempts to advance. Defense Forces of Ukraine continue its operation in the Kursk direction, where Russian forces carried out 27 attacks of Ukrainian units during a day. Two clashes are currently underway. The Russian enemy launched 12 air strikes, dropping 18 guided bombs, and carried out 315 artillery shells, four of which were from reactive barrage systems. In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Russian Armed Forces delivered a massive strike by long-range air-, ground-, and sea-based precision weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles at the Ukrainian aviation, missile space, engineering, and armoured industry enterprises, as well as at facilities producing rocket fuel and gunpowder. The goals of the strike were achieved. All the targets were engaged. In Belgorod direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted damage on formations of three Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) mechanised brigades and one assault regiment close to Osovoyevka, Ugroyedy, Miropolskoye, Veliky Prikol and Petrushevka (Sumy region). The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) lost more than 45 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns. Elements of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and hit manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and one National Guard brigade near Kupyansk, Andreyevka, Druzhelyubovka, Petropavlovka, Kamenka (Kharkov region), Novoye, Kirovsk, and Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost up to 255 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, including one Turkish-made Kirpi armoured vehicle, five pickup trucks, three artillery guns, as well as five electronic warfare stations (Oktava-S, Bukovel-AD, Ankalav). Three enemy ammunition depots were destroyed. The Yug Group of Forces units improved the situation along the front line. They hit three mechanised brigades and one motorised infantry brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) , three territorial defence brigades, and one National Guard brigade close to Shcherbinovka, Petrovka, Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Zakotnoye, Chasov Yar, Ivanopolye, Konstantinovka, and Seversk (Donetsk People's Republic). Ukrainian armed formations lose up to 405 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns. One electronic warfare station and three ammunition depots have been neutralised. As a result of the intensive actions of the Tsentr Group's units, Bogdanovka (Donetsk People's Republic) has been liberated. The Group also hit manpower and hardware clusters of one heavy mechanised brigade, two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, one airmobile brigade, one UAV brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) , and one National Guard brigade near Novaya Poltavka, Lysovka, Vodyanskoye, Udachnoye, Krivirozhye (Donetsk People's Republic), and one Mezhevaya and Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). The enemy sustained losses of up to 410 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, six motor vehicles, and two artillery guns. The Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance to the depths of the enemy's defence; the Group inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one air assault brigade, one airmobile brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade close to Bogatyr, Novoukrainka, Volnoye Pole, and Zelenoye Pole (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy suffered losses of up to 155 troops, six motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, and two electronic warfare stations. Elements of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of one mechanised brigade and three coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Pavlovka, Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region), Ponyatovka, and Tokarevka (Kherson region). More than 70 troops, 12 motor vehicles, two artillery guns, two electronic warfare stations, and one ammunition depot have been neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted damage on infrastructure of military airfields, as well as temporary deployment areas of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 148 areas. Air defence systems destroyed four U.S.-made JDAM aerial bombs, as well as 230 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. Since the beginning of the special military operation, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 661 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 53,430 unmanned aerial vehicles, 604 anti-aircraft missile systems, 23,006 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,546 MLRS combat vehicles, 24,045 field artillery guns and mortars, 34,490 units of special military vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 25 April 2025 - Day 1157 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 overnight 23-24 April 2025, Russia conducted a large-scale multi-axis, multi-weapon strike package against Ukraine utilising Long Range Aviation (LRA) bombers as well as Black Sea Fleet vessels and Ground Force elements, predominantly targeting Kyiv and Kharkiv as well other cities across Ukraine. Russian forces launched at least 200 munitions, including One Way Attack Uncrewed Aerial Systems (OWA UAS), at least 10 Ballistic Missiles (both Russian indigenous and procured from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), their premier KODIAK Air Launched Cruise Missiles, and KALIBR Land Attack Cruise Missiles. This combination of munitions almost certainly sought to complicate and saturate Ukrainian Air Defence efforts. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 112 munitions, as well as interdicting others via electronic warfare. The KODIAK remains the pace-setting missile for Russian large scale strike packages, with the recent 30-day energy ceasefire allowing Russia to replenish its stocks, having been used only twice before this package since the beginning of March. Rebuilding its stockpile enables LRA to sit ready to conduct strikes such as these with little to no notice, at a time of Russia's choosing, as Russia continues normal strike operations. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively thwart the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him an effective fire effect, exhaustion throughout the frontline. In total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 116 boezitknen . Russian zagarbniki made 90 aviation strikes using 166 cab. In addition, the Russians used 1116 kamikaze drones to impress and carried out 4485 shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian opponent launched an aviation strike on the area of the settlement of Mala Vovcha. In the Kupians komu direction, the Russian enemy carried out four assaults of the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area of the new Kruglyakivka. In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day Russian zagarbniki 11 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians in the direction of Ridkoduba, Druzelubivka, Novosergiivka, New Peace, Serebryanka and near Novoyegorivka, New, Torsky. At the moment, Ukrainian defenders repel four attacks of the opponent. Defense Forces stopped two offensive actions of the Russian zagarbnikiv towards Grigorivka in the Siversky direction. In the Kramators komu direction, five clashes have been recorded in the area of Chasovoye Yar and in the direction of Markovoye and White Mountain. One fight is going on so far. In the Toretsky direction Russians attacked the positions of Defense Forces 13 times. The efforts of the attack were concentrated in the area of Dachny, Toretsk and in the direction of Plesh iyivka, Cherbinivka, Diliyivka. There is currently one confrontation in progress. Since the beginning of this day in the Pokrovsky direction, the Russians have tried 31 times to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Elizabethivka, Preobrazhenka, Andriyivka, Stara Nikolaivka, Lisivka, Kotline, Novooleksandrivka and in the direction of Mirolyubivka, Romanivka, Malinivka. Six clashes are ongoing so far. Defense forces deter Russian attacks, the Russian enemy suffers significant losses - today 137 invaders were defecated in this direction, 65 of them irrevocably. Also destroyed 13 units of automotive equipment, two motorcycles, two cannons, in addition, two cannons of Russian occupiers were damaged. In the Novopavlovsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped 12 Russian assaults of the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Konstantinopil, Vesele, Novosilka, Privilne and in the direction of Free Field, Odradny. Four more clashes are ongoing so far. Air strikes were suffered by Bagatyr, Novopil, Novodarivka and Oleksiivka. In the direction of Gulyaipil, Russian forces launched aviation strikes in the area of Gulyaypol. In the Orihivsky direction, Russian forces four times tried to advance near the settlements of Novodanilivka and Stepovo. In the Pridniprovsk direction, one battle with the Russian opponent took place. Aviation strikes were suffered by Cossack and Antonivka. Defense Forces of Ukraine continue its operation in the Kursk direction, where Russian forces conducted 25 attacks of Ukrainian units during a day. There is currently one confrontation in progress. Russian forces launched 12 air strikes, dropping 18 controlled bombs, and carried out 272 artillery shells, eight of which were from reactive salvage systems. In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gang Members Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy and Murdering Man They Misidentified as a Rival Gang Member Thursday, April 24, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Following a two-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted three Minnesota men yesterday for their involvement in the Highs a violent Minneapolis street gang and a gang-related murder on Aug. 7, 2021. "These defendants participated in a senseless murder and other acts of violence that terrorized their community," said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Department's Criminal Division. "Today's conviction sends a message to gang members in Minneapolis that there is no glory in gun violence. Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the Department is committed to prosecuting criminal enterprises that use violence and intimidation to exert power in our cities dismantling violent gangs and securing justice for the victims and their loved ones." "Minneapolis criminal street gangs have inflicted devastating harm on our community for far too long. Three years ago, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced our federal violent crime initiative to address the skyrocketing and completely unacceptable rates of violent crime in Minnesota," said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick for the District of Minnesota. "Since then, we have brought large RICO cases against three criminal street gangs charging them as the violent enterprises they are. Make no mistake: we will not stop. Criminal street gangs in Minneapolis will continue to see federal justice. The citizens of Minnesota the many victims of these crimes deserve no less." "This conviction sends a strong message that violent street gangs will not be tolerated in our communities," said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. "Through the power of the RICO statute, ATF agents, in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement, have been able to target the violent criminal activity of the Highs gang. This conviction is a direct result of the tireless work by our agents who are committed to dismantling these criminal organizations and ensuring that those who use violence to control neighborhoods are held accountable. ATF will continue to lead efforts to take down street gangs and protect the citizens of Minneapolis." "This was cold-blooded, calculated violence meant to control through fear," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. "They believed violence gave them powerbut today's conviction proves that justice is stronger. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, is committed to dismantling these criminal enterprises and holding violent offenders accountable. "Minneapolis has seen a significant drop in violent crime, especially gun violence, thanks to the outstanding work of MPD officers and our law enforcement partners. Most notably, the U.S. Attorney's Office has been instrumental in helping us target the small number of individuals driving violence, without causing harm to the broader communities we serve. Together, we're not just reducing crime we're rebuilding trust," said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. "The verdict marks a decisive victory in the fight against violent criminal organizations," said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. "Reducing violence in this community has required a change in tactics, and IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are perfectly poised to support our law enforcement partners in this effort. Our agents will continue to apply their financial expertise and investigative skills to bring justice to those who endanger our communities and threaten our way of life." According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Keon Pruitt, 22, Dantrell Johnson, 32, and Gregory Hamilton, 29, each of Minneapolis, were members of various "cliques," or subsets, of the Highs a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Evidence at trial proved that the Highs gang committed multiple murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies. As members of the Highs, the defendants were expected to retaliate against the rival Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue. On Aug. 7, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed by a Lows member at the Winner gas station, a Highs hangout. The following day, Highs members organized a memorial for the deceased member at the gas station, where they distributed firearms and encouraged each other to retaliate against Lows members for the murder. Defendants Pruitt, Johnson, and Hamilton were all in attendance at the memorial. Later that day, Johnson and Hamilton drove to a known Lows hangout Wally's Foods and shot a Lows associate, who survived his injuries. Approximately two hours later, Johnson, Hamilton, and Pruitt drove to Skyline Market, another known Lows hangout, to shoot another Lows member. Inside the market, they shot a man whom they mistakenly believed to be a Lows member which was captured on the store's cameras. The victim ran for his life from the store and into the street. Pruitt, who was driving two juvenile members in a stolen Porsche, let the juveniles out of the car. The juvenile members then chased the victim into a nearby alley and fatally shot him. The victim was shot at least eight times. The jury convicted Prutt, Johnson, and Hamilton of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence resulting in death. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This is the first of several trials scheduled in this case, which charged a total of 28 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Sixteen defendants are pending trial. The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, Dakota County Sheriff's Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation. Trial Attorney Brian Lynch of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Lopez-Calhoun, Albania Concepcion, and Rebecca Kline for the District of Minnesota tried this case. Topic: Violent Crime Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Violent Crime and Racketeering Section Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) USAO - Minnesota Press Release Number: 25-425 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Three Members of an International Money Laundering Organization Charged with Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds Thursday, April 24, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A federal grand jury in Florence, South Carolina, returned an indictment on April 22, charging Nasir Ullah, 28, and Naim Ullah, 32, both of Sumter, South Carolina, and Puquan Huang, 49, of Buford, Georgia, with conspiring to launder millions of dollars of proceeds derived from drug trafficking. "As alleged in the indictment, the defendants laundered tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds from the United States through China and the Middle East, enabling a continuous flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our country from Mexico," said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "Dismantling transnational criminal organizations and Chinese Money Laundering Organizations that support them is a critical priority for the Department. Alongside DEA and our local law enforcement partners, we will continue to prosecute the financial networks that fuel illegal drug trade and profit from the sale of deadly substances." "We are committed to dismantling criminal organizations that seek to profit through the distribution of dangerous drugs like cocaine and fentanyl across South Carolina and beyond," said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. "This $30 million money laundering operation, which has international ties, was conducted in multiple communities in our state. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to trace these illicit funds, disrupt these networks, and hold those involved accountable for the harm they present." "Cases like this exemplify the value of partnerships," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the DEA Atlanta Division. "The volume of dangerous drugs, including deadly fentanyl, impacts our communities beyond comprehension. This investigation and subsequent arrests demonstrate DEA's commitment to protecting our community by destroying these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations." According to court documents, unsealed today, Ullah, Naim Ullah, and Huang allegedly worked for a money laundering organization that laundered at least $30 million in proceeds related to the distribution of illegal drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, which were unlawfully imported into the United States, typically through Mexico. Ullah, Naim Ullah, Huang, and their co-conspirators allegedly traveled throughout the United States to collect drug proceeds. They communicated with co-conspirators in China to arrange for the laundering of these proceeds through transactions designed to conceal the illegal source of the proceeds, including disguising the source of the drug proceeds by moving money through the shipment of electronic goods to China and the Middle East. Ullah, Naim Ullah, and Huang are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The DEA's Charleston, South Carolina Resident Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the DEA's Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit; DEA's Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA's offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Atlanta; the FBI's offices in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina; the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations; the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; the Sumter County Sheriff's Office; the South Carolina Highway Patrol; the Fort Mill Police Department; the York County Sheriff's Office; the North Charleston Police Department; the Mount Pleasant Police Department; and the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Trial Attorneys Mary K. Daly and Jasmin Salehi Fashami of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett E. McMillian for the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case. The Third and Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Offices of South Carolina provided assistance in this case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topic: Drug Trafficking Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) USAO - South Carolina Press Release Number: 25-427 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China successfully launches Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship; mission features technical improvements and new life science experiments Global Times By Zhang Wanshi in Jiuquan and Fan Wei in Beijing Published: Apr 24, 2025 05:39 PM The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China, atop the Long March-2F carrier rocket on 5:17 pm on Thursday, carrying taikonauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie to China's space station. Following a flight of around 10 minutes, Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The launch day of Shenzhou-20 also coincides with China's 10th Space Day. China designated April 24 as its Space Day in 2016 to mark the successful launch of its first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, on April 24, 1970. The mission's primary objectives include completing an in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-19 crew, staying at the space station for approximately six months, carrying out experiments in space science and applications and performing extravehicular activities and cargo in and out tests. After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-20 spaceship will require about 6.5 hours to perform its automated rendezvous and docking with the radial port of the space station core module Tianhe, thereby forming a combination of three modules and three spacecraft, according to Lin Xiqiang, a spokesperson of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), on Wednesday. Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's manned space program, and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station. The crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in North China in late October this year. Technical improvements As one of the key enhancements of this mission, Long March 2F rocket, which had its maiden flight in 1999, has undergone 32 technical improvements in this mission - ranging from data transmission to flight monitoring, from manufacturing process enhancements to reliability upgrades, the Global Times learned from China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. In this mission, the telemetry system of the Long March-2F rocket uses 5Mbps bitrate transmission technology for the first time, which improves the reliable transmission capability of key data. In the past, some critical data during the rocket's normal flight had to be stored in a "black box" and retrieved for analysis only after the return capsule landed. Now, with a transmission rate of 5 Mbps, the system can transmit the equivalent of about 100 pages of scanned A4 documents per second, enabling real-time measurement and downlink of flight data throughout the entire mission, according to the academy. The productized high-definition image measurement scheme was also adopted on the rocket, realizing 100 percent of domestic software and hardware construction and improving the accuracy of real-time judgment of flight status. With the space station entering regular operation, the Long March 2F rocket will continue to carry out launch missions twice per year. Moving forward, the model team will further enhance work efficiency by focusing on the improvement of digital and information-based tools and methods, providing solid support for the station's sustained operations. Additionally, during the development of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, its payload space was optimized, leading to an increase of approximately 20 percent in available capacity for outbound cargo. This enhancement further boosts the spacecraft's uplink capability, allowing for the delivery of more critical supplies to the space station, the Global Times learned from China Academy of Space Technology. For this mission, the most notable highlight at the launch site is collecting data with cameras and sensors on the tower and some key locations and critical equipment, Lei Fugui from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center told the Global Times. "The backend distributes and processes the data. When the rocket is scheduled to be launched,we can quickly respond to the emergencies, ensuring all tasks can be carried out smoothly," Lei said. New experimental projects The initial plan of the mission is to carry out more than 20 new experimental projects in aeromedicine, including research on the digestive system of the human body, micro-ecology and neurocognition, to more accurately establish protection methods against weightlessness, conduct early warning of radiation risks in space, and conduct research on microbial characteristics changes in space, Wang Chunhui from Astronaut Center of China said during a press conference. Three research objects - zebrafish, planarians, and Streptomyces - will be used in a set of life science experiments in China's space station during the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceflight mission, as the regeneration experiment of planarian in space is the first of its kind in China. As China's first space experiment involving planarians, the Shenzhou-20 mission will study the effects of space on planarian regeneration using head, middle and tail segments, with potential applications in addressing space-related health issues and aging on Earth, Cang Huaixing, professor at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times. When bisected, each piece of planarians can regenerate muscles, skin, intestines, and even a complete brain. Studying planarians provides valuable insights into how human cells might overcome aging and delay degeneration, Cang said. Besides, a 30-day experiment involving six adult male zebrafish will be conducted in orbit, Cang added. By studying the effects of microgravity on protein homeostasis in vertebrates, the research aims to clarify how protein homeostasis regulates bone mass decrease and cardiovascular dysfunction caused by microgravity, and explore protective strategies for future long-term human space missions. In addition to the three biological experiments mentioned above, 59 space science experiments and technology tests will also be conducted in the fields of space life sciences, microgravity physical sciences, and new space technologies, during the in-orbit period of the Shenzhou-20 crew, the spokesperson Lin introduced. Breakthroughs are expected in areas including the cultivation of vascularized brain organoid chips, the non-equilibrium dynamics of soft matter, and the space-based preparation of high-temperature superconducting materials. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 25, 2025: Two years ago the Baltic States, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, increased their defense spending and aimed for three percent of GDP on their armed forces. A more dramatic action was severing economic ties with Russia. For 65 years Estonia and the other Baltic States received their electrical power from Russia. In early 2025 the Baltic States switched to the European electricity network. This left the Russian Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad, formerly German Konigsberg, isolated from Russian power supplies. This enclave now depends on new coal and gas fired power plants with coal and liquid natural gas shipped in from Russia. This enclave is also a base for Russian retaliation against the Baltic States. This is in the form of Russian merchant ships dragging their anchors along the seafloor to break or damage electrical or communications cables. With Russian forces tied down in Ukraine, Baltic States military and police forces boarded the offending Russian ships and encouraged the crews to cease their mischief. This dramatic switch from Russian to European energy sources included rearming with western weapons. Estonia led the way by dramatically increasing orders for new military equipment. Estonia is spending $14.5 billion over a decade to increase munitions stockpiles and obtain modern weapons. These include Israeli Harpy loitering munitions and Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles/ATGMs, which are on order. Blue Spear land-based anti-ship missiles arrived in 2024. These have a range of 290 kilometers and Estonia is launching them from trucks. These mobile missile launchers can be moved around, making them more difficult to hit with airstrikes. Estonia ordered 36 K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea and all have been delivered. Six HIMARS vehicles and a large supply of the guided missiles these vehicles carry have arrived. Several hundred wheeled armored personnel carriers were purchased to replace the trucks many infantry units now use. The currently recommended NATO goal is two percent of GDP for defense but Estonia and the other Baltic states have exceeded that because of the Ukraine war. That means air defense systems were upgraded with new radars and fire control systems for new anti-aircraft missile systems. These include the Polish Piorun for going after low flying threats and the German IRIS-T for more distant and higher flying aircraft and missiles. The size of the Estonian active-duty armed forces was increased from 26,000 to 36,000. Estonia is a small country with a population of 1.3 million and a GDP of $44 billion. That means per-capita GDP is $46,000. Poland and the Baltic States made an extraordinary, in terms of financial cost, effort to assist Ukraine during the first six weeks of the war. For example, tiny Estonia spent about 0.8 percent of its annual GDP to support Ukraine during those six weeks. Most of the aid went to processing and hosting Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian attacks on their homes. By late 2022 Ukrainians and their NATO supporters were planning for what comes after the war. By 2025 Russian troops were on the run and Russia had few options left. Estonia is convinced that Russia will try again and the next time Estonia might be the target. This is not a new problem. Back in 2016 the Baltic States asked for some American troops. Not enough to halt a Russian invasion, just enough to ensure that the Americans and their NATO allies, or at least some of them would intervene if Russia did attack. The Baltic States already have a mutual defense guarantee from NATO in the form of NATO membership. But that is not enough and what has been asked for, and granted, are some American troops in each of these nations. The response was to send one reinforced battalion to each of the Baltic States. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the Americans have put more personnel, most of them support troops, in Poland and the Baltic States. The Baltic States and neighboring Poland join a growing list of nations who, threatened by dangerous neighbors, have agreed, and often asked to host American troops. The first and most obvious examples of this are South Korea, Japan and Germany. This form of defense has been quietly followed by a number of nations in the Middle East, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates/UAE. All of these Persian Gulf nations want the Americans around to keep the Iranians out. But it is not just the Iranians. Inside Iraq there have been American troops in northern Iraq to protect the autonomous Kurdish majority up there from the Arab majority since the early 1990s. This form of security is also called a tripwire force because, if the host nation is attacked, the presence of some U.S. troops means that a lot of U.S. reinforcements will promptly arrive. Several other nations are seeking this form of security guarantee but are not getting it, at least not yet. This includes Ukraine and Georgia. The United States is the favored source of these armed hostages because the U.S. is a superpower and, compared to all the alternatives, the least likely to take advantage of the situation. Pakistan starts preliminary selection of astronaut candidates for China Space Station crewed spaceflight mission: SUPARCO deputy director Global Times By Deng Xiaoci in Shanghai Published: Apr 24, 2025 09:54 AM China and Pakistan in February signed a cooperation agreement on spaceflight of a Pakistani astronaut on China Space Station, the first time for a foreign astronaut, marking a new chapter of China-Pakistan aerospace cooperation. Updating on the process, Amjad Ali, deputy director general of SUPARCO, Pakistan's national space agency, revealed to the Global Times that they have started preliminary selection in Pakistan and they will select about 10 to 15 candidates. "We will select about 10 to 15 candidates. And then they will be further shortlisted to two before they undergo through trainings in China for six months to a year. After the training there will be one candidate to fly into space," Ali told the Global Times on the sideline of the International Conference on Developers of the International Lunar Research Station, a seminar held in Shanghai on Wednesday, as part of the national celebration of the 10th Space Day of China that falls on Thursday. It will be China's first foreign astronaut and Pakistan's first astronaut, so it is a big event for both sides, Ali hailed. Earlier on Wednesday, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that China will select and train two Pakistani astronauts for space missions, with one slated to serve as a payload specialist on a future Chinese space station flight, Xinhua reported. Lin Xiqiang, a CMSA spokesperson addressed a Wednesday press conference that the selected Pakistani astronaut will conduct scientific experiments designed by Pakistan while performing regular crew responsibilities when in orbit. The selection process for Pakistani astronauts is underway following the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement in late February, Lin said. The selection involves a three-round procedure that includes a preliminary selection phase in Pakistan, and secondary and final selection phases in China, Lin said. Lin noted that China is currently engaged in discussions with other nations regarding potential foreign astronaut participation in the country's future space station missions. China has announced that its first astronauts from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, selected as payload specialists, are on track to make their inaugural spaceflight as early as 2026, Lin said at the conference. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australian eyes in the sky By Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan 24 April 2025 During April 2025, a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol crew deployed to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, for Operation Argos. The deployment reaffirms Australia's commitment to enforcing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea. It is also a critical component of Australia's broader effort to prevent illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods. While operating from Kadena Air Base, the P-8A Poseidon conducted aerial surveillance missions, contributing to regional security and supporting international sanctions enforcement. Squadron Leader Joshua Wyatt, of 11 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, was the Operation Argos detachment commander. "The objective of Operation Argos is to work with our partner nations to implement UNSC sanctions against North Korea, to help ensure compliance with the rules-based system," Squadron Leader Wyatt said. "Contributing capability with our partner nations ensures our continued ability to operate together and to deter other rogue actors from engaging in actions that are detrimental to the international community and the rules-based system." Flying Officer Oliver Hodgson, of 11 Squadron, is a maritime patrol response officer on the deployment. "My role in the crew is the mission command of the aircraft as we fly through the area, managing the collection priorities, the sensors and the backend crew to ensure we achieve the required outcomes," Flying Officer Hodgson said. Since 2018, Australia has deployed RAAF maritime patrol aircraft 15 times and Royal Australian Navy vessels 12 times under Operation Argos. "The Poseidon is a fantastic piece of kit for maritime awareness. We've got a highly advanced sensor suite consisting of radar, electronic support measures, and electro-optical and infrared cameras," Flying Officer Hodgson said. "The crew is a part of that, as well as a very highly trained asset, and we work very hard to make sure we use the P-8A to the very best of our ability. "Our ability to go out and clear a search area is unparalleled amongst maritime patrol aircraft." "Operating out of Kadena Air Base with the United States Air Force has provided us with a lot of integration opportunities that we otherwise wouldn't get in Australia," Flying Officer Hodgson said. "Integrating with our partners, the United States and Japan, allows us to test our procedures to achieve our job better in a peacetime environment. "Okinawa is a really fantastic place; the mixing pot of Japanese culture here is fantastic. You get a lot of the mainland culture, but also a very specific Okinawan culture. The ability to visit here, see a different part of the world, and really experience the Japanese culture and lifestyle has been fantastic." Squadron Leader Wyatt was proud of the deployed team's efforts and levels of professionalism. "The current deployment has been really productive; the aircraft and crew have performed well in what is one of the busiest areas of marine activity in the world," he said. "The support and professionalism of the maintainers, intelligence, admin, logistic and operations teams have all been instrumental in ensuring that the crew is able to achieve the great results they are achieving every flight. I have been extremely lucky to be deployed with such a great team." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia hands over command to Egypt By Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring 24 April 2025 Australia handed over command of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) task force responsible for maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to the Egyptian Navy on April 9. Royal Australian Navy Captain Jorge McKee handed over command of Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) to Egyptian Navy Commodore Mohamed Rasmy at a ceremony presided over by Commander of CMF, United States Navy Vice Admiral George Wikoff, at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. During his six months in command, Captain McKee led the task force in pursuit of its core maritime security mission, building upon the strong foundations of previous Italian, Egyptian and US commands. Under Captain McKee's leadership, the task force, comprising 44 officers from 13 nations, collaborated closely with other CMF task forces, the Joint Maritime Information Centre and US Navy Task Forces 55 and 59 to enhance maritime security in the Red Sea and wider Gulf region. In collaboration with Task Force 59, CTF 153 conducted CMF's first operational employment of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), deploying four of the high-tech craft from February until April to patrol vital shipping routes. Captain McKee also represented CMF internationally, engaging and briefing military and diplomatic leaders from every inhabited continent. "In CTF 153 our role has been to shine a light on the unseen, to find those who hide in the shadows and who exploit that darkness for just one reason - because they profit from it," Captain McKee said. "We have recently witnessed the consequences of long shadows over the sea. From spikes in shipping costs inflating the price of our daily needs, to the narcotics smuggled across the ocean and into our cities. Uncertainty and insecurity at sea here reaches right into homes across the world." Captain McKee acknowledged Vice Admiral Wikoff for his leadership of CMF and thanked all CMF task forces, as well as the crews of the aircraft and ships that patrolled for CTF 153. "As Commander CTF 153, I'm sure Commodore Rasmy will continue to shine a light on illicit activity and show that all CMF partner nations are ready together in the pursuit of common security, stability and prosperity," he said. "I am extremely confident Commodore Mohamed Rasmy of the Egyptian Navy will take CTF 153 to new heights, ably supported by his staff of expert Egyptian, Korean and Australian mariners." Commodore Rasmy acknowledged Captain McKee and his command team for their efforts to hand over the command of CTF 153. "Recently, maritime security has seen rapid changes with threats becoming numerous and hybrid, so the new maritime security agenda requires cooperation as a part of an interconnected security complex with strong links between land and sea," he said. "From my perspective, nothing will be secure without maritime security. "CTF 153, as a part of CMF, is a non-state-facing taskforce that counters illicit and malign activities in the high seas in accordance with international law. "My desired end state is to enhance regional cooperation and to reassure the shipping industry by utilising the communication channels and tools CMF offers." Captain McKee is the ninth Royal Australian Navy officer to have commanded a CMF task force and the first to command CTF 153. Established on April 17, 2022, CTF 153 is one of five task forces under CMF. Its mission is to deter and impede illicit non-state actors in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden. CTF 153's area of responsibility includes some of the world's most important shipping lanes, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean and the greater Middle East region. CMF, a 46-nation naval partnership headquartered in Bahrain, is the world's largest multinational naval partnership. It is committed to upholding the rules-based international order at sea, promoting security, stability and prosperity across about 3.2 million square miles of international waters, including crucial shipping lanes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus: Experts alarmed at reports of coercive psychiatric treatment as punishment for political dissent Press releases Special Procedures 24 April 2025 GENEVA -- Independent human rights experts* today raised serious concerns about an alleged practice of Belarusian criminal courts transferring accused persons to coercive psychiatric treatment in retaliation for their exercise of civil and political rights. "We have received reports about at least 33 individuals, including five women, transferred for coercive psychiatric treatment because they expressed dissent with the authorities since the beginning of the political crisis around the 2020 presidential elections," the experts said. "The oldest known person transferred for such treatment is aged 77," they said. The experts warned that this highly irregular penalty could amount to inhuman or degrading punishment and that some of the criminal charges brought against those individuals suggest that their prosecution and transfer to mental health institutions may amount to violations of civil and political rights, including the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of peaceful assembly. The charges include participation in protests (article 342 of the Criminal Code), insulting the President (article 368 of the Criminal Code), insulting a representative of the authorities (article 369 of the Criminal Code), terrorism (article 289 of the Criminal Code) and promoting extremist activities (article 361-4 of the Criminal Code). "Forced psychiatric treatment is a threat to freedom of opinion as medication and electric shocks could be used to control or diminish mental faculties. Forced psychiatric treatment is a direct attack on freedom of opinion which is an absolute right that cannot be restricted under any circumstance," the experts noted. "The process leading to a transfer for compulsory psychiatric treatment lacks transparency and raises serious doubts about whether such transfers are motivated by medical or political considerations," the experts said. They noted that trials culminating in transfers to mental hospitals allegedly happened behind closed doors. The experts also expressed concern about the fate of those transferred for coercive treatment. The persons concerned are reportedly held incommunicado in mental health institutions under the unrestricted power of the head physician. Unlike prisoners in penitentiary institutions, they are deprived of liberty for indefinite periods of time and cannot request a pardon or release on parole. "According to reports received, eight persons transferred for coercive psychiatric treatment have been released. At least 25 others remain incommunicado, and no information is available about their fate or whereabouts, raising concerns about their possible enforced disappearances," the experts said. The experts recalled that the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in its jurisprudence has underscored that the involuntary psychiatric treatment of individuals on the basis of their political beliefs or freedom of expression constitutes a grave violation of human rights and international law. "The deployment of psychiatric institutions as instruments of repression not only undermines the integrity of mental healthcare but also erodes the fundamental principles of justice and the rule of law," they said. "The shameful practice of so-called punitive psychiatry violates the sanctity of human dignity, as enshrined in international human rights instruments." "We call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately ensure that these individuals can access legal counsel of their choosing and are provided with effective remedies to challenge their deprivation of liberty," they said. The experts have been in contact with the Government of Belarus on these issues. *The experts: Nils Muiznieks, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus; Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grazyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair); Aua Balde, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Perez, Mohammed Al-Obaidi (members), Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstic, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association; Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Ms. Ganna Yudkivska (Chair-Rapporteur), Mr. Matthew Gillett (Vice-Chair on Communications), Ms. Miriam Estrada Castillo (Vice-Chair on Follow-Up), and Mr. Mumba Malila, Working Group on arbitrary detention. Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese Commerce Ministry says any claim about progress in China-US trade talks is purely speculation, in response to US officials' claims about negotiations Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 24, 2025 04:24 PM At a press conference of the Chinese Commerce Ministry on Thursday, a reporter noted that the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that trade war with China is unsustainable, and the US President said that he would not play hardball with China. The reporter asked whether China will engage in trade talks with the US, as other countries like Japan did. In response, He Yadong, spokesperson for the Chinese Commerce Ministry, said that China has noted the reports, but no trade negotiations between China and the US are currently underway. "Any claim about progress in China-US trade talks is purely speculation and has no factual basis," he said, stressing that while China remains open to dialogue, any negotiations must be based on mutual respect and conducted on an equal footing. He said China does not seek conflict but is not afraid of it. "Pressure, threats, and coercion are not the right way to engage with China," he said, adding that the trade war was unilaterally provoked by the US. He urged Washington to correct its mistakes, show sincerity if it wants to talk and return to the track of equal and constructive dialogue to help bring China-US economic and trade relations back onto a stable, healthy, and sustainable path. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Refuting US Treasury Secretary's claim of China's economic model 'harming entire world,' Chinese FM says it is US tariffs that harm people worldwide Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 24, 2025 03:54 PM Asked to comment on US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's assertion that "China's current economic model is built on exporting its way out of its economic troubles. It's an unsustainable model that is not only harming China, but the entire world," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Thursday that the fact we have witnessed is that the US side's indiscriminate imposition of tariffs severely undermines WTO rules and harms the common interests of people worldwide. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese military will deepen and expand its participation in UN peacekeeping operations: Defense Spokesperson Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Military Online EditorChen Zhuo 2025-04-24 18:01:21 BEJING, April 24 -- "Chinese military will continue to deepen and expand its participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKOs), and contribute more to the implementation of the Global Security Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang at a regular press conference on Thursday. The spokesperson introduced that since its first deployment 35 years ago, the Chinese military has participated in 25 peacekeeping missions, and dispatched over 50,000 personnel to more than 20 countries and regions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and South Sudan. Chinese peacekeepers completed tasks such as mine clearance and explosive ordinance disposal, medical treatment, security escorts, and protection of civilians. China's Blue Helmets have stepped forward for world peace with courage and persistence in despite of difficulties and dangers. And, 17 Chinese peacekeepers, including Liu Mingfang, Du Zhaoyu and Shen Liangliang, have made their ultimate sacrifice for the UN peacekeeping cause. The spokesperson continued that it's the Chinese military's objective to preserve peace and protect the people. China is the largest troop contributor to UNPKOs among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping assessments. The Chinese military maintains an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force, which consists of 28 units in 10 categories, such as infantry, medical and rapid response units. The Chinese military has conducted exchanges and cooperation on peacekeeping with over 90 countries and 10 international and regional organizations. "We have built 'Shared' series, an international brand of peacekeeping operations. As we speak, approximately 1,800 Chinese peacekeepers are executing tasks in the UN headquarters and seven mission areas," said the spokesperson, adding that the Chinese military will continue to deepen and expand its participation in UNPKOs, and contribute more to the implementation of the Global Security Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China urges Japan to stop hyping up Chinese military's operations: Defense Spokesperson Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Military Online EditorLi Jiayao 2025-04-24 21:28:57 BEIJING, April 24 -- "The Chinese military's operations in relevant waters and airspace are in line with international law and practices, and do not target any specific entity," said a Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday. Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when asked to comment on the recent statement of the Japanese defense minister and the Japanese defense ministry. The Japanese defense minister reportedly claimed that the Chinese military drones operate frequently near Japan's airspace and are expanding their flying zone, which has caused concerns among the Japanese side and the international community. He also said that the Japanese side will take comprehensive measures for vigilance and reconnaissance. The Japanese defense ministry said that the number of emergency scrambles conducted in response to Chinese military drones in 2024 more than doubled year-on-year. "The Chinese military's operations in relevant waters and airspace are in line with international law and practices, and do not target any specific entity. They are aimed at enhancing our capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests," said the spokesperson, noting that there is absolutely no need for the Japanese side to be paranoid and over-worried. The spokesperson said that China requires the Japanese side to stop its hype and stop monitoring and disrupting operations of the Chinese side. "This will help avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, prevent accidents at sea and in the air, and avert negative impacts on the relationship between the two countries and two militaries." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China blames US perceptions for stalled military exchanges Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Daily EditorChen Zhuo 2025-04-24 22:05:19 The current obstacles to military exchanges between China and the United States stem from biased perceptions held by some in Washington, a Chinese defense spokesman said on Thursday, accusing US officials of exaggerating the so-called "China military threat." Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks in response to recent comments by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who reportedly said that China is building a military designed to destroy the United States and that its hypersonic missiles could wipe out all US aircraft carriers within 20 minutes. "Non-conflict, non-confrontation, and peaceful coexistence are the most fundamental common interests of China and the United States and the general expectation of people around the world," Zhang said. He added that China is confident in the path of its own development and urged the US to stop viewing others through a lens of hostility. "We hope the US side does not have a 'persecution complex,' always using others as an excuse," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on April 24, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: April 24, 2025 18:31 Phoenix TV: We've been hearing the U.S. say that China and the U.S. are having talks and even about to reach a deal. Can you confirm whether the two sides are in talks? Guo Jiakun: None of that is true. For all I know, China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal. This tariff war is launched by the U.S. China's position is consistent and clear: We will fight, if fight we must. Our doors are open, if the U.S. wants to talk. Dialogue and negotiation must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. China News Service: It's reported that during the state visit to China by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, China and Azerbaijan signed a mutual visa exemption agreement. What is China's comment on this? Guo Jiakun: China and Azerbaijan are good friends treating each other with sincerity and trust, and good partners who see each other as equals and pursue mutual benefit. Under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, the two countries have seen ever-deepening cooperation in various areas. During President Aliyev's visit to China, the two governments officially signed the agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports. This will further facilitate cross-border travel, build closer bond between the two peoples, and deepen the China-Azerbaijan comprehensive strategic partnership. AFP: A U.S. army intelligence analyst was sentenced to seven-year imprisonment on Wednesday for providing sensitive defense information to China, including documents about weapon systems and military tactics. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this? Guo Jiakun: I'm not familiar with what you mentioned. Global Times: It's reported that in a recent statement, the Philippines asserted that no permission was sought from, nor granted by, China for the conduct of its resupply mission to Ren'ai Jiao on March 4 and said that it does not recognize Beijing's authority over Ren'ai Jiao. What's China's response? Guo Jiakun: China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, which include Ren'ai Jiao, and their adjacent waters. China's position on how to handle the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao is clear and consistent. First, by keeping its warship grounded at Ren'ai Jiao for decades running, the Philippines has been violating China's sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). We demand that the Philippines tow away the warship. Second, between now and when the warship is towed away, should the Philippines need to send living necessities, China is willing to allow it in a humanitarian spirit if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. Third, if the Philippines were to send large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempt to build fixed facilities or permanent outpost, China will absolutely not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with the law and regulations. On the basis of the above principled position, last July, China reached provisional arrangement with the Philippines on humanitarian resupply of living necessities. Since then, based on the provisional arrangement, the Philippine side has conducted seven resupply missions of living necessities. The entire process was monitored by China Coast Guard. China had been informed of the resupply before it was carried out, and confirmed on-the-scene that the Philippine vessel carried only humanitarian living necessities. The Chinese side will continue to firmly defend China's sovereignty and rights and interests. We urge the Philippines not to take for granted China's active effort to get the situation at sea under control, honor its commitments, and stop flip-flopping on them and creating troubles. AFP: We are seeing reports that Manila's National Security Council today said that there were indications of China's possible interference in the Philippines' elections in May. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this? Guo Jiakun: China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries' domestic affairs. We have no interest in interfering in Philippine elections. Reuters: Is China planning to send anyone to the Pope's funeral and if so, who will attend? Guo Jiakun: I have no information to share at the moment. Beijing Youth Daily: It was reported that giant pandas He Feng and Lan Yun arrived at Schonbrunn Zoo in Austria yesterday as a continuation of China-Austria cooperation on giant panda research. This is also the first international cooperation project on giant panda conservation launched in 2025. What is your comment? Guo Jiakun: We learned that giant pandas He Feng and Lan Yun arrived at Schonbrunn Zoo in Austria on the afternoon of April 23, Beijing time, marking the start of a new round of China-Austria cooperation on giant panda conservation and renewing the 20-plus years of "panda friendship" between the two peoples. As the first international cooperation project on giant panda conservation launched this year, China-Austria cooperation on giant panda conservation fully illustrates a sound cooperation mechanism built by the two countries and fruitful outcomes it has yielded. Giant panda is not only a national treasure of China but also emissaries and bridges for friendship. Giant panda conservation is not only a shining hallmark of China's ecological conservation and a successful story of global wildlife conservation, but also instrumental in enhancing people-to-people friendship. China is ready to work with international partners to continue our exchanges and cooperation in the protection of giant pandas and other endangered species, and make even greater contributions to global ecological conservation. AFP: Boeing CEO confirmed on Wednesday that China had stopped accepting new aircraft due to the U.S.-China trade war. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this and do you have a comment on this? Guo Jiakun: I'd refer you to competent authorities on that. Reuters: The People's Bank of China governor and the Finance Minister are reportedly in Washington for the IMF meeting. Are there any meetings planned with members of the Trump administration while they're in Washington? Guo Jiakun: China has released information about Chinese delegation's attendance at the relevant meeting. As for your specific question, I'd refer you to competent authorities. Reuters: The South Korea government expressed concerns yesterday about the Chinese fishing structure in the Yellow Sea. Is there any comment from the Foreign Ministry? Guo Jiakun: We have made clear China's position on this issue multiple times. As for the remarks made by the ROK that you just mentioned, I would like to point out that what China set up in the provisional measures zone (PMZ) are the aquaculture facilities. And relevant activities of China are consistent with China's domestic law and international law. They do not contravene China-ROK Fishery Agreement and have nothing to do with maritime delimitation. China is ready to continue to strengthen dialogue and communication with the ROK to properly handle relevant issues. NHK: I also have a question about tariffs. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration may reduce tariffs on Chinese imports in some cases by more than half. Additionally, President Trump said it depends on China how soon the tariffs can come down. What is your reaction to this news and statement? Guo Jiakun: I just made clear China's position. Let me stress again that this tariff war is launched by the U.S., and China's attitude is consistent and clear. If a negotiated solution is truly what the U.S. wants, it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing China, and seek dialogue based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. AFP: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that Beijing's export reliant economic model is unsustainable and harms both China and the rest of the world. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this? Guo Jiakun: The truth, which is clear to all, is that the U.S. tariffs are seriously undermining the WTO rules and harming the common interests of all countries. Reuters: South Korea said that DeepSeek is transferring user data and prompts without consent out of the country. Any comment from the Foreign Ministry? Guo Jiakun: I'm not familiar with the exact situation that you mentioned, but let me stress that the Chinese government takes data privacy and security very seriously and protects it in accordance with the law. We have never asked and will never ask any company or individual to collect or store data for the Chinese government against laws. China has all along opposed moves to overstretch the concept of national security or politicize trade and tech issues. Meanwhile, we will also firmly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK state energy company will not source solar panels made with slave labor from China Government issues amendment to bill for new state power producer after criticism from opposition and own party. By Alim Seytoff for RFA Uyghur 2025.04.24 -- The British government says a new state-owned renewable energy company will not be allowed to source solar panels made with Chinese slave labor. The government announced Wednesday that it will introduce an amendment to ensure that the planned company, Great British Energy, will not have slavery in its supply chains. China is the dominant global player in the renewable energy market including solar energy. The BBC cited customs data that Britain imports more than 40% of its solar photovoltaics from China. A key component is polysilicon sourced from the Xinjiang region in China's far west, where minority Uyghur Muslims have faced persecution including use of their forced labor. In 2021, the U.S. Labor Department listed polysilicon as a product made with forced labor in China in violation of international standards. The British government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer had initially rejected an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill to include provisions to prevent purchase of solar panels made with slave labor. However, on Wednesday, it changed track. "Great British Energy will act to secure supply chains that are free of forced labor, under an amendment brought forward by the government today," the Department of Energy Security said in a news release. It said a new measure in the bill "will enable the company to ensure that forced labor does not take place in its business or its supply chains." The opposition Conservative Party described it as a "humiliating U-turn" for Ed Miliband, the secretary of state for energy and climate change, but it was also supported by some members of the ruling Labour Party. Rahima Mahmut, executive director of the activist group Stop Uyghur Genocide, welcomed the amendment, posting on X that it was a "massive step toward justice." Forced labor is on a long list of serious human rights problems that have been documented in Xinjiang and is cited along with the incarceration of an estimated 1.8 million people in detention camps since 2017 and forced birth control by the U.S. government and others as evidence of genocide of the Uyghurs. China denies the rights abuses. Edited by Mat Pennington. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China To Lift EU Sanctions In Move To Repair Ties With Brussels By Reid Standish April 24, 2025 China and the European Parliament are in the "final stages" of discussions about removing sanctions on its lawmakers as part of a move to open the door for mended relations between Beijing and the bloc. "Discussions with the Chinese authorities are continuing and in their final stages," a spokesperson for the European parliament told RFE/RL. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola "will first inform group leaders once the Chinese authorities officially confirm that sanctions have been lifted," the spokesperson added. "It has always been the European Parliament's intention to have the sanctions lifted and resume relations with China." The discussions to lift sanctions come as Beijing tries to make inroads against the backdrop of an unfolding trade war with US President Donald Trump's administration. In the face of 145 percent tariffs from the United States, China's largest export market, Beijing is now looking to improve relations with the European Union after years of strained ties with the 27-country bloc. Beijing implemented the sanctions back in 2021 against several members of European Parliament (MEPs) after Brussels had used measures of its own on Chinese officials and entities because of human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, such as ethnic Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, in China's Xinjiang Province. In response, the European parliament then froze the ratification of an EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) that was designed to deepen trade ties between the two massive markets. A deal toward lifting the sanctions, which was first reported by German daily Suddeutsche Zeitung, has raised speculation that China and the EU are moving to normalize their ties as both navigate pressure from the Trump administration. The EU and China are also set to hold a summit in Beijing in July. An EU official who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations said that "it's correct that we are working on lifting the sanctions." However, the official said that the move "has absolutely nothing to do with making any trade deal" and that the previously agreed CAI with Beijing faced obstacles back in 2021 before China sanctioned MEPs and that this "is even more true today." The EU official added that talks with Beijing have been under way for several months and they predated tariffs deployed by Trump, which includes a 20 percent tariff for the EU, although this is currently suspended for 90 days to allow time to negotiate trade deals. Noah Barkin, senior adviser at Rhodium Group, a consultancy, says Beijing is looking to use the removal of sanctions as a precursor to boosting trade ties with Brussels after years of tensions over Chinese support for Russia in its war against Ukraine and a record number of trade investigations launched by the European Commission looking into Chinese companies and government trade policies. In an April 23 blog post, Barkin wrote that EU officials have told him "China hopes the removal of sanctions will lead to a revival of the CAI, sending a powerful signal about EU-China cooperation at a time when Beijing and Brussels are under intense pressure from a global trade war launched by President Donald Trump." Barkin added that despite these expectations from China, he sees "the chances of a meaningful rapprochement between the EU and China as slim." The EU sanctions on Chinese entities are to remain in place and it is unclear if China is planning to remove the blacklisting of all the MEPs and European entities targeted back in 2021 or only for some. The list of MEPs includes Michael Gahler and Miriam Lexmann, lawmakers from Germany and Slovakia, Raphael Glucksmann from France, and Ilhan Kyuchyuk from Bulgaria. Reinhard Butikofer, a German lawmaker and former leader of the European parliament's China delegation, has since left the body. The Chinese blacklist also includes two EU-linked committees, three national parliamentarians, the Mercator Institute for China Studies, the Alliance of Democracies Foundation, and two academics researching China and Xinjiang. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-china-remove-sanctions- trump-trade-war/33395521.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 UN watchdog chief says North Korea's nuclear arsenal 'completely off the charts' Rafael Grossi urged high-level diplomacy for 'meaningful change.' By Taejun Kang for RFA 2025.04.23 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday that North Korea's nuclear weapons program has grown "exponentially," and urged talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Since taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in "communication" with North Korea and that Washington "may do something" with Pyongyang. "I have been saying that we need to engage," said Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA. "You cannot have a country like this which is completely off the charts with its nuclear arsenal," he said at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, a U.S. thinktank. North Korea's nuclear program, said Grossi, has "spawned exponentially" and it is currently building a third enrichment facility - a crucial part of building nuclear bombs. The U.N. has imposed sanctions on North Korea aimed at limiting its nuclear weapons development, but these measures have largely failed to stop Pyongyang's programs. The North may have up to 50 nuclear warheads, according to a 2024 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Grossi challenged the approach that demands Pyongyang "disarm or we don't talk," arguing that "things are more complicated ... you have to start by talking." He praised high-level diplomacy, specifically mentioning Trump's letters during his first term to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "Presidential diplomacy is important," the IAEA chief said. Asked if Beijing and Moscow would encourage renewed IAEA dialogue with North Korea, Grossi said he doesn't see the two countries as "against" some form of engagement. But he added that he doesn't see either country pushing it as a priority. The watchdog's chief has consistently expressed concern about North Korea's nuclear advancements. During his visit to Japan in February, he advocated for renewed engagement with North Korea, suggesting the IAEA should reestablish its presence in the country. The IAEA's inspectors were kicked out of North Korea in April 2009, when Pyongyang told the agency it was "immediately ceasing all cooperation" with the U.N. body. In November, Grossi reported continued development of a reactor at Yongbyon and apparent work on an undeclared centrifuge enrichment facility at the Kangson complex. More recently, in March, he noted indications of a new reprocessing campaign at the Yongbyon reactor. As official policy, the U.S. has long refused to recognize Pyongyang as a nuclear power, despite its arsenal of nuclear weapons. However, the Trump administration has veered from the official line, as the president has called North Korea a "nuclear nation" numerous times since taking office. Most recently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described North Korea as a "nuclear-armed" country in an apparent recognition of Pyongyang's nuclear weapons capabilities. Rubio used the expression in a podcast interview released Wednesday, in which he discussed security challenges facing the United States, including from China, Russia and Iran. "We live in a world with a nuclear-armed North Korea, with a nuclear-ambitious Iran," the secretary said in the podcast hosted by The Free Press, according to a transcript provided by the State Department. The phrase "nuclear power" has sparked concern in South Korea, as it could be interpreted as formal U.S. recognition of North Korea's nuclear weapons capability - potentially legitimizing Kim's regime. 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 Oil Minister: Iran-Russia trade capacity exceeds current figures IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 24, 2025 Moscow, IRNA -- Referring to the current annual trade between Iran and Russia of about five billion dollars, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said that the capacity of trade exchanges between Tehran and Moscow far exceeds the current figure. The Oil Minister said that the potential for cooperation between Iran and Russia in various fields, from energy, finance and banking to agriculture, and trade in oil and gas products, is very broad. "We in Iran believe that using these potentials can open up paths that have faced limitations." Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad is in Moscow to take part in the 18th meeting of Iran-Russia joint economic commission. Heading a delegation, Paknejad arrived in Moscow on Thursday to attend the meeting, which aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in various economic sectors. The meeting is to be co-chaired by Paknejad and Russian Minister of Energy Sergei Tsivilev. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France expresses readiness to continue nuclear talks with Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 24, 2025 London, IRNA -- The spokesperson for France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that Paris supports a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue and added that the country is prepared to resume discussions with Tehran. Christophe Lemoine made the remarks during his weekly press briefing in Paris on Thursday, following Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's tweet inviting the European troikaFrance, Germany and Britainback to diplomacy. Calling the status quo a "lose-lose" situation, Araqchi wrote: "Iran's relations with the E3 have experienced ups and downs in recent history. Like it or not, they are currently down. Why? Each side has its own narrative. To me, placing blame is a futile exercise." 9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Araqchi 'once again' proposes diplomacy to European troika IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said that he once again proposes diplomacy to European troika (France, Germany, and Britain), despite the recent ups and downs in relations between Tehran and the three countries. Araqchi made the remarks in an X message in Thursday. Calling the status quo a "lose-lose" situation, Araqchi wrote: "Iran's relations with the E3 have experienced ups and downs in recent history. Like it or not, they are currently down. Why? Each side has its own narrative. To me, placing blame is a futile exercise." He added: "Last September in New York, I offered dialogue when I met E3 FMs and indeed any other European counterpart. Instead of confrontation, I put forward cooperation not only on the nuclear issue, but in each and every other area of mutual interest & concern," but "they unfortunately chose the hard way." He said that following his recent consultations in Moscow and Beijing, he is ready "to take the first step with visits to Paris, Berlin & London," adding that he had been ready to do so before Tehran and the United States began their "indirect dialogue" in Oman's Muscat, "but the E3 opted out." He concluded: "The ball is now in the E3's court. They have an opportunity to do away with the grip of Special Interest groups and forge a different path. How we act at this critical junction is likely to define the foreseeable future." 9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN envoys of Iran, Russia, China in Vienna hold talks with IAEA chief Grossi Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 6:55 PM Senior diplomats from Iran, Russia, and China have met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general in Vienna, emphasizing the need for sustained cooperation and dialogue to boost diplomatic efforts. Iran's ambassador to United Nations organizations in the Austrian capital Vienna, Reza Najafi, together with his Russian and Chinese counterparts, Mikhail Ulyanov and Li Song, met the head of the UN nuclear watchdog Director General Rafael Grossi on Thursday, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN in Vienna said on X. "Amb. Najafi together with Amb. Li and Amb. Ulyanov jointly met IAEA DG, emphasizing the continuation of cooperation and dialogue to support the ongoing diplomatic efforts and also highlight the opportunity for the IAEA to play a professional and constructive role in this regard," the mission said. This meeting comes following the conclusion of the second round of Iran's indirect negotiations with United States in the Italian capital of Rome on April 19. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi highlighted the IAEA's role in overseeing the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and commented on Grossi's concurrent presence in Rome. "The Agency will be part of this process and will also have an important role. His presence is useful, though he is not yet involved in the negotiations themselves, as we haven't reached that stage yet," Iran's top diplomat said at the time. "Naturally, the UN nuclear watchdog will have a significant role in any potential agreement, as the responsibility for verification and monitoring of Iran's commitments in the nuclear program lies with the IAEA. We also do not accept any institution other than the IAEA for verification in this regard," he further stressed. Araghchi also added that while the IAEA's involvement is not currently required, its expert input can at times be useful during negotiations, as was the case in previous rounds when experts or the Director General were at times consulted. In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica on April 20, Grossi, for his part, had expressed optimism about the ongoing indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the US, describing it as "a positive day for peace." The third round of Iran-US indirect talks - expert-level technical negotiations - is scheduled to be held on Saturday - April 26 - in Muscat, the capital of Oman, where the first round was held. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly stressed that it has never functioned as the side to leave negotiations, while declaring it would respond positively to any potential positive steps by the counterparty. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran FM says ready to visit Paris, Berlin, London for diplomacy Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 3:08 PM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he is "once again" proposing dialogue and a diplomatic path to France, Germany, and Britain on Iran's nuclear program and other shared interests. In a post on his X account on Thursday, Araghchi described the status quo of bilateral relations with each of the European troika a "lose-lose" situation, regretting that despite his call for diplomacy the trio has selected the "hard way." "Iran's relations with the E3 (France, Germany, and Britain) have experienced ups and downs in recent history. Like it or not, they are currently down. Why? Each side has its own narrative. To me, placing blame is a futile exercise. What matters is that the status quo is lose-lose," Araghchi said. Araghchi noted that during a meeting with the foreign ministers of the E3 and other European counterparts in New York last September, he offered dialogue and cooperation instead of confrontation. He told them that his proposal extended beyond the nuclear issue to include all areas of mutual interest and concern, but the Europeans have chosen the harder path, the minister recounted. "I once again propose diplomacy. After my recent consultations in Moscow & Beijing, I am ready to take the first step with visits to Paris, Berlin & London. I was ready to do it before Iran commenced its indirect dialogue with the U.S., but the E3 opted out," Araghchi stressed. "The ball is now in the E3's court. They have an opportunity to do away with the grip of Special Interest groups and forge a different path. How we act at this critical junction is likely to define the foreseeable future," he added. In 2015, Iran proved the peaceful nature of its nuclear program to the world by signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with six world powers, including the European troika. However, the US's unilateral withdrawal in 2018 during the first term of American President Donald Trump and its subsequent re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran left the future of the deal in limbo. In 2019, Iran started to roll back the limits it had accepted under the JCPOA after the other parties, including the trio, failed to live up to their commitments. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly stressed that it has never functioned as the side to leave negotiations, while declaring it would respond positively to any potential positive steps by the counterparty. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China supports Iran-US indirect talks, defends Tehran's right to peaceful nuclear program Iran Press TV Thursday, 24 April 2025 6:52 AM The Chinese foreign minister has expressed support for indirect talks between Iran and the United States, recognizing the Islamic Republic's right to use peaceful nuclear program. Wang Yi made the remarks during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, ahead of the third round of Tehran-Washington nuclear discussions and after the US imposed new sanctions on Iran's energy sector. Wang said Beijing opposes the use of force and "illegal" sanctions to try to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement. "The Chinese side commends Iran's promise not to develop nuclear weapons and respects Iran's right to utilize nuclear energy peacefully," he added. The top diplomat also noted that China is willing to deepen coordination and cooperation with Iran on international and regional affairs. Araghchi, for his part, hailed China as a friendly country, saying it played a very important and positive role in previous nuclear negotiations. Both countries believe in resistance against the US hegemony and bullying in the global arena, he pointed out. Touching on the indirect talks with the US, Araghchi said Iran is "cautiously optimistic" due to contradictory messages coming from the opposite side in the news and media. "There are many differences. We will enter into negotiations seriously on Saturday, and if the other side is also serious, there is room for progress," he emphasized. "I have repeatedly said that if the Americans' only demand is that Iran should not have nuclear weapons, this is achievable ..., but if they have other demands or impractical and illogical requests, then we will naturally run into problems." Later in an X post, the Iranian foreign minister stressed that the country will continue to regard China as a "reliable partner worthy of trust" no matter how the international situation changes. In the last two weeks, representatives from Iran and the US have engaged in two rounds of negotiations in Oman and Italy. The two sides are set to conduct expert-level technical negotiations on April 26. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Foreign Minister Calls For Resumption Of Dialogue With E3 By RFE/RL April 24, 2025 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi issued a public call for renewed diplomacy with the E3 -- France, Germany, and the UK -- amid mounting tensions and their exclusion from ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. In a post on X on April 24, Araqchi acknowledged that relations with the E3 are "currently down," describing the status quo as "lose-lose" for both sides. He emphasized that "placing blame is a futile exercise" and instead urged a return to dialogue and cooperation, not only on nuclear issues but across all areas of mutual interest. Araqchi offered to visit Paris, Berlin, and London for direct talks. "The ball is now in the E3's court," the Iranian foreign minister wrote, "how we act at this critical junction is likely to define the foreseeable future." The foreign minister's outreach comes as the E3 have been sidelined from the latest round of nuclear negotiations, which are being mediated by Oman rather than European powers. The E3 were key players in earlier efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, but this time they've been sidelined. The E3 have threatened to trigger the re-imposition of UN sanctions on Iran if no agreement is reached with the United States by the end of June. The "snapback" of UN sanctions is a provision under the effectively defunct 2015 nuclear deal, which formally expires in October. Iranian state media have welcomed the E3's exclusion, with The Tehran Times even accusing them -- without evidence -- of backing UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi for secretary-general in exchange for helping to "demonize" Iran and justify a return to UN sanctions. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-diplomacy-europe- nuclear-talks/33395768.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 Congratulations to Paraguay for Confronting Iran and its Proxies US Department of State Press Statement Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson April 24, 2025 The United States welcomes President Santiago Pena designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, and expanding Paraguay's 2019 terrorist designations of the armed wings of Hizballah and Hamas to encompass the entirety of these organizations. Iran remains the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world and has financed and directed numerous terrorist attacks and activities globally, through its IRGC-Qods Force and proxies such as Hizballah and Hamas. The important steps Paraguay has taken will help cut off the ability of the Iranian regime and its proxies to plot terrorist attacks and raise money for its malignant and destabilizing activity, including in the Tri-Border Area Paraguay shares with Argentina and Brazil. The United States will continue to work with partners such as Paraguay to confront global security threats. We call on all countries to hold the Iranian regime accountable and prevent its operatives, recruiters, financiers, and proxies from operating in their territories. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Has Trump Moved On From Dismantling Iran's Nuclear Program? By Kian Sharifi April 25, 2025 High-stakes nuclear talks between the United States and Iran have already entered the technical phase after just two rounds of negotiations mediated by Oman. A third round of talks, along with separate technical discussions, is scheduled for April 26 in Muscat. The progress has fueled speculation, particularly in Iran, that the administration of US President Donald Trump has dropped its demand for the dismantlement of Tehran's nuclear program in favor of simply capping it. But analysts caution that it's far too early to draw such conclusions. While the shift to technical discussions might suggest a softening of US demands, analysts say dismantlement could still be the underlying objective -- or at least a point of leverage. "I never thought that dismantlement was a credible goal," said Richard Nephew, who served as the lead sanctions expert on the US team that clinched the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. "But if this is still in the Trump administration's heads, then the long-term perspective is still bleak." He noted that technical negotiations also took place during the talks that eventually led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), even when US demands remained maximalist. Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), sees the current trajectory not as a concession but as strategic pressure. "A Trump doctrine on Iran takes shape where it gives Iran a choice: Either you dismantle your nuclear program or the US and/or Israel will dismantle it for you," he said. Is Iran Running Down The Clock? Some, particularly proponents of dismantlement, argue that the Islamic republic is dragging out the negotiations to run down the clock on the return of UN sanctions. Britain, France, and Germany have threatened to trigger the "snapback" mechanism of the JCPOA -- re-imposing UN sanctions against Tehran -- if it fails to reach a deal with the United States by the end of June. However, that mechanism expires in October. Both analysts agree Iran sees value in prolonging the process to stall pressure, avoid snapback sanctions, or simply buy time. "There is only a certain amount of pressure that comes to beat that clock, because even after snapback expires, you still have a hostile United States with its national sanctions campaign," Nephew said. "Iran wants to clinch a decent deal, but they'll take wasted time -- and delayed military action -- as a consolation prize," he added. Brodsky offered a sharper view, calling the negotiations "a shield" that Tehran uses to protect its nuclear work from further scrutiny or action. "Iran only loses should the negotiations collapse," he said. "The United States, however, does not need the talks as much as Iran does." What Would A Good Iran Deal Look Like? Despite skepticism over whether dismantlement is still a realistic demand, analysts agree a deal that limits Iran's nuclear activities can still be credible, if it includes key safeguards. "The JCPOA gives us a lot of advice here," said Nephew. "You'd need three things: verification of the cap, physical limitations so that they can't quickly exceed it, and a credible risk of consequences if they cheat." He noted that while Iran is unlikely to scrap its advanced centrifuges again, as it did under the 2015 deal, "there is still space that a deal could be found." Brodsky, however, is doubtful that any deal short of full dismantlement can truly prevent Iran from using its nuclear program as leverage. He views even low-level enrichment -- such as the 3.67 percent limit under the JCPOA -- as a threat. "Its right to enrich uranium to 3.67 percent under the JCPOA was part of [an] extortion racket," he said, referring to Iran teasing nuclear weapons acquisition. "The continuation of this negotiation process leads some observers to believe the United States has conceded a right to enrich uranium to Iran," Brodsky said. "I believe the Trump administration is still defining the contours of what an acceptable deal would look like." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-us-trump-dismantle- nuclear-talks/33394485.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 Rubio Denies Reports of Alleged Discussions on Lifting Sanctions on Nord Stream 2 Sputnik News 20250424 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has denied a article in American media about alleged discussions in the White House on lifting sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Earlier on Thursday, an American news agency reported, citing sources, that the White House was discussing lifting sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and other Russian assets in Europe as part of negotiations on Ukraine. The report added that US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff is the main initiator of lifting sanctions. "This is unequivocally false. Neither Steve Witkoff nor I have had any conversations about lifting sanctions against Russia as part of a deal with Ukraine. This is journalistic malpractice. If Politico has an ounce of integrity they will fully retract this piece of fiction," Rubio said on X on Thursday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK bolsters support for Syrian people by amending Syria sanctions Updates to UK Syria sanctions regulations will help the people of Syria rebuild their country and economy following the fall of Assad From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Hamish Falconer MP 24 April 2025 Today's updates to UK Syria sanctions regulations will help the people of Syria rebuild their country and economy following the fall of Assad. Amendments will allow UK to hold Assad and his associates accountable for human rights violations. Ensuring long-term stability in Syria is essential for regional and UK security - the foundation of the government's Plan for Change. The Syrian financial system will be supported to open up and rebuild following the fall of Assad, with the UK government announcing today (24 April) that it is amending its sanctions regulations on Syria and lifting sanctions on 12 entities. The amendments will remove UK restrictions on some sectors including financial services and energy production in Syria, helping to facilitate essential investment in Syria's energy infrastructure and supporting the Syrian people to rebuild their country and economy. Amendments to UK legislation will also allow the UK to hold Assad and his associates accountable for their atrocious actions against the people of Syria, while giving the UK scope to deploy future sanctions in the Syria context, should that become necessary. Additionally, sanctions on 12 entities will be lifted, including the Syrian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and media companies. Sanctions imposed on members of the former regime and those involved in the illicit trade in captagon will remain in place. These amendments will support Syria's transition to a more stable and prosperous country, bolstering regional and UK security in line with the government's Plan for Change. Hamish Falconer, Minister for the Middle East, said: The Syrian people deserve the opportunity to rebuild their country and economy, and a stable Syria is in the UK's national interest. That's why I'm pleased that today the UK has amended its Syria sanctions and lifted sanctions on 12 entities to support them to do just that. The UK is committed to building greater stability in Syria and the wider region. This also enables us to bolster national security at home to support the government's Plan for Change. This announcement builds on the decision in March to lift asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines, and energy companies. The UK remains committed to working with the Syrian government and international partners to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, including the protection of human rights, unfettered access for humanitarian aid, safe destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles, and combatting terrorism and extremism. We will continue to press the Syrian government to ensure it meets the commitments it has made. The UK continues to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to Syrians inside Syria and across the region, including pledging 160 million to support Syria's recovery and stability in 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan, U.S. quiet over latest transit by U.S. warship through Strait ROC Central News Agency 04/24/2025 09:07 PM Taipei, April 24 (CNA) The United States and Taiwan have been unusually quiet over the most recent passage of an American Navy warship through the Taiwan Strait that began late Tuesday evening, Taiwan time. Private-sector observers who had detected the transit using commercial websites monitoring maritime traffic posted about it on social media on Wednesday. The page Taiwan Security Monitor on X identified the vessel as the USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The transit began at 10:25 p.m. on Tuesday, and by 10 p.m. the next day, the vessel was located in waters off the southern municipality of Tainan, Taiwan. This was the vessel's last known location as of press time. Meanwhile, the page "Taiwan ADIZ" on X reported the presence of a U.S. Navy MQ-4C reconnaissance drone flying close to Taiwan's main island as the U.S. ship was making the transit. Using services provided by the Flightradar 24 website, "Taiwan ADIZ" said the drone had been flying close to Taiwan proper hours before the transit began. However, the U.S. 7th Fleet, which has typically issued statements about its transits through the strait, and Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) have kept quiet about the situation. When asked by CNA for comment, the MND said it "had no comment" on the reported transit by the U.S. vessel. Su Tzu-yun (), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, a think tank, said the silence signaled the normalization of "freedom of navigation" in the Taiwan Strait. "When U.S. aircraft carriers transit the Central Pacific, they do not purposefully announce that they are transiting the Central Pacific," Su argued. China should take transits by foreign military vessels through the Taiwan Strait "with a calm mind," Su added. Su said, however, that the U.S. vessel did "announce" its transit after all, just in a more "subtle" way. Private-sector vessel trackers show that the vessel apparently turned on its Automatic Identification System (AIS) at the start of the transit and turned it off again near the end of it. "By turning on its AIS, it already made [the transit] public," Su said. According to Su, military vessels usually leave their AIS off to avoid exposing their location and turn them on in busy waters to avoid collision with other ships. The People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Eastern Theater Command responded to the transit with a boilerplate statement. Shi Yi (), a spokesperson for the command, said on Thursday that the U.S. destroyer USS William P. Lawrence transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, criticizing the U.S. for "publicly hyping" the event, despite the absence of any official U.S. comment. The PLA Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the U.S. vessel's transit throughout its entire course, and effectively dealt with it in accordance with the law, according to Shi's statement. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. blasts China for misusing U.N. resolution at Security Council meet ROC Central News Agency 04/24/2025 08:32 PM Taipei, April 24 (CNA) A United States representative to the United Nations on Wednesday criticized the People's Republic of China (PRC) for "misusing" a 1971 U.N. resolution to exclude the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) from the international organization, for which Taiwan's government expressed its gratitude. The criticism was issued by Ting Wu, deputy political counselor of the United States Mission to the United Nations, during a U.N. Security Council meeting convened by the PRC on Wednesday U.S. time at U.N. headquarters in New York, according to a transcript issued by the mission. Citing the Concept Note of the round of meeting titled "The Impact of Unilateralism and Bullying Practices on International Relations" which called for opposition to "all forms of unilateralism and bullying," Wu said the U.S. is critical of China's "misuse of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758," according to the transcript. Wu spoke of China's "misuse of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 in its attempts to isolate Taiwan, mischaracterize other countries' policies, and constrain their choices." "This resolution does not preclude Taiwan's meaningful participation in the U.N. system and other multilateral fora," Wu said, according to the transcript. "Working closely with our allies and partners, the United States will continue to counter Beijing's goals of embedding its authoritarian principles here at the United Nations," Wu added. In response to Wu's comments, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Thursday expressed Taipei's gratitude to Washington over the Taiwan-friendly statement. This is the first time the U.S. has raised the issue during a U.N. Security Council meeting, MOFA said in a press release. The last time the Donald Trump administration criticized the PRC's misuse of the U.N. resolution was in February during the World Health Organization's 156th session of the Executive Board, MOFA noted. Resolution 2758 was adopted by the 26th U.N. General Assembly in 1971 to address the issue of China's representation at the international body. It resulted in the ROC, Taiwan's official name, losing its seat at the U.N. to the PRC. Taiwan has since been excluded from participating in the international organization and its affiliates, as it is not recognized by the U.N. and a majority of its member states as a country. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Threats, blackmail against China are futile': Chinese defense ministry spokesperson responds to US military official's remarks on PLA drills near Taiwan Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 24, 2025 06:15 PM In response to remarks by the head of the US Indo-Pacific Command during a US Congressional hearing claiming that the Chinese mainland's "increasingly aggressive actions near Taiwan are not just exercise. They are rehearsals," and that the US should turn the Taiwan Straits into an unmanned "hellscape" to deter China, Zhang Xiaogang, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, said at a regular press conference on Thursday that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs, and how to resolve it is a matter among the Chinese, which tolerates no external interference. Some individuals in the US have been making unwarranted comments and baseless speculations about China's legitimate and necessary actions to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Their attempts to intimidate others with empty rhetoric only expose their true nature - preserving their own hegemonic self-interest at the cost of destabilizing other nations, Zhang said. "Threats and blackmail against China are futile; the Chinese military will never yield to such tactics." When asked about reports from Taiwan media, claiming the US side sent a retired four-star army general, who was also a former commander of US Forces Korea, to serve as the senior observer for the war games of this year's Han Kuang Exercise, and the war games revealed five potential patterns of joint operations between Taiwan and the US in wartime, Zhang said that we firmly oppose any form of military collusion between the US and Taiwan. To embolden and support "Taiwan independence" separatists is to ruin peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. Those who do that will get burned for playing with fire, and taste the bitter fruit of their own doing, Zhang said. We urge the US side to stop stirring up troubles on the Taiwan question, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, and deliver on its promise of not supporting "Taiwan independence". We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that those who solicit US support for "Taiwan independence" will be stabbed in the back, and be abandoned as a useless pawn, the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA tracks, monitors US warship transiting through Taiwan Straits: spokesperson Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Apr 24, 2025 04:21 PM The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command tracked and monitored a US warship transiting the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday, a military spokesperson revealed on Thursday. A video released by the PLA Eastern Theater Command showed how the PLA Navy shadowed the US vessel, a move Chinese experts said showed that all actions by the US warship were under control of the PLA. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement on Thursday that US guided missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence made a transit in the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday, which the US side publicly hyped. The PLA Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to track and monitor the US vessel's transit throughout its entire course, and effectively dealt with it in accordance with the law, the spokesperson said. Citing a spokesperson for the US Indo-Pacific Command, US media outlet Newsweek on Thursday claimed that the USS William P. Lawrence, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, "conducted a routine Taiwan Straits transit on Wednesday through waters where freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law." The US' remarks have distorted right and wrong, misrepresented legal principles, and misled international perceptions, Shi said. We sternly warn the US to stop distorting and sensationalizing the issue and to work together to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, said the spokesperson. A video released alongside Shi's statement showed that PLA Navy personnel, likely on board a Chinese warship, watched the US warship through a pair of binoculars, and the US vessel was clearly visible. After viewing the video, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that at this range, Chinese forces could clearly see every move of the US vessel, and were ready to respond to any potential moves from the US side. The PLA shadowed and escorted the US warship through the Taiwan Straits, making sure it posed no threat, Fu said, noting that the PLA has sufficient measures to deal with foreign warship transits in the Taiwan Straits. Song Zhongping, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that with the PLA's capabilities, any foreign warship's transit in the Taiwan Straits is now merely a political show of presence, and has little military significance. Zhuo Hua, an international affairs expert at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday that from a legal perspective, both under international law and domestic law, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are part of China's territory. China enjoys full sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Straits, and there is no such thing as "international waters" in the Taiwan Straits. Therefore, the so-called "freedom of navigation" does not apply. The passage of US warships through the Taiwan Straits constitutes an illegal provocation against China's sovereign rights. In addition, the Philippines and the US are holding the Balikatan joint drills, with the US deploying an anti-ship missile system in the Luzon Strait of the northern Philippines. Some analysts said the aim of the move is to practice blocking the Bashi Channel in the event of a crisis in the Taiwan Straits. The series of provocative actions by the US military is an attempt to contain China through topics related to Taiwan and the South China Sea and coercing China into making concessions, Zhuo said, noting that for a long time, the combination of military threats and economic coercion has been a habitual tactic of American bullying. Historical experience has repeatedly proven that such tactics are utterly futile when used against China. At all times, the Taiwan question remains the core of China's core interests and is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no interference from external forces, Zhuo said. The Chinese side has repeatedly slammed military collusion between the US and Taiwan. At the Chinese Defense Ministry's latest regular press conference on Thursday, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang reiterated this stance. When asked to comment about reports from Taiwan media, claiming the US side sent a retired four-star army general, who was also a former commander of US Forces Korea, to serve as the senior observer for the war games of this year's Han Kuang Exercise, and the war games revealed five potential patterns of joint operations between Taiwan and the US in wartime, Zhang said that, "We firmly oppose any form of military collusion between the US and Taiwan." To embolden and support "Taiwan independence" separatists is to ruin peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. Those who do that will get burned for playing with fire, and taste the bitter fruit of their own doing, Zhang said. We urge the US side to stop stirring up troubles on the Taiwan question, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, and deliver on its promise of not supporting "Taiwan independence". We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that those who solicit US support for "Taiwan independence" will be stabbed in the back, and be abandoned as a useless pawn, the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese military slams US warship's transit through Taiwan Strait Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Military Online EditorChen Zhuo 2025-04-24 18:41:21 BEIJING, April 24 -- The US guided-missile destroyer Lawrence sailed through the Taiwan Strait on April 23 and hyped it up publicly, said Army Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command, in a written statement on Thursday. According to the spokesperson, the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command sent its navy and air force troops to track and monitor the transit action of US warship throughout the process and dealt with it in accordance with the law. "The US's relevant remarks distorted the fact, confused the public and misled the international perception. We urge the US side to stop distorting and hyping up, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," stressed the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPP authorities slammed for soliciting U.S. support to seek "Taiwan independence" Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Xinhuanet EditorChen Zhuo 2025-04-24 22:05:19 BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday denounced Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for soliciting U.S. support to seek "Taiwan independence." Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a media inquiry regarding the military collusion between the United States and Taiwan. "We firmly oppose any form of military collusion between the United States and Taiwan," Zhang said. To embolden and support "Taiwan independence" separatists is to ruin peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Zhang said, urging the U.S. side to stop stirring up troubles on the Taiwan question, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and deliver on its promise of not supporting "Taiwan independence." "We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that those who solicit U.S. support for 'Taiwan independence' will be stabbed in the back, and be abandoned as a useless pawn," he said. 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 2025/04/24 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Date 6 a.m. Apr. 23 (Wed.) to 6 a.m. Apr. 24 (Thu.) (UTC+8) 2. PLA activities 19 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN ships and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 out of 19 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1140424_PLA activities.jpg [Open a new window] 1140424_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan.jpg [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway facilitates rehabilitation of injured children and mental health care efforts in Ukraine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 24/04/2025 Norwegian health workers are taking part in the effort to strengthen the health system in Ukraine. 'The experience and knowledge provided by our health professionals will enable Ukrainian health workers to offer better health care to the Ukrainian people. This is an important means of providing help to a population weary of war,' said Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust. In a new agreement established under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway will provide NOK 53 million in funding for assistance in the health sector in the period from December 2024 to December 2027. The funding is intended to support the health care system development strategy and priorities set out by the Ukrainian Government, and represents a new phase of the institutional health collaboration first initiated between Norway and Ukraine in 2019. Among other things, the new agreement will fund efforts to improve suicide prevention, grief support and rehabilitation services for children who have been injured due to Russian attacks. The cooperation will also focus on areas such as crisis management, efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and the use of data to promote more efficient use of resources and ensure high quality in rehabilitation services. The institutional collaboration brings together the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Akershus University Hospital, the Resource Centre for Violence, Traumatic Stress and Suicide Prevention (eastern region) and Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital to share their expertise with partners in Ukraine. Rebuilding and strengthening the Ukrainian health system 'These Norwegian institutions are offering their experience and knowledge in order to help to rebuild and strengthen Ukraine's health system. This collaboration will not only benefit health care personnel and patients in Ukraine, it will also give Norwegian health professionals a chance to gain new insights,' said Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre. Activities will be targeted towards health agency employees, health and social workers, leaders of health institutions, students in relevant fields and university teaching staff. Suicide prevention and grief support Akershus University Hospital has worked together with Ukraine in the areas of grief support and suicide prevention since 2015. The hospital has developed and implemented a training programme on suicide prevention. In addition to strengthening the practical skills needed to identify suicide risk situations and support people in need, the programme raises awareness about suicide prevention. To date, 3 765 Ukrainians have participated in the programme, which has been carried out in major cities and small communities across most of Ukraine's regions. In cooperation with an NGO in Ukraine, Akershus University Hospital has also provided both direct grief support and training. The hospital has developed guides that have been translated into Ukrainian. Since the project began, some 21 000 Ukrainians have taken part in the training. Rehabilitation of injured children and adults Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at least 16 children have been killed or injured in Ukraine every week. Many of the injured children need help to regain basic functionality and to be able to walk, play and run again. As part of the collaboration, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital and its Ukrainian partners, including a major Ukrainian children's hospital, have trained 24 physiotherapists and physicians from across Ukraine in high-intensity gait training and other post-stroke treatments. Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital will use the funding under the new agreement to continue its efforts to improve the quality of treatment for children with neurological conditions. Prevention of antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial resistance poses a global threat to health and is a key area of health-related cooperation funded under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. Even before Russia's invasion of the country, Ukraine was facing serious challenges relating to incorrect use of antibiotics and high levels of antimicrobial resistance. Norway has played a key role in establishing the antimicrobial resistance unit at the Public Health Center of Ukraine (PHCU). Norwegian experts are providing assistance to this unit in various ways, including in drawing up a national action plan against antimicrobial resistance, training health personnel and conducting research on how to improve routines for use of antibiotics and the prevention and control of infections in the health services. The health sector is one of the priority areas under the Nansen Support Programme. More information about Norwegian support to the health sector is presented in the fact box. Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine provides both military and civilian support to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. The support programme will run until the end of 2030 and has an overall funding framework of NOK 205 billion. The total contribution for 2025 is now NOK 85 billion. The support programme contributes to efforts to enable Ukraine to determine its own future, protect its territory and population from Russian attack, maintain critical societal functions and reduce human suffering. The programme will also provide support to the work to rebuild a safe and free Ukraine. The Government will provide NOK 12.5 billion in civilian support to Ukraine and Moldova in 2025. Allocation of civilian support in 2025: Energy security and energy supply, including nuclear security and purchases of natural gas: NOK 4.5 billion NOK 4.5 billion Humanitarian assistance: NOK 3 billion NOK 3 billion Budget support and reconstruction efforts: NOK 3.3 billion NOK 3.3 billion Business development and private sector: NOK 750 million NOK 750 million Civil society, accountability and governance: NOK 540 million NOK 540 million Moldova: NOK 350 million Norwegian health-related support to Ukraine via international partners World Bank The World Bank and the multi-donor Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) provide support to two health programmes: This programme focuses on restoring and improving access to mental health care and rehabilitation services as well as restoring and strengthening the primary health care services. It is also necessary to strengthen health institutions that provide services to internally displaced people. Efforts to enhance digitalisation, innovation and capacity building will promote better and more effective delivery of services. 2. Transforming healthcare through reform and investments in efficiency (THRIVE) This programme is part of Ukraine's national health care system development strategy and aims to increase the effectiveness of the country's health services, strengthen prioritisation processes, improve transparency and enhance management, including financing models. Norway is the largest contributor to URTF and has provided approximately NOK 200 million in support to the trust fund to date. World Health Organization (WHO) WHO is in charge of coordinating the international health response in Ukraine. WHO works with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and more than 190 partners in a joint health response targeting vulnerable groups. In addition to ensuring effective coordination, WHO aims to strengthen Ukraine's emergency health services, increase access to basic health services and improve resiliency and preparedness in the health system. Activities include trauma treatment and mental health services as well. WHO also monitors the overall health situation in Ukraine and works to build greater capacity. Norway has contributed NOK 225 million in support so far. Norwegian Red Cross The Norwegian Red Cross works together with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society on humanitarian efforts in the country. The response focuses on increasing the access to health services of people affected by the war by providing emergency medical care (emergency response teams/standby teams, including first aid training, primary health services (including mobile health units) and health care and referrals for physiotherapy and rehabilitation or mental health care and psychosocial support as needed. Other areas of focus include home care for the elderly and people with disabilities, and nurses' training/education. The Norwegian Red Cross assists in a variety of ways, including by providing funding, donations of medical equipment and training and strengthening for the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, in particular relating to financial management processes. Norway has contributed approximately NOK 420 million in support so far. Other programme support As part of the humanitarian aid provided under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway has also allocated funding to UNICEF's humanitarian efforts (NOK 540 million to date), the United Nations Population Fund's efforts relating to sexual and reproductive health (NOK 220 million to date) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (approximately NOK 690 million to date). In addition, Norway provides material assistance and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM). The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) is Norway's CPM contact point. Norway also receives MEDEVAC patients following an assessment of capacity and need. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update 288 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine International Atomic Energy Agency 33/2025 Vienna, Austria 24 Apr 2025 IAEA experts based at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) were required to stay indoors yesterday morning after hearing loud bursts of gunfire from near the main administrative building where their office is located, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. The ZNPP informed the IAEA staff members that a nearby "drone threat" had made it necessary to postpone the team's planned activities at the site, the latest incident highlighting persistent risks to nuclear safety and security during the military conflict. The IAEA team remained in the administrative building after the plant-wide shelter order was announced. In addition, the IAEA team has continued to hear explosions and gunfire at varying distances from the plant almost every day during the past week. "What was once virtually unimaginable - evidence of military action in the vicinity of a major nuclear facility - has become a near daily occurrence and a regular part of life at Europe's largest nuclear power plant. From a nuclear safety perspective, this is clearly not a sustainable situation. The IAEA remains committed to doing everything we can to prevent a nuclear accident during this tragic war," Director General Grossi said. Despite the regular sound of military activities in the area, the IAEA experts have continued to conduct walkdowns across the plant to monitor and assess nuclear safety and security. In recent days, for example, the team visited the ZNPP's low-level solid radioactive waste storage facility, as well as other installations at the sprawling industrial site. In meetings earlier this week, the experts discussed with the ZNPP the staffing situation at the plant as well as various maintenance activities, including to some of the safety systems. At Ukraine's other nuclear power plants (NPPs) - Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine - IAEA teams have also continued to monitor nuclear safety and security. All three plants are still producing electricity, although some units are in planned outage while others occasionally have to reduce output. At the Khmelnytskyy NPP, for example, one reactor remained in outage for maintenance and refuelling, while the power production of the second unit was reduced at the request of the grid operator for 36 hours earlier this week. At the Rivne NPP, a second unit was placed in outage for maintenance and refuelling, while the power production of a third was reduced at the request of the grid operator for a few days this week. The South Ukraine NPP also experienced power variations this week. The IAEA team at the plant was informed that seven drones were detected 2 km east of the site on 17 April, also a frequent occurrence during the conflict. Likewise, the teams - particularly at the Chornobyl site and the South Ukraine NPP - have continued to hear air raid alarms most days. The IAEA teams at the Rivne, South Ukraine and Chornobyl sites all rotated over the past week. As part of the IAEA's technical nuclear safety and security assistance to Ukraine, the Hydrometeorological Centre and the Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Services of Ukraine received radiation detection and measurement equipment, and associated reference sources procured with funding from Austria and the United States. It was the 131st delivery organized by the IAEA since the start of the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Rebukes Putin As Death Toll From Russian Strikes On Kyiv Hits 12 By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 24, 2025 KYIV -- Rescue teams recovered two more bodies from the rubble of apartment buildings destroyed in a massive Russian missile-and-drone attack, prompting US President Donald Trump to issue a rare rebuke of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The April 24 overnight barrage -- the largest in months -- came just hours after the White House gave what amounted to an ultimatum about a US proposal to end the 38-month-old Russian invasion. Western efforts to try and resolve the Ukraine war, or even secure a temporary cease-fire, have sputtered in recent days as Russia shows no indication it will ease its assault and Ukraine pushes back on US proposals. "If Russia says it wants a cease-fire, it should stop these massive attacks," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in South Africa, where he cut short an official visit due to the overnight assault. Hours later, Trump, who lashed out at Zelenskyy a day earlier, condemned the Russian attack in a short social media post addressed to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv," he wrote. "Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, Stop! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal Done!" Is The US Open To Recognizing Crimea As Russian? Foreign ministers and top diplomats had been scheduled to meet in London on April 23 for new talks. But they were effectively downgraded after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled out at the last minute. Rubio's decision was reportedly prompted by Zelenskyy's rejection of a US proposal that Washington might formally recognize Russian control over the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. That would be a major reversal of longstanding US policy. It is also seen as potential political suicide for any Ukrainian officials. "There is nothing to talk about. This violated our constitution. This is our territory, the territory of Ukraine," Zelenskyy told reporters ahead of the London talks. The US proposal also reportedly calls for blocking Ukraine's membership in the NATO alliance, an policy goal that is written into the country's constitution. Hours after the London talks concluded, Trump criticized Zelenskyy directly, on social media and in remarks to reporters. He also suggested Putin was open to the US proposals. "I think Russia is ready, and a lot of people said Russia wanted to go for the whole thing. And I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelenskyy," Trump told reporters. "I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy," he said. "So far it's harder." White House envoy Steve Witkoff is set to fly to Moscow on April 25 for expected meetings with Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the US proposal on Crimea fit with Moscow's longstanding assertion that the peninsula is Russian. "This fully corresponds to our understanding and what we have been saying for a long time," he told reporters. In a post on X, Zelenskyy responded to Trump and included a copy of a 2018 US State Department statement calling on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea. "We don't want this to be a frozen conflict, with war breaking out again in two to three years," he said on April 24, speaking alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. "We need a strong guarantor [of our security]. If you don't support [NATO membership], that's your decision...but Russia should have no power to veto it." What Is the Biggest Obstacle to Ukraine Peace Deal? Trump had vowed to end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of taking office. But negotiations have proved difficult as Russia targets both civilian and military sites across the country while pressing its advantage on the battlefield. Ukraine's military said more than 210 missiles and drones were launched in the overnight assault, including ballistic and cruise missiles launched by heavy bombers and Black Sea naval ships. More than 100 missiles were downed or intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, the military claimed. "Kyiv and its region [and the] Zhytomyr, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Poltava, Khmelnytsky, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhya regions were under a massive combined Russian attack," Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko wrote on Telegram. A number of residential buildings were damaged or destroyed in the capital, Kyiv, and officials said at least 12 people were killed and scores of people were wounded across the country. Rescuers rushed to pull survivors from building debris, listening for mobile phones ringing to try and locate people. "The first strike was loud; the glass shattered instantly. The second followed two to three minutes later," one man told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "We hid behind two walls. The doors and windows were blown down. Then we got dressed and ran down from the seventh floor over [broken] glass." Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, was also hit by multiple missiles, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. It was no immediately clear if there were casualties. Ukraine's foreign minister, who traveled to London despite the downgraded meetings, lashed out at Putin and criticized the Trump administration. "Putin demonstrates through his actions, not words, that he does not respect any peace efforts and only wants to continue the war," Andrii Sybiha said on X. "Russia, not Ukraine, is the obstacle to peace. Moscow, not Kyiv, is where pressure should be applied," he wrote. The downgrading of the London meetings highlighted the divide between the countries in finding a path to peace talk amid Trump's complaints of a lack of progress in the negotiations. Ukrainian and US officials were also set to sign a deal this week that would give US companies access to Ukraine's valuable mineral resources. That agreement has also been the subject of difficult negotiations and resulted in an acrimonious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in February. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-ukraine-zelenskyy- war-russia-europe-starmer/33394907.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump on Ukraine Conflict: Next Few Days Are Crucial for Swift Resolution Sputnik News 20250424 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington is seeking a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict and noted that "a lot of progress" has been made. "We want to end it quickly. And I think we've made a lot of progress, and we'll see what happens. These next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now," Trump said during a bilateral meeting with the Norwegian prime minister. The president added that he is confident both Europe and Ukraine will agree to peace agreement. When asked if Ukraine has to cede territory as part of a peace deal with Russia, Trump said that it "depends on what territory." "They've lost a lot of territory, and we'll do the best we can, working with Ukraine, we'll do the best we can, but they lost a lot of territory," Trump added. As for concession from the Russian side, Trump said that "Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country. [That's a] pretty big concession." Trump also said that the United States is putting a lot of pressure on Russia to get a peace agreement on Ukraine. "We are putting a lot of pressure on Russia, and Russia knows that," he told reporters. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky Disrupts London Round of Consultations on Ukraine - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 20250424 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Volodymyr Zelensky disrupted London's round of consultations on Ukraine, confirming Kiev's intention to destroy the emerging peace process, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday. "If truth be told, Zelensky disrupted the London round of consultations, convincingly confirming Bankova's [office of Ukraine's president] intention to torpedo the emerging peace process at any cost," Zakharova told reporters. Zelensky's words about the non-recognition of Crimea as Russian once again showed Kiev's incompetence, Zakharova said. "Such a schizophrenic approach by the Kiev regime has once again shown absolute incompetence, irresponsibility, and the desire to continue this massacre to the last Ukrainian, regardless of any victims," Zakharova said. Ukraine has disrupted the Easter ceasefire announced by Russia, Maria Zakharova said. "The Ukrainian armed forces violated that 30-day moratorium [on strikes on energy infrastructure facilities] 136 times. The Kiev regime broke that moratorium. It also broke the 30-hour Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin," Zakharova told reporters. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the BRICS Ministerial Council in Rio de Janeiro on April 28-29, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday. "On April 28-29 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in a full-scale meeting of the heads of the foreign ministries of the BRICS countries in Rio de Janeiro," Zakharova told a briefing. The upcoming meeting of the BRICS Ministerial Council under the Brazilian chairmanship would be a good opportunity for a substantive and in-depth discussion of topical issues on the international agenda, the diplomat said. "The ministers will review the implementation of the agreements reached by the leaders of the association and outline further steps to develop the strategic partnership in the context of preparations for the 17th BRICS Summit, which will also be held in Brazil on July 6-7. Within the framework of the upcoming BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers, a separate session will be held with the participation of the foreign ministers of the BRICS partner countries," Zakharova said. Sergey Lavrov will visit the Dominican Republic on April 30, Zakharova said. "On April 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit the Dominican Republic as part of a trip to the Latin American region. The 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with this country is celebrated this year. The visit is also timed to coincide with the opening of the Russian Embassy in the Dominican Republic," Zakharova told reporters. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's missile attacks against Ukrainian civilians over Easter demonstrate its attitude towards peace: UK statement to the OSCE Ambassador Holland condemns Russia's missile attacks against civilians in Sumy and Kharkiv over Easter and President Putin's transparently cynical attempts to portray Russia as the party of peace. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Neil Holland Published 24 April 2025 Location: Vienna Delivered on: 24 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you, Mister Chair. The United Kingdom is grateful to Finland for convening this Special Permanent Council. It was only 16 days ago that you were last compelled to call an extraordinary meeting of the Council after a Russian missile killed 20 people, including nine children, in Kryvyi Rih. It was the largest number of children killed in a single strike since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to the UN. Last week was one of major religious festivals where communities around the globe came together in the spirit of peace and goodwill. But while Christians around the world were marking the beginning of Holy Week, a Russian ballistic missile struck the centre of Sumy. 34 people were killed, including two children. A further 117 were injured. Some of the victims were heading to church for a Palm Sunday service. On Good Friday another Russian ballistic missile struck Kharkiv using a cluster munition. One person was killed and at least 60 were injured. On the same day, a drone attack on Sumy killed another civilian and destroyed a bakery preparing traditional Easter 'paska' bread. Mister Chair, our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones at this tragic time. Russia's response to the widespread condemnation in this Council - and at the UN - following their attack on Sumy was to resort to their familiar playbook of disinformation and distortion in an attempt to justify the unjustifiable. We can expect to see a similar tactic on this occasion. Through these barbaric attacks, Russia has shown that its cruelty knows no bounds and that it is not serious about peace. President Putin's so-called "Easter truce" was a stunt, violated repeatedly by his own forces. A day later - Easter Monday - a further five civilians reportedly lost their lives following Russian attacks, laying bare the Kremlin's transparently cynical attempt to portray themselves as the party of peace. Similar attacks have continued since, including yesterday against Kyiv, in which nine civilians were reportedly killed, and 70 more injured. If Russia was serious about peace, it would agree to an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, just as Ukraine did, more than 40 days ago. If it was serious about peace, it would stop these senseless attacks on civilians. If it was serious about peace, it would honour the commitments it has made. Russia's continued attacks against Ukraine are another stark reminder that President Putin has not abandoned his goal of subjugating Ukraine. For this reason, the UK, alongside our partners and allies, will continue to provide Ukraine with the military support it needs to defend its citizens. And we stand ready to apply further pressure on Russia to hinder its ability to wage this war of aggression. Thank you, Mister Chair. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Supports All Partner Proposals for Peace, Except Those That Contradict Our Constitution - Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 24 April 2025 - 18:20 Ukraine cannot accept any agreements that contradict our values and Constitution. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during a conversation with media representatives in the Republic of South Africa. The Head of State emphasized that at the meeting in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. team proposed a full and unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine accepted it unconditionally - Russia did not. "If Russia claims it's ready for a ceasefire, it must stop its massive strikes on Ukraine," the President said. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants to end the war and receive reliable security guarantees. But the first step toward peace talks must be a full, unconditional ceasefire. "We are doing everything our partners have proposed. The only thing we cannot do is what contradicts our legislation and Constitution. And that's clear, because even the fight for our state's independence, our sovereignty and territorial integrity is a matter of survival. And here we are absolutely straightforward and fully transparent," the President emphasized. The Head of State stressed the importance of bringing all children back home and releasing military and civilian prisoners. "The first occupation of Ukraine was in 2014. People have been imprisoned in Russia for almost 12 years. We want to bring people back home," he said. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is essential that the entire world support peace initiatives and force Russia to end the war. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed his country's readiness to play a role in achieving peace and to take part in various initiatives, particularly those focused on the return of children. "We would like to see an agreement first for a ceasefire, and secondly to bring the war to an end completely. I believe the United States, Europe, and of course the African continent would be willing and prepared to play a productive role. This is what we as South Africa are prepared to do," he emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Advancing a Just Peace, Releasing Prisoners, and Bringing Back Children Abducted by Russia: President of Ukraine Meets with President of South Africa President of Ukraine 24 April 2025 - 16:46 Diplomatic efforts to end the war with a just peace, the release of military and civilian prisoners, and the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported and displaced by Russia were the key topics of negotiations between the Presidents of Ukraine and the Republic of South Africa. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported this after the meeting. This is the first bilateral visit by a President of Ukraine to South Africa since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed his counterpart about the consequences of Russian strikes on Ukraine on Thursday night. Russia used over 200 aerial weapons: missiles, including ballistic ones, and attack drones. There are fatalities and more than 80 people injured. The Head of State noted that due to the Russian attack, he decided to shorten his visit to South Africa. To show respect and to carry out all scheduled meetings, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha will remain in the Republic of South Africa. "We are grateful to you for your respect for Ukraine, for your support, and for sharing our belief that this war must be brought to an end as soon as possible. That was the main topic of our conversation today with President Ramaphosa," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Cyril Ramaphosa discussed the importance of uniting all global efforts and ensuring pressure on Russia in the interest of peace. Special attention was given to potential opportunities within the G20, which South Africa is chairing this year. "The Republic of South Africa is willing and continues to support all efforts, including multilateral ones, to achieve a just, durable, and comprehensive peace," the South African President stated. The President of Ukraine emphasized the urgent issues of releasing prisoners and returning children. During the meeting, he handed over a list of 400 Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The leaders also discussed matters of the bilateral agenda. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has capacities in energy security, agriculture, fertilizer production, defense manufacturing, and technologies. Ukraine also proposed creating a joint mineral hub with South Africa for the production and transportation of fertilizers. "We can also work together to significantly increase electricity generation in your country - from nuclear to renewable sources. Affordable and cheap energy always helps economic growth. I have instructed our officials to thoroughly explore every potential joint project," the President said. Cyril Ramaphosa noted that the Republic of South Africa is interested in developing all possible areas of cooperation with Ukraine. "We recognize the efforts Ukraine, and in particular President Zelenskyy, is making to expand relations with African countries. We commend the grain and food supply initiatives, as well as the proposal to create a grain hub in Mombasa, Kenya," the South African President concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting Between the President of Ukraine and the President of the Republic of South Africa Held in Pretoria President of Ukraine 24 April 2025 - 13:50 A meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa took place in Pretoria. The Ukrainian leader briefed the President of South Africa, who currently chairs the G20, about today's missile and drone strikes against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people carried out by Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the urgent need to intensify global diplomatic efforts and pressure to ensure the immediate and unconditional cessation of these attacks. The leaders also discussed humanitarian matters, in particular the assistance of the Republic of South Africa in the return of prisoners and Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Among other topics of the meeting were the deepening of trade and economic cooperation, collaboration in the fields of agriculture, food security, education and science, as well as joint projects in the energy, security, digitalization, and communications sectors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Horrific strikes reportedly kill three children and injure at least six others in Kyiv UNICEF Statement by Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine 24 April 2025 KYIV, 24 April 2025 - "The latest in a series of attacks across Ukraine has reportedly killed three children and injured six more in the capital, Kyiv. These tragic deaths come amid reports of another child killed today in Kostyantynivka, a boy who died in Kherson following an earlier attack, and at least 16 children reportedly injured in the north, east and south of the country this week. "The images from the site of today's attack in Kyiv are horrific. We have also heard devastating reports from friends of the victims, gathering at the scene in utter shock. "Seventeen-year-old Victoria told UNICEF that her friend had been walking his dog. 'Now he's just gone. He was just a really good person. And I want people to know that he was kind,' she said. "Her words illustrate the unbearable impact of these relentless strikes on civilian areas. "Ivan, another teenager, waited at the site, clinging to hope that their friend might still be alive beneath the rubble. Tragically, he was confirmed dead early this evening. "Ukraine's children must be protected. What they need now is real and sustained peace." ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Outrage as Russian attacks on Ukraine cities kill at least nine civilians 24 April 2025 - Grim details continued to emerge on Thursday in the aftermath of a wave of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital and other cities overnight, with early reports indicating that at least nine people were killed and dozens injured. The latest Russian strikes reportedly damaged 12 buildings in the capital, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses and key services, while phones have been heard ringing from the rubble. Other Ukrainian cities targeted included Zhytomyr - due west of Kyiv - and the northeastern cities of Sumy - where a daytime missile strike killed at least 34 people on 13 April - and Kharkiv - where the authorities reported 24 drone and missile strikes in total. "The casualty count is expected to rise as emergency teams continue search-and-rescue operations," said the UN aid coordination office, OCHA. The development follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's reported decision on Wednesday to reject a US-led proposal to seek a peace deal with Russia that would have involved ceding territory lost during the war. In theory, this would include the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, in addition to Crimea, which Russia annexed illegally in 2014. "Last night's large-scale attack by the armed forces of the Russian Federation on residential areas in Kyiv and surrounding regions is yet another appalling violation of international humanitarian law," said the UN's top aid official in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale. Children and a pregnant woman were among the more than 70 people injured by Wednesday night's reported missile and drone strikes. "This senseless use of force must stop... Civilians must never be targets", insisted Mr. Schmale, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine. Spike in civilian attacks Echoing that message, the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, appealed for an end to the use of explosive weapons in civilian areas which have caused a marked rise in attacks on civilian areas this year. According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, at least 164 civilians were killed in March and 910 injured across Ukraine. This represents a 50 per cent increase from February 2025. On Tuesday and Wednesday, OCHA reported that drone and glide bomb attacks had struck densely populated areas "throughout the country", while fighting in front-line regions has killed more civilians. Cities targeted included Zaporizhzhia, where a glide bomb strike on Tuesday left one person dead and injured more than 40 others, including seven children and a pregnant woman, OCHA said. Several apartment buildings were damaged in the attack on the city which is near to the front line and home to 630,000 people, including many displaced from other regions. The UN aid office also reported overnight drone strikes on Wednesday in the regions of Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Poltava and Odesa, damaging a hospital, homes, warehouses and an energy facility. 'Deeply disturbing trend' "The scenes of destruction and suffering in Kyiv this morning reflect a deeply disturbing trend - civilians bearing the brunt of ever more intense and frequent attacks," said Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. According to the mission, from 1 to 24 April, at least 848 civilian casualties have been verified - 151 killed and 697 injured - marking a 46 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The organisation expects the real toll to rise further as more reports are confirmed. Thirty-one civilians were killed, including two boys aged 11 and 17. At least 80 more were injured, including 14 children. Many victims had been on a city bus destroyed in the blast. Ms. Bell visited survivors in hospital, recounting their harrowing experiences. "One, aged 62, was on a bus with her husband on their way to church when the second missile exploded. He was killed and she sustained a devastating head injury. Another, aged 64, was on her way to the market; she now faces multiple operations." As April draws to a close, the UN is urging greater international attention to the rising toll on non-combatants, warning that the current trajectory is fuelling a severe humanitarian crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Civilians Killed and Injured Again as Bombs Fall in Kyiv UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR UKRAINE, MATTHIAS SCHMALE, STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE LATEST ATTACK BY THE ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON KYIV, WHICH KILLED AND INJURED CIVILIANS, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND A PREGNANT WOMAN Last night's large-scale attack by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on residential areas in Kyiv and surrounding regions is yet another appalling violation of international humanitarian law. According to initial reports, at least nine people were killed and more than 70 injured, including several children and a pregnant woman. The strikes also caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. The casualty count is expected to rise as emergency teams continue search-and-rescue operations amid the rubble. Civilians must never be targets. This senseless use of force must stop. For further information, please contact: Hilary Stauffer, OCHA: +380 50 444 83 29, staufferh@un.org OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int 24 April 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kyiv To Observe Day Of Mourning After Russian Strike Kills 12 By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 25, 2025 Kyiv has declared April 25 a day of mourning for 12 people killed in a Russian missile-and-drone attack that hit the Ukrainian capital overnight, prompting US President Donald Trump to issue a rare rebuke of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions of Ukraine abroad will join Kyiv in mourning the victims of the attack by lowering flags to half staff, the Foreign Ministry announced on April 24. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said while the citizens of Kyiv mourn the victims and clear away rubble, Ukraine's intelligence services are checking all details, including whether any of the missiles used were made in North Korea. If this is found to be true, Zelenskyy said it would be more proof of the "criminality of the alliance" between Moscow and Pyongyang. "They kill people and make a mockery of life together -- that's the only meaning of their cooperation," Zelenskyy said. According to Zelenskyy, in exchange for assistance, Pyongyang receives the opportunity to "make its weapons more deadly" in real war conditions. "Real pressure is needed on Russia to stop this," he said. "Even in the midst of international diplomatic efforts to stop this war, Russia continues to kill civilians. This means that Putin is not afraid." Trump, who has been reluctant to criticize Russia, condemned the attack in a social media post addressed to Putin. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv," he wrote. "Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, Stop! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal Done!" Zelenskyy, who cut short a visit to South Africa because of the attack, reiterated his call for a complete cessation of air strikes and said Ukraine needs to strengthen its air shield to guarantee the safety of its people. Zelenskyy said early on April 25 that Russian forces had tried to use the air strikes as cover for intensified land-based attacks, but these were repelled. "The Russians in fact tried, under cover of their mass air strikes, to make ground advances," Zelenskiy said on Telegram, referring to a report from top commander Oleksandr Syrskiy. "When our forces were concentrating to the maximum on defending against missiles and drones, the Russians went ahead with intensified ground attacks. But they were repelled in worthy fashion." While Kyiv bore the brunt of the massive attack -- authorities said 90 people were injured in the city in addition to the 12 killed -- the Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskiy, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhya regions also were hit. Ukrainian law enforcement officials said at least 25 residential buildings were seriously damaged in Kyiv, and public facilities, including a kindergarten and a school, were affected by the air strikes. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with US broadcaster CBS that Russia only targets Ukraine's military or civilian sites used by the military. Asked if the attack was intentional, Lavrov said the minister of defense and commanders in the field have the right to attack targets used by the Ukrainian military. Western efforts to try and resolve the Ukraine war, or even secure a temporary cease-fire, have sputtered as Russia shows no indication it will ease its assault and as Ukraine pushes back on US proposals. The Kremlin reportedly is seeking a peace agreement that would allow Russia to keep control of Crimea as well as Ukrainian territory in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions it has seized since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelenskyy has repeatedly said that recognizing occupied territory as Russia's is a red line for Ukraine. He noted on April 24 that Ukraine had agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Moscow's attacks continue. Asked what Putin is doing now to help forge a peace deal, Trump said he was refraining from "taking the whole country," calling this a "pretty big concession." Commenting on the diplomatic efforts, Lavrov told CBS News that the United States and Russia are moving in the right direction, but some specific elements of a deal remain to be agreed. "The president of the United States believes -- and I think rightly so -- that we are moving in the right direction. The statement by [Trump] mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific...elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process." Trump did not spell out the elements of the deal, so Lavrov said it would not be appropriate for him to do so. "We continue our contacts with the American side on the situation in Ukraine, there are several signs that we are moving in the right direction," Lavrov said. Speaking at the White House after meeting with Trump, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said it was time for Russia to move forward in negotiations on the war. "There is something on the table now, I think, where the Ukrainians are really playing ball," Rutte said. "And I think the balls are clearly in the Russian court now." With reporting by Reuters, AP, and CBS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kyiv-strike-trump- putin-lavrov/33396313.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 IAEA Director General Grossi Discusses Global Non-proliferation, Nuclear Safety Issues with Senior US Officials in Washington DC International Atomic Energy Agency 24 Apr 2024 IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met high-level officials from the U.S. administration to discuss important current issues related to non-proliferation and nuclear safety worldwide, during a visit to Washington DC where he also spoke to the heads of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank about the financing of nuclear energy projects. It was the Director General's first visit to the U.S. capital since President Donald Trump began his current term in office in January. The United States was a driving force behind the establishment of the IAEA in 1957 to enable countries to benefit from the many positive peaceful uses of nuclear energy, while preventing atomic bomb proliferation. During a three-day visit that ended on Wednesday, Director General Grossi met Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), David Wright. "The United States is an indispensable partner in our important work to make the world safer and more prosperous," Director General Grossi said. "In this regard, I'm very encouraged by my discussions in Washington DC this week and the strong support for the IAEA's mission, especially our non-proliferation work and our efforts to promote the safe operation of nuclear power globally," he said. In his meetings with World Bank President Ayaj Banga and ADB President Masato Kanda, Director General Grossi discussed the important role of nuclear energy in addressing some of the world's most pressing development challenges and the opportunities for increased cooperation with multilateral development banks (MDBs) to help realize the full potential of peaceful nuclear applications. "To achieve sustainable development and prosperity, the world needs an abundance of clean, reliable and sustainable energy," Director General Grossi said. With World Bank President Banga, Director General Grossi shared the IAEA's perspective on nuclear energy and said the IAEA stands ready, upon request, to provide technical support to MDBs, particularly on nuclear infrastructure development including nuclear safety, security and safeguards. The World Bank and other MDBs currently do not contribute financing to nuclear power new build projects, although some MDBs have provided lending for upgrades to existing nuclear power reactors or their decommissioning. Director General Grossi said that financing nuclear power would better align MDBs with the "new global consensus" forged at COP28 in Dubai, where the world called for accelerating the deployment of nuclear power along with other zero emission energy technologies to achieve deep and rapid decarbonization. In addition, the Director General spoke at two high-profile think-tank events organised by the Council on Foreign Relations and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace respectively, answering questions on Iran's nuclear programme, North Korea's nuclear activities, the renewed worldwide momentum for nuclear energy and other current issues. At Carnegie, he also engaged in a lively exchange with a group representing the next generation of nuclear professionals. The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a global security organization, hosted Director General Grossi for a discussion about the IAEA's key role in effectively safeguarding the expansion of nuclear energy. "We are working with everyone, especially nuclear newcomers, to ensure that every project is going down the right path in terms of safeguards, safety, and security," he said at the NTI event. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TORONTO, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian North Resources Inc. (CNRI or the Company, TSXV: CNRI; OTCQX: CNRSF; FSE: EO0 (E-O-zero)) announces that it has filed with the TSX Venture Exchange a Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid which is proposed to commence on April 28, 2025 and terminate on April 27, 2026 or the earlier of the date all shares which are subject to the Normal Course Issuer Bid are purchased. In the opinion of the Board of Directors of CNRI, the market price of the Common Shares of CNRI does not accurately reflect the value of those shares. As a result, the CNRI intends to repurchase CNRIs Common Shares that may become available for purchase at prices, which make them an appropriate use of funds of the Company. CNRI intends to attempt to acquire up to an aggregate of 5,716,265 of its Common Shares over the next 12-month period, representing approximately 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of CNRI. Purchases subject to the Normal Course Issuer Bid will be carried out pursuant to open market transactions through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange and the price which the Company will pay for the Common Shares acquired by it will be the market price of the Common Shares at the time of acquisition. The Member through which the Normal Course Issuer Bid will be conducted by Ventum Financial Corp., Calgary, Alberta. All Common Shares purchased by CNRI under the Normal Course Issuer Bid will be cancelled. 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. About Canadian North Resources Inc. Canadian North Resources Inc. is an exploration and development company focusing on the critical metals for the clean-energy, electric vehicles, battery and high-tech industries. The company is advancing its 100% owned Ferguson Lake nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, and platinum project in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The Ferguson Lake mining property contains a substantial National Instrument 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate announced on March 19 2024, which include Indicated Mineral Resources of 66.1 million tonnes (Mt) containing 1,093 million pounds (Mlb) copper at 0.75%, 678Mlb nickel at 0.47%, 79.3Mlb cobalt at 0.05%, 2.34 million ounces (Moz) palladium at 1.10gpt and 0.419Moz platinum at 0.19gpt; and Inferred Mineral Resources of 25.9Mt containing 558Mlb copper at 0.98%, 333Mlb nickel at 0.58%, 39.6Mlb cobalt at 0.07%, 1.192Moz palladium at 1.43gpt and 0.205Moz platinum at 0.25gpt. In particular, 80% of the Indicated Mineral Resources is Open Pit with 52.7Mt at 0.65% copper, 0.43% nickel, 0.05% cobalt, 0.97gpt palladium and 0.17gpt platinum, which provides a solid Mineral Resource base for the initial development of a potential large mine. The Mineral Resource model indicates significant potential for resource expansion along strike and at depth over the 15 km long mineralized belt and a number of undefined mineralization zones and prospective areas. (Refer to Independent Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ferguson Lake Project, Nunavut, Canada (the Technical Report), prepared by SRK Consulting and Ronacher McKenzie Geoscience Inc., effective March 19, 2024, filed by the Company to SEDAR at http://www.sedar+.com on May 3, 2024. The Technical Report has also been posted on the Companys website at www.cnresources.com .) Qualified Person: Dr. Trevor Boyd, P.Geo. and Technical Advisor for Canadian North Resources, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 standards has reviewed the technical content of this news release and has approved its dissemination. Further information please visit the website at www.cnresources.com, or contact: Dr. Kaihui Yang, President and CEO Phone: 905-696-8288 (Canada) 1-888-688-8809 (Toll-Free) Email: info@cnresources.com LINDON, Utah, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ambia Energy has been awarded two prestigious honors in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards. CEO Conner Ruggio received a Gold Stevie Award for Best Entrepreneur in Energy, while COO Spencer Jensen earned a Silver Stevie Award for Achievement in Management in Energy. The American Business Awards are the USAs premier business awards program. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. More than 250 professionals participated as judges in determining this years winners. Judges commended Ruggio for an outstanding job leading Ambia through a period of incredible growth, highlighting his strategic leadership that drove a 139% year-over-year increase, expansion into six new states, and company-wide profitability in 2024. His investment in a fully integrated installation model has strengthened Ambias ability to serve customers while staying true to its mission of building meaningful careers and stronger communitiesearning praise for making it a priority to give back to the communities in which you live, as demonstrated by Ambias gift of a free solar system to a homeowner battling cancer. Appointed COO in 2023, Spencer Jensen was honored for leading a transformational overhaul of Ambias operations. Judges noted his impressive operational transformation, with exceptional results in growth, efficiency, and resilience during a tough market cycle. Under his leadership, project design timelines were reduced from 55 days to just one, permitting processes were strengthened, and over 2,000 in-house installations were completed in just over a yearcontributing to Ambias revenue doubling in 2024. Together, Ruggio and Jensen have not only safeguarded Ambias growth during a volatile period but also redefined whats possible in the solar industry. This recognition reflects the companys commitment to delivering dependable, high-quality energy solutions that help homeowners take control of their energy future. See all 2025 American Business Awards winners at stevieawards.com/aba/2025-stevie-award-winners . About Ambia Energy Ambia Energy is a leading solar and home improvement company with a mission to help homeowners transform their properties into energy-efficient, sustainable spaces. With a focus on innovation and integrity, Ambias success is rooted in its dedication to improving the customer experience, ensuring high-quality installations, and fostering a culture of continuous growth and education among its employees. Explore Ambias award-winning energy solutions at ambiasolar.com . Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e001b35-5a5d-4e76-8c4e-7c8ca163efca https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/22333e1c-5886-4f06-85e6-bef45d0aaf7d VANCOUVER, British Columbia , April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) ("Ero" or the Company) reported the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held today in Vancouver, British Columbia. A total of 88,486,748 common shares were represented at the meeting, being 85.44% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company as at the March 5, 2025 record date. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the meeting, including the re-election of managements nominees as directors for the ensuing year and the advisory vote on executive compensation. Detailed results of the votes are presented below. Each item of business voted upon at the meeting is described in detail in the Company's Management Information Circular dated March 6, 2025 (the Circular), which is available on the Company's website (www.erocopper.com), on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). SET THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT TEN Shareholders approved the proposal to set the number of directors at ten with 99.68% of votes cast in favour. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Shareholders re-elected ten directors as follows: Number of Common Shares Voted Percentage of Votes Cast Director Nominee For Withheld For Withheld David Strang 74,403,908 1,323,320 98.25% 1.75% Makko DeFilippo 75,019,071 708,157 99.06% 0.94% Jill Angevine 74,107,333 1,619,895 97.86% 2.14% Lyle Braaten 73,343,218 2,384,010 96.85% 3.15% Steven Busby 72,987,840 2,739,388 96.38% 3.62% Dr. Sally Eyre 74,138,186 1,589,042 97.90% 2.10% Robert Getz 73,295,009 2,432,219 96.79% 3.21% Chantal Gosselin 74,213,975 1,513,253 98.00% 2.00% Faheem Tejani 74,237,166 1,490,062 98.03% 1.97% John Wright 74,238,750 1,488,478 98.03% 1.97% APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR Shareholders re-appointed KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the auditor of the Company and authorized the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor with 99.71% of votes cast in favour. ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Shareholders approved the non-binding advisory say on pay resolution accepting the Companys approach to executive compensation as described in the Circular with 98.19% of votes cast in favour. ABOUT ERO COPPER CORP Ero Copper is a high-margin, high-growth copper producer with operations in Brazil and corporate headquarters in Vancouver, B.C. The Company's primary asset is a 99.6% interest in the Brazilian copper mining company, Mineracao Caraiba S.A. ("MCSA"), 100% owner of the Company's Caraiba Operations, which are located in the Curaca Valley, Bahia State, Brazil, and the Tucuma Operation, an open pit copper mine located in Para State, Brazil. The Company also owns 97.6% of NX Gold S.A. ("NX Gold") which owns the Xavantina Operations, an operating gold and silver mine located in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. In July 2024, the Company signed a definitive earn-in agreement with Vale Base Metals for a 60% interest in the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, located in the Carajas Mineral Province in Para State, Brazil. For more information on the earn-in agreement, please see the Company's press releases dated October 30, 2023 and July 22, 2024. Additional information on the Company and its operations, including technical reports on the Caraiba Operations, Xavantina Operations, Tucuma Operation and the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, can be found on the Companys website (www.erocopper.com), on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). The Companys shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ERO. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Courtney Lynn, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Strategy (604) 335-7504 info@erocopper.com TORONTO, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the final April 2025 cash distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF. Unitholders of record on April 25, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable on April 30, 2025. Details regarding the final per unit distribution amounts are as follows: Fund Name Fund Ticker Cash Distribution Per Unit iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR $0.121 Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca . About BlackRock BlackRocks purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA About iShares ETFs iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock. iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Contact for Media: Sydney Punchard Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com Detailed results from the CENTERSTONE trial show treatment with Xofluza reduced the odds of transmission, or spread of the influenza virus, from an infected person to household members by 32% 1 CENTERSTONE is the first global phase III trial that demonstrates the benefit of an antiviral in reducing the spread of a respiratory virus 1 Reducing the spread of infection within households could help limit transmission within institutions and communities, potentially easing the burden of both seasonal and pandemic influenza on healthcare systems2,3 Basel, 25 April 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has published a detailed analysis of the phase III CENTERSTONE trial of Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil).1 The trial met its primary endpoint, showing a single, oral dose of Xofluza taken by people infected with influenza reduced the odds of untreated household members contracting the virus by 32%.1 For the key secondary endpoint of influenza virus transmission resulting in symptoms, Xofluza showed a clinically meaningful reduction although statistical significance was not reached. Xofluza was well tolerated, with no new safety signals identified.1 This trial is the first to demonstrate an antiviral effect that reduces transmission of influenza viruses within a household. This result may potentially have broad-reaching implications for public health, said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roches Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. This publication reminds us of the ongoing societal need for solutions that can help ease the burden of influenza on society. Results from the CENTERSTONE trial have been submitted to health authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Influenza poses a significant health and economic burden, particularly for those at high risk of influenza-related complications.2,3 Every year, seasonal influenza infects an estimated one billion people worldwide and causes millions of hospitalisations, with up to 650,000 deaths globally.2,3 Approximately one-third of all influenza virus transmission occurs within households.4 As many as 75% of working adults experience approximately two days of absenteeism due to influenza, whether they or someone within their household is sick, with most reporting that they go to work despite exhibiting symptoms.5 In the event of a pandemic, influenza would likely have a significant impact on the overall functioning of healthcare systems.6,7 With the co-circulation and burden of multiple respiratory viruses (including COVID-19) infecting individuals within and outside of the winter season, it is more important than ever to have effective options to treat and prevent the spread of influenza.6,7 This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Other Transaction Agreement number: HHSO100201800036C. About CENTERSTONE8 The CENTERSTONE trial [NCT03969212] was a global phase III trial investigating the efficacy of single-dose Xofluza, taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, to reduce the onward transmission of influenza within households. The trial was conducted in 272 sites across the globe, with over 4,000 participants, and involved otherwise healthy patients from five to 64 years who had been diagnosed with influenza via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid influenza diagnostic test, known as index patients (IPs), and those within their household (known as household contacts, HHCs). The design of this randomised, placebo-controlled trial was developed with input from the US FDA and leading experts in influenza. The primary endpoint was the proportion of HHCs who tested positive for influenza within five days after the IP had been treated with either Xofluza or placebo (1:1 randomisation within 48 hours of symptoms onset). There was a 32% reduction in the odds of transmission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.68 [95.38% CI: 0.500.93]; adjusted incidence of transmission:13.4% with placebo vs 9.5% with baloxavir; p=0.013) with Xofluza versus placebo.1 For the key secondary endpoint of symptomatic transmission of influenza virus by day five, Xofluza showed a clinically meaningful reduction, although statistical significance was not reached. There was a 25% reduction in the odds of transmission resulting in symptoms (aOR = 0.75 [95.38% CI: 0.501.12]; p=0.155). Numerical reductions were observed for additional endpoints, including transmission at the household level and transmission up to day nine.1 About Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) Xofluza is a first-in-class, single-dose oral medicine with an innovative mechanism of action designed to block viral replication by inhibiting the cap-dependent endonuclease protein, reducing the duration of infectiousness and disease. Xofluza has demonstrated effectiveness against a wide range of influenza viruses, including in vitro and in vivo activity against oseltamivir-resistant strains and avian strains (H7N9, H5N1) in non-clinical studies. 9,10,11 Xofluza is approved in more than 75 countries for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza types A and B.12 In several countries, Xofluza is approved for the treatment of influenza in otherwise healthy patients and as a preventative treatment (post-exposure prophylaxis). Xofluza represents the first innovation in mechanism of action for an influenza antiviral approved in almost 20 years for treatment in children, adolescents, and adults.14 Robust clinical evidence has demonstrated the clinical benefit of single-dose Xofluza in the treatment of influenza in several populations (otherwise healthy and high-risk individuals and, children) and as post-exposure prophylaxis in the EU for children aged one and older, and in the US and China aged five and older.11,13,15,16,17 Xofluza was also studied in a phase III trial in children under the age of one year (NCT03653364).18 Xofluza was discovered by Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and is being further developed and commercialised globally in collaboration with the Roche Group (which includes Genentech in the US). Under the terms of this agreement, Roche holds worldwide rights to Xofluza excluding Japan and Taiwan, which will be retained exclusively by Shionogi & Co., Ltd. About Roche in Influenza Influenza is a serious infectious disease and represents a significant burden to public health through annual epidemics and periodic pandemics.2,3 Seasonal epidemics result in an estimated one billion cases, millions of hospitalisations, and up to 650,000 deaths globally every year.2,3 Roche has a long history of developing transformative medicines and diagnostics that contribute to public health. Roches Tamiflu (oseltamivir) has significantly improved the treatment of seasonal influenza and pandemic management. The Roche Diagnostics portfolio includes a range of tests and solutions that help differentiate influenza from other respiratory viruses, including the cobas Respiratory flex test, the cobas liat system, and the recently acquired LumiraDx point of care platform. Roche is committed to addressing the unmet need in influenza through its agreement with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialise Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil). 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. References [1] Monto, AS. et al. Efficacy of Baloxavir Treatment in Preventing Transmission of Influenza. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2413156 [2] ECDC. Factsheet about seasonal influenza. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/seasonal-influenza/facts/factsheet. [3] World Health Organization (WHO). Influenza (Seasonal). [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal). [4] Klick .B et al. Optimal design of studies of influenza transmission in households. I: Case-ascertained studies. 2011 Epidemiology and Infection, 140(1), pp. 106114. [5] Blanchet Zumofen, M.-H., et al. Impact of influenza and influenza-like illness on work productivity outcomes: A systematic literature review. 2022, PharmacoEconomics, 41(3), pp. 253273. [6] WHO. Joint Statement - Influenza season epidemic kicks off early in Europe as concerns over RSV rise and COVID-19 is Still a Threat. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/01-12-2022-joint-statement---influenza-season-epidemic-kicks-off-early-in-europe-as-concerns-over-rsv-rise-and-covid-19-is-still-a-threat. [7] WHO. Global Influenza Strategy 2019-2030. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515320. [8] Clinical Trials.gov. Study to assess the efficacy of baloxavir marboxil versus placebo to reduce onward transmission of Influenza A or B in households [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03969212. [9] Hayden F, et al. Baloxavir marboxil for uncomplicated influenza in adults and adolescents. New England Journal of Medicine 2018;379:913923. [10] Noshi T, et al. In vitro characterization of baloxavir acid, a first-in-class cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor of the influenza virus polymerase PA subunit. Antiviral Research. 2018;160:109-117. [11] Taniguchi K, et al. Inhibition of avian-origin influenza A(H7N9) virus by the novel cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil. Scientific Reports. 2019;9:3466. [12] Roche data on file. [13] European Medicines Agency. Summary of product characteristics, Xofluza. 2021. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from:https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/xofluza#product-info [14] Roche.com. Roches Xofluza approved by the European Commission for the treatment of influenza, the first new influenza antiviral for patients in almost 20 years. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2021-01-11. [15] Baker J, et al. Baloxavir marboxil single-dose treatment in influenza-infected children: A randomized, double-blind, active controlled phase 3 safety and efficacy trial (miniSTONE-2). The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. 2020;39(8):700-705. [16] Ikematsu H, et al. Baloxavir marboxil for Prophylaxis against Influenza in Household Contacts. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;383:309-320. [17] Ison, M et al. Early treatment with baloxavir marboxil in high-risk adolescent and adult outpatients with uncomplicated influenza (CAPSTONE-2): a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Infectious Diseases 2020;20(10):120414. [18] Clinicaltrials.gov. Study to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of baloxavir marboxil in healthy pediatric participants from birth to < 1 year with influenza-like symptoms. [Internet; cited April 2025]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03653364. 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 Attachment Dubai, UAE , April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- - As the city gears up to host the much-awaited Unchained Summit at the Kempinski Central Avenue on 28th and 29th April, a tide of excitement is rolling over the region's Web 3.0, Blockchain, and Digital Assets industries. The summit, hosted by Aeternum, promises more than an average Web 3.0 conference. It's a high-conviction meeting of founders, investors, policy shapers, and enterprise leaders driving the frontiers of how decentralized infrastructure will transform identity, finance, and trust in the digital world. Dubais Web 3.0 momentum is no longer a whisper, its a global signal. As the world tilts toward decentralized infrastructure, Dubai has emerged as the nexus where policy, capital, and innovation come together. With government-backed regulatory clarity, enterprise-grade adoption, and a thriving ecosystem of startups and investors, the emirate is fast becoming the capital of the decentralized ecosystem. Unchained Summit is more than a symptom of this energy; it's the driving force. The Dubai edition brings global architects of Web 3.0 together in one place, making Dubai a living laboratory for what the internet of value, trust, and autonomy really is. From builders to billionaires, Unchained Summits lineup of speakers include: Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder, Certik Ella Zhang, Head, YZi Labs Kostas Chalkias, Co-Founder and Chief Cryptographer, Mysten Labs Sreeram Kannan, Founder & CEO, EigenLayer May Zabaneh, VP of Product - Blockchain, Crypto & Digital Currencies, PayPal Greg Scanlon, VP Quantitative Blockchain, Franklin Templeton Digital Assets, Franklin Templeton Keone Hon, Co-Founder, Monad Foundation Lennix Lai, Global Chief Commercial Officer, OKX Nils Andersen-Roed, Global Head of FIU, Binance, and more. Web 3.0 is a collective movement, and Unchained Summit is where the next wave of builders and thinkers come together. Were here to drive the conversation. Web 3.0s growth hinges on infrastructure that can scale its about throughput, cost-efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Were proud to be at Unchained Summit, pushing the notion on sustainable blockchain designs, said Abhijit Shukla, Founder of TAN Blockchain. Richard Ma, CEO & Founder of Quantstamp said, I'm honored to be speaking at Unchained Summit, a premier event bringing together visionary leaders and innovators in the Web 3.0ecosystem. At Quantstamp, we're dedicated to securing the future of blockchain, and I look forward to sharing insights on advancing security, trust, and resilience within this rapidly evolving industry. Markets are moving on-chainnot just assets, but access, distribution, and users. We're excited to be at Unchained Summit talking about what it takes to put real-world assets in the hands of real people, said Jose F. Pereira, Executive Director, Own. Web 3.0 moves fastand the ones who show up shape where it goes. Unchained Summit brings together the doers, not just the talkers. At TBV, were here to back the founders turning big ideas into real traction, said Tobias Bauer, General Partner, TBV. Dubai is no longer just participating in Web 3.0, but its directing traffic, says Sharath Kumar, Founder & CEO of Aeternum and organizer of Unchained Summit. This is the one of the first real moments where were seeing decentralized technologies collide with institutional capital, national policy, and entrepreneurial energyall in one city. Unchained Summits official sponsors include: Platinum Sponsors: Mesh and Own Afterparty Sponsor: Consciousness Gold Sponsors: KoinBX , MOI Technology , and TAN Blockchain Silver Sponsors: AEON , BTSE , Mantle Network , and f(x) Protocol Bronze Sponsors: BlockchainX , Gresham International , Eco T rader , and Threshold Official Media Partner: Coin Edition With increasing interest in industries ranging from AI-driven gaming to tokenized assets, Unchained Summit indicates a wider industry transition: Web 3.0 is increasingly finding its way into mainstream enterprise planning. And as a result of this, after its Dubai edition, Unchained Summit is set to make its India debut on 5th and 6th December 2025, reaffirming its commitment to bridge APAC, Middle Eastern, and European Web 3.0 & Crypto ecosystems. As the Dubai chapter draws to a close, one thing is certain: the decentralized future is no longer a distant prospect; it is happening already. Tickets for the Dubai edition are on sale on the official site: unchainedsummit.com About Aeternum Consulting Ltd: Aeternum organizes business-to-business events in the emerging tech space, provides strategic consulting, and tailored services to a diverse range of clients, from corporations to governments and startups to individuals. Aeternum specializes in crafting impactful B2B platforms that foster meaningful connections, drive business growth, and facilitate knowledge sharing through conferences, exhibitions, and bespoke networking opportunities. For more information visit: aeternuminc.com For further details about the announcement, please contact: Maya K V media@aeternuminc.com | +971 55 243 1191 Partnerships Associate Aeternum Directorate Change Serabi Gold plc (Serabi or the Company) (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI, OTCQX:SRBIF), the Brazilian focused gold mining and development company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Colm Howlin as an Executive Director of the Company with immediate effect. As previously announced, Mr Howlin, the former Group Controller of Serabi, was appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer of the Company (initially non-Board) on 31 December 2024. Mr. Howlin, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland and has been with the Company since 2013 and is fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. Prior to joining Serabi as Group Controller, Mr. Howlin was formerly at KerryGroup Latam as Corporate Commercial Controller Latam based in Brazil. Michael Lynch-Bell, Chair of Serabi, commented: Colm has been with the Company for over 11 years, most recently as Chief Financial Officer, and I am delighted to have Colm now join the Board of Directors of the Company as a Director. Further AIM Disclosures on Colm Howlin As required under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) (i)-(viii) of the AIM Rules for Companies, further disclosures on Mr Howlin are as follows. Colm Howlin, aged 43, has held the following directorships and/or partnerships in the past five years: Current directorships and/or partnerships Past directorships and/or partnerships n.a. Advanced Campervan Conversions Ltd (Ireland) R&S Consultancy (Ireland) Mr Howlin holds no ordinary shares in the Company. Mr Howlin is interested in aggregate 472,360 conditional share awards awarded under the Serabi 2020 Restricted Share Plan. 83,600 conditional share awards were granted in respect of 2022 (which are due to vest in 2025), 151,300 in respect of 2023, 118,948 in respect of 2024 and 118,512 in respect of 2025. The performance criteria for these awards were Total Shareholder Return, Return on Capital Employment and Return on Sales. There is no further information on Mr. Howlin required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies. About Serabi Gold plc Serabi Gold plc is a gold exploration, development and production company focused on the prolific Tapajos region in Para State, northern Brazil. The Company has consistently produced 30,000 to 40,000 ounces per year with the Palito Complex and is planning to double production in the coming years with the construction of the Coringa Gold project. Serabi Gold plc recently made a copper-gold porphyry discovery on its extensive exploration licence. The Company is headquartered in the United Kingdom with a secondary office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Andrew Khov, Vice President, Investor Relations & Business Development. Enquiries SERABI GOLD plc Michael Hodgson t +44 (0)20 7246 6830 Chief Executive m +44 (0)7799 473621 Andrew Khov m +1 647 885 4874 Vice President, Investor Relations & Business Development e contact@serabigold.com www.serabigold.com BEAUMONT CORNISH Limited Nominated Adviser & Financial Adviser Roland Cornish / Michael Cornish t +44 (0)20 7628 3396 PEEL HUNT LLP Joint UK Broker Ross Allister t +44 (0)20 7418 9000 TAMESIS PARTNERS LLP Joint UK Broker Charlie Bendon/ Richard Greenfield t +44 (0)20 3882 2868 CAMARCO Financial PR - Europe Gordon Poole / Emily Hall t +44 (0)20 3757 4980 HARBOR ACCESS Financial PR North America Jonathan Patterson / Lisa Micali t +1 475 477 9404 Copies of this announcement are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com. See www.serabigold.com for more information and follow us on twitter @Serabi_Gold Assay Results Assay results reported within this release include those provided by the Company's own on-site laboratory facilities at Palito and have not yet been independently verified. Serabi closely monitors the performance of its own facility against results from independent laboratory analysis for quality control purpose. As a matter of normal practice, the Company sends duplicate samples derived from a variety of the Company's activities to accredited laboratory facilities for independent verification. Since mid-2019, over 10,000 exploration drill core samples have been assayed at both the Palito laboratory and certified external laboratory, in most cases the ALS laboratory in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. When comparing significant assays with grades exceeding 1 g/t gold, comparison between Palito versus external results record an average over-estimation by the Palito laboratory of 6.7% over this period. Based on the results of this work, the Company's management are satisfied that the Company's own facility shows sufficiently good correlation with independent laboratory facilities for exploration drill samples. The Company would expect that in the preparation of any future independent Reserve/Resource statement undertaken in compliance with a recognized standard, the independent authors of such a statement would not use Palito assay results without sufficient duplicates from an appropriately certificated laboratory. Forward-looking statements Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identied by their use of terms and phrases such as believe, could, should envisage, estimate, intend, may, plan, will or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors current expectations and assumptions regarding the Companys future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reect the Directors current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Several factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward looking statements. Qualified Persons Statement The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 30 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognizing him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009. Notice Beaumont Cornish Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to the Company in relation to the matters referred herein. Beaumont Cornish Limited is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in relation to the matters described in this announcement and is not advising any other person and accordingly will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Beaumont Cornish Limited, or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any matter referred to in it. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release Attachment HONG KONG, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a testament to the accelerating global push for climate tech solutions, this years TERA-Award has drawn innovators from around the world, shattering previous participation records. The smart energy competition closed applications in early April with 785 submissions from 76 countries and regionsthe highest in its four-year history. Behind the impressive statistics lies a tapestry of innovation across six categories, with Renewable Energy leading the pack. Competitors have submitted ideas across green fuels, hydrogen technology, smart energy systems, and sustainable infrastructureall aimed at addressing the worlds most pressing energy challenges. What were seeing is a remarkable global convergence around energy innovation, says Alan Chan, Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award Organising Committee. This surge in participation confirms that the TERA-Award has become a global platform for identifying and nurturing tomorrows energy solutions. The competitions international reach has expanded significantly. The US contributed 12.5% of entries, whilst the UK and India followed with 6.2% and 8.7% respectively. Applications from the Chinese mainland (18.1%) and Hong Kong (5.5%) remained strong, but the growing participation from Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas signals the global nature of the energy innovation ecosystem. Beyond its US$1 million grand prize, the TERA-Award has a proven track record of transforming ideas into commercial reality. Previous participant i2Cool recently closed its Series A funding with support from competition organiser Towngas. Its electricity-free cooling coatings are now deployed internationally, demonstrating the TERA-Awards impact beyond mere recognition. Similarly, Luquos Energy used Towngas's backing after participating in the competition to scale up its sulphur-based flow battery system, with a demonstration project now running in Shenzhen. These examples illustrate how the TERA-Award accelerates their solutions from lab to market. Attention now shifts to the judging phase led by Professor Cui Yi, a world-renowned materials scientist from Stanford University. The expert panel will evaluate the submissions on technological innovation, commercial viability, scalability, and potential global impact. Winners will be announced in July 2025, but for many participants, the real prize extends beyond the monetary award. The TERA-Award, empowered by Full Vision Capital, offers top teams access to industry leaders, potential investors, and strategic partnersresources often more valuable than the funding alone. For enquiries, please contact: The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) Tel: +852 2963 3493 Email: cad @towngas.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/514007ad-2257-4658-a9e5-c24870dd9fb1 Prosafe SE (the "Company") refers to the announcement published on 24 April 2025 in connection with the proposed recapitalisation of the Company (the "Transaction"). An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company will be held on 16 May 2025 at 13:00 CEST to pass resolutions required for the completion of the Transaction. The notice of the meeting, together with attendance and proxy forms are attached hereto. The Extraordinary General Meeting will be arranged virtually through Lumi. All documents to be processed in the meeting, including a guide for online participation, are available on https://www.prosafe.com/investor-information/corporate-governance/general-meetings/ Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to www.prosafe.com (http://www.prosafe.com) Oslo, 25 April 2025 Prosafe SE For further information, please contact: Terje Askvig, CEO Phone: +47 51 65 24 90 / +47 952 03 886 Reese McNeel, CFO Phone: +47 47 51 64 25 17 / +47 415 08 186 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Attachment Prosafe SE (the "Company") refers to the notice of an extraordinary general meeting published on 25 April 2025 in connection with the proposed recapitalisation of the Company announced on 24 April 2025, including the proposal to issue warrants ("Warrants" and the "Warrant Issue") in accordance with the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act Section 11-12 to existing shareholders as of the date of the extraordinary general meeting, conditional upon completion of the recapitalisation. Please see below for key information in relation to the Warrant Issue. Date on which the terms and conditions of the Warrant Issue were announced: 25 April 2025 Last day including right: 16 May 2025 Ex-date: 19 May 2025 Record date: 20 May 2025 Maximum number of Warrants: 17,868,651 Subscription price: None, the Warrants will be offered without consideration Ratio for Warrants: 1 existing share gives the right to subscribe for 1 Warrant Will the Warrants be listed: No Other information: 1 Warrant will give the right to subscribe for 1 new share in the Company at a subscription price of EUR 0.01 per new share. The Warrants will be non-tradable. The Warrants Issue and the subsequent exercise period for the Warrants is conditional upon the Company completing the proposed recapitalization, expected to take place in Q3 2025. The Warrants Issue is subject to the preparation and publication of a prospectus. Warrants will not be offered to shareholders in a jurisdiction where such offering would be unlawful or, for jurisdictions other than Norway, would require any prospectus, filing, registration or similar action, other than in accordance with applicable exemptions. Oslo, 25 April 2025 Prosafe SE For further information, please contact: Terje Askvig, CEO Phone: +47 51 65 24 90 / +47 952 03 886 Reese McNeel, CFO Phone: +47 47 51 64 25 17 / +47 415 08 186 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. LAS VEGAS, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When military service ends, many Veterans find themselves facing a new kind of battle one marked by PTSD, addiction, and the struggle to reconnect with daily life. With an average of 17 Veterans lost to suicide every day, Virtue Recovery Center is stepping in with a mission grounded in compassion, trust, and real support. Cookie-cutter solutions dont work for those whove faced the intense pressures of service, loss, or combat. Thats why some centers have developed Veteran-specific treatment programs shaped by years of collaboration with former service members. In 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death among Veterans under 45, and heartbreaking stories like that of Marine Jason Carmack who took his life after being denied private rehab are far too common. It doesnt have to be this way. Centers in Las Vegas, Houston, and Oregon, are offering a safe, stigma-free space for Veterans to access care, including: Trauma-focused therapy and Veteran PTSD treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Substance use and relapse prevention programs Peer-led support groups, medical drug detox and stabilization and stabilization Long-term aftercare recovery planning But beyond treatment, centers like Virtue Recovery provide something deeper: a space where Veterans are seen, respected, and understood not as statistics, but as people carrying a heavy load. Whether its rebuilding confidence, learning new coping skills, or simply finding peace, our goal is to help Veterans step into a future they deserve, says Michael Banis, Chief Development Officer at Virtue Recovery Center. Recovery at Virtue isnt just about sobriety its about life. When a Veteran heals, the ripple effects reach their families, relationships, and communities. If you or a loved one is struggling, help is available. Because Veterans didnt fight alone and they shouldnt have to heal alone either. Virtue Recovery Center operates as a nationally recognized network of drug treatment facilities that provides evidence-based, compassionate care for people facing substance use disorders and mental health conditions alongside trauma. Virtue Recovery achieves actionable treatment through a combination of clinical excellence and human-centered techniques, utilizing specialized programs for Veterans, first responders, and underserved communities. This release contains sensitive content related to mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a professional or use the resources listed above. Your vote is important, regardless of the number of Calibre shares you hold. Securityholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the deadline on Tuesday, 29 April at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time). For assistance in voting, please contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by phone at 1-877-452-7184 (North American toll-free) or 1-416-304-0211 (outside North America), or by email at assistance@laurelhill.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (the Company or Calibre) is pleased to announce that both Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis), two leading independent proxy advisory firms, have recommended that Calibre Securityholders ("Securityholders") vote FOR the resolution approving the proposed business combination between Calibre and Equinox Gold Corp. ("Equinox") at the upcoming Special Meeting of Securityholders (the "Meeting") scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025. The Board of Directors of Calibre unanimously recommends that Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. Independent Proxy Advisory Firm Recommendations Following the announcement of the amended terms for the proposed merger between Calibre and Equinox (see news release dated April 23, 2025), Glass Lewis has updated its recommendation. Glass Lewis now recommends that Calibre Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution, noting that the improved exchange ratio aligns with broader market expectations and offers greater downside protection while preserving the long-term upside potential of the combined company. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE VOTE TODAY The proxy voting deadline is 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Meeting Details The Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) at the offices of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Suite 2200, RBC Place, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. For complete details and access to all relevant documents related to the Meeting, please visit the Calibre Mining website here. Securityholder Questions & Voting Assistance Securityholders who have previously voted AGAINST the Arrangement Resolution and who wish to change their vote can simply revote in favor. For further assistance, Securityholders may contact the Company's proxy solicitation agent: Laurel Hill Advisory Group Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184 (for Securityholders in North America) International: +1 416-304-0211 (for Securityholders outside Canada and USA) By Email: assistance@laurelhill.com About Calibre Calibre (TSX: CXB) is a Canadian-listed, Americas focused, growing mid-tier gold producer with a strong pipeline of development and exploration opportunities across Newfoundland & Labrador in Canada, Nevada and Washington in the USA, and Nicaragua. Calibre is focused on delivering sustainable value for Securityholders, local communities and all stakeholders through responsible operations and a disciplined approach to growth. With a strong balance sheet, a proven management team, strong operating cash flow, accretive development projects and district-scale exploration opportunities Calibre will unlock significant value. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Darren Hall Darren Hall, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Ryan King SVP Corporate Development & IR T: 604.628.1012 E: calibre@calibremining.com W: www.calibremining.com Calibres head office is located at Suite 1560, 200 Burrard St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3L6. YouTube / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook / X The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", assume, "intend", strategy, goal, objective, possible or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. These include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the approval of the Arrangement by the Calibre Securityholders; application for a final order of the court approving the Arrangement and the approval thereof by the court; timing for closing the Arrangement; Calibre and the combined companys plans and expectations with respect to the proposed Arrangement, the expectations regarding exploration potential and production capabilities of the combined company; the potential valuation of the combined company following completion of the Arrangement; the accuracy of the pro forma financial position and outlook of the combined company following completion of the Arrangement; the expected benefits of the new board and management team of the combined company; and the anticipated impact of the proposed Arrangement on the combined companys results of operations, financial position, growth opportunities and competitive position. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, the possibility that Calibre Securityholders may not approve the Arrangement or Securityholders of Equinox may not approve the share issuance; the risk that any other condition to closing of the Arrangement may not be satisfied; the risk that the closing of the Arrangement might be delayed or not occur at all; the risk that the either Calibre or Equinox may terminate the Arrangement Agreement and either Calibre or Equinox is required to pay a termination fee to the other party; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships of Calibre or Equinox, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Arrangement; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of Calibre and Equinox; the effects of the business combination of Calibre and Equinox , including the combined companys future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; the ability of the combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the timeframe expected or at all; changes in capital markets and the ability of the combined company to finance operations in the manner expected; the risk that Calibre or Equinox may not receive the required court, stock exchange and regulatory approvals to effect the Arrangement; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed Arrangement; the risk of changes in laws, governmental regulations or enforcement practices; the effects of commodity prices, life of mine estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; the risks of mining activities; the fact that operating costs and business disruption may be greater than expected following the public announcement or consummation of the Arrangement; and other risks and uncertainties set out in Calibres annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, its management discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other disclosure documents of the Company filed on the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Calibre's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. Calibre does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Cary, NC, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As organizations worldwide prepare to celebrate World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, INE Security is drawing attention to targeted cybersecurity training and education as the frontline defense in protecting intellectual property across a wide swath of industries. While this year's World IP Day theme ("IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP") spotlights the music industry, INE Security recognizes that intellectual property protection extends far beyond creative sectors to encompass healthcare innovations, manufacturing processes, financial services, and technology development. "Intellectual property represents the cornerstone of innovation and competitive advantage across virtually every industry," said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. "With IP-intensive industries contributing over $7 trillion to the US GDP and supporting nearly half of all American jobs, proper security training isn't just about preventing breachesit's about preserving the foundation of our global economy and fostering continued innovation. Organizations that prioritize cybersecurity certifications for their IT and security teams are better equipped to identify and respond to emerging threats targeting intellectual property." Industry research highlights the growing urgency of this mission. According to Statista, cybercrime costs are projected to reach $15.63 trillion annually by 2029, with intellectual property theft accounting for a significant percentage of these losses. 90% of CISOs say their organizations experienced at least one disruptive attack last year, according to Splunk, with attacks becoming more targeted and sophisticated across multiple sectors. The Human Factor in IP Protection Despite investments in technological solutions, the human element remains the most vulnerable link in the intellectual property protection chain. According to recent studies: 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error (IBM Cyber Security Threat Intelligence Index Report). Organizations experience an average of $70,000 in annual savings and a 10% increase in productivity when teams are well trained (IBM: The Value of Training). 87% of companies acknowledge skill gaps on their security teams (McKinsey & Company: Mind the [skills] Gap). "The most sophisticated security technology in the world can be rendered ineffective by a single employee who hasn't been properly trained," explained Warn. "That's why we focus on working with specific industries to develop comprehensive security training and cybersecurity certification programs that address the unique security concerns across different sectors." Specialized Training Across Industries INE Security has training programs that address the specific security vulnerabilities in various industries: Healthcare : Worldwide, healthcare remains the number one industry targeted by cyber attackers, with 173 attacks in 2023 costing an average of $10 million each. Worldwide, healthcare remains the number one industry targeted by cyber attackers, with 173 attacks in 2023 costing an average of $10 million each. Business Services : INE Security has a strategic partnership for IT Service Providers that gives select partners the ability to offer INEs comprehensive platform to clients as part of a comprehensive IT solution. INE Security has a strategic partnership for IT Service Providers that gives select partners the ability to offer INEs comprehensive platform to clients as part of a comprehensive IT solution. Government : INE Security trains multifunctional teams in government and defense to secure systems and restore networks. INE Security trains multifunctional teams in government and defense to secure systems and restore networks. Finance : Speed is critical for Financial Services IT and InfoSec professionals. INE Security enables IT and InfoSec teams to assess, train, practice, and certify skills in one platform. Speed is critical for Financial Services IT and InfoSec professionals. INE Security enables IT and InfoSec teams to assess, train, practice, and certify skills in one platform. Higher Education : Programming startup costs exceed $2.2 million for colleges and universities. Partnering with INE Security can drastically reduce costs while creating a robust program to close critical skill gaps. Programming startup costs exceed $2.2 million for colleges and universities. Partnering with INE Security can drastically reduce costs while creating a robust program to close critical skill gaps. Industrial Control Systems : Manufacturing tops the list for cyber threats while infrastructure attacks are surging. INE Security can ready response with expert IT and cybersecurity training for ICS professionals. Manufacturing tops the list for cyber threats while infrastructure attacks are surging. INE Security can ready response with expert IT and cybersecurity training for ICS professionals. Telecommunications : Multiple skills are needed to maintain, defend, and advance telecom operations. INE Security makes it easy and affordable to cross-train IT and InfoSec talent. While the average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.88 million, the true impact of IP theft goes far beyond the immediate financial considerations. Organizations must be able to trust the security of their intellectual property. Effective and proactive security training is the first line of defense for organizations to protect their most valuable assets. About INE Security: BEIJING, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (Sunlands or the Company), a leader in Chinas adult online education market and Chinas adult personal interest learning market, today announced that it has 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 SEC) on April 25, 2025, U.S. Eastern Time. The annual report can be accessed on the Companys investor relations website at https://ir.sunlands.com and on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a hard copy of the annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to sl-ir@sunlands.com. About Sunlands Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) (Sunlands or the Company), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is a leader in Chinas adult online education market and Chinas adult personal interest learning market. With a one to many live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree- or diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as professional certification preparation, professional skills and interest courses. Students can access the Companys services either through PC or mobile applications. The Companys online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Companys proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals. For more information, please visit https://ir.sunlands.com. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Sunlands Technology Group Investor Relations Email: sl-ir@sunlands.com SOURCE: Sunlands Technology Group TORONTO, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEO Battery Materials Ltd. (NEO or the Company) (TSXV: NBM) (OTC: NBMFF), a low-cost silicon anode materials developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries, as part of the Battery Board Transition Initiative, is highly pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kenneth Hoffman, CFA, CIM, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Hoffman is an internationally distinguished expert in battery materials with over 30 years of experience in investment management, energy, and metals and mining. Previously, Mr. Hoffman was the Global Head of Battery Materials at McKinsey & Company, where he advised on strategic planning, supply chain integration, and capital raising for clients across the global battery value chain. He has conducted more than 100 due diligences involving battery technologies and critical mineral assets and developed AI-enabled evaluation frameworks for leading industry stakeholders. Prior to McKinsey, Mr. Hoffman served as the Global Head of Bloomberg Metals & Mining Research at Bloomberg and has held senior investment positions as a Portfolio Manager and Global Director of Research for prominent, large-AUM funds, including Millennium Partners and MarCap Investors. As a member of NEOs Board of Directors, Mr. Hoffman will provide strategic support for industry partnerships, battery market expansion, and corporate development, reinforcing the Companys position as a leading battery materials innovator. Moreover, his extensive global network and expert understanding of the global battery and investment landscape will be instrumental in advancing NEOs commercialization of its silicon anode technology. In addition to his corporate roles, Mr. Hoffman is frequently invited as a keynote speaker at international forums and conferences, including PDAC, Saudi Arabias Future Minerals Forum, Fastmarkets events, and London Metal Exchange conferences. He also serves as a Director of North Americas largest battery industry event, The Battery Show, and is a special advisor to Pure Lithium, a Boston-based lithium metal battery technology company. Mr. Kenneth Hoffman commented, The world is looking for faster charging, less expensive, and higher density batteries. Being able to produce lower cost silicon anodes that enable faster charging and longer cycle life will be a key improvement in battery technology. I look forward to working with NEO as they look to solve these problems facing current silicon anodes. Mr. Spencer Huh, President and Chief Executive Officer of NEO, stated, We are greatly excited to invite Ken onto NEOs Board. Ken brings exceptional industry insight and strategic capabilities to the Company. His expertise in battery technology, supply chain development, and investment strategy will prove invaluable as we accelerate the commercialization of our silicon anode technology. As a part of director compensation, the Company has granted incentive stock options (the Options) to Mr. Hoffman to acquire an aggregate of 300,000 common shares in accordance with the Companys 10% rolling stock option plan. Subject to the terms of the stock option agreement, all Options were granted at an exercise price of $0.60 with an expiry date of April 25, 2025, in which 150,000 Options will vest immediately and the remainder in four (4) months from the date of grant. 2025 Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders The annual general and special meeting (the Meeting) of shareholders of the Company will be held on June 4, 2025 at 11:00 ET. Proxy materials, including the management information circular and the form of proxy, can be found on the Companys website at https://neobatterymaterials.com/annual-general-meeting/ or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All proxies must be received by June 2, 2025 at 11:00 ET. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date of April 15, 2025, will be entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting. About NEO Battery Materials Ltd. NEO Battery Materials is a Canadian battery materials technology company focused on developing silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems. With a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process, NEO Battery enables longer-running and ultra-fast charging batteries compared to existing state-of-the-art technologies. The Company aims to be a globally-leading producer of silicon anode materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage industries. For more information, please visit the Companys website at: https://www.neobatterymaterials.com/. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Spencer Huh Director, President, and CEO For Investor Relations, PR & More Information: info@neobatterymaterials.com T: +1 (437) 451-7678 This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified notably 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 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: volatile stock prices; the general global markets and economic conditions; the possibility of write-downs and impairments; the risk associated with the research and development of advanced and battery-related technologies; the risk associated with the effectiveness and feasibility of technologies that have not yet been tested or proven on commercial scale; manufacturing process scale-up risks, including maintaining consistent material quality, production yields, and process reproducibility at a commercial scale; compatibility issues with existing battery chemistries and unforeseen the risks associated with entering into and maintaining collaborations, joint ventures, or partnerships with battery cell manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and various companies in the global battery supply chain; the risks associated with the construction, completion, and financing of commercial facilities including the Windsor and South Korean facilities; the risks associated with supply chain disruptions or cost fluctuations in raw materials, processing chemicals, and additive prices, impacting production costs and commercial viability; the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of research, development and production; competition faced by the Company in securing experienced personnel and financing; access to adequate infrastructure and resources to support battery materials research and development activities; the risks associated with changes in the technology regulatory regime governing the Company; the risks associated with the timely execution of the Companys strategies and business plans; the risks associated with the lithium-ion battery industrys demand and adoption of the Companys silicon anode technology; market adoption and integration challenges, including the difficulty of incorporating silicon anodes within battery manufacturers and OEMs systems; the risks associated with the various environmental and political regulations the Company is subject to; risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; the reliance on key personnel; liquidity risks; the risk of litigation; risk management; and other risk factors as identified in the Companys recent Financial Statements and MD&A and in recent securities filings for the Company which are available on www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued R&D and commercialization activities, no material adverse change in precursor prices, development and commercialization plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations, research and development, and commercialization plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this presentation, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. US & Canada, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, the Valve Actuator Market is observing significant growth owing to growing advancements in valve actuators and increasing growth in the oil and gas industry. The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the valve actuator market comprises a vast array of product types, torque, speeds, and end users, which are expected to register strength during the forecast period. To explore the valuable insights in the Valve Actuator Market report, you can easily download a sample PDF of the report - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00039105/ Overview of Report Findings Market Growth: The Valve Actuator Market was valued at US$ 17.25 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 24.62 billion by 2031; it is expected to register a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. Development of Advanced Valve Actuators: Recent developments in material science have produced strong, lightweight materials, enabling the creation of resilient, light, and mechanically strong actuators. The advancement of valve actuators is improving precision, reliability, and seamless integration with automation systems. This includes the digital evolution for smarter operations, enhanced diagnostics, and predictive maintenance, contributing to greater efficiency and sustainability in operations. Recent developments in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and information technology are anticipated to force the creation of new, smaller gadgets and machines that demand the use of strong forces. In addition, the rise of smart and data-driven urban environments demands technologies with changing environments. Development of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants: Residential, commercial, and industrial sectors are growing with the rising population and increasing industrialization worldwide. A sizable volume of untreated wastewater from commercial, residential, and agricultural sources is dumped into rivers and other bodies of water. This unchecked discharge poses serious health risks, degrades soil, and pollutes water. According to Avantor, untreated wastewater poses significant health risks, accounting for 1.7 million deaths annually. More than 90% of those deaths are in developing nations. Thus, there is a growing focus on developing wastewater treatment facilities to safeguard people, as well as local ecosystems, from toxic elements detected in wastewater. Valve actuators have several uses in sewage and water treatment facilities. The flow of water and wastewater is managed through these facilities by enduring harsh environments, high water pressures, and fast flow rates. Valve actuators must consistently operate with accuracy, precision, and control under these demanding conditions, as the malfunction can lead to serious financial and safety repercussions. Miniature Actuators: The miniaturization of the actuators is expected to play a crucial role in integration with the miniatured electronic systems. Market players are engaged in innovating valve actuators. According to Bennett University's blog in May 2022, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) will use actuators to combine mechanical and electrical components in micrometer or millimeter-sized integrated devices or systems. These devices or systems can sense physical stimulus, control a process or system and actuate or drive micro or mega-scale devices. In addition, with the integration of IoT, many sensors and actuators are required for constant monitoring of these devices. Therefore, there will be a large requirement for small, low-powered, wireless sensors and smart actuators in the upcoming years, which will drive the valve actuator market during the forecast period. Stay Updated on The Latest Valve Actuator Market Trends: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00039105/ Market Segmentation Based on product type, the valve actuator market is segmented into manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical. The electrical segment dominated the market in 2024. Based on torque, the valve actuator market is segmented into less than 50 Nm, 50 to 1000 Nm, and higher than 1000 Nm. The 50 to 1000 Nm segment dominated the market in 2024. Based on speed, the valve actuator market is segmented into up to 10 mm/s, 10 mm/s to 40 mm/s, 40 mm/s to 80 mm/s, and above 80 mm/s. The 10 mm/s to 40 mm/s segment dominated the market in 2024. On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into oil and gas, chemical, mining, water and wastewater, LNG, glass, pulp and paper, steel, power, and others. The oil and gas segment dominated the market in 2024. Competitive Strategy and Development Key Players: A few major companies operating in the Valve Actuator Market include AUMA Riester GmbH & Co. KG, SLB, Rotork Plc, Emerson Electric Co, Alfa Laval AB, Crane Company, Valmet Oyj, Flowserve Corp, KITZ Corp, Schneider Electric SE, Controls Supply Chain B.V., and IMI Plc. Trending Topics: Industrial Valves Market, IoT Valve Market, Electric Actuator Market, among others Global Headlines on Valve Actuator Market IMI unveiled plans for a new US$ 38 million manufacturing facility in Lake Forest, California, USA, which will predominantly support its IMI CCI brand of actuator and control valves. AUMA added an explosion-proof version to its successful PROFOX actuator series. The new PROFOX-X actuators expand all the benefits of the Company's small and smart PROFOX actuator series to applications in potentially explosive atmospheres. Emerson Electric Co launched a new eco-friendly electric valve actuator used for ensuring accurate process control in adverse conditions. Purchase Premium Copy of Global Valve Actuator Market Size and Growth Report (2025-2031) at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00039105/ Conclusion According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, wastewater treatment facilities in the US process ~34 billion gallons of wastewater every day. An estimated 14,748 public-owned water treatment plants in this country provide wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal services to 238.2 million people. In March 2025, the federal government is allocating US$ 19.6 million via the Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to fund three wastewater and drinking water projects throughout New Brunswick. Valve actuators play a pivotal role in wastewater treatment plants for controlling the flow of water throughout the treatment process. According to the Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis, China, India, and Indonesia are the largest oil-producing countries in this region. On the other hand, China, Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia are the largest gas-producing countries in Asia Pacific. The region recorded a 3.1% per annum increase in gas production in 2021, and India, China, Australia, and Pakistan, in particular, exceeded the production levels recorded in 2019. According to the US Energy Information Administration, crude oil processing, or refinery runs, in China averaged the highest at 14.8 million barrels per day in 2023. Thus, the flourishing oil and gas production propels the growth of the valve actuators market in Asia Pacific. The growth in the oil and gas industry and the rise in FDI to boost the oil industry play a major role in fueling the market growth. The report from The Insight Partners, therefore, provides several stakeholdersincluding solution providers, system integrators, and end users with valuable insights to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities. Trending Related Reports: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/iot-valves-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/industrial-valve-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/en/reports/hygienic-pumps-and-valves-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/aircraft-actuators-market https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/aerospace-and-defense-actuators-market About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Contact Person: Ankit Mathur E-mail: ankit.mathur@theinsightpartners.com Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Press Release - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/pr/valve-actuator-market ROUGEMONT, Quebec, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lassonde Industries Inc. (TSX: LAS.A) ("Lassonde" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2025 results on Friday, May 9, 2025. Mr. Vince Timpano, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Eric Gemme, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call. OPEN TO: Investors, analysts, and all interested parties DATE: Friday, May 9, 2025 TIME: 8:30 a.m. ET CALL: 647-846-8280 (for overseas participants) 1-833-752-3549 (for other North American participants) A live audio broadcast of the conference call will be available on the Corporations website, on the Investors page or here: https://www.gowebcasting.com/14018. The replay of the webcast will remain available at the same link until midnight, May 16, 2025. THE PRESS RELEASE WILL BE PUBLISHED THE DAY PRIOR (MAY 8) AFTER MARKETS CLOSE. Please connect 15 minutes before the conference begins. If you are unable to call in at this time, you may access a recording of the meeting by dialing 1-855-669-9658 and entering the passcode 5250176 on your telephone keypad. This recording will be available on Friday, May 9, 2025 as of 12:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025. Media wishing to quote an analyst should contact the analyst personally for permission. About Lassonde Headquartered in Canada and with operations across North America, Lassonde Industries Inc. is a leader in the food and beverage industry in North America. The Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of national brand and private label products, including fruit juices and drinks, specialty food products, and fruit-based snacks. Lassonde also manufactures and markets cranberry sauces as well as selected wines, ciders and other selected alcoholic beverages. Altogether, Lassonde distributes over 3,500 unique products in approximately 200 formats across shelf-stable, chilled, and frozen categories. The Corporations go-to-market strategy consists of (i) retail sales to food retailers and wholesalers such as supermarket chains, independent grocers, superstores, warehouse clubs, convenience stores, and major pharmacy chains and (ii) food service sales to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and wholesalers serving these institutions. Lassonde operates 19 plants located in Canada and the United States through the expertise of over 2,900 full-time equivalent employees. To learn more, visit www.lassonde.com. SOURCE: Lassonde Industries Inc. Beijing, China, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Beijing on Wednesday. The two leaders announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is paying a state visit to China from Tuesday to Thursday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi. During the meeting on Wednesday, Xi said that both sides should continuously enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation and strengthen international collaboration to open a new chapter of all-round cooperation, according to the Xinhua News Agency. He added that China supports Azerbaijan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in continuing to follow a development path that suits its national conditions. China is willing to carry out in-depth law enforcement and security cooperation with Azerbaijan to resolutely combat the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, Xi said. He called on both sides to strengthen the alignment of development strategies, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and encourage educational, cultural, tourism, youth and sub-national cooperation. Aliyev said Azerbaijan and China have always respected and trusted each other in the face of changes unseen in a century, with bilateral cooperation continuously deepened, economic and trade relations developing rapidly, and local exchanges becoming closer. Azerbaijan stands ready to work with China to promote the building of a comprehensive strategic partnership, expand cooperation concerning the Belt and Road Initiative, digital economy, green energy and science and technology, deepen exchanges between political parties and people of the two countries, and strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs, Aliyev said, according to Xinhua. After the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and witnessed the signing of 20 documents on cooperation in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, justice, green development, digital economy, intellectual property rights and aerospace. The establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries is a natural progression, Chinese observers said. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Azerbaijan has supported China on issues concerning its core interests, and the two countries share similar or aligned positions on many international matters. With strong complementarities across various sectors, the foundation for deeper cooperation is solid. This upgrade reflects the joint efforts of the two countries and serves the shared interests of the people, Zhu Yongbiao, executive director of the Research Center for the Belt and Road at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times. China has prioritized development in sectors such as digital technology and green development in recent years, and countries like Azerbaijan also view them as key focuses for development, Zhu said. The two sides are highly complementary in these fields, with China offering advanced technologies, extensive experience and a well-developed industrial chain. China is also willing to share its expertise and solutions with Azerbaijan and other partners to promote joint development and the broader adoption of relevant technologies and products, the expert said. As a key hub along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, or Middle Corridor, Azerbaijan plays a vital role in linking China and Europe. The newly signed documents include infrastructure cooperation to enhance the efficiency of the China-Europe land-sea route while advancing logistics standardization and improving cross-border customs procedures to facilitate trade, Sun Xiuwen, an associate professor at the Institute for Central Asian Studies at Lanzhou University told the Global Times. Azerbaijan's successful hosting of the COP29 climate conference in November 2024 highlights its growing role in global climate governance. Looking ahead, China-Azerbaijan cooperation is expected to focus on emerging sectors such as low-carbon development, the digital economy and smart infrastructure, with joint efforts in advancing green technologies, Sun said. Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for Aliyev and his wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People. Xi and Peng also hosted a welcoming banquet for Aliyev and Aliyeva in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People at noon on Wednesday, Xinhua reported. Also on Wednesday, China and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on mutual visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders in both countries, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The move comes as China has been continuously expanding visa exemptions for a growing number of countries. Oppose trade war President Xi said on Wednesday that tariff and trade wars undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, hurt the multilateral trading system and impact the world economic order, according to Xinhua. When holding talks with Aliyev, Xi said China is willing to work with Azerbaijan to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, firmly protect respective legitimate rights and interests, and defend international fairness and justice. Previously on April 11 when meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing, President Xi also said that there is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation, according to Xinhua. The remarks once again made clear China's stance on the tariff war, said Zhu, noting that China has clearly expressed its opposition to the US coercive trade measures, and China's approach aligns with the views of many countries, including Azerbaijan. He noted that the global economy remains fragile and US unilateralism poses widespread risks, not only to major powers but also to developing countries, and threatens global economic growth. Sun said that facing growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Azerbaijan is also seeking diversified partnerships to mitigate risks. As a stable global economic power, China offers support in investment, technology and market access. More importantly, amid global supply chain disruption driven by trade tensions and tariffs, deeper cooperation with China could help optimize regional logistics. As members of the Global South, China and Azerbaijan are also deepening bilateral ties while jointly promoting a fairer and more inclusive global governance system through multilateral cooperation, Sun said. Alongside partners in Eurasia, Latin America and Africa, they advocate for UN reform to strengthen the voice of developing countries, particularly within institutions like the Security Council. Mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS serve as key platforms for advancing practical, results-driven cooperation, contributing to greater stability in regional and global development amid global uncertainties, said the expert. This article first appeared in the Global Times: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332729.shtml Company: Global Times Contact Person: Anna Li Email: editor@globaltimes.com.cn Website: https://globaltimes.cn City: Beijing Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Recommendation is based on Phase 3 EPIDYS trial data that demonstrated Duvyzat (givinostat) provides statistically and clinically meaningful treatment benefits in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) If approved by the European Commission, Duvyzat will be available for individuals with DMD aged six years and older who are able to walk; adding to the existing authorisations, already granted in the US and UK European Commission decision on marketing authorisation is expected in July 2025 MILAN, Italy, April 25, 2025 Italfarmaco S.p.A. announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of a conditional marketing authorisation for Duvyzat (givinostat), a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. The recommended marketing authorisation is for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) aged six years and older who are able to walk (ambulant), when taken together with corticosteroids. Conditional approval would make Duvyzat available to patients while Italfarmaco continues to generate additional clinical evidence to further strengthen and expand upon the compelling results observed to date. The European Commission (EC) will review the CHMPs recommendation and is expected to make a final decision in July 2025. Pending authorisation, Italfarmaco will work closely with local authorities to facilitate rapid access, ensuring Duvyzat is made available across the European Union (EU). The CHMPs recommendation is a validation of Duvyzats therapeutic potential, said Paolo Bettica, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Italfarmaco Group. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing innovative treatments that can provide life-changing benefits to individuals living with DMD. We are profoundly grateful to the families, caregivers, and patient communities whose engagement and advocacy have been instrumental in reaching this significant achievement. The urgent need for disease-modifying therapies in Duchenne cannot be overstated, and this CHMP recommendation marks a critical step forward. Through years of rigorous research, Duvyzat has consistently demonstrated a favourable risk-benefit profile and the potential to significantly delay disease progression across a broad range of patients. Its unique mechanism of action represents an important addition to the treatment landscape, offering new hope that Duvyzat could become a foundational therapy for those living with Duchenne, said Prof Eugenio Mercuri, MD, Professor of Paediatric Neurology at the Catholic University, Rome, Italy. Together with the DMD community, we welcome the CHMPs opinion, which moves us closer to making Duvyzat available to eligible patients living with Duchenne in the EU, said Dr. Francesco De Santis, President of Italfarmaco Holding and Chairman of Italfarmaco Group at Italfarmaco. The positive decision supports bringing this novel treatment to patients while we continue to generate additional clinical evidence. Our focus remains clear: to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by Duchenne. The positive CHMP decision is based on the results of the EPIDYS Phase 3 multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT02851797). In the EPIDYS study, a total of 179 ambulant boys six years of age or older received either Duvyzat twice daily or placebo, in addition to corticosteroid treatment. The EPIDYS study met its primary endpoint demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful difference in time to complete the four-stair climb assessment. Duvyzat also showed favourable results on key secondary endpoints including North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) and fat infiltration evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging. Specifically, Duvyzat treatment was associated with 40% less decline in cumulative loss of NSAA items, indicating Duvyzats potential to delay disease progression in affected individuals. Most adverse effects observed with Duvyzat were mild to moderate in severity. Results from this study were published in The Lancet Neurology in March 2024.1 Long-term data from the ongoing EPIDYS extension study was presented at the MDA conference, showing that givinostat may delay disease progression. Using propensity score matching, the median age at loss of ambulation was 18.1 years in the givinostat group versus 15.2 years in controls.2 In March 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Duvyzat for the treatment of patients aged six years and older independent of ambulation status, and in December 2024, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted full approval for ambulant patients six years and older, while conditional approval was given for non-ambulant patients. In compliance with the paediatric investigational plan (PIP), Italfarmaco is conducting two additional clinical studies to determine the safety and efficacy in non-ambulant patients with DMD nine years of age and older (NCT 05933057), and to assess the safety and potential benefits of early treatment in patients with DMD two to five years of age (NCT 06769633). These studies are an integral part of Italfarmacos efforts to generate additional evidence and to expand the understanding of Duvyzats full therapeutic potential across the broad spectrum of disease progression with the goal of ensuring access for all individuals affected by DMD, regardless of age or functional status. About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene. Mutations in the DMD gene prevent the production of functional dystrophin, causing the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) to break down. This makes muscle fibres more vulnerable to damage and increases histone deacetylase (HDAC) levels in the muscle cells, blocking the activation of important genes needed for muscle maintenance and repair. As a result, muscle fibres experience ongoing damage, leading to chronic inflammation and poor regeneration. Over time, muscle cells die and are replaced by scar tissue and fat.3, 4-6 DMD primarily affects males, with symptoms typically appearing between the ages of two and five. As the condition progresses, muscle weakness worsens, leading to difficulty walking and eventually to loss of ambulation. Over time, the heart and respiratory muscles are also affected, which are the leading causes of premature death.7 DMD is one of the most severe and common forms of childhood muscular dystrophy, with a global birth incidence of approximately 1 in 5,050 boys.8 About Duvyzat Duvyzat was discovered through Italfarmacos research and development efforts in collaboration with Telethon and Duchenne Parent Project (Italy). Duvyzat is an orally administered histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that regulates the excessive HDAC activity characteristic of DMD muscles. By doing so, it helps restore the expression of key genes and biological processes essential for muscle maintenance and repair. Its mechanism of action is independent of the specific dystrophin gene mutation causing the disease. 9,10 About ITALFARMACO Founded in 1938 in Milan, Italy, Italfarmaco is a private global pharmaceutical company that has led the successful development and approval of many pharmaceutical products around the world. The Italfarmaco group has operations in more than 60 countries through directly controlled or affiliated companies. The company is a leader in pharmaceutical research, product development, production and commercialisation with proven success in many therapeutic areas including immuno-oncology, gynaecology, neurology, cardiovascular disease and rare diseases. Italfarmaco's rare disease unit includes programmes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polycythaemia vera. Media enquiries: Gretchen Schweitzer |+49 (0) 172 8618540 |italfarmaco@trophic.eu Other enquiries: Samantha Parker | Patient Advocacy and Communications Lead| RDEnquiries@italfarmacogroup.com References: Mercuri, E, Vilchez, JJ, Boespflug-Tanguy, O, Zaidman, CM, Mah, JK, Goemans, N. Safety and efficacy of givinostat in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (EPIDYS): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2024;23:393-403. Vandenborne, K., McDonald, C., Servais, L., Munell, F., Schara, U., Bertini, E., Comi, G., Blaschek, A., Cazzaniga, S., Bettica, P. U., & Mercuri, E. (2025, March). Givinostat in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Effect on disease milestones [Poster presentation]. MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference, Dallas, TX. https://www.mdaconference.org/abstract-library/givinostat-in-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-effect-on-disease-milestones/ Sandona M, Cavioli G, Renzini A, et al. Histone Deacetylases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications for Muscular Dystrophies. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(5):4306. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054306. Consalvi S, Saccone V, Giordani L, Minetti G, Mozzetta C, Puri PL. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Muscular Dystrophies: Epigenetic Drugs for Genetic Diseases. Mol Med. 2011;17(5):457465. https://doi.org/10.2119/molmed.2011.00049. Bez Batti Angulski A, Hosny N, Cohen H, et al. Duchenne muscular dystrophy: disease mechanism and therapeutic strategies. Front Physiol. 2023;14:1183101. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1183101. Giuliani G, Rosina M, Reggio A. Signaling pathways regulating the fate of fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) in skeletal muscle regeneration and disease. FEBS J. 2022;289(21):64846517. https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16080. Walter MC, Reilich P. Recent developments in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: facts and numbers. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2017;8(5):681685. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12245. Crisafulli S, Sultana J, Fontana A, Salvo F, Messina S, Trifiro G. Global epidemiology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2020;15(1):141. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-020-01430-8. Comi G, Bertini E, Vita G, et al. S22.008: Development of the histone deacetylases inhibitor Givinostat in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Poster. Neurology. 2018;90(15 (Supplement)). Licandro SA, Crippa L, Pomarico R, et al. The pan HDAC inhibitor Givinostat improves muscle function and histological parameters in two Duchenne muscular dystrophy murine models expressing different haplotypes of the LTBP4 gene. Skelet Muscle. 2021;11(1):19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13395-021-00273-6. Attachment Cooperstown, New York, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY, has achieved Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence, the highest national honor a hospital can attain for nurse satisfaction, patient outcomes, and nursing quality. On April 23, officials from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) gathered Bassett Medical Center nurses, other caregivers, and leaders for a video conference to announce they had earned the distinction. When officials delivered the news, cheers were heard throughout the room as clinical staff celebrated all the hard work that led to this milestone achievement. With this credential, Bassett Medical Center joins an elite group of approximately 10% of U.S. hospitals. The rigorous process involves years of in-depth review, research, and process improvements to demonstrate an organizations nurses and nursing leaders adhere to stringent principles for quality care, strategic planning, and professional development. This included a more than 1,500 page application, public comment period, and an ANCC site visit in February 2025, during which more than 100 employees and community members were interviewed in 70 survey sessions. This designation means everything to the nurses at Bassett Medical Center and is truly a testament to their talent, skill, and dedication to excellence, says Christina Curcio, MSN-RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Nursing at Basset Medical Center. Its gratifying to see so many years of hard work by so many people come to fruition. Magnet designation is an indication to patients and the public, as well as current and future Bassett nurses, that Bassett Medical Center meets the most rigorous, evidence-based standards. Bassett Medical Center not only earned Magnet designation, but the ANCC also recognized the hospital for several exemplars, which are performance-based results and achievements that make Bassett Medical Center an exemplary institution nationally among Magnet facilities. Bassett Medical Centers exemplars include best practices in: Preventing hospital-acquired pressure injuries Preventing hospital-acquired blood stream infections Quickness of triaging and treating patients who present with heart attacks (door to procedure room times outperform national benchmarks) Nursing collaboration, shared governance, and clinical nurse empowerment Transformational leadership, structural empowerment, innovation, exemplary professional practice, and empirical quality results are the five components of the Magnet model and the nurses at Bassett Medical Center demonstrated their commitment and achievement in these areas, making this designation possible, says Samuel Campbell, MS, CCRN, CNML, Director of Nursing Quality and Education and Magnet Program Director for Bassett Healthcare Network. Congratulations on all on this well-deserved honor. The ANCC Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where leaders successfully align nursing strategic goals to improve the organizations patient outcomes. The program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be. Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges healthcare organizations. U.S. News & World Reports annual showcase of Americas Best Hospitals includes Magnet recognition in its ranking criteria for quality of inpatient care. The nurses at Bassett Medical Center have made the entire network proud with this achievement, says Angela Belmont, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at Bassett Healthcare Network. Magnet designation is not just a validation of our nursing excellence but a testament to our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional patient care. Congratulations on this most prestigious achievement. We have reached the summit. ### About Bassett Healthcare Network Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated health system that provides care and services to people living in a 5,600 square mile region in upstate New York. The organization includes five corporately affiliated hospitals, over two dozen community-based health centers, more than 20 school-based health centers, two skilled nursing facilities, and other health partners in related fields. To learn more about services available throughout the Bassett Healthcare Network, visit bassett.org. Follow Bassett on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. Bassett Healthcare Network is an equal opportunity provider and employer. About ANCCs Magnet Recognition Program The Magnet Recognition Program administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit www.nursingworld.org/magnet. Attachments TORONTO, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the federal election campaign unfolds, the United Steelworkers union (USW) is urging voters to ask a simple but critical question: Whos really on the side of workers? To help answer that question, the USW has released a detailed comparison showing how federal political parties measure up on nine core demands to protect good jobs, strengthen Canadian industries and support workers through fair trade, public investment and stronger employment standards. This election isnt just about party promises its about who will take real action to defend good jobs, support Canadian industries and stand up for workers in a changing economy, said Marty Warren, USW National Director for Canada. At a time when livelihoods are increasingly at risk, Canadians deserve leaders they can count on. During the campaign, the USW sent a formal questionnaire to all major federal political parties, seeking their positions on issues like Employment Insurance reform, Canadian procurement, trade enforcement and domestic industrial strategy. The NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Green Party responded with detailed commitments that align closely with the unions priorities. While not all parties responded directly, the USW ensured workers still got answers. The Liberal Party and Conservative Party did not reply to the questionnaire and missed an opportunity to go further than whats currently outlined in their platforms and to clearly demonstrate where they stand on workers rights, job protection, and industrial policies. In the absence of responses, the USW analyzed both parties published platforms to assess their commitments. The Liberal platform includes temporary Employment Insurance changes and investments in the critical minerals supply chain. However, it does not offer comprehensive EI reform or concrete commitments on issues like upholding labour and environmental standards in trade policies, domestic procurement mandates, or trade enforcement to increase anti-dumping capacity and protect Canadian jobs. The Conservative platform proposes a $3-billion fund for businesses affected by U.S. tariffs but offers no direct support for workers. Their platform also touches on the critical minerals sector but lacks a vision for a full domestic value chain and offers no clear commitments to protect union jobs or strengthen Canadian manufacturing through procurement or industrial policy. The full comparison is available here: https://usw.ca/resources/usw-federal-party-comparison-2025-election/ This comparison helps cut through the noise. It shows which parties are ready to fight for Canadian workers and which ones still have work to do to earn their trust, Warren said. About the United Steelworkers union: The USW represents 225,000 members in nearly every economic sector across Canada and is the largest private-sector union in North America, with 850,000 members in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Each year, thousands of workers choose to join the USW because of the unions strong track record in creating healthier, safer and more respectful workplaces and negotiating better working conditions and fairer compensation including good wages, benefits and pensions. For more information, please contact: Francois Soucy, USW Communications, fsoucy@usw.ca, 873-355-2841 NEW YORK, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BigBear or the Company) (NYSE: BBAI). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether BigBear 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 18, 2025, BigBear disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that certain of BigBears financial statements since fiscal year 2021 should no longer be relied upon and would be restated, for reasons related to the accounting treatment of the Companys convertible notes due in 2026. On this news, BigBears stock price fell $0.52 per share, or 14.9%, to close at $2.97 per share on March 18, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP dpeyton@pomlaw.com 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the midst of a worsening mental health crisis and rising anti-LGBTQIA+ attacks nationwide, nonprofit counseling agency Queer LifeSpace will host its largest-ever fundraiser on Friday, May 30th, rallying community support for affordable, queer-affirming therapy in San Francisco and beyond. Pride Renaissance: Celebrating Community Resilience Themed Pride Renaissance: Celebrating Community Resilience, the evening will combine queer performance, visual art, and community storytelling in a space designed to uplift and mobilize. Guests will enjoy a VIP cocktail reception, seated dinner, live musical and drag performances, a silent and live auction, and a curated art exhibitionall while supporting life-saving mental health services. The main event, co-hosted by the legendary Donna Sachet and Bobby Friday, will take place at historic Swedish-American Hall from 5:30 to 10:00 PM, followed by an exclusive after-party hosted by Juanita MORE! at The Academy SF from 9:30 PM to midnight. The evening will honor the enduring power of art as a form of resistance and self-expression. Inspired by Michelangelos Davida symbol of defiance against tyranny and oligarchythe gala draws a parallel between Renaissance Florence's fight for autonomy and todays queer movement for visibility and equality. Just as David faced down Goliath, Queer LifeSpace stands firm against erasure, providing frontline mental health support to economically vulnerable LGBTQIA+ populations. "I cant fully express how much Queer LifeSpace has helped me on my journey, both as an artist and in my own mental health. As a queer individual, finding a safe and affirming space to explore one's identity and mental health challenges can be incredibly difficult, but Queer LifeSpace provides exactly that, said Juan Manuel Carmona, a well-known SF-based artist and muralist. The evening will feature performances by acclaimed entertainers Keith Lawrence, Kippy Marks, Carly Ozard, Mahlae Balenciaga, Cosimo, and DJ Stanley Frank Sensation, with community awards recognizing the valuable contributions key individuals have made to the queer community. Rosebud Gallery founder Cabure Bonugli will receive The Radiance Award for Promoting Wellness Through the Arts, and Queer LifeSpace co-founder and former Clinical Director Nancy Heilner will receive The Catalyst Award for Achievement in Queer-Affirming Clinical Care. Additional speeches will be given by Queer LifeSpace Executive Director Ryan MacCarrigan, Clinical Director Christopher Holleran, and President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman. Since its founding in 2011, Queer LifeSpace has served more than 4,000 LGBTQIA+ clientsmany of whom would otherwise go without care. Their internationally recognized clinical training program has graduated over 150 queer-affirming therapists, creating a pipeline of culturally competent mental health professionals who are uniquely equipped to address the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. "This year's gala is not just a celebration, it's a testament to our community's resilience and our unwavering commitment to providing lifesaving mental health services during these challenging times," said Ryan MacCarrigan, Executive Director of Queer LifeSpace. "Our clinicians truly serve on the front lines, supporting economically vulnerable members of our community who would not have access to therapy otherwise." All proceeds from the gala will directly support Queer LifeSpaces mission to expand access to individual, couples, and group therapy, and to support their clinical training program. With demand for queer-affirming therapy rising across California, this years gala aims to raise $75,000funds that will directly support over 400 clients and ensure the continued operation of youth-focused initiatives like: EQUARTY Free therapy and professional support for emerging queer artists. Outlandish! Outdoor excursions that promote mental wellness and connection to nature. Rural Youth Outreach (RYO) Telehealth therapy services for LGBTQIA+ youth in underserved rural communities. For gala tickets or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit https://www.queerlifespace.org/annual-gala. For sponsorships (deadline May 9th), visit https://www.queerlifespace.org/gala-sponsorship or view their virtual sponsorship deck. Michelangelo's statue David About Queer LifeSpace Founded in 2011, Queer LifeSpace (QLS) is a nonprofit counseling agency that provides affordable, high-quality mental health services to the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bay Area. They are a frontline provider of lifesaving therapy services to economically vulnerable LGBTQIA+ populations. They also run an internationally recognized clinical training program for the next generation of queer-affirming therapists. Press inquiries Queer LifeSpace https://www.queerlifespace.org/ Ryan MacCarrigan info@queerlifespace.org 4153582000 2275 Market Street, #7 San Francisco, CA 94114 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3dd33e3-c2eb-48f3-87ee-e64307bd1184 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2c73758-944b-42d3-bcfe-833b11200faf A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ccae5248-c6fb-44da-8a55-a8c823c2f51b Dublin, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Southeast Asia Data Center Construction Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Southeast Asia Data Center Construction Market was valued at USD 5.42 Billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 11.80 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 13.84%. The Southeast Asia data center market is booming due to the demand from hyperscale companies, the need for Artificial Intelligence (AI), the growth of edge computing, rapid digitalization, and the adoption of cloud-based services. To keep up with the AI demands, data center operators are adjusting their infrastructure and coming up with innovative cooling and energy solutions. All such factors collectively are projected to support the Southeast Asia data center construction market growth. High demand for data center capacity was fueled by hyperscale companies, banks, and other institutions, which account for an unprecedented power capacity volume in the market. The Southeast Asian governments will promote data center investments through various initiatives such as increasing the availability of land for development, reducing electricity tariffs, offering tax incentives, and enabling the procurement of renewable energy, such as solar power agreements and others. Such initiatives will drive the Southeast Asia data center construction market growth during the forecast period. Digitalization across businesses will contribute to a surge in data center investments by colocation, cloud, internet, and telecommunication providers. Telecom companies include Telekom Malaysia, Telkomsel, Telkom Indonesia, Singtel, and many more. The Malaysian data center market is becoming competitive. It is witnessing the entry of several colocation and hyperscale operators developing data center facilities. The core submarkets are witnessing land and power constraints, limiting the opportunities for new companies to enter the Southeast Asia data center construction market. But the adoption of new methods to combat such restraints includes renewable energy sources and techniques. Supportive government initiatives and strategies are implemented across all countries to attract more investments flowing to the region. A few of them are the Green Roadmap, AI strategies, Smart Nation, and many more. SOUTHEAST ASIA DATA CENTER CONSTRUCTION MARKET'S GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS Malaysia is considered to have a lot of data center investments due to the concentration of data center facilities by companies. The market has the presence of all the major colocation and hyperscale data center operators. Johor City in Malaysia is seeing the most inflows of investments in facilities due to the city's favorable land conditions, government schemes, and others. Singapore is considered the largest data center market in the region, with major international companies with their data centers. Thailand is poised to become another major data center hub in Southeast Asia after Malaysia and Indonesia. Bangkok is among the preferred locations by data center operators in the country. The market is preferred by the major colocation and hyperscale operators owing to strong connectivity, renewable energy options, and tax incentives. In Indonesia, cities such as Jakarta and Yogyakarta are considered by many colocation players. Although Indonesia and the Philippines are more prone to natural disasters, data centers might take a toll due to these situations, despite innovative solutions such as cloud, backup generators, power supply, and others being implemented in the data centers to avoid any difficulty. Thus, the majority setup is to maintain the connectivity by the telecommunications companies in the data centers. Vietnam is growing slowly as a potential market for data centers as recently its government announced the opening of the data center market to foreign investors, which would attract international players to establish their centers and services. Cities such as Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, and Da Nang have seen positive data center establishments in the past. In other Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, and Myanmar, the data center market is slowly booming with a few investments in the telecommunications sector. The government has introduced a few attractive schemes to promote the data center market. The data center construction and expansion activities are estimated to take place primarily in the large-scale colocation facilities. SOUTHEAST ASIA DATA CENTER CONSTRUCTION MARKET VENDORS The Southeast Asia data center construction market has the presence of all the major global colocation operators, including Equinix, Digital Realty, AirTrunk, Keppel Data Centres, NTT DATA, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, Princeton Digital Group, Bridge Data Centres, and others. Major hyperscale operators investing in the Southeast Asia data center construction market include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Meta (Facebook), and Google. They are expanding their presence across all the top data center destinations in Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asia data center construction market witnessed the entry of several new players such as CtrlS Data Centers, STACK Infrastructure, Edgnex Data Centres by DAMAC, CloudHQ, Doma Infrastructure Group, NEXTDC, Yondr, and other operators. The entry of new operators is likely to disrupt the market share and presence in a particular market, leading to growth in competition. Despite the major operators' presence, several new companies are developing significant data center campuses in Singapore and Malaysia. Several data center operators are launching their specific data center entity and separating it from the core business. For instance, Actis launched a new data center business called Epoch Digital. Similarly, Singtel also launched its separate data center entity classed as Nxera. The rising demand for data centers across the country will provide significant opportunities for construction contractors to generate revenue. Some of the well-known construction contractors in this field include Arup, Aurecon Group, CSF Group, DSCO Group, Gammon Construction, NTT Facilities, PM Group, and Studio One Design. Key Data Center Support Infrastructure Provider ABB Caterpillar Cummins Eaton Rittal Schneider Electric STULZ Vertiv Other Data Center Support Infrastructure Providers Airedale Alfa Laval Canovate Group Cyber Power Systems Delta Electronics EAE Group Envicool Fuji Electric Green Revolution Cooling HITEC Power Protection Rehlko (Kohler Power) Legrand Mitsubishi Electric Narada Nortek Air Solutions Piller Power Systems Rolls-Royce Siemens Socomec Group Trane Prominent Construction Contractors Arup Aurecon Group CSF Group DSCO Group Gammon Construction Meinhardt Group NTT Facilities PM Group Studio One Design THAI KAJIMA Other Prominent Construction Contractors AtkinsRealis AWP Architects Apave Architects 49 Asima Architects AVO Technology CCIE Engineering Chaan Comfac Corgan Critical Holdings Berhad Data Center Design Corporation (DCDC) DPR Construction Finishing Touch Design Studio First Balfour Fortis Construction Greatians Consulting Gensler GreenViet ISG Kienta Engineering Construction Leighton Asia Linesight LSK Engineering Mace M+W Group Meg Consult MN Holdings Nakano Corporation PKT Quantity Surveyors Plan Architect PMX Malaysia Powerware Systems Obayashi Corporation Sato Kogyo Sunway Construction Group RDC Arkitek Red Engineering Turner & Townsend Thornton Tomasetti Prominent Data Center Investors AirTrunk Amazon Web Services Bridge Data Centres DayOne (GDS Services) DCI Indonesia Digital Realty ePLDT Equinix Google Keppel Data Centres Microsoft NTT DATA Princeton Digital Group ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Telkom Indonesia Viettel IDC Other Prominent Data Center Investors AIMS Data Centre Beeinfotech Big Data Exchange (BDx Data Centers) Bitera Data Center Biznet Data Center Converge ICT Solutions CMC Telecom Datacomm Diangraha Digital Edge DC DITO Telecommunity EdgeConneX Empyrion Digital Epsilon Telecommunications Etix Everywhere FPT Telecom Google Hanoi Telecom Meta MettaDC Nxera OneAsia Network Open DC Pure DC SM+ SUPERNAP Thailand Telehouse Tencent Cloud True IDC VADS Vantage Data Centers VNPT VNTT YTL Data Center Holdings New Entrants AyalaLand Logistics Holdings & & FLOW Digital Infrastructure BRIGHTRAY BW Digital CloudHQ CtrlS Datacenters Digital Halo Doma Infrastructure Edgnex Data Centres by DAMAC Epoch Digital Evolution Data Centres Future Data Gaw Capital i-Berhad Infinaxis Data Centre Holdings Infracrowd Capital K2 STRATEGIC Megawide Construction Corporation Minoro Energi Nautilus Data Technologies NEXTDC Regal Orion STACK Infrastructure SEAX Global YCO Cloud Yondr Group SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS The use of modular power infrastructure in data centers is expected to result in cost savings over time. These systems are more efficient, leading to space savings and the need for less maintenance. Hyperscalers are investing in many data centers with solar purchase agreements to deal with efficient use and reduce their carbon footprint in data facilities. The use of HVO fuel as a substitute for diesel fuel in generators is expected in the Southeast Asia data center construction market due to its sustainability. Several operators are replacing diesel fuel with HVO fuel to power their backup generators. The real-time monitoring software DCIM/BMS solutions with automation and AI features are growing in significance. This technology can predict maintenance needs and physical security, identify component failures, and perform automatic switchovers to ensure uninterrupted operations. Several new and innovative power and cooling systems have been introduced in the market, with a major focus on sustainability. Infrastructure providers are focusing more on the development of products with reduced environmental impact. The use of cooling techniques such as liquid cooling and air cooling is on the rise in regions with favorable climates to effectively cool data centers. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 455 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $5.42 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $11.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.8% Regions Covered Asia Pacific Market Opportunities & Trends Rise in Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications Digitalization and Supportive Government Initiatives Shift Toward Sustainability by Data Center Operators Deployment of 5G Services and Edge Data Center Development Market Growth Enablers Investments by Hyperscale Operators and Expansion by Colocation Operators Growth in Adoption of Cloud-based Services Adoption of High-Density Fiber Optic and Submarine Cable Infrastructure Growth in Demand for IoT and Big Data Market Restraints Lack of Skilled Professionals in Data Center Market Risk of Natural Disasters and Limited Availability of Resources High Power Consumption Data Center Security Challenges Segments Covered Facility Type Hyperscale Data Centers Colocation Data Centers Enterprise Data Centers Support Infrastructure Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure General Construction Electrical Infrastructure UPS Systems Generators Transfer Switches & Switchgear PDUs Other Electrical Infrastructure Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems Racks Other Mechanical Infrastructure Cooling Systems CRAC & CRAH Units Chiller Units Cooling Towers, Condensers & Dry Coolers Other Cooling Units Cooling Techniques Air-based Cooling Technique Liquid-based Cooling Technique General Construction Core & Shell Development Installation & Commissioning Services Engineering & Building Design Fire Detection & Suppression Physical Security DCIM/BMS Tier Standard Tier I & II Tier III Tier IV Geographies Covered Southeast Asia Singapore Malaysia Indonesia Thailand Philippines Vietnam Other Southeast Asia Countries For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9sulyg About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Singapore Defense Market - Size and trends, budget allocation, regulations, key acquisitions, competitive landscape and forecast, 2025-2030" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report on Singapore Defense Market, spanning 2025 to 2030, anticipates a significant transformation in the strategic outlook of Singapore's defense landscape. Highlighting industry specifics, the report provides comprehensive insights into the market size, trends, budget allocation, regulatory environment, crucial acquisitions, and key players. Singapore's defense budget stands at an impressive $17.7 billion in 2025, showcasing a CAGR of 11.7% from 2021 to 2025. This upward trend underscores Singapore's dedication to fortifying its defense capabilities amidst evolving regional security challenges. Projections suggest the defense budget will grow to $21.6 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 4%, aligning with broader economic trends and the maturation of existing defense programs. A substantial focus has been placed on capital expenditure, with an average of 18.7% of the defense budget allocated for long-term assets. This strategic allocation highlights the country's commitment to modernizing its military arsenal and infrastructure. By 2025, capital expenditure reached $3.3 billion, with future estimates forecasting $4.1 billion by 2030. Key Highlights Singapore's strategic response to threats includes confronting terrorism from groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and engaging in international peace-building missions. Ongoing procurement programs include F-35B Lightning II, Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCVs), and Hunter AFV acquisitions. Scope This extensive analysis provides a nuanced view of Singapore's defense market over the next five years. Insights include: Defense Budget Assessment: Comprehensive analysis of budgetary allocations, key market drivers, and expenditure trends. Military Doctrine and Security Environment: Exploration of strategic alliances, geopolitical dynamics, and influencing factors on the security environment. Market Entry Strategy and Regulations: Insight into procurement policy, market regulations, and key defense procurement routes. Market Attractiveness and Emerging Opportunities: Evaluation of cumulative market values and high-value defense segments. Defense Platforms Import and Export Dynamics: Understanding of the value and volume contributions to imports and exports. Defense Platform Acquisitions: Current procurement schedules and rationales for major military platform acquisitions. Fleet Size: Detailed overview of current fleet sizes across military branches. Competitive Landscape: Profiles of leading defense companies, including detailed business overviews and financial outcomes. Reasons to Buy Identify promising investment avenues with trend analysis of the defense market. Understand underlying forces driving demand for defense and internal security sectors, identifying new opportunities. Enhance market comprehension through assessment of demand drivers, market trends, and technological advancements. Address major threats shaping the defense market, providing clarity on potential revenue expansions. Focus resources on ongoing governmental defense programs. Make informed business decisions with competitive insights into major defense equipment providers. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary Defense Budget Assessment Defense Market Size Historic And Forecast Drivers Of Defense Expenditure Analysis Of Defense Budget Allocation Key Market Trends and Insights Military Doctrine and Security Environment Military Doctrine And Strategy Strategic Alliances and Geopolitics Political, Social and Economic Scenario Market Entry Strategy and Regulations Procurement Policy and Market Regulations Market Entry Routes Key Challenges Market Attractiveness and Emerging Opportunities Market Attractiveness By Defense Sector Top Defense Segments By Value Defense Platforms Import and Export Dynamics Defense Platforms Import Dynamics Defense Platforms Export Dynamics Defense Platform Acquisitions F-35B Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) - Hunter AFV Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCVs) Invincible-class (Type 218SG) submarine Fleet Size Army Air Force Navy Competitive Landscape Defense Companies Operating In Singapore For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ekvrn1 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 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Tea Market Outlook to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. By 2029, the Global Tea Market is expected to continue its growth trajectory as the market is expected to reach USD 58 Billion, driven by innovation in product offerings and expansion into emerging markets. The increasing adoption of e-commerce platforms is likely to further boost sales, providing consumers with greater access to diverse tea products. Global Tea Current Market Analysis APAC as dominant region: The Asia-Pacific region holds a dominant position in the global tea market, largely due to its rich history and deep-rooted cultural significance of tea consumption. In 2023, China's tea consumption, growing at an annual rate of 6.5%, reached 3 million tonnes, accounting for 46% of global consumption. Meanwhile, India's tea consumption also saw significant growth, reaching 1.16 million tonnes, nearly 18% of global consumption. This demonstrates the region's critical role in the global tea market. Latin America as emerging region: Latin America is emerging in the global tea market, with Argentina, Brazil, and Chile experiencing growth in production and consumption, particularly of specialty teas like yerba mate. In 2023, Argentina's yerba mate sales reached over 325 thousand metric tons, with 285 thousand for domestic use and 39 thousand for exports. Brazil, a major producer, increased its yerba mate production by 11% in 2022, totaling approximately 618.6 thousand metric tons. The U.S. and Venezuela are key export partners, with respective values of $1.3 million and $53,800 in 2022. China as dominant country: China dominates the global tea market, producing nearly one-third of the 6.9 billion kilograms consumed worldwide in 2022. In 2021, China exported tea worth $2.3 billion, significantly outpacing Sri Lanka. Green tea leads China's exports, benefiting from ideal growing conditions in regions like Yunnan, Zhejiang, and Fujian. China's adoption of modern agricultural practices and strong government support, including the 14th Five-Year Plan, has bolstered its tea industry, achieving $1.44 billion in exports in 2023. Global Tea Market Segmentation The Global Tea Market can be segmented based on several factors: By Product Offering: Global tea market is segmented by product offering into black tea, green tea, herbal tea, oolong tea and others. In 2023, Black tea dominated by the sub-segment, which holds the largest share by value because of its widespread popularity, versatility, and historical significance. Black tea is the most widely consumed type of tea worldwide. It has a strong and robust flavor, which appeals to a broad audience. By Packaging Type: Global tea market is segmented by packaging type into tea bags, loose tea & others. In 2023, tea bags as the dominant sub-segment in terms of value. Tea bags offer a quick and easy way to prepare tea, which is a significant advantage in today's fast-paced world. They eliminate the need for loose tea leaves, strainers, and precise measurements, allowing consumers to enjoy a cup of tea with minimal effort. By Distribution Channel: Global tea market is segmented by distribution channel into off-trade & on-trade. In 2023, off-trade dominate the chemistry type segmentation by value. The dominance of off-trade distribution channels in the global tea market is driven by consumer preferences, accessibility, and the evolving retail landscape. Retail outlets often stock a wide range of tea products, including different brands, flavors, packaging sizes, and price points. Global Tea Market Growth Drivers: Tea's Dual Appeal as Both a Trendy and Healthful Beverage: The tea market has been growing significantly due to its health benefits and trendy appeal. In 2023, Americans consumed almost 86 billion servings of tea, or close to 4 billion gallons. About 86% of all tea consumed was black tea, 13.6% was green Tea, and the small remaining amount was oolong, white, and dark tea. Herbal teas, including ginger and turmeric blends, have also seen a rise in popularity, partly due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Surge in Organic and Specialty Tea Sales: The global market for organic tea, including varieties like green and rooibos, has been growing. As a staple in many households, green tea is celebrated for its numerous health benefits, including weight management, improved brain function, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Rising Incomes and Population in Developing Countries and Market Diversification: As incomes rise in developing countries, the demand for higher-quality and specialty teas has increased. In 2022, China had a GDP per capita of USD 12,734 in 2022, compared to USD 7,051 a decade earlier. This leads to higher rural incomes and improved food security in tea-growing regions. Specialty teas, often sold at premium prices, provide better margins for farmers compared to traditional teas. Global Tea Market Challenges: Climate change & Threat to Farmers: The tea industry faces climate-related challenges impacting yields and quality. Weather fluctuations affect tea growth, urging adaptation measures such as planting resilient cultivars, diversifying production, and investing in water conservation. Environmental, Social and Economical Compliance: The tea industry faces challenges in prioritizing environmental sustainability, including soil quality and biodiversity conservation. Ensuring economic sustainability for smallholder tea producers who represent 60 percent of world tea production requires that returns from tea growing activities cover production costs and basic household expenditure. Future Market Trends Growth in Health-Focused Tea Products: Global Tea Market is expected to see significant growth in health-focused products, driven by increasing consumer awareness of wellness and preventive health. By 2029, there will likely be a surge in demand for teas with functional benefits, such as immune-boosting, detoxifying, and stress-relieving properties. The trend towards natural and organic products will continue to drive innovation in the tea industry. Expansion of Online Tea Retailing: Online retailing will play a crucial role in the future of the tea market. With the rise of digital platforms, consumers will have greater access to a diverse range of tea products from around the world. E-commerce is expected to dominate the retail landscape, providing opportunities for niche and specialty tea brands to reach a global audience. This trend will be supported by advancements in digital marketing and logistics. Company Coverage: Lipton Teas & Infusions Tata consumer products (tea segment) Twinings Bigelow David's Tea Dilmah Yogi Tea Harney & Sons The Republic of Tea Barrys Tea Celestial Seasonings Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 1.1 Global Beverage Market 1.2 Global Tea Market 2. Global Overview 2.1 Overview of Global Economics 2.2 Overview of Global Beverage Industry 2.3 Global Beverage (Water, Soft Drinks, Tea) Sales 3. Global Tea Market Overview 3.1 Global Tea Market Ecosystem 3.2 Global Tea Market Value Chain 3.3 Global Tea Market Heat Map Analysis 4.Global Tea Market Size (in USD Bn), 2018-2023 5. Global Tea Market Segmentation (in value %), 2018-2023 5.1 Global Tea Market Segmentation by Region (in value %), 20182-23 5.2 Global Tea Market Segmentation by Packaging (in value%), 2018-2023 5.3 Global Tea Market Segmentation by Consumption (in value %), 2018-2023 5.4 Global Tea Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel (in value %), 2018-2023 6.Global Tea Market Competition Landscape 6.1 Global Tea Market Share Analysis 6.2 Global Tea Market Case Study 6.3 Global Tea Market Cross Comparison 6.4 Global Tea Market Country-wise Opportunities 7. Global Tea Market Dynamics 8. Global Tea Future Market Size (in USD Bn), 2023-2029 9. Global Tea Future Market Segmentation (in value %), 2023-2029 9.1 Global Tea Future Market Segmentation by Region (in value %), 2023-2029 9.2 Global Tea Future Market Segmentation by Packaging (in value%), 2023-2029 9.3 Global Tea Future Market Segmentation by Consumption (in value %), 2023-2029 9.4 Global Tea Future Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel (in value %), 2023-2029 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hrkjff 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. NEW YORK, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joseph Schnaier Scholarship for Finance Students is now open for applications from undergraduate students pursuing finance-related degrees across accredited institutions in the United States. This prestigious one-time award of $1,000 is designed to recognize and support students who show both academic commitment and a clear vision for a future in the finance industry. Established by Joseph Schnaier, a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in finance and private equity, the scholarship invites students to submit an original essay reflecting on their inspiration to enter the financial sector and how they intend to make a meaningful contribution to the field. To be considered for the Joseph Schnaier Scholarship for Finance Students, applicants must: Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited U.S. college or university. Be pursuing a degree in finance, business, economics, accounting, or a related field. Demonstrate a clear interest in a career within the financial industry. Submit a 500800 word original essay in response to the following prompt: What inspires you to pursue a career in finance, and how do you plan to make a meaningful impact in the financial world? Essays must be submitted in either PDF or Word format and must be written in English. The deadline for all submissions is January 15, 2026, and the winning recipient will be announced on February 15, 2026 via the official scholarship website: https://josephschnaierscholarship.com/. The Joseph Schnaier Scholarship for Finance Students aims to address the financial challenges that often accompany academic ambition. Through this initiative, Joseph Schnaier offers practical assistance and personal encouragement to students determined to make an impact in the financial industry. This scholarship is not limited by geographic region and is open to eligible students throughout the United States. Joseph Schnaier is widely recognized for his contributions to investment banking and private equity. His professional journey includes key leadership positions such as President and CEO of Wantickets and co-founding firms like Friedman Schnaier & Associates and DOD Marketing Corp. His focus on strategic growth and financial innovation has made him a notable name in the finance community. In establishing this scholarship, Joseph Schnaier extends his dedication to nurturing future finance professionals who are both skilled and socially conscious. The selection process will be based on the originality, clarity, and forward-thinking nature of the essay submissions. The scholarship committee encourages applicants to approach the prompt with authenticity, outlining how personal experiences, challenges, or role models have influenced their decision to pursue finance and how they envision contributing to its evolving landscape. As a mentor and philanthropist, Joseph Schnaier consistently demonstrates a commitment to education and professional development. This scholarship reflects his ongoing efforts to provide accessible opportunities to the next generation of financial leaders. His aim is not only to provide monetary support, but also to signal a long-term investment in the people who will shape tomorrows financial systems. With the launch of the Joseph Schnaier Scholarship for Finance Students, the finance community gains a new platform to identify and celebrate the ideas of motivated, purpose-driven undergraduate students. The scholarship website serves as the primary hub for application guidelines, updates, and the future announcement of the award recipient. Students interested in applying can learn more and submit their materials by visiting: https://josephschnaierscholarship.com/ Contact Info: Spokesperson: Joseph Schnaier Organization: Joseph Schnaier Scholarship Website: https://josephschnaierscholarship.com Email: apply@josephschnaierscholarship.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4d550a1-8af1-45c2-92a0-492e8c5048a2 Bangkok, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bangkok, Bangkok - AquaOrange Software Co., Ltd. strengthens digital transformation in Thailand by offering tailored Google Workspace solutions and competitive Google Workspace price models for businesses. As Thailand continues to embrace the digital economy, AquaOrange Software Co., Ltd. is playing a critical role in enabling businesses across sectors to modernize their operations through Google Workspace, Google's premier cloud productivity suite. By providing transparent Google Workspace pricing and localized cloud deployment services, AquaOrange is removing key adoption barriers for organizations navigating digital transformation. A recognized Google Cloud Partner, AquaOrange is addressing a pressing challenge for Thai businesses: the lack of pricing clarity and implementation guidance for cloud-based collaboration tools. The company offers localized, scalable packages for Google Workspace, complete with Thai-language support, domain setup, email migration, and Single Sign-On (SSO) integration, ensuring a smooth and compliant transition to the cloud. The shift to hybrid and remote work models has fueled demand for secure, flexible productivity tools across Southeast Asia. According to Statista, over 60% of Southeast Asian businesses adopted cloud-based office solutions in 2024, reflecting a significant regional pivot to digital infrastructure. In Thailand, this transformation is especially vital for sectors such as education, finance, healthcare, and government, where data security and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable. For more information, please visit https://www.aquaorange.co.th/en/google-workspace/ "Thailand's business sector is rapidly embracing digital tools, but successful adoption depends on more than just licensing," said Shahan Farid, CEO of AquaOrange Software Co., Ltd. "We guide our clients through the entire transformation journey from selecting the right Google Workspace edition to compliance configuration making sure the solution works for them in real-world conditions, not just on paper." AquaOrange's strength lies in its dual approach: delivering both technical excellence and deep local insight. While Google Workspace provides global-grade tools like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Meet, AquaOrange ensures that these tools are optimized for Thai regulatory standards, including compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). With its team of certified engineers and IT consultants, the company has successfully deployed Google Workspace across diverse industries, including education institutions shifting to hybrid classrooms, financial firms enhancing secure document workflows, and manufacturers centralizing their project communications. The company's focus on transparent Google Workspace pricing empowers decision-makers to evaluate costs upfront, without hidden fees or bundled services that don't align with actual needs. Its pricing and service tiers are openly published on the company's website, offering clarity in a market where enterprise IT costs are often fragmented or poorly communicated. Moreover, AquaOrange's work contributes to Thailand's broader digital transformation agenda, which includes national strategies to modernize infrastructure and promote cloud-first adoption. By bridging the gap between global cloud platforms and local implementation needs, AquaOrange reinforces its position as a trusted technology partner for businesses of all sizes. About AquaOrange Software Co., Ltd. AquaOrange Software Co. Ltd. is a leading cloud solutions provider based in Bangkok, Thailand. As a certified Google Cloud Partner, the company specializes in Google Workspace deployment, IT infrastructure, enterprise email services, and managed cloud solutions. With a commitment to local service, transparent pricing, and enterprise-grade technical support, AquaOrange empowers Thai organizations to succeed in a cloud-first future. Learn more at www.aquaorange.co.th. ### For more information about AquaOrange Software Co., Ltd., contact the company here: AquaOrange Software Co., Ltd. AquaOrange Software Co., Ltd. +66 (0)2-686-3440 sales@aquaorange.co.th 1 The Empire Tower, Sathorn 47th Floor, 4703, Bangkok, Thailand TORONTO, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Discovery Silver Corp. (TSX: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF) (Discovery or the Company) is pleased to announce the following management appointments: Pierre Rocque as Chief Operating Officer; Jennifer Wagner as Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability; Duncan King as Vice President, Canadian Operations; and Eric Kallio as Senior Vice President, Exploration & Growth. The appointments are all effective immediately. Tony Makuch, Discoverys CEO, commented: We are delighted to welcome Pierre, Jennifer, Duncan and Eric to Discoverys executive team. They are all highly accomplished professionals with a track record of success in the mining industry, who I have had the privilege of knowing and working with for many years. Most recently, they were all part of our team at Kirkland Lake Gold (KL), where over a six-year period we more than quadrupled annual gold production to over 1.4 million ounces. All four contributed to the recently completed acquisition of the Porcupine Complex, with Pierre, Duncan and Eric serving as part of the due diligence team, and Jennifer acting as Chair of the special committee of the Board. I am looking forward to working with each of them again and to the important contribution they will make as we continue to advance Porcupine, and Discovery, towards a very successful future. Pierre Rocque is a mining engineer, PEO Ontario, with over 35 years of industry experience. Most recently, he was Director of Rocque Engineering Inc. (REI) since 2019, serving a broad range of clients, including working with Discovery as it evaluated the Porcupine Complex acquisition. Prior to 2019, Mr. Rocque worked as Vice President of Canadian Operations and Technical Services at KL from 2016 to 2019 and at St. Andrews Goldfields Ltd. (St. Andrews) from 2010 to 2014. Mr. Rocques extensive experience in Timmins includes serving as Director, Technical Services at Lake Shore Gold Corp. (LSG) from 2008 to 2010, acting as Qualified Person for the 2006 NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Porcupine Joint Venture and serving as a Project Engineer at Hoyle Pond from 1998 to 1999. Jennifer Wagner is a mining executive and corporate securities lawyer with approximately 20 years of industry experience. She has served on Discoverys Board of Directors since 2021. From 2015 to 2022, Ms. Wagner worked in progressively senior roles at KL, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, which also included heading KLs legal affairs function. Prior to 2015, she acted as legal counsel and corporate secretary to various TSX and TSXV-listed mining companies. Ms. Wagner has extensive experience advising companies on a variety of corporate commercial transactions, governance, and compliance matters. Duncan King is from Timmins and has over 40 years of mining experience, primarily in Northern Ontario. Mr. King worked in Timmins at LSG from 2008 to 2016, first serving as General Superintendent at the Timmins West Mine from 2008 to 2013 and then Mine Manager at the Bell Creek Mine from 2013 to 2016. During the 1990s, Mr. King worked at the Hoyle Pond Mine, where he oversaw the successful completion of the original shaft sinking project and the subsequent connection of underground operations to the Hoyle Pond ramp. During his career, Mr. King has gained extensive knowledge of mine development, production and leadership, with a strong track record of operational efficiency, productivity and safety. Eric Kallio is a professional geologist, PGEO Ontario, with over 40 years of experience, largely in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Northern Ontario. He was raised in Timmins and has previously worked at the Porcupine Complex, including serving as Chief Geologist at Dome Mine for 10 years, from 1987 to 1997, and working at Hoyle Pond while in the role of senior exploration manager for Kinross Gold Corporation from 1997 to 2001. Most recently, Mr. Kallio worked in various roles at Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, including serving as Executive Vice President, Exploration Strategy and Growth from 2022 to 2023. From 2018 to 2022, Mr. Kallio served as Senior Vice President, Exploration at KL and, prior to that assignment, worked as Senior Vice President, Exploration for LSG in Timmins from 2008 to 2016, and for Tahoe Resources Inc. from 2016 to 2018 following that companys acquisition of LSG. ABOUT DISCOVERY Discovery is a growing North American-focused precious metals company. The Company has exposure to silver through its first asset, the 100%-owned Cordero project, one of the worlds largest undeveloped silver deposits, which is located close to infrastructure in a prolific mining belt in Chihuahua State, Mexico. On April 15, 2025, Discovery completed the acquisition of the Porcupine Complex from Newmont Corporation, transforming the Company into a new Canadian gold producer with multiple operations in one of the worlds most renowned gold camps in and near Timmins, Ontario. Discovery owns a dominant land position within the camp, with a large base of Mineral Resources remaining and substantial growth and exploration upside. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Tony Makuch, Peng President, CEO & Director For further information contact: Mark Utting, CFA VP Investor Relations Phone: 416-806-6298 Email: mark.utting@discoverysilver.com Website: www.discoverysilver.com Chicago, IL, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Joined by Cook County leaders and patients, Cook County Health cut the ribbon on a new community health center at 467 E. 31st Street, Chicago, in the citys Bronzeville neighborhood, on April 22. The Bronzeville Health Center stands as a testament to Cook Countys ongoing commitment to the residents on the Southside as we look to ensure health care access for generations to come, said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Now more than ever it is important that we are providing the care people need where they need it. By opening new clinical facilities and enhancing our existing structures, we can provide better access to care, improve outcomes, and reduce the burden of longstanding inequities in health that have impacted the South Side for too long, said Cook County Health CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis. Serving as an extension of CCHs historic Provident Hospital, Bronzeville Health Center offers family medicine, behavioral health, and rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. The family medicine and behavioral health practices are moving from their existing location within Provident Hospitals Sengstacke Health Center into Bronzeville Health Center, which offers a larger, more modern space to better serve patients. The move also frees up more clinical space within Provident Hospital to allow for the expansion of hospital-based services, further enhancing access to care. The 26,000 square foot facility is projected to see 85,000 visits in its first year and will include 44 exam rooms and a gym space for therapy services. Bronzeville Health Center represents the latest expansion of CCHs services on Chicagos South Side. The Cook County Bureau of Asset Management and CCH have invested $10M to build out and furnish the new Bronzeville Health Center. CCH has invested more than $13M to grow clinical services and modernize the Provident Hospital campus since 2020, including opening a new Clinical Triage and Stabilization Center for individuals experiencing mental health crises. The Bureau of Asset Management is proud to have partnered with Cook County Health to open a facility that not only expands access to quality healthcare in Bronzeville, but also preserves a striking example of Chicagos Modernist architecture, said Elizabeth Granato, Chief of the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management. The Bronzeville Health Center joins CCHs network of more than a dozen community health centers located across Chicago and suburban Cook County. As one of the largest public health systems in the nation, CCH is dedicated to providing access to high quality, comprehensive health care services to the residents of Cook County regardless of ability to pay. HOUSTON, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spanios, a leader in human-derived organoid model systems, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with White Lion Capital LLC. This collaboration empowers biotech and pharma companies to leverage Spanios patient-derived tumoroid (tumor organoid) models for robust preclinical validation while accessing innovative funding from White Lion Capital LLC to advance their clinical development. Through this partnership, companies that engage Spanios for their COMPASS (Custom Organoid Modelling Platform for Accurate and Speedy Solutions) platform preclinical studies will have the unique opportunity to receive direct investment from White Lion Capital LLC. This investment is specifically structured to fund critical IND-enabling studies and early-stage clinical trials, removing a major barrier for innovative oncology therapeutics looking to move quickly from the lab to the clinic. With the FDAs push to adopt and validate New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) under the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, Spanios and White Lion Capital LLC are encouraging oncology companies to capitalize on these regulatory and policy advances for innovative drug development. Traditional preclinical animal models often fail to accurately predict human response and are increasingly being replaced by non-animal models such as Spanios COMPASS platform. While these advanced studies provide robust, multi-indication readouts, they can be financially challenging especially for early-stage biotech companies focused on a single molecule. To address this, Spanios has launched the COMPASS-APP (Adoption Promotion Plan), bridging the gap between IND-enabling efficacy studies and the funding required to execute them. Under COMPASS-APP, clients adopting the platform can accelerate drug discovery and validation by using Spanios predictive, human-derived tumoroid models for efficacy and biomarker studies with investment and sponsorship facilitated through White Lion Capital LLC. Bhuvanesh Dave, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Spanios, commented: We are thrilled to partner with White Lion Capital LLC to provide our clients with both innovative science and accessible funding through the COMPASS-APP program. Our goal is to improve clinical trial success rates and accelerate the development of new therapies for orphan, rare, and difficult-to-treat cancers. Yash Thukral, JD, Founding Partner of White Lion Capital LLC, added: Our collaboration with Spanios is designed to remove the biggest barriers for biotech innovatorsfunding and reliable data. White Lion Capital LLC provides direct investment to companies utilizing the COMPASS platform, funding their critical preclinical and clinical studies. By bringing together capital, scientific expertise, and human-relevant models, we enable more breakthrough treatments to reach patients faster. About Spanios Founded to fast-track the discovery and delivery of oncology drugs for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, Spanios recreates human tumors and their microenvironments ex-vivo, eliminating the need for animal models. The COMPASS platform provides precise, translational models to reliably predict clinical outcomes and speed up drug discovery. Learn more at www.spanioslab.com . White Lion Capital LLC: Yash Thukral, JD | Founding Partner yash@whitelioncapital.com | www.whitelioncapital.com Spanios: Preethi Samuel, PhD | Co-Founder & COO preethi.samuel@spanioslab.com | www.spanioslab.com ATHENS, Greece, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp. (the Company or OET) (NYSE:ECO / OSE:OET), announced today that it has scheduled its Annual Meeting of Shareholders for May 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Greek time (the Annual Meeting). The record date for determining shareholders entitled to participate at the Annual Meeting is April 22, 2025. The business of the Annual Meeting is to elect eight directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified, and to ratify the appointment of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A. as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Annual Meeting documentation and instructions for voting are expected to be mailed to all shareholders of record on or about April 25, 2025, and will be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) and available on the Commissions website at www.sec.gov. Separately, as part of the Annual Meeting process, the Company announced today that the board of directors of the Company has been expanded to consist of eight persons from the previous seven person board of directors. The vacancy on the board of directors of the Company created by this change is proposed to be filled at the Annual Meeting, rather than by the remaining directors. The Company has decided to nominate Mr. Dimitrios Papalexopoulos for election as a director, to fill this vacancy. Dimitrios Papalexopoulos is a business executive with experience in management, business development, operations and commercial marketing across media, publishing, technology and fast-moving consumer goods. He is currently and has been since 2022 the Managing Director of Kathimerines Ekdoseis, a media and publishing company, and publisher of prominent Greek newspaper Kathimerini. He was previously its Chief Business Officer from 2019 to 2021. Prior to joining Kathimerines Ekdoseis, Mr. Papalexopoulos held senior positions in business development, sales, and brand management in Google between 2011 and 2018 and in Procter & Gamble between 2007 and 2010. He holds a B.A. in International and European Economic Studies from the Athens University of Economics and Business, a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the American College of Greece, an M.Sc. in International Employment Relations and HR Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under the Sloan Fellows Program. Mr. Papalexopoulos has been a member of the Governing Council of the Athens University of Economics and Business since 2023. The Companys executive management team will remain unchanged. They will continue to work closely with the Companys board of directors. Contacts Company Iraklis Sbarounis, CFO Tel: +30 210 480 4200 ir@okeanisecotankers.com Investor Relations / Media Contact Nicolas Bornozis, President Capital Link, Inc. 230 Park Avenue, Suite 1540, New York, N.Y. 10169 Tel: +1 (212) 661-7566 okeanisecotankers@capitallink.com About OET OET is a leading international tanker company providing seaborne transportation of crude oil and refined products. The Company was incorporated on April 30, 2018 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is listed on Oslo Brs under the symbol OET and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ECO. The sailing fleet consists of six modern scrubber-fitted Suezmax tankers and eight modern scrubber-fitted VLCC tankers. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements, including as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements provide the Companys current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about the Companys expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts or that are not present facts or conditions. Words or phrases such as anticipate, believe, continue, estimate, expect, hope, intend, may, ongoing, plan, potential, predict, project, should, will or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Companys actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including as described in the Companys filings with the Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the Company's operating or financial results; the Company's liquidity, including its ability to service its indebtedness; competitive factors in the market in which the Company operates; shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting vessel supply and demand; future, pending or recent acquisitions and dispositions, business strategy, areas of possible expansion or contraction, and expected capital spending or operating expenses; risks associated with operations; broader market impacts arising from war (or threatened war) or international hostilities; risks associated with pandemics, including effects on demand for oil and other products transported by tankers and the transportation thereof; and other factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Commission. Except to the extent required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. You should, however, review the factors and risks the Company describes in the reports it files and furnishes from time to time with the Commission, which can be obtained free of charge on the Commissions website at www.sec.gov. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Vancouver, April 24, 2025 - Mineral Road Discovery Inc. (CSE: ROAD) (the "Company" or "ROAD") announces that it has appointed Damien Reynolds as Executive Chairman, effective May 1, 2025. Emma Fairhurst will relinquish her seat as Executive Chairperson but will remain a Director. Mr. Reynolds has multiple decades of involvement in all facets of the resource exploration business globally. In addition, he has extensive capital markets experience, having been involved in raising hundreds of millions of dollars for exploration capital. Projects spanning a broad multitude of commodities and multiple global jurisdictions have been founded, invested in, developed and sold by teams led and associated with Mr. Reynolds. ROAD thanks Ms. Fairhurst for her significant efforts as Executive Chairperson and looks forward to her continued support as a member of the board of directors. About Mineral Road Discovery Mineral Road Discovery is an investor in exploration. By focusing on a combination of top-down thematics and significant technical and financial expertise, we can manage risks better to provide exceptional shareholder value. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/249737 VANCOUVER, April 24, 2025 - Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) ("Ero" or the "Company") reported the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held today in Vancouver, British Columbia. A total of 88,486,748 common shares were represented at the meeting, being 85.44% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company as at the March 5, 2025 record date. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the meeting, including the re-election of management's nominees as directors for the ensuing year and the advisory vote on executive compensation. Detailed results of the votes are presented below. Each item of business voted upon at the meeting is described in detail in the Company's Management Information Circular dated March 6, 2025 (the "Circular"), which is available on the Company's website (www.erocopper.com), on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). SET THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT TEN Shareholders approved the proposal to set the number of directors at ten with 99.68% of votes cast in favour. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Shareholders re-elected ten directors as follows: Number of Common Shares Voted Percentage of Votes Cast Director Nominee For Withheld For Withheld David Strang 74,403,908 1,323,320 98.25% 1.75% Makko DeFilippo 75,019,071 708,157 99.06% 0.94% Jill Angevine 74,107,333 1,619,895 97.86% 2.14% Lyle Braaten 73,343,218 2,384,010 96.85% 3.15% Steven Busby 72,987,840 2,739,388 96.38% 3.62% Dr. Sally Eyre 74,138,186 1,589,042 97.90% 2.10% Robert Getz 73,295,009 2,432,219 96.79% 3.21% Chantal Gosselin 74,213,975 1,513,253 98.00% 2.00% Faheem Tejani 74,237,166 1,490,062 98.03% 1.97% John Wright 74,238,750 1,488,478 98.03% 1.97% APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR Shareholders re-appointed KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the auditor of the Company and authorized the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor with 99.71% of votes cast in favour. ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Shareholders approved the non-binding advisory "say on pay" resolution accepting the Company's approach to executive compensation as described in the Circular with 98.19% of votes cast in favour. ABOUT ERO COPPER CORP Ero Copper is a high-margin, high-growth copper producer with operations in Brazil and corporate headquarters in Vancouver, B.C. The Company's primary asset is a 99.6% interest in the Brazilian copper mining company, Mineracao Caraiba S.A. ("MCSA"), 100% owner of the Company's Caraiba Operations, which are located in the Curaca Valley, Bahia State, Brazil, and the Tucuma Operation, an open pit copper mine located in Para State, Brazil. The Company also owns 97.6% of NX Gold S.A. ("NX Gold") which owns the Xavantina Operations, an operating gold and silver mine located in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. In July 2024, the Company signed a definitive earn-in agreement with Vale Base Metals for a 60% interest in the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, located in the Carajas Mineral Province in Para State, Brazil. For more information on the earn-in agreement, please see the Company's press releases dated October 30, 2023 and July 22, 2024. Additional information on the Company and its operations, including technical reports on the Caraiba Operations, Xavantina Operations, Tucuma Operation and the Furnas Copper-Gold Project, can be found on the Company's website (www.erocopper.com), on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca/landingpage/) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). The Company's shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ERO". FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Courtney Lynn, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Strategy (604) 335-7504 info@erocopper.com Feature: Kenyan traders target vast Chinese market to boost agricultural exports Xinhua) 13:14, April 25, 2025 NAIROBI, April 24 (Xinhua) -- In the lush highlands of the central Kenyan county of Murang'a, Newton Ngure, a middle-aged entrepreneur, has forged long-term friendships with smallholder farmers who grow Hass avocado for local and international markets, with China emerging as a promising destination. "China is a huge market for our agricultural products, and more so for Hass avocado," he said. "It will be good for Kenyan exporters to comply with certification requirements to increase our export volumes." Since launching his start-up in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, Ngure has partnered with farmers, aggregators, and other players in the Hass avocado value chain. Now, the Kenyan business owner has set his sights on the Chinese market. On Thursday, Ngure spoke on the sidelines of the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) Promotion Conference, which brought together senior government officials, diplomats, industry executives, and budding entrepreneurs. As with Ngure who graced the half-day event, dozens of Kenyan traders also expressed the same desire to participate in this year's CAETE, which will be held in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province, from June 12 to 15. Ngure said his company is in talks with potential Chinese importers, aiming to ship 2,000 metric tons of Hass avocados each month. In the long term, Ngure said his firm, which primarily focuses on aggregation, aims to export up to 200,000 metric tons of Hass avocados to China, upon fulfilling all safety and hygiene standards mandated by Chinese customs. "China's market really has an appetite for Kenyan products, and it will be good that we look at the opportunities and comply," Ngure said. "We are working with various stakeholders to consolidate consignments for Hass avocado sourced countrywide. It is an opportune moment for us to venture into the Chinese market." Josephine Ndikwe, head of trade and exports at Jotim Coffee Limited, is also preparing to attend the 2025 CAETE with ambitions to solidify new partnerships. Her company, which specializes in premium coffee, has exported to China since 2022 -- with volumes rising due to favorable customs policies and growing consumer interest. Having partaken in the 2023 and 2024 editions of CAETE, Ndikwe hopes this year's expo will expand her company's footprint in the Chinese market. "What I look forward to is expanding my market reach in China. We also want to venture into exporting already finished goods. That is roasted coffee, Arabica beans because we believe the market in China is big," Ndikwe said. She added that against the backdrop of U.S. punitive import tariffs, China emerges as an alternative market for Kenya's coffee growers and exporters. According to Ezekiel Mosongo, head of bilateral trade at the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, Kenya aims to increase the volume of agricultural commodities exported to China, such as Hass avocado, coffee, macadamia, cut flowers, black tea, and aquatic products, as economic ties between the two sides are flourishing. Mosongo hailed China for reducing levies on Hass avocado and cut flowers imported from Kenya, adding that the government has prioritized value addition to boost the competitiveness of agricultural products overseas. Simon Gakinya, founder and managing director of Mount Kenya Specialty Tea and Coffee Co., Ltd., believes that policy harmonization and dialogue among businesses will be key to boosting the export of Kenya's agricultural commodities to China. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Your vote is important, regardless of the number of Calibre shares you hold. Securityholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the deadline on Tuesday, 29 April at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time). For assistance in voting, please contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by phone at 1-877-452-7184 (North American toll-free) or 1-416-304-0211 (outside North America), or by email at assistance@laurelhill.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 25, 2025 -- Calibre Mining Corp. (TSX: CXB; OTCQX: CXBMF) (the "Company" or "Calibre") is pleased to announce that both Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS") and Glass Lewis & Co. ("Glass Lewis"), two leading independent proxy advisory firms, have recommended that Calibre Securityholders ("Securityholders") vote FOR the resolution approving the proposed business combination between Calibre and Equinox Gold Corp. ("Equinox") at the upcoming Special Meeting of Securityholders (the "Meeting") scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025. The Board of Directors of Calibre unanimously recommends that Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution. Independent Proxy Advisory Firm Recommendations Following the announcement of the amended terms for the proposed merger between Calibre and Equinox (see news release dated April 23, 2025), Glass Lewis has updated its recommendation. Glass Lewis now recommends that Calibre Securityholders vote FOR the Arrangement Resolution, noting that the improved exchange ratio aligns with broader market expectations and offers greater downside protection while preserving the long-term upside potential of the combined company. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT - PLEASE VOTE TODAY The proxy voting deadline is 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Meeting Details The Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) at the offices of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, Suite 2200, RBC Place, 885 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. For complete details and access to all relevant documents related to the Meeting, please visit the Calibre Mining website here. Securityholder Questions & Voting Assistance Securityholders who have previously voted AGAINST the Arrangement Resolution and who wish to change their vote can simply revote in favor. For further assistance, Securityholders may contact the Company's proxy solicitation agent: Laurel Hill Advisory Group Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184 (for Securityholders in North America) International: +1 416-304-0211 (for Securityholders outside Canada and USA) By Email: assistance@laurelhill.com About Calibre Calibre (TSX: CXB) is a Canadian-listed, Americas focused, growing mid-tier gold producer with a strong pipeline of development and exploration opportunities across Newfoundland & Labrador in Canada, Nevada and Washington in the USA, and Nicaragua. Calibre is focused on delivering sustainable value for Securityholders, local communities and all stakeholders through responsible operations and a disciplined approach to growth. With a strong balance sheet, a proven management team, strong operating cash flow, accretive development projects and district-scale exploration opportunities Calibre will unlock significant value. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Darren Hall" Darren Hall, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Ryan King SVP Corporate Development & IR T: 604.628.1012 E: calibre@calibremining.com W: www.calibremining.com Calibre's head office is located at Suite 1560, 200 Burrard St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3L6. YouTube / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook / X The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "assume", "intend", "strategy", "goal", "objective", "possible" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. These include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the approval of the Arrangement by the Calibre Securityholders; application for a final order of the court approving the Arrangement and the approval thereof by the court; timing for closing the Arrangement; Calibre and the combined company's plans and expectations with respect to the proposed Arrangement, the expectations regarding exploration potential and production capabilities of the combined company; the potential valuation of the combined company following completion of the Arrangement; the accuracy of the pro forma financial position and outlook of the combined company following completion of the Arrangement; the expected benefits of the new board and management team of the combined company; and the anticipated impact of the proposed Arrangement on the combined company's results of operations, financial position, growth opportunities and competitive position. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, the possibility that Calibre Securityholders may not approve the Arrangement or Securityholders of Equinox may not approve the share issuance; the risk that any other condition to closing of the Arrangement may not be satisfied; the risk that the closing of the Arrangement might be delayed or not occur at all; the risk that the either Calibre or Equinox may terminate the Arrangement Agreement and either Calibre or Equinox is required to pay a termination fee to the other party; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships of Calibre or Equinox, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Arrangement; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of Calibre and Equinox; the effects of the business combination of Calibre and Equinox , including the combined company's future financial condition, results of operations, strategy and plans; the ability of the combined company to realize anticipated synergies in the timeframe expected or at all; changes in capital markets and the ability of the combined company to finance operations in the manner expected; the risk that Calibre or Equinox may not receive the required court, stock exchange and regulatory approvals to effect the Arrangement; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed Arrangement; the risk of changes in laws, governmental regulations or enforcement practices; the effects of commodity prices, life of mine estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; the risks of mining activities; the fact that operating costs and business disruption may be greater than expected following the public announcement or consummation of the Arrangement; and other risks and uncertainties set out in Calibre's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, its management discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other disclosure documents of the Company filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Calibre's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. Calibre does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Vancouver, April 25, 2025 - Sanu Gold Corp. (CSE: SANU) (OTCQB: SNGCF) ("Sanu Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. The Notice of Meeting, which sets out the business proposed to be conducted at the Meeting, the Information Circular and related meeting materials are now available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.sanugoldcorp.com/agm. The record date for the Meeting was April 3, 2025. Management's nominees for election to the Board are current board members Martin Pawlitschek, Fatou Gueye, Martino De Ciccio and new nominee, Peter Hemstead. If elected, Mr. Hemstead will also serve as Chair of the Audit Committee, bringing extensive financial expertise and governance experience to the Company. Martino De Ciccio, Chairman of Sanu Gold, commented: "We look forward to welcoming Peter to our Board of Directors. We are confident that he will make significant contributions to our Board and its Committees, given his extensive accounting knowledge and experience in the mining sector, as we continue to execute our strategy of unlocking exploration value." About Peter Hemstead Mr. Hemstead has over 25 years of management and finance experience in the mining industry. He has been a director of Fireweed Metals Corp. since April 2020 and served as Interim President & CEO of Fireweed from May 2024 until January 2025. He served as the CFO of Bluestone Resources Inc. from 2016 until December 2019 when he was appointed President & CEO and Chair of the Board until its acquisition by Aura Minerals Inc. in January 2025. He also served on the Board of Directors of Fiore Gold Ltd. from 2017 until its acquisition by Calibre Mining Corp. in 2022. Prior to that, he spent 10 years in a senior financial executive role at Capstone Mining Corp. (now Capstone Copper Corp.), leading the finance team through the successful expansion from an exploration and development stage mining company to an intermediate copper producer with multiple operations. Mr. Hemstead is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an Honours Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario. About Sanu Gold Located within the Siguiri Basin, a world class gold district that is host to several operating mines and major new discoveries, Sanu Gold is exploring three high quality gold exploration permits in Guinea, West Africa. The Company has defined multi-kilometer long gold-bearing structures on each of the gold exploration permits, with multiple high-value drill targets and is targeting multi-million ounce gold discoveries. Sanu Gold is operated by a highly experienced team, with successful records of discovery, resource development and mine permitting. Martin Pawlitschek President & CEO, Sanu Gold Corp. For further information regarding Sanu Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.sanugoldcorp.com or contact: Corporate Office: 717 - 1030 West Georgia Street | Vancouver, British Columbia | Canada | V6E 2Y3 Telephone: (647) 473-7268 | www.sanugoldcorp.com 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/249739 155 bank, SDI staff dismissed over fraud in 2024 as employee-linked financial crime soars BoG report Kweku Zurek Business News Apr - 25 - 2025 , 07:17 At least 155 staff of banks and specialised deposit-taking institutions (SDIs) were dismissed in 2024 for their involvement in fraudulent activities, the latest annual fraud report from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has revealed. Of these, 83 dismissals representing 54 per cent were linked specifically to cash theft and suppression, the dominant form of internal financial misconduct. The report, which covers banks, SDIs, and payment service providers (PSPs), paints a concerning picture of rising insider threats within the financial sector. Staff involvement in fraud jumped by 33 per cent in 2024, with 365 employees implicated in various offences, up from 274 in the previous year. Cash theft/suppression remains the most prevalent staff-related fraud, accounting for 75% of reported internal cases, the report stated. It also noted that despite the scale of offences, only 43% of staff involved were actually dismissed a trend blamed on protracted legal procedures that discourage institutions from fully pursuing justice. The Bank of Ghana expressed deep concern about the consistent and steady increase in regulated financial institutions staff involvement in fraudulent activities, and called for immediate improvements in internal control systems. It urged banks and SDIs to intensify recruitment background checks, reinforce professional training, and ensure diligent prosecution of offenders to deter future breaches. The BoGs 2024 report also documented a broader increase in fraudulent activity across the financial ecosystem. A total of 16,733 fraud cases were recorded last year, up from 15,865 in 2023 representing a five per cent increase. While fraud cases in traditional banks decreased slightly, those within the SDI and PSP sectors saw noticeable rises. The most dramatic spike was seen in forgery and document manipulation, with the value at risk ballooning to GH53.5 million nearly eight times the GH6.9 million recorded in 2023. This category alone accounted for 67 per cent of the total fraud value risk recorded by banks and SDIs. The surge was primarily driven by one major outlier case involving GH53 million. Similarly, identity theft saw significant growth, with losses increasing from GH0.6 million in 2023 to GH5.7 million in 2024. The report attributed this spike to weak due diligence practices and poor verification processes using Ghana Cards. In total, the value at risk from fraud across banks, SDIs, and PSPs reached approximately GH99 million in 2024, up 13 per cent from GH88 million the previous year. Of this, about GH75 million related to risks faced by banks alone. Despite these high figures, only GH3 million representing four per cent of the total at risk was recovered. The BoG acknowledged that prolonged legal battles remain a major obstacle to recovering stolen funds and restoring public confidence. The Payment Service Provider (PSP) sector alone recorded 15,673 fraud cases with a value at risk of GH19 million, representing increases of seven per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. The BoG urged continued collaboration between financial institutions and law enforcement agencies to create a zero tolerance culture toward fraud. It said it will continue publishing the annual fraud report to promote transparency and safeguard the integrity of Ghanas financial sector. EU Commission fines Apple, Meta 700 million over digital law breaches Graphic.com.gh International News Apr - 25 - 2025 , 11:58 2 minutes read The European Commission yesterday found tech giants Apple and Meta in breach of obligations under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), fining the two US companies 500 million ($572 million) and 200 million respectively. Apple was found to have breached its "anti-steering" obligation under the DMA, while Meta was considered not to have given consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their data, another stipulation of the DMA. However, the EU also closed an investigation of Apple over its user choice obligations after the tech giant complied with the DMA by making it easy to select a default browser and for users to remove pre-installed apps such as Safari. Apple was fined after the Commission concluded that the company prevented developers from steering customers outside its App Store to allow them to access cheaper deals. The fine was imposed on Meta over its "pay for privacy" system, which means users have to pay to avoid data collection or agree to share their data with Meta-owned platforms Facebook and Instagram to keep using the platforms for free. The Commission concluded that Meta did not provide Facebook and Instagram users with a less personalised but equivalent version of the platforms, and "did not allow users to exercise their right to freely consent to the combination of their data." The Commission said that the fine on Meta concerned only the period during which EU end users were solely offered the "consent or pay" option, from March 2024 to November 2024. That is when Meta introduced a new ad model allegedly using less personal data. That model is currently under scrutiny by the EU. Both companies have issued complaints about the penalties, the first under the DMA, which came into effect last year. Apple said in a statement that it would appeal the fine. "Today's announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free," it said. DWNEWS Bawku: Ghana Armed Forces denies attack on Chief of Army Staff Enoch Darfah Frimpong Apr - 25 - 2025 , 12:29 3 minutes read The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied reports suggesting the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu has been attacked in Bawku in the Upper East Region. Some reports even suggested he had been killed. Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, had visited Bawku on Wednesday and said personnel of the GAF and other security agencies remained steadfast in their commitment to restoring peace and security in Bawku in the Upper East Region. The GAF and other agencies have been managing the crisis over the years in Bawku, which has persisted between two contending sides and will continue to do so to bring lasting peace to the area for the benefit of the people, he stressed. Major General Gbetanu interacted with the media when he embarked on the official visit to Bawku last Wednesday, April 23, 2025, to interact with chiefs and military personnel deployed to maintain law and order. Read also: GAF remains steadfast in restoring peace in Bawku - Chief of the Army Staff declares Reports of attack However, on Thursday evening, some reports suggested he had been attacked prompting the Ghana Armed Forces to react to the speculation in a press statement. "GAF wishes to state that the contents of the said videos are false and should be treated with the contempt that they deserve. COAS operational visit to Bawku on Wednesday, 23 April 2025 was successful and no negative incident was recorded. Efforts are however underway to track the originators of the videos in question to face the law as appropriate," the statement signed and issued by Brigadier General E. Aggrey Quashie, Director General Public Relations at the GAF said. Attached below is a copy of the statement GAF DENIES ATTACK ON COAS AT BAWKU The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been drawn to two videos that have gone viral on social media alleging the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu has been attacked in Bawku. GAF wishes to state that the contents of the said videos are false and should be treated with the contempt that they deserve. COAS operational visit to Bawku on Wednesday, 23 April 2025 was successful and no negative incident was recorded. Efforts are however underway to track the originators of the videos in question to face the law as appropriate. GAF once again wishes to caution bloggers, content creators and the media at large to be circumspect in their reportage on GAF operations especially in Bawku since any deliberate misinformation and disinformation of the populace have a potential to worsen the security situation in the area. GAF urges all stakeholders to put their hands on deck to help restore normalcy to Bawku and its environs. Writer's email: [email protected] Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh Dr Cyracus Badinye Bapuuroh takes over from Justice Pamela Koranteng as acting Judicial Secretary Enoch Darfah Frimpong Apr - 25 - 2025 , 20:33 1 minute read Following the acceptance of the request by Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng for her to be relieved of her duties as Judicial Secretary, Dr Cyracus Badinye Bapuuroh, her deputy has been directed to act as Judicial Secretary. Justice Pamela Koranteng had requested that the Judicial Council should allow her to concentrate on her duties as a Court of Appeal judge and be relieved of her duties as a Judicial Secretary. At the 291st Meeting of the Judicial Council held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the Council accepted that request. Following that, the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has directed Dr Cyracus Badinye Bapuuroh, one of her deputies to assume the duties of Judicial Secretary pending decision by the Judicial Council and the eventual appointment of a substantive Judicial Secretary. Members of Judiciary, the Judicial Service of Ghana and the general public have been asked to take note accordingly. The acting Chief Justice communicated the assignment of a new Judicial Secretary in a memo dated April 24, 2025, a copy of which has been seen by Graphic Online. Education Minister inaugurates CIMG Governing Council Severious Kale-Dery Apr - 25 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, yesterday inaugurated an 11-member Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) and tasked them to undertake customer service satisfaction survey. The President has every trust and faith in you and he has tasked me to encourage you that he wants a satisfaction survey done in Ghana undertaken by your enterprise, he said. Council members He wants a measure whether customer satisfaction is satisfactory in Ghana, the minister told the governing council chaired by the National President, Michael Abbiw. The council has Ama Gifty Amoah as vice president, Edwin Letsa K. Kpedor, National Secretary, Dr Francis Mensah Sasraku as National Treasurer and Kwabena Akuamoah Agyekum as Registrar. The rest are Hilda Peasah, Kwasi Kyere and Norrender Wordie Debrah as council members; Dr Daniel Kasser Tee, immediate past President, Mawuli Segbefia, as representative of the Ministry of Education, and Stella Akosua Ansah representing the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Citizen accountability Mr Iddrisu expressed concern that many of the government service providers such as the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and the Electricity of Ghana (ECG) took consumer and customers for granted. You need to correct that impression and that impression can only be corrected with your sharpened skills of marketing so that the consumer --- you know growing up --- we all learned that the consumer is a king, he said. The minister proposed the institutionalisation of an annual citizen accountability forum where agencies could report back to the people they served, backed by customer data and feedback. Insurance bill Mr Iddrisu hinted that he would introduce a new bill to introduce insurance professionals in Ghana to regulate the conduct of insurance in Ghana. I am working with the insurance industry to get a fit-for-purpose bill that will regulate it as a new area. And again, marketing, he stated. He cited, for instance, the frustration insurance clients often went through when it came to claims, expressing concern that insurance companies often took clients for granted. Whether it's his entitlement to get full comprehensive reimbursement or he's treated as a third-party, we think that you still can play a role, the minister said. The minister thanked the council members for accepting to work with the Ministry of Education and the relevant government agencies and the government to further enhance the role of marketing in many enterprises of national life. Response In response, Mr Abbiw said their nomination was an honour and privilege, adding, this brings an immense joy not only to me personally, but to the entire CIMG family. He said the inauguration marked not just a ceremonial event, but a reaffirmation of the commitment to the responsibilities enshrined in the CIMG Act 2020 (Act 1021). Mr Abbiw said the Act formally recognised CIMG as the regulatory body mandated to set and uphold standards in the marketing profession in the country. Writers email: [email protected] A key pillar in achieving this mandate has been the introduction of the professional marketing qualifications. It is designed with international benchmarking and tailored to local needs, he explained, adding that the professional marketing qualification empowered CIMG to certify marketing professionals who exemplified ethical, responsible, and value-driven marketing principles. Writers email: [email protected] Next article: Show serious commitment to galamsey fight - Methodist Bishop to govt Ghanas economic gains win investor confidence in Washington Kester Aburam Korankye Apr - 25 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read Ghanas strong economic progress under the governments stabilisation programme earned high praise from international investors during a high-level engagement in Washington, D.C., led by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings yesterday, showcased Ghanas remarkable strides in restoring macroeconomic stability, with investors expressing renewed confidence in the countrys fiscal outlook. Stable cedi, strong reserves Dr Forson provided a detailed update on Ghanas economic performance, saying the cedi had remained stable in recent months and had even begun appreciating. He further highlighted the countrys strong reserve position, which now covers more than four months of import cover, a key indicator of resilience in external sector management. The Finance Minister also reported impressive revenue performance, with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) surpassing its first-quarter target by over GH2.4 billion. This was driven by strong Value Added Tax (VAT) collections and improved compliance in other tax categories, signalling enhanced domestic revenue mobilisation. On expenditure, Dr Forson emphasised the governments continued commitment to fiscal restraint. Spending on goods and services has largely been maintained at 2023 levels, ensuring prudent management of public resources while safeguarding essential service delivery. With strong revenue performance and disciplined spending, Ghana remains firmly on track to achieve a 1.5 per cent primary surplus in 2025, a key target under the IMF-supported programme. Strategy Ahead The Finance Minister assured investors that the Bank of Ghana held sufficient external reserves to meet coupon and interest payments, reinforcing financial stability. He also announced that a comprehensive debt management strategy would be unveiled during the upcoming Mid-Year Budget Review, focusing on sustainable growth, responsible debt management, and further strengthening investor confidence. Investors reaffirm trust The engagement underscored growing international confidence in Ghanas economic direction, with investors commending the governments transparency, fiscal discipline, and long-term commitment to stability. As Ghana continues its recovery, the positive reception in Washington signals a strong vote of confidence in the countrys economic prospects. Halt suspension of CJ - Old Tafo MP tells Supreme Court Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Apr - 25 - 2025 , 11:08 5 minutes read The Member of Parliament (MP) for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has filed a new application asking the Supreme Court to halt the suspension of the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, by President John Dramani Mahama. The application for interlocutory injunction filed yesterday is also seeking an order from the apex court to put on hold any action that could lead to the potential impeachment of Justice Torkornoo until the final determination of his writ challenging the constitutionality of the manner in which the President had handled the intended impeachment process. By the above relief, the MP wants the Supreme Court to halt the work of the five-member committee established by President Mahama to investigate the three petitions seeking the impeachment of Justice Torkornoo. Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist, the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has directed all registrars of the courts to refer every new case to his office for assignment. It was contained in a memo issued by the Deputy Judicial Secretary last wednesday. This is the second application for interlocutory injunction filed by the MP after invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to declare the impeachment process unconstitutional on March 27 this year. The first application for interlocutory injunction filed on the same day the substantive writ was filed was seeking to restrain President Mahama from consulting with the Council of State on whether or not the three petitions establish a prima facie case. That application is expected to be heard by a five-member panel of the Supreme Court on May 6 this year. Mr Assafuah is of the contention that President Mahama violated Article 146 of the Constitution and other provisions pertaining to fair hearing by failing to first notify the Chief Justice and obtain her response before initiating the consultation process with the Council of State. Basis for new application With his new application filed by his lawyer, Godfred Yeboah Dame, a former Attorney-General (A-G), the MP described the suspension of the Chief Justice, as well as the establishment of a committee to investigate the petitions, as a complete disregard for rule of law and due process. According to Mr Assafuah, his first application for interlocutory injunction had been duly served on the A-G, and was yet to be determined by the Supreme Court, but the President went ahead to do the very thing the application sought to prevent. That in a move indicative of complete disregard for the rule of law and due process, whilst the application for interlocutory injunction was pending and had not been heard or determined, on April 22, 2025, the President released a press statement stating that a prima facie case has been established in respect of the three petitions against the Chief Justice. The said press release also informed the public of the establishment of a five-member committee to inquire into the petitions and further announced the suspension of the Chief Justice pending the outcome of the committees proceedings, the MP said in his affidavit in support of the application. Again, the applicant reiterated his main point for the initial application and the substantive suit that the President failed to notify the Chief Justice of the petitions before initiating the consultation process with the Council of State. He averred that the records showed that the President received the first two petitions in February, but failed to notify the Chief Justice even after announcing the consultation with the Council of State on March 25 this year. That the refusal of the President to notify the Chief Justice about receipt of the three petitions against her for over six weeks after receiving the first two petitions until the instant suit was filed (whilst purportedly engaging in consultations with the Council of State under Article 146) portrays the Government's deliberate scheme to violate the rights of the Chief Justice in order to unlawfully remove her from office, the affidavit in support added. The MP, therefore, described the impeachment process as tainted, adding that irreparable damage would be created if the suspension of the Chief Justice and the entire impeachment process were not halted, and the whole process declared unconstitutional in the substantive suit. That should the impugned processes under Article 146 be allowed to proceed and concluded before the instant action is heard, same will undermine the rule of law, the Constitution and the power of the Judiciary in discharging its constitutional duty of determining disputes between all persons in Ghana once its jurisdiction is properly invoked, the affidavit in support of the application stated. FIDA concern Meanwhile, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana has called for transparency regarding the process and urgent resolution of the matters before the committee to enable the Chief Justice to resume her constitutional duties to the Judiciary and the country. It also recommended urgent constitutional and legal reforms to provide stronger protection for office holders, especially heads of independent constitutional bodies, to prevent arbitrary dismissals. A statement issued by the acting Executive Director of the federation, Susan Aryeetey, and dated April 24, 2025, expressed concern over the recent suspension of the Chief Justice. The action, it said, had far-reaching implications for the independence of the Judiciary, the protection of constitutional governance, and the ongoing commitment for gender parity in national leadership. Background On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Spokesperson to the President and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced that President Mahama had suspended Justice Torkornoo. The suspension of the Chief Justice under Article 146 (10) of the Constitution followed the determination of the prima facie case by the President, in consultation with the Council of State, and the subsequent establishment of a five-member committee to inquire into the petitions in accordance with Article 146 (6) of the 1992 Constitution. The committee established by President Mahama to probe the petitions will be chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang. Other members of the committee are Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, a Justice of the Supreme Court; Daniel Yaw Domelevo, a former Auditor-General; Major Flora Bazwaanura of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana. Writers email: [email protected] Show serious commitment to galamsey fight - Methodist Bishop to govt Augustina Tawiah Apr - 25 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Methodist Church Ghana has urged the government to show seriousness in the fight against illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey. It said the dimension the galamsey menace had attained was now threatening the country's very existence. "It is eroding our sovereignty as a nation. People from other countries can easily enter the country and engage in illegal practices with impunity, and we look on helplessly. Sometimes, some of our own people join them to destroy our God-given resources. I urge the government to do something about it, as a matter of urgency," advised the Bishop of the Northern Accra Diocese (NAD) of the Methodist Church Ghana, Rt Rev. Andrew Mbeah-Baiden. He said this at the opening of the Seventh Annual Synod of NAD yesterday at the Resurrection Methodist Church, Gbawe in Accra. The Synod, which started last Wednesday and is expected to end on Sunday, April 27 is on the theme:Discipleship: Growing into Christian maturity". The Synod is the highest decision-making body of the Methodist Church Ghana at the Diocesan level, and the advice by the bishop was contained in his address to the Synod. Commending the governments initiative of confiscating excavators used in galamsey activities, Rt Rev Mbeah-Baiden said even though it was commendable, the government must go beyond that to stop the excavators from entering the country in the first place. Why would you allow the excavators to come into the country in the first place before you go and seize them? Excavators are not the size of mobile phones, you can put in your pocket and illegally take them to those places. They are huge. They cannot pass without people seeing them. But why are we allowing them to pass? It means that there is no commitment. It's like we're giving it lip service. And I'm calling on the government and all stakeholders, traditional rulers, churches, monks, all of us to be upstanding to fight this menace, he charged. He said pragmatic actions taken by the government could go a long way to halt further destruction of the forests and water bodies, and ultimately restore those resources to their original state for the general benefit of the nation. Road network Rt Rev. Mbeah-Baiden further urged the government to improve the road network of the country, pointing out that, they had noticed that over the years the concentration had always been on the main roads even though there were so many alternative roads to places that equally needed to be improved to make them accessible to motorists. He said if those alternative roads were improved they would ease the pressure on the main roads and make travelling across the country a bit more comfortable. Pastor remanded in custody for publishing falsehood about Philadelphia church founder GNA Apr - 25 - 2025 , 12:55 2 minutes read A pastor, aged 48 years, has been remanded into Police custody by the Asante Akropong circuit court in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District, for publishing falsehood at Achiase against the founder of the Philadelphia church. Emmanuel Boachie pleaded not guilty to the charges of publication of false news, offensive conduct, conducive to the breach of peace, and will reappear before the court presided over by Mrs Gloria Mensah Bonsu, on April 30, this year. The facts of the case as presented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Albert Asagre, are that Prophet Stephen Adom Kyei-Duah, the Founder and Overseer of the Believers Worship Center Philadelphia at Kumasi Kenyasi, was the complainant in the case. The accused is also the Pastor of the Souls Pasture Church and the Principal and Country Director of Awesome Bible College, at Achiase, in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District. The facts indicated that on April 13, 2025, the accused published himself on WhatsApp, Tik Tok and Facebook, making allegations by stating in a video that, the complainant was a portrait of Biblical false prophet, a thief, robber, murderer, an anti-Christ, Satan incarnate and a nuisance to any Christian pulpit, and that his teachings and doctrines were contrary to those in the Holy Bible and those of Jesus Christ. The facts indicated that the publication went viral on social media and caught the attention of the complainant, so he reported it to the Kumasi Tafo Police, leading to the physical arrest of the accused person. The Prosecutor said during the preliminary investigations, the accused person admitted the publications, and he was charged and brought before the court as investigation continued into the matter. President Mahama provides update on health of Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Kweku Zurek Apr - 25 - 2025 , 06:57 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has reassured the public that Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is recovering well and remains in good spirits, following a recent period of medical attention and rest. Speaking at the official launch of the governments nationwide sanitary pad distribution initiative on Thursday, April 24, 2025, President Mahama addressed the Vice Presidents absence from the event and provided an update on her health status. I wish to extend the greetings of Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to all of you. I spoke to her yesterday and I told her we were going to miss her at this event because this is a programme that is very dear to her, the President said. She said I should say hello to all of you and to say she is recuperating and catching a bit of rest. She is very well and soon she will join us to continue to prosecute the reset agenda, he added. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reportedly took ill on Friday, March 28, 2025, and was admitted to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) the following day for medical evaluation. Her condition sparked public concern, given her central role in the current administration. In a statement issued by the Office of the President on Sunday, March 30, it was confirmed that the Vice President had received the required treatment and was in stable condition. The statement further noted that doctors had recommended additional medical evaluation abroad as a precautionary measure. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, indicated in the release that the recommendation was aimed at ensuring a complete recovery. Following the advice, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang commenced a three-week medical leave on April 7, 2025. The Vice Presidents leave has been dedicated to her recuperation and overall well-being, with expectations of her return to active duty in the coming weeks. As the government continues to roll out major social initiatives such as the sanitary pad distribution programme, Prof. Opoku-Agyemangs anticipated return is seen as critical to the implementation of key policies under the administrations reset agenda. Resetting agenda requires cleanliness to succeed Ahmed Ibrahim Alberto Mario Noretti Apr - 25 - 2025 , 11:08 3 minutes read The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on churches to lead and sustain a vigorous sanitation campaign to help maintain high standards of cleanliness in communities. According to him, such efforts would directly support the governments resetting agenda and accelerate the realisation of both national and local development goals. Mr Ibrahim made the call when he joined the congregation of the Evangelical Universal Church (EUC) in Ho for an Easter Monday service. The service, which was attended by hundreds of EUC members from Ghana and Togo, marked the climax of a weeklong Easter convention held under the theme: Glorifying the Power, Will and Sovereignty of God for National Building. The Minister, who was the guest of honour, noted that Easter was not merely a holiday but a powerful reminder of Christs legacy of life and a call for mankind to rise above all challenges and preserve the beauty of creation. That means we must take a firm stance to keep our environment clean, preserve our water bodies, and the air we breathe to ensure future generations become inheritors and not just survivors, he said. Mr Ibrahim reaffirmed the governments commitment to better governance anchored on integrity, transparency, and justiceprinciples which, he said, reflect Gods ways. So, the church must play active roles in the realisation of that agenda for the benefit of all Ghanaians, he stated. It also means we must remain united and live in peace all the time, Mr Ibrahim told the congregation. Earlier, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, gave an assurance that the government would continue to collaborate with churches on matters of national development. The Volta Regional Coordinating Council is always ready to work with churches, chiefs, and all stakeholders to build the Ghana we all want, he said. The Supreme Pontiff of the EUC, Zeniter II, said the church was highly concerned about national development and service to humanity. He called on Ghanaians to avoid all forms of divisiveness and rally behind the government to lift the country to greater heights. The Supreme Pontiff also entreated the youth to renew their sense of patriotism and demonstrate their love for the nation by avoiding wayward behaviour. The President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, in a speech read on his behalf, said the nation had strayed from the dreams of its founding fathers for far too long. He noted that Ghanaians were now looking up to the current government for a new era of nation-building, one devoid of corruption and grounded in honesty. UK deports 43 immigration offenders to Ghana and Nigeria GraphicOnline Apr - 25 - 2025 , 22:30 2 minutes read The United Kingdom has deported 43 individuals to Ghana and Nigeria as part of its heightened efforts to strengthen border security under its Plan for Change immigration policy. The group included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign nationals who had completed prison sentences in the UK. Seven of the individuals reportedly returned voluntarily. The charter flight, which took off on Thursday, marks the second deportation operation to Ghana and Nigeria since the current government assumed office, bringing the total number of returnees to the two countries to 87. UK officials say the operation reflects a growing partnership between the British government and its counterparts in Accra and Abuja to curb irregular migration and enforce immigration laws. This flight demonstrates how international partnerships deliver on working peoples priorities for swift returns and secure borders, said Angela Eagle, the UKs Minister for Border Security and Asylum. Through the Plan for Change, were going further in restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here and closing expensive asylum hotels, she added. I thank the governments of Ghana and Nigeria for facilitating this operation, which reflects our joint commitment to disrupt organised immigration crime and protect our borders. According to the Home Office, more than 24,000 people have been returned since the current administration took overa figure representing an 11% increase over the same period last year. Deportations of foreign national offenders have also increased by 16%, with 3,594 criminals removed. Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said international cooperation remains key to tackling irregular migration. Working with other countries and partners around the world is critical to tackling irregular migrationby working internationally, we will meet this global challenge together, she said. I welcome our strong cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria to return those with no right to be in the UK, secure our borders, and deliver on the Plan for Change. The UK government noted that Immigration Enforcement ensures all deportations are conducted in a dignified and respectful manner. The operation comes on the heels of the recent Organised Immigration Crime Summit hosted by the UK, which brought together representatives from over 40 countriesincluding Ghana and Nigeriato advance global efforts against human smuggling and irregular migration. The Plan for Change is one of the UK governments flagship strategies aimed at tightening border controls, reducing asylum backlogs, and repatriating individuals who have no legal right to remain in the country. Apple plans to switch production of US-sold iPhones to India, reported The Financial Times. According to sources, the reason is President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war with China, pushing Cupertino to look for a more economically viable solution. The diversification of iPhone production started in 2017, when Apple and Wistron started manufacturing iPhone 6s and iPhone SE at the Bengaluru factory. The primary reason was the high import taxes for Chinese goods, and eventually, Apple moved more production as the trade war between the United States and China intensified during Donald Trump's first term. According to a report from April 2024, about 14% of all iPhones in the world are made in India, and analysts expected the share to grow to 25% by the end of this year. This number may grow further, though, as Apple will aim to double production to source from India the over 60 million iPhones sold annually in the United States by the end of 2026. China has been the subject of President Trump's most aggressive tariffs, and despite Tim Cook's attempt to negotiate an exemption, it might not happen after all no decision appears to be final with the administration of the 47th president. In theory, imports from China are to be subjected to 145% tariff. Even if smartphones were temporarily exempted, Apple still has to pay a 20% rate that was applied even before Donald Trump became president for the second time. A tariff of 26% also hit India, although this is paused for 90 days to allow New Delhi to negotiate a deal with Washington. US Vice President JD Vance is currently visiting India, claiming the two countries were making "very good progress." FT added that the United States accounted for about 28% of Apple's global iPhone shipments in 2024. Investors and analysts are still struggling to understand the impact of Trump's tariff plans, as the company prepares for a quarterly earnings report next week. Source The Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting its National Take-Back Initiative on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at different locations including: Agana Shopping Center on the 2nd floor in Room 223 Andersen Air Force Base in the Main Base Exchange Dededo Mayors Office Guam Premier Outlets in the center court Naval Base Guam in Navy Exchange Participants are encouraged to turn in their unused or expired medication for safe, anonymous disposal. New or used needles and syringes will not be accepted. For more information, visit www.dea.gov/takebackday or call (808) 541-1930. Guam historian, folklorist and artist Judy Flores will bring vintage CHamoru courtship and marriage customs to life this Saturday during a cultural presentation at the Guam Museum Theater in Hagatna, part of the museums Marianas Storytelling series. The event, titled Storytelling in the Marianas, will spotlight the traditional CHamoru practice of Kasamiento, with a special focus on poetic courtship chants, ceremonial rituals, and symbolic gift exchanges once used to arrange marriages across the Marianas. The event is from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the Guam Museum Indoor Theater. The whole theme of that session is about Kasamiento, or marriage, courtship and marriage, said Flores. The session will delve into courtship chants once performed across Guam, historically passed down through performance during fiestas and family gatherings, she said. Flores traced her research and experience back to her upbringing in Inalahan. We started recreating the old courtship chants that were done all over Guam by the CHamorus, she said. It was carried on in Inalahan because they used it, they recreated it way back to use as program presentations. Some of the chants are rooted in oral traditions captured by pre-war German researcher Trudis Aleman in Saipan, she said. Many were revived during her time at Gef Pago in the 1970s, when peers who grew up with these performances were able to reenact them. Its called Amaga, which is kind ofits an old word that kind of means the two bosses or their co-bosses, right? she said. During the courtship, when the grooms family comes into the brides family to seal the contract of the marriage of their children, they start outside the house, by the grooms family calling in to the house and saying, Amaga? The ritualized dialogue that follows is entirely poetic, with the brides family responding to the grooms family call, symbolically inviting or denying entry. The groom does not speak and stays in the background, grinding pugua, or betel nut, for elders, while the bride listens from another room, awaiting a formal call. Begins with first exchanged glances Flores will use a six-panel mural she painted in 2000, Marriage (I Inakkamo) Traditions to illustrate the sequence of events in a traditional CHamoru courtship. It begins with the first exchanged glances, to serenades under windows, to the symbolic exchange of goods like pugua, deer meat, and ornate chests of gifts. It tells each of the steps that take place, Flores said. Theyll probably bring deer meat. They wont say its binadu or deer meattheyll say, this is the meat that ran through the jungle and was wild. Or whiskeytheyll say, this is the fire. The process culminates in a series of events just before the wedding: the komplemento, in which the grooms family presents the brides dress and other wedding items, followed by a fandango on the eve of the wedding. The komplemento takes place the night before the wedding. The groom had a fandango the night before. They entertain, they show again their ability to welcome this bride, Flores said. Then the next morning, at daybreaklike maybe 5:56 a.m.they go to the church and they get married. Afterward, a procession to the brides family home follows, where breakfast is served and blessings are received from elders. Flores shared her personal experience participating in these traditions, including serving as an auntie in her nieces wedding and preserving aspects of the tradition in her own family ceremonies. I was asked to be an auntie on my husbands side, she said. They had us come down to the brides house and wait for the men to call out. They sang, they did a good replication of what had been done. Then they opened the chest. She recalled her own 1964 wedding and noted that although the Amaga chants had already faded by then, elements of tradition remained. That stopped, probably before the war, and then everybody wanted to be Americanized, she said. So it kind of dropped and it wasnt until the 70s when people started realizing that this is going away. Flores said that effort led to partial recreations, like the one she helped organize for Joe Cepeda of the Guam Preservation Trust. I made this for them, she said of a painting she gifted for their wedding. Joe and Dolores actually were one of the first to have a caravan car all decorated that carried them from the village to the church. The Saturday presentation will feature a call-and-response demonstration of courtship chants performed by Senora Teresita Flores, a long-time CHamoru studies teacher, and Ray Barcelos, a young man from Rota who grew up learning the tradition. Senora Teresita Flores knows how to sing the kantan Chamorrita and remembers the Amaga, Flores said. The kantan Chamorrita is the singing back and forth between two parties. The Amaga is the dialog, the poetic dialog. Its not singing. So thats really the only difference. Flores said the project came together quickly with the help of Rita Nauta of Guampedia. This particular project we just started last week actually, she said. Rita emailed me and askedShe knew that I knew a lot of these things, so she asked if I had anything that I could present. Closer look at storytelling The event is part of the museums ongoing Marianas Storytelling series, which previously focused on genealogy. The courtship and marriage session coincides with the final weekend of the museums current exhibit. This is the closing weekend of this show, said Flores. So its a chance for people to come and see all of this before it closes. Flores said her goal is to preserve and revive traditional practices so that younger generations can better understand and connect with their cultural roots. What would I want to see? More recreations of bringing alive some of these old traditions, so that people know their roots? And I think thats really important, she said. Future segments are already being planned, offering a deeper look at storytelling traditions across the Marianas. by Mark R. DeLong 1. Roger Ebert labeled it the one movie entirely devoid of cliches. It should be unwatchable, he said, and yet those who love it return time and again, enchanted. It was My Dinner with Andre, which I watched with my wife and a couple of friends at the Carolina Theatre in Durham, North Carolina, back in 1981 when the movie was released. Years later, I picked up a used VHS of the film and baffled my children with it. One scene struck me from the first viewing, and my memory has returned to it especially in recent months. Toward the end of their dinner, Wally (Wallace Shawn) and Andre (Andre Gregory) discuss matters of preserving cultureor perhaps, more accurately, Andre steers the conversation through his wild and impossible adventures in new age-y communities, recounting events that would defy the laws of physics or at least stretch our imaginations. One of the leaders of such a group, Andre says, was Gustav Bjornstranda fictional character, not a real Swedish physicist as Andre claimswho is trying to create a new kind of school or a new kind of monastery islands of safety where history can be remembered and the human being can continue to function, in order to maintain the species through a Dark Age. In other words, were talking about an underground, which did exist during the Dark Ages in a different way, among the mystical orders of the church. And the purpose of this underground is to find out how to preserve the light, life, the culture. How to keep things living. Wally listens, entranced but not convinced that Andres unhinged stories make sense. Hes just trying to survive, he says, and takes pleasure in small comforts: dinner with his girlfriend, reading Charlton Hestons autobiography, sleeping under a warm electric blanket on cold New York nights. Even if I did feel the way you doyou know, that theres no possibility for happiness now, an exasperated Wally replies to Andre, then, frankly, I still couldnt accept the idea that the way to make life wonderful would be to totally reject Western civilization and to fall back to a kind of belief in some kind of weird something. 2. W. H. Auden said the poem was infected with an incurable dishonestyand must be scrapped. His readers disagreed. The poem, September 1, 1939, was written shortly after Hitlers Blitzkrieg into Poland. That day, of course, was a breaking point, clear and sharpand traumatizing. The poem captures the uncertainty and fear of the timefears that cycle through history. Even ancient Thucydides told the stories: what dictators do, / The elderly rubbish they talk. Old stories of The enlightenment driven away, / The habit-forming pain, / Mismanagement and grief: these, Thucydides tells us, We must suffer them all again. Auden might have been embarrassed by his sentiment he displayed in the poem, but that sentiment and a youthful energy that underlies it add life. Audens poem found a renewed audience after September 11, 2001, too. Maybe humans need sentiment to name fears and shape a response to chaos, though as with all poetry its probably good to mistrust the oversimplifications of verse. The last of the nine stanzas might be put beside Andres account of islands of safety where history can be remembered and the human being can continue to function. Amidst the uncertainty and fear and the world in stupor, that last stanza brings some hope: Yet, dotted everywhere, / Ironic points of light / Flash out wherever the Just / Exchange their messages. Justice and perhaps hope are dispersed but habitable, like islands of safety. And the poet resolves to flash his light as well: May I, composed like them Of Eros and of dust, Beleaguered by the same Negation and despair, Show an affirming flame. 3. Justin Smith-Ruiu wrote on the state of the humanities at the university: There is so much empty talk, in a language consisting primarily of cryptic abbreviations, so much form-filling, so much make-work: and all to hide a fundamental absence of mission, to keep everyone just busy enough not to have to face up to the total collapse that is obviously on its way. But if the European university is the Soviet Union in 1988, the American university now seems to be something more like Iraq in late 2003, and my American academic colleagues seem to be behaving somewhat like the Baathist dead-enders. Grim but not inaccurate, and not something that can be entirely laid at the feet of the current US administration, though its assaults have had huge impact. Smith-Ruiu isnt without hope. He thinks that the humanities are going to survive, yes, but for the next good long while they are going to be stewarded into an uncertain future in a deinstitutionalized virtual space (his emphasis). I get the uncertain future bit, but Im less optimistic about virtual space for education or, really, much of anything anymore. There comes a point when it makes much more sense to head for the hills and to regroup, he writes, This would not be the first time such a retreat from the academy has happened in the history of the life of the mind. In part two on the topic, he writes, And at least everyone else with an academic career who is halfway honest with themselves, must, in the present moment, be prepared not just to cling to the august institutional columns that used to give us such a sense of pride and mission, but also to begin to make out the rough form of what an intellectual life might look like in the post-universitarian years ahead. M. Gessen sees hope, too, and has lived through another such crisis. Though Gessen may believe that the current crisis of the university is largely due to attacks from the current administration, the effects that Smith-Ruiu attributes to long-term rot require some strong and doubtlessly uncomfortable response: There is a way for universities to fight back. It requires more than refusing to bend to Trumps will, and it requires more than forming a united front. They must abandon all the concernsrankings, donors, campus amenitiesthat preoccupy and distract them, and focus on their core mission: the production and dissemination of knowledge. Intellectuals have adopted this strategy to fight against autocrats in other countries. It works. Gessen cites the flying university of Poland in the 1970s and 1980s as an example. Polish dissidents operated what they called a flying university in apartments across the country. Run by the countrys leading intellectuals, this university wasnt selective and didnt charge tuition; its only goal was to get knowledge to as many people as possible. And Gessen points to Bard Colleges expansions into communities, including prisons and micro-colleges in librarieseducation offered broadly and drawing their strength from the core missions of the college. This seemingly ephemeral and fleeting institution holding classes in boarded-up storefronts and in private apartments has history that spans back to the nineteenth century, always in response to institutional duress and hardship, often from censorship and political oppression. A flying university is currently aloft for Ukrainian students, too, though classes are held online, not in safe houses or abandoned properties. The proposals from Smith-Ruiu, Gessen, and others may make up new flying species of humanities. What kinds of islands of safety, what kinds of flashing ironic lights make sense? 4. Robin Sloans monthly newsletter seems to carry my attention breathlessly from point-to-point, leaping sometimes but usually relatingor evoking connectionto larger themes of slower tech and human scaled business (think: regular paper-and-stamp post and printed books and zines). Sloans April newsletter drew from Lisa Cheng Smith, importer of his favorite soy sauce. She considered what she needs to do to keep her business running. Sloan lifts a whole paragraph from her newsletter: Divesting from tech and advertising platforms as much as possible. Affiliate marketing, performance marketing, payment gateways, social media management platforms, and collaborative cloud-based tools all cost money and add up to a big percentage of the pie. Im looking at how working manually and in a more lo-fi way could be just as effective while saving cost. Weve been sold the American technopreneur success story, enabled by big data and scaling tech, but we arent even capable of utilizing it all. Our customers already give us everything we need when they sign up for this newsletter and express interest in our store we just need to dialogue with you all. Even outside of threatened tariffs, Im ready to move in this direction. It better reflects my values. In a way, Cheng Smiths plan scales down to refocus on the things that most matter. Shes ready to find harbor in the island of safety that is her customers, forsaking the costly seas of tech platforms. Sloan, by the way, pointed me to Audens final stanza. Sloan comments, Apparently, Auden grew to hate the poem. Too bad for him. I agree. I wrote this piece with the hope that a bit of writerly meditation might lighten a burden that has grown heavily on me and on so many of us. I know I feel torn by witnessing the constant stream of outrages than have piled up and that seem to gather intensity, one act trumping the previous one. You want to look away; you know as well that you cant and shouldnt. Frank Bruni put it well in early February: I scroll through the news in the morning, feel the circuits of my brain frying and dying and find myself staring into space for the next 10 minutes. What use is an island of safety if it only isolates itself from a world in stupor? And can the scattered dotted lights of poets, community builders, teachers, scholars, and entrepreneurs shine brightly enough to preserve remembrance of history, justice, human flourishing, the reverence and joyful play of the arts and humanities, or (more humbly) Robin Sloans favorite soy sauce? I dont see a happy resolution or some magical balance that makes being responsible in a time like ours easier or clearer. Thucycides was right when he said that we must suffer again, but it is good to know we can choose to flash lights into the greedy, quenching darkness. There is hope for ironic points of light, whatever their source. For the bibliographically curious: The screenplay for My Dinner with Andre is available on the Internet Archive. You can check it out for free. https://archive.org/details/mydinnerwithandr00shaw. The movie is also on streaming services. Justin Smith-Ruius (currently) three-part series on the state of the university and specifically the humanities. these are paid posts, but you can get something from the trailers: part one: Can the Humanities Survive? The Hinternet, March 29, 2025. https://www.the-hinternet.com/p/can-the-humanities-survive; part two:The Death of the University. The Hinternet, April 6, 2025. https://www.the-hinternet.com/p/the-death-of-the-university; part three: Creative Humanities. The Hinternet, April 13, 2025. https://www.the-hinternet.com/p/creative-humanities. Also on The Hinternet (unencumbered by a paywall) and a very good read: Deresiewicz, William. Here Come the Allodidacts. The Hinternet, February 9, 2025. https://www.the-hinternet.com/p/here-come-the-allodidacts. Gessen, M. This Is How Universities Can Escape Trumps Trap, If They Dare. The New York Times, April 14, 2025, sec. Opinion. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/opinion/trump-higher-education.html. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. A judge has expedited a hearing for a temporary restraining order that would pause the Office of the Attorney Generals Dignity Project after the governor filed a lawsuit against the attorney general alleging corruption and intimidation. Judge John Terlaje initially issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, but later rescinded it to allow an expedited briefing on the matter, according to Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin. The attorney generals opposition is due at 8 p.m. April 26, and the governors reply is due at 6 p.m. April 27. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 28. The project, which had been set to launch Monday, was designed to help opioid users have a safe place to stay, a decent evening meal and a chance at a better life, according to Attorney General Douglas Moylan. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero on Friday filed a complaint in the Superior Court of Guam seeking a temporary restraining order, along with preliminary and permanent injunctions to stop the AG from what she alleges is illegally spending public funds on the project. The Tropical Palm Hotel in Tamuning was selected for the project. The complaint alleges multiple violations of law, including the illegal procurement of the $1.1 million contract with the hotel in Tamuning and not obtaining the approval and signature of the governor as the law requires for all contracts. When an employee at the Department of Administration questioned the contracts legality, the attorney generals office responded by threatening to prosecute the employee if the contract was not processed by noon on April 23, the complaint states. Threatened with prosecution, the employee reluctantly agreed to register the contract, according to a statement from the governors office. By law, the Office of the Attorney General serves as legal counsel to the DOA, but chose to threaten the agency instead of protect it. It has been clear since we received copies of the Attorney Generals contracts that for years he has been secretly skirting the law that explicitly requires my approval before those contracts are executed. Now he is openly flouting the law, Leon Guerrero said in the statement. The worst part, of course, is that he threatened to prosecute innocent DOA employees for corruption just for asking him to comply with the law. I want to be clear: this bullying cannot and will not be tolerated in this administration. In response, Moylan said the governor is suing him to stop help that would go to opioid-afflicted and other homeless poor on Guam. The program has been authorized by Guams Opioid Recovery Council and the attorney generals office, he stated. Moylan said the start date of the project is now in question because of the lawsuit. Since I am not concerned about pride or hubris, I have had my attorneys send to the governor the contract that the Opioid Council authorized to help our poor and homeless, along with her signature line that she demands, the AG said. He said this is notwithstanding his attorneys legal position that the governors signature was not required for the procurement. Helping Guams homeless and poor is more important to this attorney general than arguing with this governor. Our position remains that the governors signature was not necessary given the manner in which the Opioid Council was created by Guam law, he said. The AG said the Opioid Council approved the project by unanimous vote and the governors office was represented in the unanimous vote taken on Aug. 29, 2024. We trust that if the governor truly wishes to help our opioid-addicted and other homeless poor that she signs that contract, Moylan said. True irony The true irony is that the attorney general threatened to prosecute DOA officials for trying to stop the attorney general from committing blatant acts of corruption, Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin said in a statement. All of this so he can chase down a vanity project called the Dignity Project that will have no long-term impact on addressing homelessness on our island. It should really be called the Dougnity Project. As with all civil action against government officials and agencies, the attorney general and the Office of the Attorney General have 60 days to respond to the complaint. Proposals to cut business privilege taxes applied to the sale of food, medicine and other products received support on Thursday, but also opposition from the Guam Memorial Hospital. Lawmakers heard testimony on two measures aimed at cutting costs for consumers by reducing taxes applied to the sale of critical products. Sen. Jesse Lujans Bill 101-38 would provide a full business privilege tax exemption on the sale of prescription drugs. Sale of nonprescription drugs, food, medical devices, baby and sanitary products would all get an indefinite BPT waiver as proposed by Sen. Will Parkinson in Bill 71-38. A number of pharmacists showed up in support of Bill 101-38. But GMH Administrator Lilian Perez-Posadas said that either measure would reduce tax revenue from the BPT, and have the side effect of cutting funding for GMH. No one showed up to support Parkinsons Bill 71-38 in particular, but the Guam Chamber of Commerce stated in written testimony on both measures that any reprieve for our residents at the cash register is a win. Taxes on prescription drugs Cutting taxes applied to prescription drugs, meanwhile, saw vocal support. The only state in the U.S. that puts a sales tax on prescription drugs is Illinois, pharmacist Arthur Mariano told senators. Even in Illinois, the tax rate is only 1%, Mariano said. This is primarily because taxes can make essential medication less affordable, particularly for the poor and vulnerable, Mariano said. Melissa Gabriel, pharmacist for Rexall Drugs, said the 5% tax rate for prescription drugs can result in pharmacies selling medication at a loss, especially for costly medications that are hard to ship. Sometimes it is below cost, and we do have to kind of make those decisions, like, can we bring in medications, you know, and also operate a business, Gabriel said. Meanwhile, off-island pharmacies can ship drugs to Guam tax-free, she said. Cheryl Marimla, a licensed pharmacist and operations manager for the MedPharm Group Pharmacy Division, said Bill 101-38 could profoundly improve the health of residents by improving access to medications. She said MedPharm spent $395,000 on shipping charges last month to get sensitive medications to Guam, and reducing the financial burden could help ensure better costs and timely delivery for patients. One elderly patient recently confided in us that she has been skipping doses of her diabetes medication, Januvia, because her fixed income simply cant afford both food and full cost of her prescription, Marimla said. That situation is not unique, she said. But GMHs Perez-Posadas said the hospital could not support either bill. Perez-Posadas said GMH recognized the potential savings that either measure could bring to the hospital. However, GMHs pharmaceutical fund was also guaranteed a little over 6% of all BPT revenue the government collected. Cutting that money would cut money for drugs, medical supplies, and medical equipment, she said. Given our ongoing financial challenges and the persistent difficulties we face in fulfilling payment obligations to our vendors, we are deeply concerned about the unintended consequences of this bill, she said. Really, it could lead to the demise of the hospital. Just how much tax revenue GovGuam brought in on products listed in both bills was unclear, according to Department of Revenue and Taxation Director Marie Lizama. Lizama said DRT did not collect specific data on products sold. Guam Economic Development Authority Acting Administrator Tina Garcia told lawmakers that GovGuam could not outright exempt companies from the 3% BPT because of promises to its bondholders. Garcia said Guam was required to maintain a 3% BPT rate, or else risk violating agreements with creditors. However, there are other options available, like providing a tax abatement program for companies, Garcia said. Companies could pay their taxes one year, and get the abatement the following year, after getting the numbers verified. The number of current and former Guam Homeland Security and Office of Civil Defense staffers facing corruption charges is now up to six, with another indictment related to the agency handed down Friday. A Superior Court grand jury returned a true bill and found probable cause to charge longtime Civil Defense planner Leo Espia with crimes related to payroll and timesheets at the office, court records show. It is the second indictment brought against agency officials in two weeks. Charges brought by the Office of the Attorney General's Government Corruption Division were related to alleged actions Espia took while employed with GHS/OCD from Sept. 1, 2017 to April 26, 2022. Espia is charged with: Theft by deception as a second-degree felony Tampering with public records as a third-degree felony Certifying officer malfeasance as a misdemeanor Misapplication of entrusted funds as a misdemeanor Official misconduct as a misdemeanor Each charge comes with a special allegation of a crime against the community. The Friday indictment states Espia certified payroll timesheets as correct when payroll amounts were, in fact, not accurate. Recent Office of Public Accountability audits flagged the agency for $2.9 million worth of unauthorized overtime, with overtime plans and timesheets missing in a number of cases. Audits also flagged $8.2 million charged to the General Fund after federal funds for the office were frozen. We are continuing to request anyone with information about this incident involving Civil Defense to come forward by reporting to 475-HELP or gcd@oagguam.org, Attorney General Douglas Moylan said in a statement Friday. Espia was notably in charge of the Emergency Operations Center while employed by Civil Defense. He was fired from the office in 2022 after former Homeland Security advisor Samantha Brennan accused him of storing sensitive government information on a private server. The former Civil Defense employee has denied the accusations in a long-running firing appeal before the Civil Service Commission, and asserted that servers were not private and were known to Civil Defense Administrator Charles Esteves. Esteves has intervened on behalf of Espia in CSC filings. The Civil Defense administrator was similarly indicted by a grand jury on April 16. A major development in Espias firing appeal also was confirmed Friday afternoon. Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin said the Office of the Governor has finalized a settlement with Espia over his appeal. She said the agreement was approved by the Civil Service Commission. A copy of the agreement was not available on Friday evening. Paco-San Agustin did not immediately respond when asked via WhatsApp message whether Espia was back to work. She said the Office of the Governor had no comment on the latest indictment. A summons issued to Espia orders him to appear before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Jonathan Quan on May 8. Other employees at GHS/OCD are due back before Magistrate Judge Sean Brown on May 1. Here are the other charges filed against agency employees: As dusk fell over the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna on Thursday, Guams Catholic community gathered in solemn prayer and remembrance of Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88 after leading the global Catholic Church starting in 2013. He is the peoples pope, Brian Paul Galang of Chalan Pago-Ordot said. Hes very simple. He didnt like any grand things. Galang admired the popes simplicity. The one thing I learned about him when he became pope, he actually drove a Ford Focus, that was his private car, and he didnt want to be driven around by chauffeurs, he said. He actually hated that. He ate with the people in his own private house. Black cloth draped over the statue of Lady Justice near the church entrance. Cars lined the nearby sidewalks as the islands majority-Catholic population over 85% gathered to honor the pontiff they viewed as a spiritual giant grounded in simplicity. I just had this feeling of sorrow and yet also rejoiced that hes at rest, said Francis Flisco of Chalan Pago-Ordot. Hes done so much for us, for the whole world, and I think its because hes done so much, its taken a toll on his body, physically. Although he was so strong in faith, its just such a relief that he died after Easter, on Monday, and he rose with our Father, Lord Jesus Christ. Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez, appointed by Pope Francis in July 2024, led the Requiem Mass and delivered a message of reflection and gratitude, sharing the late pontiffs example of service and vision for the Church. Only by getting your hands dirty will you keep your hearts clean, Jimenez quoted. As the Father is playing with pain, creating a work of art. Jimenez said the popes teachings, especially those directed at youth, shaped a new path forward for the faithful. He connected it to a life situation, which we can all learn fromthat only by getting our hands dirty will we keep our hearts clean. So thats for me, one big area that our Holy Father gave witness to the risen Christ through his love for the young. He described Francis focus on synodality as transformative, a model of shared journey and collaboration that invites both clergy and laity. The second witness of the risen Christ that I would consider a gift of our Holy Father to all of us is what weve been hearing for the past three years, the importance of walking together, all of us as people of God the baptized, not just the ordained, not just the religious sisters. But by virtue of baptism, we can all walk together, he said. At the 2023 Synod of Bishops in Rome, Pope Francis joined sessions daily and remained among participants, even during breaks. He would just stay there and patiently waited for whoever would want to chat, to have a chat with him, Jimenez said. He was there just patiently attending to each one. Jimenez recalled how 155 paragraphs were voted on in the synods final document a milestone in Church history. Our Holy Father told all of us what he did is the final document. There is no need for me, as the head, as the Holy Father, to write an exhortation. He empowered all of us, respected our work, and in a true spirit of synodality, he said, Your word is the final document. That, for me, is unheard of. Jimenez also remembered the popes first appearance as pontiff in 2013. He bowed down and asked people to pray for him before he blessed everybody, Jimenez said. Quoting Jesuit General Superior Arturo Sosa, Jimenez closed with a reflection on the spirit that drove Pope Francis mission: We cant be servants of the joy of the Gospel in whatever mission we are engaged with, and then get dressed to the priest. From this joy flows our obedience to Gods will, our being sent to the service of the poor. It is this joy that must characterize our way of proceeding, so that it be ecclesial, acculturated, poor, focused on service, and free from all worldly ambition. Deep humility Among those who came to grieve and remember was Joaquin Manibusan of Tumon, who shared how Pope Francis compassion spoke to him personally. The pope was a man of deep humility, Manibusan said. He was very close to the poor, the underprivileged people in the world that we just neglected and all of that so he had so much sympathy for them. So I remember him. Thats why Im here tonight. For Manibusan, the Mass also marked what would have been his sons 31st birthday. Its just coincidental that today is his birthday, heavenly birthday. Its also the Mass for the pope. So were here for two things, he said. Looking ahead, many on Guam said they hoped the next pope would come from Asia or the Pacific including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines. Tagle last visited Guam and Saipan in November 2024. I really feel that its time that we have a pope from Asia and yes, hoping that Cardinal, the cardinal [Tagle] elected as our next pope, Flisco said. Galang, who attended with his Couples for Christ community, shared his thoughts on the cardinals visits to Guam. You know only God knows, whoever we like, know personally, it actually all boils down to whoever the Holy Spirit guides the cardinals who choose but whoever that person will be, of course, my allegiance is still to the church and then, and that is the anointed leader of...the church. While Manibusan said he would support any new pontiff chosen by the conclave, he shared his hope for leadership from closer to home. Well, Im hoping that we could have one from the Pacific, he said. I hear theres two that are front runners, so hopefully that maybe one of them could become the next pope. He recalled the reverence Tagle commanded during a previous visit. You could hear a pin drop. Thats the command that he got from all those people that were listening to him, he said. Though Flisco never met Tagle, he voiced confidence in his leadership. I hope that our next pope continues what our Pope Francis was for, again, for the poor, for peace. He continues that message that Pope Francis gave us. Galang said the popes mission now rests with the people. I believe the message here is not only relying on [Pope Francis], but he has shown us the way. And actually, Id like to connect it to todays gospel that let us be all blessings to one another, he said. We should be leading each other to God, closer to God, so thats, thats the mission that he wants us to, to continue, even in his passing, like, be blessings to one another. Uncrewed aerial vehicles, UAVs, more commonly known as drones, are innovative tools that grant users a birds eye view of the land below. Drones can traverse and capture large distances in a short amount of time including areas that are inaccessible on foot. While drones have been used for aerial photography and videography, innovations in technology have enabled drones to be used in search-and-rescue missions, deliveries, environmental research, and mapping. Despite their relative ease of use, drones are not toys. They are best used by skilled pilots who are knowledgeable of safe flight operations. This is a principle that guides the missions of the University of Guam Drone Corps program. Established in 2021, the UOG Drone Corps was developed to fulfill three primary objectives: to train an up-and-coming generation of Federal Aviation Administration-certified remote pilots; to produce high-quality aerial maps that will aid local natural resource agencies in their monitoring and management efforts; and to encourage safe and responsible drone flights in Guams airspaces. Since the programs launch, our remote pilots have flown missions around the island to conduct research and education-based drone missions. We fly along beaches and coastlines to monitor the health of our precious coral reefs. We deploy our drones over watersheds and forests to document the islands reforestation efforts. In the aftermath of natural disasters like Typhoon Mawar, we work with local agencies to produce visual datasets that can supplement damage assessments. These missions have all been conducted by licensed and trained individuals who follow safety protocols and are mindful of certain restrictions, such as prohibited airspaces and inclement weather conditions. Few local laws govern Guams airspace when it comes to drones, but federal regulations put a limit on most activities. More than two-thirds of the islands airspace is either restricted or requires approval to enter. This includes the skies above the military bases, A.B. Won Pat International Airport, and National Park Service grounds. Any drone operator who is caught flying in these restricted areas without proper credentials is subject to penalties and fines. Recreational drone operators, such as those who fly as a hobby or for photography, must also follow flight safety guidelines and cannot exceed the height limit of flight, which is 400 feet above ground level. Furthermore, federal law requires recreational drone flyers to complete the FAAs free online The Recreational UAS Safety Test, or TRUST, to have credentials to show law enforcement if questioned. It is everyones responsibility to stay safe during a drone mission, including bystanders. If you see a drone in the sky, keep these safety tips in mind: 1. Dont chase after a drone, either on foot or with another drone. 2. Dont disturb a remote pilot who is actively piloting a drone. 3. Avoid tampering with drones you see in the sky. The FAA classifies drones as aircraft, and shooting at them is a felony under the Aircraft Sabotage Act. Violators can face hefty fines and prison sentences. This applies even if the drone is flying over your property, as the airspace above is regulated by the FAA. If you suspect that a drone is conducting suspicious activity on or around your property, it is best to inform authorities or ask your mayors office if they were notified of any authorized drone flights. The UOG Drone Corps, along with other responsible organizations and companies, routinely notifies an FAA representative or a local official about their activities before flying. To learn more about the UOG Drone Corps or for more information about flying drones on Guam, please contact us at dronecorps@triton.uog.edu. Si Yuos maase. Haiti - Politic : OAS Statements on the Haitian Diaspora "The Organization of American States (OAS) joins the Haitian people in commemorating National Haitian Diaspora Day. This day, officially established by the Government of Haiti in 2011, has its roots in a moment of profound grief and international solidarity: the devastating earthquake of January 2010. It was in this context that, during a forum held in March of that same year with the global Haitian diaspora, the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad first presented the idea of dedicating a national day to recognize the essential role of its citizens abroad. We are honored to recall that this meeting was sponsored by the OAS. The Haitian diaspora is a living, creative, and resilient force that positively impacts both Haiti and its host countries. With their remittanceswhich represent approximately 20% of Haiti's GDPand their work, their intellect, their values, and their community commitment, millions of Haitians around the world contribute to building more inclusive and supportive societies. From the Americas to Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, Haitians contribute in a wide variety of sectors: agricultural production, science, culture, entrepreneurship, and governance. This tradition of contribution is not new; it is part of the historical legacy of a people who helped forge the independence of several nations in our region. Today, as Haiti faces immense challenges caused by violence, institutional instability, and a serious humanitarian crisis, this day takes on even deeper significance. The strength and unity between the diaspora and the Haitian people are essential to support the paths of recovery, dignity, and transformation that the country urgently needs. On behalf of the OAS, I express our sincere admiration for the commitment of the Haitian diaspora. We reiterate our solidarity with the people of Haiti and reaffirm our willingness to continue supporting their efforts for peace, democracy, and sustainable development. Happy National Haitian Diaspora Day." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Two more FAd'H soldiers killed "It is with deep dismay that the Ministry of Defense learned of the tragic deaths of Benjamin Charlot and Lapierre Jean Ricot, two soldiers of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd'H), killed on the afternoon of April 23, 2025, in Pacot, during a deadly assault perpetrated by members of criminal gangs. The Ministry salutes the memory of these valiant soldiers who fell during these events. In these painful circumstances, the Ministry renews its unwavering commitment to the military institution and extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families, loved ones, and their comrades in arms." CEP : Referendum and Elections not confirmed The Steering Committee of the National Conference is unable to specify when it will be able to submit the new constitutional proposal to the country. Furthermore, the CEP is unable to confirm whether there will be a referendum and national elections this year. Fake gang Doctor arrested On Thursday, April 24, the Petite-Riviere police in Artibonite arrested Jordany Jean, originally from Gonaives, who was posing as a doctor. According to police information, Jordany Jean went to Savien to provide treatment to "Dinozo," as he is known, an influential member of the "Gran Grif" gang operating in the area. The GAAR denounces the "hunt" for Haitians The Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees (GARR) denounces the intensification of the hunt for Haitians in the Dominican Republic https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44759-haiti-flash-demolition-of-pequeno-haiti-in-the-dominican-republic-leaving-thousands-of-compatriots-homeless.html , and is particularly outraged by the fate inflicted on Haitian women in recent days in the neighboring Republic https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44752-haiti-flash-migration-protocol-active-in-33-dominican-public-hospitals-list-first-expulsions.html 13.4 MW solar power plant Evenson Calixte, General Manager of the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANARSE) visited the construction site of Haiti's largest solar power plant, with a capacity of 13.4 MW, in Caracol, where earthworks are underway. Haiti must diversify its production capacity by leveraging its local resources, particularly solar energy. Orlando : Haitian Consulate Emergency Unit The Haitian Consulate Emergency Unit in Orlando reaffirmed its commitment to the Haitian community in Central Florida during a speech at St. Andrew Catholic Church. The purpose of this intervention was to raise awareness among compatriots about the migration issue and to highlight the resources made available to them by the Consulate. PNH : New Departmental Director for the North Inspector General Moise Jean installed Divisional Commissioner Sem Calixte as the new Departmental Director of the North Police. He replaces Divisional Commissioner Fred Joseph in this position. HL/ HaitiLibre by Charles Siegel The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers is one of Shakespeares most famous lines. It lives on, four centuries after it was written, on countless t-shirts and coffee mugs. People who have never read another word of Shakespeare know the line well, and think that Shakespeare hated lawyers and that his audiences hated them too. That facile reading, however, is wrong. Shakespeare used lawyers frequently, as both a plaintiff and defendant, and moved freely in legal circles. His first residence in London was near the Inns of Court, where affluent students lived and studied law, and he had friends and relatives in the Inns. It thus seems unlikely that Shakespeare hated lawyers or held them in contempt. But it is the context in which lets kill all the lawyers appears that most tells us what it really means. The line is spoken by Dick the Butcher, the henchman of Jack Cade. In Henry VI, Part 2, the boy king has returned from France, and rival factions from the Houses of York and Lancaster are struggling for power. The Duke of York hires Cade, a commoner, to foment rebellion. Cade tries to rouse a crowd of people, and Dick chimes in: JACK CADE: Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hoopd pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common; and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass: and when I am king, as king I will be, ALL. God save your majesty! JACK CADE: I thank you, good people: there shall be no money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord. DICK: The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers. Shakespeare is saying that lawyers are what stand between order and chaos, between respect for individual rights and mob rule. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens agreed, writing in a 1985 opinion that a careful reading of the scene that shows that Shakespeare insightfully realized that disposing of lawyers is a step in the direction of a totalitarian form of government. Today Donald Trump and his minions arent trying to kill lawyers. But he does seek totalitarian government, and he certainly wishes to dispose of lawyers, and the rules and norms, the rights and processes, that they guard. Cades lines read today like nothing so much as one of Trumps Truth Social posts, bleated out at 1:38 a.m. on a Wednesday. And Dick the Butcher is now played by Boris Epshteyn, the apparatchik previously indicted for fraud and for his role in challenging Trumps 2020 election loss. Epshteyn appears to be a moving force behind the executive orders Trump has issued against leading law firms, and he negotiates with firms that shamefully supplicate themselves before Trump to escape them. The first such order was issued in late February against the firm of Covington & Burling, which had provided free legal services to former special counsel Jack Smith, who had prosecuted Trump. The next one, issued on March 6 against the firm of Perkins Coie, which had represented a number of Democratic political campaigns and entities, significantly upped the stakes. It purported to find that the dishonest and dangerous activity of the firm has affected this country for decades. It stated that in addition to undermining democratic elections, the integrity of our courts, and honest law enforcement, Perkins Coie racially discriminates against its own attorneys and staff and against applicants. The order directed that all security clearances for Perkins Coie personnel be suspended immediately, that government employees be limited from engaging with Perkins Coie personnel, and that to prevent the transfer of taxpayer dollars to federal contractors whose earnings subsidize, among other things, racial discrimination, falsified documents designed to weaponize the Government against candidates for office, and anti-democratic election changes that invite fraud and distrust, any company represented by Perkins Coie could have its contracts with the government reviewed and cancelled. This is hardly a hypothetical concern for Perkins Coie or firms like it. One of its major clients is Boeing (like Boeing, Perkins Coie started in Seattle). Boeing of course sells billions of dollars worth of aircraft and weapons systems to the government every year. Would Boeing now have to fire its longtime lawyers just to keep those contracts? And if a Perkins Coie lawyer cant enter the Pentagon, or even a federal courthouse, how can it represent Boeing in its dealings with the government or in lawsuits? The orders are serious threats to such firms. Next came Paul Weiss, another iconic establishment firm. The order against the firm cited an unnamed partner who had filed a lawsuit against January 6th rioters, and Mark Pomerantz, a former partner who had assisted the Manhattan district attorney in his successful felony prosecution of Trump for his hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels. Needless to say, such transparently vindictive orders are utterly unprecedented, and absurdly, ridiculously unconstitutional. Any first-year law student would know this. For starters, they violate the First Amendment by retaliating against the firms for their advocacy for certain clients, by discriminating against the firms advocacy activities on the basis of viewpoint, and by cutting off the firms rights to petition the government and to freely associate with clients. The orders also deny the firms due process by harming their reputations, interfering with client relationships and affecting their ability to practice their profession. And since, as the Supreme Court put it, an informed, independent judiciary presumes an informed, independent bar, and thus the government may not effect a serious and fundamental restriction on the advocacy of attorneys and the functioning of the judiciary, a cowed, servile bar places the judiciary below the other branches and thus destroys our very constitutional structure. One would have expected these firms the pinnacle of the legal profession, the firms that so many law school graduates are dying to work for to reject these comically improper orders out of hand and to challenge them in court. But by and large, that hasnt happened. Paul Weiss caved, promising $40 million worth of free legal work. In total, nine firms have made such deals, committing to donate an astonishing $940 million worth of free legal services. What do these agreements require? Some of the firms have been at pains to state that they merely have committed to do pro bono work for a variety of clients and causes, which is what theyve always done. Milbank, a firm founded in 1866 that eventually became known as Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy it is impossible to imagine a more blue-blood New York law firm name and that represented the Rockefellers for decades, stated that it only made commitments it was always happy to make. But Trump will always want more, and he will always want to humiliate. Recently, he mused that the firms might be put to work negotiating deals for coal companies, and remarked that a lot of law firms have been signing up with Trump A hundred million dollars, another $100 million, for damages that theyve done. But they give you $100 million, and then they announce that But weve done nothing wrong. And I agree, theyve done nothing wrong, but what the hell, they give me a lot of money considering theyve done nothing wrong. Aside from the fact that this statement makes no sense Trump refers to damages that theyve done but agrees that the firms have done nothing wrong what does it mean for a firm to have signed up with Trump? Does he believe that each of these firms now represents him, and has pledged $100 million in free legal work for him as he directs? Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, stated that the firms had committed to hundreds of millions in pro bono work and other free legal services that should be put to the best uses for the American people. Will Milbank now have to defend the administration in the many suits challenging its ruthless, callous deportation efforts? Will Paul Weiss be put to work defending the gutting of environmental regulations? The picture is not entirely bleak. Some firms have refused to kiss the ring and are fighting back. Four firms have thus far challenged these orders in court. The first was Perkins Coie; then came Wilmer Hale and Jenner & Block. Most recently, Susman Godfrey, a firm that is much smaller than the other targeted firms, but that is nonetheless a leader in the legal community and generally regarded as the best trial firm in the country, refused to bend as well. What had Susman Godfrey done to incur Trumps insatiable wrath? It had represented the Secretary of State of Arizona, and the Governor of Wisconsin, in the aftermath of the 2020 election. It had also vigorously and very successfully represented Dominion Voting Systems in its suit against Fox News for defamation, over Foxs lies about the companys voting machines in connection with that election, and Fox had paid $787.5 million to settle that claim. Susman Godfrey also represents Dominion in its ongoing suit against Newsmax, which likewise lied repeatedly about Dominion after the election. In what can hardly be a coincidence, on the same day the executive order against Susman Godfrey was announced, the firm obtained summary judgment in Dominions favor against Newsmax, with the court holding that its statements were false and defamatory as a matter of law. The executive order says nothing about any of this, of course. Instead, it pronounces that action is necessary to address the significant risks, egregious conduct, and conflicts of interest associated with Susman Godfrey LLP. Susman spearheads efforts to weaponize the American legal system and degrade the quality of American elections. Susman also funds groups that engage in dangerous efforts to undermine the effectiveness of the United States military through the injection of political and radical ideology, and it supports efforts to discriminate on the basis of race. What can that even possibly mean? At the hearing on Susman Godfreys motion for a temporary restraining order, the governments lawyer could offer no explanation. The firm immediately issued statements saying that anyone who knows Susman Godfrey knows we believe in the rule of law, and we take seriously our duty to uphold it. There is no question that we will fight this unconstitutional order. No administration should be allowed to punish lawyers for simply doing their jobs. This goes far beyond law firms and lawyers. Today it is our law firm under attack, but tomorrow it could be any of us. This was no surprise at all anyone familiar with the American legal landscape would have known the firm would react as it did. But it was also gratifying to me on a personal level. The firm was founded by Steve Susman, a second cousin of mine. Growing up in Houston, I was aware of his star status, both in our family and already as a young lawyer. My parents were close friends with Steves mother, who herself was a prominent lawyer in Houston in the 1940s and 1950s, a time when relatively few women practiced law in Texas at all. If memory serves, she was the first female lawyer to argue before the Texas Supreme Court. Steve was a force of nature inside and outside the courtroom. He died of Covid in 2020 at 79, having contracted the virus while recovering in the hospital from a biking accident. I know how offended he would have been at these egregious orders, and how determined he would have been to fight them. I was not surprised at all, and very proud, that his firm fought back. And the firms that are fighting are winning. So far, all four of them have obtained temporary restraining orders. Most recently, on April 15th the judge in the Susman Godfrey case held that the order specifically targets lawyers because of the clients that they represented. It is based on a personal vendetta against a particular firm The framers of our Constitution would see this as a shocking abuse of power. One hopes that more firms will begin to fight back as well. If not, we will have reached a very dark place indeed. Just a few years before Steve was born, another butcher recognized that for his malign plans to succeed, lawyers and judges had to be made compliant. Hitler knew it was essential to have the support of lawyers and judges as the Nazis consolidated power. This went beyond simply forbidding Jews to practice law; the legal system was to be coordinated. The Reichs Ministry of Justice instructed lawyers to march as an army corps of the Fuhrer. As Professor Cynthia Fountaine has written, Hitlers vision for the legal system was one turned on its head, where lawyers professional obligations were shifted from client to state and in which the applicable law was whatever he wanted it to be. These orders aim to effect just such a shifting of obligations. One hopes that the abject surrender of Paul Weiss did not begin such a process. The name of the firm, which was founded in 1875, eventually became Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Simon Rifkind was a noted federal district judge, who also advised President Eisenhower on Jewish affairs in Europe during World War II. The firm was the first major New York firm to have a female partner and to hire a Black associate. Over the decades it has represented everyone from one of the Scottsboro Boys to Guantanamo detainees. Two of Rifkinds granddaughters, both lawyers themselves, wrote a letter to the firms managing partner. They decried his selective quotation, in his memo to the firm explaining its surrender, of their grandfathers 1963 Statement of Principles for the firm, noting that his touchstone was in all things to govern ourselves as members of a free democratic society with responsibilities both to our profession and our country. They thought it plain, as it would have been to our grandfather, that taking action to stay off an enemies list does not advance the rule of law as embodied in the Statement of Principles, it undercuts it and emboldens those who seek to dismantle it. Finally, they lamented that neither our grandfather nor his colleagues would have negotiated a truce for themselves when the rest of the profession remains under threat for doing its jobs as lawyers. They are, of course, desperately, piercingly right. Simon Rifkind, knowing as he did exactly how Hitler bent the German bar to his murderous project, would have been ashamed of his firm today. Steve Susman, at least, would have been proud of his. According to a report by Business Insider, software company Microsoft is introducing new measures to make its workforce more efficient. The business magazine quotes from an internal email from the new head of HR, Amy Coleman, to managers at the company. Among other things, it announces that Microsoft's managers can place underperforming employees under a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), which sets out clear expectations and a timetable for improvement. Anzeige If the employees concerned do not agree to the plan, there should be the option of termination agreements so that they can leave the company. According to the email, the new approaches should help managers to "accelerate high performance and address poor performance quickly". It also states that employees with poor performance ratings or an active PIP may not be transferred internally. Employees who have left Microsoft with a poor performance rating or during an active PIP will also be barred from re-employment for two years. There should also be a clearer and more transparent system for how performance ratings on a scale of 0 to 200 points affect share awards and cash bonuses. The email quoted in the report speaks of a globally standardized approach. Microsoft has not yet responded to an inquiry from the iX editorial team as to the extent to which these methods will soon be used in the Group's German subsidiaries. The new "performance culture" Reports were already circulating at the beginning of the year that Microsoft had deliberately dismissed employees with poor performance, although the extent of this remained unclear. The software company is not alone among the tech giants in taking a tougher approach to its employees: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced in January that he wanted to fire the five percent of the workforce with the worst performance ratings. A new performance evaluation system is also in place at Walldorf-based software company SAP, as reported by Handelsblatt in March. After years without such evaluations, the "performance culture" long called for by CEO Christian Klein is to be introduced. According to the report, there will also be a category for employees with a "need for improvement" in performance as well as plans with guidelines on how improvements are to be implemented. Anzeige (axk) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The company reported a quarterly operating profit of 12.8 million, up from 8 million a year earlier. Net sales rose to 420.5 million, compared to 416.8 million during the same period in 2024. Atrias operating margin also improved, reaching 3.1 percent, up from 1.9 percent. Finnish food group Atria increased its operating profit by over 60 percent in the first quarter of 2025 following its entry into the Chinese market. The rise was driven by higher poultry production and efficiency gains at the companys new facility in Nurmo. Atria also credited its recent expansion into Asia. Atria began exporting chicken meat to China in December 2024. The move followed a trade agreement approved during Finnish President Alexander Stubbs visit to China. "A giant opportunity," said Mika Ala-Fossi, Managing Director of Atria Finland, citing the scale of China's market and its demand for imported proteins. CEO Kai Gyllstrom acknowledged the positive momentum but warned of continued global uncertainty. He said Atria does not expect to match its 2024 full-year operating profit of 65.4 million. Atria, based in Finland, operates across the Nordic and Baltic regions. Its entry into the Chinese market marks a significant shift in strategy, focusing on growth outside Europe. The company said it will continue to monitor global economic trends closely, while seeking to maintain stable performance in its core markets. HT The survey is part of the ongoing NATOpoll research project and was released on Thursday. The findings come amid growing uncertainty over the direction of US foreign policy following the return of Donald Trump to the presidency. Public trust in US military support for Europe has fallen sharply in Finland, according to a new study led by the University of Helsinki. Just 16 percent of Finns believe the United States would help defend European countries, down from 30 percent last year. The study found that the recent shift in opinion has been especially pronounced since Trumps re-election. It also suggests that the recently ratified bilateral defence cooperation agreement between Finland and the US has not reassured the public. Only around one in four believe the deal would be meaningful under Trumps leadership. Hanna Wass, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Helsinki, said the results show a clear change in perception. There is some kind of deep disappointment in relation to America, she told Yle. Despite doubts over US support, belief in the broader NATO alliance remains intact. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they believe Finland would receive help from other NATO members. Just over 60 percent said they would support sending Finnish troops to aid a NATO ally if needed. Finns continue to strongly support Ukraine. More than 70 percent of respondents back sending European troops as peacekeepers if a post-war agreement is reached. However, only about half support sending Finnish soldiers. While most said they prefer a peace settlement to continued war, the same number believe peace must not come at the expense of Ukraines territory. Eight in ten said Russia should not be allowed to retain any land seized during the invasion. Just 13 percent supported a deal where Moscow would keep any occupied territory. The findings also show that fewer than half support allowing Ukraine to join NATO or the EU if it fails to meet the standard membership requirements. However, a majority said the US should not have the power to veto Ukraines entry into NATO. Support for Finlands own NATO membership remains high but has slightly weakened. Around 76 percent of respondents would vote in favour of joining the alliance, down from 81 percent last year. The drop is most evident among women, younger adults, and those with lower levels of education. While 81 percent of men still support NATO membership, the figure for women is 71 percent. Older respondents are more supportive than younger ones, and backing is strongest among people with higher incomes and education levels. Among political parties, NATO support is highest among supporters of Prime Minister Petteri Orpos National Coalition Party. It is lowest among voters of the opposition Left Alliance, where fewer than half would vote in favour of NATO membership. Support for NATO in Finland remains above the alliance-wide average. Across the 32 NATO countries, 70 percent supported membership last year. The NATOpoll research is conducted by four Finnish universities, the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), and Taloustutkimus. The survey sample ranges from 1,700 to 2,900 respondents, with a margin of error of about two percentage points. HT The plan responds to a long-term decline in the use of in-person services. In 2024, 94 percent of customer contacts were handled online, by phone or via other remote means. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency is preparing to reduce its network of in-person service points and move towards more remote and centralised operations. The aim is to limit face-to-face services to 18 regional centres and save more than 2 million annually. Helsinki alone accounted for more than 60 percent of all walk-in visits. Across Finland, nearly 90 percent of all visits took place in just 18 cities. In the current economic situation, it is justified that our services requiring a visit will in future be placed in the localities that have the greatest need for services, said Pekka Rehn, Deputy Director General of the agency. Under the plan, in-person services will remain available at current locations until the end of June. After that, the following 18 centres will offer physical visits: Helsinki, Hameenlinna, Joensuu, Jyvaskyla, Kajaani, Kokkola, Kouvola, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Seinajoki, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa. Later in 2025, the agency plans to introduce a new remote service model in areas with lower demand. In Hameenlinna, Kajaani, Kokkola, Kouvola, Mikkeli and Seinajoki, physical presence will be replaced by remote connections to agents working elsewhere. The change primarily affects services related to marriage, some notary public tasks and foreigner registration. These must still be handled in person. Other matters, such as document requests and guidance, are already available via online platforms or telephone. The agency will continue to offer pop-up services for short-term needs in specific locations, such as schools or institutions with concentrated demand. The shift comes as the agency prepares for a 20 percent cut in its operating budget between 2025 and 2027, part of a wider government austerity programme. The new strategy aligns with the states Premises Strategy, which aims to streamline public property usage. As part of the restructuring, the agency is also proposing to concentrate staff into 12 cities. These include Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyvaskyla, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Oulu, Pori, Rovaniemi, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa. Although no layoffs are expected, cooperation negotiations with staff will begin shortly and are scheduled to last up to six weeks. The agency will confirm final decisions after the conclusion of these negotiations. HT The helicopters arrived at the Finnish Defence Forces training area in Sakyla, marking the start of a new phase in UK-Finland defence cooperation. British Army helicopter detachments have landed in Finland to take part in joint spring exercises with the Finnish Army. The deployment includes two AH-64E Apache attack helicopter detachments and one AW159 Wildcat reconnaissance helicopter detachment. The first stage of the operation focused on the rapid deployment of rotary-wing assets into Finland, alongside allied forces arriving by land and sea. The helicopters will operate alongside Finnish Army units flying NH90 and MD500 aircraft. For Finnish conscripts, this will be their first time training alongside attack helicopters. The joint drills are designed to integrate the Apaches and Wildcats into Finnish operations as independent combat units. The helicopters will support national forces while conducting missions tailored to the exercise scenario. Although most operations will be confined to designated training zones, some helicopter movements will occur outside these areas during transit. The Finnish Pori Brigade is leading the host operations. Additional support is being provided by the Utti Jaeger Regiment and the Jaeger Brigade, which are coordinating logistics and mission support during the detachments stay in Finland. The deployment follows a deepening of defence cooperation between Finland and NATO allies, as Finland continues to expand its role within the alliance following its accession last year. HT China , led by President Xi Jinping , is expanding its international presence through diplomatic outreach, infrastructure investment, and diversified trade. The government is seeking stronger economic ties with global partners while reducing dependency on any single market. In the shadow of the trade war initiated by Donald Trump based on miscalculations and brute force, president Xi Jinpings diplomatic efforts have positioned China as a reliable and trustworthy partner, deepening economic ties through new trade and investment agreements. In April 2025, President Xi Jinping visited Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The trips resulted in several new agreements across sectors including infrastructure, supply chains, technology, digital economy, and environmental development. These deals signal Beijings continuing efforts to position itself as a long-term partner in Southeast Asia. Chinas diplomatic engagement has prioritised mutual benefit and a consistent vision for economic cooperation. This is seen in agreements with countries such as New Zealand, which now collaborate on agriculture, science, and food safety. Trade arrangements have followed a model of shared interests, strengthening Chinas position as a key economic actor in the Asia-Pacific region. At the centre of this engagement is the Belt and Road Initiative. As of early 2024, more than 140 countries have signed onto the BRI, which spans nearly 75 percent of the global population and over half of the worlds gross domestic product. It has become the main international development platform under Xi Jinpings leadership. Through the BRI, China has backed infrastructure projects including the China-Laos Railway, which has increased transport capacity and access across the region. It has also promoted trade settlements in local currencies, aiming to reduce transaction costs and improve financial stability among partners. The BRIs scale and reach have attracted international attention. Independent studies project the initiative could increase trade flows in participating countries by more than 4 percent and lower global trade costs. Forecasts suggest it could add $7.1 trillion annually to global GDP by 2040. China has also responded to shifting global trade patterns by reducing its reliance on any single country or market. Rising trade barriers and geopolitical friction have pushed China to expand partnerships with Southeast Asia, Europe, and emerging economies. In Southeast Asia, countries like Cambodia have expanded exports and industrial output through collaboration with China. Agreements have supported logistics, technology, and digital trade, deepening regional integration. These partnerships are structured around practical cooperation rather than ideology or alignment. Chinas export relationships with New Zealand and other Asia-Pacific economies have seen substantial growth. In some cases, bilateral trade has quadrupled following free trade agreements. These developments have allowed China to maintain export strength despite restrictions and global uncertainties. Chinas expanded outreach comes amid growing competition among global powers for influence in Asia and beyond. While maintaining domestic growth as a priority, Chinese authorities have continued to back international projects, making the country an important actor in economic diplomacy. There are signs that China will continue with its model of structured trade agreements, infrastructure support, and financial mechanisms to encourage economic collaboration. New agreements with Malaysia and Vietnam in early 2025 include logistics hubs, rail upgrades, and joint research centres in clean energy. These efforts reflect a long-term commitment to international cooperation, centred on development and market access. While the outcomes vary by country, the structure of Chinas approach has remained consistent under Xi Jinping, marked by state-led initiatives and bilateral frameworks. The export diversification strategy has allowed China to shield itself from fluctuations in specific markets. It has also helped partner nations to improve transport, communications, and energy links with broader global trade networks. As of 2025, Chinas trade structure now includes a larger share with ASEAN countries, the European Union, and Latin America. This shift has supported internal reforms and the promotion of advanced manufacturing, high-tech goods, and green products. The Belt and Road Initiative and export realignment are being matched by foreign policy efforts focused on trust-building and continuity. Chinas foreign ministry has continued regular engagements across multiple continents, supporting not just trade, but also technical training and health cooperation. The governments current approach follows a multi-layered strategy of signing investment agreements, building infrastructure, offering development loans, and improving customs and transport procedures for trading partners. Infrastructure projects linked to the BRI include ports, power stations, fibre-optic cables, and roads. These projects are funded through combinations of Chinese bank loans, partner country investments, and in some cases, multilateral institutions. While there have been concerns about debt and repayment in some partner countries, China has maintained that projects are voluntary and based on mutual benefit. Agreements often include clauses for review, delay, or restructuring if financial conditions change. Export diversification has also supported domestic goals. By reaching new markets, Chinese firms have expanded product ranges and upgraded production standards. These efforts align with the broader strategy to shift from low-cost goods to higher-value products. Chinas model continues to draw interest from governments seeking to expand infrastructure or strengthen their trade positions. Unlike some other large economies, China offers project delivery along with funding, making it a full-service partner for development goals. The global role of China as of 2025 reflects a combination of infrastructure diplomacy, flexible trade policy, and political engagement through official visits and summits. The model remains based on bilateral or regional partnerships, with a growing number of countries linking their national development plans with Chinese-supported projects. As the Belt and Road Initiative enters its second decade, and with export ties becoming broader, Chinas place in international trade and diplomacy continues to expand through coordinated state-led planning and formal agreements with partner countries. HT Between January and March, 74 different ransomware groups publicly named 2,289 victims the highest figure ever recorded in a single quarter. The number of ransomware attacks worldwide grew by 126 percent in the first quarter of 2025, according to new research published by Check Point Software Technologies. The companys " State of Ransomware Q1 2025 " report highlights a sharp rise in both the sophistication and the scale of attacks, driven in part by artificial intelligence, recycled data, and fake victim lists. The group Cl0p was identified as the most active, claiming 392 victims. The organisation exploited zero-day vulnerabilities in Cleon file transfer tools, and has shifted from encryption-based extortion to data leaks. Its attacks were overwhelmingly focused on North America, accounting for 83 percent of its victims. Another key group, RansomHub, has emerged as a successor to LockBit, amassing 228 confirmed victims. The report attributes its rapid rise to generous revenue-sharing models, filling the void left by LockBits recent retreat. Other actors, such as Babuk-Bjorka and FunkSec, are using false claims to increase visibility. Babuk-Bjorka reported 167 victims, while FunkSec claimed over 170. In many cases, the victims had not been hacked, or the data had already been leaked elsewhere. FunkSec has also reportedly employed AI-generated malware, which lowers technical barriers for cybercriminals and obscures the distinction between hacktivism and organised financial crime. The report also notes a growing trend of regionally targeted campaigns. Attackers increasingly tailor their operations to local laws, infrastructure, and willingness to pay ransoms. The United States remains the most targeted country, accounting for nearly 50 percent of global cases, partly due to a higher rate of ransom payments. In the United Kingdom, the Medusa strain accounted for 9 percent of all known attacks five times its global average. In Germany, Safepay ransomware was responsible for 17.5 percent of all incidents, showing a clear pattern of region-specific targeting. Despite the rise in attacks, ransom payments have fallen by 35 percent globally, according to separate figures from Chainalysis. This may be due to growing resistance among victims to pay, or the fact that some victims are fabricated entirely. Instead of traditional encryption-based extortion, many groups now rely on reputational threats, using publicly available or outdated data to pressure targets. This tactic makes it harder for law enforcement and security teams to verify attacks or assess actual risk. As a result, conventional indicators such as the number of leaked cases may no longer reflect the full scale of the threat. The 126 percent increase in ransomware isnt just a number it signals a major shift, said Sergey Shykevich, Threat Intelligence Group Manager at Check Point. It points to smarter, faster, harder-to-trace campaigns. AI tools, fake victims and geographically tuned tactics mean that organisations must move from reactive defences to intelligence-led cyber strategies. Check Points broader Global Cyber Attack Report, also published this month, found that overall cyberattacks rose 47 percent globally during the first quarter. Organisations faced an average of 1,925 attacks per week. In Finland, the figure stood at 1,030 per week a six percent increase compared to last year. HT The decision was approved by President Alexander Stubb , with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirming the new consulate will begin operations this summer from temporary premises. Permanent facilities are expected to be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026. The appointment of a Consul General will be finalised in the coming months. Finland will open a new Consulate General in Houston, Texas on 1 July, expanding its diplomatic presence in the United States and aiming to boost economic cooperation in key southern and central states. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) said the move is designed to increase Finlands visibility and influence in a strategically important region of the global economy. In the changing world situation, it is increasingly important for Finland to promote its commercial interests in the United States by raising its profile and making its voice heard. Texas is one of the strongest regions in the world economy, and there is demand for Finnish solutions, said Valtonen. The new consulate will cover nine southern and central US states, including Texas, a state with a gross domestic product comparable to many large countries. Finnish officials said the Houston mission will support sectors such as energy, technology and space, where Finnish companies already have a competitive edge. Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio (Finns) called the decision a major step forward for export promotion and transatlantic relations. Texas is, in itself, one of the ten largest economic regions in the world, and its profile is well in line with Finnish expertise. This new consulate will help deepen business partnerships and support Finnish companies in the region, Tavio said. In its early stages, the Houston consulate will offer emergency and urgent services to Finnish citizens. Non-urgent consular services will continue to be handled by the Finnish Consulate General in New York until the Houston mission is fully operational. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs also announced changes to its presence in the Middle East. From 1 October, the Finnish Embassy in Doha, Qatar, will begin issuing residence permits and will assume certain consular duties from Finlands embassies in Abu Dhabi and Ankara. The Houston consulate will become Finlands third diplomatic mission in the United States, joining the Finnish Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Consulate General in New York. HT Ousting incumbent, 11th District Republicans elect Merry Guy as chair Merry Guy WAYNESVILLE Delegates elected Merry Guy as chair of the 11th Congressional District Committee on Saturday, ousting two-term incumbent Michele Woodhouse in a race that pitted two party activists from Henderson County against one another. Related Stories A past chair of the Henderson County GOP, Guy takes the reins as party leaders look build a strong ground game in the crucial mid-term elections next year, when control of the U.S. House hangs in the balance and incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis is expected to be a major target for a Democratic flip. "Don't make President Trump a lame duck in his last two years," U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards warned in keynote remarks. Woodhouse said in an interview Friday that she was standing for re-election because many current and former county chairs had asked her to. "Im running because people saw what we did and they want our leadership to continue, she said. Guy told the Lightning that her experience as Henderson County chair would frame her leadership of the 16-county congressional district. All election action takes place at the county level and having been a county chair I understand what it takes to actually run a county party," she said. In a Facetime Live post from the campus of Tuscola High School, the site of the convention, delegates Kathy Maney of Hoopers Creek and Bill Robinson of Buncombe County said Henderson County, which had the largest voting bloc, was critical in the outcome. When the 431 to 349 result was announced, "The place exploded," Robinson said. "Henderson County went wild." EARLIER COVERAGE: Two veteran party activists, both women and both from Henderson County, will be vying for the chairmanship of the Republican 11th Congressional District Committee during its annual convention at Tuscola High School in Waynesville on Saturday. Doors open at 8 a.m. Merry Guy, a past Henderson County Republican Party chair, is challenging two-term incumbent Michele Woodhouse for the leadership role. Im running because I see a need and I believe I can make a difference, Guy said. Its actually the role of the district chair to take care of the county chairs. Having been a county chair is why I believe Im most qualified to do that job. Woodhouse said shes running for re-election because people have asked me and really demanded that I run. She touted endorsements by the Republican state auditor and state treasurer, 2024 lieutenant governor candidate Hal Weatherman, 2024 state schools superintendent candidate Michelle Morrow and 16-plus current and former county chairs." Over the next two years, she said, the Republican Party in Western North Carolina needs to recruit, campaign for and elect Republican candidates from city hall to Congress. Some (counties) have municipal elections in 2025 where we either need to get Republicans re-elected or get Republicans elected in some key municipal spots, Woodhouse said. We have a couple of mayoral seats. Obviously our focus for 2026 is to reelect Congressman Edwards by an even larger margin. Weve got to deliver the N.C. 11th for the Republican Senate candidate, and then a key focus is going to be the General Assembly races. Guy said shes prepared to sit down with party leaders across the district to draw a road map for success for upcoming campaigns. Many counties in this districts are doing extremely well, she said. We would stay out of their way but leverage what theyre doing right. The 11th District convention will also take nominations from the floor for chair. In addition to the leadership election, the convention is expected to take up six resolutions, including one endorsing a complete ban on abortion and one on medical freedom that condemns post-Covid medical totalitarianism, including mask mandates, lockdowns and vaccine mandates. Convention attendees also will honor Hurricane Helene heroes from across the 11th Congressional District and hear from U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and other speakers. Joint task force captures fugitive from Florida Tyler Moreland Members of the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Henderson County Sheriffs Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Advanced Criminal Enforcement team apprehended a wanted fugitive from Florida during a coordinated operation in Henderson County, the sheriffs office announced. Related Stories Authorities received credible information that Tyler Moreland, 24, wanted in Florida on multiple felony charges, was believed to be in the area. Moreland was wanted for aggravated battery with a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and firing a weapon into a dwelling. Officers identified a vehicle suspected to be occupied by Moreland and conducted a felony traffic stop. Moreland and his wife, Jannelise Jusino, 33, were located inside the vehicle. Moreland was taken into custody without incident. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, two handguns were discovered, leading to additional criminal charges in Henderson County. Tyler Moreland has been charged in North Carolina with: Possession of a firearm by a felon- secured bond: $25,000 Felony conspiracy- bond: $15,000 Fugitive from another state- secured bond: $500,000 Jannelise JusinoJannelise Jusino has been charged with: Possession of a firearm by a felon -secured bond: $30,000 felony conspiracy- bond: $25,000 The U.S. Marshals Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is composed of state and local law enforcement officers from South Carolina and North Carolina, who work directly in conjunction with deputy U.S. marshals to apprehend state and local violent offenders and sexual predators. The Asheville Division of the CRFTF is made up of law officers from the Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania county sheriffs offices, Asheville Police Department, Waynesville Police Department and the N.C. Department of Public Safety. EASTER eggs were handed out to children on the ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital following donations from Henley residents. More than 75 bikers took part in the run which travelled from the town hall on Saturday to the Ronald McDonald House in Oxford, which is next door to the hospital. The house is used by families who require respite while their children are in the hospital. Town councillor David Eggleton, who was part of the group of riders, helped deliver 200 chocolate eggs that had been donated at collection points in Tesco and the town hall. The annual run is organised by the Gainsborough Residents Association, which is chaired by Cllr Eggleton. He said: It seems like weve been doing this forever. It all started with doing the toy run to John Radcliffe at Christmas time and that has gradually got bigger and bigger. We donate the toys and eggs to Ronald McDonald and the children staying there as well as the hospital, so they both benefit from what were doing. We organise quite a few things as an association, weve done cleanups, litter-picks, bake-offs, and fun days up on Makins Recreation Ground and after we started the toy runs we thought we would do something for Easter as well. Cllr Eggleton was joined on the run by Alex Ray, Clinton Rutt and Mike Plumridge, who left the town hall at 9.30am and joined up with the rest of the riders on the way to Oxford. He said that he felt rewarded from seeing the response of children in difficult situations when they see the donations arrive. Cllr Eggleton added: Its just a nice thing to do in the community. As an association we go out and do as much as we possibly can, whatever we can think of to benefit and support other people. Paula Isaac, who also helps run the association, joined her husband Rob for the trip, who was driving the eggs in a car behind the convoy of bikes. She said: During covid we were also doing food hampers and we were collecting things for people who couldnt get out for things like shopping and prescriptions. For us, its really important to get that message out that anyone can do this in their area. Luke Lygo-Wilks, assistant at Ronald McDonald House, said: It was amazing, I dont know if the children were more excited about the eggs or the bikes. A lot of the siblings of some of the patients came out and sat on the bikes and got some chocolates and teddies as well. For the families it was a bit of a relief for them too. Kenya holds promotional forum for 4th China-Africa Economic, Trade Expo Xinhua) 13:18, April 25, 2025 NAIROBI, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A promotional conference for the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) 2025 was held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Thursday, with government officials, diplomats, and business executives in attendance. The forum was hosted by China's Department of Commerce of Hunan Province amid intensive efforts to enhance Sino-Kenya commercial links. Zhou Zhencheng, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said that the expo, slated for June 12-15 in the Chinese city of Changsha, has become a powerful engine for connecting African entrepreneurs with Chinese consumers as well as global value chains. He noted that the event symbolized the growing partnership between China and Africa and will help to deepen people-to-people ties. Guo Ning, deputy director general of the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, said via video that CAETE is a pivotal initiative to drive China-Africa cooperation. She revealed that the expo has been successfully held for three sessions since 2019, with participation from 53 African countries, including more than 40,000 attendees and representatives of about 4,600 Chinese and African enterprises. Floice Mukabana, chief executive officer of Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, said that CAETE serves as a critical platform for Kenyan exporters to connect with buyers, distributors, and partners in the vast Chinese market. Mukabana observed that China remains a critical trade and investment partner for Kenya with vast untapped export potential, especially in fresh produce, value-added agricultural and processed foods, textiles, and leather products. Ezekiel Mosongo, head of bilateral trade at the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, said that since its inception, the expo has grown to become a cornerstone of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, not as a marketplace for goods and services but also as a platform for innovation, dialogue and long-term collaboration. Mosongo added that Kenya recognizes the expo as both a trade event and an enabler for the national development agenda, particularly in such areas as agribusiness, manufacturing, and digital innovation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) U.S. faces resurgence of measles cases as vaccination rates decline: study Xinhua) 13:22, April 25, 2025 LOS ANGELES, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The United States may be on the brink of a major measles resurgence as vaccination rates continue to fall across several states, according to a new study published Thursday. A team of Stanford University researchers used a simulation model to assess the importation and dynamic spread of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases across 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The model evaluated scenarios with different vaccination rates over a 25-year period. At current vaccination levels, the model projects that measles could regain endemic status in the United States, potentially resulting in approximately 851,300 cases over the next 25 years, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. If vaccination rates were to decline by 10 percent, the study estimates the country could see 11.1 million measles cases over the same time period. A more severe drop - 50 percent - could lead to 51.2 million measles cases, alongside 9.9 million rubella cases, 4.3 million cases of poliomyelitis, 197 diphtheria cases, 10.3 million hospitalizations, and 159,200 deaths. These findings support the need to continue routine childhood vaccination at high coverage to prevent resurgence of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in the country, according to the study. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A Virginia man was arrested in Ohio for allegedly threatening to release a sex tape recorded without the victim's knowledge, and authorities believe he may have targeted other individuals. Joshua Wade Fitzpatrick was the chief meteorologist at 29News for nearly a decade before he was let go in March, shortly after police launched an investigation on Feb. 28, according to The Daily Progress. The 42-year-old weatherman was accused of secretly recording a consensual sexual encounter without his partner's knowledge then threatening to release the footage. Authorities have not disclosed what he demanded in return for keeping it private. After learning about the investigation, Fitzpatrick relocated from Charlottesville to his home state of Ohio, where he was taken into custody on Tuesday. He is currently awaiting extradition to Virginia. Fitzpatrick faces a felony charge of sexual extortion and a misdemeanor for unlawfully photographing a nude person, with a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The Albemarle County Police Department released a statement obtained by The Daily Progress in which officials revealed "detectives believe there may be additional victims." "ACPD would like to encourage anyone who may have had an encounter with Fitzpatrick to contact Detective M. Schneider with the Albemarle County Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at 434-296-5807," the statement continued. Originally published on Lawyer Herald The United Nations urged India and Pakistan to show "maximum restraint" as the nuclear-armed rivals imposed tit-for-tat diplomatic measures over a deadly shooting in Kashmir. Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century. "We very much appeal to both the governments... to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Thursday. "Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement". Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to hunt down the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians at the popular tourist site of Pahalgam, after Indian police identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistani. "I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," Modi said, in his first speech since Tuesday's attack in the Himalayan region. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth." Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action. "Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a Pakistani statement said, after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a rare National Security Committee with top military chiefs. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since its independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it. Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. India's air force and navy both carried out military exercises Thursday. Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organisation. They offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest. A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis. In response, Islamabad on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals -- with the exception of Sikh pilgrims -- and closing the main border crossing from its side. Pakistan also warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an "act of war." Pahalgam marks a dramatic shift in recent Kashmiri rebel attacks, which typically target Indian security forces. Experts say that a military response may still be in the pipeline, with some speculating that it may come within days while others say weeks. In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war. "Whatever little land these terrorists have, it's time to reduce it to dust," Modi said on Thursday, after holding two minutes of silence in memory of those killed, all but one of whom was Indian. India has taken its time to respond to past attacks. The worst attack in recent years in Indian-run Kashmir was at Pulwama in 2019, when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35. Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later. Tuesday's assault occurred as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons. Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith. Indian security forces have launched a vast manhunt for the attackers, with large numbers of people detained. The attack has enraged Hindu nationalist groups, and students from Kashmir at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation. A senior Russian general, Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed in a car bombing in the city of Balashikha on Friday, authorities confirmed. The blast occurred just as U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. The timing of the bombing, which took place shortly before Witkoff's meeting, drew attention to ongoing tensions as Trump's self-imposed deadline for ending the war nears its expiration. Witkoff arrived in the Russian capital for crucial talks, marking his fourth trip to Russia since Trump returned to office in January. This meeting, according to Russian state news agency Tass, saw Witkoff meet with Putin and senior Russian negotiators, including Kirill Dmitriev and former ambassador to Washington, Yuri Ushakov. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also spoke on CBS News Thursday, saying that Moscow was "ready to reach a deal" on ending the war but acknowledged that specific points still needed to be "fine-tuned." The car bombing took place in Balashikha, a city located just 20 miles east of Moscow. Russian authorities confirmed that Moskalik, the deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, died in the explosion, which was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) filled with shrapnel. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which resembled previous targeted killings of Russian officials, including the December assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who was accused of using chemical weapons in Ukraine. Kirillov was killed in a bomb attack on a scooter outside his Moscow apartment. Initial reports from the Russian military blog Rybar suggested that Moskalik was not in the car at the time of the explosion but was near the scene, having just left a nearby building. However, this claim has not been independently verified by CNN. Details about Moskalik's career remain sparse, though Rybar described him as "competent and demanding," with a reputation for being tough on subordinates. Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal probe into the attack and has dispatched a team of forensic experts and law enforcement officers to investigate the scene. The device used in the bombing has been described as "homemade." The bombing follows a recent fire at an underground car park in Moscow's business district, which occurred two days prior, also involving an explosion. Federal agents on Friday arrested a U.S. judge for allegedly shielding an undocumented migrant, escalating a struggle between the White House and the courts over President Donald Trump's hardline deportation policies. Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge "intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject" they were intending to detain at her courthouse, FBI director Kash Patel said in a post on X. She was arrested on charges of obstruction, Patel said in his post. "Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public," Patel said. The Trump-appointed director deleted his post minutes after it appeared, but later reposted it. The incident has set off a torrent of criticism by Democrats and applause by some Republicans. Pam Bondi, who as US attorney general oversees the FBI, defended the arrest of Dugan, and issued a chilling warning to those who may harbor illegal aliens: "We will find you." "We're sending a very strong message today," Bondi told Fox News. "If you are harboring a fugitive, we don't care who you are, if you are helping hide one... anyone who is illegally in this country -- we will come after you and we will prosecute you." Charging documents described an incident at Dugan's courthouse last Friday during which the judge was "visibly upset and had a confrontational, angry demeanor" when federal agents came to arrest the migrant -- Eduardo Flores-Ruiz from Mexico -- who was facing misdemeanor charges. The complaint alleges Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom through a door used by jury members in order to keep him from the agents. Dugan, who was elected to the bench in 2016, appeared in court Friday before a judge in the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee, where she made no public comments, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. According to the paper, her attorney Craig Mastantuono told the court: "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety." A number of federal and state judges across the United States have issued rulings that put several of Trump's executive actions on hold, particularly related to his bid to exercise unprecedented powers in deporting migrants. The Trump administration has been butting heads with federal judges, rights groups and Democrats who say he has trampled or ignored constitutionally enshrined rights in rushing to deport migrants, sometimes without the right to a hearing. House Democrat Darren Soto blasted the Dugan arrest as "third world country dictator type of stuff," adding on X that "this will be bounced out of court as quick as the rest of their illegal actions." The Democratic National Committee's chairman, Ken Martin, expressed alarm that Trump was "having his federal goons arrest a duly elected judge." "Brick by brick, Trump is trying to take apart our democracy," he said. Several Republicans however rushed to Patel's defense. "The corruption and determination of these anti-American activist judges to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens is appalling," congresswoman Diana Harshbarger said on X. "Thankfully, a stand is being taken against them." On Thursday, a former county magistrate judge in New Mexico and his wife reportedly were taken into custody after federal agents raided their home over their harboring of an alleged undocumented migrant who investigators said was a member of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang. The Trump administration has dug in its heels over deportation cases in which legal experts and Democrats say residents are being expelled without due process. The White House has defied the Supreme Court's ruling that the administration must "facilitate" the return of a Maryland resident who was deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador. Bondi said the man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is "not coming back" to the United States. Hotel Kinsley, Kingston's first destination hotel, has officially joined the global Design Hotels collectiona curated network of independent properties known for bold design, local connection, and immersive guest experiences. As a member of Design Hotels, Hotel Kinsley joins a global community of design-forward, culturally rooted stays that emphasize originality over uniformity. Guests can expect a boutique experience with thoughtful design, local immersion, and one-of-a-kind characterfar from the standard hotel template. The partnership also opens access to Marriott Bonvoy benefits, allowing loyalty members to earn and redeem points while staying at Hotel Kinsley. Located in Kingston's historic Stockade District, Hotel Kinsley is made up of four restored 19th-century buildings301 Wall Street, 41 Pearl Street, 270 Fair Street, and 24 John Streetthat blend original architectural charm with modern comforts. The flagship locationformerly the State Bank of New Yorkwas designed in collaboration with Studio Robert McKinley and welcomes guests with a distinctive check-in experience inside the original bank vault. Vanessa Guilford of TOCCI and Aviva Blaichman led the design of the remaining buildings within the Hotel Kinsely collection, thoughtfully building on and evolving Studio Robert McKinley's original design concepts. The hotel, operated by Ironwave Hospitality Management, features 42 guest rooms layered with vintage furnishings, curated artwork, and luxe amenities. Several rooms include fireplaces and soaking tubs, creating an intimate retreat for guests. The property also includes Restaurant Kinsley, a seasonal New American restaurant with a cozy cocktail bar popular with locals and travelers alike. Expanding the hotel's footprint and creative mission is Assembly, a newly opened cultural and event venue located on the top floor of a historic former schoolhouse at 236 Wall Street. The space honors the building's original charactersoaring ceilings, exposed brick, and arched windowswhile offering modern functionality with a built-in stage, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, and flexible layout options. With a 450-person capacity, Assembly is ideally suited for concerts, film screenings, weddings, corporate gatherings, and art exhibitions. A separate Assembly Conference Room provides a more intimate space for meetings, offsites, and retreats, with seating for up to 40 guests and full A/V capabilities. Hotel website V Villas Phuket - M Gallery Collection, the exclusive all-private pool villa resort nestled on a secluded hilltop overlooking the breathtaking Ao Yon Bay, is delighted to announce the grand opening of its highly anticipated new collection of luxury villas. Responding to significant guest demand and the resort's consistent near-100% occupancy, this expansion introduces seven exquisite new pool villas, further solidifying V Villas Phuket's position as the island's premier destination for unparalleled privacy and bespoke indulgence. The newly added villas feature a range of accommodation options to cater to diverse needs, including elegant 2-bedroom pool villas, spacious 3-bedroom pool villas, and the piece de resistance - a magnificent and expansive 6-bedroom pool villa. This exceptional 6-bedroom residence stands as the resort's most luxurious and generously appointed offering, promising an unforgettable stay for larger families and groups seeking the ultimate in exclusivity and comfort. Strategically located adjacent to the resort's acclaimed fine dining restaurant, YON|Ocean House, the new villas boast the same signature architectural design that defines V Villas Phuket. Guests can expect seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor living spaces, luxurious interiors adorned with sophisticated touches, and, most notably, unobstructed panoramic views of the stunning Ao Yon Bay and its mesmerizing sunsets. Each new villa also features a private infinity pool, allowing guests to immerse themselves in tranquility while enjoying the breathtaking natural surroundings. The new villas are now officially open for bookings for stays commencing in Q1 2025. Guests can look forward to the resort's signature 24-hour private butler service, ensuring every need is anticipated and catered to with meticulous attention to detail. V Villas Phuket remains committed to providing an unparalleled level of luxury, blending exquisite accommodations with world-class dining at YON|Ocean House and captivating sunset cocktails at the AKOYA | Star Lounge. Key Highlights of the V Villas Phuket Expansion: Seven New Luxury Private Pool Villas : Expanding the resort's inventory from 19 to 26 villas. : Expanding the resort's inventory from 19 to 26 villas. Variety of Options: Including 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and a grand 6-bedroom pool villa. Including 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and a grand 6-bedroom pool villa. Signature Design: Featuring seamless indoor-outdoor living, luxurious interiors, and private infinity pools. Featuring seamless indoor-outdoor living, luxurious interiors, and private infinity pools. Enhanced Capacity: Meeting high guest demand and providing more options for larger groups. Meeting high guest demand and providing more options for larger groups. Booking Availability: Now open for stays from Q2 2025. V Villas Phuket invites discerning travelers to experience the ultimate in luxury and privacy in these stunning new villas and indulge in the award-winning V Spa. For booking inquiries and more information, please visit https://www.vvillasphuket.com/ Hotel website Travelodge Hotels Asia is excited to welcome thousands of guests to the newly refreshed and renovated Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Omiya, nestled in the lively Shijo Omiya district. Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Omiya now features upgraded interiors, thoughtfully redesigned rooms designed for smart travelers looking to experience the best of Kyoto. Ideally located just a 5-minute walk from Shijo Omiya Station, the hotel offers convenient access to Kyoto's iconic landmarks, including Nijo Castle, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the Gion district. Surrounded by vibrant dining, shopping, and cultural attractions, it's the perfect base for both first-time and returning visitors. The hotel now features 106 newly renovated rooms in six types, all designed for comfort and convenience of solo, business, friends and family travelers: Standard Queen - 36 rooms, 14 Superior Queen - 10 rooms, 19 Standard Twin - 40 rooms, 18 Friends & Family Triple - 10 rooms, 18 Friends & Family Quadruple - 8 rooms, 21 Accessible Room - 2 rooms, 17 See the hotel tour here: Hotel website Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City Dubai announces leadership moves enhancing its management team. Accor's only fivestar hotel in Dubai Media City advances internal talent and welcomes a new expert. Management anticipates accelerated revenues, higher guest satisfaction, and sustained recognition. The refreshed leadership aims to capture emerging market demand across Dubai's business sectors. Seasoned hotelier Nandini Vohra moves into the role of Director of Sales following a period of exceptional performance. Since her promotion, she has consistently surpassed budgets and exceeded revenue forecasts across all business segments. She leads a growing team overseeing corporate, leisure, and groups. Under her wing, meetings and events have been consistently fully booked since, driving strong momentum across conference and social business. Q1-2025 marked the highest M&E revenues since the hotel's opening. Her leadership continues to secure long-term partnerships and high-value clients. Vohra remains focused on reinforcing key accounts and sustaining commercial performance across the year. UAE head-quartered hospitality brand TIME Hotels has announced the promotion of Soumitra Saha to the position of Chief Financial Officer as the hotel group expands its senior management team, in line with the company's ambitious growth pipeline throughout the Middle East and Indian Ocean. A chartered accountant with over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Saha joined TIME Hotels in 2022 as Vice President of Finance, where he brought a wealth of industry expertise following roles with companies including Oberoi, Leela Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt, and Movenpick, and as a result, delivered peak revenues and operating profits. In his new position, Saha will work closely with Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Awadalla, and Chief Operating Officer, William Costley, where he will oversee the company's financial operations, analysis and risk assessment, with an integral role in TIME Hotels expansion, with 12 new properties in Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Morocco and the Indian Ocean to be delivered by Q1 2026, adding to the company's current portfolio of 17 hotels and over 3,000 keys. Mr. Theoharis is the front runner for the upcoming UN Secretary General elections. He holds an MEng (Hon) in Software Engineering from Imperial College, London, and has held high-ranking positions in private sector companies in Greece and abroad. He has also worked in start-up companies. During 2011-2012, Mr. Theoharis served as Secretary General for Information Systems and is known for introducing new digital services to assist the public, helping to reduce bureaucracy and its associated costs. He later (2013-14) served as Secretary General for Public Revenues at the Greek Finance Ministry. There, he succeeded in meeting budget revenues and producing a fiscal surplus. He is also known for launching the www.publicrevenue.gr platform to increase transparency in public administration. From 2019 to 2021, he served as Minister of Tourism, where he focused on rejuvenating Greeces tourism sector, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting sustainable practices and digital transformation. He was also the Parliamentary Spokesperson for the New Democracy political party from 2021 to 2023. In the national elections of May and June 2023, he was re-elected Member of Parliament with the New Democracy political party. On June 27, 2023, Mr. Theoharis was appointed by Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis as Deputy Minister of Finance of Greece for taxation matters, a position he held until June 2024. During his tenure, he prioritized transparency, efficiency, and fairness in the tax system, while fostering an investment-friendly environment. SAN FRANCISCO Sojern, the leading marketing platform built for hospitality, is thrilled to announce the latest members of its esteemed 2025 Destinations Advisory Board. This board is composed of influential destination leaders from across North America, and its members convened yesterday to welcome exceptional new members. This year, the Destinations Advisory Board gathered in Kissimmee, Florida, and the event was hosted in partnership with Brett Laiken, CMO at VISIT FLORIDA. Weve partnered with Sojern to deploy targeted multichannel digital advertising campaigns aimed at boosting visitation throughout the state. This partnership allows us to track visitor data and measure the economic impact of current visitors, positioning us to more effectively attract new travelers. I'm excited to welcome Sojerns Destinations Advisory Board to Florida, where we can not only highlight the diverse experiences our state has to offer, but also engage in important industry discussions and collaborate on innovative solutions for destination marketers nationwide. Brett Laiken, CMO at VISIT FLORIDA It is such a privilege to spend time with our Destinations Advisory Board members. From AI and sustainability to international political dynamics affecting global travel and disaster recovery, they are exceptional experts who dive deep into todays most pressing issues and uncover forward-thinking solutions that will shape the future of destination marketing for years to come. Their collective knowledge only serves to deepen Sojerns insights, giving us incredible context as we work to equip destination marketers to identify and reach their ideal travelers. Stephanie Dunford, Commercial Director, US Destinations & Attractions at Sojern While Sojerns commitment to investing in destinations includes helping them identify and engage with ideal travelers, the company is also dedicated to elevating the industry as a whole. Together, Sojerns Destinations Advisory Board will collaborate to address the unique needs of the destination industry and identify innovative solutions to help destinations across the world to thrive. The 2025 Board of Advisors brings together experienced tourism leaders who share a commitment to driving the industry forward. Sojern is pleased to introduce the newest board members for 2025: Justin Bresler, CMO and VP, Marketing & Business Development, Visit Denver Jeremy Chase, Tourism & Marketing Administrator, Idaho Commerce Tom Loftus, VP of Marketing, Richmond Region Tourism Cody Chomiak, VP of Marketing, Travel Manitoba, Canada Jamari Douglas, VP, Marketing, PR & Communications, Bermuda Tourism Authority New board members will join current board members, including: From co-op strategies to the recently released State of Destination Marketing 2025 report offering insights from nearly 200 destination marketing organizations (DMOs) from around the world, Sojern has long been a reliable partner for DMOs, providing cutting-edge solutions to boost visitation and highlight the economic benefits of digital marketing programs. Sojern plans to expand its Destination Advisory Board to Europe later this year to support the growth of its European destination business. To learn more about how Sojern collaborates with destination marketers, please visit: www.sojern.com/destinations. About Sojern Sojern is the leading marketing platform built for hospitality, designed to boost growth and profitability for the travel industry. The Sojern marketing platform is a set of easy-to-use software and services that delivers unrivaled traveler insight, intelligent audiences, multichannel activation and optimization, and a connected guest experienceall in one place. More than 10,000 travel marketers rely on our platform annually to find, attract, convert and engage travelers. Founded in 2007, Sojern is headquartered in San Francisco, California with teams in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. Chennai - Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway is proud to announce that its General Manager, Mr. Divakar Shukla, has been recognized with two of the most prestigious honours in the hospitality industry, underscoring his outstanding leadership and dedication to excellence. Mr. Divakar Shukla was awarded the General Manager of the Year 2024 Midscale at the HVS ANAROCK HOPE 2025 summit held in Goa. He also received the General Manager of the Year Mid Market & Upper Mid-Market Hotel Segment at the esteemed Hotel Investment Conference South Asia (HICSA) 2025 in Mumbai. It is an incredible honor to be recognized by two of the industry's most respected platforms. These accolades are a testament not only to my personal journey but also to the collective efforts of our exceptional team at Holiday Inn Chennai. Together, we remain committed to creating memorable guest experiences and setting new benchmarks in midscale hospitality. Mr.Divakar Shukla These awards highlight Mr. Divakar Shukla's strategic vision, guest-centric approach, and commitment to operational excellence, which have significantly elevated the positioning of Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway as a preferred destination for both business and leisure travelers in the region. Owned by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway continues to deliver globally consistent service while embracing the warmth of Indian hospitality under Mr. Divakar Shuklas leadership. About IHG IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good. With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Q1 2025 total stay revenue picks up 15% year-on-year DISCOVERY DOLLAR (D$) redemptions increase 60%, encouraging more spend International stays account for 70% of total revenue Members in China, UK, France and Spain post strongest growth in international spend Dubai, UAE - Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has reported strong first-quarter results for 2025, with continued double-digit gains across all key metrics. Robust returns and sustained momentum reflect the growing impact of its award-winning loyalty programme, GHA DISCOVERY, which now commands a 30-million-strong global membership. Total hotel stay revenues reached US$746 million in Q1 2025, up 15% on Q1 2024 while total room nights picked up 12% and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) across its portfolio of 850 hotels nudged up 3%. Further underlining the success, cross-brand revenue increased by 11%, which is driven by members staying with a different hotel brand than where they enrolled. Meanwhile the loyalty programme added around 850,000 new members in Q1 2025 an 8% year-on-year increase versus Q1 2024. Redemptions of DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) the programmes generous rewards currency, where D$1 equals US$1 rocketed 60% year-on-year, led by GHA DISCOVERY members based in Spain, Germany, China, and Singapore. The total revenue from redemption stays in Q1 2025 was 7.6 times the value of D$ redeemed. For high redemption stays of more than D$1,000, total hotel revenue was 4 to 5 times the redeemed amount, showing that members continue to spend significantly, even when using large amounts of D$, generating strong incremental revenue for GHAs hotel brands. These results reflect the continued evolution of GHA DISCOVERY as a powerful platform for driving growth and guest loyalty. Were seeing its impact deepen across every key metric from revenue and redemptions to cross-brand engagement. With strong international travel demand and members spending more, even when redeeming rewards, our hotel brands are capturing more revenue from the programme at a lower cost of sale. Chris Hartley, CEO, Global Hotel Alliance Q1 2025 highlights & emerging trends: International travel dominates: International stays made by the 30 million GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme members continue to lead growth, accounting for 70% of hotel room revenues year-on-year. This reflects a sustained appetite for international travel by GHA DISCOVERY members, particularly in Asia. The Maldives and Thailand remained the top two countries for hotel room revenue from international guests (100% and 95% respectively) followed by Hong Kong SAR (84%) and the United Arab Emirates (82%). International stays made by the 30 million GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme members continue to lead growth, accounting for 70% of hotel room revenues year-on-year. This reflects a sustained appetite for international travel by GHA DISCOVERY members, particularly in Asia. The Maldives and Thailand remained the top two countries for hotel room revenue from international guests (100% and 95% respectively) followed by Hong Kong SAR (84%) and the United Arab Emirates (82%). Top feeder markets stable: The USA, UK, Australia, China, and Germany remained the top five international source markets for member revenues at GHA hotels in the first quarter of 2025 with the US and the UK maintaining their positions as the top two markets globally. The USA, UK, Australia, China, and Germany remained the top five international source markets for member revenues at GHA hotels in the first quarter of 2025 with the US and the UK maintaining their positions as the top two markets globally. Growth shifting: GHA DISCOVERY member international stay room revenue from China (+19%), France (+15%), and Spain (+13%) outpaced growth from the US (+3%) and UK (+10%) in Q1 2025, signalling increased outbound momentum in EMEA and Asia and a slight slowdown in outbound US travel activity during the period. GHA DISCOVERY member international stay room revenue from China (+19%), France (+15%), and Spain (+13%) outpaced growth from the US (+3%) and UK (+10%) in Q1 2025, signalling increased outbound momentum in EMEA and Asia and a slight slowdown in outbound US travel activity during the period. Q1, 2025 destination hotspots: Thailand and Singapore were the top international choices for GHA DISCOVERY members in key feeder markets. Travellers from Germany and Russia favoured Thailand, while those in China and Australia leaned towards Singapore. UK-based members headed to the UAE, while US members chose the UK as their preferred destination. A significant portfolio boost came in March 2025, further emphasising GHAs growing attraction for independent brands, with Rotana, a leading UAE-based hospitality group, joining the alliance. With 80 hotels across the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, Rotana expands GHAs presence in strategic markets and strengthens its position in the UAE. Its been a great start to the year. Were building on the momentum of a record 2024, continuing to grow our portfolio, and seeing strong returns from member engagement in our loyalty programme. With new brands like Rotana joining the fold and our metrics trending upward across the board, were well-positioned for another year of solid performance. Chris Hartley, CEO, Global Hotel Alliance About GHA and GHA DISCOVERY Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) is the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands with 45 brands and 850 hotels in 100 countries. Its award-winning loyalty programmeGHA DISCOVERYprovides 30 million members recognition, D$ rewards and exclusive experiences across its hotels and partners, both with and without a stay. GHA DISCOVERY generated US$2.7billion in revenue and 11 million room nights in 2024. Through membership in GHA, brands expand their global reach, drive incremental revenue and reduce dependence on third-party channels, all while maintaining management independence and individual positioning. For more information, visit globalhotelalliance.com or ghadiscovery.com. Andrea Krenn Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of serving in both the private and public sectors, gaining invaluable experience in technology, digitalization, and banking. This diverse background has shaped my perspective on the pivotal role that public-private partnerships (PPPs) play in accelerating global tourism and addressing the pressing challenges our sector faces. Distinct Roles, Unified Goals Governments and corporates serve two distinct but critical roles. It's crucial to recognize the unique responsibilities of each entity in society. UN Tourism is not a private sector business. But it still needs the systems thinking, efficiency and rigor of a private sector business with measurement, accountability and transparency. A lack of transparency within UN Tourism has undermined trust - a fundamental element for any organization's effective functioning. Striking the right balance between innovation, efficiency, and ethical governance is the path forward. Organizations can and must be both highly effective and deeply humane. And there is no better medium for this than PPPs. PPPs are not merely beneficial; they are essential. Restoring Trust and Harnessing Business for Global Good Multilateral organizations like UN Tourism should not compete with businesses but rather harness their strength through strategic projects and frameworks that align with global sustainability and development goals. Yet, the current structure of UN Tourism, particularly its Affiliate Members program - has been criticized as dysfunctional. Instead of fostering transformative collaborations, it has been reduced to a branding platform, lacking the strategic depth necessary to drive systemic change. This status quo is a profound missed opportunity. It not only fails to harness business potential but also widens the gap between corporate sustainability promises and actionable progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Leading Transformational Public-Private Partnerships The private sector has been at the forefront of tourism's evolution, driving innovation, making bold investments, and adapting swiftly. Yet, without strong, adaptive regulatory frameworks and strategic public oversight, fragmented solutions will continue to stall progress, and the SDGs will remain elusive. This is why PPPs are imperative. They bridge the gap between public oversight and private-sector efficiency, aligning entrepreneurial energy with societal progress. The fusion of private-sector agility with public-sector vision is the only viable strategy to address tourism's most urgent challenges. A Vision for Bold, Transformational Change My extensive private-sector experience uniquely positions me to redefine UN Tourism's engagement with businesses, moving beyond rhetoric to action. My vision is clear: a global platform where businesses and governments co-create solutions that drive real, lasting impact. To realize this vision, UN Tourism must learn from organizations that have successfully mobilized the private sector: World Economic Forum (WEF): The WEF fosters dynamic, results-driven initiatives that engage private-sector leadership in shaping policy. A similar approach within UN Tourism could establish a "Global Tourism Leaders Network," where businesses commit to transformative goals with clear accountability. UN Development Programme (UNDP): The UNDP has pioneered successful PPPs through initiatives like the Business Call to Action (BCtA), aligning private-sector objectives with sustainable development. UN Tourism must adopt a similar ethos, ensuring partnerships drive measurable progress. Gavi, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization: Gavi exemplifies PPP success by blending public funding with private-sector excellence. UN Tourism should consider launching a "Tourism Resilience Fund," pooling public and private investments to protect and strengthen tourism ecosystems, especially in vulnerable regions. The Path Forward: From Rhetoric to Real Impact The next chapter of UN Tourism must be one where the power of business is harnessed for the global good, where partnerships are measured by their impact, and where inclusivity and sustainability are at the heart of every initiative. This is not just a reformit is a revolution. Our plan is ambitious, but it is achievable. Now is the time for UN Tourism to step up, move beyond symbolic gestures, and lead a global movement that reshapes tourism as a force for resilience, inclusion, and sustainability. Governments and businesses must rise to the occasionbecause together, we have the power to create a tourism economy that is truly built for the future. There is no reason why organisations cannot become more effective and humane at the same time! Wellness is no longer just a trendits a movement reshaping industries, and the hospitality sector is no exception. In an era where sustainable self-care and mental health take center stage, global hospitality leader Accor is at the forefront, revolutionizing what it means to truly care for guests. This is not about spa retreats; its a paradigm shift that integrates well-being into every element of the guest experience. Weve always been about supporting the well-being of our guestsits historically what we do. Extending that in a modern context through nutrition, spas, movement, fitness, mindfulness, and sleep is a natural progression. Emlyn Brown, Accors Global Senior Vice President of Well-Being Accors approach to well-being dismantles the traditional view of hotel spas as standalone luxuries. Instead, wellness is woven into every touchpoint of the guest journey. Whether through thoughtful design, nourishing meals, restorative sleep solutions, or immersive nature experiences, wellness at Accor is a holistic endeavor. Four out of five of our guests are actively looking to improve or maintain their health and well-being. As you move up the luxury scale, that prioritization becomes even stronger, Brown highlights. Beyond the Spa: Redefining Wellness in Hospitality Accors innovative strategy, which is placed within the core business and not a side project, is built around six foundational pillars. Each one reflects a commitment to helping guests leave healthier and happier than when they arrived. These pillars provide a structure thats universal yet flexible, says Brown. It allows our brands to play their own unique tune while delivering a cohesive narrative that builds on the need of humans that nowadays they want to live better and longer, the well-being expert explains. Heres a look into how these pillars come to life: Active Nutrition: Bespoke offerings like Raffles Londons Pillar Kitchen feature nutritionist-curated dishes that align with the latest health trends. Holistic Design: Properties such as Raffles Maldives Meradhoo seamlessly blend nature and architecture, creating spaces that foster relaxation and rejuvenation. Movement and Fitness: Programs like Fairmont Fit and Pullmans Power Fit make it easy for guests to stay active, whether indoors or outdoors. Leveraging the Spa: At the interface of technology and spa, the spa services at Accor aim to create more effective, personalized results that truly move the dial on peoples health and wellness. Mindfulness, Sleep and Recovery: Sleep rituals and mindfulness programs across brands help reduce stress and promote recovery. Digital Balance: Accor is exploring innovative ways to sync and connect with their guests to create bespoke wellness experiences that integrate spa, nutrition, fitness, and sleep experiences in a digitalized modern world. The Business of Wellness Wellness-oriented guests spend more money than other travelers, book longer stays and choose higher-tier accommodations. Its good for business and great for brand loyalty, Brown notes. The integration of wellness isnt just an enhancement; its a necessity for future-proofing the hospitality experience. Check out the EHL Insights: Hospitality Outlook 2025, where EHL experts and faculty member talk about the rising demand for rejuvenating and well-being experiences and how hospitality can help customers and travelers to recharge on a mind, body and soul level. Wellness Meets Sustainability Accors dedication to well-being extends to planetary health, aligning with todays socially conscious travelers. From reducing food waste to embracing plant-forward dining, the company is making bold moves. Younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, see sustainability and well-being as non-negotiables. We have a responsibility to cater to their values and expectations, Brown emphasizes. The Intersection of Well-Being, Luxury and Sustainability As Accor leads this transformative wave, the intersection of well-being and sustainable luxury, is becoming a defining aspect of modern hospitality. With over 560 luxury and lifestyle hotels worldwide, the group is uniquely positioned to inspire a global shift toward healthier, happier living. Being well-being-focused is not just about creating aspirationits about touching the hearts and minds of our guests, building loyalty, and creating unforgettable experiences, says Brown. Its a journey, and were just getting started. What better way to create an unforgettable experience than with delicious and nutritious food? Active nutrition is a key pillar of wellness and of Accors well-being strategy. Consumers are seeking meals that not only satisfy their taste buds but also align with their health and lifestyle goals, from nutrient-dense snacks to mindful drinking choices. For example, at Raffles London at The OWO, Pillar Kitchen & Juice Bar provides curated health-conscious meals designed by nutrition experts. In Cartagena, Colombia at the Sofitel Baru Calablanca Beach Resort they have a Food Truck serving fresh, light dishes inspired by local flavors. This trend is getting more in demand across the hospitality industry, making the link between tasty and at the same time healthy and nutritious food experiences. For more information on the food well-being and health movement in the industry, check out our Food and Well-being Report, where Accor and other industry key players unveil insights and innovations driving its mission to reimagine wellness. View source Radisson Blu Das Triest - Image Credit Radisson Hotel Group Radisson Blu Das Triest - Image Credit Radisson Hotel Group Radisson Blu Das Triest - Image Credit Radisson Hotel Group Radisson Blu Das Triest - Image Credit Radisson Hotel Group The much-celebrated design hotel in Vienna, Radisson Blu Das Triest Hotel, has reopened after an extensive renovation. The hotel opened in 1995 and has been updated with modern amenities while maintaining its iconic architectural charm and rich history. Radisson Blu Das Triest Hotel, Vienna, has officially reopened following a significant renovation. The iconic design hotel is on Wiedner Hauptstrae, a historic street in Vienna's vibrant 4th district. The property, which first opened its doors in 1995, is known for its unique architectural charm and rich history. The recent renovation has enhanced these elements while introducing modern amenities. The hotel was originally a significant post station between Vienna and Trieste during the Austrian Empire. This heritage is reflected in the property's name and its historical architecture. Over the years, the hotel has been a popular choice among local and international celebrities. The renovation has reinvigorated the hotel's 120 rooms and suites, highlighting a blend of legacy and evolution. While many rooms retain the original minimalist design, others have been updated to align with the Radisson Blu brand's elegant, contemporary aesthetics. The rooms feature muted color palettes, high-quality materials, and design accents that create a modern and inviting atmosphere. Advertisement A notable addition to the hotel is Bistrot Bertarelli 1894, a restaurant named in honor of Italian travel pioneer Luigi Vittorio Bertarelli. The menu fuses classic Italian dishes with modern twists and includes an excellent selection of wines. The terrace on Rilkeplatz provides an al fresco dining setting, enhancing the restaurant's appeal. The hotel's Silver Bar, a longtime hotspot for celebrities and visitors, is set to reclaim its status as a prime gathering spot. Located in the hotel lobby, the bar exudes timeless sophistication. In the warmer months, the bar extends into the inner courtyard, creating an inviting space for guests to unwind. The Radisson Blu Das Triest Hotel also offers exclusive amenities for guests, including a state-of-the-art fitness area, a relaxing sauna, and a verdant courtyard. For business travelers and event organizers, there are five well-equipped conference rooms with panoramic city views and direct access to the rooftop terrace. These spaces can accommodate up to 284 attendees, making them ideal for meetings and exclusive events. The hotel's prime location, a short walk from Karlsplatz and the Inner City, places guests within easy reach of Vienna's most iconic landmarks. With excellent transport links right outside, the hotel is a perfect starting point for those exploring the city's cultural and historic treasures. Identity Crisis in the European MICE Market - By Erika Bucsi - Image Credit Unsplash+ Hotels operating in the MICE market have traditionally been obsessed with processes and churning out proposals. But for hoteliers to Find and Grow the MICE segment, first you need to understand data and market trends to define your identity in this sector. Ultimately, knowing the market demand and your clients translates into a stronger kind of success. Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) can mean big business within tourism and hospitality. Its huge now, and its growing too. The global MICE market size was USD $998.59 billion in 2024. Its on track to double in size and become a $2 trillion segment by 2034. Hotels look towards the MICE as a revenue stream because it is the most profitable segment from their overall mix. Room rates for MICE bookings are usually higher than transient rates because groups take a big portion of the room inventory. The potential for ancillary revenue from meeting and event bookings is profound too, as room hire, audiovisual and F&B packages are almost always required, driving up total revenue. All-in-all, MICE means hotels can maximize profits and minimize inefficiencies. MICE takes center stage Trends have led hoteliers towards different feeder markets and industries throughout the last 10 years. Pre-pandemic, hotels were all about chasing corporate bookings and business travelers, with their generous company budgets and frequent need to travel. Post-COVID, initially, leisure bounced back hard and fast, with business travelers accustomed to virtual meetings and traveling with purpose when necessary maximizing business objectives and extending stays into bleisure trips. But now, were fully back to business, trends have shifted once again, and MICE is the rising star. It makes sense that hoteliers want to focus on this as the most profitable segment in hospitality. So, what do hoteliers need to know about the MICE sector? Well, thats part of the problem. MICE is a segment that was never traditionally serviced well with technology. And much of that technology is around automation, and the operational side of managing requests for proposals (RFPs) in the sales process. Even now, a reactive RFP focus dominates the MICE segment, but theres only a 45% response rate to RFPs, and a 5-7% conversion rate from this approach on average globally. Crucially, there was never enough focus and data related to MICE market trends, standardizing and calculating relevant KPIs, understanding industry segmentation and the profitability of specific industries to drive relevant opportunities. The MICE market is shifting globally For hotels to understand where the opportunities are in the MICE segment, they need to understand broader trends. In general, theres been a shift from west to east in recent years, with the Middle East and APAC flourishing in MICE business in particular. Knowing about the performance of industry segments and therefore where the opportunities are for attracting meeting and event bookings has been key for these regions. For example, in the Middle East, consulting, travel, and training/education were the top industries in 2024, and the automotive industry grew by a staggering 53%. Financial/banking, technology, and consulting were the top industries in APAC in 2024, and the electronics industry grew significantly by 55%. In the USA, the consulting industry grew in 2024, overtaking manufacturing, and the arts/performing arts sector grew by 33%. Interestingly, declining industries in some regions are the key drivers in other regions. During 2024, healthcare fell out of the top 10 industries entirely in the Middle East but showed consistent strength in the USA. By understanding the broader activity in the business world, hotels can begin to pinpoint a strategy for successfully attracting MICE bookings. What about Europe? Other regions recovered their MICE business back to 2019 levels by around 2022 or 2023. In Europe, it took until 2024. But the market is back and is still an incredibly popular MICE destination and Europe now owns 50% of the global MICE market. But its a competitive market too, and hotels need to do more to capture their share. In the Middle East, APAC, and the USA, weve seen how hotels have looked towards data to understand their identity, the context theyre operating in, and the types of businesses they should target with MICE offers. By setting fact-based strategies and making data-driven commercial decisions, hotels in these regions are successfully winning MICE business. In Europe, its time we learned lessons from these thriving MICE regions to understand our own identity. But without the data, how do we understand who we are? Thats why Knowland by Cendyn is returning to Europe, starting in London. Hoteliers will be able to empower their teams with data-driven decision-making and gain a competitive advantage in the MICE segment. Well grow our data and knowledge together to help hotels capture a healthy slice of the MICE market. London calling Were starting in London because its always been one of the most important European MICE markets. Thats because of its location, connectivity, and the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics where planners really cemented London as a MICE destination. It will always remain a go-to destination for major events. London hotels and many hotels across Europe too lack the data and information needed to stand out in the MICE market. Segmentation has shifted since the pandemic, but many hotels dont exactly know how. With talent shortages across the hospitality industry, hotel employees who need to make decisions on how to attract MICE business dont have the experience to do so. These factors combined mean hotels are fishing in the pond and hoping for the best. We have the power to turn this around with the help of technology and data. Doing this can verify or challenge your assumptions, help you set a strategy thats designed for success, and enable you to adapt throughout the year to have success with MICE business in a changing context. Own your identity Theres never been a better time to grab hold of your market share of the MICE world as a hotel. This is a sector exploding before our eyes, doubling to a value of $2 trillion within just 10 years. If you want to Find your place in the MICE market, get these customers to Book, and Grow a reliable MICE income stream, you need to become a hotel that MICE customers gravitate towards. This gravitational pull is not about potluck or image. Its about knowing your stuff, drawing on data, trends, and knowledge. Successful commercial teams whatever the industry are 3.5x more likely to use analytics. So why wouldnt a hotel do the same? This forms the basis of your identity. And once you know your identity, you can set a strategy and make commercial decisions that fit as perfectly as a blazer on a delegate at a MICE event. Erika Bucsi - Enterprise Director, EMEA, APAC. Connect with Erica on LinkedIn. 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 32,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries including brands such as Outrigger Hospitality, Hyatt, IHG, Aman Resorts & Hotels, Relais & Chateaux, Highgate, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Coraltree Hospitality, and Onyx Hospitality Group 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. Ana Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts The ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay, located in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, will open on April 24, 2025. The hotel features 132 rooms and amenities such as a Library Lounge and various banquet rooms. ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay, a new establishment in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, will commence operations on April 24, 2025. The hotel aims to offer a unique travel experience that allows guests to be themselves, catering to a variety of travel styles, including sightseeing, business, and short weekend stays. Strategically located in the Shinagawa/Tennozu area, where the city converges with the sea, the hotel is easily accessible from domestic and international locations. The ANA Holiday Inn Tokyo Bay is the latest addition to the portfolio of Holiday Inn, a key brand under IHG Hotels & Resorts. The hotel comprises 132 guest rooms, each designed to cater to the different needs of its guests. Whether for relaxation, work, or a break from the daily grind, the hotel aims to accommodate each guest's present needs and preferences. Advertisement The guest rooms on the 23rd to 27th floors offer expansive views, with the Bay View Rooms overlooking the Rainbow Bridge, and the Canal View Rooms offering a vista of city highways and waterways. The rooms, blending natural colors with soft lighting, feature spacious beds and functional workspaces, thus marrying comfort with practicality. The hotel also houses a Library Lounge on the first floor, designed to pique intellectual curiosity with a wide selection of books and comics in Japanese, English, and Chinese. The lounge serves a mixed Japanese-Western breakfast buffet in the morning, transforms into a casual cafe during the day, and provides an ideal environment for remote work and online meetings with outlets and free Wi-Fi. In addition to the lounge, the hotel offers five banquet rooms on the 3rd, 28th, and 29th floors. These rooms, suitable for corporate events and private parties, range from the sophisticated and elegant Golden Palm to the Crystal Cove on the top floor, which offers a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires Hosts Get on Board GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. April is Volunteer Month and the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is hosting a "Get on Board" event in partnership with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. Get on Board takes place on Tuesday, April 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare & Co. The purpose of this coffee networking event is to connect nonprofits to community members who want to use their time, talent and treasure to serve on a nonprofit board. The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires also provides a personal matching service to help strengthen nonprofit boards. Both nonprofits and community members fill out a form identifying their needs and skills respectively. A team of volunteers reviews the confidential information and connects potential candidates to local organizations. A motorcycle is used as a sign alerting drivers that they are at Royal Enfield's Motolicks on Route 346. Rambler Cannabis Supply will be opening in the adjacent wood structure. The two businesses are leasing in the same building and believe they have customers in common for their products. PreviousNext New Businesses Blend Cannabis Retail and Motorcycle Culture Royal Enfield is a multinational motorcycle manufacturer; Motolicks will sell its products and custom work. POWNAL, Vt. Last week saw the opening of two new businesses in North Pownal: Marijuana and motorcycles. Motolicks, the custom parts and performance division of Royal Enfield of Bennington County, is owned by Arthur Thibert Jr. Rambler Cannabis was started by Chris Lussier two years ago as a cultivation facility. He is now expanding it to a retail location next door to Motolicks. Lussier and Thibert met a little over a year ago when Lussier wanted to check out some motorcycles; Thibert directed him to a Royal Enfield partner. "We started talking and just kind of realized that like our two brands kind of really mesh well and we kind of wanted to build this," Lussier said. They decided to bring motorcycle culture and cannabis culture together. The businesses are separate but lease the building together with cannabis dispensary located on the left side of the building. "Rambler the brand and the feel of it felt like it really connected with the Royal Enfield spirit of things, just that rebellious freedom, doing things your own way," Lussier said. "Even though they are two different products they blend well," Thibert said. Thibert started Licks Cycles in Clarksburg, Mass., in 2002 with his late wife, doing custom work with Harley-Davidson. He closed the shop nearly 10 years after his wife passed but still loved riding and came upon Royal Enfield when he wanted to buy a bike. The owners knew about Licks Cycles and decided to partner with him a few years ago. "It was a fluke, I bought a bike and we hooked up and they were like let's get you back in the business again so that started," he said. "Then we slowly started selling bikes and they asked me about the brand again so we decided to reintroduce the brand now under Motolicks for custom parts for Royal Enfield. ... "I do my own parts, I do custom leather bags, we do handlebars, we do all kinds of stuff I mean all kinds of mirrors and stuff, it's basically custom parks for the bikes." Lussier was licensed for cultivation in 2022 and got his retail license in late 2024, just before the Vermont Cannabis Control Board paused retail licenses to address oversaturation in cities and towns. "For me it was just a group of guys that I connected with and had a good time hanging out with and kind of wanted to spread that to the rest of the community," Lussier said. Their goal is to see Vermont allow consumption lounges and to be able to expand their space for people to hang out. "We really want to have that people want to come, a destination, so we'd love to have a much larger place where you come in looking at motorcycles, buy a motorcycle, hang out, and have some venue, buy some cannabis hang out here," Lussier said. "Kind of make it more of just that community hang out space instead of a retail transaction, really want to make it kind of a home." Thibert would also like to see Motolicks expand into bigger venue where events could be held. "Have some type of lounge area for us and maybe even make it bigger where we can rent a spot for a tattooist or a barber," he said. They say they really want their retail spaces to feel like a home to customers. "We really want people to feel like this is their third place where you can kind of hangout and be part of the community," Lussier said. They are located at 3584 VT-346, North Pownal. Motolicks ' hours are weekdays 10 to 5 and Saturdays 10 to 4. The phone number is 802-753-8889. China strengthens space technology cooperation with Global South nations Xinhua) 13:32, April 25, 2025 BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- In the second week of April, Lusaka became a hub of agricultural innovation as technicians from Southern African countries gathered for a unique three-day training session. Unlike typical workshops, this one provided a customized experience. Participants brought data from their own countries and practiced on the satellite remote sensing agricultural monitoring platform developed by Chinese scientists, tailoring their learning to fit local needs. This exemplified China's increasing collaboration with Global South countries in space technology -- not merely through memorandums or broad agreements, but by translating cutting-edge innovation into tangible, real-world applications. DOWN TO EARTH The platform they learned is CropWatch, a cloud-based tool developed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It analyzes agroclimatic conditions, assesses crop growth status, tracks the dynamics of cropland use, estimates crop areas, predicts yields, and evaluates global food supply prospects. "Food security is increasingly a global priority, but establishing satellite-based platforms for agriculture monitoring requires significant investment, which most developing countries simply cannot afford," said Zhang Miao, a workshop trainer from the AIR. He had just flown back from Lusaka when interviewed by Xinhua. Unlike the traditional Western approach of delivering ready-made crop-related information and reports, the Chinese team has embraced a collaborative model with Global South countries -- "teaching a man to fish" by empowering them through knowledge transfer and platform self-customization. Over 30 participants from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mauritius and South Africa received one-on-one guidance in the training. "A customized approach acknowledges the specific context and challenges faced by Mozambicans," said Hiten Jantilal, an officer of the Crops and Early Warning Department in Mozambique. "This method can lead to more effective learning and better outcomes." "Africa's cropping system is quite different from China, especially the small-holder farming, with issues like widespread weeds and common mixed cropping," said Zhang. "Our platform has proven effective in addressing these challenges." The AIR team has incorporated advanced AI models, including DeepSeek and ChatGPT, into the mobile APPs and a CropWatch Analysis component. This upgrade enables more intelligent interpretation of in situ crop photos and remote sensing maps and products, significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of satellite data analysis. According to Zhang, these field-collected data, numbering in the millions, not only support the crop monitoring in CropWatch but also contribute to partner countries for internal applications. CropWatch is now used in over 20 Global South countries, including Mozambique, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kyrgyzstan. PUBLIC BENEFITS In a heartwarming video taken last June, an elderly woman at a Rayong care home in Thailand sat in bed, chatting via real-time video with a local rehab specialist via a test terminal at Mahanakorn University of Technology in Bangkok, which was linked to the eight-satellite experimental constellation built by the Chinese space firm GalaxySpace. The seamless high-speed video stream showcased the power of real-time mobile-to-satellite communication in Thailand's remote areas, where traditional networks are unreliable. "It will further enhance Thailand's capacity building in aerospace technology and applications," said Suphongsa Khetkeeree, a scientist from the satellite research lab at the University. In February this year, GalaxySpace signed a Memorandum of Understanding with True Corporation, a major Thai telecommunications operator, to collaborate in areas such as the Starlink-like low-orbit satellite communication technology. "We are thrilled that this collaboration will bring cutting-edge innovative technologies to Thai consumers," said Manat Manavutiveth, CEO of True Corporation. The Beijing-based satellite manufacturer is now actively forging partnerships across Africa and Southeast Asia to deploy cutting-edge satellite internet technology to empower underserved local communities. Moreover, China's commercial satellite constellation, Spacesail, is set to provide satellite communication services to Brazil and broadband internet access to the country's remote and underserved regions. Spacesail is a low-Earth orbit constellation with full frequency bands and a multi-layer and multi-orbit design. Its commercial network construction was officially launched last August. The constellation is expected to bring its commercial services to Brazil in 2026. At a space city in Egypt, the ground station for MISRSAT-2 featured a prominent white dome with a red emblem of Chinese aid. Launched from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on December 4, 2023, MISRSAT-2 made Egypt the first African nation with full satellite assembly and testing capabilities. Haitham Medhat Akah, a program manager from the Egyptian Space Agency, said that the MISRSAT-2 project helped Egypt become a leader in the field of space satellites in Africa and the Middle East. The satellite is now playing an important role in areas such as agriculture, mineral exploration, urban planning, and monitoring changes along the coastline. In Sriracha, Thailand, Atipat Wattanuntachai, a mechanical engineer, pointed to a Chinese-made vibration testing machine designed to evaluate the country's earth observation satellite THEOS-2's performance and reliability. "Thanks to China's support for Thailand in the space technology field, the cooperation with China has promoted the rapid development of Thailand's space industry," Atipat said. Such collaboration has expanded to deep space exploration. Previously, only spacefaring powers had invested in these curiosity-driven activities. China has invited scientists from Nicaragua, Indonesia and Senegal to join a planned lunar research station project. China has also announced plans to select and train two Pakistani astronauts for space missions, with one set to serve as a payload specialist on a future flight to the Chinese space station. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Nunzio in Iraq, during the Gulf War, when he chose to stay under the bombs, a protagonist from his residence in Hong Kong of the first openings of dialogue with China. Then at the top of the Secretariat of State, as Substitute, and the years leading the missionary dicastery of Propaganda Fide. A journey into the heart and the widest horizons of a Church open to the world, in the sign of its missionary character. But in these days of Francesco's death, the most vivid memory of Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, is linked to a missed trip, and "replaced" by a mission - in fact a return to Iraq - at the time when ISIS had invaded the northern part inhabited by the small Christian community, targeted and forced to flee amid a thousand dangers and sufferings. The Pope's trip to Korea was scheduled for August 2015, and Filoni, as prefect of Propaganda Fide, was almost on board the plane, accompanying Francesco. Faced with the Iraqi crisis, the Pope asked him to change course and "bring his caress" to that small flock in flight. "I will never forget his emotion when, upon returning, I reported on the trip. From there, I believe came the decisive push for the trip that was then made in March 2021. A truly historic pilgrimage, and certainly one of the most important of the pontificate. Francesco was also realizing the dream of Saint John Paul II. There was a vivid desire to go to the city of Ur, in the heart of Shia territory, like Najaf and Karbala. I remember that on the plane, the Pope told me he had read my book on the history of the Church in Mesopotamia. These are memories that at this moment also guide the meditation on a death that we can define as sudden, although we were all aware of his health conditions. I believe that if he could have chosen the day of his death, Francesco would have chosen the Easter time. He was a man who lived in faith and in faith we naturally also place his death. Faith in that hope that he preached and to which he entrusted himself and in that mercy that he so often evoked and to which he entrusted himself." The Church now awaits a Pope who will take up the legacy left by Francesco. "I don't know if he has to take Francesco's legacy because the Pope who comes must take Peter's legacy, the legacy entrusted by Jesus to Peter. 'You confirm your brothers: this will be the first commandment,' the first duty of the Pope. Each one does it as the Lord inspires him, according to his human, moral, spiritual capacities. Therefore, the next Pope will certainly have as a point of reference the mystery of Jesus who gives Peter the responsibility of the Church. On the other hand, since there is continuity in the Church, a continuity that becomes original each time, there is also a continuity that will certainly know how to value aspects of this pontificate." You were certainly one of the leading figures of the Church at the time of the wars. In those years, in Iraq, you chose to stay under the bombs and in constant danger of your own life in order to continue to stay close to the population in respect of the mandate received from Pope Wojtyla. Which was then that of evangelization. "Yes, let's say that one of the first considerations I had and that made me happy was when Pope Francesco also began to talk about evangelization. At that time, I was Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and I said to him: 'Listen, Holy Father, with me you are preaching to the converted, perhaps, after you, there is no one more than me who loves this concept and this commitment to evangelization.' The Pope smiled. His concept of evangelization, how to say, matured over these twelve years. At the beginning, he told me: 'You are my teacher because I don't know the missions well, so you will help me.' He needed to know the missions well and, in twelve years, I believe he had a perfect understanding of them. Not by chance did he want so many cardinals to be chosen precisely from the most distant mission areas, it doesn't matter if they were pastors of small islands of Tonga or if they were pastors of the steppes of Mongolia or other so-called peripheral areas compared to many other places that are certainly more renowned, richer in cultures, traditions, at least known to us." He thus expanded the universal breath of the Church, also indicating the preferential path of a global and protagonist South. "I would say, more than expanding the breath, he gave it a whole new impulse because we must not forget that, for example, the great missionary impulse, at least as given by John Paul II, was unique. Pope Wojtyla was extraordinary, but perhaps there was a need to delve a little deeper into this vastness and I believe Pope Francesco did it and you can also see the signs, concrete ones: small but also large. Francesco was a Pope who thought of the missionary world in this way. There was also another problem. What does it mean to proclaim the Gospel, for example, in environments where there is a religious presence of another type, of another level Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism. Here, this naturally led him to reflect on the idea that, where a direct and immediate evangelization was not possible, it had to happen in another way, through a brotherhood, at least trying not to fight each other, to esteem each other, to maintain a profile on human dignity. I believe this was the other great commitment of Francesco: where he did not open a door, here he opened a huge gate. From this aspect, many other experiences, relationships for the future of the Church in the world and of the world towards the Church will be born. And as for globalization? "For him, the south of the world, as we understand it from a sociological point of view, perhaps did not exist: this is a very European category. Latin America, which should be considered as the south of the world (if we mean geographically it could be so), from a point of view instead of ecclesial expression records the presence of a high number of Catholics, baptized and a huge episcopate - Brazil, for example, has the highest number of Catholics and bishops in the world - let's not forget that here the dimension of the announcement of the Gospel has historically known difficult situations, not least colonialism. He brought with him this richness in many aspects, sometimes understood, sometimes not understood, but he shared it and made the richness emerge not for uniformity, but for the multiplicity of forms. The Abu Dhabi Document is the magna carta of this vision that he wanted to give not only in relation to the Islamic world. Islam is a great religion also from a numerical point of view and with the Islamic world, we Christians must confront today and also in the future. It is one of the challenges that also awaits the new Pope." ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated 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 Chinas space agency announced it would allow scientists from the US and allied nations to analyse lunar rocks retrieved by its Change missions. The agency listed Brown University and State University of New York at Stony Brook, both recipients of Nasa funding, among the seven institutions granted permission to borrow lunar samples that China collected from the moon in 2020. Shan Zhongde, head of the China National Space Administration, said on Thursday that the lunar samples were a shared treasure for all humanity. The agency would maintain an increasingly active and open stance in international space exchange and cooperation, he was quoted as saying by local media. I believe Chinas circle of friends in space will continue to grow. Chinese researchers, in contrast, have been unable to access Nasas Moon samples due to restrictions imposed by American lawmakers on their space agencys collaboration with China. The University of Cologne in Germany, Osaka University in Japan, the Open University in the UK, the Paris Institute of Planetary Physics, and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission of Pakistan would receive the Chinese samples as well. The Chinese agency had received requests to borrow the moon rocks from 11 nations, Mr Shan said. Chinas lunar exploration programme has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful use, and win-win cooperation, sharing development achievements with the international community, he said. We look forward to scientists worldwide making more scientific discoveries, jointly expanding human knowledge and benefiting all of humanity. In 2020, Chinas uncrewed Change 5 mission made it the third country, after the Soviet Union and the US, to collect rocks from the Moon. In June last year, the Change 6 mission became the first to retrieve samples from the far side of the Moon. In October last year, Nasa chief Bill Nelson told Reuters American and Chinese space agencies were negotiating the terms of Beijings loan agreement for the Change 5 moon rocks, after reassuring American lawmakers that the discussions would not raise national security concerns. It seems the United States is quite closed off now despite being open in the past, while we were closed off in the past and are now open; this is because of the increase in our nations overall strength and consequent rise in self-confidence, Wu Weiren, chief designer of Chinas lunar exploration programme, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday, adding that growing US isolationism would not help its space ambitions. He said China followed an open space diplomacy policy, unlike the US, and was open to collaborate on lunar exploration with both developing and developed nations. The loaning of Moon rocks, observers noted, highlighted ongoing cooperation in space despite broader geopolitical tensions escalating after US president Donald Trumps imposition of sweeping tariffs on China earlier this month. The US imposed tariffs of up to 245 per cent on Chinese goods and Beijing retaliated with 125 per cent tariffs on US products. Although Mr Trump has since suggested a possible de-escalation in the trade war, Beijing has denied any ongoing negotiations between the two sides. Meanwhile, US laws and security concerns will require Nasa to work with the FBI for any future sample deliveries. 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 33-year-old man has been arrested in South Korea for fatally stabbing a woman and injuring another shopper inside a supermarket after reportedly drinking soju. The man, identified only as A, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday after the stabbing spree in northern Seoul, in an incident that has sparked panic among locals. The suspect reportedly entered the supermarket in Mia-dong and drank nearly half a bottle of soju on the spot, before removing a kitchen knife from its packaging from the store shelf and attacking two women. One of the women, in her 60s, suffered a heart attack and succumbed at the hospital, while a store employee sustained injuries in the attack. Surveillance footage from the scene showed panicked shoppers scrambling to flee as the victim lay bleeding on the sidewalk, according to reports. The man, wearing hospital clothing, exited the store and called police to report himself, the Gangbuk Police Precinct said. He was arrested without resistance but allegedly asked investigators to wait so that he could finish his cigarette. He was so calm that no one thought he was the attacker. When police arrived and told him to stand against the wall, he said in a casual tone, Wait, let me finish this cigarette. And the police actually waited," Lee Jae Gil, 61, who runs a butcher shop across from the supermarket, told Korea JoongAng Daily. The police said they were looking into whether the suspect had a history of mental illness and what prompted the attack. At a pretrial hearing on Thursday, the suspect apologised to the victim, adding that the attack was not premeditated. Im sorry to the victim. Ill never do something like this again," he said. Investigators said the suspect was admitted to a nearby hospital for a finger injury. "Since he didnt even stay a full day, we dont really know anything about him. If he had disclosed a mental health issue, we would have considered same-day discharge or applied special monitoring," a hospital official told the newspaper. The incident triggered panic and fear among the locals. You go out to buy groceries and end up being stabbed to death by a complete stranger. Its terrifying," a local was quoted by the Korea Herald as saying. This isnt the Korea I know." While South Korea has a low murder rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people below the global average of six per 100,000 the country has witnessed several high-profile violent crimes, including multiple stabbings, in recent years. Among the violent incidents in recent months were a teacher stabbing an eight-year-old girl in the central city of Daejeon, a subway station stabbing that left one dead and three wounded, an attack on a high school teacher, and a knife-wielding assailant driving into pedestrians before attacking shoppers in Bundang. 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 India's Army chief on Friday visited the Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir to review security arrangements following one of the worst militant attacks on tourists in decades. Gunmen opened fire on Tuesday, killing 26 people who were enjoying their summer holidays at the picturesque Baisaran meadow, some 5km from the resort town of Pahalgam in the federal territory of Kashmir. India said there were Pakistani elements in Tuesday's attack, a claim denied by Islamabad. Both nuclear-armed nations have unleashed a raft of measures against each other, including India keeping a critical river water-sharing treaty in abeyance and Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines. Both nations have also cancelled visas for their nationals to each other's countries and suspended trade. The UN has urged India and Pakistan "to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further". "Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe can be and should be resolved peacefully, through meaningful, mutual engagement," the statement said Friday. open image in gallery ( REUTERS ) India's Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will review security arrangements and is likely to visit the site of the attack, an army source told Reuters. At least four militants fired at dozens of tourists, most of them Indians, from close range, eyewitnesses said. Prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to chase the perpetrators to "the ends of the earth". Indian officials said Tuesday's attack had "cross-border linkages". The local police in notices identifying three people "involved" in the violence and said two of them were Pakistani nationals. Indian authorities on Friday demolished the houses of two suspected militants, one of whom is an accused in Tuesday's attack. open image in gallery A view of the family house of suspected militant which was demolished by the Indian authorities at Guri village in Anantnag ( REUTERS ) The police claimed the suspects operated for the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a proscribed militant group based in Pakistan, which promptly denied involvement. The Indian Army had a brief exchange of fire with Pakistani soldiers along their highly militarised frontier in Kashmir, New Delhi said. Three Indian Army officials said Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late Thursday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with departmental policy, said Indian soldiers retaliated and no casualties were reported. Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told a news conference that "I will wait for a formal confirmation from the military before I make any comment." Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir demolished homes of two Pahalgam suspects using explosives during Thursday night in south Kashmir, according to reports. 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 Indian security forces have launched a manhunt after identifying some of the suspected gunmen involved in the massacre of 26 people at a popular tourist destination in Kashmir. The deadliest attack on civilians in decades in the restive Himalayan valley occurred on 21 April and left at least 17 people injured as well. The casualties were all men and included a foreign national and a local pony handler. The Kashmir police have since released the names and sketches of three of the four gunmen suspected to have carried out the attack. They declared a bounty of Rs 2m (17,600) for information leading to the capture of the suspects, assuring that the identity of the informant would be kept secret. The police identified the suspects as Adil Hussain Thoker from Anantnag in Kashmir and Hashim Musa alias Suleiman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai from Pakistan. The police claimed the suspects operated for the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a proscribed militant group based in Pakistan which promptly denied involvement. open image in gallery A wanted poster shows a sketch of Adil Hussain Thoker ( REUTERS ) According to witnesses, the attack in Pahalgam was carried out by four to six gunmen in military fatigues who emerged from a nearby forest and unleashed a barrage of gunfire from close range. Sources involved in the investigation told NDTV and The Indian Express that the attack was likely carried out by at least five militants three Pakistanis and two Kashmiris. The gunmen emerged from the pine forest around the Baisaran meadow and spread out to three spots where tourists were present in large numbers. Some of them were wearing body cams to record the attack on the civilians, the sources claimed. open image in gallery A wanted poster shows a sketch of Ali Bhai, one of the gunman suspected to be involved in the Pahalgam attack ( REUTERS ) The attackers, who escaped back into the pine forest after the massacre, wore body cameras as a normal practice these days, a Kashmir police officer told The Indian Express. All attacks in Jammu in the past three years have been shot through body or gun-mounted cameras. These videos are used for propaganda purposes. The LeT has come out with propaganda material using the footage, the officer said. open image in gallery Hashim Musa, a suspected Pakistani gunmen alleged to have been involved in the attack ( REUTERS ) Who carried out the attack? Several Indian media outlets have reported that a relatively lesser-known group, Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, or TRF, has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, questions have swirled about the authenticity of that claim. The TRF, which first emerged in 2019, is considered an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, a Delhi-based think tank. In the statement, the TRF claimed the attack was in retaliation for the Indian governments alleged attempts to change Kashmirs demography, not least through the issuance of over 85,000 residency certificates to non-locals. Consequently, violence will be directed towards those attempting to settle illegally, it said. The TRF first reared its head online after the Narendra Modi government revoked the semi-autonomous status as well as statehood of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 and split it into a pair of federal territories ruled directly from New Delhi. Indian officials maintain that the TRF has links to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is listed as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US and stands accused of plotting attacks in India, most notably the three-day assault on Mumbai in November 2008. open image in gallery A demonstrator shouts slogans as he is stopped by police during a protest against the Pahalgam attack in New Delhi ( Reuters ) "This is basically a front of the LeT. These are groups which have been created over the last years, particularly when Pakistan was under pressure from the Financial Action Task Force and they were trying to create a pattern of denial that they were involved in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir," Ajai Sahni, head of the South Asia Terrorism Portal, said. The group, however, has not had any large violent incidents attributed to it in the past, Mr Sahni added. "All TRF operations are essentially LeT operations. There will be some measure of operational freedom as to where they hit on the ground, but the sanction would have come from the LeT. In January 2023, the Indian government designated the TRF as a terrorist organisation and its alleged commander, Sheikh Sajjad Gul, a terrorist. The federal anti-terrorism agency, National Investigation Agency, then put out a bounty on the commander. Sources in Indian security agencies have said Musa and Talha infiltrated into Kashmir in 2023 and that they were under investigation for their suspected involvement in at least two other attacks targeting non-local labourers and army personnel. The third suspect, Thoker, is believed to have travelled to Pakistan in 2018 for arms training. In the Pahalgam attack, he acted as a local guide, providing logistical support to the well-trained and battle-hardened Pakistani gunmen, the sources told The Indian Express. India has directed its anger towards Pakistan, the rival neighbouring New Delhi has long accused of fuelling armed separatism in the Kashmir valley. In the wake of the attack, India downgraded its already deteriorated diplomatic and trade ties with Pakistan and Islamabad hit back with a slew of similar measures. Pakistan has denied any role in the attack, with its leadership, including prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, labelling it a "false flag operation" by India. open image in gallery Protesters clash with security personnel during a protest march towards the Pakistan High Commission condemning the Pahalgam attack ( Getty ) India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir but claim the territory in its entirety. New Delhi typically describes all militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism. Pakistan denies this, and many Muslim Kashmiris consider the militants to be part of a home-grown separatist struggle. Despite largely strained relations, the neighbours have intermittently made efforts for peace. However, the latest incident has raised fears of a military conflict along the highly sensitive border, which has witnessed sporadic incidents of cross-firings despite several ceasefire pacts being in place to ease the tensions. 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 More than 1,000 people were left stranded in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim after landslides in the high-altitude region cut off access to several areas. Incessant rainfall over the last few days in northern Sikkim triggered landslides on Thursday in Munshithang region along the popular tourist trail of Lachen-Chungthang and the Lachung area. The landslides left the picturesque towns of Lachen and Lachung grappling with disrupted connectivity, with many roads closed at night, leaving hundreds of people stranded in the upper reaches. Senior police officer Sonam Detchu Bhutia said around 1,500 tourists had been taken to safer villages to spend the night before being rescued on Friday. He said the tourists were stranded along with their vehicles on roads closed by landslides, the Hindustan Times reported. They spent the night in police stations, temples, a security forces camp, and in the homes of local villagers. People walk as vehicles are buried by a landslide on the national highway connecting Srinagar and Jammu in Kashmir, India ( EPA ) Many tourists remained trapped in Lachen and Lachung following heavy rains on Thursday, effectively isolating the popular tourist destinations. The landslides had forced the closure of the road to Chungthang at night, though daytime access remained. Authorities urged tourists to stay lodged in their hotels and safer areas until the roads were cleared and the situation improved. The district administration suspended all travel permits until Friday and cancelled those issued in advance. Sikkim receives heavy rainfall during the JuneSeptember monsoon, which often triggers landslides. Last June, heavy rains stranded 1,200 tourists as well as 15 foreigners, requiring Indian army rescues. Lachen was hit hard in October 2023 after a glacial lake outburst caused a flood that killed at least 40 people and left many missing. The Lhonak lake in the mountainous state burst its banks after a cloudburst. It led to the destruction of the Chungthang dam, a 1,200MW hydroelectric project, which caused severe flooding in the Teesta river. Meanwhile, a night of torrential rain earlier this week triggered flash floods and landslides in the northern Jammu regions Ramban area, cutting off the main highway connecting Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of India and leaving over 500 people stranded. At least three people died and one was missing in the disaster. 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 Sri Lankan authorities are urging people to stop flocking to the city of Kandy to see a sacred relic after four people died and hundreds fell ill from spending long hours in overcrowded queues. The relic is believed by devotees to be a tooth of the Buddha. Nearly 450,000 pilgrims more than double the expected number lined up for a rare public display of the relic on 23 April. The artefact is housed in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a Unesco world heritage site known locally as the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The relic is on public display for the first time since 2009. The public exhibition ends on 27 April. open image in gallery Military officials help devotees cross a fence to avoid chaos during a gathering for a public exhibition at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy on 18 April 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) At the rate the queue is moving, even those already in line this morning may not be able to enter the temple, regional police chief Lalith Pathinayake said. We appeal to the people not to come to Kandy. Authorities reportedly suspended the extra trains announced for the pilgrimage, deployed police commandos and diverted buses as they feared a stampede at the temple. They also deployed commandos to prevent a potential bridge collapse from the weight of thousands of pilgrims. Kandy authorities reportedly turned away 32 buses carrying pilgrims as the city ran out of parking space. open image in gallery Faithful rest on a pavement under a scaffold to queue overnight at Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist temple, the Temple of the Tooth, in Kandy on 18 April 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) Nearly 300 people were admitted to the citys main public hospital after falling ill from spending days in cramped conditions to get a glimpse of the relic. Some 2,000 people reportedly fainted while waiting in line. An elderly woman was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Three other people were confirmed to have died as well. We are trying to avoid a stampede, provincial governor Sarath Abeykoon was quoted as saying by AFP. open image in gallery Buddhist drummers play at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth in Kandy on 18 April 2025, ahead of a sacred exhibition of what Sri Lankans believe to be Buddha's left canine ( AFP via Getty Images ) The last time the sacred relic was publicly displayed, it drew around one million people. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth is located near the ancient Royal Palace and is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in the world. open image in gallery Buddhist devotees stand in queues as they wait to enter the Temple of the Sacred Tooth for a public exhibition of a sacred relic in Kandy on 18 April 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) Earlier this week, it was reported that Sri Lankan police had launched an investigation after a photo purportedly showing the Buddha tooth relic, which is strictly forbidden to be photographed, circulated on social media. Authorities were trying to determine if the image was secretly taken during the current exhibition or if it was doctored. Photography is banned inside the temple, with tight security measures in place, including plainclothes officers and cellphone restrictions. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When Donald Trump re-entered the White House in January he issued an executive order for a 90-day freeze on foreign aid spending while all programmes were reviewed. Halfway in, 83 per cent of all US Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes had already been cancelled. But Mr Trumps deadline passed on 20 April with billions of dollars still in limbo. Programmes supporting refugees and treating HIV and TB have told The Independent they are facing another month wait to learn their fate, with the State Department saying the review process remains ongoing. An internal State Department email seen by Devex, which focuses on global development, suggested the 90-day review had been extended by 30 days to line up with the USs budget cycle. Global health programmes were some of the hardest hit by the aid cuts. A KFF analysis of a list of USAID grants under review found 770 of them were global health-related, providing everything from HIV medication and polio vaccination to malnutrition treatment. Though the initial freeze was followed by a list of exemptions allowing some life-saving services to re-start their work, by the end of March, 80 per cent of global health grants had been terminated. Demonstrators protest against cuts to American foreign aid spending, ( AP ) Inconsistent and confusing In Syria, a USAID-funded programme which had secured a humanitarian waiver is being asked to re-apply during the 30-day extension, essentially starting again from square one, its deputy director-general Sara Savva explained. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA-DERD), which supports families and refugees in Syria, had been allowed to continue a small portion of its life-saving programmes during the original 90-day suspension. But this work is in doubt once again. "After 14 years of war in Syria, the needs are more urgent than ever, and we are anticipating that six community shelters will be shut down soon due to USAID cuts. Frontline AIDS, a UK charity working with HIV services in 100 countries around the world, said most of its partners - even those previously working under a waiver - have now been told their work won't be funded. Communications from the [Trump] administration have been inconsistent and confusing, but the majority of partners understand their work has ended and arent expecting further clarification, Frontline AIDS head of programmes David Clark said. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce ( AFP via Getty Images ) Even for those that havent been cancelled yet, the funding pause has been enough to, [kill] programmes outright, meaning that - whatever happens at the end of the review - it will be extremely difficult for the work to resume in the same way. In Uganda, a doctor at a clinic receiving US funding who did not want to be named due to the precarious funding situation said he had heard about the extension of the review, but little else. No one is sure about what will happen, tomorrow or after the waiver period, he said. On the other hand, executive director of The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) Uganda, Dr Michael Etukoit said his organisation had not been told about the extension at all. TASO is still running some US-funded projects, while others have been terminated. Its very scattershot, said Jennifer Kates, director of the Global Health & HIV Policy Program at KFF who has been analysing the data. Theres not necessarily a clear, logical way that this is working. It is very patchy and part of it is, the USAID personel that were directly managing a lot of the projects have mostly been let go". Funding is not coming back For the majority of projects which have already been cancelled, the outlook appears grim. We initially received a suspension notice. Then there was the waiver, which we prepared a budget around. But then quite shortly after that, I think it was a couple of weeks after that, we received a termination notice, said Sophie Hobbs, head of communications at South African HIV charity Networking HIV and AIDS Community of Southern Africa (NACOSA). USAID funding is key to many global projects ( Getty Images ) That's even though their HIV and childrens services would very much have fallen under the [life-saving] waiver, Ms Hobbs said. NACOSA works with young people to tackle gender-based violence, including supporting rape survivors. For NACOSA, the 30-day extension doesnt register on their radar as the remaining team is left scrabbling for the funds to even shut up shop. I think we just had to come to terms with the fact that this program has been terminated and the funding is not going to come back, Ms Hobbs said. It is very saddening. A US State Department spokesperson said: The [department] is working to reorient foreign assistance programming after decades of mismanagement and misaligned priorities in the delivery of foreign assistance. While the department has acted swiftly, and finished a comprehensive review of all of its existing awards, this process remains ongoing. This article is part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project 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 Bayeux Tapestry depicts one of Britains most famous clashes, the Battle of Hastings in which William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson to take the English throne. Now, the cloth is subject to a new battle as two historians have gone head-to-head over the number of penises included on the historical work, kept in Bayeux, France. Oxford academic Professor George Garnett counted 93 penises on the embroidered fabric in 2019, with 88 belonging to horses and another five to men. But Bayeux Tapestry scholar and expert on Anglo-Saxon nudity Dr Christopher Monk believes he has found one extra on another man in the tapestry. Speaking to HistoryExtra, Dr Monk said: I am in no doubt that the appendage is a depiction of male genitalia the missed penis, shall we say? The detail is surprisingly anatomically fulsome. Professor Garnett maintained on the HistoryExtra podcast that he was still correct, as he believed the potential penis was the scabbard of a mans dagger due to the yellow blob at the end, which he took to be brass. He said: If you look at what are incontrovertibly penises in the tapestry, none of them have a yellow blob on the end. As well as debate over this additional appendage, many scholars are still discussing why the Tapestry includes the male members. While most of the horse penises are believed to portray them as stallions, Professor Garnett highlights there are three horses where their endowments are emphasised. Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror are portrayed as mounting horses with particularly large penises. Williams horse is by far the biggest, Garnett said. And thats not a coincidence. The human penises remain a mystery, as they can be found in the borders of the Tapestry above and below. Professor Garnett has agreed with an argument made by his fellow Tapestry scholar, Professor Stephen D White, who has said that some of the illustrations in the border refer to Aesops fables. The Oxford scholar said: We know the designer was learned he was using [ancient Thracian] Phaedruss first-century Latin translation of Aesops fables, rather than some vague folk tradition. The professor believes the depictions of nudity in the Tapestry are there to make a point: Sexual activity is involved, or shame, and that makes me think that the designer is covertly alluding to betrayal. 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 knife-wielding man may have called 999 claiming there was a gunman before he was shot dead by police at a train station. David Joyce, 38, was shot at close range by an armed officer at Milton Keynes railway station on April 1 after police responded to reports of a man carrying a gun. Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) opened an investigation into his death and found Mr Joyce was linked to a mobile number that had called 999 to report a gunman at the station. The IOPC said the call handler rang back after the caller hung up and spoke to the same man who said the male gunman was acting suspiciously and definitely had a gun. Records show the mobile phone number used to make the 999 call had been used to call police before and was linked to Mr Joyce, according to the watchdog. Meanwhile, CCTV footage shows Mr Joyce making a phone call at the time same time the 999 call to police was made, the IOPC said. Mr Joyce, who lived in Milton Keynes but was originally from Galway in the Republic of Ireland, was armed with a steak knife with a 12cm blade, when he ran at two officers, the watchdog said. Police officers at Milton Keynes train station after David Joyce was shot dead ( Andrew Matthews/PA Wire ) He was then shot at close range by a Thames Valley Police officer from the armed response unit who were first on the scene. IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: We again extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of David Joyce and all those affected by this incident. We continue to keep his family informed of our progress. Our investigators are working hard to piece together the circumstances leading up to Mr Joyce being shot by a police officer and have already carried out a significant amount of inquiries. The IOPC said they have taken accounts from the officers involved, gathered a large amount of CCTV from inside and outside the station and obtained the officers body-worn video and police vehicle dashcam footage. The watchdog has also completed house-to-house inquiries at nearby properties and taken statements from members of the public who witnessed the incident. The investigation remains ongoing while all officers who attended the incident remain as witnesses, as there is no indication any of them may have committed a criminal office or breached police professional standards of behaviour, the IOPC added. An inquest into Mr Joyces death was opened and adjourned at Milton Keynes Coroners Court on Thursday April 10, with a full hearing to follow after the investigation concludes, the watchdog added. The preliminary cause of death given was a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. 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 mother who has lived in the UK for 16 years has been told she will be deported next month to her native African country, despite the threat of her facing political persecution. Fatou Tamba, 55, was detained by immigration officials in Liverpool on 26 March, and has been held for the last month at Derwentside IRC, where she claims to have been refused appropriate medical care and mental health support. Her deportation to the Gambia, originally set for 22 April, was successfully halted but she remains in detention, and her lawyer has now been served with a new removal date of 8 May. Her brother Lamin Tamba, a British citizen, said: Fatou and I have received death threats for our political views. If she is returned, she risks kidnapping, false imprisonment, or death. She has a family, a fiance, and a whole community who love her she belongs here. open image in gallery Ms Tambas family say she faces political persecution if she returns to the Gambia ( Supplied ) Ms Tamba travelled to the UK in 2009 to visit her brother, deciding to remain due to the dangers posed by returning to the Gambia. Members of her family had been involved in political activism, and a change in the ruling party had led her to receive death threats. She was also escaping an abusive marriage, having been married at the age of 14 to a man who was 30 years her senior. As a child bride, she had given birth to her son at the age of 15. After several years of living in Birmingham, she relocated to Liverpool, where she has resided for the last eight years, and has become an active member of the refugee and asylum seeker community. Despite applying for her right to remain, Ms Tambas asylum application was rejected in 2021, and she was required to report to an immigration office each month until she was granted leave to submit another request. It was during one of these visits that she was detained by officials, despite never missing a single appointment over the last four years. open image in gallery Ms Tambas mental health has significantly worsened since being in detention ( Supplied ) Her brother told The Independent that since being held at Derwentside IRC, a female-only facility that can hold 84 women, Fatous mental health has plummeted, and she has been served poor quality food such as plain rice with no sauce or accompanying dish. Its horrible. I went to see her last Sunday, and the centre is not nice at all, Mr Tamba said. Shes lost two teeth since being in detention. They refused additional dental check-ups after they extracted two teeth. When she requested GP assistance for her medical conditions, it was refused. After our campaign organised a protest, they finally started granting her requests, he added. A spokesperson for Serco, the company that manages the Derwentside facility, said that Ms Tamba is offered a varied menu with hot and cold food choices, and has daily access to the healthcare centre. Having never fallen foul of the law, Mr Tamba said his sister was finding the experience difficult and traumatic. open image in gallery Since coming to the UK, Ms Tamba has dedicated her life to working for numerous charities ( Supplied ) The detention is worse than the removal notice because shes never lost her freedom before. Shes not eating well, shes not coping well and she has medical conditions that need regular supervision, he said. While in detention, she has submitted another application for a family visa, providing evidence that she has lived with her partner for more than two years, and that her closest family members reside in the UK. Despite her family claiming that she met the relevant criteria, her application was once again rejected, with her lawyer informed on April 24 that her deportation will now take place in two weeks. Her legal team is challenging this. Being in Liverpool means everything, its the only city where shes felt at home, Mr Tamba said. The people of Liverpool have welcomed her. Because of her infectious personality, she was able to integrate and is now part of the community. Maggy Moyo, campaigns lead and community organiser at Right to Remain, said: Fatous fight is not over. She is still behind bars, still waiting for justice. Weve stopped her deportation for now, but she should not be locked away at all. Fatou has given so much to our community. Now, we stand up for her. The Home Office has been approached for comment. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For decades, politicians on both sides of the Atlantic have proudly referenced the special relationship between the UK and the US a phrase meant to signal deep diplomatic ties, shared values, and strong economic and military cooperation. But in 2025, is that bond starting to fray? Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in Washington for trade talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has signalled a shift in priorities, suggesting that resetting the UKs relationship with Europe could be more important than a US trade deal. I understand why theres so much focus on our trading relationship with the US, Reeves told the BBC, but actually our trading relationship with Europe is arguably even more important because theyre our nearest neighbours and trading partners. The talks in Washington follow a major escalation in trade tensions. President Donald Trumps administration recently imposed sweeping tariffs on UK exports, including a 10 per cent blanket tariff and a 25 per cent levy on cars, steel, and aluminium. Reeves is pushing for a deal but has ruled out concessions on food standards and online safety laws. Meanwhile, a recent Ipsos poll revealed that nearly 70 per cent of Brits no longer believe in the special relationship, and many are critical of Trumps approach. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken a cautious stance so far, but with public trust faltering, many are asking: has the golden era of UKUS ties come to an end? What do you think? Vote in our poll and share your view in the comments below. 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 British scientists could experiment with techniques to block sunlight as part of a 50 million government funded scheme to combat global warming. The geo-engineering project is set to be given the go-ahead within weeks and could see scientists explore techniques including launching clouds of reflective particles into the atmosphere or using seawater sprays to make clouds brighter. Another method involves thinning natural cirrus clouds, which act as heat-trapping blankets. If successful, less sunlight will reach the earths surface and in turn temporarily cool the surface of earth. Its thought to be a relatively cheap way to cool the planet, but critics have warned it could cause catastrophic disruption to weather patterns and even shift rain from areas that are vital for food production. In a document published by ARIA last year for the project it gave examples of climate tipping points including the melting of the Artic winter sea ice ( Getty Images ) Other scientists say geo-engineering could reduce the drive to stop burning fossil fuels, which is the root cause of climate change. The project will be funded by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, known as ARIA. The government has set aside 50 million for the controversial experiment, but in total it has been given 800 million of taxpayers money to use over the next four years. Professor Mark Symes, the programme director for ARIA, who is heading the geo-engineering project, said: Decarbonisation is vital, but our current progress puts us at risk of triggering a large number of temperature-induced climate tipping points. This programme will explore critical unanswered questions as to how (or whether) we might cool the Earth safely and responsibly on the timescales required to avoid climate catastrophe." In a document published by ARIA last year he gave examples of such tipping points including the melting of the Artic winter sea ice, loss of the Amazon rainforest and consequent ecosystem loss, and collapse of the major land-based ice sheets, leading to significant global sea level rises. He explained that although the solution is to cease the burning of fossil fuels and eliminate excess greenhouses gases, this may not happen fast enough to prevent the onset of these tipping points. Instead, he hopes this project will help us buy time to decarbonise. Professor Symes said the project would not use toxic substances and that an environmental impact assessment would be published before any outdoor experiments and that communities in the area would be consulted. Further details of the projects are expected to be published in the following weeks. 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 King and Queen will be leading the nation in marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. The VE Day events will pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War. It is set to kick off on Monday May 5, with a military procession starting in Parliament Square at midday featuring 1,300 members of the armed forces. An actor will also recite extracts from Winston Churchills famous VE Day speech. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The Kings Troop, Royal Horse Artillery will then lead the procession from Parliament Square, down Whitehall and past the Cenotaph, through Admiralty Arch and up The Mall through to Buckingham Palace, where the procession will finish. The King and Queen are set to be the front and centre of the commemorations for VE Day (Chris Jackson/PA) ( PA Wire ) The Royal Family is set to be front and centre of the commemorations, with Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke of Kent also set to join prime minister Sir Keir Starmer on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. The Royals will then return to Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past from the balcony, featuring the Red Arrows and 23 current and historic military aircraft. The King and Queen will later host a tea party for around 50 veterans and people who lived through the war this includes British and Commonwealth Armed Forces and those who contributed to the war effort on the home front. Mark Atkinson, firector general of the Royal British Legion, said: The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a special moment for the country and the Royal British Legion is incredibly proud to put Second World War veterans at the heart of the commemorations. Its important we remember those who went to war, who fought for the freedom of not just Europe but everywhere, and those who risked their lives and never made it back. The commemorations will continue to May 6, where Queen Camilla will view a display of 30,000 ceremonial poppies at the Tower of London. Then on May 8, the entire Royal Family will gather at Westminster Abbey for a Service of Thanksgiving, where they will lay flowers at the Innocent Victims Memorial. Later that evening, the King and Queen will attend a celebratory concert from Horse Guards Parade. 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 Water company bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills could face up to two years in prison as pollution levels reach a decade-high in the UKs rivers and seas. Under the governments landmark Water Act, executives who fail to meet the Environment Agencys standards to protect the environment will also be banned from receiving their bonuses. Despite widespread spills of raw sewage into waterways, no prison sentences have been handed to water executives since companies were privatised. The new sentencing powers come after the charity Surfers Against Sewage received 1,853 sickness reports through its service app last year, with hundreds diagnosed with gastroenteritis and serious bacterial infections linked to pollution. open image in gallery Sewage spills frequently occur from overflow outlets ( Alamy/PA ) Multiple water companies have previously obstructed investigations and failed to hand over evidence related to spills, which has prevented crackdowns on any law-breaking. Environment secretary Steve Reed said: Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. From today, there will be no more hiding places. As part of the Plan for Change, water companies must now focus on cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. Englands biggest water company, Thames Water, faces debts of 19bn and was responsible for almost 300,000 hours of raw sewage being pumped into waterways in 2024. Its chief executive Chris Weston is 850,000 a year and receives a performance-related bonus of up to 156 per cent, taking his potential pay package to 2.25m. Further north, United Utilities has faced claims that it failed to report more than 100m litres of raw sewage that it illegally dumped into Lake Windermere over three years. Analysis found the company pumped between 143m to 286m litres of waste into the lake between 2021 and 2023. Its chief executive Louise Beardmore defended her 1.4m salary, which includes a 420,000 bonus, in February when questioned about the providers sewage dumping. open image in gallery United Utilities were found to have spilled more than 100 million litres of sewage into Lake Windermere ( PA Archive ) The new powers will mean the worst offenders will pay for the cost of criminal investigations into their wrongdoing. Until now, only three water company officials have been criminally prosecuted for obstructing investigations by the Environment Agency, with no fines issued. However, offences will now be tried in both the crown and magistrates courts and will bring water regulation powers in line with other sectors, such as those covering health and safety investigations. Campaigners have long called for reform, from overhauling regulators to nationalising water companies, while the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) watchdog is investigating whether the Government and regulators failed to comply with key laws on water quality. Water UK, which represents water and sewage companies in England and Wales, has called for a third-party monitoring system, arguing firms should no longer be allowed to monitor their own sewage pollution levels. open image in gallery It comes as anger mounts over the state of the UKs waterways ( PA Archive ) This recommendation follows long-time claims from campaigners that the current self-reporting model has often hidden the true scale of water pollution in the UK. Labour MP Clive Lewis, in collaboration with the think tank Compass and campaign group 38 Degrees, has handed in a petition signed by over 110,000 people to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs demanding that public ownership of water be put back on the table. The Norwich South MP said: We are now living in worsening times of climate and environmental breakdown, intensifying global political instability, price-gouging, corporate profiteering and greedflation. If we're serious about protecting the many from escalating uncertainty and threats, and stem surging support for the authoritarian right, we must start now to fundamentally reprogramme our economy and politics. Philip Duffy, chief executive of the Environment Agency said: The Water (Special Measures) Act was a crucial step in making sure water companies take full responsibility for their impact on the environment. The tougher powers we have gained though this legislation will allow us, as the regulator, to close the justice gap, deliver swifter enforcement action and ultimately deter illegal activity. Alongside this, were modernising and expanding our approach to water company inspections - and its working. More people, powers, better data and inspections are yielding vital evidence so that we can reduce sewage pollution, hold water companies to account and protect the environment. 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 Boris Johnson has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trumps proposals to bring peace in the war between Ukraine and Russia. The former prime minister, who led the international coalition in support of Ukraine before leaving office, posted criticism of President Trumps plans on social media. He said: Putin indiscriminately butchers more Ukrainian civilians, killing and injuring 100 in Kyiv including children. And what is his reward under the latest peace proposals? open image in gallery Boris Johnson has met Trump on a number of occasions ( PA ) 1. The right to keep sovereign Ukrainian territory he has taken by violence and in breach of international law. 2. The right to control Ukraines destiny by forbidding Nato membership. 3. The lifting of sanctions against Russia. 4. An economic partnership with America. 5. The chance to rebuild his armed forces for the next attack in a few short years time. Mr Johnson, who has regularly visited Ukraine, made little effort to disguise his anger at the plans which have been pushed by the Trump administration. He added: As for Ukraine what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion? What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world? Apart from the right to share their natural resources with the United States they get nothing. What is there in this deal that can realistically stop a third Russian invasion? Nothing. If we are to prevent more atrocities by Putin then we must have a long-term, credible and above all properly funded security guarantee for Ukraine a guarantee issued by the UK, the US and all western allies. The attack comes despite extensive efforts by Mr Johnson to woo the US president behind the scenes on the Ukraine issue. The ex-prime minister was a guest of honour at Trumps inauguration in January but his attempts to persuade the new White House administration to take a tougher line on Vladimir Putin have apparently failed. open image in gallery President Zelenskyy ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) President Trump appears to be asking Ukraine to give up territory to Russia with little to no guarantees for its defence. Frustrations over the whole process has led Trump to threaten to walk away from the talks, blaming Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky for them stalling. However, Trump criticised Russias Wednesday night strikes on Kyiv in a post on his Truth Social network. He said: I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Steve Witkoff, the US presidents special envoy, landed in Moscow on Friday for further talks with Putin, according to the Interfax news agency. No 10 has said that Sir Keir Starmer believes it is for Ukraine to decide to give up territory in a bid to end the war with Russia. Downing Street also said that all options remain "on the table" when it comes to potential peacekeeping support for Ukraine after any ceasefire. Asked whether troops would be deployed only if the US offered a "backstop" to a peace deal, the PMs spokesman said he would not give a running commentary on talks, but added: "As the Prime Minister has said in recent days, we're working closely with the US. We're all focussed on ending the bloodshed and securing a lasting peace for Ukraine." 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 The German ambassador to the UK has said he is really optimistic about a possible new post-Brexit youth visa, despite apparent confusion within the British government over any deal. On Thursday, senior minister Nick Thomas-Symonds slapped down talk of a new youth mobility scheme between the UK and EU countries. And on Friday the environment secretary Steve Reed insisted there would no return to freedom of movement between Britain and the bloc, which was a Labour manifesto pledge. But Chancellor Rachel Reeves has not ruled out the idea, saying discussions are ongoing. open image in gallery A youth visa scheme would allow under-30s to live and work in European Union countries, and vice versa ( Getty/iStock ) The Home Office is also thought to be softening its opposition, over fears migrant numbers are already too high, amid talk of a "one in, one out" scheme. And the EU is prepared to make major concessions, including accepting that visas could last just 12 months, with quotas and restrictions on what sectors EU citizens could work in, according to a report in the Guardian, which ministers did not deny. German ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger said that he was really optimistic about the chances of a deal on such a visa, in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He added that talks were moving in a good direction. Downing Street appeared to signal that ministers see a youth scheme as different to freedom of movement, which affected everyone, saying the government would not be defined by the debates and arguments of the past. Freedom of movement was a key flashpoint in the run up to the UKs exit from the EU. A Number 10 spokesman said on Friday: "Both sides are discussing a wide range of issues I don't think we could have been clearer that this is not about returning to the EU, but we will not be defined by the debates and arguments of the past. He also highlighted the PMs belief that a better partnership with the EU would benefit British people and British business. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves has said discussions on a youth mobility scheme are ongoing (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) ( AP ) Labour's 2024 general election manifesto said "there will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement". The government pressure is under from its own backbenchers to agree to a youth visa with the EU, after more than 60 Labour backbenchers this week urged it to sign up as part of its reset with the bloc. In a letter to Mr Thomas-Symonds, the minister in charge of negotiations with the EU, 62 MPs and 11 peers called for "a new and bespoke youth visa scheme" for UK and European citizens under 30. Under the plan it would have a time limit on visas and a cap on the numbers allowed in - in line with the existing deals between the UK and countries such as Australia and Canada. But on Thursday Mr Thomas-Symonds told MPs: On the issue of a youth mobility scheme, it is not part of our plans. We have always said we listen to sensible EU proposals, but we will not go back to freedom of movement. Former top civil servant Philip Rycroft, who was the permanent secretary at the Department for Exiting the European Union, warned ministers had made a tactical mistake by ruling out a mobility scheme. It meant that if we do a deal, and I hope we do on youth mobility, there will be accusations of a climbdown, he said at an evidence session of the UK Trade and Business Commission on Thursday. Well-sourced reports suggest that the government is willing to introduce a one in, one out youth mobility scheme in partnership with the European Union. The idea would be that people aged 18 to 30 could travel to the UK on a work or educational visa, on a time-limited basis, and with reciprocity for their British counterparts. Its an idea thats been discussed and periodically dismissed for some time, but with an EU-UK Brexit reset summit approaching next month, it could be that its time has come... Why now? As recently as February, the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, insisted in the House of Commons that such a scheme is not our plan, and we are clear that net migration needs to come down. Whats different now, perhaps, is that the EU has agreed to impose a quota on the scheme a rumoured figure of 70,000 people and a time limit of one year for the visas; and that, therefore, Cooper was prepared to consider the idea more seriously. It also seems No 10 is exerting pressure to agree the youth mobility scheme in an effort to secure much more important concessions from the EU Commission on trade barriers, and from other European national leaders on defence, security and the Coalition of the Willing in Ukraine. Why only a one-year visa? Because it means that the flow (in both directions) wouldnt inflate or otherwise distort the highly sensitive net migration figures. A relatively short visit also means that the scheme is less likely to be abused or to be perceived, by its opponents, as being abused. What are the objections? Well, there is always scope for gaming any system, and the Conservatives, Reform UK and their allies in the press can be expected to highlight the risks such as the visas being used to enter the UK and then disappear, or as a way to make an asylum claim (albeit perfectly legitimately in international law). There is also the cost of any use the visitors might make of the NHS or other public services; and the idea that they will provide unwelcome competition for young British people trying to find work. The allegation is that the EU wishes to export its youth unemployment. Sooner or later, someone on the youth scheme visa will commit a serious offence; the headlines and the attacks on Labour will write themselves. Whos pressing for this scheme? The EU, principally, which places a disproportionate value on something that feels pretty tokenistic. But also many in the Labour Party: 70 Labour MPs and peers have written this week to Nick Thomas-Symonds, minister for Europe, urging the introduction of such a time-limited, capped youth visa scheme. Is it a Brexit Betrayal? Only on the crudest of interpretations, and if you subscribe to the belief that the treaties signed by Boris Johnson in 2019 and 2020 were perfect. The youth mobility scheme wasnt even hinted at in the Labour election manifesto, but the relevant passage on Europe was just about flexible enough to accommodate such a limited initiative: With Labour, Britain will stay outside of the EU. But to seize the opportunities ahead, we must make Brexit work. We will reset the relationship and seek to deepen ties with our European friends, neighbours and allies. That does not mean reopening the divisions of the past. There will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. Free movement is not the same as capped movement, so it works. But just wait till the negotiations on fish get going again. Whats in it for the Europeans? To encounter the cream of Britains Byronic youth, embarking on the modern equivalent of the Grand Tour of continental antiquities enjoyed by so many aristocrats in the 18th and 19th centuries. Who wins, politically? The government, probably. A poll commissioned by Best for Britain a couple of months ago suggested that a majority (54 per cent) were in favour even if it was a four-year scheme, with two-thirds backing a two-year duration. So it would be popular, overall, even if it convinced more hardline Leavers that the Starmer administration was plotting to reverse Brexit (which would also in fact be fairly popular, especially if Donald Trump continues to spurn Britains special relationship with tariffs and threats to withdraw from Nato). The more unpopular Brexit grows, the worse it is for the Conservatives and Reform UK. 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 Reform UK have narrowly avoided a local election crisis after one of the partys most high profile candidates, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, was cleared to run as a mayoral candidate just days before the vote. A decision by the chief executive of North Kesteven Council on whether Dame Andrea meets residency criteria to run for Greater Lincolnshire mayor had been deferred until after the weekend. But in a last-minute reprieve issued late on Friday, the council accepted that her address was valid and said the frontrunner could stand. Reacting to the news, Dame Andrea told The Independent: From the start this has been a political hit job aimed at smearing my candidacy. I am proud to live in Lincolnshire and it would be the honour of my life to be mayor of the place I grew up in and live in. A senior Tory source confirmed to The Independent that the party would put in a legal challenge to petition a re-election and disqualify her. The mayoralty is being hotly contested between Labour, the Tories and Reform. According to a recent YouGov poll, Dame Andrea is ahead on 40 per cent with the Tory candidate Rob Waltham on 25 per cent and Labours Jason Stockwood on 15 per cent. Postal votes for the election on Thursday 1 May have already been returned and the election could have been thrown into chaos if Dame Andrea had been banned from standing. The situation also threatened to do serious damage to Nigel Farage and Reform as they try to show that they are a credible party of government in the 2029 general election. Reform UKs Andrea Jenkyns is the partys candidate for mayor of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Wire ) The hearing on Friday in north Lincolnshire was brought as a result of an independent candidate for mayor, Marianne Overton, who is a councillor on North Kesteven District Council. It was based on the fact that Dame Andrea is living between Lincolnshire and Leeds, where she used to be a Tory MP, for family reasons. It is understood that she attempted to demonstrate that the home she rents in Lincolnshire is her primary address with bank statements, evidence from her landlord and rent statements. However, a question mark had remained over whether her name is on the electoral roll in Lincolnshire. The Electoral Commission website states that mayoral candidates must meet one of four residential qualifications, which include living or working in the local authority area where they wish to stand, or being registered there as an elector. Prior to the hearing, a spokesperson for Reform said the accusations made against Dame Andrea were vexatious and politically motivated, claiming that they were an attempt to smear her just days before the electorate cast their votes. The spokesperson said: We understand a vexatious and politically motivated complaint has been made by the relative of a candidate in the same election that Andrea Jenkyns is contesting, in an attempt to deprive the people of Lincolnshire of the chance to vote for Reform UK. We are confident that this complaint will be dismissed. The Independent has approached North Kesteven District Council for comment. 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 An ex-Tory MP who joined the Ukrainian Army has vowed the country wont bow to Donald Trumps demands, warning that the army will continue to fight alone if necessary. Sitting down with The Independent, Jack Lopresti who joined the International Legion of Ukraine after losing his seat in the 2024 general election said morale in the army is as high as ever, describing it as astonishing and inspirational. People need to be aware here that, actually, Ukraine isnt losing. The lines have remained fairly static for two years and, given the scale and the mass of what the Russians were throwing at them, theyre doing an astonishing job in their ability to defend their country. open image in gallery Jack Lopresti is serving with the International Legion of Ukraine ( Jack Lopresti/Supplied ) I tell you, they are not going to accept anything from Trump which is going to diminish their country and stop them being a free nation. Theyll continue to fight on their own if they have to. It comes just two days after the US president accused Volodymyr Zelensky of making it difficult to settle the war with Russia over his opposition to recognising Moscows annexation of Crimea. The US administration is urging Kyiv to accept Russias continued control of occupied Ukrainian regions and Moscows ownership of the Crimean peninsula as part of a peace settlement. Mr Lopresti, who is serving with the intelligence division, described recent comments by the US president as bizarre and astonishing. All our worst fears have been confirmed, he said. [Trump] just doesnt seem to care. I dont think [the US administration] understands that the Ukrainians are going to carry on fighting. I dont think they realise that this cannot be negotiated away and settled arbitrarily. The Ukrainians have got a right to a free existence like everybody else. Mr Lopresti warned that, if Putin succeeds in taking Ukraine, hostile countries such as North Korea and Iran will think they can do what they like as a rules-based order goes out the window. Ironically, Trump and his team are focusing on China. But if Ukraine falls, it makes it much more likely that the Chinese would try and attack Taiwan, he explained. open image in gallery Jack Lopresti warned the UK must ramp up its defence spending if plans for a peacekeeping force are to succeed ( Jack Lopresti/Supplied ) On Thursday, Britain urged Vladimir Putin to agree to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions as it condemned Russias brutal overnight strike on Kyiv. It came after at least nine people were killed and more than 70 injured after a Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital amid further difficulties in peace talks. Mr Lopresti whose role involves foreign relations, diplomacy and weapons procurement also warned that the UK must ramp up its defence spending if Sir Keir Starmers plan for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine will succeed. Im very proud of what the government are doing with the messaging and what they are trying to achieve. But if we are going to be upping our game as well as our European allies, we are going to have to spend a lot more money on defence, he said. Whatever peace comes, it has to be peace through strength. Thats the only way: deterrent. Thats why Nato has been so successful. Thats why the nuclear deterrent has been so successful because the consequence of any aggression is too high for these countries. 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 Over the past few weeks, Greta Reich, editor-in-chief of Stanford Universitys student newspaper, has had almost two dozen requests to take down quotes, bylines, photos and opinion articles from current and former sources and writers. She and her staff at the Stanford Daily have been reviewing them on a case-by-case basis. Its a number that has been startling to see, Reich said. Other student journalists on college campuses across the country are fielding similar requests. They are being asked to remove previously published content amid the Trump administration's crackdown on student protesters, fears of deportation for international students and what critics have described as unprecedented attacks on campus speech. Many young editors are beginning to reconsider long-standing journalistic practices around transparency to protect the people who appear in their reports. It's happening amid a climate of fear on campuses that is causing certain students to be reluctant to speak out publicly. Fears of deportation lead to a reassessment of transparency These dramatic shifts in student media escalated after Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University student from Turkey, was threatened with deportation and detained in March over what her lawyers say is apparent retaliation for an op-ed piece she co-wrote in the student newspaper. Ozturk was among four students who wrote the op-ed in the campus newspaper, The Tufts Daily, criticizing the universitys response to student activists demanding that Tufts acknowledge the Palestinian genocide, disclose its investments and divest from companies with ties to Israel. And Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist, was arrested in March and has been held in a Louisiana detention center for more than six weeks. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 students at 160 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review. The federal government has since announced it will reverse the termination of legal status for international students after many filed court challenges, a government lawyer said Friday. The need to consider high-stakes safety risks has increased pressure on students in newsrooms that are meant to be learning labs for future journalists. Emma Wozniak, editor-in-chief of The Lantern at Ohio State University, where 12 students had their visas revoked, said it's taken a mental toll on staff members. We feel an enormous pressure to do the right thing because the stakes are higher and we dont want to put anyone in danger, she said. Its terrifying to think that something we put out into the world could have such a devastating impact on someone. And so we take that very seriously. A chilling effect on campus journalism Earlier this month, the Student Press Law Center and other media rights groups issued guidance urging student journalists to be more flexible about requests to take down content. This is something weve never, ever done before, said Mike Hiestand, senior legal counsel for the center. Its unprecedented. But we felt it was important to respond to what we were hearing from students. Hiestand said hes seen a surge in calls from student journalists facing requests to take down content, remove bylines or offer anonymous sourcing. Some of the calls have been from international students concerned about how to protect themselves while working in campus newsrooms. Many, fearing legal repercussions, have decided to retract their names in the bylines of published articles or opinion pieces. People are really concerned, really fearful, he said. The Stanford Daily has seen multiple staff members step away from editing positions or from covering certain stories related to the Israel-Hamas war or President Donald Trumps campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Reich said. Certain students scared to have their stories told Since returning to the White House, Trump, a Republican, has threatened funding for universities over what he calls wokeness and diversity efforts in education, and he has launched an unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement that has pushed the limits of executive power and clashed with federal judges trying to restrain him. The Stanford Daily published a letter from the editor in April addressing a chilling effect weve noticed on campus and the fear of speaking to the Daily and announcing more leniency in granting anonymity for students who feel threatened. Three days before, the Daily reported that six student visas had been revoked by federal authorities. Reich said she worries about the diversity in voices the Daily may be losing because international students especially are afraid to speak with reporters or join the newsroom. When we have an entire section of the student body scared to have their stories told, thats a significant portion of the life of Stanford that just isnt being told, she said. Its wildly concerning. Adam Kinder, editor-in-chief of the Columbia Political Review, said hes had about half a dozen requests from student writers wanting to put the publishing process on hold and a similar number of requests to take down previously published articles. Many of the requests have been from international students because of the very real fear right now, including the fear of deportation, Kinder said. The publication reversed a previous rule restricting non-bylined articles. I dont think its a coincidence that were getting more of these requests than we ever had before, he said. Worries that the first draft of history could be erased Dylan Hembrough, editor-in-chief of the Alestle at Southern Illinois University, said hes also being more flexible with taking down previously published content, removing bylines from staff writers and offering anonymity. That includes for an upcoming story about eight international students at the school who have had their visas revoked. The Alestles staff is working on a new policy for removing previously published content. Offering anonymity now is important because for some of these people, their lives could be completely upended at a moments notice, Hembrough said. Peoples lives are more important than a good story. Jane Kirtley, a University of Minnesota media ethics professor, acknowledged that the current moment raises a whole new set of ethical issues that may feel much more existential. But she encouraged student journalists to slow down when deciding how to weigh minimizing harm with other ethical standards, including to seek the truth and report it and to tell the full story of what is happening. Kirtley said anonymous sourcing and non-bylined work can appear less credible. Removing previously published content can have lasting effects, given that journalism is often called the first draft of history. You have to ask yourself, what am I doing to the historical record, especially amid attempts in the current administration to rewrite history, she said. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. 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 Watching the hundreds of migrant detainees crowd into Krome Detention Center in Miami, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) workers that run the facility soon realised how vastly outnumbered they were. There are 1700 people here at Krome!!!!, one employee texted a co-worker last month, adding that even though it felt unsafe to walk around the facility nobody was willing to speak out. Among staff, the real fear of a prisoner uprising remains. The surge in prisoners comes as president Donald Trump seeks to deliver on his campaign pledge of mass arrests and deportations of migrants. It means that Krome, which is the United States' oldest immigration detention facility and one with a long history of abuse, has seen its detainee population suddenly swell to nearly three times its capacity of 600. The tension felt by staff fearing reprisal for trying to ensure more humane conditions comes amid a battle in federal courts and the halls of Congress over whether the president's immigration crackdown has gone too far, too fast at the expense of fundamental rights. open image in gallery An aerial view shows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Krome Detention Center, on the edge of the Everglades, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) At Krome, reports have poured in about a lack of water and food, unsanitary confinement and medical neglect. With the surge of complaints, the Trump administration shut down three Department of Homeland Security oversight offices charged with investigating such claims. A copy of the text exchange and several other documents were shared with The Associated Press by a federal employee on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Other documents include detainee complaints as well as an account of the arrival of 40 women at Krome, an all-male facility, in possible violation of a federal law to reduce the risk of prison rape. There is a critical shortage of beds in detention facilities Krome is hardly alone in a core challenge faced by other facilities: a lack of bed space. Nationwide, detentions have surged to nearly 48,000 as of March 23, a 21% increase from the already elevated levels at the end of the Biden administration. In recent weeks, they have mostly flatlined as efforts to deport many of those same migrants have been blocked by several lawsuits. To address the shortage, ICE this month published a request for bids to operate detention centers for up to $45 billion as it seeks to expand to 100,000 beds from its current budget for about 41,000. As part of the build out, the federal government for the first time is looking to hold migrants on U.S. Army bases testing the limits of a more than century-old ban on military involvement in civilian law enforcement. By some measures, Trumps' controversial approach is working. Barely 11,000 migrants were encountered at the U.S.-Mexican border in March, their lowest level in at least a decade and down from 96,035 in December 2024, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Other facilities have caps on the number of detainees Krome is just one of five facilities that ICE directly runs the others are in Buffalo, Arizona and two in Texas and can house detainees for more than 16 hours. After Trump took office, ICE had orders to round up migrants with few options on where to send them. The vast majority of bed space is leased from local prisons, jails or privately run facilities that have strict limits on how many detainees they are contractually obligated to accept. As its concrete cellblocks began filling up, federal workers started documenting the worsening conditions in weekly reports for the Department of Homeland Security's leadership. They worked their way up the chain through DHS' Office of Immigration & Detention Ombudsman, an independent watchdog established by Congress during the first Trump administration to blunt the fallout from a string of scandals about treatment at detention facilities. The office went through four ombudsmen in two months as Trump officials surged arrests with no apparent plan on where to send them. The situation worsened in mid-March, when the office's 100 staffers including a case manager at Krome were placed on administrative leave in what officials described as an effort to remove roadblocks to enforcement. Rather than supporting law enforcement efforts, they often function as internal adversaries that slow down operations, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said. open image in gallery Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detain a man after conducting a raid at the Cedar Run apartment complex in Denver, Colorado, U.S., February 5, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo ( REUTERS ) Around the same time, Krome's chaos spilled into public view. Images secretly shot on a cellphone and posted on TikTok showed a group of men sleeping on concrete floors and under tables with little more than their shoes as pillows. We are practically kidnapped, Osiris Vazquez, his eyes bloodshot due to a lack of sleep, said in the grainy video, which garnered 4.4 million views. We dont want likes. We want help. Please! Vazquez, who was detained while driving home from a construction job near Miami, said he shared for two weeks a small room with some 80 men. Showers and phone calls werent allowed, the fetid-smelling bathrooms wre left unattended and food was restricted to peanut butter sandwiches. There was no clock, no window, no natural light, recalled Vazquez in an interview. "You lost all notion of time, whether its day or night. Eventually, Vazquez decided to self-deport. But his nightmare didnt end. Once back in his hometown of Morelia, Mexico, where he hadnt set foot in almost a decade, he had to be hospitalized twice for a respiratory infection he says he caught at Krome. Everyone I know got sick. We were so close together, said Vazquez. It could've been worse. Since Trump returned to the White House, three detainees have died while in ICE custody two of them at Krome. The latest, Maksym Chernyak, died after complaining to his wife about overcrowding and freezing conditions. The 44-year-old Ukrainian entered the U.S. legally with his wife in August under a humanitarian program for people fleeing the countrys war with Russia. He was sent to Krome after an arrest in south Florida for domestic violence and immediately got sick with a chest cold. After being monitored for a week with high blood pressure, on Feb. 18, at 2:33 a.m., he was taken to a hospital for seizure-like vomiting and shaking. An ICE report said he appeared intoxicated and unresponsive at times. Two days later, he died. Other than acetaminophen, he received no medication to treat the blood pressure, according to a two-page ICE report about Chernyak's death. An autopsy listed the cause of death as complications from a stroke aggravated by obesity. Chernyak's widow said that before her husband's detention he was a strong, healthy man." Without a translator, she said, her husband struggled to communicate with guards about his deteriorating health. They saw his condition, but they ignored him, said Oksana Tarasiuk in an interview. If he wasnt put in Krome, Im sure that he would still be alive. open image in gallery Oksana Tarasiuk with the box containing the ashes of her husband, Maksym Chernyak, who died in ICE custody after being held at Krome Detention Center, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, inside their apartment in Hallandale Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) ICE, in a statement, didn't comment on specific allegations of mistreatment but said it adjusts its operations as needed to uphold its duty to treat individuals with dignity and respect. "These allegations are not in keeping with ICE policies, practices and standards of care," the agency said. ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously. Attorneys said that in recent days, Krome has transferred out a number of detainees and conditions have improved. But that could just be shifting problems elsewhere in the migration detention system, immigration attorneys and advocates say. Some 20 miles east of Krome, at the Federal Detention Center in downtown Miami, correctional officers last week had to deploy flash bang grenades, pepper spray paint balls and stun rounds to quell an uprising by detainees, two people familiar with the matter told the AP. The incident occurred as a group of some 40 detainees waited almost eight hours to be admitted into the facility as jail officers miscounted the number of individuals handed over by ICE, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. As confusion reigned, the arriving detainees, some from Jamaica, ripped a fire sprinkler from a ceiling, flooding a holding cell, and took correctional officers batons, according to the people. The federal Bureau of Prisons, which runs the facility, would not confirm details of the incident but said that at no time was the public at risk. That has put a massive strain over our staff, said Kenny X. Castillo, the president of the union representing workers at FDC Miami. We are doing the job of two agencies in one building. Detentions drive profits Trump's administration has yet to reveal his plans for mass deportations even as he seeks to eliminate legal status for 1 million migrants previously granted humanitarian parole or some other form of temporary protection. The latest ICE data suggests so-called removal of migrants is actually below levels at the end of the Biden administration. That means detentions are likely to rise and, with facilities at capacity, the need to house all the detainees will get more urgent. Spending on new facilities is a boon for federal contractors, whose stock prices have surged since Trump's election. But finding workers willing to carry out Trump's policy remains a major challenge. Only a handful of applicants showed up at a recent hiring fair in Miami organized by Akima Global Services, a $2 billion federal contractor that staffs several immigrant detention centers, including Krome. Many of these facilities have been chronically understaffed for years, said Michelle Brane, an immigration attorney and the last ombudsman during the Biden administration. These are not easy jobs and they arent pleasant places to work. On Thursday, advocates led by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization filed a lawsuit against DHS seeking to challenge the Trump administration's decision to shutter the oversight offices. Krome has a history of substandard conditions Allegations of substandard conditions are nothing new at Krome. The facility was set up as essentially the nation's first migrant detention center in the 1970s to process the large number of boat refugees fleeing Haiti. Before that, almost no migrants were detained for more than a few days. In the early 2000s, the facility was wracked by harrowing accounts of guards sexually assaulting or coercing sexual favors from female prisoners. Several guards were criminally charged. But more recently, the facility appeared to have turned a corner, with ICE even inviting the media to tour a first-of-its-kind mental health facility. Then it changed abruptly. The facility housed 740 men and one woman on March 31, according to the latest ICE data, which reflects only the midnight count on the last day of the month. That's up 31% from just before Trump took office. ICE refused to disclose Krome's current capacity because of security concerns. open image in gallery The Krome Detention Center, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. ) So far this year, the ombudsman's office has received more than 2,000 inmate complaints, according to the federal employee. Brane said she worries that detainee deaths, which started to rise during the Biden administration as arrests surged, could spike without anyone on the ground to investigate complaints of mistreatment. To my knowledge, everything was just frozen and people were told to go home, said Brane. If youre ramping up, youre taking away the oversight and youre increasing the number of people youre detaining, its a recipe for disaster." Following Chernyak's death, a grassroots coalition of immigration activists and far-left groups organized a demonstration on the highway leading to Krome's entrance calling for the closure of the center. A few hundred protesters showed up, some holding pictures of migrants kidnapped by ICE and signs that read American Gulag, American Shame" and Immigrants Make America Great. This month, Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, wrote Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem requesting a tour of the facility. The DHS media office didn't reply to an email asking whether Noem had granted her request. In addition, 49 Democrats in Congress have also written Noem demanding to know how the agency intends to ease overcrowding at ICE facilities. Huber Argueta-Perez said he saw many of those same conditions during his detention at Krome last month. The 35-year-old Guatemalan, who has lived in the U.S. for almost two decades, was detained March 10 after dropping off his two American daughters at school in Miami. He spent nine days sleeping on the concrete floor of a small, overcrowded room. He said he got feverishly sick from the cold but was repeatedly denied a sweater and medicines. We didn't fit," Argueta-Perez, who was deported March 19, said in an interview from Guatemala. But the more we complained, the worse was the punishment. 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 Fox News host Brian Kilmeade said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarrassing President Donald Trump with the latest attacks on Ukraine. Trump lashed out about Russias latest strikes on Kyiv Thursday, where at least eight people were killed in the bombing as the White House attempts to broker a deal to end the conflict. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, Trump fumed on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! The Fox & Friends co-host and long-time Trump supporter accused Putin of undermining the peace talks, which he said was embarrassing for the president. Vladimir Putin, I think to a degree, is embarrassing President Trump when he bombed Kyiv in this brutal attack, Kilmeade said Friday morning on the network. open image in gallery Brian Kilmeade said Putin's latest bombing of Ukraine is 'embarrassing' for Trump, who is trying to broker a peace deal. Kilmeade, a longtime Trump supporter, held up a copy of the New York Post front page with the headline about the conflict: Words arent enough. ( FOX ) If hes going to embarrass the president, the president let him know yesterday, he blasted him, Kilmeade added. Its going to get worse, and there are sanctions queued up. Trump repeatedly boasted throughout his presidential campaign and after his White House victory that he could end Russias war in Ukraine in one day. Theyre dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And Ill have that done Ill have that done in 24 hours, Trump said in May 2023. In a sit-down interview with TIME published Friday, he was quizzed about it and said the comment was made in jest. open image in gallery Trump snapped at a journalist Thursday when he was asked why he is not putting more pressure on the Russian leader during an Oval Office meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, Trump told the outlet. And you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news...Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended. He repeated his claim that the war would never happened if he were president in 2022, when Russia first invaded Ukraine. Trump snapped at a journalist Thursday when he was asked why he is not putting more pressure on the Russian leader during an Oval Office meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store. You don't know what pressure I'm putting on Russia, Trump replied. They're dealing. You have no idea what pressure I'm putting on Russia. We're putting a lot of pressure. Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow and has met with Putin for critical peace talks after the president claimed they were very close to a deal. They discussed the U.S. proposal for peace in Ukraine, which has been billed by Washington as a final offer to Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin called the talks constructive and very useful, according to Reuters. 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 top Florida Democrat issued a scathing seven-word rebuke as he announced his surprise departure from the Democratic Party. State Senator Jason Pizzo, the Democratic minority leader, made a dramatic announcement on the Senate floor Thursday that he is changing his voter registration to no party affiliation: a common registration in Florida for independent voters. Heres the issue, Pizzo told fellow lawmakers. The Democratic Party in Florida is dead. Pizzo stated that the party needed new leadership but other top state officials didnt want him to be it. There are good people that can resuscitate it. But they dont want it to be me. Thats not convenient. Thats not cool, he added. open image in gallery Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo stated that there is a major 'issue' with today's Democratic party ( Florida State Senate ) After the Senate adjourned, the Democratic caucus convened and unanimously elected state Senator Lori Berman as the new minority leader of the Florida House. Pizzo said the Democratic party his late father volunteered for in the 1960s is not the party today. He added that the modern party craves and screams anarchy and then demands amnesty. He continued: I think stripping myself of a title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent and help many, many more. Pizzo indicated that he did not defect to the Republicans because the party has a lot of problems. Writing on X later on Thursday, he said: I wont punch down. Wishing everyone well. It marks another blow for Florida's embattled Democratic party, which has 1.2 million fewer members than the Republicans, and no incumbents holding statewide elected office. open image in gallery Pizzo is reportedly weighing the Florida governor race in 2026 ( AP ) Instead, Pizzo has long been rumored to be weighing a gubernatorial run in Florida next year. He told Politico earlier this week that he wouldnt make a decision about the race until September. In January, the lawmaker said he would not mount a campaign for governor as an independent, according to the Florida Phoenix. When probed whether he would run for governor as an independent candidate, Pizzo did not shut the door. Pizzo became the third state lawmaker to leave the party this year after former state House Democrats, Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdes, defected to the Republicans in January. Pizzos decision comes the same day that former GOP Florida Representative David Jolly announced that he had registered to become a Democrat, according to Politico. Jolly previously said he is very close to announcing a run for governor in 2026, and that he would be committed to doing my part as a Florida Democrat. Florida Representative Byron Donalds has pitched himself as Donald Trumps governor pick, and First Lady Casey DeSantis, the wife of incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis, has been a rumored candidate. 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 Hegseths chief of staff left his role on Thursday after spending less than 100 days in the position, the latest shakeup at the Pentagon amid a series of controversies and firings. Joe Kasper is leaving his role as Hegseths chief of staff voluntarily to move into a part-time special government employee position, focusing on science, technology and industry, Kasper told the Washington Post. A senior defense official confirmed to The Independent that Kasper will continue working on projects as a designated special government employee. His departure arrives as Hegseths office faces allegations of mismanagement, disorganization and total chaos while the defense secretary is accused of mishandling sensitive information in another Signal group chat. Hegseth has faced accusations of mismanagement since taking over the Defense Department ( AP ) Its unclear what exactly led Kasper to leave his role, but Hegseth seemingly maintains a good relationship with him, telling Fox & Friends last week that his chief of staff was a great guy and had done a fantastic job. The special government employee designation is the same one Elon Musk has accepted as part of President Donald Trumps administration. It means Kasper can work up to 130 days as a government employee in one year. Some people familiar with the situation told the New York Times that staffers reportedly complained about Kaspers unsystematic leadership style, claiming he went on unrelated tangents during meetings and dropped the ball on paperwork. Hegseth said Kasper was certainly not fired. But the chief of staffs departure contributes to a larger, unusual shakeup at the Pentagon at the hands of Hegseth. Last week, a group of senior staffers was fired for allegedly leaking information to the press. Hegseth blamed one of those disgruntled staffers for telling reporters about the second Signal group chat with Hegseth, his wife, brother, personal lawyer and others. A fourth former staff member, John Ullyot, wrote a scathing op-ed for Politico, accusing Hegseth of overseeing a chaotic office and scapegoating the three fired staffers for leaks. Ullyot described working for Hegseth as a month of total chaos under Hegseths leadership. 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 Milwaukee judge helped a migrant wanted by deportation agents slip out of their sight at the courthouse, federal officials say, as they have now criminally charged her. Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court was taken into custody Friday based on what FBI Director Kash Patel described as obstruction of justice. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, he said. A criminal complaint unsealed Friday and obtained by The Independent provides details of her alleged crimes. It says witnesses on the scene uniformly reported that Dugan was visibly upset and had a confrontational, angry demeanor with ICE agents at the courthouse to arrest a man scheduled for a hearing in her courtroom. She allegedly escorted defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing deportation, through the jury door and into a non-public area of the courthouse. open image in gallery Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for allegedly interfering in Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents attempts to arrests a migrant at the courthouse ( via REUTERS ) A team of six plainclothes federal agents from the Milwaukee ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Task Force showed up at the Milwaukee County Courthouse around 8 a.m., and told a security guard that they were present to make an arrest, the complaint states. The guard said she needed to speak with a supervisor, who contacted a shift sergeant with the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office. The sergeant asked that the team wait in the hallway outside of Dugans courtroom and wait until proceedings were finished before arresting anyone, which the complaint describes as standard practice. While the agents waited in the hallway, a public defender snapped photos of them, then informed Dugans clerk that ICE was in the building, the complaint continues. It says Dugan then left the bench and, along with another judge who is not identified by name in the complaint, approached the arrest team and asked if they were present for a court appearance. When they said they were there to arrest somebody, Dugan told them they would need a judicial warrant, not the administrative one they had, according to the complaint. When the ICE team pushed back, Dugan told them they would need to speak with the chief judge, and the second judge standing with Dugan escorted them to his office, the complaint goes on. open image in gallery Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the brief hearing that the judge wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest and described it as not made in the interest of public safety ( via REUTERS ) As agents were speaking with the chief judge, Dugan returned to her courtroom and adjourned Flores-Ruizs case, which had not yet been called, according to the complaint. Then, when he and his attorney were preparing to leave, Dugans courtroom deputy claimed to hear her say something like, Wait, come with me, according to the complaint. She then led Flores-Ruiz out through the jury door, it says. A DEA agent on the arrest team who hadnt been recognized by Dugan and stayed behind in the hallway spotted Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer and got on an elevator with them, the complaint states, noting that the agent alerted the rest of the team that he was in an elevator with their target While on the elevator, Flores-Ruiz and his attorney spoke to each other in Spanish, which DEA Agent A did not understand, according to the complaint. They exited the elevator on one of the bottom floors of the courthouse and used the Ninth Street public entrance/exit to leave the building. The team members scrambled to locate Flores-Ruiz and arrest him, the complaint states. It says that when agents approached Flores-Ruiz and identified themselves, he turned around and sprinted down the street. Agents caught up with Flores-Ruiz on the corner and cuffed him at 9:05 am, according to the complaint. Flores-Ruiz was arrested and charged last month in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with three counts of Battery-Domestic Abuse-Infliction of Physical Pain or Injury, the complaint states. Earlier on Friday, Patel claimed that Judge Dugan had created increased danger to the public by what he called her obstruction. open image in gallery Protesters demonstrated outside federal courthouse after Dugan was arrested ( AP ) The FBI director later deleted the X post for reasons that were not apparently clear. But Attorney General Pam Bondi later confirmed the arrest in a separate post, writing: I can confirm that our [FBI] agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by [ICE]. No one is above the law, she added. Dugan, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School who practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society before seeking and winning public office, appeared in a federal court in Milwaukee shortly after her arrest and was released from custody pending her next scheduled appearance on May 15. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono said during the brief hearing that the judge wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest and described it as not made in the interest of public safety. The allegations leveled at Dugan, who has served on the Milwaukee County bench since 2016, appear to be based on claims made by a right-wing radio host, Dan ODonnell, who on Tuesday posted on X that Dugan was under investigation for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant defendant evade ICE agents who came to arrest him in her courtroom during a hearing the previous Friday. In a post on X following Patels announcement, ODonnell took credit for the arrest and said it was based on his exclusive report from earlier in the week. Democratic congressman Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement: "While all the facts are not yet in, the implications of this arrest are chilling. This is a drastic escalation & dangerous new front in Trumps authoritarian campaign of trying to bully, intimidate & impeach judges who wont follow his dictates." Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using "dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level." In a statement he said: "I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nation's judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law." Attorney General Pam Bondi said some members of the judiciary had become deranged. She told Fox News: What has happened to our judiciary is beyond me ... They are deranged, is all I can think of. Some of these judges think they are beyond above the law and they are not. And we are sending a very strong message today if you are harboring a fugitive, we dont care who you are ... we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you. The charges against the longtime Milwaukee judge mark a significant escalation in what has been until now a war of words between the Trump administration and state and local officials over the extent to which they are required to assist immigration authorities. Trump White House border czar Tom Homan has repeatedly threatened to jail state and local officials if he believes they are impeding lawful deportation efforts by immigration officers. And the Justice Departments number-three official, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, issued a memorandum earlier this year prioritizing investigations and potential criminal charges against state and local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions. The memo cited a conspiracy offense as well as a law prohibiting the harboring of people in the country illegally as legal avenues for potential prosecutions. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. With additional reporting by agencies 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 ICE agents did not have a warrant when they detained Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, court documents have said. Khalil, 30, was stripped of his green card and arrested in front of his then-eight-month-pregnant wife in New York City on March 8. He was transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana, almost 1,300 miles away. There have been international calls for his release since then, with Khalil even denied the right to attend the birth of his child on April 21. But amid ongoing backlash the Department of Homeland Security is now arguing a warrant was not needed before the arrest, alleging Khalil was a flight risk in claims his supporters branded absurd. Khalil was encountered by ICE officers and identified as a removable alien, a DHS spokesperson said. When he tried to walk away, he was arrested. An administrative arrest warrant was executed at the time of his booking, as is the custom. Khalil is arguing in immigration court that an arrest warrant is necessary prior to the arrest of a removable alien. There's no legal basis for that position. open image in gallery ICE agents have admitted to the warrantless arrest of Mahmoud Khalil ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Khalils arrest in March was prompted by his involvement in a series of protests against Israels bombardment of Gaza. On the night of his arrest, ICE agents said they were acting on State Department orders to revoke Khalils student visa. In a document filed in Newark federal court, a lawyer for the DHS said agents conducting surveillance of Khalil were notified he could be removed from the country because his presence or activities would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. As Khalil walked on a sidewalk with his wife, a Homeland Security Investigations agent approached and identified himself, according to the court filing. After his wife went to retrieve documents showing Khalil had lawful residence status, the agent asked him to cooperate while they tried to verify his identity, but Khalil stated that he would not cooperate and that he was going to leave the scene, the DHS lawyer wrote. The Homeland Security supervisory agent at that point believed there was a flight risk and arrest was necessary, he said. Khalils legal team and advocacy groups have trashed the suggestion he was trying to flee, and argue the arrest was illegal. open image in gallery Khalils arrest in March sparked nationwide outcry ( Copyright 2025. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. ) In a DHS filing in an immigration court this week, we learned for the first time that the DHS agents who arrested Mahmoud lied to him: they wrote in their arrest report that the agents told [Khalil] that they had an arrest warrant, but DHS has now admitted in their filing that that was a lie and that there was no warrant at all at the time of the arrest, Khalils attorneys wrote in a statement for the Center for Constitutional Rights. The government's admission is astounding, and it is completely outrageous that they tried to assert to the immigration judge and the world in their initial filing of the arrest report that there was an arrest warrant when there was none. This is egregious conduct by DHS that should require under the law termination of these proceedings, and we hope that the immigration court will so rule. Samah Sisay, staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights added: ICE has admitted it detained Mahmoud illegally and without a warrant to justify it, they are now flat out lying with an absurd claim that he tried to flee. At every step of the way, the Trump administration has flouted the law. Khalils legal team is lobbying for a preliminary injunction to secure his immediate release from custody and to allow him to reunite with his family while his immigration case proceeds. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Matt Gaetz visited the El Salvador mega-prison last summer and pitched the idea of sending migrants there to Donald Trumps deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, according to a report. Trumps failed nominee to lead the Justice Department was invited on a diplomatic visit by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in July 2024, TIME reports. Bukele made Gaetz an offer during a dinner that he would be willing to imprison migrants that Trump wanted removed from the U.S. inside El Salvadors notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, according to the outlet. The next day, Gaetz was given a tour of the facility, which human rights groups have described as a tropical gulag rife with abuses. The conditions had zapped the inhabitants of any will to fight, Gaetz told TIME. Its tough to see the state of the human condition drained of hope. Gaetz then pitched the idea of sending migrants to the mega-prison to immigration hardliner Miller, a source told the outlet, who then presented it to Trump. One of the reasons I like it is because it would be much less expensive than our prison system, and I think it would actually be a greater deterrent, Trump said in an interview with TIME. open image in gallery Matt Gaetz, Trumps failed nominee to lead the Justice Department, was invited on a diplomatic visit by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in July 2024. During the trip, he visited the countrys infamous mega-prison. He then told Trump ally Stephen Miller about it, a report claims. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The State Department arranged the $6 million deal with Bukele the self-described worlds coolest dictator in February. It enabled the Trump administration to jail hundreds of immigrants in the country despite U.S. law barring financial support in the form of units of foreign security forces that face credible accusations of human rights abuses. A few days after the deal was agreed, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. Inside the Oval Office alongside Bukele on April 14, Trump said homegrowns should be sent the central American nation next. The prison, which can house up to 40,000 inmates, in recent weeks began holding hundreds of immigrants. The issue garnered mass media coverage after a Salvadoran immigrant living in Maryland, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was deported to the brutal prison in his home country despite an immigration judges 2019 order preventing removal from the United States for humanitarian reasons. The Trump administration claim he was a member of trans-national street gang MS-13 a charge Abrego Garcia and his wife have vehemently denied. open image in gallery Trump said that U.S. citizens in the mega-prison should be next as he met with El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele. CECOT is holding hundreds of immigrants that the Trump administration alleges are members of a Venezuelan gang. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Government lawyers admitted in court documents that Abrego Garcia was removed to El Salvador due to an administrative error. On April 10, a unanimous Supreme Court wrote that the United States acknowledges that Abrego Garcia was subject to a withholding order forbidding his removal to El Salvador, and that the removal to El Salvador was therefore illegal. Abrego Garcia was moved to Centro Industrial prison in Santa Ana after outcry and his still fighting for his day in court. When TIMEs senior political correspondent Eric Cortellessa and editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs pressed Trump on if he really wanted there to be gulags for American citizens overseas, the president snapped. Look, I see where youre coming from, from the moment this interview started, and it's fine, I don't mind, Trump said, according to TIMEs transcript of the sit-down. I've answered every question that can be answered by mankind or womankind, and I see where you're coming from. Rapid fire. You can't even wait for me to give you the answer. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has pardoned a disgraced Nevada Republican who spent part of the $70,000 raised to erect a memorial of a slain police officer on plastic surgery procedures. Michele Fiore, 54, was found guilty in October of six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The 54-year-old former Las Vegas City councilwoman and state lawmaker, who ran unsuccessfully in 2022 for state treasurer, was due to be sentenced May 14. The pro-gun, anti-vaccine advocate who has been styled by the media as Lady Trump expressed her eternal gratitude to the president after she was granted a full and unconditional pardon Wednesday. Fiore accused the federal government and select media outlets of a broad, decade-long conspiracy to target and dismantle her life in a lengthy Facebook statement on Thursday, which was then removed but archived by The Nevada Independent. Today, I stand before you not just as a free woman, but as a vindicated soul, she said. For nearly a decade, I endured relentless persecution by a federal machine determined to break me. open image in gallery Michele Fiore, the Nevada politician convicted on fraud charges, was pardoned by Donald Trump on Wednesday ( Getty Images ) According to the indictment, Fiores criminal scheme unfolded over a seven-month period between July 2019 and January 2020, while serving on the Las Vegas City Council. Fiore had reportedly raised more than $70,000 for the statue of Las Vegas Metro Police Department officer Alyn Beck, who was fatally shot in 2014 in the line of duty. Court records showed a private real estate company actually paid for the statue, which was unveiled in January 2020. Instead, the MAGA-aligned conspiracy theorist who once said that cancer is a fungus that can be cured by flushing saltwater through the body, spent some of it on cosmetic surgery, rent and her daughters wedding, prosecutors said. Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets, federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar said. open image in gallery Fiore, pictured in Las Vegas in July last year, described her conviction as a witchhunt solicited by the government and media ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) FBI agents in 2021 subpoenaed records and searched Fiores home in Las Vegas in connection with her campaign spending. In a statement, Nevada Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett called the pardon reckless and a slap in the face to law enforcement officers. Fiore, who does not have a law degree, was appointed as a judge in deep-red Nye County in 2022 shortly after she lost her campaign for state treasurer. She was elected last June to complete the unexpired term of a judge who died but had been suspended without pay amid her legal troubles. Pahrump is an hours drive west of Las Vegas. In her statement Thursday, Fiore also said she plans to return to the bench next week. Nye County said in an email to the Associated Press that it is awaiting an update from the state Commission on Judicial Discipline on Fiore's current suspension. The news agency said it sent emails seeking comment to the commission, as well as Fiore's lawyer. open image in gallery Fiore (middle) alongside an Elvis Presley impersonator, State Senator Tick Segerblom (left) and the co-founders of cannabis store MedMen in Las Vegas in July 2018 ( Getty Images for MedMen ) Fiore served in the state Legislature from 2012 to 2016. She was a Las Vegas councilwoman from 2017 to 2022. While serving as a state lawmaker, Fiore gained national attention for her support of rancher Cliven Bundy and his family during armed standoffs between militiamen and federal law enforcement officers in Bunkerville, Nevada, in 2014 and Malheur, Oregon, in 2016. Prior to her political career, Fiore co-wrote, produced, and starred in Siren, a 2006 film about Storm Fagan played by Fiore an ordinary overweight middle-aged wife and mom whose dream of being a rock star still weighs heavy on her soul, according to an IMDb synopsis. The Independent has reached out to the White House for more information. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In a sudden reversal, the Trump administration said on Friday it would restore visas to thousands of foreign students studying in the United States, after revoking them for having minor infractions on their records. During a federal court hearing for one of the many lawsuits levied against the administration for its recent student visa policy, a Justice Department attorney said they working to provide a framework for record terminations, but until then would restore visas. ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for [Student and Exchange Visitor Program] record terminations, the attorney said. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain active or shall be reactivated if not currently active. Fridays reversal arrives as dozens of federal judges across the country have ordered the Trump administration to reinstate student visas, declaring the practice of mass cancelling student visas in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System unlawful. Students across the country had been protesting the Trump administrations crackdown on student visas ( AFP via Getty Images ) Officials in the administration have revoked visas for more than 1,500 students across the country in recent weeks, a move that arrived weeks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to cancel visas for students who participated in political protests, specifically pro-Palestinian protests. Recent visa cancellations appeared to arise from foreign students with minor infractions on their records, such as a DUI. Students, graduate students and professors had shared stories of immigration law enforcement officials showing up to their homes or in public to inform them they were being deported due to their revoked visa status. The Trump administrations crackdown struck fear in international students at colleges and universities across the country who rely on student visas to study in the U.S. But on Thursday afternoon, some international students who had terminated visa status noticed their records were suddenly restored with no explanation, immigration attorneys told NBC News. The Justice Department lawyer said ICE will no longer modify a students visa record based solely on National Crime Information Center records, which they had cross-referenced with visas to issue terminations. But the attorney contended that ICE maintains authority to terminate visas for other reasons, such as if a student engages in other unlawful activity or fails to keep their legal status after the record is reactivated. Its unclear how the administration will move forward in handling student visas, leaving foreign students relieved only for the moment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump campaigned for the presidency on ending Russias war in Ukraine on day one, but now appears to have backpedaled on the bold claim and said it was made in jest. Trump repeatedly boasted throughout his presidential campaign and after his White House victory that he could end the war in 24 hours. Three months into Trumps presidency, Russia is still bombing Ukraine. In a sit-down interview with TIME published Friday, he was quizzed about the comments. Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, Trump told the outlet. And you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news...Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended. Trump also repeated his claim that the war would never have happened if he were president in 2022, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, and blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden. open image in gallery President Donald Trump claimed his comments about ending Russias war in Ukraine in 24 hours were made in jest. The president also repeated his claim that the conflict would not have started if he were president in 2022. ( AP ) It's a war that would have never happened if I was president, Trump said when he was asked whats taking so long to end the conflict. It's Biden's war. Its not my war. I have nothing to do with it. I would have never had this war. This war would have never happened. Putin would have never done it. The president started making the claim in March 2023, just over a year after Russia invaded Ukraine. I will have it solved within one day, Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in March 2023. Theyre dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And Ill have that done Ill have that done in 24 hours, Trump said in May of that year. open image in gallery Three months into Trumps presidency, Russia is still bombing Ukraine. Its missile attack on Kyiv killed at least 12 and injured 80 others, local officials said. ( REUTERS ) Last August on the campaign trail, he told a National Guard Conference that before [he] even arrived at the Oval Office, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Russias bombing of Kyiv overnight Thursday, where at least 12 people were killed according to local officials, marks the worst attack on Ukraine in months. Trump lashed out about the strikes as the White House attempts to broker a deal to end the conflict. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, Trump fumed on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow and has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for critical peace talks after the president claimed they were very close to a deal. They discussed the U.S. proposal for peace in Ukraine, which has been billed by Washington as a final offer to Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin called the talks constructive and very useful, according to Reuters. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administration has been quietly tipping off Wall Street executives about the progress of tariff negotiations ahead of a possible deal with India, a Fox Business journalist reported Thursday. People inside the Trump White House are alerting Wall Street execs they are nearing an agreement in principle on trade with India, according to my sources who are senior Wall Street execs with ties to the White House, Fox Business reporter Charles Gasparino posted on X. The post drew howls of accusations of insider trading since Wall Street firms could take advantage of the information to make money on the stock market for themselves and their clients that the public is not yet privy to.. SCOOP: People inside the Trump White House are alerting Wall Street execs they are nearing an agreement in principle on trade with India, according to my sources who are senior Wall Street execs w ties to the White House. No details on timing, and recall that we have been here Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) April 24, 2025 Bloomberg reporter Joel Weisenthal snapped back on X that the story isnt the India deal, but the fact that the White House appeared to be first tipping off Wall Street ahead of the public. Why are Wall Street executives getting early alerts from people inside the Trump White House about the status of trade negotiations? he asked Wall Street analyst Gordon Johnson asked: Why are Wall Street executives getting inside information from inside the White House? Why does the SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] allow this? And given they do, shouldnt they just be disbanded? Or is enforcement only for the poor? The feeding of new inside information to Wall Street comes just over two weeks after Trump bragged in the Oval Office about the killing on the stock market his billionaire pals made when he pulled the plug on his tariffs just hours after he imposed them. THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!! he gushed on Truth Social just four hours before he paused the controversial tariffs on April 9. The initially sinking market ultimately closed more than 9 percent higher that day. At the White House Oval Office later that day, Trump pointed to a pair of billionaire visitors. He made $2.5 billion, and he made $900 million! Thats not bad! said a beaming Trump, pointing to financial investor Charles Schwab and then NASCAR team owner Roger Penske. The men were part of a visiting guest contingent of mostly racing notables. Schwab is estimated to be worth $12.9 billion and Penske $5.6 billion. Bloomberg reported that Wednesday was the best day ever for billionaires as the worlds wealthiest people raked in $304 billion when the markets rocketed back up. The windfalls quickly triggered accusations of market manipulation and insider trading, as Trump critics accused the president of tipping off his well-heeled friends to buy, knowing that a suspension of the tariffs on his own order would boost stock prices. California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff is calling for a congressional investigation into the well-timed tariff pause. Trump is creating giant market fluctuations with his on-again, off-again tariffs. These constant gyrations in policy provide dangerous opportunities for insider trading, Schiff wrote on X at the time. A White House spokesperson accused the Democrats of playing partisan games after calls for an investigation. 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 U.S. Army has suspended a female commander after portraits of President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were flipped to face the wall at her military base. Col. Sheyla Baez-Ramirez was suspended from her post as Fort McCoy Garrison Commander at the Wisconsin base on April 18, for administrative reasons, a U.S. Army statement read Saturday. The military base has dismissed any claims suggesting she was responsible for flipping the pictures. As previously stated, she was not suspended for misconduct, it read. To reiterate, no one on the Fort McCoy leadership team, which includes Col. Baez-Ramirez, directed or supported the removal of any leader portraits. The Leader Board was corrected upon notification of the issue. We have no further details to provide at this time while this matter is under review. open image in gallery Baez Ramirez assumed duties as Garrison Commander at Fort McCoy in July last year ( U.S. Army Photo by Christopher Jones, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis. ) Days earlier, Trumps Department of Defense shared a post on X with a photo of the wall, displaying the new chain of command where Trump, Hegseth, and Vice President Vances photos, along with an image that showed the portraits had been turned around to face the wall. Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy.WE FIXED IT! a DOD statement caption read above the photos. Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened, it added. Baez-Ramirez was previously heard in a video celebrating her status as the first female Commander at Fort McCoy and the first minority that commands this installation. open image in gallery The Department of Defense took to X to share what had happened in the incident Saturday ( DOD Rapid Response ) I think that as a society, we are looking to integrate, and were better with each other. I think showing the public that we can have diversity in every part of our society is important, the Commander was heard saying. According to her Army biography, Baez Ramirez assumed duties as Garrison Commander at Fort McCoy in July last year. Prior to that, she served as the chief of the Reserve Program, Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, according to her Army page. She formerly studied at the University of Puerto Rico, in Cayey, Puerto Rico, and the Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The experienced and highly decorated Commander was scorned by X users after the DOD shared images of the flipped photos. open image in gallery The Commander was suspended from her post after she flipped images of the new Trump chain of command (pictured) ( DOD Rapid Response ) X user Sadie wrote: Bravo. If you can not respect the chain of command, you should not be in the chain of command! S.L Stiles, who claimed she used to work at the base, added: FIRE HER. I worked at Ft. McCoy for years, as did my husband. Every aspect of employment at Fort McCoy is political. This first female commander must be fired. The Independent contacted Fort McCoy for more information. 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 group of hecklers booed Indigenous Australians as they gathered in Melbourne to commemorate their war dead on Anzac Day. Boos and jeers echoed around the Shrine of Remembrance where some 50,000 people had gathered for the dawn service on Friday. Anzac Day is one of the most crucial national days in Australia and New Zealand, commemorating the anniversary of the first major military action by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or Anzac, during World War I. On 25 April 1915, Anzac forces landed in Gallipoli in Turkey as part of an Allied campaign to capture the Dardanelles and weaken the Ottoman Empire. The campaign proved ill-fated, resulting in the deaths of around 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders over eight months of brutal fighting. The solemn mood of the event to remember fallen soldiers was disturbed as hecklers started booing and yelling when a local Indigenous man named Mark Brown began the service with a ceremony in which Indigenous Australians welcome visitors to their traditional land. Yelling "this is our country" and "we don't have to be welcomed", the hecklers said, echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. open image in gallery A man is escorted by police during the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance ( Getty ) The group of hecklers allegedly included prominent self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant, who was seen being escorted from the service by police. Members of the crowd tried to suppress the boos with applause to show respect for the occasion. The incident was condemned by politicians, including prime minister Anthony Albanese, who said such incidents at Melbourne and Perth services were a disgrace. "The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law," Mr Albanese said. "This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice." open image in gallery Anthony Albanese condemns hecklers in Perth ( Getty ) A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, un-Australian and disgraceful, Mr Albanese said. The people responsible must face the full force of the law. The Victoria police said a 26-year-old man from Kensington who was removed from the event was being investigated over the heckling and could be charged. "Police are aware of a small group of people disrupting the dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance this morning," the police said. "He has subsequently been interviewed for offensive behaviour and police will proceed via summons." open image in gallery Attendees participate in Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne ( EPA ) Victoria premier Jacinta Allan said she absolutely condemned the suspected neo-Nazi who came to disrupt the event. To pierce the sombre silence and to pierce the solemnity of the dawn service isnt just disrespectful, it dishonours the very thing that the men and women who fought and lost their lives is about, Ms Allan said. "For a neo-Nazi to come along and show that level of disrespect and dishonour to every man and woman who has served our nation with pride, honour and dignity I absolutely condemn this behaviour." Mr Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton took the day off campaigning ahead of the general election on 3 May as a mark of respect. "They have no place at all and they are a stain on our national fabric and they are not part of the Australian culture, Mr Dutton said about the hecklers. "Nothing should overshadow what it is to be here to commemorate and to celebrate the contribution over successive generations of those that have served in uniform...I'm sure that every right-thinking Australian would be disgusted and appalled by the behaviour." Veteran affairs minister Matt Keogh said the "booing was led by someone who's a known neo-Nazi. "We're commemorating some of those soldiers who fell in a war that was fought against that sort of hateful ideology and so it was completely disrespectful and it's not something that is welcome at Anzac Day commemorations ever," Mr Keogh said. open image in gallery Servicemen and women march to the Shrine of Remembrance during the Anzac Day march in Melbourne ( AFP via Getty ) New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon traveled to Gallipoli to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the landing day. He told a dawn service at Anzac Cove that New Zealand's contribution of 16,000 soldiers to the Gallipoli campaign was disproportionately large from a national population that was then only about a million. The service was attended by King Charles sister Princess Anne, who represented the British royal family, as well as the king's representative in Australia, governor general Sam Mostyn. Additional reporting by agencies. 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 was laid to rest in a location that reflected his humble approach to the grand office. Breaking with tradition, the pontiff, death at the age of 88 was announced on Easter Monday, chose a burial site outside the Vatican the first pope to do so in 120 years. The historic funeral service for Pope Francis brought closure to a 12-year papacy marked by what followers said was his humility and simplicity. Francis's final resting place was the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four major basilicas of Christendom in Rome, situated on the Esquiline Hill. The last pope buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII in 1903. open image in gallery Pope Francis at the St Mary Major Basilica in Rome in 2013 ( AP ) Franciss will stipulated a simple burial in the earth, without particular decoration, marked only with his papal name in Latin: Franciscus. This understated approach aligned with his efforts to bring a more humble touch to the papacy, often eschewing the Vatican's traditional pomp and opting for simpler rites. St Mary Major, around 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. 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 churchs 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 there 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 operations in 2021 and 2023. After his funeral, the procession with the coffin travelled across Rome to the St Mary Major Basilica. open image in gallery The interior of the Basilica of St Mary Major ( Getty Images ) The procession passed the Colosseum, the ancient Roman amphitheatre that is one of Italys most iconic sites, tourists and faithful lined the route to snap photographs. As bells tolled, pallbearers carried the coffin past several dozen migrants, prisoners and homeless people holding white roses in front of the basilica. Once inside, the pallbearers stopped in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary that Francis loved. Four children deposited the roses at the foot of the altar before cardinals performed the burial rite at his tomb in a nearby niche. 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. 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 the First World War. In May 2022, Francis led an international prayer service for peace in Ukraine and other war-torn places. Just beyond the sculpture of the Queen of Peace, theres 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 he wanted his tomb. His cypress coffin is not encased in lead with a further wooden outer layer, as has been customary for popes. 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, Romes main railway station, and is a multi-ethnic, populous neighbourhood where many film directors and actors have settled. open image in gallery Faithful in front of the Basilica of St Mary Major ( AP ) 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 basilicas 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. The basilica houses the bodies of seven earlier 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. 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 head of Pope Franciss medical team has revealed new details about the pontiffs final moments. The 88-year-old died quickly on the morning of Easter Monday, Dr Sergio Alfieri, who oversaw the Pope's treatment for pneumonia earlier this year at Rome's Gemelli hospital, said in interviews published on Thursday. Francis died without undue suffering and medical intervention could not have saved him, Dr Alfieri said. He recounted receiving an urgent call around 5.30am on Monday, summoning him to the Vatican. Arriving about 20 minutes later, he found the Pope conscious but unresponsive. "I entered his rooms and he (Francis) had his eyes open," Dr. Alfieri told Corriere della Sera. "I ascertained that there were no respiratory problems. And then I tried to call his name, but he did not respond to me." Dr Alfieri said he recognised the gravity of the situation. open image in gallery Pope Francis died quickly on Easter Monday ( AP ) "In that moment I knew there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma." In another interview with La Repubblica, Dr. Alfieri mentioned that some officials present suggested immediately transporting the Pope back to Gemelli hospital. However, given the circumstances, it was determined that further medical intervention would have been futile. "He would have died on the way," said the doctor. "Doing a CT scan we would have had a more exact diagnosis, but nothing more. It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away." Francis had nearly died while fighting pneumonia, but his death came as a shock. Just the previous day he appeared in St. Peter's Square in an open-air popemobile to greet cheering crowds on Easter Sunday, suggesting his convalescence was going well. open image in gallery Pope Francis greets crowds in his popemobile on Easter Sunday Pope kept working After Francis returned to the Vatican on March 23 after a 38-day hospital stay, Alfieri and the pope's other doctors had prescribed him a two-month period of rest to allow his ageing body to heal. Francis, known to push himself hard, kept working. He met briefly with US Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday, and had visited a prison in Rome on April 17, Holy Thursday, to offer well wishes to the inmates. Dr Alfieri said the pope listened to his doctors' advice and didn't push himself too hard. "He (was) the pope," the doctor told Corriere. "Going back to work was part of his treatment and he was never exposed to danger." The doctor said he last saw Francis on Saturday afternoon. "He was very well," said Dr Alfieri, who said he gifted the pope some pie, in a flavour he knew the pontiff liked. open image in gallery Visitors queue to pay their respects to the late Pope Francis at the Vatican ( AFP/Getty ) He recounted the pope saying, "I am very well, I have started working again, and I like it." "We knew that he wanted to go home to be pope up until the last moment," said the doctor. "He didn't let us down." In the Repubblica interview, Dr Alfieri said Francis had shared one final regret with him. While he was happy to have visited the prisoners on April 17, he wished he had been able to perform a foot-washing ritual for the Church's celebration of Holy Thursday. "He regretted he could not wash the feet of the prisoners," said the doctor. "'This time I couldn't do it' was the last thing he said to me." 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 Mourners have sparked outrage after taking selfies with the open casket of Pope Francis. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church is currently lying in state in St Peters Basilica ahead of his funeral this weekend, with tens of thousands of people queueing to pay their respects. However, some visitors have attracted backlash after uploading selfies to social media with the casket and the Popes body in the background. open image in gallery More than 50,000 people queued up to see Pope Francis lying in state ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Other mourners who witnessed their behaviour spoke about their shock. Janine Venables, a tourist from Wales who paid her respects on Wednesday, told MailOnline: What did surprise me is the fact that earlier we were told no photos in the Sistine Chapel and here people were getting their phone out and doing selfies with the coffin. The 53-year-old added: I did think that was a bit in poor taste and, Im surprised no one stopped them. open image in gallery Visitors took out their smartphones to take pictures of the pope in his coffin ( AFP via Getty Images ) And Londoner Catherine Gilsenan, who paid her respects to the pope, told The Sun: I was very moved coming so close to Pope Francis but it was awful seeing so many people taking pictures. We kept our phones very firmly in our pockets and would never dream of doing something so distasteful. People had been told not to use selfie sticks but lots ignored the warning. Guards in the basilica have reportedly since banned mourners from taking pictures near the casket. Instead, photographs are only allowed to be taken at the front of the basilica. The Independent has contacted the Vaticans press office for comment. open image in gallery The popes funeral is due to take place this weekend ( AP ) The Vatican said more than 50,000 people flocked to St Peters Basilica within 24 hours to send off the Argentine pope, who has been lying in state since Wednesday morning. The coffin will remain in the basilica until Friday. The Popes coffin will be sealed ahead of the funeral mass, which will take place at 10am local time (9am BST) on Saturday. Breaking with a longstanding Vatican tradition, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome. Close Vatican announces death of Pope Francis 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 coffin of Pope Francis has been sealed in a private ceremony held by the Vatican ahead of Saturdays funeral after 250,000 people farewelled the pontiff this week as he lay in state. Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell presided at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin, which was attended by several Cardinals and Holy See officials. Controversy was also stirred after a retired US cardinal who has faced accusations of mishandling sexual abuse cases was chosen to help seal the coffin and entomb the pontiffs remains during the burial rites. Advocates for Catholic clergy sexual abuse victims criticised the appointment of Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, for the ceremonial role at the Popes funeral. Mahony denies any wrongdoing. World leaders are flying in ahead of the ceremony in St Peters Square, with US president Donald Trump among the heads of state attending. Before departing Washington, Trump told reports Pope Francis was a good man who loved the world. While Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was also among those due to attend, he cast doubt on his plans on Friday evening due to the ongoing war with Russia, which is also sending a dignitary to the funeral. Security arrangements ahead of the major event include snipers stationed on rooftops, and fighter jets on standby. Streets surrounding the Vatican are under strict control, with law enforcement agencies coordinating to manage the expected influx of hundreds of thousands of mourners. 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 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 Mourners packed into St Peters Square, many kneeling on the black cobbles, matching spiritual grief with physical suffering as the sun beat down on the Vatican funeral of Pope Francis. At the farewell for a pontiff who blurred the line between religion and the real world, it was no surprise that politics hung in the air. As tens of thousands of Catholics poured through Rome towards the Vatican, there was a clear divide among the faithful: between those who bade Francis farewell and those who mourned his loss. Pope Francis modernised Catholic liturgy in the West, but it was his championing of causes often associated with liberals notably the rights of the gay community, the trans community, migrants, and the old-fashioned economics of charity and fairness that marked his rule. John Maher, a visitor from Cardiff, said that Franciss predecessor, Benedict XVI, was a proper theologian. Benedict was a conservative who held tradition dear within the church and took less interest in secular and political matters, preferring to shy away from the churchs left and liberation theology. Mr Maher said Francis, a Jesuit from Argentina who lived through South American dictatorships, had taken a more inclusive approach. I dont think Pope Francis was in the same vein. He made quite a few changes in his pontificate, whether we all believe theyre for the good or not, Mr Maher said. He preferred not to be drawn on where the last pope went too far but replied dont get me going when asked about migrants and gay rights which were, perhaps, issues Mr Maher preferred left to politicians. Two American mourners, both women, were also in Rome for the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, a layman born in London in 1991 who died in Monza in 2006 after a battle with leukaemia. open image in gallery Thousands of mourners were in Rome as Pope Francis was laid to rest ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) I think the Holy Father did a wonderful job for todays youth, said one of the Americans. The message that he brought to the youth of today and to the world was one of unity and one of inclusion and I appreciated that aspect of him. Other aspects? I think that he exuded Jesus in a very new way that wasnt necessarily bad, she replied. Following the mass with pamphlets printed in several languages, different communities swelled with pride when their home tongue was used during the service. A Maronite woman, wrapped in the flag of embattled Lebanon, sighed audibly when she heard responses in Arabic. Spanish-speaking mourners brightened when the mass switched briefly from Latin to Spanish, in a service intended to set a tone for the coming votes for a new pope. Cardinals under the age of 80 will soon gather for the conclave to elect a new pope. Their decision may either carry Franciss legacy forward or mark a return to a more conservative line. Mbale Thabete, from Soweto in South Africa, said the Franciscan legacy was that he brought the Catholic church and the faith closer to people, he opened it up to say look were not perfect and also he ruffled some feathers. You cant be in that position and stand for certain things and ruffle some feathers and the status quo because in order for the faith and the Catholic church to survive weve got to move with the times. [It] doesnt mean we lose all the traditions and what makes us Catholics, she insisted. open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican ( AP ) Around the time she was speaking in the centre of St Peters Square, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky were holding a 15-minute meeting somewhere inside the Basilica complex. Both men, it seemed, respected the solemnity of the occasion if not the unequivocal support for Ukraine that Francis had shown. It was the first time they had been together since the disastrous Oval Office encounter when vice-president JD Vance and Mr Trump launched attacks on the Ukrainian president, accusing him of risking World War Three. In the Vatican the effort was to focus on trying to get a ceasefire agreement done, which Mr Trump has been driving hard but largely echoing Russian positions. Posting later on Telegram, Mr Zelensky wrote: Good meeting. One-on-one, we managed to discuss a lot. We hope for a result from all the things that were spoken about. He said those topics included the protection of the lives of our people. A complete and unconditional ceasefire. A reliable and lasting peace that will prevent a recurrence of war. It was a very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic if we achieve joint results. Thank you, President Donald Trump! he added. The White House said the meeting had been positive. open image in gallery Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re blesses the coffin ( AP ) Only Mr Zelensky received applause when he later appeared on the steps of the Basilica, dressed in a black military-style suit, without a tie. Mr Trump stood out in what appeared to be a blue suit among lines of foreign dignitaries mostly dressed in traditional black. The secular world was further invoked in the spiritual life of Francis during his eulogy by Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The cardinal, echoing his late pope, took aim at nativist nationalism masquerading as Christianity. He repeated a phrase Francis had used when criticising Trumps immigration policies during his first term: it is better, he said, to build bridges, not walls. A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian, said Pope Francis at the time. This is not in the gospel. Cardinal Re also invoked Franciss outspoken care for migrants, his calls for peace, and his urgent warnings about climate change issues often rejected or sidelined by Christian nationalists on the right. Res message was a reinforcement of Franciss legacy and a signal of how he, at least, wants to see the conclave of 135 cardinals vote. open image in gallery The 88-year-old pontiffs wooden coffin was slowly transported to its final burial place in the Basilica of St Mary Major ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) At 91, Re will not cast a ballot himself, but his words, broadcast to millions worldwide, will echo in the minds of church leaders as they gather in the Sistine Chapel. During the service, there was a strong presence of visitors some there to witness the ceremony, others to capture selfies. Among the crowds, a few visitors posed for photos in front of the Basilica, dressed more for a summer party than a funeral. But true to the spirit of the occasion, there was no sign that they were unwelcome. Rich in human warmth and deeply sensitive to todays challenges, Pope Francis truly shared the anxieties, sufferings and hopes of this time, said Re. He touched peoples hearts, said the cardinal, in a direct and immediate way. The outpouring of affection that we have witnessed in recent days following his passing from this earth into eternity tells us how much the profound pontificate of Pope Francis touched minds and hearts," said the cardinal. 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 senior Russian military officer was killed when a car exploded in the town of Balashikha just east of Moscow. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal case has been opened after Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in the incident on Friday. "According to available data, the explosion occurred as a result of the detonation of a homemade explosive device filled with destructive elements," it said, but did not mention who might be behind the incident. Several high-ranking Russian military figures have been assassinated since the start of the war in Ukraine in operations blamed by Moscow on Kyiv. Russian media outlet Baza, which has sources in Russia's law enforcement agencies, said a bomb in a parked car had been detonated remotely when the officer, who lived locally, walked past. The Izvestia newspaper published video footage showing a person approaching a line of parked cars outside an apartment complex and an explosion that sent parts of a vehicle flying metres into the air. Yaroslav Moskalik ( Telegram ) Kommersant newspaper said a second person was also killed. Moskalik, who held the rank of major general, had participated in several high-level Russian delegations, according to defence ministry bulletins and media reports. He joined the Russian contingent in a meeting in October 2015 of the Normandy Format, a group made up of teams from Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France who oversaw the Minsk agreements designed to end the war between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatist forces that broke out in 2014. Moskalik represented the army's General Staff at the negotiations alongside Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, according to the Kremlin website. Russia's RBC newspaper listed Moskalik as a participant in the security subgroup in the Minsk talks. In December, Ukraine's SBU intelligence service used a bomb hidden in an electric scooter to kill Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, whom Kyiv accused of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops. The SBU did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported death of Moskalik. 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 US president Donald Trump has urged the Kremlin and Kyiv to meet to finish a deal to end the Ukraine War, declaring major points had now been agreed to in a day of peace talks that coincided with the bombing of a Russian general. Trump said a deal was very close and demanded both sides stop the bloodshed, NOW in a late night post on his Truth Social platform on Friday following a meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff. The meeting occurred after Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy chief in the general staff of Russias armed forces, was killed by an explosive device that was placed in his car and rigged with shrapel in Balashikha, a city just 13 miles east of Moscow. open image in gallery President Donald Trump says Ukraine and Russia are close to a peace deal ( AP ) A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to finish it off. Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war! Trump posted. Russian media ran videos of a vehicle burning in the courtyard of an apartment building, and the Kremlin blamed the explosion death on Ukraine. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: The Kyiv regime once again simply shows its true nature. The Kyiv regime continues to be involved in terrorist activity on the territory of our country. It was the second such killing of a top general in Moscow, following the death of Russias chemical weapons chief Igor Kirillov in December. Kyiv took responsibility for Kirillovs death, accusing him of involvement in war crimes. The bombing, which was reported by the Kommersant newspaper to have also killed a second person, came as property mogul-turned-Trump envoy Steve Witkoff was meeting the Russian president in Moscow to discuss Washingtons peace proposals. open image in gallery Russias investigative committee says Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in the explosion ( EPA ) Kremlin footage showed Mr Witkoff and Mr Putin shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting down on opposite sides of a white oval table, in what was their fourth lengthy meeting since February. Mr Witkoff who has alarmed Kyivs allies by praising Putin as super-smart and not a bad guy while also parroting Kremlin propaganda was seen strolling through central Moscow with senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev before the three-hour meeting. Afterwards, the Kremlin said the meeting had been constructive and had helped to narrow the differences over ending Russias war, with the possibility of direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow also discussed. Details of Washingtons final offer and Kyivs counterproposals emerged on Friday, as Mr Trump ramped up pressure on Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky to accept territorial concessions. Accusing Mr Zelensky of prolonging the killing field by refusing to cede Crimea to Putin, the US president insisted this week that the territory illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 has been lost for good and was not up for discussion. open image in gallery Donald Trump insists that Crimea has been lost to Ukraine for good after it was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 ( Reuters ) In a Time interview published on Friday, Mr Trump said the peninsula would remain with Moscow suggesting that would be the case under a US-brokered peace deal. Mr Trump claimed that Mr Zelensky understood that Crimea will stay with Russia, adding: Everybody understands that its been with them for a long time. Theyve had their submarines there for long before any period that were talking about for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea, said Mr Trump. But this was given by Obama. This wasnt given by Trump. But Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky hit back, insisting the Crimean peninsula belonged to his country, citing both the constitution and international law. Our position is unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian, he said. Mr Zelensky has repeatedly insisted that Ukraine will not recognise Russias occupation of Crimea under any agreement. The US proposals, published by Reuters on Friday, do not call on Ukraine to recognise Crimea as Russian, but state that Washington will legally recognise Russias control over the peninsula. It will also recognise the de facto Russian control over the occupied eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, and parts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson. Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which is the largest such facility in Europe, will be returned to Ukraine but kept under US control and administration. European and Ukrainian officials responded to the proposals, which have been shared by Washington during meetings in Paris and Russia over the past two weeks. The European and Ukrainian proposal states that territorial issues will be discussed and resolved after a full and unconditional ceasefire, while territorial negotiations will start from the basis of the line of control. There is no mention in the European document of recognising Russian control over any Ukrainian territory. There are also differences over the lifting of sanctions on Russia, the shape of security guarantees for Ukraine, and the size of the Ukrainian military. open image in gallery Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, says Ukraines people will never accept occupation by Russia ( BBC ) As details of the proposals emerged on Friday, the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, suggested that Ukraine might have to cede land to achieve peace. One of the scenarios is ... to give up territory. Its not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporarily, Mr Klitschko told the BBC. But the former world champion heavyweight boxer emphasised that the Ukrainian people would never accept occupation by Russia. Serhi Leshchenko, an adviser to Mr Zelensky, hit back at Mr Klitschko soon afterwards, telling the BBC World Services Newsday programme: I think its counterproductive to make any comments on this topic, since we have no official proposal on the table regarding this. Any discussion of this violates the Ukrainian constitution, because Ukraines constitution states the territorial integrity of Ukraine, the presidential aide said, adding that it was very important that Ukrainian politicians abide by the constitution. Former British prime minister Boris Johnson was among those to condemn Mr Trumps proposals. Warning that Ukraine would get nothing under the US plans, Mr Johnson accused Washington of rewarding Putin for indiscriminately butchering more civilians in attacks on Kyiv this week. open image in gallery Servicemen from the anti-drone mobile air defence unit of the 115th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces fire at a drone in Donetsk ( Reuters/Sofiia Gatilova ) Meanwhile, Mr Trump again slated Mr Zelensky, this time blaming him for not having signed an agreement on rare earths with the US. The US president wrote on social media that it was at least three weeks late. In fact, just last week Ukrainian officials announced they had signed an outline of a minerals deal with the US and said a final accord could be reached by the end of this week. It came as the UNs refugee agency warned it was being forced to reduce support for newly displaced people in Ukraine as frontline attacks intensify blaming the Trump administrations suspension of US aid along with broader cuts in funding from donors. Some of the programmes that we previously used to implement with the generous support of US funding are on hold, said Karolina Lindholm Billing, the UNHCRs representative in Ukraine. The suspended programmes include psychosocial support which is needed on a huge scale along with emergency shelter material and cash assistance, the agency said. Since January, nearly 9,000 people fleeing heavy shelling in Ukraine have passed through the UNHCRs transit centres in Pavlohrad and Sumy, where the agency is providing clothes, hygiene kits, and legal and psychosocial support. Additional reporting by Reuters 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 US has laid out its final proposals for peace in Ukraine, making clear the territory which it says Kyiv must cede to Moscow in order to achieve peace. A Washington team has been engaging in intense shuttle diplomacy, looking to force through a deal between Ukraine and Russia as progress towards peace appeared to be slowing. During talks in Paris and London over the past 10 days, US officials passed on the proposals to their European and Ukrainian counterparts - who responded with their own set of proposals, demonstrating a significant gap in position. Laying bare stark differences in position, the US proposals were presented by secretary of state Marco Rubio as a broad framework to identify differences between the sides. The document itself, seen by Reuters, described it as a final offer made to both sides. open image in gallery Marco Rubio, centre right and Steve Witkoff, centre left have led the US efforts towards peace in Ukraine ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) The document, seen and published by Reuters, includes the legal recognition by Washington of Russian control over Crimea - a topic which has prompted a war of words to resurface between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Trump lashed out at the Ukrainian leader after he warned that Kyiv would not recognise Russia's occupation of Crimea under any agreement, saying: There is nothing to talk about it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people. The US president angrily retorted: He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire he can have peace or he can fight for another three years before losing the whole country. Washington also proposed de facto US recognition of Russian control of the occupied eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk and parts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson, all of which lie on the frontline. It is unclear where the lines of demarcation would be, and whether Washington is demanding that Ukraine cede all of the land currently occupied by Russia in the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson. Ukraine will regain territory in the northeastern Kharkiv region, the proposals state, along with control of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant through US control and administration of the plant. Electricity would be supplied to both Ukraine and Russia. European and Ukrainian allies responded with their own set of proposals, in which it declared that territorial issues will be discussed and resolved after a full and unconditional ceasefire. Territorial negotiations would start from the basis of the line of control - but Ukraine would be guaranteed control of the Zaporizhzhia plant with US involvement. The reality that Ukraine will lose territory in a peace agreement has been accepted by Mr Zelensky in recent months, after Mr Trump and vice president JD Vance made clear that Kyiv would have to make concessions. The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said on Friday morning that Ukraine may have to give up territory as a temporary solution towards peace. "One of the scenarios is to give up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary," Mr Klitschko told the BBC. But he stressed that the Ukrainian people would "never accept occupation" by Russia. open image in gallery The comments made by Mr Klitschko were counterproductive, a Zelensky aide said afterwards ( BBC ) Serhi Leshchenko, an adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, has hit back at Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschkos claim that Ukraine may need to concede land to reach peace. I think its counterproductive to make any comments on this topic, since we have no official proposal on the table regarding this, he told BBC World Services Newsday programme. Any discussion of this violates the Ukrainian constitution because Ukraines constitution states the territorial integrity of Ukraine, he said, adding that it is very important that Ukrainian politicians abide by the constitution. Russia currently occupies a little under 20 per cent of Ukraine, including parts of four regions of mainland Ukraine, as well as the Crimean peninsula. Mr Putin first invaded Ukraine in 2014, when he illegally annexed Crimea. It is widely believed he then ordered unmarked soldiers known as little green men to fight on behalf of Russia in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. In February 2022, he then ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reportedly hoping to take the country in just three days. After being pushed back from Kyiv and northeastern Ukraine, the latest iteration of Mr Putins land grab focused on the four regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. In September 2022, he illegally annexed these four regions, none of which are completely controlled by Russian forces. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The killing was coincidental. But the symbolism of reaching into the heart of Russia to murder a general who was a Kremlin representative at the last significant peace talks with Ukraine is as powerful as the blast that took him. Its beyond the capacity of even the swashbuckling Ukrainian intelligence services to time the targeting of an assassination with the visit of US peace envoy Steve Witkoff. But given that Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was the security adviser to the Russian delegation during the Minsk peace process, which froze Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2015 until Vladimir Putin launched his 2022 blitzkrieg, the irony should not be lost on the American delegation. Minsk was a disaster for Ukraine. The second round of agreements, signed off in the presence of Angela Merkel, for Germany, and Emmanuel Macron for France, established a ceasefire that Russia didnt observe. It used a period of calm to re-arm and plan a full-scale invasion. Witkoff is in Moscow trying to broker another ceasefire that will create the military space to give the Kremlins forces a breather before they smash back into Ukraine using the land already captured as a springboard. open image in gallery Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik died in the blast in Balashikha, near Moscow ( X ) Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has gone out of his way to avoid provoking the Trump administration into suspending military aid and blinding its intelligence feeds, as it did earlier this year in an effort to force concessions out of the Ukrainian president. He has relied on Putins intransigence in nitpicking over ceasefire details rather than endorsing the offer of a general downing of weapons for 30 days as Kyiv has suggested. But the Trump administrations proposals are so close, before any peace talks have actually begun, to betraying the fact that the US is acting entirely in the interests of Russia. The latest killing of a Russian general underscores the other fact which is that Ukraine is still very much in the fight for its survival. Talk of its demise has been very premature. Its intelligence systems are improving, and are being supported by European and British efforts to plug gaps that would emerge if Trump turned nastier and switched off the feeds of signals and satellite intelligence so crucial to Ukraines defence. Japan has said it will help out, too. open image in gallery Russian police and investigators work at the site of a car bomb attack outside Moscow that killed Russian general Yaroslav Moskalik ( EPA ) Ukraine isnt losing the war. Its not winning but it could in a year or two if Europe makes good on its promises to support it with weapons capable of hitting Russias command and control structures. Already, European-supplied F-16 jets, armed with French missiles, have been successful in a series of attacks inside eastern Ukraine on Russian command structures. If they continue with these conventional efforts to break the Russian militarys ability to run its war in Ukraine, and further signal that the top brass cannot sleep at night even at home, Ukraine can prevail. The brighter this image shines in the minds of Kyivs forces, the less power Trump has to cajole Zelensky into agreeing to Russian terms. The brutal truth is that Ukrainian eyes are shining brighter with every attack that kills a senior officer of the Kremlin. Pete Hegseth has said America's troops "need to be fit, not fat", after a report by the American Security Project found two-thirds of Guard and Reserve service members are overweight. In a post to Twitter/X on Friday, 25 April, the US defense secretary branded the statistic "completely unacceptable" and said the Trump administration would be implementing "real fitness and weight standards". It comes after he delivered a speech at the US Army War College in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, and said US troops "need to be fit, not fat" and "sharp, not shabby". Russias top diplomat Sergei Lavrov has accused Europe of reviving Nazi views over Ukraine. The Russian foreign minister said that the countries involved in the coalition of the willing for Ukraine want to "decide as they want, not listening at all, ignoring the opinions of others." Speaking on Thursday (24 April), he said: "In modern Europe, this is connected to the trend of reviving Nazi views, habits, and manners. But with Russia, you cannot speak in such a language." Mr Lavrov said talks to end the war with Ukraine were "moving in the right direction" after Donald Trump insisted he is putting pressure on Vladimir Putin. Donald Trump snapped at a journalist when asked why he was not putting more pressure on Vladimir Putin following Russias latest attack on Ukraine. Russia struck Kyiv for hours on Thursday (24 April) with missiles and drones that killed at least 12 people and injured 90 in the deadliest assault on the city since July. The US president was asked why he is not putting more pressure on the Russian leader, during an Oval Office meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store. Trump replied: You don't know what pressure I'm putting on Russia. They're dealing. You have no idea what pressure I'm putting on Russia. We're putting a lot of pressure. Clampdown on Airbnbs may not release properties into rental sector, ESRI report finds Think-tank says impact of short-term lets on housing supply has been exaggerated Impact of short-term lets like Airbnb on the rental sector has been exaggerated, suggests new report from ESRI Gabija Gataveckaite and Azmia Riaz Fri 25 Apr 2025 at 03:30 Doubts have been cast on the Governments plans to bring 12,000 Airbnbs back into the long-term rental market. Home economics: We rent out our late mothers Connemara home when not using it. Are we affected by the new RPZ rules? I may not have a joint bank account, but all my money is my own the financial perks of being single Imelda Morano spent 15 years as an undocumented worker in Dublin. During this time, she worked any job that would pay her in cash a creche worker, a carer, cleaner and front desk at a laundry. She remembers working well over 40 hours for as little as 6 an hour and at times only got two days off in a month. Theres a jaunty giddiness to many songs on Three Black Boltz, while A Study of Losses by Beirut is an album to get lost in Early 2000s America was a fertile time for indie music, Beyond the much-heralded Strokes, Interpol and Yeah Yeah Yeahs was a host of intriguing bands who remained slightly in the margins. Among their number were TV on the Radio and Beirut very, very different acts, but both led by singular frontmen keen to plough their own furrow. TV on the Radio are no longer a going concern but frontman Tunde Adebimpe has just released his debut solo album. Thee Black Boltz retains much of the eclecticism that made his old band so appealing to those who like their indie slanted and enchanted. Even at a mere 35 minutes long, theres a cornucopia of ideas and genres. Adebimpe, whose varied career includes stop-motion animation and acting (his latest TV gig is Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) is a compelling presence on these 11 songs. The urgent Magnetic, all fuzzy guitars and synths, finds him thinking about the human race in the age of tenderness and rage while the stark, arresting Drop is a beatbox masterclass. A jaunty giddiness characterises many of the songs, but it is clear that pain is being exorcised. The playful, upbeat stylings of God Knows cannot disguise the fact that hes singing about a relationship thats gone badly awry. God knows youre the worst thing Ive ever loved/ Youre bad news but weve still got to have our fun. And, on the tender ballad ILY, he sings about his younger sister who died during the pandemic. Its heartbreaking: Tell me that the end is not the end. Co-written with the albums producer Wilder Zoby who is probably best known for his collaborations with hip-hop duo Run the Jewels its the albums most conventionally structured song, but once heard, difficult to forget. Unlike TV on the Radio, Beirut are still going, but then that act was all about the talents of Zach Condon rather than a grouping of like-minded subversives. Condons first couple of (Balkans-inspired) albums coincided with Adebimpes bands much heralded early run and, despite the odd wobble, hes kept the quality high. His latest, A Study of Losses, is typically unconventional. Commissioned by a Swedish acrobatic troupe of all things it features 11 songs and seven instrumentals. Sophisticated, textured arrangements elevate the likes of Forest Encyclopaedia, which features Condons sombre, sorrowful singing. A highlight, Caspian Tiger, has a hymnal quality, a wonderful vocal delivery, and a confluence of strings, artfully arranged by Clarice Jensen, artistic director of the American Contemporary Music Ensemble. Its an album to get lost in. Historic floods delay planting, impacting crop yields and profitability In an aerial view, one of Micah Lesters flooded fields is seen in Cadiz, Kentucky, U.S. April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jon Cherry In an aerial view, one of Micah Lesters flooded fields is seen in Cadiz, Kentucky, U.S. April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jon Cherry Barry Alexander speaks on the phone as he drives to a portion of farm land in Cadiz, Kentucky, U.S. April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jon Cherry Kentucky farmer Drew Langley got an early start planting soybeans this spring, hoping to boost yields to help soothe the sting of slumping prices after U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with China put demand from the world's top importer in doubt. Then the rains came. Up to 15 inches fell on farms along the southeastern edge of the U.S. Midwest farm belt from April 2-6, flooding Langley's fields and swamping thousands of acres across the rolling hills of the Bluegrass State where farmers contribute a small but meaningful portion of the nation's soybean, corn and winter wheat crops. Grain elevators on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, which mark Kentucky's northern and western borders, offer farmers there access to the nation's largest export outlet at the Gulf Coast. The one-two punch of historic floods amid a damaging trade war comes at a challenging moment for farmers in Kentucky, where planting delays are costing them precious time in a year when low prices leave them little margin for error as they struggle to remain profitable. Farmers across the country are facing similar dilemmas as planting is under way and growers face last-minute decisions about what to plant as global agricultural markets have been upended by tariffs and trade uncertainty. Nearly 65% of deep red Kentucky's voters cast ballots for Trump last November, up 3 points from four years earlier, and many farmers, a core constituency for the president, remain supportive of his policy goals. "We are antsy and we are ready to get going," Langley said as he gazed across the flooded landscape of his Glendale-area fields that would normally be half-planted by mid-April. "I am itchy to get more of my beans in the ground," he said. The U.S. trade war with China, the world's biggest soybean buyer, has diminished export prospects for U.S. soybeans, the nation's top farm export by value, restricting farmers' ability to make a profit in 2025. Soybean exports to China never fully recovered after a U.S.-China trade war during Trump's first term, but some relief may be on the way. On Tuesday, Trump told reporters he would be "very nice" in negotiations with China, and that tariffs on imports from the country would fall significantly following a deal, but not to zero. Just 12% of Kentucky's corn crop was planted as of Sunday, well below the 23% seeded by this time on average, according to the USDA. Soybean plantings stood at 7%, compared with 9% on average. Barry Alexander speaks on the phone as he drives to a portion of farm land in Cadiz, Kentucky, U.S. April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jon Cherry TIMING IS CRITICAL Flooding across the Ohio River Valley, which spans far southern Illinois to western Pennsylvania, hit farmers particularly hard in western Kentucky, where many follow a highly coordinated rotation of corn, winter wheat and so-called "double crop" soybeans that allows them to grow three crops in two years on the same fields. The timing of each phase is critical, and this spring's flooding has forced farmers to spend time filling in ditches, repairing furrows hammered by flood runoff, clearing fallen trees and branches a leaving fewer days for planting corn. Farmers here, along with others across the United States, had hoped to add corn acres this year as their best chance for profits in a tough farm economy due in part to Trump's disruptive trade war. Kentucky farmers intend to plant 17% more corn acres this year while slashing soybean seedings by 10%, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest forecast, which was based on a survey of 73,700 farmers conducted during the first two weeks of March. The state's projected plantings shift is more drastic than farmers nationwide, with total U.S. corn acreage seen up 5% in 2025 while soybean seedings were expected to fall 4%, according to the USDA. Grower returns for corn are expected to be better than soybeans this year. Depending on how soon the floodwaters retreat, Kentucky farmers might have to switch some corn acres to soybeans, which can be planted later in the spring. Although Kentucky farmers grew just 1.5% of U.S. corn and 2.2% of soybean supplies last year, their crops, and those from the flooded Ohio River Valley, represent crucial flows for exporters that draw from supplies loaded on river barges bound for Gulf Coast terminals. Hodgenville-area farmer Ryan Bivens slowly drove across a flooded road to survey one of his waterlogged fields, his red truck leaving a small wake in murky water still standing on the area's saturated red clay soils. Bivens, 46, a first-generation farmer and newly sworn-in state lawmaker, should be spending the first weeks of April planting corn and soybeans and readying equipment to harvest his once-promising winter wheat crop. "I estimated first that we probably lost 200 to 300 acres of wheat out of the 2,600 that we have got planted," he said in an interview near one of his machine sheds. "I'm mighty afraid I am probably low." In an aerial view, one of Micah Lesters flooded fields is seen in Cadiz, Kentucky, U.S. April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Jon Cherry 'WE DON'T HAVE ANY ROOM TO GIVE' At Micah Lester's 7,000-acre farm near Cadiz, Kentucky, 15% of his fields remained unplantable nearly two weeks after three days of storms dumped 14 inches of rain on his once-tidy rows of winter wheat and rye, a cover crop on fields where he intended to plant corn. Lester hopes that Washington's trade war will eventually lead to better crop prices. But if his fields remain waterlogged into May, Lester fears he will have to shift acres earmarked for corn to soybeans despite demand concerns stemming from Trump's tariffs on China. "I'm optimistic but also very nervous. It's not like we are in a great ag economy. We don't have any room to give," he said in an office behind his house. Just outside, his crews moved huge planters and other equipment into place to start seeding corn. A few miles away, farmer Barry Alexander has spent hundreds of dollars per acre on labor to clear corn fields of debris after heavy flooding. Alexander said that some of the fields on his 13,000-acre farm may be unsuitable for planting this spring. He has circled May 5 on his calendar. That's the day he will begin to seriously consider shifting corn acres to soybeans. To what level global markets remain open to either crop amid Trump's aggressive trade policies remains unclear. China has already slapped a 125% duty on U.S. goods in retaliation for Trump's tariffs, effectively halting its imports of American farm products. Other nations facing Trump's tariffs are weighing their responses. Soybean and corn farmer Langley remains optimistic that Trump's policies will yield a trade deal that would lift soybean prices well above their current $10-a-bushel levels. If soybeans continued to fetch $10 per bushel, Langley said, "we can live to fight another day." If as a result of the trade war prices fall, however, "then you can say, 'well, Drew has got an auction sign in his yard,'" Langley said. Reuters Cork City Council says money for scheme has been exhausted Tensions have emerged within the Coalition over what has been described as a crisis in funding for a housing acquisition scheme which has left 33 families in Cork at risk of homelessness. Fine Gael TD Colm Burke has joined with Sinn Fein and other opposition TDs in writing to Fianna Fail Housing Minister James Browne, seeking his urgent intervention after the tenant-in-situ scheme in the city was curtailed because of a funding shortfall. The scheme allows local authorities to step in and buy a rental property when the landlord is selling up, so tenants can stay living there and avoid homelessness. Cork City Council acquired 135 properties last year but 33 of these sales have not yet been completed or are in the sale agreed phase, meaning their tenants are in limbo. Housing Minister James Browne. Photo: PA Today's News in 90 seconds - 25th April 2025 The council has said that as a result of its financial commitments from 2024, its allocated funding for this year has been exhausted and that while it is engaging with the Department of Housing to ensure existing commitments are honoured, its acquisitions for 2025 have now ceased. Alison ORourke, director of services in the housing directorate of Cork City Council, said the funding allocation received by Cork City Council is inadequate to fulfil its existing commitment and the projected programme for 2025. She said the council is engaging with the department, but the progression of any additional purchases for 2025 is ceased with immediate effect. In response to questions from Sinn Fein about the matter, Ms ORourke also said: The cessation of the tenant-in-situ programme will be expected to have a significant effect on homelessness prevention. She said the scheme prevented 37 single-occupant households and 51 families comprising 87 adults and 100 children from becoming homeless last year. A letter sent to the Housing Minister from a cross-party group of six TDs and 18 councillors said they are deeply concerned that families could be left homeless. The letter was signed by Mr Burke, a former junior health minister, as well as two Sinn Fein TDs, Thomas Gould and Donnchadh O Laoghaire, Labour TD Eoghan Kenny, Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn and Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice. We have all personally supported families through the process and seen the huge benefits of the scheme. Providing secure, affordable and permanent housing is vital to ensuring every family reaches their full potential, the letter said. We are asking you to reconsider this funding allocation to reopen the scheme to new applicants and to urgently supply interim funding to allow Cork City Council meet its pre-existing commitments. Figures compiled by Sinn Feins housing spokesman Eoin O Broin show the issue is widespread across the country. There has been a 50pc cut in funding available to Dublin City Council for 2025 for housing acquisition schemes. The council was granted an allocation of 117m for last year and 95m for 2025 for home acquisition schemes. But 37m of this is being used to pay for 165 purchases last year, meaning around 59m remains for 2025. There has been a 92pc cut in the funding for Galway County Council, which was granted 6m for acquisitions this year but said when the 2024 overhang is dealt with, the remaining balance is estimated to be 500,000. Mr O Broin believes there has been opposition within the Government to local authorities buying homes that could otherwise be bought by private owner-occupiers. These are vital acquisition schemes designed to prevent people from becoming homeless, getting people out of emergency accommodation more quickly and bringing derelict and vacant homes back into use, the Sinn Fein TD said. The net result of all of this is that more people will be in emergency accommodation for a longer period of time than if the existing rules had been left in place. The Irish Independent contacted the Department of Housing for comment. The Government is promising to crack down on a semi-synthetic form of cannabis, linked to psychosis. The drug is legal in Ireland and found in some vapes, gummy bears and cake, but no information campaign about its potential risks is planned. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said there is growing concern on the potential impact of using hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) on young peoples mental health including the possible link with psychosis. She added: Young people have reported adverse effects such as loss of consciousness after use. I am informed that Department of Health officials, together with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, have drafted legislation to add HHC to the list of Schedule 1 controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs legislative framework. Schedule 1 controlled drugs are subject to the strictest of control measures and both the possession and/or sale and supply of a Scheduled 1 controlled drug is an offence. It is expected that this legislation will be brought to the Government shortly. The minister was responding to a question from Labour party health spokesperson Marie Sherlock. However, a separate parliamentary question from Ms Sherlock, referred to the HSE, confirmed that no public campaign on HHC risks is planned. HHC vapes are neither a tobacco nor a nicotine inhaling product The response said: The HSE has not been requested or funded to develop a HHC prevention campaign and has no plans to develop a specific campaign highlighting their use with parents or in schools, unless requested and resourced to do so. The Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act, which became active in December 2023, made it illegal to sell nicotine-containing vapes to anyone under the age of 18. HHC vapes are neither a tobacco nor a nicotine inhaling product, so they do not currently fall under the scope of this legislation. A legislative gap exists as HHC products can still legally be sold to people under 18. The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme has been provided with once-off funding in 2025 to develop a general youth vaping prevention media campaign. Drug use prevention is covered more generally within the junior cycle curriculum. Ms Sherlock is concerned that there was no plan for an awareness campaign, despite warnings raised by adolescent addiction services and the HSE itself. A man and woman have been arrested after gardai and the Revenue Customs Service seized 224,000 worth of cannabis in Co Dublin earlier today. As part of intelligence-led operations, Revenue officers seized 11.2kgs of herbal cannabis worth an estimated 224,000, following searches at two separate locations. These separate seizures were made as a result of joint operations conducted by Revenues Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and DMR North Central and DMR East Divisional Drugs Units, a Garda spokesperson said. A man aged in his 40s and a woman aged in her 50s were arrested by Gardai and are currently detained at Garda Stations in Dublin under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. Stable lad Dylan Phelan (25), from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, and (inset) his winning betting slip from last year A stable lad from Waterford will have his 30 each-way double bet paid out after bookmakers Ladbrokes said it will settle outstanding bets on horses Diamond Nora and Rockys Diamond. The announcement comes following discussions between the bookmaker and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB). Dungarvan man, Dylan Phelan (25) works for trainer Declan Queally at his Cappagh, Co Waterford stable. On April 19 last year, Mr Phelan placed a 30 each-way double on Diamond Nora at Ballinrobe and Rockys Diamond at Limerick Racecourse, both trained by Mr Queally, at odds of 125/1 and 80/1 respectively. Mr Phelan believed he had won a life-changing payout of 319,440, but 12 months after he placed the bet he had yet to receive any payment. Earlier this week, Mr Phelan told the Irish Independent he placed the long-shot bet at a Ladbrokes shop in Limerick city on the morning of the races, but he never received the cash after both horses won their races. The bookmakers previously said it was awaiting the results of an investigation by the IHRB. Mr Phelan and Mr Queally both said they were unaware of what the investigation into the race involved. IHRB Raceday Stewards in Limerick and Ballinrobe had enquired into the apparent improvement in form of both horses in their respective races on April 19 last year, referring the matter to the referrals committee for further investigation, an IHRB spokesperson said earlier this week. The spokesperson said the investigation is now nearing its conclusion and a decision will be taken as to what further action, if any, requires to be taken. Ladbrokes has now announced it will be settling relevant bets, though the investigation remains ongoing. A spokesperson for Ladbrokes said: We have now discussed this matter with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) in order to seek a resolution as quickly as possible. "Although the IHRB is unable to provide details of the investigation, or its likely duration, we are satisfied that it is appropriate to proceed with payment of the relevant bets in accordance with our terms and conditions. Mr Phelan has been contacted for comment following the announcement from Ladbrokes that the bet will be settled. Speaking to the Irish Independent earlier this week, Mr Phelan said: I work in the yard and look after the two horses [Diamond Nora and Rockys Diamond]. I ride them every day. I happened to look at the betting and they were massive odds. I took a chance, I thought the horses were better than the odds they were saying. I thought they both might run nice races. It was like a lottery win, a one in a million. Its much easier to lose than win. I was at the races in Limerick to watch Rockys Diamond. I was hoping I might get a little return. I was standing there and Rockys Diamond was straight at the front. He wasnt stopping. He won the race. I was delighted. Then I checked my phone and I couldnt believe my eyes, Diamond Nora was heading to the last in Ballinrobe. All of a sudden, she was over the last and then she was winning the race. She won and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Mr Phelan said he had heard from others that had won bets on the races and been paid by other bookmakers. A spokesperson for the IHRB said: An ongoing IHRB investigation into two specific races that took place on 19 April 2024 is now nearing its conclusion and a decision will be taken shortly as to what further action, if any, will be taken. The spokesperson reiterated that Mr Phelan is not the subject of the IHRB investigation. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has said every person has the right to respect following the fallout after the partys health spokesperson praised a UK court ruling regarding gender equality. David Cullinane apologised after he praised a UK Supreme Court ruling defining women by their biological sex as a common sense judgement. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces, such as changing rooms and homeless hostels, if proportionate. Last week, Mr Cullinane had welcomed the judgement by Britains highest court and suggested that it should be fully examined in Ireland. The UK ruling could effectively exclude transgender women from certain equality protections. But by lunchtime on Thursday last week, Mr Cullinane had apologised for the hurt and offence that he caused to the transgender community with his post on X. Speaking to Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show, Ms McDonald said the issue is also a personal one for her as her sister is a transgender woman. In terms of David, the great thing about social media is that its immediate but thats also the problem, she said. I have a trans sibling, and I love my sister. Shes loved beyond measure, and I want her to live a full life, and I want that for any individual. Ms McDonald said the discussion on equality and LGBTQ+ issues must start from a position of respect. The first decision has to be that we work for equality. Everyone has to have the right to respect, and I believe we can reach that in a fair way, she said. In relation to the last general election, she said: Simply put, we didnt get enough votes. We learned lessons from the last campaign. We just need to convince people we can do things differently. In this work, every day is a school day, every campaign is different. The Dubliner said she never considered stepping down as leader of the party. Im in the job now seven years, Im in my prime. I believe in what were doing. Im a proud Dubliner, a proud Irish woman. There are so many things that can be achieved, and I want to be part of leading those discussions, she said. She also discarded the prospect of running for president and said Michael D Higgins is a national treasure. Its a very important job but my work is to make sure we get a change in government, so we have better opportunities for young people, she said. She said Sinn Fein is considering backing a candidate within the party. We have options, were going to have a discussion. I have my eye on one or two possible candidates, she said. In relation to the prospect of a United Ireland, Ms McDonald said she believes were in the end days of partition. She said its not acceptable that people in Northern Ireland cant vote for matters concerning the country. Isnt it crazy that people that live in your county in the six counties that they cant vote for their president, she said. For me, the role of the president, the essence of it is inclusivity. The important thing is we need to get over the first hurdle to ensure that people living in Ireland can vote for their president. Asked about why her party boycotted the trip to Washington for St Patricks Day, she added: When the Americans declared openly that they had changed policy to the extent that they were going to evacuate Gazans from Gaza City that to us was just a step too far. Unfortunately, Im not the Taoiseach, but it is essentially a meeting between the Taoiseach and the president. We have deep roots in the United States but for us, this year, that pledge in terms of Gazans, we believed, this was our way of marking our protest. Separately, Ms McDonald said she is still processing the loss of her father. I had a complicated relationship with my father, its always hard, she said. I kind of did my best to always have relationship with him, I didnt always succeed but I think Ill spend the rest of my life processing that. Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin closes to the public following deeply troubling incident Thousands of people have signed a petition to prevent the closure of Irelands biggest mosque. It comes after the the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskeagh, south Dublin, said it was left with no choice but to close temporarily to the public after a deeply troubling incident last Saturday. It is understood the incident relates to a meeting about the future and governance of the centre which descended into turmoil. A notice posted to the gates of the centre, which also houses a mosque and a Muslim school, said the campus will remain closed until a full investigation is carried out and robust safety and security protocols are implemented. The notice said the incident was an "unprecedented and distressing attack on the mosque, centre and board members on April 19 that left management with no choice but to temporarily close the centre. The decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and well-being of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School, said the notice that is signed management. A Change.org petition has now been signed by more than 2,000 people. We, the undersigned members of the community, write this petition to express our profound concern over the closure of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI). As the largest place of worship for Muslims in Ireland, the ICCI has been a cornerstone of our community for decades, the petition reads. We understand that the ICCI faces closure due to recent challenges and events. While these circumstances are regrettable, we assure the donors that our community is wholeheartedly committed to resolving any issues. Furthermore, we cannot overstate how vital the ICCI is to our lives and the essential role it plays in serving the community, the petition continues. It emphasised that the community bears no blame for what is happening and is not a party to the conflict and questions why they should be punished. We appeal to everyone involved to prioritise the collective interest of the community, regardless of any personal objectives. In a statement issued on social media this morning, the centre said it was going to remain closed to ensure the safety and security of the property and public. The decision was made by a newly appointed board of directors. The statement said that on Saturday, 19 April, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) board had scheduled a closed-door meeting "specifically for the parents of children enrolled at the Quranic School to discuss school-related matters" but it said "attempts were made to disrupt the meeting and transform it into an open community gathering at an incorrect venue." It said that following an incident "and in light of credible information received by the board regarding planned protests, including potential attempts to breach the centre's gates and forcibly take control of the premises - the board determined that maintaining security would be impossible if the centre remained open." The statement adds: "The Centre remains concerned about ongoing safety risks, particularly given reports that further protests may be organised with the intent to incite individuals to breach the gates and forcibly occupy ICCI premises. We trust the gardai will continue to ensure the protection of the centre during this time. "The Centre reiterates that rumours of pressure from abroad or any external actors/parties are false and without foundation." The ICCI will remain closed "as it undertakes a full review of its security posture. A notice on the gates said the incident last weekend was "unprecedented and distressing". The notice said there was an unprecedented and distressing attack on the mosque, centre and board members on April 19 that left management with no choice but to temporarily close the centre. The decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and well-being of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School, said the notice, signed management. It said the move was "a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of the Mosque and Centre". Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who is leader of another mosque in west Dublin, told RTE News during the week he believes that issues have arisen about the operation of the centre. However, he said his message to the community is that there is "no cause for alarm" and what is happening is a "transitional period". He added that he believes the centre will reopen under "renewed administration" and this would be a "step towards unity and progress. It has been reported that videos circulating on social media, believed to be from Saturday, show large groups of people inside and outside the mosque arguing with each other. The Islamic Cultural Centre has been operating in Clonskeagh since 1996 and is one of the biggest for Ireland's Muslim population, the majority of whom live in Dublin. The centre serves the majority of the estimated 55,000 Muslim population. It hosts large celebrations and has hosted several high-profile visits and services. Tanaiste Simon Harris has said the Government never suggested that short term lets were the root cause of low rental supply in Ireland. The comments come as the ESRI published research on Friday into the use short-term lets across the country. In the report, the ESRI said it did not find a link between increases in short term lets and decreases in new long term tenancies. As the Government plans to introduce regulations on short term lets in Ireland that advertised on websites like Airbnb, it is expected this could bring 12,000 properties back into the long-term rental market. However, the report cast doubt on these plans, as the findings suggest the increase in short-term let activity is not the main cause of rental shortages in Ireland. Speaking on Friday, Tanaiste Simon Harris said the challenge in the rental market was down to supply and not solely the rest of an increase in short term lets. So from my reading of the ESRI report, it states that the issue in relation to the lack of rental supply, the root cause of that is not short term lets. I would say in response, we never suggested it was. The challenge in relation to a lack of rental stock is a lack of supply and that's why the government has to continue to be restless in terms of increasing the amount of houses to rent and to buy in our country, the Tanaiste said. The Short-Term Lettings Bill will effectively see a clampdown on these short term rental properties in areas where there is a population of over 10,000. These rental properties will also have to be registered with a new Failte Ireland register. While the ESRI found that at local authority level there is no correlation between increases in Airbnb activity and reductions in new tenancies, this did not mean Airbnbs have not had a detrimental impact on the long-term rental market in some areas. I also note that the ESRI report does also say that it doesnt conclude that there isnt a detrimental impact on the rental market by short term lets and I do think regulating the short term letting sector makes sense, Mr Harris said. The Government promised, my party Fine Gael promised, that if returned to government we would do everything and use every lever at our disposal to try and make more housing available for people who are desperate to buy homes, to rent homes, to get out of the box room of their parents houses. This is just one of a number of initiatives that we intend to take to regulate this sector, he added. Sinn Feins housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin said there has been a lack of urgency in dealing with the short term rental market and that current legislation needs to be enforced to deal with these rentals in areas with rent pressure zones. My concern is there's a lack of urgency. For almost a decade, we've been calling for proper regulation of the short term letting sector, unlike hotels, unlike BnB's, or unlike the private rental sector today, it is completely unregulated, Mr O Broin said. What we want is the existing regulations in rent pressure zones fully enforced, and then a more flexible regime in those rural tourism hot spots to ensure there's regulation, but in a way that doesn't undermine the tourist economy, he added. Mr O Broin said nobody ever said short term letting was the cause of the housing crisis but that regulation was necessary. Fianna Fail are the cause of the housing crisis, but regulating the sector is the right thing to do in and of itself, Mr O Broin said. In the first instance, because we can't have a sector, either in tourism or in the rental market, that's unregulated. But any extra property in a rent pressure zone that is brought from unregulated, illegal, short term letting, that's what it is, into long term rental or long term owner occupation is one property that is to be welcomed, he added. Mr O Broin was speaking after the publication of the latest figures which show homelessness has hit another record high. The number of people who accessed emergency accommodation rose to 15,418 in March. It's a significant increase, an extra 40 families and increases among adults, families, children and pensioners. This is a direct consequence of the failure of the Government to address this ever deepening housing and homelessness crisis, Mr O Broin said. Thrifting is having a revival here are some expert tips on hunting for pre-loved pieces In old-school English the word thrift is a noun. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as the careful use of money, especially by avoiding waste. In the American-infused world of Instagram, thrift is a verb. Thrift with me! I like this new usage. Its so much snappier than inviting people to come to a car boot sale or go round the charity shops. Thrifting may be the latest trend in interiors, but it describes the age-old practice of buying other peoples items for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Laurel Harry, who lives in Utah, USA, posts about thrifting on Instagram under The House that DIY Built. Her talent is in finding interesting items and integrating them into a stylish interior. Are there a lot of thrift stores in Ireland? she asks, when we talk on the phone. She has three thrift stores right by her house but also travels to out of the way places. The smaller and less popular the shops, the better things I find. Interior with thrifted items by Laurel Harry Harrys favourite discoveries include a brass cactus, about 90cm tall. It was very cool looking and it lived in our house for a long time maybe three years and then I wanted to switch things up and I decided it was time to sell it. I took it to a holiday market at Christmas time, and someone bought it. I was a little sad but Im not missing it. Thrifting has everything going for it its enjoyable, sustainable and cheap. It satisfies the urge for novelty in a non-wasteful way. Objects youre tired of, or that no longer match your decorative style, can go right back into the circular economy. The key is knowing when to let go. Laurel Harry You get that high from the treasure hunting but my house cant fill it all now I have room to get more pieces! Harry says. Later, she sends me a link to an Instagram reel about the cactus. It shows her taking the cactus on a picnic, bringing it to the playground, and tucking it up in bed (all to the tune of Youre My Best Friend by Queen). Its very funny but also makes an important point. Old pieces have personality. They become part of our story and we become part of theirs. Interior with thrifted items by Laurel Harry Several of Harrys posts address the interesting theme of making thrift store items less ugly. In this, shes naming the elephant in the room. Inexpensive second-hand items are often hideous. This is why I dislike the smug and often inaccurate term pre-loved. If its former owners loved the thing so much, why did they give it away? Maybe they loathed it. Like any skilled thrifter, Harry can see the potential in unprepossessing objects. I found a brass stand with an ugly crackled glass vase inset. I didnt like the glass it looked so dated but it was the simplest thing to reimagine it. I took the glass out and turned the brass piece into a planter. Now its on my mantelpiece. Catherine Carton of Dainty Dress Diaries Catherine Carton of Dainty Dress Diaries is a DIY enthusiast and dedicated thrifter. I purchased a sofa and a mattress, she says. Everything else in my house is second hand. I paid 50 for my bedframe on Adverts. It was your typical orange pine, but I sanded it back and repainted it. Last weekend, she went to a car boot sale in Balbriggan. I heard you had to get there early so I arrived at 7am and it was really busy. Thats when you get stuff cheapest. Thrifting is time consuming. A day spent in charity shops or car boot sales may yield nothing and theres no guarantee of success. This is why the best thrifters are those who enjoy the process. You have to love the thrill of the hunt, Carton says. Its not as instant as going to Ikea. I enjoy a good rummage. Thats the nosiness in me. Interior by Catherine Carton of Dainty Dress Diaries Often, she finds herself confronted by an object that shed like to learn more about: Id always take a picture of it and do an image search on Google. Itll bring up images of that item that might be for sale elsewhere. Its a handy little hack to get a bit more info on an item and you can also find out if someone is over-charging. "For example, I bought a random cat teapot at a market for 50 cents and discovered it was a Chinese Luck Cat teapot from the 1960s. To discover car boot sales, vintage fairs and markets in your area, she recommends Collect Ireland: Its a really useful resource! Interior by Catherine Carton of Dainty Dress Diaries Ive always had an eye for turning the unloved into treasure, says Sarah Twigg Doyle, an interior stylist and designer based in Bray, County Wicklow. And I hate the idea of furniture going to skips. While skip-diving was once a niche pursuit, she feels the tide is changing. Some of the older generation still like having everything new, but thats to do with history and not having had money in the past. The younger generation are ready to embrace thrifting. Theyre totally on the ball. Programmes like The Salvage Squad a makeover series on Virgin Media Television feed into the thrifting zeitgeist. Twigg Doyle works on the show as the stylist on reveal days and also behind the scenes. Im buying and sourcing things for the show, she says. Its all about having champagne taste and a lemonade budget! Sarah Twigg Doyle of Retwiggd Her top tip is to carry a notebook and a measuring tape everywhere you go. If youre looking for something specific, its prudent to be organised. People go wrong when they fall in love with something, buy it, and then find out its not the correct size for the space. She also cautions against buying something just because its cheap: Think about the quality of a piece. If its a little bit broken, do you have the skill to fix it? Do you know someone who does? If its a wooden piece, double check its not been munched by our woodworm friends. Twigg Doyle is not afraid of woodworm. I know it can be treated and I kind of like the holes, they add to the character of a piece. Interior styling with rethrifted items by Retwiggd Her favourite finds include a mahogany cabinet, now in her sitting room. It was on a zero waste page on Facebook and absolutely free. It was a little bit damaged so I painted it in Annie Sloans Olive, with gold detail on the scrolling, and sanded it back so it looks like its always been there. Currently in pride of place on the cabinet, a stylish looking lamp once cost her 20 from Petes Antiques. It had an awful shade and flower relief detailing. Im sure it was someones idea of beautiful I used Polyfilla over the detailing to fill in the gaps, and a mixture of sand, bicarbonate of soda and paint to give the texture of rough plaster. The shade is new and came from Distrikt by Mia in Wicklow. For an interior to be successful there has to be a balance that friction of old and new together. See @thehousethatdiybuilt, daintydressdiaries.com, collectireland.com, retwiggd.ie The Trump administration served notice of its intention to end its involvement in bringing the war in Ukraine to a close. It is a poor look for Washington to be associated with a process going nowhere, as seen through its narrow prism of a ruthlessly transactional foreign policy. Many are asking just how serious US president Donald Trump ever was about reaching a balanced agreement. Their conclusion has been not very. His initial boast about doing a deal within 24 hours of being in office smacked of fanciful thinking. Almost 100 days after his taking office, critics are considering if there was ever any intention of trying to engage with the geostrategic complexities involved. The White House view of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as an obstructive, unreasonable ingrate because he is not ready to hand over Crimea and other lands taken by Russia speaks to a worrying lack of understanding. US president Donald Trump rebuked the attack by Russia. Photo: AP Massive Russian strike on Kyiv kills nine overnight and injures dozens Ukrainians have died in their hundreds of thousands to defend their homeland. To raise the white flag now would be a betrayal of that sacrifice. Without security guarantees to protect boundaries in any post-deal context, Russias Vladimir Putin will simply bide his time and then return for another bite. Neither Mr Trump nor his team have shown the levels of intent needed for the arduous process of finding pragmatic solutions. Kyiv seems to find itself negotiating with a hungry lion for protection from a predatory wolf. Mr Trump has been antagonistic towards any efforts by Kyiv to make a case for itself Given the nature of these so-called negotiations, Mr Zelensky may be counting his blessings he was not at the table, as he would probably have ended up on it. The series of ultimatums his country has been given may as well be a wish-list from Putin. Washington and Moscow can emerge as winners, with Mr Trump securing his coveted minerals deal, whereas Ukraine and Europe could be weakened. Mr Trump has been antagonistic towards any efforts by Kyiv to make a case for itself. His overturning of alliances has made the world far less stable. Another casualty has been the post-war relationship between the US and democratic Europe. Putting America first may come with a price, as the global stature of the US is diminished. In a rare moment of censure of Moscow, following the latest barrage on Ukrainian civilians, Mr Trump said: I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! It is still hard to see Putin turning to jelly. More reassuring was Washingtons belated recognition that Ukraine has a right to military force. The fact the US is only just coming around to see this adds to the sense of unease that Ukraine may be abandoned. Kyiv needs a ceasefire so that a balanced deal can be reached, but in the absence of security commitments, what is being sold as a settlement still looks more like a surrender. Locals say the house belongs to a respected elderly couple Gardai are continuing investigations following a suspected arson attack on the home of a retired couple outside Cork City. Cork City Fire Brigade confirmed that a man and a woman in their 80s had to evacuate the house in Dublin Pike and were given medical treatment for smoke inhalation by firefighters before an ambulance arrived on scene. Locals say that the house belongs to a much-loved elderly couple, who have lived in the home for more than 60 years. The couple - who are described as lovely neighbours and very witty - were described as being in shock this morning. The community is in shock, a neighbour said this morning. This is a lovely community, theres never any trouble. Theyre lovely neighbours, youd always have a laugh with them. Their beautiful house where they raised their children is now completely destroyed. We just cant understand why this happened. Cork City Fire Brigade received a call just after 9pm to what they describe as a significant fire to the front of the property. Four units arrived on the scene to find the front of the house ablaze. The elderly couple were treated for smoke inhalation, with fire fighters bringing the blaze under control by 11.30pm. Locals claimed that three men were seen breaking into the property, before throwing an incendiary at the house before the fire erupted. Gardai confirmed they have attended the scene of incident of suspected arson adding that no injuries have been reported, and no arrests have been made at this time. Gardai say investigations are ongoing and that an area has been cordoned off at the scene of the fire at the junction of Dublin Pike and Kilcully for technical and forensic examination. The funding will also stretch to fit out the ground floor to provide the outpatient/day clinic ward with 10 clinical rooms and establish an obesity clinic in the hospital. Some 7.25m is to be provided for capital projects at Mallow General Hospital, including fitting out the first floor with a 24-bed inpatient ward. The funding will also stretch to provide the outpatient/day clinic ward with 10 clinical rooms and establish an obesity clinic on the ground floor of the hospital. Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul OShea said he is looking forward to seeing the project progress during the year. This extension was built during Covid times and its great now to see this part of the project moving forward. The different wards are very busy in Mallow General Hospital and it has a very busy Local Injury Unit open to the public each day. I look forward to seeing this project progress during 2025, he said. Mallow General Hospital is part of the Cork University Hospital group and provides a range of services including acute in-patient medicine, injury unite, medical assessment unit, an endoscopy suite and theatre. Mr OShea welcomes further investment in the hospital in the future. I welcome the further investment in the hospital for 2025 and once operational, the entire new building will be providing many vital services to the people of the area. The staff there do great work and there is always such positive feedback from the patients there. I look forward to this continuing into the future, he added. 8 three-bedroom houses, 4 two-bed houses and 2 two-bed houses will be constructed along with 10 two-bed maisonette apartments. Newmarket is set for a housing boost after planning permission was granted for a 22-unit development. Cork County Council granted HRP Construction permission to demolish an existing two storey detached house and ancillary shed, known as Briar Hill House in Scarteen Lower in Newmarket, and for 22 two storey dwellings to be built in its place. 8 three-bedroom houses, 4 two-bed houses and 2 two-bed houses will be constructed along with 10 two-bed maisonette apartments. Cork North West Fine Gael TD John OShea said: 22 new homes for the people of the area will be built here in Scarteen Lower in Newmarket an area in the town which has been crying out for development for many years. I look forward to seeing these houses commence and to have them made permanent homes for the many people and families seeking housing in the area, Deputy OShea said. A revised vehicular access is proposed to the west of the site. Newmarket Fine Gael Councillor Trish Murphy said she is delighted to see the planning permission granted. Newmarket as a town needs to grow and prosper. We have a lovely town with lovely people in it and Im sure when these houses are built, all new tenants will be welcomed with open arms, Ms Murphy said. A Dublin councillor has warned that families are being left high and dry due to major delays in connecting newly built homes to essential water infrastructure, forcing some to reapply for mortgage approval. Fine Gael councillor Luke Corkery is calling for urgent action from Uisce Eireann, saying utility delays are causing significant distress for homeowners in Swords who are ready to move into completed houses, but cannot due to a lack of basic water connections. He spoke to multiple people waiting on their new homes in Knocksedan, Swords, who were told they would be ready to move in by the second quarter of this year. However, this hasnt been possible due to infrastructure delays. Residents have reported a complete lack of correspondence from Irish Water in relation to when their homes will be connected to water mains. I spoke to a family last week who are now having to reapply for mortgage approval, despite their new home being practically ready, he said. Uisce Eireann has given no indication of when they intend to connect the 40 houses in this development. Theyre being completely kept in the dark. Its unacceptable. Cllr Corkerys pointed to the 2.2bn allocated in Budget 2025 for Irish Water, as well as a government pledge to use the Apple tax windfall on critical infrastructure, questioning what progress is being made with those funds. The Tanaiste has made it clear funding to Uisce Eireann depends on a clear plan to actually deliver the water and wastewater infrastructure we need, he said. Were zoning land, doubling housing targets under the National Planning Framework, and setting up a new Infrastructure Division and Cabinet Committee. But unless Irish Water comes to the table with real delivery, families will keep suffering, he added. In another area of Fingal in Rush, dozens of families have found themselves trapped in a housing limbo, caught between development delays and missing utility connections. The Hayestown development in Rush, which is part of a Government-backed affordable housing scheme, was supposed to welcome homeowners as far back as June last year Instead, many buyers remain locked out, despite having drawn down mortgages and even enrolled their children in local schools. In February, just 14 out of 52 homes in the scheme had been handed over. Cllr Corkery has said that, in light of the revised National Planning Framework, councillors will be tasked with rezoning land for housing. I think its important we have assurances from Irish Water that theyll be able to deliver on their responsibility to connect future housing developments to water/wastewater infrastructure, he said. A spokesperson for Uisce Eireann said it is fully committed to completing connections as efficiently as possible. We have investigated claims that we are responsible for delays at Knocksedan in Swords, and determined the delays have arisen from legacy infrastructure which is not owned by or part of the Uisce Eireann network. Nonetheless, we are working closely with the developer in question to investigate how best to solve the problem. This article was amended at 8.30pm on Tuesday, April 29, to provide additional information from Uisce Eireann An image of how the holiday lodgings will look inside An image of how the holiday lodgings will look An image of how the holiday lodgings will look Plans for holiday lodges to be built in the grounds of a Galway hotel have been given the green light by the council this week despite facing objections from local residents. The construction of seven holiday homes at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in Bushypark has been approved by Galway County Council. The project would see the new houses front onto the N59, to the right of the existing access gate. After being put forward back in July 2024, the plans faced a number of objections which raised concerns over the impact on traffic as well as the environment, as the plans would require the felling of trees. An objection from Gus and Noreen Kelehan said: No consultation with the neighbours was entered into by the developers that might have resulted in a mutually agreeable proposal. They added further concerns over traffic safety, saying: This section of main road is consistently flagged as having limited sight visibility. We consider the proposed development as increasing the intensity and danger at this section of road if permitted. Another resident, John Connell, also said that the development could pose a safety risk to the road, as he cited the increased speed limit from 50kmh to 60kmh along the section of road and said: The development would likely result in an increase in traffic which, in turn, would heighten the risk of collisions on the N59. An image of how the holiday lodgings will look Meanwhile Martin and Orla Hughes raised concerns over the environmental impact, citing wildlife such as the barn owl and bat population as potential victims of the development. The objection read: While there has been a substantial environmental impact survey submitted with this planning application, all the surveys were completed after two mature trees were felled in the area of the proposed development. The felling of these trees would alter findings of any survey carried out the following month and were not noted in the environmental reports. Barn owls have been noted in the area but are omitted from [the report]. Was the walk for the bird species carried out during the day, as there is no date or time listed for this survey? No nocturnal species other than bats have been noted in the report and species that have been seen in the area are on the Red List and are species of huge importance. Galway County Council have greenlit the plans under including adherence to construction mitigation measures set out in the Natura Impact Statement and Ecological Impact Assessment in order to protect the site. One condition also stipulated that developers provide a traffic management plan in the interest of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and in the interest of traffic safety. In total, the council attached 19 conditions to the approval of the development. Donal Skehan on the set of his new show Locals in Connemara have expressed outrage following the sudden news that popular cafe Misunderstood Heron is to close. In a post shared on social media, the Leenane-based food truck announced their last weekend of trading will take place commencing from Saturday, April 26, having been shut down by planners at Galway County Council. Operated by husband-and-wife Kim Young and Reinaldo Seco since 2017, the cafe had become a staple of journeys to Connemara for its blend of Chilean and Irish cuisine but will promptly shut following the close of business on Sunday, April 27. An outpouring of messages in support of the award-winning cafe have followed in response. Over 1,000 comments have been left on the initial post. Well-known Irish figures have also paid tribute to the cafe on Instagram and called for a resolution to be found. In one comment, Rozanna Purcell urged Galway County Council to find a solution, calling the cafe a destination stop and an example of a great thriving Irish business, with broadcaster Louise McSherry also expressing her disappointment at the decision. A host of popular chefs from across Ireland such as JP McMahon and Neven Maguire have also paid tribute to the popular eatery, with the latter expressing dismay of an amazing place with incredible food and people. In one eye-catching tribute, TV chef Donal Skehan also shared his condolences with the owners of Misunderstood Heron, as well as slamming the council for a decision he described as ridiculous. Donal Skehan on the set of his new show "So disappointed to hear that without a doubt a shining example of just how interesting food business can be done. I hope for the sake of locals and the many tourists who have this on their list @galwaycountycouncil turn this ridiculous decision on its head, he said. Galway County Council have been contacted for response by The Irish Independent but are yet to respond to the query. In hopes of saving the business, fellow Lennane-based cafe The Purple Door has released a statement calling for the local community to take immediate action to save the Misunderstood Heron, who have said that eight jobs will be lost as a result of the closure. This isnt just about pasties and mussels, or Irish and Chilean food fusion, its about fairness, passion and the heart of small business. Why target a family-run food truck thats served us for years? Theyre the backbone of our community- employing locals and creating a space where everyone feels welcome. The council claims its about regulations but wheres the support to help small businesses thrive instead of pushing them out? This feels like another case of bureaucracy favouring big corporations over hardworking entrepreneurs, the statement concluded. Despite the enforced closure, the Misunderstood Heron say that they will persist with other ventures, such as catering and pop-ups, saying that more information will be revealed next week. Three-month-old from Rathkeale becomes last child blessed by Pope Francis before his passing Limerick baby last child to be blessed by late Pope Francis Pope Francis brought joy to one Limerick family in his last-ever public appearance as three-month-old baby John Flynn became the last child in the world to receive a blessing from the pontiff hours before the Popes passing. The infant, from a Traveller family in Rathkeale, was presented to the Pope as he made his way around St Peters Square at the Vatican on Easter Sunday last. Baby Johns father Daniel Flynn described the emotional moment to the Irish Independent as unbelievable. The Flynn family; Daniel, his wife Jessica, and their two boys Dan (4) and John, were on holiday in Italy at the time, and originally due to visit the resting place of Padre Pio on the day of the Easter Mass. However, they chose to attend the Popes final trip around the square in his Popemobile, something the Pontiff undertook despite battling double pneumonia. He came out and did a round of the square and my baby John was the last to be blessed by him, Daniel says. There was a baby beside us, and they passed him out and came to John, he adds. Born on January 10 in Limerick, John will be reminded of the moment for years to come as his entire family are devout Catholics. "He was meant to do a blessing from the window but decided to do a tour of the square, Daniel recalls. Sitting in the hotel after, Daniel even saw his young son on Sky News. I couldnt believe it actually happened, he laughed. You couldnt get breathing space there, he remembers, as the square was packed with up to 35,000 people. The blessing has become a cherished memory for the family, who have now returned home to Limerick from their trip. Baby John (three-months-old) blessed by the late Pope Francis The Flynns wider family were ecstatic about the blessing. They were over the moon, delighted, to be blessed by the Pope, John states, it was a moment well never forget. There were even people coming down to me after saying how lucky we were. Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, was known for his compassion and outreach to people of all backgrounds. After his passing the following day, the Flynns attended St Peters Basillica and laid flowers for the late pontiff. He was a wonderful Pope as well, Daniel remembers. While on their holiday of a lifetime, the Flynn family also visited the resting place of Carlo Acutis, the British-born Italian teenager who, it was recently announced, will soon be canonised, nearly two decades after his passing due to leukaemia in 2006. Sligos Got Music has been officially launched by the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree The project aims to showcase the Northwests wide range of musical talent. The project is being coordinated by Ballygawley Music Festival who have partnered with Ocean FM and is supported under the Creative Ireland Programme. Six finalists/songs will be chosen from the entries to sing live on Ocean FM over June. The winner will receive a full day recording day at Blue Room Studio in North Sligo and will sing at Ballygawley Music Festival in July. The winner will be announced on Ocean FM on July 11th. Speaking at the launch, Thomas Walsh from Ballygawley Music Festival said:, We are really excited about this project. We are eager to give a space to up and coming artists and to showcase the vast musical talent that we have across this region. Patricia Keane, Acting Creative Ireland Coordinator said, Sligo County Council are pleased to support Sligos Got Music through the Creative Ireland Programme. Sligos Got Music allows artists an opportunity to develop their creativity by composing original compositions or interpreting previous recordings. The initiative is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the community to experience local artists performing live music. Mark Halton, Head of Creative Ocean FM, said, We are delighted to be involved in this great initiative with Ballygawley Music Festival. Ocean FM has always prided itself on supporting both local and Irish artists. Over the past few years, we have worked closely with IBI, Hot Press and Coimisiun na Mean to help promote Irish artists via the Irish Music Months New Local Hero that has seen local artists such as Paddy Keyes receive national acclaim. Entries must be submitted to ballygawleymusicfestival@yahoo.com in *wav or *mp3 format. Entries open on May 1st and close on the 6th of June. For more information visit www.oceanfm.ie. A Sligo primary school has made its mark in the 2025 Our World Awards as Irish Aid proudly celebrates 20 years of the national awards programme. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades flagship programme with primary schools which, over its lifetime, has seen thousands of young people become inspired to engage with global issues and take action for a fairer, more sustainable world. This year, Sligo primary schools were encouraged to learn about the lives of children and their families in Mozambique, Somalia, and The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, also known as Laos, focusing on how Ireland and 192 other countries are working together to create a better future for all through support for the 17 UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Kilglass NS in Enniscrone proudly represented County Sligo in this years Our World Awards from Irish Aid, submitting a thoughtful and creative entry that highlighted their learning about Irish Aid and the UN Global Goals. It was the 6th class pupils who led the project, creating a beautiful, eye-catching poster that reflected both their artistic talents and their understanding of global issues. Through vibrant artwork, they showcased what they had learned about the important work being carried out by Irish Aid around the world. Open to primary school pupils from 3rd to 6th class across the country, the Our World Awards encourages children to explore important global themes such as climate action, equality and international development, while reflecting on Irelands role in creating positive change. Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD expressed his delight at the number of schools taking part in this years awards. This year saw an impressive rise in the number of entries for the Our World Awards. This response highlights the growing emphasis on Global Citizenship Education in our primary schools, which is very encouraging," he said. Judging is now underway and shortlisted schools will be invited to the National Final taking place at the Printworks, Dublin Castle on Friday 30th May 2025 where their entries will be celebrated and the Our World Awards School of the Year, 2025 will be announced. Dualla Together is one of the parties appealing a Tipperary County Council solar farm decision to An Bord Pleanala, just as plans for a second major energy project have been unveiled for the south Tipperary village Villagers in Dualla, who have opposed an industrial-sized solar farm, have now learned that a second solar farm project is proposed for the scenic south Tipperary village. An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against a decision by Tipperary County Council granting planning permission for the first solar farm complex at the village of Dualla. Power Capital Renewable Energy Limited was granted a 10-year planning permission by the council on March 19 to build a solar PV development on a 129-hectare site in the townlands of Boscabell, Garranmore, Newark, Fussough, and Dually, County Tipperary, subject to 18 conditions. The operational lifespan of the project is to be 40 years. The decision followed a long-running campaign by local residents to block the development, with concerns over the size and scale of the project. Over 300 submissions were made, including from local councillors and TDs. On Friday, April 11, the councils decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Dualla Village Preschool, care of Sarah Lawlor, Kelly, Conor and Kate Breen, Dualla Together CLG, Enda Howley, Donnacha Looby and Denis Looby, and Keith Barry. No date has yet been given by the state planning appeals board for when its decision will be made. Separately, another solar complex has now been proposed for close to the village, said a spokesperson for campaign group Dualla Together. We recently mentioned hearing rumours of another proposed solar complex near Dualla, and now we can confirm that it's true, the group announced on Wednesday, April 23. This new proposal involves four separate sites, three of which are extremely close to the locations we are already campaigning against. Its a different developer and a different group of landowners - but even closer to Cashel. Imagine if both of these industrial-scale solar projects go ahead? Dualla will be surrounded - turned into an industrial zone. The potential damage to our water sources, natural habitats, and way of life would be irreversible. This is a generational change for our area. Follow Independent Tipperary on Facebook Unlike Power Capital Renewable Energy, this developer have said they plan to engage with the community, we remain cautious. One community member was approached directly, and the developers appear very ambitious - stating they aim to break ground by 2028. We hope residents living near these new sites begin to organise and campaign, and that our local councillors step up and support them. Its frustrating to see our government continue to allow unchecked development like this across the country. We urgently need proper national guidelines to ensure renewable energy is implemented in a sustainable and community-focused way. Right now, it's a land grab - a gold rush for developers and landowners, with rural communities left to pay the price. We have to continue to stand up against this, added Dualla Together. The Patricks Rock Solar Farm, as proposed, could bring with it funding in the region of an estimated 193,000 each year, or over 2.9m over a 15-year period, according to the developer Energy company Statkraft say there are committed to delivering affordable renewable energy to the Irish grid system and working with communities to explore how these projects might work best in their local areas. The company has been operating in Ireland since 2018 developing projects across wind, solar and grid services, all supported by their teams in Cork and Tullamore. The Patricks Rock Solar Farm, as proposed, could bring with it funding in the region of an estimated 193,000 each year, or over 2.9m over a 15-year period, according to the developer. Projects that improve local wildlife habitats, celebrate culture and heritage, and promote inclusive economic opportunities may qualify for funding. Some benefits of the project would include direct benefit schemes, such as near neighbour payments, funding for amenity or equestrian trails, funding for local heritage initiatives, job creation and investment in the local economy, support for local education schemes, youth support schemes, and biodiversity initiatives. The proposal involves 125 MWp energy to the Irish electricity grid, a 110kV on-site substation, capacity to power over 155,000 homes, and a total community benefit fund of about 2.9m depending on the final design. Its proposed it will be setback 50m from all properties, while local authority development levies will come to around 337,000. Photomontages will also be included as soon as they are available, added the company. Details of the new project will soon be available at the website patricksrocksolar.ie. The community liaison team contact person for this development is John Lowry. Questions can be directed to enquiries@patricksrocksolar.ie or telephone 087 429 6496. Local women donned their best pink ensembles and crowded into the Clohamon Village Bar for a colourful event in aid of Relay for Life. Relay for Life Wexford is a powerful community event that unites people from all across County Wexford in the fight against cancer in raising essential funds for the Irish Cancer Society. The Irish Cancer Society will use the money raised to provide vital support services for people living with cancer, their families and carers. This much-needed help includes night nurses, driver services, freephone nurseline, counselling sessions, financial support grants, Travel2Care transportation & much more, all in our local area. Although the big annual event is a 24 hour fundraising drive set to take place in July, many communities decide to get a jump on the event to make sure the drive reaches the set goal of 100,000. Eager to do their bit, a Pink Ladies Night' was organised by the Wexican Warriors, with the inclusion of a live DJ, raffles, and tarot card reader for an unforgettable night out. Although they set a goal of raising 1,000 on the night, they succeeded and more by raising over 5,000. Lily Kearney and Breda Ryan. Chris Kearney, Martina Kearney, Elaine McDonald, Shelly Hogan, Caroline Murphy, Debbie Corey and Rachel Murphy. Louise Moorehead with Eilish and Chloe Kavanagh. Kerry Redmond, Rita O'Brien and Anita Carroll. Caoimhe and Lucy Power. Louise Moorhead and Michelle McDonald. Zoe Breslin, Katie Moore, Emer Williams and Tia O' Leary-Carr. Iarnrod Eireann is to roll out changes to its rail fares from Monday, April 28, as part of the National Transport Authority's (NTA) latest fares determination, which it says is designed to streamline fares as part of the overall NTA fares strategy. This fares determination sets out the fares for all the main Public Service Obligation (PSO) services namely rail passenger services operated by Iarnrod Eireann, bus services operated by Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, the Luas etc. The NTA first published its National Fares Strategy in 2023, and the key objective was to move to a more equitable and consistent structure for all public transport across Ireland. Part of the requirements of the strategy was that bus and rail fares should increase in line with distance travelled, regardless of route used or geographic location. This led to the creation of Dublin city zones and it is essentially these that have been revised, meaning an adjustment to fares. The new fare structure, which kicks in on Monday, April 28 will have a significant impact on commuters in north Wicklow as the Dublin Commuter Zone (DCZ) will replace the Short Hop Zone, which has now effectively been extended. This will result in significant changes to ticket fares, and for those who tag on and off with Leap cards. Leaving the confusing nature of the changes to one side, there is just one question that all commuters want answered: will the changes mean cheaper travel or not? The answer, confusingly, is yes and no, depending on what zone you now find yourself in. The DZC is broken down into the Dublin City Zone 1, and then Zones 2, 3 and 4, based on distance from Dublin city centre. Dublin city zone 1 covers the central city and its suburbs, and extends as far south as Bray. Greystones, meanwhile, has now been exiled to zone 2, at a cost to the towns commuters. The DZC will increase from the former limit of Kilcoole, to now include Wicklow town and Rathdrum, which are in zones 3 and 4. And while fares will come down in the areas now part of zones 3 and 4, there will be a mixture of increases and reductions in zone 2, with commuters in Greystones actually facing a hike in their fares. A single adult ticket from Dublin Connolly to Bray, from Monday, April 28, will remain at 2.60, while an adult day return will cost 5.20. The adult Leap card fare will be 2. A single ticket from Dublin Connolly to Greystones will increase from 3.90 to 5.10. A return ticket will set you back a fairly hefty 9.20, from the earlier fare of 7.20. The adult Leap card fare will be 3.90. The fares are the same for commuters to Kilcoole. However, the inequity for Greystones commuters doesnt end there, because the annual tickets are also going to be increased to 1,400, as opposed to 960 for those commuters who live in the Dublin zone, such as Bray. Bizarrely, an annual Dublin commuter bus only ticket will cost 1,295 for those in both zones one and two. Meanwhile, for commuters to Wicklow town, in zone 3, the fares are now 7.80 for an adult single ticket and 14 for an adult day return. However, because Wicklow town will be included in Zone 3, Leap cards can now be used as the cheapest option, with charges from 6 for an adult. Zone 4 will be furthest from the city centre, covering Rathdrum, at a cost of 7.50 for an adult with a Leap card. Otherwise, an adult single ticket will cost 9.80 and a day return will cost 17.60. Irish Rail communications manager Barry Kenny, speaking to RTE, has explained that the new fares mean using a Leap card will be the best option. Were encouraging all customers who use the Leap card, to make sure to touch on and touch off for your journey, so that you arent charged a higher fare than youre due, he said, and added that while cash fares are still available for the journeys, Leap will always be the cheaper option. A group of students from Scoil Chonglais who participated in SciFest in SETU Carlow with principal Patrick Maguire Principal, physics teacher Lorcan O' Toole and chemistry teacher Eileen Gallagher. Photo: Joe Byrne The trad group from Scoil Chonglais treated to some Easter eggs for their performances during the year. Photo: Joe Byrne Fifth and sixth year students from Scoil Chonglais at a workshop on the Leaving Cert Irish oral by High Rock Productions. Photo: Joe Byrne Michelle Sweeney and Margaret Nolan at the Scoil Chonglais car wash fundraiser at O'Reilly's service station in Baltinglass. Photo: Joe Byrne Paula Doyle and Sandra O'Reilly at the Scoil Chonglais car wash fundraiser at O'Reilly's service station in Baltinglass. Photo: Joe Byrne Amy O' Reilly, Emma Harmon, Sarah Doyle, Caoimhe Howard and Graham Doyle at the Scoil Chonglais car wash fundraiser at O'Reilly's service station in Baltinglass. Photo: Joe Byrne Parents and students from Scoil Chonglais in Baltinglass showed their school spirit with a hugely successful car wash fundraiser at OReillys Service Station that raised 1,600. Organised by the Scoil Chonglais Parents Council, the community event saw scores of students, parents and families stationed outside the local service station from 9 am to 5 pm, washing and cleaning all manner of vehicles. Thanking all the participants, OReillys for facilitating the event, and all those who helped promote it, parents council chair Sandra OReilly said: It was a great success, with families helping and everybody having their jobs to do, whether it was washing wheels, roofs or windows. There was plenty of fun and teamwork, with everybody chipping in, and its nice to be able to offer a service when you do the fundraiser, so youre giving something back to the community as well. There were cars right from the start of the day, so it was very busy. The weather held off as well, and there was lots of traffic, with people heading off to watch the big match in Aughrim. We raised around 1,600, which we were absolutely delighted with, she added. The parents council recently sponsored fruit for the mocks, as we always provide fruit for the students each morning during the week of the mocks. We also provided funds to the school for the new school library as well, so the funds raised will go towards a variety of things. Meanwhile, Scoil Chonglais 5th and 6th year students recently enjoyed an action-packed two-hour workshop on the Leaving Certificate Irish oral, which was given by High Rock Productions. The workshop featured drama, comedy and a Q&A, as well as scenarios tailored towards the Leaving Cert oral exam. A group of students also participated in the recent SciFest at SETU Carlow, where Scoil Chonglais was the only school to collect three awards. Sean Kelly Mason won the physics award and Toma Janonyte and Grace Gordon won the science teachers award for a project which they want to take further, with Keelynn Keogh, Emma Harmon and Pricilla winning the chemistry award. Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly has been sharing photos from her trip to Amsterdam with her family just days after announcing her unexpected departure from RTEs weather bulletins. Many viewers were surprised when the former Dancing with the Stars contestant announced on Monday night that she would no longer be presenting forecasts on RTE. She revealed the news with a simple sign-off after her bulletin following RTEs Nine OClock News: And that is my last forecast. Goodnight and goodbye. One of the photos included in her Instagram story shows she and husband and fellow meteorologist Harm Luijkx, whom she met in 2000 and with whom she has three children, who were also on the trip. Joanna Donnelly and husband Harm Luijkx It shows the couple in the same spot in Amsterdam this week and when they got married in the city. The day after her unexpected announcement, Ms Donnelly also shared a video walking through Dublin Airport with her husband, Harm, whom she met in 2000. "Were going away, Im not around. Theres been a lot of people asking if Ill talk this week no, because were running away, she said, laughing. The broadcaster travelled to the Netherlands, where her husband is from, for a family trip to Amsterdam. She has been sharing photos and videos of the city, including Amsterdams distinctive canals, boats and bikes, to her Instagram, where she has over 17,000 followers. Posting a photo of the citys unisex toilet signs, she wrote the humorous caption: God bless Amsterdam. Donnelly was among the well-known faces to appear on the recent season of Dancing with the Stars, an experience she described as an incredible opportunity. She was the third celebrity to be eliminated from the competition earlier this year. The meteorologist, who studied applied maths at Dublin City University before joining Met Eireann, has previously fronted RTE coverage of major weather events, such as Hurricane Ophelia in 2017. She has an audience of over 42,000 followers across social media platforms Instagram and X. In a video message posted on Instagram this week, the presenter said she was overwhelmed by the messages of support as she told followers that her departure was not a decision I came to lightly by any means. "It was a very, very hard decision to make, but I think it was the right one to make for me and for my family, she said. She added: Therell be more news in the coming while, but not just yet. Ms Donnelly has said it was a very, very hard decision to make and that her choice to leave broadcasting had nothing to do with her work product. Asked whether it wished to comment on her announcement earlier this week, a Met Eireann spokesperson said: While Met Eireann does not comment on individual employees, we appreciate the dedication and commitment of all staff in the continued delivery of weather and climate services. LIVE | Pope Francis: President Michael D Higgins pays respects in St Peters Basilica ahead of funeral tomorrow Vast crowds are expected to gather ahead of Saturdays funeral for Pope Francis in St Peters Square Irish President Michael D Higgins among mourners passing Popes coffin Irish Independent Newsdesk Fri 25 Apr 2025 at 10:47 Thousands of mourners again waited through the night for a chance to see Pope Franciss remains before the lying-in-state ends on Friday evening. Young people wait while rescuers search for their 17-year-old friend Danylo Khudia and his parents at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike in Kyiv. Photo: Reuters Russia pounded Kyiv with missiles and drones overnight yesterday, killing at least 12 people in the biggest attack on the Ukrainian capital this year and drawing a rare rebuke from US president Donald Trump, who told Vladimir Putin: Vladimir, STOP! 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 Indias CBIC Notifies GST Appellate Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2025 The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), under the Union Ministry of Finance, has officially released a comprehensive set of rules outlining the functioning of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Appellate Tribunal. These rules detail the procedures for filing, managing, and adjudicating appeals before this quasi-judicial body. As part of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, Indias Union Ministry of Finance has introduced the GST Appellate Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2025, to streamline the process of resolving tax-related disputes in the country. The notification states that the rules took effect on April 24, 2025. The procedural framework is divided into 11 chapters, encompassing 70 distinct rules and four designated forms, with the objective of promoting uniformity, procedural clarity, and digital efficiency in the functioning of the Tribunal. Key procedural frameworks outlined The updated rules were published in Gazette Notification No. 256(E) on April 24, 2025. Under Section 111 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, such rules have been mentioned and shall control the process and operations of the GST Appellate Tribunal. The new rules lay out procedures across nine critical areas: Electronic filing: Appeals are to be filed through the GSTAT portal using Form GSTAT-01. To check out the GST Appellate Tribunals new website, click here: efilingGSTAT Scrutiny and registration: Appeals will be reviewed, defects addressed, and registered by the registrar. Listing and scheduling: Rules are in place for cause list management, listing protocols, and daily scheduling. Interlocutory applications: It includes procedures for handling stay requests, condonation of delay, and amendments. Hearing protocols: Covers conduct of hearings, including ex parte proceedings and applications for restoration. Documentary submissions: Guidelines for submitting affidavits, evidence, and additional materials. Summons and document production: Authorizes the Tribunal to summon and require document submissions. Courtroom decorum: Sets standards for attire and behavior for members and legal representatives. Tribunal powers: Allows the tribunal to issue directions, modify records, and correct errors. ALSO READ: Indias GST Compliance Changes from April 1, 2025: All You Need to Know Internal tribunal operations The GST Tribunals internal operations will be guided by specific forms such as the Order Sheet (Form GSTAT-02) and the Cause List/Court Diary Registers (CDR-01 and CDR-02). This systematic approach is expected to improve GST litigation by enabling quicker, more uniform, and digitally driven dispute resolution in India. Expansion of GSTAT benches and circuits In August 2023, the Union Finance Ministry issued a revised notification for the establishment of the Principal and State Benches of the GST Appellate Tribunal, with retrospective effect from September 1, 2023. The latest notification, introduced in April 2025, introduces a new column titled sitting/circuit, reaffirming the location of the Principal Bench in New Delhi. Additionally, 31 state benches have been sanctioned, supported by 63 judicial members and 33 technical members across the central government and state government levels. Leadership and jurisdictional scope Retired Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra has been appointed as the president of Indias GST Appellate Tribunal. The Principal Bench in Delhi will address interstate disputes, while state benches will handle all other matters, including GST rate-related issues. Parties dissatisfied with the tribunals decisions retain the right to approach the high courts and the Supreme Court. Operational guidelines for circuit benches Indias GST Tribunals circuit locations will be activated based on the volume of appeals from specific regions, as determined by the President of GSTAT. Cities designated as circuit locations include the following: Smaller circuits : Panaji (Goa), Puducherry, Aizawl (Mizoram), Agartala (Tripura), and Kohima (Nagaland). : Panaji (Goa), Puducherry, Aizawl (Mizoram), Agartala (Tripura), and Kohima (Nagaland). Major circuits : Mumbai (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Kolkata (West Bengal). : Mumbai (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Kolkata (West Bengal). Additional sitting locations: Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Rajkot (Rajasthan), Hissar (Haryana), Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Thane (Maharashtra), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra), Chandigarh, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), and Agra (Uttar Pradesh). Each additional sitting will be handled by a judicial member and a technical member. Importance of GST tribunals Designed as specialized forums for resolving GST-related disputes, these tribunals are key to delivering efficient, fair, and expert-driven adjudication. Despite initial legal and administrative hurdles that delayed their setup, the establishment of 31 benches across the country is expected to alleviate pressure on high courts and accelerate the resolution of tax matters, thereby upholding transparency, equity, and legal integrity in the taxation system. Skilling and Diversity Takes Centre Stage in Indias Semiconductor Landscape Indias semiconductor workforce is expanding rapidly, with a focus on gender diversity, skilling, and readiness for global talent demand. Indias semiconductor industry is undergoing a change driven by surging demand, foreign investment, and central government-backed capacity-building initiatives. With the global semiconductor market set to cross US$1 trillion by 2030, India is positioning itself not only as a key design hub but also as an important player in manufacturing and advanced packaging. This transition has sharpened the focus on workforce development, skill alignment, and gender diversity. The countrys semiconductor workforce currently includes approximately 220,000 professionals, with plans to add 1 million new jobs by 2026. A mix of private sector skilling programs, academic integration, and public policy efforts are central to meeting this target. However, challenges persist, particularly in aligning engineering education with industrial demands and attracting talent to the manufacturing side of the value chain. Aligning workforce segment with semiconductor industry Workforce demands in Indias semiconductor sector span across a variety of technical roles, each requiring specific qualifications and training pathways. Design and development positions typically require advanced degrees in fields such as VLSI design or semiconductor technology. These roles offer competitive compensation, with multinational corporations offering packages that can reach up to INR 8 million (US$93,710.4) annually for experienced hires. Critical processes under semiconductor manufacturing, such as assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) roles, involve skills in outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT), VLSI packaging, and photolithography. Foundry operations, a core operation of semiconductor fabrication, call for process engineers, equipment engineers, and quality assurance professionals, each requiring specialized hands-on training in cleanroom and fab environments. At the technician level, diploma holders with targeted training in semiconductor processing are essential to supporting day-to-day manufacturing activities. Gender diversity and workforce inclusion Indias semiconductor industry is making gradual but tangible progress in improving gender diversity. According to recent media reports, as of 2025, women in India represent 25 percent of the sectors workforce, with expectations to reach 35 percent by 2030. In chip design roles, the current male-to-female ratio stands at 70:30, while in ATMP roles, it is around 80:20. Manufacturing roles tend to show higher male dominance, especially in core fab roles. Industry initiatives by manufacturing giants like Micron, Foxconn, and NXP are actively expanding womens participation in the production process. Micron has reported 28 percent women employees across functions, and Foxconn has invested US$230 million to develop housing for up to 18,720 female workers in its facility in Tamil Nadu. Programs such as NXPs Women in Tech initiative have trained over 100 female engineering students in VLSI design concepts. Read more: Indias Semiconductor Market Value to Reach US$108 Billion by 2030: Report Skilling challenges and academic readiness India produces approximately 600,000 engineering graduates each year in electronics-related fields. Despite this large output, only a small fraction are currently considered job-ready for the semiconductor industry, particularly for fabrication-specific roles. According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), about one percent, or 6,000 graduates annually, are equipped to contribute to fab operations without further specialized training. To address these capability gaps, multiple national-level initiatives have been launched in the country. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) introduced a curriculum tailored to semiconductor industry needs and building sector-specific foundational skills. The Chips to Startup (C2S) program, launched in 2021, seeks to train 85,000 engineers across 113 institutions in VLSI and embedded system design by 2027. According to the central government, over 43,000 students have been enrolled. In addition, the Skilled Manpower Advanced Research and Training (SMART) Lab at NIELIT Calicut, Kerala, established in 2022, targets the training of 100,000 engineers nationwide within five years and has so far trained over 42,000. These initiatives collectively support the development of a specialized semiconductor workforce. They also align with broader policy goals to enhance educational quality and industry relevance. In parallel, the manufacturing sector has shown signs of improved retention, with the average attrition rate falling to 10.6 percent in 2024 from 12.1 percent in the previous year. This may support workforce continuity in technical roles that involve intensive training and domain knowledge, particularly in fabrication and ATMP operations. Industry-academic collaboration and global positioning According to John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), 20 percent of the global semiconductor workforce is already based in India. Indias strengths in chip design, supported by a strong academic pipeline and R&D focus, are widely recognized. Some of the leading players in Indias semiconductor industry are as follows: Tata Electronics & PSMC Fab in Dholera, Gujarat: US$11 billion investment for a 28nm fab with a capacity of 50,000 wafers/month; Micron Technology ATMP in Sanand, Gujarat: US$2.75 billion investment for Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and NAND chip packaging; Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT) in Morigaon, Assam: US$3.6 billion investment targeting 48 million chips/day, with over 15,000 direct and 13,000 indirect jobs expected; CG Power, Renesas, and Stars Microelectronics JV in Gujarat: US$900 million project focusing on packaging for automotive, industrial, and power electronics; and Simmtech in Gujarat: New chip component facility, announced alongside Micron, with detailed investment and employment figures forthcoming. These projects are set to create tens of thousands of jobs, further accelerating Indias workforce growth. For instance, the Dholera fab alone is expected to generate over 20,000 skilled positions, while the TSAT plant is a major employment driver in Northeast India. DOING BUSINESS IN INDIA EXPLORE IN-DEPTH INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS GUIDES. Explore vital economic, geographic, and regulatory insights for business investors, managers, or expats to navigate Indias business landscape. Our Online Business Guides offer explainer articles, news, useful tools, and videos from on-the-ground advisors who contribute to the Doing Business in India knowledge. Start exploring In brief Indias semiconductor workforce landscape is evolving rapidly, with progress in gender diversity, skilling, and international collaboration. As manufacturing ramps up alongside design, workforce development will remain a strategic pillar. With robust initiatives like C2S and increased participation from global stakeholders, India has the potential to become a global semiconductor talent hub. (US$1 = INR 85.37) After months of suspense and fan speculation that could rival a whodunit plot itself, Netflix has finally pulled the curtain back on the OTT release date for The Thursday Murder Club. Drumroll, please the long-awaited mystery comedy lands on Thursday, 28 August 2025. Based on Richard Osmans runaway bestselling novel, the film has been buzzing ever since its announcement, and with good reason. THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB arrives 28 August! Based on Richard Osman's smash-hit novel, directed by Chris Columbus, and starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie. pic.twitter.com/JoEPGS8lO2 Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) April 24, 2025 The Thursday Murder Club OTT release date This isnt just your average crime thriller, it is a golden-age murder mystery with serious star power. We are talking Helen Mirren as the suave ex-spy Elizabeth Best, Pierce Brosnan bringing swagger as union man Ron Ritchie, Sir Ben Kingsley playing brainy psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif, and Celia Imrie lighting up the screen as nurse-turned-sleuth Joyce Meadowcraft. First look at Chris Columbus THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB Starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, David Tennant and Naomi Ackie Follows 4 retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun Releasing August 28 on Netflix pic.twitter.com/T990shBIoI DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 24, 2025 The first stills from the film have just dropped, and yes, the internet is collectively losing it. The images tease our favourite retired mischief-makers in full investigative mode, trench coats, tea, and all. Plus, we get sneak peeks at Naomi Ackie as the no-nonsense police officer Donna and Henry Lloyd-Hughes as everyone's lowkey crush, Bogdan. The Thursday Murder Club cast And just when you thought the cast could not possibly get any better, guess whos joining the murder-mayhem fun? None other than David Tennant, playing the very shady (and possibly very murdery?) businessman Ian Ventham. While his official first-look image is still MIA, fans are already theorising like true crime TikTokers. The Thursday Murder Club movie will be released on Netflix on Thursday 28th August 2025.#DavidTennant plays a character named Ian Ventham pic.twitter.com/0TUqxIqd57 David Tennant (@David_Tennant) April 24, 2025 Although there is chatter that the film might hit theatres before the Netflix drop, a la Netflixs usual cinema-preview strategy, an official cinema date is still under wraps. Stay tuned and keep those popcorn buckets close. The Thursday Murder Club is based on a novel Oh, and before you binge it in August, you might want to revisit (or read for the first time) the original novel. And maybe the sequels too, because Osmans fifth Thursday Murder Club book drops this September. Yes, it is a whole universe now. Fridays episode of General Hospital will open with Willow Corinthos arriving in Germany, full of hope to meet Michael. But her heartfelt mission quickly runs into trouble. Someone might be actively preventing her from seeing her husband. While Drew Cain seems encouraging, his oddly helpful behaviour raises eyebrows. Carly and Drew both knew about her trip, and either could have had reasons to interfere. Is one of them secretly pulling the strings to stop Willow? Tension escalates between Brook Lynn and Lulu Meanwhile, back in Port Charles, Brook Lynn finds herself in a heated clash with Lulu. The two argue over Lulus story about adoption, which touches a nerve for Brook Lynnwho is desperate to keep the truth about her child with Dante hidden. When Dante enters mid-fight, both women scramble to cover their tracks. But how long can Brook Lynn keep the truth buried? With Dante unknowingly inching closer to the secret, time might be running out. Ninas plot and a family confrontation Elsewhere, Nina moves forward with a scheme involving a mysterious escort meant to manipulate Drew. She even pulls Portia into the plan, adding another layer of risk. Meanwhile, Ava and Alexis find themselves at odds over financial arrangements, with Ava demanding a change that leads to more tension. At General Hospital, things grow more intense as Molly uncovers documents that nearly led to her sister Kristina being committed. Kristina, deeply upset, confronts Alexis and demands answers. Alexiss explanationthat she was blackmailed into a legal moveonly adds to Kristinas confusion and pain. Sonnys life in the balance In Los Angeles, Sonny manages to survive surgery, but danger still lurks. A woman named Colette Moreau, posing as a nurse, sneaks into his room with a syringe meant to kill. As she prepares to act, Carly might just arrive in time to stop her. But even if Sonny survives this attempt, his enemies are far from finished. Secrets unravel, trust cracks, and danger follows every cornerFridays episode leaves no character untouched. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The United States is planning a new arms deal with Saudi Arabia, valued at over $100 billion. According to sources cited by Reuters, this announcement could be made during US President Donald Trumps visit to the kingdom in May. If finalised, it would mark a return to Trumps earlier approach to arms sales, especially to one of Washingtons most critical defence allies in the Middle East. The deal comes after former President Joe Bidens administration failed to secure a defence agreement with Riyadh. Bidens efforts were part of a broader diplomatic push to normalise Saudi-Israel ties. Bidens proposal vs Trumps comeback plan Bidens earlier proposal had attempted to steer Saudi Arabia away from Chinese defence investments. In return for limiting arms purchases from China and reducing Beijings presence in the kingdom, Washington had offered access to more advanced US military technology. However, the Biden administrations plan did not materialise. It remains unclear whether Trumps proposed deal comes with similar conditions or if it will follow a more open-ended arrangement. A US Defence official told Reuters that the security relationship with Saudi Arabia had grown stronger under Trumps leadership and said defence cooperation would continue as a priority. Defence giants set to benefit Several major US defence contractors are expected to be involved in the potential deal. Lockheed Martin may provide C-130 transport aircraft, missiles, and radar systems. RTX Corp, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, is also likely to play a key role, along with Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics. These companies have either declined to comment or deferred queries to the US government, citing the sensitive nature of foreign military sales. Lockheed Martin clarified that such deals are handled directly between governments. Some of the agreements included in the $100 billion deal have reportedly been under discussion for years. General Atomics' drones, for instance, were first requested by Saudi Arabia in 2018. A $20 billion deal involving MQ-9B SeaGuardian-style drones has gained traction over the last year, according to sources. US President Donald Trump | Credit: X Past deals and Congressional scrutiny The US has a long history of supplying weapons to Saudi Arabia. In 2017, Trump proposed a $110 billion arms package. But by 2018, only about $14.5 billion worth of those deals had been initiated. The slow progress and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi led to criticism and restrictions. The US has a In 2021, the Biden administration, with support from Congress, banned the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia. The decision was linked to concerns over civilian casualties in Yemen and the fallout from Khashoggis death. That ban was lifted in 2024, after shifting geopolitical circumstances including the war in Ukraine and the October 7 Hamas attack led to improved US-Saudi cooperation, particularly over future plans for Gaza. What lies ahead While many aspects of the current arms deal remain under wraps, defence company executives are reportedly considering travel to the region as part of the negotiations. The outcome of this deal could shape the next phase of US-Saudi military relations, reopening a chapter that was paused during the Biden era and reaffirming Trumps focus on defence sales as a tool of diplomacy and job creation. Under US law, large foreign arms deals must still go through Congressional review. As of now, whether this deal gains political traction or stirs fresh debate remains to be seen. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Two houses in Jammu and Kashmirbelonging to men accused in the recent Pahalgam attackwere destroyed in an explosion late Thursday. The attack, which killed 26 people earlier this week, has triggered a strong response from authorities. Who were the men behind the attack? According to reports, the destroyed homes belonged to Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh. Both are linked to the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Adil Hussain Thoker is from Anantnag and is believed to be the main suspect in the deadly Pahalgam incident. Asif Sheikh, a resident of Tral, is suspected of helping plan the attack. Police suspect their involvement in the killing of 26 people in one of the deadliest strikes in the region this year. How the homes were destroyed News agency PTI reported that explosives were planted inside the two homes and triggered on Thursday night. The explosions reduced the houses to rubble. There has been no official statement yet on who placed the explosives or under what legal grounds the demolitions were carried out. VIDEO | Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir: Visuals of the house of a terrorist allegedly involved in Pahalgam attack. The House was demolished overnight.#PahalgamTerroristAttack #Pahalgam (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/BGq0SnfQf8 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2025 Police action and search operations On the same day, Anantnag Police released sketches of Thoker along with two other suspects. Authorities believe these two unidentified suspects are Pakistani nationals. A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for information that could lead to their arrest. The sketches are being widely circulated to support the manhunt. Security forces in the region remain on high alert as search operations continue. The Pahalgam attack has led to renewed focus on cross-border terror and internal collaborators. Investigations are ongoing, and more arrests may follow. Authorities are urging people to share any information that could help capture the remaining suspects. Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to mourn, and security has been tightened in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir in response to the incident. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. One thing no one can deny is the love, bond, and camaraderie that the two biggest bands in the worldBTS and Coldplayshare and have for each other. From BTS performing Fix You, to their collaboration on My Universe, and Chris Martin helping Kim Seokjin aka Jin co-write The Astronaut as his farewell song before his military enlistment, everything between the two is filled with mutual respect. In fact, just days ago, when Coldplay began their South Korea tour, fans were treated to a special surprise when Jin joined Coldplay on stage at their concert in Seoul. Now, on the final day of their 6-day concert, after public demand, Jin returned for a memorable appearance. As expected, the two artists did not disappoint. BTS Jin joins Coldplay as a surprise During the fifth show, Chris Martin noticed a placard in the audience that read, "Please bring Jin back," to which he responded, "Okay, we'll do that tomorrow," sending BTS' fans called ARMY into a frenzy of excitement. True to his word, Jin returned during the Songbook section of the show, and the crowd went wild. Jin performed The Astronaut once again with Chris, and also sang My Universe, which had the entire crowd singing together. Coldplay's love for BTS While Jin and Chris were preparing to perform The Astronaut, Chris said, "Well, Jin, Coldplay is leaving Korea, but soon BTS will come back, so thats good. Everybodys only watching our show because you guys are unavailable right now. Chris martin: well jin, coldplay is leaving korea but soon BTS will come back so thats good. Everybodys only watching our show because you guys are unavailable right now IM CRYING... pic.twitter.com/l4cDWZchU9 hope (@winnttaebear) April 25, 2025 ARMY couldn't help but praise Coldplay for being one of the best mentors BTS has had. Fans are now hopeful for a Coldplay collaboration on Jin's upcoming second album, Echo. BTS RM attends Coldplay concert While all this was happening, fans noticed that the leader of BTS, Kim Namjoon (aka RM), also attended the final concert. The rapper is still serving his time in the South Korean military and will be relieved of his duties by June 2025. Namjoon of BTS attended Coldplay's last concert in Seoul #ColdplaySeoul 6/6 pic.twitter.com/5fZc8IqwrV Coldplay Access (@coldplayaccess) April 25, 2025 Not just RM, many fans even claimed that V, aka Kim Taehyung, was also present at the concert. This comes from the fact that Chris Martin mentioned the names of these two members before starting the My Universe performance. WDYM TAEJOON WAS THERE... AND THEY COULDNT JUMP ON THE STAGE TO PERFORM MY UNIVERSE pic.twitter.com/FP4Kw5by1O BlueeDenise BTS YEAR (@BlueeDenise) April 25, 2025 More about Jin BTS' Jin is set to embark on his first solo world tour, RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, starting in June with performances in South Korea, followed by stops in nine cities worldwide. His upcoming solo album, Echo will be released on May 16, and ARMY are eagerly awaiting this exciting new chapter in his career before the OT7 reunion. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. After a wait of two and a half years, the second chapter in the Weak Hero series, titled Weak Hero Class 2, debuted on Netflix on April 25, 2025, with much fanfare. The action thriller is based on the manhwa of the same name, created by Seopass and Kim Jin Seok. Weak Hero Class 1 premiered on 19 November 2022, on Wavve, South Korea's homegrown streaming platform, but Netflix bought the rights for the second season after the unprecedented success of the first part. Fans of the manhwa and series who quickly binge-watched Weak Hero Class 2 have taken to social media to share their disappointment, calling out Netflix for a lackluster adaptation that failed to meet expectations, skipped key details from the comic, and didnt live up to the seamless execution of the first part. Weak Hero Class 2 plot details Weak Hero Class 2 picks up after the heartbreaking finale of the first part, which left Ahn Su Ho (Choi Hyun Wook) in a vegetative state while Yeon Si Eun (Park Ji Hoon) was forced to transfer schools. Carrying the burden of his guilt as he held himself accountable for Su Ho's state, Si Eun has sworn to practice solitude in his new school, Eunjang High. However, it doesn't take him long to realise that his uniform may have changed, but his circumstances have not, as he once again finds himself entangled in the dark and gritty world of bullies only this time, they're more dangerous than ever. Just like in the first part, despite his cold and distant demeanor, he gets lucky with friends (let's forget Oh Beom Seok) and finds himself united with Park Hu Min (Ryeo Un), Seo Jun Tae (Choi Min Yeong), and Lee Go Hyeon Tak (Lee Min Jae). Together, they fight against the Union, led by Na Baek Jin (Bae Na Ra) of Yeoil High, his second in command Geum Seong Je (Lee Jun Young) of Ganghak High, the third in command Do Seong Mok of Yeonsung High, and Baek Dong Ha. The Union is supported by the gangster CEO Choi (Jo Jung Suk) of the Cheon Gang. The series weaves a compelling narrative, showcasing the dehumanising bullying culture in South Korean schools, while also portraying heartwarming friendships that make the likes of Seo Jun Tae believe in the power of Newton's third law. To every good action, there's a good action. Why are fans dissatisfied with Weak Hero Class 2? Fans, especially those who have read the manhwa, are not feeling Weak Hero Class 2, with many pointing out that the second part, consisting of eight episodes, is too fast-paced and doesn't focus on the development of characters. Several K-drama fanatics also accused Netflix of toning down on the fight sequences that made Weak Hero Class 1 the phenomenon it is today. Some also called out the "weak writing," which allegedly lacked impact. Taking to X, one user wrote, "Netflix absolutely butchered Weak Hero 2!!! What was one of my favorite Kdramas of all time? Looks like shit now." Netflix absolutely butchered Weak Hero 2!!! What was one of my favourite Kdramas of all time. Looks like shit now (@JaxPersona) April 25, 2025 "Weak hero class 2!!! The live action didnt do justice; theyve just ruined my favorite webtoon its just a completely different story!!! Too many important characters are missing, and it's very rushed... I'm all excited for nothing.," one user added. Weak hero class 2!!! The live action didnt do justice, theyre just ruined my favorite webtoon.. its just completely different story!!! Too much important character missing and very rushing.. im all excited for nothing Artama (@eghartama) April 25, 2025 Meanwhile, fans on Reddit echoed similar sentiments, with one user writing, "I've only watched the first four episodes till now, and if I'm not lying, it's mostly a mess and nowhere close to either the manhwa or Class 1; they rushed it way too much. Character development is pretty bleak, ngl. Fight scenes are good, especially Grey and Wolf's fight; they nailed that one down. As for Donald, it's pretty weird to explain, as they changed his character way too much, and I'm currently unsure if that's a change for the better or worse. My thoughts might change a bit after finishing it, but yeah, for now, that's it." Another user wrote, "Literally 220+ chapters in just 8, 30-minute episodes; it's nothing close to manhwa or season 1." "Cool fight sequences, but the overall pacing was way too rushed for me. I felt like they were just going through the motions, and they really didn't show Gray doing much observing of his opponents or working his way up the ranks and making a name for himself it feels like he lost most fights. and everything was just sort of mashed together. Donald Na felt very underwhelming not the actor's fault, but they nuked his backstory. Everyone's acting is great, and the friend group (Gray/Ben/Alex/Eugene) has fantastic chemistry, but I couldn't actually buy into any emotional scenes because there was no build-up to them. The banter is delightful, though. My favorite adapted character is probably Wolf; I loved him in the webtoon as well, and he really feels just as unhinged in the drama," added another Redditor. Check out more comments in the Reddit thread below: All eight episodes of Weak Hero Class 2 are now streaming on Netflix. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. CBI searches Vijay Mallya's residences, Kingfisher offices in 900 cr loan default case New Delhi/Bengaluru/Panaji: Tighetening the noose around the flamboyant business tycoon Vijay Mallya, the CBI on Saturday searched his residences and Kingfisher offices in connection with a Rs.900 crore loan default case.The loan, provided by state-run New Delhi/Bengaluru/Panaji: Tighetening the noose around the flamboyant business tycoon Vijay Mallya, the CBI on Saturday searched his residences and Kingfisher offices in connection with a Rs.900 crore loan default case. The loan, provided by state-run IDBI Bank is now declared a non-performing asset. The investigating body has registered a case against Mallya and others. A case of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by public servant and corruption, was registered against the airlines as well as its director Mallya, whi is an independent Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, chief financial officer A. Raghunathan and unnamed bank officials following raids at five places - at the airline's offices and at residences of Mallya and others in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Panaji, said agency officials. "The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against then director of Mumbai- based airlines, his said company; then CFO of said private company and other unknown officials of IDBI Bank," a CBI statement said. "It is alleged that officials of IDBI colluded with the promoters/directors and CFO of said airlines and sanctioned credit limits of Rs.900 crore (approx) in violation of banking norms, thereby causing loss to the said bank by such fraudulent act," it said. It said that searches were conducted on Saturday at three places in Mumbai and one each in Bangalore and Goa in the offices and residences of the accused. "Several incriminating documents found during searches are being scrutinized. Further investigation is in progress," the statement added. In Goa, a CBI team from Mumbai raided the Kingfisher Villa, Mallya's expansive property in the tony Candolim beach area, located 15 km from Panaji. The Bengaluru-based United Breweries Ltd, the holding company with substantial equity stake in the airline, admitted that CBI officials visited its office in Bengaluru, Mumbai and near Panaji. "We cooperated with the officials and provided required documents and will continue to offer cooperation," it said in a statement. The loan was advanced by the IDBI bank despite the fact that there was uncertainty about huge loans earlier extended by a 17-member consortium of banks to the airlines being paid. Some of the banks in the consortium have already declared Mallya as a "wilful defaulter". Sources said what raised suspicion was the fact that it was the first exposure of the Kingfisher to the bank and the big loan was granted despite negative rating and net worth of the airlines. While registering the preliminary enquiry in 2014 into the questionable sanction of loan by IDBI, the CBI had said: "There was no need for the bank to take the exposure outside the consortium when already other banks loans were getting stressed." Debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines was virtually grounded on October 1, 2012 as the passenger carrier cancelled all 50 flights after a section of its employees went on strike leaving thousands stranded, while it failed to pay dues running into crores to its service providers, including state-run oil firms, Airport Authority of India and consortiums of Mumbai and Bengaluru airports. It lost its operator's licence on October 20, 2012. A string of Indian banks have an exposure of nearly Rs.7,000 crore in loans to the airline, with State Bank of India leading with Rs.1,600 crore. Punjab National Bank, Bank of India and Bank of Baroda have loan exposure in the range of Rs.800 crore, Rs.650 crore and Rs.550 crore. The consortium led by SBI was formed to recover the money. The United Bank of India (UBI), which was owed Rs.400 crore by Kingfisher, first declared Mallya a wilful defaulter in May 2014. But Mallya's lawyers managed to convince the Calcutta High Court in December that the process of declaring him so was faulty. However after apex bank Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended ambit of the term "wilful" defaulter to include not only the primary defaulting entity, but also the guarantors of loans, and individuals on the boards of companies declared to be in wilful default, Mallya was again declared a wilful defaulter this year. Six men arrested in connection with a large-scale antiquities smuggling operation in rural Heraklion appeared before a court Thursday afternoon and were granted a postponement to testify until Monday, April 28. The suspects face charges including participation in a criminal organization and multiple offenses related to the protection of antiquities and cultural heritage. Additional charges include failure to declare metal detectors or other scanning devices, as well as weapons and drug-related violations. According to police, the arrests were made during a covert operation as the suspects allegedly attempted to sell at least 46 ancient artifacts in a prearranged meeting. The sting was conducted by officers from the Organized Crime Directorate with support from the Crete Organized Crime Unit and the Anti-Trafficking Division. Defense lawyers described the charges as "maximalist," suggesting that the full context of the case will become clearer as the legal proceedings continue. iefimerida.gr The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide advisory support to the Growthfund to strengthen the resilience of key Greek ports to the impacts of climate change. The initiative focuses on EIBs know-how on the climate resilience of Greek ports - Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum has faulted recent massive defection from the major opposition party to ruling All Progressive Party. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, commissioners and some stakeholders in the state on Wednesday announced their defection to APC. Speaking on Thursday while presenting a Certificate of Return to PDP candidate for Anambra State governorship election, Chief Ezenwafor Jude, Damagum noted that 2027 general elections will be a contest between President Bola Tinubu and the living conditions of Nigerians. Advertisement He added that the opposition party has been too magnanimous to Delta State and did not deserve the political treatment it received through the defection. READ MORE: Massive Defection Hits PDP As Delta Gov, Okowa, Others Joins APC Damagum said: Its very sad and unfortunate because to me, if theres any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party is very magnanimous. I thank God that in their message, they didnt say that the party did anything wrong to them other than good. Its a decision taken by them, but the pains will be in us, not because of anything, but because we have given Delta State all our support, from the emergence of the governor to his predecessor, who also doubled as our vice presidential candidate. I think weve done it all for them in Delta State. We least expected this action from them. All the same, this is a party that have seen more than that, but its still standing. This election in 2027 is not about how many governors you have or how many leaders. Its about Tinubu and Nigerians. The ordinary man is feeling the pain, and the decision is his. So I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is their election. It is APC versus Nigerians. Its not APC versus any governor or senator or anything but APC versus Nigerians. So I want to urge all of us to close ranks and rescue ourself from this hardship that is inflicted on us by design, not any coincidence. Former member of the House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje, has lamented over recent defections from Peoples Democratic Party to ruling All Progressives Congress. Bugaje expressed concern over what he described as monetisation of politics and its implications for Nigerias democracy. According to him, those in opposition with records in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, might be threatened to defect, but the essential reason politicians are defecting is money. Advertisement The former lawmaker led this out on Thursday during an interview on Arise TV, saying that PDP had already lost its ability to function as an opposition party. Bugaje said: Well, for what I know, and I dont claim to know everything, the APC is basically using money to buy off PDP. Some say a carrot and a steak. So the money is the carrot. Whats the steak? Im not quite sure. Of course, if there are people with records in the EFCC, they may invert in them. READ MORE: Massive Defection Hits PDP As Delta Gov, Okowa, Others Joins APC They might do these kinds of things. And this has been the practice right from the time of President Obasanjo. So, this might be, but I think the essential thing is basically money. And for me, this is a very serious issue, and this should be the center of our conversation in politics because for as long as money is going to be the determining factor, you know, then thats the end of democracy, and thats the end of politics. There has not been opposition right from the time the minister Wike did what he did. I mean, basically PDP has lost that opportunity to become an opposition party. Look at how members behaved in the last big issue of emergency rule, in the parliament, look at what they did when it came to the budgeting to so many other things. So really, there is no opposition party. A yet-to-be-identified man has died after a tricycle crashed into a parked truck along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway on Wednesday. According to PUNCH Metro, the information was obtained from a traffic update issued on Thursday by Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency. Akinbiyi explained that the truck had been parked by the roadside to offload goods to a nearby shop when the tricycle collided with it. Advertisement READ MORE: Edo Police Recover Stolen Vehicle, Arrest Suspect He said, A fatal road crash occurred at Adron Homes and Properties office, beside the TRACE office in Ogijo, along the Sagamu-Ikorodu Expressway. On an eyewitness account, the accident was caused due to a hazardous parking of the Dayun truck that was waiting for a very long time to offload its goods in some of the shops around the accident scene before the tricycle and didnt notice the stationed vehicle, rammed under it from the back. Three males were involved. One male is dead and one male is injured. The TRACE PRO confirmed that the injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, while the deceaseds body was handed over to his family. The injured victim was taken to Ikorodu General Hospital by the Police Ogijo before our arrival and the dead body was taken away by the family in the presence of the police. He revealed that the vehicles involved were a Dayun Truck with the number plate KJA 874 XW and a TVS tricycle bearing the number plate EPE 617 QN. Troops of the Nigerian Navys Operation Delta Sanity and its units have arrested six suspected crude oil thieves during a series of coordinated operations carried out from April 20 to April 22. The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, made this announcement on Thursday in Abuja. Adams-Aliu stated that on Sunday, the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH apprehended four suspected pipeline vandals near the Renaissance Africa Energy Coy Pipeline at River-Kolo Creek in Bayelsa. Advertisement READ MORE: Tragedy Strikes As Man Drowns In Kwara River He mentioned that on Monday, the Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS uncovered and deactivated two illegal refinery sites in Oteghele, Obodo Omadino Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta. He explained that the site contained two refining ovens and 10 dugout pits filled with large quantities of stolen crude oil. He further added that the Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH intercepted and seized two vehicles loaded with multiple sacks of illegally refined products in Olodo Community, Bayelsa. On Tuesday, Naval Outpost ONITSHA apprehended suspects with a locally made rifle and 10 machetes. The suspects were in the process of attacking the SEEPCO oil facility in the Oguikpele Community, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra. Investigation revealed that these suspects were allegedly involved in the attack and killing of three Soldiers on June 11, 2024. On Tuesday, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA discovered and deactivated two illegal refinery sites in Bernnet Island and Obodo Omadino Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta. The site had nine dugout pits, several sacks, and drums laden with large amounts of illegally refined AGO and stolen Crude Oil, he said. Adams-Aliu stated that the three-day coordinated anti-crude oil theft operations highlighted the Navys determination to eliminate thieves and other criminal elements from the maritime domain. He noted that this resolve aligns with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla. Global space experts call for deeper cooperation to tackle climate change Xinhua) 13:47, April 25, 2025 Spacesuits are on display at the preview of a science exhibition marking the 10th Space Day of China at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in east China's Shanghai, April 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong) SHANGHAI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Space experts from over 40 countries and 10 international organizations gathered in Shanghai for the International Conference on Space for Climate Change, urging enhanced global collaboration in space technology to combat climate change. Shan Zhongde, head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), said that CNSA has long been actively promoting the application of space technology in such areas as emissions monitoring, carbon reduction and early warning of disasters. He said CNSA will adhere to innovation-driven development, explore technological breakthroughs in the space sector, and expand the global partnership to cope with climate change. "We stand ready to work with global space agencies and international organizations to address climate challenges and advance the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda," Shan said. Attendees echoed the need for joint efforts in space utilization, energy conservation, emission reduction and carbon neutrality. During the conference, the CNSA launched the Pujiang Initiative, calling for joint and expanded cooperation in space technology to address climate change. The CNSA, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the China Meteorological Administration, the Shanghai municipal government, and partners from Brazil, France and Thailand co-hosted the three-day conference that is expected to conclude on Saturday. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has lamented over what he described as transactional politics in Nigeria. Obi alleged that some politicians bankroll young people to harass and discredit advocates of good governance on social media. Speaking at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., United States of America, on Thursday, the former governor of Anambra State condemned the disturbing practice. Advertisement He said: In the transactional politics of Nigeria, some people pay them to cause confusion. Go to social media, those that are being paid 20,000, 40,000 monthly to abuse you are the same youths youre fighting for their live because I am over 60 and I have few years to go. The same young Nigerians who should be champions of reform are being weaponized against it, used to defend a broken system they suffer under. READ MORE: Only PDP Can Guarantee Peter Obi Victory In 2027 Presidential Poll Segun Sowunmi We must move away from politics driven by money and manipulation. Our youths must be empowered with knowledge, not stipends to insult those seeking change. Within the same period of 35 years, from 1990 to 2025, the GDP per capita of these comparable nations has all improved. As of 1990, while Nigeria had a GDP per capita of $556, China had $317, Indonesia had $578, and Vietnam had only $99. Nigeria, obviously, had a higher GDP per capita than China, while Vietnam had less than one-fifth of Nigerias per capita. Today, Nigerias per capita is about one-fifth of Indonesias ($5,000) and Vietnams ($4,400) GDP per capita and below one-tenth of Chinas ($13,000) GDP per capita. Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has said that security agencies in the country requires more resources to address killings in the north central part of the country. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Governor Sule noted that the military needs more support in form of technology and communication, among others, to effectively deal with the situation. The Nasarawa State Governor also urged President Bola Tinubus government to urgently step up security surveillance in Benue State. Advertisement READ MORE:Nasarawa Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Two Students He said: The lengthy discussion we had with the general yesterday has shown that we must introduce more resources in the form of technology, in the form of people, and then the biggest of them all, in the form of communication, to support the military. You know, so we need to be able to assist the military with more communication, with more information, with, so thats the only way that they will be able to achieve this. And I think thats what we decided we are going back to do. Well, its not that difficult to identify them because they speak a different kind of Fulfulde. They look Fulani; they dont speak Hausa, and we have a lot of videos of them. You know, most of these borders we have are very porous. Technology is doing a lot, even right now; monitoring has been going on but you cant monitor the entire border. A rendering of the new parking garage CHOP plans for Grays Ferry in a lot that is currently vacant. The garage would be used by employees. Read more Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia wants to build a block-long, 1,005-unit parking garage in South Philadelphias Grays Ferry neighborhood. The project at 3000 Grays Ferry Ave. would allow CHOP workers to more easily drive to work. Although it is not within walking distance to the hospital complex, the childrens hospital will run a shuttle service from the garage. Advertisement This parking structure will be used for employee parking so our patient families can park as close to the hospital as possible, Kaitlyn Tivenan, a CHOP spokesperson, said in a statement. This structure will expand capacity for staff parking, which is especially important given continued public transportation challenges. The almost 350,000-square-foot parking garage would be built next to Donald Finnegan Playground. Rowhouses otherwise line the blocks around the project, and a shopping center with a Fresh Grocer stands on the other side of Grays Ferry Avenue. The property has flexible zoning, which gives neighborhood groups little leverage to bargain with the hospital. But CHOP has been meeting with the local Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) because the project is large enough that it must be considered by the citys Civic Design Review committee which provides advisory feedback on large projects in Philadelphia. Developers must meet with community groups before presenting their proposal to the committee on May 6. There are all kinds of reactions in the community when you are building something big like this, said Charles Reeves Jr. of the Tasker-Morris Neighbors Association. The community was mostly concerned with traffic and how it would affect the neighborhood. Reeves said that CHOP offered Grays Ferrys four community groups funds for the next three years grants that people in the neighborhood could apply for, workforce development opportunities, and maintenance for the neighboring park. Our real concern was the neighbors who live right there in the blocks immediately neighboring the project, Reeves said. They promised to keep the park clean and make sure all the trash gets picked up. 3000 Grays Ferry Ave. is currently vacant. In 2024, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported that CHOP paid almost $25 million for the 3.4-acre site. Plans submitted to the City of Philadelphia show that each floor of the seven-story building would span 50,000 square feet. It will serve CHOPs expanding footprint a mile away with new research facilities near the Fitler Square neighborhood, and a new patient tower with 200 beds on the main campus slated for a 2028 opening. The garage would replace the existing employee parking lot on Warfield Street. Construction is scheduled to start in the late summer of 2025, Tivenan said, with an anticipated opening in the fall of 2026. The urbanist group 5th Square condemned CHOPs plans, noting that Grays Ferry is already hemmed in by highways, and that as a result, air quality in the neighborhood is poor due to auto emissions. The huge garage, the group argued, will only make things worse. It will encourage more driving, which the group notes is particularly hazardous to child pedestrians. Im just shocked that they would do this, said Natasha Tabachnikoff, who co-chairs 5th Squares housing committee. Its not being a good neighbor to outsource their parking garage to an area with already extremely high particulate matter. This has really horrible health impacts for their target clientele of children. CHOP did not respond directly to 5th Squares concerns about the project. We have met and listened to the concerns of the community, and we are incorporating recommendations into the design where possible, CHOPs Tivenan said. The urbanist group similarly critiqued the University of Pennsylvanias plans for a 858-car parking garage farther west on Grays Ferry Avenue, which was announced in 2023. This March 22, 2013, file photo shows the exterior of the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington. Read more WASHINGTON The height of tax season was the height of turmoil at the IRS. The agency shuffled through three acting directors over the course of a week. Its preparing to lose tens of thousands of workers to layoffs and voluntary retirements. And President Donald Trump is weighing in on which nonprofits should lose their tax-exempt status, an incursion into the agencys typically apolitical stance that threatens to further erode trust in federal institutions and weaponize enforcement efforts. Advertisement Just three months into Trumps second term, the governments fly-under-the-radar tax collector has become the latest platform for the Republican administrations vision to cut and control the federal bureaucracy. Tax policy experts fear that taxpayer services and collection efforts will face prolonged delays as a result of the rapid changes. The quick turnover in leadership and other changes are likely to dampen employee morale at the IRS and hurt the agencys ability to serve taxpayers in a timely manner, says Janet Holtzblatt, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. Leadership sets the tone, particularly in this environment, she said. Already, she notes, the agency has lost decades of institutional knowledge from nonpartisan career civil servants who have left over policy disagreements and layoffs. Chaos embroils agency amid leadership turnover The upheaval unfolded as Americans dutifully filed their taxes ahead of the April 15 deadline and as a legion of IRS employees undertook work to process returns and dole out refunds. The latest filing season data shows the agency accepted more than 117 million returns this tax season and issued $228.7 billion in refunds. Were committed to improving the efficiency of the Internal Revenue Service, said the agencys newest acting commissioner, Michael Faulkender. For the last 35 years, weve been five years away from the IRS being modernized. Under the direct leadership of Treasury, the modernization will be done in two years at a fraction of the cost. Meanwhile, the IRS, like other federal agencies, is hemorrhaging employees over cuts spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency, all while the agency churns through acting leaders as it awaits the installation of a permanent leader. Douglas ODonnell, the Trump administrations first acting IRS commissioner, announced his retirement in February as furor spread over DOGE gaining access to IRS taxpayer data. Melanie Krause, the second acting commissioner, resigned early this month over a deal between the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security to share immigrants tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gary Shapley, an IRS whistleblower who testified publicly about investigations into Hunter Bidens taxes, was acting commissioner for a matter of days before being replaced by Faulkender, who was elevated just last week. The New York Times reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had complained to Trump that Shapley had been installed without his knowledge and at the behest of Trump adviser Elon Musk. Trumps nominee for IRS commissioner, former U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, is still waiting for a confirmation hearing but faces controversies of his own. Most recently, Senate Democrats have called for a criminal investigation into Longs connections to alleged tax credit loopholes. The lawmakers allege that firms connected to Long duped investors into spending millions of dollars to purchase fake tax credits. Long did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment. Punishing enemies and rewarding friends Among other concerns at the agency are fears that Trump will weaponize the IRS against his enemies and reward his friends. Some of the Democratic Partys core political institutions, including fundraising platform ActBlue and the protest group Indivisible, are preparing for the possibility that the federal government may soon launch criminal investigations against them. Trump said recently at the White House that the administration is looking at the tax-exempt status of Harvard University, which has defied the governments attempts to limit activism on campus, and environmental groups. He also mentioned the ethics watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Its supposed to be a charitable organization, Trump said of CREW. The only charity they had is going after Donald Trump. So were looking at that. Were looking at a lot of things. Jonathan S. Masur, an administrative law professor at the University of Chicago Law School, said its unlawful for the president to unilaterally take away organizations tax-exempt status. Its illegal for starters. The Supreme Court has established that that step is not allowed, he said, adding that he anticipates that the court system will very quickly block any such move from the president. The Trump administration is also watching out for allies of the president. Treasury official David Eisner sent an email in March to a top IRS official regarding Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow and one of the chief proponents of the lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. The My Pillow guy and a high-profile friend of the President recently received an audit letter, from what I understand, his second in two years, Eisner wrote in the email, which was viewed by the AP. The president is concerned that he may have been inappropriately targeted, Eisner wrote. A Treasury spokesperson told the Associated Press that Eisner acted with the expectation that his letter would be sent to the Inspector General for review. Bringing immigration enforcement to the IRS Among other changes in recent weeks are concerns about the IRS engagement with the Department of Homeland Security over enforcing a new data-sharing agreement signed earlier this month by Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The agreement will allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to submit names and addresses of immigrants inside the U.S. illegally to the IRS for cross-verification against tax records. The Treasury Department said the agreement is authorized by a statute that relates to criminal information sharing. However, that agreement is being litigated in federal court. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich will soon decide whether to refuse or grant a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by nonprofit groups. The groups argue that immigrants in the country illegally who pay taxes are entitled to the same privacy protections as U.S. citizens and immigrants who are legally in the country. The Treasury Department says the agreement will help carry out Trumps agenda to secure U.S. borders and is part of his larger nationwide immigration crackdown, which has resulted in deportations, workplace raids, and the use of an 18th-century wartime law to deport Venezuelan migrants. Holtzblatt said the agreement is indicative of the turmoil at the IRS. Theres an emphasis on improving technology and sharing information, but its unclear for what reason, she said. The second season of the Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast "Suave" is out now. Read more When I last spoke with Suave Gonzalez, it felt like an ending a triumphant, hard-won, happy ending. It was 2022, and he was five years removed from the prison system that had held him captive for three decades after he was locked up as a juvenile lifer. Advertisement He was an artist and an author, and he was living a life with a clearly defined purpose: to advocate for other incarcerated people. And, in a remarkable twist, he was also a Pulitzer Prize winner for the podcast that chronicled his extraordinary second chance after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled automatic life-without-parole sentences like his unconstitutional, leading to his release in 2017. David Luis Suave Gonzalez was a success story, a symbol of perseverance and resilience, a mirror to a criminal justice system still learning mercy, and a beacon of what redemption can look like if people and policies embrace change. But, as the powerful second season of Suave, the podcast, reveals, that happy ending many of us saw was only the beginning of a new series of struggles. Though Gonzalez left the prison walls behind, he now lived under the long shadow of lifetime parole, a form of supervision he felt made him free on paper only. I was good; thats what everyone assumed, right? Gonzalez told me when we reconnected recently. But the truth behind the neat narrative was more complicated. The young buck sentenced to life for first-degree murder at 17 in 1986 is now a 56-year-old man wrestling with a lifetime of ingrained institutionalization and, until recently, untreated trauma in a world that cheered his accomplishments while quietly reminding him of his place. Im not free, not really, he said. Im on parole for the rest of my life. Thats not freedom. There are a lot of searing moments in the new season, but an especially memorable one comes when Gonzalez confesses that despite having a car he worked hard for, hes afraid to drive it terrified that one wrong turn could put him back behind bars. Season One was a story of redemption, said journalist Maria Hinojosa, whose 29-year journalistic collaboration with Gonzalez began when she met him while giving a talk at the Graterford State Correctional Institution. Season Two, said Hinojosa the founder of Futuro Media, which created the podcast is about the agony of freedom. Agony is the right word, because Gonzalezs freedom came wrapped in restrictions that included no travel without permission from his parole officer, no interactions with law enforcement, and no contact with old prison friends. It is a life lived under constant scrutiny a tightrope with no net. And if he slips up once, he will be sent right back to jail. And yet, in a raw and revelatory moment, Gonzalez tells host and producer Julieta Martinelli that perhaps paroles structure is also a lifeline keeping him grounded while other formerly incarcerated people falter and fall. Its a gut-punch of a paradox. The very system that binds him may also be what saves him, at least in the beginning. Freedom, it turns out, is not simple. Martinelli told me that over the course of recording the second season of the series, she soon realized Gonzalez was dealing with something far bigger and scarier than feeling like he was a passenger in his own life. It was also this fear of not being good enough, this fear of failing, she said. Suave, the podcast, is very much like Suave, the man complicated, confounding, and full of questions that reach far beyond the prison walls: What is freedom? Is redemption truly possible? What does happiness really look like? And the question hes increasingly asking now as he pursues commutation of his sentence, which could remove some of the more restrictive conditions of his parole: If the Supreme Court said its unconstitutional to keep a juvenile in prison for life, how is it constitutional to keep that same juvenile on parole for life? But the part of Season Two that made the biggest impression on me was the evolution of the professional relationship between Gonzalez now a producer on the podcast and Hinojosa and Martinelli. As my chosen craft struggles to remain essential in these unprecedented times, the podcast exposes something profound and powerful: What journalism could be if it stopped replicating the same systems it claims to critique when journalism is not extractive or transactional, when it stops parroting paternalistic nonsense like giving voice to the voiceless (for the love of Baby Jesus, my fellow journalists, stop saying that!), and instead starts confronting the fact that even the most marginalized among us have never been voiceless. We just werent listening. And we sure shouldnt pass on the opportunity to listen now. Gonzalezs story is far from over, and, like so many other tales that resemble his, it deserves to be heard. The gates leading to the field at Penn State's Beaver Stadium. Read more With a decision on Commonwealth campus closures expected soon, a Pennsylvania State University faculty group and several current and former trustees are speaking out against the plan. The president of the Penn State chapter of the American Association of University Professors criticized the plan in letters to Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi and the board of trustees. Advertisement The closures, wrote Michelle Rodino-Colocino, could roll back recent improvements in serving students from underrepresented backgrounds Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Native Alaskan, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. The administration credited such gains in diversity to the accessible flexible Commonwealth Campus model and recruitment in diverse cities such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia " READ MORE: Penn State plans to close some Commonwealth campuses Rodino-Colocino, an associate professor in film production and media studies, also faulted the university for not involving faculty in decision-making. The Penn State AAUP chapter calls on the administration to reverse its decision, and, from today forward, to involve faculty as primary decision-makers in academic budgeting, the letter states. Meanwhile, trustees Jay Paterno and Ted Brown, who serve on the more than 30-member board, were among a group that released a letter publicly criticizing potential closures. They said that while Penn State loses $40 million to $50 million a year operating the 20 campuses, that amount represents just 0.4% of the $10 billion annual budget. That 0.4% is an investment in the soul of Penn State and the heart of our land-grant mission to bring access to the university to people across the commonwealth, they wrote last week in an op-ed published on StateCollege.com. That 0.4% seems like a small price to pay for our soul. READ MORE: Penn State expanded its branch campuses decades ago. Now, some say thats one reason state universities are struggling. Brown, a longtime supporter of the Commonwealth campuses, had suggested several years ago that the university add students to the campuses as an alternative to raising tuition. They are hidden gems, Brown said in 2021. What I would really like to see is for us to get them back where they were 10 years ago. Penn State in December said it was aiming to increase enrollment at the already growing University Park campus. Declining enrollment and a revised timeline Enrollment has been declining steadily at the Commonwealth campuses. It stood at roughly 24,000 last June, down about 30% since 2010. This fall, overall enrollment at those campuses fell about 2%, but the decline in first-year enrollment was more steep: 8.4%, or 578 students. At just the 12 campuses under consideration for closing Beaver, DuBois, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and York enrollment has slid 39%, or 3,222 students, from 2014 to 2024, the university said. Penn States overall enrollment fell by only 4% during that time, and University Parks enrollment alone increased by 5%. It has become clear that we cannot sustain a viable Commonwealth Campus ecosystem without closing some campuses, Bendapudi said in February, announcing the closure plan under which no campuses will shut before the end of the 2026-27 year. When Bendapudi announced that plan, she said she expected to make a final decision on which campuses to close before spring commencement. But last week, she said the announcement of the decision would not come until after commencement ceremonies, which are scheduled May 9 to 11. Final exams and commencement are rapidly approaching activities of great significance for our entire community, she wrote. My team has consulted with students, faculty, and staff on the timing of any announcements, and I agree with their broad recommendation to hold until after these milestone events. The three Commonwealth campuses in the Philadelphia region Brandywine, Abington, and the graduate education-focused campus at Great Valley will not be considered for closure, Bendapudi said in February. They are among the systems largest. The others that also are among the largest and are safe from closure are Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Harrisburg, and Lehigh Valley, Bendapudi said. The other 12 campuses are being evaluated by a team led by several top administrators appointed by Bendapudi. READ MORE: Penn States Commonwealth campus leader is preparing to leave amid closure discussions Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth campuses and one of three people heading that team, announced last month that she would be leaving the system this summer to become provost and vice president of academic affairs at the College of New Jersey. Though the campuses have lost a lot of enrollment, the drop has been flattening, the trustees said in their letter, urging Bendapudi to give them more time. We are calling for this administration and this board to look a while longer, to look for innovative solutions before making legacy decisions that will have impacts lasting long after we are gone, said the letter, also signed by trustee emeritus Alice Pope, former trustee Randy Houston, and former alumni council member Jeff Ballou. Rodino-Colocino, the Penn State AAUP president, also urged administrators to look for other solutions, noting its strong position financially with net liquid reserve assets topping $5 billion. Carla Chamberlin, a professor of applied linguistics at Penn State Abington, said: I believe Penn State needs to take a longer look at what needs to be done. Are there alternate pathways? Some of her students at Penn State Abington work full-time jobs and are raising children, she said. That is the mission of Penn State, to serve a wide population of students, not just those who can afford to go to University Park, she said. Officials have proposed a $4.6 billion budget for the Philadelphia School District's 2025-26 school year. Read more Members of the public sounded off Thursday night about the Philadelphia School Districts proposed 2025-26 budget, which requires spending $300 million in reserves to prevent layoffs and program losses. Some parents thanked the board for staving off cuts for now Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said he wants to use the districts fund balance to make ends meet this year, and advocate for more money from its city and state funders going forward. Advertisement But other speakers said even the districts proposed hold-steady $4.6 billion budget does not cover the basics. READ MORE: Philly schools project a fiscal cliff, plan to spend $306 million in reserves to avoid classroom cuts and layoffs Two students from Academy at Palumbo, a South Philadelphia magnet high school, decried conditions at their school. Gretta Rogan talked about perpetually broken bathrooms and a rodent infestation stretching back years. My Le had mobility challenges when she started at the school, but because both elevators were broken, she had to painfully haul herself upstairs to the fifth floor, and didnt want to go to school. Palumbo has three excellent school counselors, but they serve 1,200 students, and wear multiple hats. That is not nearly enough support, and this isnt just an issue at Palumbo, Le told the board. I implore you to please fight for us. Fight for schools that motivate us to wake up in the morning. Watlington and the board are scheduled to present their budget to City Council on Tuesday; the board is slated to adopt a budget on May 29. A widespread call for school libraries Multiple parents, students, and community members also underscored the importance of school libraries, and asked the board to prioritize restoring them. Philadelphia has what is perhaps the nations worst big-city ratio for school libraries there are just three full-time librarians left in the 216-school district, at Central, Masterman, and Penn Alexander. South Philadelphia High and Shawmont Elementary have part-time librarians. Federal officials recently ended a grant that was designed to help the district build back libraries; the district has not said whether it will continue with that work. Sirus Nannery, a student at Shawmont, which restored its library just this year, said he has found a refuge there. I feel that Shawmonts library and other schools libraries are very important for education, Sirus said. We do need them to give students the knowledge they need to pursue a successful career. Though Shawmonts library has proven popular, it was initially on the chopping block proposed to be eliminated because of budget concerns in the fall. District officials told parents Wednesday that they had found money to keep it going. Native American remains found at Central to be repatriated, buried The school board voted unanimously to return human remains found at Central High to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes for burial. District officials in 2021 discovered a skull that had been used in anatomy classes at Central, Watlington said. Its not clear how the district initially obtained the skull, but it surveyed all other high schools and found no further remains. Officials worked with local anthropologists to identify the ancestry of the remains, eventually determined to belong to a Native American man. The federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act mandates any institution that receives federal funding to return Native American remains to lineal descendants and culturally affiliated Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The district then tried to find a tribal association, but was never able to. The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, however, agreed to accept and bury the remains, Watlington said. Pep's Musical Bar at Broad and South Streets is one of three now-defunct jazz clubs being inducted April 30 into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. Read more On Mothers Day 1965, Herb Spivak presented jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis for two sold-out shows at the Academy of Music. At the end of the day, Spivak took a rare pause to bask in the moment. I remember looking at the empty theater and imagining all those seats filled because of something I did. That felt pretty good, Spivak recalled earlier this month, sitting at a corner table at his familys Bryn Mawr shop, Hopes Cookies. Advertisement Sixty years later, Spivak is set to return to the Avenue of the Arts to be recognized for his impact on Philadelphias music scene. On Wednesday, April 30, he will be honored with a plaque on the Philadelphia Music Alliances Walk of Fame, commemorating his ownership of the Showboat, a storied jazz club on Lombard Street. Hell be inducted alongside two fellow clubs of the era and their owners, both since passed away: Jack Goldenberg for Peps Musical Bar, and Benjamin Bynum for the Cadillac Club. This will be the the first time since the Walk of Fames inauguration in 1987 that Philly venues and their owners will be included among the honorees. As we look back at what has made Philadelphia such an important musical city, said Alan Rubens, Philadelphia Music Alliance chairman, we realized that these clubs made important inroads very early on towards becoming a major stopover for artists. Every touring artist wanted to play Philadelphia because of the venues that we had and the audiences that we brought out. Philly R&B group the Orlons will also receive a plaque during this years ceremony, as part of a class that includes Stephen Sondheim, Janis Ian, Schooly D, composer David Ludwig, Settlement Music School, and longtime World Cafe host David Dye. One of the Orlons three gold records was for South Street, the song that declared the thoroughfare the hippest street in town. If thats true, said Michael Goldenberg, son of Peps owner Jack Goldenberg, then the corner of Broad and South where his fathers club resided must have been the hippest corner in town. Peps opened as a restaurant in the 1930s, becoming Peps Musical Bar when Bill Gerson bought the space in 1951. Goldenberg took over the 500-seat club in 1957, with two partners, and ran it until 1968. Two blocks north on Lombard, the Showboat opened in the 1940s in the basement of the Douglass Hotel at 1409 Lombard St. A historical marker stands in front of the building today commemorating Billie Holidays frequent residency in the hotel while she was in the city. Spivak and his two brothers bought the building in 1964, with Herb overseeing the club and his brothers managing the hotel. Spivak rechristened the space as the Showboat Jazz Theatr (the deliberate misspelling a ploy for press coverage) and doubled the capacity of the room to 200 seats, opening a hole in the floor of the hotel to create a makeshift balcony. Benjamin Bynum opened the Cadillac Club on Germantown Avenue in North Philadelphia in 1965. Like Goldenberg and Spivak, he had owned bars catering to the citys Black community prior to entering the music business. Between them, the three clubs hosted a whos who of jazz greats during their 1960s heyday, including Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Nina Simone, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Morgan, Cannonball Adderley, and many more. A 1963 recording of the John Coltrane Quartet at the Showboat has circulated for decades through unofficial channels. Yusef Lateef recorded Live at Peps in 1964, and Billy Paul named his debut album Feelin Good at the Cadillac Club. Jack Goldenberg often shared the story of the day in 1961 when he received a momentous phone call. [Vocalist] Dinah Washington called my father and said, Youve got to get out here to Detroit, Michael Goldenberg detailed. The Rev. C.L. Franklin is bringing Aretha out of the church. So my father gets in a plane, goes to the church, listens to Aretha, and says, Youre going to be a star. And he booked her at Peps. In August 2017, Aretha Franklin played her final Philadelphia concert at the Mann Center. I started, really, in Philadelphia, she said from the piano. This was back in the early 60s I worked at Peps on Broad Street and I also worked at the Cadillac Club for years. In a 2018 interview with The Inquirer, the late pianist Chick Corea fondly recalled his early days playing these clubs. My memories of Philly go way back, he said, prior to a performance at the Academy of Music. Unbeknownst to a lot of people, I played a week engagement at a place called the Cadillac Club in the 60s with Chet Baker and a Philly pickup band I also worked at Peps with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers for a couple of engagements. The early Return to Forever band played at the Showboat, and on our opening night, we walked in for the soundcheck and there was a vocal group on the stage. [That was the first time I heard] the Manhattan Transfer. While most of his memories of jazz artists are warm ones, Spivak does recall a contretemps with Miles Davis, notorious in some circles for performing with his back to the crowd. During one engagement, I calculated the time he spent facing the other way and I took it off his pay. He ended up getting the money, but we had a very big fight and both said a lot of little things that neither of us should have said. Then we shook hands. He was actually a really nice guy. The sale of Peps in 1968, as rock clubs began to predominate, spelled the end of Jack Goldenbergs career in music, but the Showboat was just the beginning for Herb Spivak. He went on to book artists for the Spectrum in the arenas early years, cofounded the original Electric Factory, and created the Atlantic City Pop Festival, a local answer to the better-known Woodstock festival. Bynums legacy lives on through his sons, Robert and Benjamin Jr., whose South Jazz Kitchen follows their previous venues, including Zanzibar Blue and Warmdaddys. These clubs helped create the live music scene that has become such an important part of this city and this country, said Rubens, the Philadelphia Music Alliance chairman. Insisting that hes now perfectly happy selling cookies, Spivak shrugged off such accolades. I didnt do anything special, he said. It was the acts, not me. I just took a shot at presenting it. Jeppsons Malort, a bitter liqueur once reserved for Chicago dive bars, has reached Pennsylvania shelves and backbars. Locals can pick up a bottle at state-run Fine Wines & Good Spirits shops for $26.99. Read more A new Citywide combo has entered the bar. Jeppsons Malort, a bitter liqueur once reserved for Chicago dive bars, has reached Pennsylvania shelves and backbars. Locals particularly bartenders and former Chicagoans are rejoicing. Still, there are some adversaries. Advertisement The move comes on the heels of CH Distillery purchasing Jeppsons in 2018 with the goal of shifting production back home to Chicago (for a while, it was being bottled in Florida) and expanding distribution. We are thrilled to expand Jeppsons Malort to fans and haters in Pennsylvania, Molly ONeill, national sales director of CH Distillery, said in a statement to The Inquirer. The enthusiasm weve received from both bartenders and Chicago transplants now calling Pennsylvania home has been incredible. With this expanded availability, were not only reconnecting with loyal Malort lovers, but also capturing a new audience miles away from our home city. Until now, those craving the herbal and botanical sharpness from Malort would have to either head to a neighboring state that carried it like Maryland or New York call in a favor, or settle for a dupe. But it was never the same. Its arrival in the Keystone State was first announced by local bar blog Drink Philly with a flurry of both eager and horrified responses. The 750 ml bottles retail at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide for just under $30 after tax. Two buyers have already posted polarizing reviews on the state-run spirits stores website: I am Malorts #1 fan and Im so glad Ill soon no longer have to travel to get it, one user wrote. Buy only for a gag, wrote the other. Greg Harbour is a bartender at Brewery ARS South Philly and Fishtown locations and a former Chicago resident. Hes a self-proclaimed Malort lover. I love the harsh herbaceous upfront flavor and that bitter a grapefruit rind finish," he said. Some people say it tastes like gasoline, which Im fine with because it means more for people like us. READ MORE: Pennsylvanias weird liquor laws, explained Indeed, Malort is considered an acquired taste. On a more than decade-old Reddit thread debating what the spirit tastes like, one user said, it tastes like how Home Depot smells. Another wrote, pepper, then basement. But in a good way. Another put it bluntly: Imagine all of your hopes and dreams being snuffed out at once. Put that into a shot glass and there you go. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board spokesperson Shawn Kelly said the departments portfolio management team saw an opportunity for regionally popular, intensely bitter digestifs and took it with Malort, which is now available across the states 200 Fine Wine & Good Spirits locations. Still, the drink is beloved and serves as a point of pride for Chicago natives. During last years Democratic National Convention hosted in Chicago, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called it the unofficial drink of the conference and shared shooters with other governors. Some, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, enjoyed it. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy took a pause and simply said, OK, Ive gotta think about that. (Gov. Josh Shapiro was not featured in the video. His thoughts on Malort are unclear.) While sharing shots, Pritzker also challenged his peers not to make any faces. For those uninitiated, Malort face is a commonly used phrase regarding the involuntary facial reactions some imbibers make after the spirit hits their tongues. Benjamin Kirk, the beverage director at Bastia and Caletta, Fishtowns buzzy restaurant and companion bar, said hes looking forward to adding Malort to his programs backbar. Ive always believed that a well-curated backbar should go beyond guest expectations it should also serve as a nod to the industry that built us," he said. At both bars, we regularly incorporate amari and bitter liqueurs to build depth, contrast, and complexity in our cocktails. So having access to Jeppsons Malort in Pennsylvania is more than just adding another bottle its about broadening our bitter palate and honoring a piece of industry culture." Kirk says Malort is considered a rite of passage in the Midwest and within the beverage industry. Its become an iconic symbol of camaraderie, resilience, and a certain badge of honor kind of hospitality. Being able to pour a shot of Malort in Philly connects us to that larger national community Its bitter, unapologetic, and will make itself at home on our backbar. And now that its here, fans like Harbour are only left wondering: What took so long? It really should have made its way to Philly sooner, Harbour said. Malort drinkers and Philadelphians have a lot in common mainly that no one likes us and we dont care. The Jones Road Fire burns along the Garden State Parkway in Ocean County. Read more The National Weather Service had warned Friday of an increased risk for rapid wildfire spread across New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania as Ocean Countys Jones Road Fire remains only partially contained. The warning ran from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, covering the entirety of South Jersey and Philadelphia, as well as Jim Thorpe, where a 560-acre wildfire a quarter of a mile from downtown was last reported as being 95% contained. Advertisement READ MORE: 560-acre Jim Thorpe wildfire near fully contained Added to the combustible mix: Two separate fires burning at Michaux State Forest near Gettysburg totaling 1,350 acres. Why are there so many wildfires? Wildfires spread most quickly when temperatures are high, humidity is low, and wind remains steady. Friday was forecast to have temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees, relative humidity under 35%, and gusts of wind near 25 mph. Its also peak wildfire season for the Philly region amid moderate to severe drought conditions in both states. These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said. The NWS is discouraging outdoor burning and asking that all potential ignition sources including cigarette butts be disposed of properly. Crews Friday were into their fourth day of battling the Jones Road Fire, a blaze miles from the Jersey Shore in Ocean County that has since swelled to cover 15,300 acres. READ MORE: New Jersey man charged with starting massive, half-contained wildfire in Ocean County The fire was 60% contained as of Friday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, and was threatening four unspecified structures, down from eight earlier in the day. New Jersey Acting Gov. Tahesha Way said that Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the state a grant that will be used to help pay for the response to the fire. The blaze started at about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday inside Ocean Townships Forked River Mountain Wilderness Area near Jones and Bryant Roads. Since then, the fire has spread from the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area to the Pinelands wilderness. No injuries have been reported, but the inferno has destroyed several vehicles and one commercial building, according to the states forest fire service. Way declared a state of emergency Tuesday as more than 5,000 people in neighboring Ocean and Lacey Townships were ordered to evacuate. They have since returned home. Arson Joseph Kling, 19, of Waretown, was arrested at his home Wednesday morning and charged with arson, according to a joint statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. Kling set flame to several wooden pallets to start a bonfire Tuesday morning, the statement said, and then left them to burn unattended. Kling is being held at Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday. LaTourette has repeatedly told reporters that the Jones Road Fire could grow to become New Jerseys largest wildfire in 18 years, when 17,000 acres in the same general area burned for days in 2007. New Jersey has had an especially damaging wildfire season this year, which meteorologists and fire experts expect to calm by mid-May. Over 16,500 acres have burned across 662 wildfires, New Jersey Forest Fire Service chief Bill Donnelly said, compared to only 315 acres of damage by this time in 2024. Pennsylvanias wildfires But Pennsylvania has also had its challenges this week, with a blaze starting on Bear Mountain Saturday one quarter mile from homes in the tourist mecca of Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. That fire was nearly fully under control by Thursday. However, two separate wildfires broke out in Michaux State Forest in Cumberland County starting Wednesday, according to Wesley Robinson, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The Thompson Hollow Fire started at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday and had spread to about 1,150 acres as of Friday afternoon, Robinson said. No buildings were burned but homes in the area were asked by local officials to evacuate out of caution. Shippensburg/Baltimore and Thompson Hollow Roads are closed indefinitely. The Hammonds Rocks Fire broke out at around 11 a.m. Thursday and has spread to around 200 acres. No structures are currently at risk, but Ridge Road and Cold Springs Road are closed. DCNR firefighters are being supported by the Cumberland County Commissioners, Cumberland County Emergency Agency, local volunteer firefighters, PennDot, Appalachian Trail and National Park Service, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Bureau of Forestry Fire Warden Crews. The greatest danger of wildfires in Pennsylvania occurs during the spring months of March, April, and May, and the autumn months of October and November, Robinson said. In Pennsylvania, 99% of all wildfires are caused by people. He said burning of vegetation such as leaves, equipment use, power lines, and campfires are some of the most common causes of wildfires in Pennsylvania. PennDot canceled driver's licenses for 200 people by mistake in Northeast Philadelphia due to issues relating to an apartment complex being next door to a U-Haul facility that shares the same address on some official documents. Read more In February, about 200 people at a Northeast Philly apartment complex received a mysterious letter on Pennsylvania Department of Transportation letterhead, stating that their drivers licenses and other official identification had been abruptly canceled. There was no detailed explanation of why, but the letter said if the receivers did not immediately return their licenses and otherwise comply with this sanction, the Pennsylvania State Police could come after them. Now, PennDot has said it was all a mistake, an error on zoning documents showing the same address for two businesses. Advertisement The letters arrived in the mailboxes of a Rhawnhurst apartment complex, a community predominantly made up of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Ukraine, and Georgia. Many speak English as their second language, making the letter heavy with legal jargon even more difficult to understand. It sparked fear and confusion, and kept some from working their jobs as rideshare drivers and truck drivers. Upon receipt of evidence that you are not entitled to the issuance of a drivers license this department is hereby canceling any drivers license, learners permit or identification card in your possession as authorized by section 1572 of the vehicle code, the opening paragraph of the letter reads. It was very upsetting, said Marina Sklyarsky, the property manager of the apartment complex who worked with residents to sort out the situation. A few people told her that they were late paying their March rent because they hadnt worked. Everyone was confused, scared, didnt know what to do, she said. A shared address The reason for the mass cancellations? The apartment complex appears to share an address with a U-Haul facility. The two properties have been listed at the same address, 7750 Roosevelt Blvd., on some zoning documents for decades. Both places currently share the same business license, despite operating for distinctly different purposes. And even though the proper address for the apartment complex is 2450 Hartel Ave., the letters that residents received from PennDot contained the 7750 Roosevelt address. PennDot identified discrepancies in proof-of-residency documents submitted by applicants, where listed addresses corresponded to a commercial property instead of a residential address. This resulted in cancellation notices and requests for valid residency verification to affected individual, said PennDot spokesperson Aimee Inama over email. According to Inama, PennDot conducts routine daily audits of addresses using a USPS software and identified an unusual number of people with the same address, which it had characterized as a business address. AI was not used in the process, she said. . But Sklyarsky said the address sharing has never caused an issue like this before in her 20 years working at the apartment complex. A week after the letters arrived, Sklyarsky and two residents went to state Rep. Sean Doughertys district office, looking for help. Initially, staff believed that the letter was some kind of scam. But after contacting PennDot, they learned it was legitimate. Doughertys staff advocated on behalf of the residents to PennDot, first discovering and then explaining the adjacent address issue to the agency. Once this was confirmed, PennDot promptly removed the cancellations and notified customers of the resolution, Inama said. The residents could keep their old licenses and IDs and continue to use them, said Viktor Kagan, Doughertys chief of staff. We stand with our neighbors and are always here to help. I appreciate PennDot for remedying this efficiently and supporting my community, Dougherty said in a statement. But that did not mean that the problems caused by the cancellations were immediately remedied. By the time PennDot reversed its action, it had been weeks since the letters arrived. Some people had already thrown out or returned their licenses, drivers permits, and IDs, and some had paid for new ones at PennDot centers. This process took almost a month, meaning some people took a day off to get a new license or just drove with a license that they believed was suspended because they must make ends meet, Kagan said in an email. Kagan said that staff members went door by door to all apartments in the complex, and informed the residents in both English and Russian of what has been going on. PennDot provided people who had discarded their licenses or returned them to PennDot with applications for replacements and waived any associated fees, Inama said. So far, one person who had already paid for a replacement was given a refund. It is unclear whether there are any residents still waiting for remedy. Our community deserves better than to be frightened and harmed financially, Kagan said. This article has been updated to include answers from PennDot to The Inquirers followup questions on how the department identified the address discrepancies and how the problem is being remedied. A University of Pennsylvania spokesperson said Friday that three of seven people affiliated with the school have had their accounts restored in SEVIS, a database that tracks international students compliance with their visa status. Read more Government lawyers say the Trump administration is reversing its revocation of visas for international college students, restoring the ability of students at several Philadelphia-area colleges to continue their studies. It comes as students in the region and across the United States have filed legal challenges to visa terminations at more than 280 colleges. Advertisement The ACLU of New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit this week on behalf of six international students at Rutgers University who had their status effectively terminated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Last week, two students at Gannon University in Erie, Pa., won a temporary restraining order that blocked the government from rescinding their visas. This is certainly good news, said Philadelphia immigration attorney Christopher Casazza, of the firm Palladino, Isbell & Casazza LLC, who represents the Gannon students. But Im concerned this is ICE temporarily retreating and not a complete victory for the students. It seems ICE is trying to regroup and figure out another way to come after these students. ICE officials did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The agency told an attorney involved in a visa case that it was developing a policy around revocations, indicating that the reversal may not be permanent. More than 1,800 international students have had their permission to study here revoked in the past several weeks, according to a tracker maintained by Insider Higher Ed. More than a million students from around the globe attend American colleges and universities, with half coming from China and India. A spokesperson for Temple University, where at least five students lost their ability to study in the United States, said on Friday that some records now have been reactivated. Officials were continuing to monitor the situation, but said they would have no further comment given the personal nature of the matter. A University of Pennsylvania spokesperson said Friday that three of seven people affiliated with the school have had their accounts restored in SEVIS, the database that tracks international students compliance with their visa status. The university had no additional comment. Some students who had visas revoked have been accused by the Trump administration of taking part in pro-Palestinian protests, though others appear not to have engaged in political activity. In many cases the reason for revocation is unknown. In January, Trump issued an executive order to fight what his administration called the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and streets that followed the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. That has set off a contentious legal and ethical debate, with the administration claiming that some of the students support the Hamas terrorist organization, while student-advocates say the president has trampled constitutional rights to free speech and assembly. This week more than 60 Philadelphia-area rabbis and cantors signed a letter condemning the Trump administrations treatment of international students, saying its targeting of pro-Palestinian demonstrators does not make Jewish students safer. That letter followed similar statements issued in recent weeks by Jewish groups in Michigan, New Mexico, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Illinois, and North Carolina. There is a growing resistance to these unconstitutional efforts, said Rabbi David Teutsch, a professor emeritus and former president of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, who authored the letter. The revocations encompass more than 40 students and affiliated scholars in Pennsylvania, including at least 13 at Pennsylvania State University, seven at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, seven at Penn, six at Gannon, five at Temple University, and three at the University of Pittsburgh. Some students at Millersville University lost their visas. So did a Saudi Arabian student at La Roche University in McCandless, near Pittsburgh, who sued ICE and the Department of Homeland Security this week, alleging they illegally terminated his status, Trib Live reported. Officials at Lehigh University said a few students had their visas revoked but did not provide a specific number. In New Jersey, at least 24 students have lost their visas, including 12 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and eight at Rowan University in Glassboro. Four international students at Montclair State University in Montclair had their visas rescinded, the student newspaper reported. The Associated Press reported Friday that a lawyer for the government read a statement in federal court in Oakland that said ICE was manually restoring the students status. A similar statement was read by a government attorney in a separate case in Washington on Friday, said lawyer Brian Green, who represents the plaintiff in that case. Green provided the Associated Press with a copy of the statement that the government lawyer emailed to him. It says: ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain Active or shall be re-activated if not currently active and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination. Green said the government lawyer said it would apply to all students in the same situation, not just those who had filed lawsuits. SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, and NCIC is the National Crime Information Center, maintained by the FBI. At Penn State, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna told the Centre Daily Times that his office knows of 12 students whose visas were revoked due to retail theft. Each was placed in a diversionary program and not convicted of any crimes. A 13th person had a visa revocation after being charged with driving under the influence, and that person participated in a program for first offenders, Cantorna said. None had any prior criminal convictions, he told the newspaper, and most have already returned to their home countries. The Associated Press contributed to this article. When it comes to competing infrastructure needs, Harrisburg legislators have proved to be the biggest obstacle to funding, not SEPTA or its proponents, Daniel Pearson writes. Read more For the third year in a row, Philadelphians await the commonwealths budget with bated breath. Will SEPTA, our local transit agency, get the funding it desperately needs this time around? Or is it three strikes and were out half of our Regional Rail network? The first time Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed funding public transit in 2023, Harrisburg Republicans said that SEPTA needed to shape up, particularly around how it handled crime and unruly behavior on buses and trains, before asking for more money. Advertisement The second time around, the following year, a grand bargain that funded infrastructure for urban, suburban, and rural areas was floated, only for Republicans to fail to come to an agreement once again, even after promising to take the issue up again in the fall. Shapiro was forced to flex, or transfer, federal highway dollars to SEPTA to keep it afloat. This time, the excuse is money. Not long ago, Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity was proclaiming a record high amount of cash in the commonwealths Rainy Day Fund, which hit $7 billion. Now, apparently, Pennsylvania is too broke to spend another $200 million a year on the transit systems that provide more than a million rides every day. No matter which excuse you pick, however, the claims simply dont add up. After Harrisburg Republicans demanded that SEPTA do better on public safety, the agency responded. It recriminalized fare evasion and other offenses, and hired more police officers. In fact, almost half of SEPTAs budget request is the direct result of money spent keeping the system safer and cleaner. The transit agency also posted the largest one-year drop in serious crime in its history. When it comes to competing infrastructure needs, it is Harrisburg legislators who have proved the biggest obstacle to funding, not SEPTA or its proponents. After I put up a social media post expressing skepticism about the need to fund roads in the 41 Pennsylvania counties that are losing population, a public relations person who works with SEPTA called to defend the idea as the way a commonwealth should work. If only the state Senate felt that same kind of solidarity. The fact is that by adding it to the infrastructure, Republicans were simply making it more expensive and thus, harder to pass, leading to their current objection that funding transit just costs too much. Of course, once you take away the road spending Republicans asked for and the additional public safety spending Republicans asked for, SEPTAs requested increase is less than $100 million a year, out of a budget thats around $50 billion. Are we really pretending this allocation will be the straw that will break the camels back? In fact, rather than saving taxpayers money, cutting SEPTA is likely to cost Pennsylvanians more in residual benefits connected to the system. According to research put together by local consulting firm Econsult Solutions, the cuts to SEPTA service would trigger a loss of revenue at both the state and local levels. Thanks to what Econsult terms the housing premium of being located near SEPTA stations, the proposed removal of five Regional Rail lines is projected to erase roughly $20 billion in property values, with the majority of these losses coming in the suburban counties. School districts along these routes will feel the financial burden sharply. Beyond the loss of household property values, Econsult predicts 76,000 fewer jobs, a further collapse in the commercial real estate market, and $6 billion less in earnings, with a grand total of $674 million in losses for the commonwealth and local governments. What kind of math are Harrisburg Republicans doing where it makes sense to forego nearly $700 million in order to save $200 million? GOP lawmakers also claim SEPTA is inefficient. My Inquirer newsroom colleagues have done an excellent job of exposing the various grafts and schemes that have victimized the transit agency, but the fact is that SEPTA is easily the most frugal of the nations major transit agencies. In fact, it is thanks to an earlier and more responsible generation of Harrisburg Republicans that we know this. Rather than saving taxpayers money, cutting SEPTA is likely to cost Pennsylvanians more in residual benefits connected to the system. When Gov. Tom Corbett, the most conservative politician to hold that role since the advent of color television, worked with State Rep. John Taylor and state Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi to pass Act 89, they also included reporting requirements for SEPTA. Every year, SEPTA must compare its own spending to other transit agencies across the country. The fact is that SEPTA is spending less than its peers, almost across the board. If anything, Harrisburg should be patting itself on the back for providing the most frugal transit service in America. This is especially remarkable when you consider that SEPTA runs six different kinds of service, while many other agencies only provide one or two. SEPTAs heavy rail service on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines costs less than $5 per ride, with only New Yorks MTA coming in cheaper. When it comes to bus service, however, SEPTA does better than New York, with only Los Angeles and Chicago offering more efficient service. Of course, SEPTA has a plan to make its bus service even cheaper on a per-ride basis: Bus Revolution. It cant move forward without sustainable funding. Even Regional Rail, SEPTAs most expensive service on a per-ride basis, is a national leader in efficiency. Only Denvers Regional Transportation District comes in cheaper, and that is a modern system with four lines, 22 stations, and 54 miles of track. SEPTA is operating a system that was designed in the 19th century, and offers 13 lines serving 155 stations on 280 miles of track. That the cost per ride comes in at just over $15 is nothing short of remarkable, and once again, SEPTA has a plan to drop costs even further. Just ensuring all stations provide higher platforms with level boarding could potentially shave those costs down further. Once again, this plan awaits action from Harrisburg. A more sophisticated critic might say that while SEPTA is more efficient than other American transit systems, it still trails transit agencies around the world. Thats true, but there isnt much SEPTA can do to change that. SEPTA starts its bus operators at a salary of just over $50,000 a year. Thats lower than regional competitors like NJ Transit. The minimum wage for bus drivers in London is 23,000 pounds. Thats around $30,000. The pay is similar for bus operators in Tokyo, Paris, and other major cities. I would challenge you to find a single person who is willing and able to drive a bus in Philadelphia for less than you can make waiting tables or making lattes. In addition to the significant salary disparity, SEPTA also has to pay a significant amount toward employee healthcare plans. This means SEPTAs frontline workers need twice as much compensation as their international counterparts if they are going to keep up with the American cost of living. Thats without getting into the way the Buy America requirement for new equipment and our litigation-based environmental protection regime raise the costs and lower the effectiveness of new capital projects. We all know SEPTA is not perfect, but starving it of the resources it needs will only make it worse and hurt more than just those who ride. It is time for Harrisburg Republicans to stop making excuses and fund transit. CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he learned his punishment for the crimes that led to his expulsion from Congress. Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, appealed for mercy. In a federal court a short drive from his old congressional district, he said through tears that he was humbled and chastened and understood he had betrayed his constituents trust. Advertisement I offer my deepest apologies, he said, adding: I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently wasnt convinced. Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. Its always someone elses fault. The New York Republican, who must report to prison July 25, didnt respond to reporters questions outside the courthouse. Hours later, though, he took to social media angling for a White House reprieve, despite saying in recent days he wouldnt seek clemency. I believe that 7 years is an over the top politically influenced sentence and I implore that President Trump gives me a chance to prove Im more than the mistakes Ive made, he wrote on the social platform X late Friday. Santos, 36, served in Congress less than a year before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues. He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. His plea deal included agreeing to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties. From the moment he declared his candidacy for Congress, Santos leveraged his campaign for his own enrichment and financial benefit, U.S. Attorney John Durham, whose office prosecuted the case, said outside court. Santos victims included a woman with brain damage and two octogenarian men, prosecutor Ryan Harris told the judge. Defense lawyer Andrew Mancilla had asked the judge for a sentence of two years, portraying Santos as a troubled figure who grew up in a broken house and was subjected to bullying throughout his life. As a result, he built the man he wanted to be, not who he was, Mancilla said. He did that because he believed that the world would not accept him for who he was. Deep down, he is warm, kind, caring and thoughtful, Mancilla said. But, the lawyer said, now everyone hates George Santos. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio. In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. He falsely claimed to have been a volleyball star at a college he never even attended. He had referred to himself during the campaign as a proud American Jew, but later acknowledged that he was Catholic and insisted hed only said he was Jew-ish after learning that his maternal family had a Jewish background. Reporters uncovered that Santos had been accused in Brazil of using stolen checks to buy clothing, and that he had once been charged in Pennsylvania with using bad checks to buy puppies from dog breeders. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign. He told lie after lie until it caught up with him until we caught up with him and exposed him for what he truly was: an opportunist and a fraud, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican, said outside court Friday. Her office also investigated Santos. Before winning office, Santos collected unemployment benefits from New York state while actually working for a Florida company. Once in Congress, he cosponsored legislation intended to root out unemployment fraud. As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective and apologetic in social media posts, but at other times seemed to relish his notoriety. He launched a podcast called Pants on Fire with George Santos, and earned hundreds of thousands of dollars selling cheerful, personalized video messages on Cameo. He leaned into his longtime support of Trump, praising the new administration. The week of his sentencing, Santos told The Associated Press by text he was ready to face the music. On X, he made one final plug for his Cameo account. Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today, Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., wears a pendant in support of freeing hostages being held by Hamas, before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Read more Sen. John Fetterman doubled down this week on his stance that the Trump administration should end nuclear negotiations with Iran and instead support Israels desire to attack the countrys nuclear facilities. Youre never going to be able to negotiate with that kind of regime that has been destabilizing the region for decades already, and now we have an incredible window, I believe, to do that, to strike and destroy Irans nuclear facilities, Fetterman told the conservative blog The Washington Free Beacon on Wednesday. Advertisement Fetterman (D., Pa.) said in a post on X last Friday that the United States should provide our comprehensive military support and whatever else Israel requires to destroy Irans capabilities. In the Wednesday interview, Fetterman said that the negotiations should be comprised of 30,000-pound bombs and the IDF, referencing Israels military. Fetterman is a fierce ally of Israel and the countrys Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wants Irans nuclear facilities destroyed. President Donald Trump discouraged Netanyahu from soon pursuing planned attacks on Iranian nuclear sites to make way for U.S. negotiations, the New York Times reported. Netanyahu last month gifted Fetterman a silver pager inspired by Israels September attack on Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon backed by Iran that is against Israel. In that attack, pagers used by members of the group exploded. Fetterman gifted Netanyahu a photograph from Philadelphia during that visit. READ MORE: John Fetterman and Benjamin Netanyahu exchanged gifts in Israel. One was inspired by an attack in Lebanon, the other came from Philadelphia. Fetterman argued both on X last week and in his Wednesday interview that the only purpose of Irans nuclear program is to make weapons. We cant allow that or negotiate with this regime, he said on X. Iran has insisted for decades that its nuclear program only has peaceful goals, but its officials increasingly threaten to use it to pursue a nuclear weapon. Ali Larijani, an adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, has warned in a televised interview that his country has the capability to build nuclear weapons, but it is not pursuing it and has no problem with the International Atomic Energy Agencys inspections. However, he said if the U.S. or Israel were to attack Iran over the issue, the country would have no choice but to move toward nuclear weapon development. Iran enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels of 60%, and is the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons program to do so. U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so. Fetterman dismissed foreign policy experts who have warned that striking Iran would lead to a regional war, according to the conservative blog that interviewed him. In that interview, Fetterman criticized the abilities of militant groups Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. He said that Hezbollah couldnt fight for [expletive], that Hamas fighters are just a bunch of tunnel rats with junkie rockets in the back of a Toyota truck, and that the Houthis have been effectively neutered as well. So whats left? Fetterman added. You have Iran, and they have a nuclear facility, and its clearly only for weapons. Fetterman said that he understands why Trump withdrew from former President Barack Obamas 2015 deal with Iran during his first term in 2018 and now cant understand why Trump would negotiate with this diseased regime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview released Wednesday with journalist Bari Weiss that Iran must give up all nuclear enrichment if it wants to make a deal during talks with the Trump administration and head off the threat of armed conflict. I would tell anyone were a long ways from any sort of agreement with Iran, Rubio said. It may not be possible, we dont know ... but we would want to achieve a peaceful resolution to this and not resort to anything else. Rubio also said that any military action at this point in the Middle East, whether its against Iran by us or anybody else, could in fact trigger a much broader conflict, as the region is already embroiled in war. Trumps lead representative in the recently revived talks, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, initially suggested the U.S. was open to allowing Iran to continue low-level uranium enrichment before saying that Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that his country must be able to enrich. The core issue of enrichment itself is not negotiable, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia in January. Read more Comcast Corp. donated $1 million to President Donald Trumps inaugural committee in December, joining other Pennsylvania-based companies in contributing to Trumps record-breaking fundraising haul, according to new filings from the Federal Election Commission. But just a few months later, Trump does not appear to be reciprocating the support for the media conglomerate. His administration has dished out verbal attacks on Comcast, spurred by the presidents opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and animosity toward certain media outlets, including NBC and MSNBC, which are owned by Comcast. Advertisement Comcast declined to comment. The mass media company, headquartered in Philadelphia, has a recent history of donating to inaugural committees, including $31,000 to former President Barack Obamas in 2013, $250,000 to Trumps 2017 inauguration, and the maximum $1 million to former President Joe Bidens in 2021. In total, Pennsylvania-based companies and donors gave approximately $8.6 million to the Trump-Vance inaugural committee. Other contributors include FedEx Corp., U.S. Steel, and Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of Shift4, a payment processing company. Trump has had a contentious relationship with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. Earlier this month on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump accused Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal, of trying to avoid lawsuits by separating NBC and MSNBC. He lambasted MSNBC for its ratings and added that Roberts and Comcast are a disgrace to the integrity of Broadcasting!!! In March 2024, he verbally attacked Roberts amid the ouster of former Republican National Committee chairperson Ronna McDaniel from her contributor position at NBC News. And the Federal Communications Commission, led by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, opened an investigation in February into the DEI policies of Comcast and NBCUniversal, weeks after Trump signed an executive order aimed at encouraging the private sector to dismantle illegal DEI discrimination and preferences. Carr also accused Comcast this month of news distortion for its coverage of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident whose mistaken deportation has come under sharp criticism. The FCC has narrow authority to investigate deliberate distortion by broadcasters. Comcast outlets spent days misleading the American public implying that Abrego Garcia was merely a law abiding U.S. citizen, just a regular Maryland man," Carr said on X last week. The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return from a prison in El Salvador. Despite ICE calling the deportation an administrative error, Trump administration officials have bristled at media coverage of the case and sought to portray Abrego Garcia as a member of MS-13, a claim federal judges have found unsubstantiated, according to PolitiFact. Other companies with local footprints being investigated by the FCC include Disney and ABC, and NPR and PBS. In addition to Comcasts donation, another $1 million to Trumps inauguration came from EWB Services, an obscure corporate entity that listed a mailing address near Philadelphias Rittenhouse Square. A Florida-based corporation registered under the same name lists Stefan E. Brodie as its sole officer. The businessman, who cofounded global resin manufacturer Purolite, listed the same Rittenhouse mailing address on other donations to Republicans last year, including a GOP battleground fund and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Top aides to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Thursday defended the administrations plan to eliminate a popular business tax break that is facing a legal challenge, saying the city would be unlikely to prevail in court if it defended the policy and could face significant financial consequences if it loses. The mayor made the hard but prudent decision to discontinue the [tax break], rather than placing the city into a devastating financial position, City Solicitor Renee Garcia said at a City Hall news conference meant to combat misinformation about Parkers decision. While we realize this news is unwelcome, the city will continue with financial assistance and business support programs that remain compliant under tax law. Advertisement READ MORE: Why a popular business tax break may be going away The tax break, which took effect a decade ago, excludes companies first $100,000 in revenue from being taxed under Philadelphias business income and receipts tax, or BIRT. That effectively allows companies that make less than that amount in a calendar year to pay no taxes at all, and it lowers tax bills for all firms. Parkers move to preemptively eliminate the tax break, known as the BIRT exclusion, before a judge rules on its constitutionality has met resistance from progressives, small-business owners, and some tax experts. It has also prompted a strange dynamic in which city officials are arguing with one another in public over whether an existing city law is worth defending in court something that presumably would be more difficult now that the mayor has made her doubts known. All sides agree, however, that the existing tax break policy has been a boon for Philadelphias smallest businesses. It also has helped make the tax more progressive, meaning larger or more profitable firms pay a greater share than those scraping by. Parker has affirmed that she supports the policy in principle. But she announced in March that the administration is reluctantly seeking City Council approval to eliminate the $100,000 exclusion in response to a lawsuit challenging its legality. Massachusetts-based Zoll Medical Corp., a medical device manufacturer that does business in Philadelphia, last year sued the city over its BIRT bill and argued in part that the $100,000 exclusion violates the Pennsylvania constitutions uniformity clause, which requires taxes to be applied to all taxpayers evenly. Garcia said Thursday that the city soon expects to reach a settlement with Zoll. If Council eliminates the exclusion, an estimated 54,000 Philadelphia small businesses and another 21,000 firms based outside Philly that do business in the city would have to pay the tax next year after being effectively exempt this year, Revenue Commissioner Kathleen McColgan said. The elimination of the tax break would boost revenue by $30 million, Finance Director Rob Dubow said, and Parker has proposed spending that money on services and outreach to companies affected by the change. A popular tax and an unpopular approach Parkers handling of the Zoll case has proven unpopular in several camps, from progressives who see the move as a ploy to build support for eliminating the business tax, to tax attorneys who think the lawsuit challenging the exclusion is weak. Instead of fighting for small businesses in court, the administration chose to give up, Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas ORourke of the progressive Working Families Party said in a joint statement. Their fears are overblown, and we do not understand why they would choose to undermine their legal case publicly. READ MORE: City Council progressives are pushing back on Mayor Cherelle Parkers tax cut proposal with a plan of their own Stewart M. Weintraub, a tax attorney who worked in the administrations of former mayors Frank L. Rizzo and William J. Green III, said he doubts Zoll would be able to prove it has legal standing to challenge the tax breaks constitutionality, given that it does not cause any harm to the company. Even if Zoll had standing, he said, the city might prevail by arguing that the exclusion complies with the uniformity clause because it allows all businesses to deduct $100,000 in income when calculating their BIRT bills not just small businesses. I believe the lawsuit is wrong, said Weintraub, who sat on the citys 2003 Tax Reform Commission. I think the $100,000 exclusion is absolutely legal. Garcia, however, has noted that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2017 struck down a provision of a state business tax that was structured similarly to the BIRT exclusion. In that case, Nextel Communications v. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the justices ruled that even if all taxpayers are ostensibly subject to the same tax rate, a policy that results in companies of different sizes having different effective tax rates a measure of what taxpayers actually end up paying compared to their overall income violates the uniformity clause. With the BIRT exclusion, for instance, companies that make $99,999 per year have an effective rate of 0%, while large companies with millions in sales per year have much higher effective tax rates because reducing their taxable income by $100,000 does little to affect their tax bills. The courts have been very clear on how tax uniformity applies: If you create a threshold and tax people above it but not below it, you are violating the constitution, Garcia said. It does not matter that everybody gets the exemption. What matters is the effective tax rate. Avoiding the risk of the worst-case scenario Even some critics of Parkers approach admit that it would be an open question as to whether the city could win if it tried to defend the policy in court. But given the likely harm to small businesses if the policy is repealed, many are urging the administration to fight for the tax break until the courts rule it unconstitutional a line of attack that has prompted a second layer of debate over what the city stands to lose by prolonging its fight. The BIRT tax is projected to bring in $725 million in the next budget, which begins July 1, and is projected to total $6.7 billion. The city would be financially hobbled if courts were to rule it could not collect BIRT because the exclusion is unconstitutional, and Dubow said Thursday the administration would have to consider tax increases and service cuts to make up the shortfall. We cannot predict what a court would order in that instance, but a decision requiring a retroactive remedy could have serious consequences for the city, including sanctions or reimbursement of hundreds of millions of dollars per tax year, Garcia said. Parkers critics, however, note that the court in Nextel didnt rule that the entire state business tax was unconstitutional, and instead severed the illegal provision while allowing the state to continue collecting the tax. It also did not force the state to make retroactive payments or tax refunds for years in which it was enforcing the problematic provision. If the Zoll case made it to the Supreme Court, they argue, the city may have little to lose. Our state Supreme Court ... would be highly reluctant to require the City to make such payments, particularly as it would yield an absurd and untenable result contrary to public policy and the equities of possibly bankrupting the City for attempting to lawfully collect revenue, Jonathan Stein, a former executive director of Community Legal Services, wrote in a legal memo on Parkers decision. The City has virtually nothing to gain by dropping the exemption prematurely and voluntarily. But Garcia said the city cannot assume it will be treated the same because the Zoll suit was filed after the court settled the legal question at hand through the Nextel case. In other words, Philly wont be able to argue officials didnt know the exclusion was likely unconstitutional, and the justices may therefore take a less favorable view of the city. Despite those concerns, its far from clear that the majority-Democratic state Supreme Court would precipitate a financial calamity in Pennsylvanias biggest city. Parker, however, didnt want to risk the worst-case scenario. We did not think about the risk we could take, Dubow said. BIRT reform efforts complicated The BIRT includes two separate taxes. Companies must pay 5.81% of their net income or profits, and they must also pay 0.1415% of their gross receipts or total revenue, even if they made no profits that year. For several years, local business groups and some City Council members have been pushing to dramatically reduce or eliminate the BIRT, which they contend makes the city less competitive for employers. That effort culminated in Council President Kenyatta Johnson convening a new Tax Reform Commission, which earlier this year proposed phasing the tax out over eight to 12 years. The Zoll case has thrown a curveball into those efforts, but Parker is nonetheless proposing a modest $9.2 million cut to the business tax for next year by lowering the net income rate to 5.71% and the gross receipts rate to 0.141%. READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker pitches her $6.7 billion budget plan as Trumps grave threat to cut aid to cities looms This is unfortunate because this exclusion saved thousands of neighborhood-based businesses from even having to file a BIRT return with the city, Parker said in her budget address to Council last month. But we are not going to turn our backs on these businesses. This beachfront property (center) off 76th Street in Sea Isle City just sold for $6.43 million, making it the most expensive property sold on the island, according to the listing agent, Emily Wilkins. Read more A beachfront home in Sea Isle City recently sold for a record $6.43 million, according to the listing agent and Zillow. The 4,400-square-foot home off 76th Street was previously owned by Lancaster-area business owner Daryl Heller, whose ATM company, Paramount Management, collapsed in February, losing Heller and his friends millions. The sale was approved by a New Jersey judge earlier this month as part of his Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, according to court documents. Advertisement It was the most expensive home sale listed on the Sea Isle City real estate database, according to listing agent Emily Wilkins, bumping a $6.15 million property off the top spot. Zillow records indicate the now-second-most-expensive spot was a nearly 4,000-square-foot bayside home sold in 2022. Wilkins, broker and owner of Goldcoast Sothebys International Realty, said the record speaks to the ever-increasing desirability of Sea Isle, an island that has a mix of nicer restaurants, fun nightlife, and year-round events. Its a really great town, Wilkins said. The Shore has definitely, since COVID, just become a hot spot. And Wilkins said some of the most stunning Shore views are from the three beachfront decks at the property she just sold. Unlike many Shore homes, the six-bedroom, 7-bath property is a true single-family home, not a side-by-side or a top-bottom property, Wilkins said. The primary bedroom and en suite bathroom spans the entire oceanside of the middle floor, with a great room above and two junior suites also with ocean views below. The home has a four-stop elevator, a chefs kitchen, and city-side decks, as well. Custom built in 2015 and recently revamped by an interior designer, the home was sold mostly furnished. This was basically turnkey, Wilkins said. It didnt really need any work. Gail and Brett Levin are the new owners, according to court documents. Brett Levin, the president of MHS Lift Inc., a Pennsauken-based warehouse equipment supplier, declined to comment. The property was listed in January for $6.7 million. 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 AGM resulted in the election of a new 13-member board of directors, which will serve for a term of three financial years, until the approval of the 2027 financial statements. The remuneration for the new board was also approved. On a national scale, insurance costs are rising for a significant portion of homeowners. According to a survey conducted by Finder in November 2024, 69% of respondents reported increases in their home and contents premiums over the previous year. The survey represents about 6.4 million insured households. A further 9% said they were unsure if their premiums had changed. Regulatory materials, including ASICs Guides 1 to 3 often referred to as the AFS Licensing Kit will be revised in May to reflect how the portal functions, although the content relating to licensing policies will stay the same. Todd Belden, regional president for OneDigitals Central region, emphasized that Greg Watkins and his team are a strong addition to OneDigital, noting that Watkos reputation and experience in serving clients complement OneDigitals existing business in Kansas and the Central region. He stated that the combined capabilities of the firms would enhance services and provide greater value to clients. Shareholders met in Trieste on Thursday to elect a new board for a three-year term. The vote follows ongoing tensions between management and key investors. On one side is Mediobanca SpA, Generalis largest shareholder, while on the other are the families of the late Leonardo Del Vecchio and Caltagirone, the second- and third-largest shareholders, respectively. USAA said that it added 1 million new members in 2024. Juan C. Andrade (pictured above), who became the companys 12th president and CEO in April, said the association is focused on meeting the evolving needs of members. The lawsuits, filed in Los Angeles, claim this coordinated effort violates Californias antitrust and unfair competition laws. Plaintiffs argue that the FAIR Plan offers inferior coverage at a higher cost and has become overwhelmed as insurers exit the wildfire market its policyholder count has more than doubled to 560,000 since 2020. The plan is now facing an estimated $4 billion in losses from the January fires alone. Marsh also accuses Aon, McDonough, and other former employees of using confidential information to solicit clients. The complaint notes that the day after the mass resignation, a long-standing Marsh client informed the company it would move its business to Aon, naming McDonough as its primary contact. Additional clients have reportedly followed. But the appellate court agreed with the trial judge's earlier decision to dismiss Robbins claims, siding with State Farms argument that the interpleader neutralized any liability it might have had. The judges emphasized that by initiating the interpleader and tendering the full value of the policies, State Farm had fulfilled its legal duties and removed itself from the conflict over who should receive the funds. New Jersey sued the property management software company RealPage, accusing it and 10 of the states largest landlords of conspiring to drive up residential rents, violating federal and state antitrust laws and New Jersey consumer fraud laws. The complaint filed on Wednesday by state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the defendants, including AvalonBay Communities AVB.N, illegally used RealPages revenue management software and algorithms to inflate rents for apartments in multifamily properties. New Jersey said the defendants also quietly exchanged non-public data such as lease prices, amenities, concessions offered, property values and housing inventory, in order to align pricing and avoid competition to lower rents. The state said the collusion has inflated rents for hundreds of thousands of residents, with half of low-income renters paying more than 30% of their gross incomes toward rent. Many real estate and financial experts recommend a 30% limit. US Justice Department Accuses RealPage of Driving Up Rents This lawsuit is about putting a stop to corporate greed at its worst, said Jeremy Hollander, acting director of New Jerseys division of consumer affairs. The housing market in New Jersey is already stacked in favor of landlords but the defendants wanted more. RealPage, based in Richardson, Texas, has said its pricing software sometimes recommends lowering rents instead of raising rents, and leaves decision making to landlords. A spokeswoman, Jennifer Bowcock, added that the software is designed to comply with housing laws. The claims brought by the New Jersey attorney general are devoid of merit and will do nothing to make housing more affordable, Bowcock said in an email. New Jersey should stop scapegoating pro-competitive technology. AvalonBay, based in Arlington, Virginia, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Real Estate Firms D&O Not Available for Defense in RealPage Antitrust Lawsuit The lawsuit seeks an injunction, civil penalties, the recouping of illegal profit and the appointment of a monitor to prevent more wrongdoing. New Jersey sued eight months after the U.S. Department of Justice and eight other states also sued RealPage over its algorithms. On April 2, RealPage sued the city of Berkeley, California, calling an ordinance against using algorithms to set rents an unconstitutional restriction on content-based speech, violating the First Amendment. The case is Platkin et al v RealPage Inc, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, No. 25-03057. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Diane Craft) Topics Lawsuits New Jersey Four new Russian companies have sought Indias approval to provide insurance for crude oil tankers docking at ports in the South Asian nation, according to people familiar with the matter. Indias shipping ministry is considering applications from Sberbank Insurance, which is sanctioned by the US, as well as from Balance Insurance, Ugoria Insurance and ASTK, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing sensitive issues. The firms aim to provide protection and indemnity coverage to Russian oil tankers, they said. Any addition of new, unsanctioned companies to the list of insurers extending coverage for risks, such as oil spillage and collisions, will further facilitate crude deliveries from Moscow to India, a key buyer of discounted barrels since Russias invasion of Ukraine. Indias daily imports of Russian crude are on track to climb to 2.15 million barrels in April, the biggest monthly volume since May 2023, according to data from Kpler. The purchases, which slumped to a 14-month low in February, are returning to near-normal levels as supply chains are rebuilt after US sanctions rattled the industry earlier this year. Sberbank, Ugoria, ASTK and Balance didnt immediately respond to emailed requests for comments. Earlier this year, Indias Directorate General of Shipping extended approvals for Alfastrakhovanie and Sogaz Insurance Co. until February 2030, and kept the permission for Ingosstrakh up to February 2029. The three companies have been sanctioned by the US. A permit for VSK, which is sanctioned by the UK, will expire in February 2030. Soglasie Insurance Co, which is not blacklisted by any western nation, was also authorized by the regulator. Photograph: Workers supervise oil lines at Krishnapatnam Port in Krishnapatnam, India. Photo credit: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg Related: Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Carriers Energy Oil Gas Russia The worlds biggest corporations have caused $28 trillion in climate damage, a new study estimates as part of an effort to make it easier for people and governments to hold companies financially accountable, like the tobacco giants have been. A Dartmouth College research team came up with the estimated pollution caused by 111 companies, with more than half of the total dollar figure coming from 10 fossil fuel providers: Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, National Iranian Oil Co., Pemex, Coal India and the British Coal Corporation. For comparison, $28 trillion is a shade less than the sum of all goods and services produced in the United States last year. At the top of the list, Saudi Aramco and Gazprom have each caused a bit more than $2 trillion in heat damage over the decades, the team calculated in a study published in Wednesdays journal Nature. The researchers figured that every 1% of greenhouse gas put into the atmosphere since 1990 has caused $502 billion in damage from heat alone, which doesnt include the costs incurred by other extreme weather such as hurricanes, droughts and floods. People talk about making polluters pay, and sometimes even take them to court or pass laws meant to rein them in. The study is an attempt to determine the causal linkages that underlie many of these theories of accountability, said its lead author, Christopher Callahan, who did the work at Dartmouth but is now an Earth systems scientist at Stanford University. The research firm Zero Carbon Analytics counts 68 lawsuits filed globally about climate change damage, with more than half of them in the United States. Everybodys asking the same question: What can we actually claim about who has caused this? said Dartmouth climate scientist Justin Mankin, co-author of the study. And that really comes down to a thermodynamic question of can we trace climate hazards and/or their damages back to particular emitters? The answer is yes, Callahan and Mankin said. The researchers started with known final emissions of the products such as gasoline or electricity from coal-fired power plants produced by the 111 biggest carbon-oriented companies going as far back as 137 years, because thats as far back as any of the companies emissions data go and carbon dioxide stays in the air for much longer than that. They used 1,000 different computer simulations to translate those emissions into changes for Earths global average surface temperature by comparing it to a world without that companys emissions. Using this approach, they determined that pollution from Chevron, for example, has raised the Earths temperature by .045 degrees Fahrenheit (.025 degrees Celsius). The researchers also calculated how much each companys pollution contributed to the five hottest days of the year using 80 more computer simulations and then applying a formula that connects extreme heat intensity to changes in economic output. This system is modeled on the established techniques scientists have been using for more than a decade to attribute extreme weather events, such as the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave, to climate change. Mankin said that in the past, there was an argument of, Whos to say that its my molecule of CO2 thats contributed to these damages versus any other one? He said his study really laid clear how the veil of plausible deniability doesnt exist anymore scientifically. We can actually trace harms back to major emitters. Shell declined to comment. Aramco, Gazprom, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and BP did not respond to requests for comment. All methods they use are quite robust, said Imperial College London climate scientist Friederike Otto, who heads World Weather Attribution, a collection of scientists who try rapid attribution studies to see if specific extreme weather events are worsened by climate change and, if so, by how much. She didnt take part in the study. It would be good in my view if this approach would be taken up more by different groups. As with event attribution, the more groups do it, the better the science gets and the better we know what makes a difference and what does not, Otto said. So far, no climate liability lawsuit against a major carbon emitter has been successful, but maybe showing how overwhelmingly strong the scientific evidence is can change that, she said. In the past, damage caused by individual companies were lost in the noise of data, so it couldnt be calculated, Callahan said. We have now reached a point in the climate crisis where the total damages are so immense that the contributions of a single companys product can amount to tens of billions of dollars a year, said Chris Field, a Stanford University climate scientist who didnt take part in the research. This is a good exercise and proof of concept, but there are so many other climate variables that the numbers that Callahan and Mankin came up with are probably a vast underestimate of the damage the companies have really caused, said Michael Mann, a University of Pennsylvania climate scientist who wasnt involved in the study. ___ Follow Seth Borenstein on X at @borenbears. The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Photograph: The Chevron Richmond Refinery in this view from Point Richmond, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) Ardonagh Acquires Zurich-Based SRB Assekuranz Broker The Ardonagh Group, the London-based independent insurance distribution platform, announced it has acquired the Zurich-based broker SRB Assekuranz Broker AG (SRB). Founded in 1980, SRB focuses on corporate customers, primarily in the industrial sector. It has an experienced team offering in-depth knowledge and expertise, including a dedicated risk engineering division. As an independent insurance broker, SRB specializes in national and international SMEs and large businesses in the areas of industry, trade and services. The SRB management team will continue to lead the business, which employs circa 30 people across offices in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and manages a premium pool valued at approximately 120 million. Financial details of the transaction were not included. SRB shares a long-standing relationship with and will operate as part of MDS Group, Ardonaghs platform for Latin America and Rest of World. It has been a partner of Brokerslink, the global risk management and broking network founded by MDS, since 2007, and SRB CEO Edoardo Leusciatti serves on the Brokerslink board. I am delighted to welcome the SRB team to the Ardonagh family. Their experience and knowledge will enhance our long-standing partnership and ability to excel in this strategically important sector, commented MDS Group CEO Jose Manuel Fonseca. By deepening our collective capabilities and further empowering our teams across our geographical locations, we will elevate our service to clients. Joining The Ardonagh Group alongside our longstanding partners MDS will expand our presence in the local market and beyond, said SRBs CEO Leusciatti. It provides significant gains in scale and access to important specialty and technological resources which strengthens our customer proposition. This is an exciting new chapter for us all. About Ardonagh Group and MDS The Ardonagh Group is one of the worlds largest independent insurance distribution platforms and a top 20 global broker, with a combined workforce of over 12,000 colleagues and a network spanning 200-plus locations in more than 30 countries. The MDS Group is an insurance and reinsurance broker, risk consultancy and benefits manager with a presence in over 131 countries through Brokerslink. Part of The Ardonagh Group since 2022, MDS is a market leader in Portugal and Angola, a key player in Brazil, and maintains a direct presence in Mozambique, Spain, Malta, Cyprus, Chile, Mexico, the U.S., Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Through Brokerslink, a global broking firm founded by the group which employs 45,000 insurance professionals, it addresses customers needs across multiple geographies and sectors. *** Optio Completes Acquisition of Scandinavian MGA, S Insurance Optio Group, the London-based independent specialty MGA, announced it has completed the acquisition of Norway-based MGA S Insurance AS, first announced in March, having received all necessary regulatory approvals. The transaction is a further strategically significant step for Optio to create a diversified buy-and-build platform through the acquisition of high-quality, niche speciality MGAs across Europe, the company said. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Headquartered in Bergen and with offices in Oslo, S Insurance specializes in marine hull, underwriting business globally with a strong presence in Europe. Optio Group will support its plans to expand both its product and geographical reach. The acquisition, Optios first in Scandinavia, follows previous purchases of Netherlands and-Brussels based MGA Den Hartigh and Luxembourg-based Circles Group, and its strategic investment in Italian MGA, Heca S.r.l. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Insurance Wholesale Around 156 million Americans, nearly half of the US population, now live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, part of a trend toward declining air quality as climate change-related extreme weather events like wildfires occur more frequently. Thats according to the 2025 State of the Air report from the American Lung Association, which each year tracks air quality around the nation. The report, released Wednesday, focuses on two common and dangerous pollutants: ozone and fine particles. The number of Americans exposed to high levels of these has risen by about 25 million since last years report. Depending on where you live, you knew from looking out your window, said Katherine Pruitt, the groups national senior director for policy. But, even expecting it, it was a surprise to us how much worse particularly ozone levels were in much of the country. The 2025 report is based on data from 2021 to 2023, years in which smoke from Canadian wildfires swept south to places like New York City and extreme temperatures scorched the southwestern US. These kinds of extreme weather events can contribute to particle pollution, in which microscopic particles formed when materials burn or from chemical reactions involving pollutants in the atmosphere can enter the lungs and bloodstream and cause damage. Ozone is a layer in the Earths atmosphere but can also form as a pollutant closer to the ground, where its often called smog. People can breathe in the corrosive gas, leading to inflammation in the lungs and other harmful reactions in the body. Both extreme heat and wildfires can promote the formation of ozone. Nearly 43 million Americans live in areas with high levels of short-term and long-term particle pollution as well as ozone pollution, according to the report. Many more experience at least one of these hazards. The geographic distribution of the problem has changed. Previously, high readings of ozone and particle pollution were concentrated in Western states, but in 2023, levels in the West eased. Meanwhile, the Midwest and Northeast saw greater daily spikes in particle pollution, and parts of the country including central states like Minnesota and Texas experienced unhealthy levels of ozone, the report authors found. Still, the cities with the highest levels of ozone and particle pollution, respectively, are both in California: Los Angeles-Long Beach and Bakersfield-Delano. Unhealthy air poses particular risks to vulnerable groups like children, seniors, people with asthma or other lung conditions and pregnant people and their unborn babies, Pruitt said. People of color also tend to live in areas with high levels of pollution, increasing their likelihood of exposure. Those are the people that are going to suffer the most and suffer first, she said. Research has found that continued exposure to particle pollution is associated with an elevated risk of premature death. Other health effects of air pollution include increased danger of preterm birth, heart attack, stroke, asthma and lung cancer. While extreme weather is one factor that degrades US air quality, vehicles, power plants and factories also contribute substantially to such pollution. However, thats been reduced over the years by regulation like the 1970 Clean Air Act, which resulted in the Environmental Protection Agency setting standards for air quality. Emissions of six major air pollutants have plummeted by nearly 80% since, even as the population grew and US energy consumption increased, according to the EPA. Breathers everywhere have been reaping the benefits of that cleanup for decades, Pruitt said. But as the population has grown, as the climate has been changing and weve had more extreme heat events and more droughts, leading to wildfires, weve started to see that trend reverse. Of the more than 3,000 counties in the US, just under 900 supplied sufficient air quality monitoring data on at least one pollutant to be included in State of the Air. The majority of counties dont have any monitors. These tend to be more rural, with smaller populations. The new findingscome as the Trump administration has proposed dramatic cuts to the EPAs spending and targeted a rollback of air quality standards. The report highlights the role the federal government plays in air monitoring. Air quality forecasts, for instance, are made available by the EPA-supported site Airnow.gov, and the report authors relied on EPA databases for their analysis. EPA staff are the reason the nation has access to air quality data in the first place, the report authors wrote. Photo: A pedestrian wears a mask as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets New York in 2023. Photographer: Alex Kent/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire A middle schooler in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has tested positive for measles, the first known case in the urban area, a health official from Collin County confirmed. The young person is located in Lucas, about 30 miles north of Dallas. The health official said the student attends Willow Springs Middle School, in the Lovejoy Independent School District. The district reported 96% of seventh graders were vaccinated for measles in the 2023-2024 school year. Texas, the epicenter of the US measles outbreak, has seen the most patients in rural Gaines County in the western part of the state. As of Tuesday, Texas has 624 confirmed total cases, with 386 in Gaines. Two children in the state have died from the disease. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 800 cases nationwide in 24 states. The vaccination status of the child and whether the infection is connected to the West Texas cases is unknown, the health official said. Collin County Health Care Services is working with the school to alert people of potential exposures. Measles is a highly contagious disease. The best way to prevent an infection is the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses, according to the CDC. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics K-12 Education Third-party litigation financing have become big business across the country, much to the chagrin of businesses and insurance companies that have faced multi-million lawsuit verdicts. But now one Florida-based litigation funding firm, which has loaned money to plaintiffs in a range of personal injury suits, including workers compensation and even dog bite claims, faces a potential class-action lawsuit of its own over a January data breach. US Claims Capital, doing business as US Claims and headquartered in Boca Raton, failed to secure plaintiffs personal information and failed to implement robust computer security measures, leading to a cyberattack, the complaint alleges. The exposure of ones private information to cybercriminals is a bell that cannot be un-rung, reads the April 17 complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Miami. Before this data breach, plaintiffs and the classs private information was exactly thatprivate. Not anymore. Now, their private information is forever exposed and unsecure. The lead plaintiff is Timothy Vactor, a Kansas resident who had for years closely guarded his personal data, the court document notes. The suit asks the court to certify the class action as representing many other people who did business with US Claims, and asks for compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney fees and other cost reimbursement. US Claims has not yet filed an answer to the complaint. The firms website notes that it funds lawsuits over animal bites, animal injuries and other injuries, and contends that it offers a better deal to plaintiffs by charging less than competing litigation funding firms. Related: Dog Bite Claims Soared in 2024 Defendant is a national litigation funding company that loans plaintiffs in personal injury, workers compensation, qui tam, medical malpractice, or other types of cases money before or after their cases settle, the suit reads. The injury suit that US Claims reportedly financed for Vactor, the lead plaintiff, was not explained in the complaint. Vactor and other plaintiffs funded by the firm were notified through an April 11 letter from US Claims, explaining the Jan. 7 cyberattack. The firms own investigation revealed that certain information related to you may have been acquired by an unauthorized individual as part of the event, the letter said. US Claims provided victims with identity theft protection, cyber monitoring and an insurance policy in case of financial losses, as well as help in resolving issues. But since the letter, Vactor and other class members have had to spend time and money monitoring their credit reports, dealing with an increase in spam email, texts and phone calls, the complaint argues. Related: Georgia Lawmakers Put Limits on Litigation Financing Topics Lawsuits Mergers & Acquisitions Cyber Florida Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King predicted property-casualty insurance rates will drop 3% to 5% in the next year after lawmakers approved significant tort reform measures. He also seemed to warn insurance companies about filing for major increases, according to news reports. So much political capital was spent on getting tort reform, Commissioner John King told Atlanta News First. They better not come to our office and ask a ridiculous rate increase. Kings comments came three days after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law two bills that aim to reduce what has been called excessive litigation, and seek to restrict financing of lawsuits by third-party lenders. King also said his office is recruiting new insurance carriers and is willing to offer unnamed incentives to attract carriers to the state. The Insurance Information Institutes Mark Friedlander said it may take 18 months to see rates drop in Georgia, post-reform, the news site reported. Litigation cost reductions could be offset largely because a global tariff war could raise repair costs for structures and automobiles, he noted. Topics Georgia MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama lawmakers advanced legislation last week that would allow local law enforcement to enforce immigration law, as conservative legislators push for increased alignment with the federal governments crackdown on immigration. The bill was dubbed Laken Riley Act, named after the 22-year-old Augusta University student who was killed last year in Georgia by an undocumented immigrant. President Donald Trump signed a similar law into affect in January that requires the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes. House Bill 7 is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If signed into law, the Alabama version of the bill will allow local and state law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements with federal agencies to enforce the countrys immigration laws. Its simply a common-sense grassroots approach to help enforce already existing laws that are on the books in our community, said the bills sponsor, Republican Rep. Ernie Yarbrough. The bill drew swift rebuke from the House of Representatives Democratic minority. Rep. Chris England said the bill would make profiling inevitable because he said officers are more likely to detain nonwhite people who dont speak English. He added that the stakes are higher given the increasing frequency of detentions without a trial across the country. The constitution cant be situational, it cant be circumstantial, it cannot only be when it benefits me. You have to abide by the principles in it, even when you dont want to, he said. Yarbrough denied that the bill would encourage racial profiling, and he pointed to amendments to the bill that would require officers to check immigration status instead of nationality when someone is arrested. The bottom line is that this bill isnt aimed at vilifying immigrants its about the safety of Alabamians, Yarbrough said. Still, some Democratic legislators pushed back. They said that it would make communities less safe because it would discourage immigrants from reporting crimes in the community. Rep. Neil Rafferty said that the bill exploits Laken Rileys name and wouldnt have prevented her death. Turning local officers into de facto immigration agents damages their ability to stop crimes, Rafferty said. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement Alabama The number of qualified medical evaluators in Californias workers compensation system has increased since 2019, but the demand for their services has overtaken this growth, a new analysis shows. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of state-certified evaluators increased by 16%, from 2,561 to 2,972. This growth occurred after California updated its payment system for medical-legal services in 2021, according to the analysis by the California Workers Compensation Institute. The updated structure replaced the previous three-tiered evaluation model with a flat fee code, along with additional fees for record reviews and certain specialties. The goal was to improve compensation for evaluators and attract more physicians to participate in the system. Although panel requests began when disputes occurred over issues like work-related injuries, permanent disability, and treatment needs, they also climbed, increasing to 17% over the six-year period. The number of panel requests rose by 32.7% between 2021 and 2024 alone, reducing the availability gains made by recruiting more evaluators, according to CWCI. The report shows some specialties saw an increase in registered evaluators, and several high-demand fields became more drained. Regardless of a 28% increase in internal medicine evaluators, panel requests in that specialty rose at an even quicker pace. Neurology, psychiatry, chiropractic and psychology saw rising ratios of panel requests per evaluator, designating growth shortages. The only specialty to experience a decline in evaluator numbers was psychology, which fell 8% from 2019 to 2024, according to CWCI. Topics California Workers' Compensation Its not often that applause breaks out in the audience after a vote at the Hawaii Legislature, but that one afternoon this week. The measure was House Bill 1001, and the subject was settling claims related to the August 2023 Maui wildfires. This is a very important measure, and I appreciate the support of the Finance Committee to approve this, and the Senate and your Ways and Means Committee to approve this as well, Rep. David Tarnas said to Sen. Karl Rhoads, his counterpart in negotiating passage of HB 1001 in conference committee. Related: After Lahaina Fire, Residents Address Their Risk By Becoming Firewise If approved by the full House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Josh Green, as is widely expected HB 1001 was part of the administrations package of legislation this session the state of Hawaii will deposit $807 million into the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund over the next four years. That is the states share of a $4.04 billion global settlement that includes $1.99 billion from Hawaiian Electric Co. and $872.5 million from landowner Kamehameha Schools. The rest of the monies are expected to come from West Maui landowners and telecommunications companies, including Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum. The trust fund will be used to settle lawsuits from more than 1,000 homeowners, businesses and others harmed by the fires, which took 102 lives. It will be used to compensate individuals or representatives of the dead who suffered real and personal property damage, personal injury, wrongful death, emotional distress and inconvenience, or economic loss as a result of the wildfires, according to the legislation. The bill says the settlement will offer a timely and compassionate resolution to those affected by the Maui wildfires while relieving the burden on the judicial system and contributing to the rebuilding of lives and community. In February, the Hawaii Supreme Court approved the settlement, rejecting a challenge from the insurance industry. Nearly 200 insurers had paid out more than $2.3 billion to home and business owners and were looking to recoup that money from lawsuits against HECO, Kamehameha Schools and other parties that allegedly allowed the fire to spread. The fires were investigated by Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez, the Maui Fire Department, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and HECO itself. The allocation of state funds and the determination of individual compensation amounts have yet to be finalized, according to HB 1001. Kamehameha Schools still needs approval from the state probate court and the IRS for its portion of the settlement before it can be finalized. Since last year, HECO has raised $500 million needed for the first installment of its share. About one-third of the settlement is expected to go to the victims lawyers. The states wildfire settlement amount is in addition to a state contribution of $65 million to the One Ohana Fund for wildfire assistance. That fund was set up by the Green administration to help aid the recovery of families who lost loved ones as well as people who suffered severe injuries in the disaster. HECO contributed $75 million to the One Ohana Fund, $17.5 million came from Kamehameha Schools, Maui Countys share was $10 million and Charter/Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom and West Maui Land Co. $2.5 million each. Civil Beat reporters Stewart Yerton and Blaze Lovell contributed to this report. This story was originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Legislation April 25, 2025 (Investorideas.com Newswire) RM: Bob and I are putting all the articles we talk about in our Under the Spotlight' series of articles in one spot. Bob what you have for us this morning is so good you can do the whole intro. BM: I'm going to steal some short ideas that are so appropriate for where we are today. If you want to get rich or even just retire, you can put together a basket of cheap lottery tickets at the bottom of the precious metal resource stocks. We are there. This came from Rambus Chartology. Stock Trades Portfolio currently consists of mostly larger-cap precious metals stocks that trade millions of shares a day. If big institutions want to park some capital in the PM stocks, then they need to have enough volume to get in and out. As the bull market progresses, capital will start finding its way down the food chain into the small and micro-cap PM stocks, as it always does. Presently, there are just a few microcaps that are starting to show some life, which is fairly normal at the beginning of a bull market. In previous strong bull legs in the PM complex, when the microcaps came to life, there was an expression that went something like this: the microcaps are like listening to popcorn popping, first one kernel popped, and then another, until the popping was finished. Most of the kernels popped, but there are always a few kernels that didn't, and that will be pretty much how the microcaps will trade when their time comes, which is why you'll need a basket of them. The ones that pop will more than make up for the ones that don't, and the microcaps are where you get the 5 and 10 baggers. Banyan Gold (TSXV:BYN), 2025.04.08 RM: In 2020 you said Banyan was the most interesting gold company in the world. I know they're up in the Tombstone Gold Belt, why don't you tell us about Banyan. BM: OK well Banyan is actually run by a very close friend of mine named Tara Christie and I just love Tara Christie. I think Tara Christie is wonderful, an absolute leader in the mining industry, she is a tribute to being a woman and to be a miner, unfortunately she was married to the guy that was running Victoria Gold and Victoria Gold had a technical failure, the TSX forced them into bankruptcy even though they've got quite a viable project, but you can buy gold from Banyan at 11 bucks an ounce and it will go into production at $3,000 gold, it's a license to steal. I've got so much respect for Tara and literally it was the story of the baby got thrown out with the bathwater, but it creates opportunity and the opportunity is there for anybody who wants to take it. RM: Yeah it's trading at $0.20, it has a fully funded 30,000-meter drill program ongoing right now, so I mean that's a lot of news coming and there's going to be some hits in there, there's no doubt about that. BYN chart from Stockwatch.com Harvest Gold (TSXV:HVG), 2025.04.08 RM: Quinton Hennigh of Crescat Capital said they were very happy that Harvest had acquired a district-scale land package in the Urban Barry greenstone belt, Quinton called it an underexplored green belt, with one of the most notable new gold camps in Quebec. Pretty strong words. BM: Yeah but Quinton's got it totally confused. RM: Do tell. BM: He was talking about all the tactical aspects of a company having three major projects in the Abitibi gold belt of this totally under-explored area, and what he didn't say was the most important thing. At three cents a share you can buy the entire company for under $2,000,000, now I've written a couple of financial books and I talk about if you want to make money in resources you want to buy when things are cheap and sell when they're expensive. If you start a company in Vancouver or Toronto and you've got a three-line phone and a secretary your company should be worth 3 or $4 million so for Harvest Gold to be selling under $2,000,000 Canadian that's simply absurd. RM: It's not even valued properly as a shell. BM: Yeah exactly. HVG chart from Stockwatch.com Sitka Gold (TSXV:SIG), 2025.04.08 RM: You've called Sitka another Snowline Gold. BM: Nah it's not. RM: Pardon me? BM: It's not a Snowline. It's a lot better than Snowline. RM: Snowline's pretty good. BM: I hear what it's worth is crazy and you know in all good faith Quinton Hennigh happens to be my best friend, okay and he and I talk on a regular basis and I participate in most of the deals that Crescat gets. Quinton Hennigh was talking to me about Sitka when Sitka was, 7, 8, 9 cents a share. I loaded up with both hands, here's the good news and it's my opinion okay that's not based on any numbers because Snowline has a great resource right now, Sitka is drilling deep, they're going to be releasing a hole probably in the next two weeks that I think showed 150 examples of VG (visible gold) in the core. While Sitka has in fact shot up from where I was buying and still got a $180 million market cap and Snowline's got a $1.1 billion market cap, so Sitka is more accessible, they're fully funded for a 30,000-meter drill program, they already have one hole that's going to come out shortly that could double the price of the shares overnight. RM: Well they've got a base, they've got 1.3 million oz indicated and 1.5 million oz inferred. Investors, there's guys on the chat boards said it's too deep but they obviously don't know anything about mining, if they did they'd know that block caving is the perfect method to mine that. SIG chart from Stockwatch.com Silver47 (TSXV:AGA),2025.04.08 RM: Silver47's got a 60-kilometer trend of VMS/SEDEX, pretty much got the district all claimed up. The thing that I love about this property is that it has got so much exploration potential I mean I don't think I've ever seen so much VMS indications right on surface and it's literally everywhere. I love Silver47's chances to grow their 168,000,000 ounces of silver-equivalent in an inferred underground [resource]. BM: Well you just raised another issue and strangely enough that's another project that Quinton Hennigh and I were involved in and it was owned by an Australian company, and the guy that was running the company didn't like to listen to advice. When covid hit, he didn't do anything about lining up the drill crew so in 2020 they did nothing in Alaska. I think it's like 100 kilometers south of Fairbanks I mean it's certainly accessible. They spent all their money in Australia and then the Australian government came out and changed the requirements for putting up reclamation deposits on projects. It literally put the Australian company out of business, so Quinton and I went to the current management of Silver47. Silver47 had a big silver project in Canada but the government changed the rules there because evidently the locals wanted to take control of the project so Silver47's fabulous silver project that the government was sitting on and wouldn't let them do anything pretty much died. So Silver47 realized they needed something. Now I was writing about the deposit in Alaska five or six or seven years ago, there is a resource it's about a $5 billion resource of metal in the ground and Silver47 is cashed up, they just finished a private placement and they're absurdly cheap. When people realize how good Silver47 is, it's going to be one of the top silver stocks in the United States. RM: I agree 100%, I interviewed Gary Thompson the CEO two weeks ago and the interview's posted on my site. I think it's one of the nicest silver plays I've seen in a very long time. AGA chart from Stockwatch.com Trifecta Gold (TSXV:TG),2025.04.08 RM: Now let's get back to the Tombstone Gold Belt, one of the first up there to make it big was Victoria Gold and then we talked a bit about the next one with Snowline and then Banyan and Sitka, but there's a new kid on the block. Tell us about that one. BM: Well interestingly enough here are the biggest of the junior companies up there: it's Rackla [Metals], it's Snowline, it's Sitka, it's Banyan, it's Trifecta, it's the Eagle deposit and again going back to what I recommend to people is you buy stocks when they're cheap, you sell them when they're expensive. Rackla with no resource has a $20 million market cap and Trifecta with no resource has a $6.5 million market cap, so I mean if Trifecta didn't do anything and the price of gold didn't change and Trump didn't blow up the world's economy Trifecta could still triple. TG chart from Stockwatch.com New Found Gold (TSXV:NFG),2025.04.13 RM: You have seen the assay results and there have been hundreds of ultra-high grade intercepts of gold. Now the one mistake that the two young guys made that were running the company is how they come out with the resource, they were using a shotgun approach and they wanted to test the entire project and it's a very big project, and they came up with extraordinary results, but by trying to test what was a couple of dozen kilometers of strike they made the mistake of the hole spacing was way too far apart. They had a lot of good gold intercepts, when a QP, Qualified Person does a 43-101 there's two things he's got to take into account. He's got to take in the spacing between holes and basically no matter what the grade is, ok the bigger the space between the holes the lower the amount of gold that you say is there because you don't know what's in the area you haven't drilled. And another thing that's very important that virtually nobody knows about is capping ultra-high grade ok? If you've got 75 grams intercept of gold you have sliced half of the core. Is the other half of the core gonna have 75 grams? And the answer is not necessarily, it could have 150 grams but it could have 5g so if you've got an intercept of say 7 meters of 75g gold you cap it. You say we don't think it's 75 grams across the whole thing, we think it's 10 grams. RM: What I, and a lot of other people want to know is do you think NFG has more gold than 2 million ounces? BM: Now I don't come out and ever use the word guarantee however I will tell you right now the chances of 2,000,000 ounces of gold reflecting an accurate measure of the 43-101, the chance of that being accurate is zero. It is so absurdly conservative that the next 43-101 is going to have a lot more gold, that is a Fosterville deposit ok? Fosterville took Kirkland Lake from being a $3 billion company to an $18 billion company. The guys who were buying New Found Gold for the last month are going make out like bandits, it's an extraordinary project, it's not a flawed project. There were some decisions made that in hindsight were wrong but if we'd had a real booming market which we didn't have, maybe they weren't wrong at all they were just wrong for now but you're going see a lot more gold than 2 million ounces. Two serious geologists, two people I know that I discussed New Found Gold's 43-101 with have both used the same term, and that is the 43-101 is bullshit. RM: Well I was I was extremely shocked to see such a low resource. BM: The gold's there, Fosterville was deep, New Found Gold is not deep it's shallow so it's a lot more gold. I mean the next 43-101 is going be interesting. And of course the management's gonna look like absolute heroes but the price of the stock was taken down by Labrador Gold selling their shares and a exceptionally conservative 43-101. NFG chart from Stockwatch.com Storm Exploration (TSXV:STRM),2025.04.13 RM: When you're buying a company with good management, an excellent project with gold already on it, and you're buying one for pennies a share, Cdn$0.03, sporting a micro market cap of Cdn$2m. When they're trading below the value of a shell and you're financing a company that is going to do a drill program in short order meaning this summer. When it has a decent chance of success, they're not looking at something that's totally greenfield, there's been exploration and there's some decent grade and intercepts. To me, all that describes STRM. So I'm looking at Storm Exploration, they've got gold in a banded iron formation (BIF) in the Miminiska-Fort Hope Greenstone Belt. They've got two confirmed high-grade gold zones separated by 14 kilometers. On the east end is Frond, on the west end is Miminiska, in the center there is a gold showing, they're going in there drilling this summer. Bruce Counts is the CEO, John Williamson's on board with it, so between the two of them that's a quality adviser and management who are both very experienced with gold in BIF's. I like the project, 14 kilometers long with a potentially mineralized zone gold, good share count, strongly held and again you're buying it for $0.03 with a $2m MC. BM: How much lower can it go? It costs you $1,000,000 a year to keep the doors open. We're going to have a situation, and I follow sentiment, the average investor has no clue as to how much opportunity there is in resource stocks, take gold stocks right now. When you've got almost $3,300 gold dirt pretty much becomes economic, okay? And nobody's pricing that into the market. The price of gold resource stocks now relative to the price of gold is the lowest it's been in 45 years and that's not going last for very long. RM: No it isn't, and that's why I'm getting on this theme about trying to get people to pay attention to what we're talking about. Where's the value in junior resource companies? When I look at a stock like Storm, I look at the market cap, does it have room to grow 3, 4 or 5 times on one successful drill program? I think the most money in the market to be made today is to be picking up these penny juniors that are financing to do a drill program. To me that's your value, and it's where I want to play. One good hit with a tiny, microscopic market cap company, and what's going to happen? BM: Okay, well let's work it out mathematically. If the market cap of Storm is $2,000,000 how low can it go? RM: I don't think it will go any lower. BM: Well in theory it could go to zero. If they have a good hit what could it go up to? RM: If you've got a $2 million market cap and you think the stock should be sporting a $8-10 million market cap after financing a successful drill campaign in the current gold friendly environment, I don't think that's unreasonable. STRM chart from Stockwatch.com Silver North (TSXV:SNAG), 2025.04.21 RM: Silver North has a property that's under option to Coeur [Mining] and Coeur's got a CRD up on the border with the Yukon. Silver North's Tim property is optioned to Coeur. Coeur's been coming over and working on it. The confidence level is extremely high that there's a carbonate replacement system on the property that is a look-alike to what Coeur's working on their property. That's an interesting project but like I said it's optioned off and Coeur's doing their earn-in. The property that I'm going to talk about today is Silver North's Haldane property and it's up in the Yukon's Keno Silver District, which is one of the highest-grade silver districts in the world. There's been 200 million ounces of silver mined so far out of the district and the mines up there are primary silver mines with by-products zinc and lead. SNAG's Haldane project is right beside Hecla [Mining], who started mining in 2023 with proven and probable reserves of close to 50 million ounces @ 700 grams per tonne. And the mineralisation in their project, what they're mining, is similar to the Haldane project. The average silver mine in the Keno district is 30 million ounces ok, and historical production grade sits in right around 1,100 grams per tonne silver, and again they are considered primary silver mines so they're not really going with silver-equivalent this is a primary mine. Silver North does have a plan, they do have a focus and they're executing. They just raised $1.35 million and this is the hard dollar precursor to an upcoming charity financing of up to $4 million and when you're doing these charity finances it's nice to have a good comfortable runway of hard money first. They want to see that and they did do a charity financing last year so I expect that it will be a successful raise and they want to raise up to $4 million and as I said the focus is to drill 2,000 to 5,000 meters, depending on the size of the raise, in their most recent discovery the Main Fault. Now they've done three small drill programs and each of the drill programs has made discoveries, but this Main Fault is special, it's a very large chunk of mineralization and there's three layers to it which is which is interesting. And they think drilling this year is going to, at the very least, achieve clear visibility towards, if not outright, attaining a 30-million-oz normal Keno deposit. So with their share price what it is today they could do a 17 and a half-cent financing and by the time you figure it all out and everything with the full warrant they'd have 138 million shares outstanding fully diluted. There's also $1.5 million in warrants at 15 [cents] that hopefully could get exercised. Now, I'll do a little bit of valuation here, there's 12 kilometers of vein potential on the property; there's other discoveries already including the high-grade West Fault. And I think that if you're starting to look at this one with it's current market cap it's not unreasonable to think that you could get multiples on that with a successful drill program. I like this project because it's got standalone potential, or it could be a plug into Hecla's existing operation. Remember, they've got 49.7 million ounces of proven and probable mining reserves, you're next door, you're 2 kilometers away from Hecla's mill. If you can show that you've got 30, 40, 50 million ounces of silver, I'm thinking you're going be looked at pretty hard by Hecla. BM: I have not followed this but while you were speaking I did some research and again this is one of those projects that's so cheap that if you believe in silver. There was a lot of silver that came out of there, so the Yukon is going be very hot this year. RM: I like their chances of building a Keno primary silver deposit. BM: Yeah, but if you like silver you've got to like the leverage that you get from a good pure silver play. And being right next to Hecla is a big deal. RM: It is huge, Hecla's a very friendly company to juniors, they're very junior-compatible or friendly I'm not sure that's the right word but they're not hard to get along with at all. BM: The timing is near perfect and I congratulate them on raising enough money for a serious drill program. Richard (Rick) Mills aheadoftheherd.com subscribe to my free newsletter Legal Notice / Disclaimer Ahead of the Herd newsletter, aheadoftheherd.com, hereafter known as AOTH. Please read the entire Disclaimer carefully before you use this website or read the newsletter. If you do not agree to all the AOTH/Richard Mills Disclaimer, do not access/read this website/newsletter/article, or any of its pages. By reading/using this AOTH/Richard Mills website/newsletter/article, and whether you actually read this Disclaimer, you are deemed to have accepted it. Any AOTH/Richard Mills document is not, and should not be, construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. AOTH/Richard Mills has based this document on information obtained from sources he believes to be reliable, but which has not been independently verified. 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Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Intel gave a weak revenue forecast on Thursday night, which fell below Wall Street estimates, with the embattled chipmaker confirming it will be cutting staff to reduce costs. Posting its financial results for the first three months of 2025, Intel CEO Lip Bu Tan said they were "a step in the right direction," while also confirming there will be a reduction in Intels workforce globally. While no specifics around the number or location of job cuts were flagged, the company have said they plan to reduce operating costs by between $500m and $1bn next year, with cuts targeting management and non-core engineering roles. The latest reported cuts follow efforts by the company in August last year to slash around 15,000 jobs. Intel had 108,900 employees at the end of 2024, down from 124,800 the previous year. Some 5,000 Intel workers are based here in Ireland, concentrated primarily in the companys campus in Leixlip, Kildare. Around 300 employees are based at the companys research and development base in Shannon, however, the company announced last year that it would close this facility by the end of 2025 as part of its savings plan, with staff being offered the opportunity to move to remote working. "It is likely to be several weeks before detail is available on the impact of these cost reduction measures," said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke said. "While we await further specifics on potential downsizing, which is an incredibly anxious time for Intels staff, it is positive that the company have stated that they will continue to focus investment on their core business, the manufacturing of semiconductor products. This is the primary activity in Ireland." A spokesperson for Intel told The Irish Examiner that the company is working through further details to understand the local impact, adding it is expected that each Executive Team Lead will make decisions based on their business priorities. The company, based in Santa Clara, California, said it expects revenue of $11.2bn (9.8bn) to $12.4bn (10.9bn) for the June quarter, compared with analysts average estimate of $12.82bn (11.3bn), according to data compiled by LSEG. Amid Mr Tans attempts to streamline the company and cut costs, Intel also said it is reducing its adjusted operating expense target to approximately $17bn (14.9bn) in 2025, down from its previously stated goal of $17.5bn (15.4bn), and is now targeting $16bn (14.1bn) in 2026. Mr Burke also said it was worth noting Intel's completed construction of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Europe in Fab 34, which is now in production in Leixlip and can be central to Intels growth recovery strategy. "This 17 billion investment is just the latest in Intels 35-year history operating here, with the Irish government, through IDA Ireland, partnering with Intel on this journey," Mr Burke continued. "My thoughts remain with staff and their families, many of whom are extremely concerned. I continue to keep in touch with local management and I am meeting them again next week. "Government continues to value our long-term partnership with Intel and will continue to work with the company as it works through its plans over the coming weeks and months, as demand for semiconductors remains strong." There are two good shows hidden in Cheap European Homes (RTE Player). It can feel like they are getting in each others way. Its been out for a while, on its second season. This is Irelands answer to A Place in the Sun, where British people visit a remote Spanish village on holidays and decide to go and live there. It works because at some point in our lives, weve all decided happiness is a seaside village thats stone dead for nine months of the year. Its a middle-of-the-road travel show wrapped in property porn, and it works. Maybe its an RTE thing, but the producers have decided to add in a comedian as a co-presenter. So Maggie Molloy who presented Cheap Irish Homes is joined by Kevin McGahern as a cultural ambassador, which means he goes out and does the dull travel show bits. While a Cork father and daughter look at places on the Algarve, Kevin is out sampling Portuguese fado folk music and learning how to cook a local seafood speciality. The idea is hes checking out everyday life in Portugal, but if someone moves to Ireland theyre not going to spend their time watching Riverdance and preparing coddle. And if they are, I feel sorry for them. Stephen and Cassie: I loved Stephen in episode four, Kevin is a telly natural, proper funny, but hes wasted here with the geography teacher chores. Hes at his best when he meets up with Irish ex-pats living in the target areas. Theres John, an affable tour guide in episode one, talking about a village he moved to 15 years ago. Back on the Algarve in episode four, Kevin brings Stephen from Cork to play football with a gang of Irish ex-pats, and a beer afterwards. There is a great show here, where Kevin goes out across Europe to catch up with middle-Ireland ex-pats. They should split it off and leave Maggie Molloy to deal with the property hunters. Retired prison officer Michelle was great in episode one, a sassy warm woman who wanted to open a caravan park on the Costa del Sol with her partner. I also loved Stephen in episode four, the chief financial officer in search of value on the Algarve. He was very come off it boy when they told him that a cheap European home in the area would cost him 350,000. I didnt like Cheap European Homes at first. The voiceovers are over-loaded with estate agent fluff and I couldnt figure out why Kevin McGahern was learning how to dance flamenco. But it grew on me and now Im a fan. Give it a watch. Much has changed in womens medicine over the past 25 years. Issues that were once spoken of in hushed tones are now openly discussed and receive the medical attention they deserve. However, further changes are necessary to ensure women receive the best possible care. We talk to four leading doctors in the Irish healthcare system about significant developments in womens healthcare and the changes theyd like the minister for health to introduce. Much done, more to do Dr Cliona Murphy is chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She started working in this field 27 years ago and remembers it as a different time. Womens health wasnt even a phrase that was used then, she says. Womens reproductive rights were strictly controlled. If a woman became pregnant, she had to stay pregnant, says Murphy. I saw how devastating this was for women carrying babies with foetal abnormalities, and I experienced how fraught it could be getting terminations for women whose pregnancies posed a risk to their life and health. Id have to make sure another practitioner and the multi-disciplinary team agreed with my decision to avoid any legal implications afterwards, all while trying to look after my patient. She recalls women needing their husbands consent before they could get their tubes tied for sterilisation and adds how even then, the request had to be submitted to the hospitals ethics committee. Dr Cliona Murphy: IVF has come on in leaps and bounds. Egg donation, for example, now enables women who have undergone premature menopause to carry children. And to see Ireland providing public funding for fertility treatment is fantastic. Its hard to believe a third party had a say when the decision should have been hers alone. The successful 2018 Repeal the Eighth campaign was pivotal. So many women shared their stories of suffering due to not having the right to full reproductive healthcare during that campaign, says Murphy. That led to a change in the law, and changes in healthcare followed. Murphy cites improvements in fertility treatment as another significant change in womens health. IVF has come on in leaps and bounds. Egg donation, for example, now enables women who have undergone premature menopause to carry children, she says. And to see Ireland providing public funding for fertility treatment is fantastic. However, she says there is still room for further progress, especially in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology. She explains how certain gynaecological conditions only show up when a girls periods dont arrive as expected. These are mostly rare conditions. But there is also the issue of painful periods and girls developing problems like endometriosis. These can make school, sports, and exams extra challenging for girls. Just as we now have specialised menopause services, Id like to see more specialised services aimed at supporting these girls and their parents in dealing with these problems. Taking women seriously Dr Deirdre Lundy is the clinical lead of the complex menopause clinic in the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin. Thinking back 25 years, she recalls an era when womens health wasnt taken seriously at all. However, three milestone developments highlight that the healthcare system was undergoing significant changes. She also remembers the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. It still amazes me how smoothly Ireland made that transition, she says. When you see places like the US rolling back on womens reproductive rights while were moving forward, I feel proud of how Ireland has allowed women the autonomy to make decisions about their bodies. The establishment of the womens health taskforce in 2019 marked another significant step forward. Set up following a recommendation from the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck screening programme, it allowed womens voices to be heard through workshops, research, and outreach programmes. This has allowed women to tell the department of health what their needs are directly, says Lundy. Dr Deirdre Lundy: When you see places like the US rolling back on womens reproductive rights while were moving forward, I feel proud of how Ireland has allowed women the autonomy to make decisions about their bodies. The third pivotal development holds special significance in her area of medicine: the healthcare of women undergoing menopause. Sallyanne Brady contacted RTEs Liveline, explaining how unhappy she was with the [menopause] treatment she had received from GPs and gynaecologists, and this led to an outcry from Irish women, says Lundy. There was so much correspondence that Joe Duffy devoted a whole week to the issue. According to Lundy, the taskforce had already identified menopause as an unmet need, but the public uproar precipitated their response. The taskforce set up six complex menopause clinics across Ireland in Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Nenagh to look after women who struggle during this stage of their lives. Lundys advice for the minister for health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, is to build on these achievements. Throughout history, womens lives have been affected by their ovaries, wombs, and hormones, but weve made such progress in overcoming problems associated with this, she says. Continue to expand the free contraception scheme. Fulfil the promise to provide free HRT. Remember that initiatives like these make a huge difference to women. Stop exporting problems Dr Suzanne OSullivan is chair of the institute of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and clinical lead of the National Mesh and Complex Pelvic Floor Centre in Cork. The death of Savita Halappanavar, who died from sepsis after being refused an abortion during a prolonged miscarriage in 2012, was a landmark for her in a career spanning more than 25 years. It prompted many healthcare professionals to speak up during the Repeal the Eighth campaign, says OSullivan. Our hands had been tied for so long by a law that prevented us from helping women who needed our help. We recognised that access to terminations had to be there for women who wanted and needed them. She also points to the development of the national maternity strategy in 2016 as a key moment that marked the first in a series of improvements in womens healthcare. That strategy came about in response to several poor outcomes for mothers and babies in the maternity services, she says. It recognised the need to implement standardised maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services across the country. Resources and funding had to be provided to make sure there was good national distribution of these services. Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan: Savita's death prompted many healthcare professionals to speak up during the Repeal the Eighth campaign. Picture: Chani Anderson OSullivan has a particular interest in pelvic floor dysfunction, a problem experienced by many women post-childbirth and wants them to know that physiotherapy can help. Its on offer in every maternity unit to anyone who needs it, she says. And your GP can also refer you if you have incontinence or other pelvic floor issues. She is also eager to see vaginal mesh implants reinstated as an option for women suffering from stress urinary incontinence, pointing out that they are a standard treatment for this issue everywhere except for Ireland and Britain. The chief medical officer paused their use here in 2018 following complaints from women reporting post-surgical complications. That pause was to allow the medical system to tighten up procedures and governance, she says. O'Sullivan is the senior author of the National Guideline on the Management of Stress Urinary Incontinence, which was published in January 2023. She is adamant that all procedures and governance have been tightened. However, the pause still hasnt been lifted, she says, despite evidence showing that these operations are safe. They have high success rates, fast recovery times, and low complication rates. She says some 200 women in Cork alone need this surgery. They cry in my clinic every week because they cant play with their kids for fear of leaking. Theyve been waiting years for surgery. Some have travelled abroad to get it, in an example of Ireland once again exporting its womens health problems. Id love to see the minister for health show her support for ending the pause on vaginal mesh implant surgery. Removing barriers Professor Susan Smith is a GP in Dublin, a professor of general practice at Trinity College and the chair of Deep End Ireland GPs, a group of doctors working in disadvantaged communities who are campaigning to end inequities in the Irish healthcare system. When reflecting on how womens healthcare has changed, she recalls a statistic she heard as a trainee doctor in the 1990s. Back then, some 30% of women had hysterectomies in their 40s due to heavy bleeding, she says. The Mirena coil brought an end to that. By delivering a small dose of progestogen, it reduces bleeding and serves as a form of contraception. Its been a gamechanger for women. She also recalls the furore that surrounded the publication findings of the Womens Health Initiative in the early 2000s. Until then, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had been prescribed as a way of managing menopause symptoms in women, she says. But overnight, that studys suggestion that HRT increased their risk of breast cancer meant that all prescribing stopped. Dr Susan Smith: Research tells us these womens lifestyles are too busy for them even to think of going to the doctor. And this doesnt only impact their health in menopause. It also negatively impacts other health outcomes."Picture: Moya Nolan. It took more than a decade for scientists to show that this study was flawed and that HRT was safe. During that time, a lot of women suffered with debilitating symptoms that went untreated, says Smith. But now women have heard the message and more and more are asking about HRT. However, this is not necessarily the case for women from more disadvantaged areas. According to Smith, they are far less likely to be prescribed HRT than women from more affluent communities. Research tells us these womens lifestyles are too busy for them even to think of going to the doctor, she says. And this doesnt only impact their health in menopause. It also negatively impacts other health outcomes. These women have higher rates of heart disease, are less likely to attend cancer screenings, and are more likely to present later with cancer, she says. Smith would like to see targeted measures taken to improve these health outcomes. One is free GP visits for everyone to remove all financial barriers to accessing primary care. Another is providing a level of care based on need. Research shows that people living in disadvantaged areas develop multiple health conditions 11 years earlier than those living in more affluent areas, she says. We would love for the capitation for medical card payments to be weighted more for doctors working in these areas. This change would allow them to spend more time with their patients, which would benefit the patients and the health system as a whole. It would result in better health outcomes for women, and ultimately, in better health outcomes for all. An Irish nun who walked for nine days through South Sudan with about 100 young people to meet Pope Francis said that he radiated joy and brought hope of peace to them. The Pope travelled to South Sudan's capital Juba in February 2023, and was a long-time advocate for peace in the region even as recently as last month. Sr Orla Treacy, a Wicklow woman who spent parts of her childhood in Tralee and Ennis, is director of Loreto Rumbek in South Sudan. This includes a primary and secondary school, a health centre, and an adult education unit. Pope Francis meeting the group of over 100 people including Loreto nun Sr Orla Tracey who walked from Rumbek to South Sudan's capital, Juba, to meet him in 2023. The group of young adults from the diocese walked along a red earth road for over 400km. We started with the dawn, wed do some exercises, and then wed have a morning reflection around peace. It might be some words from Pope Francis or some words from Scripture, she said of the daily routine. Then wed have 30 minutes of silence, praying and reflecting on the theme of the day. Then people are encouraged to share with their neighbours. Temperatures ranged from 35C-40C. Then we have the rosary. The idea is to pray for the community we are walking through that day, she said. Pope Francis arriving to celebrate Mass at the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba, South Sudan, in February 2023. Picture: Ben Curtis/AP Many of the roads we would have known them as dangerous places where cars might have been attacked, where women might have been raped, so now here we were coming with a new encounter. They walked only in daylight. She said: We dont have electricity its not like you can move around in the dark and then you have wild animals. A truck carried food and water. They cooked themselves and slept in schools on classroom floors, including Sr Orla and other religious group members. Sr Orla Treacy in Killarney in 2017 after receiving the 2017 Hugh OFlaherty International Humanitarian Award. Picture: Don MacMonagle We didnt think we would meet [Pope Francis], but the papal nuncio came to meet us as we were walking into Juba, she said. In South Sudan, you wont hear about young people walking like this because of the insecurity so it got a lot of attention. They were taken to meet him, she recalled yesterday. I always say, in South Sudan, sometimes were kind of forgotten. But when you see a big man like that coming to spend time with you, its like you become the centre. It was a real sense of where he brought the margins to the centre, he brought us into the middle of the world because all the media were around him. Then Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Pope Francis, South Sudan president Salva Kiir, and then moderator of the general assembly of the Church of Scotland Iain Greenshields in Juba in February, 2023. Picture: Gregorio Borgia/AP There was no pomp and ceremony, it was just a beautiful moment. She still has the rosary beads that Pope Francis gave her that day. Ive always admired him, she said. He just radiated joy. We often talk in prayer about the loving gaze of Jesus that was exactly what we experienced with him. He just looked at us with such hope and joy, it was just a beautiful experience. His message of peace resonated strongly with the young people, Sr Orla added. Loreto Rumbek did similar walks in 2024 and last February on different routes, but they followed the same routines of prayer and walking. In a historical spat that could be subtitled 1066 with knobs on, two medieval experts are engaged in a battle over how many male genitalia are embroidered into the Bayeux tapestry. The Oxford professor George Garnett drew worldwide interest six years ago when he announced he had totted up 93 penises stitched into the embroidered account of the Norman conquest of England. According to Garnett, 88 of the male appendages are attached to horses and the remainder to human figures. Now, the historian and Bayeux tapestry scholar Dr Christopher Monk known as the Medieval Monk believes he has found a 94th. A running man, depicted in the tapestry border, has something dangling beneath his tunic. Garnett says it is the scabbard of a sword or dagger. Monk insists it is a male member. I am in no doubt that the appendage is a depiction of male genitalia the missed penis, shall we say. The detail is surprisingly anatomically fulsome, Monk said. The Bayeux Museum in Normandy, home to the 70m-long embroidery, says: The story it tells is an epic poem and a moralistic work. The historians, whose academic skirmish takes place in the HistoryExtra Podcast, both insist that beyond the smutty jokes and sexual innuendo their work is far from silly. Garnett said it was about understanding medieval minds. The whole point of studying history is to understand how people thought in the past, he said. And medieval people were not crude, unsophisticated, dim-witted individuals. Quite the opposite. He believes the unknown designer of the epic embroidery was highly educated and used literary allusions to subvert the standard story of the Norman conquest. He said: What Ive shown is that this is a serious, learned attempt to comment on the conquest albeit in code. In the Bayeux tapestry, size did matter, Garnett said. He pointed out the battles two leaders Harold Godwinson, who died at Hastings with an arrow in his eye, and the victorious Duke William of Normandy, AKA William the Conqueror are shown on steeds with noticeably larger endowments. Williams horse is by far the biggest, Garnett said. And thats not a coincidence. Monk insisted the running mans dangly bits were the tapestrys missing penis. Dr David Musgrove, the host of the podcast and a Bayeux tapestry expert, said the new theory was fascinating. Its a reminder that this embroidery is a multi-layered artefact that rewards careful study and remains a wondrous enigma almost a millennium after it was stitched, he said. Guardian A knife-wielding man who was shot dead by UK police at a railway station in Milton Keynes may have called officers claiming there was a gunman, a watchdog has said. David Joyce, 38, was shot at close range by an armed officer at the railway station on April 1 after police responded to reports of a man carrying a gun. An investigation into his death by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has linked Mr Joyce to a mobile number that had called 999 to report a gunman at the station. The call handler rang back after the caller hung up and spoke to the same man who said the male gunman was acting suspiciously and definitely had a gun, the IOPC said. Records show the mobile phone number used to make the 999 call had been used to call police before and was linked to Mr Joyce, according to the watchdog. Meanwhile, CCTV footage shows Mr Joyce making a phone call at the time same time the 999 call to police was made, the IOPC said. The man died as a result of a single gunshot to the abdomen (Andrew Matthews/PA) Mr Joyce, who lived in Milton Keynes but was originally from Galway, was armed with a steak knife with a 12cm blade, when he ran at two officers, the watchdog said. He was then shot at close range by a Thames Valley Police officer from the armed response unit who were first on the scene. IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: We again extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of David Joyce and all those affected by this incident. We continue to keep his family informed of our progress. Our investigators are working hard to piece together the circumstances leading up to Mr Joyce being shot by a police officer and have already carried out a significant amount of inquiries. The IOPC said they have taken accounts from the officers involved, gathered a large amount of CCTV from inside and outside the station and obtained the officers body-worn video and police vehicle dashcam footage. The watchdog has also completed house-to-house inquiries at nearby properties and taken statements from members of the public who witnessed the incident. The investigation remains ongoing while all officers who attended the incident remain as witnesses as there is no indication any of them may have committed a criminal office or breached police professional standards of behaviour, the IOPC added. An inquest into Mr Joyces death was opened and adjourned at Milton Keynes Coroners Court on Thursday April 10, with a full hearing to follow after the investigation concludes, the watchdog added. The preliminary cause of death given was a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Cardinals in meetings ahead of the start of a secret conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis are scratching the hair under their red skull caps as they try to decide whether a cardinal convicted of embezzlement and fraud can join in the vote. Their quandary concerns Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who in December 2023 was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail. He was the most senior Catholic Church official ever to stand trial before a Vatican criminal court. Becciu has denied all wrongdoing and is appealing the court's ruling. The Italian cardinal, who is free pending his appeal, confirmed on Thursday night that he felt he should be allowed into the conclave. His complex legal standing in Church law goes back to the night of September 24, 2020, when Francis summoned Becciu to his residence and summarily fired him from the job as head of the Vatican department that decides who will be saints, as the cardinal recounted. Francis bluntly accused a shocked Becciu of nepotism and embezzlement, saying: "I no longer have trust in you." The pope allowed Becciu to keep his ecclesiastical title and his Vatican apartment but stripped him of what the Vatican said were "the rights associated with the Cardinalate". At the time, Becciu said this included losing the right to take part in a future conclave. Under Church law, cardinals under the age of 80 can enter the Sistine Chapel for a secret conclave where they cast their votes under the gaze of a severe God depicted in Michelangelos Last Judgement fresco behind the main altar. Cardinal Angelo Becciu was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail in December 2023 for embezzlement and fraud. He has denied all wrongdoing and is appealing the court's ruling. File photo: AP/Andrew Medichini The conclave is not expected to start before May 6. About 135 cardinals are currently eligible to take part. On its website, the Vatican lists the 76-year-old Becciu as a "non-elector," lumping him with those who have reached the age of 80. Becciu told L'Unione Sarda, the main newspaper on his native island of Sardinia, that the Vatican list of non-eligible cardinals "has no legal value" that there had been "no explicit willingness" to bar him from the conclave and that he had never been asked to formally renounce the privilege in writing. Becciu said he did not know if the pope had left any written instructions about his situation. In briefings since the pope died on Monday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni has repeatedly declined to answer questions about Becciu's position, suggesting he may tackle the topic after Francis' funeral on Saturday. A district court judge said the alleged robbery of a man of his 3,000 hearing aid and 400 cash in Cork City was too serious to be dealt with at that court. Judge Brian OShea refused to accept jurisdiction for the case at Cork District Court. It will now have to be sent back to the Director of Public Prosecutions for the matter to be dealt with by indictment. A 45-year-old man was arrested and charged with carrying out a sexual assault on a three-year-old girl at her home more than two years ago. Garda Martina Felle told Judge Brian OShea at Cork District Court the Director of Public Prosecutions directed the case could be dealt with at district court level only on a plea of guilty. After hearing an outline of the allegations in the case, Judge OShea said: I would be minded to accept jurisdiction if there is a plea. However, he said if another district court judge was dealing with the matter on a later occasion, jurisdiction could be refused. The court heard a woman was babysitting for her niece on January 14, 2023, when the childs father came home with two other men after being in the pub and it was alleged one of the two men with him was later observed placing his hand inside the pyjama pants of the three-year-old. Carmel Goggin, barrister, appeared in court for the accused. The case was adjourned so prosecution statements could be sent to the defence to consider the issue of whether or not a plea of guilty would be forthcoming. Judge OShea made an order imposing reporting restrictions on anything that might identify parties to the case. Sergeant John Dineen applied for a bail condition that required the accused to stay away from the complainant in the case. Judge OShea made that order and explained to the defendant the necessity not to have any contact. The defendant said: There is no chance of that I dont know these people. Today is a World Malaria Day like no other. After 25 years of unprecedented progress, which has prevented 2.2 billion cases of malaria and saved 12.7 million lives, one of the two key funding agencies that underpinned that collective global effort has suddenly disappeared. Over recent weeks, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been assimilated into the US State Department, most of its funding programmes terminated and most of its staff sacked. My expert African colleagues who relied on USAID to fund their programmes to deliver life-saving malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment services, now find themselves stranded, with programmes they spent years building suddenly ended or severely curtailed. The consequences for longstanding projects will be devastating. One African colleague has just finished analysing 17 years of data from a carefully monitored rural district, showing how his team steadily reduced annual malaria hospitalization rates from one person in 20 to one person in 200. He and his colleagues would normally be starting their planning cycle to get every house sprayed before the rains. In 2025, that wont happen, so malaria will be back with a score to settle. Now that we in Ireland have been through a recent pandemic, its easier to explain what a rebound of malaria across Africa will look like: Think back to the grimmest days across Europe in 2020, when a surge of illness overwhelmed our hospitals, and you get some idea of what every rainy season brought to rural Africa before we found ways to tackle malaria. Beyond scaling up insecticidal bed nets and indoor spraying, several national control programmes across Africa have delivered rapid access to testing and treatment at grass roots level through Community Health Workers. When Ive had malaria, Ive had my own test kit and drugs, which I keep on hand for instant use whenever required. Malaria can overwhelm you exceptionally fast, so Ive found myself completely immobilized and debilitated within a few short hours. I cant imagine what its like to be toiling away in a muddy rice field to feed the family when the symptoms strike out of the blue. Thats where the Community Health Worker comes in: with enough basic training and equipment to deal with routine cases, Community Health Workers tackle common illnesses even in the most isolated villages that lack nurses or doctors. That takes pressure off health centres and hospitals, freeing them up to deal with complex illnesses. I have one colleague whose team had established a network of 20,000 Community Health Workers across his entire country. I wonder now how many thousands of them have already been made redundant? Thats a lot of hard-working African mums and dads who wont have anyone to turn to locally when malaria visits them at home or in the fields. And thats a lot of people with malaria who will avoidably deteriorate en route to hospitals and clinics, which they will increasingly find besieged when they get there, drowning in the kind of demands for care that they havent seen for at least a decade. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Fortunately, a tried and tested mechanism already exists through which those of us from high-income countries can fill this sudden gap in control funding. In fact, we can do it for the price of one pint of stout each. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria offers the best value for money in public health history. Established over 20 years ago, it has saved an estimated 65 million lives through robust governance, management and procurement systems that have proven effective even in countries afflicted by conflict, corruption and extreme climate. Notably, its current contribution to the Global Fund is one of the few commitments the new US administration has retained. However, the Global Fund has been grossly underfunded for many years and the sudden loss of complementary USAID support hits hard in 2025. In 2023, total investments in malaria control reached US$4 billion, less than half of the US$8.3 billion required. Here in Ireland, thats about the same amount as our increase in tax receipts for 2023 relative to 2022. An old tire indicating a breeding ground for mosquitos. Beyond scaling up insecticidal bed nets and indoor spraying, several national control programmes across Africa have delivered rapid access to testing and treatment at grass roots level through Community Health Workers. Currently Ireland contributes 65 million per three year cycle to the Global Fund. While that would be a lot of money for one person to have in their pocket, thats only about 13 per person in Ireland over that three-year period. So less than the price of one pint of stout in an Irish pub per person per year. With the next Global Fund replenishment cycle coming up fast, I would ask our government to consider at least doubling our contribution, ideally tripling it. While were a small country and our financial muscle is very modest, we can co-ordinate with the dozens of other small countries in Europe and set an example to larger countries. For the price of an extra pint of stout per person each year, we could help avert an imminent catastrophe in Africa and help create a far brighter future for everyone on the continent. Professor Ger Killeen is AXA Research Chair in Applied Pathogen Ecology, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork. He has spent 28 years working on malaria transmission including 19 years in east Africa A spectre is haunting Europe: The spectre of Donald Trump flying to the Vatican this weekend and publicly feuding with international leaders in front of St Peters Basilica in the midst of the sombre rituals and rites that will mark the funeral of Pope Francis. The US leaders first international trip of his second term comes at one of the most politically fractious and fraught moments in recent memory, as his America first project sets fire to US alliances and trade relationships around the world. Between international tariffs, the wars in Ukraine and in Gaza, the Trump teams open antipathy toward Europe and its hard line on immigration from Central and South America, the papal funeral could prove to be a minefield of international diplomacy. Trumps international engagements in the past have set the stage for some of his most explosive confrontations, and he has bristled at world leaders who have criticised him publicly and castigated those he views as insufficiently deferential. Gatherings of world leaders have set the stage for some of his most divisive debates, such as the 2018 G7 meeting that saw him clash with Angela Merkel and other western leaders, or the 2017 Nato summit at which he famously shoved past the Montenegrin prime minister to get to the front of a group photograph. Compounding tensions are the Trump administrations difficult relationship with the Vatican itself, including Pope Franciss criticism of Trumps deportation policies as a major crisis and declaration that builders of walls sow fear. Adding to the diplomatic minefield, it was announced on Friday that the former president Joe Biden, whom Trump has repeatedly and continually criticised, would also attend the funeral. Trumps predecessor is a lifelong Catholic who had met Pope Francis several times and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January before leaving the White House. There is little doubt that Trumps trip to the Vatican which Italy has encased in a ring of steel with Nato jets, snipers and thousands of police at the ready will provide plenty of white-knuckle moments as the volatile US president navigates controversy amid the pomp and circumstance of a papal funeral. The funeral will be the first time Trump will be in the same place as Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the US president and JD Vance berated the Ukrainian leader, with Trump cutting the meeting short as he said that Zelenskyy was gambling with world war three and was being very disrespectful. Trump has now floated a US recognition of Russian control of Crimea and accused Zelenskyy of delaying a peace deal, testing Zelenskyys patience and raising the danger of a new meltdown in bilateral relations. President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington, in February. Picture: Ben Curtis/AP Then there are the EU leaders, members of a bloc that Trump has said was formed to screw the United States. At their head is the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Despite imposing (and then pausing) a 20% tariff on all goods from the EU, Trump and von der Leyen have not spoken directly or arranged an EU-US summit over the brewing trade war, meaning a meeting on the sidelines of the funeral could be well-timed. Von der Leyen had tacitly criticised the US in print, saying that Europe has no bros and no oligarchs and that the west as we knew it no longer exists. But there are some bright spots in the crowd for Trump. Italys Giorgia Meloni will attend following a friendly White House visit earlier this month that marked her ascent as one of the key envoys between Europe and the US. And EU officials have been said to believe a summit with the US is within reach, with Trump saying that therell be a trade deal, 100%. Frances Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer have also hammered out friendly relationships with Trump, and the outgoing Polish president, Andrzej Duda, who was viewed as that countrys best conduit to Trump, will also attend. No high-level officials from China will take part in the funeral, curbing the potential for sideline discussions or a standoff over the trade war between Washington and Beijing. Vladimir Putin has also decided to deploy a fairly low-level official, the culture minister, Olga Lyubimova, as Russias envoy to the funeral, meaning that important contacts over a potential peace deal on the Russian war in Ukraine are unlikely to take place. (Asked whether he was ready to meet with Trump at the Vatican this weekend, Zelenskyy said: Always.) Israel meanwhile will be represented by its ambassador to the Vatican, in contrast to Pope John Paul IIs funeral in 2005, when the country sent a presidential delegation. The apparent snub follows the late Pope Franciss criticism of the war in Gaza; the Times of Israel quoted an Israeli diplomat calling the delegation a low point in a spiral. Pope Francis had repeatedly slammed Israels cruelty in Gaza and had called the humanitarian situation there shameful in January. The absence of a high-level delegation from Israel will reduce the likelihood of substantive discussions over the war following the collapse of the ceasefire negotiated earlier in Trumps term. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina paying their respects at the lying in state of Pope Francis in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Friday. Picture: President of Ireland's office/PA Trump will not be seated front and centre at the funeral. In the areas allocated to foreign leaders, the front rows are designated for Catholic royalty, which will include King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. Then would come the non-Catholic royalty, including Britain's William in the place of his father, King Charles III. And finally come other foreign leaders, including Trump. The greatest wildcard remains Trumps own behaviour at the funeral. The US president has never been known for his tact. And as world leaders gather in the Vatican this weekend and millions tune in to follow the funeral, it is Washington that will be sending the elephant in the room. Friends of one of Harvey Weinsteins accusers described the woman as distraught when she told them of her alleged sexual assault at the hands of the Hollywood heavyweight, a court has heard. Adding a new perspective to the ex-film producers retrial, a witness said on Thursday she had once suggested that accuser Miriam Haley date Weinstein, now aged 73, but Ms Haley baulked. She had zero interest in dating him or sleeping with him, witness Christine Pressman said, describing Ms Haley as distraught when she later disclosed the alleged sexual assault. Harvey Weinstein appears for his retrial on April 24 (Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool/AP) Some of the emerging details show how this trial is a reprise but not an exact repeat of the 2020 trial in which Weinstein was initially convicted of rape and sexual assault. That conviction has since been overturned. Ms Pressman did not testify at the original trial. Prosecutors brought her in this time to support Ms Haleys allegations, but Weinsteins lawyers quizzed her about whether Ms Haley in fact had a willing sexual relationship with the Oscar-winning studio boss.Never, Ms Pressman said. Ms Haley is a former production assistant on the Weinstein-produced television show Project Runway. Weinstein maintains that he has never sexually assaulted or raped anyone. His lawyers argue that his accusers agreed to sexual encounters with the Oscar-winning producer in hopes of getting ahead in the entertainment business. Weinstein was transformed in 2017 from a Hollywood tycoon into a #MeToo movement villain after a series of sexual misconduct allegations against him became public. He was convicted in 2020 of raping aspiring actor Jessica Mann and forcing oral sex on Ms Haley. New Yorks highest court threw out the conviction last year, finding that the original trial judge had allowed prejudicial testimony. FILE Harvey Weinstein is escorted out of court following a bail hearing in 2019 (Mark Lennihan, File/AP) The retrial includes an additional allegation of forcible oral sex on a different woman, former model Kaja Sokola. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges. None of the accusers has testified yet, but two of Ms Haleys friends took the stand on Thursday to attest that she told them about the alleged July 2006 sexual assault around that time. Elizabeth Entin, Ms Haleys former roommate, said a shaken Ms Haley told her that month that Weinstein had forcibly performed oral sex on her. Echoing her testimony at the first trial, Ms Entin said she suggested Ms Haley call a lawyer, but her friend seemed disinclined. Ms Pressman, however, said she advised against turning to police when the Finnish-born Ms Haley made a similar disclosure to her in August or September of 2006. I said, Harvey Weinstein is the king of New York. Hes extremely powerful. You are not. Youre here on a tourist visa. Just let it go, the former model, musician and actor recalled. She teared up as she added that she now knows her guidance was wrong. Under questioning from Weinsteins lawyer Jennifer Bonjean, Ms Pressman acknowledged that at some point before the alleged assault, she suggested Ms Haley date Weinstein. Ms Pressman later explained that she had been frustrated by her friends taste in men guys who Ms Pressman described as lanky, cerebral, and broke. Ms Haley rejected the notion of dating Weinstein, she said. But Ms Bonjean went on to ask whether Ms Pressman knew that Ms Haley had consensual sex with Mr Weinstein. Ms Pressman said her friend did no such thing. Ms Haley testified at the original trial that she said no, no, no during the alleged assault. A few weeks later, she did not protest when Weinstein pulled her towards a bed and had sex with her, she said, explaining that she simply went numb. After jurors left for the day, Weinsteins lawyers sought a mistrial, saying Ms Pressmans testimony was prejudicial. They were turned down by Judge Curtis Farber, who is now overseeing the case. FILE Producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at the 2016 Oscars in Los Angeles (Photo by Al Powers/Invision/AP, File) Ms Entin found herself answering questions about what she had said and written about the first trial itself, such as describing her participation as her 15 minutes of fame. Ms Entin said it was a joke. And she was not asked about a recollection that made for a memorable and rare light moment at the first trial a time when she said Weinstein showed up uninvited to the apartment she shared with Ms Haley and was chased around by Ms Entins pet chihuahua. The judge had indicated he did not think having Ms Entin describe the purported episode was fair game for the trial. The Associated Press does not identify people who allege they have been sexually assaulted unless they agree to be named. Ms Haley, Ms Mann and Ms Sokola have done so. US President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate the Democratic Partys top fundraising platform. Mr Trump, in an executive order signed on Thursday, directed attorney general Pam Bondi to investigate allegations made by Republicans that ActBlue allows illegal campaign donations. Democrats, who had anticipated they would be targeted, condemned the move on Thursday. ActBlue called it an oppressive use of power by the White House. The Trump Administrations and GOPs targeting of ActBlue is part of their brazen attack on democracy in America. Todays escalation by the White House is blatantly unlawful and needs to be seen for what it is: Donald Trumps latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral and ideological opposition, ActBlue said in a statement. Mr Trump holds up a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on April 23 (Alex Brandon/AP) ActBlue said it would pursue all legal avenues to protect and defend itself. ActBlue will continue its mission and work undeterred and uninterrupted, providing a safe, secure fundraising platform for the millions of grassroots donors who rely on us. Mr Trumps order directs Ms Bondi, in consultation with the Treasury Department, to investigate allegations that online fundraising platforms, and specifically ActBlue, have been used by some to make straw or dummy contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees. The findings of the investigation will be reported back within 180 days, according to the order. Since taking office, Mr Trump has sought to use the powers of the government to retaliate against his opponents, including ordering security clearances to be stripped and punishing law firms linked to prosecutors who have investigated him or who have ties to his adversaries. ActBlue, which Democratic campaigns have used for two decades, has helped power an outpouring of small-dollar donations to candidates and causes. It was so successful that Republicans eventually created a counterpart, WinRed which Mr Trump did not target in the order. Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley applauded the investigation, saying in a statement: The Democrats Dark Money scam has gone on long enough. FILE Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin (Rod Lamkey, Jr, File/AP) Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairwoman Suzan DelBene, Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chairwoman Kirsten Gillibrand, and Democratic Governors Association chairwoman Laura Kelly denounced the executive order in a joint statement. Donald Trumps memorandum targeting ActBlue is designed to undermine democratic participation and its no wonder why, the statement said. He knows Americans are already fed up with his chaotic agenda that is driving the economy off a cliff, so hes trying to block lawful grassroots donations from supporters giving just five dollars (3.76) or 10 dollars (7.52) to candidates who oppose him while further empowering the corrupt billionaires who already control his administration. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned anti-indigenous rights protesters who disrupted two Anzac Day dawn services. The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt and the people responsible must face the full force of the law, Mr Albanese told reporters. This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice, he added. The protests come during a heightened political atmosphere before general elections on May 3 in which indigenous rights are a campaign issue. April 25, 1915 was the day when the newly-formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in north-west Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers first combat of the First World War. It is considered Australias most unifying national holiday and a sacred day when political point-scoring and protest are generally avoided. An honour guard officer salutes a memorial to the dead during Anzac Day commemorations in Nelson Bay, Australia (AP Photo/Mark Baker) A group of hecklers including self-described Nazi Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne where 50,000 gathered. In Perth, a lone man yelled briefly during a dawn service at Kings Park before the 25,000 people who surrounded him persuaded him to stay silent, a police statement said. The man left soon after. The disruptions were triggered in both cities by the so-called Welcome to Country ceremony, which is held at the outset of many Australian public events in which indigenous leaders welcome visitors to their traditional land. The Melbourne-based First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, an indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement it strongly condemns the racist attack during the Welcome to Country in Melbourne. Mr Albanese said the disruptions in both Melbourne and Perth were a disgrace. There is no place in Australia for what occurred, Mr Albanese said. In Melbourne, the interruptions continued after the Welcome to Country at any mention by speakers of indigenous soldiers or traditional owners of Australia. We have a proud indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today Hecklers yelled this is our country and we dont have to be welcomed, echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The partys extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and party officials say they are inspired by US President Donald Trumps policies. The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged the speakers to continue. MPs in the opposition Liberal Party have complained that Welcome to Country ceremonies have become too prevalent and cost the Labour Party government 452,953 Australian dollars (254,842) over two years. But opposition leader Peter Dutton on Friday defended the place of such Indigenous ceremonies on Anzac Day. Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies and it should be respected. I dont agree with the booing and I dont agree, in our democracy, that people cant accept the views of others, Mr Dutton told reporters. We have a proud indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today. Police were seen escorting Hersant away from the Melbourne service. Hersant is a leader of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network and last year became the first person in Australia to be sentenced to prison for performing an outlawed Nazi salute. Jacob Hersant booed and jeered during a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk, FILE) He remains free on bail because his appeal against a one-month prison sentence has yet to be heard. They want to humiliate us over and over again, Hersant told reporters before police led him away, referring to indigenous leaders. Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Melbourne man had been directed to leave the service. They did not confirm the suspects identity in accordance with its usual policy. The suspect had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behaviour and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Video showed at least one other protester repeating a white supremacist slogan being dragged away from the service by a member of the public. Western Australia Police Force said the Perth service disruption remained under investigation. The Anzac Day service is a solemn commemoration and any disorderly behavior at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police, a police statement said. The FBI has arrested a Milwaukee judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, escalating a clash between Donald Trumps administration and the judiciary over the Republican presidents sweeping immigration crackdown. FBI director Kash Patel announced on social media the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, who he said intentionally misdirected federal agents away from a man they were trying to take into custody at her courthouse last week. Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public, Mr Patel wrote. Ms Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on Friday morning on the courthouse grounds, according to US Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron. She appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. Her next court appearance is May 15. Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, her lawyer, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. Ms Dugan is charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. She is accused of escorting the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, and his lawyer out of the courtroom through the jury door on April 18 as a way to help avert his arrest, according to an FBI affidavit filed in court. The affidavit suggests that the judge was alerted to the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse by her clerk, who was informed by a lawyer that they appeared to be in the hallway. The affidavit describes Judge Dugan as visibly angry over the arrival of immigration agents in the courthouse and says that she pronounced the situation absurd before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse, displaying what witnesses described as a confrontational, angry demeanour. She asked one of the officers if they had a judicial warrant and was told that the warrant was instead administrative. After a back-and-forth over the warrant, the affidavit says, she demanded that the arrest team speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom. After directing the arrest team to the chief judges office, investigators say she returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of wait, come with me before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a jury door into a non-public area of the courthouse. The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defence attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door. Her arrest comes amid a growing feud between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the presidents executive actions on immigration and other matters. Trump administration officials have sharply criticised what they have described as activist judges they say claim have overstepped their authority and unfairly impinged on the presidents executive powers by blocking many of his efforts. US senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who represents Wisconsin, called the arrest of a sitting judge a gravely serious and drastic move that threatens to breach the separation of power between the executive and judicial branches. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by, Ms Baldwin said in an emailed statement. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this president is putting those basic democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. Friday, Apr 25th, 2025 (9:46 am) - Score 1,960 Telecoms and broadband giant BT Group, which is primarily focused upon and based in the United Kingdom, has continued efforts to reduce their international operations this week by announcing a preliminary agreement to sell their sometimes troubled Italian business (BT Italia S.p.A) to Retelit for an undisclosed sum. The unit being sold, which focused on business-to-business services, generated revenues of approximately 160m (136m) in 2024. The deal is expected to significantly enhance Retelits fibre optic network by an additional 11,500km, resulting in a total network span exceeding 47,000km. It will also expand Retelits national data centre infrastructure by an additional 10MW of power capacity. In recent years BT has scaled back its operations in Italy, which in 2017 suffered an accounting scandal (a court recently cleared BT Italia itself of wrongdoing, but convicted eight employees). It sold off some parts of the business to former national monopoly Telecom Italia (TIM) in 2021 and has previously done other deals with Retelit, which arguably laid some of the groundwork for this weeks announcement. Advertisement Back in 2023 BT also cut a significant amount of jobs from its Italian business, and we suspect BT Groups CEO, Allison Kirkby, will be pleased to see the back of it. Retelit Statement This expansion will further strengthen Retelits coverage of the Italian corporate market, providing a more comprehensive suite of ICT infrastructure and services to support the innovation and the digital transformation of Italian enterprises. The over 360 existing domestic business clients of BT in Italy transitioning to Retelit will benefit from a dynamic, B2B-focused organization that consistently invests in its assets, technology platforms, expertise, and service quality. Retelit possesses a proprietary infrastructure platform integrating network, data centers, and cloud capabilities, which currently stands as one of the most complete in Italy. The agreement is still subject to approval by the relevant authorities. The announcement follows shortly after BT Group announced the acquisition of their Irish wholesale and enterprise business unit BT Communications Ireland Ltd. (BTCIL) by the Speed Fibre Group (here). Thousands of individuals have gathered at the former Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation. According to organizers, they were joined by 80 survivors of the Holocaust. The March of the Living followed a 3km route leading to the crematoria of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where participants honored the millions of Jews who perished and called for an end to antisemitism and intolerance. In an era when anti-Semitism is resurfacing, when there is animosity towards Israel, and when calls for Israels destruction grow louder, we must remain resilient and remind the world: never again, said Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a press conference ahead of the event. Recent anti-Semitic incidents have escalated alongside protests against Israel in various regions, including Europe, North America, and Australia, since Israel initiated its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. We both expressed our hope that the current conflict in the Gaza Strip, initiated by Hamas assault on Israel, can come to an end, and that the hostages still held by Hamas will be able to return home, stated Polish President Andrzej Duda, who stood next to Mr. Herzog. Watch: One survivor reflects on the Holocaust Survivors attending the march urged global leaders to remember the lessons learned from history. Dr. Martin Stern emphasized that concentrating solely on the Holocaust would mean fighting the last war, adding, we face current challenges that must be addressed. At 87 years old, having been arrested at the age of five and sent to Terezin concentration camp in present-day Czech Republic, he remarked that humanity claims to have learned its lesson, but often comes to the wrong conclusions. Holocaust survivors were among those participating in the event. Another survivor, Sol Nayman, 89, articulated that the most distressing aspect of the Holocaust is the potential for people to forget about it. Originally from Poland, he escaped with his family during World War II to the woods, eventually fleeing to the Soviet Union. Mr. Nayman lamented that, regrettably, billions still deny the Holocausts occurrence. I invite them to walk with me through Auschwitz, through Treblinka, or Majdanek, or any camp they choose. Thats where the evidence lies. We will persist in sharing our stories. We will continue to educate about it, and hopefully, it will impact one person at a time, one child at a time. Many participants were adorned in Israeli flags. Over 1.1 million people, predominantly Jews, died in gas chambers or from starvation, illness, and exposure at Auschwitz, a site established by Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II. More than three million of Polands 3.2 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis, representing roughly half of the Jews in Europe who were killed during the Holocaust. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically exterminated six million Jews across German-occupied Europe, alongside Roma, sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, and others targeted by genocidal ideology. Sirens sound as Israel commemorates the Holocaust. Israel observed a moment of silence as sirens reverberated throughout the country on its Holocaust Remembrance Day. For two minutes, Israelis paused in silence: traffic halted, pedestrians stopped, and daily activities came to a standstill in symbolic remembrance of all those who perished. This commemoration, which occurs annually in April or May according to the Hebrew calendar, is distinct from International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed on January 27. Memorial events are also taking place in schools, government buildings, military bases, and the parliament. An Israeli governmental organization supporting Holocaust survivors reported that 120,507 survivors reside in Israel, reflecting a nearly 10% decrease from the previous years total. Oakland, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment; Featured) On April 15, the venerable Jewish Council on Public Affairs (JCPA) issued an eloquent statement stating their objections to, the false choice between confronting antisemitism and upholding democracy. antisemitismhas traditionally been used as a right-wing tool to appeal to a primitive, nativist sense of exclusion. Now the motivations are more varied and complex. Many on the left fail to distinguish between Judaism, the religion; and Zionism; the political dynamic that led to the creation of Israel in the aftermath of the Holocaust, preceded by a 1000 years of pogroms. Antisemitism has been convicted felon Donald Trumps guise and cover for suppressing academic freedoms, and deporting politically active students, faculty and organizers. Thankfully, this consortium of thoughtful Jewish organizations has countered this travesty with a united effort and lucid arguments. 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. These organizations represent a broad spectrum of Jewish Americans, and includes the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, National Council of Jewish Women, American Conference of Cantors, Central Conference of American Rabbis, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Rabbinical Assembly, Reconstructing Judaism, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, and the Union for Reform Judaism. The only branch of Judaism not represented in this consortium has been the Orthodox community. While many Orthodox Jews endorse the JCPA point of view, their voices are often suppressed and intimidated in their congregations. That 10 major Jewish organizations came to agreement on anything is a semantic and polemical miracle, when one considers the diversity of social and spiritual divisions among American Jews. The notion of so many Jews agreeing on ANYTHING is so ludicrous, its become a basis of satire and dark humor. The myth that Jews were capable of controlling things by a conspiracy was always as silly as the notion of Jewish space lasers. The notion was fictionalized to support tropes, stir fear and resentment. The JCPA statement says, 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. 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. They conclude, These actions do not make Jewsor any communitysafer. Rather, they only make us less safe, as they bring additional sources of resentment against Jews. The politics of convicted felon Donald Trump has fueled this misuse of the charge of racial bigotry in numerous ways, and his use of it is disingenuous on many levels. 21st Century antisemitism is more complex and threatening that any time since World War II, as it now comes from both sides of the political spectrum. Theres also an argument that the Israel Likud government under PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Bibi) has fueled antisemitism with its brutal genocide in Gaza. The tragedies in Gaza have prompted many thoughtful Jews to divorce political Zionism from their practice of Judaism. Under Bibi and Likud, Zionism has devolved 180 degrees away from its original, late-19th century ideals. It began as a secular, agrarian movement with no pretense of Jewish supremacism. Trumps claim on Jewish support is limited to the far-right fringes in the US and Israel, who fail to recognize that friends dont let friends commit political-economic suicide. Presidents Carter, Clinton and Obama were those kinds of friends. Trump is happy to encourage Bibis path of self-destruction. Supporters and financiers of Israels illegal settlement movement dont mind being used in this manner. Nor do American Jews whose knowledge of Israel-Palestine history is willfully limited to the whitewashed Temple Sunday School myths. Most of them dont want to know any more than they dont already know, and are quite stubborn about it. Menorah Old Glory, Digital, ChatGPT, 2024 Counterintuitively, Trumps 2019 Executive Order, declaring that Jews are a race and nationality was the first salvo in a campaign to USE antisemitism as a cover for attacks on academic freedom. I noted then, Packaged as an extension of Title VI, the order reads (in the language of this Brave New World), Discrimination against Jews may give rise to a Title VI violation when the discrimination is based on an individuals race, color, or national origin. The semantic and rhetorical problem here is that we Jews have never considered ourselves to be a group with a single national origin; we come in many colors, and from many national origins. This Executive Order also solidified the myth that Judaism and Zionism are one and the same. Outside of the devoted far-right camps of the MAGA-Likud alliance, most Jews object to seeing charges of antisemitism used as a machete to shred the Constitution. Most significant is the JCPAs qualified dissociation from Israels ruling Likud Party under PM Benjamin Netanyahu, characterizing it as a foreign government. It states, Jews are being targeted and held collectively accountable for the actions of a foreign government. As a result of Israels genocidal acts in Gaza and the West Bank, Jews are being pushed out of certain movements, classrooms, and communities for expressing a connection to their heritage or to the Jewish homeland. While Israel is considered the Jewish homeland, and a focal point of modern Judaism for many, this also expresses recognition of how Bibis MAGA-inspired strategy has alienated many Jews from Israel, and escalated global antisemitism. The JCPA statement continues, We reject any policies or actions that foment or take advantage of antisemitism and pit communities against one another; and we unequivocally condemn the exploitation of our communitys real concerns about antisemitism to undermine democratic norms and rights, including the rule of law, the right of due process, and/or the freedoms of speech, press, and peaceful protest. It is both possible and necessary to fight antisemitismon campus, in our communities, and across the countrywithout abandoning the democratic values that have allowed Jews, and so many other vulnerable minorities, to thrive. It concludes, Our safety as Jews has always been tied to the rule of law, to the safety of others, to the strength of civil society, and to the protection of rights and liberties for all. DR. QUINTON HENNIGH TECHNICAL ADVISOR Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - April 25th, 2025 Juggernaut Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: JUGR) (OTCQB: JUGRF) (FSE: 4JE) (the Company or Juggernaut), further to its April 14th and April 23rd, 2025, news releases, the Company is pleased to announce a further increase in its non-brokered financing of up to $9,557,000. Juggernaut welcomes this strategic investment from Crescat Capital Funds LLC (Crescat) and technical support from Dr Quinton Hennigh. Juggernauts Big One Project is garnering strong interest and support from leading institutions and miners globally, confirming the quality of the newly discovered 11 km Highway of Gold surrounding the Eldorado porphyry system on the Big One property. The exciting discovery is in an area of glacial and snowpack abatement next door to the gold-rich porphyry systems at Newmont Minings Galore Creek. The Big One Property is a discovery previously announced Jan 20th (Click Link) with assays up to 79.01 g/t gold (2.54 oz/t gold) and 3157.89 g/t silver (101.5 oz/t silver) from over 200 gold-silver-copper rich polymetallic veins up to 8 m wide and striking for up to 500 m that all remain open at surface. The Big One Project covers 33,693 hectares in a world-class geologic terrane with tremendous additional discovery potential in the heart of the Golden Triangle, British Columbia. Dr. Quinton Hennigh has taken on the role of special technical advisor to the Company. He is the technical consultant for all Crescats gold and silver mining investments. Dr. Hennigh is a world-renowned exploration geologist with over 40 years of experience with major gold mining firms, Homestake Mining, Newcrest Mining, Newmont Mining, and Kirkland Lake/Fosterville. In just the last five years, Dr. Hennigh was instrumental in several material discoveries, including Goliath / Surebet, Newfound / Queensway, SCM / Isidorito, Eloro / Iska Iska, Snowline / Valley, Sitka / RC Gold Project, and Tectonic / Flat. Dr. Hennigh stated, "The Big One gold-silver project has a very similar feel to Goliath's Surebet gold discovery. To date, reconnaissance prospecting and sampling conducted by Juggernaut's exploration team have identified a multitude of multi-meter thick quartz-sulfide veins, many of which have yielded +oz per tonne Au and multi-oz per tonne Ag assays. Early indications suggest there is a genetic association of veins with late-stage magmatism in the area, an association seen at Surebet. This season, Juggernaut has a clear mandate to follow up on these results with detailed mapping and channel sampling, much like Goliath did during the early days of the Surebet discovery. The Company's mission is to get as many targets as possible ready for drill testing either late season or for 2026. I am very eager to see if a new "Surebet" type discovery is in hand. View Juggernaut videos by Clicking Here. The charity flow-through funding will now consist of up to 9,160,000 charity flow-through units (CFT Units), priced at $0.825 each, for gross proceeds of up to $7,557,000. Each CFT Unit will consist of one charity flow-through common share plus one warrant to purchase one non-flow-through common share at $0.75 for a sixty-month period with a forced accelerated conversion after 10 consecutive trading days at or above $1.50, callable at management's discretion. Juggernaut is concurrently raising up to 4,000,000 hard dollar units priced at $0.50 each for gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000. Each hard dollar unit will consist of one common share plus one warrant at $0.75 for a sixty-month period with a forced accelerated conversion after 10 consecutive trading days at or above $1.50, callable at management's discretion, upon completion of the charity flow-through and hard dollar financings for a combined total of $9,557,000, which is projected to close on or before May 15, 2025. The proceeds will be used to explore Juggernaut's properties located in Northwestern B.C. and for general working capital. Gold exploration is all about swinging for the fence. Persevering with a diversified portfolio of great management and technical teams with bold targets is the key. The cool thing about Juggernaut is that it has the same geologic team as the one behind Goliath Resources, where their Surebet gold discovery has already been a home run, based on personal experience. We are happy to invest in Juggernaut and this team. Its time for Big One, which may be the best target yet for this company and team. We are eager to support them with capital for another at-bat. - Kevin Smith, CFA, Founder & CEO of Crescat Capital. Directors and officers of the company may acquire securities under the placement, which participation would be a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (MI 61-101). Such participation is expected to be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101. Mr. Dan Stuart, Director, President, and CEO of Juggernaut, states: We are pleased to strengthen our relationship, both with Crescat Capital as a strategic investor and Dr. Hennigh as a Special Technical Advisor and investor. I look forward to working with our partners who bring a proven track record of both financial and technical strength. This will enable Juggernaut to unlock the full potential of its assets over the long term, building value for all shareholders. This investment and strategic partnership, coupled with the ongoing support and interest from other globally recognized Institutions and senior miners, is a strong endorsement that clearly demonstrates the significant near-term discovery potential of our 100% controlled properties. Post financing, Juggernaut will have an extremely tight capital structure of just 30,025,297 shares, no debt, and a strong cash position of ~ $9,600,000. As such, we are well-positioned to move forward with our plans of drilling The Big One Discovery. With much anticipation, we look forward to executing the inaugural exploration program and reporting results. The Company may pay finder's fees of the gross proceeds from the financing in cash, and compensation options on units being sold. This non-brokered private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. All shares issued pursuant to this offering and any shares issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants will be subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date. About Crescat Capital LLC Crescat is a global macro asset management firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Crescats mission is to grow and protect wealth over the long term by deploying tactical investment themes based on proprietary value-driven equity and macro models. Crescats goal is industry-leading absolute and risk-adjusted returns over complete business cycles with low correlation to common benchmarks. Over the last several years, Crescat has been building activist stakes in a portfolio of precious metals explorers to express one of its primary macro themes. The companys investment process involves a mix of asset classes and strategies to assist with each clients unique needs and objectives, and includes Global Macro, Long/Short, Large Cap, and Precious Metals funds. About Juggernaut Exploration Ltd. Juggernaut Exploration Ltd. is an explorer and generator of precious metals projects in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. Its projects are in world-class geological settings and geopolitical safe jurisdictions amenable to Tier 1 mining in Canada. Juggernaut is a member and active supporter of CASERM, an organization representing a collaborative venture between the Colorado School of Mines and Virginia Tech. Juggernauts key strategic cornerstone shareholder is Crescat Capital. For more information, please contact Juggernaut Exploration Ltd. Dan Stuart President, Director, and Chief Executive Officer 604-559-8028 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.juggernautexploration.com Qualified Person Rein Turna P. Geo is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, for Juggernaut Exploration projects, and supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release. 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. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT Certain disclosures in this release may constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to Juggernauts operations that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements, including its ability to complete the contemplated private placement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR AN INVITATION TO PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN IT. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 24, 2025) - Mineral Road Discovery Inc. (CSE: ROAD) (the "Company" or "ROAD") announces that it has appointed Damien Reynolds as Executive Chairman, effective May 1, 2025. Emma Fairhurst will relinquish her seat as Executive Chairperson but will remain a Director. Mr. Reynolds has multiple decades of involvement in all facets of the resource exploration business globally. In addition, he has extensive capital markets experience, having been involved in raising hundreds of millions of dollars for exploration capital. Projects spanning a broad multitude of commodities and multiple global jurisdictions have been founded, invested in, developed and sold by teams led and associated with Mr. Reynolds. ROAD thanks Ms. Fairhurst for her significant efforts as Executive Chairperson and looks forward to her continued support as a member of the board of directors. About Mineral Road Discovery Mineral Road Discovery is an investor in exploration. By focusing on a combination of top-down thematics and significant technical and financial expertise, we can manage risks better to provide exceptional shareholder value. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 24, 2025) - Premium Resources Ltd. (TSXV: PREM) (OTC Pink: PRMLF) ("PREM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andre van Niekerk to the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. van Niekerk was appointed to the Board, effective immediately. Mr. van Niekerk's appointment will fill a vacancy arising from the retirement of Mr. Don Newberry as a director of the Company. Andre van Niekerk brings over 23 years of progressive leadership experience in the mining industry, with a strong track record of financial and operational success. Most recently, Andre serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Gatos Silver prior to its acquisition by First Majestic. Previously he served as Chief Financial Officer of Nevada Copper Corp., where he played a pivotal role in transitioning the company from development to production and led multiple successful equity financings and debt restructurings. Prior to that, Andre spent 14 years at Golden Star Resources, a gold producer operating in Ghana, where he held various senior financial and operational roles, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and CFO. His career began with KPMG in South Africa and Denver in advisory and audit positions. Andre holds accounting degrees from the University of South Africa and the University of Pretoria and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Newberry has been a director of the Company since August 2022 and served as the Chair of the Sustainability Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. With Mr. Newberry's departure from the Board, and the appointment of Mr. van Niekerk as a director, the Board now consists of eight directors, namely, Paul Martin (Chair), Andre van Niekerk, Chris Leavy, James Gowans, Jason LeBlanc, Mark Christensen, Morgan Lekstrom and Norman MacDonald. "I am pleased to welcome Mr. van Niekerk to the Board of Directors," said Paul Martin, Chairman of PREM. "Andre brings with him a wealth of knowledge, not only in finance but also through his extensive experience in transitioning companies through to development, including projects in Africa. As we continue to advance the Selebi and Selkirk mines, we remain focused on strengthening the board and ensuring we are well-equipped to navigate this exciting next phase of growth." Paul Martin continued, "I would also like to express my sincere thank you to Mr. Newberry for his commitment and valuable contributions throughout his time with us. His hard work has been truly appreciated, and we wish him continued success in all his future endeavors." Stock Option Grant PREM also announces that, effective April 24, 2024, it has granted to certain directors, officers, employees and/or consultants of the Company and/or its subsidiaries an aggregate of 230,000 stock options of the Company ("Options") pursuant to the stock option plan of the Company. The Options have an exercise price of C$0.49 per share and a five-year term from the date of grant. 140,000 of the Options vest immediately and the remaining 90,000 vest annually in equal thirds beginning on the date of grant. About Premium Resources Ltd. PREM is a mineral exploration and development company that is focused on the redevelopment of the previously producing nickel, copper and cobalt resources mines owned by the Company in the Republic of Botswana. 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Follow Us X: https://x.com/prem_resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Premium-Resources Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PremiumResourcesLtd US President Donald Trump on Thursday steered clear of describing the Ottoman Empire's World War I-era mass killings of Armenians as "genocide," a reversal from his predecessor Joe Biden. Turkey, whose leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has forged close ties with Trump, has long denied genocide and angrily sought to block any international use of the term. In an annual message issued by presidents on the tragedy's anniversary, Trump said that the American people "honor the memories of those wonderful souls who suffered in one of the worst disasters of the 20th century." Biden in 2021 became the first president to recognize the genocide, writing: "The American people honor all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today." Biden, who throughout his political career had a tight relationship with Armenian Americans, used similar formulations throughout his presidency and directly told Erdogan that he would use the term genocide. Armenian American activists voiced outrage at Trump's language and noted that he had promised to support Armenians, who are overwhelmingly Christian, after Turkish-aligned Azerbaijan seized the Nagorno-Karabakh breakaway enclave dominated by the community in 2023. "President Trump's retreat from US recognition of the Armenian genocide represents a disgraceful surrender to Turkish threats," said Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America. "President Trump's omission is not a diplomatic oversight -- but rather a deliberate retreat from truth and a dangerous signal of US tolerance for ongoing anti-Armenian violence," he said in a statement. "It mirrors his first administration's shameful record of silence and complicity." Asked why Trump did not use the term genocide, National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt said: "These horrific events were one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. "That is why the US government acknowledges that 1.5 million ethnic Armenians were deported, massacred or marched to their deaths in the final days of the Ottoman Empire," he said. - 110-year anniversary - According to Armenia and most mainstream Western historians, up to 1.5 million people died between 1915 and 1916 when the Ottoman authorities, struggling on the battlefield, repressed the Armenian minority which it saw as traitors in league with Russia. They were either killed or sent on deadly marches into the Syrian desert, deprived of food and water. Turkey denies that the killings were systematic or genocide. It estimates Armenian deaths at 300,000 to 500,000 and claims that as many Turks died in civil strife after many Armenians sided with invading Russian forces. Both houses of the US Congress in 2019 nearly unanimously declared that the United States recognizes an Armenian genocide, leading Trump's State Department to issue a statement that the administration's stance "has not changed" against using the term. Other major countries that recognize an Armenian genocide inlcude France and Russia, which both have close ties with Armenia, and Germany, which has long been sensitive to the issue due to its Nazi past. Trump administration officials have often accused Biden of jeopardizing US interests by focusing on human rights, instead suggesting to only raise the issue as a cudgel against US adversaries. At the end of Trump's first term, the State Department declared that China was committing genocide against its mostly Muslim Uyghur minority due to mass incarceration camps, charges strongly denied by Beijing. The attorney general of Venezuela said Thursday that El Salvador's president is guilty of "human trafficking" for charging money to incarcerate Venezuelan migrants expelled from the United States. "He is committing the crime of human trafficking... he is charging $7 million dollars for having these Venezuelans imprisoned in El Salvador," Tarek William Saab told AFP, calling it "a dirty business." "International justice will be done against Bukele on this issue," Saab added. To deport the Venezuelans to El Salvador, US President Donald Trump invoked an antiquated American law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, to defend his order to expel 252 Venezuelans to El Salvador without trial, accusing them of belonging to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Despite a US Supreme Court order barring this interpretation, El Salvador has locked up the deportees in CECOT, a high security mega-prison, in exchange for $6 million. The rebuke is the latest in a growing rift between Bukele and Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, who is calling for the unconditional release of the Venezuelans. On Sunday, Bukele said he would comply with Venezuela's request in exchange for Caracas' release of anti-Maduro dissidents and citizens from other countries. Saab called that offer "cynical" and demanded a complete list of the detained migrants. Many families of detainees assert that their relatives never belonged to Tren de Aragua and say the tattoos used by US authorities to justify the deportations mean nothing. Gangs expert and author Ronna Risquez said "tattoos are not a way to identify members of" the gang, which has no identification tattoos. We Are China Ceramic art breathes new life into central China's village People's Daily Online) 14:22, April 25, 2025 Photo shows the entrance of Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) About 120 kilometers from downtown Luoyang in central China's Henan Province sits a small village consisting of traditional farmhouses, cave dwellings and striking natural scenery. Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village, founded by Chinese ceramic artist Guo Aihe in 2015, spans about 3,000 mu (200 hectares) and celebrates the region's famous tricolored glazed pottery (Sancai) alongside its natural setting. While preserving the area's authentic character, the village features creative enhancements to traditional earthen houses and cave dwellings. More than 6,000 large pottery vats are scattered throughout the village as artistic installations. Besides, some pottery vats are repurposed as waste bins and paving stones. The village has hosted nine themed art exhibitions since 2015, directing all proceeds toward arts education in rural mountain communities. It has also established arts programs in 86 schools throughout Luoning county, reaching more than 70,000 students. Photo shows artistic installations made from pottery vats at Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) Photo shows tricolored glazed ceramic art products displayed at Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) Traditional cave dwellings are converted into art exhibition halls at Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) Local primary school students learn ceramic crafts at Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) Photo shows a pathway paved with pottery vats at Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) Photo shows waste bins made from pottery vats at Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) Photo shows a scenic view of Luoyang Sancai (International) Ceramic Village in Luoning county, Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. (People's Daily Online/Lu Yang) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Violence in Sudan's Darfur region shows "the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing and may amount to crimes against humanity," UK foreign minister David Lammy said. Lammy called on the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to "de-escalate urgently" and said in a statement issued late Thursday that Britain would continue to "use all tools available to us to hold those responsible for atrocities to account". Paramilitary shelling of the besieged city of El-Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur, has killed more than 30 civilians and wounded dozens more, activists said on Monday. El-Fasher is the last major city in the vast Darfur region that still remains in army control. Lammy said that reports of the violence in and around El-Fasher were "appalling". "Last week, the UK gathered the international community in London to call for an end to the suffering of the Sudanese people. "Yet some of the violence in Darfur has shown the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing and may amount to crimes against humanity," he said. He called on the RSF to "halt its siege of El-Fasher", adding that "the warring parties have a responsibility to end this suffering." Lammy also urged the Sudanese Armed Forces to allow safe passage for civilians to reach safety. International aid agencies have long warned that a full-scale RSF assault on El-Fasher could lead to devastating urban warfare and a new wave of mass displacement. UNICEF has described the situation as "hell on earth" for at least 825,000 children trapped in and around El-Fasher. The Central African Republic's government has signed peace deals with two of the five groups in the country's most powerful armed rebel movement, officials said Friday. The agreements were signed last week in Chad, which acted as mediator. "They committed to immediately ceasing hostilities upon signing the agreements on April 19... under the auspices of the guarantor, Chad," General Henry Wanzet Linguissara said. The CAR is among the poorest countries in the world and, since independence from France in 1960, has endured a succession of coups, authoritarian rulers and civil wars. The latest civil war started more than a decade ago. The government has secured the main cities and violence has subsided in recent years. But fighting occasionally erupts in remote regions between rebels and the national army, which is backed by Wagner mercenaries and Rwandan troops. The two predominantly Fulani armed groups that signed peace agreements are the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) and the 3R Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation group. No details on the terms of the agreements or a timeframe were released. But Linguissara said the two groups had "committed to reintegrating into the peace process" struck by the government with 14 armed groups in 2019. The UPC and the 3R had left the process in 2021. "We are waiting for this desire (for peace) to materialise on the ground," government spokesman Maxime Balalou said. The two groups are part of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), founded in December 2020 with the aim of overthrowing President Faustin Archange Touadera after he was re-elected for a second term. It is headed by exiled ex-president Francois Bozize, who seized power in 2003 in a coup and was in turn ousted by a Muslim-dominated armed coalition called the Seleka. Now living in exile in Guinea-Bissau, Bozize is the target of an arrest warrant issued by a United Nations-sponsored tribunal in the CAR for possible crimes against humanity. The UN's World Food Programme said Friday it had depleted its food stocks in war-ravaged Gaza, where Israel has blocked all aid for more than seven weeks. After 18 months of war, the situation in Gaza "is probably the worst" it has been, the UN's humanitarian office has said, with the head of the world body's Palestinian refugee agency decrying the aid stoppage on Friday as "politically motivated starvation". WFP, one of the main providers of food assistance in the Palestinian territory, said it had "delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in the Gaza Strip" on Friday. It said "these kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days". Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, said the crisis was "manmade". "The Government of Israel continues to block the entry of food + other basics," he wrote on X. "Nearly 2 months of siege. Calls to bring in supplies are going unheeded." The World Health Organization said the situation was no different for medical supplies. After blocking aid during an impasse over the future of a ceasefire with Hamas, Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza on March 18, followed by a ground offensive. Mohammed al-Mughayyir, an official with Gaza's civil defence rescue agency, told AFP that the death toll from Israeli strikes on Friday had risen to at least 40. In the evening, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for Palestinians in Zeitun and two nearby areas in the territory's north ahead of another planned strike, saying it was responding to "terrorist activity" and "operating with force". Gazans say they are threatened with death not just from bombardment, but from a lack of food. In addition to the WFP, aid agencies and Western governments have also voiced alarm. "We are literally dying of hunger," Tasnim Abu Matar, a Gaza City resident, said earlier this week. - 'Lifeline' - "For weeks, hot meal kitchens have been the only consistent source of food assistance for people in Gaza. Despite reaching just half the population with only 25 percent of daily food needs, they have provided a critical lifeline," the WFP said. The agency added that "more than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance -- enough to feed one million people for up to four months" was positioned at aid corridors ready to be brought in "as soon as borders reopen". Following WFP's warning, the World Health Organization's chief said medical supplies were also "running out" in Gaza while 16 WHO trucks wait to enter. "This aid blockade must end. Lives depend on it", Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X. WFP added that all 25 bakeries it supports in Gaza were forced to close on March 31 as wheat flour and cooking oil ran out during "the longest closure the Gaza Strip has ever faced". Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz last week said his country would continue blocking aid because the tactic is "one of the main pressure levers preventing Hamas from using (aid) as a tool with the population". On Wednesday, Germany, France and Britain called for an end to the "intolerable" blockade and warned of "an acute risk of starvation, epidemic disease and death". The International Criminal Court in November issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu partly on suspicion of the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. Netanyahu rejected the accusations as "absurd and false". - 'I found him on fire' - At least 2,062 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel resumed its campaign against Hamas militants in mid-March. That brings the overall death toll of the war to 51,439, most of them civilians, according to the territory's health ministry. Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel that began the war resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli figures. Among the fatalities on Friday were five members of the al-Taima family killed when an air strike hit their makeshift tent in Al-Mawasi, near Khan Yunis, the civil defence's Mughayyir said. Gaza resident Ramy, who gave only his first name, said he lost his three-year-old son in a strike on their tent. "When I couldn't find him, I went back to the tent and I found him on fire," Ramy said. Israel's military has threatened an even larger offensive if militants do not soon free hostages who remain in Gaza. Israel says militants are still holding 58 people captured during their October 2023 attack, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP on Friday that a delegation from the group would meet with Egyptian mediators "tomorrow to discuss Hamas's vision for ending the war", reiterating the group's weapons "are not up for negotiation". Friday, April 25, 2025 - Kenyan actress Jacky Vike, better known as Awinja, is trending after sharing a thirst-inducing swimsuit photo from Dubai. The mother of one jetted out to Abu Dhabi last week for a vacation where she had a chance to attend a concert by American RnB superstar, Usher, and went dune bashing in the desert. However, it is the sizzling swimsuit photo that has left netizens talking. See the photo and reactions below. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - Government pathologist Johansen Oduor has confirmed that Kariobangi North Member of County Assembly (MCA), Joel Munuve, died from a blood clot and insufficient oxygen. Munuve collapsed on Tuesday, April 22nd while working at his ward office in Nairobi and was rushed to a private hospital along Kiambu Road, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The MCAs sudden death sparked controversy, especially after he had announced plans to collect signatures for the impeachment of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. Following the controversy, family lawyer Danstan Omari revealed that seven pathologists would be present during the postmortem, with over 15 forensic officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) involved in the process. The team will be led by Johansen Oduor, with six other pathologists appointed by the family, the hospital where he was pronounced dead, the county assembly of Nairobi, the Nairobi County Office, and Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino", Omari revealed. On Wednesday, April 24th, Governor Sakaja, called for a full investigation into the cause of Munuves death, urging against any politicization of the matter. Death is a very serious thing, and it is not something we can play with or politicize, Sakaja remarked, emphasizing the need for clarity and transparency in the investigation. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - A group of fraudsters led by a lady was cornered in the streets of Nairobi and almost lynched after trying to con a victim. The suspects pretend to be in possession of gold from South Africa and approach unsuspecting victims, with the aim of defrauding them. The suspects grind padlocks and package them as gold before looking for gullible people in the streets to con them. Some people fall into the trap and part with money. The suspects were cornered by a mob and beaten up after a victim raised the alarm. In the video, a lady who leads the gang is seen begging for mercy, claiming that she was not part of the gang. I dont know them, she was heard distancing herself from her accomplices. The suspects were handed over to the police to face the full force of the law. Watch the video. BUSTED!! A notorious lady who leads a group of fraudsters in Nairobi begs for mercy after a mob threatened to lynch them pic.twitter.com/oa4H9WSiUn DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) April 25, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - A video of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, which was taken at a recent public function, has sparked debate on social media, with some questioning the state of his health. The 80-year-old dictator appeared weak and confused as he made his way to his official vehicle after attending a public function. He was also struggling to walk as age takes a toll on him. A section of Ugandans took to social media to celebrate, claiming that the clock is ticking and soon, they might get the freedom that they have longed for. Museveni has ruled Uganda with an iron fist for decades. He has hinted that he will run for another term in 2026 when the country holds general elections. His party decided that he will always be the flag bearer in all the elections the party participates in until he decides not to. Museveni is both hero and villain, depending on who you ask. Watch the video and reactions on X. Clock is ticking - Ugandans celebrate as latest video of President YOWERI MUSEVENI leaves tongues wagging! Is he battling ill health? pic.twitter.com/vB4U4yZ0mc DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) April 25, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - A female officer attached to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was on Thursday morning discovered dead inside her residence at Kahawa Wendani under circumstances police are treating as an alleged suicide. According to a preliminary police account filed on 24th April 2025, the officer - identified in service records as Spte Rebecca Sifua Mabonga of 63 OCC - was found lying motionless on the bathroom floor of her apartment, located on the first floor of Block B5, door number 166. The report states that Mabonga had returned home from work the previous evening at around 5.30pm appearing visibly distressed and proceeded directly to her bedroom while crying. She reportedly left the house briefly later that night and returned before midnight. At around 1.00am, her partner, also a KDF officer identified as 160457 Spte Abdullah Salimo of 2nd Ord, claimed that upon heading to the bedroom, he found her hanging in the bathroom with a piece of cloth. Emergency efforts to save her were not detailed in the report. Police have launched investigations to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death. Sources familiar with the case have linked the deceased to a known political family, noting that she is believed to be the daughter of former Bumula Member of Parliament and current UDA official, Mwambu Mabonga. The Kenya Defence Forces are yet to issue an official communication. The deceased was reportedly stationed at the Kahawa Garrison and shared the apartment with her partner. The body was moved to a local mortuary as police continue with investigations. Credit: Cyprian Nyakundi Friday, April 25, 2025 - Former Ramogi TV host, Brenda Achieng, is enjoying a polygamous marriage and living in peace and harmony with her co-wife. Achieng shared photos with her co-wife and their husband, sparking reactions on social media. Achieng opened up about her love life in a past interview and said she was married to a 60-year-old man with whom she had a child. However, their marriage lasted only two years. I moved to Nairobi and got married to a 60-year-old man. I loved him. We stayed for two years, but after that, we broke up,she revealed. During their time together, Brenda enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, akin to that of a princess. The man, who held a senior position, ensured she was well taken care of. However, things took a turn for the worse, and on November 23rd, 2018, he evicted her from his house. I was enjoying life like a princess. He had a senior job and I was being driven around. I used to stay in Lang'ata. Things took a turn for the worst and he kicked me out of his house on November 23rd, 2018. I went back to my parents' home with my two kids, she said. Brenda is now married as a second wife. She wished her co-wife a happy birthday through a heartfelt Facebook post. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has issued a fiery response to controversial Dadaab MP, Farah Maalims recent remarks, terming them "reckless, inflammatory, and deeply troubling." Speaking to the media, Natembeya condemned Maalim's call for his expulsion from Kenya, stating that the comments were baseless and dangerous. "I have taken note of the reckless and deeply troubling remarks by a certain politician who not only questioned my nationality but even suggested I be expelled from Kenya. Such incendiary statements are false, inflammatory, and strike at the very heart of our shared identity as Kenyans," said Natembeya. Adding: "I was born in Kenya, raised in Kenya, educated in Kenya, and have devoted my entire career to public service in this country from my early days as a Regional Commissioner in high-pressure zones to my current role as Governor of Trans-Nzoia County." Natembeya defended his recent push for reinstating vetting procedures for ID issuance in North Eastern Kenya, saying it was motivated purely by national security concerns. He cited unique border region challenges such as illicit cross-border movement and threats from criminal networks. Maalim had accused Natembeya of discrimination, warning his stance could fuel ethnic divisions and conflict. His ideas are crooked, let him leave here and go somewhere else, Maalim said on April 22. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - A Kenyan businesswoman has moved to court after being swindled out of nearly Ksh 9 million in a fraudulent oil trade deal masterminded by a Nigerian man. Purity Kendi, an avid entrepreneur and the CEO of a local tours and travel company, fell prey to a smooth-talking Nigerian national who masqueraded as a seasoned farmer and exporter. The notorious swindler, identified as Chinedu Mishark Ogbuechi, is accused of luring Kendi into a bogus international oil trade scam, with the promise of lucrative returns through the import and export of Moroccan Argan oil between Morocco, Kenya, and the United Kingdom. Court documents reveal that the alleged offences occurred between February 13th, 2024, and January 15th, 2025. The suspect convinced Kendi that he had the capacity to facilitate the lucrative trade. Trusting his assurances, Kendi initially handed over Sh 950,000 to cover supposed consignment storage fees and document renewal costs. As the scam unfolded, Ogbuechi allegedly manipulated Kendi into parting with even greater sums. At one point, he purportedly solicited a further Sh 3 million, claiming it was needed to export the oil to the UK. When Kendi struggled to meet the new demands, she allegedly transferred Sh 600,000 to the suspect, a payment that seemingly provoked further greed. He also persuaded the victim to loan him an additional Sh 4.9 million, ostensibly to pay Moroccan farmers for the harvested oil. As the scam progressed, the suspect claimed he had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom. Desperate, Kendi sent an extra Sh 827,000. After receiving a total of Ksh 9 million from the businesswoman, the suspect vanished and blocked all communication channels. Kendi involved the authorities after realizing that she had been conned, leading to the suspects arrest. Ogbuechi has since pleaded not guilty to the charges. The suspect Below are photos of the victim. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - Former Kenyan beauty queen, Jennifer Waridi, has sent social media into a frenzy with her candid take on love and money. The former Miss Tourism Lamu, who is now single and focused on chasing her dreams, has disclosed that she wont date a man earning less than KSh 300,000. And if hes jobless? Thats a firm no. In a recent interview, the ex-beauty queen didnt hold back, revealing that she once dated an unemployed man - an experience that left her footing all the bills, including his rent. Despite supporting him financially, the man later dumped her. I cant date a jobless man. I tried that and learnt the hard way. I even paid his rent! Thats a scam, and I believe women should not accept that, she shared. According to her, financial stability is non-negotiable in a potential boyfriend. I can only date a man who earns between KSh 300,000 and KSh 500,000. The cost of living is high. He must be able to pay rent, spoil me with the baby girl treatment, and of course, we can still save, she said. I want a man who is smarter than I am confident enough to challenge me, she added when asked to describe her ideal partner. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - A Kenyan lady was shocked to find out that her Nigerian fiance was secretly going through divorce, something that he hadnt informed her. The same lady is pregnant, leaving her in a quagmire. She confronted her fiance on WhatsApp, leading to a heated argument after she informed him of the pregnancy. See the messages. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a warning against the use, sale, distribution and issuance of several pharmaceutical products found to be substandard or falsified. In a statement to Kenyans, PPB CEO Fred Siyoi highlighted quality concerns involving three batches of paracetamol 1000mg/100ml injection, one batch of S-Prazo (Esomeprazole 40mg), and three batches of Augmentin. The affected paracetamol batches include Lumidol Injection (Batch Nos. CM4594007, CM4594008, CM4594009), Blink Injection (Batch Nos. CS4594005, CS4594004), and Paragen Injection (Batch No. K4290027), all manufactured by KamlaAmrut Pharmaceutical India. The products exhibited unusual colour changes, prompting concerns over their safety. The board also recalled S-Prazo (Esomeprazole 40mg), Batch No. SPZ404, manufactured by Medico Remedies Pharmaceutical India, after a strip of Levofloxacin 500mg tablets was found inside a pack of the esomeprazole capsules. In addition, Augmentin 1G (Batch No. SHS2) and Augmentin 625MG (Batch Nos. 8X3K and EU7C) were identified as falsified products circulating in the Kenyan market. These products pose potential health risks and should not be used, said Siyoi, urging the public and healthcare professionals to immediately stop using the listed medicines. He further instructed all pharmaceutical outlets and health facilities to return the affected batches to suppliers or the nearest healthcare facility without delay. Paracetamol is commonly used to relieve pain and reduce fever, while S-Prazo and Augmentin are used to treat acid-related conditions and bacterial infections, respectively. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - In a moving revelation, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of Pope Francis medical team, has opened up about the Pontiffs final moments before his passing on Monday, April 21st. Speaking to La Repubblica, Alfieri disclosed that the Popes heartfelt final regret was not being able to wash the feet of prisoners during Holy Week. Though he managed to visit the inmates on April 17th, Pope Francis, who had long championed humility and compassion, lamented not performing the symbolic foot-washing ritual. He regretted that he could not wash the feet of the prisoners. This time I couldnt do it, was the last thing he said to me, Alfieri recalled. Dr. Alfieri, who had previously treated the Pope for pneumonia, was called to the Vatican at dawn on the day of the pontiffs passing. When he arrived, the Pope was conscious but unresponsive. I tried calling his name, but there was no reply. I knew then that he was slipping into a coma, Alfieri recounted to Corriere della Sera. Although some Vatican officials considered rushing him to the hospital, the doctor explained that such a move would have made little difference. It was one of those strokes that, in an hour, carries you away, he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - Former President Uhuru Kenyatta gave a heartfelt tribute to the late Pope Francis on Friday, April 25th, during a requiem mass at Holy Family Basilica. Speaking during the mass, Uhuru disclosed little-known details of what happened behind closed doors when the late Pope Francis visited Nairobi on November 25th, 2015. As most of you in the diplomatic service know, when a Head of State is visiting, you normally have a one-on-one session before going out in public, Uhuru explained. Before this, an individual I will not name had requested a short meeting with the Pope, to which I agreed. After the one-on-one concluded, Uhuru invited the individual in, and the three sat silently. After our meeting concluded, I invited the individual, and then we all sat there in silence. It is then that His Holiness told me, I thought you said he wanted to talk to me. So for the first time as President, another Head of State threw me out of my own office, which I found to be quite incredible, Uhuru stated. Uhuru praised Pope Francis for his humility, revealing that the Pope even followed up with the individual after the visit. What greater show of humility can you ask from a man than that? That he can lead billions, but still look after the one lost sheep. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21st, aged 88. His burial scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, in Rome, is expected to draw global leaders such as United States President Donald Trump, Prince William and French President Emmanuel Macron to honor his legacy. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - Independent and government pathologists have ruled out foul play in the death of Kariobangi Member of County Assembly (MCA), Joel Munuve, who collapsed and died after threatening to launch an impeachment motion against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. The pathologists, who conducted a joint postmortem examination, said Munuve died from a pulmonary thromboembolism, a blood clot that formed in the deep veins of his left leg and travelled to his lungs, fatally blocking a major blood vessel. As a result of my examination, I formed the opinion that the cause of death was Pulmonary Thromboembolism due to Left Popliteal Vein Deep Vein Thrombosis. A blood clot (thrombus) travelled to the lungs and blocked a blood vessel, leading to death, the autopsy report stated. This clot obstructed blood flow to the lungs, severely impairing oxygenation and breathing. The clot had extended into the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary infarction - the death of lung tissue due to lack of blood supply - ultimately leading to Munuves death. The autopsy further revealed a swelling in the neck, later identified as a lipoma - a benign fatty growth. Governor Sakaja was under the spotlight after Munuves sudden demise, with a section of Nairobi leaders urging the DCI to establish whether the Governor had a hand in his death. Munuve died barely a week after he threatened to file an impeachment motion against Sakaja and linked him to corruption and abuse of office. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen displayed opulence when he was hosted for a joint media interview in Kitui town after rocking a Stefano Ricci shirt worth $1500 (Ksh 194,000). The Italian-made designer shirt is associated with money and power. Murkomen's flamboyant lifestyle has always been a subject of discussion on social media, even as millions of Kenyans struggle to make ends meet amid tough economic times. He admitted in a past media interview that he has a weakness for the finest things in life. He emphasized that his penchant for expensive attire is not indicative of corruption but rather a personal interest that he has had since childhood. See photos of his expensive shirt. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 25, 2025 - A fatal road crash on the Siaya-Kisumu Road on Friday, April 25th, claimed two lives and left several others injured. The collision involved a Kenyan Urban People Association (KUPA) truck carrying coffins and a PSV matatu at Ngiya Center. Images from the scene showed the matatus rear end severely damaged, highlighting the severity of the crash. Emergency responders rushed the injured to Siaya Teaching and Referral Hospital for treatment. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. The Kenyan DAILY POST WHEN I returned to Athy in June 1982 after an absence of 21 years, I found the town in much the same state as it was in the 1950s. Its population had not seen any significant change in over 100 years, and it persistently stood in the mid-4,000s. Today, that figure has increased to almost 11,000 as more and more people move out of Dublin, aware of the availability of less costly housing in south Kildare. They bring with them a change of attitude to how the town is viewed. In the past, the natives of Athy and other blow-ins of pre 1960 had no understanding or appreciation of the towns history or heritage. Athy was never referred to as a heritage town or historic town for the simple reason that we did not have an understanding of it. Having gone through the education system at both primary and secondary levels in the local CBS School, I knew little or nothing of the towns history. Even though I passed Whites Castle at least four times every day while attending school in St Johns Lane, I was not aware of the significant part it played in the Confederate wars of the 1640s. I learned of the Great Famine and the sad times in west Cork and Mayo during the 1840s but not of the effect that the famine had on the people of the Poor Law Union of Athy and the deaths in Athys workhouse. Irish history finished in 1916 so as far as the Irish education system was concerned but even this did not extend to learning about the 1798 rebellion in our home town. Knowledge of the six local men who marched out of Whites Castle and were hanged at the Grand Canal basin was lost to memory. Maybe the beheading of two of these six young men and the subsequent display of their severed heads on Crom a Boo bridge, which we pass over every day in 2025, was the reason the events of 98 were lost in time. We have revived our local history in recent years and honoured the dead of the Rebellion in 98 with a monument in Emily Square, which was officially unveiled in 2010. The workhouse inmates who died during the famine and whose bodies were committed to St Marys Cemetery to be buried in unmarked graves are remembered on the National Famine Commemoration Day in a ceremony in St Marys. We have recovered our history, and the recovery is marked by the number of people who are on Facebook and other social media platforms showing their pride in the historic Town of Athy. I get the feeling that most of these people are new additions to the town who appreciate the historical background rather more than the town natives. For too many decades, Athy families were haunted by the deaths of local men who died during World War 1 and the shameful disregard for those men who returned from the bloodied fields of France and Flanders. This was an unrecognised part of Irish history and it was only with the holding of the first Remembrance Sunday events in St Michaels Cemetery about thirty years ago that a gradual acceptance of that part of our local history was noted. Not only do we now have a bigger attendance at our annual remembrance ceremony but St Michaels cemetery has one of the finest and World War 1 memorials remembering the Athy men and woman who died in the war. Times have changed, not only in terms of our knowledge and understanding of what was once a lost history but also the forms of the cultural heritage of the town. Not only is Athy referred to as a historic town, but the term heritage town is often commonly used when it emerged that Athy was granted heritage status by Bord Failte in the late 1990s. It brought to play various elements of Athys heritage and made us realise the importance of the cultural heritage which for so long was generated and protected by community effort. Who can doubt the enormous cultural heritage of song, dance and drama which was created by the musical and dramatic society in the 1940s, the Social Club players and subsequent drama societies, the local bands nurtured by Joe ONeill and his colleagues of St Josephs Terrace. The first, band I have noted was that of the CYMS (Catholic Young Men's Society) in the 1890s, while the Churchtown Pipe Band helped create a lasting musical heritage. The built heritage of the town represented by Whites Castle, Woodstock Castle, The Town Hall, The Courthouse and many other buildings gives us a sense of antiquity which was not always appreciated in the absence of the history behind these buildings. Those prize buildings were largely ignored to a shameful extent that in the 1950s when stone was taken from Woodstock Castle in order to help restore other buildings in Nelson Street. We have now come to realise the importance of the different strands of our heritage and in many ways I feel we may have to look to the new arrivals to Athy to thank them for our changing attitudes to Athys heritage and history. Please remember the official opening of Denise Curtins exhibition O Mhna by the Athy novelist Niamh Boyce in the Art House, Leinster Street on Saturday 26 April. UP to 1,000 jobs could be at risk at Intels Kildare plant as the tech giant prepares to announce global lay-offs affecting 20% of its workforce. Intel, which employs around 5,000 people in Irelandmany in Leixliphas yet to confirm if the cuts will impact its Irish operations. However, ministers are concerned about potential losses, particularly given Intels focus on cost-cutting and restructuring. Local TD James Lawless expressed cautious optimism, noting that the Leixlip sites focus on engineering and manufacturing may shield it from the worst of the cuts, which are reportedly aimed at trimming non-core functions. Fianna Fail TD Naoise O Cearuil and local councillors stressed the need for support plans if redundancies occur. Councillors are set to meet Intel representatives next week for further updates. Intel has already cut around 15,000 jobs globally in the past year, with its workforce dropping to just under 109,000 by the end of 2024. By Rosie Shead, PA A knife-wielding man who was shot dead by police at a railway station in England may have called officers claiming there was a gunman, a watchdog has said. David Joyce (38) was shot at close range by an armed officer at Milton Keynes railway station on April 1st after police responded to reports of a man carrying a gun. An investigation into his death by the UK's Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has linked Mr Joyce to a mobile number that had called 999 to report a gunman at the station. The call handler rang back after the caller hung up and spoke to the same man who said the male gunman was acting suspiciously and definitely had a gun, the IOPC said. Records show the mobile phone number used to make the 999 call had been used to call police before and was linked to Mr Joyce, according to the watchdog. Meanwhile, CCTV footage shows Mr Joyce making a phone call at the time same time the 999 call to police was made, the IOPC said. The man died as a result of a single gunshot to the abdomen. Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA. Mr Joyce, who lived in Milton Keynes but was originally from Galway, was armed with a steak knife with a 12cm blade, when he ran at two officers, the watchdog said. He was then shot at close range by a Thames Valley Police officer from the armed response unit who were first on the scene. IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: We again extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of David Joyce and all those affected by this incident. We continue to keep his family informed of our progress. Our investigators are working hard to piece together the circumstances leading up to Mr Joyce being shot by a police officer and have already carried out a significant amount of inquiries. The IOPC said they have taken accounts from the officers involved, gathered a large amount of CCTV from inside and outside the station and obtained the officers body-worn video and police vehicle dashcam footage. The watchdog has also completed house-to-house inquiries at nearby properties and taken statements from members of the public who witnessed the incident. The investigation remains ongoing while all officers who attended the incident remain as witnesses as there is no indication any of them may have committed a criminal office or breached police professional standards of behaviour, the IOPC added. An inquest into Mr Joyces death was opened and adjourned at Milton Keynes Coroners Court on Thursday, April 10th, with a full hearing to follow after the investigation concludes, the watchdog added. The preliminary cause of death given was a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. THERE has been a call for an investigation into the conduct of Kildare county councillor Tom McDonnell by local community group Newbridge For All. Following a Kfm interview and the councillors social media posts last week, local group Newbridge For All (N4A) released a statement online calling on Kildare County Council to investigate McDonnell through the Ethics Committee. The group wrote they were shocked and dismayed by the actions and words of cllr Tom McDonnell. The group also called on councillors to withdraw all cooperation with the councillor, a member of the Ireland First party, until the investigation is complete, which includes no seconding his motions during council meetings. This decision was made after cllr McDonnell made derogatory comments about migrants, muslims and LGBTQI+ people online and on Kfm with host Eoin Beatty on Friday 18 April. Cllr McDonnell was brought on to speak about his recent meet up with UFC fighter Conor McGregor where he presented him with the constitution and a bottle of holy water at Conors pub, The Black Forge Inn in Walkinstown, Dublin. When asked about this, McDonnell spoke in support of McGregor and said: Were in a crisis and Conor McGregor is the only one who will save this country. He added: Our open borders are absolutely destroying our country ... you go into the city centre and you see its non-Irish. When asked if he would support Conor McGregor running for president he said: 100% Ill support anyone who will protect our borders and out children. Open borders have led to our children being beat up, raped. Newbridge For Alls statement concluded with a firm call to Kildare-Newbridge elected officials. We believe this action by councillors is the only one which demonstrates their solidarity with LGBTQI+ people, women, people seeking safety in our community and migrants all of whom were vilified by cllr McDonnell. Gordon Deegan British developer Summix will lodge plans in the coming days for a nine-storey student accommodation block on the former site of the Independent Newspapers HQ on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin. The published statutory planning notice states that Summix IHD Developments Ltd is to lodge a Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) application with Dublin City Council, comprising a 316 student bed-space scheme. The notice states that the standard and accessible 272 rooms will be provided in 42 clusters, ranging from five-bed spaces to nine-bed spaces at 87 to 93 Middle Abbey Street, known collectively as Independent House. The student spaces are to be used as short-term lets during student holiday periods. The scheme is to involve the construction of a part nine-storey over-basement building connecting into the retained protected structures. Asked to comment on the planning application, Summix advisor in Ireland, Steve Cassidy said on Friday that the student housing planning application for the former headquarters of Independent Newspapers will include the preservation and reuse of the two striking buildings on Abbey Street. He said: The original printing hall to the rear is also to be preserved and used for cultural and community uses. He said that the rear site, which stretches to Princes Street at the GPO Arcade, will be redeveloped to provide the student bedrooms with the ground floor on Abbey Street and Princes Street also providing retail accommodation. He said that the proposal also involves the widening and upgrading of Williams Lane linking Abbey Street and Princes Street. Mr Cassidy said: Summix are very excited about this prime city centre project. When completed, the development will preserve the protected Independent House and Emerald Chambers buildings and the original printing hall and will also add badly needed accommodation to the significantly undersupplied student housing market in central Dublin. The addition of retail accommodation along with the students themselves will contribute to the vibrancy of this key city centre area". On a timeline for the project, Mr Cassidy said: Assuming planning is granted later this year or early next year, it is expected that construction will commence immediately with the building likely to open in 2028. The planning application comes almost one year after Summix Capital purchased Independent House from Penney's owner, Primark, in a deal understood to be worth about 9 million. The building closed in the early 2000s and has been vacant for over two decades. CONCERNS about HGV traffic and pollution were expressed about a proposed biomethane plant in south Kildare last week. The packed meeting in the Castledermot Community Centre last Thursday heard that 30 HGVS would be travelling to and from the plant in Ballyvass, if the developer Cycle completed the project. Organized by the Ballyvass Biogas Concern Group, information about the project was shared while a determined meeting chairperson John Phelan said: Were not going to go down without a fight. There was some frustration that no public representative attended the meeting although several had sent their apologies and promised their support. Mr Phelan said the group had drafted to send to Cycle, which members of the community were encouraged to sign in support. Ballyvass group member, Paddy Byrne, had been engaging with Cycle directly to get as much as information as possible and how it will affect people. Paddy explained that the proposed facility is set to take in 74,000 tonnes of material each year, with a further 70,000 tonnes of waste material which will need to be moved offsite. This means that 30 HGVs will travel to and from the site each day, using the Ballyvass road and roads in the surrounding area, resulting in 60 traffic movements daily. Mr Byrne added that planning permission has already been granted for a quarry near the proposed biogas site which will have 17 HGVs serving it. Overall, this could mean 94 movements of lorries in the area daily, possibly from early in the morning to late in the evening. These are the simple facts of what this is going to do, he said. 94 movements of traffic will affect everyone. He said: I didnt make up the traffic movements, they told me that. Cycle were contacted for comment about this point but did not respond at the time of the going to print. Mr Byrne said that biogas companies are popping up all over the country in the interest of grants. Its a race to the money pot, he said. The group believe its important to submit a letter to Cycle to identify their worries, and everything they have discussed and to tell them that we are a community and we do have an issue with this". I think we need to be strong, he concluded. When the meeting was open to the floor, attendees asked questions around protected waterways, for information on where HGVs might be travelling around in the area, and questions around the adjacent quarry and its impact. There was dismay that no political representative was at the meeting. Deputy Mark Wall had contacted and apologised for not being able to attend, but promised to help out and offer support with the situation. The meeting heard both Deputy Sean O Fearghail and Athy councillor Brian Dooley also did not attend, but have agreed to put in objections against the proposed project. One woman from the crowd referenced a previous meeting and called it absolute bullsh*t that TDs and cllrs did not stay for its full duration. A man said in agreement: Some are local residents and theyre not even here! Two guest speakers attended travelling from from communities in Mayo and Tipperary who are facing similar facilities. Chairperson of Swinford Biogas Concern Group in Mayo Moira Philbin, travelled from Swinford, Mayo to speak about her groups own experience and success story in a very similar situation. She alerted people to stay vigilant during the upcoming fight against the project, and said: Theyll sell their mothers to get it (planning permission) through. She informed those in attendance about the potential risks the proposed development could bring, from stories gathered from areas around Ireland and the UK where biomethane plants had been put in. Moira shared a story she was told when she visited the biogas site at Ballyboffey in Donegal some time ago. A funeral brought many people to the town but they complained of the terrible smell coming from the biogas plant. A smell so terrible that two people fainted because of it. Aside from bad smells, Moira warned attendees against potential health risks such as explosions. She told a story coming from Oxford, where a biomethane digester blew up. Also speaking on the night was Pat Shanahan from Killough Biogas Concern Group in Tippearary who advised members of possible risks associated with biogas plants including fire risks, air pollution, increased traffic, odor and nuisance, lack of regulation and monitoring, community division, house price impact, among others. It is planned to hold another public meeting in a months time. Group members will also be willing to give their time to help people draft their objections, should they need it. . Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill has praised Pope Franciss unwavering commitment to justice and peace. Ms ONeill has confirmed she will travel to Rome to join leaders from across the world for the pontiffs funeral on Saturday. The Sinn Fein vice president has cut short a family holiday to attend. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will not be in attendance. Ms ONeill said: I am proud to be attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, paying my respects on behalf of everyone at home who cherished his leadership and looked to him as a spiritual and moral guide. Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader of deep humility, compassion and courage, with an unwavering commitment to justice and peace. His passing is deeply felt in Ireland and across the world, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire millions. I am proud to be attending the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, paying my respects on behalf of everyone at home who cherished his leadership and looked to him as a spiritual and moral guide. Pope Francis will be remembered as a leader of deep humility, compassion, and Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) April 25, 2025 Ms Little-Pengelly said she was not attending because she did not receive any invitation. In a post on X, she said: We didnt receive any invitation. That is why Im not attending. The (First Minister) subsequently sought one and was able to obtain one just today. Responding to criticism of her lack of attendance, she said she had expressed genuine condolences on the death of Francis. Ms Little-Pengelly said it was not right or fair to play politics with such a sombre issue of gravity and reflection. We didn't receive any invitation. That is why I'm not attending. The FM subsequently sought one and was able to obtain one just today. I have expressed my genuine condolences on the death of Pope Francis. It is not right or fair of you to play politics with such a somber issue Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) April 25, 2025 Speaking to the BBC, Ms ONeill said Francis had been a progressive voice within the Catholic church. She said: I said I would be a First Minister for all and it is important that I continue to demonstrate that. Much like Pope Francis himself, I think that you have to lead by your actions. The First Minister added: I think in any walk of life an inclusive voice, a progressive voice is always going to be something that anybody will have common ground with. I am somebody of faith, I am somebody that will very much look with interest as to who will be the next pope. I do hope that how the new pope will conduct business will be very much in the spirit of Pope Francis. Ms ONeill referred to Franciss visit to Ireland in 2018. At that time Pope Francis marked our own peace process, our own anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. But he also did something that was important, particularly for those victims of clerical abuse, of mother and baby homes and Magdelene laundries, he did absolutely acknowledge wrongdoing in the past. For me that was a huge moment in time in which to try to create healing, look towards the future and acknowledge the wrongdoing. I think that is one of his legacies that will be very much felt by many. Ms ONeill will join political leaders including US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Irelands premier Micheal Martin at the ceremony. Irelands president Michael D Higgins, Irish deputy premier Simon Harris, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin and Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell will also attend. The Popes funeral is expected to begin at 9am UK time on Saturday. Ms ONeill will travel to Rome later on Friday. The Northern Ireland Assembly, which is currently on Easter break, will hear tributes to Francis when it returns on Monday. Francis died on Easter Monday aged 88 after battling illnesses including pneumonia in recent months. On Easter Sunday, he had blessed thousands of people in St Peters Square in Vatican City. Tributes were paid from across Northern Ireland, including by Ms ONeill, Ms Little-Pengelly and Stormont speaker Edwin Poots. Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin paid tribute during a mass at St Patricks Cathedral in Armagh on Thursday night. The Archbishop compared the late Pope to his namesake, St Francis of Assisi, by saying he immediately began to prioritise the poor and the marginalised. Not just those who are financially poor, but everyone who is exploited, excluded, forgotten, or abused, he said. Pope Francis especially wanted to reach the hearts of those who are spiritually poor, those who feel empty inside. To them he offered the joy of the Gospel, a reason for living, a reason for hoping and an invitation to a personal encounter and friendship with Christ. Work are progressing on the amalgamation of the Presentation primary school and the boys primary school. Last year, Kilkenny Live reported single co-ed primary school is set to be established in Castlecomer with a fully mixed school to cater for students from junior infants to sixth class. The position of principal has been advertised, and the interview process will select a candidate to lead the new school. Dialogue continues with the Department of Education on the necessary work within the building and to prepare the building for the new school. READ NEXT: Kilkenny gardai issue serious threat to 'culprits' who 'dont cease these actions' Castlecomer Presentation Primary School and Castlecomer Boys School jointly requested Bishop Coll, patron of both schools, to sanction the process of amalgamation of the two schools. This request followed consultation with the stakeholders boards of management, teachers, pupils, and parents. Bishop Coll replied to the boards earlier and granted this request, as has the Department of Education. Bishop Coll has also approved Scoil Iosagain as the name for the proposed coeducational school which will emerge from the proposed amalgamation. The name will now be forwarded by the Patron to the Department of Education and the process will continue. FOR MORE NORTH KILKENNY NEWS, CLICK HERE A woman living in Donegal Town and originally from Tullaroan in Co Kilkenny who completed a remarkable skydive last July has raised more than 32,000 for charity. Pictures: Kilkenny woman Kay (92) 'settled and calm' on daring 15,000ft charity skydive Kay Sinclair raised 32,852 to Youth Suicide Prevention Irelands CEO Tony Philpott and Siobhan McGowan photographed the presentation. Kay, who was 92 at the time and is now 93, planned the plunge in memory of her son Michael, below, on July 20 - the date of his passing in 1987 - with the Skydive for Life through the YSPI charity. A Gaffney originally from Reimeen, Tullaroan, Kay was supported by her family members at the charity event and says, at the start, everyone pleaded me to not do it, even my doctor advised against it but once I have my mind set to something, I do. I thought it was going to be in Donegal Airport in Carrickfinn, but it wasnt, so off I went to Offaly and because I had so many family members there, everyone could come and watch However, she had to show patience due to strong wind conditions at the Irish Parachute Club at Clonbullogue Airfield in Co Offaly and the skydive was delayed by 24 hours. Conditions the following day had cleared somewhat, although there was still a strong breeze as, under the watchful eye of Coleman Brouder, the Chief Club Instructor, Kay did the skydive at 15,000 feet, determined to do so with so many people donating to the charity. Everyone who worked there was helpful and brilliant, Kay says. I was very calm and settled because I felt as though Michael was with me. It was misty, and we went up and up above the clouds. Youre there, and the hatch is open; youre looking out, and your legs are dangling, and away you go. With family members from far and wide - particularly Donegal and Kilkenny - Kay wore a broad smile to plenty of acclaim as she landed. The dive was captured on video and shared by the Irish Parachute Club. Nine months on from her inspirational jump, Kay has taken the opportunity to extend her gratitude to everyone who supported her: I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who donated to my fundraiser for Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland. Your generosity and kindness mean the world to me, and your support will make a real difference in helping those in crisis. Together, we are raising awareness, offering hope and saving lives. COLUMBIA Boone County Joint Communications said it will implement measures to improve location accuracy for 911 calls and prevent call failures. The announcement came in a meeting the Boone County Commission held Friday with representatives from Boone County, the city of Columbia, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Public Schools and the University of Missouri to discuss. Boone County Joint Communications Director Christie Davis talked about employee growth, call statistics and new technologies on behalf of BCJC at the meeting. Davis said BCJC will shift to a "next-gen 911" system, which uses location-based routing. The current system uses cell towers to determine location. Davis said this will give more accurate location routing, especially for places on the outlying parts of Boone County. The new system will also add redundancies to route calls to dispatchers, meaning there is no single point of failure. The county currently relies on copper lines to route calls to the center, which can be cut during things like road construction and agriculture projects. A cut fiber outside Jefferson City led to a 911 outage in Boone County earlier this year. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Fiber cut confirmed in Jefferson City that led to 911 disruption An outage of phone lines affected 911 calls at approximately 6 p.m. and came back up just after 9:30 a.m. Along with those improvements, the new system will make sure calls are routed to the correct center sooner, which will get responders moving to the correct location sooner. Davis said it could also be possible, in the future, for text messages to 911 to include photos and videos. However, Davis said there are some restrictions but the Federal Communications Commission has implemented guidelines for cell carriers to make that available sooner rather than later. Radio upgrades Joint Communications is also upgrading from a VHF radio system to an 800 megahertz system, which will impact radio communications. The new system is a P85 trunked radio system, which will double the number of channels and add talk groups. This new system will also address issues of losing radio communication in urban areas and closed buildings. Work with vendors is still ongoing. Currently, the county's radios are not encrypted, meaning that dispatched information and communications, such as addresses, can be heard in open radio frequencies, minus certain channels that are encrypted in certain circumstances. The city is looking at being able to encrypt all channels so that all responders are safe, but also to protect the community and their private information. This encryption will be through the new 800 system. Davis did not give a specific time frame on the implementation of the new technologies but said the funding comes from a sales tax that was passed in 2013. In this 2016 photo, Hannah Dugan speaks at a forum at the Milwaukee Bar Association in Wisconsin. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on March 24, in Washington, DC. JEFFERSON CITY State lawmakers have added $107 million to the state budget for child care providers who receive subsidy payments from the government. The federal funding would revise how providers who receive child care subsidy payments are paid, as well as when they are paid. Currently, providers are paid based on attendance at the end of every month. With the current system, providers have to take into account which children were in attendance, how long they were there and if they left early. "The hard part is going back and calculating if anyone missed any days for absences, or even worse, if they were only here for part of a day for sickness," said Nicci Rexroat, owner of A Place to Grow. "That's more of the hassle than the actual job of uploading the attendance." PAST COVERAGE: DESE will miss child care subsidy backlog goal The payment correction backlog is only 58% reviewed but was set for completion by the end of October 2024. The new program would pay providers at the start of the month based on the number of children enrolled. "It'll really stabilize my budget, which is nice," Rexroat said. "I'm very excited about the idea of having a payment based on enrollment, and just the ability to stabilize a very small budget." Effects on child care providers The new program would not only alleviate some of the struggles with calculating attendance but would also ensure providers are paid before providing services, rather than after. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "We have small businesses providing a service, and they're paid after the fact, and oftentimes that could be 45, 60 days afterwards," said Robin Phillips, CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri. "Flip flopping that and paying on enrollment means that they would be paid on the front end." When the state House sent the budget to the Senate, the funding for the new child care program was not included. The Senate Appropriations Committee restored that funding. "It's really important that providers have some certainty as to how much money they're going to be receiving from the state to make decisions," said Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City. "Whether it's hiring staff or planning expansion, they have to know how much income they're going to be able to receive to then be able to budget accordingly." Next steps It is still up in the air whether the funding will remain in the budget. The $48 billion budget will go to the full Senate for debate next week. Child care providers are holding out hope that the funding will remain and the new program will be implemented. "It will be extremely deflating to have that taken away when we were excited that the idea of having a little bit more stability in an unstable industry," Rexroat said. "I'm very, very hopeful that it does go all the way through and pass the budget." The Missouri legislature must pass the state budget by May 9. Child care providers can expect to begin the new program July 1, if the funding remains in the budget. 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. Feature: In South China Sea, a marine researcher finds depth of life in shallows Xinhua) 14:51, April 25, 2025 HAIKOU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At midday, sunlight pierces the rippling surface of the South China Sea, scattering golden flecks across the one-meter-deep shallows. Lying prone on the seafloor just off Yongxing Island, Huo Da remains as still as a strand of seagrass. Wearing a dive mask and snorkel, clad in a stinger suit, and holding a waterproof camera, he documents the hidden wonders of the ocean: a rare seagrass flower that blooms just once a year, an octopus that extended a curious arm to brush his hand, a green sea hare perfectly hidden among the blades of grass. This 33-year-old, who grew up in a rural village in Baoding, an inland city in northern China, has now found a sense of belonging among the tropical seagrass beds of the south. "Here on Yongxing Island, you don't have to dive deep or go far," he said. "If you look closely, life is right beneath your feet." Each of Huo's dives lasts one to two hours. After surfacing, he returns to the Xisha Marine Environment National Observation and Research Station on the island. As a researcher there, he spends most of his time collecting data on water quality and marine life, studying the patterns and changes in the surrounding waters, and compiling his findings into detailed reports. Founded in 2009, the station is home to nine resident researchers who monitor and study oceanic environmental dynamics and reef island ecosystems, providing scientific support for the ecological conservation of the Xisha Islands. ROAD THAT LED TO THE SEA Born in 1992 in Baoding, Huo spent his childhood surrounded by fields rather than waves. Yet from an early age, he was drawn to the mystery of tropical oceans. He studied aquaculture at a university in Wuhan, central China, and later moved south to Guangzhou for his graduate studies, where he began researching Holothuria leucospilota, the black sea cucumber. It wasn't until a 2016 scientific expedition to the South China Sea that he saw one in the wild. "Seeing a sea cucumber in its natural habitat, not in a farm or a lab, was an entirely different experience." Two years later, after earning his master's degree, he came to Yongxing Island and joined the Xisha station, becoming an observer and chronicler of this tropical marine world. "The ecological environment in Xisha is excellent, with rich biodiversity. It's a paradise for marine scientists," he said. As China's southernmost city, Sansha has made marine ecological conservation a top priority since its establishment in 2012. The city has introduced regulations such as the marine environmental protection provisions and the sea turtle conservation regulations. It has encouraged fishers to shift to alternative livelihoods, carried out regular coral reef restoration and seagrass bed surveys, and established a sea turtle rescue and conservation center. Huo uses his camera to capture life beneath the waves. He has photographed and filmed more than 400 species of marine creatures, including sea hares, stonefish, octopuses, floating anemones, hermit crabs, and sea turtles. Some species on his laptop still await classification. "Every time I dive, I come across one or two species I've never seen before," he said. "Marine creatures are truly fascinating. Octopuses are intelligent and curious. They swim toward me, reach out their tentacles, and gently touch my fingers. Their nervous systems are spread throughout their bodies, allowing them to change color constantly," Huo said. Some fish are also capable of changing color. Once, he saw a gray conger eel. At first, it had dark spots on its body, but then it turned completely white and spread its wide, translucent dorsal fin. "I couldn't help but wonder, is this still a fish?" Sea cucumbers are considered highly evolved creatures. Some species, when threatened, expel their internal organs as a defense mechanism, and later regenerate them. There are over 100 sea cucumber species in the South China Sea, he said. "The more time you spend underwater, the more you begin to recognize them," Huo said. "Day versus night, young versus old, you start piecing together their life stories. And eventually, you feel a deep reverence for life." Among all the aquatic creatures, Huo's favorite is the gently swaying seagrass beds. They play a vital ecological role -- purifying the water, capturing and storing carbon, stabilizing coastlines, and providing food and shelter for marine life. Seagrass is highly sensitive to water quality, and around Yongxing Island, he has seen it grow more plentiful. "In places with poor water quality, seagrass dies off," he said. A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEEING The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and serves as the cradle of life. China is one of the world's richest countries in marine biodiversity, with over 28,000 recorded marine species, accounting for about 11 percent of all documented marine life globally. Over the past decade, China has made significant progress in marine ecological conservation, pollution control, and biodiversity protection. A national action plan released last year set a clear goal: by 2030, the area under China's marine ecological protection red line will reach no less than 150,000 square kilometers. Still, Huo believes humanity knows far less about the ocean than it does about the moon. Part of the reason, he said, is perspective. "We often view the sea through a land-based, human-centered lens. We call marine animals sea cucumbers, sea hares, sea horses, but you never hear of anything on land called a 'land something.'" "Some people still see all marine life as seafood," Huo said. "No matter how magical or beautiful the creatures I share online are, someone always asks, 'Can you eat this?'" To Huo, true conservation begins with understanding. "If you know nothing about the ocean, and someone suddenly tells you to protect it, it's like being asked to protect aliens," he said. "People need to first understand their environment; only then will they begin to care about it." To help bridge that gap, Huo started sharing his underwater photography and marine knowledge on social media. His posts have drawn unexpected attention: a documentary filmmaker reached out, hoping to visit the island for filming. One viewer, inspired by Huo's footage of seagrass beds, learned about the ecosystem for the first time and even decided to join seagrass conservation efforts. Huo is now co-authoring a book on South China Sea marine life with a friend. On the Chinese short-video platform Douyin, his profile tagline reads: "Life is water." He once read a fable where a young fish asks its mother, "What is water?" The mother replies, "Water is like the air we breathe. It's so natural we don't even notice it." His WeChat nickname, Merapi, comes from Mount Merapi, a volcano on Indonesia's Java Island that he summited in 2016. "Life is like water, which is colorless and tasteless. Everything we go through is life itself. It can be deeply felt, and it can be given meaning," Huo said. "Even if life feels as plain as water, we should always keep a fire burning in our hearts." (Reporting by Han Song, Cheng Lu, Zhong Qun, Chen Ziwei and Xia Tian) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Olivia Kelleher Management at Dublin Zoo have stated that they are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Leonie, their much loved 44 year old female Northwest Bornean orangutan. Staff onsite say that Leonie was at the heart of their orangutan family for over 40 years following her arrival from Rotterdam Zoo in 1984. Dublin Zoo team leader Ciaran McMahon, who first met Leonie in 1995 as a young zookeeper, stresses that it is hard to put in to words what she meant to all at the zoo. Leonie and her mate Sibu arrived from Rotterdam in 1984, and over the next forty years, she became not only a cornerstone of our orangutan group but, in many ways, the quiet and quirky matriarch of Dublin Zoo. "I had the privilege of watching her grow from a young adolescent into an extraordinary mother. She was incredibly intelligent, gentle, and wise. While she was loving towards all our keepers, she was known for having a soft spot for the male staff a bit of a flirt, we used to say! "Her level of comprehension was astonishing. She would calmly observe the team and often mimic our behaviour. Orangutans are known for this, but Leonies abilities were exceptional." Mr McMahon said that Leonie mothered not only her own young but helped raise others in the troop with immense care and patience. She brought a sense of calm, comfort and quiet strength to the group. One moment that stays with me is how she instinctively stepped in to care for a young Mujur, when she needed a surrogate mother. Their bond remained incredibly strong ever since. "Its safe to say that Leonie was a character. Calm, confident, and adored by visitors and keepers alike. And then there was her famous fringe. Every morning, she would sit and groom it with the utmost care before she went about her day a little ritual that made everyone love her even more. "The loss of her mate Sibu last year hit us all hard, but Leonie most of all. They had been inseparable companions for over forty years. She was always at her most content by his side, and his sudden passing undoubtedly affected her. He added that in recent months staff watched her health decline due to age-related issues which impacted her heart and breathing. Despite expert care, including consultation with human cardiac specialists, her condition worsened. With heavy hearts, we made the decision to let her go peacefully. "Leonie taught us more than we could ever teach her. She offered us an extraordinary insight into the intelligence and complexity of orangutans while always retaining her dignity and independence within the group. Meanwhile, the Northwest Bornean orangutan is a critically endangered species. The current population estimate for this species is approximately 104,700. This number is anticipated to decline to 47,000 individuals by 2025. Major threats include habitat loss due to palm oil farming, illegal hunting, habitat fragmentation, and fires. Olivia Kelleher Gardai are investigating an arson attack on the house of a couple in their 80s near Kilcully cemetery in Cork. The attack took place at 9 pm on Thursday when the pensioners were at their home in Ballincrokig in Dublin Pike. The emergency services were called to the scene, and the house was evacuated. The couple were treated for smoke inhalation by members of the National Ambulance Service. However, they escaped serious injury. The house was sealed off for a technical and forensic examination. One of the lines of inquiry is that the property was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Gardai have indicated that no arrests have been made and that an investigation is ongoing. Two fire engines and a water tanker were deployed at the scene, which was attended by personnel from Cork City Fire Brigade and gardai. A garda probe is underway. Eva Osborne Following searches in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West area, gardai seized more than 75,000 worth of controlled drugs on Thursday. The drugs seized included cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, heroin, and alprazolam tablets (subject to analysis). Approximately 6,500 in cash was also seized. In an action-packed day, gardai also seized 41 vehicles as part of an ongoing operation to target the unlawful use of e-bikes, scramblers, and e-scooters. 20 residential properties were searched under warrant in the DMR West Serious Crime South Functional Area (Clondalkin/Ballyfermot/Rathcoole/Ronanstown/Lucan). An adult male was arrested and subsequently charged in relation to a burglary in which two e-scooters were stolen. Another premises searched led to the recovery of a caravan stolen last year. Following the searches, a number of patrols and checkpoints were conducted which led to the arrest of an adult male engaged in dangerous driving of a scrambler along the footpaths. Assistance for the Day of Action was provided by Community Engagement members and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit, along with the Garda Air Support Unit. Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty of the DMR West Division said: "This was a multi-faceted operation, which focused on both road traffic enforcement and the detection of serious crime. "The success of the operation is a testament to the continued efforts of Gardai to counteract the use of e-scooters and e-bikes for criminal purposes, whilst prioritising the safety of the local community. Sarah Slater The Islamic Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh is to remain closed following an alleged distressing incident in which alleged attempts were made to forcibly take control of the premises last Saturday. Management at the ICCI have issued an update on their official website and social media accounts saying the closure would continue after a decision was made by the newly appointed Board of Directors as a preventive measure to ensure the safety and security of the property, staff, children and members of the public. The centre is a central meeting point for more than 80,000 muslims in Ireland which also houses a mosque and Muslim school. The statement outlines that on Saturday, April 19th the ICCI Board had scheduled a closed-door meeting specifically for the parents of children enrolled at the Quranic School to discuss school-related matters. However, attempts were made to disrupt the meeting and transform it into an open community gathering at an incorrect venue, the statement said. Despite a formal clarification being issued on the morning of Saturday, 19 April, confirming that the meeting was with the parents of students enrolled at the Quranic School. The statement continued: Despite this, there was a coordinated effort to instigate chaos, intimidate and harass parents, and obstruct their entry to the scheduled meeting, which also led to physical assault on a staff (member) and the Board. The alleged physical assault resulted in a heightened security situation, creating an unsafe environment for our Board Member, staff, parents, the general public, and young people in attendance. Following the incident, the statement noted, and in light of credible information received by the Board regarding planned protests, including potential attempts to breach the centres gates and forcibly take control of the premisesthe Board determined that maintaining security would be impossible if the Centre remained open. Centre management said that they remain concerned about ongoing safety risks, particularly given reports that further protests may be organised, which they call intent to incite individuals to breach the gates and forcibly occupy ICCI premises. The newly appointed Board, having recently taken charge, has also raised serious concerns regarding financial irregularities and governance failures at the ICCI. An internal review was underway, and an internal auditor had been appointed to assist with this process. As part of this effort, the management requested financial records and other relevant documents from the Principal and Deputy Principal of the Quranic School. However, they refused to comply, unlawfully withheld ICCI property, and removed sensitive records without authorisation, the statement added. The centre will remain closed as it undertakes a full review of its security posture. The Board is also conducting a comprehensive audit to address and remedy the legal, financial, and governance issues it has inherited. The ICCI said that gardai are monitoring the campus. TWO men charged with possessing firearms with the intention to endanger life at a halting site in Tullamore, Co. Offaly were remanded in custody when they appeared at Portlaoise District Court yesterday afternoon. Before the court were Patrick Ward (38) from 7 Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore and John Ward (41) from Bay 6 Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore. Both were charged with the offences that allegedly took place on the halting site on 21 March. Garda Detective Andrew Dolan said when Patrick (Pa- SpongeBob) Ward was arrested charged and cautioned he replied, no comment. He told the court: At approximately 12 minutes following a violent disorder incident outside the entrance of the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore on March 21, a number of males entered the unofficial halting site in Tullamore on foot, and a number of shots were fired on both property and persons, resulting in two injured males being removed to hospital from gunshot injuries, one of which was Anthony McDonagh. He was shot in the chest with a shotgun resulting in a number of pellets being lodged directly into his chest and as a result a number remains in his chest and one pellet in his face lodged under his eye as well as sustaining a broken nose. Det. Dolan said: While in the Arden View Estate in Tullamore Anthony McDonaghs wife flagged down Sergeant Colm Coffey and Garda Tom Dunne who were responding to reports of shots fired. Six minutes after being shot, Det. Dolan alleged: Anthony McDonagh informed them that Patrick Ward had shot him, and on 8 April made the same allegation in his statement to gardai. Det. Dolan also said that the Anthony McDonagh alleged that Patrick McDonagh also fired shots at his 12-year old son during the course of the alleged incident. The court was told that the defendant Patrick Ward is in a relationship with Anthony McDonaghs sister. Counsel for the accused David Nugent BL clarified that Mr Ward had not been involved in the incident at the hospital. Mr Nugent asked, if his client had been involved in the alleged shooting incident, why did gardai not detain him, as he was available for a number of weeks to gardai? Det. Dolan said that Mr McDonagh made a statement to gardai following his release from hospital a week and a half later and made his official statement on 8 April. Mr Nugent said the only statement of complaint was from one man. Theres no guns, no CCTV footage and no forensics, to which Det. Dolan replied: A shotgun was discharged and evidence of shotgun shell located at the crime scene, and clearly gunshot wounds to Mr McDonaghs chest. That doesnt prove that my client pulled the trigger, said Mr Nugent. Det. Dolan said that both parties live about 300 meters from each other and that there has been no incidents since that night. Taking the stand Anthony McDonagh said on Friday 21 March about 10pm that night, I was just about to go to bed, one of the girls came running saying that the Wards were attacking. I went out to see what was happening. I saw a crowd of fellas. The kids were running and thats when I got a blast into my chest. I turned and went into the caravan and sat on the side of the bed. My wife ran into the caravan, more shots were thrown at her, but never hit her. They passed by my door and then another Ward had a slash hook and was breaking the caravan. Mr McDonagh alleged that Mr Ward was holding a shotgun at a distance of about 30 to 40ft when he was allegedly shot. Asked by Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby whether Mr Ward has spoken to him at the time, he said: When I was getting into the car with my wife after I had been shot, I turned and said to him, SpongeBob youre trying to kill my wife and kids. I ran back out and someone was shouting kill Anthony, kill Anthony. I felt instant pain. I panicked. I thought that I was going to die. I tried to look to where my kids and my wife were. I was brought to Tullamore hospital and then transferred to Saint Jamess and in ICU for over a week and in hospital for 11 days. I was glad the guards brought me to hospital. They saved my life, said Mr McDonagh. Asked by Mr Nugent how many men he saw enter the site, Mr McDonagh replied that he wasnt sure. Asked by Judge Deirdre Gearty how many people had he seen with guns that night, he replied that he wasnt sure, but I do know that somebody else was shot over the far side. Garda Detective David Hannon said that when John Ward was arrested, charged and cautioned he made no reply. Det. Hannon told the court that he too had been on duty on the night and that Michael McDonagh made a statement that he had been allegedly shot by the accused from a distance of about 30ft. He said that Mr John Ward has been known to the alleged victim for the past 13-years as his sister is in a relationship with Mr Wards brother. Asked by Sgt. Kirby why it had taken so long, on 8 April, to obtain a statement from Mr Michael McDonagh, Det. Hannon said: After the alleged incident he was in hospital for a prolonged period from the injuries he sustained. He confirmed to Mr Nugent that the accused had been cooperative during the interview with gardai and that he provided an alibi of a man that he had been with at the time of the alleged incident. Mr Nugent said that there is no evidence that Mr McDonagh had been involved or linked to, any type of alleged incident on the night, but that of a statement from Mr Michael McDonagh. Taking the stand Mr McDonagh said he recalls the night and at about 10pm he was outside his brothers caravan. He said: One of the children shouted theres a crowd coming. I saw a bunch of lads coming in on top of us. I got my two sons and pushed them into the caravan. When I turned after closing the caravan door John Ward was in front of me about 20ft away. He raised the gun and shot me. I managed to get back into the caravan. When I looked down I saw all the pellets in my chest and I started to bleed. My wife brought me straight over to Tullamore hospital and the next morning I was in St. Jamess hospital and in the ICU for the first few days. Mr Nugent said that both his clients have the presumption of innocence and would vehemently contest he charges. Judge Gearty remanded both men in custody to appear again at Tullamore District Court by video link on 28 April. THE DEATH of Pope Francis fills me with a deep sadness as we mourn the loss of a kind, courageous and gentle pastor. I also have a sense of gratitude to God for the great leadership he has given to the Church over the course of his papacy. 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. In terms of the life of the Catholic Church, at least four persistent themes reflect the teaching and preaching of Pope Francis. 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 one another. 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 vison of Church faithful to the teachings of the Second Vatical 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, where he called for a global dialogue that would allow us to shape and care for our planet through our daily actions and decisions. Pope Francis lived a prophetic life, who not just talked a good talk but more importantly walked the walk. Throughout life, his pathway has been informed by Jesus Christ. Pope Francis was a shepherd to those on the periphery. He is universally recognised as perhaps the most significant world leader of the new millennium. In a turbulent and often polemical world, his voice always brought a sense of reason and balance. I have no doubt that his pontificate historically will be significant. Franciss pontificate was tagged as surprising from the start. In February 2013, Benedict resigned, the first pope to step aside in nearly 600 years. Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina was elected the next month: the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis in emulation of Francis of Assisi, the medieval Italian saint known for 'holy poverty'. His rapport with the public suggested that he had been changed by his election that a man known to many Argentinians as dour and circumspect had been infused with what he calls the joy of the Gospel. Throughout his life, Francis has been passionately concerned about the poor, and he knows that poverty in the 21st century takes many forms. It can be found in the grinding material poverty of his native Buenos Aires, caused by decades of corruption, indifference and the Church's failures to catechise Argentina's economic and political leaders. But poverty can also be found in the soul-withering spiritual desert of those who measure their humanity by what they have rather than who they are, and who judge others by the same materialist yardstick. Pope Francis was a revolutionary. The revolution he proposed, however, was not a matter of economic or political prescription, but a revolution in the self-understanding of the Catholic Church: a re-energising return to the Pentecostal fervour and evangelical passion from which the Church was born two millennia ago, and a summons to mission that accelerates the great historical transition from institutional-maintenance Catholicism to the Church of the New Evangelisation. Soon a conclave will take place. Pope Francis has appointed the majority of cardinals who will elect his successor. The appointment of these electors has been prophetic. Francis has created a College of Cardinals that truly represent the universal Church. Pope Francis has both challenged and inspired. I see him as a Christ-like compassionate shepherd who Brings good news to the poor. May the Lord grant to this faithful servant everlasting rest. AN AGREEMENT has been signed for the management of a newly redeveloped Laois playground, whose opening was delayed for weeks because of repeated vandalism. Portarlington Community Development Association (PCDA) will be a partner to Laois County Council in the management of the new public playground, located in the towns Peoples Park. PCDA chairman Aidan Mullally met with council official Audrey Brennan in county hall on Thursday 24 April, to sign the playground management agreement. They discussed vandalism and damage and council assurances were given that full safety inspections would be carried out, prior to the long-awaited opening. After visiting the site, Mr Mullally said on social media: PCDA will be working with council representatives in future to ensure greater security of the playground. Lets get the playground open first and take it from there.' The playground opening was delayed yet again this week, because only a manufacturer in Italy can replace a vandalised piece of equipment. It is the third time within weeks that the opening had to be postponed. It was hoped that the playground would finally open this week, after a safety inspection that was provisionally booked for Wednesday 23 April. However, the opening was delayed for a further week, as a section of the Tower Unit that was damaged by vandals had to be manufactured in Italy. It is hoped that the site will finally open to the public this week. Confirming the disappointing news on 23 April, Portarlington councillor Aidan Mullins said on social media: The part of the Tower in the playground that was damaged had to be manufactured in Italy. The playground won't be reopening for another week. A platform in the new Tower Unit was damaged on the night of Monday 14 April, in another episode of mindless destruction. Contractors at the site were also abused and threatened by people trying to enter the playground while works were in progress. The offences have been reported to gardai. The disturbing incidents occurred just over two weeks after fencing and barriers were knocked down and broken by both adults and children, so that they could gain access to the unfinished playground. As a result, newly-seeded grassed areas and mounds were trampled and had to be repaired and reseeded, delaying the opening of the state-of-the art playground that was originally to open in late March. Cllr Mullins described the culprits as ignorant idiots, while many disgusted locals on community social media pages called for the playground to be fenced off and locked at night, to prevent further destruction. The playground is part of a 680,000 redevelopment of the Peoples Park, which was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Laois County Council. A 37-year-old Salisbury Township man is charged in connection with a shooting that wounded a man in broad daylight on a Downtown Allentown street. Emanuel Velilla is charged with felony firearms not to be carried without a license. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charge later Friday. Allentown police shortly after 9:30 a.m. Friday arrested Velilla without incident. City police around 5 p.m. Thursday were called to the 1000 block of Hamilton Street for the reported shooting. Allentown Assistant Chief of Police Support Services James Gress confirmed to lehighvalleylive.com Friday morning it happened on the street, where officers found the male victim suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately rendered aid. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment. City police said Friday the victim is expected to survive his injuries. Its unclear what led up to the shooting. A WFMZ-69 News broadcast reported people were inside businesses and apartments at the time of the incident, as well as walking the bustling streets. A witness told WFMZ she spotted two men tussling on the ground before she saw the victim fall down, but never heard a gunshot. The investigation remains active and ongoing, Gress said. Allentown police continue to seek witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Allentown Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division at 610-437-7721 or the Allentown Police Department Complaint Desk at 610-437-7753. Anonymous text tips can be sent via the Tip411 app. The app is available on the Allentown Police Departments Facebook Page. It can also be found on the Allentown Police Departments website. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Here are the latest gas prices at Costco for the week of April 20-26. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media Costco is known for giving its wholesale members deep discounts on a variety of items, including food and gasoline. If youre looking for a little relief at the pump, Costco is known for being one of the cheapest gas options available on the market compared to other freestanding gas chains. The national average price of a gallon of regular gas is $3.16, according to AAA. At Costco in New Jersey during the week of April 14-19, the average price of gas at Costco for this week in New Jersey is $2.72 per gallon. The following is a list of individual Costco gas stations throughout New Jersey each with their prices per gallon. Note: While prices are updated frequently according to each Costco gas station, they may not reflect the price at the pump at the time of purchase. Costco gas prices for the week of April 20-26 Location Price Address Bayonne $2.72 21 Goldsborough Drive, Bayonne, N.J., 07002 Manahawkin $2.85 245 Stafford Park Blvd., Stafford Township, N.J., 08050 Marlboro $2.67 18 Route 9 North Morganville, N.J., 07751 Mt. Laurel $2.78 100 Centerton Road, Mount Laurel, N.J., 08054 North Brunswick $2.65 100 Grand Avenue, North Brunswick, N.J., 08902 North Plainfield $2.65 1290 U.S. Highway 22E, North Plainfield, N.J., 07060 Ocean Township $2.79 2361 State Route 66, Ocean, N.J., 07712 Princeton $2.74 4100 Quakerbridge Road, Lawrence Township, N.J., 08648 Union $2.69 1055 Hudson Street, Union, N.J., 07083 Wharton $2.69 315 State Route 15 N, Wharton, N.J., 07885 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. By GENE JOHNSON, The Associated Press A judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors can pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger if he is convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, despite the defendants recent autism diagnosis. Kohberger, 30, is charged in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. Bryan Kohberger enters a courtroom in Moscow, Idaho on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Kai Eiselein/New York Post via AP, Pool, file) Kai Eiselein/New York Post via AP, Pool Prosecutors have said they intended to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted at his trial, which is set to begin in August. here But his attorneys asked Judge Steven Hippler to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment, citing Kohbergers diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. They have also filed several other motions challenging the death penalty, including one based on purported violations by the state in providing evidence. Mr. Kohbergers autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death, defense attorneys wrote in court papers. They argued that executing someone with autism would constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Prosecutors argued that under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the only mental disability that precludes imposition of the death penalty is an intellectual disability and Kohbergers diagnosis was of mild autism without accompanying intellectual ... impairment. The judge agreed. Not only has Defendant failed to show that ASD is equivalent to an intellectual disability for death penalty exemption purposes, he has not shown there is national consensus against subjecting individuals with ASD to capital punishment, Hippler wrote. ASD may be mitigating factor to be weighed against the aggravating factors in determining if defendant should receive the death penalty, but it is not (a) death-penalty disqualifier. Kohberger was a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, in Pullman, about 10 miles from Moscow, at the time of the killings. He was arrested in Pennsylvania weeks later. Investigators said they matched his DNA to genetic material recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene. A public meeting on Tuesday at the Richard D. Gardner Library in Belvidere revealed tensions between residents and the commission responsible for the librarys oversight. Residents from Hope, Harmony and Greenwich townships said they are concerned members of the Warren County Library Commission are political appointees getting in the way of the librarys regular operations. They accused the commission of being uninformed about the librarys programming, responsibilities and financial challenges. They said some commissioners were over preoccupied with the buildings reading materials instead. I feel like they might try something underhanded if the public doesnt attend regular commission meetings, said Teresa Esposito Jackson, a Warren County resident and member of the Friends of the Warren County Library. Shes attended every meeting since the beginning of 2024. The Warren County Library Commission underwent a restructuring in January after three library commissioners resigned and the unexpected departure of the librarys former director Maureen Wilkinson. Ruth Kanyuck, Tammy Koop and former Warren County planner Deborah Pasquerelli were named to the commission. Elizabeth Thomas was appointed as the new chairperson. Kanyuck, Koop and Pasquerelli said they do not intend to bring politics into their new roles and were not informed about why the previous commissioners and director had resigned. Residents at Tuesdays meeting criticized Thomass political views, citing disparaging remarks shes previously made publicly about some books in the librarys catalogue. Thomas refused to respond to resident questions. Thomas was a proponent of advertising BookLooks.org, a defunct book rating website associated with a right-wing political lobby group, Moms for Liberty and expressed interest in relocating some books away from public view, according to commission minutes from previous meetings between March 2024 and November 2024. Thomas did not respond to lehighvalleylive.coms request for comment. Also at Tuesdays meeting, library Director Jill Butcher reported that anticipated cuts to the U.S. Department of States Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) would undermine the county interlibrary loan system and finances in 2025. IMLS staff were placed on administrative leave in March. It was fully funded by Congress in the budget, Butcher noted. You dont know that, Thomas interrupted, during the directors report. The Institute of Museum and Library Services agency is the largest federal funding resource for public libraries and museums in the United States. The New Jersey Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the White House to stop the dismantling of the department. Thank you for supporting our journalism. Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or at glenn_epps_ on Instagram, Facebook and Threads. The public is invited to celebrate Norwescaps 60 years of service next month, so mark your calendars. The Norwescap 60th Anniversary Gala is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. May 7 at The Palace of Somerset Park to honor the nonprofits journey thus far. Norwescap was founded amid the Johnson Administrations War on Poverty in 1965 and fueled by the advocacy of the Poor Peoples Campaign and activism of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Over six decades, the organization built an expansive catalogue of social services and programs that benefit the health and well-being of tens of thousands of people every year. Its support for Head Start, housing subsidies, food giveaways and free transportation services have brought education and attention to areas of social disparity. Each dollar donated toward the fundraiser on May 7 will support Norwescaps mission to make an impact in the lives of New Jersey residents who need help urgently. Its about providing food, shelter, and support to ensure a future where individuals and families dont just survive, but flourish. Individual tickets to attend the event can be purchased online,where visitors can donate or opt to sponsor the event. Thank you for supporting our journalism. Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or at glenn_epps_ on Instagram, Facebook and Threads. There were over twenty live saving missions made by the Air Ambulance Service in Laois last year, according to new figures released this week. The vital role played by the Emergency Aeromedical Service has been highlighted by Laois TD Willie Aird. Figures provided by the Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris reveal that nationally 652 missions took place in 2024 with a total of 22 in Laois. The Air Ambulance responds to a wide variety of critical incidents across Ireland. Missions frequently involve significant trauma resulting from falls, road traffic collisions as well as medical emergencies. The service provides rapid transport for patients of all ages, often to major trauma centres or specialist units in Dublin, such as Beaumont, Tallaght, and CHI Crumlin. The geographical spread covers numerous counties, demonstrating the national reach of the service. READ NEXT: Packed out Laois Live Well expo leads the way for age friendly living Deputy Aird said: I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the team in our air ambulance service, that make such a difference to communities across the country, including our own county Laois. These figures demonstrate the crucial role that the air ambulance service plays in providing rapid medical response to critical situations, often in remote or hard-to-reach areas. This is a service that has saved lives and has been a gamechanger for both Rural and Urban Ireland. Its a service that has ensured some of our sickest patients received emergency care at the most critical of periods. Its a service too that is provided 365 days of the year - making such an incredible difference to so many families the length and breadth of our State. Flu spread in Laois has caused the HSE to impose tight restrictions on visiting to Portlaoise hospital. In a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live the health authority says visiting restrictions were enforced at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise Friday, April 25. It said the measure had to be taken to prevent the transmission of influenza that is circulating in the community. The HSE Dublin Midlands outlined the extent of the as yet indefinite visiting curb to the hospital on the town's Dublin Road. "There is currently no visiting to any of the wards except for compassionate purposes. Any visiting for critical or compassionate purposes must be arranged in advance with the nurse in charge. "These measures will be lifted as soon as possible when clinical circumstances allow. "Please do not visit if you feel unwell or experience any respiratory symptoms," said the HSE. The statement also made an appeal to the public to help restrict the spread of flu. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Pictured: Portlaoise hospital on the Laois town's Dublin Road. "Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise management would like to thank members of the public for their support in preventing the spread of infection in the hospital. Their help is vital to protect patients, staff, and the wider community. "Where possible, the management at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is asking patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as their local Pharmacist, GP, GP out-of-hours service, or a local injury unit," it said. READ ALSO: 'How many more health scandals do we need?': Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald cries as Laois women tell their stories In Ireland, the normal flu season typically starts in October and lasts until April. While flu activity can vary from year to year, it generally peaks during the winter months, with outbreaks lasting between 6-8 weeks. The outbreak impacting Portlaoise hospital appears to be localised to Laois. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is Ireland's specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases. Its Integrated Respiratory Virus Bulletins During for week 16 of 2025 found that influenza, COVID-19 and RSV activity in Ireland was at low levels. It said influenza hospital bed occupancy nationally remained stable in recent weeks Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Oranisation said there were six people on trollies in the Portlaoise hospital Emergency Department at 8am on Friday. For up-to-date guidelines on visiting patients, please visit: https://www2.hse.ie/services/hospitals/midland-regional-hospital-portlaoise/. To learn more about influenza please visit the HSE website: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/ Plans for flood defences in one of three Laois communities hit by a rain deluge nearly eight years ago have finally got a point where a planning decision can be made. While plans for Clonaslee have finally been allowed to go to An Bord Pleanala for consideration, the status of protection plans for the two big Laois towns of Mountmellick and Portarlington remains unclear. The agency responsible for deliver has also cautioned that delivery could take a decade. Kevin Moran TD was Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) when the three communities were hit to varying degrees in 2017 by flooding that had its origins in the Slieve Blooms. Mountmellick was worst hit with millions of euro other of damage caused to homes, businesses and other property. He promised action to prevent a repeat when he visited Laois to inspect the damage in November 2017. The Independent TD was reappointed to the same Ministry when the new Government was formed. He has now announced that following OPW approval, Laois County Council will proceed with the submission of a planning application for the Clonaslee Flood Relief Scheme to An Bord Pleanala for planning consent. The flooded Clodiagh river burst its banks in Clonaslee after intense rainfall. The floods caused a lot of damage in part of the community before flood waters went on to wreak havoc in Mountmellick and Portarlington. Thousands of acres of farmland was also damaged. "I wish to acknowledge the support from the community in Clonaslee that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for its town, which will protect 74 properties at risk from flooding," he said in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. An OPW statement said Clonaslee has a history of flooding from the Clodiagh and Gorragh Rivers through a combination of river bank overflow and blockage. It said that in 2020, following the Governments introduction of Flood Risk Management Plans, Laois County Council with funding from the OPW appointed RPS engineering and environmental consultants to design a flood relief scheme for Clonaslee. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Pictured: River Clodiagh burst its banks in Clonaslee in 2017. The scheme design for Clonaslee consists of the construction of flood defence walls, construction of embankments, installation of a debris trap and culvert upgrade along the Clodiagh River. The OPW said the announcement, on April 25, 2025, is the outcome of "very detailed engineering analysis, environmental assessments and engagement with the public" on the sources of flooding from Clonaslees rivers and the options to protect the town. Minister Moran said the Government is investing approximately 45m in flood risk management across Laois and that Clonaslee is one of three active flood relief schemes for the county. His statement said flood relief schemes are also being developed by Laois County Council, with the support of the OPW, in Mountmellick and Portarlington. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Pictured: Minister Kevin Boxer Moran in Irishtown Mountmellick in 2017. The OPW was unable to elaborate on the status of the plans for the two big towns but said the cost of these schemes will be met from the Governments commitment to managing Irelands flood risk through the 1.3bn for flood relief measures set out in the National Development Plan. The OPW added that the design of this and all flood relief schemes is "future proofed" and is adaptable to meet the increasing flood risk from climate change. The statement also said that the OPW has approved approximately 547,000 to Laois County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for localised flood relief works across 8 other locations in the county. Laois County Council signed a contract with JBA Consulting JB Barry and Partners to advance the detailed design and implementation of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme in 2019. The town was hit when the Rivers Owenass and Trigoue burst their banks. Simon Walton, Director of Services with Laois County Council, told councillors in early April said the preliminary design of the Mountmellick scheme is complete and, subject to approval by the OPW with plans to be submitted to An Bord Pleanala by the end of June 2025. In August 2020, Black and Veatch (BV) and Nicholas ODwyer (NOD) were appointed by Laois County Council to develop a flood relief scheme to protect Portarlington from River Barrow flooding. The latest update from the project team in February 2005 said there would be a delay in the completion of Stage I scheme design and submitting the planning application due to further design changes. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Pictured: Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed to Portarlington to stem the tide of flooding in 2017. READ ALSO: Another new Portlaoise housing estate on Mountmellick Road The OPW explains that flood relief schemes are implemented in five stages. It says they are large, complex, multiannual projects that face a variety of issues and challenges, many of which are neither predictable nor within the OPWs control. It cautions that these challenges impact the timeline for flood relief schemes delivery, which can take up to "ten years" to design, develop and construct. It says that to date, 55 schemes have been completed around Ireland, at a cost of some 500m. The OPW says that over 13,500 properties are protected by these schemes providing an economic benefit estimated to be in the region of 2 billion. Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) has issued a warning about payments between banks on the upcoming European May Day holiday on Thursday May 1st. Electronic euro payments between banks on that day may be subject to delays, the BPFI has warned. "Businesses in particular are urged to ensure that payment requests for wages and salaries due on the 1st of May should be submitted earlier to ensure employees receive their pay on time," the BPFI said. Leah Donnelly, Manager of Payment Schemes, BPFI said: This year the annual European May Day holiday falls on Thursday May 1st and European institutions including the European Central Bank, which operates the banking settlement system across Europe, will be closed. "While banks are open in Ireland on that day, the European holiday means that electronic payments in Euro cannot be made to bank accounts in Ireland or anywhere else across Europe. Essentially this means that anyone expecting a Euro payment into their bank account on this date may not receive the payment until Friday 2nd May. READ NEXT: 'Where clothes go to die' - Plans unveiled for new Penneys store dubbed 'the worst' in Ireland We are now advising consumers, and particularly businesses paying employees or suppliers, to allow additional time for payments to reach the beneficiary. Employers who normally pay weekly wages into employees accounts on a Thursday, or monthly salaries on the 1st of the month, will need to submit their payment requests to their bank by Tuesday 29th April with employees receiving their funds on Wednesday 30th April. Standard payment processing cycles will apply from Friday 2nd May. BPFI member banks are engaging directly with their customers and government departments to ensure that, where necessary, payments impacted by this are paid early and are processed on time, a press release said. As such, customers should raise any queries they may have directly with their bank, credit union or post office, the BPFI said. More information can be found here. Mary Lou McDonald says she wants everyone to be able to live a full, authentic life following criticism of a social media post by a Sinn Fein TD on trans issues. Last week, Sinn Fein health spokesman David Cullinane apologised for a post on X, formerly Twitter, about the UK court ruling on excluding trans women from the definition of woman in equality law. Mr Cullinane said the complex issue needs to be approached with compassion and he apologised for any offence caused. The UK Supreme Court ruled last week that the terms woman and sex in the 2010 Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces, such as changing rooms and homeless hostels, if proportionate. On Wednesday evening, Mr Cullinane called for the ruling to be fully examined in this state. The Waterford TD said on X: The Scottish (sic) Supreme Court ruling on the legal meaning of woman is a common sense judgment. The ruling found that for the purposes of equality legislation a woman means a biological woman & sex refers to biological sex. It also confirmed that trans people are protected under their Equality legislation in a separate category of gender reassignment. He subsequently deleted the post and stated: I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the trans community following a tweet I sent last night. That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all. Im sure those in the trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterdays judgment, and I apologise that my words added to that. On Friday, Ms McDonald said Mr Cullinane had explained his position in the subsequent post. The Sinn Fein leader said a problem with social media is that it is immediate, fast and reflexive, adding that short posts are not the best way to comment on sensitive and complicated matters. Speaking on the Late Late Show, Ms McDonald said the matter was not an abstract issue for her personally. I have a trans sibling, and I love my sister. Shes compassionate and clever and accomplished, and shes loved beyond measure and unconditionally. I want her to live a full, authentic life. I want that for every human being and I want us to live in a society where thats possible. She added: So, the first thing in discussing any of the issues around this, you need to have the right atmosphere, and we need to reassure each other that were starting from a position of respect. If we dont have that, we cant have the conversation to clarify, to reassure and to straighten out the issues that need to be addressed. So for me, I look across to Britain, you look further afield and you see a really toxic, divided, divisive approach to issues that cant be solved in a hostile environment. Pressed on whether the UK Supreme Court decision would influence Sinn Fein policies, Ms McDonald said it would have implications in Northern Ireland. However, she said it was unclear what influence it would have in the Republic of Ireland. She added: The first decision has to be that we work for equality, for inclusion and, by the way, the rights of everybody can be protected and maintained. We shouldnt have to select individuals women, men, trans women, trans men everybody has to have their rights respected, and I believe that we can that to point in a fair, balanced way that brings reassurance to people. Earlier, Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said trans constituents contacted him after being upset by Mr Cullinanes social media post. Mr O Broin said his colleague responded appropriately in deleting the tweet and apologising, adding that he was satisfied the matter was closed. Asked if the party needed to clarify its position on transgender people, Mr O Broin said: The partys policies are the partys policies. And David Cullinane did the right thing in removing the tweet and apologising. Ive been contacted by quite a few constituents who are trans, or family members of trans people who were very upset by it. Obviously, the party is doing a piece of work around further developing a policy on trans rights and trans healthcare in due course. The Irish Countrywomen's Association is "going through a bit of a resurgence" according to the Laois ICA Federation President, and she is living proof. Deirdre Dunne from Portarlington is a member of Mountmellick ICA guild. She is the youngest ICA Federation President in Ireland, at the age of 37. Deirdre spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, at the Laois Live Well Expo held on April 23 in Portlaoise College. "We have a lot of younger members now. I am the youngest president in the country, and possibly in Laois, ever since the federation was founded in 1950. "There is a sense that it's an assocation for older women, that's not true. We have a lot of younger people. Our youngest member is aged 21, the oldest is 91. "It's the whole integration thing. The younger members are teaching others digital literacy, graphic design, photography. In turn they are learning crafting and baking. The tips and tricks we get is incredible. It has progressed beyond the traditional activities. It is about being part of a community. "I think there is a maternal need for guidance, for making crafts, in a world that's gone mad. There is a sense of community. A lot of people are isolated," Deirdre Dunne said. Laois Federation ICA has about 200 members in 12 guilds. "We always welcome new members. The federation is 75 years old this year. We hope to have a celebration at the end of the summer," she said. Read also: Rare chance to catch Laois exhibition by Mountmellick artist The guilds are in Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Killanure in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, Stradbally, Clonad, Castletown, Borris-in-Ossory, Clough, Spink, Ballylinan, Killabban and Arles. For more information see www.ica.ie Email the Laois Federation President on de.dunne@gmail.com The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition is raising the stakes this year with the debut of the Bollinger Style Concierge, a sophisticated and immersive style experience set to elevate the fashion and beauty offerings at the 2025 Punchestown Festival in Co Kildare. Taking place from April 29th to May 3rd, the festivals Style Quarter will feature this new addition, designed to offer an upscale beauty and sustainable fashion experience to racegoers. The Bollinger Style Concierge will be a premium space featuring two guest collaborators: Ayu Cosmetics and Vision Ireland, combining expert beauty treatments and sustainable fashion in an elegant setting. Ayu Cosmetics, an Irish beauty brand founded by internationally renowned makeup artist Suzie O'Neill, will provide exclusive makeup top-ups and expert advice from professional artists. Racegoers can ensure their looks remain flawless from the start of the races through to apres-racing music and dancing, keeping them at their best all day long. Sustainability takes center stage in the Bollinger Style Concierges collaboration with Vision Ireland, which will offer a curated selection of pre-loved designer and vintage fashion pieces. Head Judge Jess Colivet and Style Council Member Roxanne Parker will co-style these pieces in line with the 2025 Best Dressed theme, Something Old / Something New, focusing on both timeless and ethical fashion choices. Roxanne Parker, while performing her judging duties, will be seen in a Vision Ireland pre-loved and specially tailored outfit, embodying the sustainable style ethos. Michelle OSullivan of Bollinger expressed excitement about the debut of the Bollinger Style Concierge, stating, "The introduction of the Bollinger Style Concierge is an exciting enhancement to what is already a flagship event on the Irish social calendar. As a B-Corp certified organisation, Bollinger is proud to raise awareness of sustainable style options with Vision Ireland and showcase homegrown ethical beauty products from Ayu. This is all part of our Something Old / Something New concept for the 2025 Bollinger Best Dressed at Punchestown." Suzie ONeill, founder of Ayu Cosmetics, shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration: Ayu Cosmetics is honoured to be part of the debut of the Bollinger Style Concierge. Were thrilled to offer our signature beauty expertise at one of Irelands most stylish social events. Together with Vision Ireland, we aim to ensure guests feel as flawless, confident, and radiant as the Punchestown Festival itself. ALSO READ: Green light for new townhouses in south Kildare. Ciara Coleman, Head of Development & Growth at Vision Ireland, highlighted the sustainability aspect of the collaboration, saying, Vision Ireland is delighted to be part of this years Punchestown Festival as part of the Bollinger Style Concierge. In collaboration with Ayu Cosmetics, well be operating a pop-up over the five days, offering an exceptional selection of pre-loved designer pieces from our studio. Brands like Gucci, Valentino, and vintage Dior will be featured, proving that sustainability never means compromising on style." Throughout the festival, Vision Ireland will showcase a curated collection of pre-loved designer racewear, including headpieces and accessories, all aligned with their sustainability focus. The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition will continue to be a highlight of the Punchestown Festival, running across the first four days of the event. Daily finalists will be selected by the Bollinger Style Council, and those with the most stylish race day outfits featuring a sustainably chosen piece will progress to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday, 2nd May. The introduction of the Bollinger Style Concierge promises to offer a fresh and exciting dimension to this years festival, blending beauty, fashion, and sustainability in an unforgettable experience. A youth damaged a chair and a window at a pizza takeaway premises, it was claimed at Naas District Court. The 17 year old, who cannot be identified because of his age, faces a number of barrister Mark Gibbons said the youth has finished school and is working at a Dublin hotel. READ NEXT UPDATED: Constituency office of Kildare government minister and TD is targeted by activists The defendants parents accompanied him to court. He faces a number of allegations including assault and criminal damage on dates in June as well as in 2023. When the defendant was arrested and charged on September 24 he made no reply. Judge Desmond Zaidan adjourned the case and imposed a number of conditions. He did not impose a curfew after Mr Gibbons submitted that he works at night. Judge Zaidan noted it was not the first time the defendant was before him and he said he risked losing his freedom if he came before him in the meantime. He said the defendant must provide a mobile phone number immediately and be prepared to take calls from the gardai at any time. He is not to loiter in a named town and must not contact any of the injured parties. He is also to sign on at a named garda station three times a week. A man charged in relation to an alleged spree of thefts across Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim has been refused bail. John OConnor, 47, with an address listed as 75 Bride Street, Dublin 8, was before Sligo District Court on Thursday, April 24. He was arrested the previous day at St Andrew Street Post Office in Dublin by Donegal gardai Sergeant Oliver Devaney and Garda Brian Gallagher, who were investigating a number of thefts in the north west. The charges faced by OConnor are that on April 18, 2025 at Central Auto Parts, Letterkenny, he is alleged to have stolen autoparts to the value 223, the property of Thomas McGee. On the same date, it is alleged that at Robert Kee and Sons, Laghey, OConnor stole autoparts to the value of 300, the property of Shaun Kee. On April 12, 2025 at Top Part, Ballast Quay, County Sligo, OConnor is alleged to have stolen autoparts to the value of 3,142, property of Nessan McLaughlin. He allegedly stole autoparts to the value of 2,905, property of Rory ODonnell, from Rorys Auto Spares, Drimark, Donegal Town on February 2. And also at Rorys Auto Spares, it is alleged that on March 30, 2024, OConnor stole autoparts to the value of 512 and a set of Mercedes alloy wheels valued at 800. It is further alleged that on January 19, 2025 at McCormacks Mace Supermarket, Leitrim Village, OConnor stole eight bags of coal valued at 152, the property of Hubert McCormack. All offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Sergeant Devaney told the court that the total value of goods captured in the charges is 8.034. None of the goods have been recovered. In outlining his objections to bail, the sergeant alleged that OConnor had used a number of different vehicles to carry out the thefts under cover of night, and had been clearly captured on CCTV at all the premises. Sergeant Devaney said that he believed there was a high risk of reoffending. Furthermore, he believed that the address furnished by OConnor, and which was being used for his Disability Allowance, was not in fact his residence, though it was the family home. Solicitor Gerry McGovern said he hoped that if bail was refused, that his client would receive necessary medical and psychiatric care while in custody. Judge Sandra Murphy said that noting that the defendant was charged with a number of serious offences, the strength of evidence against him - including CCTV footage where he had made no effort to conceal his face - and other factors which had to be taken into consideration, she was refusing bail. OConnor was remanded in custody to appear again before Sligo District Court on May 1 for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the possibility of further charges. Judge Murphy ordered that he would receive medical and psychiatric support in prison. READ MORE: 'This is what rural Ireland can look like: Minister Calleary praises 40 million community investment during Leitrim visit Mental Health Ireland is inviting the people of Leitrim to say Hello, and ask How Are You? - with genuine meaning - on Thursday, May 15. Now in its fourth year, the national Hello, How Are You? campaign highlights the importance of staying connected. It aims to tackle loneliness, foster a sense of belonging and strengthen relationships. By using the HELLO Steps, you can feel supported in asking the question: H: Say Hello E: Engage with the person L: Listen to them L: Learn about them and what they might be saying O: Give them time to talk and to explore options The campaign, initiated by Mental Health Ireland - the longest established mental health charity - also promotes early help-seeking by sharing reliable information on mental health services and signposting support options. To spread the message far and wide, the charity is partnering with companies, organisations and community groups across the country. Iarnrod Eireann is once again backing the campaign, with Hello champions and volunteers present at Limerick Train Station, Dublin Heuston, Dublin Connolly, Waterford, Cork and Athlone stations on May 15. Iarnrod Eireann Wellbeing Champions will lead Hello events nationwide. Parkrun, the free weekly community event welcoming people of all ages and abilities to walk, jog, run, or volunteer, is also getting involved. On Saturday, May 17, Parkrun events across Ireland will highlight the campaign and promote the value of community connection and conversation. Since the first national campaign in 2022, the impact of Hello, How Are You? continues to grow and every year were seeing more meaningful conversations and social connections being made across Ireland, said Claire Flynn, National Campaign Lead. We continue to develop free literature, resources and training to grow the reach of the campaign and support events, and to work collaboratively with other organisations who are connecting communities in creative and impactful ways. On May 15, were looking forward to seeing all the different ways the nation says Hello, How Are You? whether it is holding an event, joining a parkrun, or simply boiling the kettle and sitting down with a friend, she added. It all starts with a simple question How Are You? For free Hello resources, toolkits and more, click here READ MORE: Less than a month to the Leitrim Gathering - Here is what is on Our Constitution and the Supreme Court have defined what constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business in the Legislature, Boakai noted. We intend to vigorously uphold this vital principle of our constitutional democracy. Jeety added, Water is a basic human right, and regardless of inmates circumstances, every individual deserves access to clean water. As such, this is just my small way of supporting and uplifting the vulnerable segments of Liberian society. This is not just an immigration issue, Kwitee emphasized. Its a direct threat to our sovereignty and national security. Some of our own people are unknowinglyor knowinglycompromising the nation. Is Liberias Democracy Under Threat or the Process Just Misconstrued? THE highly-anticipated SCS Killaloe Music Festival returns on the June bank holiday weekend with a diverse line-up of performances curated by a new artistic director. This year's festival marks the first program curated by new artistic director, acclaimed violinist Diane Daly. Building on the festivals twelve-year legacy, Ms Daly is preserving the beloved tradition of world-class musicians performing timeless classics while introducing exciting new elements. The festival organisers are also excited to continue their partnership with Limerick-based company Shannon Coiled Springs (SCS). Running from Wednesday, May 28, to Monday, June 2, the festival offers a rich and diverse program, featuring everything from classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions to folk, jazz, and innovative cross-genre collaborations. READ MORE: Riverfest activities announced for adults ahead of May bank holiday weekend in Limerick Highlights include performances of classic works by Dvorak, Bruch, Boccherini and Smetana and the expansion of the popular candlelit late-night concerts from one evening to three including renowned folk artist Karan Casey and one of the countrys most electrifying vocalists, Camille OSullivan. A brand-new large-scale family show is set to take place at the Lakeside Hotel on the Bank Holiday Monday, featuring actors, internationally-recognised musicians and local artists, in an interactive musical adventure. The SCS Killaloe Music Festival is made possible thanks to support from the Arts Council of Ireland. THE PARABLE of the Good Samaritan, told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, illustrates the principle of loving one's neighbour and acting with compassion towards those in need, even if they are not part of one's usual circle. That is exactly what Samaritans volunteers in Limerick have been doing by answering calls for 50 years. The branch was established in 1975, the fourth to open on the island after Dublin, Cork and Belfast. Lorraine Thornbury, Limerick and Tipperary branch director, said they are busier than ever. With the world changing dramatically over the last 50 years, the Samaritans helpline (116 123) is as vital as ever. We are deeply proud of the 115 active volunteers who deliver the service, including Sheila who has been with us since the beginning in 1975. We want to thank local people and businesses whose contributions have kept our lights on since 1975. We also thank the thousands of volunteers who have given their time to help our callers get through dark times, said Ms Thornbury. READ MORE: Limerick resident named new President of the INTO as union embraces exciting new chapter To celebrate the milestone, the branch recently held a service awards ceremony for its volunteers. A letter from President Michael D Higgins eloquently expressed the importance of the Samaritans service to communities. We are particularly grateful to BDO Limerick, Unity Credit Union, SES Water Management, Kirby Group Engineering, H&MV Engineering and SES Shannon Engine Support for their generous donations towards this event. Special thanks to Troy Marketing and Shannon Rowing Club for their goodwill in providing their services free of charge. With such strong local support and dedicated volunteers, we look forward to being there for our callers for another 50 years, said Ms Thornbury. From their base at 20 Barrington Street, Limerick, volunteers support the public via telephone, email, text and face-to-face calls to the branch. They also work with schools, colleges and prisons. A WORLD-renowned materials scientist told young researchers to follow your dreams, work hard, never give up, stay enthusiastic and humble, during a special lecture series at the University of Limerick (UL). Speaking at the JD Bernal lecture series in ULs Bernal Institute, Professor Roland A Fischer, a leading expert in energy conversion and catalysis from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany, also discussed the fundamental questions driving his research. Professor Fischer, who has been chair of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry at TUM since 2016 and serves as managing director of the TUM Catalysis Research Centre, delivered two captivating lectures during his visit to UL for the lecture series, highlighting several groundbreaking areas of his research. He is an internationally renowned expert in materials applications in energy conversion, catalysis, gas storage and separation, chemical sensing, photonics, and microelectronics. The talk was opened by acting UL president Professor Shane Kilcommins and was attended by a number of invited guests, including Limerick city east councillor Elena Secas. READ ALSO: EU project partners make visit to Croom Professor Kilcommins said it was a distinct privilege to welcome Professor Fischer to UL as the invited JD Bernal lecturer. Professor Fischers research aligns closely with many of the activities here at the Bernal Institute, making his insights particularly valuable to us, said Professor Kilcommins. His work exemplifies the kind of interdisciplinary research that is essential for addressing the complex challenges of our time. His contributions to the fields of energy conversion and catalysis have the potential to drive significant advancements in sustainable technologies, which are crucial for our future. Edmond Magner, Professor of Chemical Sciences at UL and a Bernal member said: The chemistry laboratories of TUM are world-renowned and considered as one of the birthplaces of the field of organometallic chemistry. We were thrilled and honoured to have one of the leading organometallic chemists in the world, Professor Fischer, as the JD Bernal Lecturer, this year. The talks by the influential scientist Professor Fischer included a focus on metal-atom-rich molecules. His lecture also focused on a new class of highly porous materials, so-called metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks. The researchers are aiming for integration of multi-functionality into these materials, for example combining physical properties, such as light, harvesting with chemical properties such as catalysis. With 90% of all industrial chemicals relying on metal-based catalysts, Professor Fischer emphasised the potential impact of reducing the number of metal atoms required for catalytic processes, which could revolutionise sustainable chemistry. Influenced by his father, a school chemistry teacher, Professor Fischer has devoted years to education, having supervised over 100 PhD students and 30 postdoctoral researchers. Imagine spending your entire professional life with young people, always in their 20s - its a privilege to guide them as they develop a scientific mindset, he said. THE PARISH of Fedamore is set to get a bidoversity boost thanks to green-fingered pupils and staff in the local school. Fedamore CNS, which was saved from closure last year, is going from strength to strength. The school has been awarded a new grant to support a local Biodiversity Action Plan to protect and promote plants, wildlife and habitats. The generous grant from Community Foundation Ireland, in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will ensure the steps to protect local biodiversity will be guided by the expert knowledge of ecologists. READ MORE: Limerick pupils on point after visit to precision engineering company Jacintha Mullins, principal of Fedamore CNS, welcomed the news, saying the whole parish will benefit. We are delighted to be successful in gaining this strategic grant for the community of Fedamore. Biodiversity projects that involve pupils, parents and the local community foster a shared sense of responsibility for the environment. With this funding we will be able to employ the services of a professional ecologist to assist us in drawing up a targeted biodiversity action plan which will focus on valuing and protecting nature in and around the village of Fedamore, said Ms Mullins Nationally, more 94 projects are receiving support with more than 250 communities implementing local action plans. The support being provided comes from philanthropists and donors to Community Foundation Ireland and is matched with public funding. More than 591,000 is being provided under the current round to 94 projects. Congratulating Fedamore CNS, Denise Charlton, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland said: We are particularly proud that local efforts to protect habitats, plants and wildlife are increasingly growing into a national movement. The fact that this current grant round is impacting in every county shows the groundswell of support for biodiversity action. The partnership of the Foundation, its philanthropists and community partners together with the National Parks and Wildlife Service is effective and works. Our natural heritage is being protected for generations to come. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher OSullivan said: If we are to successfully tackle our national biodiversity crisis, we must all work together. Niall O Donnchu, director general of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said: This is exactly the whole-of-society approach we advocated for in the fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan. THE MINISTER of Health made a surprise visit to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) where she spoke to patients and staff. A Department of Health spokesperson confirmed to Limerick Live that Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill decided to call in "unannounced" to UHL on Good Friday to visit the emergency department (ED) at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend. The minister spoke with patients, with healthcare staff in the ED and with ambulance crews who were at UHL at the time. There is an ongoing drive for sustainable improvements in the timely delivery of urgent and emergency care across the country, said the spokesperson. READ MORE: Update issued on planned new neo-natal unit at Limerick maternity hospital As part of these efforts, an increased focus is being put on the delivery of integrated services on a seven-day basis, said the spokesperson. This is being done by ensuring sufficient senior decision makers are rostered throughout the entire week, including evenings, weekends and public holidays. There were 19 patients on trolleys in ED and a further 41 on trolleys in wards in UHL on Friday, April 18, according to the HSE. UHLs total number of patients on trolleys (60) was the highest in the country and three times the next highest - St James Hospital in Dublin with 20. In a statement to media on Good Friday prior to the minister's visit, HSE Mid-West said the ED at University Hospital Limerick is open 24/7 for the most acute and life-threatening conditions. With the ED continuing to experience high attendances in the run-up to the holiday weekend, we are working to maximise patient flow in our acute hospitals and across the healthcare system in the region. Additional consultants are on duty in UHL and in response to high ED attendances, we have enhanced and expanded local patient access to urgent care facilities and medical assessments units as an alternate pathway to ED. The injury units and GP-referral medical assessment units in Ennis, Nenagh and St Johns Hospitals are managing an average of approximately 1,200 patients per week, said the statement. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, Peter Burke has released a statement following news reported this past week that Intel is set to cut jobs. Intel employ a large number of staff in Ireland, with 4,900 employees working in Leixlip, County Kildare. Read Next: 'Where clothes go to die' - Plans unveiled for new Penneys store dubbed 'the worst' in Ireland The Minster starts the statement by saying: "I continue to engage with Intel, supported by colleagues in IDA Ireland, in what is a difficult time for staff in the midst of continued uncertainty. I note the publication of Intels Q1 financial results last night and comments from CEO Lip Bu Tan that they were a step in the right direction, while also confirming there will be a reduction in Intels workforce globally. While no specifics around the number or location of job cuts were flagged, the company have said they plan to reduce operating costs by $500m this year and $1 billion next year, and stated this will include a reduction in the workforce, particularly in management and non-core engineering roles. It is likely to be several weeks before detail is available on the impact of these cost reduction measures." The Minster also notes that it is a "anxious" time for staff working at Intel: "While we await further specifics on potential downsizing, which is an incredibly anxious time for Intels staff, it is positive that the company have stated that they will continue to focus investment on their core business, the manufacturing of semiconductor products. This is the primary activity in Ireland. It is also worth noting that Intel has completed the construction of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Europe in Fab 34, which is now in production in Leixlip and can be central to Intels growth recovery strategy. This 17 billion investment is just the latest in Intels 35-year history operating here, with the Irish government, through IDA Ireland, partnering with Intel on this journey. My thoughts remain with staff and their families, many of whom are extremely concerned. I continue to keep in touch with local management and I am meeting them again next week. Government continues to value our long-term partnership with Intel and will continue to work with the company as it works through its plans over the coming weeks and months, as demand for semiconductors remains strong." Dublin Zoo has announced the passing of "much loved" 44 year-old orangutan, Leonie. Leonie was a Northwest Bornean orangutan, and arrived at Dublin Zoo from Rotterdam Zoo in 1984. Read Next: 'Difficult time for staff' Enterprise Minster responds to reports of potential Intel job cuts Dublin Zoo team leader Ciaran McMahon, who first met Leonie in 1995 as a young zookeeper paid tribute to Leonie saying: "Its hard to put into words what Leonie meant to us at Dublin Zoo especially for those of us whove known her since the beginning. Leonie and her mate Sibu arrived from Rotterdam in 1984, and over the next 40 years, she became not only a cornerstone of our orangutan group but, in many ways, the quiet and quirky matriarch of Dublin Zoo." "I had the privilege of watching her grow from a young adolescent into an extraordinary mother. She was incredibly intelligent, gentle, and wise. While she was loving towards all our keepers, she was known for having a soft spot for the male staff a bit of a flirt, we used to say! Her level of comprehension was astonishing. She would calmly observe the team and often mimic our behaviour. Orangutans are known for this, but Leonies abilities were exceptional." In the statement he goes on to talk about the loss of her mate that hit her especially hard: "The loss of her mate Sibu last year hit us all hard, but Leonie most of all. They had been inseparable companions for over 40 years. She was always at her most content by his side, and his sudden passing undoubtedly affected her. In recent months, we watched her health decline due to age-related issues affecting her heart and breathing. Despite expert care, including consultation with human cardiac specialists, her condition worsened. With heavy hearts, we made the decision to let her go peacefully." He finishes the statement by saying: "Leonie inspired millions to care about the survival of her species. We miss her already. And always will." It will offer a rare glimpse into the conflicting perspectives of those closest to the case and asks viewers to reflect on the elusive truths beneath a once seemingly fairy-tale life that ended in tragedy. The streaming platform said the documentary "sheds a bright light on the many questions that have lingered since the shocking events of that night." READ MORE: Never-seen-before material to feature in Netflix documentary on Limerick man Jason Corbetts killing When widower and father of two young children Jason Corbett found love again with his American au pair, Molly Martens, in 2008, their relationship seemed ripped from the pages of a storybook. The couple, along with Jasons kids, Jack and Sarah, moved from Ireland to North Carolina to build a new life together. But on August 2, 2015, their idyllic tale took a dark turn when Jason was killed in a violent altercation at home. Mr Corbett, was killed by his wife Molly Martens, and her father, Tom Martens, a former FBI agent, at his home in Lexington, North Carolina, in August 2015. A new documentary, premiering on May 9, sheds a bright light on the many questions that have lingered since the shocking events of that night. Molly and Tom Martens were convicted of murder in 2017, two years after Jason's killing, but appealed the conviction, which was later quashed and they were released from prison in June 2024. The father and daughter agreed a plea deal with Davidson County's District Attorney, who accepted a plea of guilty to voluntary manslaughter in return for dropping murder charges. They were sentenced to a minimum of four years and three months in prison at a hearing in November 2023, but that sentence was to include time already served. Produced and directed by Jessica Burgess (Rich & Shameless, American Monster) and Jenny Popplewell (What Jennifer Did, American Murder: The Family Next Door), 'A Deadly American Marriage' explores the mystery behind Mr Corbetts death. (Bloomberg) -- Starbucks Corp. union delegates voted to reject the companys latest contract proposal, which organizers say falls short by only guaranteeing annual raises of at least 2%. About 500 baristas representing Starbucks 550-plus unionized US stores voted this week on the company's latest contract offer, according to the union Workers United. Of those delegates, 81% rejected the proposal, 14% voted to accept it and the rest abstained. While the two sides have reached tentative agreements on dozens of contract issues, including workplace safety, dress code and attendance policy, the union said the offer lacks guarantees on how many hours of work employees get per week while also failing to boost healthcare benefits or include an immediate pay bump. Union baristas are asking Starbucks to invest in our wages and benefits, which can be done in a number of ways, and that fundamentally means putting more money into the contract, union delegate Michelle Eisen said in a statement from Workers United. She added the union has presented a variety of ideas for how to get to an overall increase in pay, benefits, and hours for union baristas, but we have not seen a commitment from Starbucks to negotiate in good faith over those ideas and options. In an emailed statement, Starbucks said the union presented delegates with an incomplete framework to vote on, effectively undermining our collective progress. The company said its baristas' pay averages over $19 an hour, and that their compensation is worth over $30 when benefits are counted. Starbucks remains optimistic that, through productive compromise and respectful dialogue, we can finalize a contract that is fair and equitable, the company said. A strong and successful Starbucks is in the interest of every partner. The company said some benefits the union says are lacking in its proposal are still being discussed, and that 2% is just a minimum floor for how much pay could go up each year. The union and Starbucks have been meeting over the past year to try to hammer out a template for collective bargaining agreements at the locations that Workers United has organized since 2021. After years of conflict, the two sides announced in February 2024 that they had agreed to work together to resolve their differences. But talks broke down late last year over the issue of pay, and Workers United has resumed staging strikes and filing federal labor board complaints, alleging the company wasnt negotiating fairly. Starbucks and the union in January agreed to use a mediator to move the talks along. That started in February and is ongoing, according to the union. The 2% guaranteed annual wage hike represents an increase from Starbucks December offer of 1.5%, the union said. Starbucks is undergoing a turnaround effort led by new Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol, who joined the company in September to reverse a sales slump. Brian Niccol says he wants to turn the company around, and if thats true, his first priority should be finalizing fair contracts with the 11,000 union baristas and growing who are committed to building a better Starbucks, union delegate Jasmine Leli said in the statement. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com New Delhi: The Delhi high court on Friday barred Gensol Engineering Ltd and BluSmart Mobility from creating third-party rights over 175 electric vehicles (EVs) that were leased to them by Japanese financial services firm Orix. Orix had moved the court under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, seeking interim measures to prevent the sale or use of the vehicles as collateral after non-payment of dues by Gensol and breach of contract related to the leased EVs. As per Orixs plea, the company had entered into lease agreements with both Gensol Engineering and BluSmart Mobility as part of a green mobility push. The 175 EVs were leased to support BluSmarts ride-hailing operations in India. Anmol Singh Jaggi, co-founder of both firms, served as guarantor for the lease obligations. Orix also informed the court that arbitration proceedings would be initiated as per the dispute resolution clause in the agreements. The court will hear the matter next on 16 May. Also Read: Gensol promoters lose over half of their ownership This legal dispute comes as Gensol faces regulatory scrutiny. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) recently issued a show-cause notice to the company for governance lapses, including undisclosed related-party transactions and alleged financial irregularities. Sebi also barred the Jaggi brothers from holding key managerial roles in any listed entity and restricted Gensol and its promoters from accessing capital markets. Gensol is under fire for its handling of around 978 crore in loans from Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (Ireda) for purchasing 6,400 EVs. However, disclosures indicate that only 4,704 vehicles were procured. PFC has lodged a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) of the Delhi Police, alleging that Gensol submitted falsified documents. Ireda, believed to have funded 3,400 of the vehicles, may be short of over 1,400 cars, based on Sebi and PFC filings. Mint earlier reported that PFC is weighing legal options, including action in insolvency courts and debt recovery tribunals, to recover its dues. Meanwhile, BluSmart has temporarily shut down its app, informing users that bookings will be paused until 7 May. In an email to customers, the company promised refunds within 90 days if services remain suspended beyond that date. As of January, BluSmart claimed a fleet of over 8,500 EVs, 5,800 charging points across 50 hubs, and more than 10,000 active drivers. * Subcontractors face liquidation, work stoppages due to dispute * Highlights uncertainty over Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto operations * Hundreds of jobs at stake * Some Barrick employees being relocated to DRC By Portia Crowe and Divya Rajagopal DAKAR, April 25 (Reuters) - At least four subcontractors employing several hundred people at Barrick Gold's complex in Mali are laying off staff following a two-year dispute between the Canadian miner and the state, according to documents seen by Reuters and people familiar with the matter. Some of the subcontractors said they have not received any payments from Barrick for months. The layoffs indicate that the dispute between the world's No. 2 gold producer and the West African nation is not expected to end anytime soon. Operations at Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto complex, a major source of gold production for the Toronto-based company and the largest mining operation in Mali, have been suspended since January after the government seized around 3 metric tons of gold stock from it, accusing the company of not fulfilling its tax obligations. Mali's government, which took power after coups in 2020 and 2021 and introduced a new mining code in 2023, had been blocking the company's gold exports since early November. Boart Longyear's local subsidiary, BLY Mali, said in a letter dated Friday that it was liquidating the company following the suspension of its contract with Barrick on January 25, which it said "placed BLY in an irremediably compromised situation." It employed 98 people at the complex as of March, according to a document seen by Reuters. ETASI, a heavy equipment rental company, said in a letter dated Wednesday and seen by Reuters on Friday that it would suspend all personnel. It employed 68 people as of last month, according to the same internal document. A work-placement firm representing ATC, a metal construction company, sent letters to employees notifying them that they were being laid off following the expiry of a three-month temporary work stoppage that began earlier this year, according to a source who shared one of the letters, dated Tuesday and seen by Reuters on Friday. ATC employed 45 people at the mining complex as of January but only four as of March, according to the internal document. Some of the employee figures could be higher. MAXAM, a civil explosives subcontractor for the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, will announce a temporary work stoppage for most of its employees in Mali as soon as Saturday, according to a person familiar with the matter and a letter seen by Reuters. But while the internal document lists the subcontractor as having 69 employees at the site as of March, the source said the real figure is nearly double that - over 120 - because its employees work in rotations. Geneva-based subcontractor SGS, meanwhile, was granted a three-month temporary work suspension beginning February 1 and due to expire next week, according to a government document seen by Reuters on Friday. It is unclear what steps will be taken after its expiry. Spokespeople for BLY, ETASI, ATC, SGS and MAXAM did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did spokespeople for Barrick Gold and Mali's mines ministry. ESCALATION Last week, Malian authorities shut Barrick's office in the capital Bamako over the alleged non-payment of taxes, an escalation of the dispute. Barrick employees have continued to receive their salaries despite the office closure and suspension of operations at the mining complex, according to a person familiar with the matter. Nearly 40 Malian Barrick staff from the Loulo-Gounkoto complex are being at least temporarily transferred to Barrick's Kibali mine in Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the same person, who said the transfers are part of a first wave but that 100 Malian staff in total have been identified for relocation. MojaEV Kenya Ltd., a Nairobi-based electric vehicle distributor that imports fully built Chinese units, will begin local assembly from August with a plan to export to several African Markets. The vehicles will initially be assembled at Mombasa-based Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd. before MojaEV builds its own factory that will put together battery and solar components, according to Erick Lumallas, an aide to MojaEVs chief executive officer. We have contracts in place, Lumallas said. All the original equipment manufacturers are in agreement with us, they will give us the expertise we need to build the factory. MojaEV is setting up the assembly plant to avoid a bevy of taxes for imports into Kenya. The factory will produce as many as 300 vehicles monthly and sales are projected at 1,500 units annually, Lumallas said. Taxes remain the biggest challenges for the electric vehicle industry in Kenya, Lumallas said. Charges include a 35% import duty, 20% excise tax, 1.5% for a railway development levy, a fuel levy of 2.5% and value added tax at 16%. Sign up for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter for the latest business and economic news from the continent. Thats in addition to port charges, handling fees, demurrage and storage, and container freight station costs, he said. In comparison, locally assembled electric vehicles pay VAT only, he said. Producing locally will help the company sell entry-level vehicles at prices lower than the current 2.5 million shillings and 7.5 million shillings for high-end units. MojaEV, launched by Chinese investors last year, is already exporting to Tanzania, and plans to expand distribution to Rwanda, Uganda, Mauritius, Ghana, Nigerian, Botswana and Zambia. Its portfolio includes SUV brands Skyworth and Neta, the sedan category has GSE and Wuling, double cabin pick up Riddara, and Foton buses and trucks. To address the challenges of limited charging points in Kenya, each vehicle distributed by MojaEV comes with an on-board charger that can be plugged into any wall socket and a stationary one to be installed at buildings or parking spaces. As 70% of Kenyans use public transport, MojaEV is in talks with some of the companies that dominate the sector to convert fleets into electric buses, he said. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- DoorDash Inc. asked a California judge to dismiss Uber Technologies Inc.s anticompetition lawsuit against it, arguing that Uber is using an ill-fitting state law to justify its claims. DoorDash, which has two-thirds of the US food delivery market, argued in a statement about their filing in state court in San Francisco that Ubers February lawsuit is nothing more than a cynical and calculated scare tactic. At the heart of the allegations are the white label delivery services that both companies have been expanding to increase their revenue. These offerings allow restaurant chains to build delivery ordering into their own websites and apps, so customers can use their technology and couriers without having to go to the Uber or DoorDash apps or website. In February, Uber alleged in a lawsuit that DoorDash uses coercive practices such as threatening restaurants with multimillion-dollar penalties, or demoting restaurants positions on the DoorDash app if they didnt agree to exclusive or near-exclusive use of its white-label delivery offering. That has stifled competition with Ubers own delivery service, costing it millions of dollars in revenue, Uber said. DoorDash denies the allegations, saying it competes fiercely yet fairly and that merchants have the choice of which providers they work with. Instead of competing through innovation, Uber has resorted to litigation. Uber is trying to deter merchants from working with us and use legal threats to win business it hasnt earned. A DoorDash lawyer said in an interview that Uber isnt using federal or state antitrust laws to make its claims, instead using what the company believes is an ill-fitting state law typically applied to employee noncompete provisions. It seems like the team at DoorDash is having a hard time understanding the content of our complaint, a spokesman for Uber said in response to DoorDashs filing. When restaurants are forced to choose between unfair terms or retaliation, thats not competition its coercion. Uber will continue to stand up for merchants and for a level playing field. We look forward to presenting the facts in court. DoorDash is targeting a July hearing on the motion, its attorney said, but the specific date will ultimately be determined by Superior Court Judge Christine Van Aken. (Updates with comment from Uber spokesman in seventh paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- Energy Secretary Chris Wright sought to reassure US oil companies during a visit to Oklahoma, saying turmoil from President Donald Trumps trade war is apt to be fleeting and the administration fully supports more crude output. The uncertainty you are seeing around tariffs thats a short term issue, Wright said during an interview with Bloomberg Television at an energy conference in Oklahoma City. He later added: Were doing everything we can to encourage production. Wright, who previously ran one of the worlds biggest fracking-service providers, said the uncertainty roiling the broader market is because the US in the midst of negotiating more favorable trade deals. He predicted it would only last a few more weeks. When it comes to oil production, Wright said the Trump administration is focused on tearing down barriers to make it cheaper and easier to pump crude and natural gas. Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum appeared at the event hosted by shale billionaire Harold Hamm as oil prices have plunged more than 10% this month in the wake of Trumps trade war and a decision by OPEC to beef up a production increase scheduled for later this year. For 14 consecutive days, West Texas Intermediate futures have settled below $65 a barrel the price many companies need to break even on new wells. Those lower prices coupled with the trade war have caused significant unease across the industry, threatening to undercut the presidents own goal to ramp up fossil-fuel production. Two of the largest oilfield service providers, Halliburton Co. and Baker Hughes Co., warned this week that tariffs were impacting their bottom line. Matador Resources Co., a Texas shale company, announced Wednesday it was dropping one of its nine drilling rigs. And last month, a host of oil bosses delivered scathing critiques of Trumps policies in an anonymous survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Nonetheless, the executives at Thursdays event in Oklahoma City, focused on powering AI development, were largely upbeat. We feel good about where were at, Clay Gaspar, chief executive officer of Devon Energy Corp. said in a Bloomberg TV interview. He added that oil prices, which fell 1.5% Friday morning to $61.86 a barrel, have remained close to the $65 average that Devon uses to plan its operations in the midst of a cycle. Hamm, the co-founder of Continental Resources and one of Trumps biggest donors from the oil patch, said the president needs leeway to hammer out trade deals. I see a lot of positives we just dont want to get bogged down negatively, Hamm said in a Bloomberg TV interview. Weve seen so many good things, I think hell go down as the president that made a difference. Hamm added that removing the uncertainty from tariffs could help oil prices climb back into the mid-$70s. Burgum, the interior secretary, told executives at the event that he will slash permitting times to 14 days for projects solely under the purview of his department. For projects needing a full environmental impact statement, his goal is 28 days. You might say to yourself, How is this possible? Burgum said, drawing applause. But were going to find out. So, some of you in this room are going to apply for permits, and then were going to work to deliver in those time frames. One oil chief did level some criticism at the Trump team albeit with a dash of praise. Occidental Petroleum Corp. Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub said for all its passion for energy independence, the administration lacks an overarching plan to pull it all together. We dont have an energy direction right now, Hollub said. We have a lot of great ideas. We have a lot of people wanting to do things. But we need a plan. Nonetheless, the CEO said in an interview shes optimistic Trump has put the right people in place to come up with a holistic strategy. Its never been done before, she said. I think for the first time this administration can do it. (Updates oil price in the 10th paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Citadel founder Ken Griffin extended his criticism of the Trump administrations trade policy, saying that tariffs wont bring back American manufacturing jobs the way that the president anticipates and the country should play to its strengths instead. He dreams of giving people their dignity back, and I have to applaud him for having that dream. But the dream is not going to come true, Griffin, speaking Friday at Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business, said of President Donald Trump. These jobs are not coming back to America. And to be clear, with an unemployment rate of 4%, America has moved on. The Citadel billionaire, who earlier this week said the trade war has devolved into a nonsensical place, has warned that the US is putting its global brand at risk as a result of the tariff policies. On Friday, he said the administration has embraced a transactional mindset that runs contrary to the best interests of the country. Speaking as part of Stanfords View From the Top series in Silicon Valley, Griffin argued the US should try to play to its strengths, such as creating intellectual property and content, rather than bringing back jobs in factories that have largely automated their production anyway. These are jobs that pay a stunning amount of money as compared to working in a factory, making zippers or making home appliances or making flat-screen TVs, he said. Griffin said he had spoken a few weeks ago with a senior Chinese government official who questioned why US trade policy would be to foster low-paying factory jobs and become more like China, instead of being the world power that China is trying to emulate. The Republican megadonor said the US screwed up when it came to helping those who lost their jobs to globalization, and noted that much of the presidents electoral support came from people who felt like the economy hadnt been working for them. Still, Griffin said the US has benefited more from globalization than China, and the trade war has fractured the countrys relationship with the rest of the world. The administrations pause of more widespread tariffs creates space for them to take a step back and reflect upon their goals of creating jobs and dignity for those affected by globalization, and at the same time, securing and reaffirming the important role America plays in the world, he said. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal murder charges that carry a possible death sentence and pressed a judge to fast-track the case ahead of a related state trial in the shooting of a UnitedHealth Group Inc. executive. Mangione, 26, is charged with stalking and shooting Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan on Dec. 4. Wearing a tan prison outfit, he stood and entered the plea at a hearing in Manhattan Friday. While Mangione has already pleaded not guilty to state murder charges, federal prosecutors filed separate charges that carry the death penalty. Fridays arraignment follows the formal filing of an indictment against Mangione last week. US Attorney General Pam Bondi this month instructed federal prosecutors in New York to pursue the death penalty against Mangione, calling Thompsons shooting a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination. At the hearing, Mangiones lawyers said the potential death sentence required that the federal trial take precedence over the state case, which had been expected to go first. US Judge Margaret M. Garnett said she would schedule the federal trial as if it were the only case and address any scheduling conflicts as they arise. The judge warned both sides against public statements that could harm Mangiones right to a fair trial or complicate the process of seating an unbiased jury. She specifically directed the prosecution team to pass the warning along to Jay Clayton, President Donald Trumps pick for US Attorney in Manhattan, and to Bondi and her subordinates in Washington. Mangione is accused of shooting Thompson on a Manhattan sidewalk last December before fleeing and touching off a manhunt that ended with his arrest at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione has become a folk hero to many who believe he expressed their rage at the healthcare system. Brazen Shooting The brazen shooting of Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealths insurance unit, drew national attention. A security video captured the shooter before sunrise, wearing a backpack and hooded jacket, approaching Thompson from behind, firing a 3-D printed ghost gun and then leaving the scene. The executive was scheduled to speak at a UnitedHealth investor day at the Hilton Midtown hotel in New York. Police who arrested Mangione in Altoona found a manifesto decrying the health-care industry and a notebook discussing killing a CEO, according to authorities. Garnett gave prosecutors 30 days to turn over evidence to Mangiones team, including emails, social media accounts, phone records, electronic files and one terabyte of evidence collected by state prosecutors in their case. She set a court conference for December at which shell determine when in 2026 Mangione will go on trial. Outside court after the half-hour proceeding, more than 100 supporters and onlookers gathered at the foot of the courthouse staircase and in a public square across the street. Some wore green hats with the letter L, mimicking the character Luigi from the Mario Bros. video-game franchise. One supporter played the song Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees while others held signs reading Free Luigi and Put the System On Trial. The case is US v. Mangione, 25-cr-00176, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). (Adds details of hearing starting in first paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com The head of buyouts at Ontarios pension fund for local government workers, Eric Haley, will retire and leave the firm at the end of the year in the latest change to the plans private equity business. Haley will continue to lead the North American buyout team until the end of 2025, Don Peat, spokesperson for the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, said in an email. We are deeply grateful to Eric for his commitment to delivering on the Omers pension promise and his significant contributions to our private equity business and team culture. Omers has been revamping its private equity unit under Ralph Berg, who became chief investment officer in 2023. Last year, the Toronto-based fund halted direct private equity investments in Europe and opted to shift its strategy by investing alongside partners and external managers. The pension also launched a global funds strategy within a new group called Private Capital. The C$27.5 billion private equity portfolio was split, with Michael Block leading the global funds strategy and Haley overseeing the North American buyout program, the firm said at the time. Its unclear whether Omers will replace Haley. Haleys departure continues a period of employee change within Omers private equity business. In March, Alexander Fraser, a former partner of a Temasek-backed fund, joined as global head of its private equity arm. He succeeded Michael Graham, who retired in February. Jonathan Mussellwhite, who had led private equity in Europe since 2018, left a few months before that. For decades, the so-called Maple Eight have built up their deal teams to take a leading role in some private equity transactions. Now, some of them want to lean more on partners, as higher borrowing costs choked deal activity and diminished the allure of controlling portfolio firms. Last month, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan said its re-examining its buyout unit, aiming to work more with partners rather than owning large or controlling stakes in private businesses as it seeks to mitigate risk. And Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec said in February that it will scale back its direct investing and team up with third-party managers. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. China ups efforts to combat IP violations in 2024 Xinhua) 14:57, April 25, 2025 BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China intensified efforts to combat intellectual property (IP) violations in 2024, with strengthened law enforcement and international cooperation, an official said Friday. Market regulators handled 44,000 cases involving trademark, patent and other fields last year, with a total case value of nearly 1.13 billion yuan (about 156.8 million U.S. dollars), Bai Qingyuan, deputy director of the State Administration for Market Regulation, told a press briefing, citing an official report on fighting infringements and counterfeiting. China has comprehensively optimized its mechanisms to combat infringements and counterfeiting, the report said. Last year, the focus was placed on key sectors such as the internet, public welfare and copyright; major products like agricultural supplies, food and pharmaceuticals; and critical areas including exports, logistics, and trademark and patent application agencies. The crackdown reflects China's commitment to strengthening IP protection as the country seeks to foster innovation-driven development and improve its business environment. According to the Global Innovation Index 2024 released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, China moved up one spot to 11th place in the ranking of the world's most innovative economies, making it one of the fastest risers over the past decade. China is ready to deepen cooperation with other countries to uphold the international IP framework and build an innovation-friendly global environment, Bai said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) April 24 - A U.S. judge on Thursday rejected a bid by compounding pharmacies to keep making copies of Novo Nordisk's popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy while a legal challenge over drug shortages unfolds, court records show. The decision came in response to a February lawsuit from a compounding industry group against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision that there was no longer a shortage of the medicines' active ingredient, semaglutide. Compounders had been allowed to produce hundreds of thousands of doses of copies of Novo's obesity and diabetes drugs only while the FDA said they were in short supply. Many of these are sold by large telehealth companies like Hims & Hers. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman in Texas denied compounders' bid for a preliminary injunction, according to the court docket. Pittman filed his legal reasoning under seal, but by denying the injunction request, a May timeline set by the FDA for when large U.S. compounders will have to exit the market remains in place. It also follows a decision the judge made earlier this year refusing to allow compounding pharmacies to keep making copies of Eli Lilly's weight-loss and diabetes drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro. The FDA and Novo Nordisk did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lee Rosebush, chairman of lead plaintiff Outsourcing Facilities Association, told Reuters that his organization had presented evidence of an ongoing semaglutide shortage that was obtained after the lawsuit was filed. However, Rosebush said the judge declined to consider it, finding that it was filed late. The FDA had said it would not take any enforcement action against compounders before the court ruled. The regulator has given larger so-called outsourcing facilities, which make compounded drugs in bulk and are regulated by the agency, until May 22. Smaller compounding pharmacies, which make drugs to fill prescriptions for individual patients and are primarily overseen by U.S. states, must immediately cease making copies of semaglutide. Electric scooter company River Mobility has seen its losses more than double in FY25, reaching 176 croreup from 82 crore in FY24even as revenue grew 20-fold. The companys aggressive expansion into retail outlets, with 25 stores now operational, has been a key driver of this surge. In FY24, Rivers revenue stood at 5 crore, according to regulatory filings accessed by business intelligence platform Tofler. In FY25, it jumped to 104 crore. Despite the mounting losses, CEO and co-founder Aravind Mani remains confident about the companys growth prospects. "We only had four months of sales in FY24. At the time, we didnt have any distribution, and we were selling out of an office in Whitefield, Bengaluru," Mani told Mint. Over the last year, weve opened 25 outlets. Revenue increased because were now selling through more outlets." Read this | English fever: How startups are unlocking smalltown India's big-city aspirations The company saw a dramatic 16-fold increase in scooter sales, from 390 units in FY24 to 6,157 units in FY25, underscoring the impact of this retail expansion. Launched in October 2023, River Mobilitys Indie electric scooter is now the companys flagship product. Expansion plans amid tough market conditions River Mobility is targeting 100 stores by the end of FY26 and aims to expand rapidly across India. Currently, its footprint is largely confined to southern India, with a new store in Pune scheduled for April. "Opening there (in Pune) makes sense from a fundamental perspective because its a large two-wheeler market," said Mani, stressing that growth decisions are driven by practicality, not just optics. We're increasing our spend in marketing as we scale across the country." Read this | Can two-wheelers stay on the pedal in 2025? The company spent the previous financial year focusing on adding manpower to its R&D segment while also increasing staffing at its manufacturing plant in Hoskote on the outskirts of Bengaluru. River Mobility expects to be gross margin profitable between September and October this year. Once we hit a scale of selling 15,000 to 20,000 units a month, we will be ebitda positive," Mani said. Achieving that will require a sharp ramp-up in production. Though the Hoskote facility can produce up to 8,000 units a month, its currently operating at under 20% capacityproducing just 1,0001,500 units. River plans to scale gradually through the year, aiming to hit 75% capacity (about 6,000 units a month) by the Diwali seasonone of Indias biggest festivals, when sales typically spike. Founded in 2021 by former Ultraviolette Automotive employees Aravind Mani and Vipin George, River Mobility has raised $68 million, approximately 565 crore, from investors such as Yamaha Motor Co., Israels Maniv Mobility, Al Futtaim Group, Toyota Ventures, and Lowercarbon Capital. But despite the strong global backing, Indian investors have yet to come on board. A fresh fundraise is planned, though timelines remain fluid. We're just waiting on a few macroeconomic conditions to stabilise. The tariff war is quite bad. We don't know if we're looking at a recession this year," Mani said. We have enough strategics on the cap table. What we need is a very strong financial growth investor to come in." Current market scenario Making a meaningful dent in the market wont be easy, given how legacy players like Hero MotoCorp, TVS, and Bajaj Auto are expanding their EV offerings. Challenges for new entrants, at the end of the day remains reach to the customer and the product. The fundamental pillars," said Amit Kaushik, country head at Urban Science, an automotive consulting company. Of course, if you have the right product, right pricing and reach, there's room to play." Given the head start on supply chain, distribution and overall presence that most of the bigger companies have in the space, the survival odds for many of the startups in the space aren't great. Read this | The curious case of Ola's scooter 'sales' without invoices A few years down the line, we may see maybe 10-20% of these startups survive. The rest will be consolidated into the bigger players," said Nikhil Dhaka, vice president at Primus Partners, a global management consulting firm. They can create innovation and build niche products, but incumbents have their dealer networks. That's a big thing." Consumer perspective Then theres the task of convincing consumers. According to Deloittes 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, just 8% of Indian consumers prefer all-battery electric vehicles (EVs). Internal combustion engines still dominate at 54%, with hybrids and plug-in hybrids at 21% and 12%, respectively. Safety remains a key concern. The Deloitte report found that concerns around battery technology are among the top three issues when it comes to battery-powered EVs in India. Safety is still a critical issue, and we've seen so many examples of vehicles catching fire," said Dhaka of Primus Partners. Urban Sciences Kaushik agrees. The quality of products from early entrants into the EV space wasn't reliable. It's why customers still continue to have a soft corner for traditional players on whom they've been relying on for years." The concern isnt unfounded. Karnataka alone saw 83 EV fire incidents last yearmost involving two-wheelers, according to news reports. EV adoption is also hampered by poor infrastructure. Also read | EVs hit with falling resale value as consumer demand cools The Deloitte study found that only 44% of consumers have dedicated access to home charging, while 41% have no access at all. Public charging infrastructure is limited, and there is no unified charging port system yet, further complicating EV adoption in India. The CEOs of American Airlines, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and many other major U.S. companies warned that shape-shifting tariff threats make it virtually impossible to plan and are spooking consumers. American, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Air Group told investors and analysts that leisure travel had already softened and pulled their full-year outlooks because the economic climate makes it too tough to forecast. Procter & Gamble, the maker of Pampers diapers and Tide detergent, said it was considering raising prices on some items. And auto-industry groups representing General Motors, Volkswagen and Toyota sent a letter to President Trump imploring him to reconsider the 25% tariff on car parts that goes into effect May 3, because it will make buying and repairing cars and trucks more expensive. We dont know what is going to happen," Robert Isom, chief executive of American, told investors and analysts on Thursday. So the airline is being cautious. What does that mean? It means that we dont hire as much. It means that we dont bring on as many planes, potentially. It means a reduction in overall economic activity." The same frustrating limbo looms over people trying to plan vacations, Isom said, adding that nobody relishes uncertainty when they are talking about spending their hard-earned dollars. More executives, from Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon to Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, warned Wall Street and the Trump administration of the damage to the economy that tariffs will cause. Branson said Trump could do lasting harm with his unpredictable trade policies that took a booming economy and shook it to its core. Its just such a pity because everything was going so bloody well up to about three months ago," Branson said. View Full Image Southwest and other U.S. airlines are warning of consumers weakened appetite for domestic travel. Photo: Getty Images via AFP White House spokesman Kush Desai said: Under President Trump, business leaders are making trillions in historic investment commitments [and] driving the robust private-sector hiring reflected in multiple jobs reports." CEOs have sought to assure investors they can weather the tariff storm, but many also said they hoped the erratic nature of the Trump administrations tariff strategy would end soon. Planning for the futureand forecasting profitabilityamid constantly changing guidance hasnt just caused several companies, including British drinks maker Diageo, to drop their outlook. It led United Airlinesto issue two forecasts: one for a stable economy and another for a recessionary one. Trumps 90-day delay on imposing so-called reciprocal tariffs has only amped up the uncertainty, Solomon told CNBC. The mood now is completely different than it was as Trump took office in January and the World Economic Forum in Davos was abuzz with optimism that he would usher in a new age of less regulation. The level of uncertainty is too high," Solomon said. Its not healthy and its affecting investment, spending and planning, and that will have an effect on growth and the economy." Consumers, meanwhile, are eager to get ahead of the impending hit to their wallets, especially for big-ticket items. Spending at retailers, particularly on electronics and autos, has increased in recent weeks, as consumers try to buy before costs on everything from television sets to trucks go up by hundreds or thousands of dollars, said Richard Fairbank, CEO of Capital One Financial, a credit-card issuer. That trend has helped fuel spending, for now, even as consumer sentiment sinks. At the same time, the share of people who make only the minimum payment on their credit cardsa sign they are struggling to keep up with their billsis above the prepandemic level. Companies said Americans could have to pay more soon, for iPhones at AT&T and Verizon to new homes built by Pulte. Shoppers would have to shell out more for smartphones because there is no way for Verizon to fully absorb all of the tariff costs, CEO Hans Vestberg said. If the tariff is going to be as high as they say on the handset," he added, thats just not going to be possible." Phones and other devices are far down the list of things consumers will part ways with, even as they get more expensive, predicted AT&T chief John Stankey. Unfortunately, for the customer, were going to have to come up with some new ways for them to figure out how to digest that increase." Both companies have raised rates and fees on some wireless and broadband plans in recent years. Verizon this month introduced a three-year price lock guarantee on some service plans to reassure its customer base. View Full Image Verizon expects to pass some tariff costs on to shoppers. Photo: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg News PulteGroup, which sold more than 31,000 homes last year at an average price of $500,000, said once tariffs are tacked on to many building materials, that price tag will be $5,000 higher. With duties piled on top of everything from porcelain and tile flooring to water heaters and circuit breakers, every new home will cost 1% more. Itll impact every single price point and consumer group that we serve," said James Zeumer, a Pulte vice president. Procurement teams are minimizing costs any way they know how, he added. Keeping it to the 1% that weve talked about is significantly less than what youre hearing from the broader home-building universe," Zeumer said. Several CEOs expressed frustration that manufacturing and hiring in America doesnt insulate them from Trumps tariff impacts. RTX, an aerospace and defense company that is spending nearly $350 million to expand its plants in Tucson, Ariz., and Asheville, N.C., said it expects to take a potential $850 million hit this year from tariffs, even after cost-cutting measures, price increases and various duty exemptions. Do the rates stay in place as theyve been published? How long do they stay in place for? Are we able to further mitigate it in other ways? Do they get rescinded and have other effects?" asked Neil Mitchill, RTXs chief financial officer. I dont know." View Full Image Looming tariffs on building materials are likely to drive up the price of a new home. Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images A few CEOs voiced support for tariffs. Steel Dynamics CEO Mark Millett said tariffs on imported steel and aluminum were extremely beneficial." Whirlpool, the Michigan-based appliance maker with 10 U.S. plants, said tariffs will level the playing field. 3M, the Minnesota-based maker of thousands of products, from packing tape to power cables, told investors that preserving its relationship with China was importantand with 110 factories around the world, it could quickly adjust the flow of its shipments. We ship products from the U.S. to China that we could also, instead, ship from Europe into China," said William Brown, 3Ms CEO. The company is looking into free-trade zones, pricing strategies and revamping global logistics to meet the moment. Theres things that we can do to mitigate some of this impact and preserve the relationship and the great business we have in China. Again, its 10% of our company. It grew double digits last year," Brown said. Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla and a significant ally of the president, sounded dispirited when asked about tariffs this week after reporting the worst earnings the electric-vehicle maker has had in years. Musk sighed deeply before addressing the trade war, then said he has advocated for lower tariffs to Trump directly and would continue to do so. I just want to emphasize that the tariff decision is entirely up to the president of the United States," Musk said. Whether he will listen to my advice is up to him." Write to Lynn Cook at lynn.cook@wsj.com, Alison Sider at alison.sider@wsj.com and Caitlin McCabe at caitlin.mccabe@wsj.com Washington [US], April 25 (ANI): Selena Gomez is rising above the criticism surrounding her Spanish language skills in the film 'Emilia Perez'. Despite facing backlash and debate over her Mexican American heritage, the actress is focusing on celebrating her work and the experience of playing a bicultural character. In a recent interview with Billboard, Gomez shared her thoughts on the film and the criticism she faced. "I pushed myself into uncomfortable spaces, which as an actress are the most rewarding," she said, adding, "It was a magical time and working with [director] Jacques Audiard was one of my best experiences." Gomez faced harsh criticism for her Spanish speaking and dialect, including from Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez, who called her performance "indefensible." However, Gomez defended herself, and said, "I understand where you are coming from. I'm sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn't take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie," as quoted by E! News. Despite the controversy surrounding the film, Gomez remains proud of her work and is grateful for the experience. "I'm really good," she said during a Q&A at the 2025 Santa Barbara Film Festival, as quoted by E! News. "Some of the magic has disappeared, but I choose to continue to be proud of what I've done, and I'm just, I'm just grateful and live with no regrets," she added. Gomez is taking her time to find her next role, looking for a challenge and an opportunity to work with the right director. FOR A MAN who promised to end the war in Ukraine within a day of taking office, Donald Trump has been taking his time. His first hundred days expire next week and have so far failed to produce even a short-term ceasefire, let alone a peace deal. Instead, as his vice-president, J.D. Vance, warned on April 23rd, he seems to be preparing to walk away" from a process that has turned out to be as hard as everyone, apart from Mr Trump and his team, had predicted. America has been hawking around Europe proposals that would reward Russias aggression against Ukraine with formal recognition of its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, a promise that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO, and an end to the sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasions of 2014 and 2022. In return, America is neither offering to provide Ukraine with security guarantees, nor to help with any other such guarantees the Europeans might offer. Nor is there any sign that America is proposing to make its sanctions relief conditional on continued Russian good behaviour. But Ukraine would get an end to the fighting along current lines, at least for as long as Vladimir Putin manages to keep his word. The best that can be said for the American plan is that it fails to give Mr Putin everything he wants. There is no formal recognition of his annexation in 2022 of the four provinces in south-eastern Ukraine that Russia now partially occupies. And there is, according to leaked reports, no acceptance of Russian demands that caps be placed on Ukraines armed forces after any peace agreement comes into effect. So far, no one has endorsed the American proposals. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said his country will never formally recognise Russias seizure of Crimea, prompting Mr Trump to call him inflammatory". But Russia has not yet accepted the plan either: Mr Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, will visit Moscow soon to try and get Mr Putins assent to it. European countries have been publicly silent, but will not want to undercut Ukraine. The big question is what happens next. If Mr Trump does walk away, will he end arms supplies to Ukraine? Will he end intelligence-sharing? Will he unilaterally lift sanctions? Perhaps most vital, will he at least let Europe buy crucial weapons from America, especially Patriot air-defence systems, to give to Ukraine? As so often, no one has a clue. When United Airlines put out not one but two separate profit guidances for the second-quarter on April 15, the company was leaving it up to investors to choose their own adventure," Omar Sharif of Investor Insights said. That wasnt a compliment. Nor was The Wall Street Journals comment comparing the dual guidance to Schrodingers cata famous thought experiment in quantum mechanics that even physicists have a hard time understanding intuitively. I see Uniteds guidance differently. The companys decision was courageous. It may not fit neatly into stock analysts valuation models., But Uniteds approach does something much more important: It demonstrates that the companys leadership understands the concept of radical uncertainty and the importance of building strategy for multiple scenarios at once. Radical uncertainty is nothing like conventional risk. Business decision-making systems tend to leave leaders paralyzed when the world moves outside the boundaries of what we know from the past and the distribution of probabilities on plausible outcomes cant reasonably be estimated. People get deeply anxious. Markets gyrate. Leaders confidence corrodes. You only have to look at collapsing consumer confidence numbers, dramatic moves in the S&P 500, the fall in capital expenditure plans, and other such indicators over the past month to see evidence of the impact of radical uncertainty across the economy. This isnt a systemic crisis unfolding from unknown or poorly understood risk in financial markets like the 2007-2009 Great Recessionat least not yet. It is a product of intentional decisions by President Donald Trump, which means it could be reversedor doubled-down onat the behest of a single person on any given day. That isnt a partisan statement. It is simply a factual observation that profoundly shapes the business environment, regardless of whether you support or oppose the president or his administrations agenda. It is also a fact that most businesses, like individuals and financial markets, crave the opposite: greater certainty about their operating environments. It is almost banal to hear a CEO say that their firm can adapt to almost any set of regulations or policies, so long as the rules and incentives are clear and consistent. That desire for clarity presents an obvious bargaining power arbitrage play for the side that is willing to accept greater uncertainty. If the party on the other side of the table wants something (certainty, in this case) much more than you do, then you are in a strong position to get that party to pay you an outsize amount (in money, or in other concessions) to get you to give it to them. That is not illegitimate or coercion per se; it is just power negotiation. Some of this is hard-wired in individual psychology. Behavioral economists have demonstrated that people will pay excessive amounts to reduce the probability of a bad outcome from small to zero (thus the pricing around deductibles in insurance). Some of this risk-aversion influences how leadership groups typically make strategic decisions. Firms like leaders and consultants with a strong point of view that they can anchor on and use to define the best-practice" answer. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief, get moving, and execute on the directive. That is better than analysis paralysis. But if the leaders point of view turns out to be categorically wrong, then executing on a plan tied to that single point prediction about the future can be dysfunctional or even disastrous. In the early 1970s, Royal Dutch Shell developed a methodology to do better. The 1973 oil shock threw energy markets into a state of radical uncertainty, where the price of oil, which had varied only at the margins and thus presented hedgeable risk for decades, suddenly shot outside that typical scope of risk. Pierre Wack, a Shell executive and the father of modern scenario thinking, took the view that if you couldnt reasonably predict the future, then the best response was to stop trying. Instead, he developed a decision-making method that described multiple scenarioslogically-derived causal narratives of what were different plausible worlds within which the price of oil would be determined. The goal, Wack said, should be preparation against a landscape that contained all those scenarios, not the prediction of which one would come to pass. And that preparation meant designing a strategy that was robust and adequate, regardless of where among those multiple scenarios the real world eventually landed. Scenario thinking evolved over the course of the following decades outside of the energy sector and has been used by firms and governments around the world. Yet it remains a challenging practice for organizations, because it isnt easy or familiar for leaders to say, out loud, we dont know." What United signaled in its recent profit guidance was a better mind-set: we cannot and wont try to predict the state of the macroeconomy going forward, even though it is one of the most essential elements that shapes our business. Instead, we will prepare our business and our investors for multiple scenarios, track the incoming evidence in a disciplined way without indulging wishful thinking, deploy a strategy that is robust against the landscape of plausible outcomes, and be transparent with our shareholders about the rationale for that plan. Good for United. More firms should do the same at this moment. About the author: Steven Weber is a partner at the advisory firm Breakwater Strategy and a professor at the UC Berkeley School of Information. Guest commentaries like this one are written by authors outside the Barrons newsroom. They reflect the perspective and opinions of the authors. Submit feedback and commentary pitches to ideas@barrons.com. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to President Trumps suggestion that the threat of tariffs might prompt Canada to spend more on defense and border protection with a dire prediction: Canada cannot then survive as a nation state." Mr. Trump then quipped that Canada might be better off as the 51st state. It was Mr. Trudeaus flippant, pathetic comment that made a mockery out of Canada, not Mr. Trumps response to it. Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land mass, endowed with vast natural wealth. With a smaller population of 40 million compared with its southern neighbors roughly 340 million people, Canada contributed handily to the Allies victory in World War II. And Mr. Trudeau thought a tariff renegotiation could be the end of his country? Missing in debates about free trade and tariffs is discussion about the movement of people between the U.S. and Canada. The Census Bureau says 126,340 Canadians moved to the U.S. in 2022, up from 75,752 in 2012. Among those headed south are Canadas top technical talentsattracted by high salaries, wider varieties of work and greater career options. More than 70% of the University of Waterloos software engineering class of 2022 accepted job offers in the U.S. A back of the envelope calculation puts the wealth transfer from the exodus of so many smart young Canadians at tens of billions of dollars a year, if not hundreds of billions. The numbers floating around the tariff debate are a rounding error by comparison. The weakening of Canada has much to do with the disastrous fiscal and regulatory policies started by Mr. Trudeaus father, Pierre, who as prime minister in the 1970s managed to destroy accountability in Ottawa. Thats when Canadas brain drain began, and accountability has never been truly restored. If Canada seeks a stronger negotiating position on trade, it should reform domestic fiscal and regulatory policies to retain talent and attract more from the rest of the world. Instead, Canada is trying to force people to stay. This week Quebecs provincial government passed a bill compelling new doctors to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebecs public-health network. Doctors who take a job in the private sector or move to another province before their five years of public service are up face daily fines of as much as 200,000 Canadian dollars (around US$145,000). Tariffs and taxes dont make societies prosper. Retaining and attracting skilled, disciplined people who believe in their countrys future does. Think of 17th-century Amsterdam and postwar West Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel and the U.S. All experienced a massive in-migration of brains. All had decentralized, deep financial markets and offered limited, gradual access to welfare benefits. Restricting the movement of people only leads to morose, unstable societies that blame others for their failures. Mr. Brenner is a professor at McGill University and author of Labyrinths of Prosperity" and Force of Finance." China's restrictions on exports of rare earth magnets can hurt the India's production of critical parts required to run electric vehicles (EVs), hobbling automakers' plan to localize supply chains. China has started asking for end-user certificates to clear exports of these magnets, which are required in electric motors and some components used in EVs, a development first reported by CNBC-TV18. Also Read | The case for subsidizing electric vehicles As per a person aware of the development, the certificate needs to be signed by a director of the importing company that discloses end-use of the magnets along with pictures of the product where they will be used. To be sure, the restrictions on exports are not specific to India and came into effect on 4 April, post the announcement of tariff hikes by the US. As per industry estimates, China controls about 90% of rare earth magnet production. As per industry insiders and experts, this can turn a major into worry for EV makers who source motors locally or produce them on their own. As a result of such restrictions, the production of electric vehicles can slow down which will lead to longer waiting times for vehicles and slower sales. Also Read | Electric vehicles also cause air pollution "The industry is evaluating the dependence on rare earth material from China to be not caught off guard. These materials are critical in production of electric vehicles or electric motors so any disruption will be an issue," Gaurav Vangaal, associate director-light vehicle production forecasting-Indian Subcontinent at S&P Global, said. As per official data, imports of rare earth metals grew by 22% from 1,848 tonnes in FY20 to 2,270 tonnes in FY24. Auto component makers importing the magnets from China said the country has stopped exporting rare earth magnet altogether. They expect the situation to improve in the coming 30-45 days. Also Read | EVs hit with falling resale value as demand cools One maker of electric motors said he is sending the rotor to China and has asked his supplier to assemble the magnets in it and send it back as a temporary workaround. "The entire supply chain is reliant on China. They control the global rare earth magnet market. We have submitted the documentation to the Chinese embassy through the ministry of heavy industries," said Shiva Kumar H, co-founder of Mecwin Green Propulsions Pvt. Ltd, a manufacturer of traction motors for electric vehicles. According to a person aware of the development, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers held a meeting on Thursday to assess the impact of the Chinese restrictions. "The auto industry works on just-in-time. It's not like we pile up inventories. So this can become a very big problem very quickly," an industry executive aware of the developments said. To be sure, the requirement for certification will only be a problem if motors are produced locally. Not everyone is producing motors on their own which require the rare earth magnets. The industry is still assessing the exact impact of the move as its still not clear how much we produce on our own," a person aware of the discussions said. The hurdle in production comes after the overall EV market nearly touched the 2 million-mark in 2024. Moreover, the surge in clean fuel vehicles so far is largely being led by the two- wheeler market which recorded 1.14 million sales in 2024. Moreover, countrys major carmakers are ramping up production of electric vehicles as new launches hit the market. Mahindra and Mahindra, Hyundai Motor India and Maruti Suzuki all have plans to expand their presence in the electric car market which has largely been led by Tata Motors so far. Queries sent to auto makers on Friday evening did not elicit an immediate response. Any impact on the speed of production of vehicles can hurt the overall growth in sales as companies will find it hard to manufacture and dispatch units on time. New Delhi: India plans to fast-track work on expanding the Chabahar port and providing rail links from the strategic port to Iran's border with Central Asia, a senior official said, a move aimed at countering Pakistan's China-backed Gwadar port. Chabahar provides India with an alternative access point to Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing both Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This offers India greater regional connectivity and trade options, reducing its reliance on Pakistan and potentially strengthening its geopolitical influence in the region. We have been told by Iranian authorities that a key railway line connecting Chabahar port with Iranian railway network would be ready in a year's time. We are also on course to expanding port capacity five times to 5 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) while expecting to carry 5 million tonnes of bulk cargo this year," said Sunil Mukundan, Managing Director of India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL), the Indian state-owned entity which operates Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar Port in Iran. A TEU is a measure of volume in units of twenty-foot-long containers. One 20-foot container equals one TEU. Also read | Kashmir simmers but Pakistans game has no winners As per the plan, India along with Iran would fast-track development of a new rail connectivity route between the Chabahar port and Zahedan city to leverage the strategically located Iranian port as the gateway to the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC), providing the main trade channel for Central Asian and Eurasian Countries located on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea and Afghanistan. The rush for railway connectivity is the result of port operations having become viable with a pick-up in movement of both container and dry bulk cargo and Chabahar becoming a major trading channel for India. It also coincides with the expected visit of Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi to India in May. According to the Economic Times newspaper, Chabahar will figure in discussions. The port, as per reports, handled a substantial volume of cargo in FY25, reaching up to 80,000 TEUs and 3 million tonnes (mt) in bulk cargo. In comparison, it had managed just over 64,000 TEUs in FY24 and only around 9,000 TEUs the year before that. In terms of cargo, the port handled 2.12 million tonnes of bulk cargo in FY24 and 2.08 mt in FY23. Also read | India looks to boost air cargo amid Red Sea trade disruptions With its strategic geographical location, Chabahar port can be positioned as a gateway for INSTC corridor. The port is presently connected to the hinterland through road network. Feasibility of connecting Chabahar to Zahedan and further to the existing railway network of Iran has been examined by Iran, in consultation with other stakeholders. With the likely increase in traffic, seamless road and rail connectivity from Chabahar port to facilitate transportation of cargo will become very important. Focus of the INSTC member-states, including Iran and India, is therefore on strengthening the connectivity of the Port with the hinterland," said an official of the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways. Work on the 700-km long Chabahar-Zahedan railway line has moved very slowly even though an MoU was signed between Indian Railways IRCON and Iranian Railways Construction and Development of Transportation Infrastructures Company (CDTIC) back in 2016. Now, the focus is on implementation as Chabahar is emerging as the next big commercial port in Iran after its biggest, the Shahid Rajaee Port, also known as Bandar Abbas. The background Located just outside the strait of Hormuz, the Chabahar port offers financial and operational benefits to the Central Asian and Eurasian Countries located on the eastern side of the Caspian sea and Afghanistan and so the efforts for improving rail connectivity of Chabahar port towards eastern side are on to make the port the preferred link among traders. Also read | Trade upheavals: Vietnam is in a tight corner. How resilient is India? India and Iran in May last year signed a long-term contract for the development of Chabahar port after years of protracted negotiations. IPGL has taken over operations of Shahid Beheshti terminals at Chabahar. The facility comprises container terminal and a multi cargo berth. The facility is operational and is already providing services for EXIM bulk and container cargo, both for gateway and transshipment, and a number of concessions are being offered by IPGL to promote use of Chabahar port including discounts, longer free storage times for cargo etc. The port has a deep draft that can handle larger vessels and vessels calling at Chabahar avoid traffic congestion and waiting time at anchorage, being outside the Strait of Hormuz. The road connectivity to Zahedan (Iran) and onwards to Zaranj (Afghanistan) provides seamless connectivity for movement of humanitarian aid from India to Afghanistan through Chabahar port. The Port handles a diverse range of products such as automobile spare parts, agricultural products, iron ore, clinkers etc. and efforts are on to increase the product basket handling at the port. Located in the Sistan-Baluchistan province on Irans south western coast, the Chabahar port is an important point on Arabian Sea with easy access from Indias west coast. Kandla port in Gujarat is the closest to the Chabahar port at 550 Nautical Miles while the distance between Chabahar and Mumbai is 786 Nautical Miles. Since 2019, it has handled container traffic of more than 80,000 TEUs and Bulk and General Cargo of more than 8 million tonne. The port's integration with a special free zone augments its appeal, while India's incentives, such as concessions on vessel-related charges and cargo charges, bolster trade flows through Chabahar, fostering economic growth and cooperation. Chabahar is envisaged as a crucial link in the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), facilitating the movement of goods between India and Central Asian Countries. This collaboration between India and Iran on developing infrastructure and logistics along the 7,200 kms INSTC aims to reduce transportation costs and time, thereby promoting trade between these regions. Also read | Conflict is remaking the Middle Easts economic order In 2003, India agreed to help Iran develop the port as well as accompanying infrastructure links during Iranian President Khatamis visit to India. New Delhis interest in Chabahar came from the ports value as a gateway for Indian goods to reach markets in Afghanistan and Central Asia. However, matters progressed slowly thereafter. In 2013, India committed to providing $ 100 million for the development of Chabahar. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development of Chabahar Port by India was signed in May 2015. Thereafter, the contract was executed on 23rd May, 2016 at Tehran (Iran) during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Iran for the development of an international trade corridor, which included Chabahar as a central transit point. India agreed to invest $ 85 million in the development of Chabahars Shahid Behesti terminal. However, the reimposition of sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program hampered Indias ability to develop the port. This present agreement aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade, particularly between India, Iran and Afghanistan. The India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone (IPGCFZ), a subsidiary of IPGL, facilitated the first consignment of exports from Afghanistan to India in 2019. The operations continued through short terms contracts while negotiations on the Long Term Agreement peaked pace with the visit of Sonowal to Chabahar in August, 2022. Negotiations on the long-term contract were held up over disagreements on arbitration clauses. Mint had earlier reported that the two sides have reached an accommodation which will allow arbitration under rules framed by the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Investment in Iranian port facility is first by India in such infrastructure overseas. The capacity of the port for cargo handling is currently 8mt and India proposes to expand it to 18 mt in next phase of its expansion and additional investment to the tune of 4,000 crore. Also read | India to import Russian coking coal via Iran's Chabahar port India is looking to strengthen its presence in key infrastructure along the route passing through the Persian Guld region. India's Adani Group is already operating Haifa post in Israel and more port deals are expected in the region by Indian entities that will strengthen country's presence on this strategic route that is the main gateway for shipments moving from the Indian subcontinent to Europe. India has major investment plans in the country, largely centered around the Chabahar port as it gives India a strategic advantage over both China and Pakistan. Chabahar Port is at a distance of about 170 kilometers from Pakistans Gwadar port. Top private equity firms are scouring the country to unearth cash-rich regional food brands with healthy balance sheets that offer good growth potential, industry experts told Mint . The objective: discover the next Haldiram. The Nagpur-based snacks maker roped in Alpha Wave Global and Temasek Holdings as investors last month, valuing the company at around $10 billion. According to Pritha Jha, co-founder of Pioneer Legal, a law firm that has helped food brands raise capital, a lot of investment activity in consumer food brands is happening in places like Nashik, Jaipur and Udaipur. For a category like snacks, there is immense scope for scalability," said Jha, adding that sometimes when the next generation doesnt want to take the family business forward, PE firms get more interested. Further, several snack brands offer authentic taste patterns specific to particular regions, which allows them to distinguish themselves to private equity, Jha said. Apart from Haldiram, recent investments in consumer food brands include Motilal Oswals 330-crore investment in Bengaluru-based ready-to-eat sweets company Lal Sweets for a 25% stake in August 2024. Sixth Sense Ventures bought A91 Partners stake in Indore-based spice brand Pushp in December 2023 through a 100-crore deal. And Jashvik Capital bought a minority stake in Bharuch, Gujarat-based snacks firm Jabsons Foods in December 2022. Also read | Haldiram's promoters now offer a smaller bite to investors The interest is reflected in the skyrocketing numbers. Per data from Venture Intelligence, food brands have raised a record $1.68 billion across 14 deals in 2025 so far (including Haldiram). Comparatively, all of 2024 saw $507 million being raised from 39 transactions; and 2023 saw just $141 million raised across 21 deals. Growth drivers Much of this growth has been bolstered by the advent of e-commerce and quick commerce that has democratized distribution, DC Advisorys director Saurabh Maheshwari said. It also helps that most of the food brands generate a lot of cash and are largely profitable. Such deals have become more prominent as investors are prioritizing unit economics now more than ever," Maheshwari said. These brands are typically run by founders who have their cost structures in place and are geared for profitability, so it bodes well for investors too." Further, for brands that have taken time to achieve considerable scale, a resilient business model through an in-house distribution infrastructure has enabled them to be profitable for long, said Anand Ramanathan, partner at Deloitte India. The entry barriers are, therefore, very high for other food brands," Ramanathan pointed out. That, coupled with segments like ready-to-cook formulations in the portfolio, which are in high demand, make them an attractive proposition for investors." Read this | Temasek buys 10% in Haldirams for 8,500 crore The opportunity to scale has become more pronounced with more than 100 million households stepping into the middle-income category, according to Ramanathan. Investors understand the untapped opportunity and that some of these brands can become very big," he said. Indias food services market, valued at $80 billion in 2024, is set to grow at a CAGR of 10-11% through 2030, with the organized sector driving this expansion, according to a report published by Redseer Strategy Consultants in January. The scale-up challenge This is not the first time, however, that PE firms have looked at scaling up regional brands. Sequoia Capital first invested in Prataap Snacks in 2011, a company it then took public and then sold to Authum Investment and Mahi Madhusudan Kela in 2024. Lighthouse Funds acquired a 12.5% stake in Bikaji Foods in 2014. Similarly, Advent International acquired Crax-maker DFM Foods in 2019. However, several of these brands continue to remain regional in nature because of ongoing challenges. Bikaji Foods has deep market presence in Rajasthan, Bihar and Assam, but it is susceptible to market risks while expanding beyond these core regions as it faces competition from other local manufacturers as well as established participants, credit rating agency Icra said in March 2024. This, coupled with differences in tastes and consumer preferences across geographies, could translate to high selling expenses to maintain presence, the report added. Similarly, Prataap Snacks is also exposed to intense competition from other players, an Icra report from June 2024 said. And read | Blackstone, Temasek, Bain eye a big bite of Haldiram Snacks Gopal Snacks, backed by several domestic investors, which mainly operates in the Gujarati namkeen segment, also faces direct competition from other well-known retailers such as Everest Namkeen, Real Namkeen, and Balaji wafers. While the management has taken steps to widen geographic reach, it continues to draw about 70% of the revenue from Gujarat, another credit rating agency Crisil said last year. Meanwhile, New Delhi-based DFM Foods has seen significant delay to ramp-up operations and cash generation by the management, resulting in lower-than-anticipated revenue and profitability, Care Ratings said in an October report. * Premiums of $44-$50/oz charged in China this week * Spot gold prices broke through the $3,500/oz mark on Tuesday * India discounts jump to a near nine-year high By Rajendra Jadhav and Anushree Mukherjee April 25 (Reuters) - Gold discounts in India jumped this week to the highest level in nearly nine years as record prices deterred buyers, while premiums in China rose to a more than one-year peak, leading to increased shipments to the world's largest bullion consumer. Indian dealers this week offered a discount of up to $80 an ounce over official domestic prices, inclusive of 6% import and 3% sales levies, the widest discount since July 2016. Last week, the discount was as much as $74. "Jewellery sales have taken a hit with prices going up. Shoppers arent buying like they used to, and jewellers all over the country are feeling the slowdown," said Surendra Mehta, secretary at the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). On Tuesday, spot gold prices broke through the $3,500 an ounce barrier for the first time, and currently traded around $3,333.73 as of 0357 GMT on Friday. Gold prices in India hit a record high of 99,358($1,167) rupees per 10 grams earlier this week. Jewellers are not active in the market as they have received fewer advance orders from retail buyers for the Akshaya Tritiya festival, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a private bullion importing bank. Akshaya Tritiya, the second-biggest gold-buying festival after Dhanteras in India, will be celebrated next week. In China, dealers charged premiums of $44 to $50 an ounce over global benchmark spot prices, the highest since February 2024. This was a sharp increase from premiums of $15 to $21 last week. "The premiums in China are extremely healthy... In response to this strong demand, gold is being moved into the region from various global locations," said Joseph Stefans, Group Head of Trading, MKS PAMP. The surge in demand came despite elevated prices. In Hong Kong, gold was sold at par to a $2 premium, while in Singapore , gold traded at par with the global benchmark to a premium of up to $2.50 per ounce. "We've seen prices come off a bit from the high, so we did see a pickup in clients looking to buy," said Brian Lan, managing director at GoldSilver Central. Multiple carriers of petroleum-based gases traveling from the US to China have begun diverting to other countries due to the intensifying trade war between the worlds two largest economies. Four cargoes of propane have shifted their routes from China to alternate destinations over the past week, bound for countries including Japan and South Korea, according to a report from analytics firm Vortexa. At least one cargo of ethane which is used in plastics production has been scrapped entirely, according to a person familiar with the matter. The diversions show the disruption to supply chains caused by the trade fight between the US and China, historically a major buyer of US ethane and petroleum gases. President Donald Trump has levied 145% tariffs on most US imports from China, and the US Trade Representative more recently imposed steep fees on Chinese-linked vessels seeking to access American ports. Eight Very Large Gas Carriers carrying US LPG were still on course for China as of this week, while the four diversions have all been recorded since April 17, according to Vortexa. Diverted vessels include the Zakher, Maple Gas, BW Gemini and Eiger Explorer, all departing from the US Gulf Coast. The G. Arete, a propane carrier, diverted to South Korea from China, while a chemical tanker named STI Notting Hill is also rerouting to South Korea, Vortexa said. The US exported about 310,000 barrels of propane to China per day in 2024, double the volume from a year earlier, according to East Daley Analytics. Spot ethane shipments may continue to be affected by the trade war, while committed cargoes are harder to unwind, the person said. Asia-bound flows of ethylene used in plastics and industrial solvents have already slowed because of seasonal factors but may be further reduced by the tariffs, the person said. With assistance from Nathan Risser and Robert Tuttle. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Ather Energy IPO: Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy Ltd is scheduled to start its public subscription from April 28 to April 30. The process for anchor investors will occur today (April 25). This will be the first major public offering in the current financial year (2025-26). Ather Energy IPO includes a fresh issuance of equity shares valued at 2,626 crore, in addition to an Offer-For-Sale (OFS) of 1.1 crore equity shares from the promoters and other stakeholders. Ather Energy IPO price band has set a price range between 304 and 321 per share. The company intends to use the funds raised to establish an electric two-wheeler manufacturing facility in Maharashtra and to reduce its existing debt. If the price is fixed at the upper limit of the range, the Ather Energy IPO size is projected to be 2,981 crore, which would bring the company's overall valuation to 11,956 crore. This will be the second electric two-wheeler company looking to go public, following Ola Electric Mobility, which introduced its 6,145 crore IPO in August of last year. Ather Energy IPO has designated 75 percent of the share offering for qualified institutional investors, 15 percent for non-institutional investors, and the remaining 10 percent for retail investors. The lead managers for the Ather Energy IPO include Axis Capital, JM Financial, Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India), and HSBC Securities & Capital Markets. It is expected that the companys shares will start trading on the stock exchanges on May 6. Also Read | Ather Energy IPO: First mainboard public offer of FY26 to open on April 28 Ather Energy IPO - Key Risks Aside from the batteries produced internally, the company depends on its suppliers for all other components necessary for assembling their E2Ws in-house. A loss of key suppliers, or any refusal or failure on their part to deliver components to Ather Energy, could lead to disruptions in business operations. Any interruptions in the availability, along with any modifications in the pricing and quality of lithium-ion cells, could significantly disrupt and negatively affect their business activities. Ather Energy relies on imports from specific countries, including China, and such imports may face interruptions due to changes in government regulations or policies, worsening economic conditions, or increasing trade tensions. The company's share of the Indian E2W market remained relatively stable, recorded at 10.7% and 11.5% for the nine months ending December 31, 2024, and for Fiscal Year 2024, respectively. An allocation of 7,500 million from the net proceeds is planned for their research and development needs, representing a substantial share of the total funds anticipated to be raised from the Offer. There is no guarantee that this investment will proceed as envisioned, nor can they promise it will lead to the development of tangible assets or achieve the expected results or outcomes. Ather Energy sales are primarily concentrated in South India, which exposes them to increased risks of business interruptions due to natural disasters, regional unrest, and regulatory changes within that area. Given their operation within the highly competitive Indian automobile sector, the company may experience downward pricing pressure that could necessitate lowering the prices of their electric two-wheelers. A price decrease in their electric two-wheelers would shrink their profit margins, negatively impacting their business, prospects, and operational results. If their electric two-wheelers fail to deliver the anticipated performance and quality, they might have to implement product recalls or other remedial measures. In the nine months ending on December 31, 2024, the capacity utilization rates at their Hosur Factory were 39% for the electric two-wheeler assembly and 41% for the battery pack manufacturing lines. The low capacity utilization at the Hosur Factory could hinder their ability to capitalize on economies of scale. They rely heavily on the contributions of Tarun Sanjay Mehta, Swapnil Babanlal Jain, other Senior Management members, and skilled personnel, and losing their services could disrupt their business operations. Ather Energy IPO GMP today Ather IPO GMP today or grey market premium is +5. This indicates Ather Energy share price were trading at a premium of 5 in the grey market, according to investorgain.com. Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Ather Energy share price was indicated at 326 apiece, which is 1.56% higher than the IPO price of 321. According to the grey market activities observed over the past four sessions, the IPO GMP is trending downwards today and is anticipated to decline further. The minimum GMP recorded is 5.00, while the maximum GMP noted is 17, according to experts from investorgain.com. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. Ather Energy IPO: Electric two-wheeler (E2W) maker Ather Energy Ltd on Friday said it has mobilised 1,340 crore from anchor investors days ahead of the launch of its initial share sale for public subscription. The Ather Energy IPO opens for public subscription on Monday, April 28, 2025. Some key anchor investors who were allocated shares include Custody Bank of Japan, Franklin Templeton, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Eastspring Investments, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Societe Generale. Ather Energy IPO anchor book PSBI Mutual Fund (MF), Aditya Birla Sun Life MF, ICICI Prudential MF, Invesco MF, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, ITI MF and Union MF are among the anchor investors. According to a circular on BSE's website, the electric two-wheeler maker allotted 4.17 crore shares to 36 funds at 321 apiece, the upper end of the price band. This aggregates the transaction size to 1,340 crore. Ather Energy IPO details The 2,981-crore public issue, with a price band of 304 to 321 a piece, will be available for public subscription from April 28 to April 30. This will be the first mainboard public issue of the current financial year (2025-26). The IPO will combine a fresh issue of equity shares worth 2,626 crore with an offer-for-sale of 1.1 crore equity shares by promoters and other shareholders. Ather intends to raise funds to establish an electric two-wheeler factory in Maharashtra and reduce debt. At the upper end of the price band, the IPO size is pegged at 2,981 crore, placing the company's overall valuation at 11,956 crore. Ather Energy Ltd is backed by Hero MotoCorp and Tiger Global. This will be the second electric two-wheeler company looking to go public after Ola Electric Mobility's 6,145-crore IPO in August last year. Ola Electric's IPO had a fresh issue of up to 5,500 crore and an OFS of up to 8.5 crore equity shares. Apart from its IPO plans, Ather Energy has expanded its research and development capabilities. Recently, the company announced the expansion of its R&D and testing capabilities at its product testing & validation centre. The electric two-wheeler company has set aside 75 per cent of the issue for qualified institutional buyers, 15 per cent for non-institutional investors and the remaining 10 per cent for retail investors. Coal India has been on a roll recently. This week, it made back-to-back announcementsa mining agreement worth 7,040 crore with TMC Mineral Resources and a joint venture with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) amounting to 16,500 crore for its power play. But investors were not enthused. The stock has remained flat as recent headwinds weigh on investor sentiment ahead of the Q4 results. That said, over the last couple of years, Coal India has significantly outperformed the broad market index. It has tracked the general enthusiasm around PSU stocks, and delivered almost 75% return during the period. Going forward, however, as global drivers take a backseat, company fundamentals are expected to come back into focus. Coal India is a Maharatna central public sector undertaking, which has been Indias leading coal producer since 1972. But recent headwinds have doused investor sentiment. While the near-term outlook is a mixed bag, the medium to long-term promise still holds. Recent troubles for Coal India In Q3FY25, Coal India reported 1% year-on-year decline in revenues to 35,780 crore while profits saw a much steeper fall of 17.5% during the period. The mining industry faces seasonality, with production taking a dip during monsoons and extreme summers. So, while sequential numbers looked better, they do not reflect the true picture. Apart from seasonality, Coal India has also struggled with slower evacuation and high pithead inventory levels. To make matters worse, its subsidiary, SECL has continued to struggle in FY25 as land-acquisition and regulatory clearances were delayed, and projects were deemed unviable. Coming to margins, given that prices are fixed under FSA (fuel supply agreements), margin expansion at Coal India is contingent on higher e-auction premiums and realizations. This, in turn, depends on global coal prices. While coal had remained stable at about $150 per tonne up till September 2024, geopolitical and economic uncertainty thereafter has led to a sharp correction down to $94 per tonne. This has increased the risk of import substitution, consequently affecting e-auction premiums and margins. Moreover, import substitution during down-trending global prices also leads to lower offtake volumes. Since costs in mining are primarily fixed, margins are significantly correlated with production volumes. Lower volumes lead to lower operating leverage and compressed margins. Also Read: Coal India banks on upcoming power plants to accelerate growth Capitalizing on industry tailwinds Indias peak electricity demand in 2024 touched 250 GW, and is expected to keep growing with rapid urbanization and climate-change. To meet these rising energy needs, the government has pushed for higher renewable as well as conventional power capacity. Still, as much as 75% of Indias power requirement is fueled by coal, and 80% of that is produced by Coal India. Estimates pencil in about 80 GW of additional thermal power capacity required by 2030, of which only about 35 GW is currently under construction. The governments call for higher thermal power production, supported by its consistent commitment towards expanding the railway network, puts Coal India in a beneficial position, given its near monopolistic status in the industry. Recent troubles should not be extrapolated While Coal India has faced troubles recently at some of its mines, its diversification across eight states has helped negate localized issues. For instance, continued underperformance of SECL (Chhattisgarh) has been countered to an extent by MCL in Odisha. Furthermore, a bulk of Coal Indias sales are executed through FSAs. This ensures robust revenue-visibility. At the same time, growing energy needs of the country are expected to support long-term e-auction premiums and margins. Additionally, its agreements with clients ensure advance payment, contributing to a strong liquidity position and a healthy cash conversion cycle. Finally, despite the capex-intensive nature of the business, Coal India has managed to maintain a healthy balance sheet with debt-to-equity controlled at less than 0.2x for five consecutive years now. Of course, contingent liabilities worth more than 54,000 crore as of March 2024 pose a risk. Outlook is a mixed bag The company is expected to announce its earnings for the final quarter of FY25 on 7 May. It is expected to close the year with a dividend yield of 7%, ranking the highest among PSUs in FY25. However, its dividend yield has been trending lower in recent years. Moreover, performance in Q4 is expected to remain subdued as cheap imported coal continues to affect offtakes and margins. The pace of land acquisition and regulatory clearances has not picked up either, while evacuation infrastructure continues to remain a bottleneck. Looking ahead into Q1 FY26, extreme summer is impacting production. But early in March, the Indonesian government had announced HBA regulations for coal export prices that replace other benchmarks. Consequent firmer import prices could help support Coal Indias margins. Innovation and expansion to drive growth This week, the company announced a mining agreement worth 7,040 crore between SECL and TMC Mineral Resources. Under the agreement, TMC will help employ a modern paste-fill technology wherein mined-out voids are backfilled with a chemical paste. The resulting improved surface land stability would prevent land subsidence, be environmentally friendlier, enable higher coal production. and also help save on costs associated with surface-level infrastructure and safety measures. The company aims for 1 billion tonnes of coal production by FY26. To achieve this, it plans to invest about 16,000 crore annually in the expansion of mines, evacuation infrastructure, and coal washeries. Higher washing capacity is expected to reduce ash content, thereby bridging the gap between the quality of domestic and imported coal while also improving combustion efficiency and reducing operating costs. Power play can hedge risk The government had opened up coal mining to private players in 2020. Coal India has managed to retain near monopoly so far. But over the longer term, the risk from renewable energy is real. Against this context, the companys forward integration towards power production makes perfect strategic sense. Early in 2024, Coal India received regulatory approvals for setting up power plants. It started with two power plants with capacities of 660 MW and 1600 MW in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. This week, the company announced a JV with DVC for brownfield expansion of its Jharkhand power plant. The 50:50 venture will entail an investment of 16,500 crore to add 1600 MW capacity. While the power plants will benefit from proximity to the companys own coalfields, it will be several years before the projects can commence operations and reach financial fruition. The company has also been considering renewable energy, coal bed methane, and coal gasification projects. Risks remain The business is faced with risks arising from renewable energy, bottlenecks in evacuation infrastructure, potential materialization of contingent liabilities, and falling prices of global coal. It also faced regulatory overhang from the Supreme Courts judgement in August 2024, that allowed states to retrospectively levy or renew tax demand on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands. While the company has been investing towards expansion and diversification for managing some of these risks, the pace of execution and debt on its books will remain key monitorables. For more such analyses, read Profit Pulse. Ananya Roy is the founder of Credibull Capital, a SEBI-registered investment adviser. X: @ananyaroycfa Disclosure: The author does not hold any shares of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions. The rupee pared its initial gains and settled for the day lower by 7 paise at 85.40 against the US dollar on Friday, amid heightened geopolitical tensions and a negative trend in the domestic markets. Forex traders said escalated geopolitical tensions, following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir weighed on market sentiment. Moreover, a muted trend in domestic equities and positive US dollar index dented investors' sentiment further. At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 85.17 and moved between the intra-day high of 85.08 and the low of 85.65 against the greenback. The unit ended the session at 85.40 (provisional), registering a fall of 7 paise over its previous closing level. On Thursday, the rupee gained 12 paise to close at 85.33 against the US dollar. "We expect the rupee to trade with a negative bias amid heightened geopolitical tensions and weak tone in the domestic markets. However, persistent FII inflows, overall weakness in the US dollar may prevent a sharp fall in the rupee. USD-INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of 85 to 85.90," said Anuj Choudhary Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan. On Tuesday, at least 26 persons -- mostly tourists -- were killed by terrorists at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam in one of the worst terror attacks in Kashmir The local unit dropped about 0.1% week-on-week. The rupee's "inability" to rise above its key psychological level of 85 and month-end dollar payments "exacerbated" its downward move, a trader with a private bank said. Indian stock markets dropped on Friday, significantly underperforming other Asian equity indexes on growing fears of further tensions with neighbouring Pakistan. The nuclear-armed nations have unleashed a raft of measures against each other, with India keeping a critical river water-sharing treaty in abeyance and Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines, among other steps. There have been calls for and fears that India could conduct a military strike in Pakistani territory as it did in 2019. Oil edged higher in a day of listless trading as investors parsed conflicting messaging on the progress of trade talks between the US and China. West Texas Intermediate futures rose to settle near $63 a barrel, but still notched their third weekly loss in the past four. Chinese authorities are weighing removing additional levies on a number of products including ethane, according to people familiar with the matter, as economic costs mount for certain industries. Shares in Chinas top buyers of the fuel from the US jumped. Still, an agreement on trade between the US and China appears far off. President Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration was talking with China about trade, despite Beijing earlier denying the existence of negotiations and demanding that unilateral tariffs be revoked. The president later said that he wouldnt drop tariffs on China unless something substantial is offered in return. Oil has dropped sharply this month on concerns that Trumps sweeping tariffs and retaliatory measures from trading partners including China will cripple economic activity and throttle energy demand. In an effort to reassure US oil firms, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that the trade turmoil will be fleeting and that the administration fully supports more crude output. Our president is very clear and he wants lower energy prices, Wright said during an interview with Bloomberg Television at an energy conference in Oklahoma City. Oil prices at $50 per barrel in todays world probably is not sustainable for our producers in this country. The president wants American industry and American consumers to thrive, he added. The OPEC alliance has added to bearish headwinds by ramping up idled oil production, stoking fears of an oversupply. The group will meet on May 5 to discuss its output plans for June. Still, some metrics are pointing to near-term strength in the oil market. The prompt spread for WTI has widened this month in a bullish backwardation structure, signaling tight supply. At the same time, top traders have been snapping up barrels that help set benchmark prices in different regions. To get Bloombergs Energy Daily newsletter in your inbox, click here. With assistance from Alix Steel and David Wethe. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Q4 results today: Mukesh Ambani-led oil-to-telecom-to-retail giant Reliance Industries, Major automaker Maruti Suzuki, RBL Bank, L&T Finance Automotive Stampings and Assemblies, Atul, Hindustan Zinc are some of the major companies scheduled to announce financial results on Friday, April 25, for the quarter and year ended on March 31, 2025. Reliance Industries Q4 results preview It is expected that the Mukesh Ambani-led oil-to-telecom-to-retail giant will report mixed numbers, along with muted growth in the telecom and retail business. Some pressure is expected in the oil and gas segment due to higher crude oil prices. Also Read | Higher input costs dent Nestle Indias Q4 profit despite revenue growth "Reliance earnings are expected to remain stable. However, operating profit may come under pressure due to higher crude oil prices. The oil and gas business could stay flat, while Jio and the retail segment may post some growth. Overall, it is likely to be a mixed and stable quarter, with no major surprises expected. Markets are pricing in a tepid Q4 performance," Mint quoted Avinash Gorakshakar, the head of research at Profitmart Securities, on April 24, 2025. Reliance Industries Q4 results 2025: Reliance share price will be in focus today as the Sensex heavyweight has set Reliance Industries Q4 results 2025 date on 25 April 2025, i.e. today. Along with Q4 results 2025, the Mukesh Ambani-owned company has informed the Indian stock market exchanges that a proposal for raising funds and dividends on equity shares of the company would also be discussed during the board meeting on Friday, 25 April 2025. According to stock market experts, Relince Industries Q4 results 2025 is expected to report a steady topline performance. However, they predicted mixed Reliance Q4 results in 2025 across segments. They said the market is eager to know the company's Oil-to-Chemicals business performance from January to March 2025. Reliance Industries Q4 results 2025 preview Speaking on the market estimates on Reliance Q4 results 2025, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) likely to post a steady topline performance but mixed results across segments. The Oil-to-Chemicals (O2C) segment will likely be the key drag on performance. EBITDA from O2C is expected to fall YoY due to weak product cracks and flat-to-declining petrochemical prices. A 28% QoQ rise in ethane prices and stable naphtha costs have increased input costs, while benchmark Singapore GRMs have declined 58% YoY, reflecting global demand softness. However, refining margins are partially supported by the continued processing of discounted crude from Russia, Iraq, and Venezuela. Oil & Gas is also expected to underperform, with EBITDA likely to drop YoY due to reduced production from the KG-D6 block, despite a 2% YoY rise in deepwater gas prices." On market estimates from other business segments, Seema Srivastava said, On the positive side, Digital Services is expected to post good growth in EBITDA, driven by higher ARPUup 13% YoYfollowing telecom tariff hikes, along with a slight rise in subscriber base. The retail segment is also seen as a strong performer with good EBITDA growth, fueled by network expansion and better realizations. Investors will closely monitor commentary around Jio and Retail IPO timelines, discounted crude benefits, 5G rollout, KG-D6 production trends, and progress on renewable energy initiatives. Despite pressure in legacy businesses, retail and digital segments are expected to underpin medium-term growth. Reliance share price target On the outlook of Reliance shares ahead of Q4 results 2025 today, Mahesh M Ojha, AVP Technical Research at Hensex Securities, said, "Reliance shares are trading sideways to positive. The stock is expected to see some value buying on the technical chart. On breaching above 1320 on a closing basis, we can expect Reliance's share price to touch 1350 soon. Reliance shares have crucial support placed at 1288 on the lower side. The stock may go down to 1260 apiece levels on breaking below this support. Reliance Industries Q4 results 2025: Date, time, other details While updating about the board meeting, Reliance Industries said, "Pursuant to Regulation 29 and other applicable provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, please note that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company is scheduled to be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, inter alia, to: 1) consider and approve: a. the standalone and consolidated audited financial results of the Company for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2025; b. raising of funds by way of issuance of listed, secured / unsecured, redeemable non-convertible debentures on private placement basis, in one or more tranches. ii)recommend dividend on equity shares of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2025." Multibagger Penny Stock: RDB Infrastructure and Power has witnessed a remarkable surge in its share price on Dalal Street, growing exponentially in a short span of time and establishing itself as one of the biggest wealth creators recently. The companys stock, which was trading at just 1.75 apiece five years ago, has skyrocketed by an astounding 2,928% to its current market price of 53. This extraordinary performance includes stellar returns in some calendar years, with gains of 480% in the previous year alone. Building on its strong rally from 2024, the stock has maintained its upward momentum in the current calendar year, hitting a new all-time high of 62.7 in late March. To put things in perspective, an investor who had invested 1 lakh in the stock five years ago and held onto the investment would have seen its value grow to 30.28 lakhhighlighting the wealth-creating potential of the stock market when the right counters are chosen. Meanwhile, the stock has been trading on an ex-split basis in the ratio of 1:10. The above calculation does not factor in the post-split benefit. Recent Developments On April 24, 2025, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bigbull Infrabuild Private Limited for the development of a commercial and multi-storied retirement housing project. The project will be built on RDBs land measuring approximately 2.8375 acres, located in Sector-70A, within the revenue estate of Village Palra, Sub-Tehsil Badshahpur, Gurgaon, Haryana. As part of the agreement, the revenue sharing between RDB (as the landowner) and the developer has been fixed at 31.5% and 68.5%, respectively. Also Read | This multibagger real estate stock crashes 50% from recent high Earlier, on March 7, 2025, RDB Infrastructure was awarded a work contract by M/s Vardhman Group Realbuild LLP for the construction of a high-rise building. The scope of work includes the construction of a basement, ground floor, podiums, upper floors, underground water tank, overhead tanks, firefighting tanks, and a lift machine room. The project is located at CS No. 1282, Sandhurst Road West, Girgaon in D Ward, Mumbai City, Maharashtra400004. The proposed design includes a G+33 structure with a total built-up area of approximately 200,000 sq. ft. About the Company RDB Infrastructure and Power Limited (formerly RDB Realty & Infrastructure Limited) is an Indian real estate company and a part of the RDB Group. The company is engaged in real estate construction, development, and related activities, operating across both residential and commercial segments. Its portfolio includes the development of hi-tech and integrated townships, group housing projects, and commercial spaces such as office buildings, malls, and retail shops. RDB Infrastructure has a presence in several Indian cities, including Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur. The company currently has a market capitalization of approximately 941 crore. Stock market today: The equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, witnessed a notable drop during Friday's session, largely attributed to a decline in Axis Bank and rising worries about geopolitical tensions following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. After erasing all initial gains, the 30-share BSE benchmark fell sharply by 1,004.04 points, settling at 78,797.39 in late morning trade. The Nifty 50 dropped by 338.1 points, bringing its total down to 23,908.60. Market analysts observed that concerns over heightened geopolitical tensions following Tuesday's terror attack adversely affected market sentiment. Meanwhile, Asian markets showed positive trends, with South Korea's Kospi index, Japan's Nikkei 225, Shanghai's SSE Composite, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng all in the positive range. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) acquired equities worth 8,250.53 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data. Additionally, the global oil benchmark, Brent crude, experienced a 0.65 percent increase, reaching USD 66.98 per barrel. Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, outlined that the market is currently facing both favorable and unfavorable conditions. A significant favorable factor is the ongoing Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) buying, which has reached a total of 29513 crores over the past week. This marks a complete shift from the trend of investing in US stocks during the period of a strong dollar. Given that FII buying is expected to continue, bearish traders will likely refrain from shorting the market. Another positive element is the comment made by US Treasury Secretary Scot Bessent, indicating that India is anticipated to be the first country to finalize a bilateral trade agreement with the US. The US is also eager to establish as many agreements as possible, particularly since China's response to US efforts has been lukewarm. The strength of the Indian economy should continue to bolster the market. However, a significant challenge that could emerge is the uncertainty surrounding India's reaction to the terror attack and its ramifications, according to Vijayakumar. Also Read | Stocks to buy: Rajesh Palviya of Axis Sec suggests these 3 shares for today Market Views - Prashanth Tapse, Research Analyst, Senior Vice President of Research at Mehta Equities Nifty 50 Nifty 50 is continuing to move in a sideways trend between 24,100 - 24,350 zone indicating good sideways consolidation. Given the overall market condition and base trend being positive, we feel that any indicative move above 24,350 will be a bullish sign for the markets. At present levels of 24,343 - Nifty 50 looks poised for a breakout on the upper side towards 24,400 and 24,500 odd targets. We advise traders to watch 24,000 level closely on the lower side being the major support. Bank Nifty Similar to Nifty 50, Bank Nifty is also seen to be consolidating well between its zone of 54,800 - 55,500. We feel that any move below 54,800 will be a negative sign for the market and can drag indices lower. A break above 55,500 will however continue the positive base up-trend that we are in and extend move towards 56,000 odd levels. A strict stoploss should be kept at 54,800 for all active longs to manage risk well. Also Read | Stocks to buy under 100: Experts recommend six shares to buy today Shares to buy for short term Prashanth Tapse recommends buying these three stocks in the short term - Infosys Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd, and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). Infosys BUY| CMP 1,488 | Buy | SL 1,450 | Target 1,550 Infosys has recently rebounded from a support zone near 1,450, showing signs of renewed buying interest. The RSI is trending upward, indicating positive Momentum. A move above 1,500 could accelerate gains toward 1,550. The stock is also trading above key moving averages, which reinforces the bullish setup. Traders can look to buy with a stop-loss at 1,450. Tata Motors BUY| CMP 666 | Buy | SL 640 | Target 700 Tata Motors is holding firm near 660 and continues to trade in a rising channel, suggesting strength. A move past 670 can trigger a fresh upmove toward 700. Momentum indicators like RSI and MACD remain positive. With strong support at 640, the risk-reward setup favours buyers. A buy-on-dips approach is recommended with a stop-loss below 640. Reliance BUY| CMP 1,320 | Buy | SL 1,300 | Target 1,350 Reliance is consolidating in a narrow band, and a breakout above 1,320 can spark short-term momentum toward 1,350. The stock is showing signs of base formation near 1,300, which acts as strong support. Technical indicators are improving, and a close above resistance may attract fresh buying. Traders can initiate long positions with a stop-loss at 1,300 for near-term gains. Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy Stock Market Today: Amidst consolidation in the markets, the benchmark Nify-50 Index ended 0.34% lower at 24,246.70. The Bank Nifty also ended 0.3% lower at 55,201.40, while most sectoral indices ended lower with Realty and FMCG leading the decline. The broader markets also ended almost flat to marginally lower Trade Setup for Friday A small correction may happen if the Benchmark Nifty 50 index sustains below 22,300. On the downside, the Nifty could decline towards 21,900, while resistance is seen at 24,300 and 24,500 , as per Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities. The key support base for Nifty 50 index is placed at 54,000-53,500 levels as per Bajaj Broking Global Markets and Q4 Results After a rally of 12% in the last 10 trading sessions, Indian market is expected to consolidate with a positive bias. Global market cues and Q4 corporate earnings would be the key drivers for the market. Key results to watch out on Friday include those from heavyweights like Reliance, Maruti, Hindustan Zinc, Shriram Finance, Cholamandalam Inv amongst others, said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. Stocks to buy today Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, has recommended two stock picks for today. Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Anand Rathi, suggested three stocks, while Shiju Koothupalakkal, Senior Manager Technical Research, at Prabhudas Lilladher has given three stocks picks Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd - Bagadia recommends buying Dr Reddys Laboratories at around 1200.50 keeping Stoploss at 1158 for a target price of 1284 DRREDDY is currently trading at 1200.5, demonstrating strong bullish momentum, as reflected by the consistent formation of higher highs and higher lows. This price action suggests a robust trend reversal. The emergence of a solid bullish candlestick pattern further supports the likelihood of a sustained uptrend, with a notable increase in trading volumes indicating growing buying interest among market participants. 2. Adani Energy Solutions Ltd- Bagadia recommends buying Adani Energy Solutions at 2.961.70 keeping Stoploss at 928 for a target of 1029 ADANIENSOL is currently trading at 961.7, the stock is exhibiting a strong bullish trend in recent weeks, supported by a steady upward price movement following a breakout from its earlier downtrend. The recent price action indicates a potential Rounding Bottom pattern formation, often considered a bullish continuation setup. This breakout has occurred on strong volume, further validating the positive sentiment. The stock has moved above key exponential moving averages, which are now beginning to align positively, supporting a potential trend reversal from bearish to bullish. If the stock surpasses its immediate resistance of 930, it could potentially reach a short-term target of 1029 Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today 3. Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd - Dongre recommends buying Titagarh Rail Systems at 813 keeping Stoploss at 790 for a target price of 855 In the latest short-term technical analysis, TITAGARH has shown a strong and consistent bullish trend, indicating the potential for an extended upward move. The stock is currently trading at 813 and holding above a key support level at 790. This support zone serves as a critical point for risk management. Given the bullish momentum, traders are advised to consider a buying opportunity with a stop-loss placed strategically at 790 to manage downside risk. The target for this trade is set at 855, suggesting a favorable risk-to-reward ratio and a continuation of the prevailing upward trend. 3. NMDC Ltd- Dongre recommends buying NMDC at 68 keeping Stoploss at 65 for a target price of 73 NMDC has exhibited a notable bullish reversal pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 68 and maintaining a strong support at 65. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 73 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 65 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside. 5. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd- Dongre recommends buying Sun Pharmaceutical Industries at 1795 keeping Stoploss at 1760 for a target price of 1845. SUNPHARMA, the stock is currently trading at 1795 and appears to be in an oversold zone. A bullish reversal pattern has emerged on the daily chart, indicating a potential recovery move. The critical support level lies at 1760, which also acts as a key stop-loss point for this trade. With bullish cues signaling a possible retracement towards the 1845 target, this setup provides a favorable entry opportunity for traders looking to capitalize on a technical rebound. Shiju Koothupalakkal's intraday stocks for today 6. Shipping Corporation of India Ltd- Koothupalakkal recommends buying Shipping Corporation of India at around 181 for a target price of 192 keeping Stoploss at 177 The stock after the consolidation period has indicated a bullish candle on the daily chart with significant volume participation witnessed to improve the bias and can anticipate for further rise in the coming sessions. The RSI has improved with a steady rise and is currently well placed to indicate strength and can carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest to buy the stock for an upside target of 192 keeping the stop loss of 177 level. 7. Inox Wind Ltd - Koothupalakkal recommends buying INOX WIND at around 180 for a target price of 190 keeping Stop loss at Rs176 The stock with series of positive bullish candle formation on the daily chart has indicated a clear breakout above the triangular pattern at 170 zone to strengthen the trend and further upward move can be expected in the coming sessions. There is significant rise in the volume participation to support our view and with theRSI well placed and steadily on the rise has much upside potential visible, to carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically maintained strong, we suggest to buy the stock for an upside target of 190 level keeping the stop loss of 176 level. 8. Elecon Engineering Company Ltd- Koothupalakkal recommends buying Elecon Engineering at 540 for a Target price of 570 keeping Stop loss at 527 The stock has recently breached above the important 50EMA zone at 462 level to strengthen the bias and has indicated a strong pick up to further improve the bias anticipating for further continuation of the uptrend. With the RSI getting strong, we expect further rise in the stock having much upside potential from current rate. With the chart looking good, we suggest to buy the stock for an upside target of 570 keeping the stop loss of 527 level. Stock to watch: Nokia Solutions and Networks India on Friday, April 25, divested nearly one per cent stake in debt-ridden telecom operator Vodafone Idea for 786 crore through an open market transaction. According to the bulk deal data on NSE, Nokia Solutions and Networks India sold 102.70 crore shares, amounting to a 0.95 per cent stake in Vodafone Idea. The shares were sold at an average price of 7.65 apiece, taking the aggregate value to 785.67 crore. NSE bulk deal data also showed global investment firm Goldman Sachs picked up 59.86 crore shares or 0.55 per cent holding in Vodafone Idea. The shares were acquired at the same price. This took the deal value to 457.96 crore. Details of other buyers of Vodafone Idea's shares could not be ascertained. Also Read | No plan to merge Vodafone Idea and BSNL: Scindia Stock to watch: Vodafone Idea share price in focus on Monday On Friday, shares of Vodafone Idea fell 5.93 per cent to close at 7.46 per piece on the NSE. In June last year, Vodafone Idea announced that it will allocate shares worth 2,458 crore to vendors Nokia India and Ericsson India to clear their partial dues. Pursuant to issuance of shares, the equity stake of Nokia and Ericsson in the company will be 1.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. The stock has risen six per cent in one month and has declined seven per cent year-to-date (YTD). In the last one year, the telecom stock has crashed 47 per cent. Vodafone Idea debt pile The debt of Vodafone Idea Ltd increased by about seven per cent to 2.17 lakh crore in December 2024 quarter mainly on account of increase in statutory liabilities, the company said on Wednesday. It recorded total debt of 2,03,400 crore in December 2023 quarter. According to the telecom operator's investor presentation, the debt of 2.17 lakh crore comprises 2,14,700 crore payment obligations towards the government and 2,300 crore debt from banks and financial institutions. Stock market today: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty 50 saw a rebound in early trading on Friday, fueled by ongoing foreign fund investments and a surge in global markets. However, they struggled to maintain this upward trend and were later trading lower, primarily weighed down by Axis Bank. In the initial trade, the 30-share BSE benchmark index rose by 329.23 points to reach 80,130.66. The Nifty 50 also increased by 118.75 points, reaching 24,365.45. Despite this initial surge, both benchmark indices eventually relinquished their early gains and were trading down. The BSE benchmark index was down by 174.24 points at 79,627.19, while the Nifty 50 was 94.35 points lower at 24,152.35. Also Read | Stocks to buy under 100: Experts recommend six shares to buy today Dr. VK Vijayakumar, the Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited, pointed out that the market currently faces both favourable and unfavorable conditions. A significant positive factor is the ongoing buying by foreign institutional investors (FIIs), which has reached a total of 29513 crores over the past week. Further, Vijayakumar added that this signifies a complete shift from the previous trend of investing in US stocks during times of a strong dollar. Given that FII buying is expected to continue, bearish investors will likely avoid short-selling the market. Another supportive factor is the comment made by US Treasury Secretary Scot Bessent, indicating that India is anticipated to be the first country to finalize a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three stocks to buy today Share Market Tips and Nifty 50 Outlook by Rajesh Palviya, SVP - Technical and Derivatives Research, Axis Securities Nifty 50 With the past couple of weeks' rally, the benchmark index has observed a "V" shape recovery, indicating bullish sentiment. The index is firmly placed above its 20,50,100 and 200-day SMA (24052), which signals bullish sentiments on a higher time frame. On the upside, the index is expected to extend this momentum towards the 24,800-25,000 levels. The crucial support zone is located around the 24,000-23,800 levels; hence, any minor correction around this remains a buying opportunity for traders. The daily and weekly strength indicator, RSI, is in positive territory, indicating rising strength. Inox Wind Ltd Cmp: 182 With the current close, the stock has decisively broken out past four months' "multiple resistance" zone of 178 levels on a closing basis, indicating a strong comeback of bulls. This breakout is accompanied by huge volumes, signifying increased participation. The stock has formed a trend reversal on the daily and weekly charts, forming higher tops and bottoms. The stock is sustaining above its 20-by-50 and 100-day SMA reconfirms the bullish trend. The daily "band Bollinger" buy signal suggests increased momentum. Investors should consider buying, holding, and accumulating this stock. Its expected upside is 200-218 and its downside support zone is the 173-165 levels. Also Read | Recommended stocks to buy today: Top stock picks by market experts for 25 April Hero MotoCorp Ltd Cmp: 3,962 On the weekly chart, the stock has decisively surpassed its seven-month "down-sloping trendline" at 3,750 levels on a closing basis. This confirms the short-term trend reversal. The daily "band Bollinger" buy signal suggests increased momentum. The daily and weekly strength indicator RSI is in favourable territory, indicating rising strength. The stock is sustaining above its 20-by-50 and 100-day SMA, which reconfirms the bullish trend. Investors should consider buying, holding, and accumulating this stock. Its expected upside is 4,250-4,400 , and its downside support zone is the 3,830-3,750 levels. Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd Cmp: 436 On the daily chart, the stock has confirmed a "rounding bottom" formation breakout at 420 levels on a closing basis, indicating positive bias. Huge volume spurt signifies increased participation at the breakout zone. The daily "band Bollinger" buy signal suggests increased momentum. The stock is well positioned above its 20, 50,100 and 200-day SMAs, which reconfirms bullish sentiment. The daily, weekly, and monthly strength indicator RSI is in favourable territory, indicating rising strength. Investors should consider buying, holding, and accumulating this stock. Its expected upside is 485-513, and its downside support zone is the 413-400 levels. Bullet Train Explosion When the trailer for Bullet Train Explosion dropped, social media users said it looked like a Japanese version of Speed. Actually, its a remake of the 1975 film Bullet Train by Junya Sato, which was very likely the inspiration for Speed and other mad bomber films. In Shinji Higuchis film for Netflix, an anonymous caller informs the authorities that a bomb on a train bound from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo will explode if the speed drops below 100 km/hr. (Netflix) A still from 'Andor'. Andor Andors first season took everyone by surprise in 2022 by being a Star Wars property that was actually good. Not just good by Star Wars standards either, but a genuinely well-written, thoughtful series about evil bureaucracy and grassroots revolution. The second season, written by series creator Tony Gilroy, Beau Willimon, Dan Gilroy and Tim Bissell, follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as he becomes increasingly involved with the Rebel Alliance against the Empire. (Disney+ Hotstar) A still from 'Ne Zha 2'. Ne Zha 2 This Chinese animated adventure, based on the 16th century novel Investiture of the Gods by Xu Zhonglin, is currently the highest-grossing film of 2025, as well as the highest grossing animated film ever. It continues the story of Ne Zha, a young boy with supernatural powers, from the 2019 film. It releases this week in India in Mandarin and dubbed versions. Written and directed by Jiaozi. (In theatres) A still from 'Grand Tour'. Grand Tour Miguel Gomes film, for which he won Best Director at Cannes last years, tracks the adventures of Edward (Goncalo Waddington), a British civil servant, as he wanders across Asia in the period between the World Wars, leaving behind his fiance, Molly (Crista Alfaiate), in Rangoon. We later follow Molly as she sets out on Edwards trail. Their stories are interweaved with modern-day documentary footage of the cities they pass through. (MUBI) Over the five years between 2019 and 2023, more than 25,000 Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students have dropped out of top educational institutions, including IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) and Central universities, according to Rajya Sabha data shared by the minister of state for education in 2023. These arent just students; they represent 25,000 generational legacies excluded from the stream of higher education. Persisting discrimination in hostels, education and placements culminates in suicides among students from marginalised communities in IITs and IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management), highlighting the severe caste-based discrimination and linguistic inferiority they face. Adapting to the culture of elite institutions becomes especially difficult for rural students without systems in place to provide them with mental and emotional support. The founding ideals of institutions like IITs and IIMs are rooted in meritocracy. When higher education upholds caste hierarchies instead of dismantling them, it betrays its very purpose. B.R. Ambedkar famously said, Educate, Agitate, Organise", and notably, education comes first. Marginalised communities educate themselves, organise, and yet struggle in pursuit of education because the universities fail to safeguard their interests. Once universities become safe havens, without discrimination, shared learning can foster invincible collective strength. Therefore, education must be the top priority for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they are not merely used as foot soldiers or vote banks in divisive agendas of majoritarian regimes. A HISTORY OF LEARNING Systemic inequality was challenged by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj through education. In the early 20th century, as a ruler of Kolhapur, he implemented reservations in education and employment for marginalised communities, and was one of the first to do so. Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil created history by founding the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha (Rayat Educational Institute) in Satara in 1919, an institute that has grown to become one of the largest educational networks in Maharashtra with a focus on providing quality, affordable education to the socially and economically marginalised. In the mid-19th century, Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule challenged Brahminical dominance by opening the first school for girls and lower-caste children in Pune. At a time when education was denied to the oppressed, their efforts laid the foundation for an inclusive and just society. Their lives and struggles stand as powerful examples, showing that education is not just a means of learning, but a weapon to fight injustice. These pioneering efforts were not just about providing literacy, they were about building cultural capital for the marginalised. By fostering access to knowledge, values and institutional spaces, they empowered oppressed communities to claim legitimacy and visibility in a society that had long denied them both. Youth from rural and marginalised backgrounds in India and abroad are often identified as underprivileged". Their cultural identity itself becomes their cultural capital. Being excluded from the dominant social classes for generations constantly reminds them of their fragile social position. Many marginalised communities constantly battle the lack of cultural capital within themselves even today, after 200 years. A SENSE OF BELONGING The concept of cultural capital" was introduced by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, born in 1930 to a working-class family. According to this idea, the first element of cultural capital is belonging to a specific social class. The second and very significant aspect includes the skills, clothing, cultural practices, resources and exposure a person gains as part of a particular social group. From these two components, the meaning of cultural capital becomes clear. When we look at the cultural capital of individuals from marginalised communities through this framework, we begin to understand its impact on their journey through higher education. For example, in academic settings a Dalit student refuses to speak in fear of being mocked for bad English or impure" dialects. Likewise, most students lose opportunities and access to jobs and internships because their profiles and networks arent as polished and well-defined as their counterparts. Due to these disparities, many students from marginalised groups face constant mental stress. They experience an inner burden when they sit beside peers wearing expensive branded clothes, knowing they must compete with them in the same academic and job market. The simultaneous awareness of personal poverty and the symbolic mental pressure of others wealth creates a difficult learning environment. Of course, this is not to say that wealthy students should not dress according to their means. The point is that an individuals cultural capital continuously shapes their educational experience. This struggle continues even in the job market. A student with labouring parents has worked through their life, toiling in farms and work sites, yet they will be dismissed as lacking work experience" or a life skill". In comparison, consider your classmates doing stints at NGOs funded by their parents and peer networks; it is suddenly a recognisable skill and a passion project. At the level of educational policy, this issue is still largely ignored. Cultural capital is seen merely as an academic or sociological concept. The fact that differences in cultural capital prevent marginalised students from fully benefiting from higher education is not widely acknowledged. While individual foundations and organisations continue to work to bridge these gaps, it is crucial to engage in policy-level discussion on cultural capital and, more importantly, initiate coordinated efforts by policymakers, social workers, thinkers and researchers to bring about meaningful change. A NARROW LENS Policymakers often promote skill-based education as a pathway to employability. When generations of marginalised communities have been systematically exploited by capitalist systems, is it just to once again reduce them to mere labourers in the name of equipping them with skills? Many rural students, despite their academic potential, are misled into choosing vocational training courses, believing it to be the only viable path to employment. Despite being capable of competing at IITs or global institutions, they fall into this trap of industrial training institutes. Education must be more than a credential; it must be a vehicle for dignity, self-respect and representation. For many disadvantaged students, international universities offer a more equitable alternative, with need-blind admissions, inclusive pedagogies and mentorship programs that actively work to counter the structural inequalities present in Indian institutions. This is borne out by the findings of the parliamentary standing committees report, released in March, exposing stark inequities in Indian higher education. Fewer than 1% of private university students are from Scheduled Tribes, and only 5% from Scheduled Castes, with SC faculty representation at a dismal 4%. These figures reveal how both state and private institutions perpetuate exclusion, despite universities being hailed as equalisers. In India, the government invests crores of rupees in institutions like the IITs, yet many of their graduates eventually settle abroad. In contrast, students from marginalised backgrounds who pursue global education through scholarships often return with a strong commitment to contribute to local and national development. The government and policy-makers must recognise this potential and take proactive steps to engage these scholars in key national projects. Creating pathways for them to work on diverse issues, ranging from education and health to technology and policy, can have a far-reaching impact. When Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi scholars are given such opportunities, India moves closer to becoming a genuinely inclusive and equitable society. Raju Kendre is the founder and CEO of Eklavya India Foundation, a non-profit focused on education and leadership. He is also a visiting fellow at CeMIS, University of Gottingen, under the German Chancellor Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Delhi Police arrested activist Medha Patkar after Saket court issued a Non-Bailable warrant (NBW) against her on April 23. She will be presented before the Saket court today. The court had she "deliberately" flouted its order to submit probation bonds and deposit 1 lakh fine in a defamation case of Delhi LG V K Saxena, who filed the case 23 years ago, when he led an NGO in Gujarat. Additional sessions judge (ASJ) Vishal Singh, who held the Narmada Bachao Andolan leader guilty in the defamation case, released her on probation of good conduct on April 8. Medha Patkar case: What happened in the court on Wednesday? The matter on Wednesday was listed for Patkars appearance, furnishing of probation bonds and depositing the fine amount. Saxenas counsel, advocate Gajinder Kumar, stated Patkar did not appear, nor did she conform with the courts directions. "In todays matter, NBW (non bailable warrant) has been issued against Patkar through the Commissioner of Delhi Police, and the court has noted that the application filed by the convict for seeking an adjournment is mischievous and frivolous," Singh had said. In case the convict does not comply with its order by the next date of hearing on May 3, then the court will consider altering the benevolent sentence passed on April 8, he added. The intention of convicting Medha Patkar is apparent that she is deliberately violating the court order, she is avoiding appearing before the court and also avoiding accepting the terms of the sentence passed against her. There is no order of suspension of sentence passed by this court on April 8, 2025. This court is left with no option but to enforce the production of convict Medha Patkar through coercive order," Singh had remarked. As the president of the National Council of Civil Liberties, Saxena registered a case against Patkar for her defamatory press release against him, issued on November 24, 2000. A magisterial court in May last year ruled Patkar's statements terming Saxena a "coward" and claiming his involvement in hawala transactions were not only defamatory per se but also crafted to provoke negative perceptions about him. The arguments on sentencing concluded on May 30, and the judgment on the sentence was reserved on June 7. On July 1, the court sentenced her to five months of imprisonment, after which Patkar had filed an appeal in the sessions court. Patna civil courton Friday morning received a bomb threat via email, threatening to blow up the court premises, said Patna Police. Upon being informed, the security forces evacuated people from the court premises. Checking was conducted and bomb squad and ATS were called at the spot. However, the email appeared to be a hoax and efforts were underway to track the sender, said Patnas Additional SP Diksha Kumari, who led the police team to the site. Diksha Kumari said: Patna Civil Court received a threat mail in the morning, it was written in the mail that a bomb has been kept in the court. Court Security was at the spot, people were evacuated from the court. Checking has been conducted. Dog squad, bomb squad and ATS are also at the spot. Investigation is underway. Most likely it was a hoax mail, the Patna ASP said. WATCH VIDEO Maharashtra news: Bomb threat at Nagpur bench of HC Tension gripped the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday after an email threatened that explosives were planted on the premises, though it turned out to be a hoax, officials said. Nothing was found during a search of the premises, they said. "An email was received by the username 'madras.tigers@outlook.com'. It contained a code language referencing historical figures and cryptic terms, but the subject line said 'RDX IEDs placed in Bombay High Court Nagpur bench premises - Evacuate by 3 pm'," an official of Sadar police station said. Also Read | Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Delhi receive bomb threat call "Security teams, including the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and sniffer dogs, conducted a thorough search of the premises, but did not find any explosive material. The threat was declared a hoax," he said. A non-cognisable offence has been registered and efforts are on to trace the sender of the email through the IP address, the officials said. At least three schoolchildren were tossed up into the air after a speeding car hit them from behind in Uttarakhand's Dehradun, CCTV footage, which is now being circulated on social media, showed. The shocking incident happened on Wednesday, April 23, in Selaqui, located on the outskirts of Dehradun. Three people sustained serious injuries when the speeding car lost control and collided with the group of students, who were walking home from Govt Inter College in Selaqui, according to a report by the Times of India. Lack of speed breakers a concern Eight of the injured students were taken to Dhulkot hospital, while one was admitted to a facility in Jhajhra. Following the incident, locals expressed concerns over the lack of speed control measures in the area, particularly near schools. Residents demanded urgent installation of speed breakers and better traffic regulation along the busy stretch to prevent such incidents, TOI reported. Rash and negligent driving According to the police, the vehicle, travelling from the Dehradun-Paonta national highway towards Nigam Road, also collided with three parked vehicles before coming to a stop. The driver, identified as Vikrant Kumar, a health worker stationed at the State Mental Health Institute, sustained injuries and has been taken into custody. The driver is receiving treatment, and an investigation is underway. A case will be registered against him for rash and negligent driving, Selaqui SHO PD Bhatt told TOI. Noida car crash In March, two labourers from Chhattisgarh were injured after a speeding Lamborghini hit them on a footpath adjacent to an under-construction building in Noidas Sector 94. The labourers were rushed to a nearby hospital. They had suffered a fracture in their legs, police said. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif has admitted in a recent interview that Pakistan as a country has been supporting, backing and funding terrorism for three decades. Asif went on to say that it was a mistake that the country was suffering from. Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, and West, including Britain, Asif is heard telling British news channel Sky News after anchor Yalda Hakim asked him about Pakistan has a long history of backing, funding and supporting terrorist organisations. Also Read | Amit Shah calls for identification of Pakistani citizens after Pahalgam attacks Asif's remarks came amid escalating tensions and Pakistan's downgraded diplomatic relations with India after the worst-ever terror attack on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26, mostly tourists, earlier this week. The anchor responds, so, that is your argument and the minister responds, ...that was a mistake and we suffer for that. And that is why you are asking it to me. Tourists were attacked in Kashmir earlier, too, but not in such big numbers. The Pakistan defence minister went on to say that if Pakistan had not joined US war against the Soviet Union and later on after 9/11, Pakistan had an unimpeachable track record. In the same interview, Asif told British news channel Sky News that the worsening ties between the two neighbouring nations post the Pahalgam terror attack might lead to an all-out India-Pakistan war. Who carried out the Pahalgam attack? Well we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades. The Pahalgam terrorist attack was carried out in the fabled Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22, a day when United States Vice President JD Vance was in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modiwas on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. India responded by deciding to shut the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari in Amritsar along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab immediately. India also decided to suspend the Indus water treaty until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The decisions to downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan in view of cross-border links to the Pahalgam terrorist attack were taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23. Pakistan responded with countermeasures as the militaries of both countries remain on high alert with widespread reports suggesting a possibility of punitive strikes by India in response toApril 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Also Read | NSE to donate 1 crore to families of Pahalgam terror attack victims The Resistance Front(TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-basedLashkar-e-Taiba, is believed to be behind Tuesday's attack, a claim that Mint has not been able to verify. Some reports even suggested that a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, is believed to be the mastermind of the attack. There has not been any official word on these claims yet. Pahalgam Terror Attack: The Bengaluru City Police has registered an FIR against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s IT and Social Media cell in Karnataka for a post allegedly seeking to defame Rahul Gandhi in connection with the Pahalgam terror strike. Based on the FIR filed at the High Grounds police station, the members of Karnataka BJP IT Cell have been charged under Sections 196 ( promotion of enmity between different groups on grounds like religion, race, place of birth, residence, language) and 353 (2)(public mischief through misinformation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the new name for criminal laws known earlier as Indian Penal Code (IPC). CM Dhananjaya, spokesperson and chairman of Karnataka Congress Pradesh Committees legal and human resources department told media that the BJP IT cell post on social media suggested that Rahul Gandhis recent US trip was linked to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This is not only intended to tarnish the image of Rahul Gandhi, but also to divert the attention and escape from their responsibility. This will also create a rift in society, which needs to be dealt with firmly, he added. The social media post by the BJP, the complainant alleged, used a picture of Rahul Gandhi and said every time he left the country, something sinister unfolded back home. The police said that they will issue a notice to the persons concerned to appear for questioning. The Pahalgam terrorist attack was carried out in the fabled Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22, a day when United States Vice President JD Vance was in India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. Rahul Gandhi Cuts Short US Trip Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reached New Delhi in the early hours of Thursday after cutting short his visit to the United States (US) in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. During the trip, Gandhi was expected to deliver a talk at Brown University in Rhode Island and engage with faculty and students at the institution. Also Read | Pakistan defence minister warns of all-out war with India Gandhi is expected to fly to Kashmir and meet the injured at Government Medical College and Hospital in Anantnag district on Friday. Gandhi's US trip had already sparked a political row with the BJP lashing out the Congress leader for his comment on the Election Commission in reference to Maharashtra election result during his address to the diaspora in Boston city of Massachusetts. Targeting Rahul Gandhi over his address, the BJP accused the Congress leader of always defaming India on foreign soil. This is not only intended to tarnish the image of Rahul Gandhi, but also to divert the attention and escape from their responsibility. Pahalgam terror attack: Days after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, India is currently working on three plans to ensure that Pakistan does not receive even a drop of water, said Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil. The Jal Shakti minister stated that New Delhi has devised three strategiesa long-term plan, a short-term plan, and a midterm planto ensure that not even a drop of water goes to Pakistan. India is currently working on three plans to ensure that Pakistan does not receive even a drop of water India's roadmap to ensure no drop of water for Pakistan Paatil further added that a roadmap was prepared in the meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, and that very soon, delisting of rivers will be done to stop the water flow to Pakistan, and divert it. A roadmap was prepared in the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Three options were discussed in the meeting. The government is working on short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures so that not even a drop of water goes to Pakistan. Soon, desilting of rivers will be done to stop the water and divert it, CR Paatil told ANI. India suspends Indus Waters Treaty India's latest move to ensure that its neighbour Pakistan does not receive a single drop of water comes just after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty on Wednesday, April 23. India said that sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir impedes India's rights under the Indus Waters Treaty. "The Govt of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect," reads a letter from Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti to Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan Ministry of Water Resources. What is the Indus Waters Treaty? Signed in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty allocates the eastern rivers Sutlej, Beas and Ravi to India and the western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab to Pakistan. Pahalgam terror attacks Horror gripped Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam after terrorists opened fire at tourists near the Baisaran meadow in the picturesque town of the Union Territory on Tuesday, April 22, in the afternoon. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the Indus Water Treaty which was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 is the "most unfair document" to the people of the Union Territory, reported ANI. While addressing the media, Omar Abdullah expressed a strong disapproval over the Indus Water Treaty, said, The government of India has taken some steps. As far as J-K is concerned, we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the Indus Water Treaty has been the most unfair document to the people of J-K. Also Read | Video: Houses of Pahalgam terror attack suspects demolished in Kashmir Speaking about the assurance received from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the safety of J-K residents in other states, Abdullah said that an advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry and the Union Minister also spoke with the Chief Ministers of many states. It is regrettable that this attack took place and we ensured that whatever issues that were kept in front of us in the meeting, we will work on them. During this meeting, I spoke with the Union Home Minister and he assured me that all steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the people of J-K who are staying in other states...An advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry and the Union Minister also spoke with the Chief Ministers of many states, he added. Meeting held at Amit Shah's residence: Earlier in the day, a key meeting over the Indus Water Treaty took place at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence in the national capital, where Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil, MEA S Jaishankar and others were present. After the meeting, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Paatil said, A roadmap was prepared in the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Three options were discussed in the meeting. The government is working on short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures so that not even a drop of water goes to Pakistan. Soon, desilting of rivers will be done to stop the water and divert it. Ministry of Jal Shakti Secretary, Debashree Mukherjee, had informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about suspension of the Indus Water Treaty by the Indian government through an official letter. (With agency inputs) Also Read | What is Simla Agreement that may be suspended after India's water treaty move Pahalgam terror attack: Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists, Iran on Friday offered to mediate between the two neighbouring countries. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the region, describing India and Pakistan as "brotherly neighbours" and affirming that Tehran considers relations with both nations a top priority. What did Iran say? The Iran minister wrote on X: India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time, in line with the spirit taught by Persian poet Saadi, he wrote. "Human Beings are members of a whole In creation of one essence and soul If one member is inflicted with pain Other members uneasy will remain," Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X, formerly Twitter. India Pakistan tensions escalate Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated on Friday. Pakistan Army troops opened fire at some places along the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday, prompting an immediate retaliation from the Indian Army, officials said. "Small Arm Firing at some places on Line of Control initiated by Pakistan Army. Effectively responded to by Indian Army. No casualties," Indian Army officials said. Also Read | Did dirty work for US for 3 decades: Pakistan Minister Meanwhile, India has stopped providing water to Pakistan following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, while Pakistan has closed its airspace for Indian airlines. Following the terror attack n Pahalgam, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. Pakistan threatened with the abeyance of the Simla Agreement signed in 1972 that advocates for peace between the two nations. Pahalgam terror attack As many as 26 people were killed in the attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. A Delhi court on Friday directed the release of social activist Medha Patkar, hours after she was arrested in a defamation case related to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The activist was produced before the Saket court after arrest pursuant to a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against her. Duty Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vipin Kharb directed the release of Medha Patkar on furnishing a probation bond and depositing the compensation amount after her counsel submitted before the court that I, Medha Patkar, was given time until May 3, as per an order passed on April 23. Also Read | Court upholds conviction of Medha Patkar in Vinai Kumar Saxena defamation case However, VK Saxenas counsel Gajinder Kumar submitted: "I am not accepting the compensation amount; I will pursue my legal recourse." After hearing the submissions, the court granted permission for the probation bond and deposit of the compensation amount, directing Patkars release subject to the above conditions. Non-bailable warrant against Patkar On April 23, the Saket court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Patkar through the Commissioner of Delhi Police for non-compliance with its previous order. "Issue NBWs against convict Medha Patkar, through the office of the Commissioner of Police, for the next date," Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh had ordered on April 23. Earlier, she was sentenced and released on probation and was directed to deposit the compensation amount and to furnish a probation bond. Last year in July, Medha Patkar was convicted in a defamation case filed by VK Saxena in 2000. The court also noted: "Instead of appearing before the court and complying with the order on sentence of April 8, 2025, the convict is absent and has deliberately failed to comply with the order on sentence and to avail the benefit of probation subject to furnishing the compensation amount." "The intention of convicting Medha Patkar is apparent: she is deliberately violating the court order, avoiding appearing before the court, and also avoiding accepting the terms of the sentence passed against her. There is no order of suspension of sentence passed by this court on April 8, 2025," ASJ Vishal Singh said. "This court is left with no option but to enforce the production of convict Medha Patkar through coercive order," he added. The court will hear the case next on May 3, 2025. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court suspended the sentence of Medha Patkar till May 20, 2025. She has been directed to file a bond of 25,000. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday, while probing a case linked to Pakistan-backed cross-border smuggling of arms and narcotics by Khalistani operatives, conducted extensive searches at multiple locations across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and other states across India, reported ANI. The national probing agency also informed that they found several electronic devices and other incriminating materials during the searches. Also Read | Jaya Roy and Ashish Batra: The NIA duo behind Tahawwur Rana probe Several electronic devices and other incriminating materials were recovered during the searches, conducted on Thursday (April 24) at 18 locations in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, ANI quoted NIA statement as saying. NIA arrests man: In the meantime, the NIA on Friday arrested an absconding man allegedly involved in the 2022 case related to the recovery of explosives from Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. Also Read | NIA raids multiple locations linked to Khalistani terrorist Goldy Brar Identified as a resident of Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, Firoz Khan is the 11th accused to be arrested in the case, PTI quoted NIA's official statement. According to the details, Firoz is a proclaimed offender and was taken into custody after he was produced in NIA special court in Jaipur by officials from Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. The case relates to the seizure of explosives and components used in producing improvised explosive device (IED) by a naka party in Nimbaheda area of Chittorgarh. Subsequently, NIA took over and registered the case in April 2022. Also Read | 4 Pro-Khalistan terror operatives charged in Chandigarh grenade attack case NIA found during investigations that Firoz had conspired with others in the crime and had attended meetings at the poultry farm of accused Imran Khan to hatch the conspiracy, according to the probe agency. Khan had been evading arrest for the past three years and a standing arrest warrant was also issued against him by the NIA special court. Firoz is among the 11 accused persons against whom NIA had filed a chargesheet in the case in September 2022. Pahalgam Terror Attack: While there was certainly a lapse in the Baisaran valley, located in South Kashmirs famed tourist resort of Pahalgam, it would be instructive to remember that no security or intelligence is fool proof and perfect, says former RAW chief and Indias leading Kashmir specialist, AS Dulat. "No intelligence or security detail is foolproof. If that was the case, Mrs Indira Gandhi would not have been assassinated, 9/11 could have taken place and more recently, Hamas would not have launched a surprise assault on Israel in October 2023, Dulat told this reporter. Some media reports have speculated about a possible intelligence failure in the case where 26 people were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. All but one of them were Indian citizens. New Delhi swiftly pointed the finger at Pakistan, downgraded ties and suspended its participation in the crucial Indus Water Treaty between the two countries. Certainly odd, but Nonetheless, how was it possible that there was no security detail for miles at a holiday destination in a state where the security cover is intense, particularly for VIPs? "It is certainly odd but if you look at the Anantnag district, the site of this massacre is not too far from the Amarnath yatra route, which is heavily guarded. Also, in the history of Kashmir, this holy yatra has not been disturbed by terrorists, save for 2017. So, I would say that such a killing is not just a shame but practically unprecedented, he said. The one major exception, Dulat acknowledged, was the Chittisinghpura massacre where 35 Sikh villagers were killed on 20 March 2000. Situated in the Anantnag district, the slaying took place on the eve of the US President Bill Clintons state visit to India. The massacre was a turning point in the history of a troubled Kashmir, where Sikhs had usually been spared terrorist violence. Also Read | Pahalgam attack rekindles chilling memories of Chittisinghpura massacre The Baisaran killings came when the US Vice-President JD Vance was visiting India on a four-day trip. Asked if there was a change of mind in Islamabad with the new army chief, Gen Asim Munir, spewing the Two-Nation theory publicly, Dulat said that appeared to be the case. `"His predecessor was much less of a hawk. It is unfortunate that the current army chief is speaking a language, which no one in a responsible position should do, he said. The Chief Minister and the Spy A prolific author, Dulat is the first Indian spymaster to write a memoir entitled A Life in the Shadows, a book that was well received. He is also the author of two bestselling books, Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years (2014) and The Spy Chronicles: R&AW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace (2018). Dulat's views on India, Pakistan and Kashmir are well-known and sought after. This month, Dulats revelations in his new book, The Chief Minister and the Spy, have triggered a political storm in Kashmir. Did he believe that the Pahalgam slaying could be a false flag operation staged by India, given state elections later this year and the rise of Hindutva forces, as some in Pakistan are claiming? According to Dulat, he expected Islamabad to say just that, but it was wide off the mark and totally incorrect. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to track down the killers and India must do it, even if they have slunk back into Pakistan. ``The killers should be hunted down in Kashmir if they are here or tracked down in Pakistan. We have the wherewithal, Dulat said. Also Read | Did dirty work for US for 3 decades: Pakistan Minister No intelligence or security detail is foolproof. Was Pakistan ready to initiate another border skirmish, now that Kargil was a couple of decades old, Dulat said he could not offer a comment. ``You will need to ask the Pakistani Army that question, he quipped. Pahalgam terror attack: In the wake of the recent terror attack that killed at least 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Home Minister Amit Shah recently instructed chief ministers of all states to identify all Pakistani citizens in their jurisdiction, and inform the Centre so that their visas can be cancelled, said officials aware of the matter. Amit Shah asked the CMs to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country, news wire PTI quoted sources as saying. Also Read | Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE: Shah asks all CMs to identify Pakistani citizens India on Thursday, April 24, announced revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest, as tensions between the two countries escalated over the Pahalgam terror attack. Pahalgam terror attacks Horror gripped Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam after terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow near the picturesque town in south Kashmir on Tuesday, April 22, killing 26 people, most of them tourists. This marks the deadliest terror attack in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama attacks in 2019. India suspends Indus Water Treaty; shuts Attari border Following the lethal attacks in Pahalgam, India decided to suspend the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan indefinitely, and also shut the Attari-Wagah border. Also Read | Owaisi dons black band to protest Pahalgam attack ahead of Juma Namaz | WATCH The integrated checkpost at the Attari-Wagah border will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Wednesday, April 23. Pahalgam terror attack: Terrorists singled out tourists Eyewitnesses and relatives of the victims killed in the Pahalgam terror attack recounted harrowing details of how terrorists singled out tourists of a certain faith, asked men to recite 'Kalima' a formal declaration of faith and shot them dead. My husband was shot in the head he was shot for not being a Muslim," a woman survivor told PTI over the phone. Pahalgam terror attack: After the Attari-Wagah border shutdown, now the India-Pakistan border, reportedly, has also been shut for civilians, with the Border Security Forces (BSF) halting civilian movement at Octroi Post, following the lethal attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's picturesque town Pahalgam, that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The halting of civilian movement along the Octroi Post on the International Border (IB) in Suchetgarh and Chamliyal in Samba, Jammu, comes a day after India responded to the Pahalgam attacks by shutting the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari in Amritsar along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. Also Read | How will shutting Attari border impact trade with Pakistan? Pahalgam terror attack Terror gripped Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam after terrorists opened fire at Baisaran meadow near the picturesque town in south Kashmir on Tuesday, April 22, killing 26 people, most of them tourists. This marks the deadliest terror attack in the Kashmir Valley since the Pulwama attacks in 2019. Amit Shah directs CMs to identify Pakistani citizens Earlier in the day, Home Minister Amit Shah had instructed the CMs of all states to identify Pakistani citizens under their jusrisdiction, and inform the Centre accordingly so that their visas could be cancelled. Attari border shut after Pahalgam attacks India's decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan in view of cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack, by shutting the Attari-Wagah border was taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on Wednesday, April 23. Where is the Attari-Wagah border Attari and Wagah refer to the same international border between India and Pakistan. It serves as a popular site where troops from both countries exchange sweets during the Muslim holiday of Eid and the Hindu holiday of Diwali. Attari is the name of the Indian village on the border, while Wagah is the name of the Pakistani village on the border, where the existing checkpoint has now been shut. Also Read | Did dirty work for US for 3 decades: Pakistan Minister With the house of two of the three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, believed to be behind the Pahalgam Terror attack, has been demolished, his sister called him a 'Mujahideen'. Speaking to the ANI in Tral, the sister of the terrorist allegedly involved in Pahalgam attack, said, ...My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a 'Mujahideen', and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here from my in-laws' place, I did not find my parents and siblings at their home. Police had taken them all away. Also Read | Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE: Shah asks all CMs to identify Pakistani citizens "While I was here, the Security Forces came and asked me to move to a neighbour's house. I saw a man wearing a camouflage uniform placing an object like a bomb on top of the house. After that, the house was demolished...We are innocent. They have destroyed our house," she said. On Thursday, the house of two of the three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists was demolished. The first house belonged to Asif Fauji alias Asif Sheikh in South Kashmir's Tral. The second was of Adil Hussain Thokar from Bijbehara block in Anantnag district in south Kashmir, according to news agency PTI. Police release sketches: On Wednesday, the Jammu and Kashmir police released a set of sketches of the terrorists who were involved in the Pahalgam attacks that killed 26 people. The police said the sketches were made based on eyewitness accounts. Also Read | Amit Shah calls for identification of Pakistani citizens after Pahalgam attacks The officials said the sketches are of Asif Fauji or Asif Sheikh, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. The three terrorists also had code names Moosa, Yunus and Asif and were involved in terror-related incidents in Poonch. Earlier on 22 April, a brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's scenic Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam took place, in which 26 people were killed, including both locals and visitors. The Resistance Front claimed responsibility The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, is believed to be behind Tuesday's attack, a claim that Mint has not been able to verify so far. Some reports even suggested that a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, is believed to be the mastermind of the attack. There has not been any official word on these claims yet. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif has warned his country's military was prepared for any eventuality amid escalating tensions and downgraded diplomatic relations with India after worst-ever terror attack on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26, mostly tourists, earlier this week. Asif told British news channel Sky News that the worsening ties between the two neighbouring nations post the Pahalgam terror attack might lead to an all-out India-Pakistan war. Also Read | Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE: India formally notifies about Indus treaty abeyance We will measure our response to whatever is initiated by India. It would be a measured response, Asif told Sky News in the interview. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in last few days, with widespread reports suggesting a possibility of punitive strikes by India in response to 22 April Pahalgam terror attack. India initiated several diplomatic measures after the terror attack targeting Pakistan, which responded with countermeasures, as the militaries of both countries remain on high alert, according to reports. "If there is an all-out attack or something like that, then obviously there will be an all-out war," Asif said, asserting that the world should be worried about the prospect of tensions between two nations, both with nuclear weapons. India's decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan given cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack was taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on April 23. Asif said in the interview that the clash between two nuclear powers is always worrisome. If things get wrong, there could be a tragic outcome of this confrontation, he said. Will identify and punish every terrorist: PM Modi In his first public appearance after the Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that he wanted the world to know that India will identify and punish every terrorist. Modi, in a rare remark in English, said those behind the Pahalgam terror attack and those part of the conspiracy will be punished beyond their imagination. Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers, Modi said in English, addressing the gathering in Madhubani in the poll-bound state. The Pahalgam terrorist attack was carried out in the fabled Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22, a day when United States 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 returned to New Delhi on Wednesday morning. What happened so far? India responded to the terror attack by announcing measures, including shutting the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari in Amritsar along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab with immediate effect. India also decided to suspend the Indus water treaty until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism, among other measures. Islamabad has also said it rejects India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack, adding that it's the lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis. Nearly three days after the brutal terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, where terrorists killed 26 tourists, Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived in Srinagar on Friday, April 25. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Rahul Gandhi met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar, reported ANI. According to the details, Rahul Gandhi also met a person injured in the attack at a hospital in Srinagar and stated that the idea behind the attack was to divide society. Rahul Gandhi said, It has been a terrible tragedy. I came here to gain a sense of what's going on and to help. The entire population of Jammu and Kashmir has condemned this terrible action and has fully supported the nation at this time. I met one of the people who is injured. My love and affection to everybody who has lost their family members. The entire nation is standing united. We had a meeting yesterday with the government. He said that the United Opposition condemned this action. "We are ready to support whatever action the government wants to take. The idea behind the attack is to divide the society. It is very important that every Indian stands united so that we can defeat what the terrorists wanted to do," he further said. Also Read | Owaisi dons black band to protest Pahalgam attack ahead of Juma Namaz | WATCH He added that it is sad to see some people attacking people of Kashmir in the rest of the country. He said, "It is sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir and the rest of the country, and I think it's very important that all of us stand together, stand united and fight this nasty action that has been taken and defeat terrorism once and for all. I also met the Chief Minister and the LG, and they briefed me about what had happened, and I assured both of them that my party and I are going to support them fully." Rahul Gandhi meets J&K CM: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi meets J&K CM Omar Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar. RG meets Manoj Sinha: Rahul Gandhi along with Congress MP KC Venugopal, Congress MLAs Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Tariq Hameed Karra, and RS MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain met Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar. Also Read | Bengaluru police book Karnataka BJP IT cell for post on Rahul Gandhi Following this, Office of LG J&K tweeted, Met the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP KC Venugopal, Congress MLAs Ghulam Ahmad Mir & Tariq Hameed Karra and RS MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain at Raj Bhavan. We discussed various aspects related to heinous terror attack in Pahalgam. RG visits hospital to meet injured: Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi met the injured people and victim families of Pahalgam terror attack, undergoing treatment at Army hospital in Srinagar. Meanwhile, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi has reached Udhampur to review the security situation at the Northern Command headquarters. He was briefed on the security situation along the LoC in Poonch-Rajouri districts and other areas South of Pir Panjal mountain ranges. Hundreds of tourists who got stuck in Chungthang on Thursday after landslides in the Himalayan state of Sikkim are on their way back to Gangtok, officials said on Friday. The stranded tourists started travelling towards Mangan on Friday with the assistance of the administration, they said. Around 200 tourists vehicles had been stranded at Chungthang on Thursday and the occupants took shelter in a Gurdwara. Meanwhile, vehicles carrying hundreds of stranded tourists have left for Mangan from Chungthang via a reconstructed Bailey bridge at Sangkalang which was opened for traffic movement, the officials said. The tourists, after reaching Mangan town, will proceed towards Gangtok, they said. Mangan District Magistrate Anant Jain and the Superintendent of Police (SP) Sonam Detchu Bhutia helped the stranded tourists so that they could return to their destinations safely. Tourists still stuck in Lachen, Lachung According to a report by Hindustan Times, around 1,000 tourists in Lachen and Lachung in north Sikkim continued to be stuck due to landslides on Friday afternoon. Mangan superintendent of police (SP) Sonam Detchu Bhutia told the newspaper that around 1,500 more toursists who saw their vehicles getting stranded spent Thursday night in nearby villages. The tourists were accommodated in police station, gurudwara, Indo-Tibetan Border Police camp, and in some instances, were hosted by the local villagers. They were taken out on Friday morning and have already left for Gangtok, Bhutia told the newspaper. Also Read | Top 6 Photography Spots in Sikkim While roads to Lachen and Lachung remained closed due to mudslides caused by heavy rainfall last evening, efforts were on to clear the routes as fast as possible, PTI reported. The district administration made all necessary arrangements to ensure the well-being of the tourists stranded in Lachung and Lachen, as per the news agency. Mangan district officials proceeded towards Chungthang to assess the situation there. Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur said that all tourists are safe in various destinations in north Sikkim after getting stranded due to landslides at several places. Bhutia told Hindustan Times that the landslides due to incessant rainfall had damaged many roads near Munshithang on the way to Lachen from Chungthang and near Lima on the way to Lachung from Chungthang. Tourists need to travel via Chungthang to reach Lachung and Lachen. Tourist permits cancelled in Sikkim In a related development, the Mangan district administration has announced suspension of all tourist permits for North Sikkim for the time being. Permits already issued for travel have been declared invalid, officials said, adding the tour operators have been instructed not to send any tourists northward until further notice. The authorities have cancelled all permits given to tourists to visit the region on April 25. Around 1,000 tourists got stranded in picturesque North Sikkim following landslides in the Himalayan state which is also witnessing heavy rain. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee slammed The New York Times' coverage of the Pahalgam terrorist attack for using terms like gunmen and militants to describe the attackers. The New York Times report - At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir - stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India called the shooting, the worst against civilians in the region for years, a terror attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Responding to the report, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority said in a X post, Hey, @nytimes we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK plain and simple. Whether its India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM the NYT is removed from reality. Also Read | Will measure our response to what is initiated by India: Pak Minister In the post, they shared an edited version of the NYT headline, striking off the word militants and replacing it with terrorists, writing it in bold red text. US showed its strong support to India The committee's comments come as the US administration continues to express strong support for India following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday that killed 26 people. US President Donald Trump was among the first to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to offer condolences for the loss of lives in the terror attack. 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. US Vice President JD Vance also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives and reiterated that the United States stands with the people of India in this difficult hour. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced to donate 1 crore to assist the families of Pahalgam terror attack victims, expressing condolences over the incident. We are deeply saddened by the tragic terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22,2025 where 26 people lost their lives. In a humble gesture of support, NSE pledges 1 crore to the next of kin of the victims, standing in solidarity with their families during this difficult time, NSE CEO Ashish Chauhan wrote on X. Earlier, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani, offered free treatment for injured at Reliance foundation hospital in Mumbai. "We wish a speedy and full recovery to all those injured in the attack. Our Reliance Foundation Sir HN Hospital in Mumbai will offer free treatment to all the injured," ANI quoted Ambani. Previously, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced ex gratia of 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased in the Pahalgam terror attack. 2 lakh relief was announced for seriously injured persons, while 1 lakh has been announced for persons with minor injuries. On Tuesday, April 22, terrorists indiscriminately shot tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam. The attack occurred in Baisaran, also known as mini Switzerland. The 26 deceased included two foreigners, one businessman from Karnataka. Also Read | Arijit Singh to offer full REFUND after Chennai concert called off The Pahalgam terror attack has been called the deadliest attack in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which happened just as the tourist and trekking season is picking up momentum. Also Read | Pakistan defence minister warns of all-out war with India As Pakistan closed its airspace for Indian airlines effective 1800 hours from April 24 for a month, a spate of diversions started. While the first flights diverted to the nearest point where refuelling and quick turnaround were possible, a pattern formed later in the day. IndiGos flight from Sharjah to Amritsar, which had to change its course midway, diverted to Ahmedabad before continuing its journey onwards. Air India saw diversions of flights from London and Paris to Abu Dhabi, while flights from North America diverted to Vienna and Copenhagen. Also read: Indian airlines face extra hour of flying time as Pakistan shuts airspace As things became clear, the airline seemed to have put a plan in place to utilise Copenhagen and Vienna as the points for en route technical stops for flights to or from North America. This has led to significant delays in the network, with some flights being delayed by three to six hours. A technical stop involves refuelling in this case, but each landing comes with its set of procedures, which includes transit checks even when passengers have not deplaned and ensuring the minimum turnaround time needed for cooling of brakes and other equipment. This has multiple impacts, one of which is increased cycles. Aircraft parts are up for checks and maintenance based on the number of cycles and hours. The increased number of landings would increase the cycle count, potentially throwing a spanner in Air Indias plans. Copenhagen and Vienna are airports where Air India currently operates and some of the cheaper ones to operate in Europe. Additionally, they are not as congested as London Heathrow, Paris or Frankfurt where getting a slot is difficult and turning around a plane will take longer. They also fall mid-way in terms of block time, which would help to have a crew base on a temporary basis and change the crew, ensuring adequate rest as per the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). Air India has so far not cancelled any sectors, but it may be forced to reduce frequency to some as it does not have spare aircraft to operate and use as a buffer in case of delays and their cascading effect. IndiGos plans may be impacted Interglobe Aviation, the parent of IndiGo, saw a drop of 3.8 per cent in its share price, even as the benchmark index was down 0.8 per cent on Friday. IndiGo, which was the first to cancel flights yesterday, has stopped sale of flights to Almaty and Tashkent until May 7, 2025, potentially stranding tourists who are already booked. Its flights to Istanbul from Delhi would not need a tech stop since they are operated by the widebody B777 aircraft leased from Turkish Airways, but saw an incremental flying time of 30 minutes. Flights to the Middle East from Delhi and other northern airports were delayed due to increased flying time. IndiGo intends to start thrice-a-week operations to Manchester and Amsterdam from Delhi this July, where it will use a Norse Atlantic Dreamliner on damp lease. The bookings are not yet open, but the closure of airspace could potentially jeopardise the operations since the profitability calculations now need to be revisited if the closure extends beyond the one-month NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). Advantage Mumbai? Delhi overtook Mumbai as the largest airport in India in 2008-9 and there has been no looking back since then. Will this closure, the second since 2019, lead to airlines revisiting Delhi as the primary hub and look at moving back to Mumbai? The congestion and single runway operations at Mumbai airport have always been a challenge, which could ease a bit with the start of Navi Mumbai airport later this year. Will IndiGo and Air India shift to Mumbai or have future plans centred around Mumbai? It will be a big win for Mumbai in this case. The demise of Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, on Monday, will trigger a sequence of rituals and traditions expected to last several days as he is laid to eternal rest. Last year, the Pope simplified funeral rituals. This revision also included burial outside the Vatican. However, the important elements remain the same. Here are the rituals and traditions likely to be followed after the Pope's death, according to a report by The New York Times. Certification of death The ritual inside the Vatican starts after the director of the Vatican Health Department is asked to certify the Pope's death. Removal of papal ring The camerlengo, who is responsible for the Vatican from the time of the Pope's death till his successor is appointed, removes the papal ring from the finger. The papal ring, also known as the fisherman's ring, features an image of St Peter, the first pope. Embossed with the Pope's name, the ring signifies the Pope's authority and role in the Catholic Church. It is destroyed after his death, and a new one is made after the next Pope is elected. Studyroom and bedroom are sealed The body is brought to the Pope's private chapel. The camerlengo further seals his studyroom and bedroom. Pope Francis used to live and work at Casa Santa Marta, a building on the edge of Vatican City. Invitation to 252 cardinals As per tradition, 252 cardinals across the world receive an invitation from the dean of the College of Cardinals to attend the Popes funeral and choose the new Pope. Funeral traditions & revised rules The body of Pope Francis is expected to be dressed in red papal vestments with his head covered in a white bishops miter. He is likely to lie in state at St Peters Basilica for a few days for people to bid farewell. A large, decorated candle used at Easter has been kept near his body. Earlier, Popes were placed in three coffins: one made of cypress, another of lead, and the third of oak. However, Pope Francis simplified this rule, asking to use a single coffin made of wood and lined with zinc. Additionally, the Pope's body will not be placed in an elevated bier, unlike his predecessors. What happens the night before the funeral? The camerlengo and other senior cardinals close and seal the coffin a night before the funeral. A piece of white cloth is placed over the Pope's face. A one-page written account on his tenure, also known as rogito in Italian, along with a bag of coins containing coins minted during his papacy, is kept inside the coffin. The Rogito is read aloud before sealing the coffin, rolled up in a cylindrical tube, and kept inside the coffin. Another copy is placed in the Vatican archives, according to AP. Funeral service The funeral service is conducted between the fourth and sixth day after the death. On this day, a public Mass, headed by the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, is held. US President Donald Trump has claimed that Crimea, which is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, will remain with Russia. The POTUS even claimed that the disputed territory was handed to Russia by ex-US President Barack Obama. Crimea will stay with Russia, Trump said in a Time magazine interview published on Friday. Zelensky understands that, he continued, adding, and everybody understands that its been with them for a long time." Trump's BIG snub to Ukraine When asked if Russia should get to keep Crimea, Donald Trump further asserted that the strategically significant peninsula was handed over to the Vladimir Putin led nation by Barack Obama. Also Read | Russian general killed in car bombing ahead of US-Russia ceasefire talks This wasn't given by Trump. Would it have been taken from me like it was taken from Obama? No, it wouldn't have happened. Crimea, if I were president, it would not have been taken, Donald Trump further told the TIMES magazine, during his interview. Why is Crimea important? Donald Trump's Crimea claims come amid ongoing tensions over Crimea, a strategically significant peninsula on the Black Sea that Russia annexed in 2014 during President Barack Obama's administration, years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022. Russia has frequently used Crimea as a launchpad for missile and drone attacks on Ukraine since sending tens of thousands of troops into the country on February 24, 2022, which Putin termed as a special military operation, as per The Independent. How Crimea became a point of dispute? Reportedly, Trump pressed Zelensky to acknowledge Russia's claim to Crimea as part of a US-brokered peace agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Also Read | Ukraine, Europe Insist Russia Truce Must Precede Any Land Deal Why is Zelensky reluctant over Crimea Zelensky, however, has remained steadfast, asserting that Ukraine will never relinquish control of the peninsula. He was adamant that he has no power to give up Crimea, and said: there's nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution, reported BBC. What does Ukraine's constitution say? Any change to Ukraine's territory has to go to a national referendum, which must be authorised by the Ukrainian parliament. Article 2 of the constitution states that Ukraine's sovereignty "extends throughout its entire territory" which within its present border is indivisible and inviolable, mentioned a BBC report. How did Russia take control of Crimea? Russia seized Crimea in 2014 after the then Ukraine president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted during mass protests. As per reports, following a disputed referendum, Moscow formally annexed the peninsula on March 18, 2014 with President Vladimir Putin declaring it an inseparable part of Russia. US President Donald Trump has said that Chinese President Xi Jinping called him amid the trade war between Washington and Beijing. Trump's comments come as reports are saying that China is quietly rolling back some of its tariffs on the US. China and US have been at loggerheads since April 2 when Donald Trump announced a 34 per cent retaliatory tariff on Beijing. In response, Beijing also increased US tariffs to 34 per cent. A trade war followed, and now US goods imported to China face 125 per cent taxation, while Chinese goods imported into the US have 145 per cent levies on them. China cuts tariffs on semiconductors According to a report by CNN, China is seemingly rolling back retaliatory tariffs of 125 per cent on some semiconductors made in the US. Details accessed by CNN from three import agencies in Shenzhen, a tech hub, reportedly showed integrated circuits, also known as microchips or semiconductors, being exempted from the levy. Also Read | Chinese Banks, HSBC and Standard Chartered Outlook to be Shadowed by US Tariffs Also Read | Xi Seeks Detente With Europe as Trumps Tariffs Alienate Bloc With the apparent exemption of tariffs on US-made semiconductors, Beijing is seemingly trying to soften the blow of the trade war. Even though China has its own semiconductor manufacturing units, it borrows a major chunk of the chips from the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and the Netherlands. Last year, China imported $11.7 billion worth of semiconductors from the US, as per customs data cited by CNN. Semiconductors are extremely important for any electronic device, and they are hard to make, thanks to the high cost of development and knowledge needed to build them. However, Chinese authorities have not publicly announced a decision to make semiconductors tariff-exempt. The report comes as a contradiction to China's earlier resolve to strengthen its economy amid the trade war. We must strengthen bottom-line thinking, fully prepare emergency plans, and do a solid job in economic work, Beijing had said in a statement. Beijing vowed to work with the international community to actively uphold multilateralism and oppose unilateral bullying practices, as it spoke about Trump's reciprocal tariffs. Donald Trump says Xi Jinping called him In a recent interview with Time Magazine, US President Donald Trump said his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping called him amid the trade war. On being asked about whether Jinping had called Trump, he replied with a single Yep. He said he will not call Jinping himself. Trump did not provide many details about the call with Jinping. He's called. And I don't think that's a sign of weakness on his behalf, he said and did not elaborate further. US President Donald Trump has said that it will be a total victory for America if it still has 50 per cent tariffs on foreign imports a year on. Trump made the comment while speaking with Time Magazine during an interview. If we still have high tariffs, whether it's 20% or 30% or 50%, on foreign imports a year from now, will you consider that a victory, the interviewer asked Trump. Total victory, the US President replied. Donald Trump on April 2 imposed a series of tariffs on nations across the world including a 10 per cent tariff on virtually everything coming into the United States. The tariff on India has been set as 26 per cent, while China has taken the biggest hit with 145 per cent levies. However, a week later, Trump paused the imposition of the tariffs for all countries except China for 90 days. The decision is aimed at negotiating with countries to lower their tariffs on US-made goods. Also Read | Did Jinping call? Trump claims contact with Beijing as China eases some tariffs According to Fitch ratings, America now has the highest tariff rates among all developed countries in the world, with its combined tariffs standing at 22.8 per cent. Donald Trump's tariff jibe to India When asked why he thinks it will be a victory, Donald Trump said countries like China and India charged tariffs on US to become rich. Because the country will be making a fortune, he said. That's what China did to us. They charge us 100 per cent. If you look at IndiaIndia charges 100-150 per cent. If you look at Brazil, if you look at many, many countries, they chargethat's how they survive. That's how they got rich, he said. While zero tariffs would be easy, Trump said that companies will not come to the US. Also Read | China bets Trump will back down on tariffs They're coming in because they don't want to pay the tariffs. Remember this, there are no tariffs, if they make their product here. There are no tariffs, if they make their product here, he said. Trump saw a potential of earning billions of dollars through the process. There are no tariffs. This is a tremendous success. You just don't know it yet, but this is a tremendous success whats happening. We're taking in billions and billions of dollars, money that we never took in before, the US President told Time Magazine. Donald Trump's tariffs have slowed down business As a result of the high tariffs imposed by the US, business has slowed down with other countries. This has resulted in importers, exporters and other small businesses bearing the brunt. Trump earlier said that trade with China has slowed down to almost zero as a result of US tariffs. FBI chief Kash Patel informed that Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on charges of obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. Judge Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, is under federal investigation for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest by federal agents. According to multiple reports, Dugan is accused of allowing the individual to hide in her jury room. FBI chief Kash Patel informed that Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on charges of obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest", Kash Patel wrote on X. Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public, Kash Patel added. The arrest was also hailed by Elon Musk, who posted on X More judicial corruption What to know about Hannah Dugan? Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, a respected figure in Wisconsins legal community for nearly three decades, is currently under federal investigation following allegations that she assisted an undocumented immigrant in evading detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the courthouse last week. According to multiple reports, ICE officers arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse with an arrest warrant for a man scheduled to appear before Judge Dugan. It is alleged that Judge Dugan, upon learning of their presence, permitted the individual to hide in her jury rooman area typically reserved for the judge and jurorsthereby preventing the agents from carrying out the arrest. Judge Dugan, who has served on the Milwaukee County bench for nine years and was re-elected unopposed in 2022, has built her career around civil law, legal aid, and civic leadership. She has also held roles such as executive director of Catholic Charities and president of the Milwaukee Bar Association. Her current term as a circuit court judge is due to expire in 2028. Also Read | Pam Bondi says FBI delivered truckload of Epstein files after ultimatum The United States' federal government reportedly defended its arrest of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil without a warrant. The government said agents feared that Khalil would flee because he said he would leave the scene. Khalil has been held in a detention center in Jena, Louisiana, for six weeks. He is a legal permanent US resident and graduate student who served as spokesperson for campus activists last year during large demonstrations at Columbia against Israels treatment of Palestinians and the war in Gaza, the Associated Press reported. He was detained by federal agents in the lobby of his Manhattan apartment on March 8, the first arrest in President Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists. The Trump administration has not accused Khalil of criminal conduct, but has argued he should be expelled from the country for his beliefs. 'Arrest was necessary' A lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security had filed a document in Newark federal court on Monday. The department informed that agents conducting surveillance of Khalil on March 8 were notified that he could be removed from the country because his presence or activities would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States, the Associated Press reported. As Khalil walked on a sidewalk with his wife, a Homeland Security Investigations agent approached and identified himself, according to the court filing. After his wife went to retrieve documents showing Khalil had lawful residence status, the agent asked him to cooperate while they tried to verify his identity. However, Khalil stated that he would not cooperate and that he was going to leave the scene, the lawyer reportedly wrote. The Homeland Security supervisory agent at that point believed there was a flight risk and arrest was necessary, he said. 'They never showed warrant' In a release on Thursday, the American Civil Liberties Union contested the US department's account, saying the Department'slaim he was about to flee was false and belied by video taken of the arrest by Khalils wife, along with previous accounts of the arrest. Marc Van Der Hout, a lawyer for Khalil, said in the release that agents told Khalil when he was taken into custody that they had an arrest warrant, and his lawyers only learned this week with the new government filing that there was none, the AP reported. Meanwhile, Amy Greer, a lawyer who was on the phone with Khalil and the arresting agent on the night of the arrest, said Khalil remained calm that evening and complied with orders even as agents failed to show an arrest warrant. The Trump administration said it would reinstate hundreds of international student visas that were revoked over the last few weeks, a major policy reversal that follows a spate of lawsuits from students at US universities across the country. A Justice Department lawyer told a federal judge in Washington on Friday that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will no longer change international students status due solely to checks against a national crime database, reading from a statement provided to Bloomberg by a lawyer for some of the students. ICE said it would restore any visas revoked due to those checks. The administration canceled the visas of hundreds of international students at US universities. More than 30 lawsuits have been filed on behalf of those students, some of whom denied ever committing a crime, despite being told they were flagged in the database. The Friday statement, which was first reported by Politico, was issued in response to one of those cases in Washington, though it is expected to apply to all of them. Spokespeople for the Justice and Homeland Security departments didnt immediately respond to requests for comment on the policy change. Separately, in several high-profile legal fights, students have sued after being detained by immigration authorities for their involvement in pro-Palestinian activities. Its not clear how the new policy will affect those cases, as many of those students had no criminal record. ICE said in its statement that it maintains the authority to terminate a student visa for various other reasons, including engaging in other unlawful activity that would render him or her removable from the United States. The reversal comes a day after a federal judge in Connecticut blocked the deportation of dozens of international students from Yale University and other colleges, the latest legal setback for President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. Other courts had similarly halted student deportations. US District Judge Omar Williams on Thursday ordered the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency not to deport the students or transport them outside Connecticut before he determined whether their student visas had been properly revoked. Williams order came hours after four students at Yale and the University of Connecticut sued earlier Thursday, seeking to represent a class of at least 53 students statewide who allegedly had their visas illegally revoked without notice or a hearing. They said the US had put them in immediate danger of being forced out of the country. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the revocation of student visas on foreign policy grounds, claiming that every country in the world has a right to decide who comes in and who doesnt. In their suit, the students said the visa terminations have generated rampant distress and fear and have interrupted on-campus research as well as students progress toward their degrees. Students have been instructed to stop attending classes at a time when many students are trying to prepare for final exams, and many for graduation, they said. Courts have repeatedly expressed concern that the administration is moving to deport non-citizens without according them due process. On Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal judge in Washington to order the return of all accused gang members deported to a notorious El Salvador mega prison, saying they were denied the chance to deny claims against them in a hearing. The ACLU said Supreme Courts recent decision requiring the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a Maryland man mistakenly deported with the accused gang members should be applied to the rest of the group. The request was made to US District Judge James Jeb Boasberg, who is investigating whether Trump administration officials should be held in contempt for failing to comply with his March order to turn around the initial flights of deportees to El Salvador. Since then, a number of courts have issued rulings restricting removals of accused gang members without giving them advanced notice and a chance to fight the claims. A federal judge in Colorado ordered ICE to give potential deportees in the state 21 days notice and advise them in a language they can understand how they can fight the claims. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Pahalgam terror attack: Following the United States' latest travel advisory, the United Kingdom issued a similar warning, advising its citizens to avoid travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries in the wake of the recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), further detailed areas to be avoided by UK citizens, including notable tourist destinations such as Pahalgam and Gulmarg. FCDO is the ministry of foreign affairs in the United Kingdom. Also Read | Iran offers to mediate between India and Pakistan after Pahalgam horror The UK's updated travel advisory comes two days after Pakistan-based terrorists opened fire at a group of tourists in Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, killing 26 people, including two locals and two foreigners. UK's travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir The FCDO advised against travel to prominent Jammu and Kashmir tourist hotspots and asked British citizens to travel only within the city of Jammu. Also Read | Did dirty work for US for 3 decades: Pakistan Minister The FCDO advised against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway) except for: Travel by air to and from the city of Jammu. Travel within the city of Jammu. Travel within the Union Territory of Ladakh. Why did UK update its travel advisory? The FDCO stated that it has advised UK citizens to avoid the above-mentioned areas because of frequent terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, and that foreign nationals are vulnerable in rural districts and outside the main population centres and tourist areas. There is a risk of unpredictable violence, including bombings, grenade attacks, shootings and kidnapping. The long-standing policy of the UK government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The level of consular assistance that the British High Commission in India can provide in Jammu and Kashmir is severely limited, the advisory stated on why the FDCO has advised against travel in certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir. UK's travel advisory for Manipur Not just areas of Jammu and Kashmir, but the FCDO also advised UK citizens against travelling to Manipur, unless it is essential. The United States is preparing to offer Saudi Arabia an arms deal exceeding $100 billion, according to six sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters. The report said the announcement is expected to coincide with US President Donald Trump's visit to the kingdom in May. This proposed package follows the unsuccessful efforts of former President Joe Bidens administration to secure a defence agreement with Riyadh. That earlier initiative was part of a wider strategy to normalise relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Reuters reported. Under the Biden administrations proposal, Saudi Arabia was offered access to more advanced US weaponry in exchange for stopping arms purchases from China and limiting Chinese investments within the kingdom, Reuters reported. However, Reuters could not confirm whether the Trump administration's proposed arms deal includes similar conditions or restrictions. Here's what a US Defence official said A US Defence official told Reuters: Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump's leadership. Maintaining our security cooperation remains an important component of this partnership and we will continue to work with Saudi Arabia to address their defense needs. Trump on weapon sale during his first term In his first term, Trump celebrated weapons sales to Saudi Arabia as good for US jobs. Lockheed Martin Corp could supply a range of advanced weapons systems, including C-130 transport aircraft, two sources told Reuters. One source said that Lockheed would also supply missiles and radars. Also Read: India to collaborate with Saudi Arabia for setting up two refineries RTX Corp, previously known as Raytheon Technologies, is anticipated to be a key player in the arms package, according to four sources. The deal is also expected to involve contributions from other major US defence contractors, including Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp, and General Atomics. All sources requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations. RTX, Northrop and General Atomics declined to comment, and Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Lockheed Martin spokesperson said foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions. Questions about sales to foreign governments are best addressed by the US government. Reuters could not immediately establish how many of the deals on offer were new. Two sources said that many have been in the works for some time. For example, the kingdom first requested information about General Atomics' drones in 2018, they said. Over the past 12 months, a deal for $20 billion of General Atomics' MQ-9B SeaGuardian-style drones and other aircraft came into focus, according to one of the sources, Reuters reported. Several executives from defence companies are considering travelling to the region as a part of the delegation, three of the sources told Reuters. A look at US-Saudi defence deals The United States has maintained a longstanding arms supply relationship with Saudi Arabia. In 2017, then-President Donald Trump proposed an arms deal valued at roughly $110 billion. However, by 2018, only $14.5 billion worth of those sales had been initiated, prompting growing scrutiny from Congress, particularly after the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In response to the Khashoggi killing and mounting concerns over Saudi Arabias role in the Yemen conflict, the Biden administration, backed by Congress, imposed a ban in 2021 on the sale of offensive weapons to the kingdom. The move aimed to pressure Riyadh to scale back its military operations, which had led to widespread civilian suffering. Under US law, large-scale international arms deals require Congressional review before they can be finalised. However, following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022which disrupted global oil marketsthe Biden administration began to ease its position on Saudi Arabia. Our defense relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever under President Trump's leadership. The ban on offensive weapons sales was officially lifted in 2024, as the US and Riyadh strengthened cooperation in the wake of Hamas' October 7 attack, particularly in developing a strategy for post-war Gaza. NASA is ending its lease for the New York City-based climate science centre that has operated out of a Columbia University-owned building since the 1960s. A NASA spokesperson confirmed via email that the decision is part of President Donald Trumps broader review of federal property leases. The facility, known as the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), is a key player in global climate research and manages one of the worlds five major independent temperature records. The institute is required to vacate the premises by May 31, Bloomberg reported. NASA leadership told GISS staff that it will conduct its work virtually. Over the next several months, employees will be placed on temporary remote work agreements while NASA considers new spaces, Bethany Stevens, an agency spokesperson, told Bloomberg. Several NASA officials visited New York on Thursday morning and met with about 100 staff members to discuss the move and address concerns that the change might have larger implications for the institutes work, according to Gavin Schmidt, director of GISS. Makenzie Lystrup, the centre director for NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, promised the GISS mission would continue in an email sent to employees seen by Bloomberg. The work of the GISS team is considered critical for the Earth Science Division, particularly as the Division looks to the future of its modeling work and capabilities, Lystrup wrote. The Goddard Institute for Space Studies, established in 1961, is located in Armstrong Halla building also known for housing Toms Restaurant, famously featured in the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld. The work of the GISS team is considered critical for the Earth Science Division. According to Schmidt, the lease is managed by the General Services Administration and costs around $3 million annually. A senior Russian general was killed in a car bombing in the Russian city of Balashikha on Friday, according to authorities. The news of the blast broke just before US President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, for the ceasefire talks between the two nations. Russian authorities have identified the officer as Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, reported CNN. Also Read | After pressuring Ukraine for peace deal, Trump sees an obstacle in Russia Till date, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, as per multiple reports. Why is Trump envoy in Russia? US President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff is in the Russian capital for crucial talks on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, as Trumps self-imposed deadline to end the war within the first 100 days of his presidency approaches. Also Read | Ukraine, Europe Insist Russia Truce Must Precede Any Land Deal Blast similar to those carried out by Ukraine According to a report by The Guardian, the blast appeared to be similar in nature to previous assassination of Russian officials that were later claimed by Ukraine and could cast a shadow over Fridays talks between Moscow and Washington. In December 2024, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, a senior Russian general accused of orchestrating the use of chemical weapons on the battlefields in Ukraine, was killed when a remotely operated bomb planted inside an electric scooter exploded outside an apartment building in Moscow. Criminal probe ordered into explosion Following the explosion, Russias Investigative Committee opened a criminal probe into the matter. It added that an investigative team, including forensic experts and law enforcement officers, had begun examining the scene, mentioned a CNN report. According to The Guardian, the Russian investigative committee said the explosions were caused by the detonation of an improvised explosive device packed with shrapnel. US priest Cardinal Roger Mahony, who was accused of concealing a clerical child sex abuse scandal, was selected to participate in sealing Pope Francis' casket and preparing his burial, according to a New York Post report on Friday. Mahony, 89, who is retired Archbishop of Los Angeles, is amongst the nine cardinals and dozens of other clergymen, selected to play a ceremonial role in closing the late popes coffin Friday ahead of the pontiffs funeral Saturday morning in St. Peters Square, the NYP quoted the Vatican as saying. According to the reports, in January 2013, Mahony was stripped of his administrative and public duties. But now he will help oversee the popes interment at Romes Basilica of Saint Mary Major following the funeral, added the NYP. Commenting on the development, member of the Bishop Accountability group, Anne Barrett Doyle said, as NYP quoted, Shame on him for participating in the public rite for Pope Francis, and shame on the College of Cardinals for allowing him to do so." However, the Vatican spokesperson said Thursday that Mahony was chosen based on his seniority as a cardinal, justifying his selection. About Mahony: Mahony led the LA archdiocese for 25 years and was relieved of public duties by his successor, Archbishop Jose Gomez, in 2011. He was relieved after thousands of confidential church files showed he worked behind the scenes to shield many pedophile priests and protect the church from scandal. In a statement Thursday night, the diocese told the NYP, "Cardinal has always been in good standing and he no longer had administrative duties as an Archbishop since he was retired." Mahony's previous files: Among Mahony's files, an old case appeared where he kept now-defrocked priest Michael Baker in circulation following the cleric confessed in 1986 to molesting two boys over a nearly seven-year period. After this, Mahony sent the priest for psychological treatment. Baker was advised not to spend time with minors, showed the files. Until 2000, Baker wasnt removed from ministry after serving in nine parishes, despite several documented instances of being alone with boys. He was later convicted of child molestation in 2007. In 2007 only, the archdiocese settled over 500 clergy abuse lawsuits for a record-breaking $660 million. The remote, stunningly beautiful and little understood Great Nicobar Island has been the focus of news reports in recent months, two decades after it made headlines when the 2004 tsunami devastated lives and altered its coastline. This time, its a man-made wave of development that is drawing attention: specifically, plans under the Great Nicobar Island Development Project, which has an outlay of 81,000 crore and was launched in 2021. Infra work is proceeding apace on a trans-shipment port, an international airport, power plants, tourism facilities and a township where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to settle. The projects blueprint covers 160-sq-km, including 130-sq-km of tropical rain- forest land that is home to people whose lives are intricately linked to its numerous species of plant and animal life. Environmentalists, climate activists and even novelist Amitav Ghosh have described it as ecocide. Indias biodiversity is like a wondrous quilt of beauty and Great Nicobar is one of our few untouched hot-spots. It holds a range of micro-habitats, from beaches, mangroves and coastal forests to rivers, lagoons and rainforests that host an invaluable variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, crustaceans, amphibians, insects and plantssome found nowhere else in the world. This treasure trove is at risk. The isles Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the few nesting sites for the vulnerable and endemic Nicobar megapode as well as the Giant Leatherback Sea turtle, was de-notified in January 2021 to ease the ports construction. Apart from causing irreversible ecological harm, our brick-and-mortar intrusion is likely to devastate traditional lifestyles and ancestral lands. Forest-dwelling and semi-nomadic, the Shompen are a particularly vulnerable tribal group" of 229 individuals, according to Indias 2011 census. Its a population small enough to be wiped out by the flu, and, as they are among the worlds last people with almost no contact with the outside world, their immunity may prove unable to withstand an influx of outsiders. Great Nicobar is also home of the Nicobarese, a settled tribe that mostly practises horticulture. For decades, India has respected and protected the rights of isolated indigenous people to their land and way of life, with contact made on their terms. Not very long ago, an American social media influencer who tried to film the Sentinelese on North Sentinel Island was arrested. Yet, development seems to license much worse. The archipelagos strategic value for trade and defence, given its Bay of Bengal location, is undeniable. The isles are within close reach of major Indian and East Asian ports, and could support the Quads aim of a free and open Indo-Pacific. But Great Nicobar isnt just real estate; it is a fragile ecosystem thats prone to low-intensity quakes. The 2004 tsunamis impact is yet to be fully understood, though researchers found that it tilted the archipelago, leaving some dry parts submerged. Is pouring tonnes of concrete and steel into such a sensitive zone a good idea? These lands are not just inhabited by folks who deserve the liberty to live how they like, undisturbed if they so choose, they offer us a unique chance to expand the frontiers of knowledge if we go about it delicately. While the country does need to develop, we must not place the details of our development path beyond the scrutiny of reason. Steamrollers 2,500km away from New Delhi signal a loss of balance. Our geo-strategic aims can be met at far lower cost. In response to the heinous terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Kashmir, New Delhi has held in abeyance the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that laid down how India and Pakistan would share the water flows of the Indus river system. Pakistan got access to Indus, Jhelum and Chenab waters, while India got Ravi, Beas and Sutlej flows. A deal being suspended that survived three wars with Pakistan is significant for the leverage it could grant New Delhi over Islamabad. Pakistani farming would be vulnerable to Indian water-release decisions if storage dams are built on the rivers Pakistan relies on; the treaty allowed only dams that let the water flow freely. Damming might take years, but could pack a powerful message for Pakistan to mend its ways. This is a long-range form of coercive diplomacy, the power of which must not be underestimated. While a military strike at terror camps, as India undertook after the Pulwama attack of 2019, has the advantage of target specificity, the threat of a water-squeeze has not been tested. Islamabad may try to seek legal recourse, but in global affairs, as we often see in battles, the high ground matters. And in this case, its clear that India holds it. Aside from his gravelly baritone and his attempts at rearranging the world like Tetris pieces, Henry Kissinger is perhaps best known for something he probably never said: that he could never figure out who to call to speak to Europe. A question that was first (not) posed in the rotary-phone era remains unanswered in the age of Zoom. The time for Europe to put forward a single interlocutor for the outside world has come. Soon, under as-yet-unclear circumstances, peace talks over the war in Ukraine may take place. Given what is at stake, Europe desperatelyand justifiablywants a seat at the table. But to be included it will have to put someone up who can stand for photo-ops with Vladimir Putin (representing the interests of his despotic Russian regime) and Donald Trump (representing those of Donald Trump), and perhaps Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine). Working out who cant sit in the European chair, in the eyes of some faction or other, is easy. Coming up with the name of someone who could is tricky. With 40-odd countries that seldom agree on much, the usual answer is for Europe to send multiple people to represent its interests. That will not be an option this time. For better or for worse (mostly for worse), Mr Trump is the guiding force of the talks, the early throes of which have startedwithout any input or representation from Ukraine and Europein Saudi Arabia. If he chooses to include Europe at all, he is unlikely to give it more than one seat at the table. Ukraine has asked Europe to find a single name, but stopped short of saying who it might be. The least contentious answer might be to turn to the top brass of the European Union. One of its presidents" (there are many), that of the European Council, is meant to represent the EU at head-of-state level. But nominating Antonio Costa, the newish incumbent, would isolate Britain, a major source of Ukrainian support whose views could hardly be represented by an EU grandee. A former Portuguese prime minister, Mr Costa is a backroom operator by nature. Taking on the envoy job would hinder his day-job chairing meetings of EU leaders, an emergency one of which is planned for March 6th. It does not help that Trumpians hold the EU institutions in contempt, thinking them a supranational deep-state blob ripe for DOGE. This also rules out Ursula von der Leyen, another EU president (of the European Commission). An obvious candidate for the Euro-mantle would be one of its national leaders. Once the job would have fallen to Angela Merkel, chancellor of Europes richest country and broker of its thorniest compromises for over a decade. But it will take months for her probable successor, Friedrich Merz, to cobble together a coalition after elections on February 23rd, and he has lots on his plate. Europes next-biggest country is France. Emmanuel Macron has a strong claim to the Mr Europe job. He dealt with Mr Trump during his first term and, in a meeting with him at the White House on February 24th, showed there was a decent rapport. Like Russia and America, France is a nuclear-armed power with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Mr Macrons vision that Europe needs strategic autonomy", ie, from America, looks prescient given recent events. Political chaos at home paradoxically gives Mr Macron more time to focus on foreign affairs. His major flaw is that hawks in northern and central Europe do not trust him much, least of all on Russia, with which he wanted to open a strategic dialogue" on security before 2022. Mr Macron has made efforts to engage those countries, and has at times sounded just as hawkish as themfor example by being among the first to suggest that European troops should be sent to Ukraine. Those who oppose Mr Macron might plump for Donald Tusk, Polands prime minister and former president of the European Council. His country grasps the Russian threat acutely; it spends the most (as a share of GDP) on defence of any NATO country, which plays well with Trumpians. But Poland has ruled out sending troops to Ukraine, and has a sometimes tetchy relationship with its leadership. Mr Tusk unwisely disparaged Mr Trump while he was out of office. He shares foreign-policy oversight with the Polish president, who will be replaced in June and might not share Mr Tusks views. The Pole has the opposite problem to Mr Macrons: western Europeans do not want to give their most hawkish member carte blanche to act on their behalf. What of other big-country leaders? Spain is far from Ukraine and its prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, is not among its most vocal supporters. Sir Keir Starmer thinks Britain can be a bridge" with America, but Brexit has left it isolated in Europe. Giorgia Meloni is an ideological ally of the American president. But she has yet to resolve how to be both pro-Ukraine and pro-Trump. Sending a respected leader from a smaller country, like Petr Pavel, a retired general turned Czech president, would once have been a typical Euro-compromise. Mr Trump would no doubt start proceedings by belittling the consensus pick. (Who is this guy anyway?") Arise, Mr Europe Mr Macron appears the sensible choice. He wants the job, and has convened groups of European leaders in Paris already. He made a point of consulting his fellow bigwigs widely ahead of his three-hour chat with Mr Trump this week. Those unsure of his geopolitical instincts could suggest underlings to balance them out. Kaja Kallas, the hawkish Estonian who heads the EUs foreign-policy arm, would make a fine representative facing the American secretary of state in preparatory talks, say. It is part of Europes history and its charm that it cannot easily put forward one person to act for all. But that is the sort of luxury that comes from being primarily a soft power, and these are hard-power times. Europeans must understand that having a single envoy at the negotiating table who flusters some is better than squabbling far away from it. 2025, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has extended unconditional support for the BJP government at the Centre after the Pahalgam terror attack. On April 22, terrorists attacked random tourists in Jammu and Kashmir and killed at least 26. Owaisi has said that his party will support whatever decision the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, takes for national interest. This is the time to care for our nation. AIMIM will stand by whatever steps the government takes for national interest, security and the protection of Kashmiri people, Asaduddin Owaisi said. Later on, we can speak about whatever disagreements we have between each other. But, as of now, we need to be united at this critical juncture, he added. The government is already taking steps in the international arena. Whatever steps have been taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security, we welcome it. We have to do what we have to do, Owaisi said. Our political differences (with the BJP government) will continue and will never end. But, its time for us to stay united, the AIMIM chief added. Owaisi earlier welcomed the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. He stressed that the matter should not be politicised. Owaisi further urged the government to act against the nation harbouring terrorist groups. Citing international law, he has noted that India is permitted to carry out air and naval blockades in self-defence. India can also impose sanctions on Pakistan, especially concerning arms deals, he added. Asaduddin Owaisi questions security lapses At the same time, he questioned the security lapse in the Pahalgam terror attack. He wondered why CRPF personnel were not deployed at the Baisaran meadow and why the quick reaction team took an hour to arrive. (Bloomberg) -- Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo committed to drafting a peace agreement aimed at ending decades of conflict between the two countries in a ceremony at the US State Department Friday. Congos Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and her Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe, signed the declaration of principles with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a witness. The two sides committed to drafting an initial peace agreement no later than May 2, according to the declaration. Its a declaration that establishes a fundamental understanding of regional governance, security, economic frameworks, to end the fighting, Rubio told reporters. The US and Congo accuse Rwanda of backing a rebel group known as the M23 that has occupied a large portion of Congos mineral-rich east, displacing more than a million people and taking over lucrative mining areas for gold, tantalum, tungsten and tin ore. Rwanda has denied backing the M23, which says its protecting the rights of Tutsis and other speakers of the Rwandan language in Congo and fighting a Congolese-backed armed group with links to the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi earlier this year reached out to the US to ask for military support in exchange for access to the countrys minerals, which include some of the worlds richest deposits of copper and key battery mineral cobalt. Talks between the two countries are ongoing. Peace will open the door for greater US and broader Western investment, which will bring about economic opportunities and prosperity, Rubio said. Kayikwamba and Nduhungirehe committed to a mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity and agreed to address security concerns, promote regional economic integration, facilitate the return of displaced people, and support the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, according to the State Department. The good news is there is hope for peace, Kayikwamba said. The real news: peace must be earned, and it will require seriousness, transparency and sincerity. The declaration opens the door to a definitive peace agreement Nduhungirehe said, in part by throwing US support behind ongoing peace talks overseen by regional African bodies and the government of Qatar. Read: Surprise Meeting in Qatar Spurs Rwanda, Congo Ceasefire Vow The agreement is a step in the right direction but must be leveraged with sanctions for the illicit behavior that helped cause the crisis, said Sasha Lezhnev, a Senior Policy Advisor for Washington DC-based The Sentry. Without consequences for backing armed groups or for smuggling gold and other minerals what incentive would Rwanda or the DRC government have to behave any differently going forward? he said in a text message Friday. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. . President Xi Jinping is seeking to repair ties with the European Union, painting China as the more reliable partner as Donald Trump alienates the bloc over issues from tariffs to defense. Faced with an effective trade embargo from the US, Chinese policymakers and business leaders are searching for new markets in Europe and beyond. To help smooth those ties, Xi is preparing to lift sanctions on several EU lawmakers, according to one European official a largely symbolic gesture of good will as the measures had little impact. As the worlds major economies, China and Europe will jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday, adding that it would welcome more European members of parliament to visit China, without addressing reports on sanctions being lifted. While leaders in Europe remain fiercely opposed to Beijings support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, theyve indicated a willingness to move forward on some issues. EU officials are considering minimum price quotas on Chinese electric cars, in place of tariffs as high as 45.3% imposed last year over complaints of an export glut. Such a move would help draw a line under a long-running spat that saw Beijing impose retaliatory levies on French cognac. The conclusion of that process has also been delayed for three months, easing pressure on producers. At the Shanghai auto show this week, Chinese executives laid out their investment plans in Europe, as exporters across the nation retreat from US markets. Some European counterparts urged a more pragmatic approach to resolving disputes and called to push ahead with closer collaboration. Beijing would ideally like to detach Europe from the US and essentially make it a kind of natural shield for Chinas ambitions, said Rana Mitter, ST Lee chair in US-Asia relations at the Harvard Kennedy School. But while the EU may be wary of America, its not going to abandon the American market or its traditional orientation in favor of China, which many regard as extremely unreliable trading partner. For years, Europe served as a buffer between the worlds biggest economies, but attitudes in the bloc toward Beijing soured after the coronavirus outbreak fueled a range of diplomatic disputes. That saw European leaders forge a largely unified voice with Washington on derisking its economy from China and opposing a flood of cheap exports that threatened jobs. Trump has eroded that alliance by slapping Europe with a 20% tariff now reduced to 10% for a 90-day pause and demanding the EU pays for its own defense while moving closer to Putin. European leaders have made little progress in trying to bridge differences with Trump, despite the EU offering that both sides remove all tariffs on industrial goods. As the divide deepens, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned the EU against tightening ties with Beijing, likening such a strategy to cutting your own throat when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Xi earlier this month pledging greater cooperation. Reflecting the EUs desire to rebalance ties, European leaders are now set to travel to Beijing in July for a summit that was expected to be held in Brussels, given that its location rotates. Officials decided to break protocol after Xi reportedly refused to travel to Europe for the talks, which are normally attended by the premier overseas. One potential aspiration should the summit succeed might be a revival of an investment pact that officials spent seven years negotiating, although that would most likely be a longer term goal. It was axed by Brussels at the 11th hour in 2021, after China retaliated against Western sanctions over human-rights practices in the countrys Xinjiang region by announcing measures against 10 individuals and four entities from Europe. If the sanctions were to be lifted by Beijing, I think there would be a willingness to try to ratify the agreement and thereby partly increase trade with China, Cecilia Malmstrom, a former European commissioner for trade, now a visiting fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, wrote earlier this month. The investment pact had been seen as proof of both Europes independence from the US and Chinas ability to collaborate with American allies who adopted a more moderate approach. For the 27-nation bloc, the pact would have expanded access to the Chinese market while giving Beijing some protection from a hardening stance toward Chinese investment in Europe. Since then, the trade relationship with the EU has changed so much it would be difficult to bring the agreement into force, said Wang Yiwei, professor of international relations at Renmin University. Some areas could be unilaterally applied by China on European member states, he added, citing e-commerce, EVs and data transfer as areas for future cooperation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier this month in a call with Premier Li Qiang that the two sides should hold a high-level dialogue on economic, trade, green and digital cooperation as soon as possible. Chinas Commerce Ministry vowed Beijing was ready to deepen practical cooperation with the EU, in order to maintain the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains. Nevertheless, Trumps tariffs bring worries that Chinese goods meant for the US may be diverted to the EU. A realistic assumption might be that one-third of the goods bound for the US get redirected, Eurizon strategists Stephen Jen and Joana Freire wrote in a Tuesday note. That would involve a 70% explosion in Chinas surplus with the EU, to some $420 billion. A report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China this month called on Beijing to revise its industrial policies to avoid further backlash. We are today in a situation where China needs to really rethink the way that it engages with the rest of the world, said Jens Eskelund, president of the chamber. Industrial policy needs to be changed. Despite the lingering differences, both China and Europe have strong incentives to reach sort of resolution to their trade issues on EVs, said Ilaria Mazzocco, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The fact that the Europeans seem eager about this summit and are traveling to Beijing for it tells me they are really hoping to resolve this in some way, she added. With assistance from Jing Li, Richard Bravo and Kevin Whitelaw. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order intended to expedite offshore mining and open new opportunities for extracting critical materials from the ocean floor despite the objections of environmentalists. Trumps measure, signed Thursday, directs the Commerce Department to speed up reviewing and issuing permits for exploration and commercial recovery under a 1980 law, according to senior White House officials who briefed reporters on the action. While the permits could cover territory far beyond the US Outer Continental Shelf, the president is also setting in motion potential seabed mining within US coastal waters. Under Trumps order, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is charged with establishing a process for approving permits and granting licenses for seabed mining in US waters, under the same law that has long governed oil drilling there. The president is also ordering a raft of reports, including a study of using the US National Defense Stockpile for minerals contained within sea deposits and an assessment of private-sector interest in the activity. Environmentalists are seeking stiffer international regulation of deep-sea mining, warning that the activity could imperil key marine habitats and the organisms that live on the ocean bottom. The order directs the US International Development Finance Corporation and the US Export-Import Bank to study options for providing financing and other support for exploration, extraction, processing and environmental monitoring of seabed resources. Trumps directive comes amid increasing concern over new Chinese curbs on the export of rare-earth materials used in electric vehicle batteries, smartphones and other technology, a response to Trumps tariffs. Chinas moves have generated worries about obtaining alternate supplies for the metals given the countrys dominance in mining and refining them. Earlier: Deep-Sea Mining Race Amps Up as Rules Still Up in the Air Deep-sea mining is seen by the administration as another avenue for extracting rare-earth elements such as manganese, cobalt, nickel and copper, helping wean the US off foreign suppliers and opening new export opportunities. Over 10 years, a seabed mineral extraction industry could yield 100,000 jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic benefits, one of the White House officials said. Mining advocates have warned that without action, the US and allies risk forfeiting seabed mineral extraction to China. In a report earlier this month, RAND estimated that production from seabed mining would decrease metal prices and could produce enough nickel and cobalt to meet projected US demand in 2040. The materials are essential ingredients in lithium-ion batteries. With assistance from Todd Woody and Joe Deaux. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Federal law enforcement agents can arrest Venezuelan nationals in the US suspected of belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang without a judicial or administrative warrants, according to a directive from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The memo, dated March 14 and obtained through a public records request by the transparency group Property of the People, outlines procedures under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century law that President Donald Trump invoked last month to fast-track deportations of some Venezuelan migrants. The directive instructs agents on how to identify suspected gang members and confirms they may take individuals into custody without first securing a warrant. However, it advises agents to consult federal prosecutors when possible to seek criminal search or arrest warrants for related offenses, such as violations like failing to carry immigration documents or register. The Trump administration has designated Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang, as a terrorist organization. In a related April 9 email obtained as part of the public records request, the FBIs Criminal Investigative Division ordered that individuals arrested under the Alien Enemies Act be transferred to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is housing such migrants at a Texas detention facility pending deportation. Acting Assistant Director Greg Nelsen warned agents against transferring detainees to the Southern District of New York where a federal court order currently bars deportations under the act. So far, federal authorities have arrested more than 600 alleged Tren de Aragua members, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday in a post on X. More than 200 Venezuelan men accused of being gang members and alien enemies were deported last month to the maximum-security Cecot prison in El Salvador. A Bloomberg analysis found that about 90% of the men sent to Cecot didnt have a criminal history in the US. According to Bondis memo, migrants detained and designated as alien enemies are not entitled to a court hearing, an appeal or judicial review. However, several federal judges, and the US Supreme Court, have temporarily blocked parts of the Trump administrations deportation efforts, requiring authorities to give detainees an opportunity to contest their designation. The Justice Department did not immediately response to a request for comment. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged that Ukrainian forces would be unable to regain control over Crimea and said the US wont have to commit troops as part of security guarantees in an apparent overture to President Donald Trump. Trump is seeking to build momentum to end the war as his second term approaches the 100-day mark. He has ramped up pressure on Zelenskiy to accept a peace deal that critics fear will favor Moscow, saying Friday that Ukraine should sign a proposed minerals agreement with the US immediately. Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on Friday for the fourth time since the US inauguration. Washingtons proposals include recognition of Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and freezing the war largely along existing battle lines, leaving Putin in control of swaths of eastern and southern Ukraine, Bloomberg has reported. Kyiv would also be required to abandon its goal of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This is true what Trump says, that we dont have enough weapon weapons, not people to regain control of Crimea by arms, Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv as he inspected the site of a residential building ravaged by a Russian strike this week that killed 12 people. But there is a possibility of sanctions, other economic pressure, diplomatic pressure, Zelenskiy added. The international community has resisted recognizing the Crimean peninsula as Russian to avoid legitimizing Putins annexation, a move that was broadly condemned as illegal. Zelenskiy has repeatedly said he wont cede territory to Moscow. Trump said in an interview with Time Magazine published on Friday that Crimea will stay with Russia. Kyiv and its European allies have sought to slow Trumps rush to a deal over concern that it will sacrifice Ukrainian and European security. They insist that a ceasefire and clarity over security guarantees for Ukraine must precede any deal that involves negotiations over territory, according to people familiar with the matter. I spoke to Trump about it for us the backstop isnt necessarily boots on the ground, Zelenskiy said. I know the US view on this is not very positive so were talking about intelligence, cybersecurity and Patriots, the president said, referring to US-made missiles that are critical for Ukraines air defense. Zelenskiy said this week hed like to meet Trump at the Vatican on Saturday where global leaders will attend the funeral of Pope Francis. But because of the April 24 deadly Russian missile strike at the residential part of Kyiv, Zelenskiy said he was not sure he would be able to arrive to Vatican on time. In the coming days important meetings may take place that can bring truce in Ukraine closer, Zelenskiy said in his daily video address Friday, without elaborating. Diplomacy must work and we are doing everything to make diplomacy substantive and finally work. Trump said on his Truth Social network that work on the overall peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly and urged Ukraine to immediately sign the mineral agreement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian officials discussed the economic partnership this week in Washington. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Perplexity AI had earlier this year announced its plans to launch a new browser to compete directly with the likes of Google Chrome and Safari. In a recent interaction, the AI startup's CEO Aravind Srinivas revealed that one of the reasons for Perplexity's move to a browser is to build a personalised profile of its users and potentially show them some ads in the future. Also Read | Google DeepMind CEO says AI can eradicate diseases, gets unexpected support In an episode of the TBPN podcast, Srinivas said, "Instagram has shown some stats where the engagement time on the platform reduces if you remove the apps Because that's level personalization of the ants. So if any of the AI companies can do that I think that could be like a thing where brands could pay a lot more money To advertise there. So that's yet to be explored. But in order to crack that we need to crack memory properly that's kind of one of the other reasons we wanted to put a browser." We want to get data even outside the app to better understand you Because some of the prompts that people do in these as is purely work related it's not like that personal. On the other hand like what are things you're buying? Which hotels are going very which restaurants are you going to what are you spending time browsing? This is so much more about you that we plan to use all the context to build a better user profile And maybe you know through our discovery we could show some ads there. Srinivas added. Aravind Srinivas clarifies: Soon after a clip of his podcast gained traction on social media and some media reports on the issue surfaced, Srinivas issued a clarification on the matter, writing on X (formerly Twitter),The podcast hosts asked me a hypothetical question about how ads could play out in AI products including Perplexity. I laid out a scenario. The core point was first cracking memory and personalization if you do want relevant ads. Saarc Visa Exemption Suspension Pakistani nationals are banned from travelling to India under the Saarc visa exemption, and all SPES visas are cancelled. Those in India must leave within 48 hours. Credit : PINTEREST Almost 29 million was paid out to county Longford farmers last year by Lakeland Dairies, the largest cross-border dairy processing co-operative on the island of Ireland. The internationally renowned provider of dairy products said the 28.7 disbursed in 2024 through milk payments 'contributed significantly to the local rural economy'. Lakeland Dairies Chairperson Niall Matthews stated the first six months of 2024 brought 'volatility' for Lakeland Dairies farm families and their co-operative, however, thankfully there was an upswing. He said the first half of the year was extremely difficult with challenging weather conditions coupled with stubborn input prices. Also Read: Longford National School to host table quiz fundraiser Mr Matthews stated their aim was to support their farmers who produce what he described as a 'world-class, sustainable and nutritious product with a sustainable and competitive' milk price. Thankfully, as weather conditions improved, so did global dairy markets and the second half of the year was better," he said. "In total, we issued 998 million in milk payments to our farmers over the course of 2024." Mr Matthews insisted this proves the critical importance of the dairy industry in ensuring there is a balanced regional economy with 3,200 farm families in 17 counties benefitting. The county Cavan-based facility also processed two billion litres of high-quality milk. Lakeland Dairies revenues increased to 1.75bn from 1.6bn which came as a result of an increase in value-add sales as well as an increase in general dairy market pricing particularly for butter in the second half of the year. Also Read: Throwback Thursday | Stepping out in stunning style for the Longford Hunt Ball Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) for 2024 was 73.3m, compared to 43.4m in 2023. Net Profit Before Tax was 21.3m which is a significant improvement on the loss of 9.75m in 2023. Mr Matthews said despite the obstacles encountered by our farm families, Lakeland Dairies processed a record tonnage of milk solids in 2024. "This is a testament to both the resilience of our farmers in the year and the fruits of better genetics and management at farm level. [The year] 2024 was also an important year as we continued to step out our ambitious and innovative strategy, 'Foundations for a Better Future' which aims to deliver sustainable prosperity to our farm families. Also Read: Planning permission sought for iconic Longford bank building "The acquisition of the De Brandt butterfat business epitomises the strategic decisions we are taking to benefit Lakeland Dairies in the short and long term," he added. Mr Matthews said to support their farm families to be able to plan effectively for the future, they embarked on a "full-scale representation campaign with Ministers and senior politicians in our jurisdictions on issues including the Nitrates Derogation, inheritance tax, TB and generational renewal". Lakeland Dairies Group Chief Executive Officer Colin Kelly said following a challenging 2023, where everyone in the co-op displayed remarkable resilience, 2024 was a very successful year for Lakeland Dairies with increased turnover, EBITDA and profits. "We were also pleased to return a competitive and sustainable milk price to our 3,200 farm families. (The year) 2024 was one of the most strategically important years in the 130-year history of Lakeland Dairies as we continued to make strategic decisions to benefit the co-op and our farm families in the short and long term." Warm tributes have been paid to Pope Francis by Longfordians following his death on Monday and some described him as a man who was adored and admired and 'who touched the hearts of people'. The pontiff (88), who was battling pneumonia and what were described by the Vatican as 'complex' health conditions, died at 7.35am on Monday morning. Longford author Vincent Doyle was praised by the Vatican for his passion for writing the first book in history on the children of priests and he met Pope Francis more than a decade ago. He said he was 'grateful' to Pope Francis for being so 'receptive' and listening to him and opening doors for people in his position. Also read: Bishop Paul Connell says 'care, respect and compassion' were at heart of Pope Francis' pontificate Mr Doyle (41), who hails from Longford town is the son of Fr JJ Doyle who served in Ardagh and Edgeworthstown throughout the 1980s and 1990s, was invited by the Vatican to be part of a global study into the 'phenomenon'. Fr Doyle died from lung cancer in 1995. But it was not until 2011 that Vincent was shocked to discover that Fr Doyle, a priest he knew very well, was his dad. He realised there were no mechanisms in place to support people in similar situations and in 2012 he established a website - copinginternational.com. The website was subsequently funded by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. Also read: Pope Francis visit to Ireland provided powerful moment for abuse survivors "Pope Francis was very receptive and he completely knew the struggle and the Vatican paid for the entire trip because we were a charity in our infancy so they hosted us, brought us over and treated us very well," Mr Doyle said. "I met him and his exact words to me when the person introduced me to him were 'Cie cie I know'. "Then there was a silence and I gave him the letter and he read the letter and he put it into his hand and he looked me straight in the eyes and he put his hand on my shoulder and he said 'I will read, I will read' and the following week the whole thing was approved. So he did not waste any time, which was very against the grain of the Vatican. The Vatican works in decades not years or months and I had it in a week which was a happy shock to me," Mr Doyle added. Mr Doyle credited Pope Francis for his intervention. He opened up the door to various dicasteries (church departments) and that was the real beauty of what he did. In 2017, the psychotherapist was behind new guidelines entitled 'Principles of Responsibility regarding priests who father children while in ministry' that were established by the Catholic Church in relation to supporting children whose fathers were priests. In 2014, when he was working on the guidelines Mr Doyle met Pope Francis in Rome and discussed his work. Vincent's first book 'Our Fathers, A Phenomenon of Children of Catholic Priests and Religious', which was published in 2022. Also read: Where and when to watch Pope Francis' funeral live on Saturday Henry Rodgers, who was a student in St Mel's College in Longford and has lived in Rome for 37 years, said the Irish community in the Italian capital are greatly saddened. The lecturer, who teaches English at Sapienza University, is part of a group of university lecturers in Italy, some of whom are Irish, who have been attempting to get equal employment pay and conditions. Mr Rodgers said Pope's Francis' last public appearance at Easter Sunday mass on St Peter's Square showed his determination and his devotion to the people. "People felt great empathy with him. "He was very much admired and he touched the hearts of a lot of people. "He was very spontaneous, down to earth, he was a man of peace and a kind man," he added. Also read: Longford man and his wife celebrating 40th wedding anniversary pay respect to Pope Francis in Rome Pauline Doran, from Cullyfad, said it was a wonderful experience for her and her late son Joe Doran to meet with Pope Francis in Rome nearly eight years ago. Pope Francis was the first pope to publicly recognise HD, and he invited families from Ireland and around the world for a historic audience at the Vatican on May 18, 2017. Joe sadly died last December. "He was a lovely gentle man who made a big fuss of the patients that were there with Huntington's and it was just for them that audience. PICTURES | Stunning style and plenty of fun at 20th Longford GAA Race Day in Punchestown "He was just a gentle, genuine person that would steal your heart," she added. Pauline said the visit and the meeting with Pope Francis gave her son Joe a big boost and he had "great empathy" with them. "Pope Francis went up to them and hugged them, all of us really but the sufferers and sinners, he seemed to give them an extra bear hug and he had time for them. It was something I never expected to be able to do and it gave Joe a big boost which was the main thing. My daughter and my brother and his wife came with us, she added. PICTURES | Longford GAA Race Day guests enjoy memorable 20th birthday celebration at Punchestown Local News, Crime By Long Island Published: April 25 2025 Suffolk County Police, responding to a community complaint, conducted a raid at Awesome Spa in Huntington Station alongside the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement Inspectors. Li Chen, 47, and Gui Feng Huang, ... Suffolk County Police today arrested two women in a massage parlor raid in Huntington Station. In response to a community complaint, Second Precinct Crime Section officers, in conjunction with the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement Inspectors, conducted an investigation into Awesome Spa, located at 294 E. Jericho Turnpike., Huntington Station. Li Chen, 47, of Flushing, and Gui Feng Huang, 48, of Flushing, were arrested and charged them with Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, an Class E felony and Prostitution, a Class B misdemeanor. The Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement Inspectors issued 6 violations. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: May 19 2025 Becky was a longtime Newsday reporter, and the book has Long Island ties as some of the women lived on Long Island or flew there. There is an upcoming Long Island book event for SPITFIRES : The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During WWII by acclaimed journalist / former Newsday reporter Becky Aikman (on sale May 6th, 2025) at the Rockville Centre Public Library on May 22nd. Becky was a longtime Newsday reporter, and the book has Long Island ties as some of the women lived on Long Island or flew there: Winnie Pierce flew at the fashionable Roosevelt Field airport before the war, along with a couple minor characters, Louise Schuurman and Suzanne Ford. And Jackie Cochran belonged to the tony Long Island Aviation Country Club. Despite her status as the country's leading aviatrix, setting records and winning races, and the fact that she was a self-made millionaire through her cosmetics company, she struggled to fit in with the upper-crust set at the club. Long Island was an aviation center, and it made sense that many of the aviators passed through there. SPITFIRES covers a completely fresh and shockingly little-known story about World War II and will be published the week of the 80th anniversary of VE Day (May 8th), which marked the official end to the war in Europe. SPITFIRES also vividly showcases an untold and captivating chapter of women's history and a cast of fascinating women who have been overlooked by history and whose lives were as unconventional as their dreams. Becky will be at the Rockville Centre Public Library at 7pm ET on Thursday May 22nd in conversation with local author Carol Hoenig. More about the free event / RSVP is here: https://rvcpl.libcal.com/event/14504717 SPITFIRES just received a great review from Oprah Daily, who included it in a piece about upcoming books for Womens History Month: When the U.S. military refused to let women pilots enlist and the editor of an aviation magazine scoffed at 'the woman who thinks she ought to be flying a high-speed bomber when she really has not the intelligence to scrub the floor of a hospital properly,' there were 25 American women flyers who told them to stuff it, and went off to join the British Air Transport Auxiliary, one of the most dangerous jobs of the war. The party girl, the debutante, the impoverished beauty, the illiterate gold-digger turned star aviatrix, the stunt pilot, the lesbian flight instructorAikmans amazing account brings the 'Atta-Girls' boldly to life, underlining the truth of a headline that ran at the time: 'Girls Taken to Britain by Jacqueline Cochran Fly 121 Types of Planes, Sleep Wherever They Land, Find Romance and Tragedy.' Boy, did they! The star-crossed affairs and marriages, the gossip and the drama, the death-defying near-crashes and the heartbreaking fatal ones, the blackout partying in blacked-out London if these fierce heroines dont show up on a limited series soon, well eat our hats." SPITFIRES follows twenty-five daring young aviators who embarked for England in 1942, becoming the first American women to command military aircraft, and risking their lives in one of the most dangerous jobs of the war, transporting barely tested fighters and bombers from factories to frontline airfields and returning shot-up wrecks for repair. One in seven pilots died performing this work, and others made spectacular saves. They were crop dusters and debutantes, college girls and performers in flying circuses from all over the USall of them trained as pilots. Because they were women, they were denied the opportunity to fly for their country when the United States entered the Second World War. But Great Britain, desperately fighting for survival, would let anyoneeven Americans, even womentransport warplanes. Flying up to 140 models of advanced aircraft with little training, the aviators became some of the most accomplished pilots in the world. They also seized the opportunity to live as women did decades later, pursuing their ambitions in the air and shocking their hosts with thoroughly modern behavior on the ground. Aikman recounts the womens loves, losses, hopes and failures during wartime and beyond. The American flyers did indeed lead lives that were glamorous and exiting beyond imagination. They also led the way for other women of ambition. The United States ultimately started the short-lived, more limited WASP womens flying program based on the proven success of the American women flyers in Britain. Still, it took decades for others to achieve a fraction of what the Spitfires did. Becky Aikman is the author of two books of narrative nonfiction: her memoir Saturday Night Widows and Off the Cliff: How the Making of Thelma & Louise Drove Hollywood to the Edge. Aikman was a journalist at Newsday, and her work has also appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications. She lives in New York and Los Angeles. Additional praise from writers such as the Pulitzer Prize winning author of King: A Life, Jonathan Eig, New York Times-bestselling author of Fly Girls, Keith OBrien, New York Times bestselling authors Olivia Campbell (Women in White Coats), and Lynne Olson (Madame Fourcades Secret War), Roseanne Montillo, Major General Mari K. Eder and more is below. Advanced Praise for Spitfires: A soaring narrative of a handful of women who wanted to choose their own path and ended up helping to change the world. It reminds readers of the obstacles that women facedin the air and on the groundduring World War II, and what it took to overcome them. Becky Aikman puts these forgotten heroines back where they belong: in the cockpit, risking everything, to live the lives they wanted." Keith OBrien, bestselling author of Fly Girls A bold and soaring work of history, one that illuminates not just the lives of these courageous women but also the shifting social dynamics of a world at war. As intimate and enthralling as a novel, this book is whip-smart, deeply researched, and beautifully written. Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life With prose that sweeps you across the Atlantic, Spitfires is the long overdue account of the brave and fascinating women who risked their lives flying during World War II. Thanks to Becky Aikman's deep research and riveting storytelling, the accounts of the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary are finally being told with the nuance and panache that they deserve. A must read not just for aviation buffs, but for anyone who appreciates a great tale of unsung heroism. Mary Pilon, New York Times bestselling author of The Monopolists Women who dared. Journalist Aikman draws on diaries, letters, and interviews to create a brisk, lively account of nine intrepid American women, among the 25 who joined Britains Air Transport Auxiliary, the civilian arm of the RAF ... Engaging portraits of a spirited crew. Kirkus Reviews "In Spitfires: The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During World War II, Becky Aikman combines meticulous research and vivid storytelling to craft an inspiring story about the resilience of the human spirit. This deeply engrossing biography of several ace aviatrixes tells the story of American women who yearned to live a life less than ordinary, and World War II reluctantly allowed them to do that. This is not a book to be enjoyed solely by the history buff. Rather, it is a page-turning chronicle that reads like a novel and that will appeal to discriminating readers of beautifully written accounts. Rescuing this type of account has become of paramount importance, and Aikman has done an astounding job to make sure these women get their moment in the spotlight." Roseanne Montillo, author of Deliberate Cruelty and Atomic Women "The adventure of a lifetime started with a simple invitation: Would you be willing to volunteer... Volunteer to fly for Britain, into danger and into history, breaking through the clouds into the future. These American women set the bar high for generations of aspiring women pilots. Sure, it was an unlikely proposition; they had been denied the opportunity to fly for the U.S. But they had something to prove - women could fly - and not just crop dusters or clunky transport planes, but that they could fly any plane in the military inventory - untested, new, or even badly shot up. The stories of this daring cohort make for a heart pounding read and Spitfires they were themselves - but easy to get to know, fast friends who readers will be sad to leave at the story's end. But their adventure stays with the reader even so. Just look to the sky. Major General Mari K. Eder, author of The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line A rollicking ride through history, I couldn't get enough of the stories of these brave women defying convention and risking their lives in search of adventure and fulfillment. Empowering and inspiring, Spitfires brilliantly illuminates the incredible contributions of women pilots during WWII. Olivia Campbell, New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats and Sisters in Science "While the exploits of the Women Airforce Service Pilots in the U.S. are fairly well known to readers steeped in WWII history, Britains Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) and the American women who flew for it have been overlooked. Aikman mined letters, diaries, and newspaper articles as well as an enormous number of books containing material on the subject to craft this concise narrative about the ATA and the women who answered the call for recruits willing and able to fly anything and everything to assist in the war effort ... This joins such titles such as The Women with Silver Wings (2020), Fly Girls (2018), and The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line (2021) as authors retrieve the stirring yet neglected history of brave flying women... An exciting well-documented read." Booklist "A grippingly lyrical and character-driven tribute to no-longer-forgotten heroes of the Greatest Generation." Catherine Grace Katz, author of The Daughters of Yalta "An enthralling account of the World War II exploits of a group of audacious, hell-raising American women who risked their lives to ferry warplanes for the British. Displaying an abundance of courage and extraordinary flying skills, these female mavericks showed Allied military officials just what they were missing by barring women from flying in combat. Lynne Olson, New York Times bestselling author of Madame Fourcade's Secret War "Spitfires is the astounding and little-known story of the American Atta-Girls dicing with death during WWII. Dorothy, Virginia, Winnie, Hazel, Ann, Mary, Roberta, and a host of other unforgettable women with origins as varied as their ends face down stalled engines, hazardous weather, defective propellors, and enemy fighters in order to reinvent themselves and reimagine womens role in aviation. Meticulously researched and utterly absorbing, Aikmans Spitfires is a real nail-biter! Shelley Puhak, author of The Dark Queens US Navy personnel ready weapons for strikes against the Houthis. (CENTCOM on X) The Houthis have responded to the ongoing US campaign against the group with attacks targeting the United States and Israel, as well as ostensibly punitive economic measures. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted approximately 750 airstrikes against the terrorist group that rules north Yemen since March 15, according to a US official. Military action against the US Navy Yayha Saree, the Houthis military spokesman, has made over a dozen announcements stating that the group engaged the USS Truman and USS Vinson aircraft carriers operating in the Red Sea. Sarees most recent statement on April 22 said that the groups missile force, unmanned air force, and naval forces carried out two military operations with a number of cruise missiles and drones. The Houthis routinely employ cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but they have also targeted the US carriers with ballistic missiles. Though the Houthi statements routinely affirm that the military operations have successfully achieved their goals, thanks to God, there is no evidence of damage to US naval vessels. On April 22, Saree claimed that the group downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone. He claimed it was the seventh UAV the group had shot down in April and the twenty-second since the Houthis began attacks in October 2023 in support of Hamas terrorists in Gaza. An anonymous US official told ABC News that the Houthis have downed six Reaper drones since the beginning of US operations and at least 15 Reapers since October 2023. The Pentagon has previously disputed the number of drones the Houthis claim to have destroyed without providing an alternate number. According to the Congressional Research Service, an MQ-9 Reaper drone costs about $30 million. Mahdi al Mashat, the president of the Supreme Political Council of Yemen, the Houthi-controlled governing body in the countrys north, issued a vague threat against other US assets, saying, The B2 bomber, the news of which will come soon, God Almighty willing. Mashat was referring to B2 stealth bombers that the US moved to Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean, at the end of March. The Houthis previously targeted manned US aircraft in February 2025. Attacks on Israel Since March 15, Saree has made 17 announcements of attacks against Israel that have employed ballistic missiles, including the Zulfiqar and Palestine 2, and drones, including the Jaffa and Samad 1. Most of the attacks targeted the central region of Israel or military bases. The latest attack on April 22 targeted Haifa with an unspecified missile the Houthis claimed was a hypersonic ballistic missile. Sirens sounded in Israel, and the IDF acknowledged the attack was from a projectile originating in Yemen. The IDF stated that sirens have sounded due to projectiles from Yemen 11 times since March 15. The Houthis in Yemen have launched more than 20 ballistic missiles and several drones at Israel. Only half of the missiles set off sirens in the country and were shot down, while the others fell short since March 18, according to The Times of Israel. Houthi missiles that failed to reach Israel have landed in Egypts Sinai Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. A Houthi missile launched on April 20 landed in a market in Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital, and killed 12 people, according to CENTCOM. However, the Houthis claimed the incident was a US airstrike. Nevertheless, local sources reported in the immediate aftermath that the explosion was due to a Houthi missile, and the group closed the scene and arrested those who documented the incident. Moammar al Eryani, the minister of information, culture, and tourism for the internationally recognized government in Yemen, argued that the reported coverup is further evidence that the terrorist group caused the explosion. Houthi sanctions On April 20, Mashat announced sanctions against American defense contractors. His statement identified 15 arms-manufacturing companies the Houthis added to a sanctions list entitled Supporters of the Usurping Zionist Entity. Mashat also said that oil companies will be sanctioned. The Humanitarian Coordination Center (HOCC), the Houthi-controlled government arm that issued the sanctions, said, The measures taken today through sanctions are part of our religious, humanitarian, and moral responsibility toward the oppressed Palestinian people. The actions come in response to continuing US sanctions against the Houthis. A boycott of American and Israeli goods Mashat followed the sanctions by announcing a boycott of American and Israeli goods. He instructed the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Investment to implement the ban following a three-month period. Afterward, any American product will be banned from entering or being present in any store. Mashat further called on citizens to boycott stores if they do not abide by this policy, as the boycott is mandated by the Holy Quran. Local news reports argued that this action will destabilize the Yemeni economy, which relies heavily on imports. Eryani said that the boycott is a repressive approach that clearly reveals that the only loser from these policies is the Yemeni trader and consumer, not American companies. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis. Casey and Vanessa White pitch Jaju Pierogi, their family-made Eastern European pierogi on the television show "Shark Tank," airing Friday, May 2, on ABC. (Disney/Christopher Willard) Disney Sisters Vanessa and Casey White started Jaju Pierogi in 2016 selling at first in farmers markets and using recipes from their grandfathers Polish deli in Feeding Hills that they enjoyed growing up in Wilbraham. Over the years, theyve grown to 2,500 stores nationwide including Big Y Foods and River Valley Coop in Western Massachusetts. Casey and Vanessa White, with Vanessa in a pierogi costume, pitch Jaju Pierogi, their family-made Eastern European pierogi on the television show "Shark Tank" airing Friday, May 2, on ABC. (Disney/Christopher Willard) Disney Its a lot of work. Work they added to by going through the roughly six-month application and audition process to become one of the entrepreneurs pitching their products on televisions Shark Tank. Its like three mortgage applications and college applications rolled into one, Vanessa White said. A part-time job on top of running the business. Add to that the stress of preparing to actually meet the sharks thats the venture-capitalist experts who grill contestant businesspeople under the hot lights of a Los Angeles-area television studio. Sisters Casey (left) and Vanessa White show off some of the Jaju Pierogi products available at grocery stores across the nation. Co-founders of the company, the sisters grew up in Wilbraham. (Submitted photo) submitted photo I was studying our business as though I didnt know our business, Casey White said. But once she got going in front of Sharks Mark Cuban, Daniel Lubetzky, Kevin OLeary, Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec, she knew she was in her element What you see on TV is what happens when you are pitching, she said. Its a conversation with normal people. You are talking to other humans. Casey and Vanessa White pitch Jaju Pierogi, their family-made Eastern European pierogi on the television show "Shark Tank," airing Friday, May 2, on ABC. (Disney/Christopher Willard) Disney But they do lean in to their television personalities. And as longtime viewers Casey and Vanessa Vanessa decked out in a pierogi costume began to sense what question was happening next. Their episode taped months ago airs 8 to 9:01 p.m. Friday, May 2, on ABC, according to the network. Other segments that night include a permanent fix for lost phone chargers, a kitchen fan that prevents onion eyes, and a smart mini fridge designed exclusively for some favorite drinks. Now in its 16th TV season, Shark Tank says companies that have appeared on the show have amassed a cumulative $11 billion in cumulative retail sales. Casey and Vanessa cant say whether they get an investment. ABC wants people to tune in on Friday after all. They did say that theyve been self-financed all along from building out their own kitchen to now partnering with an Eastern Massachusetts food manufacturer. Vanessa White and Casey White appear on "Shark Tank." Disney Thats limited growth, Vanessa White said. The grocery industry is very expensive to be in, she said. But now, with more stores selling Jaju Pierogi including a recent trial run at a Costco in Florida, they need capital. And if they dont get it on Shark Tank, Casey White said the experience is still worth it for the publicity. Vanessa White, the marketing mind who came up with and wore the pierogi costume on the show, said theyve already set up a new outgoing frequently-asked-questions email. The Whites took the name Jaju Pierogi from a phonetic approximation of the Polish word for grandfather: Dziadek. Their grandfather had a Polish deli still run by an uncle in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam called Waniewski Farms. The last episode of a Netflix series called "Forever" was shot at several locations on Martha's Vineyard, including the Steamship Authority terminal in Vineyard Haven, seen here in May 2024. (Photo by Tim Johnson/Vineyard Gazette) A Netflix series partially shot on Marthas Vineyard will be released early next month. Forever, an eight-episode series based on Judy Blumes novel of the same title, is being released May 8. The last episode of the series was filmed on the Vineyard last spring. Last May, film crews were working all over Marthas Vineyard, from Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs to the Steamship Authority terminal in Vineyard Haven. An open casting call was held, allowing numerous Vineyarders to be chosen as extras. The Vineyard episode was directed by seasonal resident Mara Brock Akil. She is also the show-runner and executive producer. The show is a modern take on Blumes story, published in 1975. In an interview with the Gazette last year, Brock Akil said she sought to bring the story into the present and feature Black protagonists. Brock Akil also wanted to incorporate the Islands rich Black history into the filming process. This place is special, but its uniquely special to Black families, she said. Its a place where our children can experience freedom and independence, to have a chance for them to run around as little kids and to be around town by themselves to socialize and meet each other. Blume is a longtime seasonal resident and is an executive producer for the project. Forever depicts young love and first experiences. On the origins of the book, she wrote on her website: My daughter Randy asked for a story about two nice kids who have sex without either of them having to die. The Vineyard Gazette on Marthas Vineyard is a news partner of MassLive.com. To subscribe to the Vineyard Gazette, click here. The Celtics will be without starting guard Jrue Holiday on Friday night for their Game 3 matchup against the Orlando Magic due to a hamstring strain. Holiday was originally listed as questionable by the team Thursday before being downgraded to out about 45 minutes before tip Friday. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were upgraded from questionable to available for Fridays matchup. Holiday showed no signs of injury playing 36 minutes in Game 2 while posting 11 points and a team-high six assists in Bostons 109-100 victory. He has been the teams primary defender on Paolo Banchero for much of the series, so it will be a stiff test for the Celtics to play without him, although they will be aided by the return of Jayson Tatum (wrist) to the lineup after sitting out Game 2. Without Holiday available, the Celtics are expected to keep Al Horford in the starting five and will be playing an extremely big group with Jaylen Brown as a starting guard next to Derrick White. Payton Pritchard will also be in line for big minutes off the bench just like Game 2 when he played 33. The Celtics currently hold a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven first round matchup. Presidential advisor Elon Musk defended his agency, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and warned that if it cannot complete its mission, its the end of the United States and his company, Tesla, CNN reported. During a call with investors on Tuesday, Musk said he plans to scale back his work at DOGE to a day or two starting in May in an effort to focus on Tesla after its net income dropped. Teslas revenue fell 9%, its auto revenue fell 20% and its adjusted income dropped 39%, CNN reported. The companys net income dropped 71%. These drops were likely the result of protests and acts of vandalism outside Tesla centers across the country, the news network reported. Musk claimed these protests were against DOGEs actions in cutting funds and slashing jobs from government agencies. I think the right thing to do is fight the waste and fraud and try to get the country back on the right track, he said. If the ship of America goes down, Tesla will go with it. He added that the protests have not affected demand for Tesla vehicles, and that the companys future in developing autonomous driving and humanoid robots will create sustainable abundance for all. The future of Tesla is brighter than ever, Musk said, per CNN. At the start of his time at DOGE, Musk had a 130-day limit in working as a special government employee until the end of May, Politico reported in early April. The billionaire is ready to exit because he is tired of fielding what he views as a slew of nasty and unethical attacks from the political left, according to a person familiar with his thinking, the Washington Post reported Monday. By leaving DOGE, Musk believes his departure will not diminish the [departments] power or work, the report stated. By the end of this year, some drivers in the Boston area may begin to receive a new type of traffic ticket in the mail. The MBTA is developing regulations for using automated cameras to ticket drivers who block public bus stops or bus lanes. In the not-so-distant future, doing so could result in a ticket as high as $125 for violations captured on camera. The T aims to equip a small fleet of buses with enforcement cameras later this year before expanding the technology to other buses throughout 2026, staff told the agencys Board of Directors at a meeting Thursday. In the initial phase of the new program, first-time violations may result in a relatively low-cost ticket or only a warning. The T is still sorting out those fine points. The new regulations have been on the horizon since January, when Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill into law allowing authorities to use cameras to automatically capture the license plates of drivers who violate bus lane or bus stop laws, a practice used in other parts of the country but new to Massachusetts. Together with a twin law allowing camera-based ticketing of drivers who illegally pass school buses, it represents the first time the Bay State has permitted any form of automated enforcement of moving violations. A drive down a Boston-area street will find bus lanes routinely used by other vehicles and bus stops often treated as temporary parking spaces. Not only do such patterns hold up public buses and further gridlock, they can also make boarding the bus far more difficult for people with physical disabilities who need the bus to stop close to the curb, the MBTA said. The new regulations aim to crack down on those practices, but with the goal of changing driver behavior rather than generating revenue for the state, Alexandra Hallowell, the MBTAs director of transit priority, said at Thursdays Board of Directors meeting. The MBTA has over 40 miles of dedicated bus lanes, with plans to have more than 50 miles by the end of the decade. Transit officials have identified seven locations across the network where they could begin using cameras to ticket cars blocking bus lanes, according to presentation materials for the Thursday board meeting. They include a portion of Brighton Avenue, a brief stretch of North Washington Street between the North End and West End, Sullivan Square in Charlestown, a few blocks of St. James Avenue in the Back Bay, a stretch of Columbus Avenue between Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, and extended portions of Huntington Avenue and Washington Street. Potential locations where cameras could be used to ticket drivers who block MBTA bus lanes. This screenshot is from an MBTA presentation on potential regulations for the new camera system. MBTA Enforcement cameras could also be mounted roadside at any of the MBTAs 7,000 bus stops and bus exchange plazas. While the responsibility for installing and managing those cameras would fall on the town or city where each is located, they would be subject to the same regulations the MBTA is developing. An initial analysis by the T identified 10 locations where bus stops are most often blocked near major health care facilities, which could be the first stops to feature enforcement cameras. Several are in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston and Brookline, while others are clustered near Tufts Medical Center, Boston Medical Center and St. Elizabeths Medical Center. Potential locations where cameras could be used to ticket drivers who block MBTA bus stops. This screenshot is from an MBTA presentation on potential regulations for the new camera system. MBTA The laws signed by Healey allow authorities to issue tickets only once theyve reviewed the images captured by automated cameras for accuracy. Drivers could be fined up to $100 for parking at a bus stop. For blocking a bus lane, they could face fines of $25 to $125, with citations increasing for subsequent offenses and different fines for personal and commercial vehicles. Notably, the fines in most cases would not be issued to drivers themselves, but to the owner of the car. An appeals process would allow that person to challenge the ticket if they were not at the wheel when it was issued or if it was assessed improperly. Similar ticketing technology is already in use in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, MBTA officials said. In New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has used cameras to ticket drivers for blocking bus lanes since 2019. Last year, it expanded the program to target vehicles double-parked or illegally parked at bus stops. Images of traffic violations captured by the MBTA's automated enforcement cameras would be reviewed by humans before any tickets are issued. This screenshot is from an MBTA presentation on potential regulations for the new camera system. MBTA The law does not allow automated ticketing of drivers operating in a bus lane. Rather, it targets vehicles parked or standing in a bus lane. But Rachel Morse, the MBTAs director of transit policy, said the agency would aim to define standing as broadly as possible to capture any cars preventing buses from using their reserve lanes. It doesnt matter what gear the car is in or whether the car is occupied, she said. Its caught on camera, if its staying in one place, thats standing. The regulations being drafted by the MBTA will cover the fines, appeals process and other procedures for the new cameras. The agency also must decide whether the educational period before tickets carry fines should be longer than the 60 days established by law. The grace period could extend as long as two years, Hallowell said. The T will receive public comments on the regulations in June, with a public hearing late that month, before seeking board approval in July or August. An MBTA bus in Porter Square in Cambridge. (Will Katcher/MassLive) The regulations could apply to other regional transit authorities who opt in, and Morse said the T is developing rules it thinks could work in other parts of the state. Laws allowing automated ticketing had historically stalled in the Legislature, state Sen. Will Brownsberger, a Belmont Democrat who long supported the measures, told MassLive in January. But the bills for bus lane, bus stop and school bus passing enforcement found sufficient support at the end of last year as more lawmakers become increasingly aware that theres not enough traffic enforcement, Brownsberger said, a pattern hes attributed to changes in driver behavior from the COVID-19 pandemic and a pullback from police officers since the nationwide protests of 2020. Lawmakers also felt the bills addressed privacy and due process concerns that had held them back in the past, Brownsberger said. In San Francisco, Hallowell said, the city found that 93% of those cited using automated cameras received only a ticket. In other words, the single citation appeared to be enough to change their behavior. However, the remaining 7% of drivers cited accounted for 20% of all tickets. Theres a small group of people who dont care and will continue to behave badly, Hallowell said. I dont think we want to design our system around those edge cases. What were trying to design this for is those 93% who are alerted theyre doing something wrong and will change their behavior. Karen Read with her attorneys David Yannetti, left, and Alan Jackson, right during jury selection in her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Nancy Lane/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) The retrial of Karen Read started with opening statements on Tuesday and there are already big differences from the first trial. Jurors may not see Read on the witness stand in the coming weeks, but videos of her interviews are being played in between witness testimony by new prosecutor Hank Brennan. Brennans order of witnesses is much different than Adam Lally, the Norfolk County prosecutor who led the prosecution team last year. The first trial ended with a hung jury, and this time around, both sides are putting lessons learned into practice. Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan studies case material in court ahead of Karen Read's retrial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP Ten witnesses have testified so far, ranging from Canton firefighters, paramedics and friends of John OKeefe. The first expert witness testified on Friday. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the first week. 1) New evidence expected Both sides said during opening statements that data and science will bolster their arguments. That means jurors can expect to hear vastly different interpretations of the same evidence by expert witnesses called by each side. In one example, Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Read, said he expects an expert witness for the prosecution to testify that OKeefe likely suffered from hypothermia. An expert for the defense, however, is expected to testify to the complete opposite. Shell tell you that John OKeefe did not suffer from hypothermia as the commonwealth will undoubtedly allege, Jackson said. His body showed no signs of it. No frostbite, no cold-induced injuries to his organs, no damage based on cold or frost. Jackson argued that OKeefe must have been injured somewhere else, somewhere warmer, and that his body must have been moved out into the cold. Karen Read and lawyer Alan Jackson review jury questionnaires in Norfolk Superior Court on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP Last year, the prosecutions expert said there was evidence that strongly suggested that OKeefe suffered from hypothermia. DNA evidence will also play a big role some of it new. Theyre going to try to dazzle you with talk of DNA because it sounds so scientific, Jackson said. DNA was on the taillight, but youll learn that there was no DNA on the actual shards that they claim came in contact with Johns arm. None. There was no blood, no tissue, no skin, no DNA on a single shard of plastic that prosecutors say cut deep marks into OKeefes arm, according to Jackson. Additionally, more evidence is expected in this trial about OKeefes shoe, which Jackson said had the DNA of five unidentified males. 2) Perjury claims In a dramatic exchange on day 2 of the trial, the judge turned to a key prosecution witness and asked, Did you lie? The witness looked away from the judge, startled by the question, and replied, I did. Not intentionally. The admission by Kerry Roberts, a close friend of OKeefe, came during intense cross-examination by Jackson on Wednesday. It also marked a significant difference from the first trial since the defense decided not to cross-examine Roberts last year. Roberts admitted to telling a false statement to a grand jury in 2022 before Reads indictment. Jackson asked if she realized she made the false statement under oath and penalty of perjury, to which she said, I did. Kerry Roberts testifies during the Karen Read trial in Norfolk Superior Court at Dedham, Mass., on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP The exchange went viral and set social media and YouTube commentators ablaze with questions around whether Roberts admitted to committing perjury during her testimony. A retired Massachusetts judge isnt so convinced. He said the admission amounted to a prior inconsistent statement, but perjury? If they prosecuted this person for a prior inconsistent statement, there would have to be hundreds and hundreds of perjury cases, said Jack Lu, a mediator and adjunct law professor at Boston College who served as a Massachusetts Superior Court judge for 16 years. 3) Reads own words used against her One of the many unique aspects of the Read case is just how outspoken she is and all the interviews shes done. Its incredibly rare for murder defendants to give such wide-ranging interviews and access to cameras, but shes bucked that trend and reaped both a strong advocacy movement and lots of financial donations. At trial, however, the prosecution is effectively weaving her interviews in between witnesses, often to drive home a point. "A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read" premieres on Monday, March 17. Investigation Discovery/YouTube On Monday, after a back-and-forth cross-examination of Canton firefighter Timothy Nuttall, where lawyers argued about whether he really heard Read say, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, Brennan rolled the tape. This time, from Reads interview with ID Docuseries, dated June 15, 2024. In it, she says she did say, I hit him. Read: I remember it, but I question do I remember it because its been relived so much? I mean, when I see the video of me driving from the Waterfall, like what I just described tapping the brakes when I crossed the intersection, Washington over Sherman street do I actually remember that I kind of slowly proceeded through that green light? No, I dont actually remember that, but Ive seen the video so many times that you then question, did I remember on my own, or was my memory jogged? But I also wondered, did I say that I hit him? Or was it told to me that I said I hit him? And I knew I never could have said that, so the closest I must have said was, did I hit him? I know I said I hit him, but did I really say it as many times as law enforcements claiming I said it? 4) Order of witnesses After opening statements last year, the first witnesses were OKeefes brother, Paul OKeefe, and his sister-in-law, Erin OKeefe. Jurors heard from Erin OKeefe about a trip to Aruba that Read and OKeefe took with a group of friends. She described a fiery screaming match after Read accused OKeefe of kissing another woman. On the first day of trial last year, jurors were made aware of potential simmering tensions between Read and OKeefe. No such story at this trial. Brennan said he wouldnt introduce any testimony about the Aruba trip, and instead, he called Canton firefighter Timothy Nuttall as the first witness. Nuttall described the bedlam of the scene blizzard conditions, police lights and Read running and screaming hysterically as paramedics attempted to resuscitate OKeefe. Canton Fire Department paramedic Timothy Nuttall shows how to do a Carotid Pulse at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. Photo by Stuart Cahill/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool On cross, Jackson hammered at an inconsistency from the first trial, when Nuttall testified that OKeefe wore a black, puffy coat the only witness to say so and by all other accounts OKeefe never wore. Then Jackson pointed out Nuttall testified he heard Read say I hit him three times at the scene, but last year he said he only heard her say it twice. Just like the first trial, the defense is scrutinizing the I hit him statements some first responders say they heard, since initial police and hospital reports did not contain the damaging statements attributed to Read. 5) Reads intoxication level 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. Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated and then fled the scene in January 2022. Reads lawyers contend that her SUV never struck OKeefe, and on Tuesday, Jackson said, There was no collision, and repeated it three times to emphasize for the jury. On Friday, Chief Pathologist of Signature Healthcare Garrey Faller took the stand. He is the former chief pathologist at Good Samaritan Medical Center, where Read and OKeefe were brought after he was found. Faller told the jury his hospitals tests found Reads blood alcohol level to be 0.093 above the legal limit to drive by 9 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022. This was the same number Faller testified to in the last trial. Reads defense team has again tried to undermine the accuracy of the hospitals testing. Attorney Elizabeth Little questioned on Friday if Faller was aware of a specific study that showed a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis could lead to elevated levels of the enzyme tested to determine a persons blood alcohol. She also asked if the hospital considered her diagnosis as a factor in her results. While Faller said neither Reads MS diagnosis nor her anemia were taken into account, he also said the particular MS-related enzyme Little was discussing would not affect the test results. The trial will resume Monday, April 28 with half a day of witness testimony, then voir dire a hearing away from the jury with two accident reconstruction experts testifying for the defense. MassLive reporter Irene Rotondo contributed to this article. While the Trump administrations reinstatement of the legal status of international students on Friday seems like it could be a positive move, legal experts and international students are wary of its implications. Over the past month, the federal government revoked numerous foreign students Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database (SEVIS) records without notice. The records are required for living and studying in the U.S. To Leo Gerden, a Harvard international student, the announcement about the reversal is only a partial victory. " Im afraid that theyre going to go back to the drawing board and going to find new, innovative, and perhaps smarter ways of pursuing the same policy of essentially harassing international students into silence," he said. The administration said it would be working on a new policy for international students studying in the U.S. to provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. The status of international students visas is tracked through the SEVIS database. A SEVIS record allows a foreign student to remain in the United States. Over the course of the past month, over a thousand students have been notified that their student visas and/or their status had been revoked. In response, over 100 lawsuits were filed, with more than 50 of the cases ordering the Trump administration to temporarily undo the actions, according to Politico. Five international students including two from Worcester Polytechnic Institute filed a federal class action lawsuit last week in New Hampshire federal court that aims to represent more than 100 students in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island who had their F-1 student immigration status revoked by the Republican administration. Gerden said he still doesnt feel safe as an international student in the U.S. who has spoken out against the Trump administration. " I am feeling it every day, whenever Im walking on the street, Im looking behind my shoulder and thinking if that man who looks like a civilian is actually a civilian or if its a masked ICE agent," he said. What does the reversal mean for foreign students? The decision by the Trump administration raises more questions than answers, according to legal experts. " All we have seen is a series of restoration of SEVIS but we cant tell from the systems weve seen so far whether theyre retroactive. We cant tell how that will affect the students future statuses. We cant tell if ICE will be working with [the] Department of State to un-revoke the visas they caused revocations of, and we cant tell whether or not ICE will even issue an apology to these students for upending their lives," Charles Kuck, former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said. Even if students SEVIS records are restored, it is unclear whether they will have a period of unlawful presence from their revocation, which will cause them future problems, Kuck said. " We dont know any of the real information you need to know as a lawyer to determine whether this is a good measure, a full measure or a half measure," said Kuck, who is also an adjunct faculty member at Emory University. While students SEVIS records are being reinstated, it remains unclear whether their student visa could also be reinstated, according to Stephen Yale-Loehr, a retired immigration law professor at Cornell University. It is a welcome development, but there are a lot of questions that remain to be answered, he said. Why did Trump admin. reverse terminated legal statuses? While the Trump administrations decision to reverse course isnt fully known, legal experts suspect it could be due to the number of court cases that have gone against the federal governments actions. The actions from the Trump administration were legally indefensible, Ian Campbell, an immigration lawyer, said. Even if one of these cases had made it to the Supreme Court, which is generally highly deferential to Trump on immigration, especially, they would have been forced to reinstate SEVIS for all of the cases I am aware of, Campbell said. He questions who is behind the wheel, and what the plan was all along? If they werent prepared to fight those cases for more than a week, why bother in the first place? Even if the plan was just to intimidate international students and the universities that sponsor them, why fold so quickly? said Campbell, who graduated from Harvard Law. The Trump administration did something similar with tariffs, announcing it would impose up to a 145% tariff on Chinese goods and a universal 10% tariff on all countries in addition to higher tariffs for numerous countries. The administration later said it would implement a 90-day pause on most of its plan, although the 10% universal tariff remains. If you can ascribe any conscious strategy to the administration, it seems to be initiating games of chicken, but then immediately backing down, he said. Except that no one would choose that strategy on purpose and it seems more likely that theres simply no plan at all, Campbell said. What happened to foreign students at Mass. colleges? Several Massachusetts institutions have seen student visas and statuses revoked. Among them have been: Northeastern University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Boston, Berklee College of Music, Harvard University, Clark University, Bentley University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Three of the nine of those who had their SEVIS records terminated at Tufts University have been returned to active status as of the late morning, according to Patrick Collins, Tufts spokesperson. All reactivated records are F-1 student visa holders who are alumni on post-completion. The institution is continuing to monitor developments, Collins said. Clark University said it is cautiously optimistic about the announcement from the federal government. At the same time, the institution is still very concerned about our international students. At this point, it appears that a few of our students SEVIS records have been reinstated, but not all. We are looking into the details and hope to learn more over the next few days. Our international students are an integral part of our Clark community. We stand firmly committed to their continued success here, said John LaBrie, dean and associate provost for graduate studies and international programs at Clark. The Office of Global Affairs at UMass Amherst is assessing the impact on the UMass community and will advise students on a case-by-case basis as appropriate, according to Melinda Rose, university spokesperson. There is a long way ahead for international students, said Harvard sophomore Abdullah Shahid Sial, who is from Pakistan. While he is optimistic about the reversal, he said he doesnt know if it will significantly affect Harvard international students. This is because the Department of Homeland Security ordered Harvard to submit detailed records of illegal and violent activities by foreign student visa holders before the end of the month, or it would lose a key certification that allows international students to attend Harvard. About 27% of Harvards undergraduate and graduate students are international, according to 2024 to 2025 data. " I will definitely take this as a win along the way, a win for international students at large," Shahid Sial said. Maybe not for Harvard international students, but its definitely for international schools at large, he said. GoFundMe removed a fake campaign to raise money for one of three Concord-Carlisle High School teenagers killed in a crash in Florida on Monday. The campaign raised funds for senior Hannah Wasserman, who died along with senior Jimmy McIntosh and later senior Maisey ODonnell, Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter told media outlets on Tuesday. A fourth senior, a woman, was hurt in the crash and in critical condition, Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement. The students were all 18 years old. Our hearts go out to the community after this tragedy, a statement from GoFundMe read. At GoFundMe, being a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority and we are continuing to monitor the platform for any fundraisers related to this incident. While people want to show support, its not uncommon for someone to create a GoFundMe to help another individual after a news report, the statement read. GoFundMes Trust and Safety team did not receive a response when it reached out to the family, so the funds raised were refunded to all the donors and the fundraiser was removed, the statement continued. When theres an unspeakable tragedy, people have a deep urge to help and provide comfort to those affected its not uncommon for someone to create a GoFundMe to help another individual after a news report," GoFundMe stated. The campaign claimed to be set up by a student who had so far raised $8,000 to pay for Wassermans funeral costs, Hunter said in a statement obtained by WBZ News. When it was found to be probably fraudulent, Hunter added that GoFundMe was notified and she urged people not to donate. The campaign was pulled on Wednesday. MassLive has reached out to Hunter for more information. At around 9:28 p.m. on Monday, the four teenagers 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. McIntosh and Wasserman were pronounced dead at the scene, while ODonnell and the other senior were hospitalized at Bay Medical Center. Federal immigration officers are planning a return to Massachusetts to make more arrests after a January sweep, The Boston Herald reported Thursday. Todd Lyons, the acting director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and former head of ICEs Boston office, told the newspaper the agencys previous effort was only the beginning, and that theres much more ICE wants to accomplish in Massachusetts. The last operation showed ICE needs to be in the commonwealth. The numbers are staggering, he said. ICE is planning a surge in the Bay State with the Department of Homeland Security and FBI that will target fentanyl traffickers, the Herald reported. The drug is a weapon of mass destruction thats found from Wellesley to Dorchester, he said. Its causing a huge public safety concern. Why would you not want to take that threat out of the community? SPRINGFIELD A federal judge last week dismissed a suit by a doctor who says Baystate Healths report of him as an immediate threat to the public in a national data bank has made it impossible for him to work elsewhere as a transplant surgeon. That assessment to the National Practitioner Data Bank was included in court papers field over the past year with the federal court in Springfield. Dr. Bejon Maneckshana, who lives in Connecticut, is not provided the right of legal action under the federal Health Care Quality Improvement Act, the law that established the National Practitioner Data Bank, ruled U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni on April 16. Mastroianni also ruled that Maneckshana failed to allege a possible defamation claim under Massachusetts law. Karen Read listens to testimony during her trial, Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) AP Karen Reads second trial in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, continued on Thursday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Beverly Cannone. On Friday, the jury visited the home where OKeefe was found before returning to the courthouse to hear from an expert witness and a Canton firefighter. People to know: Jason Becker, Canton firefighter Hank Brennan, special prosecutor for the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office Garrey Faller, former chief pathologist at Good Samaritan Medical Center Alan Jackson, lawyer for Read David Yannetti, lawyer for Read 1:06 p.m. - Court adjourns for the weekend After the sidebar, Cannone sent Read and the lawyers home for the weekend. The trial will resume Monday morning with half a day of witness testimony, then voir dire a hearing away from the jury with two accident reconstruction experts testifying for the defense. Those experts, who work for the firm ARCCA, were first hired by the federal government and concluded OKeefes injuries were not consistent with a car crash. 12:52 p.m. - Becker steps off After a brief re-cross examination from Jackson, in which Becker confirmed Read attempted to show him her phone, Becker was released from the stand. Cannone sent the jury home for the weekend, but asked to see the lawyers at sidebar. 12:37 p.m. - Brennan starts re-direct of Becker Brennans re-direct questioning focused mostly on reinforcing the specifics of Reads comment to Becker about the argument. Becker said Read told him the argument came earlier in the night, but he wasnt sure exactly when. Brennan had Becker read part of his grand jury testimony. Becker told the grand jury Read was upset because the last time they had talked she argued with OKeefe. She was upset that that was like her last words to him, Becker told the grand jury. 12:34 p.m. - Jackson presses Becker on argument remark After a brief sidebar, Jackson began pressing Becker on the specifics of what Read told him that morning. Previously, Jackson noted, Becker said Read told him her last words to OKeefe were during an argument. Becker said he was paraphrasing Read, not quoting exactly. Did she tell you that her last words to him were in voicemails? Jackson asked. Becker said she offered no more details and he didnt ask for any. Jackson asked Becker if he put together that Read was referencing a series of angry voicemails she left for OKeefe before finding his body. Becker said he had not. 12:24 p.m. - Jackson begins cross-examination of Becker Jackson, who cross-examined another Canton firefighter earlier this week, questioned Becker about his observations of Read at the scene. He said she had blood around her mouth, but that he quickly determined it likely wasnt her blood because she told paramedics she had been giving mouth-to-mouth. Becker testified that it appeared as though Read had been through a traumatic event. 12:15 p.m. - Read told Becker about argument with OKeefe Becker said he spoke to Read when he arrived at the scene. At the time, she mentioned being in an argument with a man she described as her husband OKeefe. She told Becker their last conversation was an argument. Becker said he didnt feel it was his role to determine any more details. 12:08 p.m. - Brennan calls Canton firefighter to the stand After Fallers testimony concluded, Brennan called Jason Becker, a Canton firefighter and paramedic, to testify. Becker is the third firefighter to testify thus far. He was firefighter Daniel Whitleys partner on the morning OKeefe died. Becker and Whitley took Read from 34 Fairview Road to Good Samaritan Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. 12:03 p.m. - Lally asks about conversion to blood alcohol content Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally asked Faller about the process of converting a hospital result of a persons blood alcohol content to the content in their whole blood. Faller explained that in a hospital setting, a persons blood is separated before it is tested. As a result, he said, a hospital result will always be slightly higher than a result from a persons whole blood anywhere from 11% to 18% higher. 11:57 a.m. - Little concludes questioning Elizabeth Little, a lawyer for Read, concluded her cross-examination by asking Faller if he was aware of a specific study that showed a multiple sclerosis diagnosis could lead to elevated levels of the enzyme tested to determine a persons blood alcohol. He said he wasnt, but that the particular enzyme wouldnt affect the results. Little asked Faller if he considered Reads multiple sclerosis diagnosis or her anemia when testing her. He said he hadnt. 11:40 a.m. - Little begins cross-examination of Faller Little began her cross-examination of Faller by asking about the differences between clinical testing and forensic testing. He said Good Samaritan had never received a forensic accreditation. Faller admitted it was rare that hospitals are in the business of taking a persons blood alcohol content for the purposes of a criminal case. 11:36 a.m. Faller details Reads medical records At 9:03 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022, doctors at Good Samaritan were ordered to take a blood sample from Read, Faller said. They took the sample five minutes later, at 9:08 a.m., and the lab received it five minutes after that, at 9:13 a.m. Faller said the result of the testing was entered into the system 40 minutes later, at 9:53 a.m.. At the time, Reads blood alcohol content was 93 milligrams per deciliter. 11:12 a.m. First witness of the day called The first witness of the day, Dr. Garrey Faller, was called to the stand. Faller was questioned by Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally, the lead prosecutor from the first trial. Faller was the chief pathologist at Good Samaritan Medical Center when OKeefe was brought there. He now works at Signature Healthcare in Brockton. Faller explained the process of drawing a persons blood, and particularly the process of doing so when testing a persons blood for alcohol. When doing so, phlebotomists and lab technicians dont swab a person with alcohol as they normally would. 10:29 a.m. Jury leaves The jurors boarded back on the bus at 10:25 a.m. to head back to the courthouse, and the bus left four minutes later. The jurors are expected to hear testimony from at least one witness on Friday. 10:10 a.m. - Jury arrives Jurors got off a cream-colored bus at 34 Fairview Ave. in Canton. Accompanied by Cannone, the defense and prosecution, the jury spent about 15 minutes surveying the area where John OKeefes body was found. 9:31 a.m. - Lawyers deliver brief statements Brennan and Yannetti both addressed the jury before they were sent out for the view. In his statement, Brennan asked jurors to pay close attention to the street the home is situated on and to note key landmarks, like a flagpole and a fire hydrant. He also noted that Reads Lexus SUV would be at the scene and asked jurors to take note of the height of the bumper and right rear taillight on the car. He cautioned the jury that the conditions Friday would not be the same as those on the night OKeefe died. Yannetti said he wanted jurors to make note of the location of the second-floor front window of the home and asked them to take a good look at Reads Lexus. Your eyes are the best computer you can bring, he said. After Yannetti concluded, the clerk swore in the court officers and Cannone stepped off the bench. 9:28 a.m. - Judge explains the view Cannone gave the jury an overview of what to expect when they headed to 34 Fairview Road Friday morning. She told them they were just to make observations and take note of the surroundings, but noted that anything they see can be considered evidence. The lawyers can point out specific things to the jurors, but cant discuss them, Cannone said. 9:24 a.m. - Jury brought in After a pair of lengthy sidebars with Read and the lawyers, Cannone asked the jurors three questions, as she does each day: if they discussed the case with anyone, if they did any independent research or if they had seen or heard anything about the case. The panel said they had not. 8:30 a.m. - Court opens for the day 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 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. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell sued the Trump administration over the U.S. Department of Educations threat to not fund state and local education agencies that do not shut down diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. As part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, the lawsuit filed Friday seeks to stop the Trump administration from withholding any funding based on unlawful conditions, Campbells office said in a statement. Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are legal efforts that help students feel safe, supported and respected, Campbell said in the statement. The Trump administrations threats to withhold critical education funding due to the use of these initiatives are not only unlawful, but harmful to our children, families, and schools. The lawsuit stated that the attempt to end education funding over the administrations interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 violates the Spending Clause, the Appropriations Clause, the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedures Act. Massachusetts annually receives almost $575.2 million in congressionally mandated financial support from the department, including almost $302.4 million in funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. To receive funding, state and local education agencies must comply with Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin. While Massachusetts and other states said they would comply with federal nondiscrimination statutes, regulations, and case law, the Trump administrations interpretation of Title VI is vague, contradictory and unsupported, the attorney general said. On April 3, the department told state and local agencies that they had to sign a document that would allow the White Houses interpretation of Title VI or risk immediate and catastrophic loss of federal education funds, Campbells office said. State and local agencies could choose not to certify the departments undefined viewpoint on what constitutes unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, curriculum, instruction, and policies, and place federal funding in peril, Campbells office said. The alternative is to identify DEI as a detriment to students and still risk not being liable for not going along with the departments order. By filing this lawsuit, we seek to block any such reckless disruptions to our childrens education, and as attorney general and a mom, I will continue to hold the Administration accountable for illegal actions that harm our state, Campbell said in the statement. The coalition is made up of attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Kids with special needs who require [Individualized Education Programs], kids who need to learn English as a second language, kids in foster homes, and more depend on these programs, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement. ...By conditioning this funding in an illegal and thoughtless way, the administration will cause irreversible harm to children in our state. This attack is unacceptable, and we will do everything we can to stop it. Let me be clear: the federal Department of Education is not trying to combat discrimination with this latest order, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. Instead, it is using our nations foundational civil rights law as a pretext to coerce states into abandoning efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through lawful programs and policies. Museum curators discuss AI's role in cultural conservation at UNESCO forum Xinhua) 15:38, April 25, 2025 HANGZHOU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At the Liangzhu Museum, Gehane Nabil, director of the Grand Egyptian Museum Learning Center, adjusted her AR glasses as 5,000-year-old artifacts from China's Neolithic Liangzhu Culture came to life before her eyes. Nabil was among more than 190 museum curators, experts and cultural leaders from over 60 countries and regions to gather for the third UNESCO High-Level Forum for Museums held from Wednesday to Friday in east China's tech hub of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. The three-day event aims to amplify the role museums play in addressing global challenges and fostering inclusive societies. During the event, participants explored how AI is revolutionizing museums, as well as opportunities and challenges of AI integration. AI is emerging as a transformative tool in museum collection management, offering solutions for cataloging and conservation. Britt Romstad, executive director of Audience and Engagement under the Australian Center for the Moving Image (ACMI), said that ACMI is developing AI tools to make its collections more accessible and discoverable for researchers and people interested in these collections. "AI can detect damages in old museum buildings or damages invisible in old artifacts. But human proofreading of the outputs remains important in the era of AI," said Gabor Zsigmond, director general of the Hungarian National Museum. "Once we have the data, the museum is able to analyze the data depot, and to rate the content, whether it's programmed special exhibitions or even permanent galleries, and try to customize it to the individual preferences," said May Khuen Chung, director of the National Museum of Singapore. "AI helps plan exhibitions. We're working with Hangzhou's tech firms on digital exhibitions. Given a theme, requirements and product options, AI can select exhibits and build an exhibition framework using the existing text content," said Zhao Feng, dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University. While embracing the benefits of AI, participants also shared their concerns over related challenges. In an interview, Romstad told Xinhua that copyright issues, the ethics of AI, and what AI means for creativity and the ownership of artwork should be considered as well. "It's been hard to be focused on the future of AI because the advances are happening so quickly," Romstad said. She also noted that technology is a common language, and that it "opens up possibilities of collaboration in a way that's quite exciting." "There's a lot of work that we need to do to be able to build more equity into that kind of digital space," she added. Participants also discussed the relationship between AI and human roles. "Research and original work are not that easy. The output of AI needs expert judgment and review," Zhao said. The forum's conclusions will be submitted to the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, scheduled to take place in September in Spain. During a cultural excursion to the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site that bears testimony to the existence of the Chinese civilization for at least 5,000 years, Chung told Xinhua that Chinese museums offer valuable lessons, particularly on the use of technology and cultural relics to narrate the history of regions and countries. "I'm so interested in prehistory and also those stone tools, because there are similar narratives about the social practice between the two populations of China and Egypt," Nabil said. "We realize that we have many things in common, and these are what eventually will unite human beings together." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A Brighton woman was charged in connection with a stabbing at a Brighton music hall last year, in which her brother was previously charged in connection with, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office said. Chandra Dixon, 38, was charged with assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), Haydens office said in a statement. While a judge released Dixon on personal recognizance, she is scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial hearing on June 26. This was a thorough investigation that didnt stop when one person was identified and charged, Hayden said in the statement. Everyone involved in this case worked diligently to identify and charge this second person for an extremely violent event that left the victim seriously injured." On Dec. 1, 2024, Boston police learned of a stabbing at the Roadrunner at 89 Guest St., Haydens office said. A 27-year-old man was stabbed five times in the back. The mans condition since the stabbing is unclear. Witnesses saw Dixon in a verbal altercation after she cut the line inside the music hall, Haydens office said. That argument, seen on surveillance video, escalated into a physical confrontation between two groups. Dixon was seen in the video running toward the group. One person was punched and another person was kicked in the right shoulder after the fight, Haydens office said. But neither of the two saw who struck them, but investigators identified Dixon as the person who struck them. Dixons brother, Collin Hullum, was arrested in connection with the stabbing, Haydens office said. He was charged with assault to kill and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. Hullum is expected to appear again in court on June 18 for a probable cause hearing. Toro Loco Taqueria, the Worcester Mexican restaurant located just outside the DCU Center, has permanently closed. Users on Yelp reported that the restaurant, located at the corner of Foster and Commercial streets, had closed. The decision to close was made by owner Miguel Perez and his family, citing economic strain, staffing shortages, and the demands of running two restaurants, DCU spokesperson LaHair told the Telegram & Gazette. Since opening, Miguel and his family have taken great pride in serving the Worcester community and are sincerely grateful for the support and encouragement theyve received over the past two years, LaHair told the newspaper. Perez and his wife, Denise Medina, opened the restaurant in September 2023. The couple wanted their menu to tap into their families roots in Union de Tula, a small vibrant town in Jalisco, Mexico. Growing up, I remember spending so much time playing in the kitchen while watching my mother and grandmother cook, Miguel Perez said in the press release at the time. Their love of food and my love of their food inspired me to carry on the family tradition of bringing people together as a restaurant owner with a deep passion of serving the community. Breakthrough therapies to prevent and target a range of cancers. A new class of anesthetics for servicemembers wounded on the field of battle. The potential to significantly cut the prevalence of Alzheimers disease, multiple sclerosis and strokes. These are the types of research developments that Harvard University said could be at risk if the Trump administration successfully revokes billions in federal funding to the prestigious school. Administration officials have targeted Harvard with increasing tenacity in recent weeks, aiming to effect comprehensive changes to the schools admissions, discipline and management practices, because they say Harvard has failed to adequately stifle antisemitism on campus. Harvard leaders reject that notion and have suggested it serves as cover for other motives to attack the school. At least $2.2 billion in federal funding for the school hangs in the balance, frozen by the Trump administration for Harvards refusal to comply with its demands. On Monday, the university sued the administration to protect the 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 schools lawyers wrote in the lawsuit. 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, they continued. While Harvard has not said precisely which research projects the funding cut would put in jeopardy, the lawsuit did provide a glimpse of the vast reach of the universitys research capacity. Ongoing projects are as diverse as using AI to model how all 25,000 human genes respond to chemotherapy, to developing potentially life-saving guidance for firefighters and other professionals routinely exposed to toxins, to creating compact and rapidly deployable foldable bridges with military implications. Below is an overview, according to Harvards lawsuit, of how eight different fields of research could be affected by the billions in lost funding. Cancer research The university is affiliated with many of the medical facilities that have made Boston a global hub of health care and medical research. Among them are the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Childrens Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Womens Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. According to its lawsuit, the universitys cancer research includes: Identifying mechanisms that drive disease development at all stages, including tumor metastasis Developing new therapeutic approaches with the goal of preventing, targeting and suppressing cancer at every stage Mapping the metabolic signaling pathways that drive the association of cancer with other diseases, to restore proper cellular function and enhance prevention. Developing a new machine learning method to model the behavior of all 25,000 human genes as they respond to high-intensity treatments like chemotherapy, which the National Cancer Institute cited as an advancement in basic cancer research that will lay the groundwork for future clinical breakthroughs. Infectious diseases Harvard said its research on infectious diseases helps clinicians better understand and address the global threat of multidrug-resistant infections. The research also helps the development of new tools to prevent pandemics like COVID-19, leads to new therapeutic antibodies and small molecules that can treat or cure viral diseases, and develops better strategies for monitoring disease outbreaks and predicting how they could spread. Microbiology Harvards research on the microbiome the collection of small organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses that live inside our bodies includes developing new frontiers in precision medicine that can help individuals reduce their risk of cancer and other diseases by better understanding and leveraging our bodies relationship with the multitude of bacteria and other microorganisms that contribute to human health and disease. The Statue of John Harvard at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. (Will Katcher/MassLive) Toxin reduction Harvards toxin reduction research includes studying the harm from microplastics on sperm counts and fertility, and developing life-saving guidance for those exposed to high levels of toxins a group that includes firefighters; people whose jobs expose them to high levels of chemicals, such as servicemembers, miners and chemical factory employees; and children in rural communities. Neurology Harvards research on neurology the field of medicine dealing with the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the nervous system includes studies to identify the risk factors that contribute to Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases. Researchers study conditions that are generally age-related, Harvard said, such as Alzheimers disease, other forms of dementia and strokes. They aim to significantly cut the frequency of these diseases, which in turn can reduce health care costs. Other research focuses on: Efforts to better understand the role of infections in seeding neurodegenerative disorders, with important implications for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment Studying the long-term neurologic effects of radiation and chemotherapy-based treatment on young children who survived cancer and identifying treatments to improve outcomes that also reduce the impact of therapy-related collateral damage, which is also relevant to adult cancer survivors. Biotechnology University researchers are studying how spaceflight and radiation that astronauts encounter in space affect blood cell formation. The research will have implications for the astronauts on the upcoming International Space Station and Artemis moon exploration missions. The research is also contributing to a new class of anesthetics that could lead to breakthroughs in the care of wounded servicemembers in the field that would obviate the need for trained anesthesiologists or hospitalization, Harvard said. It is also advancing organ chip technology to further understanding of, among other things, illnesses and injuries that result from high doses of radiation. Technological innovation According to the university, additional research contributes to innovations in quantum computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, nanomaterials, microchip design, biomechanics, chemical engineering, next-generation batteries, computer science and smart living environments for the elderly. Military advancements and national security Harvard faculty and students also participate in research with implications for the military, defense and national security, including research to reduce the short- and long-term consequences of traumatic battlefield-related injuries. Other research includes developing soft robotics for enhancing battlefield performance; creating compact and rapidly deployable (foldable) bridges and other structures for military use; developing radiation countermeasures and limb regeneration; and developing hack-resistant computer networks, rapid infectious agent diagnostics and ways to combat antibiotic resistance. Losing funding could upend Harvard research While the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in funding for Harvard, it threatened to take up to $9 billion if the school refuses its demands, which included reforms to disciplinary policies, an outside audit of the viewpoints of Harvards students, faculty and staff, and orders to reduce the power held by some students, faculty and administrators because of their political views. Harvard has steadfastly refused, accusing the government of attempting to influence its educational mission and independence. University President Alan Garber has said the demands go beyond the power of the federal government. Beyond pausing research funding, the government has also targeted the university from other angles, including an effort to withdraw the tax exemption Harvard enjoys for its educational mission. The consequences of losing the money would be severe, Harvard said. About $1 billion in research funding last year came from a combination of federal, foundation, and industry sponsors, according to the university. The school itself directly funded $526 million of research last year, it said on a webpage dedicated to the fight to keep the federal funding. Harvard researchers reported more than 400 new innovations last year and were issued more than 150 patents, the university said. One recipient of last years Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was a Harvard Medical School professor of genetics who also conducted research at the university-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. He shared it with a professor at the UMass Chan Medical School, who performed research at Harvard that led to the prize. A view of Dorchester's Little Saigon neighborhood, from Adams Street, looking north down Dorchester Avenue. (Google Street View image) For Ngoc-Tran Vu, the fall of Saigon, the pivotal event, concluding on April 30, 1975, that finally marked the end of the bloody quagmire that was the Vietnam War, is more than just history. Its her familys story. For Vu and the scores of other Vietnamese people who call Bostons Dorchester neighborhood home, that turning point in world history lives eternally in their memory. And on Saturday, hundreds of people will converge on Boston College High School for the first of four days worth of events commemorating whats become known as Black April, and the Vietnamese diaspora that followed it. Its really momentous, Vu, a visual artist, an event organizer and the director of 1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Commemoration Initiative, told MassLive this week. Its a chance for us to come together as an intergenerational community to honor the resiliency of the diaspora community, Vu, whose father fought in the war and was imprisoned by the North Vietnamese, said. The family eventually found their way to the United States as refugees, settling in Boston in 1992. The city was home to some 53,700 Vietnamese people as of 2018. Dorchesters Little Saigon, centered in Fields Corner, is the heart of that community. If youve never been to Fields Corner, its tough to overstate how integrated the neighborhoods Vietnamese residents are in the life of an ever-more diverse city. Shops selling banh mi sandwiches, which fuse a French baguette with local ingredients, line Dorchester Avenue. There is also a profusion of noodle shops and seafood restaurants. Further down Dorchester Avenue, other businesses offer travel and financial services, along with dentists, doctors and markets. Keep walking, and youll hear Vietnamese spoken in conversation. I think people know that there is a Vietnamese presence, but they dont understand how large [it is], Vu said. Its one of the biggest in New England. Its definitely a dominant force in Dorchester." To that end, Dorchesters Vietnamese community is seeking the citys permission to place a permanent memorial at Town Field Park on Park Street in Fields Corner. The park is set for renovation, and Vu and her allies want the memorial incorporated into it. Vu and other supporters of the project made their pitch during an appearance before the Dorchester Civic Association in February, according to the local Dorchester Reporter newspaper. The group is selling commemorative bricks, priced at $500, $1,000, and $2,000, to raise money for the effort. A petition in support of it has already garnered 1,000 signatures, Vu said. Were getting a lot of momentum and support for this, Linh-Phong Vu, one of the organizers, told the Dorchester Reporter. Its not a fun project, she continued. Its a memorial to remember. The community has been here for 50 years, and we dont have a memorial for the Vietnamese diaspora community here. Thats an issue and a need and were looking forward to making this happen. Boston City Councilmember John FitzGerald, who represents Dorchester and a swath of the South End, called the memorial a great idea. Its an appropriate offering and a way to memorialize and commemorate the Vietnamese diaspora, the Democratic pol told MassLive. The Vietnamese community is an identity in Dorchester ... and the role it plays in giving back and diversifying the community as a whole, its awesome. However, the memorial still has to clear some bureaucratic and fundraising hurdles before it can become a reality. That includes [finding] the exact right site amid the planned renovations for Town Field Park, and raising the money thatll be needed for its planning and construction. What it represents is great, but its not cheap, he allowed, adding that once those hurdles are crossed, the real work on the memorial can start moving through the citys bureaucracy. For this weekends observances, events start at 3 p.m. Saturday with the kickoff at Boston College High School on Morrissey Boulevard. It will include reflections from community leaders, elected officials, and cultural bearers on the importance of Black April, organizers said. The Saturday event will also be livestreamed. On Sunday, at 2 p.m., at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on the campus of UMass Boston, theres a bilingual panel discussion and a screening of the documentary "On Healing Land, Birds Perch." The film tells the story of one of the most harrowing and iconic images of the war: the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of South Vietnamese General Nguyen Ngoc Loan shooting Viet Cong Captain Nguyen Van Lem in 1968. On Wednesday, flag-raising ceremonies on City Hall Plaza in Boston and the Dorchester Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Morrissey Boulevard offer what organizers describe as a solemn commemoration of the lives lost and the enduring strength of Vietnamese refugees who rebuilt new lives in Boston and beyond. For Ngoc-Tran Vu, the memorial and the coming Black April observances are an appropriate and overdue addition to a city built on the contributions of immigrants. Its not just a Vietnamese project, but an addition to the citys landscape, she said of the memorial. With Boston being a city of immigrants, we really wanted to honor that. WASHINGTON - JUNE 5: Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District., walks up the House steps of the U.S. Capitol during the last votes of the week on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Heres what we know so far about the Democratic race for U.S. Senate in 2026: The guy who already has the job is definitely running for reelection. Everything else, when it comes to U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., extending a political career that started when Jimmy Carter was in the White House, is an open question. Enter U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District. Its an open secret in Bay State politics that the Newton Democrat is likely tipped for bigger things. And with Democrats hungry for new blood on Capitol Hill, and with Markey, 78, among a cohort of lawmakers that some party loyalists believe should step aside, the jockeying for position could get interesting fast. That talk about generational change got a shot in the arm earlier this week with the news that long-serving U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Illl., is not seeking reelection. During an appearance on WPRI-TV in Providence, Auchincloss didnt exactly rule out a 2026 bid for Senate. But nor, strictly speaking, did he rule it in either. I am running for reelection to be the member of Congress from the Massachusetts 4th [District], Auchincloss told anchors Ted Nesi and Tim White. NEWSMAKERS: @JakeAuch joins @TimWhiteRI + me to discuss the Trump admin's first 100 days, his party's future, health care, Harvard - and why he won't rule out a 2026 primary challenge against Senator Markey Watch online now - tonight/Sunday on TV - or get the pod pic.twitter.com/SRFNW26YtY Ted Nesi (@TedNesi) April 25, 2025 To the sense that I am looking at flipping seats, it is the swing seats in the House of Representatives that will give Hakeem Jeffries the speakers gavel, Auchincloss continued, referring to current U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Jeffries would be in line to be the next speaker if Democrats flip the House, which has a slender Republican majority, in next years midterm contests. And heres another Massachusetts angle: If that happens, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District, who is Jeffries chief lieutenant, likely would become the Houses new majority leader. Asked again directly whether he was considering a Senate run, Auchincloss replied, I dont close doors. What I am focused on right now is my own reelection and on helping vulnerable Democrats. Auchincloss might have company. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, also has been mentioned as a 2026 Senate contender as well. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo Heres one you might not have seen coming. President Donald Trump sat for an interview on Thursday with journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, whose reporting on the so-called Signalgate story plunged the Pentagon into crisis. Trump announced the sitdown with Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, on his Truth Social network in the most Trumpian way possible: "Later today I will be meeting with, of all people, Jeffrey Goldberg, the Editor of The Atlantic, and the person responsible for many fictional stories about me, including the made-up HOAX on Suckers and Losers and, SignalGate, something he was somewhat more successful with. Jeffrey is bringing with him Michael Scherer and Ashley Parker, not exactly pro-Trump writers, either, to put it mildly! The story they are writing, they have told my representatives, will be entitled, The Most Consequential President of this Century. I am doing this interview out of curiosity, and as a competition with myself, just to see if its possible for The Atlantic to be truthful. Are they capable of writing a fair story on TRUMP? The way I look at it, what can be so bad I WON!" Goldberg touched off the White Houses ongoing PR and national security headache in late March when he was added to a group chat between senior administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. That conversation, about a planned U.S. attack on Houthi forces in Yemen, took place on Signal, an encrypted, commercially available chat application. Normally, such conversations take place in secure government facilities. Last month, in response to their request to interview him, Trump said Parker has been as terrible as is possible for as long as I have known her and claimed she is not capable of doing a fair and unbiased interview, according to Politico. Scherer, he said, has never written a fair story about me, only negative, and virtually always LIES, the online news outlet reported. Trump is no fan of The Atlantic, repeatedly dismissing it as a failing magazine, though he said as recently as March 2024, that it was profitable, Politico further reported. Trump has been equally critical of Goldberg, calling him a sleazebag whose reporting is bad for the country. The Atlantic declined Politicos request comment. Trump said Thursday the magazine would run a story about him called The Most Consequential President of this Century. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo President Donald Trump has repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past, going as far as to call the man savvy and a genius for his actions in the invasion of Ukraine. Following a massive Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, however, the 47th president did something rare he lashed out at Putin. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he was not happy with the Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! the president wrote on Truth Social. 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! The Russian attack on Kyiv took place on Thursday night, resulting in the deaths of 12 people and 90 people being injured, according to The New York Times. The strikes are a part of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022 after Russia invaded the eastern European nation without provocation. Trump has pushed for an end to the war, repeatedly claiming throughout his 2024 campaign that he would end the conflict on Day 1 of his presidency. The war did not end on the first day of his second term, dragging into what is soon to be his 100th day in office. During an interview with Time published Friday, Trump said his previous comments about ending the war in a short timeframe were in jest. Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, Trump said. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest but it was also said that it will be ended. In private, Trump has expressed frustration over how difficult it has been to end the war, according to CNN. The president often speaks in private about how much Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hate one another arguing that their hatred complicates negotiations, CNN reported. In public, however, Trump has lashed out more at Zelenskyy than Putin. On Wednesday, he accused the Ukrainian president of prolonging the war after Zelenskyy pushed back on ceding Crimea to Russia as part of a potential peace agreement, according to the Associated Press. There is nothing to talk about. It is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people, Zelenskyy said about Crimea on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. Russia annexed Crimea, a key Black Sea port, in 2014 and has maintained control of it since. In response to Zelenskyys comments, Trump lashed out at the president on Truth Social. The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the killing field, and nobody wants that! Trump wrote. We are very close to a Deal, but the man with no cards to play should now, finally, GET IT DONE. Trump has also clashed with Zelesnkyy in person during an Oval Office meeting on Feb. 28 between him, the Ukrainian president and Vice President J.D. Vance. Zelenskyy traveled to Washington to sign an agreement that would permit the U.S. to access Ukraines mineral resources. A meeting between him, Trump and Vance devolved into a shouting match, with Trump calling Zelenskyy disrespectful and accusing him of gambling with World War Three. The meeting resulted in Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House. As for Putin, a man that many members of Congress consider an adversary to the United States, Trump has praised him on multiple occasions. In 2022, during an interview on the radio program The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Trump praised the Russian president for moves in the invasion of Ukraine, calling him savvy after the Kremlin recognized the independence of two breakaway Russian separatist-controlled regions, Luhansk and Donetsk, from Eastern Ukraine. I went in yesterday, and there was a television screen. I said, This is genius. Putin declares a big portion of Ukraine, Putin declares it as independent, Trump said. So, Putin is now saying, Its independent, a large section of Ukraine. I said, How smart is that? SPRINGFIELD A federal judge has rejected a Longmeadow mans lawsuit against the state treasurers office. In a memorandum and order March 25, Judge Mark G. Mastroianni of the U.S. District Court in Springfield wrote that plaintiff Thomas Narrigan lacked standing to seek relief. He also said the way Narrigan pled his case is barred by the Eleventh Amendment, which exempts state officials from being sued. SPRINGFIELD A $1 million federal grant funding efforts to decrease asthma in Western Massachusetts has been terminated, Governor Maura Healeys office announced on Friday. The grant from the Environmental Protection Agency went to the state Department of Public Health, which was working with Springfield-based Revitalize Community Development Corporation. About $900,000 was left to be spent, Healeys office said, and it was intended to go towards improving ventilation and removing mold in homes in Chicopee, Holyoke and Springfield. Its devastating, said Colleen Shanley-Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize Community Development Corporation, which got some of that grant funding to support a program that remediates peoples homes to address asthma risks and triggers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., with Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., left, and other members of the Congressional delegation that had visited Ukraine in 2022, speaks to reporters in May 2022 in Washington. (Photo by Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote on X Thursday that she is devastated by the news of the death of Molly McGovern, the daughter of U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-2nd District. She brought joy to every conversation, love to everyone she knew, and was truly angelic in her goodness, Pelosi wrote in a tweet replying to McGoverns announcement. Molly was close to every member of our family and spoiled us with her affection and her generosity of spirit. Were devastated by her loss. McGovern, his wife, Lisa McGovern, and their son, Patrick, announced Thursday that his daughter, who had been previously diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, died unexpectedly Wednesday night in Italy while she was visiting a good friend and his family. Molly McGovern was 23 years old. In her statement, Pelosi wrote that on the day McGovern died, she received a text from her as she was visiting Assisi in Italy. How appropriate that Molly was there around the time of her passing because she was the personification of the Song of St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is darkness, may we bring light. Where there is hatred, may we bring love. Where there is despair, may we bring hope, Pelosi said. Not only was that her faith, it was her joy. God blessed the McGovern family and everyone who knew them with Mollys special grace. May she rest in peace. Pelosi did not reveal what the text from McGovern said. Molly McGovern was a person of deep faith, beautiful in every way, and enthusiastic about everyone and everything. She brought joy to every conversation, love to everyone she knew, and was truly angelic in her goodness. Molly was close to every member of our family and spoiled us https://t.co/WZRF3ySW2o Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) April 24, 2025 Other politicians express sadness, grief Other political officials released statements offering their condolences to Jim McGovern for the loss of his child. Molly McGovern lived life authentically and gave others courage to do the same, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-MA, wrote on X. Molly was a light and force for good. She was deeply loving and kind. She loved her family. Following McGoverns announcement, Gov. Maura Healey released a statement saying she was heartbroken for the McGovern family over the loss of their beloved Molly. Molly was a light in her familys lives and the lives of so many, Healey wrote. She was a kind, smart and compassionate young woman who touched the lives of many. Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano also released a statement on Thursday. On behalf of the House of Representatives here in Massachusetts, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the McGovern family for the loss of their beloved Molly, Mariano said. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts are with the entire McGovern family and all those who knew and loved Molly. May she rest in peace. Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista also released a statement on X offering condolences to the McGovern family, which lives in Worcester. McGovern represents Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District, which includes all of Worcester. McGovern also lives in Worcester. As a father myself, I cannot imagine what his family is going through, Batista wrote on Thursday. As the Congressman faces his own difficult moment now, I know I can count on the residents of Worcester to rally around him and show him the same support he has given us. He and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra also expressed sympathies for the McGovern family. Northampton is also part of McGoverns district. On behalf of the people of Northampton, I want to express my deepest condolences to Congressman Jim McGovern, his wife Lisa, and their son Patrick on the heartbreaking loss of their daughter and sister, Molly, Sciarra said on Thursday. Mollys passing is felt deeply throughout our region by all who have worked with Congressman McGovern and come to know his steadfast compassion and commitment to public service. We hold his family in our hearts as they grieve the unimaginable. News of Molly McGoverns passing also resulted in a statement from Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan. The world lost a bright light today. Molly McGovern was a sweet, loving, smart, funny and caring person, Kerrigan said on Thursday. She was a gift to all who knew her. She fought hard against a rare form of cancer, but never lost her joy, sense of adventure or optimism. Our hearts break for Jim, Lisa, Patrick and all of her family and friends." McGovern and his family also received kind words from U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, R-NC. Foxx is the chairwoman for the House Rules Committee, which is responsible for the rules under which bills are presented before the entire House of Representatives. McGovern is currently the ranking member of the committee and has served as chairman when Democrats have had control of the House of Representatives. The loss of a child, no matter the age, is one of the greatest heartbreaks imaginable, Foxx wrote in a statement. Ranking Member McGovern and his entire family remain in my thoughts and prayers. In this difficult time of loss, may they find continued comfort, peace, and strength from their faith and from those around them." 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The woman named locally as Chris (Christina) O'Donnell of Rathbaun Drive, Castlebar and formerly of Clogher, Ballyvary was killed following a collision between herself and a truck along the Rathbaun Road in Castlebar shortly before 10am on Thursday morning. Local councillor Michael Kilcoyne said that Ms O'Donnell, who was aged in her 60s and retired, always had a smile on her face and her death had shocked the community along the Rathbaun Road. READ: 'Heartbreak' - Mayo people react after popular eatery is forced to close It was a terrible tragedy to occur and what happened has shocked the local community where Chris lived, Cllr Kilcoyne told The Mayo News. She used to work in reception in the Welcome Inn and she was the soundest person you could meet. She was always very helpful and willing to help and always had a smile on her face. She later worked in the reception at the X-ray and scan department of Mayo University Hospital and she was very helpful there too. Everyone knew her and she looked after people when they came to the reception and sorted out their problems, he said. Cllr Kilcoyne offered his condolences to her husband Vinny who is well known through his work in the Travellers Friend Hotel and to their family, friends and neighbours. The Rathbaun Road was closed for a number of hours on Thursday morning while Gardai carried out an examination of the scene. It is understood that Ms O'Donnell was struck by a truck which was drawing soil from a nearby construction site. Gardai in Castlebar are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to contact Castlebar Garda Station on 094 9038200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Five Mayo primary schools have made their mark in the 2025 Our World Awards as Irish Aid proudly celebrates 20 years of the national awards programme. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades flagship programme with primary schools which, over its lifetime, has seen thousands of young people become inspired to engage with global issues and take action for a fairer, more sustainable world. As part of the Our World Awards programme, Mayo primary schools were encouraged to learn about the lives of children and their families in Mozambique, Somalia, and The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, also known as Laos, focusing on how Ireland and 192 other countries are working together to create a better future for all through support for the 17 UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. READ: Mayo Day to be celebrated around the globe The participating schools which showcased incredible commitment, creativity, and resilience in the Our World Awards programme were Holy Trinity NS, Westport; Kinaffe NS, Swinford; Mayo Abbey NS; Irishtown NS, Claremorris; and St Josephs NS, Ballinrobe. Pupils from across these schools explored the lives of children in other countries, while also highlighting the important work being done in their own communities to create a better world. Their projects beautifully combined global learning with local action, demonstrating their understanding of global citizenship and their role in making a positive impact for a better world Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD expressed his delight at the number of schools taking part in this years awards. This year saw an impressive rise in the number of entries for the Our World Awards. This response highlights the growing emphasis on Global Citizenship Education in our primary schools, which is very encouraging. The Our World Awards challenges children, as global citizens, to put the spotlight on world issues. It encourages pupils to learn about Irelands international development programme, Irish Aid which aims to fight world hunger and poverty on behalf of all the people of Ireland. International development has a positive impact on the lives of people who are trying to survive hunger, poverty, inequality, climate crises, natural disasters, political instability and conflict. This is why the Our World Awards are so important, to increase awareness of global issues in schools and highlight how we all have a part to play in helping to make the world a better place, by sparking creativity and critical thinking and building empathy, awareness, and a sense of global responsibility. Open to primary school pupils from 3rd to 6th class across the country, the Our World Awards encourages children to explore important global themes such as climate action, equality and international development, while reflecting on Irelands role in creating positive change. Schools were provided with a suite of specially created cross-curriculum teaching and learning materials to make participating as easy and as enjoyable as possible for both teachers and their pupils. These materials included a colourful pupil magazine packed with information, quizzes and questions; lesson plans, activity sheets and online games, all of which were available in English and as Gaeilge, in print and digital format. Judging is now underway and shortlisted schools will be invited to the National Final taking place at the Printworks, Dublin Castle on Friday, May 30, 2025 where their entries will be celebrated and the Our World Awards School of the Year, 2025 will be announced. Tertulia Bookshop has joined with two other bookshops like Libreria Luces in Malaga, Spain and Greenlight Books in Brooklyn, New York to create and launch the first ever 'Global Book Crawl'. For one week, hundreds of Independent bookshops in over 50 cities around the world ranging from Westport to Brooklyn, Stockholm, Malaga, Sydney to Mexico City will distribute 'The Global Book Crawl Passport' to book lovers. Participants are invited to take their passport and embark on an adventure through the heart of a citys/regions indie bookshops, gathering stamps, discovering hidden cultural gems, availing of discount vouchers and connecting with other readers. In Ireland, 25 of our renowned independent bookshops are joining with bookshops in 16 countries to invite people to drop in and pick up their passports. The Global Book Crawl is more than an event, its a movement. By participating, bookshops strengthen their community bonds with book lovers and through collaboration with other local indie bookshops. Together, they create a united front that celebrates and supports the local book culture on the local and world stage. By joining the crawl, shops can invite a broader audience into the experience, encouraging new customers to discover the value and charm of local, independent bookshops. Participating bookshops gain visibility through the Global Book Crawls platform, press coverage, and social media presence, helping to extend their reach locally and globally. READ MORE: COLUMN: Cash is king unless you want a driver's license This is just the beginning. We know the importance of bookshops as community and cultural spaces. This is our first worldwide event all celebrating the Global Book Crawl on the same week in April, but it will grow and grow each year as bookshops want to be part of it. In Ireland we have over 100 independent bookshops and cant wait to have them all on board. It all started on April 21 when over 1,000 passports were distributed in Ireland for the inaugural global event this year. The initiative will run on for the summer inviting readers to take their bookshop on holiday with them this summer. There will be spaces on the passport for stamps from participating international bookshops too when book lovers visit Malaga or Florence for example. Events will be held to celebrate the passport holders during Independent Book Week from June 14 to 21and Irish Book Week from October 18 and 25. The campaign is spreading on Instagram @globalbookcrawl #globalbookcrawl; building a global literary map, one bookshop and one post at a time. This week I am reading The Bookseller of Florence by Dr Ross King (History Book Club) and Butterfly Shell by Maureen White (Kids Book Club). by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, April 25, 2025 It seems so old-fashioned -- a pair of network news anchors putting on their game faces to issue a commentary accusing their own company of treading on journalistic ethics and traditions. This is what CBS Evening News co-anchors Maurice Dubois and John Dickerson did Tuesday evening when they ended the broadcast by devoting two minutes to giving their two cents about the resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens earlier that day. This is like something out of the Edward R. Murrow era, whose DNA -- for better or worse -- still flows through the veins of CBS News. The issue for the co-anchors (who look like they mean business in the screenshot above) was what they allege is corporate interference in the august work of the CBS News division. advertisement advertisement This is why Owens quit, according to a motherlode of coverage of his resignation, although he does not mention or even hint at corporate interference in an internal memo he wrote to his staff and other interested parties at CBS News. Naturally, this being the news business, the memo was leaked all over the place. 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, he wrote. 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 did not say what he meant by moving forward, since whoever replaces him as chief of 60 Minutes will still have the same challenges to contend with. But, Owens avowed, the show is too important to the country. It has to continue. Attention, country -- the TV Blog has a question for you: Do you think 60 Minutes is too important to you -- the Country -- that it has to continue? I suspect the answers to this question would represent four basic categories: Yes, no, not sure and who cares. To give the show its due, it is in its 57th season and is still watched every Sunday night by millions. It remains a Top 10 network show. But would the country survive if there were no 60 Minutes? Let me go out on a limb here and say: Yes, it would. In his resignation memo, Owens did not specify the issue or issues that he felt he had to quit over. It has been widely assumed and reported that Owens resigned over fallout from the $20 billion lawsuit filed by Trump in December accusing CBS News of election interference. The suit stems from the way 60 Minutes edited a few words of Kamala Harris from a pre-election interview that aired October 7. According to the Associated Press, the sound bites in question, one on Face the Nation and the other on 60 Minutes, were part of a response to questions about Israel. AP says Harris unedited answer was long, and each show used different parts of it. From this, Trump thought CBS News was manipulating Harris words to somehow give her a leg up in the pending election in November. However, Owens resignation memo does not address this. The only place he mentions Trump is in one sentence. " '60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations," he wrote, using the word "we" as if he will still be involved, which he will not be. So, what is he talking about? The reportage from all news media, including the CBS Evening News team, avers that Owens was under constant pressure exerted from the highest levels of CBS parent Paramount Global to take it easier on 60 Minutes coverage of Trump. Why? Because, the theory goes, Trump will otherwise use his power over the regulatory apparatus of the United States government to deny Paramount Globals $8 billion merger with Skydance, which is subject to FCC approval. At the moment, Paramount Global hopes to settle the Trump lawsuit with the aid of a moderator. As part of that settlement, Owens may have been required to issue an apology for the Harris editing, which Owens refuses to do under any circumstances, which is laudable. On Tuesday evening, the Evening News anchors ended the show with a story that is personal for us. They then praised "60 Minutes." "In its more than half a century on the air, '60 Minutes' has prided itself on independent reporting. But Owens said he was no longer allowed to run the broadcast as it had been run and to make independent decisions," said DuBois. After giving the background on Trumps suit, Dickerson then implied that the parent company is complicit in the circumstances that led to the resignation of Owens, who also held the title of supervising producer of "CBS Evening News." "CBS's parent, Paramount Global, is trying to resolve this suit as it works to complete a merger that needs government approval," Dickerson said. The total running time minus commercials of "CBS Evening News," as with the other evening newscasts on the other networks, is about 20 minutes. Although this broadcast-ending story about its own company and colleague was only two minutes, it was likely of little concern to news viewers watching at home. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 24, 2025 A "vague and unintelligible" Minnesota law criminalizing deep fakes violates the First Amendment, Elon Musk's X Corp. alleges in a lawsuit filed this week. The law, passed in 2023 and amended last year, makes it a crime to share a deep fake within 90 days of an election or primary convention, if whoever shared the material knew it was a "deep fake" and intended to harm a candidate's reputation or influence the election. That statute is so vague and unintelligible that social media platforms cannot understand what the statute permits and what it prohibits, which will lead to blanket censorship, including of fully protected, core political speech, X alleges in a complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Minnesota. advertisement advertisement The company is seeking a judicial declaration that the law is unconstitutional, and an injunction blocking enforcement. The law defines deep fake as a video or photo that's so realistic that a reasonable person would believe it depicts speech or conduct of an individual who did not in fact engage in such speech or conduct," and is generated by artificial intelligence. The measure provides for criminal penalties, including fines, and allows for enforcement by the Minnesota Attorney General, county attorneys, city attorneys, the person depicted in the deep fake, and a candidate for office who is injured or likely to be injured" by the images. X argues that law violates the First Amendment for numerous reasons, including that it has the effect of impermissibly replacing the judgments of social media platforms about what content may appear on their platforms with the judgments of the state. The company also says the enforcement system, including possible criminal penalties, provides enormous incentives for social media platforms, such as X, to censor speech on their platforms that the government disfavors -- here, content that constitutes a deep fake under the statute. Platforms may be prosecuted criminally or can be sued if governmental officials, depicted individuals, or candidates think the platform has not censored enough content; but the platform may not be prosecuted or sued by anyone if it has arguably censored too much content under the statute, X adds. The result is a system that highly incentivizes platforms to remove any content that presents a close call to avoid criminal penalties and costly lawsuits altogether. X asserts in the complaint that the law contradicts a history of strong First Amendment protections for speech that criticizes politicians -- including speech that might be false -- as well as a history of skepticism of any governmental attempts to regulate such content, no matter how well-intentioned they may be. The Minnesota statute runs counter to these principles by attempting to impose by 'authoritative selection' the permissible content on social media platforms, rather than allowing the 'multitude of tongues' engaging in political debate and commentary on those platforms to do so, X argues. The company adds that the law is unnecessary because X has other safeguards against deep fakes -- including Community Notes, which allows users to alert others that images on the platform may not be authentic. Musk isn't the only one suing over the statute. Last year, social media influencer Christopher Kohls and state lawmaker Mary Franson also sought an injunction blocking enforcement on First Amendment grounds. In January, U.S. District Court Judge Laura Provinzino rejected their request for an injunction. She ruled that Kohls lacked standing because his content was labeled as parody and therefore wouldn't deceive anyone, and that Franson waited too long after the law took effect to seek an injunction. Representative Fransons failure to act with the requisite diligence does not justify the 'strong medicine' of facial invalidation at this juncture, Provinzino wrote. Kohls and Franson appealed that ruling to the 8th Circuit, arguing in a brief filed Wednesday that the law flagrantly violates the First Amendment, and is a content- and viewpoint-based restriction on core political expression. The law criminalizes parody, satire, and core political criticism -- speech at the heart of the First Amendment, they argue. Its vague and subjective terms, (e.g., whether a video is 'realistic' to a 'reasonable person') invite discriminatory enforcement, they argue. The statute discriminates on the basis of viewpoint by prohibiting content intended to 'injure' a candidate while allowing laudatory depictions, and by exempting candidate-approved speech. X Corp. and others have separately sued over California legislation that would regulate election-related deep fakes. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, April 24, 2025 Despite antitrust monopoly challenges that have been working their way through global judicial systems, Alphabet reported revenue for Q1 2025 rose 12% year-over-year to $90.2 billion reflecting momentum across the business. Google Search & Other, YouTube ads, Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices, and Google Cloud each delivered double-digit growth rates, the company said. This quarter was super exciting as we rolled out Gemini 2.5, our most intelligent AI model, which is achieving breakthroughs in performance and is an extraordinary foundation for our future innovation. Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated. Search saw continued strong growth, boosted by the engagement were seeing with features like AI Overviews, which now has 1.5 billion users per month. He added that Google surpassed 270 million paid subscriptions driven by YouTube and Google One. Cloud grew rapidly, also with significant demand. advertisement advertisement Google Services revenue rose 10% to $77.3 billion, with strong performance across Google Search & Other, Google subscriptions, platforms, and devices, and YouTube ads. Google Cloud revenue rose 28% to $12.3 billion, led by Google Cloud Platform (GCP) across core GCP products, AI Infrastructure, and Generative AI Solutions. Net income rose 46% and EPS increased 49% to $2.81. The company also raised dividends 5%, resulting in a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21. The solid results for search also indicate that Google has so far managed the transition to AI Overviews, although it still faces long-term threats from generative search competitors like ChatGPT and potentially many others pending the outcome of the remedies hearings in the search antitrust trial, Emarketer Principal Analyst Yory Wurmser shared in an email. He wrote that Google Network weighed down overall ad revenues, but this comes as no surprise, with Q1 2025 becoming the eleventh straight quarter of negative growth. by Danielle Oster , April 24, 2025 Two of the big three beverage companies held earnings calls with investors today to discuss Q1 earnings, their first quarter impacted by the new administrations erratic approach to tariffs and trade, as well as recent concerns over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and plans to phase out the use of certain artificial colors in food and beverages. We understand that theres going to be probably a consumer demand for more natural ingredients, and were going to be accelerating that transition, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said. Ideally, we can do this in a very pragmatic, orchestrated way as an industry, and not create unnecessary panic or chaos, he added. But well lead that transition, and in the next couple of years, well have migrated all the portfolio into natural colors, or at least provide the consumer with natural color options. advertisement advertisement So far three states -- Arkansas, Idaho, and Indiana -- have made moves to ban candy and soda from being paid for with SNAP benefits, following the Health Secretarys comments encouraging them to do so (although such changes would be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and possibly require Congressional approval, according to reporting by NPR). Several other states are expected to follow suit. In terms of SNAP, Laguarta said, theres a lot of conversations in different states, and were seeing that some of our categories could be exposed to some restrictions. I think this will have a very limited impact on the business as we are calculating today, and we will need to see how the eventual legislation gets implemented. Its still a lot of unknowns on how this is going to be happening. KDP CEO Tim Cofer seemed even more skeptical about any potential impact on the business from SNAP changes. When you look at the grocery bill receipts of SNAP recipients and non-SNAP households, theyre actually strikingly consistent, and you see beverages playing an equally prominent role in both sets of households, Cofer said in response to an analyst question. SNAP recipients fund part of their grocery bill through SNAP subsidies and part of their grocery bill with their own money. "We would not expect a significant change to our categories. You asked about our position as an industry and we certainly stand with our industry colleagues to advocate for consumers freedom of choice and [treating SNAP recipients] with the same dignity as anyone else." For both companies, tariffs appeared to be a larger concern. PepsiCo cited tariffs as among the reasons for the update to its full-year guidance, along with heightened macroeconomic uncertainty. KDP projected a one percentage point hit on foreign exchange changes, while anticipating tariff impacts to still be manageable. Leaders for both companies hinted that tariffs could eventually lead to increased prices for consumers. Well consider all potential mitigations, Cofer said, which could include additional pricing actions late in the year to protect our long-term ability to invest and keep this business as healthy as weve seen it in Q1. by Colin Kirkland , April 28, 2025 To boost its advertising business, Snapchat is offering marketers, creators and publishers rewards for every advertiser they refer to the platform. Via the Snapchat Affiliate Program, marketers, creators and publishers will earn a competitive commission for each qualified advertiser that signs up on Snapchat ads, as well as resources like approved assets, marketing guides and more, according to the social media company. Affiliates will also be expected to teach other small businesses best practices for reaching Gen Z and Millennial audiences on Snapchat through mobile-first campaigns. If affiliates launch a campaign within 90 days, they will receive commission payment for that referral. The program will be run by PartnerStack, a Canadian partner ecosystem platform that will measure affiliate ad spend and commission rates for referrals on Snapchat. advertisement advertisement This program marks Snapchat's latest attempt at growing its ad business and onboarding smaller businesses. Earlier this month, the company expanded its Advanced Partner Program to include small and medium-sized businesses budgets as a way to offer resources to agencies of all sizes. Since introducing its Conversions API (CAPI) last year, Snap has seen an increase in SMB advertisers, CAPI integration partners and a notable revenue boost, increasing its overall revenue by 15% year-over-year and doubling its total active advertisers in Q3 2024. The company says its direct-response products, like Snap Promote, are seeing a positive response from SMB advertisers as well. If the new affiliate program is successful, it will become a sustainable way for the platform to add more advertisers while helping current marketers, creators and publishers enhance their in-app performance. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 25, 2025 Earlier this month, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out AT&T's $57 million fine for sharing customers' location data, ruling that Federal Communications Commission violated AT&T's constitutional right to a jury trial. On Friday, the FCC urged appellate courts that are presiding over T-Mobile's and Verizon's challenges to similar privacy fines to reject the 5th Circuit's ruling. The Fifth Circuit concluded that the FCCs enforcement proceeding ... violated AT&Ts Seventh Amendment rights. This Court shouldnt follow that decision, the agency wrote Friday in a filing with 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, which is presiding over Verizon's appeal. The agency sent a similar letter to the D.C. Circuit, which is considering T-Mobile's challenge to the fine. The FCC's new filings come in a fight that began during the first Trump administration, when the agency proposed fining AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile for allegedly violating privacy regulations by sharing customers' location data with third parties. advertisement advertisement The agency specifically alleged that the carriers sold access to geolocation data to aggregators that resold the information to outside companies. The FCC initially proposed the fines in 2020 -- around two years after it came to light that a Missouri sheriff used geolocation data provided by Securus Technology to track other law enforcement officers, without court orders. Securus obtained the location data from the phone carriers. Around one year later, Vice Media's Motherboard detailed how a journalist was able to pay a bounty hunter $300 to track a phone's location to a neighborhood in Queens. The major U.S. carriers have said they no longer sell location data. Last year, the FCC fined AT&T around $57 million, Verizon around $47 million, and T-Mobile $92 million (including $12 million for Sprint, which merged with T-Mobile in 2020). The agency voted 3-2 to impose the fines, with Republican commissioners Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington dissenting. All three wireless carriers paid the fines and then appealed. Among other arguments, they said the FCC imposed sanctions without proving the allegations to a jury. The 5th Circuit agreed with AT&T and vacated the fine as unconstitutional. The FCC argues in its new letters to the 2nd Circuit and D.C. Circuit that this decision was wrong because the telecoms could have sought a jury trial before paying the fines. The D.C. Circuit heard arguments in T-Mobiles appeal last month, and the 2nd Circuit is expected to hear Verizon's appeal Tuesday morning in New York. He garnered a lot of praise for his role in Weak Hero Class 1 and returned for its sequel, Weak hero Class 2, this month. The Pentagon will deploy nearly 200 intelligence and signals troops to the border, according to a military news release Wednesday, adding to the more than 10,000 troops border-wide amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Eighty Army "military intelligence professionals" from Fort Drum, New York, and the XVIII Airborne Corps headquartered out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will augment the Joint Intelligence Task Force-Southern Border. They are joined by 100 personnel from a yet-to-be named Army signals unit. U.S. Northern Command announced that it had created the intelligence joint task force in February meant to "integrate and deconflict intelligence planning and threat analysis" during the border mission. Read Next: 'Everything Is on the Table': Army Eyeing Expansion of Privatized Barracks "The exact timeline for these deployments has not been determined, and the exact number of personnel will fluctuate as units rotate personnel and as additional forces are tasked to deploy once planning efforts are finalized," the news release said. It was unclear where the units would be specifically headed along the border. Becky Farmer, a spokesperson for NORTHCOM, said that the command was "limited" on what it could release regarding the roles and responsibilities of the personnel. However, she said that military intelligence analysts sift through information streams to better inform Gen. Gregory Guillot, head of the command, while regularly collaborating with organizations like the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency. "They are prohibited from collecting intelligence on U.S. citizens," she said when asked about the legality of active-duty service members collecting intelligence within the contiguous U.S. She added that "we are definitely in compliance with all intelligence oversight laws and regulations in conducting this mission." CNN previously reported that the CIA was flying secret drone missions into Mexico in an effort to surveil drug cartels, which the Trump administration has designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Intelligence analysts for the Air Force were deployed to the border as well, Northern Command said last month. The announcement of additional intel troops heading to the border comes after Northern Command announced that service members assigned to the New Mexico border were authorized to temporarily detain, search and conduct crowd control against "trespassers" along a newly military-controlled strip of land the command is calling the National Defense Area. On April 11, Trump transferred the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide stretch of border land, to the Pentagon in an effort to increase migrant apprehension, something service members were restricted from doing prior to the authorization. Farmer said in a follow-up email that Northern Command's intelligence activities are governed by U.S. attorney general-approved procedures and a 2017 policy on the Pentagon's Intelligence Oversight program. "These procedures balance the need to collect information for national security with the need to protect individual rights," she said. Related: 48 Hours with Marines and Soldiers on the US Southern Border Caleb Quick neared the start of an exciting new chapter in life before tragedy struck Wednesday night. In a couple of weeks, the 18-year-old senior would graduate high school. In June, hed leave Clovis, where he was born and raised, and depart to Texas for basic military training as an enlisted recruit for the U.S. Air Force. Wednesday evening, he and a group of close friends attended a Tucker Wetmore concert at the Clovis Rodeo the kickoff to what the teenagers planned to be a fun and festive week at the annual rodeo. Hours later, Calebs life came to an abrupt end. An unknown gunman shot and killed the teen in a McDonalds parking lot at the Willow Station shopping plaza shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday. As of Thursday night, police were still searching for the suspect who fled with a gun and wearing black clothing, including a pullover hoodie and investigating a possible motive. Friends and family who gathered at the McDonalds parking lot Thursday afternoon to mourn Calebs death described him as energetic, selfless and caring. Several friends who were with him in his final hours were shocked by the tragic death. Mia Banda, a longtime friend of Calebs, hugged him outside the rodeo grounds in Old Town Clovis after the concert. I walked him out, and I was the last person to give him a hug before he left. I thought he was going home, Banda told The Bee. When Banda and Calebs friends whod attended the concert with him learned that hed been shot late Wednesday night, they hurried to the scene in a pickup truck, speeding past eight red lights to get there as fast as they could. On Thursday afternoon, they returned to the parking lot where the incident happened and placed flowers, lassos, cowboy hats under a tree with a wooden cross in front of the McDonalds. One friend left Calebs favorite order from the fast-food restaurant on the memorial a McChicken with extra mayo and pomegranate juice. Banda wore Calebs denim jacket and recounted some of her happiest moments with him. She said they would often hang out at the McDonalds parking lot during weekends and sit on the bed of a friends pickup truck as they ate chicken sandwiches and listened to music. At Easter, just a couple days ago, he was on our mechanical bull and got thrown off, Banda said. Dozens of people paid their respects at the parking lot on Thursday, including friends who attended church with Caleb or went to school with him. Emma Anderson, a student at Buchanan High School, said Caleb was like an older brother who was always there for you, always had your back. He was always super funny. I had P.E. with him, and he was just always wanting to be the first at everything, always wanting to come out on top. It was just his spirit, Anderson said. Caleb previously attended Buchanan High before transferring to Clovis Online School, a charter program that is not affiliated with a specific high school campus. Friends who attended Clovis Hills Community Church with Caleb described him as kindhearted. Caleb would pick up friends from Madera and give them a ride home, and never asked for or accepted gas money, according to one friend who asked not to be named. Another friend recalled that during a summer camp, when some teens shared their personal stories and tough times, Caleb was ready to give his friends a hug. He had a huge heart. He wanted to make everybody happy. I feel like that was his goal in his life, to put a smile on everyones face, said Christina Schick, who was Calebs math tutor his freshman year. Schick and her husband, Erich Schick, are longtime friends of the Quick family. They said Caleb loved to explore new hobbies last year he developed an interest in rodeo and was trying to figure out what lied ahead for him as he entered young adulthood. A lot of people got to know him just because of his faith. He was very much about being present in his church community, helping as a leader and bringing more people to Christ. It was really beautiful to watch, Erich Schick said. Schick said Calebs immediate family, along with dozens of teens who were friends with him, went to Clovis Hills Community Church on Thursday to pay their respects. The impact he had on these (kids) is really, really beautiful, Erich Schick said. As dusk fell, Calebs parents, grandparents, younger brother and relatives arrived at the Willow Station parking lot. The group quietly embraced each other by the tree. They were next to the memorial, their heads bowed down and hands held in prayer for Caleb grieving the sudden end of a life they felt held so much promise. You would never think in Clovis something so surreal like this would happen, where someones life could be taken away in an instant, Banda said. It is scary and nerve-wracking. 2025 The Fresno Bee. Visit fresnobee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. MIAMI As hundreds of migrants crowded into the Krome Detention Center in Miami on the edge of the Florida Everglades, a palpable fear of an uprising set in among its staff. As President Donald J. Trump sought to make good on his campaign pledge of mass arrests and removals of migrants, Krome, the United States' oldest immigration detention facility and one with a long history of abuse, saw its prisoner population recently swell to nearly three times its capacity of 600. There are 1700 people here at Krome!!!!, one U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employee texted a co-worker last month, adding that even though it felt unsafe to walk around the facility nobody was willing to speak out. That tension fearing reprisal for trying to ensure more humane conditions comes amid a battle in federal courts and the halls of Congress over whether the president's immigration crackdown has gone too far, too fast at the expense of fundamental rights. At Krome, reports have poured in about a lack of water and food, unsanitary confinement and medical neglect. With the surge of complaints, the Trump administration shut down three Department of Homeland Security oversight offices charged with investigating such claims. A copy of the text exchange and several other documents were shared with The Associated Press by a federal employee on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Other documents include detainee complaints as well as an account of the arrival of 40 women at Krome, an all-male facility, in possible violation of a federal law to reduce the risk of prison rape. There is a critical shortage of beds in detention facilities Krome is hardly alone in a core challenge faced by other facilities: a lack of bed space. Nationwide, detentions have surged to nearly 48,000 as of March 23, a 21% increase from the already elevated levels at the end of the Biden administration. In recent weeks, they have mostly flatlined as efforts to deport many of those same migrants have been blocked by several lawsuits. To address the shortage, ICE this month published a request for bids to operate detention centers for up to $45 billion as it seeks to expand to 100,000 beds from its current budget for about 41,000. As part of the build out, the federal government for the first time is looking to hold migrants on U.S. Army bases testing the limits of a more than century-old ban on military involvement in civilian law enforcement. By some measures, Trumps' controversial approach is working. Barely 11,000 migrants were encountered at the U.S.-Mexican border in March, their lowest level in at least a decade and down from 96,035 in December 2024, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Other facilities have caps on the number of detainees Krome is just one of five facilities that ICE directly runs the others are in Buffalo, Arizona and two in Texas and can house detainees for more than 16 hours. After Trump took office, ICE had orders to round up migrants with few options on where to send them. The vast majority of bed space is leased from local prisons, jails or privately run facilities that have strict limits on how many detainees they are contractually obligated to accept. As its concrete cellblocks began filling up, federal workers started documenting the worsening conditions in weekly reports for the Department of Homeland Security's leadership. They worked their way up the chain through DHS' Office of Immigration & Detention Ombudsman, an independent watchdog established by Congress during the first Trump administration to blunt the fallout from a string of scandals about treatment at detention facilities. The office went through four ombudsmen in two months as Trump officials surged arrests with no apparent plan on where to send them. The situation worsened in mid-March, when the office's 100 staffers including a case manager at Krome were placed on administrative leave in what officials described as an effort to remove roadblocks to enforcement. Rather than supporting law enforcement efforts, they often function as internal adversaries that slow down operations, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said. Around the same time, Krome's chaos spilled into public view. Images secretly shot on a cellphone and posted on TikTok showed a group of men sleeping on concrete floors and under tables with little more than their shoes as pillows. We are practically kidnapped, Osiris Vazquez, his eyes bloodshot due to a lack of sleep, said in the grainy video, which garnered 4.4 million views. We dont want likes. We want help. Please! Vazquez, who was detained while driving home from a construction job near Miami, said he shared for two weeks a small room with some 80 men. Showers and phone calls werent allowed, the fetid-smelling bathrooms wre left unattended and food was restricted to peanut butter sandwiches. There was no clock, no window, no natural light, recalled Vazquez in an interview. "You lost all notion of time, whether its day or night. Eventually, Vazquez decided to self-deport. But his nightmare didnt end. Once back in his hometown of Morelia, Mexico, where he hadnt set foot in almost a decade, he had to be hospitalized twice for a respiratory infection he says he caught at Krome. Everyone I know got sick. We were so close together, said Vazquez. It could've been worse. Since Trump returned to the White House, three detainees have died while in ICE custody two of them at Krome. The latest, Maksym Chernyak, died after complaining to his wife about overcrowding and freezing conditions. The 44-year-old Ukrainian entered the U.S. legally with his wife in August under a humanitarian program for people fleeing the countrys war with Russia. He was sent to Krome after an arrest in south Florida for domestic violence and immediately got sick with a chest cold. After being monitored for a week with high blood pressure, on Feb. 18, at 2:33 a.m., he was taken to a hospital for seizure-like vomiting and shaking. An ICE report said he appeared intoxicated and unresponsive at times. Two days later, he died. Other than acetaminophen, he received no medication to treat the blood pressure, according to a two-page ICE report about Chernyak's death. An autopsy listed the cause of death as complications from a stroke aggravated by obesity. Chernyak's widow said that before her husband's detention he was a strong, healthy man." Without a translator, she said, her husband struggled to communicate with guards about his deteriorating health. They saw his condition, but they ignored him, said Oksana Tarasiuk in an interview. If he wasnt put in Krome, Im sure that he would still be alive. ICE, in a statement, didn't comment on specific allegations of mistreatment but said it adjusts its operations as needed to uphold its duty to treat individuals with dignity and respect. "These allegations are not in keeping with ICE policies, practices and standards of care," the agency said. ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously. Attorneys said that in recent days, Krome has transferred out a number of detainees and conditions have improved. But that could just be shifting problems elsewhere in the migration detention system, immigration attorneys and advocates say. Some 20 miles east of Krome, at the Federal Detention Center in downtown Miami, correctional officers last week had to deploy flash bang grenades, pepper spray paint balls and stun rounds to quell an uprising by detainees, two people familiar with the matter told the AP. The incident occurred as a group of some 40 detainees waited almost eight hours to be admitted into the facility as jail officers miscounted the number of individuals handed over by ICE, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly. As confusion reigned, the arriving detainees, some from Jamaica, ripped a fire sprinkler from a ceiling, flooding a holding cell, and took correctional officers batons, according to the people. The federal Bureau of Prisons, which runs the facility, would not confirm details of the incident but said that at no time was the public at risk. That has put a massive strain over our staff, said Kenny X. Castillo, the president of the union representing workers at FDC Miami. We are doing the job of two agencies in one building. Detentions drive profits Trump's administration has yet to reveal his plans for mass deportations even as he seeks to eliminate legal status for 1 million migrants previously granted humanitarian parole or some other form of temporary protection. The latest ICE data suggests so-called removal of migrants is actually below levels at the end of the Biden administration. That means detentions are likely to rise and, with facilities at capacity, the need to house all the detainees will get more urgent. Spending on new facilities is a boon for federal contractors, whose stock prices have surged since Trump's election. But finding workers willing to carry out Trump's policy remains a major challenge. Only a handful of applicants showed up at a recent hiring fair in Miami organized by Akima Global Services, a $2 billion federal contractor that staffs several immigrant detention centers, including Krome. Many of these facilities have been chronically understaffed for years, said Michelle Brane, an immigration attorney and the last ombudsman during the Biden administration. These are not easy jobs and they arent pleasant places to work. On Thursday, advocates led by the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization filed a lawsuit against DHS seeking to challenge the Trump administration's decision to shutter the oversight offices. Krome has a history of substandard conditions Allegations of substandard conditions are nothing new at Krome. The facility was set up as essentially the nation's first migrant detention center in the 1970s to process the large number of boat refugees fleeing Haiti. Before that, almost no migrants were detained for more than a few days. In the early 2000s, the facility was wracked by harrowing accounts of guards sexually assaulting or coercing sexual favors from female prisoners. Several guards were criminally charged. But more recently, the facility appeared to have turned a corner, with ICE even inviting the media to tour a first-of-its-kind mental health facility. Then it changed abruptly. The facility housed 740 men and one woman on March 31, according to the latest ICE data, which reflects only the midnight count on the last day of the month. That's up 31% from just before Trump took office. ICE refused to disclose Krome's current capacity because of security concerns. So far this year, the ombudsman's office has received more than 2,000 inmate complaints, according to the federal employee. Brane said she worries that detainee deaths, which started to rise during the Biden administration as arrests surged, could spike without anyone on the ground to investigate complaints of mistreatment. To my knowledge, everything was just frozen and people were told to go home, said Brane. If youre ramping up, youre taking away the oversight and youre increasing the number of people youre detaining, its a recipe for disaster." Following Chernyak's death, a grassroots coalition of immigration activists and far-left groups organized a demonstration on the highway leading to Krome's entrance calling for the closure of the center. A few hundred protesters showed up, some holding pictures of migrants kidnapped by ICE and signs that read American Gulag, American Shame" and Immigrants Make America Great. This month, Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, wrote Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem requesting a tour of the facility. The DHS media office didn't reply to an email asking whether Noem had granted her request. In addition, 49 Democrats in Congress have also written Noem demanding to know how the agency intends to ease overcrowding at ICE facilities. Huber Argueta-Perez said he saw many of those same conditions during his detention at Krome last month. The 35-year-old Guatemalan, who has lived in the U.S. for almost two decades, was detained March 10 after dropping off his two American daughters at school in Miami. He spent nine days sleeping on the concrete floor of a small, overcrowded room. He said he got feverishly sick from the cold but was repeatedly denied a sweater and medicines. We didn't fit," Argueta-Perez, who was deported March 19, said in an interview from Guatemala. But the more we complained, the worse was the punishment. ___ AP writers Michael Sisak in New York and Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed to this report. Afghans who fled the Taliban, including some who helped the U.S. military during America's 20-year war there, are facing the risk of deportation as the Trump administration moves to end legal protections for them. One program called temporary protected status, or TPS, that Afghans have used to reside in the U.S. and escape Taliban threats to their lives will expire next month, while the Trump administration already ended another program called "parole" and sent out mass notices telling those with parole to self-deport. While Afghans who came to the U.S. during the official military evacuation are supposed to be exempt from the parole termination, at least a couple accidentally got termination notices. Furthermore, many came after the evacuation and so are not exempt. Read Next: Independent Study Raises Alarm About Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at Malmstrom Air Force Base The twin developments with TPS and parole have stoked fear, confusion and anger among both the Afghans who risked their lives to help the military and the veterans who have scrambled to protect Afghans since the ignominious end of the war in 2021. "We're breaking our promises," said Zia Ghafoori, a former Afghan interpreter who worked with Army Special Forces before coming to the U.S. in 2014 and now runs a nonprofit that aids other former interpreters. "We promised these people that if you stood with me, we will stand with you. But where are those promises today?" The moves come amid the Trump administration's broad immigration crackdown that includes militarizing the southern border, shipping migrants to a maximum security prison in El Salvador, and cutting off legal immigration pathways. Despite President Donald Trump campaigning heavily on criticizing former President Joe Biden's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Afghans have been caught in Trump's anti-immigration policies since his first day in office in January when he suspended refugee admissions. After the Taliban overran Kabul in 2021 amid the withdrawal, the military evacuated tens of thousands of Afghans who feared for their safety under Taliban rule. But tens of thousands more whose lives the Taliban has threatened were left behind, including Afghan allies who supported the U.S. war effort. While Afghans who worked with the military are eligible to come to the U.S. through the Special Immigrant Visa, or SIV, program, a yearslong backlog in that program prompted many Afghans to use other avenues to stay in the country while their SIV or asylum applications are being processed. One of those avenues was TPS, which the Biden administration announced in 2022 it was offering to Afghans because their home country was experiencing "a collapsing public sector, a worsening economic crisis, drought, food and water insecurity, lack of access to health care, internal displacement, human rights abuses and repression by the Taliban, destruction of infrastructure, and increasing criminality." TPS protects migrants from deportation and provides them work authorization if they cannot return to their home country because of armed conflict, natural disaster or other dangerous conditions. About 9,600 Afghans were covered by TPS as of September, according to the Congressional Research Service. But the Trump administration is allowing TPS to expire for Afghans on May 20, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed this month after the decision was first reported by The New York Times. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem "determined that Afghanistan no longer continues to meet the statutory requirements for its TPS designation and so she terminated TPS for Afghanistan," department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. The statement provided no further explanation about what's changed in Afghanistan that makes it ineligible for TPS. "Afghanistan today is still reeling from Taliban rule, economic collapse and humanitarian disaster. Nothing about that reality has changed," Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, said in a statement earlier this month. "Terminating protections for Afghans is a morally indefensible betrayal of allies who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us to advance American interests throughout our country's longest war." A similar move by the Trump administration to end TPS for Venezuelans has been temporarily halted by a federal court. Meanwhile, some other Afghans who grew frustrated with the bureaucratic delays tried to claim asylum by coming through the U.S. southern border. The Biden administration allowed them to enter the country while their asylum claims were being processed by granting them parole. It's unclear exactly how many Afghans entered that way, but more than 900,000 migrants in total were paroled into the country through the Biden-era CBP One app. But, a couple of weeks ago, the Trump administration started sending mass emails to those who used the CBP One app telling them their parole was being revoked and they needed to self-deport. The emails went far and wide, seemingly with little verification that they were going to their intended recipients or migrants whose parole was actually revoked. For example, several U.S. citizens have reported getting the emails, apparently because they are immigration attorneys whose clients listed their lawyers' email addresses on contact forms. The DHS, in an unsigned statement, confirmed "some" migrants "received formal email notifications from the Department of Homeland Security." Still, it added, Afghans who were paroled during Operation Allies Welcome, the official name of the 2021 evacuation, "are not subject to this termination at this time." But at least two Afghans who were part of Operation Allies Welcome received the termination notices, the Trump administration acknowledged in a court filing last week. The administration has sent "retraction" notices to them, it added in the filing. Mistakes like that, though, have sowed widespread, paralyzing distrust and fear about the notices. "How are people supposed to know if it really applies to them?" said Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran who leads #AfghanEvac, which has helped resettled Afghans since the evacuation. "It's so confusing. It's so confusing." "I absolutely think the confusion is part of the point," he added. Ghafoori said he has fielded numerous calls from Afghans panicked about the end of their parole or TPS designation in his capacity as the head of the Interpreting Freedom Foundation. In one call, Ghafoori said, a former Afghan commando's children and wife were crying in the background as the man, who came through the southern border and received a parole termination email, pleaded for help. "They kept begging me, like, 'Where can we go? Please. Somebody needs to save us,'" Ghafoori said. The only advice Ghafoori said he has been able to offer is to consult a lawyer, but for many Afghans, that is easier said than done. "They left everything behind. They have no penny to pay for their legal fees," Ghafoori said. Advocates have been appealing to the Trump administration to reverse course. This week, #AfghanEvac sent a letter to the DHS, the Pentagon, the State Department and the White House in part calling on the administration to provide formal guidance for Afghans in the U.S. to "prevent wrongful deportation or denial of services," rescind the parole termination notices, and make clear that those with pending asylum claims do not need to leave. Christian leaders have also been pushing specifically for protections against deportation for Afghan Christians. Administration officials have so far brushed off those appeals. "We didn't end [TPS] proactively. It expired," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters this week when asked whether Trump was considering any exemptions for Afghans who face death or torture if they return to Afghanistan. Leavitt also said Afghans can apply for asylum -- which is what the CBP One app that the Trump administration scuttled was meant to help facilitate. Coupled with impending cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Trump administration's disregard for Afghans has left veterans reeling, VanDiver said. "If they're cutting all these jobs at the VA, how are we supposed to get our care, especially in a time where there's heightened tensions, a lot more stress and serious moral injury associated with how we're treating our Afghan allies?" VanDiver said. "The overarching message that I'm getting as a veteran is that they like to use us for political points, but they don't really care what we have to say." Related: Afghans Who Helped US War Effort Snarled by Foreign Aid Freeze U.S. Air Force Capt. Anthony Simone was the co-pilot of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter on June 9, 2010. Deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand Province with the 66th Rescue Squadron, he was on a rescue mission to pick up wounded British soldiers when his helicopter was shot down. He was one of two survivors of the resulting crash, but he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Simone had to relearn how to talk and walk. For a long time, his movement was restricted to a wheelchair or scooter. His wife was pushing him in that wheelchair one day when they saw the Zeen, a mobility device that allows its user to sit, stand and even walk upright. They had to try one, and sure enough, Simone was able to move his own body. "Tony -- and our family -- is forever going to be affected by what happened to him," Andrea Simone said in a video produced by the creators. "It's going to be a lifelong journey. ... I like that he can move his own body, that he can get himself from Point A to B." Capt. Anthony Simone, his wife Andrea and Master Sgt. Christopher Aguilera read the plaque that was unveiled June 9, 2011, during a memorial ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., honoring crewmembers of Pedro 66. Capt. Simone and Sgt. Aguilera were critically injured when their HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, call ign Pedro 66, crashed in southwest Afghanistan June 9, 2010. The other 5 crewmembers on board were killed. (Sgt. Taylor Worley/U.S. Air Force photo) "It just brings so much more dignity back into a person's life," Rick Sherak, CEO of Exokinetics, maker of the Zeen, told Military.com. "Once people get in it and start using it, they no longer have to look at the world from table height, looking up at everyone all the time. They can, but they can also sit at a standing height or just stand." Sherak is also a former Air Force officer, but he left the active-duty military intelligence world in 1992 to enter the health-care industry. Specifically, he worked in medical diagnostics and medical engineering. He came to Pennsylvania-based Exokinetics in 2024, excited to share the Zeen with the military community. "It's so different than anything on the market because people with mobility issues, they're either put in wheelchairs -- and if you're not using your legs, they'll just atrophy -- or they put 'em in walkers. Those things are so dangerous," Sherak said. The Zeen looks like a complicated, full-body wheelchair, but is basically a saddle designed around four agile wheels. A specially designed gas spring assists the user in sitting or standing and allows for walking or coasting with a seatbelt to minimize any risks of falling. "As long as you're in the device, even if your hands go up in the air and you trip and your feet go up in the air, the device will hold you because it's supporting you through that big seat," Sherak said. "It supports you through your hips and your buttocks area, so it gives you just this fall prevention that you can't beat." "Just to exercise, I'll go 50 feet one way and then 50 feet back," Simone said in the same video. "So that's a hundred feet and I know it doesn't sound like much, but when the alternative is not walking at all, then you need to go walk." "As long as people have the utility of their legs, even if they're super weak, and they've been in a wheelchair for years, they can do it," said Sherak. "But they also have to have determination to stick with it, because they're engaging those muscles again and it can be difficult. That's why we do so well in the vet community, because vets, for the most part, are pretty tough, and when they have endurance or strength or balance issues and they want to use their body, they just don't want to sit on an electric scooter or a wheelchair." The Zeen is the brainchild of inventor and filmmaker Garrett Brown, whose inventions include the Oscar-winning Steadicam, and whose films include "Rocky," "Return of the Jedi" and "Casino." The Steadicam rightly earned him a spot in the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2013 for changing the way we all watch movies forever. The Zeen, however, might soon change a lot of veteran lives. The device is designed for people suffering from spinal injuries, PTSD, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis, but is also ideal for mobility issues around aging and, as Capt. Anthony Simone discovered, combat-related injuries. Sherak and Exokinetics have submitted the necessary applications to get the Zeen into the Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule, opening easy access to VA health-care sites everywhere, but that's just a business deal. The device is in the VA equipment list and is available now. The company is currently providing training sessions at VA medical centers across the country. Veterans who think a Zeen might be right for them can get one through the VA right now; they just have to ask their VA doctor or physical therapist. Sherak says veterans who are interested in the Zeen should first check out the device's website and then reach out to the company to get some details. "We have daily webinars they can sign up for," he said. "We have live demonstrations. I say the best thing to do is call. You get one of our people; they're the best people in the world to talk to. They'll talk to the person about what their abilities are, what their capabilities are and let 'em know what's the minimum physicality you have to have to use the Zeen." The device is registered with the Food and Drug Administration as a Class 1, 510(k)-exempt device, which means the FDA does not believe it poses a significant injury risk. It has been third-party tested to support up to 250 pounds, but is currently being tested for higher weights. Disabled veterans interested in finding out whether a Zeen is right for them can visit GoZeen.com to learn more or call the company at (833) 367-9336 to talk to one of the company's mobility experts for details and help getting one through the VA. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker at a Harris campaign event in Arizona, Sept. 28, 2024. Gage Skidmore | Share Alike 2.0 Generic license SPRINGFIELD, IL J.B. Pritzker doesnt appear very reassured by President Donald Trumps pledge to save Lake Michigan from invasive silver and bighead carp. The Illinois governor, a Democrat and outspoken Trump critic, said hes still awaiting written guarantees that the federal government will, in fact, fund the $1.15 billion project to block invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes. A wrong turn onto a bridge at the US-Canada border has a Detroit woman facing deportation. This photo shows vehicles waiting to enter into the United States from Ontario, Canada across the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) AP By COREY WILLIAMS Associated Press DETROIT (AP) A woman from Guatemala says she and her two U.S.-born children were held for nearly a week by customs agents in Detroit after a phone apps directions to the nearest Costco led them to an international bridge connecting the city to Canada. She now faces removal proceedings in June in immigration court, according to Ruby Robinson, senior managing attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. RELATED: Mother of 2 takes wrong turn into Canada, now faces deportation from U.S. On Thursday, Robinson, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and the ACLU of Michigan called for more accountability and transparency by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on detentions along the nations northern border with Canada. Our neighbors and families should not be disappearing because they made a wrong turn, Tlaib said. Though the northern border sees far fewer encounters with migrants than the U.S.-Mexico border, the womans case is not uncommon, according to Tlaib. RELATED: Venezuelan man makes wrong turn in Detroit, ends up being sent to Trumps prison in El Salvador The Michigan Democrat said she was told on March 21 by CBP that about 213 people had been detained at the same location since January, with more than 90% mistakenly driving onto the bridges toll plaza. Tlaib also said she was told 12 families had been detained in the same building where Robinsons client was held. We dont know what exactly is happening. Theres a lack of transparency, she said, adding that similar detentions likely are occurring elsewhere along the 5,525-mile (8,891-kilometer) northern border. But Customs and Border Protection said agents encountered just over 200 undocumented people from Jan. 20 to March 21 at crossings in Detroit. About half were detained and turned over to ICE after secondary processing was complete, according to a CBP spokesman. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center is representing the Guatemalan woman. Robinson declined to release her name or age, only confirming that she has been in the U.S. about six years, but has no legal status. Her daughters, ages 5 and 1, were born in the U.S. Their father lives in Detroit. She lives in Southwest Detroit, a neighborhood with a large Hispanic population that sits in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge and just across the Detroit River from Windsor, Ontario. On March 8, the woman and her daughters were in a vehicle being driven by her 19-year-old brother. She used a phone app to find the nearest Costco and didnt realize the closest store was on the Canadian side of the bridge, Robinson said during a Zoom call with reporters. They drove onto the bridges toll plaza, but didnt go past the toll booths. They were stopped by CBP agents and taken to a nearby building where she was questioned and fingerprinted. She also signed a form stating she entered the U.S. illegally. She said agents told her she was going to be deported and encouraged her to take her daughters with her back to Guatemala, according to Robinson. They were held in a small, windowless room, slept on cots and given microwaveable food like ramen noodles and oatmeal. They were only allowed to leave the room to use the restroom and shower, she said. By Monday night, March 10, her youngest daughter began developing a fever. The woman said agents told her they had no medication for the child. The older daughter would soon come down with a cough. While going to the restroom that Tuesday, the family finally saw her brother in a hallway. The woman said he was in shackles. Her brother also has no legal status in the U.S. and works as a roofer with the father of her children, she said. On Wednesday night, the girls were turned over to the womans sister-in-law. She was released the next day. When individuals violate immigration laws, their choices make them subject to detention and removal, CBP Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs Hilton Beckham said in a statement. She admitted to unlawfully entering the U.S. in 2018. Per policy, CBP worked to find a suitable guardian for her U.S. citizen children. However, she initially chose to keep them with her, prolonging the detention period. Once the children were placed with a guardian, she was transferred to ICE. Such detentions are part of a pattern where short-term facilities are being used long-term by CBP, said Tlaib, who serves on the U.S. House Oversight Committee. The erosion of due process is a threat to all of us no matter your name, no matter immigration status, Tlaib said. A wrong turn should not lead to a disappearance and an erosion of someones due process. Former U.S. Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP By PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he learned his punishment for the crimes that led to his expulsion from Congress. Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, appealed for mercy. In a federal court a short drive from his old congressional district, he said through tears that he was humbled and chastised and realized he had betrayed his constituents trust. I offer my deepest apologies, he said, adding: I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently wasnt convinced. Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. Its always someone elses fault. The New York Republican served in Congress barely a year before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues. He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. His plea deal included agreeing to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties. From the moment he declared his candidacy for Congress, Santos leveraged his campaign for his own enrichment and financial benefit, U.S. Attorney John Durham, whose office prosecuted the case, said outside court. Santos, 36, is due to report to prison July 25. He didnt respond to reporters shouted questions outside the courthouse, but he had told The Associated Press by text Thursday that he was ready to face the music. Santos victims included a woman with brain damage and two octogenarian men, prosecutor Ryan Harris told the judge. Speaking in court, New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon argued that the victims of Santos crimes even included jobless and struggling New Yorkers. Before winning office, Santos collected unemployment benefits while actually working for a Florida company. Once in Congress, he cosponsored legislation intended to root out unemployment fraud. For Santos, Reardon said, it was do as he says, not as he does. Defense lawyer Andrew Mancilla, arguing for a two-year prison stint, said everyone hates George Santos even though deep down, he is warm, kind, caring, and thoughtful. He said Santos created an alternate ego for himself after growing up in a broken house and dealing with bullying. He built the man he wanted to be, Mancilla said. He did that because he believed that the world would not accept him for who he was. Santos reputation, he added, has been destroyed, leaving him no chance of securing a job, though he conceded Santos has a documentary in development. No one is coming near him, Mancilla said. Hes forever stained. Seybert at points rejected defense lawyers arguments that Santos was not the ringleader of the fraud. She also rejected their arguments that sentences handed down in previous campaign fraud cases, including that of former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., were fair comparisons. Im not here to decide political issues, Seybert said. Im here to decide a just sentence. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio. In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign. He told lie after lie until it caught up with him until we caught up with him and exposed him for what he truly was: an opportunist and a fraud, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican, said outside court Friday. Her office also investigated Santos. As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective in social media posts, thanking his supporters and detractors alike. I learned that no matter left, right or, center we are all humans and for the most part Americans (LOL) and we have one super power that I cherish and that is compassion, he wrote Thursday on the social platform X. Addressing the trolls, he added: yall made me much stronger and made my skin thicker! He also made one final plug for his Cameo account, where he records personalized video messages for $100. Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today, Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis. ___ Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz and Jake Offenhartz in New York contributed to this story. ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to CNN. Dugan is reportedly facing two charges for obstruction and concealing a person from arrest after she allegedly helped an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest in her courtroom. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest in a now-deleted social media post. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patels post read according to CNN. Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. The arrest stems from an incident last week at the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived at the court and presented a warrant for the arrest of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was due to appear in court. Court officials told the agents to wait until after the court hearing had ended before arresting Flores-Ruiz. Court documents claim that Flores-Ruiz learned that ICE was there to arrest him and allegedly fled from the building before eventually being captured. He is currently being held in relation to that case. Dugan has not been formally charged, but is expected to appear before a federal judge in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Friday. The north end zone scoreboard of Spartan Stadium. The white Spartan helmet shown here is one of three that's up for auction by the MSU Surplus Store. Bidding started at $500. The helmets are up to 29 feet tall. EAST LANSING, MI Three huge Michigan State Spartan helmet logos are up for auction. They were part of the decommissioned scoreboards at Spartan Stadium. These man cave treasures could give winning fans definitive conversation pieces. Theres just one catch: Theyll need a 30-foot wall and some serious reinforcement to be mounted. Two of the helmets are 25 feet tall by 22 feet wide. The largest, from the south scoreboard, is 29 feet tall and 26 feet wide. Theyre all about a foot thick. Each one weighs more than 1,000 pounds, however, they have been deconstructed into smaller pieces and placed on pallets. The MSU Surplus Store set the starting bids at $500. Bids go up by $50 increments. The auction is open until 6 p.m. on May 9, but will be extended by 3-minute increments if bids continue to come in during the last few minutes of the auction. The current high bids are $600, $600 and $650. Its quite the unique item, Chris Hewitt, operations manager for the store, told the Lansing State Journal. And its a heck of a bargain. The store, where the disassembled helmets can be viewed, is at 468 Green Way in East Lansing. A tiger rescued from Joe Exotic's Greater Wynnewood Animal Park in Florida. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) Denver Post via Getty Images The star of Netflixs hit reality show Tiger King says hes found love while serving a 21-year prison sentence. Earlier this week, Joe Exotic -- whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage -- announced he married fellow inmate Jorge Flores Maldonado. Exotic, 62, announced the marriage in a social media post where he said hes "Never been more proud of someone." Exotic previously announced in October that the couple was engaged and was awaiting approval from prison officials. The post also included a photo created by artificial intelligence of the men wearing tuxedos and posing under an arch. Exotic shot to fame following the March 2020 release of Tiger King which focused on several zookeepers known for housing unique animals. The feud between Exotic and another zookeeper Carole Baskin was a focal point of the show. By the time the show had become a hit, Exotic was already serving his prison sentence. Exotic was charged and convicted in 2019 of hiring two men to kill Baskin. In January 2020, Exotic was sentenced to 22 years in prison, but later had that sentence reduced to 21 years. Exotic is currently serving his sentence at a prison in Fort Worth, Texas. A 19-year-old man was driving east on I-96 around 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, when a turkey flew into to the path of his pickup truck, said Michigan State Police. Provided by Michigan State Police HANDY TWP., MI Police warn drivers to keep a sharp eye out after a turkey broke through the windshield of one Livingston County drivers pickup truck. A 19-year-old man was driving east on I-96 near Fowlerville Road in Handy Township, west of Howell, around 12:45 p.m. Thursday, April 24, when the turkey flew into the path of the truck, Michigan State Police said. The 'People for Public Education' rally is set for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. (MLive file photo) LANSING, MI When Ann Arbor educator Emily Bawol reserved the steps of the Michigan State Capitol for a rally Saturday, the idea was simple. As spending cuts threaten to dismantle pillars of state and federal education support, she wanted to celebrate public education and the kids it serves not just protest what sometimes feels like its downfall. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor is known for his pro-development stance, but before he ever took office he once spoke out against a high-rise development. MLive file photo. Josh Boland | MLive.com ANN ARBOR, MI Mayor Christopher Taylor is a leading proponent of Ann Arbors push for more dense development, and he and his allies have won several elections on that platform. But long before he became the citys top elected official, he spoke out against a high-rise development proposed just north of his Burns Park neighborhood. ANN ARBOR, MI Tim Connors said he credits his wife Margaret for saving his life. Shes the one who convinced him, even though he was reluctant, to go see a doctor about his recent stomach pains, leading to finding out he had a lump in his pancreas. Vandals spray painted messages including Divest from Israel and others on the Markham-Wilcox House, 676 Penniman Ave. in Plymouth, on March 19, 2025, in what was likely a protest against the ongoing war in Gaza. Photo provided by the Michigan Attorney General's Office PLYMOUTH, MI A historic home in Plymouth was vandalized a month ago and is now wrapped up in a multi-jurisdictional investigation into possible organized vandalism. Vandals spray painted messages including Divest from Israel and others on the Markham-Wilcox House, 676 Penniman Ave. in Plymouth, on March 19, in what was likely a protest against the ongoing war in Gaza. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton speaks during a news conference in this Flint Journal file photo. (Jake May | MLive.com) GENESEE COUNTY, MI Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton is making an emergency request for additional staff to review 102 first-degree murder cases after a landmark court ruling struck down automatic, no-parole prison terms they were given as 19- and 20-year-olds. Leyton told the county Board of Commissioners this week the cases, some dating back to the 1960s, each must be reviewed before judges consider their requests for shorter sentences. Christopher Schurr, the former Grand Rapids police officer on trial next week in Patrick Lyoyas killing, has asked a federal judge to issue a gag order in a separate civil case filed by Lyoyas family. Schurr (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI Christopher Schurr, the former Grand Rapids police officer on trial next week in Patrick Lyoyas killing, has asked a federal judge to issue a gag order in a separate civil case filed by Lyoyas family. Statements, social-media posts and paid advertisements by Lyoyas family and attorneys in the civil case could prejudice jurors if the case goes to trial, Schurrs attorney, Kali Henderson of Royal Oak, wrote in the lawsuit. The golden hour falls on the Grand Rapids skyline, as seen from the city's West Side. (Allison Farrand|MLive.com) GRAND RAPIDS, MI The 16th annual City-Wide Community Cleanup is taking place Saturday, April 26, in Grand Rapids. Registration for the event, which features cleanup districts throughout the city, starts at 8:30 a.m. at specific sites, and the cleanup begins at 9:15 a.m. The event wraps up with a free lunch and activities for volunteers at John Ball Zoo starting at noon. To register in advance for the event, click here. If you are under 18 you will need a parent or guardian to sign a volunteer waiver on site. Our city shines brightest when we come together, said Annette Vandenberg, co-chair of the event. This event is more than just cleaning up its about connection, pride and giving back in a fun, hands-on way. Supplies to participate in the cleanup will be provided at the event. Heres a look at the 16 cleanup districts in the city that are hosting neighborhood cleanups: West Leonard at WGNO, 754 Leonard St. NW Suite B Stockbridge at Lincoln Park, 1120 Bridge St. NW West Fulton at John Ball Zoo, 1300 Fulton St. W Roosevelt Park at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary, 1205 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW Las Canchas, 250 Seward Ave. NW Garfield Park at GPNA, 334 Burton St. SE Creston Plaza at Creston Plaza Apts., 1080 Creston Plaza Dr. NE Creston at CNA, 205 Carrier St NE Eastgate, 1813 Boston St. SE Belknap at Coit Park, 727 Coit Ave. NE Monroe North at 6th Street Park, 647 Monroe Ave. NW Boston Square at BSNA, 1551 Kalamazoo Ave. SE Mulick Park, 1632 Sylvan Ave. SE Mount Mercy at Mount Mercy Apts., 1425 Bridge St. NW Adams Park at Adams Park Apts., 1440 Fuller Ave. SE Campau Commons at Campau Commons Apts., 821 Division Ave. S Event highlights include: Complaints from residents prompted the Village of Spring Lake Council to restrict short-term rentals on three streets. Pictured is a file photo of a Lakeside home in Ottawa County. (Charlie Nick | MLive.com) Charlie Nick | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI I recently had a conversation with a friend about staying in a hotel versus vacation rental options. I have family and friends who routinely book short-term rentals advertised on websites like Airbnb and Vrbo for trips to Florida, New England and Europe, and others who prefer the reliability of a hotel. Catholic churches in the Grand Rapids area are inviting all members of the Christian faith to join in prayer to mourn the death of Pope Francis. His funeral is Saturday. He is pictured at the Vatican on Easter. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) AP GRAND RAPIDS, MI Catholic churches in the Grand Rapids area are inviting all members of the Christian faith to join in prayer to mourn the death of Pope Francis. Bishop David Walkowiak of the Diocese of Grand Rapids has asked the priests of the diocese to offer a Mass for the Dead next week for Francis, 88, who died on Easter Monday, April 21 after having a stroke. The Church has a traditional nine-day period of mourning called Novemdiales, which begins with Francis funeral on Saturday, April 26, and concludes on May 4, according to the diocese. RELATED: Grand Rapids Bishop remembers Pope Francis for his service to homeless, refugees Walkowiak plans to hold a special Mass for Francis at 12:05 p.m. Monday, April 28 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 301 Sheldon Blvd. SE. It will be livestreamed on the diocesan YouTube channel and website. Here is a list of prayer opportunities being offered at parishes across the diocese during the period of mourning: April 25 April 26 April 28 April 29 April 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 3:45 p.m. Rosary at St. Anthony of Padua, Grand Rapids May 29 The Holy Fathers funeral Mass and all other events from St. Peters Square and the Vatican will be livestreamed through Vatican News, and on EWTNs television channels, live on YouTube, and through its on-demand app and digital platforms. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI It is illegal to sell hard liquor and spirits in bars and restaurants on Sundays in Hillsdale County, but not for too much longer if two state legislators have anything to say about it. State Rep. Jennifer Wortz, R-Quincy, and state Sen. Joe Bellino, R-Monroe, introduced legislation Thursday, April 24, to help expedite the ballot measure process that would allow the county to put a repeal measure on the ballot. A sinkhole caused the closure of a street in Battle Creek, city officials said. The collapsed section of road measures approximately 25 feet by 20 feet. (City of Battle Creek) BATTLE CREEK, MI A sinkhole has caused the closure of a street in Battle Creek, city officials said. A portion of Riverside Drive is closed between Columbia Avenue and Territorial Road E. until further notice after the sinkhole collapsed a section of the road around 1 a.m. Friday, April 25. City crews were finishing sewer repair work when the collapse happened, the city said in a news release. A portion of Riverside Drive is closed between Columbia Avenue and Territorial Road E. until further notice after a road collapse on Friday, April 25. (City of Battle Creek) The collapsed section of road measures approximately 25 feet by 20 feet. A car was damaged, officials said. No injuries were reported. City crews are implementing a sewer bypass. An excavator will assist with the repair. Traffic and emergency vehicles should use Territorial Road E. to access homes in the area during the closure. A sinkhole caused the closure of a street in Battle Creek, city officials said. The collapsed section of road measures approximately 25 feet by 20 feet. (City of Battle Creek) Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Diners enjoy dockside views at the Mermaid Waterfront Bar & Grill, along the Kalamazoo River, in Saugatuck, Michigan. The restaurant closed after the 2024 season. (MLive file photo) BPN SAUGATUCK, MI -- One Saugatuck mermaid is swimming no more. Mermaid Waterfront Bar & Grill and neighboring restaurant Baldys Smoked Meats, both at 340 Water St., have been sold to a local group of investors. The restaurants on the banks of the Kalamazoo River less than a mile from Lake Michigan have been closed since late 2023. But new life is coming, as a waterfront dining and cocktail spot called Marker 14 will open in the space, according to a news release from Beacon Sothebys International Realty. The new owners of the property, Boat Shed Properties, LLC, plan to restore the property with nostalgia and industrial character, the release said. Plans include full glass doors that open up to the waterfront. The goal is to open Marker 14 in time for the 2025 tourism season. Ownership declined to share more on the project at this time when contacted by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. The LLC acquired the property in December 2024 for $2.4 million, according to Crains Grand Rapids. The owners anticipate also opening a second restaurant concept at the spot, per Crains. In years past, the property has had many lives including housing a warehouse, blacksmith shop, boat livery, fruit store and motion theater. The building, as it stands now, was constructed before 1955 and remodeled in 1998, the release said. All seats at the Mermaid were outdoors, so it was only open during the summer during nice weather. The restaurant offered a variety of seafood favorites from Alaskan halibut to the Mermaid roll which was a lobster roll with lobster, crab, shrimp and garlic-herb butter. The deal was closed by Stephen Phelps, a real estate investor and owner of The Butler at 40 Butler St.; Phil Sauve, owner of Phils Bar & Grille at 215 Butler St. and Chad Van Horn, a real estate broker with Beacon Sothebys International Realty. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Artisan Sandwich Company is closing its Kalamazoo Mall location to focus on family, owner Ryan Schmidt said. Taylor DesOrmeau KALAMAZOO, MI Artisan Sandwich Company will close for good at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 25, after eight years of business at 348 S. Kalamazoo Mall. Were making a personal decision for our young family to close the store in downtown Kalamazoo, co-owner Ryan Schmidt said. Im grateful for the time and experience downtown Kalamazoo offered. Schmidt and his wife Viviana opened Artisan Sandwich Co. in 2017. The Western Michigan University grads specialized in delicatessen-style sandwiches made to order with high-quality ingredients. Applewood smoked ham & Italian salami sandwich. (Photo provided by Artisan Sandwich Co.) Popular specialty sandwiches included the Kalamazoo Club (bacon, ham, and turkey) and the Albacore tuna salad sandwich (with fresh albacore tuna made in small batches daily). Its possible the company will return in the future in a new format or location, Schmidt said, but there are no set plans. Hes retaining ownership of the brand and its menu, he said. Wall decor and some furniture are for sale as the business prepares to close. No businesses are planning to move into the space immediately, Schmidt said. Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive offers free email news alerts. Click here to sign up for alerts or for the daily 3@3 Kalamazoo news roundup. Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page here. Left to right: Bay County Prosecutor Michael P. Kanuszewski, defense attorney Alan A. Crawford, and defendant Jai'Mari K. Campbell sit during Campbell's preliminary examination in Bay County District Court. Campbell is charged with open murder in the death of Toryon T. Patterson. Cole Waterman BAY CITY, MI Judges are dismissing scores of criminal cases in Bay County. Its not for lack of merit or evidence, but because prosecutors arent showing up in court to try them. A case in point: a year-long police investigation into a rural drug-dealing operation led to the seizure of guns, crystal meth, fentanyl, and cash. The items alleged owner, 47-year-old Jessie A. Bennett, faced eight felonies. The case against Bennett has now crumbled after a judge was left with no option but to dismiss the charges against him. Bennetts case is one of several to be dismissed due to lacking prosecution since the start of the year, when a changing of the guards occurred within the Bay County Prosecutors Office. Voters elected Republican challenger Michael P. Kanuszewski to replace Democrat incumbent Nancy E. Borushko as the countys top law enforcement official, giving him 33,468 votes to her 25,163. Kanuszewski worked in the Office of Criminal Defense when elected, as did his current chief assistant prosecutor, Christopher Johnson. This caused a conflict of interest with their new roles as they cannot prosecute cases they once defended. The cases being dismissed are my and Chris former clients, Kanuszewski said. Exact figures of dismissed cases were unavailable, but a cursory examination indicated there were at least dozens. As of April 10, the prosecutors office was conflicted out of 142 misdemeanor and 95 felony cases. Thirty of the misdemeanors and 25 of the felonies had been assigned to special prosecutors. Another 10 felonies had been approved but not assigned. Kanuszewski has filed numerous requests with the Michigan Attorney Generals Office and the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council seeking special prosecutors to handle the conflicted cases. The issue, though, is the AGs Office is having difficulty placing prosecutors to the cases. Theres just so many weve given them, Kanuszewski said. Theyve gotten more from us in this short time than they usually do in a calendar year. The AGs Office can request a neighboring countys prosecutor take the special case, but it cannot outright assign them to do so. Prosecutors offices voluntarily take on a special assignment, historically on a reciprocal basis with the conflicted-out prosecutor. The AGs Office could also prosecute cases directly, but a manpower shortage is hampering that. Bay County Circuit Judge Jessie Scott Wood Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com To address the 100-plus conflicted cases in a timelier manner, Bay County Commissioners on April 15 approved hiring Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Jurij D. Fedorak as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Fedorak will assume prosecutorial duties over the conflicted cases including active ones, probation violations, and potentially appeals until they are resolved. Fedorak is to start May 5 and will work out of the Bay County Health Department, keeping a wall of separation between him and Kanuszewski. Judges have dismissed most cases without prejudice, meaning they could be refiled. Fedorak will be evaluating those cases to see if the more serious ones can be recharged, though many of the minor ones involving misdemeanors will likely fall by the wayside. We gotta make cost-cutting, time-saving decisions at this point, Kanuszweski said. Since the start of the year, the countys Public Defenders Office has been sending case materials to Kanuszewskis office, said the departments head attorney, Michael A. Huber. Prosecutors return the files, saying theyre conflicted out and, in some cases, stating they have requested a special prosecutor through the Michigan Attorney Generals Office. The AGs Office then informs the defense if theyve taken the given case or not, specifying that unless theyve explicitly accepted the case, it remains with local prosecutors, Huber said. Theyre pointing fingers at each other saying, You take it. No, you take it, and no one is appearing on these cases, Huber said. Some of the dismissed cases Among the cases Huber has had dismissed is that of 30-year-old Adam L. DeShano. Sheriffs deputies on June 28 pulled over DeShano as he drove a Chevrolet Tahoe on M-13 in Kawkawlin without dimming his brights. Deputies searched the vehicle and found a set of brass knuckles, empty Suboxone strip packages, and a cellophane wrapper containing crystal meth, their reports state. DeShano on Nov. 13 was arraigned on single counts of possessing methamphetamine and possessing a miscellaneous dangerous weaponbrass knuckles. The charges are 10- and five-year felonies. Huber on April 9 filed a motion for the cases dismissal on the grounds his clients due process rights were being violated. Huber noted DeShano was previously represented by attorney Johnson, who exited the case on becoming the countys chief assistant prosecutor in late December. A hearing in DeShanos case was scheduled for January, but no prosecutor was present. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly adjourned the hearing to allow a special prosecutor to take on the case. Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com A subsequent hearing in March also saw no prosecutor attend. Kelly noted a special prosecutor had not yet been assigned and rescheduled the matter for April 22. Huber still had no contact with staff in either the Bay County Prosecutors or the AGs Office regarding DeShanos case, he wrote. Without the participation of the Government, the Defendant is deprived of the ability to face his accuser, question evidence put forth by the accuser, enter into plea negotiations; to name a few but not all rights associated with American Jurisprudence under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments under the United States Constitution, Huber wrote. Kelly on Tuesday, April 22, granted Hubers motion when the prosecution again failed to appear for the hearing. In Bennetts case, the Michigan State Police in March 2022 served a search warrant on his home in Gibson Township after police made several controlled buys of drugs from his domicile. Troopers wrote they found 186 grams of fentanyl, 150 grams of crystal meth, 16 firearms, ammunition, large-capacity magazines, and $6,662 in cash. The firearms were a combination of rifles, handguns, and shotguns. One rifle, a lever-action Winchester, had been reported stolen to the Romulus Police Department. Another rifle had a barrel length of only 7 inches and its serial number removed. Bennett was already a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing guns. The amount of the two drugs seized from Bennetts home had a minimum potential street value of $33,100 in tax-free income, troopers wrote. Police served a second warrant on Bennetts house in March 2023 after making more controlled buys from his house. They seized about 250 grams of fentanyl, crystal meth, cash, two semiautomatic pistols, and eight rifles, one of which had been reported stolen. A large amount of fentanyl was found in a childs bedroom, police added. Police arrested Bennett, whom prosecutors charged with delivering or manufacturing methamphetamine, delivering or manufacturing less than 50 grams of a narcotic or cocaine, possessing meth, possessing of a short-barreled rifle, and four counts of felony firearm. Kanuszewski on Jan. 15 requested the AG appoint a special prosecutor to Bennetts case. Bennetts attorney, Brandon T. Poltorak, on April 14 filed a motion seeking the dismissal of Bennetts charges after representatives from the Bay County Prosecutors or the AGs Office repeatedly failed to show for hearings. Circuit Judge Jessie Scott Wood on Wednesday, April 23, granted the dismissal. Another case involving the dismissal of serious charges was that of 34-year-old Ishmel M. Dillard. Bay City police on Aug. 26 were flagged down by Dillards girlfriend screaming for help in the area South Henry and Main streets. She told them Dillard had forced his way into her home, choked and beat her, knocked her unconscious, and stole her car keys and about $1,000 in rent money. Police arrested Dillard the same day. Dillard was later charged with assault with intent to rob while armed, unarmed robbery, and aggravated domestic violence. Kanuszewski on Jan. 21 petitioned the AG to appoint a special prosecutor to Dillards case. With no prosecutor having been attached to Dillards case, defense attorney Paul Bukowski on March 24 filed a motion for its dismissal. Circuit Judge Wood granted the dismissal on April 4. Kanuszewski is optimistic the dismissals will slow down once Special Attorney General Fedorak begins working out of Bay County. This is why it was so important to get Fedorak on board, he said. At least theres some light at end of the tunnel. 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. SAGINAW, MI A police pursuit through Saginaw ended in a two-vehicle crash. Members of the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET) on the morning of Friday, April 25, were surveilling a suspected drug dealer who was wanted on several outstanding felony warrants. Saginaw police officers at 11:52 a.m. tried stopping the 32-year-old man as he drove a vehicle on East Holland Road (M-46) near South 16th Street, according to Michigan State Police troopers. Katelyn R. Wiggins, accused of drunkenly causing a crash that claimed the life of Alexis Rietz in November 2024, appears in court on April 25, 2025. Cole Waterman SAGINAW, MI A substitute teacher accused of killing a Millington woman in a crash while she was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine is a step closer to facing a trial. Katelyn R. Wiggins, 31, on Friday, April 25, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge Elian E.H. Fichtner for a preliminary examination. Witnesses did not testify, however, as defense attorney James F. Piazza said his client was waiving her right to the hearing. Then-candidate Donald J. Trump takes the stage for a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com MACOMB COUNTY, MI It may be 2026 election campaign season already. White House officials announced President Donald Trump will visit Macomb County on Tuesday, April 29, to celebrate the first 100 days of his second term. As of the publication of this report, no additional details have been provided about the event, leaving political experts to speculate about the motivation behind his first return to Michigan since his busy 2024 election season spent campaigning there. At least one of those motivations could involve the states next big campaign cycle, two Michigan political science professors said. While constitutional barriers prevent Trump from campaigning for a third term although he may disagree the political agenda for the back-half of the presidents second term could benefit from allies in Michigan, experts say. And the 2026 election could provide such allies. I will be curious to see what other Republicans show up at this event, said Julio Borquez, an associate professor of political science at University of Michigan-Dearborn. You know, will Mike Rogers be there? Will John James? Both individuals are early key players in the 2026 election. James, a U.S. House representative for Michigan and a Shelby Township Republican, announced his bid for the governor seat earlier this month. With no incumbent in the race Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot seek another term the seat is in play for the GOP in 2026, Borquez said. Rogers, a former Republican congressman and a close runner-up in the states 2024 U.S. Senate race, this month announced he will mount a second campaign for the Senate during next years elections. With no incumbent in the race Democrat Gary Peters announced he will retire after this term Republicans have a shot at clinching one of the states two U.S. Senate positions, Borquez said. It might be too early for Trump to give an outright endorsement, but certainly, being on a stage with him would help them with fundraising, Borquez said. And it kind of gives the signal that, Rogers is the Trump guy and James is the Trump guy. Its unclear if either Rogers or James will attend the Tuesday event, but both were regulars at Trump rallies in the state last year. And both Michigan politicians received endorsements from Trump for their respective 2024 campaigns. James Congressional district includes Macomb County, the host of Trumps Tuesday visit. Trump promoting his agenda and claiming policy victories in the state also could serve the purpose of rallying Michigan support behind Republicans at a time when polls show his approval ratings in decline, experts say. Rallying that support now in Michigan could help the president boost the GOP profile for the 2026 U.S. House races, said Andrea LaFontaine, Central Michigan Universitys Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government. Those margins are tight in the House right now, LaFontaine said of the 119th Congress, where 220 Republicans and 213 Democrats serve today. (The Trump administration is) in that kind of protect-and-retain-the-seats-they-have kind of mode. There are 13 U.S. House members representing Michigan today, with the GOP earning a 7-6 advantage over Democrats after last years election for the 2-year seats. Its unclear how many of those representatives will seek re-election next year, but at least two seats will not feature incumbents. James and Democrat Haley Stevens announced their 2026 campaigns for the governor and U.S. Senate races, respectively. Trumps decision to host the 100-day celebration in Macomb County could also be part of a 2026 U.S. House election strategy. Along with James, Republican Lisa McClain represents a congressional district that encompasses the southeast Michigan county. While McClain bested her 2024 Democratic opponent by nearly 40 percentage points, voters in James district offered a tighter margin of victory for Republicans. James defeated his Democratic competition by 6 percentage points. In the 2022 election, the margin was even smaller for James: 0.5 percentage points. No Republican has yet to declare a 2026 campaign for James district. Borquez said Trumps choice of Macomb County for Tuesdays event also could relate to a significant piece of real estate there: Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Trump earlier this month referenced the base, which officials in recent years have said holds an uncertain future. Trump, though, floated the idea of transporting new jets there. Weve got some good feedback from Pete Hegseth at the Department of Defense. Theyre talking about F-16s, theyre talking about F-35s and, you know, et cetera, Trump said earlier this month. Its a great piece of property, its a great location, and its a great state. Trump has said he planned to work with Michigan leaders to keep Selfridge Air National Guard Base open. Whitmer and Republican state House Speaker Matt Hall met with Trumps cabinet this month in the Oval Office, where they discussed the bases future. Borquez said the Tuesday event may give Trump an opportunity to take credit for injecting optimism about the bases future. He could talk up his role with Selfridge and, you know, maybe take a little credit away from from Gov. Whitmer in the process, which Im sure is in the back of his mind somewhere, Borquez said. Thats standard political gamesmanship, and I wouldnt be surprised if he talks about it. Both Borquez and LaFontaine said the Tuesday event likely will be distinctive in other ways. Neither political science expert could recall a U.S. president before Trump hosting an event advertised as a celebration of their first 100 days in office. Typically, the 100-day milestone is noted by media pundits and acknowledged by presidents more discretely. But Tuesday technically, the 99th day of the Trump presidency would mark Trumps second time hosting an event sold as a celebration of such a milestone. During Trumps first term on April 29, 2017 the president hosted a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to commemorate 100 days in the White House. The event featured Trump reiterating 2016 campaign promises involving immigration, health care, border security, and trade policy. He also spent much of the session criticizing the media for its coverage of his first administration. We know hes like a showman, and thats one of his appeals as president, LaFontaine said, explaining the uniqueness of Trump hosting such an event. Why is he choosing Michigan for this? I think he realizes Michigan matters. Trump in November 2024 won Michigans 15 electoral college votes, flipping the battleground state again in a victory over Democrat Kamala Harris. Trump in 2016 was the first Republican to win Michigans vote since 1988. With his victory last year, he added to that bragging right. Trumps favor in Michigan has wavered over the years, but his supporters have kept the vote counts close. He defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 10,704 Michigan votes in 2016 and then lost to Democratic nominee Joe Biden by 154,188 Michigan votes four years later. Trump defeated Harris by 80,103 Michigan votes last November. In the nearly 100 days since he returned to the White House, Trump has signed a series of executive orders and outlined other policy initiatives that immediately impacted Americans. The presidents activity seemingly has not slowed since then, with each week delivering new issues and new understandings of how Trumps administration influences American law and culture, including in Michigan. While voters favored him in the battleground state last year, Michigan residents also have joined in the growing number of protests expressing opposition to his policies, on issues ranging from the economy to immigration. Click here to follow MLives complete coverage of President Trumps impact on Michigan. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson signaled Wednesday she doesnt plan to comply with the subpoena from House Republicans for unreleased election training materials, saying youll see the court get involved. Ben Orner | MLive.com Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson signaled Wednesday she doesnt plan to comply with the subpoena from House Republicans for unreleased election training materials, saying youll see the court get involved. We invite the court to help us work it out and figure out the best path forward, Benson said Wednesday, April 23. As professional election administrators on this side of the debate and lawmakers on the other, we both have an interest in ensuring transparency rules the day but also that our elections are secure. As this process plays out youll see the court get involved and help us figure it out, and my hope is that all of us can stay focused on that dual need of ensuring transparency but also protecting the security of our elections. House Republicans earlier this week subpoenaed Benson to release education and training materials that her office provides to local clerks administering elections. They say shes been withholding these materials requested by lawmakers for months. Bensons office contends the materials contain sensitive information that could jeopardize election security and require redactions before theyre released to lawmakers. Related: Jocelyn Benson subpoenaed by House GOP for unredacted election training docs Bensons office had offered to provide the materials with redactions, but those offers were rejected, her office said. The first release of redacted election training materials was slated to be handed over April 30 with more to follow. The subpoena requires Benson produce the materials by May 14 without redactions. Bensons office wouldnt confirm to MLive that the secretary plans to fight the subpoena in court rather than comply with it. However, they said shes prepared for a court fight. Michigan Department of State spokesperson Angela Benander said the office wont provide lawmakers with open access to sensitive information that could jeopardize the security of our elections, and were prepared to make this case in court. House Republicans say the election training materials will help lawmakers examine how officials are conducting elections, identify areas of improvement and provide oversight if needed. The materials are part of a larger trove of documents requested from Benson by the Republican-led House Election Integrity Committee. Most of that request has been fulfilled. House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said Thursday that Bensons alleged intention to not comply with the subpoena shows blatant disregard for the law. He said she should comply with the subpoena before losing in court. Well get the materials, Hall said. But were going to hold her office accountable, and there probably are going to be many more subpoenas coming if she keeps doing this. House Oversight Committee Chair Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, pushed back on claims the subpoena is political. DeBoyer, a former county clerk, issued the subpoena. He said his committee and the House Elections Integrity Committee are charged with making sure elections are being executed within the standards of the law. When we ask for the information to be able to do that, were told we cant have it, he said. Were told were a security threat. (House Elections Integrity Committee Chair Rachelle Smit, R-Martin) spent seven years, eight years as a clerk. I spent 12 years as a clerk. Theres 5,000 people roughly in the state of Michigan that have access to that information that theyre telling us the chair of oversight and the chair of elections that we are a security threat." DeBoyer claimed Benson has no legal basis to reject the subpoena but didnt go into further detail. Related: Michigan House Republicans authorize subpoena against Benson for election training documents The Michigan Supreme Court declined to intervene on a case that could have created a road map for how the state handles disputes over frozen embryos. (Ben Orner | MLive.com) Ben Orner | MLive.com The Michigan Supreme Court wont settle a dispute over who gets a frozen embryo in a divorce. The case involved a Michigan couple who disagreed over what to do with their last frozen embryo when they got divorced in 2019. Sarah Markiewicz, 47, wanted to use it to have another child, but David Markiewicz didnt want any more kids. The Michigan Supreme Court declined to intervene Friday, April 25 saying the facts in this matter are unique and do not present a good vehicle to address the weighty issues arising from in vitro fertilization and the human embryos created in the process. Related: Who gets a frozen embryo in a divorce? Michigan high court could decide. The case could have set a precedent for how Michigan handles frozen embryo disputes moving forward. But in a two-page order, Justice Brian Zahra wrote the court should not decide the case. He argued it highlights significant policy questions that would be most appropriately resolved by lawmakers because it raises the question of how the law should treat embryos. This question implicates some of the most perplexing debates in society, invoking deep-seated and conflicting beliefs about morality, ethics, religion, human life, and personal autonomy, he said. After the Markiewiczes got married in 2009, Sarah Markiewicz spent years struggling to get pregnant before asking her sister to donate an egg. It was then fertilized by David, successfully implanted in Sarah, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2012. Not longer after that, the Markiewiczes conceived their second child naturally. When the couple tried having a third child, Sarah Markiewicz wasnt able to get pregnant again. So the then-married couple asked Sarahs sister for another donation, and she produced three eggs. They chose to implant two of the fertilized embryos, and Sarah ended up delivering twins. One frozen embryo remained. When the couple got divorced six years ago, they couldnt agree who should get the frozen embryo. The case ended up bouncing around the lower courts for five years before landing in the Michigan Supreme Court earlier this month. Justices heard oral arguments on April 9 before issuing a decision Friday. Our Legislature is the appropriate body to decide the weighty policy questions presented not just in this case but also by the science of in vitro fertilization more generally, Zahra said. Courts across the country have wrestled with frozen embryo disputes, which are becoming more common as fertility treatments are on the rise. But without national guidance, each state has settled the issue differently. Zahra wrote some courts have treated frozen embryos as a special category of marital property while others have rejected the idea that embryos should be considered property. Meanwhile states like Colorado have adopted a blended approach that requires courts to first examine any fertility contracts that could determine the case, then balance other factors at stake. In this case, Sarah Markiewicz argued the frozen embryo was her last chance to have a child thats genetically related to her four other children. For David Markiewicz, he argued its his genetic material, and this would impose unwanted parenthood on him. Zahra wrote that balancing interests in disputes like this requires judgement calls that are beyond the judiciary. Whether embryos should be treated as property or as persons with independent interests and whether control over embryos fates should be granted in divorce on the basis of a preexisting contract, an equitable decision of a court, child custody law or some other method are matters best understood as legislative questions, he wrote. Zahra then urged the Legislature to address these issues instead of relying on the courts. Immigration advocates say U.S. Customs and Border Patrol offices at Michigan border crossings are detaining people long periods of time. (Neil Blake/MLive.com) Neil Blake/MLive.com A Guatemalan immigrant was heading to Costco with her two kids last month when she mistakenly followed directions to a store in Canada instead of Detroit. This wrong move landed Sarahi, who lawyers only identified with her first name, on the Ambassador Bridge where she was detained by immigration officials. Lawyers say the family was then held in a windowless room at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection office for five days sleeping on cots, eating microwaveable meals and unable to get medical care until a friend was allowed to pick up Sarahis children, 1 and 5, who are U.S. citizens. Sarahi, who entered the United States illegally in 2018 but has no criminal record, was released a day later on March 13 under supervision pending a court hearing. Related: Mother of 2 takes wrong turn into Canada, now faces deportation from U.S. Advocates say Sarahis experience reveals a new practice of Customs and Border Protection holding families, including those with children who are U.S. citizens, at bridge crossings for days at a time. And during these extended stays, they claim people are not listed in ICEs detainee locator system and are unable to get legal counsel. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Michigan ACLU and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, held a press conference Thursday, April 24 to call for an end of secret detentions and disappearance of people at the Ambassador Bridge. No one should just disappear, much less because they took a wrong turn on the highway, said ACLU Michigan staff attorney Miriam Aukerman. No one should be locked up for days on end in facilities that are designed for just a couple hours of detention. In another instance, a Venezuelan immigrant who reportedly made a wrong turn working as a delivery driver in Detroit was detained when he tried to reenter the country at the Ambassador Bridge. Ricardo Prada Vasquez, 32, who had entered the country through a Biden-era app called CBP One, was then ordered to deport and disappeared when he was sent to a prison in El Salvador, according to the New York Times. A wrong turn should not lead to a disappearance, Tlaib said. Related: Venezuelan man makes wrong turn in Detroit, ends up being sent to Trumps prison in El Salvador In the past, Customs and Border Protection facilities have only been used for short-term detentions until people are released or transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. But under the Trump administration, which has pledged to deport millions of people, immigration advocates say border offices are now de facto holding centers. Given the almost non-existent transparency, accountability and access, we think there are more individuals like Sarahi affected and their stories are untold, said Ruby Robinson, an attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. Tlaib, who visited a Detroit border facility in March, described it as an office space that creates dehumanizing conditions for people. Its not built for long term detention, she said. But again, we dont know what exactly is happening. Theres a lack of transparency. Border officials told Tlaib that 213 people have been detained there since January, according to the congresswoman, with about 90% of those being people who accidentally ended up on the bridge. Customs and Border Protection did confirm those numbers nor did it respond to MLives questions about how many people have been detained at Michigan border crossings, how long detentions last and how many children have been held detained since January. But the agency said its facilities are intended for short-term detention before people are released or transferred to ICE. A top priority for CBP is to minimize the duration of any detention, with detention times being influenced by operational requirements, case complexity, and other factors, a spokesperson said in a statement. However, individuals choices and legal violations contribute significantly to the necessity of detention. The agency also did not confirm details about any specific cases, like Sarahi and Vasquez. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and the Michigan ACLU sent a letter to Customs and Border Protection in February to raise concerns about families being being detained for extended periods of time at Detroit-area border crossings. And they are now calling on the agency to end long-term detentions and be more transparent about detainees being held at border facilities by adding their information to an ICE locator tool. The legal groups also have a pending public records request to the federal government asking for more information about people being held at Michigan border crossings including the Ambassador Bridge, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the Blue Water Bridge and the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. How many people has CBP held up until now? And for how long have they been detained? How many are children? How many are toddlers? How many are babies? How many are U.S. Citizens? We dont know because CBP wont tell us, Aukerman said. 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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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(People's Daily Online/Yin Xin) Terraced rice fields are being filled with water across Honghe county in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, creating mirror-like surfaces that reflect the blue sky, clouds and surrounding green mountains. The Samaba, Lyushuge and Nimei terraced fields are being prepared for spring planting following Guyu, or Grain Rain, the sixth of China's 24 traditional solar terms. The water-filling marks the beginning of the spring agricultural season for the local Hani ethnic group, who celebrate with their traditional Kaiyangmen Festival. The Hani people developed these stepped fields as part of an integrated system that connects forests, villages, terraces and water channels, exemplifying a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. A farmer plows a terraced field in Honghe county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Yin Xin) Photo shows the Samaba terraced fields in Honghe county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Yin Xin) Photo shows a picturesque view of terraced fields in Honghe county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Zhao Longyun) An aerial photo shows the Samaba terraced fields in Honghe county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo/Zhao Longyun) Farmers prepare terraced fields for the planting season in Honghe county, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. 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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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All of them were admitted to the Medical College Hospital in Korba and their condition was stable Those hospitalised included 14 girls, 23 boys, 11 women and three men, said hospital superintendent Dr Gopal Kanwar, adding that the condition of all of them was normal. 'J&K has never been in favour of...': Omar Abdullah welcomes Centre's move to suspend Indus Waters Treaty Siddharth Chakravorty 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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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 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. *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 Sushant Sareen is Senior Fellow at Observer Research Foundation. 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 Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept The International Space Station is dying and could break apart in orbit, NASA warns 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 Microsoft gives underperforming employees a choice: Take 16 weeks' pay and leave, or stay and risk getting fired 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 Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, Razr 60 Plus, and Razr launched with 4-inch cover screen, larger batteries and more 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 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. 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I Accept Crimea will stay with Russia, says Trump; blames Obama for its loss 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 Pakistans terror chickens return to roost: How Hillary Clinton's 'snakes in the backyard' metaphor has come full circle 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. 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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 Palestinian President condemns Pahalgam attack as heinous, reaffirms support for India in letter to PM Modi 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. 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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 Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Trump says hes spoken with Chinese President Xi multiple times, but wont say when they last talked Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Trump says Russia and Ukraine are 'coming along', vows to save '5000 people a week' 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. 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I Accept Trump says Russia made a "pretty big concession" by not taking all of Ukraine Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept While world watches Gaza, here is what's happening in West Bank Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Will support India as it hunts for those responsible for Pahalgam attack: DNI Tulsi Gabbard Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Second CAL Fire C-130 Helicopter unveiled by Governor Newsom View Photo Sacramento, CA A second C-130 Hercules airtanker will be available to help fight any upcoming large wildfires this coming summer season in California. Federal lawmakers earlier approved the transfer of eight C-130 helicopters from the Coast Guard over to CAL Fire, so that they can be equipped for wildfire response. It was allowed as part of federal legislation signed in 2023. One aircraft was deployed last year, and the second is now ready for use, effective immediately. Governor Gavin Newsom made the announcement at a CAL Fire aircraft hangar in Sacramento on Thursday afternoon. Newsom says, The largest aerial firefighting force in the world is getting even bigger. Adding that the C-130 is a mission-critical asset in an era of increased year-round wildfire frequency and intensity. He noted that the large-capacity, highly specialized aircraft can deliver significant volumes of fire retardant in a single mission, enhancing CAL FIREs ability to protect communities and natural resources. The first C-130 available effective last fire season has flown 90 missions (on 36 fires) and dropped 252,702 gallons of fire retardant. Newsom praised late Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Ken Calvert, and Senator Alex Padilla for leading the effort to get approvals for transferring the aircraft from the Coast Guard to CAL Fire. HARARE Outspoken preacher Apostle Talent Chiwenga has launched a scathing attack on Pastor Ian Ndlovu, accusing him of compromising his spiritual integrity by accepting lavish gifts from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. The public criticism has ignited a heated debate about the role of religious leaders and the ethical implications of accepting donations from individuals with questionable sources of wealth. Chiwengas remarks, delivered with his characteristic bluntness, directly challenged Ndlovus scriptural interpretations and questioned the origins of the gifts, suggesting they were politically motivated rather than divinely sourced. The controversy stems from Chivayos recent donations to Prophet Ndlovu, which included two brand-new vehicles, a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR and a 2025 Toyota Fortuner 2.8D GD6, as well as substantial cash donations totaling US$150,000. Chivayo stated the vehicles, worth US$280,000, were gifts to recognise Ndlovus spiritual leadership and his work through Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries. He also pledged US$100,000 towards the completion of Ndlovus church building and US$50,000 to support Ndlovus wifes charitable initiatives. Chiwenga, however, sees the matter in a different light, accusing Ndlovu of being unduly influenced by Chivayos generosity. Ian Ndlovu is now Wicknell Chivayos sidechick, Apostle Chiwenga stated. Ian Ndlovu inzenza ya Wicknell Chivayo. You cant quote John Chapter 3 and say a man cannot receive anything except from God. We know the scriptures that say they are prophesying for a bribe. What you received is not from above. That car is not from above. It came from Zanu-PF. Wicknell Chivayo was very clear, everyone receiving cars from me, they must know its coming from Zanu-PF. Chiwenga implied that the gifts, particularly the vehicles, were not divinely sourced but rather politically motivated, citing Chivayos own statements that the gifts were connected to Zanu-PF. Chivayo had publicly praised Prophet Ndlovu for his unifying role in Zimbabwes spiritual landscape, highlighting his calls for national prayer and his avoidance of divisive rhetoric. Through the Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries, you have stood as a beacon of truth, unity and peace in the body of Christ. Your consistent calls for national prayer for our countrys leadership, regardless of political affiliation, is a mark of political maturity and spiritual integrity, Chivayo stated. What I admire most is that you never use the pulpit to sow division, but rather you have used it to foster dialogue and reconciliation. Prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo made a grand philanthropic gesture, donating two brand-new vehicles and a substantial cash package to Prophet Ian Ndlovu of Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries in recognition of his spiritual leadership and national influence. The donation, announced three weeks ago via social media, includes a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR for Prophet Ndlovu and a 2025 Toyota Fortuner 2.8D GD6 for his wife, Mrs Ndlovu. The latter vehicle is intended to assist in her charitable work across Matabeleland province. Chivayo, who is known for his generosity towards religious and social causes, expressed deep admiration for Prophet Ndlovus humility, prophetic gift, and commitment to unity in Zimbabwe. In my entire lifetime, I have met a few true prophets of God who remain full of humility despite having an exceptional gift of prophecy, evangelism, and giving spiritual counsel to the nation, Chivayo wrote. Today, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to a man of God whose ministry has touched countless lives. He praised Prophet Ndlovus consistent calls for national prayer and reconciliation across political divides, saying the clergymans work stands as a model of spiritual maturity and political neutrality. Through Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries, you have stood as a beacon of truth, unity, and peace in the body of Christ. What I admire most is that you never use the pulpit to sow division, but rather to foster dialogue and reconciliation. According to Chivayo, the vehicles-worth a combined US$280,000-are ready for collection at Faramatsi Motors in Harare. In addition to the vehicles, he pledged US$100,000 toward the completion of the churchs building project and a further US$50,000 to support Mrs Ndlovus charity programs. Chivayo concluded his message with a prayer for Prophet Ndlovus continued influence and preservation of his ministry. Zimbabwe is spiritually richer because of men of faith like you, he stated. Prophet Ian Ndlovu, born in Ntabazinduna in 1976, is widely respected for his work that bridges spiritual, academic, and philanthropic spheres. He holds degrees in Economics with Education, a Masters, and a PhD. He previously lectured at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) before fully dedicating himself to ministry. Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries, which began as a small prayer group, has grown into a global spiritual movement. Prophet Ndlovu has garnered international recognition, especially in Kenya, where his prophecies concerning political developments have reportedly materialized, further bolstering his profile as a pan-African spiritual leader. The controversy surrounding the gifts has also drawn attention to Chivayos own background and the source of his wealth. Chivayo is an ex-convict who allegedly benefitted millions through corruption. His sources of funds have long been unknown. But recent revelations from South African financial intelligence authorities showed that he benefitted close to R1 billion through controversial Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) contracts. He is being probed for potential money laundering and fraud. Sources close to the investigation suggest that this latest move is part of a strategy to sanitize dirty money through high-profile religious endorsements. In one photo, Prophet Ndlovu and his wife are seen proudly holding vehicle registration documents bearing the Zimbabwean government seal, an apparent attempt to showcase legitimacy. However, investigators believe these are merely part of a broader public relations smokescreen. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Yves here. William Lazonick has explained how financialization, particularly stock buybacks, share-price linked executive pay, and the outsized role and pay levels in asset management, particularly private equity and hedge funds, have been at least as destructive to middle and working-class standards of living as globalization. By Lynn Parramore. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website For the last 40 years, millions upon millions of hard-working Americans have been clocking in, doing their part and getting less in return. They are very upset, as well they should be. Wages have stalled. Job securitys a joke. Yet corporate profits are sky high. Just look at the scoreboard: In 2024, Apple raked in $93.7 billion, Alphabet (Googles parent company) pulled in $100.1 billion, and ExxonMobil reaped $33.6 billion. Yet the workers powering these companies arent seeing much of the immense value they have created. Some of Alphabets contract workers only recently fought their way up to $14.50 an hour. Thats not even close to a fair share of over $100 billion in profit. So wheres the money going? As economist William Lazonick, an expert on the American business corporation, points out, its not going to the people creating the value. Its going into stock buybacks, dividends, bloated CEO pay, and the war chests of hedge-fund activists. In 2024, Apple did $94.9 billion in buybacks, Alphabet $62.2 billion, and Exxon Mobil $19.6 billion. These big productive companies arent strugglingtheyre thriving. But instead of reinvesting in workers or society, theyre juicing their stock prices and enriching the top. Just look at General Motors (GM), where the United Auto Workers (UAW) staged a major, large, successful strike in September 2023only to have GM do $11.1 billion in stock buybacks in 2023 and $7.1 billion in 2024. Instead of using that money to pay workers better or invest in things that would actually help the company growlike new equipment, research, training, or EVsthe company spent it buying back its own stock in order to push up the stock price and make shareholders and top executives richer. Most workers dont realize how much is quietly being siphoned away. They might blame globalizationand sure, its part of the storybut they often miss the issue that tariffs wont touch: executives using Wall Street tricks to pocket profits that shouldve gone to the workers who earned them and helped make the profits possible. Tariffs promise to bring back well-paid jobs, but they ignore the core problem: even the jobs we do have, in some of the most profitable industries, still arent paying what they shouldand havent for decades. And its not because the money isnt thereits because of where its going. As Lazonick notes, UAW leader Shawn Fain has been supportiveof Trumps tariffs but what he and his members should be railing against is the $18.2 billion that GM spent on stock buybacks in 2023 and 2024. Lazonick points out that it wasnt always like this. In the mid-20th century, many American jobs came with decent pay, benefits, and social support for upward mobilitythough, of course, those gains were mostly reserved for white men. Still, back then, wages rose with productivity. When companies did well, workers shared in the success. And corporations and the wealthy accepted high tax rates that helped educate the labor force. That link is now broken, largely because companies have been allowed to get away with playing Wall Street games that short-change workers. Lazonick brings up an idea from economist William Baumols 2012 book The Cost Disease: Why Computers Get Cheaper and Health Care Doesnt. Baumol pointed out something interesting: industries that produce goodslike factories making computerscan boost productivity over time, which helps lower costs. But service-based industrieslike education and health caredont really have that option. A teacher still needs to spend about the same amount of time teaching a class, and a doctor still needs time with each patient. Even though they cant speed things up the way machines in factories can, these workers still need to be paid competitive wages. Thats what drives up costs in services over time, and its what Baumol called the cost disease. Not to worry, said Baumol. Our society can afford the education and health care we need by transferring the profits from the goods producers (such as Apple, Alphabet, and Exxon Mobil) to fund social services. But, as Lazonick points out in a forthcoming INET working paper on goods and services in the U.S. economy, the high profits of the goods producers have been funneled into buybacks and dividends that make the rich richer, who then transform their economic might into political power to demand even lower taxes. Meanwhile, most Americans experience deteriorating social serviceswhich, with the Republicans in control, are now on the chopping block. The result of extreme corporate financialization is that even in high-productivity sectors like manufacturing and tech, wages lag behind. Companies are more productive and profitable than ever, but the gains are being concentrated at the top. Take a new chip or drugcostly to develop, cheap to mass-produce, and easy to sell worldwide. Thats the promise of scalable tech: big profits with low unit costs. Its paying offjust not for most workers. So what should those profits be doing? Lazonick argues that in a healthy economy, the incredible profits generated by high-productivity companies shouldnt be used to do buybacks and flow to shareholdersthey should be reinvested in the productive capabilities of the labor force and in the provision of the high-quality social services that we all need. That means paying workers their fair share and funding essential services like education, health care, public safety, environmental protection, and the artsmost of which arent, or shouldnt be, driven by profit (though private equity companies are trying to squeeze profits out of them). Lazonick, building on Baumols insight, points out that we have the economic capacity to support all of thisthe real question is, do we choose to? Because the point of an economy isnt just to provide jobs so people can scrape by. Its to raise living standards for everyone and ensure that prosperity is shared. Thats why profitable companies should be sharing more of the gains with their employees. And thats why the country needs a fair corporate tax rate. As Lazonick argues: Thats where you get the money you recognize those corporations are actually living off society, and they need to pay their workers more and pay their taxes so that we can give everybody the services that make life worth living and, by the way, keep the economy productive. And heres the political punch: when people feel secure when they have decent jobs, health care, and a future theyre less likely to fall for fear-based politics. A fair economy supports a healthy democracy which, Lazonick notes, is why people who are not interested in a fair economy dont actually want people to feel secure. The bottom line is that as long as we stay locked into shareholder value ideology where boosting stock price is all that matters American workers will keep losing ground, and our overall quality of life will keep slipping. Lazonick notes that this deeply flawed mindset, popularized in the 80s when greed is good became Wall Streets mantra, continues to dominate corporate boardrooms despite being exposed as a failure that ruins the long-term value of companies, fleeces workers, and harms society. It still goes largely unchallenged, even by many Democrats, who need to confront practices like stock buybacks head-on if theyre serious about improving American job quality. Lazonicks core message is straightforward: those massive corporate profits are not just private gains. Theyre built on public investment and worker productivity. Taxpayer-funded research, public infrastructure, and a trained labor force all make them possible. So when companies play Wall Street games with profits and hoard rewards only for the top, its not just unfairits a failure of the entire economic system. For decades, workers have been told to tighten their belts, work harder, and wait for the gains to trickle down. But the gains already happenedtheyre just going elsewhere, and tariffs wont fix it. If we want an economy that actually works, we need to remember what its for: not just growth, but shared prosperity. Not just jobs, but better lives. The money is there. And a big chunk of it is rightfully ours. They are having serious debates on Israeli TV as to whether newborn babies in Gaza are innocent or whether they should be killed. Seldom is the question asked in the West how other Middle Eastern societies can live safely next to this Israeli society. pic.twitter.com/VFqCdVxXol Trita Parsi (@tparsi) April 24, 2025 Back to Normal Erm, Not Quite. Once again, a major UK retailer has provided a perfect demonstration of what can happen when the tightly coupled digital payment systems that underpin our seamless consumption lifestyle suddenly buckle. Millions of customers of Marks and Spencer, one of the countrys largest and oldest high street retailers, have had to endure a week of operational mayhem after the retailer suffered what it calls a cyber incident. The problems began during the Easter weekend when M&S customers started reporting issues with contactless payments and online order delays. On Tuesday, the company confirmed that it was dealing with a cyber incident. Then, on Wednesday, it told the media that its customer-facing operations were back to normal. But that didnt last long. A day later, it had little choice but to take some operations offline as part of its proactive management of the incident. M&S has also paused click and collect orders and contactless payments. Staff at the companys London HQ were also told to stop using the buildings wifi. While M&S has notified data protection supervisory authorities and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), it has not disclosed any concrete details about the nature of the cyber incident or whether customer data has been compromised. Meanwhile, no ransomware gangs or other threat actors have claimed responsibility for the attack, possibly because the attackers are attempting to pressure M&S into paying an extortion demand, said cybersecurity firm Cytex. If ransomware is indeed behind the attack, that data will probably have been ransacked and is being used as additional leverage to compel payment. And when it comes to customer data, M&S has vast deposits of the stuff. The company has over 5 million store card holders while its Sparks loyalty scheme has over 16 million members globally, including millions of customers in India where it has roughly 100 stores. The companys stores have remained open throughout the week. However, it has stopped taking orders entirely through its website and app, which account for more than a third of its clothing and homeware sales, and contactless payments are still apparently unavailable in stores. As the BBC reported on Thursday, the chaos and uncertainty show no sign of letting up as the fallout from the cyber incident continues to hamper operations: Contactless payments have since been restored, the BBC has been told, however this has been questioned by some customers. BBC staff have described witnessing the impact of the suspension of contactless payments. At Euston station, in London, shop staff were seen shouting that it was cash only as the payments system was down. Disruption was also seen in Glasgow, and a store at Edinburgh Haymarket seemingly closed early. M&S says it had made the decision to move some of our processes offline to protect our colleagues, partners, suppliers and our business. But stores remain open and customers could continue to shop on our website and our app, the statement added. But confusion has reigned on social media amongst M&S customers. The firm has responded to some posts on X (formerly Twitter) in the past few hours advising customers contactless payments can be taken in stores However, this has been contradicted by some individuals, with one saying: That is wrong only chip and pin or cash is working. In other words, shoppers who exclusively use mobile payment apps for their purchases will have walked away empty-handed. According to UK Finance, a British trade association for the UK banking and financial services sector, as many as one-third of UK adults now use mobile contactless payments. When it comes to embracing contactless payments in general, the UK is ahead of most of its peers, including the US, which explains why payment outages in the UK tend to take such a toll. Whereas contactless payments are becoming increasingly common in the US, they are more or less ubiquitous in the UK. Contactless transactions in the UK surged from 6.6 billion in 2018 to 18.3 billion in 2023, according to a study by the credit card processor Clearly Payments. To put that in perspective, the US, a country with a population five times larger than the UKs, registered a slightly lower volume of contactless transactions. The UKs adoption rate for contactless payments, at 93.4%, is only bettered by Singapore (97%) and Australia (95%), according to Forbes. Part of a Broader Trend This is not the first time that IT system outages have caused problems on the British high street and retail parks. When Visas payment system for Western Europe suffered a 12-hour outage in 2018, the chaos it caused in the UK was particularly acute due to the fact that a staggering 1 in every 3 of all retail spending passed through Visas systems accounts and that was seven years ago! In May 2024, the supermarket giant Sainsburys suffered a massive outage that disabled contactless and mobile payments across all of its stores for an entire Saturday. Sainsburys blamed the outage on a software glitch that impacted its online ordering system and contactless in-store payments. To compound matters, hours after Sainsburys system went down, Tesco, the UKs largest supermarket chain, with some 4,000 stores, announced that it, too, was having to cancel online orders due to a technical issue. As we reported at the time, in a country where the overwhelming majority of people have abandoned cash in favour of the speed and convenience of contactless payments and where banks have been closing branches and ATMs at breakneck speed, making it harder for their customers to access cash, the result was chaos. A couple of months later, when the Crowdstrike IT software glitch brought down global IT networks, the UK was once again disproportionately impacted. Four of the countrys largest newspapers The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Times and The Daily Mail even ran articles on how the global IT outage had underscored the fragility of a cashless society. The Daily Mail plastered the message across its front page: Warnings from Scandinavia One of the most important arguments in favour of cash, which we keep banging on about, is the resilience it provides to a countrys overarching payments system. Put another way, cash does not crash. It does not fail in a power cut or seize up during a cyber attack or software outage (though, of course, ATMs might). By contrast, digital payment systems generally need a stable and continuous internet connection and power supply to process transactions. They are also vulnerable to cyber attacks. This is a lesson central bankers in Sweden, one of the worlds most cashless economies, are frantically relearning. From our post, The Worlds Oldest Central Bank Keeps Sounding Alarm on Fragility of Cashless Economies. Are Other Central Banks Listening? After playing a part in the wholesale removal of cash from Swedens economy, the Riksbank is now trying to reverse some of the damage it has caused. It is not the only Scandinavian central bank to have flagged up the fragility risks of exclusively digital payment systems. In 2022, the Bank of Finland recommended that the use of cash payments be guaranteed by law. Like all Nordic countries, Finland is a largely cash-free economy. But like Sweden, it has begun to see the risks of going too far, too soon. Since then, Norway has also brought in legislation that means retailers can be fined or sanctioned if they refuse to accept cash. The government has also urged citizens to keep some cash on hand due to the vulnerabilities of digital payment solutions to cyber-attacks. As The Guardian put it, Nordic countries were early adopters of digital payments. Now, electronic banking is seen as a potential threat to national security. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said of the UK, where successive governments refuse to take any action to protect the use of cash in retail settings. It is also becoming more and more difficult to use cash to pay for basic services, including car parks, train buffets and leisure centres. The vast majority of the public want cash to be honoured as a payment, said Ron Delnevo, chair of the Payment Choice Alliance, which campaigns for the long-term future of cash services. Delnovo pointed to a survey conducted by YouGov in June 2023 on behalf of the alliance revealed that 71% of British adults would support a legal requirement for businesses to accept cash. An early day motion tabled in parliament in February called for the government to implement legislation to require all businesses in the UK to accept cash, but ministers have steadfastly refused. This makes it all the more impressive that cash use has rebounded for the past two years despite the concerted efforts by the government, banks and retailers to limit its use. With a little luck, the past weeks mayhem at Marks & Spencer will help to accentuate this trend. One also hopes that companies are taking stock of these events and realising that their business continuity plans must contain analogue backups that allow transactions to continue with cash instore. Arizona governor signs bill banning ultra-processed foods in schools Arizona's HB 2164, the "Arizona Healthy Schools Act," bans ultra-processed foods containing harmful additives (e.g., potassium bromate, synthetic dyes) in public school cafeterias and vendor-sold meals. The law takes effect in the 20262027 school year. The additives are linked to childhood obesity, diabetes, behavioral disorders and other health issues. The law emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods for taxpayer-funded school meals. Backed by both parties and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., enforcement falls to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), requiring compliance reports but no major administrative overhaul. California's AB 418 (the "Food Safety Act") bans four additives (e.g., red dye No. 3, brominated vegetable oil) statewide by 2027, with fines up to $10,000 for violations. Unlike Arizona's school-focused law, this applies to all food sales. Both laws aim to push manufacturers to reformulate products with safer alternatives. Major brands like Coke and Pepsi have already phased out some of these ingredients voluntarily. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a legislation prohibiting ultra-processed foods from being sold or served in school cafeterias and third-party vendors in Arizona public schools on April 14. House Bill 2164, dubbed as "Arizona Healthy Schools Act," targets additives found in popular snacks such as Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts, Froot Loops and nacho cheese Doritos. These additives include potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, yellow dyes (5.25 and 6.26), blue dyes (1.27 and 2.28), green dye (3.29) and red dyes (3.30 and 40.31) that are linked to childhood obesity, diabetes and behavioral disorders. The legislation, which received bipartisan backing and championed by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., states that "ultraprocessed, industrially manufactured, nutrient-depleted food with synthetic additives is undernourishing minors at public schools." So, it mandates that "any taxpayer-funded meal or snack program offered to minors at public schools in this state should be nutritious and made primarily of whole, minimally processed plant or animal products." "It was an honor welcoming @SecKennedy to the Arizona Capitol last week to celebrate the passing of my bills HB2164 and HB2165. Republicans and Democrats are united in making sure our school children are eating foods without toxic dyes and chemicals! #MAHA @RobSchneider," state Rep. Leo Biasiucci, a Republican who co-sponsored the legislation, posted on his official account on X, formerly known as Twitter. However, the law, which will take effect in the 2026-2027 school year, does not prohibit parents from packing these foods for their children but regulates school-provided meals and snacks. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) will oversee enforcement, requiring schools to certify compliance and publicly report their adherence. The law's administrative burden is minimal, relying on existing staff to implement the changes. California bans the manufacture, sale or distribution of four food additives statewide This move follows the landmark Assembly Bill 418, dubbed as the Food Safety Act, in California. AB 418, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2023, bans the manufacture, sale or distribution of four additives including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben and Red Dye No. 3. These additives are linked to health issues like cancer, hormone disruption and mood disorders and commonly found in popular cereals, sodas, candies and baked goods. (Related: Newsom orders crackdown on processed foods as obesity epidemic grows.) Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), who authored the bill, emphasized that the law does not ban specific foods but rather pushes manufacturers to make minor recipe changes and switch to safer alternatives. "What we're really trying to get them to do is to change their recipes. All of these are nonessential ingredients," Gabriel said at that time. Major brands, including Coke, Pepsi, Gatorade and Panera, have already phased out some of these ingredients. The law, set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, will impose fines of up to $10,000 for violations. It also applies statewide, whereas Arizona's measure focuses solely on schools. StopEatingPoison.com has more stories about the dangers of ultra-processed foods. Watch the following video to learn what ultra-processed foods do to the body. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Studies show ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS put millions of people in the U.K. at risk of cardiovascular disease. Ultra-processed foods cause cognitive decline and dementia, study finds. Study: Consumption of processed foods can negatively affect brain function. Ultra-processed foods and beverages increase the risk of disease and early death; eating more whole foods is key to improving overall health. Replace ultra-processed foods with these HEALTHY alternatives. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Azleg.gov USAToday.com X.com AZFreenews.com LATimes.com Brighteon.com Big Ag exploits RFK Jr.s organic advocacy to push unregulated GMO biologicals Global agribusiness giants like Bayer and Syngenta are repackaging genetically modified (GM) biologicals as eco-friendly solutions, capitalizing on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s organic farming advocacy while sidestepping safety reviews. These engineered microbes, marketed as sustainable alternatives, often lock farmers into corporate dependency. The $15 billion biologicals market includes lab-edited microbes (e.g., Pivot Bios nitrogen-fixing bacteria) exempt from rigorous U.S. safety assessments. Despite failed yield results in trials and risks like allergen transfer or soil disruption, lax regulations shaped by industry lobbying allow unchecked deployment. Kennedys calls for pesticide reduction and health-conscious agriculture are exploited to legitimize risky GM technologies, undermining organic principles. Critics argue these products perpetuate monocultures and genetic contamination, ignoring authentic agroecological practices like crop rotation. Unlike Europes mandatory GMO labeling, the U.S. permits untested GM biologicals in food and soil. Independent studies linking GMOs to health risks (e.g., allergies, livestock sterility) are suppressed, while the 2012 Prop 37 labeling battles legacy highlights corporate resistance. A revolving door between regulators and industry exacerbates distrust. The push for biologicals pits corporate profit against soil health and biodiversity. Advocates demand transparency, long-term environmental studies and prioritizing community-led farming practices over unproven corporate solutions to avoid repeating industrial agricultures harmful legacy. In a cynical marketing twist, global agribusiness giants are co-opting Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s organic farming advocacy to promote a new wave of genetically modified "biologicals" substances derived from living organisms, some engineered in labs with unknown long-term risks. While Kennedy champions pesticide reduction and organic practices, corporations like Bayer, Syngenta and Corteva are rebranding GMO microbes as eco-friendly solutions, sidestepping rigorous safety reviews. This maneuver, critics warn, threatens human health, biodiversity and small-scale farmers autonomy. The "biologicals" bait-and-switch The farming industry is shifting toward "biologicals," a 15 billion market projected to reach 25 billion by 2030. While some products, like beneficial nematodes or compost teas, align with organic principles, others are genetically engineered microbes with scant oversight. For example, Pivot Bios gene-edited nitrogen-fixing bacteria, marketed as a synthetic fertilizer alternative, showed no yield boost in 51 of 53 university trials yet skirted USDA safety assessments due to lax regulation. Syngentas Jonty Brown admits farmers globally "want to use biologicals," but omits that many are patented GMOs designed to lock growers into corporate dependence. Meanwhile, USDA guidelines influenced by industry lobbying exempt most gene-edited microbes from review, despite risks like allergen transfer or soil ecosystem disruption. RFK Jr.s vision vs. corporate greenwashing Kennedy, a vocal critic of glyphosate and industrial agriculture, has unwittingly become a poster child for this push. His calls to "Make America Healthy Again" are being exploited to legitimize products like GM soil treatments and pesticide-resistant microbes, which organic advocates argue perpetuate monoculture farming and genetic contamination. "These companies are hijacking regenerative agriculture," said Claire Robinson of GMWatch. "Theyre using Kennedys credibility to sell unproven, potentially hazardous technologies while marginalizing real solutions like crop rotation and agroecology. These practices also degrade soil health, threatening long-term agricultural sustainability," she added. The hidden costs of skipping safety studies Unlike Europe, where GMO labeling is mandatory, the U.S. allows untested GM biologicals to enter fields and food chains. Pivot Bio insists its microbes are "regulated," yet a 2022 industry letter to the USDA lobbied to exempt gene-edited organisms from review a plea partially granted in 2024. Independent studies linking GMOs to sterility in animals and allergy spikes are frequently suppressed. For example, genetically engineered soybeans with Brazil nut genes triggered allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, a risk proponents downplay. Farmers like Indianas Rick Clark, who transitioned to chemical-free farming, warn that abrupt shifts could backfire: "You cant expect growers to change overnight." But with Big Ags "snake oil" marketing and Kennedys rhetoric divorced from policy action, the U.S. risks trading pesticide dependence for uncontrolled GMO contamination. Transparency or corporate control? The fight mirrors past battles over GMO labeling, which 90% of Americans support. Prop. 37s legacy defeated after agribusiness spent millions opposing it lingers as a cautionary tale. "If biologicals are so safe," Robinson asks, "why resist labeling and independent studies?" The revolving door between government agencies and industry (e.g., ex-regulators now lobbying for biotech firms) exacerbates mistrust. Meanwhile, the lack of long-term environmental impact assessments (a key criticism in independent research) leaves ecosystems vulnerable. A crossroads for food sovereignty The exploitation of RFK Jr.s platform underscores a broader struggle: Will farming prioritize people and ecosystems, or corporate profits masked as sustainability? Until independent science and transparency prevail, the "biologicals" boom risks becoming another chapter in industrial agricultures legacy of hidden risks and broken promises. For consumers and farmers alike, the demand is clear: Know whats in your soil and your food. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org WSJ.com Bloomberg.com FDA cracks down on Big Pharma influence, but conflicts remain The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is banning direct pharmaceutical industry employees from its advisory committees to reduce corporate influence and improve transparency, as announced by its new Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. Advisory panels have long included experts with financial ties to drug companies, raising concerns about impartiality in drug approvals and safety decisions. While direct employees are barred, exceptions exist for specialized expertise, and indirect conflicts (e.g., consulting fees, research grants) persist among many committee members. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pushed for stricter conflict-of-interest rules, aligning with this policy, but critics argue it doesnt go far enough to address deep-seated financial ties. The FDA faces skepticism due to past controversies, and while the move is a step toward transparency, critics stress that broader reforms are needed to fully restore confidence in the agencys impartiality. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to remove pharmaceutical industry employees from its advisory committees in an effort to restore public trust and reduce corporate influence. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced the policy shift on Thursday, April 17, framing it as a move toward "radical transparency." But while the change sounds like a win for accountability, critics argue that deep-seated conflicts of interest from consulting fees to research funding will still linger. For decades, the FDA has faced accusations of being too close to the companies it regulates. Advisory committees, which help guide the agencys decisions on drug approvals and safety, have often included scientists and doctors with financial ties to pharmaceutical giants. While these experts bring valuable knowledge, their industry connections raise concerns about impartiality. (Related: There is a war between Big Pharma and the American people ... and the FDA just chose to side with Big Pharma.) Makary acknowledged this problem, stating that while collaboration with industry is necessary for efficiency, scientific evaluations must remain independent. The new policy bars direct employees of drug companies from serving on these panels, but they can still attend meetings as observers. Despite the ban, the FDA's announcement leaves room for exceptions. If a committee requires specialized expertise only available from an industry insider, that person may still be allowed to participate. Additionally, some panels are legally required to include non-voting industry representatives under the FDA Modernization Act of 1997. More troubling, however, are the indirect conflicts. Many committee members though not direct employees have received consulting fees, research grants, or royalties from drugmakers. For example, Dr. Paul Offit a prominent vaccine expert on the FDA's advisory panel co-invented a rotavirus vaccine later commercialized by Merck. His hospital holds the patent, which Merck licenses a financial entanglement that critics say blurs objectivity. Kennedy's push for cleaner committees The move aligns with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s broader campaign to root out corporate influence in federal health agencies. Kennedy has been vocal about his distrust of the FDA's relationship with Big Pharma, calling for stricter conflict-of-interest rules. Earlier this year, he pledged to replace advisory members with financial ties to industry a promise that may now be gaining traction. Yet skeptics question whether this policy goes far enough. A 2021 investigation found that every member of the FDA committee that authorized Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines had ties to pharmaceutical companies. Similarly, a recent review of a heart device panel revealed that 10 of 14 doctors had financial connections to manufacturer Abbott. Public confidence in the FDA has eroded, particularly after controversial decisions during the pandemic. The agencys abrupt cancellation of a key vaccine advisory meeting earlier this year fueled suspicions of political interference. Meanwhile, whistleblowers have accused the FDA of rushing approvals under industry pressure a perception Makary hopes to change. By elevating patient and caregiver voices, the FDA aims to counterbalance corporate influence. But unless it also addresses the web of financial ties among supposedly "independent" experts, critics argue that real reform remains elusive. Head over to FDA.news for more similar stories. Watch Robert Scott Bell and Nicole Mueller-Yuri discussing why a shakeup of the FDA's advisory boards is a good thing in this clip. This video is from The Robert Scott Bell Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: FDA to bar pharma employees from advisory committees. The FDA & Big Pharma Alliance: Lethal cover ups. FDA buries scientific misconduct to protect Big Pharma. FDA approved Big Pharma drugs without effectiveness data. The world according to the FDA and Big Pharma. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Reuters.com FiercePharma.com Brighteon.com Flaws in landmark vaccine study spark renewed autism-link debate The JAMA Pediatrics study relied on nine prior studies, including two review articles by CDC scientist William Thompsonwho admitted to omitting data linking vaccines to autismand a fraudulent study by Poul Thorsen, later indicted for embezzlement. Multiple cited studies were debunked or retracted. Advocates like Steve Kirsch cite parent-reported surveys showing a dose-response relationship between vaccines and autism rates, along with case studies of rapid-onset autism post-vaccination. Independent replication efforts are rare, raising concerns about institutional bias. Whistleblower revelations and legal cases expose repeated instances of manipulated or omitted data, such as the CDCs 2004 study hiding elevated autism risks in Black children and Thorsens discredited 2002 study. Congressional testimony on these issues remains sealed. Lack of transparency fuels vaccine hesitancy, with 51% of U.S. adults skeptical. Advocates demand independent research, congressional hearings on CDC misconduct, and retractions of fraudulent studies to restore confidence in public health institutions. The debate highlights systemic issues in scientific integrity, with advocates and critics locked in conflict over suppressed evidence. Until independent reviews and transparency are prioritized, families and policymakers face unresolved questions about vaccine safety. A recent CNN headline linked to a JAMA Pediatrics study declared that children with autism are less likely to be fully vaccinated, a statement widely interpreted as proof that vaccines do not cause autism. However, critics argue the studys conclusions are based on compromised research, including review articles by a problematic CDC scientist, fraudulent data and debunked studies. The backlash highlights a decades-long conflict over vaccine safety and transparency, with advocates now demanding independent replication of findings and accountability for suppressed evidence. The flawed foundations of the JAMA studys evidence The JAMA Pediatrics study drew on nine prior research papers to support its claim. However, scrutiny has revealed significant flaws in its foundational evidence. Two of the cited studies were merely review articles written by William Thompson, a former CDC scientist who later admitted under oath to suppressing data linking vaccines to autism in a 2004 study. Thompsons work omitted critical findings, such as a doubled risk of autism in African American children exposed to the MMR vaccine, according to internal communications. Another cited study was exposed as fraudulent when its lead author, Danish researcher Poul Thorsen, fled the U.S. in 2011 after being indicted for embezzling millions in research funds. Moreover, one study analysis of the MMR vaccine was revoked after subsequent CDC data undermined its conclusions, and another was discredited when correlations between vaccine schedules and autism arose in independent analyses. These studies were never viable pillars of evidence, said health freedom advocate Steve Kirsch, whose research identifies alarming trends in parent-reported data. The medical establishment cant explain away the evidence weve producedand theyre desperate to avoid scrutiny. Emerging evidence from advocates challenges vaccine safety claims Kirschs controversial survey of 12,000 parents found a consistent link between the number of childhood vaccines and autism diagnoses. The linear relationshipmore vaccines correlated with higher autism ratesaligns with statistical principles of causality. The dose-response curve is textbook, Kirsch noted. This isnt some fringe theory; its basic epidemiology. Even more striking was pediatrician Doug Hulstedts case study: 44 instances of rapid-onset autism all occurred within seven days of a vaccine dose, a pattern Kirsch calculates as statistically impossible (1 chance in 1.7e13) if random. Despite the datas complexity, replication efforts have stalled. Kirsch questions systemic bias within academic institutions. No researcher with funding wants to challenge the status quo, he said. Meanwhile, the AI system ChatGPT declared the evidence made a vaccine-autism link more likely than not, underscoring the shifting terrain of scientific consensus. A troubled history: Fraud, whistleblowers and omitted data The controversy is part of a broader pattern. In 2015, a JAMA study ostensibly refuting the MMR-autism link actually revealed a 48% higher autism risk in vaccinated children with non-autistic siblings. Similarly, a 2004 CDC study coauthored by Thompson found a two-fold risk in Black children but omitted this in its published results. Thompson, subpoenaed to testify in Congress in 2017, was interrogated at a private hearing that was never made publica move advocates call an attempt to bury inconvenient truths. Theres a reason Congress was in secret, Kirsch stated. Theyre protecting reputations over kids lives. Critics also point to the New England Journal of Medicines 2002 study by Thorsen, which allegedly hid a 45% association between MMR and autism, and was later discredited entirely after Thorsens disappearance. Implications: Why this matters for public trust and health policy The debate transcends academia. About 51% of U.S. adults express vaccine hesitancy or opposition, according to Autism Investigated. Beyond personal choice, the lack of transparency fuels systemic distrust. When journals bury data or researchers face gag orders, it erodes faith in public health, said Dr. Helen Ratajczak, a former CDC contractor. Kirsch argues that the scientific method itself is under strain: You cant prove a negativelike no vaccine-autism linkbecause that requires infinitely disproving every possible cause. He urges independent trials using direct parent interviews, a method most institutions avoid. The CDC has been reluctant to address these concerns. It faces callsled by advocatesfor an open congressional hearing on William Thompsons role, litigation over data suppression, and voluntary withdrawals of fraudulent research from journals. Seeking truth in the face of scientific conundrum As the JAMA Pediatrics studys credibility unravels, the urgency for honest science grows. With advocates presenting stark evidence and institutions resisting reckoning, the public is left navigating a maze of conflicting claims. This isnt just about vaccines, said Dr. Jessica Rose, a physician quoted in Kirschs findings. Its about who gets to define truth when childrens futures are at stake. Until transparency and independent peer review prevail, the debaterooted in errors, fraud and buried datawill continue to haunt public health discourse. For now, families, researchers and policymakers remain in limbo, awaiting answers that may demand confronting uncomfortable realities. Sources include: Substack.com TheEpochTimes.com Floridas six-week abortion ban leads to sharpest infanticide decline among U.S. states Florida saw the sharpest drop in abortions (14 percent, or 12,100 fewer procedures) among U.S. states after its six-week ban took effect in 2024, contrasting with a slight national increase. The law, prohibiting abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected (with limited exceptions), drastically reduced procedures, drawing praise from pro-life advocates and criticism from abortion rights groups. Florida previously served as a regional hub, but out-of-state abortions fell by 80 percent, with patients traveling farther to less restrictive states like Virginia or California. While Florida's bans reduced abortions, the U.S. overall saw a slight rise due to mail-order abortion pills, which now account for over half of all abortions, circumventing state restrictions. Florida's laws have intensified the national debate, with pro-life groups pushing for stricter federal regulations on abortion pills and advocates warning of reduced access, especially in the South. Florida has seen the most dramatic drop in abortions of any U.S. state following the implementation of its six-week ban in 2024, according to a new report from the Guttmacher Institute. The pro-abortion research group found that abortions in the Sunshine State fell by 12,100 from 85,770 in 2023 to 73,710 in 2024 marking a 14 percent decline. This stark reduction contrasts with national trends where abortions rose slightly overall, driven by states with looser restrictions and the proliferation of mail-order abortion pills. The data underscores the life-saving impact of pro-life legislation while exposing the ongoing battle over abortion access in post-Roe America. Florida's six-week abortion ban, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April 2023, prohibits most abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected. However, it allows exceptions for rape, incest or alleged threats to the mothers life or health. The law, which took effect in May 2024, has drastically reduced the number of abortions performed in the state. Pro-life advocates argue that the measure affirms the fundamental right to life for unborn children, while abortion rights groups decry it as an infringement on womens autonomy. (Related: Newsom calls on Florida women to come to California for abortions after passage of six-week abortion ban in Sunshine State.) Before the ban, Florida was a regional hub for abortions particularly for women traveling from neighboring Southern states with stricter laws. In 2023, an estimated 9,000 out-of-state women obtained abortions in Florida. But by May 2024, Planned Parenthood reported an 80 percent decline in out-of-state patients. Many instead sought abortions in Virginia, Kansas or even as far as New York and California states with fewer restrictions. This shift highlights how abortion policies in one state can dramatically alter national trends. Abortion remains a problem in America While Florida saw the sharpest decline, the U.S. as a whole experienced a slight increase in abortions rising from 1,033,740 in 2023 to 1,038,090 in 2024. This uptick is largely attributed to the widespread availability of abortion pills by mail, which bypass state restrictions. Pro-life leaders warn that unless federal action is taken to curb the distribution of these drugs, state-level bans will remain vulnerable to circumvention. Medication abortions now account for more than half of all U.S. abortions, according to Guttmacher. The Biden administration has expanded access to these drugs, including through telehealth and interstate shipments, undermining pro-life laws. Critics argue this creates a dangerous loophole, allowing women in restrictive states to obtain abortions without medical oversight. Given this, pro-life lawmakers are pushing for stricter federal regulations to close this gap. Florida's abortion decline is a testament to the effectiveness of pro-life legislation, yet the national increase reveals the challenges of enforcing such laws in an era of mail-order abortion drugs. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: The fight over abortion in America is far from over. Watch Sheriff Richard Mack and the Health Ranger Mike Adams discuss abortion and Planned Parenthood's funding sources in this "Health Ranger Report" interview excerpt. This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Planned Parenthood bills Medicaid for webcam abortions. Planned Parenthood brags about defeating law banning webcam abortions. Abortions in Texas drop 97% after Roe v. Wade overturn. Medical licenses no longer required to perform abortions in California. Planned Parenthood accused of trafficking minors to carry out more abortions. Sources include: InfoWars.com Tallahassee.com Assets.LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com UN warns Gaza faces worst humanitarian crisis yet as Israel blocks aid for 50 days Gazas 2.1 million residents are currently facing the "worst humanitarian situation" with starvation, disease, and collapsing hospitals adding to their misery. Israel blocks 3,000 UN aid trucks, worsening the deliberate "man-made" crisis and keeping people from receiving much-needed aid. UNRWA describes Gaza as a "land of desperation" where hunger is a weapon of war. International powers condemn Israels blockade, but aid remains inaccessible amid rising deaths. Aid groups warn that famine is rapidly unfolding as diplomatic solutions fail. For more than 50 days, Gazas 2.1 million residents, most of them women and children, have been trapped in what the United Nations calls the "worst humanitarian situation" since the war began. With no aid allowed in, starvation, disease, and desperation have reached catastrophic levels. The UN reports that flour has run out, bakeries are shuttered, and hospitals teeter on collapse. Meanwhile, lifesaving aid trucks, including 3,000 from the UNs relief agency (UNRWA), sit idle at the border, blocked by Israel in a move condemned by humanitarian groups as "deliberate" and "man-made" suffering. A "land of desperation" Gazas hunger crisis is no longer a looming threat but a brutal reality. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini described the territory as a "land of desperation," where aid is "used as a bargaining chip and a weapon of war." He stated plainly: "Hunger is spreading and deepening, deliberate and manmade. Two million people a majority of women and children are undergoing collective punishment." The statistics are dire: Only 250 food parcels remain in UNRWAs stocks, fuel for hospitals is nearly exhausted, and clean drinking water is almost nonexistent. Oxfam reports that sanitation systems have collapsed, and prices for essentials have skyrocketed. The UNs humanitarian office, OCHA, warned this week: "Right now is probably the worst humanitarian situation we have seen throughout the war in Gaza." International condemnation Germany, France, and the UK issued a rare joint statement demanding Israel lift the blockade, emphasizing that "humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool." They cited international law, which obliges Israel to ensure civilians receive basic supplies. Israel, however, denies responsibility, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein claiming there is "no shortage of aid in Gaza" and blaming Hamas for diverting resourcesan accusation aid groups dispute. Meanwhile, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that Gaza has become a "mass grave," with over 50,000 killed since October 2023, nearly a third of them children. At least 409 aid workers, mostly from UNRWA, have been killed, including 11 MSF staff. Claire Magone of MSF France condemned Israels "complete disregard" for humanitarian workers, adding that "the silence of Israels closest allies emboldens these actions." Failed systems and unheeded warnings Even coordination mechanisms like the UNs Humanitarian Notification System, designed to protect aid workers, have broken down. MSF described incidents where clearly marked medical facilities were hit despite prior notifications. Pope Francis, in his final Easter message, denounced Gazas "deplorable humanitarian situation," urging an immediate ceasefire in a call that was echoed by European leaders. Yet the violence continues. On April 23, an Israeli airstrike hit a former school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, killing 10. Israel claimed Hamas used the site as a command center, but survivors recounted scenes of burned tents and civilian casualties. A crisis with no end in sight As the blockade stretches into its eighth week, Gazas civiliansstarving, traumatized, and unprotected are paying the ultimate price. "Famine is not just a risk, but likely rapidly unfolding," warned 12 major aid groups. With diplomatic efforts stalled and aid frozen, the world watches as Gazas humanitarian catastrophe spirals further out of control. For now, the only certainty is more suffering. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com Yahoo.com News.UN.org DoctorsWithoutBorders.org The-Independent.com Reuters.com Elon Musk to scale back involvement with Trumps DOGE as Tesla profits take massive hit Elon Musk announced he will significantly reduce his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) starting in May to refocus on Tesla after the company reported a 71 percent drop in quarterly profits. DOGE, established in January 2025, aims to audit agencies like the IRS and cut $2 trillion in federal spending. Musk, serving as co-chair, is subject to a 130-day federal ethics cap, requiring his exit by late May though President Donald Trump hopes he stays longer. Musk's government role has sparked legal scrutiny, protests and Tesla dealership vandalism. Meanwhile, Tesla's Q1 2025 earnings plunged, with automotive revenue down 20 percent and deliveries falling 13 percent due to weakened demand. Tesla's stock dropped 37 percent in 2025 amid supply-chain disruptions and Trump's 25 percent auto tariffs. Musk admitted his DOGE work contributed to Tesla's struggles. Analysts like Dan Coatsworth cite "rock-bottom" expectations for Tesla due to EV battery shortages and political uncertainty. Former Tesla executive Georg Ell criticized Musk's leadership style, urging him to focus on Tesla's core business. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that he will "significantly" scale back his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) starting in May to refocus on Tesla after the automaker reported a 71 percent drop in quarterly profits. DOGE, established via executive order in January, was tasked with auditing agencies like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and cutting at least $2 trillion in federal spending over seven years a key Trump 2024 campaign pledge. Musk, appointed last year to lead DOGE, has been in continued collaboration with the Trump administration to eliminate federal waste and fraud. Under federal ethics rules, Musk's role as a special government employee caps his service at 130 days. He must exit by late May, but President Donald Trump expects him to stay "a few months" longer. However, the high-profile government role of Musk has drawn legal scrutiny, protests and even vandalism at Tesla dealerships. The automotive revenue of the automaker dropped to 20 percent year-over-year to $13.9 billion, with deliveries falling 13 percent to 336,681 vehicles. Tesla's stock has plummeted 37 percent this year, though it remains up 67 percent compared to early 2024. Tesla blamed weakening demand on "uncertainty about U.S. tariffs and changing political sentiment." Trump's 25 percent auto import tariffs have also disrupted supply chains, raising costs despite Tesla's continued U.S. production in California and Texas. "This is a very expensive job," Musk said during the recent town hall, regarding his White House involvement. "Tesla stock and the stock of everyone who holds Tesla has gone roughly in half. I mean, it's a big deal." (Related: Tesla suspends shipment of critical components from China due to escalating tariffs.) Musk acknowledged that his DOGE association has fueled backlash, so he announced that he will be allocating more time to Tesla. "Starting next month, I'll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla," Musk said among his investors, adding that the "major work of establishing the Department of Government Efficiency is done." The statement came as Tesla released its first-quarter 2025 financials, showing net income of $409 million on $19.3 billion in revenue a sharp decline from the same period last year. Analyst: Tesla's problems are mounting Tesla is already facing multiple challenges, including declining vehicle deliveries and investor skepticism. "Tesla's problems are mounting," said Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst at AJ Bell, a British public limited company that provides online investment platforms and stockbroker services. He even declared expectations for the company at "rock-bottom" amid EV battery shortages, supply-chain disruptions and Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports. Meanwhile, former Tesla Director Georg Ell for Western Europe, now CEO of Phrase, questioned Musk's leadership style. "I think Elon is not someone who surrounds himself with a great diversity of opinion to challenge his thinking, he's a pretty single-minded individual," he said, suggesting that if Musk only "focuses on the companies where he is extraordinary, people will focus once again on the quality of the product and experiences." Follow ElonMuskWatch.com for more similar stories. Watch this video of President Trump delivering his remarks on auto tariffs. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Tesla halts U.S.-made Model S and X orders in China amid escalating trade war. Trump's 25% auto tariffs shake industry, but Tesla stands strong. FBI probes possible links between New Orleans terror attack and Las Vegas cybertruck explosion. Neil deGrasse Tyson is right! Elon Musk is now resorting to total science fraud and conning the public into buying his hideous new "Cybertruck." Millionaire fitness coach charged in Tesla vandalism incident as anti-Musk attacks escalate. Sources include: YourNews.com BBC.com Brighteon.com GOT ADULTERATED MILK? Synthetic milk products contain SHOCKING ingredients you wont believe Got synthetic milk? What is that white stuff you and your kids are drinking? Is it contaminated with adulterated chemicals, byproducts and fungicide? Does this translate to all things conventional dairy being fake and toxic, including ice cream, sour cream, cheese and yogurt? Whats the deal with the fake milk scandal. Truth news has the inside scoop. Synthetic dairy protein has been found to contain up to 92 unknown molecules and fungicide, a new lawsuit alleges. As food technology companies promote synthetic dairy as a sustainable alternative to traditional milk, a new lawsuit has revealed startling discoveries about whats really inside these lab-made products. Independent laboratory testing uncovered 92 unidentified molecules including a fungicide in "synthetic milk" sold under brands like Bored Cow. The product, which uses a manufactured whey protein called ProFerm, was found to lack key nutrients found in real milk while containing fungal proteins never before consumed by humans. The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, accuses Perfect Day, the biotech company behind ProFerm, of "false, unfair, and deceptive marketing" about the proteins safety and nutritional value. With major corporations like Nestle and Mars incorporating synthetic proteins into products, the findings raise urgent questions about transparency and regulation in the booming food-tech industry. Fake Nutrition, Real Risks: Synthetic "milk" replaces natural nutrients with lab-made additives like corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and artificial flavorslacking the proteins, amino acids, and minerals found in real cow's milk. Hidden Saturated Fats: Despite marketing claims of being "healthier," these imitations often contain hydrogenated fats (like coconut oil) with more saturated fatty acids than natural butterfat. Dangerous for Vulnerable Groups: These products are deemed unsafe for infants, children, pregnant women, and malnourished individuals due to their poor nutritional value and synthetic additives. Label Lies: Many brands sneak in unlisted vitamins, minerals, and stabilizersmisleading consumers about the products true content and nutritional profile. According to the Health Research Institute, which conducted mass spectrometry testing on ProFerm-based products, the synthetic protein is only 13.4% actual cows whey, with the remaining 86.6% composed of fungal proteins not naturally found in dairy. Additionally, the lab detected 69 missing nutrients including essential omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins compared to traditional milk. Perhaps most concerning was the discovery of benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, a fungicide not approved for human consumption. John Fagan, PhD, a molecular biologist and former National Institutes of Health researcher, suggested the fungicide may have been used to control contamination during production. "The things that we see here are not really good for us, let me put it that way," he said. Under current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules, companies can self-certify ingredients as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) without extensive independent testing. Alexis Baden-Mayer, political director of the Organic Consumers Association, called this loophole "deeply problematic." Diana Reeves, executive director of GMO/Toxin Free USA, stated, "Allowing this aberration into our food supply without safety testing and classifying it as GRAS highlights the urgent need to reevaluate our regulatory framework for food." The FDA is currently under pressure to close this GRAS loophole after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered a review in March. Perfect Days ProFerm is already in thousands of grocery stores, appearing in ice cream, cream cheese, protein powders, and milk alternatives. Brands such as Brave Robot, Coolhaus, and Myprotein use the synthetic protein, often marketed as "animal-free" and "identical to cows milk." The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking an injunction to halt deceptive marketing and a jury trial under the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act. P. Renee Wicklund, an attorney for the plaintiffs, criticized the FDAs hands-off approach: "Manufacturers are more or less self-certifying and the FDA is sitting on the sidelines while those products move into the marketplace." As synthetic food technologies expand, this case underscores the risks of lax oversight and misleading marketing. For consumers, the lesson is clear: "Alternative" may not mean betteror even safe. Until stronger regulations emerge, vigilance is crucial when choosing lab-made food claims over traditional staples. What started as a promise of sustainability has instead revealed a disturbing trade-off: artificial ingredients bypassing safety checks, masquerading as real food. Tune your food news frequency to FoodSupply.news and get updates on more toxic foods like fake milk coming to stores near you. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com NaturalHealth365.com Trump administration plans to overhaul Endangered Species Act to spur economic growth The Trump administration proposes to narrow the Endangered Species Act's (ESA) definition of "harm" to endangered species, limiting it to actions that directly injure or kill the animals rather than including habitat destruction. This change aims to reduce regulatory burdens on industries like logging, mining and real estate development. The proposed revisions could significantly boost economic activities by allowing more development and resource extraction that would have previously been restricted due to potential harm to habitats. This aligns with the administration's goal of fostering economic growth through deregulation. Environmentalists warn that the new interpretation could lead to increased habitat loss, which is a primary threat to endangered species. They argue that even indirect harm to habitats can have long-term detrimental effects on species survival. The proposal is subject to the federal rule-making process and is likely to face legal challenges. The involvement of a conservative Supreme Court could play a critical role in the outcome of these challenges. This move is part of a larger effort to reduce environmental regulations, following the administration's previous actions to rescind climate-related orders. While supporters argue the ESA has been misused to stifle economic growth, environmental groups are preparing to oppose the changes, describing them as an assault on conservation efforts. The Trump administration has unveiled plans to overhaul the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by redefining what it means to harm an endangered or threatened species, as part of its broader campaign to spur economic growth through deregulation, according to a report from RealClearPolitics. This move, which has long been a priority for the president, could have a seismic impact on the ability to build and develop in the United States. The ESA, enacted in 1973, is a cornerstone of environmental law designed to protect and recover threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Since its inception, it has been credited with saving 99 percent of listed species from extinction including iconic animals like the bald eagle and the American alligator. However, the Trump administration and many conservatives view the act as a significant barrier to economic development and job creation. (Related: EPA report says glyphosate may harm even kill over 90% of endangered species.) Trump has long been vocal about his disdain for what he calls "red tape of the green variety." In an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan last October, he described environmental regulations as "the biggest tool for stopping growth" and harkened back to his days as a real estate developer in New York, where rare flora and fauna could quickly bring large construction projects to a halt. As a candidate, he often referred to environmental regulations as "a weapon" against economic progress. Currently, the act makes it illegal to "take" protected animals, which includes any actions that "harass, kill, or harm" them. Historically, this has been interpreted broadly to include habitat destruction, which can indirectly harm species by altering their living conditions. The proposed revision would narrow this definition, limiting it to actions that directly injure or kill protected animals. Trump's ESA reforms: Economic boom or environmental doom? For industries such as logging, mining and real estate development, this change could be a game-changer. Activities that would have previously been prohibited due to potential harm to habitats, such as building homes or logging timber, may now be permissible. According to one White House official, overhauling the ESA "will have a seismic, real-world effect on the ability to build," reflecting the administration's commitment to reducing regulatory burdens. Environmentalists and conservation experts are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of this change. Organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity warn that the new interpretation could lead to increased habitat loss, which is often the primary threat to endangered species. They argue that habitat destruction, even if it doesn't directly harm individual animals, can still have devastating long-term effects on species survival. While the administration can make regulatory changes, any significant overhaul of the ESA would still need to navigate the federal rule-making process. Legal challenges are almost certain to follow, and a conservative Supreme Court may play a crucial role in determining the fate of these reforms. The proposal is currently open for public comment, with a deadline of May 19. This latest move is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to reduce environmental regulations. On his first day in office, President Trump rescinded nearly 80 climate-related orders issued by the previous administration. The proposed ESA revision is expected to be one of the most significant changes yet, potentially reshaping the regulatory and natural landscape for decades to come. Supporters of the proposed changes, including Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), argue that the ESA has failed to achieve its intended goals and has been warped by decades of litigation into a weapon against economic growth. Westerman has proposed the Endangered Species Amendment Act of 2025, which aligns with many of the administration's goals. On the other hand, environmental groups are preparing to fight the changes. Andrew Wetzler, senior vice president of nature at the Natural Resources Defense Council, described the proposal as a "full-out assault on America's heritage." He warned that if successful, the changes would turn the ESA into "a shell of itself" and leave many species vulnerable to extinction. Trump.news has more stories like this. Watch this discussion about assisted migration as a way of protecting endangered species from extinction. This video is from the What is Happening channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: INSANITY: Phoenix Zoo vaccinates 75 ANIMALS for COVID-19 all of them endangered species. Endangered reptile species being sold as pets could be in danger of extinction, warn scientists. EPA, Monsanto face lawsuit over pesticide drift that damaged millions of acres and threatened endangered species. Sources include: ClimateDepot.com SAN.com CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Border crisis reaches Montana: Six illegal immigrants ARRESTED in upscale ski town Five individuals, including a Mexican national deported four times, were arrested in Whitefish, Montana a remote luxury ski town highlighting the spread of illegal immigration beyond the southern border. The Mexican national had returned after multiple deportations and was running a business employing other illegal immigrants, exposing gaps in U.S. enforcement. A member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (a designated terrorist group) was recently apprehended in the region, raising national security fears about criminal organizations infiltrating rural areas. Cases against some detainees were dismissed due to improper charges, while others were released under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), underscoring systemic flaws in immigration enforcement. Montanas federal courts face a growing caseload, with inconsistent prosecution outcomes, reflecting broader chaos in U.S. immigration policy and the need for reform. In a stark reminder that Americas border crisis extends far beyond the Rio Grande, six illegal immigrants were arrested in Whitefish, Montana a luxury ski resort town far from the southern frontier. Among them was a Mexican man previously deported four times. Despite his removal, he had returned and was operating a business in Whitefish while employing other illegal immigrants. The arrests highlight the growing reach of illegal immigration into Americas heartland, raising urgent questions about national security and the rule of law. Acting Chief Jason Liebe of the Spokane Sector Border Patrol confirmed the arrest, emphasizing that this was not an isolated incident. The Mexican man's repeated defiance of U.S. immigration laws underscores the weaknesses in current enforcement policies, allowing criminal recidivists to slip back into the country undetected. (Related: Trump Administration ramps up ICE arrests, setting daily quotas to combat illegal immigration and crime.) The arrests in Montana come amid rising concerns about transnational criminal organizations infiltrating the United States. The presence of such dangerous actors in rural Montana demonstrates how porous borders and lax enforcement put even remote communities at risk. Earlier, Border Patrol apprehended a member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel a Mexican group designated as a foreign terrorist organization in the same region. In March, the arrest of three men allegedly linked to Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang were apprehended, though defense attorneys dispute those claims. Small towns, big consequences While federal authorities have accused some detainees of gang ties, defense attorneys argue there is little evidence to support these claims. Two of the Venezuelan men arrested in March had their cases dismissed after a judge ruled they were improperly charged in Montana rather than at their point of entry. Yet, the Border Patrols public allegations of gang affiliation could still lead to their deportation under the Alien Enemies Act, a Trump-era policy criticized for its lack of due process. The Venezuelan driver in the Whitefish arrest was released due to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a humanitarian program that critics say is routinely exploited. Meanwhile, ICEs recent worksite raid in Bigfork, Montana netted 17 illegal workers, proving that businesses continue to flout immigration laws with little fear of consequences. Federal courts in Montana are seeing an unprecedented surge in immigration-related cases, with seven pending in Great Falls alone. One Mexican national, Jose Carlos Ambrose-Chigo, is set to be sentenced for illegal entry after pleading guilty. The arrests in Whitefish are a microcosm of a much larger crisis. From repeat deportees running businesses to alleged cartel members slipping into rural America, the failures of the immigration system are evident. Without serious reforms, no community no matter how remote or affluent is safe from the consequences of unchecked illegal immigration. Montana's experience should serve as a wake-up call to lawmakers. The border crisis isn't just a southern problem; it's an American one. Watch this Fox News report about President Donald Trump ordering the military to seize portions of the southern border. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump preparing to DEPORT 1.5 million illegal immigrants paroled and let into the country by Biden. Three-judge panel on Ninth Circuit unanimously rules that feds trump local officials in deporting illegal migrants. Border Patrol chief: Unlawful border crossers must face SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. Border Patrol agents fired at by drug cartels at southern border. Texas Gov. Abbott designates Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang as a foreign terrorist organization. Sources include: InfoWars.com HavreDailyNews.com MontanaFreePress.org Brighteon.com AI, Censorship, and the Battle for Health Truths: Adams and Bell Warn of Globalist Control Adams and Bell warn of tech giants suppressing truth, especially on natural health and vaccine safety, with Adams launching Enoch, an unbiased AI platform to counter misinformation. Both highlight how medical, religious, and political institutions manipulate knowledge to maintain power, urging people to question authority and reclaim personal sovereignty. Examples include the FDAs attacks on homeopathy and alleged Vatican suppression of biblical texts, revealing systemic efforts to erase empowering knowledge. Bell and Adams frame the struggle as divine love vs. fear-based control, emphasizing spiritual awakening and love as tools to break oppressive systems. They urge resistance through awareness, with Adams satirical song and Bells radio show offering resources to combat deception and fight for freedom. In a riveting discussion between health freedom advocates Mike Adams, founder of Brighteon.com and the Health Ranger Report, and Robert Scott Bell, a renowned natural health expert and radio host, the two sounded the alarm on Big Tech censorship, AI manipulation, and the suppression of knowledge by globalist institutions. Their conversation, spanning topics from divine love to pharmaceutical corruption, revealed a chilling reality: humanity is engaged in a battle for truth against systems designed to control and oppress. Big Techs War on Truth Adams, who recently launched Enoch, an AI platform free from pharmaceutical bias, warned of corporate efforts to weaponize technology against truth-seekers. Google is a disinformation search engine that banishes the truth about health, he declared. His AI initiative is a direct counter to what he describes as a deliberate campaign to erase dissenting voicesparticularly those advocating for natural medicine, vaccine safety, and holistic health. Bell echoed these concerns, emphasizing how institutionswhether medical, religious, or politicalsuppress knowledge to maintain control. Weve been bred and programmed over millennia to believe in authority, Bell said. But true freedom comes from questioning everything. The Censorship Playbook: From Homeopathy to Biblical Texts Both Adams and Bell highlighted historical and modern examples of censorship. Adams pointed to the Vaticans alleged suppression of ancient biblical texts, while Bell discussed how homeopathya legally recognized medical system in the U.S. since 1938has been systematically attacked by the FDA, particularly under the Biden administration. They wanted to wipe homeopathy from history, Bell said. Just like they want to erase any knowledge that empowers people to heal themselves. Adams added that mainstream Christianity itself has been censored, with key scriptures like the Book of Revelation often ignored or misinterpreted by churches. Most people believe what theyre told about the Bible, not what theyve actually read, he said. Divine Love vs. Fear-Based Control Amidst warnings of dystopian AI and institutional corruption, the conversation took a spiritual turn. Bell, who has had near-death experiences (NDEs), spoke of divine love as the ultimate force for healing and liberation. Fear is the tool of oppression, he said. But loveunconditional, divine loveis what breaks those chains. Adams agreed, framing the current era as a spiritual battleground. This isnt Gods playground; its our training ground, he said. Were here to learn, to fight evil, and to choose love over fear. The Path Forward: Resistance and Awakening Both men urged listeners to resist complacency. Adamss new song, All Our Dreams Come True, satirizes government overreach with lines like, If we could comply our way to freedom, then we could bomb our way to peace. The trackaccompanied by an AI-generated music videoserves as a rallying cry against tyranny. Bell, meanwhile, emphasized personal sovereignty. We must reclaim our powernot through politics, but through spiritual awakening, he said. Conclusion: A Call to Action The interview was a stark reminder that the battle for truth extends beyond politicsits a war for the human soul. As Adams and Bell warned, those who control information control the future. Their solution? Question authority, seek divine love, and never stop fighting for freedom. For those ready to join the resistance, Adamss AI platform (Enoch) and Bells radio show (The Robert Scott Bell Show) offer tools and knowledge to break free from the matrix of deception. The choice is ours: compliance or courage. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Robert Scott Bell as they talk about AI, Censorship, and the Battle for Health Truths. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mike Adams and Alex Jones discuss the impending collapse of the globalist matrix and the frantic efforts of the elites to maintain control Alert: The unfolding collapse of the globalist world order Bidens failed policies are OVER, Trump tells globalist elites at Davos Sources include: Brighteon.com RobertScottBell.com Boeings China dilemma strikes at heart of trade and security crises China halted aircraft deliveries due to U.S.-China trade tariffs, disrupting $200B in backlogged orders. President Trump also canceled a $4B Air Force One contract over alleged overcharging, compounding financial pressures. Boeing announced 17,000 layoffs (10% of its workforce) amid financial strain, while facing FAA and SEC investigations into safety protocols and governance issues, eroding trust. Boeing seeks to "remarket" jets (e.g., diverting 737 Max planes to Air India), but global tariff impacts and supply chain instability threaten production ramp-ups for the 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner. Potential Boeing operations in China raise alarms about technology leaks and subsidizing a strategic rival, as geopolitical tensions clash with commercial survival. Boeings crisis reflects tensions between economic pragmatism (reliance on Chinas market) and national security, forcing hard choices about trade, manufacturing and defense priorities. Boeing, the American aerospace giant, faces a compounding crisis as China halts aircraft deliveries amid escalating trade tariffs, prompting layoffs of 17,000 employees and raising alarms over national security risks tied to potential operational moves to China. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed Chinese airlines have stopped taking delivery of aircraft due to the tariff environment, while President Donald Trump recently canceled a $4 billion Air Force One contract with the company following accusations of overcharging. The overlapping challengeseconomic, geopolitical and operationalhighlight tensions between corporate survival and national priorities as Boeing navigates a precarious path to recovery. China delays force Boeing to redirect $200B order backlog, threaten U.S. manufacturing The suspension of deliveries to China jeopardizes a critical revenue stream for Boeing, which derives 10% of its commercial aircraft backlog from Chinese customers. Ortberg told CNBCs "Squawk on the Street" that Boeing aims to remarket jets initially marked for Chinese airlines, including diverting 737 Max planes to Indian carriers like Air India. However, concerns linger over whether new buyers can absorb the excess inventory as Boeing ramps up production of 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner models. The tariff fallout stems from Trumps escalation of U.S.-China trade wars, including a 145% tariff on Chinese imports announced earlier this month. Though Trump recently softened rhetoric by calling the tariffs very high, Boeings situation underscores the economic collateral damage. The planemakers CFO, Brian West, warned that broader tariff impacts could strain operations further, as Boeings supply chain and manufacturing hubs remain deeply entangled with both U.S. and global partners. Layoffs and regulatory scrutiny as Boeing seeks turnaround amid mounting trust issues Boeings announcement of 10,000 layoffs, reducing its workforce by roughly 10%, marks a stark admission of financial fragility. The cuts come amid persistent regulatory and legal challenges, including a stalled Air Force One contract after Trump canceled the deal amid accusations of corporate overcharging. The presidents decision, coupled with ongoing FAA probes into Boeings Dreamliner inspection protocols and an SEC investigation into safety disclosures, reflects eroding confidence in the companys governance. Goldman Sachs analysts highlighted modest earnings improvements in Boeings first quarter, citing narrowed losses and stronger commercial margins, but cautioned that production ramp-ups and supply chain stability remain risks. Yet Boeings operational recovery faces hurdles: unresolved disputes over its 25-hour cockpit voice recordera design Chinas civil aviation authority is reviewingthreaten to extend delays in deliveries. National security risks rise as Boeing explores Chinese expansion The potential relocation of Boeing operations to China has sparked warnings about national security, as Beijing and Washington ratchet up economic competition. In 2019, two fatal crashes grounded the 737 Max worldwide, exposing vulnerabilities in Boeings manufacturing and compliance protocols. Yet the companys fiscal desperation now intersects with geopolitical stakes: Chinese state media recently reported that Boeing and local executives have discussed further market entries, raising fears that U.S. technology and supply chains could be exposed. Its not just about economics, said a former Pentagon official tracking aerospace trends. Boeings moves into China could divide U.S. manufacturing jobs and technology resources while subsidizing a rival. The companys financial reliance on Chinese buyersincluding a legacy of post-grounding inventory piling up in Washingtonunderscores the tension between commercial demands and long-term U.S. interests. Boeings crossroads reflects U.S. strategic crossroads Boeings crisis intertwines with broader national dilemmas: How far will American businesses go to survive in a fractured global economy? Can U.S. leadership balance fiscal pragmatism with security imperatives? Ortberg asserts the company will not let this derail recovery, but the path ahead demands choices that impact trade ties, national defense and public trust. With Chinas aviation market key to Boeings survival and Washingtons tariffs reshaping the equation, the stakes extend far beyond the aerospace industry. For now, the skies above Boeing are anything but clear. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Bloomberg.com CNBC.com CHAGA: The king of mushrooms revered for centuries in traditional medicine Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic fungus that grows on birch trees in cold climates, forming a hard, blackened mass rich in melanin and antioxidants. It lacks a typical mushroom structure and is often called the "king of mushrooms." Chaga has been used for centuries in Siberian, Russian and Scandinavian folk medicine for immune support, digestion and longevity. Indigenous groups like the Khanty brewed it as tea for energy during harsh winters. Earthy, bitter flavor with woody notes, chaga is typically consumed as tea, powder or extract. Modern uses include chaga lattes, broths, chocolate truffles, smoothie bowls and cocktails. Chaga is high in antioxidants (e.g., betulinic acid) and polysaccharides, which may support immunity and reduce inflammation. Overharvesting threatens wild chaga populations. Ethical practices include partial harvesting from living trees and lab cultivation to preserve natural ecosystems. Deep in the birch forests of Siberia, Russia and other northern climates, a peculiar blackened fungus clings to tree bark, resembling burnt charcoal. Known as Inonotus obliquus, or more commonly, chaga, this mushroom has been revered for centuries in traditional medicine. Today, wellness enthusiasts and scientists alike are rediscovering its potential health benefits, from immune support to antioxidant properties. With a bitter, earthy flavor and a texture that ranges from woody to crumbly, chaga is now appearing in teas, coffees and even gourmet recipes. But what makes this fungus so special, and why is it gaining traction now? What is chaga? Chaga is a parasitic fungus that grows primarily on birch trees in cold climates including parts of Russia, Canada and northern Europe. Unlike typical mushrooms, it does not have a traditional cap and stem. Instead, it forms a hard, blackened mass called a sclerotium, which is packed with melanin the same pigment found in human skin. This dark exterior contrasts with a golden-brown interior, revealing its dense mycelium structure. (Related: Looking for a natural way to regrow hair? Try chaga mushrooms.) Commonly referred to as the "king of mushrooms" or "black gold," chaga has also been called clinker polypore due to its burnt appearance. In Japan, it is known as kabanoanatake, meaning "birch mushroom." These names reflect its striking visual characteristics and cultural significance. Historical and cultural significance For centuries, indigenous peoples in Siberia and other northern regions have used chaga as a medicinal remedy. Russian and Scandinavian folk medicine records describe its use for digestive health, immune support and even as a general longevity tonic. The Khanty people of Western Siberia traditionally brewed chaga tea to cleanse the body and boost energy during harsh winters. In the 16th century, European herbalists documented its use, and by the 20th century, Soviet researchers began studying its potential benefits more rigorously. Today, chaga is part of a broader resurgence in functional mushrooms alongside reishi, lion's mane and cordyceps. Taste and culinary uses Chaga has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter taste with subtle vanilla and woody notes. Unlike culinary mushrooms, it is not eaten whole due to its tough texture. Instead, it is typically ground into powder, brewed as tea or extracted for tinctures. Modern chefs and wellness brands have incorporated chaga into a variety of recipes: Chaga latte : A creamy, caffeine-free alternative to coffee, made with chaga powder, almond milk and cinnamon. : A creamy, caffeine-free alternative to coffee, made with chaga powder, almond milk and cinnamon. Chaga-infused broth : A nutrient-dense base for soups and stews, simmered with vegetables and herbs. : A nutrient-dense base for soups and stews, simmered with vegetables and herbs. Chaga chocolate truffles: Dark chocolate blended with chaga extract for an antioxidant-rich dessert. Dark chocolate blended with chaga extract for an antioxidant-rich dessert. Chaga smoothie bowl : Mixed with berries, banana and nut butter for a superfood breakfast. : Mixed with berries, banana and nut butter for a superfood breakfast. Chaga tincture cocktails: A few drops added to mocktails or spirits for an herbal twist. One experienced forager in Minnesota recalls stumbling upon a massive chaga conk during a winter hike. After carefully harvesting a portion leaving enough for the fungus to regrow they brewed a tea that had an unexpectedly rich, almost coffee-like flavor. The experience reinforced chaga's reputation as a natural energizer, especially in cold climates where fresh produce is scarce. The science behind chaga's benefits Research suggests chaga contains high levels of antioxidants, including betulinic acid (derived from birch trees) and polysaccharides, which may support immune function. Some studies indicate potential anti-inflammatory properties. Nutritionists caution that while chaga is generally safe, it should not replace medical treatments. Those on blood-thinning medications or with autoimmune conditions should consult a doctor before consuming it regularly. Sustainability and ethical harvesting As demand grows, sustainable harvesting practices are crucial. Overharvesting can damage birch trees and deplete chaga populations. Experts recommend taking only small portions from living trees and allowing years for regrowth. Some companies now cultivate chaga on logs to reduce wild harvesting pressure. From ancient folk remedy to modern superfood, chaga mushrooms bridge tradition and contemporary wellness. Their unique appearance, rich history and potential health benefits make them a fascinating subject for both scientists and food enthusiasts. As research continues, chaga may solidify its place alongside other functional mushrooms in the quest for natural, holistic health solutions. Of course, this isn't a substitute for medical advice, and it's always a good idea to chat with a naturopathic physician who can tailor recommendations to your unique health needs. For more fascinating insights into superfoods and their natural wonders, visit NaturalNews.com. It's a treasure trove of articles that will deepen your understanding of the healing power of food. If you're into cutting-edge technology with a health twist, try Brighteon.ai. Created by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, this AI model is a free download that you can run on your own device. It's all about sharing knowledge freely and bypassing the filters of censorship. And if you're looking for a place to openly discuss everything from nutrition to natural remedies without any holds barred, Brighteon.com is your go-to spot. Dont forget to check out their free speech social media platforms, Brighteon.IO and Brighteon.social, where the conversation is always lively and uncensored. Watch and learn about the immune-supporting benefits of chaga mushrooms in this clip. This video is from the All About Herbs channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Use the wild-crafted chaga mushroom to treat chronic ailments. Chaga mushroom can be a potential skin-whitening agent with its tyrosinase-inhibiting properties. Natural skin whitener: Chaga mushroom extracts found to suppress tyrosinase, an enzyme present in melanin production. Sources include: Brighteon.ai NaturalNews.com Brighteon.com Justice Department urges court to order sale of Googles Chrome web browser The Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing a federal judge to order Google to sell its Chrome browser, aiming to dismantle its monopoly in online search after a 2023 court ruling found its dominance illegal. The antitrust case, filed in 2020 and supported by 49 states, accuses Google of stifling competition through exclusive deals, like paying Apple billions to remain Safari's default search engine. DOJ officials likened Google's monopoly to past giants like Standard Oil and AT&T, arguing that structural changes (e.g., divesting Chrome or Android) are necessary to restore competition. The company calls the DOJ's demands "a wish list from competitors," claiming it earned its market position fairly and warning that forced divestments would disrupt core services. The trial coincides with other antitrust actions against Meta and a recent ruling against Google's ad-tech monopoly, signaling a pivotal moment in regulating Big Tech's dominance and future influence (e.g., in AI). The Department of Justice (DOJ) has escalated its antitrust battle against Google, urging a federal judge to dismantle the tech giant's grip on the digital landscape by forcing a sale of its Chrome browser. The move comes after a federal court last year ruled that Google illegally maintained a monopoly in online search through exclusive deals. These deals stifled competition, essentially harming consumers and advertisers. The push for drastic remedies signals a pivotal moment in the decades-long scrutiny of Big Tech's dominance. District Judge Amit Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who presided over last year's liability trial, must now decide whether to order structural changes such as divesting Chrome or impose restrictions to level the playing field. The case first filed under the first Trump administration in 2020 has drawn bipartisan support with 49 states, two territories and Washington, D.C. backing the DOJ's fight. "As a monopolist, Google uses its market power against the American people," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche argued in court Monday. He cited the tech giant's political bias and its ironclad control over search, fortified by billion-dollar deals like its $20 billion annual payment to Apple to keep Google as Safari's default search engine. Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater meanwhile framed the case as part of a historic legacy, comparing the Mountain View, California-based company's dominance to past monopolies like Standard Oil and AT&T. "Each generation has called for the DOJ to challenge a behemoth that crushed competition," she said. The trial that could reshape the internet Google has fiercely contested the claims, calling the DOJ's proposals "a wish list from competitors" rather than meaningful antitrust remedies. Lead attorney John Schmidtlein defended the company's market position as something it won "fair and square." He ultimately warned that forcing Chrome's divestment would disrupt infrastructure deeply tied to Google's services. The DOJ, however, insists structural changes are essential. In addition to a potential Chrome spinoff, the government has demanded an end to Google's exclusionary contracts and greater transparency in search and ad data sharing with rivals. According to DOJ attorney David Dahlquist, this approach would "reinforce each other to encourage competition." Should these measures fail, the DOJ has a contingency: Forcing a separation from Google's Android operating system. The case arrives as Google reels from another antitrust blow with a federal judge ruling that it illegally monopolized digital ad tech. "If Google's conduct is not remedied, it will control much of the internet for the next decade and not just in search, but in new technologies like artificial intelligence," Slater warned. (Related: Google's ad tech monopoly ruled ILLEGAL in historic ruling.) With Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Platforms also facing a landmark Federal Trade Commission trial over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, the legal assaults mark a turning point in Washington's campaign to rein in tech giants. For years, critics have accused Google of leveraging its dominance to inflate ad prices, suppress publisher revenues and limit consumer choice. The DOJ's remedies trial could reshape the digital economy either by fragmenting Google's empire, or setting new guardrails for competition. Watch this CNBC report about the Justice Department pushing for Google's divestment of the Chrome web browser. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Court rejects Google's attempt to dismiss Rumble's antitrust lawsuit, ensuring vast discovery. Federal judge declares Google a MONOPOLY is a Big Tech shakeup in the works? Fascist Google could face a slap on the wrist for rigging search results. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com DailyWire.com Yahoo.com Brighteon.com FBI warns Venezuelan government uses Tren de Aragua as proxy in irregular warfare as Trump administration charges gang leader under terrorism laws The Trump administration charged Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, a high-ranking Tren de Aragua (TdA) member, with conspiracy to support terrorism, drug trafficking and terrorism-related crimes under new laws targeting transnational gangs. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. The FBI accuses Venezuelas Maduro regime of using TdA as a proxy to destabilize the U.S., targeting dissidents and undermining securitycontradicting an earlier leaked intelligence report claiming no direct ties between the gang and Venezuela. A dispute within U.S. intelligence agencies emerged, with the White House accusing deep state actors of leaking misleading reports to undermine Trumps policies. The FBI and DOJ emphasize TdA as a growing national security threat, backed by recent arrests and RICO charges. DOJs Operation Take Back America and Joint Task Force Vulcan now prioritize TdA, treating it as a terrorist organization. Recent arrests in New York (27 members) and Houston have disrupted drug trafficking and sex exploitation rings linked to the gang. The case reflects a broader U.S. strategy to combat foreign-linked criminal-terrorist hybrids. The administration frames TdAs activities as foreign-directed warfare, marking a shift toward aggressive enforcement and transparency in intelligence. In a dramatic escalation of U.S. efforts to combat foreign-directed criminal threats, the Trump administration on Wednesday announced its first terrorism-related charges against a high-ranking member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, while the FBI accused the Venezuelan government of using the militant group to wage irregular warfare against the United States. This dual-pronged legal and intelligence offensive comes amid a escalating feud within the U.S. intelligence community, where leaked assessments disputes claims of Venezuelan state sponsorshipconflicts that DNI Tulsi Gabbard has now escalated to federal prosecutors. The Justice Departments Southern District of Texas charged Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, 24, a Bogota-based TdA leader, with conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, international drug trafficking and terrorism-related crimes under newly enacted provisions targeting transnational gangs. Flores, arrested in Colombia in late March, faces life imprisonment if convicted. His indictment marks a pivotal moment in the administrations broader Operation Take Back America, which combines anti-immigration enforcement with heightened counterterrorism measures against TdA, labeled the most dangerous gang in the country by New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. FBI warns of Tren de Aragua as Venezuelan proxy, undermining U.S. security The FBIs newly disclosed intelligence assessment raises the stakes, claiming TdAs operations within the U.S. are not just criminal but part of a foreign government strategy. The report alleges Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros regime uses the gang to destabilize American communities, undermine public safety and attack political dissidents. They are using Tren de Aragua members as proxy actors to threaten, abduct and kill members of the Venezuelan diaspora critical of Maduro, stated a senior administration official cited by Fox News. This analysis contradicts an earlier interagency report leaked a week earlier, which claimed no direct coordination between TdA and the Maduro regime. That disputed document, originating from the National Intelligence Council, faced immediate backlash from the White House, which accused intelligence officials of historical[s] leaking propaganda. Deep state actors have resorted to using their propaganda arm to attack the Presidents successful policies, the White House declared, as DNI Gabbard referred the matter to the DOJ for possible prosecution. Intelligence clash reveals Deep State pushback against Trump policies The sudden transparency in high-level intelligence disputes underscores a widening rift between the Trump administration and career bureaucrats, particularly in the post-Biden intel apparatus. The FBIs stancehighlighting imminent threats from TdAs drug networks and human traffickingcontrasts sharply with the leaked reports dismissal of Venezuelan coordination. This information is the most robust and accurate because its grounded in domestic law enforcement operations, argued an ODNI official, emphasizing the Trump administrations focus on tactical, street-level intelligence over foreign-focused assessments limited by past priorities. The FBIs findings find critical validation in recent operations: the April 23 takedown of 27 TdA members in New York Citythe first use of RICO charges against the gangand a Houston-based operation this week that disrupted cocaine shipments destined for the U.S. Tren de Araguas rise as a U.S. national security threat began under the Biden administration, when lax border policies allowed thousands of Venezuelan migrantsincluding gang membersto enter America freely. Since Trumps return, homeland security officials claim over 1,500 TdA members have been deported or arrested. DOJ makes history with terror charges, anchors anti-cartel Operation Take Back America Wednesdays prosecution of Flores under federal terrorism statutes marks a legal milestone. TdA is not a street gangit is a highly structured terrorist organization, stated Attorney General Pam Bondi, who spearheaded the DOJs reclassification of the gang. Flores, identified as a inner circle leader in Bogota, faces life in prison for allegedly funding TdAs operations through cocaine trafficking and providing services and personnel to bolster its activities in Latin America and beyond. The case combines customary drug charges with terrorism financing allegations, a strategy mirrored in the RICO indictments handed down in New York Monday. These are depraved criminalswith absolutely no regard for human life, Commissioner Tisch said at a press conference announcing the 27 arrests, which included the seizure of 33 firearms and intelligence into sex trafficking rings targeting Venezuelan women. The Justice Departments Joint Task Force Vulcan, traditionally focused on dismantling MS-13, has now prioritized TdA, leveraging partnerships across 14 federal districts and countries like Colombia to disrupt the gangs drug-smuggling and retaliation networks. The operation symbolizes a broader enforcement philosophy: treating TdA as a state-backed terror group requires integrating counter-narcotics with counterterrorism tools. A new chapter in combating transnational threats As the U.S. nearly doubles down on designating foreign entities as national security threats, this case resonates far beyond TdAs operations. The swift indictment of Flores and the FBIs unambiguous accusation against Maduros regime showcase an administration determined to dismantle institutional opacity. The last election changed that in ways we are just now coming to grips with, wrote analyst Joshua C., as journalists and policymakers grapple with questions of trust in intelligence. Yet the stakes are personal for Americans. TdAs methods mirror those of nonstate militant groups: extorting communities, manipulating migration flows and destabilizing rival governments. With TdAs networks expanding into South America and the U.S. simultaneously, this case is a critical test of whether transparency and aggressive enforcement can neutralize threats that blur the lines between organized crime and asymmetric warfare. As Flores awaits trial in Colombia, the Trump administrations narrative has crystallized: TdAs presence in the U.S. is not a domestic criminal problem but an existential challenge from foreign adversariesand one it will pursue to the halls of justice. Sources include: 100percentfedup.com Justice.gov CNN.com Federal judge halts PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP requirement for voter ID U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly blocks key Trump order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. Ruling calls election integrity measures an overreach of presidential power, escalating judicial vs. executive clashes. White House condemns the decision as a JUDICIAL COUP, citing rising non-citizen Social Security approvals under Biden. Over 2 million non-citizens received federal identification in FY2024, per Trumps DOGE data leaks at Wisconsin rally. In a breathtaking power grab that has sent shockwaves across red America, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly has struck down a pivotal component of President Donald Trumps election security plan, effectively gutting requirements for proof of citizenship in federal voter registration systems. This decision, on the heels of soaring non-citizen Social Security approvals under the Biden regime, has ignited fears of a vote dilution crisis and cemented distrust in a judiciary increasingly seen as weaponized against constitutional integrity. With states now free to ignore citizenship verificationdespite rampant fraud allegationsand federal funding conditions jeopardized, this ruling underscores a grim reality: unelected judges are now open adversaries in the fight for honest elections. The ruling: judicial coup or legal overreach? Judge Kollar-Kotellys 120-page opinion, hailed by activist groups but decried by election integrity advocates, argues that mandating citizenship proof violates Congresss constitutional authority over elections. The president cannot short-circuit Congress, she writes, sidestepping the reality that Congress itself has stalled on election reform for years. Her ruling specifically blocks Trumps mandate for the Election Assistance Commission to withhold funding from non-compliant statesa penalty she declares an unconstitutional power grab. This dismissal of federal oversight arrives as newly exposed data reveals Bidens administration quietly issued millions of Social Security numbers to non-citizens. At a recent Wisconsin rally, Musk-affiliated DOGE volunteer Antonio Gracias displayed internal records showing a staggering 2.1 million non-citizen approvals in FY 2024 alone, with an additional 1 million in FYs 2023 and 2025. President Trumps executive order empowered us to cross-reference databases for the first time, Gracias told Fox News, revealing systemic fraud enabled by previous administrations. Despite these revelations, Kollar-Kotellys ruling permits other elements of Trumps plan, including tighter mail-in ballot deadlines and cross-agency voter-rolls checks. Critics argue this selective enforcement exposes the judges partisan leanings: permitting some oversight while smothering the linchpin requirement of citizenship verification. The broader battle: When judges pick winners This case echoes a disturbing pattern of judicial overreach. As anti-Trump activistsyen when it comes to shutting down vaccine passport mandates or shielding illegal alien voting blocs, Kollar-Kotellys activismprohibiting states from safeguarding ballotsexposes a double standard. While courts once enabled Bidens CDC vaccine mandates that segregated pure-blooded Americans from schools and workplaces, judges now wield gavels to sabotage voter ID laws critical to preventing fraud. The hypocrisy: U.S. District judges stood by idly as the Biden regime installed vaccine passports and identification requirements that segregated healthy, pure-blooded individuals and warriors of conscience from society, but when it comes to requiring proper identification for voting in an election in the United States, these same US District judges are adamant about interfering, making sure that identification, proof of citizenship and voter registration have no rules. These District judges are diluting Americans votes and making sure that illegals vote in upcoming elections, unidentified, undocumented, and emboldened in their criminal state. This hypocrisy on behalf of US District Judges, like Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, is appalling and shows that justice is not blind in America in 2025. This District judge is an activist, hellbent on destroying the country, and a judicial coup is underway, as judges take off their masks and expose their allegiance to Democrat ideology over the rule of law. Sources include: Zerohedge.com ABCNews.com X.com Israels relentless bombardment of Gaza kills dozens more as humanitarian crisis deepens Gazas civilians endure relentless airstrikes, with women and children accounting for most of the 51,000-plus deaths since October 2023. Israels blockade has pushed 1 million children toward famine while the U.S. continues unchecked military support. Bombings target homes and hospitals, with no proof of Hamas links, violating international law. U.S. aid fuels Israels war machine, deepening civilian suffering and complicity in atrocities. The worlds inaction risks radicalizing survivors and perpetuating endless conflict. Why is Gazas suffering being ignored? Who will hold Israel accountable for the mounting civilian death toll? When will the world demand an end to the indiscriminate airstrikes killing women and children? These are the urgent questions left unanswered as Israel continues its brutal assault on the Gaza Strip, backed by unwavering U.S. support. Civilians bear the brunt of Israels war In just 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 50 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. One strike demolished a family home in Gaza City, killing four children and their parents. Witnesses described the horrific scene where neighbors had to "collect the flesh of the childrentheir limbs that were blown into the streets," as reported by Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud. Another strike on a tent shelter in Nuseirat killed three children. These are not isolated tragedies but part of a relentless pattern where entire families are erased in seconds. The numbers speak volumes: Since Israel resumed its offensive in March, at least 1,978 Palestinians have been killed, including hundreds of children. Gazas Health Ministry puts the total death toll since October 2023 at over 51,000, with thousands more missing under the rubble. The U.N. warns that Israels total blockade cutting off food, fuel, and medicine has left 1 million children at risk of famine. Yet, Western governments, particularly the U.S., continue providing military aid to Israel with little scrutiny over how it is used. Israel claims its strikes target Hamas, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The bombing of a police station in Jabalia killed at least 10 Palestinians, with Israel insisting it was a "command and control center." Yet, no proof was offered, and local reports confirm civilian casualties. Similarly, an assault on Durra Childrens Hospital rendered the facility inoperable in a clear violation of international law. The U.S.s response has only worsened the crisis. Promising Israel equipment while avoiding direct intervention signals tacit approval for the carnage. This is not just a failure of diplomacy; its complicity in mass suffering. When U.S. aid flows unconditionally, it fuels a war machine that repeatedly kills the very civilians Washington claims to protect. Will regional stability survive this carnage? The long-term consequences of Gazas devastation cannot be ignored. Each child buried under rubble and each starving family becomes a symbol of injustice that radicalizes survivors and sows deeper hatred. Israel may claim its actions weaken Hamas, but in reality, they create the conditions for endless conflict. History shows that collective punishment breeds resistance. When innocent lives are treated as collateral, peace becomes impossible. The international community must ask: Does enabling Israels siege make the world safer? Or does it ensure another generation of violence? The human cost must matter The suffering of Palestinian civilians should haunt the conscience of the world. No political objective justifies the slaughter of children, the bombing of hospitals, or the starvation of millions. If justice is selective and reserved only for certain nationalities, global institutions have failed. The time for hollow condemnations is over. Either the world demands an immediate ceasefire and holds Israel accountable for civilian deaths, or history will remember this moment as one where morality was abandoned for political expediency. Sources for this article include: News.Antiwar.com APNews.com BBC.com AlJazeera.com WEFs Klaus Schwab and his wife Hilde under investigation for ethical and financial MISCONDUCT World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab and his wife Hilde are under investigation for alleged financial and ethical misconduct, including misuse of WEF funds for personal luxuries and cash withdrawals by junior staff. A whistleblower letter accused the Schwabs of blurring personal and organizational finances, such as billing luxury trips and private massages to the nonprofit. Klaus denies the claims, stating personal expenses were reimbursed. Following an emergency board meeting the day before, Klaus retired as WEF chairman "with immediate effect" on April 21, ending his 50+ year leadership amid escalating scrutiny. The scandal follows prior workplace culture allegations, including discrimination claims. Interim leadership falls to Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, a controversial ex-Nestle CEO. Schwab's departure marks the end of an era, but critics argue the WEF's technocratic agenda (e.g., the "Great Reset") will persist, maintaining its influence over global governance. Klaus Schwab, founder of the globalist World Economic Forum (WEF), is under investigation for ethical and financial misconduct alongside his wife Hilde. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday, April 22, that the WEF's board had opened a new probe into the Schwabs. It followed a whistleblower letter from current and former staff accusing the couple of misusing WEF funds for personal luxuries, including travel and private massages. Moreover, the letter also accused Klaus, 87, of directing junior employees to withdraw cash on his behalf. The allegations upended his planned transition and cast a shadow over the organization he led for more than 50 years. They also triggered his sudden retirement as the WEF's chairman "with immediate effect" a decision announced Monday, April 21. According to the whistleblower letter, the Schwabs blurred personal and organizational finances by using the nonprofit's resources for private benefits. Among the claims were that Hilde scheduled token meetings to justify luxury trips billed to the WEF and that Klaus requested employees withdraw thousands in cash for unspecified purposes. A spokesperson for the Schwabs denied all allegations, stating that Klaus would sue those spreading "mistruths." Any personal expenses charged to the WEF were later reimbursed, the spokesperson added. Schwab steps down, but will anything change? The WEF's board, which includes figures like BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, held an emergency meeting Sunday, April 20. They voted unanimously to open an independent probe, with Klaus stepping down the following day. His departure marks the end of an era for the WEF, which he founded in 1971 as the European Management Forum before rebranding it into a platform for global elites to shape economic and political agendas. The controversy follows another recent investigation into the WEF's workplace culture, prompted by an earlier WSJ report alleging discrimination against women and Black employees. While the WEF disputed those claims at the time, the new whistleblower allegations accelerated Schwab's exit. Interim leadership now falls to Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, former Nestle CEO and a controversial figure known for advocating water privatization and genetically modified foods. (Related: Klaus Schwab STEPS DOWN as World Economic Forum executive chairman.) Schwab's legacy is deeply intertwined with the WEF's evolution into a hub for global governance, where business leaders, politicians and activists converge annually in Davos. Critics have long accused the organization of promoting technocratic elitism, particularly after Schwab's "Great Reset" initiative, which called for restructuring economies post-pandemic through digital and biological integration. His 2022 warning of future global crises reinforced perceptions of the WEF as a self-appointed architect of humanity's future. Despite Schwab's departure, analysts doubt the WEF's direction will change. "Schwab is a megalomaniac, but his resignation won't alter the WEF's mission," said Michael Rectenwald, author of a critical book on the organization. Others, like journalist Tim Hinchliffe of The Sociable, warn that the WEF will continue pushing a technocratic agenda merging corporations, governments and digital identities. As the investigation unfolds, the WEF faces scrutiny over its governance and the conduct of its leadership. For now, Schwab's sudden exit closes a contentious chapter, but the questions surrounding his tenure and the organization's influence remain unresolved. Visit Globalism.news for more similar stories. Watch Ted Provenza commenting on Klaus Schwab's retirement from the WEF and whether it signals the return of liberty. This video is from the TEDSpeaksNEWS channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: World Economic Forum's new leader sharpens globalist critics' fears as Schwab steps down amid scandal. Whistleblower calls for WEF founder Klaus Schwab to be ARRESTED over "crimes against humanity". Critics blast Klaus Schwab, WEF for trying to "master the future" with global enslavement agenda. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org WSJ.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Tensions persist as Russia and Ukraine remain at odds over ceasefire prospects Russia's UN envoy stated that Ukraine's alleged violations of past truces have eroded trust, making a comprehensive pause in fighting "unrealistic." Diplomatic efforts have repeatedly failed, including prior agreements like Minsk and a short-lived energy strike moratorium. Ukraine faces severe shortages of personnel and weapons, with delayed NATO aid weakening its defense capabilities. Reports of CIA and Ukrainian special forces casualties (unverified) highlight spillover risks, while Russia continues to bolster its forces. Ukraine insists on Russian withdrawal before meaningful talks, while Moscow demands concessions tied to annexed territories. The U.S. has threatened to abandon negotiations without progress, reflecting mounting frustration. With neither side willing to compromise, the conflict risks becoming a prolonged stalemate or triggering broader instability. Experts downplay "World War III" fears but warn of deteriorating conditions on the ground. As Western attention shifts (e.g., to Israel-Gaza), Ukraine's leverage diminishes. Zelensky's noncommittal response ("We'll see") underscores the unresolved trajectory, with 2024 poised to bring either forced concessions or further escalation. Amid ongoing hostilities and stalled diplomatic efforts, the prospect of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine appears increasingly uncertain. Moscow's UN envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, stated on Thursday, April 17, that Ukraine's alleged violations of a prior U.S.-brokered truce have undermined trust, making a comprehensive pause in fighting "unrealistic." The comments come as U.S. officials warn of a narrowing window for negotiations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting Washington may withdraw from talks without immediate progress. Against a backdrop of diminishing Ukrainian military resources and escalating rhetoric, the war's trajectory and the risk of further escalation remains fraught. The latest diplomatic impasse echoes past failures to secure lasting peace. Nebenzia pointed to the collapse of the 20142015 Minsk agreements, which sought to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine but were later accused by Russia of being exploited by Kyiv to "prepare for confrontation." Similarly, a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, agreed upon last month after talks between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, fizzled amid mutual recriminations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the moratorium's expiration was last Friday but offered no clarity on Moscow's next steps. (Related: U.S. resumes military aid to Ukraine after Kyiv agrees to 30-day ceasefire, but Russia holds the cards.) Nebenzia emphasized the challenge of enforcing any new ceasefire, questioning which party could credibly monitor compliance. His skepticism aligns with Ukraine's stance that negotiations are futile unless Russian forces withdraw. In a recent CNN interview, President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted that meaningful talks require Russia to "stop fighting and retreat" to positions held days prior. He replied tersely when asked if diplomacy was doomed: "We'll see." Military realities and Western aid concerns Ukraine's capacity to sustain its defense is increasingly under strain. Reports suggest severe shortages of trained personnel and artillery shells, with NATO pledges of military aid delayed or unmet. A purported video emerged this week showing casualties among CIA officers and Ukrainian special forces during training a claim still unverified but reflective of the conflict's growing spillover risks. While Russia replenishes its forces, Ukraine's battlefield losses threaten to erode its leverage in future negotiations. These disparities fuel fears of a prolonged war or even a broader conflict, though experts caution against speculation of "World War III." U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's recent meeting with Putin underscored Washington's push to revive negotiations, hinging on the status of four annexed Ukrainian regions. However, Rubio's ultimatum that the U.S. may abandon talks within "a matter of days" without progress signals mounting frustration. Meanwhile, Trump's assertion that he expects a Russian response to a ceasefire proposal "this week" contrasts with Nebenzia's pessimistic assessment. The disconnect highlights the fragility of diplomatic channels. With both sides entrenched militarily and politically, the path to peace remains elusive. Russia demands guarantees tied to territorial gains, while Ukraine insists on sovereignty and withdrawal. As Western aid wavers and casualties mount, the conflict risks becoming a protracted stalemate or worse, a catalyst for deeper global instability. Whether either side will bend under diplomatic pressure, or whether the war's toll will force unforeseen concessions, may determine if 2024 brings resolution or further escalation. For now, as Zelensky's laconic "We'll see" suggests, the world watches and waits. Head over to WWIII.news for updates on the ongoing Ukraine war. Watch the video below that talks about Ukraine agreeing to the U.S.'s ceasefire proposal. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukraine violates partial ceasefire agreement with Russia, attacks energy infrastructure as peace talks collapse. Zelensky rejects territorial concessions as Putin weighs ceasefire proposal. Putin and Trump agree to PARTIAL CEASEFIRE in Ukraine, but path to lasting peace remains uncertain. Sources include: RT.com KyivIndependent.com Brighteon.com South Korea discovers DeepSeek transferred user data to Chinese servers without consent South Korean regulators found DeepSeek transferred user data to a Chinese cloud service without consent. The leaked data included user inputs, device details, and network information, raising national security fears. DeepSeek was suspended in South Korea after regulators discovered it transferred user data without consent to Volcengine, a cloud provider whose owner, ByteDance, has previously faced accusations of sharing data with the CCP. U.S. officials warn Chinese AI tools could weaponize data for state surveillance, pushing stricter oversight and potential bans. The scandal underscores urgent global concerns over Chinese techs ties to CCP surveillance and the need for AI regulation. South Korean data regulators have uncovered that the Chinese AI app DeepSeek transferred personal information, including user inputs and device details, to a Beijing-based cloud service provider without users' authorization. This revelation has sparked concerns over privacy violations and national security risks, particularly as Chinese tech companies face scrutiny for alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The finding, announced by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), has led to DeepSeek's suspension in South Korea and echoes longstanding fears about data exploitation by Chinese firms like TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. Sharing data without permission According to the PIPC, DeepSeek shared user data with companies in both China and the United States without obtaining explicit consent or disclosing the practice in its privacy policy. PIPC official Nam Seok emphasized that the company transferred data to the Chinese cloud platform Volcano Engine, also known as Volcengine. In particular, it was confirmed that DeepSeek transferred not only device, network, and app information, but also user inputs in AI prompts to Volcano Engine, he reported. The commission ordered DeepSeek to destroy the illegally transferred data and establish legal safeguards for future cross-border sharing. DeepSeek, which claimed to offer a low-cost alternative to western AI tools, briefly dominated global headlines earlier this year. Yet its rapid rise has been matched by alarms over its opaque data practices. While the company asserted the transfers were meant to improve user experience, the lack of transparency has fueled fears that sensitive data could end up in the hands of the CCP. Volcengine, the cloud service provider, is owned by ByteDance, the firm behind TikTok, which has faced years of accusations of facilitating data transfers to China under government pressure. National security implications The incident underscores a broader problem with AI tools developed by Chinese firms: their potential to serve as vehicles for state-backed surveillance or intelligence gathering. For South Korea, a country situated close to China and frequently entangled in geopolitical tension with Beijing, the leakage of personal and communications data could directly compromise national security. For Americans, the risks are equally dramatic. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Chinese tech companies prioritize compliance with CCP directives over user privacy. As DeepSeek expands globally, its ability to vacuum up private conversations, searches, and inputs raises the specter of personal and proprietary information being weaponized by a foreign power. In response to the findings, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun insisted the CCP has "not and will never" mandate illegal data collection, but the denial rings hollow. As lawmakers and watchdogs note, Chinese firms operate under a legal framework requiring them to assist the CCP's intelligence and security services. In the United States, the DeepSeek controversy has intensified calls for stricter oversight of AI tools. The White House is reportedly accelerating reviews of foreign-made AI apps, with some lawmakers pushing for bans on government use of Chinese-developed systems. Experts caution that the solution isn't wholesale rejection of AI tools but rigorous scrutiny of their data policies and geographic boundaries. The DeepSeek scandal is a wake-up call. The serious risks of Chinese AI must be met with proportionate caution and legal safeguards. Whether it's South Korean users' personal data or American freedom, the cost of complacency in this era of digitalization could prove catastrophic. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com Reuters.com CNBC.com Toxic wildfire smoke from NJ forces 10 million New Yorkers indoors as air quality crisis worsens New York City and surrounding areas are under an activity-critical air quality crisis due to wildfire smoke from New Jersey. The fire has consumed 15,000 acres and is only half contained, despite firefighting efforts. The smoke contains harmful PM2.5 particles and cancer-causing chemicals that threaten public health. New York City and surrounding areas are under an unprecedented air quality emergency as toxic smoke from a raging New Jersey wildfire blankets the region, threatening the health of over 10 million residents. The Jones Road fire in Ocean County, NJ, blazing since Tuesday, has consumed more than 15,000 acres and remains only 50% contained, with officials warning containment may not occur until weekend rain arrives. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued a severe health advisory for Thursday, urging residents to stay indoors as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) saturates the air at levels dangerous enough to trigger asthma attacks, heart complications, and long-term cancer risks. A toxic health crisis unfolding The wildfire smoke carries a lethal payload of microscopic PM2.5 particles and cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing both immediate and chronic health damage. According to reports, New Yorks air quality index (AQI) has surpassed 100, a threshold at which sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions face heightened risks. Symptoms include coughing, throat irritation, and breathing difficulties, but the long-term dangers are far more alarming. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that prolonged exposure to wildfire PM2.5 can trigger systemic inflammation, worsen cardiovascular disease, and even accelerate cognitive decline. Wildfire smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals, with airborne toxins capable of inducing genetic mutations linked to tumor growth. This is not just a temporary nuisance; its an assault on public health. How officials are failing to protect the public Despite the severity of the threat, government responses have been distressingly inadequate. While authorities advise vulnerable populations to limit outdoor activities, millions remain exposed to hazardous air with minimal safeguards. "When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity," reads a feeble National Weather Service (NWS) advisoryhardly a proportional response to an environmental disaster of this magnitude. Even worse, the fires origin points to preventable human negligence. Investigators determined the blaze was sparked by an improperly extinguished bonfire, leading to charges against a 19-year-old suspect for aggravated arson. Yet, as dry conditions and high winds fueled the flames, officials failed to enact stringent fire prevention measures beforehand. Now, New Jersey has already seen nearly twice as many wildfires this year compared to 2024, burning through 16,500 acresproof of escalating environmental mismanagement. Protecting yourself in a poisoned atmosphere To protect yourself during this air quality crisis, it is crucial to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed while using air purifiers if possible. Avoid outdoor exertion, as physical activity increases the inhalation of toxic particles. It is advisable to monitor air quality by tracking real-time AQI updates through platforms like AirNow.gov. Additionally, wearing N95 masks provides the best filtration against harmful PM2.5 particles. Yet, these measures are merely stopgaps. The deeper issue is a systemic failure to prioritize public health over bureaucratic inertia. While politicians dither, ordinary citizens are left breathing in known carcinogens with no meaningful intervention. As urban air pollution converges with wildfire smoke, the cumulative damage on lung and heart health becomes irreversible. A wake-up call ignored This is more than a bad air day; its a warning. For the millions currently advised to stay indoors, this crisis demonstrates that environmental preparedness can no longer be treated as optionalit's become essential to protect our most vulnerable citizens. As Americans face dangerous air quality and health risks, communities need improved early warning systems, better firefighting resources, and clearer public health guidance. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NYPost.com Newsweek.com ScienceDirect.com Trump urges Putin to STOP strikes on Kyiv, criticizes Ukraines stance in peace talks Trump publicly criticized Putin for the war in Ukraine, urging an end to the violence while blaming Zelensky for prolonging the conflict by refusing territorial concessions. The U.S. warned it may withdraw from peace talks unless both Russia and Ukraine commit to a deal, with Vice President Vance pushing for frozen frontlines. European leaders, including Macron, rejected Trumps stance, arguing Putin alone is responsible and that concessions should not be made under pressure. Trump claimed both sides want peace but remain at an impasse, as diplomacy stalls and casualties rise with no resolution in sight. The White House signaled it may prioritize U.S. interests by stepping back, acknowledging the war's unsustainable toll on resources and stability. President Donald Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week, demanding an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine while blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for prolonging the war. The escalating diplomatic tension comes as the U.S. considers withdrawing from stalled peace negotiations, with Vice President JD Vance warning that Washington may abandon mediation efforts unless both sides commit to a deal. On Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social following a deadly Russian missile attack on Kyiv, which killed at least 10 people and injured 90. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying," Trump wrote. "Lets get the peace deal DONE!" A frustrated push for peace The Trump administration has repeatedly pressed for a ceasefire agreement, claiming both Russia and Ukraine must compromise. But Zelensky has refused to concede occupied territories, including Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. Trump criticized this stance, arguing Ukraines inflexibility is extending the conflict. U.S. issues ultimatum Vice President Vance reinforced Trumps position, signaling the White Houses dwindling patience. "We've issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it's time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process. We've engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy, of on-the-ground work," he said. Its now time, I think, to take, if not the final step, one of the final steps, which is, at a broad level, the party saying were going to stop the killing, were going to freeze the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today, Vance added. Now, of course, that means the Ukrainians and the Russians are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, warning that President Trump is nearing "a point where hes going to say, well, were done." Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Western leaders of exacerbating tensions, asserting that NATO expansion provoked Russia. European leaders push back While Trump directs frustration at Zelensky, European allies, including Frances Emmanuel Macron, argue Putin bears sole responsibility. "The Americans anger should focus on just one person: President Putin," Macron said, adding, "There is only one answer we are waiting for: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire? French officials dismissed Trumps criticism of Ukraine, emphasizing that territorial concessions should not be negotiated under duress. Despite the friction, Trump insists both sides are eager to end hostilities. "We are thinking that, very strongly, that they both want peace," he told reporters, adding, "But they have to get to the table. Were waiting a long time. However, with diplomacy stalled and casualties mounting, the conflicts resolution remains uncertain. As the White House weighs its next move, Trumps rare criticism of Putin underscores the wars unsustainable toll. With billions in U.S. aid drained and no clear victory in sight, the administration argues America must prioritize its interests, even if it means letting Ukraine and Russia settle their dispute alone. Sources for this article include: InfoWars.com APNews.com FoxNews.com U.S. imposes visa restrictions on Nicaraguan officials over human rights abuses The second Trump administration imposed visa bans on over 250 Nicaraguan officials, raising the total to more than 2,000 sanctioned individuals. The move targets Ortega and Murillo's regime for human rights abuses and suppression of democracy. Since the 2018 protests, Nicaragua's government has intensified crackdowns, jailing opposition leaders, silencing media, expelling Catholic clergy, displacing Indigenous Miskito communities and dismantling civil society groups. Ortega and Murillo amended the constitution to establish Murillo as co-president, further entrenching their authoritarian rule while falsely framing it as "direct democracy." A UN report accuses Nicaragua of systematically dismantling democracy, creating a repressive state-controlled system. It urges international action, including sanctions and legal accountability. Officials like Marco Rubio labeled Nicaragua's regime an "enemy of freedom," vowing continued pressure over its abuses, weaponization of migration and threats to regional stability. The United States has imposed visa restrictions on more than 250 Nicaraguan government officials due to escalating human rights violations and suppression of democracy in their country. The Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo government has intensified its repressive tactics since mass protests erupted in 2018, jailing political opponents, silencing independent media and targeting religious leaders. Since then, the Nicaraguan government has been accused of a litany of abuses, including arresting opposition leaders ahead of the 2021 elections on vague "national security" charges, expelling Catholic clergy and banning religious broadcasts, forcibly displacing Indigenous Miskito communities and shuttering civil liberties groups and human rights organizations. In January, Nicaragua's legislature, dominated by Ortega loyalists, approved a constitutional reform establishing Murillo as co-president and cementing the couple's political control. Ortega defended the move as a step toward "direct democracy," but critics decried it as a blatant power grab ahead of elections widely condemned as fraudulent. As a response, State Department Secretary Marco Rubio announced on April 18 that the U.S. government will impose visa restrictions on more than 250 Nicaraguan government officials. Overall, the number of Nicaraguan officials subject to U.S. visa bans is now over 2,000. "The United States is taking decisive steps to impose visa restrictions on more than 250 regime officials of the Nicaraguan dictatorship. With this new set of restrictions, the U.S. government has now taken steps to impose visa restrictions on over 2,000 officials in Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo's regime, which has deprived the Nicaraguan people of their fundamental freedoms and forced so many into exile," Rubio said. (Related: Trump administration to end legal protections for over 500,000 CHNV migrants under Biden-era parole program.) "As we mark seven years since the Ortega and Murillo regime's brutal wave of repression against protestors, we reflect on the protestors' courage and desire to live in a Nicaragua free from tyranny. The United States will not stand for Ortega and Murillo's continued assault on Nicaragua." Rubio reiterated his announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that "the Nicaraguan regime is an enemy of humanity" and "the Trump administration will not tolerate threats to U.S. security from a regime that weaponizes immigration and positions Nicaragua as a hub for illegal immigrants trying to cross our border." UN report accuses Ortega and Murillo of constructing "a centralized and repressive system" in Nicaragua A report by the United Nations (UN) Group of Human Rights Experts, published earlier in April, accused the regime of constructing "a centralized and repressive system" that has dissolved democratic institutions and stifled freedoms. "What we uncovered is a tightly coordinated system of repression, extending from the presidency down to local officials," said Ariela Peralta, an expert member of the Group. "These are not random or isolated incidents they are part of a deliberate and well-orchestrated State policy carried out by identifiable actors through defined chains of command." The 234-page report, based on thorough research including interviews, verified documents and confidential sources, exposes how Ortega and Murillo, who declared themselves "co-presidents" after a controversial 2025 constitutional change, have created a repressive, centralized system. They've taken control of all government branches, merging the ruling party with the state to consolidate their power. In response, the authors reiterated their call for the international community to act with urgency, adopting concrete measures such as legal accountability, targeted sanctions and robust support for victims and civil society. "This report is a roadmap for justice," said Reed Brody, an expert member of the Group. "States, prosecutors and international institutions now have the names, the structures and the evidence needed to pursue accountability." Bookmark InvasionUSA.news for updates on Trump's tough immigration policies. Watch the video below where Deputy Chief for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller reveals Trump got celebrity Rosie O'Donnell to "self-deport." This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump administration ends legal status for 500,000 migrants, orders self-deportation or arrest. Federal judge blocks Trump administrations order to deport over 500K migrants with Temporary Protected Status. Trump preparing to DEPORT 1.5 million illegal immigrants paroled and let into the country by Biden. Sources include: TheHill.com OHCHR.org Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Dell, on the other hand, has confirmed that its systems are unaffected by the MegaRAC issue, since it uses its own Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) in its servers. How could attackers exploit the flaw? A week after the patch was posted by AMI in March, Eclypsium, the company that discovered the vulnerability in late 2024, published more details of its inner workings: To our knowledge, the vulnerability only affects AMIs BMC software stack. However, since AMI is at the top of the BIOS supply chain, the downstream impact affects over a dozen manufacturers, wrote Eclypsium researchers. The flaw, scored at the maximum severity of 10, is designated a critical flaw on CVSS. It would allow bypass authentication through the Redfish interface, according to Eclypsium, with a range of outcomes, including remote control of the server, deployment of malware/ransomware, and destructive actions such as unstoppable reboot loops and even bricked motherboards. In short, it would not be a good day for victims, although no exploitation of the vulnerability has so far been detected. But as with any software vulnerability, what counts is the speed and ease with which it is patched. The first issue illustrated by the apparently slow response to CVE-2024-54085 is the complexity of the patching process when the software involved is part of a supply chain involving more than one vendor. Rawat noted that, for emerging markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, where concerns over data sovereignty and dependence on US or China-based cloud providers are growing, the new TCS offering could act as a blueprint for reducing reliance on global cloud giants. India already has many sovereign cloud deployments, but experts believe their capabilities have been limited. While National Informatics Centers MeghRaj, C-DACs PARAMShavak, and hyperscaler-hosted Indian regions (e.g., AWS Hyderabad, Oracle with Airtel) address localization, they lack interoperability and sovereign enforcement, said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst and CEO at Greyhound Research. And the present options in India, be it from hyperscalers or data centers, arent truly indigenous. While all leading cloud services, such as AWS, Google, Microsoft, and others, also conform to the laws prescribed, like data localisation for instance, the tech stack isnt indigenously designed and developed, said Faisal Kawoosa, chief analyst and co-founder at Techarc. Indias data center players, too, are exploring similar cloud solutions. Late last year, Yotta Data Services acquired IndiQus Technologies to address the big void of made-in-India Cloud and AI platforms. Earlier this week, NxtGen announced the launch of its sovereign cloud, built to meet the demands of the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector. Bharti Airtels B2B arm, in collaboration with Google, is also planning to launch an AI-enabled sovereign cloud solution. But the true test will lie in scaling AI capabilities effectively and proving cost and performance competitiveness against established global hyperscaler ecosystems, said Prabhu Ram, VP for the Industry Research Group at CyberMedia Research. 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. Men whove had COVID-19 may face hidden fertility risks. This study uncovers how the virus disrupts sperm health, even months after recovery. Study: COVID-19 infection was associated with poor sperm quality: a cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical observation study. Image Credit: Marko Aliaksandr / Shutterstock.com The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is capable of infecting various organs, including those within the reproductive tract. The male urogenital tract is particularly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the widespread expression of both angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), both of which are essential for viral entry into cells. Despite these correlations, few studies to date have examined the impact of COVID-19 on male fertility, including sperm quality. Thus, additional research is needed to elucidate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on reproductive health, particularly among men. A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports assessed sperm quality among male fertility patients who were previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2. How does COVID-19 affect sperm cells? The current study included COVID-19-affected individuals, as well as uninfected patients, who provided semen samples while being cared for at the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Shengjing, China. Sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, as well as sperm DNA fragmentation index (FDI) and chromatin immaturity, were measured in all semen samples. About 83% of the 604 participants in the cross-sectional study were infected with SARS-CoV-2, 140 of whom provided semen samples before and after testing positive for COVID-19. A total of 149 COVID-19-negative semen samples served as the control group. Sperm count, count of grade A sperm cells, which reflect sperm with rapid progressive motility, progressive motility, total motility, and sperm DFI, were lower in samples obtained from infected individuals as compared to controls, thus indicating poor sperm quality associated with COVID-19. These sperm parameters were similarly reduced in patients following SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, DFI was higher in these later samples. Sperm DNA integrity was adversely affected by COVID-19. The longitudinal study revealed that sperm quality was lower in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to pre-infection samples. Notably, earlier control semen samples had lower sperm quality as compared to their subsequent samples, thus highlighting the beneficial effects of fertility treatment. A higher proportion of COVID-19-positive patients exhibited lower semen parameters as compared to COVID-19-negative patients. In fact, 75% of infected patients experienced a 21% increase in DFI after contracting COVID-19, compared to their pre-infection samples. In the control group, 10% of the later samples exhibited deteriorating semen quality compared to the earlier samples. Nearly 58% of infected patients exhibited reduced sperm counts in their second samples. More specifically, sperm counts were reduced by 12%, equivalent to a loss of approximately 20.5 10^6 sperm cells. Approximately 70% of infected patients exhibited reduced total sperm motility by 17%. Similarly, 71% of infected sperm samples were found to have reduced grade A motility by 37%. Sperm DNA fragmentation can negatively impact the success of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), as sperm with high DFI are more likely to produce low-quality embryos, thereby increasing the rate of miscarriages and live births. Thus, the persistently high DFI values observed in semen samples obtained following COVID-19 emphasize the potentially devastating effects that SARS-CoV-2 infection can have on male fertility. Conclusions Following the onset of COVID-19, sperm quality parameters were significantly reduced when comparing both infected patients and controls, as well as between pre- and post-infection samples from infected participants. These observations were similar in in both the cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, suggesting that COVID-19 significantly reduces sperm quality. COVID-19 was associated with poor semen quality manifested by reduced sperm count and sperm motility, and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Although COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency, SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate worldwide, acquiring new mutations that increase the virulence and fitness of this pathogen. Taken together, the current study advises clinicians to integrate COVID-19 screening or diagnosis into the workup of patients with male infertility. A protein identified nearly 40 years ago for its ability to stimulate the production of red blood cells plays a surprising, critical role in dampening the immune system's response to cancer. Blocking the activity of the protein turns formerly "cold," or immune-resistant, liver tumors in mice into "hot" tumors teeming with cancer-fighting immune cells. When combined with an immunotherapy that further activates these immune cells against the cancer, the treatment led to complete regression of existing liver tumors in most mice. Treated animals lived for the duration of the experiment. In contrast, control animals survived only a few weeks. This is a fundamental breakthrough in our understanding of how the immune system is turned off and on in cancer. I could not be more excited about this discovery, and I hope treatments that target the mechanism we uncovered will quickly move forward to human trials." Edgar Engleman, MD, PhD, professor of pathology and of medicine Engleman is the senior author of the research, which will be published online April 24 in Science. Basic life research scientist David Kung-Chun Chiu, PhD, is the lead author of the study. Likely applicable to many cancers Although the work was completed in mice, there are strong indications that the protein, erythropoietin or EPO, plays a similar role in many types of human cancers. "Research from more than a decade ago has shown that giving EPO to cancer patients with anemia to stimulate red blood cell formation accelerates the growth of the tumor," Engleman said. The connection was so striking that in 2007 the Food and Drug Administration required a black box warning label on the drug cautioning against its use in people with cancers. Researchers also saw a clear correlation between patient prognosis and the levels of naturally occurring EPO and its receptor in the tumor. "Those old reports showed clearly that the more EPO or EPOR there was in tumors, the worse off the patients were," Engleman said. "But the connection between EPO and cancer immunity was never made until now. In fact, it took a long time and a lot of experiments to convince us that EPO plays a fundamental role in blocking the immune response to cancer, because EPO is so well established as a red blood cell growth factor." Chiu developed and studied genome editing techniques to create several mouse models of liver cancer to study how liver tumors develop and respond to treatment. Each model recapitulates specific mutations, histology and the response to approved therapies found in subtypes of human liver cancers. Tumor formation was either induced by injecting a combination of DNA encoding proteins associated with liver cancer into the animals' tail vein or by implanting liver cancer cells into the animals' livers. The researchers were interested in the effect on cancer growth of a common immunotherapy targeting a molecule called PD-1 on immune cells called T cells. Binding to PD-1 blocks the ability of cancer cells to dampen the activity of T cells. Anti-PD-1 therapies, including one marketed commercially as Keytruda, are routinely used to treat many types of human cancers including melanoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and some types of lung cancer. In some cases they have transformed patient outcomes. But a large majority of tumors, including most liver, pancreas, colon, breast and prostate cancers are resistant to the treatment. The researchers found that, similar to what has been observed in human liver cancers, some combinations of mutations led to the development of liver tumors that were largely ignored by the immune system, rendering them immune privileged, or cold. These tumors did not shrink when the animals were treated with anti-PD-1 because few T cells were present in the tumor. In contrast to the cold tumors, other mutations led to hot or "inflamed" tumors replete with T cells. These tumors were highly sensitive to anti-PD1 treatment, which triggered the T cells to attack the cancer. Unexpectedly, the cold tumors displayed elevated levels of EPO when compared with hot tumors. This increase is likely caused by the oxygen-poor microenvironment - a condition called hypoxia - prevalent in cold tumors. Hypoxia induces the production of proteins in cancer cells that, in turn, ramp up the production of EPO to create more red blood cells to combat low oxygen levels. "Hypoxia in tumors has been studied for decades," Engleman said. "It just didn't dawn on anyone, including me, that EPO could be doing anything in this context other than serving as a red blood cell growth factor." Curious, the researchers turned to existing databases to confirm that elevated levels of EPO are correlated with poorer survival of people with cancers of the liver, kidney, breast, colon and skin. They then tinkered with the ability of the tumor cells to make EPO and were surprised at what happened in the animals' liver tumors. They found that mutations that had led to the development of cold tumors instead caused hot tumors when the tumors were modified to be unable to make EPO. Conversely, hot tumors that had previously been successfully eradicated by the immune system thrived when they were engineered to make elevated levels of EPO. Further exhaustive research showed that, in cold tumors, the tumor cells make and secrete EPO, which binds to receptors on the surface of immune cells called macrophages. The macrophages then switch to an immunosuppressive role, shooing away cancer-killing T cells and tamping down their activity. The importance of this EPO-moderated crosstalk between tumor cells and macrophages showed clearly when the researchers studied the combinatorial effect of simultaneously blocking the EPO signaling pathway and anti-PD-1 pathway. In those experiments, no mice with cold liver tumors that were treated with control or with anti-PD-1 lived more than eight weeks after tumor induction. In contrast, 40% of mice with macrophages unable to make the EPO receptor lived for 18 weeks after tumor induction, when the experiment was terminated. When anti-PD-1 treatment was given to mice lacking the EPO receptor, all animals lived for the duration of the experiment. "It's simple," Engleman said. "If you remove this EPO signaling, either by lowering the hormone levels or by blocking the receptors on the macrophages, you don't just get a reduction in tumor growth, you get tumor regression along with sensitivity to anti-PD-1treatment." Engleman and his colleagues are now designing treatments targeting EPO signaling in human cancers. Non-specifically targeting the EPO protein could cause anemia, which Engleman speculates might be an acceptable trade-off for an effective cancer therapy. An alternative approach is to selectively block the EPO receptors on the surfaces of macrophages in the cancer. "I continue to be amazed by this finding," Engleman said. "Not every tumor is going to respond in the same way, but I'm very optimistic that this discovery will lead to powerful new cancer therapies." Researchers from the New York Blood Center and the pharmaceutical company ImmunEdge Inc. contributed to the research. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grants R01CA262361, P01CA244114, U54CA2745115 and P01HL149626). Chiu is a cofounder of ImmunEdge Inc. Engleman is a founder, shareholder and board member of ImmunEdge Inc. Chiu and Engleman are Stanford-affiliated inventors of PCT/US2023/063997, entitled "EPO receptor agonists and antagonists." If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a graph worth? For doctors trying to determine whether a patient's blood pressure is within normal range, the answer may depend on the type of graph they're looking at. A new study from the University of Missouri highlights how different graph formats can affect clinical decision-making. Because blood pressure fluctuates moment to moment, day to day, it can be tricky for doctors to accurately assess it. Sometimes a patient's blood pressure is high at the doctor's office but normal at home, a condition called white coat hypertension. There are some estimates that 10% to 20% of the high blood pressure that gets diagnosed in the clinic is actually controlled - it's just white coat hypertension - and if you take those same people's blood pressure at home, it is really controlled." Victoria Shaffer, psychology professor in the College of Arts and Science and lead author of the study In the study, Shaffer and the team showed 57 doctors how a hypothetical patient's blood pressure data would change over time using two different types of graphs. One raw graph showed the actual numbers, which displayed peaks and valleys, while the other graph was a new visual tool they created: a smoothed graph that averages out fluctuations in data. When the blood pressure of the patient was under control but had a lot of fluctuation, the doctors were more likely to accurately assess the patient's health using the new smoothed graph compared to the raw graph. "Raw data can be visually noisy and hard to interpret because it is easy to get distracted by outliers in the data," Shaffer said. "At the end of the day, patients and their doctors just want to know if blood pressure is under control, and this new smoothed graph can be an additional tool to make it easier and faster for busy doctors to accurately assess that." This proof-of-concept study is the foundation for Shaffer's ongoing research with Richelle Koopman, a professor in the School of Medicine, which includes working with Vanderbilt University and Oregon Health & Science University to determine whether the new smoothed graph can one day be shown to patients taking their own blood pressure at home. The research team is working to get the technology integrated with HIPAA-compliant electronic health records that patients and their care team have access to. This could alleviate pressure on the health care system by potentially reducing the need for in-person visits when blood pressure is under control, reducing the risk for false positives that may lead to over-treatment. "There are some people who are being over-treated with unnecessary blood pressure medication that can make them dizzy and lower their heart rate," Shaffer said. "This is particularly risky for older adults who are more at risk for falling. Hopefully, this work can help identify those who are being over-treated." The findings were not particularly surprising to Shaffer. "As a psychologist, I know that, as humans, we have these biases that underlie a lot of our judgments and decisions," Shaffer said. "We tend to be visually drawn to extreme cases and perceive extreme cases as threats. It's hard to ignore, whether you're a patient or a provider. We are all humans." Given the increasing popularity of health informatics and smart wearable devices that track vital signs, the smoothed graphs could one day be applied to interpreting other health metrics. "We have access to all this data now like never before, but how do we make use of it in a meaningful way, so we are not constantly overwhelming people?" Shaffer said. "With better visualization tools, we can give people better context for their health information and help them take action when needed." "The impact of an enhanced data visualization tool for hypertension in the electronic health record on physician judgments about hypertension control" was published in Journal of General Internal Medicine. Millions of Americans live in air quality "blind spots." This study maps the counties left in the dark and reveals how social and geographic disparities shape who gets protected from pollution. An air quality monitoring station - Study: Identifying air quality monitoring deserts in the United States. Image Credit: Chemival / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers evaluated counties in the United States (US) lacking air quality monitoring stations. Increased exposure to pollutants or low air quality has been linked to adverse health effects, including lower cognitive ability, an earlier onset of cognitive decline, an increased incidence of cognitive conditions, a higher risk of premature death, and the development or exacerbation of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Air quality measures are typically provided by environmental organizations or government agencies and are contingent upon the monitoring of pollutants across the area of interest. While air quality data are widely accessible, it is unclear whether social and place-based disparities exist regarding the presence of air quality monitoring sites and their implications for unmonitored sites. However, the study emphasizes that gaps in monitoring coverage are not just technical gaps, but reflect deeper issues of environmental justice and social inequity, as many unmonitored areas are rural or home to historically marginalized communities. Understanding whether differences exist in the location of monitoring sites will be essential to determining the risk of air pollution exposure and its consequences for the nation. Despite increasing awareness and calls to action, limited information exists on which areas are monitored and which remain unmonitored. The lack of monitoring infrastructure in certain areas can lead to an underestimation of local pollution and greater invisibility of the people most affected. Additionally, the authors note that recent federal initiatives, such as President Bidens 2021 Executive Order 14008 and new EPA funding programs, aim to address these gaps, but challenges remain. The study and findings In the present study, researchers analyzed US counties lacking air quality monitoring stations. The Environmental Protection Agencys AirData monitoring sites directory was accessed to examine the presence or absence of air quality monitoring sites. This dataset comprises information on over 20,000 air quality monitoring sites that were active at some point between 1957 and 2024. The team explored the number of active and closed monitoring sites and air quality monitoring policy changes since 1970. They examined the county-level absence of air quality monitoring sites; counties without a single monitoring station were classified as air quality monitoring deserts. To enrich their analysis, the researchers linked EPA data with demographic and socioeconomic data from the American Community Survey and urban-rural classifications from the Department of Agricultures Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. Next, air quality monitoring deserts were assessed in the southern United States, a region with the lowest air quality monitoring coverage. Furthermore, the researchers examined whether socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were associated with the likelihood of a county being designated as an air quality monitoring desert. Logistic regression models were used, with the outcome of classifying the county as a monitoring desert. An additional model was fit considering the population size. Findings Overall, 20,815 air quality monitoring sites have been active in the US at some point since 1957. Of these, only 4,821 remained open. The number of monitoring sites increased exponentially during the first 25 years, followed by a linear trend up to 2024. Further, there were state-level disparities in the percentage of air quality monitoring deserts. For example, states in the Northeast and West had lower percentages of monitoring deserts. By contrast, states in the mountain regions and the Midwest had higher percentages of air quality monitoring deserts. Monitoring deserts may reflect non-adjacency to metropolitan areas, low population density, or small population size. Less than 20% of counties in Washington, Arizona, Oregon, California, and Massachusetts were monitoring deserts. All counties in Delaware and Connecticut had a monitoring site. Conversely, at least 80% of counties in Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota were air quality monitoring deserts. This corrects the previous omission and now matches the journals specific state list. Overall, 59% of US counties were monitoring deserts, and 66% of the southern US counties were monitoring deserts. Non-metropolitan counties were more likely to be a monitoring desert. Furthermore, counties with a higher proportion of residents over 25 years old without a high school diploma and those with a higher proportion of residents working in forestry, agriculture, mining, or fishing had higher odds of being designated as air quality monitoring deserts. Increased poverty rates were associated with a greater likelihood of a county being classified as a monitoring desert. Conversely, higher levels of working-age adults were associated with lower odds of a county being a monitoring desert. Further, the odds of a county being a monitoring desert increased as the Black or African American population increased. In contrast, a higher Hispanic population was associated with lower odds of a county being a monitoring desert. In the model considering population size, the associations of African American or Black populations and non-metropolitan areas were sustained, while other associations weakened. Notably, the concentration of Hispanic populations was now associated with greater odds of a county being a monitoring desert. Moreover, the association between the percentage of the population working in agriculture, fishing, mining, and forestry was reversed. Overall, this model indicated that the odds of a county being a monitoring desert were low with a larger population size. Regionally, monitoring deserts were found to be especially concentrated in the Midwest and South, with a notable cluster in the "Southern Black Belt"a region with a historically high proportion of African American residents and persistent social disadvantage. The study also notes that while air quality estimates are readily available on smartphones and weather platforms, these estimates often rely on distant monitoring stations and may not reflect actual local air quality in monitoring deserts. This uncertainty could lead to an underestimation of pollution risks for millions of people. Additionally, the researchers highlighted that many air quality monitoring sites are aging, with the median age of open sites over 26 years, raising further concerns about the reliability of the existing infrastructure. The authors point out that these monitoring gaps may also limit the effectiveness of public health and environmental policies, as data-driven decisions are only as reliable as the underlying measurements. Conclusions The study found that over half of the counties in the US lacked air quality monitoring sites. Monitoring sites were present in areas with larger populations, consistent with primary standards, while monitoring deserts were concentrated in areas with indirect exposure, consistent with secondary standards. Crucially, the paper argues that these systematic monitoring gaps may leave entire communities "invisible" to research and policy, limiting our understanding of environmental exposures and health disparities in these regions. The authors call for an equitable expansion and modernization of air quality monitoring infrastructure throughout the US, especially in under-monitored rural and disadvantaged areas, to ensure more accurate data and better inform health and environmental policy. They also note that without comprehensive monitoring, any associations between air quality and health outcomes may be less reliable for unmonitored regions, further reinforcing inequities. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for collaboration among federal, state, and local governments to achieve universal, equitable air quality monitoring coverage and to address both the technical and social dimensions of environmental health. As Canadians face increasingly intense and frequent heat waves, health, education and legal experts are sounding the alarm on a growing crisis: extreme heat in schools and child care settings due to the escalating effects of climate change. Amid Government of Canada warnings of near record heat ahead in 2025, the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE) and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) say Canada's schools and child care facilities are ill-prepared and children are paying the price. Released in parallel by CPCHE and CELA are detailed analyses and a call for immediate, coordinated efforts to safeguard children's health, well-being, and learning in schools and child care settings across the country. CPCHE's summary of evidence and Collective Call for Action, signed by CPCHE and 40 partners and collaborators, including CELA, is complemented by twin CELA reports elaborating on the need for climate-resilient infrastructure. Experts nationwide representing a wide range of disciplines call on all levels of government to respond with urgency. The climate crisis is already reshaping childhood in Canada. Whether children are learning in settings that nurture or harm them depends on decisions made today." This isn't just about comfort. It's about protecting the health, safety, and future of every child in Canada." Erica Phipps, CPCHE Executive Director Children are especially at risk Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) predicts heat in 2025 will approach 2024 levels, the hottest on record. While models suggest 2025 may be slightly cooler than last year, it is virtually certain (>99% chance) to be hotter than every previous year. The physical risks of extreme heat include heat stroke, exhaustion, rashes, and other related illnesses that can strike quickly. CPCHE's nationwide Call for Action says children are particularly vulnerable to these serious health hazards because: A child's body produces more heat during activity and has a lower capacity to cool down through sweating than an adult's They dehydrate faster than adults, and Young children may struggle to communicate feelings of overheating, placing great responsibility on caregivers and educators. Children with disabilities or chronic health issues such as asthma, heart conditions, kidney problems, and mental or physical disabilities are especially susceptible. Research shows that even temperatures not deemed "extreme" can drive up emergency room visits for kids. Meanwhile, the impacts go beyond physical. Hot classrooms can impair attention, memory, and emotional regulation, making it harder for students to learn. Studies link elevated temperatures to irritability, poor sleep, absenteeism, and reduced academic performance. One U.S. study estimated that, without air conditioning, a 1F (0.5C) increase in temperature over a school year led to a 1% decline in learning. Another estimated a 4.5% reduction in student performance on a high school exam taken on a 32.2C day relative to a 21.1C day. Heat deepens inequities The CPCHE Collective Call for Action and CELA's research underscore a troubling reality: extreme heat amplifies social inequities. "Children in under-resourced and under-served communities often live in areas with less green space, denser housing, and limited access to cooling at home or school," says CELA Counsel Jacqueline Wilson. "Many attend schools without air conditioning or outdoor shade - conditions that turn already hot days into dangerous ones. Indigenous children, in particular, face additional layers of vulnerability due to systemic underfunding of infrastructure on First Nations lands, including education and child care facilities." Without targeted investment, Canada risks leaving thousands of children in dangerously overheated classrooms and child care facilities, where the stakes are not just academic, but a matter of health, safety, and justice. Overheated classrooms and playgrounds: A national problem Communities all across Canada are seeing an increase in the number of extreme heat events. The number of days above 30C is expected to double or triple in some parts of Canada by 2050 due to climate change. CPCHE underlines that Canada's educational infrastructure is lagging behind the changing climate, noting media reports that few schools in Quebec and Nova Scotia have air-conditioned classrooms. Similar reports suggest that less than a third of schools in Toronto have central air; in Winnipeg, dozens of facilities operate without any cooling systems at all. Indoor temperatures during heat events can soar well beyond the recommended maximum for residential settings - of 26C - an upper limit based on adult tolerances, not children's. Overheated classrooms may discourage school attendance, disrupting education and deny refuge to students whose homes also lack air conditioning. Pavement and other artificial surfaces can trap heat in playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces, pushing surface temperatures to dangerous levels. In an Arizona study, school playgrounds were the hottest spots measured. Shade is too often a luxury - more available in affluent schools than in lower-income areas. The increasing use of artificial turf is eclipsing the heat resilience offered by grass and vegetation, while posing additional health risks associated with toxic chemicals and microplastics. The CELA reports stress that the crisis is especially acute in First Nations communities, where chronic underfunding has left housing, child care centres, and schools ill-equipped to withstand extreme weather. Indigenous children face disproportionate exposure to poor air quality, wildfire smoke, and extreme heat, raising serious environmental justice concerns. Blueprint for safer, cooler learning environments CPCHE, CELA and partners lay out a detailed action plan to adapt Canada's schools and child care settings to extreme heat. Central to the plan is adopting a maximum indoor temperature standard of 26C. This threshold, they argue, must be supported with real investment-especially in under-resourced communities. Key recommendations include: Mechanical cooling systems: Schools and child care centres must install or upgrade HVAC systems and ensure that indoor spaces can maintain a maximum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, prioritizing low-energy and zero-carbon technologies like heat pumps. Building retrofits: Investments should go beyond cooling. Retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency-through improved insulation, cool roofing, and energy efficient ventilation-will also help reduce emissions and energy costs. Passive and behavioural measures: From window shading to turning off heat-generating electronics, simple strategies can help manage indoor temperatures. But schools and child care programs need guidance, training, and resources to implement them effectively. Greener outdoor spaces: More trees, natural ground cover, and shade structures are essential. CPCHE also recommends restricting dark pavement and banning the use of artificial turf due to its heat-trapping and environmental and health risks. Data collection and monitoring: Better data on indoor temperatures and impacts of heat on student health is needed to inform heat mitigation strategies. Temperature monitoring should be standard, and heat response plans must be in place and clearly communicated. The CELA reports underline a finding by Statistics Canada that much of the country's educational infrastructure is over 15 years old, with many facilities nearing the end of their usable lifespan. In Toronto, for example, the average public school is over 60 years old, and fewer than one-third have central air conditioning. They also cite the Assembly of First Nations to point out that current federal funding only meets about 23% of the capital needs of Indigenous schools. The result: overcrowded classrooms, outdated facilities, and, in many cases, schools unfit to provide safe and healthy learning environments during extreme heat. At least 202 First Nations schools require expansions, and 56 need complete replacement, a situation that requires the Federal Government's co-development of strategies with First Nations to promote climate resiliency, including extreme heat, in First Nations schools and child care facilities. Comments "The harmful physiological effects of indoor overheating have been well researched. Emerging evidence is reinforcing the message that prolonged exposure to indoor temperatures greater than 26C should be avoided to protect people susceptible to heat. Children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic health conditions are particularly vulnerable." Dr. Glen Kenny, Director, Human and Environmental Physiology Unit, University of Ottawa "Parents and families across Canada are sounding the alarm about the effects of the climate crisis on their children, including the rising incidence of extreme heat. We enthusiastically endorse this collective Call for Action because it sets forth a holistic and equity-focused strategy for action-one that puts children first. That means involving communities in planning, and prioritizing those disproportionately impacted by extreme heat not only in their schools and child care settings, but also in their homes and neighbourhoods. Our collective vision is for solutions that don't just cool educational settings, but build greener, more resilient environments for all." Anne Keary, For Our Kids "Climate change, including escalating extreme heat events, poses real threats to children's physical and mental health. With a mandate for cross-sectoral collaboration to reduce exposure to health hazards and improve health equity, local public health agencies are well-positioned to work with school boards, child care providers and other community partners to ensure educational settings are equipped with heat-health protective infrastructure to reduce climate risks for children in the face of a rapidly warming planet." Helen Doyle, Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) member, and Chair, Environmental Health Workgroup, Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) "The benefits of outdoor play and learning for children's social, emotional and cognitive development are undisputed. Simply put, children thrive when they have ample time outdoors. Without proactive measures now to create heat-resilient outdoor play and learning settings, climate change will take an even greater toll on our children and their futures. This collective Call for Action outlines the path forward to climate-resilient learning environments for all children, both indoors and out." Louise de Lannoy, Executive Director, Outdoor Play Canada Signatories to the Call to Action are organizations devoted to public health, environmental protection, climate action, legal aid, social justice, education, early learning and child care, occupational health and safety, and parent advocacy: Bruker Corporation today announced the launch of the Beacon Discovery Optofluidic System at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025. This new Beacon benchtop system offers an accessible entry point into live single-cell functional analysis. Beacon Discovery an accessible, compact system for live single-cell functional analysis. Image Credit: Bruker Cellular Analysis Building on Brukers proprietary Opto-Electrical Positioning (OEP) technology and scalable OptoSelect microfluidic chips, Beacon Discovery complements the floor-standing premium Beacon platforms. All Beacon systems precisely isolate, control, and analyze single cells within Nanopens using machine learning-driven automation and OEP. Researchers can conduct multi-parameter and temporal functional analysis over days or weeks, combining live-cell imaging with sequential assays. Cells can then be recovered for downstream transcriptomic and genomic analysis, enabling a unique linkage between functional insights and sequencing data from the same cell. While the existing higher-throughput Beacon platforms focus on fully automated therapeutic antibody discovery and cell line development for pharma and CROs, the new single-chip Beacon Discovery prioritizes ease of use and flexibility with an intuitive user interface and customizable workflows for translational research in academic and biotech laboratories. With a substantially reduced cost of ownership and lower running costs, Beacon Discovery lowers the barrier to entry for researchers and core labs exploring immuno-oncology, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and immune profiling for regenerative medicine, antibody and T Cell Receptor (TCR) discovery, and cell therapy development. One of the Beacon Discovery early-access users, Dr. Joseph Zenga, MD, Associate Professor and Division Chief at the Medical College of Wisconsin, highlighted the platforms impact: "Having used the Beacon platform for years, we have seen firsthand how it transforms TCR discovery for cancer immunotherapy. Its automated workflows and novel multi-parameter temporal analysis allow precise characterization of tumor antigen-specific T cells, accelerating the identification of potent therapeutic candidates from patient tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). With the new Beacon Discovery, this powerful technology is now within reach for many more individual and core labs in academia and industry." Beacon Discovery is redefining live single-cell functional analysis, as demonstrated by numerous Beacon based publications in leading journals," Vikram Devgan, PhD, Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Management, Bruker Cellular Analysis "With a much lower entry price and enhanced ease of use, we are breaking down barriers and setting new standards in single-cell functional characterization. This platform enables deep biological insights across a broad range of applications, empowering R&D and translational researchers in pharma, biotech, and academia to accelerate novel B and T cell therapeutic development and biomarker research." The platform is now open for pre-orders, with commercial shipments expected later in 2025. For an early preview of how this cutting-edge platform may reveal novel insights of your biology, Bruker is launching a Technology Access Program (TAP), allowing Confidentialresearchers to submit samples to Bruker Cellular Analysis for evaluation on the Beacon Discovery system. Join us at AACR 2025, Booth #803, to experience Beacon Discovery firsthand. Dont miss our workshop, "Introducing Beacon Discovery: Bringing Live Single-Cell Multi-Parameter Functional Analysis to Every Lab," on April 27th at 3:30 PM CST. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disease which, in addition to a high risk of bowel cancer, also a greatly increased risk of duodenal cancer. At present, the only treatment available is close endoscopic monitoring with removal of the precursors, known as polyps, although this is also associated with an increased risk. But there are no specific preventive therapies. Since the severity of the disease varies greatly even among carriers of the same gene mutation, the search is on for other factors that influence the development of the disease - and the local immune system is becoming the focus of attention." Dr. Benjamin Kramer, Co-Lead Author, Scientific Head of the Laboratory for Congenital Cellular Immunology, UKB Neurotransmitter causes damage to the genetic material The Bonn researchers have now discovered that certain cells of the innate immune system, known as type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), are present in significantly higher numbers in the duodenum of FAP patients. "We found an increased number of these cells in the mucosa, particularly in the vicinity of polyps and cancerous areas," says co-lead author Dr. Robert Huneburg, senior physician at the Medical Clinic I and the National Center for Hereditary Tumor Diseases at the UKB. The Bonn research findings provide clues as to how these immune cells could contribute to the development of cancer: they produce a Neurotransmitter called interleukin-17A (IL-17A). "This messenger appears to stimulate intestinal cells to produce more harmful molecules known as reactive oxygen species, or ROS for short. High concentrations of these ROS can damage the genetic material in the cells," says first author Dr. Kim Melanie Kaiser, who until recently conducted research as a doctoral student in the ImmunoSensation Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn. Such damage to DNA, the carrier of genetic information, is a known factor that can drive the development of cancer. "Our findings suggest that the increased number of interleukin-17A-producing ILC3 in the duodenum creates a local environment that favors the development of cancer in FAP patients," says co-lead author Prof. Dr. Jacob Nattermann from the Laboratory for Innate Cellular Immunity, Deputy Director of Medical Clinic I and Senior Physician at the National Center for Hereditary Tumor Diseases at the UKB. He is also a member of the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation and the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) "Life & Health" at the University of Bonn. "Targeting these immune cells or, in particular, blocking the messenger substance IL-17A directly in the duodenum could therefore represent a promising new approach to preventing duodenal cancer in people with FAP and offer an urgently needed therapeutic option in addition to pure endoscopic monitoring." Participating institutions and funding: These results are based on a collaboration between research institutions from all over Germany. The study was conducted under the leadership of researchers from Medical Clinic I at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), with the ImmunoSensation Cluster of Excellence at the University of Bonn also playing a key role. Also involved were the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn, the German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), which is affiliated with the Charite University Hospital in Berlin and cooperated as part of the DFG Priority Program SPP 1937 "Innate Lymphoid Cells", and the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat (LMU) Munich, which participated in the context of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF). Apple Likely To Shift All iPhone Production For US Market To India By 2026: Reports Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Mohammad Haris Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 16:51 IST The decision will depend on how quickly Apple's supply chain can scale up in India, and also on the evolving trade dynamics between the US and China, according to reports. Apple is expanding its footprint in the Indian consumer market, where it now commands nearly 8 per cent of the smartphone market share. Apple iPhone Production In India: In a major shift in its global supply chain strategy, Apple is planning to move the entire assembly of iPhones sold in the United States to India as early as next year, the Financial Times reported on April 25, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the Financial Times, the decision will depend on how quickly Apples supply chain can scale up in India, and also on the evolving trade dynamics between the US and China. Recommended Stories CNBC-TV18, citing sources, also reported the same development, adding that the outcome of ongoing tariff negotiations between Washington and Beijing will be a key factor influencing Apples final move. The report noted that US President Donald Trump has long encouraged Apple to reduce its dependency on Chinese manufacturing amid escalating trade tensions. Apple is expanding its footprint in the Indian consumer market, where it now commands nearly 8 per cent of the smartphone market share. Foxconns Bengaluru Plant Nearing Completion On the ground in India, Apples contract manufacturing partners are already increasing their production capacity. Foxconns new facility in Bengaluru is expected to be operational by the end of this month, according to CNBC-TV18, with a peak annual capacity of 20 million units. India Now Assembles 20% of Global iPhones Earlier this month, Bloomberg News reported that Apple assembled iPhones worth $22 billion in India over the past year an all-time high. This means nearly 20% of Apples total iPhone production now comes from India, marking a pivotal moment in the companys effort to diversify beyond China. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Supply Chain Diversification in Focus The development comes amid Apples broader plan to de-risk its supply chain from geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs in China. The move is also expected to boost Indias ambitions of becoming a global electronics manufacturing hub under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. 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 25, 2025, 12:03 IST RBL Bank Q4 Results: Consolidated Profit Dips 76% As Unsecured Loans Bite Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 18:53 IST RBL Bank's overall provisions shoot up to Rs 785 crore from the Rs 414 crore in the year-ago period due to troubles in the microfinance and credit card books. News18 Setbacks in unsecured lending led RBL Bank to report a 76 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit for the January-March quarter at Rs 86.99 crore on a consolidated basis. The city-based lender had reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 364 crore in the year-ago period and Rs 47 crore in the preceding December quarter. The overall provisions shot up to Rs 785 crore from the Rs 414 crore in the year-ago period due to troubles in the microfinance and credit card books, and the bank hinted that it may not have to set aside higher sums going ahead. Recommended Stories The core net interest income declined by 2 per cent to Rs 1,563 crore on a 7 per cent growth in net advances and a sharp decline in net interest margin to 4.89 per cent as against 5.45 per cent in the year-ago period. The other income grew 14 per cent to Rs 1,000 crore. A senior bank official explained that the NIMs will compress for six more months on factors like rate cuts and stabilize at the current level by the end of the current fiscal year. The bank is targeting a mid-to-high teen growth in advances in the new fiscal, which will include an over 25 per cent increase in retail assets on the back of growth in secured book, and doubling in the wholesale asset growth to 12 per cent, its managing director and chief executive R Subramaniakumar said. The gross slippages came at Rs 1,058 crore, including Rs 479 crore on the credit card front and Rs 472 crore on the MFI book. The bank said the entire stock of bad microloans has been provided for, which led to the increase in the provisions for the reporting quarter, and added that 75 per cent of provisions have been done for assets unpaid for over 31 days. The overall deposit growth came at 7 per cent, and the bank will continue to focus on granularising it, the CEO said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The overall capital adequacy stood at a comfortable over 15 per cent, and the CEO told reporters that there is no need for raising more resources. RBL Bank shares closed 5.30 per cent down at Rs 187.8 apiece on BSE on Friday against a 0.74 per cent correction on the benchmark Sensex. First Published: April 25, 2025, 18:53 IST Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:53 IST Indias Ministry of External Affairs announced a series of tough measures in response to the attack. Pakistan Stock Exchange Crash: On Friday, April 25, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) website was temporarily taken offline, displaying a message that read Well be back soon." This followed two consecutive days during which benchmark index dropped by over 2,500 points due to heightened geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. The benchmark KSE-100 index dropped 2.12 percent, or 2,485.85 points, to 114,740.29 within the first five minutes of trading on Thursday, amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the region. The PSX website displayed a message stating well be back soon," indicating that it was under maintenance until further notice. Thursdays sharp decline follows another significant drop on Wednesday, when the PSX closed lower after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut Pakistans GDP growth forecast to 2.6% for the current fiscal year. Investor confidence has also been shaken by broader economic and political challenges. Fitch Ratings recently flagged concerns over Pakistans weakening currency, ongoing political uncertainty, and growing security risks, particularly in Kashmir, which have further undermined sentiment in the financial markets. Indias Ministry of External Affairs announced a series of tough measures in response to the attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, immediate closure of trade via the Wagah-Attari border, and the revocation of visa exemptions for Pakistani nationals under the SAARC framework. Mumbai Tech Firm Delivers 46,740% Return In 11 Years, Turns Rs 1 Lakh Into Rs 4.72 Crore Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 24, 2025, 20:44 IST Mumbai's Dynacons Systems & Solutions delivered a 46,740% return in 11 years, with shares rising from Rs 2.50 to Rs 1,180, showing strong long-term growth despite recent volatility Promoters of the company hold a 60.95% stake, reflecting confidence in the firm's future. In a market where volatility often overshadows opportunity, one unassuming IT services firm has quietly transformed small investments into multi-crore windfalls. Mumbai-based Dynacons Systems & Solutions, a company once trading at just Rs 2.50 per share, has skyrocketed over the past 11 years, delivering an astonishing return of 46,740% to long-term investors. On Thursday, April 24, shares of Dynacons were seen changing hands at Rs 1,180 apiece on the Bombay Stock Exchange, a staggering climb from their May 2014 level. This meteoric rise implies that an investment of Rs 1 lakh in the companys stock back then, if untouched, would be worth approximately Rs 4.72 crore today. Recommended Stories Dynacons, which specialises in IT infrastructure and systems integration services, has witnessed its stock touch a 52-week high of Rs 1,730, while its low during the same period stood at Rs 929.20. Despite recent volatility, the firms overall trajectory remains one of the most dramatic in the penny stock universe. The company currently holds a market capitalisation of Rs 1,469 crore. Promoters appear to have strong confidence in the firms future, maintaining a controlling 60.95% stake as of March 2025. Last year, Dynacons also rewarded shareholders with a modest interim dividend of Rs 0.50 per share. Financially, the company posted standalone revenue of Rs 308.92 crore for the OctoberDecember 2024 quarter, reflecting its steady operational growth. However, the stocks recent short-term performance has been more tempered. Over the past week, shares have edged up by 4.5%, and in the past month, theyve gained just over 5%. But a closer look reveals some headwinds: the stock is down 3.53% over the last quarter, and it has slipped 13.11% over the past 12 months, with a year-to-date decline of 16%. Nonetheless, the three-year picture remains highly positive. Since 2022, Dynacons shares have surged over 250%, underscoring the long-term potential of identifying undervalued gems in the small-cap space. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While Dynacons extraordinary returns are headline-worthy, market analysts continue to caution that investing in low-priced or highly volatile stocks carries inherent risk. Prospective investors are urged to conduct thorough research and seek advice from certified financial advisors before committing capital. (Disclaimer: Investments in equity markets are subject to risks. This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.) First Published: April 24, 2025, 20:44 IST Amidst Indo-Pak Tensions, Wars & Diplomatic Rows Between Two Neighbours Since 1947 Explained Curated By : Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:15 IST India & Pakistan fought 1999 Kargil war after Pakistani troops infiltrated LoC and occupied Kargil. Besides, 1947 Kashmir war, and 1971 Liberation War were fought between the two Security personnel stand guard a day after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J & K, Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025. (PTI Photo) India has taken some tough diplomatic measures against the Pakistani government after 26 tourists were killed in South Kashmirs Pahalgam in broad-day light on April 22 by The Resistance Front (TRF) terrorists. The Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, halted the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, expelled military attaches and slashed diplomatic staff at both High Commissions in order to send a strong message to Shehbaz Sharif government that it will identify, track and punish" every terrorist and their backers" who were behind the Pahalgam attack. The Attari check post has also been shut, with a May 1 deadline for any legal cross-border returns. Recommended Stories Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Bihar on Thursday, said, Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished". He stressed, I want to say in very clear words that the terrorists who carried out this attack and those who conspired in it will receive a punishment bigger than they can imagine." Let us look at the major diplomatic conflicts and wars between India and Pakistan since 1947. The 1947 War: The first Kashmir War began in October 1947 and the consequence was the accession of Jammu and Kashmir by India. Pakistan was under the fear that Maharaja Hari Singh would accede to India. It was after the Partition that the princely states were given three options: Accede to India, accede to Pakistan or remain independent. Jammu and Kashmir had a significant number of Muslims and Hindus. The tribal Islamic forces met and joined the Pakistan army and occupied some parts of the princely state. Thus, Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India and received military aid. The issue was taken to the UN Security Council and Resolution 47 was passed on April 22, 1948, and the Line of Control was created. On January 1, 1949, a ceasefire was declared. India had control of two-thirds of Jammu and Kashmir, whereas Pakistan gained Gilgit Balistan and Azad Kashmir. India calls it Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The 1965 War: It started with Pakistans Operation Gibraltar where the forces tried to enter the India-administered areas and start the insurgency. The Indian government launched a full-scale military response against West Pakistan. The war was fought for 17 days and thousands of people died on both sides. The Soviet Union and USA had to intervene and a ceasefire was declared. India had an upper hand in the war as Pakistan caused insurgency. The 1971 Liberation War: Tensions rose in December 1970 when the Awami League party, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and based in East Pakistan, won the national elections but West Pakistan parties, namely the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), refused to hand over power. Tensions between Bengalis and Biharis the Urdu-speaking communities that had moved to East Pakistan from different parts of India after Partition rose, which led to attacks on some Bihari communities. In March 1971, the Pakistan Army intervened to stem the growth of nationalist sentiments in the east and recruited local pro-Pakistan Bengalis and non-Bengalis, including members of the Islamic organisation Jamaat-e-Islami. An estimated toll of both civilian and military deaths range from 500,000 to over 3 million. Millions of refugees fled to neighbouring India. On December 16, 1971 Bangladesh was created. The 1999 Kargil War: The Pakistani troops infiltrated the Line of Control and occupied Indian territory at Kargil in Kashmir. There was fear of large-scale military escalation which then forced the US to pressurize Pakistan to withdraw. Pakistan had to face the pressure of international isolation, which could be detrimental to its economy. Many units of the Northern Light Infantry of Pakistan had suffered heavy casualties. Nawaz Sharif later told international media that more than 4,000 Pakistani troops were killed in the operation and that Pakistan had lost the war. Diplomatic Debacles Between India And Pakistan Mumbai 26/11 Attacks: On November 26, 2008, fears of direct military confrontation between India and Pakistan abounded after militants laid siege to Mumbai, killing 166 people, including six Americans. Both India and the US blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militant group with alleged ties to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for perpetrating the attack. Instead of escalating tensions, the India took the diplomatic route by seeking cooperation with the Pakistani government to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice, paving the way for improved relations. When Modi Became PM In 2014: Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited then Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend his inauguration. After a brief period of optimism, relations turned sour once more in August 2014 when India cancelled talks with Pakistans foreign minister after the Pakistani high commissioner in India met with Kashmiri separatist leaders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The 2016 Uri Attack: Momentum towards meaningful talks came to an end in September 2016, when armed militants attacked a remote Indian Army base in Uri, near the LOC, killing 18 Indian soldiers in the deadliest attack on the Indian armed forces in decades. Indian officials accused Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), another group with alleged ties to ISI, of being behind the attack. In response, the Indian military announced it had carried out surgical strikes" on terrorist camps inside PoK while the Pakistani military denied any such operation. The 2019 Pulwama Attack: In February 2019, a convoy of Indian paramilitary forces in Pulwama were targeted, in which at least 40 soldiers died. The attack, claimed by Pakistan-backed JeM, was the deadliest in Kashmir in three decades. India retaliated by conducting an air strike that targeted terrorist training camps within Pakistani territory; these were answered by Pakistani air strikes on Kashmir. The exchange escalated into an aerial fight, and Pakistan captured an Indian pilot, who was released days later. 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 25, 2025, 14:09 IST How Rafale Jets Have Given India A Superior Combat Edge Since 2019 Balakot Strike Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 08:26 IST India had used Mirage 2000 fighter jets during the Balakot air strike in 2019. But it now also has the French SCALP Missiles for the Rafale Fighter Jets India is carrying out Exercise Aakraman (Attack) over a large area in the central sector involving its mainstream fighter aircraft fleets led by the Rafale combat aircraft. (PTI File Image) India now has 36 Rafale jets in its arsenal, a capability it was missing in 2019 at the time of conducting surgical air strikes in Balakot when the country had used the Mirage 2000 fighter jets. The Rafales, which India had started procuring in 2020, have given India a superior air-combat edge in the region. India now holds the Rafale jets in two squadrons based at Ambala (Haryana) and Hashimara in West Bengal. Significantly, India is presently carrying out Exercise Aakraman (Attack) over a large area in the central sector involving its mainstream fighter aircraft fleets led by the Rafale combat aircraft. This comes at a time when India-Pakistan tensions are running high after the Pahalgam terror strike on April 22, and Prime Minister Narendra Modis warning on Thursday that India will go to any lengths to bring the terror perpetrators and their backers to justice. Recommended Stories India had used the Spice-2000 precision guided penetration bombs from the Mirage 2000 fighter jets during the Balakot air strike, but it now also has the French SCALP Missiles for the Rafale Fighter Jets which have a precision strike range of over 300 km, making them highly effective. The Balakot aftermath had also underlined the need for India to acquire the sophisticated Rafale Jets on priority to get air superiority in the region and dominate the Pakistan F-16 fighters. India did so by securing 36 Rafales between 2020 and 2023 from France. India had used the Mirage 2000 Fighter jets to conduct an airstrike on a terror camp in Pakistans Balakot in 2019, after the Pulwama terror strike on the CRPF. The next day, Pakistan Air Force with the fourth generation F-16 aircraft headed towards India and India scrambled its jets to intercept them. In a big success, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman pursued a retreating F-16 fighter jet and shot it down with an onboard missile during a dogfight. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, one of the enemy aircraft fired multiple advanced BVR missiles, one of which hit Abhinandans aircraft forcing him to eject in the enemy territory. He was later handed over by Pakistan to India and was awarded Vir Chakra for his bravery. He is now a Group Captain. India is planning to induct more Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force in its arsenal in the near future, of which it already has procured the 36 jets. India in fact will now soon get 26 more Rafale M (Marine) jets from France for deployment on its aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. That makes India a formidable air force in the region. 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 25, 2025, 08:19 IST What 1993 CIA Report Has Predicted For Pakistan If It Went On War With India | Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 16:19 IST The CIA report says Pakistan has lost previous engagements, and its leaders probably believe another war could destroy the military or even the state The CIA report adjudicates that India has no strategic interest in initiating a war with Pakistan."(Representative image) The terrorist attack in Baisaran near Pahalgam in South Kashmir that killed 26 tourists has put spotlight on terror activities backed by militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and its offshoots to create fear among masses and disturb peace and regional stability. The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed the responsibility for the attack. It has a backing of LeT, which is supported by Pakistans Inter- Services Intelligence (ISI). Recommended Stories India has unleashed a series of stern diplomatic actions against the Pakistani government, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, cancellation of visas of Pakistani nationals, reducing the diplomatic staff strength at both High Commissions and shutting down the Attari check post with immediate effect. With the anticipation of military escalation from both sides, a recently declassified 1993 CIA document has predicted doom for Pakistan if the two countries went to war. What Does The CIAs Declassified Report Say? A Firstpost report found that much of the context to the India-Pakistan tensions is found in a recently declassified 1993 CIA report titled India-Pakistan: Prospects for War in the 1990s, which examines the enduring strategic anxieties on the subcontinent, particularly Pakistans fear of a superior India. The report adjudicates that India has no strategic interest in initiating a war with Pakistan," pointing out the fact that Pakistan has lost previous engagements, and its leaders probably believe another war could destroy the military or even the state." It also took into account the prospect of a nuclear war and observed that Pakistan saw the weapon as a deterrent and insurance against India. Pakistan sees nuclear weapons primarily as a deterrent and as insurance for its survival if a conflict developed with conventionally superior India," read the document. Rapid Indian military improvements would strain Pakistans ability to remain competitive. Islamabad would feel even more threatened by Indias growing military edge and would rely more heavily on nuclear deterrence. As a last resort, a desperate government in Islamabad also might consider an extreme measure such as openly deploying nuclear weapons," the CIA said in the secret 1993 report. The report also looks at the possibility of another coup in Pakistan, stating, Another Army seizure of power in Pakistan would immediately set back relations with India. After an initial period of mistrust, however, New Delhi would accustom itself to dealing with a military regime that, in our estimation, would want to avoid war. As in the past, a military government probably would be cautious but willing to negotiate with India." CIA Document On Nuclear Deterrence The document warns Either military could develop hair-trigger responses that would escalate quickly to the nuclear level." This highlights the possibility of miscalculation or rapid escalation, where even a limited skirmish could spiral into a catastrophic exchange. It raises concerns about the possible breakdown of nuclear deterrence should either side misread intentions or act pre-emptively. Cost, economy and foreign capital were important considerations highlighted in the CIA report that restrain both countries from full-scale war. Both sides believe the economic costs of another war would be exorbitant," particularly due to the risk of losing access to public and private foreign capital. The report further mentioned the economic crisis in Pakistan. Pakistans economic woes make it questionable whether its military budget can be sustained at the level needed to keep it militarily competitive with India, which is much bigger and richer, and economically more robust," it stated. CIA Report Sees Kashmir As Flashpoint The report warns that flashpoints like Kashmir, internal meddling," and communal incidents" could lead to war through miscalculations or intelligence failures. It further notes: Possession of Muslim-majority Kashmir is fundamental to the self-image of each nation, it has been a battlefield in all previous conflicts. About 350,000 Indian troops are fighting an insurgency that appears to have no end. These forces can prevent Kashmirs succession or its acquisition by Pakistan, but are unlikely to defeat the insurgents." The report highlights, Pakistan sees Kashmir as an issue of self-determination and human rights. It backs 40-year-old UN resolutions calling for a plebiscite that allows Kashmiris to choose between India and Pakistan. Islamabad will seek every opportunity to internationalise the dispute, including pleas to Washington to convene a Camp David-like process." 5 Big Measures India Has Taken Against Pakistan The overall strength of the Pakistani and Indian High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the current 55 through further reductions, to be effected by May 1. Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme and any Pakistani national in India under it the visa scheme has 48 hours to leave India. 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. The treaty brokered by the World Bank to share the waters of cross-border rivers is considered to be the most durable pact between the two sides. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The integrated Attari-Wagah checkpost will be closed with immediate effect. It is the only operational land border crossing between the two countries. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements should return before May 1. India will be withdrawing its Defence, Navy and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. India has also decided that the Defence, Military, Naval and Air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi will be declared persona non grata. They have one-week time to leave India. 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 25, 2025, 16:12 IST Airstrikes, LoC Offensive, And More: Four Military Options On The Table For India After Pahalgam Attack Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 11:08 IST PM Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have said India would not spare the perpetrators and their backers in the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Anantnag: A security personnel during a search operation following a terror attack at Pahalgam, in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Image: PTI) After the brazen Pahalgam terror attack, India has taken a bevy of decisions to step up diplomatic pressure on Pakistan, while also indicating that there could be more actions in the near future. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have said India would not spare the perpetrators and their backers behind the April 22 attack that killed 26 people, a majority of them tourists. This has sparked speculations about a possible military response, though there has been no official word. If India indeed takes the military route, there could be four options before it. Read on: Recommended Stories Airstrikes Using Advanced Fighter Jets Airstrikes using advanced fighter jets like Rafale and Mirage 2000 are being considered for precision attacks on key military infrastructure, promising minimal collateral damage. These jets are equipped with high-speed capabilities, advanced radar, and missile systems to effectively penetrate the enemys defence. However, risks include potential escalation and international scrutiny over airspace violations, sources said. Offensive Operations Across the Line of Control (LoC) India is also contemplating offensive operations across the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistans suspension of the Simla Agreement reflects a disregard for the sanctity of the LoC, which could justify ground offensives. Recent violations at the LoC provide a pretext for limited incursions targeting militant bases or strategic outposts. Such operations are challenged by rugged terrain, fortified positions, and the necessity for rapid, coordinated assaults to avoid prolonged engagement, which could provoke broader conflict, sources said. Surgical Strikes Surgical strikes remain an option, targeting terrorist camps or high-value targets as demonstrated in previous years. Due to heightened Pakistani vigilance, these operations are no longer a surprise tactic, reducing their strategic advantage. Successful execution demands meticulous planning, real-time intelligence, and elite forces. Targeted Artillery And Sniper Operations Targeted artillery and sniper operations present a less escalatory alternative, involving heavy mortars, artillery guns, and precision sniping, unused in the last four years. These operations aim to degrade enemy positions, supply lines, or outposts along the LoC. While lower in escalation risk, their strategic impact is limited compared to air or ground operations. Concerted sniping campaigns can disrupt morale and operations without committing to large-scale offensives. Will Track Down And Punish Every Terrorist On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a clear message to Pakistan and the world that India will track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and backers." Speaking on the Pahalgam attack, at a rally in Bihar, while addressing the people in Hindi, PM Modi switched to English as he announced to the world that India will ensure justice is served. Today from soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them till the end of the Earth. Terrorism will not go unpunished," PM Modi said. We will snatch every bit of land from these terrorists," the Prime Minister added. Indias Actions Against Pakistan India had on Wednesday announced several measures against Pakistan including cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. Any Pakistani citizen currently in India under this scheme has been asked to leave the country within 48 hours. All the existing valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April. Medical visas would be valid till 29 April. This decision does not apply to the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), it was announced that the overall strength of the Pakistani and Indian high commissions will be brought down to 30 from 55 through further reductions, starting May 1. India also decided to cut off military-diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors posted at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi have been declared persona non grata and ordered to leave within a week. India will also pull back its military advisors from Islamabad. About the Author Akash Sharma Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience coverin... Read More Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience coverin... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 10:29 IST Avenging Pahalgam: After LoC Surgical Strike & Balakot Airstrike, Will India Aim For PoK? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:12 IST Will India give a befitting reply to Pakistan and LeT, surpassing previous benchmarks and matching Israel's no-holds-barred war on Hamas? PM Modi on Thursday said that India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their handlers and backers. (PTI File) There are clear parallels. On October 7, 2023, Israel saw one of its worst attacks on its innocent unarmed civilians as did Indias Kashmir witness one of its worst attacks in recent years on tourists at Pahalgam. In Israel, terrorists opened fire at the Nova music festival while individuals were enjoying themselves. In Pahalgam, terrorists opened fire on tourists having a good time, riding ponies, or taking selfies. Be it Beeri, Kfar, or Aza victims were all non-Muslims. In Pahalgam too, non-Muslims were identified and gunned down. Recommended Stories But will India give a befitting reply to Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Toiba (whose offshoot TRF claimed responsibility for the attack) surpassing its previous benchmarks, matching Israels no-holds-barred war on Hamas? MODI SO FAR When the attack happened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Jeddah. He called Home Minister Amit Shah and directed him to reach Pahalgam. He himself skipped the official dinner and cut short his visit by 24 hours. Upon landing at New Delhi, instead of waiting, he sought a briefing at the airport itself from National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and the Foreign Secretary over the situation in view of the terror attack. On the way back, he received a call from US President Donald Trump who condemned what government sources called Islamist terror" and offered all possible support" to bring the perpetrators to justice. Later in the day, he chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) by when Shah flew back from Kashmir and briefed him on what he had gathered. The meeting went on for a two-and-a-half hours, say government sources. As the CCS meeting was underway, more than 250 suspects were detained in J&K. In the cabinet meeting, a host of decisions were taken considering the sentiment of the nation, the biggest being keeping the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance something India never touched even during the war. This is non-military warfare, to put it simply. Strict implementation will mean severe water shortages in Pakistan as it gets around 80% of its water from the Indus and its tributaries. Its agriculture will now be at risk, especially wheat, rice and cotton would face massive disruption. Many of Pakistans dams such as Tarbela and Mangla depend on Indus water. Lower flows would reduce electricity generation, creating an energy crisis in the country. India has dealt Pakistan a massive blow. But India doesnt have the immediate infrastructure to stop water flow to Pakistan, which will take some time to build. But a nervous Pakistan, and understandably so, issued a statement to warn any diversion of the IWT will be treated as an Act of War. But India has shot off a letter to Pakistan, informing it about its decision. Meanwhile, several measures were announced by India the Integrated Check Post at Attari to be closed with immediate effect, and Pakistani nationals to not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Any Pakistani national currently in India under the SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India, said the Foreign Secretary, although Pakistani Hindus were exempted. In a curt response, the Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi were declared Persona Non Grata and asked to leave India in seven days. India, too, announced it will be withdrawing its own Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission. The CCS chaired by Modi also decided to bring down the overall strength of the high commission to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions. Now, I&B Ministry sources say the movie Abir Gulal starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan will not be allowed to release in India, putting a ban on Pakistani artists in India. IS POK ON THE CARDS? Regardless of the steps taken by the Modi government, public anger is yet to recede. Regardless of the severity of suspending the Indus Water Treaty, the perception is that these are cosmetic steps. India seems to be asking the Modi Sarkar to surpass its benchmarks of 2016 and 2019 of ghar me ghus ke marenge" when India conducted the surgical strike on Pakistan and hit Pakistans Balakot with the Indian Air Force. The 2016 surgical strike in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, inflicting heavy casualties, was Indias bold response 10 days after the Uri attack that claimed 18 jawans. Meanwhile, the 2019 Balakot airstrike was an even more audacious effort where it targeted a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group. What made it audacious? It was much deeper in Pakistans north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The airstrike was in response to the Pulwama attack a suicide attack on February 14 that year, which was claimed by JeM and killed 40 Indian troops. But a photo of a newly married woman wearing her chooda, sitting next to her murdered husband has not just shocked the nation but made it very angry. What compounded the anger was the intent to kill only non-Muslims where many survivors have narrated how non-Muslims were singled out and fired upon or a Hindu from Assam survived because he could recite the kalma. Had it been any other political leader, the burden of expectations probably wouldnt be as heavy. But someone who has made national security non-negotiable from the run-up to his 2014 Lok Sabha election days and whose partys slogan is Jahan huye balidan Mukherjee, woh Kashmir humara hai, theres huge public expectation that the PM may have the unthinkable on the cards this time Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Whether to attack bases in PoK, strategic strikes or beyond is anyones guess. But if anyone can have the political will to take the risk, its Narendra Modi. And if any opportunity arises to take the risk, it is now. On Thursday, at Bihars Madhubani, PM Modi said, India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their handlers and their backers. We will pursue them to the end of the world." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israeli envoy Reuven Azar said, Its the same death cult, the same distorted interpretation of religion, the same supremacist thought. Just like in Israel, innocent people were massacred on vacation. Such terror must be eliminated. Israel had the resolve that we did to attack Hamas, and we will continue doing this I am sure India will do the same." So will PoK be the new Gaza? About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in ... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 14:10 IST Biggest Anti-Naxal Operation Underway At Chhattisgarh-Telangana Border, 7,000 Security Personnel Involved Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 09:49 IST The CRPF DG missed a high-level security meeting post the Pahalgam attack, opting instead asked to stay back in Chhattisgarh to oversee the operation personally. The Chhattisgarh Police has described the operation as a "decisive operation" against Maoist insurgents. As the nation reels in anger over the Pahalgam terror attack, security forces are simultaneously conducting the largest anti-Naxal operation to date in the dense Karregutta hills forest, straddling the sensitive Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. The operation comprises about 7,000 personnel of the CRPF, CoBRA, DRG, and the police forces of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Supported by helicopters, drones, medical staff, and high-end warfare technology, the operations goal is to strike a devastating blow at Naxalism by eliminating the heart of Naxal commandespecially leaders of the dreaded PLGA Battalion No. 1, believed to be camped in the area. Recommended Stories The magnitude of this operation speaks to its significance as CRPF Director General GP Singh missed a high-level security meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah following the Pahalgam attack, opting instead asked to stay back in Chhattisgarh to oversee the operation personally. Sources have confirmed that he was told to stay and coordinate what is being termed the biggest counter-Naxal operation in years, now in its fourth day. Helicopter-borne medium machine guns (MMGs) are said to be offering air cover, and approximately 500 Naxals, including top leaders and notorious commander Hidma, are said to be cornered. Five Naxals have been killed so far, as per security officials. The Chhattisgarh Police has described the operation as a decisive operation" against Maoist insurgents. Preliminary identification indicates the Naxals who have been killed are of PLGA Battalion No. 1. According to blood trails and marks found at the location, there are high chances of more Maoists being injured or killed. Huge quantities of weapons, explosives, and Maoist literature have been seized," said police officials. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Apart from CRPF DG, a number of senior-most officers are directly involved in day-to-day strategic briefings and ground coordination. Once this operation is over, the other big task would be to hold on to the region. Top CRPF officers feel that a successful operation could mean the virtual elimination of Naxalism in India. The attention would then turn towards breaking up the smaller Naxal splinter groups and their support network. About the Author Ankur Sharma With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 09:49 IST Delhi Bandh Today: Chandni Chowk, Other Markets Shut As Traders Protest Pahalgam Terror Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 09:04 IST Delhi Bandh Today: The visuals showed that shops in Chandni Chowk were closed as part of a traders' association call for a 'Bandh' to protest against the Pahalgam killings. Delhi Bandh Today | ANI Image Delhi Bandh Today: Traders associations have announced a complete closure" of markets in the national capital on April 25 in protest against the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General and Chandni Chowk MP, Praveen Khandelwal, said that the bandh is not a political demonstration but a peaceful gesture of respect and national unity. Recommended Stories The brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of innocent citizens, has caused deep sorrow and anger among the trading community. The call for a market bandh is a tribute to the lives lost in Pahalgam," he said in a statement. #WATCH | Delhi: Markets in Chandni Chowk are shut as traders call for a Bandh to protest against #PahalgamTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/7JMWXZkuMb ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025 The visuals on Friday showed that shops in Chandni Chowk and other markers were closed as part of a traders association call for a Bandh to protest against the Pahalgam killings. Meanwhile, various trade associations in the national capital, led by the Chamber of Trade and Industry, staged a protest in Connaught Place by wearing black armbands and holding a candle march on Thursday. We urge all traders across Delhi to keep their shops closed voluntarily and to ensure the bandh is observed in a peaceful and disciplined manner," Khandelwal said. CAIT also requested the Delhi Police and administrative authorities to maintain law and order during the bandh and ensure a peaceful environment across all marketplaces. Similar protests were held in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday when several traders groups announced a bandh to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Terrorists from The Resistance Front (TRF), a terror outfit linked to Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), singled out Hindus among tourists in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday before spraying them with bullets. In a strong diplomatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India announced a series of measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. First Published: April 25, 2025, 08:53 IST Deliberate And Premeditated': NCW Report On Murshidabad Violence Alleges Targeting Of Hindus Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 19:13 IST The NCW has called the violence deliberate and communal in nature, pointing to systemic failures and shocking accounts of abuse against women and girls A similar Waqf protest in Murshidabads Jangipur area recently led to violence. (PTI File) In a scathing report on the recent violence in West Bengals Murshidabad, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has said that the attacks were deliberate and premeditated," with several survivors alleging that Hindu homes and businesses were selectively targeted. The violence erupted earlier this month in parts of Murshidabad, including Shamsherganj, Dhulian, Suti, and Jangipur, during protests over the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act. The unrest led to the deaths of at least three people, left dozens injured, and damaged over 100 houses, as per official estimates. The situation prompted a state-wide security review, with over 300 arrests and the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the incidents. Recommended Stories The NCWs fact-finding report, compiled after ground visits and interactions with victims, paints a harrowing picture of communal targeting and sexual violence. Survivors described how they were dragged out of their homes, brutally attacked, and in some instances, told to send their daughters to be raped," the NCW said, citing testimonies that suggest a systematic pattern of intimidation and brutality. The Commission highlighted the particularly devastating impact on women and girls. Many were subjected to unspeakable acts of sexual violence, physical assault, and rape threats," the report noted. It further pointed to administrative and geopolitical factors that may have worsened the situation. The porous border with Bangladesh, along with poor administrative vigilance, has worsened the situation," the NCW stated, adding that the presence of radical religious elements in the area cannot be ruled out." The Commission also flagged concerns about the treatment of those who tried to help the victims. The committee noted with concern that those who attempted to help the displaced and traumatised families were threatened and intimidated." Internet Restrictions and Restoration In response to the violence, authorities imposed internet restrictions in several areas of Murshidabad to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent further escalation. These restrictions were lifted on April 18, 2025, after assessments indicated an improvement in the situation. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the incidents lodged over 30 fresh FIRs within 48 hours of the restoration, as investigators gathered evidence and testimonies from affected zones. Political Reactions top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The violence has sparked significant political reactions. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incidents, attributing the unrest to outsiders" and vowing to expose the conspirators behind the clashes. She announced plans to visit the affected areas in the first week of May and promised compensation of 10 lakh to the families of those killed, along with rebuilding their homes under the Banglar Bari scheme. Opposition parties have criticised the state governments handling of the situation. BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the government of inaction and alleged that Hindus were being targeted. He demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the violence. About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 19:13 IST Did Pahalgam Terrorists Come From Kishtwar Or Awantipur? Exclusive On 2 Possible Routes Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:42 IST The routes are being considered as the attackers knew the reinforcements would take time to come. The police force could reach the spot after 1.5 hours, said sources Security personnel during a search operation at Baisaran area to nab attackers of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Anantnag district. (Image: PTI) Even as the investigation into the April 22 Kashmir terror attack continues, there is a possibility that the terrorists may have reached Pahalgam either from Kishtwar or Awantipur, according to highly placed sources. The attack that shocked the nation saw terrorists gunning down at least 26 tourists. Recommended Stories The Resistance Front (TRF), the shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, has claimed the responsibility for the attack. Adil Hussain Thoker, son of Wali Mohammad Thoker who lives in Anantnag, planned the Pahalgam attack in connivance with Lashkar-e-Toibas commanders in Pakistan Saifullah Kasuri and Abu Musa, according to highly placed sources. ALSO READ | Not Tourists, Attacked Indias Undercover Agents In Pahalgam: How TRF Tried To Mislead The World | Exclusive THE 2 ROUTES Route 1: The terrorists may have reached Pahalgam via the Kishtwar-Daksum-Larnoo-Chatpal- Aishmuqam route Route 2: Awantipur- Tral-Siriguwara- PahalgamAdil is from Guni village in Siriguwara which is mentioned in route 2. The Guni village is just 15 minutes from the area where the attack happened. The #IndusWaterTreaty is kept in abeyance, and the initial impact is not clear yet: Sant Kumar Sharma Author Indus Water storyAbeyance of the Treaty has put a huge psychological impact on Pakistan: @Alok795, Director India Foundation@AnchorAnandN | #TheRightStand pic.twitter.com/NYJWHxT5KV News18 (@CNNnews18) April 25, 2025 The routes are being considered as the attackers knew the reinforcements would take time to come. The police force could reach the spot after 1.5 hours and the road, too, was bad, said sources. THE SKETCHES Earlier, security agencies released the sketches of three suspects identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. The sketches were released based on detailed eyewitness accounts from survivors of the attack. According to sources, three terrorists led the assault, specifically segregating victims and checking the identities of male tourists. According to initial investigations, some victims of the Pahalgam attack were shot from a distance using sniper-like tactics, while several others died due to excessive blood loss. Investigators believe the location was deliberately chosen to delay rescue efforts and maximise casualties, pointing to a calculated and brutal strategy by the attackers. ALSO READ | How A Trip To Pakistan Made Anantnags Adil The LeT Mastermind Of Pahalgam Attack | Exclusive top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Survivors, who were in close proximity, were able to see the attackers, while others remained stationed at a distance, providing cover. The TRF came into existence in 2019 as a proxy outfit of LeT in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 and revocation of special status to J&K in August that year. The signs of TRF as a militant group became visible when the J&K police busted a module of over the ground workers (OGWs) in Sopore and Kupwara. The arrested OGWs revealed they were recruiting youth for the new outfit". About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: April 25, 2025, 20:08 IST 'Doing This Dirty Work For 3 Decades': Did Pakistan Just Admit To Training And Funding Terrorists? | Watch Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 11:39 IST Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made the statement during an interview with Sky News, where he was asked about the Pahalgam attack During the interview, Asif also bizarrely claimed the Lashkar-e-Taiba doesnt exist anymore and denied not knowing about the presence of its offshoot The Resistance Front. In a brazen admission before international media, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared to admit that his country had been supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations for last three decades", a vindication of Indias long-held stand in global forums. Asif made the statement during an interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim, where he was asked about the renewed tensions between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack in J&Ks Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists from other parts of India, were killed. Recommended Stories As cross-border links to the attack emerged, India retaliated by downgrading its diplomatic relations with Pakistan and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. In response, Pakistan has cancelled visas for Indian nationals and put on hold the Shimla Agreement. During the interview, journalist Yalda Hakim asked Khawaja Asif if he agreed that Pakistan has a long history of supporting, training, and funding terrorist organisations". Asif responded with a sensational confession. Yes, we have been doing this dirty work for America and the West, including Britain, for the last three decades." Sky News (@SkyYaldaHakim): But you do admit, you do admit sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organizations?"Pakistan Def. Minister: Well, we have been doing this dirty work for United States for 3 pic.twitter.com/sv5TRkCgCZ Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) April 24, 2025 During the interview, Asif also bizarrely claimed the Lashkar-e-Taiba doesnt exist anymore and denied not knowing about the presence of its offshoot The Resistance Front, which has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack. Lashkar is an old name. It does not exist," he said. On Wednesday, India announced a raft of measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches and the immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. Pakistan has rejected Indias suspension of the treaty and said any measures to stop the flow of water belonging to Pakistan" under the pact will be seen as an act of war". Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an act of war," according to an official statement by Pakistan. India has also revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest. New Delhi also announced suspending visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect as part of the retaliatory measures over the cross-border links to the worst terror strike on civilians in India since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Amid nationwide outrage over the terror strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the killers of Pahalgam will be pursued to the ends of the earth" as he promised to identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers". In an address at a rally in Bihars Madhubani, Modi vowed to punish terrorists behind the strike and said Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Friends, today from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers," he said. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished," he added. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us in these times." First Published: April 25, 2025, 11:39 IST 'Don't Make Statements Without Knowing History': SC Slams Rahul Gandhi Over His Remarks On Savarkar Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 23:56 IST The Supreme Court has pulled up Rahul Gandhi over his repeated remarks on Veer Savarkar, asking the Congress leader not to make statements "without knowing history". Supreme Court slams Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on Savarkar (PTI Image) The Supreme Court on Friday warned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against passing defamatory statements about freedom fighters such as Veer Savarkar and said that he cannot make remarks without knowing the history". The top court further said that it would take suo motu cognisance of the matter if Rahul Gandhi repeats such statements. Recommended Stories The apex courts remarks came while staying criminal defamation proceedings pending against the Congress leader in Lucknow court over his servant of the British" remarks against the freedom fighter, who spent over a decade in Cellular Jail on the Andaman Islands. Supreme Court Raps Rahul Gandhi Over Savarkar Remarks A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Manmohan stayed the proceedings against Rahul. However, as soon as the matter was taken up, Justice Datta expressed his objection to the Lok Sabha LoPs remark that Savarkar was a servant of the British and asked if Mahatma Gandhi could be described in the same manner merely because he used the term your faithful servant" in his letters to the Viceroy. Does your client know Mahatma Gandhi also used your faithful servant while addressing the Vice Roy? Does your client know that his grandmother, when she was the Prime Minister, also sent a letter praising the gentleman?" the SC asked senior lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Rahul Gandhi in the court. So therefore, let him not make irresponsible statements about the freedom fighters. You have laid down a good point of law and you are entitled to stay. We know that. But this is not the way you treat our freedom fighters. When you dont know anything of the history or geography of India" Justice Datta said. Somebody Will Say Mahatma Gandhi Was Servant Of British: SC The court underlined that during the British times, even the judges of the Calcutta High Court also used to address the Chief Justice as your servant". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Someone does not become a servant like this. Next time, somebody will say Mahatma Gandhi was a servant of the British. You are encouraging these kinds of statements," Justice Datta said. Rahul Gandhi has time and again accused Savarkar of bowing down to the British, calling him a maafiveer". His remarks have drawn massive backlash from the BJP, Shiv Sena, and other Maharashtra parties in the past. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 12:12 IST From PoK To Dhaka, Terror Web Woven By ISI With Hamas Help In Chilling Plot: Top Govt Sources To News18 Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:06 IST Intelligence input accessed by News18 reveals all four attackers were trained in PoK camps where Hamas has set up a module inside LeT and JeM facilities with ISI support The attack in Pahalgam closely resembled the Hamas-style offensive carried out in Israel last year. (Representational image/AFP) In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government is working at breakneck speed to ensure that Pakistan and its terror handlers are taught a lesson. Over the past few days, it has been gathering a series of intelligence inputs some of which, top government sources say, have revealed chilling facts now being used to shape both Indias immediate response and its diplomatic outreach to the global community. According to one such input shared exclusively with News18, the attack in Pahalgam closely resembled the Hamas-style offensive carried out in Israel last year, confirming what the government terms as Indias and the worlds worst fears" that a coordinated ecosystem and pattern is at work, not only to destabilise India, but several other nations as well. Recommended Stories Terror Blueprint: Hamas Tactics, ISI Support, Training In PoK The input reveals that the 2025 Pahalgam attack was executed using tactics similar to those adopted by Hamas. Of the four attackers involved, two were Pakistani nationals and two were locals from Kashmir. All four, sources say, were trained in camps located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where Hamas has reportedly set up a dedicated training module within Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) facilities with backing from Pakistans intelligence agency, the ISI. Hamas Leaders In Pakistan, Rawalakot Rally With LeT & JeM Commanders Government sources further confirmed that on 5 February, Hamas leaders who had been released by Israel travelled to Pakistan at the invitation of the Pakistani government. They were escorted to PoK to meet with LeT and JeM terrorists. During their visit, a rally was organised in Rawalakot, where the Hamas leaders were paraded on horses through the streets and hailed as liberators. Attending the event were Hamas spokespersons Dr Khalid Qaddoumi and Dr Naji Zaheer, along with senior figures Mufti Azam and Bilal Alsallat. Also present were top Pakistan-based terror leaders: Talha Saif, the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar; launching commander Asghar Khan Kashmiri; Masood Ilyas; and several senior LeT commanders. The rally, held under the banner Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood," was designed to convey that both Kashmir and Palestine were part of a unified pan-Islamic jihad. Organisers appealed to the Ummah to unite against India and Israel, projecting both nations as aggressors using the shared victimhood" narrative. Dhaka Conference Tied To Radicalisation In Indias Northeast Another intelligence input, dated 7 October last year, revealed that the ISI had also taken Hamas leaders to Dhaka in an attempt to seed a similar radical ideology aimed at inspiring terror activities in Indias northeastern states. The event was hosted by the Islamist organisation Al Markazul Islami, founded by Mufti Shahidul Islam, a known radical with direct ties to al-Qaeda. Islam was arrested in 1999 for orchestrating a bomb attack on an Ahmadiya mosque in Khulna that killed eight people. Following his release, he travelled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Africa, receiving explosives training from al-Qaeda operatives. Despite his death in 2023, Shahidul Islam continues to be idolised by extremist outfits like the Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), who view him as a foundational figure. The October event in Dhaka was attended by senior Hamas leaders Sheikh Khaled Quddumi and Political Bureau Chairman Sheikh Khaled Mishal. Among other notable attendees were Pakistans Shaikhul Islam Mufti Taqi Usmani and Maulana Fazlur Rahman, both known for their influence within radical circles. Military Plans Underway, Global Support Builds The government has already taken several important steps to diplomatically and economically isolate Pakistan. However, sources confirm that military planning is now underway, and inputs such as these are being used to both build international support and mobilise internal resolve for a stronger retaliatory posture. Following the recent violence in Murshidabad, intelligence antennas have gone up even further, with agencies now treating it as part of a larger pattern demanding heightened vigilance and swift response. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Significantly, one of the first nations to express solidarity with India was Israel a country that has itself suffered at the hands of Hamas. The support came soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Bihar, where Israels backing was seen as a firm message of unity between the two nations against a shared terror threat. As the Indian government accelerates its decision-making and prepares for possible operations, it continues to use these revelations to underscore the global nature of the threat one that draws from shared ideologies, shared camps, and shared ambitions to destabilise democratic nations through coordinated jihadist violence. About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 14:06 IST 'Hindus Would Never Do': RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat On Pahalgam Terrorists Forcing Victims To Disclose Religion Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 07:15 IST RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged the government to come up with a strong response to the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by gunmen. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. (File image/PTI) Pahalgam Terror Attack: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, terrorists killed innocent civilians after questioning them about their religion, adding that a Hindu would never commit such an act. He further urged the government to come up with a strong response to the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by gunmen. Recommended Stories People were killed after being asked about their religion. Hindus would never do such a thing," said the RSS chief while addressing an event in Mumbai on Thursday. Watch: On the Pahalgam terror attack, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, Enmity and hostility are not our nature, but neither is it our nature to tolerate being harmed. If there is power, it should be demonstrated At such times, power should be shown This sends a message to the pic.twitter.com/plWUDZfb4B IANS (@ians_india) April 24, 2025 He further remarked that just as slaying Ravana was necessary to restore righteousness, certain elements today also need to be taught a similar lesson. We are not only hurt but angry after the Pahalgam carnage. Why do we have armed forces? The country has already learnt from the debacle in 1962 when it was complacent about war," he said while making a reference to the Indo-China war. Pahalgam Terror Attack Terrorists from The Resistance Front (TRF), a terror outfit linked to Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), singled out Hindus among tourists in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday before spraying them with bullets. In a strong diplomatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India announced a series of measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The integrated check post at Attari was also shut down on Wednesday following government orders, with only those who had crossed over with valid endorsements allowed to return via the same route before May 1. Further, the government revoked the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) privileges for Pakistani nationals. All previously issued SVES visas to Pakistanis were cancelled, and those currently in India under the scheme were instructed to leave the country within 48 hours. 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 25, 2025, 06:51 IST How A Trip To Pakistan Made Anantnag's Adil The LeT Mastermind Of Pahalgam Attack | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:42 IST Eyewitnesses have identified Adil Hussain Thoker as the terrorist who pulled the trigger Adil Hussain Thoker hails from Anantnag district. (News18) Adil Hussain Thoker, son of Wali Mohammad Thoker who lives in Anantnag, planned the Pahalgam attack in connivance with Lashkar-e-Toibas commanders in Pakistan Saifullah Kasuri and Abu Musa, according to highly placed sources. The attack in Baisaran near Pahalgam on April 22 killed at least 26 tourists, shaking the entire nation and leading to Indias strong response against Pakistan. Adil is currently absconding, with a massive search launched for him and his aides. Recommended Stories #PahalgamTerrorAttack | India is working on three plans to ensure that Pakistan does not get even a single drop of water, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil told CNN-News18@payalmehta100 shares more details @ShivaniGupta_5 | #PlainSpeak #Pakistan #Terrorism pic.twitter.com/VR3Ig4qHWe News18 (@CNNnews18) April 25, 2025 2018 TRIP TO PAKISTAN As per sources, Adil, now in his 20s, came into the limelight when he was seen attending the funeral of terrorists in south Kashmir in 2018. The same year, just a little more than a teen, he went to Pakistan on a Valid Travel Document (VTD) via Wagah and disappeared thereafter. Soon, there were reports he had joined the banned Pakistan-based terror group LeT. ALSO READ | Not Tourists, Attacked Indias Undercover Agents In Pahalgam: How TRF Tried To Mislead The World | Exclusive In mid-2024, he was seen again in Rajouri Poonch area and earlier this year, with infiltrated terrorists. Officials said he infiltrated back into India through the Line of Control in 2024 and was active in Doda and Kishtwar areas of Jammu region. SEEN IN BAISARAN RECENTLY Inputs suggested his recent movement was in the Baisaran area. Adil is associated with the Hizbul Mujhaideen (HM), but works in coordination with the LeTs The Resistance Front (TRF), which has claimed the responsibility for the attack. He was a close aide of killed terrorist Commander Uzair involved in Kokernag Gadool terrorist attack. Around four-five terrorists and two local terrorists, including Adil, carried out the gruesome Pahalgam attack using US-made M-4 rifle and AK 47/56. Eyewitnesses have identified Aadil as the terrorist pulling the trigger. After that, the gunmen vanished into the thick pine jungles of Pir Panjal. Four of the terrorists were dressed in Army camouflages. Moreover, 19 OGWs hailing from Anantnag district have been identified for their role in the attack. #PahalgamTerroristAttack | Panic grips Pakistan as military sources reveal evacuation of terror launchpads pads and training camps of Jaish in response to Indias strong stance post-Pahalgam attack@Arunima24 shares ,ore details#Pahalgam | @akankshaswarups pic.twitter.com/mBNNAZhfvj News18 (@CNNnews18) April 25, 2025 ADILS HOME DEMOLISHED top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On Thursday, Adils home was demolished by the authorities. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday chaired a key meeting to discuss the course of action regarding the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which has been suspended. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, and senior officials from various ministries attended the meeting in New Delhi at Shahs residence. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: April 25, 2025, 19:35 IST How India And Pakistan Decided The Line Of Control After The Simla Accord Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:32 IST The Simla Agreement, signed on July 2, 1972, by Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, aimed to stabilise India-Pakistan relations post-1971 war, establishing the Line of Control. The LoC was finally formalised in December 1972, with India and Paksitan marking the line on maps under the Suchetgarh Agreement. On July 2, 1972, a historic accord was signed between India and Pakistan, cementing a new phase in their bilateral relations after the traumatic 1971 Indo-Pak war. The Simla Agreement, signed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and then-Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, aimed to stabilise relations and resolve the contentious issues that had plagued the subcontinent for decades. Notably, the agreement laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, an outcome that would require several months of intense negotiation and meticulous military analysis to finalise. Recommended Stories The 1971 India-Pakistan war had left both countries in a state of deep mistrust. The immediate post-war atmosphere was fraught with suspicion, as both sides feared that the other might exploit the situation to its advantage. India, having gained strategic positions in the Kashmir region, wanted to ensure that Pakistan would respect the new territorial lines. Pakistan, on the other hand, was concerned that India might manipulate the LoC in its favour. This mistrust was not only rooted in the political realm but also in the military, as both sides had occupied various regions during the war. It was clear that drawing a precise boundary would require much more than just a political agreement. The process of demarcating the LoC took nearly six months, from July to December 1972. The task was complicated by the fact that both sides had gained control of certain territories during the war, and the military positions were still fluid. As a result, military commanders and diplomats engaged in a series of negotiations, meeting in locations ranging from Lahore to Delhi. The Suchetgarh Agreement The LoC was finally formalised in December 1972, with both nations military officials marking the line on maps under the Suchetgarh Agreement. This was a momentous step, as it clearly defined a 740-kilometre stretch along the Kashmir region, with careful consideration of natural landmarks such as rivers and mountains. Suchetgarh, a significant border location just 35 kilometres from Jammu city, was chosen for its historical importance. It had been a customs post before the Independence in 1947 and later became a military border security post. One of the major challenges in finalising the LoC was reconciling the complex topography of Jammu and Kashmir, which included rugged mountainous regions, deserts, and glaciers. The armies had to provide accurate maps of the areas under their control, and these territories had to be cross-checked against geographical features that could be agreed upon by both parties. The areas in dispute, such as Poonch and Rajouri, created further difficulties, with both sides disagreeing on which territories had been under their control at the time of the ceasefire. The process involved numerous key figures from both countries. From India, then-PM Indira Gandhi played a pivotal role, supported by Foreign Secretary TN Kaul and special envoy PN Haksar. On the Pakistani side, President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was at the forefront, assisted by Foreign Secretary Aziz Ahmed. Military officers, including Indias Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw and Pakistans senior commanders, worked closely together, along with surveyors and cartographers, to map out the LoC. The agreement also involved significant territorial exchanges. India agreed to return about 5,000 square miles of land in western Pakistan, which included parts of Punjab, Sindh, and Jammu and Kashmir. In return, Pakistan returned smaller occupied territories, with certain strategically significant regions such as Tithwal, Poonch, and Chikan being adjusted into the LoC on the Indian side. However, the inclusion of Tithwal, an area of particular importance, became a point of contention, with Pakistan objecting to its assignment to India. One notable omission from the LoC demarcation was the Siachen Glacier region, which was not clearly marked at the time. While it was not considered militarily significant then, the area would later emerge as a major flashpoint in the conflict between the two countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Simla Agreement marked a watershed moment in Indo-Pakistani relations, with both countries agreeing to resolve their disputes through bilateral talks and respecting the boundaries as delineated by the LoC. Despite the intricacies and challenges involved in finalising the LoC, the agreement set the stage for a framework of peace, although subsequent events, particularly in the Siachen Glacier region, would prove that the road to lasting peace was fraught with challenges. The careful and deliberate efforts behind the demarcation of the LoC, combined with the political resolve of leaders like Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, remain a testament to the complexity of the Indo-Pakistani relationship, as well as the enduring importance of diplomacy and dialogue in the pursuit of peace. First Published: April 25, 2025, 20:19 IST 'I'm Traumatised, Wish No One Has Such An Ordeal': Assam Professor Who Survived Pahalgam Attack | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 23:26 IST The harrowing experience has left Debasish Bhattacharyya with deep emotional scars, but he is grateful for the kindness shown by the Kashmiri people and the support of his family On the day of the attack, Bhattacharyya was vacationing in Kashmir with his wife and son. Pic/News18 Debasish Bhattacharyya, an associate professor from Silchar in south Assam, has revealed the emotional and physical trauma he faced during the terrifying incident in Kashmirs Pahalgam this week. After landing at Guwahati airport on the night of April 24, Bhattacharyya shared his harrowing experience from the Baisaran Valley, where he narrowly escaped death in a terrorist attack. Despite being physically safe, Bhattacharyya admitted in an exclusive interview with News18 Assam Northeast that the psychological scars would linger for a long time, and he was still grappling with the trauma of that dreadful day. On the day of the attack, Bhattacharyya was vacationing in Kashmir with his wife and son. The family was enjoying a peaceful stay at Baisaran when their world turned upside down. Bhattacharyya vividly recalled the chilling moments when they were attacked by armed terrorists. Recommended Stories We were relaxing under tall trees in the meadows when suddenly a gunshot rang out. A man next to me fell to the ground, and I could hear people around us reciting the Kalma. At that moment, I too joined in," Bhattacharyya said. The professor, who grew up in a Muslim neighbourhood, was familiar with the Kalma and instinctively recited it, realising that it might be the only way to save their lives. The terrorist moved ahead, leaving him behind. As they fled the scene, Bhattacharyya and his family met their local pony riders, who were visibly relieved to see them alive. The two-hour walk through the jungle after escaping the site of the attack felt like the longest journey of my life. Every step was filled with the fear of death. When we met our horse riders, they were in tears, overwhelmed with joy to see us alive. They wanted to take us to their homes, but we stopped them. They insisted on helping us in any way possible," Bhattacharyya said. The locals, including a hotel manager and a physician, offered their full support, expressing deep remorse for what had transpired. It was a strange but comforting experience in the middle of such an ordeal. I had come to Kashmir, the heaven on earth, for a vacation, but the trip turned into a nightmare," Bhattacharyya added. The professors son, Dr Dhorodeep Bhattacharyya, a medical intern, was with the family during the incident. As a doctor, Ive seen death up close, but this was different. It was horrifying. As we fled the scene, a little girl struggled to cross the fence. Her mother called for help, and I rushed back to help her," Dr Bhattacharyya said. Im proud of that moment. I contacted them later, and Im relieved to know that the girl and her family are safe. They are from Chhattisgarh." While Bhattacharyya and his family are physically safe, the mental toll of the event is still fresh in his mind. This was the most horrific experience of my life, and it will haunt me forever. I never imagined I would be caught in such a situation. To witness one first-hand is something I never prepared for. I am thankful that my family and I survived, but its painful to see others lose their lives," Bhattacharyya reflected. He also spoke about how it was difficult to differentiate between terrorists and security personnel. It was a dangerous experience. There was no security in sight, and at first, I mistook the militant for a security personnel. The photographer who was with us also thought he was a forest worker," he added. In addition to the physical and emotional challenges, Bhattacharyya expressed his problem dealing with the media. My phone was constantly ringing. Every few seconds, it would ring thrice. It became overwhelming," he said. While I understand the medias interest in the story, it was a difficult time for us, and the constant calls only added to the stress." Despite the trauma, Bhattacharyya expressed his deep gratitude for the assistance he received from the authorities, especially Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who ensured his safe return. I am thankful to chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his support and ensuring our safe return. His help has been a source of relief amidst everything we went through," Bhattacharyya said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The harrowing experience has left Bhattacharyya with deep emotional scars, but he remains grateful for the kindness shown by the Kashmiri people and the support of his family. As he continues to process the traumatic event, Bhattacharyya hopes that no one else ever has to go through such a terrifying ordeal. Debasish Bhattacharyyas survival story is one of resilience and sheer luck, but the psychological impact of the terror attack in Pahalgam will remain with him for years to come. As he rebuilds his life, he carries with him the memory of the kindness shown by the people of Kashmir, the courage of his family, and the profound realisation that in moments of terror, every breath counts. Location : Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 23:26 IST 'Not A Drop Of Water For Pakistan': Minister Says Govt Working On 3 Plans After Big Indus Treaty Move Reported By : & News18.com Edited By: Shobhit Gupta Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 21:27 IST Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil said India has there are three plans -- long-term, short-term and midterm -- in place to ensure no water supply from the Indus river goes to Pakistan The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 sought to divide the water of the Indus river and its tributaries equitably between the India and Pakistan. (Image for representation: PTI) India will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus river goes to Pakistan, Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil said on Friday as New Delhi put on hold the crucial water-sharing treaty with its neighbour. The central government has put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 in abeyance as a retaliatory move in view of cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack. Paatil said there are three plans long-term, short-term and midterm in place to ensure no water supply goes to Pakistan. Recommended Stories The historic decision taken by the Modi government on the Indus Water Treaty is completely justified and in the national interest. We will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus River goes to Pakistan," he said in a post on X. pic.twitter.com/yJhdzdDAAb C R Paatil (@CRPaatil) April 25, 2025 A meeting was held at Union Home Minister Amit Shahs residence to discuss the future course of action. Follow Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates Here WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM PLANS? According to government sources, Union ministers deliberated on several suggestions even as the Centre is ready to tackle every challenge, including legal, in the course of implementing its decision. Even if Pakistan decides to approach the World Bank, India has readied its response and will counter effectively," the sources said. The sources said long-term plans discussed included desilting of dams, diversion of the river waters, and construction of new dams. Topmost on Indias agenda will be to stop providing hydrological data to Pakistan, which is critical for flood and drought management, they said. They further said India is also mulling fast-tracking hydropower projects that have been held up due to the IWT. Pakistan had put objections on project designs or other provisions in more than half a dozen hydropower projects. India can also add massive electricity capacity to Jammu and Kashmir with new projects after this move, the sources said. The treaty has provision that India has to provide a six-month notice to Pakistan for any new project work, but that will not be the case now, they said. The Centre has assured that Indians will not face any inconvenience while implementing these decisions, they added. Earlier, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the treaty is the most unfair document" to the people of the Union territory and they have never been in favour of it. Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, lets be honest we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty," he told reporters after a meeting with various tourism, trade and industry bodies. Asked about the governments decision, he said J&K has always believed that the IWT has been the most unfair document to its people". Now what the medium to long-term implications to this are, that is something we have to wait to see," he said. BLOOD AND WATER CANNOT FLOW TOGETHER Echoing the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from nine years ago, the BJP put out a video on the Indus Water Treaty and said: Blood and water cannot flow together." The video talks about what Pakistan stands to lose with the treaty in abeyance. The neighbouring country, which rejected" Indias decision on the treaty on Thursday (April 24), has warned that any diversion will be considered an act of war" as it is a lifeline to 240 million Pakistanis. ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????????????.India is tightening the noose on Pakistan through its 5-point action plan, which includes the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. Watch what Pakistan stands to lose pic.twitter.com/mDe9Kue930 BJP (@BJP4India) April 25, 2025 The BJP, in a post on X, said: India is tightening the noose on Pakistan through its 5-point action plan, which includes the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. Watch what Pakistan stands to lose" (sic) In the video, it is explained how the government called the IWT one-sided" in September 2024 as Pakistan gets 70 percent of the river waters while India gets 30 percent. At least 80 percent of Pakistans agriculture depends on the Indus basin, and without the water, people will question the governments priorities, the video said. By putting the IWT in abeyance, Modi has fulfilled his words from 2016, which he said soon after the Uri attacks. Back then and, even for Pulwama, the Centre had the option to put the treaty in abeyance but decided not to. WHEN DID INDIA NOTIFY THE DECISION? India on Thursday (April 24) officially notified its decision to put the IWT in abeyance citing Islamabads sustained cross-border terrorism targeting Jammu and Kashmir. Sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir impedes Indias rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, said water resources secretary Debashree Mukherjee in a letter addressed to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza. The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," the letter read. WHAT IS THE INDUS WATERS TREATY? India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960, with the World Bank as an additional signatory. The pact sought to divide the water of the Indus river and its tributaries equitably between the two countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Under the treaty, water from three eastern rivers Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej was allocated to India, and that from the three western rivers Chenab, Indus, and Jhelum to Pakistan. The treaty gives control over the waters of the three eastern rivers, with a mean annual flow of 41 billion m3 (33 million acreft), to India while control over the waters of the three western rivers, with a mean annual flow of 99 billion m, to Pakistan. First Published: April 25, 2025, 18:26 IST Indian Groom Left With Baraat To Bring Pakistani Bride Home. Then Pahalgam Happened... Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 15:43 IST India imposed strict measures against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, expelling Pakistani nationals and closing the Wagah-Attari border Shaitan Singh and his family were en route to Pakistan for his wedding on April 23 when they were halted at the Attari border. (Representative/Shutterstock) In response to the terror attack in J&Ks Pahalgam which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, India has imposed strict measures against Pakistan. These include expelling Pakistani nationals from the country and shutting down the Wagah-Attari border checkpost. This decision has disrupted lives on both sides of the border, most notably that of Shaitan Singh, a groom from Bikaner, Rajasthan, whose wedding plans now hang in limbo. His bride remains stranded in Pakistan, with the newly enforced border restrictions turning their union into a tale of love halted by geopolitics. Recommended Stories Following the Pahalgam attack, India announced it will revoke all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and urged Indians in Pakistan to return immediately. In retaliation, Pakistan cancelled visas for Indian nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, giving them 48 hours to leave, except for Sikh pilgrims. Shaitan Singh and his family were en route to Pakistan for his wedding on April 23 when they were halted at the Attari border. The closure has left the bride in Pakistan distraught, as she anxiously awaited the arrival of the baraat. Both families had completed their wedding preparations, only to have their hopes dashed by the sudden border closure. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Singh expressed his disappointment, stating that the terrorist actions were reprehensible and lamenting the impact on his wedding plans. His brother, Surendra Singh, explained that their family has deep roots in Pakistan, with relatives still residing there since the partition. The border closure has created a significant dilemma for Indian citizens with familial ties across the border. Those who have already crossed into Pakistan with valid documentation have until May 1 to return via the same route. Location : Bikaner, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 15:43 IST 'ISI, Terror Groups Could Target Non-Locals In Kashmir': Intel Alert After Pahalgam Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 16:38 IST The intel agencies' warning came in the aftermath of the Pahalgam carnage on Tuesday in which 26 tourists were shot dead in broad daylight by terrorists. Just two days after terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam, killing 26 people most of them tourists the ripple effects are already being felt across Indias travel industry. (PTI) Pahalgam Terror Attack: In wake of the Pahagam terror attack, the Indian intelligence agencies have issued terror attack threats for non-locals in Jammu and Kashmir, sources told CNN-News18. As per the sources, the agencies have issued an advisory warning the tourists, non locals, Kashmiri Pandits, police personnel, and railway employees. Recommended Stories Follow LIVE Updates The advisory says that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and associated terrorist organisations have been planning to carry out more attacks specifically targeting tourists/non locals, police personnel (especially CID), and Kashmiri Panditsparticularly in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts in the valley, sources said. The intel sources further warned of the possible terror attacks targeting railway infrastructure, railway staff and other non-local railway employees. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the worlds highest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge, in the union territory earlier this month. Taller than Paris Eiffel Tower, the Chenab Bridge is the highest single-arch railway bridge in the world, located between Bakkal and Kauri in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district. The intel agencies warning came in the aftermath of the Pahalgam carnage on Tuesday in which 26 tourists were shot dead in broad daylight by the Resistance Front terrorists, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Read More: From PoK To Dhaka, Terror Web Woven By ISI With Hamas Help In Chilling Plot: Top Govt Sources To News18 According to the government sources exclusively shared by CNN-News18, the attack in Pahalgam closely resembled the Hamas-style offensive carried out in Israel in 2023. The attack was executed using tactics similar to those adopted by Hamas. Of the four attackers involved, two were Pakistani nationals and two were locals from Kashmir. All four, sources say, were trained in camps located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where Hamas has reportedly set up a dedicated training module within Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) facilities with backing from Pakistans intelligence agency, the ISI. After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength and expulsion of its military attaches, as per decided by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in view of cross-border links to the devastating terror attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Read More: Pakistan Boosts Border Troops, Tells Soldiers To Monitor Only From Bunkers: Sources Subsequently, Pakistan announced several retaliatory moves, including suspension of all its bilateral agreements and trade activities and closing its airspace to Indian aircrafts. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 16:38 IST Pakistan Opens Fire At Multiple Locations Along LoC As Army Chief Visits Srinagar; India Retaliates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:16 IST Pakistani forces opened fire along the LoC, prompting a response from Indian troops. Meanwhile, an encounter broke out in Bandipora after terrorists opened fire at security forces. Security personnel keep vigil after a brief exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir (Photo: PTI) Firing at multiple locations was reported by the Pakistan side along the Line of Control (LoC), Defence sources said on Friday. A ceasefire violation was also reported in the Nowgam sector of Handwara in the Kupwara district. Recommended Stories There were no reports of any casualties. There were incidents of small arms firing at some places on the Line of Control initiated by Pakistan," news agency PTI quoted a source as saying. The firing was effectively responded to," it said. This comes as Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi travelled to Srinagar on Friday to carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Top Army Commanders will brief Gen Dwivedi on various aspects of the security scenario. However, it was not immediately clear whether the Army chief would travel to Pahalgam. Meanwhile, an encounter between terrorists and security forces was also underway in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, after which a brother of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed. The terror associate was identified as Altaf Lali. He was later taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to the details, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Kulnar Bazipora area of Bandipora district following information about the presence of the ultras in the area. The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding ultras opened fire on the security personnel. In a statement, the Army said, On April 25, based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Search Operation was launched by Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in general area Kolnar Ajas, Bandipora. Contact was established and firefight ensued." ALSO READ | PM Modi Says Will Pursue Terrorists To The Ends Of The Earth | Top Quotes On Thursday, a soldier of the special forces of the Army was killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists following a search operation in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The firing took place in the Dudu-Basantgarh area during a cordon and search operation that was launched based on information about the presence of terrorists. The encounters and firing come days after 26 tourists were killed in a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. 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 25, 2025, 07:28 IST Not Tourists, Attacked Indias Undercover Agents In Pahalgam: How TRF Tried To Mislead The World | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:42 IST The TRF statement, accessed by News18, said: Those targeted were not ordinary tourists, instead, they were linked to and affiliated with Indian Security Agencies..." Security personnel inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack in Pahalgam on April 23. (Image: TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP) The Resistance Front (TRF), the shadow group of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba, which claimed the responsibility of the April 22 Pahalgam attack alleged that those targeted were not ordinary tourists, instead, they were linked to and affiliated with Indian security agencies". The attack in Kashmirs Baisaran killed at least 26 tourists. Recommended Stories ALSO READ | How A Trip To Pakistan Made Anantnags Adil The LeT Mastermind Of Pahalgam Attack | Exclusive The TRF statement, accessed by News18, said: Those targeted were not ordinary tourists, instead, they were linked to and affiliated with Indian Security Agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), the Navy and other governmental personnel. This group was facilitated by Delhi, not to tour the Kashmir valley, but to analyze the ground situation. Additionally, some foreign personnel were part of this Delhi-sponsored group. It was not a typical tourist group but rather an under-cover agency tasked with research." #PahalgamTerroristAttack | Panic grips Pakistan as military sources reveal evacuation of terror launchpads pads and training camps of Jaish in response to Indias strong stance post-Pahalgam attack@Arunima24 shares ,ore details#Pahalgam | @akankshaswarups pic.twitter.com/mBNNAZhfvj News18 (@CNNnews18) April 25, 2025 The TRF further said that similar groups had previously visited J&K and following their research and recommendations, Delhi had implements several drastic measures". The measures listed by them include: Granting domicile status to non-locals on a large scale. Allowing security forces stationed in IIOJK to be eligible for domicile status. Providing a significant number of government jobs to non-locals. Allotting government and private contracts to non-locals. Restricting local employment and access to higher education for residents. Limiting decision-making authority for local officials in government departments.. Terminating local employees. Acquiring land under various security pretexts. Allocating land to non-locals under the guise of promoting industrial development. So they said the Resistance Fighters plan to intensify their strategic attacks to ensure that those involved in undermining the Jammu and Kashmir resistance struggle face appropriate consequences". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Indian intelligence agencies have now issued terror attack threats for non-locals in Jammu and Kashmir, sources told CNN-News18. As per the sources, the agencies have issued an advisory warning the tourists, non locals, Kashmiri Pandits, police personnel, and railway employees. The advisory says that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and associated terrorist organisations have been planning to carry out more attacks specifically targeting tourists/non locals, police personnel, and Kashmiri Panditsparticularly in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts in the valley, sources said. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: April 25, 2025, 19:46 IST 'Once They Realised We Were Christians...': Pune Survivor Says Pahalgam Terrorists Didn't Stop At Religion Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 13:47 IST Jennifer Nathaniel recalls the Pahalgam terror attack where her husband Sushil was killed. Terrorists interrogated victims about religion and Palestine, she said Sushil Nathaniel's wife and his family members mourn his death, at their residence in Indore. (PTI Photo) Jennifer, the wife of Indores Sushil Nathaniel, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, vividly recalls the harrowing scene when her husband was shot. She revealed that the terrorists involved in the attack were interrogating their victims before killing them, asking about their religion and insisting they recite the Kalma, and also questioning them about Palestine. Sushil was also subjected to the same questions. According to her harrowing account, the armed terrorists, were more than just killers. They were interrogators. They were asking people their religion, asking them to recite the Kalma, and even questioning them about Palestine," she said. Recommended Stories Jennifer described the chilling atmosphere at the time, with strong winds rustling through the trees. The echoes of gunshots still resonate in her ears, and the piercing cold had numbed her body. She helplessly watched as her husband was confronted by the terrorists. When they learned he was a Christian and began questioning him about Palestine, they opened fire. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was her husband, leaning against a tree, his hair drenched in blood, which was trickling down his shoulder. She noticed a worm crawling on his skin. He was leaning against a tree. His hair was drenched in blood. Blood flowed down his shoulder, and a worm was crawling on his skin," she said, her voice breaking. I wanted to scream, to run to him but I couldnt move. The cold had numbed my limbs. I couldnt even speak," she stated. At that moment, Jennifer thought she would die too. As the terrorists moved among the fallen, checking for signs of life, she instinctively closed her eyes and held her breath. One of them kicked me hard, trying to see if I was alive. But I didnt move. I stayed still," she said. When they eventually moved on, she dared to open her eyes slightly. What she saw next is something she says will haunt her forever. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A little girl was lying lifeless by a tree nearby. Another man was right behind my husband. He was dead too," she recounted. She tried once more to reach Sushil, she said, but her body betrayed her. It was then she realised something that brought a flicker of warmth to the chilling memory. I was covered with a sweater. It was his sweater," she said. Location : Indore, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 13:47 IST 'To Eliminate Terror Infra': Forces Search Homes, Forests In Massive Kashmir Ops After Pahalgam Attack Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 00:02 IST Police officials said the searches were part of an ongoing investigation and intelligence-led efforts to dismantle the support network of terrorist outfits operating in the region Security forces conduct door-to-door searches in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district, where Pahalgam is located, on April 25. (Image: News18) Armed police and soldiers searched homes and forests as part of a massive anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, as Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited the area to review security after the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. According to the police, the searches were part of an ongoing investigation and intelligence-led efforts to dismantle the support network of terrorist outfits operating in the region. The searches took place in Anantnag district, where Pahalgam is located, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Kathua, Kulgam, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, and Udhampur. Recommended Stories Gen Dwivedi reached the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur and was briefed on the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch-Rajouri districts and other areas south of Pir Panjal mountain ranges. Follow Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates Here On the same day, an overground worker (OGW) of terrorists was killed while two security force personnel were injured in an encounter in Bandipora district, officials said. Also, a pony operator was arrested from Ganderbal after a woman alleged that he had asked about her religion and other details during the terror strike in Pahalgam while police in Handwara attached property worth lakhs belonging to an alleged terror handler based in Pakistan. Security has been increased in Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack. Sniffer dogs and anti-IED teams of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are checking important locations to ensure security in Srinagar. ALSO READ | Exclusive: How A Trip To Pakistan Made Anantnags Adil The LeT Mastermind Of Pahalgam Attack UDHAMPUR As Gen Dwivedi visited the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, a combing operation to track down three escaped terrorists entered its second day with security agencies strengthening the multi-layered cordon. Forces are scouring the forest area in Udhampur district, where the terrorists were believed to be hiding, as well as areas in Kishtwar, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. The search operation by the army, police, and CRPF special forces has been ongoing in Dudu-Basantgarh. It is underway to track down the terrorists on the run," said a security official. The operation is backed by aerial surveillance by a chopper and drones. On Thursday (April 24), a soldier, Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh of 6 Para of the Special Forces, was killed in an encounter with terrorists in the Dadu-Basantgarh belt. Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who represents Udhampur Kathua parliamentary constituency, will be holding a high-level review meeting in Udhampur on April 27 (Sunday). He will interact with senior officers from the administration and police as well as members of the civil society. ALSO READ | Avenging Pahalgam: After LoC Surgical Strike & Balakot Airstrike, Will India Aim For PoK? ANANTNAG, PULWAMA Searches are ongoing across various locations in Anantnag district, where Pahalgam is located. These operations are being carried out as part of a broader counter-terrorism strategy aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and their support systems in southern Kashmir, police said. Joint teams comprising J&K police, army, paramilitary forces, and other security agencies have been deployed to conduct coordinated searches, focusing on the residences and premises of individuals suspected to be affiliated with terror outfits. Authorities have urged the public to cooperate with the security forces and share any information that may aid in maintaining law and order. Handwara police have conducted searches at the residence of a banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) member. The operation was carried out in the presence of senior police officers. GANDERBAL Security forces conducted door-to-door searches in the Ganderbal district in view of the security situation in the region, officials said. They carried out combing operations especially in those areas with the presence of OGWs and other supporters. Searches took place in areas close to the forest line and snow line. Officials further said suspected persons are being interrogated and people have been requested to share information on suspicious elements. KATHUA Police sources said every district SSP has been tasked to carry out searches and operations in vulnerable areas. Joint security forces are conducting door-to-door searches in the higher reaches. An operation is also ongoing near Railway Yard in Hiranagar area. KULGAM Police have launched a series of search operations across multiple locations in the district, including in residences of suspected terrorist associates in the areas of Watoo, KB Pora, Cheki Watoo, and Chugalpora. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Security forces conducted thorough searches to trace any possible links to the recent attack and to ensure the presence of anti-national elements is effectively countered. (With inputs from 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 25, 2025, 19:26 IST Pahalgam Attack: Pakistan Cancels All Military Leaves, Moves Soldiers From Baloch & Afghan Borders To LoC Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 12:22 IST Pahalgam terror attack: Pakistan has reportedly redeployed personnel who were previously managing border security with Afghanistan and Balochistan to the India-Pakistan border The Commanders of 11 Corps and 12 Corps, stationed on the Balochistan and Afghanistan borders, have reportedly instructed to deploy significant military personnel near the India-Pakistan Line of Control under the 10 Corps Commander. (AP) Amid heightened tensions with India over the Pahalgam terror attack, the Pakistani military has reportedly cancelled the leaves of all soldiers with immediate effect and has asked Corps Commanders not to approve any new leaves in the coming days. According to some reports, Pakistan has also redeployed military personnel who were previously managing border security with Afghanistan and Balochistan to the India-Pakistan border. Recommended Stories The Commanders of 11 Corps and 12 Corps, stationed on the Balochistan and Afghanistan borders, have reportedly instructed to deploy significant military personnel near the India-Pakistan Line of Control under the 10 Corps Commander. Historically, Pakistan has not deployed many soldiers on this border due to zero infiltration from India and the absence of offensive firing from Indian forces, which would otherwise necessitate a large military presence. Pakistan has reportedly moved forces from Peshawars 11 Corps and Quettas 12 Corps to the 10 Corps, responsible for the India-Pakistan border. Terrorists opened fire near Kashmirs Pahalgam town on Tuesday, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. India on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the horrific terror attack. Pakistan has rejected Indias suspension of the treaty and said any measures to stop the flow of water belonging to Pakistan" under the pact will be seen as an act of war". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an act of war," according to an official statement by Pakistan. Meanwhile, defence sources reported that Pakistan has engaged in firing at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC). A ceasefire violation also occurred in the Nowgam sector of Handwara in Kupwara district. First Published: April 25, 2025, 12:22 IST Pahalgam Shooters Were Ordered To Kill Brutally: Exclusive From Sources On Their Training Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:42 IST Experts say the shots to vital organs or even the head show their precision, making it different from the earlier attacks in the Valley, where grenades were used The sketches of some of the terrorists involved in the killing of tourists. The terrorists who carried out the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, killing 26 tourists, were highly trained, according to top sources. Experts say the shots to vital organs or even the head show their precision, making it different from the earlier attacks in the Valley, where grenades were used or terrorists used to flee after one or two gunshots. Recommended Stories Adil Hussain Thoker, son of Wali Mohammad Thoker who lives in Anantnag, planned the Pahalgam attack in connivance with Lashkar-e-Toibas commanders in Pakistan Saifullah Kasuri and Abu Musa, according to highly placed sources. Adil is currently absconding, with a massive search launched for him and his aides. ALSO READ | Did Pahalgam Terrorists Come From Kishtwar Or Awantipur? Exclusive On 2 Possible Routes Specific gunshots suggest you want to kill brutally," said sources, adding, When located in March they were not knowing Kashmiri, which means they were foreigners. Under the guidance of a local person, they strengthened their training." As per sources, Adil, now in his 20s, came into the limelight when he was seen attending the funeral of terrorists in south Kashmir in 2018. The same year, just a little more than a teen, he went to Pakistan on a Valid Travel Document (VTD) via Wagah and disappeared thereafter. Soon, there were reports he had joined the banned Pakistan-based terror group LeT. #Pahalgam | Entire design of creating terror mechanism is in the hands if ISI and Pak army chief is qualified to do it: @GenPjs, Ex- Dy Chief IDSOur fight is with Pakistani deep state, not Pakistani people: @Chellaney, Strategic Expert#BrassTacks | @Zakka_Jacob pic.twitter.com/tWkV2C0ARG News18 (@CNNnews18) April 25, 2025 Adil was radicalised and his hate towards tourist was visible, possibly he told them to kill brutally," said sources. Moreover, they were aware that the reinforcements would take time to come. Police force came after 1.5 hours. The road, too, was bad. Foreign terrorists do whatever their guide tells them. In this case, Adil clearly knew the area and took advantage of it to cause damage," said sources. ALSO READ | How A Trip To Pakistan Made Anantnags Adil The LeT Mastermind Of Pahalgam Attack | Exclusive Meanwhile, armed police and soldiers searched homes and forests as part of a massive anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, as Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited the area to review security. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to the police, the searches were part of an ongoing investigation and intelligence-led efforts to dismantle the support network of terrorist outfits operating in the region. The searches took place in Anantnag district, where Pahalgam is located, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Kathua, Kulgam, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, and Udhampur. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: April 25, 2025, 20:26 IST Home Ministry's Message To CMs As India Cancels Visas For All Pakistani Nationals: 'Identify, Send Them Back' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 06:39 IST Amit Shah directed all state chief ministers to identify Pakistani nationals residing in their states, as visas of all Pakistanis in India were revoked after the Pahalgam attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Photo: PTI) Days after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Indian government on Friday announced the revocation of all existing visas issued to Pakistani nationals, except for long-term visas and diplomatic and official visas, effective from April 27, 2025. Medical visas for Pakistani nationals will remain valid only until April 29. A video conference was also held by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan with the chief secretaries of all states and union territories. During the meeting, he urged them to ensure strict compliance with these orders. Recommended Stories Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of all the states on the step. According to sources, Amit Shah asked the chief ministers to identify Pakistani nationals residing in their respective states and take action to send them back to their country. The direction to the chief ministers came after a high-level meeting with the state chief secretaries in this regard. INDIA ACTS ON PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK On Thursday, India announced it would revoke all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest as tensions between the two countries escalated over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. The revocation of visas does not apply to the long term visas already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid", according to the Ministry of External Affairs. As part of the punitive measures against Islamabad, New Delhi also announced suspending visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect over the cross-border links to the worst terror strike on civilians in India since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. ALSO READ | India-Pakistan Tensions Spiral After Pahalgam Attack: Steps Each Side Has Taken So Far The latest move came a day after India announced a raft of measures against Pakistan, including the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. The punitive measures against Pakistan were decided at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27. It said medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. The MEA said all Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave the country before the expiry of their visas. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The MEA also strongly advised" Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Pakistan. ALSO READ | Instill Sense Of Security: Omar Abdullah Sends Ministers To Other States To Ensure Safety Of Kashmiris 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 25, 2025, 14:07 IST LeT Man Killed, Terrorists' Houses Go Up In Smoke, Pakistan Fires Along LoC: Friday Rumblings In Kashmir Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:51 IST India has launched massive anti-terror operations in J&K following the Pahalgam attack, including retaliatory strikes along the LoC and encounters with terrorists in Bandipora. Security personnel during a search operation at Baisaran area of Pahalgam (Photo: PTI) Three days after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, Friday began with massive anti-terror operations in the Union Territory. This also comes in the wake of India acting tough against Pakistan, downgrading its ties with the country, and issuing stern warnings to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. Recommended Stories However, Pakistan continued to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control and opened fire at multiple posts. The Indian troops retaliated effectively, along with killing a terrorist associate in an ongoing encounter in Bandipora. Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived in Srinagar today morning to review the situation. While the Army Chief was being briefed about the situation in the Valley, Gandhi met those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack. MASSIVE ANTI-TERROR OPERATIONS UNDERWAY IN J&K With India on pace to track down those behind the Pahalgam terror attack, the security forces today burnt down the houses of two terrorists, suspected to be involved in the attack. The forces were also retaliating to the firing along the LoC, and killing terrorists in separate encounters. Heres whats happening in Jammu and Kashmir today. INDIA RETALIATES TO CEASEFIRE VIOLATION BY PAKISTAN The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by the Pakistan military at some places along the Line of Control. Quoting a source, news agency PTI said, There were incidents of small arms firing at some places on the Line of Control initiated by Pakistan. The firing was effectively responded to." TERROR ASSOCIATE KILLED IN BANDIPORA An overground worker of the terrorists association was killed in an encounter in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir today. He was identified as Altaf Lali and was later taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Kulnar Bazipora in Bandipora district following information about the presence of terrorists in the area. The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding terrorists opened fire on the security forces positions. HOUSES OF LeT TERRORISTS DESTROYED Houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack were destroyed in a blast in Jammu and Kashmir. This came as security forces were conducting searches inside the houses of two LeT terrorists Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh, when the explosives already kept inside the houses went off. The houses were immediately destroyed. Thokar, a resident of south Kashmirs Anantnag district, is one of the key accused in the Pahalgam massacre, while Sheikh, a resident of Tral in Pulwama district, is suspected to be involved in the conspiracy of the attack. SEARCHES UNDERWAY IN SHOPIAN According to some reports, houses of many, including terror associates, were being searched in Shopian and in Bandipora. SEARCH OPERATIONS IN ANANTNAG Security forces launched massive search operations across various locations in Anantnag. These operations were being carried out as part of a broader counter-terrorism strategy aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and their support systems in South Kashmir. Joint teams comprising Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, paramilitary forces, and other security agencies were deployed to conduct coordinated searches, primarily focusing on the residences and premises of individuals suspected to have affiliations with terror outfits. ARMY CHIEF IN SRINAGAR Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Kashmir today morning to review the situation in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The Chief of Armed Staff (COAS) would carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, while top Army commanders will brief him about the security situation and steps taken in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. RAHUL GANDHI IN SRINAGAR top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi today met those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack. He is also expected to visit the Armys Base Hospital in Badamibagh Cantonment to meet those hospitalised following the attack. 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 25, 2025, 12:45 IST Pahalgam Terror Attack: Army Chief Meets J&K LG Manoj Sinha, Reviews Kashmir Security Situation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:03 IST The Army Chief, accompanied by Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, was also briefed by the 15 Corps Commander on the security situation in Kashmir. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi meets J&K LG Manoj Sinha | Image.X Pahalgam Terror Attack: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday held a high-level security review meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in the view of recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed at least 26 people, mostly tourists. The Army Chief, accompanied by Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, was also briefed by the 15 Corps Commander on the security situation in Kashmir and the ongoing anti-terror operations. Recommended Stories Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi has reached Srinagar, J&K and is being briefed by the 15 Corps Commander on the security situation and actions being taken by the formations against terrorists inside their own territory and Pakistan Army attempts to violate the ceasefire along the LoC," Army officials said. Chaired a security review meeting today with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava. pic.twitter.com/lOrqUscOvO Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) April 25, 2025 Gen Upendra Dwivedi was also informed about the Pakistani Armys attempt to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control with small-arms firing. The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by the Pakistan military at some places along the Line of Control. There were incidents of small arms firing at some places on the Line of Control initiated by Pakistan. The firing was effectively responded to," sources said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Separately, an overground worker of a terrorist group was killed in an encounter today in Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kulnar Bazipora based on intelligence about the presence of terrorists. Sources said that Army Chief is expected to visit Baisaran, the site linked with the Pahalgam terror attack. LeT-linked terrorists had shot indiscriminately at tourists visiting the scenic hills, killing 25 Indians and one Nepali national. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 13:57 IST Opposition Asks Why No Security At Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, Here's What The Centre Said Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 18:24 IST Sources said investigation agencies told party leaders that Baisaran was to open in June, but was thrown open by hotel owners and tour operators without informing the local police Security personnel during a search operation at Baisaran area to nab attackers of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Anantnag district. (Image: PTI) The opposition raised questions related to security and intelligence lapses at the all-party meeting convened after the Pahalgam terror attack. But, most specifically why there were no soldiers present at the Baisaran valley, where terrorists gunned down 26 tourists in cold blood on April 22. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed the all-party meeting on how the Pahalgam attack took place and subsequent decisions by the government, which said the strike was carried out to vitiate the atmosphere at a time when the economy of Jammu and Kashmir was on the upswing and tourism was booming. Recommended Stories Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the party leaders were briefed by Intelligence Bureau (IB) and home ministry officials on the steps being taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Singh initiated the discussion at the meeting and IB director Tapan Deka made a 20-minute presentation on the attack. Follow Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates Here Later, he answered questions of several leaders while Union Home Minister Amit Shah interjected wherever required. Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asked about the absence of security forces in the meadow, where tourists were enjoying pony rides and picnics when the gunmen took them by surprise. According to sources, investigation agencies briefed the party leaders that the Baisaran valley, where the incident took place, was supposed to be opened a month later for the Amarnath Yatra. They said before it is opened to tourists, security forces conduct a domination exercise and secure it. But, hotel owners and tour operators in the area opened it and did not inform the local police and opened it to tourists on April 20, they added. The sources said troops were present in Pahalgam but not deployed as local authorities were not informed about tourists being taken to Baisaran by tour operators. The officials underlined that deployment of forces takes place based on details provided by tour operators, they said. Pahalgam is one of the key base camps for the annual Amarnath yatra and falls on the traditional 43-km route leading to the 3,880 metre high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. The locality is only accessible to tourists and Amarnath pilgrims in June. LOCAL ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PROVIDE ACCOUNTABLE ANSWERS The BJP, meanwhile, raised questions why the Baisaran valley was thrown open to tourists without informing the security forces. The party said the local administration must provide clear and accountable" answers. In a post on social media platform X, BJPs IT cell head Amit Malviya said Baisaran was opened to tourists on April 20 without prior intimation to the security forces. According to intelligence officers at the all-party meeting, the area is typically accessible to tourists and Amarnath pilgrims only from June, he said. Baisaran Valley was opened to tourists on April 20 without prior intimation to the security forces. According to intelligence officers at the all-party meeting, the area is typically accessible to tourists and Amarnath pilgrims only from June onwards.This development raises pic.twitter.com/x0VkVY9TDy Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 25, 2025 He raised three critical" questions in his post: Who authorised the opening of an unsanitised area to tourists without notifying the security forces? Why was the security apparatus not informed of this decision? How did terrorists become aware of this security lapse, while Indias own security agencies remained unaware? WHAT HAPPENED AT THE ALL-PARTY MEETING? Leaders across party lines called for decisive action against terrorism and terror camps, and assured the government of their full support during the all-party meeting. The Centre said it was taking all measures to ensure security and assured the leaders of action against terrorism and its backers. Sources said three prominent questions were asked by opposition leaders. The MPs wanted details on what happened on the day of the incident, lack of security, if specific inputs were available, and why it took time for the security and rescue teams to reach the attack site. After the meeting, all leaders assured their full support to any government action against the perpetrators of the terror attack, including Pakistan. All the political leaders have in unanimous voice supported the action taken by the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) with regard to Pakistan and also unanimously expressed support for any future action the government will take to fight terrorism. I feel that after this all-party meeting, we will succeed in this fight against terrorism and will act against Pakistan and its supporters who are behind this terror attack and remain united," Rijiju said. Gandhi said everyone at the meeting unequivocally condemned the terror attack and offered full support to the government. The opposition has given full support to the government to take any action," he said. Opposition MPs spoke about their sentiments but there were no heated exchanges in the meeting, which was held a day after the government announced a host of measures targeting Pakistan in the aftermath of the terror attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India has downgraded diplomatic ties with the neighbouring country and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. (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 25, 2025, 18:02 IST Indian Army Captured These Pakistani Areas In 1971, Indira Gandhi Returned Them In 1972 Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 15:13 IST The Pahalgam attack, Pakistan's withdrawal from Shimla Agreement, and echoes of the 1971 war reignite calls in India for a tougher stance and reclaiming lost strategic ground. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi shakes hand with then-Pakistani President Zulfikar Bhutto on 28 June 1972 in Shimla. (AFP Photo) As the shock of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, reverberates across the country, the Centre has responded swiftly and decisively. In an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, five key decisions were reportedly taken to counter the growing threat. The Pahalgam attack, which has triggered national outrage, has once again intensified calls for a stern response toward Pakistan. In a dramatic move, Pakistan has now unilaterally scrapped the Shimla Agreement with India, an act seen as retaliatory after New Delhi suspended key provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty. The diplomatic fallout has reopened old wounds and rekindled debates around the concessions made by India in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Recommended Stories Among the areas once held by India during the conflict was Kartarpur Sahib, a site of immense religious significance. Some analysts and political figures, including Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, have reignited the conversation around Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), arguing that the current geopolitical climate offers a golden opportunity" to reclaim lost ground. Chowdhury, however, clarified that his view was personal. The rising India-Pakistan tensions have taken many back to the historic winter of 1971, when the Indian Army decisively defeated Pakistan and captured more than 15,000 square kilometres of territory. In that brief but intense conflict, over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered, one of the largest military capitulations since World War II. Among the captured territories were regions of Punjab, parts of Sindh, and strategic villages in Baltistan and PoK. At the time, India held overwhelming leverage. But in a magnanimous gesture, then-PM Indira Gandhi opted for diplomacy over dominance. In the Shimla Agreement signed in 1972, India returned all captured land and released the prisoners of war. While hailed globally as an act of statesmanship, this decision has long remained controversial at home. Critics argue that India could have retained regions like Kartarpur Sahib or demanded a permanent resolution to the Kashmir dispute. The seeds of the 1971 war were sown in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) where widespread political disenfranchisement and military oppression under Pakistani leadership led to a full-blown civil crisis. As Pakistani troops launched a brutal crackdown on civilians and leaders like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, India opened its doors to millions of refugees. Eventually, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi consulted Army Chief General Sam Manekshaw and began preparing for military intervention. On December 3, 1971, Pakistan launched Operation Genghis Khan, a pre-emptive airstrike against Indian airbases, responding with full force and officially declaring war. Over the next 13 days, the forces advanced swiftly on both eastern and western fronts. The Indian Air Force and Navy coordinated seamless operations, crippling Pakistans war machinery. By December 16, Pakistan was forced to surrender, and Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign nation. Though India had the upper hand at wars end, militarily and diplomatically, the international community urged restraint. With Cold War dynamics at play, global powers advised India to avoid permanent annexations, arguing that the creation of Bangladesh was itself a monumental shift in South Asias geopolitical landscape. Under such pressure, Indira Gandhi chose diplomacy over territorial expansion. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all That decision remains a point of contention. Some believe India missed a strategic opportunity to alter the balance of power permanently. Others argue that by returning the land and prisoners, India set a moral precedent and prevented further international backlash. Today, as fresh tensions mount and diplomatic agreements unravel, the legacy of 1971 looms large. While national sentiment leans towards assertiveness, the lessons of history continue to inform the delicate calculus of war, peace, and regional stability. First Published: April 25, 2025, 15:08 IST 'Instill Sense Of Security': Omar Abdullah Sends Ministers To Other States To Ensure Safety Of Kashmiris Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 14:53 IST Omar Abdullah has been coordinating with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other political leaders across party lines after a terror attack in Pahalgam left 26 tourists dead. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. (PTI file photo) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he has deputed his Cabinet ministers to various cities across the country to better coordinate with state governments and ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri residents, in the aftermath of a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. With a view to instilling a sense of security among our students and businessmen currently in other states, I have deputed my Cabinet Ministers to various cities across the country. The purpose of these visits is to coordinate efforts with the respective State Governments and ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents. The J&K Government will stand with its peopleanywhere, everywhere," Abdullahs office said in a statement. Recommended Stories With a view to instilling a sense of security among our students and businessmen currently in other states, I have deputed my Cabinet Ministers to various cities across the country. The purpose of these visits is to coordinate efforts with the respective State Governments and Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) April 25, 2025 Abdullah was coordinating with Home Minister Amit Shah, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders across party lines as the country reels from the tragedy of Pahalgam on April 22. He said his government was in touch with the governments of states where Kashmiris were allegedly being harassed in the aftermath of the terror attack. His response came after a post by ruling National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar sought Abdullahs intervention after videos of Kashmiris being allegedly harassed emerged on social media. Numerous videos showing Kashmiri students nationwide terrified for their safety are being widely shared on social media. Requesting @CM_JnK @OmarAbdullah sb to immediately intervene and speak to his counterparts across the country," Dar said in his post on X. Government Monitoring Alleged Harassment The Central government is closely monitoring reports of alleged harassment of Kashmiri students studying in various parts of the country, and most of such reports have not been found to be true, according to government sources. No Kashmiri student has been assaulted anywhere in the country, and the central government continues to remain vigilant in addressing any such concerns, they said. Furthermore, the videos circulating on social media are old, and the police are verifying their authenticity. Resident commissioners had been briefed, and the designated helpline numbers have received a few calls. However, these were primarily related to incidents where some PG hostel owners asked students to vacate the premises, the sources informed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all So far, only one phone call on the helpline set up the government has been received from the Aligarh Muslim university stating that he was feeling scared. No phone call from any other state so far, they added. At least 26 tourists from across the country were shot dead in Baisaran Valley as terrorists separated the male members from their families, asked them to recite the Kalma or reveal their names to ascertain their religious identity, and killed them in cold blood as women and children watched in horror. 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 : Srinagar, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 13:56 IST Pahalgam Terrorist's Home Demolished In Kashmir, Sister Says 'He Is A Mujahideen' Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 23:29 IST The woman said her parents and two younger siblings were innocent and did not know about her brother, Asif Sheikh's involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack The sister of a terrorist allegedly involved in Pahalgam attack speaks to the media in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral. (Image: ANI/screengrab) The sister of one of the terrorists allegedly involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, has said her brother is a mujahideen". She said their family home in Pulwamas Tral was demolished and she had returned home from her in-laws place to find her parents and two younger sisters missing. The woman told news agency ANI that she has two brothers one is in jail and the other, now identified as Asif Sheikh, is a mujahideen. My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a mujahideen, and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here from my in-laws place, I did not find my parents and siblings at their home. Police had taken them all away," she told ANI. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Tral, J&K | "My brother is a Mujahideen," says the sister of a terrorist allegedly involved in Pahalgam attack whose house in Tral was demolished"My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a 'Mujahideen', and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here pic.twitter.com/4sMr6GM1V4 ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025 She said she and her family members are innocent and do not know anything about her brothers involvement in the deadly attack. She alleged that the security forces have destroyed" her house. While I was here, the security forces came and asked me to move to a neighbours house. I saw a man wearing a camouflage uniform placing an object like a bomb on top of the house. After that, the house was demolishedwe are innocent. They have destroyed our house. We dont know anything and have nothing to do with it," she added. The homes of three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, all believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack, were destroyed on Friday. The first two residences of Aadil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh were demolished on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, while one belonging to Ahsan Ahmad Sheikh went down on Friday evening. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Aadil Thokar, a key suspect, is from Guree village in Anantnag districts Bijbehara while Asif Sheikh and Ahsan Sheikh are both from Pulwama. Their family members have claimed that they are not aware of their whereabouts. (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 25, 2025, 23:15 IST Pakistan Puts Shimla Agreement On Hold: What It Means For LoC, Regional Stability, And More Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 11:04 IST Pakistan said is holding up the Shimla Agreement, which could potentially lead to escalated tensions. The move comes in the wake of India's actions over the Pahalgam attack. An Army jawan near the Line of Control (Photo: PTI) The Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22, led to India taking some tough actions against Pakistan and downgrading diplomatic ties with the country. While Indias actions included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closing down the Attari Border, cancelling Pakistani visas and more, Pakistan has responded by putting the Shimla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India on hold, suspending all trade, and closing its airspace for Indian airlines. Recommended Stories The bigger question lies in what changes if the Shimla Agreement is put on hold. Would it mean that the Line of Control becomes non-existent? WHAT IS THE SHIMLA AGREEMENT? The Shimla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan on July 2, 1972, in Shimla. The Agreements prime purpose is to serve as a way for both the countries to put an end to the conflicts that have marred their relations, and to conceive the steps to be taken for further normalisation of India-Pakistan relations, while also laying down the principles that should govern their future interactions. The pact was signed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistans Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and followed the India-Pakistan war in 1971, which resulted in the independence of Bangladesh. The Agreement summed up in six points, also stated that the two countries are resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations". Pending the final settlement of any of the problems between the two countries, neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation," it adds. PAKISTAN PUTTING THE SHIMLA AGREEMENT ON HOLD Though Pakistan has breached the Shimla Agreement multiple times, holding up the same could mean it would treat the Line of Control as non-existent, and may, yet again, try to cross over it. The speculations are derived from the fact that the Shimla Agreement brought into existence the Line of Control, a boundary demarcating the positioning of the armies of both sides. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations. Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or the use of force in violation of this Line," the Agreement stated. HOW HAS PAKISTAN BREACHED SHIMLA AGREEMENT IN THE PAST Though, after more than 50 years of the Agreement coming into effect, Pakistan said it shall exercise its right to hold the Shimla Agreement", it has actually breached the Agreement multiple times in the past. Despite the 1949 Karachi Agreement clearly stating the demarcation of the ceasefire line, Pakistan crossed the LoC and took control of more than 150 sq km of land in Kargil, which overlooked National Highway-1. Pakistan also tried to take control of the Siachen glacier, an Indian territory as demarcated by the Karachi agreement, and tried to alter the provisions of the Shimla Agreement. In 1984, India launched Operation Meghdoot, thus gaining full control of the glacier. Four years after the 1999 Kargil War, India and Pakistan again agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control in 2003. However, Pakistan has violated the agreement multiple times since 2006. INDIA-PAKISTAN TIES TAKE A PLUNGE India and Pakistan have a complex and largely hostile relationship that is rooted in a multitude of historical and political events, most notably since Indias partition in August 1947. Ever since, India and Pakistan have signed several agreements and treaties aimed at avoiding conflicts and maintaining peace, but without much success, few have yielded the desired results. India saw a massive outrage after the recent terror attack in Kashmirs iconic Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Reports suggested armed terrorists asked tourists their names and faith, then shot those who said they were non-Muslims. Multiple videos of the terror attack site showed women crying for help, as terrorists primarily targeted male tourists. Some reports also suggested the females and the children were asked by the terrorists to leave the spot. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning, saying his government would pursue the attackers to the end of the Earth" and that those behind the attack, and their backers, would be identified, tracked, and punished. 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 25, 2025, 11:01 IST Raja Iqbal Singh Elected New Delhi Mayor, BJP Regains MCD Control After Two Years Gap Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 23:54 IST It was an easy win for BJP, who secured 133 votes against Congress' eight. As Raja Iqbal Singh becomes the new mayor of Delhi, BJP has returned to power in the MCD after two years. BJP leader Raja Iqbal Singh after winning elections Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raja Iqbal Singh has been elected as the new mayor of Delhi. He secured a total of 133 votes against Congress, which could only win eight votes. With Singhs victory, the BJP will return to power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after a gap of two years. Recommended Stories Soon after being elected as the new mayor, Singh said that the MCD will focus on issues like water logging in the national capital, and providing essential facilities to people. The main goal will be to improve the sanitation system of Delhi, remove the mountains of garbage, solve the problem of water logging and provide all the basic and essential facilities to the people of Delhi. We will all work together with full dedication and hard work," he said. Earlier in the day, Singh, while speaking to reporters, said that the BJP would complete all pending tasks once in power. AAP has already accepted its defeat. We will eliminate corruption and complete all the pending work that was stalled over the past two years," he said. Meanwhile, as BJP swept victory, the party leaders were seen smiling and showing sign of victory to the camera. #WATCH | BJP councillors celebrate after the partys Raja Iqbal Singh is elected as Delhis new Mayor pic.twitter.com/dHh498GTQk ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the elections. The previous mayoral election was held in November 2024, with AAPs Mahesh Kumar Khinchi securing a win. First Published: April 25, 2025, 16:35 IST Ranya Rao Booked Under Stringent Anti-Smuggling & Foreign Exchange Law, Denied Bail By Karnataka HC Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 11:41 IST The Karnataka High Court on Saturday rejected the bail petition filed by Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested in a gold smuggling case last month Kannada actor Ranya Rao was first arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport, when she arrived from Dubai carrying 14.2 kg gold worth Rs 12.56 crore. (Image: X/File) The Karnataka High Court on Saturday rejected the bail petition filed by Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested in a gold smuggling case last month. It comes after a sessions court in Bengaluru on April 7 rejected the bail petition filed by Tarun Konduru Raju, the second arrested suspect in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. Recommended Stories Ranya Rao, booked under Indias stringent foreign exchange and anti-smuggling law, is currently lodged in the Bengaluru Central Jail. Ranya Rao, alias Harshavardhini Ranya, and her two aides Telugu actor and entrepreneur Tarun Konduru Raju and Bellary-based jeweller Sahil Sakariya Jain have all been placed under detention under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974, or COFEPOSA. An order issued by the department of revenue, Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, a copy of which was accessed by News18, said with a view of preventing her (Rao) from smuggling goods, engaging in transporting, concealing and keeping smuggled goods", it was necessary to detain Ranya in the central jail, known as Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Tarun and Sahil were detained on the same grounds. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told the Karnataka High Court, during the bail hearing of all three accused, that they were working as a syndicate and are suspected to have smuggled at least 100 kg gold into India since early 2024. Ranya was first arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport, when she arrived from Dubai carrying 14.2 kg gold worth Rs 12.56 crore. She had initially claimed she was just a mule, forced to carry the consignment by an unknown man who contacted her via VoIP (voice over internet protocol) calls. She had further claimed that she was forced to sign on the seizure report, but the DRI probe revealed that the narrative was false. On March 11, Tarun was arrested as her co-accused. The DRI said he and Ranya were college friends who later floated a company called Vira Diamonds Trading LLC in Dubai in 2023. Both held a 50 percent stake while Ranya was the sole investor, putting in Rs 8 to 10 lakh and Tarun managed operations. The company would allegedly import gold from Geneva and Bangkok to Dubai and then smuggle it into India, bypassing customs duty, the agency said. The DRI further said both Ranya and Tarun were in Dubai on March 3. Ranya booked her flight from Dubai to Hyderabad using her American Express card but then flew to Bengaluru with the smuggled gold. Officials said Tarun had handed over the gold to her in Dubai, and she transferred money into his account the same day. Their travel records revealed that they had made 26 trips to Dubai in the last one year. Taruns bail was denied, with the DRI calling him part of a larger international smuggling racket. On March 26, the DRI arrested Sahil, a businessman and hawala operator from Bellary, as the third accused. He already had a smuggling case against him from 2019-2020. The agency said he helped sell the smuggled gold and handled the hawala money. It also said he had received gold from Ranya on several occasions. He was booked under Section 104 of the Customs Act. Raids at Ranyas residence on Lavelle Road led to the seizure of two Dubai customs declarations dated November 13 and December 20, 2024. The documents falsely declared that gold was being exported to Geneva but, instead, was routed into India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Investigators said Ranya had secured a Dubai residency card through the company, which gave her travel exemptions. She and Tarun used hawala channels to send money from India to Dubai and made foreign currency payments to suppliers. The business, on the surface, looked legitimate but was allegedly being used as a cover for smuggling. The DRI also found that Ranya and Tarun faced a financial setback when a Dubai-based gold dealer failed to deliver gold worth Rs 1.7 crore despite payment. Officials said this money, too, was moved through hawala. 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 25, 2025, 23:57 IST Remembering Dr K Kasturirangan: A Legacy That Soared Beyond The Stars Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:32 IST As former ISRO chief, Dr Kasturirangan led Indias space agency through a golden era, championing indigenous technology and missions that served the nation Dr K Kasturirangan with Dr K Sivan. (PTI Photo/File) You were named Rohini after a satellite made in ISRO, right?" Dr K Kasturirangan would ask with a knowing smile each time we met. I would nod in affirmation, and he would break into a hearty laugh. It was nice of your parents to name you after such an important satellite," hed say, his eyes twinkling. Everyone who met Dr Kasturiranganbe it as a colleague, mentor, advisor, scientist, educationist, environmentalist, or simply as a friendhas a story to tell. He was full of fire and vigour, a true star of the scientific community whose legacy continues to inspire generations. Recommended Stories He was truly multidisciplinary and multifaceted," said his friends and colleagues. He would dive deep into each subject, and when he offered suggestions, they would be seen as enabling rather than competitive. He was a rare gemsomeone who could handle multiple subjects with ease and still remain a deeply humane person. Most importantly, he was a great listener, and that made all the difference." Even as he worked tirelessly to push the frontiers of technology and innovation in science and space, he never lost sight of one fundamental principle: Any innovation or development must ultimately serve people," he would often say. He was an outstanding scientist, no doubt about it. But more than that, he was a man who believed that science must serve people. That was his core," said Dr T.K. Alex, former Director of ISROs Satellite Centre (ISAC) and a long-time friend and colleague of Dr Kasturirangan. Alex remembers him not just as his chairman and scientist but as his PhD guide and mentor. I had a special affection for him. He was my guide when I did my PhD. He taught me not only science, but how to think about its purpose," he said. Kasturirangan began his scientific journey as an astrophysicist, immersed in the study of black holes and astronomy. He wasnt someone who just sat in a lab theorising. He worked with real hardwarehe knew circuit boards, satellite payloads. He was hands-on, just like the likes of Dr U.R. Rao," Alex recalled. He rose to head ISROs Satellite Centre, overseeing satellite design and development. He didnt just focus on launching satellites. He was very particular that these satellites must help the common man," Alex said. He pushed for using remote sensing data for forest mapping, agriculture, and drinking water. He was far ahead of his time in wanting science to be relevant to everyday life." That same clarity guided him when he led the committee on the Western Ghats ecological zone, which is famously called the Kasturirangan Report, formed after public concerns over the earlier Gadgil Committee recommendations. Kasturirangans strength was balance. He went through the data meticulously, recognised that real towns had been misclassified as forests, and corrected it. He cared for the environmentbut also for people," said Alex. Beyond science, it was his quiet resilience that made an impression. He faced personal loss with immense grace," Alex shared. His wife passed away early. He raised his two sons while continuing his work. Even when he had a major health scare 20 years ago, he carried on. He never let anything stop him." One of Dr Kasturirangans most enduring contributions, Alex said, was his early push for indigenous space technology. People talk about Make in India, but ISRO was doing it years ago as part of the organisations push to remain as close to indigenous in its making of satellites and rockets as possible. He ensured it continued. We made integrated circuits in Chandigarh, we built cameras and sensors here in India. It was tough, but he insistedwe must build it ourselves," Alex recalled. Dr Kasturirangan also chaired the very first meeting for Indias moon missionChandrayaan. Chandrayaan began under him. I was in the room when it was being discussedhe asked if PSLV could launch a satellite to orbit the moon with a payload of 1,000 kg. We optimised weight, roped in international partners for that pathbreaking project," Alex said. And then Dr APJ Abdul Kalam came in and said, Dont just orbitdrop something on the moon. Thats how the Moon Impact Probe happened. That little payload with the Indian flagKasturirangan laid the groundwork for that." As Alex puts it, He was a scientist, yes. But he was also a mentor, a visionary, and a deeply human person." Kasturirangans magic was about a string of successes which made people look at him in awe. It was in the way he made people believe that anything was possibleand then quietly showed them how to do it. Thats how Dr B R Guruprasad, Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, sees the towering legacy of his mentor. He initiated me into my PhD journey. He didnt just work in institutions; he enabled people. He drew the best out of those around him," he said. While the world knew Kasturirangan as ISROs former chairman and a member of the Rajya Sabha, Guruprasad sees him as far more than the sum of his titles. His contribution wasnt limited to space. He was a force across disciplineseducation, research, governance," he said. He headed the National Institute of Advanced Studies, was a member of the Planning Commission, and led the Karnataka Knowledge Commission." But it wasnt just his body of work or roles that left a markit was how he carried himself. He was an excellent communicator," Dr Guruprasad recalled. I used to joke with him, Sir, if I sit with you for half an hour, Ill walk away with one new English wordand the exact way to use it! He made language elegant." What struck him most was Kasturirangans humility. He would often ask me, Guru, is this correct? Imaginea man of his stature asking me that. It showed his respect for knowledge, no matter where it came from. Thats so rare." Kasturirangans journey through ISRO is etched in Indian space history. He was No. 2 to Prof U R Rao during Aryabhata. Then he led Bhaskara, our first experimental remote sensing satellite. That taught us not just technology but project management. With IRS-1A, Indias first fully indigenous operational satellite, he led from the front," Guruprasad said. There was a term people usedKasturirangan magic." As chairman from 1994 to 2003, ISRO had a string of successes. The GSLV saw its first launch. Our telecom network expanded with indigenously built satellites," Guruprasad said. And of course, his role in Chandrayaan. He was the one who convinced the scientific community and government to approve it. If we landed near the South Pole with Chandrayaan-3, it started with his vision." Guruprasad simply calls him a seamless blend of brilliance, humility, and vision." He was a rare man. And I was lucky to have known him not just as a scientist, but as a human being." For Sridhar Murthy, a close friend and long-time colleague of Dr K Kasturirangan, the loss is deeply personal. He wasnt just a towering scientist. He was a guiding figure for all of usan inspirational leader because of the many qualities he embodied," Murthy said, his voice reflecting both admiration and emotion. He was a man of very high integrity," recalled Murthy, who retired from ISRO as Distinguished Scientist and Managing Director of Antrix. He had this rare human chemistry. He could understand people deeply, resolve conflicting situations in a way that left everyone feeling heard and respected. There was always a sense of fairness in how he approached others, no matter how complex the problem." Murthy worked closely with Dr Kasturirangan during the critical years of ISROs growth. What stood out to him was Kasturirangans style of leadership. He truly believed in participative management," he said. You saw that every single day while working with him. Everyones voice mattered, and that built immense trust in the organisation." Beyond his personal traits, Murthy said, it was Kasturirangans visionary thinking that changed Indias space programme. He always thought strategically. At the helm of ISRO, he pushed for the programme to be multidimensional. Technologically, he wanted it at the cutting edge. At the same time, it had to serve national development and retain relevance for the common man." He was deeply involved in various missions, particularly in telecommunications, broadcasting, and remote sensing. One of Kasturirangans significant contributions was leading the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellite project as its project director. He was committed to ensuring that these missions transitioned from being experimental to operational. Once they successfully served the national user community, he worked towards making them internationally recognised. This led to the global offering of IRS data. Additionally, during his tenure, he forged strategic alliances, including building relations with countries and other space organisations globally," Murthy told News18. And always, he thought of the next generation. He believed that the space programme should inspire the youth. It wasnt just about rocketsit was about dreaming big, building excellence, and serving society," Murthy said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all That was his real legacy. Whether it was technology, science, people, or purposehe created a culture of excellence that will live on long after him." Dr K Kasturirangan passed away in Bengaluru on Friday. He was 84. 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 25, 2025, 20:29 IST Sri Lankan President, UK's Starmer Call Up PM Modi, Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 18:49 IST PM Modi also received calls from leaders of Dutch and Netherlands, among others. The global leaders expressed solidarity with India and condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam. PM Modi received call from various global leaders over Pahalgam terror attack (IMAGE: PTI) In the wake of the recent terror attack in Jammu-Kashmirs Pahalgam, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and expressed solidarity with India. Taking to X, Dissanayake wrote, Deeply shocked by the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives. Just spoke with PM @narendramodi to convey Sri Lankas solidarity & our shared commitment against terrorism. Our hearts go out to the victims families. We stand with India in these difficult times." Recommended Stories Deeply shocked by the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives. Just spoke with PM @narendramodi to convey Sri Lankas solidarity & our shared commitment against terrorism. Our hearts go out to the victims families. We stand with India in these difficult Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) April 25, 2025 Earlier in the day, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and condemned the terrorist attack. According to a readout of the call from 10 Downing Street, Starmer expressed his deep condolences on behalf of the people of Britain. The Prime Minister (Starmer) began by saying he was horrified by the devastating terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, which saw the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives," a Downing Street spokesperson said. He expressed his deep condolences on behalf of the British people to all those affected, their loved ones, and the people of India. The leaders agreed to stay in touch," the spokesperson said. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also expressed solidarity with India and wrote on X, We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM @narendramodi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack." We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM @narendramodi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) April 25, 2025 Besides these, PM Modi also received calls from the Netherlands PM and the Dutch PM condemning the attack. The Netherlands PM informed about the call from his X handle. I just spoke with Prime Minister @narendramodi about the horrific terrorist attack that occurred earlier this week in Pahalgam, and extended my sympathy to the victims, their loved ones and the people of India.The Netherlands stands shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism, now and in the future," he wrote. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof extended his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pahalgam Terror Attack The deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 left 26 dead. Following the attack, India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and took several stern actions, including suspension of visas, the closing of the Attari border, and suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. First Published: April 25, 2025, 18:09 IST 'Waqf May Have Public Order Aspect Too': In Supreme Court Reply, Govt Opposes Stay Reported By : Edited By: Ronit Singh Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 15:44 IST The central government also sought the dismissal of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 Supreme Court of India | File Image The Centre on Friday informed the Supreme Court that many Waqf properties are not limited to Muslims, as they also involve the rights and claims of other communities. It added that regulating these properties could have a public order aspect, given the wider implications of such disputes. It comes after the central government submitted its response to the apex court regarding the hearing on the amended Waqf Act, opposing the stay on any provisions of the Act, including Waqf-by-User. Recommended Stories Centre asserted that the amendment to the Waqf Act upholds religious practices and brings judicial accountability. It further stated that the amendments uphold the Constitution, leaving the matter of faith and worship untouched. At the outset, it bears emphasis that taking away the statutory protection to a waqf by the user does not deprive a person of the Muslim community to create a waqf. It impinges on the form by which such a dedication is to be made, which is the secular dimension of the dedication, and not the right of an individual to dedicate his or her property to God," said Centre in its written response to the top court. SC On Waqf-By-User During the hearing earlier this month, the Supreme Court noted that many Waqf by User properties like mosques would date back to the 13th or 14th century and will not have any registered deeds. The court recorded the governments assurance that no Waqf properties including Waqf-by-user" properties already notified or registered would be denotified and that District Collectors would not alter their status during this period. After recording these assurances, the Supreme Court gave the Centre a week to file its preliminary response, with the next hearing on the Waqf Act petitions set for May 5. It is submitted that the concept of waqf by the user was in vogue during the period where the writing or executing deeds for anything was a rare phenomenon," the Centre added. Centre On Non-Muslims In Waqf Boards The Centre told the Supreme Court that given the global presence of Muslims and evolving Waqf systems worldwide, it is not arbitrary for the legislature to allow non-Muslims to participate in Waqf administration for greater effectiveness. It comes after the Supreme Court in its last hearing raised questions over the issue of non-Muslim appointments to Waqf boards. The Centre agreed, declaring that no non-Muslim appointments would be made to Waqf Boards or Councils until further court orders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The central government also sought the dismissal of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 202, saying that its a settled position in law that constitutional courts would not stay a statutory provision, either directly or indirectly, and will decide the matter finally. The bench, consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan, will resume hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the 2025 amendments to the 1995 Waqf Act on May 5. First Published: April 25, 2025, 15:25 IST Why 2025 Pahalgam Attack Is A Reminder Of 2000 Chittisinghpura Massacre | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 12:20 IST 25 years apart: The Chittisinghpura incident had led to the killing of 35 Sikh villagers on March 20, 2000, ahead of the visit of then US President Bill Clinton Security personnel stand guard after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K. (PTI Photo) With several similarities, the Pahalgam attack served as a bleak reminder of the Chittisinghpura massacre in Jammu and Kashmir in 2000. The Chittisinghpura incident had led to the killing of 35 Sikh villagers on March 20, 2000, just ahead of the visit of then US President Bill Clinton to India. The timing was seen as an attempt to provoke communal tension and draw international attention to Kashmir. Recommended Stories The Pahalgam attack on tourists occurred on April 22, 2025, coinciding with US Vice President JD Vances visit to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modis trip to Saudi Arabia. At least 26 tourists, including Hindus and a Nepali national, were killed. Top government sources say militants aimed to disrupt diplomatic engagements and reignite global scrutiny over Kashmir. Both attacks targeted civilians to provoke communal violence. WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN CHITTISINGHPURA In Chittisinghpura, Sikhs in Kashmir were specifically targeted. Militants in army uniforms had rounded up men near gurdwaras and executed them. The attack was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Later, terrorist David Headley confessed to its involvement. Chittisinghpura was aimed at destabilising India ahead of Clintons visit and increasing Hindu-Sikh tensions. Survivors claimed attackers shouted pro-India slogans, fueling conspiracy theories about state involvement. The attack caused an exodus of Sikhs from Kashmir and heightened communal fears. Clintons visit was overshadowed by the massacre in 2000. The US condemned the attack but avoided explicitly blaming Pakistan. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all WHAT HAPPENED IN PAHALGAM In Pahalgam, non-Muslim tourists were singled out and militants asked victims to recite Islamic verses (kalma) and checked for circumcisions to identify non-Muslims.Pahalgam is claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT affiliate. Indian authorities identified Saifullah, a top LeT commander, as the mastermind. The TRF has been opposed to Indias revocation of Jammu and Kashmirs special status in 2019. Various groups have also been against the domicile rights for non-locals. The attack sought to disrupt tourism and signal resistance to demographic changes. Protests, however, have erupted, with demands for retaliation against Pakistan. The attack has also triggered a tourism crisis, with thousands canceling trips. Locals have condemned the attack, fearing economic collapse. Global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have condemned the violence. Pakistans Foreign Ministry denied involvement but expressed condolences. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: April 25, 2025, 12:17 IST Why Should Anyone Be Killed Over Religion? Bengal Teacher Renounces Islam Over Pahalgam Attack Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 13:13 IST Sabir Hussain to News18: Ive witnessed how religion is repeatedly used as a tool for violence, especially in Kashmir. I simply want to be known as a human being. Sabir Hussain plans to move court. Citing deep anguish over the Pahalgam terror attack, Sabir Hussain, a schoolteacher from Baduria in West Bengal, has announced his decision to renounce Islam. Hussain plans to approach the court to relinquish his religious identity, seeking a life free of religious affiliation. Recommended Stories Hussain told News18: I mean no disrespect to any religionthis is a personal choice. Ive witnessed how religion is repeatedly used as a tool for violence, especially in Kashmir. I can no longer accept this. I simply want to be known as a human being, not by any religious label. Thats why I intend to make a formal application to the court." He emphasised his respect for all religions, but expressed how religious identity is misused in violent incidents, such as the one in Pahalgam. Why should anyone be killed because of their religion? Thats what deeply upsets me," he said. Hussain initially shared his decision on Facebook and has since reaffirmed his plan to legally disassociate from Islam. However, he clarified that he would not impose his beliefs on his family. My wife and children are free to follow whatever path they choose. This is my personal journey, and I will no longer associate myself with Islam," he added. Furthermore, he expressed discomfort with constant questioning about his religious identity, believing it fosters division. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Everything seems to revolve around religion these days. Thats not the world I want to live in," Hussain stated. His decision follows the Pahalgam incident, which he perceives as another instance of religion being used to justify violencesomething he no longer wishes to be associated with. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 13:09 IST Woman Duped Of Rs 11 Lakh By Scammer On Shaadi.com, Telangana High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 17:39 IST The Telangana High Court ruled that Shaadi.com can't evade responsibility for fraud on their platform, refusing to quash the FIR against director Anupam Mittal and others The court rebuffed Shaadi.com's argument that it functions merely as a platform, akin to Uber or Ola. (Representative/Shutterstock) In a significant ruling, the Telangana High Court has declared that marriage websites cannot evade responsibility if users fall victim to fraud on their platforms. Justice N Tukaramji made this statement on Thursday while refusing to quash the FIR against Shaadi.com director Anupam Mittal and two other officials. The case, linked to the Jubilee Hills police station in Hyderabad, involves a woman doctor who alleged that she was defrauded of approximately Rs 11 lakh by an individual she met on Shaadi.com. Recommended Stories The accused, using the premium and classified sections of the website, created a fake profile under the name Cherukuri Harsha, including a photo of an MLA and a fabricated background story. His real name, however, is Jogada Vamsi Krishna. The accused claimed to be the son of a woman residing in the US and falsely stated that his bank accounts had been frozen. He secured Rs11 lakh from the doctor by making false promises. When the doctor became suspicious and demanded her money back, the accused began to threaten her, stating he would post morphed pictures of her online and harm her family. The court rebuffed Shaadi.coms argument that it functions merely as a platform, akin to Uber or Ola. It emphasised that by charging a premium fee and branding users as verified, the website assumes certain responsibilities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite providing password-protected information, the court noted that the site had not implemented adequate measures to prevent misuse. The public prosecutor also accused the website of adopting an irresponsible attitude. The court has ordered Shaadi.coms director Anupam Mittal, along with employees Satish Nanaiya and Vignesh, to present themselves before the police and cooperate with the investigation. Location : Telangana, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 17:39 IST Nita Ambani Keeps It Simple Yet Stylish In A Black Co-Ord Set For Her New York Outing Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 08:56 IST Nita Ambani was recently spotted in New York City. For her outing, she made an elegant statement in a black co-ord set that came with a relaxed silhouette. Nita Ambani waved at the paparazzi before getting into her car in New York. The chairperson of the Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani, was recently spotted in New York. Viral videos of Nitas visit to NYs Diamond District are doing the rounds on social media. For her outing, Nita kept it simple but stylish in a chic black co-ord set. In a viral video, Nita Ambani was seen waving to the paparazzi in New York as she exited a building. She was seen making her way to her luxurious car. She chose the less-is-more approach for her OOTD and made an elegant statement. Recommended Stories Lets decode what Nita wore at her NYC outing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by thenewyorktourofdiamonds (@thenewyorktourofdiamonds) Nita wore a black co-ord set that was adorned with white embroidered floral patterns. She wore a shirt that came with a collared neckline, front button closures, closed cuffs, and full-length sleeves. The shirt came with a relaxed fit, and it was adorned with the white floral embroidery on the bodice, bust, and sleeves. She paired this shirt with matching black pants. The straight-fit pants were also adorned with matching floral embroidery. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Unlike most of her looks, Nita ditched the accessories. She kept it simple and opted just for a stylish watch and rings. She slipped into a pair of black slip-on block heels to complete her outfit. For the glam, she went with a minimal makeup look. She went with just a sweep of blush on her cheeks for that rosy glow. She tied her hair in a loose ponytail and added a rosy pink shade to her lips. Nita Ambani is the wife of Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani. The couple has three children Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani and Anant Ambani. Isha is married to Anand Piramal, Akash is married to Shloka Mehta, and Anant tied the knot with Radhika Merchant in a grand ceremony last year. 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 25, 2025, 08:56 IST Thailand Makes Digital Arrival Card Compulsory For Tourists From May 1: What You Need To Know Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 09:48 IST As per a new travel regulation issued by the Thai authorities, all non-Thai nationals who enter Thailand will have to secure the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Tourists can submit their TDAC 72 hours or up to three days before arrival. With scenic beaches, idyllic villages, modern cities, and majestic temples, Thailand is one of the most sought-after destinations in Asia among tourists. As summer kicks in and the country prepares itself to welcome more tourists, authorities have announced a new travel regulation under which all all non-Thai nationals entering the country by land, air or sea on or after May 1 will have to fill out and submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Tourists will have to fill out and submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before they board a flight or cross Thailand. With this new regulation, the authorities aim to improve the entry process and enhance the overall experience for both tourists and residents. Tourists can submit their TDAC 72 hours or up to three days before arrival. The TDAC has been divided into three categories the first deals with personal information, the second includes travel and accommodation details, while the third includes all details about the tourists health. Recommended Stories Once these details are verified, tourists will receive the digital card on their registered email. This digital card has to presented at the immigration counter upon arrival in Thailand. How To Fill Thailand Digital Arrival Card? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Go to the official TDAC portal. Select the Arrival Card option on the homepage. Fill in your personal details, including full name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number. Provide your travel information, such as arrival date, mode of transport, accommodation address in Thailand, and reason for visiting. Disclose your current health status as part of the health declaration section. Mention any countries you have visited in the 14 days before arriving in Thailand. Carefully review all the information youve entered before submission. Submit the form, and your digital arrival card will be automatically generated. Download the digital version of your TDAC for use during immigration checks. Additionally, according to Thai immigration regulations, visitors who remain in the country for more than 90 days must report their current residential address to the nearest immigration office within a few days of the 90-day mark. This process must be repeated every 90 days for the duration of their stay. 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 25, 2025, 09:48 IST World Malaria Day: These Parasites Can Hide Dormant In Your Liver For Months, Say Doctors Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 17:40 IST According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 1.5 crore cases of malaria are reported annually in India, with approximately 20,000 deaths The monsoon season and the period following it are the most sensitive for the spread of the disease, and extra caution is advised during this time. (News18 Hindi) Every year, malaria wreaks havoc during the rainy season. In many parts of North India, people even lose their lives due to the disease. Malaria is a seasonal and dangerous illness that should not be taken lightly. According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 1.5 crore cases of malaria are reported annually in India, with approximately 20,000 deaths. It is a mosquito-borne disease, but it is preventable. On the occasion of World Malaria Day, News18 spoke to doctors to understand what malaria is and how it can be prevented. Dr Pramila Baitha, Additional Director of the Internal Medicine Department at Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida, explained that malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium. This parasite spreads to humans through the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include high fever, chills, sweating, headache, and fatigue. If left untreated, malaria can become severe. The monsoon season and the period following it are the most sensitive for the spread of the disease, and extra caution is advised during this time. Recommended Stories According to Dr Baitha, in the past year, around 40 malaria patients visited her OPD, over 90 percent of whom were diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria. This type generally causes mild fever, but its parasites can remain dormant in the liver and reactivate months later, leading to a recurrence. This form of malaria can cause repeated infections. On the other hand, Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) is a more severe form that can affect the brain, kidneys, and other organs. If not treated in time, it can prove fatal. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dr Naman Sharma, Senior Consultant at Mash Manas Hospital, Noida, said that malaria is primarily of two types: P. vivax and P. falciparum. Most people are affected by P. vivax. In his hospital, about 25 percent of recent malaria patients required hospitalisation. The condition of patients tends to deteriorate due to delays in testing. To prevent malaria, one must protect against mosquito bites, avoid stagnant water in drains and pits, clean water tanks and coolers every two days, and keep windows shut after sunset. Dr Sukhpreet Singh, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine at Mash Pro-Life Hospital, Ludhiana, said that over the past 6 to 12 months, six cases of malaria were reported at his hospitalfive of P. vivax and one of P. falciparum. Fewer than 5 percent of fever patients are suspected of having malaria, and confirmed cases are around 1 percent. P. vivax is the most common type in North India, but it is often overlooked due to its mild symptoms. However, if not tested and treated on time, it can also become serious. 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 25, 2025, 17:40 IST Andaz Apna Apna Producer's Kids On Aamir Khan Announcing Sequel: 'We'll Never Sell Rights To Him' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 03:55 IST Vinay Sinhas kids say Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Santoshi don't own rights to Andaz Apna Apna sequel. Aamir Khan and Salman Khan in Andaz Apna Apna (1994). Aamir Khan may have left fans buzzing when he revealed that a sequel to Andaz Apna Apna with Salman Khan is in the works, but the late producer Vinay Kumar Sinhas children have now clarified that neither Aamir nor Rajkumar Santoshi owns the rights to the film. In a new interview with Lehren Retro, Priti Sinha, Amod Sinha, and Namrata Sinhachildren of the original films producerset the record straight, asserting that their father was the sole rights holder of the cult classic and they havent sold any rights to the actor or the filmmaker. They pointed out that while Rajkumar Santoshi, who directed the original 1994 film, had often spoken about working on a sequel with their father, it never materialised. They said the script was discussed for years, with promises and meetings, but nothing came of it. Recommended Stories Aamir was never a producer (of the film), he was just an actor. We will never sell the rights to him or Rajkumar Santoshi," they said. They added that although Aamir recently claimed that Rajkumar Santoshi is working on the sequel, only they as producers could announce it officially. Everyone can say they are writing the film. But if the producers dont announce the film, then its only talk," Priti added. They further revealed that their father and Santoshi had been close collaborators and had almost formalised a sequel deal, but the project never advanced. They questioned why the sequel didnt happen while their father was still alive, despite so much groundwork. When asked if they would consider Santoshi to helm the sequel, the siblings said no decision had been made yet. However, they hoped that if a sequel is made with Aamir and Salman, they as producers will be a part of it, as that had always been the understanding between their father and Santoshi. Interestingly, they also shared how Salman Khan had advised them to re-release the film during the shoot of Ready. Paresh Rawal too encouraged them to promote the re-release on social media. Both Salman and Aamir supported the films renewed release efforts, but Rajkumar Santoshi was absent from the promotions due to his work on Lahore 1947. Aamir had recently told the media, We would all want Andaz Apna Apna 2. We have told Raj ji to work on the script. As soon as his script is ready, Salman and I would definitely want to work on it." Andaz Apna Apna, which originally featured Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal and Shakti Kapoor, became a cult comedy over the years. The story revolves around two slackers trying to woo an heiress, only to fall in love with different women after mistaken identities and hilarious mishaps. The film has now re-released in theatres on April 25. 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 26, 2025, 03:55 IST Blake Lively BREAKS Silence On Her Legal Battle With Justin Baldoni: 'I Have So Much To Say' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 22:01 IST Blake Lively, dressed in a striking evening gown, used her speech to highlight the weight of being called influential. Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on set. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Blake Lively made a rare public statement touching upon her ongoing legal battle with It Ends with Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, during her appearance at the TIME100 Gala in New York City on Thursday, April 24. Honoured as one of TIME magazines 100 most influential people, Lively arrived at the Jazz at Lincoln Center with husband Ryan Reynolds, who was seen supporting her backstage. In candid moments caught on camera, the couple shared kisses and exchanged whispers before Lively took the stage to deliver a powerful six-minute speech. Recommended Stories While she didnt address the lawsuit directly, Lively, 37, made a veiled reference to the legal turmoil. I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum," she said, hinting at the ongoing controversy surrounding Baldoni, 41. Lively, dressed in a striking evening gown, used her speech to highlight the weight of being called influential." She shared, To have an effect, thats not only an honour its a significant responsibility. How we use that matters. Who and what we stand up for, and what we stay silent about matters." She also expressed gratitude to every man, including my sweet husband, who [is] kind and good when no one is watching," a remark many interpreted as a subtle contrast to her allegations against Baldoni. In December 2024, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and leading a retaliatory smear campaign. The suit also named Baldonis Wayfarer Studios. Baldoni has denied all allegations and filed a countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their longtime publicist Leslie Sloane, demanding $400 million in damages for alleged defamation and civil extortion. Although the actress did not elaborate on the legal proceedings at the gala, she emphasised the strength she draws from women before her and those who continue to fight for their voices. What I will speak to separately," she noted, is the feeling of being a woman who has a voice because of the pain, caution, and fight of the many women who paved the way." The high-profile trial is scheduled to begin in March 2026. About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: April 25, 2025, 22:01 IST Ground Zero Review: Emraan Hashmi Shines In A Gripping Military Thriller Written By : News18.com Edited By: Chirag Sehgal Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 10:28 IST Ground Zero is a gritty, grounded military drama that has tried to avoid cliches associated with the genre. Emraan Hashmi delivers a great performance in a film that is both thrilling and thought provoking. Ground Zero U 3/5 25 April 2025|Hindi 2 hrs 14 mins | Action, Thriller Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain Director: Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar Music: Tanishk Bagchi, Rohan-Rohan and Sunny Inder Watch Trailer At a time when Kashmir is in the news due to the recent Pahalgam terrorist attacks, Emraan Hashmi delivers a gripping tale of yet another terror attack that shook India in 2001. Ground Zero, directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, brings to the fore the story of how the BSF tracked and captured Ghazi Baba, Commander-in-Chief, Jaish-E-Mohammed, the terrorist gang that claimed responsibility of the infamous Parliament attack on December 13, 2001. Given the current scenario, the movie is an emotionally charged narrative set in the volatile landscapes of Kashmir, blending patriotism with moral conflict and human vulnerability. In Ground Zero, we get to see a very different Hashmi, who is otherwise best known for his romantic films. Unlike any other Emraan Hashmi movie, which is known for its soulful music and his romantic charm, Ground Zero is a compelling addition to the military drama genre in Indian cinema. Recommended Stories Hashmi portrays the character of real-life BSF officer Narendra Nath Dubey, a man torn between duty and personal loss. The plot of the film focuses on a terror-infested region of Kashmir and how Dubey confronts not just external threats, but also internal scars that resurface amid the conflict. Though the film invokes patriotism to a certain extent, it also highlights the complex layers of identity, duty, and trauma, making it more of a military drama mixed with the real-life story than just a loud patriotic spectacle. What makes Ground Zero stand out is its nuanced writing and how it humanises its characters. The adaptation and the writing surely deserve applause for managing to add a rare depth and maturity to such sensitive content. Besides Hashmi, Sai Tamhankar and Zoya Hussain also have pivotal roles in the film. Tamhankar portrays the role of Jaya Dubey, wife of Narendra Nath Dubey. Though limited screen time, Tamhankar owns the space with her dialogue delivery, emotions, and most importantly, capturing the right essence of the wife of a BSF Officer. Zoya Hussain, on the other hand, plays the role of Aadila, an IB officer, who crosses paths with Hashmi after the Parliament attacks. Hussain manages to keep you hooked to her character through the film. She does make you believe that she is indeed an IB officer on duty. The cinematography by Kamaljeet Negi captures the haunting beauty and tension of Kashmir. Though the movie does not romanticise the valley, it shows beautiful landscapes that justify why the place is coined heaven on Earth. The only point that could have been a little different is how quickly things unfold in the film. In certain ways, if you look at it, the movie sticks to its story and does not digress much. However, the first half is tightly edited, but the second act lags slightly as it tries to balance too many subplots. Having said that, the climax is just as satisfying and impactful without being over-the-top. Overall, Ground Zero is a gritty, grounded military drama that has tried to avoid cliches associated with the genre. Emraan Hashmi delivers a great performance in a film that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. About the Author Nishad Thaivalappil Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha... Read More Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 10:20 IST Hailey Bieber Makes RARE Comment About Husband Justin Bieber Amid Divorce Rumours: 'I Want To...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 01:26 IST Hailey Bieber thanked husband Justin while accepting an award, as divorce rumours continue to swirl online. Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber. Hailey Bieber made a rare public statement about her husband Justin Bieber amid swirling rumours of a rift between the couple. The model and entrepreneur gave the pop star a special mention while accepting an award for her skincare brand Rhode at the 2025 Daily Front Row Fashion Los Angeles Awards on Thursday. Hailey, 28, was named Beauty Innovator of the Year at the event and stunned in a strapless blue dress paired with black pumps. During her acceptance speech, she described Rhode as a feeling," a lifestyle," a place," and a world that is open to everyone and anyone that identifies with it." Recommended Stories Toward the end of her speech, she gave Justin a heartfelt shout-out. And lastly, I wanna thank my husband for supporting this dream of mine from the beginning and for always cheering me on," Hailey said, making a clear stand amid growing speculation around their relationship. Though Justin wasnt present at the award ceremony, the couple was photographed having breakfast together earlier that day in Venice Beach, California. Just before Haileys public acknowledgment, Justin, 31, had also taken to Instagram to post a cryptic message seemingly aimed at shutting down breakup rumours. Honestly if I was u, it would be hard not to be jealous of me and Hailey going brazzzzyy," he wrote in an Instagram Story. Its really up for us and thats understandable why people cant stand it." Over the past few months, fans have expressed concern over some of Justins public appearances and online activity, particularly after the couple welcomed their son Jack last year. Justins name has also come up in discussions surrounding Sean Diddy" Combs, whose sex trafficking trial is scheduled to begin soon. Several clips of a young Justin spending time with Combs have resurfaced, prompting conversations online. Justin has not issued any statements regarding the situation. Justin is in a hard place mentally right now," a source had shared in October 2024. He has such a history with Diddy, and the allegations against him have been hard to process." About the Author Shrishti Negi Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, ... Read More Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: April 26, 2025, 01:26 IST Jewel Thief Review: Saif Ali Khan And Jaideep Ahlawat Will Steal Your Breath In Entertaining Thriller Written By : News18.com Edited By: Shrishti Negi Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 12:24 IST Jewel Thief Movie Review: This is one of those films that will join the club of guilty pleasure watches. Dont think too much and just get on this fun ride. Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins is currently streaming on Netflix. Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins U/A 3.5/5 25 April 2025|Hindi 1 hrs 57 mins | Heist Thriller Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor and Nikita Dutta Director: Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal Platform: Netflix Watch Trailer Jewel Thief Movie Review: Grab a tub of popcorn right now and imagine taking a walk down the memory lane, 17 years back to be precise, when Saif Ali Khan graced your screen in his snazziest and most stylish avatar! Theres nothing that beats nostalgia. And thats exactly what director duo Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal play on, with Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins. Slick, flamboyant, cool, unapologetic and self-indulgent Jewel Thief is like a throwback to the noughties. At a time when patriotic dramas and action thrillers are ruling the roost, this film is like a much-needed respite. Kudos to the actors too for not taking themselves too seriously but just letting their hair down and blowing off steam! Come to think of it, the metrosexual Saif has been a pop culture icon across decades! One to wear his stardom lightly, he has never had any inhibitions. This is an actor who has no qualms about cracking the most bizarre jokes and laughing at himself. Recommended Stories Here too, he inadvertently cracks a meta joke and says that he doesnt harbour any nawaabi shauq. In another scene, he cackles after saying need and neend in the same sentence, quirkily and quietly patting himself on the back for being able to come up with a smart alliteration. He may not be the megalomaniac Ranveer Singh from Race but his Rehan is surely a treat to watch! Jewel Thief begins with a sequence at popular art collector Rajan Aulakhs lavish farmhouse in Alibaug. While art connoisseurs appreciate his collection of expensive portraits and paintings, Rajan is busy beating up his accountant, who has leaked data pertaining to his offshore accounts to the Interpol. Its important to note here that Rajan is obsessed with the colour of blood. He almost marvels at it. And it is instantly established that back in the day, he shared a deep connection with the underworld. When he learns that Red Sun, Africas most precious diamond, is going to be put up for people to see at a museum in Mumbai, he decides to steal it. And the only man who can pull off this heist is Rehan, whos currently in Budapest. Were then introduced to the infamous Jewel Thief who has recently robbed a very expensive emerald necklace. Nothing scares Rehan. He, in fact, watches the news of the robbery with pride in his eyes. Back home, Rajan meets Rehans father, a doctor who runs a charitable hospital, and decides to donate Rs 10 crore to his cause. However, his lackey Chunky tells Rehans brother that this ten-crore is actually black money and if hes unable to convince Rehan to carry out the heist, he shall inform the ED of this money, leading his dad to imprisonment. Rehan, however, shares a strained relationship with his father. His father, a man of morals, ostracises him when he learns that his son earns a livelihood by carrying out heists across the world. After much thought that leads him to put his ego aside, he decides to join hands with Rajan just to protect his father. Thrown into this is STF officer Vikram Patel, who is on a chase to hunt down Rehan. What follows is a game of double-crossing, betrayals and a bit of seduction peppered with oodles of twists and turns, and thats exactly where Jewel Thief lags. Though it boasts of a crisp narrative, its writing becomes its weakest link. Right from the word go, its understood whos going to carry the trophy or the Red Sun, in this case, home. Yes, the film has its own share of plot twists. But the problem is that you can see most of them coming and thats also because of its elaborate trailer that gave away too much. In short, what had the potential to be an interesting game of one-upmanship with the most unexpected developments turns out to be a middling screenplay. The script is also riddled with far too many plot conveniences. You may end up wondering every now and then if its that easy to break into a museum, manipulate the security system, tamper equipment and crack passcodes! The relationship between Rehan and his father isnt completely fleshed out either. The same can be said for Rajan and his wife Farah. The makers chose to scratch only the surface and not let grime interrupt the shine. They also play it pretty safe keeping all the familiar tropes in mind theres a charming anti-hero, a deliciously ripped villain, an ambitious and morally unambiguous cop, a bunch of dumb lackeys and a femme fatale. These characters almost feel like caricature-like templates with no arcs to play around with. The romantic subplot between Rehan and Rajans wife also seems like an unnecessary addition to the storyline. We get it though. Whats a glossy thriller without a few kisses and sexual tension! And the fact of the matter remains that despite these bumps, theres enough style and sheen to keep you hooked. Its Saif as Rehan and Jaideep Ahlawat as Rajan on whose able shoulders Jewel Thief rests on. Who would have imagined seeing Saif and Jaideep two actors from two different schools of cinema lock horns and beat up each other in true-blue Bollywood fashion! Their snarky exchanges are pure delight and interestingly, you wouldnt know who to root for. As Rehan, Saif is at complete ease. This is his home ground. Hes effortlessly dashing and dishing out dialogues with a smirk and with abandon. This isnt an avatar we havent seen before and at times, Jewel Thief appears to be an extension of Race, but who cares! The one actor who, however, has never tasted these waters is the ever-so-versatile Jaideep. His Rajan is ripped with washboard abs and tattoos. His hair is sleek. Hes menacing. He thrashes his wife to feed his masculine ego and shoots his Rottweiler dead when he gets too friendly and playful with Rehan. And Rajan dances like a dream. This will hopefully mark the beginning of a new era for Jaideep. Kunal Kapoor as Vikram is impressive. But the writing doesnt do him justice. Between the towering presence of Saif and Jaideep, he gets overshadowed. Having said that, its Nikita Dutta who suffers the most. She barely gets to contribute to the narrative and gets relegated as a femme fatale obsessed with belladonna flowers. So, is Jewel Thief worth watching? Thats a big, fat yes! This is one of those films that will join the club of guilty pleasure watches. Dont think too much and just get on this fun ride. And dont miss out on the ultra-cool Jaadu. About the Author Titas Chowdhury Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break... Read More Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 12:24 IST Kashmir Saw Such Turmoil: Emraan Hashmi After Ground Zero Had Srinagar Premiere Last Week | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 04:14 IST Emraan Hashmi also spoke about Bollywood opening its doors to actors and technicians from different communities. Emraan Hashmi starrer Ground Today released in theatres today. Emraan Hashmis latest film, Ground Zero, which releases on Friday, became the first film in 38 years to have a red-carpet premiere in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 18. Speaking exclusively to News18 Showsha before this Tuesdays tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam Emraan said that the Valley has witnessed turmoil over the years. Ground Zero is the story of BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, who led an operation in which terrorist Ghazi Baba was killed in 2003. Recommended Stories It [Kashmir] is such a scenic and wonderful place with great people. It was dogged by the insurgency that was prevalent there in the late 90s and the early 2000s, which has been shown in our film also," said the actor. According to the Tiger 3 and Showtime actor, the premiere, which was attended by jawans and BSF officers along with the films cast and makers, reiterated how cinema is a unifier". He hoped the event brought about a sense of normalcy. In a cinema hall, its a communal viewing by people from different walks of life. When they go and enjoy a film, their experience sparks the same emotions. When the lights dim, you realise what a fantastic unifier it is," he said. Emraan spoke about Bollywood opening its doors to actors and technicians from different communities. Its such a secular medium and our industry is so liberal in its mindset. It doesnt really matter which state and city you come from. Youre just serving that creative spark and idea. Weve people in our industry from all walks of life. Its such a binding force," he said. And what was the reaction of the BSF officer on whose life Ground Zero is based? He has seen the film twice. I saw it with him in Delhi in November last year. He loved it. He was there with his family. They came out and said that it way exceeded their expectations and it took them back to 2001. I wouldnt say that he had reservations before but he wanted to know how it will play out. Sometimes, we end up making films jingoistic and over-the-top. I think thats the fear he had. When he came on set on the first day of shoot, he said that he couldnt gather anything because he isnt a film man. But finally, when he watched it, he said that we did something amazing," exclaimed Emraan. About the Author Titas Chowdhury Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break... Read More Titas Chowdhury is a Principal Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringing break... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 04:14 IST Nushrratt Bharuccha Explains Why She Chooses Ranbir Kapoor Over Kartik Aaryan: 'I'm In Love With His...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 15:04 IST Nushrratt Bharuccha bares her fan-heart once again as she reveals why Ranbir Kapoor will always remain her ultimate favourite over long-time co-star Kartik Aaryan. In a candid chat, Nushrratt Bharuccha shares why she will always pick Ranbir Kapoor over Kartik Aaryan, citing her deep admiration for his craft. Nushrratt Bharuccha has never been coy about her admiration for Ranbir Kapoor, and in a recent conversation with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, the actor bared her fan-heart once againwith all the adoration and nuance only a true cinephile could muster. While the world may be swooning over her long-time co-star Kartik Aaryan, for Nushrratt, its always been Ranbir. Actually Kartik and I started together. Weve done so much work together that its hard to see him from the audiences lens anymore," she explained. Hes become a buddy partner in crime. Same-same co-actor, doing the same thing." Its clear that while she shares a comfortable and collaborative equation with Kartik, her admiration for Ranbir comes from a different place entirelyan artistic, almost reverential place. Recommended Stories For context, Nushrratt and Kartik Aaryan have shared screen space in four films, including Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Akaash Vani, Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, and the blockbuster Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. They even made cameo appearances in Luv Ranjans Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, the very film that brought Ranbir and Shraddha Kapoor together onscreen. But for Nushrratt, the turning point in her Ranbir journey was Rockstar. That was the film," she said with glowing eyes. I just remember watching that shothes standing under Khatara bhais house, completely lost, no ones seen him for months, wearing those Sufi clothes, looking up. The look in his eyeswoh jo nazar haiits almost indescribable. Thats not acting; thats inhabiting a soul. Its sublime." When asked if this amounted to obsession, she laughed it off. I wouldnt call it obsession," she clarified. I think its love. But not love for him as a personbecause, honestly, I dont know him. Ive only shot with him for six days. How can you know anyone in six days? Its his craft, his skill that Im in love with. I just want to watch him act." And if you thought the admiration stopped therethink again. When asked to choose between Ranbir Kapoor and none other than Shah Rukh Khan, Nushrratt didnt blink: For work, its Ranbir Kapoor. But if I have to romance and fall in love on-screen, it has to be Shah Rukh sir." On the professional front, Nushrratt was last seen in Chhorii 2, a supernatural thriller now streaming on OTT platforms. But in her heart, it seems, shes still lingering in that shot from Rockstar, eyes lifted skywardjust like Ranbirs. About the Author Yatamanyu Narain Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he's breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, hes always on the hun... Read More Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he's breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, hes always on the hun... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 15:04 IST Rajinikanth Strongly Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack: 'They Spoiled The Peace Of Kashmir' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 26, 2025, 00:01 IST Several celebrities and public figures across the country have expressed their outrage over the attack, calling it a 'cowardly' act. Rajinikanth. (Photo Credit: X) Superstar Rajinikanth has condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and left many injured. Speaking to the media at the Chennai airport, where he was spotted after wrapping up a schedule for Jailer 2, the actor called the attack a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace in Kashmir. Rajinikanth said, The enemies are trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in Kashmir. The central government should find the culprits and take strict action that is beyond imagination." Recommended Stories #Thalaivar reached Chennai and gave press meet . #SuperstarRajinikanth strongly condemns #PalghamTerrorAttack. They spoiled Kashmir peace . Government should give strong reply in way none of terrorist should think about attacking India anymore #Rajinikanth | #Superstar pic.twitter.com/wCTzQdJqYm Suresh balaji (@surbalutwt) April 25, 2025 Several celebrities and public figures across the country have expressed their outrage over the attack, calling it a cowardly act. The incident has left the nation in mourning and sparked widespread calls for justice and stronger security measures. In his first comments of the deadly terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a clear message to Pakistan and the world that India will track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and backers." Speaking on the attack at a rally in Bihar, while addressing the people in Hindi, PM Modi switched to English as he announced to the world that India will ensure justice is served. Today from soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them till the end of the Earth. Terrorism will not go unpunished," PM Modi said. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders, who have stood with us in these times," the Prime Minister added. India has also decided to cut off military-diplomatic ties with Pakistan. Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors posted at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi have been declared persona non grata and ordered to leave within a week. India will also pull back its military advisors from Islamabad. 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 26, 2025, 00:01 IST Sam Nivolas Mom Reacts To His Controversial Kiss Scene In White Lotus Season 3: Its So Crazy Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 13:52 IST Sams mother, Emily Mortimer, talked about his controversial kiss scene with a criminal businessmans girlfriend and his on-screen elder brother, Saxon. Sam Nivola played Lochlan in The White Lotus season 3. (Photo Credits: Instagram) HBOs The White Lotus season 3 ended earlier this month, giving viewers yet another emotional rollercoaster instalment. The recent season not only received rave reviews for its heartbreaking final episode but also for some shocking moments. One of them is the episode where the show explores the theme of incest between the brothers of the Ratliff family. Weeks after the shows conclusion, actor Sam Nivolas mother, actress Emily Mortimer, reacted to her sons role in The White Lotus season 3. She revealed her honest and slightly amused reaction to his controversial kiss scene. FYI, the 21-year-old actor played Lochlan, the youngest member of the wealthy yet troubled Ratliff family, dealing with addiction and financial ruin. The scene in question is the drug-fuelled intimate scene in Thailand between Sams character, a criminal businessmans girlfriend and his on-screen elder brother Saxon, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger. Recommended Stories Speaking to The Times, Emily, who is married to actor Alessandro Nivola, admitted that watching the show was a bit bizarre." She said, Its so crazy, all of it. It wasnt particularly crazier than having my boy go off to Thailand for so long. Of course, it was a bit bizarre, but being married to an actor, weve all had to watch each other do strange things." She continued, And I had been warned although Sam said that the worst bit was the first ten minutes, but they kept flashing back. So Id relaxed, and then it wasnt true at all." Seems like Sams career in acting is taking off, as before starring in The White Lotus, the 21-year-old also was seen on Netflixs whodunnit murder mystery The Perfect Couple, sharing the screen space with none other than Nicole Kidman, and he was also seen in an adaptation of Don DeLillos White Noise. In the same conversation, when The Newsroom actress was asked how her son was handling his growing fame, Emily explained, He just sort of owns it, which isnt thanks to either of us. Im biased because Im his mum, but he doesnt need any guidance." Speaking of The White Lotus season 3, this time, the show took the viewers to picturesque Thailand. The HBO series, which premiered in February, featured an ensemble cast of Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Sam Nivola, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Aimee Lou Wood, Sam Rockwell, Scott Glenn, and Natasha Rothwell, among others. The show is available on JioHotstar for Indian viewers. First Published: April 25, 2025, 13:39 IST Watch: RajKummar Rao, Wamiqa Gabbi Visit Jaipurs Iconic Rajmandir Cinema To Promote Bhul Chuk Maaf Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 18:53 IST The makers recently unveiled a new party track from the film, Chor Bazaari Phir Se. Bhul Chuk Maaf will be released on May 9. (Photo Credits: Instagram) RajKummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi are currently busy promoting their upcoming romantic comedy film Bhul Chuk Maaf. Directed by Karan Sharma and produced by Dinesh Vijans Maddock Films, it is scheduled to hit the big screen on May 9, 2025. For another promotional event of their forthcoming project, on Friday, both RajKummar and Wamiqa arrived at the Rajmandir Cinema Hall in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Several pictures and videos of the actors from the event are surfacing online. Recommended Stories In one such video, shared on Instagram, the actors are seen making a striking entry at the cinema hall, amid loud cheers and music. The clip featured a huge heart-shaped prop on the terrace of Rajmandir. As it progresses, we see the prop slowly rotating, with RajKummar and Wamiqa standing behind it, and gradually the duo makes a grand entry in front of the paps and fans stationed at the location. The Trapped actor looked dapper in a grey and white striped blazer with matching grey pants. Wamiqa looked pretty in a dreamy white lehenga, paired with a pink see-through dupatta. Bhul Chuk Maaf follows the life of Ranjan (played by RajKummar), a hopeless romantic in Varanasi, who acquires a government job in order to impress Titlis family and eventually marry her. However, on the day of their wedding preparations, he gets caught in a time loop and is forced to replay the day. The film is a romantic comedy with a science fiction twist, exploring love, fate and the challenges of a small-town relationship. It also features Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Zakir Hussain and Raghubir Yadav in significant roles. The makers unveiled a new party track from the film, Chor Bazaari Phir Se, which is a recreated version of the song Chor Bazaari from Imtiaz Alis acclaimed film Love Aaj Kal (2009). Composed by Pritam and Tanishk Bagchi, written by Irshad Kamil and the vocals by Sunidhi Chauhan and Neeraj Shridhar bring a thrilling energy to the song with Zahrah S Khan and Tanishk Bagchi making a dynamic soundscape with their infectious melodies. Apart from this, RajKummar will also be seen in the comedy film Toaster and in the gangster drama Maalik. Wamiq, on the other hand, has Dil Ka Darwaza Khol Na Darling, G2 and Bhoot Bangla in her kitty. About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a News Trainee at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in lon... Read More Kashvi Raj Singh is a News Trainee at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in lon... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 18:53 IST Opinion | Rivers Of Retaliation: Why Weaponising The Indus Is Rational Statecraft Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 17:30 IST Turning off the tap until the violence stops is the logical response when perpetrators drink at the victims well Bikers take pictures at the confluence of rivers Zanskar and Indus near Kargil. (IMAGE: AFP) The sacralisation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as a triumph of cooperation ignores its historical contingency and the fragility of its political foundations," cautions environmental historian Daniel Haines in Indus Divided: India, Pakistan, and the River Basin Dispute. Six decades after that Cold War bargain, New Delhi has suspended the treaty and put waterSouth Asias most irreplaceable resourcesquarely on the strategic chessboard. Critics moan about humanitarian optics and legal blowback; a hard-nosed Indian strategist sees long overdue leverage meeting long-running provocation. Recommended Stories Weaponising water is as old as siege warfare. Chinese commanders burst Yellow River dikes in 1938, drowning 800,000 civilians to stall Japan; the Dutch flooded their polders in 1672 against Louis XIV; Britains 1943 Dambusters raid ruptured Germanys Ruhr dams, killing 1,300 and crippling industry. Saddam Hussein drained Iraqs marshes to uproot Shia Arabs, ISIS toggled Syrian reservoirs to starve rivals, and Russias 2023 destruction of Ukraines Nova Kakhovka dam displaced tens of thousands. History shows the side that controls the headwaters commands the battlefield; soft power sermons rarely alter that calculus. The IWT granted Pakistan unrestricted use of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab while India retained the smaller Ravi, Beas and Sutlej plus token run-of-river rights. India thus controls the Himalayan catchments yet draws barely 15 per cent of basin flow, while Pakistans agriculture guzzles 90 per cent of its freshwater from rivers it does not originate. That imbalance once seemed the price of quiet bordersuntil Uri 2016, Pulwama 2019 and the alleged Pahalgam plot of 2025. Tolerating terror while sipping free headwaters was never sustainable; Delhis April 2025 abrogation flips the script so that aggression now invites drought. The inevitable photographs of thirsty children in Sindh will tug heartstrings, but causality matters. Pakistan is the perpetrator, exporting jihad; India is the victim. Expecting the victim to hydrate its attacker is strategic absurdity. Great powers are not squeamish: Washington starved Saddam with oil-for-food sanctions and still dictates Iraqi airspace; China diverts the Mekong without asking Laos or Cambodia. Realpolitik, not empathy, governs national survivaland leaders who forget that lose elections and wars. Islamabads dash to the International Court of Justice is predictable, yet history shows ICJ verdicts bite only when backed by power. The United States ignored the 1986 Nicaragua ruling; China shrugged off the 2016 South China Sea award. India today is a 3.5-trillion-dollar economy, a Quad pillar, G20 host and the Wests indispensable counterweight to Beijing; Pakistan is bankrupt, diplomatically cornered and militarily over-dependent on China. Paper judgements cannot refill its canals. Cutting even ten per cent of Indus flow scorches Pakistans Punjabi breadbasketthe same demographic pool that feeds its terror pipeline. Hunger concentrates minds faster than diplomatic dossiers. Scarcity will also expose Pakistans feudal water mafia: 47 billion cubic metres now evaporate or seep away through archaic canals because reform is politically suicidal. Only crisis will force the reckoning. Meanwhile, Delhis willingness to weaponise water sends a clear signal to Beijing, which eyes the Brahmaputra from Tibet. China now knows any adventurism in Ladakh or Arunachal could trigger reciprocal painhydrological or otherwise. None of this requires a reckless deluge. India can calibrate reductions, starting with seasonal diversions after Pakistans sowing period: pain rises steadily, famine headlines never materialise. Satellite-verified telemetry can prove India meets a minimum ecological flowone India definesforcing critics to disprove real-time data. Modest grain shipments routed through UN corridors to Sindh let Delhi look magnanimous while exposing Islamabad if aid stalls at Punjabs border. And by courting Saudi, UAE, and Japanese investment in Indian agriculture, Delhi converts water leverage into export opportunity, replacing wheat acreage Pakistan loses. Chinas 60 gigawatt super dam" at Medog poses a real counter-lever, but Beijing also values a stable Himalayan frontier and Indias market. A calibrated Indus squeeze signals resolve without pushing Pakistan wholly into Chinas embrace. Simultaneously, Delhi can fast-track flood-data pacts with Bhutan and Bangladesh, expand pumped storage in Meghalaya, and deepen reservoirs on the Siang, cushioning any Brahmaputra shock. Internationalising Tibetan glacier conservation further pressures Beijing to explain opaque projects in forums it cannot ignore. Precedent favours pragmatists. Tehran shrugged off reparations in the 1980 US-Iran hostage case; Sudan and South Sudan kept skirmishing over oil despite arbitration maps; China kept dredging reefs after losing in The Hague. Muscle frames every subsequent negotiation. By exercising hydrological leverage now, India resets the baseline for any future accord rather than pleading for equal treatment under outdated terms. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Suspending the IWT is not cruelty; it is rational statecraft. Pakistan wagered that nuclear weapons provided a terror umbrella India dare not breach. Balakot air strikes poked the first hole; hydrological pressure tears it wider. Treaties born from Cold War expediency and post-Partition angst cannot shackle a 3.5-trillion-dollar aspirant to great power status. Turning off the tap until the violence stops is the logical response when perpetrators drink at the victims well. Justice begins by reclaiming the bucket and letting the desert deliver the lesson. The writer is a senior broadcast journalist who writes on cultural diplomacy. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: April 25, 2025, 17:30 IST When Pakistan Was Pleading For India's Signature On Indus Waters Treaty Written By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:11 IST Pakistan, which was already roaming around with a begging bowl in front of the world, feels the suspension of the treaty will leave it high and dry Jawaharlal Nehru and Ayub Khan. File image After selectively getting Hindu tourists killed by its jihadi henchmen in Pahalgam and supporting terrorism, Pakistan may now be in agony and making empty threats after Indias announcement of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, but it should remember history and how it had pleaded for the treaty. Ayub Khan was aware of the poor condition of Pakistan. He said that there was only one choice for Pakistan: to reach an agreement on the Indus water sharing issue at any cost, because Pakistan could not tolerate the absence of a treaty, even if it was not to its liking and was second-grade. Recommended Stories When negotiations were going on between India and Pakistan for the Indus water sharing under the mediation of the World Bank, Ayub Khan took charge of the talks from Pakistans side because his technical team was adamant on many issues and was not agreeing with India. But Ayub Khan was anxious for an agreement. He felt that if India refused to enter into an Indus water agreement with Pakistan, then Pakistans very existence would be in danger, because for irrigation and drinking water, it was completely dependent on those rivers, which were under the control of India. People in Pakistan could die of hunger. Pakistan also had to appease the World Bank; it knew that whatever agreement the World Bank could get done, it would be in Pakistans best interest. Pakistans financial condition was poor, and it did not have the capacity or the funds to build dams to collect water from the rivers from which it was likely to get water. That is why Ayub Khan had threatened his technical team, and if anyone created an obstacle in the way of the agreement, the then military ruler of Pakistan warned to make life difficult for them. Ayub Khan knew that not having an agreement was like losing everything. He could not tolerate this at any cost. That is why, pleading before the then President of the World Bank, Ayub Khan arranged to raise money with the help of Western countries for dams like Mangla to be built in Pakistan. India had also given aid in the Indus Works Programme, the total cost of which was 1070 million dollars at that time. Out of this amount, 870 million dollars were to be spent on the works to be done in Pakistan. Under the agreement, Pakistan was to get 80 per cent of the water of the rivers, while India was to get only 20 per cent of the water. For this, the Indus Basin Development Fund was created, in which India also contributed. About 174 million dollars were given by India. No money was given by Pakistan. All the projects to be implemented in its area were completed from this special fund, in which America, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and then West Germany contributed. Ayub Khan himself writes in his autobiography that Pakistan did not have the capacity to complete this project in its area. It needed water but did not have money in its pocket to build dams and connect canals, so it had to extend a begging bowl towards the World Bank and take its help. The then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, had gone to Pakistan to sign the Indus Waters Treaty. The treaty was signed on September 19, 1960, in Karachi, Pakistan. Nehru and Ayub Khan signed it in the presence of the then Vice President of the World Bank, William Iliff. At that time, India led by Nehru had shown generosity, thinking that under the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistanis would always be burdened with gratitude for quenching their thirst and providing water for their crops, but little did they know that Pakistan would never stop its vile, dirty acts. In fact, it was futile to expect goodwill from a country whose foundation was laid on deceit and a jihadi mentality. Pakistan, which attacked India within five years of the agreement, has fought many wars after that, has lost, but does not desist from its antics, always hatching new conspiracies. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Nehru may have fallen into the trap of the then-Pakistani ruler Ayub, but Narendra Modi has never made the mistake of falling into Pakistans trap after taking over the reins of the country in 2014. Every time Pakistan does something dirty through its henchmen, Modi knows how to squeeze its neck. This time too, India led by Modi will not hold back in tightening the screws on Pakistan, which killed innocent Hindu tourists through its henchmen, jihadi terrorists, in Pahalgam. Due to this fear, Pakistan is in a panic and is also talking nonsense, but it is in a state of fear. It will definitely get punished for its deeds! About the Author Brajesh Kumar Singh Senior journalist with over 25 years experience across television, print and digital, Brajesh Kumar Singh is Group Editor-Integration and Convergence at Network18. A PhD in Communication, he is member of the Bo... Read More Senior journalist with over 25 years experience across television, print and digital, Brajesh Kumar Singh is Group Editor-Integration and Convergence at Network18. A PhD in Communication, he is member of the Bo... Read More First Published: April 25, 2025, 20:11 IST Rahul Gandhi In J&K: 'India Must Stand United To Defeat Terrorism Once And For All' Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 17:01 IST Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also expressed anguish that Kashmiris were being targeted over the Pahalgam terror attack Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks after meeting J&K CM Omar Abdullah, in Srinagar on April 25. (Image: ANI/screengrab) Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Friday it is important for India to stand united in the face of the Pahalgam terror attack, so as to defeat terrorism once and for all. The idea behind what has happened is to divide society, to make brothers fight brothers. And it is very important that every single Indian stands united, stands together, so that we can defeat what the terrorists were trying to do," he said after a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Recommended Stories Gandhi expressed anguish that Kashmiris were being targeted over the deadly attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22. He said he is visiting Jammu and Kashmir to get a sense of what is going on and to extend all the help he can. It's been a terrible tragedy. I came here to get a sense of what's going on and to help. The entire people of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned this terrible act and are fully supportive of the nation at this time.The entire Opposition condemned these actions and expressed full pic.twitter.com/DnFS0OQWLL Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) April 25, 2025 It is sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir and the rest of the country, and I think its very important that all of us stand together, stand united and fight this nasty action that has been taken and defeat terrorism once and for all," he said. Follow Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates Here He further said he met Lieutenant General Manoj Sinha, who briefed him about the terror strike, and assured both him and Abdullah that they have the full support of the Congress. He met one of the injured and said he wants all the victims families to know that the country stands with them as one. I came here to get a sense of what is going on and to help. The entire people of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned this terrible action, and theyve fully supported the nation. I met one of the people who was injuredmy love and affection to everybody who has lost family members, and I want everybody to know that the whole nation is standing together as one," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Congress leader referred to the all-party meeting that took place on Thursday (April 24) and said the entire opposition condemned the attack and gave its support to the central government and action taken so far. On April 23, after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan in view of cross-border links to the attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists gunned down tourists in cold blood at the prime location of Baisaran valley. 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 25, 2025, 16:03 IST Google Veo 2 Now Available To All Gemini Advanced Users: New Rival To OpenAI Sora? Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 09:50 IST Google Veo 2 is the upgraded version of the AI model that lets you create videos using text prompts and now the company is making it even better. Google Veo 2 looks to take on OpenAI's Sora and even beat it Google has released Veo 2, a video-generating AI model exclusively for the Gemini Advanced users, the companys premium AI plan this week. Veo helps users generate eight-second-long videos with text prompts in natural language. It is seen as a rival to OpenAIs Sora AI model and Google will be hoping the new Veo 2 model outperforms its competition. According to TechCrunch, Gemini Advanced subscribers can select the Veo 2 from the model drop-down menu in the Gemini app. Users can produce up to eight-second video clips at 720p resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio and upload these clips to TikTok, YouTube and other platforms via Geminis share" button. Recommended Stories Also, the videos generated via the new Veo 2 AI model can be downloaded in MP4 format, watermarked with Googles SynthID technology. Having said that, Google says there is a monthly limit for how many videos you can create using the new update and it will warn the user as they approach the limit. The Veo 2 model is rolling out but it may take a few weeks for eligible people around the world to have access to it. During the launch, Google stated that the Veo 2 comes with improvements in realism and details of the various elements. It is also capable of understanding technical terms related to cinematography, which means that users can specify a camera lens, camera movements, cinematic effects, and other parameters in text prompts and the AI model will follow them. The tech giant also shared that Veo 2 had been trained to produce minimal hallucinations. Due to this, viewers should notice less unwanted details like extra fingers, morphing limbs, and unexpected items. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In addition to this, Google is also planning to merge Veo 2 with Whisk, an experimental product in Google Labs that allows you to use photographs as prompts for Gemini to produce new images. Gemini Advanced currently costs $19.99 (Rs 1,700 approx) per month. A two-month free trial is also available for new subscribers. 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 25, 2025, 09:50 IST Samsung One UI 7 Update Rollout Starts In India: These Galaxy Users Are Getting It This Month Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 08:15 IST Samsung Android 15 update has been delayed by a long shot but the company is finally bringing the One Ui 7 version to some of its older Galaxy phones. Samsung's Android 15 update has been delayed for a long time Samsung has officially commenced the rollout of its latest software update, One UI 7 based on Android 15 in India and several other regions. After multiple delays, the update is initially being made available for the companys recent flagship devices. The tech giant has cautioned that the provided timeline for India is subject to change, depending on the stability and performance of the update during the rollout. Users are advised to regularly check their devices software update settings for the availability of One UI 7. Recommended Stories Samsung One UI 7 Update Finally In India: Who Gets It According to the official timeline for India, the first wave of devices receiving One UI 7 includes the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra, along with the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6. In addition to these, Samsung will bring the One UI 7 update for the Galaxy S24 FE model in May, which should also include the Galaxy S23 series as well as older foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 onwards. It is worth noting that the rollout isnt limited to India. Reports on Samsungs Community forums suggest that users in Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Middle East will also receive the One UI 7 update. This announcement follows the release in regions like South Korea and Europe, where the update started, was then temporarily paused, and subsequently resumed in the last few weeks. One UI 7 Update: Finally Here top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The One UI 7 update is significant as it introduces a major UI redesign, including separate pages for notifications and the Quick Panel. The Quick Panel now has more customisation options, including a volume slider. The new software also includes new app icons for stock apps, redesigned stock apps, a new camera app design that is easier to use one-handed, and additional Galaxy AI functions. Besides this, Samsung has also launched a new widget styling and plenty of new and improved widgets for the lock screen and the home screen. All the transitions and animations across One UI 7 feel smoother and more playful than earlier versions. There is also a new battery icon in the status bar, a new charging animation, and more battery health protection features. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 25, 2025, 08:15 IST Crimea Will Remain With Russia, Donald Trump Says In Big Snub To Ukraine Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 17:02 IST US President Donald Trump said that Crimea would not have been annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 had he (Trump) been in the White House at the time. Russia's Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Annexation of Crimea: US President Donald Trump has said that Crimea will stay with Russia". In an interview with Time Magazine to mark 100 days in office, the US President said that Crimea would not have been annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 had he (Trump) been in the White House at the time. Recommended Stories It was handed to them by Barack Hussein Obama (the then US President), and not by me" he said adding, Crimea, if I were president, it would not have been taken." When asked whether he would accept Crimea being folded" into Russia as part of a peace settlement, Trump replied, Crimea will stay with Russia. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that its been with them for a long time." Earlier, Trump had slammed Zelenskyy for his comments that Ukraine wouldnt recognise Russian control of Crimea, calling the remarks very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia." Its inflammatory statements like Zelenskyys that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country," he had posted on Truth Social. In what seemed to be an indirect response to Trumps criticism of Zelenskyy being unwilling to recognize Russian control of Crimea, Zelenskyy vowed Kyiv would abide by its constitution. Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners in particular the USA will act in line with its strong decisions," he had said. Zelenskyy shared a screenshot of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeos 2018 Crimea Declaration which rejected Russias occupation of the peninsula. What Is The Significance Of Crimea? Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, hosts the Black Sea Fleet, serves as a launchpad for missile strikes, and is vital for Russias military supply routes. From the perspective of Ukraine, Crimea holds immense strategic and security value. It enables control over maritime activity in the Black Sea and had become an integral part of Ukraines national identity over six decades. After the 2014 annexation, Krym nash!" or Crimea is ours!" became a patriotic slogan across Russia. Crimeas Role In The War In Ukraine Crimeas annexation in 2014 marked a pivotal moment that worsened Russias relations with the West and set the stage for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Following the annexation, conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian militias, backed by Moscow, fought against Ukrainian forces. Although Russia denied involvement, investigations, including a Dutch court ruling, presented evidence of its military support to the separatists. Since 2022, Crimea has been a key location for Russias military operations. It has been used as a launchpad for missile strikes and a base for aircraft sorties targeting Ukrainian cities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 25, 2025, 16:50 IST Foremost Priority: Iran Offers To Mediate Between India And Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 20:13 IST Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran is ready to foster greater understanding between both the nations during the challenging time. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi proposed to mediate between India and Pakistan. (File) India-Pak tense ties: Iran on Friday offered to mediate between India and Pakistan amid rising diplomatic tensions in wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 individuals and left several others injured. Calling New Delhi and Islamabad as Tehrans brotherly neighbours", Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran is ready to foster greater understanding between both the nations during the challenging time. Recommended Stories India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time," Araghchi said in a post on X. India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority.Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater pic.twitter.com/5XsZnEPg2D Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 25, 2025 Araghchi then quoted lines written by Saadi Shirazi, a prominent 13th century Persian poet, saying that Tehran will mediate in line with the spirit of oneness and unity between all human beings that he had mentioned during the medieval period. Human Beings are members of a whole In creation of one essence and soul If one member is inflicted with pain Other members uneasy will remain," he added. Earlier this week, the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi had strongly condemned the terrorist attack. 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." India-Pak Tense Ties The ties between the two nations got tense after the Pahalgam carnage on Tuesday in which 26 tourists were shot dead in broad daylight by the Resistance Front terrorists, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength and expulsion of its military attaches, as per decided by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in view of cross-border links to the devastating terror attack. Subsequently, Pakistan announced several retaliatory moves, including suspension of all its bilateral agreements and trade activities and closing its airspace to Indian aircrafts. Tehrans Earlier Proposals This is not the first time Tehran extended the offer to mediate ties. Earlier in 2019, the then Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had offered the mediation after tensions rose between New Delhi and Islamabad after Pulwama terror attack and Indias subsequent air strike in Balakot. Before that in 2016, Irans Zarif had proposed to mediate in the Kashmir issue if both India and Pakistan wanted so, as Tehran hoped that better relations lie ahead for both countries. We cannot lose that. That bond is too important, both with India and Pakistan. We hope for the best of both countries. If Iran can be of any help, we stand ready, we are not volunteering, we stand ready," he had said. India-Iran Diplomatic Relations India and Iran share a long history of cultural and civilisational ties, and their contemporary relationship is marked by growing cooperation across various sectors. Diplomatic relations were established in 1950, and high-level exchanges, including visits by Prime Ministers and Presidents from both sides. India and Iran share common interests in regional stability and have cooperated in various multilateral forums, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India is a significant trading partner for Iran. As per the reports, In FY 2022-23, bilateral trade between New Delhi and Tehran reached $2.33 billion. Indias exports to Iran include rice, tea, sugar, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, while its imports from Iran consist mainly of dry fruits, chemicals, and glassware. Energy cooperation has been a crucial aspect, with Iran being a major supplier of crude oil to India in the past. A key pillar of India-Iran cooperation is the development of the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar. India has committed to investing in and operating this port, which provides a crucial alternative trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. A long-term 10-year contract for Indias operation of the port was signed in May 2024. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Tehran, Iran First Published: April 25, 2025, 19:55 IST Israeli PM Netanyahu Dials PM Modi, Expresses Condolences Over 'Islamic Terrorist Attack' In Pahalgam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 07:29 IST Several world leaders, including US President Trump and Israel's Netanyahu, spoke to PM Modi personally to convey their condolences over the Pahalgam terror attack. PM Modi with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters File Image) Pahalgam Terror Attack: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, where he expressed condolences on behalf of the people of Israel over the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead. I spoke today with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi and expressed my condolences, and those of the people of Israel, to the people of India following the Islamic terrorist attack in Kashmir," said Netanyahu in a post on X. Recommended Stories PM Modi thanked Netanyahu for sharing in Indias grief and emphasised that our two countries stand shoulder to shoulder in the critical fight against murderous terrorism", he said. I spoke today with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi and expressed my condolences, and those of the people of Israel, to the people of India following the Islamic terrorist attack in Kashmir. Prime Minister Modi thanked me for sharing in Indias grief and emphasized that Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) April 24, 2025 We also discussed advancing the Transport and Communications Corridor initiative, which will connect Asia via Saudi Arabia and Israel to the European continent," the Israeli PM further said. At least 26 tourists, including one from Nepal, were killed after terrorists opened fire in Pahalgams Baisaran valley. A front organisation of the internationally banned Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba has taken responsibility for the attack in which mostly tourists were massacred. This was the deadliest terror attack on civilians since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and sparked a wave of condemnation across party lines in India. Several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Russias Vladimir Putin, Frances Emmanuel Macron and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, also condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India. In his first response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India stands firm in its resolve against terrorism and that India will pursue the attackers to the end of the Earth". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India also announced a series of severe diplomatic measures against Pakistan and decided to hold the Indus-Waters Treaty in abeyance, that governs the sharing of the river Indus waters. The central government held an all-party meeting on Thursday, where leaders across party lines supported the decision to downgrade ties with Pakistan. In response to Indias actions, Pakistan responded by cancelling visas to Indian nationals and suspending all cross-border transit from India. It also said Islamabad is keeping the Shimla Agreement in abeyance. 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 : Jerusalem, Israel First Published: April 25, 2025, 06:54 IST Pahalgam Terror Attack: After US, UK Issues Do Not Travel Advisory For Jammu & Kashmir Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 22:47 IST Before UK, the US also issued an updated advisory after the terror attack in Kashmir and asked its citizens not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir. Indian Army soldiers patrol near the Line of Control (Image used for representation) The United Kingdom on Thursday updated its travel advisory in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack that occurred on April 22. In its advisory, UK asked its citizens to avoid travelling within 10 km of India and Pakistans border. FCDO advises against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway) except for travel by air to and from the city of Jammu, travel within the city of Jammu, travel within the Union Territory of Ladakh," said an official advisory by the Foreign Office (Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office). Recommended Stories The India-Pakistan border in Gujarat and Rajasthan is unmarked in some areas. Approaching it away from an official crossing point could be dangerous. Where it is unmarked, you could enter Pakistan illegally. There is a continuing threat, towards Indian government targets and civilians including tourists and foreign nationals," it added. Earlier on Thursday, the US issued an updated advisory after the terror attack in Kashmir and asked its citizens not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir and also within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border. Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh)," said the advisory. The travel advisory comes amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the attack in Kashmir. Besides these countries, IndiGo Airlines also issued a travel advisory following the closure of airspace. Due to airspace closure by Pakistan, a few of our international flights continue to be impacted. Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and assist impacted customers with the best possible alternatives," IndiGo airlines stated in the travel advisory. This sudden announcement is beyond our control and we sincerely regret the disruption it may have caused to your travel plans. If your flight is impacted, we encourage you to visit our website to explore flexible rebooking options or claim a refund as per your preference," they added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, as many as 26 tourists were killed in the terrorist attack in Jammu-Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday. India responded to the attack by taking strong measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and cancelling visas of the Pakistani nationals. Location : United Kingdom (UK) First Published: April 25, 2025, 22:47 IST 'Lashkar Doesn't Exist Here': Pakistan Defence Minister Makes Brazen Claim, Then Warns Of 'All-Out War' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 09:29 IST Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also threatened "all-out war" with India and said that world should be worried about prospect of a war between two nuclear nations. Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif blames India for Pahalgam terror attack (Reuters Image) Marred by New Delhis iron fist moves following the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Asif has accused India of staging" the Pahalgam terror attack in a false flag" operation to create a crisis in the region, particularly for Pakistan". Without giving any evidence for his outrageous claims, Asif said that Lashkar-e-Taiba whose offshoot, The Resistance Front, claimed responsibility for the cowardly attack on unarmed men does not exist anymore in Pakistan" and the allegations are levelled by India to create a situation for its own advantage. Recommended Stories 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed heads the Lashkar and is still living in Pakistan. In an interview with Britains Sky News, Asif claimed, The reaction that came from Delhi was not surprising for us, we could make out that this whole thing was staged to create some sort of crisis in the region, particularly for us." Pakistans defence minister has told Sky News that a row over a mass shooting in Kashmir could lead to an all-out war"Speaking to @SkyYaldaHakim, Khawaja Asif suggested India had staged" the shooting. Full interview: https://t.co/jvth4a0Umv pic.twitter.com/jVhFmjN4ij Sky News (@SkyNews) April 24, 2025 He claimed that The Resistance Front is an organisation that has never been heard of. Our government has condemned it categorically. Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism for decades. But this sort of pattern is going on in India. This time again, the people who are being accused (of attacking) are not known. Never heard of that organisation," he said. The anchor reminded him of the Front being an offshoot of the Lashkar, to which the Pakistani minister falsely said, Lashkar is a name from the past. It does not exist." When asked if he was blaming India for the Pahalgam attack on its own citizens and what evidence he had for his claims, Asif, wiping his sweat, said, Yeah, yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely, they create these situations." Stammering, the Minister added, They never came up with any evidence. They create a situation for their own advantage. Lashar does not exist in Pakistan anymore. Our intelligence agencies say its all staged. It was staged in Pulwama also." Reporter grills Pakistan defence minister about his allegations that #PahalgamTerroristAttack was a false flag operation by india.He couldnt provide any evidence to her but said we used to do dirty work for US & UK thats why we have links with terroristsWOW pic.twitter.com/thxCOQvugh Avi M (@AvirupM42) April 24, 2025 Responding to a question if Pakistan was concerned about a possible retaliation through airstrikes, Asif recalled airstrikes by the Indian Air Force in 2019 in Balakot and dubbed it a false flag operation". This has happened before, also, Pulwama. It was a false flag operation. We have never heard the organisation thats behind this attack. If India attacks us, we will retaliate in kind," he claimed. He also threatened an all-out war" between India and Pakistan and said that the world should be worried" about the prospect of a full-scale military engagement between two nuclear-armed nations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If there is an all-out attack or something like that, then obviously there will be an all-out war," he said. His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in first public remarks on Pahalgam attack, warned in stern words that India will identify, track and punish" every terrorist and their backers and pursue them till the ends of earth" to retaliate against the terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives at the beauty spot in Kashmir on April 22. 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 : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: April 25, 2025, 09:24 IST Pahalgam Terror Attack: UN Urges Maximum Restraint By India, Pakistan, Calls To Avoid Diplomatic Standoff Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 07:00 IST UN's Antonio Guterres urged India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir. The attack has led to heightened tensions. Amritsar: An Indian citizen walks past security personnel at an Integrated Check Post as he returns from Pakistan, near the Attari-Wagah border (Photo: PTI) In the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, the United Nations has called upon India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint" to prevent further deterioration of the tense situation in the subcontinent. In a statement, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, We very much appeal to both the governments of Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint and ensure that the situation and the developments weve seen do not deteriorate any further." Recommended Stories He also reiterated the condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir," he added. Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement," he said. ALSO READ | Hindus Would Never Do: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat On Pahalgam Terrorists Forcing Victims To Disclose Religion A front organisation of the internationally banned Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba has taken responsibility for the attack in which mostly tourists were massacred. In response, India took tough actions against Pakistan, including expelling diplomats, cancelling some visas for each others citizens, and shutting down trade, and Islamabad has retaliated in kind. Asked about India suspending the Indus Water Treaty on sharing the rivers resources, Dujarric said, This would go under the rubric of us appealing for maximum restraint and not taking any actions that would deteriorate the situation further or increase tensions in a tense area." He said that Guterres has not had any direct contact with the leaders of India and Pakistan since the attack. US President Donald Trump took to X and wrote, The US stands strong with India against terrorism. Prime Minister Modi, and the people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies." French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, A heinous terrorist attack has struck India. We share the profound sorrow of the victims families, to whom I extend my heartfelt condolences." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, The horrific terrorist attack in Kashmir is utterly devastating." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Qatars Foreign Ministry said, The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack The Ministry extends its condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of India." ALSO READ | Indians Wont Remain Safe If: Pakistan Ministers Brazen Threat To New Delhi Amid Rising Tensions 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 25, 2025, 06:54 IST Pakistan's Deputy PM Ishaq Dar Hails Pahalgam Attackers As Freedom Fighters Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 08:02 IST Pakistan's Deputy PM Ishaq Dar hailed the terror attackers in Pahalgam as "freedom fighters", days after 26 people were brutally killed in Kashmir. Pahalgam terror attack: Pak Deputy CM terms attackers freedom fighters (Photo: AP) As borders between India and Pakistan boil in the wake of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, Islamabads Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has described the perpetrators as freedom fighters". Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of the neighbouring country, said on Thursday, Those who carried out attacks in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam district on April 22 might be freedom fighters". Recommended Stories His remarks came a day after New Delhi held in abeyance the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in a major diplomatic strike against Islamabad, as a result of the terror attack. The decision was made at the Cabinet Committee for Security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening. India also cancelled all visas issued to Pakistanis, including those here for medical purposes. Speaking on Indias massive move on the Treaty, Dar said that it was similar to an act of war". 240 million people in Pakistan need water. You cannot stop it. It is tantamount to an act of war. Any suspension or encroachment wont be accepted," he said, further threatening a tit-for-tat" response to Indias attack on Pakistan. In a similar statement, the Pakistani government has also said that the diversion of waters will be considered an act of war by India. Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparians will be considered as an act of war," a statement released after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led National Security Committee (NSC) held a meeting. Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif threatened to harm India if Pakistanis were harmed, in a tit-for-tat move. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We will make them pay through their noses. If our citizens are harmed by India, Indian citizens will not remain safe either. It will be tit-for-tat," he said earlier. Terrorists carried out a deadly attack at the popular tourist spot Baisaran meadows on Tuesday (April 22), killing 26 people, most of them tourists. A group called The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the killings. 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 : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: April 25, 2025, 07:52 IST Saudi Arabia Dials India, Pakistan Foreign Ministers Amid Soaring Tensions After Pahalgam Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 22:26 IST The ties between the two nations got tense after the Pahalgam carnage on Tuesday in which 26 tourists were shot dead in broad daylight. Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held telephonic conversations with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts, Dr S Jaishankar and Ishaq Dar, respectively. (File) Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held telephonic conversations with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts, Dr S Jaishankar and Ishaq Dar, respectively on Friday amid rising diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad in wake of the Pahalgam carnage. Earlier today, Indian EAM Jaishankar briefed Al Saud about the attack and its cross-border linkages. Recommended Stories Jaishankar mentioned about the conversation in a social media post. Had a telecon with Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages," he said in a post on X. Had a telecon with Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia.Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 25, 2025 Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia when the Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22. PM Modi had cut short his trip and returned New Delhi following the dastardly attack. Subsequently, Al Saud spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Dar where the latter briefed him about Islamabads retaliatory decisions after India announced several punitive measures. In a post on X, Dar said that both the leaders agreed to continue consultations and coordination on the evolving regional situation. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today received a call from the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the current status of bilateral relations. They also discussed the regional developments. DPM/FM briefed Prince Faisal on decisions taken by the Pakistans National Security Committee in the wake of unilateral measures announced by India. He rejected Indias baseless allegations and cautioned against further escalatory moves. DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistans resolve to respond firmly to any aggression. Both leaders agreed to continue consultations and coordination on the evolving regional situation," Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on the microblogging platform. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today received a call from the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan @FaisalbinFarhan.The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the current status of bilateral pic.twitter.com/0raIAQJa9U Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 25, 2025 Iran Offers To Mediate Meanwhile, Iran on Friday offered to mediate between India and Pakistan amid rising diplomatic tensions. Calling New Delhi and Islamabad as Tehrans brotherly neighbours", Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran is ready to foster greater understanding between both the nations during the challenging time. Indo-Pak Tense Ties The ties between the two nations got tense after the Pahalgam carnage on Tuesday in which 26 tourists were shot dead in broad daylight by the Resistance Front terrorists, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength and expulsion of its military attaches, as per decided by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in view of cross-border links to the devastating terror attack. Subsequently, Pakistan announced several retaliatory moves, including suspension of all its bilateral agreements and trade activities and closing its airspace to Indian aircrafts. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia First Published: April 25, 2025, 22:26 IST US Reverses Decision To Terminate Visas For International Students Amid Legal Challenges Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 23:21 IST Judges around the country had already issued temporary orders restoring the students' records in a federal database of international students maintained by US US President Donald Trump (Image Credit: AFP) The Trump administration has reversed its decision to terminate the legal status of thousands of international students studying in the United States, following multiple legal challenges across the country. The announcement was made during a court hearing in Boston, where a federal judge was reviewing one of several lawsuits filed by international students affected by the move. Recommended Stories In recent weeks, many students records had been unexpectedly deleted from SEVISthe official federal database used by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to track international students. In many cases, neither the students nor their universities were informed in advance. However, judges in different states had already issued temporary orders to reinstate the students records in SEVIS. Now, ICE has begun manually restoring the status of students whose records were removed. During a federal court session in Oakland, a government lawyer read a statement confirming that ICE was taking steps to restore records for all affected students. A similar statement was shared in a separate case in Washington, according to lawyer Brian Green, who represents one of the students involved. Green also shared a written statement from a government attorney, which read: ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain Active or shall be re-activated if not currently active and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination." Green confirmed the statement would apply to all international students in similar situationsnot just those who filed lawsuits. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) tracks compliance with visa regulations. The terminations were reportedly triggered by checks in the NCIC (National Crime Information Centre) database, which is run by the FBI. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Many International students were told their status was revoked due to criminal record findings or visa cancellationsoften without evidence or explanation. Universities and students were caught off guard by the sudden terminations, which were discovered during routine database checks or after hearing reports of similar cases from other schools. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: April 25, 2025, 23:07 IST US Spy Chief's Message To PM Modi On Pahalgam Attack: 'With You As You Hunt Down..' Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 21:52 IST Terrorists opened fire in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (Credits: Reuters) US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday said America stands with India as it hunts down those responsible for the heinous Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Hindus. The State Department too said the US stands with India and called for Pahalgam attack perpetrators to be brought to justice. Recommended Stories Terrorists opened fire in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam," Gabbard said in a post on X. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM @narendramodi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack," she said. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam in a phone call with Prime Minister Modi and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of the heinous attack." On Thursday, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said: As President (Donald) Trump and Secretary (Marco) Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India, strongly condemns all acts of terrorism." We pray for the lives of those lost and for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice," Bruce added. Responding to a question on whether the US sees Pakistan as potentially being behind the attack and if Washington is playing any role in trying to de-escalate tensions between the two South Asian nations, Bruce said the issue was highlighted due to the severity of the situation but added that no further comment would be made at this time. What I can tell you is, of course, as we all know, its a rapidly changing situation and we are monitoring it closely, as you might imagine. And we, of course, are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or of Jammu either, so thats really going to be the extent of what I can say today." When asked if President Donald Trump had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan in his first term, she said, Im not going to be remarking as I mentioned." Meanwhile, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who had been nominated by US President Donald Trump to be the US ambassador to the United Nations, said America is deeply saddened by the horrific mass terror attack in Kashmir, India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The United States stands unequivocally with India in the face of terrorism. We mourn the innocent lives lost and pray for the swift recovery of those injured. Prime Minister Modi and the resilient people of India have our unwavering support and heartfelt condolences during this difficult time." Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who recently broke the record for longest Senate floor speech in history after speaking for 25 hours and 5 minutes, said he is deeply disturbed by the terrorist attack that killed at least 26 people in Kashmir. There is no place for this kind of abhorrent violence. I offer my condolences to those grieving this tragic loss and pray that those injured recover quickly." US Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut extended his deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those impacted by the horrific terrorist attack in Kashmir. These unjustified act of violence against innocent civilians are abhorrent. I urge the relevant authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and guard against a rise in ethnic tensions that could spiral into more violence." Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 25, 2025, 21:52 IST I Will Not Continue: US Spokesperson Snubs Pak Journalist For Question Over Pahalgam Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 07:15 IST At least 26 people were killed in a terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam this week, raising tensions between India and Pakistan. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce shuns Pakistani journalist (Reuters Image) US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Friday snubbed a Pakistani journalist over his question on the rising tensions on the India-Pakistan border as a result of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. I am not going to be remarking on it. I appreciate this, and perhaps, we will come back to you with another subject. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as have the deputy secretary; they have made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner," Bruce told the Pakistani reporter during a press briefing. Recommended Stories #WATCH | #PahalgamTerroristAttack | Im not going to be remarking on it. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as has the Deputy Secretary," says Tammy Bruce, US State Department spokesperson, on being asked if the US pic.twitter.com/gO7FQ3pNvu ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025 She underlined that President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it abundantly clear that the US stands with India. The spokesperson further said that the US calls for those involved in the terror attack to be brought to justice. As President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India, strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We pray for the lives of those lost and pray for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice," she said. Trump had dialled PM Modi to offer condolences on the terror attack. Vice President JD Vance had also spoken to PM Modi over the attack and expressed the US support to India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In his first public remarks on Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Modi on Thursday vowed to identify, track and punish" every terrorist and their backers and also pursue the killers of the Pahalgam attack to the ends of the earth". On April 22, the terrorists killed 26 unarmed people at a tourist spot in Pahalgam. Retaliating against the attack, New Delhi put the Indus Waters Treaty on abeyance, besides other strong diplomatic steps against Islamabad. 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 25, 2025, 07:01 IST Why Pope Francis Chose Not To Live In The Official Palace Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 17:11 IST The Apostolic Palace, built in 1589, was the Pope's residence for centuries. In 2013, Pope Francis chose the modest Domus Sanctae Marthae, reflecting his humble lifestyle. Originally constructed in 1589 during the papacy of Pope Sixtus V, the Apostolic Palace has been home to the Pontiff for centuries. (AP Photo) The Apostolic Palace, a sprawling complex in the heart of Vatican City, has long served as the official residence of the Pope, symbolising the grandeur and authority of the Catholic Church. This massive edifice, located northeast of St Peters Basilica, boasts over 1,000 rooms spread across 1.7 million square feet. Originally constructed in 1589 during the papacy of Pope Sixtus V, the palace has been home to the Pontiff for centuries, with the Popes private quarters situated on the third floor. This apartment, a vast 3,000 square metres in size, includes a chapel, offices, a dining room, and spaces for the Popes staff. Recommended Stories In 1903, Pope Pius X became the first to make the Apostolic Palace his home, and numerous papacies since have seen the apartment modified, including significant renovations under Pope Paul VI in 1964. In addition to its role as a residence, the Apostolic Palace serves as the administrative heart of Vatican City, housing various offices of the Church, the Vatican Museums, and the renowned Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelos iconic frescoes. It functions much like a governmental seat, combining both residence and the headquarters of Church governance. However, when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio ascended to the papacy as Pope Francis in 2013, he made a striking departure from over a century of tradition. Contrary to expectations, Pope Francis chose not to inhabit the lavish papal apartments but instead resided in the modest Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guesthouse located within Vatican City. The decision, which broke a century-old tradition, mirrored his humble approach during his tenure as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, where he similarly rejected the opulent accommodations of the Bishops Palace in favour of simpler living quarters. Known for his austere lifestyle, Pope Francis also opted to cook his own meals. St Marthas House, where Pope Francis chose to live, is a far cry from the grandeur of the Apostolic Palace. Built in 1996 on the site of an ancient hospice for the poor, the building is a five-story structure designed to house cardinals during the conclave. It features simple rooms and a practical, hotel-like atmosphere, a sharp contrast to the aristocratic surroundings of the Popes official residence. During his time at St Marthas House, Pope Francis resided in Suite 201, a 538-square-foot space furnished modestly with basic amenities, including a small living room, prayer area, and simple furnishings like a bed, wardrobe, and a crucifix. His suite was sparse, reflecting his minimalistic approach to papal living. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In terms of staff, Pope Francis significantly reduced the number of personal servants compared to his predecessors. His security, however, remained a priority, with the Swiss Guard providing around-the-clock protection. His lifestyle also differed from the lavishness often associated with the papacy: he avoided luxury cars, opting instead for simple Fiat or Ford models, and refrained from large banquets, preferring to dine with priests and officials in the dining hall. Pope Franciss decision to live humbly has not only reshaped the way the world views the papacy but has also left an indelible mark on the traditions of the Vatican. As cardinals now gather at St Marthas House to elect his successor, the question remains whether the next Pope will continue this humble path or return to the opulent lifestyle of the Apostolic Palace. Regardless of the outcome, Pope Franciss tenure has forever altered the meaning of the Chair of St Peter. Location : Vatican City, Vatican City First Published: April 25, 2025, 17:11 IST President Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on two decorated former freedom fighters, Retired Brigadier-General Victor Rungani and Retired Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) director Cde Walter Basopo, after considering their immense contribution to the country before and after Independence. The two sons of the soil, who hail from Masvingo province, died on Tuesday this week. Brig-Gen Rungani died at Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Waterfalls, Harare. He was 76. Cde Basopo died at Life Groenkloof Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. He was 66. Dates for the burial of the two are yet to be confirmed. Both of them played major roles in the security sector and contributed significantly during and after the liberation struggle. Minister of State for National Security Lovemore Matuke, who is also Zanu-PF Secretary for Security, delivered the messages of national hero status to the Rungani and Basopo families. Brig-Gen Runganis hero status was announced in the morning at the Rungani family home in Goromonzi while Cde Basopos status was announced in the afternoon. Said Minister Matuke: His Excellency President Mnangagwa, who is the First Secretary of the party, has conferred National Hero status on Cde Brig-Gen Rungani. Cde Rungani will be interred at the National Heroes Acre at a date to be announced. Minister Matuke said President Mnangagwa considered the role played by Brig-Gen Rungani during and after the liberation struggle. Family spokesperson, Professor Ellen Rungani, commended President Mnangagwa and the entire party leadership for recognising her fathers contribution to the country during and after the liberation struggle. We really appreciate the Government and the partys support during this difficult period. We hope to follow in the footsteps of our father, she said. Mourners are gathered at Number 9 Bally Vaughan Farm, Goromonzi. Minister Matuke urged Zimbabweans to be patriotic and follow the footsteps of the decorated soldier. Announcement of the national hero status for Cde Basopo was done at the family home in Harare. Said Minister Matuke: His Excellency President Mnangagwa, who is the First Secretary of the party, has conferred National Hero status on Cde Basopo. He will be interred at the National Heroes Acre on a date to be advised. He was the nations intelligence supremo. Minister Matuke described Cde Basopo as a true patriot and gallant son of the soil. Meanwhile, Brig-Gen Rungani was a respected military figure whose service and leadership contributed significantly to the development and maintenance of the armys engineering capabilities. He once served as director of the Zimbabwe National Armys Engineering Military Equipment Directorate. Besides being a military commander, Brig-Gen Rungani was a successful farmer and businessman. With a thriving farm, he was into cattle, goat, piggery, chicken rearing and horticulture production. Herald Eight daring robbers last Sunday night besieged Voedsel Tobacco International Auction Floors in Rusape, and made off with several bales worth thousands of dollars in a heist that has shaken the tobacco industry. The marauding robbers allegedly overpowered two security guards Messrs Weston Jumbe (43) and Daniel Sadondo (19) before loading an unspecified number of bales that had been delivered by farmers for auctioning into an unidentified vehicle. Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident, adding that the robbers attacked the security guards manning the premises. He said the security guards were tied with shoelaces and covered with plastic sheeting, while the robbers loaded the loot into the truck. On April 20, two security guards at Voedsel Tobacco International Auction Floors Messrs Weston Jumbe and Daniel Sadondo were patrolling the premises when the robbers pounced on them. While carrying out perimeter checks, three unknown accused persons wielding machetes manhandled Mr Jumbe, tied his hands and legs using shoelaces. They also took his cellphone. Five other unknown persons, also wielding machetes, manhandled Mr Sadondo. They hit him with the flat side of the machete, tied both hands and legs with shoelaces. They stuffed him with a cloth since he was screaming for help. They searched him and took the warehouse and gate keys as well as his cellphone. The robbers opened the warehouse and force-marched the two security guards inside. They ordered them to lie on the floor, and covered them with a tent. They threatened to kill them if they screamed. The accused persons drove an unidentified vehicle into the premises, and parked it on the loading bay. One of the robbers remained guarding the security guards, while others loaded the tobacco bales into the vehicle. The robbers loaded an unspecified number of bales into their vehicle and drove away with the loot. Later on, the complainants managed to untie themselves and reported the robbery to ZRP Rusape Central. Mr Sadondo sustained facial bruises. No arrests have been made, and police are appealing for information leading to the arrest of the suspects, said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka. Since the beginning of the tobacco marketing season in March, robbers and conmen have besieged Rusape, where nine contract auction floors are operating, preying on farmers from prominent tobacco-producing areas such as Headlands, Nyazura, Nyamajura and Odzi, as well as Wedza and Macheke from the neighbouring Mashonaland East Province. Last week, police issued a statement warning members of the public to be vigilant as the robbery cases escalate. The attack on Voedsel Tobacco International Auction Floors follows on the heels of a nocturnal raid at Rusape Town Council, Total Service Station and Chiwetu Primary School. Five unknown armed robbers also attacked a tobacco delivery truck along the Rusape-Ruura Road, and made off with 41 bales worth at least US$17 010 that were being transported to Sub-Sahara Auction Floors in Rusape. The incident, which has sent chills down the spines of tobacco farmers, occurred on April 7 around 2am when the truck that was being driven by Mr Blessing Mutyakureva (24) was transporting the consignment. The robbers blocked the road with large stones and logs, and when the truck crew stopped to remove the barricades, the five assailants emerged from the bushes, armed with knobkerries and machetes, and smashed the front windshield of the truck. Mr Mutyakureva was heavily assaulted and sustained serious injuries, including losing two front teeth and a deep cut below the right eye, while his three colleagues aboard the truck suffered swollen ankles and also complained of back pain. Tobacco Farmers Union of Zimbabwe president, Mr Victor Mariranyika said farmers must be vigilant and safeguard, both their crop and earnings, and called on merchants to screen people who access their auction floors. Manica Post President Trump announced Thursday that he would be meeting later in the day with one of his least favorite journalists. In a Truth Social post, the president said he would be meeting with Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, "of all people." He described Goldberg, the journalist inadvertently added to a Signal chat in which top officials discussed strikes on Yemen, as "the person responsible for many fictional stories about me, including the made-up HOAX on 'Suckers and Losers' and, SignalGate, something he was somewhat more 'successful' with." Trump said Goldberg would be joined by Atlantic staff writers Michael Scherer and Ashley Parker, who both joined the magazine after working at the Washington Post, Axios reports. Trump described them as "not exactly pro-Trump writers either, to put it mildly!" In a Truth Social post last month, Trump said he had received an interview request and slammed Scherer and Parker as well as the Atlantic, calling it a " Third Rate Magazine," Politico reports. He called Goldberg a "sleazebag" after the SignalGate story last month. Trump said he was "doing this interview out of curiosity, and as a competition with myself, just to see if it's possible for The Atlantic to be 'truthful.' Are they capable of writing a fair story on 'TRUMP'?" He said his representatives had been told the story they are working in "will be entitled, 'The Most Consequential President of this Century.'" | China Says US Must Drop All Tariffs If It Wants Talks 'The person who tied the bell must untie it' Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas City Council member convicted of spending donations for a statue honoring a fallen police officer on herself, has received "a full and unconditional pardon" from President Trumpheading off her sentencing scheduled for next month. "Today, I stand before younot just as a free woman, but as a vindicated soul whose prayers were heard, whose faith held firm, and whose truth could not be buried by injustice," she texted the Las Vegas Review Journal . "Donald Trump's blatant disregard for law enforcement is sickening, and pardoning someone who stole from a police memorial fund is a disgrace," said Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. A jury convicted Fiore of six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud last fall, per the Hill. Prosecutors said she took $70,000 that she had solicited from donors for the construction of a statue honoring a slain officer and used it to pay for plastic surgery, rent, and her daughter's wedding. A judge dismissed Fiore's request for a new trial last week and scheduled her sentencing for May 14. Then, on Thursday, her lawyers filed a motion to vacate the sentencing date, submitting the president's pardon with it. Fiore also has been a Nevada legislator and run statewide campaigns. She is now a justice of the peace, and she said Thursday she plans to return to the bench despite being suspended without pay by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, per the Review-Journal. Had her case reached sentencing, Fiore would have faced up to 20 years in prison on each count. Las Vegas police officer Alyn Beck was shot and killed with his partner in 2014. A judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors can pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger if he is convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, despite the defendant's recent autism diagnosis. Kohberger, 30, is charged in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves at home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. Prosecutors said they intended to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted at his trial, which is scheduled to begin in August, the AP reports. But his attorneys asked Judge Steven Hippler to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment, citing Kohberger's diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. They have also filed several motions challenging the death penalty, including one based on purported violations by the state in providing evidence. "Mr. Kohberger's autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death," defense attorneys wrote in court papers. They argued that executing someone with autism would constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution. Prosecutors argued that under US Supreme Court precedent, the only mental disability that precludes imposition of the death penalty is an intellectual disabilityand that Kohberger's diagnosis was of mild autism "without accompanying intellectual . . . impairment." Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania weeks after the slayings. Autopsies showed the four slain were all likely asleep when they were attacked, some had defensive wounds, and each was stabbed multiple times. Two jail officers in Arkansas ended up in a jail in a different county on animal cruelty charges after authorities received a tip that a retired K9 officer was being neglected and abused. In a news release Thursday, Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder said the tip "indicated that retired K9 Bane was being left outside on a chain with no access to food, water, or shade" and was "very much underweight." In court documents, Sergeant Ashten Jackson said that when detectives visited the home of county detention officer Ethan Huffstetler on Tuesday, they found the dog "deceased in a plastic dog house inside the outdoor kennel," KAIT reports. "K9 Bane appears to have been deceased for a substantial amount of time," Jackson said. Huffstetler told detectives that he hadn't checked on the dog in four or five days and he didn't have food for him, the sheriff said. Huffstetler's roommate, fellow jail officer Payton Johnson, told detectives that he let his own dog out in the backyard two or three times a day but hadn't seen Bane in a week. "Due to the state of decomposition of K9 Bane and the close proximity to the residence, it is not feasible that Johnson was unaware of K9 Bane's condition," Jackson said. Huffstetler and Johnson, both 20 years old, were fired and charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat, or equine, which is a Class D felony. The sheriff said Bane began his career with the sheriff's office six years ago and was retired in January last year at the age of seven, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports. Bane was adopted by his handler, Jimmy Huffstetler, but "at some point after retirement, retired K9 Bane came under the care of Jimmy's son Ethan," Snyder said. "Retired K9 Bane served Greene County very well during his time with this department," the sheriff said. Another senior Pentagon employee has departedbut unlike three top advisers fired last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff wasn't escorted out of the building by security. Joe Kasper tells Politico that he is leaving the role and plans to return to government relations and consulting work. He tells the Washington Post that he will still advise the administration on science, technology, and industry as a part-time government employee. On Tuesday, Hegseth told Fox & Friends that Kasper would be departing but stressed that he wasn't being fired. "Joe is a great guy, great American," Hegseth said. "He has done a fantastic job for us at the Defense Department." Kasper's departure follows what the Post calls "weeks of friction" between him and other senior aides, including three with longstanding ties to Hegseth who were fired last week in a leaks investigation. "Kasper did not like that those guys had the secretary's ear," a source tells Politico. "He did not like that they had walk-in and hanging-out privileges in the office. He wanted them out. It was a knife fight." Sources tell the Post that Hegseth, who fired numerous senior officers in his first months at the Pentagon, is becoming increasingly isolated and is "keenly focused on daily news coverage dissecting his missteps and decision-making." In a March 21 memo after the SignalGate scandal emerged, Kasper warned Pentagon staffers that polygraphs could be used in the leaks investigation. The Wall Street Journal, citing defense sources, reports that Hegseth threatened several top officials after word leaked that Elon Musk would receive a classified briefing on China. Hegseth shouted, "I'll hook you up to a f------ polygraph" at Adm. Christopher Grady, the then-acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the sources say. In a Politico opinion piece Sunday, former top Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot described a "month of chaos" at the department. UPDATE Apr 27, 2025 10:30 AM CDT Russian authorities said Sunday that a man charged in the death of a senior general has admitted to the killing and said he was paid by the Ukrainian Security Service. The defendant pleaded guilty to terrorism charges, the Investigative Committee said, in the car bombing of Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik on Friday. The Ukrainian government has not responded to the accusation, the AP reports. Apr 25, 2025 7:17 AM CDT A senior Russian general was killed by a car bomb Friday as President Trump's envoy arrived in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin on the war in Ukraine. Authorities say Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Russian military's main operations directorate, was killed by the "detonation of a homemade explosive device filled with destructive elements," the Telegraph reports. According to a Telegram channel linked to Russian law enforcement agencies, a bomb in a parked car was set off as Moskalik walked past it in Balashikha, just east of Moscow, on Friday morning, reports the Guardian. George Santos will almost certainly be sentenced to prison on Fridaythe question is for how long. Lawyers for the expelled congressman are asking US District Judge Joanna Seybert in Long Island for two years, but prosecutors want more than seven years, asserting that he's utterly without remorse. Santos, 36, pleaded guilty last year to multiple misdeeds, including wire fraud and identity theft. Among other things, he admitted charging donors' credit cards without their knowledge, filing false campaign reports, and receiving bogus unemployment benefits, reports the Hill. The identity theft charge alone carries a two-year minimum, notes the New York Times, but prosecutors say he deserves more. "Santos has reverted to form and approaches sentencing with belligerence and an insatiable appetite for 'likes,' blaming his situation on everyone except himself," they wrote. President Trump spoke five words in an interview with Time that won't please Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky: "Crimea will stay with Russia." It's only the latest development about the Crimean peninsula, which has emerged this week as a sticking point in any peace deal to end the war with Russia. The interview was published Friday, and Trump spoke those words on Tuesday. The next day, he also cast doubt on whether Ukraine should retain control of the peninsula seized by Russia in 2014. In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized Zelensky after the Ukraine leaderin an interview with the Wall Street Journalflatly rejected any peace plan that calls for it to cede control of Crimea. George Santos is indeed going to prison, and for much longer than he hoped. A federal judge on Long Island sentenced the expelled congressman to more than seven years, reports CNN. Santos, 36, sobbed upon hearing the sentence, according to the AP. He pleaded guilty last year to felony fraud charges that included identity theft. Prosecutors had sought the seven-year sentence, saying that Santos wasn't truly remorseful, while Santos' lawyers pushed for the two-year minimum. Judge District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently agreed with prosecutors in imposing an 87-month sentence: "Where is your remorse?" she asked. "Where do I see it?" She added that Santos appeared to feel that "it's always someone else's fault." The judge ordered Santos to report to prison by July 25. "I offer my deepest apologies," Santos told the judge through tears before being sentenced. "I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead." A night of rock-throwing in suburban Denver has led to a first-degree murder conviction for the final member of a group of three friends. Jurors had to unravel shifting stories and plea deals before finding Joseph Koenig guilty in the killing of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell, the AP reports. Bartell died after a rock was thrown through her car's windshield on April 19, 2023. Two other defendants, Nicholas Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, took plea deals to lesser charges before Koenig's trial and cooperated with prosecutors. All three were 18 years old at the time of the crime. The teens drove around suburban Denver throwing rocks at random cars. According to the prosecution, the damage to Bartell's vehicle was consistent with the left-handed Koenig, who was driving, throwing the fatal rock shotput-style out his window. Both Karol-Chik and Kwak testified that Koenig threw the rock that killed Bartell. Koenig maintained that one of the others threw it. During Koenig's two-week trial, defense attorneys tried to cast doubt on the testimony of the other two men. They also argued that a conviction for manslaughter, not murder, would be more appropriate because Koenig had not intended to kill Bartell, CPR News reports. "In his mind, they weren't targeting drivers, they were targeting cars," said defense attorney Thomas Ward. Testimony revealed that after Bartell's car left the road upon being struck, the three friends circled back several times but did not check on her or call for help. Kwak took a photo as a memento. Bartell's body was discovered later by her girlfriend, Jenna Griggs, who tracked her phone to the field after their call abruptly ended. story continues below Kwak was the first to agree to a plea deal in May 2024. He pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and attempted second-degree assault related to rocks thrown earlier that night. Kwak faces 20 to 32 years in prison. About a week later, Karol-Chik pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, committing a crime of violence, and attempted first-degree murder for throwing rocks at nine people that night and earlier in 2023. Karol-Chik could be sentenced to 35 to 72 years in prison. All three men will be sentenced in early May, CPR News reports. The Trump administration is suing the City of Rochester, New York, over its policies as a "sanctuary city," saying they violate the US Constitution by deliberately impeding immigration enforcement. Rochester elected leaders had said local police officers violated city policy prohibiting their involvement in immigration activities when they assisted Border Patrol at a traffic stop last month and helped handcuff the vehicle's occupants. "To most Americans, that would look like law enforcement at its finest," the lawsuit said, the AP reports. "But not to those leading the city of Rochester." The filing in US District Court seeks to have the upstate New York city's policies declared invalid. The lawsuit was filed Thursday, the same day that a federal judge in California barred the Trump administration from denying funds to sanctuary jurisdictions. Rochester established itself as a sanctuary city in 1986 and reaffirmed the designation during President Trump's first term with a unanimous City Council vote. The 2017 resolution says police "shall not engage in certain activities solely for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws, including not inquiring about the immigration status" of crime victims or witnesses unless needed for a criminal investigation. It also prohibits city employees from assisting in federal immigration enforcement. Rochester sits less than 10 miles from Lake Ontario, which straddles the US-Canadian border. In a statement Friday, Rochester officials called the policies "legally sound" and said they would "hold the federal government to task and ensure that it does not commandeer local resources in violation of the Constitution's Tenth Amendment." The statement added that, "On its face, the complaint is an exercise in political theater, not legal practice." The legal action stemmed from a March 24 traffic stop, during which police officers responded to an emergency request for backup from Border Patrol. Rochester police are permitted to respond to such requests to keep the scene safe, Mayor Malik Evans said, but the officers should not have engaged in the enforcement of immigration laws. "From what I understand, officers on scene verbally directed the occupants to get out of the vehicle and assisted in placing handcuffs on them," Evans said two days later. He said that every police officer would receive more training on the policy. TOKYO, Apr 25 (News On Japan) - Organic fluorine compounds known as PFASsuspected to be harmful to human healthhave been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey. Among PFAS substances, two compounds in particularPFOA and PFOSare considered hazardous. Japan's Ministry of the Environment has set a provisional target of no more than 50 nanograms per liter for the combined concentration of these two chemicals in rivers and groundwater. The ministry's fiscal 2023 survey, which examined 2,078 sites in 39 prefectures, revealed that 242 sites in 22 prefectures surpassed the government's target for PFOA and PFOS concentrations. The highest level was found in groundwater in Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture, measuring 26,000 nanograms per liter520 times the national target. The ministry has urged local authorities to ensure that water from these sites is not used for drinking purposes. Source: TBS TOKYO, Apr 26 (News On Japan) - The Emperor and Empress attended the Greenery Ceremony, an annual event honoring researchers who have made outstanding contributions in fields such as plant and forest conservation. The Imperial couple arrived at the venue in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward around 4 p.m., greeting officials upon their arrival. The ceremony is held in conjunction with Greenery Day, which falls on May 4th, and aims to raise public awareness of environmental preservation. At the event, the Emperor and Empress applauded as the Green Academic Prize was awarded to two researchers: Kyoto University Professor Emeritus Yukihiro Morimoto, recognized for his work in urban ecological restoration, and Tohoku University Professor Junko Keizuka, honored for her research into plant growth processes. After the ceremony, the Emperor and Empress engaged warmly with the awardees, asking questions such as "Was there a particular reason that inspired your work?" and "Is it difficult to preserve wetlands?" The couple listened attentively and showed deep interest in the researchers' efforts, also asking, "What would you like to try next?" Source: TBS Funding accelerates breakthrough solutions driving decarbonization and inclusive economic growth VANCOUVER, BC, April 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) is investing $2.46 million in five women-led climate tech ventures through its inaugural Women in Climate Tech Call for Innovation. This funding will support high-impact climate hard tech solutions driving decarbonization in the transportation, construction, and bio-industrial sectors. CICE invests $2.46 million in five women-led climate tech ventures through its inaugural Women in Climate Tech Call for Innovation, accelerating breakthrough solutions driving decarbonization in the transportation, construction, and bio-industrial sectors. (CNW Group/B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy) "Solving today's climate and energy challenges will take innovation, practical leadership, and strategic investment in technologies that can scale," said Sarah Goodman, President and CEO of CICE. "By backing women-led climate tech ventures, we're strengthening Canada's economy, driving real-world solutions, and unlocking the full potential of Canadian talent." From 58 applicants, the following five ventures were selected for their potential to deliver scalable climate impact and economic benefit: Agora Energy Technologies Turning CO2 into clean power by combining capture, purification and conversion in a one step process. Turning CO2 into clean power by combining capture, purification and conversion in a one step process. Ayrton Energy Inc. Making hydrogen easy to move and store using today's fuel infrastructure. Making hydrogen easy to move and store using today's fuel infrastructure. EnviCore Inc. Transforming industrial waste into low carbon cement alternatives. Transforming industrial waste into low carbon cement alternatives. Gaia Refinery Removing carbon at scale with a plug-and-play system for bio-industries. Removing carbon at scale with a plug-and-play system for bio-industries. Seacork Studio Inc. Creating carbon-negative building materials from seaweed. These women-led ventures are tackling some of the toughest challenges in industrial decarbonizationwhile helping build a stronger climate tech ecosystem. Climate Action with Economic Impact The business case for advancing gender equity in climate tech is compelling. According to the MaRS Discovery District, increasing the number of women-owned SMEs by just 10% could contribute an estimated $198 billion to Canada's GDP. By supporting women founders today, CICE is unlocking untapped potential in innovation, job creation, and economic competitiveness. "Backing diverse founders isn't charityit's how we win," adds Goodman. "When we bring more voices to the table, we unlock better ideas, build stronger businesses, and find smarter solutions. This is especially true in climate and energy, where the challenges we face are complex and deeply connected. But Canadians know how to solve hard problem, by working together, thinking long-term, and investing in innovation that creates jobs, grows our economy, and protects what we all share." Catalytic Beyond Funding CICE's commitment to inclusive climate innovation goes beyond funding. Through initiatives like R2WS: Innovation with Impact Women in Tech, CICE is increasing access to networks and cultivating the community women founders need to thrivebecause breakthrough technologies don't scale in isolation. The Women in Climate Tech initiative is grounded in a simple idea: when all innovators have a fair shot, Canada is stronger for it. By investing in practical climate solutionsand the diverse talent behind themCICE is driving economic growth, strengthening our innovation economy, and helping ensure Canada builds competitiveness in a changing world. To date CICE has invested $39.7 million in 65 projects valued at over $264.3 million. About the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) The B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation that funds the development, commercialization, and scaling of made-in-B.C. climate and energy solutions. We unite B.C. innovators, leading corporations, governments, investors, academia, communities, not-for-profits, and Indigenous partners to advance economic prosperity, competitiveness, and sustainability through innovation. CICE was established in 2021 through commitments from the Government of British Columbia, Shell Canada Ltd. and the Government of Canada. Since then, CICE has become a proven catalyst for early-stage investment and the scale-up of B.C.'s leading climate technologies. www.cice.ca SOURCE B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy Media Contact: Lindsay Chan, [email protected] CALGARY, AB, April 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Frontera Energy Corporation (TSX: FEC) ("Frontera" or the "Company") announces that the Company will release its financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, after markets close on Thursday, May 8, 2025. A conference call for investors and analysts will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants will include Gabriel de Alba, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Orlando Cabrales, Chief Executive Officer, Rene Burgos, Chief Financial Officer, and other members of the senior management team. Analysts and investors are invited to participate using the following dial-in numbers: RapidConnect URL: https://emportal.ink/42ASyR9 Participant Number (Toll Free North America): 1-888-510-2154 Participant Number (Toll Free Colombia): +57-601-489-8375 Participant Number (International): 1-437-900-0527 Conference ID: 02707 Webcast URL: www.fronteraenergy.ca A replay of the conference call will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 16, 2025. Encore Toll free Dial-in Number: 1-888-660-6345 International Dial-in Number: 1-289-819-1450 Encore ID: 02707 About Frontera: Frontera Energy Corporation is a Canadian public company involved in the exploration, development, production, transportation, storage and sale of oil and natural gas in South America, including related investments in both upstream and midstream facilities. The Company has a diversified portfolio of assets with interests in 22 exploration and production blocks in Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana, and pipeline and port facilities in Colombia. Frontera is committed to conducting business safely and in a socially, environmentally and ethically responsible manner. If you would like to receive News Releases via email as soon as they are published, please subscribe here: http://fronteraenergy.mediaroom.com/subscribe. Social Media Follow Frontera's social media channels at the following links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/fronteraenergy?lang=en Facebook: https://es-la.facebook.com/FronteraEnergy/ LinkedIn: https://co.linkedin.com/company/frontera-energy-corp. SOURCE Frontera Energy Corporation For further information: Investor Relations, 403-705-8827, [email protected], www.fronteraenergy.ca TSX and OTC: MPVD TORONTO, April 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) (OTC: MPVD) today announces production and sales results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 ("the Quarter" or "Q1 2025") from the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine ("GK Mine"). All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Q1 Production Takeaways (all figures reported on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated) 762,978 carats recovered, 40% lower than last year's comparable quarter (Q1 2024: 1,264,887 carats) 0.82 Average grade of carats per tonne, a 48% decrease relative to Q1 2024 (1.57 carats per tonne) 0 (nil) ore tonnes mined; a 100% reduction relative to last year's comparable quarter (Q1 2024: 1,946,856 ore tonnes mined), as all ore treated came from the stockpile. 925,773 ore tonnes treated, a 15% increase relative to last year's comparable quarter (Q1 2024: 805,557 tonnes treated) Q1 2025 Production Figures 2025 Q1 2024 Q1 YoY Variance Total tonnes mined (ore and waste) 10,092,47 7,885,445 28 % Ore tonnes mined 0 1,946,856 -100 % Ore tonnes treated 925,773 805,557 15 % Carats recovered 762,978 1,264,887 -40 % Carats recovered (49% share) 373,859 619,795 -40 % Recovered grade (carats per tonne) 0.82 1.57 -48 % Q1 Sales Results In the Quarter, 426,268 carats were sold for $44 million (US$30.7 million), averaging $103 per carat (US$72 per carat). In Q1 2024, 938,310 carats were sold for $89.4 million (US$66.1 million), averaging $95 per carat (US$70 per carat). Mark Wall, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Q1 is historically a challenging quarter for the operations. For Q1 of 2025 we saw the all- important total tonnes mined increase by 28% when compared to Q1 of 2024. As previously reported the first half of 2025 is focussed exclusively on stripping waste to reach the important high grade NEX orebody, and the improvements in mining performance have been a key focus area. Processing continued to go well, with a 15% improvement in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 of 2024. As we were treating low grade stockpiles while we strip waste to the NEX orebody we expected lower grades, although the stockpile grades performed below modelled grade with a processed grade of 0.82 carats per tonne. While the processing facility continued to perform very well, the low-grade stockpiles being treated resulted in low carat production for the quarter. During Q2 we will continue to work to find the best grade in the large stockpile we are treating, while we close in on accessing the high grade NEX orebody at the end of Q2" Earnings Release and Conference Call Details The Company will host its quarterly conference call on Wednesday May 14th, 2025 at 11:00am ET. Prior to the conference call, the Company will release Q1 2025 financial results on May 13th, 2025 after-market. Conference Call Dial-in Details: Title: Mountain Province Diamonds Inc Q1 2025 Earnings Conference Call Conference ID: 19522 Date of call: 05/14/2024 Time of call: 11:00 Eastern Time Expected Duration: 60 minutes Webcast Link: https://app.webinar.net/pKjva5r9zNm Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (+1) 888-699-1199 Participant International Dial-In Number: (+1) 416-945-7677 A replay of the webcast and audio call will be available on the Company's website. About Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. The Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property consists of several kimberlites that are actively being mined, developed, and explored for future development. The Company also controls more than 96,000 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and leases surrounding the Gahcho Kue Mine that include an Indicated mineral resource for the Kelvin kimberlite and Inferred mineral resources for the Faraday kimberlites. Kelvin is estimated to contain 13.62 million carats (Mct) in 8.50 million tonnes (Mt) at a grade of 1.60 carats/tonne and value of US$63/carat. Faraday 2 is estimated to contain 5.45Mct in 2.07Mt at a grade of 2.63 carats/tonne and value of US$140/ct. Faraday 1-3 is estimated to contain 1.90Mct in 1.87Mt at a grade of 1.04 carats/tonne and value of US$75/carat. All resource estimations are based on a 1mm diamond size bottom cut-off. For further information on Mountain Province Diamonds and to receive news releases by email, visit the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com. Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding Mountain Province's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Tom McCandless, Ph.D., P.Geo, and Tysen Hantelmann, P. Eng., independent advisors to the Company and Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to operational hazards, including possible disruption due to pandemic such as COVID-19, its impact on travel, self-isolation protocols and business and operations, estimated production and mine life of the project of Mountain Province; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; the future price of diamonds; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the ability to manage debt; capital expenditures; the ability to obtain permits for operations; liquidity; tax rates; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include the development of operation hazards which could arise in relation to COVID-19, including, but not limited to protocols which may be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and any impact of such protocols on Mountain Province's business and operations, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, changes in project parameters, mine sequencing; production rates; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Although Mountain Province 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 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. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as the property is developed. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. The principal assets of Mountain Province are administered pursuant to a joint venture under which Mountain Province is not the operator. Mountain Province is exposed to actions taken or omissions made by the operator within its prerogative and/or determinations made by the joint venture under its terms. Such actions or omissions may impact the future performance of Mountain Province. Under its current note and revolving credit facilities Mountain Province is subject to certain limitations on its ability to pay dividends on common stock. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to the limitations under the Company's debt facilities, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. SOURCE Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Mark Wall, President and CEO, 151 Yonge Street, Suite 1100, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2W7, Phone: (416) 361-3562, E-mail: [email protected] TORONTO, April 25, 2025 /CNW/ - With a record 7.3 million Canadians having already cast their ballot in advance polls, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) urges those who have not yet voted to do so on April 28. "In a high-stakes election like this, it is critical for all Canadians to have their voices heard and ensure their values are protected," says RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar. "As nurses, we know that health care is a human right and that health is a resource for everyday living. We also know that equity, diversity and inclusion and standing up for truth and reconciliation unites us, as well as the importance of social justice, strong democratic institutions and universal health care. That's why it's imperative we vote in this election." Polls will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET (hours will vary depending on your time zone) on April 28. Vote at your assigned polling station by checking your voter information card or using the voter information service. "What is happening in the U.S. is having an impact on Canada and we must firmly reject the chaos, division and threats to democracy. We need to stand for a healthier, more equitable, kinder, and sustainable Canada," says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. "Nurses have been very vocal during this election about what's at stake. Our profession is standing up for the wellbeing of all people and the health of our planet. We ask all Canadians to vote for health and sovereignty and make an informed, values-based choice." In January, before the election was called, RNAO released its federal election platform, which called on all parties to invest in five critical areas: nursing, health care, the social and environmental determinants of health, fiscal capacity, and income and wealth inequality. The platform presented evidence-informed recommendations that would tackle these areas and benefit all Canadians who call this country "home". Leading up to this election, the association also launched a non-partisan ad campaign across Ontario to promote civic engagement and encourage voting rooted in core Canadian values. The ads were featured in daily and community newspapers, on radio and across digital platforms. The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario For more information, please contact: Victoria Alarcon, Communications Officer/Writer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), 1-800-268-7199 ext. 211, 416-408-5610, [email protected]; Marion Zych, Director of Communications, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), 1-800-268-7199 ext. 209, 416-408-5605, 647-406-5605 (cell), [email protected] Being a 90s Millennial means growing up during the dawn of social media. It was the wild wild west of the world wide web. Like many of my middle school friends, we were all exploring the virtual terrain, speaking and learning a new language called code. The new lingo was required knowledge if you wanted to doll up your profile on Xanga, which was basically the prequel to Facebook - just a bit more chaotic with the graphics. A string of symbols, letters and numbers made our pages sparkle and shine. Many of us thought we were master coders. We were oblivious to the explosion of technology that was to come. I no longer code, but its been interesting to see how people are using the technology that grew up with me. Some platforms, like Facebooks parent company Meta, laxed its fact-checking and moderation policies, leaving social media users of color vulnerable to bigotry and hate speech. But there are many Black creators who are building digital spaces that fight for racial equality on multiple fronts. Here are a few Black-owned apps with missions that caught my attention: Sould App Black spending power has been a hot topic these past couple of months. When major companies started pulling back from their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, customers held back their dollars in response. Faith leaders who launched a Target fast during Easter season decided to extend the protest into an ongoing boycott on Tuesday, adding to the wave of backlash the retailer has received since announcing its decision to scale back DEI programs in January. Both Target and Walmarts foot and website traffic have dropped since the boycotts started. Amongst the uproar is a rallying cry to invest more in Black entrepreneurs. This is where the Sould App shines. The cash-back platform functions like a virtual marketplace where customers can earn money by shopping with Black-owned businesses. Users can fill their carts with heirloom-quality jewelry, healing teas and hair care products from popular brands such as Pattern Beauty and Sienna Naturals. Once a user earns $15 in cash back, they can redeem their money through PayPal or with a gift card. Theo Robinson created Sould because he is aware of the hurdles Black entrepreneurs are up against. Lack of startup capital caused eight of 10 Black-owned businesses to fail. According to Pew Research Center, only three percent of businesses in the country were Black-owned in 2022. Robinson, who has more than 12 years of experience in the tech field, wants to reverse these numbers by giving customers a chance to get cash back by buying Black. The Irth App After her pain was ignored during childbirth, Kimberly Seals Allers made it her mission to take on the startling statistics in Black maternal healthcare in the United States. Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Black maternal mortality jumped from 37.3 in 2018 to 69.9 in 2021. While many factors contribute to the multilayered issue, racial discrimination played a role 30 percent in pregnancy-related deaths in 2020. Black and Brown birthing people can find solace in the Irth App, which is spelled like birth without the b, which stands for bias. The app functions like Yelp, giving parents the ability to leave and read reviews about their experience with birthing hospitals and medical providers. Irth empowers parents to discover healthcare thats free of racial discrimination. Over 35,000 users have completed reviews in 46 states. Those panel-reviewed responses have become valuable data for Irths Hospital Improvement program. While statistical information shows what is happening, the Irth Apps comments detail how Black and Brown parents are treated within hospital rooms. A little over four years after the apps launch, Allers and her team have identified the top five negative experiences birthing people of color have received: Requests for help were ignored or refused Pain levels were dismissed Patients were scolded, yelled at or threatened Violations of physical privacy Assumptions based on racial stereotypes During a webinar with Black Mamas Matter Alliance last week, Allers said Irth has partnered with eight hospitals in six states to create systemic change in maternal health. The Irth team will work with medical officials in collecting community reviews. Those findings will be examined to identify weak spots of care. Irth will then work with hospital staff to co-create a plan to eradicate those negative experiences. Allers wanted to make sure that Black and Brown birthing parents arent being exploited for their experiences. So the Irth App created the Crown Rewards program last year. Parents will receive coins for every review they publish. Once a certain number of coins are collected, app users can cash out to purchase items that they need. Allers stressed during the webinar that birthing hospitals should not just focus on keeping Black patients alive, but also work to improve Black birthing experience. Outdoorsy Black Women Thunderous waterfalls. Majestic mountain ranges. Boundless forests filled with wildlife. The great outdoors presents a variety of opportunities to connect with the peace of nature. But that diversity doesnt present itself in the visitation numbers at national parks. Reports from the National Park Service reveal an almost homogenous crowd: 78 percent of park visitors were white compared to only nine percent Hispanic and seven percent African American. Explorers of color have pointed to a multitude of factors that are widening the nature gap. Segregation and many acts of racial terrorism took place in the woods and rivers. This historical trauma lingers in the memory of African American travelers. Financial constraints price out some Black families from enjoying outdoor recreational activities. Beyond national parks, low-income communities of color are experiencing a lack of access to local parks and greenspaces. Outdoorsy Black Women is a social network app helping Black outdoor enthusiasts find community both online and outside. Toyin Ajayi launched the platform in 2021 after she traded apartment living in Georgia for the open road as a nomad. Almost 8,000 have signed up. Its free to join and get access to a plethora of events, giveaways and discussion forums. Brand ambassadors plan monthly hikes and other meet-and-greets nationwide so Black women can enjoy a breath of fresh air together. An ever-growing directory helps members locate Black-owned campgrounds, ranches and other businesses. Theres even a monthly book club where members gather to talk about novels written by Black women. From Sept 4-7, both seasoned and first-time campers will be traveling to Georgia for the annual Wellness and Waterfalls event. The therapeutic retreat includes a guided waterfall hike, wine vineyard tour and yoga sessions. No matter how one uses the Outdoorsy Black Women app, Ajayi makes sure that no sister is left alone while trekking the trails of life. Wrk Receipts Its time to say, Ah, heck naw! to those toxic work environments. Women of color are still finding themselves in the crosshair of microaggressions despite the increased focus on DEI in 2020 and 2021. For Black women, some of those challenges include shocked reactions to their language skills, rude comments about their culture, hair and appearance and feeling like they are the ambassadors for all Black people. In 2024, women of color reported receiving less support from their managers as white women. The same report reveals racial discrepancies during the climb up the corporate ladder. For every 100 men who received their first managerial promotion in 2019, 58 Black women were promoted. The number of Black women promotions jumped to 96 in 2022 only to plummet to 54 in 2024. In 2020, Cierra Gross fought back against a hostile workplace after a coworker, who racially stereotyped her, refused to give her a promotion. Gross flipped the situation in her favor with her knowledge in human resources a skill that not every worker possesses. She created a tech product that empowers employees to advocate for their needs. Wrk Receipts combines the power of artificial intelligence with the expertise of human resources professionals. Workers build their human resources cases by using the app to log discriminatory incidents. Details about complex work situations are shared with Jayla, an AI-driven employee advocate that informs workers of their rights and uses employment law to navigate them through next steps. Employees wishing to speak to a human consultant can schedule a one-on-one meeting with Caged Bird HR, a third-party, confidential human resources service. Wrk Receipts doesnt just document the bad times. Employees can create a timeline of their accomplishments, which can be used during performance review season for raises and promotions. Gross hopes that by launching their app, shes helping employees take control of their careers. Three New Jersey men have been charged with killing a 45-year-old outside a social club in Burlington County last year in a drive-by shooting, officials said Friday. Kirk Williams, 33, of Burlington City, and Robert Cardona, 39, and Christopher Tokley, 45, both of Camden, were charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree weapons offenses. Willingboro Township police responded to the first block of John F. Kennedy Way at 9:15 p.m. on May 21, 2024 for a report of a shooting at the 609 Elite Social Club, authorities said. The 22-year-old wanted for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old in Pine Hill was arrested Friday in Pennsylvania, officials with the Camden County Prosecutors Office said. Shane Hennesy of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania was taken into custody at about 6 a.m. Friday in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, by the U.S. Marshals Service, officials said. He was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child on Feb. 20. Camden County authorities asked for the publics help locating Hennesy earlier this week and offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Hennesy is accused of sexually assaulting the 12-year-old on Jan. 25 after he was dropped off at the girls house around midnight and climbed through the girls bedroom window, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. Hennesy is accused of sexually assaulting the girl and staying at the house until about 6 a.m. when he climbed back out the girls bedroom window, court documents show. Detectives were also provided a picture dated Dec. 27, 2024, of Hennesy touching the girls bare breasts, court documents show. An investigation began after the girl reported the incident to her school counselor, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Hennesy communicated with the girl through email and text messages, authorities said in charging documents. Hennesy is being held at the Berks County Jail pending extradition to New Jersey, officials said. An attorney for Hennesy was not listed in court records Friday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X New oceanfront development pictured on Saturday July 1, 2023 at the Seaside Heights / Seaside Park border where a massive fire on the boardwalk destroyed many businesses here almost a decade ago. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media The Trump administrations immigration policies and recent criticism of our neighbors to the north has caused Canadians to cancel travel plans in the run up to the 2025 Jersey Shore summer season, business owners say. Bruce Hamlin, owner of the Paradise Ocean Resort and Crusader Oceanfront Resort in Wildwood Crest, has seen an uptick in Canadians canceling their reservations. The loss of 260 room nights has cost the resorts $94,000, he said. Most of the people just seem to be in a wait-and-see position, Hamlin said. Lets face it, nobody knows what were going to have three weeks from now, two weeks from now. Canadians have been put off by U.S. President Donald Trumps trade war with Canada, the insults hes hurled at their homeland, and stories about American border agents searching peoples phones and detaining foreigners for minor reasons, the Associated Press has reported. Trumps attacks on Canadas economy and threats to make it the 51st state have infuriated Canadians. Canadians have historically been some of our most faithful visitors down the Shore each summer, and Gov. (Phil) Murphy hopes that this year is no exception, said Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the governor. Despite challenges from the federal government, New Jersey is excited to welcome our Canadian neighbors with open arms for their summer travel. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded Tuesday to reports that fewer Canadians are planning to travel to the United States this summer. I think most people around the world recognize the United States is a great place to do business, Leavitt said. Joan DelVescio, executive director of the New Jersey Campground Owners Association, said campgrounds near the Jersey Shore are seeing more Canadians cancel summer reservations. The campgrounds are definitely seeing an increase in the number of cancellations, as the weeks are moving on, DelVescio told NJ Advance Media. A number of cancelations took place in the past 10 days, she said, adding a campaign to encourage Canadians to continue coming to the United States for camping holidays continues. The U.S. gets more visitors from Canada each year than from any other country, according to the U.S. Travel Association, an industry trade group, which said the 20.4 million visits from Canada last year generated $20.5 billion in spending. But there has been a big drop in foreigners traveling to the U.S. since Trump took office, and Canadians are no exception. There were more than 910,000 fewer land border crossings from Canada into the U.S. last month than in March of 2024 a more than 22% drop according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. An Air Canada spokesman, meanwhile, said Canada-U.S. flight bookings for April through September are down about 10%. Trump brushed aside the decline in tourism to the United States on Wednesday, saying, Theres a little nationalism there I guess, perhaps. Its not a big deal. Ben Rose, marketing director for the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority, said the Wildwoods is forecasting a 3% drop in Canadian visitors. Tourism Economics projects a 9.4% drop in international travel arrivals this year, with the number of Canadian visitors declining 20.2%. Like Hamlin and DelVescio, Rose said expectations remain for a busy Shore season as Memorial Day approaches. (Tourism Economics) feel people are still going to want to take their family vacations and spend that quality family time together, said Rose. We feel that feeling will subside, but it comes down to actually sitting down and making your summer vacation plans. Youre going to remember the good times that you had and, hopefully, plan to come back. The Associated Press 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. Officials in a Hunterdon County school district say they have cut 65 teaching and staff positions as they scramble to secure additional funding. The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District began the painful process earlier this year by eliminating three administrative positions to help close a budget gap. Then came more than 50 cuts, slashing teachers, counselors, nurses and support staff. At its most recent meeting on April 19, the board of education approved another round of reductions and 10 more teaching positions were eliminated for next year. That brought the total number of slashed jobs to 65. The cuts have been devastating, Flemington-Raritan Regional Superintendent Kari McGann said, but the district has had to make difficult decisions as it struggles to secure funding from the state Department of Education. Yes, these cuts are deep. Indeed, the impact is catastrophic. Of course, we are devastated by our losses, McGann said in a statement this week. But we can no longer afford to keep everyone we have. It is not possible. She said the district is angry and has been forced to play an imaginary game of Chutes and Ladders with the New Jersey Department of Education. We move our school district across the NJDOE funding board, up the rungs of the States ladder of funding applications to occasionally slide down a chute to begin all over again building the districts case for fair funding, McGann added. Flemington-Raritan is a regional pre-K8 district serving nearly 3,000 students in Flemington Borough and Raritan Township. In March, the Flemington-Raritan Regional school board approved a tentative $70 million budget for the 2025-26 school year, with a 4% increase in the local tax levy to help cover costs. Flemington-Raritan Regional is set to receive $6.4 million in state aid for the upcoming school year, a 6% increase from last year, According to figures from the state Department of Education. However, over the past six years, the district has lost more than $1 million in state funding. And, with the current budget plan, the district remains more than $3.7 million below adequacy by the states standard meaning its not spending enough to ensure a thorough and efficient education for students. This is the first time in 10 years the district has fallen below adequacy and it is the only one in Hunterdon County to fall short, school officials said. Faced with financial challenges, including mounting healthcare costs for staff and the rising cost of educating students, officials have also turned to raising taxes amid the staff reductions, McGann said. Over two dozen teachers, students and community members spoke at a recent board of education meeting, protesting against the staff losses and potential tax hike. In March, a special election was held asking voters to approve a tax increase to prevent further staff cuts to fill the budget gap. The majority of residents voted against the increase, and as a result, 30 jobs were cut and cannot be reinstated, according to the district. But, because the district is below adequacy, it is allowed to petition the state education commissioner for permission to exceed its tax cap for the 2025-26 school year. If approved, the officials could raise the tax levy by up to 10.1%, leading to an increase in property taxes for homeowners. That would allow the district to raise millions more for the budget and restore up to 15 teaching positions, according to school officials. This decision was not made lightly, board of education president Ryan Birkenstock said at a recent meeting. We recognize the burden this places on taxpayers. In a similar position, the Bordentown Board of Education in Burlington County sought permission from the state education commissioner to exceed its spending cap in an effort to reinstate some of the 50 jobs that were cut. Many other school districts have been forced to take drastic measures to address years of budget shortfalls. The states school funding formula, which was fully implemented for the first time last year, has long been a source of contention, with some districts pointing to it as the root of their financial struggles. Flemington-Raritan Regional School Districts final budget hearing and adoption is scheduled for Thursday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nyah Marshall may be reached at nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com Authorities have arrested a man who allegedly committed an armed home invasion in a small suburb and several other crimes around North Jersey. Alquan A. Harris, 25, has been taken into custody and charged with several counts of burglary, attempted burglary and motor vehicle theft, the Essex County Prosecutors Office said in a statement on Thursday. Harris is accused of carrying out an armed home invasion in the Essex County town of West Caldwell on April 9 as well as several other residential burglaries and car thefts around Essex, Bergen, Morris and Passaic counties, officials said. Home burglaries, armed home invasions and vehicle thefts are not just property crimes. They are serious crimes that threaten the safety and peace of our communities, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute those who seek to victimize our citizens. The Department of Homeland Security and 12 local police departments assisted in the investigation that led to Harris arrest. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. The Newark-based People's Organization for Progress will host a Martin Luther King Peoples Convention for Justice and Resistance on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Essex County College to oppose what it sees as efforts by President Donald Trump to reverse a century of progress on civil rights. Trump by Shannon Stapleton; King by AP Photo/Chuck Harrity The Peoples Organization for Progress will host an all-day conference on Saturday to plan resistance to what the Newark-based civil rights group says are efforts by the Trump administration and others to roll back a century of progress. The Martin Luther King Peoples Convention for Justice and Resistance will take place at Essex County Colleges Smith Hall in Newark from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To participate, register online at the conventions Eventbrite page, call (973) 801-0001, or email info@njpop.org. Organizers said about 200 people registered as of Thursday. Registrants will vote for a dozen or so resolutions declaring a position on various issues that will then be used by 270 civil rights and community groups, labor unions and other organizations that have endorsed the conference to help guide their political activities, said Lawrence Hamm, founding chairman of the Peoples Organization For Progress or POP. What were trying to do is create a political consensus around issues, Hamm told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. And the reason its framed as the Martin Luther King Convention is because were trying to frame the issues within the context of Dr. Kings agenda: to eliminate poverty; to have economic justice for working people; to observe human rights; all the kinds of things Dr. King stood for. Groups that have endorsed the conference include the state and multiple county branches of the NAACP, New Jersey Peace Action, the National Black Political Convention, the ACLU of New Jersey, Jews for Palestinian Right of Return, the Reformed Church of Highland Park, the Morris County Chapter of NOW, and the New Jersey AFL-CIO. The conference will begin with breakfast and registration from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by Hamms welcome and opening remarks at 9:30. From 10 to noon, there will be the first of two plenary sessions, during which resolutions will be proposed and voted on. A second plenary session will run from 1 to 2 p.m., following an hourlong lunch break. From 2-3:30 p.m., there will be a forum for candidates in this years gubernatorial race, regardless of party affiliation. As of Thursday evening, Hamm said he had received commitments to attend from Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and former State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, both Democrats running for governor, and from South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, a candidate for lieutenant governor who will also represent her Democratic running mate for governor, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. Hamm said Republican candidate Sen. John Bramnick, R-Union, had agreed to take part in the forum. A 3:30 p.m. closing session will review the resolutions that were passed. The conference is a follow-up to a Jan. 18 Martin Luther King March of Resistance, also organized by POP, which drew hundreds of marchers to the streets of Newark two days before the Monday holiday marking Kings birth, which coincided with Trumps Jan. 20 swearing-in. The march served as a repudiation of Trumps first term from 2017 to 2021 and his campaign vows for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and other moves opposed by progressives. Likewise, an announcement of Saturdays MLK convention called it a resistance to all efforts, including those of the Trump administration, to erase the gains of the civil rights movement and the social progress of the past century. But one of the states most ardent Trump supporters, America First Republicans of New Jersey co-chair Michael Crispi, said the president and King stood for the same things, including advancing the education and economic interests of African Americans. For example, Crispi said that during Trumps first term, he signed the FUTURE Act, legislation providing $255 million in permanent annual funding for historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, a move recalled by the White House on Wednesday in an announcement of new HBCU-related initiatives. And, Crispi said, Trumps efforts to bring back manufacturing jobs to the United States largely through tariffs would benefit Black workers. He cited Trumps improvement at the polls among voters of color in November and branded Hamm and other critics as divisive. It tells you that the people are rejecting the nonsense, and theyre thinking for themselves, Crispi said. NOTE: This article was updated to reflect an additional candidates pledge to take part in the gubernatorial forum. Nobody knows Jersey better than NJ.com Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com One of South Jerseys best bakeries is asking customers who wear strong perfume or cologne to avoid the main line and stick to the drive-thru. Century Bakery in Bridgeton made the unusual request on Facebook earlier this month as several of their cashiers suffer from asthma, and the scents some customers were wearing triggered an attack. We kindly ask that if you wear strong perfumes or colognes, please utilize our drive-thru service. Several cashiers in our bakery suffer from asthma, and this time of year can be particularly challenging for them due to the high pollen count. The addition of strong fragrances can make it even more difficult for them to breathe, as their airways are already irritated, the post read. Please note that these fragrances tend to linger in the building even after you leave, which can lead to coughing and discomfort for our team members. **Attention Customers,** We kindly ask that if you wear strong perfumes or colognes, please utilize our drive-thru... Posted by Century Bakery on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Century Bakery general manager Debby Diaz told NJ Advance Media on Thursday the bakery had four different customers come in on the day of the post wearing so much perfume that one of the cashiers ended up having a severe asthma attack. They nearly had to call 911. Theres no one checking perfume or cologne levels at the door. The bakery is simply asking customers to be mindful of their scents. Its not an actual policy, its not being hung up in the store. Its more of a general consideration for others, Diaz said. People can still come in wearing perfumes. Were not (going to) turn somebody away. Diaz further explained the suggestion has been received well with locals, aside from a handful of complaints they received on Facebook. Century Bakery has consistently appeared on NJ.coms annual best bakeries list. NJ.com food writer Peter Genovese praised the shop for its classic bakery vibe and glazed doughnut holes. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni and on Instagram @laurengisellemusni. A married couple has been charged in a $2 million Ponzi scheme, in which they allegedly used investor money to buy a mansion and pay off credit card debt, officials said. Swapnil Rege, 50, of the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, is charged with money laundering, securities fraud, investment advisor fraud and several other financial crimes in a 12-count indictment. His wife, 48-year-old Reema Rege, is charged with securities fraud, investment advisor fraud, receiving stolen property and two counts of theft by deception, the state Attorney Generals Office said in a statement on Thursday. Swapnil Rege is accused of collecting a combined $2.28 million from two investors through his company, Swapstar Capital LLC , from 2020 to 2022 and guaranteeing them annual returns between 21 and 87 percent. At the time that the two people signed agreements with Rege, he had been barred from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which he failed to disclose, authorities said. Rege used the funds to buy a mansion for his family, pay credit card debt and give money to family members, investigators alleged. He then attempted to cover up the scam by paying the two people back with some of their own money, falsely claiming that he was paying out returns on their investments, the state alleged. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, said Theresa L. Hilton, director of the Attorney Generals Office Division of Criminal Justice. Unscrupulous investment advisers are always coming up with new ways to lure their unsuspecting victims into handing over their money. We will always be on the lookout for such illegal activity. He is also accused of stealing $119,371 worth of stocks from one of the victims personal brokerage accounts and another $100,000 from their retirement account. He allegedly attempted to pay back the $100,000 by writing the victim a check, which bounced, authorities said. His wife is accused of knowingly participating in the scheme and receiving $75,000 that had been stolen from investors, officials said. The Attorney Generals Office did not release defense attorney information. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. Pastor Robert Turner walks past the National Museum of African American History and Culture as part of his monthly walk from Baltimore to Washington to raise awareness of reparations on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard) AP Black church leaders across the U.S. are urging congregants to support Black history by becoming members of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The move comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 27, claiming that the Smithsonian Institution, which runs the museum, has come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology in recent years, according to a statement from the White House. Vice President J.D. Vance, a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, will lead Trumps initiative to remove improper ideology from the institution, the statement said. Critics allege that Trump is attempting to enforce a one-sided national narrative that minimizes slavery and other historical injustices, the Associated Press reported. The National Museum of African American History and Culture reveals the truth about our nations past, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump posted on X. Yet a new executive order calls for removing divisive ideology from the Smithsonian Institution and singled out the NMAAHC. To fight back, The Rev. Robert Turner of Baltimore and other Black church leaders are encouraging congregants to pay the annual $25 membership fee to help support the museum, he told the Associated Press. The museum is the only national museum dedicated solely to documenting African American life, history, and culture, according to the museums website. It is the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the worlds largest museum, education and research complex. The institution consists of 21 museums and the National Zoo, PBS reported. The museum has collected more than 40,000 artifacts and has gained almost 300,000 members since opening in 2016, according to its website. The National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall, photographed on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP Turner, pastor of Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, takes a monthly journey on foot from his residence in Baltimore to Washington to promote the reparations movement and show support for the museum, the Associated Press reported. After completing the 43-mile-long journey to the nations capital recently, Turner recited a prayer and placed a wreath at the entrance of the museum, according to the Associated Press. I laid my wreath down there to show solidarity with the museum and the history that they present every day, he said. The Rev. Otis Moss III, pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, acknowledged the museums value and is asking congregants to become members to support the museum, the Associated Press reported. Back in the Big Apple, The Rev. Jacqui J. Lewis, a senior minister at Middle Church in New York City, pledged support for the museum. We have belonged to the museum since its opening, and we just made another donation to them in light of this administrations policies, she told the Associated Press. Pastor Robert Turner walks near the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard) AP She called the contribution a $1,000 Easter Love donation. Museum representatives could not be reached for comment on Thursday. Meanwhile, Democrats on the House Administration Committee, which oversees the institutions management, expressed concern in an April 18 letter to Vance regarding Trumps order. This flagrant attempt to erase Black history is unacceptable and must be stopped, said the letter signed by Reps. Joseph Morelle of New York, Terri Sewell of Alabama, and Norma Torres of California. The attempt to paper over elements of American history is both cowardly and unpatriotic, the letter said. Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom, on Twitter (X) at @MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. The state Attorney Generals Office has charged 11 people in an elaborate scheme to steal million of dollars worth of cars in New Jersey for resale in Africa. The charges came after authorities investigating the operation found 43 cars stored in two parking garages in Bronx, New York, which were all determined to be stolen out of New Jersey. The vehicles were valued at $3.65 million and included Mercedes-Benz, BMWs and Land Rovers as well as other high-end models, the Attorney Generals Office said in a statement on Friday. The alleged thieves broke into homes in Morris, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex and Burlington counties at night to steal key fobs, authorities said. The fobs were then used to steal the vehicles before they were driven to one of the Bronx garages for storage before they were shipped, officials said. In some instances, additional items were stolen from homes including high-end purses, wallets and cash, investigators said. Individuals in western African countries then wired money to purchase the vehicles and the ringleaders gave the alleged car thieves a cash payment, authorities said. This was a complex criminal enterprise that specifically targeted and stole high-end vehicles to be shipped to overseas buyers, said Theresa L. Hilton, director of the Attorney Generals Office Division of Criminal Justice. Working together, we were able to charge these defendants with serious crimes carrying lengthy prison sentencing exposure. As part of the investigation, stolen cars were recovered from shipping containers at ports in Elizabeth and Staten Island. Investigators said the destinations of all of the shipping containers were in western Africa. Several suspects were identified through cell phone records and surveillance footage. Authorities are still trying to identify the two suspected organizers of the scheme, who go by the street names of Big G and E. The office has charged the following defendants with racketeering and various other crimes in the theft ring: Jahquil Louis, 19, and Daniel Deleon, 18, both of Newark; Jomar Ocasio, 19, of Belleville, Quadir Williams, 21, of Riverdale, Mamadou Camara, 29, Moussa Doumbia, 22, Arona Amadou, 35, Mouslim Ouedraogo, 32, Moubarak Djibril, 23, all of Bronx, New York; Issa Yara, 38, of Manhattan, and an 18-year-old from Scranton Pennsylvania who was a juvenile at the time of their arrest. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi listen to Gov. Murphy talk about the Soul Kitchens. Gov. Phil Murphy appears with Jon and Dorothea Bon Jovi to open up a new JBJ Soul Kitchen on the Rutgers Newark campus. Wednesday, January 22, 2020. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media) Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media Jon Bon Jovi built his New Jersey-based charity restaurant chain on the philosophy that a vibrant community is built on helping others. That belief encouraged the rockers nonprofit-run franchise to offer free three-course meals to those living in areas of Ocean County impacted by a 15,000-acre wildfire blaze allegedly started intentionally. JBJ Soul Kitchen opened its Toms River locations to residents forced to flee the flames and first responders. The franchise hasnt said how many people came to the locations - one on Hooper Avenue and a second at the Ocean County Library - but offered food during its regular hours. If you or your family has been impacted, or if youre a first responder helping our community, please know that JBJ Soul Kitchen is here for you, the chain shared on its Instagram page. In this image taken from aerial video shows smoke and flames from wildfires in Ocean County, N.J., Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (WPVI via AP) AP Bon Jovis restaurants have operated under a unique business model promoting volunteerism since 2011, when the first location opened in Red Bank. Its also opened cafe-style restaurants at New Jersey City and Rutgers universities. The pop-up location at the Ocean County Library was recently criticized by Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick, who has called for the business to close because of what he says has been a rise in unhoused people congregating nearby. About 5,000 people were ordered away from their homes Tuesday as the fire quickly spread through parts of the pine barrens near Lacey Township. A 19-year-old Waretown man has been charged with aggravated arson for causing the destructive blaze, which allegedly spread from a bonfire that wasnt properly extinguished. Although officials said Thursday that the fire may have been set intentionally. 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 young man from Passaic County was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old Bergen County man last month, authorities said. Jihad Abdullah, 21, of Paterson gunned down JahZyer Montgomery near the corner of 12th Avenue and East 24th Street in Paterson around 5 p.m. on March 22, the Passaic County Prosecutors Office said Friday. Montgomery, a Garfield resident, died of his injuries at an area hospital. President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 14, 2025. (Pool via AP) AP Americans are not buying the Trump administrations story on Kilmar Abrego Garciaan undocumented immigrant who was mistakenly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador last month. The Trump administration initially acknowledged that Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador in error. However, the White House in recent weeks has pushed allegations that Abrego Garcia is a dangerous criminal, a member of the MS-13 gang and that officials have no power to bring him back to the U.S. despite an order from the Supreme Court. A new poll from The Washington Post-Ipsos-ABC News found that more Americans think Abrego Garcia should be sent back to the U.S. than stay in El Salvador. The poll showed that 42% of Americans said Abrego Garcia should be sent back to the U.S. and 26% said that he should stay in El Salvador. Another 31% of respondents said they did not know enough to answer. About 75% of Democrats said Abrego Garcia should be returned to the U.S., while slightly more than 50% of Republicans said he should stay in El Salvador. About 39% of independents said he should be returned. Remarkable WaPo poll: Trump sinking fast on immigration among independents. 56% disapprove of handling of issue 62% oppose removing foreign students 52% oppose renditions to El Salvador Only 21% want Abrego Garcia left there Engage, Dems. New piece:https://t.co/x6tV3Cyj4s Greg Sargent (@GregTSargent) April 25, 2025 The issue has sparked outrage from Democrats. A handful of Democratic lawmakers traveled to El Salvador in recent days to demand Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. The situation even drew criticism from Trump-supporter Joe Rogan, who questioned why Abrego Garcia was denied due process. Even Trump conceded in a recent interview with Time Magazine that he doesnt mind if Abrego Garcia is returned to the U.S., but that the decision is not up to him. I really give that to my lawyers to determine, thats why I have them. Thats not my determination. Its something that, frankly, bringing him back and retrying him wouldnt bother me, but I leave that up to my lawyer, he said. Abrego Garcia, 29, lived in the United States for roughly 14 years, during which he worked in construction, got married and was raising three children with disabilities, according to court records. A U.S. immigration judge had shielded Abrego Garcia from deportation to El Salvador in 2019, ruling that he would likely face persecution there by local gangs that had terrorized his family. He also was given a federal permit to work in the United States, where he was a metal worker and union member, according to Abrego Garcias lawyers. But the Trump administration expelled Abrego Garcia to El Salvador last month anyway. Abrego Garcia was never charged with a crime and has denied the allegations. His attorneys have pointed out that the criminal informant claimed he was a member of MS-13 in Long Island, New York, where he has never lived. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. President Donald Trumps administration surprised New Jersey officials by cutting federal law enforcement grants this week that fund programs for drug treatment and preventing hate crimes and violence. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin expressed anger as he announced the cuts at the start of a press conference Wednesday on an unrelated rent price fixing lawsuit in Newark. Platkin said the cuts by the Trump administration are dangerous for New Jersey residents. I just want to underscore how callous and reckless cuts like these are, he said. Platkin, who is Jewish, also pointed to the recent incident in neighboring Pennsylvania where Gov. Josh Shapiros house was set on fire. We just saw a week ago Gov. Shapiros house nearly burned down, specifically because he was targeted as a Jewish member of his community, Platkin said. And yet, were cutting funds without warning for ongoing efforts to combat bias using law enforcement tools to protect people from harm. And if they want to cut law enforcement programs that affect my state, he continued, I damn well want to be called. The grants that were cut in New Jersey include money for the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Hate Crimes Program, which helped law enforcement officials and prosecutors more effectively prosecute hate crimes. Funding for initiatives to prevent gun violence were also canceled, state officials said. Making sure that we have tools to intercept cycles of violence, prevent revenge shootings that have plagued our communities, gang violence that work has saved lives in New Jersey, Platkin said. Federal money for addiction services was also cut, state officials said. That included funding for programs focused on opioids. Notices sent to Platkins office by the federal Department of Justice said the federal government was reallocating the money. The department has changed its priorities with respect to discretionary grant funding to focus on, among other things, more directly supporting certain law enforcement operations combating violent crime, protecting American children, and supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault, and better coordinating law enforcement efforts at all levels of government, the federal termination notice read. The programs affected by the cuts have been awarded more than $20 million since 2021, according to federal data. Officials in the attorney generals office said they were still in the process of calculating how much money is left for the programs and how much money was lost. Platkin has been at odds with the Trump administration for months. He and other Democratic attorneys general have sued or joined lawsuits around the country to fight numerous Trump administration funding cuts and policies. The state Police Benevolent Association said it also opposed the Trump administration cuts. Law enforcement needs partners at every level of government and decisions like this made without warning or input undermine that partnership, the organization said in a statement. We urge the Department of Justice to reconsider and invite them to engage directly with New Jerseys law enforcement community. We remain ready to work with anyone whos serious about protecting lives, regardless of politics, the association said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Disability Rights New Jersey, a legal advocacy group that serves people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, announced it has suspended most of its work for the next two weeks while it contends with a freeze on nearly half of its funding from Donald Trumps administration. The federal government has released just $1.6 million of the $3.1 million that Disability Rights counts on to represent people facing hardship in state-run institutions and state licensed nursing homes and group homes. They also fight for people at risk of losing Medicaid coverage for their health care and housing, said the organizations Executive Director Gwen Orlowski. The nonprofit is down five attorneys and cannot replace them with the uncertainty around its finances, Orlowski said. Money has flowed in fits and starts since January when President Trump was sworn in. Orlowski said late last year, senior leadership held off on raises anticipating the worst. Some attorneys left as a result, she said. The Republican who nearly unseated Gov. Phil Murphy in New Jerseys last gubernatorial election is the frontrunner for the partys nomination this year to succeed Murphy, a new poll shows. Meanwhile, the Democrats running for governor remain in a closely packed toss-up, according to the Rutgers-Eagleton survey released Friday morning. About a third of voters from each party remain undecided with a few weeks to go before the June 10 primary. Eleven candidates five Republicans and six Democrats are running to take over for term-limited Murphy. Nearly 42% of New Jerseys registered Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said they prefer the former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli in the GOP primary. This is Ciattarellis third time running for governor. He lost to Murphy by about 3% of the votes in 2021. Former radio host Bill Spadea is in second place at 12%. Roughly 4% of those polled said they back state Sen. Jon Bramnick and 3% chose Burlington county contractor Justin Barbera. No one in the poll chose former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac. When Republican voters were asked who their second choice would be, those polled said Spadea (16%), Bramnick (12%), and Ciattarelli (12%). Republican voters are split on whether or not an endorsement from President Donald Trump would sway their vote. The poll found 46% say an endorsement would make them more likely to vote for a candidate. But the same amount say it would have no effect and 7% say it would make them less likely to vote for the endorsed candidate. There has been a behind-the-scenes battle between Ciattarelli and Spadea for Trumps support. The Democratic race is still a dead heat, according to the poll, the first head-to-head survey in the race since January. The poll found 17% of registered Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents prefer U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, while 12% favor Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. However, the difference is within the polls margin of error. New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller is at 10%, followed by U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at 9% apiece. Former State Senate President Steve Sweeney at 7%. When voters were asked for their second choice, Gottheimer (16%), Sherrill (15%), Baraka (13%), Spiller (12%), and Fulop (11%) all ranked similarly. Sweeney was at 6%. We currently have a tale of two primaries, said Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. On the Republican side, a leading candidate is coming into focus, while on the Democratic side, there is no clear frontrunner, given that most of the Democratic candidates are within striking distance of one another. The poll surveyed 1,058 adults from April 1 to April 10. The full sample has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.1 percentage points, poll officials said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Defense Secretary Pete 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 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is having trouble keeping his frustrations in check, according to an explosive Wall Street Journal report. Hegseths short stint at the Pentagon has been plagued with controversies for months as critics from both sides of the aisle question whether President Donald Trump should fire the former Fox News host. The new report from The Wall Street Journal details how Hegseth has reacted to reports of leaks and other scandals during his time heading the department. Steve Bannon speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) A top leader of the MAGA movement made an ambitious prediction for President Donald Trumps outspoken press secretary. Politico Magazine published a profile Friday about the rise of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and how she emerged as a top MAGA mouthpiece. Before joining the Trump campaign, she worked as an intern at the White House during his first term and ran for a congressional seat in New Hampshire. Wendy Williams claimed that money was taken out of her bank account without her consent to pay a doctor who raised concerns about her health. Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Wendy Williams is claiming that money was taken from her bank account without her consent to pay a psychiatrist who raised concerns about her mental capacities. Williams official Instagram account, @therealwendywilliamsonline, shared several screenshots of American Express bank statements on Thursday, April 24. Heres proof that Dr. Rami Kaminski was paid a total of $60,000 on the following dates on Wendys personal and corporate AMEX cards without her knowledge or consent, the caption read, claiming that $10,000 was sent to Kaminski on six different dates ranging from November 7, 2021, to January 14, 2022. The post also included a photo of a letter that Kaminski allegedly wrote to Williams financial advisor Lori Schiller in January 2022. Ms. Williams has been my patient for over a year now. Over the last six months she has been unable to make reasoned decisions and her insight and judgement are severely impaired, the letter read. The posts caption pointed out that the triggering medical diagnosis letter was sent to Schiller on Thursday, January 20, 2022 just 6 short days after the last $10,000 payment" to Kaminski. $60,000 for the 32 words used to strip Wendy Williams of her freedom and dignity. More to come, the caption continued. NJ.com has reached out to Kaminski and Schiller for comment. Back in February 2022, Schiller alleged that Williams was of unsound mind, prompting Wells Fargo to freeze Williams accounts and request that a court appoint a temporary guardian for Williams. READ MORE: Netflix star slams RFK Jr.s autism comments: Extremely ignorant Williams hit back with an affidavit claiming that Schiller had been fired for improper conduct in relation to my accounts, per Page Six. She also claimed at the time that Wells Fargo had repeatedly denied my requests to access my financial assets, which total over several million dollars. That November, Schiller told Page Six that she had not been fired and was still the lead advisor on Williams account. She noted that she needed to hire 24-hour armed police officers to guard her home after Williams spoke out against her and Wells Fargo. Williams was placed under a conservatorship in 2022 and diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023. She appeared on The View in March to speak out against the conservatorship. Wendy Williams appeared on the Friday, March 14, episode of "The View." Evan Agostini/Invision/AP It was my choice to get an independent evaluation on my incapacitation, which I dont have it, she claimed at the time. How dare they say I have incapacitation? I do not. During the interview, The View cohost Sunny Hostin read a statement from Williams conservator Sabrina Morrisseys lawyer. The guardianship was created by a judge who declared you legally incapacitated after a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and says that you have not been kept from your family and that you are receiving excellent medical care, the statement read. Williams hosted her titular talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, from 2008 to 2021. She stepped back from the show due to complications from her Graves disease and thyroid condition. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. 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 Army Corps has not announced a spillway opening but says it is continuing to monitor the forecast. The agency typically declares an opening around two days before the operation would begin, said Matt Roe, a spokesperson for the New Orleans district. You may have never heard of Danilo Augusto Feliciano, but know that he's the man who questioned the report of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Off There are calls for an investigation into the events that led to the deaths of 700 koalas in the state of Victoria recently. Koala rescuer Jessica Robertson has been surveying the Budj Bim National Park and the blue gum plantations that surround it. Source: Jessica Robertson Australias controversial program of euthanising injured and starving koalas from helicopters will continue in the short-term and then be scaled back following a fresh assessment by a vet. Last week, Yahoo News revealed the existence of the plan that was hatched in response to a devastating bushfire that scorched important habitat in Budj Bim National Park. Victoria's department of environment (DEECA) maintains the program was created solely to address welfare concerns, but it's been accused of being "secretive" about the finer details of the plan. It's understood to be the first time aerial shooting of koalas has been used in Australia, and critics argue the public deserves to be consulted. Pictures shared with Yahoo News from critics of the program highlight that koala welfare in the southwest is bigger than this single event. And there are growing calls for an inquiry into how koalas are being managed in the region. Related: Concern for joeys as koalas shot from helicopters When koala feed trees at private plantations are harvested, the koalas are forced to relocate to Budj Bim, worsening population issues. Source: Jessica Robertson The Liberal Party, Greens, and Animal Justice Party have been critical of a "lack of transparency" about the situation at Budj Bim. Around 700 koalas are understood to have been euthanised, many of them from the air, sparking international headlines. Opposition environment spokesperson Brad Rowswell labelled the program an embarrassment that could damage the states reputation, particularly when it comes to tourism. Hes called for the government to release more information about the decision-making process that led to it being green-lit. Its a fair and reasonable request, Rowswell told Yahoo. ADVERTISEMENT Premier Jacinta Allan defended the program last week, saying the animals were in a lot of distress. But her environment minister has remained silent on the issue. On Thursday, questions sent to Steve Dimopoulos by Yahoo were instead responded to by a government spokesperson who took aim at the Liberal Party, which it accused of politicising the tragedy. Brad Rowswell and the Victorian Liberal Party are more concerned with popularity than the welfare of koalas this response was informed by vets and wildlife rescuers and scrutinised by wildlife ethics experts which confirm this is the most humane and practical option to prevent suffering of fire impacted koalas, the spokesperson said. Bigger problem facing koalas in Victoria The koalas that survived the bushfires and euthanasia face a bigger problem. For decades, koalas in Budj Bim have long been densely populated, resulting in trees being denuded of their leaves, and ongoing welfare issues including hunger and disease. Yahoo News has previously requested interviews with several state environment ministers about the welfare of koalas in the states southwest, but to date none have accepted. ADVERTISEMENT Thousands of hectares of private bluegum plantations dominate the region. When the trees are cut down, koalas living in them are forced to flee into areas like Budj Bim, creating population densities so high their welfare is compromised. This has resulted in decades of population management programs, including fertility control and euthanasia. Other animals die while crossing busy roads, or entering paddocks with livestock and dogs. DEECA has indicated its current aerial euthanasia program does not involve culling and is focused solely on animal welfare. It has undertaken euthanasia programs nearby at the Grampians in response to a bushfire, but this has not involved helicopters, and the scale was much smaller as there are fewer koalas there. It's not the first time DEECA has sparked controversy over its management of koalas. In 2015, it was revealed the agency had culled over 600 animals in 2013 and 2014 across the state's Otway region. Government flags $1 million investment in koalas In a boost for the regions koalas, the Victorian government told Yahoo it is planning to create new habitat in the southwest. Although specific details of the plan are yet to be released. ADVERTISEMENT Recent bushfires caused significant damage to koala habitat at Budj Bim National Park, that's why [we're] investing $1 million to create additional habitat near the park to help improve food availability for the koalas, it said. We have an ongoing issue with large koala populations in the southwest, but we're making sure these koalas have the best chance at life through regular health checks and fertility control programs - we will also take this emergency response into account in future management decision of this koala population, it said. Some animal welfare advocates have called for a suspension of blue gum harvesting. Source: Jessica Robertson. Greens accuse government of 'failing' to protect koala habitat The Greens have called for an investigation into the situation at Budj Bim, and its state leader Ellen Sandell has criticised the governments failure to ensure koalas have adequate habitat. ADVERTISEMENT Its devastating to see hundreds of koalas starving due to bushfires, and then being euthanised like this. This underscores the State Labor Governments total failure to protect habitat for koalas and other wildlife, which are pushed into smaller and smaller habitat areas which are then so vulnerable when a bushfire comes through, she said. For years, Labor has allowed native forest logging, deforestation and supported burning fossil fuels that fuel bushfires... This tragedy is a wake-up call. We need Labor to actually take wildlife and habitat protection seriously, or these awful tragedies will keep continuing. Close to 10,000 people took to Change.org to urge the government to be more transparent about the program. And a second petition, sponsored by the Animal Justice Party's Georgie Purcell, calls for an inquiry into both "culling" and broader koala management practices. Prominent animal welfare advocates and wildlife rescuers have demanded DEECA immediately halt the euthanasia program and issue an update on how many koalas have now been killed. Jess Robertson, who heads up the grassroots Koala Alliance, spoke to Yahoo on Thursday from outside Budj Bim, noting large parts of the park remain unburnt. I find it incredibly troubling that theyre continuing with a cull thats inhumane. They need to immediately stop until the community is given more transparency on why these decisions are being made, including evidence that theres a lack of vegetation, she said. This week, Robertson has been documenting the scale of blue gum harvesting on land around the national park and she's urged the government to halt the future removal of trees while the food shortage inside the national park continues. She doesn't believe the government's $1 million investment in land will be enough to fix the issue long-term. Expert raises concern about euthanasia 'backlash' Deakin University koala expert Associate Professor Desley Whisson was involved in creating Victoria's Koala Management Strategy, which was released last year to conserve and manage the animals across the state. She is a vocal critic of the government's handling of koalas in the southwest in general. "The blue gum plantation companies have a lot to answer for, so does DEECA, because they've done little to address the issues," she said. "Every time an animal dies in Budj Bim there are 10 more to take its place because they are coming in from the plantations. So we need to shine the light on that." But when it comes to aerial "culling" at Budj Bim following the bushfire, discussions with those involved have led her to form the opinion that it's the correct and appropriate response. "What do you do in an emergency situation? You have to ease the suffering of animals," she said. "You can't afford to plant new trees and wait for them to grow." Now she fears the public backlash against the euthanasia response could prevent similar humane responses from occurring again, and she's taken to social media to share her concerns. When the next fire comes, and it will, they may choose inaction, fearing public outrage more than animal suffering, she wrote in a viral post. If we truly want to protect our koalas, we must be willing to face uncomfortable truths and advocate for decisions grounded in animal welfare, not sentiment or headlines. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Ilfracombe will be waving off participants in gruelling endurance test The Forces March on Wednesday, April 30. The event is based on a challenging 131-mile World War Two training march and will once again be raising money for The Veterans Charity. It will set off from Ilfracombe seafront at 10am, with individuals or teams up to four bidding to complete the five-day sponsored march between North Devon and Bulford in Wiltshire. The event was started by The Veterans Charity in 2010 and it retraces a route inspired by a legendary World War Two training march of 1942. Day one will see entrants and support vehicles pass through Ilfracombe, Berrynarbor, Combe Martin, Blackmoor Gate and Challacombe before finishing at Simonsbath just over the border in Somerset. The succeeding days will see the marchers cross most of Somerset and into Wiltshire, finally reaching Bulford Camp near Salisbury on day five. This extraordinary event brings together military personnel, veterans, and civilians alike, fostering unity, resilience and remembrance while raising vital funds for The Veterans Charity. The charity provides immediate support to veterans in crisis, offering essential items such as food, clothing and utilities support at their time of greatest need. Danny Greeno, CEO of The Veterans Charity, said: The Forces March is more than just a challenge its a powerful symbol of the endurance and spirit of our Armed Forces. Every step taken by our amazing participants helps us to deliver life-changing support to those who have served our country and find themselves battling hardship and the distress it causes. Participants will walk or run through stunning yet demanding terrain, covering close to 27 miles per day and will be supported by an experienced volunteer team. Plus its more polling pain for Peter Dutton as the Coalition crashes to new depths. Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Browns Welcome to Country was interrupted by booing from members of the crowd at Melbournes Dawn Service. Source: NCA NewsWire Yahoo's live news blog for Friday, April 25 has now concluded. The dawn service in Melbourne's CBD has been marred after the Welcome to Country was booed by a minority of attendees. Plenty are out and about paying their respects, with pubs packed and Two-up in full swing. Karl Stefanovic and Peter Dutton are among the familiar faces seen playing the game today. Police are urging drivers to make the right decision on the roads after a "concerning" development over the Easter long weekend. Cops in NSW say there's an unacceptable number of drug drivers on the state's roads and motorists need to understand the danger. See all of the day's updates below. LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 17 updates Karl Stefanovic's Two-up tossing action called out And there are more familiar faces out and about today, with Today show host Karl Stefanovic having a great time down at the Dolphin Hotel in Sydney's Surry Hills. He took control of the Two-up action, and was seen clenching his fists in celebration after one of his throws. At one point he was egging punters on between tosses, waving the paddle to chants of ole. But while revellers told Yahoo it was "always fun" to have a celebrity among regular punters, one person said "his tossing ability could be better". Well there you have it. Take a look at his tossing action for yourself below. Leaders pause campaigns to pay respects Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have paused their election campaigns for Anzac Day and both paid their respects to those who've served their country at services this morning. And like many others, Peter Dutton has moved on to Two-up, and was earlier pictured in the Townsville RSL with a beer in hand. Peter Dutton getting involved on Friday. Source: NCA NewsWire Turnout for Anzac Day services around the world hailed Attendees of Anzac Day services around the world have been hailed for paying their respects, with thousands attending across several continents. That included more than 4,000 people in Gallipoli, close to 2,000 in France, more than 1,000 in Thailand and 3,500 in Papua New Guinea. "Anzac Day commemorations have long held importance for Australians, since the first commemorative service held in 1916. The number of attendees highlights the continued dedication of Australians to honouring the sacrifices made by the Australian Defence Force personnel who have served and those who continue to serve," the Department of Veterans' Affairs said. Open Arms Veterans & Families Counselling Service provides free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families. They can be reached 24/7 on 1800 011 046 or visit the Open Arms website for more information. This morning's dawn service in Thailand. Source: Department of Veterans' Affairs Teenager arrested over giant fire covering NYC in smoke A 19-year-old has been arrested over a huge wildfire in the US state of New Jersey, with police alleging he began the fire by burning pallets in dense forest. While at this stage there are no reported deaths or reports of lost buildings, 5,000 residents have been evacuated in the Ocean County area with the fire stretching to more than 15,000 acres. Smoke from the fire was drifting over into New York, leaving New York City with reduced air quality. Read more here. Air quality in NYC is poor as a result of the fire. Source: Getty Neo-Nazi identified as Anzac Day dawn service disrupter A self-described neo-Nazi has been questioned by police after he disrupted a Melbourne Anzac Day dawn service this morning. Jacob Hersant and his small group shielded themselves in darkness as they shouted "we don't want to be welcomed" and "this is our country" when speakers thanked traditional owners. Their interruptions were drowned out by louder applause from the crowd before police officers ordered him to leave. Hersant was later interviewed for alleged offensive behaviour and police said he could face charges. The events drew widespread condemnation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the hecklers should face the full force of the law. "A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, unAustralian and disgraceful," he said. Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the hateful act of disrespect to all service people, while RSL Victoria president Robert Webster said it was completely out of keeping with the intention of the solemn event. "The actions of a handful were completely disrespectful to the Aboriginal community, veterans, and the spirit of Anzac Day," Dr Webster said. Wild number of pubgoers on Anzac Day Well we've all seen the massive queues outside pubs on Anzac Day, and a Sydney-based company that tracks just how busy venues are has revealed some remarkable data on just how big the day is. Bondi Lines says last year Anzac Day triggered four million views on its platforms as it brought live updates on the city's busiest venues even with aerial vision from a helicopter. "It really is a hallmark event for Sydneysiders and a great way to pay respects," co-founder Callum Weatherall said. The platform estimated there were 3 million visitors to pubs across Sydney last year, and is expecting more of the same today. Another Anzac Day Welcome to Country disrupted There's also been disruption from a heckler at Perth's dawn service this morning. The person began shouting out during Welcome to Country from Noongar Elder and former soldier Di Ryder. Premier Roger Cook called the behaviour "disgusting". "This is a solemn occasion, one where we should come together as a community, and for someone to use it to make a political point, and in that disrespectful way, it is really quite unacceptable," he said. It follows booing during the Welcome to Country during Melbourne's dawn service earlier. Two-up underway across the country Two-up is underway across the country as plenty of Aussies head to the pub this Anzac Day. And while it's often played in a big circle, with gamblers on the outside, not all venues have the space. Take a look at the Quarrymans Hotel in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Pyrmont, which has no choice but to wedge its Two-up into a tight corner of its beer garden. "No one is perfect. Its still fun!" they said. We're sure it is. How this annoying bus and train act could become illegal A major political party in the UK has called for people who play music on their phones on public transport to be hit with a 1,000 ($2,070) fine. "Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of anti-social behaviour - and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders," Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart said. The Lib Dems is now seeking cross-party support for it to become law, with some MPS previously saying they support such reform. Would you like to see such a fine enforced in Australia? Have your say below. China rubbishes Trump suggestion China's having none of Donald Trump's suggestion the US is engaging with Beijing over their escalating trade war, stressing it will only negotiate with Washington if they keep it respectful. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters discussions had commenced was simply not true. "For all I know, China and the US are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal," he said. 'This tariff war is launched by the US. Chinas position is consistent and clear: We will fight, if fight we must. Our doors are open, if the US wants to talk. Dialogue and negotiation must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit." It comes after Trump said tariffs imposed on Chinese goods will be far lower than what his administration had stated. Pub's huge Anzac Day queue before 9am With dawn services ending, the attentions of plenty of Aussies looking to enjoy the public holiday have shifted to the pub, with Two-up once again the main drawcard for many. Renowned for its Anzac Day, Sydney's Clovelly Hotel has already got a mammoth queue outside, which snaked down the street before 9am. The venue is one of the city's most popular spots on Anzac Day with similar queues witnessed in recent years. It comes as Liquor and Gaming NSW warn pubs inspectors will be out and about making sure the gambling is all above board on a rare day Two-Up is made legal, while cops will be visiting venue to deter anti-social behaviour. Take a look at the huge line below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bondi Lines (@bondi_lines) Restaurant apologises after woman finds rat in salad A Japanese restaurant in Sydney says it is investigating after a customer claimed it found a rat in her salad. Tatsuya West Ryde apologised for the discovery, which it confirmed in a statement shared to customers. "While we prefer not to go into graphic detail out of respect for those affected, we fully recognise that the incident occurred within our operations and may have caused distress to the customers involved, as well as to the wider community that places its trust in us," a statement from the business read. The restaurant has since closed for a thorough clean with pest control called in, it added, with council made aware of the discovery, Nine News reports. The woman shared a photo of the discovery in a review on Google. Source: Nine King Charles' 'special tribute' to Aussie veterans King Charles has marked the 110th anniversary of the first landings at Gallipoli with a "special" Anzac Day tribute. He urged Australians to "uphold the values" of those who fought for the country. "It is my fervent hope that the years have brought you to a place of peace, and that peace shall remain with you always," he said in his statement. Today, on #AnzacDay, The King has paid tribute to all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peace keeping operations. This year is particularly poignant as commemorations take place to mark the 110th anniversary of the first landings at pic.twitter.com/5Lgxpt9Zno The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 24, 2025 Coalition crashes to new depths as voters ditch Dutton Mounting dislike of Peter Dutton has sent the coalition's primary vote plunging to its lowest level in a leading poll as the election looms large. The coalition's primary vote has dropped to 31 per cent, down from 33 per cent last week, the latest YouGov poll provided to AAP shows. Labor's primary vote is up 0.5 per cent to 33.5 per cent. The lowest-ever primary vote the coalition had received in YouGov polling is driven by the opposition leader's unpopularity, director of public data Paul Smith says. "The public have clearly made a decision that they don't want Peter Dutton as prime minister," he told AAP. Peter Dutton has his work cut out in the final push of his campaign. Source: AAP "The coalition is going backwards at a rate of knots." The YouGov polling shows Labor leading the coalition by 53.5 per cent to 46.5 per cent on a two-party preferred basis. Labor's support is higher than its 2022 federal election result of 52.1 per cent, while the coalition's is 4.7 per cent lower than it achieved at that election. Anthony Albanese (50 per cent) has also extended his lead over Mr Dutton (35 per cent) as preferred prime minister. Mr Dutton's net satisfaction rating dipped to minus 18 from minus 10 last week while Mr Albanese's was down slightly to minus seven from minus six. Read more here. Police call out 'concerning' long weekend discovery It's another long weekend, meaning double demerits are in force for millions of motorists. And police are saying they don't want a repeat of the Easter long weekend where one in 10 drivers pulled over for drugs testing returned positive results. This is very concerning, and people need to understand that any presence of illegal drugs detected is not acceptable, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said. Alcohol also affects people in different ways. Motorists are reminded that they could still be affected by alcohol the following day, which could push them over the legal limit. I ask that people think carefully and make wise decisions about how much alcohol they have had before they get behind the wheel." Cover takes aim at Donald Trump There's been some scathing coverage of Donald Trump's decisions of late and The Economist isn't holding back with its latest cover. 'Only 1,361 days to go," its latest cover read, referencing the date of the next US election. Accompanying the headline was a drawing of a badly-injured American Eagle. Trump's trade war has sparked panic globally, however his biggest trade feud with China appears to have calmed after a period of tit-for-tat measures, with Trump admitting levies imposed on Chinese goods won't be as high as his administration has stated. Our cover this week. pic.twitter.com/XjBrzsa4Lt Shashank Joshi (@shashj) April 24, 2025 Anzac Day dawn service marred by 'disrespectful' boos Melbourne's Anzac Day dawn service has been marred by a small minority after boos rang out during Welcome to Country. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the actions, telling ABC radio the behaviour was "beyond disappointing". To pierce the sombre silence and pierce the solemnity that is the dawn service isn't just disrespectful, it dishonours the very thing that the men and women who fought and lost their lives is about, what Anzac Day is about," she said. Welcome to Country was delivered by Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown who persevered through the boos, before applause attempted to drown out the small number of people disrupting the service. Victoria Police are investigating the matter. 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 While doing an interview with Vietnam War veteran Mike Chiarodo for the new documentary Vietnam Changed My Life, filmmaker George Bogdanich met Chiarodos caregiver, Anna Smith. I live with her now, sir. This is her house, Chiarodo told Bogdanich while being filmed. I cannot say enough about her. Smith, who lives in Chesterton, has a soft spot for disabled military vets who need assistance. My dad is a veteran, and my grandpa. I was married to two veterans. Veterans are my life. Its all I know, Smith told me. I've been doing this for 18 years, helping veterans get to their medical appointments for the care they deserve. She met Chiarodo, a 76-year-old U.S. Marine and Purple Heart recipient, through the Disabled American Veterans organization in Valparaiso, which fought to get him disability pay. The group meets on the first Friday of each month at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 805 Elm St., in Valparaiso. (For more information, contact the organizations Chapter 102 at 219-200-0404 or Adjutant@dav102.org) Michael may show a happy face, but hes really suffering inside, Smith said. Chiarodo suffers from severe PTSD, early-stage dementia and multiple myeloma from exposure to Agent Orange during the war, Smith said. In 2022, Chiarodo moved in with Smith because he lost his home and property in a fraud case, she noted. Michael was having serious issues, Smith said. He needed help navigating through the healthcare system so I offered to help guide him. Hes still fighting battles after all these years of serving our country. Its a shame. When Chiarodo was selected to be profiled in the documentary, the producers were deeply affected by the role Smith serves in his life, like tens of thousands of other veterans across the country. When they found out what I do, they were a bit shocked that so many veterans need this kind of care, Smith said. They need daily caregivers. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers is a Veterans Affairs program designed to support family caregivers of eligible veterans who need in-person personal care services. It offers enhanced clinical support, monthly stipends for primary family caregivers and access to healthcare and respite care, among other benefits. The latest RAND Corp. study on this topic shows alarming gaps in support for military and veteran caregivers. I'm an advocate for Mike, so I requested help from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Smith said. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation uses its research to address the obstacles that military and veteran caregivers face regularly, from providing access to essential resources and support networks to calling for policy changes. Through initiatives such as the Dole Caregiver Fellowship program, it raises awareness, drives action and fosters support for caregivers across the country. Smith has been tabbed to be an active participant in the fellowship program. Next month she will travel to Washington D.C. to share her experiences and opinions with U.S. Senators regarding laws and policies to protect veterans and caregivers. There's so much information out there, but if youre an elderly veteran who cant go online or navigate the system, it doesnt help them, Smith said. It's not a lack of resources. It's a lack of knowledge and accessibility. Chiarodo has cognitive problems with daily tasks but he can rattle off his Vietnam War experiences from more than 50 years ago without much trouble. This includes the names of fallen comrades from his combat experiences. You cant describe what happens when you walk into an ambush and you see a guy get blown up, Chiarodo said in the trailer for the documentary. Its pretty hard to be a 19-year-old with 20 men under him and the (expletive) hits the fan and youre making the calls. You hope youre right. The films story centers primarily around the three Vietnam veterans from the Region who have been long-time friends with Bogdanich. The film features veterans speaking from a perspective of five decades later about a bitter, divisive and unpopular conflict that deeply affected their lives. (Read my column review and watch the trailer at NWI.com.) On Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Smith will serve as a panelist for a fundraising event, Vietnam Veterans and Their Battle To Improve Veterans Care, a special program exploring the enduring role that Vietnam Veterans and their advocates have had on improving veterans services and care. The event, a fundraiser for the documentary, will take place at the Elks Lodge 500, 157 W. Jefferson St., in Valparaiso. (Contributions can also be made at https://tinyurl.com/ycxwnx3a.) The free program, which will be live-streamed to Facebook, will share a moderated conversation between Dan Orlich, a Marine and Vietnam veteran; Mike Thomas, the former Valpo DAV commander; and Smith. It will include a screening of a trailer for the film and a conversation with its producer Bogdanich. A number of Region veterans are now ready to tell their stories, 50 years after they served their country, said Bogdanich, of Valparaiso, a veteran journalist and filmmaker. 24. Judge A then escorted members of the arrest team away from Courtroom 615, down the hall, and through a set of double doors towards the reception area for the Chief Judge's office. DEA Agent B, who was not recognized by Judge DUGAN and Judge A as being part of the arrest team, remained behind outside of Courtroom 615. 25. The courtroom deputy reported observing a portion of the above-described events in the hallway. According to the courtroom deputy, shortly after Judge DUGAN was advised of ICE's presence, the courtroom deputy left the courtroom to look for an unrelated defendant (whom the courtroom deputy was seeking to arrest for an open warrant). The courtroom deputy saw Judge DUGAN in her robe in the public hallway telling one of the federal agents that he needed to go talk to the Chief Judge. Judge DUGAN appeared visibly angry and was walking quickly. As soon as the agent entered the Chief Judge's vestibule area, the courtroom deputy saw Judge DUGAN walk south down the hallway and enter a locked door near Courtroom 615. I am familiar with the floor plan for the sixth floor of the courthouse and believe the door Judge DUGAN entered led to a non-public hallway from which she could access her courtroom and chambers. 26. DEA Agent B, who had remained in the hallway and had not been recognized as a member of the arrest team, reported that Judge DUGAN walked around the hallway and appeared to be looking for additional agents before she returned to her courtroom. 27. Once inside the office of the Chief Judge, Deportation Officer A showed Judge A his credentials and the administrative warrant. Judge A asked the Chief Judge's clerk to make a copy of the warrant and asked whether the Chief Judge was available. The clerk advised that the Chief Judge was not in the building but later advised that he was on the phone. At that point, Judge A left, and Deportation Officer A went inside a more private area of the Chief Judge's office to speak with him on the phone. During their conversation, the Chief Judge stated he was working 8 Case 2:25-mj-00397-SCD Filed 04/24/25 Page 9 of 13 Document 1 Camping grounds in NSW have seen visitation grow by 49 per cent over the past decade. And now things are set to change. With expected changes, some camping grounds will soon cost nearly $100 per night. Source: Getty Aussies in the country's most populous state are being encouraged to have their say as NSW plans to dramatically overhaul the cost and booking systems for camping grounds in national parks. The expected changes will see travellers and avid campers pay more for most sites in the state but authorities say it is much needed to handle the increased popularity of domestic tourism and improve service delivery. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is currently inviting the community to provide feedback on the vast proposal, which is designed to tackle issues including ghost camping and address a currently complex and inconsistent system of fees between sites. "All feedback on the proposal, which aims to introduce more consistent and simplified state-wide camping fees and bookings for NSW national parks and reserves will be carefully considered," a spokesperson told Yahoo News. The Service manages 895 parks and reserves which make up roughly 10 per cent of the state's total land mass. According to the consultation paper, visitation has grown 49 per cent over the last decade, and there are now more than 50 million visits to national parks every year, including 1.8 million overnight campground stays. ADVERTISEMENT RELATED: Excitement as new NSW hike opens, but some balk at the cost There have been no significant changes to New South Wales national park camping fees since 2017, however when the changes are enacted, fees will be pegged to increases in the consumer price index, meaning prices would rise each year. Seasonal price variations will also be applied, meaning campers will pay more in peak times but less on average during the off season. Overall, sites will be divided into tiers with the lowest tier amounting to a simple clearing with no facilities remaining free. Campgrounds from tier 2 to tier 5 (which make up 85 per cent of sites) will range from $22 in high season for the most basic campground to $65 for sites that have water and access to a flushable toilet. The top campsites, tier 6, which have hot showers and BBQ facilities, will cost $89 per night. With CPI indexation, top camping facilities will soon cost more than $90 per night for group bookings. Source: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service While Parks authorities aim to simplify things by potentially scrapping surcharges for extra people in group bookings, popular campgrounds, particularly around Sydney, will become materially more expensive to stay at during popular times. ADVERTISEMENT For example, a family of four who currently pay $68 in a tier 6 beachfront campsite, would soon pay $89 per night, meaning a five night stay would cost an extra $105. The higher costs are needed due to record investment in campground infrastructure, increased park management costs and changing community expectations, the National Parks and Wildlife Service says. The numbers within the circles represent the number of campgrounds in that geographical area. Source: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service More generous cancellation refunds to tackle ghost camping Victoria has currently made camping in the state completely free. However NSW authorities have raised "growing concerns" around the problem of ghost camping where people book a campsite but then fail to actually turn up. To counteract this ongoing issue, the fee overhaul will increase cancellation refunds to 80 per cent. Currently campers who cancel less than a week out can't get a refund on anything, while they are only eligible for a 50 per cent refund if they cancel between eight and 30 days prior to their trip. ADVERTISEMENT While the changes appear all but certain, authorities insist ongoing feedback from the public which closes in exactly one month will inform the final details of the fee overhaul. You can have your say here. Yahoo understands there is no concrete date for when the implementation of the new prices will commence. It comes as councils across the country, as well as wildlife rangers, are cracking down on illegal camping. One council on the NSW Central Coast this month warned those in the area ahead of the Easter weekend of heavy fines for illegal camping, including a whopping $110,000 potential penalty for repeat offenders. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. A Brazilian woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to kill her ex-boyfriends new partner by sending her poisoned chocolate eggs as an anonymous Easter present. What was supposed to be a happy family celebration turned into a nightmarish tragedy for a young Brazilian woman who lost both her children to poisoned chocolate eggs allegedly sent by her partners scorned ex-girlfriend. On April 16, a courier delivered an anonymous package to the house of Miriam Lira, in Impeatriz, northern Brazil. The package contained chocolate eggs and a note that read With love, to Mirian Lira. Happy Easter.. Thinking they were just a thoughtful gift from a friend or relative, Miriam shared the chocolate treats with her kids, 7-year-old Luis Fernando and Evelyn Fernanda (13). Hours later, her son started feeling ill, and before the day was done, the three of them were in the emergency room, fighting for their lives. Despite the doctors best efforts, Luis Fernando succumbed to multiple organ failure on April 17, and his sister tragically died five days later due to vascular shock associated with multiple organ failure. Miriam, who spent days in a coma, told reporters that she doesnt know how she will overcome the loss of her two children, but she hopes the desire to see justice done will keep her going. Brazilian police already have the main suspect in this poisoning case in custody. The woman, Jordelia Pereira Barbosa, traveled hundreds of miles by train to carry out her evil plan with the intention of killing Miriam Lira, whom she blamed for stealing her ex-boyfriend. Police say they have evidence, including CCTV camera footage that shows Barbosa buying the eggs from a convenience store while in disguise. During the course of the investigation, especially after the seizure of security camera footage, we were able to reconstruct the path taken by the suspect from the moment she arrived in the city until the moment she bought the Easter egg, homicide detective Alana Lima told G1 Globo. Not only that, but we also have records of the time she was at the hotel and the tickets that were seized from her. All of these details are fundamental to the investigation. Jordelia Pereira Barbosa was apprehended by the police as she was getting off the bus in Santa Ines, about 240 miles from Impeatriz. Evidence seized includes = two wigs, chocolate residue in thermal bags, and a bus ticket from Impeatriz. Police later found evidence of the woman traveling to the victims city, camera footage of her disguised as a brunette trans woman booking a hotel room, and later buying the chocolate eggs from a store. Barbosa has admitted to buying the chocolate eggs but continues to deny poisoning them with the intent to harm Miriam Lima and her family. Although the investigation is still ongoing, sources from the police have stated that the evidence gathered so far points to the 36-year-old woman from Santa Ines. She was reportedly motivated to pull off this heinous crime by jealousy and revenge, as she blamed Lima for stealing her man. Mirian and Jordelias ex-partner were reportedly dating for about 3 months. Miriam, who works as a cashier in Impeatriz, recently told G1 reporter Leiliane de Araujo that she had received a phone call from a mysterious woman asking if she had received the present, but she never imagined it was someone wanting to hurt her had her children. When the package arrived, they called me, right? They asked me if I had received it, Lima said. I just said I had received it and didnt try to investigate where it came from. I never imagined [that I could be poisoned]. The Easter egg samples were sent for analysis to the Criminalistics Institute, and the deadline for the results is 10 days. The experts have also been asked to collect blood samples from the victims and the products found with the suspect, in addition to the autopsy report of Luis Fernando, which may prove that the egg was poisoned. Alexander Strategy Group has inked a three-month contact with the National Security Bureau of Taiwan, which is the principal intelligence service of the island nation. It will conduct outreach to US government officials and provide counsel on issues regarding trade. The pact, which went into effect April 6, carries a fee of $325K. Eric Bovim launched ASG in 2023 as a high-stakes advisory, strategic influence shop. Earlier, he was US CEO for Avisa Partners, managing director of Signal Group, CEO of Gibraltar Associates, VP-client services at DCI Group, and communications director for Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT). ASG also has represented the Foundation on Asia-Pacific Peace Studies, which is in Taipei. Birr woman Margaret O'Gorman has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of an important, global, environmental company. The company she was recently named CEO of is called Tandem Global, which is a nature and biodiversity, non-profit and advisory organisation created through the merger of Wildlife Habitat Council and World Environment Center. Margaret has been working for many years as a corporate environmental conservation advisor in the United States, during which time she has garnered an excellent reputation for hard work and the quality of her advice. Before moving to the States she studied Geology and Geophysics for five years in Galway University; and Micropalaeontology for a year in Southampton University. Wildlife Habitat Council advised corporations on water stewardship and conservation strategies since 1988. World Environment Center, founded in 1974 as part of the United Nations Environment Programme, was more broadly focused on advising companies about sustainable development strategies. READ NEXT: Lucky no one was killed - Judge blasts man for 'demolition driving' in Offaly Tandem Global advises companies around the world. It focuses on helping businesses integrate their operations with nature and the environment, providing expertise and a network to promote long-term impact. They work across various sectors, from field operations to boardrooms, offering strategies and solutions for nature, water, climate resilience, and social impact. Tandem Global corporate members, consulting engagements, and certified programs can be found in 47 U.S. states and 19 countries. The company points out that with over half the worlds total GDP moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services, corporate leaders turn to Tandem Global for impactful strategies and resilient solutions that support a better future for nature and business. Tandem Global offers meaningful private sector value, said Margaret, through proven approaches in nature, water, climate resilience and social impact, including the worlds leading voluntary sustainability standard for corporate conservation actions, WHC Certification. At Tandem Global, we believe there is no greater cause with global consequences than the intersection of business and nature. The formation of Tandem Global through the combination of WHC and WEC and the establishment of our new brand reflect our commitment to working across sectors for the benefit of both business and nature. She said she has spent nearly two decades working in various disciplines which activate environmental commitments and practices. As business and nature rapidly evolve, it is increasingly clear that together leads to better. Margaret was previously CEO of Wildlife Habitat Council since 2012. She published a book on corporate approaches to nature and biodiversity in 2020, called Strategic Corporate Conservation Planning: A Guide to Meaningful Engagement. Tandem Global has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with an office in Bethesda, Maryland. It also has offices in Europe (as Tandem Global, e.V., based in Germany) and Latin America (in El Salvador and Peru). It operates with a dispersed workforce across all continents. It has close to 100 corporate members, including a half-dozen or so companies that previously worked with both organizations such as pharmaceutical firm Bristol Myers Squibb, chemical company Chemours and building products maker CRH. During 2025, said Margaret, our main priority will be focusing on helping corporations consider how to extend their strategies for water conservation, nature conservation and biodiversity across their supply chains. We hear a lot of conversations about this. We will collaborate with other organizations helping companies operationalize conservation strategies such as Business for Nature, Science Based Targets Network and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. We will position ourselves as the voice of the corporate sector on nature-related issues. "We will help companies navigate the narrow route between doing and talking. I think companies will be doing, but not talking as much, because that is where they might be punished. Already, we have felt the impact of the Trump administrations freeze on foreign aid, but I am confident that the Wildlife Habitat Councils track record of success will help the Tandem Global diversify its funding sources. To be the leader of an NGO, you have to be an optimist. THE Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released figures for household income in counties, local electoral areas and towns across Ireland. The CSO calculated the median gross household income by using a variety of sources, including Revenue, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and SUSI grants. A private household was defined as one which comprises either one person living alone or a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address with common housekeeping arrangements, such as, the CSO says sharing at least one meal a day or sharing a living room or sitting room. The latest data refers to the situation in 2022 when the last full census was carried out. By local authority area, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown had the highest median gross household income (84,991) in Leinster, while Longford had the lowest (47,217). Where did Offaly come in? At 56,048, it is lower than Westmeath (57,431), which in turn is lower than Laois (59,521). The CSO also broke down the median gross household incomes by Local Electoral Areas. No surprise perhaps that an area in south Dublin, Stillorgan, came out on top with 99,352. Trailing far, far, far behind was Carndonagh in Donegal with the lowest in the country at 35,614. How did Offaly's three electoral areas, Birr, Edenderry and Tullamore, fare in that category? Birr is in third place with 51,702, Tullamore is second with 57,345 and Edenderry comes out on top at 59,490. Bear in mind that the Birr Electoral Area includes places like Shinrone, Banagher and Ferbane, Tullamore includes Clara, and Edenderry takes in the Offaly part of Portarlington. But what of towns? The CSO defines a town as an urban built up area with a population of 1,500 or more. Only six towns in Offaly meet that standard and again, Edenderry pips Tullamore in the median gross household income stakes, with Portarlington (the entire town on both Offaly and Laois sides of the Barrow) in third. The figures for the towns in Offaly are - Edenderry 53,702 Tullamore 53,484 Portarlington 52,817 Clara 47,072 Banagher 46,585 Birr 42,662 If you're interested, here are the top six in neighbouring Westmeath - Mullingar 53,879 Moate 53,184 Kilbeggan 49,395 Killucan-Rathwire 64,552 Kinnegad 61,208 Athlone 53,306 And five towns in Laois (including Carlow which crosses the boundary) - Portlaoise 54,471 Carlow 50,058 Mountmellick 48,297 Abbeyleix 46,555 Mountrath 42,872 Elsewhere in the Midlands, there are four towns listed in Longford - Longford 40,409 Edgeworthstown 43,658 Ballymahon 43,470 Lanesborough-Ballyleague 42,952 And a pick of three North Tipp towns gives the following result - Nenagh 47,530 Roscrea 43,982 Thurles 44,578 And as a matter of interest, Prosperous, Co Kildare lives up to its name with a median gross household income of 68,766. READ NEXT: Nearly 500 new houses built in Offaly in last 15 months THE Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland, which includes Birr Castle and Demense, have been added to the World Heritage Tentative List for Ireland. This important step for Irelands Heritage was made on World Heritage Day, the international Day for Monuments and Sites. In making the announcement, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, Minister of State with Responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan, TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin Boxer Moran, TD, said this is proposed as a cross-border partnership comprising Armagh Planetarium and Observatory, Armagh; Birr Castle and Demesne, Offaly; and Dunsink Observatory House, Dublin. The Historic Astronomical Observatories of Ireland becomes the fourth entry on Irelands Tentative List. The other three are: The Neolithic Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo; The Transatlantic Cable Ensemble (Kerry and Canada) the Royal Sites of Ireland, covering several sites on the island. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Tentative List is an inventory of important natural and cultural heritage sites that demonstrate potential Outstanding Universal Value. Speaking about the addition to the Tentative List, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said: Increasing the number of UNESCO World Heritage Properties is a heritage commitment in our Programme for Government. This addition of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland to the Tentative List is the first formal step on an exciting journey towards World Heritage inscription for three remarkable observatories. These places of trailblazing scientific endeavour epitomise historical collaboration across the island. They showcase our remarkable heritage on the global stage, and the journey of this project in the years will strengthen North-South cooperation greatly with shared benefits for these places and their communities. READ NEXT: What's happening in Tullamore - All the latest community news and events happening in the town The Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (AOI) welcomed the announcement that the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) Dunsink Observatory, and Birr Castle Demesne have been added to Ireland's Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Properties. This is an important first step in the journey towards seeking their designation, together with Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, as a World Heritage Property. Achieving this would elevate the observatories to a status comparable to other iconic landmarks already recognised by UNESCO on the island - Bru na Boinne, County Meath, Sceilg Mhichil, Co. Kerry, and the Giant's Causeway and Gracehill Moravian Church Settlement in Co. Antrim. The AOI partnership announced its aspirations to seek World Heritage status at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the partners in September 2023. This proposed transboundary bid between Ireland and the UK seeks to secure international recognition and protection for the sites of the three members of the partnership Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) - Dunsink Observatory, and Birr Castle Demesne. Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) who is a custodian of Dunsink Observatory said: Securing a place on the Irish Governments Tentative List for achieving UNESCO World Heritage status is a fantastic recognition of the observatories unique, historical heritage and very apt on this World Heritage Day. We thank the Minister and the Department for their vision and endorsement of the importance of these astronomical sites, and for their future support of the nomination bid. We also acknowledge the support of our three local authorities Fingal County Council, Offaly County Council, and Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, each of whom has embraced the significance and value of the observatory in their area. In all three locations, the sites play a major role in the community through public engagement events and outreach programmes. Designation as a World Heritage Property would no doubt increase local pride as well as encouraging tourism for the areas in question enriching the lives of the neighbouring communities, and beyond. We will work closely with these communities and other stakeholders as our UNESCO journey progresses. READ NEXT; Striking home in the Midlands with 10 acres of private woodland and architectural flair now on the market CHARLOTTE Brontes 209th birthday will be remembered in Banagher this Saturday, April 26. Proceedings will start at Charlottes Way, The Hill, Banagher at 1.30pm, where people will gather to carpool for a field trip to Shannon Harbour, Shannonbridge, Meelick Weir Walkway, Victoria Lock and Eyrecourt. The purpose of the trip is to visit places near Banagher which Arthur Bell Nicholls would have been proud to show his new wife, the eminent novelist Charlotte Bronte, when they honeymooned in Banagher in July 1854. On their return to Banagher about 5pm, participants will gather in the New Snug in Houghs pub for readings by, on or about the Brontes of Haworth and the Bells of Banagher. This will be an open mic format so now is your chance to have your speak. The readings will conclude about 6.30pm. Some folks will then repair to Flynns restaurant for food. Please make your own booking to guarantee a place at a table at (057) 91 51312. Proceedings will conclude with a recital by the Banagher Bronte Ensemble in Corrigans Corner Pub at 8pm (N.B. 8pm). The recital will be followed by a monster auction night for the Banagher outdoor swimming pool, also in Corrigans Corner Pub. READ NEXT: Offaly site to be added to World Heritage Tentative List for Ireland FINE Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen, has expressed his appreciation and deep honour following his appointment as Assistant Party Whip by An Tanaiste and Fine Gael Leader Simon Harris. Deputy Clendennen said he is grateful and truly honoured to be entrusted with the role, and is committed to fully applying himself to the responsibilities it entails. This appointment is a great personal honour and a significant milestone in my political career. I want to thank An Tanaiste Simon Harris for his trust and confidence in me. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the parliamentary party to support our legislative agenda and ensure strong party cohesion in the Oireachtas, said Clendennen. As a proud TD representing the people of Offaly, I will continue to work tirelessly in the best interests of my constituents. This new role gives me another opportunity to contribute meaningfully at a national level, while always staying focused on delivering for the communities I represent across Offaly. Deputy Clendennen concluded by reaffirming his dedication to the values of public service and party unity, Fine Gael has a proud record of delivering for Ireland, and I will play my full part in helping our team deliver strong, stable leadership into the future. READ NEXT: ALERT: Main road in Offaly to close in two places for two weeks in May with long diversions A teenager has died after the car she was driving left the road and entered a river in Tipperary on Thursday night. Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred last night, Thursday, April 25 at Kilmoyler, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. After 10pm, a car left the road at Kilaldry Bridge, Kilmoyler and entered the River Aherlow. The driver of the vehicle, a female adult teenager and sole occupant of the car was fatally injured. Her body was recovered from the water this morning by members of the Garda Water Unit and has been removed from the scene to the mortuary where a post mortem examination is due to take place. The L3101 is currently closed and local diversions are in place. A technical examination is being conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators at present. READ NEXT: Lucky no one was killed - Judge blasts man for 'demolition driving' in Offaly Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or been in the Kilmoyler to please contact them. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the L3101 or in the Kilmoyler area between 10pm and midnight last night are asked to make this available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with information asked to contact Cahir Garda Station on 052 7445630 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station Revolut is set to launch mortgages as part of their offerings for Irish customers coming in 2025. The product was first launched in the brands native Lithuania and is now coming in Ireland and France in 2025. Read Next: 'Where clothes go to die' - Plans unveiled for new Penneys store dubbed 'the worst' in Ireland From a Revolut press release last year it says: "As Revolut continues to shake up traditional financial service offerings, the company confirmed plans to launch its mortgage product in Lithuania followed by Ireland and France in 2025. The goal is to offer a fully digital mortgage product that is the fastest on the market, aiming to issue instant approval in principle and final offer in one business day subject to asset valuation and any necessary checks. Mortgages will form part of the comprehensive credit offering Revolut is looking to build, with the company also exploring overdrafts." Chief Executive of Revolut Europe told the Irish Times that "it would probably be Q3 for the testing and Q4 for the launch in Ireland" This comes as Revolut secured a banking licence in the UK last year, allowing them to offer customers credit cards, personal loans, and mortgages. A Queensland council has been accused of carrying out a 'war on the poor' as it grapples with the difficult issue of growing homelessness. A photo of a woman left under a tarp as authorities cleared a homeless encampment as drawn a big response online. Source: Nourish Street A photo of a woman sobbing quietly in the rain while sitting in a park "with whats left of her life" has starkly illustrated the brutal reality faced by many struggling Aussies as authorities continue to crackdown on rough sleepers, even when they have nowhere to go. The homeless woman was seen sitting under a tarp while council workers and police removed rough sleepers and their belongings from Eddie Hyland Park, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, on Thursday. As the rain trickled down, she dug in, determined to stay. "Theyve got two or three tip trucks here, a whole lot of council rangers and heaps of police," Beau Haywood, the founder of local homeless charity Nourish Street told Yahoo News from the scene. "They're basically saying to everyone they've got half an hour to pack up." The defiant woman was "testing police powers to an extent ... to see if she'll be forcibly removed," Beau said. ADVERTISEMENT According to him, council offered to store any belongings for a period of 20 days while "the rest of it goes in the skip bin." "Housing services have been here with referrals but they just refer between each other ... there's actually no accomodation ... there's a waiting list of over 500 people to get a motel room. "It's made to look like a compassionate approach by the council ... but really it's nothing, it's a dead end and everyone knows it. They're really evicting people out of homelessness and into nothing. "That's the sad reality of it." There are more than 4,500 people on the social housing waiting list in Moreton Bay, the longest wait in the state. Thursday was the second time this month council rangers and police have cleared homeless residents from the park. Source: Nourish Street Councillors defend actions against homeless community Authorities previously moved on a homeless encampment in the park earlier this month, bringing in heavy machinery to crush and remove items. ADVERTISEMENT "Those individuals are still in this park, without their tent, because they've got nowhere else to go," Beau told Yahoo on Thursday. At the time, Moreton Bay mayor Peter Flannery defended the council's actions saying those residing in the public park had "received ample notice to comply, exceeding two weeks". "All individuals at Eddie Hyland Park who received compliance notices were offered referrals by Council to specialist homelessness services and the Department of Housing and Public Works. The City of Moreton Bay's local laws reflect community needs, and Council has received overwhelming support for these regulations," he said. "It is disappointing that some advocates persist in subjecting vulnerable individuals to accept unsafe, makeshift shelters in public parks as a reasonable solution for homelessness." Overnight, local councillor Jodie Shipway also defended the latest clearing out, lamenting the community backlash and even calling out advocate groups, suggesting those living in the park had a record of "abusing the system". ADVERTISEMENT "Councils arent funded or resourced to support housing but we dont just go in there and start ripping camps apart without notice," she wrote to constituents online. "Council is supportive of more housing being built and a few years ago introduced reduced infrastructure charges for social and affordable housing," the councillor added. the rough sleepers are being 'evicted into nothing', according to local service providers. Source: Nourish Street But for those providing services on the ground, it's not currently enough. Sharing images of yesterday's clearing out, Nourish Street described the move as "a war on the poor" in an emotive post. "This isnt just cruel. Its cowardly. "This is someones mother. Someones daughter. Someones friend. Shes not a problem to be cleared. Shes a human being. Deserving of dignity. Deserving of safety. Deserving of shelter," the groups said of the woman pictured sheltering under the tarp. ADVERTISEMENT "I am ashamed. Ashamed of this council. Ashamed of the decisions being made behind closed doors that destroy lives out in the open." Queensland councils make homelessness illegal The City of Moreton Bay council announced back in February it would move to make it illegal for homeless people to camp on public land as the area grappled with an increasing number of rough sleepers. It also made changes to the homeless persons framework to prohibit rough sleepers from having pets and to exclude people living in vans as homeless. The move saw certain rough sleepers face a potential infringement penalty of $806. In March, Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner followed suit, giving rough sleepers across the city's parks 24 hours to pack up their things and leave. Both announcements were met with widespread condemnation among charities and mental health advocates. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Sinn Fein could have presented a clearer picture that it had allies in opposition to the electorate, Mary Lou McDonald has suggested. Ms McDonald said she would have changed lots of things about the general election campaign which saw the party perform below opinion poll highs and remain in opposition. Novembers Irish general election saw Sinn Fein emerge as the second-largest party in Ireland although with a significant drop from 24.5% to 19% of first-preference votes. It was commented that Ms McDonald had failed to provide the electorate with a vision of a unified left-wing alternative to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, who re-entered into Government. However, a united opposition emerged in the early days of this parliamentary session with the Sinn Fein president fronting press conferences with other party leaders who were critical of the coalitions proposals on speaking rights for independents that had supported Government formation. On Friday, Ms McDonald said the party had learned lessons and now must not repeat any mistakes that were made in the election campaign. She said she did not receive any pressure to step aside as leader but acknowledged there had been very frank, very honest conversations within the party. However, she was in her prime and had the full support of all her colleagues. Asked on RTEs Late Late Show if she would have done anything differently, she said: Yes, lots of things. I mean, for example, one thing: We need to be able to assure people at the next election, when we talk about a new government and a new approach, that we actually have partners in that enterprise. And I think even in the earliest days of this new Dail, you have seen a level of collegiality co-operation between Sinn Fein and other parties of the opposition. And I know from being out and about, so many people have said: Thank God, at last. Thats a big learn for me. I think a big learn for all of us. Ms McDonald also said there was merit in Sinn Fein supporting a candidate for the upcoming presidential election that came from outside its own ranks. She said Sinn Fein had options when it came to putting forward its own hopeful or giving its backing to someone else. Were going to have to have a conversation, I can see the merits in both I have my eye on one or two possible candidates. Ms McDonald said she was not tempted to consider the role herself, as she could not achieve her goals of a change of government from within Aras an Uachtarain. She told Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty, from Co Down, that it was no longer acceptable that people from Northern Ireland could not vote in the presidential election. She said she wanted to see this changed for the next presidential election after 2025, adding that she wanted to maximise the franchise including for unionists in Northern Ireland. Ngin Nearadei, holding her 8-month-old son, Bunheng Sarath, is one of more than a dozen Cambodian garment workers who spoke to ProPublica about what they earned working in a factory that produced goods for Nike. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica They are lines in the payroll ledger of a Cambodian baby clothing factory, invisible lives near the bottom of the global economy. There is Phan Oem, 53, who says she clocked up to 76 hours a week producing clothing for Nike and other American brands, sometimes forced to work seven days a week. She says she feared being fired if she didnt work through lunch breaks, on holidays and occasionally overnight. After 12 years spent packaging clothes, her base pay was the minimum wage: $204 a month. There is Vat Vannak, 40, who at six months pregnant traveled by bus to join hundreds of workers who protested in the streets last year after Nike pulled out and the factory went bankrupt, leaving them unpaid. The authoritarian Cambodian government warned them to stop. And there is the medical worker who said she saw one or two factory employees a month being sent to the hospital after falling unconscious. She said they were among eight to 10 workers a month who became too weak to work. Three other former employees said they sometimes saw two to three people go to the clinic for these issues in a single day. The reason, the medical worker said, was that they didnt sleep much, didnt eat enough and worked long hours. Nikes manufacturing apparatus in Southeast Asia has been shaken in recent weeks by news about President Donald Trumps tariffs. Cambodia and Vietnam, mainstays of Nikes supply chain, have faced import taxes of 49% and 46%, among the highest of any nation. Nike shares have been hammered. The stories of workers at Cambodias Y&W Garment illuminate the longer-term legacy of Nikes push into the region more than two decades ago, when labor abuses led co-founder Phil Knight to acknowledge that Nike products had become synonymous with slave wages, forced overtime and arbitrary abuse. The former employees recent experiences cast doubt on the companys commitment to reform. Unless tariffs force Nike to return manufacturing to the United States, labor advocates say, the company will have to offset the higher import taxes either by raising prices on its apparel or by pressuring its foreign factories for greater productivity, squeezing workers and their wages. Phan Oem, 53, cuts mangos to prepare a dish for her mother. Phan said she struggled to find work after Y&W Garment closed because she was considered too old. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica Nike has prided itself on the story of its reinvention since the 1990s sweatshop scandal. Weve gone from a target of reformers to a dominant player in the factory reform movement, Knight wrote in his 2016 memoir, Shoe Dog. The company has worked to convince consumers that it is improving the lives of its factory workers, not exploiting them. It became the first major apparel brand to disclose the names and locations of its suppliers. It established a written code that requires its suppliers to create a safe, healthy workplace, prohibit forced overtime and honor workers right to form unions. The company reports annually about its progress. In Nikes marketing materials, contract factory workers are often smiling. A key tentpole of Nikes claims is that its suppliers pay competitive wages. Nike says contract factory workers for whom it has data now earn an average of 1.9 times their local minimum wage, without counting overtime. Scrutinizing that claim is extraordinarily difficult. Nike acknowledges that the analysis omits more than a third of the 1.1 million people who make its sneakers and apparel worldwide. Nike says its focus in collecting wage data has been on its biggest suppliers. It hasnt said which of its 37 producing countries are included. ProPublica obtained a rare view of wages paid to the factory workers who produce Nike clothing: a highly detailed payroll list for 3,720 employees at Cambodias Y&W Garment. Covering earnings from longtime managers down to freshly hired 18-year-old sewing machine operators, the spreadsheet shows the workforce falling far short of the amount Nike says its factory workers typically earn. While Nike says contract factory workers for which it has data earn 1.9 times their local minimum wage, a Y&W Garment factory payroll ledger shows many workers earning a base pay of $204 a month, Cambodias minimum wage last year. Even including bonuses and incentives, more than three-quarters of the factorys employees earned close to the minimum wage. Obtained by ProPublica. Highlights and redactions by ProPublica. Just 41 people, or 1% of the Y&W workforce, earned 1.9 times the local minimum wage of about $1 per hour even when counting bonuses and incentives. These higher-paid employees included accountants, supervisors and a human resources manager. Nike didnt answer specific questions about ProPublicas findings, including whether it dropped Y&W as a supplier because of any violations of its code of conduct. In a statement, Nike said its code sets clear expectations for suppliers and that it is committed to ethical and responsible manufacturing. We build long-term relationships with our contract manufacturing suppliers, the statement said, because we know having trust and mutual respect supports our ability to create product more responsibly, accelerate innovation and better serve consumers. Nike added that it expects its suppliers to continue making progress on fair compensation for a regular work week. Representatives of Y&W Garment and its Hong-Kong-based parent, Wing Luen Knitting Factory Ltd., did not respond to emails, text messages or phone calls seeking comment, and Wing Luens website is defunct. New York-based Haddad Brands, which Y&W workers said was an intermediary for Nike at the factory, did not respond to emailed questions about conditions at the factory and hung up on a reporter who called. Its website says it makes childrens clothing for Nike and that it enforces Nikes code of conduct. ProPublica interviewed 13 former Y&W workers in the Cambodian capital and surrounding villages, plus another one by phone, during two weeks in January. In spare concrete homes and earthen courtyards that smelled of burbling fish sauce, they described workplace abuses that Nike promised to eradicate long ago. In addition to low wages, fainting workers and forced overtime, they spoke of bosses who mocked them if they underperformed and a life of debts that kept piling up. They told ProPublica that what they made in Cambodias standard 48-hour, six-day week wasnt enough to make ends meet. Some feared being fired or angering their supervisors if they refused extra hours. Others said they needed to work overtime simply to keep up. Still, many said they wished the factory hadnt shut down. Khun Tharo, program manager at the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights, a Cambodian legal aid group also known as CENTRAL, said his countrys garment workers including those at Y&W do what circumstances require. When you ask them, Do you want to have the weekend off with your family, your kids? yes, they do, he said. But how can they afford that? Theyre stuck. Theres no choice. Khun Tharo, program manager for a Cambodian legal aid group, says workers feel compelled to work long hours to get by. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica Nikes arrival inside the corrugated metal walls at Y&W Garment was a big deal. It was December 2021, workers said, when the company began trial production runs inside the expansive factory complex in southern Phnom Penh, about two miles from one of the notorious killing fields of the Khmer Rouges 1970s genocide. Supervisors told ProPublica that the owner, a man they called thaw kae the big boss gave them a message to deliver to line workers: Nike was coming. Money and benefits would follow. And they wouldnt have to work extra hours. Workers were happy. Earning more would let them save, pay off debts and stop borrowing from friends to make it to the next month. They said they felt secure knowing that it was Nike, a company they had heard respected labor laws. But the promise of the big American brand was never realized, according to the workers who spoke to ProPublica. After Nike came, nothing has changed, one worker said. A former Y&W Garment worker who asked not to be identified provided this photo taken inside the factory that produced baby clothing for Nike and other brands. provided photo The former Y&W employees said neither their working conditions nor their pay improved while Nike goods were made at the factory. They instead described problems that would violate Nikes code of conduct, which prohibits forced overtime and verbal abuse. Three workers said they faced intense pressure to meet production targets. Two said workers were blamed if they missed their goals. Managers would yell at team leaders when that happened, one of them said; If you cant do it, just go back home, the former worker recalled employees being told. If workers hit their targets, he said, managers set higher ones. If employees refused to work the extra hours needed to get there, two workers said, then managers would tell them their contracts wouldnt be renewed or that they should resign. Y&Ws payroll sheet covers March 2024, when the factorys total employment was down from a previous high of about 4,500 people. The spreadsheet shows that even with bonuses and incentives, more than three-quarters of workers made close to Cambodias minimum wage at most, 15% above it. Workers with seniority earned only a little more. Of the 183 workers whod been at Y&W a decade or longer, more than three-quarters had base pay, bonuses and incentives that put them, at most, 25% ahead of minimum wage. Its hard to know if wages at Y&W are an outlier or emblematic of Nikes Southeast Asia supply chain; comprehensive pay records arent readily available for other factories. But 18 paystubs ProPublica collected at three of Nikes other 25 Cambodian suppliers also show workers at or slightly above the minimum wage. Separately, a 2023 survey by labor advocates found similar results at two factories that supplied Nike. The average pay at Y&W, without overtime but with bonuses and incentives included, is slightly below the $250 to $260 a month that Ken Loo, secretary general of the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Association in Cambodia, estimated is standard for the industry. Loo said wage increases must be balanced against productivity because it will impact our competitiveness with other garment-producing countries. In December 2023, two years after Nike arrived at Y&W, workers said Nike pulled out. They said they were told to destroy any remaining Nike labels, a standard demand to prevent counterfeit or unauthorized products from being created. Hundreds of workers were let go. In early 2024, around the time of the Lunar New Year, workers said, the factory owner left Phnom Penh for what many thought was a new years trip home to China. He didnt return. Factory suppliers began calling in their debts, hauling away hundreds of rented sewing machines. The factory fell silent. Workers slept in front of the factorys locked gates to prevent the buildings from being cleared out. Hundreds marched in the streets, hoping to get the attention of the government and the brands for whom theyd produced. Nike, in its statement, did not explain why it left Y&W. It said its suppliers have an obligation to pay severance, social security or other separation benefits. In the event of any closure or divest, Nike works closely with the supplier to conduct a responsible exit, the statement said. A section of the former Y&W Garment factory now bears a for-rent sign. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica A California-based brand that shipping records show also did business with Y&W before its closure, True Classic, did not respond to written questions. Workers said they never heard from the brands. They said they did hear from the government, which was unhappy about their protests. Labor ministry officials called and told them to stop inciting their co-workers, threatening arrest. In March 2024, Cambodian news reports said the government seized the factorys assets and distributed the proceeds to workers. But workers told ProPublica they received far less than they were owed. The garment workers said they took what they could get. It might be hard to understand how far a dollar stretches in Cambodias economy. The countrys current $208 monthly minimum wage a $4 increase from last year doesnt sound like much to Americans. ProPublica heard from workers about why it isnt enough for Cambodians, either. Two women who worked at Y&W Garment and recently gave birth said they each spend $120 a month on powdered infant formula four cans a month at $30 apiece. Sar Kunthea, 34, who packaged clothing at Y&W, pays $282.70 a month on $12,000 she borrowed to make drainage improvements that would keep out floodwaters, which rose halfway up her homes doors during the rainy season. Sar Kunthea said she commonly worked two Sundays a month but still had to borrow money from friends a few times a year to stay afloat. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica Sar pulls leftovers out of her refrigerator for dinner. She buys the familys groceries daily, she says, because she doesnt have enough money to keep the refrigerator full. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica Vat Vannak, who added metal buttons to clothing, said she typically earned about $250 a month by tacking on two hours at the end of her regular, six-day-a-week 7 a.m.-to-4 p.m. shifts. The overtime pushed her workweek close to 60 hours. Her husband also brings home a paycheck from construction. But their monthly household costs included $109 for a motorbike, $50 for a room near the factory, $60 for food and about $40 for school expenses. She said shed saved nothing. Labor advocates have long pushed brands like Nike to pay whats known as a living wage, calling it a basic human right. Although methods for estimating it vary, a living wage usually includes enough for food, water, housing, education, transportation, health care, energy, clothing, a phone and unforeseen expenses. Vat Vannak, 40, puts her nephew's hair in a ponytail as her son and nieces sit nearby at Vat's home. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica Nike does not explicitly require its factories to pay a living wage, but it says that every worker has a right to compensation for a regular work week that is sufficient to meet workers basic needs and provide some discretionary income. Nike reports that two-thirds of its key suppliers for which it was able to collect data paid above living wage benchmarks for their countries. Estimates from the Asia Floor Wage Alliance, which represents labor unions based in Asia, put that benchmark for Cambodia at $659 a month. The WageIndicator Foundation, an independent Dutch nonprofit, puts it at $276 to $360 a month. But Nikes preferred estimate is just $232, based on research by the Anker Research Institute, which is part of the Global Living Wage Coalition. Nike has sponsored the institutes work. In a statement, the institutes founders and one member of the wage coalition told ProPublica: Our estimates are always fully independent. Companies have no influence over the methodology or estimates. Regardless of what researchers say, Ngin Nearadei says what she earned at Y&W was not enough. Ngin Nearadai, 26, feeds rice porridge to her 8-month-old son. Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica Ngin, 26, worked in quality control and found herself with hefty debt payments because, like other workers, recent flooding required her to raise the floor of her house. How much would she need to earn monthly to forgo overtime? About $400, she said, maybe $500. Thats up to 30% more than what Nike says its contract workforce earns, on average, compared to the minimum wage. Speaking in her home, Ngin disappeared for a moment and returned with two creased paystubs. One, covering roughly two weeks, showed just how much she had to work to get close to what she said she needs. She was scheduled to work 104 hours as part of a regular schedule that runs eight hours a day, Monday through Saturday. On top of that, she added 64 hours of overtime, including eight hours on Sunday, the paystub shows. Her total work time for the period was 168 hours, an average of roughly 11 to 12 hours a day if she worked every day. (Paychecks came twice a month; the exact pay period covered was not printed on Ngins document.) When combined with her other paycheck for the month, she earned $341.65. One of Ngins paystubs shows she worked 56 overtime hours and 8 additional hours on Sunday in a roughly two-week period. Obtained and highlighted by ProPublica. The workers who make Nikes products have helped Knight, the cofounder, become one of the richest people on earth. Nikes market capitalization was $13 billion in 1998, when Knight delivered his mea culpa about slave wages. Although its stock has been trading far below its 2021 peak, Nike was still worth about $80 billion as of April 21, 2025. The company has been a cash machine. In just its last two fiscal years, Nike has returned $13.9 billion to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends. According to Dennis Arnold, an associate professor of human geography at the University of Amsterdam whos studied the Cambodian garment industry, unless Nike and others choose lower profit margins for the sake of higher pay, little is likely to change for factory workers. Governments like Cambodias fear that raising the minimum wage dramatically will drive away manufacturing, he said, because companies that benefit from Cambodias low wages must also wait longer and pay more to get garments to Western markets due to shipping costs and the countrys poor infrastructure. All said, its not the most appealing place in the world, and the government is not taking much initiative to try to change the situation for the better, Arnold said. So far, no brand has guaranteed its factory workers a living wage, according to the Clean Clothes Campaign, a Dutch advocacy group. H&M, the Swedish retailer, was quoted by numerous news outlets in 2013 promising that its top suppliers would pay a fair living wage by 2018. An analysis by the Clean Clothes Campaign in 2019 concluded that the promise was not fulfilled. (H&M did not respond to questions from ProPublica.) Recently, H&M and 11 other brands made a smaller commitment in an agreement with a global labor union, IndustriALL: to guarantee production volumes when Cambodian unions sign bargaining agreements that include higher wages, and to pay for the resulting higher labor costs. Nike is not a signatory. European and U.S. regulators could take measures to increase accountability for wages. Jason Judd, executive director of the Global Labor Institute at Cornell University, said they could require publicly traded companies like Nike to consistently disclose what factory workers earn when producing their goods. H&M currently reports what its foreign suppliers pay workers on a country-by-country basis, for example. Puma did too, until stopping this year. Nike did it once in 2001. Companies have enormous leeway in what they report, Judd said. Its enormously difficult to compare within firms across years. Between firms, impossible. Companies are able to pick and choose how they tell their story. Knight, who did not respond to requests for comment, wrote in his 2016 memoir that the question of wages for Nikes factory workers would always remain. The salary of a Third World factory worker seems impossibly low to Americans, and I understand, wrote Knight, whose net worth Forbes put at $28.5 billion as of April 21. Still, we have to operate within the limits and structures of each country, each economy; we cant simply pay whatever we wish to pay. Knight recounted a story, one thats hard to verify. When Nike tried to raise wages in an unnamed country, we found ourselves called on the carpet, summoned to the office of a top government official and ordered to stop. We were disrupting the nations entire economic system, he said. Its simply not right, he insisted, or feasible, that a shoe worker makes more than a medical doctor. At Y&W Garment, payroll data shows, line workers were nowhere close to making that much. On average, they earned $236.25 a month with incentives. The factory doctor made $581. -- Rob Davis, ProPublica About the numbers The Y&W Garment payroll ledger that ProPublica obtained was for March 2024, around the time the factory shut down. The data shows workers monthly base pay and how much they earned from bonuses and incentives, which are also paid on a monthly basis. More than a dozen former workers verified details about their own pay shown in the spreadsheet. To estimate total earnings for each worker, we included base salary, incentives and bonuses for transportation, seniority and attendance, but we excluded overtime pay as Nike does in its calculations of average wages and a meal incentive related to overtime. We assumed every worker got a $10 attendance bonus that Cambodian law requires. Although the spreadsheet did not indicate that $10 transportation bonuses were universal, we assigned this amount to every worker. About the series This article was produced by ProPublica in partnership with The Oregonian/OregonLive. Read previous stories: An undated photograph of Cameron Lively, who was killed during a North Portland street takeover, is displayed in court. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian Leslie Lively remembers the day in August when her son, Cameron, lost his best friend in a car crash. They drove out to the scene in anguish, and mourned together with Juan Medina Dominguez, another close friend. Illegal reentry is a felony and the charge accounts for about two-thirds of immigration criminal prosecutions across the nation. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Anticipating a challenge, a federal magistrate judge in Oregon this week issued a lengthy opinion detailing why she was granting pretrial release to a man charged with illegally reentering the United States. Federal prosecutor Nicholas Meyers objected to the ruling, calling it a bit of a sea change that was inconsistent with another Oregon federal judges recent ruling in a similar case, and asked for a third judge to weigh in. Scammers in the Vancouver area are attempting to con people into handing over cash for what turns out to be fake gold, police say. Authorities already have received 57 reports this year of people trying to pawn off fake gold as the real thing, just a few shy of the number of such reports for all of 2024, the Washington State Police said in a statement. Some sellers are parking or standing on the side of roads and freeway off-ramps and trying to lure people with the shiny bling as they pull up in cars. Police said this is an increasing problem across Washington and beyond as the price of gold has surged amid stock-market turmoil. They did not say what materials fraudsters are attempting to pass off as gold or how many people in the area have recently fallen for the scams. Police said they are investigating the incidents and ask people in Washington to call 911 and describe the sellers location and car description if they see someone trying to sell gold. 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. Tiffany Saine, the mother of Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, died shortly after he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Naji Saker for The Oregonian/OregonLive Derrick Harmons mother, Tiffany Saine, died shortly after the former Oregon defensive tackle was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harmon said Saine, who had a stroke in 2022 that left her paralyzed on her left side, was on life support Thursday night. She died shortly after Harmon went to the hospital in Detroit to tell her he was drafted, Saines sister confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive. It was a little bittersweet, Harmon told reporters after he was drafted in the first round with the No. 21 overall pick. My mom wasnt with me. Shes at the hospital right now on life support. After I get off the phone, Im going to head straight to the hospital and tell her her son got drafted. RELATED: Derrick Harmon, motivated by his mother, emerging as a force for Oregon football Harmon was to be formally introduced in Pittsburgh on Friday and was at the team facility, but the press conference was canceled in light of Saines passing. On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization, I extend our deepest condolences to Derrick Harmon and his family during this difficult time, Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. Through we are excite to select Derrick in the first round of the NFL Draft, our hears are heavy as we mourn the death of his mother, Tiffany Saine. We will support Derrick and his family however we can as he navigates this period of grief. In times like this, we hope Derrick finds comfort int he love and support from the organization and Steele fans around the world. Our thought and prayer will continue top be with Derricks entire family. Saine underwent several brain surgeries prior to the stroke and worked full-time as a hotel manager while raising Harmon in Detroit. Prior to the Rose Bowl, Harmon said the best purchase he made from money he received for his name, image and likeness (NIL) was a wheelchair-accessible van for his mother. I grew up with her having probably seven, eight brain surgeries, Harmon said Thursday night. And after all those brain surgeries, she did not give up. She still took me to practice, still went to work. And I always, always got in the back of my head, from the beginning of my college career, was, why can I keep going if Im tired, Im injured, whatever it is, why can I keep going. If she can get up and she can keep going after brain surgery. So, just her resilience, and hard work. You know it had to be a special night for former @OregonFootball DT Derrick Harmon and his mother, Tiffany Saine @BTNJourney featured the @steelers' first-round pick's bond with his mother, who suffered a stroke in 2022, late last season.#B1GFootball x #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/umnxVDj4JH Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) April 25, 2025 -- James Crepea covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter. The Beaverton Education Association, some of whose members are pictured here, is sponsoring an upcoming training called "Teaching Palestine." Some Jewish parents and teachers in the school district are questioning the context and materials in the workshop. Courtesy of the Beaverton Education Association An upcoming Teaching Palestine training for teachers sponsored by the Beaverton Education Association is reigniting debate over how to incorporate the ongoing conflict and devastation of the Israel-Hamas war into the classrooms of Oregons public schools. The Beaverton unions president, Lindsay Ray, said the goal of the April 28 workshop, led by retired Grant High School teacher Bill Bigelow, is to provide a two-hour overview of the history of Palestine to help educators address complex questions raised by our students about the ongoing events in the region. She noted that Bigelow had been invited to deliver similar workshops to both statewide and national gatherings of social studies teachers. But several parents, two Beaverton School District teachers and a leader of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland told The Oregonian/OregonLive that they are concerned that the workshop, which is open to any member of the Oregon Education Association, wont promote critical thinking, is one-sided and casts Israel and its Jewish population solely as oppressors. Beaverton parent Liz Terzo said she reached out to the Beaverton Education Association seeking more context about the presentation but received no reply. It is important to note that if this material is out there, it will find its way into the classroom, whether the exact curriculum or in a more informal way, in how teachers view certain student populations, said Terzo. As a parent, I am concerned it will normalize antisemitism and hate in our schools. Terzo said her child has weathered jokes from his peers about the Holocaust and the tradition of wearing a yarmulke in synagogue. One of his teachers skipped over a planned presentation on Jewish American Heritage Month, telling the students that it was boring and that they could read about it on their own if they wanted to, she said. Bigelow and several other co-editors, including Grant High School social studies teacher Suzanna Kassouf, published a new guide for teachers, entitled Teaching Palestine, in February. The authors are affiliated with Rethinking Schools, a publisher that focuses on social justice education materials. In an introduction to their work, Bigelow, Kassouf and their co-editors write that questioning Zionism the belief that Jews have a right to Israel as a Jewish homeland does not in their view equate to antisemitism. And they say they invite students and their teachers to unpack charged language like apartheid and settler colonialism, to determine for themselves whether those terms apply to Israels actions since its establishment in 1948. Bigelow said that at the workshop, hell lead a role-playing exercise called Teaching the Seeds of Violence in Palestine-Israel that spans the period between 1882 and 1922, when a wave of Jews immigrated to the region to escape violence in Russia and Romania. The premise [is] that the better we understand this early period of Palestine, the easier it is to identify throughlines to today, Bigelow wrote in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive. A Jewish Beaverton high school teacher who reviewed the materials in the Rethinking Schools Teaching Palestine guide said she was concerned that the work excluded the ancient Jewish historical ties to the area that is now Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. None of the lessons I found give any real credence to the historical fact that Jews originate in Judea, that we were expelled and remained homeless for 2,000 years and that this is supported by archeological evidence, said the teacher, who asked to withhold her name so as not to sow discord with her colleagues. These curricula present Jews as essentially European people, erasing Middle Eastern Jews who never left the region and the origin of the Jewish diaspora. Some of the material highlighted in the Teaching Palestine guide was also featured in lesson plans posted on the Portland Association of Teachers website last June. The link to those lesson plans was later removed after a firestorm of criticism erupted from both inside and outside of the unions ranks over its contents. Critics said then that the lesson plans highlighted the widespread suffering, death and destruction the Palestinian people have experienced over the last 18 months without mentioning Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, including its killings of civilians and taking of hundreds of hostages, amounting to indoctrination and exposing Jewish students to feeling alienated and unsafe. The Beaverton workshop comes just three weeks before school board elections in communities around Oregon. In Beaverton, Oregons third largest school district and typically more politically sedate than neighboring Portland, races for three of four school board seats are hotly contested this year. Unions in both Beaverton and Portland have endorsed and are actively campaigning on behalf of slates of candidates, with an eye towards electing board members whom they believe will more critically scrutinize district administrators actions and proposals and give top priority to teacher perspectives. Along with hiring a superintendent and approving an annual budget, school board members are charged with reviewing and signing off on proposed curriculum adoptions. The Oregonian/OregonLive asked all of the candidates running in contested races in Beaverton whether they would support integrating materials from the Teaching Palestine guide into the districts social studies curriculum. Four of the candidates responded by the news outlets deadline: software sales executive and Beaverton parent Andy DeMars and educational consultant Van Truong, who are both running for a vacant seat in Zone 1, community volunteer and parent Erin Hatch and technology consultant and parent Syed Qasim, who are both running in Zone 3. Qasim has received the unions endorsement. All four said they would rely on the districts year-long process of analyzing and vetting proposed curricula to make informed decisions, with Truong noting that the districts process includes input from a range of educators, curriculum experts and the broader community. I havent had time to look at this specific content in detail, Qasim wrote. I know our community has opportunities to engage in this process and will create solutions for all students. DeMars said his goal for curriculum adoption was to encourage critical thinking as a skill and a practice. We should encourage multiple narratives and students to form their own opinions. The information must be presented without bias or personal agendas. Beaverton last adopted a phased-in social studies curriculum in 2021 and 2022 and is not scheduled to do so again until 2027, said Shellie Bailey-Shah, a spokesperson for the district. The district already has two units of study in its high school social studies curriculum covering current events in the Middle East, she said, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Teachers who want to expand on that approved curriculum may do so, but must follow the guidelines spelled out in the districts administrative policy on teaching controversial issues, including reviewing the material they intend to use with their principal. The district is also hosting its own voluntary professional development event for staff on May 8, featuring speakers from the Islamic Community and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland who will address both antisemitism and Islamophobia in schools, Bailey-Shah said. Another Beaverton educator who is Jewish said he felt the districts approach was on the right track. Hed sought answers from his union about how and why their workshop was scheduled, given that he did not feel there was particular demand among his fellow educators for such a training, but hed heard nothing in return, he said. This issue is nuanced, its fragile, its divisive, he said. You need to find a way to do this so that everyone feels heard and cared for and safe. Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com German ceramic artist Karin Flurer-Bruenger views a set of porcelain themed with "Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" at a porcelain store at Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue in Jingdezhen, east China's Jiangxi Province, April 8, 2025. Karin Flurer-Bruenger is a participant in the Migratory Bird Program at Jingdezhen's Taoxichuan Art Center -- an initiative launched in 2015 to invite artists from around the world to live, create and exchange ideas in Jingdezhen City, east China's Jiangxi Province. Though raised in a family of engineers, it was the texture of wet clay, not machinery, that captured her imagination early on. As she recalled, her father was a mechanical engineer and inventor, who was always sketching his new ideas. That early exposure sparked her interest in handmade work. To pursue that interest, she apprenticed with a master potter. In Jingdezhen, where ancient craftsmanship meets global creativity, Flurer-Bruenger has found both inspiration and innovation. She's experimenting with thin-body and openwork porcelain techniques -- honed through local mentorship and supported by the studio's shared kilns. "I have all the possibilities around me -- with kilns, places, and people who are really specialized in ceramics, in porcelain, and lots of nice exhibitions. So I'm very happy to be here," Flurer-Bruenger said. (Xinhua/Du Juanjuan) Portland Public Schools agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Susan Anglada Bartley, who claimed she was subjected to a hostile work environment and retaliated against for reporting sexual harassment by students. (Courtesy of Susan Anglada Bartley) Portland Public Schools has paid more than $300,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a middle school teacher who claimed she was sexually harassed by male students over the course of years, including an incident where a group of seventh graders made a video recording zooming in on her buttocks while making sexual comments about her. Susan Anglada Bartley also contended that the district failed to adequately address what she saw as a larger and pervasive schoolwide problem, then retaliated against her for pushing for change. Anglada Bartley claimed she wasnt the only victim of the unwanted attention she said female and LGBTQ+ students at Kellogg Middle School in Southeast Portland were bombarded with sexual comments and touching, too. I continued to say we need to address this head-on, Anglada Bartley told The Oregonian/OregonLive. She said she hadnt set out to blame the boys, but she did want the schools administration to teach them about appropriate behavior and respect for all. Children need to be taught boundaries, she said. Anglada Bartley had been slated to go to trial next week in Multnomah County Circuit Court, but the trial was canceled after she agreed to settle her $550,000 lawsuit for the $301,000 the district offered. Approximately 40% of that will go to pay her attorneys fees. As part of the settlement, she agreed to resign her position as eighth grade language arts teacher. She hadnt worked at the school since October 2024, when she said a district-led attack campaign against her prompted her to take medical leave. District officials declined to comment when given a chance this week. But the settlement agreement states that the cash payout isnt an admission of fault. And in court papers, the districts lawyers, Karen Vickers and Beth Plass, wrote that the alleged sexual harassment was isolated and sporadic and not sufficiently severe to form the basis of a hostile work environment claim. The lawyers contended the district took prompt corrective measures to remedy inappropriate student conduct. Among the harassment Anglada Bartley said she endured from fall 2021 to fall 2024: An eighth grade boy shouted out to her during class in 2021 that hed like her to refer to him by his new pronouns, which he listed as a sexually explicit term. That same boy also tried to prevent Anglada Bartley from confiscating his cell phone, which he had out in the open, by stuffing it down the front of his pants. Anglada Bartley reported that the boy encouraged her to come grab it because he knew shed like to. A group of seventh grade boys surrounded her outside the school after the closing bell, video-recorded her buttocks with a cell phone and exclaimed sexy, sexy, sexy. According to an email the schools principal sent Anglada Bartley, the 2022 incident was captured on school surveillance video, and one of the boys later said he participated on a dare in exchange for $5. When she would turn her back to her class, boys on repeated occasions made grunting and guttural sounds that she later described as somewhere between the bathroom and the bedroom. Notes taken by the schools principal also documented a day in 2023 when students said other students moaned and whistled while Anglada Bartley was teaching. Many of the details of Anglada Bartleys allegations are documented in more than 250 pages of emails, letters, declarations and excerpts from depositions that have become part of the court record since Anglada Bartley filed suit nearly two years ago. Those instances also include a female teacher who reported to school administrators that she was slapped in the buttocks by a male student and another teacher who wrote school administrators to say several girls reported an immense amount of frustration and distress from their experiences being sexually harassed and assaulted by male students at Kellogg. The email continued: These students all expressed that they do not have confidence in the adults at Kellogg to support them in situations like this. Anglada Bartley said frustrations among female students came to a head in 2022, leading to a mid-morning walkout. Hand-drawn posters stuck to the schools walls advertised the purpose of the event: Girls in our school are being sexualized and harassed by boys. Teachers and other staff arent doing enough about it! Susan Anglada Bartley snapped this photo of a poster advertising a walkout in fall 2022 by girls protesting sexual harassment they said they'd experienced at Kellogg Middle School. (Courtesy of Susan Anglada Bartley) Anglada Bartley told The Oregonian/OregonLive she initially felt hopeful that then-Principal Richard Smith was going to be responsive to her complaints. According to emails submitted to the court, she emailed Smith shortly after 6 p.m. on the September 2022 day the boys recorded her with the cell phone. Smith responded about seven hours later at 1:21 a.m. laying out a preliminary plan of action. Im sorry this happened, he wrote, according to an email that became part of the court file. This is unacceptable. Tomorrow Ill review the footage and see who the students are. Ill contact parents, set expectations and perhaps escalate further depending on who they are. Anglada Bartley, however, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that she soon came to believe that the district wasnt serious about getting to the root of the problem. She said she was first told three of the five boys whom she believed were involved would be suspended for two days. But records included in the court file show the boys ended up suspended for one day, in what Anglada Bartley contended amounted to an unscheduled vacation day with no direction on how they could learn from their actions. In a written transcript of his deposition, Smith, the principal, said the school set no expectations for how the boys would spend their day and the school didnt check in with them to reestablish standards when they returned to classes the next day. When there was no consequence for the boys, boys started harassing girls more, Anglada Bartley said. While the problems were unfolding at Kellogg, its clear school communities across the district and the nation were grappling with #MeToo moments, as well. For instance, girls at Roseway Heights Middle School in Northeast Portland organized a 2021 walkout in protest of unwanted touching and comments. That same year, Portland-area high school students took to Snapchat to report dozens of allegations of sexual violence perpetrated by classmates. At Kellogg, Anglada Bartley said she asked for assemblies during which school administrators could talk to students about boundaries and the problems that can stem from recording others for social media without their permission. She said that request was denied. Instead, she said teachers were given a slideshow to present to students that she thought placed the onus on girls to change boys behavior. The end result of her advocacy, she said, was she was closely watched. According to records submitted to the court, the district opened investigations into complaints that others had made about her and handed down admonishments. That included issuing her a letter of reprimand after the district determined she encouraged students to write the administration letters expressing their feelings about the grunting noises in class. And in a separate instance, the district sent her a a non-disciplinary letter of expectation after she reported the name of a co-worker she suspected may have sexually abused a student. Elizabeth Inayoshi, the Hillsboro lawyer who represented Anglada Bartley, said she believes that the school districts six-figure settlement reflects the strong case her client had against it. Inayoshi said school and district administrators were dismissive of Anglada Bartleys complaints, treating the behavior of students who sexually harassed her as boys will be boys or puerile teasing. More problematically, in an effort to stop and distract from her valid complaints, Inayoshi said in an email, Kellogg and PPS ultimately instigated multiple unwarranted retaliatory investigations and discipline within a six-month period against a 20-year veteran teacher who had a spotless and award-winning record until then. Anglada Bartley taught at Franklin High, Grant High and Bridger K-8 School, before starting at Kellogg in fall 2021. Now 46, she said after submitting her resignation earlier this year as part of the settlement agreement, she no longer plans to teach. Aimee Green is covering the Oregon Legislature this session. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. "From my social media-free point of view, it looks like a lot of people are basing their relationships to families and friends on the artificial construct that is social media." Getty Images Getty Images Dear Annie: In a nutshell: I have been off social media for about five years, and this year I have made it a resolution to reduce my screen time. My screen time average is down to about an hour a day. If I had a way to measure it, Id say my mental health has improved greatly. A year or two before Covid, I decided I was tired of getting into pointless arguments with people I dont even know, so I removed myself from all social media. I had to white knuckle it for the 30 days that they leave your account available in case you want to come back. The downside for me is that if I want to see photos of my children on vacation, or my granddaughter doing anything at all, I cant just click. I have asked my children to just text me photos instead. The upside for me is more peace of mind, maybe even better mental health. From my social media-free point of view, it looks like a lot of people are basing their relationships to families and friends on the artificial construct that is social media. One friend breaks down in tears regularly, heartbroken, when telling me one of her children has posted something hurtful or has unfriended her on Facebook. They live within a 10-minute drive of each other, and they both have phones. Why not talk face to face instead of Facebook, or pick up the dang phone and have a real conversation? I cant for the life of me figure out why our society has given social media so much control over our lives. Its great to fire off a text for a quick check in, or for me to see those photos that would ordinarily go to Facebook or Instagram. I email my children when I need to send them something in an attachment, or maybe a link to something I have read that they may be interested in. I have one daughter in the Midwest and one on the East Coast. We talk on the phone at least four or five times a week. I have also been relying on the United States Postal Service a lot, particularly postcards. I put one in the mail every Monday morning to my granddaughter in the Midwest. I have a stack of Disney princess postcards and baby animal ones. My daughter tells me my granddaughter keeps them in a special box and brings them out to read to her stuffed animal friends. I refer to them as physical texts. The postage is less than a regular stamp, and Im supporting the postal service -- which, by the way, is not relying on federal funds; its self-supporting. I have a postcard penpal that I keep up with, and usually after a party or celebration at my house, Ill send postcards to my guests to thank them for showing up. I worry about our society in general becoming too reliant on technology. I see it as a tool that, when used sensibly, is beneficial, but when allowed to consume our lives can be destructive. Thank you for the advice you give in your column, its the first thing I read in the morning with my coffee. -- Screen Time Dear Screen Time: This letter is a breath of fresh air. When used intentionally, technology can indeed be a fantastic tool -- but mindless scrolling is the source of so much anxiety, social comparison, and feelings of inadequacy. Thank you for sharing these thoughtful examples. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM Alyssa Darling, right, is listed as "father" on both birth certificates of her children with wife Sam Darling. Courtesy of the Darlings In January, a lesbian couple from New Jersey had a labor playlist picked out, electronic candles ready to go and an atmosphere they wanted to create during their first childs birth. They were eager and not at all worried. But Amy and Jessica say their plans for a smooth birth went out the window when a routine checkup turned into a harrowing eight-day hospital stay. It was awful. It was horrendous, Amy, the birthing mother, told Uncloseted Media. This article was originally published in Uncloseted Media, an LGBTQ-focused investigative news outlet. At 37 weeks pregnant following in vitro fertilization (IVF), the couple, who asked to use pseudonyms because they are considering litigation against the hospital, recall they were told that the birthing mother needed to have her labor induced immediately due to high blood pressure. After three days of failed induction, doctors performed an emergency C-section during which she hemorrhaged and lost four liters of blood. The doctors eventually had to remove her uterus to save her life, they recalled. We did research later and found out that induction medication and IVF both increase the risk of hemorrhage. It just felt like no one was listening to us or informing us, says Jessica. If pregnancy were a mens health field, this wouldnt be happening, Amy says. You think of medicine now and its so modernized and there are so many technologies, but there is something so lacking in womens health care. According to a 2022 study in the Association of American Medical Colleges, more than half of queer women reported that the quality of their experience with pregnancy, birth and postpartum care was impacted by bias or discrimination, compared to 35% of heterosexual people. In addition, 83% of queer women reported birthing complications compared to 63% of their heterosexual counterparts. Queer women also have higher rates of stillbirths, miscarriages and premature births. Female-bodied people have been ignored in medicine for so long, and taking on the queer identity makes it worse, says Marea Goodman, midwife and founder of PregnantTogether, an LGBTQ-focused midwife practice. Clinics arose out of a need to support heterosexual people who are experiencing infertility and for many years queer folks were barred from accessing fertility care. Theyre just not for creative family structures. Not built for queer women While roughly 59% of bisexual women and 31% of lesbians give birth in their lifetime, bringing tens of thousands of babies into the world each year, the healthcare system is hard for them to navigate. A 2022 study found that LGBTQ couples are more afraid of childbirth than heterosexual couples. And its not just the pregnancy itself that is scary. According to Anna Malmquist, one of the authors of the study and a researcher at Swedens Linkoping University, there are many concerns queer women face when walking into a hospital. What if they misgender me? she says. What if they dont recognize my partner as my partner? What if they dont respect my pronouns? I cannot just go away and seek care somewhere else, because the baby has to come out. So the minority stress becomes a second layer added to these bodily fears. One reason queer women may face these concerns is that medical school curricula often fall short in teaching prospective physicians about LGBTQ reproductive health. One study reported that the median instructional time on all LGBTQ topics was just 11 hours across four years, with many programs failing to address disparities faced by lesbian patients in accessing prenatal care and family planning services. In a 2021 study, half of OB-GYN residents reported feeling unprepared to care for lesbian or bisexual patients and 92% desired more education on how to provide healthcare to LGBTQ patients. This lack of education can result in queer women feeling out of place. Walking down the halls of my clinic, all of the stock art of couples was white and heterosexual, nothing queer, and the literature all said mom and dad, says Angela Thompson, a Verizon IT tech from Columbia, South Carolina. When they went back to the delivery ward after the birth to do a routine checkup with their child, one of the nurses at the door stopped Alyssa, the non-birthing partner. She physically put her hand on my chest and stopped me, and said, Its parents only, she remembers. The baby was my eggs, so biologically mine. It was just so confusing. We were exhausted, we just wanted to go home, and it was the last thing we wanted to deal with. Its like youre having to come out time and time again, Sam adds. And for some people, that can be extremely triggering. Beyond that, Alyssa is listed as father on both of her childrens birth certificates because there wasnt a place to write a second mother. Since 2017, married same-sex parents in the U.S. have had the right to write both their names on their childs birth certificate. However, the federal governments standard birth certificate application form hasnt been revised since 2003, leaving the sections as mother and father. To amend this, its on the respective hospital to file additional paperwork. I asked them what to do, and the nurse was like, Well, you put the fathers information, and I was like, Were a two-mom couple, she doesnt have a dad. And shes like, Were gonna need dads information. And Im like, But there is no dad. Alyssa circled the option at the bottom of the certificate to be listed as parent instead of father, but due to a clerical error, the certificate she received in the mail still says Father: Alyssa Darling. Shanell Crymes-Lincoln, right, kisses wife Nesi. Courtesy of Shanell Crymes-Lincoln Discrimination and hate The experience of the mother during pregnancy directly impacts the health of the infant, says Bethany Everett, adjunct associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah. Tending to mothers is a critical period for public health interventions if we want to improve population health at large. While research around queer pregnancy is limited, a 2022 study found that lesbian women living in states with stronger legal protections for sexual minorities had better birth outcomes, including higher birth weights and lower rates of preterm births, compared to those in states without such protections. Conversely, the study found no significant difference in birth outcomes between heterosexual women in states with and without sexual minority protections. If you can be fired because youre gay or you cant be legally recognized in your partnership, those things impact your real quality of life, says Everett. And those forms of stigma and discrimination can negatively impact the health of the pregnant woman and translate to the health of the fetus. Long-term exposure to distress and discrimination results in chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, she says. Its not about the person, its about the environment that theyre giving birth in. Angela Thompson remembers not holding hands with her wife when she was visibly pregnant. We have felt uncomfortable in public, especially in more rural areas after the (presidential) election, Thompson says. Once, we were at a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, and we werent holding hands or sitting next to each other, but people still gave us dirty looks. Its stressful. Unfortunately, providers arent always immune to stigma and homophobia. As of 2022, more than one in eight LGBTQ people live in states where doctors, nurses and other health care professionals can legally refuse to treat them. This translates to negative health outcomes for queer women in the delivery room. According to a 2023 survey, LGBTQ people were twice as likely to experience medical gaslighting compared to their cis and heterosexual counterparts. When asked to agree with the following statement, My doctor listens to me when I express concerns about treatments and prescriptions, 49% of queer respondents agreed compared to 61% of straight and cis respondents. Thompsons son was underweight at birth and two weeks early. After an emergency C-section, the baby didnt cry, which was alarming to the nurses. There was not enough of the cord connected to the placenta, which meant he wasnt getting as much nutrients toward the end of the pregnancy, which is why he couldnt tolerate labor, she says. They dont know how they missed it. I had concerns about it and I told them to check it earlier but they either missed it (or didnt check). The whole process feels very disjointed, says Amy, the birthing mother in New Jersey. I wish I had been given more information about the risks because this is an IVF baby. The couple says that they found out later that IVF pregnancies are at higher risk of hemorrhaging, which also becomes a greater risk when under induction medication like Amy was. Same care but more expensive In addition to not feeling heard, the financial burden of IVF is another stressor that disproportionately affects queer women. A single cycle costs between $15,000 to $30,000, and only 21 states and D.C.have insurance laws that mandate coverage of fertility treatments. One study found that for two-thirds of patients, it takes six or more IVF cycles for a successful pregnancy. That means it can easily cost $100,000 for one pregnancy. Insurance coverage and IVF language is an example of just how heteronormative our family building infrastructure still is and how we throw up these barriers for queer folks, says Abbie Goldberg, professor of psychology at Clark University, noting that only eight states have policies that are inclusive of LGBTQ parents due to language of their policy and requirements for the definition of infertile. Shanell Crymes-Lincoln had to switch employers to obtain insurance that would cover IVF for her and her wife. It was astronomical without insurance, Crymes-Lincoln, who lives in Toledo, Ohio, told Uncloseted Media. It was between using our savings for a baby or a house, and we wanted to do everything possible to not have to pay out of pocket. Religion and race Crymes-Lincoln is currently pregnant with her and her wife Nesis second child. While the couples first experience with an LGBTQ-friendly doctor was positive with Nesi being able to catch the baby they are nervous about their new provider who works out of a Catholic hospital. Everything went smoothly (with our first babys doctor) But then my insurance carrier dropped that entire medical clinic altogether, and we only have two medical clinics in this area. Both women say they feel more on edge at their new clinic because it features Mother Teresa statues, prayers and things that are exclusive to certain groups. I feel like youre going to judge me based on your religious thoughts. I dont feel comfortable displaying affection with my wife, or even calling her my wife there, says Crymes-Lincoln, who dreamed of being a mom as a kid. Were worried our birth plan wont be respected here. At their first appointment, Crymes-Lincoln felt like her questions were being brushed off. It could be because of my race, it could be because of my sexual orientation, she says. Im just worried about the birth, being a Black woman and being a lesbian, we tend to get overlooked. Combined is a whammy, she says, noting that Black women in the U.S. are more than three times likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than their white counterparts. Mothers want to be heard Above all, mothers just want providers who listen to them. Just dont assume, Sam Darling says. There was one instance when I was pregnant where a nurse asked if my wife was my sister. It was really awkward. I think healthcare in general needs to do better for LGBTQ community members. Have a pronoun section on intake forms, and ask about your (patients) sexual orientation. As a practitioner focused on LGBTQ folks, Marea Goodman says representation is essential. When you go into a fertility clinic and you dont see any other families that look like yours, it can be a really isolating experience. In Goodmans practice, theres a strong emphasis on prioritizing the parents emotional experience. For instance, Goodman allows the birthing mothers partner to push the syringe during the insemination an intentional choice to honor the grief that can arise from not being able to conceive privately at home. Goodman suggests small changes in the system to make queer women feel more supported. I dont think its too hard to improve this. If theres one photo in the office of a queer couple, that will make a difference. I think if everyone in the office, including front desk personnel, had training, it would go a long way. Goodman also suggests having a list of organizations where folks can connect with other LGBTQ families looking to conceive. People feel alone. People feel isolated. People dont see themselves reflected, and society doesnt do that for us, Goodman says. We have to create spaces that do. Thats what changes everything. Uncloseted Media is a new investigative media organization committed to providing objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism. This article reprinted by permission through a publishing partnership with The Oregonian/OregonLive. The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. AP WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to allow enforcement of a ban on transgender people in the military, while legal challenges proceed. Without an order from the nations highest court, the ban could not take effect for many months, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote, a period far too long for the military to be forced to maintain a policy that it has determined, in its professional judgment, to be contrary to military readiness and the nations interests. The high court filing follows a brief order from a federal appeals court that kept in place a court order blocking the policy nationwide. At the least, Sauer wrote, the court should allow the ban to take effect nationwide, except for the seven service members and one aspiring member of the military who sued. The court gave lawyers for the service members challenging the ban a week to respond. Just after beginning his second term in January, Trump moved aggressively to roll back the rights of transgender people. Among the Republican presidents actions was an executive order that claims the sexual identity of transgender service members conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life and is harmful to military readiness. In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a policy that presumptively disqualifies transgender people from military service. But in March, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma ruled for several long-serving transgender military members who say that the ban is insulting and discriminatory and that their firing would cause lasting damage to their careers and reputations. The Trump administration offered no explanation as to why transgender troops, who have been able to serve openly over the past four years with no evidence of problems, should suddenly be banned, Settle wrote. The judge is an appointee of Republican President George W. Bush and is a former captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. In 2016, during Barack Obamas presidency, a Defense Department policy permitted transgender people to serve openly in the military. During Trumps first term in the White House, the Republican issued a directive to ban transgender service members, with an exception for some of those who had already started transitioning under more lenient rules that were in effect during Obamas Democratic administration. The Supreme Court allowed that ban to take effect. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, scrapped it when he took office. The rules the Defense Department wants to enforce contain no exceptions. Sauer said the policy during Trumps first term and the one that has been blocked are materially indistinguishable. Thousands of transgender people serve in the military, but they represent less than 1% of the total number of active-duty service members. The policy also has been blocked by a federal judge in the nations capital, but that ruling has been temporarily halted by a federal appeals court, which heard arguments on Tuesday. The three-judge panel, which includes two judges appointed by Trump during his first term, appeared to be in favor of the administrations position. In a more limited ruling, a judge in New Jersey also has barred the Air Force from removing two transgender men, saying they showed their separation would cause lasting damage to their careers and reputations that no monetary settlement could repair. Mark Sherman, Associated Press Associated Press writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report. Rescuers with the U.S. Coast Guard lifted a man to safety from a cruise ship Sunday after he reported extreme seasickness. The man, a crew member with the ship, reported that he was experiencing shortness of breath and excessive vomiting, according to the Coast Guard. A MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station in North Bend flew to the ship and dropped a basket to the man. They then hoisted him to the helicopter and flew him to Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, where he was in stable condition. Safe and efficient medical evacuations of mariners are only possible through closely coordinated efforts from start to finish said Lt. Christopher Saylor, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Columbia River. Quinton Prudhomme is a reporter on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach him at 503-221-8002 or qprudhomme@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe. Four of McMinnville resident Sandra Atwood's wolf-dog hybrids were seized March 13 after they got loose March 7 and killed three pets. Courtesy of Sandra Atwood Four wolfdogs jumped a six-foot-high backyard fence in McMinnville on March 7 and roamed more than a mile, killing a pet dog and two cats before they were caught. The wolfdogs killing spree shocked McMinnville but it didnt necessarily surprise them. It was the culmination of a years-long standoff between city officials and Sandra Atwood, a 41-year-old resident who got her first wolf-dog hybrid mix in 2021 and, in the years since, acquired four more. Although its unclear which of Atwoods dogs killed the pets, all four are currently impounded, and Atwood faces 22 citations in McMinnville Municipal Court. She might never see her dogs again an outcome that neighbors, by all accounts, would be pleased with, after years of complaints about the dogs noise, smell and ability to escape. Some residents blame city inaction and say the citys dog-control municipal codes are too weak, particularly because the city doesnt have an animal-control department. Atwood has insisted that she made good-faith efforts to meet the citys demands, and that the citys confused, contradictory code enforcement pushed her into actions that ultimately allowed the wolfdogs to escape, endangering the public and killing the three pets in the neighborhood. The city, for its part, refuses to accept blame, saying in an email response to questions that it has tried to tackle the dangers associated with wolfdogs through various mechanisms in city law, but that Atwood has skirted the codes and failed to adequately contain her animals despite [the citys] efforts. Atwood has said that at least three of her dogs DNA test results showed they are between 32% and 63% Greywolf, records show. There is no statewide law banning wolf-dog hybrids, although the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says owning them as pets is discouraged because of the potential threat to human safety. Since her dogs deadly rampage, Atwood has vacillated between accepting responsibility for her dogs killing peoples pets and casting the resulting community uproar as hysteria and a witchhunt. I regret very much what happened, she wrote in a text message to The Oregonian/OregonLive. I know its my fault and I need to be punished for what my dogs did. I dont know what got into them. I cant explain it, or excuse it. Roxy, the Jack Russell terrier killed by wolfdogs in McMinnville March 7, 2025. Courtesy of Jonathan Jacoby Jonathan Jacoby is among those who would like to see consequences for Atwood. On March 7, he let his mothers Jack Russell terrier, Roxy, out into the propertys front yard at around 7:30 p.m. and, minutes later, after hearing noises, rushed outside to find two wolfdogs standing over the terriers mauled, dead body. This is far from the first time these [wolfdogs] have been loose in our community, Jacoby wrote in a letter to the McMinnville City Council two days after the attack. This incident has raised serious concerns over the citys ability to enforce and the priority given to animal incidents. David Ligtenberg, McMinnvilles city attorney, said hes not aware of any city efforts prior to the March 7 attacks to seize Atwoods dogs, adding that earlier code violations by Atwood likely wouldnt have been considered serious enough to warrant it. Atwood said she loves her wolfdogs because they match her temperament and she finds them fascinating. Theyre just much closer to nature and closer to that kind of instinctual, kind of raw or more radical essence of a dog, she told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Its some of the coolest stuff Ive ever seen. Atwoods love for the animals is exemplified in the rapid growth of her wolfdog pack, which has expanded to at least five in four years. Records indicate that theres been trouble with Atwoods dogs since at least December 2022, when two of her dogs escaped the property and attacked a neighbors dog. In subsequent years there were multiple reports of her dogs getting loose again, along with complaints about noise and smell. On September 15, 2024, the dogs triggered a police response when four people called authorities to say there were large dogs roaming the streets, including one caller who said the dogs appeared to be attacking other dogs. I told Sandra she needed to be more proactive about capturing the dogs as we had numerous people complaining about them, the officer wrote in a report. After waiting for over 30 minutes the dogs were still at large. The McMinnville officer cited Atwood for letting her dogs run loose. The following month, the city began a code enforcement battle that Atwood claims caused the tragic March 7 attacks. On Oct. 10, the city cited Atwood for having an animal enclosure in her backyard a violation of city code. Atwood appealed the citation and, in January, met with code enforcement officials and an independent, third-party attorney for a hearing to determine whether the fences that she had put up around her backyard constituted an animal enclosure. Atwood had installed lean-ins two-foot-long angled metal extensions at the top of the fence to prevent her wolfdogs from getting out. The attorney concluded that the lean-ins turned the fence into an enclosure and, on Feb. 6, the city ordered Atwood to remove them within 30 days. When Atwood got that order from Ligtenberg on March 3, just a few days before the deadline, she was perplexed and angry, believing she had done the right thing to protect her neighbors from the dogs by installing the lean-ins. And she was upset that the city had been so late in telling her that she had lost her appeal, meaning she had mere days to decide whether to appeal further or to simply comply with the order. Wanting to avoid being fined $250 per day for continuing to violate city code, she said she started to remove the lean-in fencing three days later, on March 6. Her plan, she said, was to keep the dogs tethered or out of the backyard unless she was there watching over them. But she didnt stick to the plan the following day, when she was playing with the dogs in the backyard and heard an Amazon delivery arrive. She left the backyard to get the delivery and, by the time she returned a minute later, four of her dogs had jumped the fence, she said. Atwood admits now that she should not have taken the lean-in down. But she also blames the city for ordering her to do so despite knowing her wolfdogs could easily get out. The city, however, accepts no blame for the dogs jumping the remaining fence and racing off to kill neighborhood pets and scare residents. Its attitude appears to be that the backyard enclosure wasnt legal, full stop. How Atwood would keep her dogs from escaping without it was her responsibility, not the citys. Ms. Atwoods decision to remove the fence-tops prior to ensuring that her animals were otherwise contained was grossly negligent, Ligtenberg, the citys attorney, said in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Ligtenberg said there had been an internal miscommunication that led to Atwood getting the notice late and that the city would not have held her to the 30-day deadline to remove the lean-ins. Asked how Atwood could have known she actually had more than five days to comply, Ligtenberg again put the onus on her. She should have asked, Ligtenberg said. Two of Atwoods wolfdogs Pearl and Totem stayed relatively close by her house after the animals escaped, she said, and she was able to get them back relatively quickly. Two others, Darko and Chaote the ones that attacked Jacobys dog, Roxy wandered much farther, tracing a path covering more than a mile before they were caught, records show. Multiple McMinnville residents were left traumatized. There was Jacoby, who chased the wolfdogs until they dropped Roxys dead body in the middle of the street. There was the woman who was getting ready to feed her cat when the wolfdogs ran over and snatched it, killing it, according to a police report. And there was another resident who said he let his cat out of the house and, soon after, saw three of Atwoods dogs in his front yard. Later that night he found his cat dead. Atwood took the dogs back in that day. McMinnville residents outrage burst out almost immediately after the deadly attacks. On March 9, emails began pouring in to McMinnville city officials, including one from Jacoby, expressing horror over the attacks and demanding action. Testimony at a City Council meeting two days later was even more emotional. The city leapt into action. Six days after the attacks, the city had a warrant to seize Atwoods dogs, and it did so. (Ligtenberg said the city doesnt have its own kennel and that, on March 7, the private kennel it contracts with did not have space.) Many residents now want to make sure nothing like this can happen again. Jacoby would like city code to make clear that certain animals require the kind of infrastructure that isnt currently legal to have within the city. Others are calling for the city to stand up its own animal-control department. Yamhill County retired its countywide dog-control program in 2017. Ligtenberg said the city cant afford an animal-control facility and that it is considering only minor amendments to the portion of city law pertaining to dog ownership. Atwood is now getting ready for her April 30 hearing in McMinnville Municipal Court. In anticipation of that hearing, she and her son have constructed a fortified, concrete-and-metal enclosure in her yard where she could keep the wolfdogs when shes not watching them, she said, hoping that could help convince the judge to let her keep the dogs. Under city code, the judge could order the dogs destroyed, Ligtenberg said. Jacoby said hell be at the court hearing, too, in support of Roxy, my family and our community members who also suffered losses. Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com Sen. James Manning Jr., (center) D-Eugene, is a chief sponsor of a bill to ensure that cash is widely accepted as a form of payment across Oregon. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Sen. James Manning, a Eugene Democrat, said he recently bought a drink at an event at a downtown Portland hotel. He tried to pay with cash. They said they dont accept cash, Manning recalled. And Im like What do you mean you dont accept cash? I thought we did a bill that cash is king in Oregon So I tried to talk to them. Manning was referring to his chief sponsorship of a bill that was signed into law in 2022 and requires virtually all Oregon businesses to accept good old fashioned paper money and coins as payments. He said he told the hotel employees about it, but the answer was still a hard no. And so Manning is back at this legislative session with a new bill, Senate Bill 1176, that builds on the old one by requiring the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries to launch an advertising and educational campaign to persuade businesses that they must allow customers to pay with cash or coins. There are some exceptions. Businesses arent required to accept cash for purchases that exceed $100, internet transactions and street-parking pay stations, to name a few. Legislators say businesses such as the Moda Center in Portland also have taken advantage of a go-around that allows a business who dont want the hassle of dealing with cash at every point of sale to offer patrons a fee-free debit card that they load up with cash upon arrival, use throughout their visit and then can retrieve the remainder balance, if there is one, upon departure. Many businesses have increasingly moved to mostly or all-plastic and electronic payment systems to avoid the extra work of counting, storing and depositing cash into their bank accounts, lessening the chance of employee theft and reducing the likelihood that theyll be robbed. But proponents of allowing customers the option of paying with cash say not everyone has the means to open a bank account or get approved for a credit card. About 4% of U.S. households dont have a bank account and at least 16% dont have a credit card, according to a 2023 survey by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. On top of that, households with less than $50,000 in annual income used cash for 28% of their payments. The percentage is slashed by more than half for wealthier households, according to a 2024 Federal Reserve Financial Services report. Manning said the original 2022 bill was based on businesses, like a local fast food restaurant, refusing to accept cash for any purchase, even a single hamburger. This years bill easily passed the Senate with a 23-3 vote earlier this month. The House Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held a public hearing Thursday. The Bureau of Labor & Industries estimates itd need to devote a half-time employee to carrying out the provisions of the bill by hosting educational events, producing educational materials and investigating and processing complaints and violations. A report released by the Legislative Fiscal Office states that the bureau can absorb the costs of implementing the bill, though a spokesperson for the bureau, Rachel Mann, said the agency does not believe that it can. The real purpose behind this is not to punish any of the establishments, Manning said. Its just to make sure that they understand that cash is still acceptable here in America. Aimee Green is covering the Oregon Legislature this session. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Oregon's top election official, Secretary of State Tobias Read, said Thursday he remains worried that Oregonians and voters nationwide could be disenfranchised by the Trump administration. (Sean Meagher | The Oregonian) Sean Meagher | The Oregonian As a federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked parts of President Donald Trumps sweeping election executive order, Oregons top elections official joined counterparts from around the country in questioning federal agency leaders over plans to implement Trumps order. Trump in March ordered the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a relatively obscure federal agency created after the contested 2000 presidential election, to update the national voter registration form to require prospective voters to prove citizenship and to withhold federal funding from states that accept ballots after Election Day. Oregon, which conducts its elections entirely by mail, accepts ballots mailed and postmarked by Election Day that arrive after the election. Oregon and Washington, which also runs elections by mail, filed a lawsuit against the order earlier this month. Democratic attorneys general in 19 other states filed a separate suit, as did a coalition that included the League of United Latin American Citizens, the League of Women Voters Education Fund and the Democratic National Committee. Thursdays injunction from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C., applied to that last case. Kollar-Kotelly blocked the Trump administration from requiring proof of citizenship while legal arguments continue, but she declined to block the mailed ballot deadline. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, a Democrat who took office in January, and state elections director Dena Dawson were in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday for a meeting with the Election Assistance Commission. Read spoke to the Capital Chronicle from Charlotte about the injunction and the feedback state and local election officials shared with the commission. The fact is that the Trump administration is threatening actual security, and its an ongoing battle, Read said. The injunction is a good thing, but fundamentally, we have to be ready for any kind of a disruption in our election systems, whether its a natural disaster or a human or policy disaster. Election officials from around the country and of different political parties had two messages for the commission, Read said. First, they were concerned about how Trumps executive order would make it harder to run elections and harder for eligible voters to participate. Second, Trump doesnt have the authority to govern elections, which are the responsibility of states. Everybody comes with a different perspective and experience, but I think there was pretty dramatic unanimity of saying, This is infringing on the responsibility of states and localities to run their own elections, Read said. Hes particularly concerned about threats to withhold money and other resources from states, especially after this Novembers election saw ballot boxes damaged by incendiary devices in Portland and in Vancouver, Washington. Most ballots in Oregon were unscathed because a fire suppressant within the box protected them, but hundreds of Washington voters had their ballots destroyed. Election offices in Oregon and around the country also received envelopes containing a mysterious white powder, and election officials have faced threats that necessitated additional security. This is not theoretical, its not abstract, Read said. Its real. And yet this administration is saying, Unless you do what we want you to, which is legally dubious at best, then were going to threaten these kinds of things. Read and other election officials also oppose requiring voters to prove citizenship, though most Oregon voters already provide such documents thanks to the states automatic voter registration program that began in 2016. Under that law, Oregonians who present their U.S. birth certificates, passports or other documents that prove citizenship while getting or renewing drivers licenses or state identification cards have their information forwarded to the Secretary of States Office, which then registers them to vote. Trumps order would require voters to provide a passport or U.S. birth certificate to register to vote and end online voter registration. The advocacy group Common Cause Oregon estimates that about 1.8 million Oregonians dont have passports or access to original documents, and nearly 1 million married women in the state could be disenfranchised because their legal names dont match the names on their birth certificates. What weve got to remember here is that the impacts, were this to go through, would not be evenly felt across populations, Read said. Think about seniors. Think about people who are overseas military. Think about women whove changed their name. Former U.S. Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he learned his punishment for the crimes that led to his expulsion from Congress. Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, appealed for mercy. In a New York federal court a short drive from his old congressional district, he said through tears that he was humbled and chastised and realized he had betrayed his constituents trust. I offer my deepest apologies, he said, adding: I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently wasnt convinced. Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. She said the former politician appeared to feel that its always someone elses fault. The New York Republican served in Congress barely a year before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues. He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. His plea deal included agreeing to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties. From the moment he declared his candidacy for Congress, Santos leveraged his campaign for his own enrichment and financial benefit, U.S. Attorney John Durham, whose office prosecuted the case, said outside court. The 36-year-old Santos is due to report to prison July 25. He didnt respond to reporters shouted questions outside the courthouse, but he had told The Associated Press by text Thursday that he was ready to face the music. Prosecutors sought the 87-month sentence, questioning Santos remorse in light of his recent social media posts casting himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach. Santos victims included a woman with brain damage and two octogenarian men who have dementia, prosecutor Ryan Harris told the judge. New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon added that people think of this as a victimless crime because its about money, but there actually are many victims, including New Yorkers unemployment system. Before winning office, Santos collected unemployment benefits while actually working for a Florida company. Once in Congress, he co-sponsored legislation intended to root out unemployment fraud. Santos lawyers had called for a two-year prison stint, the mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft. Defense lawyer Andrew Mancilla portrayed the ex-congressman as a troubled figure forged by adversity. Santos grew up in a broken house and was subjected to bullying throughout his life, the attorney said. As a result, he built the man he wanted to be, not who he was, Mancilla said. He did that because he believed that the world would not accept him for who he was. Deep down, he is warm, kind, caring, and thoughtful, Mancilla said. But, the lawyer said, now everyone hates George Santos. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio. In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign. He told lie after lie until it caught up with him until we caught up with him and exposed him for what he truly was: an opportunist and a fraud, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican, said outside court Friday. Her office also investigated Santos. As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective in social media posts, thanking his supporters and detractors alike. I learned that no matter left, right or, center we are all humans and for the most part Americans (LOL) and we have one super power that I cherish and that is compassion, he wrote Thursday on the social platform X. Addressing the trolls, he added: yall made me much stronger and made my skin thicker! He also made one final plug for his Cameo account, where he records personalized video messages for $100. Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today, Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis. Data collected by the Oregon DMV for driver licenses and ID cards was stolen in May 2023. That prompted a lawsuit in April 2024. A judge dismissed the lawsuit on April 17, 2025. An Oregon judge last week threw out a lawsuit that sought to recover damages for as many as 3.5 million Oregonians whose driver license or ID card information was stolen in a massive international data breach in 2023. Marion County Circuit Judge James Edmonds dismissed the case with prejudice meaning it cant be refiled after the state of Oregon argued that plaintiffs lawyers couldnt directly link the theft of personal information to any Oregonian suffering financial losses. Although the plaintiffs lawyers pointed to one case where someone tried to open a Chase Visa card account, the bank caught the fraudulent application and shut it down before any damage was done, lawyers for the state successfully contended. The plaintiffs, Caery Evangelist, Brian Els and Bradley Larios, sought class-action status for all affected state residents whose information including names, addresses, dates of birth, last four digits of Social Security numbers, heights and weights were hacked in May 2023 by a Russian cybergang, according to the lawsuit. Also hacked were an estimated 2,770 public and private organizations, from New York City schools to British Airways and the BBC, amounting to more than 90 million victims worldwide, according to the anti-malware company Emsisoft. Oregonians driver license and other personal data was accessed through data collected by Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, which is a division of the Oregon Department of Transportation. State officials didnt respond to a request for comment for this story. The lawsuit states that a critical flaw in the departments MOVEit software, provided by Progress Software Corporation, created a vulnerability that the thieves exploited. The plaintiffs faulted the state for allegedly not appropriately acting to protect Oregonians against that weakness. Their (the states) argument was We werent the ones protecting the data. We hired this data provider. Theres the ones that got hacked. Its unfair to blame us, said Paul Barton, a Portland attorney representing the plaintiffs. And our argument was Well, youre the ones who hired them. You had some duty of oversight, to make sure they had the proper protections in place. The suit for reasons that werent explained didnt also list Progress Software Corporation as a defendant. Barton said he didnt focus on that aspect of the case. His co-counsels in Oklahoma and New York, whom he said might be able to explain, couldnt be reached for comment. The lawsuit had sought a minimum of $10 million from the state as well as a lifetime of credit monitoring and identity theft insurance for all residents who were victimized. Aimee Green is covering the Oregon Legislature this session. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. President Donald Trump can't block federal funding to sanctuary cities, a judge ruled. In this photo, Trump watches the ceremonial swearing in of Paul Atkins as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP SAN FRANCISCO A federal judge in California on Thursday barred the Trump administration from denying or conditioning the use of federal funds to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, saying that portions of President Donald Trumps executive orders were unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued the injunction sought by San Francisco and more than a dozen other municipalities, including Portland, that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts. Officials filed their lawsuit last month. Orrick wrote that defendants are prohibited from directly or indirectly taking any action to withhold, freeze, or condition federal funds and the administration must provide written notice of his order to all federal departments and agencies by Monday. One executive order issued by Trump directs Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal money from sanctuary jurisdictions. The second order directs every federal agency to ensure that payments to state and local governments do not abet so-called sanctuary policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation. At a hearing Wednesday, Justice Department lawyers argued that it was much too early for the judge to grant an injunction when the government had not taken any action to withhold specific amounts or to lay out conditions on specific grants. But Orrick, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, said this was essentially what government lawyers argued during Trumps first term when the Republican issued a similar order. Their well-founded fear of enforcement is even stronger than it was in 2017, Orrick wrote, citing the executive orders as well as directives from Bondi, other federal agencies and Justice Department lawsuits filed against Chicago and New York. San Francisco successfully challenged the 2017 Trump order and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court that the president exceeded his authority when he signed an executive order threatening to cut funding for sanctuary cities. Plaintiffs were pleased with the judges order. At a time when we continue to see tremendous federal overreach, the Courts ruling affirms that local governments can serve their mission and maintain trust with the communities they care for, said Tony LoPresti, counsel for Santa Clara County, in a statement. Its unclear if federal agencies will abide by the order. On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a reminder to recipients of federal transportation funding that they are expected to follow federal law, including on immigration enforcement, or face potential consequences. The department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. There is no strict definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces immigration laws nationwide but seeks state and local help in alerting federal authorities of immigrants wanted for deportation and holding that person until federal officers take custody. Leaders of sanctuary jurisdictions say their communities are safer because immigrants feel they can communicate with local police without fear of deportation. It is also a way for municipalities to focus their dollars on crime locally, they say. Besides San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which includes a third plaintiff, the city of San Jose, there are 13 other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which include Portland; Seattle and King County, Washington; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota; New Haven, Connecticut; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. -- The Associated Press Michele Fiore, who was convicted of fraud involving a charity for a slain police officer, was pardoned Wednesday by President Donald Trump. (John Locher, Associated Press file photo) President Donald Trump this week pardoned a former Nevada Republican lawmaker who was convicted of wire fraud after she raised money to honor a slain police officer but used it to get plastic surgery and fund her daughters wedding. The lawmaker, Michele Fiore, is a loyal Trump supporter who gained attention in Oregon in 2016 when she was thrust into the role of negotiator between the FBI and four holdouts who had occupied the Malheur National Refuge. Those negotiations were broadcast live on YouTube, with thousands watching at its peak. Her pardon this week came in another matter, in which she allegedly defrauded donors to enrich herself. Fox 5 Vegas reported that Fiore was convicted in October of six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was scheduled to be sentenced for those crimes in early May, and she faced up to 140 years in prison, Fox 5 reported. CBS News reported that Fiores lawyers filed a motion Thursday asking a judge to vacate her sentencing because of Trumps full and unconditional pardon. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Fiore was accused of setting up a charity to honor Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer Alyn Beck. Beck and his partner were killed in 2014. The charity raised more than $70,000, reports say. But prosecutors say Fiore used the money to pay for plastic surgery, rent and her daughters wedding, the Review-Journal reported. The White House confirmed Fiore had been pardoned but did not comment on the presidents decision. The pardon comes less than a week after Fiore lost a bid for a new trial. In a statement, Nevada Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett called the pardon reckless and a slap in the face to law enforcement officers. The Associated Press and The Oregonian|OregonLive contributed to this story. -- Cliff Pinckard, Cleveland.com President Donald Trump signs the Laken Riley Act in January. The bill is named in memory of a nursing student killed by an undocumented immigrant in Georgia and allows the detention of undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related crimes. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) Jabin Botsford|The Washington Post President Donald Trumps approval ratings on immigration, relatively strong in the early weeks of his second term, have dipped into negative territory, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, a sign that his administrations hard-line and, in some cases, legally dubious enforcement tactics are losing public support. A majority of Americans, 53%, disapprove of Trumps handling of immigration, with 46% approving, a reversal from February when half of the public voiced approval of his approach. Negative views have ticked up across partisan groups over the past two months, with 90% of Democrats, 56% of independents and 11% of Republicans now disapproving of the way the president has managed one of his core policy issues. . The Washington Post The findings buttress other recent polls that have tracked falling approval ratings for Trump on immigration, though he still draws higher marks on the issue than on other matters. They come amid mounting public frustration more broadly over his presidency as it closes in on its first 100 days, which have been marked by a blizzard of unilateral actions sometimes violating the constitutional bounds of presidential authority. White House aides had hoped that Trumps actions on immigration and a dwindling number of undocumented immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border would help bolster his public standing despite declining support in other areas. Prompted by frustrations that the pace of deportations was falling short of the presidents ambitious quotas, the administration has taken more aggressive action in recent weeks. It deported 238 migrants to a megaprison in El Salvador without legal due process and targeted international students and faculty at U.S. colleges and universities for removal. It also resisted orders from federal judges - rulings backed by a unanimous Supreme Court decision - to facilitate the return to the United States of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador. Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested by immigration officers and sent to the Salvadoran facility. The administration has acknowledged that Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported. But federal officials say they have no authority to bring him back and have sought to portray him and others as violent gang members, despite producing no evidence. The Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds that more Americans say Abrego Garcia should be returned to the country than remain imprisoned in El Salvador - 42% versus 26%. About 3 in 10 Americans, however, say they dont know enough to have an opinion, a sign that views on the high-profile case are still forming among a sizable segment of the population. A narrow majority of Republicans, 53%, say he should remain in prison, with just 14% of them saying Abrego Garcia should be returned. The remainder say they didnt know enough to answer. By contrast, 74% of Democrats say Abrego Garcia should be returned to the U.S., with 20% saying they dont know enough to respond. Among independents, 39% say he should be returned, 21% say he should be left in El Salvador and 39% didnt know enough. Among those who disapprove of Trumps immigration policy is Ray King of Nebraska, a machinist who grew up in California and considers himself a moderate Democrat. He characterized the administrations actions as radical lawbreaking that is jeopardizing basic American values. Immigration is a really complicated and very difficult topic and situation, but not following the due process laws that are in place is not a way to fix the problem, said King, who is White. That supersedes everything the country was founded on. Trumps track record as a business executive who rarely admitted an error and dragged out legal fights to wear down opponents has convinced him that the president will continue to resist bringing Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. His mentality is: Im a winner and youre a loser, King said. If he has to bring the gentleman back, he becomes a loser. On Thursday, a federal judge in Maryland ordered the Trump administration to secure the return of a second man at the Salvadoran prison - a Venezuelan who was deported despite being part of a class-action settlement that should have protected him from removal. Overall, 51% of Americans oppose the administrations efforts to send undocumented migrants suspected of being members of a criminal group to El Salvador, the poll finds, with 47% in support. Among those who favor Trumps approach is Gregory Samuel, 47, of Oklahoma, an independent voter who supported Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race but soured on him given a spike in illegal immigration during his presidency. In Abrego Garcias case, Samuel said his undocumented status should be enough to send him to El Salvador. If youre illegal, period, he said. They got an open door, and Im pretty sure they are gang members. Samuel endorsed having Trump defy the federal court judges, whom he called politicized. Its out of balance and is an abuse of power for judges to impede Trumps executive authority, said Samuel, who is Black and Native American. As on other issues, support for deporting alleged members of criminal groups without a court hearing breaks sharply along partisan lines, with 85% of Democrats opposing the practice and 82% of Republicans supporting it. Just under half of independents support such deportations, while just over half oppose them, the poll finds. Just under half of Americans, 48%, say Trump has gone too far on his immigration enforcement efforts. About a third, 34%, say Trump is handling immigration about right, with 16% saying he hasnt gone far enough in his efforts. The responses break along racial lines, with about 6 in 10 Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans saying Trump has gone too far, compared with about 4 in 10 White Americans. The administration has sought to deport some leaders of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses who have legal status in the U.S., alleging they were supporting the Hamas militant group in the Israel-Gaza conflict - despite vehement denials from the protest leaders and their attorneys. About 6 in 10 Americans oppose deporting international students who have criticized U.S. policy in the Middle East. Most Republicans, 70%, support such deportations, but public approval drops to 36% among independents and 11% among Democrats, the poll finds. The Post-ABC-Ipsos poll was conducted online April 18-22 among 2,464 U.S. adults. The sample was drawn through the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an ongoing panel of U.S. households recruited by mail using random sampling methods. Overall results have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points. -- Emily Guskin, David Nakamura and Scott Clement, The Washington Post Guskin is the deputy polling director at The Washington Post, specializing in public opinion about politics, election campaigns and public policy. Nakamura covers the Justice Department with a focus on civil rights. Clement is polling director for The Washington Post, conducting national and local surveys on politics, the economy, the workplace and social issues. Intel has 20,000 Oregon workers, more than any other business. Mike Rogoway/The Oregonian New Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan told workers Thursday that they must be on site four days a week beginning Sept. 1, a step toward improving collaboration as he looks to remake the chipmaker. When we spend time together in person, it fosters more engaging and productive discussion and debate, Tan wrote in a note to employees posted on Intels website Thursday. It drives better and faster decision-making. And it strengthens our connection with colleagues. Intel factory workers and many researchers are already on site every day, in cleanrooms and labs. But Intel has thousands of employees in corporate roles who have spent at least part of their time working from home since the pandemic. The company adopted a hybrid-first approach in 2021, allowing most employees the flexibility to work from home much of the time. More recently, it sought to have workers on site about three days a week. Adherence to this policy has been uneven at best, Tan said Thursday. I strongly believe that our sites need to be vibrant hubs of collaboration that reflect our culture in action. Intel is Oregons largest corporate employer, with 20,000 employees in the state, so bringing workers back to the office will have a big impact and could set a benchmark for other organizations. Many large employers have begun enforcing return-to-office policies over the past two years. Nike began requiring employees in the office four days a week at the start of 2024. Amazon told employees they had to be back in the office five days a week at the start of this year. Workers at some companies have interpreted those changes as a kind of quiet layoff that aims to cut costs by prompting some employees to quit rather than return to the office full time. Intel is trying to revitalize its business amid falling sales. The company is facing a more competitive market and growing pressures triggered by the Trump administrations trade war. Intels new office policy is one of several operational changes Tan has implemented in his first five weeks of the job. He has also flattened Intels management structure, so that more people report directly to him. On Thursday, Tan said he wants fewer and smaller meetings to free up employees to do their work. He also told employees to expect several months of job cuts, but Tan didnt specify how many positions he plans to eliminate. -- Mike Rogoway covers Oregon technology and the state economy. Reach him at mrogoway@oregonian.com or 503-294-7699. Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe As superintendent of a public school district committed to preparing our students to be informed, thoughtful and engaged citizens, I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes to Oklahomas social studies and science academic standards. These changes were made after the public comment period had closed, bypassing the established review process that ensures transparency, accuracy and meaningful input from educators and subject matter experts. I respectfully urge our state legislators to take action before May 1, 2025, by hearing the resolutions to reject the proposed standards. If they remain idle, these flawed standards will go into effect automatically essentially casting a yes vote by default. Inaction or looking the other way is not neutral; it is approval. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... At the very least, the Legislature should return the standards to the State Board of Education so newly appointed members can fully review them. This is the minimum necessary to uphold the integrity of their elected roles and protect the credibility of our public education system. Ive had the opportunity to speak with many of our local legislators, and Im encouraged by their shared concerns and support. Most of our elected officials recognize the flaws in the process used to adopt these standards and are advocating for a more transparent, inclusive and accountable approach. I applaud Sen. Adam Pugh for authoring a joint resolution to send the standards back to the state board for further review. Now, we need leadership specifically Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton to ensure that this resolution receives a fair hearing. Their voices and their votes matter now more than ever. Oklahomas students are watching. So are their parents, teachers and communities. I encourage everyone to contact their elected officials and urge them to act. This is a moment for courage and clarity and inaction is not an option. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM Let us do right by our students. Let us stand for academic integrity, and for a public process that truly honors public input. Read more: Oklahoma Sen. Adam Pugh proposes rejection of changes to social studies, science academic standards OKLAHOMA CITY A key Republican Senate leader has proposed the Legislature reject academic standards for social studies and science after hal State education board members say they were unaware of social studies standards changes before vote OKLAHOMA CITY Three members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education said they werent aware of last-minute rewrites before they voted on pr A federal judge in Maryland ordered the Trump administration Thursday to pause enforcement of a new U.S. Education Department ban on diversity, equity and inclusion practices. The order came as another federal judge in New Hampshire issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the Trump administration from yanking federal funding from many schools. The New Hampshire order, though, only applied to schools that employ members of the National Education Association the countrys largest labor union, which brought the case challenging the ban or the Center for Black Educator Development. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... The rulings used different legal logic but arrived at the same conclusion: The administrations ban on race-conscious practices is not valid. In Maryland, U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher said she ruled not on the merits of the policy, but the way the Trump administration developed it. This Court takes no view as to whether the policies at issue here are good or bad, prudent or foolish, fair or unfair. But this Court is constitutionally required to closely scrutinize whether the government went about creating and implementing them in the manner the law requires, she wrote. The government did not. Gallaghers order pauses the enforcement of a Feb. 14 letter to school districts from Craig Trainor, the departments acting assistant secretary for civil rights, that threatened to rescind federal funds for schools that use race-conscious practices in programming, admissions, scholarships and other aspects of student life. In New Hampshire, U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty wrote that the loss of federal funding would cripple the operations of many educational institutions. McCaffertys order has a nationwide effect, but McCafferty limited it to schools that employ NEA members, rejecting the unions attempt to completely halt the policies outlined in the letter. Teachers unions sued The Feb. 14 letter drew swift legal action, and the National Education Association brought the suit in New Hampshire against the administration alongside the Center for Black Educator Development. The American Federation of Teachers one of the largest teachers unions in the country filed a complaint in February alongside its affiliate, AFT-Maryland. The American Sociological Association and a public school district in Oregon also sued over the letter. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM Today the court confirmed the importance of our job as educators to foster opportunity, dignity, and engagement, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said in a statement after the Maryland ruling. The court agreed that this vague and clearly unconstitutional requirement is a grave attack on students, our profession, honest history, and knowledge itself, she added. It would hamper efforts to extend access to education, and dash the promise of equal opportunity for all, a central tenet of the United States since its founding. NEA also celebrated the preliminary injunction granted in its case Thursday, and the unions president, Becky Pringle, said in a statement todays ruling allows educators and schools to continue to be guided by whats best for students, not by the threat of illegal restrictions and punishment. The statement said President Donald Trump, billionaire head of the U.S. DOGE Service Elon Musk and Education Secretary Linda McMahon were responsible for an attack on public education. The fact is that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Linda McMahon are using politically motivated attacks and harmful and vague directives to stifle speech and erase critical lessons to attack public education, as they work to dismantle public schools, Pringle said. This is why educators, parents, and community leaders are organizing, mobilizing, and using every tool available to protect our students and their futures. The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Letter raised questions In the February letter, Trainor offered a wide-ranging interpretation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2023 involving Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, which struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. Trainor wrote that though the ruling addressed admissions decisions, the Supreme Courts holding applies more broadly. The four-page letter raised a slew of questions for schools across pre-K through college over what fell within the requirements, and the department later released a Frequently Asked Questions document on the letter in an attempt to provide more guidance. Earlier this month, the Education Department gave state education leaders just days to certify all K-12 schools in their states were complying with the letter in order to keep receiving federal financial assistance. The department and the groups suing in the New Hampshire case later reached an agreement that paused enforcement. Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donationsfocused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters announced Tuesday he plans to withhold federal education funds from school districts that fail to discontinue race-based programs and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Walters wrote in a statement he will begin blocking funding Friday from districts that do not sign a compliance letter, which requires school districts to follow federal antidiscrimination laws and prohibits DEI from the state Department of Education. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary McMahon, weve set a national standard that protects our children from discriminatory practices under the guise of DEI, Walters wrote in the statement. Oklahoma is proud to stand firm in our commitment to merit-based education and the values that have made America exceptional. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... In an email to OU Daily Thursday, Courtney Scott, Norman Public Schools chief communications officer, confirmed NPS signed the letter and submitted it to the state Department of Education. According to a March Pew Research Center study, Oklahoma is among the top 10 states that rely heavily on federal funding for public K-12 schools. As of 2022, 19.5% of total school revenue in Oklahoma comes from federal sources. NPS received a nearly $1.8 million increase in federal funding as part of its 2024-25 budget, according to a January school board meeting. Craig Trainor, the U.S. Department of Educations assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a press release federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM When state education commissioners accept federal funds, they agree to abide by federal antidiscrimination requirements, Trainor wrote. Unfortunately, we have seen too many schools flout or outright violate these obligations, including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans. This follows a letter Trainor sent in February, in which he wrote DEI programs have furthered discriminatory practices and racial stereotypes. The U.S. Department of Education wrote in the press release the policy is pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down race-based affirmative action in college admissions. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires public funds not be spent in a manner that encourages or results in racial discrimination. In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling aimed at ensuring schools receiving federal funds comply with existing antidiscrimination laws. This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ismael Lele. Gretchen Schultz and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story. OKLAHOMA CITY Three members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education said they werent aware of last-minute rewrites before they voted on proposed academic standards for social studies classes in public schools. Board members Chris VanDenhende, Mike Tinney and Ryan Deatherage said during a meeting Thursday that state Superintendent Ryan Walters, who leads the board, had not informed them of significant changes made to the social studies standards before the board approved them Feb. 27. The approval vote sent the changed draft to the state Legislature for review. Walters said he is responsible for new language added to the standards, some of which suggest there were discrepancies in 2020 presidential election results, but he rejected allegations that the board members werent provided the updated version in advance. If approved, the standards will dictate what topics public schools must teach to students in social studies courses. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday encouraged state lawmakers to take action on the proposed social studies standards while raising doubts about the integrity of the approval process. Deatherage has said he wants another chance to review and vote on the standards. VanDenhende, Tinney and Deatherage, whom Stitt appointed in February, said they felt deceived and described the last-minute changes as a bait and switch. They said they didnt receive a copy of public comments on the standards nor were they given a red-lined draft showing what had changed in the text. It would have never dawned on me somebody would have changed them without telling the board whose duty it is to adopt them, Tinney said during Thursdays meeting. Walters denied allegations the governor made Wednesday that the Oklahoma State Department of Education emailed the board members a different version of the standards from what the board ultimately passed. He called the matter a fake controversy. This was created by board members saying things outwardly, publicly that are simply not true, Walters told the board, setting off a back-and-forth argument with the three new members. Records the state education department provided indicate the board members were emailed the final version of the standards at 4 p.m. the day before their Feb. 27 meeting, which started at 9:30 a.m. Deatherage was the only board member to vote against the standards, saying during the February meeting he didnt have enough time to review the lengthy document. He suggested delaying the vote by a week, but other board members disagreed. I really had no idea whats in there, Deatherage said Thursday. I was not given time to go through those standards at that board meeting. Im not a speed reader by any means. Walters said his administration provided the updated version in advance but he couldnt make the board members read it. Delaying the February vote, he said, would have limited the time the state Legislature would have to review the standards. Tinney said he read the original draft of the standards that the state agency posted in December for the public comment period. He said he didnt know until after the Feb. 27 vote that the final draft was considerably different from the original version. VanDenhende said if he were aware of what he knows now, he would have voted against the standards. The process is not a good process, VanDenhende said. The proposal would have failed to pass from the six-member board if Tinney and VanDenhende had joined Deatherage in voting against it in February. Although public comments routinely inspire adjustments to agency proposals, the education department didnt acknowledge any changes had been made to the standards after the public comment period nor did it publicly post the final draft until weeks after the board meeting. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM The updated version suggests there were discrepancies in election results in 2020, including the sudden halting of ballot-counting in select cities in key battleground states, sudden batch dumps, an unforeseen record number of voters and the unprecedented contradiction of bellwether county trends. Walters said the language isnt intended to support or deny the outcome of the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, but rather to encourage students to come to their own conclusions. The original version of the standards made headlines by introducing Bible stories and teachings of Jesus that influenced the American founders and culture. The states current standards, enacted in 2019, make no mention of the Bible or Jesus. Academic standards are reviewed and updated on a six-year cycle. They impact the topics taught in Oklahoma classrooms and the textbooks the state approves. GOP majority in state Legislature unlikely to reject the standards Despite the controversy, the standards appear to be on track to pass as written through the state Legislature. Leaders of the state House and Senate said their Republican majorities are unlikely to reject them. Lawmakers have the option to approve, deny or amend the standards. If they take no action by May 1, the standards pass as written. It doesnt look likely that lawmakers will take a vote on the standards, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) said Thursday. Weve certainly had members digging into it and looking at it, but ultimately when you look at the standards themselves, we didnt have consensus on items that we would want to revise or send back, at least not not at this point, Hilbert said. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) said the GOP majority in his chamber also is unlikely to reject the proposal. Democrats in both chambers have filed resolutions to deny the standards in full. Hilbert said he spoke with Walters on Wednesday night for an explanation of whether the board members received the final draft of the standards before approving them. He said Walters gave proof they received the updated version before voting. We vetted it pretty heavily, and we cannot find distinction between what the board received and what was ultimately voted on, Hilbert said. While raising questions about the inner workings of the standards approval process, Stitt alleged the education department emailed board members a different version from what their physical board packets contained. I think ultimately, Im not saying those (standards) are good or bad, Stitt said during a news conference Wednesday. The Legislatures going to have to make a decision on that, but the mechanics of how it came about really just feels it feels like somebody needs to look into it, and were trying. Reporter Emma Murphy contributed to this report. Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations focused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com. Oklahomas largest museum of natural history is also one of the largest holders of the remains of Native American and funerary objects in the country. Now, 25 years after passage of law requiring remains be returned to families, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on the OU campus is hiring a coordinator to oversee repatriation efforts of Native American remains it holds under the Native Graves and Repatriation Act. The museums holdings represent the 18th largest collection of unrepatriated remains in the nation with over 3,800 Native American remains and more than 115,500 associated funerary objects, according to ProPublica. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Since 1990, there have been federal protections in place for Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony. By enacting the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Congress recognized that human remains of any ancestry must at all times be treated with dignity and respect. Visitors to the Sam Noble museum will find only a fraction of its Native American collection in the McCasland Foundation Hall of the People of Oklahoma, according to Marc Levine, associate curator of Archaeology at Sam Noble and associate professor in the OU Department of Anthropology, who said the exhibit was built with support from the tribes. The idea of an antagonist or competitive relationship between the museum and the tribes does not exist, Levine said. It is more so collaborative. Since the inception of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the museum has repatriated artifacts to Caddo Nation, Osage Nation, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Muscogee (Creek) Nation and continues to work closely with the states tribes. Between 2011 and 2024, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma conducted four repatriations from the museum. These included more than two dozen ancestors and more than 200 associated funerary objects. The Sam Noble staff have been great to work with, always willing to answer questions promptly and efficiently. Theyve been very respectful and professional when ancestors are physically returned to Choctaw Nation, and that is very much appreciated, said Ian Thompson, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer at Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. While the museum works to take inventory and repatriate the cultural items and ancestors in its collection dates back several decades, the museums staff began to emphasize the importance of NAGPRA compliance in the mid-2010s. Those efforts, which included building important relationships with National Park Service staff, applying for NAGPRA-compliance grants, requesting expert consultants, and raising NAGPRA awareness on campus, laid the foundation for the Universitys maturing NAGPRA compliance program, said Tana Fitzpatrick, OUs associate vice president for tribal relations. While the museum works to take inventory, consult, complete inventory and repatriate the cultural items and ancestors in its collection dates back several decades, the museums staff began to emphasize the importance of the Repatriation acts compliance, both in letter and in spirit, in the mid-2010s. NAGPRA compliance and respecting tribal relationships is a priority for the University, she added. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM Stowed away and hidden from the public, the fifth floor of Sam Noble carries the dimly lit shelves that hold all the related artifacts and remains accumulated over years of research. Some items sit neatly preserved, awaiting study or display, while others remain miscategorized, collecting dust in archival boxes. In these silent corridors, history lingers. The inventory in these archival collections can sometimes still be found in its original brown paper sack, dating all the way back to the 1930s. This is a testament to Works Progress Administration America, where some of the public works efforts completed during this time included mitigating archaeology, excavating burials and granting museum possession of these goods but not for the purpose of exhibition. Just like any attitude or policy is subject to change, Levine opens up the question, Is the consent that was (provided) in the 90s for perpetuity? Is it forever, or is it something that needs to be updated? Currently, he ensures there is regular contact with tribal representatives and an open line of contact. The museum has the largest archaeological collection in the state of Oklahoma that includes millions of artifacts and is actively engaged in repatriation work. In 2024 alone, we prepared a total of 751 sets of ancestral remains and 1,588 funerary objects for repatriation. By this measure, we are probably among the most active NAGPRA programs in the country, Levine said. There is still a great deal of work to do, but we are on the right track, he added. In 2023, the OU Provost appointed an independent NAGPRA Oversight Committee, representing scholars in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, art history and Indigenous law, to provide advice and recommendations to the University, including the museum, on Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act related matters. This decision was made in conjunction with a $16,765 grant in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support repatriation work at the museum. Currently, the Oversight Committee is: 1) developing a central NAGPRA communication line, 2) instituting a survey to inventory the Universitys collections, and 3) dedicating hours of study to ensure it can serve as a resource to the University in implementing the new NAGPRA regulations, among other priorities, said Fitzpatrick. The museums standard of care for ancestral remains and establishing tribal relationships has been, and continues to be, a matter of priority, she added. Because OU has historically made necessary efforts to comply with NAGPRA, the slight reorganization of this program will not look much different from the outside- it is a constant and ongoing process. With a delegated coordinator, the project and management administration will be expedited and given necessary attention. When family members laid their loved ones to rest, they intended for them to stay at rest forever, not get dug up and accessioned into a collection, said Thompson. Kylie Caldwell is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Gaylord News is a reporting project of the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews.net. State Auditor Cindy Byrd conducted a special audit into the budgeting practices of Cleveland County Sheriff Chris Amason. A Thursday press release states that the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office collected about $18.36 million approved for the annual budget on Sept. 26, 2023, but still overspent the allowed amount and did not take steps to stay within the limits of the approved budget. Despite a 40% increase in total expenditures over the last four years the highest funding levels in county history the sheriff exceeded his budget by approximately $4 million, according to the release. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Auditors identified over 300 instances where the sheriffs office may have violated purchasing laws over the course of a year, noting sheriffs office leadership attended 24 out-of-state conferences, used taxpayer funds on high-end meals, games, and DoorDash, purchased or leased 40 new vehicles and gave retroactive raises to 28 employees, all while facing payroll challenges and cutting detention staff by 45%. The audit was requested by the Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners, which will review the audit and determine appropriate next steps in the coming days, according to the release. According to a press release sent to the Daily by Assistant District Attorney Merydith Harmon, the Cleveland County District Attorneys Office will review the audit before proceeding with next steps. According to the audit report, the sheriffs office experienced a budget shortfall during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and needed additional funding from the Cleveland County Budget Board to avoid a deficit. The report pointed to several factors that contributed to the shortfall, including failing to encumber before making a purchase and insufficient control over budget process and travel expenses. The report also noted the sheriffs office does not prepare an annual schedule of incarceration costs to determine the actual cost of incarcerating an inmate and has experienced a turnover in administrative staff responsible for financial matters. PCard Transactions On Feb. 27, 2017, Cleveland County implemented the PCard program, a form of credit card issued to designated state employees. Individuals from each office are issued PCards and attend regular training to maintain their cards. Auditors tested all of the sheriffs office PCard disbursement. Of the 82 transactions made during the audit period, 37 were not timely encumbered totaling $18,904.85, two were not supported by adequate documentation totaling $499.60, seven included sales tax and processing fees totaling $475.71 and one that was not for the appropriate amount of $62.27. The 82 PCard transactions made by the sheriffs office totaled $47,764.57 and ranged from travel in and out of state, office supplies, training and prisoner transports, according to the audit report. The audit report states the sheriffs office attended 24 training conferences in the fiscal year 2024 and used PCards, travel cards and regular purchase orders to pay for them. Lodging and meals for individuals attending the training conferences were also paid. Byrd also reviewed PCard transactions made for the fiscal year 2023 and found the following items: A $244 registration for a spouse or significant other to attend a national Sheriffs Association conference on March 18, 2022. During the same conference, the sheriffs office paid for five hotel rooms when documentation showed only four employees attended. A $35 registration for a spouse to attend a conference in Las Vegas on Nov. 29, 2022. Three instances where the sheriffs office paid for meals. The total overage was $219.25. Multiple instances of paying state taxes and excessive tips. Transportation deputies credit card transactions According to the audit report, any county sheriff or deputy county sheriff may purchase materials, supplies or services necessary for travel out of the county using one or more credit cards issued for the department. After testing the 303 transport credit card transactions in fiscal year 2024, Byrd found 128 transactions were not encumbered timely, 63 included in-state taxes, 20 did not include itemized receipts, 18 had excessive tips for more than 20%, nine did not have supporting receipts, eight included late fee payments, five had invoices that did not match the amount paid and four appeared to include excessive purchases. The audit report also noted: A meal receipt from Mikes Clam Shack totaling $141.84 for two deputies. A $924.04 hotel charge for a conference in Florida that no employees attended. According to the report, the sheriffs office canceled the trip but not the hotel booking. A receipt for Ziosk Premium Content Gaming service while waiting for food. A receipt for DoorDash service included delivery fees and tip in excess of 27%. The auditor also reviewed if the transactions were in line with the General Services Administration per diem rates. During the review, it was noted there were 13 trips with meal expenses exceeding the allowable rate with total overages of $206.53. Byrd recommended the county consult the District Attorneys Office to determine if payments over General Services Administration rates are a taxable fringe benefit to the employee and that it should update their travel policy to ensure there are no frivolous charges at the taxpayers expense. Encumbrances for purchases Byrd reviewed 120 expenditures to determine if they were being appropriately encumbered before the purchase. The expenditures were from the County General Fund, Sheriff Service Fee, Sheriff Justice Assistance Grant Fund, Sheriff Commissary and Public Safety Sales Tax. Of the expenditures reviewed, 41 were not properly encumbered totaling $129,932 and three included late fee payments totaling $29. On March 11, 2024, the Budget Board had an agenda item to accept a list of items from the sheriffs office to determine if they had sufficient balances to finish the fiscal year. The items included: Current balance of available funds in the County General fund account and revolving cash accounts. Expended payroll through Feb. 29. Expected payroll through June 30. Expenses of the Cleveland County Detention Center through Feb. 29. Expected expenses for the detention center through June 30. Expenses of all other operations of the sheriff's office through Feb. 29. Expected expenses for the sheriffs office through June 30. A list of all encumbrances. On April 29, 2024, the sheriffs office sent four spreadsheets to further support the information requested. Byrd reviewed the 402 listed expenditures to determine if proper purchasing procedures were followed and properly encumbered before receiving the invoice for the outstanding and canceled invoices. Of the 68 outstanding invoices for the detention center, it was noted items were purchased without following required budgeting procedures to ensure the funds were available, purchase orders were canceled and poor bookkeeping practices resulted in the county incurring excessive late fees. Byrd found 18 purchase orders were paid two months after the invoice due date totaling $82,931, two purchase orders were canceled totaling $29,838 and five late fee payments were paid totaling $797. Of the 108 outstanding invoices reviewed, it was noted items were purchased without following required budgeting procedures to ensure the funds were available, purchase orders were canceled and proper procedures were not followed resulting in an unallowable purchase being made for legal fees outside the scope of the sheriffs office. Byrd found 86 purchase orders were paid more than two months after the invoice due date totaling $192,636, one was canceled in the amount of $10, two had funds that were encumbered in fiscal year 2025 totaling $18,333 and a purchase order for legal expenses that does not pertain to the business of the sheriffs office in the amount of $550. NO PAYWALL, NONPARTISAN Students pay about $14 in fees that support the Daily. If you're not a student, please join those invested in OU and Norman who have given more than $110,000 to support our trustworthy, independent journalism. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL JOURNALISM Of the 50 purchase orders that were said to be canceled for the detention center, 20 orders were canceled totaling $39,200, 19 were not canceled and fully paid to the vendor totaling $24,612 and 11 were not canceled and partially paid totaling $8,685, which resulted in a misleading report being submitted to the Budget Board, and decisions were made based on inaccurate or incomplete information. Of the 176 purchase orders that were said to be canceled for operations by the sheriffs office, 119 were canceled totaling $571,068, 10 were not canceled and fully paid totaling $5,972 and 47 were not canceled and partially paid totaling $64,317. Payroll expenditures According to the audit report, the sheriffs office used six different funds for payroll expenses in fiscal year 2024, however, three of the funds make up 99% of the payroll expenses. The three main funds used were the County General Fund, Sheriff Service Fee and Public Safety Sales Tax. The other three, which make up less than 1%, were Sheriff Justice Assistance Grant Fund, Sheriff Commissary Fund and Sheriff Special Revenue. Cleveland County processes payroll bi-monthly. According to a graph shown on the audit report, more than 200 employees were paid from the general fund on the July 14, 2023, pay period. The Public Safety Sales Tax and the Cash Funds were not used for that pay period. On the Dec. 29, 2023, pay period, roughly 100 employees were paid from the Public Safety Sales Tax, 78 were paid from the general fund and 34 were paid from cash funds. During the audit period, there was an issue within the sheriffs office providing the finance department with payroll change forms when employees were promoted or given pay raises, resulting in retroactive pay raises to employees during fiscal year 2024. According to the report, 28 employees received retroactive pay raises totaling $37,208. Of the employees, 15 worked for the detention center and received raises totaling $18,724, and 13 worked for other areas of the sheriffs office totaling $18,483. Many of these retroactive raises were given to individuals in upper management and administrative positions, according to the audit. It was also noted the sheriffs office created four new positions in fiscal year 2024. Network support technician, created in November 2023, was paid a total of $40,118.14. Professional standards director, created in November 2023, was paid a total of $56,477.14. Public information specialist, created in November 2023, was paid a total of $66,431.62. Fleet technician, created in July 2023, was paid a total of $70,578.80. Byrd noted a 30% turnover rate at the sheriffs office. Of the 291 employees that worked at some point in fiscal year 2024, 88 of them no longer worked for the office by the end of the fiscal year. For the detention center, out of the 149 employees who worked at some point in fiscal year 2024, 56 were no longer employed by the end of fiscal year, making a 38% turnover rate for the detention center. The turnover amounts listed resulted in compensatory time payouts of $3,623 and vacation payouts of $201,400. While reviewing leave balances, it was noted that due to turnover in financial positions, leave balances for May and June 2024 were not completed timely and signed off until Oct. 22, 2024. Contracts and expenses Byrd reviewed 51 professional service and lease-purchase contracts: Six contracts that did not have payments made in the fiscal year of 2024 totaling $394,207. 23 contracts that the Board of County Commissioners did not approve until after the contract start date. 21 contracts that were not encumbered until after the contract start date. Five contracts that were not presented to the Board of County Commissioners for approval. According to the audit, the sheriff's office entered into a contract with political subdivisions to provide services for payment. The two main contracts that the sheriff's office used in 2024 were school resource officer contracts and housing of prisoner contacts. SROs are stationed at schools to provide safety and protection. Housing and Prisoner contracts allow other political subdivisions to house its prisoners in the detention center for a daily charge. After reviewing six SRO contracts, four Housing of Prisoner contracts and seven Memorandum of Understanding contracts, Byrd found: An SRO contract that was not approved by the Board of County Commissioners before the contract start date. An invoice was sent to Norman Public Schools in the amount of $700,000 and later the Board of County Commissioners entered into a $200,000 settlement agreement. The sheriff's office invoiced NPS on April 10, 2024, for SRO salary reimbursement. There was no written contract between the two parties, though Byrd was informed that there was a verbal contract between the sheriffs office and NPS. On June 24, county commissioners entered into a $200,000 settlement agreement with NPS as payment in full for any and all SRO services provided by the sheriff's office during the fiscal year 2024. Two Housing of Prisoner contracts originated in the fiscal year 2023 and were automatically renewed without approval from the county commissioners. Three Memorandum of Understanding contracts that were not approved by the Board of County Commissioners. According to the audit, the sheriff's office purchased 17 vehicles totaling $511,436. The office also leased purchase agreements in place for 23 vehicles, 13 of which began in the fiscal year 2023 that had required payments. In the fiscal year 2024, $271,452 worth of lease purchases were paid with Sheriff Bailout Funds; 10 of these lease purchases were obligated in the 2024 fiscal year but were not paid until the fiscal year 2025, which totaled $279,773. During the the period when the sheriff's office had a budget shortfall, 40 vehicles were purchased, and lease purchase agreements totaled $1,062,661. These lease purchase agreements were approved by the Board of County Commissioners but included a clause that would have allowed the county to cancel the agreements if funds were unavailable. In the event that the Lessee determines that sufficient funds have not been appropriated to make the payments required under the terms of this agreement, the obligations of the Lessee under this agreement shall terminate, the clause reads. Jail financial operations Byrd compared fiscal year 2024 expenditure reports and staffing levels of the fiscal year 2020, which was the last year before Amason took up his position as sheriff. According to the audit, Amasons payroll expenses increased by 57% from 2020 to 2024, or $10.3 million to $16.2 million, or 57%. The detention center payroll made up 50% of the total payroll expenses in fiscal year 2020, in fiscal year 2024 they made up 44%. Byrd reviewed 50 expenditures for the Cleveland County Detention Center during 2024. Among the 50, Byrd found two expenditures that totaled $38,463, which were meant specifically for jail operations. According to the audit, part of the expenses were used to pay for a Verizon Wireless phone bill, and one was for the purchase of ballistic vests. According to the audit, due to an increase in administration and detention deputies, staffing levels at the detention center increased from 103 employees in 2020 to 107 in the fiscal year 2024. The sheriff's office informed the state auditor that there were employees who could work in several areas at the sheriff's office, though they did not change the job titles of the employees every time they moved positions. According to the audit, in the fiscal year 2020, there were an average of 71 detention officers at the detention center; that number decreased to 39 in the fiscal year 2024. The audit attributed this decrease to the sheriff's office using deputies in the fiscal year 2024 to perform detention officer duties. When reviewing fiscal year 2024 staffing levels, Byrd found there were 12 employees who began the year working for other areas of the sheriffs office and were moved to the detention center. There were also four employees who worked for the detention center who were moved to other areas of the sheriff's office. Based on employee turnover and job descriptions, (the Oklahoma State Auditor Inspector) was unable to determine if the effort made was able to meet jail staffing levels, the audit reads. This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure. A couple of weeks ago, I read Cassidy Nichole Pyper, Not Only Men but Women Also: An Argument for Almas Intentional Inclusion of Women, BYU Studies 64/1 (2025): 21-44. I have to admit that, when I began the article, I wasnt really expecting much. Sister Pyper contends, for example, that, when the Book of Mormon refers to, or addresses, brethren, that term can and should generally be taken to include women, sisters, as well. But Ive assumed that more inclusive sense for as long as I can remember, and, just as many General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have often done when citing such passages in a lesson or a talk, Ive commonly inserted a bracketed reference to sisters into the actual language of the Book of Mormon. But Sister Pypers argument is somewhat weightier than that, and more seriously argued. So, if this is a topic that interests you or that concerns you, or that interests or concerns somebody you know, I commend An Argument for Almas Intentional Inclusion of Women to your attention. And I note one particular passage very near the end of the article: While the general lack of female representation in the text remains a question for readers and scholars to wrestle with, careful analysis suggests that a slow and deliberate reading of the Book of Mormon may reveal a much less androcentric text than many readers have perceived it to be. That itself is good news for those who embrace the book as scripture in the twenty-first century. Joseph Spencer agrees that the Book of Mormon, despite initial appearances, has much of interest and relevance to say about gender. (43-44) In support of such an expectation, I call attention to a pair of articles that I myself published quite a few years ago: Daniel C. Peterson, Nephi and His Asherah, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: 9/2 (2000): 16-25 Abstract: Asherah was the chief goddess of the Canaanites. She was Els wife and the mother and wet nurse of the other gods. At least some Israelites worshipped her over a period from the conquest of Canaan in the second millennium before Christ to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC (the time of Lehis departure with his family). Asherah was associated with treessacred trees. The rabbinic authors of the Jewish Mishna (secondthird century ad) explain the asherah as a tree that was worshipped. In 1 Nephi 11, Nephi considers the meaning of the tree of life as he sees it in vision. In answer, he receives a vision of a virgin, . . . the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. The answer to his question about the meaning of the tree lies in the virgin mother with her child. The virgin is the tree in some sense and Nephi accepted this as an answer to his question. As an Israelite living at the end of the seventh century and during the early sixth century before Christ, he recognized an answer to his question about a marvelous tree in the otherwise unexplained image of a virginal mother and her divine childnot that what he saw and how he interpreted those things were perfectly obvious. What he read from the symbolic vision was culturally colored. Nephis vision reflects a meaning of the sacred tree that is unique to the ancient Near East. Asherah is also associated with biblical wisdom literature. Wisdom, a female, appears as the wife of God and represents life. However, I personally prefer the much longer book chapter from which the article above was condensed and derived: Daniel C. Peterson, Nephi and His Asherah: A Note on 1 Nephi 11:823, in Mormons, Scripture, and the Ancient World: Studies in Honor of John L. Sorenson (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1998), 191243. And these might also be helpful: As well as these, from scholars outside of the Latter-day Saint tradition: Nothing comes from nothing. Nothing ever could. So, somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good. Because not only was our flight from Houston to Dubai on Emirates, which fully deserves its reputation as one of the worlds best airlines the aircraft was beautifully appointed, very clean and new, the food was excellent even in economy class, and the cabin crew (between them) spoke seventeen languages but I had a window seat and an entire row to myself! I actually got in about three hours of sleep during the nearly fifteen-hour flight. That is about as well as Ive ever done, even with the use of chemicals. I also read a short book about the British Museum, began a mystery novel by Dorothy Sayers, watched Conclave (which seemed somehow appropriate), the biopic A Complete Unknown (about Bob Dylan) Ive long been a big fan of Pete Seeger, Dylan, and Joan Baez and a Second World War movie called Wolves of War. We flew over Iraq just now, slightly to the east of Mosul and Baghdad. Alas, though, it was becoming dark and nothing was really visible. I think that Ive only been in the airport here in Dubai once before. Its enormous. Ou Posted from Dubai, United Arab Emirates Doctor Who: Lux God of light sounds like such a positive character, and yet the opponent the Doctor faces in Lux is anything but bright and sunny, at least as far as his personality is concerned. I will get back to the first episode of this season, The Robot Revolution, very soon. But having fallen behind on writing, it seems appropriate to jump in on this second episode, titled Lux, since it intersects with religion very directly. We had seen the Doctor confronting various gods of a pantheon that originates beyond our universe, including the Toymaker, Maestro, and Sutekh the God of Death. In this episode we meet Lux Imperator, Latin for ruling light, who identifies himself as follows: I am Lux. Lux Imperator, the God of Light! I am the dazzle at the heart of the Pantheon, and the glint in the eyes of the mad. I am the last thing you see before you fall into the abyss. Inversions and Variations Lux enters a cinema through reflected moonlight that reflects off a spoon and shines on celluloid filmstrip, taking the form of a cartoon character named Mr. Ring-a-Ding. The light enters the world and in a fitting manner becomes cartoon rather than flesh. Yet the light-become-cartoon wants to have the light of life. A whole book chapter can be written exploring the inversions of and variations on details in the prologue of the Gospel of John in the episode. The Doctor is trying to get his new companion, Belinda Chandra, back to her home place and time, and yet the TARDIS keeps bouncing off of that date in May 2025. On this occasion, they bounce to Miami in the 1950s, placing them in the era of segregation, when the presence of the Doctor and Belinda in places such as the diner or the cinema means they are breaking the law. When Belinda is troubled by the Doctors nonchalant attitude to this historical reality, he replies: I have toppled worlds. Sometimes I wait for people to topple the world. Until then I live in itand shine. Doomed to Disappear When the God of Light turns them into cartoons, they try to figure out how to escape, leading to some wonderfully meta scenes. First, each discovers that they become increasingly three-dimensional as they share their feelings. They literally gain depth. Then they try to move vertically to escape the filmstrip, leading them at one point to believe that they had escapedonly to realize that they were still in a fictional realm because of continuity errors (the sort of thing that Doctor Who itself is famous for). Then they realize they need to literally break through the fourth wall, and so they do so and find themselves in a room where three fans have been watching Doctor Who, one wearing a fez and another a scarf. They are so excited to meet them and talk about what they love about the show, including hilariously offering Blink consistently as their favorite adventure. It soon becomes apparent, however, that it is these three fans who are fictional rather than the Doctor and Belinda. This means they are doomed to disappear when the main characters leave (although in a final scene after the credits, we discover that they have somehow persisted). They manage to stop the film which causes it to burn under the intensity of the projector lamp, allowing them to escape. The God of Light then tells the Doctor that it is time for The Greatest Story Ever Told, which was of course a famous film about Jesus. Here too we get a distorted crucifixion in which the Doctor is tied up with filmstrip while the God of Lifes avatar Mr. Ring-a-Ding steals his regeneration energy to build himself a new body. The fans they met gave away spoilers to the Doctor and Belinda, however, and so they know what they must do, namely let in sunlight. The plan initially seems as if it might backfire. Lux begins absorbing sunlight and growing rapidly. Before long, Lux has grown beyond Earth and utters the words, The light of creation. I am everything and I am nothing. Goodbye. And then he seems to be gone, or rather absorbed into the all-pervasive light that permeates the universe. A Conversation Starter Belinda is confused as to why the light that Lux feeds on could be a weapon against him. The Doctor explains that humans are 60 percent water and can still drown. Belinda replies, So hes actually a god now. Infinite, invisible, intangible. The Doctor responds by saying, Amen That moment is theologically provocative and should lead to interesting conversations for those with theological interests. The God of Light, it might seem to those steeped in the monotheistic theological traditions, be far superior to one mere sun. Yet, historically, the God of Light was the Sun or at least embodied in and connected with the Sun. That stars were other suns was not yet known. Thus the reabsorption of the avatar of Apollo back into the Sun would make sense, in a way that this story does not to the same extent, since it is not framed against the historic polytheistic traditions of Earth, but on the scale of universes. So theres something here to quibble about theologically, but for precisely that reason, it will work well as a conversation starter. Rampant Misinformation I wonder whether anyone had the same reaction that I did when, after those previously trapped on celluloid by Lux are freed, Tommys mother says, I had faith and you came back. There was a moment earlier in the episode when Tommys mother seemed to have betrayed the Doctor and called in police to apprehend him as a troublemaker. That was when the Doctor realized that it was something fake due to the inappropriate costuming. Thus that moment was not something that Tommys mother actually did. Yet it is so easy, having seen someone do something, to judge them even if it turns out that what we saw was fakery. This element in the story is perhaps the most profound and provocative for our era of rampant misinformation. Even if you know that what you heard in sermons was untrustworthy, it may still shape your views. Even if you distrust this or that news outlet, or the media in general, you may still be influenced by what they show you. Before concluding, there are a couple more details that have to be mentioned. One is that Mrs. Flood was there, with her hair done slightly differently, but still recognizably herself. The other is that the three fans that the Doctor and Belinda met, who were doomed to vanish upon their departure, reappear at the end of the episode. They discuss the episode and give is a 7 out of 10. Then one of them realizes what is happening and exclaims, Oh my God, were still here. What did you think of the Doctors encounter with the God of Light in this episode titled Lux? Update on April 25, 2025: As of yesterday, Microsoft has confirmed the issue and implemented a fix, but that fix wont actually roll out until early May (Beta Channel), mid May (Current Channel Preview), or late May (Current Channel). If you absolutely cant wait that long for the update, you can revert to version 2405 of classic Outlook, but youll be giving up several important security fixes. Original story from April 16, 2025: If youre still using Microsofts classic Outlook app for your emailing needs, you may have noticed that your computer hardware behaves a bit strangely when using the appmost notably when typing. Earlier this week, Microsoft issued a warning and confirmed that the classic Outlook app can cause your computers CPU usage to skyrocket. Processor usage can spike by 30 to 50 percent when writing an email, and also increase your computers power consumption. Its implied that this is a bug, but the root cause isnt yet known. The company says there isnt yet a direct solution to the problem, but notes that the issue only affects versions of classic Outlook on the Current Channel, Monthly Enterprise Channel, and Insider channels, after updating to Version 2406 Build 17726.20126 or later. If this issue is causing you significant trouble, you can work around it by switching your classic Outlook app to the Semi Annual Channel. Instructions on how to do that can be found in Microsofts warning, either using the Office Deployment Tool or a Windows registry change. You can also read ongoing discussion of the issue in this Microsoft forum thread. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 23, Dongfeng Motor signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia's Universal Motors Agencies ("UMA") at the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, positioning the Saudi market as a core hub for the Chinese automaker's Middle East expansion and a key gateway to the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The deal marks a significant milestone in Dongfeng Motor's global strategy, highlighting further progress in the Middle Eastern market. Photo credit: Dongfeng Motor Founded in 1947, UMA is one of the oldest automotive dealership groups in the region. Dongfeng Motor and UMA first established a strategic partnership in 2020, with UMA becoming a key distributor of Dongfeng Motor's brands. In 2024, the partnership achieved a breakthrough as Dongfeng Motor became the first Chinese automaker to provide services to major local enterprises in Saudi Arabia. The new agreement strengthens this partnership by forming a strategic alliance under the broader China-Saudi government procurement framework, integrating capital, technology, and market access. Dongfeng Motor has committed to supplying nearly 10,000 vehicles through a strategic procurement deal and will support UMA with comprehensive solutions spanning product innovation, service enhancement, and marketing transformation. In 2025, Dongfeng Motor and UMA plan to launch exclusive vehicle models tailored for Saudi consumers, establishing a benchmark product lineup for the region. The collaboration also aims to enhance UMA's lead generation, conversion, and overall sales efficiency through the development of an omnichannel marketing systemsetting a new standard for automotive retail operations in the Middle East. Looking ahead, Dongfeng Motor will leverage its full value chain strengthsfrom R&D to manufacturingand develop an integrated platform combining automotive, insurance, and financial services to offer innovative, reliable, and high-quality products and services to Saudi customers. In the first quarter of 2025, Dongfeng Motor's exports of passenger vehicles under its self-owned brands rose 63% year-on-year, while exports of new energy vehicles surged by 138%. As a key participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative, Dongfeng Motor continues to accelerate its overseas expansion. To date, it has developed multiple passenger and commercial vehicle models for international markets, with its product footprint now spanning over 100 countries across Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia. If youre the owner of a Nest Learning Thermostat thats more than 10 years old, youd better start thinking about an upgrade. Google just announced that it will soon drop support for the first- and second-generation Nest Learning Thermostats. The devices wont stop working completely, but remote access is going away, as are software updates and compatibility with the Google Home app. The older Nest Learning Thermostats that are losing support include the second-generation units for the U.S., released in 2014, as well as the European version of the second-gen thermostat, which also went on sale in 2014. The original Nest Learning Thermostat, which was released only in the U.S., landed in 2011. Google says it will drop support for the thermostats starting October 25, 2025. Besides no longer receiving software updates, the older Nest Leaning thermostats will lose Nest and Google Home app support, meaning no more out-of-home control. Google Assistant will also lose access to the units. You will still be able to control temperature, mode, schedules, and other settings manually on the thermostat itself, and existing schedules will continue to operate, Google added. At least Google is offering discounts to affected Nest users for their trouble. U.S. owners of the older Nest Learning Thermostats can get $130 off the fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat, while Nest customers in Canada can expect a $160 discount for that same unit. Meanwhile, European users with the soon-to-be-unsupported Nest Learning Thermostats will get half-off the Tado Smart Thermostat X Starter Kit. Google said it will reach out to affected Nest users via email with the discount offers. Besides chopping support for the European version of the Nest Learning Thermostat, Google says it will exit the thermostat market in Europe altogether, as European heating systems have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes. The third-gen Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E will continue to be sold in Europe while current supplies last, and both those models will continue to be supported, Google said. The news that Google is dropping support for its oldest Nest thermostats comes barely a month after it discontinued the Nest Protect smoke detector and the Nest X Yale Lock, thus withdrawing as a manufacturer in those key smart home categories. An armed man threatening to die by suicide inside a Lancaster County home was the reason behind an eight-hour police incident on Thursday, police said. Manor Township police were dispatched at 11:57 a.m. to the 2000 block of Stone Mill Road after a report of an armed man in distress and threatening to commit suicide inside a home, according to police Chief Colin Cleary. Cleary said the incident prompted a major response from police, fire, and EMS crews. Police issued a shelter-in-place order around 12:15 p.m. for residents in the area of Stone Mill Road and Redwood Drive. After a very lengthy process, the Lancaster County Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was able to negotiate with the man to deescalate the incident to a safe and successful conclusion around 7:40 p.m., he said. Cleary said the man was taken to a hospital after the incident. He said the shelter-in-place order was lifted around 8:15 p.m. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. A memorial for Omari Wilson, who was fatally shot April 14 near the intersection of Fourth and Muench streets in Harrisburg. April 24, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Editors Note: This story has been updated to remove an expletive in a quote. Omari Wilson died on a Monday. By Friday, gang graffiti with his name started to appear in Harrisburg. By GENE JOHNSON, The Associated Press A judge ruled Thursday that prosecutors can pursue the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger if he is convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, despite the defendants recent autism diagnosis. Kohberger, 30, is charged in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. Bryan Kohberger enters a courtroom in Moscow, Idaho on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Kai Eiselein/New York Post via AP, Pool, file) Kai Eiselein/New York Post via AP, Pool Prosecutors have said they intended to seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted at his trial, which is set to begin in August. But his attorneys asked Judge Steven Hippler to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment, citing Kohbergers diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. They have also filed several other motions challenging the death penalty, including one based on purported violations by the state in providing evidence. Mr. Kohbergers autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death, defense attorneys wrote in court papers. They argued that executing someone with autism would constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Prosecutors argued that under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the only mental disability that precludes imposition of the death penalty is an intellectual disability and Kohbergers diagnosis was of mild autism without accompanying intellectual ... impairment. The judge agreed. Not only has Defendant failed to show that ASD is equivalent to an intellectual disability for death penalty exemption purposes, he has not shown there is national consensus against subjecting individuals with ASD to capital punishment, Hippler wrote. ASD may be mitigating factor to be weighed against the aggravating factors in determining if defendant should receive the death penalty, but it is not (a) death-penalty disqualifier. Kohberger was a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, in Pullman, about 10 miles from Moscow, at the time of the killings. He was arrested in Pennsylvania weeks later. Investigators said they matched his DNA to genetic material recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene. Lebanon Co. DA Pier Hess Graf has been targeted by scores of harassing phone calls from Kimberly Baylor. Baylor says the calls are protected political speech. Jimmie Brown. | jbrown@pennlive.com | March 29, 2023. The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office has lodged 18 counts of harassment against an Ephrata woman accused of serial telephone calls targeting Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf. The misdemeanor charges were filed this week against Kimberly J. Baylor, 38, of the first block of Westpointe Drive. As of Thursday, she had not been arraigned. Michelle Wolf said she had plans to "never" speak about the viral 2018 White House Correspondents' dinner speech until now. (Photo by Evan Agostini, Invision, AP) Comedian and Hershey native Michelle Wolf released an exclusive new take on a moment a few years ago that made her go viral. After the White House recently decided it would hold its annual Correspondents Association dinner without a performance from a comedian, Wolf released a 15-minute clip in which she talks more about the faithful night back in 2018 when she did perform at the dinner. There might not be a comedian at the Correspondents Dinner this year, but the good news is: I have some leftovers! Wolf said on Instagram. Out of my own vault and filmed in 2022 is my WHCD encore Dinner Time exclusively streamed on @punchuplive. Dinner Time aired on April 24 at 8 p.m. ET on Punchup.live, which is also the site where her podcast Thought Box lives. Wolfs 2018 appearance sparked controversy as numerous people in attendance, ranging from then White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, did not appreciate Wolfs jokes. During the 2018 speech, Sanders, who sat only two seats from the podium, was joked about heavily during one part of Wolfs speech. I think shes very resourceful, Wolf said referring to Sanders make-up style. Like, she burns facts, and then she uses the ash to create a perfect smoky eye. In the trailer for Dinner Time Wolf says she wasnt going to talk about her 2018 routine again, until she saw that Sanders mentioned it in her 2020 memoir Speaking for Myself: Faith, Freedom, and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House. I debated walking out or perhaps even throwing my wine glass at her, Sanders wrote. But ultimately I stayed in my seat and held my head high. In the trailer, Wolf explains to her crowd about the backlash and cracks a few more jokes at the Republicans expense. I hate Republicans. I hate Democrats. I hate the media. Its all bad, Wolf said. I was never gonna talk about the correspondents dinner ever again. I thought I was aging really well, but then Sarah Sanders wrote a book and she mentioned talked about it. And I was like, well, if youre gonna talk about it. Wolf, 39, was born in Hershey and has made a name for herself in comedy. In 2017, she released her first hour-long standup special, Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady on HBO, which, according to her website, earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special. Wolf has also had stand-up specials featured on Netflix and worked as a writer for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah on Comedy Central. Nikki Glaser expressed concerns about her "anti-Trump" jokes after a close friend had an interesting experience with a customs agent. In this photo, Glaser is seen on stage during the 82nd Annual Golden Globes. Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images Comedian Nikki Glaser recently revealed shes worried her jokes might prevent her from coming back to the United States. Glaser was among those featured in The Times 100List. During an event honoring those on the list, she shared her fears about being able to return to the United States after making jokes about President Donald J. Trump. Glaser explained that she was doing a show in Canada and feared her anti-Trump jokes could have landed her in hot water while going through customs. Oh my God, Glaser said to The Times. What if what I said gets recorded and sent out? Maybe I could not be let back into the country. In Canada, it was fun. And I let it fly. It was really good. Glasers fears came after she recalled a story about a fellow comedian friend who experienced issues when returning to the United States. I have a friend, Jena Friedman, who posted on Instagram that she was performing in Vancouver, and when she came back, customs asked her what she did, Glaser said. She said she was a comedian, and they asked her if she talked about politics and made fun of the president. Friedmans April 11 Instagram post detailed more about the incident, issuing a heads up to anyone traveling internationally right now. Just a heads up to anyone traveling internationally right now, I was flying back into LA from Vancouver last night, and the U.S. customs agent asked what I was in town for, and I told him I was in town performing comedy, he asked, Do you make fun of politicians? Friedman wrote. It was a brief exchange, and I got through, but be careful out there, Friedman wrote. Know your rights and proceed with caution. Glaser said shes not trying to be an alarmist, but didnt think she was removed from backlash regarding her jokes. They let her go, but they asked, Glaser said. Im not trying to be an alarmist, but I definitely dont think that I am immune to having some kind of backlash or that I could be put on some kind of list because of some story I reposted. Look at other places that have dictators. Youre not allowed to say bad things about them. According to her website, Glaser has had numerous specials on HBO and has been nominated for several Grammy and Emmy awards. In January 205, Glaser became the first woman to host the Golden Globe Awards solo. The comedian is currently on tour for her new standup titled Nikki Glaser: Alive and Unwell. A strawberry and chocolate crepe from Au Bonheur des Crepes at the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township. Sue Gleiter At Au Bonheur des Crepes, owner Mohamed Elbayoumy welcomes any and all custom crepe requests. In fact, customers are encouraged to go rogue and veer from a pre-set menu of sweet and savory crepes. Want strawberry and banana with milk chocolate? You bet. Spinach, brie, chicken and ham? Done. The skys the limit at the French-themed creperie that opened in March at the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township near GameStop. Elbayoumy, who previously owned Pizza Zones at various malls including the former Harrisburg Mall, partnered with Mohammed Sadi of Au Bon Lieu in Harrisburg to open the new creperie. Theyre hoping crepes become as commonplace at mall food courts as soft pretzels, pizza and Chinese fried rice. The partners plan to branch out with franchises at other malls including Park City Mall in Lancaster County. Au Bonheur des Crepes operates at the Capital City Mall in Lower Allen Township. Sue Gleiter Decorated with pictures of French landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Au Bonheur stand crams a lot into a small space. Through a plexiglass window diners can watch their crepes being made as French music plays. Batter is ladled onto commercial crepe-maker and spread into thin French pancakes. Savory crepe selections abound, with dozens of options available. Choices range from a ham and brie with spinach to tuna fish with onion, capers and olives, and a chicken with mozzarella, sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions. Sweet crepes include bananas, strawberries and blueberries with Nutella, Belgian dark chocolate, caramel, jams, cookie butter and coconut. We try to stick to the menu, but you can create your own, Elbayoumy said. We want to make it easy. Because so many ingredients are on hand, he said its easy to accommodate requests. My main concern is the customer is No. 1, Elbayoumy said. The stand also carries breakfast foods as well as beverages including coffee, lattes and fruity Refresher tea drinks in mango, raspberry and strawberry. Cold brew lattes come in flavors like Oreo, Nutella, caramel, French vanilla and hazelnut. Gluten-free and dairy-free crepes are also available. Crepe prices range from $7.50 to $10.75. The stand is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. A picture, taken in the Shippensburg area, of the Michaux State Forest fire. Corey Kauffman As firefighters continue to battle the wildfires in Michaux State Forest, the smoke is reaching beyond the bounds of Cumberland County. A post from the National Weather Service in State College showed that smoke from the fires were captured in images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Thompson Hollow Fire in Cumberland County, PA produced a large smoke plume as seen on yesterdays NOAA Satellite and Information Service GOES-19 GEOCOLOR imagery, the post read. And while air quality in the region may be affected, conditions are not nearly as bad as they might be. As of now, it seems like most of the smoke has been relatively elevated, with only a little bit making it down towards the surface, said Joe Bauco, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Winds today should sort of continue with that, but there could be some localized air quality issues. The fires have been burning over an area estimated to be more than 1,000 acres, and dry conditions have helped them spread as firefighters hope to contain them. Bauco said that the affected area in south-central Pennsylvania is year to date, about five inches below normal for rainfall. Down in that part of Cumberland County, it looks like theres still a D1 or a moderate drought, Bauco said. And then yesterday, relative humidities were down around 30% in that area, which is again very favorable for wildfires to spread if they form. And there were some some gusty winds, around 10 to 20 miles per hour, also helping those fires begin to spread. Officials have issued evacuation notices for an area of Southampton Township near one of the spreading fires. For those localized areas in which the smoke is hanging lower in the atmosphere, Bauco said, thats when we would recommend for people to maybe stay indoors if theyre sensitive to poor air quality. But at this point, it doesnt seem like its too much of a concern. The areas most likely to be affected are Cumberland County and the nearby counties of Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties, he said. While the specific effects of the smoke are hard to predict, Bauco said, the wind direction should generally stay northwest through Sunday. That will generally keep things going in the same direction. And hopefully, the rain tonight will help. There's a new color, 'Olo,' according to scientists. (Photo by Joe McNally/Getty Images) Getty Images Think you can name all the colors? Well, if Olo wasnt on your list, scientists say you got it wrong. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. DiDi Autonomous Driving, GAC AION display mass-production-ready L4 robotaxi at AUTO SHANGHAI 2025 At the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, DiDi Autonomous Driving and GAC AION showcased their jointly developed L4 Robotaxi, marking a significant milestone in China's intelligent mobility landscape. According to the companies, the vehicle is scheduled to roll off the production line by the end of 2025, with pilot operations set to be launched in 2026 in key cities including Guangzhou and Beijing. Photo credit: GAC AION NavInfo, Zhuoyu enter strategic partnership to accelerate ADAS adoption On April 23, during the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, Beijing NavInfo Technology Co., Ltd. ("NavInfo") and Shenzhen Zhuoyu Technology Co., Ltd. ("Zhuoyu") signed a comprehensive cooperation framework agreement focused on automotive intelligence. The two companies will integrate their respective technologies and resources in the field of assisted driving to deliver industry-leading solutions to automakers. The collaboration aims to accelerate the widespread adoption of assisted driving features in mass-market vehicles. Parkopedia, ThunderSoft form strategic alliance to develop global intelligent mobility solutions At this year's AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, Parkopedia, a global leader in in-car payment and mobility services, announced a strategic partnership with ThunderSoft, a Chinese provider of intelligent operating systems and edge AI solutions. The two companies will collaborate based on ThunderSoft's AI-native "Aqua OS" automotive operating system, integrating Parkopedia's servicesincluding global parking, EV charging, payments, indoor mapping, and automated parkingto create comprehensive smart mobility solutions for car owners worldwide. JAC Group, Huawei Digital Power deepen strategic partnership to boost NEV innovation On April 22, JAC Group and Huawei Digital Power signed a comprehensive agreement to deepen their strategic collaboration, expanding their long-standing partnership that began in 2019. Horizon Robotics, DENSO join hands to co-develop competitive ADAS solutions On April 25, Horizon Robotics announced it has recently forged a strategic partnership with global automotive parts giant DENSO. The collaboration will integrate Horizon Robotics' Journey series computing platforms with DENSO's advanced expertise in ADAS development and vehicle integration, aiming to jointly create highly competitive, next-generation driver-assistance products. AXERA, MAXIEYE step up strategic partnership to accelerate global ADAS expansion On April 25, during the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, Axera Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("AXERA") and MAXIEYE Automotive Technology (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. ("MAXIEYE") signed an agreement to deepen their strategic partnership. The two companies will strengthen collaboration across technology and product development, as well as global market expansion, aiming to jointly accelerate their presence in the global advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) market. BYD debuts five new Ocean Series models at AUTO SHANGHAI 2025 On April 23, the opening day of the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, BYD's Ocean Series made a major splash with the global debut of five new models: the Ocean-S concept model, the Sealion 06 DM-i, the Sealion 06 EV, the Seal 06 EV, and the Seal 06 DM-i Touring edition. Dongfeng Motor deepens Middle East expansion with strategic pact in Saudi Arabia On April 23, Dongfeng Motor signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia's Universal Motors Agencies ("UMA") at the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, positioning the Saudi market as a core hub for the Chinese automaker's Middle East expansion and a key gateway to the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Horizon Robotics deepens partnership with Bosch to deliver ADAS solutions to multiple automakers On April 24, Horizon Robotics announced an expanded strategic partnership with Bosch, a global leader in automotive technology and services. Under the new agreement, Bosch will develop a next-generation multifunctional camera system based on Horizon's Journey 6B chip and the mid segment of its Bosch ADAS family (named "Zongheng" in Chinese Pinyin, meaning "all-round intelligent driving") powered by Horizon's Journey 6E and 6M chips. Both products have already secured designated deployment contracts from multiple automakers. Visteon, Volcano Engine unveil AI-powered smart cockpit solution at AUTO SHANGHAI 2025 On April 24, global automotive electronics leader Visteon and ByteDance's cloud service platform Volcano Engine held a joint press conference at the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025 to launch their next-generation smart cockpit solution powered by large-scale AI models. Pony.ai, Tencent Cloud join forces to accelerate L4 Robotaxi deployment On April 22, Pony.ai signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Tencent Cloud to jointly advance the development Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving technologies and deployment of Robotaxi services. The partnership will integrate technologies across cloud computing, mapping data, cybersecurity, and smart cockpit ecosystems to expand Robotaxi applications on both the vehicle and user ends, accelerating the commercialization of L4 autonomous driving solutions. MILWAUKEE (AP) The FBI on Friday arrested a Wisconsin county judge accused of helping a man avoid immigration enforcement, Director Kash Patel said. Patel made the announcement in a post on X and said his office believes Judge Hannah Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse. FBI Director Kash Patel (J. Scott Applewhite | The Associated Press, File) J. Scott Applewhite | The Associated Press, File Patel identified the subject as Eduardo Flores Ruiz and said Dugans actions allowed Ruiz to evade arrest. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Flores-Ruiz is a Mexican immigrant facing three misdemeanor battery counts. He was in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference. The Justice Department didnt immediately have a comment Friday. A person answering the phone Friday at Dugans office said he could not comment. The Associated Press left an email and voicemail Friday morning seeking comment from Milwaukee County Courts Chief Judge Carl Ashley. The arrest marks an escalation in the Trump administrations fight with the judiciary over the White Houses sweeping immigration enforcement policies. The Justice Department had previously signaled that it was going to crack down on local officials thwarting federal immigration efforts. The department in January ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who they believe are interfering with the administrations immigration crackdown. The York County Coroners Office on Thursday released the name of the 64-year-old man who died after a house fire in Conewago Township earlier this week. Wesley Kunkle, of Conewago Township, was pronounced dead at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday after a home caught fire on the 2200 block of Copenhaffer Road a few minutes earlier, the coroners office said. The wildfire was reported at the Michaux State Forest in the Shippensburg area at around 5:00 p.m., Wednesday. Cumberland County Unmanned Aircraft System Officials in Cumberland County issued an evacuation notice near Michaux State Forest while crews battle two forest fires in the county. According to the Shippensburg Fire Department, those who live along Shippensburg Road, Forest Road, Thompson Hollow Road and Three Turn Road are advised to evacuate to the Big Flat Parking Area at 2460 Shippensburg Road, according to a county officials. Thursdays evacuation notice is for residents in the area of the Michaux State Forest fire, which has burned over 100 acres after starting around 5 p.m. Wednesday night. Picture of the Michaux State Forest fire, taken by drone operator Liam Lavin. Liam Lavin Picture of the Michaux State Forest fire, taken by drone operator Liam Lavin. Liam Lavin A Facebook commenter asked if the evacuation applies to homes below Big Flat on Shippensburg Road, to which the fire department responded, If you are on Shippensburg Road in Southampton Township, you should heed this notice. More than a dozen homes can be seen in the evacuation area through satellite imaging. The region is rural with a few homes scattered along Ridge Road, Three Turns Road and Shippensburg Road. Shippensburg Road is currently closed between Ridge Road and Whitmer Road due to the ongoing emergency response. Please avoid these areas and allow emergency responders to work safely, said Robert Shively Jr., director of Cumberland County Public Safety. Smoke from the Michaux State Forest fire can be seen from neighborhoods in the Shippensburg area. A picture, taken in the Shippensburg area, of the Michaux State Forest fire. Corey Kauffman A second forest fire started around 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the area of Ridge and Cold Springs roads in Dickinson Township, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Shane Wiegel, who lives nearby, took multiple videos of the Dickinson Township fire while he was riding his mountain bike in the area. As of 3:45 p.m., the Dickinson Township fire, which has been named the Hammonds Rocks Fire, had burned about 25 acres. The fire started around 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the area of Ridge and Cold Springs roads, according to Wesley Robinson, press secretary for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). DCNR Roads in the area and the Kings Gap Environmental Education Center were closed on Thursday while crews battled the fire. The beach area of Laurel Lake is also closed on Thursday to facilitate helicopter water dips, the DCNR said. It is unclear if any evacuation notices have been issued for the Hammonds Rocks Fire. Nearly 1,000 acres of wooded land in Cumberland County has burned since two fires broke out in Michaux State Forest within an 18-hour period, according to an update provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The Thompson Hollow Fire, which started around 5 p.m. Wednesday, has spread to approximately 750 acres as of Thursday night, Wesley Robinson with the DCNR said in a press release. WILLIAMSPORT A former Centre County business must pay $25,000 to a Vietnam veteran with a full service-connected disability for denying access to his service dog in 2022. U.S. Middle District Judge Julia K. Munley ordered the payment Friday when she granted default judgment for Christopher C. Taylor of Bellefonte. She found KnB Inflatables violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) when it refused to let his service dog into the inflatable play center then in the Nittany Mall. Cumberland County emergency officials on Friday issued an additional voluntary evacuation notice while crews continue to battle two fires in Michaux State Forest, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) said. The voluntary notice is for residents who live along Whitmer Road, from the beginning of the road to Ivy Lane, according to DCNR spokesperson Wesley Robinson. Approximately 10 to 15 homes are in the area of Fridays voluntary evacuation notice, Robinson said. Those who live on Whitmer Road are asked to evacuate to the Southampton Township Municipal Building at 200 Airport Road in Shippensburg. Late Friday morning, Josh Thompson of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry said the two fires the Thompson Hollow Fire and Hammonds Rocks Fire are rated at zero containment. Picture of the Thompson Hollow Fire, taken by drone operator Liam Lavin. Liam Lavin Picture of the Thompson Hollow Fire, taken by drone operator Liam Lavin. Liam Lavin Despite the fires burning about 1,350 acres, no serious injuries or property damage are associated with the blazes, officials said. Shane Wiegel, who lives nearby, took the following video of the Hammonds Rocks Fire while he was riding his mountain bike in the area. By Friday night, Thompson said fire crews are hopeful that rain chances will help them control after several days of prime fire growth conditions. If we get some rain, every little bit will help, Thompson said. Even lower temperatures, higher humidities will at least have the potential of dampening the fire behavior a little bit. A picture, taken in the Shippensburg area, of the Thompson Hollow Fire. Corey Kauffman The Thompson Hollow Fire, which started Wednesday, measured at 1,150 acres as of Friday morning, Thompson said. The Hammonds Rock fire, several miles to the east, has burned an estimated 200 acres after starting Thursday morning. In total, the fires have burned over two square miles. By mid-day Friday, emergency officials had not expanded the voluntary evacuation zone issued for the Thompson Hollow Fire on Thursday, which resulted in about 30 people leaving their homes. If youve been on a highway recently, youve seen them: those signs reminding drivers that texting is distracting and they shouldnt do it. I agree. But what about this: I climbed in a car recently with a driver who has an ignition interlock device. The car wont start until the driver blows into the device, proving the driver isnt drunk. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump meets with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP By Tara Copp, The Associated Press WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagons security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press. The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseths use of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance. Known as a dirty internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the users information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagons secured connections maintain. Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if theres a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked. But the biggest advantage of using such a line is that the user would not show up as one of the many IP addresses assigned to the Defense Department essentially the user is masked, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with military network security. But it also can expose users to hacking and surveillance. A dirty line just like any public internet connection also may lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law, the official said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. A dirty internet line to use Signal The two people familiar with the line said Hegseth had it set up in his office to use the Signal app, which has become a flashpoint following revelations that he posted sensitive details about a military airstrike in two chats that each had more than a dozen people. One of the chats included his wife and brother, while the other included President Donald Trumps top national security officials. Asked about Hegseths use of Signal in his office, which was first reported by The Washington Post, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretarys use of communications systems and channels is classified. However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer, Parnell said in a statement. Its the latest revelation to shake the Pentagon. Besides facing questions from both Democrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information, Hegseth has dismissed or transferred multiple close advisers, tightly narrowing his inner circle and adding to the turmoil following the firings of several senior military officers in recent months. Trump and other administration officials have given Hegseth their full support. They have blamed employees they say were disgruntled for leaking information to journalists, with Trump saying this week: Its just fake news. They just bring up stories. I have 100% confidence in the secretary, Vice President JD Vance told reporters Wednesday about Hegseth. I know the president does and, really, the entire team does. Secure ways to communicate at the Pentagon The Pentagon has a variety of secure ways that enable Hegseth and other military leaders to communicate: The Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network can handle the lowest levels of sensitive information. It allows some access to the internet but is firewalled and has levels of cybersecurity that a dirty line does not. It cannot handle information labeled as secret. The Secure Internet Protocol Router Network is used for secret-level classified information. The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System is for top-secret and secret compartmentalized information, which is some of the highest levels of secrecy, also known as TS/SCI. Hegseth initially was going to the back area of his office where he could access Wi-Fi to use his devices, one of the people familiar said, and then he requested a line at his desk where he could use his own computer. Beleaguered U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lauded the Trump Administration's early defense achievements in a Wednesday speech at the U.S. Army War College. Charles Thompson That meant at times there were three computers around his desk a personal computer; another for classified information; and a third for sensitive defense information, both people said. Because electronic devices are vulnerable to spying, no one is supposed to have them inside the defense secretarys office. Important offices at the Pentagon have a cabinet or drawer where staff or visitors are required to leave devices. Fallout over Signal Signal is a commercially available app that is not authorized to be used for sensitive or classified information. Its encrypted, but can be hacked. While Signal offers more protections than standard text messaging, its no guarantee of security. Officials also must ensure their hardware and connections are secure, said Theresa Payton, White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush and now CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity firm. The communications of senior government officials are of keen interest to adversaries like Russia or China, Payton said. The National Security Agency issued a warning earlier this year about concerns that foreign hackers could try to target government officials using Signal. Google also advised caution about Russia-aligned hackers targeting Signal users. 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. Hegseth pulled the information about the strike on Yemens Houthi militants last month from a secure communications channel used by U.S. Central Command. He has vehemently denied he posted war plans or classified information. But the information Hegseth did post in chats exact launch times and bomb drop times would have been classified and could have put service members at risk, multiple current and former military and defense officials have said. The airstrike information was sent before the pilots had launched or safely returned from their mission. AP reporter David Klepper in Washington contributed to this report. By LINLEY SANDERS, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trumps handling of immigration remains a point of strength as he takes wide-ranging actions to ramp up deportations and target people in the U.S. illegally, according to a new poll. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 46% of U.S. adults approve of Trumps handling of immigration, which is nearly 10 percentage points higher than his approval rating on the economy and trade with other countries. While Trumps actions remain divisive, theres less of a consensus that the Republican president has overstepped on immigration than on other issues. Still, theres little appetite for an even tougher approach. About half of Americans say hes gone too far when it comes to deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Theyre divided on the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants who are accused of being gang members to El Salvador, and more oppose than support revoking foreign students visas over their participation in pro-Palestinian activism. Heres what the poll shows about how Americans are viewing the Trump administrations actions on immigration. Immigration is a point of strength for Trump, particularly with Republicans Immigration was a major factor for voters in last Novembers election, particularly for Trumps supporters, and they were more open to tough stances on the issue than theyd been four years earlier. And even though many of Trumps immigration enforcement efforts are currently mired in battles with federal judges, its remained an issue of relative strength in the court of public opinion. Similar to an AP-NORC poll conducted in March, nearly half of Americans approve of Trumps immigration approach, while about 4 in 10 approve of how hes handling the presidency. This higher approval on immigration comes primarily from Republicans. About 8 in 10 Republicans approve of Trumps handling of immigration, higher than the roughly 7 in 10 Republicans who approve of how hes handling the economy or trade negotiations with other countries. Other groups are less enthusiastic about Trumps approach. About 4 in 10 independents and only about 2 in 10 Democrats approve of Trump on immigration. Relatively few Americans are concerned theyll know someone who is directly affected by increased immigration enforcement, according to the poll. About 2 in 10 Americans say they are extremely or very concerned that they or someone they know will be directly affected. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to worry theyll be affected, and Hispanic adults are more likely than white or Black adults to be concerned. Hats are seen on the desk as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP About half say Trump has gone too far on deportations About half of Americans say Trump has gone too far when it comes to deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. About one-third say his approach has been about right, and about 2 in 10 say hes not gone far enough. Theyre unhappier, generally, with how hes approaching trade negotiations. About 6 in 10 say hes gone too far in imposing new tariffs on other countries. There is not a strong desire for more aggressive action on immigration, though, even among the people who approve of whats Trump doing. Among the Americans who approve of how Trump is handling immigration, about 6 in 10 say his approach has been about right, and roughly 3 in 10 say he hasnt gone far enough. Americans are split on sending Venezuelans to El Salvador but oppose revoking student visas There is a deep divide on whether and how the Trump administration should undertake large-scale deportations, according to the survey, which was conducted in mid-April, while Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., was on a trip to El Salvador to demand the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported there in what officials later described as an administrative error. The poll found that 38% of Americans favor deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, down slightly from an AP-NORC poll conducted just before Trump took office in January. About the same share of Americans are opposed, and about 2 in 10 are neutral. The findings are very similar for Trumps policy of sending Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. who authorities say are gang members to a prison in El Salvador. But the public is more opposed, broadly, to revoking foreign students visas over their participation in pro-Palestinian activism, which has emerged as another flashpoint. About half of U.S. adults oppose this, and about 3 in 10 are in support. This action is particularly unpopular among Americans with a college degree. About 6 in 10 strongly or somewhat oppose it, compared with about 4 in 10 Americans who arent college graduates. The AP-NORC poll of 1,260 adults was conducted April 17-21, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 25, during the AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, Axera Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("AXERA") and MAXIEYE Automotive Technology (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. ("MAXIEYE") signed an agreement to deepen their strategic partnership. The two companies will strengthen collaboration across technology and product development, as well as global market expansion, aiming to jointly accelerate their presence in the global advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) market. Photo credit: AXERA AXERA and MAXIEYE have already built a solid cooperation foundation in China's in-vehicle technology sector, achieving significant success in mass production of ADAS solutions. This new phase of collaboration marks a shift from a domestic focus to a global strategy. At the AUTO SHANGHAI, AXERA launched its new M57 seriesa globally oriented automotive-grade chip platform tailored for the international ADAS market. The company said the M57 chips comply with stringent automotive safety certifications and are designed to help customers meet regulatory standards worldwide. MAXIEYE and AXERA will jointly explore further innovations based on this platform. Looking ahead, the partnership will include deeper cooperation in system architecture co-definition, co-development of standards and certifications, and global project deployments. The alliance exemplifies how China's local AI chipmakers and ADAS algorithm developers are working together to go global. AXERA will continue to provide full-stack supportfrom chip design to toolchain developmentto enhance the deployment efficiency of MAXIEYE's MAXIPILOT ADAS system. Leveraging its Hyperspace BEV deep learning framework and MAXI-DI data intelligence system, MAXIEYE aims to achieve rapid algorithm adaptation and closed-loop optimization of AI models, delivering high-performance, system-level ADAS solutions for the global market. Photo credit: The Steam Room After spending more time on social media recently, Charles Barkley felt the need to issue a statement against racism. On the latest episode of The Steam Room podcast with co-host Ernie Johnson, Barkley began the show with a monologue to share his concerns about the internet providing a platform for people to perpetuate hate. Im 62 and I grew up in Alabama, Barkley said. And people, my entire life, have tried to make me be racist. Whether youre white or Black. According to Barkley, an opposition to racism was instilled in him by his grandmother, who used to say, Youre gonna meet some of the most incredible white people in your life and youre gonna meet some of the most full of sh*t Black people in your lifejudge people by who they are. I just want people to know, yall aint ever gonna win being a racist, Barkley continued. I aint never gonna have that in my soul and my heart. Im very aware racism exists, always has, and always will. But I just want yall to know, yall aint ever gonna win. Barkley, who only joined Instagram last year, said he spends time scrolling through reels and reading the comments. Recently, Barkley said hes been reading comments on reels about Karmelo Anthony, the Black teen accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who was white, at a track meet in Texas. The reason I just got on social media in the last year or so is because I thought it was full of people who were full of scumbags and idiots and people who were full of sh*t, Barkley explained. And you know what? I was right. Everything is about race. Its always someone elses fault. And it bothers me because yall people are just walking aroundIm gonna say this again, if youre a racist, whether youre Black or white, youre just an a**hole. I never have a double standard. Like, if youre in the Klan, youre an a**hole. If youre one of these Black people who are out here and are like everything is always white peoples fault, youre an a**hole too. Finding a racial narrative is one of the quickest paths to engagement on social media. But a word of advice to Charles Barkley, who is still new to social media, dont read the comments. Maurice Hawkins Wins Record-Tying 19th Ring Amid Continued Backer Controversy Connor Richards Senior Editor U.S. Copy link It's been a whirlwind of a week for Maurice Hawkins, who won his record-tying 19th World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) ring just days after he was once again called out publicly by a disgruntled backer. Hawkins took down Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack at WSOPC Horseshoe Tunica for $34,711 as he defeated Arkansas' Dylan Crawford. The event drew 571 players and the final table also included Michael Mieszala (3rd - $15,081), Michael Costello (4th - $10,822) and Dave Alfa (5th - $7,931). Place Player Hometown Prize (USD) 1 Maurice Hawkins West Palm Beach, FL $34,711 2 Dylan Crawford Mountain Home, AR $21,452 3 Michael Mieszala Mount Prospect, IL $15,081 4 Michael Costello Warrensburg, IL $10,822 5 Dave Alfa Las Vegas, NV $7,931 6 Adam Henning Madison, AL $5,939 7 Connor Steinbrook Plano, TX $4,545 8 Charles Dawson N/A $3,558 9 Anh Nguyen Nashville, TN $2,849 Backer Says Hawkins Still Hasn't Paid On April 21, just two days before Hawkins won his 19th ring to tie Ari Engel as the all-time ring leader, he was called out on social media by former backer Randy Garcia. In 2019, a judge in Palm Beach County, Florida, awarded Garcia a $115,828 judgment, meaning Hawkins owed that amount to him. But several years later, the North Carolina restaurateur says Hawkins has only paid back a fraction of the money owed. "So now I am working with a new lawyer to go after every penny he owes me (including 6 years of interest which I am entitled to per the judgment)," Garcia wrote on X. "I will do everything in my power not only to get my money back, but expose him for the fraud he is. He has now owed me for 6 years. I backed him and loaned him money when his bills were past due for his family and this is how he repays my kindness." Garcia also shared a text message from Hawkins dated March 7 asking for "30 days" to pay the money back. Garcia claims Hawkins, who has long dismissed his critics as haters who envy his success, missed that April 7 deadline. In light of Garcia's tweet, WSOP bracelet winner Denise Pratt shared a video of her interaction with Hawkins, who she claims owes her from a backing arrangement. Hawkins' 18th ring victory was also marred in controversy, albeit unrelated to the polarizing poker player himself. In that victory, third-place finisher Divyam Satyarthi was incorrectly eliminated when his winning hand was accidentally mucked at showdown. Chad Holloway, Kyna England and Mike Holtz discussed the Hawkins backing controversy on the latest PokerNews Podcast, which went live this morning. *Photos courtesy WSOPC Share this article Reporter Carl Dawson covers education for the Aiken Standard. An Aiken County resident since 1990, his work has appeared in the Charleston News & Courier, the Tampa Tribune, the Atlanta Constitution and the Augusta Chronicle. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of South Carolina. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Mostly sunny. Hot. High 91F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 71F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Aiken Standard reporter Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken, politics and public safety and courts. Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Education Lab Reporter Ian Grenier covers K-12 and higher education in South Carolina from Columbia. Originally from Charleston, he studied history and political science at USC and reported for the Victoria Advocate in South Texas before joining The Post and Courier. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Generally cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies. Low 73F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Director of the Ronald McDonald House Caroline McShane, standing with students who raised the money. The effort is set to expand next year. In 2001, the remains of 120 enslaved people, and the family who enslaved them, were moved and reburied in Bookman Cemetery. The remains were discovered during the construction of an auto dealership on a site formerly belonging to the Lorick Plantation, near I-26 and Broad River Road. Business Reporter Andy Tsubasa Field covers business and development for The Post and Courier's Columbia bureau. He has reported on business for the Albany Times Union, general assignment news in Bridgeport for the Connecticut Post, Kansas state politics for the Associated Press and city hall for the Bismarck Tribune. Located at 4700 Dacusville Highway near Marietta, the property known as Eden Farms was placed on the market recently for $3.5 million. The five-bedroom, 5,638-square-foot home at 316 Stonebrook Farm Way in Greenville closed April 21 for $2.5 million. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy. Low 74F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Myrtle Beach, SC (29577) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low near 75F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Yes, we are serious about these events in and around Billings. And don't call us Shirley. Movies about gladiators at the Babcock and Art House The Babcock does a film series called Garbage Day, and boy oh boy does the movie they picked live up to that. At 8 p.m. Friday you can catch a showing of "Masters of the Universe." The 1987 adaptation of the massively successful animated series (and even more massively successful toy line) cast Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella as sword and sandals hero and villain He-Man and Skeletor, but for some reason transports them from the magical land of Eternia to Earth and makes them fight with guns instead of swords. A baffling film. The last shot is a self confident teaser for a sequel, which never happened after the movie failed to even make its budget back. But like a lot of really bad movies people watched when they were really young, it's now seen as a sort of cult classic. Plus it stars a very young, pre-"Friends" Courteney Cox, and who could forget Billy Barty as Gwildor? He's no Fflewddur Fflam, but still. We've got a banger coming on Saturday. At 6 p.m. they're showing "Airplane!" And that exclamation point is both part of the title, and a summation of how excited you should be to see this movie. The first team-up between Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker turned Leslie Neilson into the greatest comedy star of his generation when he was in his 60s. And while it laid the blueprint for dozens (and dozens and dozens) of other parody films many of them directed by those guys again none are quite as gleefully silly or as uproariously funny as this original, one of those movies that transcended its medium and just became a lexicon unto itself. If you were born anytime after 1980 you probably had all of "Airplane!" quoted to you before you even got around to seeing the movie, which is what makes it all the more remarkable that it held up (and still does) to those expectations. Stick around that night until 9 p.m. and you can see another 1980 classic, this one with a markedly different tone. At 9 p.m. they're showing Peter Medak's "The Changeling," a haunted house classic that reminds us of a better world where movies used to have George C. Scott in them. Over at Art House you can still see "Sinners" (and WOW, should you!) and new this week is the A24 kiddie flick "The Legend of Ochi" and "On Swift Horses," the rare film from TV heavyweight Daniel Minahan ("Deadwood," "Game of Thrones") starring some of our most exciting young movie stars like Jacob Elordi, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Will Poulter (wonder what kind of off-putting jerk he'll be playing) and Diego Calva (any "Babylon" heads out there?). Only one special showing but it's a real good one. Gordon McConnell is presenting "One-Eyed Jacks" at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The only movie Marlon Brando ever directed, he also stars, alongside a list of character actor legends like Karl Malden (who won an Oscar opposite Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire"), Ben Johnson and Slim Pickens. And hey, if that's not enough Gordon McConnell for you, then you've got to go see his show at Kirks' Grocery, "Never Really Cowboys." And if you want a good excuse, head over to Kirks' on Saturday at 3 p.m. for an artist talk from McConnell, who is just about as good at talking as he is at painting and he's real good at painting. 'The Sound of Music' at West High Shhhhhhhhh... Do you hear that? Echoing off the Rims? Why, it's almost as if... the hills are alive? With some sort of sound of music? Yes folks, it's true. Some of our most talented and youngest thespians in town, the West High theater students, are performing Rogers and Hammerstein's inimitable classic "The Sound of Music" this weekend. For the first time, you can hear "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" sung by someone who really means it! Performances are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., all at the West High Auditorium. Tickets are $15 ($12 for students and seniors) and available in advance at bwhs.billingschools.org or at the door. Tchaikovsky 5 at the Alberta Bair The Billings Symphony's 75th (75th!) season will start soon, but before we get to that milestone, calm down. We've still got to wrap up the 74th. That process will begin on Saturday with the final Classic Series performance (there are still a pair of Sukin Series dates on the books, plus this new thing they're trying where they'll be playing music in Pioneer Park so good luck with that one). And fittingly, it's a doozy. The Symphony will be joined by the Chorale to perform Francis Poulenc's "Gloria," and then the musicians will take center stage for Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. The Russian composer (if you couldn't tell from that name) wasn't very fond of the piece he infamously dubbed it "a failure" when it was first performed in the 1880s but it's now' his most seminal work, more or less a stand-in for an entire school of Russian and Eastern European music. The Billings Symphony will be performing Tchaikovsky 5 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Alberta Bair, and tickets are $42 to $74 (plus fees) or $20 to $39 for students and under 30s. And as usual, if you want to save a few bucks you can grab a $20 ticket to the dress rehearsal, which is at 7 p.m. Friday, April 25. Grab tickets to either of those performances, or maybe both, if you're a real Russian music fan, at billingssymphony.org. Grant Jones at Art House There was a time in Billings when Grant Jones was the hottest thing around. With his heart-on-his-sleeve lyricism and dynamic performance style (and band fully stocked with some of Billings' best), he was a regular all around town, and in 2019 got tapped to open for Jason Isbell at the Kettlehouse Amphitheatre. Jones took a few years off from the spotlight, but he's back in a big way on Sunday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. That's when he, along with an all star band of Parker Brown, Bob Brown and Pat Epley, is taking the stage at Art House Cinema and Pub, which has sneakily become one of the state's best music venues because it's an environment where people are already used to being quiet and paying attention. Tickets are $20 at arthousebillings.com and don't wait, this thing will sell out well before showtime. Laura Jane Grace and the Mississippi Medicals at the Pub Station You could make a compelling case that Laura Jane Grace is one of the most important American musicians of the last 30 years. As the frontwoman of the DIY punk masters Against Me! she exploded out of Florida with blustery howls of discontent that climaxed with the band's first charting single "Thrash Unreal," still in the conversation for best rock song of the new millennium. In 2012 Grace, in the pages of Rolling Stone, no less, came out as transgender, an act of bravery that became a watershed moment in the history of American punk. In the decade since she's released a string of excellent records, both with Against Me! and under her own name. At 8 p.m. Sunday, April 27, she'll be headlining the Pub Station Taproom, with support from Alex Lahey and Rodeo Boys. She's backed by the Mississippi Medicals, an all-star collection featuring Matt Patton (the bouncy, smiling bassist who's been stealing the show at Drive-By Truckers shows for the last decade), Mikey Erg (drummer from the Ergs) and Paris Campbell Grace (percussionist and vocalist who, oh by the way, is married to Grace). On this tour they've been playing plenty of Grace solo songs, especially heavy on her most recent excellent record "Hole in My Head" and some choice Against Me! cuts. Tickets are $29.50 at thepubstation.com. Limestone University has started a public fundraising campaign as it weighs options to stay open beyond the current semester. WUHAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- As a 2,400-year-old set of bronze chime bells in central China was recently been inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, scholars and cultural custodians, especially those who witnessed the excavation nearly half a century ago, have been celebrating this momentous achievement in music history. Dubbed the world's first "sound-producing music textbook," the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is currently on display at Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. In 2024, the museum reported more than 5 million visits. During peak periods, daily visits to the exhibition of the bianzhong, or chime bells, exceeded 30,000 people, said Zhang Xiaoyun, curator of the museum. "The chime bells are not just a national treasure -- they are a brilliant symbol of human ingenuity and cultural continuity that transcends borders," said Feng Guangsheng, one of the original excavators of the bells and former deputy curator of the Hubei Provincial Museum. "These bells, dating back to the 5th century B.C., are a living record of sound and civilization." Discovered in 1978 in Suizhou, Hubei Province, the bronze percussion instrument weighs nearly 5 tonnes, and comprises 65 chime bells. The bells featured 3,755 inscribed Chinese characters -- the only known systematic musical treatise from the 5th century B.C. They were part of a lavish musical trove buried alongside Marquis Yi, a local ruler of the Zeng state in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C.). Excavations also unearthed 125 additional instruments, including stone chimes, zithers, panpipes and bamboo flutes, showcasing a fully realized court music tradition. The spatial arrangement of the instruments and their placement within the tomb offered scholars a rare view into Zhou Dynasty ritual music practices. According to Feng, the bells astonished archaeologists and musicologists with their dual-tone capability, with each bell producing two distinct tones depending on where it is struck. Since that landmark discovery, nearly 1,000 Zeng state tombs have been found in Suizhou and neighboring areas. Across these sites, 269 chime bells have been recovered, making the region one of the richest archaeological repositories of ancient Chinese music. To this day, the tomb of Marquis Yi rests undisturbed in a preserved section of a tomb complex. Visitors can peer into the 13-meter-deep burial chamber, where four interconnected rooms once cradled the now-famous chime ensemble. Soon after their excavation, the chime bells were thrust into the public eye. On August 1, 1978, the bells gave their first modern performance -- an orchestral rendition -- in a local auditorium. For many, it was the first time an ancient voice had spoken so clearly across the centuries. In the underground concert hall of the Hubei Provincial Museum, an exact replica of the bells is used in daily performances, where audiences are treated to Chinese and Western classics alike, from The Butterfly Lovers to Ode to Joy. Each show sells out quickly. "This recognition (Memory of the World Register) is a consensus from the international community," said Zeng Pan, director of the museum's exhibition department. "And perhaps, the chime bells still have more stories to tell." PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 14:00:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 927 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The next generation of skin resurfacing technology will debut at the ASLMS 2025 ConferenceLAVAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC), a global, diversified pharmaceutical company, and its aesthetics business, Solta Medical, announced today Fraxel FTX will launch at the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) 2025 Annual Conference on April 25 in Orlando, FL. This event begins the rollout of Fraxel FTX to dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other licensed aesthetic professionals across the United States, with plans to expand globally in the coming months.Fraxel is a leading treatment in skin rejuvenation, addressing common skin concerns such as sun damage, wrinkles, acne scars, and pigmentation irregularities. With the introduction of Fraxel FTX, the next generation of skin resurfacing technology, Bausch Health is setting a new standard in laser skin resurfacing. Designed to offer an even more precise, efficient, and comfortable treatment experience, this next generation product provides dermatologists and aesthetic professionals with advanced tools and is designed to deliver noticeable results after a single treatment in all skin types."We are pleased to unveil Fraxel FTX at the ASLMS 2025 Conference," said Thomas J. Appio, CEO of Bausch Health. "This improved technology marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing aesthetic medicine and enhancing the patient experience. Fraxel FTX embodies our dedication to providing healthcare professionals with the cutting-edge tools they need to help deliver exceptional care." "Fraxel FTX retains its trusted, proven laser technology offering customized treatments to deliver noticeable results, while combining a modern design, ergonomic enhancements, and efficiency to support today's aesthetic practices," said Jiny Kim, Senior Vice President, Solta Medical, Bausch Health.Key Features and Benefits of Fraxel FTX:Dual Wavelength Fractional Laser: Fraxel FTX utilizes a highly refined fractional laser system that targets aging and sun-damaged skin, leaving surrounding healthy tissue intact to promote rapid healing. The 1550 nm erbium-glass laser and 1927 nm thulium laser treat superficial and deeper skin layers.Redesigned Ergonomic Handpiece: Featuring a 20% reduction in weight and size and new integrated cooling technology, Fraxel FTX is designed for patient comfort during treatment.Visible Results with Minimal Downtime: Patients can expect noticeable improvements in skin texture, tone, and clarity with minimal disruption to their daily routines.Fast Tracking Experience: Intelligent Optical Tracking with AccuTRAC provides efficient and consistent treatment delivery utilizing patented technology for efficient firing of the laser.Redesigned Console: A modern design with an integrated arm and cable assembly.Refreshed User Interface: The redesigned color touch screen and user interface are designed for flexible, personalized treatment settings, catering to aesthetic goals, as well as common skin concerns due to sun damage and aging.With the launch of Fraxel FTX, Solta Medical continues to lead the industry in innovation, providing solutions that aim to help practitioners deliver best-in-class results while improving patient satisfaction.For more information about Fraxel FTX and other Solta Medical products, please visit www.soltamedical.com INDICATIONSThe Fraxel FTX Laser System is indicated for:Fraxel 1550 nm wavelength is indicated for dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue; skin resurfacing procedures; treatment of dyschromia and cutaneous lesions, such as, but not limited to lentigos, solar lentigos, actinic keratosis, and melasma; and treatment of periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, and surgical scars.Fraxel 1927 nm wavelength is indicated for dermatological procedures requiring the coagulation of soft tissue; treatment of actinic keratosis; treatment of pigmented lesions, specifically lentigos, solar lentigos, and ephelides.IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONContraindicationsDo not use on any patient who is ineligible for general surgery.Pre-screening should include, but not be limited to:Predisposition to keloid formation or excessive scarring.Changes following surgery.Skin indentations and textural changes following surgery.Systemic steroids (e.g. prednisone, dexamethasone), which should be rigorously avoided prior to and throughout the course of treatment.Patients undergoing isotretinoin acne treatment or with drugs in a similar class.Medical judgement should be used when treating patients with a predisposition to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).Warnings and CautionsProtective eyewear or goggles should be worn by any patient, operator and assistant.Medical judgement should be used when treating patients with certain medical conditions.Improper use of Fraxel may cause personal injury or damage to the system.Adverse EventsThe following may be associated with Fraxel laser treatment: Blistering and burns; Temporary or permanent skin discoloration; Eye injury; Infection; Keloid formation; Prolonged redness; Scarring; Delayed wound healing / skin textural changes and Temporary bruising.The Fraxel FTX Laser System is Rx Only. See the Operator Manual for detailed directions, proper use, and full risk and safety information. For additional product information see www.fraxel.com/hcp CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to the sale by or on the order of a physician.To learn more about the Fraxel FTX and how it can benefit your practice, contact Solta Medical.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. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors. Our aesthetic business, Solta Medical, is a global leader in the aesthetics market, whose vision is to develop and support trusted aesthetic brands that provide value to our customers and patients. More information about Solta Medical can be found at www.solta.com . For more information abou PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 14:30:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1063 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / XVIVO Perfusion AB (STO:XVIVO)(LSE:0RKL)(FRA:3XV)The following resolutions were passed at the Annual General Meeting (the "AGM") of XVIVO Perfusion AB (publ) ("XVIVO Perfusion" or the "Company") held today on 25 April 2025 in Gothenburg, Sweden.Adoption of Income Statement and Balance Sheet for the Financial Year 2024 and Discharge from Liability The AGM resolved to adopt the income statement and the consolidated income statement for the financial year 2024 as well as the balance sheet and the consolidated balance sheet as of 31 December 2024, as set out in the annual report. The members of the Board of Directors and the managing director were discharged from liability for the financial year 2024.Allocation of Profits The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, that no dividend will be paid for 2024 and that the profits available to the AGM shall be carried forward.Election of Board Members, Auditors, Fees to the Board of Directors and Auditors The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Nomination Committee's proposal, that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be seven without deputies and that the number of auditors shall be one registered accounting firm.In accordance with the Nomination Committee's proposal, Gosta Johannesson, Camilla Oberg, Lena Hoglund, Lars Henriksson, Goran Dellgren and Erik Stromqvist were re-elected as members of the Board of Directors and Paul Marcun was elected as new Board member. All elections for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. Gosta Johannesson was re-elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.The registered audit firm KPMG AB was re-elected as auditor of the Company, with Daniel Haglund as auditor-in-charge, for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.The AGM further resolved to, in accordance with the Nomination Committee's proposal, that fees to members of the Board shall be paid with SEK 575,000 to the Chairman of the Board, SEK 275,000 to each of the other members of the Board, SEK 120,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, SEK 60,000 to each of the other members of this committee, SEK 90,000 to the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, and SEK 50,000 to each of the other members of these Committees.The AGM further resolved, in accordance with the Nomination Committee's proposal, that the remuneration to the auditor shall be paid in accordance with approved statement of costs.Determination of principles for the appointment of the members of the Nomination Committee The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Nomination Committee's proposal, that the principles for the appointment of the members of the Nomination Committee shall remain unchanged.Approval of the Board's remuneration report The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to approve the Remuneration Report for the financial year 2024 that has been prepared by the Board of Directors.Guidelines for Remuneration to the Executive Management The AGM resolved, in accordance with the proposal from the board of directors, on guidelines for remuneration to the executive management. The guidelines do not involve any significant changes compared to the Company's previous remuneration guidelines.Adoption of a bonus issue The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, on a bonus issue, meaning that the Company's share capital will increase by SEK 13,899.007424, from SEK 805,087.212576 to SEK 818,986.22, by transferring SEK 13,899.007424 from unrestricted equity according to the most recently adopted balance sheet in order to adjust the Company's nominal value to SEK 0.026.Withdrawn proposals to amend the Articles of Association and share split At the AGM, the Board of Directors chose to withdraw the proposals to amend the Articles of Association and carry out a share split that, both of which were included in the convening notice to the AGM, thus no resolutions were made on the proposals.Adoption of a long-term incentive programme The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to adopt a long-term incentive programme in the form of performance-based share option rights directed at the group management and key individuals of the XVIVO group (the "SORP 2025"). The rationale behind the incentive programme is, among other things, to contribute to higher motivation and commitment among the employees and to retain employees.Within the scope of the SORP 2025, the Board of Directors will grant participants rights free of charge entailing the right to, provided that the performance targets and certain criteria are fulfilled, receive performance shares. Vesting of rights occurs during the period from 15 May 2025 up to and including 15 May 2028.Upon exercise of all 120,000 rights and 37,704 shares for hedging of social security costs, the incentive programme will result in the share capital being able to increase by a maximum of SEK 4,100.304 and a maximum dilution corresponding to approximately 0.50 per cent of the capital outstanding at the time of issue of the notice and the number of votes in the Company. In order to enable the incentive programme, the AGM also resolved on an issue of not more than 157,704 warrants directed to XVIVO Perfusion.Authorisation for the Board of Directors to resolve on new share issues The AGM resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to authorise the Board of Directors to, for the period until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, on one or several occasions and with or without deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, resolve on new share issues equal to no more than 10 per cent of the, at the time of the issue resolution, registered share capital of the Company.Deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights shall be possible in connection with future investments in the form of acquisitions of operations, companies, shares in companies or otherwise for the Company's future expansion. If the Board resolves on an issue with deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, the rationale shall be that the Board shall be able to issue shares in the Company to be used as a means of in-kind payment or the right to offset debt or to in a flexible and cost-efficient manner raise capital to use as means of payment or to continuously adjust the Company's capital structure.Authorisation for the Board of Directors to resolve on acquisition of own shares The AGM further resolved, in accordance with the Board of Directors' proposal, to authorise the Board of Directors, for the period until the end o PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 21:00:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 516 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Double L Marketing, LLC, offers enhanced social media management services to support brands in expanding their digital footprint and fostering meaningful customer interactions.TEXAS CITY, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / Double L Marketing, LLC specializes in delivering comprehensive marketing strategies tailored to the unique needs of each client. With a focus on growth and innovation through the core principles of refining, reflecting, and radiating purpose, Double L Marketing assists clients in various industries, including agriculture, rodeo, and equestrian sectors, to establish and expand their brand identity."Our approach at Double L Marketing is holistic and deeply rooted in understanding the distinctive attributes of our clients' businesses," explained a company spokesperson. "By enhancing our social media management services, we are poised to help our clients engage more effectively with their audiences across multiple platforms, establishing a solidbrand identity in Lindale TX." Social media management at Double L Marketing encompasses all aspects of online interaction, from content creation to audience engagement. This service aims to enhance the client's online visibility, making sure each post and update connects with its audience and reflects the brand's fundamental values.The digital marketing agency's expertise extends beyond social media to include specialized brand photography, capturing the essence of client brands through high-quality imagery in sectors such as Horse Riding and Agricultural Photography. These visual narratives are crafted to reflect the client's brand identity, enhancing their market presence and ensuring consistency across all marketing channels."From the initial consultation to the final stages of project execution, our goal is to reflect the refined brand image of our clients and help them radiate their vision into the market," the spokesperson added. "Whether it's Rodeo Marketing or general brand identity enhancement, our team is committed to providing services that not only meet but exceed expectations." Double L Marketing's robust process involves a close collaboration with clients, starting with a detailed review and refinement of the business goals, followed by a creative phase where ideas are transformed into tangible outcomes, and concluding with the strategic dissemination of the new brand image.Clients looking for adigital marketing agency in Lindale TX , or a creative agency that truly understands the nuances of social media consulting in TX will find a reliable partner in Double L Marketing, LLC. The firm is dedicated to leveraging its expertise to help brands grow in visibility and influence, ensuring that each client's digital marketing strategy is as dynamic and vibrant as their business.About Double L Marketing:Double L Marketing, LLC is a digital marketing and creative agency dedicated to helping brands refine their purpose and enhance their market presence. Specializing in social media management, brand identity, and targeted marketing strategies, the agency serves a diverse clientele with a strong focus on the agricultural, equestrian, and rodeo industries. Through personalized services that include brand photography and comprehensive digital marketing solutions, Double L Marketing aims to reflect its clients' unique visions and radiate their values across various platforms, ensuring growth and innovation in every project.Contact InformationLaramie Wedemeyerlaramie@ doublelmarketing.com 1 903-920-9322SOURCE: EZ Marketing Tech PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 18:06:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 469 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BRUSSELS, BE / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / Following the success of its inaugural year, the Global Launch Summit by ERA Global returns to Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on September 15-17, 2025. The event-designed to connect global industry leaders, product marketers, and innovators-will continue to expand opportunities for international business growth."Last year's ERA Global stateside show, aptly rebranded as the Global Launch Summit, focused on international marketing expansion, AI, and a variety of other digital technologies that are transforming the marketing landscape around the world. It was a tremendous success-offering value, education, and, as always, a lot of fun for our attendees," said Jonathan Gregory, President and CEO of Oak Lawn Marketing International Inc. and ERA Global Chairman Elect. "The feedback we received was extremely positive, and I'm thrilled that Bluewater has stepped up once again to offer their expertise in advertising and promotion." "The overwhelming success of the first Global Launch Summit reinforced the need for a dedicated space for global product expansion," said Andy Latimer, CEO of Bluewater. "This year, we're building on that foundation to create even more opportunities for brands to scale internationally." A Gateway to Global Market ExpansionThe Global Launch Summit remains a premier opportunity for businesses looking to grow internationally. The event offers exclusive insights into AI-driven marketing, global distribution strategies, and cross-border expansion.Attendees will gain access to a robust network of international experts, including e-commerce leaders, retail distributors, direct-to-consumer marketers, and product development innovators. With over 50 countries represented, the summit provides a practical roadmap for brands aiming to launch and scale globally.Registration & Sponsorship OpportunitiesRegistration for the 2025 Global Launch Summit is now open. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for brands seeking to showcase their solutions to a global audience. For more information and to secure your spot, visit GlobalLaunchSummit.org About ERA GlobalERA Global is the leading international trade association for companies in the multi-channel, direct-to-consumer industry. Through networking events, industry advocacy, and strategic partnerships, ERA Global fosters innovation and global business expansion.About BluewaterBluewater is a fully converged advertising agency and production studio specializing in performance marketing, digital strategy, and brand storytelling. With expertise in global campaign execution, Bluewater drives measurable results for brands seeking to expand their reach.About Oak Lawn MarketingOak Lawn Marketing International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oak Lawn Marketing Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan. Operating under the Shop Japan brand, the OLM Group has delivered the most innovative, problem-solving products from around the world to Japanese consumers for over 30 years. As a purpose-driven company, OLM strives to improve the lives of its customers by bringing the best the world has to offer to their doorsteps.Contact InformationPia WillmsERA Global Event Directorinfo@ era-global.org ERA GLOBALconference@ era-global.org Madeleine SkyDirector, Marketing & Operationsmsky@ bluewater.tv 8139442926SOURCE: ERA Global PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 22:15:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 604 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 /Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GPG)(OTCQB:GPTRF)(FSE:GPB) ("Grande Portage" or the "Company") announces that it has applied to the TSX Venture Exchange to extend the expiry date for 5,550,000 of its outstanding unlisted common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"). The Warrants, each of which is currently exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at $0.30 per share, were originally issued by the Company as part of non-brokered unit private placement financing completed in May 2023. The Company will extend the expiry date of the Warrants to 4:30 pm PST on May 10, 2026, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.The Company currently has an aggregate of 5,550,000 Warrants issued and outstanding pertaining to the Private Placement, all of which are eligible for amendment, pursuant to the policies of the Exchange.About Grande Portage:Grande Portage Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on advancing the New Amalga Mine project, the outgrowth of the Herbert Gold discovery situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% interest in the New Amalga property. The New Amalga gold system is open to length and depth and is host to at least six main composite vein-fault structures that contain ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins. The project lies prominently within the 160km long Juneau Gold Belt, which has produced over eight million ounces of gold.The Company's updated NI#43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) reported at a base case mineral resources cut-off grade of 2.5 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and consists of: an Indicated Resource of 1,438,500 ounces of gold at an average grade of 9.47 g/t Au (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 515,700 ounces of gold at an average grade of 8.85 g/t Au (1,813,000 tonnes), as well as an Indicated Resource of 891,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 5.86 g/t Ag (4,726,000 tonnes); and an Inferred Resource of 390,600 ounces of silver at an average grade of 7.33 g/t silver (1,813,000 tonnes). The MRE was prepared by Dr. David R. Webb, Ph.D., P.Geol., P.Eng. (DRW Geological Consultants Ltd.) with an effective date of July 17, 2024.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Ian Klassen"Ian M. KlassenPresident & Chief Executive OfficerTel: (604) 899-0106Email:Ian@ grandeportage.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED UNDER THE POLICIES OF THE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASESOURCE: Grande Portage Resources Limited PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 20:25:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 687 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $100,000 In Ibotta To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their OptionsNEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 /If you purchased or otherwise acquired stock of Ibotta pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with Ibotta's April 18, 2024 initial public offering (the "IPO") and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).[You may also click here for additional information]Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Ibotta, Inc. ("Ibotta" or the "Company") (NYSE:IBTA) and reminds investors of the June 16, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose risks concerning Ibotta's contract with The Kroger Co. ("Kroger"). Kroger's contract was at-will, and Ibotta failed to warn investors that a large client could cancel their contract with Ibotta without warning. Despite providing a detailed explanation of the terms of Ibotta's contract with another large customer, there was not a single warning of the at-will nature of Kroger's contract. Rather than disclosing the very real risk of a major client walking away at any time, Ibotta provided boilerplate warnings concerning the importance of maintaining ongoing relationships with their clients. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.On or around April 13, 2024, Ibotta conducted its initial public offering of 6.6 million shares priced at $88.00 per share.Then, on August 13, 2024, Ibotta issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. In the results, Ibotta reported, among other items, a net loss of $34.0 million, attributable to operating expenses that more than doubled year-over-year. Ibotta also provided a third quarter revenue forecast in the range of $91 million to $96 million, below consensus estimates.Following this news, Ibotta stock dropped $15.53 per share, or 26%, to close at $42.66 on August 14, 2024.On February 26, 2025, after market hours, Investing.com published an article entitled "Ibotta shares plunge 30% as Q4 earnings miss, Q1 guidance disappoints." This article stated, in pertinent part, that Ibotta "saw its shares tumble [. . .] after reporting fourth-quarter earnings that fell short of expectations and providing weak guidance for the first quarter of 2025."Following this news, Ibotta stock dropped $29.08 per share, or 46%, to close at $34.01 on February 27, 2025.The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Ibotta's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.To learn more about the Ibotta class action, go towww.faruqilaw.com/IBTAor call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( www.faruqilaw.com) . Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.SOURCE: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 18:31:26 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, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 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 from Vitruvian 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: 2025-04-25 15:00:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 374 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ORLANDO, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 /OMP, a leading provider of supply chain planning solutions, invites attendees of the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2025 to attend Johnson & Johnson's featured session. The presentation will highlight how the J&J Innovative Medicine division is transforming its supply chain to tackle global challenges using OMP's Unison Planning.In this session, Joseph Bitterman, Vice President of Supply Chain Planning at Johnson & Johnson, will share how the Innovative Medicine division is driving a transformative planning initiative together with OMP. By leveraging advanced planning systems, agile practices, and AI-driven innovations, the division is boosting collaboration and delivering real results. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into this journey and walk away with actionable takeaways to elevate their own supply chain planning strategies.TheGartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2025 , taking place May 5-7 in Orlando, brings together global supply chain leaders to explore strategies for navigating supply chain volatility and driving future readiness. This year's focus is on managing risk and responding to disruptions to ensure business continuity and operational excellence despite ongoing uncertainty.As a platinum sponsor of the conference, OMP invites attendees to visit booth 431 to learn more about Unison Planning. OMP's industry experts and leadership will be available to discuss today's pressing supply chain challenges and share how their solutions address complexity and deliver real results.Don't miss the opportunity to hear from Johnson & Johnson and discover how supply chain planning solutions like Unison Planning can help drive agility in today's disruptive world.Session at a glanceTitle: OMP: Transforming Johnson & Johnson's supply chain planning to navigate uncertaintySpeaker: Joseph Bitterman, VP of Supply Chain Planning at Johnson & Johnson's Innovative Medicine divisionWhen: Monday, May 5, 2025, at 4:00 PM EDTWhere: Orlando, Florida, Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Northern Hemisphere ETo see where you can meet OMP next, visit their events calendar here.About OMPOMP helps companies facing complex planning challenges excel, grow, and thrive by offering the best digitized supply chain planning solution on the market. Hundreds of customers in a wide range of industries - spanning consumer goods, life sciences, chemicals, metals, paper, plastics and packaging - benefit from using OMP's unique Unison Planning platform.Contact InformationPhilip VervloesemChief Commercial & Markets Officerpvervloesem@ omp.com +1-770-956-2723SOURCE: OMP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 15:00:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 469 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 PANAMA CITY, PA / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / Tourism is booming in Panama, which is helping to fuel investor interest inPanama's well-established real estate market. Panama Tourism Boom Attracts Property InvestorsFrom 2022 to 2024, the number of visitors grew by 43%, from 1.9 million to 2.8 million a year, according to recently released data from Panama's Ministry of Tourism. In recent years, the government has been actively investing in tourism, which has been viewed as a relatively untapped gold mine, considering thecountry's natural beauty ,easy airline access , and dollar-based economy.One side effect of the tourism boom: is a surge in interest in Panama'sfast-growing real estate market , according to Duncan McGowan, CEO ofPunta Pacifica Realty(PPR), the largest, sales, rental, and property management firm in Panama City."We often see a direct correlation between tourism and international property sales," McGowan said. "Many of those visitors come back, stay longer, and become our future renters and buyers." Property investors are also tracking the growing preference for alternative accommodations. According to Yovana Segarra, president of Panama's Hotel Association, a significant percentage of tourists are opting for Airbnb or private accommodations instead of hotels.In recent years, rental rates inPanama City'smost sought-after buildings have been rising, as demand increases for top apartments."The convergence of trends suggests that this is a prime opportunity for investing in Panama," says PPR managing director Jeff Barton. "Sophisticated investors are moving away from markets in turmoil and seeking the stability and growth potential that can only be found in Panama." The growth of the tourism and real estate industry is converging in several hot markets. In downtown Panama City, there is new energy around the financial district of Obarrio, where a "superblock" is emerging around the new headquarters for CAF (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean), andMOVA , a landmark project designed by the prestigious Italian brand B&B Italia.Punta Pacifica Realty is also representing resort developments inPlaya Caracol , a stunning white-sand beach just 70 minutes from the capital. Big projects are under construction, and the internationally recognized Radisson brand has already established a presence with its hotel.Playa Caracolhas been compared to Tulum or Costa Rica before the burst in international tourism. The surrounding area - an eco-paradise for surfing,fishing , birding, kayaking, and hiking - has all the ingredients to attract international tourists and property investors.For those interested in learning more about Panama - its culture, tax system, healthcare services, and more - be sure to check outA Spotlight to Panama , a YouTube series showcasing the country's unique charm. To explore available properties with Punta Pacifica Realty, visit ourwebsite .Contact InformationSandy ChanProject Manager - Punta Pacifica Realtysandy@ puntapacificarealty.com + (507) 6793-8160Contact InformationDuncan McGowanPresident of Punta Pacifica Realtysales@ puntapacificarealty.com +1-786-528-3080SOURCE: Punta Pacifica Realty PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 10:50:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 792 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / Bundeep Singh Rangar, co-founder and CEO of Pi Protocol, appeared in-studio on CNBC Arabia's flagship programme "Crypto Weekly" to share his expert insights on the evolution of stablecoins, the tokenisation of real-world assets (RWA), and the next phase of blockchain-led innovation in global financial markets.During the interview, Rangar highlighted stablecoins as the fundamental infrastructure for blockchain adoption, noting their critical role in bridging traditional finance with digital assets. "This is really the killer app of the blockchain," stated Rangar. "Because this is the bridge between assets that you and I know, which we coin as real-world assets." Rangar emphasised the significant market presence of stablecoins, revealing that "last year, $28 trillion worth of transactions took place in stablecoins. 40% of all blockchain-related transactions last year took place in stablecoins. These figures illustrate the pivotal role stablecoins are playing in the broader adoption of blockchain technology for everyday financial transactions." Pi Protocol's approach centres on reimagining how stablecoins can generate value for users rather than centralised issuers. "The next evolution of stablecoins would really be to have the utility for all these on-chain transactions, but also get a share of the yield because you're creating that value, and it should not go to a centralised company and its coffers. You should be partaking in that," Rangar explained.A key highlight of the discussion that can be viewed at https://youtu.be/XzMJgSCrw-Y was Pi Protocol's innovative approach to regulatory compliance. This approach differentiates Pi Protocol in the market by allowing users to mint stablecoins and collateralise them without triggering taxable sales, enhancing capital efficiency while maintaining full control over their assets. The model represents a significant advancement in decentralised finance, combining the stability needed for everyday transactions with the yield-generating potential of traditional financial instruments.Speaking on industry trends, Rangar noted the shift from centralisation to user empowerment: "Value creation is going from the company issuing these tokens to actually the users." This aligns with Pi Protocol's vision to democratise access to financial yields that have traditionally been captured by centralised entities.Rangar also provided valuable perspective on the evolving regulatory landscape under the new US administration: "The ushering of a new regime in the US is now an ushering of a sea change in the crypto world. And I think what's going to happen is we'll get a lot more certainty." He cited the GENIUS Act and MiCA legislation in Europe as frameworks that will provide greater clarity for the digital asset industry.On the subject of Layer 1 platforms, Rangar offered insights into the evolving blockchain infrastructure landscape, noting that networks like Solana and Sui are gaining ground over Ethereum through improvements in speed, cost, and scalability. "The challenge is just the way Ethereum challenged Bitcoin, and they came up with smart contracts, and they came up with a layer for transactions, Solana, Sui, and various other coins are challenging Ethereum's dominance," he explained.He continued, "They're doing so by making it cheaper, lower transaction fees, and arguably faster, more transactions per second, and by creating inbuilt modules that allow for scalability. So if you have new networks that make things better, that's the beauty of technology. Innovation just surpasses innovation itself." Pi Protocol's emergence comes at a pivotal moment in the stablecoin ecosystem, with users increasingly seeking solutions that offer both the stability of traditional stablecoins and the yield-generating potential of DeFi protocols. The platform's ability to bridge these requirements while maintaining regulatory compliance positions it uniquely in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.The CNBC Arabia Crypto Weekly interview with hosts Henri Arslanian and May Ben Khadra can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/XzMJgSCrw-Y For more information about Pi Protocol and its USP stablecoin, visit www.piprotocol.com About Pi ProtocolPi Protocol is a decentralised finance (DeFi) infrastructure to collateralise and monetise blockchain based yield-bearing real world assets (RWA) via issuance of USP stablecoins pegged to the U.S. dollar. Its governance will be driven and conducted by holders of its USPi network token.For more information, please connect at:contact@ piprotocol.comwww.piprotocol.comhttps://x.com/piprotocolhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/piprotocol/ ---DISCLAIMER:Crypto assets are unregulated investment products prone to sudden and substantial value fluctuations, presenting a high risk of total loss of the invested capital. The information presented herein is not intended as a financial promotion. This material has been produced for circulation to a limited number of professional investors and journalists. If you are unsure whether this asset is suitable for your individual circumstances, it is highly recommended to obtain independent financial and legal advice.SOURCE: PI TECHNOLOGIES, LTD PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 02:18:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 741 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In e.l.f. Beauty To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their OptionsNEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 24, 2025 /If you purchased or acquired securities in e.l.f. Beauty between November 1, 2023 and November 19, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).[You may also click here for additional information]Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. ("e.l.f. Beauty" or the "Company") (NYSE:ELF) and reminds investors of the May 5, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) contrary to its representations to investors, the Company was experiencing rising inventory levels as a consequence of flagging sales; (2) Elf falsely attributed the rising inventory levels to, among other things, changes in its sourcing practices; (3) to maintain investor confidence, Elf reported inflated revenue, profits, and inventory over several quarters; (4) accordingly. the Company's business and/or financial prospects were overstated; (5) all of the foregoing, once revealed, would likely have a material negative impact on the Company; and (6) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant timeOn November 20, 2024, Muddy Waters Research ("Muddy Waters") published a report entitled "e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. A Revenue and Inventory Mystery" (the "Muddy Waters Report"), 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 cause-insufficient sales.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 performanceThe court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding e.l.f. Beauty's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.To learn more about the e.l.f. Beauty class action, go towww.faruqilaw.com/ELFor call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( www.faruqilaw.com) . Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.SOURCE: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 11:00:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 593 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The Forbes 2025 list spotlights the top wealth advisors across the country.MCLEAN, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 /Sterling D. Neblett, CEPA, CFP, and Wendy Ann Payne, CDFA, CEP, Co-Founders of Centurion Wealth Management, have been named to the Forbes 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, produced by Forbes in partnership with SHOOK Research.The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking is based on a proprietary methodology developed by SHOOK Research. The selection process includes both qualitative and quantitative criteria, such as industry experience, client retention, assets under management (AUM), revenue trends, and personal interviews. SHOOK Research also considers an "impact" score intended to measure the effect advisors have on their clients' financial outcomes."I truly appreciate being included on the list. It reflects the collaborative efforts of our team and our ongoing focus on supporting clients with their financial planning and wealth management goals," said Sterling D. Neblett, 4/24/2025According to Forbes, advisors named to the 2025 list were also recognized for their efforts in guiding clients through uncertain economic and market conditions.This recognition follows Wendy Ann Payne's earlier inclusion on the Forbes 2025 Top Women Wealth Advisors: Best-In-State list."What a privilege to be recognized again this year! These acknowledgments reflect the trust our client bestow in us and in the consistent dedication of our team in support of their financial goals. What an honor this is," said Wendy Ann Payne, 4/24/2025Out of more than 42,000 nominations across the country, both Sterling and Wendy were included in the final list published by Forbes.Click here to view the full 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list.Centurion Wealth Management, LLC is a firm that offers comprehensive wealth management services for entrepreneurs, executives, and independent women. These services include investment analysis, tax and estate planning, cash flow analysis, retirement planning, and risk management. Centurion's advisory team works to help clients achieve financial security and reach their long-term goals.To connect with Centurion Wealth's onboarding team, please email info@ centurionwealth.com FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CENTURION, PLEASE CONTACT CENTURION AT TEAM@ CENTURIONWEALTH.COM OR DIRECTLY AT (571) 765-1890. INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES ARE OFFERED THROUGH CENTURION WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC, A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISER.Important Disclosures:By clicking the link above, you will leave Centurion Wealth Management's website and enter a third-party site created, operated, and maintained by a different entity. Centurion Wealth Management does not verify, endorse, or imply any affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement with the third party or its affiliates. The opinions expressed by the author(s) are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Centurion Wealth Management.Centurion Wealth Management, LLC Award DisclosuresProviding the testimonial above presents a conflict of interest in that the investment adviser has a relationship with the applicable individual. More specifically, this relationship involves Forbes conferring an award to Centurion Wealth Management, which our Co-Founders, Sterling Neblett & Wendy Payne, acknowledged and expressed gratitude for publicly.The above-mentioned recognition/award was given on April 8th, 2025, based on the time period of June 30th, 2023 through June 30th, 2024. It was provided by Forbes and SHOOK Research. Centurion Wealth Management has reasonable belief that the survey used to determine the award was fair and balanced. Clients and prospects should be aware that Centurion Wealth Management did not provide compensation to the provider for the rating/award. The Best-In-State Wealth Advisors is no guarantee of future investment outcomes and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results.Contact InformationCenturion Wealth Managementteam@ centurionwealth.com (571)-765-1890SOURCE: Centurion Wealth Management, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-25 21:31:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 448 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Singapore-based wealth management firm Sycamine Capital Management assesses impact of President Trump's policy changeSINGAPORE, SINGAPORE / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / Since early 2024, US tariffs on Chinese imports have reached 145%, effectively creating a virtual trade embargo between the world's two largest economies. The announcement on 23 April 2025 by President Donald Trump that tariffs "will come down substantially" signals a pivotal shift, positively influencing global markets. Immediately following the announcement, the S&P 500 index rose 1.67%, reflecting renewed investor optimism.Sycamine Capital Management views this tariff reduction as critical given the significant disruptions to global supply chains and heightened recession concerns. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that current tariff levels could reduce global economic growth by 0.5 percentage points to 2.8% for 2025."This announcement provides considerable market relief following a prolonged period of uncertainty," comments Sycamine Capital Management. "We anticipate immediate positive responses in sectors severely impacted, particularly technology and manufacturing." Despite this optimism, conflicting messages persist within President Trump's administration. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the ongoing trade conflict as "unsustainable," suggesting a balanced trade strategy. Conversely, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stressed there would be no "unilateral reduction" in tariffs without reciprocal commitments from China.China continues to maintain its firm stance, promising "resolute countermeasures" against what it describes as "naked extortion" by the US. Beijing consistently opposes unilateral decisions absent mutual agreements.Sycamine Capital Management identifies notable shifts in capital flows away from sectors heavily dependent on US-China relations towards European and emerging markets, reporting around 45% reallocation of investments over the preceding year. Ongoing trade tensions have diminished the influence of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), facilitating the emergence of bilateral trade agreements.The firm advises investors to strategically diversify portfolios towards regions capable of independent economic stability and companies with adaptable, geographically diverse supply chains."Although this announcement alleviates immediate market concerns, significant structural changes within global trade relations continue," concludes Sycamine Capital Management, urging investors to strategically reposition within this evolving economic landscape.About Sycamine Capital ManagementSycamine Capital Management Pte. Ltd., established in Singapore in 2008, is a leading wealth management firm with expertise in traditional long-only asset and portfolio management. The firm provides clients with in-depth market analysis, strategic investment guidance, and customised financial advisory solutions aimed at achieving optimal investment results. Sycamine Capital Management caters to a diverse range of clients, from corporate institutions to private wealth holders, consistently focusing on enhancing financial stability, maximising investment potential, and safeguarding wealth for the long term on a global scale.For further information, please visit https://scmgt.com or contact: Simon Lau, Media Relations Email: simon.lau@scmgt.com SOURCE: Sycamine Capital Management We must reaffirm our shared commitment to ending malaria. Governments, policymakers, funders, and the private sector must align to reignite the fight and finish what we started. For our health, our children and our future, we must advance African economic growth and potential and leave endemic malaria in the past. Malaria is a preventable disease, yet it remains one of the greatest threats to Africas future, to our health systems, economies, and most importantly, to our people. As of 2023, 95 per cent of global malaria cases occurred in Africa. The impact is huge: African economies lose an estimated $12 billion annually to malaria. That is $12 billion that could go to improving health, creating jobs, and strengthening our economies: but instead, that potential is lost to a disease we already know how to prevent. The 2025 World Malaria Day offers a vital moment to raise awareness of the costs of this deadly disease, but also to celebrate the progress being made, and the African scientists, institutions, and innovations driving change to protect our people and economies. Since 2000, global efforts have helped prevent more than two billion cases and saved 13 million lives. This progress has been driven by more intelligent, targeted approaches, powered by local data and local leadership. Countries like Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Nigeria are now using granular data to identify high-risk areas, enabling them to deploy interventions more strategically and effectively. These efforts reflect the spirit of the Yaounde Declaration: using the right data to take the right action, in the right places. 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 African scientists are at the heart of this shift, leading breakthroughs that are saving lives. Dr Corine Ngufor, associate professor of Medical Entomology at LSHTM, has spent years improving the control of insecticide-resistant malaria vectors. Her work has been key to the development and rollout of new mosquito nets treated with both pyrethroid and chlorfenapyr that are helping to fight insecticide-resistant malaria across Sub-Saharan Africa. We are also seeing greater continental commitment to health sovereignty, from the push for mRNA vaccine manufacturing on the continent. We at the Gates Foundation are proud to support these efforts, partnering with governments and local institutions to strengthen health systems and scale home-grown solutions that work for Africa. In Nigeria, Dr Ify Aniebo is advancing the use of genomics data in malaria surveillance systems, pushing to move from a four-year reporting cycle to annual, real-time data that can strengthen disease monitoring and improve elimination strategies, not just for malaria, but for other infectious diseases. And in Ghana, Darlington Akogo and the MinoHealth AI Lab have leveraged artificial intelligence to design antibodies that target the malaria parasite. Their work is helping to transform drug discovery in Africa and could lead to new treatments developed right on the continent. By using AI to handle complex tasks, like testing and analysing thousands of antibody designs in a fraction of the time, the lab is accelerating the pace of discovery for cutting-edge malaria treatments. These are not isolated stories. They reflect a broader shift toward African-led innovation and the use of homegrown solutions for Africas most pressing health challenges. We are also seeing greater continental commitment to health sovereignty, from the push for mRNA vaccine manufacturing on the continent. We at the Gates Foundation are proud to support these efforts, partnering with governments and local institutions to strengthen health systems and scale home-grown solutions that work for Africa. But continued progress is not guaranteed. The biggest threats to malaria elimination today are funding shortfalls, disruptions in access to key tools, and declining urgency from decision-makers in the hardest-hit countries. The mandate is clear. If we doubled our commitment to the fight now, the $12 billion lost annually to malaria could become $16 billion added to national GDPs across Africa. But instead of commitment and progress, we are seeing inaction and backsliding: reduced access to key prevention tools like insecticide treated bed nets, insecticide spraying, diagnostic tests, and reduced access to essential medicines across several regions. In recent months, shifting global priorities have placed increased pressure on malaria programmes. According to African Leaders Malaria Alliance, funding shortfalls and climate change are projected to cause over 100 million extra cases, and nearly 300,000 more deaths, by 2030. This setback would undo years of hard-won progress. What is working and what must continue is the growing ownership of malaria innovation by African institutions, and the political commitment to make malaria elimination a public health and development priority. Cabo Verde provides a powerful example. Malaria was eliminated in the country after years of coordinated health policy, adequate investment, and a strategic shift in how malaria control efforts were designed and delivered. Transmission was interrupted for four consecutive years before the country received WHO certification. The mandate is clear. If we doubled our commitment to the fight now, the $12 billion lost annually to malaria could become $16 billion added to national GDPs across Africa. But instead of commitment and progress, we are seeing inaction and backsliding: reduced access to key prevention tools like insecticide treated bed nets, insecticide spraying, diagnostic tests, and reduced access to essential medicines across several regions. The cost is too high and the opportunity before us is too great. We must reaffirm our shared commitment to ending malaria. Governments, policymakers, funders, and the private sector must align to reignite the fight and finish what we started. For our health, our children and our future, we must advance African economic growth and potential and leave endemic malaria in the past. Cynthia Mwase is the director of Health, Africa, at the Gates Foundation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias electricity network continues to grapple with severe liquidity challenges, significantly impacting the nations power supply, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Tukur Tahir, has said. Mr Tahir, in an interview with some energy correspondents, in Abuja on Thursday, said the liquidity issue is affecting the utility companies ability to invest in network revamping and rehabilitation. He emphasised that resolving the liquidity challenge would enable utility companies to invest in their network, reducing the frequency of power outages. Another challenge that we have in the network is liquidity. This liquidity issue, you know, if theres no money, it will be difficult for the utility companies to do the necessary investment to revamp this network, to carry out rehabilitation works, and so on and so forth. So that has also affected the electricity networks in the country. As soon as this is resolved, Im sure there will be enough investment in the network that will now continue to have rehabilitation, replacement of ageing electrical materials and equipment in the networks, Mr Tahir said. An electricity network, also known as power grid, is a complex system that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity from power plants to consumers. Over time, these networks can become outdated, inefficient, and prone to power outages. 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 Electricity network revamping is the process of upgrading, renovating, or rehabilitating an existing electricity grid to improve its performance, reliability, and efficiency. In recent years, the power sector has experienced many challenges in areas of electricity policy enforcement, regulatory uncertainty, gas supply, transmission system constraints, and significant power sector planning shortfalls. The sector has also been marred by liquidity challenges, resulting in unstable electricity supply, poor infrastructure and the inability of power generation and distribution companies to meet consumer demands. Speaking on the causes of frequent blackouts affecting some electricity distribution companies (DisCos) feeders, he said the agencys monitoring exercise revealed that the challenges lie at the interface point between transmission and distribution. He explained that the feeders that are meant to transfer bulk power from transmission to distribution, the 33KV primary feeder lines, have been encumbered in so many ways by installing point load transformers and small transformers on the feeders. The 33KV is to carry bulk power from transmission to injection substation. But when you now install smaller transformers, 200 kVA, 100 kVA, 50 kVA, on those lines, each installation constitutes a fault location. So any tripping from one of such locations affects the feeder, and sometimes these trippings are translated up to transmission. So when you have these feeders that are now linking transmission and distribution being disturbed, having so many frequent trippings, you know that definitely there wont be any smooth power flow between transmission and distribution that have affected the networks, he said. According to him, the agency has issued a directive restricting the use of 33 kV primary feeder lines for point load connections to prevent further disruptions. NEMSAs mandate Speaking on NEMSAs mandate, he said, the agency was basically set up to carry out enforcement of technical standards and regulations, technical inspection, testing, and certification of all categories of electrical installations across the power value chain of generation, transmission, distribution, as well as at utilisation level. Why do we do that? Its to ensure that theres efficient production of safe, reliable, and sustainable electricity power supply in the country, and also assure safety of life and property. So basically the functions of the agency is for safety of life and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry and other allied industries, he added. Speaking on the measures put in place by the agency to ensure compliance with international practices for regulations in the countrys electricity sector, he said samples of meters under the World Bank Distribution Sector Reform Program (DISREP) are currently in the agency laboratory for testing and certification. He added that no meter in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) will bypass the testing and certification process of the agency. All these meters that are coming in, we will ensure they are tested and certified before they are allowed to be deployed. Those that are coming under the World Bank program, we are already in the process of certifying them. Those that are coming are in our labs now. They will be tested and certified in the country. It will not be possible for them to deploy uncertified meters. To ensure that our certification is accepted globally, we have the international accreditation under ISO 17024. So, our certification is globally recognised, he said. On the challenges facing the agency, he said funding is a major challenge. Since the inception of the agency, we have been having this funding challenge where we are not able to make adequate provision of those facilities. Lack of that funding will lead us not to have adequate state-of-the-art test equipment that we use in our various statutory activities, he said. NEMSA was established by NEMSA Act 2015 (now the Electricity Act 2023) to carry out diverse functions, including enforcement of technical standards and regulations. It also carries out technical inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations, electricity meters, and Instruments. It carries out these functions to ensure the efficient production and delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable electricity power supply and guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian electricity supply industry, and other allied industries/workplaces/premises in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The management of Air Peace has announced that it will fully resume flight operations on Friday, following the suspension of the industrial action by staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). PREMIUM TIMES reported that NiMet workers commenced an indefinite strike to protest poor wages among other issues on Wednesday. The workers action forced Air Peace to suspend all flight operations on Wednesday due to safety concerns. However, other airlines such as Ibom Air, Arik, and United Nigeria, continued their operations, an act the striking union described as risky. In a statement issued by the Air Peaces Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulo, the airline appreciated its customers and the government for their support and intervention. Air Peace is pleased to announce the resumption of all flight operations on Friday, April 25, 2025, following the suspension of the industrial action by the NIMET and other unions in the aviation sector, Mr Ndiulo said. We sincerely thank you for your patience, understanding, and unwavering support throughout this challenging period. Your resilience and trust in our brand mean the world to us, he added. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later PREMIUM TIMES reports that the striking workers union agreed to suspend the industrial action until 13 May to give the government time to address the workers demands. READ ALSO: Passengers stranded at airport overnight as Air Peace delays flight We have resolved to suspend the ongoing strike till May 13, 2025, in recognition of the Honourable Ministers timely and sincere intervention. We await the progress of the actions he has committed to take, the National Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Aba Ocheme, was quoted as saying in an aviation ministry statement. Similarly, the National President of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Alale Adedayo, said, As a mark of respect for the Honourable Ministers intervention and assurance, we have decided to temporarily call off the strike while the process of resolution is ongoing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print For 19 years, The Future Africa Awards (TFAA) has intentionally celebrated young changemakers across Africa. The year 2025 isnt exempted, as theyve announced the call for this years awards nominations. This years event is themed Threads Of Legacy. The announcement was made on their official Instagram account. Nineteen years later, The Future Awards Africa continues its mission of identifying and rewarding young Africans who are not just breaking ground but building futures, making woven impacts, and creating legacies that outlive trends. Nominations, which opened on 21 April, ends on 31 May 2025. The public is invited to nominate exceptional young Africans aged 18 to 33 who have made poignant contributions within their communities and industries over the past year. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later These nominations cut across 25 categories. Nominations Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of The Future Project and Group CEO of RED | for Africa, emphasised that the brand intentionally rewards young peoples efforts to impart knowledge. Categories for Nomination: The Future Awards Africa Prize For Young Person Of The Year The Future Awards Africa Prize For Education The Future Awards Africa Prize For Professional Service The Future Awards Africa Prize In Law The Future Awards Africa Prize For Entrepreneurship The Future Awards Africa Prize For Agriculture The Future Awards Africa Prize For Technology The Future Awards Africa Prize For Photography The Future Awards Africa Prize For Advocacy & Activism The Future Awards Africa Prize For Sport The Future Awards Africa Prize For On-Air Personality The Future Awards Africa Prize In Journalism The Future Awards Africa Prize For Intrapreneurship The Future Awards Africa Prize For Health And Wellness The Future Awards Africa Prize In Fashion The Future Awards Africa Prize For Film The Future Awards Africa Prize For Acting The Future Awards Africa Prize For Content Creation The Future Awards Africa Prize For Music The Future Awards Africa Prize In Governance The Future Awards Africa Prize For Community Action The Future Awards Africa Prize In Arts The Future Awards Africa Prize For Literature The Future Awards Africa Prize For Public Service The Future Awards Africa Prize For Creativity Nominees must have made a tangible impact in their field and/or community, either in Nigeria or globally, within the last year. Accessible and verifiable achievements must back all submissions. Nigerian cuisine. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A volunteer medical team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has successfully performed 28 cochlear implant surgeries for children in Kenya as part of an ongoing medical outreach programme. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the surgeries were conducted on 19 April under the Saudi Samaa Volunteer Programme, which targets children in Kenya and Somalia with hearing impairments. The outreach involved 20 medical volunteers from various medical specialities. In addition to the surgeries, the team provided speech and language rehabilitation services to all 28 children and organised 28 educational sessions for the childrens families, benefitting a total of 50 individuals. Cochlear implants are electronic medical devices designed for people with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss who have difficulty interpreting speech even with a hearing aid, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. KSreliefs work in Nigeria In 2024 alone, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), committed $47 million to support 98 humanitarian projects across Nigeria. 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 interventions focused on assisting displaced persons, improving healthcare, enhancing education, and empowering vulnerable communities. One of the major initiatives, implemented in partnership with the Abubakr A-Sidiq Philanthropic Home, saw the distribution of food items, school supplies, and digital tools in Kwara State. Beneficiaries received 10 tons of food, 1,000 textbooks, 5,000 exercise books, and 50 laptops, while 150 youths were enrolled in vocational training programmes. About KSrelief KSrelief was inaugurated in May 2015 under the patronage of the Custodian of the two holy mosques, King Salman Abdulaziz. According to information on its website, the centre was created to play an influential role in alleviating human suffering so that people can live a dignified life. It is dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and relief to people in need across the world through precise monitoring mechanisms and advanced, rapid transportation methods. KSrelief collaborates with highly reliable international and local non-profit organisations to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most, in sectors such as health, education, nutrition, shelter, and emergency response. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print United Bank for Africa (UBA) says it will meet the Central Bank of Nigerias (CBN) new capital requirement of N500 billion by the third quarter of 2025, well ahead of the March 2026 deadline set by the central bank. This comes after UBA reported a profit after tax (PAT) of N767 billion for 2024, driven by robust revenue growth and strategic investments. The assurance was made by UBA Group chairperson Tony Elumelu at the banks 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja. We are committed to meeting the CBNs N500 billion minimum capital requirement ahead of schedule, Mr Elumelu said. We expect to complete the final phase of our recapitalisation process in the third quarter of 2025, well before the March 2026 deadline. In March 2024, the CBN announced a new recapitalisation policy requiring banks with international licences to increase their minimum capital base to N500 billion. UBA, which operates in 20 African countries, as well as in the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, falls within this category. UBA commenced its recapitalisation process in November 2024 with a rights issue, offering 6.84 billion ordinary shares at N35 each. 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 offer, which was oversubscribed by N11.6 billion, marked the beginning of UBAs efforts to strengthen its capital base. Mr Elumelu explained that the decision to prioritise existing shareholders in the capital raise was designed to protect their long-term interests. If we were selfish, we would do a public offering. But we decided to allow our existing shareholders to invest and share in the growth they have helped create. The investment theyve made means they are part of the N3.3 trillion wealth weve built together, Mr Elumelu said. Currently, UBAs paid-up share capital stands at N116 billion, while shareholders funds have grown to N3.3 trillion, a significant increase from a capital base of just $160 million. Mr Elumelu credited the banks conservative policy of reinvesting retained earnings for this impressive growth. Proceeds from the rights issue, he said, would be directed towards expanding the banks digital infrastructure and supporting its ongoing business expansion. These funds will be invested in digital technologies and business growth, ensuring UBA continues its legacy of excellence, he added. For the 2024 financial year, UBA posted a profit after tax of N767 billion, with gross revenue rising to N3.19 trillion. The banks customer deposits grew by 42 per cent to N24.65 trillion, while its loan book rose by 35 per cent to N7.51 trillion. Total assets closed at N30.32 trillion, and shareholders funds reached N3.52 trillion. The Group Managing Director Oliver Alawuba, who also addressed shareholders at the AGM, described 2024 as a year of exceptional growth. Our gross earnings grew by 53.6 per cent year-on-year to N3.19 trillion, and our net interest income rose by 116.4 per cent to N1.53 trillion, asserting UBAs leadership in the financial sector, Mr Alawuba said. He also announced a total dividend payout of N5 per share for 2024, an interim dividend of N2 and a final dividend of N3, amounting to N102 billion in total returns to shareholders. With this dividend yield, we are the highest among our peers, Mr Alawuba said. During the meeting, UBA shareholders re-elected Mr Elumelu as Chairman of the Board and expressed their satisfaction with the banks performance. However, some shareholders urged the bank to improve its digital banking efficiency, particularly in rural areas. One shareholder, Ngozi Okafor, said, While Im satisfied with the dividend, UBA should work on reducing downtime on mobile banking, especially in smaller towns. It affects trust. Another shareholder, Ibrahim Salisu, praised the decision to prioritise the rights issue over a public offering. Its good they didnt allow new people to come and take what weve been building. Let us enjoy our sweat, he said. Looking ahead, UBA plans to continue expanding its presence across Africa and key global financial centres, while maintaining a focus on strong governance, digital innovation, and risk management. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In commemoration of his second year in office, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has approved the constitution of a committee to coordinate the events celebrating the achievements of the Rescue Administration in the past two years. Announcing the development, the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada said the committee will plan and execute activities to mark the anniversary. Governor Lawal was sworn in on the 29th of May 2023 as the 5th democratically elected governor of Zamfara State. He was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A statement by Suleman Ahmad Tudu Senior Special Assistant (Media), Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government noted that since his assumption of office, Governor Lawal has initiated many reforms and executed impactful projects across the 14 local government areas of the state in his commitment to rescue and rebuild the state. The statement explained that the anniversary committee will work to showcase the accomplishments, communicate vision, commitment and policy direction of the rescue administration. The anniversary committee has the following membership: 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 1. Hon Muktar Mohammed Lugga, Chief of Staff Chairman 2. Hon Nasiru Ibrahim Zurmi, Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development Vice Chairman 3. Hon Lawal Barau Bungudu, Commissioner Works and Infrastructure 4. Hon Bello Auta, Commissioner of Finance 5. Dr Nafisa Mohammed Maradun, Commissioner of Health 6. Hon Wadatau Madawaki, Commissioner, Education, Science and Technology 7. Hon Kasimu Sani Kaura, Commissioner, Environment and Natural Resources 8. Hon Kabiru Moyi B/Magaji, Commissioner, Projects Monitoring 9. Hon Mahmud Muhammad Abdullahi, Commissioner Information and Culture 10. Ibrahim Agigi, Special Adviser, Infrastructure and Urban Renewal 11. Hon Ibrahim Modibbo, Special Adviser, Special Duties 12. Ajiya M. Ajiya, Senior Special Assistant, Legal 13. Dr Abubakar Mohammad, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet AffairsSecretary Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest and remand of six promoters of the recently crashed Ponzi scheme platform, Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), over an alleged $1 billion scam that targeted Nigerian investors. On Thursday, the judge, Emeka Nwite, granted the order following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is investigating the platforms collapse and its promoters role in the suspected fraud. The suspects named in court include Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Emmanuel Oku, and four others. The EFCC alleges that the group operated through a front company, ST Technologies International Limited, to promote CBEX and lure Nigerians into investing in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets with promises of up to 100 per cent returns within 30 days. At Thursdays court session, EFCC lawyer Fadila Yusuf told the judge that the scam involved foreign collaborators and required urgent action to track and apprehend the suspects. The lawyer then urged the court to issue a warrant of arrest for the defendants. 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 also sought another order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant (EFCC) pending the conclusion of the investigation into the alleged offences and possible prosecution. Granting the EFCCs request, Mr Nwite ordered that the suspects be remanded in EFCC custody once arrested, pending the conclusion of the investigation and possible prosecution. Coordinated fraud According to the EFCC, ST Technologies was registered with Nigerias Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) but never obtained a licence from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate as an investment firm. The commission further noted that a Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) certificate which ST Technologies possessed does not constitute regulatory approval to handle investments. EFCC, through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, earlier assured Nigerians that it was working with international agencies, including Interpol, to recover the stolen funds. CBEX reportedly restricted withdrawals on 9 April, prompting concerns among users. Shortly before going dark, the platform issued a suspicious notice asking users to deposit additional funds $100 for accounts with balances below $1,000, and $200 for those above under the guise of account verification. Many users complied, unaware the platform was about to shut down. Despite growing warning signs, some investors continued to join the scheme, mistaking the restrictions for a technical glitch. The Director-General of the SEC, Emomotimi Agama, has said the commission only recently became aware of CBEXs operations and could not act earlier since the platform was never registered. Registration is the foundation of regulation, he said in a televised interview on Monday. You cannot operate and then apply for a license later. That alone is a red flag. Mr Agama warned the public to verify investment opportunities before committing funds and urged influencers to act responsibly. He noted that the new Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 imposes a N20 million fine and up to 10 years imprisonment for promoting unregistered investment schemes. No blogger, influencer, or celebrity should amplify fraudulent platforms, he said. The law is clear, and the penalties are severe. EFCC records initial breakthrough Two suspects have already been arrested by the EFCC in connection with the CBEX scandal, although their identities have not been disclosed. Weve made a breakthrough, a top official of the commission told The Nation newspaper. The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, is personally leading the probe, which covers how CBEX entered Nigerias digital asset space, its promoters, funding sources, and linked financial institutions. The EFCC is reportedly tracking five key suspects, including a Briton. Were moving cautiously to avoid missteps, the source added. All suspects are under surveillance. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Towards the end of 2024, a US federal appeals court upheld legislation that could ban TikTok, the popular social media platform, in the country. The court rejected petitions by ByteDance, TikToks Chinese parent company, which had sought relief from the ruling. The core of TikToks legal trouble in the United States stems from national security concerns. The concerns are threefold: that the Chinese government could access data on American citizens, that the apps algorithm could be used to amplify propaganda, and that broader national security risks exist around surveillance and potential disruption of communication systems. The US government had demanded that TikTok divest its US operations to a domestic tech firm, forcing the platform to become more like the homegrown giants it now rivals. The courts decision gave TikTok until 19 January 2025 to comply before the platform would be banned. On that day, TikTok effectively went dark in the USuntil the new administration granted a brief extension for negotiations on the platforms ownership restructuring. The extension has been granted a second time for an additional 75 days. While the world was still digesting the implications of the TikTok saga, Meta announced a major shift in its content moderation strategy. In January, the company revealed that it would review its global fact-checking programme and transition from centralised moderation to a decentralised system, resembling Twitters (now Xs) community moderation model. The sudden announcement caught many fact-checkers unprepared and underscored the complex intersection of platform regulation, data governance, and ethics, particularly how these factors affect collaboration between fact-checkers, policymakers, technologists, and civil society. At a time when generative AI is exacerbating disinformation, bias, polarisation, and other harmful content, content governance and regulation become even more critical to ensuring transparency, accountability, and a healthier information ecosystem. These twin developmentsMetas shift in content policy and TikToks legal standoffset the stage for broader reckonings. Now, two of the worlds most powerful tech companiesGoogle and Metafind themselves at the centre of landmark legal battles in the United 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 These are not just domestic regulatory squabbles. They are global flashpoints in the contest over how digital platforms should be governed. At stake is a larger question: Who sets the rules for our digital futurecorporations, governments, or a mosaic of international norms? The Google Cases: Search and Ads in the Crosshairs Google is currently facing two major antitrust lawsuits: Search Monopoly: The first lawsuit targets Googles dominance in search. It alleges that the company maintained its monopoly through exclusive deals, such as the $20 billion it paid Apple in 2022 to remain the default search engine on Safari. (In 2021, that figure was $15 billion.) Ad Tech Empire: The second lawsuit focuses on Googles advertising business, where the Department of Justice argues that the company has unfairly tied services together to suppress competition and maintain market dominance. Both cases are strong and raise serious questions about whether Google can weather this season of scrutiny. Metas Mounting Legal Pressure Meta, Facebooks parent company, is also under intense legal fire. It is being sued for monopolistic practices, particularly its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsAppmoves that, according to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), crushed competition. They decided that competition was too hard and it would be easier to buy out their rivals, said FTC lawyer Daniel Matheson. The FTC is seeking to force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, claiming the acquisitions were anti-competitive. In addition to these antitrust issues, Meta has paid over $800 million in settlements related to privacy violations, including unauthorised tracking via the Like button. Further, in 2023, multiple US states sued Meta over the harmful effects of its platforms on teens, alleging that its addictive design and algorithmic structures contributed to mental health issues among young users. A Symbolic Turning Point Though the legal proceedings are complex, their symbolic importance is clear. They signal that the US is now willing to regulate Big Techand that these platforms are no longer above the law. For years, the US lagged behind the EU in terms of digital regulation. Now, that tide appears to be turning. Historically, the US adopted a wait and see approach, largely allowing platforms to self-regulate. In contrast, the EU took a proactive stance, with landmark policies like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Services Act, and the Digital Markets Acteach aimed at improving data privacy, competition, and user safety in the EU region. So when Meta laid off thousands of employees in early 2025, it could not do so in the EU without facing legal pushback, due to regional labour protections. These recent waves of lawsuits in US courts suggest a pivot. They mark a new era of digital sovereignty, where states are beginning to reassert control over transnational platforms that have long operated with impunity. A Global South Lens To understand the broader significance of the US cases, we must consider how platform regulation is unfolding in the Global Southwhere governments are also grappling with platform power but with fewer tools, institutions, and legal precedents. Brazil: Law as a Shield for Democracy In August 2024, Brazils Supreme Court ordered dozens of Twitter (X) accounts to be suspended for spreading disinformation. Elon Musk, Twitters owner, refused, citing free speech concerns. The Brazilian judiciary, especially the Supreme Electoral Court, has consistently used its constitutional authority to compel platforms to take down harmful content, often in defence of electoral integrity. This wasnt Brazils first clash with Big Tech. In 2022, after Telegram failed to comply with court orders related to fake news investigations, the court ordered the app to suspend operations. It even instructed Google and Apple to remove Telegram from their platforms. Nigeria: Executive Overreach in Disguise In 2021, Nigeria, home to one of Africas largest social media markets, banned Twitter after it deleted a tweet by then-President Buhari. The ban, imposed without legislative backing or court orders, was widely viewed as retaliation for Twitters role in the #EndSARS protests. Here, regulation served as an extension of executive power, bypassing democratic accountability. On Friday, 25th April, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigerias chief consumer protection and competition agency, secured a $220 million judgment against Meta Platforms Inc. (parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp) for violations related to data breaches and consumer rights abuses. Platforms as Geopolitical Players These cases remind us that technology companies are no longer just private businesses. They are geopolitical actors. Their choices reverberate globally. In response to antitrust lawsuits, Google has argued that dismantling its operations would hurt innovation, drive up costs, and weaken US competitiveness in AI. In short: Let us stay bigso America can win. This is techno-nationalism: platform regulation framed as a matter of national security, not public interest. Its a powerful argumentand one that governments around the world must navigate with caution. Implications for Global Tech Governance From Washington to Brussels, Brasilia to Abuja, these legal battles reveal the fractured and politicised state of global platform governance. Each region is deploying different tools to regulate the same actors: US courts focus on antitrust and due process. Brazilian courts lean on constitutional authority to defend democratic institutions. The EU centres on data privacy and consumer protection. Nigeria uses executive fiat and consumer protection rules to control digital platforms What results is a fragmented, uneven regulatory terrain where platforms must navigate wildly different laws, politics, and institutional logics. A Caution and an Opportunity The global governance challenge is twofold. First, countries must avoid copying foreign models without adapting them to local realities. Second, they must treat regulation not just as legal mechanics, but as an exercise in democratic values, accountability, and sovereignty. These court cases open a window, not just to legal reform, but to a global reckoning on the role of platforms in shaping our economies, societies, and politics. Content moderation and data localisation are only pieces of the puzzle. The bigger picture is about power, legitimacy, and the architecture of the digital public sphere. As researchers, policymakers, and civic actors, we must watch closelynot just the rulings, but the narratives they produce and the precedents they set. The battle for digital platform accountability is here. And its global. Akintunde Babatunde is the Executive Director at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), a leading pan-African media development think tank. His work sits at the intersection of platform governance, information integrity, and digital rights in the Global South. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Friday called for conscious efforts to deepen trade integration among African countries. This is amid global uncertainties caused by the new tariff wars between the United States and other economies of the world, notably China. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala gave the advice while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington on Friday. The US-China tariff war reached its crescendo earlier in the month following the decision by President Donald Trump to slap a 134 per cent tax on Chinese imports as part of his Liberation Day that set a minimum 10 per cent levy on nearly all of Americas trading partners. Beijing retaliated by hiking its levies on imports of United States goods to 125 per cent, hitting back at Mr Trumps decision to single out the worlds second biggest economy for higher duties. At the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington this week, discussions have centered on the impact of the tariff war on the global economy, especially its implications for weaker economies in Africa and other parts of the developing world. 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 Mrs Okonjo-Iweala told reporters Friday that the African continent as a whole is not that impacted by the tariff war. Weve done the analysis. 6.5 percent of Africas exports only go to the U.S. and 4.4 percent of its imports come from the U.S. Okay, so the impact for the continent as a whole is not that bad. However, its both good news and bad news. Good news is that its limited, she said. Bad news is, well, were not trading that much, which is not a good thing. But the problem is that within Africa, there are a handful of countries that are very severely impacted because theyve got high reciprocal tariffs put on them, and these are poor countries. Ill just use two as an example. One is Lesotho that everybody is talking about that has 50 percent reciprocal tariffs. It exports $200 million worth of textiles to the U.S., imports about $3 million worth of goods from the U.S.; so very little. And if you look at that, if those tariffs are implemented on Lesotho, it will lose almost half a percentage point of its GDP growth, which is huge for a poor country. It will lose a lot of its exports to the U.S., even though it might gain a little bit by exporting elsewhere. So, the issue is, how can we avoid having such reciprocal tariffs on Lesotho? The former Nigerian finance minister explained that efforts are being made to make the United States review the policies. So, we are asking the U.S. to look at least developed countries, the poorest, and to try to waive these reciprocal tariffs, to remove them so that the poorest countries and Africa as a whole, that we dont have these tariffs on us. So, Cote dIvoire, the same, 21 percent reciprocal tariffs, while Ghana next door is 10 percent. Guess what? Cote dIvoires export is what? Cocoa. Almost a billion dollars worth to the U.S., so its going to disappear across the border if you have differential reciprocal tariffs. Looking Inwards The WTO DG noted that as a whole, the continent is not as impacted, but certain countries are definitely hit, they have to be taken care of. So, from the global environment, the message to Africa is you have to rely more on more self-reliance. We have to do more in Africa to rely on our own resources. Its very clear. Aid is disappearing. Okay, there may be a little left, but its disappearing. We need investment. So, when you need investment, you have to do so much more in terms of mobilising domestic resources to put infrastructure in place, removing bureaucratic barriers so investment can come in. And this is what we need to do, and we need to trade more. We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 percent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 percent at most. If we dont add value to our products, keep exporting the same things, commodities that are not processed. We dont create jobs. We must attract investment to change that, and then trade internally. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala explained that Lesotho is exporting $200 million worth of textiles to the U.S., and there are concerns the market will be taken away even though Africa spent $7 billion importing textiles. So, why cant Lesotho sell its textiles in the African markets? Its making jeans. We import jeans, whether its first-hand or second-hand. Why cant Lesotho trade within Africa and sell? This is the kind of thinking we need, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it has arrested 22 cyber fraudsters who sexually blackmailed and extorted US minors. The law enforcement agency said the arrests were made as part of Operation Artemis, an international operation launched in 2023 to fight the growing threat of sextortion among Nigerian-based sextortion rings. The agency said that it, in coordination with multiple law enforcement partners, conducted Operation Artemisa surge of resources and personnel to Nigeria to address the high rate of sextortion related suicides attributed to Nigerian perpetrators. In a statement shared on its website on Thursday, the FBI said this operation was necessitated by the growing rate of sextortion related suicide among Americas teenage population connected to Nigerian fraudsters. The investigation, which was carried out in collaboration with other law enforcement bodies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria, led to the arrests of the suspects connected to the sextortion schemes. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the FBI routinely partners with the EFCC in Nigeria to arrest internet fraudsters that operate from the West African country but target Americans. 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 About half of the 22 suspects in the latest arrest were directly linked to victims who took their own lives, the FBI said. The victims of this crime are mostly minors between age 14-17 who are often tricked into sending intimate images and then blackmailed. In many cases, the scammers, operating from Nigeria, pretend to be in a similar age range online to target mostly minors in the US. Over time, they establish trust through consistent interaction and potential romantic interest. The FBI said once a trust was established, the fraudsters coerced their victims into taking and sharing compromising images of themselves. Offenders then threatened to release the compromising photos unless they received immediate payment, typically requested via gift cards, mobile payment services, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Regardless of a payment being received or not, the perpetrators would often continue to manipulate their victims, leaving them feeling ashamed, isolated, and responsible, it stated. Increase in sextortion The agency said it began observing the sextortion of minors by fraudsters based in Nigeria when it started the operation. It reported 34,000 cases in 2023, and in 2024, more than 54,000 teenagers fell victim to this crime. It further noted that nearly $65 million in financial losses have been incurred due to this crime in the last three years. Between October 2024 through March 2025, the agency also said its National Threat Operations Centre saw a 30 per cent increase in reports of sextortionrelated incidents compared to the same six-month span a year earlier. The FBI Director, Kash Patel, indicated that the recently concluded operation showed that the agency was determined to pursue the heinous criminals harming children no matter where they hide. The critical need for international cooperation to address this growing threat, and its a fight we cant take on without our valued partners across the globe. This operation marks a significant step in the fight against child exploitation and brings justice and accountability to international perpetrators hiding anonymously behind screens. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has delisted five Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres over technical failures during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the Board said the delisted centres, located in Kano, Sokoto, and Imo states, were found to have fallen short of the Boards minimum operational standards. The affected centres include: Adventure Associate, Off Hadejia Road, Kano; Saadatu Rimi College of Education, Zaria Road, Naibawa, Kano; Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd, Centre 1, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal; Penta M & F Technical Services Ltd, Centre 2, 96km Sokoto-Jega Road, Tambuwal and Soronara Ventured Nigeria Limited, Foundation Road, Umudagu Mbieri, Imo State. The Board advises candidates who were previously scheduled to take their exams at the delisted centres to urgently reprint their examination notification slips to access their new centres and rescheduled dates. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but we will not tolerate excuses by candidates who fail to reprint their slip to get their new schedules, it stated. It added that as of Friday, 25 April, over 900,000 candidates have successfully completed the UTME out of the 2,083,600 registered for the 2025 examination. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We commend the 883 centres that have demonstrated exceptional performance and we unequivocally warn that any centre which failed the ethical or technical standards, regardless of ownership, will be blacklisted, it added. Arrests and impersonation In a separate development, the examination body said 27 individuals have been apprehended for impersonation, adding that the suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police for immediate prosecution. The arrests highlight the Boards increasing efforts on biometric verification and surveillance to combat examination malpractice. Hijab incident at Caleb University JAMB also responded to a recent controversy involving candidates wearing hijabs at Caleb University, Lagos, one of the approved UTME centres. According to the Board, a security official at the institution had unilaterally imposed restrictions on hijab-wearing candidates, a decision that JAMB described as unauthorised and misguided. The Board said the issue was quickly addressed following intervention by the universitys Vice-Chancellor, who categorically condemned the action. We extend our sincere apologies to the affected candidates and commend the leadership of both the centre and the university for their prompt intervention, which ensured that no candidate suffered undue disadvantage, the statement read. Background The UTME is a mandatory examination for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Each year, JAMB accredits hundreds of CBT centres nationwide to host the exams, but concerns over capacity, technical glitches, and malpractice have plagued the process in previous years. To address these challenges, JAMB has increased its control measures, including monitoring of centres, biometric verification, and penalties for infractions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the member representing the Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, consistently abused the privileges conferred on him by the party and his constituents. The chairman of the PDP in the state, Sunday Bisi, said this in a statement on Thursday. He also confirmed the resignation of Mr Oke from the party. Mr Oke resigned his membership of the PDP in a letter dated 16 April and addressed to the chairman of the PDP in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area of the state. Although he has not officially revealed his new political affiliation, the lawmaker has been seen in several meetings with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, with some party members already publicly welcoming him to the party. Mr Oke has been representing his federal constituency since 2003 under the PDP. It was only in one session (2011-2015) that he was not a member of the lower chamber. 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 lawmaker explained in an interview on Rave 91.7 FM in Osogbo on Thursday that he left the PDP after being denied the opportunity to contest for an unspecified position. Personal ambition Mr Bisi alleged that rather than participating in transparent and competitive internal party processes, the federal lawmaker frequently engaged in internal conflicts and pursued personal ambition at the expense of the partys unity. He stated that Mr Oke enjoyed the partys support for over two decades by securing multiple terms in the National Assembly. It is public knowledge that for over two decades, Hon Oke enjoyed consistent goodwill of the PDP, securing multiple terms in the National Assembly under the partys banner. Yet, rather than engage in transparent and competitive internal processes, he habitually resorted to wild goose chase, abusing privileges conferred on him by the party and the good people of Obokun/Oriade, always fighting the winds in his characteristic scheming to further his ambitions., he said. Pampered politician The PDP chairman also described Mr Oke as a pampered political stakeholder who was more focused on being favoured than earning respect through party procedures. Hon Oke has long conducted himself like a pampered political stakeholder, more interested in being spoon-fed than earning his place through rules of healthy competition, the statement reads. His trademark has always been orchestrated discontents and divisive tactics, never genuine in party commitment. The PDP leadership has remained well ahead of his shenanigans, fully aware of his pattern of self-serving pontifications. His latest move only affirms what has always been evident that he sees politics as a personal enterprise rather than a wheel of service to the people. Despite the resignation, the PDP chairman said the party remains committed to its core principles of loyalty, transparency, and public service. READ ALSO: Why I resigned from PDP Rep Support for Gov Adeleke He called on members of the party, specifically in the Obokun/Oriade federal constituency, to remain united behind the leadership of Governor Adeleke. As the days unfold, it will become even clearer to the world that politics is and must remain a game of the people, not a playground for selfish adventurism. The PDP stands firm in its values of loyalty, transparency, and service and calls on all members and lovers of the party in Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in particular, to stay focused and united in pursuit of meaningful progress being channelled by the PDP administration of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Global health agencies have warned that rising outbreaks of measles, meningitis, and other vaccine-preventable diseases are threatening decades of immunisation progress. This warning comes from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as they mark World Immunisation Week from 24 to 30 April. According to the agencies in a joint statement on Thursday, the progress made over decades in reducing child mortality is at risk due to funding cuts, misinformation, population growth, and ongoing humanitarian crises. They are urging governments and donors to support global efforts to protect lives and sustain vaccination programmes. Deadly outbreaks rise Diseases that were once under control are now resurging in many countries. According to WHO, measles cases, for instance, have been increasing since 2021, with an estimated 10.3 million cases recorded in 2023, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. 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 WHO noted that in the past 12 months alone, 138 countries reported measles outbreaks, and 61 of them faced large or disruptive outbreaks. It added that in Africa, meningitis is surging, with over 5,500 suspected cases and nearly 300 deaths reported in just the first three months of 2025 across 22 countries. Yellow fever is also re-emerging in Africa and the Americas, despite past success in controlling the disease through routine vaccination and emergency stockpiles. Yellow fever cases in the African region are also climbing, with 124 confirmed cases reported in 12 countries in 2024. This comes after dramatic declines in the disease over the past decade, thanks to global vaccine stockpiles and use of yellow fever vaccine in routine immunisation programmes. In the WHO Region of the Americas, yellow fever outbreaks have been confirmed since the beginning of this year, with a total of 131 cases in 4 countries, WHO noted. Impact of funding cuts The increase in disease outbreaks is happening at a time when funding for global health is shrinking. WHO highlighted its recent survey of 108 low- and lower-middle-income countries, which revealed that nearly half are facing disruptions to immunisation campaigns due to reduced donor funding. More than half also report challenges in disease surveillance, limiting their ability to track and respond to outbreaks. It highlighted that routine immunisation is struggling to bounce back from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, according to WHO, around 14.5 million children missed all routine vaccinations, up from 13.9 million in 2022. Over half of these children live in conflict-affected or unstable areas, where access to health care is limited. UNICEFs Executive Director, Catherine Russell, was quoted to have said that the global funding crisis is undermining efforts to vaccinate over 15 million vulnerable children in conflict zones. Ms Russell said, We cannot afford to lose ground in the fight against preventable diseases. In January, shortly after his inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the country from the WHO, citing political influence within the agency. Mr Trump also paused all foreign aid assistance, which has affected most health programmes in developing countries, including Nigeria. Immunisation still saves lives Despite the challenges, immunisation remains one of the most effective health interventions. WHO, UNICEF and Gavi say vaccines save around 4.2 million lives each year, with almost half of those saved in Africa. Joint efforts by WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and partners have helped countries expand access to vaccines and strengthen immunisation systems through primary health care, even in the face of mounting challenges, they noted. They revealed that a new vaccine that protects against five types of meningitis is now being introduced to widen protection. In other areas, HPV vaccine coverage in Africa nearly doubled from 21 per cent in 2020 to 40 per cent in 2023. They added that progress is also being made in the fight against malaria. Nearly 20 African countries have introduced malaria vaccines on a sub-national scale. This is expected to save up to 500,000 lives by 2035 as more countries expand their rollouts. Call to action The global health agencies are calling on parents, the public, and political leaders to step up support for vaccination. They stress that immunisation offers long-term economic and health benefits, adding that every $1 invested in vaccines returns about $54 in economic value. In his remarks, the CEO of Gavi, Sania Nishtar, noted that the outbreaks of highly infectious diseases concern the whole world, but the good news is we can fight back. Ms Nishtar spoke on Gavis next five-year strategy focuses on expanding global stockpiles and targeting countries hardest hit by diseases like meningitis, yellow fever, and measles. However, she said this work depends on full funding. Gavis upcoming high-level pledging summit taking place on 25 June 2025 seeks to raise at least US$ 9 billion from our donors to fund our ambitious strategy to protect 500 million children, saving at least eight million lives from 20262030, she noted. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-supported M23 rebels have agreed to suspend fighting as they work towards a truce to put an end to the conflict in the eastern part of the country. The warring parties announced the ceasefire agreement in a joint statement issued on Wednesday after a round of negotiations in Qatars capital, Doha. This development could usher in an end to the decades-long conflict that has roots in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with M23 made up primarily of ethnic Tutsi fighters. Qatar had mediated between the parties and pushed for a peace deal after the Gulf state successfully negotiated a surprise meeting between President Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda last month. Both parties reaffirm their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities, a categorical rejection of any hate speech, intimidation, and call on local communities to uphold these commitments. The cessation of hostilities would apply throughout the duration of the talks and until their conclusion, the joint statement read. The long-running conflict worsened in January after M23 launched a major attack that killed more than 700 people and captured Goma and Bukavuthe two biggest cities in eastern Congo. 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 Congolese government blamed Rwanda for the insecurity in the eastern part of the country. It accused Rwanda of supplying M23 rebels with weapons and soldiers to assert control over the countrys mineral-rich regions. The country reiterated its claim that Rwanda is illegally occupying parts of its territory. These allegations, coupled with the deaths of South African troops in other attacks, strained diplomatic ties between South Africa and Rwanda, escalating regional tensions. However, recent developments have increased hopes that the fighting between the government and rebel groups will subside. However, there are concerns that the negotiations are progressing at an extremely slow pace. According to Reuters, sources said that disagreements over potential confidence-building steps, like freeing DRC-held prisoners accused of ties to Rwanda and M23, nearly derailed the deal. Qatar, however, was able to pressure both sides into issuing a joint statement to keep working toward a truce. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with candidates reporting a generally smooth and hitch-free experience at several centres visited by PREMIUM TIMES in Lagos, Enugu and Abuja. The annual examination, administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is the gateway for admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This years Computer-Based Test (CBT) runs from Thursday, 24 April to Monday, 5 May. Over two million candidates registered for the examan increase from the 1.9 million recorded in 2024. Abuja At the Government Secondary School (GSS) Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, candidates for the first session, scheduled initially for 6:30 a.m., were still in the examination hall as of 8:15 a.m. A JAMB official who declined to give her name said the delay was due to routine biometric checks, adding that the candidates eventually started their exams shortly after 8 a.m. and were expected to finish by 10 a.m. 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 So far, everything has been smooth. No glitches, she said. Two candidates, Zahra Mahmud and Musa Ismail, confirmed there were no issues with the systems during their session. Outside the centre, parents waited patiently for their children. Pauline Aziyike, who came from City Gate, said she arrived with her child by 6:30 a.m. Another parent expressed satisfaction with how the centre was handling the process. At Sascon International School in Maitama, the first session had concluded by 11:15 a.m.., and the hall was empty when this reporter arrived. Candidates scheduled for the afternoon session at 2 p.m. were already arriving. Rachel Sebastian, a candidate from Life Camp, said she encountered a brief technical hitch shortly after her exam started. All the systems went off at once, but they came back on shortly after, and we continued from where we stopped, she said, adding that she arrived at the centre around 6:30 a.m. At the Rosa Mystica Academy, Kubwa, a minor interruption was recorded. According to a JAMB supervisor at the Kubwa centre, Salihu Mustapha, candidates originally scheduled to begin the second session at 2 p.m. had their CBT tests shifted to 3 p.m. following a directive from the JAMB headquarters. He said the centres had only two sessions today, being the first day of the exercise. He added that the sessions would increase to three daily starting Friday. For every session, accreditation takes place before candidates are allowed into the hall to settle in and begin their exams, which last two hours, he explained. Lagos In Lagos, candidates who spoke to our reporters said the process was smooth and seamless. At the CBT centre in the Lagos State University (LASU) in Lagos, candidates were seen arriving as early as 7 a.m. Some who had their exams scheduled for 8 a.m. were checked in by an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). PREMIUM TIMES observed that aside from parents and candidates, there were no JAMB officials outside the centre. I had no issues with the biometric verification, one candidate told PREMIUM TIMES. A small crowd of parents and vendors gathered outside at the WAEC Testing and Training Centre (WTTC), Ijaiye Road, Ogba, which houses two approved JAMB centres. Many parents waited in the sun despite the exam boards usual directive discouraging their presence at the exam centres. They may have told us not to come, but I couldnt let her come all the way alone from Badagry to Ogba, said Rebecca Akindele, a mother who had accompanied her 16-year-old daughter. Candidates were seen in a queue about an hour before their scheduled sessions for biometric verification. Security was tight, and order was maintained. Students were not allowed to enter the exam hall with earrings or other prohibited items by JAMB. While chatting with others, one parent mentioned that her daughter had to remove her wig and braid her natural hair to avoid suspicion of concealing exam materials. Sofiyat Bello, a first-time UTME candidate, said she came alone and felt well-prepared, hoping to score above 200. Traders make brisk business Near the centre, vendors tried to make the most of the day. Victoria Samuel, who has sold drinks outside the WTTC for four years, said business had been slow. Since I arrived at 8 a.m., Ive only sold two bottles. Im hoping things pick up before the end of todays session, she said. Meanwhile, at another centre, Oak Business School of Management and Technology, also in Ogba, Lagos, an official who declined to be named said the process had gone smoothly. With a 250-candidate capacity, the centre scheduled three sessions for the day, with no major issues reported. And unlike at WTTC, few parents or vendors were outside the premises. Enugu Like in other states, the UTME commenced smoothly on Thursday in Enugu State. PREMIUM TIMES observed that the exercise was held without hitches across the two centres of IMT Digital Learning Management Centre. Tobi Lamidi, manager of both centres, said all sessions ran smoothly without network or technical issues. We dont have any issues here. There was no network problem. Everything went fine, Mr Lamidi said. The manager said 250 candidates were scheduled to take the examination per session in each centre. No problem. Everything was well coordinated, a UTME candidate, Daniel Ezenwali, said. Another candidate, Evidence Ifeanyichukwu, however, noted that her session was delayed by nearly two hours, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. She urged JAMB to start exams as scheduled in future editions. A JAMB official explained that the delay was meant to accommodate candidates coming from distant areas. Some who arrived late missed the session. At the Centre for Advanced Library and Information Management, also in Enugu, the exam was equally hitch-free. Supervisor Queen Ameh said logistics like generators and CCTV cameras were adequately provided. She noted one case of a candidate who mistakenly showed up for the wrong session but was eventually guided correctly. Of the 250 candidates scheduled for the morning session, only 239 were present. Godswill Onah, a law aspirant, praised the conduct of the test and expressed hope for excellent performance. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The staff of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) have agreed to temporarily suspend their industrial action for two weeks to give the federal government an opportunity to address the concerns raised by the workers. The decision was reached Thursday evening after Nigerias Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, met with leaders of the aggrieved unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), a statement issued by the Ministers Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, said. Following a high-level intervention by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), the strike action embarked upon by unions within the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has been suspended until May 13, 2025, pending the outcome of the Ministers intervention on the issues raised, Mr Moshood said. Nimet Workers Strike PREMIUM TIMES reported that NiMet workers embarked on an industrial action on Wednesday to demand improved welfare and promotion. The strike also led to the temporary suspension of Air Peaces operations while some other airlines used it as an excuse to hike flight ticket prices by over 100 per cent. Similarly, flight delays and cancellations were recorded across major airports in the country. NiMet plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth and safe flight schedules in the country. 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 On Thursday, this newspaper reported that the striking NiMet workers stalled operations for the second consecutive day at the agencys headquarters in Abuja. The workers picketed the office as part of their protest. Dozens of frustrated staff members sat at strategic points outside the gate of the building. Some of the employees who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES at about 12:15 p.m. on Thursday explained that they participated in the protest to express their frustration over poor wages and to demand improved welfare benefits. Among other demands, the workers called on the government to implement the recently approved minimum wage. Ministers measures According to the statement by Mr Moshood, on Thursday, the National Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Aba Ocheme, confirmed the decision to suspend the industrial action after the meeting with Mr Keyamo. We have resolved to suspend the ongoing strike till May 13, 2025, in recognition of the Honourable Ministers timely and sincere intervention. We await the progress of the actions he has committed to take, the union leader was quoted as saying. Mr Moshood also quoted the National President of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Alale Adedayo, as saying: As a mark of respect for the Honourable Ministers intervention and assurance, we have decided to temporarily call off the strike while the process of resolution is ongoing. He emphasised that the unions had downed tools over a number of unresolved grievances relating to poor working conditions, including salary relativity with other aviation agencies, non-implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment to the national minimum wage (affecting at least 30 omitted staff), demands for a 25/35 per cent salary increase, 40 per cent hardship/peculiar allowances, annual staff trainings, among others. In response, the statement said Mr Keyamo expressed empathy with the affected workers and pledged his commitment to finding lasting solutions to their concerns. As part of immediate steps, Mr Moshood said the minister agreed to offer personal intervention through formal communications to both President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Finance, to fast-track the resolution of the financial demands. Other measures include the establishment of a Ministerial Committee, headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, to interface with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to clarify issues surrounding subsistence allowances and related matters. The minister also reiterated the importance of industrial harmony in the aviation sector and commended the union leaders for their maturity, patriotism, and willingness to dialogue in the national interest. In his remarks, the ministrys Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Kana, assured all stakeholders that tangible progress will be made before the 13 May deadline. He called for continued cooperation as the ministry works to ensure improved welfare and working conditions for NIMET staff and all aviation personnel. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described mass defection involving Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, other elected and party leaders in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as painful and disappointing. The Acting National Chairman of PDP, Umar Damagum, made this known in Abuja at a ceremony for the issuance of Certificate of Return to Jude Ezenwafor, the partys governorship candidate for Anambra Governorship election. Mr Damagum described the mass defection as disappointing, given the kind of support the party gave to the state. It is very sad and unfortunate because to me, if theres any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party is very magnanimous. I thank God that in their message, they didnt say that the party did anything wrong to them other than good. Its a decision taken by them, but the pains will be in us not because of anything, but because we gave Delta all our support, from the emergence of the governor to his predecessor, who also doubled as our vice presidential candidate. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We least expected this action from them. All the same, this is a party that has seen more than that, but its still standing, he said. Mr Damagum noted that the party leadership was taking stock to set up a caretaker committee for the party in the state. I want to use this opportunity to say, well take over our structures immediately, he said. He said the election in 2027 would not be about how many governors a party has but it will be about Nigerians. Mr Damagum urged all party members to close ranks and rescue Nigeria, saying no challenge is insurmountable.He Mr Oborevwori, his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and others defected to the APC on Wednesday ending months of speculation about their defection. The PDP has been in power in the oil-rich Delta State since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999. Anambra poll Mr Damagum congratulated Mr Ezenwafor on emerging as the partys candidate in Anambra and expressed confidence of victory in the election. I want to encourage you. You have started well. From the evolution of the state executive to your emergence as our candidate. I think what you need to do is to go back and consolidate. Im going to make sure that everyone is back on board. I assure you of our total support and commitment, Mr Damagum said. In his remarks, Mr Ezenwafor expressed optimism that he would win the state election, describing Anambra as a PDP state. All of us contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today, including the serving governor were once governorship aspirants within the PDP but as a bridge-builder, I will consolidate and move forward, Mr Ezenwafor said. He pledged to tackle insecurity in Anambra. As a former senior special assistant to the governor on security, I will not take things for granted. Mr Ezenwafor was accompanied by his wife, members of the PDP State Working Committee in Anambra and campaign officials, among others. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen suspected to be pirates have abducted 20 passengers who were travelling in a boat from Oron in Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State, Nigerias south-south. Passengers to both states now prefer to travel by water because the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway is dilapidated. The abduction happened on 18 April, seven days ago. According to the manifest seen by our reporter, the boat is owned by a private transport company called Akwa Cross Boat Management Ltd. Timfon John, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday. It happened in Calabar, not Akwa Ibom, Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, 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 She, however, said the police in Akwa Ibom were collaborating with their counterparts in Cross River to ensure the victims were released unhurt. But the police spokesperson in Cross River, Irene Ugbo, said no such incident happened in Cross River. Its not true. Its very false, she told our reporter Friday morning. When our reporter informed Ms Ugbo, a superintendent of police, that the police in Akwa Ibom said the abduction of the 20 passengers happened in Cross River, she still insisted it was false. Not in Cross River. Thats not true, she said. Akwa Ibom and Cross River governments have yet to speak about the incident. Pirates disrupting lives, businesses in Akwa Ibom and Cross River The operations of pirates along the Oron-Calabar waterways have remained a threat to passengers travel and businesses between Akwa Ibom and Cross River. A police inspector in Akwa Ibom was declared missing last January after a shootout between police operatives and some pirates dressed in military camouflage along the Oron-Calabar waterways. Two operatives were injured in the incident, according to the police. The assailants, numbering about 24 and operating in three speedboats, attempted to overpower our officers in a gun duel. Our officers put up a brave fight but sustained losses, Ms John, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, said, in January, of the incident. A 2023 report by Punch newspaper detailed how the operations of pirates have crippled businesses in the coastal communities in Akwa Ibom. Fishing is our main occupation and the only means of our livelihood. Regrettably, we are no longer safe at Sea. I have lost two outboard engines to the activities of Sea pirates, and each of these engines cost over N3 million, the paper quoted a boat owner in the Ibaka community, Effiong Etim. We have tried ourselves, and our youths have also tried, but the more we try, the more the pirates attack us. This is our predicament. I am using this medium to appeal once again to the security agencies to sustain their operation at sea to curb these attacks. The operations of pirates have contributed to the soaring prices of food items like crayfish in Akwa Ibom, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, last year, appealed to the authorities of the Nigerian Army to establish a battalion in the Oron axis of the state to curb the increasing rates of kidnapping in the area. Most kidnappings happen and they go through the waters, Mr Eno told a delegation from the army, led by the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, which visited him in Government House Uyo in August 2024. So, we would be able to work with you if you give us the approval to site another battalion around Oron axis, it would do us a great favour, the governor added. Mr Lagbaja, a lieutenant-general, and the army were in Akwa Ibom for the combined second and third quarters of the Chief of Army Staff Conference. Insecurity in Oron axis Mr Enos Oron axis referred to the five local government areas of Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Udung Uko, and Urue Offong/ Uruko in Akwa Ibom. Mainly coastal, the five local governments have become a hotbed for kidnappers in the recent past, which is why Mr Eno is seeking an army battalion to tackle it. Mr Enos request came months after the House of Representatives mandated Mr Taoreed to establish a military formation in Oron to tackle the soaring kidnappings and killings in the area. The House gave the directive following a motion by Martins Esin, the Oron Federal Constituency lawmaker. Mr Esin, who is the chairperson of the House Committee on Youth Development, blamed kidnappings, piracy, armed robbery and wanton killings in the area on the lack of adequate security agencies in the area, Punch newspaper reported. PREMIUM TIMES has reported some high-profile abductions in the Oron axis of the state since Mr Eno became governor. Last year, gunmen abducted eight people, including a naval operative at Classic Point Hotel, a relaxation spot in Ibaka, Mbo local government area of the state. Also, last year, gunmen abducted Okon Abang, the paramount ruler of Mbo Local Government Area of the state. The gunmen invaded the royal fathers palace at Ebughu at night and abducted him. A week before the traditional ruler was abducted, the wife of Asuquo Okon, a prominent politician in the area, was kidnapped in the Oron Local Government Area. Also, in the same area, John Esu, a medical doctor, was abducted, prompting the Nigeria Medical Association in the state to direct its members to withdraw their services from both private and public hospitals in the state. A High Court judge, Joy Unwana, was kidnapped in 2023, and her security guard was shot dead while they were returning to Uyo from Oron, where she had a court session. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The acting National Chairperson of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagun, has said the party will soon constitute a caretaker committee to regain control of its political structure in Delta State. Mr Damagum stated this on Thursday during the presentation of a certificate of return to Ezenwafor Jude, the partys governorship candidate in Anambra State. He disclosed that the national leadership is also reviewing its party structures across the country, with Delta State now a priority following the recent political developments. I want to use this opportunity to say, well take over our structures immediately by setting up a caretaker. We are still taking stocks and we will do that immediately. I also want to enjoin our members, both in Delta and the country in general, I want to remind us what happened in 2023. The DPP can still make it simple, he said. Delta State, a longtime PDP stronghold, was shaken this week when Governor Sheriff Oborevwori announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Ifeanyi Okowa, the former vice presidential candidate in the last election and the entire leadership of the party in the state also defected to the APC. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The defection ended PDPs 26-year control of the oil-rich South-south state. The pioneer state chairperson of the party, James Manager, announced the defection after a meeting of the governor with PDP leaders and stakeholders at the Government House, Asaba. Mr Manager, also a former senator, attributed the move to the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level and its possible implication for the party in the next general elections. Defection sad, unfortunate Mr Damagun expressed disappointment with the defection and described it as sad and unfortunate, given the partys long standing support for Delta State. Its very sad and unfortunate because, to me, if theres any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party is very magnanimous. I thank God that in their message, they didnt say that the party did anything wrong to them other than good. The Chairperson maintained that the party did no wrong to warrant such a betrayal, suggesting that the decision was politically motivated rather than based on internal grievances. Its a decision taken by them, but the pains will be in us not because of anything, but because we have given Delta State all our support, from the emergence of the governor to his predecessor, who also doubled as our vice presidential candidate. I think weve done it all for them in Delta State. We least expected this action from them. All the same, this is a party that has seen more than that, but its still standing. 2027 elections The acting national Chairperson said the 2027 general elections would not be a contest between parties or individuals but as a referendum on President Bola Tinubus administration. He referenced the performance of Peter Obi in the 2023 election as evidence that popular sentiment can overpower political strength. Obi has no governor but he muzzled all those votes that he muzzled. This election in 2027, is not about how many governors you have or how many leaders. Its about Tinubu and Nigerias will give you the result I believe that before 12 o clock because you can coerce, persuade, and intimidate our members to come in to support you. The ordinary man is feeling the pinch and the decision is his. So I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is their election. It is APC versus Nigerians. Its not APC versus any governor or senator or anything but APC versus Nigerians. So I want to urge all of us to close ranks and rescue ourself from this hardship that is inflicted on us by design, not any coincidence. Policies are meant for people, no one else because you make policy and its not for the ordinary people, he said. Mr Damagun urged party members to remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to democratic principles. We will experience a lot of challenges but there is no challenge that is insurmountable. I thank God we are all people of faith. We know there is a limit to whatever one can do other than what God has designed. You may have your own tactics where you cannot outplay God. We leave our fate in the hands of God and we believe He will help us out of this great situation, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print PREMIUM TIMES speaks with Eugenia Ngozi Okafor, the CEO of Diva Cakes, about her journey from a passion-driven baker to a leading entrepreneur in Nigerias confectionery space. She shares how women can lead with empathy and vision, while turning challenges into opportunities for growth and collective impact. PT: Can you tell us about your professional journey and how you became a CEO? Mrs Okafor: Diva Cakes began as a dream, a vision to create more than just delicious cakes, but a brand that brings joy, celebration, and lasting memories into peoples lives. The goal was to establish a business that would become synonymous with lifes most cherished milestones. My leadership journey has been shaped by passion, resilience, and continuous learning. With a deep love for baking and creativity, I started making cakes at home, in school, and eventually for weddings and special occasions within my close community. 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 demand grew, transforming this passion into a fully established business became a reality. Over the years, I have gained hands-on experience in brand management, large-scale production, distribution, and business operations. These experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to lead and grow Diva Cakes into the trusted and beloved brand it is today. PT: In your opinion, how do women leaders inspire and empower others around them, especially other women? Mrs Okafor: Women leaders inspire by leading with empathy, resilience, and vision. We create spaces where others feel seen, heard, and valued. By mentoring, supporting, and championing other women, we open doors and challenge the norms that often limit opportunities. Women also bring a unique sense of community and collaboration, ensuring that success is not just individual but collective. PT: What do you think is unique about women in leadership roles compared to men? Mrs Okafor: Women bring a different perspective to leadership, one that is emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and adaptive. We tend to focus on long-term impact, relationship-building, and fostering a people-centered workplace. While men and women have their strengths, women often excel in multitasking, crisis management, and nurturing innovation, making organisations more dynamic and resilient. PT: What unique challenges did you face while establishing yourself as a leader in the cakes and confectionery industry, and how did you navigate them? Mrs Okafor: The Cakes and confectionery industry has traditionally been a female-dominated space, yet establishing oneself as a leader still comes with challenges. As a woman, I had to work twice as hard to demonstrate my capabilities and earn recognition. While there were moments of doubt, I remained committed to delivering results, building meaningful relationships, and continuously refining my skills. The journey was not without hurdles, sleepless nights, unforeseen setbacks, and the complexities of managing finances and assembling the right team. Each challenge became a learning opportunity, reinforcing the importance of resilience. Over time, I embraced the mindset that daring to fail is an essential part of the journey to success. PT: Can you share one of the most rewarding moments in your career that solidified your passion for leadership? Mrs Okafor: One of the most rewarding moments was seeing a team member rise through the ranks to become a leader in our company. I have had several Customer Service Officers who have risen through the ranks to become Area Managers. Watching how mentorship, encouragement, and the right opportunities transformed their careers reaffirmed my belief in empowering people. It reminded me that leadership is not just about personal success but about lifting others and creating lasting impact. PT: What advice would you give to young Nigerian women aspiring to become leaders in their fields? Mrs Okafor: Believe in Yourself! The path to success may be challenging, but confidence in your abilities is essential. Envision boldly, embrace uniqueness, and take decisive action to turn your dreams into reality. PT: How do you balance the demands of being a CEO with other aspects of your personal life? Mrs Okafor: Balancing leadership with personal life is an ongoing process. I prioritise time management, delegation, and self-care. I have learned that you cannot pour from an empty cup, so I make time for family, rest, and activities that refresh me. I also trust my team to handle responsibilities, allowing me to focus on both my career and personal well-being. READ ALSO: Nigerian woman who bore false testimony of buying N500m mansion speaks PT: This years theme for International Womens Day is Accelerate Action. What does this theme mean to you and how does it reflect your leadership approach? Mrs Okafor: To me, Accelerate Action means moving beyond conversations and driving real, tangible change. Its about breaking barriers faster, creating more opportunities for women, and pushing for inclusivity and equality in all spaces. As a leader, I embody this by taking decisive steps to empower women within my organisation, supporting women-led businesses and initiatives, and using my platform to inspire the next generation of female leaders. Its time to act boldly, uplift others, and ensure that progress is not just a goal but a reality. This interview was conducted in partnership with Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), a Nigerian non-profit organisation committed to advancing and empowering women in leadership. Mrs Okafor is also a member of WIMBIZ. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has sent a high-powered delegation to Vatican City to attend the burial of Pope Francis on Saturday, 26 April. Senate President Godswill Akpabio is at the head of the five-member delegation. Other members of the delegation are the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria; Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama. Pope Francis, the revered head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, 21 April, at 88, just a day after appearing for Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican. The delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubus sympathy and condolences on Pope Francis passing to the Acting Head of the Vatican. On Monday, President Tinubu joined the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide to mourn the death of Pope Francis, who he described as a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions. 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 the condolence message, President Tinubu remarked that Pope Francis death, coming just after the celebration of Christs resurrection, is a sacred return to his Maker at a time of renewed hope for Christians. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) April 25, 2025 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has condemned the attack on him by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for hosting the Israeli Ambassador in Nigeria, Michael Freeman. Mr Fani-Kayode had kicked against the visit in a Facebook statement, saying Governor Mutfwang made a grave mistake by hosting the Ambassador of Israel, an ethno-fascist, genocidal, child-killing, terrorist & apartheid nation in his state. But the governor responded that the visit focused on agriculture, technology, and medicine, not religion or ideology, dismissing Mr Fani-Kayodes criticism as intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt. In his Facebook post, the former minister said: I watched the show of shame & almost threw up. As a Christian, how does this Mutfwang feel about receiving mass murderers, ethnic cleansers & religious bigots in his official residence? More importantly, as a human being, how can he sleep at night after doing this? He said the governor hosted a man whose country was allegedly linked to the killings in his state and other places in the country. 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 Outside of that does he not know about the role that Israel & her strongest allies are playing in the killings in the North & even in his own state? Does he not know who is really behind the terrorists that have plagued our nation both North & South? Does he not know who is really benefiting from the carnage & land-grabbing? Does he not know that their objective is to plunge us into a civil & religious war whilst they pick up the pieces? Mr Fani-Kayode said. Mr Fani-Kayode said the Israeli government founded the terrorist organisations in the world in their quest to destroy and dominate. Someone tell him to ask his Zionist friends who created, founded, funds and arms ISIS, ISWAP, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Al Qaeda & virtually every other terrorist organisation in the world. Tell him to ask them who uses these evil forces to divide, destabilise & destroy the foreign nations which they seek to control & dominate. Tell him to ask them why none of the terrorist organisations mentioned above has EVER attacked Israel or targetted the Israelis? Mr Fani-Kayode alleged. He also accused the Israeli government of funding an attempt for Nigerias disintegration during the civil war between 1967 and 1970. Tell him (Governor Mutfwang) to ask them who funded and sold arms to the Biafrans more than anyone else during our civil war. Tell him to ask them how African Jews from Ethiopia (known as the Falashas) that are seeking to become Israeli nationals are treated in the Zionist state and how they are subjected to and injected with strange and toxic chemicals in order to prevent them from having children and contaminating the white/European bloodline of the non-semitic Ashkenazi Jews that rule that dark and accursed country. Mr Fani-Kayode said the governor receiving Mr Freeman has disappointed the children and women who are being killed by the Israeli government in Gaza. Receiving the emissary of an insensitive & callous beast, a bloodthirsty tyrant, a feral psychopath & a delusional megalomaniac like Bibi Netanyahu & showering accolades on him is an insult to the martyred women & children of Gaza & a big slap on the face of those that are fighting Israeli occupation in Palestine. Worst still in doing so the Governor has inflicted a deep spiritual wound on himself & his Government. Bringing a Jewish snake into your house will not help you to solve your problems in Plateau State, no matter what they promise to do for you: it will only make them worse. As they say, beware of the Greeks, especially when they bring gifts! The Trojans learnt this lesson the hard way! Let us hope the same fate does not befall you. Meanwhile did your guest tell you that they spit on Christians in his country? Did he tell you that according to their holy book known as the Talmud, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was a liar and a rogue and is now burning in hell whilst swimming in a pool of human faeces? Did he tell you that they discriminate against both Christians and Muslims and that they detain and slaughter them like flies? I learnt that the day after he left Plateau State, no less than 100 more people were killed by the terrorists: why am I not surprised? Mr Fani-Kayode said. Mr Mutfwang reacts Responding, Mr Mutfwang, in a statement posted by Plateau News Update, said Mr Fani-Kayodes tirade on the visit was nothing short of a cocktail of conspiracy theories, unfiltered rage, and dangerous misinformation. He said while Mr Fani-Kayode has the right to freedom of speech, what he can not be allowed to do is distort the truth and demonize a well-intentioned act of governance. Governor Mutfwang did not host the ambassador of a religion or ideology in Jos, the Plateau State capital. He received a diplomatic representative of a sovereign nation (Israel) on a mission focused squarely on agriculture, technology, and medicine. His intention stated clearly, is to unlock opportunities for food security, economic growth, and healthcare development in Plateau State. FFK, who claims to be a Christian, should understand the sacred duty of a leader to bring healing, not chaos, to his people. That is exactly what Governor Mutfwang is doing, the statement stated. Plateau is not at war with Israel. Plateau is at war with poverty, food insecurity, youth unemployment, and decaying public infrastructure. It is in agriculture that the new relationship between Plateau State and Israel shines most brightly. Mr. Freeman came offering what Israel is globally known for: solutions. Innovations such as drip irrigation, precision farming, post-harvest preservation, and livestock management are technologies that have turned deserts into green fields. They are precisely what Plateau needs to become self-sufficient in food production and competitive in agricultural exports. Should Plateau reject that because of geopolitical grievances that have nothing to do with us? To invoke the suffering of Gazans as a reason to deny Plateau people access to life-saving innovation is not just intellectually dishonest but morally bankrupt, the statement added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Despite its ongoing strike, health workers in the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have agreed to participate in the polio immunisation campaign scheduled for May. The decision was jointly announced on Friday in Abuja by the FCT chapters of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN). Speaking on behalf of the unions, the Chairperson of NANNM, FCT Chapter, Jama Medan, said although the strike remains in effect, an exception would be made for the 10-day polio vaccination exercise. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions have shut down Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the six area councils of the FCT. The strike was to demand the implementation of the 70,000 minimum wage, and payment of outstanding arrears and allowances. Mr Medan, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the strike is still on. 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 explained that the workers would be allowed to participate in the 10-day exercise, while also allowing access to the immunisation materials and cold chain in the primary healthcare facilities. We agreed that all our members that may be needed for the vaccination exercise should come out to implement the vaccination, he said. Secondly, we will also allow access to the health facilities where the cold rooms and the immunisation materials are located. We are given 10 days for the exercise. However, we did not call off the strike, and we are not allowing any of our members to carry out any other duty rather than the polio vaccination. The chairman said that the decision was motivated by concern for childrens well-being, noting that missing the vaccination window could lead to new cases of the virus. Our concern has been the people and not only ourselves. We health workers are worried that the innocent Nigerian children in the FCT will miss the May polio vaccination because our members are on strike, he said. If they miss the vaccination, there is the possibility that we are going to have a polio outbreak in the FCT, and if such happens, it is going to be worrisome. We know the devastating effect of polio on children and if one child is affected and becomes crippled, that child, his parents and Nigerians will never forget us and will never forgive us. He called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and other authorities to intervene so the health workers could call off the strike and return to work. He said that people are dying daily at the area councils due to a lack of access to primary healthcare services in communities following the strike. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has announced that all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs) will begin awarding bachelors degrees alongside the National Certificate in Education (NCE) from September 2025. This development follows the implementation of the revised Dual Mandate Act, signed into law in 2023, which permits FCOEs to offer both qualifications. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on his official X handle during a strategic engagement with staff unions and management of FCOEs. Mr Alausa said the reform aims to enhance teacher training and improve the overall quality of education in Nigeria. During the meeting, I emphasised that the way we educate our students must evolve, he said. The old methods are no longer effective in todays society. We must adapt to meet international standards if we are to succeed. 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 minister added that the new policy is part of broader efforts to address declining enrolment in colleges of education and to modernise teaching methods to meet international standards. He stressed the need for mutual respect among teachers, students, academics, and parents. Without teachers and educators, societies would not be what they are today. Teaching is integral to nation-building and a change in narrative about the profession in Nigeria is long overdue, he said. Collaborations Mr Alausa also noted that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure the successful implementation of the dual mandate. Under the new guidelines, only federal colleges of education that are at least 10 years old will be eligible to implement the dual-mode programme. ALSO READ: TETFund to help Kwara on conversion of colleges of education to varsity Additionally, only NCE holders will be considered for admission into the degree programmes, and affiliations with universities for degree awards will be phased out. The dual mandate initiative is expected to boost enrolment in colleges of education, enhance the quality of teacher education, and reduce the pressure on universities by providing alternative pathways for obtaining bachelors degrees in education. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print how has President Tinubus nepotistic appointments stopped these governors from addressing issues of the Multidimensional Poverty Index of health, food insecurity, education and living standards? Out of 210 million Nigerians, 133 million are multidimensionally poor. Where are most of the 133 million people located? The National Bureau of Statistics says that 65 per cent of them are in the North. When disaggregated, the child MPI data indicates that 90 per cent of them who are multi-dimensionally poor are in the North-East and North-West. We are creatures that love to blame the external, while the problem is usually internal Imam al-Ghazali Some sections of the northern elite have come again. They were outraged during the Jonathan administration, in snooze mode during the Buhari regime, and are now wide-awake coalescing like vultures, not because its two years of Tinubus government, but it is the second year of reduced rent-seeking opportunities and access to public resources. But their predicament has some logic to it. Most had established virtually nothing, with no viable or known source of income, until they secured political office. Once out of power, its almost inevitable to feel as though the air has thinned out. Now they are back, rallying and regrouping to instigate ordinary Northerners against President Tinubus nepotistic leadership. They are not critiquing economic policies such as fuel subsidy removal or floatation of the naira perhaps because they had amassed enough wealth during Buharis locust years to endure the impact. They are not regrouping over the killings in Borno, Zamfara, Benue or Plateau. As for Plateau and Benue, deemed not northern enough by some, their silence on these atrocities amounts to tacit endorsement. All they are flying are complaints about the evident nepotistic appointments, implying that if they were kept in power, there would be no complaint at all. For the sake of an argument, lets assume that President Tinubus cabinet and key political appointments in the security and economic sectors are predominantly composed of Lagosians, how does it affect the performance of state governors and local government chairmen in addressing the significant issues concerning the North? How has President Tinubu stopped governors from creating jobs? Im not talking about the distribution of Keke NAPEP. Apart from in Kaduna State, how many new factories were built in the North between 2015 and 2023? How many jobs have been generated since 2015? I urge each state to disclose the number of factories established or foreign direct investments attracted, along with the corresponding job creation figures. First, security. The security problem of the North is largely an economic one. Historically, the region had never experienced the scale of criminal activities as witnessed over the past two decades. While kinetic measures may offer temporary relief, they fail to address the underlying causes, which continue to escalate. How has President Tinubu stopped governors from creating jobs? Im not talking about the distribution of Keke NAPEP. Apart from in Kaduna State, how many new factories were built in the North between 2015 and 2023? How many jobs have been generated since 2015? I urge each state to disclose the number of factories established or foreign direct investments attracted, along with the corresponding job creation figures. Meanwhile, Northern governors seem perpetually engaged in trips abroad, searching for foreign investors, as if they dont know that capital chases investment not flying all over the globe in the name of seeking investors. 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 Secondly, how has President Tinubus nepotistic appointments stopped these governors from addressing issues of the Multidimensional Poverty Index of health, food insecurity, education and living standards? Out of 210 million Nigerians, 133 million are multidimensionally poor. Where are most of the 133 million people located? The National Bureau of Statistics says that 65 per cent of them are in the North. When disaggregated, the child MPI data indicates that 90 per cent of them who are multi-dimensionally poor are in the North-East and North-West. Or should we reject the data from the Statistician General of the Federation since he is a Southerner, or do we address the real concerns? Sokoto, the location of the highest incidence is 91 per cent multidimensionally poor, but the governor was reported as earmarking N1.2 billion to renovate boreholes. Has the renovation even taken place? Gombe is 86 per cent multidimensionally poor; Jigawa, 84 per cent; Plateau, 84 per cent; Yobe, 83 per cent; Kebbi, 82 per cent; and Zamfara, 78 per cent. Apart from Bayelsa and Ebonyi, Northern states comprise eight out of the top 10 multidimensionally poor. It must be President Tinubus nepotistic appointments that has kept us at the bottom. no one is holding brief for Tinubu. Amongst other things, he has displayed blatant nepotism, resisted efforts to cut down public sector excesses and failed to provide political backing for anti-corruption initiatives. But not a single of his actions or inactions prevent the North or any state governor from fulfilling its responsibilities. In fact, since his tenure began, allocations have tripled in naira terms to states and local governments. What have they done with these humongous amounts of money to improve the welfare of their people? To show that leadership matters, consider Borno, which despite severe security challenges is 72 per cent multidimensionally poor. Imagine where it would be without such security challenges. The states growth could have been even greater if not for the substantial number of its displaced persons in various camps. Its worth examining those who served as Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs from 2015 onward to understand how this ties to Tinubu. Despite having one of the largest budgets between 2015 and 2023, how many IDP camps were actually closed? Those entrenched in the rent-seeking sectors, currently busy with anti-corruption agencies and courts, are the ones now regrouping. Lastly, on education and other equally important matters, the focus remains on constructing classrooms primarily driven by the procurement opportunities involved. How has Tinubu stopped them from getting qualified teachers to run the schools? Or curbing wasteful recurrent expenditures to enhance good governance and improving healthcare? Let them name a single public hospital or school that the governors utilise in the whole of Northern Nigeria. Just one. While most states have federal hospitals, yet there is no state government run hospital frequented by the elite. Still, it is Tinubu appointments they want to distract us with. These same elites cant even handle criticism. Theyve taken control of certain media outlets, leaving social media as the only dependable platform for demanding accountability. Even, numerous citizens in the North have been imprisoned by governors and other elites over social media posts. The few who remain vocal are often based abroad. In all of these, no one is holding brief for Tinubu. Amongst other things, he has displayed blatant nepotism, resisted efforts to cut down public sector excesses and failed to provide political backing for anti-corruption initiatives. But not a single of his actions or inactions prevent the North or any state governor from fulfilling its responsibilities. In fact, since his tenure began, allocations have tripled in naira terms to states and local governments. What have they done with these humongous amounts of money to improve the welfare of their people? Yet, what do we hear? Some governors allegedly convert these funds to dollars and stash them away creating illicit dollar demand, which is a key factor behind the exchange rate hitting N1,600/$1. Surely, it must be Tinubus failure to combat corruption at the national and sub-national level that compels them to act this way. Umar Yakubu writes from Abuja. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Republican lawmaker's resolution "recognizing history of racism and bigotry in the Democratic Party" only got an eight-minute hearing Wednesday before a committee voted it down, but that was enough time for four of the GOP legislators to withdraw their names as cosponsors. "I don't think a resolution like this adds a whole lot to the efforts that we came here to the Legislature for four months to do," Rep. Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, said after striking his name from the document. Resolutions typically become a main feature in the session's final days, a sort of open mic for the idle mass of lawmakers when priority policies and big budget items become the occupation of a few powerful legislators. Some resolutions set out plans to study certain topics before the next legislative session, but others generally have no effect beyond communicating a sentiment of the Legislature and are often referred to around the Capitol as "letters to Santa Claus." Many resolutions soar through with near unanimous support. A resolution "recognizing the strong bilateral relationship between Montana and Taiwan" saw only one adverse vote (Sen. Daniel Emrich, R-Great Falls) before it was fully passed by the Legislature on Tuesday. Another resolution "recognizing the 250th birthday of the United States of America" in 2026 passed last week. In the waning hours of the 2025 Legislature, multiple lawmakers are working on introducing resolutions that attempt to rewrite state and national narratives around racism. A new resolution in the works from freshman Rep. Lukas Schubert, R-Kalispell, would ask President Donald Trump to pardon Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted for the murder of George Floyd, a Black man whom Chauvin pinned to the ground by the neck for eight minutes that were entirely captured on video. Schubert has emerged this session as a flamethrower from the farthest right flank of the Republican caucus. Other legislators, including some in his own party, have accused Schubert of carrying bills resembling ideologies of Christian nationalists or those found in Germany in 1935. On multiple occasions he has openly warned other Republicans that votes against his bills would cost them in their next primary election. As of the 81st day of the session, 29 of his 33 bills are dead. Schubert posted on social media on Wednesday that Chauvin was "wrongly convicted." In an interview on Thursday, Schubert insisted he is not being a provocateur with the resolution. Schubert said Chauvin's case was an example of the "radical left" secretly controlling the justice system, a perception that Schubert staked much of his campaign on last year while running for the statehouse. "I'm bringing this resolution just to highlight one of these instances where we've seen essentially mob rule take precedent over true justice," he told the Montana State News Bureau, raising riots that followed Floyds death. Chauvin was convicted by a 12-member jury. Schubert also claimed Floyd's cause of death was a fentanyl overdose, not from being suffocated under Chauvin's knee. In reality, two autopsies found Floyds death was a homicide; while fentanyl was found in Floyds system, the county medical examiner determined his heart stopped because of neck compression while being subdued by the officer. Much of Schubert's points echo right-wing pundit Ben Shapiro, who launched a campaign to overturn Chauvins conviction two months ago, including a petition and a five-part video series. So why is a Montana legislator bringing a resolution to pardon a prisoner in Minnesota? "This is a national issue," he said. "We pass resolutions on national issues all the time around here. I mean, a lot of this stuff, you know, we've just passed one today talking about how members of Congress shouldnt be able to trade individual stocks." Schubert, 19, is the youngest member of the Montana Legislature, and was 15 when Floyd was murdered. He added he hopes the resolution could get the attention of Trump, who said in early March he wasnt considering a pardon for Chauvin nor was he aware of the push for such action by Shapiro and other right-wing figures. "Maybe we can get some ground on that issue for his federal charges," Schubert said. Not everyone takes the resolutions as seriously as Schubert. "My position on resolutions is that for the most part what they are is exercises in worthless rhetoric," Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, said. "They dont fundamentally alter anything and most of this stuff, basically, they get their moment in the sun and thats it." For others, the views expressed through these resolutions can be a reminder of the hateful thoughts shared casually around the Capitol. Patrick Yawakie, a lobbyist for multiple tribes in Montana, said hes had to see himself as an educator for elected officials. "Being exposed to that as an Indian here, and one of the only, like, few Indians in this building that are directly advocating or lobbying for these issues, that lack of education that these legislators, when they're stepping into this role, is prominent and across the board definitely within the Republican Party, but also the Democratic Party, too," he said. "So, signing up to be a lobbyist and advocate on these things, it's really wearing multiple hats and understanding that I have to be a teacher here, too, you know, and educate when thats not necessarily my role." He identified some of the Montana Freedom Caucus members as the most harmful during the session. But he said that factions hardline stance on racial issues has driven a deeper wedge between the far-right Republicans and moderates, who hold a majority of each chamber when they partner with Democrats on key votes. "They're so dead-set on this racist-MAGA thing that its creating division within their own party," Yawakie said. "That's harmful, because they're saying those things on the floor. But its also very fortunate for us, because its created that wedge where we can get bipartisan support." Yawakie felt the Native community had been pulled into the debate on House Resolution 8, sponsored by Rep. Caleb Hinkle, R-Belgrade, which spent seven of its eight pages on "whereas" clauses in what Hinkle described as a walk down the historic lane of the prominent racist actions by Democrats. Those include President Andrew Jacksons initiation of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to the Trail of Tears, and President Franklin D. Roosevelts executive action to imprison Japanese Americans in the wake of Pearl Harbor, along with Democrats' institutional defense of slavery during the 19th Century. But the resolution doesnt exist solely as a spontaneous history lesson. "WHEREAS, as of 2025, the Democratic Partys diversity, equity and inclusion policies in government, education and corporate sectors are seen as discriminatory policies favoring specific racial and identity groups over merit-based systems," the resolution read. The document called for the Montana Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee to issue a formal apology and reparations for what Hinkle called the party's "harms." "Let us vote for HR 8 not as an end, but as a beginning, a commitment to education, healing and a Montana where no ones heritage is weaponized," Hinkle told the House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee on Wednesday. Yawakie told the committee Hinkle was using Native Americans to push his bill forward, and pointed to perennial Republican-sponsored bills that discriminate against or undermine Native communities, suggesting Hinkles resolution was attempting to deflect that criticism toward the Democratic Party. "If you look at recent legislative sessions, bills that attack our communities, tribal sovereignty, our hunting rights, our election rights, are all being done by one side," Yawakie told the committee. Fielder, the Republican representative who later removed his name from the resolution's roster of cosponsors, asked Yawakie if he could respect that the bill was taking a historic approach. "In my point of view, history has always been written by the winner," Yawakie told Fielder. "There's always a winner and loser in every story. Unfortunately, in our tribal community, histories have been skewed to accommodate the winner. Were just here to correct that history." The entire bill hearing lasted eight minutes, and the committee then "tabled" the bill, the procedural method to kill it, in a 12-2 vote. the foregoing was just a humble observation of Pope Francis nine months after his papacy began. From the tributes now being paid across the globe to his memory since he died two days ago, the beautiful story of Pope Francis has been that of morning shows the day. Some of the great things being said today about Pope Francis were already manifest 13 years ago when he became the head of the Catholic Church. The progressive signature of Pope Francis on the Vatican was unmistakeable from the beginning of his papacy. Since the Catholic pontiff died on Easter Monday, the remarkable positions taken by the Bishop of Rome on many socio-economic and political issues have been amply acknowledged in tributes from diverse quarters. The Pope stood for world peace. He preached compassion. He opposed the widening inequality and social injustice which define the world. He cautioned against irresponsibilty in matters of climate change. He appointed women to postions of responsibilty in the Vatican. He condemned the suffering of women and children as Israel bombed the occupied territory of Gaza, just as he rejected antisemitism. With his immense moral authority, the Pope took many other steps in solidarity with the poor and the weak. Expectedly, the difference that Pope Francis was making attracted the attention of observers globally. It could be a fitting farewell to Pope Francis to reproduce a tribute that this reporter paid to the pontiff on Christmas Day 2013 in a column in ThisDay. It was entitled Pope Francis, Truly of the People. Below is the piece: As Pope Francis celebrates his first Christmas today in the Vatican as the leader of Catholics all over the world, it may be apposite to draw attention to the emerging character of his papacy. 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 At least one discernible trait in the doctrinal development taking place in the Vatican is quite relevant to the message of Christmas: Pope Francis has reinvigorated the message of compassion which is at the heart of Christianity and other great religions. In other words, it is important to spare a thought about the social relevance of evangelism. It is on this point that Pope Francis is a leader to watch. Take a sample. On his twitter page last Thursday, the Pope said: Let us pray that God grant us the grace of knowing a world where no one dies of hunger. Now that is a great departure from the sort of evangelism that blames the victims of hunger; some other leaders of faith would say the hungry man is suffering from the consequence of his sins. Doubtless, the pontiff is carrying out a reform of the message issuing from the church. Some would even call what is taking place a revolution of sorts. There is no way you could be honestly critical of the world in which millions of human beings live in abject poverty without being critical of the dominant ideology of the age. It is such a case that mass poverty is what global capitalism has got to show for its so-called ideological triumph in the cold war. Hence, Pope Francis has been unequivocal in his criticism of the recklessness of neo-liberal capitalism, which has wreaked havoc in the economies of even the developed capitalist societies. He has condemned the growing inequality in the global economic system. He has never assumed the posture of a technical expert; he has only demonstrated a social conscience in his faith. This is the lesson other religious leaders should learn from the Pope. The Pope has been reported as posing this sobering question: How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? It is a question that those who glibly proclaim the end of ideology should sometimes ponder. On another occasion, he said: People continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth will bring about greater justice in the world. This opinion expresses a naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power. The matter is put more explicitly when the Pope argues as follows: As long as the problems of the poor are not resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets no solution will be found for the worlds problems or, for that matter, to any problems. By the way, these random quotations from the statements that the Pope has made in the last few months are merely to illustrate the clarity of purpose in his message. More significantly, the fact that these statements are made by the Pope makes them to be weighty in global terms. After all, there was a Pope who was reputed to be a member of the ideological tripod that facilitated the collapse of communism. This is a frequent reference to the ideological roles of former American President Ronald Reagan, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul in the days of the Cold War. Similarly, the message of Pope Francis is resonating today in liberal and conservative quarters. However, unlike Pope John Paul, Pope Francis does not appear destined to be a hero of the Right. Members of the Tea Party in the United States already see something red about the Pope, which the rest of the world is, perhaps, not seeing yet. Little surprise that those who are cocooned in the extreme right corner of the ideological spectrum are quick to dub the Pope a Marxist for his message of compassion for the poor in a Christ-like manner. Interestingly, the Pope has defended himself unambiguously against the charges of Marxism. He said: Marxist ideology is wrong. But in my life I have met a lot of Marxists who are good people, so I do not feel offended That does not mean being a Marxist. It is also instructive that as an Argentine, the Pope has lived under the regime of neo-liberal orthodoxy in economic management with its socially destructive consequences. He is no stranger to the effects of global capitalism on the quality of life of the poor. Yet, he is no liberation theologian. If anything, he is on record to have been critical of the leftist liberation theologians in Latin America in those days. Pope Francis is only reminding the Church of the primary question of compassion in its origins; this is a question that market forces do not yet have an answer. You dont have to be a communist to appreciate this fact about humanity. All that is needed is to be socially sensitive to the widening inequality in the world today. This is the point that the conservative segment of the Popes audience should always bear in mind, as they are wont to assail him with ideological criticisms. It is cheery news that not a few observers across the ideological spectrum are watching the doctrinal direction in the Vatican with keen interest. The TIME Magazine seems to capture the essence of the new direction of the Pope when it declared him Person of the Year last week for pulling the papacy out of the palace and into the streets, for committing the worlds largest church to confronting its deepest needs and for balancing judgment with mercy Besides, he has made a forceful case for a greater presence of women in the church. There is a lot of truth in the observation which the magazine puts like this: These days it is bracing to hear a leader say anything that annoys anyone. Now liberals and conservatives alike face a choice as they listen to a new voice of conscience: Which matters more, that this charismatic leader is saying things they think need to be said or that he is also saying things theyd rather not hear? It is refreshing to know that the message from the Vatican is not only about abortion and homosexuals. While he maintains the fundamental views of the church on these largely social and biological issues, he is nudging the church away from getting fixated on the issues. On homosexuality, he once asked: who am I to judge? Now, this is far from being rhetorical. It is a possible call for a rethink. What is, however, not in dispute is that poverty and inequality are doing a greater havoc to humanity. In words and action, the Pope is reminding the world of this material reality. The Pope exudes humility and prefers a simple life. Some other men of God do not see the contradiction between their lives of opulence (sometimes bordering on obscenity) and the poverty of the majority in the congregation. By rejecting the burgeoning inequality in the world today and making compassion a focus of evangelism, Pope Francis truly belongs to the people. Yes, the foregoing was just a humble observation of Pope Francis nine months after his papacy began. From the tributes now being paid across the globe to his memory since he died two days ago, the beautiful story of Pope Francis has been that of morning shows the day. Some of the great things being said today about Pope Francis were already manifest 13 years ago when he became the head of the Catholic Church. He held on to his faith to the last minute. May the compassion, justice and peace about which Pope Francis consistently preached to the world come to pass. Kayode Komolafe is a renowned columnist and media manager. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Inclusiveness for women will benefit not just them but Nigeria as a whole. More women in governance will only bring progress and respect for Nigeria in the comity of nations. Even more important, by ensuring that Nigerian women fully enjoy the rights that the Constitution says are for all citizens, we deepen our democracy and enhance respect and consideration to the other half of our citizens. It would simply make all of us better human beings. This week, I was in Sokoto participating in a workshop organised by WRAPPA to enhance the capacity of women journalists in activating the more effective participation of women in Nigerias democratic processes. The event drew participants from Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states. The Sultan of Sokoto, who spoke on the occasion, was represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jai, called for an end to the marginalisation of women in the nations affairs. He drew attention to the significant role place by Nana Asmau, Usman dan Fodios daughter in the early phase of the development of the Caliphate, as an example to emulate. Women constitute at least half of Nigerias population and by sheer numbers alone, they should have a commensurate presence in governance. However, their political participation remains disproportionately low. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the debate surrounding womens underrepresentation in electoral contests and appointive positions has gained traction. Civil society groups, womens organisations, and academic voices, have all called for structural reforms and policy interventions to enhance the roles of women in political life. Policies like the National Gender Policy and initiatives by successive governments, have been aimed at bridging this gap, but their impacts have been minimal, with the road to equity remaining long and uncertain. Currently, in the 10th Assembly, female lawmakers occupy only four of the 109 Senate seats (2.7 per cent) and 16 of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives (4.7 per cent), bringing the total female representation in the 469-member Assembly to just 4.2 per cent. One of the key sectors that can influence the bridging of this gap in a positive or negative manner is the media. The media wields immense power in shaping public discourse, perceptions of leadership, and the visibility of female political actors. It can either reinforce existing stereotypes or challenge them, depending on how women are portrayed and whose voices are amplified. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, media narratives often marginalise or trivialise female political aspirants, limiting their legitimacy in the eyes of the public, thereby closing, rather than opening doors. The media should be a catalyst for the forces that can promote female political participation. The female politician in Nigeria is a major victim of the lack of civility in the political process. She suffers from various modes of marginalisation, many of which are hurtful and full of invectives. In general, party officials refuse to take the candidature of female aspirants seriously. Ironically, one of their main reasons is the affirmative action policy adopted by some of the parties, which waives the nomination fees for female aspirants. Party executives in most constituencies set out to label women as aspirants with less than the required commitment to the party. 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 Party barons at the local level repeatedly argue that by convincing the national executives to remove nominations fees for them, women have demonstrated a lack of commitment to the development of the party. This argument was used to make declarations that male candidates are more committed to the party because they make their financial contributions willingly and that commitment should be recognised and rewarded. Such officials, therefore, succeeded in labelling women aspirants as anti-party people and thereby created the basis for their exclusion. It is worthwhile recalling the analysis of Geof Wood on the role of labelling in eliminating competitors: Once a negative label has been successfully imposed on an aspirant, it is easy to exclude the labelled person, irrespective of the formal rules and procedures established, because the persons legitimacy has been eroded. A second negative labelling strategy used to exclude women aspirants has to do with the cultural deviant label. The way the argument is presented is that Nigerian culture does not accept assertive, or public, or leadership roles for women. The most effective way to implement the policy is through legally binding quota systems, which successive governments have refused to enact. Instead, they claim that a quota system is undemocratic and would work as tokenism, which does not deal with the underlying causes of discrimination. Moreover, they argue that guaranteeing 35 per cent of elective and appointive positions to women by quota would diminish the democratic credentials of elections and competence in public institutions. The 1979 Constitution was the first to introduce the concept of indigeneity into Nigerian public law as an equity principle to guarantee the fair regional distribution of power. Over the years, the principle has been subverted and used to discriminate against Nigerian citizens who are not indigenes of the places where they live and work. Women who are married to men who are non-indigenes suffer systematic discrimination. While women suffer greatly from the large repertoire of techniques used to eliminate people from political party primaries, less powerful men also suffer. The National Gender Policy (NGP) of 2007 is geared towards achieving a just society devoid of discrimination and to harness the full potential of all social groups, regardless of sex or circumstance. The objectives of the policy are to establish the framework for gender responsiveness in all public and private spheres and strengthen the capacities of all stakeholders to deliver their component mandates of the gender policy, using the national gender strategic framework. Specifically, the policy target is to adopt special measures, quotas and mechanisms for achieving the minimum critical threshold of women in political offices, party organs and public life by pursuing the 35 per cent affirmative action in favour of women, to bridge the gender gaps in political representation in both elective and appointive posts at all levels by 2015. As is the case with most policies in Nigeria, the real intention is to present it as a hope that will be dashed, as there has been no progress in implementing it. The most effective way to implement the policy is through legally binding quota systems, which successive governments have refused to enact. Instead, they claim that a quota system is undemocratic and would work as tokenism, which does not deal with the underlying causes of discrimination. Moreover, they argue that guaranteeing 35 per cent of elective and appointive positions to women by quota would diminish the democratic credentials of elections and competence in public institutions. In 2022, women groups from within and outside the National Assembly mobilised and proposed a number of Bills that that could use constitutional mechanisms to leap-frog the challenges to the low participation of women in the political process. Many of them had been inspired by some of the recommendations from the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee. They were all designed to seek to promote more opportunities for women in political parties, governance and the society at large. All these bills were rejected by the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, demonstrating their contempt and lack of regard for Nigerian women. One of the bills sought to allocate 35 per cent of appointed political positions, such as ministers, commissioners and board memberships, to women. This would have given meaning to the 20-year old Nigerian gender policy that enunciated this 35 per cent allocation. Nigerian men were ready to accept the policy as a theoretical right, which had never been implemented. Precisely for this reason, the Bill sought to give teeth to this government policy so that it can be implemented, yet they threw it out. My feeling was that the cavalier and arrogant manner in which the members of the National Assembly threw out these Bills very clearly says that they do not want progress for Nigeria, and their sole interest is in enhancing the power of Nigerian men. This is unacceptable and female advocates working with interested Nigerian men must come out and demand that all five gender Bills be reconsidered and passed before the 2027 elections. Another bill sought to create special seats for women in National and State Assemblies. This was proposed because the men who are gatekeepers in political parties have almost always blocked women seeking nomination to contest for executive and parliamentary seats. The reserved seats would have gone around this problem and it is now crystal clear that these men simply do not want women to have access to decision-making meeting rooms and chambers in the country. Given the history of male gatekeepers within political parties regularly blocking female aspirants, another Bill had proposed applying the 35 per cent gender policy in the appointment of women into party administration and leadership. This too was thrown out. Yet, another Bill rejected by the National Assembly had sought to address the problems of the marginalisation that women face when they are married to men from states they are not indigenes of. The proposal was that such women should automatically enjoy the indigeneity rights of their husbands states. This too was thrown out. My feeling was that the cavalier and arrogant manner in which the members of the National Assembly threw out these Bills very clearly says that they do not want progress for Nigeria, and their sole interest is in enhancing the power of Nigerian men. This is unacceptable and female advocates working with interested Nigerian men must come out and demand that all five gender Bills be reconsidered and passed before the 2027 elections. Inclusiveness for women will benefit not just them but Nigeria as a whole. More women in governance will only bring progress and respect for Nigeria in the comity of nations. Even more important, by ensuring that Nigerian women fully enjoy the rights that the Constitution says are for all citizens, we deepen our democracy and enhance respect and consideration to the other half of our citizens. It would simply make all of us better human beings. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Respected brothers and sisters! I want all the world to hear that, wallahi, Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) was a Prophet and Messenger of Allah the Almighty sent to convey to the people the religion of Islam and to call them to worship Allah, their Creator. Muslims believe in his Prophethood and in his truthfulness in conveying that message. Muslims love and respect him. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu is alive now, living in the second heaven, worshipping Allah. He will return to earth before the Day of Judgment and will rule the Muslims with the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Allah sent many messengers to the humans as a mercy from Him. Allah sent them all to teach the people what is the correct and acceptable worship of Allahtheir Creator and the Creator of everything. All the Prophets of Allah, the first of whom was Adam and the last of whom is Muhammad, came with one ReligionIslam, one creedthe belief in the Oneness of Allah. They all taught that Allah is attributed with all the perfect attributes and that He does not resemble any of His creations. They taught what Allah ordered us to perform with and refrain from in this life. They taught there is the Judgment Day in which each one of us will be judged as to whether or not we fulfilled our obligations in this life. None of them taught their people what contradicts the belief in the Oneness of Allah. Each one of them ordered their followers to believe in the rest of the Prophets. Imam al-Bukhari related that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) 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 The Prophets are brothers from the same father with different mothers. Their religion is one although their Shariah (rules of the religion) differed. I am the most deserving of Prophet Isa (Jesus). There was no other Prophet between us. Allah sent Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) as the messenger before Prophet Muhammad. He was one of the five best messengers of Allah, called Ulul-Azm, those with the highest status, who were the most patient. He was Isa Al-Masihu, the son of Maryam, the daughter of Imran, from the sons of Israel. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu, as all the Prophets, was truthful in what he conveyed from Allah, and although today we follow the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims respect, love, and believe in Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) and in his Prophethood. Maryam (Mary), the mother of Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus), was a pious Muslim woman from the offspring of Israel during the time of Prophet Zakariyyah. Prophet Zakariyyah was a Prophet of Allah sent to convey to the people to follow the Shariah revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses). In the Quran there is a chapter named Maryam referring to Maryam (Mary), the mother of Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus). This chapter talks about Maryam: her birth, her story, and the birth of Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus), and other things. Maryams mother conceived and delivered Maryam when she was an old woman, at an age when women usually can no longer have babies. One day Maryams mother saw a bird feeding its young and she longed for a baby herself. She made a supplication and Dua to Allah to bless her with a child and vowed that she would make him a servant for the Noble House in Jerusalem, dedicated for worship, because she thought the child would be male. Allah answered her supplication and Maryams mother conceived and delivered a baby girl. She named her Maryam and asked Allah to protect her and her offspring from evil. Since Maryams father had died, Prophet Zakariyyah (who was the husband of Maryams sister) became Maryams guardian. From him, Maryam learned the religion. She grew up as a righteous, pure, and pious Muslim woman worshipping Allah and endeavouring greatly in performing obedience to Him. Before she turned fourteen (14) years old, Maryam was a very pious woman with a special status. She became the best of the women in the world. It is mentioned in the Quran that the angels said Allah chose Maryam and preferred her to the other women of the world [See Quran, Ali-Imran, 42-43] Imam Ibn Jarir and others narrated that one day Maryam (Mary) ran out of water. She asked her cousin, Yusuf, the son of Yaaqub to go with her to get some. He declined, saying he had his sufficiency for that day, so Maryam went to fetch water alone. There, she found Angel Jibril, whom Allah had sent to her in the shape of a man. Thinking he was a human who might harm her, she asked refuge with Allah from him. Angel Jibril told her: I am the Messenger of your Lord to you. I was sent to give you a pious child who is pure from sins. Maryam told him: How would I have a son? I have no husband, and I am not an adulterer or a fornicator. Angel Jibril told her: Creating a son without a father is an easy matter to Allah. Allah will make him a sign for the people and an indication of the Power of Allah. He will send him as a mercy from Him and an endowment to the one who follows him and believes in him. Creating him is a matter Allah willed and destined, so it will not be blocked or changed. Angel Jibril blew the soul of Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) into Maryam and Isas soul entered into her womb. Maryam became pregnant with Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) (Peace be upon him). There is a difference of opinion between the Islamic scholars as to the term of her pregnancy. sSome said nine months, some said eight, and some said other than that. However, when the signs of pregnancy became apparent on her, her cousin, Yusuf the Carpenter, was disturbed and did not know how to interpret that matter. If he wanted to accuse her he would remember how pious she was. If he wanted to declare her innocence, he would see the signs of pregnancy. So he decided to open the subject with her. He asked her: Tell me, would plants grow without seeds? Would trees grow without rainfall? Would there be a child without a male? To all these questions Maryam said: Yes. Then she asked him: Did you not know Allah made the plants emerge without seeds the day He created them? Did you not know Allah created the trees the first time without rain? Did you not know Allah created Adam and Hawwa (Eve) without a father or a mother? Yusuf knew all these things and when she responded in this way, he felt assured of her innocence and that this was something special given to her by Allah the Almighty. When the signs of her pregnancy became apparent, Maryam (Mary) went away from her people. The pangs of birth led her to the trunk of a dead palm tree. Out of her shyness from the people, and fearing they would accuse her of having done something ugly, she wished she was dead and not a trace of her could be found. Angel Jibril called to her, comforting her. He told her Allah made a small river run under her from which she could drink, and should she shake the trunk of the dead palm tree next to her, it would turn green and moist dates would fall down from which she could eat and be nourished. Angel Jibril told her when she faces her people with her son to tell anyone who questions her about him that she had made a vow not to talk to any human for that day. That day, Maryam (Mary) gave birth to her son, Isa Al-Masihu (Peace be upon him). Forty (40) days later she carried him back to her people. They accused her of having fornicated. In response, Maryam pointed to her son, meaning to tell them to talk to him. They were angered at this and thought she was mocking them by asking them to speak with a 40-day old baby lying in a small cradle. At this, Allah the Most High made Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) to speak. When Maryams people heard that, they refrained from harming her or Prophet Zakariyyah, about whom they had made ugly accusations. After Baby Isa Al-Masihu spoke these words, he did not speak again until he became at an age when children normally begin to speak. Isas speaking from the cradle was a preparation and a sign of his creed and coming Prophethood, when he would call the people to believe in Allah, the One Who does not have a partner and to believe in the message of Isa (Jesus) that he was the servant and messenger of Allah. The first words he spoke were: I am a servant of Allah. Maryam (Mary) took Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) to Egypt where they stayed for a period of time. Then they returned to the countries of ash-Shamto a city known as an-Nasirah. Isa (Jesus, Peace be upon him), studied the Torah in the schools and memorised it. He spoke Syriac, the language of the people of Palestine at that time, and the language in which the Heavenly Book, called the Injil (The Gospel), was revealed later in his life to him. He was a pious worshipper of Allah, following the rules of the Torah revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses). This took place before Jesus (Isa) himself became a messenger. Allah sent the Revelation of Prophethood to Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) when he was thirty years old. Allah revealed to him new laws which abrogated some of the laws revealed to Prophet Musa (Moses). Prophet Isa conveyed the revelation to the people and called them to believe in his message. Prophet Isa, like all the Prophets of Allah, performed miracles. Allah sent all the Prophets with miracles as a proof to their Prophethood, so that the people would witness, know about them, and believe in their Prophethood. Many of Prophet Isas miracles were in curing the illnesses, to be a stronger proof of his truthfulness, since the people at his time were famous for being knowledgeable in the field of medicine. Prophet Isa cured those with seemingly incurable illnesses and diseases. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) cured a man inflicted with leprosy. He put his honourable hand on the face of a man who was born blind and cured his sight. Once Prophet Isa (Jesus) supplicated to Allah to bring back to life one person who had died and was being carried to the burial place, and Allah brought this person back to life. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) had other kinds of miracles also. He formed the shape of bats from clay and then they would fly away a distance. One of the miracles of Isa is mentioned in the Noble Quran in Surah al-Maidah, Verses 112-114, which tells about one time when Prophet Isa and the people who were with him reached to a place where there was not enough food for all the people with him. The students of Prophet Isa asked him to supplicate to Allah for food which would come down on them from the sky. Isa made supplication to Allah and the angels brought down the food on a piece of material before the eyes of the people. Hundreds and hundreds of people ate from that food, and there was no sign the food had diminished in quantity. This miracle increased the belief of the believers. The blasphemers and enemies however, claimed Prophet Isa had performed sorcery and magic on their eyes. After his revelation, Prophet Isa lived on earth for about three years. He used to travel from place to place calling people to the proper worship of Allah the Almighty. He was so detached from the worldly matters that he did not worry that he did not have a house to return to at night. He used to sleep wherever the night would fall on him, whether he was in an open land or in a sheltered place. He wore clothing made out of unwoven wool. He ate from the raw plants of the earth, without desiring to cook them, unlike his so-called followers today. Prophet Isa did not marry or have children. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) received a Heavenly Book, the Injil (Gospel), which contained the Shariah, (rules of the religion) revealed to him. In it was the prohibition of associating partners with Allah. In it was the prohibition to consume the usurious gain (Riba), pig meat, blood, and the meat of animals not slaughtered properly. It contained the order to perform the Prayer (with bowing and prostration) twice a day. It had the order to fast (but other than the month of Ramadan), and the order to perform taharah (purification). Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) came with a Shariah that contained making permissible some of the things which had been forbidden upon the children of Israel in the Torah. Although what is called The Bible today contains some true stories of Prophet Isa (Jesus), it does not contain the true Injil (Gospel) which was revealed to him. Respected brothers and sisters! When Prophet Isa Al-Masihu was 33 years old, the blasphemers and enemies among the offspring of Israel plotted to kill him, for their hatred, jealous and envy against him, but Allah saved him from their harm. Imam Ibn Abi Hatim and an-Nasai narrated from the route of Ibn Abbas that he said: Prophet Isa (Jesus) was in session with twelve of his elite companions in a house. He told them that among them would be who would blaspheme in the future. Then he asked them, Who among you would want to be made to look like me, be killed in my place, and be my companion in Paradise. The youngest among them stood up and said, Me. Prophet Isa (Jesus) told him to sit, then repeated his same question. Again, the same young man said, Me. Again, Prophet Isa told him to sit, then again asked the same question. After the same young man volunteered for the third time, Prophet Isa received the revelation that this young man would be the one who would be made to look like him and killed instead of him. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) was raised to the sky from an opening in the ceiling of the house. When the Jews came after Prophet Isa, they saw that young man, whom Allah made to look like Isa. They took him, thinking he was Prophet Isa, and crucified him. It should be noted here that there are two widespread false stories about this matter. In one, it is claimed that one of the Prophet Isas students was paid a great sum of money to lead those Jews to Isa however Allah made him look like Prophet Isa, so they though he was Prophet Isa and they crucified him. In another, it is said that the person killed in place of Prophet Isa was the leader of the Jews. Both of these stories are totally false. After Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) was raised to the sky, his nation lived following his guidance, teaching, and methodology for two hundred (200) years. However, the nation of Prophet Isa did not remain steadfast to Islam. Three hundred (300) years after Prophet Isa was raised to the sky, those who were following the ones who had perverted the teachings of Prophet Isa became very numerous, and those who were truly following the religion of Islam were few and weak. After some five hundred (500) years, none of the believing Muslims of Prophet Isas nation were left. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent, he was the only Muslim worshipping only Allah from among the people of the earth. Fellow brothers and sisters! Wallahi, Prophet Isa (Jesus, Peace be upon him), is still alive in the second sky worshipping Allah. And he will descend to earth before the Day of Judgment and his descent will be one of the great signs of the nearing of that Day. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed us that Prophet Isa will descend to earth at a place on the eastern side of Damascus, with his hands on the wings of two angels. He will meet a group of Muslims getting ready to perform the Prayer, with the Mahdi as their Imam. The Mahdi will ask Prophet Isa to lead them in that prayer, however, Prophet Isa will ask the Mahdi to stand Imam for themas a sign that Prophet Isa will rule with the rules revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). After this one time, Prophet Isa will lead the people in prayers because he has a higher status than the Mahdi. After he descends, Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) will rule the earth with the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad, the Shariah Muslims are ordered to follow until the Judgment Day. He will break the cross, kill the pig, and abolish the jizyah (All the Taxes and compulsory payment wrongly enforced on the people). He will kill the Dajjal, an ugly, evil blasphemer who claims himself as God, and who misleads many people to blaspheme. Prophet Isa will perform Hajj and travel to visit the grave of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to salute him, and to greet him by saying, Assalamu alaikum ya rasulallah, as narrated by Imam Abu Dawud at-Tayalisi and many others. During his time, the people of Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog) will appear and cause great destruction to the earth and devastation to the Muslims. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu will take the believers to Mount at-Tur to supplicate to Allah there to relieve them from these people. Allah will answer their Dua and prayers and destroy all the people of Yajuj and Majuj. After that, Prophet Isa will rule the Muslims and there will be a time when peace, comfort, and safety will prevail. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu will live for forty (40) years on earth after he descends. He will marry and have children. Then, he will die and be buried. Abdullah Ibn Salam said: It is written in the original Torah that Prophet Isa Al-Masihu will be buried next to Prophet Muhammad (in the chamber of Aisha). Respected brothers and sisters! I want all the world to hear that, wallahi, Prophet Isa Al-Masihu (Jesus) was a Prophet and Messenger of Allah the Almighty sent to convey to the people the religion of Islam and to call them to worship Allah, their Creator. Muslims believe in his Prophethood and in his truthfulness in conveying that message. Muslims love and respect him. Prophet Isa Al-Masihu is alive now, living in the second heaven, worshipping Allah. He will return to earth before the Day of Judgment and will rule the Muslims with the Shariah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Fellow brothers and sisters! It is an obligation upon a true Muslim to avoid attacking, harming or speaking bad about others honour, irrespective of their religious, tribal, regional differences, be they men, women or children, dont insult or call them names. This is since The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: A true believer is not involved in taunting, or frequently cursing (others) or in indecency or abusing. [At-Tirmidhi] In fact, Islamic Shariah came to preserve five necessities: religion, intellect, honour, wealth, and life, and banned any aggression against them. There are many evidences on this. For example, The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe. [Muslim] In his commentary on this report, Imam An-Nawawi said: It means not harming others with word or action. The hand is mentioned in particular because most actions are done using it. [See Sharh An-Nawawi Ala Muslim, volume 2, page 10] It was also mentioned in the book, Fayd Al-Khadir, volume 6, page 271 that: Harming people indicates a shortage in the Iman (faith) of the person who commits such act. There are two types of harm: Physical and none Physical. Physical harm is, for example, taking others wealth through theft or looting, attacking or inflicting harm on them. Non-physical harm is embodied in envy, hatred, arrogance, harshness, thinking ill of others, and the like. In addition, a Muslim is commanded not to talk about others in a manner that they dont like. Allah The Almighty Says: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would abhor itBut fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. [Surah Al-Hujurat, 12] Imam An-Nawawi said: Chapter on prohibiting backbiting and calumny: These are the ugliest and most widespread of sins, so I began with them as a warning. As for backbiting, it is talking about your brother in a manner that he doesn`t like..As for calumny, it is conveying false statements to people to cause them to get on each others necks. According to scholarly consensus (Ijma), both are forbidden, and texts of Shariah are agreed on that as well. An exclusion to this general rule, (Al-Asl) means the exception, is that it is permissible to utter evil words out loud if a person is wronged; however, this shouldnt exceed the permitted limits because the general rule is that this is forbidden but permissible in this case only, since Allah, The Exalted, Says in this regard: Allah loveth not the utterance of harsh speech save by one who hath been wronged. Allah is ever Hearer, Knower. [Surah An-Nisai, 148] However, a Muslim should adhere to the morals celebrated in Islam and avoid lying and falsehood and not to be carried away by the desire to slander and take revenge. Allah The Almighty Says: O you who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do. [Surah Al-Maidah, 8] In conclusion, as a rule, it isnt permissible to insult, attack or harm others, irrespective of your religious, tribal or regional differences; however, it is permissible for the wronged to claim their right by the legal means generally permitted in the country where they are staying. I pray, may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon this respected, honoured and beloved Messenger of Allah, Prophet Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary). And I humbly ask Allah to enlighten us with the light of true Knowledge, and keep us steadfast to the path of truth and righteousness. Ameen. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation; may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and securityand his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour. Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761. This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Shawwal 27, 1446 AH (April 25, 2025). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The NIPR can help reposition the blue economy as a cornerstone of Nigerias sustainable development agenda by championing these communication initiatives. These efforts could elevate Nigerias profile as a regional leader in maritime policy, innovation, and environmental sustainability, if well-executed. When the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) introduced Marine and Blue Economy as a new category in its annual National Spokespersons Awards (NSAwards), few anticipated the overwhelming response it would attract. Yet, the category garnered more entries than any other, reflecting the growing interest and competition among major players in the maritime sector. The NSAwards, instituted by Image Merchants Promotion Limited publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential in partnership with the NIPR, celebrates exceptional communicators and spokespersons across diverse fields. Held during the National Spokespersons Summit, the awards event is a platform for knowledge exchange, professional recognition, and elevating communication standards in Nigeria. My curiosity about the blue economy was first piqued when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu created the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023, appointing former Osun State governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, as its pioneer minister. Like many Nigerians, I initially questioned the relevance of a ministry with a seemingly vague and unfamiliar mandate. That perception changed when the ministers spokesperson, Mr Ismail Omipidan, reached out to the editorial board of Economic Confidential for advocacy support in raising awareness about the new ministrys objectives and potential. The blue in blue economy refers to the oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and other freshwater bodies that appear blue due to how water reflects and absorbs light. Just as green economy promotes sustainability on land through eco-friendly practices in agriculture and forestry, blue economy centres on water-based economic activities anchored on environmental stewardship and long-term resource regeneration. Belgian economist, Gunter Pauli, popularised the modern concept of the blue economy in his 2010 book, The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs. Pauli introduced a regenerative economic model inspired by natural ecosystems, in which outputs from one industry become inputs into another. His vision emphasised zero waste, innovation, and job creation in ocean-based sectors. 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 Before Paulis articulation, similar ideas existed under terms like marine economy or ocean economy. However, after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, sustainability in ocean governance gained formal attention, even if the term blue economy had not yet entered the mainstream. In its most basic definition, the blue economy involves the sustainable use of oceanic and aquatic resources to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and preserve marine ecosystems for future generations. While public awareness remains limited, a growing body of literature and expert analysis affirms that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from this model. In acknowledging the sectors potential, President Tinubu has tasked one of Nigerias leading policy institutions with developing a national strategy for the Blue Economy. As a proud member of the NIPR (mnipr), I observed that unlike the finance and oil and gas sectors, communication professionals are yet to fully embrace or amplify the blue economy narrative in Nigeria. In its most basic definition, the blue economy involves the sustainable use of oceanic and aquatic resources to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and preserve marine ecosystems for future generations. While public awareness remains limited, a growing body of literature and expert analysis affirms that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from this model. Its expansive scope includes fisheries, maritime transport, offshore oil and gas, marine biotechnology, coastal tourism, and renewable ocean energy. Yet, Nigerias current performance across these sectors remains under-documented, underscoring the need for structured communication and policy clarity. Globally, several countries offer compelling models. Norway leads in aquaculture innovation. Kenya exemplifies strong inter-agency coordination. Seychelles excels in conservation financing. Mauritius and India have adopted smart port technologies, while Senegal demonstrates best practices in the governance of grassroots fisheries. Locally, the Lekki Deep Sea Port stands out as a promising infrastructure that aligns with blue economy aspirations. Despite these prospects, the sector faces significant challenges: overfishing, inadequate funding, maritime insecurity, institutional overlap, and weak policy enforcement. These issues demand a national communication strategy that can bridge knowledge gaps, attract investment, and mobilise public and private participation. Agencies under the Ministry such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council must activate their public relations departments for proactive, sustained campaigns that highlight their mandates, impact, and strategic relevance. In addition, critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Navy and international partners, should support outreach efforts that generate grassroots buy-in and foster policy trust. This is where the NIPR can play a pivotal role. As Nigerias statutory body for public relations, the Institute is well-positioned to lead strategic communication efforts through public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement, professional capacity-building, and international collaboration. The success of Nigerias blue economy will depend not only on sound policy, data-driven planning, and infrastructure investment, but also on robust public communication. Without effective messaging, even the most innovative frameworks risk being misunderstood or underutilised. This is where the NIPR can play a pivotal role. As Nigerias statutory body for public relations, the Institute is well-positioned to lead strategic communication efforts through public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement, professional capacity-building, and international collaboration. Multilingual awareness campaigns can demystify the blue economy and educate citizens especially in coastal communities on its benefits. Policy advocacy can be amplified through partnerships with government institutions and the private sector, while town halls and community dialogues can increase local ownership and participation. Media training, exposure visits, and the promotion of success stories in marine tourism, aquaculture, and renewable energy will inspire confidence and attract investors and development partners. The NIPR can help reposition the blue economy as a cornerstone of Nigerias sustainable development agenda by championing these communication initiatives. These efforts could elevate Nigerias profile as a regional leader in maritime policy, innovation, and environmental sustainability, if well-executed. Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of Award-Winning Crisis Communication Strategies and A Dozen Tips for Media Relations. He can be reached via: [email protected] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As I settled on this piece, my thoughts turned to the enduring lesson of Easter, a narrative steeped in grace, redemption, and the quiet triumph of love over judgment. It is a reminder that we, all of us, are fallible, susceptible to weakness, failure, even betrayal. Like the disciples who scattered, Peter who denied, and the crowd that turned its back, we stumble. And yet, mercy prevails. For reasons I cant fully explain, my mind wandered to Sam. I often wonder where Sam is these days. We called him Big Sam, partly because of his imposing frame, but mostly because of the quiet strength he carried, an aura that made you listen when he spoke, as though wisdom had found a steady home in his voice. The last I heard, he had japad to Australia, like so many other young Nigerian doctors, seeking dignity, stability, and the simple assurance of a steady meal. Back in the year 2000, we were house officers at the Military Hospital in Myhoung Barracks, Yaba. There was Sam, Richard Ikpegbu (God rest his soul), the two Emekas (Oragwu and Odenigbo), Ada Obekpa, a soft-spoken chap from Plateau State named Isa (whose surname now escapes me), and others from across the country. We were young, idealistic, and newly minted from the safe halls of medical school into the unforgiving chaos of a broken system. It was our first baptism of fire in how Nigeria treats her young professionals: with disregard veiled in bureaucracy. For over six grueling months, we donned our pristine white coats each morning, stethoscopes in hand and hunger in our bellies. The military administration, for reasons never fully explained, failed to pay us even the barest minimum wage. Yet, we showed up. Every day. We saw patients, obeyed orders from senior colleagues, and tried to drown the growl of empty stomachs in cups of bitter tea and borrowed resilience. Richard was fortunate, if you could call it that. He picked up shifts at a senior doctors private clinic, working locum for next to nothing. The rest of us leaned heavily on stipends from home, if we were lucky enough to have any. Still, we endured. An ethnically diverse group, bound not just by profession but by shared deprivation. As a friend often reminds me, Naija no spoil today E don tey. Sam stood out, not just for his height, but for the way he moved through life with quiet dignity. He was soft-spoken, never one to dominate a room, yet when he spoke, the room fell silent. He had a way of distilling complex truths into simple, profound reflections. 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 I remember one conversation in particular. Sam told us about his Uncle Paul, a man who, for years, had been the familys moral compass. A devout, disciplined man. The kind who quoted scripture not for show, but because it shaped his life. If Sam or his siblings misstepped, it was Uncle Paul who was called in to set them straight. But then, Uncle Paul got a job with the NNPC. What followed was a metamorphosis no one saw coming. The paragon of virtue became almost unrecognizable. He disappeared for days, chasing every distraction with a pulse and a skirt. His once-admiring family watched in disbelief as the man they idolized unravelled before their very eyes. That story stayed with me. Recently, I came across a quote that instantly brought it all flooding back: Until you have the money to finance your temptations, dont brag about morals. Too much is hidden in poverty. It struck a nerve. Because the hard truth is this: what we often brand as morality may merely be the absence of opportunity. For many, faithfulness is not a virtue, its an untested default. Humility isnt always a choice, its whats left when pride has no resources. Integrity, in some cases, is simply what remains when temptation hasnt yet knocked. Sams uncle wasnt a bad man who became worse. He was an ordinary man who had never been tempted deeply enough to reveal what lay dormant. And in many ways, arent we all the same? How often have I seen people, once grounded, self-effacing, almost saintly in their struggle, evolve into something altogether different the moment success or wealth came calling? The humble man becomes flamboyant. The disciplined man becomes entitled. The principled woman now negotiates values. And the only thing that changed? Options. Access. Power. This isnt to say everyone falls. But perhaps we should stop praising restraint thats never been challenged. Maybe we should tread a little more gently in our judgments of those who stumble, because, given the right set of circumstances, many of us would too. In Nigeria today, those who once stood at the forefront of protest, loud in their condemnation of previous administrations, are now the most fervent apologists for the current government. Yesterdays critics have become todays enforcers, eager to silence dissent and imprison opposing voices under the same authoritarian tactics they once decried. President Tinubu, once hailed as a courageous civil and political rights activist who defied military tyranny, now presides over a government that stifles opposition, erodes democratic checks, and reduces the legislature and judiciary to mere extensions of the executive branch. The very institutions he once demanded be free and fair are now tools of consolidation under his watch. And then there is the activist turned electoral actor, once a familiar face in civil society, denouncing electoral fraud with fiery conviction. But when power shifted in his favor and money changed hands, his tune changed. In my own state, he was allegedly instrumental in snatching a clear gubernatorial victory from the Labour Party and handing it, undemocratically, to the PDP. The same man who once cried foul from the rooftops now whispers complicity in the corridors of influence. The tragedy isnt just the betrayal of principle, but the speed and ease with which it happened. Those who once demanded justice now demand silence. And those who once called for change have become gatekeepers of the very rot they swore to uproot. There are instances, quiet, piercing moments, when life disrobes us of our carefully curated moral postures. In those moments, we are confronted not with the people we pretend to be, but with the disquieting realization that much of what we deem as virtue may, in fact, be circumstantial. Morality, it seems, can sometimes be little more than the privilege of having had no occasion to betray it. It is a subtle arrogance we often carry, the assumption that our goodness is intrinsic, when in truth, it has rarely been tested. We confuse the absence of temptation with the presence of principle, mistaking a lack of exposure for a strength of will. Someone once said, You call it corruption until the benefit lands in your lap. Then its called networking. If youre pious, perhaps even providence. How effortlessly our moral lexicon shifts when the consequences suit us. Discipline feels effortless when desire is absent. Fidelity seems noble when no alternative beckons. Honesty appears natural when deception offers no reward. And from this unchallenged pedestal, we often cast judgment, totally oblivious to how much of our so-called integrity rests not on virtue, but on a lack of viable alternatives. This is not an ode to moral relativism, nor a romanticization of failure. Rather, its a call to intellectual and ethical humility, a recognition that judgment, when divorced from context, is not a sign of discernment, but of complacency. It is remarkably easy to scorn the woman who remains in a corrosive relationship, until you are made to choose between your dignity and your security. Easy to shake your head at the addict, until pain becomes your only companion. Easy to ridicule the man who anesthetizes his sorrow, until you carry a grief that language cannot contain. Easy to condemn the one who compromised, until your own ideals are placed on trial, not in theory, but in the furnace of necessity. And when that fire comes, and inevitably, it does, you begin to understand that true morality is neither loud nor performative. It is forged in solitude, in the quiet agony of decision, and it exacts a price. So, no, we ought not blur the boundary between right and wrong, nor should we canonize our flaws. But we must, without fail, resist the impulse to weaponize our untested virtue. Because morality is not evidenced by a spotless record, but by the choices made when failure is both accessible and justifiable. To believe ourselves superior simply because we have not encountered anothers crucible is folly. Life has a way of reducing even the most self-assured among us to silence. The very action you once derided may, with time and circumstance, become the one you come to understand most intimately. And should that day arrive, may it find you not brittle with pride, but softened by compassion. We are all, in our own ways, unfinished. Navigating chaos with borrowed tools, walking through stories whose complexities no outsider will fully grasp. So let us keep our standards, yes but let us elevate our grace even higher. Let us speak truth but temper it with mercy. And above all, may our integrity be the kind that endures in darkness, when no one is watching, and no applause is waiting. That my friends, is the true spirit of Easter. Osmund Agbo is a US-based medical doctor and author. His works include Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works, Pray, Let the Shaman Die and Maam, I Do Not Come to You for Love, have just been released. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri on Thursday announced a ban on the issuance of waivers for the importation of threaded pipes for use in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He handed the directive to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) at the commissioning of Monarch Alloys Limiteds concrete weight coating plant at Ikorodu, Lagos State. The plant has an annual external capacity coating capacity of two million square meters and an internal square meters coating capacity of one million square meters. The facility supports onshore and offshore pipeline requirements where increased line lengths and sea-bed depths demand advanced corrosion protection and deploys full range of coating systems. The event attracted several dignitaries including the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, federal legislators and the Secretary to Lagos State Government, Ms Bimbo Salu-Hundeyin. In his speech, Mr Lokpobiri emphasized that investments like the Monarch Alloys Limiteds must be patronised, to encourage similar projects in the sector. He underlined the importance of the local content policy to the nations economy, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to support manufacturers, with a view to creating jobs in the country. We would not allow dumping of pipes or such things anymore, we have a duty to support our industries to grow, he stressed. Also speaking, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment lauded the promoters of Monarch Alloys Limiteds for decreasing Nigerias dependence on importation and expanding the value chain. He said the investment aligned with the agenda of his ministry to promote value addition, job creation and partnership for the growth of the economy. The investment also serves as a model for continuous collaboration between the private sector and government and created opportunities, he said. Enoh stated further that Nigerias economy would only grow through industrialization, assuring that government would continue to provide enabling environment for investments to thrive. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe commended the investment, noting that it underscored the mandate of the Board. The facility, he added, aligns with the intent of the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificate (NCEC) a key instrument under the NOGICD Act, which is issued to manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who commit to establishing production in Nigeria for components, equipment and systems used in the oil and gas industry. 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 Ogbe confirmed that such manufacturers and OEMs are given priority consideration during technical bid evaluations in the oil and gas industry. This means companies like Monarch Alloys are not just contributing to industrialization but are also positioned to benefit directly from local contracting opportunities, he noted. He admitted that sourcing critical elements such as pipeline coating from abroad drains both opportunity and value from our economy. He noted the the situation had started to change, with the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act by the NCDMB. Speaking further, Mr Ogbe remarked that the new facility brings high-performance 3LPE and concrete weight coating capability into the country, delivering not only technical excellence but economic benefit that stays within our borders. He pointed out that the economic implications are significant, including job creation, skills development, stimulation of local manufacturing and logistics. Monarch Alloys is not only serving a sectoral need, it is actively contributing to national development. He also challenged industry stakeholders, especially operating companies to deepen their collaboration with local players such as Monarch Alloys. Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of Monarch Alloys Limited, Mr Atul Chaudhary confirmed that the company completed the investment within 18 months. He also announced the companys plans to establish an LSAW pipe mill in the country to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A delegation from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday visited MT Valves West Africa Free Zone at Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, to assess the firms operations and plans to invest in a 15,000 tons per year valves manufacturing facility. The company is a subsidiary of MT Group, a global manufacturer of industrial valves, with presence across Africa, Middle East and Asia, manufacturing 60,000 tons of valves per year from its plant at Abu Dhabi, United Emirates and cutting-edge research and development center and manufacturing base at Shanghai, China, the global headquarters. The Boards delegation was led the Special Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary, Harmony Kunu, Manager Media and Publicity, Dr Obinna Ezeobi and Manager Commercial Ventures, Ms Chika Enwerem. MT Valves West Africa was represented by the Managing Director, Mr Thomas Zhang and Sales Director, Mr Elliot Aigbokhade and they hinted that their company specializes in the design and supply of various kinds of industrial valves to the oil and gas industry, petrochemical and allied sectors and is currently a vendor to Shell in Nigeria, despite just setting up in a Nigeria a few years ago. Taking the Boards officials through companys plans and shop floor, the representatives said their operations in Nigeria are in adherence to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. The firm has started the processes of establishing an advanced manufacturing workshop at Lekki Free Zone, which would serve as a hub for value addition locally, capacity building and compliance with national development objectives, they said. They asserted that no company was manufacturing industrial valves in Nigeria yet, adding that their firm aimed to close this critical gap by developing a facility similar to their factory at Abu Dhabi, United Arab, which supplies to several countries across the world. 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 Lekki facility is projected to start with an initial production capacity of 15,000 valves per year, with a strategic focus that includes phased growth, local value addition, and development of a resilient supply chain. The investment plan targets the Nigerian market, taking into cognizance the projects in the funnel, with potential to supply to the regional market, the officials indicated. The facility will also carry out maintenance and repair services, as well as assembly and manufacturing operations. The officials outlined plans to secure necessary certifications from the NCDMB and other relevant agencies and demonstrate return on investment potential. The investment plans include sourcing some raw materials from the local supply chain, creation of employment opportunities, actively engaging Nigerian partners and training Nigerians overseas and locally to work in the facility. The company wants NCDMB to be an integral part of its investment journey, noting that some equipment had been installed in their facility, while other critical equipment was currently sailing to Nigeria. The officials sought the Boards support and regulatory backing for their investment as well as introduction to players in the industry, to facilitate patronage. Responding, NCDMB officials conveyed the agencys backing for credible investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, capacity building and gap closures, in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act. They emphasized that the mantra of the Nigerian Content Act is domiciliation and domestication of critical industry capacities, to create job opportunities for Nigerians, in line with the mandate of President Bola Tinubus administration and industrialize the nations economy. They challenged MT Valves West Africa Free Zone to develop a robust investment plan, specifying milestones and targets and projected Nigerian content values, planned sources of raw materials and projected contributions to the economy. The Boards officials also invited the company to participate at the forthcoming Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) planned for 20-22May 20-22, 2025, where they would get updated on new projects and opportunities planned by industry players and market potentials for their investment. As part of the next steps, MT Valves invited officials of government and other key agencies like Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to visit the firms facilities at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and global headquarters at Shanghai, China, to appreciate their companys capacities and the scale of investment they plan to make in Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wema Bank Plc to implement the Federal Government of Nigeria-ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme for MSMEs in Katsina State. The partnership, facilitated through the Office of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima will empower 5,000 youth and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises across Katsina with cutting-edge digital skills, employability development, and crucial access to finance. During the signing ceremony, Governor Radda stressed his administrations unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, MSME growth, and inclusive economic development. The Governor also stated that the new development is part of his strategic vision to ensure Katsina harness the immense potential of the digital economy. Dr Babangida Ruma, Technical Assistant to the Governor on Enterprise Development, who played a pivotal role in facilitating the partnership, highlighted the Governors consistent support for local entrepreneurs. Under Governor Raddas leadership, we have disbursed more than 1billion to MSMEs across the state through the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), and more disbursements are on the way, Dr. Ruma stated. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Speaking on the access to finance, Dr Ruma noted, Programs like the FGN-ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme are equally essential to build the capacity of our entrepreneurs and skilled professionalspeople who have played, and continue to play, a great role in the economic development of our state. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by representatives from Wema Bank, the Federal Governments Digital Innovation team, and key stakeholders from the enterprise development ecosystem. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Counter Terrorism Centre has commended Governor Dauda Lawal for keying into the centres initiative with a commitment to ensure the safety of the people of Zamfara State. A high-level team of the Counter Terrorism Centre visited the governor on Thursday at the council chamber of the government house in Gusau. Leader of the team, who is the Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) department, Mairo Musa Abbas applauded Governor Lawal for his efforts and support in combating banditry and terrorism in Zamfara State. A statement by the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the centre provides leadership and strategic guidance to the Armed Forces, security, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies on counter-terrorism, aligning with the National Security Advisers mandate. In his remarks, Governor Dauda Lawal appreciates the centres visit to Zamfara to observe the governments efforts to address insecurity in the state. I keep saying that if you make a conscious effort to handle Zamfara effectively as far as insecurity is concerned, you will solve 80% of the security challenges in the North. From all the initiatives I have seen so far, we possess what it takes to tackle these challenges based on consultation and collaboration between Zamfara state and the Office of the National Security Adviser. This is commendable. 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 I am happy to hear that the European Union has set aside some funds, even though we will provide a counterpart fund. In Zamfara, we are ever ready to provide the counterpart funding. If you are ready tomorrow, we are ready. We are ready, and our door is open. Anything that will bring positive changes to Zamfara is welcome. We need a timeline for what you are doing so that we can keep track. I will have a team that will be engaging with the counter-terrorism centre. Earlier, the Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), Mairo Musa Abbas said the team was in Zamfara State on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the National Counter Terrorism Coordinator, Adamu Garba Laka, a retired major-general of the Nigerian Army. We are here as part of the strategic nationwide advocacy engagement. We want to thank you once again for your hospitality in hosting us in Zamfara State and for the leadership you provided to the people. We look forward to collaborating to ensure that Zamfara becomes a beacon of hope in the fight against banditry. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Senate Press Corps (SPC), and the House of Representatives Press Corps have all extended their congratulations to the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Olufemi Soneye, following his recognition as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) overall Spokesperson of the Year for 2025. In separate congratulatory statements made available to journalists, the three organisations lauded the honour conferred upon Mr Soneye by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) last Wednesday. Mr Eze Anaba, President of the NGE, stated that the recognition clearly reflects Mr Soneyes exceptional skill, dedication, and professionalism within the field of corporate communications. The Guild further noted that Mr Soneyes strategic approach to public relations and his consistent delivery of excellence serve as a benchmark for others in the profession. The NGE expressed its pride in being associated with such a consummate communicator whose impact is felt across both the public and private sectors. We celebrate this achievement and look forward to even greater contributions from you in advancing the practice of public relations in Nigeria, the NGE statement concluded. The Senate Press Corps described Mr Soneye as a transparent and professional spokesperson, committed to providing timely, accurate, and impactful communication. 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 That you beat every contender for the award is no surprise to us, given your professional pedigree, which has garnered you similar accolades in the recent past. The impact of your win-win communication strategy with stakeholders in the oil and communications sectors has been greatly appreciated by all 96 members of the Senate Press Corps through the quarterly strategic engagement introduced by your office last year, the SPC statement added. Similarly, the House of Representatives Corps, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Gboyega Onadiran, indicated that the honour is a testament to Mr Soneyes professionalism, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to strategic, transparent, and impactful communication. Your role at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has consistently reflected the highest standards of public engagement, earning you deserved respect both within and beyond the corporate communications landscape. The House of Representatives Press Corps also takes this opportunity to sincerely appreciate your invaluable support and collaboration with our members. Through your efforts, the capacity of members of the Corps has been significantly enhanced, with notable investments in training and the provision of working tools that have greatly improved our efficiency and output. This practical demonstration of support is not only commendable but speaks volumes about your understanding of the critical role the media plays in shaping public discourse and deepening democratic governance. We are proud of the cordial relationship established between your office and the Press Corps, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership in the months and years ahead, the statement from the House of Representatives Press Corps concluded. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As the state experiences its first confirmed cases of measles in 35 years, senators shot down a proposal that supporters said would have allowed local health authorities to prepare, prevent and respond more effectively to these types of infectious outbreaks. The term that came to my mind was meddlers, said Sen. Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, as he described the bill on the Senate floor Thursday. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services confirmed earlier this month five measles cases in Gallatin County. The individuals contracted measles while traveling outside the state and are currently isolating at home, according to the latest information from the department. All were either unvaccinated or had an unknown immunization status. Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease. Early symptoms might include fever, cough or runny nose, but they often progress after about two weeks to include a red rash and white spots in the mouth. Someone who has contracted measles is contagious before the most obvious symptoms appear. Vaccination is the best defense against measles, according to public health experts. Infants too young to get their shots, people who can't be vaccinated due to medical conditions and anyone with compromised immune systems, such as pregnant moms, are considered more vulnerable. And in communities with lower immunization rates, measles can spread more rapidly. The same applies for rubella, polio and more. Rep. Melody Cunningham, a Missoula Democrat, saw something like this coming well before the legislative session started. As a pediatrician of over three decades, shes no stranger to sick children and the ways that disease can have dire consequences for kids. I have seen babies turn blue, stop breathing and require a breathing tube to save their life from whooping cough, Cunningham told the Montana State News Bureau on Thursday. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. Starting at two-months-old, infants can receive their first dose of a vaccine to protect against it. Cunningham has kept an eye on the growing number of measles cases nationwide. Her House Bill 364 would have required school districts to submit annual vaccination reports on measles, whopping cough and other immunizations. Reports would also have included combined data about medical and religious exemptions to the state health department. School districts are already required by law to record this information. They do not currently share it with the state health department. With the school-level reports, DPHHS could use the localized information to anticipate which parts of the state might be at higher risk for outbreaks. Being armed with this information allows health officials to move more nimbly to respond and prevent spread if a case is confirmed. Information provides families with the freedom to make choices, Cunningham said. Following a 2021 law passed by the Legislature regarding immunization requirements in schools, DPHHS stopped collecting this data. Debate on the Senate floor Thursday highlighted ongoing confusion about whether that bill required the agency to make that change. Cunningham's proposal would have provided clarity and a path to vaccine reporting that fell within legally-mandated privacy rules. Today, Montana is the only state in the country whose health department doesnt send its school-level immunization data to the feds. HB 364 would have required schools to submit to DPHHS aggregate and anonymized counts of how many students are enrolled, vaccinated and using immunization exemptions. It would not have mandated that DPHHS send the information to the federal government. But the Senate killed the bill 21-29 on Thursday. Only three Republicans supported the proposal. Sen. Cora Neumann, D-Bozeman, tried to keep the dialogue to the literal text of the bill, but the floor debate quickly ventured into a reflection on the past efforts of local health departments to slow the spread of COVID-19. Her attempts to cast the bill as narrow and straightforward werent enough to dispel many Senate Republicans' feeling that the bill was reminiscent of pandemic-era controls. This is government intrusion [and] overreach, said Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton. I will not comply. Two other senators recalled what it felt like to be told they might have to wear masks in the Capitol during the 2021 legislative session or work from home if a seatmate had contracted the virus. I told [them] to go fly a kite, said Sen. Barry Usher, R-Yellowstone County. Even before Thursday, it had already been a rocky road for HB 346. The bill was tabled by the House Human Services Committee. Skeptics said they werent confident the data wouldnt be anonymous enough, meaning neighbors and classmates could figure out which kids had been granted medical or religious exemptions. To get those legislators on board, Cunningham modified the reporting metrics so theyd be presented by school rather than school and grade. She also folded all exemptions into a single category versus breaking them out. It was enough to revive HB 346 and move it to the House for a floor vote, where it passed by a comfortable bipartisan margin. Over in the Senate, though, it was another uphill battle. The Senate Public Health committee declined to advance the measure, triggering Neumann to try a procedural move to get the bill straight from committee onto the floor. The "blast" motion requires a majority of the chamber to agree to debate the bill on the floor. Neumann was able to muster just enough support to get HB 364 a full chamber vote, but the bill ultimately went down. Today is a very sad day for Montana pregnant moms and babies born and unborn, Cunningham told the Montana State News Bureau after the vote. I dont think that fear should prevent other Montanans from getting the information they need to make good decisions. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has praised Governor Dauda Lawal for his commitment to providing counterpart funding to benefit the people of Zamfara State. On Wednesday, the UNDP launched the Northwest Prevention Facility Project at the Garba Nadama Hall in the State Secretariat, Gusau, Zamfara capital A statement by the spokesperson of the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the project includes distributing irrigation equipment to 300 farmers carefully selected based on their needs. The statement added that 1,000 entrepreneurs would receive a start-up capital of N150,000 each, aiming to transform their business ideas into thriving enterprises across Zamfara State. In his remark, Governor Dauda Lawal restated that upon his assumption of office, his administration initiated several empowerment programs and created opportunities to achieve his rescue mission agenda. These initiatives are not isolated efforts. Part of our broader vision for a prosperous Zamfara State is to engage development partners to address our numerous socio-economic challenges. 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 Many poverty reduction programmes introduced by this administration have impacted the lives of thousands of our citizens. Our administrations commitment to poverty alleviation is unwavering. We shall continue leveraging strategic partnerships with the UNDP and other donor groups to create sustainable pathways to lift our people out of poverty. From the inception of this program, I made it clear that a transparent and inclusive selection process shall be the yardstick of choice of beneficiaries. The beneficiaries, therefore, were drawn from towns and villages such as Sankalawa, Furfuri, Karal, Gusau, and Bungudu. I have consistently emphasized that economic empowerment must be inclusive under our purview, leaving no community behind. That is why I insisted on the equitable distribution of opportunities across all local government areas. Equally, comprehensive training programmes were held for all beneficiaries of Irrigation farming and SMEs. We firmly believe that providing resources without knowledge could limit the sustainable impact the programme aims to achieve. Governor Lawal further extended gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme for believing in his administrations shared vision for development. To the beneficiaries, I charge you to utilize these resources responsibly. The faith I have placed in you must be justified. With these remarks, it is my honour to officially flag off the distribution of irrigation inputs to 300 beneficiaries and disbursement of start-up capital of N150,000.00 to 1,000 entrepreneurs. Earlier, the Head of the Office of UNDP Northwest Nigeria, Ashraf Usman, expressed that the effectiveness, desire, and determination of the Zamfara State Government are evident to all, which is crucial for the partnership. Thank you, Your Excellency. These are the reasons why we are here. Congratulations to you for supporting such a large number of people. Thank you for sitting idly and setting an example for other state governments in providing counterparts funding. Thank you for your leadership. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has paid a special visit to the Nigerian Air Force Component of Operation Fansan Yamma in Katsina State, where he praised the Air Forces crucial contributions to regional security efforts. During the visit, Governor Radda expressed his deep appreciation for the Air Forces accomplishments in combating insecurity particularly in the Northwest geopolitical zone. I visited the base to appreciate the Nigerian Air Force for all the successes achieved in the fight against banditry not only in Katsina State but the entire Northwest, stated Governor Radda. I recognise the courage, determination and sacrifices being made by the officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force. I also acknowledge the leading role that the NAF is playing for other security agencies to have favourable ground to operate especially as many of the bandits enclaves are difficult to reach by the ground forces, the Governor emphasized. Governor Radda who doubles as the Chairman of Northwest Governors Forum, stated that the weapon which the bandits fear the most is aircraft which shows that the air operations are very successful in the fight against banditry. Impressed by the facilities at the base, Governor Radda noted, I also expressed my delight at the level of infrastructural developments I noticed during the visit signifying the NAF commitments in making Katsina State safer. 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 Radda further assured the officers of his administrations commitment to solve their electricity challenges with a view to creating favourable atmosphere for them to continue their sacrifices for the nation. Responding, Commander of the Air Component of the operation, Ibrahim Garba Jibia described the visit as a reflection of the Governors commitment to security of lives and properties of the people living in Katsina State. This visit is indeed a morale booster to not only the Air Component but to the entire men and women at the frontline fighting the various forms of security threats confronting our dear nation, Mr Jibia, an air commodore stated. Mr Jibia assured that the force remained focused on its mission objectives in line with the command philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff, Hassan Bala Abubakar, an Air Marshal. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Everyone loves premium premium lifestyle, premium products and premium experiences, especially when it doesnt come with a hefty price tag. Thats exactly what the Infinix NOTE 50 brings to the table: a premium smartphone experience that wont burn a hole in your pocket. At a time when flagship devices often come with six-figure price tags, the NOTE 50 delivers style, speed, and smarts, all wrapped in a budget-friendly package. If youve been waiting for a phone that looks high-end and performs like a flagship device without breaking the bank, heres why the Infinix NOTE 50 should be your next upgrade: Looks That Turn Heads Todays smartphones are part of our personal style, and the Infinix NOTE 50 is built to stand out. Its sleek, industrial design is crafted from a blend of Damascus steel and aerospace-grade aluminum, making it as durable as it is eye-catching. Whether youre at work, at play, or showing off your latest fit, this phone holds its own in any setting. AI That Actually Helps Theres AI, and then theres Folax. With just a long-press of the power button, Infinixs intelligent assistant comes to life, voiced by none other than Davido. From translating voice and text, to summarizing articles, auto-answering your calls, or identifying landmarks with Googles Circle to Search, the Note 50s One-Tap AI makes your phone feel less like a gadget and more like a personal assistant. It doesnt stop there. Folax is built to help with productivity, creativity, and even health insights, all with an intuitive, screen-aware system that understands what you need, when you need it. Battery Life That Keeps Up With Your Lifestyle Say goodbye to battery anxiety. The NOTE 50 packs a 5200mAh battery that delivers reliable all-day power. And when you do need a charge, the 45W wired and 30W wireless charging options guarantees a fast safe charge. Infinix NOTE 50 also supports reverse wireless charging, so you can power other devices even when youre on the move. From early meetings to late-night scrolling, the NOTE 50 is built to keep up. Studio-Quality Sound on the Go Ever plugged in and felt like you were transported to your own private concert? Thats the NOTE 50 experience. Tuned by JBL, the dual stereo speakers deliver immersive 360 audio with deep bass and crisp vocals. Whether its music, movies, or meetings, youll hear every detail loud and clear 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 Camera That Captures It All Everyone loves a good picture, whether youre documenting your day or creating content. The NOTE 50s 50MP Sony IMX890 main lens brings your shots to life with vibrant color and sharp detail, even in low light. Whether you are a content creator or someone who just loves pictures, the Infinix NOTE 50 is your spec. One of the Best Value Phones of 2025 Infinix isnt just playing catch-up, theyre setting a new standard. At 311,500, the Note 50 blends aesthetic appeal, powerful AI, and forward-thinking features, all in one beautifully crafted device. If youre looking for a smartphone thats stylish, smart, and future-ready without the premium price tag, the Infinix NOTE 50 is designed specifically for you The Infinix Note 50 and Note 50 Pro are available at authorized retailers nationwide. For more information about Infinix Nigerias initiatives and products, please visit www.infinixmobility.com/ng and follow @InfinixNigeria on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian Breweries Plc-Nigerias foremost brewing company, has commissioned a state-of-the-art MaltinaSkills Acquisition Centre in Kakuri, Kaduna, as part of efforts to empower people of its host communities. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony in Kaduna, the Deputy Governor, Kaduna State, Hadiza Balarabe, described the milestone as not just the inauguration of a physical edifice but the birth of new opportunities, dreams, and pathways to economic independence for countless young people across the state. The impact of this center will extend far beyond its walls. As these young people gain skills and economic independence, they will contribute to the growth of our local economy, strengthen their communities, and inspire others to follow similar paths of self-development, Mrs Balarabe said. While expressing profound appreciation to the management of the company for the remarkable CSR initiative, she noted that the centre stands as a demonstration of the companys commitment to sustainable development and dedication to the communities in which it operates. What Nigerian Breweries has accomplished here resonates deeply with the vision and priorities of Senator Uba Sanis administration. The Kaduna State Government acknowledges the significant importance of acquiring modern skills, especially in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other relevant industry skills in todays world, in addition to formal education. By equipping our youth with these practical, market-ready skills, this centre will play a crucial role in transforming job seekers into job creators, fostering self-reliance, and significantly reducing unemployment in our state, she said. She expressed the administrations commitment to creating an enabling environment for private and corporate organisations to operate, grow, and contribute to Kadunas shared prosperity. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Hans Essaadi, described the commissioning of the project as a milestone achievement in the companys journey toward sustainable development and economic empowerment. Mr Essaadi further described the project as a testament to the companys commitment to enriching lives and building a future of opportunities, particularly for the youth and women in Kakuri community.He explained that the skill acquisition centre was built as a response to the demand of rapidly evolving world which considers skill development as key driver for economic transformation. Unemployment and underemployment remain significant challenges,particularly among our youth and women. The skill acquisition centre addresses these critical challenges by empowering individuals with practical and marketable solutions.Enhancing self-reliance, fostering entrepreneurship and contributing to the broader economic growth of the region, he said. According to him, thecentre is designed to offer training in various vocational skills, including tailoring,shoemaking, catering, hairdressing, ICT and other trades and other trades that are essential for financial independence.He therefore urged beneficiaries to seize the golden opportunity by leveraging the training as the beginning of a transformative journey towards economic independence,and personal growth. Also speaking, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamali who was represented by the District Head of Makera, Shehu Tijani,commended the company for the immense support extended to the community over the last six decades through empowerment of its women and youth and other laudable initiatives including the construction of the skills acquisition centre. While thanking the company for fostering a cordial relationship with the community, Bamali noted that many youths and indigenes of the community have at one time or the other benefited from the goodwill of the company through internship opportunities, sponsorship of quranic recitation among others. He therefore appealed to the management of the company to continue to support the take-off of the centre by providing the necessary maintenance that would keep the facilities in good shape. A member of the HEINEKEN Group, Nigerian Breweries Plc is Nigerias pioneer and largest brewing company. Incorporated in 1946 as Nigerian Brewery Limited,the company made history in June 1949 when the first bottle of STAR lager beer rolled out of its Lagos brewery bottling line. Today, it has a rich portfolio of 19 high-quality brands (Heineken, Desperados, Maltina, Life, Amstel Malta, Gulder, Fayrouz, and Legend) produced from nine breweries and two malting plants distributed nationwide. Nigerian Breweries Plc is also the recipient of several awards and recognition in other areas of its operations, including product quality, marketing excellence, productivity and innovation, health and safety, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ( Read 6058 Times) Met Swami Chidananda Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh* Neeti Gopendra Bhatt New Delhi. In our country India, which has the highest number of children and adolescents suffering from the serious disease of diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes Type-1) in the world, there is a dire need to create a positive environment for the suffering children as well as create public awareness. For this, the Government of India and the state governments along with all sections and organizations of the society as well as religious leaders need to use their influence so that the stigma of diabetes among children in India can be eliminated. This idea was expressed by two doctor sisters Dr. Smita Joshi and Dr. Rawal Shukla of Vish Nagar in Gujarat, adjacent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hometown Vad Nagar, who set out on a drive to 12 states of the country in their own car to create an environment for opening diabetes care centers in all district hospitals of the country for diagnosis and care of diabetes in children and adolescents. They expressed this idea on Thursday to Swami Chidananda Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, while informing him about the pitiable condition of diabetic children in India and sought his help for public awareness and addressed the devotees who had come to participate in the evening Ganga Aarti. The doctor sisters told that in the remote backward areas of India, deprived communities and tribal areas, due to diabetes in children from birth, lakhs of children are dying untimely every year. Especially girls are falling prey to this in greater numbers than boys because economically weak parents are not able to give insulin injections to their children suffering from diabetes three to four times a day. Mothers cry tears of blood seeing this suffering of their children. She told that after India, America ranks second in the world in terms of diabetes among children and adolescents, but due to modern and developed resources there, insulin is given through pump belt method, unlike India, children do not have to suffer the pain of insulin injection three to four times a day, whereas in India, tears fall from the eyes of every mother many times while giving injection to innocent children. Dr. Smita Joshi and Dr. Rawal Shukla told that they have been engaged in service work for diabetic children with their family since the year 2018 and to create public awareness for this, they have spontaneously driven 7000 km in their car from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in India and from East Course to West Course in America. As a result, people who earlier considered diabetes to be a royal disease of old and rich people, have now started accepting diabetes in children. Unfortunately, in India, diabetes in children and adolescents (Juvenile Diabetes Type-1) is not covered in any health policy of the country. All health care programs or schemes benefit only patients aged 30 years or above. Therefore, it is neither considered a part of the child and maternal health program nor is it included in the NP-NCD program. Due to this, children suffering from diabetes are not getting any government assistance for its expensive medicines and injections etc. After many years of efforts, two states of the country, Gujarat and Rajasthan, have taken the first initiative to take care of the health of children suffering from diabetes and the Finance Ministers of both the states have announced in their budget speeches to start dedicated Type-1 diabetes clinics in all the district hospitals of their states. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India is also moving forward in this direction with a commitment to realize the dream of a healthy and happy India in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed India @ 2047. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda and the Union Health Ministry are also in favour of formulating a national policy for the prevention and diagnosis of diabetes in children and adolescents, but since health is a state subject in the federal structure of India, the Government of India is encouraging people engaged in creating public awareness in this regard. Smita Joshi and Dr. Rawal Shukla say that by staying close to diabetic children and their families since 2018, they have come to know the fact that insulin alone is not enough to combat this deadly disease, but there is a dire need for public awareness and change in government policies to remove the stigma about diabetes in children in our society. Both the doctor sisters, Dr. Smita Joshi and Dr. Shukla Ben Rawal, have embarked on a 12-state tour at their own expense to motivate the states to set up dedicated type-1 diabetes clinics in district government hospitals on the lines of the NCD clinics already existing in all the states of India. They started this drive on 20th April from Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat and on 21st April via Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, they reached the national capital New Delhi on 22nd April where they met AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas and urged him that like district hospitals, dedicated type-1 diabetes clinics should be run in every AIIMS of the country for better health of children. Delhi AIIMS has already started this initiative. In this way, AIIMS Delhi will become a role model for all AIIMS.Dr. sisters also interacted with the health officials of the State Health Mission of Delhi State. In the next phase of their drive, they met Haryana Director DGHS Dr. Kuldeep Singh and PGIMER, Chandigarh Director Dr. Vivek Lal and Pediatric Endocrinologist Dr. Devi Dayal in Chandigarh. She said that we had a very good discussion with the officials of the Health Department of Haryana State for the establishment of dedicated type-1 diabetes clinics in government district hospitals for the betterment of diabetic children. Both the doctor sisters Dr. Smita Joshi and Dr. Shukla Ben Rawal have a program to go to Uttarakhand capital Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow, Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal. They will go from Bhopal to Nagpur in Maharashtra and from Nagpur to Chhattisgarh capital Raipur and from there to Odisha capital Bhubaneswar by self-driving. From Bhubaneswar onwards, they will reach Bhubaneswar by flight via Assam capital Guwahati and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, Imphal in Manipur and then return to their home state Gujarat from Bhubaneswar by self-drive. This campaign started by them in the interest of millions of children of India is demonstrating his sense of responsibility and passion towards the society. Source : ISTANBUL, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronesans Holding, one of Europe's leading contracting and investment groups, has initiated one of the largest private sector investments in Turkiye to date: the construction of a new Polypropylene (PP) Production Plant and Liquid Bulk Terminal in Ceyhan. With a total investment of $2 billion, these strategic projects aim to increase Turkiye's industrial self-sufficiency, reduce foreign dependency, and enhance the country's position in global trade. Erman Ilicak, Honorary President of Ronesans Holding Ceyhan Polypropylene (PP) Production Plant and Terminal Dr. Erman Ilcak, Honorary President of Ronesans Holding, said: "Once operational, these projects will directly contribute USD 300 million annually to reducing Turkiye's current account deficit." Ronesans Holding recently announced that it has secured total of $1.3 billion in financing for these projects from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Spain's Export Credit Agency (Cesce). Dr. Ilcak highlighted the group's longstanding role in advancing Turkiye's economy through value-added projects: "Our story began with international contracting services. To date, we have undertaken projects worth a total of USD 50 billion. Seventy per cent of this, approximately USD 35 billion, was carried out abroad, and we have pioneered many firsts in the world in this field. We have worked on a wide range of projects, from Europe's longest tunnel to its tallest building, from the world's largest GTG facility to the world's largest seismically isolated building. Following this, we became a large-scale investment holding company operating in real estate, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and more recently, industrial facilities. Over the past 15 years, with the significant contributions of stakeholders such as the World Bank's investment arm IFC and the EBRD, we have structured our business in line with sustainable development goals." He continued: "Our model is centred on developing the right project with the right partners, and delivering it at the right time. We have successfully implemented this model with partners such as Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, Meridiam Infrastructure from France, Japan's Sojitz, Samsung C&T, and TotalEnergies. Together, we have completed $10 billion worth of investments in Turkiye. These initiatives have laid the foundation for broader transformation, and we will continue to focus on projects that help reduce our country's trade gap." Ceyhan Projects Developed with Expertise from 12 Countries Reflecting on shifting global economic trends, Dr. Ilcak said: "Protectionism is increasing, and supply chains are being reshaped. Energy and production are becoming localised. This transformation holds significant opportunities for countries like ours. In particular, strategic heavy industry investments are needed to reduce the foreign trade deficit arising due to imports of industrial machinery, plastics and chemicals, as well as industrial and precious metals. Over the past 10 years, industrial investments totalling approximately USD 20 billion have been made in Turkiye, including projects worth over USD 500 million. But this is not enough." He further emphasised: "To close the gap, Turkiye needs to allocate at least $12 billion annually over the next five years, totalling $60 billion. If an investment initiative of this scale is undertaken, we could see a USD 15 billion annual increase in GDP and a USD 10 billion reduction in the foreign trade deficit. At Ronesans Holding, we have secured international financing for our Ceyhan Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal investments, totalling USD 2 billion, which serve this very purpose. The construction of these projects, developed in collaboration with expert solution partners from 12 countries, are ongoing. Once operational, these investments will directly contribute USD 300 million annually to reducing Turkiye's current account deficit." Attracting Foreign Investment Through Strong Partnerships Dr. Ilcak also reflected on the importance of international collaborations: "Perhaps the most challenging project we undertook with the EBRD was Turkiye's transformation in healthcare. The EBRD shared its expertise from around the world. As a result, Turkiye was able to attract USD 15 billion in financing from abroad and carry out its healthcare transformation. We also worked with the IFC for many years on project financing. In difficult conditions, IFC has always stood by our side. We have formed company partnerships with them. Most recently, we have been developing a PPP hospital in Kazakhstan together. In every project we have undertaken, the first question they asked was, 'What will be the social impact of this?' Profitability was always the last topic. Those are the reasons why I am grateful to both banks." He concluded: "Our relations with Central Asian countries, in particular, have developed substantially. Then, our ties with African countries began to strengthen. Today, Turkiye has become a hub that serves a population ten times its own, meeting needs such as healthcare and education. We closely follow these developments and ensure that growing diplomatic relations are also reflected in trade. We are working to support the progress of Turkiye's industrialisation initiative. We secure financing from abroad to carry out our projects wherever possible instead of using our country's limited resources." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673351/Ronesans_Holding_President.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673352/Ronesans_Holding_Ceyhan_Polypropylene.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2213961/5287131/ronesans_holding_Logo.jpg BEIJING, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online: Group photo of officials and staff members On April 20, the 2025 Belt and Road Creativity and Sustainable Development Seminar was held in Beijing. It was co-hosted by the International Center for Creativity and Sustainable Development (ICCSD), and the School of International and Public Affairs at Jilin University, and supported by ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center, and Beijing City of Design Development Co., Ltd. The Seminar was attended by 16 officials from foreign ministries, television stations, education ministries, and other departments of 11 countries, such as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Ghana, the Togolese Republic, and the Republic of Sierra Leone. Lecture was given by Yang Baozhen, Member of the Advisory Committee of ICCSD, International Expert Committee Member of the China Association for Small & Medium Commercial Enterprises (CASMCE), and former consul of the Chinese Embassy in France Yang Baozhen, guest speaker of the Seminar, gave a lecture revolving around "China's Implementation of the U.N.'s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." She introduced China's methods, approaches and practical cases of poverty alleviation in detail from different aspects, such as economic initiatives, policies and mechanisms, public wellbeing, and fairness in education. Her speech vividly presented the core concept and values of Chinese modernization. Meanwhile, the lecture focused on the cooperation between China and Africa, sharing the fruitful achievements made by the two sides in infrastructure building, agricultural development, and medical assistance. In addition, Yang Baozhen called for enhanced international cooperation among different countries, so as to jointly help realize the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The African officials highly recognized China's experience in poverty relief, and were amazed by the country's enormous achievements in the field. They believed that China not only reminds the world of the importance and feasibility of poverty reduction, but also shares its courage and experience. In their view, China's valuable experience in poverty alleviation has inspired new strategies for tackling poverty worldwide. They also praised China fulfilling its responsibility to promote global development as a responsible major country, and contributing to the common prosperity of the world. The officials emphasized China's sustainable strategic planning in which continuous efforts have been put into poverty relief, and they thought that is inspiring. Some of them hoped they could learn from China's experience in light of their respective national conditions, so as to help develop their countries. In the afternoon, the officials went on a field trip to the Shougang Park. They visited the "RE International Center for Digital Creativity." The Center is a digital museum-like institution displaying cultural heritage based on the transformation of the Park's industrial relics. Using technologies like holography, digital sound field control, and extended reality (XR), it transforms the former industrial silo into a cool time machine. The officials marveled at exhibitionsthe Infinite Iron City and Return to the Old Summer Palace, embracing the past and present of the Shougang Park and the splendid Summer Palace in fascinating lights and shadows. International officials visited an exhibition named Return to the Old Summer Palace Rumbidzai Mwalilino, a Malawian official, spoke highly of the Shougang Park using technology to conserve cultural heritage. For her, the Park reproduces historical scenes through virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI), creating a more vivid format to communicate cultural heritage and a lively and appreciable carrier of cultural memories for the young generation. She said that inspires cultural inheritance and protection in the digital era. International officials experienced an exhibition named "Huanju - Multiverse Immersive Sci-Fi Exhibition" As technological waves emerge, the deep integration of culture and technology leads to the creation of innovation and changes. New cultural sectors are appearing, with the cultural industry chain continuously extending. The sci-fi industry is booming, causing cutting-edge technology such as VR, augmented reality (AR), and AI to change the way we interact with the digital world. In the metaverse digital experience complex at Shougang Park, the delegation of officials experienced an exhibition named "Huanju - Multiverse Immersive Sci-Fi Exhibition." From Dinosaur Crisis to Rhythm Agent and Star Trek, seven sci-fi planets provided the officials with a cyber sci-fi show, leading them into a magnificent and wonderful sci-fi world. Koroma Mark Thaimu, an official from the Republic of Sierra Leone, pointed out that China has always attached great importance to cultural inheritance while promoting the digital transformation, and has protected its unique culture and infused development with long-lasting vitality by embedding local culture into technological innovation. He planned to bring China's experience in integrating technology and culture to Africa, hoping to harness technological innovation to support the preservation and continued development of cultural heritage. It is said that the Seminar focuses on core topics, such as creative design, technological innovation, urban renewal and green transformation. Through special lectures, case discussion, and immersive field research, it shares China's exploration and experience in creativity and sustainable development with officials from countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other relevant nations. This program builds a platform for mutual learning among civilizations based on creative endowment. It shares China's sustainable development pattern that incorporates traditions into modern technology, and encourages officials to develop adaptable solutions according to their respective national conditions, so as to help achieve the global SDGs. SOURCE CRIOnline BEIJING, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on Bandung Conference: The Chinese Delegation has come here to seek unity and not to quarrel, to seek common ground and not to create divergence. 70 years later: Seeking answers in the Bandung Spirit again Seven decades ago, at the Bandung Conference, then Chinese Premier and Foreign Minister, Zhou Enlai, clearly stated the fundamental philosophy in China's diplomacy, which also set the tone for the Bandung Spirit. That was in 1955, a time when the world still suffered from the aftermath of the Second World War, and the United States and the Soviet Union were deep in rivalry. Amongst such a backdrop, 29 countries and regions from Asia and Africa initiated, convened, and attended the Bandung Conference. This conference and the Bandung Spirit which arose from it, signify the awakening of the Third World in political awareness. Asian and African countries who uphold nationalism stepped onto the international stage with an independent stance, and hand-in-hand, they started the chapter of South-South Cooperation. For 70 years, although there have been problems and tensions among the Global South countries, the major trend continues to be negotiations on equal stances, mutual help and unity in strength. From the Non-Aligned Movement and the G-77 in the 20th century, which respectively opposed camp confrontation and appealed to a new global economic order, to the rise of platforms including BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the 21st century, the Global South countries have constantly voiced their collective concerns, and have become a force not to be neglected in the international arena. They are a driver of inclusive economic globalization, a builder of equal and orderly multi-polarization, and a proactive leader of mutual learning and communication among civilizations. Take the economy and trade front as an example, now the Global South accounts for over 40% of the world's GDP. From 2007 to 2023, South-South trade volume has increased from 2.3 trillion USD to 5.6 trillion USD. In the next five years, it is projected that the South-South trade will contribute about 70% of global economic growth. Seven decades have passed. In 2025, the world is faced with new factors that endanger stability. Liu Haifang, Professor at Peking University: I think the paramount spirit to take away from the Bandung Conference is to galvanize the once-colonized and weak countries into developing their own capabilities to keep independent and take initiative. So, faced with the challenges today, we may as well review the key takeaway from the Bandung Conference. Are we still able to safeguard a fair international order with joined hands? Are we developing countries still treating each other with an inclusive and open mindset where we seek common ground while shelving differences? 70 years ago, the Asian and African countries reached a consensus on independence and common development despite their different ideologies and social systems. 70 years later, with the pressure of development, countries all over the world can also think about how to forge new consensus amongst differences, and form institutional connections in negotiations. The Bandung Spirit has long transcended the framework of Asia-Africa cooperation and South-South Cooperation; it has in fact provided a timeless example for South-North cooperation and even global governance. The dynamism of current changes in the world originates from the South. We hope all the entities can follow the Bandung Spirit as guidance, and march towards modernization where there's independence and thriving progress. China Mosaic http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm SOURCE China.org.cn Tiina Herlevi: Championing Excellence and Innovation in Manufacturing DULUTH, Ga., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AGCO (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, is proud to announce Tiina Herlevi as a 2025 Women MAKE Award recipient. Herlevi is the Director of Manufacturing for Valtra, one of AGCO's leading brands, in Suolahti, Finland. Tiina Herlevi 2025 Women MAKE Honoree The prestigious awards, presented by the Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, recognizes women leaders in the manufacturing industry and encourages them to inspire inclusion by helping the next generation of female talent pursue manufacturing careers. "Tiina's leadership is truly inspiring," said Tim Millwood, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer. "Her commitment to excellence and her ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment have made a significant impact on our team. Tiina's dedication to mentoring young talent and her innovative approach to problem-solving sets her apart as a remarkable leader in the manufacturing industry." Tiina has driven transformative changes in both site operations and company culture. Under her guidance, AGCO has made major capital investments in Finland, including a new paint shop and production space to boost manufacturing capacity. Her efforts contributed to AGCO receiving the Internationalization Award from the President of the Republic of Finland in 2023. "I am grateful for the opportunities and challenges I have been offered throughout my life and career," said Herlevi. "The most rewarding accomplishment for me is seeing my team members grow and reach their full potential. I believe in building a positive culture by supporting and challenging people to network cross-functionally and drive for success through true teamwork." The Women MAKE Awards celebrate women in science, technology, engineering and production careers at all levels who have made outstanding achievements in their companies and communities. Congratulations, Tiina, on becoming AGCO's 2025 Women MAKE Award winner. About AGCO AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers value to farmers and OEM customers through its differentiated brand portfolio, including leading brands Fendt, Massey Ferguson, PTx and Valtra. AGCO's full line of equipment, smart farming solutions and services helps farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $11.7 billion in 2024. For more information, visit www.agcocorp.com. SOURCE AGCO Corporation WASHINGTON, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aldo Cazzullo plans to discuss his book "The Neverending Empire: The Infinite Impact of Ancient Rome" at a Headliners Book Event on May 9, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets for the event here: https://www.press.org/events/npc-headliners-neverending-empire-aldo-cazzullo Cazzullo has been reporting on major Italian and international events for 35 years. He is special correspondent and editorialist of Corriere della Sera in Milan. He has written over 30 books on Italian history and identity. His recent book "Mussolini il capobanda" has sold over 150,000 copies. He hosts Una giornata particolare (a particular day) on the La7 tv channel: the first season had an average of one million viewers per episode; the second season is currently on air and has already achieved even greater success than the previous season with an average of 1.3 million viewers. "The Neverending Empire" claims the true heirs of the Roman Empire are western civilization and the United States. Rome 2000 years ago and the United States today have more in common that many may think. Both had a multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious society with pressure from within and without. The Roman Empire lives on today in books, movies, television programs, language, law, and other areas of our lives. Join us on May 9 and travel from the distant past to the present. To submit a question in advance, put EMPIRE in the subject line and email it to [email protected] The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. PRESS CONTACT: Cecily Scott Martin for the National Press Club; [email protected]; (202) 662-7525 SOURCE National Press Club NEW YORK, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the largest private funder of suicide prevention research globally, will honor its 2025 Research Award recipients at its annual awards event on April 30 in New York City. The honorees include researchers who developed game-changing interventions like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality and Preventing Addiction related Suicide to treat individuals with increased risk for suicide. Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, Katherine Ann Comtois, Ph.D., MPH will receive the Annual AFSP Research Award, and Gonzalo Martinez-Ales, MD, PhD will receive the Paula J. Clayton Early Career Research Award. "Research isn't just important to our missionit's absolutely essential and drives everything we do in suicide prevention," said AFSP Senior Vice President of Research Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman. "Through the groundbreaking work of researchers like Dr. Linehan and Dr. Comtois, we continue to expand our understanding of what contributes to suicide and how we can effectively intervene to save lives. We are honored to recognize their exceptional contributions to the field of suicide prevention and the dedication of the entire research community tackling this critical public health challenge." Media interested in reporting on suicide prevention research and award recipients are invited to contact AFSP's PR Team for more information. This year's research awardees include: AFSP Lifetime Achievement Research Award Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP Dr. Marsha Linehan is Professor Emeritus of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington and Director Emeritus of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics. Dr. Linehan developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in the 1980s causing a sea change as an effective intervention in behavioral therapy. This treatment was originally developed for suicidal behaviors and later expanded to treat people with borderline personality disorder and other severe mental disorders involving serious emotion dysregulation. At the time at which DBT was developed, people thought there was nothing that could be done to help a person who was thinking of ending their life, it was seen as inevitable and there were no treatments available. Today, DBT is ubiquitous as a tool used in therapy to reduce suicidal behavior and is more cost-effective compared to standard treatments. Dr. Linehan has received numerous awards recognizing her clinical and research contributions, including the Louis I. Dublin Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Field of Suicide and the Annual Research Award from AFSP. Annual AFSP Research Award Katherine Ann Comtois, Ph.D., MPH Dr. Kate Comtois is a Professor at the University of Washington Medicine and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in suicidal thoughts and behavior, psychiatric disability and employment, and borderline personality disorder. Dr. Comtois has revolutionized suicide prevention by developing game-changing interventions that have transformed how clinicians approach and treat patients with suicidal thoughts, behavior and risk. Her innovative workincluding Caring Contacts, adaptations of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), and Preventing Addiction Related Suicide (PARS)has equipped thousands of providers with effective tools to engage with high-risk individuals and save lives across diverse clinical settings. Dr. Comtois currently serves as a scientific advisor to AFSP and has received several AFSP grants, including a 2006 Distinguished Investigator Grant and a 2015 Focus Grant for her work on reducing short-term suicide risk after hospitalization. Paula J. Clayton Early Career Research Award Gonzalo Martinez-Ales, MD, PhD An early career researcher, Dr. Martinez-Ales is being recognized for his AFSP funded grant titled: "Effectiveness of Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Suicidal Behaviors Among Individuals at High Suicide Risk: A Target Trial Emulation." The Paula J. Clayton Early Career Research Award honors Dr. Clayton, AFSP's Medical Director from 2006-2013 and a pioneer in mood disorders, suicide prevention, and bereavement support. Following her passing in 2021, her daughter Clarissa Weirick established this fund to support promising early career researchers in suicide prevention. Learn more about the role of research in preventing suicide. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok. For media interested in comment on this news, please contact [email protected] or fill out this press request form. Journalists are encouraged to consult AFSP's Ethical Reporting Tips. SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention STOCKHOLM, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ASSA ABLOY has signed an agreement to acquire Door System, a Danish manufacturer of high-quality fire rated doors with particular expertise in the pharmaceutical, food and retail industries. "I am very pleased to welcome Door System to ASSA ABLOY. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to add complementary products and solutions to our core business," says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. "I am delighted that Door System will join the EMEIA Division. Their strong expertise in high-quality fire rated doors aligns well to our door segment vision, providing exceptional combined fire-rated, freezer and hygienic door solutions across industries through focus on innovation and excellence. We welcome the team at Door System to the ASSA ABLOY family," says Neil Vann, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of EMEIA Division. Door System was founded in 1998 and has some 80 employees. The main office and factory are located in Hrning, Denmark. Sales for 2024 amounted to about MDKK 125 (approx. MSEK 190) with a good EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2025. For more information, please contact: Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82 Erik Pieder, CFO and Executive Vice President, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 72 Bjorn Tibell, Head of Investor Relations, tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68, e-mail: [email protected] About ASSA ABLOY ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in access solutions. Every day we help people feel safe, secure and experience a more open world. We operate worldwide with 63,000 employees and sales of SEK 150 billion, with leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. Our innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/r/assa-abloy-acquires-door-system-in-denmark,c4140231 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/7333/4140231/3409018.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/i/door-system-image,c3402246 Door System image SOURCE ASSA ABLOY Trusted Cultural Childcare Program Expands to Serve Families in Killeen KILLEEN, Texas, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Families in the Killeen area now have a new, flexible childcare option as Au Pair in America, the country's most experienced live-in cultural childcare program, officially extends its service to the community. This marks the first time Killeen families can access this unique blend of reliable childcare and enriching cultural exchange. Residents of Killeen can now join the hundreds of families across Texas already benefiting from the Au Pair in America program. With existing coverage in major cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, families statewide have long chosen to host an au pair as an affordable and customizable childcare solution. Au Pair in America is ecstatic to offer Killeen area families the same opportunity. Each participating family is supported by a dedicated local Community Counselor who ensures a smooth and rewarding experience for both host families and au pairs throughout the program. "At a time when families are looking for flexibility and affordability in their childcare options, we're thrilled to bring Au Pair in America to Killeen," said Kasie Marek, Community Counselor. "Our program not only helps parents juggle busy schedulesit also brings the world into your home through cultural exchange." With childcare costs continuing to risetaking up as much as 16% of median household income for just one childmany families are turning to the au pair program as a more sustainable option. Au Pair in America provides up to 45 hours of live-in childcare per week, and unlike daycare, the cost remains the same no matter how many children are in the household. Au pairs provide care, support, and a window into a new culture, enriching family life in a unique and personal way. Molly, an Au Pair in America host mom in another area of Texas, explains the positive impact of the au pair program on her family: "[It was a] wonderful educational experience for our family of four boys. What other way can you really experience another culture? My children are not only well cared for, but they have learned tolerance and empathy for other cultures." To celebrate the program's launch in Killeen, new host families will receive a $350 discount when they apply with no cost or obligation with promo code TXR by April 30, 2025. Click here to learn more about this special offer. About Au Pair in America: Au Pair in America, the first au pair program in the United States, combines live-in childcare and cultural exchange for a rewarding and enriching experience for the entire family. As a program of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), which boasts a global support team of over 600 employees. With au pairs from nearly 60 countries Au Pair in America has helped thousands of families across the country secure dependable, flexible childcare that meets their unique needs. Learn more at aupairinamerica.com. SOURCE Au Pair in America Scholarships created in honor of Battery Council International's 100th anniversary support next generation of industry leaders WASHINGTON, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Battery Council International (BCI) and the BCI Foundation are proud to announce the first class of BCI Scholars, a group of three students that were each selected for up to $5,000 in financial aid to support studies in the 2025-2026 academic year. The BCI Foundation was formed in recognition of Battery Council International's 100th anniversary on March 21, 2024, to support the next generation of leaders in STEM and the energy storage industry. "BCI's members have a long history of charitable support in communities across the U.S., and our Board of Directors wanted to build on that legacy through these scholarships and ensure the industry's next 100 years is even more successful," said BCI President and Executive Director Roger Miksad. "We congratulate these three students on the hard work they put in to earn these scholarships, and we thank everyone who donated so generously to the BCI Foundation to make this first-ever class of BCI Scholars possible." Scholarships provided by the BCI Foundation fall into two categories: First, the BCI Battery Chemistry and STEM Scholarship supports individuals studying electrochemistry, science, technology, engineering, mathematics or a related technical discipline that will support energy storage applications. In partnership with Women in the Global Battery Industry (WGBI), BCI will ensure at least one woman recipient as part of BCI's efforts to foster diversity in the industry. This year's BCI Battery Chemistry and STEM Scholarship recipients are Sophia Anderson of Schwenksville, Pa., and Leaf Evergreen of Hillsboro, Ore. Separately, The BCI Community Scholarship supports individuals who are an employee or direct family member of an employee currently working in a BCI-member company. Summer Sapp of Russell Springs, Ky., was the 2025 recipient of the BCI Community Scholarship. The BCI Foundation, a stand-alone 501(c)(3) charitable entity, was initially funded in part by a $10,000 "challenge grant" from battery separator specialist ENTEK. Battery separator supplier Daramic also generously helped fund the BCI foundation with a separate $5,000 award. Additional contributions to the BCI Foundation come from the Centennial Sponsors of BCI's 100th anniversary celebration that took place as part of its annual conference in April. These Centennial Sponsors include Banner, C&D Trojan, Clarios, Crown Battery, Duncan, East Penn, EnerSys, GS Yuasa, Leoch Battery, Moura, Rolls Battery Engineering, Stryten Energy, Superior Battery, and U.S. Battery Manufacturing Company. The BCI Foundation scholarships are administered by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, a group dedicated to providing funding for aftermarket education programs and research. Learn more about the BCI Foundation at https://batterycouncil.org/about/battery-council-international/bci-foundation/ About Battery Council International Battery Council International (BCI) is the leading trade association representing the global battery industry and is the premier authority on energy storage solutions. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, BCI advocates and educates on behalf of battery manufacturers and recyclers, marketers and retailers, suppliers of raw materials and equipment, and battery distributors. With a unified voice, BCI conveys an industry-wide commitment to sustainability, safety, and science. The organization continues to unite members within the industry to successfully communicate and protect through education, science, and advocacy efforts the most successful circular economy on the planet. SOURCE Battery Council International CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeowners seeking to sell their house fast have a trusted solution in Cash Out On My Home. This family-owned home buying company helps property owners sell their home quicklyno repairs, no showings, and no commissions. Whether dealing with foreclosure, divorce, probate, code violations, or a hoarder house, Cash Out On My Home provides a quick, easy alternative to the traditional listing process with their cash for homes offers. Owners Mallie and Jonathan Messri, the sibling team behind Cash Out On My Home, a trusted Chattanooga-based cash home buying company helping Tennessee and North Georgia homeowners sell fast and as-is. Starla, a Chattanooga, TN homeowner, sold her mobile home fast for cash after facing foreclosure, title issues, and liens-with help from the team at Cash Out On My Home. Established in 2017 by siblings Mallie and Jonathan Messri, they have assisted hundreds of families across Tennessee to sell their homes fast for a fair price. The home buying company specializes in purchasing homes in as-is condition, allowing sellers to skip costly repairs and avoid delays. According to co-founder Mallie Messri, "Selling a house quickly can be overwhelming, especially when the house needs repairs, has liens, or legal implications." Cash Out On My Home makes it fast and easy to get a cash offer on your home in any condition. The company buys houses AS-IS throughout Chattanooga, TN, and nearby areas. Homeowners searching online for "we buy houses Chattanooga," "sell house fast," or "cash home buyers near me" often find Cash Out On My Home among the top results. The company helps in a variety of home selling scenarios. Inherited or probate homes can be sold as-is, even with multiple heirs or unresolved probate. If you're facing foreclosure or auction risk, you can avoid foreclosure and sell fast before the auction. Title issues or liens are handled with the help of local title partners, clearing liens or ownership disputes. For tired landlords, tenant-occupied rentals can be sold as-is, with or without tenants. Distressed, vacant, or damaged properties are also welcome; Cash Out On My Home buys houses needing repairs fast in any condition, including hoarder, abandoned, or condemned houses. Case Study: How Starla Stopped Foreclosure Starla a homeowner in Chattanooga, TN needed to sell her house fast due to foreclosure, liens, and repair issues. Other local home buyers turned her away. Cash Out On My Home offered a fair cash price, handled the legal and title issues, and closed in three weeks allowing her to sell quickly, stopping the foreclosure auction entirely. "She wanted to start foreclosure... and they stopped it by assuring her that it would close in three weeks. And it did. It stopped foreclosure and I was able to actually come out on top and not lose everything," said Starla. About Cash Out On My Home: Cash Out On My Home is a trusted, cash home buying company based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since 2017, they've helped hundreds of local homeowners sell their home fast for cash without delays. Cash Out On My Home offers a fast, fair solution that lets you sell your home ASAP, even in just a few days. Sellers can even sell their home FSBO and still get a fair cash offer without listing on the market. Media Contact: Jonathan & Mallie Messri 866-341-1663 [email protected] SOURCE Cash Out On My Home Cove Communities Raises Over $100,000 for DAV (Disabled American Veterans) in 4th Annual Cove's Got Talent Competition PHOENIX, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cove Communities is thrilled to announce the success of its 4th annual Cove's Got Talent Competition, held on March 26th at Cypress Lakes Village in Lakeland, Florida. The charitable giving event, which showcased the incredible talents of Cove residents and guests alike, raised over $100,000 in support of DAV (Disabled American Veterans). Leading up to the finale, guests, residents, and team members from various Cove parks and communities rallied together, organizing countless fundraising activities to raise money for DAV's mission. Events included raffles, yard sales, pancake brunches, health fairs, bake sales, auctions, and more. These efforts, coupled with the generous contributions from corporate and individual sponsors, enabled Cove Communities to achieve our fundraising goal of more than $50,000. In addition to those grassroots fundraising efforts, Cove Communities and its Chief Executive Officer, Jim Goldman, donated an additional $55,000 to bring the total for this year's event to more than $100,000. Jim Goldman, Cove's Chief Executive Officer, expressed his gratitude, stating, "DAV is an important organization close to our hearts at Cove Communities. Many of our residents and guests are veterans, and events like Cove's Got Talent bring residents, guests, team members, and charitable organizations together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others." The funds raised from this year's competition will directly benefit disabled veterans, their families, survivors, and caregivers by helping to power DAV's mission. "We are immensely grateful to Cove Communities and its guests and residents for choosing to donate to DAV for a fourth time," said DAV National Adjutant and CEO Barry Jesinoski. "Thanks to the support of organizations like Cove Communities, DAV can continue keeping our promise to America's veterans by providing life-changing services at no cost." Over the past four years, Cove Communities has raised over $400,000 for DAV, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to giving back to those who have served our country. Leading up to the finale, nine of Cove's resorts and communities held preliminary competitions to determine the finalists. A panel of three judges had the difficult task of determining the winners of the grand finale. The results of the competition are as follows: First Place: Kenny Weiland from Camelot Lakes Village Second Place: Grackle Loop Birdettes from Cypress Lakes Village Third Place: Beverley Terzian from Rolling Greens Village Cove Communities extends heartfelt congratulations to the participants and winners of Cove's Got Talent and sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. Cove was founded in 2017 and owns and operates a best-in-class portfolio of manufactured housing communities and RV resorts. Since its founding, Cove has aggregated a portfolio comprised of 38 properties with over 13,000 sites in the United States and Canada. SOURCE Cove Communities Safe Driving May Also Offer Savings on Auto Insurance LOS ANGELES, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, 1.19 million people are killed on roadways around the world, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for individuals ages five to 29. In a world inundated with technology and devices, distracted driving in particular is claiming thousands of lives. Many auto accidents could be avoided simply by following the rules of the road and engaging in safe driving behaviors. To that end, Mercury Insurance is offering driving tips that could help keep you and your family safe and potentially save you money on auto insurance. "Driving is a massive group project that requires everyone to pull their weight to make our roads safer," said Justin Yoshizawa, Director, Product Management State at Mercury Insurance. "It's important to remember that driving is a privilege that comes with significant responsibility. Safe habits like always driving sober and wearing your seatbelt can potentially save your life and the lives of others. Plus, a clean driving record should help keep your insurance rates down." Here's some safe driving tips from Mercury: Buckle up. Every trip, every time: In 2022, 11,302 people died in car crashes while not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Buckling up every time you drive is a simple habit that could potentially save your life in an accident. In 2022, 11,302 people died in car crashes while not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Buckling up every time you drive is a simple habit that could potentially save your life in an accident. Ensure children are in the right seat: Improperly used car seats are a leading cause of child deaths in car crashes. Install the car seat correctly and confirm that the safety belts fit properly. Improperly used car seats are a leading cause of child deaths in car crashes. Install the car seat correctly and confirm that the safety belts fit properly. Drive sober: Per Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), more than 13,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2022, which is the second consecutive year that this figure has been elevated. "With rideshare services available, there is never a good excuse to drive while under the influence. Parents who have driving-age children should make clear that driving while impaired or getting into a car with an impaired driver is unacceptable and reckless. It's best to ensure they have access to ride share services, or that they feel comfortable asking for a ride home," said Yoshizawa. Per Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), more than 13,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2022, which is the second consecutive year that this figure has been elevated. "With rideshare services available, there is never a good excuse to drive while under the influence. Parents who have driving-age children should make clear that driving while impaired or getting into a car with an impaired driver is unacceptable and reckless. It's best to ensure they have access to ride share services, or that they feel comfortable asking for a ride home," said Yoshizawa. Pay attention to the road: Distracted driving accounted for approximately 3,000 fatalities in the U.S. in 2024, or roughly 14% of all traffic-related deaths, according to the Defensive Drivers Institute. Distracted driving accidents continue to be a national problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. According to DefensiveDriving.org, texting makes you eight times more likely to get into an accident. Even hands-free phone use draws attention from the driving task, so it's best to avoid engaging in any activities that could draw attention away from the road. Distracted driving accounted for approximately 3,000 fatalities in the U.S. in 2024, or roughly 14% of all traffic-related deaths, according to the Defensive Drivers Institute. Distracted driving accidents continue to be a national problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say nine people in are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. According to DefensiveDriving.org, texting makes you eight times more likely to get into an accident. Even hands-free phone use draws attention from the driving task, so it's best to avoid engaging in activities that could draw attention away from the road. Obey speed limits: Speeding inherently increases the likelihood of injuries or death in an accident should one occur. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react and increases the force of impact, both of which contribute to a higher chance of injury or fatality. It's also important to remember that driving too fast for conditions such as ice or rain can put you and your passengers at risk. Speeding inherently increases the likelihood of injuries or death in an accident should one occur. Speeding reduces the time a driver has to react and increases the force of impact, both of which contribute to a higher chance of injury or fatality. It's also important to remember that driving too fast for conditions such as ice or rain can put you and your passengers at risk. Never drive drowsy: If you begin feeling drowsy while driving, find a place where it is safe to rest as soon as possible. If you begin feeling drowsy while driving, find a place where it is safe to rest as soon as possible. Talk to teen drivers about safe driving: Per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), teen drivers accounted for 7% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2022 a total of 2,883, or nearly eight per day. "In addition to talking about safe driving, it's important that parents lead by example here. If you don't want your kids texting while driving, don't do it yourself. This goes for all risky driving behaviors," added Yoshizawa. Per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), teen drivers accounted for 7% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2022 a total of 2,883, or nearly eight per day. "In addition to talking about safe driving, it's important that parents lead by example here. If you don't want your kids texting while driving, don't do it yourself. This goes for all risky driving behaviors," added Yoshizawa. Check for recalls: Make sure to check your vehicle for recalls at least twice a year. You can check for recalls any time at NHTSA.gov/Recalls. About Mercury Insurance Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. SOURCE Mercury Insurance DALLAS, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Michael Rimlawi Scholarship for Future Doctors announces its call for applications, offering a one-time award to undergraduate students pursuing a career in medicine. This initiative, led by Dr. Michael Rimlawi, aims to support the next generation of physicians dedicated to advancing healthcare through education and patient care. Applications are open to students nationwide, with a submission deadline of January 15, 2026, and the winner announced on February 15, 2026. The Dr. Michael Rimlawi Scholarship for Future Doctors invites undergraduate students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities to apply by submitting a 500-750-word essay. The essay prompt asks applicants to reflect on what inspired their pursuit of a medical career and how they plan to make a difference in the field. This scholarship seeks to recognize students who demonstrate a commitment to healthcare and a vision for its future. Dr. Michael Rimlawi, a spine surgeon known for his work in minimally invasive techniques, established this scholarship to ease the financial burden of medical education. The award provides practical support, allowing students to focus on their studies and professional growth. By fostering talent, the scholarship aligns with Dr. Michael Rimlawi's mission to nurture future doctors who prioritize patient care and innovation. The Dr. Michael Rimlawi Scholarship for Future Doctors stands as a testament to the importance of supporting aspiring physicians. It offers more than financial aidit serves as a recognition of hard work and a commitment to improving lives through medicine. Dr. Michael Rimlawi's initiative reflects a belief in the power of education to shape a brighter future for healthcare. For media inquiries, please contact the scholarship team via the website. Students are encouraged to seize this opportunity and take a step toward their medical careers. About the Dr. Michael Rimlawi Scholarship for Future Doctors The Dr. Michael Rimlawi Scholarship for Future Doctors is an award designed to support undergraduate students pursuing a career in medicine. Founded by Dr. Michael Rimlawi, a spine surgeon with a focus on minimally invasive techniques, the scholarship aims to assist students dedicated to patient care and healthcare innovation. Open to students nationwide, it encourages applicants to share their vision through a competitive essay contest. For more information, visit https://drmichaelrimlawischolarship.com. SOURCE Dr. Michael Rimlawi Scholarship eDesign Interactive launched a new website for IFE-STAR to simplify access to its research, foster collaboration among experts, and keep the public informed on fusion energy progress. MORRISTOWN, N.J., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Full-service digital agency eDesign Interactive launched a new website for IFE-STAR, a groundbreaking non-profit initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. IFE-STAR is a collaborative platform focused on advancing Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) as a viable clean energy source through research, innovation, and knowledge exchange. With this new website, featuring intuitive navigation and an integrated newsletter, IFE-STAR can drive the conversion on advancing IFE forward providing a platform for scientists, policymakers, and innovators to collaborate, share insights, and accelerate the development of fusion energy solutions. With fusion energy as the core of IFE-STAR's mission, eDesign Interactive built the website from scratch. "IFE-STAR is both an American initiative and part of a global mission to harness the same force that powers our sun. The site's interactive globe demonstrates both the institutional depth of this US-based organization and the connections through which it supports a globally engaged community," said Vincent Mazza, managing partner at eDesign Interactive. The agency incorporated visuals inspired by fusion reactions, such as scroll-based storytelling and interactive elements like real-time global research maps. A logo inspired by these fusion reactions set the tone of powerful discovery, while a cohesive brand guideline ensured consistency across all platforms. "A site like this needs multiple pathways for multiple audiences to come to it. We designed the homepage like a Swiss Army knife to give you what you need or what catches your interest while scrolling and discovering, whoever you are," Mazza added. To learn more about creating digital presences that reflect the brand's vision and impact, visit eDesign Interactive's portfolio at http://edesigninteractive.com/portfolio . About eDesign Interactive eDesign Interactive is an award-winning digital experience agency headquartered in Morristown, NJ. Founded in 2004 with a team of 50+ talented individuals fueled by passion, artistic flair, and unconventional ideas, eDesign combines creativity with strategic insight to help brands connect meaningfully with their audiences. About IFE-STAR The Inertial Fusion Energy Science & Technology Accelerated Research initiative, better known as IFE-STAR, is a collaborative global effort aimed at fast-tracking the development of inertial fusion energy (IFE) as a viable clean power source. Bringing together scientists, institutions, and private-sector partners, IFE-STAR acts as a catalyst for innovation in fusion research, bridging the gap between lab breakthroughs and scalable energy solutions. Media Contact Elena Krapcheva Business Development and Marketing (973) 867 7042 [email protected] https://edesigninteractive.com/ SOURCE eDesign Interactive Hack with purpose. Protect with passion. Post this Faizan Akhtar, a cybersecurity prodigy from Kot Chutta, Dera Ghazi Khan, is a well-respected member of the Synack Red Team . His in-depth research and ethical disclosures have been acknowledged by major tech firms such as Google, Apple, Intel, and Microsoft. Known for his precision in identifying zero-day vulnerabilities, Faizan continues to be featured in international cybersecurity publications, including Muck Rack. "The future of cybersecurity lies in collaboration, and I'm proud to partner with Shahzaib to raise the bar for ethical hacking in South Asia." - Faizan Akhtar Syed Shahzaib Shah, born in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is a renowned cybersecurity expert, public speaker, and the Founder & CEO of SS Support Network . Shahzaib has assisted over 200 global organizations, including government bodies, to identify and patch mission-critical vulnerabilities. He has been featured on high-authority platforms such as Yahoo Finance, Cybersecurity Dive, AP News, and TechBullion, earning acclaim for his leadership in cybersecurity awareness, youth empowerment, and secure digital transformation. "Cybersecurity is no longer just a tech issueit's a trust issue. Our mission is to make the digital world safer for everyone, one vulnerability at a time." - Syed Shahzaib Shah Their joint venture represents a powerful alliance aimed at empowering future generations of ethical hackers in South Asia. Together, they are launching initiatives to train young professionals, conduct enterprise-grade security audits, and promote responsible disclosure practices. Their collaboration not only strengthens the cybersecurity ecosystem in Pakistan but also extends support to under-resourced regions across the globe. "Cybersecurity is not just about fixing codeit's about building trust in the digital age," said Syed Shahzaib Shah. "Together with Faizan, we aim to transform how emerging economies approach digital security." As Pakistan ramps up investment in cybersecurity education and innovation, professionals like Faizan Akhtar and Syed Shahzaib Shah are setting new standards for what's possible. Their journey from small towns to the world stage is not only inspirationalit's transformational. About Faizan Akhtar Faizan Akhtar is a distinguished ethical hacker from Kot Chutta, Dera Ghazi Khan in South Punjab, Pakistan. He is an active member of the Synack Red Team and has earned global recognition from tech giants like Google, Apple, Intel, and Microsoft for his critical vulnerability disclosures. Faizan's expertise lies in web security research and responsible bug bounty practices. His dedication to ethical hacking and securing digital infrastructures has made him one of Pakistan's most respected voices in cybersecurity. About Syed Shahzaib Shah Syed Shahzaib Shah is a globally acclaimed cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker, and the Founder & CEO of SS Support Network and SSS Networks. Born in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahzaib has helped over 200 international organizations, including government and private entities, fix high-severity security flaws. His work has been highlighted on platforms like Yahoo Finance, AP News, Cybersecurity Dive, and TechBullion. Shahzaib is also a passionate public speaker and cybersecurity advocate, focused on mentoring youth and advancing digital safety across South Asia. SOURCE SSSn The allure of finding gold in Paradise Valleys Mill Creek attracted placer miners to the stream as soon as the western boundary of the Crow Reservation was reduced by the federal government in 1882. The tribe sold the land, which included much of the historic mining areas near Yellowstone National Park and the Absaroka and Beartooth mountains, under pressure from ranchers and railroad executives. It was the second large reduction of the reservation. By the following year, 30 mining claims had been filed along Mill Creek. The water rights of Mill Creek have also been secured, and now these rich placers, so long locked up in the embrace of the dry old gulch, may be worked and made to yield to the worlds demands for gold, The Bozeman Courier extolled in an April 26, 1883, article. More than 140 years later, the Yellowstone River tributary is being manipulated again, this time to benefit native cutthroat trout. Breaking down the berm This summer, Trout Unlimited is proposing to complete the second phase of work to create better fish spawning and rearing habitat on the stream near the boundary of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The agency, along with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the owner of the 5 Bar 6 Ranch, are partners to the work. We're going to remove parts of a berm in strategic locations to try to open up access to the historic flood plain, improve habitat quality and add some large wood structures to the creek, explained Ashley Brubaker, a project manager for Trout Unlimited based in Bozeman. Right now, that 3/4-mile stretch of water is a long, shallow riffle, lacking pools where fish can hide. We'll improve the number of pools and log jam-type structures, since those are really great for fish, for calm water holding areas and also for cover from overhead predators, Brubaker said. Last year, TU and its partners completed a similar project along a quarter-mile just upstream, building 10 large log jams. In 2023, fake log jams were installed on the creek as a proof of concept, to see how they would hold up to high water flows during spring runoff, Brubaker explained. The results of this work will improve spawning, rearing, and over wintering habitat for Yellowstone cutthroat trout and other species including rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout, TU said. Phase one cost $110,000 with the larger phase two projected to cost $350,000. An FWP environmental analysis of the project can be found online. Habitat hammered by humans Although Yellowstone cutthroat trout thrived in the region before Euro-American settlement, the fish now occupy less than half of their historical range. Of the remaining Yellowstone cutthroat strongholds, Mill Creek is one of the largest watersheds that occur outside of Yellowstone National Park, Trout Unlimited project manager Connor Parish wrote in his 2021 letter to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks seeking funding for phase one. Habitat for the fish on Mill Creek has been impacted by historical mining, logging and livestock grazing that took place in the drainage. In the 1930s a dam was proposed across the creek to create a reservoir in the scenic mountain valley. Historic landowners channelized and diked the north bank, cutting off Mill Creek from its side channels and historic flood plain, Parish wrote to FWP in 2021. The lack of large wood and instream habitat complexity within this reach indicates that wood has likely been removed and the stream channel simplified. During the summer irrigation season, the streams lower stretch often goes dry. Thats bad news for Yellowstone cutthroats, which spawn in late June and early July, swimming up the stream from the Yellowstone River, said Scott Opitz, FWP fisheries biologist in Livingston. The eggs dont hatch until the end of August. If the creek has run dry by then, the fish wont survive. By improving the stream's habitat, TU is hoping that fish born in Mill Creek would encounter better rearing conditions that would improve survival and increase abundance of (Yellowstone cutthroat trout) in Mill Creek and in the Yellowstone River. Work on this stretch of Mill Creek should also benefit a visible and popular spot for anglers. There's a Forest Service easement that cuts across this chunk of private property, so it's a really popular fishing location, Brubaker said. But the habitat isnt great, theres not a lot of complexity and in-stream structure. Final water cases in court Looking into the future, phase three of the project could involve moving the creek away from the road to protect it from high water and to expand fish habitat. Also on the horizon are possible settlements of water rights cases dating back to 2019 filed by Montana Trout Unlimited seeking to keep more water in Mill Creek to benefit the fishery. By and large, weve wrapped up all but three, said Pat Byorth, Montana TUs water director for the Rockies. The conflict dates to the 1980s when a pipeline system was installed to help conserve water for irrigators and, ideally, keep water in the creek. Instead, TU argued some landowners expanded their irrigated acreage after the pipeline was installed to the detriment of the creek and other landowners. If we can get 15 cfs to the East River Road bridge it will keep most of the eggs wet and provide passage for fry to the Yellowstone River, Byorth said. At 35 cfs, fish would be able to move up the creek from the Yellowstone River to seek refuge from warmer summer flows, he added. Byorth is hopeful that if Mill Creek is again connected to the Yellowstone River year-round, Yellowstone cutthroats will have a better chance of thriving in their homeland. The other tributaries upstream are now connected, he said. If we connect Mill Creek, it makes the whole system much more drought resistant, and thats the ultimate goal. "Excellence in Action" Theme Inspires a Culture of Purpose, Passion, and People-First Dentistry DENVER, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 910, 2025, Espire Dental will do something most dental groups only dream of: shut down operations, pack up scrubs and slacks, and invite every team member together. From Cheyenne to Colorado Springs, California, Oklahoma, Texas, and now, Washington State, more than 450 team members will gather under one roof in Denver for a two-day, high-energy, high-impact all-hands conference. The theme? Excellence in Action, with a mission to reignite team member fulfillment, purpose, and connection in a world that too often runs on autopilot. This event isn't just a meeting. It's a reunion. From dental chairs to back offices to behind-the-scenes support, every role across Espire is showing up: doctors, hygienists, dental assistants, front office teams, operations, billing, and everyone in between. For some, it will be the first time meeting face-to-face, despite collaborating daily across locations. The agenda features national speakers like Todd Williams, a healthcare and hospitality specialist building people-first cultures, and Haley Rushing, Co-Founder of The Purpose Institute. Attendees will also participate in custom workshops led by industry trailblazers, Janet Hagerman and Heidi Arndt, focused on communication, alignment, ethical dentistry, and professional development. "We're not just gathering to talk about dentistry," said Tim Hill, CEO of Espire Dental. "We're here to remember why we chose it in the first placeto restore confidence, to serve people with compassion, and to pursue excellence in the moments that matter most. This conference reconnects us to our purpose and each other." Other highlights include the beloved red-carpet event and Espire Awards ("Espie Awards Gala"), which recognize individuals and teams for outstanding service, innovation, and patient impact. This year's celebration is also bigger than ever, with double the vendor support compared to Espire's 2023 conference, plus the first-time appearance of Espire's nine newly partnered teams from Washington State. Yes, there will be presentation slides and breakout sessions, but there will also be hugs, high-fives, dance moves, and a great deal of personal and professional growth. What makes this conference special isn't just the programming, it's the culture. The conference planning committee works hand-in-hand with the leadership team to evolve the experience each year to keep it honest, energizing, and deeply meaningful for all attendees. "We want our people to leave this event with more than new skills," said Brooke Young, COO. "We want them to leave with full hearts, inspired minds, and a deep sense of pride in their work." "Culture like this doesn't happen by accident," said Co-Founding Dentist, Dr. Jennifer Derse. "We build it together, and we protect it together." Interested in joining a dental group that makes space for meaning, celebrates every role, and actually walks the talk? Visit espiredental.com/join-our-team to learn more about the Espire culture and explore potential career opportunities. About Espire Dental Espire Dental is a fast-growing, doctor-led, and purpose-driven dental group delivering elevated patient experiences through comprehensive care and inspired hospitality. With 39 practices across Colorado, California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington, Espire is redefining what it means to work inand visitthe dentist's office. By investing in exceptional teams, modern technology, and beautiful spaces, Espire ensures patients and team members alike can smile with ease and live with confidence. SOURCE Espire Dental Live-in Cultural Childcare Program Expands to the Heartland OMAHA, Neb., April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Families in the Omaha area now have access to an exciting new childcare option. Au Pair in America, the world's most experienced live-in cultural childcare program, is now officially available in Nebraskamarking the first time the program has served families in the Cornhusker State. With its debut in Omaha and the surrounding region, Au Pair in America brings a flexible, dependable, and affordable solution to families in need of childcare right in the heartland. The program already operates in more than 200 communities nationwide and is thrilled to offer Nebraskan families the same trusted service that has made it a leader in cultural exchange and childcare for nearly 40 years. Each participating family benefits from the support and guidance of a local Community Counselor who is dedicated to supporting host families and their au pairs every step of the way. "At a time when childcare costs are rising and options can be limited, especially in cities like Omaha, we're proud to offer a dependable alternative," said Melissa Riemer, Community Counselor for the Omaha area. "The Au Pair in America program provides families with up to 45 hours of customized care per weekall while bringing the joy of cultural exchange into their homes." Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that many Douglas and Sarpy County parents spend more than $10,000 annually on center-based care for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-aged children. For most parents, these costs are a serious financial burden; for others, they are completely untenable. Au Pair in America offers a more budget-friendly solutionparticularly for families with multiple childrenas program fees are per family, not per child. In addition to customizable scheduling and live-in support, families enjoy a unique cultural learning experience, enriching the lives of both children and parents. Ellen, an Au Pair in America host mom from neighboring Kansas, explains the positive impact the au pair program has had on her family: "It has been so helpful to have someone living with us to take care of our kids. We both work, and my spouse travels frequently. It has made a huge difference in our stress levels to know that we have another person who can be here if the kids are sick or if one of us gets hung up on the train or in traffic. The girls love our au pair, Ines." To celebrate this exciting expansion into Omaha, new host families will receive a $350 discount when they apply at no cost or obligation using promo code NBO by April 30, 2025. Click here to learn more about this offer. About Au Pair in America: Au Pair in America, the first au pair program in the United States, combines live-in childcare and cultural exchange for a rewarding and enriching experience for the entire family. As a program of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) , which boasts a global support team of over 600 employees. With au pairs from nearly 60 countries Au Pair in America has helped thousands of families across the country secure dependable, flexible childcare that meets their unique needs. Learn more at aupairinamerica.com. SOURCE Au Pair in America Awarding up to 4 grants of $250,000 each for a total of $1 million in funding ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital have joined forces to launch a new grant opportunity focused on south St. Petersburg. Healthy People 2025 will award a total of $1 million to fund up to four multi-sector collaborations working on systems-level change in the social determinants of health. Grant announcement at Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, April 2025. While much progress has been made to improve community health in recent years, inequalities remain. The Foundation's recent South St. Pete Health Equity Profile revealed significant disparities for South St. Petersburg compared to Pinellas County as a whole in the areas of chronic disease, neighborhood safety, and maternal-infant health. "To most effectively improve the lives and health of people in our community, we must collaborate, across sectors, with not-for-profits that deliver care and services, government, our local business community, faith-based groups, and community organizations, as well," said Dr. Kanika Tomalin, President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. "We are excited to introduce this opportunity to collaborate in our community. Working systemically to address the root causes of problems while we continue to address the challenges and deficits they create will move us closer to creating a community in which good health enables all people to thrive." Organizations interested in applying for funding must submit letters-of-interest outlining their proposal and their confirmed partners by 5 PM on May 27, 2025. Collaborations invited to submit a full grant application will be informed the week of June 23, 2025. Final award notifications will be made the week of October 6, 2025. Definitions of key concepts relevant to the grant are provided below: Social Determinants of Health: More than access to medical care alone, our health is shaped by the conditions and environments in which we live, work, learn, and play. It's shaped by the neighborhoods we live in, the quality of the jobs and educational opportunities we have access to, the strength of our social networks and supports, and so much more. Together, these factors are known as the social determinants of health - and they can be responsible for up to 80% of our health outcomes down the road. Systems Change: Social Innovation Generation defines systems change as "shifting the conditions that are holding the problem in place." Have you ever bumped up against a persistent problem in your work or life and thought, hmm things would be better if we had this policy or practice in place or if people valued this concept differently or if these people had a greater voice in a process. Each of those ideas could be considered examples of potential interventions that could help change systems - and that's what this funding opportunity is about. Systems change involves identifying a need or problem, figuring out the root cause of why it exists, and working to address that root cause in order to solve the problem. Multi-Sector Collaborations: A multi-sector collaboration is a partnership made up of government; non-profit, private, and public organizations; community groups; and/or individual community members working together to solve problems that affect the whole community. At least two different sectors must be represented in each collaboration. Research shows that multi-sector collaborations are more effective and resilient when it comes to creating meaningful change. Basically, no one can change systems in isolation. We need partners to do this work, both in our sector and beyond. More information, including the request for letters of interest, is available on the Foundation's Healthy People 2025 web page. About the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation formed in 2013 following the sale of the nonprofit Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As the steward of an endowment to support health equity in Pinellas County, the Foundation leads, funds, advocates, and partners to create a community in which all people can lead healthy lives. The Foundation advances racially equitable health outcomes by improving the systems and conditions that shape them. It opened its Center for Health Equity in 2019. To learn more, visit https://healthystpete.foundation/ About Orlando Health Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $12 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States including Florida and Alabama and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health's mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Xhttps://x.com/orlandohealth (formerly Twitter.) Contact: Barbara Green [email protected] (727) 440-7963 SOURCE Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg BANGKOK, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Himel, a globally acclaimed manufacturer and supplier of electric products, hosted its 2025 Global Distributor Conference at the Millennium Hilton in Bangkok, Thailand. With the theme "Powering Infinity", this landmark conference not only solidified Himel's leadership in the electrical market but also reflected Himel's ambitious vision for the future. From left: WenJie QI, Himels Overseas Marketing & Service Director, Koon San ANG, Himel's International Sales Leader and Danny WANG, Himels Chief Marketing Officer, delivered speeches at the conference. 2025 Himel New Product Launch Ceremony The conference welcomed Himel's leadership team and valued partners from over 40+ countries. Koon San ANG, Himel's International Sales Leader, shared Himel's recent achievement & outlined long-term strategic vision, stating, "Our long-term strategic vision encompasses digital transformation, expansion into new territories, localization initiatives, and collaboration with partners to diversify product offerings. By prioritizing customer needs and fostering trust and loyalty, we aim to build mutual success with our ecosystem." Danny WANG, Himel's Chief Marketing Officer, launched the "Powering Infinity" global campaign, an evolution of the erstwhile Powering Ambitions. "This campaign aims to empower all stakeholders to unlock infinite potential. By uniting partners, customers, and communities, we'll drive global impact and create boundless opportunities." The conference facilitated success case sharing among partners from various business sectors and regions who praised Himel's marketing efforts for building brand visibility and competitiveness. The event also included a special commendation ceremony, where trophies were awarded to honor the unwavering support of Himel's distributor community. Over 150 new product SKUs were displayed, and 6 new series were officially launched during the conference. WenJie QI, Himel's Overseas Marketing & Service Director,emphasized the company's customer-centric strategy, stating "HIMEL's strategy is centred around putting the customer first. We specialize in low-voltage solutions and cater to the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. By prioritizing customer feedback and adapting to local demands, we ensure that our offerings are tailored to meet their and market needs." During Gala Cruise dinner by the Chao Phraya RiverKoon San ANG thanked again to all distributors and emphasized the vital role of a robust distributor network. "Deep connections with distributors are the bedrock for sustained growth and success in a competitive marketplace. Let's aim for an exponential growth together." The 2025 Global Distributor Conference was a triumph, reaffirming Himel's commitment to its global network and a future of innovation and growth. SOURCE Himel SHANGHAI, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Robotics (stock code: 9660.HK), a leading provider of smart driving solutions for passenger vehicles, and Bosch, a leading global supplier of automotive technology and services, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to intensify their collaboration. According to the agreement, Bosch will develop its new multi purpose camera based on Horizon Robotics' Journey 6B, and its Bosch ADAS product family for mid segment using the Journey 6E/M, offering enhanced safety, convenience and comfort for both drivers and passengers. Bosch's new multi purpose camera and its ADAS product family for mid segment, have been awarded design-wins from multiple OEMs. At the signing ceremony, in the presence of Mr. Wang Weiliang, President of Bosch Mobility Board China, Mr. Christoph Hartung, President of Bosch Cross-Domain Computing Solutions, and Dr. Yu Kai, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics, and Mr. Lyu Peng, Vice President of Horizon Robotics and Head of Strategy, Smart Driving Product Planning & Marketing, Mr. Wu Yongqiao, President of Bosch Cross-Domain Computing Solutions China and Mr. Calvin Xing, Vice President of Horizon Robotics and Vice President of Automotive Business Unit, signed the strategic cooperation MoU. Journey 6B Powered Bosch New Multi Purpose Camera Secures Projects with Several Global and Chinese OEMs Developed using Horizon's Journey 6B processing hardware, Bosch's new multi purpose camera offers a cost-effective solution to support advanced safety and comfort functions for SAE Level 2 assisted driving. With mass production scheduled for mid-2026, the new multi purpose camera has already secured several design wins with global and Chinese OEMs. Horizon's Journey 6B is an optimized solution designed for next-generation ADAS systems, focusing on active safety features and engineered specifically as a standard configuration for the industry. Journey 6B allows partners to develop integrated systems that deliver superior performance, optimized cost efficiency and enhanced safety. Bosch ADAS Product Family for Mid Segment Based on Journey 6E/M Secures Projects with Five OEMs Based on Journey 6E/M processing hardware, the Bosch ADAS product family for mid segment enables high-level ADAS features including urban navigation-based assisted driving, supporting up to 10 routes of urban memory driving and parking, and smooth parking with one move parking assist function. Currently, these platforms have secured contracts with five OEMs, including JeTour, Dongfeng, and BAIC, with the first mass-produced model scheduled for launch in June 2025. Additionally, its first overseas project is planned for mass production in Q1 2026, inaugurating Bosch ADAS product family for mid segment global expansion empowered by Horizon's Journey 6 series. As an optimal solution to popularize ADAS, Journey 6E/M has gained recognition in the industry for its high performance and cost efficiency. Over 20 OEMs have selected Journey 6, empowering more than 100 smart vehicle models. With its shipments projected to exceed 1 million units by 2025, Horizon is poised to become the industry's first ADAS technology firm to surpass the 10-million-unit milestone by 2025. Mr. Wang Weiliang, President of Bosch Mobility Board China said: "At this pivotal moment for vehicle intelligence, Bosch is fully engaged, partnering openly with industrial value chain companies such as Horizon Robotics. By combining our software and hardware expertise in embedded systems, we're driving the smart mobility revolution together." Mr. Christoph Hartung, President of Bosch Cross-Domain Computing Solutions said: "China has become the world's fitness center for automotive intelligence. With our deep-rooted expertise in safety technologies, global regulatory compliance experience, and comprehensive service network, Bosch serves as the ideal partner for Chinese OEMs to develop local solutions while also identifying opportunities for global scalability. We look forward to collaborating with outstanding partners like Horizon Robotics to jointly advance the global development of intelligent driving technologies." Dr. Yu Kai, Founder and CEO of Horizon Robotics said: "We are honored to collaborate with Bosch, a world leader in mobility solutions with a century-long heritage in the automotive industry. We look forward to leveraging our innovative product technologies in collaboration with Bosch to deliver ADAS solutions that meet market demands globally. By deepening our collaboration on the Journey 6 series with leading OEMs, we aim to bring safe, reliable, and enjoyable assisted driving experiences to drivers and passengers worldwide." The collaboration between Horizon Robotics and Bosch leverages the two companies' combined expertise and competitive strengths to deliver state-of-the-art assisted driving technologies. This collaboration will support OEMs in enhancing consumers' driving and traveling experiences - making them safer, smarter and more comfortable - while accelerating the global adoption of assisted driving mobility technologies. About Horizon Robotics With its mission to make human life safer and better, Horizon Robotics is a leading provider of smart driving solutions for passenger vehicles, empowered by its proprietary software and hardware technologies. Its solutions combine cutting-edge algorithms, purpose-built software and processing hardware, providing the core technologies for smart driving that enhance the safety and experience of drivers and passengers. Horizon Robotics is a key enabler for the smart vehicle transformation and commercialization with its integrated solutions deployed on mass scale. About Bosch In China, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, household appliances, security and communication systems as well as thermotechnology solutions. Having established a regional presence in China in 1909, Bosch employs more than 56,000 associates (as of December 31, 2024). Bosch in China has generated consolidated sales of CNY 142.8 billion in fiscal 2024. Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com.cn. The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 417,900 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2024). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 90.5 billion euros in 2024. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch's broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is "Invented for life," Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch's global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch's innovative strength is key to the company's further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 86,900 associates in research and development, of which nearly 48,000 are software engineers. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (18611942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant upfront investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-four percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The remaining shares are held by Robert Bosch GmbH and by a corporation owned by the Bosch family. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG. It is entrusted with the task of safeguarding the company's long-term existence and in particular its financial independence in line with the mission handed down in the will of the company's founder, Robert Bosch. Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com. SOURCE Horizon Robotics WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A Los Angeles man filed a lawsuit against the City of West Hollywood and other municipalities after he suffered serious injuries in a traffic collision. In March of 2024, Ralph Varela was a passenger in a vehicle traveling through a West Hollywood intersection. As the vehicle was exiting an ARCO station onto Santa Monica Blvd, a second vehicle violently collided with the car. Mr. Varela suffered severe and traumatic injuries as a result of the collision. The lawsuit alleges each of the defendants contributed to this catastrophic car accident case. The roads were poorly designed, the signage is not visible, there is an extreme risk to danger to the public, the driveway in and out of the gas station is dangerous, and much more. "My client will live with his injuries forever, and all of this could have been avoided if West Hollywood and the other defendants had put proper safeguards in place," said West Hollywood car accident attorney Mary Alexander. "This lawsuit is about more than my client, it's about preventing further accidents to other unsuspecting drivers." The case is Ralph Varela v. City of West Hollywood, County of Los Angeles, Caltrans, ARCO West Hollywood, Speedway LLC, Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. 25SMCV01600. About Mary Alexander & Associates, P.C. Mary Alexander & Associates, P.C. is a premier personal injury law firm committed to securing justice for individuals and families affected by negligence. The firm has a proven track record of success in high-stakes litigation, including catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, toxic exposure and sexual abuse cases. Renowned for its innovative trial preparation, the firm utilizes cutting-edge courtroom exhibits and technology to simplify even the most complex legal matters for juries. This commitment to creativity, strategy and meticulous preparation has resulted in an outstanding record of success. At Mary Alexander & Associates, P.C., securing verdicts and settlements for deserving clients is not just a goalit's a commitment to justice. For more information, visit www.maryalexanderlaw.com. SOURCE Mary Alexander & Associates Omny-IRE data demonstrated the investigational OMNYPULSE Platform achieved 100% acute success and 84.5% pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) durability at three months, with promising safety outcomes1 Additional data presented from VARIPURE registry2 and Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter3 pre-clinical study underscore safety and real-world efficiency across Johnson & Johnson MedTech's expanding pulsed field ablation portfolio IRVINE, Calif., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson MedTech, a global leader in cardiac arrhythmia treatment, today announced positive, initial 3-month results from the Omny-IRE study, evaluating the investigational OMNYPULSE Platform in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The data, unveiled as a late breaking presentation at the 2025 Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) annual meeting, demonstrated the potential for both high acute effectivenessi and a promising safety profile: 100% acute PVI with durable isolation in 84.5% of pulmonary veins at 3-month remapping and a 3.0% primary adverse event rate, with only 0.7% being potentially catheter related.1 The data has been simultaneously published in JACC Clin Electrophysiology. Omny-IRE is a 12-month prospective, multi-center, non-randomized clinical trial that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the OMNYPULSE Platform for the mapping and treatment of symptomatic PAF during standard ablation procedures.ii,4 The OMNYPULSE Platform consists of the OMNYPULSE Catheter, a novel focal pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter, and the TRUPULSE Generator, and is fully integrated with the CARTO 3 System. The OMNYPULSE Catheter is the first large-tip, 12 mm focal catheter with contact force sensing and a TRUEref reference electrode to reduce the impact of far-field unipolar signals. The TRUPULSE Generator provides a bipolar, biphasic pulse application to the catheter's twelve electrodes. With the CARTO 3 System software used in the study, clinicians were able to obtain a Pulsed Field (PF) Index value for each ablation, which is a calculation using the real-time contact force feedback combined with the number of pulsed field applications.5 As an integrated platform, OMNYPULSE brings together mapping precision, energy delivery, and real-time feedback into a single ecosystemstreamlining workflows and helping electrophysiologists deliver more consistent outcomes.1 "The 3-month data provide encouraging early evidence of the OMNYPULSE Platform," said Mattias Duytschaever M.D., Ph.D., Department of Cardiology, Electrophysiology Section, AZ Sint-Jan Hospital, Brugge, Belgium.iii "What's most compelling is the combination of 100% acute and strong remap success1 with a low rate of safety events. These results reinforce the potential of OMNYPULSE and its integration with the CARTO 3 System to deliver reproducible, durable outcomes for patients with paroxysmal AFib." In addition, data from the VARIPURE study are being shared at the HRS Annual Meeting, evaluating the real-world safety and operator learning curve associated with the use of the VARIPULSE Platform PVI procedures for atrial fibrillation. Conducted across 13 European sites, the prospective, post-market study included 247 patients and 40 operators with varying levels of experience, including first-time users. Notably, no serious adverse events were reported, and no complications were linked to the platform, including zero neurovascular events or coronary spasms. Among a subset of 115 patients treated by operators performing their first 10 VARIPULSE cases, results showed no measurable learning curve beyond a modest reduction in idle time between ablations, underscoring the efficiency and ease of adopting this innovative technology.2 VARIPURE is an ongoing registry, with over 600 patients enrolled to date. "The VARIPULSE Platform has both a strong safety profile and is highly accessible to new users, enabling safe and consistent outcomes from the very first case. As adoption of PFA expands, I believe VARIPULSE can play a key role in broadening access to safe and streamlined ablation procedures," said Francis Bessiere M.D., Ph.D., Cardiac Electrophysiology Department, Hopital Cardiologique Louis Pradel, Hospices Civils de Lyon, France.iv Additional data presented at HRS by Dr. Hiroshi Nakagawa include new preclinical validation of a PF Index from the Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter, leveraging data from lesions created in a swine beating heart model. The analysis confirmed that lesion depth, which is crucial for effective treatment, correlates strongly with the number of PFA pulses and contact force using a logarithmic PF Indexaccurately predicting lesion depth within 1 mm in 92% of cases and 1.5 mm in all cases. These findings reinforce the reliability of the pulse dosing protocol and underline the PF Index's value as a practical tool for guiding ablation. The index is specifically optimized to support durable lesion formation, offering physicians confidence in its outputs and enabling them to make informed, real-time decisions with a high degree of procedural predictability and clinical precision.3 These multiplatform findings advance the clinical and technical validation of Johnson & Johnson MedTech's PFA portfolio across focal, regional and dual energy catheter designseach leveraging CARTO 3 System integration and real-time lesion feedback. These latest data are part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech's commitment to advancing understanding of PFA, including the recently announced 12-month results from the SmartfIRE clinical trial presented in March 2025. "Our PFA portfolio is built around what matters most to physiciansdurability, control, safety and efficiency," said Jennifer Currin, Ph.D., Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. "The Omny-IRE, VARIPURE, and Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter data demonstrate our commitment to delivering safe, effective, and reliable PFA tools." Additional information on Johnson & Johnson's data presented at HRS can be found here. About The OMNYPULSE Platform The investigational OMNYPULSE Platform uses pulsed electrical field energy to produce targeted intracardiac lesions for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The platform includes the TRUPULSE multichannel generator and multi-electrode OMNYPULSE Catheter used in conjunction with the CARTO 3 System with the VISITAG SURPOINT Module PF Index to provide electroanatomical maps, contact force sensing, PF Index values and catheter localization information for ablations for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The OMNYPULSE Platform is not currently approved in any region of the world. About The Omny-IRE Study Omny-IRE is a pivotal, prospective, multi-center, non-randomized study in Europe and Canada to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of Johnson & Johnson MedTech's OMNYPULSE Platform, the principal components of which are the OMNYPULSE Catheter and the TRUPULSE Generator. The study is evaluating the system for the treatment of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during standard electrophysiology mapping and ablation procedures while also evaluating the incidence of primary adverse events within seven days post-procedure. About the VARIPULSE Platform The VARIPULSE Platform consists of the VARIPULSE Catheter, TRUPULSE Generator, and CARTO 3 Mapping System VARIPULSE Software. The VARIPULSE Catheter is a variable-loop circular catheter (VLCC) used for pulsed field ablation (PFA) in atrial fibrillation treatment, particularly for pulmonary vein isolation, and allows for adjustment of the loop size to conform to different patient anatomies. About the Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter The Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Platform consists of the Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter an irrigated, contact-force sensing catheter and the TRUPULSE Generator, providing both RF and PF energy to the catheter through the toggling of the two energy sources on the generator monitor.6 The catheter and the generator are fully integrated with the CARTO 3 System, enabling advanced 3D mapping visualization with integrated ultrasound during ablation procedures.v The Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter is the first dual energy PFA / RF ablation catheter integrated with a PF and RF tag index. The Catheter received European CE Mark in December 2024; it is investigational in the United States. Cardiovascular Solutions from Johnson & Johnson MedTech Across Johnson & Johnson, we are tackling the world's most complex and pervasive health challenges. Through a cardiovascular portfolio that provides healthcare professionals with advanced mapping and navigation, miniaturized tech, and precise ablation we are addressing conditions with significant unmet needs such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. We are the global leaders in heart recovery, circular restoration and the treatment of heart rhythm disorders, as well as an emerging leader in neurovascular care, committed to taking on two of the leading causes of death worldwide in heart failure and stroke. For more, visit biosensewebster.com and connect on LinkedIn and X, formerly Twitter. About Johnson & Johnson At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more about our MedTech sector's global scale and deep expertise in cardiovascular, orthopaedics, surgery and vision solutions at https://thenext.jnjmedtech.com. Biosense Webster, Inc. is part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the OMNYPULSE Platform clinical trials, VARIPULSE Platform, CARTO 3 System, and Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF Catheter. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Biosense Webster, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; challenges to patents; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of healthcare products and services; and trends toward healthcare cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at sec.gov, jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither Biosense Webster, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates 2025. All rights reserved. US_ELP_NAVI_399689 i Acute efficacy was defined to be adenosine/isoproterenol-proof PVI at the end of the procedure and had a 90% performance goal. ii 12-month results to be published once available (or upon study completion) iii AZ Sint-Jan Hospital entered into a clinical trial agreement with Biosense Webster, Inc., part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech for their participation in the Omny-IRE Study. Dr. Duytschaever served as a study coinvestigator. Dr. Duytschaever serves as a consultant for Johnson & Johnson but was not compensated for this announcement. iv VARIPURE ( VARI PULSE Catheter data exchange P latform powered by SEC URE ) is a SECURE substudy. Hospices Civils de Lyon - Bron entered into a clinical trial agreement with Biosense Webster, Inc., part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech for their participation in the SECURE Study. Dr. Bessiere served as a site principal investigator. Dr. Bessiere serves as a consultant for Johnson & Johnson but was not compensated for this announcement. v Results reported after 9 months for patients with paroxysmal AFib who had failed 1 antiarrhythmic medication in randomized trial. 1 Duytschaever M, Grimaldi M, De Potter T, et al. Safety, efficacy and PVI durability of a contact force-sensing large-tip focal pulsed field ablation catheter integrated with 3D mapping to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: first-in-human Omny-IRE 3-month results. Presented at HRS 2025; April 25, 2025; San Diego, CA. 2 Bessiere F, Kronborg MB, Sommer P, et al. Evaluating Safety Profile and Learning Curve With a Pulsed Field Ablation Variable Loop Circular Catheter in Procedures for AF: Observations From a Prospective, Multicenter, Postmarket Clinical Trial. Presented at HRS 2025; April 27, 2025; San Diego, CA. 3 Nakagawa H, Farshchi S, Maffre J, et al. Predicting Lesion Depth During Pulsed Field Ablation: Prospective Validation of a Novel Ablation Index Based on Contact Force and Number of Applications in a Swine Beating Heart Model. Presented at HRS 2025; April 24, 2025; San Diego, CA. 4 A Study for Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) With the OMNYPULSE Catheter and the TRUPULSE Generator (Omny-IRE). Clinicaltrials.gov. Accessed April 8, 2025. 5 Biosense Webster. (2023). OMNYPULSE Bi-Directional Catheter IFU. 6 De Potter T, Scherr D, Purerfellner H, et al. Safety, effectiveness, and healthcare benefits of a dual energy focal ablation technology to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: SmartfIRE 12-month results. Presented at EHRA 2025; March 31, 2025; Vienna, Austria. Pending formal publication. Media Contacts: Lindsey Diaz-MacInnis [email protected] Kristina Kauffman [email protected] Investor Relations: Tracy Menkowski [email protected] SOURCE Johnson & Johnson MedTech LCA Calls for Elephants to Be Relocated to a Sanctuary Instead LOS ANGELES, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Animal rights organization Last Chance for Animals (LCA) today expressed its strong support for Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield's motion to pause the relocation of Billy and Tina, the two remaining elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo, to the Tulsa Zoo. Instead, LCA and Councilmember Blumenfield are advocating for the immediate transfer of the elephants to a reputable sanctuary where their complex needs can be met. Billy in captivity at the L.A. Zoo. (CNW Group/Last Chance For Animals) LCA founder and president, Chris DeRose, handcuffed to the elephant exhibit at the L.A. Zoo in 2005. (CNW Group/Last Chance For Animals) Councilmember Blumenfield filed a motion on Wednesday seeking to halt the planned transfer to Oklahoma, urging the City Council to thoroughly review the possibility of sending Billy and Tina to a sanctuary offering significantly more space and a natural environment conducive to healing the trauma of decades in captivity. LCA has been at the forefront of the fight to end elephant captivity. Since 1986, LCA's president and founder, Chris DeRose, has tirelessly championed the cause through litigation, media outreach, and numerous protests as part of LCA's " Elephant Sanctuaries, Not Captivity! " campaign. A testament to this commitment was DeRose's powerful act of protest in 2005, when he handcuffed himself to the enclosure of Gita, a female Asian elephant at the L.A. Zoo, to call attention to the unacceptable conditions. The L.A. Zoo's elephant program has faced years of criticism due to its history of confining elephants in severely inadequate conditions that deny the animals space, stimulation, and social structure that they require. The zoo is often referred to as an elephant graveyard by animal rights activists, who highlight its troubling pattern of elephant tragedies since it opened in 1966. Concerns about Billy's and Tina's well-being have been repeatedly raised by animal advocates. Both have been observed engaging in stereotypic behaviors like rocking, bobbing, and swaying signs of psychological distress caused by decades of confinement. Both Tina and Billy were taken from the wild at a young age. Tina was born in Asia in 1966. She was trafficked to the U.S. and into the circus at one year old, before arriving at the L.A. Zoo in 2010. Billy was born in Malaysia in 1985 and arrived at the L.A. Zoo in 1989. "Sending Billy and Tina to another zoo simply perpetuates the cycle of deprivation these magnificent animals have endured for far too long," said DeRose. "Sanctuaries offer the space, natural habitats, and social structures necessary for them to finally live with some semblance of the lives they were meant to have." DeRose added, "Councilmember Blumenfield has been a consistent advocate for animal welfare and his motion is a crucial step towards rectifying decades of confinement and ensuring Billy and Tina can finally experience a life of dignity and peace in a sanctuary setting." Members of the public and local activists will be holding a peaceful demonstration at the L.A. Zoo on Sunday, April 27, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM to fight for Billy and Tina and advocate for their transfer to an elephant sanctuary. About Last Chance for Animals (LCA) LCA is an international non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating animal exploitation through education, investigations, legislation, and public awareness campaigns. Since its formation in 1984, LCA has succeeded as one of the nation's pioneer animal advocacy groups. LCA's educational and public outreach programs have empowered the public to make positive changes for animals in their communities. For more information, visit https://lcanimal.org SOURCE Last Chance For Animals CHICAGO, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Customers in and around Chicago, Illinois, can sell their vehicles through personalized services at the McLaren Chicago dealership. Luxury vehicle owners seeking a transparent, hassle-free selling experience now have a powerful new resource. McLaren Chicago proudly offers an exclusive consignment program designed to simplify the selling process. This premium service is tailored specifically for owners of high-performance cars, including exotic, super and luxury models. McLaren Artura GT4 on the racetrack With a reputation of professionalism and performance, McLaren Chicago delivers outstanding value to clients ready to transition from one luxury vehicle to the next. Additionally, the dealership's location provides unparalleled visibility and access to qualified buyers. McLaren Chicago's consignment approach provides end-to-end vehicle management, from evaluation to final sale. Vehicles undergo thorough inspections and detailing to meet showroom quality. High-resolution photography and professional videos help present each car at its finest. The listings appear on the dealership's curated pre-owned inventory. Each listing includes precise specs and highlights, year, make, model, trim, fuel type, drivetrain, transmission and mileage. Additionally, McLaren Chicago handles DMV paperwork, buyer financing options, and third-party service reports. Selling a vehicle through McLaren Chicago comes with multiple advantages that traditional dealerships rarely offer. Sellers can avoid lowball trade-in offers, ensuring better financial outcomes. The vehicles are stored securely within the dealership's climate-controlled showroom, where lighting and layout enhance visual appeal. Cars are cleaned, detailed and maintained during the sales period to preserve value. Clients stay informed through regular market feedback, price optimization suggestions and monthly activity reports. Every detail is crafted to protect the value of each vehicle while maximizing exposure. Luxury car owners ready to part ways with their vehicles can now experience a more refined approach. McLaren Chicago invites clients to schedule a consignment consultation online or by calling 312-635-6482. Alternatively, walk-ins are welcomed at 645 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60661. Whether selling a supercar or performance coupe, the McLaren Chicago team offers an unmatched selling environment tailored to today's market demands. SOURCE McLaren Chicago Mars named 2025 Corporate Inductee for its legacy of iconic, creative and culturally resonant campaigns MCLEAN, Va., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars, Incorporated a global leader and maker of more than 40 beloved snacking, food and pet brands in the U.S., including M&M'S, SNICKERS, Ben's Original, CESAR and SHEBA, among others celebrated its official induction into the American Advertising Federation's (AAF) Class of 2025 Advertising Hall of Fame. Mars joins a prestigious group of only 13 companies inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. Mars, Incorporated celebrated more than 100 years of iconic and culturally relevant creative campaigns with induction into the American Advertising Federations (AAF) Class of 2025 Advertising Hall of Fame. "At Mars, curiosity is cherished, and creativity is expected and celebrated as an engine for growth, generation after generation," said Gulen Bengi, Lead Chief Marketing Officer for Mars & Chief Growth Officer for Mars Snacking. "From M&M'S to PEDIGREE, and many more. Mars brands live where people live, touching lives every second, around the world. Over the last 100 years, we've learned to evolve our storytelling around our iconic brands to drive purpose and build meaningful relationships with our fans and communities, enabling us to stay part of the conversations that are shaping our society." Around the world, consumers interact with 1,000 Mars snacks a minute; we serve more than one million pets every day, and, in a year, we deliver more than three billion healthy meals within our core food portfolio. Mars builds brands for the world we want tomorrow, and this honor celebrates our human-led, science & tech-enabled, and data-driven work. A few examples of Mars best-in-class creativity campaigns and transformative innovation that contributed to this recognition include: The PEDIGREE Adoptable campaign, which leveraged AI to transform shelter dog photos into professional-quality images, helped to increase awareness of dog homelessness in a creative and impactful way. The M&M'S Spokescandies, which have become global cultural icons through decades of witty, character-driven storytelling. The SNICKERS "You're Not You When You're Hungry" campaign, one of the most recognized and enduring advertising campaigns in decades. The SHEBA Hope Grows program, which perfectly encapsulates how Mars and its brands seek to use purpose-driven marketing to have a positive impact on people, pets, communities and the planet. "As this year's Corporate Inductee, Mars has mastered the art of creating innovative, impactful and groundbreaking campaigns that have helped establish its brands as household names for more than a century," said Steve Pacheco, President and CEO, AAF. "We welcome them into the AAF Advertising Hall of Fame with open arms and are thrilled to see how they continue to position their brands at the center of culture moving forward." To learn more about the Advertising Hall of Fame and this year's honorees, visit aaf.org/HallofFame. Additional information on Mars and its brands can be found at Mars.com and on our LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube pages. MEDIA CONTACT Mary Jane McComiskey [email protected] About Mars, Incorporated Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $50bn+ family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN, PEDIGREE, WHISKAS, CESAR, DOVE, EXTRA, M&M's, SNICKERS and BEN'S ORIGINAL. Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, VCA and ANICURA span preventive, general, specialty, and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary diagnostics business ANTECH offers breakthrough capabilities in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five PrinciplesQuality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedominspire our 150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world for people, pets and the planet. ABOUT THE ADVERTISING HALL OF FAME The Advertising Hall of Fame, organized by the AAF since 1949, helps the organization to sustain many of its key initiatives throughout the year surrounding education, diversity, grassroots advocacy, and professional development. Induction into the Advertising Hall of Fame celebrates the most accomplished and legendary figures in advertising. From their significant contributions to the advertising industry to their personal philanthropic involvement, honorees have set the precedent by which great leaders and accomplishments are measured today. ABOUT AAF The AAF's Board of Directors guides and oversees the Federation's signature events and initiatives, including the Advertising Hall of Fame, Advertising Hall of Achievement, American Advertising Awards, Advertising Day on the Hill, Most Promising Multicultural Students Program, and HBCUs for Advertising all serving the Federation's 35,000+ professional members nationwide, 4,000+ students and educators, and more than 60+ corporate members spanning media and tech companies, advertisers and agencies. Established in 1905, the American Advertising Federation (AAF), acts as "The Unifying Voice for Advertising." Visit https://aaf.org/ SOURCE Mars, Incorporated CLEVELAND, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio middle school students will step into the shoes of real-world NASA professionals for a day of career exploration and hands-on activities at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Nearly 200 students are slated to participate in TECH Day at NASA Glenn on May 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Media are invited to attend. Students take a tour of the Glenn International Space Station Payload Operations Center at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, where researchers operate Space Station experiments, during 4-H Day on June 14, 2024. TECH Day is designed to inspire and inform the next generation of innovators by introducing them to clear and attainable career pathways into the aerospace industry. Students will tour NASA Glenn facilities, participate in an interactive engineering challenge, and engage with professionals to learn about the wide range of careers in STEM fields. Student tours will include the following Glenn facilities: Glenn International Space Station Payload Operations Center, where researchers remotely operate experiments aboard the International Space Station Graphics and Visualization Lab, where researchers create engaging projects using virtual and augmented reality Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory, a unique indoor space designed to mimic the surface of the Moon and Mars 10x10 Supersonic Wind Tunnel, NASA Glenn's largest and fastest wind tunnel facility Creating Clear Pathways Developing early and accessible entry points into STEM careers is essential to meeting the growing demand for a skilled technical workforce. NASA STEM engagement events help students visualize their future and better understand the technical experience needed for a career in the aerospace sector. Opportunities like this equip students with the skills to further technological advancement and become the STEM professionals of tomorrow. Media interested in attending should contact Jacqueline Minerd at [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30. Interviews with experts will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. For more information on NASA Glenn, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/glenn SOURCE NASA RALEIGH, N.C., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU), the statewide office of North Carolina's private, nonprofit, liberal arts and research colleges and universities, expresses its deep sadness and heartfelt support following the announcement that St. Andrews University will close after the Spring 2025 semester. St. Andrews University has played a remarkable role in North Carolina's educational and cultural landscape. Established in 1958 through the merger of Flora Macdonald College for Women in Red Springs, NC, and Presbyterian Junior College in Maxton, NC, with institutional roots dating back to 1896, St. Andrews has long been celebrated for its pioneering spirit, global education initiatives, and tireless commitment to access and innovation. "The City of Laurinburg welcomed St. Andrews with open arms upon its founding, and the university has served as a vital educational, economic, and cultural hub in the region for decades," said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. "St. Andrews University has touched the lives of generations of students. St. Andrews has exemplified how private higher education can change lives, communities, and the world, from its internationally recognized equine and therapeutic horsemanship programs to its leadership in creating one of the nation's first barrier-free campuses. We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary contributions of its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. Its influence extends far beyond its campus and will endure in the lives of its graduates and the communities it has served." St. Andrews is known nationally and internationally for its equine business and therapeutic riding programs and its barrier-free campus for physically disabled studentsthe first in the United States. Its recognition as a military-friendly institution, its support for student veterans, and its long-standing commitment to experiential learning have reflected a deep institutional mission rooted in service and access. Through the Scottish Heritage Center and the St. Andrews Pipe Band, the university also honored its Scottish roots while enriching the cultural life of Laurinburg and Scotland County. The university also housed the St. Andrews Press, which, for more than 50 years, introduced readers worldwide to emerging literary voices and made a lasting impact in publishing and poetry. In response to the closure, NCICU campuses are already assisting students, faculty, and staff by facilitating transfer opportunities, providing advising and admissions support, and exploring potential employment and placement options. Dr. Tarun Malik, Campus President/Provost of St. Andrews University, stated, "...the values that defined St. Andrews resilience, service, learning, and community will endure in the lives of our graduates and the hearts of all who called this place home." NCICU fully supports the St. Andrews community during this transition and will continue to honor its legacy in the months and years to come. ABOUT NCICU North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) is the statewide office of private, nonprofit, liberal arts and research colleges and universities. NCICU supports, represents, and advocates for North Carolina independent higher education in the areas of state and federal public policy and on education issues with the other sectors of education in the state. It also raises funds through the Independent College Fund of North Carolina for student scholarships and enrichment experiences, provides research and information to and about private colleges and universities, conducts staff development opportunities and coordinates collaborative programs. Presidents of the colleges and universities comprise NCICU's Board of Directors. CONTACT: Demarcus Williams, [email protected] SOURCE North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities AMSTERDAM, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New Amsterdam Invest N.V. (the "Company", or "New Amsterdam Invest", or "NAI"), a Dutch commercial real estate company listed on Euronext Amsterdam, announces its annual results and annual report for the financial year 2024, today. Aren van Dam, ceo New Amsterdam Invest commented: "With modest pride we report on New Amsterdam Invest 2024 results. An operational result of 9.4 million in our first full year of operation. The operational results for 2024 is significantly positive impacted by valuation differences. These valuation differences amount to 3.5 million mainly related to Interra Remington, an investment property acquired on 1 November 2024. The result for 2024 amounts to a profit of 5.2 million. The Company operates in a challenging environment with risks of significant currency exchange differences, partly due to the present turbulent economic conditions. However we do currently not encounter significant impact on our tenants. New Amsterdam Invest wants to position itself as a dividend stock. As a consequence we aim to meet our financial and quantitative parameters as set out at listing, which among others includes a yearly dividend pay-out between 4.5% and 6.5% of the Company's equity value. As management we are confident to build NAI further and to be well on track to realize the articulated financial objectives of the Company." Financial Highlights Rental Income 2024: 11.1 million Net Rental Income 2024: 7.6 million Result for 2024 after non-controlling interest: 2.7 million Earnings per ordinary share: 0.51 Total investment property 2024YE: 128.7 million Total Equity 2024YE: 54.7 million Cash generated from operation 2024: 3.1 million Solvency 2024YE: 40.2% Strategic Highlights In line with its strategy, NAI acquired a second investment property in the USA on 1 November 2024. This property with an expected rental income 2025 of 6 million and an annual profit before tax of 3 million, will contribute significantly to the Company's result, although approximately 41% of the result will be allocated to the minority interest held by our local business partner. Outlook 2025 For 2025 NAI expects to be profitable and well on track to realize the financial objectives the Company as previously articulated. More specific, NAI reiterates that its current portfolio should enable it to realise a net rental income in the financial year 2025 of approximately 11.6 million and an annual result before tax of 5 million, excluding potential impact of revaluation of investment property, exchange rate differences, minority share(s), and the results from the acquisition of new investment property. Business overview 2024 The results from group companies have been included and consolidated within the Company's results. The net rental income including service expenses charged amounts to 7.6 million. The result before taxation for the financial year 2024 amounts to a profit of 6.8 million. Included in this profit are the positive valuation differences 2024 in the amount of 3.5 million. Further we note that the expected loss on the VAT receivable to the amount of 330k, as included in the general and other expenses, has been charged to the result in the financial year 2023 and has been fully released in 2024, which results in a comparable difference of 660k. Property portfolio On 1 November 2024, the company acquired the property Interra Remington, Houston USA, via one of its subsidiaries, bringing the total investment properties in the Company's portfolio to seven; five properties in the UK and two properties in the USA, all held by local group companies. The breakdown of the investments per property at Year-End is as follows: In 1.000 2024 2023 Somerset House, Birmingham 18.490 16.841 Interra One Park Ten, Houston 17.641 17.948 Travelodge, Edinburgh 13.907 11.569 Sutherland House, Glasgow 9.190 10.475 Blythswood Square, Glasgow 10.557 10.360 Forthstone, Edinburgh 10,738 10.222 Interra Remington, Houston 48.141 0 Total investments at fair value 128.664 77.416 Of the total 2024 rental and service charge income of 11.1 million, 57% was generated in the UK and 43% in the USA. Cash flow, and cash position The cash flow from operating activities 2024 increased and amounts to 3.1 million (previous year 1.0 million). This cash was used for the payment of the interim dividend, distribution of share premium to shareholders and further investments in existing owned properties. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately 0.4 million to 5.0 million (rounded) as at 31 December 2024. This decrease is largely driven by available cash at Interra Remington. Share Capital and Share Price Number of shares Type of shares % 31 December 2024 Ordinary shares issued to investors, admitted listing and trading 74.6 3.910.250 Ordinary shares issued to the Promoters (Cornerstone Investment), admitted to listing and trading 24.0 1.257.789 Promoter shares 1.4 73.653 Priority shares issued to Sichting Prioriteit New Amsterdam Invest 0.0 5 100.0 5.241.697 Ordinary shares owned by the Company (Treasury Shares) 943.558 Shares in total 6.185.255 Share capital at 0.04 per share ( * 1,000) 247 The ordinary share price closed at 9.00 on 31 December 2024 (31 December 2023: 9.10) Tax position The current tax is based on the taxable result per entity for the reporting period. Up to 31 December 2023, the Company recognized losses. As a result of the profit realized during 2024 the net deferred tax asset, as recognised in 2023, decreased with 333k, which is charged to the result 2024. The unused tax losses in the amount of 1.3 million pertain to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and, as tax laws currently stand, can be carried forward indefinitely. Events after balance sheet date No relevant events after the balance sheet date. Annual General Meeting scheduled for 6 June 2025 DV The convocation, explanatory notes, written proxy and further documentation for the AGM will be available in Dutch and English. All relevant documents are available in the download section of NAI's website https://www.newamsterdaminvest.nl/#downloads. The agenda for the AGM includes various items, amongst others, the adoption of the annual accounts as published today, and the reappointment of BDO Audit & Assurance B.V. as external independent auditor of NAI for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2025. Full details of all voting items are published on NAI's website. The annual report of NAI relating to the financial year ending on 31 December 2024 published 16 April 2025, including the financial statements, the reports of the management board and supervisory board and the remuneration report, have also been published on the Company's website. Financial Calendar 25 April 2025 , publication Annual Report 2024. , publication Annual Report 2024. 25 April 2025 , publication Agenda General Meeting of Shareholders 6 June 2025 DV. , publication Agenda General Meeting of Shareholders 6 June 2025 DV. 6 June 2025 DV, General Meeting of Shareholders. 29 August 2025, DV half year 2025 results publication. P&L and Balance Sheet New Amsterdam Invest 2024 An overview of the main financial statements of New Amsterdam Invest in 2024 is provided in the following tables attached to this press release, for more detailed information we refer to the annual report 2024 as published on the NAI website. 1. Statement of Consolidated Financial Position as at 31 December 2024 (2023) 2. Statement of Consolidated Profit and Loss for the Year 2024 (2023) 3. Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income for the year 2024 (2023) 4. Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31 December 2024 (2023) 5. Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 December 2024 (2023) About New Amsterdam Invest New Amsterdam Invest N.V. is a Dutch commercial real estate company listed at Euronext Amsterdam with operating companies in the United States and the United Kingdom. The main objective of New Amsterdam Invest is running commercial activities including the owning, (re-)developing, acquiring, divesting, maintaining, letting out and/or otherwise operating commercial real estate, all in the broadest possible meaning. All information about New Amsterdam Invest can be found on the company website: www.newamsterdaminvest.com Disclaimer Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about New Amsterdam Invest N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This press release may include statements, including NAI's financial and operational medium-term objectives that are, or may be deemed to be, ''forward-looking statements''. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms ''believes'', ''estimates'', ''plans'', ''projects'', ''anticipates'', ''expects'', ''intends'', ''may'', ''will'' or ''should'' or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements reflect NAI's current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to NAI's business, results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth or strategies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. 1. Statement of Consolidated Financial Position as at 31 December 2024 (*1,000) 31 December 2024 31 December 2023 Assets Non-current assets Investment property 128,664 77,416 Property, plant and equipment 3 7 Deferred tax assets 402 735 Total non-current assets 129,069 78,158 Current assets Accounts receivable 769 516 Value added tax receivable 360 10 Current account investors - 130 Other assets and prepaid expenses 1,027 146 Cash and cash equivalents 5,097 5,490 Total current assets 7,253 6,292 Total assets 136,322 84,450 1. Statement of Consolidated Financial Position as at 31 December 2024 (* 1,000) 31 December 2024 31 December 2023 Equity and Liabilities Equity Share capital 247 247 Share premium 49,172 49,762 Currency translation reserve 1,676 -610 Legal reserves 868 - General reserves -5,989 -5,970 Attributable to owners of the parent 45,974 43,430 Non-controlling interest 8,773 840 Total equity 54,747 44,270 Non-current liabilities Loans bank 63,720 35,393 Loans related party USA 5,072 - Deferred tax liability 1,252 116 Total non-current liabilities 70,044 35,509 Current liabilities Trade payables 425 136 Tax liabilities 2,049 105 Current account related party 337 - Deferred rental income 1,179 760 Loans bank 408 - Loans related party USA 2,340 2,201 Other short-term liabilities 4,793 1,469 Total current liabilities 11,531 4,671 Total liabilities 81,575 40,180 Total equity and liabilities 136,322 84,450 2. Statement of Consolidated Profit or Loss for the year ended 31 December 2024 (*1,000) 2024 2023 Rental income 11,112 4,586 Direct related costs -3,560 -861 Net Rental income 7,552 3,725 Revaluation of investment property 3,517 -4,929 Legal and professional fees 322 1,137 Personnel expenses 826 665 Administrative and overhead expenses 488 708 General expenses 298 256 Other expenses -276 852 Total expenses 1,658 3,618 Operating result 9,411 -4,823 Financial income and expense -2,633 -578 Result before tax 6,778 -5,401 Income tax -1,622 605 Result for the period 5,156 -4,796 Result attributable to: Shareholders 2,647 -4,907 Non-controlling interest 2,509 111 Result for the period 5,156 -4,796 Basic earnings per share (*1) 0.51 -0.97 Diluted earnings per share (*1) 0.51 -0.97 3. Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income for the year ended 31 December 2024 (*1,000) 2024 2023 Result for the period 5,156 -4,796 Items which may be recycled to profit or loss (net of tax) Exchange differences 2,674 -693 Total comprehensive income 7,830 -5,489 Attributable to: Shareholders 4,933 -5,517 Non-controlling interest 2,897 28 Total comprehensive income 7,830 -5,489 4. Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows for the year ended 31 December 2024 (*1,000) 2024 2023 Operating activities Result before tax 6,778 -5,401 Adjustments Depreciation 5 7 Share-based payment expense - 84 Reversal of impairment on VAT receivable -330 - Revaluation of investment property -3,517 4,929 Interest income and expense 2,795 537 Total adjustments -1,047 5,557 Changes in working capital Increase in current liabilities 44 1,123 Decrease/(increase) in current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents -610 152 Increase/(decrease) in trade payables 518 -61 Total changes in working capital -48 1,214 Cash generated from/(used in) operations 5,683 1,370 Interest paid -2,637 -816 Interest received 78 514 Income taxes paid - - Cash flow from operating activities 3,124 1,068 Investing activities Investments in investment property, net of cash acquired -1,338 -54,093 Investments in property, plant and equipment -1 -1 Release from escrow account - 48,437 Cash flow from investing activities -1,339 -5,657 Financing activities Proceeds from additional promoter contribution - 335 Repayment of current account related party - -104 Proceeds from loans 530 33,827 Repayment of loans -261 -23,956 Dividends paid -2,019 - Distribution to non-controlling interest -415 - Cash flow from financing activities -2,166 10,102 Movement Cash and cash equivalents -381 5,513 Cash and cash equivalents as at 1 January 5,490 16 Exchange differences -12 -39 Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 5,097 5,490 5. Statement of Consolidated Changes in Equity for the year ended 31 December 2024 (*1,000) Share capital Share premium Currency Translation Reserve Legal reserves General reserve Total attributable to shareholders Non-controlling interest Total Equity 247 49,762 -610 -5,970 43,430 840 44,270 Balance at 31 December 2023 - Result for the year - - - - 2,647 2,647 2,509 5,156 Other comprehensive income - - 2,286 - - 2,286 388 2,674 Total comprehensive income - - 2,286 - 2,647 4,933 2,897 7,830 Non-controlling interest acquired - - - - - - 4,015 4,015 Transfer to legal reserves - - - 868 -868 - - - Dividend - -590 - - -1,769 -2,359 - -2,359 Share-based payment - - - - - - 1,436 1,436 Distribution to non-controlling interest - - - - - - -415 -415 Other - - - - -30 -30 - -30 Balance at 31 December 2024 247 49,172 1,676 868 -5,989 45,974 8,773 54,747 WINDHAM, N.H., April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. surgeon shortage is accelerating, threatening healthcare access and hospital operations nationwide. Projections from the Association of American Medical Colleges indicate a shortfall of up to 19,900 surgical specialist physicians. Despite shortage projections, current data signals significant gaps in access to care, largely due to the uneven distribution of surgeons across the country. These regional disparities are expected to intensify as workforce shortages and geographic misalignment continue. To better understand what's driving the growing supply and demand surgeon imbalance, leading interim healthcare staffing agency Medicus Healthcare Solutions has released a new report titled The Surgeon Shortage: A Deeper Look at Workforce Misalignment. This in-depth report delivers a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the surgical workforce, examines the factors fueling demand for surgeons and outlines actionable strategies that healthcare leaders can implement to mitigate the impact of ongoing surgeon shortages. Key Findings Within the Report Include: Rural disparities in surgical access Supply & demand mismatch in surgical residency Rising surgical demand over the next decade The cost of limited surgical access & more Access the Full Report: For a comprehensive look into the growing surgeon shortage and strategic solutions to address it, download the full report here: The Surgeon Shortage: A Deeper Look at Workforce Misalignment About Medicus Healthcare Solutions Medicus Healthcare Solutions has been connecting physicians and advanced practice providers to medical groups, practices, health systems, hospitals, and other facilities throughout the United States since 2004. Since then, Medicus has expanded its services to include the Medicus Transition Program, an all-in-one approach to interim staffing and workforce stabilization; MedicusOne, a hybrid of vendor management and managed service provider system; resource management services, and consulting services. Through its proprietary solutions and methodologies, including mSolve, Medicus has built a reputation for its unique and highly personalized approach to physician staffing. With over 300 employees, Medicus Healthcare Solutions is one of the fastest-growing companies in the healthcare staffing industry. To learn more, go to www.medicushcs.com. About the Medicus Transition Program The Medicus Transition Program is a project-based staffing solution that simplifies interim provider staffing for hospitals, physician groups, and other medical facilities. Specializing in long-term coverage for specialties with multiple FTE gaps, the Transition Program promotes shared accountability in sourcing, scheduling, and cost control, providing healthcare leaders with the flexibility to fill their staffing gaps quickly and efficiently. SOURCE Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC Federal court ruling leaves in place FDA's decision resolving the shortage of Wegovy and Ozempic , which are fully available nationwide, and ends the grace period for pharmacies to make or sell compounded "versions" of these medicines Separate federal court ruling permanently bars MediOak Pharmacy LLC from marketing or selling illegitimate "semaglutide" drugs Legal wins build on 111 lawsuits filed by Novo Nordisk across 32 states against entities unlawfully marketing and selling compounded "semaglutide" drugs, helping safeguard Americans from knockoffs made with unsafe or illicit foreign API Novo Nordisk is dedicated to dialogue with companies to support patient access to authentic, FDA-approved Wegovy under the care of a licensed healthcare professional PLAINSBORO, N.J., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, a Texas federal court ruled in favor of Novo Nordisk and FDA, denying a compounding trade association's motion to freeze the FDA's decision to end the shortage of semaglutide injectable medicines. The court's ruling left in place FDA's prior determination that all doses of Wegovy and Ozempic are fully available nationwide and that Novo Nordisk's supply of these FDA-approved medicines is meeting or exceeding current and projected nationwide patient demand. With the FDA's resolution of the shortage of Ozempic and Wegovy, as left in place by this court ruling, it is illegal under US compounding laws to make or sell knockoff "semaglutide drugs," with rare exceptions. In light of the court's decision today, FDA may immediately take action against 503A pharmacies compounding knockoff versions of Novo Nordisk's FDA-approved semaglutide medicines. The ruling also means the grace period for 503B outsourcing facilities to compound semaglutide injectable drugs will expire on May 22, 2025, and FDA may take enforcement action against these entities after that date. This latest win on behalf of patients follows another key decision by the District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where a federal judge entered a final judgment and permanent injunction in favor of Novo Nordisk, against a 503A pharmacy, MediOak Pharmacy LLC, permanently prohibiting them from marketing or selling compounded "semaglutide" knockoff drugs. "We are pleased the court has rejected the compounders' attempts to undermine FDA's data-based decision that the shortage of Wegovy and Ozempic is resolved," said Steve Benz, Corporate Vice President, Legal and US General Counsel, Novo Nordisk. "FDA's determination was based on a thorough review of Novo Nordisk's stable and growing supply of these important FDA-approved medicines. With the end of the shortage of Wegovy and Ozempic, no patient should have to be exposed to unsafe, inauthentic 'semaglutide' drugs. Patient safety remains a top priority for Novo Nordisk and the extensive nationwide legal actions we have taken to protect Americans from the health risks posed by illegitimate 'semaglutide' drugs are working. We will continue driving these actions forward and escalate our efforts as necessary, while closely engaging with regulators and law enforcement." Illicit foreign API in compounded "semaglutide" The resolution of the semaglutide injection shortage and the court's ruling also help protect patients against the proliferation of unsafe and unlawful drugs compounded using imports of synthetic "semaglutide" active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that are manufactured overseas. A recently published Brookings Institute report titled The Wild East of semaglutide confirms that many US patients are being exposed to unsafe and illegal imports of synthetic semaglutide APIs from China. The report highlights numerous issues, including that manufacturers of chemically synthesized semaglutide API have no external reference standard for quality and instead determine specifications themselves. It also demonstrated that three Chinese firms are responsible for 20% of the reported quantity of semaglutide imported into the US between March 2023 and September 2024 and have never been inspected by FDA, as of September 2024. Additionally, another three Chinese firms, responsible for nearly 45% of reported imported volume during this 18-month period, were cited during their latest FDA inspection for current good manufacturing practice violations. As this report shows, the quality of API originating from China and used in compounded "semaglutide" in the US cannot be assured and puts patients at serious risk. Novo Nordisk does not directly or indirectly distribute the semaglutide API in its FDA-approved medicines to any entity for use in compounding. Novo Nordisk federal lawsuits filed to date To date, the company has filed 111 lawsuits in federal courts across 32 states against entities unlawfully marketing and selling compounded "semaglutide," including drugs that pose significant risks to patient safety due to high levels of impurities (as high as 33%) or misbranded due to inaccurately labeled strengths. Many of these courts have already issued injunctions permanently prohibiting these entities from the unlawful marketing and sales of compounded drugs: Earlier this year, a federal court in Delaware entered an $8.5 million default judgment in Novo Nordisk's favor against a business for willfully and falsely claiming that their compounded "semaglutide" drugs were equivalent to Ozempic or used the same active ingredient as FDA-approved Ozempic . Another federal court permanently prohibited a compounding pharmacy in Tennessee , Midtown Express, from marketing or selling knockoff "semaglutide" after Novo Nordisk sued it for selling a drug that contained no semaglutide at all. entered an default judgment in Novo Nordisk's favor against a business for willfully and falsely claiming that their compounded "semaglutide" drugs were equivalent to Ozempic or used the same active ingredient as FDA-approved Ozempic . Another federal court permanently prohibited a compounding pharmacy in , Midtown Express, from marketing or selling knockoff "semaglutide" after Novo Nordisk sued it for selling a drug that contained no semaglutide at all. In another case, a federal court granted a default judgement against an online marketer sued by Novo Nordisk, ending its unlawful practice of selling compounded "semaglutide" directly to consumers without a prescription or instructions for use, misleadingly labeling it as for "Research Use Only." Dozens of other courts have entered permanent injunctions against the entities sued by Novo Nordisk, permanently forbidding them from falsely claiming that knockoff "semaglutide" drugs: (1) are genuine Novo Nordisk medicines; (2) are approved by FDA, are authentic generic medicines, or are safe and effective; (3) achieve any therapeutic result or are safe or effective based on the clinical trial results for Novo Nordisk's approved medicines; and (4) contain semaglutide that has been approved by FDA, is supplied by Novo Nordisk, or is the same as that in Wegovy and Ozempic. The court orders also direct businesses to correct misimpressions among patients that were caused by the defendants' deceptive practices. This includes posting prominent disclosures in marketing and advertising to make clear that the unapproved compounded drugs have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA, that the manufacturing processes used to make the drugs are not FDA-reviewed, and that actual FDA-approved semaglutide medicines are available. Actions taken by third parties to warn the public Novo Nordisk supports the actions that have already been taken by law enforcement to protect patients from illegal marketing and sales of compounded drugs. A bipartisan coalition of 38 state Attorneys General have called on the FDA to take swift action against compounding pharmacies that "cut corners in pursuit of a quick profit" and sell knockoff drugs that could lead to "serious public health issues." The Ohio Attorney General recently issued a press release about letters it sent to 14 entities warning them to stop deceiving patients into believing that compounded drugs are approved by the FDA or have been reviewed for safety, effectiveness, or quality and declaring that patients "deserve clear and accurate information about the medication they're putting in their bodies." Similarly, in December 2024, the Illinois Attorney General issued cease-and-desist letters to five Chicagoland med spas advertising name brand medications like Wegovy and Ozempic but "instead offering unapproved versions of these products that may put people's health at risk." In addition, over a dozen Attorneys General have issued statements discussing the dangers posed by knockoff "semaglutide," including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also recently warned the public about safety concerns related to fraudulent compounding practices associated with weight loss drugs, warning that "[s]ome healthcare providers are using compounded mixtures of unknown drugs that do not contain semaglutide, drugs with high levels of impurities, and unsafe or unapproved drugs." Novo Nordisk is continuing to actively address this issue through education, advocacy, and legal action, fighting on behalf of patients who deserve to know what they are injecting into their body. For more information about Novo Nordisk's efforts to protect patients and ensure access to safe, effective FDA-approved treatments, visit semaglutide.com About Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that's been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives for more than 100 years. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood, and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused, think long-term, and do business in a financially, socially, and environmentally responsible way. With a US presence spanning 40 years, Novo Nordisk US is headquartered in New Jersey and employs over 10,000 people throughout the country across 12 manufacturing, R&D and corporate locations in eight states plus Washington DC. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Novo Nordisk is committed to the responsible use of our semaglutide-containing medicines which represent distinct products with different indications, dosages, prescribing information, titration schedules, and delivery forms. These products are not interchangeable and should not be used outside of their approved indications. Learn more at semaglutide.com. SOURCE NOVO NORDISK INC. PROVIDENCE, R.I., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an exciting collaboration leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States, Rhode Island Commercethe official full-service, economic development organization for the state of Rhode Islandhas partnered with The HISTORY Channel to launch a dynamic multi-platform campaign as part of HISTORY Honors 250. Known as a state of firsts, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the first state tourism board to enter into a partnership of this nature, spanning from May 2025 through July 5, 2026. HISTORY Honors 250 will bring to life Rhode Island's rich history and vast heritage across broadcast specials, social media and digital channelsamplifying the state's role in American history across the last two and a half centuries. The HISTORY Honors 250 campaign will bring Rhode Island's story to life through specially produced "More to History" segments on the HISTORY Channel. Rhode Island Commerce will be featured in select prime-time programming through commercial spots during premieres and encore presentations. The partnership extends to digital platforms, featuring themed editorial articles and video content, along with social media engagement through branded posts and influencer collaborations. The HISTORY Channel will also help drive traffic to a Rhode Island Commerce promotional sweepstakes, and an interactive CTV trivia unit will highlight Rhode Island's rich heritage, spotlighting the state's historical milestones, cultural contributions and notable figures from its past. "You can't tell the story of America without telling the story of Rhode Island," said Governor Dan McKee. "Showcasing Rhode Island's rich history through this partnership with The HISTORY Channel not only honors our state's heritageit drives tourism and strengthens our local economy." "Rhode Island has an exciting story to tell, especially when it comes to our revolutionary history," said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. "As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation, the RI250 Commission, as well as the State Archives and the entire RI Department of State, are proud to support efforts to connect both Rhode Islanders and visitors to our state's founding documents and historic sites. This partnership is a perfect way to showcase Rhode Island's treasures, and we look forward to seeing its impact." "Rhode Island's history is an economic asset that helps drive tourism in the state," said Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. "As the first colony to declare independence from King George III, Rhode Island played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. This collaboration will help educate people of all ages, across the country, about our small but mighty state." "Rhode Island played a critical role in the founding and evolution of our nation, and we are proud to showcase our state's enduring legacy in partnership with The HISTORY Channel," said Anika Kimble-Huntley, Chief Marketing Officer for Rhode Island Commerce. "The HISTORY Channel is honored to collaborate with Rhode Island Commerce to showcase 'History Honors 250,'" said Niki Mandell, VP, Media Solutions at A+E Global Media. "'History Honors 250' aims to celebrate the people, places, and innovations that have shaped the United States over the past 250 years. Rhode Island holds a pivotal role in the rich tapestry of our nation's history, and we are excited to craft engaging content that not only resonates with audiences today but also inspires future generations." Through engaging storytelling, educational programming, and innovative digital content, this initiative will connect audiences with how Rhode Island played an integral part in shaping the nation. Additionally, this partnership will not only celebrate the past but also inspire future generations to explore and appreciate the enduring legacy of the Ocean State. By bringing history to life across multiple platforms in today's digital-savvy world, Rhode Island continues to honor its past and present as the creative capital of the world, inviting visitors and residents alike to explore the stories that have shaped America and continue to do so today in one of its founding states. About Rhode Island Commerce Rhode Island Commerce is the official full-service, economic development organization for the State of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Commerce works with public, private, and nonprofit partners to create the conditions for businesses in all sectors to thrive as well as improve the quality of life for Rhode Island citizens by promoting the state's long-term economic health and prosperity. Rhode Island Commerce's tourism division works in partnership with local convention and visitors' bureaus, chambers of commerce, and private travel-related organizations to promote economic opportunity and prosperity for Rhode Island through both domestic and international tourism. For more information on visiting Rhode Island including travel guides, events, images and more, go to www.VisitRhodeIsland.com. About HISTORY Honors 250 Leading up to the landmark 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in July 2026, The HISTORY Channel will mark the historic milestone with "HISTORY Honors 250," a dynamic multiplatform initiative spanning nearly two years. The epic commemoration will include robust long-form and short-form programming, digital and social content, custom partnerships, premium events and more. "HISTORY Honors 250" will highlight breakthrough innovations, major achievements, and unsung heroes that have shaped the United States since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Learn more at https://www.history.com/250. For Media inquiries: Rhode Island Commerce Chandler Redding [email protected] A+E Global Media Elizabeth Schmidt [email protected] SOURCE Rhode Island Commerce The iconic Italian wine brand will pour at festival stops in San Diego, Ventura, and Palmdale NEW YORK, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, Riunite the iconic Italian wine brand and worlds favorite Lambruscowill bring a splash of la dolce vita to the Tequila & Taco Music Festival as an official sponsor at three California stops. Taco x Tequila Riunite As the only wine brand featured at the festival, Riunite offers a refreshing alternative. Festivalgoers can swing by the Riunite tent to sample a lineup of four of the brand's most beloved wines, including Lambrusco, Lambrusco Rose, Moscato, and Sangria. Each festival location will feature a full schedule of live music performances, enhancing the atmosphere and complementing the culinary and beverage offerings. Riunite will appear at the following festival locations: San Diego April 26, 2025 , at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014) , at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., 92014) Ventura July 19, 2025 , at the Ventura Fairgrounds (10 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001) , at the Ventura Fairgrounds (10 E Harbor Blvd., 93001) Palmdale September 20, 2025 , at the Palmdale Amphitheater (2723 Rancho Vista Blvd., Palmdale, CA 93551) This festival activation is just one piece of Riunite's nationwide celebration of all things Lambrusco. Leading up to National Lambrusco Day on June 21st, the brand is engaging consumers in a summer of funincluding an AI powered pizza contest inviting fans to show off their creativity for the chance to win a year's supply of pizza. "The Tequila & Taco Music Festival is the perfect blend of flavor and funand that's exactly what Riunite delivers," said Mina Belhaj Rouas, VP of Marketing and Trade Development at Frederick Wildman. "We're excited to offer something new to the festival experience and give attendees the chance to discover just how easy-drinking and joyful Riunite can be." Riunite's participation in the Tequila & Taco Music Festival reflects the brand's commitment to making high-quality, approachable wines a welcome part of life's celebrated occasions. For festival dates, tickets, and more information, visit www.tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com . About Riunite Riunite, established in 1950, is an Italian wine brand rooted in collaboration and excellence. Originating from a coalition of 9 co-op wineries in the Province of Reggio Emilia, Riunite has grown into a global leader in grape and wine production. With over 1,450 families of winegrowers, 8 cooperative winemaking centers, and 4,600 hectares of vineyards, Riunite processes 89,000 tons of grapes annually. Committed to sustainability and quality, Riunites portfolio represents a diverse range of varietals, including its renowned Lambrusco. Produced without added sugars, Riunities wines offer an approachable character and natural sweetness. In every bottle, Riunite invites you to savor the essence of Italian craftsmanship. About the Tequila and Taco Music Festival The Tequila and Taco Music Festival is an annual celebration of Mexican culture, culinary delights, and live music taking place across California. Featuring tequila tastings, gourmet tacos, live musical performances, and artisan vendors, the festival offers attendees an immersive experience like no other. Media Contact: Shelby Sonkin [email protected] SOURCE Riunite "Cyberattacks don't check your calendar they hit when you're at your weakest," said Marty Momdjian, Semperis EVP, Ready1. "In moments of crisis, it's not about rising to the occasion, but falling back on the strength of your preparation." Key Findings: The Crisis Within the Crisis Based on a global survey of 1,000 organizations across the US, UK, Europe, Asia Pacific, and multiple industries, the report reveals a sobering reality: 96% of companies say they have a cyber crisis response plan of companies say they have a cyber crisis response plan Yet 71% experienced at least one high-impact cyber event that halted critical business functions last year experienced at least one that halted critical business functions last year 36% of organizations experienced multiple high-impact events with rates even higher in Singapore (53%) and the US (52%) . of organizations experienced multiple high-impact events with rates even higher in and the US . 90% activated their enterprise crisis response plan at least once in the past year some more than 25 times activated their enterprise crisis response plan at least once in the past year some more than 25 times Only 10% report no blockers during incident response Despite frequent testing, most organizations are not battle-ready due to disjointed processes, poor coordination, and tool sprawl. Surprisingly, staffing shortages ranked last on the list of blockers. Top 5 blockers to effective cyber response: Cross-team communication gaps Out-of-date response plans Unclear roles and responsibilities Too many disparate tools Staffing shortages Staffing shortages were listed as the biggest blocker only in Italy and New Zealand. In the US, incident responders ranked outdated response plans and cross-team communications gaps as the biggest blockers. In France and Germany, tool sprawl was the biggest blocker. Cross-team communications gaps was also the top blocker in the UK, Australia, Singapore, and Spain. IT/telecom industries experienced the most high-impact cyber events, followed by energy, travel/transportation, education, and healthcare. "In today's cyber threat landscape, the ability to respond swiftly and decisively is just as critical as prevention," said Chris Inglis, the first US National Cyber Director and Semperis Strategic Advisor. "Companies need a command center for crisis management, ensuring organizations have the playbook, the training, and the coordination needed to turn chaos into control." Introducing Ready1 Ready1 unifies stakeholders, coordinators, and technical teams under one secure platform, ensuring seamless crisis response through preparation, collaboration, and enterprise-wide communications. Built on hundreds of years of combined real-world incident response experience, Ready1 provides: A secure command center with live dashboards and playbook automation Real-time coordination across teams and external partners Integrated tools for communications, documentation, and task tracking Always-on readiness through tabletop testing, role-based team building, and after-action reviews On average, enterprises use 20+ disparate tools for cyber crisis response. Ready1 consolidates fragmented crisis management, IR, downtime planning, and communication tools into a single, secure, intuitive platformdesigned to work even when everything else fails. "In the healthcare industry, downtime isn't just an inconvenience, it's a matter of patient safety," said Jim Bowie, CISO, Tampa General Hospital. Ready1 is a game-changing all-in-one solution that enables teams to rapidly respond, assess, contain, and remediate threats, even when traditional infrastructure fails, because in a crisis, minutes cost millions. To read the full report and learn more about Ready1, visit Ready1.com. About Ready1: Powered by Semperis Ready1 is an enterprise resilience platform built to empower SOC teams and business stakeholders to measure, manage, and report cyber preparedness and respond to incidents effectively. Ready1 creates order out of chaos by coordinating and documenting incident response, reducing the risk of prolonged downtime, data exposure, financial loss, and regulatory fines. About Semperis Semperis protects critical enterprise identity services for security teams charged with defending hybrid and multi-cloud environments from cyberattacks, data breaches, and operational errors. Purpose-built for securing hybrid identity environmentsincluding Active Directory, Entra ID, and OktaSemperis' AI-powered technology protects over 100 million identities from cyberattacks, data breaches, and operational errors. As part of its mission to be a force for good, Semperis offers a variety of cyber community resources, including the award-winning Hybrid Identity Protection (HIP) Conference , HIP Podcast , and free identity security tools Purple Knight and Forest Druid . Semperis is a privately owned, international company headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey, supporting the world's biggest brands and government agencies, with customers in more than 40 countries. Learn more: https://www.semperis.com Follow us: Blog / LinkedIn / X / Facebook / YouTube Media Contact: Bill Keeler Senior Director, PR & Comms Semperis [email protected] SOURCE Semperis GOTHENBURG, Sweden, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Q1 2025 Net sales: MSEK 23,966 (24,699) MSEK 23,966 (24,699) Organic growth: 3.5% (7.0%), driven by lower market demand across regions and industries, except for aerospace showing continuous growth. 3.5% (7.0%), driven by lower market demand across regions and industries, except for aerospace showing continuous growth. Adjusted operating profit: MSEK 3,233 (3,303). Continued strong price/mix contribution, driven by pricing actions and active portfolio management, as well as good cost control which largely offset the lower volumes. MSEK 3,233 (3,303). Continued strong price/mix contribution, driven by pricing actions and active portfolio management, as well as good cost control which largely offset the lower volumes. Adjusted operating margin: 13.5% (13.4%) with Industrial at 16.9% (16.4%) and Automotive at 5.2% (6.0%). 13.5% (13.4%) with Industrial at 16.9% (16.4%) and Automotive at 5.2% (6.0%). Net cash flow from operating activities: MSEK 977 (1,781). Financial overview, MSEK unless otherwise stated Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Net sales 23,966 24,699 Organic growth, % 3.5 7.0 Adjusted operating profit 3,233 3,303 Adjusted operating margin, % 13.5 13.4 Operating profit 2,885 2,993 Operating margin, % 12.0 12.1 Adjusted net profit 2,296 2,312 Net profit 1,948 2,002 Net cash flow from operating activities 977 1,781 Basic earnings per share 3.95 4.15 Adjusted earnings per share 4.71 4.83 Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO: "In a volatile environment, I'm pleased that we maintained our resilient performance and improved our adjusted operating margin year-over-year. We continue to execute our strategy including the creation of two independent and fit for purpose businesses and thereby creating strong foundations for the future. Margin resilience despite continued weak demand In the first quarter we saw continued weak demand resulting in an organic sales decline of 3.5% compared to last year. The lower volumes were partly offset by a solid price/mix. Demand in Europe remained weak. However, we view the announced state-backed investments aimed at increasing European competitiveness as positive long term. China and Northeast Asia posted positive organic growth for the first time in seven quarters, primarily driven by favorable comparable figures. Both Americas and India and Southeast Asia shifted from organic growth in Q4 to a decline in Q1. This was mainly due to the positive timing effects at the end of 2024 as previously communicated and a weaker automotive demand. The adjusted operating margin was strong at 13.5%, a slight year-over-year improvement despite a weak market environment. The margin resilience was supported by an effective execution of pricing, portfolio management, and cost reduction initiatives. However, these initiatives did not fully offset the negative impact from lower volumes. Currency effects had a positive impact on the margin, mainly driven by a stronger USD year-over-year. The adjusted operating margin for our Industrial business increased to 16.9%, driven by good portfolio and cost management execution. The Automotive business performed relatively well, considering the challenging market conditions, with an adjusted operating margin of 5.2%. We see potential in further improving the margin, but given the current turbulent environment, the timeline of achieving the targeted 8% adjusted operating margin level will extend beyond 2025. Cash flow was not satisfactory at close to BSEK 1, mainly driven by increased working capital, including high accounts receivables generated by a strong quarter end, and negative currency effects. Creating two fit for purpose businesses The separation of the Automotive business continues at high pace, where the operating model and organizational design now have been concluded. Automotive's global manufacturing footprint has also been finalized with 16 factories. The overall separation process progresses according to plan, but the complexity of the separation, including the IT structure, may stretch the overall time plan. The initiated organizational review is progressing well, rightsizing both organizations to create strong foundations for the future and to withstand turbulent markets. More focused businesses with less complexity allow for leaner organizational structures resulting in sizeable reductions in staff positions, not least within Europe. The number of positions affected, savings and restructuring charge will be presented in conjunction with the Q2 2025 report. Outlook Lately, the business environment has experienced significant volatility driven by increased geopolitical uncertainty including trade and tariff turmoil. We are preparing the business for different scenarios and remain confident that our strategy, in combination with our decentralized organization and effective cost management, will provide us with the agility and flexibility to navigate through these turbulent times. So far, we have largely compensated for increased tariff costs through price adjustments and we expect to continue to do so also in the second quarter, given current tariff levels. However, today's market uncertainty may influence demand and the prerequisites for certain products and markets. We expect continued volatility and, even if we have seen signs of markets bottoming out, we plan for another quarter with negative volumes and expect organic sales to weaken somewhat in Q2, year-over-year." Outlook and guidance Outlook Q2 2025: We expect continued volatility and, even if we have seen signs of markets bottoming out, we plan for another quarter with negative volumes and expect organic sales to weaken somewhat in Q2, year-over-year. Guidance Q2 2025 Currency impact on the operating profit is expected to be around MSEK 400 negative compared to the second quarter 2024, based on exchange rates per 31 March 2025 . Guidance FY 2025 Tax level excluding effects related to divested businesses: around 26%. Additions to property, plant and equipment: around BSEK 4.5 excluding separation of the Automotive business. A webcast will be held on 25 April 2025 at 09:00 (CEST): Sweden: +46 (0)8 5051 0031 UK/International: +44 (0)207 107 0613 https://investors.skf.com Aktiebolaget SKF (publ) For further information, please contact: Press Relations: Carl Bjernstam, +46 31-337 2517; +46 722 201 893; [email protected] Investor Relations: Sophie Arnius, +46 31-337 8072; +46 705 908072; [email protected] The financial information in this press release contains inside information that AB SKF is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above on 25 April 2025 at 07.30 CEST. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/skf/r/skf-q1-2025--strong-margin-in-turbulent-markets,c4140309 The following files are available for download: Thousands of Dairy Workers Demand Fair National Standards in New Contracts WASHINGTON, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters held practice pickets at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) facilities in Englewood, Colo.; Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, and throughout Southern California to demand that the employer come to terms on 19 collective bargaining agreements set to expire May 5. DFA is the largest dairy co-operative in North America. "We demand a fair national standard at DFA. Our members work hard and deserve strong contracts that protect workers and reflect the crucial role they play in the supply chain," said Lou Villalvazo, Chairman of the DFA Teamsters National Negotiating Committee and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 630. Teamsters are demanding higher wages, improved health care and retirement benefits, protections against job loss caused by automation, and a common expiration date for about 2,000 workers covered by the contracts. After May 5, the union can immediately call for a work stoppage at any one of the 35 DFA locations still in bargaining. "DFA supplies nearly one-third of all milk in this country. This employer has more than enough resources to reach fair agreements," said Jesse Case, Director of the Teamsters Food Processing Division. "It's in the best interest of the co-op to settle these agreements quickly." "We're out here because DFA needs to know that drivers, warehouse staff, and production workers are united in this fight," said Randy Tidd, a member of Teamsters Local 455 who works at the DFA subsidiary Meadow Gold in Englewood. "There are a lot of brothers and sisters across this country right now who are negotiating with DFA. We're ready to do whatever it takes to get a good contract." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 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: Matt McQuaid, (771) 241-0015 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters 6-Episode Series Aims to Drive Solidarity Between Christian and Jewish Communities JERUSALEM, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) and The Jerusalem Post announced this week its partnership to launch a new 6-episode podcast series titled, Good for the Jews? Inside Christian Zionism. Co-hosted by The Fellowship's President and Global CEO, Yael Eckstein, and Zvika Klein, Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, the series will explore various topics focusing on the shared values, faith, and commitment of both communities to support one another, and will feature guest appearances by top leaders from both faiths. The first episode of the podcast premiered Monday. The series will feature the following topics and guests: April 21, 2025 : What They Really Want Yael, Zvika and guests Bishop Robert Stearns and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki rebut the false narrative that Christians only want to convert Jews and are solely focused on the End of Days and the Apocalypse, instead sharing the Christian desire to build bridges of friendship, fellowship, and faith. Yael, Zvika and guests Bishop and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki rebut the false narrative that Christians only want to convert Jews and are solely focused on the End of Days and the Apocalypse, instead sharing the Christian desire to build bridges of friendship, fellowship, and faith. April 28, 2025 : October 7 : If Not Now, When? With exploding anti-Semitism worldwide, everyone's true character was revealed after October 7th. Yael, Zvika and guests Ambassador David Friedman and Michele Bachmann discuss how Evangelical Christians have remained even more steadfast in their support of Israel at a time when the popular thing to do is attack the Jewish state and Jewish people. : With exploding anti-Semitism worldwide, everyone's true character was revealed after October 7th. Yael, Zvika and guests Ambassador and discuss how Evangelical Christians have remained even more steadfast in their support of Israel at a time when the popular thing to do is attack the Jewish state and Jewish people. May 5, 2025 : Good News? Christian History and the Jews Yael, Zvika and longtime friend of The Fellowship, Ambassador Mike Huckabee , discuss the history of Evangelical Christians lesser known among Jews, including that Christian Zionists attended Herzl's first World Zionist Conference and even fought in Israel's early wars. Yael, Zvika and longtime friend of The Fellowship, Ambassador , discuss the history of Evangelical Christians lesser known among Jews, including that Christian Zionists attended Herzl's first World Zionist Conference and even fought in Israel's early wars. May 12, 2025 : Genesis to Jerusalem : 700 Million Reasons for Hope Yael, Zvika, and guest Dr. Rev. Johnnie Moore discuss facts and true stories about Christian support that many Jews have never heard or understood. Yael, Zvika, and guest Dr. Rev. discuss facts and true stories about Christian support that many Jews have never heard or understood. May 19, 2025 : Is This Kosher? Yael, Zvika, and guests Bishop Paul Lanier and Rabbi Meni Even-Israel take a rabbinical and Bible-based look at what Jewish law says about Christian support. Yael, Zvika, and guests Bishop and Rabbi take a rabbinical and Bible-based look at what Jewish law says about Christian support. May 26, 2025 : Boots on the Ground: Christian Friendship in Action Pastor Allen Jackson , a Christian friend of Israel and the Jewish people, shares with Yael and Zvika all the tangible ways he and his congregation at World Outreach Church have supported their Jewish brothers and sisters in their time of need. As a respected Jewish leader, speaker, author, and frequent guest on top news programs, Eckstein brings two decades of experience to the new podcast. She has also hosted multiple successful podcasts, including Nourish Your Biblical Roots, which she launched in 2021, as well as The Chosen People which launched with PRAY.com and On the Frontlines with Mark Levin, which both debuted in October 2024. "There's never been a more urgent moment in history for Christians and Jews to stand together against the common threat that rampant anti-Semitism seen around the world since October 7 poses to us all and the shared values we hold dear," said Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of The Fellowship. "By asking the tough questions and having meaningful conversations between our great faiths, we can strengthen and deepen our bonds of mutual understanding and connection, and fight these forces of evil with shared light." For more information about the podcast, visit jpost.com/podcast/good-for-the-jews. To learn more about The Fellowship and its work, visit www.ifcj.org. About The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews For more than 40 years, The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has been the leading nonprofit building bridges between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. In 2024, The Fellowship helped more than 2 million people living in poverty, helped thousands make aliyah back to their homeland, Israel, and helped strengthen Israel's security infrastructure. To learn more about The Fellowship's work, visit www.ifcj.org. About Yael Eckstein Yael Eckstein is President and Global CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. As a respected Jewish leader, speaker, author, and host of Nourish Your Biblical Roots and The Chosen People podcasts, Yael continues the legacy of her father, Rabbi Yechiel Ecksteinto build bridges of faith between Christians and Jews globally. With two decades of nonprofit experience in multiple roles, she has the rare distinction of being a woman leading one of the world's largest religious charitable organizations. The Jaffa Institute's 2024 Woman of the Year and The Jerusalem Post's 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE International Fellowship of Christians and Jews RIO DE JANEIRO, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "We are not prepared, in the international arena, to combat organized crime in the digital environment." With this warning, the Public Prosecutor in Naples, Nicola Gratteri, drew the attention of participants at the 12th International Week of Magna Grecia, on Thursday (24), in Rio de Janeiro. The Public Prosecutor of Naples, Nicola Gratteri, drew attention to this issue at the 12th International Week of Magna Grecia / Credit: Disclosure Foundation Magna Grecia | Gabriel Soares The meeting focused on the debate about the new modus operandi of criminal organizations, which use the internet and new technologies to expand their illicit activities. Gratteri warned about the ease with which criminals find and trade illicit products on the dark web, from drugs and weapons of war to human trafficking. The prosecutor also pointed to the change in drug trafficking routes, with the port of Ecuador gaining prominence in relation to the port of Santos. Michelle Carbone, who heads the Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA) of Italy, emphasized the mafia's ability to adapt to new technologies and globalization, which allows them to operate on a global scale and commit crimes that transcend geographical borders. He highlighted the challenge represented by crypto-activities, where the action of criminals is global, while laws and the application of justice are still local. The Secretary of Public Security of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Victor Cesar dos Santos, stressed the transnational nature of digital crime and its impact in Brazil, where organized crime moved R$ 348.1 billion in 2024, ranging from drug trafficking to crimes related to fuels and other services. The event's participants advocated the need for a holistic approach and international cooperation to combat organized crime also in cyberspace. The president of the Magna Grecia Foundation, Nino Foti, highlighted the importance of collaboration between Italy and Brazil in this effort. The event also included the participation of Brazilian and Italian authorities, such as Congressman Francesco Romano, who addressed the challenges of digitalization in public administration, and experts such as Antonio Nicaso, who analyzed the rapid adaptation of criminal organizations such as the PCC and the 'Ndrangheta to the use of cryptocurrencies and other technologies. "There was a notorious case of a hacker attack on the security systems of the port of Antwerp, in Belgium, an important hub for international drug trafficking," he exemplified. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673437/Divulgaci_n_Fundaci_n_Magna_Grecia__Gabriel_Soares.jpg 77 Workers Win Landslide Organizing Victory, Prepare to Bargain First Teamsters Contract STURTEVANT, Wis., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a decisive 2-to-1 vote, 77 drivers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) have joined Teamsters Local 200. The group organized with the Teamsters to secure strong union wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions that they've long deserved. "These workers organized with purpose and determination, and we are proud to welcome them into our local union," said Jeff Bandur, President of Local 200. "Now, we'll fight to win a first contract that reflects their hard work and is in line with what other UNFI Teamsters have already achieved nationwide. I want to thank the Teamsters Organizing Department and Vice President Tom Erickson for their strong support during this campaign." UNFI, the largest distributor for Whole Foods, has seen a wave of Teamsters organizing victories in recent years. Since 2022, over 3,000 workers have organized with the Teamsters. "We joined the Teamsters because we want what's fair better pay, better benefits, and a voice on the job," said Omar Correa, a UNFI driver in Sturtevant and a new member of Local 200. "We saw what Teamsters at other UNFI sites won, and we are ready to fight for the same." The win in Wisconsin follows a string of major first contract victories for newly organized UNFI workers. Last month, over 1,000 Teamsters at UNFI facilities in Florida, Georgia, and Illinois ratified first agreements that secured $8 hourly raises, comprehensive Teamsters health care, a defined-benefit pension plan, strong seniority rights, and more paid time off. "The Teamsters are raising expectations for every UNFI worker in the country," said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division and Central Region International Vice President. "We're organizing, we're growing, and we're not backing down. Our expanding strength is setting the standard at the company, and we won't stop until every UNFI worker is protected by a strong Teamsters contract." 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: Colin McCullough, (856) 625-6856 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters "The Postal Service takes great pride in our stamps and the unique opportunity they offer to tell the story of America. That's why we're thrilled to be a part of this celebration of Native American music, dance and culture," said Steven W. Monteith, the organization's chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president. "We hope they inspire a deeper appreciation of Native American culture and influence all who see them." "It's a huge honor to be able to show the face of powwow culture to the world and take an art form like painting, with such historic ideas embedded in it, and transform it into a stamp," said Mateo Romero, Southern Keres Cochiti Pueblo tribal member and Powwows stamp artist. "The colors, movement and celebratory nature of this work point to a human condition of joy, ceremony, spirituality, culture and rebirth." Additional participants at the ceremony were Royale Da, master of ceremonies and KOAT-TV news anchor; the Native American Women Warriors Honor Guard; Kansas Begaye, a Native American recording artist; and Antonio Alcala, a USPS art director and the stamp designer. News about the stamp is being shared on social media using the hashtag #PowwowsStamps. Background The Postal Service strives to tell the stories of all Americans on stamps, and issuing stamps that honor the living culture and heritage of Indigenous people is an important part of that goal. The new Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture stamps honor these vibrant North American Native gatherings as a unique contribution to American culture. Powwows are festive gatherings where Indigenous people can celebrate their identities through dance, prayer, music and art. Participants also socialize, enjoy traditional foods and introduce and educate younger generations to the tribe-specific and pan-Native customs of Native American people. Tribal gatherings have been an important aspect of Indigenous culture for hundreds of years. Historians believe the word "powwow" originated in the mid-17th century from the Algonquian linguistic family, whose speakers lived in the woodlands of the northeastern and midwestern United States and across Canada. The Narragansett, who speak a related dialect, used the words "pau wau" to describe certain types of community gatherings. An important feature of any powwow dance is the dancer's regalia, a mix of contemporary and traditional clothing carefully chosen by the dancer that reflects the wearer's interests, family and tribal origins. Often, items such as moccasins or fancy shawls have been passed down from generation to generation and have great meaning to the dancer. Some dancers also add newer elements such as glass beads, ribbons or scarves. Stamp design The four stamps in a pane of 20 showcase original paintings of Native American dancers by Cochiti Pueblo artist Mateo Romero. The artist took photographs of the dancers in their traditional clothing while performing and then painted on top of the images. He used thick, brightly colored brushstrokes to create the abstract expressionistic images gracing the stamps. The pane features: A young Indigenous woman in a teal dress performing the Crow Hop. She has a red cloth draped over her arm and is pictured in front of a vibrant blue and purple background. A Native woman dressed in brown, ecru and white regalia performing the Women's Traditional dance with a vivid orange, yellow and green background. A Women's Fancy Shawl dancer wearing a fringed cape that resembles the wing of a bird, against a background of turquoise, azure and gold. The main portion of the cape or "wing" is a brilliant scarlet while the yellow, blue and orange fringe suggests the bird's feathers. A Men's Hoop dancer holding multiple hoops in both hands with one foot poised in mid-air. He is dressed in a decorated blue vest with a matching headdress; a fringed, multicolored breechcloth; and blue moccasins embellished with tan fur and beads. The words "POWWOWS," the name of each dance shown on a stamp, "USA," and "FOREVER" run vertically down the left side of each stamp. The header for the stamp pane reads "POWWOWS Celebrating Native American Culture." A large powwow drum with tan leather stitching is on the top right side of the selvage. The drum sits on a large wooden frame. The Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture stamps are being issued as Forever stamps and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate. A video about the stamps will be posted after today's event on the Postal Service's Facebook page at facebook.com/USPS and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at x.com/usps. Postal products Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp-inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com. Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America , to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom . Follow us on X , formerly known as Twitter; Instagram ; Pinterest ; Threads ; and LinkedIn . Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook . For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com . National contact: Albert Ruiz [email protected] Local contact: Sherry Patterson [email protected] usps.com/news SOURCE U.S. Postal Service VIENNA, Va., April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S.-Saudi Business Council, at the request of the National Security Council (NSC) of the White House and the United States Department of Commerce, hosted an Executive Briefing and High-Level Networking Event yesterday in Washington, D.C. Charles Hallab, CEO of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council, addresses attendees during the Executive Briefing and Networking Event in Washington, D.C. Held in advance of President Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, the event brought together U.S. business executives, senior U.S. officials from the NSC and the Department of Commerce and a visiting Saudi delegation comprised of key public and private sector leaders. More than 50 U.S. companies and 10 Saudi ministries were represented at the briefing, where participants received strategic insights from the NSC and Department of Commerce as well as themes and perspectives from the U.S.-Saudi Business Council, all focused on bilateral business and investment. The program featured in-depth discussions on shared opportunities in sectors critical to both economies, including digitalization and artificial intelligence, mining and minerals, energy innovation, and cross-border trade and investment. U.S. companies engaged directly with Saudi dignitaries to discuss market objectives and deepen commercial ties. The event underscored the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening economic cooperation and highlights the U.S.-Saudi Business Council's continued role in facilitating impactful connections between major American and Saudi stakeholders. For media questions, please contact: Ali Alwazir Manager, Public Relations U.S.-Saudi Business Council Tel.: 703-962-9300 Email: [email protected] About the U.S.-Saudi Business Council: For more than 30 years, since its founding by Saudi Royal Decree and the U.S. Executive Branch, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council has been the only independent organization singularly dedicated to advancing the bilateral business, investment, and commercial ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia. With its strategic presence in Washington, D.C. and Riyadh, with its decades of experience and expertise, and with the unique depth and breadth of its stakeholder network, the Council continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating billions in cross-border trade and investment, fostering lasting business partnerships, and driving economic collaboration between both nations. As Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 transformation and the U.S. strengthens its crucial business alliance with the Kingdom, the Council remains at the heart of this relationshipconnecting companies, creating opportunities, and supporting partnerships that are shaping the future of business. SOURCE U.S.-Saudi Business Council SHENZHEN, China, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- X Financial (NYSE: XYF) (the "Company" or "we"), a leading online personal finance company in China, today announced it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 25, 2025. The annual report can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.xiaoyinggroup.com as well as the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request. Requests should be directed to the Company's IR Department at [email protected]. About X Financial X Financial (NYSE: XYF) (the "Company") is a leading online personal finance company in China. The Company is committed to connecting borrowers on its platform with its institutional funding partners. With its proprietary big data-driven technology, the Company has established strategic partnerships with financial institutions across multiple areas of its business operations, enabling it to facilitate and originate loans to prime borrowers under a risk assessment and control system. For more information, please visit: https://ir.xiaoyinggroup.com. For more information, please contact: X Financial Mr. Frank Fuya Zheng E-mail: [email protected] Christensen IR In China Mr. Rene Vanguestaine Phone: +86-178-1749 0483 E-mail: [email protected] In US Ms. Linda Bergkamp Phone: +1-480-614-3004 Email: [email protected] SOURCE X Financial BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing on Thursday, with the two sides agreeing to elevate their ties to a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era. Noting that the move is a strategic choice for both sides, Xi said that in response to the historical trend and the trend of the times, China is willing to work with Kenya to create an example in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and lead the development of China-Africa relations and the forging of solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries. China and Kenya should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, firmly support each other in exploring development paths that suit their respective national conditions, and deepen exchanges of experience in state governance, Xi said. He called on the two sides to enhance regular policy communication, build connectivity at a higher level, promote sustainable trade, explore diversified financial integration, carry forward the friendship forged through generations, and be leaders in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Xi said China's supersized market has always kept its door open to high-quality products from Kenya, adding that China encourages more capable Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Kenya. As important members of the Global South, China and Kenya should take concrete actions to firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, promote extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit in global governance, and practice true multilateralism, Xi said. Xi said China is willing to work with African countries, including Kenya, to achieve more early results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to better benefit the African people, and promote high-quality China-Africa cooperation to lead Global South cooperation. Stressing that there are no winners in tariff and trade wars, Xi said China is willing to work with other countries to address various challenges through solidarity and cooperation, safeguard legitimate rights and interests, uphold international trade rules, and maintain international fairness and justice. Ruto said Kenya and China have always adhered to sincere treatment and mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Kenya firmly adheres to the one-China policy and insists that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Ruto expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their selfless assistance to Kenya's efforts in improving infrastructure and responding to natural disasters, adding that Belt and Road projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway have effectively promoted Kenya's national development. He said Kenya is willing to work with China to build a community with a shared future, comprehensively strengthen the synergy between their economic and social development strategies, strengthen cooperation on trade, investment, infrastructure construction and science and technology, and enhance exchanges in education, culture and tourism. Cooperation between Africa and China is conducive to Africa's peaceful development, and Kenya is willing to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Ruto added. Ruto said that trade wars undermine the existing international rules and order, and that Kenya appreciates China's role as a stabilizer in the current volatile situation and China's efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries. After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, new and high technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, economy and trade, and media. The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya on Creating an Inspiring Example in the All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for Ruto and his wife, Rachel Ruto, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People. Xi and Peng also hosted a welcoming banquet for Ruto and Rachel in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People at noon on Thursday. 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 Beirut, April 25 : Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani was summoned to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry over remarks criticising efforts to disarm Hezbollah. According to the National News Agency on Thursday, the Ministry's Secretary-General, Hani Chmeitli, met with the Iranian ambassador and emphasised "the necessity of adhering to the diplomatic principles outlined in international agreements concerning the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, foremost among them the Vienna Convention". The Iranian embassy in Lebanon announced in a statement that during the visit, the ambassador provided clarifications to the Lebanese side regarding the tweet he had recently posted, Xinhua news agency reported. In his X post on April 18, the ambassador said that "the disarmament project is a clear conspiracy against nations ... Once these countries surrender to the demands of disarmament, they become vulnerable to attack and occupation, as was the case in Iraq, Libya, and Syria". He noted that its content was general and comprehensive, applying to all countries without exception, including Iran. He added that this visit came as a precaution to avoid any misunderstanding or misinterpretation between the two countries regarding the content of his post. Amani also emphasised "the need to prevent enemies from creating division between Iran and Lebanon," stressing that "vigilance and cooperation are the guarantee to thwart such attempts". The Iranian ambassador reaffirmed "Iran's firm commitment to supporting the independence, sovereignty, stability, and security of the Lebanese Republic, as well as Iran's full readiness to enhance support and expand the horizons of bilateral cooperation in various fields". Iran is a major backer of the Hezbollah group. Last week, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said that his group would not allow its disarmament. "We will never allow anyone to disarm Hezbollah or the resistance; this idea must be erased from consideration," Qassem said. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also said on Tuesday that any differences regarding Hezbollah arms "would be resolved through communication and dialogue". A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale war in September. Lebanese authorities have reported more than 2,764 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 194 victims and injuries to 485 others. Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts. Phnom Penh, April 25 : Cambodia and Thailand remained committed to expanding trade relations amid global trade friction, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said in a press statement. The commitment was made between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and visiting Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, said the press statement on Thursday issued at the end of Paetongtarn's two-day visit to the kingdom. PM Paetongtarn attended a welcoming ceremony at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh before attending a plenary meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Xinhua news agency reported. They then witnessed the signing of important documents and jointly presided over the launch of a logo marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Speaking at a joint press conference, PM Paetongtarn said she and her Cambodian counterpart had engaged in a friendly and productive discussion. "We share a strong commitment to deepen our cooperation based on mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual benefit," she added. "On economic cooperation, the two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction a remarkable growth in a two-way trade, which surpassed $10 billion for the first time last year," the press statement added. "Building on this positive momentum, the two leaders aimed to reach a target of $15 billion in the near future," it said. They encouraged relevant institutions of both countries to consider convening the seventh Cambodia-Thailand Joint Trade Committee meeting this year to further advance trade relations. "They also agreed to instruct relevant institutions to accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects and conduct consultations aimed at facilitating cross-border trade and fostering economic synergies, including through complementary special economic zones in border provinces, for the mutual benefits of both nations," the press statement said. In a meeting with Paetongtarn on Wednesday, Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen said as the whole world is in a trade war, it's essential for the two neighbouring countries to increase bilateral trade volume, using existing mechanisms under ASEAN frameworks and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. Entering into force in 2022, the RCEP comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries including 10 ASEAN member states, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and their five trading partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Tehran, April 25 : Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has announced his readiness to travel to major European capitals to resolve ongoing tensions between Tehran and the so-called E3 group -- France, Britain, and Germany. In a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, Araghchi described relations with the E3 as being at a historic low, warning that the current state of affairs represents a "lose-lose" scenario for all parties, Xinhua news agency reported. He emphasised the need for renewed diplomatic engagement, saying, "I once again propose diplomacy." Following recent consultations in Moscow and Beijing, Araghchi said he is prepared to take the initiative by visiting Paris, Berlin, and London. "The ball is now in the E3's court," he said, urging European leaders to "break free from the influence of Special Interest groups and pursue a different path". Araghchi recalled that a previous offer of dialogue was extended during meetings with his European counterparts on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September. That proposal, he noted, was rejected. The Foreign Minister also criticised the E3 for continuing to invoke the threat of the "snapback" mechanism -- a clause in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that allows for the automatic reimposition of international sanctions should Iran be found in breach of its commitments. Araghchi was in China on Wednesday to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi ahead of Saturdayas talks with the US. Last week, the Iranian Foreign Minister visited Moscow for similar discussions and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. On Wednesday, Araghchi slammed, without elaborating, "attempts by the Israeli regime and certain Special Interest groups to derail diplomacy" and undermine the ongoing talks with the US. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Iran was an existential threat and warned that "the fate of all humanity" was at stake if it acquired nuclear arms. Iran has consistently denied allegations it is pursuing an atomic bomb, insisting its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. Yet, the country has enriched uranium to levels that are only necessary for military purposes and has for decades called for the annihilation of Israel. Western governments have also criticised Iran's missile programme and accused it of providing Russia with weapons in its war against Ukraine. Iran has denied the accusations, saying it has not supported any side in the war. Signed by Iran and six world powers -- China, the US, Russia, and the E3 -- the JCPOA has been under pressure since the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018, prompting Tehran to scale back its compliance. Meanwhile, indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington have resumed, with two rounds of talks mediated by Oman. The first took place in Muscat on April 12, followed by a second round in Italy last Saturday. A third round is scheduled for this coming Saturday in Oman. Cairo, April 25 : Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met here with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and addressing pressing regional issues. According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency on Thursday, the discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in key sectors, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment fields. The meeting also discussed the anti-illegal immigration cooperation and the need to support Egypt in this regard, the statement said. The two sides also touched on the situation in the Gaza Strip, Xinhua news agency reported. The meeting also addressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries in combating illegal immigration, as well as cooperation in the area of regular migration, and the need to support Egypt in this regard, given its success in preventing any boats carrying illegal migrants from departing from its coast since 2016, and hosting nearly 9.5 million foreigners displaced by the crises facing the region. The meeting also discussed the situation in Gaza, and reviewed Egypt's ongoing mediation efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire, securing the release of hostages and detainees, and ensuring the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said. President Sisi reiterated Egypt's steadfast position rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land and any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause. Egypt reiterated its commitment to brokering a ceasefire, facilitating the exchange of hostages and detainees, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. In the statement, Cairo firmly rejected the displacement of Palestinians or any attempts to dissolve the Palestinian cause. For his part, Tajani expressed Italy's appreciation for Egypt's mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed his country's support for the early recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza proposed by Egypt, which has garnered broad backing from Arab and Islamic nations. In addition, the two sides touched on developments in Syria, Libya, and Sudan, maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US. Egypt reaffirmed its dedication to the stability, sovereignty, and unity of regional neighbours. Tajani praised Egypt's tremendous efforts to restore regional stability and highlighted his country's commitment to continuous consultation and coordination with Egypt over issues of mutual concern. Athens, April 25 : Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a 45-day extension to the deadline for clearing overgrown vegetation on private properties, as part of the country's efforts to better prepare for what is expected to be another challenging wildfire season. Mitsotakis on Thursday underscored the need for public cooperation in clearing plots of land, calling it a critical line of defence that had proven effective in protecting homes and aiding firefighting efforts last year, when the country experienced devastating fires. Mitsotakis also said, "There are more firefighters on the ground, and the number of trained volunteers continues to grow." "We must be prepared for the worst possible scenario," the Prime Minister said, as officials noted that more than 1,300 fires had broken out in March, a time when Greek farmers traditionally burn leftover crops, Xinhua news agency reported. The Prime Minister's office said more than 18,000 firefighters would be available this year, "a number higher than ever before". Another 300 firefighters from five fellow European Union member countries will be permanently stationed in Greece this year, it added. There will also be 3,700 fire engines and 80 surveillance drones. Greece battled a spate of deadly wildfires last year, including a massive blaze that forced thousands to flee their homes and reached the suburbs of Athens before it was brought under control. The Civil Protection and Climate Crisis Ministry has confirmed that this year's fire season will begin on May 1 as usual. Enhanced interagency coordination and investment in early warning systems are central to the 2025 fire response plan. According to the Hellenic Fire Service, more than 8,000 wildfires occurred during the 2024 fire season, in which seven people were killed, including two firefighters, 210 homes were destroyed and more than 150,000 hectares were scorched, with total damages exceeding 1.2 billion euros ($1.37 billion), a 35 per cent increase from 2023. In a major shift in its long-standing firefighting tactics, Greece last year decided to start dispatching aerial and ground forces in the first critical hours after a fire breaks out and also to step up patrols, measures which have helped to contain damage to land and property. Jerusalem, April 25 : An Israeli tank driver was killed by sniper fire in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said in a statement. The soldier, who served in the 79th Battalion of the "Machatz" Armored Brigade, was killed "during combat in northern Gaza," the military said on Thursday, adding that his family had been notified of his death, Xinhua news agency reported. The slain soldier's name has not yet been cleared for publication. In addition, an officer in the Yahalom Unit and a reservist from the same battalion were severely wounded in the incident and evacuated to a hospital, according to the statement. Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned earlier on Thursday that Israel would escalate its military campaign in Gaza if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages soon. "If we do not see progress in the return of the hostages in the near future, we will expand our operations to an even more intense and significant phase," Zamir said during a tour of Gaza, where he met with ground forces and held a situation assessment with commanders, according to another military statement. According to Israeli authorities, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, including 58 of the 251 taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel. The IDF has confirmed that at least 35 hostages of those still held are believed to be dead. The deadly incident took place not far from an attack on Saturday, in which Hamas operatives opened fire on an unarmoured army vehicle, seriously wounding three soldiers, before planting a bomb in the area, which killed a soldier and seriously injured another. According to military figures, at least 805 soldiers have been killed and 5,427 others injured since the outbreak of the Gaza war last year. Israel has launched a war on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack last year, killing more than 44,200 people, most of them women and children, and injuring over 104,700. The war has spread to Lebanon, with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of the Gaza war. Damascus, April 25 : Syria has welcomed Britain's decision to lift sanctions on 12 Syrian entities operating in key sectors. In a statement issued by Syria's foreign affairs authorities on Thursday, the Syrian government described Britain's move as part of broader efforts to amend its sanctions regime on Syria and viewed it as a positive signal for Syria's reconstruction and recovery, Xinhua news agency reported. "This step is considered as a constructive move toward normalising international relations and supporting the urgent needs of the Syrian people following a devastating 14-year war," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Ministry added: "The removal of sanctions on key sectors, such as financial services and energy production, along with lifting restrictions on the Syrian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, and national media institutions, will directly contribute to improving the conditions of the Syrian people. These measures will enable us to embark on vital reforms in our public sectors and security services, as well as attract the necessary investments for rebuilding Syria's infrastructure and national economy." The British sanctions previously targeted major sectors such as financial services, energy production, banking, and trade, as well as key ministries related to defence and interior. The statement emphasised that easing these restrictions would directly contribute to improving living conditions for Syrians, assist in reviving vital sectors, including public services and security, and help attract much-needed investment to rebuild critical infrastructure and boost the national economy. The Ministry noted that this step represents an important recognition of the Syrian people's right to live with dignity, security, and prosperity after years of suffering under the Assad ousted regime. The Foreign Ministry affirmed its readiness to work with all international partners committed to peace, stability, and the reconstruction of Syria. It renewed its full commitment to national renewal, justice, and building a future that includes all Syrians, considering this development as a significant milestone on the path to regional stability and international cooperation. Meanwhile, the statement reaffirmed Syria's willingness to work with all international partners who are committed to the country's peace, stability, and reconstruction. Earlier on Thursday, Britain said it would support efforts to rebuild Syria by removing some sanctions to encourage investments in financial services, energy production, and other sectors. It also lifted asset freezes on Syria's defence and interior authorities and a range of intelligence agencies. Ramallah, April 25 : The Palestine Liberation Organisation's (PLO) Central Council has approved the creation of the position of Vice President for its executive committee, media reported. According to official news agency WAFA, the Vice President will be selected from the current members of the executive committee, following a nomination by the committee's chairman and approval by its members, Xinhua news agency reported. The Chairman will also have the authority to assign duties, dismiss Vice Presidents, or accept their resignations, said the report. The decision was adopted during a session of the PLO's Central Council held in the West Bank city of Ramallah, with the attendance of 170 members, including some via video link. One member voted against the move, while another abstained. This marks the first time such a position has been established since the PLO's founding. The initiative for a vice presidency was first announced by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the emergency Arab summit in Cairo in early March, amid growing calls for reforms within the Palestinian political system. The decision is seen as a significant development in shaping the next phase of the Palestinian political process. The PLO has been holding a convention in Ramallah since Wednesday to thrash out various political issues. Hamas criticised the convention, saying it "deepens division, reinforces unilateralism, and disappoints our people's hopes for unity". "We in Hamas reject the continuation of this unilateral course and affirm our commitment to rebuilding the Palestine Liberation Organisation on national and democratic foundations," it said in a statement. Several Palestinian factions in the West Bank walked out of the meet on Thursday after the proposal to create a vice presidency came up. The groups argued the initiative threatened the PLO's sovereignty and was a sign of foreign interference. The Palestinian National Initiative, a progressive political party, also left the session citing "external pressures". The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), another Marxist-Leninist movement, also walked out, saying the reform agenda was premature and lacked genuine consultation. Out of 188 voting members of the PLO's central council, 170 were in favour of creating a vice presidency, according to Wafa. The Palestinian Authority is teetering on the brink of financial collapse, and following the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza, several international donors have increasingly insisted financial support be tied to concrete political and institutional reforms. On Wednesday, Abbas argued creating a vice presidency would strengthen Palestinian institutions and bolster international recognition of the Palestinian state. Some analysts view the move as a calculated attempt by Abbas to project the appearance that he is decentralising power. Beirut, April 24 : Lebanon has signed a $250 million loan agreement with the World Bank to support critical reforms in its struggling electricity sector, according to media reports. The agreement was signed by Lebanese Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and World Bank Regional Director Jean-Christophe Carret, both describing the loan as a significant step toward improving Lebanon's power infrastructure and governance, Xinhua news agency reported. "This loan represents a strong boost to the structural reforms Lebanon is implementing in the electricity sector," Jaber said, highlighting long-delayed efforts to establish regulatory frameworks and operational oversight. Carret called the agreement a "turning point" in the World Bank's cooperation with Lebanon, noting it marks the first loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for the country's power sector. According to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), the project will fund the creation of a national control centre, improvements in accounting and billing systems at the state-run utility Electricity of Lebanon, and the development of scalable solar energy farms. The first phase of solar projects is expected to generate 150 megawatts and save around $40 million annually in fuel costs. Lebanon's electricity sector has faced chronic outages, financial mismanagement, and infrastructure decay for decades, becoming a central focus of reform in the country's recovery plans. Over the past couple of years, the frequency of power outages in Lebanon has significantly increased due to the government's financial distress, which led to its inability to provide foreign currency to import fuel. Lebanon's power production earlier ranged between 1,600 and 2,000 megawatts daily, but the fuel shortage in recent years has gradually reduced production to unprecedentedly low levels. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have vowed to work on implementing reforms and fighting corruption and decades-old mismanagement by the ruling class to get Lebanon out of an economic crisis that the World Bank has described as among world's worst since the 1850s. In Beirut, Parliament on Thursday approved a law to meet a key demand of the International Monetary Fund to remove the decades-old banking secrecy before the IMF agrees to a bailout program. Moscow, April 25 : Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that the potential deployment of NATO forces to Ukraine is unacceptable. Such a move would pose a "critical danger" to all European and global security, Peskov said on Thursday. "As for the discussions on the deployment of military contingents on the territory of Ukraine, this is absolutely unacceptable for us. It carries a critical danger for the entire European and world security," he added. Earlier, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu warned in an interview with TASS that the deployment of "peacekeepers" on Russia's historical territories could lead to World War III, Xinhua news agency reported. He pointed to the fact that a "coalition of the willing" was making plans to send a military contingent to Ukraine under the guise of peacekeepers. Peskov's comments came after Ukrainian officials on Wednesday held talks with delegations from the US, Britain, France and Germany in London. In an interview with TASS, Shoigu said that the deployment of peacekeepers onto "historically Russian territories" could lead to a direct clash between Russia and NATO, as well as to World War III. "Rational politicians in Europe understand that implementing such a scenario could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia and, subsequently, to World War III," he added. Additionally, Shoigu claimed that Western countries were supposedly preparing for war against Russia. "An open campaign is unfolding in Europe to prepare for a military conflict with the Russia. At various levels, the possible timelines for such a confrontation are being discussed -- from three to five years. By 2030, European politicians and military personnel want to be ready to fight us," he said in the interview with TASS. In early March, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a plan to form a "coalition of the willing" to bolster support for Ukraine. At a summit in Paris later in March, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the idea of deploying "reassurance forces" from a few willing European Union member states to strategic locations in Ukraine should a peace agreement be reached with Russia. Paris, April 25 : A high school student entered a school in western France's Nantes with a knife and stabbed at least four students, local media reported, citing the police. One of the victims died from injuries, according to BFMTV on Thursday, citing multiple sources. Teachers stopped the attacker before police arrived, BFMTV said, adding that the attacker, a second-year high school student, has been detained, Xinhua news agency reported. The youth -- whose identity has not been revealed but who had expressed an admiration for Adolf Hitler -- was overcome by teachers after staging attacks in several classrooms, witnesses said. He was detained by police but hospitalised after a psychiatric examination. The suspect sent a rambling email to other students just before the attacks. "The psychiatrist who examined the suspect concluded that his state of health is incompatible with the current police custody," Nantes prosecutor Antoine Leroy told reporters. In the latest case to shock France, the assailant attacked fellow students with a knife at the Notre-Dame de Toutes-Aides grammar school in the western city of Nantes. Speaking at the scene, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said that nearly 50 investigators have been deployed and worked "tirelessly" since. More than 70 interviews have been conducted, he added. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has called for an intensification of controls implemented around and within schools following the attack. He called for a response to the "endemic violence" among some youths and demanded proposals to prevent further knife attacks. President Emmanuel Macron, writing on X, said the courage of the teachers who floored the youth had prevented a higher toll. "Through their intervention, teachers likely prevented other tragedies. Their courage demands respect," he said. French Education Minister Elisabeth Borne said in February that police would start random searches near schools for hidden knives and other weapons in a bid to deal with the rise in attacks. The prosecutor in Nantes is expected to hold a press conference to give more details about the attack on Friday. Paris, April 25 : French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the telephone over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and said that France stands firmly with India and its people in this hour of grief. Macron also said that France will stand together with its allies and would continue the fight against terrorism wherever necessary. Taking to social media platform X, the French President wrote: "I have just spoken to my counterpart @narendramodi about the cowardly terrorist attack on Tuesday, which resulted in the tragic death of dozens of innocent civilians. France stands firmly with India and its people in this hour of grief. France, together with its allies, will continue the fight against terrorism wherever necessary." Earlier on Thursday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X: "President @EmmanuelMacron called Prime Minister @narendramodi and conveyed his personal condolences on the brutal killing of innocent people in the heinous terror attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He strongly condemned the attack and expressed full support and solidarity with the people of India adding that this kind of barbarism is totally unacceptable." MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal further wrote: "Prime Minister thanked him (French President Emmanuel Macron) for his message of support and conveyed India's strong resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice." The heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack, which occurred on Tuesday in the Baisaran meadow of Anantnag district, has drawn condemnation from across the world. The brutal incident led to the killing of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and injuring several others. Following the attack, India convened a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The Central government has announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Anantnag: Security personnel stand guard and conduct a patrol following the Pahalgam terror attack in Anantnag on Thursday, April 24, 2025.. Image Source: IANS Washington, April 25 : The US on Thursday condemned the "heinous" terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and reiterated support for India. It did not, however, hold Pakistan responsible for it but is monitoring the situation closely. "The US stands with India and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism," Tammy Bruce, the US State Department Spokesperson, said at a news briefing, reiterating remarks by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "We pray for the lives of those lost and for the recovery of the injured, and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice." Asked if the US saw Pakistan being behind the attacks, Bruce said, "It was a horrible situation, but at the same time, that's basically going to be the extent of the comments at this point. What I can tell you is, of course, as we all know, it's a rapidly changing situation, and we are monitoring it closely, as you might imagine. And we, of course, are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or of Jammu either." The US expressed support for India swiftly after the attack on Tuesday with President Donald Trump calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi later that day. US Vice-President J.D. Vance also addressed the attack leaving India after a four-day trip. "I want to just, of course, issue our condolences to the people of Kashmir who were affected by this terrible terrorist attack. The President has already spoken with Prime Minister Modi. I believe I'll be speaking with him later this afternoon. And obviously, we're providing whatever assistance and help we can provide to the government and to the people of India." The US and President Trump have been extremely supportive of India's battles against terrorism. The American leader personally announced the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, who was sought in India for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the White House in February. Rana is now in the custody of Indian law enforcement agencies. Jammu, April 25 : Pakistan Army has resorted to small arms firing at some places on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been effectively responded to by the Indian Army. Indian Army said, "Small arms firing at some places on the LoC were initiated by the Pakistan Army. Effectively responded to by the Indian Army. No casualties. Further details are being ascertained." Tensions between the two countries have risen to a new high after the brutal killings of 26 civilians by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. In his first reaction after the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that terrorists, their handlers and backers will be chased and avenged to the ends of the earth. A massive anti-terrorist operation continued in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam for the 4th day to trace and hunt down the terrorists responsible for civilian killings. In other anti-terrorist operations, one soldier was killed on Thursday in a gunfight between the security forces and the terrorists in Udhampur district. The Army said that based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched on Thursday in Basantgarh, Udhampur. Contact was established, and a fierce firefight ensued. "One of our braveheart sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite the best medical efforts. Operations are going on". Another encounter started on Thursday in the Kulgam district between the security forces and the terrorists. The operation against the terrorists started with the exchange of gunfire, but since Friday morning, no exchange of gunfire has been reported. Security forces launched another operation in the Poonch district against terrorists on Thursday. Three operations are presently going on in addition to the massive anti-terrorist operation in the Pahalgam area to trace and hunt down terrorists responsible for the Baisaran meadow massacre. The Baisaran meadow operation is tech-assisted using drones, helicopters, electronic equipment and sniffer dogs. The security forces have been given clear orders to hunt down the killers who killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited ground zero to convey a powerful message to the perpetrators of the Baisaran meadow massacre. India reacted to the Pahalgam terror attack by suspending the Indus Water Treaty signed by the two countries in 1960. The Attari border crossing has been shut. Pakistani nationals have been asked to vacate within 48 hours, while the staff of India's High Commission in Pakistan has been reduced to 30 per cent. The military attache of the Pakistan High Commission has been declared persona non grata. New Delhi, April 25 : In the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat underscored the need for India to demonstrate its power on the global stage and remarked that this is a fight between "dharma and adharma". Speaking at an award ceremony in Mumbai on Thursday, Bhagwat addressed the nation's sentiments following the attack, emphasising that while enmity is not India's nature, passivity in the face of aggression is equally not its tradition. "Hostility and hatred are not our nature, but at the same time, getting beaten up is not our nature either. If we have power, it must be shown at such times, strength should be displayed. It sends a message to the entire world that the one facing you is powerful," Bhagwat said, delivering a stern message aimed at both enemies and the global community. He strongly condemned the terror violence in Kashmir, stating, "The fight is not between communities, it is between dharma and adharma. What the terrorists did in Kashmir is being condemned by everyone. Those who were killed there were targeted based on their religion... The fanatics killed people by asking about their religion; Hindus would never do this." Expressing grief and anger over the incident, Bhagwat added, "We are saddened by this event. We are angry, and we should be. Because to destroy demons, we need a power with eight arms." Referring to mythological analogies, Bhagwat said, "There are some people who will never change. Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva, knew the Vedas, had everything that was needed to be a good person, but the mind and intellect he had adopted were not ready to change. Ravana would not have changed until he died and was reborn. That is why Ram killed Ravana to change him. Evil people should be eliminated; this is the expectation. This expectation will be fulfilled..." Criticising the belief that peace can be achieved without preparedness, he said, "We thought there would be no war, that we didn't need an Army we saw the consequences of that in 1962. We must strive to become stronger in terms of defence and protection." In a message including symbolism and a call to action, the RSS chief made it clear that strength is not only for protection but also for deterrence. "Some people won't change even through dialogue. They need to be taught a lesson. I hope we can achieve this soon." New Delhi, April 25 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detained BluSmart co-founder Puneet Jaggi from a Delhi hotel, after the agency conducted raids in a case related to Gensol Engineering Ltd. The raids were conducted at company's offices in Delhi, Gurugram, and Ahmedabad under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED is investigating Gensol promoter brothers Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi after a SEBI report accused them of financial irregularities, corporate misgovernance and fund diversion. Gensol was yet to issue a statement. Earlier, government-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) filed a complaint with the Delhi police against Jaggi brothers-promoted Gensol Engineering Ltd for allegedly filing false documents to take loans for buying electric vehicles (EVs). "PFC has filed a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi police concerning the issuance of falsified documents. PFC is committed to safeguarding its interests and ensuring the recovery of its loan while upholding transparency in its operations," the public sector financial company said in a statement. Gensol, the parent company of all-electric vehicle (EV) app BluSmart which was providing green cab services, allegedly forged letters from its two lenders -- PFC and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) -- to show that it was servicing its debt regularly. However, the claim was exposed when the credit rating agencies began verifying the letters with the lenders. The public sector undertaking said it is also examining the matter internally under its anti-fraud policy. The investigation will focus on tracking missing delivery receipts for EVs financed by the PFC. Gensol had taken loans to the tune of Rs 978 crore from PFC and Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to buy electric vehicles for running an online green taxi service which had become quite popular in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. A SEBI investigation also revealed that Gensol has not been able to account for Rs 262.13 crore of the amount. On April 15, 2025, SEBI released a detailed interim order showing what went wrong at Gensol. The order said the promoters of Gensol, including Anmol and Puneet Singh Jaggi, had treated the company like their personal 'piggy bank'. There were no proper financial controls in place, and the promoters had diverted loan money to themselves or related entities. Gensol had secured loans amounting to Rs 977.75 crore from IREDA and PFC between FY22 and FY24. Of this, Rs 663.89 crore was specifically meant for the purchase of 6,400 EVs. However, the company admitted to buying only 4,704 vehicles, worth Rs 567.73 crore, as verified by supplier Go-Auto. IANS na/ London, April 25 : The High Commission of India in London held a solemn commemorative ceremony in memory of those killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack and in solidarity with the spirit of India. The dignitaries and community members observed a moment of silence and stood in solidarity with India. The ceremony on Thursday was joined by the UK Minister Catherine West; L. Murugan, Indian Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; UK Conservative Party Member of Parliament Bob Blackman; and UK Labour Party Member of Parliament Kanishka Narayan; Members of the UK House of Lords, Baroness Verma, Lord Raval, and Maharashtra's Minister of Social Justice, Sanjay Shirsat. Additionally, members of the Indian diaspora also joined in large numbers to pay their tributes to the innocent lives lost in the terror attack. "With one voice, they affirmed that terrorism must not go unpunished -- and that India will identify, track down, and bring to justice every terrorist, their handlers, and their backers. The commemoration concluded with the recital of a shloka from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, invoking peace and well-being for all," said the High Commission. Meanwhile, in his first address following the barbaric terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued a strong and unequivocal message to the perpetrators of the violence, asserting that India will pursue them to the "ends of the earth" and that terrorism will not go unpunished. "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism," he said while addressing a massive gathering in Bihar's Madhubani. The brutal assault, which has resulted in the death of 25 tourists and a local,l and also left several others critically injured, unfolded on Tuesday in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, where heavily armed terrorists emerged from the surrounding dense forests and opened indiscriminate fire on innocent tourists. The attack has been described as one of the most horrific in the region in recent memory. According to Intelligence sources, Pakistan-based terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack has triggered a string of strong retaliatory diplomatic and strategic actions by India, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. London , April 25 : Hollywood star Hugh Grant has blasted "pathetic" schools and called for a ban on laptops and tablets in the classroom. London , April 25 (IANS) Hollywood star Hugh Grant has blasted "pathetic" schools and called for a ban on laptops and tablets in the classroom. According to The Telegraph newspaper, the actor called for a ban on laptops and tablets in the classroom. The father-of-five joined the campaign group Close Screens, Open Minds at an event at a school in west London, where he aired his frustrations alongside social psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt and actress Sophie Winkleman, reports femalefirst.co.uk. According to The Telegraph newspaper, Grant described himself as "another angry parent fighting the eternal, exhausting and depressive battle with children who only want to be on a screen". He went on: "The final straw was when the school started saying, with some smugness, we give every child a Chromebook, and they do a lot of lessons on their Chromebook, and they do all their homework on their Chromebook, and you just thought that is the last thing they need, and the last thing we need." Grant, who has five children ranging in age from six to 15, said parents feared "rocking the boat". He explained: "I don't think politicians ever do anything because it's the right thing to do, even if it's the right thing to do to protect children. They'll only do what gets them votes. They only care about their career. "Therefore, I think the option on this, which is to go after parents, is the right one. Because I think that once you get a critical mass of parents who are outraged by EdTech, as well as all the other issues, the phones, etc, that is when politicians listen because they're scared of that. "That's also when schools start to listen because they're scared of people leaving their schools and losing business." He also blasted the "kind of ridiculous posh private schools" he sends his children to for restricting outdoor play, saying: "They're the ones saying they're not going to play outside today because it's raining, or they can't go on the climbing frame because it's windy. It's pathetic. It seems to me that there is space here for a hero school, a set of schools, to break the mould." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Washington, April 25 : South Korea and the United States concurred on joint efforts to craft a "package" agreement on new U.S. tariffs, and economic and industrial cooperation issues by early July, Seoul's finance minister said, as the allies held high-level trade talks in Washington, DC. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok told reporters that the two sides agreed to pursue the deal by July 8 -- when U.S. President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs ends -- through talks focusing on four categories -- tariff- and non-tariff measures; economic security; investment cooperation; and currency policies, reports Yonhap news agency. Toward that end, Seoul's industry ministry and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) plan to start working-level talks next week, while USTR Jamieson Greer is set to visit South Korea for high-level talks on the margins of the ministerial Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation talks slated to kick off on May 15. These broad agreements came as Choi and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Greer for the "two-plus-two" trade consultations that took place at the Treasury Department for around 85 minutes. "Our side assesses that the two sides have come to share an understanding that they will craft a 'July package' aimed at removing (U.S.) tariffs (on South Korea) by July 8 when the pause on reciprocal tariffs ends," Choi told Korean reporters at the South Korean Embassy. This week's talks set a broad framework on how future bilateral talks on tariffs and other issues should proceed -- a departure from earlier discussions that were carried out in a somewhat disorganised manner, according to Seoul officials. "Our assessment is that through the two-plus-two meeting today, which is a starting point for consultations, we established a basic framework by narrowing the scope of subjects for talks and reaching an understanding vis-a-vis the consultation schedule," Choi said. "It is meaningful that the two countries were able to share the view toward conducting calm, orderly consultations without haste." The talks came after the Trump administration started imposing country-specific reciprocal tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, on April 9, only to pause them shortly afterward. Its 25 duties on automobiles went into effect on April 3 with the same-rate levies on some auto parts set to come no later than May 3. The South Korean delegation requested exemptions of both reciprocal and sectoral tariffs that affect Asia's fourth-largest economy. "We explained (South Korea's) concerns that the imposition of reciprocal and sectoral tariffs could negatively affect bilateral economic cooperation, and we conveyed our position that exemptions and exceptions from tariffs on Korea are needed," Choi said. a"IANS na/ Jaipur, April 25 : Internet services have been suspended in Gangdhar, Bhawanimandi, and Pidawa areas of Jhalawar district in Rajasthan until midnight on Friday following violence that erupted after the murder of a videographer during a wedding ceremony. While the situation is currently under control, heavy police deployment continues. The incident occurred in Dag town, where Shambhu Singh, a videographer from Lasudiya who had come to attend a wedding, was shot dead late Thursday night by unidentified assailants in a car. The murder triggered chaos in the area, with an enraged crowd setting several shops and kiosks ablaze. In the ensuing violence, Raipur Police Station Officer Banna Lal sustained a serious head injury from stone pelting and was later referred to Jhalawar for treatment. Tensions escalated quickly after the incident, with smoke seen billowing over the town and widespread panic leading residents to lock themselves indoors. As the violence unfolded, a large crowd gathered near the police station in protest. Slogans were raised against the police, and shops were forcibly closed by agitators. Some individuals were also assaulted amid the chaos. To contain the unrest, police personnel from across the district, including reinforcements from Kota and Pratapgarh, were deployed in Dag. The town has effectively turned into a police cantonment, with security forces stationed at key locations. Drones are being used to monitor the area, and the STF (Special Task Force) is conducting continuous patrols. District Collector Ajay Singh Rathore and Superintendent of Police Richa Tomar reached the spot to oversee the situation. SP Tomar confirmed that one of the accused, identified as Rehan, has been arrested. She assured that the remaining culprits were being traced and would be apprehended soon. She also appealed to the public to remain calm and maintain peace. The body of the deceased was sent for post-mortem, conducted by a medical board. In the aftermath, markets in Dag remain shut, and a tense calm prevails across the town. Late into the night, police had to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob. Though the situation is now under control, flames were seen rising for hours in several areas, including near the bus stand and the police station. Hyderabad, April 25 : The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has won the Telangana Legislative Council seat from the Hyderabad local authorities' constituency. Hyderabad, April 25 (IANS) The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has won the Telangana Legislative Council seat from the Hyderabad local authoritiesa constituency. In a direct contest, AIMIM candidate Mirza Riyaz Ul Hassan Effendi defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee N. Gautham Rao by 38 votes. Effendi polled 63 votes while Gautam Rao secured only 25 votes, officials said. The victory is significant for AIMIM ahead of the elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) due early next year. AIMIM has been ruling the municipal body or playing the role of kingmaker for more than four decades. Out of 112 voters, 88 had cast their votes in the MLC election held on April 23. The voters comprised corporators, MPs, MLAs and MLCs from the Hyderabad district. The counting of votes was taken up from 8 a.m. on Friday at GHMC headquarters. With 49 votes, the AIMIM was in a strong position to win the seat and with the support of the Congress party, which has 14 votes, the victory of its candidate appeared only a formality. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which had 20 voters, abstained from polling. The voters included 81 corporators and 31 ex-officio members (9 MPs, 15 MLAs and seven MLAs). The AIMIM has 40 corporators and nine ex-officio members (seven MLAs, one MLC, one Lok Sabha MP). AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, his brother and party floor leader in Telangana Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi and all other voters cast their votes. This is the second term for Effendi as MLC. His six-year term had come to an end last month, along with the term of four other MLCs. In the elections held from MLAs quota, Congress had bagged three seats while its ally Communist Party of India (CPI), had secured one seat. The fifth seat was won by BRS. All the candidates were elected unopposed. Though AIMIM was keen to field a candidate from MLAsa quota, the Congress party persuaded it to wait for MLC election from the Hyderabad local authoritiesa constituency and promised its support. With this win, the AIMIMas tally in the 40-member Legislative Council has again gone up to two. Meanwhile, BJPas Gautam Rao alleged that Congress and BRS helped AIMIM win the election. He stated that the BJP may have lost the election in terms of numbers, but the party has achieved a moral victory. Gautam Rao alleged that BRS helped the AIMIM by staying away from the election. Mumbai, April 25 : Known for making blockbusters such as "War", "Pathaan" and "Fighter," filmmaker Siddharth Anand is set to direct an international production titled "White," which will have actor Vikrant Massey playing spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Known for making blockbusters such as "War", "Pathaan" and "Fighter," filmmaker Siddharth Anand is set to direct an international production titled "White," which will have actor Vikrant Massey playing spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Anand through his banner Marflix Pictures, has joined hands with producer Mahaveer Jain, of Uunchai and NaagZilla fame, via Mahaveer Jain Films for the edge-of-the-seat global thriller. Production preparations are currently underway in Colombia, with filming scheduled to begin this July. The film brings together a distinguished international crew to depict the powerful and inspiring story of how Colombia's brutal 52-year-long civil war was resolved, a largely untold chapter of modern peace-building. Speculation around Vikrant's involvement began when the actor was seen sporting significantly longer hair and undergoing physical transformations. Talking about the spiritual leader, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is also referred to as Gurudev.From around the mid 1970s, he worked as an apprentice under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation. In 1981, he founded the Art of Living Foundation. In 1983, he held the first Art of Living course in Switzerland. Talking about Vikrant, he made his acting debut with the series Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, Dharam Veer, Balika Vadhu, and Qubool Hai. He made his transition to cinema by playing supporting roles in films such as Lootera, Dil Dhadakne Do, and Half Girlfriend. In A Death in the Gunj, the actor had a leading role, which marked a turning point in his career. He then appeared in the biographical drama Chhapaak, romantic comedy Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, mystery thriller Haseen Dillruba, family drama Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi, and romantic thriller Love Hostel. He also had leading roles in the streaming series Mirzapur, Broken But Beautiful, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, he portrayed the lead role of Manoj Kumar Sharma in the biographical film 12th Fail. He currently awaits the release of "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan," which will mark the debut of Shanaya Kapoor. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kolkata, April 25 : Digha, a seaside resort city in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal, will be wrapped under a thick blanket of security for three days, beginning April 28, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Lord Jagannath Temple. On April 30, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will attend the inauguration programme on the occasion of Akshyay Tritiya. The Chief Minister will reach Digha from Kolkata on April 28. On April 29, there will be a 'Mahayagna' (Havan). According to the District Superintendent of Police (East Midnapore), Soumyadip Bhattacharya, 2,000 police personnel will be deployed for three days. In addition to that, plain-clothed police personnel will also be deployed both at the temple complex and other important places of attraction in Digha for the three days. There are possibilities for drone surveillance for the three days, especially on the day of the inauguration of the temple, which has been modelled after the iconic Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri in Odisha. Specially trained and armed police commandos will be deployed on the temple complex. CCTVs have been installed in Digha to monitor the city. At the same time, checking is being conducted at all exit and entry points of Digha, and each vehicle entering or coming out of Digha is being frisked thoroughly. Controversies erupted over the Lord Jagannath temple at Digha, with the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, challenging the Chief Minister's claims that the temple has been modelled after the iconic Puri temple. Adhikari has asked the Chief Minister to clarify why she named the temple 'Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre' and not 'Shree Jagannath Temple'. "The Chief Minister should immediately give instructions so that the name is changed from 'Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre' to 'Shree Jagannath Temple' in all the related state government documents," he said. The North Dakota House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted down the last Education Savings Account bill. The House on Thursday night voted 78-14 to kill Senate Bill 2400, with no floor discussion. The bill would have made ESAs available to all North Dakota school children. The vote came a day after Gov. Kelly Armstrong vetoed an alternative and much cheaper ESA bill -- House Bill 1540 -- saying that bill falls short of providing true school choice in the state and mentioning SB 2400 as an alternative option in his veto message. The House voted to sustain the veto Friday in a 48-45 vote. The chamber would have needed 63 votes to override. SB 2400 would have set up ESAs that provided at least $1,000 to be used on educational expenses for homeschooled children and children attending public or private school, and children attending nonpublic school would have been eligible for up to $3,500 depending on their familys income. HB 1540 would have provided $1,107 to $3,900 to nonpublic or homeschool families for educational expenses -- mostly tuition -- based on income. HB 1540s sponsor, Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, voted against SB 2400 but said he wished the Legislature could have found a compromise earlier in the session. I wish we could have found some middle ground a lot earlier, which I offered many times. And unfortunately, it wasn't until we got into the late hours that conversation started happening, Koppelman said. We'll come back next session ... I'll probably introduce a bill that is a bit more wide sweeping than what 1540 was, but I think I'll follow the template of what we did in 1540. Armstrong also said he found it "unfortunate we couldnt figure out a way to merge the best parts of both of those bills." "I also think we only get one chance to get this right, and we need to have less of a talk about public school versus private school versus all that, so more so about the conversation about those dollars following the parent, following the teacher and following the student," he said. "And I think we still have an opportunity to do something good. It might just take a little longer than we were hoping." Multiple legislators said the hefty price tag of SB 2400 -- coming in at roughly $110 million -- was the reason behind the Legislature's decision to vote down the bill, but some were still surprised by the extent of the opposition. As a comparison, the estimated cost of 1540 was about $21 million. I was a little surprised at how decisive that vote was, said Rep. Don Vigesaa, R-Cooperstown. We have a lot of people in this chamber that are very supportive of those types of initiatives, but for some reason ... the Education Committee didn't put it into a form that people could support. So, I think the chamber spoke pretty loud and clear that that wasn't the vehicle this time. Vigesaa chairs the House Appropriations Committee and said the fiscal impact of the bill was likely the motivating factor for the no votes of those who are on the committee. We're looking to find some further reductions here before we balance our budget, and that would have put us even a little farther behind as to where we have to be, he said. Vigesaa said he routinely votes against bills of this kind because he is from a rural district and feels that the benefit of SB 2400 would have been minimal for rural areas. But he said that HB 1540, which would have provided ESAs only to children enrolled in private schools, would have been less beneficial to his rural district that has virtually no private schools. House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, voted for SB 2400 and said he was proud to do so. He said he has been and will always be a strong proponent for school choice but felt the large price tag was likely the biggest contributing factor to the bills failure. He said the topic will absolutely be back next session. Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Bismarck, who sponsored SB 2400, attempted to bring an amendment to the bill Wednesday that would have brought the price tag down to roughly $35 million, but the House Education Committee voted 7-7 against hearing her amendment. The committee at that point had already given the bill a do-not-pass recommendation. Both the governor and Legislature have said school choice is a focus of the session, but all six ESA bills introduced failed. The only bill to expand school choice that has been signed into law so far this session is SB 2241, which creates a framework for establishing public charter schools in North Dakota. Charter schools are publicly funded, independent schools that can provide different academic models from traditional public schools, such as dual language programs or specialized learning programs for at-risk youth. London, April 25 : Actress Rukmini Maitra-starrer "Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan" helmed by National Award-winning filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee will have its UK premiere on April 25 at the 8th London Bengali Film Festival (LBFF). London, April 25 (IANS) Actress Rukmini Maitra-starrer "Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan" helmed by National Award-winning filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee will have its UK premiere on April 25 at the 8th London Bengali Film Festival (LBFF). The premiere of the Bengali biopic, which traces the extraordinary journey of theatre legend Binodini Dasi in late 19th century Bengal, will take place at the BLOC Cinema of Queen Mary University of London, and will be introduced by the director, followed by an engaging Q&A session. Director Ram Kamal Mukherjee said: "I am extremely happy and proud to be a part of this prestigious film festival. I am glad that Honourable jury members have considered our magnum opus 'Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan' as part of their eighth edition celebrations at London Bengali Film Festival 2025." He added: "The film depicts the journey of a woman who fought for her dream. Binodini Dasi, portrayed by Rukmini Maitra, deals with the untold saga of a theatre legend who paved the path for aspiring female actors almost 140 years ago." The London Bengali Film Festival 2025 officially launches at the prestigious Barbican Centre, Europe's largest art centre, offering attendees the chance to experience the richness and diversity of global Bengali cinema and conversations at iconic London locations, including the Guildhall, Queen Mary University of London, and the Bank of England. This year's 8th edition of Europe's largest Bengali film festival, running from April 22 to 27, 2025, features six films four narrative features, one documentary, and one short film in Bengali and English languages (with English subtitles) from Bangladesh, India, and global South Asian diasporic communities. Munsur Ali, the Founder & CEO of the London Bengali Film Festival, said: "Mainstream films have a global audience, but global stories also need to be seen by the mainstream audience. The London Bengali Film Festival does exactly that. We believe 'Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan' will resonate deeply with our audience and celebrate the rich tapestry of Bengali cinema." Subidita Bhattacharya, the LBFF Festival Director, added, "We are thrilled to present 'Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan' at this year's film festival. This Bengali masterpiece beautifully captures the essence of theatre and the indomitable spirit of Binodini, a pioneering actress of her time. Through its compelling narrative and stunning visuals, the film offers a profound exploration of art, resilience, and cultural heritage." "Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan" released on January 23. It also stars Kaushik Ganguly, Rahul Bose, Mir Afsar Ali, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Om Sahani. The film narrates the life of the renowned theatre artist Binodini Dasi, celebrated for defying societal norms and conventions, and chronicles her journey from a courtesan to the queen of Bengali theatre, highlighting her struggles, passions, betrayals, and triumphs. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Jammu, April 25 : The houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh, who were behind the Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were brutally killed, were destroyed in separate blasts in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The blast happened on Thursday night, said sources, adding that some explosives were kept inside their houses, which went off. Thoker, a native of Anantnag district, is one of the key accused in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre. He had reportedly travelled to Pakistan in 2018, where he received terror training before returning to Jammu and Kashmir last year. Police believe he has been acting as a local guide for the Pakistani terrorists. Sheikh, a resident of Pulwama, is suspected to be involved in the attack. Police on Thursday released sketches of Thoker and two other terrorists said to be involved in the Pahalgam attack. The police said the other two suspects were Pakistani nationals and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for credible information leading to their arrests. According to the notices made public by the police on X, the other two suspects are: Hashim Musa alias Suleman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai. They are also believed to be members of the Pakistan-based terror outfit. The terror attack took place in Pahalgam's Baisaran -- dubbed "mini Switzerland", which is surrounded by dense forests. Twenty-five tourists, including one Nepali national and a local man, were shot dead by terrorists. The attack was one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region in recent years. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a powerful warning to the "enemies" of the nation, stating that India will "identify, trace, and punish" every terrorist and their supporters, pursuing them to the "ends of the Earth." He said that a stringent punishment will be given to the terrorists and those backing them. PM Modi said, "This attack was not only on the unarmed tourists, but the enemies of the nation have dared to attack the soul of India. I would like to make it clear that those who have carried out this terrorist attack and those who have planned it will get a bigger punishment than they can imagine. We will punish them." "Today, from the soil of Bihar, I tell the entire world -- India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us.' Dhaka, April 25 : Three Sri Lankan nationals, including a woman who was abducted for ransom in Bangladesh, were rescued by the police. According to local media reports, the trio had travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of a friend they had met on social media. The police have detained three local people, including the person who sent them the invitation, in connection with the abduction, confirmed Bangladeshi Deputy Inspector General of Police (Khulna range) Mohammad Rezaul Haque while speaking to local journalists on Thursday. The four arrested Bangladeshi Kazi Emdad Hossain, Shahidul Sheikh, Jony Sheikh, and SM Shamsul Alam contacted the families of the Sri Lankan nationals from a local phone number, and demanded ransom, Bangladesh's newspaper, The Daily Star reported. Later, the three Sri Lankans were found at the home of Emdad Kazi at South Ambari village in the Upazila, according to Touhidul Arif, Superintendent of Police in Bagerhat district of Bangladesh. "Recently Emdad became acquainted with the three Sri Lankan nationals on social media. Emdad invited them to Bangladesh with talk of business opportunities. The three Sri Lankan nationals arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday. They were taken hostage after arriving in the country," Bangladeshi media outlet bdnews24 reported, quoting SP Touhidul Arif. "Members of their families called from Sri Lanka and informed us that they had been kidnapped. They had been told they would not be let go without a ransom. They were taken to Bagerhat's Mollahat on Wednesday night," the police official added. Recently, the US reissued travel advisories to its citizens to reconsider their travel to Bangladesh, citing civil unrest, crime, and terrorism in the country. There is also a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Bangladesh, said the US Department of State travel advisory Earlier UK also updated its travel advisory for Bangladesh, advising its citizens against all but essential travel to regions such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts. "Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as: crowded areas, religious buildings, political rallies," said the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advisory. In a growing, deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, local media also reported an alarming increase in the number of highway robberies, targeting mostly expatriates. According to Bangladesh Highway Police headquarters, such robberies have surged since the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government in August 2024. Jaipur, April 25 : A statewide bandh in Rajasthan on Friday to protest against the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir evoked good response. Protests erupted at various locations in the state, with demonstrators raising strong anti-Pakistan slogans. In response to the terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Hindu organisations and several community groups have called for a statewide bandh (shutdown), which got widespread support across multiple districts. Markets remained completely closed in Sikar and Kota, where the bandh call saw strong participation. In Kota, members of Hindu organisations reportedly pressured some offices to shut down. In Sikar, various trade and social groups, including the Sikar Vyapar Sangh, supported the bandh. While emergency services, medical facilities, and petrol pumps remained operational, police were deployed across key market areas. Schools remained open due to ongoing examinations, though many private institutions declared a holiday for students not appearing for exams. In Kota, organisations such as the Kota Vyapar Mahasangh and the Private School Association backed the bandh. Petrol pumps and the city's Bhamashah Mandi remained shut from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hindu groups took out marches through the markets, enforcing the shutdown at some locations. Markets in Hanumangarh remained closed in solidarity with the victims. Hindu communities, along with local social, religious, and business groups, joined the bandh, keeping their establishments shut throughout the day. In the wake of the attack, Rajasthan has been placed on high alert. The Border Security Force (BSF) has ramped up deployment along the India-Pakistan border in Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Sri Ganganagar. Armed personnel are conducting thorough vehicle checks, while increased surveillance is being maintained through CCTV networks. In Pokhran's Ramdevra, soldiers are inspecting dharamshalas for security purposes. A category blockade is in effect in the entire Sri Ganganagar district. All police holidays have been suspended until further notice. According to ADG (Law and Order) Vishal Bansal, orders have been issued to all SPs, DCPs, Range IGs, and Commissioners across Rajasthan to remain on alert and ensure law and order. In Kota, BJP workers and trade organisations jointly staged a protest rally, shouting slogans against Pakistan and demanding stringent action in response to the terror attack. With widespread shutdowns, heavy security, and public outrage, Rajasthan continues to stand united in protest against the horrific Pahalgam attack. Seoul, April 25 : Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday criticised the prosecution for indicting him on bribery charges, saying that the indictment was "unjust" and demonstrated the prosecution's abuse of power. Moon, who served as President from 2017 to 2022, made the remarks at a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, a day after prosecutors indicted him over alleged bribery related to allegations that he facilitated the employment of his former son-in-law at a Thai airline. "The indictment itself is unjust, and it felt like (prosecutors) were driving (the case) to something of a predetermined course," Moon said. Moon said the indictment came abruptly while he was in the process of coordinating with prosecutors to verify the relevant facts. "Prosecutors have become politicised," Moon said. "It seems like a clear example of how prosecutorial power is being abused." Moon and his daughter, Da-hye, were accused of allegedly receiving bribes in the form of salary and other payments for Da-hye's ex-husband, surnamed Seo, by the airline. Seo was appointed executive director at the airline in 2018 after Lee Sang-jik, who founded the airline, was appointed head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. Prosecutors suspect that Lee's appointment was made in exchange for hiring Seo at the airline, particularly given Seo's lack of experience in the airline industry at the time. Moon is alleged to have stopped providing financial support to his daughter's family after Seo's employment, and prosecutors consider the approximately 217 million won ($151,125) in salary and other compensation paid by the airline to Seo and Da-hye as a bribe to the former President. After meeting with Woo, Moon attended a ceremony commemorating the seventh anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, a landmark agreement signed in April 2018 by Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the truce village of Panmunjom. The declaration aimed to improve inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, but much of the initiatives stalled under his conservative successor, former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap news agency reported. Moon denounced Yoon's hardline policy on North Korea, including scrapping the 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction accord, underscoring the importance of resuming talks with Pyongyang. "Resuming talks between the two Koreas is the most important. To avoid the risks of a military clash, the (inter-Korean) military agreement must first be restored," Moon said. Moon called the idea of South Korea pursuing nuclear armament a "dangerous" proposition, warning that such a move could give immunity to North Korea's nuclear development, abandon denuclearisation efforts and isolate South Korea from the international community. Phnom Penh, April 25 : Cambodia is making great progress towards achieving its malaria-free target by the end of 2025, Prime Minister Hun Manet said. In a message to mark the National Malaria Day on Friday, he said the Southeast Asian country reported only 355 malaria cases in 2024, a significant drop of 75 per cent compared to 2023. The prime minister added that the kingdom had reported zero deaths from the disease since 2018 and no local Plasmodium Falciparum cases since 2024. "Cambodia is on the verge of achieving a malaria-free goal by the end of 2025," Hun Manet said, urging all stakeholders to continue to support the country to achieve the target. Huy Rekol, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, said malaria diagnostic tests and treatments have been highly effective in Cambodia, with Artesunate/Mefloquine, or ASMQ, being 100 per cent safe and efficacious against malaria, Xinhua news agency reported. "This progress has put Cambodia in the category of successful countries in eliminating malaria," he told Xinhua. Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that is typically found in forest and mountainous provinces, especially during rainy seasons. To avoid being bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Rekol advises people living in malaria-risk areas to sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets at all times. Symptoms can be mild or life-threatening. Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing. Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women and girls, travellers and people with HIV or AIDS are at higher risk of severe infection. Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites and with medicines. Treatments can stop mild cases from getting worse. Malaria mostly spreads to people through the bites of some infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Blood transfusion and contaminated needles may also transmit malaria. The first symptoms may be mild, similar to many febrile illnesses, and difficulty to recognise as malaria. Left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness and death within 24 hours. Kochi, April 25 : Two Governors, state ministers, actors and hundreds of people with tears in their eyes bid goodbye to 68-year-old Ramachandran, who was shot dead by a terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Kerala Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, State Ministers P. Rajeeve, R. Bindhu and many others filed past the body of Ramachandran on Friday. Pillai, after paying his respect, said the country comes first, and all other things follow it. "This brutal incident has been condemned by leaders across the globe, and it shows how the world sees this ghastly terror attack," he said. The mortal remains of Ramachandran arrived here on Wednesday and were kept at a mortuary for his near and dear ones who flew in to see him one last time, on Friday morning. The body was placed first at a local auditorium where people paid their last respects. Several people, when asked how they knew the deceased, answered, "...do not know him, but came to pay our respects to the unfortunate Ramachandran who was felled by a bullet of a terrorist." An elderly woman waiting for her turn to pay her respects said, "I do not know him, since I worked in Pahalgam where this happened, I travelled from Thrissur just to see him." Then there were some people who knew Ramachandran as a sincere BJP/RSS worker. From the auditorium, the body was then moved to his house near here and among those who carried the coffin included State Industries Minister Rajeeve. At the home, it was the turn of the distraught family and friends of Rajendran, with moist eyes, they bid him goodbye. The customary prayer sessions were held, and by noon, the body was consigned to flames at a public crematorium. Following this, a condolence meeting will be held. A former non-resident Indian who had returned from the Middle East five years ago, Ramachandran was a staunch BJP supporter. He had unsuccessfully contested local body polls and was among those shortlisted as a potential BJP candidate for civic elections to be held later this year. Ramachandran's daughter, Aarti, a mother of twin boys, on Thursday broke down while recounting the horrifying moment when her father was shot dead by a terrorist, watched by her and the kids. Aarti said the man, who wasn't in an Army uniform, poked her head with his gun. Her terrified sons began wailing. "Perhaps hearing their cries, the gunman walked away." Mysuru : , April 25 (IANS) The ruling Congress party in Karnataka has directed its leaders to observe a candlelight march in all district headquarters across the state on Friday evening, condemning the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Karnataka Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, stated in Mysuru on Friday, "To pay respects to all the victims who were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and to pray for their souls, party workers and leaders should carry out a candlelight protest in all district headquarters." "The Congress party has issued directions in this regard. I have also conveyed the message that all party workers must participate in the candlelight protest at this time. The Congress party strongly condemns the incident. Our party will extend full cooperation to maintain peace, integrity, and unity in the country, and we are committed to this cause," Dy CM Shivakumar said. When asked about security lapses related to the Pahalgam terror attack, Dy CM Shivakumar said that the Congress party would not point fingers at anyone at this moment. "This is not the time for criticism or mudslinging. Let the BJP issue any statement they want. I am the president of a responsible political party," he said. "If someone expresses an opinion on this matter, it will be played up by the media. Right now, peace is what people need. We should not fall prey to the acts of a few elements. If people from outside the country are coming here and unleashing violence, we should not end up fighting among ourselves," he added. "The central government has already stated that they will take strict action. The Congress party has urged them to do so. It is now up to the Centre," he said. Shivakumar also released a video appealing to party members: "All party MLAs, leaders, and workers we should all bow our heads in respect following the terror attack in Kashmir. It is our duty to protect the integrity, unity, and peace of the country. "The Congress party has sent me a message, and I am sharing it with you. Including Bengaluru, a prayer should be held for the victims at all district headquarters on Friday at 7 p.m. We must pay our respects to them by participating in a candlelight march with candles or lamps." Dy CM Shivakumar further told the media, "We have decided to hold a 'Cauvery Aarti' at the KRS Dam on the lines of the Ganga Aarti and have reserved Rs 98 crore for it. A committee has been formed with members from the Religious Endowment Department, the Tourism Department, the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and other agencies. A meeting has been held to identify the appropriate location at the dam. We are also taking steps to include coastal Karnataka's traditional sport 'Kambala' in this year's Mysuru Dasara celebrations." "The Cauvery Aarti is purely a religious initiative. The Cauvery River is our lifeline not just for Karnataka, but also for Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It provides drinking water, supports agriculture, and supplies water to Bengaluru and industrial areas. We need to offer our prayers to the Goddess Cauvery. Therefore, we are initiating the tradition of worshipping the river. This event will be jointly organised by the Religious Endowment, Kannada and Culture, Tourism, Irrigation, and BWSSB departments," Dy CM Shivakumar added. New Delhi, April 25 : Corporates pre-committed close to 38 office space deals, covering a total area of around 10.8 million square feet during the six-month period from October 2024 to March 2025, a report said on Friday. These deals have been pre-committed by companies in Bengaluru, Mumbai and the National Capital Region (NCR), according to the report by Anarock. "The increased demand from both Indian companies and global MNCs, along with changing workplace needs such as advanced tech infrastructure and ESG compliance, has driven the pre-commitment activity," said Peush Jain, Managing Director of Commercial Leasing and Advisory at Anarock Group. A growing number of global capability centres (GCCs) are also expected to drive demand further, as companies seek large, high-quality workspaces that allow them to maintain their unique identity. Bengaluru led the trend with nearly 5.7 million sq. ft. of pre-committed space, accounting for 53 per cent of the total, followed by Mumbai with 3.1 million sq. ft. (29 per cent) and NCR with 2 million sq. ft. (19 per cent). These three cities are home to a large number of domestic companies and multinational corporations (MNCs) in the technology, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), and co-working sectors. With the availability of quality Grade A+ office space falling short over the past two years, many companies have chosen to secure their future offices through pre-commitment deals. These agreements, signed during the under-construction stage of a project, help companies secure prime locations, negotiate better lease terms, and avoid future rental hikes. Bengaluru saw the highest average deal size, with corporates committing to about 0.5 million sq. ft. per deal. In Mumbai, the average size was 0.4 million sq. ft., and in NCR, it stood at around 0.1 million sq. ft. The report noted that 42 per cent of the total deals were for spaces larger than 0.3 million sq. ft. Bengaluru had the highest number of such large deals at nine, followed by Mumbai with four and NCR with three. Most of these deals were signed by global firms in the IT/ITeS and BFSI sectors, which are looking to expand their presence in India. Bangkok, April 25 : A small police plane crashed near the shore of Thailand's resort town of Hua Hin on Friday morning, killing six people, the Thai police said. The Thai national police said on its social media page that the aircraft of the police aviation division crashed into the sea off Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province shortly after taking off from the nearby Hua Hin airport, with all six on board killed. The police said the accident took place when the plane was conducting a test flight for parachute training. All six people on board were police officers. Five died at the scene and one died later at a hospital, Xinhua news agency reported. Video footage showed the plane nosedive into the sea. Initial investigations suggest that the engine malfunctioned shortly after takeoff. The police said the cause of the accident will be investigated. The police emergency centre of Phetchaburi province said that it received notifications of a plane plunging into the sea just near a local resort at about 8:15 a.m. Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said the incident happened during a test flight operation in preparation for a parachute training drill in Hua Hin. The victims were identified as Pol Col Prathan Khiewkham, Pol Lt Col Panthep Maneewachirangkul and Pol Capt Chaturawong Wattanapaisarn, along with aircraft engineer Pol Lt Thanawat Mekprasert and mechanics Pol L/Cpl Jeerawat Maksakha and Pol Sgt Maj Prawat Pholhongsa, the Bangkok Post reported. Authorities have not confirmed the aircraft model, but images from the scene suggest it was a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter. The crash occurred in the Hua Hin district, with the aircraft landing in the sea roughly 100 metres from shore. Photos reveal the plane partially submerged and broken in two. The test flight was part of preparations for a parachute training exercise in the area. Officials from the public relations department of Prachuab Kiri Khan province confirmed the location of the crash. Further details about the cause of the accident and the condition of the crew were not immediately released. Emergency responders and investigators are on-site assessing the situation and collecting evidence to determine the cause of the crash. Regional Australian enterprises face connectivity challenges, with limited provider options and technology access. TPG Telecom addressed this by expanding its mobile network. This expansion offers businesses: Single provider management with one bill Better support for field workers and fleets Improved real-time data access Explore this white paper to see how enhanced connectivity transforms operations. Mumbai, April 25 : : Actor Aayush Sharma shared that a painting of Ayatul Kursi by his superstar brother-in-law, Salman Khan turned out to be very lucky for him. Aayush and his wife Arpita Khan Sharma were joined by Farah Khan for her YouTube channel show. The choreographer-filmmaker gave a house tour of the couple and even got the actor to cook a Himachali Mutton Recipe. While giving a house tour, Farah stumbled upon a beautiful painting and asked the couple if it was made by the "Dabangg" star. Arpita said: "This is the Ayatul Kursi. This is the Ayatul Kursi that he made for us. Aayush then said that the painting has been very lucky for him. He said: "This painting is very lucky for me. The day I saw the poster it was released. Half an hour before that this painting was installed." "Antim: The Final Truth" released in 2021. The film, which is directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, is an adaptation of the Marathi film Mulshi Pattern. The film also stars Salman Khan, Mahima Makwana and Jisshu Sengupta. The story revolves around the face-off between a Sikh police officer and a gangster. It explores the hard conditions faced by farmers that pushes some of them towards crime. Farah then asked Aayush about how he met Arpita, the actor said: "In Bombay. I had a common friend who introduced me to her. I used to listen to Arpita." "What was the first thing you liked about her?" asked Farah, to which Aayush said: "I had heard a lot about her. So when I saw her for the first time she was sitting on a bench in a restaurant I was very fascinated because her legs were not reaching the table and she was dangling her legs and she was sitting and ordering. So I really liked that she is very innocent and very cute." "She has a tough exterior like a coconut but a soft interior. When she came to my house for the first time she got my curtain changed. She told me that there is something called allergy and I have to learn how to clean the curtain for the first time," added Aayush. Talking about what she liked about Aayush, Arpita said: "His honesty. And that he was cute also." In the vlog, the couple also revealed that the food comes from Salma Khan's house everyday. Arpita said: "I am very used to mummy ka khana. So we take full advantage of it and so do Arbaaz, Sohail and all of us." Aayush added that the food from Salman's mother's kitchen came to shoot locations too. The actor recalled: "When we were friends we were not married yet. I used to make a meeting plan so that we could have dinner together. We used to have biryani and my friend and I used to make a plan." Mumbai, April 25 : Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan said that while he respects television, he sees his Netflix series "Jewel Thief-The Heist Begins" as a different space. For him, every project, big or small, deserves full commitment and deep respect for the craft and platform. Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan said that while he respects television, he sees his Netflix series "Jewel Thief-The Heist Begins" as a different space. For him, every project, big or small, deserves full commitment and deep respect for the craft and platform. He said, "There were one or two people who asked my manager if I was doing TV now. There is nothing against TV; it's a great medium. But I don't think the Netflix Series is like TV at all, there are differences." "Being in front of the camera is a privilege; the older I get, the more I understand that." Saif talked about the importance of striving for excellence and respecting every platform and said that he doesn't distinguish between big or small projects. "You have to be great, and try to be very good at everything, and also respect the platform you are on. There is so much amazing stuff out there, and there are so many amazing actors doing fantastic work. I don't think I differentiate between a big movie or a small movie anymore; it's just an opportunity to give it a shot, and that has to be 100 percent commitment." The actor had earlier opened up about the allure of playing a thief. Sharing his thoughts on the role, he said that there's something intriguing about portraying a character who operates outside the system. Reflecting on playing Rehan Roy, Saif shares "Playing a thief in a heist movie is very interesting because he is someone who challenges the system, bending the rules, it's kind of fascinating to watch and read through and portray." Saif's character Rehaan is a charming rogue with a penchant for rebellion, an adventurous spirit and a deep seated love for family. He said that his character Rehaan "is a thief with organization, with swag, an adventurer at heart and a family man." "He is the quintessential Hindi film hero in that sense- breaks rules, cons people but is kind at heart and you see the bigger picture. It was this dynamic that made him irresistible to portray and I believe attractive to watch." "Jewel Thief-The Heist Begins" is directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal, the upcoming movie also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Nikita Dutta and Kunal Kapoor. "Jewel Thief- The Heist Begins" will stream on Netflix from April 25. New Delhi, April 25 : The CPI on Friday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack but cautioned the government against viewing terrorism as a communal or Hindu-Muslim issue. Rajya Sabha member and CPI Parliamentary Party Leader P. Sandosh Kumar also gave a political twist to the all-party meeting held after the attack, alleging that the exercise was a lost opportunity to build national unity. "Instead of fostering consensus, the meeting became a public relations exercise. The Prime Minister, as head of the government, should have attended, shared his views, and genuinely listened to others. Instead, he chose to speak at a political rally in Bihar." The CPI also criticised the exclusion of several parties from the meeting on Thursday. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), the ruling party in J&K, and the CPI, which has consistently fought against extremism from Punjab to Manipur, were excluded on the grounds of not having five MPs. "It appears that the Union government views terrorism as a communal and Hindu-Muslim issue, leading to selective invitations and exclusion of truly secular forces of unity, like the CPI," said the RS member. Criticising the allegedly selective invitation for the all-party meeting, the CPI leader said, "Should states in the Northeast with less than five MPs be excluded from deliberations on terrorism? National interest cannot be held hostage to arithmetic." He also complained that a party with a lone MP was invited to the all-party meeting, reportedly by the Home Minister himself. "This shows the Union government's fractured understanding of the situation and terrorism. This flawed criterion defies logic," said Sandosh Kumar. Asking the government to deal with terrorism with utmost seriousness and act decisively to isolate its sponsors, the CPI raised concerns about the security and intelligence lapses surrounding the Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed on April 22. Reports suggest that at least two of the terrorists infiltrated Indian territory days before the incident. "How did heavily armed infiltrators remain undetected? How were nearly a thousand tourists allowed at a vulnerable site barely 100 km from Srinagar when heightened security and combing operations were underway ahead of the Prime Minister's now postponed visit on April 19?" asked Sandosh Kumar. The CPI also condemned attempts by sections of the media to communalise the tragedy, leading to the killing of a young Muslim man in Agra. "This is exactly what the terrorists want -- to divide India. The Union government and state governments must remain vigilant and act swiftly to prevent any communal provocations," he added. Imphal, April 25 : Security forces in Manipur arrested seven militants belonging to different banned outfits from Imphal East and Imphal West districts, officials said on Friday. A police official said the arrested militants belonged to different factions of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), the People's Liberation Army and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). The ultras were involved in kidnapping, forcible collection of money from contractors, government employees, traders and even common people in Imphal East and Imphal West districts. Some arms and ammunition, cash amounts, Aadhaar cards, incriminating documents, two two-wheelers, and some mobile handsets were recovered from the militants' possession. Manipur Police, during its ongoing drive to recover stolen or snatched cars, recovered six more vehicles from different places in the state on Thursday night. Amid the ethnic violence in Manipur, theft of cars and two-wheelers is one of the major problems and 105 stolen cars and 12 two-wheelers have been recovered since April 16 from different places in the state. The police official said that Manipur Police launched a special drive on April 16 for the recovery of stolen/snatched vehicles and two-wheelers from anti-social elements and attackers. The official said that police have been carrying out a special drive against the illegal use of tinted films in vehicles. Since January 1, tinted films have been removed from 3,900 vehicles in different districts. The police official said that as part of the ongoing search and area domination operations, the security forces recovered some sophisticated arms and ammunition from Churachandpur and Imphal West district. In an appeal, Manipur Police urged the people not to believe in rumours and be aware of fake videos. "Any circulation of unfounded videos, etc., may be confirmed from the rumour-free number of the central control room. Also, many fake posts are being circulated on social media. It is hereby cautioned that uploading of fake posts on social media will invite legal action," the appeal said. The police continue to urge the public to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or nearest security forces immediately. Mangaluru : , April 25 (IANS) Karnataka Police on Friday registered an FIR and launched a manhunt for the individual behind a social media post allegedly defending the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The post, made under the username "Nicchu Mangaluru," was published in the wake of the attack. The Ullal Police in Mangaluru city filed the FIR based on a complaint lodged by Satish Kumar, a resident of Ullal. The Konaje Police have registered the case under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), invoking Sections 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot) and 353(1)(B) (publication of material likely to cause fear or panic among the public, potentially leading someone to commit a crime against the state). The accused allegedly posted a message claiming that the biased media had forgotten about one Chetan Singh a" a terrorist who, according to the post, asked three people whether they were Muslims before shooting them at Palghar Railway Station in Maharashtra. The post went on to say that if Chetan Singh had been hanged publicly, the recent attack in Srinagar might have been prevented. The post also included an image of Chetan Singh and a photograph of the Pahalgam attack site, where the terrorists reportedly confirmed the victims were Hindus before shooting them. A local Muslim youth was also killed for questioning the terrorists' actions and trying to defend the tourists. Police stated they have retrieved the image of the accused from the Facebook page, and preliminary investigations indicate that the individual is a resident of the Konaje area in Mangaluru. The Facebook post sparked sharp outrage on social media, with users demanding immediate action against the accused. Earlier, Karnataka Police registered an FIR against the state BJP IT Cell on Thursday over a social media post alleging that whenever Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is abroad, terror attacks occur in Kashmir. The complaint was filed by C.M. Dhananjaya, President of the Legal and Human Rights Cell of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and the FIR was registered at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru. The complaint states that the post has the potential to disturb societal peace and incite hatred among communities. It also states that the statement was intended to defame LoP Gandhi and is based on false information. Islamabad, April 25 : Pakistan and India's decision to shut down the Wagah-Attari border crossing after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack has forced several citizens from both countries to cut short their visit and rush back home. On Thursday, after both countries announced closure of border crossing and gave a deadline for citizens to leave for their respective countries, at least 28 Pakistanis nationals returned from India while 105 Indian citizens in Pakistan crossed over into India. A Hindu family from Balochistan's Sibi was reportedly denied entry into India after the closure of border crossing. "We were on our way to Indore in Madhya Pradesh to attend a wedding. Seven members of our family were excited to join our relatives in India and take part in the celebrations. But upon reaching Wagah, we learned that the border had been sealed. We will spend the night at Dera Sahib in Lahore and head back home tomorrow," said Akshay Kumar. Meanwhile, a Sikh family from India, in Pakistan to attend a wedding, decided to leave for India immediately. "We had come to Pakistan for a wedding. While the ceremony took place, several important rituals remained. Once we heard the border was closed, we decided to return immediately," said Raminder Singh, an Indian national. A Hindu family from Ghotki in Pakistan's Sindh province, now residing in New Delhi, was visiting Pakistan for the last two months to meet their relatives. However, they are now unsure about getting permission to return to India. "There are five of us, including my young son and daughter, uncle and aunt. We all hold Pakistani passports and were granted No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) certificate by India. But uncertainty looms now, said a family member named Indira. "Families with cross-border ties often bear the brunt of rising tensions between the two neighbours. With tensions between Pakistan and India once again on the rise, human connections across borders are becoming the first casualty," said Asif Memood, a Lahore-based journalist. "The closure of the Wagah-Attari border has left many families in limbo, uncertain when they will next reunite with their loved ones," he added. New Delhi, April 25 : Samajwadi Party's Maharashtra unit chief Abu Azmi on Friday strongly backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stern warning against the perpetrators of the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and asked all parties to stand together with the government. Reacting to PM Modi's comment that every terrorist and their handlers behind the Kashmir attack will be hunted down and punished, Azmi said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the right thing. We fully support his statement. Every Indian wants these terrorists and their masterminds to be eliminated. They should either be hanged or shot, because they are enemies of India's peace and development. Strictest action should be taken against such elements." Addressing a massive public gathering in Bihar's Madhubani on Thursday, PM Modi remarked, "I say to the whole world [that] India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers." "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism," he said, adding that the entire country is "firm in this resolve". Abu Azmi also praised the local Muslim community in Kashmir for protecting Hindu tourists during the attack. "I want to congratulate the Muslims of Kashmir who helped protect their Hindu brothers. This is the real Islam. Those who commit acts of terrorism in the name of Islam are not real Muslims; they are a disgrace to the religion," he added. On RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark that the attack was a fight between dharma and adharma, and that a Hindu would never kill anyone based on religion, Azmi disagreed. "If Hindus can't do that, then who shot and killed people in a moving train just because they were Muslims? The killer was a Hindu policeman, and he shot them after asking their religion. In today's India, Muslims are being beaten for wearing a cap or a kurta, and told to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' or to prove their loyalty. This is unacceptable," Azmi asserted. On the RSS chief's call for Hindu unity, Azmi emphasised inclusivity. "We all, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, need to stand together. Only when we are united can India move forward. If you talk about Hindu unity while excluding Muslims, that's not acceptable. True strength lies in collective unity," he said. Commenting on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kashmir, Azmi welcomed it. "He should go, talk to the people and understand the ground reality. This should not be labelled as a political stunt," he said. When asked about the absence of Uddhav Thackeray's MPs from the all-party meeting called by the government post-attack, Azmi responded, "Why they didn't attend can be answered by their leaders, but such issues should not be politicised. The nation is bigger than politics, and all parties must stand united with the government at such times." Patna, April 25 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called a Cabinet meeting on Friday and approved 34 proposals. One of the major decisions was dismissing Vijay Kumar, former Executive Officer of Barbidha, and Raman Rai, former Circle Officer of Sikta Zone (West Champaran), currently Assistant Settlement Officer in Kishanganj from their services due to administrative and disciplinary reasons. The Cabinet has also approved 663 non-technical posts for 71 offices of the Integrated Urban Engineering Organisation under the Urban Development Department. These posts aim to ensure smooth functioning and will cost the government Rs 35.27 crore annually. The Cabinet has approved Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Amendment Rules, 2025. This may impact the land and revenue administration. It has also given the approval for 40 new posts in the Advocate Generalas Office, including 34 permanent and 6 contractual posts. The Dynamic Assured Career Progression for dentists has been approved retroactively from April 1, 2017, ensuring financial and career growth benefits. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, along with Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat S Siddhartha. The state government is aiming to assess viability, land, environment, and air traffic prospects. To speed up infrastructure and development projects, the Cabinet has approved 104 posts of Additional District Land Acquisition Officers and 81 posts of Revenue Officer-cum-Kanungo (Land Acquisition) in the Revenue and Land Reforms Department. The state government is exploring the development of regional airports in Madhubani, Veerpur, Munger, Valmikinagar, Bhagalpur and Saharsa. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi will conduct the study for this project and the Bihar government has allocated a Rs 2.43 crore budget. In line with CM Nitish Kumaras public commitments to improve higher education institutes, new degree colleges will be opened in 8 districts in Madhubani, Goraul, Shamho, Imamganj, Adhaura, Katoria, Asarganj, and Chakai. A total of 526 posts were approved for these degree colleges including 422 teaching posts including one Principal per college and 104 non-teaching staff. This step aims to increase access to higher education in backward and underserved regions. Srinagar, April 25 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday that every perpetrator and supporter of the Pahalgam terror attack must be hunted down. The L-G reviewed the security scenario with the Army Chief and other top Army commanders of the Northern Command. Officials said that the L-G has asked the Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, who called on him here, to take effective steps not only to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to justice, but also to intensify efforts to crush the infrastructure of terrorism and its ecosystem. "During the discussion, Lieutenant Governor said the nation has full faith in the bravery and valour of our Army, police and CAPFs, and they must work in close synergy to identify perpetrators, enablers and OGWs in the Pahalgam massacre case and pursue the entire chain in a sustained manner and neutralise them. "Every perpetrator and supporter of the Pahalgam terror attack, whatever his location or affiliation, must be hunted and they must pay the heavy price for the cowardly and dastardly act against our citizens," the Lieutenant Governor told the top Army officials. The meeting also reviewed security mechanisms in place, various short-term, long-term measures and integration and coordination among the various security agencies. The meeting was attended by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen M.V. Suchindra Kumar, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava. In a cowardly attack, terrorists killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and one local, in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22. The attack shocked the nation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first reaction to the terror attack that the terrorists, their handlers and backers would get such punishment that they cannot even imagine. The PM said that the time had come when the shrinking space of the terrorists must be destroyed. New Delhi, April 25 : The Enforcement Directorate has asked the Bureau of Immigration to issue a look-out circular against Puneet Singh Jaggi and Anmol Singh Jaggi, the promoters of Gensol Engineering Ltd, in connection with an investigation into the diversion of funds from the scam-hit company, reports said on Friday. A portion of the loans raised by Gensol from financial institutions is suspected to have been diverted overseas in violation of the Foreign Exchange Act (FEMA). Investigations are on to collection information on other firms linked to the Jaggi brothers that may have been used as front companies to route funds to foreign accounts, an NDTV Profit report said. Anmol Singh Jaggi is reportedly in Dubai, while Puneet Singh Jaggi was questioned by ED officials for over 6 hours in connection with the case on Thursday. Earlier in the day, a news report had cited sources to say that Puneet Singh Jaggi had been taken into custody, but a senior ED official later denied any arrest or detention of the businessman. The ED has searched multiple premises in Delhi, Gurugram, and Ahmedabad linked to the Jaggi brothers. The ED is investigating suspected foreign exchange violations involving unauthorised remittances of around Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore. Government-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) has already filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against Gensol Engineering Ltd for allegedly filing false documents to take loans for buying electric vehicles. The public sector undertaking said it is also examining the matter internally under its anti-fraud policy. The investigation will focus on tracking missing delivery receipts for EVs financed by the PFC. Gensol had taken loans to the tune of Rs 978 crore from the PFC and the Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to buy electric vehicles for running an online green taxi service, which had become quite popular in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. These loans were supposed to be used for buying EVs, but over Rs 200 crore of the amount was routed through a car dealership and sent to other companies linked to the promoters. Some of the money was used for luxury purchases, including flats in DLF Camellias, where the price of an apartment starts at Rs 70 crore. A SEBI investigation revealed that Gensol has not been able to account for Rs 262.13 crore of the amount. On April 15, 2025, the SEBI released a detailed interim order showing what went wrong at Gensol. The order said the promoters of Gensol, including the Jaggi brothers, had treated the company like their personal 'piggy bank'. There were no proper financial controls in place, and the promoters had diverted loan money to themselves or related entities. Q: What are some reasons why the U.S. wants to stop China from rising as a global superpower? Are those reasons justified? A: 1Imperialism. The US has to dominate every country in the world. The US cannot tolerate any country having the same esteem as the US enjoys. 2Racism. How can a no-white country develop? No way. They must steal our IP. Every Chinese person is a spy. 3Colonialism. China has a government of, by, and for indigenous people. The Chinese are indigenous people in China. Thats not the rule-based order. The rule-based order only allows the colonialist countries, such as the US, to develop. China was lucky not to be genocided during the European colonialist power expanding all over the world, how dare it want to develop and prosper? 4Chauvinism. The rule-based order only allows the US and its allies to be technologically advanced. The US doesnt want China to be its ally and cannot tolerate China's advancing technology. 5Influence of the military-industrial complex. Tension and conflict with China can bring the military-industrial complex to a huge weapon market. The US can sell weapons to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Burma, Vietnam, India, and, yes, submarines to Australia. 6Capitalism. China should be a source of cheap labor so the US can enjoy a post-industrial society in which every employee wears a white collar and sits in the office. What a wonderful world order of Made-in-China-consumed-in-America. Let China manufacture and the US only do the distribution of the goods, such as marketing, retailing, and logistics. 7New Cold War Ideology. Oh, my God, China is the commits, the new yellow peril. China's rise is a threat. Preventing China from rising is the national security. China is spreading the communism that Europeans invented. Communism is so fearful. 8 McCarthyism. The Chinese do not believe in God. China is not a Christian country. So China must be bad, bad, bad. So bad that it is evil. If China is friendly to us, it is evil because it influences us. If China wants a fair trade, it is evil because it is bad. We want China to adapt to a market economy, and China did. But that is evil. Whatever China does of not do, whether China follows our instructions or not, China is always wrong. Only a dead Indian is a good Indian. Only a weak, poor, backward China is a good China. All the reasons are self-justified. The USs actions are always justified. If it is not justified, the US can make up a story to justify them, such as Hong Kong has no democracy, Xinjiang has genocide, the Chinese are repressed and oppressed in China, China is authoritarian, a dictatorship, totalitarian, or just because China is China. Amroha, April 25 : Sakshi, a student from Gajraula in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha district, has brought pride to her town and district by securing the second position in the UP Board Intermediate Examination 2025 with an impressive 96.80 per cent marks. Amroha, April 25 (IANS) Sakshi, a student from Gajraula in Uttar Pradeshas Amroha district, has brought pride to her town and district by securing the second position in the UP Board Intermediate Examination 2025 with an impressive 96.80 per cent marks. A student of Shri Narayan Smarak Inter College in Gajraula, Sakshias outstanding performance in the Class 12 results announced by the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has created a celebratory atmosphere across the district. The school administration, teachers, and her family expressed immense pride and happiness over her historic achievement. Sakshi credited her success to her parents, teachers, and consistent hard work. After her name appeared in the state toppers list, a wave of congratulations poured in at her home. Her achievement has inspired many and proved that with dedication, confidence, and perseverance, any goal is achievable. Sakshi wants to become an IAS officer after clearing the UPSC exams. The UP Board announced the results for Class 10 and Class 12 examinations on April 25. This year, over 54 lakh students appeared for the board exams, which were conducted from February 24 to March 12 across 8,140 centres in Uttar Pradesh. A total of 25,56,992 students appeared for the High School (Class 10) exams, while 25,77,733 students took the Intermediate (Class 12) exams. The overall pass percentage for Class 10 is 90.11 per cent, and for Class 12, it is 81.15 per cent, continuing the trend of strong performances, especially among girls. Last year, girls outshone boys in overall pass rates, and the trend is expected to hold this year as well. In other top results, Yash Pratap Singh from Late Smt. Rasakendri Devi Inter College in Umari (Jalaun) topped Class 10 boards with 97.83 per cent marks. Meanwhile, Mahak Jaiswal secured the top position in Class 12 boards with 97.20 per cent marks. Sakshias accomplishment has become a beacon of inspiration for students across Uttar Pradesh, especially those from smaller towns like Gajraula. New Delhi, April 25 : In a strong and unified expression of grief and condemnation, members of the Muslim community across India observed a solemn protest during Friday prayers, calling for decisive action against terrorism after the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead and many others injured. Mosques across cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Bhopal, Varanasi, and Lucknow witnessed a wave of solidarity as Muslim worshippers wore black bands on their arms as a mark of mourning and resistance against terrorism during the Juma Namaz (Friday prayers). In Hyderabad, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi distributed black bands among worshippers before offering Namaz at a mosque in Shastripuram. He condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the victims' families. In the national Capital, AIMIM's Delhi state president Dr Shoaib Jamai also led a peaceful protest during the Friday prayers. "What happened in Pahalgam is extremely unfortunate for the country, and curse be upon the terrorists who carried out this heinous act," Jamaai said, wearing a black band in protest. In Bhopal, worshippers arrived at local mosques wearing black bands. "We will offer prayers while wearing black bands in protest against the Pahalgam attack," said a youth from the community. Another added, "If the government cannot punish a ruthless country like Pakistan, then open the borders, we, Hindus and Muslims together, will teach such a nation a lesson. We don't even want to utter its name." In Varanasi, thousands gathered at the Jama Masjid in Nadesar, where prayers were offered for the souls of those who lost their lives in the attack. Similarly, in Lucknow, protests were held at the Asifi Masjid in the historic Imambara, where worshippers raised slogans against terrorism and Pakistan. Worshippers across all these cities also prayed for peace and harmony in the country. "We prayed for the souls of those killed in Kashmir and for peace to prevail in our nation," said one of the attendees. Kathmandu, April 25 : The Nepal Medical Association(NMA) on Friday announced a nationwide boycott of all medical services, except for emergency and intensive care at private and government hospitals, medical colleges, and clinics across the country. The strike will affect tens of thousands of sick people in Nepal, depriving them of medical treatment, according to local media reports. The association took the step in solidarity with resident doctors pursuing MD/MS degrees in private colleges, who had been demanding allowances equal to those of government-owned colleges. Several local media reported that the medical practitioners staged a demonstration on Thursday at Maitighar in Kathmandu, cordoning off the district administration offices. They staged the protest at the call of the Nepal Doctors' Association, alleging that they have not been provided the allowance as per the decision of the government and have been subjected to labour exploitation. Earlier, the 16th meeting of Nepal's Medical Education Commission, presided over by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was held following protests and a boycott of non-emergency services by the agitating postgraduate student doctors in February this year. The Commission decided to align allowances for postgraduate students from private medical colleges with those from government-owned colleges. However, Private medical colleges refused to implement the commission's decision, citing that they are not in a position to increase the remuneration and existing law does not compel them to abide by the decision. "Labour exploitation of resident doctors by private medical colleges must stop, and we are against any kind of labour exploitation. We have been demanding the implementation of the decision of the meeting of the Medical Education Commission headed by the Prime Minister," said Dr Shesh Raj Ghimire, coordinator of the Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers. Meanwhile, the NMA representatives and the protesting doctors also held a meeting with Nepal's Health Minister Pradip Paudel. The Minister expressed support for the demands of the agitating doctors, Nepal's leading newspaper, The Kathmandu Post reported. "Minister Paudel reiterated that the government is committed to implementing the decision of the 16th meeting of the Medical Education Commission. But resident doctors need a stipend on par with those of government-owned colleges, not only the minister's commitment," said Anil Bikram Karki, President of the association. Mumbai, April 25 : The benchmark equity indices saw intense selling pressure on Friday amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following the barbaric terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Sensex started the day on a positive note, reaching an early high of 80,131. However, the market quickly turned negative, dropping sharply to a low of 78,606, a loss of 1,525 points, as reports emerged of a ceasefire violation at the India-Pakistan border. The index managed to recover some of the losses but still ended the day 589 points lower, closing at 79,213 -- a decline of 0.7 per cent. Similarly, the Nifty index rose to a high of 24,365 before plunging to its intra-day low of 23,848, a drop of 517 points. The Nifty ended 207 points lower, settling at 24,039, a decrease of 0.9 per cent. "Rising geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan continued to weigh heavily on investor sentiment, prompting a cautious start for Indian equities," said Sundar Kewat of Ashika Institutional Equity. Despite the sharp decline, the benchmark indices closed the week on a positive note. The Sensex gained 660 points, and the Nifty added 187 points over the course of the week. Among the Sensex stocks, Axis Bank was the biggest loser, following the announcement of its Q4 results. Other major losers included Zomato, Bajaj Finserv, Power Grid Corporation, Bajaj Finance, NTPC, Tata Motors, and SBI, all of which saw declines of 2-3 per cent. On the flip side, stocks like TCS, Tech Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, and Infosys managed to close with notable gains. The broader market was also hit hard, with both the BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices falling more than 2 per cent each. In terms of sectoral performance, the BSE Realty, Healthcare and Power indices experienced sharp declines, each falling up to 3 per cent. Other sectors such as Auto, Capital Goods, Consumer Durables, and Metal saw declines of around 2 per cent each. The Bankex and FMCG indices also ended the day in the red, down by about 1 per cent. Rupak De from LKP Securities said that Nifty has slipped after a consolidation on the daily chart, indicating a rise in bearish sentiment. "In the short term, sentiment is likely to continue driving the market trend, with the possibility of the index heading lower. Support on the lower end, is placed at 23800/23515," he mentioned. Chennai, April 25 : Actress Gabriella Charlton, who is also playing the female lead character of Aadhirai in a television serial, has now disclosed how the role that she plays in the serial has tested her physical abilities. The actress disclosed that after being given just ten minutes to learn to ride an auto for her serial, she rode an auto. Posting a video of her learning to ride a load auto and eventually riding one, the actress wrote, "I was given 10 minutes to learn to ride a load auto for my serial. I don't know how people ride a load auto in this heat." The actress also said, "Small wins! Being Aadhirai has tested my physical abilities in many ways. This might be simple for others but lifting 20-30 cans was not easy in this climate." The video that she posted also had visuals of the actress initially struggling to lift a water can and then eventually delivering over 20 to 30 water cans, all dressed in a saree! She wrote, "Struggled to carry a can on my own. Officially, a water can delivery woman." Bigg Boss contestant and Tamil film actress Gabriella Charlton is someone who is known to speak her mind. Only recently she had she posted a story on her Instagram page on constantly being objectified for no fault of hers. She had said, "I know I've addressed this multiple times, but here we go again: Is it just me, or does social media feel like an unsafe place? I'm constantly objectified-for no fault of my own." Gabriella, who is known for her dancing skills, has participated in a number of reality dance shows on television including Jodi Number One. The actress, who played a significant role in director Samuthirakani's 'Appa', shot to fame after she entered the Tamil television reality show Bigg Boss. Gabriella's most recent film was the action drama 'Varunan', which was directed by Jayavelmurugan and which featured Dushyanth Jayaprakash in the lead along with her. The film, which was produced by Karthick Sreedharan, hit screens in March this year. Hyderabad, April 25 : The Telangana High Court on Friday adjourned hearing on the petition filed by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, seeking quashing of a case filed against him over alleged defamatory remarks made during the Lok Sabha elections campaign last year. The Chief Minister, in his petition, contended that there is no defamation in political speeches. He cited rulings given by the Supreme Court in various cases. The High Court, which took up the hearing on Friday, adjourned the hearing to June 12. A BJP leader filed a case against Revanth Reddy for making defamatory remarks against the BJP during a speech at Kothagudem on May 4, 2024. BJP state General Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarulu alleged that Revanth Reddy made inflammatory statements suggesting that the BJP, if voted to power, would abolish SC, ST and BC reservations. Venkateshwarulu termed the speech a deliberate attempt to mislead and provoke voters belonging to these communities. He argued that the Chief Minister violated Section 499 of the IPC and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The complainant also alleged that the Congress leaderas remarks defamed the BJP and created enmity and hatred among people. The case is currently pending in the Nampally Public Representatives Court here. Venkateshwarlu submitted audio and video recordings of the Chief Ministeras speech to the court. It also recorded the complainantas statement. The Chief Minister approached the High Court, seeking the quashing of the case. He argued that the complaint is baseless, and politically motivated. Revanth Reddy also contended that the complainant allegedly spoke about a morphed video. The High Court was informed that complaints regarding the morphed video were lodged in several police stations, including the Telangana Cyber Crime Police Station, and an investigation was on. The Chief Minister argued that if the video in which Amit Shah spoke about reservations was morphed, then there is no case against him. The High Court exempted the Chief Minister from personal appearance in the Nampally Court. It, however, refused to grant a stay on the proceedings in the lower court. New Delhi, April 25 : Brisk voting took place during the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) election on Friday, with the Pahalgam terror attack, fee hike and hostel and library facilities dominating the discourse on campus. The result will be declared on April 28. Over 7,906 students were eligible to vote in an election which saw major realignments with the long-standing United Left getting splintered. Talking to IANS, a student said, "We want to counter caste-based mentality in the university." "There are people who do not want students to get the benefit of low fee. If such people come to power in JNUSU, I am sure there will be an upward revision of fees annually, just like in the Delhi University," he said. He said students are conscious of these issues and are going to express themselves through their vote. Another voter claimed that there was a strong wave for change in the current election. "We want new hostels and expansion of the library. For this there is a strong demand for a change," he said. The All India Students Association (AISA) has allied with the Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), while the Students' Federation of India (SFI) has joined hands with the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students' Association (BAPSA), All India Students' Federation (AISF), and Progressive Students' Association (PSA) to form a separate bloc. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has fielded a full panel comprising Shikha Swaraj for president, Nittu Goutham for vice-president, Kunal Rai for general secretary, and Vaibhav Meena for joint secretary. As voting started at 9 a,m, enthusiastic students queued up outside the polling station while supporters of various parties continued to shout slogans in last-minute efforts to influence the electorate. Earlier, the 13 presidential candidates took part in the customary debate on April 23 - a highpoint of the university's student politics - addressing voters for 10 minutes each. The overnight debate, that lasted from 11.30 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next morning, began with a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. The last JNUSU elections were swept by the Left alliance that won all four posts of President, Vice President, General Secretary and Joint Secretary. A little over 5,600 valid votes were cast in the last election. Kochi, April 25 : The Kerala High Court on Friday refused bail to five juveniles, arrested for involvement in the murder of a 15-year-old Class 10 student who was allegedly attacked by his fellow students in Kozhikode, leading to his death. The five have been charged with murder, wrongful restraint, unlawful assembly, and voluntarily causing grave injuries. All five are students and have been in judicial custody for the past 56 days. The court also took into account that the victim was a 15-year-old and said, considering the above aspects, it was not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners. "Moreover, in the present cases, a minor aged 15 years was murdered. It is noteworthy that the Juvenile Justice Act aims not only to take care of the children in conflict with the law but also to address the needs and welfare of all juveniles. The objective must be balanced with the need to ensure justice for victims and the broader societal interest," it said. Shahabas, a student of MJ Higher Secondary School, Thamarassery, Kozhikode, succumbed to serious injuries on March 1 after being injured in the fight between the students of his school and Thamarassery GVHSS following a dispute during a farewell event at a tuition centre in the last week of February. Even though the teachers intervened then through a series of WhatsApp messages, the tension escalated, leading to a violent clash near the tuition centre. Shahabas suffered serious head injuries, which led to his death. Police pressed murder charges against the five and stated that the accused used weapons, including a truncheon and a nunchaku, for the attack on Shahabas. Though Shahabas was not a student at the tuition centre, he was called to the venue while running an errand. Following the attack, he was taken home by a friend. Initially unaware of the attack, his family suspected drug use when they found him in a weak state at home. Upon learning the truth, he was rushed to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and later shifted to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, where he passed away. New Delhi, April 25 : The deadly alliance between terror outfit Hamas and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), now expanding its network and operations from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the streets of Bangladesh, lies exposed once again after Tuesday's barbaric killing of innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Intelligence officials have found several striking similarities between the tactics used by the four attackers, two of them from Pakistan, in the Pahalgam attack and the brutal murders carried out by the Hamas terrorists in Israel, in October 2023. Sources reveal that all four terrorists were trained in PoK where Hamas has set up a training module in camps operated by terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which are fully backed by the ISI. In February, Hamas leaders released by Israel had visited Pakistan at the behest of the country's government and were taken to PoK to meet Lashkar and Jaish terrorists. As they travelled to the terror dungeons, Hamas leaders were paraded as liberators on horses in the streets of Rawalakot. Hamas spokespersons Khaled al-Qaddoumi and Naji Zaheer besides Hamas leaders Mufti Azam and Bilal Alsallat were present at the Rawalkot rally, which was attended by Talha Saif, the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar, and several other top terror commanders from both outfits, including Asghar Khan Kashmiri and Masood Ilyas. The event titled 'Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood' was designed to convey that both Kashmir and Palestine were subjects for pan-Islamic Jihad and urged the Ummah to unite against India and Israel on the victimhood card. Several leaders in India and the Israeli Ambassador had also voiced their concerns over Pakistan's involvement with terrorist organisations to fuel unrest in the region. "Unfortunately, terrorist organisations work in networks and many times they find ways to support each other in a way that is detrimental for many countries, not just for our region," Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, told IANS in an exclusive interview on February 26, 2025. "The fact that, for example, there was a meeting only a couple of weeks ago in the areas that are under Pakistani control in Kashmir of leaders of Hamas tells you something about how these terrorist organisations are inspiring each other... Apparently, they are cooperating in order to achieve their common goal which is to terrorize us and to terrorize you. So, this is something that we have to take into account," Azar had added. Earlier, in October 2024, ISI had also taken Hamas leaders to Dhaka to inspire a similar radical mindset to conduct terror attacks in the North Eastern states of India. The event organised by 'Al Markazul Islami', a group whose founder had direct ties to al-Qaeda, was attended by senior Hamas and Pakistani Islamist figures. The organisation's founder, Mufti Shahidul Islam, who died in 2023, had direct ties to al-Qaeda, and his long-standing involvement in terrorism has added to the anxiety surrounding the motivations behind this event. Islam, a notorious figure in the Islamist militancy scene in Bangladesh, was previously arrested in 1999 for orchestrating a deadly bomb attack on an Ahmadiyya mosque in Khulna, which claimed eight lives. Following his release, Islam travelled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and several African countries, where he received explosives training directly from al-Qaeda. Even after his death, his influence remains strong, with extremist organisations like the Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) continuing to regard him as a key figure in their operations. The Dhaka event, held on October 7, was attended by senior Hamas leaders, including spokesperson and senior leader Sheikh Khaled Quddumi, Sheikh Khaled Mishal and Chairman of Hamas' Political Bureau Mufti Shahidul Islam. Also present at the event were prominent Islamist figures from Pakistan, such as Shaikhul Islam Mufti Taqi Usmani and Maulana Fazlur Rahman, both influential within the country's radical circles. Pakistan's deep-rooted ties with global terror outfits have already rung alarm bells - from Washington to Jerusalem, and beyond. Drawing similarities between Tuesday's terror attack in Kashmir and the October 7 massacre that took place in 2023 back home, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Thursday termed the horrific terrorist ambush on innocent civilians in Pahalgam as "barbaric" and "atrocious", asserting that the fact that Hamas terrorists were invited to Pakistan is a bad sign of things to come. "This is an atrocious, barbaric attack. People have the right to go on vacation without being attacked in such a terrible way. This is shocking. It's absolutely unacceptable. We must do whatever we can, not only to catch the perpetrators but to prevent such incidents from happening again," Azar told IANS in an exclusive chat. Much before Pahalgam, the diplomat had expressed concerns over the Palestinian terror outfit Hamas going into a huddle with Jaish and Lashkar terrorists in the PoK. "Terror cannot be tolerated, cannot be contextualized, cannot be justified. The fact that terrorists are not only being hosted but embraced by other organisations is something that cannot be accepted. The fact that Hamas terrorists were invited to Pakistan is a bad sign of things to come, because these terrorists are copying each other, inspiring each other, and we have to defend ourselves against them," he said on Thursday. "You have a similar situation in which people were going to a music festival and were massacred, and people here were on vacation, and they were massacred. It's the same death cult, the same distorted interpretation of religion, the same supremacist thoughts - the fact that people think that by breaching every norm of humanity, they will achieve something. This is something that has to be completely eliminated. Thatas why Israel has had the resolve to attack Hamas the way it did. We're going to continue doing it while defending our principles, our laws, and our values. And I am sure India is going to do the same," said Azar. Vowing to share intelligence, the Ambassador praised the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its "tremendous achievements" in stabilising Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that this is something that Israel can learn from India. "I trust the Indian government that will do whatever is necessary, and they know it best because they have the intelligence. They know the terrain, they know the nature, not only of the terrorists, but of those who are sponsoring them. And I am actually happy that there is determination that is being shown by the Indian leadership, not only by the defence forces, but also by the foreign policy establishment, by the Prime Minister and the entire leadership. This is a watershed moment, and it's very natural that India will take steps and say enough is enough," the Israeli Ambassador stated. Bhopal, April 25 : A mysterious object from the sky fell on a house in the Thakur Baba Colony area of Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, triggering panic. Fortunately, the family residing there emerged unscathed. Preliminary investigations suggest the object might be debris from an aircraft, an assumption bolstered by the discovery of an unusual object nearby. "The incident occurred around 11.30 a.m., triggering a loud explosion that rocked the area. The unidentified object hit a house near Thakur Baba Mandir in Pichhor tehsil, leaving the front portion of the house largely destroyed," Jitendra Mawai, station in-charge of Kolaras, told IANS. A resident described the explosion as overwhelming, with the shockwave reverberating throughout the neighbourhood. At the time, the family was busy with their usual activities - some preparing food in the kitchen, others enjoying their meal, and, miraculously, no one sustained injuries amidst the chaos. Experts from the Maharajpura Air Force Station have been called to examine the situation. "Only they can identify the object and determine the necessary course of action," the officer added. The airbase, situated in Gwalior, lies about 115 kilometres from Shivpuri. In the meantime, law enforcement has sealed off the area, deploying a substantial police presence to maintain order amidst rising concerns. Although investigators suspect the object could be a piece of an aircraft, its true identity remains shrouded in uncertainty. Interestingly, this isn't the first such occurrence. Two years ago, shiny, spherical objects mysteriously plummeted from the sky, sparking curiosity and unease in parts of Gwalior and Shivpuri. These strange objects, believed by some to be rocket or satellite fragments, were thoroughly investigated by experts, though no conclusive results were ever disclosed. One of these spheres reportedly landed in a field at Jaura Shyampur village in Gwalior's Bhitarwar area. New Delhi, April 25 : Days after the Modi government announced diplomatic measures against Pakistan over the gruesome terror attack in J&K's Pahalgam, Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asked all the Chief Ministers to identify all Pakistani nationals staying in their states and take necessary steps for their deportation. As per reports, the Home Minister spoke to all the Chief Ministers, instructing them to act against the Pakistani nationals and facilitate their return immediately. The government on Wednesday said that the visas of all Pakistani nationals stand cancelled and they have been given time to abide by the directive by April 27. Notably, the visa ban on Pak nationals comes close on the heels of a five-step diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, following despicable and deadly terror attacks in Baisaran meadows of J&Kas Pahalgam, which led to the brutal killing of 26 tourists. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its official announcement, said that all valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will be revoked starting April 27. However, it stated that medical visas granted to Pakistani citizens will remain valid only until April 29. Meanwhile, the government has in no uncertain terms pinned the blame on Pakistan for orchestrating the terror attack on civilians, the worst-ever in recent memory, and has also plans to aexposea it on the international stage as well. A five-point action plan was taken following the CCS meet, which included suspension of the Indus water treaty, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, declaring the defence advisors as persona non-grata and severely curtailing the mission staff on both sides. On April 22, twenty-six people, including one Nepali national, were brutally gunned down by the heavily armed terrorists in Pahalgamas Baisaran meadows as they unleashed carnage on tourists and travellers. Disturbing visuals, shared on social media, showed them armed with sophisticated weapons while survivors recalled harrowing moments of how they singled out men and shot them from point-blank range. Chennai, April 25 : Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas has now penned an adorable post to his parents, who have been together for 42 years, saying he and his siblings learnt from them to be happy with what they had and to dream big when they could. Taking to his Instagram page to post a series of pictures of his entire family, Tovino wrote, "A story 42 years old. Begun by two, grown on to 15 now. My biggest asset, my family. Congrats Appa & Amma, for 42 years of togetherness, and then passing on so much to all of us - to love and live, to be compassionate, to open eyes to the world around... We learned from you to be happy with what we have, and to dream big when we can. Feeling blessed, truly. #onebighappyfamily" Tovino's career graph has steadily been on the rise. He recently won the Kerala Film Critics Award in Best Actor category for his performances in 'Ajayante Randam Moshanam' and 'Anweshippin Kandethum'. The actor, whose performances in Minnal Murali and Thallumalla came in for widespread praise, has also achieved several other significant milestones in his career including winning the Best Asian Actor award at the Septimius Awards 2023 for his performance in '2018'. Tovino's next film called 'Narivetta' has already triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs. The film, which is based on true incidents, has been directed by Anuraj Manohar . Interestingly, it will also mark the Malayalam acting debut of acclaimed Tamil film director Cheran. Produced by Tippushan and Shiyas Hassan and written by Abin Joseph, the film has cinematography by Vijay and music by Jakes Bejoy. Editing for the film is by Shameer Muhammed while Art direction is by Bawa and costume design is by Arun Manohar. Penning his thoughts on the film, Tovino, in an earlier post, had said that 'Narivetta' was a political drama. He had then said, "I believe it is a topic that needs to be spoken about boldly and discussed. I hope it will be a film that will make you enjoy it with all your heart in the theatre and make you think after leaving the theatre." Stating that he had an emotional journey with the character he plays in 'Narivetta', Tovino said he experienced the joy, happiness, crisis and pain of life along with the character. "This is a film that I have been waiting for with great anticipation in my acting career." Srinagar: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference as Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal looks on in Srinagar on Friday, April 25, 2025.. Image Source: IANS Srinagar, April 25 : Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday said that the idea of the terrorists is to divide the society, and make brother fight brother, but the people of India must stand together to defeat terrorism once and forever. Addressing the media here at the end of his daylong visit to the Kashmir Valley in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, Gandhi said: "It has been a terrible tragedy, and I came here to get a sense of what is happening and to help." "I met one of the injured because the rest of the injured have gone back home. I assure the families who have lost their dear ones that the entire nation stands as one with them," he said. Noting that the "entire J&K has condemned this terrible action and they have fully supported the nation this time", he said: "The idea of the attack was to divide the society and make brother fight brother. It is very important that every individual and the entire nation stands as one so that we can defeat what the terrorists want to do." Terming it "sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir in the rest of the country", Gandhi said that it is important that all of us stand together to defeat terrorism. "We had a (all-party) meeting yesterday (on Thursday) and the united opposition has assured the government that we support whatever action the government wants to take. I met the Chief Minister and the LG. They briefed me about the situation. I assured them that I and my party support the government in whatever action they take to end terrorism once and for all," the Congress leader asserted. Earlier on Friday, Gandhi visited the Army's Base Hospital in Badamibagh Cantonment area of Srinagar, where he met one of the injured tourists. A total of 26 civilians were killed, and around two dozen people were injured in that cowardly terror attack that took place in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. As per Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi met various delegations, including those from the party and trade and tourism sectors. He also met Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "Rahul Gandhi has come with a message of 'healing the wounds' of the people of the country, including Kashmiris, in the wake of the attack and its aftermath," a Congress leader said. On his arrival, Gandhi was received by J&K Congress President, Tariq Hameed Karra and senior leader G.A. Mir at the airport. Gandhi attended an all-party meeting on Thursday called by the Centre to brief parties on the horrific terror attack, and extended his full support to the government's action. He had cut short his visit to the US to attend the crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee scheduled on Thursday. At the all-party meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday, the Congress offered complete support to the government to avenge the killings of innocent civilians in Pahalgam by the terrorists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack, said in Bihar on Thursday that the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack, their handlers and backers would get such punishment they would not even have imagined. "The time has come to destroy the shrinking space of these terrorists and their backers. We will chase them to the ends of the earth", the PM said. Imphal, April 25 : Border Security Force's (BSF) Eastern Command chief and Additional Director General (ADG), Ravi Gandhi, visited Manipur and conducted a comprehensive review of the operational scenario and assessed the force's preparedness, officials said on Friday. Imphal, April 25 (IANS) Border Security Forceas (BSF) Eastern Command chief and Additional Director General (ADG), Ravi Gandhi, visited Manipur and conducted a comprehensive review of the operational scenario and assessed the forceas preparedness, officials said on Friday. A BSF spokesman said that the ADG BSF on a two-day visit arrived at Imphal on Thursday and he along with Inspector General Indra Deo Singh held a meeting with Security Advisor to Manipur government Kuldiep Singh. Thereafter, the BSF Eastern Command chief held a detailed operational review meeting with senior officials at the sector Headquarters Koirengei Sector. ADG Gandhi, accompanied by other officers, visited various BSF locations in Senapati and Kangpokpi districts and interacted with commanders and troops deployed at various locations in the two mountainous districts. The ADG commended their unwavering dedication and professionalism towards maintaining the law and order situation in Manipur and encouraged them to continue performing their duties with the highest level of commitment and zeal. The BSFas Eastern Command head also held separate meetings with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Raj Bhavan, Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh at the civil secretariat, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh at the Police Headquarters and discussed in detail the security situation, duties performed by BSF troops and the operational preparedness of the para-military forces. ADG Gandhi earlier on a number of occasions visited the ethnic violence devastated Manipur, where besides the BSF, a huge contingent of the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, ITBP in association with Manipur police dealt with the law and order situation. The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) along with the Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur police are regularly conducting search operations, area domination patrolling and recovering illegally-held arms and ammunition from different districts comprising valley and mountainous areas. On an average, the security forces arrest six to eight militants every day as they are involved in kidnapping, forcible collection of money from contractors, government employees, traders and even common people in different districts. Mumbai, April 25 : Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan, has revealed that he is trying to look like Hollywood icon Johnny Depp. In his latest social media post, the star kid seemingly admitted that Johnny Deppas unique personality and style have inspired him, revealing that heas trying to channel the iconic actoras distinctive look. On Friday, Ibrahim took to his Instagram stories and shared two photosa"one of Johnny Depp holding a glass and another of himself attempting to mimic the actor's look. The first photo featuring the American actor has the text, "I just wanna look like Johnny... but I canat." Sharing his own image, the 'Nadaaniyan' actor wrote, "But I can try..." Interestingly, Johnny Depp is widely regarded as one of the most handsome actors in Hollywood, known for his distinctive looks, charm, and versatility. With his chiseled features, intense gaze, and effortlessly cool style, Depp has captivated audiences for decades. Depp's appeal extends beyond his physical appearance; it's his ability to embody diverse charactersa"from the rebellious Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean to the brooding Edward Scissorhandsa"that has made him a global heartthrob. On the other hand, Ibrahim is one of the most popular star kids in Bollywood, often making headlines for his striking personality and inherited good looks. With his chiseled features, sharp jawline, and charm, he resembles his father, Saif Ali Khan, in many ways. With just one film to his credit, Ibrahim Ali Khan has already begun making waves in the fashion world. Last month, he stole the spotlight as the showstopper for designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil at LakmA Fashion Week. Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singhas son Ibrahim made a style statement in beige-hued pants paired with a crisp white shirt that was buttoned up to the collar. Enhancing the look, he added a white tie and accessorized his outfit with brown shoes. New Delhi, April 25 : The EPFO has further simplified the process for transfer of PF account on change of jobs by launching a revamped Form 13 software functionality that will speed up the transfer of funds to the new account, according to an official statement issued on Friday. Henceforth, once the transfer claim gets approved at the transferor (source) office, the previous account will automatically get transferred to the present account of the member at the transferee (destination) office instantly, furthering the aim of "Ease of Living" for members of the EPFO. Till now, the transfer of PF accumulations used to happen with the involvement of two EPF offices. One, from which the PF accumulation is transferred (source office) and the second being the EPF office to which the transfer is actually credited (destination office). Now, with an aim to further simplify the process, the EPFO has removed the requirement of approval of all transfer claims at the destination office by launching a revamped Form 13 software functionality, the statement said. The move is expected to benefit more than 1.25 crore members, facilitating the transfer of around Rs 90,000 crore that takes place every year, as the entire transfer process will be speeded up. This revamped Form 13 functionality also provides the bifurcation of taxable and non-taxable components of PF accumulations to facilitate the accurate calculation of TDS on taxable PF interest. In January this year, the EPFO made the transfer process easier by removing the requirement of approval from an employer in a majority of the cases of job change in jobs to make things easier for its members. The EPFO has also launched a facility for bulk generation of UAN by employers without Aadhaar seeding to facilitate the ease of doing business. With a view to further Ease of Doing Business and to address the grievances being raised with respect to proper accounting of the past accumulations that had been remitted to the EPFO by the Exempted PF Trusts consequent to the surrender/cancellation of exemption and also in other cases involving remittance of past period contributions consequent to quasi-judicial/recovery proceedings, it has been decided by the EPFO to relax the requirement of Aadhaar for generation of UAN/credit of past accumulations for such members, the official statement said. Also, a facility for bulk generation of UANs based on the Member ID & other member information available on record, so as to enable prompt crediting of funds in the accounts of such members has been provided. To that effect, a software functionality has already been deployed and made available to the field offices in the FO Interface for bulk generation of UANs in the above said cases and also account for the past accumulations without the requirement of Aadhaar in EPFO Application, the statement said. However, as a measure of risk mitigation to protect the PF accumulations, all such UANs would be kept in a frozen state and subsequently made operational only after the seeding of Aadhaar, the statement said. All these measures are expected to significantly improve services to members and reduce long-standing grievances, including further streamlining of validations for auto settlement of eligible claims, the statement added. Chennai, April 25 : The makers of director Dr Sailesh Kolanu's eagerly-awaited crime action thriller 'HIT: The Third Case', featuring Natural Star Nani in the lead, on Friday released the third single 'Thanu' from the film. Chennai, April 25 (IANS) The makers of director Dr Sailesh Kolanu's eagerly-awaited crime action thriller 'HIT: The Third Case', featuring Natural Star Nani in the lead, on Friday released the third single 'Thanu' from the film. The slow burn number, which has been set to tune by Mickey J Meyer, has been rendered by Anirudh. Lyrics for the song have been penned by Raghav. Actor Nani, who took to his social media timelines to release the number wrote, "This song and the vibe. Thank you Ani. Fully trippin. A @MickeyJMeyer surprise. #Thanu" It may be recalled that Nani had on Thursday said that the makers didn't wish to reveal the visuals for 'Thanu' and therefore they had come out with a specially shot video song for this number. What is interesting about 'Thanu' is that while the lyrics of the song give the impression that the slow burn western rock number is romantic in nature, the visuals that go with it are in stark contrast, with Nani going about his policing work. Nani plays the role of a tough cop called Arjun Sarkaar in the film. A trailer of the film that was released recently by the makers begins with Nani explaining to his superiors about how he thinks criminals should be handled. "Criminals belong in a 10-feet lock up or deep inside a six-feet hole. No criminal should be free to walk around until they've faced real behavioural correction. You don't have to be personally affected to feel that way. Just being a police officer is enough," he says in a grim tone, giving an indication of what is to come. The trailer then has a woman who is scared stiff for her nine-month-old baby that has been abducted. "What will they do to her? He is 5'9 or 5'10''. He has a few strands of white hair on his beard," she is heard explaining to the police officer about the man who has abducted her child. There is another shot of a shopkeeper explaining about a soldier who fearlessly walks into a ring to defend those at risk. "Only he knows how many nights and days he has worked tirelessly to save one life," the shopkeeper explains. The final portion which gives a better understanding of Arjun (Nani)'s character revolves around a brief conversation that Arjun has with his lady love. When she asks him whether she should call him Arjun or Sarkaar, he replies saying, "When I am in the midst of people, call me Arjun, when I am in the midst of criminals, I am Sarkaar." The film, which is the third instalment from the HIT universe, is to hit screens worldwide on May 1 this year. --IANS Mkr/ Bengaluru, April 25 : Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, who passed away on Friday morning, was a distinguished Indian space scientist and visionary leader who significantly advanced India's space and education sectors. He made invaluable contributions to both the space and education sectors of the country. Dr. Kasturirangan passed away on Friday at the age of 84 in Bengaluru. His visionary leadership in space exploration and education reform has left an indelible mark on India's scientific and academic landscapes. Born on October 24, 1940, in Ernakulam, Kerala, Dr. Kasturirangan pursued his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in physics at the University of Mumbai. He later obtained his doctoral degree in experimental high-energy astronomy from the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. Dr. Kasturirangan's exemplary work earned him numerous accolades and he was awarded the Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992), and Padma Vibhushan (2000) by the Government of India. Dr. Kasturirangan served as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003. During his tenure, he oversaw several pivotal developments. He played a crucial role in the development and operationalisation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), enhancing India's self-reliance in space technology. He supervised the launch of key remote sensing satellites like IRS-1C and IRS-1D, as well as the advancement of INSAT communication satellites and ocean observation satellites such as IRS-P3 and IRS-P4. Under his leadership, ISRO initiated studies that laid the groundwork for India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1. Beyond his work in space science, Dr. Kasturirangan made significant contributions to India's education sector. He chaired the committee responsible for drafting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to revamp India's educational framework. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and as the Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, influencing higher education and research policies. Dr. Kasturirangan was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009 and served on the erstwhile Planning Commission of India, contributing to national policy-making in science and education. His honours include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering Sciences (1983), M.P. Birla Memorial Award in Astronomy (1997), and the Theodore von Karman Award (2007), among others. He authored over 200 scientific papers and edited six books, significantly contributing to the fields of astronomy and space science. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009 and served as a member of the then Planning Commission of India. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Friday, "The passing of the renowned space scientist Dr. K. Kasturirangan, who elevated India's flag in the field of space technology to great heights, has come as a shock. "Dr. Kasturirangan, hailing from Karnataka, had immense love and concern for our state. "As the long-time Chairman of ISRO and Director of the Indian Space Commission, Dr. Kasturirangan's contributions have made India a globally-recognised leader in space science. "I also share in the sorrow of his family members and admirers at the loss of Dr. Kasturirangan. I pray for peace for his soul." Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda stated, "Saddened by the passing away of Dr. K Kasturirangan, eminent scientist, science administrator, educationist, and former Chairman of ISRO. His contributions to the scientific development of India will be remembered for long. Om Shanti." BJP State President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, also expressed deep condolences on the passing of Dr Kasturirangan. Vijayendra stated that he would "pray to God to grant strength to the family, friends, and admirers of the deceased to bear the pain of their loss" and that the "soul of the departed may rest in eternal peace." Mumbai, April 25 : India's steel industry is set to play a significant role in meeting both domestic and global demand, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Indiaas steel industry is set to play a significant role in meeting both domestic and global demand, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. The minister emphasised Indiaas position as a highly efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality producer of steel, asserting that the sector will not only cater to Indiaas growing needs but also contribute significantly to global demand in an increasingly competitive environment. "The country is actively pursuing free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries and regional blocs, including the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and New Zealand, to gain greater access for its steel products," Goyal said at the sidelines of the Steel India 2025 event here. "India is consistently focused on self-reliance (Atmanirbharta). But when we talk about Atmanirbharta, we are not closing the doors to the world. We are, in fact, opening the doors wider because every country will have its competitive advantages for different products," the minister said. India is currently negotiating 10-12 such agreements to ensure that its steel, known for its cost-effectiveness and high quality, is available to international markets, the Union Minister added. Goyal also mentioned that Indiaas steel industry is well-positioned to contribute to the growing needs of the world while also addressing the needs of domestic consumers. aThe government remains vigilant and proactive in protecting the steel industry against unfair trading practices," he stated. "India has already taken steps to safeguard its industry from the dumping of steel at irrationally low prices, as identified in a quasi-judicial inquiry by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)," Goyal noted. Indiaas commitment to boosting its steel sector is reflected in its diplomatic efforts to engage with key trading partners. With the global trade environment becoming more uncertain, Indiaas push for FTAs is crucial in ensuring continued access to international markets. The trade pact with the UK is reportedly near completion, and negotiations for the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US are advancing ahead of schedule. New Delhi, April 25 : Boult Audio, the bootstrapped consumer electronics brand, has reported a 37 per cent drop in its net profit to Rs 2.5 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24), compared to Rs 4 crore in FY23. The Delhi-based company, which designs and manufactures wireless earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, and speakers, saw its revenue from operations increase to Rs 697 crore in FY24 from Rs 498 crore in the previous fiscal, as per its financials. Boult also made Rs 5 crore from non-operating revenue, bringing its total revenue to Rs 702 crore. However, the rising expenses, particularly in materials, advertising, and post-supply discounts, outpaced the revenue growth. Boultas cost of material consumed surged by 25 per cent to Rs 402 crore, making up nearly 58 per cent of its total expenses. Advertising expenses jumped by 74 per cent to Rs 162 crore, and post-supply discounts saw an 84 per cent increase to Rs 70 crore, as per an Entrackr report. As a result of these rising costs, Boult's overall expenses climbed by 41 per cent to Rs 699 crore in FY24, according to its financials. This increase in operational costs significantly impacted the companyas bottom line, leading to a sharp decline in its net profit. The companyas domestic sales saw a growth of 45 per cent, reaching Rs 620 crore, while international sales remained stable at Rs 77 crore, contributing 11 per cent to the total revenue. However, unlike its competitors, Boult has maintained its bootstrapped status and is led by co-founders Varun Gupta and Tarun Gupta, who own a combined 49.5 per cent stake in the company. According to industry experts, while the company is making efforts to build its brand and prepare for high-volume sales, the growing competition in the consumer electronics market and the rising cost pressures have made it difficult for Boult to maintain profitability. State prisons are dealing with fallout from the wildcat strike by correction officers in addition to understaffing and potential restructuring. Those changes have meant consequences for local county jails. Erie County, for instance, held only two inmates bound for state prison the week the unsanctioned strikes began in February. But as of Thursday, the county is responsible for housing, feeding and providing health services to 125 of them. And the soonest these inmates could potentially be transferred to state facilities has been pushed back to May 5. We understand the issues, said Sheriff John Garcia. We want to help out. But it comes with a cost, and thats going to be that we, in turn, may have to start mandating our people to work long shifts, and its going to come with a cost to the taxpayers. While the state does reimburse counties $100 per day for every state inmate held after the first few days, that amount falls hundreds of dollars short of the actual cost to house them, Garcia said, particularly for those with high medical needs. The concern over the cost and space available to house the steadily rising number of state inmates has been growing as it appears no immediate solution for being able to take new prisoners is apparent. I met with the State Sheriffs Association, and obviously Im not the only one that has this concern, Garcia said. Every sheriff has this concern. It affects every county. About 2,000 correction officers have been fired for failing to return to work after 11,500 of the states 15,000 correction officers started walking off the job on Feb. 17 as part of a wildcat strike. It is illegal under the states 1967 Taylor Law for public employees to go on strike. State budget proposals call for the closure of more state prisons and an overhaul of prison staffing structures, but none of that can be done quickly. And while its routine for local county jails to briefly hold people who have been convicted of serious crimes and are bound for state prison, it is unusual for those numbers to grow into the dozens, with no timeline as to when they will be moved. 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. If you give me a date, you know, we could plan and say, OK, weve got to get through this, team, Garcia said. Theres got to be light at the end of the tunnel, but I would just like them to give us a firm date. Garcia and others were hopeful that Monday might be that date since the order for local jails to continue housing recently convicted state prisoners was through April 21. But on Monday, the Sheriffs Office got word that the date was extended again until May 5. The new date represents the fourth extension made by the state since February. State-bound prisoners in Erie County are being held at both the downtown Holding Center and the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden, with the Alden facility housing about 60% of inmates bound for state prison. The jails are able to house the rising number of state prisoners, but Garcia and Michael Phillips, superintendent for the Sheriffs Office Jail Management Division, dont know how long that will be true. 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. Even though the jails were technically built to house more than 1,300 people, they said the actual number of available beds is far lower for several reasons. First, the states Department of Corrections and Community Supervision requires that all incarcerated people be grouped by classification. That means the county cant put anyone considered extremely dangerous with those who are considered at lower risk for causing trouble in the same housing unit, even if there are beds available. Jail populations also are separated by gender and other factors. I cant put, for example, a 21-year-old with a 71-year-old, Garcia said. I cant put members of different street gangs together. I cant put people that are now state ready to do, say, 20 years to 40 years we have some for homicides with people that are there awaiting trial for, lets say, a domestic (altercation). As it stands, the county jails typically house 700 to 800 residents and occasionally fall below 700 total detainees and inmates. And those who remain behind bars have been charged with or convicted of more serious crimes due to bail reform, jail officials say. The temperatures higher, I would say, Phillips said, leading to growing fears that as more serious offenders continue to be added to the county jail population, the overall jail climate will become more dangerous. Were anxious to keep the revolving door going. Finally, the current jails are aging, particularly the downtown Holding Center, which has 90 cells out of commission. 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. You can imagine a 1939 facility, he said. Youre going to have plumbing issues, electrical issues, locking mechanism issues, roof leaks and everything else. Unlike the state, the county is expected to be back up to full working staff levels by June 20, thanks to a new group of police academy graduates who will have completed on-the-job training by then, Garcia said. The Sheriffs Office has been working to contain jail overtime numbers, but if the overall jail population numbers continue to grow throughout the second quarter, that may become more difficult, he said. But with summer months approaching, the squeeze on available working county jail and state prison staff is expected to grow, not shrink. So far, the Department of Correction and Community Supervision has made only marginal progress in its ability to accept new prisoners. DOCCS began accepting female inmates on April 14. The department also has notified counties that they will accept prisoners who are at or near the expiration of their state sentence or any individual that will likely need immediate medical placement. Thats not a good answer for county sheriffs like Garcia. Were being forced into this, he said. I mean, one of the statements that came out of DOCCS was, Would any county sheriffs office be amenable to taking low-level offenders that we have in our custody and transfer them to your jails for $150 a day? So obviously, I stated that I would not be interested. News Albany Bureau Chief Robert Gavin contributed to this story. Rome, April 25 : The funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday brings about an unexpected opportunity for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's efforts at bringing Rome to the centre of global diplomacy. US President Donald Trump has announced his presence for the funeral as Rome works with the Vatican's diplomacy to receive delegations from 170 countries. President Droupadi Murmu will be visiting Vatican City to attend the State Funeral of Pope Francis and offer condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. The Indian delegation would also include Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries George Kurian; and Deputy Speaker of Goa Assembly Joshua De Souza. Trump's presence in Rome for the funeral creates an opportunity for conversations and discussions with Italian Prime Minister Meloni which would have probably taken weeks or months to coordinate. It is expected that Italy's President Sergio Mattarella will host a meeting with Presidents Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Meloni's presence to discuss a strategy for the future of Ukraine. The US President has also announced that he expects to have "meetings" with other international leaders in Rome. Meanwhile, it seems European Commission President Von der Leyen is trying to conduct a bilateral meeting with the US President during a visit to the eternal city. The Italian Prime Minister's visit to Washington concluded with President Trump accepting her invitation to Rome for an EU-US summit in late May. Pope's funeral presents Von der Leyen, who felt excluded from the decision-making process, an opportunity to push for a bilateral meeting and take control of the narrative. Meloni and Trump will jointly meet world leaders and other senior representatives who will be in Rome for the funeral, especially those from the Middle East. In the past 24 hours, Meloni has had a call with the Sultan of Oman, after his return from Moscow as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the terror attack in Pahalgam. Both Trump and Meloni are strong allies of the Indian Prime Minister and the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the resulting tension in South Asia, will be an important discussion point between them. Discussions with other delegations from the Indo-Mediterranean, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan, will also be important for both leaders. Iran is expected to send a senior delegation to the funeral and the new Cardinal of Tehran-Isfahan, who has been a bridge between the Vatican and Tehran will vote in the coming conclave. While Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the funeral, the country is expected to be represented by its culture minister. As many as 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs will be present at St. Peters, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Argentinian President Javier Milei, Philippine's Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and France's Emmanuel Macron. The United Kingdom will be represented by Prince William and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. China, which has no diplomatic relations with the Holy See, has allowed Hong Kong's outspoken Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen to travel to Rome for the funeral. Taiwan, breaking with tradition, will be represented by a high-level delegation and not the President. The Holy See is one of the few countries which has diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Israel will be represented by a small delegation, given tensions on Pope Francis' view of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the Hamas terrorist attack. Despite it being forbidden for Jews to attend funeral services on Saturday, their holy Sabbath, the Chief Rabbi of Rome Riccardo di Segni and the President of the Jewish Community in Rome, Victor Fadlun will both attend the funeral - a testament to the goodwill Pope Francis had developed with all communities. Hyderabad, April 25 : Muslims in Hyderabad on Friday staged protests against Pakistan over its involvement in the terrorist attack on tourists at Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. On a call given by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Muslims offering Friday prayers wore black armbands to condemn the April 22 terror attack. Owaisi himself donned a black band on the forearm while attending prayers at a mosque near his house in Shastripuram. The MP himself was seen distributing black bands to the worshippers. Hundreds of Muslims outside the historic Mecca Masjid staged a protest, condemning the terror attack and denouncing Pakistan. The protestors, led by local leaders of AIMIM, raised slogans of "Pakistan Murdabad" and "Hindustan Zindabad". After protests against the Waqf Amendment Act for the last two Fridays, the area around the historic Charminar witnessed an anti-Pakistan protest. Volunteers were seen tying black armbands to worshippers at Mecca Masjid and other mosques in the city. Owaisi had appealed to people to wear black bands to protest the terrorist act perpetrated by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pahalgam against innocent Indians. He had urged Muslims and justice-loving citizens to wear the black bands on Friday to give a message to the foreign forces that they will not allow Indiaas unity and integrity to be weakened. "Because of this attack, the terrorists have an opportunity to target our Kashmiri brothers. I appeal to all Indians not to fall prey to the tricks of the enemy," said Owaisi. The Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad on Thursday attended the all-party meeting called by the Centre in Delhi over the Pahalgam attack. Owaisi said that the terror attack was a result of an intelligence failure, and demanded that the Narendra Modi government recheck its deterrence policy. The MP said that this incident was more condemnable than Uri and Pulwama as terrorists, who have come from the neighbouring country, targeted civilians. The AIMIM chief said the terror attack was carried out to damage the tourism industry. He said the terrorists who came from Pakistan to spread terror picked up an area which is not even connected by road. The AIMIM organised a candlelight march in Hyderabad on Thursday to condemn the terror attack and show solidarity with the victims. The march was led by the party MLA from Nampally constituency, Mohammed Majid Hussain. People from various sections of the society participated in the march and raised slogans against Pakistan and the LeT. Bengaluru, April 25 : The Karnataka BJP on Friday demanded that the sleeper cells in the country must be neutralised first before targeting Pakistan. Speaking to reporters at the BJP office in Malleshwaram in Bengaluru, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka emphasised that sleeper cells within the country must be neutralised before targeting Pakistan. Criticising Congress leaders for questioning the country's soldiers, Ashoka asked whom they trust if not the armed forces? He stressed that the nation must unitedly condemn terrorist attacks. Terrorists targeted and killed people after identifying them as Hindus, he said, adding that it's wrong to criticise soldiers or dismiss espionage concerns. He questioned who failed when the Rameshwaram Cafe bomb blast occurred, when a cooker bomb exploded, and when ministers faced honeytrap attempts. He urged Congress not to speak on matters concerning the nation's soldiers. Ashoka further announced that the BJP will stage protests in Bengaluru against the price hikes imposed by the Congress government. He said protests will be held for three days, starting April 28, in front of all zonal commissioners' offices. The protests will address increases in milk, electricity, property taxes, and parking fees, postponing civil elections. Regarding the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, Ashoka said discussions were held with the Speaker. He maintained that suspensions should be limited to a specific session. On the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam issue, Ashoka noted that the High Court has given its verdict. He recalled that during the Assembly session, he raised the issue, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promised to consider a re-examination with an open mind after the verdict. Ashoka said they will monitor the government's decision and continue protests if necessary. Guwahati, April 25 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday asserted that the state administration has adopted a zero tolerance policy against individuals who "defend" the Pahalgam terror attack, and police will take stringent action against those persons. The police have already arrested five persons including the AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam and a student of Assam University. CM Sarma said, "Assam will not tolerate any individual who, directly or indirectly, supports or defends Pakistan in connection with the heinous attack in Pahalgam." "So far, five individuals have been arrested by @assampolice for directly or indirectly promoting the cause of Pakistan in Social media," he added. The arrested persons are identified as Md. Jabir Hussain from Hailakandi district, Md. A.K. Bahauddin, Md. Javed Mazumder from Silchar, Md. Mahahar Mia @ Md. Mujihirul Islam from Morigaon district, Md. Aminul Islam from Nagaon district and Md. Sahil Ali from Sivasgar. The CM also mentioned, "Further arrests are underway as part of our ongoing crackdown." Islam, AIUDF MLA from Assam's Dhing Assembly constituency, was arrested on Thursday on sedition charges following his provocative statement regarding the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed over 20 lives. In a video clip circulated on social media, Islam is heard claiming that the Pahalgam and Pulwama attacks were part of a "government conspiracy" AIUDF chief Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal distanced himself from his MLA Islam's comments. Ajmal said: "AIUDF stands with the government. The terrorists have no religion, and those who spread terrorism are against Islam. In April 2020, Islam was arrested on charges of sedition and promoting communal enmity. The arrest followed the circulation of an audio clip in which Islam allegedly claimed that quarantine centres in Assam were "worse than detention centres" and suggested that the government was conspiring against Muslims under the guise of Covid-19 measures. Colombo/New Delhi, April 25 : Lankan President Anura Dissanayake on Friday dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey his condolences on the death of innocent civilian lives in the Pahalgam terror attack and condemn the heinous act. "Deeply shocked by the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives. Just spoke with PM Narendra Modi to convey Sri Lanka's solidarity and our shared commitment against terrorism. Our hearts go out to the victims' families. We stand with India in these difficult times," Dissanayake posted on X after the phone call. Earlier in the day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called PM Modi, rallying in support of India in its fight against terrorism following the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, this morning. The Prime Minister began by saying he was horrified by the devastating terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, which saw the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives. He expressed his deep condolences on behalf of the British people to all those affected, their loved ones and the people of India. The leaders agreed to stay in touch," read a statement issued by 10 Downing Street. Netherlands PM Schoof also strongly condemned the cowardly act and rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. PM Modi thanked PM Schoof for his words of support and solidarity and conveyed that India looks forward to closely working with the Netherlands to strengthen the global fight against terrorism, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated. "I just spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the horrific terrorist attack that occurred earlier this week in Pahalgam, and extended my sympathy to the victims, their loved ones and the people of India. The Netherlands stands shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism, now and in the future," said Schoof. Several top leaders of the world, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, King Abdullah II of Jordan and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had dialled PM Modi on Thursday, expressing their condolences over the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack. The brutal assault, which has resulted in the death of more than dozen tourists and left several others critically injured, unfolded on Tuesday in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, when four heavily armed terrorists, two of them from Pakistan, emerged from the surrounding dense forests and opened indiscriminate fire on tourists. The attack has been described as one of the most horrific in the region in recent memory. According to Intelligence sources, Pakistan-based terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, is behind the attack. The attack has triggered a string of strong retaliatory diplomatic and strategic actions by India, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. Patna, April 25 : The Patna Civil Court witnessed a security threat on Friday after the police received a threat email warning of the presence of RDX on the court premises. Acting swiftly, teams from Patna Police, ATS, and STF, along with dog and bomb squads, conducted a thorough search operation across the court campus. All three gates were sanitised, and metal detectors were deployed to scan every individual entering or exiting. Despite the thorough search, no suspicious items or substance was found. Speaking to the media, DSP Town, Diksha, said: "A threatening message was received through email. All necessary security protocols were activated. The court premises were searched thoroughly. Nothing suspicious has been recovered, but we are not taking any chances." She confirmed that security has been intensified, and efforts are underway to trace the sender's IP address. The threat came during a busy hour when the court was packed with lawyers, judges, and civilians, escalating the concern. An FIR has been registered at Patna's Pirbahore police station against the unidentified person and the cyber cell along with other technical experts of Bihar police are investigating the matter to trace out the IP address. Officials say the alert is being treated seriously, especially in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists and many others injured. The incident has raised concern due to the timing -- closely following the Pahalgam attack -- prompting authorities to remain on high alert. Patna Police have intensified security measures not only at the civil court but also at other key judicial complexes in the city. Security has been beefed up at the Patna High Court, Danapur Sub-Divisional Court, and Patna City Sub-Divisional Court. Every person and vehicle entering the court premises is now being thoroughly checked by security personnel using metal detectors and scanners. Jaipur, April 25 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at 10 locations across Rajasthan in connection with a Rs 25 crore loan fraud case reported by the Punjab National Bank (PNB). The searches were carried out in Jaipur, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, and Sriganganagar. According to ED sources, the main accused, Amandeep Chaudhary, a resident of Sriganganagar, along with his associates, is alleged to have fraudulently secured a Rs 25 crore loan from PNB. Acting on this information, ED teams raided three locations in Jaipur, two in Bikaner, and five in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had initially registered the case in Jodhpur in October 2020. The accused, including Amandeep Chaudhary, his wife Sunita Chaudhary, and Om Prakash, are alleged to have secured the loan by falsely pledging goods stored in a warehouse. The goods were later sold in the market without informing the bank, thus violating the loan terms. Raids on Friday were reported at Amandeep Chaudhary's residence and business premises, including his office in Dhanmandi, Sriganganagar. A heavy police presence was deployed to assist ED officials. Several crucial documents and electronic devices have been seized so far, said officials. The ED is also examining related bank transactions, immovable assets, and associated accounts. Officials suggest this operation could prove pivotal in uncovering the full extent of the PNB loan fraud. Sources indicate further raids at the locations of other suspects may follow. Amandeep Chaudhary is also likely to be summoned for questioning. The ED has taken over the case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). During the searches, the agency recovered key documents, bank records, digital devices, and property-related papers, which are currently being scrutinised. Subsequent action will be based on the findings of the ongoing investigation, officials confirmed. Mumbai, April 25 : Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to hunt down the perpetrators of Pahalgam terror attack, Maharashtra Congress leader and former MP Husain Dalwai said on Friday that it is the time to act and not just make announcements. Talking to IANS, Dalwai described the attack on April 22 as "humiliating" and said India will have to take a befitting revenge. He also welcomed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's visit to Kashmir in the wake of the terror attack. "It's a good thing that Rahulji is visiting the state. He always goes to places were tragedies take place," he said. The former MP's reaction came a day after the government held a meeting with the leaders of Opposition parties, especially after the terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. The Congress leader objected to the announcement about India's counter-offensive being made by PM Modi at a political event in Bihar. "Is this something that should have been announced at an election rally in Bihar?" questioned Dalwai. "Just like Indira Gandhi, why don't you divide Pakistan?" he said, recommending the strictest of action and attempts to divide Pakistan. "India should focus on disintegrating Pakistan. The Afghans and Punjabis are already separate," he said, urging the government to declare war and not just remain content with surgical strikes. The Congress leader disagreed that there was a political reason behind Uddhav Thackeray skipping the all-party meeting on the terror attack. "He (Uddhav) was travelling and there is no other reason to look at it from the political angle or perceived as an opposition," he said. Dalwai also welcomed RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's call for a united fight against terror, saying: "This is welcome. The nation has always been united due to efforts of Mahatma Gandhi but it is you who creates a wedge between communities." Mumbai, April 25 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the Pakistani citizens have been told to leave Maharashtra within 48 hours, failing which they will face action. "The Indian government has decided to cancel the visas of Pakistani citizens. We have obtained the list of Pakistani citizens residing in Maharashtra. We have issued instructions to all police stations about them. Pakistani citizens have been told to leave the state within 48 hours. They should not stay in the state. We are monitoring their movements. We will soon deport them from the state. If these people do not leave within 48 hours, we will take action," he told the reporters. "I have held elaborate discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah with regard to the Central government's decision to cancel the visas of Pakistani citizens. Accordingly, the state government has issued instructions to Pakistani citizens to leave Maharashtra in 48 hours and those who will overstay the action will be taken against them," he warned. He clarified that "there is no sympathy towards Pakistani players and actors". Fadnavis' announcement came after the Central government announced revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest, especially after the escalation of tensions between the two countries over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. The Home Minister personally called up the Chief Ministers of all the states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani citizens stay in India beyond the deadline. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said: "In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, 2025. "Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29, 2025. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended. Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest." Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in a post on X, said: "Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, special flights are being arranged by the state government as per the instructions of the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to safely bring back tourists from Maharashtra. IndiGo's third special flight carrying 232 tourists will depart from Srinagar this afternoon and reach Mumbai in the evening. Yesterday, two special flights carrying 184 tourists reached Mumbai. Around 500 tourists have returned so far." The CMO has attached the list of 232 tourists arriving on Friday. Hyderabad, April 25 : Telangana Police have asked Pakistani nationals staying in the state to return home as the Indian government has decided to revoke all existing valid visas with effect from April 27. Director General of Police Dr Jintender said Attari border will remain open for departure for Pakistanis up to April 30 and advised all Pakistani nationals staying in Telangana to follow the guidelines to avoid any legal action. The Centre on Wednesday decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect, in the wake of the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 that killed 26 tourists and injured several others. "All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April 2025," the DGP said in a statement on Friday. According to the statement, the revocation of visas does not apply to holders of Long Term Visas (LTVs) and diplomatic and official visas. The Indian government on Wednesday announced that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES), and any Pakistani national currently in India under the SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to all the Chief Ministers about the terror attack and asked them to identify Pakistan nationals in their respective states. He asked them to inform the Centre about all the Pakistani nationals so that their visas could be cancelled. Shah also asked the chief ministers to take steps to ensure the prompt return of the people to Pakistan. Meanwhile, police in three commissionerates of Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Rachakonda launched a verification drive for Pakistani nationals residing in their limits under various visas. There are reportedly 208 Pakistani nationals within the limits of these commissionerates. While 156 are holding long-term visas, 13 are on short-term visas. The remaining 39 are visiting for medical or business purposes. However, there are no Pakistani nationals with visas under SVES. Buffalo entrepreneur Rob Gianadda found his calling as a small-scale urban farmer in his basement a dozen years ago. Now his venture has mushroomed into a business thats poised for a major sales breakthrough in food-service contracts for local school lunches. On a whim, Gianaddas Flat 12 Mushrooms began testing chicken-substitute nuggets made entirely of lions mane mushrooms last year, and found itself a consumer hit at farmers markets, especially among kids. Leveraging an existing relationship, it parlayed that into a contract with Buffalo Public Schools and a school district in the Hudson Valley. And that, in turn, prompted its need to find significantly more space for its growing operation, leading it to the Northland Corridor. Thats where the company is seeking to lease a pair of connected buildings at 612 Northland Ave., pending approval next week by the Buffalo Urban Development Corp. It will still retain its current retail shop, commercial test kitchen and growing operation at 37 Chandler St., where its been for five years. But it hopes that the expansion will allow it to increase its production of lions mane mushrooms and the chicken-substitute products by more than fivefold, as it seeks more institutional business from schools and senior care facilities, both locally and beyond Western New York. We know the impact that school lunches have. We really are passionate about providing good nutrition to the students, said Gianadda. Theres a lot of kitchens that can benefit from this product. Lions mane mushrooms are large white fungi that grow in rounded ridges and derive their name from their furry surfaces. They are less well-known than shitake, white or oyster mushrooms, and more expensive, so they are not as commonly grown or sold, which means Flat 12 can control more of the market. The mushrooms are naturally high in protein and low in fat. Flat 12 is working on ways to get even more protein into them by using different mycelium, which is the root system for fungus. And they are dense, with a texture and striations similar to meat, making them an easy substitute for chicken and some seafood. Its the perfect brain food for school-aged children, Gianadda said. Using whole mushrooms that are cut into desired sizes and shapes, the company makes four varieties of chicken-substitute products: a regular rounded patty, shaped like a one-third pound hamburger; regular nuggets; and gluten-free and vegan versions of both. A half-pound bag of nuggets sells for $8. Its also experimenting with a seafood-substitute product, to replace scallops, as well as sausage-substitute products and a pork-substitute sandwich. Weve been doing a lot of outreach, a lot of testing, Gianadda said. Were looking for high-quality ways to serve our mushrooms. And it doesnt waste anything, turning scraps into dehydrated mushrooms or powder, while composting everything else. The company already filled orders for 700 pounds for Buffalo schools and 1,200 pounds for a downstate school system, and is currently filling orders it received this year, including for a separate farmers market share program that the Buffalo Schools have been offering for the past year. Flat 12 had been offering fresh mushrooms through the CSA originally but switched to nuggets three months ago. It really has highlighted the fact that we need more space, we need more automation to make the whole thing more profitable, and we need to take advantage of the economy of scale, Gianadda said. The expansion represents a big leap for Gianadda, whose business started as a hobby project with his daughter in his Elmwood Village house and then his backyard. The company expanded into the cellar space of a long brick manufacturing building on Mason Street on the West Side, adjacent to Rich Products Corp.s headquarters, and then relocated five years ago to the Chandler food business incubator that developer Rocco Termini created. Today, the company sells a variety of gourmet mushrooms, such as oyster, chestnut, shitake, Pioppino and lions mane, as well as dried mushrooms, mushroom-based food products like soup, broth, pate, cream cheese and pastries. It sells medicinal extracts, like tinctures and tonics. It even makes lions mane coffee. And it has recipes for using them in other foods, including as a substitute for seafood in crabcakes. About half of its business is wholesale to restaurants, while the rest is retail, including through the Chandler Street store and The Farm Shop on Lexington Avenue. The company also attends about eight farmers markets each week for 26 weeks during the summer months, including Bidwell, North Tonawanda, East Aurora, Westfield, Williamsville and Hamburg. Its a full-time job, Gianadda said. Flat 12s operation is brighter and cleaner than might be expected. Contrary to popular belief, not all mushrooms grow in the dark, nor are they grown in manure. In Flat 12s case, its mushroom varieties thrive in the light, particularly natural light. And they are grown in sawdust and agricultural waste like soybean hulk and bran. Its not offensive. It doesnt smell, Gianadda said. As an urban farm, its never nice to your neighbors to be growing compost, especially manure-based compost. Last year, company employees started experimenting in the companys commercial kitchen, taking whole fresh lions mane mushrooms and then breading them with a panko coating, frying them and freezing them. They can then be reheated in ovens or air fryers in 15 minutes. It tastes like a chicken nugget or chicken patty, Gianadda said. The company began serving nuggets and sandwiches at places like the Bidwell farmers market, and observed a lineup of parents buying them for their kids, who loved them, Gianadda said. Flat 12 already had a vendor relationship with Buffalo Public Schools, whose commissary has been seeking local produce. So he floated the idea of whole-mushroom nuggets instead of a ground mushroom product. They put in a huge order, he said. That led Gianadda to start shopping it across the state, landing contracts in the Hudson Valley and Long Island. And suddenly, the company found itself needing a lot more room. We were looking to expand anyways, because we always came up just a little bit short for our retail and wholesale weekly orders, he said. But we didnt have a real reason to pull the trigger until now. Gianadda was already familiar with the building at 612 Northland from when it was used by the AKG as an extension and temporary gallery during the museum construction. So he knew it would be ideal. This would make a killer mushroom farm, just because of the size of the space, the big open floor plan, concrete floors, good airflow, great natural light all things that are building blocks for a good farm, he said. All of our species grow in full light, so to have all of those huge windows is fantastic. So the more natural light we can get in, the more nutritious our product becomes. Two years ago, the company even considered the space and toured it, but we didnt have a reason to do it yet. With institutional contracts for schools, though, thats changed, and now the company needs both halves of the property. When you really get into the numbers of feeding institutional spaces like New York state public schools, the numbers get pretty outrageous pretty fast, Gianadda said. This will be a working showcase of what it looks like to provide massive amounts of mushrooms to the general public. Upon completion of the buildout and expansion, he said, Flat 12 will be the largest lions mane mushroom farm in the state, and possibly along the East Coast, producing 20,000 pounds of mushroom and nugget per month. And even that is probably not enough to handle much more than the Western New York demand. We know that this space that were moving into, if the board agrees to it, is probably not our last hurrah, either. This is probably a stepping stone situation, he said. So were going to make it a showcase, so that if we can, and the desire and need for the product is there, we can expand even further, either downstate or across state lines. He added, Hopefully we can take this opportunity to make even mushroom-haters switch sides. New Delhi, April 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly-appointed youth in various government departments and organisations through video conferencing on Saturday. In line with the Prime Minister's commitment to accord highest priority to employment generation, the 15th Rozgar Mela will be held at 47 locations across the country, according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The event will provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and effectively contributing to national development. The new recruits, selected from across the country, will join the Central government in various ministries/departments including the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances and Pensions, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Labour and Employment, among others. More than 10 lakh permanent government jobs have been offered since 2022, setting a remarkable record, PM Modi had said during the 14th edition of Rozgar Mela in December last year. While distributing 71,000 job offers, PM Modi highlighted that such job fairs were part of the government's endeavour to provide employment with complete transparency. PM Modi launched Rozgar Mela a" the recruitment drive for 10 lakh personnel -- on October 22, 2022. The first edition saw the handing over of appointment letters to 75,000 new appointees. Rozgar Mela represents a significant initiative by the government to enhance employment opportunities for the youth across India. By facilitating direct connections between job seekers and employers, it not only addresses the pressing issue of unemployment but also empowers individuals to contribute to national development. At the 14th Rozgar Mela, PM Modi also mentioned that India had signed agreements related to migration and employment with 21 countries in recent years, including countries like Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Mauritius, Israel, the UK and Italy, apart from the Gulf countries. New Delhi, April 25 : Extending support to India and its people, Mariano Caucino, the Ambassador of Argentina to India, on Friday condemned the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack while fully backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on identifying and punishing the terrorists and their backers. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the Ambassador said that Prime Minister Modi is providing Indian people the support and strong leadership they fully deserve. "I think he (PM Modi) made a very strong statement on the same day and the following day, expressing that India will go after the terrorists to the ends of the earth. I believe that is the right approach," said Ambassador Caucino. Condemning all forms of terrorism and the use of violence, Caucino stated that Argentina is a country that suffered from terrorism and therefore understands its impact. Asserting that India has the right to protect itself, he further said that Argentina rejects terrorism and supports people and the government of India. The Ambassador said that being members of the G20, both India and Argentina are working together in combating terrorism "India has the right to protect its territory, its people and to reject terrorism. We support global policies aimed at rejecting, preventing and combating terrorism and thatas exactly what we are doing. We know what such tragedies mean. We firmly reject terrorism, and we are supporting India in the strongest way possible," he added. The Argentinian Ambassador also met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday to convey his country's full support for New Delhi. "Met Ambassador Mariano Caucino of Argentina today. Welcome Argentinaas strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. Spoke about advancing our bilateral and multilateral cooperation," EAM Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting. The brutal assault, which has resulted in the death of 26 innocent civilians and left several others injured, unfolded on Tuesday in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, when four heavily armed terrorists, two of them from Pakistan, emerged from the surrounding dense forests and opened indiscriminate fire on tourists. The attack has been described as one of the most horrific in the region in recent memory. According to Intelligence sources, Pakistan-based terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, is behind the attack. The attack has triggered a string of strong retaliatory diplomatic and strategic actions by India, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. Karnal, April 25 : Seeking adequate relief and a compassionate job for a family member, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Friday visited the residence of Indian Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was among 26 people killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, met his family members and consoled them. He prayed for the peace of the departed soul and strength to the family to bear the loss. Hooda said the entire country stands with the family in this hour of grief. Later, talking to the media, Hooda demanded proper compensation and a government job for Vinay Narwal's family. "There is anger in the country due to the cowardly act of the terrorists, and the country is united against terrorism. The country demands from the government that the culprits should not be spared under any circumstances, and whatever tough decisions are required to end terrorism, should be taken," he said. Hooda said the government should investigate every aspect, including the failure of the security and intelligence system, and ensure that such attacks do not recur. "We welcome the steps taken by the government against Pakistan and demand even tougher decisions. The victim families will get justice only when the terrorists and their masters are brought to justice," he said. The Navy officer was given a heartfelt farewell by his wife, Himanshi, on Wednesday evening here by embracing his coffin wrapped in the Tricolour. The young officer was cremated with full state honours. The 26-year-old Navy officer got married on April 16 and was killed in the terror attack on April 22. State Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar also visited the residence of Navy officer Vinay Narwal and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. Panwar said the incident was highly condemnable, the entire country stood in grief with the family. He assured them that both the Central and state governments are with them in this hour of grief. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken five major decisions during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security after the incident, and stricter steps are being taken. New Delhi, April 25 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday condemned the killing of innocent civilians by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir's (J&K) Pahalgam. "The Commission condemns the dastardly attack on the unarmed and unsuspecting innocent civilians who were on a holiday to the valley. The incident has shaken the conscience of every right thinking human being as a serious issue of violation of human rights of the innocent victims and their families," said a statement released by the apex human rights body of the country. It added that the NHRC is deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of 28 people by the terrorists after identifying their faith in Pahalgam on Tuesday. "It has been said time and again at various forums that terrorism is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations in the world. The time has come to act against those aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing terrorism and to hold them accountable for this menace," further said NHRC. Otherwise, terrorism may result in shrinking of democratic space, intimidation, reprisals, harmony among communities and grave violation of various human rights, including right to life, liberty, equality, fraternity, and livelihood, cautioned the NHRC. The human rights body expected the government to take all the necessary steps to fix accountability, bring the perpetrators to justice and provide succour to the families of the victims in all possible manner. The NHRC, established under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, consists of a Chairperson, five full-time members and seven deemed members. The statute, as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006, lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Commission. The NHRC in the country was established on October 12, 1993. The NHRC is entrusted with the protection and promotion of human rights, which the Act defines as "rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India". Raipur, April 25 : Amid mounting pressure, the Maoists have issued a press note, appealing for an immediate cessation of the unprecedented joint operation against Maoist insurgents, jointly launched by forces of the states of Chhattisgarh and Telangana since Monday. For four days, the forces have besieged the Karregatta hills of Bijapur district bordering Telangana. The hill is a strategic stronghold for Maoist leaders, situated along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. Rupesh, proclaiming himself as in-charge of the North West Sub Zonal Bureau, urged the government through issuing a "press note" to withdraw forces and pursue dialogue as a means to resolve the conflict. He emphasised that postponing forces' action for a month could foster a conducive environment to talks, potentially yielding positive outcomes. He said that this operation should be stopped immediately and the forces should be withdrawn. "We are requesting the government to adopt the path of solving the problem through talks, creating a favourable environment." According to the pamphlet (which is reported as press note) he wrote that this path will yield positive results, postponing the military operation for a month. "A positive response from the government is expected on our appeal," the note read. A joint operation of several hundred soldiers is going on against the Maoists in this area for the last four days. So far, six Maoists have been reportedly killed in intermittent firing. Karregatta is the same spot where several Maoists, including hardcore commanders including Hidma, Deva, Damodar, are camping. During the Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC), the state forces of Chhattisgarh and Telangana have launched the biggest joint operation against the Maoists. For the first time in the history of Chhattisgarh, the security forces have launched a 'decisive campaign' against the Maoists. It is being told that in this encounter, several hundred special commandos have surrounded hundreds of Maoists. This area is surrounded by the dense forests of Karregatta, Nadpalli and Pujari Kanker is considered to be the stronghold of Maoist Battalion No 1. Experts said that the Maoists now have no option of escaping. In a significant crackdown against Maoist insurgents, security forces in Chhattisgarh have launched a major operation in the operation has already resulted in the deaths of three Maoists, with their bodies recovered by the police. Officials have reported that several Maoists are believed to be present in the area, which has been surrounded by the forces. The encounter, described as fierce and intense, continues with further details expected once the operation concludes. This joint operation, involving the police forces of Telangana and Chhattisgarh, is the largest of its kind to date along the border of the two states. Approximately 150 Maoists have been encircled, and the exchange of gunfire has persisted for three days. Among those surrounded are high-profile Maoist leaders such as Hidma, Deva, and Damodar, each carrying a reward of one crore. The ongoing confrontation suggests that several prominent insurgents may be neutralised. Srinagar, April 25 : In light of recent incidents and to reinforce a sense of security among students and business persons from J&K residing in various parts of the country, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday directed the deployment of ministers to key cities across India. "These senior representatives of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir have been tasked with coordinating closely with their counterparts in the respective State Governments. Their mandate is to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of J&K residents who may be facing distress, anxiety, or insecurity in the wake of recent developments," the Chief Minister said as per a post on the handle of the CMO on X. "With a view to instilling a sense of security among our students and businessmen currently in other states, I have deputed my Cabinet Ministers to various cities across the country. The purpose of these visits is to coordinate efforts with the respective State Governments and ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents," Omar Abdullah said in the posts. "The J&K Government will stand with its people - anywhere, everywhere," stated the Chief Minister, reaffirming the administrationas unwavering commitment to the welfare of its citizens beyond the territorial boundaries of Jammu & Kashmir. The step came in response to the alleged harassment of people from J&K in states around India. In response to his National Conference spokesman Imran Nabi Dar raising the issue of the purported harassment, Omar Abdullah, on Thursday, posted on X: "The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. Iam also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care". Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, who visited the Kashmir Valley on Friday, also raised the same issue. "Some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir in the rest of the country," he told the media here. "It is time all of us stand united to defeat terrorism. The terrorists want to divide society by making brother fight brother," he cautioned. New Delhi, April 25 : Poonawalla Fincorp on Friday reported a sharp over 81 per cent decline in its net profit, which fell to Rs 62.33 crore in the January-March quarter (Q4) of FY25, compared to Rs 331.70 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year. However, the company saw a rise in its revenue from operations, which grew over 27 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to reach Rs 1,166.27 crore. The companyas net interest income (NII) also showed a positive growth of 12 per cent YoY, amounting to Rs 715 crore. Additionally, its assets under management (AUM) saw a strong increase, rising by 42.5 per cent to Rs 35,631 crore. CEO and MD Arvind Kapil highlighted that the company is focusing on smarter AI, sharper digital journeys, and risk-first thinking to ensure more agile and sustainable profits. "Smarter AI. Sharper digital journeys. With risk-first thinking and next-gen analytics, weare reimagining customer assessment for more agile and sustainable profits," he stated. However, Poonawalla Fincorp did not declare any dividend, according to its stock exchange filings. The decline in profit was attributed to one-time operating expenses and accelerated provisioning on its erstwhile short-term personal loan (STPL) book, amounting to Rs 666 crore. The company also mentioned its ongoing investments in new businesses as another factor affecting profitability. In terms of asset quality, the firm saw a worsening trend, with a gross non-performing assets (NPA) margin of 1.84 per cent and a net NPA margin of 0.85 per cent. Poonawalla Fincorp has also ventured into the gold loan business and plans to open 400 new branches in FY26 -- aiming for strong growth through cross-selling strategies. Shares of Poonawalla Fincorp, which had closed 4 per cent lower at Rs 379.75 on Friday on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ahead of the results, will be closely monitored when the market reopens on April 28. Mumbai, April 25 : Kerry Washington-led action thriller "Shadow Force" will be reaching the Indian theatres on May 9th. It is a gripping, high-stakes tale about love, sacrifice, and survival. Directed and co-written by Joe Carnahan (The Grey, Copshop, The A-Team), alongside co-writer Leon Chills, the film explores the extreme measures two elite assassins will take to protect their family. The drama revolves around Kyrah and Issac Sarr, former members of a covert international assassins' unit known as "Shadow Force." After defying protocol by falling in love and leaving the unit to start a family, they find themselves on the run with a $25 million bounty on their heads. Joining the powerful ensemble cast are Omar Sy (Lupin, The Intouchables), Mark Strong (1917, Kingsman: The Secret Service), Da'Vine Joy Randolph(The Holdovers, Dolemite is My Name), Cliff "Method Man" Smith (Power Book II: Ghost, Godfather of Harlem), and Jahleel Kamara (Rise, Nanny). Talking about Washington, Pilar Savone, Washington's producing partner at Simpson Street, said, "It was an obvious choice for her to star in this film." She added, "Her entire team loved the story and wanted to see her being this fierce strong badass action star. She's been a badass since Olivia Pope (her character in Scandal), but she's never been an action star." The last time Washington had been in an action film was in 2005's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". "but I had so much fun on that film, and it's something I've always wanted to do if I had the time or the opportunity", she said. However, it wasn't simply the opportunity to look badass killing people that drew Washington to this particular story, but also how its themes resonated deeply with her mission as an artist. "I've done a lot of material around the value of Black life and the vulnerability of Black parenting and Black motherhood in particular. [So] I thought, oh, how wonderful that this film is about protecting and saving a Black boy," she concluded. Agartala, April 25 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday denounced the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting his staunch belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive action will act as a strong deterrent against any future attempts by terrorists to harm India. After participating in the 70th Foundation Day celebration of the Deed Writers Association at the Agartala court complex, the Chief Minister, while talking to the media, emphasised national solidarity behind Prime Minister Modi's leadership. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already visited the attack site in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and PM Modi has ordered a series of stern actions, including the expulsion of Pakistani nationals residing in the country," CM Saha said. He mentioned that the government is implementing a five-point action plan thoroughly and the effects of the Centre's tough stance will become evident soon. "The message is crystal clear -- perpetrators of such heinous acts would face consequences. This would serve as a warning to ensure no one dares to commit such atrocities again," the Chief Minister asserted. He said: "We will not forget, we will not forgive the cowardly and cruel terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam." A five-point action plan was taken following the April 23 Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meet, which also included suspension of the Indus water treaty, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, declaring the Pakistani military diplomats as persona non-grata and severely curtailing the mission staff on both sides. On April 22, twenty-five Indians and one Nepali citizen were brutally killed by the heavily armed Pakistani-backed terrorists in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadows as they unleashed carnage on tourists comprising men and women. A number of others sustained injuries in the attack. Palasamudram : , April 25 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary on Friday exhorted the young officers passing out of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes, and Narcotics (NACIN) to lead with "courage and clarity" to fulfil their responsibility in building a transparent and accountable tax system. In his address on the occasion, Chaudhary highlighted the role of IRS officers in the countryas economic growth and expressed confidence in their ability to advance the governmentas vision of Viksit Bharat by promoting economic progress and social equality. The minister was the chief guest at the passing out parade of the 75th batch of 42 Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer trainees, including 25 men and 17 women officers. Five officers from Bhutan were also part of the training programme. The ceremony commenced with a solemn observance of mourning and tribute for the victims of the tragic Pahalgam incident, with officers and dignitaries standing in silence to honour the memory of the victims. In his address, CBIC Chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal outlined the pivotal role of the IRS officers in revenue mobilisation, trade facilitation, and national development and urged them to stay updated, uphold integrity, and embrace digital transformation to serve efficiently. He further urged them to maintain a balance between enforcement and facilitation, encouraging officers to lead with empathy, confidence, and discipline. In her address, CBIC member Aruna Narayan Gupta stressed ethical conduct, empathy and continuous learning, while underscoring "Sevabhav" as a foundational quality for IRS officers, urging them to approach their duties with empathy, humility and a service-oriented mindset. She emphasised that public servants must remain accessible, fair and citizen-centric in their conduct, reinforcing that serving people is at the heart of governance. NACIN Director General M. Subramanyam congratulated the officers as they are the first batch to undergo their entire foundational training at the newly developed NACIN Palasamudram campus. Further emphasising adaptability, public service and the importance of integrity in shaping modern tax officers, he expressed pride in the academyas evolving capabilities, highlighting its advanced training infrastructure and growing international collaborations. Tehran, April 25 : Citing its good relations with both India and Pakistan, Iran on Friday said that it stands ready to "forge greater understanding" between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terror attack, earlier this week. "India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbours of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbours, we consider them our foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time," Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X. Araghchi then quoted lines written by Saadi Shirazi, a prominent 13th century Persian poet, saying that Tehran will mediate in line with the spirit of oneness and unity between all human beings that he had mentioned during the medieval period. "Human Beings are members of a whole; In creation of one essence and soul; If one member is inflicted with pain; Other members uneasy will remain," wrote the Iranian Foreign Minister, quoting Saadi's lines. Tuesday's brutal assault, which resulted in the death of 26 innocent tourists and left several others critically injured, unfolded in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, when four heavily armed terrorists, two of them from Pakistan, emerged from the surrounding dense forests and opened indiscriminate fire on tourists. The attack has been described as one of the most horrific in the region in recent memory. The attack triggered a string of strong retaliatory diplomatic and strategic actions by India, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. It has also invited worldwide criticism, isolating and pushing Pakistan into a corner. Several world leaders have called Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past few days to convey their condolences and condemn the heinous act. According to the intelligence sources, Pakistan-based terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, is behind the attack. Earlier this week, the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi had also strongly condemned the terrorist attack. 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." Washington, April 25 : Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), on Friday said that the United States supports India's "hunt" for the perpetrators of the "horrific Islamist terrorist attack" in Pahalgam that took place earlier this week. The top US spy joins a stream of American leaders and officials who have condemned the incident and offered support starting with President Donald Trump who had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi just hours after the heinous terror attack on Tuesday. "We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam," Gabbard wrote on X. "My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM Narendra Modi and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack." Gabbard's "hunt down" message comes amidst escalating Indian response to the terrorist attack, saying it had clear "cross-border" links to Pakistan. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, ordered Pakistani diplomats to leave and brought down the staffing at missions besides shutting down the land-border crossing at Wagah. "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers," Prime Minister Modi has said. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism," he said. The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. Gabbard has a long-standing relationship with India, going back to her days in the US House of Representatives, where she served a few terms as a Democrat. She co-chaired the bipartisan India Caucus and also struck up a close relationship with the Modi government. Gabbard became the first member of President Trump's cabinet in the second term to visit India, in March, during which she met Prime Minister Modi and delivered keynote remarks at the Raisina Dialogue on security affairs. Jammu, April 25 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday summoned the Assembly to convene its session on April 28 in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Jammu, April 25 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday summoned the Assembly to convene its session on April 28 in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. As per the order issued by the Lt Governor, the Assembly shall meet at Jammu on Monday at 10.30 a.m. "I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, do hereby summon the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet at Jammu on Monday, the 28th of April, 2025 at 10.30 A.M," the order read. An order issued by the Assembly Secretary read: "Accordingly, in terms of rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, all the Honable Members are requested to kindly attend the Session of the Legislative Assembly on the appointed date, time and place." Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had demanded the convening of a special one-day session of the Assembly so that the house can condemn the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, were killed by terrorists in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22. The Assembly session comes days after the Chief Minister convened an all-party meeting, which condemned the dastardly attack and expressed support for the Central government's measures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to return to the country to take stock of the situation, had, in his first reaction to the terror attack, said that the terrorists, their handlers, and backers will get such punishment that they would not have ever imagined. The terrorists would be chased and hunted down to the ends of the earth, he asserted. New Delhi, April 25 : Ambassadors of Israel, Egypt, Argentina, and Nepal met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday, expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism following the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand currently visiting India, also called on EAM at his office to express solidarity on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. "Good to meet former PM of New Zealand Helen Clark this evening. Appreciate her support and solidarity on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Discussed cooperation in health and development," EAM Jaishankar posted on X after meeting the Kiwi leader. Jaishankar also held a conversation over phone with Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday's terrorist attack in which 26 innocent civilians lost their lives and several others were injured. "Had a telecon with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages," the External Affairs Minister said. Earlier in the day, the EAM met Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar and appreciated Israel's steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism. "A good discussion with Ambassador Reuven Azar of Israel in New Delhi today," said Jaishankar. Azar also took to social media and expressed gratitude to EAM Jaishankar for an engaging discussion. "Thankful for the useful discussion Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. Looking forward to work together to overcome common challenges and untap India and Israel many opportunities!" he posted on X. The Ambassador of Egypt also called on Jaishankar and offered support in fighting terrorism. "Received Ambassador Kamel Zayed of Egypt. Discussed deepening our strategic partnership. Appreciated Egypt's support in the fight against terrorism," the EAM posted on X. Jaishankar met Nepal's Ambassador Shankar Sharma late afternoon and offered his condolences on the death of a Nepali national in the Pahalgam terror attack. He further discussed developments in Indiaa"Nepal bilateral ties. The Ambassador of Nepal expressed strong solidarity with India following the deadly terror attack. "Shared our deep condolences and firm solidarity with India over the Pahalgam terror attack with EAM S Jaishankar ji today. He also expressed condolences on the death of a Nepali national, Sudip Neupane. We also reviewed our overall Nepal-India ties," Shankar Sharma posted on X. EAM Jaishankar also met Argentinian Ambassador Mariano Caucino and welcomed Argentina's condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. The EAM said that both leaders spoke about advancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between India and Argentina. Meanwhile, several top leaders across the globe dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed their condolences on the death of innocent civilians in the Pahalgam terror attack while condemning the heinous act. The attack has triggered a string of strong retaliatory diplomatic and strategic actions by India, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, and cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals. New Delhi, April 25 : Low-cost carrier IndiGo announced on Friday that due to the closure of Pakistan's airspace, international routes operated by the airline will require longer sectors and hence may be subject to some slight schedule adjustments. New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) Low-cost carrier IndiGo announced on Friday that due to the closure of Pakistanas airspace, international routes operated by the airline will require longer sectors and hence may be subject to some slight schedule adjustments. "With the same restrictions and limited rerouting options, unfortunately, Almaty and Tashkent are outside the operational range of IndiGoas current fleet. Hence, flights to Almaty stand cancelled from 27th of April until at least 7th of May and to Tashkent from 28th of April until 7th May 2025," the airline said in a statement. IndiGo has suggested that its customers check the latest flight status on the airlineas website www.goindigo.com. "Rescheduling and cancellations can be managed through our website. For more information or assistance, please write to: customer.experience@goindigo.in," the IndiGo statement added. Air India and IndiGo have announced that their international flights will take an alternative extended route, after Pakistan closed its airspace for India amid rising diplomatic tensions following the Islamabad-sponsored barbaric Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Airlines from airports in north India, including Delhi, Lucknow and Amritsar, will now have to take a detour to Gujarat or Maharashtra and then turn right for Europe, North America, or West Asia. With this, the duration of some of the US and European flights operated by Indian airlines will increase in the range of 2 to 2.5 hours. Air India has also said that due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East will take an alternative extended route. With Pakistan closing its airspace for India, domestic airlines will need to take a longer route, resulting in higher fuel burn and possibly increased airfares, according to industry experts. Pakistanas move will affect flights to Central Asia, West Asia, Europe, the UK, and North America. Although airlines have yet to comment on the financial impact, these flights will have to take alternative routes that will be longer over the Arabian Sea. In 2019, when Pakistan closed its airspace after the Balakot airstrikes, Indian airlines lost nearly Rs 700 crore owing to higher fuel expenses, according to industry figures. London: Following Tuesday's tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, claimed by a shadow group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), India has announced a number of security measures vis-a-vis Pakistan. This also includes suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which survived three wars between the two. Relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have consistently been fraught with tension, but efforts to maintain normalcy through diplomatic presence have remained. Another measure undertaken by India in the aftermath of this attack has been to reduce the strength of its High Commission in Islamabad from 55 to 30. This includes naval and air advisors a" their Pakistani counterparts in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and ordered to depart the country immediately. Another time India reached this level of tension with another country was the freezing of relations with China following the Galwan Valley clash of 2020. Although 'normalcy' is still being restored via diplomatic channels, the two continue to remain rivals on account of competing interests in the region. These incidents cannot be isolated from tremors in India's neighbourhood. Over the past few years, most of India's neighbours have fallen into turmoil a" a military coup in Myanmar in 2021, Sri Lanka's financial crisis in 2022, and most recently, the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government in Bangladesh in 2024. The political landscape in all of these countries shifted towards favouring relations with China over India, notwithstanding those neighbours such as the Maldives, whose President ran his very campaign on an anti-India rhetoric. Despite India's steady rise to geopolitical prominence and economic might, to be surrounded by neighbours this unstable presents a grave security challenge that the regional giant will have to reckon with. Possible solutions will require long-term sustained efforts and reinvigoration of 'Neighbourhood First' policy. While Indian foreign policy has historically been that of prioritising its relations with its neighbours, a reinvigoration of its commitment to maintain this priority is the need of the hour. PM Narendra Modi's recent visit to Thailand for the BIMSTEC Summit was a masterclass in these efforts. The Indian Armed Forces rank as one of the top militaries in the world, but sustained tension along the countryas land borders with not one but two of its neighbours puts significant pressure on defence capabilities. Although military modernisation has been prioritised in recent years via 'Make in India' initiatives, much is left to be desired. Diversifying defence imports, modernising its Soviet-era equipment, and larger investment remain top priorities. India has also been historically reluctant to partake actively in defence-based treaty alliances, and rightfully so, considering its desire to maintain strategic autonomy. However, with a renewed US interest in the QUAD, and the importance of India to manage the threat of China in the Indo-Pacific, New Delhi will have to tread these waters carefully. While autonomy is of utmost value, there is a lot to gain from more substantial defence partnerships in the region. Since independence, one of Indiaas greatest assets in international politics has been its leadership within the Global South. It was a pioneer in non-alignment and still preaches the value to this day. India has always rejected unipolarity, and is a true advocate of a rules-based international order. Along with being the largest democracy in the world a" and consistently so for over 75 years a" an emphasis on this virtue of partnership as opposed to domination, is what showcases the true essence of what India stands for in the world. A meaningful marriage of hard and soft power is essential to recalibration in the rapidly changing world order. (Saniya Kulkarni is a Programme Manager at LSE IDEAS, a foreign policy think tank of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Views expressed are personal) Thiruvananthapuram, April 25 : In a major step towards combating hidden hunger and enhancing nutritional security, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) Research Council and Bharat Biotech International Chairperson Dr. Krishna M. Ella, on Friday, inaugurated the fortified rice kernels (FRK) pilot plant here. The state-of-the-art FRK pilot plant has been established to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable population groups, especially children and pregnant women. Using technology developed in-house at CSIR-NIIST, the plant enables the continuous production of fortified rice kernels enriched with essential micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. The FRK process involves blending micronutrients with rice flour and extruding the mix into rice-shaped kernels that are virtually indistinguishable from natural rice. The system is equipped with advanced drying and cooling conveyors for effective moisture removal, enabling immediate use and distribution. The plant is capable of producing 30 to 50 kg of FRK per hour, which can be seamlessly blended with polished rice for large-scale public distribution. Ella applauded the instituteas efforts to develop practical, scalable solutions in food and health sciences. "This pilot plant is an important innovation that merges science with social responsibility. It holds promise for improving public health outcomes across the country, particularly in underserved regions," he said. CSIR-NIIST Director, Dr C. Anandharamakrishnan, said this pilot plant will serve not only as a production unit but also as a training and innovation hub for start-ups, food safety professionals, public health experts, and students. "It exemplifies our commitment to developing technologies that are socially impactful and accessible," he said. The FRK pilot plant will be accessible for research, development, product testing, and hands-on training, promoting innovation and fostering entrepreneurial ventures in the domain of rice fortification. CSIR-NIIST, an affiliate laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), continues to be a frontrunner in translating interdisciplinary science into sustainable technologies for national development. New Delhi, April 25 : A high-level meeting was held on Friday at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The 45-minute meeting between the Home Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil focused on exploring ways to halt the flow of water to Pakistan. According to sources, the discussion centred around three key options a" short-term, mid-term, and long-term measures. The government's intent was clear: not even a single drop of water should be allowed to reach Pakistan. Following the meeting, it was decided that all possible measures to block the water flow would be implemented immediately. Officials were instructed to take prompt action on this front. Earlier, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, had on Thursday written a formal letter to Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources. In the letter, she officially informed Pakistan about India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with immediate effect. The letter referred to previous notices sent by the Indian government under Article 12(3) of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, calling for a renegotiation of the treaty in light of changing circumstances. These included massive population growth, the urgent need for clean energy development, and shifts in the foundational assumptions behind water sharing. India emphasised that a re-evaluation of obligations under various articles and agreements of the treaty was now essential. The letter also accused Pakistan of repeatedly violating the treaty. India stated that Pakistan has consistently supported cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, creating security uncertainties that have obstructed Indiaas ability to fully exercise its rights under the treaty. Pakistan has failed to respond to Indiaas repeated requests to initiate dialogue under the treaty framework a" a clear violation of its provisions. Mukherjee clarified that the decision to suspend the treaty was taken after deep consideration by the Indian government. As a result, the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will remain suspended with immediate effect. Notably, the Indus Waters Treaty was brokered in 1960 between India and Pakistan with the mediation of the World Bank. Under the treaty, India retained rights to the eastern rivers, while Pakistan received the flow of the western rivers. Chennai, April 25 : Chennai Super Kings batters faltered again as Harshal Patel claimed four wickets to his name, alongside two wickets each by skipper Pat Cummins and Jaydev Unadkat, to restrict the hosts to 154 all out in 19.5 overs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday. For the batting side, Dewald Brevis' 25-ball 42 was the highlight of the innings. Chennai, April 25 (IANS) Chennai Super Kings batters faltered again as Harshal Patel claimed four wickets to his name, alongside two wickets each by skipper Pat Cummins and Jaydev Unadkat, to restrict the hosts to 154 all out in 19.5 overs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday. For the batting side, Dewald Brevisa 25-ball 42 was the highlight of the innings. After having opted to bowl first, Mohammed Shami gave SRH the perfect start by finding Shaik Rasheedas (0) outside edge on the very first ball, which saw Abhishek Sharma take a difficult catch at first slip. Youngster Ayush Mhatre (30), who made his debut against Mumbai Indians on Sunday, continued his impressive breakthrough by smashing Pat Cummins, Shami, and Jaydev Unadkat for six boundaries in the next three overs before Harshal Patel claimed the wicket of Sam Curran (9). A slower ball, shortish outside off, led to the Englishmanas dismissal as Aniket Verma made no mistake in taking the catch. The Men in Yellow were further pushed into a dangerous position as skipper Cummins, with a full-length delivery outside off, saw Mhatre hole it out straight to Ishan Kishan at mid-off. Ravindra Jadeja (21) and Brevis continued to precariously navigate the innings, in hopes of not losing any more wickets, but the former was dismissed, after hitting a six off Zeeshan Ansari, when Kamindu Mendisa slider stayed low and crashed into the stumps. Shivam Dube (12), who was demoted down the order as CSK experimented with their batting lineup, broke free of the shackles put on by SRHas bowling attack and hit two consecutive cover drives off Shami for boundaries, which prompted Brevis to accelerate the run rate after having batted at a run-a-ball. He targeted Mendis on the next over and rejuvenated the Chepauk crowd with three sixes in the 12th over while smacking the ball over long-on, deep mid-wicket, and long-off respectively. However, the joy was quickly sucked out of the home crowd as he was dismissed by Patel in the next over. After having hit a six on the previous ball, Brevis once again tried to slam a half-volley over long-off, but Mendis produced an excellent display of fielding to take a diving catch at the boundary. Dubey soon followed as he was caught by Sharma off Unadkat in the next over. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (6), Anshul Kamboj (2), Noor Ahmad (2), and Khaleel Ahmed (1*) failed to add any significant runs to the tally whereas Deepak Hooda (22) added some valuable runs in the last two overs, with a six and a four, before being dismissed with one ball to spare as CSK were bowled out for 154 all out. Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 154 all out in 19.5 overs (Dewald Brevis 42, Ayush Mhatre 30; Harshal Patel 4-28, Pat Cummins 2-21, Jaydev Unadkat 2-21) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Pune/Amritsar, April 25 : Amid heightened security concerns following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Indian authorities have taken steps to identify and monitor Pakistani nationals currently residing in India. According to Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, 111 Pakistani citizens are presently living in Pune city. Out of these, 91 individuals are residing on Long Term Visas (LTV) -- which are valid for up to five years -- while 20 others are in the country on visitor visas, which are typically limited to a 90-day stay. The foreigners' branch of the Pune Police Department confirmed that three Pakistani nationals have already left India in recent days. In the wake of the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has instructed Pakistani nationals currently in India to return to Pakistan. These individuals often travel to India to meet relatives or seek medical treatment. According to official data, Pune is currently home to 35 men and 56 women from Pakistan living on Long Term Visas, while an additional 20 Pakistani nationals are in the city on Visitor Visas. Meanwhile, at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar, Protocol Officer Arun Mahal confirmed the continued flow of people between the two nations. "Just like yesterday, today (on Friday) 191 Pakistani nationals who had arrived in India on visas returned to Pakistan. Moreover, 287 Indian citizens who had travelled to Pakistan have returned home," he said. He noted that the number of tourists has declined amid rising tensions. The police administration has conducted verification of Pakistani nationals currently present in Jalgaon, officials confirmed. Ashok Nakhate, Additional Superintendent of Police said that no individual from Pakistan has entered Jalgaon on a SAARC visa. However, 327 Pakistani nationals have arrived in the city on tourist visas. The police also reported that 12 of these individuals have applied for an extension of their stay. In the meantime, the police department stated that any action regarding Pakistani nationals in Jalgaon will be taken in accordance with orders received from the government. The developments come as India has also taken a strong diplomatic stance, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, as tensions with Pakistan escalate in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident. BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship Thursday, continuing efforts to advance space technology for all humanity -- a vision long championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Over the past years, Xi has addressed the importance of international cooperation in peaceful space exploration and development on multiple occasions. During the meeting with the Shenzhou-12 astronauts in 2021, Xi said that progress in space science and technology will benefit people around the world, and China wants to use space exploration achievements to create a better future for mankind. When meeting representatives of the Chang'e-5 mission in 2021, Xi stressed actively conducting international cooperation and making more contributions to humanity's well-being. According to the China Manned Space Agency, China is in discussions with other nations regarding potential foreign astronaut participation in the country's future space station missions. China welcomes international applications for acquiring lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 probes for scientific research. Scientists from various countries have taken part in researching the Chang'e-5 lunar samples. Moreover, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 lunar probes to be launched in the next three years will offer international payload capacity, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). China has also signed cooperation agreements with 17 countries and international organizations on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) construction, offering various levels and forms of collaboration opportunities. In a congratulatory letter to the First International Summit on BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) Applications in 2021, Xi said China is willing to share the achievements of the BDS with all parties, promote the progress of the global satellite navigation industry and make the BDS better serve the world and benefit humankind. To date, BDS services have been used in precision agriculture and smart ports in ASEAN countries, South Asia, West Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa to serve local economic and social development. Within the BRICS framework, China will continue advancing the development of the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation to enhance disaster emergency data sharing. China will also provide satellite services to the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, fostering their sustainable progress in agriculture, disaster prevention, and smart city initiatives. When he met with representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development of the Chang'e-6 lunar mission last year, Xi called for deepening various forms of international exchange and cooperation in the field of space, sharing development achievements with other countries, improving outer space governance, and making space science and technology achievements more beneficial to all people. Outer space is a domain shared by humanity, and space exploration is humanity's common cause, Xi said. Jaipur, April 25 : A government school teacher in Rajasthan's Barmer district has been arrested for posting a controversial and objectionable WhatsApp status regarding the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The post, which went viral on social media, contained disparaging remarks about the Indian Army, the government, and the media, sparking outrage. The teacher, identified as Jaswant Dabhi, serves at Deepaji Ki Dhani Primary School in the Payala Kalan Block of Gudamalani, Barmer. He reportedly posted a status on April 24, just two days after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people. In his WhatsApp status, Dabhi shared a list of the deceased and wrote: "If they had been killed after asking their religion, then perhaps Syed Adil Hussain Shah would have been alive today, but the media of this country is busy spreading lies. One thing is certain from this a" like Pulwama, this attack too will become part of propaganda." The post was widely condemned on social media, and screenshots were circulated rapidly. In response, the Barmer Police acted swiftly and arrested Dabhi on April 25. In a tweet, the police confirmed the arrest, stating: "Teacher Jaswant Dabhi has been arrested." Gudamalani Police Station Officer Devichand Dhaka confirmed that Dabhi is currently under interrogation. Public outrage prompted demands for strict action, and the Education Department has also initiated an inquiry. Chief Block Education Officer (CBEO) Ishwar Jakhar said: "We have instructed Panchayat Elementary Education Officer (PEEO) Karnaram to investigate and submit a report. The findings will be forwarded to higher authorities for further action." Meanwhile, Barmer Superintendent of Police Narendra Singh Meena reiterated the importance of monitoring social media. "Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Jodhpur Range IG Vikas Kumar has instructed us to keep a close watch on social media platforms. Strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt communal harmony," Meena stated. Kolkata, April 25 : The West Bengal government on Friday announced the replacement of the current police superintendents in both the police districts of minority-dominated Murshidabad district, which had been on the boil earlier this month following communal violence and riot-like situation as protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act there turned violent. Murshidabad district has two separate "police districts", namely Murshidabad and Jangipur, with one Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in superintendent rank being in-charge of the police district. As per a notification issued by the state government on Friday evening, a copy of which is available with IANS, the erstwhile superintendent of Murshidabad Police, Surya Pratap Yadav, has been transferred to a comparatively less significant post of commanding officer of Narayani Battalion in Cooch Behar district. Yadav has been replaced by Kumar Sunny Raj, the erstwhile superintendent of Ranaghat Police district in Nadia district. Similarly, on Friday, the state government also ordered the replacement of the erstwhile superintendent of Jangipur Police district, Ananda Roy, who has again been a comparatively lesser significant post of commanding officer of the third battalion, Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) at Salua in West Midnapore district. Roy has been replaced by Amit Kumar Shaw, the erstwhile deputy commissioner (traffic) of Kolkata Police. Officially, the state government has described the transfers as routine ones. Both the police districts in Murshidabad had been under scathing criticism from various sections for reacting late in preventing communal violence in the district as they ignored early intelligence inputs about the possible violence. Even West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose had been critical of the role of the state police in the matter. Also, on Friday, the National Commission for Women issued a statement highlighting the negligence and failure on part of the West Bengal government to take preventive action against the communal violence despite having enough and prior intelligence inputs. Vatican City: President Droupadi Murmu pays homage to His Holiness Pope Francis at Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City, Friday, April 25, 2025.. Image Source: IANS New Delhi, April 25 : President Droupadi Murmu, who was in the Vatican City to attend the state funeral of Pope Francis, on Friday, paid homage to the late pontiff. The President's X handle, in a post, wrote, "President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to His Holiness Pope Francis at the Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City." Earlier in the day, President Murmu, along with the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, arrived in the Vatican City to participate in the state funeral of Pope Francis. The delegation also includes the Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian, and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Assembly, Joshua De Souza. Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. During her visit, President Murmu will represent India at the State funeral and offer condolences on behalf of the government and the people of India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Thursday. The President will attend the Mass funeral on April 26 at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, which is expected to be attended by several global leaders and dignitaries, as per the MEA statement. The Vatican on Thursday said at least 130 foreign delegations had confirmed their attendance at Pope Francis' funeral, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Heads of state and royals who have confirmed their attendance include US President Donald Trump, UK's Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Following Pope Francis' death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, saying that the Pope's affection for the people of India would always be remembered. "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 in a post on X. "I fondly recall my meetings with him and 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 God's embrace," the Prime Minister said. Mumbai, April 25 : In a tragic incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, 20-year-old Syed Adil Hussain Shah lost his life while selflessly attempting to save tourists during a terrorist attack. Expressing deep sorrow over the young man's sacrifice, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has extended financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to Syed's family. Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) In a tragic incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, 20-year-old Syed Adil Hussain Shah lost his life while selflessly attempting to save tourists during a terrorist attack. Expressing deep sorrow over the young manas sacrifice, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has extended financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to Syedas family. The cheque was personally delivered by Shiv Sena workers and the officials, who travelled to Pahalgam to express solidarity. On this occasion, Shinde interacted with Syedas family via video conferencing, offering heartfelt condolences and reassurance. Syed Adil, who earned a living by offering horse rides to tourists in Pahalgam, displayed extraordinary bravery during the attack. When terrorists opened fire, Syed attempted to protect a tourist riding with him by trying to snatch a terroristas weapon. He was fatally shot during the struggle, said the Deputy CM's office in a release. In the aftermath of the attack, several tourists from Maharashtra were stranded in the region. Shinde flew to Srinagar on Wednesday, April 23, to oversee relief efforts. He visited a relief camp near the airport, met with the stranded tourists, listened to their accounts, and offered support. Many tourists spoke highly of Syed's heroic actions, which deeply moved Shinde and led to the swift decision to provide aid to the bereaved family, said the release. On Friday, Shiv Sena representatives and Border Authorities officially handed over the cheque to Syed Adilas family. Local MLA Syed Rafiq Shah was also present during the visit. Shinde connected with the family via video call. During the conversation, Syed's brother emotionally recounted the events and praised his sibling's courage in confronting the terrorists. The Maharashtra Deputy CM described Syedas actions as a beacon of humanity and valour. He assured the family that Syed's sacrifice would be remembered and honoured. He also pledged government assistance to help reconstruct the familyas dilapidated home, reaffirming his commitment to support them during this difficult time. Kolkata, April 25 : Ashoke Kumar Nath, an advocate of Calcutta High Court, has filed a police complaint against four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee -- also a senior advocate of the same court -- accusing the latter of physically assaulting him outside a courtroom, causing bleeding and injuries. In the complaint filed at Hare Street Police Station, under whose jurisdiction Calcutta High Court comes, Nath has accused Banerjee of dragging him by his collar and then resorting to punching his face which resulted in bleeding and injuries. In the complaint, a copy of which is available with IANS, Nath claimed that the incident took place just outside Court Number 11 of Calcutta High Court, which is the division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra. The incident reportedly happened when the bench was not in session. As per the complaint by Nath, he protested against Banerjee's sweeping comments and "slang" comments about fellow party Lok Sabha member and veteran Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy in the said courtroom. "Thereafter outside the courtroom, Banerjee first abused and then physically assaulted me causing bleeding and injuries on my face. He also called some of his fellow advocates to join him in assaulting me," Nath told mediapersons on Friday. He said that the incident took place on Thursday morning at around 11 a.m. In his complaint letter to the Hare Street Police Station, he had requested the officer-in-charge to treat his complaint as an FIR. Banerjee, however, has denied the allegations and instead accused Nath of unnecessarily provoking him. "The allegations of physically assaulting him are untrue. I just pished him aside when he was constantly and falsely accusing me of making comments against Saugata Roy," Banerjee said. Till the time of the filing of this report, there was no reaction from any other Trinamool Congress leader in the matter. Patna, April 25 : Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, while addressing a review meeting at the Karpoori Auditorium of RJD's state office in Patna, emphasised the need for every party leader and worker to connect deeply with marginalised communities -- including the poor, Dalits, backward, extremely backward, and minorities -- guided by the ideas of Lalu Prasad Yadav. He emphasised that party responsibilities must be fulfilled with full dedication, honesty, and visible commitment at all levels. "The BJP and NDA always spread rumours and ideological resistance through strong organizational engagement and clarity of vision is the only tool to counter their propaganda," Yadav said. While highlighting Lalu Prasad's leadership and commitment to unity, social justice, and harmony, Tejashwi Yadav also urged the party members to carry forward his legacy and values. He also appealed to the party leaders to combat the BJP's environment of hate with positivity and expose both governmental failures and institutional corruption, particularly in Bihar. "The importance of directly engaging with people, raising real issues, and preparing for a strong movement to restore people's trust and rights," Tejashwi Yadav said. "We must counter hatred with unity and rumours with ideas," he stated. Tejashwi Yadav concluded by stressing that public trust lies in RJD's inclusive vision, and it is the duty of every leader to preserve that trust through honest work and ideological clarity. In the run-up to the Bihar Assembly election 2025, review meetings were part of a plan of RJD to strengthen the party's presence at the grassroots level and give a tough fight to NDA. On this occasion, RJD national Vice President Shivanand Tiwari, Uday Narayan Chaudhary, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Manganilal Mandal, Ali Ashraf Fatmi, Avadh Bihari Chaudhary, Kanti Singh, Manoj Kumar Jha, Sanjay Yadav, Abhay Kumar Singh Kushwaha, Jharkhand Government Minister Sanjay Yadav, Shivchandra Ram, Ashok Kumar Singh, Ranvijay Sahu, along with the party's district president, district chief general secretary, district in-charge, state presidents of all cells, and spokespersons were also present. Jamnagar, April 25 : In the wake of the recent terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, coastal security across Gujarat's Saurashtra region has been significantly intensified, particularly in the districts of Dwarka, Jamnagar, and Morbi. Jamnagar, April 25 (IANS) In the wake of the recent terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, coastal security across Gujaratas Saurashtra region has been significantly intensified, particularly in the districts of Dwarka, Jamnagar, and Morbi. With Gujarat boasting a 1,600-km-long coastline -- part of which shares a sensitive maritime border with Pakistan -- the stateas marine forces are now operating in full action mode, as per official reports. The Jamnagar Marine Police have ramped up security efforts, stepping up surveillance along the sea border. Authorities have launched rigorous patrolling and inspection drives at all coastal checkpoints. Security personnel have also been deployed to monitor landing points and coastal villages with a sharp eye on suspicious activity. Following the Pahalgam attack, central and state security agencies -- including the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Commandos -- have gone on high alert. In Saurashtra, security has been tightened not just in Jamnagar, but also in the neighboring coastal districts of Dwarka and Morbi. Fishermenas boats are being closely inspected, and their movements are under strict scrutiny to prevent any potential infiltration or unlawful activity from the sea route. In addition to the Marine Police, forces from the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Special Operations Group (SOG), Marine Commandos, and Home Guards have also been deployed to reinforce security on the coastline. Officials say the coordinated efforts aim to ensure that no loopholes remain in safeguarding Gujaratas maritime borders, especially in light of heightened national threat perceptions. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday directed all state governments to immediately identify and deport Pakistani nationals residing within their jurisdictions. Acting swiftly on the directive, the Gujarat government has launched a large-scale deportation drive, with special teams deployed to ensure prompt compliance. According to data from the Home Department, 438 Pakistani citizens are currently living in Gujarat on long-term visas. Of these, 77 reside in Ahmedabad, 50 in Kutch, and 44 in Surat. Additionally, seven individuals are in the state on short-term visas -- five in Ahmedabad and one each in Bharuch and Vadodara. To implement the deportation orders efficiently, the Gujarat government has mobilized teams from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Special Operations Group (SOG). These teams have been tasked with overseeing the identification, verification, and expulsion of all Pakistani nationals within the timeframe outlined by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Patna, April 25 : A security lapse happened on Friday during the convocation ceremony at Tilka Manjhi University in Bhagalpur which was attended by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. A student, identified as Alok Kumar, breached the security cordon, approached the stage, and raised slogans, highlighting issues such as exam delays, administrative irregularities, and 'neglect' of the students at the university. The incident took place in full public view and in the presence of the Governor. Security personnel responded swiftly, detaining the student. Authorities are currently questioning him to determine his affiliations and the motive behind the protest. The protestor claimed that he threw pamphlets to highlight long-standing issues such as water scarcity, examination delays, administrative negligence, and the lack of accountability from university officials. "We had come to register our complaint. There are a lot of problems of water in the university, students keep crying for help because of this. We have made written complaints about this several times since 2022, but there has been no hearing. The Vice-Chancellor only gives assurances, no action is taken," Alok said. The swift action of security personnel prevented any escalation, and Alok was immediately taken into custody. Police are currently interrogating him to determine whether this was an individual protest or part of a larger organized effort. However, the incident has raised serious questions about VVIP security and the preparedness of the local administration and event organizers. Key questions are -- how was a person allowed to reach so close to a constitutional authority? Were standard security protocols ignored or inadequately implemented? The brief chaos that ensued during the ceremony has sparked criticism and concern from various quarters, with calls for a thorough review of the security arrangements made for high-profile events, especially those involving dignitaries like the Governor. As investigations continue, the incident has brought attention not only to the student's grievances but also to larger systemic issues within university administration and security protocol enforcement. Hyderabad, April 25 : Delegates from 100 countries attending Bharat Summit here condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The delegates participated in the candlelight rally led by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday evening to condemn the terror attack. "We, the representatives of progressive parties from 100 countries, with the other participants of the Bharat Summit, Hyderabad, are anguished by the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which targeted and killed 26 innocent civilians and left several others injured," said a statement issued on behalf of the delegates. "We express our solidarity with the people of India and unequivocally condemn the terror attack in the strongest possible terms. Such acts of brutality against peaceful citizens have no place in society and are a direct assault on the constitutional values of unity, peace, and harmony," it added. The two-day summit organised by the government of Telangana began on Friday with various sessions under the theme 'Delivering Global Justice'. The dialogue brought together international political leaders, policymakers, and advocates committed to advancing gender equality, social justice, and inclusive governance. Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid told a press conference that the idea of the Bharat Summit is to build the global profile of Telangana, which in turn adds to the global stature of India. Data and analysis are essential to achieve our vision of social justice, and like-minded countries have shown great support. What we have here is a progressive alliance." Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that discussions have been held around youth empowerment, social justice, and the rise of Telangana. "Through this summit, we are also promoting Telangana as an investment destination. The Telangana government's welfare initiatives have been widely discussed," he said. Sessions were held on various subjects, including gender justice and a feminist future; facts vs fiction: countering disinformation; youth and politics of tomorrow and shaping new multilateralism. Speakers at the session on 'facts vs fiction: countering disinformation' felt that misinformation threatens democracy. They called for digital literacy and strong cyber laws to counter misinformation. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh talked about the erosion of democratic values due to unchecked disinformation. "The timing of the Bharat Summit is crucial. Today, tech companies control global narratives and encroach upon citizens' rights. I've been a personal victim of deepfakes and fake news. Words I never said were attributed to me. Hatred is being amplified at the click of a button," he said. The session was also addressed by Thanisara Ruangdej, CEO and Co-founder, Punch Up and WeVis, Thailand; Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, former Member of the European Union Parliament; Matthew William Faulding, Labour Party, UK; Ramkarpal Singh, Member of the House of Representatives, Malaysia; Dr Mallu Ravi, Member of Parliament; and Luis Blandon. Thanisara Ruangdej highlighted the information overload in the digital age and the deliberate weaponisation of fake content by political and geopolitical actors. She emphasised the importance of data analysis and fact-checking to combat such content. Miapetra Kumpula-Natri stressed that "what is illegal offline must be illegal online," outlining the EU's policies on digital literacy, media regulation, and public education. She urged young citizens to critically assess where and how their information is sourced. Gandhinagar, April 25 : The Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC) has submitted its second recommendation report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, proposing ten major citizen-centric reforms aimed at strengthening public service delivery through digital integration. As per official reports, the recommendations are focused on the theme of aGovernment at Your Doorstepa and seek to enhance transparency, accountability, and ease of access to government services. One of the core proposals is to revamp all government websites to make them more user-friendly, accessible, and secure. GARC has set a deadline of August 2025 for all government websites to comply with the Government of Indiaas Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW 3.0). To ensure timely and efficient service delivery, the Commission has also suggested making the Citizen Charter more effective. Departments will be required to clearly mention the services they offer, timelines for delivery, grievance redressal systems, and accountability mechanisms with a citizen-first approach. In a move to simplify access to government schemes, GARC has recommended the development of a single sign-on system for all government services. This will enable citizens to access various schemes and services from one platform without repeatedly submitting the same personal details. Additionally, a QR-based verification system is proposed to authenticate government-issued certificates, licenses, and approvals -- ensuring greater transparency. The report calls for the integration of grievance redressal platforms by enhancing the existing SWAGAT system. Citizens will be able to lodge complaints through multiple channels including email, WhatsApp, phone calls, and online portals. To preserve institutional knowledge, GARC has recommended the introduction of a aKnowledge Transfer Protocola. Under this, outgoing government employees -- whether retiring or transferring -- will be required to document their work and hand it over to successors. Departments will also create multimedia content under a aKnow Your Departmenta initiative to better inform citizens about their functions. The report also touches on administrative efficiency. It recommends creating a streamlined protocol for disposing of old government vehicles and unused furniture in public offices within six months. Furthermore, to enhance productivity and promote work-life balance, GARC has proposed standardizing office hours -- from 9.30 a.m. to 5.10 p.m. -- for all government departments excluding educational institutions. Michael Gainer has survived a challenge to his nominating petitions from opponent State Sen. Sean Ryan and will remain on the ballot for the Democratic primary in the race to be Buffalos next mayor. Gainer collected 3,006 signatures and had 937 invalidated through the process, leaving him with 2,083. He needed at least 2,000 signatures. Gainer said that while he thinks New York State and political party rules around ballot access need to be reformed, he is satisfied with the job the Erie County Board of Elections performed under the existing rules. Im extremely heartened and encouraged by the boards review of the petitions, he said. I think that thats why the Board of Elections exists, is to deal with objections. Gainer also faces a court challenge from Ryan seeking to knock him off the ballot. Meanwhile, former Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant will likely not make it onto the ballot after challenges to her signatures left her 150 short of the required 500 needed to run for a seat in the Legislature. She turned in 887 signatures as she sought a spot in the Democratic primary for the County Legislatures Second District, a seat she held from 2007 to 2017. Grant had hoped to challenge Taisha St. Jean Tard, the Erie County Democratic Committees endorsed candidate in the race. Grant, like Gainer, said that rules should be changed to make ballot access easier and to allow for more choices for voters. My opponent had every person in a Democratic committee signing her petitions, Grant said. I cant compete with the whole Erie County Democratic Committee. The board has granted her a 24-hour extension to argue against the invalidations to try to meet the threshold. Both Grant and Gainer sat Thursday before Republican Commissioner Ralph Mohr and Democratic Commissioner Jeremy Zellner, who is also the chair of the Erie County Democratic Committee, to argue against the objections with the assistance of attorney Jim Ostrowski. This hearing was conducted the same way that its been done for over several decades, and the candidates seem to be satisfied with it, Mohr said. Its a totally open and transparent process, and we listen to both the objectors and the candidates, hear their views and then make a decision based upon the law. Gainer said that New Yorks already difficult process for gaining ballot access became even harder when the state changed the election calendar in 2019. The changes pushed the petition collection period from spring and summer to the end of winter and early spring, a time of year when he said its typically more difficult to find volunteers available to help. In general, I think that the process of getting on the ballot is more onerous than it needs to be, Gainer said. The Board of Elections are empowered with responsibility to clear peoples petitions, to validate every signature, Gainer said, And to have a candidate then contest the Board of Elections and take us to court just to limit ones ballot access, to me, is unnecessary. A spokesman for the Ryan campaign declined to comment. Gainer and Grant, who have worked together on their push to achieve a full restoration of Humboldt Parkway and oppose the states planned tunnel project along Route 33, will now seek to qualify for independent party lines on the ballot under the Restore Buffalo party name, a nod to those efforts. In lieu of a third party, I think that independent nomination petitions is the way that we have to go to give ourselves a voice and give ourselves an opportunity to be on the ballot, Grant said. With Gainer remaining on the ballot pending Ryans court challenge, there will be six candidates in the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor: Gainer, Ryan, Mayor Christopher Scanlon, University District Council Member Rasheed Wyatt, former fire commissioner Garnell Whitfield Jr. and Anthony Tyson-Thompson, a former staffer for Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. Attorney James Gardner is the lone Republican in the race. Candidates for mayor collected more than 27,000 signatures in the petitioning process, more than have voted in some recent primaries. With former Mayor Byron Brown resigning in October, making Scanlon acting mayor, the city will have its first open contest for the seat in 20 years. Its been so long since theres been a competitive mayoral race, Zellner said. But yes, theres a lot more activity happening for Democratic candidates than usual, I would say. Zellner said that despite a robust election season with many candidates for offices across the county, there were very few challenges to petitions when compared to other years. Of the hundreds and hundreds of candidates and party officials that were filed here, I think less than 5% didnt make the ballot, Zellner said. Patna, April 25 : The Mahagathbandhan, under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, organised a candle-light march in Friday from Income Tax Golambar (JP statue) to Dak Bungalow Square here to protest the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, paying tributes to the victims. Addressing the gathering at Dak Bungalow Square, Yadav condemned the incident, calling it "a shame on humanity". He said: "We stand with whatever steps the government of India takes to root out the terrorism from the country. This terrorist act is an incident that shames humanity, and no amount of condemnation will be enough." Yadav emphasised that the candle march was not just a symbolic gesture, but a collective expression of grief and solidarity. "Today, the Mahagathbandhan has come together to pay tribute to the victims and to show solidarity with their families," he said. Referring to the all-party meeting held a day earlier, Tejashwi Yadav reiterated the opposition's full support to the government in its efforts to end terrorism. "The whole country is united when it comes to national security," he said, adding that condolences and sympathies are being extended from across the political spectrum. The march witnessed participation from leaders of various Mahagathbandhan allies, party workers, and citizens, all carrying candles in a quiet yet powerful show of unity and national resolve. People from all walks of life -- students, professionals, workers, party members, and common citizens -- joined the march in large numbers. The crowd was so massive that Bailey Road from the Income Tax roundabout to Dak Bungalow Chowk was completely crowded, virtually leaving no space for movement. The march not only conveyed a message of peace and resilience but also underscored a rare moment of political and social consensus in the face of a national tragedy. On this occasion, from Rashtriya Janata Dal, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, MP Sanjay Yadav, former Minister Ashok Kumar Singh, Alok Kumar Mehta, Dr. Ramanand Yadav, Sameer Mahaseth, Dr. Shamim Ahmed, State Vice President Dr. Tanveer Hasan and many other leaders of Congress and Left parties were present. Rajkot, April 25 : Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, prompting swift diplomatic and strategic action on both sides. As part of its response, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, disrupting key international flight routes, particularly those between Delhi and Dubai. In light of the situation, Rajkot International Airport has been designated as a stopover point and will now operate round-the-clock. The Indian government has approved 24/7 operations to facilitate emergency landings, both technical and medical, ensuring minimal disruption for airlines rerouting due to the airspace restrictions. The move comes after private airlines approached the Centre seeking alternate landing arrangements. With Delhi Airport and Air India operations facing potential delays, Rajkot's upgraded status is expected to play a critical role in maintaining the continuity of service. Rajkot Collector confirmed the development. "With Pakistan closing its airspace, several private airlines requested the government for emergency landing provisions. As a result, Rajkot International Airport will remain functional 24 hours a day to accommodate such needs," he said. Meanwhile, following the Pahalgam attack, central and state security agencies -- including the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Commandos -- have gone on high alert. In Saurashtra, security has been tightened not just in Jamnagar, but also in the neighbouring coastal districts of Dwarka and Morbi. Fishermen's boats are being closely inspected, and their movements are under strict scrutiny to prevent any potential infiltration or unlawful activity from the sea route. In addition to the Marine Police, forces from the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Special Operations Group (SOG), Marine Commandos, and Home Guards have also been deployed to reinforce security on the coastline. Officials say the coordinated efforts aim to ensure that no loopholes remain in safeguarding Gujarat's maritime borders, especially in light of heightened national threat perceptions. Agartala, April 25 : Ruling BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder-chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on Friday urged the Central government to adopt a stronger policy stance towards Bangladesh, accusing the neighbouring country of encouraging fundamentalist forces targeting Hindu minorities. Debbarma, speaking after participating a programme organised by Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in Agartala Town Hall, voiced full support for India's recent response towards Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. He submitted that similar resolve be shown in the eastern region against Bangladesh. "Pakistan and Bangladesh aimed to encircle India, one from the western region and the other from the eastern region," Debbarma said, stressing that incidents affecting eastern India deserve equal national attention and action. "Delhi's proximity to Pakistan does not make us in the East any less Indian," he remarked seeking uniform policy measures and actions across all borders along the country. Raising security concerns, the tribal based party leader warned that China is developing an airbase in Bangladesh near North Bengal while top officials of Pakistan's ISI (Inter Service Intelligence) had reportedly visited Bangladesh just a month ago, indicating potential strategic threats to India's northeastern region. He further claimed that Tripura often has borne the brunt of fundamentalist movements in Bangladesh, especially in the wake of communal violence in regions like Noakhali, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, and Brahmanbaria, areas that were once part of greater princely ruled Tripura. The TMP supremo linked the present-day tribal-non-tribal land disputes in Tripura to historical displacement, stating that many Hindus were compelled to migrate from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to Tripura due to religious persecution. Erstwhile Chakla Roshanabad comprising parts of Comilla, Noakhali, Sylhet, was a part of the Tripura's previous royal Manikya dynasty, was later during the Partition included in East Pakistan, which became Bangladesh after the 1971 war. Mumbai, April 25 : BJP MLA Ram Kadam on Friday demanded an apology from the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for making derogatory remarks against freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. His remarks came in response to the Supreme Court's stern warning to Rahul Gandhi over his past comments, as it stayed a trial court summons in the case. A bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan warned the Congress leader from making further derogatory remarks against Savarkar, noting he is "worshipped" in Maharashtra. Speaking to IANS, Ram Kadam said, "Veer Savarkar dedicated his entire life to Maa Bharti (India). He endured immense hardships and made countless sacrifices for the nation. Despite this, Rahul Gandhi repeatedly used derogatory language against him just to appease a particular section of society. He has insulted Savarkar multiple times. If Rahul Gandhi were to spend even one day in the kind of prison Savarkar endured, he might understand the pain and suffering Savarkar went through." The BJP leader continued, "Now that the judiciary has made its stance clear, it is a strong reprimand to Rahul Gandhi's ego. We expect him to respect the judiciary and the sentiments of the nation. He and his party should apologise to the entire country with folded hands." When asked whether the court's warning would lead Gandhi to change his stance, Kadam responded, "This will show how much respect he has for the Constitution. The judiciary operates under the Constitution. If he still refuses to acknowledge it, then it will be seen as an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Constitution he authored, and the judiciary itself." Kadam reiterated that both Rahul Gandhi and the Congress must apologise for repeatedly disrespecting Veer Savarkar. "Rahul Gandhi should get down on his knees and seek forgiveness from the country. Every Indian who respects Savarkar is hurt by his words," he added. Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement in Bihar, where he pledged to pursue terrorists to the "ends of the Earth", Kadam said, "We have already taught Pakistan a lesson twice. This government enters their territory and strikes back. This is not the Congress government that stays silent. What happened in Pahalgam was tragic. The whole nation is grieving. Those responsible will be punished, and we stand united behind Modi ji's strong leadership." Kadam also took a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for skipping the recent all-party meeting after the Pahalgam terror attack. "If Uddhav Thackeray's group did not attend, should we assume they support the terror attack? Whose side are they on? Is he the spokesperson of Pakistan? During his tenure as Chief Minister, Uddhav never stepped out of his house. He's the emperor of laziness. But at a time of national mourning, when all parties are standing together, his absence speaks volumes. He should have at least thought of the families from Maharashtra who lost their lives," he concluded. Agartala, April 25 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday held an "important" meeting between the leaders of ruling BJP and its two allies - Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and discussed various political and developmental issue, sources said. Agartala, April 25 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday held an "important" meeting between the leaders of ruling BJP and its two allies Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and discussed various political and developmental issue, sources said. A senior BJP leader said that "a highly productive meeting" was held between the leaders of BJP, TMP and IPFT and the meeting deliberated key developmental initiatives aimed at accelerating the state's progress and to strengthen the tie-up further. State unit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Rajya Sabha member Rajib Bhattacharjee, TMP supremo and former royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma and Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma, IPFT President Prem Kumar Reang, along with other senior party leaders attended the meeting. The BJP leader said that the leaders of the three parties held detailed discussions on various issues concerning the holistic development of the state, with a focus on inclusive growth, infrastructure enhancement, indigenous welfare, and socio-economic empowerment. CM Saha expressed satisfaction over the outcomes of the meeting and reaffirmed the government's commitment to work collaboratively with all stakeholders for the greater interest and welfare of the people of Tripura. After the meeting, the Chief Minister in a post on X said: "Strengthening alliances for a brighter future ! BJP, IPFT, and Tipra Motha Party held a joint meeting in presence of BJP State President Shri Rajib Bhattacharjee ji, Tipra Motha Party Supremo Maharaj Pradyot Manikya Ji, and IPFT State President Shri Prem Kumar Reang Ji. Discussed ways to further solidify our partnership and work together for the state's progress." Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha earlier said that ambitious projects and schemes worth Rs 1,400 crore, funded by the World Bank, are currently underway in the state to improve the socio-economic conditions of indigenous tribes, adding that previously, no government thought about their welfare. The Rs 1,400 crore would be utilised under the Tripura Rural Economic Growth and Service Delivery Project (TRESP) to further enhance the livelihoods and overall socio-economic status of Janajati (tribal) people. CM Saha said: "We must take a pledge that the works which were not fulfilled and not done yet have to be taken up after discussion in the coming year, and we must move forward to develop the state." Tribals constitute one-third of the total population of four million in Tripura, and they always play a vital role in all spheres of the northeastern state, including electoral politics. Of the 60 seats in the state Assembly, 30 are reserved for the tribals. --IANS sc/ Jaipur, April 25 : The 'Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan', located within the Shiksha Sankul complex, has been renamed as 'Punyashlok Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Bhawan'. The decision by the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has stirred a fresh political debate. Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Tika Ram Jully has strongly condemned the move, calling it an example of the BJP's "narrow-mindedness". He paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, highlighting his contribution to India's educational reforms. Sharing his views on social media platform X, Jully wrote: "Changing the name of a building named after our great leader Rajiv Gandhi, who laid down his life for peace in the Indian subcontinent, reflects the BJP's narrow thinking. I strongly condemn this." He further stated that this is not the first such instance, recalling that during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure, India witnessed the launch of a new education policy and revolutionary initiatives like Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. "The Ministry of Education was also transformed into the Ministry of Human Resource Development under his leadership," he added. Jully claimed that this is the second time the BJP has attempted to change the name of Shiksha Sankul. The BJP government has renamed several schemes and buildings introduced during Congress rule. Some notable examples include Mukhyamantri Bal Gopal Dudh Yojana' changed to 'Pannadhay Bal Gopal Yojana, 'Indira Gandhi Udaan Yojana' renamed to 'Kalibai Bhil Udaan Yojana', Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence now called 'Swami Vivekananda Scholarship and 'Indira Rasoi' renamed as 'Annapurna Rasoi' Even the color of bicycles distributed to schoolgirls was reportedly altered. Jully said: "It appears the BJP has no faith in its own capabilities to undertake new developmental work, so it is simply rebranding the achievements of previous governments." Sources within the government claim the renaming initiative is part of an effort to honor historical and inspirational Indian figures. Ahilya Bai Holkar, after whom the building is now named, was a revered Maratha ruler celebrated for her administrative excellence and social reforms. The BJP argued that recognising such personalities helps in connecting people with local and cultural heritage. Bhopal, April 26 : The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the object as a piece of "non-explosive aerial store" inadvertently dropped from one of their aircraft on a house in Pichhor town of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh. While the family residing in the house miraculously escaped harm, the incident caused considerable damage to the property. Taking to its X handle, the Air Force expressed regret over the mishap and announced an inquiry into the matter, stating: "The IAF regrets the damage caused today (Friday) to property on ground, near Shivpuri, by the inadvertent drop of a non-explosive aerial store from an IAF aircraft, and has instituted an inquiry into the incident." Chaos ripped through Shivpuri district's Pichhor town early Friday morning when the mysterious object plummeted from the sky and struck the house in Thakur Baba colony. Meanwhile, a similar incident occurred on Friday evening when an explosion echoed across Jhansi and surrounding areas within a 50-kilometer radius, including Babina and Niwari in Madhya Pradesh. The blast, heard at approximately 9:30 PM, sent shockwaves across the city; cracking glass windows, shaking doors, and causing vibrations in homes. While its source remains unknown, viral videos flooded social media, showing distressed residents reacting to the loud noise. This incident brought back memories of previous explosions in the area, adding to the residents' unease. Babina is the nearest military base in vicinity of Jhansi, but officials are yet to determine the cause or nature of the explosion. Returning to the Shivpuri incident earlier in the day, local authorities acted swiftly. Jitendra Mawai, the station in-charge of Kolaras police station, described while speaking to IANS, how the falling object caused a deafening explosion and significant damage to the house near Thakur Baba Mandir in Pichhor tehsil. Specialists from Maharajpura Air Force Station were called in to examine the situation and establish the nature of the object. While the investigation continues, residents remain shaken by the events of the daya"a grim reminder of the unpredictable nature of such incidents. Police had cordoned off the area, deploying additional personnel to ensure calm as concerns grow. Interestingly, this incident is not unprecedented. Two years ago, mysterious shiny spherical objects plunged from the skies in different parts of Gwalior and Shivpuri, stirring curiosity and alarm. These objects, speculated by some to be parts of rockets or satellites, were analysed by experts, though no definitive conclusions were shared. One such sphere reportedly landed in a field in Jaura Shyampur village, within Gwalioras Bhitarwar region. One such sphere made its impact in a field at Jaura Shyampur village, located in Bhitarwar area of Gwalior district, at approximately 1 PM on Friday. The force of its fall created a two-foot-deep crater, prompting villagers to alert the local police station. Responding swiftly, law enforcement officials arrived at the scene, cautioned residents to avoid the area, and notified senior authorities about the discovery. Similarly, another metallic object crashed in Baniyani village, within the limits of Shivpuri district two years ago. Washington, April 26 : The United States on Friday abruptly paused the cancellation of student visas issued to international students, according to reports. Assistant US Attorney Joseph F. Carilli Jr. told a Washington DC court on Friday that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is developing a new system for review and revocations and until then, SEVIS status for plaintiffs across the country "will remain Active or shall be reactivated if not currently active and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination", a leading US media outlet reported. More than 1,500 student visas have been cancelled so far, according to news reports and it was not immediately clear what happens to those students who left the country after their visas were revoked. The US has cancelled these student visas for students who were alleged to have participated in the protests that rocked university campuses against Israel's invasion of Gaza in retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attack in 2023. Visas have also been cancelled for other reasons, breaking the law. The Donald Trump administration has also targeted universities that, in the view of the administration, did not do enough to counter the protests and protect Jewish students. Many students from India were among those whose visas were cancelled. A US lawyers' association has said 50 per cent of more than 300 cancellations it reviewed were for students from India. No official data has been made publicly available of the cancellations. The Friday development came amidst a string of lawsuits filed by and on behalf of students who have had their visas cancelled. "It is not in the national interest of the United States it's not in our foreign policy interest, it's not in our national security interest to invite people onto our university campuses who are not just going to go there to study physics or engineering, but who are also going to go there to foment movements that support and excuse foreign terrorist organizations who are committed to the destruction of the United States and the killing and the raping and the kidnapping of innocent civilians, not just in Israel, but anywhere they can get their hands on them," Secretary of state Marco Rubio has said. Shivamogga : , April 26 (IANS) Karnataka BJP MLA S.N. Channabasappa has stirred a controversy, saying that Robert Vadra, husband of the Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, should be shot for his controversial remarks over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. MLA Channabasappa was arrested 10 years ago for hate speech against the then CM Siddaramaiah. He had publicly threatened to behead CM Siddaramaiah if he dared to consume cow meat. Speaking at a press conference held at his office in Shivamogga, MLA Channabasappa, expressing his outrage, stated that Robert Vadra has committed treason by speaking in favour of terrorists, and demanded that he be shot dead. The MLA stated, "Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, late PM Indira Gandhi's assassination, and late PM Rajiv Gandhi's assassination have occurred. You (Congress) talk about Godse regarding Gandhi's assassination. Khalistanis assassinated Indira Gandhi. Did you call Khalistanis traitors?" "Rajiv Gandhi's assassination took place in Tamil Nadu, and now you hold them in high regard. Why don't you talk about the failures of our state? You talk about Kashmir and call it a security failure. Robert Vadra is an ordinary man; just because he is an MP's husband, can he say whatever he wants? That's why I say Vadra should be shot dead," he stated. He questioned whether jihadists who kill ordinary people will go to heaven, stating that they will not. MLA Channabasappa further demanded that the slogan "Bomb Pakistan, flower Bharat mata" should be made a reality. He said that the killing of Indian citizens by entering Indian borders is condemnable, and the Indian government will give a suitable response. He said that it is necessary to see how Muslims live in India and how Hindus live in Pakistan. Congress criticises India while claiming to be with it. Terrorism must be condemned, and nothing more should be said there, he maintained. "We know that surgical strikes have taken place. The decision taken against Pakistan is appreciated worldwide. The Indian government has cancelled all visas for Pakistan, closed the embassy, and sent back officials. Air travel, Pakistani media, and Twitter accounts have been banned," the MLA said. The people of the country do not need to be afraid. The work of levelling Pakistan flat will be done. Hindus have always been the target, even during late PM Jawahar Lal Nehru's time. Congress is doing the work of treason. What is the condition of Shias and Hindus in Pakistan? We know what you did to Hindus in Pakistan. The concept of Pakistan nation will be packed up. It seems there is no doubt that undivided India will be a reality, MLA Channabasappa stated. Where else should we talk about Hindutva if not in a Hindu nation? Congress should stop supporting and instigating terrorists, he said. Addressing Karnataka Chief Minister, he said, "Siddaramaiah, if you have the courage, say that you will support the eradication of terrorism, he challenged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will teach Pakistan a fitting lesson, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should support this." "You who talk about Bharat Jodo (Unite India) should not support traitors. The origin of those who create terrorism must be eradicated. A powerful India needs to teach Pakistan a fitting lesson. India is the only Hindustan for Hindus, and it is necessary for us to preserve it. Therefore, a fitting lesson must be taught. It seems to me that India is preparing for war," he concluded. When questioned about the statement of the MLA on shooting Robert Vadra, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Friday that he won't answer for those statements. Vadra, speaking a day after the attack, suggested that the violence was rooted in the growing divide between Hindus and Muslims in India, which, he argued, was being exacerbated by the BJP-led government's 'Hindutva' agenda. "In our country, we see that this government will talk about Hindutva, and the minorities feel uncomfortable and troubled...If you dissect this terrorist act that took place, if they (terrorists) are looking at people's identity, why are they doing this? Because there's a divide that has come about in our country with Hindus and Muslims..." Vadra said. The brand adds key hires to drive customer engagement and market expansion. NEW YORK, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Eulerity, the marketing automation platform redefining how brands scale digital advertising, today announced the expansion of its team with three strategic hires. These additions strengthen Eulerity's position as a market leader in AI-driven marketing automation and underscore the company's focus on accelerating innovation, deepening client success, and expanding its footprint across franchise and multi-location industries. Joining the team is Jennifer Koen, named Vice President of Customer Engagement. With over 18 years of experience driving marketing and customer success for high growth franchise and multi-location brands, Koen has held leadership roles at Sport Clips, Defyned Brands, and more. She is known for developing scalable systems that connect technology to tangible business outcomes and her deep understanding of brand growth strategy will be central to delivering measurable ROI for Eulerity's partners. "I joined Eulerity because the team has built a powerful platform smart automation backed by real-world insight into what franchise and multi-location brands actually need to scale," said Koen. "What makes it stand out is how that tech is paired with a strategic, hands-on approach to customer success. I'm excited to bring my experience to help our customers unlock more growth, more efficiently." Slaton Smith has been appointed Director of Sales. A seasoned marketing executive in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector, Smith brings leadership experience from Arby's, TGI Friday's, Denny's, and most recently Boston Market, where he served as Chief Marketing Officer. His ability to translate data and tech into scalable customer acquisition strategies will be instrumental in expanding Eulerity's presence within the restaurant vertical. Continuing to strengthen the management team is Chad Jordan, who has been an integral part of the Eulerity family and has served as the company's Vice President of Brand Sales for the past year. A trusted leader within the organization, Chad brings deep expertise from his prior roles leading digital marketing at Sport Clips and driving revenue growth in B2B SaaS for multi-location brands. His strategic understanding of how to align AI-driven marketing with brand-level goals makes him a vital force in Eulerity's next chapter. "Working with Eulerity has been incredibly rewarding," said Jordan. "This platform goes beyond automation it delivers real, measurable results that brands can see, scale, and build on." Eulerity is the industry's most advanced all-in-one marketing platform a powerhouse that uses AI to automate and optimize campaigns across Google, Meta, YouTube, and beyond. It unites creative, media buying, reporting, and engagement into one smart, seamless ecosystem. With built-in call tracking, organic social tools, and AI-driven review management, brands can cut complexity, lower costs, and scale performance with pinpoint precision. Eulerity's growing team reflects its commitment to building solutions for marketers, by marketers. With deep expertise across customer success, digital transformation, and industry-specific marketing strategies, these leaders bring an inside-out understanding of the challenges brands face and how automation can solve them. About Eulerity Eulerity is the leading marketing automation platform for multi-location and franchise brands. Through its AI-powered system, businesses can simplify campaign creation, automate performance optimization, and consolidate insights across digital channels including paid search, social, video, and display. Eulerity's platform integrates tools like call tracking, review management, and form analytics, empowering marketers to drive smarter decisions, reduce spend through platform consolidation, and scale growth with unmatched efficiency. Learn more about the brand at https://eulerity.com/. Media Contact Mary Hanula, Eulerity, 1 7038610980, [email protected], https://eulerity.com/ SOURCE Eulerity Hampton's first-ever property on Maui offers modern comfort and cultural connection along Kahului Bay KAHULUI, Hawaii, April 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore, operated by Springboard Hospitality, is thrilled to announce the opening of its newly built 136-room oceanfront hotel, welcoming guests starting April 25, 2025. Located on the site of the historic Maui Palms Hotel, the property blends modern comfort with Hawaiian hospitality, offering a unique sense of place that reflects the island's traditions, natural beauty, and welcoming spirit. Set along the shores of Kahului Bay, Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore embraces the rich cultural history of the region, from its early days as a center of fishing families at Kolo Grounds to its evolution into a thriving railroad town in the late 1800s. "We're beyond excited to welcome guests to Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore this spring and to contribute to the island's positive tourism resurgence," says Serkan Hizliok, area general manager of Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore. "From thoughtful design to culturally immersive experiences, every detail of the property is deeply inspired by the spirit of Maui, and we're proud to offer an experience guests won't find anywhere else." Comfort & Convenience by the Coast Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore features 136 guest rooms, including ocean-view suites, with options for King or Double Queen beds, as well as connecting and ADA-accessible accommodations. Each room offers views of either Haleakala or the Kahului bay and comes equipped with convenient amenities like a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and luggage rack. Design That Honors the Land The hotel's design reflects the natural strength and resources of its surroundings, incorporating local elements that tie back to Maui's unique culture. Key design features include a traditional Hawaiian-inspired porte cochere and color schemes inspired by the surrounding beaches, lush greenery, and the ever-changing tones of the Pacific Oceanbringing the outside in with calming blues, sandy neutrals, and organic textures that echo the island's raw beauty. The property also incorporates locally inspired artwork, including a large mural designed and painted by Maui-based artist Alexandra Underwood, prominently displayed in the hotel lobby. The mural captures the essence of Wailuku Moku's skyline with a vibrant depiction of the majestic mountains and lush landscape. Native plants such as pohinahina and loulu palms are woven into the design, symbolizing the island's rich natural heritage. Serving as a tribute to Maui's unique environment, the piece blends the beauty of the island's surroundings with cultural significance and reflects Underwood's deep connection to her hometown of Wailuku. Cultural Experiences & Amenities Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore goes beyond hospitality to offer authentic Hawaiian experiences that connect guests to the island's culture and traditions. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a traditional Oshibori ceremony, where essential oil-infused towels are provided to relax and refresh. Additionally, the property hosts a nightly Sunset Ceremony, where the day's end is signaled by the blowing of the conch, to honor the close of another beautiful evening on Maui's North Shore. Guests can also take part in daily lei-making classes, offering a hands-on way to learn a cherished Hawaiian tradition. Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore offers a range of amenities designed for both relaxation and adventure, including an ocean-facing pool with panoramic views of Kahului Bay, a modern fitness center, pet-friendly guest rooms, free daily hot breakfast, and beach amenities such as chairs, towels, and umbrellasall included through the hotel's amenity fee. Located just five minutes from Kahului Airport, the hotel also offers a complimentary airport shuttle, providing a seamless arrival experience and an ideal base for exploring the island. The Palms Bar & Bites, Opening Summer 2025 Paying homage to the former Maui Palms Hotel, The Palms Bar & Bites is set to open later this summer with casual bites and tropical cocktails served in the restaurant's indoor and outdoor patio space, along with poolside service. Guests can indulge in fresh, locally inspired cuisine while taking in spectacular views of the bay. Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore is located at 130 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului, HI 96732. Nightly rates start at $259. Kamaaina receive 25% off their stay with valid Hawaii ID. Guests can also take advantage of Hilton Honors offers, including 1,000 Hilton Honors Points per night at select properties and up to 5,000 additional Hilton Honors Points per stay when booking three or more nights at select newly opened hotels. For more information or to book a stay, visit the hotel website. About Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore Welcoming guests beginning May 2025, Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore is a newly built oceanfront retreat that blends modern comfort with deep island roots. Set along the shores of Kahului Bay, the 136-room property embraces the spirit of Maui with lush tropical landscaping, panoramic ocean views, and immersive cultural experiences. A tribute to the island's heritage, the hotel sits on the historic site of the former Maui Palms Hotel, a landmark familiar to generations of locals. Honoring its surroundings, the property offers traditional Hawaiian experiences for guests, including a Sunset Ceremony and Oshibori, a daily essential oil-infused towel ritual offered to guests upon arrival. Guests can relax at the ocean-facing pool, take advantage of the modern fitness center, and enjoy pet-friendly guestrooms, daily breakfast, and complimentary beach amenities such as beach chairs, towels and umbrellas. The property's signature restaurant and bar, The Palms Bar & Bites, pays homage to the Maui Palms Hotel while serving fresh, locally inspired flavors and island cocktails. Conveniently located just 5 minutes from Kahului Airport with complimentary transportation for guests, the Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore offers an effortless island escape. For more information, visit the hotel's website, and socials @hamptoninnandsuitesmaui, Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore. About Springboard Hospitality Springboard Hospitality is a premier third-party hotel management company, dedicated to transforming people, properties, and communities. Currently operating 51 hotels and resorts across 14 states, Springboard is a leader in managing localized and customized boutique lifestyle hotels in urban and resort markets. Led by technology entrepreneur Ben Rafter, Springboard specializes in delivering customizable management solutions with a quant-driven strategy while serving owners. The company offers a full spectrum of hotel services with expertise in operations, capital planning, marketing, revenue management, sales and human resources. The nimble team at Springboard Hospitality offers a personalized and hands-on approach to day-to-day management and is recognized for going above and beyond with high-touch service in every aspect of its operations, from its \interactions with guests to its relationships with owners to its award-winning workplace for employees. For more information about Springboard Hospitality, please visit www.springboardhospitality.com, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Media Contact Carley Epple, Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore, 1 5416108134, [email protected], https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/oggmkhx-hampton-suites-maui-north-shore/ SOURCE Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore We're honored to be recognized for both the innovation of our products and the voice we bring to the industry through Food Tech Talk. These awards affirm our mission to lead with transparency, build trust, and make the food supply chain safer for everyone. - Katy Jones, CEO Post this "These wins reflect the dedication of our entire team and the value we're bringing to our customers across the food supply chain," said Katy Jones, CEO of Trustwell. "We're honored to be recognized for both the innovation of our products and the voice we bring to the industry through Food Tech Talk. These awards affirm our mission to lead with transparency, build trust, and make the food supply chain safer for everyone." Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning "crowned," the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Tuesday, June 10. Trustwell took home the Gold Stevie for its original podcast series, "Food Tech Talk: Supply Chain Insights From Farm to Fork" in the Technology Podcast category. Judges praised the series for its "thoughtful and forward-looking tone" and for "bringing urgency and humanity to a technical subject." The company also won a Silver Stevie for FoodLogiQ Compliance in the Relationship Management Solution category, recognizing software solutions designed to expand a company's knowledge about, and relationship with, its current or potential customers and/or partners. Judges highlighted its measurable impactsuch as reducing supplier onboarding time by 52% and delivering significant cost savingsand called the platform "comprehensive without being overwhelming, with every claim backed by data or testimonials." Rounding out the recognition, Trustwell earned a Bronze Stevie for Trustwell Connect, which includes Genesis Foods, AskReg, and FoodLogiQ Recall, in the Compliance Solution category, which recognizes the best compliance solution to address regulatory rules, ethics, sustainability and governance. This award underscored the strength of the integrated platform's AI-driven capabilities and its ability to streamline regulatory adherence, recall management, and compliance automation. More than 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes and industries were submitted this year for consideration in categories such as Startup of the Year, Executive of the Year, and Best New Product or Service. Trustwell was recognized across multiple product and media categories, demonstrating the breadth of its impact in the food safety and compliance space. "Organizations across the United States continue to demonstrate resilience and innovation," said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. "The 2025 Stevie winners have helped drive that success through their innovation, persistence, and hard work. We congratulate all of the winners in the 2025 ABAs and look forward to celebrating their achievements during our June 10 gala event in New York." More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2025 Stevie winners are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA. About Trustwell Trustwell is on a mission to change the food industry. Combining FoodLogiQ's supply chain management software with Genesis' nutritional analysis and label development solution, the Trustwell Connect platform creates the food industry's only full-scale solution connecting product development and regulatory-compliant labeling with supplier compliance, enhanced traceability, and automated recall management. From food and supplement manufacturers to retail grocers and restaurant chains, more than 2,500 food companies around the world use Trustwell software as their trusted source for compliance and quality solutions in the food industry. For more information, visit https://www.trustwell.com/ About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Sponsors of The 2025 American Business Awards include HCLTech, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro. Media Contact Lydia Adams, Trustwell, 210-367-8968, [email protected], www.trustwell..com SOURCE Trustwell It appears that good news keeps coming for Pennsylvanias Republicans. Recently released data reveal a subtle but significant trend: Republicans are embracing mail-In balloting at levels not seen before, while Democrats, though still dominant, show signs of plateauing. This shift, as the 2025 Primary Election approaches, merits attention for what it suggests about the Commonwealths electoral future. Lets begin with the headline number. Republicans now make up 26% of mail-in ballot applications a record high for the party in Pennsylvania compared to Democrats, who still lead with over two-thirds of the total. Since mail-in voting began under Act 77 in 2019, Democrats have dominated this method, making the GOPs gains notable. Yet the raw number of Democratic applications may be dipping to its lowest point ever at this stage. Its a figure that will surely rise as the primary nears, but projections suggest it may fall short of the three-year average of nearly 650,000 Democratic applications ahead of past primaries. This isnt a seismic upheaval. Democrats remain the heavyweight in mail-in balloting, a preference rooted in strategy and turnout efforts honed over multiple cycles. The numbers tell a story of adaptation. Republicans, historically reliant on Election Day turnout, have faced pressure to diversify their approach since 2020, when mail-in voting surged amid the pandemic. Though GOP skepticism about mail-in voting once driven by security and process concerns lingers, the data show a pragmatic shift. Their share of applications has risen over 20% since 2021, reaching 26% -- far from Democratic levels, but a clear sign that Republican voters and organizers are adapting. If this trend holds, Primary Day 2025 traditionally the election with the lowest turnout every four years could see Republican mail-in applications nearing parity with their 2024 presidential election highs, a milestone that would have seemed improbable just a few years ago. For Democrats, the dip in applications potentially the lowest at this stage in recent cycles raises questions about turnout strategy or voter fatigue, though its too soon to sound alarms. The coming weeks will reveal whether this is a blip or a shift in behavior. What does this mean for Pennsylvania? The state remains a battleground, its elections a microcosm of national divides. Pennsylvanias Democratic voter registration edge once over 1 million in 2008 has shrunk to under 100,000, and by November, Republicans could claim a majority. Mail-in voting trends may amplify this shift, reshaping how both parties compete in this perennial battleground. As evidenced by the GOPs recent weak turnout in special elections across the country, a focus on mail-in balloting has a new urgency as it may be the solution the Democrats never had when their coalition included the working class who vote infrequently. The recent Democratic upset victory in the Lancaster County state Senate special election underscores this point: Democratic voters are energized in 2025, capable of mobilizing when it counts. Mail-in voting, once a flashpoint, is settling into a new normal where both parties, in their own ways, are staking a claim. Republicans gradual embrace could level the playing field in future contests. Democrats, for their part, retain an edge but must guard against erosion in a system theyve clearly mastered. The data are a snapshot clear but incomplete. They point to a Republican Party finding its footing in unfamiliar terrain and a Democratic base still formidable, if slightly less prolific on paper. But the GOPs growing adoption of mail-in balloting suggests a recalibration a recognition, perhaps, that dismissing this voting method is no longer tenable in a state where elections are won on margins. The GOP must commit whatever resources necessary to utilize mail-in balloting as a tool to turn out working class voters. Otherwise, the nascent MAGA agenda will cease to be represented in Washington and state Capitols across the country before it even gets off the ground. For now, the mail-in ballot story is one of incremental change, not revolution a quiet adjustment in how Pennsylvanians choose to cast their ballots, and in how the parties vie for their voices. Trijicon is not a normal company. Trijicon makes optics, and they arent afraid to take risks. To make cool, weird, and downright strange optics no one else would dare to make. If it werent for the fact that theyre also known for putting Bible verses on their optics, I might even suspect some psychedelics were sometimes involved. When people think of Trijicon they probably think of the ACOG, the most successful combat optic in the history of the world. Or the little RMR, originally designed to piggyback on the same, but now mostly seen riding on pistol slides. Folks dont necessarily think of traditional dot sights or thermals though lately Trijicon has been taking some time to change some minds. MRO SD Its not that Trijicon hasnt done anything with dots before; theyve had their own spins with rad redundant illumination options. Optics that run via radiation in the dark, the sun in day, and even chemical light sticks if its the apocalypse. If you want something cool and old to put on a belt-fed, get a Trijicon Reflex RX01. If you want to confuse your friends, find a TriPower. If you want to feel like a Saudi or sicario, get yourself an SRS. But if you want Trijicons first attempt at a traditional-not-traditional red dot, thats the MRO. As expected, the MRO SD will run in all existing MRO mounts. Trijicon MRO SD Battery Life: 2.5 years (setting 3) Reticle: 2 MOA dot Weight: 4.8 ounces MSRP: $786 URL: trijicon.com The main problem with the MRO is that it looked like a regular red dot without actually being one. The MRO featured an atypical optical arrangement that allowed for a wide field of view while having a small rear objective; in reality, its more like a tiny LPVO at 1x than any dot. This came with strange optical effects that werent always obvious, but usually didnt matter. (Hell, Ive been running one for more than a decade on a PDW without real issue.) The complaints mainly occurred when the OG MRO was used with a magnifier, which exacerbated issues by adding unintended optical elements. Yes, sometimes things dont work well when you add things on that they werent designed for. This led to the release of the MRO HD in 2020. The MRO HD is more like a traditional dot and is specifically designed for use with a magnifier, and Trijicon even sells them as a bundle. Now, five years later, we have the MRO SD, the latest in the line and the most refined. The main difference that youll notice between the MRO SD and HD is that the multi-reticle option is gone with the SD, which only has a crisp 2-MOA dot (the larger emitter a multi-reticle requires can cause some errant reflections). There are some slight dimensional changes, but youd have to break out calipers to tell. ON BLUENESS & BATTERY LIFE Though a battery life measured in years is the norm these days, we dont often hear how these fueling feats are actually accomplished. The most egregious foreign manufacturers simply lie. But there are several honest approaches, with many manufacturers balancing a bit of each. One of the ways to do it is by rapidly flickering the emitter on and off, ideally fast enough that you dont notice that its ever off in the first place. This frequency is how LEDs operate anyhow, but mucking with the rate has been standard for well over a decade. Though there are some dimensional differences between the new MRO SD and 2020s MRO HD release, youll need calipers to tell. Less often discussed is the role that color rendition plays. When it comes to acquisition of a dot, the speed of it, contrast is the most important aspect. Contrast is how different the dot appears from the background. How it pops. With a reflex design, an LED projects the reticle against the inside of the front element. The coating on the glass is designed to allow most of the light to pass through, but it reflects the red (or other color) of the LED back to your eye. Think of it like a mirror that only reflects a particular frequency of light. Consequently, the image you see through this window has less red, so the hue is more blue. The more red light thats reflected, the darker blue the glass, the greater the contrast, and the less power the LED needs theres one way to save some power. This is at the expense of color rendition, of course. But, the Trijicon MRO SD has very good color rendition. Theres a touch of blue, but its really, really good. Almost nothing with both eyes open. The battery life is also 2.5 years on the middle setting. So, what gives? In short: purpose-made parts and quality engineering. Trijicon has several SKUs for different mount heights. Manufacturers who use that highly red-reflective/dark blue glass can also get away with cheap, broad-spectrum, Mainland manufacture LED emitters; the specs can change in a week, and it wont matter. Trijicon is using a German LED emitter with extremely consistent quality, which allows them to have a more-refined optical coating. This means they can maximize visible light transmission and only have to reflect back what the emitter produces. In terms of other optical qualities, our example had no offset, bulging, or magnification issues. Off-axis shooting, even from a helicopter (oh yeah see next issue) was no problem at all. I mean, its a red dot it does red dot stuff very well, as expected. PLAYING PREDATOR Once solely in the realm of science fiction followed by well-funded military units, thermal optics are now increasingly common. Its not hard to see the advantage that the ability to see heat brings it can be a helluva force multiplier on the battlefield, and even a crappy thermal beats the pants off of no thermal at all, which is readily seen in Ukraine. The only real difference between the IR-HUNTER and REAP-IR thermals is the method of menu control. They arent for everything, though. Theyre most useful at night when temperatures between warm-blooded beings and the environment have the most contrast. You can safely think of thermal scopes like ruggedized digital video cameras with reticles on the screen, because thats exactly what they are. Theres a lens on the front, an image sensor inside, and a screen you look through on the back. The difference here is that the image sensor captures midrange-IR light and not the visible spectrum, and even the high resolution thermals arent. Trijicon REAP-IR / IR-HUNTER Resolution: 640480 12m Optical Magnification: (1.2x, 1.75x, and 3x) Weight: 27.5 41.5 ounces MSRP: Starting at $7,209 URL: trijicon.com Here in the States the main use case is hunting. Theres a tapestry of governance concerning hunting with NV/thermals, so theyre especially common for nuisance animals or invasive species, as theyre typically subject to less regulation. Youll have to check your local laws. 640480 resolution isnt going to blow your mind, but its pretty usable in-person. Trijicon gave their REAP-IR and IR-HUNTER thermal scope lines a refresh. The difference between the two models is that the REAP line has a side joystick for control and the HUNTER uses a dial. They all have the same 640480 12m sensor inside, are available in three different base magnification levels (1.2x, 1.75x, and 3x), and have the exact same MSRPs. There must either be contract requirements or very dedicated followings for both, because its a bit redundant. Theres now a port for a microSD card to record video and screenshots. And you can record an awful lot of video too, because its the same resolution as a 2000s camera phone. To be fair, when youre looking through in the moment its not so bad, especially because the glass is good. There are also a lot of image adjustment options that can help considerably. The battery and microSD card compartments are environmentally sealed, ruggedized, and secured with screws. The optics can run on a pair of CR123s for a few hours, but better to plug into the USB-C. Theres no app required, and everything you need is on-board; thank goodness, because gun companies are invariably awful app developers anyway. The last thing you want is some required update or permission to link your phone before you can take a shot. EASY ZERO Weve seen plenty of rifle zero gimmicks over the years. Lots of one shot zero claims that dont hold up to scrutiny. I cant tell you that I witnessed any single-shot zeroes, but I watched several scopes and rifles get set up in three and most under five. Sure, if you have thermal optic money you probably have the cash for a few extra rounds of ammo, but no one likes burning it for no reason, and no one likes spending too much time on administration. Heres how it works: You need a target with a heat signature; we used some chemical hand warmers stapled to the target. You shoot the target from a rest. From an internal menu, you simply mark where you held the reticle and where the rounds actually it the scope will update it for you on the spot. Confirm and move forward. Clearly you have to do your part. If you cant shoot or your ammo is bad, your zero will be bad but that goes for any zero. After going through this simple process, I didnt miss a single first shot taken with a REAP-IR. I started with the Easy Zero process a bit skeptical, but theres something there. These are pretty damn tough optics, too. Though it made the product manager nervous, I watched one of these get thrown from a helicopter twice dont try that one at home. Are they cheap? Of course not theyre made in America with American components, not by children in China. News / National by Staff reporter As Zimbabwe's socioeconomic crisis deepens, analysts warned this week that the country may be heading for an implosion.According to Harare-based human rights lawyer Thulani Mzala, the mineral and tobacco-rich middle-income country has been hit by "multifaceted problems".These include political repression, economic collapse and institutional decay, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeking to extend his rule to 2030.In addition scores of human rights activists are in jail, medicines and bed linen are scarce in most hospitals, leading to dysfunctional health care and prisons are running out of food.Zanu-PF factionalism and opposition collapseDespite stability hinging on political parties, including the ruling Zanu-PF, commencing negotiations, Mzala said a collapse in the Zimbabwean opposition and the factionalism plaguing the governing party remained among the "negative factors"."The collapse of the Zimbabwean opposition can be traced to infiltration by Zanu-PF and Central Intelligence Organisation agents."Another factor is the infighting within Zanu-PF, with Vice-President General Constantino Chiwenga, who led the military coup to oust former president Robert Mugabe, at loggerheads with Mnangagwa over the extension of his term of office to 2030.Power struggles and military response fears"There has been a document circulating that is expected to go to Cabinet for the approval of the extension of Mnangagwa term. The document will thereafter move to parliament, with MPs expected to vote in favour of extending the president's term to 2030," said Mzala.He described the Zimbabwean situation as "very tense amid a standoff between Mnangagwa and expelled Zanu-PF central committee member Blessed Geza."Geza has been mobilising mass demonstrations and stayaways. He calls the president corrupt and says he is butchering the constitution in wanting to extend his term. No one knows what is going to happen due to Zanu-PF internal factionalism. Whether Chiwenga still has support in the military remains to be seen amid talk of a military takeover. "But the president seems to be in control of the military."Not interested in democracy'Political analysts Dale McKinley and Sandile Swana said Zimbabwe was far from the restoration of normality Said McKinley: "Zimbabwe is in a deep, structural, political, economic and social crisis."At the heart of it is Zanu-PF, which runs the government and the military that supports it, and is not interested in democracy."They are interested in maintaining power at all costs, with the economic crisis going on for the past 20 years in varying degrees, irrespective of the removal of Mugabe."The predatory elite use the state a vampire state trying to suck out everything. It will take a social and political revolution in Zimbabwe to change the status quo people rising up, combined with pressure from outside."'The crisis will continue' under Zanu-PFSwana said: "The crisis will continue for as long as Zanu-PF does not want to share power. The Zimbabwean intelligentsia do not recognise the continuing role of Zanu-PF and President Mnangagwa."Normality in Zimbabwe will come when Zimbabweans agree among themselves that Zanu-PF does not have the right to lead Zimbabwe."For as long as the crisis exists, Zimbabweans will live in Botswana, South Africa and other neighbouring countries because the Zimbabwe economy is terrible."He said the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) leaders "have been mutually protecting each other"."Those like Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who criticised the arrangement with Zimbabwe, have been ridiculed by SADC members for likening Zimbabwe to the Titanic sinking.Citizen participationProf Zwelinzima Ndevu, a public leadership expert from the University of Stellenbosch, urged Zimbabweans to "play a more active role in the country's affairs"."Elections failed to produce the desired outcome, with a change in leadership not achieved. There is a need for an impact-driven grassroots movement to focus beyond politics on the general well-being of people." As in-person negotiations between India and the US kickstarted on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expected India to strike the first bilateral trade deal to avert President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs. IMAGE: US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters According to the New York Post, Bessent told a roundtable of about a dozen reporters on Wednesday that trade talks with India are very close to reaching a successful conclusion because the world's most populous nation doesn't have so many high tariffs. India also has fewer non-tariff trade barriers, obviously, no currency manipulation, very, very little government subsidies, so that reaching a deal with the Indians is much easier, Bessent said at the Washington DC event on the sidelines of the annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings. Separately, President Trump told reporters at the White House during the signing of executive orders that India is going to reduce its high tariffs as part of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) under negotiation. India charges almost more than any other country in the world. Believe it or not, we do very little business with India because their tariffs are very high. "They have amongst the highest tariffs (in the world), higher than China. I understand they are going to reduce those tariffs. Its really sort of their problem not ours, he said. Citing the example of Harley Davidson, Trump said the US does very little exports to India. He said about six years ago, when he asked Harley Davidson officials, they told him that they dont do any business in India because of high tariffs and are going to set up a plant in India. And thats what they did. I dont want that to happen. They were forced to build a plant. (If) there were no tariffs, they would build their plant here, Trump told reporters. A team of Indian commerce department officials, led by Chief Negotiator and Commerce Secretary-designate Rajesh Agrawal, is currently in Washington DC for negotiating a trade deal with the US. While both sides have resolved to conclude the first tranche of the BTA by fall of this year, Indian officials have spoken about concluding an early tranche by July 8 when the current pause on country-specific reciprocal tariffs will expire. While welcoming Indias constructive engagement for conclusion of the BTA, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer on Tuesday said that there is a serious lack of reciprocity in the trade relationship with New Delhi. These ongoing talks will help achieve balance and reciprocity by opening new markets for American goods and addressing unfair practices that harm American workers. "Indias constructive engagement so far has been welcomed and I look forward to creating new opportunities for workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs in both countries, Greer said in a statement while welcoming the announcement of the finalisation of the terms of reference (TOR) for the BTA by US vice president JD Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his visit, Vance urged India to remove non-tariff barriers and allow greater market access for American businesses. In a factsheet released on Tuesday, the USTR office said Indias average applied tariff is 17 per cent, among the highest of the worlds largest economies, while the US average applied tariff is 3.3 per cent. In addition to tariffs, technical barriers to trade, regulatory barriers, and restrictions on access to the market in the services, industrial, and agricultural sectors also reduce US exports to India. "The TOR announcement is a critical step forward in negotiations with India to achieve reciprocal trade with one of our most strategic partners, and deliver results to the American people, it added. With inputs from PTI Airlines waive cancellation and rescheduling fees and boost flight capacity from Srinagar. IMAGE: An Indigo aircraft arrives at the Srinagar airport. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Airfares from Srinagar have seen a notable reduction in the past two days, with a SrinagarDelhi flight falling from over Rs 20,000 to under Rs 10,000, following swift government action to curb prices, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said on Thursday. In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists, civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu directed airlines to ensure safe transit for stranded travellers and take immediate steps to control soaring airfares. The minister also asked carriers to increase flight frequencies to and from Srinagar. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also issued urgent advisories to all airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs), calling for seamless connectivity from Srinagar to destinations across India, clear and transparent fare displays, and on-ground assistance to affected passengers. Airlines responded by waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees and boosting flight capacity from Srinagar. As a result of these interventions, a notable reduction in airfares from Srinagar has been observed over two days, the ministry said. For instance, a flight from Srinagar to Delhi, which was priced over Rs 20,000 on April 21, has decreased to a more accessible fare, falling below Rs 10,000 by April 24, it added. IMAGE: The Srinagar airport. Photograph: ANI Photo Despite this improvement, complaints have continued to surface on social media regarding high fares. MoCA clarified that many such grievances are related to business or premium-class tickets or involve indirect routes with one or more stopovers -- both of which tend to be priced higher than direct economy fares. It is essential to acknowledge that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is consistently monitoring fares being charged by airlines, and remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting passengers, the statement said. The ministry is striving to ensure that no airline exploits this challenging period by engaging in practices of profiteering. The ministry also cautioned passengers against misinterpretation of fares displayed on travel portals, noting that in some cases, business-class prices appear alongside economy-class options or are shown when economy seats are sold out, creating confusion. An advisory has been issued to all airlines to clearly segregate fares by class--economy, premium economy, and business. Airlines have also been asked to respond to individual posts on social media to explain pricing and routing structures. Passengers have been encouraged to use official airline websites or trusted OTAs and apply filters such as low to high when searching for flights. By effectively utilising the filter options available on these platforms, passengers can streamline their search thereby enhancing their travel experience, the ministry said. The government said it will continue to keep a close watch on fare trends and take corrective steps wherever needed to ensure affordability and accessibility for passengers during this sensitive time. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff The dastardly dimensions of the attack are gradually sinking in even as the Government of India announced its immediate diplomatic and other retaliatory measures. It is generally expected to be followed up with punitive military action across the LoC, sooner than later, observes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs. IMAGE: Priyadarshini Satpathy, wife of Prashant Satpathy who was killed in a terrorist attack near Pahalgam, at a wreath-laying ceremony in Bhubaneswar, April 24, 2025. Photograph: Reuters As the brutality and savagery of the April-22 terrorist attack on tourists at Pahalgam in South Kashmir sink in, the people in the border state are anxiously awaiting its inevitable retaliatory response, which could probably reignite the Line of Control (LoC) that has, otherwise, been silent for the past few years. A massive manhunt is underway across Jammu and Kashmir to nab the culprits believed to be hiding in remote higher reaches of the Pir Panchal mountain range. Vicious elements of the carnage correspond to the tone and tenor of rabid vituperation voiced recently by Pakistan army chief General Asim Muneer recently at a function in Islamabad. As if on cue, terrorists executed their dastardly action by echoing Muneers words while carrying out the merciless shooting of tourists. There seems to be quite a bit in linking the timing as well as the methodology. The dastardly dimensions of the attack are gradually sinking in even as the Government of India announced its immediate diplomatic and other retaliatory measures. It is generally expected to be followed up with punitive military action across the LoC, sooner than later. The anger and anguish across the country add to its gravity. Never since the outbreak of militancy in 1990s has the civil society in Kashmir reacted so resoundingly, so spontaneously and so unitedly to a terrorist attack as was witnessed in the immediate fallout of the Pahalgam carnage. Coming a few months after the last assembly elections that witnessed a record turnout of voters across the board, the collective mood on the ground today looks to be unambiguously against the perpetrators of the crime whose footprints as well identity is all too evident. That said, the circumstances of the brazen terrorist attack as also the way in which its operational fallout was being handled raise a few disturbing questions. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah being briefed on the Pahalgam terrorist attack by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, LG Manoj Sinha and other high-level officials, in Srinagar, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo In hindsight, though, a question that comes to mind in the wake of the Pahalgam carnage is whether it was advisable to inconclusively terminate the extensive anti-terrorist operations in Rajouri-Poonch sector (and later the Kathua belt), launched in response to brazen terrorist attacks on security forces. Surprise attacks on military personnel in succession resulted in casualties. And the highly motivated culprits armed with sophisticated weapons were able to strike and disappear from the scene. In its ugly aftermath, local civilian suspects were subjected to torture for which the Army, later, punished the guilty. The operation lasted over several weeks but the Pakistani terrorists remained untraced. Nothing was heard about the operation after that. Presumably, it was called off. Some time later, suspicious movement was reported in the Doda-Kishtwar Mountain range though no major incident or encounter was reported. These sub-mountain ranges, partly with thick forestation in the lower reaches, extend up to South Kashmir (where Pahalgam is located) and further up to Zanskar and Kargil in Ladakh. Whether the terrorist module that struck at Baisaran in Pahalgam on April 22 could be the same that was active in Rajouri and Kathua is a matter of conjecture. Nothing cannot be ruled out offhand, primarily because the earlier operations against them were called off inconclusively. Or, it could even be a different module freshly replenished with war material. Secondly, the annual Amarnath Yatra being just a few weeks away, how was it that a vulnerable open space like Baisaran so near the Pahalgam Yatra base camp and visited by many tourists almost daily, had been left without even a police cover? Tourist spots across the Valley are usually police-protected. IMAGE: Security forces stand guard at the site of the terrorist attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam, April 24, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Ordinarily, the Army takes over the responsibility of securing the outer periphery of the Yatra route, leaving the inner parameters including Pahalgam base camp to para-military and state police forces. Army routinely commences 'area domination' in the periphery of Pahalgam a month or so in advance of the annual pilgrimage, commencing within the next few weeks and ending in August. That even the state police or the paramilitary personnel were seen nowhere around Baisaran, so close to Pahalgam, in the third week of April obviously needs to be explained. It is not too much to assume that the terrorists must have found it safe to survey their target area before choosing to go for their dastardly act. Even if these observations were to be waved off as being wiser-after-the-event, there is sufficient weight in it to warrant a serious look by all concerned. That also explains the official admission of 'lapses' by the central government at an all-party meet in New Delhi on Thursday soon after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's return from his Pahalgam visit. The fallout of the tragedy has also revealed a jarring aspect of the virtually amorphous division of authority in the sensitive border. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had to unceremoniously self-exit from a meeting held by the Union home minister, to discuss the Pahalgam tragedy, at which the chief secretary and the DGP were present. Under the archaic arrangement, the lt governor holds the law and order portfolio while a popularly elected chief minister is rendered persona non grata. Kashmir is not Delhi, even though both may be UTs. Not only the geography of the country's most sensitive border state but its turbulent history shows the desirability of enlisting popular ground support without which even the best of security arrangements would be left with gaping holes. The significance of grassroot feedback obtained from an elected structure can hardly be overemphasised. In the case of J&K there are precedents too: the first information about 1965 massive infiltration into Kashmir had come from a Gujjar via the local legislator. Again, in the 1990s it was the same channel that provided the first reports of large scale intrusion of militants armed and trained across the Line of Control (LoC). It is nearly six months ago that Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the UT's elected chief minister after securing the popular vote in an election that is still being held up as the visible sign of vibrant Indian democracy. Restoration of full statehood to the UT was expected to follow sooner than later. Ironically, almost half a year after the assembly election there is no indication of any such thing. IMAGE: A protest in Jammu over the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Photograph: ANI Photo Yet another point is the alienation of Gujjar, Bakarwal nomadic communities in the past few years, when they were ousted and dislocated from the grazing lands in higher reaches, has deprived the security system of a vital link in the intelligence chain. The nomads with their livestock move between Kashmir and Jammu division, seasonally, and are in a better position to detect suspicious movement along these remote tracks. Its utility in the past is a historical fact. The aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy has also exposed the negativity of a section of the national media in reporting and interpreting different dimensions of the carnage. For this reason, a few of the private TV reporters were prevented from covering the unprecedented massive upsurge, across the Kashmir Valley, against Pakistan-inspired terrorism, as they sought to give a mischievous sectarian twist to it. On the other hand, there were also a good number of tourists from across the board, who came forward and hailed their local hosts for making them feel safe and comfortable. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com News / National by Staff reporter Chinese battery manufacturing giant Huayou Cobalt is intensifying its focus on Zimbabwe's Arcadia Lithium Mine, as it pushes forward with a lithium sulfate project aimed at significantly reducing production costs and deepening integration across its supply chain.The Arcadia Lithium Mine, located near Harare, was acquired by Huayou in 2022 from Australian miner Prospect Resources Ltd for US$378 million. Since then, Huayou has elevated the mine to a strategic position within its global operations, underscoring its role in securing long-term lithium supplies for the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry.In its recently released 2024 Annual Report, Huayou revealed that construction of a 50,000-tonne lithium sulfate processing facility began in January this year. The plant is expected to integrate the mining and metallurgical processes, thereby transitioning the operation from mere concentrate production to refined lithium salt output."The construction of the 50,000 tonnes lithium sulfate project began in January 2024," the company stated. "After the completion of the project, the integration of mining and metallurgy from lithium concentrate to lithium salt will be achieved, greatly reducing the production cost of lithium salt."Arcadia is one of the largest hard rock lithium resources globally and a cornerstone of Zimbabwe's ambitions to become a major player in the global lithium supply chain. In 2023, the mine shipped 400,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate a 41% year-on-year increase in production with total output reaching around 500,000 tonnes.Huayou reported that the mine has an estimated resource of 58.29 million tonnes, with an annual output capacity of 4.5 million tonnes. The operation's remaining exploitable lifespan stands at just over nine years, and its book value was reported at US$3.4 million at the close of the financial year.The project forms part of China's broader strategic ambition under the 14th Five-Year Plan to secure raw materials for its fast-growing new energy sector."In Africa, the lithium sulfate project in Zimbabwe will be implemented as planned," Huayou reiterated, noting the site's role in complementing its cobalt-copper mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Lithium, especially in its processed forms such as lithium sulfate, is a critical ingredient in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems sectors seeing rapid growth worldwide. Huayou's investments aim to support this global demand by expanding its footprint across key jurisdictions including Zimbabwe, Indonesia, South Korea, and Hungary."The new energy vehicle industry has a highly globalised characteristic," Huayou said. "The company, based on the characteristics of the industry, arranged its business operation internationally and invested in mineral resource development, smelting and processing, battery material manufacturing and other projects."However, Huayou cautioned that operations in countries like Zimbabwe are not without risk. The company cited potential challenges stemming from political, legal, regulatory, and economic uncertainties that could impact its investment outcomes."If the company is unable to effectively respond to and resolve the said risks in the future, it may lead to the risk of litigation and development not meeting expectations," the report warned.Still, with Arcadia at the centre of its lithium strategy, Huayou's deepening commitment signals confidence in Zimbabwe's mineral potential and the viability of the country as a base for long-term resource development and downstream processing. Terrorism and insurgency in J&K had subsided when India demolished East Pakistan -- for the simple reason that Pakistan understands power. We need to follow Chanakya's dictum of Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed for strategising against Pakistan, asserts Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd). IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security in New Delhi on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. It was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and others officials. Photograph: ANI Photo The dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 was a direct signal to the Modi government living in the illusion that the situation in J&K is normalised. The despicable accounts of Hindus being singled out, after asking them to recite the kalma, and women asked to go ask Modi to save them, are heart wrenching. At least 26 tourists were killed and many injured by four terrorists -- two Pakistanis of TRF@LeT and two Kashminiris. The executions were ISIS-style. The attack was obviously planned well in advance with the area kept under surveillance; perhaps since Pakistan army chief Asim Munir called J&K Pakistan's 'jugular vein' and ranted about the two-nation theory. Does the government have a counter-terrorist strategy beyond hopping from one incident to another -- Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama (the list is endless) and now Pahalgam? More importantly, where is the spine? Since 2014, the government has undertaken two cross-border actions against Pakistan: the 'surgical strike' in response to 19 killed in terrorist attack at Uri, and the Balakot standoff air strike after suffering 40 killed in a terrorist car bombing at Pulwama. Both these were reactive actions. Pakistani terrorists have also inflicted multiple beheadings through BAT actions along the LoC and inside J&K. NSA Ajit Doval has been going around announcing his New India doctrine -- that India will take the battle to where the threat originates. Is this what we are doing? To add to this is PM Modi's cliche, "Ghar Mein Ghus Kar Maarenge" -- which Pakistan is practising, not India. IMAGE: Security forces patrol the site of the attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam, April 24, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters The Pahalgam terror attack has shown the mirror to India "once again"; that there is no counter-terror policy and the government is spineless beyond hollow rhetoric to appease the public at home. The CI grid in J&K was weakened by relocating troops to eastern Ladakh when the PLA crossed the LAC; concurrent to the mainstream media playing the script of J&K fully normalised, with the '3-Bags Full Brigade' dancing and clapping to His Master's Voice. How can one be so damn stupid in a state bordering Pakistan and the LoC running over difficult terrain? A three-star veteran described the recent prolonged operations in Kathua area as the last vestiges of terrorism in J&K, comparing it with Hamas. To top this, the overall strength of the Indian Army was reduced by over one lakh and the military's manpower hollowed by stopping army recruitment for full three years and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saying in Parliament that 158 organisations were consulted before thrusting the 'Agniveer' concept on the military; can he explain which 58 organisations were these -- Pakistani, Chinese or both combined? We have a formidable strength of Army Special Forces whose primary role is cross-border, but the government is happy making the firefighting within J&K, instead of CPOs. IMAGE: People pay their last respects to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo The accent continues: global sympathies (is anyone prepared to blame Pakistan?); perpetrators will not be spared (Pakistan has an unending supply); this is an act of frustration (b******); diplomatic offensive will finish Pakistan (by itself?); PoK wants to join India; Pakistan is scared of India's military response, so on and so forth. Interestingly, reports of the 66-vehicle convoy of Amit Shah to Pahalgam has attracted attention, as did reports of audio of families of victims being muted as soon as they began asking questions and accountability from Amit Shah. Then there is the CCS meeting -- to which no service chief or CDS was invited. The media quotes intel sources as saying 42 terror launch pads are active in PoK and 115 Pakistani terrorists are active in J&K, although the South Asia Terrorism Portal gives a figure of 3,235 terrorists in J&K. While fresh encounters have broken out in Kulgam and Udhampur's Dudu-Basantgarh areas, India's diplomatic response, termed "massive", mainly comprises: suspension of Indus Water Treaty; Pakistan high commission reduced to 30-strong; Pak military personnel declared persona non-grata, Attari border closed; visas cancelled; and Pakistanis asked to leave within 48 hours. IMAGE: Indian Navy personnel carry the coffin of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, outside his residence in Karnal, Haryana. Photograph: Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters The Indus Water Treaty is for the waters Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Means what? Stopping the water flow implies diverting the waters to canals, and in the absence of canals, till the reservoirs(s) are full. The Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers have no canals so the waters will continue to flow into Pakistan -- so who are we fooling? We abandoned our embassy in Kabul despite Taliban assurances, so why is the Pakistan high commission reduced to 30 -- to protect foreign postings of our babus in Pakistan? Why not reduce the strength to three or kick out all Pakistanis, leaving the high commission to Indian employees? The ground truth is that unless we are prepared to acknowledge our shortcomings, including massive intelligence failures, punish those responsible and take corrective actions, we will continue in the same vein. A military response by the government, if at all, would likely be another 'surgical strike', which has led to a veteran's wife saying, "The Baloch Liberation Army is perhaps better off than us". A veteran close to the establishment writes, "Who is bothered -- politicians are busy drawing political mileage and the babudom is busy working out the next cash flow." IMAGE: The mortal remains of Yatish Parmar, a victim of Pahalgam terror attack, is consigned to the flames. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters Terrorism and insurgency in J&K had subsided when India demolished East Pakistan -- for the simple reason that Pakistan understands power. We need to follow Chanakya's dictum of Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed for strategising against Pakistan, transporting the proxy war back into PoK/Pakistan, and liberation of Balochistan and Sindh must top the agenda. The China-Pakistan-Bangladesh anti-India nexus is expanding, and Amit Shah expressing inability to fence 450-km of the India-Bangladesh border and talking of installing electronic surveillance system along our border with Pakistan in the next three years and then instal the same along the border with Bangladesh, indicates we are not serious at all about border security. How many more terror attacks are required for the government to wake up? Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd), PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SC is a former Special Forces officer. He is a third generation army officer and participated in the 1971 India-Pakistan War and in Operation Bluestar. He commanded a Special Forces Battalion in Sri Lanka, a Brigade on the Siachen Glacier, a Division in Ladakh and a Strike Corps in the South Western Theatre. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'It could be the Pakistan army's commercial interest, tactical or strategic interest or one of their leaders.' 'Even if you send a message that we have attempted to kill one of the Pakistani generals, that itself will serve the purpose.' IMAGE: Navy officers offer a gun salute to Lieutenant Vinay Narwal who was killed in a terror attack near Pahalgam, at a crematorium in Karnal, Haryana, April 23, 2025. Photograph: Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan post the Pahalgam terror attack on innocent tourists. The TRF is an offshoot of the Lashkar-E-Tayiba, the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation which has been instrumental in organising terror attacks in India, including the infamous 26/11 Mumbai attacks. This time the Laskhar crossed the red line by targeting innocent tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. Worse was the fact they identified tourists by their religion and if they were found to be Hindu, shot dead. This attack happened a week after Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, addressing an Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, stated that Kashmir was the jugular vein of Pakistan. He further said, Our forefathers thought we are different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religions are different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different and our ambitions are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory that was laid there. We are two nations, we are not one nation. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to Nitin Gokhale, national security analyst and author of books like Security India: They Modi Way; R N Kao, The General Spymaster; and 1965, Turning The Tide, among many others, about the terror attack, what went wrong, and India's options. Are the actions the Government of India has taken so far against Pakistan good enough, or should they have done something more? It is a good first step. I believe that a greater response is called for and that too a well-considered deliberate response is the need of the hour. We should wait. The government is also aware of the anger and anguish that people have. They themselves dont like what has happened because they have worked very hard to prevent something like this from happening. Yet it has happened and there will be consequences for Pakistan to suffer. The suspension of Indus Water Treaty has never happened. This will hurt Pakistans fragile economy and will lead to a rise in anger against the Pakistan army in Pakistan. So this first step is a good step. The government has also annulled the post of defence attache in New Delhi and it is presumed they can never come back. This is a very major message in international diplomacy. Does India have any military options against Pakistan? Yes, we have and it is all on the table. Obviously I dont know when it will happen and how it will happen but yes, happen it will. Not only has this government resolved to take the risk but there is also enough backing and anger among other nations who are stating that India should not hesitate to take any action against Pakistan. These nations are ready to back India. We have seen US President Donald Trump supporting India, and so does Russian President Vladmir Putin. India is in a stronger position internationally and it cannot take too long to take action. Now, it could be covert action which is deniable, or demonstrative action, or a combination of the two. But happen it will, as I said. IMAGE: Will identify, track and punish every terrorist behind Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tells a public meeting in Madhubani, Bihar, April 24, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Earlier Pakistan's nuclear status prevented us from going in for a full-fledged war. Does this aspect not concern the Government of India anymore? It used to. This bluff was called in 2019 when the Balakot strike happened. Even presuming Pakistan takes nuclear action, they also know in their heart of hearts that they can be obliterated because Indias response will be massive. Will the international community not intervene to prevent a war between India and Pakistan because both are nuclear States? Nothing can be done if (nuclear) weapons are used. Because it is too late, as there will be no time left to intervene. There will be enough international players that will be telling Pakistan, accept what you have done and the grace punishment, that is short of nuclear option. Everybody is aware of what Pakistan is saying and what they say, they will not do. Nuclear weapons are for deterrence and not for use unless it falls into hands of a mad man or an irrational player. I am not bothered by the nuclear option at this moment but I am bothered about what would be Pakistani General Asif Munirs response when India takes kinetic action. He is waiting for India to take immediate and reckless action. This will get him the opportunity to rally the nation behind him as his and the Pakistan army's credibility in Pakistan is at an all-time low. Pakistan crossed the red line by asking tourists, are you Hindu? Can you read the kalma? If you cannot, we will kill you. This red line was never crossed by Pakistan. Mind you, this will affect the livelihood of ordinary Kashmiris. For the next two years I dont see any tourists going to Kashmir. We had 2.3 crore tourists travelling to Kashmir in 2024 and if it falls to nil in the coming months and next year, it will hurt Kashmiris. Pakistan lost a larger plot in provoking India to take action against them. He (Gen Munir) wants India to take action so that he can rally Pakistan as a nation and tell Pakistanis that it is only the Pakistani army that is the custodian of Pakistan. That is General Asif Munirs game plan. Do you feel Gen Munir executed the Pahalgam massacre to win back popularity in his country? Not popularity, but to shore up his dying image. He is not popular at all. He is facing a lot of criticism from everyone. This was his gamble. You mentioned in your tweet, Did the intemperate speech by Pakistan Army Chief last week, act as a dog whistle?' Was that speech noticed but its implications of fallout ignored? It was probably not taken seriously. People thought the Pakistan army chief makes such statements to keep control of the nation. Therefore it was not taken so seriously. IMAGE: The site of the terror attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam, April 24, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters A B Vajpayee once said it is easy to start a war but one does not know when the war ends and what shape it ends in. So it is better not to start a war. Do these lines make sense in todays time? Can we get trapped in a war against Pakistan? We are not going for war against Pakistan. If war starts it will be Pakistan that will start the war, not us. We are going to do punitive action, which is not the same as war. This can be controlled. It is called as escalation control in terms of war theory. What kind of action do you see India taking against the Lashkar-e-Tayiba? Their offshoot The Resistance Front was behind the killing of innocent Indian tourists in Pahalgam. Not Lashkar. I am actually looking for action against the Pakistan army. Ultimately, the fountainhead of terrorism against India is the Pakistan army and not just Lashkar. Lashkar is a proxy and nurtured group of the Pakistani army. India this time will look into hurting the Pakistani armys interest. It could be their commercial interest, tactical or strategic interest or one of their leaders. Just go for it. Even if you send a message that we have attempted to kill one of the Pakistani generals, that itself will serve the purpose. This could be one of the options. India today feels enough is enough and we need to teach Pakistan a lesson.' 'Unless compelled, Mr Modi will think 10 times before taking the extreme step.' IMAGE: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is briefed by the 15 Corps Commander on the security situation and action being taken by the formations against terrorists, Srinagar, April 25, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India has launched a series of diplomatic and strategic countermeasures against Pakistan, which it holds responsible for the incident, including closure of checkpost at Attari, SAARC visa exemption cancellation for Pakistan, and suspending the Indus water treaty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security after the attack, the army chief visited Srinagar on Friday to review the security situation, and security in sensitive areas and states has been increased manifold. War is the last thing anyone wants, says Shesh Paul Vaid, a Jammu and Kashmir cadre Indian Police Service officer who served in different capacities in the most volatile areas of the Kashmir valley from 1988. But this attack is not plain and simple terrorism. It is a war, it is jihad that Pakistan has launched, says Vaid, former director general of police of Jammu and Kashmir, a recipient of several gallantry awards and the man who was tasked with containing the violence in the Valley after Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani's killing in 2016. Retired five years ago and now settled in Jammu, Vaid says as long as Pakistan holds on to Bhuttos ideology of 1,000 cuts, India will have no choice but to fight back. Mr Modis speech (in Madhubani, that the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who hatched the conspiracy, they will be punished beyond their imagination) was the harshest Ive ever heard and I definitely believe some big, punitive action is being planned, he tells Swarupa Dutt/Rediff.com, in the first of a 2-part interview. The terrorists who killed the tourists told the women -- Give Modi a message. What is the message that they wanted to be given? The message they wanted to convey to honourable Prime Minister Mr Modi was that, look, we are here in Jammu and Kashmir and we do not accept that after the abrogation of Article 370 the narrative has changed. They wanted to say that the situation has not improved and you are not safe. Its a counter narrative to what India has been claiming since 2019, that Kashmir is now a better place. And what of the other message they sent by selectively killing Hindus? They seem to have successfully driven a wedge between communities. These are the fault lines of India and they want to cash in on that. There are two main communities here, unlike Pakistan where there is only one main community since minorities are not counted at all there. Pakistan knows that if it is able to create a division between the two communities here it serves their purpose of creating internal unrest and that is why they selectively target Hindus so that there is a backlash towards Muslims. They attack temples for this very purpose -- the famous Raghunath temple in Jammu was attacked more than twice, they attacked Akshardham temple, the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. What is the purpose? This is the purpose. They want to create division between the two communities of India. This is basically the Ghazwa-e-Hind ideology which Pakistans deep State pursues in India. So, Zulfikar Ali Bhuttos promise of 1000 cuts continues to remain the mainstay of Pakistans India policy? That will never change -- this 1000 cuts policy continues as long as Ghazwa-e-Hind remains Pakistans mindset and is reflective of what the Pakistan Army chief said the other day that we are two nations, basically justifying the two-nation theory that Hindus and Muslims cannot live together in harmony. So this ideology will not change. Bhutto 's famous speech, hum ghas khalenge, par ek hazaar saal tak ladenge, as long as this ideology remains, we will have to fight back. But this attack is not plain and simple terrorism. It is a war, it is jihad that Pakistan has launched. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, New Delhi, April 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo A former Pentagon official has said that India should do to the ISI what Israel did to Hamas. But the comparison is a bit skewed because Pakistan is a nuclear nation. How should India tread? Yes, it is different. Hamas is a terror outfit, Pakistan is a nation and a nuclear nation as you said and it is a different ground reality altogether. Still, the nuclear bluff was called when we did Balakot, when we did the surgical strike. There are some certain safeguards, for instance if India continues parleys with America, which it must, I think Americans would have ensured that Pakistans nuclear arsenals are protected. I think we should not be blackmailed into thinking that Pakistan is a nuclear power and step back. We have nothing to be worried about. So then this is a call to war? Modi at his rally in Madhubani said, we will punish them in ways that they can't imagine This is the harshest speech I've ever heard from Mr Modi and I think he has conveyed the anger of the people very clearly. I don't know if it will turn into war. War is the last thing anyone would want but definitely some big, punitive action is being planned given the kind of activity you are seeing. I think India today feels enough is enough and we need to teach Pakistan a lesson. But Mr Vaid, sometimes it can just be rhetoric. When Galwan happened, there was a lot of chest thumping, but beyond cutting down trade and banning TikTok what did we do? I think there are people in Delhi who are discussing strategies and they will definitely take into consideration the kind of reaction there would be from Pakistan in case of war. Mr Modi is a mature politician and an adored statesman and he was the first person to tell President Putin and also the President of China that this is not the time for war, but for diplomacy. If you recall, when tensions erupted in Ladakh, Mr Modi he said this is not a time of expansionism and it was same thing he told Putin. Unless compelled, Mr Modi will think 10 times before taking the extreme step. And by extreme step you mean war? I think India will weigh all its options. I don't know what will happen and this is the call of the policymakers in Delhi. But war is always the last resort for anyone. India is a rising power. Pakistan toh duba hua hai, Pakistan ka kya bigadoge. Bhikhari ka kya bigad sakte ho (Pakistan is a sunk nation. It is a beggar state and it cannot sink further). But India is on its way to become the third largest economy. So let's see what happens. A total of 191 Pakistani nationals visiting India returned home through the Attari-Wagah land route in Punjab's Amritsar on Friday, after the Centre set a 48-hour deadline for them to leave the country in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials said. Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: Children welcome their grandmother who returned from Pakistan, at Attari Border in Amritsar. A total of 287 Indian nationals, who were visiting the neighbouring country, have also returned, they added. A few women married in Pakistan but possessing Indian passports alleged that they were facing problems in going back, despite carrying the required documents. They said they had come to meet their relatives in India but had to return after the government set the 48-hour deadline for Pakistani nationals to leave the country. Twenty-six people, mostly tourists, were killed and several injured when terrorists opened fire at a meadow near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday afternoon. The Centre on Wednesday announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post, in view of the cross-border links to the Pahalgam attack. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistani nationals will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and any Pakistani national currently in India under the scheme had 48 hours to leave the country. The decisions were taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was announced at the meeting that the integrated check-post (ICP) at Attari will be closed immediately and those who crossed over to Pakistan with valid documents may return through that route before May 1. The Centre on Thursday announced revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest as tensions between the two neighbours escalated following the Pahalgam attack. It also announced suspending visa services to Pakistanis with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals continued to flock the Attari-Wagah border on Friday. A woman, married in Karachi, said she had come to Delhi for 15 days to meet her mother, who is a heart patient. She alleged that she was not being allowed to go back. "I am not being allowed to go back. My husband and father-in-law are waiting for me on the other side of the Wagah border," Shaniza, who holds an Indian passport, told reporters at Attari. Another woman, who came to India with her two children, also demanded that she be allowed to return to Pakistan. "I have an Indian passport and my two children have Pakistani passports. We have shown all the documents, my marriage certificate but they are not ready to listen to us and are saying that they will not allow Indian passport holders to cross over," she claimed. "I am married there. How do I take my children back home?" she asked. Another woman, Arooda Imran, who was visiting India along with her two daughters, also demanded that she be allowed to return to Pakistan. She said she got married in Pakistan 20 years ago and has been living there ever since. "I have already applied for nationality there. My daughters are Pakistani nationals. I have all the required documents," she said. Imran, who hails from Rajasthan's Jodhpur, had come to meet her parents. Another woman, Rabia, who hails from Punjab's Malerkotla, said she came to India two months ago to meet her parents. She got married in Pakistan three years ago. Another woman, Afshin Jahangir, who holds an Indian passport, said she should be allowed to go back to Pakistan. "I will consume poison here. We are being stopped," she said. Jahangir, who hails from Jodhpur, said she had come to India to meet her parents. "I have to cross the border today at any cost or else, I will stage a protest here," she told reporters. "I have a visa and I am going back home," she said. She said she came to India for 45 days. However, these women with Indian passports were not allowed to cross over to Pakistan but their children, holding Pakistani passports, were allowed after getting confirmation that their relatives were available across the border to receive them. Vinubhai Dabhi, a resident of Gujarat's Bhavnagar who was injured in the Pahalgam attack, and his wife Lilaben on Friday recounted the carnage, which included seeing a young man fall to the bullets of the terrorists. IMAGE: The view of a demolished house that is allegedly linked to a terrorist involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, at Tral in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, April 25, 2025. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff Dabhi (55) and his wife were among a group of 20 persons from here who had gone to the Union Territory on April 16 to listen to the discourse of renowned spiritual leader Morari Bapu in Srinagar. "Everyone started running when we learnt about the firing. I got separated from my wife. Those who got left behind were unfortunately killed by the terrorists. While I was running, a bullet pierced through my right arm, while another grazed my left shoulder, leaving a minor wound," Dabhi told reporters at his residence after reaching here on Thursday night. "When I finally got reunited with my wife, she collapsed three times seeing my bloodied shirt and the bullet injury. We managed to somehow reach the foot of the hill where Army personnel took me to a hospital. I was admitted for three days," he said. A teary-eyed Lilaben said it was during the time when she was separated from her husband that she saw a terrorist gun down 20-year-old Smit Parmar. Smit and his father Yash Parmar were among the 26 who were killed in the horrific episode at the picturesque meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday. The father-son duo was among the group of 20 who had gone from here to Srinagar. "When I was running, I saw a terrorist pump a bullet into Smit's chest. That poor by fell to the ground immediately. That scene was unbearable. I learnt later that his father too was shot dead. Army personnel helped survivors get hospitalised and also arranged for accommodation," Lilaben said. She said she started praying to Lord Shiva after seeing blood on her husband's hand. Khushi Vaghela, who was also part of the group that went from here for Morari Bapu's discourse, however, flagged the lack of Army presence on the hill. "Two to three terrorists started firing in an indiscriminate manner on tourists. However, there were no Army or any other security personnel at that place. I learnt that four Pakistani terrorists were held from that place just recently. If that is true, then Army personnel should have been there. But, there was no one there, " Vaghela told reporters. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday called up the chief ministers of all the states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country, sources said. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviews the security situation at Baisaran following the terror attack that left 26 tourists dead and many others injured, Pahalgam, April 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo India on Thursday announced revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27 and advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest, as tensions between the two countries escalated over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on Tuesday. The home minister personally called up the chief ministers of all the states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline, sources said. The chief ministers were also told to identify the Pakistani nationals staying in their respective areas and ensure their deportation, the sources said. The revocation of visas does not apply to the long-term visas already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which "remain valid". India announced suspension of visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect over the cross-border links to the Pahalgam attack, the worst terror strike targeting civilians in the country since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. In addition, the government on Wednesday announced that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES) and any Pakistani national currently in India under the SVES visa has 48 hours to leave the country. The deadline ends Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that India will "identify, track, and punish" every terrorist and their "backers" involved in the Pahalgam carnage and pursue the killers to the "ends of the earth", as India stepped up the diplomatic offensive against Pakistan. Delivering a stern message in his first public speech after the Pahalgam attack at Madhubani in Bihar on Thursday, Modi vowed that terrorism will not go "unpunished" and that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done, adding that India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. At an all-party meeting held here on Thursday, leaders across party lines called for a decisive action against terrorism and terror camps, assuring the government of their full support. Simultanously, India also informed Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect, saying Pakistan has breached its conditions. Sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir impedes India's rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said in a letter addressed to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Kashmir on Friday to review the situation in the wake of the Pahalgam attack earlier this week that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead, officials said. IMAGE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi pays tribute to Naib Subedar Baldev Singh from the 18th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (18 JAK RIF) who lost his life in the line of duty while he was deployed at the formidable Kumar Post on the Siachen Glacier, in New Delhi on April 21, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The officials said Army commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, accompanied the Army Chief. The Chief of Armed Staff (COAS) would carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, while top Army commanders will brief him about the security situation and steps taken in the aftermath of Tuesday's attack, they said. The Army chief's visit comes less than 24 hours after Pakistan resorted to small arms firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Former Army chief General Shankar Roychowdhury (Retd) on Friday said the Pahalgam terror attack was due to "intelligence failure" and demanded accountability at the highest levels. IMAGE: A security personnel stands guard at Pahalgam following the terror attack on tourists. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking to PTI, Roychowdhury, the country's 18th Army chief, said, "I suspect intelligence failure. Somebody must answer for the lapses. There is definitely someone responsible for negligence and they must be held accountable for the consequences." He also said Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) have a role behind the Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians, mostly tourists were shot dead by terrorists in front of their family members. "There must be complacency somewhere. How did so many infiltrators manage to get through? This needs to be investigated," he added. The Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) proxy group, The Resistance Front (TRF), has claimed responsibility for the attack. Asked whether the Indian government's diplomatic sanctions on Pakistan were an adequate response, Roychowdhury said, "The diplomatic steps taken are not enough. Resistance measures will have to be taken. What shape they take depends on us. Conventional measures would not be enough." "We will have to react in kind, that is the only way I see it. We must retaliate by maintaining international diplomacy. Enough is enough," Roychowdhury said. On the possibility of an insider assisting the attackers, he said, "I am not suggesting that directly, but we must keep our eyes and ears open. Pakistan and the ISI have always played an active role. We have our own intelligence agency, RAW, and we must utilise it effectively." On whether Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir's statement on Kashmir acted as a catalyst for the terrorists, Roychowdhury said, "I think that is the only thing that works in Pakistan. Definitely, that worked as an impetus for terror outfits. I must say attacking civilians must not be done." General Munir in a recent address had described Kashmir as Pakistan's "jugular vein". The Centre on Friday claimed an addition of 20 lakh acre waqf land post the law's 2013 amendment and flagged "misuse" of waqf provisions to encroach upon private and government properties. IMAGE: Students of Aliah University stage a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, at Esplanade in Kolkata, April 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo In a preliminary affidavit in the Supreme Court, the Centre urged the bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna to dismiss the pleas challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The government termed it "really shocking" that after the amendment brought in 2013, there was a 116 percent rise in the auqaf area. "Right before even Mughal era, pre-Independence era and post-independence era, the total of wakfs created was 18,29,163.896 acres of land in India," it claimed. The Centre, however, said, "Shockingly after 2013, the addition of wakf land is 20,92,072.536 acres." The affidavit claimed the figures were uploaded by the respective waqfs and waqf boards voluntarily on Waqf Management System of India portal. The government said it has been the consistent experience that every waqf and every waqf board does not upload the details in public domain to avoid transparency and regulatory oversight. "By insertion of section 3B it has become mandatory to upload the details and make everything transparent by putting it in public domain," it said. A window of six months, it said, was given to file details of waqfs on the portal and database under section 3B. The affidavit said once the updation took place under the amended section 3B, the figures would go up higher. "In other words, till 2013 (i.e. the period which includes Mughal era, pre-independence era and post-independence era), the total area of waqf created were 18,29,163.896 acres of land. It is really shocking to note that only after 2013, the addition of waqf lands is 20,92,072.563 acres in just 11 years," it said. The Centre said even the first legislation in 1913 is considered to be the first regulatory measure, 18 lakh acres was occupied by waqf till 2013, that is, in 100 years (and more if we count pre-1913 era also). It said only between 2013-2024, a "phenomenal increase" of 20 lakh acre was additional and not the total figure. "The total comes to 39,21,236.459 acres of land," it said. The Centre said the increase in waqf properties by 116 per cent itself called for a "serious look" at statutory architecture of the 1995 Act (specifically as amended by the 2013 amendments) that protected auqaf particularly in the face of serious complaints of land grabbing and encroachments on private lands, government lands etc., received continuously by the elected representatives. The Centre defended the Act and opposed any "blanket stay" by the apex court on a "law having presumption of constitutionality passed by Parliament". It urged the top court to dismiss the pleas challenging the validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, pointing out a "mischevious false narrative" surrounding certain provisions. The top court will hear the matter on May 5. The Bombay high court on Friday said it was "appalled" that despite its explicit order no FIR was registered against five policemen over the custodial death of Akshay Shinde, accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, and this sent the wrong message to society. IMAGE: Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case. Photograph: X A bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale said there has been a "deliberate attempt" by the Maharashtra government to not comply with the court order. On April 7, the HC had set up a special investigation team under joint commissioner of police, crime, Lakhami Gautam, to probe the case against the five policemen. The bench had also directed the Criminal Investigation Department, which was probing Shinde's custodial death, to hand over all case papers to Gautam within two days. On Friday, the court learnt that the papers were yet to be handed over. After the bench warned of contempt proceedings against senior CID officers for not complying with the order, CID chief and additional director general of police Prashant Burde appeared before the court through video conference, and assured that the case papers would be handed to Gautam by evening. The court accepted his statement and said Prashant Wanghude, superintendent of police, CID shall hand over the papers to Gautam. Gautam, who was present in the court, said that as per the HC's directives, he has set up an SIT. Earlier, the court remarked that there had been a "brazen violation" of its April 7 order which amounted to contempt. If contempt action was not initiated, it would send the wrong message to society, it said. "What does the court show to the citizens? We pass orders but the government will not do anything. We need to send a strong message that our order has to be complied (with) and if not, then action will be taken. The message that will be sent across (otherwise) will absolutely demolish the rule of law in this state and even country," the HC said. On April 7, the HC had said when a prima facie offence is disclosed, it is mandatory for the investigating agency to register a First Information Report, as laid down by the Supreme Court in the Lalita Kumari judgement. When the matter came up for hearing on Friday morning, learning that the order had not been complied with, the bench came down heavily on the government. "We are appalled. This is a brazen violation of our order. How can the state government not follow the orders passed by the high court? Criminal contempt proceedings will have to be initiated if the case papers are not transferred today itself," it said. Public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar told the court that on April 9, the government filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the HC order. A hearing on the petition was expected on May 5, he said. The bench said if the apex court had not stayed its order, the government was bound to comply with it. "The rule of law has to be followed. You have to comply with the order or else we will be forced and constrained to issue contempt (notice). The SC has not interfered with our order. This amounts to contempt. Do it today," the bench said. "FIR ought to have been registered immediately after our order as per the apex court's Lalita Kumari judgment. It is close to a month and nothing has been done to comply with our order," it added. If the government was so aggrieved by its order, it should have sought an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court, the bench said, noting that the high court had rejected the government's prayer for stay on April 7 itself. "Despite that, the government has been sitting on the files," it said. Shinde (24), accused of sexually assaulting two kindergarten girls at a school in Badlapur in Thane district, was shot dead inside a police van on September 23, 2024, while being taken to Kalyan from Taloja prison for probe in another case. The escorting police team claimed they shot him in self-defence after he snatched the gun of one of the officials and opened fire. His parents, though, alleged he was killed in a fake encounter, and filed a petition in the high court seeking an independent probe. An inquiry report by a magistrate indicted the five policemen, stating there was substance in the claim that it was a fake encounter. The police officials named in the magistrate's report were Senior Police Inspector Sanjay Shinde of Thane crime branch, assistant police inspector Nilesh More, head constables Abhijeet More and Harish Tawade and police driver Satish Khatal. News / National by Staff reporter Lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) have declared an indefinite strike, demanding a return to pre-2018 salary levels and improved conditions of service, following a successful court bid to protect their right to protest.On Wednesday, nearly 200 lecturers gathered at the UZ main gate, waving placards and chanting slogans such as "Aluta continua," "Wages NOT woes," "Value our work," and "Pay us US$ or We flunk your wallet." The protest, initially planned as a two-day demonstration, has now escalated into an indefinite industrial action.The lecturers, under the banner of the Associations University Teachers (AUT), are calling for a salary of at least US$2,500 per month for a junior lecturerthe amount they reportedly earned before October 2018. Currently, they earn less than US$300, with a portion paid in local ZiG currency, which amounts to under US$200 when converted.AUT treasurer Obvious Vengeyi, addressing the crowd, said the protest would continue until their demands were met."Finally, we are here after a High Court interdict to stop the police from disrupting our picketing. The struggle for a better salary will continue until victory is obtained," he declared. "We will not tire until our demands are met. The strike is indefinite."The lecturers had to seek legal intervention after previous attempts to demonstrate were reportedly disrupted by police. On Saturday, the High Court granted an urgent interdict barring the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General, the Minister of Home Affairs, UZ authorities, and the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education from interfering with the protest.In a communique dated April 23, AUT president Phillemon Chamburuka called the current situation a "dead ball" moment, urging members to stand firm."We do not want to risk being labelled political agitators; we are academics, so shall our grievance be. Lastly, we strongly urge you to be action-oriented in your approach," he wrote.Solidarity also came from students. Tafadzwa Katsande, a representative from the Zimbabwe National Student Union (ZINASU), pledged support for the striking lecturers."We understand your plight better because we are your children before you are our lecturers. Even if we don't attend classes for the whole semester, let it be so."Lecturer Sukoluhle Masuku criticised UZ management, accusing them of enjoying luxury perks while educators "wallow in poverty."The strike has thrown academic operations into uncertainty, with students caught in the middle as lecturers push for long-overdue reforms in their remuneration and working conditions. UZ authorities have yet to issue an official response. All recently selected civil service candidates have to be mindful that their social media posts reflect on the service and they should reject all forms of inducement such as gifts, hospitality, and free publicity, official guidelines issued on Friday stipulated. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interaction with young civil servants at Aarambh 6.0, in New Delhi, October 30, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Civil servants are the public face of the state and their conduct is under constant public scrutiny, it said. "You must ensure that your personal conduct and official and social interface with the general public, people's representatives, corporate entities, civil society organisations, government personnel, all other dignitaries and vulnerable sections of the society is courteous, respectful, dignified and appropriate," read the guidelines issued by Mussoorie-based Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, a premier training institute for the civil servants. The guidelines are meant for the candidates selected through the civil services examination 2024, the results of which were announced on Tuesday. As many as 1,009 candidates cleared that exam. "As a future civil servant you are expected to be a role model throughout. Your past actions also will be a reflection of your character and personality throughout your career. You should start displaying exemplary conduct that befits an officer right from this day and not wait for your training to start. You will go on to occupy important positions in institutions of governance and public service delivery," it said. Comments and any posts made or facilitated "by you on social media will also reflect on the service," the guidelines said. "Therefore, you should remain mindful, even at this stage, of avoiding posts that would or could defame the service or its members. Be diligent and judicious about posting content that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate for an officer/member of service," it said. One should, in particular, refrain from impulsively posting statements on social media, the guidelines said. "Pause and reflect on the possible impact of what you are going to post. Rather, it is advisable to avoid posting any content lest it may lead to misinterpretation at an individual/institutional level," it added. The motto of the academy, 'Sheelam Param Bhushanam,' - Character is the supreme embellishment guides the officers and alumni to conduct themselves with integrity, dignity, humility and rectitude at all times, the guidelines said, adding that their "inner conscience is the best way to go forward" and that these dos and donts "can be a good start." "The credibility of an officer is decided by his/her integrity, a timeless virtue. It is important to keep a diligent account of financial issues and reject all forms of inducement such as gifts and hospitality and free publicity. In this context care has to be taken that your success is not leveraged inappropriately at any stage hereon," it said. The academy said that respect to women is central in Indian ethos and the bureaucrats must be gender-sensitive. "You are expected to display the highest attitude of compassion, respectful engagement and fraternal behavior while expressing your viewpoint without hurting the sentiments of others. Courteous and dignified behavior is expected not just within the academy but also outside the academy while dealing with the public at large," the guidelines said. According to it, the soon-to-be bureaucrats are expected to follow civic manners like following traffic rules, not littering, spitting in public spaces, and follow personal hygiene like turning out well-groomed and dressed appropriately. The guidelines, issued by the LBSNAA Director Sriram Taranikanti, said the candidates are expected to abstain from consuming any intoxicant substances in public. "It is essential to know clearly the conduct rules and instructions in this regard," it added. The candidates have also been advised to maintain punctuality. "Respecting the time of others is very crucial. Do not cause any inconvenience to others in whatsoever manner," the document said. The academy said it is also good to familiarise the immediate family members with the cultural norms of the service. "Care should be taken to maintain high levels of morality in your personal lives also. Sober, modest, culturally appropriate clothes befitting the occasion (formal, informal, traditional etc) should always be preferred," the guidelines said. The academy said that in its curriculum, it promotes the use of technology and artificial intelligence for improving the speed and quality of services delivered to the people. "In this context the academy also encourages the ethical and productive use of technology and gadgets by the probationers for accessing and processing the information for effective learning outcomes. "While social media may pervade several aspects of life, and the academy too recognises the value of social media and digital platforms in effective administration at an institutional level, any kind of social media that promotes self is strongly discouraged," it added. The academy said that a healthy lifestyle is an added asset to public service. As the academy follows a rigorous training schedule that comprises physical activity along with academic inputs, the guidelines said, "It is useful to imbibe these aspects from now onwards." The Centre on Friday defended the amended Waqf Act in the Supreme Court and opposed any 'blanket stay' by the court on a 'law having presumption of constitutionality passed by Parliament'. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo In a preliminary 1,332-page affidavit, the Centre urged the top court to dismiss the pleas challenging the validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, pointing out a 'mischevious false narrative' surrounding certain provisions. 'While this court would examine these challenges when the cases are heard, a blanket stay (or a partial stay) without being aware of the adverse consequences of such an order in a generality of cases (even on members of the Muslim community itself) were the petitions to be unsuccessful, would be uncalled for, especially in the context of the presumption of validity of such laws,' it argued. The Centre, as a result, urged a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, set to hear pleas for passing interim directions on May 5, not to stay the law's provisions. The government claimed a 'shocking increase' of 116 per cent in the waqf properties since 2013 It also opposed the arguments over the necessary registration of 'waqf by user' properties till April 8, saying if the provision was interfered with by an interim order, it would amount to 'creation of legislative regime by judicial order'. The affidavit rebutted the submissions that Muslims might be in the minority in the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards due to the change in the law. The law is a 'valid and lawful exercise of legislative power', one that strengthens the institution of waqf and aligns it with constitutional principles, and facilitates the wholesome realisation of waqfs in the contemporary era, it argued. The Centre contended it was settled position in the law that constitutional courts would not stay a statutory provision, either directly or indirectly, and decided the matter finally. 'There is a presumption of constitutionality that applies to laws made by Parliament,' it said. The affidavit added, 'Considering the settled constitutional principles of presumption of constitutionality, intrinsic value behind democratic processes and high threshold to be met before passing any interim orders, it would be in the fitness of things to decline any interim orders as was done in the original petitions.' Referring to the 'reported misuse' of waqf provisions to encroach private and government properties, the affidavit said right before even Mughal era, pre-independence era and post-independence era, the total of waqfs created was 18,29,163.896 acre of land. 'Shockingly after 2013, the addition of waqf land is 20,92,072.536 acres,' it said. On the amendment relating to 'waqf by user', the Centre said it was 'too late in the day for anyone to argue' that though it claims to be a 'genuine waqf' it still wasn't registered. 'If the effect of the section saving only registered waqf by user' is interfered with either directly or indirectly by any interim order, it will not only defeat the object and provision itself, it will result in the following anomalies which the order of any court cannot lead to -- creation of legislative regime by judicial order (and that too an interim order) wherein Parliament has by law, consciously taken it away,' it said. Countering the claims that Muslims would be in minority due to inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf bodies, the Centre said only four non-Muslims of the total 22 could be part of the Central Waqf Council. 'In waqf boards of each state, there is a possibility of maximum three members who can be non-Muslims (if the ex-officio member happens to be a non-Muslim) out of 11 members,' it said. The Centre said when the legislature has enacted a law, presumed to be constitutional, replacing it would be 'impermissible'. 'Any order in the nature of one sought by the petitioners, would amount to a stay of the amendment act, validly passed by Parliament at an interim state, which is an exercise impermissible within the confines of judicial review envisaged under the Constitution,' it said. By removing major legal issues, the Centre argued, the Act reaffirmed the identification, classification and regulation of waqf property by subjecting it to legal standards and judicial oversight. The law ensures no person is denied access to courts, and the decisions affecting property rights, religious freedom, and public charity are made within the bounds of fairness and legality, it added. 'Through these changes, the Amendment Act brings judicial accountability, transparency, and fairness,' the affidavit said. The government also denied the argument that the law violated fundamental rights, and said it respected the essential religious practices of the Muslim community by leaving matters of faith and worship untouched, while legitimately regulating the secular, administrative facets of waqf management as authorised by the Constitution. 'Parliament has acted within its domain to ensure that religious endowments like waqf are managed in a manner that upholds the trust reposed in them by the faithful and the society at large, without trespassing on religious autonomy,' it said. On April 17, the Centre assured the top court it would neither denotify waqf properties, including 'waqf by user', nor make any appointments to the central waqf council and boards till May 5. Security checks have been intensified in Paltan Bazaar, a well-known market in Dehradun, following concerns about the unauthorised sale of military uniforms on Friday. IMAGE: Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stand guard at Integrated Check Post (ICP) after the government of India decides to close the ICP Attari with immediate effect following the Pahalgam terror attack, in Amritsar on Thursday. Photograph: Raminder Pal Singh/ANI Photo The action comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, where assailants were reportedly disguised in military attire. Speaking to ANI, the SSP of Dehradun, Ajay Singh, said, "In Paltan Bazaar, old platoons used to shop. There are many old uniform shops. Therefore, a random inspection was launched in the market." The measures aim to prevent impersonation and misuse of military clothing, especially after reports that such disguises were used during recent attacks. A shopkeeper, Sagar Ahuja, while speaking to ANI reporters, narrated the instructions provided by the authorities. He said only police personnel or those officially authorised by the army are allowed to buy such attire. Shopkeepers have been instructed to verify the identity of every buyer. "We've been told to check Aadhaar cards, ID cards, and even verify the buyer's phone number in real-time by calling it," said Sagar. "We also have to note down their full address and, in case of army personnel, their unit details--for example, Garhwal Rifles, then we will have to add Unit 1 or 2, etc." Ahuja added that, in recent years, the government has tightened regulations around military uniforms. "Nowadays, the Indian Army issues official uniform fabric only through army canteens. The materials come with barcodes and cannot be sold to civilians. We merely stitch uniforms for army personnel who bring in their authorised fabric." Following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan and the Kumaon region in Nainital, located on the international border, have ramped up security measures. The districts have been placed on high alert, and public spaces have been closely monitored. Additionally, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Friday to assess the security situation in the region following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The Bombay high court on Friday said the police investigation against Kunal Kamra over his purported remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde can continue, but the comedian shall not be arrested. Photograph: Screengrab @kunalkamra88/X A bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and S M Modak, while admitting Kamra's petition, said 'larger' and 'serious' issues related to restrictions on the freedom of speech need to be considered. The court said it was not inclined to grant a complete stay on the investigation into the case registered against the comedian at Khar police station in Mumbai. "The investigation can continue, however, it is not necessary to arrest the petitioner," the court said. The court noted that if the police file the chargesheet in the case during the pendency of the petition, the trial court shall not take cognisance of it. It further said that Kamra's statement could be recorded in Chennai, as the comedian was receiving death threats after the show in Mumbai. Kamra is presently residing in Tamil Nadu. The bench, in its order, noted that the police sent Kamra a notice under section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Under this section, the police, in cases where the arrest of a person is not required, shall issue a notice to that person to appear before it to record the statement. "Since notice is given to the petitioner (Kamra), the arrest is not necessary. The investigation can be continued without his arrest," the court said. The court admitted Kamra's petition seeking the quashing of the first information report (FIR) registered at the Khar police station for his alleged "traitor" jibe at Shinde during a stand-up comedy show. This means Kamra's petition will be heard at length later. "Investigation can continue. The petitioner (Kamra) shall not be arrested during the pendency of the petition," the court said. It said Kamra had shown his willingness to give a statement, and hence, if the police wanted to record his statement, they could do so in Chennai after giving him prior notice. Kamra, in his plea, had stated that he was a resident of Tamil Nadu and was apprehensive about coming to Maharashtra due to the death threats he had been receiving after the show. The court said since the petitioner has said that he has been receiving death threats, his 'security is of concern'. "If during the pendency of the petition, a chargesheet is filed in the case by the police, the concerned court shall not proceed with the same," the court ordered. The bench, in its order, noted that the petition raises larger issues of the fundamental right of freedom of speech as against the restrictions put on that right, which include the aspects of decency, morality and public order. "All these questions deserve serious consideration," the court said. The court said while the offence of defamation has been invoked against Kamra in the FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), there is a different procedure prescribed in the law for prosecution for defamation under the BNSS Act. This section of BNSS provides how a complaint has to be made and by whom it can be made, the HC said, adding the procedure laid down under the BNSS has to be separately followed. The bench said all these serious issues will have to be considered while hearing the petition. The court had last week, while reserving its order on the plea, granted the comedian interim protection from arrest. Kamra has sought the quashing of an FIR registered against him for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Shinde. The comedian, in the petition, stated that the allegations, even if taken at face value, do not constitute an offence. He also sought the HC to protect him from any coercive action, including arrest, seizure of his electronic devices and examination of his financial transactions and accounts. Kamra had submitted to the court that he had agreed to appear via video-conferencing before the Mumbai police for questioning in the case. He had said he was facing death threats ever since the FIR was registered. An FIR was registered at Khar police station here against the stand-up comedian for allegedly calling Shinde "gaddar" (traitor) during a show in the metropolis. Workers of Shinde's party, Shiv Sena, also vandalised the studio where the show had been recorded. During the show, Kamra sang a parody version of a song from the film Dil To Pagal Hai, in which he used the word 'gaddar'. He then joked about how Shinde rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray and split the Shiv Sena in 2022. Kamra, in his plea, claimed the police action against him was an 'illegal censorship' of a stand-up comedy show. He had said if such FIRs were allowed to continue, it would have a 'chilling effect' on the right to freedom of speech. Public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar had opposed the plea, arguing that the comedian's remarks were not only in bad taste but a direct personal attack on a person who is the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has said terrorists killed people in Pahalgam after asking about their religion, and Hindus would never do such a thing. IMAGE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses the gathering at the inauguration of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's (ABVP) new office, 'Yashwant', in New Delhi on April 22, 2025. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI Photo "We hope for a strong response," he said at a public event here on Thursday, three days after 26 people, most of them tourists, died in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "People were killed after being asked about their religion. Hindus would never do such a thing," the RSS chief said, adding that 'the battle is between dharma and adharma.' "There is pain in our hearts. We are angry. But to destroy evil, strength must be shown. Ravana refused to change his mind, and there was no other option. Ram killed him only after giving him a chance to reform," he said. The RSS chief also said unity within society was essential to prevent such tragedies and deter malicious intent. "If we are united, no one will dare to look at us with ill intentions. And if someone does, their eye will be smashed. We hope for a strong response," he said. "Hatred and hostility are not in our nature. But neither is silently enduring harm. A truly non-violent person must also be strong. If there is no strength, there is no choice. But when there is strength, it must be visible when needed," he stated. At least six people, including an opposition MLA, have been arrested across Assam for their alleged pro-Pakistan stand following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday. IMAGE: Assam police arrest AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam (second from left) for his 'derogatory remarks' on the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in Guwahati, April 24, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Of the six, four were held on Friday while two including the legislator were arrested the previous day. Sarma said the Assam Police is carrying out an operation against people commenting in favour of Pakistan and more arrests are likely in the coming period. "Assam will not tolerate any individual who, directly or indirectly, supports or defends Pakistan in connection with the heinous attack in Pahalgam," he said in a post on X. Sharing the names, Sarma said the six individuals were arrested by police for directly or indirectly promoting the cause of Pakistan on social media. Out of the apprehended people, two were from Silchar in Cachar district, and one each, from Hailakandi, Morigaon, Nagaon and Sivasagar, he added. "Further arrests are underway as part of our ongoing crackdown," the chief minister stated. On Thursday, two people were arrested -- All India United Democratic Front MLA Aminul Islam and one student of Assam University in Silchar. The opposition legislator Islam was also arrested on sedition charges for allegedly defending Pakistan and its complicity in the Pahalgam terror attack, Sarma had said during a press meet. An Assam University student has been arrested by Cachar Police based on a complaint alleging the use of inflammatory and communally inciting content on social media regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, a senior official said on Friday. "He is currently in police custody and will be produced before a court in due course. We are investigating the matter," he added. The student was arrested after the Assam University unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad filed a complaint. ABVP sources said the accused, a student pursuing a computer science course in the varsity, had made a post on Facebook on Wednesday, allegedly using abusive and derogatory language against certain individuals, including ABVP members, for their stand against the Pahalgam terror attack. The post by the accused is no longer available on the social media platform. In a later post, the student has tendered his apology and claimed he did not intend to offend anyone. Sarma said no attempt to directly or indirectly support Pakistan through any means, including on social media, will be tolerated and the police have strict directions to act against such persons immediately. In a separate post, he said: "A terrorist is a terrorist, no matter what he says, But when his faith becomes his gun and hate becomes his way, When he believes his religion tells him who to fight, He turns his cruelty into a cause and calls it faith and right." Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. Special teams of the National Investigation Agency have started reaching out to eyewitnesses including tourists who survived the deadly attack by terrorists of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba in south Kashmir's Pahalgam, officials said on Friday. IMAGE: Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi being briefed by the 15 Corps Commander on the security situation and actions being taken by the formations against terrorists inside own territory, in Srinagar, April 25, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Armed with the latest gadgets like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and drones, the Jammu and Kashmir police, Army and paramilitary forces continued their massive operations to hunt down the terrorists in the dense jungles of the Pir Panjal range, overlooking Pahalgam and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Initial investigations into the audacious terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people on April 22, indicate that the number of terrorists involved could range from five to seven. They were aided by at least two local militants who received training in Pakistan, the officials said. Even though the National Investigation Agency is yet to take over the case, its teams have started speaking to the survivors in search of clues which could help in pinning down the terrorists whose attack has sparked widespread outrage and spontaneous protests in the Valley -- a never-seen-before development in the over three-decade-long history of terrorism in the region. The teams started reaching out to eyewitnesses on Tuesday, the officials said. Intensified operations by the police, Army and CRPF have led to a few encounters in south and north Kashmir over the last couple of days and the elimination of top LeT commander Altaf Lalli in Bandipora district on Friday, they said. A hideout was also busted in Kulgam the day before and dozens of suspected persons were detained, they added. According to the officials, based on the piecing together of the available evidence, the roles of prime suspect Aadil Thokar alias Aadil Guree of Bijbehara and Asif Sheikh of Tral have emerged. The officials believe that Thokar crossed over to Pakistan in 2018, where he underwent armed training with the banned LeT before returning to India to carry out attacks. The houses of the two terrorists were destroyed when explosives believed to be stored there went off, they said. Explosives were believed to have been found on the premises during a search operation, prompting the security forces to evacuate the occupants of the houses as well as neighbours to safety, the officials claimed. While Thokar, a resident of south Kashmir's Anantnag district, is one of the key accused in the Pahalgam attack, Sheikh, a resident of Tral in Pulwama district, is suspected to have been involved in the conspiracy of the attack. The family members of both Thokar and Sheikh have claimed that they are not aware of their whereabouts. The probe suggests that four terrorists lined up the tourists at the Baisaran meadow on Tuesday before firing at them from a point-blank range and at least one to three terrorists were strategically positioned to keep watch for any approaching security forces. The terrorists were carrying body cameras to record their barbaric act, the officials said, quoting eyewitnesses. At least six to seven pictures were shown to eyewitnesses and out of them, they identified Thokar as the terrorist who pulled the trigger during the attack. After the incident, the terrorists vanished into the thick pine tree jungles of Pir Panjal, the officials said. Security agencies have also released the sketches of three men suspected to be involved in the terror attack. The men, all Pakistanis, are Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha, the officials said. They used code names -- Moosa, Yunus and Asif -- and were involved in terror-related incidents in Poonch. Police have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh each for information leading to the neutralisation of the terrorists. Security forces are also on high alert after inputs suggested that terrorists are "actively planning" an attack on vulnerable railway infrastructure, Kashmiri Pandits and non-locals working in the Valley in the coming days, the officials said. The Railway security personnel, who frequently move outside their barracks in local markets, have been asked to refrain from doing so as this may increase their "vulnerability", they said. A warning has also been issued that Pakistan's espionage agency ISI is planning to execute targeted attacks on Kashmir Pandits and police personnel in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts, they added. The officials said a massive anti-terrorist operation is also continuing inside the dense forests near the attack site with security agencies mobilising UAVs, drones and sniffer dogs to nab the perpetrators. There has been no contact with the fleeing terrorists so far, they said. The government revoked 14 categories of visas, including those of business, conference, visitor and pilgrim, given to Pakistani nationals following the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people were killed, the Union Home Ministry said on Friday. IMAGE: Kartarpur Corridor remains open for devotees to visit the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan, despite rising tensions following Pahalgam attack, in Gurdaspur, Punjab, April 25, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Following the Cabinet Committee on Security's decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday called up the chief ministers of all the states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India beyond the deadline set for leaving the country. After Shah's telephonic conversations with the chief ministers, Union home secretary Govind Mohan also held a video conference with the chief secretaries of all the states and asked them to ensure that all Pakistani nationals whose visas were revoked must leave India by the fixed deadline. In a communication to all state governments, the home ministry said the order will not apply to Long Term Visas and diplomatic and official visas issued to Pakistani nationals. According to the Home Ministry order, those holding SAARC visas must leave India by April 26 and those having visas on arrival, business, film, journalist, transit, conference, mountaineering, student, visitor, group tourist and pilgrim visas must leave India by April 27. Those having group pilgrim visas given to minorities of Pakistan also must leave the country by April 27 and those having medical visas must leave by April 29. The home ministry said no new visas will be issued to any Pakistani national. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that India will "identify, track, and punish" every terrorist and their "backers" involved in the Pahalgam carnage and pursue the killers to the "ends of the earth", as India stepped up the diplomatic offensive against Pakistan. Delivering a stern message in his first public speech after the Pahalgam attack at Madhubani in Bihar on Thursday, Modi vowed that terrorism will not go "unpunished" and that every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done, adding that India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. At an all-party meeting held here on Thursday, leaders across party lines called for decisive action against terrorism and terror camps, assuring the government of their full support. Simultaneously, India also informed Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect, saying the neighbouring country has breached its conditions. Sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Jammu and Kashmir impedes India's rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said in a letter addressed to her Pakistani counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza. 'When everyone was running away from the terrorists, Adil did exactly the opposite, he ran towards them to catch them.' IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pays his last respects during the funeral of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, in Anantnag, April 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Meri puri duniya ujad gayi hai, says Syed Naushad Shah, a tourist taxi driver from Pahalgam, on the phone to Rediff.com. I have stopped eating food for the last two days, I dont feel like eating anything. My brother meant everything to me and he is not alive now, adds Naushad. Naushads elder brother, Syed Adil Hussain Shah (29), was the lone Kashmiri among the 26 people killed by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. I tried calling Adil from the afternoon to know about his whereabouts after the terrorists attacked. He did not attend to his phone then. I feared for his safety but never thought he would die. It was only later in the evening that I got a call from an acquaintance who told me that Adil too was killed by the terrorists, says a grieving Naushad, younger brother of Adil. Apparently, the terrorists asked the tourists to recite the Islamic kalma, and if they failed to do so were shot dead. Adil ran after the terrorists to apprehend them when they started killing the tourists, and was shot dead. My brother used to ferry tourists on a pony and he was upset to see that his tourists were killed by terrorists. He was worried that they will go on killing more tourists and therefore decided to do something about it. He then ran towards one of the terrorists to catch hold of him when he was shot dead, says Naushad. Adil was a pony ride operator who used to ferry tourists from the car park to Baisaran meadow popularly known as Mini Switzerland' for its scenic beauty. He lived in Hapat Nar, a village 20 km away from Pahalgam. Recalling his brothers qualities as a human being, Naushad says, Adil was an honest simpleton. He never used to speak loudly to me also, even though I was his younger brother. He only spoke softly to me. He always spoke of righteous things. Unlike other tourists who were shot once, Adil was hit with four bullets. I saw all the dead bodies of tourists as well as of Adil in hospital. I noticed that all the tourists had only one bullet mark but Adil was shot twice in the chest, one bullet hit him in the neck and one in the shoulder, says Naushad. When everyone was running away from the terrorists, Adil did exactly the opposite, he ran towards them to catch them. He asked the terrorists why they were killing innocent people. Had he not done that, Adil would have been alive, adds Naushad. Adils wife and parents are dependent on his earnings and so are his four younger siblings. Naushad too contributed to the household income but it was Adil who used to contribute the most. Unlike Adil who ferried tourists on the pony, Naushad drives a tourist car in Pahalgam. For the last four years tourism had picked up in big numbers in Kashmir. But it looks like the terrorists do not want tourism to boom in Kashmir, says Nawaz. Reacting to the sight of tourists fleeing Pahalgam to catch flights out of Srinagar, Naushad says, At this moment it seems like things will not be the same. He then pauses to say, There is no business happening in Pahalgam for the last two days. It looks like terrorists killed tourists and by doing so they killed our livelihood in Kashmir. Recalling his brother Adil's life, Naushad says, I feel proud that my brother lost his life while trying to save tourists. He was martyred and this is the only solace I have. I am obviously very upset and sad. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Pahalgam to pay his respects to Adils bravery and attended his funeral prayers. Though the government has announced compensation to Aadils family, nothing has been paid yet. At present we have not got any compensation money from the government. Maybe we will get in future, I dont know. Moreover, we are in grieving stage and have no idea about these things, concluded Naushad. Executives from India's leading airlines are conducting internal meetings to devise alternative routes for their international flights that currently pass through Pakistani airspace. Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes.. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Pakistan on Thursday, April 24, 2025 announced the closure of its airspace to Indian carriers, two days after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K's) Pahalgam killed 26 people, most of them tourists. Executives from India's leading airlines, particularly IndiGo and Air India, conducted internal meetings to devise alternative routes for their international flights that currently pass through Pakistani airspace. "The new flight paths, especially for services to Europe and the United States, will be longer and will increase our operating costs. Airfares will rise," an airline executive told Business Standard. Air India said on X that due to the airspace closure, some of its flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route. IndiGo said on X a "few" of its international flights were being impacted and affected passengers can rebook. A SpiceJet spokesperson said that the airline's flights to the UAE from North India will now operate via alternative routes. As a result, these flights will carry additional fuel to account for the longer flying time. However, the spokesperson clarified that there is no significant impact on SpiceJet's flight schedules. The aforementioned airline executive said that Indian carriers faced a similar situation for about five months in 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack. "If the airspace remains closed for a comparable period, the financial impact could be significant," the executive added. The Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019, killed 40 CRPF personnel. In retaliation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26. Pakistan responded by immediately closing its airspace to Indian carriers, a restriction that lasted for about five months and was lifted on July 16, 2019. Indian carriers lost over Rs 540 crore between February 26 and July 2, 2019, due to Pakistan's airspace closure, then Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had told the Rajya Sabha. Air India alone incurred losses of Rs 491 crore, while private airlines SpiceJet, IndiGo, and GoAir lost Rs 30.73 crore, Rs 25.1 crore, and Rs 2.1 crore, respectively, during that period. The statement from Air India on July 16, 2019, gives an idea of the additional expenses the airline could face now due to the airspace closure. At that time, Air India had stated that its operational costs for one-way flights to the US and Europe were expected to decrease by Rs 20 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, with the reopening of Pakistani airspace. "These additional costs (of Rs 20 lakh per India-US flight and Rs 5 lakh per India-Europe flight) were for the five-month period in 2019. They are going to be higher in 2025," an airline executive mentioned. Rerouting could become more complex and costly as Indian carriers' international operations have expanded significantly from 2019 to 2025. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, Air India now operates around 1,188 international flights per week, a 56.7 per cent increase from April 2019. Its India-Europe flights, many of which traverse Pakistan's airspace, have surged by about 80 per cent to 242 services per week. Similarly, its India-North America flights, also relying on Pakistan's airspace, have more than doubled to 144 per week. Air India's low-cost subsidiary Air India Express now operates about 954 international flights per week, a 65.1 per cent rise since April 2019. IndiGo operates 1,904 international flights per week, nearly 2.5 times the number it ran in April 2019. In February, IndiGo announced the acquisition of four B787-9 widebody aircraft on damp lease from Norse Atlantic Airways, with plans to launch India-Europe flights in the middle of the current summer season. Last year, IndiGo, traditionally a low-cost carrier with narrow-body planes, revealed a shift in its business model. In May 2024, it placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 widebody aircraft, with an option for 70 more. Deliveries of these planes are set to begin in 2027. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com The Indian Army effectively responded to firing by Pakistan military at some places along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night, military sources said. IMAGE: Security personnel conduct a search operation in the Akhnoor sector, in Jammu. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo There were no reports of any casualties, they said. The firing by Pakistan Army comes amid increasing tensions between the two sides over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. "There were incidents of small arm firing at some places on Line of Control initiated by Pakistan," said a source. "The firing was effectively responded to," it said. Further details are being awaited. The Pakistani flag on the historic table at Raj Bhawan in Shimla, on which the Simla Accord was signed, was conspicuous by its absence on Friday morning, a day after Pakistan suspended the agreement signed in 1972. IMAGE: Women hold a placard during a protest against the Pahalgam Terror Attack, in Lower Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh. Photograph: ANI Photo The suspension of the Simla Accord by Pakistan was in response to retaliatory actions taken by India in the aftermath of the massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam in a brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The pact was signed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on the intervening night of July 2 and 3. The glossy wooden table on which the agreement was signed is kept in the Kirti Hall of the Himachal Pradesh Raj Bhavan on an elevated red-coloured platform cordoned off with brass railings with a plate which reads -- 'Simla Agreement was signed here on 3-7-1972'. A photograph of Bhutto signing the agreement and Indira Gandhi sitting beside him is kept on the table, while several other photographs of the India-Pakistan Summit of 1972 hang on the wall in the background. While it is not clear when the Pakistan flag was removed, Raj Bhavan officials confirmed that the flag of the neighbouring country 'is not on the table'. A veteran journalist, who covered the signing of the agreement, told the PTI on Friday that the nearly 53-year-old agreement stressed settling all contentious issues bilaterally and maintaining peace at the Line of Control (LoC). "However, it was frequently violated by Pakistan, and its suspension hardly has any relevance. Even if the flag is removed, there would be no repercussions as the agreement has been flouted by Pakistan several times in the past," he said. The pact was signed at a time when India was in full command, and agreeing to release 90,000 prisoners of war and returning 13,000 square km of land captured by India during the war was a major blunder, he said. Referring to the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Pulwama and Uri, he said, "This is the price we are paying for this blunder. Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has admitted the country's history of supporting, training and funding terrorist organisations as 'dirty work' for the West, a mistake for which he said Pakistan had suffered. IMAGE: An Indian citizen meets with Border Security Force officers after she was denied permission to cross to Pakistan, at the Attari border check post near Amritsar, on April 24, 2025. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters In an interview with Sky News aired overnight, news presenter Yalda Hakim questioned Asif on Pakistan's response and stance on terrorism in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people earlier this week. "You do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations," asked Hakim. "Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, you know, and the West, including Britain," replied Asif. "That was a mistake, and we suffered from that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan's track record, was an unimpeachable track record," he said. "It is very convenient for the big powers to blame Pakistan for whatever is happening in this region. When we were fighting the war on their side way back in the 80s against the Soviet Union, all these terrorists of today, they were wining and dining in Washington. "And then came the 9/11 attacks. Again, the same situation was repeated. I think our governments then made a mistake," he said, adding that Pakistan was 'used as proxies' at the time. The minister was pushed on the finger of blame being pointed at Pakistan for Tuesday's terror attack in Pahalgam and that The Resistance Front, which has admitted responsibility for the strike, being an off-shoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). "Lashkar-e-Taiba doesn't exist in Pakistan anymore. It is extinct. It is extinct, if the parent organisation does not exist, how can the offshoot take birth here," said Asif. Asked if Pakistan fears an escalation as a result of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the minister said the country is prepared to respond 'in kind'. "We will measure our response to whatever is initiated by India, according to that. It would be a measured response, if there is an all-out attack or something like that, then obviously there will be an all-out war," he said in the virtual interview. Terrorists opened fire in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. This is the story of two Adils -- one who gave up his life trying to save tourists and took three bullets in his chest and the other who opened gunfire on them in the calibrated terror attack that killed 26 people, all men, mostly tourists. IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with hundreds of locals pays last respects during the funeral of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack while defending tourists, in Anantnag, April 23, 2025. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff Pronounced the same but spelt differently by security agencies, Aadil Thokar alias Aadil Guree is of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. And Syed Adil Hussain Shah was a braveheart pony 'wallah'. The two men bookending the many shades of Kashmir, their very different lives telling the tale of conflict and also of compassion. Aadil Thokar, a resident of Guree village in Bijbehara in south Kashmir, is in his late 20s, officials said. Adil Hussain was just a little older at 30. On Thursday, the home of Aadil, a key accused in the April 22 strike in the Baisaran meadow in the upper reaches of Pahalgam, was destroyed in an explosion. Though it is not clear what exactly led to the blast, officials said explosives were kept inside and there was a search operation. He was a little more than a teen when he went to Pakistan on a Valid Travel Document in 2018 and disappeared thereafter. Soon, there were reports he had joined the banned Pakistan-based terror group LeT. Officials said he infiltrated back into India through the Line of Control in 2024 and was active in Doda and Kishtwar areas of Jammu region. Investigations into the attack targeting tourists -- the worst in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike when 40 CRPF personnel were killed -- indicate that the number gunmen could range from five to seven. They were helped by at least two local militants who received training in Pakistan. Aadil, on the run, was one of them. He was identified by the wife of one of those killed. At least six to seven pictures were shown to eyewitnesses. One of them identified Aadil as the terrorist pulling the trigger. After that, the gunmen vanished into the thick pine jungles of Pir Panjal. The other young man at the centre of conversation nationwide following the Pahalgam strike has had a very different life trajectory. One the killer, the other the hero loved and mourned by thousands. Adil, the sole earning member of his family, earned his living taking tourists up six kilometres on his pony from Pahalgam town to the expansive green meadow that was a must-see for all visitors. That day must have started like any other for him and the family. "On Tuesday afternoon, when terrorists attacked tourists, my brother tried to stop them. A tourist whose father was killed in the attack told me about the heroic act of my brother at SMHS hospital," said Syed Naushad, adding that the killers pumped three bullets into Adil's chest. Adil was the only Kashmiri killed by the armed gunmen who specifically targeted tourism, hitting at the root of the economy heavily dependent on tourism. Sadness over his death hangs like a shroud but there is also enormous pride. Naushad said his brother's sacrifice is a proud moment for the family and friends. His sister Asma said she felt a sense of foreboding. "In the morning, I told him not to go as if I knew something bad was going to happen. But he did not listen to me and left, she said, describing her brother as a brave man always ready to support others." His devastated father Syed Haider Shah said he was the kindest of his children. Many boys from this village go to Pahalgam to find some work but who knew this was going to happen. The terrorists killed my son only because he confronted them and told them not to harm tourists. He said there was no mobile connectivity in Baisaran. "When he did not return in the evening, we started calling him but nobody picked up the phone." The family was not alone in their grief. Hundreds of people gathered in his ancestral village Hapatnard in Pahalgam as he was laid to rest. Among them was Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "I visited Pahalgam today to offer fatiha (prayer after burial) for brave-heart Shah, who was shot dead while trying to snatch a weapon from one of the terrorists in a courageous attempt to protect the tourists he had ferried on horseback from the parking area to Baisaran meadow," he said. "Met his grieving family and assured them of full support -- Adil (Shah) was the sole breadwinner, and his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice will forever be remembered," the chief minister wrote in a post shared by his office on X. Ghulam Hassan, who led the funeral prayers of Shah lauded the sacrifice of the youth, saluted Adil for his courage and said Allah would reward him for his deeds. "We should always be ready to die for others, whether a Sikh, Pandit or a Muslim. That is what our religion teaches us," he said. The credo Adil lived by -- and died for. Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Friday condemned the Pahalgam attack, saying it was an "act beyond belief" and is "totally unacceptable". IMAGE: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq delivers the Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, March 25, 2025. Photograph: ANI/X Mirwaiz, who was allowed to offer the Friday congregational prayers at the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta locality of Srinagar after four weeks, also asked the government to allow him to visit those injured in the attack. Mirwaiz and the people present in the mosque observed a minute's silence before the prayers to show solidarity with the affected families. "The killings have pierced our hearts. We heard that these people were first asked about their religious identities and then murdered in front of their families. This is an act beyond belief," Mirwaiz said in his address to the congregation at the mosque. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religion, strongly condemn the killings. "Who understands the pain of losing their own better than the people of Kashmir? "Who can feel the pain of the loved ones of those killed more than us? The incident has made our hearts bleed," he said. Kashmir's chief cleric said the people of Kashmir share the grief of the affected families and stand with them. "We pray to God to give them patience. We also pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," he added. Referring to several viral videos of locals helping tourists in the aftermath of the attack, he said Kashmiris have always opened their hearts and doors for their guests. "Our hospitality is famous world over and once again the Kashmiris continued their traditions. A ponywalla, Adil Hussain, sacrificed his life trying to save the lives of others. Kashmiris carried tourists on their shoulders. "People of Jammu and Kashmir observed a complete shutdown and showed an example of solidarity and unity. They have sent a message that they oppose such cowardly acts and stand with the bereaved families," he added. Mirwaiz said the killings are not only condemnable, but "totally unacceptable" as well. He appealed to the government to allow him to visit the injured to inquire about their health. "I should be allowed to visit the hospital to inquire about the injured and talk to them and to take the sentiments of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir to them. I should also be allowed to visit Adil Hussain's residence for condolences," he said. Mirwaiz said it was unfortunate that a section of media was spreading hatred by giving a communal colour to the situation, resulting in "targeting of Kashmiris" in many states of the country. "Hundreds of students and businessmen are leaving those states. We appeal to the governments in other states of India to ensure to safeguard Kashmiris," he said. Earlier, the Mirwaiz also condemned his house arrest, saying it was "painful not only for me but for all Muslims". "It is disappointing on part of the government and we condemn it," he said. 'I am ashamed that you and I were born into the same faith -- because we are nothing alike. My religion is humanity. The Islam I know teaches me to protect the innocent. Yours celebrates slaughter, you #&$#@#. 'My Islam teaches me to serve my nation. Yours tells you to tear it apart,' writes Major Dr Mohommed Ali Shah (retd). IMAGE: Security personnel carry out a search operation at Baisaran area following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in Pahalgam, April 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo You bunch of spineless cowards. It is well past midnight, in fact the wee hours in the morning, and I just can't get sleep all because of your gruesome killing of simple innocent people of my motherland, you sick people. I write to you as a furious, broken-hearted Indian Muslim. A man whose soul is torn between unimaginable grief and blazing rage. Because when you attacked innocent people in Pahalgam, you didn't just attack a place -- you tore through the heart of every Indian who still believes in unity, in peace, in justice. And I speak not just as an individual, but as a son of a family that has lived and breathed service to this nation. Patriotism runs through my veins. My father, Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, retired as the deputy chief of Army Staff and later became the de facto leader of the Muslim intelligentsia as the vice chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. His younger brother, the celebrated actor Naseer Uddin Shah -- a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan -- and my father's elder brother, a well respected and highly reputed IITian, have all been honoured by the President of India for their distinguished contributions to our great nation. My family has always been treated very fairly and I am a very proud Indian before I am a Muslim. It is from this legacy of honour, service, and nation-first values that I draw my strength -- and it is exactly this legacy that makes your actions even more revolting to me. So many films that I acted in were shot in the beauty of Pahalgam, be it National award winning films like Haider, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Moji even the web series Avrodh where I played a para-commando, was shot in J&K. I have mentioned about the beauty of India is our rich cultural diversity in some of my TEDx talks that I gave outside India as well and you shameless people disrespect humanity, ask people their religion and kill them. Oh, you are surely going to rot in hell. IMAGE: Chairs and tables are scattered at the site the attack on tourists in Baisaran, near Pahalgam. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters You claim to fight for something. For what? For Islam? For Kashmir? Don't insult our intelligence. You are not freedom-fighters. You are not warriors. You are cowards hiding behind guns, masks, and false slogans. You're butchers. You didn't dare to come close to an army base. You targeted simple innocent civilians, tourists, small children, helpless mothers, pilgrims, innocent, unarmed, newly-weds, defenseless human beings -- and you dare to call this jihad (struggle)? No, this is not jihad. Jihad means "struggle." This is gunah, bloodshed, and betrayal of humanity and God. You've dragged the name of Allah through the blood-soaked soil of Pahalgam. You've taken a religion of peace, twisted and misinterpreted it, and turned it into a weapon of fear. You shameful creatures. You are surely going to rot in hell. IMAGE: People carry the body of Smit Parmar, who was killed in attack near Pahalgam, for his last rites in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, April 24, 2025. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters I am ashamed that you and I were born into the same faith -- because we are nothing alike. My religion is humanity. The Islam I know teaches me to protect the innocent. Yours celebrates slaughter, you #&$#@#. My Islam teaches me to serve my nation. Yours tells you to tear it apart. No matter how much I curse or abuse you in my heart, it would still be too little. And because of you, I now carry a burden I never asked for. Every time someone hears a Muslim name or sees a skull cap, there's suspicion in their eyes. All because of you! Right-thinking, patriotic Muslims who love their motherland have to explain, defend, and apologise -- for crimes they never committed and beliefs they never endorsed. You've taken lives. But worse -- you've tried to take away trust. You've tried to make it impossible for an Indian Muslim to love his country openly, freely, without being questioned. That is your real crime. And guess what? You've failed. You will always fail. Because we -- the real Muslims, the real Indians -- are still standing. And we are furious. Not afraid -- furious. We won't be pushed into corners. We won't be silenced by your bullets. We won't let you rewrite what it means to be one of us. IMAGE: Students in Agartala hold a condolence meeting for the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Photograph: ANI Photo To the people of India -- please do not confuse these monsters with your Muslim brothers and sisters. We are bleeding with you. We are angry with you. And we are not your enemy. We are also victimised by these cowards like each one of you. To the terrorists -- you are nothing but a stain, a blot, a rotting scar on the face of humanity. But this country, this unity, this idea of India -- is eternal. You tried to terrorise us. You've only awakened us. To the families in Pahalgam, I offer not just prayers, but a promise. We will not forget. We will not forgive. We will not rest until your loss echoes in the conscience of this country -- and justice is served, not just in the courts, but in the soul of this nation. How dare you ask names / religion and then do target killings? You definitely are not Muslims, and the Muslim community throughout the world disowns you. Bloo@y terrorists. You didn't just attack Kashmir. You attacked all of us. And we will rise -- as a nation, as Indians. Jai Hind! Major Dr Mohommed Ali Shah (Veteran) The author is a popular International TEDx speaker and one of the leading defence analysts on TV. You can watch his YouTube channel here. Tales of terror, courage, and humanity -- a father's desperate escape, a mother's sacrifice, and Kashmiris who saved lives. Illustrations: Dominic Xavier/Rediff On April 22, 2025, at Pahalgam's Point Zero -- the postcard-perfect meadow known as 'Mini Switzerland' -- a day filled with photography, laughter, and horse rides turned into a living nightmare. Arvind S Agrawal, a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha functionary from Chhattisgarh's Chirimiri town, had come to Kashmir with friends, his wife, and their four-and-a-half-year-old daughter. But when gunfire cracked through the calm, bodies fell, children screamed, and men in army fatigues issued deadly commands. In the chaos, Arvind's daughter ran toward a swing, his wife vanished, and terror took hold. What followed was not just an escape but a testament to human courage -- a gold ring exchanged for safe passage, a Kashmiri brother claiming a child as his own, and locals risking their lives for strangers. Amid the terror, what shone through was love, bravery, and an unforgettable bond that defied violence. This is Arvind's soul-stirring story of survival -- and hope. This is the story of India. 'We were doing a couple shoot. Suddenly, it sounded like firecrackers' "We had come from Chhattisgarh. We've been visiting for 18 years. The attack happened on a Tuesday (April 22), but we had reached Pahalgam a day before, on Monday (April 21). The next morning, around 10-11 am, we started walking towards Point Zero," says Arvind. Because of heavy rains, vehicles couldn't go beyond a point. "We had to go by horse. It was steep and slippery. Some turned back. But we went ahead." Once at Point Zero, everything seemed peaceful. "We were doing photography. My cousins and I had booked four cameras for our couple shoots." The cameraman soon moved them to a quieter corner due to the crowds. Then came the first bang. "It felt like someone was celebrating. Firecrackers, I thought." But the illusion shattered in seconds. "My daughter ran ahead saying, 'Look, there's a swing!' It was in the centre of the ground. She walked toward it." Then came the second round of bangs. "This time I saw two people fall. I told the photographer, 'Bhaiya (brother), this is a terrorist attack!' "I had never seen or heard anything like this in my 35 years," the photographer, a local, told Arvind. People were running chaotically, says Arvind. "Someone nearby got shot. We hid behind a mound of dirt, like a broken bunker." 'They shouted, 'Get down!' We thought they were the army' Arvind's wife and daughter were still on the ground. "Men in military uniforms shouted, 'Get down!' My wife thought they were police or army, so she lay down calmly," Arvind says recounting what his wife told him a day later when all of them were away from harm. He adds, "There were around 500 tourists many couples like us with their families, old people -- and locals and horsemen who helped us." Arvind was desperate to find his wife. "I was shouting, showing my jacket to my wife to draw her attention and run towards us. One of my friend's wives pulled me out of the area. We crossed the fencing and ran." The run, through mountains and forests, took almost two hours. "I was trying to call the emergency number but couldn't remember it. I finally dialled 100. Someone at a call centre picked up." 'I saw my daughter walking alone toward the hospital' "I saw a small girl walking towards the hospital where I was being treated. My heart stopped -- it was my daughter. Then I saw my wife -- but I didn't recognise her. Her clothes were torn. Someone had given her a Kashmiri kurta to wear." That someone? A complete stranger, a local man who didn't want a woman to feel exposed after escaping bullets as my wife had torn her clothes in the melee. Arvind pauses here, long. "There's good in this world. You see it clearly when everything else is dark." 'They asked, 'Whose daughter is this?' Nazakat Bhai said, 'She's mine'' Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff His wife later shared the harrowing details. "When the terrorists reached the area, they told everyone to lie down. Then to kneel. Then they were asked to recite religious phrases -- the kalma and all. It seemed like a test." "She lay quietly. A man near my daughter got hit in the head. Blood splattered. My wife covered her face, lay still with her head down." Then came the moment that saved their child. "One terrorist pointed a gun at our friend Nazakat Bhai and asked, 'Whose daughter is this?' He said, 'She's mine.' 'How many kids do you have?' 'Two, both are mine,'" Nazakat told the terrorist. The second child was the son of Arvind's cousin. "If it had not been for Nazakat Bhai's bravery and presence of mind I don't know what those terrorists would have done to my daughter and wife," says Arvind. Something distracted the terrorists just then. "Our relatives -- my brother and nephew -- grabbed the kids and my wife and ran. They had to jump a six-foot fence too." That's when his wife's hand got fractured. 'People began clicking pictures because her clothes were torn' Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff "When she came to me, she didn't say much. She just said, 'Let's get out of here.' We left everything behind. We reached Srinagar, stayed at an army guest house for two days." It was only later she shared more. "She said while trying to escape, people started taking photos because her clothes had torn. Our daughter was with her, and people began clicking pictures." It was a Kashmiri horseman who helped her get to safety and offered her a Kashmiri kurta, Arvind's wife told him. 'She offered him her gold ring. He said, 'Sister, why are you doing this?'' "The forest people had surrounded her. A horseman showed her a road nearby. That road led to a village near Pahalgam." "She offered him her gold ring and said, 'Brother, please get me there safely.' He felt ashamed. He took the ring and safely dropped her." 'You are like my sister,' he told my wife. "He told her, 'Sister, don't embarrass me by offering this. I didn't do it for money. We are humans and that's what we do when faced with danger. I would do the same if my sister were in your place and I am sure if such danger were to befall my sister any Indian would also do the same.'" This act of humanity stayed with Arvind. 'My daughter hid her face in my jacket when she saw the police' His daughter, though safe, was deeply shaken. "At the Srinagar airport on April 24 when they were heading back home, when she saw the police, she hid her face in my jacket. Her body still has marks and scratches." "'They are wearing military uniforms,' my daughter told me. The trauma of the attack created a fear for uniforms for her," says Arvind. Though Arvind didn't witness teh killings up close, he saw people fall. "About 200-300 meters away. That's when I knew bullets were being fired." He kept praying at the hospital. "God, please bring Pooja back. That's all I could say." 'Kashmiris treated us with kindness' IMAGE: Arvind S Agrawal with Nazakat Ahmed Shah, who saved his daughter and his wife and brought them to safety. Photograph: ANI Photo Despite the terror and chaos, Arvind refuses to paint everyone with one brush. "The local Kashmiris we met -- regardless of their religion -- treated us well. Their behaviour, their way of speaking -- it was all very kind." Nazakat, the man who claimed Arvind's daughter as his own, had known Arvind's family for years. "They've been coming to my hometown to sell clothes for 30 years. We met them properly in Jammu, when they came to pick us up from Jammu on the 18th." When they met at the airport after the attack, "He hugged me at the airport security line." 'They were speaking in Hindi. My wife said they asked people to read something' When asked if the terrorists said anything specific to his wife and daughter, he said, "They didn't say they were only killing men. They were speaking in Hindi. My wife said they were telling people to read something -- possibly from a religious text." His wife never saw their faces clearly. "Just glimpses -- their clothes. When you're terrified, you try not to make eye contact." His wife, however, firmly told him that none of the terrorists who killed people in her presence asked anybody to identify their religion or asked the males who they killed to drop their pants to separate the non-Muslims. "Everyone lived because of courage. And because someone lied to save a child," says Arvind as he and his family reach Delhi on their way to Chhattisgarh. Updated April 25, 2025, 12:38 a.m. ET The young boy who was abducted as a 6-year-old turned 36 on Friday. What he does, where he lives or even if hes still alive isnt known, thanks to the reticence of the Chinese government, which kidnapped him along with his family and his teacher 30 years ago. Beijing leaders, ever wary of potential rivals for the Communist Partys authority, viewed the boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as a possible threat. Days earlier the Dalai Lama had named him the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest spiritual leader in the largest sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetans have long marked his birthday with celebrations held in absentia, and reiterated long-standing requests to Beijing to reveal Gedhun Choekyi Nyimas fate. The Panchen Lamas abduction illustrates the sensitivity of Chinese authorities to other prominent religious figures amid their effort to control Tibetans by suppressing expressions of their Buddhist faith. The fight over the 11th Panchen Lama is seen as a likely precursor to the battle over who will succeed the 14th Dalai Lama, who turns 90 this year. China, always wary of opposition to its authority, particularly in the restive Tibetan region, says it can appoint the successor under Chinese law. But the Dalai Lama said, in a new book, that his reincarnation will be born in the free world, which he described as outside China. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama are reincarnated when they die, and that they have the right to select the religious leaders based on their belief in the principle of rebirth. A Tibetan monk holds a sign board next to a poster of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama, at a monastery after a sit-in protest against the visit of Chinese President Li Keqiang at Majnu Ka Tila, a Tibetan refugee camp, in New Delhi May 20, 2013. (Mansi Thapliyal/Reuters) Who is the Panchen Lama? The word Panchen is based on a Sanskrit word for Great Scholar. Traditionally the Panchen Lama has played a leading role in Tibetan Buddhist scholarship as the leader of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, which has been controlled by China since 1951. Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama is a physical representation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion, and the Panchen Lama of Amitabha, the Buddha of infinite light. The two lamas share a special spiritual relationship, with each recognizing the others successive reincarnations and serving as the others teacher. Tibetan Buddhists believe that the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are revealed through a series of tests as judged by prominent religious leaders. The Panchen Lamas most important responsibility includes finding and recognizing the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in the event of his passing, one reason why China wants a Panchen Lama under its control. What happened to the Panchen Lama? On May 14, 1995, the Dalai Lama recognized Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the Panchen Lama, the 11th reincarnation of his predecessor, who passed away in 1989 at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. This angered Chinese authorities, who rejected the choice. Three days later the boy, his family and his teacher were abducted. They have been missing ever since. For 30 years, Tibetans, global leaders, and rights groups have called on the Chinese government to reveal their whereabouts, to no avail. Tibetan exiles hold candles and wear masks of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, during a protest ahead of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to India, in New Delhi May 17, 2013. (Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters) Who is the Beijing-appointed Panchen Lama? Shortly after the abduction of the Dalai Lama-appointed Panchen Lama, Beijing installed another boy, Gyaltsen (in Chinese, Gyaincain) Norbu, as their own candidate in his place. However, the Chinese government-appointed Panchen Lama remains unpopular with Tibetans both in exile and at home and is perceived as a political tool for Beijing. Ordinary Tibetans and monks in monasteries traditionally loyal to the Dalai Lama have been reluctant to acknowledge or receive him, and during his visits to Tibet, Beijing has in the past handed out small monetary incentives for people who receive his blessing. Significance of the Panchen Lamas role Chinas appointment of Gyaincain Norbu as Panchen Lama underscores Beijings attempts to interfere in the selection of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and gain control and legitimacy among Tibetans, both inside Tibet and in exile, say experts. The move is also seen as Chinas attempts to acquire more influence over Buddhism not only inside occasionally restive Tibet but throughout the Himalayan region. Beijing has increasingly looked to leverage religion as a soft power diplomacy tool across various Buddhist nations in South and Southeast Asia. In 2007, the Chinese government decreed that China would begin overseeing the recognition of all reincarnate Tibetan lamas, or Living Buddhas, including the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama, for which China plans to use its own Beijing-appointed Panchen Lama to sign off on. Edited by Kalden Lodoe, Jim Snyder, and Mat Pennington. Updated age of Panchen Lama, number of years since abduction, and adds background to explainer previously published in April 2024. Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition, I'm looking at how Iran is seeking to reassure China that, even with a nuclear deal in place with the United States, Beijing will remain a key partner for Tehran. What You Need To Know China Ties A Priority Even Amid Nuclear Progress: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to China this week, days ahead of a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman. This trip underscored Tehran's commitment to deepening ties with Beijing, signaling that even if a deal is reached with Washington, relations with China will not be compromised. New Tunnels Grab IAEA's Attention: The Institute for Science and International Security on April 23 revealed, using satellite imagery, that Iran has set up a new security perimeter around a "new, large, deeply buried tunnel complex" near the Natanz nuclear site. The tunnels are located beneath Mount Kolang Gaz La, south of Natanz. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that he has repeatedly raised concerns over the tunnels with Iran, but Tehran claims it was not under any obligation to inform the agency. Grossi said it "cannot be excluded" that the tunnels could store undeclared nuclear material. Looking To Reconnect With European Powers: Araqchi wrote on X that relations with the E3 are at a low point and urged renewed diplomacy, offering visits to Paris, Berlin, and London. His comments on April 24 come as the E3 (Britain, France, Germany) have been sidelined from current Iran-US nuclear talks, with mediation now led by Oman. The E3 have threatened to trigger the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran by the end of June if no agreement is reached on Tehran's nuclear program. The Big Issue Iran's China Play Won't Change Araqchi's April 23 visit to Beijing underscored Tehran's commitment to its strategic partnership with China, regardless of progress in nuclear talks with the United States. Araqchi carried a message from Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to President Xi Jinping, reaffirming that the Iran-China relationship is a long-term priority and will not be affected by developments with Washington. Notably, Araqchi traveled to Russia a week ago, ahead of the second round of talks with the United States, and handed over a message from Khamenei to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Both Tehran and Beijing pledged to deepen economic and political ties, fast-track a 25-year cooperation pact, and coordinate closely on regional and global challenges. Why It Matters: China is Iran's largest trading partner and a crucial diplomatic ally, especially as Tehran faces Western sanctions. For Iran, China offers investment, technology, and a reliable market for its energy exports, while providing political backing in international forums. For China, Iran is a vital link in its Belt and Road Initiative and a key player in Middle Eastern energy security. Damon Golriz, a lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, said Iran is enhancing its relations with Russia and China because it believes the United States's status as a superpower is on the decline. He told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Tehran wants to reassure Moscow and Beijing that "agreements with America will not harm Russia and China's interests in Iran." The message is that "not only will they keep their special place in Iran, but Tehran will also help Russia and China to accelerate America's decline," Golriz added. China and Russia have both reaped advantages from Iran's tensions with the United States, with Beijing snapping up discounted Iranian oil and Moscow deploying Iranian drones in Ukraine. But if those tensions escalate further, the fallout could be something both powers would rather avoid. China relies heavily on energy imports, with 16 percent of its oil in March coming from Iran. But its interest in Iran extends beyond oil. If sanctions are lifted, Iran's need for investment in railways and ports, among others, could benefit Chinese companies. Crucially, over 40 percent of China's energy comes through the Persian Gulf. For Beijing, any military escalation in the region isn't just a geopolitical concern -- it's a direct threat to its energy security and economic stability. What's Being Said: At the end of his trip, Araqchi wrote on X in Chinese that no matter how the global landscape shifts, "Iran will always see China as a trustworthy and reliable partner." Taking a dig at the West, Iran's ambassador to China, Mohsen Bakhtiar, said Tehran and Beijing "both stand for international law and multilateralism and see strong-arm tactics as a threat to friendly ties between nations and South-South cooperation." Expert Opinion: Golriz said the Islamic republic sees its survival as tied to strong relations with Russia and China, which is why Araqchi is tasked not only with securing a deal with Washington to lift sanctions but also with maintaining those strategic ties. "But I believe this is a very difficult balancing act -- trying to satisfy Russian and Chinese interests on one side, and American demands on the other. Still, if that balance is achieved -- especially by moving closer to the West -- it would ultimately serve the national interest more than the interests of the Islamic republic." That's all from me for now. Until next time, Kian Sharifi If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here . It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. At least five people were killed in Russian drone and missile attacks on the Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk region on April 25, according to officials. Fourteen others were injured, including three children. Local authorities also reported extensive destruction to city infrastructure. With the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, the speculation about who will succeed him as head of the Holy See is already in full swing. One of the front-runners, at least according to bookmakers, is Peter Erdo, the archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. The 72-year-old Hungarian cardinal has held several prominent roles within the Catholic Church in recent decades and was a potential candidate to become the bishop of Rome back in 2013, when Francis ultimately was chosen. So what chances does Erdo have to replace the Argentine? And perhaps more interestingly, what is his relationship with Hungary's increasingly authoritarian conservative prime minister, Viktor Orban? Who Is Peter Erdo? Make no mistake about it, Erdo is very much "papabile" -- a term used for candidates who are regarded as viable for the papacy. Technically any baptized Catholic male is eligible, but ever since the 14th century only cardinals, the senior members of the clergy, have been selected. Currently there are 252 cardinals, but that number dwindles to 135 with voting power, as only those under 80 can cast a ballot. Erdo could manage to secure the necessary two-thirds of the vote at the Papal Conclave that is set to commence in early May (no earlier than 16 days after the pope's passing, according to the current rules). His cardinal resume is glittering. Between 2006 and 2016 he headed the Council of European Episcopal Conferences, a key organization representing Europe's Catholic bishops. This is not without significance, as European cardinals still form the biggest voting bloc in the upcoming conclave. But it's not only the European credentials he has honed. Heading the council meant that he has been in regular contact with the African, Asian, and Latin American equivalences, building up lots of links with the Global South, seen as the emerging powerhouses of the church. The fact that he is fluent in both Italian and Latin -- two crucial languages for higher offices in this part of Rome -- and is a recognized expert in canonical law, which governs the way the Catholic Church is run, also puts him good stead among a select few. Perhaps his crowning achievement is to have secured the International Eucharistic Congress for his hometown, Budapest, in 2021. The congress, which typically takes place every four years, is a massive gathering of both clergy, including the pope, as well as common practitioners and involves big open-air masses. This provided him with a perfect platform both for visibility and to secure the necessary contacts both within the Vatican and across the Catholic parishes of the world. Perhaps his biggest strength, though, and the reason he might prevail in the end, is his pragmatism. Although Erdo is seen as a conservative who, for example, openly speaks out against divorced Catholics receiving holy communion, he cooperated with the more progressive Francis and refrained from criticizing him openly, unlike others on the traditionalist flank. The pope even tapped him to help organize special Vatican meetings on family issues, and Francis visited Hungary twice during his 12-year tenure. Is Erdo Linked To Viktor Orban? But what about Erdo's links to Hungary's ruling Fidesz party and Orban, who styles himself as a defender of Judeo-Christian values, notably against the EU institutions he claims are against both nations and Christianity in general? The Hungarian state budget sponsors the Catholic Church, like many other recognized churches, in various ways and generously. It notably does this through direct support via financing of religious education, paying reparations for assets seized during the Communist regime, or simply bankrolling events like the above-mentioned International Eucharistic Congress. Politically, during the migrant crisis that swept Europe in 2015, Erdo likened accepting migrants to facilitating human trafficking. It was a statement that seemed more in line with the Hungarian prime minister's more combative approach than that of Pope Francis's more tolerant view on the matter. Erdo did, however, shortly thereafter warn about turning religions against each other and questioned whether a continent really can be called Christian -- seemingly going against Orban's outspokenness about the so-called Islamization of Europe. He seems to take the same pragmatic approach to the Hungarian government as he has with the various factions of the Catholic Church. While he himself has never openly endorsed the party, Catholic priests across the country have often told their congregations to vote for Fidesz. Erdo has picked his fights carefully with Budapest. He has remained silent over some laws adopted in recent years but been vocal on others. For example, he refused to openly criticize the regulation against homelessness passed in 2018 -- an issue that went against the teachings of Pope Francis. When it came to the move by the Hungarian government to nationalize IVF clinics a year later, he did not hold out on criticism. While most Vatican watchers still believe the Catholic Church now might select its first-ever African or Asian pope, a compromise candidate to stabilize the various fractions after the progressive and tumultuous years of Francis might very well be the primate of Hungary. A senior Russian military officer was killed when a car exploded on the street of a Moscow suburb as he was walking past, Russia's Investigative Committee said, the second high-ranking military official killed near their residence in the past four months. The Investigative Committee said a criminal case has been opened into the murder of Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, who died on April 25 while on Nesterov Street as he neared a car which was detonated by remote control. Russian Senior Military Officer Killed In Car Explosion Near Moscow No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:24 0:00 Systema, RFE/RL's Russian Investigative Unit, confirmed the site of the blast as 2 Nesterov Street. It added that according to leaked personal data, Moskalik resided at that address. "According to preliminary information, the explosion killed Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," the Investigative Committee said. "According to available data, the explosion occurred as a result of the detonation of a homemade explosive device filled with shrapnel," it added. Surveillance footage appeared to capture the moment of the explosion, and early reports from Baza Telegram channel suggest the device detonated as Moskalik approached or entered the vehicle. Moskalik was a high-profile figure in Russias military command. He played key roles in the Normandy Format negotiations on Ukraine in 2015 and 2019 and was part of the Russian delegation during 2018 talks with then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. His potential involvement in the ongoing war in Ukraine has not been publicly confirmed. This marks the second high-level assassination of a Russian general in recent months. In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was killed by a bomb planted in a scooter in Moscow -- an attack claimed by Ukrainian intelligence. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on Moskalik's death. As Ukraine marks the 39th anniversary of the world's worst civilian nuclear accident at the Chernobyl power plant, engineers are struggling to find ways to repair the complex's protective shield more than two months after a Russian drone left a large hole in the structure. The massive steel dome was designed to protect and confine the radioactive remains of crippled reactor number four that exploded when a routine safety test went wrong on April 26, 1986. Radiation levels outside the punctured shield have stayed normal since the drone attack, officials say. But sealing the hole hasn't been possible because it sits above the crumbling sarcophagus that encases radioactive debris from the reactor. "How can you fix a roof space where the higher you go up in the building, the higher the radiation levels? They're so high next to the actual sarcophagus, the reactor unit, that you can't work above it," says Shaun Burnie, a nuclear expert with Greenpeace. Burnie was part of a Greenpeace team invited to Chernobyl to inspect the damage shortly after the February 14 drone strike which Moscow denied it was responsible for. "It's a very, very serious, enormous challenge for Ukraine at a time when it's faced with so many other challenges, and so the international community really needs to step in and support." says Burnie. It took emergency crews three weeks to locate and extinguish fires that spread and smoldered through the membrane of the shield's outer shell. The new confinement structure was completed in 2019 as part of a $2.2 billion international project involving 45 countries. The temporary rail track used to install it over the reactor has since been dismantled, meaning the massive structure can't be moved safely to the side for repairs. The United Nations predicted the shield would "make the reactor complex stable and environmentally safe for the next 100 years." But long-term plans to safely dismantle the sarcophagus to allow the removal of radioactive ruins of the reactor are no longer possible following damage to the shield, according to Dmytro Humeniuk, an expert from Ukraine's State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has earmarked $450,000 to assess the drone damage to the confinement structure. Ukrainian Environment Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk estimates the preliminary results of the analysis should be completed sometime in May. Repairs to the shield will be costly and Ukraine will need significant funding from international donors, predicts Burnie. "They have to come up with a longer-term plan, which will be very extensive, very complicated, and potentially horrendously expensive." The top US envoy for Russia, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 25 to discuss a peace deal that would include US recognition of Russia's claim to the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. Many residents of Kyiv interviewed by RFE/RL rejected the idea and insisted Ukraine's territorial integrity must be respected, but a small number came out in favor of the proposal. Russian attacks have killed five more people, including a child, across Ukraine on April 25 as Kyiv observes a day of mourning for the 12 people killed in Russian missile and drone strikes that hit the Ukrainian capital a day earlier and prompted US President Donald Trump to issue a rare rebuke of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Serhiy Lysak, governor of the central Dnipropetrovsk region, said three people, one of whom was a child, died in the city of Pavlohrad in a Russian drone strike that also left 14 wounded. Regional prosecutors in Donetsk said that in a separate incident, two people were killed in an attack earlier on April 25 in the village of Yarova, where a Russian aerial bomb fell on a residential building. The attacks come as the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions of Ukraine abroad said they will join Kyiv in mourning the victims of the April 24 attack by lowering flags to half-staff. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said while the citizens of Kyiv mourn the victims and clear away rubble, Ukraine's intelligence services are checking all details, including whether any of the missiles used were made in North Korea. If this is found to be true, Zelenskyy said it would be more proof of the "criminality of the alliance" between Moscow and Pyongyang. "They kill people and make a mockery of life together -- that's the only meaning of their cooperation," Zelenskyy said. According to Zelenskyy, in exchange for assistance, Pyongyang receives the opportunity to "make its weapons more deadly" in real war conditions. "Real pressure is needed on Russia to stop this," he said. "Even in the midst of international diplomatic efforts to stop this war, Russia continues to kill civilians. This means that Putin is not afraid." Trump, who has been reluctant to criticize Russia, condemned the attack in a social media post addressed to Putin. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv," he wrote. "Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal Done!" Zelenskyy, who cut short a visit to South Africa because of the attack, reiterated his call for a complete cessation of air strikes and said Ukraine needs to strengthen its air shield to guarantee the safety of its people. Zelenskyy said early on April 25 that Russian forces had tried to use the air strikes as cover for intensified land-based attacks, but these were repelled. "The Russians in fact tried, under cover of their mass air strikes, to make ground advances," Zelenskiy said on Telegram, referring to a report from top commander Oleksandr Syrskiy. "When our forces were concentrating to the maximum on defending against missiles and drones, the Russians went ahead with intensified ground attacks. But they were repelled in worthy fashion." While Kyiv bore the brunt of the massive attack -- authorities said 90 people were injured in the city in addition to the 12 killed -- the Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskiy, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhya regions also were hit. Ukrainian law enforcement officials said at least 25 residential buildings were seriously damaged in Kyiv, and public facilities, including a kindergarten and a school, were affected by the air strikes. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with US broadcaster CBS that Russia only targets Ukraines military or civilian sites used by the military. Asked if the attack was intentional, Lavrov said the minister of defense and commanders in the field have the right to attack targets used by the Ukrainian military. What Is Trump's Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan? Western efforts to try and resolve the Ukraine war, or even secure a temporary cease-fire, have sputtered as Russia shows no indication it will ease its assault and as Ukraine pushes back on US proposals. The Kremlin reportedly is seeking a peace agreement that would allow Russia to keep control of Crimea as well as Ukrainian territory in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions it has seized since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelenskyy has repeatedly said that recognizing occupied territory as Russia's is a red line for Ukraine. He noted on April 24 that Ukraine had agreed to a US cease-fire proposal 44 days ago as a first step to a negotiated peace but that Moscow's attacks continue. Asked what Putin is doing now to help forge a peace deal, Trump said he was refraining from "taking the whole country," calling this a "pretty big concession." Commenting on the diplomatic efforts, Lavrov told CBS News that the United States and Russia are moving in the right direction, but some specific elements of a deal remain to be agreed. "The president of the United States believes -- and I think rightly so -- that we are moving in the right direction. The statement by [Trump] mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specificelements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process." Trump did not spell out the elements of the deal, so Lavrov said it would not be appropriate for him to do so. "We continue our contacts with the American side on the situation in Ukraine, there are several signs that we are moving in the right direction," Lavrov said. Speaking at the White House after meeting with Trump, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said it was time for Russia to move forward in negotiations on the war. "There is something on the table now, I think, where the Ukrainians are really playing ball," Rutte said. "And I think the balls are clearly in the Russian court now." With reporting by Reuters, AP, and CBS Talks between President Vladimir Putin and the White House envoy Steve Witkoff were "productive" and brought US-Russian positions on Ukraine and other issues closer, a top Kremlin aide said, as U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview that Crimea will stay with Russia." There was no immediate comment from Witkoff or other US officials on the outcome of the April 25 talks in Moscow, which Putin aide Yuri Ushakov said lasted for more than three hours. The Moscow meeting came as Trump's administration makes a major push for a resolution to the 38-month Russian war on Ukraine, with a peace proposal that would also mark a major shift in US policy: recognition of Russia's claim to Ukraines Crimea. Ushakov, who is Putin's lead foreign policy adviser, described the meeting as "constructive" and "useful." "This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues," he told reporters. "As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine," Ushakov said. It's the fourth time that Witkoff has met with Putin since January. It was not confirmed that Crimea was discussed at the meeting -- or any of the other proposals that Washington has put forward -- though it was widely expected to be a main topic of discussion. With Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine well into its fourth year, Washington is trying to break the logjam of negotiations and halt what has become Europe's largest land war since World War II. Combined, more than 1 million men have been either killed or wounded in the conflict. After top-level talks in Paris last week, the US proposals began circulating among diplomats. Recognizing Crimea as Russia would be a significant shift in US policy. Moscow occupied then claimed to have annexed the Ukrainian region in 2014. Aside from a small handful of countries, the annexation has been not been recognized anywhere in the world. US policy since that time -- including during the first Trump administration -- rejected the Russian claim. The US proposal was described to RFE/RL by a European diplomat familiar with the details. A former US diplomat also confirmed the substance of the proposal. On Crimea, the US plan calls for the "de jure" -- essentially legal -- recognition of the Russian claim to the peninsula. In addition to being a major shift for the United States, it would be a major victory for Putin, whose popularity surged among Russians after 2014 when he ordered the stealth invasion of Crimea and later its annexation. US recognition would also be a major blow to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and most Ukrainians, for whom the Russian claim is part of a larger campaign to undo Ukraine's sovereignty and independence. Zelenskyy has made clear in private and public remarks that he would reject the Crimea recognition. "There is nothing to talk about. It is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people," Zelenskyy said on April 23. In a post to social media on the same day, Trump, who has had a complicated relationship with Zelenskyy and a much warmer one with Putin, suggested there was flexibility for the Ukrainian government if the US proposal moves forward. He also asserted that Ukrainians should have put up a fight when Russia sent troops into Crimea in 2014 to seize it. In an interview with Time magazine published on April 25, Trump asserted that "Crimea will stay in Russia." "Zelenskyy understands that," he was quoted as saying, "and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time." Trump made similar comments to reporters as he departed the White House April 25, to travel to Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. "I think Russia and Ukraine, I think [the peace talks] are coming along; we hope. It's very fragile," he said, adding he wouldn't rule out meeting Zelenskyy while the two are in Rome for the pontiff's funeral. Trump also referred to Russia's naval presence on the Black Sea peninsula. Sevastopol, which was site to a famous World War II battle, was the home port for the Soviet Black Sea fleet, and later was used jointly by both the Russian and Ukrainian fleets. After Russia seized Crimea, it took complete control of Sevastopol. In recent years, however, Ukrainian forces have threatened and attacked Russian vessels there, forcing them to relocate elsewhere in the Black Sea. "They've had their submarines there for long before any period that we're talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea," Trump as quoted as saying. Other elements of the US proposal include blocking Ukraine's aspiration to join the NATO alliance and "de facto" recognition of the Ukrainian territories that Russia currently occupies, including parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions. It also calls for returning Russian-occupied parts of the Kharkiv region to Ukrainian control; guaranteeing unfettered Ukrainian access to the Dnieper River; and the return of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant to Ukraine control on the condition that the United States would then operate it and provide power to both Ukraine as well as Russian-occupied regions. Ruling out NATO membership is also problematic for Ukraine, where that is a policy goal written into its constitution. According to the European diplomat, one element of the US proposal that has not been widely circulated is the United States stepping back from insistence that Zelenskyy hold new presidential elections as soon as possible. Zelenskyy was elected in 2019 by landslide. But the Kremlin has asserted that his mandate is now illegitimate because martial law declared after the February 2022 election has precluded holding a new Ukrainian vote. Amid a public clash earlier this year, Trump appeared to accept the Russian arguments, calling Zelenskyy a "dictator" and demanding he call a new vote. Trump has since softened his rhetoric on the election question. Still, the Ukrainian government has taken quiet steps to prepare for the possibility of a vote later this year. "Putin is being offered almost everything he wanted to take, while Ukraine is being offered practically nothing; there are no concessions," Oleksandr Khara, a Ukrainian military analyst, told Current Time. "The fact that Russia is incapable of taking all of Ukraine or changing the government in Ukraine is absolutely obvious, and this is not going to change anytime soon," he said. "The Russian advance in the east is coming at a high cost, and that doesn't mean there's any real prospect of a military victory over Ukraine. But there is a very different reality in Trump's mind." CAIRO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese modernization is not only improving the lives of the Chinese people but also creating shared development opportunities globally, particularly for developing nations, experts said at a forum in the Egyptian capital on Thursday. The event, titled "Hong Ting Forum Cairo Dialogue: Chinese Modernization, Valuable Experience to the World," convened over 100 representatives from the Arab League, the Chinese and Egyptian governments, think tanks, media outlets, and the private sector. The forum commenced with an opening session where participants explored collaborative strategies to advance modernization and accelerate the development of a China-Arab community with a shared future. This was followed by two expert-led dialogue sessions featuring representatives from the media and think tanks. During these discussions, attendees exchanged views on the global significance of China's modernization path and analyzed its implications from the perspective of the Global South, emphasizing its relevance to developing nations. In his speech at the opening session, former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf said that China has achieved internal prosperity through modernization and is contributing to global prosperity by fostering a community with a shared future for mankind. "China's development is an enhancement of international forces for peace and progress. Chinese modernization has been a valuable opportunity for the world's development," said Liao Liqiang, Chinese ambassador to Egypt and representative to the Arab League. The Chinese ambassador emphasized that in response to tariff bullying, China has taken a principled stand not only to defend its legitimate rights and interests but also to safeguard the shared interests of the international community -- particularly the broader developing world -- and uphold global fairness and justice. He added that China and Arab countries are expected to make further progress through Belt and Road cooperation and joint modernization efforts, transforming current global trade tensions into new opportunities for collaboration. Ezzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, said Chinese modernization breaks the myth that modernization must follow a Western path, noting that China's model offers an alternative for developing countries and contributes to the modernization of all humanity. "At present, China-Arab relations have made great progress at all levels, including in economy, politics, and culture, and have significantly influenced the modernization process of the Arab world," said Mohamed Hussein, first undersecretary of Egypt's State Information Service. He noted that Chinese modernization is increasingly resonating across the Arab world, as it presents a practical and culturally compatible path to development that aligns more closely with Arab traditions and values. The forum was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency Middle East Regional Bureau, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, Xinhua Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Xinhua News Agency, and the Research Planning Department of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Henry Owens' entry in the recent Strokestown Parade on Easter Sunday certainly caught the eye for many! Henry was offering some help to the war effort in Ukraine. The successful Strokestown parade has been taking place for thirty years. BSF Jawan Detained by Pakistan: Family Awaits His Safe Return, Flag Meeting Underway "My son is serving the country and I am sure all efforts will be made to secure his safe release" BSF Jawan Detained by Pakistan: Family Awaits His Safe Return, Flag Meeting Underway KOLKATA: (Apr 25) The father of BSF jawan P K Sahu, who was detained by Pakistan Rangers after he Accidentally crossed the international border in Punjab, on Friday said that the family was anxiously awaiting his safe return, the PTI reported. Advertisement According to the report, Bholanath Sahu, the father of the detained soldier, stated that the commanding officer of his son's battalion had called him on Thursday night to inform him about the situation. The commanding officer told father that a "flag meeting was being held" between officers of the BSF and Pak Rangers to secure the Jawan safe release, the report said. "My son is serving the country and I am sure all efforts will be made to secure his safe release," Sahu, the father is quoted as saying. Advertisement On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Constable P.K. Sahu of the Border Security Force (BSF) was detained by Pakistan Rangers after inadvertently crossing the international border in Punjab's Ferozepur sector. Sahu, a member of the 182nd Battalion, hails from Harisabha area of Rishra in Hooghly district, West Bengal. He was in uniform and carrying his service rifle at the time of the incident According to reports, Sahu was accompanying farmers near the zero-line, an area where agricultural activities are permitted under BSF supervision. While seeking shade under a tree, he inadvertently stepped approximately five paces into Pakistani territory and was apprehended by Pakistan Rangers . The BSF promptly initiated communication with Pakistani authorities, requesting a flag meeting to secure Sahu's release. An initial flag meeting was held at the Jallo Ke border outpost, but its outcome remains undisclosed. Advertisement Sahu's family is deeply distressed by the incident. His father, Bholanath Sahu, expressed hope for his son's safe return, stating that the commanding officer had informed him about the ongoing efforts for release. Sahu's wife, Rajani, and their seven-year-old son are anxiously awaiting news, with Rajani describing her husband as a dedicated soldier with 17 years of service . His detention comes amid strained IndiaPakistan relations following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, underscoring the delicate nature of frontier duty. ( For more news apart from, 'BSF Jawan Detained by Pakistan: Family Awaits His Safe Return, Flag Meeting Underway, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) representative image (Image Courtesy: Chinar Corps) The incident comes just days after a terror attack on Tuesday afternoon claimed 26 lives. Fresh Tensions at LoC: Pakistan Fires First, India Responds, after Pahalgam Terror Attack Pakistan Army troops opened fire at several locations along the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday, prompting an immediate response from the Indian Army, ANI reported, citing official sources. There are no reports of any casualties. Advertisement Small arms firing at some locations on the Line of Control was initiated by the Pakistan Army. It was effectively responded to by the Indian Army. No casualties have been reported, Indian Army officials were quoted as saying. Further information is awaited. The incident comes just days after a terror attack on Tuesday afternoon claimed 26 lives, sparking massive public outrage across the nation. Citizens are demanding stricter action against the perpetrators. The attack has also led to communal tensions, particularly targeting Muslims from Kashmir residing in different parts of the country. Videos and images have emerged on social media, showing assaults on Muslims by members of Hindu extremist outfits. In the aftermath of the attack, the Indian government announced several diplomatic measures against Pakistan on Wednesday evening, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in view of the cross border links to the attack on April 22. The decision to out the Indus water agreement on hold was announced on Wednesday after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Advertisement India on Thursday, in a formal letter notified Pakistan that the decision to indefinitely suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, comes into effect immediately. A letter from the Union Ministry of Water Resources to Syed Ali Murtuza, Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources of Pakistan, read, "The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir". It was also stated that Pakistan has consistently disregarded Indias attempts to address certain issues that have arisen due to the "fundamental changes in circumstances since the Treaty was signed." "These changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy and other changes in the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the Treaty," "Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty," the letter read. Top LeT Commander Altaf Lalli Killed in Bandipora Encounter, Big Setback for Terror Network The army and local police have vowed to continue their efforts until the last traces of terror infrastructure are dismantled. In a decisive counterterrorism operation, security forces on Thursday gunned down Altaf Lalli, a top commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The elimination of the senior terrorist marks a critical blow to the LeTs presence in the region. According to officials, the encounter was launched early Thursday morning following precise intelligence inputs about Lallis movements. The area was cordoned off, and a search-and-comb operation ensued. When challenged, Lalli opened fire, leading to a brief but intense exchange that resulted in his death. Advertisement Authorities described Altaf Lalli as a high-value target, wanted for multiple attacks on civilians and security personnel in north Kashmir. His role in planning and executing terror strikes had made him one of the most-wanted terrorists in the Valley. This is a major achievement. Lalli was deeply involved in Lashkars operations in Kashmir and had a long record of spreading terror and radicalizing local youth, a senior police official said. The successful operation is being seen as part of a broader crackdown on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians. Indian forces have been on high alert, with intensified anti-terror operations across the Valley. Advertisement Security has been stepped up in the region, and search operations are ongoing to ensure no other militants are present in the area. The army and local police have vowed to continue their efforts until the last traces of terror infrastructure are dismantled. More details are expected as the operation continues to unfold. We have been doing this dirty work for US UK: Pak Defence Minister Admits to Backing Terror According to ANI, the Pakistani Defence Minister also warned of a possible "all-out war" with India during the interview. We have been doing this dirty work for US UK: Pak Defence Minister Admits to Backing Terror New Delhi, April 25: "The truth about Pakistan is out of the bag," wrote news agency ANI, citing a video clip of Pakistans Defence Minister admitting that Pakistan has long been involved in backing, supporting, training, and funding terrorist organizations. Advertisement The statement was reportedly made during a televised interview with Sky News's anchor Yalda Hakim, a clip of which has now gone viral on social media. During the interview, Yalda Hakim asked, But you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing, supporting, training, and funding these terrorist organizations? In response, the Pakistani Defence Minister said, We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades and the West, including Britain. That was a mistake, and we have suffered for it. That is why youre saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistans track record was unimpeachable. Advertisement The interview clip has raised serious concerns globally, especially in India, where tensions with Pakistan have escalated after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. According to Sky News, the Pakistani Defence Minister also warned of a possible "all-out war" with India during the interview. As reported on the X handle of Sky News, the Pakistani Defence Minister also suggested that India had staged the shooting. He also said that there is no evidence for this and that Pakistan is already prepared for strikes form India. Advertisement The sky news repoted, Pakistan's defence minister has told Sky News that a row over a mass shooting in Kashmir could lead to an "all-out war." In India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reportedly informed the Cabinet Committee on Security about cross-border linkages to Tuesdays terror attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, which killed 28 tourists. This came after successful elections conducted in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, marking a milestone in democratic progress and development in the region. In response to the terror attack, the Indian government has announced several diplomatic and strategic measures against Pakistan: Advertisement Closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari Suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals Reduction in the number of officers at the High Commissions on both sides Temporary suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an election rally in Madhubani, Bihar, addressed the nation for the first time following the attack. Strongly condemning the incident, he vowed that the perpetrators and their sponsors would face consequences "beyond their imagination." Today, on the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is united in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity stands with us. I thank the people and leaders of various countries who have expressed solidarity with India. The punishment will be significant and stringent something these terrorists could never have imagined. The governments response is being viewed as a firm message both domestically and internationally, underlining Indias zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. ( For more news apart from, 'We have been doing this dirty work: Pak Defence Minister Admits to Backing Terror, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Raja Iqbal Singh Elected Delhi Mayor as BJP Reclaims Control of MCD The election saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycott the process, paving the way for a comfortable BJP victory. Delhi Mayor Elections 2025: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has returned to power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after nearly two years, with Raja Iqbal Singh elected as the new Mayor of the national capital. Singh secured 133 votes out of 142 cast, defeating Congress candidate Mandeep Singh, who received just 8 votes. One vote was deemed invalid. The election saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycott the process, paving the way for a comfortable BJP victory. The Congress, now reduced to a marginal presence in the capitals civic politics, struggled to make an impact. Advertisement In another development, BJPs Jai Bhagwan Yadav, representing the Begumpur ward, was elected unopposed as the Deputy Mayor after Congress nominee Ariba Asif Khan withdrew her candidacy. Senior BJP leader Raja Iqbal Singh, in a statement to the press, thanked Delhi residents for their trust. He assured that key civic issues will be addressed promptly and added that standing committee elections would be held soon. AAP, which previously held the mayoral post with Mahesh Kumar Khinchis narrow win in November 2024, chose to abstain from this round of polls. The party stated that the BJP must now govern without excuses. Advertisement It is worth noting that the MCD was unified in May 2022, merging the East, North, and South Delhi municipal corporations into a single civic body. FC Personnel Killed in Pakistans Balochistan: Pakistan's Minister Calls It a Heinous Conspiracy by the Enemy (Representative Image) Naqvi is quoted that the act was aimed at creating instability in the country through such cowardly attacks. FC Personnel Killed in Pakistans Balochistan: Pakistan's Minister Calls It a Heinous Conspiracy by the Enemy Four Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel were killed and three others injured in an explosion near a security vehicle in Quettas Margate area of Balochistan, Pakistan, on Friday, Dawn reported, citing sources. Advertisement Referring to the rising number of militant attacks in the regionespecially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistanthe report said security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations. Citing Hanna Urak Station House Officer (SHO) Naveed Akhtar, the report said that a bomb disposal squad of the security forces was targeted with an improvised explosive device (IED) in a suburb of Quetta. As a result of the explosion, four FC personnel were martyred and three others were injured, SHO Naveed Akhtar was quoted as saying. According to the report, the injured were rushed to Combined Military Hospital (CMH). The area where the explosion occurred was cordoned off, and a search operation has been launched to locate the suspects. Military violence and security operations have intensified in Pakistan since March, with the number of militant attacks surpassing 100 for the first time in 10 years, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), as cited in the report. According to the report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a total of 105 militant attacks were recorded in March alone. These attacks resulted in 228 fatalities, which included 73 security personnel, 67 civilians, and 88 militants. The report further stated that 258 individuals were injured during the same period, with casualties evenly split between 129 security personnel and 129 civilians. Advertisement Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with deaths from terrorist attacks rising by 45 percent over the past year, reaching 1,081, the report added. Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed his condolences and condemned the attack, as per the report. Sympathies and condolences to the families of the martyred FC soldiers, he said. The FC personnel attained the great status of martyrdom. We salute the sacrifice of the brave sons of FC. Describing the incident as a heinous conspiracy by the enemy, Naqvi is quoted that the act was aimed at creating instability in the country through such cowardly attacks. He added, The sacrifices of FC soldiers for the establishment of peace in Balochistan will always be remembered, April 25, 2025 A roundup of local and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 25.04.2025, 13:55 POPE The last preparations are being made at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, due tomorrow morning in St. Peters Square with scores of political leaders, heads of state and government, attending. Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to arrive in Rome, where the Ukrainian president hopes to hold talks with his US counterpart. After the ceremony at the Vatican, the coffin is to be carried for burial, in keeping with the Popes wish, to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the funeral and the Vatican has announced the tomb will be open to visitors right on the next day. After the funeral, the entire world is waiting for the vote of the 135 cardinals who are going to convene in a conclave to elect the new head of the Catholic Church. Under the Vatican rules, the Conclave is to convene between the 15th and 20th day since the Popes death, which is between 5th and 10th of May respectively. VISIT The head of the European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, has announced in Chisinau a new aid package aimed at increasing the resilience of the former ex-soviet, Romanian-speaking state against threats from abroad. The new 60 million Euro assistance package is destined, among other things, for strengthening the Republic of Moldovas capabilities of preventing the fall of Russian drones on its territory, Kallas says. The total assistance volume, through the European instrument for peace, amounts to roughly 200 million Euros, and is aimed at making the Republic of Moldova stronger and safer for its citizens. In Chisinau, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy held talks with president Maia Sandu, with the countrys Prime and Foreign Ministers. High on the agenda was the headway made in implementing the reforms needed for European integration, and Kallas said the Union would continue to support the Republic of Moldova until accession. COMMISSIONER Currently on a two-day visit to Romania, the EU Commissioner for Budget, anti-fraud and public administration, Piotr Serafin, is today visiting in Oradea, north-western Romania, several major infrastructure projects built with EU funds. The European official on Thursday held talks with the countrys interim president, Ilie Bolojan, who highlighted the importance of continuing to earmark funds within the Policy of Cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy in the EUs future budget and finding solutions to the present challenges in the fields of competitiveness, defence and security. The European commissioner has also met Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Interior Minister, Catalin Predoiu, as well as with business people and investors in order to learn their opinion on how the present EU funding is working. Commissioner Serafins visit, aimed at improving social inclusion, the creation of jobs and strengthening local communities by means of the EU funds, is part of the European Commissions consultations before the July presentation of the next EU long-term budget. MINISTRY The Minister of Waters, Forests and Environment, Mircea Fechet, says the Environment Fund Administration will this year rely on a record-high investment fund of 3.2 billion Euros. The Rabla programme, one of the most important, pledges higher vouchers for electric vehicles and the initiative for photovoltaic panels and heat pumps has been extended as part of the Green House Plus programme. Among the key programmes funded in 2025 there are also the LED public lightening, rising electric effectiveness in public buildings as well as new initiatives such as a Rabla-like programme for replacing heating systems and more urban parks for Bucharest. (bill) April 25, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 25.04.2025, 18:30 Elections. The presidential elections in May will take place, assures the Romanian Minister of Justice, Radu Marinescu, after a judge from the Ploiesti Court of Appeal (south) decided on Thursday to annul and suspend the Constitutional Courts decision regarding the resumption of the entire presidential electoral process. The Minister of Justice explained to Radio Romania that the decisions of the Constitutional Court are not administrative acts, so they cannot be challenged in administrative litigation, therefore its decisions are final and unassailable. The decision of the Constitutional Court of Romania took effect at the time it was pronounced. The elections were annulled and it was ordered that the Government act according to the law to establish the calendar and organize new elections, which the Government has already done, Radu Marinescu explained. The Central Electoral Bureau has already stated that the activity of all electoral bureaus continues. The first round of the presidential elections is to be held on May 4th. CCR. The High Court of Cassation and Justice has admitted the appeals against the decision by which the Ploiesti Court of Appeal admitted a request to suspend the CCR decision of December 6, 2024, which annulled the presidential elections. The Constitutional Court of Romania and the Prosecutors Office attached to the Ploiesti Court of Appeal had filed an appeal against the decision of the Prahova court. In the text of the appeal, the CCR stated that, regrettably and in violation of the legal provisions, the Ploiesti Court of Appeal ruled, without constitutional and legal grounds, on the effects of a binding decision. The High Courts decision is final and irrevocable. Arrest. The Russian security services (FSB) have announced the arrest of a Romanian suspected of spying for Ukraine in Sochi (southern Russia). In a statement, the FSB accused the man, born in 2002, of collecting and transmitting data on the locations of air defense systems in the city of Sochi to Ukrainian intelligence services in the summer of 2024. Russian media published a video provided by the FSB in which two of its agents arrest a man and pin him to the ground. The suspect, who was later filmed with his face blurred during interrogation, spoke in English and said that he had sent information about the location of a Russian anti-aircraft battery to a contact within the Ukrainian services. Funeral. The last preparations are being made at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, due Saturday morning in St. Peters Square with scores of political leaders, heads of state and government, attending. Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to arrive in Rome, where the Ukrainian president hopes to hold talks with his US counterpart. After the ceremony at the Vatican, the coffin is to be carried for burial, in keeping with the Popes wish, to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the funeral and the Vatican has announced the tomb will be open to visitors the very the next day. After the funeral, the entire world is waiting for the vote of the 135 cardinals who are going to convene in a conclave to elect the new head of the Catholic Church. Under the Vatican rules, the Conclave is to convene between the 15th and 20th day since the Popes death, which is between 5th and 10th of May respectively. Commissioner. Currently on a two-day visit to Romania, the EU Commissioner for Budget, anti-fraud and public administration, Piotr Serafin, is today visiting in Oradea, north-western Romania, several major infrastructure projects built with EU funds. On Thursday, the European official held talks with the countrys interim president, Ilie Bolojan, who highlighted the importance of continuing to earmark funds within the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy in the EUs future budget and finding solutions to the present challenges in the fields of competitiveness, defence and security. The European commissioner has also met with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu, as well as with business people and investors, in order to learn their opinion on how the present EU funding is working. Commissioner Serafins visit, aimed at improving social inclusion, the creation of jobs and strengthening local communities by means of the EU funds, is part of the European Commissions consultations before the July presentation of the next EU long-term budget. Visit. The head of the European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, has announced in Chisinau a new aid package aimed at increasing the resilience of the former ex-soviet, Romanian-speaking state against threats from abroad. The new 60 million Euro assistance package is aimed, among other things, at strengthening the Republic of Moldovas capabilities of preventing the fall of Russian drones on its territory, Kallas says. The total aid, through the European instrument for peace, amounts to roughly 200 million Euros, meant to make the Republic of Moldova stronger and safer for its citizens. In Chisinau, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy held talks with president Maia Sandu and with the countrys Prime and Foreign Ministers. High on the agenda was the headway made in implementing the reforms needed for European integration, and Kallas said the Union would continue to support the Republic of Moldova until accession. Environment. The Minister of Waters, Forests and Environment, Mircea Fechet, says the Environment Fund Administration will this year rely on a record-high investment fund of 3.2 billion Euros. The Rabla (car-scrapping) programme, one of the most important, pledges higher vouchers for electric vehicles and the initiative for photovoltaic panels and heat pumps has been extended as part of the Green House Plus programme. Among the key programmes funded in 2025 there are also the LED public lightening, rising electric effectiveness in public buildings as well as new initiatives such as a Rabla-like programme for replacing heating systems and more urban parks for Bucharest. (MI) April 25, 2025 UPDATE (II) A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 25.04.2025, 19:56 CCR. The High Court of Cassation and Justice has admitted the appeals against the decision by which the Ploiesti Court of Appeal had admitted a request to suspend the CCR decision of December 6, 2024, which annulled the presidential elections. The Constitutional Court of Romania and the Prosecutors Office attached to the Ploiesti Court of Appeal had filed an appeal against the decision of the Prahova court. In the text of the appeal, the CCR stated that, regrettably and in violation of the legal provisions, the Ploiesti Court of Appeal ruled, without constitutional and legal grounds, on the effects of a binding decision. The High Courts decision is final and irrevocable. Funeral. The last preparations are being made at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, due Saturday morning in St. Peters Square with scores of political leaders, heads of state and government, attending. Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to arrive in Rome, where the Ukrainian president hopes to hold talks with his US counterpart. After the ceremony at the Vatican, the coffin is to be carried for burial, in keeping with the Popes wish, to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the funeral and the Vatican has announced the tomb will be open to visitors the very the next day. After the funeral, the entire world is waiting for the vote of the 135 cardinals who are going to convene in a conclave to elect the new head of the Catholic Church. Under the Vatican rules, the Conclave is to convene between the 15th and 20th day since the Popes death, which is between 5th and 10th of May respectively. Commissioner. Currently on a two-day visit to Romania, the EU Commissioner for Budget, anti-fraud and public administration, Piotr Serafin, on Friday visited in Oradea, in north-western Romania, several major infrastructure projects built with EU funds. The European Official was accompanied by the Romanian Minister of Investment and European projects, Marcel Bolos, and both of them stressed the importance of the EU Cohesion Policy for the development of the member states. On Thursday, Piotr Serafin held talks with the countrys interim president, Ilie Bolojan, who highlighted the importance of continuing to earmark funds within the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy in the EUs future budget and finding solutions to the present challenges in the fields of competitiveness, defence and security. The European commissioner has also met with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu, as well as with business people and investors, in order to learn their opinion on how the present EU funding is working. Commissioner Serafins visit, aimed at improving social inclusion, the creation of jobs and strengthening local communities by means of the EU funds, is part of the European Commissions consultations before the July presentation of the next EU long-term budget. Visit. The head of the European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, has announced in Chisinau a new aid package aimed at increasing the resilience of the former ex-soviet, Romanian-speaking state against threats from abroad. The new 60 million Euro assistance package is aimed, among other things, at strengthening the Republic of Moldovas capabilities of preventing the fall of Russian drones on its territory, Kallas said. The total aid, through the European instrument for peace, amounts to roughly 200 million Euros, meant to make the Republic of Moldova stronger and safer for its citizens. In Chisinau, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy held talks with president Maia Sandu and with the countrys Prime and Foreign Ministers. High on the agenda was the headway made in implementing the reforms needed for European integration, and Kallas said the Union would continue to support the Republic of Moldova until accession. Arrest. The situation of the Romanian citizen detained in the Georgian region of Abkhazia four months ago and transferred to Sochi, Russia, is being closely monitored by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The institution reports that it has already taken steps to grant him consular protection and assistance with the central and local authorities, in accordance with international norms. The clarification comes after the Russian security services (FSB) announced the arrest of a Romanian suspected of spying for Ukraine in Sochi (southern Russia). In a statement, the FSB accused the man, born in 2002, of collecting and transmitting data on the locations of air defense systems in the city of Sochi to Ukrainian intelligence services in the summer of 2024. Russian media published a video provided by the FSB in which two of its agents arrest a man and pin him to the ground. The suspect, who was later filmed with his face blurred during interrogation, spoke in English and said that he had sent information about the location of a Russian anti-aircraft battery to a contact within the Ukrainian services. Environment. The Minister of Waters, Forests and Environment, Mircea Fechet, says the Environment Fund Administration will this year rely on a record-high investment fund of 3.2 billion Euros. The Rabla (car-scrapping) programme, one of the most important, pledges higher vouchers for electric vehicles and the initiative for photovoltaic panels and heat pumps has been extended as part of the Green House Plus programme. Among the key programmes funded in 2025 there are also the LED public lightening, rising electric effectiveness in public buildings as well as new initiatives such as a Rabla-like programme for replacing heating systems and more urban parks for Bucharest. (MI) The Environment Fund Administration gets record budget The Romanian government has officially launched the 2025 edition of its car scrapping scheme, one of the most popular government support programmes. Mircea Fechet (Photo: gov.ro) Mihai Pelin, 25.04.2025, 14:00 The Environment Fund Administration this year received from the government a record budget for investments, worth over 3.2 billion euros. The money will be used to go ahead with older programmes and to launch new ones, says environment minister Mircea Fechet. He explained that this is the first time that the entire chain of energy transition in the case of private households will be financed. In his opinion, this is a major step towards the populations energy independence and to cut utility bills. The minister presented the main funding schemes: We will use the budget for the already known programmes and for new ones which we will propose this year. For the first time, we aim to provide integrated funding to the complete chain of energy transition for households by extending the solar panel scheme with storage batteries to heat pumps. This year we will also extend the car scrapping scheme, the Environment Fund Administrations oldest programme. We will continue to fund street lighting with LED type lights. We will support residents of mountain areas with a scheme to replace old heating stoves. A programme entitled The green house for photovoltaics will expand this year to include three different programmes. One is intended for those wishing to buy energy storage batteries and the second for heat pumps. Last but not least, the photovoltaic programme will automatically include a battery. The novelty this year is the heat pump scheme, known as Green House Plus. This is intended for those who have already installed solar panels and wish to supplement their systems with efficient heating solutions. Thus, many households will be able to cut their energy bills. A programme to scrap old double-glazed windows and replace them with new ones will also be launched. Another scheme, available to farmers wishing to modernise their agricultural equipment, refers to the replacement of old tractors. The already popular car scrapping scheme benefits from a record budget of almost 300 million euros, following the rise in the value of the eco-ticket for electric cars to around 7,500 euros. To register for the scheme, applicants will have to fill in an online form managed by the Environment Fund Administration, make a request for funding and upload all necessary documents, including those proving scrappage of their car. Funding is provided within the allocated budget. According to the authorities, over 1 million cars have been scrapped in Romania in the last 20 years under this popular programme. Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) reiterated full year 2025 LINZESS U.S. net sales and total Ironwood revenue guidance and increased adjusted EBITDA guidance. The company has raised full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance to greater than $105 million as it no longer plans to make certain apraglutide commercial launch planning investments and will shift focus to the confirmatory Phase 3 trial. Previously, the company projected adjusted EBITDA to be greater than $85 million. "In the first quarter of 2025, we saw continued strong prescription demand growth of 8% year-over-year, which was offset by anticipated pricing headwinds as well as a change in estimate of AbbVie gross-to-net rebate reserves, which was refined to reflect rebates owed for units dispensed in the first quarter of 2025. We do not expect first quarter LINZESS U.S. net sales results or this change in estimate to impact the full-year results," said Tom McCourt, CEO of Ironwood. Ironwood plans to report full first quarter results in early May. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A new UN report has warned that billions of people around the world are living in fear of job loss or struggling to find work, as economic instability, conflict, and climate shocks combine to erode global security. According to the World Social Report 2025 launched on Thursday, the sobering sentiment indicates a widespread lack of confidence in the future. Despite people living longer, being better educated and more connected than ever before, many believe that life today is worse than it was 50 years ago. Close to 60 per cent of people surveyed on life satisfaction reported that they were "struggling" with a further 12 per cent describing themselves as "suffering", the report notes. According to the report, economic instability is no longer limited to the world's poorest regions. Even in high-income countries, rising job uncertainty, gig work and the digital transition are contributing to this trend. These jobs may offer flexibility but often come at the cost of security and rights - reducing workers to mere service providers in a commodified labour market. The insecurities are further compounded by an alarming rise in informal employment. In many low and middle-income countries, jobs with no safety net remains the norm, locking workers into cycles of low pay, instability, and zero benefits. For more than 2.8 billion people living on less than $6.85 a day - the threshold for extreme poverty - "even a small shock can send people into extreme poverty and any escapes from poverty are often temporary," the report warns. As financial pressures mount and stability erodes, public confidence in institutions - and in one another - has also taken a severe hit, particularly among young people. Over half the world's population now expresses low levels of confidence in government. Among the youth, trust levels are even lower - raising concerns about long-term civic disengagement and political instability. People's trust in one another is also eroding. Fewer than 30 per cent of people in countries with available data believe that most others can be trusted, undermining social cohesion and complicating efforts for collective action. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. (TM), has proposed to acquire supplier Toyota Industries Corp. in a 6 trillion yen or $42 billion deal, according to a Bloomberg report on Friday. The proposed deal represents around a 40 percent premium to the share price of Toyota Industries as of Friday's close in Japan. Toyota Industries produces looms for textile manufacturing and parts for Toyota's vehicles. Toyota Industries has reportedly hired advisers and also formed a special committee to study the offer and make recommendations. The deal is said to financed using Toyoda's personal funds and with loans from major Japanese banks. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News On the heels of the notable rebound seen in the previous session, gold futures showed a significant move back to the downside during trading on Friday. Gold for April delivery tumbled $49.60 or 1.5 percent to $3.282.40 an ounce after surging $55.70 or 1.7 percent to $3,332 an ounce during Thursday's session. With the sharp pullback on the day, the price of the precious metal slid $26.30 or 0.8 percent for the week, snapping a two-year week winning streak. Gold futures gave back ground amid signs of easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, with President Donald Trump refuting China's claims that the two countries have not held any trade negotiations. "They had a meeting this morning," Trump told reporters on Thursday. "It doesn't matter who 'they' is. We may reveal it later, but they had meetings this morning, and we've been meeting with China." Several reports citing U.S. businesses also said China has exempted some U.S. imports from its 125 percent tariffs On the U.S. economic front, a report released by the University of Michigan showed consumer sentiment in the U.S. deteriorated modestly less than previously estimated in the month of April. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index for April was upwardly revised to 52.2 from a preliminary reading of 50.8. Economists had expected the index to be unrevised. Despite the upward revision, the consumer sentiment index is still down sharply from 57.0 in March and marks its lowest level since hitting 51.5 in July 2022. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Representatives from participating schools, Rhodes University and Duna Public Library attended the launch By Ephreeda Banda The Rhodes University Library officially launched the Siyafundisana eMakhanda project last week at Samuel Ntlebi Primary Schoolone of four local public schools participating in a literacy initiative aimed at cultivating a love for reading among Grade 1 pupils. Funded by the South African Library and Information (SALI) Trust, the project is a community engagement programme with a long-term vision for educational transformation. Siyafundisana eMakhanda, which means We are learning together in Makhanda, is more than a reading initiative. The project installs vibrant, well-stocked reading corners in classroomsfilled with age-appropriate books in both isiXhosa and English. These spaces are designed to be inviting and accessible, giving pupils daily opportunities to engage with stories and build foundational literacy skills. The initiative also supports educators with workshops on managing classroom libraries and incorporating reading into daily lessons using creative, low-cost methods. The goal is to nurture a sustainable reading culture, empowering teachers and young pupils alike. The official launch at Samuel Ntlebi Primary was a joyful celebration. Grade 1 pupils recited passages from their new books and delighted the audience with animated storytelling. The event brought together representatives from Rhodes University, Duna Public Library, school principals, teachers, and proud parents. All four participating schoolsCM Vellem Primary, Makana Public Primary, Samuel Ntlebi Primary, and Grahamstown Seventh Day Adventist Primarywere represented. Nomawethu Danster, Director of the Rhodes University Library, and Diana Hornby, Director of the Universitys Community Engagement Division, were also present with their respective team members. This project is closely aligned with the Rhodes University Vice-Chancellors Education Initiative, which was launched following Professor Sizwe Mabizelas inauguration in 2016. Attending the launch, Prof Mabizela reaffirmed his dedication to revitalising public education in Makhandaespecially in the foundational years. Less than a decade later, the results are clear. Once ranked among the bottom ten education districts in the country, Makhanda now boasts a Grade 4 reading comprehension rate of 45%more than double the national average of 19%, according to the 2021 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study. This progress is backed by the local Makhanda Reading Comprehension Study, conducted by GADRA Education and the Rhodes University Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education. Every child in this city deserves access to quality, life-changing education, said Prof Mabizela. He applauded educators for their dedication and called for greater collaboration between schools and families. Support doesnt end at the school gate, he noted, urging parents to check homework, engage with school activities, and establish strong routines at home. Teachers and principals shared heartfelt reflections on the initiatives early impact, with many describing it as planting a seed that they hope will grow into a lifelong love of reading. There is growing hope that Siyafundisana eMakhanda will be expanded to additional grades in the near future. This project is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, educators, and institutions unite around a shared purpose, said Samuel Simango, Senior Manager of Academic Support Services at Rhodes University Library. We are excited to witness how these young learners will grow through the power of reading. Local businesses, such as Spar and Pick n Pay Grahamstown, provided refreshments for the eventfurther highlighting the communitys shared commitment to supporting literacy and education. Hatchback sales in India for March 2025 stood at 86,591 units, registering a decline of 9.09% compared to 95,251 units sold in March 2024. Overall, the hatchback segment continued to face pressure from rising popularity of compact SUVs, although models like Swift, WagonR, and Tiago managed to sustain healthy volumes. Hatchback Sales March 2025 YoY Comparison Maruti Swift took the top spot with 17,746 units sold, up 12.83% from 15,728 units a year ago. Following closely was the Maruti WagonR, which saw 17,175 units sold, growing 4.93% over last year. Maruti Baleno reported sales of 12,357 units, declining 20.73% YoY. Maruti Alto maintained its strong showing, clocking 9,867 units in March 2025, a growth of 5.73% compared to 9,332 units in March 2024. Tata Tiago and its EV counterpart posted 7,946 units, a healthy 24.53% increase. Hyundai i10 NIOS recorded 4,990 units, a marginal dip of 0.87%. Hyundai i20 faced a 13.64% decline with 4,452 units sold. Toyota Glanza reported 3,501 units, down 18.94% YoY. Maruti Celerio sales fell sharply to 2,268 units, a drop of 34.79%. Maruti Ignis recorded sales of 1,900 units, falling 31.85%, while the Maruti S-Presso saw a 28.39% drop with 1,788 units. Tata Altroz faced one of the steepest declines, dropping 72.30% to 1,658 units. Among smaller players, Renault Kwid posted 532 units, a 42.67% drop. MG Comet EV saw sales of 173 units, down by 80.23%. Citroen C3 sold 120 units, a 54.72% decline, while the Citroen eC3 EV managed 118 units, falling 77.74% YoY. Hatchback Sales March 2025 FY Comparison Hatchback sales in India during FY 2025 stood at 10,24,637 units, witnessing a decline of 13.15% compared to 11,79,742 units sold in FY 2024. Maruti WagonR was the top-selling hatchback with 1,98,451 units, recording a marginal drop of 0.86%. Maruti Swift followed with 1,79,641 units sold, an 8.03% decrease. Maruti Baleno ranked third with 1,67,161 units, facing a decline of 14.54% over last year. Maruti Alto reported 1,02,232 units, down 8.68%. Tata Tiago, along with its EV version, posted 69,234 units, a decline of 19%. Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS contributed 62,415 units, falling 11.80% YoY. Hyundai i20 registered 55,513 units, down by 20.68% from the previous year. Toyota Glanza saw a 6.55% decline with 48,839 units sold. Tata Altroz witnessed a major fall of 49.85%, selling 35,187 units. Maruti Celerio reported 33,025 units, down 17.29%, while Maruti Ignis posted 27,438 units, a drop of 15.48%. Maruti S-Presso sold 23,538 units, declining 21.90%. MG Comet EV stood out with positive growth, clocking 10,149 units, a rise of 15.37%. Meanwhile, Renault Kwid sales dipped 22.38% to 7,892 units. Citroen C3 sold 2,652 units, down 40.72%, and Citroen eC3 EV managed 1,270 units, registering a fall of 38.23%. The hatchback segment, while still sizeable, continued to lose ground to the rapidly growing compact SUV segment, although models like WagonR, Swift, and Tiago maintained respectable figures through the fiscal. In a significant step towards improving road and vehicle safety in India, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced the governments plans to launch safety assessment ratings for trucks and heavy commercial vehicles, similar to the Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) for passenger cars. The announcement was made during the inauguration of a two-day Vehicle and Fleet Safety Workshop jointly organized by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) at the College of Traffic Management, Faridabad. Gadkari highlighted that the aim of the new initiative is to push manufacturers towards improving the build quality and safety standards of commercial vehicles. We want trucks to meet high safety standards just like passenger cars. This will help reduce road fatalities and improve public confidence in road transport, he said. Bharat NCAP-Style Safety Ratings The minister also revealed that the government is actively working on implementing safety standards for battery-operated e-rickshaws, which currently face multiple safety challenges. Improving the safety of these vehicles is expected to not only boost quality but also generate employment by expanding safe and reliable transport options. Addressing Indias road safety crisis, Gadkari stated, India continues to witness the highest number of road fatalities in the world, with 4.8 lakh crashes and 1.8 lakh deaths annually. Our priority is to ensure safer highways, improved vehicle safety, and faster adoption of electric vehicles. Among other key initiatives announced: The ministry is preparing legislation to regulate working hours for truck drivers, currently clocking 1314 hours a day. Plans are underway to establish 32 modern driver training institutes across India. Air-conditioning of truck driver cabins is now mandatory. ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) has also been made compulsory to enhance on-road safety. In an effort to promote road safety awareness from an early age, road safety modules have been introduced into the national school curriculum for classes 1 to 12. Additionally, a road safety anthem sung by Shankar Mahadevan will be released in 22 languages to spread the message nationwide. Global Experts, Indian Vision at IRTE-GNCAP Workshop Dr. Rohit Baluja, President of IRTE, emphasized that the workshop is reviewing two decades of progress in vehicle safety in India and globally, and setting action priorities for 2030. The focus is also on G20 nations implementation of the Global Plans vehicle safety recommendations and enhancing fleet and two-wheeler safety, he said. David Ward, President Emeritus, GNCAP, praised Indias progress in consumer awareness around vehicle safety. With more vehicles now undergoing GNCAP and Bharat NCAP crash tests, Indian buyers are better informed about choosing safer cars. This aligns with the UNs 2030 global road safety goals, he added. The event marks a crucial step forward in Indias road safety roadmap, underlining a holistic approach that spans vehicles, infrastructure, awareness, and enforcement. A woman promised a fresh start in the United States. A mom checking in and out of Motel 6s. An 11-year old girl playing video games. They are all human trafficking survivors, all with ties to Cumberland County. And their stories are a few of many. In the last three years, the YWCA of Carlisle & Cumberland County has documented about 140 human trafficking cases. The organization on Tuesday hosted a Lunch & Learn event at Comfort Suites to talk about human trafficking. We are trying to build solutions for the county as we get deeper and deeper into this work, Executive Director Maddie Young said. We realize that there arent a lot of opportunities for people to move out of human trafficking and rebuild their lives, and so were trying to come together in the county and make that happen. Speakers included Cumberland Countys district attorney and law enforcement and health care professionals. YWCA staff members also shared how human trafficking can work and presented local data. Task force Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack discussed the countys Human Trafficking Task Force, an initiative that began in 2022. Since then, the organization has arrested more than 100 people through human trafficking prosecutions and shut down seven illegal Asian massage parlor operations. To tell you the truth, one of the reasons we were looking at the topic of human trafficking is because when you start looking for federal grants to fund investigative services and those sorts of things, a lot of the grants were for human trafficking, McCormack said. And I started asking myself, well, how much human trafficking do we really have here in Cumberland County? Now when he drives through Cumberland County, illegitimate business fronts jump out at him, usually situated in homes converted into storefronts with minimal signage or explicit advertising. While the task forces Operation Impact Demand has focused on hotel activity in which someone advertises sexual services online, another initiative, Operation Closed to Traffic, targets illegal massage parlors. The women that we have been able to get out of these operations, I wont call them businesses ... I remember very clearly the one woman didnt even know what state she was in, let alone what town she was in, McCormack said. When men and women are rescued from human trafficking operations, McCormack said the task force partners with organizations like the YWCA of Cumberland County to provide services for survivors. We have a need for housing, McCormack said. We have a need for support, whether it be monetary support, food supplies, clothing, jobs, getting people jobs, being able to get them and train them to do something different, are all of the things that we still need to build. And thats what Im hoping, that like a little summit like this will help us get down that road to that part. We still have a lot of work to do, but I think weve made a good start. Crash course Lily Duarte-Evans, the YWCAs vice president of programs, shared local human trafficking statistics at Tuesdays Lunch & Learn. While the YWCA of Carlisle & Cumberland County has provided support for sexual assault survivors since 1996, the organization launched its anti-human trafficking efforts in 2022. In its first year, the initiative supported 21 human trafficking survivors, she said. So far this year, the organization has provided services for 57 survivors across 16 ZIP codes, including eight ZIP codes in Cumberland County. Our youngest served this year is 6 years old, she said. Our oldest served this year is 71. YWCA Director of Support Services Angie Long said in adults, trafficking is identified through a component of force, fraud or conversion. For minors, it is classified as something of value provided to that person in exchange for a sex act. She also identified several types of human trafficking, including pimping, familial trafficking, online trawling and commercial trafficking, which includes illicit massage parlors or escort services. In many cases, Long said traffickers search for vulnerabilities, such as low self-esteem or an addiction and groom their victims. Because the descent into trafficking often takes time, rescuing survivors can be a long, slow process. Youre not going to find somebody in a situation and then pull them out overnight, Long said. Thats not what it looks like. However, we can together as a community really, really provide some really valuable resources. Mobile clinic I thought I could trust him. I was trafficked as a child. I was given so many drugs in the time that I was in trafficking that I dont even remember some things that were done to me. UPMC Registered Nurse Denis Turoczi read survivors quotes as she took the podium Tuesday morning. The testimonies came from patients who have received care at UPMCs womens medical mobile unit. Initially it was designed to help identify and prevent cervical cancer for underserved women in central Pennsylvania. UPMC has mobile unit program services in Newport, York, Lancaster and south Harrisburg, Turoczi said. Amid STD testing, pregnancy testing, breast and pelvic exams and other services, the mobile clinic brought care providers face to face with victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, she said. Turoczi announced plans to expand the mobile unit program this year, bringing a vehicle to Cumberland County and other rural areas in central Pennsylvania. Together, we are making strides towards a brighter future for these women of central PA and with the new medical mobile unit and the unwavering support of our communities, we are committed to provide essential care resources to those who need it the most, she said. Survivor stories After 26 years with the Carlisle Police Department, David Miller, now a detective with the Cumberland County Criminal Investigation Division, thought hed seen it all. I thought I had seen a lot, he said. I thought I had seen the darkness that could take over some peoples lives. I thought I had seen all the horrible things that one human being will do to another. I was wrong. When Miller retired from the department in 2023, he transitioned to the county, joining the entity just as human trafficking investigations intensified. The role gave him a front row seat to the stories of victims and, in his words, customers. We sit and we listen to the stories, and in hearing these stories, it cant help but just bring out emotion in you, Miller said. In my job, Im supposed to try to avoid bringing emotion into what I do. I get it, but sometimes Im just a human being. He brought those emotions Tuesday, saying he wanted listeners to feel as scared, angry and passionate as he feels as a father of four raising his family in Cumberland County. There are women suffering, Miller said. There are men suffering. Theres all kinds of human beings out there with stories that we cannot afford to go through our lives without thinking of their stories and recognizing that theyre out there, Miller said. A woman seeking a new life in the United States was transported to Pennsylvania where she spent years experiencing sexual assault, rape and extortion on a daily basis, Miller said. Authorities are in the process of shutting down the people who put her in that situation. A Motel 6 mom passed through Middlesex Township before traveling to West Virginia, where police caught up with her. Miller said she initially denied services before reaching out for help three months later. An 11-year old gamer sticks in Youngs mind as her first human trafficking case when she joined the YWCA about four years ago. Her advice: Be the trusted adult that somebody can come to. Many human trafficking survivors are targeted when vulnerable, Young said, adding that everyone is vulnerable at some point in time. She challenged listeners Tuesday to be the person who notices when something is off, who reaches out, who asks questions. Until were inspired to work together to do something about it, its going to continue and theres going to continue to be victims out there in this victimless crime, Miller said. Theres going to continue to be lives changed, families destroyed, people that will feel that theyre in a dark place they cant get out of unless we work together. Prostate cancer has distinct genetic properties in different groups of men that can be targeted to improve patient outcomes, UVA Cancer Center researchers have discovered. Based on new findings in Chinese men, the researchers are urging similar studies in other groups to advance precision medicine and better tailor treatments. An international team of researchers co-led by UVA's Hui Li, PhD, looked at what are known as "chimeric RNA" in Chinese men and found both similarities and differences to those seen in Western men. These RNAs can contribute to the growth of cancer and are widely used as both indicators of cancer and targets for cancer treatment. By targeting chimeric RNA specific to Chinese men, doctors may be able to develop better, more effective prostate cancer treatments for Chinese patients, Li says. He notes that Asian populations have the highest ratio of prostate cancer deaths to new cases (40%) -- higher than in Europe (18%), Northern America (10%) or even worldwide (25%). But the findings also speak to the potential of the approach for improving cancer care for other groups. "Prostate cancer is a worldwide problem. It is the most common cancer in men, with clear racial disparities," said Li, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine's Department of Pathology. "More than 70% of Asian prostate cancer patients are in the intermediate or advanced stage at the first diagnosis. They are more prone to metastasis and drug resistance, which is consistent with a 5-year survival rate of less than 30%. Our findings may not only explain the racial disparity, but provide some handles we can use to tackle the disease." Chimeras in Cancer Chimeric RNA combines operating instructions from two or more different genes; these fusions are found in both healthy cells and cancerous ones. In cancer, they can influence tumor formation and growth by producing particular proteins, for example, or by altering gene activity. To better understand chimeric RNA in a specific patient population, Li and his team analyzed data from the Cancer Genome Atlas and the Chinese Prostate Cancer Genome and Epigenome Atlas. They found that Chinese men had several distinct chimeric RNA patterns, including in cancer epithelial cells as well as in macrophages and T cells, immune cells found in and around tumors. The scientists then discovered how the chimeric RNA drive tumor growth and reshape cellular communications surrounding the tumors. They also revealed how the chimeras contribute to the activity of stromal cells that play a crucial role in cancer's formation and progression. "This is the first comparison between two prostate cancer populations focusing on chimeric RNAs," Li said. "It is also the first study to examine chimeric RNAs in different cell types within cancer." Precise Prostate Cancer Treatment The new findings offer important insights into how prostate cancer develops in Chinese men. But the scientists also use their new paper outlining the discovery to highlight the potential of the approach to benefit all patients. By better understanding how chimeric RNA differs in various populations, doctors can target these distinct RNA profiles to develop more tailored -- and more effective -- prostate cancer treatments. Further, chimeric RNA isn't just found in prostate cancer but in cancer generally. So the approach could open doors in the battle against many forms of the disease. "We were able to validate over 100 chimeric RNAs, the largest list in the field, with some having clear diagnostic and prognostic potential," Li said. "In addition, we have identified multiple chimeric RNAs that influence prostate cancer or tumor microenvironment, which contribute to the tumorigenesis [tumor formation]. Chimeric RNAs as such represent a hidden repertoire for biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets." Could the seismic signal of an underground nuclear test explosion be "hidden" by the signal generated by a natural earthquake? It's possible, according to a new review article published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America that contradicts the conventional wisdom about explosion "masking." The new analysis by Joshua Carmichael and colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory found that advanced signal detector technology that can identify a 1.7-ton buried explosion with a 97% success rate only has a 37% success rate when seismic signals from that explosion are hidden within the seismic waveforms of an earthquake that happens within 100 seconds and about 250 kilometers away from the explosion. The overlapping waveforms of explosion and earthquake "obfuscate the ability of even the most sensitive digital signal detectors we have to identify that explosion," said Carmichael. The findings could lead experts to reconsider a 2012 report that concluded earthquake signals could not cover up explosion signals. Potential explosion masking by natural seismic signals is a concern for the community of scientists charged with nuclear test monitoring around the globe. In North Korea, which has held six nuclear tests over the past 20 years, an increase in regional seismic instruments shows that "there's been a lot more low-magnitude seismicity in the vicinity of test sites than we initially realized," Carmichael noted. The new findings suggest that "background seismicity in regions where there's any sort of seismicity at all is going to measurably and substantially reduce the probability that we can detect signals from an underground explosion at a test site," he added. The researchers also found that natural signals from earthquake swarms or other repeating seismic events could be similarly hidden by overlapping waveforms. In this case, the masking effect dropped detection from a 92% to a 16% detection rate. "This may mean that we probably underestimate a lot of the low magnitude seismicity that is sourced during a swarm or an aftershock sequence," Carmichael said. "In other words, we could be largely undercounting the number of earthquakes that occur in these swarms or in certain aftershock sequences." Explosion masking has been difficult to test because there are so few explosions to examine, and very few data sets that contain both explosion and natural seismic signals. One way to analyze the potential effect would be to simulate explosion data, but Carmichael said there are "too many unknowns" with the high-frequency signals of explosions to accurately create the seismograms that represent relatively small-scale explosions measured at a distance. Instead, he and his colleagues used a technique that draws from data collected on explosions and natural seismicity at the Nevada National Security Site. The researchers developed a way to scale down the amplitude of the explosion data, "so that it mimics waveforms recorded from smaller explosions," Carmichael said. These explosion data are then "injected" back a set of earthquake signals, to see if sophisticated multi-channel correlation detectors can identify the explosion signal. The technique creates a dense set of data that allowed the researchers to finally test the assertion that natural seismicity could not mask explosion signals, Carmichael said. Researchers rely on multiple factors in addition to seismic signals as part of nuclear test monitoring, looking for other confirmatory evidence such as the presence of certain radionuclides in the atmosphere. It's unlikely that a coinciding earthquake would be enough to completely hide an explosion event. But the new study offers "at least a recipe" on how to calculate the probability of explosion detection from seismic signals, so that this information can used together with other monitoring tools, said Carmichael. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is a graph worth? For doctors trying to determine whether a patient's blood pressure is within normal range, the answer may depend on the type of graph they're looking at. A new study from the University of Missouri highlights how different graph formats can affect clinical decision-making. Because blood pressure fluctuates moment to moment, day to day, it can be tricky for doctors to accurately assess it. "Sometimes a patient's blood pressure is high at the doctor's office but normal at home, a condition called white coat hypertension," Victoria Shaffer, a psychology professor in the College of Arts and Science and lead author of the study, said. "There are some estimates that 10% to 20% of the high blood pressure that gets diagnosed in the clinic is actually controlled -- it's just white coat hypertension -- and if you take those same people's blood pressure at home, it is really controlled." In the study, Shaffer and the team showed 57 doctors how a hypothetical patient's blood pressure data would change over time using two different types of graphs. One raw graph showed the actual numbers, which displayed peaks and valleys, while the other graph was a new visual tool they created: a smoothed graph that averages out fluctuations in data. When the blood pressure of the patient was under control but had a lot of fluctuation, the doctors were more likely to accurately assess the patient's health using the new smoothed graph compared to the raw graph. "Raw data can be visually noisy and hard to interpret because it is easy to get distracted by outliers in the data," Shaffer said. "At the end of the day, patients and their doctors just want to know if blood pressure is under control, and this new smoothed graph can be an additional tool to make it easier and faster for busy doctors to accurately assess that." This proof-of-concept study is the foundation for Shaffer's ongoing research with Richelle Koopman, a professor in the School of Medicine, which includes working with Vanderbilt University and Oregon Health & Science University to determine whether the new smoothed graph can one day be shown to patients taking their own blood pressure at home. The research team is working to get the technology integrated with HIPAA-compliant electronic health records that patients and their care team have access to. This could alleviate pressure on the health care system by potentially reducing the need for in-person visits when blood pressure is under control, reducing the risk for false positives that may lead to over-treatment. "There are some people who are being over-treated with unnecessary blood pressure medication that can make them dizzy and lower their heart rate," Shaffer said. "This is particularly risky for older adults who are more at risk for falling. Hopefully, this work can help identify those who are being over-treated." The findings were not particularly surprising to Shaffer. "As a psychologist, I know that, as humans, we have these biases that underlie a lot of our judgments and decisions," Shaffer said. "We tend to be visually drawn to extreme cases and perceive extreme cases as threats. It's hard to ignore, whether you're a patient or a provider. We are all humans." Given the increasing popularity of health informatics and smart wearable devices that track vital signs, the smoothed graphs could one day be applied to interpreting other health metrics. "We have access to all this data now like never before, but how do we make use of it in a meaningful way, so we are not constantly overwhelming people?" Shaffer said. "With better visualization tools, we can give people better context for their health information and help them take action when needed." Using the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet), an international team of researchers has discovered that super-Earth exoplanets are more common across the universe than previously thought, according to a new study. By studying light anomalies made by the newly found planet's host star and combining their results with a larger sample from a KMTNet microlensing survey, the team found that super-Earths can exist as far from their host star as our gas giants are from the sun, said Andrew Gould, co-author of the study and professor emeritus of astronomy at The Ohio State University. "Scientists knew there were more small planets than big planets, but in this study, we were able to show that within this overall pattern, there are excesses and deficits," he said. "It's very interesting." While it can be relatively easy to locate worlds that orbit close to their star, planets with wider paths can be difficult to detect. Still, researchers further estimated that for every three stars, there should be at least one super-Earth present with a Jupiter-like orbital period, suggesting these massive worlds are extremely prevalent across the universe, said Gould, whose early theoretical research helped develop the field of planetary microlensing. The findings in this study were made via microlensing, an observational effect that occurs when the presence of mass warps the fabric of space-time to a detectable degree. When a foreground object, such as a star or planet, passes between an observer and a more distant star, light is curved from the source, causing an apparent increase in the object's brightness that can last anywhere from a few hours to several months. Astronomers can use these fluctuations, or bumps, in brightness to help locate alien worlds unlike our own. In this case, microlensing signals were used to locate OGLE-2016-BLG-0007, a super-Earth with a mass ratio roughly double that of Earth's and an orbit wider than Saturn's. These observations allowed the team to divide exoplanets into two groups, one that consists of super-Earths and Neptune-like planets and the other comprising gas giants like Jupiter or Saturn. This discovery opens new doors for planetary system science: Having a better understanding of exoplanet distribution can reveal new insights about the processes by which they form and evolve. The study, led by researchers in China, Korea and at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution in the United States, was recently published in the journal Science. To explain their results, researchers also compared their findings to predictions made from theoretical simulations of planet formation. Their results showed that while exoplanets can be separated into groups by mass and makeup, the mechanisms that may produce them can vary. "The dominant theory of gas-giant formation is through runaway gas accretion, but other people have said that it could be both accretion and gravitational instability," said Gould. "We're saying we can't distinguish between those two yet." Doing so will likely require greater swaths of long-term data from specialized systems such as KMTNet and other microlensing instruments like it, said Richard Pogge, another co-author of the study and a professor of astronomy at Ohio State. "Finding a microlensing star event is hard. Finding a microlensing star with a planet is hard-squared," he said. "We have to look at hundreds of millions of stars to find even a hundred of these things." These alignments are so rare that only 237 out of the more than 5,000 exoplanets ever discovered have been identified using the microlensing method. Now, with the help of three powerful custom-built telescopes located in South Africa, Chile and Australia, the KMTNet system routinely allows scientists to scour the cosmos for these amazing events, said Pogge. Most notably, it was scientists in Ohio State's Imaging Sciences Laboratory who designed and built the Korean Microlensing Telescope Network Cameras (KMTCam) that the system relies on to identify exoplanets. And as technology continues to evolve, having dedicated, global collaborations like this one will turn visions of scientific theory into real discoveries, said Pogge. "We're like paleontologists reconstructing not only the history of the universe we live in but the processes that govern it," he said. "So helping to bring both of those pieces together into one picture has been enormously satisfying." Other members of Ohio State's ISL team include Bruce Atwood, Tom O'Brien, Mark Johnson, Mark Derwent, Chris Colarosa, Jerry Mason, Daniel Pappalardo and Skip Shaller. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation, Tsinghua University, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the China Manned Space Project, Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange and the National Research Foundation of Korea. Stephanie G. Douglas learned early in life the boundless potential of cutting-edge innovation. My father was an IT project manager, the Carlisle native said. He encouraged me to consider the technology field, foreseeing the impact it would have on our daily lives. Growing up, she drew inspiration from him, combining a new frontier with an age-old passion to make a difference in young lives. My interest in becoming a teacher was a desire to help children grow academically and believe in themselves, she said. I deeply value this community. Now, after 35 years in public education, Douglas plans to retire from the Carlisle Area School District, effective June 30. What started out as a teaching position has turned into a central office administrative post as director of digital learning. I plan to stay local, she said. My husband and I cherish our involvement with nonprofit organizations. I plan to expand my role as a hospice patient volunteer, advocate for the best interests of children and begin a part-time position. In todays 5 Questions, The Sentinel gave Douglas the opportunity to look back on her career with an eye to the future of technology in education. Q: What is your fondest memory of working with the Carlisle Area School District? A: I have many memories from my time with the school district, but some of the most extraordinary include being part of the team that secured a $4 million Digital School District grant, and coordinating our first teleconference connecting Model UN students to the deputy ambassador of New Zealand via a large satellite dish installed on the CHS (Carlisle High School) roof. There was incredible energy during the development of the grant with teachers, administrators and community members coming together with a shared vision. The programs funded through that grant were implemented with dedication, all while keeping our focus on day-to-day instruction and student support. Online Learning Curve: Livestream lessons may be impractical for some school districts Logistical issues make it difficult for some school districts to implement livestream lessons as a virtual learning option. With all due respect to traditional snow days, I take pride in our early implementation of the eDay program well before remote learning became the norm. This initiative laid the groundwork for maintaining the school year schedule, helped us avoid make-up days often marked by high student absences, and, in its own small way, prepared us for the challenges of pandemic-era education. These initiatives werent just about chasing trends or adopting the latest technology; they were rooted in providing real opportunities for individualized learning, innovative instruction, and equitable access to educational resources. Our approach to technology was never all or nothing it was always about moderation, thoughtful use, and purposeful integration to support creativity, collaboration, and meaningful learning, a mindset that continues to this day. Q: What do you find most rewarding about your job? A: The interactions with people and growing relationships have been the most rewarding aspects of the job. Regardless of the latest instructional initiative, technology upgrade, challenge or opportunity what I value most is the commitment of individuals working together to provide each child with meaningful experiences that spark curiosity, foster growth and support their development into successful adults. Ive had the privilege of watching students grow at their own pace, each following a unique path into adulthood pursuing careers, gaining independence and raising families. Witnessing those journeys has been deeply rewarding. As I approach retirement, its hard to imagine life beyond this program. Amidst all the job responsibilities, I find myself pausing during the busy pre-school hours at an elementary school watching teachers and substitutes prepare for the day, secretaries assisting parents with last-minute changes, and students eagerly waiting to enter, ready to reconnect with friends and start their day with their school family. At any moment in the high school, I might pass by an orchestra class warming up, students collaborating on group projects, or a teacher meeting one-on-one with an English learner, offering guidance and support. Public education is a treasure built on love, hope and optimism. While we cant control everything that happens outside our schools, the daily opportunities we have to nurture growth and connections with them are truly special. Thats what I will miss most of all. Q: How did technology and its role in public education change over the course of your career? A: Ive seen technology evolve from a supplemental resource to an essential part of everyday learning enhancing access, communication and flexibility in ways we never could have imagined. Early in my career, access to information came through floppy disks and CD-based encyclopedias. Today, students tap into limitless knowledge through online databases, educational platforms and AI-powered search engines. Instead of planning a specific event to connect via satellite dish, we can now stream Veterans Day programs, band concerts and graduation ceremonies to countless recipients around the world and in any language without much effort or cost. When I began, we were thrilled to have shared computer labs and projection systems. Now, every student is equipped with a school-provided device as part of a 1:1 initiative. Communication with parents used to rely on phone calls, printed newsletters and in-person meetings. Today, we have access to apps and online portals that provide instant access to updates, assignments and grades. Technology has also helped remove barriers. Virtual meetings make it possible for parents and guardians whether deployed overseas or limited by a work schedule to attend parent-teacher conferences and other meetings regarding their students education. Remote learning has become a meaningful option for students with medical conditions, unique extracurricular commitments or individual learning needs, ensuring they can stay connected to their education. Q: What did you find most challenging about your job with the district? Was it coping with COVID or something else? A: The biggest challenge was limited time and balancing the many opportunities to support students and staff across the district. It wasnt always easy to prioritize and ensure each initiative received the attention it deserved. Ive been fortunate to work alongside of and have the support of superintendents, school board members and co-workers over the years, providing guidance and comfort during even the most challenging times. Additionally, my family has shown me more patience than I could ever deserve. Carlisle Area School Board may vote Thursday to implement a flexible instructional day program Carlisle Area School Board may vote this Thursday on a statement that affirms the application process for a flexible instructional day program. Q: What are your thoughts on the future of technology in public education? A: The future of technology in public education will make learning more personalized and accessible for everyone. As artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics continue to evolve, they are likely to play a significant role in tailoring educational experiences to meet the individual needs of each student. Educators will increasingly act as curators of learning experiences, using AI tools to identify student needs and then providing targeted instruction, encouragement and context that only a human can offer. AI will enhance the teachers toolkit, but the heart of education the human connection will always stay with the teacher. There will be more developments in assistive technologies that support students with disabilities. Tools like speech-to-text, screen readers and customizable learning environments will empower all students, ensuring that everyone has access to the tools they need to succeed. As technology becomes a bigger part of education, teaching digital literacy will be more important. Students will need to learn how to safely use technology, understand information online and use it responsibly. This will be crucial not only for school success but also future workplace readiness. There was the slightest hesitation and a few inquires, but ultimately the decision was made: Charlottesville is ready to officially declare itself a nature-loving city. City Council passed a resolution Monday that puts Charlottesville a few steps shy of joining a global network of biophilic cities which place a high premium on nature preservation in urban design. The resolution was passed unanimously with all five councilors in attendance and marks the first of three steps required to officially join the University of Virginia-based Biophilic Cities network which spans 32 cities across the globe, including such faraway destinations as Panama City, Barcelona and Singapore. Even though the network has been based in Charlottesville since 2013, the city has only recently considered joining. A biophilic city is one that puts nature at the center of urban planning and incorporates it into its built environment. It is more of an information-sharing collective than a set of policies or regulations a city must abide. Proponents say that such cities promote economic growth and benefit the happiness and health of residents. The remaining steps to join the network include submitting a statement outlining both Charlottesvilles existing biophilic qualities and its future initiatives, as well as a list of five indicators by which progress can be measured. Virginia cities already part of the network include Richmond, Norfolk, Arlington and Reston. JD Brown, program director with Biophilic Cities and a UVa alumnus, told councilors on Monday that there are practically no reasons not to join the network. I dont want to overstate the resolution and the application, he said. Its really about participating in this global network where its an exchange of ideas, finding out what other cities are doing [and] using this as an opportunity to be a talking point. Joining the network comes at no cost. Rather, it offers cities an opportunity to benefit from collaboration with scholars and other cities. Charlottesville would be able to participate in events, exchange ideas with peer cities domestic and international and contribute policies and plans to a shared resource library. Basically only benefits and no cost, said Mona El Khafif, an associate professor at the UVas School of Architecture who was present during Mondays meeting. El Khafif and Brown, along with Kristel Riddervold, director of the citys Office of Sustainability, are part of a team that together presented the resolution to Council. The Biophilic Cities network was founded 12 years ago by Tim Beatley, the Teresa Heinz professor of sustainable communities at UVas School of Architecture. Beatley remains its executive director. Initial membership for partner cities is for a period of two years, followed by subsequent periods of two to five years. Councilors discussed the resolution for about 10 minutes before voting Monday, at which point some took the opportunity to ask a few clarifying questions. From a tangible perspective, can you help me think through what sort of practical things might result from this in terms of how the city does work? Councilor Brian Pinkston asked Riddervold. Im just trying to be realistic. I mean, I support this I mean, who couldnt? But Im just wanting to make sure theres not something that we dont know about that will hinder us from making some other decisions that we need to make, particularly around land use. I think its fair to say that theres nothing thats going to restrict us, Riddervold replied. I think this is really about, Is this part of the fabric of this community? Is this part of what people feel is part of Charlottesville? Mayor Juandiego Wade raised a similar point, asking if the city were to entertain a new housing project would its membership get in the way of development. Charlottesville has been in the midst of a self-described housing crisis since at least 2009. The city is now the second-most expensive real estate market in all of Virginia, after the Washington suburbs. And a recent rezoning meant to boost density in the city and make housing more affordable faces a lawsuit that is prepared to go to trial. Riddervold told Wade he had nothing to worry about. If we join the network, it will not limit your consideration of those type of proposals, she said. Riddervold, whos been with the city for more than two decades, told councilors Monday that if for some reason things dont work out, the initial two-year membership offers a convenient way out. If its not a good fit, we have another conversation, she said. But on the other hand, if it is a good fit, Charlottesville could be making history. The Biophilic Cities is already having conversations with neighboring localities, including Albemarle County, to join the network and establish the worlds very first biophilic region. Christine Putnam, who sits on the Albemarle County Natural Heritage Committee, told Charlottesville councilors Monday that she hopes to bring the proposal before the county Board of Supervisors. I think that there is some interest in the county to do that, Putnam said. But I cant speak for them. Reached for comment, Albemarle County spokeswoman Abbey Stumpf confirmed to The Daily Progress that work is being done at the Natural Heritage Committee level to bring the proposal forward but no timeline has been set yet. It is not immediately clear when Council will move forward with the remaining steps required before officially joining the Biophilic Cities network. But the resolution passed Monday gives city staff the go-ahead to submit a formal application. Riddervold told The Daily Progress that joining the network is less about enforcement and more about inspiring. Its not something that can be necessarily enforced, she said. But I think it provides formality to a commitment of honoring and celebrating and baking the value of nature into what we do as an urban area. At the end of the day, Riddervold continued, this is an information-sharing, experience-sharing collective, concerted effort. It isnt a legal term, and its not a technical site plan or code or regulation. Its really a kind of a different universe. Investor focus at the end of the week will continue to be on all things concerning geopolitics. In particular, reports indicated that Beijing was studying potentially lifting its 125% tariffs on imports of some US goods. Also overnight it was reported that consultancy GfK's consumer confidence index fell by four points to -23 in April (consensus: -21). Against that backdrop, at 0600 GMT ONS would report UK retail sales figures for the month of March. The consumer would also be in focus Stateside, with the University of Michigan due to release a final reading on consumer confidence covering the month of April. On the corporate side of things, investors will be digesting the latest quarterly results out of tech giant Alphabet. In a note sent to clients ahead of the results, City analyst Michael Hewson said that the share price drop since early February may have been in response to the company's announcement that it would invest $75bn on artificial intelligence. Of that amount, $16-18bn was to be spent over the first three months of 2025. "Will this be money well spent when you have the likes of DeepSeek claiming AI success on a fraction of the cost?," Hewson asked. Earnings per share for Q1 were pegged to come in at $2.02. Friday 25 April INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE JPMorgan Emerging Markets Inv Trust, Northamber, Redcentric, VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd. QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE Patria Private Equity Trust, Value and Indexed Property Income Trust INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS U. of Michigan Confidence (US) (15:00) EGMS China Yangtze Power Co., Ltd GDR (Reg S) AGMS Me Group International, Pristine Capital, Senior UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Retail Sales (07:00) FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Crest Nicholson Holdings, Heavitree Brewery, Heavitree Brewery 'A' Shares, Kitwave Group, Oakley Capital Investments Ltd. (DI) London stocks finished higher on Friday, even as investors locked in profits following nine straight days of gains, driven by easing trade tensions and hopes of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The FTSE 100 edged up 0.09% (+8 points) to 8,415.25, after having swung between gains and losses for most of the morning session. The index closed at its highest since 3 April on Thursday, having surged by 9.5% over the past nine trading days alone. In parallel, the FTSE 250 added 0.54% or 105.32 points to 19,609.69. Helping recent gains were rumours that China is considering suspending its 125% retaliatory tariffs on select US imports, raising hopes that the two nations could come to a deal, while US-Japan trade talks were said to be promising. However, reports from Xinhua News Agency early on Friday suggested that China was preparing contingency plans such as monetary and policy tools to boost the economy amid the deepening trade war as Beijing continues to dismiss US reports that the two sides were closing in on a trade deal. Nevertheless, Fed rate-cut chatter has lifted sentiment in recent days after policymakers Christopher Waller and Beth Hammack both indicated that they would be happy to loosen monetary policy earlier than anticipated if economic data worsens with market pricing for a June rate cut increasing. "Stocks have enjoyed a much better week overall as talk of firing Powell has receded and the US strikes a more conciliatory tone with China," said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG. "But with so many companies warning of tougher times to come, the current bounce could be just one of those famed 'bear market rallies', which stage a huge rebound before giving way to bigger losses as bad news begins to bite." Back on home shores, economic data out on Friday showed that UK consumer confidence softened notably in April as concerns about the health of the economy mounted. The latest GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer was -23, down four points on both March and on April 2024, and the lowest level since November 2023. Within that, all-sub measures were lower, although the sharpest falls related to the economy. Expectations for the general economic situation over the next 12 months fell eight points to -37. Meanwhile, UK retail volumes were estimated to have risen by 0.4% in March, following a revised 0.7% increase in February, surprising economists who had pencilled in a 0.4% decline. The Office for National Statistics said much of Marchs rise was driven by clothing and outdoor retailers, who reported that the warmer, sunny weather had boosted fashion and DIY sales in particular. Mobico tanks, miners provide a drag Transport company Mobico plunged 41% after saying annual earnings would be at the lower end of guidance. The company also announced it had sold its North America school bus business to global infrastructure investment manager I Squared Capital for up to $608m. Precious metals miners Fresnillo, Endeavour and Hochschild fell as gold prices continued to retreat from recent record highs. Heavyweight miner Anglo American traded in the red, but Antofagasta finished the session higher. Companies with heavy exposure to the US performed well, including building materials group CRH, gambling outfit Entain, and pest control giant Rentokil Initial. Meanwhile, Shell edged higher on the news that it is to exit three offshore gas projects in Colombia as they no longer meet the company's "strategic ambitions". Shell, the operator in the projects, has held an equal share in the Col 5, Purple Angel and Fuerte Sur deepwater projects along with state-run Ecopetrol since December 2020. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 8,415.25 0.09% FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,609.69 0.54% techMARK (TASX) 4,457.46 0.04% FTSE 100 - Risers Melrose Industries (MRO) 429.40p 3.77% Entain (ENT) 588.20p 3.37% CRH (CDI) (CRH) 6,954.00p 2.90% Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 755.40p 2.75% Centrica (CNA) 157.35p 2.44% St James's Place (STJ) 952.60p 2.30% Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) 1,880.00p 2.17% Schroders (SDR) 327.60p 1.61% Mondi (MNDI) 1,143.50p 1.60% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 265.60p 1.57% FTSE 100 - Fallers Unilever (ULVR) 4,685.00p -2.21% Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 386.00p -2.15% Fresnillo (FRES) 982.50p -2.14% Pearson (PSON) 1,152.00p -2.00% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,104.00p -1.95% Rightmove (RMV) 717.60p -1.67% Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (DI) (CCEP) 6,580.00p -1.50% Diageo (DGE) 2,065.00p -1.48% Rio Tinto (RIO) 4,550.00p -1.37% Compass Group (CPG) 2,459.00p -1.36% FTSE 250 - Risers Indivior (INDV) 815.50p 5.63% Bridgepoint Group (Reg S) (BPT) 274.00p 5.63% Deliveroo Class (ROO) 146.60p 4.71% Hays (HAS) 71.65p 3.54% Patria Private Equity Trust (PPET) 569.00p 3.45% Senior (SNR) 132.00p 3.45% Volution Group (FAN) 546.00p 3.21% Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 1,617.00p 2.86% Allianz Technology Trust (ATT) 354.50p 2.75% Drax Group (DRX) 597.50p 2.66% FTSE 250 - Fallers Mobico Group (MCG) 34.82p -40.93% Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) 358.80p -3.60% Raspberry PI Holdings (RPI) 421.20p -3.26% Future (FUTR) 698.00p -2.79% Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 571.00p -2.74% Ocado Group (OCDO) 273.00p -2.41% Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) 119.30p -2.29% Hilton Food Group (HFG) 872.00p -2.02% Pets at Home Group (PETS) 226.60p -1.90% Endeavour Mining (EDV) 2,020.00p -1.75% UK stocks are expected to rise for the 10th straight session on Friday as an easing of tensions between the US and its trading partners lift investor optimism, along with hopes that the Federal Reserve may move sooner than expected to cut interest rates. "Yesterday allowed global risk investors to take a deeper breath. Dovish comments from Federal Reserve members, and de-escalation of trade tensions between the US and China allowed a further recovery in global equities," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank. The FTSE 100 is being called to open around 0.1% higher than Thursday's close of 8,407.44. The index has now posted a gain in every trading session since 10 April, rising 9.5% overall. However, it still remains below levels on 3 April the day after Trump first unveiled sweeping trade tariffs. Helping recent gains were rumours that China is considering suspending its 125% retaliatory tariffs on select US imports, raising hopes that the two nations could come to a deal, while US-Japan trade talks were said to be promising. However, reports from Xinhua News Agency early on Friday suggested that China was preparing contingency plans such as monetary and policy tools to boost the economy amid a deepening trade war as Beijing continues to dismiss US reports that the two sides were closing in on a trade deal. Nevertheless, Fed rate-cut chatter has lifted sentiment in recent days after policymakers Christopher Waller and Beth Hammack both indicated that they would be happy to loosen monetary policy earlier than anticipated if economic data worsens with market pricing for a June rate cut increasing. "The rally isnt just about the Fed blinking. Asia is waking up to a possible ceasefire in the trade war, and thats adding fuel to the fire. For the first time in weeks, traders have something real to price into the tape," said Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management. Back on home shores, economic data out on Friday showed that UK consumer confidence softened notably in April as concerns about the health of the economy mounted. The latest GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer was -23, down four points on both March and on April 2024, and the lowest level since November 2023. Within that, all-sub measures were lower, although the sharpest falls related to the economy. Expectations for the general economic situation over the next 12 months fell eight points to -37. In company news, transport company Mobico on Friday said annual earnings would be at the lower end of guidance after announcing it had finally sold its its North America school bus business to global infrastructure investment manager I Squared Capital for up to $608m (457m). Mobico expects upfront net proceeds of around $365m-385m. It added that the disposal will see cash flow reallocated to cutting debt and funding growth opportunities, particularly in the ALSA division. Apple plans to shift the assembly of all US-sold iPhones to India as soon as next year, according to people familiar with the matter, as President Donald Trumps trade war forces the tech giant to pivot away from China. The push builds on Apples strategy to diversify its supply chain but goes further and faster than investors appreciate, with a goal to source from India the entirety of the more than 60mn iPhones sold annually in the US by the end of 2026. Financial Times The White House has hinted that its first trade deal could be with South Korea, saying that the talks are progressing faster than it expected. Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary, said that technical negotiations with South Korea will start next week. Speaking at the White House, he said: We had a very successful bilateral meeting with the Republic of South Korea today. The Times A government spending watchdog has questioned the value of the multi-billion pound subsidies granted to the Drax power plant in North Yorkshire and said that plans to hand over billions more may not represent value for money. The government has provided about 22bn of public money to businesses and households that burn biomass pellets as fuel over the past three years, including 6.5bn for the owner of the Drax plant. The Guardian Donald Trump has turned on Rupert Murdoch after Fox News published a poll suggesting the US presidents approval rating has slumped to a fresh low. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: Rupert Murdoch has told me for years that he is going to get rid of his FoxNews, Trump Hating, Fake Pollster, but he has never done so. This pollster has gotten me, and MAGA, wrong for years. Fox News this week published a poll which placed the presidents approval rating at just 44pc as he approaches 100 days of his second term in office. The Telegraph BlackRock, the worlds largest investor, has been buying billions of pounds of UK assets that it believes are undervalued. Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock, has revealed that the fund manager has been building positions in UK assets across the board having been reassured by the early rhetoric from the government of Sir Keir Starmer. The Times Water companies have been getting away with failures to improve sewage works and overspending because of regulatory problems, a damning report by the governments spending watchdog has found. Firms have overspent on infrastructure building, the National Audit Office (NAO) found, with some of these costs being added to consumers bills. The Guardian this week reported Ofwat and the independent water commission are investigating water firms for spending up to 10 times as much on their sewage works and piping as comparable countries. The Guardian As Republican members of Congress focus more on what Washington pays to support expanded Medicaid coverage, Jessi Ross, thinking of her path to recovery from addiction, is growing alarmed. Im not even sure if I would be alive if it were not for Medicaid, Ross said Wednesday at a news conference at the General Assembly Building where she and others called on Virginias congressional delegation not to cut Medicaid funding. She said she had been addicted to opioids for more than 20 years, living out of state, and when her partner died of an overdose a few years back, her mother brought her back home to Virginia. In 2018, Virginia lawmakers and Gov. Ralph Northam approved Medicaid expansion, choosing to accept Affordable Care Act funds to provide Medicaid coverage to more people. Before that, Virginia had some of the most limited coverage in the nation. Virginias Medicaid expansion, which covers some 630,000 people now, is at risk. Even the smallest cut in what the federal government pays as its share of the expansion 90% as opposed to 50% for traditional Medicaid would trigger an automatic cancelation of coverage for those 630,000 people, including Ross. Virginia's Medicaid expansion included a kill switch to reverse the expansion if the federal government reduced its share of the costs by more than 1%. This week, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, a Georgia Republican, told Fox Business that Republicans are thinking of cutting much of their $880 billion target for Medicaid by cutting the amount Washington pays for Medicaid expansion. When Ross thinks of what that could mean, she remembers that Medicaid paid for an intensive outpatient treatment program eight hours a day, three days a week as well as group therapy. My case manager, who was paid by Medicaid, literally just put me on my feet and sober. Medicaid also paid for my suboxone when I relapsed, she said, Without Medicaid, suboxone and doctors appointments would have been unaffordable. Ross said that on the way to getting better, she learned that she had undiagnosed bipolar disorder and panic disorder. Just my mental health medications would cost me $80 a month when I didn't even have shoes," she said. "Medicaid gave me basic stability in terms of affording my medicine and my treatment, as well as my outpatient treatment. So I'm here just to beg Congress, please do not cut Medicaid," she continued. "People will relapse. I'm afraid I will relapse without the health care I get to Medicaid." She said she's learned she can live a sober, productive life; Ross now works as a peer recovery specialist, helping others along the path shes been following. But you need supports to do it, and when you start removing those supports, the world collapses around you, and you could relapse. Medicaid saved my life, she said. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, echoed the call to Virginias congressional delegation especially U.S. Reps. Rob Wittman, R-1st, and Jen Kiggans, R-2nd. They recently signed a letter saying they will not support the budget bill that House Republicans are preparing to carry out President Donald Trumps political agenda if it cuts health care coverage that vulnerable Virginians receive under Medicaid. I see it very much as a performative gesture. And I hope that it is more than that," said Hashmi, one of six Democrats seeking the party's nomination for lieutenant governor in a June 17 primary. "I hope they're going to actually follow up with real, meaningful action." The impact on Virginia if expansion funding is cut and so many Virginians are cut from Medicaid rolls would be catastrophic, she said. Medicaid, thanks to the expansion, pays for the anxiety medication that DeShawn Cross needs, just as it paid for a detox program and the medication he needed when withdrawal triggered seizures. I was addicted to alcohol and living on the streets of Newport News and Norfolk at first, but thanks to Medicaid, I was able to get to a recovery program in the area, he said. Medicaid also covered my first 30 days of my recovery," he said. "It was thanks to my case manager there, who was paid by Medicaid, that I was able to get into a recovery house program." I would just tell members of Congress, if you want to get more people to be productive members of society, some of them need help getting a start. I needed that help getting a start, and Medicaid was that start, he said. You can't take something away from somebody who is trying to find their way. If you take that away, what are they going to start with?" he asked. "Where are they going to go? What are they going to do? Upon meeting John Kenney briefly in a receiving line once in Lhasa, the Dalai Lama is said to have turned to his assistant and asked "Who is that remarkable man? His stillness is awesome. But his palms were really sweaty." That man, of course, was John Kenney. We say "of course" because we told you that in the first sentence. And we were lying. Take 2: John Kenney did many of the things most people do before a certain age, including school, sports, summer camp, and federal prison. He is no different from many of the people you might see on a city street or in an airport, though upon seeing him you might say, "Why isn't that man wearing pants?" There is no language he does not speak fluently. This is also a lie. Once more: John Kenney got his start in advertising in Boston, after failed careers as a caddy, plasterer's assistant, busboy and nanny. He worked for Ogilvy & Mather in New York for nearly 10 years. His writing has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, and is included in the New Yorker's anthology of its best humor writing, Disquiet, Please! He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Truth in Advertising is his first novel. Truth in Advertising pokes fun at (and often skewers) the advertising industry, yet there are many other moments where a valid case is made for it being an underappreciated art form. What is your feeling about the artistic value of advertising? Let me start out by saying that, having worked for many years in advertising, I have a lot of respect for it. It put a roof over my head, fed my family. And some of the brightest, most creative people I've ever met work in the business. But there's also something really funny about advertising to me. The seriousness of a project for, say, Fritos. Dozens of highly educated people working nights and weekends to crack a creative brief for corn chips. Huge money and market share at stake. A lot of time you end up with pretty forgettable work. But then you see something that stops you and makes you think or laugh, that touches you, maybe. Definitions of art get tricky for me, in large part because no one in America knows less about art that I do. I know what I like. I know what moves me. But I'm not sure I'd call advertising art. But I do think there are people in it--writers, art directors, commercial directors--who are doing remarkable work, work that certainly makes a lasting impression. What were the challenges you faced in switching from short-form copywriting to long-form novel? Conversely, what were the rewards? In my experience it's not all that different. Writing is writing. Really well-crafted print ads or TV scripts take time. That said, the novel is daunting. The length of it. I learned to write fast in advertising, under deadline. That's a very helpful thing. I'm not saying that what I put down was always good. But it got me started, gave me something to work with. The rewards were that, once I got going, once the characters began to speak for themselves, the story finding itself, I didn't have to find a way of working a product in. Coming from an advertising background, where clients dictate what you can say, being able to say anything you want is very liberating. While the novel explores Fin's relationship with his abusive, absent father, the relationship between brothers (both by birth and by choice) is a resonant theme. Can you explain how this theme developed for you? I'm from a family of six boys. I grew up in Boston, in a neighborhood that was home to lots of large families. The sibling relationships were something to watch. Family members who simply didn't get along, who passionately disliked each other. Fin has two older brothers and one older sister. But it's his oldest brother who he really looked up to, relied upon. They grow apart to the point where they stop mattering to each other. I find that fascinating and terribly sad. It's interesting because to me family is supposed to act like Navy SEALS on the battlefield--they just never leave you behind. What happens when they do, when these people who you once knew so well become strangers to you? As the narrative moves forward, the present (the crazy Christmas diaper campaign), the immediate past (the break-up of Fin's engagement), and the distant past (Fin's family tragedy) are expertly revealed with progressively larger chunks of information and we see how they are all linked in Fin's psyche. How did you develop this structure? Well, first, thank you for saying that. Structure is hard for me. I can be very myopic and stay in a scene too much. It's important to be able to pull way back and see the whole story from 30,000 feet. Many drafts, many failures. But I'd be lying if I said I sat down and plotted it all out. I'm not that smart. I can't see that far ahead. I think there are points in our life, times when vital events intersect and we need to make important choices, lasting choices. I was intrigued, the more I wrote, with the trauma of Fin's experience, how it was all coming to a head, while at the same time his life and work were forcing him to act in ways he was very uncomfortable with. What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself as a writer in the course of writing Truth in Advertising? That's a hard question. There were periods of time--long chunks of time, a month, six weeks, two months--where I was unable to put a usable word on paper. It was very frustrating. I'd really lost the thread, the voice. It wasn't that I wasn't trying. I'd sit there and try to do the work, but the work was bad. But it changes. It changes if you keep doing the work. Perhaps that's what I learned. It's a long way from copywriter to novelist. I wasn't sure I had what it takes. I'm still not sure, because, to my mind, anyway, one book does not make a writer. But I know that I'm willing to do the work and try like hell. --Debra Ginsberg, author Maika Moulite is a Miami native, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, and a doctoral student at Howard University. She's the eldest of four sisters and, when she's not writing, loves listening to audiobooks, journaling, dancing, and singing at the top of her lungs. Maritza Moulite graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in women's studies and the University of Southern California with an MA in journalism. The Moulite sisters have written two previous YA novels together: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine and One of the Good Ones. Their first work of YA horror is The Summer I Ate the Rich (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). Justine Pucella Winans is a queer and nonbinary writer who lives in Los Angeles with their husband and incredible Halloween-colored cats. Their books include the YA novels Bianca Torres Is Afraid of Everything and One Killer Problem. Their first work of YA horror is How to Survive a Slasher (Bloomsbury). Here, Winans and the Moulite sisters discuss their first works of YA horror and how their appreciation for specific horror tropes--the final girl and zombies (zonbis)--inspired them to write new takes on those tropes. Justine Pucella Winans: Both of our books are built around well-known horror tropes. The biggest trope that inspired me is "The Final Girl": this underdog, reluctant hero (I mean, I think even horror protagonists don't want to be in a horror story) has to come into their power to beat the Big Bad. I love an underdog, and I love a reluctant hero, but any horror fan knowns that the role of final girl took on pretty much one shape for a long time. How about you? Maritza Moulite: The heart of our story is Brielle's identity as a zombie (or in Haitian Creole, zonbi). But the zombies we're used to in the United States are always moaning and groaning and dragging their feet and trying to eat brains. And it's been a huge part of the Western imagination for a long time--the CDC even once used a pretend impending Zombie Apocalypse to show the significance of emergency preparedness. Maika Moulite (photo: Lydi Ann Mary) Maika Moulite: But we're Haitian American, and the idea of zombies originally came from Haitian culture: the enslaved people were terrified of becoming zonbi and being forced into eternal servitude--slavery even in death. Brielle is Haitian and American so the way she shows up as a zombie is inspired by the original version and the one Hollywood and American sociologists made up. Winans: In How to Survive a Slasher, I played with the idea that the Final Girl role isn't limited to gender and showed that anyone can be the hero (especially if you're desperate enough). My protagonist is a genderqueer bisexual whose late father was a Final Girl. CJ just wants to be ignored, but all the characters in roles that would normally be considered small supporting or background roles in a traditional slasher are forced into the leading roles. So, the story still follows the general plot beats of slasher movies and books before it, but it's also aware of these conventions and (lovingly) pokes fun at them. It's definitely campy and meta to explore all these tropes in a story, but I had a lot of fun with it. Maritza Moulite: Yes! We had the title of the book and the start of an outline, but something still felt like it was missing. Then it came to us: What if Brielle literally ate the rich? We're so glad you had a fun time writing How to Survive a Slasher, Justine. We're dying to know, though: do you think you would survive a slasher? Justine Pucella Winans (photo: ZAW Photography) Winans: I think my only shot in terms of survival is that I watch and read a lot of horror! I hope that (and my limited knowledge of Brazilian jiu-jitsu) would allow me to at least have a fighting chance.... Maika Moulite: We've seen the jiu-jitsu pictures on Insta--you would definitely survive! Winans: Slasher horror is the type of horror where I feel I'd have the best survival chance because most of the time, it's just another person who is the big bad. If it came to any apocalyptic scenario, I'm pretty sure I'd be one of the first to go. How do you think you'd fare in a zombie novel? Maritza Moulite: Well, if they're Haitian zonbi and we had enough time, we might stand a chance. In Haitian lore, zonbi are made through a mixture of various secret ingredients. So, our goal would be to steadily consume the ingredients over many weeks and months, which would hopefully render the potion ineffective because we would've built up a tolerance. But! If they're zombies like the ones in The Last of Us, I would immediately turn into a zombie because I can't say no to baked goods. Maika Moulite: I would try to appeal to any potential sense of diplomacy that they might have, and I would fail. Maritza Moulite (photo: Lydi Ann Mary) Maritza Moulite: Bless her. Maika Moulite: How was writing this book different from the other works you've published? Winans: Slasher is my first YA horror/thriller, and my first two YA titles were more lighthearted and funny mysteries. I think Slasher has those moments, but it's really my love letter to slasher movies and fiction. I anticipated it being much more firmly in the campy horror comedy genre, but while I was drafting it, I was going through some loss in my personal life. It sort of translated into the book with my main character, CJ, exploring their own grief in a way I didn't anticipate from the initial pitch. Maika Moulite: Yeah, we noticed that both of our books have something else in common: dead fathers. Experiencing loss in our family while we wrote TSIATR definitely seeped into our storytelling as well. Winans: But what about you? Your previous titles aren't horror. Was the writing process different? Are there genres you would like to explore in the future? Maika Moulite: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine was an epistolary novel, so we got to come up with fun bits of media that came together to make a story. It was like creating a puzzle and making sure we had enough pieces so the audience could see the picture. TSIATR is more straightforward prose, but we can't help but look to the past even in our contemporary works. There are lots of flashbacks to give context to what our protagonist Brielle goes through. We're open to writing any genre though! We're big romance fans--maybe we've got a love story or two to share. Maritza Moulite: We loved Slasher. It's a unique premise and it showcases the experiences of the loved ones who have been left behind in all the true crime stories our society consumes as entertainment. Plus, it's really funny. What do you hope readers feel at the end of your book? Winans: Thank you! I feel like there is often an expectation for books to be life changing and world shattering and if someone somehow gets that from Slasher, amazing! But I want to take readers for a ride, give them space to be a little scared or entertained, and to maybe feel smart because they guessed the ending. If someone can relate to CJ's grief or gender identity, that would be awesome, but really, I just want readers to feel like they had a fun time! What about you? Maika Moulite: We definitely relate to wanting readers to have a fun time! We wrote TSIATR during great personal loss as we navigated our dad's illness and ultimate passing, so it was a bit of an escape for us. As Brielle processes her own grief, she makes some pretty questionable decisions that create a wild ride. Ultimately, we want readers to be thoroughly entertained even as they question who the true monster in the tale is: Brielle or the billionaires who have all the financial power to make people's lives materially better but choose not to? With independent bookstores increasingly coming under attack for the books they carry, the events they host, the views they express, and the identities of their staff and owners, Shelf Awareness has spoken to several booksellers from around the country about the incidents they've experienced and the ways they've coped. Last week, we published the accounts of three indie booksellers; here are two more. "We've been kind of dealing with this for a long time," said the owner of a bookstore in the Boston, Mass., area that specializes in providing diverse and inclusive titles. Though harassment, threats, and attacks are "not new," the behavior seems to have "been more emboldened and brazen in the last several months. That is definitely nerve-wracking." Elaborating on the nature of the incidents, the bookseller said there has been harassment online, over the phone, via e-mail, and in person. Asked about the frequency, they said it can "ebb and flow" quite significantly. There will be stretches where it occurs in some form once a day, and others where there is nothing for two weeks. There are also times, such as when the bookstore was targeted and the owner personally doxxed, that it has become an "onslaught." The bookseller described it as roughly 72 hours of near constant harassment. They received phone calls, e-mails, comments on the store's social media channels, and a flood of bad reviews on Google and Yelp. The bookseller and their staff never responded to the comments, as that would only "add more to the fire." Though the actual post that started the doxxing was never taken down, the team did hide comments that were on the store's pages. The negative Google and Yelp reviews were reported, but only Yelp acted on those reports, and the bookseller never disconnected the shop's phones (the bookseller noted that when answering the phone, team members only say the store's name and never their own, "for protection purposes.") Eventually, the harassment began to taper off and "sort of slowed down on its own." During that time, American Booksellers for Free Expression reached out to offer support and let the bookseller know that the post had been reported. At the time, the bookseller was trying to deal with the crisis on their own and "wasn't thinking about who to talk to." They encouraged booksellers dealing with harassment to speak to ABFE, as the more ABFE knows, "the more help they can provide." The bookseller worked with ABFE, and had their first major incidents of harassment, related to hosting Drag Story Hour events. They implemented an emergency exit plan because of that, and they have instituted a number of other procedures and protocols to keep themselves and their staff safe. The store now has a security system, staff members are instructed to not answer the phone if the call is anonymous, and the bookseller keeps an incident log, among others. The team is doing harm reduction and de-escalation training as a staff, and they plan to do a know-your-rights training related to ICE raids. Expanding on the in-person harassment they've faced, the bookseller noted that the store moved recently and in its new home, which is in a more "neighborhood-y" area rather than a strip mall, people evidently feel less "brazen" to walk in and start harassing staff. That said, there has still been some harassment and name calling outside the store while staff were doing things like taking out the trash. Some of the harassment has included death threats and accusations of being pedophiles. "We're in Massachusetts, and a lot of people in Massachusetts think we're in a bubble," they said. People don't understand that there are "cracks within that bubble," and despite the state's liberal reputation, "there is still hate that exists." The bookseller has found it helpful to talk to other indie colleagues who have gone through the same thing. While it not only helps to know that one isn't alone, it can also be of practical help. They recalled receiving a phone call from a number that was not hidden, and in talking to other booksellers realized the same person had made the same harassing calls to other bookstores. It also helps to learn from stores that have much more experience dealing with harassment and threats. Asked what support they would like to see from the American Booksellers Association in addition to the support it already provides via ABFE, the bookseller said it "might come down to more trainings," not only for handling specific types of incidents but also for taking care of the mental health and well-being of one's self and one's staff during and after the incident. They also hoped for trainings to be made as widely available as possible. One problem for anyone trying to deal with harassment, they continued, is making sure not to feed the trolls. "You don't want to add more fuel to the fire, but at the same time, how do we fight the fire?" While acknowledging that many of these questions don't have easy answers, they emphasized the point that the problem "needs to be talked about." Harassment "hasn't slowed down" and likely isn't going to slow down, because "these folks are going to feel more emboldened." --- "Between the combo of being in D.C. and having politics in our name, we've always been a little bit of a lightning rod," said Carolyn Godavitarne, chief operating officer at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C. The store, which first opened in 1984, has dealt with protests and other disruptions "for a long time," and has procedures in place for many different types of incidents. Because of those procedures and related staff training, Godavitarne and the P&P team can address new issues "pretty quickly" when they do arise. In March, Godavitarne recalled, a group of anti-abortion activists conducted a "massive, paper the city with propaganda" campaign, which involved members of the group going around town and putting pieces of paper with anti-abortion messages in a variety of places. The pieces of paper looked like "fake dollar bills" and were deposited in grocery stores, Little Free Libraries, and many other locations, including Politics and Prose. Two members of the group entered the bookstore and began walking around and placing the flyers in between books, on shelves, and even inside books, with some sticking out like bookmarks and others completely hidden between pages. After staff began finding them, Godavitarne took a look at the store's security footage and realized they'd gone all over the bookstore. Staff "dropped everything" and were assigned shelves to comb through. The team wasn't able to find every bill until they used the security footage to figure out exactly where the two people stopped. Carolyn Godavitarne Godavitarne said it wasn't the first time propaganda has been left in-store, but it was the first time in a while, and she added that it was "not uncommon" for people to turn around or hide books related to various topics. P&P often hosts politicians, journalists, and others in the political realm for events, and that can draw quite a bit of attention. Most often that comes in the form of phone calls complaining about the inclusion of this or that speaker, but sometimes there are in-person protests. In these instances the team relies on the store's existing protest procedures. Asked whether the store has seen an increase in these incidents, Godavitarne said it didn't seem like it, and reiterated that the store has seen this sort of thing off-and-on for a long time. She did, however, say that she anticipates seeing "an uptick in far-right protesters," and she noted that the bookstore is just a few doors down from Comet Ping Pong, the pizzeria that was raided by a gunman in 2016 and continues to be a focal point of far-right conspiracy theories. Godavitarne said that perhaps the best thing booksellers and organizations like the ABA and ABFE can do right now is share information and best practices. She praised the training sessions held at conferences like Winter Institute and said she was "sure it would be welcome" if the association expanded those offerings. "We've been dealing with it and have dealt with it," remarked Godavitarne, saying she'd be "happy to help" other stores looking for guidance about how to handle these situations. --Alex Mutter Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has reported a 12% increase in revenue, reaching $90.2 billion for the quarter, with a quarterly profit of $34.5 billion. The growth was driven by strong performances in its cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. The cloud segment alone saw a 28% growth, totaling $12.3 billion. CEO Sundar Pichai credited the positive results to Alphabet's 'unique full-stack approach to AI', highlighting the company's Gemini software as a critical driver for ongoing innovation. The announcement led to a 3% rise in Alphabets shares during after-hours trading. Pichai emphasized the growing demand for data center-hosted solutions and the accelerated adoption of the companys cloud services. The strong financials come as Alphabet continues to make substantial investments in AI technology, which has sparked interest and scrutiny from analysts. Yory Wurmser, principal analyst at eMarketer, remarked that the cloud's growth indicates Googles AI product mix remains resilient despite increasing competition. However, the rise of cost-effective AI models, such as Chinas DeepSeek, is raising questions about the sustainability of Alphabet's current investment levels. AI advancements could further entrench Googles dominance in search. Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater underscored the importance of the case, asserting that 'nothing less than the future of the internet is at stake'. The case is being overseen by District Judge Amit Mehta, who previously ruled that Google maintained an illegal search monopoly. Despite these impressive results, Alphabet faces significant legal hurdles. The US Department of Justice has launched antitrust actions that could compel Google to divest key assets, including its Chrome browser, amid concerns thatcould further entrench Googles dominance in search. Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater underscored the importance of the case, asserting that 'nothing less than the future of the internet is at stake'. The case is being overseen by District Judge Amit Mehta, who previously ruled that Google maintained an illegal search monopoly. In addition, Google is also contending with a ruling that found it to have unlawfully dominated the online advertising technology market, which threatens the companys core revenue stream. Alphabet has confirmed plans to appeal both decisions, with hopes of mitigating potential restructuring and reduced market influence. India is in mourning for one of its greatest minds, Padma Vibhushan Dr. K. Kasturirangan, who recently passed away, leaving an everlasting legacy behind in the fields of space science, educational reform, and nation-building policymaking. Everyone from leaders to academicians and scientists has poured tributes in from all over the country, hailing him as a giant whose legacy built modern India. Dr. Kasturirangan was born on 24 October 1940, in Ernakulam, Kerala, and brought up well entrenched in the intellectual and cultural values of South India. His early childhood upbringing, guided by his maternal grandfather Sri Ananthanarayana Iyer, a sanitary inspector at Ernakulam, developed in him the virtues of discipline, integrity, and service. His ancestors belonged to Nallepalli Agraharam in Palakkad on his mother's side and Chalakudy in Thrissur on his father's side. Trained as an astrophysicist, Dr. Kasturirangan was an expert in high-energy X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. His scientific interests led him to make significant contributions to cosmic phenomena, establishing the foundation for a number of major space explorations. He served as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003, taking India through a revolutionary period of space exploration. During his tenure, ISRO embarked on a number of ambitious missions, such as launching India's first space-based high-energy astronomy observatory. All these efforts put India firmly in the league of serious players in the international space community. His stint at ISRO is universally recognized to have strengthened India's remote sensing abilities and enhancing its communication satellite infrastructure, both essential for socioeconomic development. Dr. Kasturirangan's technical expertise was rewarded with numerous awards such as the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma VibhushanIndia's highest civilian awards. Additionally, he received 27 honorary doctorates, testifying to his far-reaching influence on the scholarly community. Yet, Dr. Kasturirangan's impact went far beyond the scientific community. He was a key figure in redefining India's education. In 2017, he became chairman of the nine-member panel responsible for preparing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This was after the recommendations of the previous T.S.R. Subramanian committee and was a historic moment in India's vision of education. The panel headed by Kasturirangan presented the draft NEP in 2019 to then Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'. The policy approved in 2020 brought with it landmark reforms like the 5+3+3+4 curriculum structure, focusing on foundational learning, vocational training, and multidisciplinary pedagogy. It advocated for teaching in the mother tongue or local languages up to at least Grade 5, lightening the curriculum load to promote critical thinking, and proposed the establishment of a National Education Commission to monitor policy implementation. Dr. Kasturirangan was once more tasked with chairing a 12-member steering committee to formulate the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) according to NEP 2020 in 2021. The committee had four of the most important frameworks school education, teacher education, early childhood education, and adult education. The panel's suggestions had in mind a robust and visionary education system that incorporated the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritized experiential and socio-emotional learning. The committee also promoted the professionalization of teaching, with teachers being treated as a cadre on par with engineers and scientists, with an interdisciplinary perspective that combines science, technology, and the humanities. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who collaborated closely with Dr. Kasturirangan in the drafting of NEP 2020, posted an emotional tribute on social media platform X, previously Twitter. His passing is not just a deeply personal one for the international scientific and academic communities, but for me, an intensely personal one," the minister stated. "He was much more than just a mentor to me he was a beacon, a fount of wisdom, compassion, and unobtrusive strength.". His role as the chief architect of the National Education Policy 2020 is a permanent reminder of his farsightedness, a revolutionary legacy for future generations. Dr. Kasturirangan also had major public service assignments in his career. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha nominated from 2003 to 2009 and was a member of the erstwhile Planning Commission of India. He added value to national strategies in the areas of science, technology, and education during his time. As Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission, he advocated the concept of harnessing innovation and digital resources to improve education and envisioned knowledge cities and more effective public-private partnerships. In academia, he served in some of the most prestigious institutions, such as Chancellor of Central University of Rajasthan and NIIT University, and Director of National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore, between 2004 and 2009. These appointments were a testimony to his lifetime commitment to cultivating talent and creating world-class research. Indian education system and his passion to make it inclusive and competitive internationally will continue to be an inspiration for future reforms. The scientific community has never forgotten Dr. Kasturirangan as a visionary who harmonized the worlds of science and policy with uncommon beauty. His humility, leadership, and committed efforts commanded respect from generations of scientists, teachers, and policymakers. His profound knowledge of theand his passion to make it inclusive and competitive internationally will continue to be an inspiration for future reforms. India has lost not only a scientist or a policymaker, but a nation-builder. Dr. K. Kasturirangan's legacy will be remembered in the rockets that reach the sky, the students who gain from educational reforms, and the national policies that continue to guide a modern India. As the nation says goodbye to a legend, his vision for a knowledge-based, inclusive, and progressive India is more relevant than ever. Om Shanti. Hyundai Motor has launched a dedicated task force to address the growing threat of U.S. tariffs on automobiles and auto parts, as the company braces for a turbulent trade environment and seeks to protect its American market share. In a statement, the South Korean automaker confirmed it has already shifted production of some Tucson crossover SUVs from Mexico to its Alabama factory in the United States. This move, while impacting a relatively small number about 16,000 units were made in Mexico last year is seen as a strategic response to intensifying trade tensions and signals a broader shift in the companys manufacturing footprint. The new task force, established this month, is focused on minimizing the financial damage from recently announced U.S. tariffs. The group will develop strategies to increase local sourcing of auto components and reevaluate production locations for U.S.-bound vehicles, potentially shifting some manufacturing from South Korea to alternative sites. Hyundai's announcement comes as the U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, imposed 25% tariffs on imported automobiles starting April 2. A second round targeting auto parts is expected by May 3. These tariffs, aimed at boosting domestic production, risk inflating car prices and weakening consumer demand, which could significantly impact Hyundai and its affiliate Kia. Together, the two firms form the world's third-largest automaking group by sales. According to Korea Investment & Securities, nearly one-third of Hyundai and Kias global sales are derived from the U.S., with imports accounting for around two-thirds of their U.S. vehicle sales leaving them particularly exposed to protectionist trade policies. We expect a challenging business outlook to continue due to intensifying trade conflicts and other various unpredictable macroeconomic factors, Hyundai said in its quarterly earnings statement. Despite these challenges, Hyundai reported a 2% year-on-year increase in operating profit for the first quarter, reaching 3.6 trillion won ($2.5 billion). The results were driven by a favorable exchange rate and a 40% surge in hybrid vehicle sales. A weaker South Korean won added 601 billion won to the company's operating profits, partially offsetting lower sales of high-margin SUVs and increased discounting in the U.S. and European markets. The companys U.S. vehicle shipments to dealerships in the first quarter rose by 1%, while retail sales jumped 11% as American consumers rushed to purchase cars before tariff-induced price hikes take effect. Hyundai has pledged to keep its current vehicle prices steady through June 2 and will adopt a flexible pricing strategy afterward. To cushion potential supply chain shocks, the company has also frontloaded shipments, resulting in 3.1 months of inventory across North America. Last month, Hyundai Motor Group announced a $21 billion investment plan for the U.S., unveiled during an event with President Trump at the White House. The plan includes scaling up operations at its new Georgia factory, although executives noted that such expansions will take time to impact production volumes. Hyundai is in ongoing discussions with General Motors regarding collaboration in various areas. While no specifics have been disclosed, the company said the talks are closely tied to strategies aimed at navigating the evolving U.S. tariff landscape. Reuters reported in March that Hyundai and GM were exploring joint efforts in electric commercial vans and pickup trucks for the North American market. Meanwhile,with General Motors regarding collaboration in various areas. While no specifics have been disclosed, the company said the talks are closely tied to strategies aimed at navigating the evolving U.S. tariff landscape. Reuters reported in March that Hyundai and GM were exploring joint efforts in electric commercial vans and pickup trucks for the North American market. On the diplomatic front, South Korea is scheduled to hold trade talks with the U.S. on Thursday, aiming to negotiate relief from the auto tariffs. However, Kim Chang-ho, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, warned that a swift resolution is unlikely unless Seoul offers substantial concessions. I see more tariff risks to autos than to other items, he said. Despite the uncertainties, Hyundai has maintained its annual guidance of 3-4% revenue growth and a 7.0-8.0% operating profit margin. With trade pressures mounting, the companys ability to adapt its production and supply chain strategies will be key to sustaining its U.S. market position in the months ahead. On Thursday, China denied reports that it is engaging in active tariff talks with the United States, contradicting directly President Donald Trump's latest assurances of progress in trade negotiations. In direct contradiction of Trump's assertion that relations with China were "going fine" and that tariffs on Chinese imports could be lowered from their present rate of 145%, Chinese officials said no such talks were being held. Guo Jiakun, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said, "For all I know, China and the US are not conducting any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, let alone making a deal. Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong reiterated this, saying, "Any statements on the progress of China-US trade talks are as futile as attempting to grasp the wind. There is no factual foundation." He again said China is willing to communicate, but added that it should be based on mutual respect and equality. In spite of China's denunciation, President Trump continued to assert that negotiations were ongoing. Asked about the Chinese response, he said in a vague manner, "They had a meeting this morning. it doesn't matter who they is." Contradictory signals were sent out from the Trump administration during the course of the day. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had spoken of a "very successful" meeting with South Korea and had suggested that a trade agreement might be agreed next week. Trump later contradicted this, saying it was "physically impossible" to talk to more than one country at a time and instead implied that trade agreements would be more a matter of setting prices, some countries being charged more tariffs on account of unfair practices. Today, the Trump administration has put 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, and Beijing retaliated with 125% tariffs on US imports. Other countries have been granted temporary tariff exemptions except China, resulting in higher tariffs, export bans on rare earth, and filing of WTO cases against the US. China has made it sufficiently clear that any negotiations have to be accompanied by the elimination of all US-imposed tariffs. According to him, "If the United States truly wishes to resolve the problem, it must scrap all one-sided tariff policies towards China and settle differences through fair dialogue." In spite of the continued tensions, Trump took a softer tone on Tuesday, saying he wanted to be "very nice" to Chinese President Xi Jinping and that both countries could "live together very happily and ideally work together." LONDON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- An investment and business promotion event for China's northern port city of Tianjin was held in central London on Thursday, with enthusiastic participation from both Chinese and British stakeholders. Tianjin, a key coastal hub in northern China and a strategic gateway to Northeast Asia, was a prime destination for investment as the city boasts a strong industrial base, rich educational and scientific resources, and world-class infrastructure, said Zhai Lixin, vice mayor of Tianjin. Zhai highlighted the solid foundation of cooperation between Tianjin and Britain as the import and export trade between Tianjin and the United Kingdom (UK) reached 1.49 billion pounds (1.99 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a 7 percent year-on-year increase. The city looks forward to strengthening cooperation with British enterprises in fields such as AI, biomedicine, clean energy, finance, trade, and smart cities, said Zhai. Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Zheng Zeguang said Tianjin presents ample opportunities for businesses from around the world to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation. The ambassador reiterated China's determination to continue expanding high-standard opening up, noting that China's overall tariff level had been reduced to 7.3 percent, and that the negative list for market access would be further shortened. Zheng expressed hope that the Chinese and British governments would work together to create a predictable, just, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment to facilitate cooperation between companies from both countries. He also called for deeper cooperation in key sectors, including financial services, clean energy, and AI, to deliver visible and tangible benefits to both peoples. Sherard Cowper-Coles, chair of the China-Britain Business Council, noted that Britain and Tianjin have many areas of complementarity, ranging from green technology and sustainable innovation to education and professional services. Staffers at the new BJ's Wholesale Club in Charleston participate in a ribbon cutting before the grand opening of the store on April 25, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A line of shoppers steadily built outside BJs Wholesale Club in Charleston on Friday, as nearly 100 Staten Island residents waited for the store to officially open its doors at 8 a.m. Inside, a boisterous hype line of BJs employees encircled the entrance to greet their new customers. Shoppers are greeted by a boisterous hype line of BJ's employees upon entering the newly opened store. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Welcome to BJs! they clapped and shouted, fist pumping guests as they pushed their cart into the brand-new store, which serves as Staten Islands first BJs location and New York States 49th. Shoppers then scattered throughout the expansive location, loading up on groceries, home goods, apparel and more. I had to see it, the anticipation for this store has been so big, said Elena Centonzo of Great Kills, who arrived at 5:15 a.m. and was third in line. Shopping is my hobby. I do this on Black Friday and just love the excitement. First in line: Elena Centonzo, Great Kills, Vickie Navarro, Grasmere, Gina Bove, Great Kills, and Mike Giacalone, Eltingville, arrived before sunrise to celebrate the grand opening of BJ's Wholesale Club. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Gina Bove, also of Great Kills, and Mike Giacalone, who lives in Eltingville, showed up at 3:50 a.m. to secure bragging rights as the first shoppers in the new store. I think this store is going to alleviate the pressure on other Staten Island stores, which have become so overcrowded, Giacalone said. Plus, they have the tire center and other perks that other places dont have. 21 1 / 21 BJs Wholesale Club opening Most shoppers waiting in line were first-time BJs members, all curious to see what the warehouse has to offer. Others were BJs devotees tired of traveling to New Jersey for the wholesale clubs goods. Ive been a member since 2020, noted one shopper, who identified herself as Roe from Chelsea. I drive over the bridge, hit Wegmans, Walmart and BJs to make the trip worthwhile. Now I wont have to do that. Frank Griscavage, Staten Island store manager, greets customers before opening the doors. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Others in line talked about making a potential switch from Costco. The parking and the lines are so bad there, one shopper noted. If BJs is better, Im cancelling my Costco membership. The store itself is bright and spacious, with little evidence of the Christmas Tree Shop and Bed Bath & Beyond locations that once occupied the same footprint. The layout is similar to other warehouse-style stores electronics in the front, followed by small appliances and home improvement items. Apparel, books and toys are in the center aisles, while the bakery, deli and meat department line the back wall. Frozen foods and dairy line the other side of the store. Harry Sinodinos of Bloomingdale says he took the bus to experience BJ's grand opening. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE There are eight regular registers and nine self-service, which can accommodate orders of 20 items or less. The stores ExpressPay technology allows shoppers to scan items with their phone and pay in the app without waiting in line. You must show employees a code when you exit. A large portion of the stores food products are sold under BJs own Wellsley Farms label, but there are lots of name brands too. Prices are competitive: A 24-count package of eggs is currently selling for $8.99, chicken breast is going for $2.69 per pound, and a gallon of 1% milk is priced at $2.97. The line to enter BJ's Wholesale Club steadily grows throughout the morning. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Yes, there are freshly cooked rotisserie chickens, and they are marked at $4.99 each. The store will be open Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Some special events are scheduled throughout grand opening weekend, including face painting and balloon animals for the kids. NYPD officials respond to Tottenville High School on Oct. 25, 2022, after a student was shot in the leg. (Advance/SILive.com) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Seven young men have been charged in connection with a 2022 shooting outside Tottenville High School that left an innocent 14-year-old bystander injured. The following individuals have been charged in connection with the shooting, which played out just before 2 p.m. on Oct. 25, steps from the front entrance of the school: Davon Patterson, 20, of Tompkinsville; Tashawn Rice, 19, of St. George; Anais Udechuck, 19, of New Brighton; Nelson Vanleuvan, 18, of New Brighton; Peter Ramin, 17, of Graniteville, and Matthew Gonzalez, 17, of Port Richmond. They all were teenagers at the time of the shooting. The identity of a seventh defendant is redacted from court documents. In 2022, the NYPD sought the public's assistance in locating multiple individuals sought for questioning in connection with a shooting outside Tottenville High School. (Courtesy of NYPD) While the names of minors accused of crimes are typically withheld by the NYPD, the names of the defendants in this case are listed in publicly-available court document filed by prosecutors. The defendants are gang affiliated, according to a press release issued Friday by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. They were arraigned this month in Criminal Court in St. George. Prosecutors are pursuing a slew of felony charges including second-degree attempted murder, conspiracy and criminal possession of a loaded firearm. Judge Keith E. Brown in Youth Part set various bail amounts for the defendants, ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 bond, court records show. The shooting prompted a massive response by the NYPD. (Advance/SILive.com) Patterson is accused of orchestrating the shooting, which prosecutors say targeted rival gang members at the school. He also is charged with pulling the trigger. The shooting missed its intended target and instead left an innocent 14-year-old student injured. Justice has no expiration date, said McMahon. All incidents of gun violence let alone those that are committed in and around our boroughs schools will never be tolerated and my office will not rest until the perpetrators of violence are held accountable no matter how long it takes. While this harrowing incident may have occurred almost three years ago, the resilient efforts of law enforcement and the unwavering partnership between the NYPD and my office have ensured that there will be no quarter for those who jeopardize the safety of Staten Islands students and schools. Plan involved stolen delivery truck: D.A. In the weeks leading up to the shooting, there were several text messages and social media posts within the group, often in coded language, authorities said in court documents. Patterson, with the help of others, ordered Chinese delivery to an address on Hendricks Avenue in New Brighton, then ambushed the driver and stole his truck, prosecutors said. They later used the vehicle to travel to Tottenville High School on the day of the shooting, according to authorities. Prosecutors alleged that Ramin who went by PDOT was a student at the school, and informed Patterson that the intended target was in school on the day of the shooting. Alleged ring leader pleaded out in prior shooting incident Patterson currently is doing time in prison stemming from a 2023 shooting outside a deli near Targee Street and Vanderbilt Avenue in Stapleton. The location has been investigated previously for gang-related activity, according to a law enforcement source. In that case, he pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Prosecutors at the time said the violence unfolded around 1 p.m., when Patterson and an unapprehended individual fired shots that wounded a 26-year-old man. The gunfire sent at least one other person running for cover, authorities said. The victim survived the shooting with a bullet wound to the leg. Detectives recovered five shell casings and two bullets at the scene. Gang activity on Staten Island On the left, the NYPD posts a flyer for tips on a gang-related, drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a 52-year-old innocent bystander in the lobby of an apartment building in Clifton's Park Hill Apartment complex. Top right; a hearse stands ready for the funeral of Sue Doe, a mother and community leader. Bottom right; about 100 people gather in the Mariners Harbor housing development to honor a man gunned down in 2017 by a reputed Bloods' gang-member. (Advance/SILive.com) Authorities on Staten Island have over the years identified several crews and gangs operating in drug dealing, scamming and acts of violence. In many cases, the older, more socially strategic and/or violent members of a crew take on a leadership role, welcoming in new members who in some cases are still in middle school. Battle lines among opposing crews sometimes trace back generations, as one homicide, robbery or other personal affront begets another. Experts have cited impoverished socioeconomic conditions, lack of opportunity and generational, socioeconomic disparities as contributing factors to the dilemma. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A 41-year-old man beat a police officer in a melee on the Staten Island Ferry in St. George and then spat at a cop at Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton, authorities allege. The troubling incident was one of two alleged attacks on police officers to happen in the span of just seven days involving the ferry that transports commuters and visitors between St. George and Manhattan. NYPD officers are stationed on every boat and all passengers are required to leave the vessel when it arrives at the terminals at St. George and Whitehall. Timothy McPadden, 41, of Mill Road in New Dorp, was arrested for the assault that occurred after an officer in uniform asked the defendant to exit the boat at the St. George Ferry Terminal on April 5 at about 1 a.m., according to the criminal complaint and police. The episode began when the John A. Noble boat docked at the terminal and all of the passengers departed except for the defendant, according to a law-enforcement source. The defendant was sleeping on seats and did not respond when ferry workers attempted to rouse him, the source said. Police were asked to assist. An officer put a hat back on the defendants head after the topper apparently fell off, according to the source. When asked to leave, the defendant allegedly responded by flicking his hat off his head; he was warned that he would be arrested if he didnt disembark the vessel, the source said. Instead of complying, the criminal complaint alleges that McPadden punched an officer in the chest. A scuffle ensued as officers attempted to arrest McPadden, who was taken down to the floor, the law-enforcement source said. The defendant allegedly resisted arrest by stiffening his arms in an attempt to avoid being handcuffed. Eventually, the defendant was placed in a wheelchair in order to roll him off the boat. He allegedly placed his feet on the ground to try to stop the wheelchair from moving. The officer was treated at an area hospital following the assault, according to police. The defendant was transported by EMS to Richmond University Medical Center. McPadden spat in the face of a police officer inside the medical facility at 355 Bard Ave., the complaint alleges. The defendant has been charged with assault, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and harassment. The defendant, who stands about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds, is being held at Rikers Island in lieu of bail set at $30,000 bond/$10,000 cash. He is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on May 13, according to public records. An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 2nd officer assault on ferry this month In an unrelated incident, a separate assault occurred seven days later, on April 12 while the SSG Michael H. Ollis ferryboat was loading for a scheduled 5:30 p.m. departure from the St. George terminal to Manhattan, according to multiple sources. Jorge Meza of Tompkins Avenue in Stapleton allegedly punched the ferry worker in the back of the head. Meza attempted to cause further physical injury to the worker by throwing a glass beer bottle, the complaint alleges. When police arrived, Meza allegedly punched a cop multiple times, causing the officer to suffer swelling, bruising, redness and substantial pain on the face and head. The defendant then resisted arrest by flailing and tensing his arms in an attempt to avoid being handcuffed, the complaint alleges. The worker was taken to an area hospital, according to police. The NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information provided the following account about the police response to that alleged assault: During the incident on April 12th, officers were waiting for an arriving ferry to fully unload prior to transferring to the next departing ferry. Upon arriving at the departing ferry, the officers were alerted to an assault in progress and took police action to arrest the suspect. During this incident, an officer was also assaulted. Meza has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include felony and misdemeanor assault, attempted assault, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and harassment. Ferry workers union concerned Kenny Smith, a patrolman for the New York/New Jersey Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, the union that represents ferry workers, said that no police officers were standing with the deckhands while Meza and other passengers were boarding the ferry on Saturday. Instead, the officers assigned to that trip were in transit on a St. George-bound ferryboat. Its just become a chronic issue and now our members are getting hurt, said Smith in calling for an enhanced police presence on ferry boats, especially when the vessels are loading. Smith said that the cops should be on the boat as the boat is loading, not coming from a terminal detail, not coming from the other boat thats in-bound. The union representative said it is city Department of Transportation policy that two police officers need to be on board for the boat to sail. They dont, however, need to be on board the ferry when it is loading, a source with knowledge of the investigation said. The NYPD released the following statement explaining its policing policies on the ferry: Officers do not disembark the arriving ferry until it is fully unloaded, which can take time. They then make their way over to the departing ferry, which is already being loaded with passengers. Delaying embarkation would cause a backlog of passengers and delay departures. The ferries will not depart without NYPD officers confirmed to be onboard. The city Department of Transportation referred the Advance/SILive.com to the NYPD for comment. Former President Barack Obama was recently spotted enjoying dinner alone at a high-end, romantic restaurant in San Francisco, adding fuel to the fire of ongoing rumors about the status of his marriage to Michelle Obama. The former president, 63, was photographed on Wednesday entering Quince, a well-known Bay Area restaurant with three Michelin stars and a reputation for celebrity sightings and couples enjoying romantic dinners. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff was also seen arriving at the restaurant just before Obama, though its unclear whether the two were dining together. This solo outing came shortly after Obama and Michelle were seen together for the first time in months. Over the weekend, the pair were photographed smiling and waving to fans during a dinner date at Osteria Mozza in Washington, D.C.s Georgetown neighborhood. Before their recent night out in D.C., the Obamas hadnt been seen publicly together since December, nearly five months ago. Talk of possible tension in their marriage gained traction earlier this year after Michelle was noticeably absent from two major events: the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter and the presidential inauguration, both held in January. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have their first dance of the evening during the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) ASSOCIATED PRESS In February, Barack Obama, 63, dismissed rumors about his troubled marriage, amid rumors of an affair with actress Jennifer Aniston, 55. On Valentines Day, Obama took to Instagram and wrote a heartfelt message Michelle, reaffirming that she is still the one after more than three decades of marriage. A photo of the smiling couple was captioned: Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away. Happy Valentines Day, @MichelleObama!" In 2023, the former President said in an interview with CBS Mornings: Let me just say this: It sure helps to be out of the White House and to have a little more time with her. Michelle Obama recently addressed the rumors about her marriage during a candid conversation with actress Sophia Bush on an episode of the podcast Work in Progress. She reflected on how women often feel pressure not to let others down, explaining, Sometimes people cant imagine a woman simply making a decision for herself, so they jump to conclusionslike assuming my husband and I are getting divorcedwhen really, I was just doing what was right for me. The former first ladys comments came not long after her 61st birthday, which happened to fall just three days before the presidential inaugurationa major event she chose not to attend. To mark her birthday, Barack Obama shared a heartfelt photo of the two together on social media. The couple, who first met in 1989 while working at the same law firm in Chicago, celebrated 32 years of marriage this past October with a sweet photo taken during a visit to a museum in New York. Nevertheless, the Obama-Aniston rumors refuse to die, despite the Morning Show actresss denials, including one on Jimmy Kimmel Live. During the interview, Aniston was presented with a magazine cover during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel that had the headlines The Truth About Jen & Barack and Betrayed as Aniston Steals Her Husbands Attention. Another line claimed Aniston and Obama are obsessed with each other. Englishtown Mayor Daniel Francisco, left, and John Alite, one of the borough's newest councilman. He just happens to be a former mob associate who has admitted to murder. Daniel Francisco, provided A confessed killer is now a community leader. Four council members have abruptly resigned since February. And the mayor claims a mysterious incident precipitated that exodus from the Englishtown borough council and led to his nomination of John Alite the former mob hitman as a replacement. But he refuses to talk about it. Theres a lot to unpack there, said Marc Pfeiffer, a senior policy fellow and assistant director of the Bloustein Local Government Center at Rutgers University. But theres more. Like the former police chief facing criminal charges, including aiding another person in shoplifting. And four cannabis dispensaries sitting within four blocks of each other on Englishtowns Main Street, leading some to rechristen the town. Theyre calling us Pot Town, said Cindy Robilotti, a former council member, and I think thats disgusting. A year ago, Englishtown was a quaint donut hole municipality of 2,300 encircled by Manalapan. But over the past few months, a series of controversies bordering on the absurd has embroiled the Monmouth County borough. Weve never had, in all the years Ive been on council, never had four members resign, said Robilotti, who served on the six-person council for 15 years before she chose not to run for reelection a couple of years ago. Under the circumstances, an overabundance of legal weed might seem like the least of its problems. Yet to many, those proliferating cannabis dispensaries and the future of a beloved lake are the real concerns, not the reshuffling of the council. Or the criminal charges involving the former chief. Or their new councilmans body count (For the record: six homicides and 30 to 40 shootings, he has estimated in published reports). I cant think of any other instance where somebody who was convicted of federal racketeering is serving in public office, said Chris Gramiccioni, who was a federal prosecutor and the Monmouth County Prosecutor before going into private practice. Welcome to Englishtown. Hundreds of geese descend on Lake Weamaconk in Englishtown. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media THE COUNCIL The turmoil began to spill into public view in February. William Lewis and Kyle Jewusiak who had just won his council seat last November and served little more than a month resigned from the municipal body, effective Feb. 17. Then, Meaghan Lewis William Lewis wife and Bill Sabin resigned, effective March 12. Why did four council members step down in quick succession? It depends on who you ask. In his resignation letter, Sabin said the council more closely resembles an autocracy. My wife and I feel that we have done all that we could do to help our town over the last four years, and while the recent decisions by the mayor seem to have given a black eye to our great little town, were looking forward to moving on from all the drama, he told NJ Advance Media. He declined further comment. Mayor Daniel Francisco says he asked three of the council members Jewusiak and Meaghan and William Lewis to step down after an incident in which they did something to me, he told NJ Advance Media. And then I requested them to resign, and they complied. Francisco declined to elaborate on what they allegedly did. But there was never any incident, according to Meaghan Lewis. And he never once asked me to resign, she told NJ Advance Media in her first interview since her resignation. Instead, the mayor called for her resignation in his email to her husband and Jewusiak without directly asking her for it she said. Hes never once spoken to me saying that he had an issue with me, she said. Meaghan Lewis said she didnt quit because of his request. She stepped down because of the mayors behavior like making last-minute changes to the meeting agenda and asking the council to vote on draining Lake Weamaconk without giving it enough time to consider the options. The lake has a dam classified as a significant hazard by the state, and requires a solution, according to an engineering firm that gave a presentation last November. He wanted to do away with the lake and then wanted us all to vote on it without even once bringing it to the attention of the town, she said. So I fought to have a letter sent out to the town, which caused a meeting where there was probably about 200 people there, so he wasnt happy about that. But the final straw for her came during a February executive session an official, closed-door meeting often involving sensitive matters. Two men barged in with masks on and caused like this whole big ruckus, she said. It was a very uncomfortable situation. The men later filmed the council meeting, calling themselves First Amendment auditors. (Councilman Alexi Reque, who was at the February meeting, said the men werent aware they were interrupting the councils executive session until officials told them and they left. Its not that they barged in, he said. They walked in not knowing.) Meaghan Lewis said she didnt feel safe once the disruption happened. The mother of five believed the mayor knew the men and encouraged the disturbance, because he previously filmed a video with them on the boardwalk, she said. After the meeting, the men tried to follow the council out of the building, and when asked, Francisco offered up the council members names like it was no big deal, Meaghan Lewis said. He wasnt there to protect us in any way, she said. It looked like he just wanted the drama. In her resignation letter, Meaghan Lewis said, I fear for my own well-being and that of my children, according to the Asbury Park Press. Francisco, who easily won the Republican mayoral primary and faced no opponent in the general election in November 2023, called the allegation ludicrous. William Lewis and Jewusiak did not respond to requests for comment. (Sabins wife, Kim Sabin, also resigned as chairperson of the planning/zoning board, which other married couples also serve on.) While Englishtowns situation is admittedly unusual, plenty of towns have weathered dysfunction, Rutgers Pfeiffer pointed out. Things happen, he said. Theres always been oddball situations that happen in local governments. But lately, Englishtown has faced more than its share. To some, all the drama the council, the mayor, the infighting is just theatrics among former friends Francisco, Sabin and the Lewises. Theyve all gone to school together. Theyve all known each other. They all grew up in this town, said John Soares, an Englishtown local who co-founded the Bud It Up dispensary last year. Its like classroom bickering, he said. With a healthy dose of trolling, it would seem. Francisco, serving in his capacity as the committee chair for Englishtown for the Monmouth County Republicans, gave the council four names to replace the members who quit. One of them was his wife. Francisco, a former executive director of Project Veritas the conservative group known for its hidden camera stings admitted he nominated her to troll some remaining council members for not speaking to him during the nomination process. I knew for a fact they werent going to pick my wife, he said. But one person they did pick? Alite the former mob associate turned government witness. John Alite poses during a photo shoot near the Queensboro Bridge in New York City in 2016. Submitted photo THE HITMAN Alite has admitted in court that he aided the Gambino crime family in multiple murders and the sale of drugs. He made $1 million a year trafficking narcotics for the mob over a 10-year period in the 1980s and 90s, he testified in 2009. He went as far as to declare he wasnt a good guy. He had met John Gotti Sr. the Gambino mob boss notoriously known as the Teflon Don and was soon involved in the familys illicit activities, according to a 2019 GQ profile. He soon became John Gotti Jr.s right-hand man, the profile said. Alite didnt respond to a request for comment from NJ Advance Media. But in 2003, he was on the run, fleeing from an impending indictment. He was arrested in Brazil on murder and racketeering charges under an Interpol warrant before being extradited to the U.S. in 2006, according to the GQ story. Alite heard Junior Gotti was working as an informant and several others had already flipped, the profile said. So he made a deal with prosecutors. In early 2008, he pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges and admitted to two murders. He also testified against members of the Gambino family in exchange for a lighter sentence, according to GQ. In 2011, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but was released in 2012. Alite, now 62, became a motivational speaker and podcaster. He shared his story and opinions (and lent his expertise on video game assassinations). But after his 30-year-old daughter died of a fentanyl overdose three years ago, he decided he wanted to make a difference, leading him to politics. And Englishtowns council. Im here to redeem my whole life, Alite told The New York Post last month. THE CLERK AND THE CHIEF What could top a council in open warfare with the mayor, mass resignations and a former mobster chosen as a replacement? How about an Englishtown leader facing criminal charges, a whistleblower lawsuit and accusations of impropriety? In 2023, Gretchen McCarthy, the former municipal clerk, sued the borough and former police chief Peter Cooke Jr., alleging wrongful termination for whistleblowing activities during her tenure. Shes asking for compensatory damages of at least $250,000, as well as damages for lost wages and benefits, back pay, front pay (or reinstatement), humiliation, and mental and emotional distress. In her lawsuit, she alleged Cooke failed to respond to OPRA requests in a timely manner, asked her to provide receipts for funds she didnt receive and tried to buy a police vehicle without proper authorization. He also failed to register borough motor vehicles with the state, she alleged. In retaliation for filing whistleblowing complaints, Cooke required McCarthy to fill out a highly invasive and inappropriate background check, the lawsuit said. McCarthy was forced to divulge her height, weight, race, ethnicity, sex at birth, and current sex, according to the lawsuit. She also was required to report any tattoos or scars and any cars she owned, the suit claimed. Theres more. McCarthy was also told to provide signed authorizations for the release of banking records, health care records, credit agency reporting information and all government agency records, according to the lawsuit. McCarthy was very alarmed at the request and reached out to the board attorney at the time, who initially didnt reply, she claimed in the lawsuit. But she signed off on the background check and had her fingerprints taken. However, she drew the line at completing a related questionnaire because she had objections, according to the lawsuit. She voiced those objections, and months later, she went on medical leave. When she returned to work in January 2023, she was terminated, according to the lawsuit. She was told her refusal to fill out the questionnaire was the reason. Unfortunately, what happened to her is what happens to many whistleblowers, said Ty Hyderally, her attorney. The case is the discovery phase, and the trial is anticipated to start over the next couple of months, he told NJ Advance Media. When we filed the lawsuit, Chief Cooke was still the chief of police, he said. The fact that he no longer is the chief of police is certainly an interesting issue that well be looking into further. An attorney for Cooke declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. But Cooke has other legal issues. He used a law enforcement database for four years to look up information about two people outside the scope of police investigative purposes, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office said last November. And while on administrative leave for an undisclosed purpose, he also helped an unidentified co-conspirator in several instances of shoplifting from a local grocery store, prosecutors said. He was charged with third-degree computer theft and third-degree conspiracy to commit shoplifting, officials said. Cooke was placed on unpaid suspension, officials said at the time. He had a pre-indictment conference in early April at Monmouth County Superior Court, but the case remains active, according to court records. THE RESIDENTS Somehow, no one in Englishtown seems upset about Alite. Or the incredibly messy council. Not even council members themselves. I dont want to say nobody cared, but we want to know whats our next couple steps, rather than what someone did in their previous lifetime, said Brenden Sharkey, a new councilman who was sworn in earlier this month. Residents seemed to agree that a former hitman councilman wasnt a concern. Not at all, said Joann Damante. That wasnt even an issue. Only one person objected to Alites position on the council at a March town hall. But the man was from Long Island and had a somewhat personal tie to Alites former life he once worked for John Gotti Jr., the New York Post reported. (The crowd was not pleased with his presence, and promptly booed him out of the room.) However, the legal cannabis dispensaries lining Main Street are another matter. Obviously a concern, Sharkey acknowledged, but noted two of them occupy previously vacant banks. Even a dispensary owner agrees four is too many for a tiny town. Someone has the business license for a fifth cannabis dispensary in town, said Soares, one of the other dispensary owners. But as of now, its unclear if all will even remain afloat. I dont think four is going to last, to be honest with you, he said. One will fail I dont think itll be us, but I think one will fail. Perhaps thats one problem that can get solved in Englishtown. A REAL ID-compliant New York state driver's license has a star in the upper right hand corner, as in this facsimile provided by the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles. (NYS DMV) NYS DMV STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Fewer than half of New York IDs are ready for Real ID rules set to take effect May 7, according to a CBS New analysis published Tuesday. According to the news outlet, about 43% of IDs issued by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles are Real ID-compliant. Spokespersons for the department did not respond to an Advance/SILive.com request for comment by the time of publication. Though less than half of New York IDs are in compliance, the Empire State is ahead of many around the country, including one of its closest neighbors. About 17% of New Jersey IDs are in compliance with the new rules, according to the CBS analysis. Pennsylvania IDs are at about 28% compliance, but some states, including Wyoming and South Dakota, are at 100% compliance with their state-issued identification cards, according to the analysis. Starting at the deadline, Americans will not be able to use traditional state-issued identification cards for certain federal purposes, including domestic flights, but will need a document meeting Real ID standards. People with valid U.S. passports, which are Real ID compliant, will be able to use those documents for federal purposes, including domestic flights. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), people without a Real ID may still be allowed to board flights. However, they can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into a security checkpoint. The REAL ID Act passed Congress in 2005 enacting the 9/11 Commissions recommendation for the federal government to set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as drivers licenses and identification cards, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The law and subsequent regulations established minimum security standards for licenses and other ID cards while prohibiting federal agencies from accepting noncompliant cards for certain official purposes, including the boarding of commercial aircraft. After years of delayed implementation, beginning May 7, 2025, anyone 18 years and older who plans to fly domestically or visit certain federal facilities will need a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification, including a passport. An Enhanced ID is also available to New Yorkers. It costs $30 and meets Real ID standards while allowing holders to reenter the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean without a U.S. passport. Compliant state IDs can be obtained at any New York Department of Motor Vehicles location, but people hoping to update their documentation will need to collect some paperwork first. The DMV lists the following documents needed to obtain a Real ID or Enhanced ID: Proof of identity, such as valid license, birth certificate or passport, with your full first, middle (if applicable) and last name. This name will be displayed on your card as required by federal law. Proof of Social Security Number or Social Security Number ineligibility. If you have a valid N.Y. license, permit or ID card, you must bring your original Social Security card or W-2 with full SSN. If you do not have a New York state driver license or identification card, you must bring your Social Security Card or a letter from the Social Security Administration proving your ineligibility to have a social security number. Proof of your date of birth. Proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or temporary lawful status in the United States. Two different proofs of New York State residence, such as utility bill, bank statement or mortgage statement (a P.O. Box not acceptable). If the name on your license, permit, or non-driver ID application does not match the name on your proof of identity, lawful status and Social Security, you must bring in court- or government-issued proof documenting the event causing your name change(s), such as a marriage license, divorce decree, adoption, or court-order document. For more information on obtaining a Real ID or Enhanced ID, visit the DMV website. Both the Real ID and Enhanced ID will allow travelers to board domestic flights and enter some federal buildings. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) at press conference calling for stricter limits to be placed on tourism helicopters. Staten Island Advance | Tom Wrobleski A sightseeing helicopter crash in the Hudson River that killed six people earlier this month is spurring increased efforts to place stricter limits on tourism choppers that buzz Staten Island. The helicopter tour industry must be reined in, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said in Richmond, where she was joined by more than two dozen neighborhood residents and civic group leaders. Staten Islanders have complained for months about increased tourist helicopter flights over the borough, primarily those from the HeliNY firm, which flies nighttime sightseeing choppers out of Linden Municipal Airport in New Jersey. The helicopter industry as a whole continues to treat New Yorkers skies like their own playground, Malliotakis said, flying low and often over densely populated communities like ours right here in Richmondtown and across Staten Island with little regard for residents safety or quality of life. Malliotakis said that some constituents have complained that the helicopters are flying so low that the force of the passing choppers causes the water in their pools to ripple. If the water in your yard is moving, that means that the aircraft is too low, the congresswoman said. We should not be living in a situation where were being told that our residents have to resort to sleeping in their basement at night because the loud noises are so intense they cant sleep, said Carol Donovan, president of the Richmondtown & Clarke Avenue Civic Association. People are finding cracks in the walls of their homes from the vibrations. Their houses are shaking, windows shaking. We feel as if were living at an airport. That shouldnt be. A crane vessel lifts the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Malliotakis said that the Hudson River crash on April 10 was the clearest sign yet of an industry thats operated without meaningful oversight for far too long. How do we know that one of these helicopters is not going to crash into somebodys home? the congresswoman said. It needs to be addressed, and we will continue to push for stronger protections until our communities are no longer under constant assault by these nuisance helicopters. Malliotakis said that noise complaints here had increased after HeliNY choppers strayed from a flight path over the Staten Island Expressway. The Advance/SILive.com has reached out to HeliNY for a response. The regional anti-helicopter group Stop the Chop NY/NJ has also pointed to the danger posed by the tour helicopters, saying that the increased chopper traffic in the city is a tragedy waiting to happen. Lifetime Richmond resident James Tonrey said that the chopper problem has gotten exponentially worse over the last few years. He wants the aircraft rerouted. These helicopters are super loud, Tonrey said. Theyre flying very low. Ive had many times where my house is shaking, the windows are rattling. Malliotakis is proposing a ban on non-essential helicopter flights over residential communities in municipalities of 5 million residents or more. Malliotakis also called on the Federal Aviation Administration to impose strict altitude requirements, enforceable no-fly zones to protect residential neighborhoods, and a reduction in non-essential helicopter flights. When asked for a response by the Advance/SILive.com, an FAA spokesperson said that the agency will respond directly to the congresswoman. Jessica Phillips, CEO of Historic Richmond Town, said that she is concerned about the effect that low-flying helicopters could have on the historic structures in the settlement. These are precious landmarks, not just for Staten Island or New York City or New York state, but for the nation as a whole, she said. And when I hear from our residential neighbors that they are suffering from cracks in their houses from these helicopters, its cause for great concern. Joe McAllister, president and founder of the South Beach Civic Organization, said his group had been fighting air noise for years. We have issues here, McAllister said. Our quality-of-life issues. The health problems, our lungs, the particulate, the noise pollution that were hearing. A recently passed City Council law banning non-essential helicopter flights in New York City would not affect flights coming out of New Jersey. A 73-year-old woman suffered burns to the body and was rushed in critical condition to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton on Wednesday. She is currently continuing to fight for her life on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In the wake of a fire that devastated a home in New Brighton, friends and neighbors are praying for the full recovery of the 73-year-old woman critically injured in the blaze. Neighbor Sharon Slaughter, who moved to the area 12 years ago, said her 73-year-old neighbor, whose name was not released by authorities, is a generous woman. Bertha Karasek, 86, of Annadale recalled her harrowing story of survival during the annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust commemoration at the Jewish Russian Learning Center in Prince's Bay on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two-year-old Bertha Karasek is inside of a potato sack, carried by her mother as the Jewish residents of Dynow, Poland, run to the woods to escape the Nazis. The year is 1942, and the Germans have already executed 5,000 men, women and children inside the village. As the angry and hungry residents live in constant terror, they strangle her infant brother out of fear that his crying will give away their location. Being one of the only other children hiding among them, it is not long before they debate drowning Karasek, whose presence they worry will get them killed. Karasek, now 86, of Annadale, was one of several speakers at an intimate gathering Thursday night at The Jewish Russian Learning Center in Princes Bay as part of the annual commemoration of Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day. Tanya Kogan of the Jewish Russian Learning Center in Prince's Bay, addresses the audience during the annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust commemoration on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) Tonight, we are celebrating life, said Tanya Kogan, who along with her husband Rabbi Eli Kogan, established the center to provide a community for Russian Jews who were unable to practice their faith due to the religious oppression of their native country. Were celebrating the fact that were still here, and were continuing to be Jews, she said. And we need to continue doing an event like this because we want our children to know the Holocaust happened even though there are people saying it is a made-up story. Karasek has told her story many times as her way of ensuring that the world remembers the horrors of the Holocaust during a time when Jews are experiencing a staggering increase in antisemitism. Despite all these hardships, we manage, Karasek said. And Im a living example about the Holocaust never again and never forget. Her tale is cinematic. As the displaced villagers contemplated killing her or forcing her family to leave the forest, she explained it was Nikolai Kiselev, a non-Jewish Soviet partisan who would physically carry her and ensure she was fed, as it took many months to a year, to eventually reach the Russian army lines and safety. Kiselev, who would go on to save over 200 Jews, was recognized by Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel, as Righteous Among the Nations, and is commemorated as a hero. As part of Thursdays commemoration, six Yahrzeit memorial candles were carefully lit in remembrance of the 6 million Jews who perished, as Ada Shein of Huguenot and Aviva Kushnir of Princes Bay addressed the audience to speak of family members who are no longer here to speak for themselves. Ada Shein of Huguenot spoke of her late mother's narrow escape from the Nazis during the annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust commemoration at the Jewish Russian Learning Center in Prince's Bay on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) Shein spoke of her late mother, who as a young girl, was forced from her home in Minsk, Belarus, and spent several years hiding in the ghettos as they were liquidated by the Nazis. It was in 1944 following the Russian liberation, that her father, a soldier in the Soviet army, was reunited with his long lost daughter who was living in an orphanage. Kushnir described how members of her family, including her 103-year-old great-grandmother, who lived in a small Ukrainian village, were forced from their home by Nazi collaborators who stole their possessions and helped kill them and the rest of the towns Jewish population. And thats why I never had no grandmother; no grandfather; and, Im always looking at my friends and how it was probably nice to have them but I dont know what that is, she said tearfully. Aviva Kushnir of Prince's Bay detailed the deaths of many family members as she spoke during the annual Yom HaShoah Holocaust commemoration at the Jewish Russian Learning Center in Prince's Bay on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod) Thursdays gathering culminated with an exclusive screening of the documentary film Tragic Awakening, which delves into the roots of antisemitism, exploring its historical context and examining the worlds response to the events of Oct. 7, 2023, in Israel. Asked about the importance of organizing and hosting Thursdays Yom HaShoah gathering on Staten Island, Kogan simply said: Never again is now more than ever. If conservatives have their way, Roman Catholic cardinals would make history by naming the first Black pope in history. The Telegraph reported that Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea is a favorite pick among conservative church leaders. The College of Cardinals will select the successor to Pope Francis. There has never been a Black pope before. Francis died on Easter Monday and his funeral will be held Saturday in St. Peters Square in Rome. Newsweek said that while Francis was more progressive on social justice and cultural issues, Sarahs vision is rooted in doctrinal rigidity and cultural conservatism. Sarah is opposed to liberal theology and gender ideology, and believes that Western secularism is fueling a moral decline. Sarah has said that abortion, euthanasia, pornography and gender ideology are eroding the Christian foundations of Western civilization. There is no homosexual problem in the Church. There is a problem of sins and infidelity, he told The Catholic Herald in 2019. In direct opposition to Pope Francis, Catholic bishops from Africa and Madagascar in 2024 rejected the pontiffs approval of blessings for same-sex couples. Sarah in 2015 told The Catholic News Agency that Islamic fundamentalism was one of two apocalyptic beasts, pointing to groups like Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and Boko Harem in particular. Despite his support from conservatives, Sarah is not seen as a favorite to win the papacy. Bettors on the Polymarket wagering site give him just a 5% chance of becoming the next pope. Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are currently seen as the betting favorites to succeed Francis. According to Vatican rules, the earliest that the conclave to choose the successor to Francis can begin is May 6. The latest date that it can commence is May 12. With 135 cardinal electors expected to attend, the 2025 conclave will be the most numerous in Church history. Frank Morano (left) and Griffin Fossella appear at campaign announcement events. (Composite|Advance/SILive.com file photos) Advance STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Griffin Fossella, a candidate for the South Shore City Council seat, called out opponent Frank Morano Friday for his backing of a convicted scam artists parole. During a press conference in front of the 123rd Precinct station house, Fossella, 27, called on Morano, 40, to release the letter he sent to the New York Parole Board supporting the release of Robert Giuliano, 49, who had once been listed on the states Most Wanted Fugitives list. President Donald Trump will be in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday in St. Peters Square. But Trump may not be happy with the seating arrangements, according to the Telegraph. Because of Vatican protocol, Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, will likely not be seated in the front row of mourners. In fact, the Trumps could find themselves with third-row seating at the funeral, which 130 delegations of mourners are expected to attend. Seating details have not been released yet, but the last funeral of a sitting pope John Paul IIs service in 2005 could offer some clues. Following that outline, foreign dignitaries would be seated in to one side of Francis coffin, opposite the area where cardinals, archbishops and bishops will be situated. Roman Catholic European royals would get preference from the Vatican, meaning they will be seated in the front row. In the next row would come non-Catholic royals, including Prince William, who is attending on behalf of King Charles III, as well the King and Queen of Sweden and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Norway. Then would come heads of state, world leaders and foreign dignitaries, including the Trumps and prime ministers and presidents from countries across the globe, including President Javier Milei of Francis home country of Argentina. Also attending are U.K. Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer, President Emmanuel Macron of France, King Felipe VI of Spain and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil. Also in the mix is Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Telegraph said. The world leaders will be seated in alphabetical order according to the name of their country in French, which was the traditional language of diplomacy when the papal funeral protocols were made. Trump had mocked predecessor President Joe Biden for where he was seated during Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral, saying that the seating was a sign of Americas diminished place on the world stage, and saying he would have been placed much farther forward if still in office. 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! In July 2011, art dealer and philanthropist Philip Bacon said goodbye to his friend, artist Margaret Olley, at her home in Paddington, Sydney, and got on a plane back to Brisbane. Olley died while Bacon was in the air. She was 88. She was working right up to the last minute. I got off the plane, turned around and came back. Margaret Olley was the subject of two Archibald Prize winning paintings, in 1948 (by William Dobell, pictured) and 2011 (by Ben Quilty), but she was also one of Australias most beloved artists. Credit: Rick Stevens Over the next 14 years, Bacon managed Olleys estate and $12 million art trust. He has sold her remaining paintings, donated money and works to various galleries, and helped establish the Margaret Olley Centre at the Tweed Regional Gallery in Murwillumbah, where the cluttered interior of Olleys home has been painstakingly recreated. 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 Listening to Luminescent Creatures, the newest album from Japanese folk musician Ichiko Aoba, Ive lost count of the times Ive missed my bus stop while ensconced in its undulating waves, a primordial calm thats overwhelming. I could eat poisonous fungi and my heartbeat wouldnt plunge to the lazy rhythm it does by the end of Mazamun, a song so gently evocative that youd swear youre on a creaky boat being lapped by the tides and not the 461X plodding down Parramatta Road. Aoba, 35, giggles at this response to her music; 15 years and 10 albums deep into a career thats drawn cultish devotion, shes used to it. At gigs, seated on a Persian rug, enveloped in the warm glow of a lamp its light bulb always orange, she says, like the light bulbs they have on a night train shell glance across audiences and feel a collective exhale, eyes drowsy, oftentimes completely closed. It doesnt offend me at all, Aoba says, I actually prefer when people are very relaxed when they listen to my music. Regardless of how big the venue is, I want it to feel as though the audience has been invited into my room, so they can really relax and enjoy the music. The 35-year-old won global acclaim for her 2020 masterpiece, Windswept Adan. Her new album Luminescent Creatures is described as its spiritual sequel. Credit: Yuichiro Noda Its a vibe reflected in Aobas mode of recording, too. Shes said that to write and record, she needs to be serene to the point of sleep. To be too hyper-focused is detrimental to my music-making process, especially because a lot of my songs are inspired by dreams, she says. To get as close to that dream-like state is important to me, in the studio but also when Im performing on stage. It just helps me perform better. Dreams are central to her creative process. Its important to me to not let the dreams I have end in the dream world, but rather bring them into the real world and live with them for a while. Ill wake up and make notes from my dream and then Ill just relive that story, add more details as I remember them. From there, Ill find lyrics and a melody and chords and a harmony; that is how I make music. Naturally, a conversation with Aoba is just as hazy, if for a completely different reason. I dont speak Japanese and she doesnt speak English, meaning were caught in an overlapping three-way swirl aided by her translator, Luka Sandoval. Advertisement Eating outDining dos & donts 12 common food and drink myths that refuse to die Can pork be eaten pink? Can you eat unopened mussels? Do venues really put the highest mark-up on the second-cheapest wine? Chefs and wine experts delve into some of the most persistent dining myths. Scott Bolles April 24, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Twenty-five years after the release of Anthony Bourdains chef memoir Kitchen Confidential, some customers in restaurants around the world still refuse to order seafood on Mondays. The book famously advised diners to avoid seafood due to the difficulty of sourcing and storing fresh fish on weekends. Like the mistaken belief that pork must never be eaten pink, and that microwaves have no place in top restaurants, kitchen myths can take on a life of their own. Even the late Bourdain tried to dispel the narrative he created. In 2016 he reversed his earlier advice. Bourdain said the culinary landscape had changed since his early days working as a chef in New York City, when seafood wasnt delivered on weekends and storage was questionable. But it was too late. Regrettably, Dont eat fish on Monday is going to be on my headstone, Bourdain said in later years. When Kitchen Confidential hit the shelves at the turn of the century, Australian seafood suppliers and chefs bristled at Bourdains seafood hypothesis as inaccurate. It didnt help. Once an idea takes hold in the food world, it spreads faster than burrata menu fever. Advertisement Should you wash raw chicken before cooking true or false? William Meppem Food facts versus fiction Plenty of food flat-earthers still believe truffle oils contain fresh truffle (most dont) and that serious restaurants dont use microwave ovens, when some definitely do. Some hatted chefs will use a microwave to bring ice-cream to the right serving temperature, for instance. American celebrity chef and restaurateur David Chang of Momofuku fame also declared the microwave the single best piece of equipment in a kitchen in his cookbook Cooking at Home. Danny Russo, co-owner at chefs hatted Sydney restaurant Sala, said the hysteria over a bit of pink in your cooked pork is slowly being put to rest. Customers have so much access to information these days, a lot of those old myths are dying, the chef said. Pork doesnt need to be overcooked to be safe to eat and can be enjoyed with a hint of pink in the middle, an Australian Pork Limited spokesperson, Lylle Balzer-Blackstock, said. Advertisement As a rule of thumb for pork, well done is 77C, medium 71C and medium-rare 63C. Like all meat, pork continues to cook after you remove it from the heat, so for the best results let your dish rest uncovered for one to two minutes in a warm environment just before serving, he said. When it comes to poultry, more caution is required. While some people wash raw chicken before cooking to clean the meat, Food Standards Australia New Zealand warns this can spread harmful microorganisms around your kitchen. Instead, cook it thoroughly to ensure its safe to eat, the organisation advises. Seafood is another area fraught with confusion. When cooking mussels, should you throw away ones that havent opened? According to the Sydney Fish Market, not necessarily: While traditional wisdom was to discard shells that dont open when cooked, you can pry them open, away from the plate, and if they smell good, eat them; if theyre bad theyll have a distinctly off aroma. Steak frites at LAuberge du Bout du Monde with a traditional red wine pairing. Dion Georgopoulos Drinks dos and donts Advertisement As for myths about drinks, Caleb Baker, co-owner and wine buyer at Melbourne hospitality venues Mr West and Bar Spontana, has heard the story about operators placing the highest mark-up on the second-cheapest wine on a list because its a big seller on repeat since he joined the industry. I dont go out of my way to put a higher margin on it, and other venues like ours arent doing it either, Baker said. But wine drinkers can be set in their ways. The myth that only red wine matches with red meat continues to hold with many punters. The way I see it, there are two different types of wine matching: complementary and contrasting, Baker said. Red wine is great with red meat, but a fatty steak can also be good with a crisp, acidic, zippy white wine. Annita Potter, chef-owner at Viand restaurant in Sydney, is one of the countrys leading authorities on Thai food and takes umbrage at what she sees as the myth perpetuated in Australia that Thai food and wine dont belong together. It was a theory held by the late chef Tony Bilson and promoted by some wine writers. We have a merlot thats great with the mince quail curry with young ginger. I tell people: if its on the list, its good and works with the [Thai] food, Potter said. Advertisement Loic Avril, head of wine at Lucas Restaurants, agrees with Potters view that the so-called mismarriage of Thai food and wine is outdated. As well as overseeing the wine list at upmarket Melbourne restaurant Society, Avril has had first-hand experience pairing Thai dishes at the groups South-East Asian Chin Chin restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney. A traditional match of hot, spicy Thai food with a room-temperature red isnt going to cut it, however. Chilled red wine is perfect, you want the fruit to generate a pillow of texture, Avril said. Aromatic whites team perfectly with coriander and lemongrass, rieslings with sweetness and spice, and skin contact whites with a classic green chicken curry. Avril also champions non-alcoholic wines as Thai friendly. The acidity, freshness of fruit and zinginess goes well with lighter-style Thai dishes, and lemongrass, he said. Pesto, prawn and pecorino spirali at Giuls in Surry Hills breaks the no seafood with cheese rule. Jennifer Soo Daring pairings Advertisement As for Malaysian cuisine, Ho Jiak owner Junda Khoo said: Im not sure if its a myth or not but back home they say if you drink beer while eating durian, it can kill you. The Malaysian-born Khoo will soon add a Melbourne CBD restaurant to his eastern seaboard Ho Jiak chain of restaurants. Restaurant myths are often sparked by a break with tradition. Khoo received criticism from some of his customers who objected to him using white wine in Malaysian dishes, or butter when the original recipe used oil. A chef with a fine-dining background, Sean Connolly, now oversees kitchens including Melbournes Shush Burger & Bar, and Gowings, in Sydney. Connolly believes kitchen myths are often created by traditionalists. Ive been told chocolate and passionfruit dont go together, [but] thats bollocks, he said. That whisky and oysters will give you a bad stomach [but] these days theres a lot of smashing everything together. One of those overarching rules, staunchly guarded by many Italian chefs, is that parmesan or any cheese, for that matter shouldnt be in the same postcode as seafood. Caterina Borsato from Melbourne CBD stalwart Caterinas Cucina e Bar is in that camp and admits to being unsettled when she recently spotted a blob of cheese with octopus ragu. Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Hes gone and [allegedly] murdered someone when he should be behind bars. The decision by Judge Michael Allen, the Chief Magistrate of NSW, to impose a noncustodial sentence has also frustrated victims rights advocates whove long campaigned for better protections for women. Loading The Homicide Victims Support Group called for an immediate review into supervision orders imposed on violent repeat offenders, and expressed concern that domestic violence was not being taken seriously. What more will it take for our judiciary, who are tasked with protecting our community, to agree that zero tolerance is the only decision with these violent repeat offenders? deputy chair Corinne Lindsell said. The death of Torrens while in custody now means Audreys family will be denied their chance at justice. They are left with not only the grief of loss but the ongoing anguish of unanswered questions. Lindsell said the community deserved answers around the decisions made before Griffins death. Griffins mother, Kathleen Kirby (left), says her daughter was let down by the justice system. Audreys family deserves better, she said. Another victims advocate, Howard Brown, said Torrens lenient sentence showed it was obvious that no one is listening. If you keep releasing these guys and punishing them with a feather, why are we then all of a sudden surprised when someone ends up dead? he said. Loading The NSW government toughened bail laws for serious domestic violence offenders after widespread fury over the death of Molly Ticehurst last April. Her former partner, Daniel Billings, who had been released on bail for allegedly sexually assaulting her, has been charged with her murder. But Brown, who has supported victims of violent crimes and their families for more than 30 years, said not enough changes had been implemented throughout the justice system to address domestic violence across the country. We can talk as much as we like about being serious about domestic violence, Brown said. But clearly penalties remain inadequate, and in this case of [Torrens], clearly the penalty was inadequate because its [allegedly] manifested itself in further violence. Acting Attorney-General Ron Hoenig said he had requested transcripts of Torrens most recent court appearances, including the decision to impose a community corrections order. He said community safety was the state governments highest priority and that any recommendations from a coronial inquest into Griffins death would be strongly considered. NSW Premier Chris Minns said very serious questions will be asked about why Torrens was placed on a community corrections order. Credit: Steven Siewert Griffins death was part of a clear national pattern of violence against women, Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly said. In so many of these cases, including this one, there is a history of mens violence against women patterns of abuse that too often go unchecked until they end in tragedy, she said. This is not about isolated incidents or monsters. It is about systems that fail to intervene early enough, and social conditions that allow violence to occur. Piper Yanz, a childhood friend of Griffin, said the teenagers death could have been prevented if the justice system had done what it was meant to do. He never should have been in the position to be able to [allegedly] take our friends life, she said. Minns vowed to provide the Griffins family answers around her death, and the decision to impose a supervision order on Torrens, adding that violence against women was never tolerated, its never condoned, its never brushed under the carpet. If the adage that youre never too old to try something new applies to anyone on this years Brisbane Comedy Festival line-up, its definitely Janty Blair. Blair, a proud Butchulla, Mununjali and Woppaburra woman, spent more than three decades working as a nurse and midwife. Supporting birthing mothers was her area of expertise. Janty Blair will perform her first solo stand-up show at 60 years of age. Credit: Brisbane Comedy Festival But a series of events in her mid-50s changed her course towards comedy. Or as she puts it: comedy found me. I had just gotten back into [nursing and midwifery] and I had moved up to Hervey Bay, she explains. Then my sister cousin who I was very close to passed away. The April 26 Edition When Jacinta Price vowed to make Australia great again earlier this month, the crowd fell silent for a moment. The NT senators Trumpist reference may have worked a treat six months ago, but it has now become an election liability. Donald Trumps rise has been blamed, in part, on the US Democrats poor job of talking to working-class voters. Labor faces similar challenges here, largely because its base has transformed over the past few decades demographically, culturally and, yes, financially. As writer Gay Alcorn points out in her compelling cover story this week, once-rusted-on Labor seats, like Werriwa in Sydney and Werribee in Melbourne, have suffered significant losses in support for the party. As the son of working-class parents, both of whom worked in factories all their lives and never owned property, Ive noticed a sense of grievance today that wasnt there in the past. One thing hasnt changed: these voters want a party and a leader who listens, and wholl stand up to the big end of town especially billionaires who claim they dont belong to the elites themselves. Greg Callaghan, acting editor. 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 Adrift in a round bamboo basket somewhere in the Gulf of Thailand, Tuong Quang Luu peered through the squall and spied whales breaching in the distance. In the breaks between the tropical rains of May, he noticed the seabirds were getting larger and flying higher; even to the untrained eye, this was a sign they were far from land. One way or another, there was no going back to Vietnam. We would perish or survive. Four Thai fishing trawlers passed the little boat that was never meant to stray far from shore and ignored their pleas for rescue. The fifth stopped to scoop them up. I was a diplomat, not a fisherman, Luu says now from his home in Sydney. So it was scary but, luckily, I survived the hazards of that trip. For Luu, those hazards involved a close encounter with a vessel manned by communist forces and being put to work with the crew in rough seas. For an estimated 2 million others who fled Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the collapse of the South Vietnamese government, and the end of a war that had killed millions and pitted empires and neighbours against each other, there were greater perils. An estimated 500,000 refugees died in the years of exodus that followed; shot by coast guards or pirates, robbed, raped, thrown overboard after starving or dying of thirst, or lost at sea. More than 150,000 made their way to Australia, a wave of migration that has forever changed society. Advertisement Luu declined the offer of an easier escape. Having been an envoy in Canberra, where most of his family were safe, he was friendly with the Australian diplomats. There was a seat with his name on it on the Hercules that took the ambassador away when the Saigon embassy was abandoned on Anzac Day 1975. Instead, Luu stayed. He was the last senior diplomat left standing in the southern governments ministry of foreign affairs because my bosses had already left the country. The former president, Nguyen Van Thieu, decamped for Taipei with an exit visa that Luu stamped after being roused from his sleep. On the morning of April 30, soldiers were ordered to stop fighting and the North Vietnamese Army swept in and declared the country liberated and reunited. A tank rolls through the gates of the presidential palace in Saigon on April 30, 1975. Credit: AP Luu walked the Rue Catinat and took in the French colonial sights such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral before seeing the National Liberation Fronts advance party. He moved a few hundred metres west to watch as the North Vietnamese forces in Russian and Chinese tanks tore down the gate of the presidential Independence Palace and hoisted their flag. He shed his jacket and tie and retraced his steps to the Caravelle Hotel, long a melting pot of diplomats and correspondents that had housed the Australian embassy on the seventh floor. The saddest thing for me to see was the elite of the South Vietnamese forces, the marines, walk up the street without weapons, Luu, 84, recalls. That was very disheartening, very sad. Advertisement He and his father-in-law fled Saigon on a motorcycle. By that evening they had lied their way through a checkpoint and had started a week of hiding in the Mekong Delta disguised in black pyjamas, the peasant outfit adopted by the Viet Cong. As the enemys grip tightened, they decided the bamboo boat was worth the risk. They gather on Thursdays for a stretch of yoga, a cuppa and cake, and a good old-fashioned natter. The business of the day may be a talk about bowel screening, dance practice or planning an excursion to the zoo, but something deeper binds the Vietnamese Womens Association. On the outside there may be smiles, yoga instructor Jennifer McFarland explains when asked about the lasting effects of the war, but pain lingers inside. The women speak of losing loved ones in war, of being separated from family members, of uprooting their lives and of terrifying journeys that seemed preferable to a brutal life under communist rule. Of husbands, fathers and brothers asked to report to authorities for 10 days only to disappear into prison for years and returned on the brink of death. Of possessions and money taken. Of knowing they might encounter rape or death at sea. The refugees on Le Phams boat fought pirates to save themselves and get to safety. Credit: Kate Geraghty The boat Le Pham was on with 157 others encountered pirates three times. The first stole all their goods. The second tried to steal more. The third, frustrated, rammed their boat so they would sink and die. Advertisement Everyone on board had had enough. They fought back and overwhelmed their assailants, seizing the attacking vessel. They sailed into Darwin famous as the refugees who beat the pirates. We had to stand up and fight, or we would all die, Pham says. We threw them in the sea. Outside the Cabravale Senior Citizens Centre, corflutes for Dai Le and Tu Le compete for attention, and a stall selling bahn mi and Vietnamese coffee prepares for lunch. Only a block away is the hustle of Cabramatta market. Pho has become part of the national dish, declares Diana Nguyen, a Melbourne-born actor, comedian and writer who explores her heritage and the influence of the Vietnamese on Australian society. Weve got too many doctors and pharmacists! Loading Before the Fall of Saigon, fewer than 2000 people of Vietnamese descent lived in Australia. Today, the number exceeds 300,000 and Vietnamese is the fourth most commonly spoken language. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said deep people-to-people links supported relations between Australia and Vietnam; the Whitlam government formally established relations with the communist north in 1973 in parallel to the diplomatic mission in the south. The Australia-Vietnam relationship has never been stronger, the spokesperson said. Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in the region and a major hub for manufacturing and investment. It is an active player in regional and global affairs, and a key partner for Australia. Advertisement The Bishop of Parramatta, Vincent Long Van Nguyen, says Vietnam today is a long way from an inclusive and just society and this worries members of the diaspora. Haunted by memories of the Tet Offensive in 1968, he recalls his family bundling everything up and fleeing their home north of Saigon in 1975. We left our country of birth, but we still have a stake, an interest in the kind of society it is shaping up to be, and unfortunately, for me, Vietnam is still divided, he said. After his brief stint on the fishing vessel, Luu was detained at the home of the trawler captain near the Thai port of Samut Sakhon. Within a week, he had talked a policeman into taking him to Bangkok and finding the nearest telex machine. I sent a cable I said, I survived, and Im in Thailand. Luu flew to Sydney and after reuniting with his family was invited to Parliament House for tea with Kim Beazley snr, then the education minister. The first words that he said to me will stay with me forever, Luu says. He shook my hand and said, Quang, welcome home. Its so moving. I was then a refugee, not a diplomat any more. The Fraser government reversed the Whitlam-era policy of not accepting Vietnamese refugees, and an era of multiculturalism began. A long-time advocate for refugee rights and for 16 years the head of SBS radio, Luu is proud that his adopted country has accepted him but credits the success of multiculturalism to those who worked hard to fit in. Advertisement Though Labor has legislated Australias commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, committed to cut emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, and ramped up the deployment of renewables, Anthony Albanese cleared the decks for the election by dumping promised reforms to the nations failing environmental protection laws. His popular environment minister Tanya Plibersek has been granted all the profile of an informant in witness protection so far through the campaign. Meanwhile, Dutton is making his scepticism towards ambitious climate action plain, suggesting recently that it would be madness for Australia to co-host United Nations climate talks, and championing gas-led energy policy. He and his climate and energy spokesman Ted OBrien insist that 43 per cent is an impossible target. Which brings us back to Andrew Constance, who remains the favourite to win Gilmore, though, if bookmakers are to be believed, by a margin that has substantially narrowed through the campaign. Constance, a Liberal moderate during his years in state politics, made a national profile for himself following the Black Summer fires as a passionate convert to climate action. In 2020 he declared that political polarisation over climate change policy was absurd and told this masthead he would dedicate the rest of my life to making sure this does not happen again. Then in 2021, after flirting with a bid to become premier, Constance announced he would quit the state government to run for the federal seat. At this point, according to local critics, his concern for action on climate change appeared to evolve, again. He began taking positions more in line with anti-climate federal conservative hardliners rather than moderates, and appeared at rallies opposing offshore wind. Constance attracted national attention in February this year when, during a candidates debate in Malua Bay, not far from where he sheltered from the 2019 firestorm alongside his constituents, he said that a Coalition government would abandon the Paris Agreement. In terms of our international obligations, theyre one thing but dont sell us out as you do it; 2035 Paris Agreement target off the table by the Liberal Party, Constance told the forum, hosted by Sky News. Hours later he walked back the comments, saying a Dutton government would set a 2035 target. Coalition policy is clear. We will not be setting targets from opposition, we will be setting them from government, he said. By then, though, the convenor of Climate 200, Simon Holmes a Court, had emailed almost 40,000 supporters citing Constances comments and calling for $300,000 in donations for an advertising campaign to help keep the Coalition out of office. He says $1.2 million soon flowed in. Constance has become a champion of the Coalitions nuclear policy, a plan that the Climate Change Authority believes would necessitate keeping the nations geriatric fleet of coal-fired power stations on life-support for years, causing the nation to dump 2 billion tonnes more of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. His social media accounts include his criticism of Labors investment in reckless renewables and its vehicle emissions standards, which Constance describes as a ute tax, rhetoric with an echo of Scott Morrisons claim in the 2019 election that Labor would somehow end the weekend. Over a quick lunch in Batemans Bay, Constance denies there is inconsistency in support for the federal coalitions energy and climate policies, and his post-fire vow to dedicate his career to climate action. Where is the contradiction? he asks, saying he never wants to go through another firestorm but understands nuance in the argument over how to reduce emissions. Nuclear power stations, he says, present a better pathway to net zero than Labors reliance on firmed renewables. On this issue Bragg and Constance seem to be arguing antithetical points. Bragg, who joins us for lunch, says the Coalition backs the deployment of more rooftop solar. Constance says Gilmore voters cant afford their rooftop solar and batteries. (Our conversation was days before Albanese announced battery subsidies.) Indeed, says Constance, Gilmores voters can barely afford their power bills. I know a butcher in Nowra who hasnt been able to pass his refrigeration cost increases to customers because he knows they cant afford it. With his focus on cost of living, Constance seems to be in tune with both Dutton and Albanese. But not all his constituents are convinced. Jack Egan, a south-coast bushfire survivor and climate campaigner, says he feels betrayed by Constance. He says Constances positions for nuclear power and against offshore wind and Labors fuel emissions standards are at odds with his vow to work for climate action after the fires. I assume that he was completely genuine at the time, but since then I suggest hes been wilfully ignorant of the science, which is indicating that we need to move fast and thoroughly to cut our emissions. So does the teal independent, Kate Dezarnaulds. The backflip is staggering, she says, sitting outside the work-share business she runs in Berry, part of a chain dotted across the seat. The backflip is appalling. The backflip is really motivating a lot of people in this community to get engaged in politics in a way that they never would before. Indeed, she says Constances position on climate is one of the reasons she decided to run. There was a moment where you looked at [former NSW treasurer and climate and energy minister] Matt Kean and Andrew Constance and you thought that there was a kind of transition afoot in the Liberal Party, which was long overdue and encouraging. Jack Egans North Rosedale home went up in flames during the Black Summer fires. Credit: To see [Constances] backflip on those professed commitments to energy transition, to the importance of shepherding a community through the changes that weve got to make to be able to adapt, respond, mitigate climate change, is depressing. There was a moment but its gone. Like Constance, the Labor incumbent, Fiona Phillips, believes the people of Gilmore are focused on cost of living but says the fires of 2019 and recovery linger over the seat. She claims Constances comments about the Paris Agreement on the Sky News forum have made people wonder what he stands for. One of Constances former NSW cabinet colleagues believes Constance instinctively understands the economic concerns of his electorate, and the political advantage of taking a tough line on climate, should he be called upon to forge a career in a Dutton-led government. Kate Dezarnaulds, running in Gilmore, is one of the few teals taking on an incumbent Labor MP. Credit: James Brickwood He describes Constance as a politician of rare instinctive talent, and one who has long been sceptical of ambitious climate action. He has this extraordinary, well-confected air of authenticity. In cabinet he knew exactly when and how to intervene to derail a proposal that he did not like, he says. The proposals Constance did not like often had to do with progressive action on climate and the environment, says his former colleague. He was about the brownest member of cabinet, he would give the Nats a run for their money. We used to call him Grumpy Bega. Another former colleague does not agree with this assessment, at least not entirely. Yes, he says, Constance did often use his deft interventions to derail climate and environment initiatives. But he doesnt believe Constance was the sort of die-hard anti-environmentalist you often come across in conservative circles. He is unencumbered by any belief in anything at all. Either way, Constance leaves behind a substantial record in state parliament. He served as transport and infrastructure minister from 2015 and was responsible for delivering multibillion-dollar metro and light rail projects. From 2019 he served as both transport and road minister, and was viewed as an effective leader of a pair of critical portfolios. As he points out to this masthead, he was responsible for the multibillion-dollar policy of electrifying the states fleet of 8000 buses, an initiative that will dramatically reduce noise and air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, when completed in the 2040s. Gary and Lisa Cox, photographed in Mollymook, admit their votes in the seat of Gilmore are likely to cancel one another out. Credit: James Brickwood On a perfect Autumn morning on the beach at Mollymook, Gary Cox, a former electrician and real estate agent, is out walking with his wife, Lisa, who is still selling homes in the area. Gary reckons Constance has his priorities right. He was good during the fires, and I am not anti-climate change but I do think there are bigger issues. Gary worries that the regions roads are jammed, its hospitals stressed and its schools crowded, its children priced out of the communities they grew up in. Loading Constance, who Gary says served his community well in state government, has his support. Lisa cheerfully disagrees. We will cancel each other out with our votes, she says. She will back Fiona Phillips. Both agree it is good for the region that there is such a bitter fight for Gilmore. They will just keep throwing money at us, says Gary. 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 My husband is a Vietnam veteran and on a military disability pension. For the first time ever he decided to attend the harbour sunset tribute on Thursday evening. It was a big step for him. While we appreciated the sentiment of the ceremony, we were both shocked at the political nature of the event. We thought it was disgraceful to have three former Liberal prime ministers (Howard, Abbott and Morrison), one of whom sent troops to Iraq in 2003, in the front row. We also realise that Gina Rinehart, who was also there, gives great support to veterans, and financially to this event, but it seems she comes with political baggage, too. We were shocked and disappointed, and I doubt that we will attend again. Sherie Barton, Ryde A dawn memorial service was held at Anzac Cove beach, the site of the Anzac landing in Gallipoli. Credit: AP I read that Peter Dutton attended various Anzac Day events commemorating the sacrifice of our veterans. When he was last in government, however, our veterans had to wait up to four years for any action on their claims for assistance for such things as psychological counselling for PTSD. When the Labor government came to power in 2022 it employed public servants who have reduced that waiting time to three months. Duttons hypocrisy is breathtaking. Jack Amond, Cabarita It was absolutely wonderful to see so many schoolchildren and other young people participating in commemorative services on Anzac Day, and they have rightfully been widely commended for their genuine commitment. So, one wonders why these same magnificent young people face unfair criticism when they sometimes take to the streets to express their real concern about important issues such as climate change and sexual harassment? They are then characterised, particularly by right-wing commentators and the conservative media, as naive and foolish, as illegal protesters who should find better things to do with their time. Our younger generations are this countrys greatest resource. More power to them. Rob Phillips, North Epping Dennis Glovers point is timely and well-made: lest we forget should also mean lest we repeat (Lest we forget history. Has a new world war already begun? April 25). The signs have been around for long enough; the symptoms are familiar and depressingly easy to identify. Increasingly, the worlds 2020s playbook looks like the 1930s. As ever, we are doomed to repeat historys mistakes unless we learn from them. We need leaders to look beyond placing all their eggs in the defence basket at the expense of development and progress. Democracy must enable us to elect governments whose goals are co-operative and imaginative rather than selfish, greedy and aggressive. Jenifer Nicholls, Windsor (Vic) Dennis Glovers questioning of the real meaning of lest we forget is especially germane as we prepare for the burial of Pope Francis, who was constantly pleading that we seek forgiveness and reconciliation rather than take up arms. Francis opined recently that World War III had already begun but was being fought piecemeal. At his final address, president Dwight D. Eisenhower also warned of the dangers of the military-industrial complex. The arms industry is worth many hundreds of billions of dollars. Is anybody listening, or would we rather forever ritually mourn our dead than do everything humanly possible to make sure it never happens again a task even more relentlessly gruelling than making war? Bernard Moylan, Bronte Another year of lest we forget and, thanks to all those who have fought so bravely to preserve our way of living, another record year of suicides and untreated PTSD. Brenton McGeachie, Hackett (ACT) Advertisement No defence for Rinehart Having served in the ADF for 21 years, incensed doesnt fully capture my emotions on reading about Gina Rinehart using an Anzac Eve event to promote her political agenda (Rinehart uses Anzac Day service to push for enormous increase in defence spending, April 25). I have no doubt Rineharts concern is motivated by self-interest, namely the vast mineral and energy reserves she has accumulated. I realise that we are in the midst of an election campaign; however, Anzac Day is not about defence, its a sacred commemoration of the suffering and sacrifice of those who have gone before us. Kevin Hewitson, Smiths Lake As the daughter of a man who served in World War II, I found it upsetting to see Gina Rinehart displaying her patriotism at an Anzac ceremony. Is this not the same woman who was filmed proudly wearing MAGA paraphernalia and celebrating the victory of a man who wants to Make America Great Again at the expense of Australia and our allies? Where does her loyalty lie? Kerrie Shearston, Engadine Rinehart wants the Australian people to increase defence spending, maybe to protect her wealth portfolio. Imagine if she had a real heart and wanted to use her mega-wealth to help the homeless, the less well-off. Nah, lets buy 100 fighter jets so Ginas yacht is safe. And she will probably be at the funeral of Pope Francis. Him, a man of humility and grace; her sorry, just checking the balance sheet. Barry Ffrench, Cronulla Politicians and mining billionaire Gina Rinehart attended an Anzac ceremony at the Opera House. Credit: Seven It wouldnt coincidentally be the case that Ms Rineharts mines, Hancock Prospecting, are expanding their interests in rare earth minerals crucial for defence purposes. Or would it? Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay Rinehart wants Australia to spend more on defence. That will require raising billions more in taxes. She famously pays little tax and her philanthropy is modest. So, time for her to kick in big time. Charles Kent, Hunters Hill Advertisement The answer to the question you ask remains largely unanswered (Coalition sets sights on defence splurge. Who pays? April 25). However, history suggests foreign aid will continue to be the oppositions source of revenue. Under Coalition governments from 2013 to 2022, Australia dropped from being the 13th-most generous donor among the 31 OECD countries to 28th (based on aid as a percentage of gross national income). Other countries are also slashing their foreign aid: not only the well-publicised demise of USAID, countries such as the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and France are also making large cuts. This is not the time for Australia to abandon the poor and disadvantaged in the developing world. Clay OBrien, Mosman Conscription controversy After reading Tony Wrights article on wrongful conscription I interrogated the archives and now find that I also was called up back in 1967, despite my birthdate not being selected (His birthday wasnt picked. He was conscripted anyway, April 25) It was only because I was studying and able to join the citizen force for five years that I was able to avoid two years of full-time service. How many others like Peter Curtin and I were wrongly conscripted? No wonder the government kept the dates secret for over 30 years. What bastards. Tim ODonnell, Newport Looking for the list of birthdays in the fourth ballot, the National Archives of Australia steered me to the Australian War Memorial, where I downloaded the relevant report. Phew, turns out I missed being called up by one day. I kept my registration and deferment notices as instructed, so will I be called up as an 80 year-old in Trumps 2066 Pacific War? Dads Army will then be Granddads Army, eh wot? Roger Cameron, Marrickville Advertisement Selfie indulgence The greatest man in my life was my father, who died 18 months ago. At the viewing of his body, not once did I consider taking a picture of him as he lay there so peacefully. I know my father would rather be remembered for the happy times I spent with him and the values he instilled in me. So, too, would the late Pope Francis. The circus of flashes from waves of mobile phones recording peoples self-indulgent moment with the deceased is in sharp contrast to what this great Pope stood for (Pope now part of the endless scroll, as phones steal from stillness and silence of grief, April 25). Revisiting Pope Francis values may be a more enlightened way to celebrate him, rather than a selfie. Srdan Knezevic, South Hurstville Neo-Nazi disgrace As an ex-serviceman whose father fought fascism in World War II, I demand to know why a known neo-Nazi was at liberty to abuse our democracy (Neo-Nazi arrested as stunts mar Anzac Day dawn services, April 25). You were good at deporting legal asylum seekers, Mr Dutton. Now lets hear about your plans to deport neo-Nazis, who really can be said to deserve it. Ian Usman Lewis, Armidale It was a disgrace interrupting the Welcome to Country at an Anzac ceremony, or anywhere else. However, the Coalition has emboldened these fringe dwellers through their opposition to the Voice referendum. The rejection of the referendum allowed some to believe that the majority of the nation were against acknowledgement of First Nations Australians. Political parties need to think about how extremists will interpret their stance on fundamental matters such as acknowledgement of the original inhabitants of our nation. Heather Brown, Engadine Of course the despicable actions of neo-Nazis at the Shrine of Remembrance should be deplored by all Australians, and by decent people everywhere. But sadly, while many might have thought that Hitlers evil had finally been consigned to history, the fact is that there are still people in the world who are keeping this dictators name, and methods, alive. Efforts to destroy liberal democracy are seen by some as an achievable goal. Derrick Mason, Boorowa Convicted neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant, who led several men in disrupting Melbournes Anzac service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Credit: Eddie Jim Advertisement Regarding reports of some individuals booing the Welcome to Country message at this mornings dawn service (Welcome to Country booed at Melbournes Anzac Day dawn service, April 25), I noticed almost every comment on the Heralds website reminded Peter Dutton of the generous war service and sacrifice of Indigenous Australians in past conflicts, and yet how divisive he had been in killing the very modest request from our First Nations People for a Voice to parliament. For this reason, if nothing else, he should be denied his long-held ambition to lead our country. Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT) If ever there was a need for intervention its for those poor little boys who run around in black dress-ups and go boo at Anzac Day dawn services. They need help. Philip Dowle, Wickham Power struggle There would be other seats besides teals that Peter Dutton would now be avoiding, such as the ones where nuclear reactors are proposed (Dutton is still toxic in the teal world, April 25). The teals (and Greens) were elected on a wave of nausea caused by the Coalitions seeming deafness over climate change. Why did the Coalition respond with the nuclear idea? In the words of Matt Canavan, because it fixes a political issue for us. Even that fix appears to have backfired. It seems nuclear was an idea whose time has passed. A survey conducted by Griffith and Monash universities shows a majority of Australians do not view nuclear power favourably, and would be concerned if a plant was built near them. As more time has allowed closer scrutiny of the nuclear proposition, more holes appear. That is why nuclear has been all but missing in action in the Coalitions campaign, and not just in the teal seats. If history is made by those who show up, nuclear in Australia is a mere footnote in the Coalitions agenda. Fiona Colin, Malvern East Correspondent Alan Marel asks if the Coalitions befuddlement stems from incompetence or sheer arrogance (Letters, April 25). Its some of the former but a lot of the latter. The arrogance of the Coalition knows no bounds. They are beyond furious that they forgot to listen to the concerns of voters, resulting in many seats being won by independents who actually care for their constituents. The Coalition blames everybody else but refuse to turn the lens inwards. The Liberal Party truly believes it owns certain seats, they are theirs, they are born to rule there. The complacence and lack of respect shown to those constituents is, or should be, a reminder to a puzzled Coalition that the mighty have fallen and that they only have themselves and their inbuilt arrogance to blame. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic) In case that the result of the election is a hung parliament, the two major parties have to forget their political differences and seriously consider forming a grand coalition. Providing stability and long-term economic planning should be in the forefront of the Coalitions and the ALPs thinking. Allowing the Greens and other minor parties to hold the balance of power carries the risk that decisions are made not in the national interest. A grand coalition, as successfully proven most recently in Germany, is about preserving stability. In these uncertain times, Australia urgently needs a strong government and national unity. Johann-Caspar Rose, Darling Point Advertisement Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This article is part of Travellers Holiday Guide to Adventure & Outdoors. See all stories . Its a tall tale, in the most literal sense of a land far, far away, inhabited by a race of friendly, dancing giants said to be twice the size of most human beings. So intrigued was Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan with the colossal Tehuelche warrior who greeted his ship on the southern shores of Argentina in 1520 that he kidnapped two of his kind, attempting to bring them back to Europe as proof that giants exist. Of course, as in most fairytales, things didnt end well for the shackled tall folk: they didnt survive the ocean voyage. However, for a century, Europe was abuzz with fantastical stories of the lofty people of the distant south nicknamed Patagones by Magellan, after a fictional dog-headed monster featured in a 16th century chivalric novel. While rumours of the Tehuelche being nearly four metres tall were later debunked (they were more likely about two metres in height, still towering over the malnourished, scurvy-plagued Spanish sailors they had encountered), the name for their homeland stuck Patagonia, land of the giants. In a rock overhang in the north-eastern region of Chiles Torres del Paine National Park, a large oxidised handprint indicates the indigenous Aonikenk, or Southern Tehuelche people that inhabited this area, were, indeed, of considerable stature; while the guanaco-skin moccasins they wore on their feet created Yeti-sized footprints that undoubtedly contributed to their gigantic reputation. We have arrived at this cave, splashed with faded depictions of animals and their human hunters created between 400 and 4000 years ago, via a hiking trail known as the Aonikenk, or Hunters Trail, an easy, undulating, eight-kilometre hike rewarded with panoramic views of the snow-capped Paine Massif, the dramatic mountain range dominating this wild, glacier-carved landscape. Luxury lodge Tierra Patagonia. Advertisement Morning rain showers a predictable daily occurrence amid Patagonias unpredictable, ever-changing weather have cleared to reveal a sparkling blue sky dotted with massive Andean condors, eight-fingered wings outstretched as they glide on thermals searching for prey. Skittish guanacos graze on the hillsides, batting their luscious eyelashes, while the bleached bones of one that didnt get away is evidence of another lethal hunter that stalks these windswept hills: the elusive puma. The half-day Hunters Trail hike is just one of many enticing excursions offered by Tierra Patagonia, a luxury lodge located on the shores of Lake Sarmiento, just shy of the Torres del Paine National Park in Chiles far south. Poolside at Tierra Patagonia. Conceptualised to resemble the ancient thrombolites scattered along the lakeshore, this curvaceous wooden structure created by Chilean architect Cazu Zeger is a masterpiece of design, floor-to-ceiling windows capturing uninterrupted views of the snow-kissed, shadow-played mountains across the sparkling blue lake. All excursions are included in Tierra Patagonias rates, along with three meals a day, fine Chilean wines and unlimited pisco sours. While many guests are keen to tackle the bucket list Base of the Towers trek a challenging 18-kilometre route offering a close-up view of Torres del Paines namesake Towers less strenuous activities are also available, from gentle scenic hikes to horseback riding at a local estancia. Jacuzzi views Tierra Patagonia. Advertisement In a moody lenga forest near pretty Laguna Azul, we search in vain for both Magellanic horned owls and the abrupt tips of the granite Towers, playing peek-a-boo behind a shroud of mist; while run-off from the retreating southern Patagonian ice fields is at its most thunderous at the terraced Paine waterfall. All glimpses of sunshine vanish as we set off on a full-day excursion to Grey Glacier, located in the far western reaches of this vast, 181,414-hectare national park. The spiky Cuernos, a circle of horned peaks that rise above scenic French Valley, make a brief appearance as we pass by; but rain (and sleet) gear is required as we set sail on the jaunty red Lady Grey catamaran towards the 19-kilometre glacier. At the Grey Glacier. After the intimacy of our private hikes with Tierra Patagonias personable guides, this public cruise packed bow to stern with boisterous tourists is a rude awakening, particularly when the bar serving free pisco sours chilled with ice chipped off rogue icebergs is declared open. But, as we approach the first of the three distinct faces of Grey Glacier, all eyes are turned to the imposing 30-metre-high, pale blue wall of ice, interlaced with crevasses of intense cobalt. Here, in this six-kilometre-wide ice palace, lives another monster (of sorts) the Patagonian ice dragon, a rare, flightless stonefly about 1.3 centimetres in length. With high concentrations of glycerol (antifreeze) in its blood, the dragon is what scientists call an extremophile an organism that survives in Earths harshest environments. This humble insect also plays a role in protecting its icy host; it feeds on cryoconite a thin layer of dust made of microbes that, when it accumulates, makes glaciers less reflective and more prone to melting. And with Patagonias ice fields shrinking at the highest rate on the planet, the value of this vulnerable little dragon cannot be overestimated. Advertisement Another creature of mythic proportions that thrives in the extremes of Patagonia is its baqueanos, or gauchos the famed horsemen of the steppes. These beret and pantaloon-wearing, mate-drinking, knife-wielding legends are known for their bravado and machismo; so you can imagine my surprise when our horse-riding guide at Estancia Lazo a 13,000-hectare cattle ranch neighbouring Tierra Patagonia turns out not only to be female, but a dinkum Aussie chick from Mullumbimby, NSW. A gaucho on the steppe. A skilled and experienced horsewoman, Hebe Webber worked as a horseriding guide at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley before venturing to South America in 2019, riding with a caravan of nomadic equestrians in Guatemala before accepting a three-month volunteer role at Estancia Lazo. She later moved to Argentina, where she worked as guide and manager at the esteemed Estancia Los Potreros in Cordoba. But the mountains kept calling. In late 2024, she returned to Patagonia, this time as a full-time employee. I felt a deep pull to learn from the baqueanos, Webber tells me as we ride side by side, the black-and-white mane of my sturdy ranch-bred steed, Atahualpa (named after the last Incan king), bobbing in motion. Its a place steeped in tradition, where horses are woven into the very fabric of their being it called to me like nothing else. From the lakeside historic estancia, we pick our way across milky, glacial creeks and through a gnarled lenga forest, emerging from this Lord of the Rings-like fantasy land to a windswept ridge, where snowcapped mountains and fluffy clouds create a backdrop so spectacular, it looks like a CGI creation. Advertisement Cosy cabin-style rooms Tierra Patagonia. Here, Hebe jumps off her horse to take photos of our group, her gaucho co-worker Ignacio silently and stoically leading each horse into the optimum position. Hebes passion for her work which includes mustering 250 cattle and 40 sheep, collecting firewood for cooking, hot water and heating, and caring for 40 horses and their nervous riders is palpable, and it seems, in this untameable, majestic land of giants, she has found her happy place. Patagonia stole a piece of my heart the first moment I drew breath in this wild place, she tells me. It sings to a part of my soul that no other place has. Im here for the love, not the money. The love of the land, the people, the horses. I feel this place will never stop teaching me, just as I wish to never stop learning from it. Its the place that feels right. It feels like home. The details Fly LATAM flies from Sydney to Santiago direct four times weekly, and from Melbourne three times weekly. From Santiago, there are daily flights to Puerto Natales with LATAM. See latamairlines.com Advertisement Francis, one of the most widely travelled pontiffs in history, will also be remembered in prayers in French, Arabic, Spanish, Polish, German, Italian and English, which will also be used for a reading from the New Testament. The majority of the liturgy is in Latin. Also highly significant are the prayers at the end of the funeral in Greek from the Byzantine funeral liturgy of the Eastern Catholic Churches, reflecting another of the Popes concerns during his 12-year pontificate the faithful in troubled places such as Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Eritrea. Familiar liturgy For Catholics around the world, the funeral Masss structure will be immediately familiar. It follows the traditional pattern: the gathering of people, their call to God for forgiveness of their sins, readings from scripture, a homily, prayers of the faithful, the consecration of the bread and wine, the Lords Prayer, a sign of peace shared among the faithful, Holy Communion, and the dismissal. Missing are the Gloria and the Creed, not essential and quite probably cut due to the length of the service. Resurrection theme All Catholic funerals focus on the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that the dead will one day rise again, but with Franciss funeral held at Eastertide, this theme is particularly evident. Resurrection is mentioned time and time again through the funeral service. Bishop of Rome The readings, unusually for a Catholic Mass, do not include an extract from the Old Testament. Worshippers lined up at the Vatican during the three-day lying in state. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Instead, there is one from the Acts of the Apostles the New Testament book, with words by St Peter, the leader of the apostles, considered to be the first pope and another from St Pauls letter to the Philippians. Peter and Paul are considered the most important martyrs of the early Church, both executed in Rome. Together, these readings remind people of Francis role as Bishop of Rome and the continuity of the papal office, stretching back to the founding of Christianity. Loading John Paul II All the readings chosen, from Acts and St Pauls letter to the Philippians and the Gospel, are the same as those read at the funeral of John Paul II in 2005. The Gospel, from John 21, 15-19, has Jesus urging Peter: Feed my sheep. Both as bishop in Buenos Aires and as Pope, Francis wore a cross depicting Christ as the Good Shepherd. The psalm The Lord is My Shepherd was also sung at John Pauls funeral, as well as that of Benedict XVI at St Peters in 2022, nine years after he resigned as pope. Psalm 129 Out of the depths I cry unto you O Lord will be sung as an antiphon before communion, as it was at Benedicts service. Holy Communion For Catholics, the most sacred moment of the Mass comes when the bread and wine are consecrated and transformed into the body and blood of Christ. Hundreds of priests will attend the Mass, which should help with the distribution of communion as efficiently as possible in the form of communion wafers. Chalices of wine are likely only to be used for distribution among the clergy and those seated near the front, such as Catholic royalty. Loading Lords Prayer A key ecumenical moment will be the reciting of the Lords Prayer, the most-loved prayer of Jesus, which can be said by Christians of all denominations. Only those who are in full communion with the Catholic Church can receive Holy Communion. Litany of the saints After communion, Pope Francis will be commended to the mercy of God and then the saints will be called upon to pray for him. The litany of saints will include the Virgin Mary; the apostles; Roman martyrs from the early days of the Church, including Laurence, Sebastian, Perpetua, Felicity, Cecilia and Agnes; and 18 canonised popes, including John XXIII, Paul XI, and John Paul II. Music There will be no hymns sung during the funeral. Instead, the music, sung by the choir of St Peters, will be plainchant. The congregation will be invited to join in, singing key parts of the Mass, all in Latin, including the Lords Prayer, apart from Lord, Have Mercy which is always sung in Greek. Last rites After the litany of saints and the Byzantine funeral liturgy is sung, the coffin will be sprinkled with holy water (a reminder of baptism) and censed (a symbol of prayer wafting to heaven). A final In Paradisum will sung before the coffin is returned inside St Peters Basilica and then taken across Rome to Santa Maria Maggiore for burial. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Statia Government welcomes two major and complementary developments that will improve access to financial services on the island: INGs intention to offer banking services to local businesses and private persons, and De Nederlandsche Banks (DNB) plan to install additional ATMs in 2025. ING announced its intention to serve Statia and Saba In an official statement issued earlier today, ING declared its intent to offer banking services to companies carrying out economic activity on Statia and Saba. The bank has also expressed the ambition to establish a physical office on each island. This announcement follows extensive discussions between ING, the Ministry of Finance, and De Nederlandsche Bank regarding the structural banking challenges in the Caribbean Netherlands. We are the bank for everyone, and we want to be there for all the Dutch, said Peter Jacobs, CEO of ING Netherlands. We therefore take our social responsibility to make banking accessible to residents on both these islands. We want to offer the residents a similar service to that to the residents on Texel. Although ING has begun preparations, providing banking services in the special municipalities involves complex regulatory and logistical considerations. A final decision is expected in the course of 2026. If positive, ING aims to begin service by the end of that year. DNB to Improve Access to Cash with New ATMs In a separate but closely aligned effort, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) has confirmed that additional ATMs will be installed in 2025, the first such installation facilitated directly by the central bank in the Caribbean Netherlands. These ATMs will be managed by an international independent ATM deployer (IAD) and will support both local and international payment cards. Retailers who partner with the IAD will also gain access to cash deposit solutions. Statia Government Applauds Progress Island Governor Alida Francis described the dual announcements as a transformative moment for the island. Access to reliable financial services is vital, not only for our residents but for the resilience of our economy. We are pleased to see these long-standing issues being addressed at the national level. Commissioner of Finance, Reuben Merkman, commented: The establishment of a new bank in Statia marks a significant milestone, offering a unique opportunity to drive economic growth, promote financial inclusion, and unlock new economic possibilities for the island. More than just a financial institution, the bank serves as a cornerstone for economic empowerment, fostering community development and paving the way for sustainable growth. By providing accessible financial services, supporting local businesses, and creating avenues for investment, the bank has the potential to transform the island's financial landscape and empower its citizens, big and small. The future is bright! All of Statia is looking forward to the coming of this bank with high hopes. I would like to say, thank God. Commissioner of Tourism, Rechelline Leerdam, added: This initiative is the result of decades of lobbying by the executive and legislative bodies of both Saba and Statia, through ongoing engagement with Members of Parliament and by consistently presenting our case to the relevant ministries. I want to thank all the Executive Council members and the Island Council over the last decade for their unwavering persistence in lobbying for additional banking services on the island. We are very happy to welcome this development as we diversify the economy. Especially amidst the strong boom in building requests from young locals, we hope this creates new opportunities to support their aspirations. Improved access to financial services is a necessary foundation for sustainable growth. In 2021, the Island council unanimously called for improved banking services. Todays announcement results from persistent dialogue and collaboration with our partners in the European part of the Netherlands. The Statia Government will continue to work with DNB and ING to support the successful implementation. In the coming months, further details, including ATM locations and service timelines, will be shared. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), in collaboration with the Public Prosecutors Office (OM), will conduct preventive search operations during the 2025 Carnival season. Beginning Friday, April 25, 2025, preventive searches will be carried out in 12-hour intervals starting at 6:00 PM, and will continue daily until May 6, 2025. These operations will take place at designated locations, where police officers will be authorized to search individuals, inspect vehicles, and check bags for firearms. This authority is granted under the Firearms Ordinance. The designated search areas include, but are not limited to: J.A. Nisbeth Road, starting from the China Plaza area The entirety of Sualouiga Road The Festival Village and its immediate surroundings Additional key public spaces and access routes connected to Carnival activities Enhanced security will also be enforced along the route of the Jouvert Jump-Up, which begins on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 4:00 AM. This measure is being implemented due to the ongoing issue of illegal firearms on the island and in response to recent analyses regarding the number of armed robberies and incidents of (firearm-related) violence in the period leading up to and during past Carnival celebrations. KPSM and the Public Prosecutors Office are fully aware that this measure constitutes an infringement on the privacy of citizens and visitors alike. However, it is considered a necessary and proportional step to ensure public order and the safety of all during the Carnival festivities, allowing everyone to enjoy a secure and festive celebration. Equally important are the principles of transparency and prevention, which underpin this initiative. By informing the public in advance and acting openly, the authorities aim to deter the possession and use of illegal weapons. These proactive efforts contribute to the broader objective of general safety and community trust, which are essential during large public events such as Carnival. The public is kindly asked for their understanding and cooperation with these security measures. Together, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable Carnival for all. Alphabet quarterly earnings lifted by cloud and AI San Francisco, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2025 Google parent Alphabet on Thursday reported profit of $34.5 billion in the recently ended quarter, powered by its cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations. Overall revenue at Alphabet grew 12 percent to $90.2 billion compared to the same period a year earlier, while revenue for the cloud unit grew 28 percent to $12.3 billion, according to the tech giant. Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai said the strong quarterly results reflect healthy growth and momentum across the business. "Underpinning this growth is our unique full stack approach to AI," Pichai said in an earnings release. He touted the latest Gemini software as Alphabet's most intelligent AI model and an "extraordinary foundation" for the Silicon Valley company's innovation. Alphabet shares were up more than three percent in after-market trades that followed release of the earnings figures. "Cloud grew rapidly with significant demand for our solutions," Pichai said of Alphabet's services and tools hosted at data centers. Investors have been watching closely to see whether the tech giant may be pouring too much money into artificial intelligence. Google and rivals are spending billions of dollars on data centers and more for AI, while the rise of lower-cost model DeepSeek from China raises questions about how much needs to be spent. - Antitrust battles - Meanwhile the online ad business that churns out the cash Google invests in its future could be neutered due to a defeat in a US antitrust case. US government attorneys are urging a federal judge to make Google spin off its Chrome browser, arguing artificial intelligence is poised to ramp up the company's online search dominance. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is arguing its position 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 hearings this week 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 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. Google is also battling to protect Chrome 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 Google, accusing it of acting illegally to dominate major sectors of digital advertising. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that Google built an illegal monopoly over ad software and tools used by publishers. "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. Online advertising is the driving engine of Google's fortune and pays for widely used online services like Maps, Gmail, and search offered free. Combined, the courtroom defeats have the potential to leave Google split up and its influence curbed. Google said it is appealing both rulings. gc/mlm China's BYD posts strong quarterly profit on EV sales surge Beijing, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD reported strong first-quarter profits on Friday, propelled by surging sales as US rival Tesla struggles to maintain pace. China's EV market is the largest in the world, and BYD has emerged in recent years as the clear leader of the highly competitive sector, outperforming Tesla in annual revenue last year. The Shenzhen-based firm achieved a net profit of 9.15 billion yuan ($1.26 billion) in the first three months of the year, according to results published at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The figure is a new record for BYD in the first quarter, which historically sees lower profits due to seasonal reductions in factory activity and consumer spending during the lengthy lunar new year holiday. The net profit -- which represented year-on-year growth of 100.38 percent -- was in line with preliminary results released by BYD earlier this month. But revenue during the first quarter reached 170.36 billion yuan, Friday's statement showed, falling short of a Bloomberg average estimate of 183.17 billion yuan. The quarterly results are the first to be announced by BYD since it published 2024 figures last month, showing that it had outperformed Tesla in annual revenue. Tesla has in recent months grappled with declining consumer interest in the United States and Europe, as company boss Elon Musk's support for US President Donald Trump wards off many would-be buyers. BYD has also surged ahead of traditional industry heavyweights in its home market of China, where European automotive giants have struggled to compete with local startups in the race to switch to electric models. A new generation of Chinese automotive giants -- in which BYD is a key player -- has benefited from generous government support over the years, with vast state funds poured into the sector. The approach has given domestic firms a critical edge in the race to provide cheaper, more fuel-efficient EVs over leading US automakers. Chinese companies extend electric vehicle range with petrol generators Shanghai, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Chinese companies such as BYD made their name producing some of the world's best electric vehicles ahead of the curve but they have turned to an old-school solution to extend the range of some of their newest models -- the petrol generator. At the huge industry show Auto Shanghai this week, BYD's luxury Yangwang U8 SUV and other electric models such as Chery's Exeed ET promised an unusually long range of more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). The secret is a small petrol generator, known as a range extender, which is connected to the cars' batteries and feeds them only when needed. Because the range extender is not connected to the wheels, the vehicles, known as EREVs, always run in 100 percent electric mode even though they consume petrol and emit toxic gases. This technology grew faster in China last year than any other type of powertrain, the system that propels a vehicle forward. More than one million EREVs were sold, representing a total market share of six percent, according to the McKinsey consultancy. Range extenders are rare elsewhere at the moment but that could soon change. In the United States, Stellantis plans to offer an EREV version of its star pick-up, the Ram 1500, while its Chinese partner Leapmotor has already launched its C10 SUV in Europe. Volkswagen has plans to launch an EREV Scout pickup in the United States after unveiling an EREV SUV at Auto Shanghai as part of its renewed push into China. Horse Powertrain, a joint venture between France's Renault and China's Geely, also presented an engine that can be installed in an electric model. - Global expansion? - EREVs fall into the category of rechargeable hybrids, which are seen by manufacturers as a good bet in Europe and North America where electrification has been slower than expected. They pollute less than petrol cars if they are properly charged, while also assuaging driver concerns about range. According to a survey published by McKinsey on Tuesday, once the concept has been explained, almost a quarter of customers questioned in Europe and the United States said they would consider choosing an EREV as their next car. "This is a real use identified for the United States, for very American needs," said Stellantis' Sebastien Jacquet. They are suitable for long journeys but also work well for "pick-ups for towing boats, for example". While an electric vehicle has towing capacity, its battery only lasts 100 kilometres, Jacquet said. The road ahead is less clear in Europe. Unlike in the United States, there is a planned transition to a 100 percent electric car market, warned Alexandre Marian of AlixPartners, "the cut-off point of 2035". Some, notably Germany, want exceptions for non-electric but less polluting motors. "Who would now invest into new capacities if you know that there's a natural end to it in 2035?" asked Holger Klein, head of German equipment manufacturer ZF. "That's why we need to solve this very soon," he said. Range extenders are a "very good opportunity to reduce the entry cost for people to come to electric mobility", said Volkswagen boss Oliver Blume on Tuesday. However, "in the long term I see the electric mobility as superior", he said. In a few years, Blume said, battery development will have progressed to the point where those longer ranges will be achievable by pure electric vehicles. tmz-reb/pbt BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG Stellantis Volkswagen Renault Geely US envoy to meet Iranians for third time Washington, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2025 The United States said Thursday that President Donald Trump's confidant Steve Witkoff will meet Iranian officials for the third straight week as the adversaries seek a nuclear deal. Witkoff, a businessman friend of Trump who has become his globe-trotting negotiator, last met Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday in Rome, where they reported progress and called for talks among technical teams. The State Department announced that Witkoff would himself attend the technical talks to take place Saturday in Oman -- where he held his first meeting with Araghchi on April 12. "The next round of talks will take place in Oman on Saturday, and will be the first meeting of technical teams," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters. "Special Envoy Witkoff also will be present," she said. She said that Michael Anton, who serves as the State Department head of policy planning, will lead technical work on the US side. Anton is a conservative scholar known more for his strong criticism of immigration into the United States than technical expertise on nuclear issues. Witkoff, who had no diplomatic experience before being tapped by Trump, quickly immersed himself in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, which has since collapsed with Israel's renewed offensive against Hezbollah. He is also seeking to end the Ukraine war and is expected to meet Friday in Russia with President Vladimir Putin. - Iran seeks Europe talks - Trump in 2018 tore up an earlier nuclear deal negotiated under president Barack Obama and reimposed sweeping sanctions. But since returning to office he has vowed to seek diplomacy and has discouraged Israel from carrying out a military strike on the nation it considers its arch-enemy. Araghchi said Thursday he was open to traveling to Germany, France and Britain -- US allies which were part of the 2015 nuclear deal and unsuccessfully sought to stop Trump from pulling out in his first term. Araghchi, in a post on X, said he was open to discussing "not only on the nuclear issue, but in each and every other area of mutual interest and concern." In an allusion to European powers' growing hawkishness on Iran since the first Trump term and to Israeli pressure, Araghchi said that Britain, France and Germany "have an opportunity to do away with the grip of Special Interest groups and forge a different path." Araghchi on Wednesday held talks in China and last week visited Russia. French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told AFP that Paris would wait and see "if this announcement by the Iranian minister is followed by effects." He added that France "will very willingly continue to dialogue with the Iranians" on the nuclear subject. Germany and Britain did not immediately comment. - Snapback - Following Washington's withdrawal from the deal, Tehran stuck to the agreement for a year before scaling back its compliance, increasing its enrichment of uranium to up to 60 percent -- far above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal, but short of the 90 percent required for a bomb. In December, the three European countries warned of the possibility of triggering the so-called "snapback" mechanism under the 2015 accord if Iran continued to develop its nuclear program. If triggered, the mechanism would automatically reinstate UN sanctions on Iran over its non-compliance. The option to activate it expires in October. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged European countries to decide whether to use the option. Iran has previously warned it could withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if the mechanism were triggered. rkh-mz-sct/bgs US defense secretary's chief of staff to leave his job: report Washington, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2025 US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff will leave his job, Politico reported Thursday, in the latest shakeup to hit the upper echelons of the Pentagon's leadership. Joe Kasper had been expected to move to a different post at the Pentagon, but now intends to return to working on government relations and consulting, Politico said, citing an interview with him. Kasper said he will also continue advising the Pentagon as a special government employee, which limits him to working 130 days per year, the outlet added. His departure is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the Pentagon, including three top officials who were removed last week amid an investigation into leaks after they reportedly clashed with Kasper. 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. The shakeup comes as Hegseth faces a new scandal over his reported use of messaging app Signal to discuss US strikes on Yemen with his wife and other people not usually involved in such discussions, The White House has stood by him so far, just weeks after it emerged that he also shared details about the strikes against the Huthi rebels in another Signal chat to which a journalist had been inadvertently added. Crowds join Anzac Day services for Australia, NZ forces Sydney, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2025 Crowds of Australians and New Zealanders gathered just before dawn on Friday to observe solemn Anzac Day ceremonies, many of which were held at beaches and war memorials across the two countries to honour their armed forces. Anzac Day marks the ill-fated World War I landing of Australia and New Zealand Army Corps troops at Gallipoli, in what is now Turkey, in 1915. Facing dug-in German-backed Ottoman forces, more than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand servicemen were killed in the Allied expedition. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the landing. Anzac Day now honours Australians and New Zealanders who have served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. "We who are gathered here, think of those who went out to the battlefields of all wars, but did not return," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who attended a service in Canberra, said. "We feel them still near us in spirit. We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice." New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will attend an Anzac service in Gallipoli. Britain's King Charles III thanked the thousands of Anzac troops for their "selfless service in those most difficult and dangerous times". The annual commemoration comes in the run-up to a May 3 election in Australia, where the most pressing issues for both parties are the cost of living, managing the energy transition and balancing relations with the United States. The left-leaning government is leading the opposition in opinion polls. US defense secretary's chief of staff leaving his job Washington, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2025 US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff is leaving his job, a senior defense official said Thursday, in the latest shakeup to hit the upper echelons of the Pentagon's leadership. "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, adding: "Secretary Hegseth is thankful for his continued leadership and work to advance the America First agenda." His departure is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from top Pentagon posts, including three officials who were removed last week amid an investigation into leaks after they reportedly clashed with Kasper. 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. The shakeups come as Hegseth faces a new scandal over his reported use of messaging app Signal to discuss US strikes on Yemen with his wife and other people not usually involved in such discussions. The White House has stood by him so far, just weeks after it emerged that Hegseth also shared details about the strikes against Yemen's Huthi rebels in another Signal chat to which a journalist had been inadvertently added. A Salem man who pocketed more than $11,000 in a contracting scam was sentenced to 26 months in prison. Scott McNamara, 56, was initially slated for sentencing in January after pleading no contest to felony first-degree aggravated theft. McNamara failed to appear for the hearing, leading to another case being filed against him. Last week, Judge Michael Wynhausen sentenced McNamara for both cases, appearing in court remotely from the Linn County Jail. He was ordered to serve 16 months for the theft charge and an additional 10 months for felony failure to appear, to which he pleaded no contest. Wynhausen also ordered McNamara to pay his victim $11,400 in restitution. Prosecutor Coleen Cerda read a statement from the victim during the proceeding, saying she explained to McNamara that she and her spouse are elderly and have limited funds to her diagnosis of Stage 4 throat cancer. She said her husband still works 40-plus hours a week, and he will have to keep working for another year or two because of the stolen money. She added the couple already had to empty their savings and take out a loan to get another contractor and cover expenses. I am too sick to continue to do all the work on the place, she wrote. Meanwhile, her husband "has a bad heart and is also too exhausted to do much at home after his work schedule. I'm afraid (McNamara's) behavior has cost us far more than the money he took under false pretenses. It has affected both of our health situations very negatively. We are doing our best to work ourselves out of the hole you put us in but may not have the time left to do so. Defense attorney Dillon Duxbury said McNamara had a bout with addiction earlier in life and suffered a relapse around the time of the incident and could not properly manage his work for the victim and others. He added McNamara had a pregnant fiancee as well. It just all got away from him; this wasn't an intentional theft, Duxbury said. He had all intentions to be able to do this, but sometimes intentions just fall short. His addiction took over. Hes now got some clean time under his belt. Apologizing, McNamara said he never intended for this to go this way. Of the elderly couple, he said: They were good to me, and they were becoming good friends. I just want to make it right. McNamara was arrested in February 2024 on charges of aggravated theft, identity theft and contracting without a license after the 67-year-old Scio resident reported that she paid him $11,400 to wire a new manufactured home on her Stayton-Scio Road property. She had previously hired McNamara for another project. After not hearing from McNamara for several weeks, then getting excuses, the victim did some digging and discovered that McNamara is not licensed by the state contractor board or employed by the company for which he claimed to work, according to an affidavit from the Linn County Sheriff's Office. The victim compared paperwork from the previous job McNamara did to the new project and discovered discrepancies. The companys name the first time around was B&O Electric but B N O Electrical Solutions on the latest paperwork. The former is a company registered with the state, though listed as inactive, while the latter is not, despite having a Yelp page for reviews. Furthermore, the Oregon Construction Contractor Board license number McNamara provided was slightly different the second time, omitting a single digit, according to the affidavit. The first number he gave matched B&O Electric, but the second number came back as not connected to any registered business. The owner of B&O Electric reportedly told the deputy investigating the case that McNamara had worked for his company several years ago, but McNamara was not an owner, and he did not authorize him to work under his contractor board license number. McNamara told the deputy he owns half of B&O Electric but had no documentation to prove that because it was a verbal deal, according to the affidavit. McNamara also faces sentencing for a Marion County court case in which he pleaded guilty to felony driving while suspended and misdemeanor failure to perform drivers duties involving property damage. Court records show McNamara was previously convicted of unauthorized vehicle use, driving while suspended or revoked, meth possession, DUII and assault. Related stories: Crowds join Anzac Day services for Australia, New Zealand forces Sydney, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2025 Crowds of Australians and New Zealanders gathered just before dawn on Friday to observe solemn Anzac Day ceremonies, many of which were held at beaches and war memorials across the two countries to honour their armed forces. Anzac Day marks the ill-fated World War I landing of Australia and New Zealand Army Corps troops at Gallipoli, in what is now Turkey, in 1915. Facing dug-in German-backed Ottoman forces, more than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand servicemen were killed in the Allied expedition. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the landing. Anzac Day now honours Australians and New Zealanders who have served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. "We who are gathered here, think of those who went out to the battlefields of all wars, but did not return," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who attended a service in Canberra, said. "We feel them still near us in spirit. We wish to be worthy of their great sacrifice." Melbourne's dawn service was briefly interrupted by hecklers during the Welcome to Country ceremony -- a traditional blessing from a local Indigenous elder before an event. Afterwards, Defence Minister Richard Marles said the incident was "terrible" and "deplorable", but that it did not deserve any more attention. "This is a day to acknowledge those who have worn our nation's uniform," he told Channel Nine television. Victorian police directed one man to leave the event, who they also interviewed "for offensive behaviour", a spokesperson said in a statement. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will attend an Anzac service in Gallipoli. Britain's King Charles III thanked in a statement the thousands of Anzac troops for their "selfless service in those most difficult and dangerous times". The annual commemoration comes in the run-up to a May 3 election in Australia, where the most pressing issues for both parties are the cost of living, managing the energy transition and balancing relations with the United States. The left-leaning government is leading the opposition in opinion polls. India and Pakistan urged to have 'maximum restraint' after Kashmir attack New Delhi, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 The United Nations urged India and Pakistan to show "maximum restraint" as the nuclear-armed rivals imposed tit-for-tat diplomatic measures over a deadly shooting in Kashmir. Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century. "We very much appeal to both the governments... to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Thursday. "Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement". Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to hunt down the gunmen responsible for killing 26 civilians at the popular tourist site of Pahalgam, after Indian police identified two of the three fugitive gunmen as Pakistani. "I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," Modi said, in his first speech since Tuesday's attack in the Himalayan region. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth." Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action. "Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a Pakistani statement said, after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a rare National Security Committee with top military chiefs. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since its independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it. Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. India's air force and navy both carried out military exercises Thursday. Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organisation. They offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest. A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis. In response, Islamabad on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals -- with the exception of Sikh pilgrims -- and closing the main border crossing from its side. Pakistan also warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an "act of war." - 'Reduce it to dust' - Pahalgam marks a dramatic shift in recent Kashmiri rebel attacks, which typically target Indian security forces. Experts say that a military response may still be in the pipeline, with some speculating that it may come within days while others say weeks. In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war. "Whatever little land these terrorists have, it's time to reduce it to dust," Modi said on Thursday, after holding two minutes of silence in memory of those killed, all but one of whom was Indian. India has taken its time to respond to past attacks. The worst attack in recent years in Indian-run Kashmir was at Pulwama in 2019, when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35. Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistani territory 12 days later. Tuesday's assault occurred as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons. Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith. Indian security forces have launched a vast manhunt for the attackers, with large numbers of people detained. The attack has enraged Hindu nationalist groups, and students from Kashmir at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation. burs-pjm/dhc Iran's FM Araghchi to head to Oman for nuclear talks with US Tehran, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to leave for Oman on Friday for nuclear talks with the United States, after both sides reported progress in the first two rounds. Araghchi will be leading what foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described as a diplomatic and technical-expert delegation for indirect discussions with the US side. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will represent the United States in the talks scheduled on Saturday. The meeting follows two earlier rounds of Omani-mediated talks in Muscat and Rome starting on April 12. The third round will include expert-level technical talks over Iran's nuclear programme, with Michael Anton, who serves as the State Department's head of policy planning, lead technical talks on the US side. Iran's Tasnim news agency meanwhile reported that deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi will lead the technical talks on the Iranian side. Baqaei said Friday that "progress in the negotiations requires the demonstration of goodwill, seriousness, and realism by the other side." Araghchi said in an interview this week that Iran "will enter the negotiations seriously on Saturday, and if the other party also enters seriously, there is potential for progress." Trump wrote a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in March, urging talks while warning of potential military action if diplomacy fails. India blows up homes of two Kashmir attack suspects Srinagar, India, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir on Friday blew up the family homes of two men who police allege were among a gang that carried out the region's deadliest attack against civilians for decades. Indian security forces have launched a giant manhunt for those responsible for killing 26 men in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Police say they are members of the Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations. They have issued wanted posters with sketches of three men: Indian national Adil Hussain Thoker, as well as Pakistani citizens Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa. They are also searching for Indian citizen Ashif Sheikh. Members of the two Indian fugitives' immediate families were detained for questioning after the attack, the officer and their relatives said. Sheikh's sister Yasmeena said soldiers cordoned off the area around the house, in Kashmir's southern Tral area, overnight from Thursday to Friday. "One soldier climbed over the mud compound wall of our home, and climbed back after a while," said Yasmeena, who gave only one name. "After some time, a big frightening blast brought the house down. Everything inside is destroyed," she said, adding that no one was inside at the time. A police officer said soldiers also destroyed Thokar's family home in the neighbouring Bijbehara area in the same manner early Friday. Police said they were part of a LeT faction called The Resistance Front (TRF). "Both have been active for three to four years, and are part of TRF which is an offshoot of LeT," a police intelligence officer told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity, because they were not authorised to speak to the media. "They are wanted militants involved in earlier attacks as well on security forces," the officer added. Police have offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest. Rescuers say death toll from Israeli strike on north Gaza home rises to 23 Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Gaza's civil defence agency reported on Friday that the death toll from an Israeli air strike the day before on a house in the north of the Palestinian territory had risen to 23. "Civil defence teams recovered 11 bodies last night and this morning following the Israeli bombing that targeted a residential house ... in Jabalia," Mohammed al-Mughayyir, an official with the agency, told AFP. "This is in addition to the 12 victims recovered at the time of the attack yesterday," he added. Gaza's northern area of Jabalia has repeatedly been a focus Israel's military offensive since the start of the war on October 7, 2023 following Hamas's attack on Israel. The military has returned to the district several times after announcing it had been cleared of militants, saying Hamas fighters had regrouped there. In another strike in the area on Thursday, Israel hit what was previously a police station, rescuers said. The toll from that attack has risen to 11, Mughayyir said, after initially announcing that nine people had been killed. The military said on Thursday that it had struck a Hamas "command and control centre" in the area of Jabalia, without specifying the target. Israeli strikes continued on Friday, with the civil defence agency reporting that at least five people -- a couple and their three children -- had been killed when their tent was struck in the Al-Mawasi area of the southern city of Khan Yunis. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said that the deceased woman had been pregnant. Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18 after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire with Hamas, at least 1,978 people have been killed in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll of the war to 51,355, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli figures. During the attack, Palestinian militants also abducted 251 people to Gaza, 58 of whom are still held captive there, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israeli officials and the military say consistent military pressure in Gaza is required to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire in Kashmir New Delhi, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Troops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire overnight across the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir, officials said Friday, after the United Nations urged the nuclear-armed rivals to show "maximum restraint" following a deadly shooting in the region. Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century. Syed Ashfaq Gilani, a government official in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, told AFP Friday that troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LOC) that separates the two countries. "There was no firing on the civilian population," he added. India's army confirmed there had been limited firing of small arms that it said had been "initiated by Pakistan", adding it had been "effectively responded to". Indian security forces have launched a giant manhunt for those responsible for killing 26 male tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday -- with police naming two Pakistani nationals among the fugitive gunmen. On Friday Indian troops blew up homes in Kashmir in their search and issued wanted posters with sketches of three men. Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action. "Any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty and to the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains," a statement said, after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a rare National Security Committee with top military chiefs. Pakistan's Senate on Friday passed a resolution condemning a "campaign by the Indian government to malign the Pakistan government". - Water treaty suspended - "I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth." UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that issues between the countries "can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement". "We very much appeal to both the governments... to exercise maximum restraint, and to ensure that the situation and the developments we've seen do not deteriorate any further," he said. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it. Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. India's air force and navy both carried out military exercises Thursday. Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organisation. They offered a two million rupee ($23,500) bounty for information leading to each man's arrest. A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis. In response, Islamabad on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals -- with the exception of Sikh pilgrims -- and closing the main border crossing from its side. Pakistan also warned any attempt by India to stop the supply of water from the Indus River would be an "act of war." - 'Reduce it to dust' - Pahalgam marks a dramatic shift in recent Kashmiri rebel attacks, which typically target Indian security forces. Experts say that a military response may still be in the pipeline. In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war. "Whatever little land these terrorists have, it's time to reduce it to dust," Modi said on Thursday, after holding two minutes of silence in memory of those killed, all but one of whom was Indian. India has taken its time to respond to past attacks. The worst attack in recent years in Indian-run Kashmir was at Pulwama in 2019, when insurgents rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy, killing 40 and wounding 35. Indian fighter jets carried out air strikes on Pakistan territory 12 days later. Tuesday's assault happened as tourists enjoyed tranquil mountain views at the popular site at Pahalgam, when gunmen burst out of forests and raked crowds with automatic weapons. Survivors told Indian media the gunmen targeted men and spared those who could give the Islamic declaration of faith. Indian security forces have launched a vast manhunt for the attackers, with large numbers of people detained. The attack has enraged Hindu nationalist groups, and students from Kashmir at institutions across India have reported experiencing harassment and intimidation. burs-pjm/ecl/fox Iran's FM Araghchi arrives in Oman ahead of nuclear talks with US Tehran, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on Friday ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States, after both sides said progress had been made in previous rounds. The local Mehr news agency reported Araghchi had arrived in the Omani capital Muscat for Saturday's negotiations, releasing a brief video showing the foreign minister disembarking from an Iranian government plane. Araghchi will be leading what ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described as a delegation of diplomats and technical experts for indirect discussions with the US side. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will represent the United States in the talks. The meeting follows two earlier rounds of Omani-mediated negotiations in Muscat and Rome starting on April 12. The third round will include expert-level talks on Iran's nuclear programme, with Michael Anton, who serves as the State Department's head of policy planning, leading the technical discussions on the US side. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi will lead the technical talks on the Iranian side. Baqaei said Friday that "progress in the negotiations requires the demonstration of goodwill, seriousness, and realism by the other side". Araghchi said in an interview this week that Iran "will enter the negotiations seriously on Saturday, and if the other party also enters seriously, there is potential for progress". Trump wrote a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in March, urging talks while warning of potential military action if diplomacy failed. Iran's FM Araghchi arrives in Oman ahead of nuclear talks with US Tehran, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman on Friday ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States, after both sides said progress had been made in previous rounds. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X that "Araghchi and his accompanying delegation arrived in Muscat for the third round of Iran-US talks". Mehr news agency of Iran had earlier released a brief video showing the foreign minister disembarking from an Iranian government plane in Muscat. Since his return to office in January, United States President Donald Trump has reimposed sweeping sanctions under his policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran. In March, he sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for talks but warning of possible military action if they failed to produce a deal. 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. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will represent the United States in the talks. According to Baqaei, the dialogue is to be again mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, on Saturday morning. Earlier Friday, Baqaei said Araghchi will be leading a delegation of diplomats and technical experts for indirect discussions with the US side, according to a foreign ministry statement. The meeting follows two earlier rounds of Omani-mediated negotiations in Muscat and Rome starting on April 12. The latest round will include expert-level talks on Iran's nuclear programme, with Michael Anton, who serves as the State Department's head of policy planning, leading the technical discussions on the US side, the Department said. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi will lead the Iranian technical team. Baqaei wrote on X that Iran's delegation is "resolved to secure our nation's legitimate and lawful right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while taking reasonable steps to demonstrate that our programme is entirely peaceful." "Termination of unlawful and inhumane sanctions in an objective and speedy manner is a priority that we seek to achieve," he added. Baqaei earlier Friday said "progress in the negotiations requires the demonstration of goodwill, seriousness, and realism by the other side." Iran will treat Saturday's talks seriously, Araghchi said in an interview, "and if the other party also enters seriously, there is potential for progress". Trump says will 'lead the pack' on Iran attack if no nuclear deal Washington, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 President Donald Trump said the United States will "lead the pack" in attacking Iran if talks over Tehran's nuclear program do not result in a new deal, according to a Time Magazine interview. The US president -- in the interview conducted April 22 and published Friday -- nonetheless expressed hope that such a deal could be reached, while also saying he was open to meeting Iran's supreme leader or president face-to-face. "It's possible we'll have to attack because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," Trump told Time. The renewed threat comes as Washington and Tehran continue talks over the clerical state's nuclear program, with a third round slated for Saturday in Oman. Both sides expressed optimism at the end of the last meeting in Rome, without providing any details. The negotiations have thus far excluded Iran's arch-foe Israel, though Trump on Tuesday said after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "we are on the same side of every issue." Trump, asked by Time about reports he had blocked Israel from conducting a unilateral attack against Iran, replied: "That's not right." "I didn't stop them. But I didn't make it comfortable for them, because I think we can make a deal without the attack," he said. "Ultimately I was going to leave that choice to them, but I said I would much prefer a deal than bombs being dropped." Trump denied that he was worried about Netanyahu dragging the United States into war with Iran, saying: "He may go into a war. But we're not getting dragged in." However, Trump added he "may go in very willingly if we can't get a deal." "If we don't make a deal, I'll be leading the pack," Trump told Time. Trump in 2018 tore up a nuclear deal with Iran negotiated under president Barack Obama and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Teheran. Western powers and Israel, considered by experts the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, have long accused Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran has always denied the charge, insisting its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. Asked if he would be willing to meet with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei or President Masoud Pezeshkian, Trump replied: "Sure." bur-tq/bar/des/md AU Somalia mission says needs 8,000 more peacekeepers Nairobi, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 The African peacekeeping mission in Somalia requires an additional 8,000 troops, even as Burundi is expected to withdraw its contingent, a statement from military heads from troop-contributing countries said on Friday. The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is tasked with combating the Al-Shabaab Islamist group, whose attacks are stoking fears of a jihadist resurgence in the Horn of Africa nation. But Burundi's planned pull-out, which diplomatic sources told AFP was triggered by a spat with Mogadishu over the state of its soldiers' equipment, would deprive the mission of around one-fifth of its current manpower. Envoys from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, the African Union and multilateral organisations held a three-day meeting in Uganda this week to discuss the security situation in Somalia and the progress of AUSSOM. In a statement the officials said insufficient troops had created security gaps "resulting into the resurgence of Al-Shaabab (AS) taking control of significant territory in both Middle and Lower Shabelle". "As a consequence both Jowhar and Mogadishu are under imminent threat by AS (Al-Shabaab)," the statement said. Somalia has long struggled with the violent Islamist insurgency, although the Al-Qaeda-linked group had been forced onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023 by Somali forces backed by African Union-led peacekeepers. Recent attacks in key towns have provoked worries of the organisation's resurgence, with the militants targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy in capital Mogadishu in March. - 'Lack of respect' - The security representatives recommended "an additional 8,000 to AUSSOM Troops to address the current security situation in Somalia so as not to roll back the hard-earned gains". The mission, which replaced the previous ATMIS deployment, currently has 11,146 soldiers. But the withdrawal of Burundi troops with no prospect of replacement "will create more gaps and exacerbate the already deteriorating situation", the statement added. Somalia and Burundi have been at loggerheads over the number of troops Burundi should contribute to the mission, with Mogadishu requesting only around 1,000 Burundian soldiers -- far below Burundi's proposal of 2,000. According to an African diplomat speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity Somalia "felt that Burundi was not sufficiently equipped for such a large number of soldiers". "Our government saw the Somali proposal as a lack of consideration, a lack of respect when you consider the sacrifices Burundi has made to bring peace back to Somalia," a senior Burundian official also speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP. A statement by the AU dated April 15 and seen by AFP instructed the UN office in Somalia to facilitate the repatriation of Burundi's contingent. The envoys also addressed the significant financial challenges facing the mission, urging international partners to address the deficit of $96 million for ATMIS and $60 million to cover four months of AUSSOM -- which has been in operation since January. Iran FM Araghchi in Oman ahead of nuclear talks with US Muscat, Oman, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared for fresh nuclear talks with the United States in Oman on Friday after apparent progress in previous rounds. Araghchi flew into Muscat ahead of Saturday's meeting with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, their third encounter in as many weeks. Araghchi will lead Iran's delegation of diplomats and technical experts in indirect discussions with the US side, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X. Iran's top diplomat was a negotiator of the landmark nuclear accord abandoned by Trump during his first term in 2018. Araghchi refused to discuss the talks as he signed copies of an Arabic translation of his book, "The Power of Negotiation" at a book fair in Muscat on Friday. The latest round will include expert-level talks on Iran's nuclear programme, with Michael Anton, who serves as the State Department's head of policy planning, leading the technical discussions on the US side, the department said. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that deputy foreign ministers Kazem Gharibabadi and Majid Takht-Ravanchi will head the Iranian technical team. Baqaei posted that Iran's delegation is "resolved to secure our nation's legitimate and lawful right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while taking reasonable steps to demonstrate that our programme is entirely peaceful". "Termination of unlawful and inhumane sanctions in an objective and speedy manner is a priority that we seek to achieve," he added. According to Baqaei, the dialogue will again be mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi -- who appeared with Araghchi at the book signing -- on Saturday morning. The meeting follows two earlier rounds of Omani-mediated negotiations in Muscat and Rome starting on April 12. - Calling for 'goodwill' - Since his return to office in January, Trump has reimposed sweeping sanctions under his policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran. In March, he sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for talks but warning of possible military action if they failed to produce a deal. 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. Baqaei earlier Friday said "progress in the negotiations requires the demonstration of goodwill, seriousness, and realism by the other side". Iran will treat Saturday's talks seriously, Araghchi said in a recent interview, "and if the other party also enters seriously, there is potential for progress". In 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal signed three years earlier between Tehran and major world powers. The agreement eased sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. After Trump's pullout, Tehran complied with the agreement for a year before scaling back its compliance. Iran currently enriches uranium up to 60 percent, far above the 3.67 percent limit in the 2015 deal but still below the 90 percent threshold required for weapons-grade material. In an interview published by Time Magazine on Friday, Trump said the United States will "lead the pack" in attacking Iran if nuclear talks do not lead to a new deal. But he expressed hope that an agreement could be reached and said he would be willing to meet Khamenei. rkh/it/th X Spain awarded Israel defence firms 46 contracts since Gaza war: report Madrid, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 Spain has awarded 46 contracts worth more than one billion euros to Israeli defence firms since the outbreak of the Gaza war, breaking the leftist government's pledge not to trade arms with Israel, researchers said on Friday. Their conclusions come after a now-cancelled deal with an Israeli company to supply bullets to the Spanish Civil Guard rocked the Socialist-led minority coalition government this week. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the most outspoken critics of Israel's military operations in Gaza, halted weapons transactions with Israel after the start of the war following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. But according to Centre Delas, a Barcelona-based think tank specialising in security and defence, the government has granted 46 contracts worth 1,044,558,955 euros ($1.2 billion) to Israeli companies based on data published on a public tenders platform. Of the 46 contracts, which include deals for rocket launchers and missiles, 10 have not been formalised, the think tank said in a statement on Friday that previewed an upcoming report. "It is clearly demonstrated that the government lied, there was no pledge, that was pure propaganda," report co-author Eduardo Melero told AFP. Although some contracts were to maintain or modernise previously acquired products, others were new deals that "could increase the dependence... on an industry essential to perpetrate a genocide", the statement said. "If the government had agreed a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel that included, among other measures, imports and bans on hiring Israeli defence companies or their subsidiaries, none of these contracts would have been signed," the statement added. - 'Political purposes' - The interior ministry told AFP it met the commitment not to sell or buy Israeli weapons and that the report included contracts which the government has announced it will terminate. "Consignments of equipment destined for self-defence are also included and which are not considered subject to the pledge not to sign weapons purchase contracts with Israeli companies," the ministry said. According to Melero, items such as bulletproof material count as defence equipment in Spanish legislation and buying them "is clearly against the pledge". The defence ministry had not responded to a request for comment. On Thursday, Israel condemned the cancellation of the contract to supply bullets to the Civil Guard and accused the Spanish government of "sacrificing security considerations for political purposes". Spain "continues to stand on the wrong side of history -- against the Jewish state that is defending itself from terrorist attacks", the Israeli foreign ministry said. The unprecedented Hamas-led attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Palestinian militants also seized 251 hostages in their attack and 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's military response in Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis and killed at least 51,439 people, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers the figures reliable. Three French jihadists held in Iraq to be repatriated': justice minister Lille, France, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 France will repatriate French jihadists detained in Iraq, Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Friday, adding that detainees held in other countries could follow. Darmanin told a question and answer session with the Voix du Nord newspaper that the three from northern France -- who had been sentenced to death in Iraq, then jailed for life -- would be returned. "Yes, as is the case for a lot of French detainees in the world, in Iran and elsewhere," he said. "Nationals must finish their prison sentence in France. I believe that we cannot ask Algeria, Morocco or the United States to take back their nationals... and refuse to bring back French citizens held abroad," he added. Darmanin gave no details about how any repatriations in total would take place. The foreign ministry did not immediately comment. Lawyer Maria Dose said her client Djamila Boutoutaou, who received a 20-year prison sentence in Iraq in April 2018, was "seriously ill and must be repatriated urgently". Another lawyer Richard Sedillot, who represents three French nationals sentenced in Iraq, said transfering prisoners would make their "reintegration" into French society easier. "Their presence in France also allows French magistrates to question them," he argued, adding that the trio were at the centre of other investigations. Sedillot said the three were being held in "disgraceful conditions" and an investigating magistrate was probing suspected torture against six French nationals held in Baghdad. Trump says India, Pakistan to settle dispute 'one way or another' Aboard Air Force One, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 US President Donald Trump on Friday downplayed concerns over mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, saying the dispute between the nuclear-armed neighbors will get "figured out, one way or another." Trump was asked aboard Air Force One about crumbling relations between India and Pakistan as the fallout deepens from a deadly attack on civilians by gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmir. "There have been tensions on that border for 1,500 years so, you know, it's the same as it has been," Trump told reporters. "But they'll get it figured out, one way or another." Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it. Rebel groups have waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. Tensions have flared since Tuesday, when 26 male tourists were killed by gunmen in the Kashmir town of Pahalgam. Indian police say the three gunmen are members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a UN-designated terrorist organization. A day after the attack, New Delhi suspended a water-sharing treaty, announced the closure of the main land border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis. Denying any involvement, Islamabad called attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack "frivolous" and vowed to respond to any Indian action. Officials said Friday that there was an overnight exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces at the Line of Control. "There's great tension between Pakistan and India but there always has been," Trump said. 'Busy' Trump treats Melania to Air Force One birthday dinner Aboard Air Force One, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 US President Donald Trump said he has been too busy to buy First Lady Melania a present for her 55th birthday on Saturday, so he is treating her to a romantic dinner on Air Force One instead. The Trumps flew to Rome on Friday for the funeral of Pope Francis. But instead of lingering afterward for dinner in the Italian capital's trattorias, they are flying straight back to the United States. The 78-year-old tycoon admitted it may not be everyone's idea of the perfect way to celebrate. "She's got a working birthday," Trump told reporters on the presidential jet as the couple headed off for the first foreign trip since his return to power. The Republican added that as he prepares to mark the 100th day of a frenetic opening to his second term, seeking deals on tariffs, Ukraine, Iran and Gaza, there hadn't been time for much else. "I haven't had time to buy presents, it's been pretty busy," he said. When asked if he would be taking Melania to dinner to mark her birthday, he replied: "I'm taking her for dinner on the Boeing -- I'm taking her for dinner on Air Force One." Trump then joked that he would send his wife back into the "lion's den" to talk to reporters herself. Donald and Melania Trump were earlier seen boarding Air Force One together at an air base just outside Washington, with the First Lady wearing a long tan trench coat and sunglasses. The Trumps have led largely separate lives since he took office, with Melania spending most of her time in New York, where their son Barron, 19, is attending university. But they have made a few joint appearances, including on Monday when they hosted the traditional Easter egg roll at the White House. Last year the couple spent her birthday apart, with Melania in Florida while Trump was in New York for a trial over payments of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump said at the time that "it'd be nice to be with her, but I'm at a courthouse for a rigged trial." Albany leaders adopted new climate friendly areas this past week, paving the way for state-mandated, higher density neighborhoods around the city. The sites are designed to cut down on the use of cars. But the adoption came only after Mayor Alex Johnson II cast a tie-breaking vote in the ordinances favor at the Wednesday, April 23 meeting. Holdouts on the City Council argued the new areas could negatively impact Albanys historic districts and increase traffic congestion in North Albany. Recap The approved zones follow state rules adopted by the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission in 2022, which were prompted by an executive order from then-Gov. Kate Brown in 2020 The rules call for Oregon cities with more than 5,000 people in metropolitan areas to create more accessible and walkable areas, allowing for a mix of businesses and housing. That includes townhomes. A key goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Albany has updated its parking standards as a result, and city staff eventually identified six neighborhoods around Albany as candidates for the so-called climate friendly areas. Those sites are also supposed to help accommodate 30% of the citys housing needs by 2040, or around 9,000 units, though at a public hearing earlier this month, the citys comprehensive planning manager, Anne Catlin, clarified the city isnt expecting all new housing to go exclusively into those areas. City staff tapped the area around Heritage Mall as the primary climate friendly area. Last month, the Albany Planning Commission adopted changes to the citys comprehensive plan, zoning map and development code, to tee up the proposed areas for City Council approval. But the recommendation was hardly rubber-stamped. The proposed climate friendly area in North Albany drew resistance from some residents there worried about traffic congestion. That included North Albany Neighborhood Association Chair Brad Dennis, who called for that site to be dropped at a hearing earlier this month. Dennis reiterated his position at the councils Wednesday meeting. On the other side of the debate, Ward 1 resident Alex Rice expressed his vehement support for the plans, adding he supported the effort to reduce carbon emissions. Discussion Councilors were closely divided on the ordinance. The potential impact on Albanys historic neighborhoods dominated the discussion. Ward 2 Councilor Carolyn McLeod wanted Site A the downtown site dropped because she worried about "intense development' in the historic district. She cited previous written testimony from Landmarks Commission member Camron Settlemier, who opposed the proposal. Mcleod also said it was concerning the proposals werent brought before the Landmarks Commission. That wasnt a requirement, according to Catlin, adding city staff had already dropped a proposed area after receiving community input relaying similar concerns. Catlin also clarified, when asked by Councilor Jackie Montague who supported the proposal, that all new construction in the historic district would go before the Landmarks Commission for approval. McLeod, however, said she also didnt think the downtown site had the adequate services for residential use, like a grocery store or a doctors office. When McLeod mentioned there wasnt a dry cleaner in the area, Johnson said there was laundry downtown, and Catlin referred to a laundry on Southwest Third Avenue and Washington Street. OK, it has a dry cleaner, McLeod said. It doesnt have anywhere to buy groceries, or get a prescription filled, or get an education that you can walk to, she added. Ward 1 Councilor Steph Newton-Azorr worried about historic homes in downtown Albany too and asked how a recent proposal from Salem to remove demolition review requirements for historic structures which has reportedly been dropped would impact Albany. She also wanted the Landmarks Commission to review the climate friendly area proposals. Ward 1 Councilor Michael Thomson agreed that the climate friendly area puts pressure on the downtown historic district but noted it wouldnt change zoning that exists there. Thomson also said he wanted to drop the proposed climate friendly area in North Albany, referencing concerns about traffic, and criticizing the state for mandating the changes. But Councilor Marilyn Smith said the council has had conversations about resisting mandates from Salem for years. Just because its an executive order, or its a bill the Legislature passes, does not mean its something that we shouldnt consider, she said. And in this case, I believe it is something we should consider and an ordinance that we should adopt, she added. Smith also highlighted that the climate friendly areas were an overlay. Its a suggestion for where things could happen, if someone wanted that, she said. And those things that could happen are very limited. McLeod pushed back near the end of the discussion. To say this really changes nothing is a disservice to the staff who worked on this, she said. McLeod also said the city would still meet its housing capacity requirements if the downtown and North Albany sites were dropped. Councilor Ramcyia McGhee who attended the meeting virtually, said she concurred with Smith and Montague. In the end, McGhee, Montague and Smith voted for the ordinance. McLeod, Newton-Azorr and Thomson voted against it. Johnson broke the tie in its favor. Related stories: Since then, among other things, he has: invited a Russian dictator in from the cold, plunged Ukraines sovereign future into doubt, ripped up the international trading system, crumbled long trusted pillars of global security and put Greenland, Panama and Canada on watch to be colonised. And yet, believe it or not, Trump only marks the 100th day of his presidency next Wednesday. It all prompts the question, how much longer can it all go on for? Some commentators say its only just beginning. For all the favours and compliments from Washington, Putin does not get all he wants from the latest peace plan. His aim in invading Ukraine on February 24th 2022 was to denazify Ukraine, outright regime change, and to return the country to the Russian fold and Russian dominion. Today Zelensky is still there, and Russias ground war is stalling, despite a record call-up of recruits and conscripts and roughly 640,000 troops committed to the theatre of operations. The strategic hub of Pokrovsk has not fallen after six months of assault. The main targets for Russian drones and missiles are now defenceless civilians going about their daily business a war crime in anybodys rulebook. Who's in the Royal Box at Wimbledon? Gary Lineker, Mary Berry and Anthony Joshua among famous faces on Centre Court on day five Who's in the Royal Box at Wimbledon Centre Court on day five? 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 In the immediate aftermath of the social media post, Fox wrote online at length and said he would like to apologise to Ms Kaur. He then added its not my fault that the TV star was pictured in the compromising image more than 15 years ago. In 2023, Transport for London (TfL) announced that non-emergency ambulances, police cars, and fire vehicles would be allowed to use bus lanes in London, even when not responding to emergencies, without facing penalty charges. However, companies that work for multiple NHS Trusts are not exempt, according to The Times. In the end, Im always mindful of the fact that it is Ukraine that must decide on those issues its not for other people to decide on behalf of Ukraine. It is for Ukraine to decide. And Russia must come to the table for that unconditional ceasefire. Through the plan for change were going further in restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here and closing expensive asylum hotels. On his thoughts about a future pontiff, Cardinal Nichols said: I think the next pope is going to have to carry on that work (by Francis) of speaking to the hearts of people about hope, about the mercy of God, about the highest calling of what it means to be a human being. However, VE Day was also a day of mixed emotions. While it marked the end of fighting in Europe, it was also a moment of reflection and remembrance for those who had lost their lives during the conflict. It also served as a time to acknowledge that many British soldiers were still engaged in combat in the Pacific, as the war was not yet over worldwide. Why doesnt this lightweight reporter say that it was Obama who made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired. It was also Liddle Peter who wrote an absolutely fawning, yet terribly written Biography, on Obama. It was a JOKE! Did Baker ever criticize the Obama Crimea Giveaway? NO, not once, only TRUMP, and Ive had nothing to do with this stupid war, other than early on, when I gave Ukraine Javelins, and Obama gave them sheets. A fire behavior scientist who was at the front lines of the deadly 2020 Santiam Canyon Fire is challenging the conclusions of a recently released report by the Oregon Department of Forestry. The report determined that downed power lines played no role in the deadly blaze. Instead, the report concluded, it was burning embers from the Beachie Creek Fire that were blown for miles by a fierce 70 mph east wind that ignited the new fires. The fire killed five and caused significant damage in the small Santiam Canyon towns of Gates, Lyons, Mill City and Mehama. Dean Warner, an engineer and fire behavior expert with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, says of the report: Thats a pretty wild conclusion. I dont understand it. The Forestry Departments findings contradict a Multnomah County jurys verdict in 2023 that PacifiCorp acted recklessly and willfully in its actions in the days leading up to the fire and during the Sept. 8, 2020 blaze. It found PacfiCorp guilty of gross negligence. Cody Berne, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in the case, blasted the recent Forestry Departments report. The department disregarded weeks of evidence from the trial that proved PacifiCorp burned down the Santiam Canyon and that it behaved recklessly and willfully, he said. ODF apparently even ignored testimony from the federal governments fire behavior expert, Dean Warner, who was in the Santiam Canyon, saw power lines start fires, and testified about them spreading. PacifiCorps fires drove him and hundreds of other firefighters out of the canyon. Indeed, Warner tells the Oregon Journalism Project that the Forestry Departments conclusion defies common understanding of fire behavior. Its true that there were extraordinary conditions that night, Warner says. But embers are ephemeral. They burn only so long. The general rule is that 2 miles is an extraordinary distance for embers to travel, he says. And, in this case, the embers would have had to travel at least 4 miles. The forestry agency stands by the report but wouldnt respond to why the agency didnt speak to Warner. I would just like to reinforce that this is an independent, unbiased report that was created because ODF is statutorily obligated to investigate every fire that starts on ODF-protected land, agency spokeswoman Jessica Neujahr said in an email. Warner was part of a group of expert firefighters known as Northwest Incident Management Team 13 sent to the area to fight the Beachie Creek Fire, which at the time was high in the Cascades near the Opal Creek Wilderness, more than 10 miles from Gates. Warners job was to determine where the fire would go, how fast it was moving, and how dangerous it would be for firefighters. Warner knew the fierce winds forecast for Sept. 7 and 8 would push the fire westward. He was convinced the blaze would not reach the city. But fire did reach Gates that night. At the time, the consensus view was that downed power lines were the cause. Specifically, PacifiCorp power lines. The utility had decided not to turn off power to its lines that night, despite warnings from senior state officials. So when the wind grew strong enough to topple trees, which in turn hit power lines, the lines were hot and sparking. At a press conference that evening, Team 13 leader Brian Gales said they were driven out of Gates by power-line fires. The U.S. Forest Service, on Sept. 29, 2020, came to the same conclusion. Fire managers have now determined that at least 13 new fires were started between Detroit and Mehama from downed power lines during the peak of Mondays wind event, the Forest Service said in a Sept. 29, 2020 press release. The Forest Service even changed the name of the blaze to the Santiam Canyon Fire, a recognition that it wasnt just the Beachie Creek Fire causing all the damage. But the recently released state report takes a completely different point of view. It maintains that it was flying embers, powered by the fierce east winds, that caused these so-called spot fires miles away. There were wildland fire starts caused by downed power lines in the Gates and Mill City area, the report concedes. All of these ignitions, which were investigated, were suppressed by local residents and/or local municipal fire departments. No evidence was found that these powerline ignitions significantly contributed to the spread of the fire in the Santiam Canyon. A day after the report was released, PacifiCorp attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the class action lawsuit. The judge ruled against the motion. Warner says he has no desire to pick a fight with fellow foresters. But the Forestry Departments findings just dont add up. I was there at Gates School, I saw the fires growing bigger, he says. I find it interesting that they worked on this report for four years and no one ever talked to me. 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The initiative aims to collaboratively build a hub for original innovation and a high-end industrial base, striving to create a globally influential Yangtze Delta sci-tech innovation community and deepen cooperation and shared development among the three provinces and one municipality. A representative from the Provincial Department of Science and Technology stated that the release of the draft marks a new phase in the construction of the Yangtze Delta sci-tech innovation community. By breaking down administrative barriers, the three provinces and one municipality will pool their strengths to create a comprehensive innovation ecosystem covering basic research, technological breakthroughs, achievement transformation, and industrial incubation, setting a benchmark for regional collaborative innovation nationwide. As China's only major sci-tech infrastructure in the field of information and communications, the Future Intelligent Network Test Facility covers 40 major cities nationwide, with Hefei and Nanjing in the Yangtze River Delta region serving as key domestic nodes. It aims to build an intelligent network environment capable of meeting the testing needs of organizations across the Yangtze River Delta and globally. In recent years, Anhui has actively integrated into the Yangtze Delta region, jointly advancing technological breakthroughs, co-building innovation platforms, and sharing sci-tech resources. These efforts have significantly boosted the province's achievements in technology transfer and innovation capacity, contributing to the development of the Yangtze Delta Sci-Tech Innovation Community. Source: Anhui Daily Acting President Ilie Bolojan met on Friday at the Cotroceni Palace with a delegation of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) led by Eoghan Murphy, head of the election observation mission to Romania. According to the Presidential Administration, the acting president expressed Romania's support for the activity of ODIHR and emphasized its allegiance to the democratic principles and the proper functioning of state institutions. "Organizing free, fair and transparent elections is a priority for the Romanian authorities, which will ensure the observance of the law," the cited source said. The Romanian side also conveyed its full availability for dialogue and cooperation with the ODIHR representatives. The ODIHR delegation is in Romania as part of an election observation mission, with the task of assessing the conduct of the upcoming presidential election in accordance with international standards and the commitments assumed by Romania as an OSCE member state. The balance of non-governmental credit granted by credit institutions increased by 0.8% in March 2025, compared to February this year, (0.5% in real terms), up to RON 423.567 billion, the National Bank of Romania (BNR) informed in a press release. RON-denominated loans, with a share of 70.0% in the total volume of non-governmental credit, increased by 1.0%, whereas the foreign currency-denominated loans, when expressed in RON, with a share of 30.0% in total non-governmental credit, increased by 0.3% (similar evolution in the case of the indicator expressed in EUR). Compared to the same period of 2024, non-government credit increased by 9.2% (4.1% in real terms), due to a 10.9% increase in the RON component (5.8% in real terms) and a 5.3% increase in the component in foreign currency expressed in RON (5.1% when the indicator is expressed in EUR). The balance of governmental credit granted by credit institutions increased in March 2025 by 1.5% compared to February 2025, up to RON 250.658 billion. Compared to March 2024, it increased by 15.9% (10.5% in real terms). The broad money supply (M3) recorded a balance of RON 739,806.8 billion at the end of March 2025. It increased by 0.4% (0.1% in real terms) compared to February 2025, and by 9.0% (3.9% in real terms) compared to March 2024. Deposits of non-government resident customers increased by 0.4% in March 2025 compared to the previous month, up to RON 629.084 billion, and by 7.9% (2.9% in real terms) compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data published on Friday by the National Bank of Romania (BNR). RON-denominated deposits of residents, with a share of 69.9% in total deposits of non-government customers, increased by 0.3% compared to February 2025, up to RON 439.979 billion. Compared with March 2024, they increased by 7.3% (2.3% in real terms). RON-denominated household deposits increased by 0.1% compared to the previous month, up to RON 253.573 billion and by 12.2% (7.0% in real terms) compared to the same period of the previous year. RON-denominated deposits of other sectors (non-financial corporations and non-monetary financial institutions) increased by 0.5% (to RON 186.406 billion) compared with the previous month, and by 1.2% (-3.5% in real terms) compared with March 2024. Foreign currency-denominated deposits of residents, when expressed in domestic currency, accounting for 30.1% of the total volume of deposits of non-government customers, increased by 0.6% compared to February 2025, reaching the level of RON 189.105 billion (similar evolution when expressed in EUR). Compared to March 2024, the indicator expressed in domestic currency went up by 9.3% (9.1%, if the indicator is expressed in EUR). Foreign currency-denominated deposits of households, expressed in RON, increased by 1.0% compared to February 2025, up to RON 129.085 billion (similar development if the indicator is expressed in EUR). Compared to the same period of 2024, the increase in this indicator expressed in RON was 7.8% (7.7%, if the indicator is expressed in EUR). Foreign currency-denominated deposits of other sectors, expressed in RON, decreased by 0.2% compared to February 2025, up to RON 60.019 billion (similar evolution if the indicator is expressed in EUR). Compared to March 2024, the indicator expressed in RON increased by 12.6% (12.4%, if the indicator is expressed in EUR). Hybrid threats, in particular from Russia, have flooded Europe in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. EU officials and intelligence reports warn of a surge in attacks designed to destabilise European democracies - with national elections, infrastructure, and public trust in the crosshairs. The European Union has become increasingly concerned about Russian interference as part of what it sees as a broader hybrid campaign from Moscow to weaken the West. Addressing a meeting of the European Parliament Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) on Tuesday, Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev stressed that Russia's hybrid warfare goes far beyond espionage to include sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation, and orchestrated chaos. According to Grozev - who used to work at investigative website Bellingcat and now writes for the German magazine Der Spiegel and Russia-focused, independent media outlet The Insider -, Russia's campaigns are designed to sow chaos and confusion and to spread fear. The war in Ukraine remains a major target for Russia - but events such as the Olympics in Paris as well as national elections in Romania, Germany, Moldova and last year's EU-wide European Parliament elections were also in its focus. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her re-election campaign last year pledged to set up the EUDS to counter the threats. Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, is now in charge of developing the initiative. The Commission has not yet officially published a policy proposal. The European Parliament voted in December to establish the special committee amid increasing fears of malicious interference in the EU's democratic processes and is tasked with proposing tangible solutions to strengthen the bloc's resilience to hybrid threats. Grozev was optimistic that Russian hybrid threats can be countered. 'Exposed cells, mapped networks, and convicted spies show that these operations can be countered. Success stems from collaboration - cooperation among journalists and among states,' he underscored. What are hybrid threats? Hybrid threats refer to a range of non-traditional attacks such as cyberattacks or disinformation. The generic security term covers actions that state or non-state actors use to harm other countries without waging open warfare. As a rule, they are difficult or impossible to attribute to a specific perpetrator. In recent months, many countries in Europe have reported damage to infrastructure, including underwater data cables in the Baltic Sea, as well as arson attacks and suspected false flag operations. Investigators believe that Russia is behind many of the attacks. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said in an annual report last month that 'foreign information manipulation and interference is a major security threat to the EU'. The report said that last year it tracked disinformation attacks against over 80 countries and more than 200 organisations. Ahead of a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels in December, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said there were 500 suspicious incidents in Europe in 2024 and that nearly 100 of them can be attributed to Russia. The chief of the military alliance, Mark Rutte, said at the meeting that China, Iran and North Korea are also active in cyberattacks. Disrupting servers...and elections A common type cyberattack is a so-called Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, which floods a server with internet traffic in an attempt to make it inaccessible. Last year, the pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16) launched such a DDoS against public institutions and strategic sectors in Spain and other NATO countries seen as allies to Ukraine. In Spain, while temporarily blocking some of their websites, the attack was contained and no data thefts or malicious software were reported. The hacktivist group emerged after Russia began its war against Ukraine and threatened to respond to the 'anti-Russian' actions of Western countries. In July, Spain's Civil Guard arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the attacks. According to intelligence services, Russia has also often tried to interfere with democratic processes in Europe by trying to disrupt elections. The 2024 annual report by the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) this week revealed that Russian hackers carried out cyberattacks on public transport companies and political party websites in an attempt to disrupt the European Parliament elections in the Netherlands, making it more difficult for citizens to vote. According to MIVD Vice Admiral Peter Reesink, the hackers also tried to access vital infrastructure in the Netherlands with the goal of disrupting aid to Ukraine. In Germany, days before a general election in February, the Interior Ministry warned that Russia was targeting voters with a disinformation campaign seeking to help the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and 'destroy confidence in democracy'. The campaign suggested that the AfD, which is sympathetic to Russia, was being unfairly treated. The AfD has been accused of having links to Moscow and has called for Germany to end its military support for Ukraine. According to the head of the Academic Network Eastern Europe (AKNO), Philipp Schmadeke, Russian intelligence services are also increasingly targeting German academic organisations focused on Eastern Europe. AKNO, which has supported 1,200 people from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine over the past four years, helps scientists forced to flee repression, persecution, employment bans and war. In December, the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) annulled the country's presidential election over concerns of Russian interference in the vote, in which the far-right Moscow-backed Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round. According to the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT), Romania was targeted by 'actions of a state cyber actor' on information and communication technologies supporting the electoral process. Following the annulment, the 2024 Democracy Index published by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) downgraded Romania from a 'flawed democracy' to a 'hybrid regime', pushing it down 12 places to rank 72nd globally. According to the EIU, the cancellation of the election also negatively affected the country''s score for pluralism. The presidential election in Romania is now scheduled to take place on May 4 (first round) and May 18 (second round). Keeping the EU's neighbourhood at bay Disinformation and conspiracy theories also continue to flood the EU's neighbourhood - such as in Moldova, which shares a border with Russia, and in North Macedonia, which is pushing ahead for EU membership. Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, remains heavily reliant on Russian gas. The former Soviet republic is deeply divided between pro-European and pro-Russian factions. Pro-Western President Maia Sandu won a second term in office in October, and the EU accused Russia of 'unprecedented' meddling in the votes in an attempt to favour pro-Kremlin candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo. In North Macedonia, pro-Kremlin actors on social media play on disillusionment, scepticism, and suspicion, the 'Foreign influence in North Macedonia' report issued by Euro-Atlantic Council of North Macedonia said. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Timcho Mucunski has warned that the EU's credibility is at stake, and that enlargement is necessary to prevent weaponising Russian propaganda. He specifically warned about 'malign actors' exploiting North Macedonia's frustration with the constantly shifting requirements to join the EU. Nine countries in total have been granted EU candidate status, and the EU closely watches countries like Serbia and Georgia as their governments appear to lean closer to Russia. FACT CHECK: Fake newspaper cover about war in Ukraine Disinformation about Russia's war against Ukraine continues to spread widely - not only in those countries but also in neighbouring Eastern Europe and across the continent. Last month, far-right blogger Ian Miles Cheong spread a false post on social media suggesting that the British Hull Daily Mail newspaper reported that tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers had died in Russia's Kursk region and blaming President Volodymyr Zelensky for the casualties. The factchecking team of Agence France-Presse (AFP) has debunked the claims. According to a spokesperson for Reach PLC, the Hull Daily Mail's parent company, the newspaper cover was fabricated. Romania actively contributes to deepening the European design, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) in a social media post on Friday celebrating 20 years since Romania signed an accession treaty with the European Union. "Today, as a committed and responsible Member State, which enjoys all the benefits of EU membership, we actively contribute to deepening the European design, which is based on our common values and interests. We are proud of our achievements, we actively defend them, and we continue to strive to build a strong, united, democratic and resilient EU. The freedom, prosperity and security that all Romanians share with almost half a billion Europeans are at the heart of our efforts," MAE said. The treaty of Romania's accession to the European Union was signed on April 25, 2005, at an official ceremony that took place in Luxembourg. OMV Petrom is making strong progress in delivering its Strategy 2030, which positions it to lead the energy transition in the region, according to OMV Petrom CEO Christina Verchere. According to the company, starting this year, its sustainability reporting is integrated into the company's annual report. It says that this step reflects the company's commitment to transparency and responsible business practices, in line with its Strategy 2030, which sets the course for transforming the company for a lower-carbon future. The sustainability statement is prepared in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), including environmental, social and governance information. "We are making strong progress in delivering our Strategy 2030, which positions us to lead the energy transition in the region. Through a balanced mix of investments in low-carbon solutions with responsible development of traditional business operations, we aim to create lasting value for all our stakeholders - from shareholders and employees to partners, customers and communities," according to Verchere. OMV Petrom has been reporting on sustainability since 2011, consistently communicating its environmental, social and governance performance. Over the years, the company has aligned its reporting with international standards and best practices, strengthening transparency and accountability in how it operates and creates value for stakeholders. OMV Petrom is the largest integrated energy producer in Southeastern Europe, active along the energy value chain: from exploration and production of oil and gas, to refining and fuels distribution and further on to power generation and marketing of gas and power. Interim President Ilie Bolojan conveyed a message on Friday, on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Accession of Romania to the European Union. "We are marking today 20 years since the signing of the Treaty of Accession of Romania to the European Union on April 25, 2005, a key moment that paved the way for our integration, which was finalized in 2007. It is an opportunity to recognize the benefits of EU membership and to focus on consolidating this path, for a safer and more prosperous future for all Romanian citizens," Bolojan wrote on the X platform. The Treaty of Accession of Romania to the European Union was signed on April 25, 2005, in an official ceremony in Luxembourg. The Romanian government on April 24, 2025, approved declaring April 26, 2025, a day of mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, on the very day of the pope's funeral at the Vatican. "A spiritual and moral leader, Pope Francis stood out for his active involvement in the life of contemporary society, a profound personality, also appreciated by the Romanian people. A cherishment particularly highlighted on the occasion of the apostolic visit to Romania in 2019. All central and local public bodies and authorities will fly the flag of Romania at half-staff. Also, the flag of Romania at half-staff is also hoisted at the headquarters of political parties, trade unions, employers' associations, educational establishments of any degree, cultural organisations and diplomatic missions of Romania, at border crossings, in airports, ports, train stations and bus stations, as well as as as a flag on ships of any kind and on boats sailing under the Romanian flag," according to governmental spokesman Mihai Constantin. The same obligation is incumbent on individuals, if they fly the Romanian flag at home or at their residence. At the same time, radio and television stations, as well as cultural organisations will adjust their programmes accordingly. The decision declaring the national day of mourning was taken under Law 75/1994 on the hoisting of the Romanian flag by public bodies and institutions that says the flag of Romania at half-staff is hoisted on days of national mourning established by the government. Most recently, national mourning was decreed in Romania on December 14, 15 and 16, 2017, in memory of King Mihai I (1927-1930; 1940-1947), who died on December 5, 2017, at his residence in Switzerland, and his funeral took place on December 16, 2017, in the New Cathedral of Curtea de Arges. September 2, 2016 was also declared a day of national mourning, in memory of the Romanian citizens who died in a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that shook the central part of Italy on August 24, 2016, in solidarity with the Italian people. The earthquake killed 281 people including 11 Romanian nationals. August 13, 2016 was declared a day of national mourning in memory of Queen Anne, on the same day that her funeral took place at the Curtea de Arges Monastery. Queen Anne, the wife of King Mihai I of Romania, died on August 1, 2016, at the age of 92, at the Morges Hospital in Switzerland. The Royal Family announced great mourning for the first seven days after the funeral and mourning for forty days. In Romania, another national mourning day was March 24, 2016, in solidarity with the victims of attacks in Brussels, Belgium. The attacks at Zaventem International Airport and Maelbeek metro station in Brussels on 22 March 2016 left 35 people dead and more than 300 injured. Days of national mourning were also declared on October 31, November 1 and 2, 2015, in memory of the victims of a fire at the Colectiv Club in Bucharest, on the evening of October 30, that killed 65 people. June 26, 2013 was a day of national mourning as a sign of respect for 18 Romanians who lost their lives in a bus accident in Montenegro. On April 18, 2010 in another day of national mourning, the victims of a plane crash in Smolensk, in which 96 people lost their lives, including President of Poland Lech Kaczynski, were commemorated. August 3, 2007, when the funeral of Romania's Christian Orthodox Patriarch Teoctist, who led the Romanian Christian Orthodox Church (BOR) for 21 years, took place, was also declared a day of national mourning. Other days of national mourning in the country were April 8, 2005, the funeral of Pope John Paul II; March 14, 2004, in memory of the Romanian citizens victims of terrorist attacks in Spain; September 14, 2001, after terrorist attacks in the United States; January 12, 1990, in memory of the victims of the 1989 December Revolution. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy BELLEVILLE Rob Eckman and Steve Mathews were strolling down Main Street here when they noticed an old bank building. With 25-foot granite pillars and a tiled entryway, the couple joked that it would make a good space for an independent bookstore especially in a town without one already. The couple went in and introduced themselves. The building owners, Andrew and Kathy Bridgeman, no longer lived in Illinois and had considered selling the building. If Eckman and Mathews wanted to sell books, the Bridgemans said, they could have first dibs to buy the 1912 building at 20 East Main Street. It was lightning in a bottle, said Mathews. It really has been a kismet of sorts. Eckman and Mathews, married for eight years, had been looking to move to Illinois to be closer to their son and grandchildren. So they decided to sell their Utah home, buy the bank building and open their bookstore, said Eckman, who had been a manager at a Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Were both too young to retire. We did want to move. It was time to make a change in our lives, Eckman said. This was really the cherry on the cake. Opening Belleville Books last fall was no small effort. Before moving, the couple bought 12,000 used books in Utah, which they drove in a truck across the country. Then Mathews, whose background is in interior design and construction, spent months patching holes, painting and removing the bank lobbys drop ceiling to expose a high, ornate plaster one. It was really exciting because it was discovering this hidden gem, Mathews said. It was almost like we were archeologists in a way. And last summer, nearly 40 local volunteers, from high school honor society students to grandmothers, joined in to clean and sort inventory after seeing announcements about the incoming bookstore on Facebook. Now, full of both new and used books, Belleville Books has stayed busy by hosting book signings, book clubs, poetry open mics, weekly story times and other events since opening in September. Shoppers are encouraged to explore the old bank vault, which houses the stores history section, and a small antechamber, which has been converted to the romance book room, complete with a letter-writing station. In October, Belleville Books hosted former building owner Andrew Bridgeman for the launch of his debut novel, Fortunate Son. Reading resurgence Belleville Books is part of a growing independent bookstore trend. Despite the appearance of Amazon in the 90s and existence of big-box bookstores, independent retailers continue to see success, especially as researchers reported an increase in reading during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Booksellers Association found that about 300 independent bookstores opened nationwide in 2023. And this month, trade magazine Publishers Weekly reported that 2024 book sales increased over 6% from 2023, to almost $14.2 billion. Granite City has an independent bookstore, Novel Idea Bookstore And More. Theres an independent shop in Edwardsville, Afterwards Books, but the nearest one south of Belleville is 80 miles away in Carbondale. Southern Illinois has been called a book desert because there are no other bookstores, Eckman. Knowing what we know about peoples love for bookstores and opening one where there isnt one, and doing it on a main street in a city full of people that love their main street we had a really good feeling. And as consumers appetite for books grows, local bookstores are looking for new ways to serve their clients including those who cant visit in person. Belleville Books is offering e-media options, a growing medium among book lovers. The retailer offers audiobook titles through Seattle-based app Libro.fm and e-books through New York-based website Bookshop.org. Bookshop.orgs e-book platform launched in January. Shoppers can browse and buy e-books on the Bookshop.org website and then select an independent bookstore to receive the proceeds of the purchase. James Crossley, co-owner of Leviathan Bookstore, at 3211 South Grand Boulevard in Tower Grove South, said Bookshop.com offers customers a local alternative to purchasing e-books from Amazons Kindle or Apple Books. Theres a substantial slice of the reading pie that wants to do their reading through a device, Crossley said. A significant portion want to buy and read that way without supporting massive conglomerates. Eckman calls Bookshop.coms new ability to sell e-books fantastic, especially because many small business bookstores lack the infrastructure to offer e-media. It is very easy for us to simply earn some extra revenue in a business where margins are generally very slim, he said. With a tool like Bookshop.org, that gives us some leverage online so that we can play ball in all of these different formats of books. And hes not worried that e-books will run bookshops out of business. Booksellers have learned that the consumers who are reading e-books continue to buy and read physical books, he said. I believe that young people are experiencing a desire to touch the media instead of seeing it on their devices, Eckman said. On a recent April afternoon, Katie Haugland, 24, of Alton, and Lauren Dedert, 24, of Edwardsville, were flipping through a book on Greek history in Belleville Books walk-in money vault. Dedert said she wanted to visit the store because there are so few independent shops on the Illinois side of the river. A bookworm in childhood, Haugland said she started to read more again after the pandemic confined everyone to their homes and forced her college classes to go virtual. I felt like I really missed the paper of actual books and (I didnt) want the strain of your eyes on a screen, she said. Youre able to do so much more with the physical copy of a book. Community embraces Belleville transplants' downtown bookstore ST. LOUIS Daniel Thurman sat in a troopers patrol vehicle on the side of the highway. It was around midnight. Thurman, an off-duty St. Louis police officer, had been pulled over for speeding. The trooper could smell alcohol on his breath. When Thurman took a breathalyzer test, it registered almost twice the legal limit. Thurman was angry about it. Are you really trying to do this (expletive) to me right now? Thurman said to the trooper, according to court records. So, if, if I were to drive the frickin speed limit, would you be willing to forget about this all? It was Aug. 13, 2022. Thurman was arrested for drunken driving and speeding. But the charges were just the start of a legal process that would drag out for more than two-and-a-half years. Over that period, restrictions on his license were delayed, he kept working at the St. Louis police department, he drove his patrol vehicle in violation of a state order without his bosses knowing and his drunken driving charge was wiped from his record. His speeding case is still ongoing. And hes still working as a cop, in a new jurisdiction. Altogether, his case reveals holes in a system designed to hold police officers accountable. Thurman could not be reached for comment. His lawyer, notable DWI attorney Travis Noble, did not respond to several requests for an interview. St. Louis police eventually fired Thurman several months after the incident, a decision that isnt explained in court records. None of the parties involved would discuss his case. Thurman is now a cop in Overland. His new boss, Overland police Chief Andrew Mackey, also wouldnt comment. Tim Maher, a criminal justice professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said Overland has some explaining to do. If I was a resident of Overland, he said, Id be demanding that the chief come clean on this. Maher said its possible the department did a thorough background check and several interviews to determine Thurman wasnt at risk of reoffending. There is no doubt police departments have been having trouble recruiting people, not just in the St Louis area, but nationwide, he said. And less and less people are applying to become police officers. And I suspect, as a consequence, that some standards have been lowered. Now, the state is involved. On Feb. 6, the attorney generals office filed a complaint against Thurmans police license. As a result, records in the investigation of Thurmans drunken driving incident have become public. Arresting city cops? At 11:54 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2022, Missouri Highway Patrol trooper Kyle G. Barba pulled over Thurman, then 27, on southbound I-270 at Dorsett Road in St. Louis County. He clocked Thurmans Nissan Maxima at 105 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to Barbas report. Thurman told Barba he was actually driving about 120 mph. The trooper said he could smell alcohol on Thurmans breath and noticed his eyes were watery and bloodshot. Barba asked Thurman if hed been drinking. Thurman said hed had two drinks that night. He passed two field sobriety tests, standing on one foot and walking in a straight line. But Barba noted Thurmans eyes made some involuntary movements indicative of intoxication. Barba asked Thurman to sit in the front seat of his squad car and take a breath test. Its going to be over, Thurman told Barba. Thurman blew a 0.148, almost double the 0.08 percent legal limit. Youre really going to take me to (expletive) jail? Thurman then said. Look, could you please just give me a (expletive) ticket. Fourteen minutes later, at 12:08 a.m., Barba arrested him. So, do you guys get off on, uh, arresting city cops? Thurman asked Barba. Thurmans Nissan had a male passenger, not identified in records, who waited for a ride. The trooper said he also confiscated Thurmans personal handgun. That night, the state issued Thurman a notice of a 90-day drivers license suspension. Restricted license Thurman went back to work as a St. Louis police officer, according to the states complaint. It was his fifth year with the department. He hired a lawyer, Noble, to handle his case. One of Nobles first steps: He requested a hearing with the Department of Revenue to review the drivers license suspension issued by the troopers. The effect of that request was to delay the license suspension until after the hearing. On Nov. 3 of that year, Thurmans DOR hearing was held, according to court records. Four days later, the state mailed a notice to Thurman that he couldnt drive without an interlock device, which tests a drivers breath for alcohol before the engine can start. Noble quickly appealed the decision. Still, on Nov. 22, 2022 while waiting for a hearing on the appeal the restriction went into effect, as outlined in state law. It took five months before a hearing was held on the appeal, and another almost four months before the court ruled, reaffirming the states decision to restrict Thurmans license. But Thurman continued to work as a cop and drive a patrol car in St. Louis, without an interlock device, according to the states complaint over his peace officer license. The St. Louis police department, the complaint says, did not become aware of the restriction on his drivers license until early January 2023. None of the documents, including the states complaint, explain how the agency learned of the license restriction. And none of the parties would discuss it. Even the attorney generals office isnt sure when St. Louis police learned of Thurmans arrest. But city police should have known. Police departments in Missouri are enrolled in a program called RAP Back, which sends records of any police officer arrested or prosecuted back to the agency that employs them. The notice is automatic, triggered by the fingerprinting of the accused. St. Louis police spokesman Mitch McCoy confirmed that the department gets the notifications. He declined to comment on Thurmans case, citing personnel record laws. Still, the state complaint says Thurmans supervisors determined he had driven his patrol car, in violation of his interlock device requirement, at least 21 times between Nov. 25, 2022, and Jan. 4, 2023. On Jan. 8, he was ticketed for Failing to Heed Restriction on Operators License. Sometime over the next month and a half, the ticket was changed. On Feb. 24, the state complaint says, Thurman pleaded guilty to Littering from a Vehicle and paid a fine. On April 26, 2023, Thurman was fired by St. Louis police. Thurman pleaded guilty to the DWI on Nov. 16, 2023, more than a year after the incident. Then, in an outcome even St. Louis County prosecutor Melissa Price Smith said seemed unusual, Thurman received a suspended imposition of sentence meaning if he complied with one year on probation, the charge would be removed from his record. He was also ordered to pay $10 to the victims compensation fund, according to the only document publicly available in the case. Price Smith declined further comment; the case was during the tenure of her predecessor, now-U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell. Adam Notch, the assistant prosecutor who signed off on the sentence, is no longer with the office, said he didnt remember the case and declined comment. The judge who sentenced Thurman, Lorne Baker, did not return calls for comment. Then, on Nov. 28, 2023 less than two weeks after Thurman pleaded guilty to driving intoxicated the Overland Police Department hired him as an officer. The states complaint On Feb. 6, 2025, the Missouri Attorney Generals Office filed the petition to discipline Thurmans peace officer license. Mike OConnell, the spokesman for the Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training commission, which handles peace officer licensing, said POST reviews cases and hands them over to the attorney generals office. That office then determines whether to file a petition with the states Administrative Hearing Commission. The commission is made up of five administrative judges, known as commissioners, who are required to be members of the Missouri Bar and are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Missouri Senate. The commissioners do not sit as a panel, but rather they are each assigned to cases. A commissioner will review Thurmans case and rule on whether there is cause for discipline. If there is cause, the director of the state Department of Public Safety will then decide whether to put Thurmans police license on probation, on suspension or revoke it altogether. Thurman will have the right to appeal the decision in circuit court. He is scheduled for a status hearing on June 25. The speeding ticket from the night he was pulled over, filed separately from his DWI charge, remains pending. His next hearing in that case is May 22. If convicted, he faces up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. ST. LOUIS A 20-year-old man was charged Friday with stealing an SUV that led police on a chase, during which an officer crashed and was seriously injured. Calvin Campbell, of the 3100 block of Michigan Avenue, also was charged with resisting arrest by fleeing police and tampering with a motor vehicle. All three charges are felonies. Court records said Campbell is accused of stealing the SUV from the parking lot of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 3140 Meramec Street on Thursday morning. He was ultimately stopped by police at the John Cochran VA Medical Center at 915 North Grand Boulevard at the end of the police chase. Police said a passenger, a juvenile male, also was arrested; he was turned over to juvenile authorities. According to court records, police began watching the stolen vehicle after it was reported at South Grand and Park Avenue. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle at Vandeventer Avenue and Page Boulevard. The SUV fled at high speeds, swerving in and out of traffic on Grand, according to court records. At some point during the chase, one of the officers involved collided with another vehicle at Vandeventer and Bell Avenue. The officer was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries to his leg and wrist, including what the department believed was a broken femur. The woman driving the other vehicle also was taken to a hospital, and was stable, police said Thursday. A judge ordered that Campbell be held without bond. ST. LOUIS Johnny D. Haynes Jr., 44, was charged Friday with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 27-year-old man in an apartment building late last month in The Ville neighborhood. Haynes was accused of killing Mikell Rayford in the James House apartments in the 4300 block of St. Ferdinand Avenue. A judge ordered that Haynes, who also was charged with armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm, be held without bond. Court records said two eyewitnesses identified Haynes. Police said in a probable cause statement that Haynes shot the victim with a pistol after the victim confronted Haynes for being too loud and belligerent. Police said in the statement that Haynes had confronted his girlfriend and her cousin at the entrance to the apartment building and followed them to a different floor where he was confronted by Rayford. Police said Haynes fled the scene on foot and was arrested Wednesday. MADISON COUNTY Three crew members in an Arch medical helicopter were injured Thursday night when it crashed on takeoff during a training exercise in Hartford, Illinois. The crash was shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday as the helicopter was taking off from the Hartford fire station, according to the private helicopter operator Air Methods. One of the crew members suffered a back injury. One had a head injury, and one had back, neck and head injuries. Two were taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital and one went to St. Louis University Hospital. All were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The occupants were with Arch Crew 1 out of Granite City, according to Air Methods, which runs Arch Air Medical Service. Firefighters put out a fire on the helicopter after the crash. Hartford police Chief Matt Asbury said the helicopter went down on a vacant lot next to the fire house and police station. No one on the ground was hurt, Asbury said. The chief said the FAA will be investigating the cause of the crash. Hartford is a village of about 1,100 residents. Shortly before the crash, the Hartford Fire Department posted a Facebook message telling residents about the training program. They will be landing a Helicopter this evening in the empty lot across Date Street, the post said. Please do not be alarmed. This is for training purposes only. The post also asked residents not to get close to the helicopter during the training. Helicopters can be Very Dangerous and this is one of the reasons for training. CHICAGO Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday endorsed his running mate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, for the U.S. Senate, a move that could serve as a politically powerful warning to the rest of an emerging field seeking to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The Illinois governors announcement, made outside a graystone church in the Bronzeville neighborhood where Stratton grew up, comes only two days after Durbin made public his decision not to seek a sixth term and just one day after the two-term lieutenant governor formally declared her Senate candidacy. Pritzker said Stratton governs with a zeal that few elected leaders can match, fueled by her lived experience as her mothers primary caregiver, as a mother herself and as a passionate advocate for people first and foremost. With Pritzkers endorsement, Stratton has locked in the backing of the powerful titular head of the states Democratic Party as she seeks early frontrunner status and attempts to preempt a large field of rivals from developing. Pritzker, a billionaire entrepreneur and heir of the Hyatt Hotels fortune, has used his personal wealth to support state and local Democratic organizations and spent $350 million of his own money in winning the 2018 and 2022 elections with Stratton on his team. There was no initial indication of what financial support Pritzker will provide Strattons nascent Senate campaign, though such backing is likely. Among Democrats also considering a Senate bid are U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Robin Kelly of Matteson and Lauren Underwood of Naperville as well as state Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Stratton cannot use money in her state campaign account for a federal campaign because of tighter fundraising rules. But members of Congress can use their federal campaign funds for a Senate bid. Krishnamoorthi has $19.4 million in his campaign account, Kelly has more than $2 million and Underwood has $1.1 million as of the start of April. Even before she announced her candidacy, Stratton has frequently mentioned her partnership with Pritzker. In her prepared remarks to be given Friday, Stratton called the governor a true leader for our state who has shown the country what it looks like to stand up to (President) Donald Trump and fight for the values we hold dear. Following her candidacy announcement on Thursday, Stratton sat for interviews with several local TV and print outlets as she begins the process of building name recognition and detailing her personal background for voters. Pritzker has not announced if he will seek a third term next year as he has increased his national footprint, leading to speculation of a potential 2028 presidential bid. If he runs for governor again, Strattons decision to seek the Senate would force him to find a new running mate. JEFFERSON CITY Equipped with a new law, Missouris attorney general is seeking a second opinion in a case that has allowed abortions to resume in Missouri. Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Thursday asked the Missouri Supreme Court to review two orders issued by a Jackson County judge that have effectively permitted abortions after passage of last years abortion-rights amendment. Jackson County Circuit Judge Jerri Zhang in December temporarily halted the states near-total abortion ban and other laws. In February, she blocked specialty licensing requirements for abortion facilities. In March, Planned Parenthoods St. Louis clinic resumed surgical abortions. The Republican-led Legislature responded to the rulings April 17 by approving a new law that empowers the attorney general to appeal preliminary actions that enjoin officials from enforcing state statutes. The attorney general could already appeal final decisions in cases, but by allowing appeals of temporary orders, the new law allows the state to seek to accelerate the appeals process for decisions Republican officials oppose. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who like Bailey is a Republican, signed the change on Thursday and it took immediate effect. On Friday, Sean Nicholson, who led a 2018 ballot initiative called Clean Missouri, sued in Cole County Circuit Court to overturn the new law, Senate Bill 22. Chuck Hatfield, a Jefferson City attorney who is representing Nicholson in the case, said it remains to be seen whether the new power for the attorney general turns out to be a useful tool. The Legislature didnt require that these appeals be expedited, Hatfield said. In addition to the new appeal powers for the attorney general, the law also curbs state courts ability to rewrite ballot summaries that are determined to be in violation of state law. Nicholsons lawsuit argues the new law violates the state constitution including requirements that laws adhere to a single-subject and their original purpose. The lawsuit also takes aim at a provision allowing the attorney general to appeal preliminary orders issued prior to Aug. 28, 2025, saying it violates the constitutions prohibition on retroactive laws. Abigail Bergmann, spokesperson for the Missouri Attorney Generals Office, said in a statement Friday that Bailey filed a notice of appeal challenging the Courts decision to strike down common-sense health and safety standards. The women of Missouri deserve basic health and safety standards that safeguard their health and lives, she said in a statement. AG Bailey is fighting to defend these standards and uphold the rule of law. Coordinated effort The ACLU and the states Planned Parenthood chapters blasted Kehoes signing of the legislation in a statement Thursday. A joint statement by the groups said the attorney general filed the notice of appeal just minutes after the bill was signed, calling it a coordinated effort. The appeal, the groups said, seeks to reverse the preliminary injunctions currently blocking Missouris total abortion ban and many politically motivated, medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion care providers. Kehoes office, in announcing the bill signing Thursday, said the provision empowers the attorney general to appeal certain preliminary injunctions, ensuring prompt review of overreaching rulings. In addition, the law also allows the secretary of state to rewrite summaries for questions three times before a judge may order new wording. Kehoes office said this provision establishes a timely revision process to ensure summary statements are clear, accurate, and informative for voters, protecting against judicial overreach. The abortion-rights organization Abortion Action Missouri called the legislation the Let Politicians Lie Act in a statement after Kehoe signed the bill on Thursday. Ballot language fights In pursuit of the abortion-rights amendment, activists challenged ballot wording by then-Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in court. The Cole County Circuit Court and the Missouri Court of Appeals at Kansas City both rejected Ashcrofts ballot language. Appeals Court Judge Thomas Chapman, writing for a three-judge panel, said the secretarys summary statements were replete with politically partisan language. The wording asked if voters wanted to allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice. Mallory Schwarz, director of Abortion Action Missouri, said in a statement that the new law is about attacking abortion providers and undermining the will of the people. Along with passage of Senate Bill 22, Republicans are also attempting to place a question on the ballot repealing the abortion-rights Amendment 3 that passed in the Nov. 5 election. The ballot summary Republicans propose doesnt mention Amendment 3s repeal, but it emphasizes guaranteed access to abortion in medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages. Schwarz said anti-democracy, anti-abortion politicians put a target on the very same processes Missourians used to get abortion on the ballot in an attempt to undermine and overturn our victory. JEFFERSON CITY A former top official in the Missouri House asked a Cole County judge to toss out a lawsuit alleging she embarrassed and humiliated the chief of staff to former Speaker Dean Plocher. Dana Rademan Miller, who retired as the chief clerk of the House in January after blowing the whistle on alleged ethics violations by Plocher, said Rodney Jettons countersuit against her fails to show she had a role in his departure from the state payroll. In addition, attorneys for Miller argued in the brief filed Wednesday that there is no evidence of malice between the two because she dismissed Jetton from an earlier lawsuit she filed against Plocher. The request to dump the case marks the latest legal maneuver in the wake of Plochers contentious term as speaker, which ended in January. At least four lawsuits are pending related to his rocky tenure. Jetton, a former House speaker himself, was hired by Plocher during a high-profile 2023 staff shake-up after negative reports began swirling around Plocher. Jetton in February asked a Cole County jury to award him damages in excess of $25,000 for his loss of employment, employment opportunities and the loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the actions of Miller. Rodney Jetton has sustained embarrassment and public humiliation, said the six-page lawsuit. Jetton was sued by Miller last year as part of a whistleblower lawsuit against Plocher. He was later voluntarily dismissed from the case by Miller. Miller, who served in a nonpartisan position, had been seeking financial damages for the conduct of Plocher and Jetton for abuse of authority, retaliation and mismanagement. Plocher, the highest-ranking member of the House at the time, allegedly attempted to steer an $800,000 software contract around the standard bidding process and then hastily repaid a series of travel bills that he had charged to taxpayers after reporters began investigating his spending. Plocher, R-Des Peres, is out of politics after losing the GOP primary for secretary of state last year. Jetton also has left state government. After Plocher left, he was not retained in the House and he did not return to his previous job in the Missouri Department of Revenue. He is working as a political consultant and has been in the Capitol in recent weeks. In his countersuit, Jetton said Millers lawsuit was malicious and without reasonable grounds. As a result, Jetton said he has sustained irreparable harm. Rodney Jetton has suffered loss of self-esteem and significant emotional and mental anguish, the suit says. Rodney Jetton has lost employment and employment opportunities as a result of the filing of the lawsuit which was done for improper motives. The lawsuit also said Millers lawsuit was the result of evil motives with the purpose of intimidating Jetton. Jetton is being represented by attorney David Steelman of Rolla. Steelman is a former member of the House who made an unsuccessful bid for attorney general in 1992, losing to Democrat Jay Nixon. Nixon appointed Steelman to the University of Missouri Board of Curators in 2014. He served until 2021. ST. LOUIS Spire on Friday announced Scott Doyle as its new president and CEO, after terminating his predecessor marking another recent change atop the St. Louis-based gas utility. Doyle, who will also serve on the companys board of directors, becomes Spires third leader in 19 months. He replaces Steve Lindsey, who became CEO in October 2023 and on Thursday was terminated without Cause, Spire said in a Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Lindsey has also resigned from his role as a member of Spires board, the company said. Spire expects to enter into a separation agreement with Mr. Lindsey and an employment agreement with Mr. Doyle at a later date and will disclose the compensatory terms of such agreements in the future, the company said in Fridays filing. Lindsey received $3.4 million in total compensation during the 2024 fiscal year, Spire reported in a December filing. Doyle, in his previous role, received $1.84 million over the same period. On Jan. 3, Lindsey took a leave of absence for health-related reasons, and then resumed his duties on Feb. 10, according to Spires filings with the SEC earlier this year. Before Lindsey took the reins, former CEO Suzanne Sitherwood spent more than a decade at the helm of the utility, overseeing the dramatic expansion of the company through acquisitions and even the overhaul of its long-held identity, as it changed its name from Laclede Gas. Doyle, 53, joined Spire in January 2024 and had most recently served as the companys chief operating officer and executive vice president. He assumed Lindseys responsibilities during his leave of absence. Prior to his arrival at Spire, Doyle was the executive vice president of utility operations at CenterPoint Energy, in Houston. Spire did not specify a reason for Lindseys termination in Fridays announcement and declined to comment when asked for more details. The company said that the management change is not the result of any material or unexpected financial events. We thank Steve for his dedicated service and commitment to Spire, including his service as CEO, and wish him well in his future endeavors, said Rob Jones, the chair of Spires board, in Fridays announcement. Jones hailed Doyle as the ideal leader for Spires next phase, in the companys release. Scott is an accomplished, collaborative leader, with deep industry expertise, business acumen and the abilities to both connect with people and deliver results, he said. In his first year with Spire, Doyle received more than $231,000 in perquisites, which include life insurance premiums, spousal travel, and executive financial and tax planning. That sum was far more over $200,000 more than the perquisites given to the companys other top executives. Spire said in a filing that his total includes expenses related to relocation from Houston. Its so toxic its banned in 60 countries. But here in the United States, despite its well-documented links to birth defects, multiple cancers, and fertility problems like low sperm quality and irregular menstrual cycles, atrazine remains the second most widely used pesticide. Yet, unlike other widely used pesticides like the notorious DDT, or well-known Roundup, atrazine has never been a household word. Thats about to change. After pledging that Health and Human Services secretary Robert Kennedy will be looking into [pesticides] very seriously, President Trump established the Make America Healthy Again commission to assess the threat posed by some chemicals, including pesticides. Given the Environmental Protection Agencys close ties to the pesticide industry, its difficult to foresee sweeping changes in how it addresses pesticides dangers. But atrazine may well be the exception. Along with its ties to serious health concerns, atrazine has long been one of the pesticides spotlighted by Kennedy as being an extraordinarily toxic poison that is a significant contributor to chronic health problems. Kennedy and other public figures have claimed many things about atrazine that simply are not true: Theres not a single credible scientific study showing atrazine causes homosexuality or changes a persons gender identity. But independent research makes clear that atrazine pollution is a serious environmental problem polluting waterways at what federal data indicates are harmful levels across an estimated one-eighth of the continental United States. The greatest atrazine pollution is here in the Corn Belt, including Kansas and Missouri, where more than 50% of watersheds are estimated to contain harmful levels of the pesticide. Conditions are even worse in Illinois and Iowa, where more than 84% of watershed are dangerously polluted. The Biden administration proposed a plan it claimed would significantly reduce atrazine levels in the most-polluted watersheds, which include lakes, rivers and streams that provide drinking water to millions of Americans. But an assessment of publicly available data from the EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the pesticide industry indicates the Biden proposal would recover less than 1% of the more than 11,000 atrazine-contaminated watersheds to levels the EPA considers safe. The reality is that applying atrazine at levels needed to kill weeds will always result in unacceptable contamination of the nations water resources. The only answer is to end use of the pesticide. Following his re-election, the president expressed concern that the United States continues spending billions and billions of dollars on pesticides, compared to the European Union and yet has far worse health outcomes. He pledged that his administration would ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, [and] pesticides. Hardly is atrazine the only dangerous pesticide still in widespread U.S. use. The United States has long approved pesticides linked to serious health problems, including paraquat, which is so toxic its banned in 70 countries. Over one-quarter of pesticides used today in this country are chemicals banned in the European Union, Brazil or China. To address that problem, the Center for Biological Diversity, where I work, has sent a petition urging the Trump administration to eliminate use of the most toxic pesticides on food crops, including atrazine. Despite widespread acknowledgment of atrazines health dangers, for the past three decades no presidential administration has been willing to go against the will and nonstop pro-pesticide messaging of the powerful corn industry and atrazine-maker Syngenta, a company based in Switzerland. Syngenta, and by extension atrazine, was acquired in 2017 by the Chinese state-owned ChemChina, continuing the trend of multinational chemical corporations profiting at our expense. Without question, banning atrazine would require a thoughtful plan to help farmers move forward. But unlike the invisible harm atrazine poses to millions of Americans, the hurdles a ban would create for farmers are challenges that can be met. And an atrazine ban would give the Trump administration a meaningful, signature environmental achievement a sweeping, generational change that would benefit the health of our grandchildrens grandchildren and beyond. A KC-135T Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing taxies to a parking spot on Dec. 7, 2024. A former member of the wing has been accused of making homemade explosives. (Andrew Stover/U.S. Air National Guard) Apr. 24 (Tribune News Service) A former Air National Guardsman from Coraopolis, Pa., who was already accused of vandalizing Jewish buildings in Pittsburghs Squirrel Hill neighborhood last year, faces new federal charges alleging he made homemade pipe bombs and lied to government officials. The new indictment, filed earlier this week and unsealed Wednesday, alleges 23-year-old Mohamad Hamad built and detonated several explosives and pipe bombs last year while telling friends and associates he wanted to go to Palestine and die fighting. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guards 171st Refueling Wing stationed in Moon until he was barred from the facility in mid-September. Hes accused of lying to government officials during his security clearance investigation. Mohamad Hamad lied about his loyalty to the United States, among other false statements, in an attempt to obtain a top-secret security clearance, acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti said in a statement. During that time, he openly expressed support for Lebanon, Hezbollah and Hamas. Mr. Hamad was charged last year alongside 24-year-old Talya Lubit for allegedly spray-painting Jews 4 Palestine on a wall at Chabad of Squirrel Hill. A few miles away, the two allegedly defaced a sign outside the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to read that the organization funds genocide. According to the indictment, Mr. Hamad told others that even though he had joined the U.S. Air Force, its still Palestine on top. In a separate voice note, he allegedly told someone else: Dont get me wrong, my dear, Lebanon, Palestine are my country and they are on top, and at the end of the day, [expletive] off Israel and all her friends. At the same time he was at Air Force training in Texas in 2023, Mr. Hamad was allegedly sharing violent pro-Hamas videos. Investigators say he lied during his February 2024 security clearance interview when he affirmed that his ultimate allegiance is with the USA over other nations. He also allegedly said that nothing in his background would give anyone reason to question or disbelieve his loyalty to the U.S. The new indictment also accuses Mr. Hamad of conspiring with 22-year-old Micaiah Collins to make and detonate homemade explosives. He told her in late June that supplies had come in the mail and hed made that big shell. Its way bigger than I expected, he wrote, followed by Im actually scared of it a bit and But I want to light it. Ms. Collins, authorities alleged, shared her excitement: Cuz wen we do the THING.. w the THING oh yeaaaaa its OVERRR and bros ankles GONE!!! A week later, the pair allegedly set off homemade explosive devices, though the indictment doesnt specify where it was done. Ms. Collins shared a video of the explosion with Mr. Hamad later that night. In mid-July, authorities say Mr. Hamad met up with a friend at Rothrock State Park near State College and detonated several homemade bombs. Investigators found fragments at the park. 2025 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Visit www.post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Aviano Air Base, Italy, March 11, 2025. An airman assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano died April 25, 2025, base officials said in a statement. The cause of death is under investigation. (Zachary Jakel/U.S. Air Force) AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy An airman assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing died early Friday, base officials said in a statement. The airman was identified as Tech. Sgt. Clemente Velasco, 30, of Austin, Texas, the fighter wing said in a statement Sunday. Velasco served as a Maintenance Operations Controller with the 31st Maintenance Squadron at Aviano Air Base in Italy, the wing said. The cause of death is under investigation. Italian media outlet Ansa reported that the airman collapsed outside a nightclub in Montereale Valcellina and was pronounced dead at a hospital in Pordenone. Base officials declined to answer questions seeking further information. Tech. Sgt. Velasco was a valued member of our 31st Fighter Wing team, and we continue to mourn his loss, wing commander Brig. Gen. Tad Clark said in the Sunday statement. Supporting those affected by his passing remains our utmost priority. F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, arrive at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, April 24, 2025. (Arnet Tamayo/U.S. Air Force) A second squadron of F-35A Lightning IIs landed Thursday at Kadena Air Base, joining other F-35s and F-15E Strike Eagles on rotational duty with the 18th Wing on Okinawa. The multirole stealth fighters with the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, fill the latest series of fighter deployments to the Pacific, the wing announced in a news release that day. The Utah aircraft join F-35As with the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and 12 F-15Es with the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., that arrived earlier this month. The squadrons are the latest to temporarily deploy to a base the Air Force often calls the keystone of the Pacific. The service instituted rotational fighter deployments to Kadena when it began phasing out the aging F-15C/D fleet there in late 2022. The Black Widows are thrilled to be back and flying with our allies and partners here at Kadena, Lt. Col. Bryan Mussler, commander of the 421st, said in the news release. Our unit values the distinctive training opportunities afforded by our deployment to the Indo-Pacific and is eager to contribute to the mission. The Air Force did not disclose how many aircraft were deployed or how long they will remain on Okinawa. The 18th Wing acknowledged emailed questions and a phone call Friday but did not immediately provide responses. With the departure of the F-15C/Ds, the 18th Wing has relied on a series of rotational deployments of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters to carry out its air-defense mission, including F-35As, F-15Es, F-22 Raptors and F-16 Fighting Falcons. In July, the Air Force announced plans to permanently base 36 F-15EX Eagle IIs at Kadena to replace the retired F-15C/D fleet. The new fighters are expected to begin arriving between March and June 2026, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, commander of the 18th Wing, said last month. On Tuesday, hundreds of airmen with the Vermont Air National Guards 158th Fighter Wing returned home following a monthslong deployment to Kadena, the wing announced in a news release that day. F-35As with the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed there in January. The squadrons aircraft, equipment and additional airmen will return to Vermont over the coming weeks, according to the release. Our airmen demonstrated exceptional professionalism and readiness throughout this deployment, Col. Michael Blair, 158th Fighter Wing operations group commander, said in the release. They not only strengthened partnerships with our Indo-Pacific allies but also showcased the skill and determination that define the Vermont Air National Guard. MV-22B Ospreys prepare to land at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Feb. 26, 2025. (Tyler Andrews/U.S. Marine Corps) A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey made a precautionary landing Thursday afternoon at a commercial airport on an island north of Okinawa following an onboard warning, according to the service and Japanese officials. The tiltrotor, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, landed at Amami Airport, unit spokesman 1st Lt. Samuel Barge said by email Friday. The airport is on Amami Oshima, a small island in Kagoshima prefecture, about 235 miles northeast of Okinawa. After successfully troubleshooting the cause of the precautionary indication, the aircraft left the airport later that afternoon without incident, Barge added. He declined to provide further details. Operating our aircraft safely and effectively is a top priority, and our aviators take great precautions to ensure the safety of the aircrew and the communities in which we operate, he said. The Osprey, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, made the landing around 3:30 p.m. after a warning lamp turned on while it was flying, a spokesman with the Kyushu Defense Bureau said by phone Friday. It departed an hour and a half later, he added. He did not know the reason for the warning indication. The landing did not affect commercial flights or cause damage to the airport. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Amami Airport was the site of similar landings by U.S. military Osprey late last year. On Nov. 21, a Navy CMV-22 tiltrotor landed there after a warning light came on. It was deployed from Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. On Nov. 14, an MV-22B Osprey assigned to MCAS Futenma landed at Amami when a warning light came on during routine training the area. The USS William P. Lawrence, seen here in the Pacific last August, passed through the Taiwan Strait on April 23, 2025, according to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. (Evan Diaz/U.S. Navy) The U.S. Navy sent a guided-missile destroyer on a solo transit of the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, the second Navy trip through the contentious waterway this year, according to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The USS William P. Lawrence made a routine transit through the 110-mile-wide waterway where freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law, according to an email Friday from an INDOPACOM spokeswoman. The strait separates the Chinese mainland from Taiwan, a self-governing democracy Beijing considers a wayward province it promises to reclaim. The Lawrences transit demonstrates the United States commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle, wrote INDOPACOM spokeswoman Air Force Maj. Susan Harrington. China in September asserted sovereignty over the strait, a claim disputed by other countries. Even so, international law allows innocent passage by warships through territorial waters. The ship transited through a corridor in the strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal state, Harrington said. The international communitys navigational rights and freedoms in the Taiwan Strait should not be limited. The United States rejects any assertion of sovereignty or jurisdiction that is inconsistent with freedoms of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea and air. A spokesman for Chinas Eastern Theater Command denounced the passage as a publicity measure and the American justification for it as a distortion. The USs relevant remarks distorted the fact, confused the public and misled the international perception. We urge the US side to stop distorting and hyping up, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Army Senior Col. Shi Yi said in a statement published Thursday by the government-sponsored China Military Online. The Chinese command tracked the Lawrence throughout its progress and dealt with it in accordance with the law, according to the statement, which did not give further details. The online report included a 10-second video clip that appeared to be recorded from the deck of a Chinese vessel while a crewman kept watch on a distant warships silhouette. The Chinese military held two days of exercises April 1-2 in which its forces rehearsed a Taiwan blockade and conducted live-fire drills, according to the Reuters news agency. The Lawrence is part of Carrier Strike Group 1 assembled around the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and operating in the Philippine Sea, demonstrating the ships operational readiness and the U.S. Navys commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, according to a U.S. 7th Fleet news release Friday. In the Philippines, a contingent of U.S. Marines, including F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters and MV-22 Ospreys tiltrotor airlifters have joined Philippine forces for their largest annual military exercise, Balikatan. The last Navy transit of the strait took place Feb. 11-12 when the guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson and the survey ship USNS Bowditch moved southwest from the East China Sea to the South China Sea. Japan has sent two destroyers through the strait since September, the first known passage of the waterway by the Self-Defense Forces. In October, the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins and Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver made the passage. Navy Secretary John Phelan, left, speaks with Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matthew Bagley, the commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, during a tour at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., April 10, 2025. (Jacquilyn Davis/U.S. Marine Corps) WASHINGTON Navy Secretary John Phelan has canceled the Navys Climate Action 2030 program, which was enacted by the Biden administration in 2022 to improve the services energy efficiency. We need to focus on having a lethal and ready naval force, unimpeded by ideologically motivated regulations, Phelan said in a pre-recorded video posted Tuesday to his official X account. The rescinded plan had committed the Navy to reducing its overall emissions by 65% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Net-zero emissions mean some greenhouse gases are released but are offset by the removal of an equivalent amount of the gases from the atmosphere. Scientists have said rising sea levels, recurrent flooding and more frequent and destructive hurricanes result from man-made climate change and are a particular challenge for the Navy. In 2010, a two-day storm dumped more than 14 inches of rain on Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tenn., causing a levee to fail and flood the base and surrounding community. The flood displaced military families from their homes, caused extensive damage to base auxiliary buildings, impacted critical information technology systems, and cost the Navy approximately $154 million. Hurricane Sandy, in 2012, caused $50 million in damage to Naval Weapons Station Earle, a critical ammunition resupply base in New Jersey. The Navy combined $1.9 million in defense funds with $61 million from the local county to restore the beaches and salt marsh to protect the installation from storm surge. Those efforts were still underway in 2020 when Hurricane Sally significantly damaged more than 600 facilities at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The Navy deferred $49 million in sustainment and modernization requirements to fund initial response and repairs to withstand future storms. Climate change increases risk, exposes vulnerabilities to our people, installations, platforms, operations, and allies and partners, Meredith Berger, assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment, said in 2022 when the program was announced. The action plan goals listed were meant to hit targets included in an executive order issued in 2021 to all federal agencies by former President Joe Biden. President Donald Trump axed Bidens executive order, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, on Jan. 20, 2025, when he rescinded 78 orders issued by the previous administration. In mid-March, the Defense Department announced it would flush climate change policies and initiatives deemed inconsistent with our core warfighter mission. Phelan canceling the Navys Climate Action 2030 brings the sea service into compliance with those efforts. Now, its done, Phelan said in the brief pre-recorded video. Phelan nor his office provided additional details about what efforts were canceled or whether any were being considered separate from the now defunct Climate Action 2030 program. The Department of the Navy is focused on shipbuilding, deterrence and warfighting. We will no longer be sidetracked by climate-focused decision-making. Any distraction to those core priorities removes valuable resources better spent on readiness and operational effectiveness, Kristina Wong, spokeswoman for Phelan, said Thursday. Wong did not say how much money the Navy expects the canceled climate plan to save the service. Later Thursday, Phelan announced the cancellation of 45 nonessential grants and awards, as well as information technology contracts deemed ineffective and over-budget, which he said would save the Navy nearly $300 million. Among the items canceled, Phelan said via his official X account, was the studying of the population consequences of the disturbance of humpback whales in the context of climate change. No additional information was provided. Jewel Ingram accepts the Navy and Marine Corps Medal posthumously awarded April 18, 2025, to her husband, Navy SEAL Nathan Gage Ingram, at the Silver Strand Training Complex in Imperial Beach, Calif. (Chelsea Daily/U.S. Navy) A 27-year-old Navy SEAL who died trying to save a fellow sailor during a dangerous nighttime mission off the Somali coast last year was posthumously awarded the services highest noncombat honor for heroism, the Navy said this week. Nathan Gage Ingram, a special warfare operator first class, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal earlier this month for his bravery and selflessness during a January 2024 weapons interdiction in the Arabian Sea, the service said in a statement on Thursday. The target of the special operations mission was a boat carrying Iranian-supplied ballistic and cruise missile components bound for Houthi militants in Yemen. While trying to board the vessel, Christopher Chambers, a special warfare operator chief petty officer days away from his 37th birthday , lost his grip and fell into heavy seas. Ingram jumped into the water to try to save Chambers, but the two were weighed down by heavy equipment and drowned. Both were lost at sea. Navy SEAL Nathan Gage Ingram was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on April 18, 2025, for his actions during an Arabian Sea mission on Jan. 11, 2024. Ingram jumped into the water to try to save fellow Navy SEAL Christopher Chambers. Both of them drowned and were lost at sea. (U.S. Navy) One thing that stood out was Gages clear understanding of the fallen heroes who came before him and the profound legacies they left within the teams of Naval Special Warfare, Ingrams wife, Jewel, said as she accepted the award during an April 18 ceremony at a San Diego-area military training complex for special operations forces. In Gages words, We have to lose one of us to learn and do better. Its the only way we improve. Ingram was a Texas native who enlisted in 2019 and graduated from SEAL training in 2021. Chambers, from Maryland, enlisted in 2012 and graduated from SEAL training in 2014. Among Ingrams other awards and decorations were the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, according to the statement. Naval forces in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations have worked for years to intercept weapons being sent to Houthi militants. Last month, the U.S. stepped up its efforts to degrade Houthi capabilities with ongoing, daily airstrikes against the groups military sites in Yemen. An investigation released in October concluded that the deaths of Ingram and Chambers were preventable. It cited deficiencies in training, policies, tactics and procedures as well as conflicting guidance on when and how to use emergency flotation devices and extra buoyancy material that could have kept them alive, The Associated Press reported at the time. Since their deaths, safety training, gear checks and procedural reviews and implementation have been done to ensure safety and readiness of special warfare personnel, the service said in the statement. A U.S. Navy sailor charged into and severly injured a group of Japanese pedestrians near Zushi Beach on July 9, 2022. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes) YOKOHAMA, Japan A Japanese court on Friday ordered a U.S. sailor to pay approximately $114,000 in damages for injuring four people during an incident near a popular beach in 2022. A three-judge panel at Yokohama District Court found Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Krieger liable in a civil suit and awarded compensation to the victims based on the severity of their injuries, ranging from about $67,000 to $3,300. The plaintiffs sought about $150,000 in total damages, their attorney, Masahiko Goto, told reporters after the verdict. In September, a separate panel at the courts Yokosuka branch convicted Krieger on four counts of bodily injury stemming from a July 2022 incident in which he charged into a group of pedestrians near Zushi Beach. The sailor pleaded not guilty in March 2024 but did not dispute the facts presented to prosecutors. His attorneys argued he was not liable due to a preexisting brain injury and severe intoxication an argument the court rejected. He was sentenced in September to 16 months in prison with hard labor, suspended for four years. A three-judge panel at Yokohama District Court found a U.S. sailor liable in a civil suit on April 25, 2025. They awarded compensation to the victims based on the severity of their injuries, ranging from about $67,000 to $3,300. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes) On Friday, the court dismissed similar defenses. Presiding Judge Takahiko Fujisawa said Krieger may have been suffering from brain trauma, intoxication and a poor emotional state, but was still liable for taking out his frustration on the plaintiffs. It can be understood that the defendant impulsively directed his anger at strangers passing by, Fujisawa said in court. Neither Krieger nor his attorneys attended the hearing. His attorney, Takashi Takano, did not respond to a phone call or email seeking comment Friday. Five people were injured in the 2022 incident. The most seriously hurt were a man with multiple sprained vertebrae and a woman with a broken upper jaw, nasal bone and other facial injuries. Police initially recommended five counts of bodily injury, but prosecutors pursued four. One of the four victims a 61-year-old woman told reporters after the hearing that it was a satisfying result, but added that her life had changed since the incident. I cant go back to the normal life I had before, she said. Even though the lawsuit is over, I have to live with this the rest of my life. Krieger, formerly assigned as a logistics specialist aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius, left Japan shortly after his conviction, Naval Forces Japan spokesman Cmdr. Paul Macapagal said by phone Friday. He referred questions about Kriegers status to Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn. Stars and Stripes has reached out to the command for comment. An Alpakas Eifel patron walks through the countryside with alpacas by his side during a hike in Plutscheid, Germany, April 13, 2025. When the weather is clear, the hike offers stunning views of the western Eifel region's rolling hills. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes) Like many a peaceful countryside walk, the one my husband and I took on a recent Sunday through quiet farmland near the Luxembourg border had rolling green hills, a cooling breeze and birdsong. Side by side, we ambled amid the stillness you get by wandering off the beaten path. Of course, most Sunday strolls dont come with a four-legged, fleece-covered hiking partner. But thats the norm at Alpakas Eifel, a small, family-run trekking business in the bucolic village of Plutscheid that invites guests to explore the countryside with a leashed alpaca by their side. After my booking, owner Dirk Laures sent a GPS pin via WhatsApp, and we found his small family farm, about an hour and 30 minutes from Kaiserslautern and just 20 minutes from Spangdahlem Air Base, without issue. He greeted us warmly and led us into the corral, where each of us was paired with the alpacas he had chosen for us. Ive always had a bad case of the Sunday scaries, and theyve only intensified since our move to Germany. An alpaca hike seemed to check multiple boxes: a unique outdoor adventure, an easy Instagram flex and top-tier material for Mondays inevitable what did you do this weekend? conversation. Alea the alpaca is shown during a hike in Plutscheid, Germany, April 13, 2025. Dirk Laures, owner of Alpakas Eifel, takes visitors on hikes in the surrounding countryside with one of his nine alpacas chosen to accompany each customer. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes) Humans and alpacas take in some fresh air during a hike with Alpakas Eifel in Plutscheid, Germany, April 13, 2025. Owner Dirk Laures offers tailored alpaca hikes to customers and also brings the creatures to senior homes and other events to share their therapeutic presence. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes) Alea the alpaca stops for a snack break during a hike in Plutscheid, Germany, April 13, 2025. Alpakas Eifel owner Dirk Laures is a believer in the therapeutic benefits of spending time with the sensitive creatures. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes) Our hike was a little under 3 miles and took just over 90 minutes, but Laures tailors the experience to match each groups pace and preferences. The loop wound through open pastures and quiet back roads, not a strenuous trek but a peaceful, meditative stroll while holding the leash of our respective alpaca wingmen walking alongside. My husbands alpaca, Pico, was best friends with mine, Alea. The two walked shoulder to shoulder the entire time. Laures told us alpacas are highly social and prefer to move in pairs or groups. Theyre also surprisingly therapeutic. Their calming presence and uncanny sensitivity to human emotions make them ideal therapy animals, Laures explained. Spending time with alpacas can help ease post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and even dementia, he said. Thirty minutes into the hike, I was a believer. Alea was hesitant at first, but she warmed up quickly and followed my lead as we wandered through the open fields and winding country paths. There was something quietly affirming about being accepted by such an adorable, intuitive creature. A recent unpleasant encounter with a camel had me worried the alpacas might be smelly or prone to spitting. Not the case. And once we passed their silent vibe check, they let us pet their thick, soft fleece. Their wool repels moisture, keeping them warm and dry even in cold or wet weather, which means hikes are offered year-round. Laures adopted his first alpaca after the death of his wife in 2023 led him to try an alpaca hike of his own. He said the animals have changed his life and those of his three children. He now shares that joy with others, offering hikes for individuals, families and groups of all sizes. Hes led solo visitors and teams of as many as 40. In addition, he brings the alpacas to senior homes and special events. Alpacas enjoy the sunny weather at Alpakas Eifel in Plutscheid, Germany. The family-owned alpaca trekking business allows visitors to enjoy a serene walk through the German countryside with a fuzzy alpaca companion. (Alpakas Eifel) A leash attached to an alpaca allows a hiker to walk alongside the animal in Plutscheid, Germany, April 13, 2025. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes) Laures currently has nine alpacas, though hes hoping Alea will soon welcome a new cria, or baby. Pico, still technically a juvenile, is expected to reach adulthood within the next year and start contributing to the herds future. On our drizzly Sunday, we were the only people there, which made the setting feel like our own private petting zoo with a scenic backdrop. Laures walked with us the entire way, sharing stories about his animals and answering all our questions. By the time we returned to the farm and watched the rest of the herd enthusiastically welcome Pico and Alea back into the corral, I felt lighter. I wasnt sure I believed in alpaca therapy when I started, but I definitely left with fewer worries and a full heart. Turns out that a leisurely stroll with Pico and Alea was the Sunday reset I didnt know I needed. Alpakas Eifel Directions: Address: Kehrweg 20, 54597 Plutscheid Hours: Hikes depart from Plutscheid on Fridays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. The reservation line is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost: 20 euros per alpaca, 10 euros per adult, 5 euros per child. Know before you go: No dogs allowed on hikes. Information: Phone: +49 173 182 2439; Online: alpakas-eifel.de; Instagram: @alpakas_eifel El Torito's extensive menu may take a few minutes to navigate, but the wide selection offers something for everyone. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) El Torito, a well-regarded U.S. chain of Mexican restaurants, brings the feel of old-country cuisine to central Tokyo, with two independently operated locations in the city. One restaurant is in Ikebukuro, and the other visited for this review sits in Nishi-Kasai, a neighborhood sometimes called Little India. The spacious dining area seats approximately 130 and had plenty of room on a recent weeknight, when seating was immediate. The extensive menu may take a few minutes to navigate, but the wide selection offers something for everyone. A meal for my family of three began with large grilled chicken salads, each topped with crispy taco strips, avocado, pumpkin seeds and cheese, accompanied by a zesty cilantro-lime dressing (1,580 yen, or about $11). An appetizer of crispy fried cream cheese and avocado taquitos rolled tacos was a highlight. El Torito's half-size combination platter of sliced grilled chicken and beef fajitas came with warm tortillas, onions, avocado and a choice of salsa or guacamole. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) For the main course, the half-size combination platter of sliced grilled chicken and beef fajitas (1,490 yen) came with warm tortillas, onions, avocado and a choice of salsa or guacamole. Another dish a pair of crispy beef picadillo tacos served with refried beans added variety for 890 yen. El Torito offers full-course meals at competitive prices: a light course for 2,480 yen, a standard course for 2,980 yen and the Azteca course for 5,480 yen. Each includes appetizers, salads, entrees, drinks and desserts. Beverage options range from nonalcoholic cocktails and soft drinks to alcoholic selections. The house iced tea-lemonade mix and ginger-mint soda water were refreshing, while the virgin pina colada was a shared favorite. The dessert menu features Mexican flan, churros with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon tortillas. All dishes were well-prepared and flavorful. The bill came to just under $65 a good value for the generous portions. A return visit is already planned, with dessert at the top of the list. El Torito offers full-course meals at competitive prices: a light course for 2,480 yen, a standard course for 2,980 yen and the Azteca course for 5,480 yen. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) El Torito Location: 6-10-15 Nishikasai, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 134-0088 Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; last order at 10 p.m. Prices: Expect to pay between 1,000 and 3,000 yen, including tax, per person. Dress: Casual Directions: A short walk from Nishi-Kasai Stations south exit. Information: 050-3543-7980 Guam contractors work on a portion of one of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz's bachelor enlisted quarters on Dec. 10, 2024. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes) Marines are expected to arrive at their new quarters on Camp Blaz, still a work in progress on Guam, as early as June, a base spokeswoman said Friday. Blaz anticipates about 75 junior Marines and sailors to begin moving into bachelor enlisted quarters, Maj. Diann Rosenfeld told Stars and Stripes by email. Current planning efforts support the commanders priority to begin moving Marines and Sailors into the barracks aboard the Main Cantonment as early as June, she wrote. The barracks are designed to support the ranks of sergeant and below. The base has eight enlisted barracks under construction with a capacity for about 600 troops each, for a total of around 4,800 Marines, Rosenfeld added. Blaz the first new Marine Corps installation in 72 years is still largely under construction, but the base has completed numerous projects as it prepares for an influx of Marines from Okinawa. Marines eat during the grand-opening of the first Camp Blaz-owned chow hall at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 24, 2025. (Afton Smiley/U.S. Marine Corps) The Marines opened their first chow hall on the island on April 18 at nearby Andersen Air Force Bases North Ramp, where the Marines plan to locate their aviation element. The chow hall is open to all active-duty service members on Guam, according to a Marine news release that day. Our programs mission is to ensure the fighting force is eating healthy and sustaining themselves, Master Sgt. Kelvin Tapia, the camps acting food service officer, said in the release. [This is] not just for Camp Blaz but for all the rotating forces in the Pacific. Two bachelor officers quarters, each capable of housing an additional 388 Marines, are also under construction, Rosenfeld said. Ongoing construction completion dates for these living quarters is phased over the next one to three years, she wrote. About 4,000 Marines are expected to move from Okinawa to Guam, part of a 2012 agreement between the U.S. and Japan to reduce the American military footprint on Okinawa, where nearly 30,000 of the 55,000 U.S. service members in Japan are stationed. About 1,300 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force may be permanently stationed on Guam, while another 3,700 Marines may rotate through the island on temporary deployments. The Defense Policy Review Initiative relocates some Marine assets from Okinawa to Guam, and elsewhere, including Hawaii. Japan is providing approximately $3 billion of the estimated $8.6 billion to build Blaz and other infrastructure. Completed projects on Guam include numerous infrastructure upgrades, an aviation maintenance hangar, a waterfront headquarters building at Naval Base Guam, family housing units at Andersen, a fire station and an administration building, according to a Dec. 18 email from Rosenfeld. Senior Airman Christopher Collins marshals a B-1B Lancer at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 18, 2025. (Emma Anderson/U.S. Air Force) The official voice of North Koreas authoritarian regime on Friday denounced the recent appearance of Air Force long-range bombers in Japan as a vicious change and a threat to regional security. An unsigned commentary published by the Korean Central News Agency referred to the B-1B Lancer as the notorious Swan of Death, and Misawa Air Base, Japan, as its nest. The Air Force announced April 17 that an undisclosed number of Lancers had arrived at Misawa as part of a rotational bomber task force mission. Air Force photographs posted online show at least two bombers had arrived in Japan. The Air Force did not disclose how long the rotation, the first U.S. bomber deployment to Japan in recent memory, would last. The Lancers, of the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived to train and operate with U.S. allies and partners in the region, according to an Air Force news release Tuesday. KCNA took issue with that claim, saying the Lancers presence increased the level of confrontation in the region. This is not a temporary deployment for joint exercise or to show force to neighbor countries, but a significant military move as it is a long-term deployment of the U.S. strategic asset in the center of the Asia-Pacific area, the commentary said. Stationing the B-1B in Japan shows U.S. vicious change, since the launch base was usually in Guam using its armed force in the Asia-Pacific region, it continued. This a clear developmental threat to the regional security. Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean 1,891 miles south of Misawa, is a forward operating location for U.S. bombers such as the Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress, although they are not permanently stationed there. The Air Force since January 2018 has routinely flown its bombers around the world on task force missions from bases in the United States. The deployments have continued regularly since 2020. Lancers have appeared over South Korea, mostly recently in an April 15 show of force by a pair of them escorted by South Korean F-35 and F-16 fighters and U.S. F-16s. The recent military move of the U.S. and [South Korea] is an open threat to the security of our state and a grave provocation that raises the military tension in the region to an extreme dangerous level, an unidentified spokesperson for North Koreas Defense Ministry said April 17 on KCNA. The U.S. and South Korea often respond with airpower displays to North Korean acts such as ballistic missile tests. KCNA in turn describes the flyovers as hostile acts. For a long time, the U.S. has been crazy about pressuring regional countries and expanding military intervention, utilizing strategic bombers and other strategic assets in places like Japan and South Korea, the news agency wrote Friday. This year alone, the U.S. launched B-1Bs three times over the Korean Peninsula and held joint aerial exercises, further escalating military confrontation into a more dangerous conflict situation, the commentary said. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow on March 18, 2025. (Maxim Shemetov/Pool/AFP/Getty Images via TNS) (Tribune News Service) Nearly a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin called Afghanistans Taliban an ally in countering terrorism, Moscow lifted a two-decade-old ban on the group, aiming to bolster ties with Kabul to crush a joint enemy the Islamic State. The move was no surprise, given Putin has spoken of growing cooperation with the Taliban on terrorism, said John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Councils Eurasia Center. Those comments were specifically directed against ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the bloody Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in March 2024, he said. The decision will also open the door for official recognition of the Taliban government, which has remained a pariah since taking power in Afghanistan nearly four years ago, said Faizullah Jalal, an independent Afghan political analyst and human rights activist. While no country has recognized the Talibans government, which has been condemned internationally for repeated human rights violations, the Foreign Ministry in Kabul on Wednesday said Russia had agreed to accept an ambassador-level diplomat in Moscow. Russias cautious and slow-moving rapprochement with the Taliban, which Moscow had outlawed as a terrorist group in 2003, underscores that both sides see benefits in improving relations. For Russia, its crucial to protect against the threat of terrorism at home and in the wider Central Asia region. For the Taliban, it rewards efforts to gain international legitimacy and potentially brings foreign investment to help prop up the economy. As part of those early endeavors, Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russias Security Council, made a rare visit to Kabul in November and spoke with numerous high-ranking officials. Russia also is one of only a few countries, including China, to have welcomed Taliban diplomats to its capital. Russia aims to build mutually beneficial ties with Afghanistan in all areas, including the fight against drugs and terrorism, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said in a statement after the court decision legalizing the Taliban. The Kremlin didnt respond to a request for comment about whether it intends to formally recognize the Taliban government. A number of terrorist organizations operate out of Afghanistan, but the one that poses greatest threat at home and abroad is the Islamic State Khorasan, a regional offshoot of the larger ISIS group, according to a research paper from the Congressional Research Service in Washington. ISIS-K took credit last year for the worst attack in Russia in more than two decades, which killed at least 137 people. The group was formed in 2014 or 2015, largely by defectors from the Afghan Taliban and Tehrik-e Taliban, which is dedicated to overthrowing Pakistans government. ISIS-Ks strength was estimated at between 2,000 and 5,000 members as of April 2024. The US National Counterterrorism Center described the insurgent group as one of Islamic States most lethal branches, saying its militants have also killed or injured thousands of people in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Improved ties with Kabul werent guaranteed for Moscow, given the complicated history between the two capitals. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and fought a decade-long war there against the Mujahedeen, which included some of the current Taliban leaders. While trade increased 18% in the first eight months of 2024 from the same period a year earlier, it remained modest at about $227 million, according to Afghanistans Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Normalizing relations could increase economic activity between the two countries. Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry said late last year its looking to hammer out projects in the energy and agriculture sectors with the Taliban, according to the Tass news agency, and by the end of last year Afghanistan had become the top buyer of Russian flour. Moscows move to end the Talibans terrorism designation could persuade other countries in the region to follow suit. Some of Russias close allies in Central Asia or in wider Asia are expected to follow suit if the Taliban are designated as a terrorist there, while other countries, especially in the West, will most likely reject it, Jalal said. Kazakhstans Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin recently paid a visit to Kabul and discussed investment opportunities and expanding trade with high-ranking Taliban officials. The authorities in Kabul are a reality that needs to be reckoned with if one is to conduct a pragmatic and non-ideology-driven policy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday, according to Tass. Lavrov also said Russia was advocating for the release of frozen Afghan state reserves currently in the U.S. While the Taliban and Islamic State are both advocates of strict Sharia law, theyre also enemies, and have clashed frequently. The Taliban view ISIS-K as the primary threat to their rule. While theyve intensified operations to combat the group, so far theyve struggled to dismantle it. The militant group has killed several senior Taliban officials since 2023. ISIS-K has also carried out cross-border rocket strikes against Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, attacks against the Russian and Pakistani embassies in Kabul, and an assault on a Kabul hotel frequented by Chinese nationals. Putin knows the potential terrorism threats emerging from Afghanistan toward Central Asia, which could jeopardize the entire regions security or Russias interests in those countries, said Jalal. Building closer ties with the Taliban could help stop those threats. Jon Herskovitz contributed to this report. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division of Fort Carson, Colo., unpack Stryker combat vehicles on April 10, 2025, after they were recently shipped to Fort Bliss, Texas, for use in detecting illegal activity at the U.S. border with Mexico. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON The U.S. military relies on a network of countries around the world to produce the sophisticated weapons and equipment that arm its warfighters. It imports missiles from Norway and specialized technology from France and Italy for fighter jets. It equips Army soldiers with a recoilless rifle produced by a Swedish company and depends on Canada to assemble combat vehicles such as the Stryker. Theres not a single weapon system that I know of that doesnt have some type of foreign content, said Bill Greenwalt, a former Defense Department acquisition official now at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, a Washington think tank. That global supply chain, built up for decades, could now be under threat as President Donald Trumps administration seeks to lessen American reliance on imports and bring more manufacturing back to the United States. Tariffs imposed in recent weeks on nearly all foreign-made products and the prospect of more levies to come could make American weapons more expensive, dampen weapon sales abroad and tarnish the reputation of the U.S. as a reliable partner, according to some experts and lawmakers. In the short term, the announced tariffs alone will increase costs for U.S. defense industrial supply chain companies, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., wrote in a letter last week to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In the long term, tariffs will drive up the Department of Defenses contracting and procurement costs, limit the Department of Defenses buying power and ultimately harm the warfighter and our military readiness. In addition to 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, the Trump administration has implemented a blanket 10% tariff on most U.S. trading partners. A plan to introduce higher tariffs on nearly 60 countries has been paused until July while a trade war with China has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. A Pentagon official said Friday that the department is closely monitoring existing tariffs and their impacts on procurement and manufacturing of goods overseas with international partners and allies. The Defense Department has agreements with 28 partner countries that allow it to override congressionally mandated Buy American requirements and engage in billions of dollars of defense trade with countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan, according to the Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog. It is unclear how those arrangements will be affected by Trumps tariffs and whether the defense industry will be strategically carved out of the levies, as business groups and some lawmakers have been requesting. Right now, you just have to operate on the fact that prices are going to go up because there is foreign content, Greenwalt said. A lot of this foreign content is because of agreements like we have with the F-35 [fighter jet] but the majority of it is because our allies produce better technology than we do. Dak Hardwick, vice president of international affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association, said the trade group has received an assurance from the Trump administration that duty-free entry for materials destined for the military would continue. The nearly 300 aerospace and defense companies who are members of the association continue to seek clarity from the administration and are engaging with their foreign counterparts, Hardwick said. Sales to international partners are critical for the health of the U.S. defense industrial base, he said. We want to continue to do those sales because it keeps our industrial base lines humming, it certainly keeps them warm at times when the U.S. government isnt necessarily buying certain types of capabilities. While the U.S. received 3.1% of global arms imports from 2020 to 2024, it leads global trade in weapons with a share of 43% of exports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Tariffs could chip into that dominance by raising the cost of U.S. defense products domestically and abroad. Youre going to see a greater instance of Buy Europe and Buy Asia and thats going to lead to fewer aerospace and defense sales for the United States and drive down the one place that we have a large positive trade balance, Greenwalt said. The Philippine ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez, told Reuters earlier this month that tariffs could affect his countrys economy and its ability to pay for a potential $5.58 billion purchase of F-16 aircraft from the American defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin. These F-16s ... are very expensive for us ... and we wont be able to afford it if, obviously, we wont have the resources to be able to buy them, he said. Other countries are scrutinizing their security dependence on the U.S., seeing the Trump administrations reciprocal tariffs as evidence that the U.S. is becoming an erratic supplier and customer, according to Greenwalt. Some lawmakers in recent weeks expressed particular concern about the defense relationship with Australia, which has an agreement with the U.S. and the United Kingdom to acquire nuclear submarines. Australia had free trade with the U.S. before becoming subject to the Trump administrations 10% baseline tariff. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the levy was not the act of a friend and some within his center-left Labor Party have questioned whether the U.S. can be relied upon to deliver the submarines. There is definitely collateral damage to our allies, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., said of the tariffs at a congressional hearing earlier this month, noting he has been in touch with Australian parliament members. In Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney declared the old relationship we had with the United States, based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over. American defense companies are bracing for retaliatory measures its something thats top of mind, Hardwick said. The European Union, which recently launched a rearmament effort focused on purchasing weapons from European manufacturers, prepared to hit back with counter-tariffs of nearly 21 billion before Trump paused his 20% tariffs on the bloc. China has responded to Trumps moves with a 125% tariff on U.S. goods and most pointedly, a limit on exports of certain rare earth minerals and magnets essential for defense technology such as missiles, radar systems, drones, robotics and jet engines. Trump issued an executive order last week directing Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, to open a national security investigation into potential new tariffs on all U.S. critical minerals imports, escalating the fight. The consequences for the military industrial base could be steep. A single F-35 contains 900 pounds of rare earths, a Virginia-class submarine contains 9,200 pounds of them and China processes 90% of the worlds rare earths supply. Even before the latest restrictions, the U.S. defense industrial base struggled with limited capacity and lacked the ability to scale up production to meet defense technology demands, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. Further bans on critical minerals inputs will only widen the gap, enabling China to strengthen its military capabilities more quickly than the United States. There were signs this week that the trade war could be abating somewhat. Trump on Wednesday said the 145% tariff that he put on Chinese imports will come down substantially. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he was engaged in trade negotiations with more than a dozen countries. Defense companies have, for the most part, expressed optimism that they will be able to weather the changing tariff policies with minimal impact on business, with Northrop Grumman saying Tuesday that it did not yet see significant risk to its programs. But defense contractor RTX, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies, cautioned it could take a $850 million hit in profit if global tariffs and separate levies on steel and aluminum and goods from China, Canada and Mexico remain in effect through the year. Like many companies in the industry, our supply chain and customer base are global, and we import raw materials, parts and modules from around the world, CEO Chris Calio said in an earnings call. In light of this, we would be impacted if the current environment were to stay in place. The Pentagon is seen in October 2021. (Robert H. Reid/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Four senior advisers to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were named Thursday amid the turmoil at the Pentagon that has included the firing of three officials for leaking information. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, Patrick Weaver, a special assistant to Hegseth, Ricky Buria, a career Marine who served as a junior military assistant to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Hegseth, and Justin Fulcher, the founder of a global telehealth startup, will serve as senior advisers, Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson said in a statement. Regular workforce adjustments are a feature of any highly efficient organization, Wilson said. Secretary Hegseth will continue to be proactive with personnel decisions and will work hard to ensure the Department of Defense has the right people in the right positions to execute President [Donald] Trumps agenda. Parnell will continue to serve in his role as the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs in addition to being a senior adviser, Wilson said. The other three officials were only listed as senior advisers. Buria, a colonel in the Marine Corps, submitted his retirement papers to the service last week, CNN reported. He was at the Pentagon on Thursday in civilian clothing and greeted the NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte before accompanying him, Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to a meeting. Fulcher has served as part of billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency team to cut excess and refocus the Pentagons budget, Forbes reported. The announcement comes after five senior Pentagon officials were either fired or resigned in the last two weeks and Hegseth has come under scrutiny for a second Signal chat during which he shared classified information. 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 dismissed from their posts last week as part of the probe into leaks at the Pentagon. In late March, a Pentagon investigation was initiated into recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information involving sensitive communications, according to a memo signed by Joe Kasper, Hegseths chief of staff. Defense officials have not provided more information about the investigation, which Kaspers memo had said could include polygraphs. Any evidence from the investigation will be provided to the Justice Department, according to Hegseth. Once a leaker, always a leaker, often a leaker. And so, we look for leakers because we take it very seriously and we will do the investigation, Hegseth said Tuesday on Fox News. And if those people are exonerated, fantastic. 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. Caldwell, in an interview Monday with Tucker Carlson, said he has never taken a polygraph or had his access to classified information curtailed before being marched out of the Pentagon. We have not been told, as of this recording, one, what we were being investigated for, he said. Two, is there still an investigation? And three, was there even a real investigation? Caldwell added when he was first escorted out, he thought people would push him to testify against Hegseth in a separate inspector general investigation. The firings associated with the investigation into leaks was preceded by the resignation of John Ullyot, the former top Pentagon spokesman. Hegseth also said Tuesday that Kasper his chief of staff is moving into a different job at the Pentagon. Kasper will serve as a special government employee, or SGE, according to a senior defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. This came after Politico reported Kasper exited the Pentagon on Thursday. The designation means he could work up to 130 days as a government employee in a year, in similar fashion to the role that Musk has held in the Trump administration. A visitor touches a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Dozens of Vietnam veterans and their supporters gathered Thursday afternoon at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which marked the end of the Vietnam War. The ceremony began with opening remarks and a procession led by the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard of the Military District of Washington and a rendition of the National Anthem. Were here together brothers and sisters in arms with friends and people who are part of our lives, said Jack McManus, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Veterans Tom Burke, left, and Ed Wilkinson carry a wreath to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard of the Military District of Washington prepares to show the colors on April 24, 2025, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Veterans Tom Burke, left, and Ed Wilkinson place a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) A veteran holds his hand over his heart on April 24, 2025, for the Pledge of Allegiance during a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) McManus also recognized the children of troops killed in Vietnam who attended the ceremony. Theyve endured the pain of 50 years for a war this country wouldnt recognize their [parents] service in, he said. VVA member Grant Coates also spoke and emphasized the importance of remembrance. We, as Vietnam veterans, have an obligation to never forget. We must keep the stories of the dead alive, keeping their existence current, he said. Reflecting back over 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, we never forget. Its still raw. Medal of Honor recipient Paris Davis speaks at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) A bugler plays Taps at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Veterans Larry Googins, left, and Grant Coates shake hands at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) The keynote speaker was Paris Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient. The fight we had and the things we did we hope they made America a little bit better, Davis said. Youre here to share the birthday, the 50th birthday of what we did and where we did it. Following the speeches, veterans made their way to the memorial to lay three wreaths. Standing at attention before the wall, they listened in silence as a military bugler played taps, bringing the ceremony to a close. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins replies to questions from senators on Jan. 21, 2025, during his confirmation hearing. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Lawmakers will get their first opportunity to question Doug Collins, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, since his Senate confirmation hearing in January, as the federal governments second-largest agency undergoes a downsizing and reorganization. Collins is scheduled to testify at a May 7 hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee about the agencys spending plan for fiscal 2026. He also will share his goals for the agency for the next four years, said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., the committee chairman. The VA, which employs more than 470,000 workers, has had a hiring freeze in place since laying off several hundred workers in February as part of a mass firing of probationary workers by the administration of President Donald Trump. The VA the second-largest agency in the federal government has terminated 1,400 probationary workers since January. Moran is among GOP lawmakers who have faced pressure back in their home districts over the federal workforce reductions and cuts to program funds. In March, protesters rallied at town hall meetings in Kansas where Moran was the keynote speaker. The protesters objected to the loss of government jobs and uncertainty about the future of federal programs, according to reports by radio station KCUR and other local news outlets. Moran said Collins appearance before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will allow lawmakers to query him about the recent firings and his priorities for the agency after three months in office. Collins also is expected to discuss the VAs plans to lay off up to 83,000 employees by August, according to an internal memo from the VA chief of staff. The reduction in force will drop staffing to 2019 levels, according to the VA. Lawmakers only learned about plans for another round of layoffs, after a high-level VA memo was leaked to news reporters. The memo from VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek to other VA leaders provided a blueprint for conducting job terminations with the stated goal to eliminate waste and make the VA operate more efficiently. Federal agencies are under order by the Trump administration to reduce their workforce as part of a restructuring of the federal government. Members of the committee will have the opportunity to question Secretary Collins on workforce changes and his plans to make the VA work better for veterans, Moran said at a Senate hearing in March, when he first informed lawmakers that Collins would testify. Moran said Congress needs to have an oversight role in strategically shaping VA workforce decisions to achieve the right outcomes for veterans and their families. Vodafone Business and Maroc Telecom, which is majority-owned by e&, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide connectivity and digital services to enterprises in Morocco. The first phase of the partnership will focus on smart city and energy management solutions. It will later expand to include a wider range of enterprise offerings such as Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), Mobile Private Networks, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity services. Clients will be able to tailor Vodafones digital platforms and solutions using Maroc Telecoms deep understanding of the local regulatory environment. The two companies aim to serve key industry sectors including logistics, manufacturing, retail, and public services. The partnership will also provide end-to-end support covering pre- and post-sales, billing, implementation, and ongoing service management. Vodafone said the move will strengthen its presence in Africa, where it currently operates in eight countries through its majority stake in Vodacom. The operator already has a strategic partnership with e& across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In October 2023, the two groups announced plans to collaborate on services for multinational enterprise customers, leveraging their combined scale and complementary geographic footprints. Fanan Henriques, Product & International Business Director at Vodafone Business, said: By partnering with Maroc Telecom, we can boost the adoption of new digital services in Morocco in support of the countrys digital ambitions. Maroc Telecoms local expertise and digital skills, combined with Vodafones scalable, secure platforms, will underpin new fintech, healthcare, and industrial applications driven by a young workforce and startup culture. The Kinahan-linked Byrne Gang had planned to use the house as Drumany in Co Leitrim after their operations in Wexford had attracted too much garda attention. A HOUSE bought to be used by a cannabis growhouse operation has been sold for less than half the price spent on it before it was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau. The Kinahan-linked Byrne Gang had planned to use the house as Drumany in Co Leitrim after their operations in Wexford had attracted too much garda attention. Taxi driver Niall Smith believed by gardai to have run the cannabis-growing set-up, bought two remote properties in the county. Niall Smith The property at Drumany was bought in 2011 for 15,000 but Cab estimated that 422,355 was spent on building a house on the site. It sold for 206,000 at auction today in which four bidders competed to buy the property and house which had been refurbished to a high standard. The reserve price of 125,000 was met early in the auction process. A second house at Toomans, Co Leitrim had also been bought to be converted into a grow house on which Smith spent 86,000, according to Cab evidence. The home in Leitrim That is now due to go for auction next month with a reserve price of 25,000. Cab said Smith was involved in the large-scale cultivation of cannabis on the direction of a faction the current Kinahan Organised Crime Group namely FreDdy Thompson and Liam and was being monitored by lower level members. Garda intelligence indicated more grow houses were operating or being set up in Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon and Leitrim, according to Cab. Inside the house The two properties were at the centre of Cabs case against Smith to have them declared the proceeds of crime. Smith, who initially opposed the Cab case, had said he is a taxi driver who also does boat repairs and denied any involvement in crime and that his money came from undeclared earnings. He said he was living off income from renting out a room in his Clondalkin home and was able to get by on 200 a week. The Sunday World previously revealed how Smith had been exposed as the Byrne gangs cannabis grower in Ireland after being forced to hand over property to Cab. Originally from Crumlin, south Dublin, is said by Cab to have operated grow-houses throughout the country for more than ten years. Smith was suspected of using the cover of his taxi business to transport the cannabis from remote rural areas back up to the Crumlin area for sale. A sophisticated grow house at Courtown, Co Wexford, was discovered in 2013 where Smith was present at the time. The same year, 140 plants were found at an industrial unit in Swords along with Smiths fingerprint, but no charges were brought. One officer who investigated the Crumlin native described him in an affidavit as very shrewd in his criminal enterprise. He used as few people as possible in the operation with a view to reducing his exposure to law enforcement and remaining undetected, These grow-houses appear to be large in scale and professionally and efficiently run. Defendant had 61 previous convictions A motorist who led Gardai on a chase to the border during which he overtook at speed and ignored road signs has been convicted of five counts of dangerous driving. Daniel ORiordan (37), Mullacrew, Louth Village, contested the charges, testifying that he was not behind the wheel, nor even in the area where the pursuit commenced. His girlfriend also gave evidence that he was with her the whole time. Dundalk District Court heard that Gardai began a surveillance operation at Jenkinstown Post Office at 8.30am on December 2, 2024, to apprehend Mr ORiordan who had eight outstanding bench warrants. Gda Ian McDonnell said that he was in an unmarked car and at 4.27pm he spotted a silver Volkswagen Passat arrive. Mr ORiordan, whom he knew, was the sole occupant. This car went to the rear of the building, and he got out with his colleague Gda Darragh Prior. The Passat took off at high speed from a different exit and drove away from the post office. Gda McDonnell continued that they returned to the patrol car and pursued the other vehicle in the direction of the main Dundalk Road, activating the blue lights and siren. The Passat entered that road at speed without stopping at the junction and turned for Dundalk. The defendant overtook other traffic in a dangerous manner before taking a hard right onto a local road just beyond the entrance to Ballymascanlon Hotel. He took up the centre of the road and went straight through Thistle Cross onto another L road without consideration for other traffic. Gda McDonnell said the car continued at high speed, taking up the centre of the road. It overtook on a bend under a railway bridge and crossed into Northern Ireland. The witness said that he could see it driving dangerously along Edenappa Road. The PSNI was alerted. The pursuit was over 8.6km and lasted approximately eight minutes. On December 10 at 7.10am, the court heard, Mr ORiordan was arrested with the assistance of the Garda Armed Support Unit at a residence in Mullacrew. Gda McDonnell said the offending vehicle was parked tight to the rear of the dwelling so it couldnt be seen from the road. Gda Prior told how the car drove at speed in and out through oncoming traffic and was occupying the middle of the road. Daniel ORiordan was the sole occupant. Kim Leggett, a social care worker, said that she arrived with Daniel at a friends house in Dunleer at 1pm on December 2 and they were there until at least 4pm. They left for Culloville to pick up his wages and to get fuel for the house and then went to Mullacrew. Rebecca Floyd testified that Kim called over with her boyfriend Daniel around 1pm and stayed until around 4pm. Kim was driving her car. Daniel ORiordan said they were a good while in Rebeccas house, three or four hours. He wasnt sure on the time they left. He was staying with Kim in Louth Village. He didnt go to Bellurgan that day. They went to a yard in Culloville to collect his wages. He got his wages on a Monday. He could get a wages slip if required. The accused continued that he was in Bellurgan the next day. He gets the Dole in Jenkinstown Post Office. I wasnt driving. I wasnt even in Jenkinstown. Its not my car. I dont know who has access to it, Mr ORiordan replied to Inspector Martina Gallagher. Judge Nicola Andrews said that she was satisfied that the State had proved its case. The defendant was convicted of dangerous driving at Jenkinstown Post Office, Bellurgan, Ballymascanlon, Thistle Cross and Carrickaneena. There were 61 previous convictions, 27 under the Road Traffic Act, including for dangerous driving causing death for which a five-year sentence was imposed in February 2011. Barrister Eoghan Fagan said that Mr ORiordan was making some progress in trying to gain employment. He was doing a 360 Excavator Cert having completed Safe Pass. He was off drugs and engaging with Turas Counselling Service. Adjourning the case to June 4 for a probation report and community service assessment, Judge Andrews told the defendant the choice was in or out of custody, it was entirely in his control. If not suitable for community service, the judge indicated consecutive six-month sentences on two of the charges. If you meet me before then (June 4), all bets are off, Judge Andrews said. Legal aid was granted and the court certified for counsel. Shane Gantley (33) has been remembered as a beloved son A 33-year-old man who passed away while a prisoner in the Midlands Prison will be laid to rest tomorrow morning. Father-of-one Shane Gantley, late of Abbey Drive, Ashington, passed away in his cell on the D landing in the Co. Laois prison on Sunday last. His death is being treated as a suspected overdose. In a funeral notice posted online, Mr. Gantleys family described him as an adored and loving son who will be forever missed by his heartbroken mother Susan, beloved son Koa & Koas mother Aoife, loving father Derek, siblings Raymond, Anita & Rachel, his loving aunts & uncles, cherished cousins, nephews & nieces & a wide circle of special friends. Mr. Gantley, who is reposing at his mothers home today, will be removed tomorrow morning (Saturday) for 11.30am funeral mass at Whitefriar Street Church, Aungier Street, followed by burial afterwards at Mount Jerome Cemetery Harolds Cross. The Sunday World previously reported on how Mr. Gantley was found in his cell on the D landing of the Co Laois jail at around 11am. He had been serving a sentence totalling three years and eight months for a variety of criminal convictions, the most significant being an assault causing serious harm offence. A spokesman for the Irish Prison Services afterwards said in a statement: The Irish Prison Service can confirm a death in custody at the Midlands Prison on 20th April 2025. As with all deaths in custody, the Irish Prison Service, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana investigate where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroners Office. A prison source told the Sunday World at the time there was nothing to suggest that this tragic death is suspicious. Like virtually all jails in the county, the Midlands Prison is suffering from a severe overcrowding issue with it being at 113pc of bed capacity on Friday with 1011 prisoners in custody at the facility which has a bed capacity of 891. It is understood that the 33-year-old was sharing a cell with three other prisoners and gardai were called to the jail in the aftermath of his body being found. He was last seen alive at 8.30am this morning, according to jail sources. Searching the vehicle uncovered cash in bags before gardai went to his home and recovered more money Some of the cash seized put on display by gardai A Ukrainian man arrested in Dublin for possessing almost 1m in illegal earnings was a trusted member of transnational criminal organisation, a court has heard. Unemployed father of two, Vlodymyr Talriar, 37, who has been in Ireland since last year and resided in a flat on Marlborough Road, Dublin 7, was refused bail by Judge Gerard Jones today. Following a Garda National Drugs and Organised Bureau (GNDOCB) operation, Dublin District Court heard that Mr Talriar was caught red-handed and charged with possessing around 980,000 in suspected proceeds of criminal conduct. A contested bail hearing was told he had 314,060 at his home and 323,690 in his car on April 23 and 342,000 on April 9. Detective Garda Joanna Brown objected to bail and contended that the accused was a flight risk. She alleged that during the operation, he was stopped driving a car at Glenbeight Road, Dublin 7. Searching the vehicle uncovered cash in bags before gardai went to his home and recovered more money. The detective said Mr Talriar consistently changed his story about the origin of the money, claiming that it was his savings or that he had been asked to collect and drop it off; the money was wrapped in bundles and appeared to be proceeds of crime. The court heard that he had been getting 244 weekly from social welfare. It was also alleged that he had delivered 850,000 a day before his arrest for an unnamed man he described as a friend/business advisor. The charges are under section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, which carries a maximum 14-year sentence on conviction. The detective agreed with his solicitor, Luke Staines, that the accused had an ex-wife and two children living in Co Leitrim. The defence submitted that the accused was presumed innocent, had significant ties to this jurisdiction, had surrendered his passport, and would sign on twice daily at a garda station. The detective alleged the accused was a trusted and highly respected member of a transnational organised criminal organisation and would have access to substantial funds to leave the jurisdiction. Mr Talriar listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter and did not address the court. She agreed with Mr Staines that the accused could face a two-year wait until his trial in the Circuit Court and that he had no prior convictions or warrant record. However, he stressed that setting bail conditions would not allay her fears that he would fail to turn up for his trial if released. Denying bail, Judge Jones held Mr Talriar was a flight risk. Legal aid was granted. Rafik Ben Salah (38), was sentenced to eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempting to escape garda custody while being extradited to Spain A Spanish national, who attempted to run from gardai in Dublin Airport while he was being extradited, is now suing the gardai. Rafik Ben Salah (38), was later sentenced to eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempting to escape garda custody while being extradited to Spain on December 9th 2022. Court documents show that Salah issued legal proceedings in the High Court naming Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, the state and the Attorney General as defendants on April 8th. Documents have not yet been filed in the case. Efforts to contact Salahs legal team for comment and further information were not responded to. During Salahs appearance before Dublin Circuit Court in December of 2023, Garda Robert Comerford, attached to the garda extradition unit, told the court that he and colleagues attempted to extradite Salah on December 9th 2022, on the foot of a European Arrest Warrant. Salah, the court heard, had previous convictions in both Ireland and Germany, including for robbery, theft, unauthorized entry, trafficking of narcotics, assault, harassment, and criminal damage. He previously served a 21-month sentence in Ireland for assault causing harm to a woman who was seven months pregnant. Gda Comerford and several colleagues collected Salah from the Midlands Prison and drove in a van to Dublin Airport. They handed Salah over to Spanish police near the aircraft that was going to take him to Spain. Gda Comerford was halfway up the stairs to the flight when he heard someone shout, He's running. He then saw Salah had broken loose of his bonds and was sprinting away. Gardai and the Spanish police officers ran after him in pursuit. People at the airport pointed in the direction where he ran when they temporarily lost sight of him. Gda Comerford heard shouting and saw one of the Spanish police officers pointing to a stairwell. He entered and saw a colleague struggling with Salah on the steps. Salah was resisting violently. He was shouting and kicking out. Three gardai were eventually able to detain him. At this point, the Spanish police officers refused to take him on the plane to Spain. They boarded it themselves and left the country. Another extradition order was granted, and on December 22nd, 2022, Gda Comerford and colleagues tried again. Before the second attempt at extradition, gardai checked in on Salah in his cell. They saw he had self-harmed and had cuts across his stomach. The injuries weren't deemed to be serious, and he was considered fit to travel. Salah was brought to a search area by the aircraft when gardai became aware of a strong smell. They then discovered Salah had defecated himself. They met with the Spanish police officers, told them of the situation, and the Spanish police spoke with the captain of the flight, which was due to take Salah to Spain. The captain refused to let Salah board, so the Spanish police left Ireland, and the extradition warrant was withdrawn. Ronan Prendergast BL, defending, said his client came to Europe for work and says his actions speak to someone who was effectively desperate to remain in this jurisdiction. He said Salah has been in custody for the vast majority of his time in Ireland, and that time has been difficult for him. He said his client was acting out of desperation. In sentencing, Judge Elma Sheahan highlighted that Salah was only at large for a short period of time due to the immediate response of the gardai. She placed the offending at the low end of the scale and set a headline line sentence of ten months. Judge Sheahan highlighted the guilty plea and that serving time in an Irish prison as a non-national can be difficult as a mitigating factor. She sentenced Salah to eight months in prison backdated to when he went into custody earlier this year. Gardai encountered the thief when they arrived at the premises and pursued him on foot A man in his 30s has been arrested following the theft of 50,000 worth of jewellery during an early morning burglary in Dublin City Centre. Gardai responded to reports of a break-in at a shop on Kildare Street at approximately 2.45 am on Friday morning. On arrival, they encountered the suspect, who fled the scene on foot. Gardai chased the man who went into St Stephens Green park. He was apprehended by the pursuing officers, arrested and taken into custody. Gardai sealed off St. Stephens Green park to search for the stolen jewellery, which was discovered inside a bag in the park. The stolen goods are estimated to be valued at 50,000. The mans currently being detained at a Garda Station in Dublin, and investigations are ongoing. Gardai in Pearse Street have arrested a man in his 30s this morning following a burglary at a business premises on the morning of Friday, 25th of April 2025, a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said. At approximately 2:45am, Gardai responded to reports of a burglary at a retail premises on Kildare Street, Dublin 2. On arrival, they encountered a suspect and he fled the scene on foot. He was observed entering St. Stephens Green park and pursued by Gardai on foot. The man (20s) was apprehended by Gardai in the park and arrested, the continued. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in Dublin in connection with this incident. Gardai sealed St. Stephens Green park for the purpose of conducting a search of the area in daylight for the stolen jewellery. At approximately 6am, Gardai completing a search of the park located a bag and its contents. The jewellery stolen in this incident and now recovered by Gardai is estimated to be to the value of 50,000. Paul Woody Woodford, who is a notorious figure in Liverpools underworld, has convictions spanning 30 years A notorious gang enforcer who once scalped a woman has told a court he can only pay 1 back to the National Crime Agency (NCA) - despite making more than 585,000 (499,960.50) from his life of crime. Paul Woody Woodford, who is a notorious figure in Liverpools underworld, has convictions spanning 30 years, including one for scalping a woman with a machete. He also used a machete in another attack where he tortured a man with knives and a hot iron. At a proceeds of crime hearing on Thursday, prosecutor Alex Leach KC told Manchester Crown Court that Woodford agreed with them that he had benefited 585,000 (499,960.50) from his life of crime. However, counsel for Woodford, said their client only had 1.20 (1) available to pay back. Judge John Potter told the court that the figure was nominal given his circumstances, but made a confiscation order for the 1, saying There is no time to pay. Counsel for Woodford told the court that their client had applied for his own proceeds of crime confiscation to be postponed while awaiting an expert report to confirm the prosecution's evaluation of the amount of drugs he trafficked was accurate. Woodford (60) was previously charged with the 2012 murder of Jason Osu (31). During the trial, he slashed his own throat and refused to give evidence. Following a seven-week trial and five days of deliberations, he was found not guilty and walked free. Three other men were found guilty and are currently serving their time in prison. Woodford was a member of the Huyton Firm - a large-scale organised crime group involved in drug trafficking, blackmail, contract killing and violent crime. Also known as the Cantril Farm Cartel, it's headed up by Vincent Coggins, known as The Gaffa and The Headmaster alongside his brother Francis. Their powerful drug gang rose to prominence in Merseyside following the downfall of other gangs, such as the one headed up by the notorious Curtis Cocky Warren. The gang originated in a small village and grew to gain a feared reputation, commanding respect from other crooks. Their downfall came when French authorities hacked EncroChat, an encrypted messaging service used by criminal organisations to conduct their business. Woodford, Coggins and two other men Michael Earle and Edward Jarvis used the site to plot to uncover the perpetrators of a violent armed robbery whereby 1m of worth of cocaine was stolen. Vincent Coggins The incident occurred on May 23rd 2020 at a home on Croxdale Road West, and saw the homeowner and his son assaulted. Detectives monitoring their messages took action when their plot unfolded, and the gang planned not only to recover the drugs, but also to kill those they believed were involved in the raid. Coggins, who used the name Moonlitboat discussed the robbery with Woodford who used the name Kingwasp Heads gone. I've got the c**t bang to rights. Give *** chance today to give back, f**k the doe m going to kill him an his firm, he wrote in one message. Woodford asked Coogins if he wanted him to buy him a belter, which was code for gun. "M8 just bought load more, we cool for tools, Coggins responded. The men, along with several other members of the gang, were arrested in June 2020. In 2024, Woodford was sentenced to 24-and-a-half years behind bars for his role in the plot, with Coggins receiving a 28 year term. It comes following an incident whereby they were allegedly forced back onto trains and prohibited from attending a Christmas market A police watchdog is set to launch a probe into the alleged heavy-handed treatment, and racial profiling of Irish Traveller children. It comes after a number of Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller youths were prohibited from attending a Christmas market in Manchester. Its alleged that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) forced them back onto trains as they arrived at Manchester Victoria on November 23 of last year. A dispersal order was issued on the day after police said intelligence had been received about anti-social behaviour on trains. A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that the watchdog has received a request to review the incident and the cops handling of the complaint. The Traveller Movement has asked for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review the case, saying the police response to their complaint. Yvonne MacNamara, Chief Executive Officer, said the children involved had been "humiliated, manhandled and denied basic respect and safeguarding. The charity allege that children were separated from their families, subjected to abuse and remarks about their ethnicity, and forced onto trains going to unknown destinations. Police reps met with The Traveller Movement to address their concerns following the incident. "This forum was open and constructive," a spokesperson for the GMP said, adding that they looked forward to working more closely with community representatives going forward. Assistant Chief Constable for the GMP, Rick Jackson, expressed "regret at the distress caused" by the incident, and added that the use of police powers were "not taken lightly" and used with a great deal of consideration. "Our clients are hopeful that an IOPC review will expose what they believe is the clear institutional racism that led to this appalling incident, a legal representative for The Traveller Movement said. The 38-year-old Derry Girls star and her fellow actor beau posed for the camera as they arrived at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London Nicola Coughlan has made her red carpet debut with her boyfriend Jake Dunn. The couple walked the carpet at the BAFTA TV and Craft awards nominees party on Thursday. The 38-year-old Derry Girls star and her fellow actor beau posed for the camera as they arrived at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Coughlan stunned in an elegant figure-hugging black blazer mini dress, the back of which was adorned with a large tulle bow with a train. She paired the fit with black opaque tights, a black clutch and a pair of black open-toed heels. Jake opted for a more casual look, pairing a pair of white Adidas trainers with a navy suit. He also wore a wine jumper with a white striped shirt featuring an open collar. Nicola and Jake confirmed their romance in October after they were spotted returning home hand-in-hand from a pub trip in North London. The pair had long kept their budding romance under wraps. Dunn and Coughlan were acquainted by their mutual friend, Louisa Harland, who starred in both Renegade Nell and Derry Girls. She shared a snap of the couple on her Instagram stories last March. Jake Dunn and Nicola Coughlan attend the BAFTA Television and Television Craft Nominees' Party The couple went Instagram official in February when the Bridgerton star posted a sweet snap to her Stories to mark Jakes 25th birthday. Sharing a picture of Dunn sitting on a film set as he gazed upwards to the sky, she captioned the post Happy Birthday, adding an emoji love heart. In August the pair were seen at London's All Points East festival with their arms wrapped around each other dancing, but their relationship was not confirmed. Nicola reportedly dated actor Laurie Kynaston who appeared in an episode of Derry Girls alongside her. Kynaston played the role of a protestant student who was paired with her character Clare on a day of cultural exchange. Though they never publicly confirmed their romance, they have shared snaps online together. The pair reportedly split to focus on their careers. Fans of Bridgerton had previously hoped she was in a relationship with her character Penelope Featheringtons love interest Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton. Speaking to Extra, the pair said the thought it was really sweet but ultimately denied dating. We think its really sweet, I think because we truly love each other, you know what I mean? Coughlan said. He is a really special person in my life, and I got to do this experience with him. Ill never get to do something like this again, on this scale. Like are you kidding me? Were here in New York City, having our premiere. So its so nice having such a lovely friend that I can do all this with. Tauranga mural artist Sam Allen is set to leave his mark on Japan literally with a large-scale mural as part of an international arts residency in the town of Namegawa. The 25-year-old left on Thursday for a 14-day residency under the Creative Power Garage 101 Pondalize Art Project, a cultural initiative based about an hour from central Tokyo. The programme invites international artists to collaborate with communities through immersive art experiences. We believe that Sams artwork will not only contribute to the revitalisation of our community but also encourage the creation of new relationships and inspire future generations cultural expressions, Pondalize Art Project Art Director Miyuki Kobayashi said. His work will delve into the spirit cherished by our ancestors and carry it forward into future activities. Pond water Allens mural will be inspired by Pond Culture a tribute to traditional rice cultivation methods sustained by pond water in the region. Once I go around the community, Ill decide on a design, Allen said. Ill also be visiting museums in Tokyo and nearby areas to gather ideas. The artist, who applied online, said accommodation and meals were provided as part of the residency. His mural will cover an area roughly the size of a two-storey building. I feel really good about going, he said. Launched in 2020, the Pondalize Art Project was founded by a collective of 10 artists and researchers. It has since grown into a hub for cultural exchange, blending art, heritage, and environmental consciousness through shared living, creative projects, and exhibitions. Allen has been a resident artist at Taurangas Incubator Creative Hub since he was 19, after being mentored by Bolivian artist Pablo Riaz during an international residency. Since then, Sam has been an integral part of the Creative Hub, Incubator Creative Hub director Simone Anderson said. As a self-taught artist, he has steadfastly honed his craft and developed a deep connection with the local community. Extraordinary Sams journey with us has been nothing short of extraordinary and the perfect example of how an early mentorship can spark motivation and give the tools for artists to self-develop and grow. With more than 30 public artworks to his name across New Zealand, Botswana, Namibia, and Australia, Allen is no stranger to travelling with his brushes. He said his journey wont end in Japan. I dont have a return date yet, he said. Ill keep travelling around Asia Korea and other places and hope to continue painting murals along the way. Though his departure is bittersweet, Anderson said the team at the Incubator was proud of his next step. While were sad to see him go, were excited to see how his next adventure unfolds, Anderson said. His legacy will continue to inspire many young people, and we look forward to seeing how he injects his spirit into the Pondalize project. Alaric Whitty Whitmore lifts his trouser leg to reveal a bandage that protects the skin damaged by radiation 80 years ago when he walked through the ruined city of Hiroshima. People dont realise what it is, said the 99-year-old Ohauiti resident, referring to his wounds. Muggins me was wandering around six weeks after the bomb in shorts and boots, no shirt with a tin hat. I really copped it. Years younger Its just one of the physical reminders of World War II, which he left for as a teenager after persuading his mother to sign the form claiming he was 18. He was actually several years younger. Alaric "Whitty" Whitmore, aged 99, holds a framed copy of his military photograph. Photo / Brydie Thompson I just wanted to travel, said Whitmore of his naive imaginings as a boy eager to see the world. Mum had a brother in the New Zealand Navy and another whod died in the Battle of Britain. She said: No and I thought that was the end of it, but I woke up the next morning and she said: You got that paper? Ill sign it, but you come home. After training at Burnham Army Camp, Whitmore joined the 27th Machine Gun Battalion 2nd NZEF in Tunisia. Sergeant It wasnt long before he was promoted to sergeant and one day, on a march across open land, he was injured by a stray bullet, which exited through a scar left by a childhood appendix operation. Whitmores men arrived at the Battle of Monte Cassino the night before it ended in May 1944 and were immediately placed on the front line. It wasnt nice, said Whitmore. Theres nothing to tell you about being in action but you stuck with your mates. We looked out for each other. He was still in Italy just over a year later, when the war ended and Whitmore was reassigned You didnt question; you just went but first, he kept his promise, flying back to New Zealand to see his mother before joining the advanced guard to set up J Force in Japan. I was in charge of an area around the size of the North Island, he said. We had no maps and it would take six months to get all the gear shipped from Italy, so I was kitted out with gear and a Jeep by the Americans. My job was to find buildings that would be suitable for barracks and check bridges were safe for heavy vehicles. Former sergeant Alaric "Whitty" Whitmores war medals pinned on his suit. Photo / Brydie Thompson Hiroshima was on the way to where Whitmore was to be stationed. I got off the train to have a look. The bomb had killed millions and people were still dying at a rate of eight every day from radiation poisoning while we were there. Sad It was a friend who suggested his life story would make a good book. Although reluctant at first, he agreed and Whittys story: The Life and Times of Alaric Davenport Whitmore was released in 2020. This Anzac Day, when Whitmore pulls on his blazer thats adorned with medals to attend the ceremony at Tauranga cenotaph, his thoughts inevitably turn to the friends hell never see again. It makes me feel sad for all the people who didnt come home. A bit of history will close when the Tauranga RSA merges with Mount Maunganui RSA at the Mount site in February next year. Falling membership and low interest from youth have taken their toll, members say. Tauranga RSA (Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association) president Morton Anderson cited shrinking income from the bar and a mixture of other reasons as catalysts for the change. He said the club had boasted a membership of more than 3000 in its prime. Morton Anderson and Duncan Poole discuss the closure of the Tauranga RSA. It is a shrinkage. It did not happen overnight. The merger has been a two-year process and was a distressing time for Anderson, who convinced the committee they had to move. It is the end of an era, he said. The RSA will pack more than 500 pieces of memorabilia and medals, and move them to the Mount Maunganui RSA. Discussions are being held about digitising the collection. It is about appealing to younger people. They dont want to feel trapped in a museum. RSA Tauranga vice-president Duncan Poole said there is a stigma around RSA membership, where people think you need to be old or a retired service member. But anyone is welcome. Tauranga RSA vice president Duncan Poole. Poole said younger members who served in Afghanistan and other recent conflicts had wants and needs the RSA could address. But they are not coming to us. The RSAs primary mission is to help former military members find support, Poole said. Anderson believed the move would cause some attrition in terms of membership. The RSA acts as a community hub for many local service members and while buses will shuttle members between Mount Maunganui and Tauranga, the harbour bridge may be a barrier for Tauranga members, Anderson said. Anderson said the Tauranga RSA building had started to show its age. It needs quite a bit of maintenance, he said. Former RSA Tauranga president Fred Milligan said the building underwent a major revamp in 1998 and added the Oaktree restaurant. God knows what was here to start with but we have done a bit of work. Former RSA Tauranga president Fred Milligan. Anderson said the Tauranga City Council approached the RSA about the relocation. While the Tauranga RSA moved to its current physical location in 2009, Milligan said the association had been part of the citys fabric since December 12, 1918. The Mount Maunganui RSA is significantly younger than us. According to the Mount Maunganui RSA website, it opened in 1943. The memorial wall outside RSA Tauranga. Milligan said he was responsible for the memorial wall outside the RSA before he joined the committee. The building where the RSA is located is home to all sorts of memorabilia and even the occasional ghost, he said. We call him George. Despite the fear of losing members, Anderson said joining the Mount Maunganui location had many positives. The Tauranga RSA will fully amalgamate with the Mount RSA by February and the current location will be handed over once a purchaser is found. We are amalgamating with a like-minded establishment. Mount Maunganui RSA general manager Karen Cooper and president Greg Baxter. Mount Maunganui RSA general manager Karen Cooper said they welcomed the Tauranga branch with open arms. Hopefully, we can come up with a plan that will accommodate the members getting here without any undue hardship. Cooper said the process of digitising the RSAs memorabilia and medal collections was an exciting project and would allow the younger generation to engage with history. The stories of the people, not just photos of a ship, but given the story of what it was, where it fought. Club president Greg Baxter said Mount Maunganui RSAs membership would expand to more than 5500 once the amalgamation was complete. This will become the biggest RSA country, he said. Travel will be the only major hurdle, and Baxter would feel the sting of travelling from Pyes Pa to the Mount. I understand trying to ship some of the members over here. And we need to sit down and ensure we have a plan, he said. Work between the two locations was under way before Februarys amalgamation. Mort and I have got some papers to sign next week, then everything will be able to start moving, Baxter said. On the cusp of dawn, a large crowd gathered outside the Mount Maunganui cenotaph in Marine Parade for the 2025 Anzac dawn service. Warbirds buzz over the Mount Maunganui cenotaph. Photo / David Hall The crowd received a welcome from Mount RSA president Greg Baxter, who reminded them of what Anzac Day stands for. To honour the service and the sacrifice of those who have served our nation. A member of the Western Bay Cadet Unit stands in silence at the dawn service in Mount Maunganui. Photo / David Hall A mixture of veterans, service members, cadets and civilians lined the streets, with the crowd stretching on to the bank of Hopukiore Reserve. Former Warrant Officer Darryn Douglas, now riding with the Patriots motorcycle group of past and present service members, said the day was a chance to reflect on those who died for our country. Former Warrant Officer Darryn Douglas. Photo / David Hall Sentinel guard commander Dusty Roper, of the Western Bay Cadet Unit, was attending his fifth Anzac Day service and had looked forward to leading his group on to the cenotaph grounds. We have been practising, practising the drill movers, and practising the sequence and getting everything down. Sentinel guard commander and Western Bay cadet Dusty Roper. Photo / David Hall A Western Bay cadet acts as a sentinel guard at the cenotaph. Photo / David Hall At the Tauranga RSA, emotions ran high on a bittersweet day as the branch prepared to merge with the Mount RSA in February. It is a sad day, Tauranga city councillor Marten Rozeboom said. Former Tauranga RSA president Captain Fred Milligan. Former president and Royal New Zealand Army Captain Fred Milligan enlisted in 1955 and fondly remembered his time there. He recalled an officer leaving a driver in his charge who had become irritating, when he was a lance corporal. He asked, What can I do? So I told him, go away and paint The Last Post, Milligan said. The man in his charge disappeared for some time before eventually reappearing. Milligan said it turned out the man had painted all the posts near a live training area. When he joined the army, it was a class of 30 people. Now, there are seven of us left. Milligan has witnessed Anzac Days in Australia and New Zealand and placed a wreath at a service in Southport, Queensland. I couldnt believe it. The crowd they got there in Southport was just unbelievable. The evocative Papamoa dawn service was initially set up to relieve pressure on the dawn service at Hopukiore and has grown larger yearly. It marked the third anniversary at Papamoa, organiser Buddy Mikaere said. Papamoa dawn service organiser Buddy Mikaere. Photo / Andrew Warner The dawn service included students from Papamoa College and involved the local Turkish community. Anzac Day is special for Mikaere because his family has been involved in nearly every major conflict for more than 100 years. It featured a significant Maori component with the benediction in te reo, accompanying two waitai. After the dawn service, Mikaere said the Papamoa fire brigade hosted breakfast. The Last Post and the placing of the wreaths were among the highlights of this years dawn service, hosted by the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council, District Mayor James Denyer said. It is important to remember the service and huge sacrifices made on our behalf. Anzac Day also allows the mayor to see representatives from all sections of his community come forward to place their wreaths. It also gives us a chance to reflect on the suffering that wars create and learn the lessons of the past. Denyer attended the dawn service in Katikati and the civic service in Te Puke. This Anzac Day marked Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdales first in office, but the occasion has long been a chance for him to reflect and share memories with his family who served. Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale addresses the crowd at the civic memorial service at the cenotaph in Memorial Park. Photo / Tom Eley Its a chance to remember and honour those who have served and continue to serve our country in theatres of global conflict. Drysdale welcomed the crowd to the civic memorial service at the cenotaph in Memorial Park. On this day, we remember the event of 25 April 1915. The troops landed and cost the lives of many young soldiers and deeply impacted the families and communities they left behind. Tauranga made a significant contribution in both world wars, general manager of community services Barbara Dempsey said. More than 500 men from Tauranga volunteered during World War I when the city had a population of fewer than 3000 at that time, she explained. Royal New Zealand Navy Sub-Lieutenant Alex Eichelbaum. Photo / Tom Eley Guest speaker Sub-Lieutenant Alex Eichelbaum, Royal New Zealand Navy, wished 100-year-old John Clark a happy birthday at the civic service. John enlisted in the Royal Navy just before his 17th birthday in 1942, becoming a telegraphist on the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk until 1945. Teenager at war: Royal Navy signalman and telegraphist John Clark, of HMS Suffolk. Photo / Supplied He discharged as leading signalman in April 1946. Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell said it was a very moving day and a chance to reflect on those who made modern New Zealand possible. At the Waihi Beach RSA, club manager Mel Gearon said a crowd of over 1000 people turned up to the dawn service. Gearon said it was important to remember and honour the Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The sacrifices they made should not be forgotten. Alekk M. Saanders Friday, 25 April 2025, 19:41 | Updated 21:01h. Compartir Most sources present Zurab Tsereteli as a Russian painter, sculptor and architect. However, he is also a Georgian artist who was in constant contact with his homeland. Zurab Tsereteli was born in Tbilisi on 4 January 1934. He studied art in the Georgian capital. There he married Inessa Andronikashvili, a princess from a noble Georgian family. In the 1960s Tsereteli worked as a staff artist at the Georgian Academy of Sciences, participating in research expeditions that influenced his work. During that very period Tsereteli began experimenting with bronze, glass, stone, wood and mosaics. During the quite isolated Soviet era, Tsereteli managed to travel abroad to meet foreign artists whom he greatly admired. For example, in 1964 he travelled to France for a three-month internship and met Pablo Picasso in his studio. It is believed that that experience of personal dialogue with the Malaga-born genius largely determined Tseretelis later creative production. The artist's works were also influenced by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, including Marc Chagall, with whom he was personally acquainted. Eventually Zurab Tsereteli moved to Moscow. In the Russian capital the artist served as president of the Russian Academy of Arts from 1997 until his death. Additionally, 30 years ago, the artist founded the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, which officially opened in 1999, becoming the first state museum in the country fully dedicated to modern and contemporary art. In 2012 Tsereteli also founded the Museum of Contemporary Art in his native Tbilisi. The Georgian-Russian master became famous for his large-scale and sometimes controversial monuments, not only in Russia and other countries, but also in Andalucia. For example, The Birth of a New Man (El Nacimiento del Hombre Nuevo) was unveiled in San Jeronimo Park in Seville in 1995 (along with a smaller version that was donated to Unesco), in honour of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World by Europeans. The huge sculpture, 32 metres high and weighing 476 tonnes, was ironically dubbed as Huevo de Colon (The Egg of Columbus). The park is located in the north of Seville, far away from tourist paths and therefore hardly known even to locals. Zoom Tsereteli's sculpture in Puerto Banus. Josele In contrast, another Columbus that is often defined as "that bronze guy with arms wide open" has been serving as a meeting point in Puerto Banus for three decades. The sculpture, officially titled Victory, was installed in Marbella's luxury harbour in 1996. In March 2016, Zurab Tsereteli was appointed a Unesco Goodwill Ambassador. His monument The Tear of Grief (actually it is called To the Struggle Against World Terrorism), consisting of a huge drop suspended in the crevice of an enormous bronze rectangular tower, includes the names of all the victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York. This Sunday, in the Granada village of Polopos, home to numerous Dutch nationals and a popular holiday destination for many more, local wine with its characteristic orangish hue will be pouring from fountains Four friends out of the six who run the restaurant. Alekk M. Saanders Friday, 25 April 2025, 19:01 Compartir The province of Granada gained its own Dutch spot six years ago in the pretty village of Polopos after Dutch television filmed the reality show Het Spaanse Dorp (The Spanish Village) there. Viewers watched as five Dutch families went to live and work to breathe new life into this tiny village. Since then, many more Dutch people have been coming to the lower Alpujarra region to holiday, or even to live, in a better climate. For a sense of comfort People say that to make the Dutch feel at home, they must eat food that they are acquainted with. They prefer the taste and quality of familiar home-cooked food that creates a sense of comfort, especially when travelling abroad or living in a foreign country. So it's no surprise at all that Polopos has its own Dutch restaurant, where the Dutch owners strive to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where their compatriots feel at home. Some years ago Esther and Rene left Rotterdam for Polopos and opened La Cantina Verde, a restaurant that served organic food. Last year, the restaurant was taken over by a group of friends, newcomers from the Netherlands. Polopos has its own Dutch restaurant, where the owners strive to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where their compatriots feel at home "Two years ago my partner Tom and I bought a house in Polopos, intending to spend winters there. At the beginning of 2024, we learned from the owners of La Cantina Verde that they wanted to leave. We didn't want the restaurant to close as it is the heart of Polopos, where there are no restaurants or stores, only a small bar," Jetteke Peeters told SUR in English. "For locals and tourists it was important to keep it open. So we contemplated taking it over. We got our friends Julia and Erwin to join us, then moved to Polopos with only having visited once before. Bar Restaurant Julia was opened at the end of summer 2024. Since then we have two other companions, Edwin and Karin. This way we can divide efforts and ensure that we can be open six days per week, she added. Like most Dutch people who have settled in Spain, Jetteke and her staff speak very good Spanish. This proves their level of integration into the local society. Their Dutch restaurant cuisine is also integrated with Andalusian cooking. "Our cuisine is a harmonious blend of traditional Andalusian flavours and international influences, carefully composed to surprise and delight every guest. That's why we offer an international menu with Dutch, Spanish and other specialities," Jetteke explained. Incidentally, both the colonial history of the Netherlands and the recent influx of immigrants have contributed to Dutch people welcoming more exotic dishes and, in many cases, modifying them to their liking. For example, Jetteke is proud to invite diners to taste sate, a fare of Indonesian origin. It is made of skewered chicken meat with peanut sauce poured on top. Restaurant Julia can serve as a good example of how classic Dutch cuisine is being updated. The menu at the Polopos restaurant features Dutch specialities with a modern twist, which are enjoyed by other foreigners and locals alike. For example, the local pig solomillo (sirloin) in the famous Dutch style Loetje has become their signature dish. "Loetje is a restaurant chain in Holland known for its steak. We serve it in a sauce and with bread for dipping. It's absolutely gorgeous! Jetteke added. No less gorgeous is frikandel speciaal - a minced-meat sausage, the history of which, according to some sources, dates back to the 17th century and the Spanish Netherlands. Today 600 million frikandellen are produced each year in the Netherlands and quite a lot in Polopos. 'Costa' wine with an orange hue Meanwhile Polopos itself is becoming famous for its wines. The village, located a few kilometres from the Costa Tropical, has its own costa. This is the common name for local rose. Costa is considered to be an ideal match to Granada ham - jamon de Trevelez - and other meat dishes, and is also a great reason to arrange a big wine party which is already a tradition in the village. Zoom Polopos' wine fountain. SUR This year the Dutch Koningsdag celebration on 27 April coincides with the celebration of costa in Polopos as the original XXIV Fiesta del Vino Polopos planned for 16 March was postponed due to rainy weather. Polopos-La Mamola town hall told SUR in English that a fountain (similar to the lion fountain in the Alhambra) will be installed in the main square of Polopos. And this is another symbolic coincidence as the lion is also depicted on the coat of arms of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Zoom Instead of water, 'costa' wine will be poured, sparkling in the sun with its orangish hues. Everyone is invited to drink it for free Instead of water, 'costa' wine will be poured, sparkling in the sun with its orangish hues. Everyone is invited to drink it for free. In addition, live music and paella will turn the event into a 100 per cent celebration. Jetteke and her Dutch colleagues will not be cooking on the day, but will simply enjoy the festivities by adding a little of their own orange to Sundays event. Helping out was just the natural first reaction for the American Legion Chester R. Vickery Post 12 Auxiliary when they learned that 91 veterans from the Command Sgt. Maj. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins Veterans Home in Enterprise had been displaced due to a fire at the home April 16. The Dothan-based Post 12 Auxiliary collected items to bring to Enterprise and Easter weekend, Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Riders brought some $3,000 worth of clothing, reading glasses, phone charges, puzzle books, pens, slippers, alarm clocks and 12 television sets to Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Center for the veterans who had been relocated there April 16, said Auxiliary President Diane Irby. We also gave out Easter gift bags. The Dothan group visited with the veterans for several hours, some setting up the television sets for their new owners, Irby said. Helping veterans is what we do and helping out was just the natural first reaction when we heard about the fire. Poppy Day Irby said that the local unit appreciated the state-level American Legion Auxiliary contribution of $1,500 to the project. The donations were from funds raised through the distribution of poppies on National Poppy Day. Led by the American Legion Auxiliary, each year members of the American Legion family distribute poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower make a donation to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs, said Irby. This year Poppy Day is May 23, and we will be at Sams in Dothan. We are asking peoples support as we strive to replenish the funds in our local account so we can continue to help veterans. Fire ruled accidental The fire started around 5:45 p.m. April 16 in the roof of the rear of the 182,000 square foot building. Two contractors were working on vents on the roof over the kitchen when the fire started, said Deputy State Fire Marshal Wesley Snodgrass, who was on the scene of the fire. The fire was contained to the shingles, plywood, and Styrofoam insulation sitting atop a steel metal base of the roof, he said. Several areas of the building sustained smoke and water damage, but the residential areas were minimally impacted. The Alabama State Fire Marshals Office on Monday ruled the fire was accidental, concluding the investigation. Veterans express appreciation Irby said the veterans expressed appreciation for all that has been done for them following their evacuation. The staff has done an amazing job under difficult circumstances. Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner retired Brig. Gen. Jeff Newton echoed that sentiment in a statement Monday. I still cannot say enough about the veterans home staff and their execution of the homes evacuation plan, Newton said. Though the fire did not directly impact any of the residential wings, the staffs ability to have all 91 veterans out of the home within 25 minutes of the evacuation order being issued was critical in the incident remaining injury-free. Finding the appropriate words to show gratitude is difficult, but please know your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, Newton said. The same can be said for the overwhelming response from the Enterprise and Wiregrass communities. Your concern, support, and love have been felt from calls to texts, social media posts, donations, and more. Moving forward Newton said the veterans home, which opened in September 2024, will remain closed until the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs determines the long-term plan to bring the veterans back home. Much work must be done before reopening the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home, he explained. We are still assessing the damage, but the reality is that though the fire never entered the building there is extensive water damage. It is too early to set a construction and completion timeline, but these efforts are already underway. I want to wholeheartedly thank the first responders who worked diligently to contain the fire and the many men and women whose continued effort spanned countless hours during the days following to lead to the fire being put out, Newton said. Please know that our number one priority is our veterans throughout this event and in the days ahead, Newton stressed. The Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Center, HMR, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Governor Ivey, volunteers, and families are ensuring that the continuum of care continues. We are so happy to be part of this community, and your response only further confirms why the Wiregrass was the appropriate location for the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home to be built, Newton added. Javier Recio Malaga Friday, 25 April 2025, 12:30 Compartir Malaga-based perfumery and cosmetics retail group Primor has started to see the light at the end of the tunnel after a judge cancelled 52 of the fines imposed by the same labour inspector. The official visited 42 of 44 shops that Primor has in the province and issued a total of 268 reports, citing infringement, obstruction and liquidation. The fines amounted to almost 30 million euros, which Primor appealed to the court. The civil servant had inspected 30 companies, under which the Primor brand is marketed, all on his own initiative and for all the matters he could investigate, i.e. social security, occupational risk prevention and labour relations, and for the maximum period allowed by law (four years prior to the date of the inspection). One of Primor's companies - China Red - was inspected by other officials in 2019 and 2020 and was fined a total of 74,416 euros. However, the inspection on the same matter, carried out later by the official Juan B., ended with a sanction of almost three million euros. "In total, he fined nearly 30 million euros, 15,000% more than the same companies had been fined in the numerous inspections they had undergone in the previous four years," said owner of Primor Juan Ricardo Hidalgo. Faced with such serious discrepancies and fines, the company suspected that it was being persecuted by the inspector and representatives went to the headquarters of the labour inspectorate, but they were not received. All this led to a series of complaints between Juan B. and Juan Hidalgo. The official informed his boss that the owner of Primor had coerced, threatened and slandered him during an inspection. This matter was referred to the prosecutor's office, which in turn referred it to an examining magistrate's court, which opened preliminary proceedings in 2021. In this procedure, the inspector appeared as a private prosecutor. This detail is relevant, because the courts have annulled numerous sanctions precisely for this reason, understanding that the official should have abstained, that is, that he should not have inspected the company against which he was going at a criminal level, because it could be understood that he had a manifest enmity - one of the causes for abstention or recusal. In October 2021, the court dismissed the complaint against Primor's owner, considering that there was no evidence of the offences that the inspector Juan B. had accused him of. Shortly after the complaint, Hidalgo filed a complaint for prevarication against the official. That complaint was dismissed in November 2021. However, the inspector was summoned to testify as a defendant on 24 April, and then again on 26 May. The company has had to advance five million euros to the Social Security and the regional ministry of employment for the aforementioned inspections To date, the courts have annulled around 50 sanctions. A total of 16 have ruled in favour of the company due to a lack of cause at the beginning of the inspector's actions; 23, because the court considered that the official should have abstained due to the existing complaints; 6, for misuse of power; and 19, because the judges maintained that a convention applied by the inspector to recalculate the Social Security contributions does not apply, according to lawyer Jorge Leon Gross. In financial terms, these court rulings have already reduced the penalties imposed by 15 million euros, although there are still dozens of legal proceedings to be settled. However, the company has had to advance five million euros to the Social Security Treasury and the regional ministry of employment as a result of the aforementioned inspections. SUR has had no success in trying to obtain statements from the inspector and the head of Malaga's labour inspectorate. Ana Barreales Friday, 25 April 2025, 13:56 Compartir The Andalusian public prosecutor's office sounded the alarm in its latest annual report: sexual crimes committed by minors have increased considerably over the last year. According to its head, Ana Tarrega, the causes lie in easy access to pornography and early sexual relations. Additionally, there are the assaults on minors committed by adults generally from their close environment and sometimes very dear family members, a reality that is very difficult to accept and deal with. Alas (wings in Spanish), created barely a year ago, is an association that offers comprehensive legal and psychological care to minors who are victims of sexual abuse and their families. The association offers help even if the victims decide not to report the abuse, because they will need psychological support regardless. In these few months they have already handled a ten cases, four boys and six girls aged between ten and 16, with their respective families, and they have four more in evaluation. Carolina Macias, lawyer and vice-president of Alas, explains, "Parents are often slow to see what is happening because they think it's something that will not happen to them, although there are signs that should alert the family: changes in behaviour, drop in school performance, withdrawn children who suddenly look for excuses not to go out with their friends or socialise with a cousin or go to their aunt and uncle's house." She recalled in particular a case in which a mother regretted that she had not noticed it earlier. She had seen her child playing with dolls and telling them: "Take off your clothes, sit down here, stand here, let me do this, let me do that." Her mother asked her: "What are you doing playing with those things, who do you play with at school? I'm going to talk to your teachers." And the girl said: "That's what I play with Daddy. Is that bad, Mum?" And the mother didn't believe her at first: "Go on, go on, stop this nonsense." Later, when she realised what was happening, she regretted not having paid attention to her daughter's testimony, but these situations are hard to process. Zoom Carolina Macias (left) and Rocio Morales (right) the vicepresident and president of Alas. Salvador Salas "There is no risk profile. The figure you least suspect could be the abuser. If it is a teacher, it is usually the one who is most loved by the group of children and adolescents" Rocio Morales In Alas they have projects to raise awareness and train parents and the health, police and legal sectors. "There is no risk profile. The figure you least suspect could be the abuser. If it is an adult to a minor, they usually have a friendly approach. If it is a teacher, it is usually the one who is most loved by the group of children and adolescents," explained Rocio Morales, president of the Alas association. Disgust, shame and guilt It is important to bear in mind that it takes an average of ten years before a victim of child sexual abuse is able to verbalise what happened to them. On a psychological level it is very difficult for them because they feel disgust, shame and guilt. They have a trauma that they can become aware of years after the abuse, when they are ten or 12 years old, or even later when they are already adults. Of course there are also those who had the misfortune of telling their story when they were young and not being believed at the time. As of 2021, with the Law for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents, the statute of limitations has been extended and the time within which a complaint must be filed has been extended. Now it will not expire until they are 40 years old, and in the most serious assaults, even later. In cases prior to 2021, it depends on when the last abuse they can remember was, how serious it was and what the after-effects were. The foundations of the association was a case of a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy who were going out together but then non-consensual sexual acts happened, which the girl decided to report The foundations of the association was a case of a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy who were going out together. Non-consensual sexually acts took place, including penetration and other sexual practices, and the girl verbalised and reported it some time later. The family found that the girl had to testify more than once: first at the police station and then at the prosecutor's office, instead of doing it once and recording it as pre-constituted evidence. There were several mistakes, including the police calling minors who had witnessed certain conversations and when they received the call, they already knew that the victim had reported. There was a lack of counselling, a lack of preparation of staff, and they even had to find and pay for a psychologist themselves. This coincided with some cases in nearby schools at the same time, where the established protocol was not being followed. One of the objectives of the Alas association is that neither the victims of sexual violence nor the families have to go through the process of re-victimisation over and over again. The family of the 12-year-old girl even had to move to another town. Despite having a restraining order, unfortunately, it is often the victims who have to move, because the further away they are, the more protected they feel. "The case ended with the abuser being convicted, which was an impressive empowerment for the girl," said Carolina Macias. Assault between minors can be difficult to detect. There is a lack of awareness from both the abuser and the victim that this is sexual violence These assaults between minors can be difficult to detect. There is a lack of awareness from both the aggressor and the victim that this is sexual violence. Education is needed from an early age to know what healthy relationships are like and what they can and can't do. "With such premature sexualisation and the consumption of porn from a very early age, many adolescents normalise behaviour that is not normal," said Macias. There are girls who allow certain things in sexual relations because they believe it is normal and they have been told that it is 'the right thing to do', even if they perhaps don't like it or feel comfortable doing it. The boy potentially doesn't even realise that he is raping her, because they have normalised what they see in porn and they think it's what they have to do with their partner. In the cases Alas has handled so far, there are six minors who have suffered abuse from adults - the other four cases are between minors. There are 12-year-old children who abuse six-year-olds by imitating pornography videos, there are also abusive relationships between couples. These are complex situations and moral judgement is very varied. So far three minors have been sentenced, and under the current law they are sentenced to socio-educational programmes. Not all of them will go to a detention centre, they can instead go through a probation scheme and attend workshops, because the law for minors aims to rehabilitate them through their sentences. "What 'heals' the victim is the sentence, especially if it is a sentence of conformity, which is when there is no trial because the accused directly acknowledges the facts. In the three cases we have had this has been the case" Carolina Macias For Carolina Macias, "what 'heals' the victim is the sentence, especially if it is one of conformity, which is when there is no trial because the accused directly acknowledges the facts. This empowers them a lot and in the three cases we have had this has been the case". In cases between minors, proof of consent is very important, even if at the time they did not say they did not want to do it. There are psychological reports that detect the credibility of the testimony, the after-effects and whether or not there has been sexual violence. Finally, it is the judges who, with the provided evidence, determine whether or not there was consent. The child aggressors themselves start to become aware of what they have done when they receive the complaint. Their initial reaction is usually: "She wanted to, she didn't say no." "But as the process progresses, which has nothing to do with the usual adult cases, you can't imagine how many minors start to think, 'Oh my God, what have I done'," said Macias. And when they receive sex education, participate in awareness campaigns and listen to testimonies of victims, they realise that what they were doing was not right. Increasingly violent porn "These cases have increased by almost 400 per cent in the last few years. 87 per cent of children between the ages of eight and 11 have seen porn online. Sex education is scarce, therefore children are informed through social media and increasingly violent porn," said Morales. Girls are objectified from a very young age in media, like reggaeton. And on TikTok, there are six and seven-year-olds making hypersexualised videos, dressed and made up as women. This also means that the minors themselves do not identify many things as child sexual abuse. Children and adolescents need to be clear about what they can and can't do, that their body is theirs and that they have the right to say what they do and don't want to do, and they need to be aware that there are limits that cannot be exceeded without express consent. "A lot of cases slip through the cracks. At the end of a conference or a workshop, someone always comes to ask you questions and realises that what happened to them a long time ago was sexual violence. How many children are keeping secrets, because it is always a secret: 'Don't tell anyone, this is between you and me'. How many young children have not yet developed their personality, nor their awareness that they are experiencing sexual violence, often from someone they adore," said Carolina Macias. Volunteers working selflessly Those who work in Alas are volunteers who do it selflessly. At the moment they have a space provided by the Diputacion in La Noria in Malaga and another, also provided, in Benalmadena. They have a 24-hour helpline (642 50 75 75 54) and can also be contacted through their Instagram @alasasociacion. The association can provide support in English, Spanish, Italian, German and French. Up until now there was the Margenes y Vinculos foundation, a non-profit organisation dependent on the regional government, which deals with cases of child sexual violence in court, as long as the forensic report determines that it generated after-effects. The problem is that in order to go to them the case has to go to court, whereas in Alas victims are cared for from the first minute, even if they decide not to report the abuse. The family may prefer not to report it, for example if it was by a brother or sister, but that minor is going to need help even if it goes unreported. And, on the other hand, you can't keep a child waiting to provide psychological support. Paco Grinan Malaga Friday, 25 April 2025, 13:35 Compartir The expansion of the Phoenicians transformed the Mediterranean and their legacy has been proven in Malaga province thanks to the abundant remains found of the trade, culture and religion of the people who came from the east. In addition to archaeological discoveries, scientific advances are increasingly providing new information about our past. One of these is palaeogenomics, the study of ancient DNA, a technique that is the focus of the latest international study in which the University of Malaga (UMA) has participated with the aim of finding the genetic footprint of the first Phoenicians who arrived in the central and western Mediterranean. Published by Nature, the results have even surprised experts who expected to find a clear direct inheritance. But the evidence indicates the opposite, as has also been seen in the remains of the Malaga inhabitants that have been preserved from the period. "There is scarce DNA, which has been a surprise since the Phoenician culture was adopted, but the population remained basically local people," explains Professor Enrique Viguera, head of the Genetics Department at the UMA, who has participated, along with archaeologists Sonia Lopez Chamizo and Jose Suarez, in this international study. The study concludes that the Phoenicians "were genetically diverse with almost no eastern ancestors". Viguera explains, "We use an iPhone, we take the kids to McDonald's and we celebrate Halloween, so we adopt US culture, but I'm still local. It is a very basic simile, but genetically the Phoenicians did not invade, but there was a cultural and economic transfer and their customs were assimilated." "It was a surprise, but the results were the opposite of what we expected," admits Viguera, who collaborated with the Spanish biologist and DNA expert Carles Lalueza Fox in this study, which was directed by Harald Ringbauer (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany), together with David Reich (Harvard University, USA) and Ilan Gronau (Reichman University, Israel), with the participation of more than 30 researchers from European and Mediterranean institutions. This scarce presence of Phoenician genomics is not only found in Malaga, but also in the rest of the Phoenician-Punic sites in the east, north Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Ibiza and the Iberian Peninsula (14 in total), which have participated in this project in which the DNA of 210 individuals has been analysed, of which eight are from Malaga. The Mediterranean highway The research was carried out by archaeologist Sonia Lopez Chamizo, the results of which are also included in her recently submitted doctoral thesis, which she will soon be completing. The specialist emphasises the other great discovery of this project, since the scarce trace of the Eastern Phoenicians is joined by a notable genetic diversity of the local population in the Punic period. "We have obtained a still photo that indicates that Malaga was already cosmopolitan and was a very important link in the Mediterranean with the interior of the peninsula," says the expert, who adds that our case is similar to that of other Phoenician sites, such as Carthage or Italy, "where the same dynamics are maintained with a lot of population movement and intense contact. "The Mediterranean was like a great highway of ships sailing and transmitting people and ideas," she explains. Despite the data, Lopez Chamizo advocates further research and increasing the sample of the eight Punic-era members who have participated in the study in order to draw even more accurate conclusions. UMA archaeologist Jose Suarez, director of the site of Cerro del Villar , explains that this study has involved the remains of individuals found in city, in Mundo Nuevo, Marmoles and Zambrana. "We do not have analysable Phoenician remains from the oldest phases - from the ninth century BC onwards - because they were cremated, but in the sixth century B.C. - Punic period - customs changed and burials became widespread, so it is from that time onwards that we have samples, such as the skull and teeth, from which DNA can be extracted", explains the expert, who adds that these burials probably belonged to aristocrats of the time, so we are also dealing with a very specific population. The sample from the Warrior's Tomb has been negative, so the expectation of knowing its Greek or local origin cannot be confirmed This genetic diversity of the Phoenician populations of the Mediterranean has, however, made it possible to find kinship with other members participating in the study in the eight members analysed from Malaga. These 'cousins' - in the second or third line - lived in populations in the Aegean-Mycenaean area (Greece) and in Sicily, which confirms precisely this genomic 'contamination' and contact with other Phoenician cities. A relationship that archaeology had already shown with the abundant Greek pottery found at sites in Malaga, as in the case of Cerro del Villar. In contrast, one of the samples on which most hopes had been pinned was the one taken from the well-known Tomb of the Warrior, which was discovered in 2012 on a site between Calle Refino and Calle Jinetes, and which is on display at the Museum of Malaga. Experts had hoped to find an answer to theories about the Greek or local provenance of this individual, but despite twice insisting on analysis, the petrous bone remains sent to Harvard were negative. "The secret of his origin has been taken to the grave," says Viguera. At least, for today's science. Megyn Kelly attends the 2025 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME) Getty Images for TIME Megyn Kelly is not a Blake Lively fan. On Thursday, Kelly and Lively attended the TIME100 gala in New York City after the publication named them both on its Most Influential People of 2025 list. And Kelly made it clear to reporters that she didnt think Lively deserved the honor. Its a ridiculous joke, the political commentator and Syracuse University alumna told the Daily Mail on the red carpet. She shouldnt be here. She has no influence over anything. Referencing Livelys legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, Kelly went on to claim that Lively launched a fake #MeToo allegation against Baldoni. Shes lived to regret doing it, because virtually every allegation she has made has fallen apart. And so for her to be honored for doing that, to try to ruin a man over absolutely nothing, is a scandal, Kelly continued. The former lawyer also joked that she was hoping to get a selfie with Lively and Meghan Markle from a distance since they both provided [her] with so many hours of content for The Megyn Kelly Show. I have a feeling [Lively is] going to be avoiding me, Kelly further said. I wont be avoiding anybody. Im good. Lively arrived at the gala with her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and her mother, Elaine. The publication recognized Lively as a philanthropist and a student of our countrys most intractable problems with her 2019 NAACP Legal Defense Fund contribution cited as a supporting factor. Lively sued Baldoni in December, alleging he sexually harassed her on set and that his team orchestrated a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation. Baldoni denied the allegations and subsequently filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane, for alleged defamation and extortion. A stabbing was reported at the Parkside Commons apartment complex in the 2000 block of East Fayette Street in Syracuse at about 4:20 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Jon Moss | jmoss@syracuse.com Syracuse, N.Y. Charges against a man who fatally stabbed another man have been upgraded to murder, according to an indictment. Gerren A. Whorley, 47, of Syracuse, was originally charged with first-degree manslaughter and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon on March 19. Syracuse, N.Y. Extra firefighters had to be called in for a two-alarm apartment fire on Syracuses North Side early Friday morning that displaced 17 people. At 2:51 a.m., firefighters arrived at 121 Pond St. where they found a three-story apartment building on fire, firefighters said in a news release. The building has five apartments and a store. Firefighters found thick smoke and fire on the third floor when they entered the building. The residents were alerted to the fire and managed to get out, firefighters said. Due to the amount of fire on the third floor, a second alarm was called and two additional engines and another truck came to the scene. Firefighters inside the building ran low on air and had to exit the apartment to refill air cylinders, firefighters said. The fire was growing in intensity and the decision was made to fight the fire from the outside. As the fire lessened, firefighters were able to fight the fire inside again. It took around an hour to extinguish the fire, firefighters said. Firefighters remained on scene for five hours to extinguish pockets of fire and clean up, firefighters said. Firefighters determined that the fire started in a third-story bedroom, firefighters said. The 17 people displaced are being assisted by the Red Cross, firefighters said. A car crash at South Salina Street and Kennedy Street on Friday, April 25, 2025. Rylee Kirk |rkirk@syracuse.com Update 8:50 p.m.: There are currently no reported outages in the area of South Salina Street at Furman Street were the crash occurred earlier Friday, according to an outage map from National Grid. Update 5:40 p.m.: A woman was taken to a hospital after she was involved in a single-car crash on a South Side street Friday, police said. When police arrived at the crash at South Salina Street at Furman Street, they only found one car with a woman in her 50s inside, according to Capt. Matthew Malinowski, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Police. The womans vehicle struck a utility pole, he said. The woman was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition, he said. South Salina Street between Kennedy Street and Martin Luther King East is still blocked off as power and traffic lights in the area are not working. About 136 people in the area are currently without power, according to an outage map from National Grid. Original story: Syracuse, N.Y. - Police have closed a South Side street and power is out in the area after a crash on Friday. The crash was reported at 12:01 p.m. on South Salina Street at Kennedy Street, according to dispatches from the Onondaga County 911 center. One person was reported unconscious after the crash, dispatchers said. An ambulance was asked to hurry its response. At the scene, one black car could be seen with damage to the front and back. A telephone pole was slanted and police asked bystanders to move out of worry it could fall. Police have closed South Salina Street between Kennedy Street and Martin Luther King East. Traffic lights in the area arent working. At least 45 people in the area are without power, according to an outage map from National Grid. This story will be updated when more information becomes available. Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com. Police investigate a shooting at the intersection of South West Street and West Fayette Street on the edge of Armory Square in Syracuse on Wednesday afternoon, April 23, 2025. Greta Stuckey | gstuckey@syracuse.com Syracuse, NY -- The two men in Wednesdays road-rage incident were apparently strangers before the deadly encounter, a prosecutor told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard on Friday. Ezell Hicks Jr., 61, was shot to death around 4:30 p.m. after leaving his vehicle at a busy rush-hour intersection and approaching another vehicle with a knife, authorities said. The shooter, a 43-year-old man who has not been publicly identified, had a passenger in his car at the time Hicks approached with the knife, prosecutor Robert Moran said Friday. The encounter between the two men had began only minutes before, less than a block away, Moran said. He revealed more details of what happened: While navigating busy rush-hour traffic, the two men began yelling at each other through open car windows at the intersection of West Fayette Street and the block-long divided lanes of the West Street arterial, Moran said. They both stopped their cars on Fayette Street, in the short block separating the north and south lanes of West Street, the prosecutor said. The cars were next to each other, facing the same direction, on the four-lane street. Hicks got out of his car to continue the argument, before returning to his car to get a knife and quickly approaching the open window of the other car. Thats when the man still in the car shot through the open car window at Hicks at close range, Moran said. Theres no evidence the two men knew each other before the brief encounter. The shooter had a legal pistol permit that allowed him to carry the gun at the time, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick has said. Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile said Thursday that none of the violence had to happen. Theres all kinds of ways to resolve this without it coming to this, he said. Drive on. Just dont get into a dispute to begin with. Fitzpatrick said Thursday that the case would be presented to a grand jury to decide whether or not the shooter would be charged. In New York state, a shooting is justified if someone has a reasonable fear that their life -- or someone elses -- is in danger and that there is no completely safe way to retreat. L to R: Hyde Healy, Aidan Micho, Julia DeCesare, Grace Reiter and Ryan Micho are members of the American High Shorts cast. (Chris Thompson | Courtesy of American High) Chris Thompson | Courtesy of American High American High Shorts just won its first Webby Award. The Syracuse-based sketch comedy series won the 2025 Webbys Peoples Voice category for best comedy on social media. It received the most votes online, beating out Comedy Centrals The Daily Show, The Jubal Show, Guys on Dating Apps and the Chefs Table Parody Series. American High Shorts will be honored May 12 in this years Webby Awards ceremony hosted by Emmy-winning Broad City star Ilana Glazer. American High Shorts is a digital extension of the Liverpool, N.Y., film studio American High, which produces teen-centered movies like The Binge, Big Time Adolescence, Prom Dates, and the upcoming Summer of 69. The shorts similarly focus on high school and social experiences with funny, Saturday Night Live-like sketches about things like bathroom passes, school dress codes, drivers ed, prom and teacher behaviors. New @AmericanHighShorts clips are released weekly to a huge audience, surpassing 1 billion total views on TikTok and 4 billion views on YouTube. Collectively, the brand has close to 10 million followers across multiple social media platforms. Videos are filmed in Syracuse and the surrounding area, including at American Highs headquarters, the former A.V. Zogg middle school and Liverpool high school. Filmmaking classes are also taught at the building, now known as Syracuse Studios. Like SNL, some of the most popular sketches can help inspire ideas for movies or feature recurring characters. American High Digital spinoff brands include College Life and the web series Minimum Wage. American High Digital director and producer Axelle Azoulay will share the Webby Award with American High President Will Phelps, American High founder Jeremy Garelick, social media manager Alexandra OHara, post-production coordinator Tristan Hall, and AH Shorts cast members Grace Reiter, Julia DiCesare, Hyde Healey, Tommy Armstrong, Ryan Micho and Aidan Micho. Reiter, DiCesare, Healey, and the Micho brothers have since graduated from AH Digital but will continue to appear in skits as guest stars, Azoulay said. Most of them also have roles in Summer of 69, which will be released May 9 on Hulu. American High Shorts current core cast includes Armstrong, Luke Burke, Pete Flack, Chelsea Matkins, and Lydia Hynes. Azoulay described them as the next generation of American High Shorts and College Life. AH Shorts also feature notable guest stars like model Charlotte McKinney, comedian Trevor Wallace, Accepted actor Adam Herschman, social media star Charles Brockman III (a.k.a. @c.b.3), The Goldbergs actor Kenny Ridwan, and the TikTok comedy duo Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, better known as @thats.a.bad.idea. The Webby Awards, first established in 1996, is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). The global organization of industry experts and technology innovators annually recognize the internets top websites, apps, videos, creators, podcasts and more. Syracuse, N.Y. More than 400 students, citizens and professors at Syracuse University attended a Hands Off rally Thursday against the Trump administrations defunding of education and targeting of international students. Hands off our bodies, students, schools and democracy, the large crowd chanted Thursday afternoon on the university quad. The rally was quickly formed after three SU students visas were revoked without warning. The three students are among more than 1,700 nationwide who had their visas revoked or legal status terminated recently by the federal government. The rally was led by several SU professors with the American Association of University Professors, a nationwide association of faculty and professors dedicated to preserving academics. AAUP has been at the forefront of encouraging universities to band together against the assaults that are being perpetrated upon us, said Crystal Bartolovich, an SU associate professor of English. That is why events like this one today are so important. By coming together, we refuse to be isolated in our fear of reprisal, loss, threat of deportation, harassment and bullying. Crystal Bartolovich, a professor of English at Syracuse University and American Association of University Professors president, addresses hundreds gathered in front of the Remembrance Memorial at Syracuse University for a 'Hands Off' rally to protest foreign student harassment and other Trump administration policies April 24, 2025. N. Scott Trimble | strimble@ Syracuse.com N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com Targeting international students and places of education is an attack on democracy, said Gabriel Davila, 22, an SU student. Attending rallies like this is a way to fight back, he said. Theres lots of cuts for grants and education. A lot of programs that are supporting underserved communities are being targeted, nonprofit spaces are being targeted, he said. I think its important to have these spaces to help perpetuate and drive for a better society. Syracuse University student Gabriel Davila attends a "Hands Off" rally in front of the Remembrance Memorial at Syracuse University on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Timia Cobb Davila is originally from Miami and is a first-generation college student. As the Trump administration continues to crack down on immigration policies, Davila worries about family members thousands of miles away. But he continues to use his First Amendment right to speak out. For me, its a personal matter as well, he said. My family is being impacted. People I love are being impacted. And as someone who has birthright citizenship here, I feel the need to, and I feel compelled to protest and be out here today. The fear of retaliation from protests has become real, said Jasmine Rodriguez, a senior mechanical engineering major. Students, especially international students during this time, deserve to feel safe and supported on their campus, said Rodriguez, who is also the president of La Lucha, a student organization that advocates and unites Latinx students on campus. With everything going on with international students being targeted, even students that may be citizens and have green cards are still getting targeted by ICE, she said. Its really scary since a lot of our members and just people that we know have been involved in protests like this, from the Gaza encampment to the Graduate Student Association protests. Two of the three students whose visas were revoked are scheduled to graduate on time, a SU spokesperson previously told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. The university is working with the third to ensure the person can continue their studies, they said. In response to the revocation of the students visas, La Lucha has launched a petition to ensure international students are protected by SU from ICE agents, Rodriguez said. This petition is calling on the chancellor to just affirm that ICE wont be used on campus to target specific students and that hes going to make the commitment to protect students identities, make sure that theyre not being targeted off campus when they graduate or while on campus while they are here, she said. During the rally, many speakers also touched on the funding cuts to libraries, Harvards response to the Trump administrations demands to limit activism on its campus, and the effort to diminish practices of diversity, equity and inclusion. Whats happening to places of academia and its students is horrifying and disruptive, Bartolovich said. University campuses must band together because this isnt a fight that can be done alone, she said. Its really important for universities to stand for our core values of the common good and assert that against the depredations of exactly what is occurring now, she said. Syracuse.com staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com. New Yorks 2025 turkey season begins this weekend, April 26-27, with the annual youth hunt for hunters ages 12-15. Youth hunters must have a license, a turkey permit, and be accompanied by a licensed adult. Regular spring turkey season runs May 1-31 in upstate New York, north of the Bronx-Westchester County line, as well as in Suffolk County. University of Georgia researchers tag wild turkeys for tracking. UGA Are turkeys evolving to evade hunters? Turkey hunters know just how crafty gobblers can be, and how difficult it is to bag them. A new study from researchers at the University of Georgia suggests that turkey hunting isnt going to get any easier unless hunters learn to change up their game. To attract hens in the spring, male turkeys take more risk than at other times of the year by strutting around out in the open and loudly gobbling. Successful turkey hunters understand these behaviors and plan their hunts, and their tactics, accordingly. But UGAs researchers say the birds are catching on. Turkeys are obviously adapting and learning that if youre closer to risky areas, then theres potential to be harvested. Thats why some of them are adopting less risky behaviors that essentially make them less detectable, Nickolas Gulotta told UGA Today. Gulotta is lead author of the study and a doctoral student in UGAs Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. His team tracked 109 male turkeys in two hunted populations located in South Carolina and Georgia. If we continue to harvest individuals that are close to risky areas associated with hunterssuch as edgelands and open fieldsturkeys will adjust their behavior and could become harder to detect and harder to harvest, Gulotta added. Mike Joyner, of Cortland, has published three books on turkey hunting and says the UGA study is legitimate. The study size is larger than some of the ones I see out there, Joyner said. With the dramatic decline in turkey populations across the country, there is now more research being conducted and supported with more research funds to make them possible. This screen shot of DEC's Turkey Harvest Data dashboard shows how hunters can click on a map of the state to get turkey harvest data going back to 2017. DEC Spring turkey harvest data New Yorks spring turkey harvest averages between 16,000 to 18,000 birds, according to DEC. DEC uses hunter surveys to estimate turkey harvest. Data from these surveys help biologists understand turkey population trends around the state. Last year DEC put hunter survey data online so hunters can view it on a dashboard, which is basically an interactive map that lets them click on various regions to see harvest data going back to 2017. According to the dashboard, the 2024 spring turkey harvest total for the Wildlife Management Unit encompassing CNY was merely 1008 birds, more than the previous years meager 737 birds, but still on the bottom of the seven-year average. Mike Joyner of Cortland got these two toms on a fall 2022 hunt in Fairfax, Missouri. They weighed 15 and 17 pounds. Turkey hunting regulations You need a turkey hunting permit and a hunting license. Shooting hours are hour before sunrise to noon. Bag limit is two bearded turkeys in spring, but only oneper day and no more than one per season in Suffolk County. No bullets. Only shotguns or handguns loaded with shot sizes from No. 2 to No. 9; or use a bow or crossbow. Crossbows not allowed in Westchester or Suffolk Counties. Successful hunters must fill out and attach the tag that comes with a turkey permit. Successful hunters must report harvests within seven days. Go to DECs Game Harvest Reporting website or call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT). Turkey hunting safety tips Dont stalk. More than half of turkey hunting injuries happen when a hunter stalks another. Wear hunter orange at all times. Never wear turkey colors red, white, or blue. When sitting still, put hunter orange on a nearby tree. When calling, sit against a tree to break-up you silhouette. Wrap takes and decoys in hunter orange. Assume any call or footsteps are from another hunter. Dont shoot until you see the whole turkey and can identify its sex. When encountering another hunter, speak clearly and dont move. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another hunter. Turkeys are tough birds. 30 yards or less is ideal for a clear head or neck shot. Do not try to shoot turkeys in the body or while they are flying. Smaller shot, no. 4, 5, and 6, work better than larger shot, due to denser shot patterns. Shot size reminder In 2024, DEC set the minimum shot size as No. 9 for turkey. Previously, shot sizes smaller than No. 8 were prohibited because they werent powerful enough to humanely harvest a turkey. But modern shot shells use heavier metals and perform better than traditional turkey loads, DEC said. The ruffed grouse is Pennsylvania's official state bird and is threatened by habitat loss and West Nile virus. Jacob W. Dingel III photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission Hear a ruffed grouse? DEC would like to know if you hear ruffed grouse drumming while afield to get a sense of the birds distribution and abundance in NY. Visit DECs website or call (518) 402-8883 to download a form. Send us your turkey pics! Wed love to see your bird: long beards, little spurs, its all good. Dont forget to provide (1) names of anyone shown in the photo (2) their hometowns (3) birds weight, length of beard and/or spurs (if possible) (4) where they bagged it. Give us a few colorful details about the hunt, we love a good story. Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.comand NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. The social media app Tiktok is opened on a smartphone. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa (Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images) dpa/picture alliance via Getty I A TikTok creator in Myanmar was arrested this week after allegedly falsely predicting the country would face a strong earthquake, escalating fear online. CBS reported per state media that the creator, John Moe The, who went by John (Palmistry) on the platform, claimed on April 9 that a very strong earthquake would hit every city in Myanmar within 12 days. People should not stay in tall buildings during the day, he said in his video, which was viewed over three million times. Take important things with you and run away from buildings during the shaking. This earthquake never came. But on Tuesday, authorities came for the 21-year-old creator, who was arrested at his home. We got a tip-off about fake news being spread through a TikTok account that a severe earthquake will hit, said the statement per state media. It continued: Action will be taken effectively against him according to the law. Likewise, we will also take action effectively against those who write or spread or share fake news. John Moe Thes fearmongering prediction came after a massive earthquake ravaged through Myanmar last month, killing at least 3,700 people and injuring 4,800 more, according to the United Nations. In Myanmar, theres a law that prohibits publishing fake news online through social media which can lead to prosecution, according to Article 19, a human rights organization, who wrote about the media law. Nan Nan, a local resident in Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, told AFP that she didnt believe his TikTok, but many of her neighbors did. Most of my neighbors dared not to stay in their apartments and lived out on the street that day, she said. My friend even hired a small house outside Yangon in preparation. John Moe The has also used his account to predict other weather disasters, the release of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi who was arrested during the countrys 2021 coup detat, and American airstrikes on Myanmars soil, per CBS. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), it is scientifically impossible to predict an earthquake in advance. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. President Luong Cuong announced during talks with General Secretary and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President Thongloun Sisoulith that Vietnam will donate a district-level hospital construction project to Laos. The two leaders held talks in Vientiane on Thursday, right after the welcome ceremony held with the highest protocol for a head of state. Cuong announced that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam had decided to gift a district-level hospital project in Vientiane worth US$3 million to Laos. He proposed that both sides work closely together to expedite the project's implementation and complete it by 2026. Sisoulith warmly welcomed Cuong's first visit in his new role from April 24-25, saying that the visit reflects the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and President himself attach to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos. This visit marks an important milestone, contributing to deepening ties between the two Parties and countries in an effective and practical manner, for the sake of national construction and defense in each nation, he said. Impressed by Vietnam's highest economic growth in the region with improved living standards, elevated global position, progress in the fight against corruption and organizational restructuring from the central to local levels, he affirmed Laos's readiness to work closely with Cuong and other high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to further foster the unique VietnamLaos relationship. Vietnam's achievements in all aspects serve as a great source of encouragement and inspiration for Laos, he said, believing that with Vietnam's continued companionship and support, Laos will firmly advance on its path of national construction and development. Cuong, in reply, affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always deeply cherish the sincere support extended by the Lao Party, State and people to the Vietnamese revolution. He praised Laos for maintaining political and social stability and achieving positive economic progress, reaffirming Vietnam's unwavering support for Laos's global integration and building of an independent, self-reliant economy. Both leaders reflected on the mutual support shared by the Vietnamese and Lao people throughout their past struggles for independence and the ongoing process of national construction and development. This enduring solidarity, they said, is an invaluable asset founded by previous generations and further nurtured by future generations. Expressing their delight at the growing VietnamLaos ties, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to giving the highest priority to all-around collaboration, given that the two countries are actively preparing for the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The two leaders agreed to consolidate the trusted and close political relationship, maintain regular high-level visits and all-level exchanges, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges They stressed the importance of effectively implementing high-level agreements, treaties, and cooperation strategies, particularly the outcomes of the recent meeting between the two Politburos, the two Party General Secretaries, and the 47th session of the VietnamLaos Inter-Governmental Committee. They promised to increase theoretical exchanges between the two Parties, sharing of experiences in preparation for their respective upcoming National Party Congress, as well as organizational restructuring, and intensify aware campaigns about the special VietnamLaos relationship among officials, Party members and people from walks of life, especially the youth. The two leaders agreed on the need to seek new, breakthrough approaches to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation across economic, cultural, and sci-tech fields, by leveraging each nations strengths and potential. It is also necessary to enhance comprehensive and robust linkages between the two countries in the fields of economy, infrastructure development, budget-finance, and tourism. They pledged to implement effective measures to elevate bilateral trade to $5 billion in the coming years and concurred to step up experience exchanges on macro-economic management. The leaders noted satisfaction that several major projects have been unblocked and put into motion, injecting fresh impetus into the countries partnership. One such project, the construction of Wharf No.3 at Vung Ang Port of Vietnam, is set to mark a significant leap in bilateral infrastructure cooperation in the new period. They reached consensus on strengthening collaboration in education and training, prioritizing support for Laos in developing high-quality human resources. They also vowed to capitalize on advancements in science and technology, and to enhance mutual understanding through increased cultural exchanges and the promotion of each countrys image and socio-economic achievements on the others media platforms. Fostering locality-to-locality cooperation, particularly between those located along the shared border, was also named a key work. On joint work at multilateral forums, the two Presidents agreed to bolster information exchange as well as mutual consultation and support, promoting ASEANs centrality, and ASEAN-led and other key international cooperation mechanisms. They also committed to further coordinate bilaterally and with international partners involved in the sustainable and effective management of Mekong River water resources, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Both sides affirmed their commitment to closely coordinate and effectively implement the outcomes of the 3rd meeting of the top leaders of the three parties of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (held on February 22), while continuously nurturing the traditional friendship among the three parties and peoples. Following their talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents between the two countries' ministries of national defense and justice, as well as between the authorities of Vietnam's Gia Lai province and Laos's Attapeu province. On this occasion, the Lao side also presented an adjusted investment license for the Xekaman 3 hydropower project in Sekong province. Later the same evening, prior to the official banquet hosted by Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith for his Vietnamese guests, the sides together attended the traditional Lao New Year (Bunpimay) wrist-tying ceremony to wish for good fortune in the year ahead. Share When it comes to cybersecurity breaches, the UK ranks number 6 in the world, with 2.2 million user accounts compromised in the first quarter of 2025. Thats according to Surfsharks global data breach analysis. While the number of breached accounts worldwide dropped significantly from 973.7 million to 68.3 million in Q1 2025, the UK remains a major target for cyberattacks. The countries most affected by breaches in Q1 2025 were the United States, Russia, India, Germany, and Spain. In Q1 2025, the number of leaked accounts dropped dramatically, following the alarming surge in breaches seen in 2024, particularly in Q3 and Q4. Unlike the previous year, which saw compromised data reach record levels, Q1 2025 experienced a sharp decrease in exposed accounts, says Luis Costa, Research Lead at Surfshark. Despite a 49% decrease in data breaches in the UK compared to the previous quarter, the figures remain high. Approximately 17 British user accounts were breached every minute in 2025. Surfsharks analysis of data breaches since 2004 reveals that the UK leads Northern Europe with 368.1 million compromised user accounts. A total of 79.2 million unique emails and 238.4 million passwords have been leaked in the UK, putting a significant number of users at risk of account takeovers, identity theft, extortion, and other cybercrimes. On average, a British individual has been affected by data breaches around five times. Since 2004, the UK has had 1.2 billion personal records exposed, with each email being breached with 3.1 additional data points. In Q1 2025, the ten most breached countries were the US (16.9M), Russia (4.4M), India (4.2M), Germany (3.9M), Spain (2.4M), the UK (2.2M), France (2.1M), Canada (0.89M), Argentina (0.79M), and South Sudan (0.73M). The countries with the highest breach density (leaked accounts per 1,000 residents) were South Sudan, Spain, the US, Germany, Slovenia, Israel, the UK, France, Russia, and Norway. https://surfshark.com/research/data-breach-monitoring/quarterly-analysis For latest tech stories go to TechDigest.tv Like this: Like Loading... Related Posts As with most applications being enhanced with GenAI, the creative world of AI-powered image and video creation continues to evolve at a tremendously rapid pace. It's no surprise then to see Adobe unveil a new version of its Firefly image generation models at the recent Adobe MAX event in London. Nor was it much of a shock to hear that the company had built a new Firefly web-based app (with iOS and Android mobile versions coming soon) around the technology. What did catch some people by surprise, however, was the company's move to integrate the image creation tools from several other GenAI model makers including Google and OpenAI into the new Firefly app. As Adobe explained, they heard loud and clear from their customers that, while they very much appreciate all the work Adobe has put into the Firefly models' ability to generate images and videos with no copyright-related concerns, there are several situations in which they want more options. For example, if a design firm is working with a client, the designers would likely want to use the copyrighted images, logos, etc., from that company in order to create new materials. Because of the way Adobe's Firefly models are trained and built specifically without copyrighted material that wouldn't be possible to do with Firefly. Leveraging image creation models from other vendors, however, could potentially allow those image variations with copyrighted material to be created. What Adobe didn't mention, though, is that creative people like to work with as many variations as they can. Bottom line is, they want more options. Because each image generation model works a bit differently, the outputs they generate have their own unique characteristics. It only makes sense then that designers were likely using other models anyway to get access to those different "looks." But by making the other models an option within the Firefly app, Adobe retains a bit more control over the creative process. This is especially true now, because new hooks in the Firefly app allow designers to take whatever is created from there regardless of the model used to create it and seamlessly pass it over to other Adobe creative apps, such as Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, and others. Frankly, it's a pretty clever way to turn what initially seemed like competitors into something akin to partners. A related but important development that Adobe unveiled is a new capability it's calling Firefly Boards-previously announced as Project Concept-that allows designers to put together and share a limitless-sized canvas of images-generated from any model or even copied from any location-in order to stimulate ideas. These "moodboards" in the Firefly app can then be used to iterate even more ideas with AI, based on the images that are placed upon them. It's an interesting way for Adobe to dip its toes into the pool of image creation with what could be copyrighted materials. However, Adobe also made it clear that any images created within the Firefly app will carry Content Credentials. These credentials allow companies to ensure whether the images they create were built with the copyright-free (and thus, safe for public use) Firefly models or with partner (or other non-AI source) models. Again, it's a great way to let companies experiment, but still provide them with the assurance of the commercial safety that Adobe has built its entire Firefly strategy and technology around. In addition to these integrations with other image and video creation models, Adobe also announced several major enhancements to its own models. Firefly Image Model 4 is specifically focused on creating even more photorealistic output than its predecessors and offers more options for control than ever before. Still images, for example, can now be created with a wider degree of camera angles, zoom levels, and much more. In order to encourage more experimentation, the company also offered a new option to create images in a lower resolution 540p format, which can be created much more quickly. Once designers find something they like, they can then crank out a full HD 1080p version for final use. The new Image Model 4 Ultra is a for-pay option with even higher resolution that's ideally optimized for what Adobe describes as "complex scenes with small structures." Both the Firefly Video Model and Adobe's Vector Model are now generally available, with important refinements in the areas of control options and resolution for each. As with other Firefly models, all the outputs these create can come from a simple text prompt and are commercially safe. One of the more interesting, and yet completely untouted, capabilities of the output that Firefly generates across all its models is a text description of what it has created. As simple as that may sound, it's actually very illuminating because it shows how the model sees the output. To put it another way, it gives you a way to reverse engineer the text prompt that created the image (or video). Given how incredibly important the exact wording of a text prompt can be in an image creation tool, this is a great way to better understand how Firefly "thinks." It's also an extremely useful training tool to figure out how to write better prompts as you enter them into Firefly, because prompt training is a skill that I'd argue most everyone is still working on improving. In addition to its direct image and video creation tools, Adobe also unveiled several APIs that are designed to let enterprise application developers tap into the capabilities of their Firefly models. As you would expect, the Text-to-Image and Text-to-Video APIs do what they say to let companies create applications that can quickly build libraries of creative content. The Avatar API is specifically designed to let companies build explainer-style videos with a digital avatar providing the narration. All told, it was a solid set of announcements that extend the reach of Adobe's Firefly tools into some interesting new areas. The company continues to clearly base its core value and differentiation in the area of AI-powered image generation on its ability to create commercially safe content that's verified to be free of any copyright infringement. For large organizations, this is a valuable capability. At the same time, Adobe also recognized that the creative users in these organizations-Adobe's core customers-need more flexibility in terms of how they work with AI-generated material. These latest announcements seemingly make progress towards addressing these needs, and they open up some interesting new potential options for the future. Bob O'Donnell is the founder and chief analyst of TECHnalysis Research, LLC a technology consulting firm that provides strategic consulting and market research services to the technology industry and professional financial community. You can follow him on X @bobodtech Why it matters: As global temperatures continue to rise, some scientists have suggested studying geoengineering as an alternative method of fighting climate change. A UK government agency is taking early steps in that direction, but even discussing the strategy let alone implementing it is controversial for numerous reasons. The United Kingdom's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) will soon announce experiments to test the theory that altering Earth's clouds can help counteract the effects of climate change. The government agency states it is studying geoengineering with extreme caution, but many consider the field a dangerous distraction amid the fight against global warming. ARIA will devote 50 million ($66.5 million) to funding various small-scale outdoor experiments to explore the effects of spreading aerosols into clouds. Over the last few decades, numerous proposals have theorized that aerosols might brighten clouds, causing them to reflect more sunlight and cool the planet. The agency will disclose details on the experiments in the coming weeks, including specific dates and durations for outdoor tests. ARIA will also ensure that any effects are reversible and won't release toxic substances. If the experiments are successful, experts estimate they could be implemented on a larger scale within a decade. Additionally, ARIA plans to fund indoor experiments, new climate modeling studies, monitoring initiatives, and studies to measure public opinion regarding geoengineering. Opponents fear artificially altering the atmosphere might cause unintended side effects, potentially impacting rainfall and agriculture. However, advocates argue that experiments are necessary to at least gauge the potential outcomes and move the discussion surrounding geoengineering beyond theory. There is scant physical evidence to support the strategy as worth investigating. Substances emitted from ships, aircraft, and volcanic eruptions have brightened clouds and caused mild cooling. Other geoengineering methods include thickening polar glaciers to increase the Earth's albedo, promoting algae growth in the ocean, or using sea foam, but some have met fierce rejection. Others suggest that mentioning unproven geoengineering methods could create political excuses to slow or halt emissions reductions. Last year was the hottest year on record, breaking the record set the prior year and exceeding 1.5 C above preindustrial temperatures the boundary set for the Paris climate agreement. Scientists agree that drastic emissions reductions are needed to prevent the worst effects of climate change, but some argue that the time for exploring drastic measures has arrived. Big quote: The ongoing antitrust trial against Google has placed the search giant's Chrome web browser at the center of a heated debate over the future of internet search and competition. During testimony on Wednesday, Gabriel Weinberg, CEO of rival (but much smaller) search engine DuckDuckGo, told the court that Chrome could fetch a sale price of up to $50 billion if regulators force Google to divest the popular browser. Weinberg described his estimate as a "back-of-the-envelope" calculation, based on Chrome's vast user base and global reach a figure that far exceeds previous estimates, such as the $20 billion valuation offered by Bloomberg analyst Mandeep Singh last November. Weinberg added that such a price tag would be well beyond DuckDuckGo's financial capabilities, remarking, "That's out of DuckDuckGo's price range." Nevertheless, he confirmed that DuckDuckGo would be interested in acquiring Chrome if cost were not a barrier, underscoring the browser's strategic value in the search ecosystem. The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, follows his earlier ruling that Google illegally maintained a search monopoly partly through default agreements and preferential payments to partners like Apple. The Department of Justice, joined by a coalition of states, is now seeking remedies that could include forcing Google to sell Chrome in order to foster greater competition in the search market. Interest in Chrome extends beyond DuckDuckGo. Executives from OpenAI and Perplexity have also testified that they would consider acquiring the browser if it were put up for sale as a result of the court's decision. Nick Turley, Head of Product at OpenAI, argued that deeper integration between Chrome and OpenAI's technology could create a more seamless, AI-first experience for users. Turley revealed that OpenAI had previously approached Google about a partnership to power ChatGPT with Google's search API, but the request was declined last August leaving OpenAI to rely on Microsoft's Bing for search results. Perplexity's Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, echoed the sentiment, stating that his company would be eager to enter into a distribution agreement or even acquire Chrome if it became independent from Google. He described the difficulties smaller companies face in competing with Google's entrenched distribution channels and revenue-sharing agreements, which he characterized as the "root cause" of Google's dominance. As the trial continues, the future of Chrome remains uncertain. Google is not offering Chrome for sale voluntarily and is expected to appeal any ruling that mandates its divestment. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the balance of power in internet search, digital advertising, and the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. The big picture: A growing number of American researchers are exploring scientific careers outside the United States, spurred by deep funding reductions and political interference that have upended the nation's research environment. Recent figures from Nature's global science jobs platform highlight this trend: in the first quarter of 2025, applications from US-based scientists for overseas positions climbed by 32 percent compared to a year earlier. Meanwhile, the number of American users searching for international roles increased by 35 percent, and March alone saw a 68 percent year-over-year spike in views of non-US job postings. The exodus is largely driven by abrupt federal funding withdrawals and project cancellations. Last month, over 200 grants supporting HIV and AIDS research were terminated. The National Institutes of Health also cut back on Covid-19 research funding and eliminated $400 million in research grants at Columbia University, citing campus unrest related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. These changes have sent shockwaves through the research community. James Richards, head of Global Talent Solutions at Springer Nature, which operates the Nature Careers jobs board, described the current situation as unparalleled: "To see this big drop in views and applications to the US and the similar rise in those looking to leave is unprecedented," he told Nature. A separate Nature poll found that 75 percent of US researchers surveyed are contemplating leaving the country. The shift is especially notable in Canada, where applications from American scientists rose by 41 percent in early 2025, while Canadian interest in US positions fell by 13 percent. For individual scientists, the instability is personal. Chemical engineer Valerie Niemann, who previously worked at Stanford University, recently accepted a postdoctoral role at the University of Bern in Switzerland. "People don't know how long their postdocs will be," she told the publication. "We can't apply for fellowships because we don't know how long they're going to exist." Universities in Europe are taking steps to accommodate displaced researchers. In March, Aix-Marseille University in France launched the Safe Place for Science initiative, dedicating 15 million to support scholars in climate, health, and environmental fields especially those affected by US policy changes. Within its first month, the program received 298 applications, 70 percent from US scientists. "What's happening is terrible for American research," said university president Eric Berton. "We felt it was our duty to do what we could to show scientists there was a little light in the south of France where they could do their research, be a lot freer and where they were wanted." Interest in European opportunities is rising sharply: US applications to European jobs on the Nature Careers board increased by 32 percent in March, while European applications to US roles declined by 41 percent. Germany's Max Planck Society also reports heightened interest from American researchers and a surge in applications from Asia. Spokesperson Christina Beck attributes this to scientists "possibly reorienting themselves and preferring Europe to the US." The Society recently introduced a Transatlantic Program to establish joint research centers with US partners and create new positions for junior and senior scientists who can no longer work in the United States. The migration trend isn't limited to Europe, however. Chinese recruiters are actively targeting US scientists, and American interest in research jobs in China rose by 30 percent in views and 20 percent in applications in early 2025. Other Asian countries are also seeing increased attention from US-based researchers. The shifting landscape is affecting morale among American scientists. Michael Friedlander, director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech, notes that more graduate students and postdocs are questioning their future in science. A February survey by the National Postdoctoral Association revealed that 43 percent of respondents felt their jobs were at risk, 35 percent reported delays or threats to their research, and 9 percent said they could not speak freely at work. As more US scientists consider relocating, Niemann's decision to move abroad is emblematic of their difficult choices as the US research environment becomes increasingly unstable. "It's a good time to move on, given the political climate," she said, adding that many of her colleagues share her sentiment. The United States, once a global magnet for scientific talent, now faces an uncertain future as researchers weigh their options in a rapidly changing world. In a nutshell: TP-Link Systems, one of the most popular router brands in the United States, has become the subject of a criminal antitrust investigation by the Department of Justice. According to reports, the China-linked company's pricing strategies and potential national security risks will be examined by the DoJ and the Commerce Department. The affordability of TP-Link's routers is part of what makes them so popular. Prosecutors at the DoJ are examining whether the company engaged in predatory pricing to undercut competitors and dominate the US market, writes Bloomberg. The probe began in 2024 under President Biden and continues today under the Trump administration. TP-Link is also being investigated by the Commerce Department over whether its ties to China pose a security threat. It was reported in December that an office of the Commerce Department had subpoenaed TP-Link, and that its routers could be banned in the US over national security concerns. TP-Link was founded by brothers Zhao Jianjun and Zhao Jiaxing in 1996. In 2008, TP-Link USA was set up to market and service products in North America, but ownership, management and supply chain all still reported to the Shenzhen-based TP-Link parent. In 2024, TP-Link USA completed a merger with TP-Link's non-Chinese operations to form TP-Link Systems Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California. This "organisational separation" from the Chinese company ensures each side has its own shareholding structure, board, R&D, production, marketing and support teams. Regulators and lawmakers are still reviewing whether the structural split truly insulates TP-Link's US arm from Chinese legal jurisdiction hence the current antitrust and national-security probes. TP-Link has around 65% of the US market for routers used in homes and small businesses. Twelve of the top twenty best-selling routers on Amazon are TP-Link models, including the number one (TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router V4) and number two (TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router Archer AX55) top sellers. In October 2024, Microsoft exposed a complex network of compromised devices that Chinese hackers used to launch highly evasive password spray attacks against Microsoft Azure customers. The network, dubbed CovertNetwork-1658, had been actively stealing credentials since August 2023. The attacks used a botnet of thousands of small office and home office (SOHO) routers, cameras, and other Internet-connected devices. At its peak, there were more than 16,000 devices in the botnet, most of which were TP-Link routers. There's a history of security flaws being discovered in TP-Link routers. A critical vulnerability with a CVSS score of 10.0 was found in the Archer C5400X tri-band router for gaming in May 2024, and in 2023, it was reported that Chinese state hackers were infecting TP-Link routers with custom, malicious firmware. The latter incident arrived soon after the US government said Mirai Botnet operators were using TP-Link routers for DDoS attacks. WTF?! In what must be the very definition of irony, one of the most infamous anti-piracy campaigns from two decades ago may have included a font that was, in essence, stolen. The "You Wouldn't Steal a Car" PSA is still remembered by many people old enough to recall its 2004 launch, but it seems the ad didn't heed its own warning. The ad first appeared in cinemas in 2004 as a joint production of the UK's Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), before expanding to DVDs and Blu-rays. The clip shows people stealing various items, such as a car, a massive CRT TV which looks particularly awkward and a DVD. It warns that while most viewers would never commit these crimes, they are comparable to downloading a pirated film. There was also another version that replaced the "downloading" teenager with two girls being offered bootleg discs by a street vendor. The ads only lasted until 2008, but they're remembered by many, especially as they were turned into the "You wouldn't download a car" meme, which some people started believing was the real slogan thanks to the Mandela effect. They were also parodied brilliantly in the magnificent UK show The IT crowd. Now, decades later, it appears that the font used in the commercials was itself stolen. TorrentFreak reports that the ads appear to use the FF Confidential font, which was created by Just Van Rossum whose brother Guido Van Rossum created the Python programming language in 1992. However, they really used a different, freely available font called XBand Rough from 1996 that is virtually identical. When journalist Melissa Lewis asked Van Rossum about the two, he said XBand Rough is an "illegal clone" of FF Confidential. "I knew my font was used for the campaign and that a pirated clone named XBand-Rough existed. I did not know that the campaign used XBand-Rough and not FF Confidential, though. So, this fact is new to me, and I find it hilarious," Van Rossum told the publication. By using FontForge on a PDF from the website for the campaign (web.archive.org/web/20051223...); I can confirm that they are indeed using the illegal clone version of the font, rather than the licensed one! [image or embed] Rib (@rib.gay) April 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM A Bluesky user called Rib used the Wayback Machine to confirm that the XBand Rough font is embedded in a 2005 PDF file hosted on the official anti-piracy campaign website. Van Rossum is no longer the font's official distributor, so he has no intention of pursuing the matter. The licensing is currently handled by Monotype. FontShop International had the exclusive rights before 2014. What just happened? Intel employees got some bad news in the company's earnings call yesterday. Not only is new CEO Lip-Bu Tan implementing a new round of job cuts that could see more than 20,000 people laid off, he is also increasing the number of days that hybrid workers must come into the office. In a note to investors, Tan wrote that Intel would be streamlining its operations. That means cuts to various departments, the end of non-core products, a change to the return-to-office mandate, and layoffs. "There is no way around the fact that these critical changes will reduce the size of our workforce," said Tan. "As I said when I joined, we need to make some very hard decisions to put our company on a solid footing for the future." "We need to get our balance sheet healthy and start the process of de-laborating this year," he added, which seems to be another newly invented corporate term for ending people's employment. Tan never revealed how many workers Intel would be laying off, but previous reports suggest the number will be substantial. Bloomberg previously said that the company plans to cut over 20% of its current workforce, which would equate to around 20,000 employees. Tan said the cuts will affect people in the second quarter of 2025 "as quickly as possible over the next several months." Intel laid off 15,000 people, around 15% of its workforce, last August as part of its cost-cutting moves. It eliminated another 2,000 people at several US sites the following October. There have been a further1,900 layoffs, along with 400 from Mobileye, since the start of 2025. Tan is also mandating that hybrid workers who come in to the office three days per week increase their in-person attendance to at least four days. This will be implemented by September 1. Tan says more in-office work promotes better engagement, collaboration, and productivity a claim that has long been debated. More companies are cracking down on hybrid and remote workers, the most recent being Google, which told some fully remote workers to get back in the office or face termination. Intel is aiming to reduce its $17.5 billion operating expenses by $500 million this year and $1 billion in 2016, bringing the amounts to $17 billion and $16 billion, respectively. This will include cuts to research & development and marketing. General and administrative departments will also be impacted at some point. Tan also wants to reduce the layers of management at Intel. He said that "bureaucracy [is] suffocating the innovation and agility that we need to win," noting that many teams are "eight or more layers deep." It was only last week when Tan overhauled Intel's leadership by installing a new CTO and AI lead. Other internal changes Tan is implementing include fewer unnecessary meetings, reducing the number of attendees, and ensuring less administrative work at Intel. Intel projected second-quarter revenue of $11.2 billion to $12.4 billion, well below analysts' expectations. It reported first-quarter revenue of $12.67 billion, down less than 1% year-over-year and above what analysts expected. Intel also revealed during its earnings call that its Intel 7 process node production capacity was facing shortages, something it predicted would "persist for the foreseeable future." The situation arose due to an unexpected surge in demand for its N-1 and N-2 products Raptor Lake and Alder Lake as consumers shun its newer, more expensive AI chips amid economic uncertainty. The DOJ and Google antitrust saga continues, and while the hearings are deliberating on what will happen to the internet giant, many companies are now expressing their interest in buying Chrome, with one of the latest ones being Yahoo. The company has seen its hay day back in the late 1990s to the early to mid-2000s when it still competed aggressively with Google in the search engine space. However, Yahoo was not able to grow as much as Google, but should Chrome be floated for sale, it is putting in its bid to get one of the top internet platforms in the world. Yahoo Chrome? Search Company Wants to Buy It The Verge reported that Yahoo Search General Manager, Brian Provost, recently testified in the hearing of the DOJ vs. Google antitrust case, and here, he revealed that the company is interested in acquiring Chrome should it be available in the market. According to Provost, this would help the company accelerate its plans to leverage a web browser to the public as it plays a significant role in the search experience. Provost said that around 60% of search queries are done on the web browser, and Yahoo no longer has one to offer to the public. Despite this, the company has been internally developing its web browser after many years in the industry, but it would still take it a long time before it gets to launch it. With this, acquiring Chrome would put them on a faster track to offering a new search experience to the public, calling Google's web browser the "most important strategic player on the web." Google vs. Yahoo: The Early Internet Rivalry Google and Yahoo are best known for being two of the earliest and most prolific search engines in the world, dominating the world as the internet began to take form and be more available to users. While there were arguments about which is better, Yahoo merely maintained its search engine and email service for many years, but Google went on expand to other areas in the tech world. Google's DOJ Antitrust Fiasco The Google antitrust case's main focus, as far as the Department of Justice is considered, is to address the company's search and advertisement monopoly, which has taken over the internet for many years. One of the suggestions of the prosecution is the breakup of Google, which begins with selling off Chrome for another company to own, manage, and operate. It is known that last year's ruling on this antitrust case against Google ended with the company being branded as a monopoly and failing to defend itself. Now, the case is still being heard, but it is already at its remedy phase, and this focuses on which actions to take in order to topple Google's monopoly moving forward. It was reported that Google will try to prevent any breakups from happening within the company as it vies to keep its products and technology by proposing alternative solutions. What sparks fly when technology meets construction? At the South Erhuan Road West Extension project site in Hefei, Anhui Province, two welding robotic workers have officially "started work," injecting strong new quality productive forces into urban construction with their robust builds and precise "brains," enhancing both quality and efficiency in building projects. In the project workshop, the welding robots operate tirelessly as "steel craftsmen," running at full capacity and executing precise tasks. These automated devices, specifically designed for welding steel box girder partitions, seamlessly integrate robotic technology with welding processes, making them "super experts" in the construction field. "Traditional manual labor can only complete 80 meters of corner welds in a day, while one welding robot can accomplish 120 meters, increasing production efficiency by about 50%," explained engineer Gan Quan. Even more impressively, one worker can simultaneously operate two or even more welding robots, reducing overall labor costs by 30% to 50%, significantly shortening production cycles and effectively lowering manufacturing costs, achieving true efficient production. By using pre-programmed precise paths and parameters, the welding robots minimize human interference, ensuring uniform and consistent welds with high precision, eliminating the irregular seams and quality fluctuations common in traditional manual welding. This greatly enhances product quality and consistency. Additionally, the robots, through programming and remote control, allow workers to stay away from hazardous environments, safely completing welding tasks while effectively eliminating health risks from welding gases, thus improving construction safety. Currently, the project is carrying out the top-pushing operation for the steel box girders. Once the top-pushing process is successfully completed, the bridge bodies on both sides of the road section will achieve precise alignment, steadily progressing toward the goal of completion and opening for traffic. The iPhone 16e, which enabled Apple to surpass Samsung in global smartphone sales in Q1, has struggled to capture the imagination of Vietnamese consumers. A month after its release, it is being sold at VND16.3 million (US$626) for the 128GB model, VND700,000 (4.3%) less than its official listed price. Yet demand remains low, with the model reportedly selling fewer units than several older iPhone versions. "At our stores, the iPhone 16e accounts for just 34% of total iPhone sales," Van Thi Ngoc Yen, Apple category director at electronics retailer Di Dong Viet, told Dan Tri newspaper. While admittedly double as popular as previous SE models, it falls short of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, he said. Nguyen Lac Huy, spokesperson for another retailer, CellphoneS, concurred with him, saying the 16e makes up just 5% of iPhone sales, underwhelming for a newly launched device. The iPhone 16e. Photo by VnExpress/Tuan Hung Industry analysts point out that Vietnamese consumers typically prefer iPhones with larger displays, advanced cameras and new features, all areas where the 16e falls short. It lacks MagSafe charging and has only a single rear camera, also possibly explaining the lukewarm response, a Minh Tuan Mobile spokesperson said. "On the other hand, The Pro Max models consistently rank among the bestsellers in every new iPhone release." Despite its strong performance and battery life, the 16e is being overshadowed in its price range by the iPhone 15, which is popular for its colorful design and dual-camera setup. But on the global stage the 16e is driving Apples sales. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple overtook Samsung to become the worlds top smartphone brand in Q1 2025 because of strong demand for the 16e. By launching the model earlier in the calendar year, Apple is revamping its sales cycle and challenging Android manufacturers, particularly Samsung, tech site Apple Insider reported. Slate Auto has one of the weirdest electric vehicle debuts we have seen this year. The EV company backed by Jeff Bezos has rolled out its new model: the Slate Truck. Turning heads on the Venice streets in California, this throwback-style EV is quite controversial with a sub-$20,000 starting price, assuming federal EV tax credits remain intact. From DIY kits to crank windows, Slate is embracing full contrarianism and that's precisely what might make it a success. Budget EV With A Twist: What the Slate Truck Has to Offer Referred to as the Blank Slate, this truck is all about "accessible personalization" rather than flashy technology. According to The Autopian, customers can transform the pickup into an SUV or an open-top adventure vehicle with flat-pack accessory kits, without having to break the bank. Purchasers have the option of two battery options: 57.2 kWh battery (RWD) with a 150-mile range 84.3 kWh battery with a 240-mile range NACS charging is supported, reaching 80% in less than 30 minutes at up to 120 kW. For performance, the Slate Truck accelerates to 060 mph in 8 seconds with a 201 hp motor and has a top speed of 90 mph. Back-to-Basics Interior and Build: No-Frills, All Function Inside, the truck ditches infotainment systems for a plug-in phone or tablet. There are no power windows to be found here; Slate prefers manual cranks, HVAC knobs, and 17-inch steel wheels. Even paint is substituted with custom body wraps. In all simplicity, Slate still plans on achieving 5-star safety ratings, with active emergency braking, collision warning, and up to eight airbags in the mix. The $20K EV Dream: Can Slate Make It Happen? Though the specs are tempting, the $20,000 price tag is perhaps unrealistic, according to Ars Technica. If tax credits evaporate under the policies of a new administration, the actual cost could rise over $27,500. Plus, much of the hardware including batteries and knobs will undoubtedly be imported from China and thus subject to tariffs. Slate asserts it will assemble its trucks in the U.S., with a "reindustrialized" facility at Troy, Michigan. Dozens of job postings suggest the amount of engineering and manufacturing still required to reach production by late 2026. DIY Kits and Liability The firm has not explained how it will guarantee DIY SUV kits with items such as roll cages and airbags to crash standards. Without a dealer network such as Ford or Jeep, Slate might not be able to offer support for users working on these modifications at home. Will Gen Z Buy In? Another open question: will younger consumers pay for a retro EV that has no tech but has plenty of charm? As trends swing toward rentals, rideshares, and subscriptions, Slate may turn toward weekend rentals or fleet models, even Amazon collaborations. According to Parents, some young people are exploring the not-so-techie devices. While some could own a car, they may also want to rent a vehicle instead. The Slate Truck is perhaps the most ambitious effort to make EVs cool, customizable, and actually affordable. But bringing conceptual to consumer-proof products will involve surmounting supplier issues, and regulatory challenges, and demonstrating hard evidence of real-world market demand. Nevertheless, if Slate succeeds, it may revolutionize what an entry-level EV is and does and at a price the public will finally embrace. Panama president says moving toward reopening contested mine Panama City, April 24 (AFP) Apr 24, 2025 Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said Thursday that his government was working toward the reopening of Central America's biggest copper mine, despite fierce opposition from environmentalists. Mulino said the open-pit mine, which was operated by a subsidiary of Canada's First Quantum Minerals until its closure by the courts in 2023, would be a "Panamanian operation." Mulino wants to restart the Cobre Panama mine, located near the Caribbean coast, to boost the Panamanian economy, though he did not clarify how he plans to overcome legal obstacles. "The necessary contacts have begun to be established," Mulino said at his weekly news conference. "The mine belongs to Panama," he said, adding that the Central American nation would run it helped by "an operator in charge of the technical aspects." "It will be a Panamanian operation, not a contract with anyone else," he added. The reopening would be done "within the law," and "based on an economic benefit that is also desperately needed," Mulino said. Cobre Panama, which began operations in 2019, had produced about 300,000 tons of copper concentrate a year, representing 75 percent of the country's exports and about five percent of its national economic output. It employed around 37,000 workers directly and indirectly. In November 2023, following weeks of crippling protests over the environmental impact, Panama's Supreme Court ruled that a concession contract signed by former president Laurentino Cortizo's government was unconstitutional. In response, First Quantum initiated international arbitration proceedings seeking $20 billion in compensation. The company said last month that it would suspend the action after starting talks with the government on reopening the mine. Opponents note that Congress approved a moratorium in 2023 prohibiting new metal mining concessions. "There is no way Mulino can reopen the mine without in some way violating the constitution, the Supreme Court ruling, the existing legal framework, and the popular will," Raisa Banfield, leader of the Sustainable Panama civil society group, told AFP. jjr/fj/dr/bjt China says wind and solar energy capacity exceeds thermal for first time Beijing, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 China said on Friday its wind and solar energy capacity had surpassed that of mostly coal-powered thermal energy for the first time. "In the first quarter of 2025, China's newly installed wind and photovoltaic power capacity totalled 74.33 million kilowatts, bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 1.482 billion kilowatts," China's national energy body said. "It has surpassed the installed capacity of thermal power (1.451 billion kilowatts) for the first time," it said, without defining thermal power in its short statement. China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases that drive climate change, has pledged to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. While around 60 percent of China's energy comes from coal, the country is also a renewable energy powerhouse, building almost twice as much wind and solar capacity as every other country combined, according to research published last year. China's leader Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that "no matter how the international situation changes", the country's efforts to combat climate change will not slow down. Xi also said China would announce its 2035 greenhouse gas reduction commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), before COP30 in November, and that it would cover all greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide. That came as President Donald Trump has pulled the United States, the world's second-largest polluter, out of the Paris climate accord while pledging a vast expansion in fossil fuel exploitation. Sri Lanka authorities fear stampede as millions of people flock to see Buddha tooth Huge crowds gather in Sri Lanka's city of Kandy to see a sacred Buddhist relic. Photo by AFP Buddhists flocking to see a sacred tooth in Sri Lanka were urged by the authorities to stay away on April 24 after four people died and hundreds fell sick while in lengthy queues. Regional police chief Lalith Pathinayake said queues in the city of Kandy were already 10 km long as Buddhists waited to worship what they believe to be a tooth of the Buddha a special showing of the relic that will end on April 27. Officials estimated there were around 450,000 people in queues on the morning of April 23, more than double the expected daily number of 200,000. "At the rate the queue is moving, even those already in line this morning may not be able to enter the temple," Deputy Inspector-General Pathinayake said. "We appeal to the people not to come to Kandy." The citys main state-run hospital reported more than 300 people had been admitted after falling ill while spending days in cramped conditions. Four people, including an older woman, were pronounced dead on admission. More than 2,000 people who fainted while standing in line were treated at 11 mobile health units, local officials said. "We are trying to avoid a stampede," said Ms Sarath Abeykoon, the governor of the province. "The health authorities have raised concerns about sanitation." One injured in Ecuador quake, buildings damaged Quito, April 25 (AFP) Apr 25, 2025 A shallow 6.3-magnitude earthquake left at least one person injured, several buildings damaged and power knocked out in the Ecuadoran port city of Esmeraldas on Friday. According to Ecuador's emergency response services, one person suffered head wounds in the shake, which was felt as far away as the capital Quito. The authorities said three homes and a health center had been damaged, while the facade of a military building partially collapsed. "It was very strong," ex-presidential candidate Yaku Perez told AFP from the scene. "It felt like an eternity, but I guess it was less than a minute". The US Geological Survey and local monitors said the quake struck at a depth of about 35 kilometers (22 miles) just before 7:00 am local time (1200 GMT). Ecuadoran authorities said there was no tsunami risk from the quake. Ecuador sits on one of the most geologically active zones on Earth, and the fault between the Nazca and South American plates runs along its coast. Things have gone pretty quiet at Damien Hirsts Newport Street Gallery. The last time I visited the free exhibition space in Vauxhall was in 2022 for the infamous burn event at which international media gathered to watch Hirst once the worlds wealthiest artist, behind headline-making pieces such as a diamond-encrusted human skull feed 10m worth of small paintings from his first non-fungible token (NFT) collection into an oven. The fact that the bottom dropped out of the market in NFT almost immediately afterwards has rather got lost in the mists of time but the fact remains that Newport Street, which opened in 2015 as a showcase for Hirsts personal art collection, has generated so little brouhaha over the past year that one would be forgiven for thinking it had closed. The handsome space, converted from a Victorian scenery-painting workshop, was almost eerily quiet the day I attended two new exhibitions curated by Hirsts son, Connor. The 30-year-old has previously put together shows of his fathers work. Dominion, seen at Newport Street last summer, was a fairly straightforward greatest hits of his dads holdings (Koons, Emin, Marcus Harvey et al), while The Civilisation Paintings at Phillips auction house, also last year, comprised entirely new Hirst works. The current shows, however, Raging Planet and The Power and the Glory, focus on the more niche allures of the Hirst collection. On the ground floor, Raging Planet spotlights artists whose work incorporates chaos that is the essential characteristic of the natural world. If that sounds all too typically Hirst, theres as much emphasis here on the balancing order of nature as there is on its nasty, destructive aspects. Mexican artist Bosco Sodi coats his paintings in mixtures of pigment, sawdust, glue and other organic materials so that their surfaces rise and fracture as they dry, evoking both earthquake-riven landscapes and gigantic primary-coloured cakes. If the densely textured ultramarines of Organic Blue (2010) look positively toxic, Untitled (2010) with its rich reds and yellows appears as though it should be sliced up and served at teatime. Elsewhere, Roger Hiorns found objects (everything from car engines to models of Chartres cathedral) encrusted in blue copper sulphate crystals recall his best-known work, Seizure, in which a London council flat was flooded with 75,000 litres of the chemical, turning it into a glittering blue cave that attracted vast numbers of visitors back in 2008. Far from an example of chaos, however, this spectacle was precisely what any half-competent scientist would have foreseen. Yet 17 years on, Hiorns sparkling automotive body parts still make quite the impact, positioned around the gallery like surreal idols. open image in gallery Angela Bulloch Chain B 3:1:52:4, 2002 ( Photographed by Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd . Angela Bulloch ) Hirsts fellow YBA (Young British Artist) Keith Tyson produces even more seductive results by tipping whats described as various paints, pigments, resins and catalysts over panels of acid-primed aluminium. The magma-like oozings merge with what looks like creamy gloss paint, creating cosmic-psychedelic textures, which seem to open up a portal to deep space. The chaos idea feels further removed in a room of minimalist colour-based works, with ethereal airbrushed paintings by British artist Oliver Marsden. Angela Bullochs elegant plywood cubes, with their changing colours radiating from within, ostensibly represent pixels though Im not sure how to reflect the Canadians obsession with systems and rules. Both artists work within the classic Western colour spectrum, which, far from representing the chaos of nature, is an entirely human-devised construct. open image in gallery Small Lingbi scholar's rock with ornate base ( Photographed by Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd ) Theres a more provocative juxtaposition of the creative and destructive capacities of nature in the upstairs exhibition, The Power and the Glory. Photographs of post-war nuclear tests are arranged around groups of scholars stones or gongshi, which are intricately weathered lumps of stone that have been used as objects for contemplation in China for millennia. Ranging from palm-sized to monumental, their often mindbendingly complex forms resemble the ghostly, incandescent shapes of nuclear mushroom clouds more frequently than youd imagine. If the idea might sound a touch glib, the cumulative effect is hypnotically compelling. Oh yes! Beauty and horror, creation and destruction: its all so Damien Hirst. Young Connor may have brought these elements together, but who acquired them in the first place? Whether they were purchased in dribs and drabs, or through wholesale acquisition of existing collections, we arent told, but one way or another this feels like a surrogate Damien Hirst exhibition. As I sit alone in the gallerys long-closed restaurant, once tipped to be one of Londons great eateries, availing myself of the free tea and biscuits provided for visitors, theres a sense of the end of an era. Yet that atmosphere, while poignant, feels more than a little knowing. Whatever the immediate future of the Newport Street Gallery, Ill wager that the final episode of this particular art world drama wont be upon us for a good while yet. Raging Planet and The Power and the Glory at Newport Street Gallery, London until 31 August 2025 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 Ahmed Alnaouq was 19 when his brother Ayman was killed in an Israeli airstrike in 2014. The death of his loved one left him struggling with depression and spending days mourning the loss at his grave. According to the UN, over 2,251 Palestinians were killed that year, 70 per cent of whom were civilians. Alnaouqs brother may have been one of the 2,251 casualties but he was more than just a number. It was Alnaouqs friend Pam Bailey who suggested he write down Aymans story in an attempt to come to terms. The therapeutic process of writing about his life led to the creation of We Are Not Numbers, a youth-led initiative collating stories from hundreds of Palestinians. The collection documents their lives under occupation and tells the story of real people among the fatalities. Fifty-nine young Palestinians have now contributed their stories for a new book by the same name, We Are Not Numbers. Behind the statistics and the numbers that you often see in the news, there are stories of people, humans, children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who need to be told, Alnaouq told The Independent. Its a project that is more important than ever, with over 51, 305 people killed since 7 October 2023. Alnaouq tragically lost a further 21 immediate family members in a single strike on their home while they slept in December 2023. The only reason I am alive is that I am in London because, if I were in Gaza, I would have been killed with my family because my flat was in the same building, he told The Independent. The victims included his mother, father, brothers, sisters, and 14 of his nieces and nephews all children aged between two and 13. Since then, he has lost countless others, including cousins, aunts, and uncles. I really fear to sit down and count them. I dont want to do that, he says. open image in gallery Garraway drew backlash for her questioning of Alnaouq, days after his family were killed ( ITV/Good Morning Britain ) Thousands more Palestinians are reported to be under the rubble. Among those trapped under the remnants of homes, schools and hospitals, was Dr Refaat Alareer, the groups co-founder and beloved mentor who was killed by an Israeli strike in December 2023. He was very special to us, says Alnaouq. Without him, we wouldn't have done all of this work. The poet and lecturer, known for advising his students to never romanticise their suffering, was buried hastily in an unmarked grave before his body was found by a friend in February this year and laid to rest. It's really shameful that everything we hear about Gaza in the news is the numbers of people who are killed 50,000, 70,000, 40,000 and the numbers are contested and no one is sure what is the accurate number of people who were killed. But we are more than that and we want to remind the world that we are way more than that. open image in gallery Hamza Ibrahim, 22, when he graduated after completing his degree in English last year, remains trapped in Gaza ( Hamza Ibrahim ) Alnaouq is also battling Israeli establishment rhetoric, some of which has likened Palestinians to human animals, claims that have landed them at the International Court of Justice accused of genocide. We are humans who deserve to have their stories told and immortalised by writing about them, and this is what we do, he says. In 2023, Alnaouq, who completed a masters in journalism in the UK and studied media bias against Palestinians, went viral for an interview with Kate Garraway on Good Morning Britain. Viewers accused Garraway of being insensitive and gaslighting Alnaouq, days after hed lost all of his family. The way she [Garraway] spoke to me was not surprising, he says. But then again, it was somehow surprising because when she interviewed me, it was only a few days after Israel killed all my family and I was in a horrible, horrible phase. I was destroyed mentally. And I had the right to speak my mind without being attacked. He said the exchange is an example of why Palestinians need groups like We Are Not Numbers, because we are sick and tired of the treatment we receive in the mainstream media. He adds: Now were creating our own platforms, and its up to the audience to decide. He has since set up the podcast Palestine Deep Dive to counter mainstream narratives. All of the books featured writers have lost their homes and family members in the war. A handful have been able to leave the strip, but most of the young people are still there. Our writers have lost their laptops. They don't have electricity or internet, says Alnaouq. They would write their stories on their mobile phones, and they would wait for days to have the chance to get an internet connection to send the stories to us so that we can publish them. They're very, very committed to writing their personal stories to share with the world. open image in gallery Alnaouq has lost dozens of family members in the attacks ( Penguin Random House ) They include Hamza Ibrahim, who spoke to The Independent last year. An aspiring writer, and recently qualified teacher, Ibrahim, 22, told of his struggles to dig through the rubble for friends and neighbours, and spoke about the loss of his friend Mohammed Hamo, who is also included in the books dedications. The book is also dedicated to Alareer and to four young contributors who were killed in the bombings over the last 18 months: Yousef Dawas, Alnaouqs younger brother Mahmoud Alnaouq, Huda Alsoso, and Hamo. They're not numbers. They're not statistics, he says. We are beyond that. We're more than that, and we deserve media coverage and we deserve our books and our stories to be heard by everyone in the world. Although Alnaouq believes that the Palestinian people are resilient, powerful, and steadfast, he says their suffering is beyond human tolerance. open image in gallery Mohammed Hamo (right) with a friend Younes Elhallaq (left) before he was killed ( Younes Elhallaq ) Alnaouq said of the bombings, which are continuing after a temporary ceasefire: People are sick, they're tired. They're starving. They need to breathe. They need freedom. They need to stop feeling fear day and night. They need to stop feeling that at any moment they could be shredded into body parts and pieces. He continues: One of the writers is my younger brother Mahmoud, and Mahmoud was only 25 years old when he was killed. He was working at a human rights organisation. Hed just won a scholarship to do his master's degree in international relations in Australia, and he was supposed to travel just a few months after he was killed, and he lost this opportunity. open image in gallery Dr Refaat Alareer, a prominent Palestinian writer, was killed in an airstrike on 6 December, 2023 ( Mosab Abu Toha / X ) He was lively. He was nice. He was lovely, but he did not deserve to die. And all of the rest of my family, 14 kids were killed in my home. Fourteen little kids aged from 2 to 13 years old, all of these did not deserve to die in this barbaric way. They deserved to live. They had dreams. They had a future ahead of them. They were smart. They were lovely and did not deserve to die. All of these people, they have stories, they have names, and they need to be remembered. They must not be forgotten. We Are Not Numbers 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 Blake Lively has revealed that her mother, Willie Elain McAlpin, was assaulted by a co-worker years before she was born. Lively is currently embroiled in a highly publicized legal fight with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, who she claims sexually harassed her on set. Baldoni denies Livelys claims and alleges that his co-star orchestrated a PR campaign to destroy his reputation. Accepting her honoree nomination at last nights Time100 Gala in New York, Lively said that at her mothers urging and unwavering bravery, she wanted me to share with you that she is a survivor of the worst crimes someone can commit against a woman. The Gossip Girl alum said McAlpin, who was present at the gala, never got justice from her work acquaintance who attempted to take her life when she was the mother of three young kids years before I was born. She has always credited her beating heart today with the story she heard from another woman in a similar circumstance, speaking on the radio as my mom drove home one day, she continued. The woman painfully and graphically shared how she escaped, and because of hearing that woman speak to her experience instead of shutting down in fear and unfair shame, my mom is alive today. Blake Lively was joined by her mother, Willie Elain McAlpin, at the 2025 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York ( Getty Images for TIME ) She was saved by a woman whose name shell never know. I am alive, and standing with you all here today, being honored, because of a woman whose name Ill never know. I am here, my mom is here, because that woman not only survived, but she told others how. While not mentioning Baldoni by name, Lively told the Time 100 crowd: I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum. Livelys husband, Ryan Reynolds, was also present at the Jazz at Lincoln Center on Thursday evening. Her speech comes after reports that the couples friends, Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, could be subpoenaed as part of the legal trial against Baldoni, which is currently set for March 9, 2026. People reported Wednesday that a source with knowledge of the case claimed: Anyone that had any knowledge of this situation will be subpoenaed, no matter of their celebrity status. However, the same publication also quoted an insider who disputed the idea, arguing that neither Swift nor Jackman are privy to anything going on and claiming that the suggestion they could be involved is a form of smoke and mirrors... trying to distract from the allegations against Baldoni. Representatives for Lively, Baldoni, Swift, and Jackman did not respond to The Independents requests for comment. Lively filed her initial suit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing the director of sexual harassment during filming and organizing a smear campaign against her in the months that followed. Baldoni has denied the accusations and filed a countersuit on January 16, accusing Lively and Reynolds of attempting to destroy his reputation and career. His lawyers have also accused Reynolds of mocking Baldoni through the Nicepool character in his recent movie Deadpool & Wolverine. Baldoni is also suing The New York Times for libel over its reporting of Livelys claims. 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 death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 has drawn renewed attention to Conclave, which was set within the cloistered world of the Vatican during the election process for a new Pope. According to figures published last month, viewership of the film surged by 283% following the news of the Popes death. In Edward Bergers adaptation of a Robert Harris novel, from a script by Oscar-winning screenwriter Peter Straughan, the election of a new Pope is depicted as a gossipy affair, full of infighting and political maneuvering by cardinals jostling for power and leverage over their rivals. While the film is by no means a documentary, it did set out to recreate a real Papal Conclave as accurately as possible. However, the caveat here is that very little is known about the true inner workings of a conclave, as participants must take a vow of secrecy. open image in gallery Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence in Conclave ( Philippe Antonello/Focus Features ) We do know that the overall logistics shown in the film are broadly accurate. We see cardinals played by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow living, eating (and vaping) together at the Casa Santa Marta, a guesthouse on the grounds of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City. The guesthouse shown in the film was a movie set, but the real-life cardinals will be sequestered there from the beginning of May. The voting process, which takes place within the Sistine Chapel, is also accurately shown. Cardinals will write down the name of their vote for the next Pope, and then place those votes in a sealed container. Once the votes have been totaled, an official will read them aloud. If a two-thirds majority is not reached, they will be burned with an additive that produces black smoke. It is only when a decision has been reached that the additive will not be used, and the smoke will burn white to announce that a new Pope has been selected. One major difference between the process as shown in the film and reality is that the role played by Ralph Fiennes character, Cardinal Lawrence, conflates two real-life positions. In the film, Cardinal Lawrence acts as the camerlengo, who takes over the Holy See, which governs the Catholic Church and the Vatican, after the Popes death. He is also seen acting as the dean of the College of Cardinals, who oversees the election of the new Pope. open image in gallery Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell took over the Holy See as camerlengo ( Reuters ) In reality, the camerlengo is Cardinal Kevin Farrell. An Irish-born American, Cardinal Farrell was responsible for announcing the death of Pope Francis, sealing the papal apartment and breaking the pontiff's fisherman's ring, which symbolizes that there is now a vacancy in the Vatican. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, an Italian, is the real-life dean of the College of Cardinals. He will oversee the gathering of the conclave, and will also be the one to ask the newly elected pope what name he will take, as Fiennes Cardinal Lawrence is depicted doing in the film. open image in gallery White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, meaning that cardinals elected a new pope on the second day of their secret conclave on March 13, 2013, at the Vatican ( AFP/Getty ) Another key error in the film is that a cardinal in pectore is depicted as taking part in the conclave. A cardinal in pectore is a cardinal who has been appointed by the Pope in secret, which can happen in reality. However, unlike the pivotal part Cardinal Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz) is shown playing in Conclave, a secret cardinal would not be allowed to participate in the election of a new Pope. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, Conclave director Berger explained that he spoke to cardinals who had been involved in conclaves about general details, and also hired a religious advisor, but did not approach the Vatican directly. Thats a senseless approach, said Berger. First, they wont help you, and secondly, they shouldnt. How to watch Conclave. 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 Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood star Lar Park Lincoln has died. She was 63. A cause of death has not yet been revealed. Her death was announced by her company, Actors Audition Studios, via Facebook. Over her 45-year career, Lar left an unforgettable mark on Hollywood through her dynamic performances and dedication to mentoring aspiring actors, the companys statement read. Lincoln was best known for her dual roles as Linda Fairgate and later as as Sallys friend on the drama series Knots Landing, alongside Michele Lee and William Devane. She also starred as Tina Shepard in the 1988 horror film Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood. Her other credits included the TV movie Children of the Night opposite Kathleen Quinlan and Mario Van Peebles, as well as numerous guest star roles on shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Murder, She Wrote. She was last seen in 2022s Ghost Party. In addition to her screen work, Lincoln founded the aforementioned Actors Audition Studios in Dallas, Texas, and authored a book for actors, Get Started, Not Scammed. She was also a QVC celebrity on-air guest for 19 years and developed her own clothing line, the Piper Alexander collection. Fans and clients of Lincoln have offered their condolences for the TV and film star on social media. Oh no Lar, you will be very missed. The world will not be the same without your passion and kindness. Rest in peace sweet friend, one person wrote. I was so happy to have an acting seminar with her when I did. She will be really missed, someone else said. This breaks my heart. I loved part VII. It was so quirky and fun, one fan wrote on X. Lincoln brought real depth to what could've been just another slasher victim. criminally underrated in the genre. rest in peace, someone else said. Lar, I will forever be grateful for the training and family you have my daughter growing up! You were a wonderful friend and mentor, and my heart is breaking that you are no longer here. Fly high, beautiful friend, and rest in peace in eternity with Michael, your love, another said. Lincoln was married to Michael Martin Lincoln from 1981 until his death in 1995. Together, they welcomed two children, Piper and Trevor. In addition to her two kids, Lincoln is survived by her brother, sister, and four grandchildren. 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 Pedro Pascal has dubbed JK Rowling a heinous loser after the Harry Potter author celebrated the UK Supreme Courts recent ruling that trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act. The Last of Us actor, 50, who attended the London premiere of the Marvel blockbuster Thunderbolts*wearing a trans rights T-shirt this week, left the remark under an Instagram post by activist Tariq Ra'ouf, who called for his followers to boycott all Harry Potter projects in light of Rowlings actions. Rowling had shared a photo from her superyacht, smoking a cigar, alongside the caption, I love it when a plan comes together, after five judges ruled unanimously that the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex last week. The ruling follows a series of legal challenges brought by the campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS), which were backed by the author. Rowling has denied being transphobic, but has previously stated that she would rather go to jail than refer to a trans person by their preferred pronouns. Stars of the Harry Potter franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, have condemned Rowlings comments and distanced themselves from the author and her work. Ra'ouf urged his followers to boycott the Harry Potter franchise altogether. Dont watch the show. Dont go to Universal. Dont buy a single Harry Potter thing ever. Its time to tell these corporations that transphobia loses money, he wrote in the caption alongside the post. It has become our mission as the general public to make sure that every single thing that's Harry Potter related fails... because that awful disgusting s***, that has consequences, he said in the video. Pedro Pascal condemned JK Rowling for her stance on transgender rights ( Getty/Instagram ) As well as liking the post, Pascal shared his thoughts on the author in the comment section: Awful disgusting S*** is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behaviour, he wrote. Pascal has been a vocal supporter of the trans community since his sister came out as a transgender woman in February 2021. 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. Posting on Instagram, the Mandalorian star shared a picture of his sister on the cover of the Spanish magazine Ya, alongside the phrase: Mi hermana, mi corazon, nuestra Lux. The phrase translates into English as: "My sister, my heart, our Lux." In another Instagram post supporting trans people, shared in February 2025, the Fantastic Four actor wrote: I cant think of anything more vile and small and pathetic than terrorising the smallest, most vulnerable community of people who want nothing from you, except the right to exist. The UK Supreme Courts landmark ruling means that transgender women can no longer sit on public boards in places set aside for women. It could also impact the way that trans people use single-sex spaces such as toilets, refuge spaces and hospital wards. Amnesty International UK described the ruling as disappointing with potentially concerning consequences for trans people but said it is important to stress that the court has been clear that trans people are protected under the Equality Act against discrimination and harassment. Thailand proposes 'Six Countries, One Destination' campaign in Singapore Tourists walk at the beach in Phuket, Thailand, March 8, 2022. Photo by Reuters Thailand is carrying out a plan to expand regional tourism cooperation through the "Six Countries, One Destination" campaign, which seeks to promote travel across six ASEAN nations by the end of 2025. Two advisors to Thailand's foreign minister, Dusit Manapan and Chayika Wongnapachant, on April 22 visited Singapore to present the proposal, following earlier discussions with Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Their trip included a meeting with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who expressed interest in the regional project. The plan has been conceived to improve cross-border travel and promote shared experiences across Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam. A joint working group will be formed to coordinate logistics and oversee implementation. Within the framework of this initiative, Thailand proposed a series of premium travel services, including cruise routes connecting Singapore, Penang, Phuket, and Ho Chi Minh City; overland trips focusing on Peranakan heritage across southern Thailand and Malaysia; culinary tours through southern Thai provinces and Johor Bahru; self-drive tourism across the peninsula; and seasonal trips tied to local festivals and events. The foreign ministries of the participating countries will receive regular updates through official channels. Thailand has set a target to launch the campaign in the last quarter of 2025, beginning with countries ready to proceed. Promotional activities will include joint hospitality and dining packages featuring Michelin-rated restaurants and partner hotels across the region. 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 Theres often a misconception that you dont need to wear earplugs at music concerts or festivals unless youre attending a heavy metal or rock music show. But according to audiology experts, you should be protecting your hearing from loud sound exposure whatever gig youre at, whether its a pop concert or a classical music recital. Karen Stalpaert, an audiologist and tinnitus expert, tells The Independent that loud music can be enough to cause hearing damage, no matter the genre of music. Long-term exposure to sound above 80 decibels can damage hearing, and at many performances, the volume is well above that limit. It is always a matter of finding a balance between volume, exposure time and the hearing protection you wear. You can listen to sounds at 70 decibels (dB) or lower for as long as you want without any hearing damage, but sounds over 85 dB can damage your hearing faster. If you attend day or weekend-long music festivals, then its good to be aware that sounds at 85 dB can lead to hearing loss if you listen for more than eight hours at a time. The average decibel level at a concert or festival generally ranges from 90 to 120 dB. According to the British Academy of Audiology, one in six of the UK adult population is affected by hearing loss, while tinnitus affects 1 in 10 adults. Stalpaert says that the best way to protect your ears during festival season this summer is to take regular breaks and give your ears a rest. Stalpaert also advises people not to stand too close to the speakers and to wear earplugs that can filter out harmful noise but maintain the music experience, such as earplugs from the Belgian brand Loop . The company, founded by engineers Dimitri O and Maarten Bodewes in 2016, is shining a light on normalising hearing protection, and trying to make ear protection as essential and as stylish as sunglasses. open image in gallery At music events, take regular breaks and give your ears a rest, do not stand too close to the speakers and wear earplugs that can filter out harmful noise but maintain the music experience, such as earplugs from the Belgian brand Loop ( Loop / Marie Wynants ) Stalpaert points out that loud sounds can lead to temporary or permanent hearing damage, such as hearing loss, tinnitus (a persistent ringing or noise in the ears), or hyperacusis (an oversensitivity to sound). If youre someone who experiences ringing in your ears after attending a loud event, its a sign that the ears have been overloaded. Its important to take action by wearing earplugs, even if the sound is temporary and fades away after a few hours. Give your ears a rest: avoid loud environments and loud noises for the next 24 hours and provide a soothing environment to allow your hearing to recover, says Stalpaert. open image in gallery Give your ears a rest every now and then: step out of the hustle and bustle every now and then to let your hearing recover, says audiologist Karen Stalpaert ( Getty Images ) Invest in good earplugs with music filters: these reduce the volume without distorting the sound quality, such as Loop earplugs. Give your ears a rest every now and then: step out of the hustle and bustle to let your hearing recover. If you want to try earplugs from a brand such as Loop, having the correct size is essential for optimal protection. Loops offering comes with interchangeable tips for different ear sizes, which can maximise their effectiveness in protecting your hearing. Stalpaert recommends inserting the earplugs deep enough into the ear canal so that they seal well, but without causing discomfort. As a rule of thumb, Stalpaert says: If they are loose or fall out, you probably need a smaller size. If they feel painful, they are too big. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Danish children are among the happiest in the world, and parenting experts believe they know the secret. Denmark consistently ranks among the top three happiest countries globally, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This happiness, experts suggest, stems from the unique Danish approach to raising children. Jessica Joelle Alexander, a Danish parenting expert, connects Denmark's four-decade reign as a happiness leader to its distinct child-rearing practices. These methods, she argues, foster a sense of well-being that permeates Danish society. It must be the parenting, she explains. Happy children grow up to be happy adults who raise happy children, and it is a cycle that simply repeats itself. She says that when she went to Denmark for the first time, she was struck by how Danish kids behaved. The children all seemed so serene, content, respectful and well-behaved. There was almost no yelling and parents looked genuinely joyful. The simplicity of childhood was valued and treasured in a way I had never seen before. Now a mother-of-two whos lived in Denmark with her Danish husband, Alexander says the way Danes raise their children changed her so much as a parent that she wanted to tell others about it. So she wrote The Danish Way Of Parenting, which has been published in more than 30 countries, and has now written a follow-up guide, The Danish Way Every Day with her friend Camilla Semlov Andersson, a Danish family therapist. The Danish Way Every Day (Piatkus/PA) The new book describes the Danish parenting model in more detail, explaining how Danes get their children to do chores, cook together and settle into bedtime routines, as well as exploring how they deal with toddler meltdowns and teen conflicts. From mornings, to mealtimes to bedtime, conflicts are a parenting problem across the globe, stresses Alexander. Meltdowns seem to know no borders or do they? How do the happiest people in the world avoid conflict in daily life? Alexander uses six principles which form the acronym PARENT, that she identified in her first book as being at the heart of Danish child-rearing, to explain how parents should deal with conflicts and meltdowns the Danish way. Play: essential for development and wellbeing Authenticity: fosters trust and an inner compass Reframing: helps kids cope with setbacks and look on the bright side Empathy: allows us to act with kindness towards others No ultimatums: no power struggles or resentment Togetherness: a way to celebrate family time, on special occasions and every day And heres how to use the principles to tackle family conflict and meltdowns Play Alexander suggests parents try not to see everyday activities as obstacles to spending time together, but rather as opportunities. She says research shows small children love to help out, and advises: Even if it slows you down now, consider that youre creating a helper for life, with less conflict later on. So if you have a to-do list, look to include your kids in a to-be list how we want to be/feel with our kids in the doing instead. Remember that work is play for small children, and they love to be with you. Patience, not perfection, is key. Authenticity Rather than perfect parents, children need emotionally honest ones, stresses Alexander. She says parents should check-in with themselves and their child often, and ask if you can be fully or semi-present. If youre having a hard day, its ok to admit it, she explains. Include yourself in communication as a real person, not as a parent role. So instead of Mummy wants you to go to bed now, try I have work to finish tonight but you can choose one story. Children who feel taken seriously in our words, tone and actions will take themselves seriously. Reframe If you see your child as annoying, aggressive or bad, youll react this way, exacerbating power struggles, says Alexander, who explains that Danes try to avoid giving children negative labels because they can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The terrible twos, for example, are called selvstndighedsalder or the independence age, she says. A toddlers wilfulness is considered normal, healthy and even welcomed they aim to give them more autonomy, rather than fight it. For instance, she suggests that in the supermarket young children are allowed to take their own mini-trolley around, help take items from the shelf or put groceries on the belt. Rather than seeing them as a hindrance, see them as a helper, she advises. Focus on what they can do, rather than what they cant, and there will be far less conflict. Empathy Alexander says the more you look for and understand the reason behind your childs behaviour, the less conflict youll have, pointing out that there are always good reasons for a childs emotions. Co-author Andersson explains: We believe children have the right to their own feelings. So if a child says Im not hungry, we wouldnt say yes you are eat! So while parents can decide when and what the family eats, they should let their child decide how much they eat, says Alexander. The Danish way doesnt mean being permissive and not having boundaries not at all, she stresses. It just means children always have the right to their feelings, senses and needs within a framework. We can help them develop empathy simply by believing how they feel. No ultimatums Studies clearly show children from families who govern with respect are far more likely to be influenced by their parents, not their peers, as teenagers, says Alexander, who suggests parents should make agreements with their kids, rather than doling out orders. These are hugely popular in Denmark, she explains, because children feel part of the plan. Whether its chores, bedtimes or screentime, kids have a say and its a more effective way to foster responsibility long-term. She says if an agreement is broken, parents should try to remain calm and get curious, not furious. She stresses: We cant expect our children to remain calm if we cant. Remember, the cycle comes back to you. Good begets good, bad begets bad, out of control begets out of control, and calm begets calm. Togetherness and Hygge Hygge essentially means cosiness, but Alexander says you can imagine it as a psychological space you enter with your family where you leave your stress, negativity and complaining outside. She says hygge is a great way to prevent meltdowns, and it could be the state of mind while baking together, being present and not stressing about the mess, or helping (rather than ordering) your teen do the dishes and enjoying the simple conversations. She says: Sometimes, just sitting down on a nature walk to look at the bugs together can calm a child and bring enormous connection. Many Danish schools get kids outside regularly for this very reason. When you actively focus on glimmers the little things we love about our children rather than the things that upset us, it makes a tremendous difference in the day-to-day. 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 family of track stabbing victim Austin Metcalf is facing a slew of swatting" forcing police to descend on their house. Swatting is a false report made to law enforcement meant to get a SWAT team sent to a specific location. The prank is most commonly used against video streamers who are often broadcasting live in hopes that the SWAT team's arrival will be visible on camera. The prank can be and arguably sometimes is intended to be dangerous, as the victim is not expecting a SWAT team to burst through their door, and they could get injured or killed in the chaos. On Monday, Frisco police confirmed that they'd received a call that a gun had been shot at the Metcalf property. When they arrived, they learned there had been no shooting, FOX 4 reports. According to the police, this is the third time the Metcalf family has been swatted. The family has faced the spotlight since 17-year-old Austin was killed during a tack meet in Frisco, Texas, earlier this month. Austin Metcalf, 17 (left) of Frisco, Texas, was stabbed and killed by Karmelo Anthony, 17 (right) also of Frisco, following a fight at a high school track meet on April 1, police say ( GoFundMe/Frisco Police Department ) The two previous swatting incidents were on April 8 and April 17. In one incident the police were sent to Metcalf's mother's home, and in the other the police were sent to his father's home. Police are likely investigating the origins of the swatting calls but have not provided details. Making a false report is typically considered a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $4,000. Texas is currently trying to pass legislation to make the punishment for swatting more severe. Metcalf was killed on April 2 and both his family and the family of his alleged attack, 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony have been thrust into the spotlight since the alleged murder. The stabbing happened on April 2. According to an arrest report, Anthony was sitting under the Memorial High School's tent, and Metcalf reportedly asked him to leave as he did not attend that high school. Anthony allegedly told Metcalf "touch me and see what happens," according to the arrest affidavit. A witness claims that Metcalf shoved Anthony to remove him from the tent, at which time Anthony allegedly reached into a bag, pulled out a knife, and stabbed Metcalf. Anthony was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Shortly after Anthony was released on house arrest, his family began receiving threatening calls and visits from angry citizens. As a result, Anthony had to be moved to an "undisclosed location" for his safety. Jeff Metcalf, Austin's father, was meanwhile trying to deal with the grief of losing his son while at the same time being drug into a culture war. Last week, a group of racists led by a Capitol riot defendant went to the school where Metcalf was killed and held a demonstration. The elder Metcalf called in to denounce them, and called their leader a "piece of trash" who doesn't actually care about his family. 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 bank worker in Arkansas was arrested after she allegedly stole more than $240,000 from her customers - but claimed she was borrowing it. Heather Pankey was arrested Wednesday in connection with her alleged scheme. She was working at the First National Bank of Commerce in Pocahontas, Arkansas, when the thefts allegedly happened. Arrest documents state that Pankey's alleged thefts were discovered March 20 after multiple customer accounts were flagged for fraudulent bank activity, according to KAIT. The initial red flag appeared when a transaction was initiated on a deceased customers account and failed to post, the arrest affidavit said. According to investigators, the transaction was initiated by someone using employee log-in credentials and matched those assigned to Pankey. open image in gallery Heather Pankey, 45, of Arkansas, was charged with theft of property, forgery, financial identity fraud and computer fraud after she allegedly stole $241,900 from customers at the bank where she worked. ( Randolph County Sheriff's Office ) Investigators further claim that Pankey accessed multiple customer accounts and transferred money into a joint account that she had been sharing with her grandmother. Pankey allegedly withdrew money from at least eight customer accounts, according to the affidavit. The total amount of money stolen is reportedly more than $241,900, according to investigators. The movement of these funds was part of a pattern of behavior in which [Pankey] transferred money from one customers account to another to conceal prior unauthorized withdrawals, the affidavit said. Pankey submitted a statement to the court explaining her actions. "I borrowed money from a couple of customers that I knew wouldn't need the money at the time," she wrote. Pankey was booked into the Randolph County Detention Center Wednesday morning, and has been charged with theft of property, forgery, financial identity fraud and computer fraud. Theft of property and forgery are both Class B felonies, financial identity fraud is a Class C felony, and computer fraud is a Class D felony. 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 Bryan Kohberger, the man suspected of slaughtering four Idaho college students in 2022, may face the death penalty if convicted, despite his recent autism diagnosis, a judge ruled Thursday. Kohberger is accused of murdering University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen at a home near the Moscow campus. Local Ada County District Judge Steven Hippler originally said Kohberger could face execution if convicted. But Kohbergers defense team asked Hippler afterward to strike the death penalty due to Kohbergers diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Kohbergers team argued that sentencing an autistic person to death would constitute cruel and unusual punishment, which is prohibited under the Eighth Amendment. Mr. Kohbergers autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death, Kohbergers attorneys wrote in court filings. open image in gallery Kohbergers trial is set to begin in August But prosecutors pointed to Supreme Court precedent that says only intellectual disabilities exclude someone from facing the death penalty. Prosecutors also said that Kohbergers autism diagnosis is without accompanying intellectual ... impairment. Kohbergers trial will begin in Boise, Idaho on August 11. Its expected to last until November. Kohberger, 30, was a criminology student at Washington State University just 10 miles from the University of Idahos campus. He was arrested in his home state of Pennsylvania six weeks after the murders. Investigators say they found his DNA on a knife sheath they found at the scene. All four students were stabbed to death multiple times, and were likely asleep when they were attacked, autopsies revealed. Kohberger has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case was recently moved to Boise after the defense successfully argued that Kohberger would not have an impartial jury in the tight-knit community of Moscow because of the extensive media coverage potentially tainting the jury pool. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. 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 Disgraced former congressman George Santos was sentenced to 7 years in prison for wire fraud and identity theft on Friday. Standing before Judge Joanna Seybert in federal court, Santos, 36, appeared in his well-known outfit: a V-neck sweater fashioned over a white button-down and tie, complete with a suit jacket. But instead of entering the House of Representatives or filming a video for social media, this time, he heard his punishment for engaging in a scheme that defrauded voters. Wheres the remorse? Where do I see it? Seybert asked Santos before sentencing him to 87 months in prison. Santos, who lied about his family history, job experience and life, pleaded guilty to defrauding voters and identity fraud to fund his congressional campaign in August. He also admitted to committing wire fraud, stealing credit card information and lying to the Federal Election Commission. Despite admitting the crimes, Santos has spent the last few months lashing out at federal prosecutors on social media and denying wrongdoing. Hes claimed the Justice Department was trying to break him. Federal prosecutors had asked Seybert to sentence Santos to approximately 7 years in prison, labelling him as unrepentant for his crimes due to his insatiable appetite for likes on social media. open image in gallery George Santos leaves court after being sentenced to 78 months in prison ( REUTERS ) They called Santoss refusal to admit wrongdoing abizarre missive portraying himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach and selective prosecution. Meanwhile, Santoss lawyers had asked Seybert to sentence him to only two years in prison, the minimum federal sentence. They argued that his crimes were not committed with inherent malice but rather out of misguided desperation for his political campaign. After bursting onto the political scene, winning a Republican seat in the House representing New Yorks 3rd district, Santos conjured a spotlight that ultimately became his downfall. open image in gallery Santos had cultivated allies in the far-right faction of the House and has supported President Donald Trump unwaveringly ( via REUTERS ) Soon after taking office, reports emerged that Santos had fabricated information on his resume, claiming he worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs despite no evidence that he worked at either company. There was also no evidence that Santos attended Baruch College, from which he said he received a diploma. Reports of lies began piling on top of each other, painting Santos as deceitful. Among the stranger fabrications, Santos claimed his mother survived the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks although immigration documents indicate she wasnt even in the United States at the time. open image in gallery Santos, dressed allegedly as his drag queen persona, which he denied ever doing ( Youtube ) After photos emerged of Santos performing as a drag queen, he denied ever having done drag, claiming he had fun at a festival. Santos, who misrepresented himself as being Jewish, was forced to correct himself as being Jew-ish because his mothers family had some Jewish background. The former congressman also claimed his grandparents survived the Holocaust, but did not provide evidence to support that. He also claimed to run a pet-rescue charity called Friends of Pets United and solicited money for it, including $3,000 that was supposed to go to a veterans dogs life-saving surgery. Through it all, Santos claimed innocence. In 2023, Santos was charged with 23 felony counts for what prosecutors said were three schemes to pocket money from political donors and government assistance programs to fund his lavish lifestyle. The former congressman initially pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Santos managed to cling to power until December 2023, when his colleagues ousted him from the House of Representatives following a report from the House Ethics Committee, which found Santos had defrauded donors and used money to buy designer goods. open image in gallery Santos was expelled by his colleagues in December 2023, becoming only the sixth congressman to be forcibly ousted from the House ( EPA ) The absurdity of Santoss rise to political fame landed him a gig as a social media star. Santos has since leaned into his reputation, launching a career making Cameos for fans willing to pay money for a personalized video and a podcast called Pants on Fire. Part of it has been done to assist Santos in paying his $580,000 in penalties, including restitution. Through it all, Santos has maintained his confident composure, occasionally winking to the camera but never going as far as to genuinely admit hes wrong. 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 Put the system on trial, read one. No Death for Luigi Mangione, read another. The signs outside of a New York City courtroom Friday help deliver the message that the crowd gathered nearby couldnt give inside. They did not want to see Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing a healthcare CEO in cold blood, to be executed if found guilty. Inside, prosecutors faced the man they announced a day earlier they want to execute if convicted and a jury recommends That day is likely months, if not years, away. Friday served as the first chance for those following the case to voice their thought on the Justice Departments decision. Those in the crowd insisted they were not fans of the accused killer as portrayed. Authorities say the Ivy League graduate fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December outside of a Midtown Manhattan hotel before fleeing to Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was arrested nearly a week later. The nation-gripping search for the suspect, divisive reactions in the wake of the killing and media attention around the case has been nothing short of sensational. The case has prompted some to defend the suspected murderer for a host of reasons. Those in Friday's crowd said they were not there for his looks. Unlike previous protests, most didnt mention the anger at the American healthcare system that some have speculated as a motive for the murder. Instead, they said it was because of the official announcement that prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. "The way they're bringing the death penalty onto Luigi is a political game," a New Yorker who goes by Kelly told The Independent. Noting the wide-ranging reactions to the December 4 killing, Kelly said she believes the government recognizes that Americans stand behind putting an end to for-profit health insurance companies and "corporate greed." "I'm out here to protest the system of violence," she continued. "The system isn't working. The system is broken." The movement "is not really about him. It's about something he woke people up to," she said, taking issue with how Mangione's demonstrators are portrayed as fangirls obsessed with an attractive young man and support his alleged crime. "I'm gay and want to show we're not just here because people have a crush," she added. open image in gallery Protesters blates the government's intent to use the death penalty if Luigi Mangione is convicted of the UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder as they gathered outside a New York City courthouse Friday for his hearing ( The Independent ) Sure, hes cute, Nadine Seiler admitted as she stood in the crowd. However, she said that wasnt her motivation to travel from Maryland for the case. Attorney General Pam Bondis directive was arbitrary and is being misused in this case, the woman wearing a green Super Marios Luigi cap and bunny ears reading Free Luigi told The Independent. The Justice Departments decision sends a message to dissenters to say this is what you could expect, Seiler claimed. Seiler made reference to recent remarks by Trumps counterterrorism czar Sebastian Gorka, who claimed last week that those who dont support the presidents anti-immigration agenda are on the side of the terrorists. Gorka added that advocates for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the wrongfully deported Salvadoran man, could be prosecuted for aiding and abetting. Seiler read Gorkas comments as trying to intimidate protesters. She added: You could be next if you dissent from the Trump administration. Breigh Marquisette, a paralegal from Philadelphia, said she was here because Im a fan of due process and doesnt support how politics appear to be getting involved in the case. You cant just pick and choose, Marquisette said, noting the El Paso's District Attorney decision last month to let the gunman, who pleaded guilty to killing 23 people in a racist attack targeting Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart in Texas in 2019, avoid the death penalty. The federal government made the same decision in 2023, when Joe Biden was president; he imposed a federal moratorium on the death sentence. Others, such as Bill Dobbs with the nonprofit Death Penalty Action, said they were against executions in all circumstances and the death penalty a "violation of human rights" that "throws the rest of our justice system out of whack." He also took issue with the dual prosecutions between federal and state charges in the case. Its a scary amount of state power, Dobbs told The Independent. Id like to see him get a fair shake. open image in gallery Demonstrators, some of whom are dressed as video game character Luigi Mario, hold up signs calling to 'Free Luigi' ( The Independent ) open image in gallery A sketch of Mangione in prison clothes with his lawyers Karen Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo and Avi Moskowitz, and pleads not guilty in federal court to murder charges ( REUTERS ) Inside the courtroom, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangiones attorney, made a similar point. She denounced the unprecedented simultaneous dual prosecutions that have led to some issues. The 26-year-old is also facing 11 criminal counts in New York state, including murder, as well as other charges in Pennsylvania, where he was captured by authorities following a six-day manhunt last December. He has pleaded not guilty in New York and has yet to make a plea in Pennsylvania. One of these issues, Agnifilo told the judge, involved inadvertent eavesdropping on calls between her and Mangione by the state prosecutors; the recordings were given to the state by federal prosecutors, she alleged. The federal prosecutors said this was the first time they were hearing of this claim. The judge told prosecutors to ensure Mangione had access to a secure phone line for attorney-client calls and needed to write a letter with updates on the matter by May 2. Mangione, unshackled and sporting beige prison guard, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder through use of a firearm, two counts of stalking and a firearms offense. His signature curls were trimmed and he was clean-shaven. He hunched over at times, seemingly taking notes throughout the days proceeding that he passed to Agnifilo. The brief hearing was mostly procedural as his federal case moves forward and is likely the first to be heard. It could also be the one that decides Mangiones fate and whether he will be executed a push that Agnifilo has spent weeks blasting. "Their decision to execute Luigi is political and goes against the recommendation of the local federal prosecutors, the law, and historical precedent," she previously stated. 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 38-year-old cold case was solved Thursday as Miami-area police say they arrested a suspect they believe robbed and murdered a real estate broker. Jeffrey Taylor, 64, of Liberty City, Florida, was arrested this week in connection with the June 13, 1986, killing of 49-year-old Shirley Brant. Police called Taylor a "career criminal" when they announced the arrest. Police in North Miami Beach said that Taylor shot and killed Brant while she was working at her office and having a conversation on her phone, according to Local 10. According to police, Taylor who was 26 years old at the time and another man entered Brant's office and demanded that she hang up her phone. Brant and Taylor reportedly had a struggle, at which time he shot the real estate broker, police said. Brant was transported to Parkway Regional Hospital, where she died. Jeffrey Taylor, 64, was arrested in connection with the killing of 49-year-old Shirley Brant in 1986. He is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm ( Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center ) One of Brant's co-workers heard her scream, and saw one of the men trying to wrestle the phone out of her hand.The co-worker said she heard Brant yell "don't shoot" before hearing a gunshot. The attackers fled the scene after stealing Brant's cash and credit cards. Retired police who worked on the original case returned to assist current officers in the latest investigation. During their review, they found latent fingerprints that hadn't been entered into the Fingerprint Identification System at the time because they did not meet the criteria for acceptable evidence then. After a review of the latent prints, police said they were able to link evidence to Taylor earlier this year. He has since been arrested on a second-degree murder charge. As of Friday, Taylor was being held without bond in jail. Brant's family held a news conference Friday and expressed their gratitude to the detectives for "all the hours they tirelessly worked to solve this case." Brant's husband passed away before an arrest was made. The family said that he was relentless in his fight to bring his wife's killer to justice, and said that "this is all for him." "He missed my mom terribly, terribly. He hired a private eye to look over things and to see that everything was done," Brant's son, Steven Brant, told PEOPLE. North Miami Police Chief Juan Pinillos praised the detectives for securing an arrest in the murder. "The resolution of this case reflects our department's commitment to justice, no matter how much time has passed," he said in a statement. "We hope this arrest bring a measure of closure to the Brant family and all who knew her." 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 Immigration authorities raided a former New Mexico judges home, where they accused him of harboring an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member, and took him into custody. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, 67, and his wife, Nancy Cano, 68, were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcementx Thursday after a tipster claimed that undocumented migrants associated with the Venezuelan gang were staying at their home. The couple has been charged with tampering with evidence, jail records show. The investigation began in January 2025 after ICE received an anonymous tip that an illegal alien from Venezuela and a suspected member of a criminal gang, was residing with other illegal aliens in the United States at the judges home in Las Cruces and was in possession of firearms, according to court filings. Two search warrants were executed at the Canos home on February 28, during which authorities seized four guns and took three immigrants into custody, documents say. The judge resigned in March after federal authorities accused the couple of housing an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, at their home. open image in gallery A former New Mexico judge, Joel Cano, and his wife, Nancy Cano, were arrested after ICE accused them of harboring members of a Venezuelan gang ( Dona Ana County Jail ) Let me be as crystal clear as possible, Cano wrote in his resignation, obtained by KOAT. The very first time I ever heard that the boys could possibly have any association with Tren de Aragua was when I was informed of that by [the] agents on the day of the raid. He added that each of the men had immigration paperwork that suggested that they were not subject to removal. Their papers stated in the upper right-hand corner, This Person is Not Subject to Removal. They each had a specific court date regarding their asylum hearing, Cano stated. He continued: I have three grandkids that I love dearly. Their ages are 15, 8 and 6. There is no way in the world that I would have allowed my grandkids to have any contact with the boys if I had sensed danger. Ortego-Lopez installed a glass door for Nancy Cano in late 2023, according to court documents. He continued doing a few jobs for her in 2024 and after he was evicted from his apartment in April 2024, she offered him a stay in their casita, a small house on their property. There, Ortego-Lopez was given access to guns, the filing says. Ortega-Lopez allegedly posted photos of himself on social media holding guns. Agents also looked at the social media accounts of the other undocumented immigrants staying at the judge's house that suggests clear indicators of association with the Venezuelan gang. These indicators included tattoos, clothing apparel and displaying hand gestures, the government wrote. open image in gallery Nancy Cano has been accused of witness tampering after she allegedly let Venezuelan gang members live in a 'casita' on her property ( Dona Ana County Jail ) President Donald Trumps administration has repeatedly relied on tattoos to identify alleged gang members. ICE has been apparently relying on a scorecard the Alien Enemies Act Validation Guide to determine whether Venezuelan immigrants are eligible for deportation, ACLU lawyers have said. If migrants reach a score of eight points or higher, they are validated as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, the guide states. Tattoos are worth four points. Last month, the administration sent three planes carrying dozens of Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador after the president invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime law. The presidents order states 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. The ACLU sued administration officials over their use of the Alien Enemies Act and a judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the migrants from being deported. Still, the planes flew to El Salvador; the judge this month said he found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt. The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the Trump administration has the authority to deport migrants under the centuries-old act but also ordered that the government provide detainees an opportunity to contest their removals in court districts nearest to the detention centers where they are being held. ELKO Federal cuts to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Healths community mental health services block grant are hitting home in Elko County with the elimination of two programs helping children, including students impacted by COVID-era lockdowns. The cuts by President Trumps DOGE team headed by Elon Musk were in the form of $8.4 million in terminated pandemic-era additions to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Healths community mental health services block grant. This includes two federal grants providing free mental health counseling to children in Elko and Humboldt counties. In addition, DOGE has eliminated a grant supporting the mental health needs of homeless children. On April 2, the Board of Regents at UNLV received a letter from the Nevada Department of Education which stated there is no guarantee that any future funding will be available for their Rural Mental Health Outreach Program projects. We had two grants that provided services to Elko County through our training clinic here at University of Nevada Las Vegas called the Partnership for Research, Assessment, Counseling, Therapy and Innovative Clinical Education. Students who are in training, trainees at the postdoctoral level or are completing their mental health counseling hours for licensure, would call in via Telehealth from our clinic here, UNLV psychology professor and Nevada Rural Mental Health Outreach Program director and investigator Dr. Dan Allen told the Elko Daily. Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevadas senior U.S. senator, wrote a letter earlier this month to Heath and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., demanding answers about his decision to cut critical state funding for mental health services.Nearly 474,000 Nevadans experience mental health conditions, yet the state continues to rank among the worst in the nation for access to care, Cortez Masto wrote. Federal mental health dollars serve as a lifeline, helping state and local agencies deliver essential services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Allen said Communities in Schools, a nonprofit serving students in Elko and other Nevada cities, would organize appointments in a private setting with their school case managers. We were providing psychotherapy services with one of the grants. With the other grant, we were providing specialized care services for kids with early bipolar disorder and those who are at clinical high risk for psychosis, he said. While this is disappointing news, we are fortunate that we had anticipated a fall launch and therefore do not have to interrupt any active services, UNLV Assistant Vice President of Mental & Behavioral Health Michelle Paul said. However, the funding cuts raise concerns in other areas, she said. While those two particular programs had funding from other grants and are still running, Allen noted, Our funding from our second grant allowed us to provide those services via Telehealth to Humboldt and Elko counties. So, those programs were cut the two [outreach] programs, the one that we call the Expansion Program for Specialized Services and the one that was just sort of a general program for general psychotherapy for kids who needed help.There was also a program that another faculty member, Madeline Clark, had received funding for through the Department of Education. Our funding came through the SAMHSA Mental Health Block Grant. It was supplemented with American Rescue Plan Act funding, which was cut by the current administration as part of their efforts to increase government efficiency, Allen said. We are a training clinic at the practice. It was a mutually beneficial program that was helping to get mental health therapists trained in mental health therapy with children and then also provide services where there is a shortage of mental health clinicians in the state, specifically in the rural communities, Nevada Rural Mental Health Outreach Program Director Liz Carrasco said.We were providing, both for Elko and Humboldt counties, these services, she said. In these settings, its kind of a smaller town, a lot of people know each other. So, it was really convenient for the kids to get therapy at school with someone whos kind of outside of the community. Theres that sense of privacy and also being able to conveniently access therapy services where they might not have access to as many resources in the community in Elko, she explained. So definitely, this program was to help alleviate some of the per capita shortage of mental health clinicians that we have in the state, she said. Unfortunately, in the rural communities, theres a disproportionate impact, because the need is great but the availability of clinicians is even smaller than in urban areas, Carrasco explained. Also, since the pandemic, even though I know the DOGE committee is saying that because some of our funding was linked to the ARPA funds, which is technically for the pandemic, there are lots of impacts in our communities from the pandemic that people are still experiencing, she said. When kids were in lockdown, there was lots of isolation and depression and it was a very difficult time for everybody. Zero Suicides Elko County has said suicide is an ongoing problem in the county, with two so far this year through March. Because it is a small community, it impacts a lot of people to know that an unfortunate death like that happened, Carrasco said. So, the timing is really difficult. This is a vital community resource, in my opinion. There are still people in need. Allen said the rural outreach program was designed to fulfill two needs. One is to provide services to kids who otherwise wouldnt be able to access them. Also, he added, travel distance from a mental health provider can be a major barrier. If a patient has to drive to Reno to get services for conditions such as psychosis or early bipolar disorder, it makes it costly and oftentimes impractical for kids living in winter months over in Elko to be able to get those services on a regular basis, Allen explained.The ability to provide services to kids while theyre in school overcomes the transportation barrier because theyre already there, he said. It also allows us to do this by Telehealth, provide psychiatry, case management, psychotherapy, peer support, family education and all the things our specialty programs provide. It allows us to be able to fill the need for providers. The providers oftentimes are few and far between. He said Nevada is 51st among the states and District of Columbia in terms of access to mental health providers. So, the ability to develop programs to simultaneously meet these needs in our community but also allow us to train the next generation of Nevada mental health care providers is another goal of these programs that was impacted with the cuts, Allen said. We were seeing 35 kids currently. Last year, throughout the fall school year, we saw 150 kids total, Carrasco said of Elko and Humboldt counties. Theres definitely a need for this. Through the clinical high-risk programs, they have found early intervention has major results, she said. The earlier we identify if someone is having early bipolar or early psychosis symptoms and the sooner they get connected to services, the better outcome they have in the long run. So, theres definitely a need to get these kids screened and serviced and connected to resources that will help them have better outcomes for all. For a little over 12 years, we have been partnering with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and their Institute of mental and behavioral health to provide virtual telehealth program mental health support for Students 13 years and over, said Tami Hance-Lehr, state director and CEO of Communities In Schools of Nevada. She said the partnership began because there werent enough providers in Elko County at the time to support the mental health needs of our young people. One of the true values of Communities In Schools is we try to find a partner to remove whatever barrier it is that keeps kids from coming to school. So, we partnered with UNLV to set up this Telehealth program long before the pandemic and every year its gotten a little bit stronger, in tandem with the Elko County School district and a few donors, she explained.Private donors have also given us money to support this work. But as weve continued to provide these services over the last few years, we found that there are more students who need them, Hance-Lehr explained.When we first started, we had the funds to provide for one graduate assistant to help with this program. Throughout the years, weve gotten more. We partner with UNLV and their graduate assistants who are working towards getting their license, she said. Even when school isnt in session, we work with students and families, maybe to provide those sessions virtually, either at their homes or in our Communities in Schools offices. Weve even expanded the program through this [outreach] partnership to provide for youth who need even more intensive services, Hance-Lehr explained. If a graduate assistant isnt equipped to handle their needs, we then will refer them to an intensive licensed therapist through UNLV to help our students and our families navigate what theyre dealing with. This will certainly allow for our families not to have to travel to Reno or Salt Lake City or other areas to get services.We are working to make sure that every student graduates career-, college- and community-ready. We know that mental health issues are a huge piece of that. If our students are experiencing trauma at home, if theyre having suicide ideology, if theyre being bullied, if there are other things happening, they dont always feel safe to show up in a school environment, she said. Thats why providing this mental health support so that they have a safe person to talk to is so vital for our students. I cant tell you the number of students weve been working with over the past few years who have really felt the value of our services.We were getting rural health funding from RHOP to help elevate some of our students who need more intensive services. We were also working with UNLV on McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act dollars, she added, which helped with homeless students or students who are at risk for being homeless.Part of the reason why this program has been able to expand is because we were getting these RHOP dollars and these McKinney-Vento dollars, which were funded through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund funds that came from after the pandemic, she said.These funds were originally supposed to be happening until the end of September and then we got a notice on April 2 that the funds were being stopped effective that day and that we had to stop any of the programs that were being funded through this program, unless we could find other people to fund them. Hance-Lehr said 33 students who were enrolled in getting these mental health services are losing their spot because of the lack of these funds; 10 of them are in Humboldt County and 23 of them are in Elko County. 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 member of the radical vegan group known as the Zizians has insisted she and her friends are "not a murder cult" and said she is "innocent" of all charges. Michelle Jamie Zajko, 32, is currently imprisoned in Maryland on misdemeanor charges and is considered a person of interest in the murder of her parents on New Year's Eve 2022. She is also believed to be linked to a shootout with federal agents in Vermont early this year. Yet, in a 20-page handwritten letter from jail, provided to The Independent by her lawyer, Zajko denied murdering her parents, Richard and Rita Zajko, and sought to counter what she called "sensationalized lies" about the group's actions and motives. "My friends and I aren't a murder cult and haven't murdered six people," she maintained. Even if she were pressured to make a false confession, or to lie about my friends ... I will refuse, and I will plead innocent in spite of the odds, because I am innocent ... I will fight this every step of the way, she wrote. Zajko was arrested in Maryland this February alongside the group's namesake and co-founder, Ziz LaSota, 34, and a younger disciple, Daniel Blank. Prosecutors allege that guns bought by Zajko were used in the Inauguration Day shootout with federal agents in Vermont, which killed U.S. border cop David Maland and young financial trader Ophelia Bauckholt. open image in gallery A law enforcement bulletin lists information about Michelle Zajko, also known as Jamie Zajko ( FBI ) Two other associates of LaSota are awaiting trial in California for the attempted murder of their landlord Curtis Lind in 2022, which instead resulted in the death of a young woman. Lind was later stabbed to death this January allegedly by a young man inspired by Ziz's philosophy. Neither Zajko nor LaSota, however, have been charged in connection with any deaths. Zajko's missive, which was first reported by the Associated Press, did not answer key questions about these incidents. Her letter offered no theories about who might have killed her parents, did not address the claims about her guns and the Vermont shootout, nor did it explain her relationship to alleged shooter Milo Youngblut. Nevertheless, it charts Zajko's journey from an apparent enemy of LaSota to a true believer who credits LaSota for "saving [her] life. Zajko alleged in the letter that she is "slowly starving" in jail because she is not being given enough verifiably vegan food, and said that LaSota is currently on a "hunger strike" and in poor health. She also made detailed allegations of sexual abuse against multiple people in the San Francisco Bay Area's cultish rationalist community, claiming that LaSota and her friends have been smeared by "a conspiracy of stalkers and abusers. "Ziz is not my leader, and I am not hers, Zajko wrote. What we have is called friendship, and I love her infinitely more than I could ever express. She added: "I've never met anyone like her, and I am honored to be able to consider myself among her friends ... I've never seen her do an evil thing." A conspiracy of stalkers and abusers According to Wired, Zajko grew up in an affluent neighborhood outside Philadelphia, studied bioinformatics at Temple University, and interned at NASA. In 2019 she moved to the Bay Area and got involved with the rationalist community, which aspires to apply rigorous logic to the world's toughest problems and prevent artificial intelligence from destroying humanity. Zajko's letter picks up around that point, saying she originally hoped to infiltrate Bay Area rationalist institutions that she believed to be covering up sexual abuse allegations against prominent community members. "The Bay Area rationalist community had and has a strong culture of silence around abuse. When victims speak out, they're treated badly. It's a bit like Hollywood in that regard," she wrote. The Independent is not printing the specifics of the allegations because it has not been able to independently corroborate them. open image in gallery Ziz LaSota after her arrest in Maryland in February 2025 ( Allegany County Sheriffs Office ) Initially, Zajko said, she heard negative things about the so-called Zizians, a vegan splinter group of largely transgender rationalists with anarchist ideals and an uncompromising attitude to good and evil. But she later came to believe that this was a smear campaign by people on "team cover-up" who were scared of Ziz's uncompromising opposition to abuse. She alleged that the pseudonymous website Zizians.info, which appears to have coined the term "Zizians" and described them as a "cult" led by Ziz LaSota, was a "hoax" concocted by "our various stalkers and abusers ... in order to discredit us." That partly echoes the account of Octavia Nouzen, a Seattle-based rationalist and former opponent of LaSota who later declared herself a Zizian. She told The Independent that she had helped edit Zizians.info, and that it was a misleading "smear site" borne out of an obsessive grudge. Zajko further alleged that she herself had been abused by one of her own former partners, who beat her with bamboo sticks without consent and gave her a concussion. Zajko credited LaSota with saving [her] life by getting her away from her ex-partner, saying Ziz had rescued multiple abuse victims and stopp[ed] a terrorist attack. Some of Zajko's statements in the letter appear conspiratorial. She sees the hidden hand of the groups enemies in a wide range of setbacks, and suggests that they may have sent a literal assassin" to find her. She claimed to have spent the last two years in "homebrewed witness protection" because she feared for her safety, and said she needed to carry guns "to defend [her]self against murderous conspirators. open image in gallery Richard Zajko, left, and his wife Rita Zajko ( Pennsylvania State Police ) According to Wired, Pennsylvania police officers investigating the death of Zajkos parents believed one of her guns might have been the murder weapon, and that Zajko had turned off her phone in the hours before the shooting. Zajko did not address how her guns might have ended up with Youngblut and Bauckholt, though she said Youngblut was "living in terror" of an ex-partner. "If I weren't in jail, I could provide chatlogs, screenshots, audio confessions, video footage, tax filings, statements made under oath, and other records," Zajko wrote. If you wish for more tyrants, then submit to tyranny Zajko's letter casts her as something of a political prisoner, unjustly detained based on a false narrative by shadowy conspirators, and urges outsiders to investigate her allegations. She extensively criticized the U.S. justice system and the FBI, describing it as a tyrannical "superorganism" willing to force confessions and fabricate evidence. She advocated refusing to cooperate with this system "no matter the cost, based on a complicated rationalist concept known as "functional decision theory" (or "timeless decision theory"). "Do not reward tyrants, blackmailers, etc. for using evil strategies by giving them what they want. If you wish for more tyrants, then submit to tyranny; if you want more blackmailers, then pay out to blackmail; if you don't, then don't," Zajko wrote. "Your fate is the self-fulfilling prophecy you write for yourself." Zajko complained that conditions are poor in her jail in Allegany County, Maryland, and that she had been subjected to "torture lite" a reference to the U.S. treatment of War on Terror detainees under President George W. Bush. She alleged that she had seen evidence of prisoners' medical issues going untreated, and said: "I place a significant probability on our captors murdering Ms LaSota through medical neglect." A spokesperson for Allegany County told the Vermont news site VTDigger that Zajko had reported no injuries to jail staff. "Allegany County Detention Center takes all medical concerns seriously and has established procedures for timely evaluation and treatment by qualified healthcare personnel, the spokesperson said. "While we were not required to provide vegan meals to this individual, a vegan option was in fact offered. If found to be unsatisfactory, they had the option to choose the meal being offered to other incarcerated individuals." Zajkos letter said that she could not eat much of the food offered to her because it was covered in butter or margarine, and that staff had refused to disclose the latters ingredients. While Zajko did not answer authorities' allegations in much detail, she did disclaim any connection with 22-year-old data Seattle-area data scientist Maximilian Snyder, who is charged with murdering Lind in Vallejo, California on January 17. "The newspapers do not seem to realize that there are multiple groups, and that my friends and I are not with Snyder," she said, denouncing him as a "creep. 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 An Australian radio station is facing backlash after using an AI-generated host for the last six months without disclosing it. Australian Radio Networks CADA station, which broadcasts in Sydney and on the iHeartRadio app, created a host called Thy using artificial intelligence software developed by voice cloning firm ElevenLabs. The Workdays with Thy show presented music for four hours a day from Monday to Friday, but did not mention on its website or promotional materials that Thy was not a real person. If your day is looking a bit bleh, let Thy and CADA be the energy and vibe to get your mood lifted, the shows page states. Thys true identity only emerged after Sydney-based writer Stephanie Coombes questioned whether Thy was a real person. In blog post earlier this month, Ms Coombes wrote: What is Thys last name? Who is she? Where did she come from? There is no biography, or further information about the woman who is supposedly presenting this show. Audio analysis of voice clips revealed that the host sounded identical when saying the words old school across different shows. ARN project leader Fayed Tohme subsequently acknowledged the use of AI to create the voice of Thy, writing in a since-deleted LinkedIn post that Thy sounds real and has real fans, despite not being a real person. No mic, no studio, just code and vibes, he wrote in the post, which was shared by Mediaweek. An experiment by ARN and ElevenLabs thats pushing the boundaries of what live radio even means. open image in gallery Sydney radio station CADA used an AI-generated host for its Workdays with Thy show ( iStock/ Getty Images ) There are currently no rules against the use of AI in broadcast content, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, however the Australian Radio Network was criticised for not disclosing the use of AI on one of its regular shows. They should have been upfront and completely honest, disclosing that the radio host was an AI, Teresa Lim, vice president of the Australian Association of Voice Actors, told Mediaweek. People have been deceived into thinking its a real person because theres no AI labelling. ARN said in a statement that it was exploring how new technology can support great content and improve its output. Weve been trialling AI audio tools on CADA using the voice of Thy, an ARN team member, the statement read. This is a space being explored by broadcasters globally, and while the trial has offered valuable insights, its also reinforced the unique value that personalities bring to creating truly compelling content. 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 Streaming giant Netflix is back up after experiencing a technical glitch that affected millions of customers across the world on Thursday. Some subscribers reported on social media that they were seeing error codes when trying to log in, while others said they were being redirected to other profiles, or seeing watch lists that were not their own. Reloading the website or the app consistently showed an error, they said. Downdetector showed a spike in user complaints around 2pm ET, with subscribers in Boston, New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles seeing the most issues, according to the Daily Mail. Outage.com reported that they received error reports from the US, UK, Italy, France, Canada, UAE, and several other countries. The outage coincided with the release of the final season of Penn Badgley-starrerYou, which frustrated fans trying to watch the series. I wanted to continue watching the last season of You and my Netflix is DOWN, one person posted on X. Netflix is still down & not working. It collapses, gives standard codes and if you login again it just starts over and over. This is on all devices across - except iPhone (which also will not continue to next episode). Hope it gets resolved quickly, wrote another. The Irish Star reported seeing messages posted in Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish, and English, implying the outage was a global issue and not restricted to any particular area. An individual wrote on Downdetectors message board claiming to have been in touch with Netflix. I called Netflix today and they said it's a new problem and they're working on it, they wrote. At the time of the outage, Netflix wrote on their website: While the service is not down in all countries, user reports indicate that some users in certain regions may be experiencing issues. The streaming giant appears to have resolved the issue now, as its status page shows a green checkmark suggesting the service is back up and working. However, it is unclear what caused it. Netflix last saw an outage in December 2023 as well as a massive snag when it tried to livestream a special reunion of hit dating show Love Is Blind. Fans waited over an hour before the episode finally started airing, by which time it was revealed the reunion was no longer live. Netflix apologised to everyone who stayed up late, woke up early, gave up their Sunday afternoon for the technical snag. According to Netflixs fourth-quarter 2024 earnings report, it has 301.63 million subscribers globally. In this May 17, 2015, file photo, A Louisiana black bear, sub-species of the black bear that was protected under the Endangered Species Act, looks out from a water oak tree in Marksville on May 1, 2015. (Photo by Gerald Herbert, The Associated Press) M.E. Cormier is a Baton Rouge-based consultant who was campaign manager for former Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome's 2024 reelection bid. Lesli Harris is the New Orleans City Council member for District B. Dr. Jennifer Avegno is the head of the New Orleans Health Department. Gone are the days of the expensive long lunch. Heres where to find some of the best fast and fabulous lunch deals right now. Remember the days of the long lunch? No, me neither. History books tell us that in the age of the dinosaur circa 1980s the business lunch started at 1pm and went all day. This was before the poor old dears were wiped out by the FBT and the GFC, of course. Then we all had to WFH and lunch became LOL (leftover lasagne) at the kitchen bench. Now it seems weve entered the age of the short lunch. This is what happens when you still want all the good things about going out to dine but have neither the time nor the money. Photo: Illustration by Simon Letch Savvy restaurateurs have been quick to respond to market forces by launching express-lunch menus, and diners are responding in kind because they know exactly what theyll get and how much it will cost. In Melbourne, Kisume Japanese restaurant does a good set lunch chicken katsu don, say, and miso soup for under $30. By all means, add an order of toro sashimi and caviar for $88.50, as long as you realise that could net you three more express lunches instead. Exhibition Street newcomer Juni opened with a firm offer of four small, snacky plates featuring chef Michael Lambies south-east Asian favourites and a beer for $42. Whether you go solo or take a group, thats a smart deal. In North Sydney, corporate hotspot Poetica goes express with a choice of main course and a glass of wine or beer for $49. Alfies, from Sydneys Liquid & Larder team, even promises a sizzling 220-gram sirloin steak on your table in 15 minutes for $39. I also like the sound of lunch at the Oxo Tower Bar in London, with its clearly stated One Course, One Drink, One Hour offer for 18 (about $38). In a livestream online, one of the men involved in the earlier Albanese incident at a hotel explained how a small fringe group was using scripted confrontations and reasonable questions to broaden their appeal. Harrison McLean, of the anti-lockdown group Melbourne Freedom Rally, said he was delighted by the resulting footage they posted of confronting the prime minister because it had portrayed his group as lacking malice. The filmed stunts were designed as election-influencing actions, Harrison said, to make it seem as if politicians were unwilling to answer reasonable questions. He claimed the group was informed about where Albanese would be staying via private intel. I was in a team, and we did have info, but thats about all I can say about that. Several members of the online discussion made antisemitic slurs throughout the livestream, and McLean admitted to being the owner of a social media account responsible for a series of posts discussing how best to introduce anti-lockdown campaigners to more extreme antisemitic views, which were first reported by The Guardian. Approached by this masthead, McLean wouldnt comment on who he was working with and the source of the information regarding Albaneses whereabouts, but said: I was given a tip-off on the location ahead of time, and he expected more events to follow. In a detailed statement answering questions, McLean confirmed he had been a member of the Proud Boys, but had left the far-right militant group with no issues, still supporting their underlying principles. But he added: I support freedom of religion. I am not a white supremacist however, it is my view that white people face institutional discrimination. I associate with a wide variety of people on the right, and I support more co-operation between all factions of the right, including Libertarians, conservatives, populists, and Australian nationalists ... I agree with most of them, most of the time. The other man who claimed credit for confronting Albanese at the hotel was Daniel Jones, a self-defence enthusiast who has posted footage of himself online wielding machineguns and rocket launchers. Jones has previously been pictured with neo-Nazis, including at events and gym training sessions run by the Lads Society, founded by neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell. Jones has since said he doesnt support Nazism himself and Albanese was never in any danger from his approach. He declined requests for comment. So far, none of the disruptors have been violent but an event in Kooyong descended into chaos on Wednesday when white supremacist Matt Trihey gatecrashed it and ranted about immigration. Trihey is a former member of the Lads Society, though the self-described nationalist has publicly denied being a neo-Nazi. Earlier that day McLean had also heckled teal independent Monique Ryan in a filmed stunt in the same electorate. Of Triheys filmed confrontation just hours later, McLean said: I was not directly personally involved in [that]. Australian Federal Police turned out in force at another candidate forum held by Jewish groups in Kooyong on Thursday night. The White Rose Society, an online activist co-operative that tracks the extreme right, said its research suggested the stunts disrupting the campaign were highly co-ordinated among a network of fascists and neo-Nazis who are already well known to each other. Anti-fascist researcher Dr Kaz Ross also said most of the first accounts to post footage of the stunts were run by a clutch of far-right figures known to have associated with neo-Nazis. Loading Analysis by this masthead of the Albanese incident last week found those behind the accounts initially sharing the footage had either been pictured alongside neo-Nazis at recent events or were themselves former members of the same clubs such as the Lads Society. Clearly these are not concerned citizens stumbling across politicians out in the street, said Ross. Just because these people seem ridiculous, doesnt mean we shouldnt take them seriously. McLean said he wanted to influence the election to bring a more Libertarian perspective to government. He previously said he was asking genuine questions of candidates at the Kooyong forum. Neo-Nazis protesting outside Liberal senator James Patersons office. Credit: X ASIO, the AFP and both major parties said they could not comment on security, which had already been ramped up for the 2025 campaign. Sources within the Coalition said they were caught off guard by the sophistication of protesters infiltrating their press conferences at closed locations in the first days of the election campaign. Security services give guidance to MPs offices on how to handle people who appear to be a physical danger, but that doesnt extend to those who are merely disruptive. The dramatic growth of a Hindu sect has ignited a feud between worshippers and residents in one of Melbournes most exclusive suburbs over the noise, traffic and smells generated by an inner-city temple. The Melbourne branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the primary organisation of the Hare Krishna movement, has been based on Danks Street in Albert Park for almost 50 years. ISKCON temple president Aniruddha Dasa. Credit: Joe Armao But the growing Indian diaspora has fuelled a resurgence in members, pushing the Albert Park temple to capacity as complaints from locals intensify about the temple kitchen that pumps out thousands of meals weekly. A petition with 182 signatures calling for the kitchens relocation was presented to Port Phillip Council earlier last month, claiming the temple was now a commercial activity for an industrial site. Dutton has promised to work with the Country Liberal Party Northern Territory government to get on top of youth crime in the Top End. Dutton held a roundtable with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Liberal candidate for Solomon Lisa Bayliss, and about 20 locals in a small room in the Karama Shopping Plaza. Dutton claimed Albanese had ignored the crime issue in the NT as he listened to locals talk about finding meat cleavers left on the streets and having their cars stolen. From left Senator Jacinta Nampijimpa Price, the opposition leader and Libeeral candidate for Solomon Lisa Bayliss. Credit: James Brickwood He invoked his time as a police officer as he pledged to focus on community safety if elected on May 3. It instils in you, I think forever, a real sense of whats right and wrong, and what weve seen in the NT for a long time is just wrong, Dutton said. You need financial support and moral support to get on top of bail laws ... and to provide a secure environment for people to lead their lives. The current government is too focused on whats happening in the inner cities of Sydney and Melbourne with the Greens. Finocchiaro said her eight-month government had started to put downward pressure on crime rates. We need a federal government that understands the root causes of crime, she said. Price did not speak to the media. She stole the show at her last campaign appearance alongside Dutton in Perth two weeks ago, when she said she wanted to make Australia great again. Welcome to Country is an important part of official ceremonies, and it should be respected, and I dont agree with the booing, Dutton said on Friday. We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country, and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today. Victoria Police confirmed a 26-year-old Kensington man was interviewed and released after the incident, and that he was expected to be charged on summons with offensive behaviour. Last year, Hersant became the first person in Victoria to be convicted for performing the Nazi salute. Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown delivering the Welcome to Country at the dawn service. Credit: Getty Images The summary offence carries a fine or jail term of two months, or up to six months for repeat offenders. Dr Josh Roose, a Deakin University associate professor who studies political violence, could not say whether Fridays disruption would be captured under the new anti-vilification laws, but said there was a case it should be. If youre booing an Indigenous ceremony, one thats based on healing and cohesion, then theres a case youre undermining that and vilifying on the basis of race, Roose said. Aunty Joy Murphy, a Wurundjeri elder who has long performed the Welcome to Country at Melbourne events, said the hecklers at the shrine would not deter her. Itd take more than that for me not to do the welcome, she said. It makes me want to hold my head up higher than ever. We know what its like to be insulted, and we have to stand strong and be brave. Were proud to be who we are. Aunty Joy said the ceremony was particularly important on Anzac Day to recognise Indigenous soldiers like her father, Jarlo Wandoon, who fought for Australia. She was supposed to perform the Welcome to Country ceremony at Friday nights Melbourne Storm-Sydney Rabbitohs Anzac Day NRL clash at AAMI Park, but says the Storm cancelled the ceremony at the last minute, leaving Indigenous groups dumbfounded and distressed. Performances from the Maori Nga Matai Purua and Djirri Djirri, a Wurundjeri female dance group, were planned too. But as other Indigenous performers rehearsed on the field, Aunty Joy was told the clubs board no longer wanted her to conduct the Welcome to Country. The two other First Nations groups refused to continue their performances as a result. Aunty Joy Murphy giving a Welcome to Country at Marvel Stadium in 2023. Credit: Getty Images She said no explanation was given to the Indigenous groups for the clubs initial cancellation, other than Storm chief executive Justin Rodski telling them it was a board decision. She said the Storm then reversed its position, apologised and asked her to continue with her ceremony, but she refused. We would dearly love to be out there, but theyve broken our hearts, Aunty Joy said. In a statement, Melbourne Storm said: There was a miscommunication of expectations regarding the use Welcome to Country at Melbourne Storm events throughout the year. We acknowledge and accept the timing and miscommunication was not ideal and we have spoken to the groups concerned this afternoon. Roose said Fridays Shrine of Remembrance intrusion was clearly planned and had been foreshadowed online. He said there was a broader pattern of the National Socialist Network challenging each new law designed to thwart them, but that bills had so far been well-drafted and had withstood legal challenges. Obviously, to some extent, its hard to be anything other than reactive to that. However, when they want to forecast this and attempt to disrupt one of Australias most important days, you could argue theres a case for more pre-emptive policing. Its just a matter of whether the laws will allow it. Loading Roose said the state could create anti-association laws specifically for them and ban them from wearing masks, while the Commonwealth could consider proscribing the National Socialist Network as a terror organisation. Im not advocating those positions. Im saying that there are a number of much tougher measures available. The government has announced a crackdown on masks at protests but is yet to introduce the bill to parliament. The move has angered civil rights groups. While the local neo-Nazi groups have not been prohibited or slapped with non-association orders, some individual members have been ordered not to associate with fellow members as part of bail conditions for alleged offences. Investigations by this masthead and other outlets have uncovered links between local neo-Nazis and designated terror organisations such as The Base and Combat 18, as well as bikies and prison gangs. Anti-fascist researcher Dr Kaz Ross did not think Fridays behaviour met the threshold to be considered a crime under the states anti-vilification laws, but said she was sometimes surprised the neo-Nazis werent charged with low-level crimes such as offensive behaviour or obscene language more often. Theres a lot of tools there for police to use, Ross said. Im not seeing the existing laws being used very effectively at all. She said the group built solidarity by committing low-level offences but avoided meeting the bar to attract more serious law enforcement, despite being what she called an incubator for terrorism by raising the temperature. Ross said that meant magistrates had to rule on the low-level offences brought before them, rather than the full picture of extremist ideologies. Loading Neo-Nazis have been documented recruiting aggressively among young men and boys in Australia. The Human Rights Law Centre said the government should find ways to address hate other than through criminal law. Laws on their own will not address racism. These incidents should propel all governments to invest in community-led prevention, and programs aimed at addressing the root causes of hate and disrupting the way these groups organise and recruit, the centres legal director, Sarah Schwartz, said in a statement. Victorian shadow attorney-general Michael OBrien said Premier Jacinta Allan needed to explain why the stronger criminal sanctions were yet to become law since the strengthened anti-vilification laws passed. The only beneficiaries of this delay are neo-Nazis and their fellow travellers who want to cause maximum distress. Police and the [director of public prosecutions] are powerless because Labor has failed to act. Whether this is incompetence or negligence, it simply isnt good enough, OBrien said. The opposition voted against the expanded laws, because of a dispute over the legal test applied to civil cases. The directors of Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation said First Nations people had a long history of service and sacrifice for this country, and thanked allies for their support on Friday. We commend Uncle Mark Brown for his strength and determination, they said in a statement. The actions of a few this morning are abhorrent and do not deserve to take away any more from [the day]. He was pro-Ukrainian, undoubtedly even though he was not explicitly pro-Ukraine in the way that we wanted him to be. This reluctance, Hovorun said, was rooted in an older Vatican tradition. The Holy See can condemn acts of violence, acts of violation of human rights, of human life. At the same time, they hesitate to name the perpetrator, he says. I personally believe this tradition is an ambiguous tradition, to say the least. It is unevangelical, un-Christian and unprophetic. Loading Its a tradition shaped by past silences. In 1929, the Vatican signed the Lateran Treaty with Mussolini, legitimising his fascist regime in exchange for Church independence. During the Holocaust, despite knowledge of Nazi atrocities, the Vatican said little. Even amid Cold War religious persecutions, the Holy See sought dialogue with the Soviet Union rather than confrontation. Francis inherited that legacy and, in many ways, was constrained by it. Among the few who broke from the shackles was John Paul II, who had lived under Soviet rule. In the final decade of the Cold War, his fierce opposition to communism became a catalyst for democratic and religious movements across Eastern Europe, especially in his homeland of Poland. His funeral in April 2005, perhaps the last comparable event, was held during the height of the Iraq War which John Paul II had strongly opposed. It brought together an unlikely cast of world leaders, and when the then-US president George W. Bush appeared on the big screens, the crowd erupted in jeers. But Francis did evolve. After the 2022 massacre in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, when bodies were found bound and executed in the streets, Francis tone shifted. He called the invasion a crime against God and humanity. By 2024, he described the war as cruel and absurd and in October named 44-year-old Bishop Mykola Bychok head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia as Ukraines only cardinal in an appointment that surprised all. In one of his most searing comments, he labelled Patriarch Kirill of Moscow head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a vocal Putin ally Putins altar boy. It was a rare flash of open condemnation. Yet his pacifism never wavered. In March 2024, in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, Francis urged Ukraine to have the courage of the white flag and negotiate. To many Ukrainians, it felt like betrayal. Our flag is yellow and blue, Ukraines then-foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba responded. It is the flag by which we live and die. We will never raise other flags. Outside a church service in the Ukrainian city of Lviv this week, the sentiment was echoed. There were certain subjective judgments from his side, unfortunately, Andriy Ben, a former soldier, told reporters. I hope the next pope will be wiser, more enlightened, and better. Loading Still, Francis humanitarian contributions cannot be overlooked. Under his guidance, Vatican-led missions helped return nearly 400 Ukrainian children taken to Russia. He met with Zelensky twice. He sent envoys to Kyiv and Moscow. Though he never visited either capital, he was a consistent, if sometimes muted, advocate for peace and protection of civilians. His was a pacifism that often stood at odds with global realpolitik. He rejected the just war theory outright. He condemned not only the use of nuclear weapons, but even their possession. Francis was one of the few global leaders to consistently speak out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging restraint and the protection of civilians on both sides. In 2023, he condemned the violence as terrorism and called for an immediate ceasefire, even as political allies of Israel bristled at his language. His quiet gestures such as sending medical aid through Vatican channels and meeting with Palestinian leaders reflected a deep moral concern that often went beyond diplomacy. His supporters believed his pacifism, rooted in his Jesuit formation and Latin American perspective, rejected the binary of good versus evil in geopolitics. He viewed war as the ultimate failure not just of politics, but of humanity. Loading But not all within the church saw his stance as a strength. In a posthumously published memo, Australian Cardinal George Pell once a close adviser and later a sharp critic wrote: The Vatican is now silent, perhaps deliberately so, on important issues like human rights in Hong Kong, the fate of the Uyghurs, and the ongoing persecution of Christians in the Middle East. Pell accused Francis of overseeing a climate where confusion is deliberately fostered, a sentiment that resonated among some traditionalists who felt the Pope had traded moral clarity for diplomatic nuance. He was trapped, said Francois Mabille, author of The Vatican: The Papacy in a World in Crisis, told Le Monde, trapped by some of his very anti-American assumptions and his fierce pacifism. His overtures often came to little. He never secured a meeting with Putin after the 2022 invasion, and the Russian president will not attend the funeral. Israel will be represented only by its ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman. Controversy also surrounded Israels social media account this week posting, then deleting, a tribute to Francis. But in death, Francis will draw together many of the forces he tried so hard to harmonise. Trump, the American president whose foreign policy has fractured NATO and threatens to abandon Ukraine. Zelensky, a wartime leader forged in fire and defiance. Diplomats from both the Global North and South. Together, in front of St Peters vast dome, they embody Francis impossible hope: that even in conflict, humanity might find communion. The funeral is expected to draw millions, both in person and via global broadcasts. The Vatican will line its aisles with cardinals in crimson, and incense will rise with solemn precision. But beneath the choreography of ritual and diplomacy, a question will linger: What does it mean to lead with love in an age of violence? Rome: The youngest cardinal in the Catholic Church has made a powerful plea for peace and justice in Ukraine, using the eve of Pope Francis funeral at the Vatican to draw global attention to the war still ravaging his homeland. Mykola Bychok, the 44-year-old Ukrainian-Australian prelate based in Melbourne, spoke with emotional clarity in Rome just hours after Russia launched a deadly drone strikes on the city of Pavlohrad, killing three people, including a child, and injuring at least 14 others. A day earlier at least 14 people were killed and more than 80 others injured in the capital Kyiv, including children. Australia-based cardinal Mykola Bychok in Rome on Friday. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone A shock appointment as a cardinal last December, Bychok said hed personally spoken of the war with the late pontiff and had even asked Francis to pray for the 20,000 Ukrainian children taken by force to Russia since the war began. When I knelt before him, I asked him to help them, he told reporters on Friday. This is the future of our country. A leader who takes the initiative forces his opponents into a reactive mode. He forces his opponents to respond when they are not yet prepared. He destroys the enemys planning by presenting them with situations they did not anticipate. The purpose of permanent offence is to produce in the minds of your opponents a sense of disorientation, defensiveness, disruption and mental overload. (Welcome to the modern Democratic Party.) Illustration by Dionne Gain Credit: The leader who constantly initiates also understands that every moment you are not acting, you are closing off future options. You are allowing your opponents to shape the landscape in ways that will block alternative paths. Boyd, an ornery Air Force strategist, argued that aerial combat is not mainly about who has the most firepower but about who can manoeuvre with the greatest velocity and produce the most energy. Trumps offensive style takes advantage of the unique weaknesses of Americas existing leadership class. During his first term, social observer Chris Arnade joked that Trumps opponents were the kinds of kids who sat in the front row of class while Trumps supporters were the kids who sat at the back of the class. Its a gross generalisation but not entirely wrong. The people who succeeded in the current meritocracy tend not to be spirited in the way Trump is spirited. The system weeds such people out and rewards those who can compliantly jump through the hoops their elders have put in front of them. Members of the educated elite (guilty!) tend to operate by analysis, not instinct, which renders them slow-footed in comparison with the Trumps of the world. They tend to believe that if they say something or write something (ahem), they have done something. The system breeds a fear of failure that the more audacious Trump largely lacks. Such elites sometimes assume that if they can persuade themselves that they are morally superior, then that in itself constitutes victory; its all they need to do. Fatally, America now has an establishment that is ambivalent about being an establishment. Back in the day, those WASP blue bloods like Roosevelt were utterly confident in their right to rule, utterly confident they could handle whatever the future might throw at them. But since the 1960s, successive generations, raised on everything from Woodstock to hip-hop, have been taught that the establishment is bad. They have been taught, in the words of those famous Apple commercials, to celebrate the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels. When those people grew up and became the establishment holding senior posts in law, government, universities, media, nonprofits and boardrooms they became the kind of ambivalent souls who are unwilling to take their own side in a fight. They refuse to accept the fact that every society has a leadership class and that if you find yourself in it, your primary job is to defend its institutions, such as the Constitution, objective journalism and scientific research centres, when the big bad wolf comes to blow it all down. During this crisis, the deep state has been really disappointing. Where are all those Machiavellian House of Cards machinations that I was expecting? When a revolutionary vanguard upends an establishment, the establishment rarely recovers. When the revolutionaries take a hammer to the ruling institutions, they often crumble like a plaster shell. Relatively few people were willing to fight for the czar once Vladimir Lenin came to town. When Trump took on the Republican establishment in 2016, it turned out there was nobody home. So, I have three big questions. First, can the people who lead and defend Americas institutions work up elan vital? Can they summon the morale to fight back against the Trumpian onslaught? Second, do they have as much clarity of purpose as the Trump people possess? Third, do they have a strategy? My answer to these questions is that progress is being made. On morale: Trumps behaviour has aroused great moral indignation. It has aroused in peoples hearts a sense that something sacred is being trampled here democracy, rule of law, intellectual freedom, compassion, pluralism and global exchange. These things are worth fighting for. Loading On clarity of purpose: Trumps opponents have still not produced the kind of one-sentence mission statement that he produces that the elites have betrayed us, so we must destroy them. But I think more people are realising that we are the beneficiaries of a precious inheritance. Our ancestors bequeathed to us a judicial system, great universities, compassionate aid organisations, great companies and scientific genius. My mission statement would be: America is great, and we will fight for what has made America great. On strategy: Trumps greatest strength, his initiative, is his greatest weakness. Lacking any sense of prudence, he does not understand the difference between a risk and a gamble. He does daring and incredibly self-destructive stuff now on a global scale. A revolutionary vanguard is only as strong as its weakest links, and the Trump administration is to weak links what the Rose Bowl parade is to flower petals. When I was in junior high school, I was a hall monitor for all of a week or two. I hated it. I had to write up kids get this for walking on the wrong side of a hallway at my Brooklyn, New York, school. Besides figuring out at that young age that ratting out your fellow students, some of them your friends, wasnt a good mission to be on, the fact someone may have walked on the wrong side of a hallway was a pretty insignificant offense. As was talking too loudly. Maybe smiling would be next, I remember thinking. Fast forward to now, about 50 years later. Im becoming a hall monitor on the Elko Dailys Facebook page. I ignored dumb commenters for a long time. I mean, Im an advocate of free speech, so I never stopped people commenting about our articles, our paper or even the people we quote in articles. Even though its not a First Amendment right, because were a private business, I respect a persons right to free speech. So why am I writing this if we all agree? Because lately Ive noticed a few troubling patterns. First, a lot more F-bombs and inappropriate emojis are showing up in comments. Come on, people. If youre reading our stories, or even just the headlines on Facebook, youre very likely an adult. Do I really have to ask you to start acting like an adult? (I sound like myself talking to my kids when they were in their teens.) Our paper is geared to be read by the whole family, and our Facebook page, likewise, should be clean enough for your elementary-age kids to scan through without asking what that word is. Can we use some restraint? Another disappointing trend is for people to post screen shots of our news articles in the comments so people who are not subscribers can read articles. I get it for breaking news articles, like when a school counselor is charged with drug and child neglect charges. We didnt have that one open for all to read and probably should have. Ill work on that. But our articles are copyrighted and behind the pay wall because it costs a lot to get reporting from news sources into an article for the web or print. We pay reporters, editors, designers and, when the stories go into the paper, press operators and drivers to distribute the paper to Elko. It all adds up in the expense column. For instance, theres more to that story about the guidance counselor. Some folks commenting said theyd reported her to district officials, who took no action. So we filed a public-records request for any and all complaints about her. It cost $90 just to get the records because the school districts lawyer had to wipe the childrens names and those of the folks writing in. Were checking with our expensive attorneys about whether we should challenge some of those redactions. Hopefully that article will be done in a week or so. Such costs add up. The point is, we charge a minimal monthly amount to read the website and a little more if you want a print edition three days a week. Copying our hard work for others to read is, basically, theft. Think of it as shoplifting a few lattes from Starbucks a month. After a while, that Starbucks will get wise and call the police. Why is the Elko Daily any different? (By the way, those three lattes would add up to an Elko Daily subscription of around $20 a month.) All that being said, I really hate having to police the comments on our Facebook page. But I have to, at least for now. And you, you know who you are. Go stand in a corner for 10 minutes for sharing those frame grabs. Youre on time out. Magnolia, Kentucky: Just down the road from Caleb Raglands farm in rural Kentucky is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. The great statesmans parents moved in around the same time Raglands ancestors settled there in the early 1800s. A ninth-generation farmer, Ragland is also the president of the American Soybean Association. So he knows a thing or two about the crop that feeds much of the worlds livestock and represents more than a fifth of US agricultural exports. Ninth-generation farmer Caleb Ragland on his property in Magnolia, Kentucky. Credit: Luke Franke And he is deeply worried about the impact of the trade war sparked by US President Donald Trumps 145 per cent tariffs on China, to which Beijing has retaliated with almost identical duties. During the last trade war with China, I think 71 per cent of the agricultural losses came from soy, Ragland said. Thats a big number, and thats why we are so vocal on this. We have a responsibility to our membership, our fellow farmers and farm families, who are just like my family trying to make a living. Mitti mein mila denge MADHUBANI (Bihar) : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday declared that the killers of Pahalgam will be pursuedto the end of the Earth and promised to identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. In his first speech after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed, the Prime Minister vowed to punish terrorists behind the strike and said Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Modi spoke briefly in English and said, Friends, today from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. Indias spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. In the stern message, he said, Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done.The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us in these times. In a message to Pakistan without naming the country, Modi said he will state it categorically that the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who hatched the conspiracy, they will be punished beyond their imagination. Punishment will definitely be served. The Prime Minister said the willpower of 140 crore Indians will break the back of patrons of terrorism. Paying condolences to the victims and their families, he said citizens across the country are in mourning over the brutal manner in which terrorists killed 26 innocent civilians in Kashmir on April 22. The nation stands with their families, he said. Modi, other leaders on the dais and the crowd observed silence to pay homage to the victims of the attack at the beginning of the prime ministers speech. He said people lost their sons, brothers and husbands and noted that the victims belong to different parts of India, be it Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha and Bihar. Our sorrow and anger are same from Kargil to Kanniyakumari, he said. Peace and security are the most necessary conditions for fast development, he added. India had on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and announced a raft of measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. The gunning down of tourists by terrorists has sparked outrage across the country and a demand for decisive action from the Modi government, which is identified with a muscular stand on the plank of national security 2 DAYS AFTER PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK Navy test-fires surface-to-air missile in Arabian Sea NEW DELHI : AMID tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack, to demonstrates Indias growing prowess, Indian Navys guided missile destroyer INS Surat successfully test-fired a mediumrange surface-to-air missile in the Arabian Sea. The missile has a range of around 70 km, it is learnt. Thetesthastakenplacebefore thescheduledsurface-to-surface missile testing by the Pakistan Navy in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Navys latest indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Surat has successfully carried out a precision cooperativeengagementofaseaskimming target, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the Navys defence capabilities, the Navy said. This achievement demonstrates Indias growing prowess in indigenous warship design, development, and operations, and underscores the nations commitment to self-reliance in defencemanufacturing, it said. TheNavy saidthemilestone is a testament to the forces unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nations maritime interests and its dedication to Aatmanirbhar Bhara. Meanwhile, Pakistan has issuedanotificationregardingthe scheduled test of a surface-tosurface missile off its Karachi coast within its Exclusive Economic Zone, sources said. Bhopal Zila Panchayat officials launch hunger strike Staff Reporter Stepping up their protest against the highly sluggish progress of works on vital rural drinking water schemes, Bhopal Zila Panchayat Vice-President Mohan Singh Jat and some members of Zila Panchayat started an indefinite hunger strike at the campus of Zila Panchayat office the day after Panchayati Raj Diwas. Mohan Singh Jat, leader of the hunger strikers, spoke of his serious concern over the severe shortage of water that is impacting the rural areas of Bhopal district. He charged Government officials and contractors of a huge corruption racket and that they are paralysing the very core of these key water supply schemes. The water crisis in our villages has taken alarming dimensions, claimed Jat. While Chief Ministers ambitious Jal Samvardhan Abhiyan is underway from March 30 to June 30, the ground reality is otherwise. Due to corruption by officials and contractors, these schemes are going waste, he alleged. They are joined by other concerned members of the Zila Panchayat like Vinay Singh Mehar and a few others. Collectively, their move underlines the growing frustration among local representatives with the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Departments apparent failure to address the growing water crisis in rural Bhopal. The Zila Panchayat members presented an entire array of issues that lead to the dearth of water. These are frequent power outages on water supply, non-functional water pumps (DPs), absent taps on water connections, and a drastic fall in groundwater levels in the majority of villages. Therefore, villagers, especially women, have to walk long distances to obtain water for their household purposes. City mourns victims of Pahalgam terror attack Staff Reporter ; Nagpur city mourned and expressed solidarity with all 27 tourists who lost their lives in Pahalgam terrorist attack that took place on Tuesday afternoon. Social, cultural, educational organisations and political parties paid tribute to the deceased and appealed the Central Government to take stern action against the terrorists and Pakistan for this heinous act. Many organisations conducted protests rally, candle march and condolence meetings to mark the incident. Aam Aadmi Party organised a candle march and tribute event at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Square, Mahal for those killed in the recent terrorist attack at Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Party members and citizens gathered to express their grief and solidarity with the victims and their families. Candles were lit, and a moment of silence was observed to pay respects. The event reflected deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and a strong stand against terrorism. The Aam Aadmi Party condemned the attack and called for unity and peace in the country. Womens Congress The All India Womens Congress, led by Katihar (Bihar) in-charge Nash Nusrat Ali, held a condolence meeting outside Womens Congress Office at Gandhisagar. People paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack during the event. Citizens and Congress workers lit candles and observed a two-minute silence to express condolences. In her address, Nash Nusrat Ali called the attack an assault on humanity and demanded that the culprits be given the death penalty. She also criticised the failure of intelligence agencies and demanded the resignation of the Union Home and Defence Ministers. Local Congress leaders including Abdul Shakil and Mohsin Khan also spoke during the tribute. Party members and citizens were present. South Nagpur Congress workers paying tributes to victims. Nagpur City Distt Cong Committee, Nagpur South Nagpur City District Congress Committee, Nagpur South, under the leadership of Girish Pandav, organised a heartfelt tribute at Medical Square to honour the innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. Vishweshwar Ahirkar, Pravin Gavare, Dinesh Tarale, Yogesh Tiwari, Vijay Babhre, Balu Sheikh, Mahesh Bante, and Satish Bhagat were present during the event. All party officials and workers came together to pay their respects to all 27 deceased. TAAI On Thursday, over 70 travel agents gathered at Laxmi Bhuwan Square and conducted a candle march organised by Travel Agents Association Of India (TAAI), Vidarbha Chapter to pay homage to all victims of Pahalgam terror attack. The peaceful gathering remembered all victims of the terror attack. Raju Akolkar, Secretary, TAAI stated the attack was not just on Kashmir but on every traveller and citizen of peace. He emphasised the travel fraternitys commitment to unity and safety. TAAI condemned the violence and urged the Government to ensure secure travel nationwide. Notable members present included Irshad Mehdi, Ankush Deshmukh, Sandip Solanki, Imran Zakaria, Deepa Gariba, Tripti Rocque, Pooja Jham, and many more from the association. HCBA High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Nagpur paid tribute to all 27 victims of Pahalgam terror attack on Thursday. HCBA conducted a condolence meeting at Central Hall, in main building of High Court in Civil Lines. The event was attended by all the Judges of High Court of Bombay, Nagpur Bench, officers of registry, the executive committee of HCBA, senior counsels and members of HCBA who observed two minutes silence to pay their respects. Simultaneously, all staff members of the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court also observed two minutes silence at their respective desks. MIA The MIDC Industries Association (MIA) held a condolence meeting on Thursday at MIA premises to mourn and express solidarity following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of innocent tourists. The meeting commenced with a two-minute silence in honour of the departed souls. P Mohan, President, MIA, addressed the gathering with a message of unity and resilience. He emphasised the need for national solidarity and vigilance. Capt. (Retd) C M Randhir, Immediate Past President of MIA; Ganesh Jaiswal; Arvind Kalia; Ajay Agrawal; Krishnakumar Daga; Rakesh Gupta; and Charan Singh, were present during the event. Navnirman Bahuddeshiya Sanstha In response to the tragic terrorist attack on April 22, where Pakistani terrorists targeted Hindu families visiting Kashmir, a condolence meeting was organised by Navnirman Bahuddeshiya Sanstha at Dosar Vaishya Bhavan, C A Road. Ramesh Paigwar, Umesh Choubey, Dilip Narwadiya, City President, Ravi Gadge Patil, Founder-President, Manoj Malvi, Lakshman Pote, Raju Aswale, Manoj Khandwani, Ashish Dixit, Gopal Pattam, Adv Guddu Jaiswal, Rizwan Ansari, Hemant Upadhyay others were present. Peoples Republican Party Peoples Republican Party (PRP) will organise a candle march at 6 pm on April 25 to protest the terrorist attack on tourists at Pahalgam in presence of Jaydeep Kawade, Vice President, Maharashtra Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (MSSIDC), and National Working President, Peoples Republican Party. The March will start from party office situated at Anand Nagar, Sitabuldi and will reach Samvidhan Square passing through Variety Square. Aam Aadmi Party The CM Sai, Governor Deka, others pay last respects to Dinesh Mirania Staff Reporter RAIPUR Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, Finance Minister O P Choudhary, BJP State President and MLA Kiran Singh Deo, MLA Rajesh Munat, cabinet ministers, and senior BJP leaders paid their last respects to Dinesh Mirania, who was martyred in the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The leaders shouldered his mortal remains during the funeral procession, held today at Marwadi Shamshan Ghat in Budhapara, Raipur. In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Chief Minister Sai laid a wreath and offered prayers for the departed soul. He met the grieving family, expressed deep condolences, and assured them of the State governments full support during this difficult time. This is not just a personal loss for the family but a moment of profound sorrow for the entire state. We have lost a brave son of Chhattisgarh in this heinous act of terrorism, said Sai. He condemned the attack in strong terms, calling it a cowardly act that has wounded the soul of the nation. To honor and preserve the memory of the martyr, Sai proposed naming a road or square after Dinesh Mirania. His sacrifice must be remembered and respected for generations to come, he said. Reflecting on the broader implications, the Chief Minister said that the abrogation of Article 370 had ushered in peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir, making it a thriving hub for tourism. This attack is a desperate attempt by terrorists to destabilize the region and shake the confidence of the nation. But India will not be deterred. We will respond with unity and resolve, he stated. Sai also asserted that Pakistan, which he accused of instigating the attack, would face consequences for supporting terrorism. The nation will avenge this inhuman act. Justice will be served. **** CM Sai virtually inauguratesAtal Digital Suvidha Kendra Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai virtually inaugurated Atal Digital Suvidha Kendra from his official residence in State Capital on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sai that the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions are the basic link of rural development. I was a Panch for five years and also got the opportunity to assume the responsibility of Sarpanch unopposed. If you do good work while fulfilling your responsibilities, you will always get the love of the people and you will be able to play a big role in the development of the village, said Sai. Sai said that Atal Digital Suvidha Kendra, launched on the special occasion of the National Panchayati Raj Day, will bring digital revolution in the rural areas of Chhattisgarh and the access of government services and schemes of State will be easily accessible to the common people. The Chief Minister also launched the Mor Gaon Mor Pani Mahabhiyan in 11,693 gram panchayats of State for the purpose of water conservation. He Pdministered oath to the panchayat representatives and citizens while calling for water conservation. Extending his greetings on National Panchayati Raj Day, CM Sai said that Panchayats are the roots of Indian democracy and strengthening them is the top priority. He said that PM had promised the people of Chhattisgarh that cash payment facility would be provided in the Gram Panchayats, so that the villagers do not have to go to the bank branches. He said that pensioners, women under Mahtari Vandan Yojana and will now get the facility of withdrawal of the amount received from DBT including PM Kisan Nidhi in the village itself. Sai said that now the villagers will not have to travel long distances to go to the bank and they will save not only time but also the money spent on travelling. The Chief Minister said that government services like caste, residence, birth, death certificates, pension schemes, ration card will also become easy and accessible for the villagers. Sai expressed confidence that this scheme will strengthen the Digital India Mission at the grassroots level and will promote transparent and accountable governance in rural areas. He said that today this system has started in 1460 Gram Panchayats and in the coming time this scheme will be expanded. The Chief Minister said that the ground water level in the state is continuously decreasing and for the purpose of water conservation, the Mor Gaon Mor Pani Mahabhiyan has been launched. He asked the Panchayat representatives to work seriously in the direction of water conservation. CM Sai said that Prime Minister has released an amount of more than Rs 300 crore for PM Awas to 51,000 families of State. People should take advantage of the scheme by taking part in the survey and asked the Panchayat representatives to also spread the information about it to the general public, he said. Deputy Chief Minister Sharma said that Atal Digital Suvidha Kendra will strengthen the access to digital services in rural areas. Secretary to Chief Minister P Dayanand, Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Bhim Singh, Director of PM Awas-Gramin Taran Prakash Sinha and other officers were present. Government officers, employees, Panchayat representatives and beneficiaries virtually attended the programme. IAFs Rafales, Su-30s carrying NEW DELHI : THE Indian Air Force is carrying out Exercise Aakraman (Attack) over a large area in the central sector involving its mainstream fighter aircraft fleets led by the Rafale combat aircraft. The Indian Air Force operates two squadrons of the Rafale aircraft which are based out of Ambala and Hashimara in West Bengal. The cutting-edge technology fighter jets are carrying out complex missions involving ground attack and electronic warfare drills, defence sources told ANI. The assets of the Indian Air Force have been moved from multiple airbases, including from the eastern side, they added. The Indian Air Force has been practising for complex ground attack missions for operations in different terrains, including plains and mountainous areas, the sources said. The Indian Air Force also holds an edge over its adversaries in the south Asian region with the inductions of Meteor air to air missiles and induction of long range high speed low drag missiles like the Rampage and Rocks. The exercise is taking place at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan have gone up after the Pahalgam attack. The exercise is being closely monitored closely by the Air Headquarters. Top Gun pilots of the Indian Air Force are taking part in rhetorical exercise under close watch of high qualified instructors. The Indian Air Force was used in a big way to carry out the post-Pulwama attack strikes inside Pakistan in February 2019. The Indian Air Force has acquired the Rafale fighter jets since then and they have revived its edge over the readies in the region. The Indian Air Force had used the Mirage 2000 fighter jets in 2019 but has indicted many force multipliers like the S-400 air defence system, which can be the very effective against the airborne early warning and control aircraft of the adversaries. Ignorant developers: A headache for citizens The effects of the ignorant builders activity are clearly visible as the water flows onto the roads and into peoples homes. Staff Reporter : Nagpur is currently witnessing a construction boom, with massive infrastructural projects taking place across various parts of the city. While these developments are often seen as signs of progress, for many residents however they have become a source of daily inconvenience and frustration. Builders and developers are racing to complete new commercial and residential spaces, but in the process, they are overlooking basic civic responsibilities and the well-being of the people living nearby. A clear example of this is the ongoing construction work near South Ambazari Road. Work began back in October 2023, yet the site still remains under comstruction and while working, builders hit a water source while digging a basement. Instead of arranging a tanker to dispose of the water safely, they chose to release the muddy water into the storm water drainage system. This drainage line, which is designed to carry rainwater and prevent flooding during monsoons, was quickly filled with muddy, debris-filled water which eventually dried and turned into a solid slush blocking the exits and preventing it from working as it should. As a result, the drains began to overflow, flooding the surrounding streets and even entering the front yards of nearby homes. Residents reported the issue multiple times, but no meaningful action has been taken. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. Across the city, many construction sites are causing similar problems, clogging drains, damaging roads, and making daily life difficult for citizens. The situation raises concerns about the lack of regulation and accountability. Builders often neglect safety and sanitation measures, and local authorities fail to enforce proper guidelines. As the rainy season approaches, there is growing fear that these blocked drainage lines will lead to widespread waterlogging and even more serious flooding. If the situation isnt addressed in time, emergency repairs and clean-up operations will be neededcosting the city money and resources. And, as always, it will be the common citizens who suffer the most, both in terms of inconvenience and financial burden. Despite trying to contact the officials, the officials refuse to answer. It is high time that civic bodies take strict action against negligent builders and put systems in place to ensure responsible construction practices. After all, true development should benefit everyonenot just a few. India suspendsvisa services toPak nationals NEW DELHI : INDIA on Thursday announced suspending visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect in line with its retaliatory measures against Islamabad in the wake of the brazen Pahalgam terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27. It said medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. The MEA said all Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave the country before the expiry of visas. It also strongly advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Pakistan and advised those currently in the neighbouring country to return home at the earliest. India on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the IndusWaterTreaty and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kenyan President William Ruto at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing on Thursday, with the two sides agreeing to elevate their ties to a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era. Noting that the move is a strategic choice for both sides, Xi said that in response to the historical trend and the trend of the times, China is willing to work with Kenya to create an example in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and lead the development of China-Africa relations and the forging of solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries. China and Kenya should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, firmly support each other in exploring development paths that suit their respective national conditions, and deepen exchanges of experience in state governance, Xi said. He called on the two sides to enhance regular policy communication, build connectivity at a higher level, promote sustainable trade, explore diversified financial integration, carry forward the friendship forged through generations, and be leaders in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Xi said China's supersized market has always kept its door open to high-quality products from Kenya, adding that China encourages more capable Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Kenya. As important members of the Global South, China and Kenya should take concrete actions to firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, promote extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit in global governance, and practice true multilateralism, Xi said. Xi said China is willing to work with African countries, including Kenya, to achieve more early results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to better benefit the African people, and promote high-quality China-Africa cooperation to lead Global South cooperation. Stressing that there are no winners in tariff and trade wars, Xi said China is willing to work with other countries to address various challenges through solidarity and cooperation, safeguard legitimate rights and interests, uphold international trade rules, and maintain international fairness and justice. Ruto said Kenya and China have always adhered to sincere treatment and mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Kenya firmly adheres to the one-China policy and insists that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Ruto expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their selfless assistance to Kenya's efforts in improving infrastructure and responding to natural disasters, adding that Belt and Road projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway have effectively promoted Kenya's national development. He said Kenya is willing to work with China to build a community with a shared future, comprehensively strengthen the synergy between their economic and social development strategies, strengthen cooperation on trade, investment, infrastructure construction and science and technology, and enhance exchanges in education, culture and tourism. Cooperation between Africa and China is conducive to Africa's peaceful development, and Kenya is willing to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Ruto added. Ruto said that trade wars undermine the existing international rules and order, and that Kenya appreciates China's role as a stabilizer in the current volatile situation and China's efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries. After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, new and high technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, economy and trade, and media. The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya on Creating an Inspiring Example in the All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for Ruto and his wife, Rachel Ruto, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People. Xi and Peng also hosted a welcoming banquet for Ruto and Rachel in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People at noon on Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kenyan President William Ruto at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Kenyan President William Ruto at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kenyan President William Ruto at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Editor: Zhang Zhou Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway Final stretch of 701 km likely to be inaugurated on May 1 By Vikas Vaidya : The project will significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from the current 16-18 hours to just 8-9 hours CM Devendra Fadnavis initially envisioned this high-speed transport project between the capital and the second capital of Maharashtra The Maharashtra Samruddhi Expressway, officially known as the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, is a modern expressway linking Nagpur and Mumbai. The work on the last phase of the Igatpuri to Thane expressway has been completed. Now, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is now seeking time from the State Government to inaugurate this road. According to highly placed sources, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who had initially envisioned to boost high-speed transport between the two cities, is keen to open it on Maharashtra Day, May 1. This development means that vehicles from Nagpur will soon have direct access to the Mumbai gateway. Officials have also indicated that this inauguration might coincide with the opening of the south-bound section of the Thane Creek Bridge. Once fully operational, the project will significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur from the current 16-18 hours to just 8-9 hours. The initial plan was to open the final stretch from Igatpuri to Aamne before the Assembly elections. However, due to the complex engineering work on the bridge at Khardi, the task was not completed in this phase. Also, the road from Samruddhi to Vadpe, was incomplete. At that time, MSRDC had planned to open this road by February. Since the work of the construction of road connecting Nashik Road at Vadpe was incomplete, this highway could not be opened within this period. Senior officials concerned had sought time from the State Government for the inauguration of the final phase of this highway. According to highly placed sources, Fadnavis wanted to get it inaugurated on Maharashtra Day, May 1, 2025. The first phase of Samruddhi, 520 km from Nagpur to Shirdi, was opened in December 2022. In the second phase, a route of about 80 km from Shirdi to Bharveer was opened for traffic. Last year, in the third phase, MSRDC had started work on another 23 km stretch from Bharveer and Igatpuri. Now, in the final phase, the 76 km stretch from Igatpuri to Aamne will be opened for traffic. The expressway starts from Shivamadka village near Nagpur before ending in Thane district near Mumbai as it crosses through the districts of Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Washim, Buldhana, Jalna, Aurangabad (now Sambhajinagar), Nashik, Ahmednagar and Thane. The road has a current configuration of 6 expressway lanes. Yet, it was built to support enlargement to 8 total lanes. The expressway features six tunnels, including the longest double-tunneled structure at Kasara Ghat, along with 33 major bridges and 274 minor bridges. Modern amenities include advanced CCTV surveillance, emergency helpline systems, rest facilities, and electric vehicle charging stations. Currently, the connector bridge at Vadpe that will to link the expressway to the Nashik Highway, is still under construction and is expected to take another two months to complete. Officials have stated that traffic in this area will be diverted through alternative routes until then. Igatpuri to Aamne section is on the verge of completion. The last patch, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,182 crore, was built as per the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), with MSRDC and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sharing the cost. The work started in 2021, but the project was held back due to the issue of forest clearance in Thane district. The challenges were finally removed in 2023, making it possible to complete the last phase on time for the May 1 deadline. The whole 701-km corridor has been constructed at a cost of more than Rs 55,000 crore. It is designed for speeds up to 150 km/h and includes 33 major bridges, 274 minor bridges, 65 flyovers, and six tunnels, including the longest one at Kasara Ghat. The road also has wildlife crossings, EV charging stations, and solar power facilities. Passing through 10 districts and 390 villages, the road connects Nagpur to Thane and aims to boost travel, trade, and development across Maharashtra. Due to this enhanced connectivity, the Samruddhi Mahamarg is planned to be an economic development catalyst. The State Government has shortlisted 24 nodes along the expressway for agri-processing parks, industrial estates, skill development centres, and tourism destinations. These are likely to create jobs and investment avenues, particularly in backward districts such as Wardha, Washim and Jalna. NOT ENOUGH THE strong measures India has taken to teach Pakistan a tough lesson after the Pahalgam terrorist attack on tourists may appear to many as appropriate. However, having known what Pakistan is and how it has been behaving for the past 75-plus years, it must be emphasised that all the diplomatic and other measures -- including the unilateral suspension of the Indus Water treaty -- are just not enough if weighed against the sins Pakistan has been indulging in all along. India needs to take some sterner measures -- which may mean a calibrated, no-nonsense military action that would make Pakistan realise the terrible limitations of its own strengths. Realising what Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi must be thinking about, we have reasons to apprehend that some other major moves may be forthcoming from India in the next few days. If this reading of the Prime Ministers personality has some merit, then some tougher action from New Delhi may be expected in the next few days. And, to be sure, this possible action may cover the military option in whatever measure -- to suit a welldefined purpose. There is no doubt that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has considered multiple and parallel option before arriving at the five precipitate decisions involving suspension of Indus Water Treaty, closure of Attari-Wagah Border, expulsion of Pakistani diplomats and Military Attache`s, blocking of SAARC Visas to Pakistani citizens, declaring Pakistani Military Advisors as Personae Non-Grata, and immediate withdrawal of Indias Military Advisors from Pakistan. All these decisions point to a a no-nonsense approach, all right. Yet, given the dirty ways of Pakistan -- unchanged over time -- these measures could mean pardoning Pakistan from its sins of commission over decades. It is, of course, not possible for a civilian to suggest what more could be done to punish Pakistan more intensely. But the overall mood of the nation is that a strong military action would be in tune with the sins of Pakistan. The common people of India also think with much emphasis that it is the right time for India to take back the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir through a wellpremeditated military strategy and action . As we make this strong suggestion -- in line with popular thinking -- we insist that we are not indulging in war-mongering of any type. Much to the contrary, we believe strongly that a no-nonsense armed action would serve India better and best in the future. There certainly are people who expect the Government to decide in favour of attacking terrorist hide-outs in Pakistan or Occupied Kashmir -- in the same vein as the Uri strike and the Balakot airstrikes.We, however, belong to a different school. For, we believe that the terror outfits in Pakistan do not operate on their own but are guided and goaded by Pakistans military masterminds who use terror as a tool of State policy not for now but for decades on end. So, hitting the terror hideouts would mean only targeting a smaller portion of the actual problem. In other words, if India is to teach Pakistan a tough lesson or two, then its must mount an armed attack on Pakistan militarys upfront positions -- which may include Corps and Army Command Head-Quarters. It is obvious that Pakistani military preparedness is of a high level. So, it would be wrong to take the Pakistani Armed Forces lightly or casually. Pakistan can lay claims to having one of the good armies in the world, and therefore deserves to be taken seriously at least by a country such as India. But a well-premeditated and focused armed action into Pakistan would do India a great good -- so that at least Occupied-Kashmir can be snatched back . That would be the best and most appropriate action from India and a terrible lesson to Pakistan. Rupchandani family back from Pahalgam Simran Rupchandani, a survivor of the Pahalgam terror attack, with her husband Tilak Rupchandani upon their return from J&K, at Nagpur airport, on Thursday. (PTI) Staff Reporter : Rupchandani family, which narrowly escaped the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir, heaved a sigh of relief after landing at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport on Thursday. The family got a rousing welcome from the citizens. However, 257 tourists from Nagpur district are still stranded in Jammu & Kashmir and waiting to return to the city. The district administration established contact with all 257 tourists and they are safe. Another flight from Mumbai will go to Kashmir to airlift another group of passengers of Maharashtra, informed Chief Minister Office (CMO) on its X handle. Already, 500 passengers have landed in Mumbai, including tourists from Nagpur district on Thursday. Following the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, Nagpur Police ramped up security across the city on Thursday. Saved by a whisker, Nandedcouple lauds Pahalgamlocals for helping them CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR ; A COUPLE from Maharashtra cant thank their stars enough as they had left the terror-affected site in Pahalgam just a few minutes before the tragedy struck and got saved by a whisker. They also thanked local people in Pahalgam for helping them quickly move away from the site and reach their hotel safely. Terrorists opened fire in a meadow near the tourist hub of Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 persons, mostly tourists. Sakshi and Krishna Lolge, hailing from Nanded in Maharashtra, were also visiting Pahalgam around the same time. We visited the spot where the terror attack took place, but left the place just 15-20 minutes before the incident.We heard the sound of firing after we moved a little away from the place, Sakshi said in a video shot by the couple after they reached their hotel from the incident site. Some locals helped them to move away quickly from the place, she said. The pony ride operators quickly rushed them down the hill. If there was no support from local people, who helped us to move away fast, we would have not been able to make this video. The local people helped the tourists a lot, Sakshi said. Our tour co-ordinators were in constant touch with us. The local people took us to our hotel immediately. We came to know at the hotel that the terror attack had taken place. We saw a large number of security personnel moving towards the attack location, he added. Shriniwas Spintex Industries acquires Morarjee Textiles for Rs 156 cr By Niraj Chinchkhede : Reinforcing its prominent position in the textile industry, Shriniwas Spintex Industries has recently acquired Butibori-based Morarjee Textiles Ltd., a part of the Ashok Piramal Group. Govind Rathi-led Shriniwas Spintex Industries, based in Hinganghat in adjoining Wardha district, took over the company through the court monitored bankruptcy process at a cost of Rs 156 crore. Two other bidders - Dev Land & Housing and Nirmal Ujjwal Credit Co-operative Society - had also bid for the company. But eventually both the bidders were disqualified. Shriniwas Spintex Industries paid 30 per cent of the total cost up front while remaining amount will be released within a year. Morarjee Textiles was admitted into bankruptcy in February 2024 after a plea by Axis Bank. The National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench (NCLT) had ordered the commencement of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) in respect of Morarjee Textiles Ltd under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC). The insolvency petition against the company was filed by Axis Bank after the former defaulted on a payment of Rs 130 crore. Morarjee Textiles owes creditors, including Axis Bank and other banks, Rs 760 crore. At present the company is utilising 25 per cent of its total capacity and providing jobs to more than 1,000 persons. It is engaged in manufacturing, processing, spinning and weaving of yarn and fabric. Morarjee Textiles boasts a high-profile list of clientele that includes domestic and international brands across 44 countries. This list includes brands like Uniqlo, Zara, Esprit, Next, Paul Smith, M&S, H&M, ANF, Belk, Moss Brothers to name a few. Some of the domestic client brands include names like Louis Philippe, Van Huesen, Blackberry and Zodiac. Sources told The Hitavada that Morarjee Textiles will further increase its capacity utilisation in coming days. Currently Shriniwas Spintex Industries is a 1 lakh spindle capacity company. Earlier in 2023, Shriniwas Spintex group also acquired the 120-year old RSR Mohota Mill (Rai Saheb Rekhchand Mohota Spg. & Wvg. Mills Ltd) located in Hinganghat, in Wardha through NCLT process. Turning paint into purpose By Mervin Preethi : IDONT have to be a millionaire to help animals or people. A thought is what matters. This simple yet powerfulrealisationset29-yearold Deeksha Chauhan on a path where art became a voice for the unheard.Asaself-taughtwildlife artist, she breathes life into animalsthroughrealismandhyperrealism, compelling people to see, feel, and empathise. Through her work, she hopes to challenge the way humans interact with wildlife, making conservationaconversationthat can no longer be ignored. Deekshasjourneywithartbegan early, nurtured by her mother, who introduced her to various creative forms. My mother taught me musical instruments like the tabla and harmonium when I was a kid, she recalls. While she enjoyed dance and music, painting always drew her inthemost.Eveninschool,where lectures demanded focus, her mind often wandered to sketches that often took shape on the last pages of her notebooks. Throughoutmyschoolandcollege life, I often used to doodle and scribble something on the back of my notebook, especially in math classes, Deeksha smiles. Amidst career jumps, art remained constant Though art was her true calling, her parents had a different vision for her future - an engineering degree atVidya College, Meerut andDeeksha pursued it. However, art never left her side. I used to engage in art to pass time, she adds. She completed her degree in 2016 and entered the corporate world. After trying various roles in HR, sales, and business analysis, none of them held her interest for long.Whatever job I took up, I couldnt stay there for more than three weeks. The rigid structures of corporate life crushed her creativity, making it clear that she was searching for something deeper. Deekshas curiosity led her towards research, preparing for exams in chemistry and neuroscience. She even pursued a Python course, hoping to find fulfilment in machine learning. But time and again, she felt like she was going through the motionsratherthantrulyengaging with what fascinated her. Through the different phases of life, art was her true companion. I wanted to learn the process, but it was more examoriented. The same frustration came up when she enrolled in anartcertificationcoursein2019. There too, it was all about passingtheexams ratherthanunderstanding the concepts for innovative applications. The pressureofconformingtotraditional career expectations weighed on her, but no matter where she turned, art remained a steady presence - something she returnedtoinstinctively,theone activity that never felt forced. Following the passion that never left her Tired of not finding what she wanted, Deeksha took matters into her own hands. In August 2019, I decided to become the teacher I was searching for and started to learn art through selfstudy, Deeksha recalls. She followed international artists and paid close attention to paintings on the Internet. Over time, I taughtmyselfrealismandhyperrealism through experimentation, she shares proudly. It was Nick Sider, a New Yorkbased artist, who inspired Deeksha to explore realistic (depicting subjects as they appearinreallife)andhyper-realistic (achieving an almost photographic quality with extreme detail and precision) art. I was intrigued and fascinatedbythe impact those paintings had on me. It was similar to the feeling that wildlife and animals gave, she adds. Losing my dog made me a wildlife artist Deekshas choice to become a wildlife artist stemmed from a personal loss. I lost my pet dog - he breathed his last in my arms. I was helpless that I could not do anything, she shares.Watching videosofanimalabusemadeher furious and equally helpless. The questions of What am I doing to stop this? andWhy do they have to go through such painful and gruesome situations? haunted me, Deeksha shares. She realised that instead of complaining about what others werent doing, she needed to work towards animal welfare through her art. I decided to work hard, improve my skills, andbecome awildlife artist.The moneyIearnedbysellingmyartworkhelpedmefundanimalwelfare organisations. Following this, she also created her own Instagram account to showcase her artwork. Art and animal welfare Wildlifeartisconsideredanew concept in India, and Deeksha considers herself fortunate to havebeengettingordersthrough social media over the past four years.Startingwithherfirstpainting of a black and white tiger, Deeksha has two favourites to date. One is a five-by-three feet hyper-realisticpaintingofatiger. The painting took around three months; I am still looking for the right buyer who would give the respect the painting deserves, she shares. Deeksha shares that people often say her paintings look like photographs. The otherisa3DpaintingofaRhinoceros (3040 inches), and when she posted it on Facebook, many peoplecommentedthatitlooked likeaphotograph.Mypaintings may sometimes look like they were AI-generated, but they are purely hand-painted, Deeksha laughs. Nishith Kumar, a pulmonologistfromRanchiandone ofDeekshasclients, shares,She was able to replicate the exact reference images I had sent, and she constantly updated me on her progress. Most of the individuals who walk into my chamber look at the painting and ask, Who clicked this picture? - it looks incredibly realistic. While Deeksha works every daytofine-tuneherartisticskills, hermainfocusliesingivingback to animals through art. Right now,withthemoneyearnedfrom art, I donate to people who are involved in animal conservation on a small scale to support their initiatives, she shares. Turning paint into purpose (and a paycheck) Being a full-time artist comes withuncertainties,andDeeksha has made lifestyle changes to sustain herself without dependingonanyone.WhateverIearn, very little goes into my personal expenses, which are primarily art supplies, she shares. The rest is spent on supporting animalsandbirdswhenevershegets the chance. I like to travel solo, and even while doing so, I opt to staywiththelocalsinsteadofluxury stays. In return, I do something for them by teaching their children about insects, wildlife, andtheimportanceofnotharming any species, she explains. Deeksha refrains from staying in one place, believing that travelling enhances her creativity, thereby improving her art. My teacher has also been nature, and I have trained myself to spot the tiniest of details to add realisticelements.ButwhereverIgo, I carry my art supplies and continue creating, she adds. Providing the wildlife experience to everyone ForDeeksha, every painting is a labour of love, shaped with patience and precision. The paintings that I make for myself takeonetofourmonthsdepending on the intricacies involved. For commissioned orders, I try toprovide them according to the discussed timeline, Deeksha says, adding that she has painted on diverse surfaces like traditional canvases, tote bags, and even watches. Over the past four years,Deekshahassold50paintings,reaching buyers across the globe,includingtheUS,Canada, and Europe. Most of my orders are from abroad as India is still agrowingmarketforwildlifeart, she says. She aims to fine-tune her skills every day to serve the bigger purpose: animal welfare. On average, I make around two to three paintings per month, she shares. Her commissioned works have included mythologicalcharacters,buther passion lies in hyper-realistic depictions of wildlife. I want peopletogetasurrealexperience oftheseanimalsthroughmyart, she says. Not everyone has the opportunity to go to the jungle or a safari. So when people look at my paintings, I want them to feel that experience in their own space. WITH THE GOVERNMENT Parties demand destruction of terror camps NEW DELHI : LEADERS across party lines on Thursday sought decisive action for destroying terror camps and Opposition MPs raised the issue of security lapses but assured during an all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack that they are with the Government in dealing with the issue of terrorism. Coming out of the meeting, Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said that all parties demanded action by the Government for the destruction of terror camps. Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandhyopadhyay said the issue of possible security lapses was also discussed but the Opposition assured that it was with the Government in the fight against terrorism. The nation must be totally united in this fight to eliminate terrorism, he said. The Government briefed leaders of various political parties on the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, and heard their views at the allparty meeting here. At the beginning of the meeting, a moment of silence was observed for the victims of the attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were present from the Governments side. Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were present at the meeting chaired by Singh. Those who attended the meeting included NCP-SPs Supriya Sule, NCPs Praful Patel, AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi, BJDs Sasmit Patra, TDPs Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Shiv Senas Shrikant Shinde, AAPs Sanjay Singh, TMCs Sudip Bandopadhyay, RJDs Premchand Gupta, DMKs T Siva and SPs Ram GopalYadav. The all-party meeting comes a day after the Government announced a host of measures targeting Pakistan in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack. The decision to call the allparty meeting was taken on Wednesday, with Singh and Shah reaching out to various parties. It has been a convention to call an all-party meeting following an incident with serious repercussions related to national security . Photo taken on April 7, 2025 shows blooming cherry blossoms along the Fengding Mountain tourist road in Huiyi Village, Huiyi Town, Suijiang County, Zhaotong City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. The vibrant blossoms added splendor to the spring scenery. (Wu Xin/Guangming Pictures) Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, GMW.cn makes no representations as to accuracy, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information. The process of settling Ukraine's external debt with private creditors is credible, said Alfred Kammer, Director of the European Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at a briefing in Washington on Friday. He said this was an important element of the fund's (Extended Financing Facility) program, so that ultimately, within the framework of the fund's program, they would see that debt stability in Ukraine would be achieved. Commenting on the fund's deterioration of Ukraine's GDP growth forecast for 2025 from 2.5% to 2%, Kammer explained this by the lower growth momentum carried over from 2024. This is a reflection of the bombing of energy infrastructure, which is slowing the economy. It also reflects a very limited labor market, as well as ongoing uncertainty about the duration of the war and how the war will develop and affect the economy, he noted. At the same time, the official noted that the Ukrainian economic team - the Minister of Finance, the Governor of the National Bank - is doing an extraordinary job to maintain macroeconomic stability in these conditions, as well as to prepare the economy for the period of post-war reconstruction. And important for this is the need to work on a medium-term national revenue strategy, because Ukraine will need revenues to provide all the necessary services of a modern state and support reconstruction, Kammer added. Address: 570 Grand Street, #H1405 Price: $1,150,000 Maintenance: $1880.00 Open House: Sunday, April 13 from 10:30 3:30pm **All showings including Sunday Open Houses are by appointment only. If you are working with another agent, that agent needs to reach out to make the appointment and is required to be present.** Rare to Market! High floor, true 3-bedroom/1.5 bath apartment with beautiful views of the downtown skyline including the Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and Freedom Tower! This large apartment (approx. 1,250 sq. ft.) has a flexible layout that allows for removal of the wall between the windowed kitchen and living room for a more open and airy feel. And with double exposures (East & West) youll have light all day long! The Master Bedroom, with a windowed half bath en-suite (easily convertible to a full bath with shower stall), can accommodate a king-sized bed and multiple dressers. Facing East there are additional views of the co-ops private park with peak of the Williamsburg Bride and East River. A windowed full bath with bathtub, two additional well-proportioned bedrooms, 7 closets (2 walk-in) and original hardwood parquet flooring throughout. Dont miss this opportunity to make this beautiful space your own! **Assessment: $144/month through April 2028** Co-op amenities (additional fees and wait lists may apply) include 24-hour attended lobbies, 2 large private parks, childrens playroom (plus access to neighboring Hillman co-ops park and playroom), community room, and fully equipped fitness center. 1 block to supermarket, 24hr deli/convenience store, dry cleaner and more. Short walk to Trader Joes, Target & Regal Cinemas! M14A, M21 & M22 bus stops outside your door, and short walk to M14D providing direct access to Chinatown, Little Italy, East Village, SoHo, West Village, Financial District, Battery Park City, Union Square, Chelsea, Meat Packing and Kips Bay. J, M and F trains at Delancey & Essex Streets. F train at East Broadway & Rutgers Streets. Citibike stations nearby. Listing courtesy of LoHo Realty Inc. See floor plan, additional details and more photos here. See a 3D virtual tour here. For information on 570 Grand Street, #H1405 contact: Jacob Goldman Founder, Principal Broker listings@lohorealty.com 212-388-1115 * This is a paid advertisement. Supernova Airlines, a member of the NOVA (Nova Poshta) group of companies, has launched a partnership with cargo sales and service agents (GSSA) Alfa Airlines Services BV (Belgium) and A.D. Aviation (Tel Aviv), who will be its exclusive representatives in the European Union and Israel. "Supernova Airlines is strategically expanding its commercial presence by formalizing partnerships with Alfa Airlines Services BV (Belgium) and A.D. Aviation (Tel Aviv)," Supernova said on LinkedIn on Wednesday. According to the agreements, Alfa Airlines Services BV will act as the exclusive general agent for the sale of Supernova services in all member states of the European Union, and A.D. Aviation has been appointed as the general agent for the Israeli market, the statement said. "A.D Aviation International Services is happy to announce its new partnership with Supernova Airlines for the Israeli market. With the new TLV-PRG-TLV 737-800 Freighter, we are opening new solutions to the European market and into many Eastern European destination with to-door solutions and interline connections. We look forward this new cooperation not only with Supernova Airlines but also with the airline GSA from PRG, Alfa Airline Services, with whom we will support the import sales into Tel-Aviv to the local customers," A.D Aviation General Manager Udi Dror wrote on LinkedIn on Wednesday. A.D. Aviation Services Ltd. is an Israeli general sales and service agent (GSSA), located at Ben Gurion International Airport (Israel). It provides comprehensive services to airlines, including marketing, sales, reservations, operations management and financial services. The company provides a full range of cargo services for forwarders in Israel. It has close ties with Global GSA Group - a global network of GSA agencies in Europe and North America. Alfa Airlines Services BV is an independent GSSA. It provides a full range of GSSA services, including promotion and sales of air cargo on behalf of airlines, flight planning and support, cargo loading coordination and supervision, marketing, PR and reporting, claims handling and cargo tracking, financial and administrative services, including invoicing and payment security. 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://www.facebook.com/KeirStarmerLabour/ British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed hope that a ceasefire in Ukraine could be declared by summer, the British newspaper The Telegraph reports. We are at an intense stage in the negotiations. In the end, Im always mindful of the fact that it is Ukraine that must decide on those issues its not for other people to decide on behalf of Ukraine. It is for Ukraine to decide. And Russia must come to the table for that unconditional ceasefire, he said. He also said he hoped a ceasefire could be declared by the summer. He reiterated his call for US security guarantees for British and other Western troops planning to deploy to Ukraine to monitor the peace. He also insisted that Ukraine must be given the opportunity to determine the terms of any peace deal with Russia, and demanded that Moscow agree to an "unconditional ceasefire". Its got to be a ceasefire that is on terms that all parties can accept, including Ukraine, and its got to be a lasting ceasefire. What I dont want to see is a ceasefire that is temporary, because I am as convinced as I can be that that will simply leave Russia with the capability and wherewithal to come again at some future time. Theyve done it before, Ive no doubt that they will do it again, he said in an interview with the publication. Starmer also refused to support US plans to officially recognize Crimea as Russian, which the media reported as one of the conditions of the peace deal. Thats not for me to say. That is part of the discussions, he said. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all Under the cover of a massive strike, the Russians tried to develop assault operations, in particular, in the Pokrovsk direction on the front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported. "In fact, the Russians tried to develop assault operations under the cover of their massive strike. When the maximum of our forces was focused on defense against missiles and drones, the Russians significantly intensified their ground attacks. The Russians received a worthy rebuff," he wrote on Telegram following the report of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky. The President noted that the most severe situation was in the Pokrovsk direction. According to him, there were almost 150 Russian attacks against Ukrainian positions and more than 4,500 shellings, including from heavy weapons. Zelenskyy especially noted the servicemen of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade and the 59th separate assault brigade of unmanned systems for this, who inflicted significant losses on the occupier. He also noted the effective actions of the 100th separate mechanized brigade and the 12th operational brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. "Also, our investigators, forensic scientists and experts are inspecting the sites of missile and drone hits, establishing and verifying the circumstances of the respective shellings, conducting examinations of the discovered fragments of missiles and drones in order to establish complete information about these weapons and critical components in them, which were delivered to Russia or North Korea from third countries and used in production," he wrote. Trump says USA putting great pressure on Russia, but it will be difficult for Ukraine to return territories Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ The United States is putting very great pressure on Russia and Russia knows it, said US President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said they had no idea how much pressure he was putting on Russia. He emphasized that the pressure was significant, that Russia was aware of it, and that some people close to Russia knew it as well otherwise, he added, the Russian leader wouldnt be speaking now. Trump stressed that it is necessary that Ukraine also wants to conclude an agreement. In addition, he believes that "it will be difficult" for Ukraine to return its territories, in particular, Crimea. He told reporters that when it came to Crimea, it had been given to the Russian president during Barack Obamas administration and had nothing to do with him. He noted that it happened 11 years ago and claimed that the Ukrainians had made the decision without any bullets, without a fight they had simply given it away. He added that now they were asking if it could be returned, but in his view, it would be very difficult. He emphasized that it was Barack Obama who gave it away as president, not Donald Trump. The American president acknowledged the loss of many territories by Ukraine, but promised to do everything possible (to return them). We will do everything possible, working with Ukraine, he said. Credible show of the students Need for career counselling | It is an annual affair, but there is always something special about the time when the Class X or Class XII examination results are announced. The Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur has done just that in announcing the results of the Class XII exams this year with the pass percentage recording a healthy 94 percent. This is a slight dip from the previous year which had an impressive 97.63 pass percentage. Statistics dont lie and one hopes that the excellent showing dished out by the students is taken to its logical conclusion and none of them get lost on the journey called life. A journey which can come under heavy pressure from different forces including the push and pull to continue excelling from the parents and relatives, peer pressure, the pressure to zero in on what one wants to do in ones life, the pressure of deciding which line of profession one should take up etc. The career part may come a little later in life, but the Class XII stage is perhaps the best time to start charting out the roadmap for the future and this is where good counselling or career counselling comes into play. How many of the schools in Manipur have career guidance cells or career counselling classes ? Tough to say and in most cases it is the parents, guardians and relatives who double up as career counsellors, deciding what a young student should take up for further studies and what the young child should do later in life. This is perhaps where the Government may step in and make career counselling a necessary component in every school. Excellent investment it would turn out to be for it can help the student determine her strength and weaknesses at the crucial stage in her life. As in the past years, a large number of students will also proceed for their further studies outside the State and this is a point which should not just be brushed aside. Not the first time that The Sangai Express has commented on this and wouldnt be the last either. Why do parents and elders of the family feel compelled to send their children outside Manipur once they have crossed the Class XII stage ? For those who have cracked NEET, JEE or any of the other exams for professional courses, this question may not arise, but not everybody is cut out to be doctors or engineers and not everybody wants to follow this line. There would be many, particularly students from the Arts and Commerce stream, who have to go in for further studies and invariably thousands of students from Manipur will go to cities and universities located outside Manipur. For the moneyed people, sending their children outside will not be much of a problem, but not everyone is that well placed and the validity of the question, why so many feel constrained to send their children outside Manipur once they have finished their Class XII. Food for thought here and the answer rests not only with the Government, but with the people themselves too. It is also heartening to note that students from Government schools recorded a pass percentage of 89.95 and this is saying something a lot. A credible reflection on the School Fagathanshi mission launched by the then BJP led State Government one may say and perhaps this is where the Government would seriously need to look back at the decades gone by when a number of Government run schools managed to produce rank holders in the Class X examination and in the then Pre-University exams. Perhaps this is the right time for the Government to look back and study why Government schools have come to be identified with pathetic shows, year after year. Let the good showing of 2025 not be just a flash in the pan but becomes a habit, a habit of producing students who can get through the Class X and Class XII examinations. The Class XII result is out and one can expect the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur to declare the Class X examination results in the coming days and one wonders whether Manipur will witness yet another round of fierce competition amongst the schools to attract the brightest students with freebies. Annual affair it is, but this is the time for everyone to raise questions which can be relevant to the future of the young students and hence the place. Moreh and the promise of a shared future | Dr Raj SinghOn a misty morning in Manipurs Tengnoupal district, trucks idle on the edge of the Indo-Myanmar border, waiting for green signals that may not come todayor even tomorrow. In the town of Moreh, the only Indian land port that directly connects to the Southeast Asian highway network, uncertainty has become routine. What should have been a humming transnational trade hub is instead a town marked by suspicion, silos, and periodic lockdowns.But it doesnt have to be this way.Moreh, by all accounts, is strategically placed to be Indias commercial bridge to Myanmar, Thailand, and the ASEAN community. Its location along the IndiaMyanmarThailand Tri- lateral Highway makes it a geopolitical asset and an economic opportunity rolled into one. Yet, this potential is being squanderednot for lack of infrastructure alone, but for lack of trust.In this article, we explore a central idea : Moreh can be transformed into Indias Ruili or Ciudad del Estethriving, multiethnic border cities where diversity is not a curse but a currency. But that will only happen if India replaces ethnic one- upmanship with economic inclusion and policy courage.The Geography of Promise, The Politics of PerilGeographically, Moreh couldnt be better placed. Tucked into the southeastern tip of Manipur, it connects directly to Tamu in Myanmar, providing the only overland gateway between India and Southeast Asia that is currently operational. As part of Indias Act East Policy, Moreh is supposed to be the corridor through which goods, services, culture, and diplomacy flow eastward.Before the 2023 ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meiteis derailed progress, Morehs formal annual trade turnover stood at around Rs 800 crore (USD 100 million). Much morepossibly twice as muchmoved through informal or semi-formal channels. Timber, textiles, betel nuts, Chinese electronics, and Indian pharma- ceuticals were among the towns staples.But this promising commerce sits on a fractured social bedrock. Kukis, who are numerically dominant in Moreh, have claimed it as part of their envisioned homeland, Zalengam. Allegations abound of Kuki militant groups controlling trade routes and levying their own taxes. Meiteis, dominant in the Manipur valley, view this as an existential threatnot just to trade, but to the States unity. The Nagas, who lay claim to surrounding regions under the banner of Greater Nagalim, add yet another layer of tension.What could be a beacon of Indias border development strategy is instead turning into a militarized buffer of mistrust. And unless we confront this reality head-on, we will lose not just a town, but a National opportunity.Ruili : A Town That Chose Trade Over TensionTo envision what Moreh could become, one need only look across the border to Ruili, a small town in Chinas Yunnan Province, once as obscure and underdeveloped as Moreh.In the 1980s, under Deng Xiaopings Reform and Opening-Up Policy, Ruili was designated a Special Economic Zone. It received tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and investment in border infrastructure. What followed was a quiet revolution. Annual trade through Ruili ballooned to over USD 4.5 billion, making it Chinas largest land trade hub with Myanmar.But numbers tell only half the story. Ruili succeeded because it embraced its diversity. Home to Han Chinese, Dai, Jingpo, Burmese, and other minorities, the town invested in multilingual education, minority business programs, and neutral security enforcement. Roads and railways were built not just for connectivity but for coexistence.Today, Ruili is not only a commercial gatewayit is a case study in balancing border growth with social stability. Moreh, with the right policies, can follow this model.Ciudad del Este: The Tri-Border Powerhouse of South AmericaThousands of miles away in South America, another town offers a compelling parallel. Ciudad del Este, founded in 1957 at the meeting point of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina, is one of the worlds largest duty-free trade zones. Its current trade turnover exceeds USD 15 billion annually, second only to Sao Paulo in the region.What makes Ciudad del Este special is not just the volume of trade, but the diversity of its traders. Paraguayans, Brazilians, Lebanese, Chinese, and indigenous communities run side-by-side businesses in electronics, textiles, cosmetics, and more. How did this work ? Instead of fencing off opportunity for one group, Paraguay opened up its borders for all. Ethnic and National differences gave way to economic interdependence. Joint security patrols between the three countries helped keep crime in check without choking the flow of commerce.What Ciudad del Este teaches Moreh is this : when every community sees a stake in growth, peace follows.Johor Bahru: Coexisting on the Edge of a Global CityCloser home, Johor Bahrujust across the strait from Singaporeoffers yet another masterclass in border urbanism. It could have become Singapores poor cousin. Instead, it became a complementary economic magnet, thanks to Malaysias vision. The region around Johor Bahru attracted over USD 100 billion in investment through the Iskandar Malaysia development corridor, offering real estate, manufacturing, and tourism as its pillars. Johor Bahrus workforce is a harmonious blend of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and migrants, governed by inclusive policies that ensure ethnic representation in economic planning bodies.The success of Johor Bahru suggests that even with proximity to a much richer neighbor, a city can carve out its own identityif it is built for all, not just some.Chetumal: Mexicos Quiet Border MarvelOn the border between Mexico and Belize lies Chetumal, once a sleepy town, now a key part of Mexicos trade and tourism landscape. The magic ingredient ? Free Trade Zones and support for small-scale entrepreneurship.With a trade volume of around USD 1.2 billion annually, Chetumal leverages its Afro-Caribbean, Mestizo, and Mayan populations as a selling point. Tourists come not despite the diversity, but because of it. Economic inclusion turned cultural complexity into a strength.The Moreh We Could BuildLets now bring the spotlight back to Moreh. What would it take to convert this town into Indias own success story?1. Grant Moreh Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status, offering duty waivers, infrastructure subsidies, and formal trade channels. This would wean the economy away from informal, often militant-controlled networks.2. Establish a Multi-Ethnic Trade Council comprising Kukis, Meiteis, Nagas, and Myanmar traders to supervise policy implementation, grievance redressal, and commercial coordination.3. Deploy neutral security forces, like a special joint force drawn from Central and State security organizations to prevent ethnic-aligned policing and to secure trade routes without intimidating traders.4. Pursue bilateral coordination with Myanmar, mirroring Ciudad del Estes model. A joint India-Myanmar logistics and customs pact can bring Tamu into the fold and reduce friction.5. Upgrade infrastructure, including bonded warehouses, cold storage, banking kiosks, and digital customs clearance.6. Launch minority trader support schemes, including business training, credit access, and joint ventures across communities.A Town Divided Cannot TradeIf we fail to act, Moreh risks more than economic stagnation. Ethnic dominance games will turn traders into targets, businesses into battlegrounds, and borders into barriers. Indias Act East Policy will falter at its very doorstep.Inaction could mean losing Rs 1000 crore in annual trade, pushing regional traders into underground markets, and ceding Southeast Asias economic corridors to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.Conclusion: A Shared Future BeckonsThe story of Moreh is still being written. It can either be a tale of a border town torn by rivalries, or one of a gateway where people came together, despite their histories, to build something larger than themselves.India must not let geography go to waste. Let policy rise above identity, and let inclusive economics replace exclusionary claims.Because the world doesnt need another cautionary tale. It needs a model of pluralism, peace, and prosperity.And Morehif we choose rightlycan be that model. The author is a Manipuri expat settled in Canada. He can be reached at [email protected] Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ The proportion of those killed in battle in the Ukrainian army is lower than in the Russian one, for every ten wounded there is one killed, while in Russia there will be five killed, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I am not comparing the Russian army with the Ukrainian one, but look at the proportion of those wounded in battle and those killed in battle... If we have one to ten, that is, one killed, then we have ten wounded in battle. Now, in the case of the Russians, for every ten losses there will be five wounded, five killed, or six to four," Zelenskyy said in an interview with American journalist Ben Shapiro. He noted that the Ukrainian forces have a different level of medical support, and this knowledge was provided to partners. Sunil Paswan (45), a head constable of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was killed after some unknown miscreants fired at his head from close range at Domdaha Dhangari area under Salanpur police station limits near the Bengal Jharkhand border late last night. He was a resident of Mihijam Baraipara in Mihijam town (beside Chittaranjan) of Jharkhand and used to work in the Phusro unit of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Bokaro town of Jharkhand state. The top officials of CISF in Kolkata eastern zone have been intimidated about his murder at around 9 p.m. last evening in Salanpur. Advertisement Police have seized a liquor bottle and a motorcycle from the site. The body has been sent to Asansol District Hospital for post-mortem. Advertisement ACP (Kulti) of Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate, Javed Hussein said that Rupnarayanpur and Salanpur police have started investigations and some persons have been grilled. Mihijam police have also arrived today for investigations. The deceased has left behind two sons and his widow. ADPC sources said that mobile tower locations and CCTV footage in the nearby vicinity are being checked. One of his friends said that some four-five people called him over the phone to show a parcel of land, in the darkness he could not see anybody but heard firing from behind. He then rushed to inform the local villagers and sought police help. We have started investigations and sought assistance from Jharkhand police also. The deceased is a central para military force armed head constable and so far we have not got any clues. All angles will be investigated, ACP Javed Hussein added. There are currently about 800,000 or 600,000 volunteers in Ukrainian army Zelenskyy There are currently about 800,000 or 600,000 volunteers in the Ukrainian army, each case of mobilization is checked separately by the Ground Forces and the Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "In Ukraine, there are now 800,000 or 600,000 people who volunteered for the army. This was the law on mobilization, but people voluntarily went to defend Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in an interview with American journalist Ben Shapiro. The president noted that one can have different attitudes towards mobilization, but mobilization has existed since the beginning of the war, in accordance with martial law legislation. "We want there to be a just peace, calm, and there would be nothing, neither mobilization nor martial law. But while there is war, while we have the law, there is mobilization," Zelenskyy added. A day after allowing the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) chairman Siddhartha Majumder and his other colleagues to leave office on Wednesday, the agitating jobless teachers are still confused with the WBSSCs reluctance to make the list of tainted candidates public through its official website. Mr Majumdar, whom the protesters had besieged since Monday, was scheduled to appear before the Calcutta High Court (HC) on Wednesday in connection with a hearing related to the presentation of OMR sheets of the 2016 recruitment test. Advertisement The HC heard a contempt petition against the West Bengal school education department, claiming that it has not uploaded OMR sheets of 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court (SC) judgment. Advertisement The HC wanted to know about what steps the state government has taken in connection with refunding the salary of the identified ineligible teachers. The apex court in its judgment had directed the identified ineligible teachers to refund their salary. A section of jobless teachers, who still stick to their decision to continue a sit-in protest in front of the Acharya Sadan on Thursday, have urged the commission to release the list of ineligible candidates to make it clear that they cant go to their respective schools. The state education department has sent lists of 15,403 untainted teachers who can go to their respective schools and get salaries till 31 December to the offices of district inspectors (DI) of schools across the state. Many untainted teachers have already left the sit-in site at Acharya Sadan to join their schools but many others have decided to continue their protest till the commission releases the list of tainted teachers. Jobless teachers and headmasters and headmistresses of many schools felt that the list of 15,403 eligible teachers sent to the DI offices has created more confusion among themselves. Today, Amit Ranjan Bhuniya, an assistant teacher of a school in South 24-Parganas district, whom a sub-inspector of the Kasba police station had kicked on his abdomen when he was part of protest in front of the DI office at Kasba in the city, said: Why doesnt the school service commission publish the list of tainted candidates? We want to know who are not eligible. Who are not allowed to go to schools and get the salary as per the Supreme Court directive? Chinmoy Mondal, one of the prominent faces who have been leading the protest of aggrieved jobless teachers in front of the Acharya Sadan office of the WBSSC, said: I could not find my name in the list of untainted teachers sent to the DI offices. Its because of some mistakes made by the WBSSC. I have spoken to the commission chairman and he has asked for 24 hours to correct the mistakes. Its not desirable from the commission. Many others who are untainted like me could not also find their names in the list. There has been a sharp split in the sit-in movement since the education department sent the list of untainted teachers to the DIs. Tainted candidates launched a sit-in movement from today hardly 100 metres away from the original site in front of the Acharya Sadan building after their names were struck off from the list of the untainted candidates. The agitating tainted candidates alleged that their names have been deleted in the list owing to some discrepancies in the OMR sheets. Today, they got involved in a heated exchange with their untainted counterparts this evening at the Acharya Sadan venue. Trinamul Congress on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh, a brave soldier from Nadia, who lost his life in Jammu and Kashmir, with Tehatta MLA Tapas Saha immediately visiting the family to offer condolences. His sacrifice adds to the proud tradition of Bengals contribution to the nations security forces, as the state mourns the loss of its brave son. Advertisement We pay solemn tribute to Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh of 6 Para (Special Forces), Indian Army, who laid down his life in the line of duty during a counter-terror operation in Udhampur. A son of Patharghata village in Krishnanagar, he embodied the highest ideals of valour, selflessness, and service to the nation. In this hour of grief, our heartfelt condolences go out to his bereaved family. His sacrifice shall never be forgotten, the party stated. Advertisement Several Trinamul leaders paid homage to the fallen soldier. Krishnanagar MP and Trinamul MP Mahua Moitra expressed her condolences, saying: Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh of 6 Para SF, Indian Army martyred today during an encounter between army & militants in Udhampur. He hailed from Patharghata village in Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency. God bless his brave soul. Highlighting the soldiers humble background, TMC leader Samirul Islam reminded that the Bengals son, who came from the house of a poor farmer laid down his life for the nation with unmatched bravery. Our thoughts and prayers are with his grieving familywe stand with them in this hour of sorrow. To those exploiting the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam for communal politics: let it be clearterrorism has no religion, and terrorists recognize no faith, he posted on X. During his press conference today, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said: All of us, including the chief minister, express our sincerest condolences. We are taking all necessary arrangements in the matter. However, those doing vulture politics over religion, must repent for their sins. They should touch Jhantu Ali Sheikhs feet and salute his bravery. The Indian Army also confirmed that Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh made the ultimate sacrifice while combating terrorists in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. Details of the operation were shared by the Army on X: ..,During the firefight, Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh sustained critical injuries and later made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The White Knight Corps commemorated the fallen soldiers bravery in their tribute: #GOC #WhiteKnightCorps and all ranks salute #Braveheart Hav Jhantu Ali Shaikh of 6 PARA SF, who made the supreme #sacrifice during a counter #terror #operation. His indomitable courage and the valour of his team will never be forgotten. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this moment of grief. The highest echelons of the military leadership joined in honouring Havaldar Sheikh, with Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi saluting his unwavering courage. #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS and all ranks of the #IndianArmy salute the unwavering bravery and supreme sacrifice of #Braveheart Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh. His indomitable courage will forever remain etched in our hearts and #IndianArmy stands firm with the family in their hour of grief, Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army), posted on X. Tinamul Congress leader Kunal Ghosh slammed PM modi for his speech in Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did politics over dead bodies today. He spoke nothing about compensation packages. He didnt take any accountability for the incompetence of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He did an election meeting today. He spoke for 28 minutes but gave only 6 minutes to Pahalgam, that too towards the end. As if the lives of the deceased didnt matter. He was seen sharing jokes with Nitish Kumar. He shouldve show caused Amit Shah and demanded accountability as to how such a lapse happened. During 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Modi had demanded answers from the-then Central government as to how terrorists from across the border came to the country when borders were managed by Central government. As PM, he should have answered questions he raised that day. Meanwhile, he posted on X about the compensation package for Mrs Adhikari, wife of late Bitan Adhikari, who died in Pahalgam in terrorist attack, a couple of days back. He asked the governments at the Centre and state to look into the case of the slain Bitans parents, who also need financial support. Advertisement Request to Central Govt and State Govt. Dont give total compensation amount to Mrs Adhikari alone. Kindly devide it, and give an amount to Mr Bitan Adhikarys parents also. They are totally helpless and there are some factors within their family. After Bitans death, the parents became more helpless. If Govt give compensation to the family, the situation of the parents should be considered separately. In their absence, the amount also will automatically shifted over to Mrs Adhikari or Master Adhikari. But at this moment, a financial protection must be given to Parents also. I am confidant, State Govt will consider this point seriously. Central Govt should think alike also. Advertisement Apple plans to shift the assembly line of all US-sold iPhones to India as early as next year, according to people familiar with the matter. This move comes as President Donald Trumps tariff war forces the tech giant to pivot away from China, the British financial daily Financial Times has reported. According to a report published in the Financial Times, The push builds on Apples strategy to diversify its supply chain but goes further and faster than investors appreciate, with a goal to source from India the entirety of the more than 60 million iPhones sold annually in the United States by the end of 2026. Advertisement The target would mean doubling the iPhone output in India, after almost two decades in which Apple spent heavily in China to create a world-beating production line which powered its rise into a US $3-trillion tech giant. Advertisement China, where Apple manufactures the majority of its iPhones through third-party contract manufacturing companies like Foxconn, has been subject to the US presidents most aggressive tariffs, though he has since signalled a willingness to negotiate with Beijing. In the wake of Trumps tariff announcements, which wiped US $700 billion from Apples market value, the company rushed to export available Indian-manufactured iPhones to the US to avoid the higher tariffs imposed on China. In recent years, Apple has been steadily building capacity in India with contract manufacturers like Tata Electronics and Foxconn, though it still assembles most of its smartphones in China. iPhone assembly is the last step of the production process, bringing together hundreds of components for which Apple is still heavily reliant on its Chinese suppliers. Trump initially announced reciprocal tariffs of more than 100 per cent on imports from China, but then offered a temporary reprieve for smartphones. The devices are still subject to a separate 20% rate, which applies to all imports from China. India was hit with a so-called reciprocal tariff of 26%, though this has been paused even as New Delhi pushed for a bilateral trade agreement with the US. On a visit to India this week, US Vice President JD Vance said that the two countries were making very good progress. The US accounted for about 28% of Apples 232.1 million global iPhone shipments in 2024, according to the International Data Corporation. Apple would need to further increase capacity in India to fulfil all US orders from the country. Last year, as the iPhone maker sought to increase output from India, Foxconn and Tata began importing pre-assembled component sets from China. Apple CEO Tim Cook has been in regular contact with Trump and his administration since attending the presidents inauguration in January 2025. However, official spokespersons for Apple in India, as well as Tata Electronics and Foxconn, did not comment on the Financial Times report. Significantly, Apples main Indian suppliers, Foxconn and Tata Electronics, had shipped almost US $2 billion worth of handsets to their largest market in March this year, as Apple sought to offset the impact of looming tariffs. Apple had chartered cargo flights recently to ferry 600 tonnes of iPhonesor as many as 1.5 million devicesto the US in March this year, in order to ensure sufficient inventory in the important US market. Apple has three plants in India, and last month the company temporarily extended its operations by making Sunday a working day, at Foxconn Indias biggest factory in Chennai. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stages a comeback in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after a gap of almost two years with its leader, Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh, emerging victorious in the elections held on Friday on the post of mayor while Jai Bhagwan Yadav on deputy mayor. Singh secured 133 votes defeating Mandeep Singh of Congress by 125 votes, who could only manage eight of the 142 votes cast. One vote was declared invalid. Advertisement On the other hand, the partys Jai Bhagwan Yadav was elected unopposed to the position of deputy mayor as his rival, Congress Ariba Khan, withdrew her nomination. Advertisement Notably, the AAP, which had won the polls for mayor and deputy mayor for two years, boycotted the elections. Speaking after the elections, newly-elected Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh expressed gratitude to all the councilors and assured that the BJP-led MCD would work to provide better civic amenities to the residents of Delhi. Furthermore, he stated that positive initiatives would be taken to address cleanliness, quality education, and primary healthcare while special focus will be given to resolving the issues of landfill sites and water-logging. We believe in action, we will prove it through our work, for which we seek everyones support, Singh added. Newly-elected Deputy Mayor Jai Bhagwan Yadav also thanked everyone and assured that he would work in the public interest. After the elections, a house meeting of the civic body commenced wherein every councilor was given two-minute time to raise issues concerning their wards. Notably, the Electoral College in the MCD consists of 250 councilors, all 10 MPs (Seven of Lok Sabha and Three from Rajya Sabha) of Delhi and 14 MLAs appointed from Delhi Assembly. Residents of Delhis rural belt, comprising 360 villages, led by Palam 360 Khap chief Chaudhary Surender Solanki, staged a strong protest and candle march on Friday in response to the recent dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The protesters demanded stern action against terrorism. A large number of men, women, youth, and elderly residents took to the streets holding candles to pay tribute to the martyrs and show unity against terrorism. Advertisement The candle march, led by rural leader Solanki, began at Ambedkar Bhavan in Palam Extension, South West Delhi, and concluded at Ramphal Chowk. Advertisement Protesters raised slogans such as Martyrs live forever and Pakistan Haaye Haaye, expressing anger over the attack and calling for justice. Solanki urged the central government to take stringent action against Pakistan and terrorist elements, stating, The nations patience has now worn thin with this attacknow is the time for a decisive step. The Khap leader also announced plans to visit the families of those martyred in the Pahalgam attack. He added that a strong protest would also be organized outside the Pakistan Embassy in Delhi to highlight the need for concrete action against terrorism. The peaceful yet powerful demonstration sent a clear message of unity and resilience from the rural communities of Delhi, standing in support of national security and honoring those who lost their lives. The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, has triggered widespread outrage across the country. Nine members of a Hindu family from Bangladeshs Rangpur division, unable to endure continued torture and threats from their neighbours, have crossed the Indo-Bangladesh border illegally and taken shelter in a relatives house in Siliguri. The family, including three minors, was arrested by the Siliguri Metropolitan Police last night after a few local residents informed authorities of their presence. Advertisement The house owner, identified as Nirmal Majumdar of Fakdoi area near the Eastern Bypass under Ashigarh police outpost, was also arrested for allegedly renting out his home to them. Advertisement All nine members were produced before the Jalpaiguri Court today for entering India without valid documents. The family members have been identified as Jatin Roy, Balu Roy, Sanjib Roy, Baul Rani, Gopali Rani, and Jharna Rani. According to the women in the family, the situation back home worsened after the interim government took charge in Bangladesh. They alleged repeated attacks and threats from neighbours, who tried to force them to convert from Hinduism to Islam. One of the women recounted that they sold all their property and paid touts to help them cross the border into North Dinajpur. We initially took shelter at a relatives house. Later, we rented a place in Fakdoi. But now, weve been arrested. I fled to save my two sons from religious conversion. If the Indian government sends us back to Bangladesh, I have no other option but death, she said, breaking down in tears. Another elderly woman who came with four others added: After the change of government in Bangladesh, it became impossible for us to stay in our own home. We came here only to survive. Police officials said they have recorded the familys statements and prepared a detailed report for the court. However, no humanitarian organisation has yet come forward to offer help or advocate for their status as refugees. Hollywood is mourning the loss of Lar Park Lincoln, a familiar face from the cult horror circuit and classic TV dramas. Best known for her role as the telekinetic Tina Shepard in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood and as the scheming Linda on Knots Landing, the actress passed away this Tuesday at the age of 63. Advertisement The news was confirmed by Actors Audition Studios, the Dallas-based acting school Lar Park Lincoln founded to help mentor the next generation of performers. The studio described her as a fearless performer and generous teacher, noting that she had been privately battling breast cancer. Advertisement With a career that spanned over four decades, Lincoln brought both strength and charisma to the screen. Horror fans will remember her as the woman who literally took Jason Voorhees head-on, using psychic powers in Friday the 13th Part VII, a role that still has a cult following today. She even returned to that universe in 2021 for the fan-made Rose Blood, a spiritual sequel to her iconic characters story. In the world of television, Lincoln found long-lasting recognition on Knots Landing, a prime-time soap that captivated viewers through the late 80s and early 90s. She joined the cast in 1987 as Linda Fairgate, a character as charming as she was cunning. Her portrayal made Linda a fan-favorite and a memorable villain. In a 2022 interview, Lincoln recalled how her transformation into the blond meanie was part of the showrunners plan to surprise the audience. I remember having lunch with [creator] David Jacobs when he told me they were changing my hair to blond. He said, Im doing this because you look so sweet. It will shock everyone how you turn out, she laughed. Beyond her bigger roles, Lincoln made appearances on a wide array of popular shows, from Murder, She Wrote to Beverly Hills, 90210, and even dipped into sci-fi with Space: Above and Beyond. She also had parts in genre fare like Freddys Nightmares, and films including House II: The Second Story and The Princess Academy. While she shined in front of the camera, she spent her later years inspiring others behind the scenes. At her acting studio, she dedicated herself to training aspiring performers, many of whom have since gone on to their own careers in the industry. India-Pakistan movies: In recent times, the interest in India-Pakistan films has surged, especially in the wake of the tragic attack on Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals. The attack, which was widely attributed to cross-border terrorism, has reignited public discourse surrounding the complex and often contentious relationship between the two nations. As tensions flare, many people have turned to cinema as a way to process and understand the deep-rooted issues between India and Pakistan. Advertisement From partition to modern-day political tensions, filmmakers from both nations have grappled with the emotional and political implications of the shared history. Over the years, Bollywood and Lollywood have produced a fascinating array of movies that explore themes of love, war, patriotism, and identity, often reflecting the deep emotional undercurrents that exist between India and Pakistan. Advertisement Films on war and patriotism: War has always been a central theme in India-Pakistan cinema. Films like Border (1997) and LOC Kargil (2003) have become iconic for their portrayal of the valor and sacrifice during times of conflict, particularly the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1999. Border was a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. The film resonated deeply with Indian audiences, highlighting the brotherhood and camaraderie between soldiers facing certain death. Similarly, LOC Kargil takes a closer look at the Kargil War in 1999, focusing on the emotional and physical toll on the soldiers involved in the conflict. Recent films like Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) and Shershaah (2021) continue the tradition of using war as a cinematic backdrop. Uri takes inspiration from the real-life surgical strikes carried out by India against Pakistan-based militant camps in 2016, exploring the themes of national pride and justice. Shershaah, on the other hand, is a tribute to Captain Vikram Batra, a Kargil War hero, portraying the personal side of war through the lens of bravery and sacrifice. Cross-border love stories: Bollywood has also produced several films exploring love and friendship between people from India and Pakistan. Veer-Zaara (2004) is perhaps the most famous example of this. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Veer Zaara (@veerzaara20years) Directed by Yash Chopra, it tells the story of an Indian Air Force pilot, Veer, who falls in love with a Pakistani woman, Zaara. The film focuses on their unwavering love, despite the political and social challenges that keep them apart. Through its powerful narrative, Veer-Zaara explores the human side of cross-border relationships, offering a sense of hope and compassion amidst political turmoil. Another cross-border love story that garnered much attention was Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor. The film follows the journey of an Indian man, Pavan, who helps a mute Pakistani girl return to her family in Pakistan. In addition to love stories, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) also explored the intense emotional landscape of Partition. Set during the 1947 division of India and Pakistan, it tells the story of an Indian man, who marries a Pakistani woman, and their struggles to reunite after the countrys partition. On aftermath of the partition Partition films hold a unique place in the India-Pakistan cinema dialogue, often exploring the deep scars left by the 1947 division. Movies like Garam Hawa (1973), Pinjar (2003), and Earth (1998) delve into the trauma faced by individuals who were displaced and divided due to the Partition. Garam Hawa remains one of the most poignant portrayals of Partitions emotional impact. The film focuses on a Muslim family in India who must navigate the shifting political landscape after the countrys independence. Pinjar, based on the novel by Amrita Pritam, is another haunting portrayal of the aftermath of Partition, particularly the plight of women who were caught in the chaos of the division. Earth, by Deepa Mehta, is a multi-layered story from the time of Partition, portraying the cultural, religious, and political upheaval of the time. Present day political films: In recent years, films like Raazi (2018) and Phantom (2015) have tackled modern political tensions between India and Pakistan, especially concerning terrorism and espionage. Raazi, which is based on true events, tells the story of an Indian woman who marries a Pakistani military officer to serve as a spy during the 1971 war. Meanwhile, Phantom explores the fictional story of an Indian soldier who embarks on a mission to eliminate the masterminds behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. In light of recent events like the Pahalgam attack, the demand for such narratives in movies has only grown, as people seek to make sense of the tension and tragedy that persist between India and Pakistan. Actor Jacob Elordi, who is receiving a lot of positive response for his recently released streaming series The Narrow Road to the Deep North, has expressed his gratitude to the series and its director, Justin Kurzel. The series is based on the eponymous novel by Richard Flanagan, and tells the story of an Australian doctor haunted by memories of a love affair with his uncles wife and of his subsequent experiences as a Far East prisoner of war during the construction of the Burma Railway. Advertisement Jacob spoke with IANS, and shared that the series allowed him to take a deep dive into the past, and what happened back in time. Advertisement Jacob told IANS, For me personally, its just because I am so far from that experience and my life has been so far from that experience. Its just enlightening and sobering and eye-opening. And when you get to kind of play, an idea of it or a version of it or work towards it in a cinematic way, just Im very grateful to have that experience as a performer because it in a way puts me closer to something that I could never, that Ive never experienced, you know, which is kind of for me is the joy and the important part of performance as an actor. The actor further mentioned that the series is set in a time period that he is not from. Talking about his preparation for the series, he shared, The way people spoke and the way that they held themselves was certainly different to how we do now. But, I can always learn a lesson in cinema. So just watching films from that time period and reading text from that time period and just kind of immersing myself in it. But then when it comes to filming, while working with someone like Justin, you leave all of the cerebral stuff at the door and you just, you step into the, you step on the stage and you try to play something as real as it can be, he added. The Narrow Road to the Deep North is available to stream on Sony LIV. Ukraine provides reports to USA, thanks to which technical characteristics of weapons improved Zelenskyy Photo: https://x.com/benshapiro/status/1915121386361626749 Ukraine provided the United States with reports on the weapons used, and thanks to them the technical characteristics of weapons were improved, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "Everything that Ukraine used, Ukraine provided reports to the United States, and Ukraine improved many elements and specifications with the help of our engineers, our people on the ground. They improved the technical characteristics of weapons," Zelenskyy said in an interview with American journalist Ben Shapiro. According to the president, the US received a truthful report based on "the largest land war in many years," and therefore now the United States knows where to invest. "I know these conclusions, but this is not public information, but the United States received this knowledge, these data, and this knowledge could not have been obtained without real operations," Zelenskyy added. In addition, the United States provided money for the development of various UAVs, which are part of the $105 billion in aid received. "This is what scientists, intelligence, military engineers worked on, what the United States worked on, when the United States paid for these developments, the United States received full and open information about drones. This is a new weapon that was not available to the United States... Now the United States has received all this experience, all these developments," the president said. Kim Soo Hyun finds himself in 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. 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. As per Korea JoongAng Daily, a section of Kim Soo Hyuns fans have hired a lawyer. The fans are calling themselves the Kim Soo Hyun Korea & Global Fan Alliance, and have hired a lawyer named Yang Tae Young from Lawfirm Siwoo. Making the announcement on April 22, they also released a statement online. We believe it is our rightful duty as fans to protect the reputation of the actor. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim Soo Hyun (@soohyun_k216) According to the report, the fans are primarily associated with the Daum fan cafe Eucharis, or the DC Inside Kim Soo Hyun Gallery. For the unversed, both are prominent online fan communities. The joint statement reads, We, fans of Kim Soo Hyun from in and outside of Korea, have agreed that we cannot ignore the continuous derogatory insults, false rumours, defamation, and personal attacks aimed at actor Kim Soo Hyun and hereby appoint Yang Tae Yung as our legal attorney. They added, We will take firm measures against any malicious attempts to halt our efforts. 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. Also Read: Amid the Kim Sae Ron controversy, Kim Soo Hyuns team searches for her fake aunt 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. Payal Kapadia, the filmmaker behind All We Imagine As Light, has been bestowed with a prestigious French honour, solidifying her place as one of cinemas brightest stars. Earlier this week, the Mumbai-based director was celebrated at a ceremony held at the French Consulate, where she was presented with the Officier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters). Advertisement The event, attended by distinguished guests, was held at the French residence in Mumbais elegant Peddar Road. Advertisement As she accepted the honour, Payal Kapadia shared her heartfelt gratitude, saying, It is an honour and a privilege to be conferred with the distinction of Officer of Arts and Letters. I am also very thankful for the French Governments dedicated support towards independent cinema all over the world. Kapadias new title places her alongside a remarkable list of Indian luminaries who have received this prestigious accolade, including megastars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by France in Mumbai (@franceinbombay) Kapadias rise to international acclaim began in 2017, when her short film Afternoon Clouds caught the attention of the Cannes Film Festival. However, it was her debut feature documentary, A Night of Knowing Nothing, that truly put her on the map, earning her the prestigious Golden Eye award at Cannes. Yet, it was 2024s All We Imagine As Light that propelled her into the global spotlight. The films triumph at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it clinched the coveted Grand Prix, marked a historic moment for Indian cinemamaking her the first Indian director in three decades to win an award in Cannes main competition. But the accolades didnt stop there. All We Imagine As Light garnered a Golden Globe nomination and was shortlisted as Frances official entry for the Oscars international category. Co-produced in France, the film beautifully blends cultures and storytelling styles. In a significant step towards sustainable urban river rejuvenation, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved an annual master plan for the River Cities Alliance (RCA), charting out a vibrant and action-oriented roadmap of initiatives to be undertaken across the year. The plan encompasses a series of capacity-building programs, knowledge exchange platforms, development of technical tools, expert guidance, and thematic case studies, all focused on integrating river-sensitive urban planning within Indias growing cities. Advertisement Launched in 2021, the RCA is a pioneering initiative led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. With a current membership of 145 cities, the Alliance promotes a comprehensive approach to urban river managementone that strengthens institutional capacity, fosters inter-city collaboration within river basins, and supports the creation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs). This years approved plan is tailored to further operationalize these goals by rolling out a range of strategic interventions. Advertisement A major focus this year will be the promotion of river considerations within city master plans through the organisation of River-Sensitive Master Planning (RSMP) training programs across states. Simultaneously, to support the formulation of Urban River Management Plans (URMPs), the NMCG will conduct training sessions, including onboarding programs specifically for RCA cities in Tamil Nadu, with further sessions planned for additional states. The URMP framework, launched in 2020 by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the NMCG, represents a first-of-its-kind approach to ensure that environmental, economic, and social dimensions are considered in the urban management of rivers. Five citiesKanpur, Ayodhya, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Moradabad, and Bareillyhave already developed their URMPs, setting the benchmark for other urban centres. Notably, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagars Kham River Restoration Mission was globally recognised by the World Resources Institutes Ross Center Prize for Cities, underlining the transformative potential of this initiative. The year ahead will also see the development of 25 more URMPs as part of the first phase of a larger mission to create 60 such plans across India over the next two to three years. Supported by the World Bank, this initiative marks a bold step in deepening river-sensitive urban governance. Steering Committees have already been constituted in states like Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal to facilitate plan formulation and guide implementation. The Assam Police intercepted and pushed back three Bangladeshi nationals on Thursday after they were caught attempting to enter India illegally through the Sribhumi district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced. The individuals, identified as Mahi Moni, Siza Nur (also known as Jhumur), and Md Abu Bakar Siddik, were apprehended by the Sribhumi Police. Advertisement In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Chief Minister Sarma lauded the police action: In a bold move by @sribhumipolice, three Bangladeshi nationals were caught attempting to illegally cross the border. With strict vigilance in place, they were swiftly apprehended and pushed back across the border. Advertisement The chief minister previously highlighted the governments focus on border security, claiming that more than 300 individuals attempting illegal entry had been pushed back over the last seven months. He reiterated the state governments commitment to achieving an infiltration-free Assam. Security measures along the India-Bangladesh border in the region have been intensified. An official noted that the Border Security Force (BSF) has increased its vigil along the extensive 1,885-kilometer border shared between India and Bangladesh in the northeast. Concurrently, the Assam Police maintains a high state of alert along the border districts within the state to prevent any unauthorized crossings. Three days after terrorists gunned down 26 tourists, including two foreign nationals and a local at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Srinagar to assess the security situation. According to Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava, the Corps Commanded of the 15 Corps briefed the COAS about the ongoing security situation. Advertisement Hours before the Army Chiefs first visit to Srinagar post the massacre, the Pakistan Army indulged in cross-border firing at isolated places along the Line of Control (LoC). Small Arm Firing at some places on Line of Control initiated by the Pakistan Army. Effectively responded to by the Indian Army. No casualties, the army spokesperson added. Advertisement Congress on Friday carried out a candle-light march under Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis leadership from AICC office to 5, Tees January Marg in honour of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Speaking after the march, Devender Yadav, Delhi Congress president, said the party knows the deep sorrow and pain of those who lost their dear ones more than anyone else as Congress had lost two prime ministers to terrorist attacks. Advertisement He asserted that the party stands united with the country in this hour of grief to repulse the designs of terrorists and their backers who want to create unrest in the country. But the question arises why didnt the government take serious note of intelligence inputs? How did it fail to thwart repeated breach of security along the border of Jammu and Kashmir as lakhs of tourists visit the Valley now? He asked. Advertisement Pointing out that Pahalgam is a high-security zone and Jammu & Kashmir being under the direct control of the Union Home Ministry, he said such a terrorist attack is a serious lapse. He assured that Congress would fight to get justice for the victims of the terrorist attack. He demanded a high-level probe to find out how such a serious security breach occurred in Pahalgam. The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday criticised the all-party meeting convened by the Central government on Thursday in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a lost opportunity to build national unity which, instead of fostering consensus, turned into a public relations exercise. The CPI also took strong exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi not attending the meeting. Advertisement In a statement issued by the CPI Parliamentary Party, its Rajya Sabha leader P Sandosh Kumar said, The Prime Minister, as head of the government, should have attended, shared his views, and genuinely listened to others. Instead, he chose to speak at a political rally in Bihar. Advertisement The party raised concerns over security and intelligence lapses surrounding the Pahalgam attack. Referring to reports that at least two of the terrorists infiltrated Indian territory days before the incident, Mr Kumar questioned, How did heavily armed infiltrators remain undetected? How were nearly a thousand tourists allowed at a vulnerable site barely 100 km from Srinagar when heightened security and combing operations were underway ahead of the Prime Ministers now-postponed visit on 19 April? The CPI also condemned attempts by sections of the media and right-wing forces to communalise the tragedy, which, the party said, led to the killing of a young Muslim man in Agra. This is exactly what the terrorists wantto divide India. The Union government and state governments must remain vigilant and act swiftly to prevent any communal provocations, said Mr Kumar, asserting that terrorism is not a Hindu-Muslim issue and must be addressed by building national consensus. Reaffirming its commitment to the fight against terrorism, the CPI urged the Union government to take inclusive, responsible, and effective steps. India must face this challenge and defeat terrorism unitedlythrough consensus, said Mr Kumar. The government must deal with terrorism with utmost seriousness and act decisively to isolate its sponsorsboth diplomatically and financiallyby mobilising global opinion and taking the entire nation into confidence, the statement concluded. Normal life came to a grinding halt across Manipurs Imphal Valley on Friday as a 24-hour statewide bandh was observed to protest the alleged custodial death of a 27-year-old resident of Khurai in Imphal East district. The bandh, spearheaded by a Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed following Khoisnam Sanajaobas death, saw complete shutdowns of markets, educational institutions, and public transport in Imphal East and Imphal West districts. Advertisement Roads were deserted, and residents staged demonstrations by blocking key thoroughfares and burning tyres, particularly in Sanajaobas native constituency of Khurai. Civil society groups, including the influential Meira Paibis, also joined in with sit-in protests across the Valley, local media reported. Advertisement The police orders banned the gathering of more than five people and prohibited the carrying of arms or objects that could be used as weapons. Sanajaoba was arrested on March 31, along with four others, for alleged links to the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), a separatist group with a long history of armed insurgency in Manipur. He was later sent to Manipur Central Jail in Sajiwa on April 10. Just three days later, on April 13, he was admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal, where he was declared dead shortly after admission. While the official cause of death has not yet been disclosed, the JAC and local residents suspect foul play, claiming that Sanajaoba was tortured while in custody. They have dismissed government silence as tacit complicity and demanded a time-bound, impartial investigation. On April 17, the JAC submitted a memorandum to the Governor listing a charter of demands, including a judicial inquiry and compensation for the bereaved family, but claim they have received no response to date. Calling Sanajaoba a village volunteer, the JAC and other groups have framed the case as emblematic of systemic human rights violations in Manipur. Fridays bandh marks an intensification of public protest in a state already on edge. The JAC has warned that unless their demands are met, more aggressive forms of agitation will follow in the coming days. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) observed a bandh in the national capital on Friday in protest against the Pahalgam terror attack. In a show of solidarity, markets remained closed as traders paid tributes to those killed in the massacre. A complete to partial bandh was observed in many commercial areas, including Gandhinagar market, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, and Chandni Chowk. According to CAIT, over eight lakh shops remained closed in the national capital, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 1,500 crore for the day. Advertisement Earlier, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) had also announced a bandh and organised a candlelight march in Connaught Place. This is not just a protest; its a collective stand against terrorism. We are all united in this fight and are observing the bandh in memory of those who lost their lives in Pahalgam, CTI Chairperson Brijesh Goyal told reporters. Advertisement A protest march was also held by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), with its members demanding the incorporation of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) into India. The protesters were seen chanting anti-Pakistan slogans in the national capital. Addressing the media at Jantar Mantar, VHP President Alok Kumar said that the terrorists not only attacked tourists but also impacted the business in the Valley. The bullets were indeed fired at the tourists, but the bullets also affected the tourism and business sectors. If tourists stop going there, it will be a matter of survival. Therefore, this attack is on everyone in the name of Hindus. This is terrorism, and it is sponsored by Pakistan, he said. Speaking about the steps taken by India following the attack, Kumar said that India is capable of completely eliminating any anti-India structure in the entire world, including Pakistan. Kumar also lambasted Robert Vadras statement regarding the attack. I dont understand why Sonia Gandhis family members speak in favour of Pakistan whenever such situations occur. It is like supporting the terrorists. His statement is being played by the entire Pakistani media. I am disappointed that Congress did not separate itself from this. I believe that Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra speak against India. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena for not participating in the all-party meeting called by the Central government in New Delhi to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack that took place on April 22. After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Central government had called an all-party meeting. The government had convened the meeting to take five important decisions against Pakistan. However, the representative of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra was not present at this meeting. Advertisement I am very sad about this. When the enemy attacks us, like in Pahalgam, Indian parties have not played politics. The late leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had fully supported then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the 1971 Bangladesh war, but today, a differing stand is being taken, Fadnavis said. Advertisement Whether there is a war-like situation in India, an attack on the country, or any issue related to the country, the political parties in this country have never looked at party politics. During the Bangladesh war, there was a fierce battle between the parties in the country, but Vajpayee supported then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This has been the tradition of India. The people of the country will not forgive what is happening by opposing, mocking and making stupid statements about the attack, Fadnavis said, attacking the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Incidentally, representatives of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena were not present at the all-party meeting held in Delhi. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena was invited to the all-party meeting held in New Delhi, but its Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant, wrote a letter to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, informing that he and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut would not be able to attend the meeting due to unavoidable reasons, though the party assured in its letter, that it fully stands with the central government. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Senas non-participation at the all-party meeting held in New Delhi was also criticised by the Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Friday. Deora said that It was shameful, but expected. Tweeting from his X handle, Deora stated, Shameful but expected, not a single Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena MP turned up for the all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack. When the nation needed one voice on security, those who bark into microphones everyday, suddenly fell silent. Later, Sanjay Raut who is the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Senas Rajya Sabha MP, stated that both Raut and Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant were on an official tour as members of parliamentary committees. However, at the ground level, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is active and the party held several street corner meetings in Mumbai with speakers condemning the terror attack at Pahalgam on Friday evening. The Statesman witnessed one such public meeting held by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena at 4 pm evening on Friday, right outside Bandra West railway station, which is very near to a mosque. The public meeting held by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena also featured several Muslims who condemned Tuesdays terror attack in Pahalgam, in Jammu & Kashmir. MP of Ukraine, leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko, during a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council in Wiesbaden, called on Germany to adopt a decision on the transfer of Taurus missiles. He noted that Russia uses North Korean missiles and Iranian drones for air attacks, and called on the German authorities to demonstrate leadership, according to the European Solidarity website. "We are confronting Russia when it sends North Korean troops, sends Iranian strike drones and North Korean ballistic missiles. We need to strengthen air defense, and Taurus should be an integral part. Especially now, when we have an as yet unconfirmed signal that perhaps some hotheads want to try to stop the issuance of American permission to Great Britain to use Storm Shadow and France to use the same type of missile. Therefore, a firm and timely position of Germany is important," Poroshenko noted. He also called on European parliaments to adopt declarations in support of Ukraines territorial integrity, similar to the Crimean Declaration. Poroshenko stressed that it was necessary to prepare a statement for national parliaments that would demonstrate the policy of non-recognition of Putins blackmail, and stressed that it was important for such a statement to be heard in the Bundestag, the French National Assembly, and the Baltic countries. This, he said, would be a response that demonstrates that not only Ukraine, but all of Europe does not accept Putins blackmail. I want to remind you that during my effective work with President Trump, the so-called Crimean Declaration was signed in 2018, and it was modeled on the Baltic Declaration of 1940. This was not an initiative of Secretary of State Pompeo, it was a direct instruction in my presence from President Trump, Poroshenko noted. And as president, I received a firm guarantee from the United States that the United States will never recognize the occupation of territories that destroys Ukrainian sovereignty. It would be extremely important for Ukraine to have such support from all our colleagues. I am addressing not only the German Bundestag, Poroshenko noted. A high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday resolved to cut off Indus water supply to Pakistan while putting the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan on hold, a source said. The meeting, attended by Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, also decided to increase the storage and operational capacity of dams on the rivers covered under the treaty. Advertisement The decision to suspend the treaty was taken by the government at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday, after the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir that left 27 people dead and several others injured. Advertisement The Indian government has officially communicated to Pakistan about the suspension of the 1960 Water Treaty. Secretary, Jal Shakti Debashree Mukherjee, in an official letter, had conveyed to her Pakistan counterpart, Syed Ali Murtaza, about the changes initiated under the circumstances that have taken place while linking the decision to national security concerns and the cross border terrorism that happens from Pakistans soil. The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the letter clarified. Asserting that millions of people were dependent on the river water, Pakistan, in response to Indias decision, had called it an act of war. The Indus Waters treaty governs the distribution of six rivers in the Indus basin. Under the agreement, the three eastern rivers Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej were allocated to India, while Pakistan received rights over the western rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The World Bank has played a key role by being a signatory and mediator in facilitating the 1960 treaty after nine years of negotiations between the two countries. In a bold stand against terrorism, the homes of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, Adil Thokar and Asif Sheikh, linked to the Pahalgam attack, were demolished by the authorities in explosions in Anantnag and Awantipora, respectively, officials said on Friday. The house of LeT terrorist Asif Sheikh in South Kashmirs Tral was first demolished and then blown up. Sheikh has been identified as one of the key conspirators in the deadly attack in Pahalgam. The demolition was carried out amid tight security and comes as part of the administrations intensified measures to clamp down on terror networks operating in the region. According to officials, Asif was under surveillance for the past few months and was found to have direct links with handlers in Pakistan. The move is seen as a step towards dismantling the local support for terrorists. Advertisement Thokar, who legally travelled to Pakistan in 2018 through the Attari-Wagah border, received terrorist training before covertly returning to Jammu and Kashmir last year. Intelligence sources suggest he served as a guide and logistics coordinator for Pakistani terrorists involved in the recent attack, which claimed at least 26 lives. Advertisement Locals in South Kashmir remained indoors as security forces cordoned off the area during the demolition operation. Anantnag Police has announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh on information leading to the arrest or neutralisation of terrorists Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa, who were involved in the attack on tourists in Baisaran on 22 April. A two-day Army-to-Army Staff Talks between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) was organised here, recently. The first edition of the talks focused on strengthening defence ties through the Annual Defence Cooperation Plan, which included plans for Joint Exercise Sada Tanseeq, military training and education, domain expert exchanges, and collaborative efforts in operational logistics. Detailing about the talks, which concluded on April 24, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence wrote on X, Inaugural Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) were held in New Delhi from 23-24 April 2025. Discussions focused on the Annual Defence Cooperation Plan, covering Joint Exercise Sada Tanseeq, training, military education, domain expert exchanges and engagements in areas of mutual interest. Advertisement Both sides also explored avenues of collaboration in operational logistics, battlefield management systems and niche technologies to enhance interoperability and capability development, it said further. Advertisement In a joint statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a joint statement said that both countries welcomed the growth of the economic relationship, as well as the strengthening of trade and investment ties between India and Saudi Arabia in recent years. They noted with satisfaction the growth of their joint defence cooperation, including numerous firsts like the first ever Land Forces exercise SADA TANSEEQ, two rounds of the Naval Exercises AL MOHED AL HINDI, many high-level visits, and training exchanges, towards ensuring the security and stability of the region. They welcomed the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation held in Riyadh in September 2024, noting the initiation of staff-level talks between all three services. Both sides also agreed to enhance defence industry collaboration, it said further. Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to Saudi Arabia was cut short following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 tourists, including two foreign nationals and one local, were gunned down by terrorists. A large number of people from the Muslim community came out against terrorismwearing black armbands, chanting anti-Pakistan slogans, and burning effigies of terrorismafter the Friday prayers in various cities across Madhya Pradesh on Friday. According to reports from different cities, even women and children joined the protests against Pakistan and terrorism, as Muslims unitedly called for stern action against the perpetrators of Tuesdays terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Advertisement In the state capital Bhopal, the protesters held placards reading Hindustan zindabad, Pakistan murdabad. Advertisement Several Muslim women clad in burqas and children wearing black armbands also shouted anti-Pakistan slogans and burnt an effigy of terrorism. A little child, wearing a white skullcap, was seen holding a placard that read, Stop Shedding Blood. Some of the protesters asserted that terrorism has no religion, and demanded that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack be caught and hanged. Similar protests were also reported from Harda, Sagar, Indore, Mandsaur, and other parts of the state. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to express confidence in his leadership in safeguarding Indias security and pledged the Telugu Desam Partys (TDP) support as a key ally in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Naidu also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister for the relaunch of construction work on the states capital city, Amaravati. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Amaravati on 2 May, where he will conduct a roadshow and officially relaunch the citys development. Advertisement Following the meeting, Naidu took to social media platform X and wrote: I met Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji in New Delhi today and expressed solidarity with the Union Government in the fight against terrorism. The horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam has left the nation anguished. No amount of condemnation is enough for such cowardly violence. The Government and people of Andhra Pradesh stand united with the families of the victims. We pledge our full support to Prime Minister Modi jis decisive leadership in safeguarding Indias security. Advertisement He further added, We are with you, and the whole country stands with you in whatever decision you take in the interest of the nation. The Chief Minister also thanked the Prime Minister for various projects approved by the Centre for Andhra Pradeshs development. These include the expansion of NTPC and the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant. Naidu welcomed the Prime Ministers suggestions for Amaravatis development, including the adoption of the Miyawaki model for urban afforestation, which the state government has committed to implement. Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu and Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, along with TDP MP Lavu Krishna Devarayalu, were also present during the meeting with the Prime Minister. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has passed strict directives that the benefits of government schemes would not be provided to those farmers who still burn narwai (crop residue). The CM passed these instructions during a review meeting of the revenue department at the CM House in Bhopal. Advertisement Dr Yadav noted that the growing practice of burning crop residue (narwai) after harvest is causing severe environmental damage, including air pollution and degradation of soil quality. He pointed out that burning stubble destroys essential nutrients in the soil, reducing its fertility. Advertisement He informed that the state government has already banned the burning of crop residue. The CM averred that despite this, if any farmer is found burning narwai, he would be denied the benefits under the Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Yojana. Additionally, their crops will not be procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the following year. He emphasised that this decision will be implemented from 1 May, keeping in view environmental protection, soil conservation, and sustaining land productivity. Post Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, dress materials of the Indian Army, police and other central security forces cannot be sold in Dehradun without verifying identities of the buyers. Dehradun police has made it mandatory for the shopkeepers to verify the identities of dress purchasers through their Aadhar cards. Even as the state police is on alert for the safety of strategic installations after the Pahalgam terror strike on Tuesday, they have asked the shopkeepers selling Indian Army and other central security forces dresses to restrict their sale after the Aadhar card verification of the buyers. Dehradun police has also directed the respective station house officers to identify and prepare a list of shops selling these dress materials and instruct them not to entertain buyers unless they verify their identities through Aadhar cards. Advertisement Ajay Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, has also asked the shopkeepers to keep records of those buying the dress materials of the Indian Armed Forces, central paramilitary, and other security forces in the country. Singh has also ordered the station in-charges in the district to identify all such shops in their respective areas and ensure that records of the buyers of the armed forces dress material are strictly maintained by the shop owners. Advertisement Meanwhile, an FIR was registered against the Hindu Raksha Dal members in Dehradun for their controversial statement against Kashmiri Students studying in the state. Dal leaders were kept under day-long house arrest on Thursday to prevent any untoward incident and violence against Kashmiri students. Hindu Raksha Dal state president Lalit Sharma had made a controversial statement against Kashmiri students on Wednesday and asked them to leave the state. Sharma had asked the Kashmiri Muslims to leave Dehradun by Thursday, else his organisation workers will give the right treatment to them. As Sharmas video statement went viral on social media, the police swung into action to ensure adequate security for the Kashmiri students. On Thursday, the police personnel reached the houses of Hindu Raksha Dal leaders and did not allow them to leave their homes. Several social and political organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and BJYM, organised bandhs, Aakrosh Sabhas and demonstrations in Jaipur and several cities on Friday, to express anguish and condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam. Some Muslim groups and the BJP Minorities Front also joined in the protest programmes to express solidarity with their Hindu brethren in the nations ongoing fight against terrorism. Advertisement The VHP, Bajrang Dal, and Sarva Samaj Sangthan have given a call for a city bandh in Kota today, which evoked support from the Vyapar Mandal and schools that made the bandh a total success. Schools or institutions that were designated as examination centres were exempted from the bandh call. Even petrol pumps remained closed for two hours. Advertisement Likewise, bandh organised by VHP and Sarva Samaj Sangthan in many towns of Sikar district, including Sikar, Losal, Ranoli, Laxmangarh, Fatehpur, and Neem Ka Thana, also evoked a fairly good response from people. Many traders, shopkeepers in markets voluntarily kept their shutters down. The people of the dusty tribal dominated town of Jhadol in Udaipur district also expressed their agitation and anguish over the cowardly gunning down of 26 Hindu tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday. This town too observed a bandh and expressed peoples resentment. In Alwar, the activists of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha held a demonstration at the Hope Circus, raised anti-Pakistan slogans, and burnt the Pakistan national flag. At another location Nanglai Square in Alwar a group of Muslims also held a demonstration and burnt an effigy symbolising terrorism. In the state capital here, an Akrosh Sabha was held, which was attended by people from different walks of life. In the Pink City too, Muslims joined the stir in big numbers at different locations. At many mosques, they performed Jumma Namaaz (Friday prayer) wearing black bands on their arms as a mark of protest against the terror strike in Pahalgam. A group of Muslims led by a Shia outfit held a demonstration at the Subhash Chowk and chanted slogans against Pakistan and the menace of terrorism. They expected a befitting retaliation from the Centre to the terror strike in Kashmir. The BJP Minorities Morcha carried out march in Ramganj Bazar and Johri Bazar and held demonstration at the Manak Chowk Chaupad, demanding the most stringent retaliatory action by the government. Indias 140-145 crore population is rallying behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support any initiative by his government to send an appropriately strong message to Pakistan, many enthusiasts said. Condemning the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, President of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and Kashmirs chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, described it during his Friday sermon at Srinagars Jama Masjid as a very tragic incident which has left our hearts bleeding. In a jam-packed Jama Masjid, the Mirwaiz said, The manner in which the carnage was carried outkilling more than two dozen people in front of their families after ascertaining their religionis shocking and chilling beyond belief. We strongly condemn it. Who better understands the pain and grief of such loss than people who have suffered it for decades and continue to do so? Advertisement For the first time, a one-minute silence was observed at the Jama Masjid to pay tribute to the victims. Advertisement Mirwaiz said, Today, after more than a month, authorities allowed me to come to the Jama Masjid. I am repeatedly barred from delivering the Friday sermon and offering prayers here, which, while condemnable, is cruel to me and to all those who come here to listen to the sermon, as well as to all Muslims of the Valley who are deeply upset by such measures. I once again ask the authorities to desist from pursuing this approach of bans and bars. He said people across Kashmir observed a complete shutdown, held spontaneous and silent protests, and organised candlelight vigils in memory of those killed in Pahalgam. Kashmiris have always opened their hearts and homes to outsiders, especially tourists. Known for our hospitality, the people of Kashmir once again upheld the tradition of outreach, help, and humanity in this distressing time. Left helpless, locals helped those at the spot to flee, even at the risk to their own lives, in which pony operator Adil Hussain lost his life. We pay homage to this brave young Kashmiri who gave the ultimate sacrifice of life while saving others. Mirwaiz also raised serious concerns over the reports of Kashmiri students being targeted in other parts of the country in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. The people of Kashmir sent a strong message of their total disapproval of such an attack and their solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved by standing shoulder to shoulder with them. Yet, a large section of mainstream media, with its communal rhetoric of hate directed against Kashmiris, has made Kashmiris across India vulnerable, forcing hundreds, especially students, to leave cities and towns. This has caused great distress to their families and to all of us. I appeal to the concerned governments in different states of India to ensure the safety of our students and all other Kashmiris. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Friday reached Srinagar to meet those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack. He is likely to visit the Armys Base Hospital in Badamibagh Cantonment in Srinagar and the civil hospital at Anantnag to enquire about the health of those injured in the attack on April 22 that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead. Advertisement Rahul would also meet various delegations, including from party, and trade and tourism sectors to discuss the situation in the valley. Advertisement Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings. The Head of Government noted that Ukraine is deeply grateful for the consistent and principled support that Norway has provided to it since the very beginning of the full-scale war unleashed by Russia. "We met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings in Washington. We appreciate the $8 billion allocated by Norway this year for Ukraine. It is especially important that the vast majority of these funds are directed to military needs. Over the past two weeks, $1.4 billion has been allocated for artillery ammunition and military training, and two smaller packages for strengthening the healthcare system and rebuilding Ukraine. Thank you for this necessary support," he wrote on Telegram. Shmyhal also discussed joint weapons production with his Norwegian counterpart. "We discussed joint weapons production. We already have examples of successful cooperation and are determined to expand cooperation. We count on the assistance of the Government of Norway in supporting companies interested in investing in Ukraine. This is an investment not only in Ukrainian defense capabilities, but also in the security of all of Europe. Norway is our important ally. We thank you for co-leadership in the Maritime Capabilities Coalition, as well as active and effective participation in coalitions of air forces, air defense/missile defense, drones and electronic warfare," the head of the Ukrainian government noted. The Prime Minister thanked the Norwegian government for important assistance and solidarity with the Ukrainian people. "We also discussed economic cooperation with the Prime Minister and our efforts to end the war. We appreciate Norway's position on the importance of establishing a just peace. We are grateful to the Norwegian government for important assistance and solidarity with the Ukrainian people," Shmyhal emphasized. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Friday reached Srinagar and met those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack. He visited the hospital where he met relatives of those who died in the attack which claimed 26 lives. Most other injured had already left for their native places. Advertisement He also met the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss the situation. They briefed him about what happened on the fateful day. Advertisement I assured both of them that me and my party will fully support them, he said. Rahul said the terror attack is an attack on humanity and a shameful attempt to eradicate love and brotherhood. We are united against terrorism. Together we have to give a strong response to these hate forces, he said. Rahul said Its been a terrible tragedy. I came here to get a sense of whats going on and to help. The entire people of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned this terrible act and are fully supportive of the nation at this time. I met one of the people who was injured. My love and affection go out to everyone who has lost family members. I want everyone to know that the nation stands with them as one. We had a meeting yesterday with the government, and the entire Opposition condemned these actions and expressed full support for whatever action the government takes, Rahul said. The idea behind what has happened is to divide the society, and its crucial that every Indian stands united and defeats what the terrorists are trying to do. Its sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir in the rest of the country. Its essential to stand united and together to fight this nasty action and defeat terrorism once and for all, he added. Rahul also met the Congress leaders and activists of J&K and told them to remain united in the fight against terrorism. Congress chief of J&K, Tariq Hameed Karra, AICC member GA Mir, MLA Peerzada Sayeed and other leaders were present in the meeting. Admonishing the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his controversial remarks against freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar being a British collaborator who received pension from the colonial rulers, and warning him to be ready to face consequences for any repeat of such derogatory comments, the Supreme Court, however, on Friday stayed the summons issued to him in the matter by a court in Uttar Pradesh. Terming as irresponsible statements against the freedom fighter, a bench Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Manmohan said that the Court will initiate suo motu action if he makes similar statements. Advertisement Having pulled up the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his comments critical of Savarkar, the bench in its order staying the summons said, You have a good point on law and you will get a stay. But any further statement by him will be taken up suo motu. No words on our freedom fighters. They gave us freedom and we treat them like this? Issue notice. Stay on impugned order. Advertisement While taking exception to Rahul Gandhis statement on Savarkar, the bench referred to his grandmother and late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had written to Savarkar praising him. Does he know that even Mahatma Gandhi used the words your faithful servant. Does he know his grandmother also sent a letter to the freedom fighter praising him? Let him not make irresponsible statements about freedom fighters. You cannot make such statements without knowing the history or geography of freedom fighters, the bench told the senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who appeared for Rahul Gandhi. Observing that Savarkar is revered in some parts of Maharashtra, Justice Dutta said, He (Rahul Gandhi) is a person of stature. He is a political leader of a political party. Why should you foment trouble like this? You go to Akola and make this statement, in Maharashtra where he (Savarkar) is worshipped? Dont do this. Why do you make this statement? Justice Datta further said that even the Judges of the Calcutta High Court used to address the Chief Justice as Your Servant during the British times. Someone does not become a servant like this. Next time, somebody will say Mahatma Gandhi was the servant of the British. You are encouraging these kinds of statements, Justice Datta said. The top courts observation relating to Savarkar came in the course of the hearing of an appeal by Rahul Gandhi against Allahabad High Court order refusing to quash the summons issued to him by a Lucknow Magistrate court for making comments against Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The High Court refused to entertain the Congress leaders plea observing that Gandhi has the remedy of approaching the Sessions Judge under Section 397 (review of records of lower court) of the Code of Criminal Procedure instead of moving the High Court directly. A Lucknow Magistrate Court on December 12, 2024, had issued summons to Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leader is facing charges under Sections 153A (promoting enmity) and 505 (public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after advocate Nripendra Pandey filed a complaint against him. Pandeys complaint is rooted in Rahul Gandhis remarks on November 17, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra where he referred to Savarkar as British collaborator and received pension from colonial rulers. Asserting that the remarks by Rahul Gandhi were made with the intention of inciting hatred in society, Pandey in his complaint had also claimed that Mahatma Gandhi had previously recognized Savarkar as a patriot. The US government has slammed a prominent American media organisation for its coverage of the April 22 The US government has slammed a prominent American media organisation for its coverage of the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, where 26 people were brutally killed. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee sharply criticised The New York Times, accusing it of downplaying the gravity of the incident by using terms like militants and gunmen instead of terrorists. Advertisement In a post on X, the Committee rebuked the newspapers use of words, sharing an image of the original headline At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir with the word militants struck out and replaced in bold red with terrorists. Advertisement Hey, @nytimes we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK plain and simple. Whether its India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM the NYT is removed from reality, the US Committee wrote. This, perhaps, unprecedented reaction comes in the wake of the brutal terror attack in J&Ks Pahalgam, where Hindus were singled out and shot dead. The attack was later claimed by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the Baisaran Valley, killing 26 and injuring several others. The casualties also included a Nepali tourist. Visuals from the scene have flooded various media, showing chaos and panic, with some of the attackers captured on video firing indiscriminately. The New York Times, in its report, referred to the terrorists as militants and gunmen, noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the shooting, the worst against civilians in the region for years, a terror attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The framing of the attack as merely a shooting has drawn strong objections from several quarters of the US government. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Modi to express his condolences and offer full support 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 Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, in a post on X. US Vice President JD Vance also called PM Modi, condemning the terror attack and reiterated solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, where 26 people were brutally killed. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee sharply criticised The New York Times, accusing it of downplaying the gravity of the incident by using terms like militants and gunmen instead of terrorists. In a post on X, the Committee rebuked the newspapers use of words, sharing an image of the original headline At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir with the word militants struck out and replaced in bold red with terrorists. Hey, @nytimes we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK plain and simple. Whether its India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM the NYT is removed from reality, the US Committee wrote. This, perhaps, unprecedented reaction comes in the wake of the brutal terror attack in J&Ks Pahalgam, where Hindus were singled out and shot dead. The attack was later claimed by The Resistance Front an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the Baisaran Valley, killing 26 and injuring several others. The casualties also included a Nepali tourist. Visuals from the scene have flooded various media, showing chaos and panic, with some of the attackers captured on video firing indiscriminately. The New York Times, in its report, referred to the terrorists as militants and gunmen, noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the shooting, the worst against civilians in the region for years, a terror attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The framing of the attack as merely a shooting has drawn strong objections from several quarters of the US government. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Modi to express his condolences and offer full support 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 Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, in a post on X. US Vice President JD Vance also called PM Modi, condemning the terror attack and reiterated solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday paid heartfelt tribute to late Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, remembering him as a valiant freedom fighter who made significant contributions to Indias independence struggle. The CM, standing in front of his statue in Yojana Bhawan, honoured Bahugunas unwavering courage and sacrifices during the Quit India Movement, underscoring his pivotal role in Indias struggle for independence. Advertisement Speaking on the occasion, CM Adityanath emphasised Bahugunas remarkable political journey, noting his first election to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1952. Throughout his illustrious career, he held key positions, including as Minister in the state government, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Union Minister, where he exhibited exceptional leadership and made lasting contributions to the progress of both the state and the nation. Advertisement The Chief Minister also shared that Bahuguna, born in Uttarakhand, received his early education in his native village before relocating to Prayagraj for higher studies. It was there that he became deeply committed to the freedom struggle. The contribution he made to the development of the state and the country is being continuously honoured and carried forward by the government, he added. The event was also attended by former MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi, MLA Dr Neeraj Bora, BJP leader Avinash Trivedi, and other dignitaries. In a major step towards protecting outsourcing personnel across Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the creation of the Uttar Pradesh Outsource Service Corporation (UPCOS), ensuring the protection of their service rights, labour entitlements, and fair remuneration. During a meeting on Friday, the chief minister emphasized the states deep respect for the contributions of outsourcing personnel, recognizing their commitment to public service. He reiterated the governments priority on ensuring their social and economic security. Advertisement The chief minister highlighted the prevailing challenges faced by outsourced workers, such as salary deductions, delayed payments, denial of EPF/ESI benefits, lack of transparent recruitment, and workplace harassmentand stressed the need for systemic reforms. Advertisement In shaping the framework of the proposed corporation, he directed that a service provider agency should not remove any employee without the recommendation of the competent authority of the concerned department. He further said that full remuneration must be credited directly to employees bank accounts by the 5th of every month, and timely deposits of EPF and ESI contributions must be ensured. Strict actionincluding blacklisting, debarment, financial penalties, and legal proceedingswill be taken against agencies that violate regulations. Provisions to this effect will be clearly defined within the corporations structure. Furthermore, the chief minister directed that all appointments through the outsourcing corporation must strictly follow reservation norms. Benefits such as medical facilities, maternity leave, accident insurance, pension, and family pension will also be provided to outsourcing personnel through UPCOS. The corporation will operate through a structured three-party agreement involving the respective department, the corporation, and the outsourcing agency. It will ensure a transparent recruitment process, agency selection via the GeM portal, merit-based hiring, use of modern technology, timely compliance with EPF/ESI regulations, and adherence to reservation policies. UPCOS will function under a robust administrative framework comprising a Board of Directors, an Advisory Committee, and State and District-level committees. Outsourcing agencies will be selected for a term of three years via the GeM portal, with assurances that the employment of currently engaged personnel will not be disrupted. The state government is committed to upholding the dignity, security, and social justice of all personnel, said the Chief Minister. This corporation will not only bring transparency to the administrative system but also instill stability and confidence in the lives of lakhs of outsourcing workers. He directed officials to prepare and present the necessary proposal as soon as possible. In a strong push for reforms in Uttar Pradeshs madrasa education system, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday highlighted the need for strict compliance with infrastructural standards before granting official recognition to any madrasa in the state. In a strong push for reforms in Uttar Pradeshs Madrasa Education System, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the need for strict compliance with infrastructural standards before granting official recognition to any madrasa in the state. Advertisement Chairing a high-level meeting on Friday to review the current state of madrasa education, the Chief Minister underlined the importance of ensuring that madrasas do not remain limited to religious teachings alone. Highlighting the governments vision, the CM said, Students studying in madrasas should have access to the full spectrum of modern education. Advertisement The CM further said that the objective of the government is to bring reforms and to bring madrasa education into the mainstream through innovation and inclusiveness, so that every section of the society can get equal opportunities and quality education. He emphasized the need to make madrasa education transparent, quality-driven, and employment-focused. The government prioritizes ensuring that every student has access to a bright and promising future. He then pointed out the challenges that have emerged following the Supreme Courts declaration of the Kamil (graduate) and Fazil (postgraduate) degrees of the Madrasa Board as unconstitutional. He further stressed the importance of aligning the recognition standards and requirements of madrasas with those of regular schools managed by the Education Department. Theres a need to bring changes in the madrasa curriculum in line with the New Education Policy 2020. It is also necessary to update the eligibility criteria for teachers and non-teaching staff in accordance with the curriculum. The teacher selection process must be made fair and transparent. The current system of appointing teachers in madrasas also needs to be reviewed, he added. In this regard, the Chief Minister proposed forming a committee under the chairmanship of the Director of Minority Welfare, Uttar Pradesh. The committee will include Special Secretaries from the Basic Education, Secondary Education, Finance, Law, and Minority Welfare departments. This committee will recommend necessary reforms for the smooth functioning of madrasas, job security for teachers, and a better future for the students. Earlier in the meeting, the Minority Welfare and Waqf Department gave a detailed presentation about the current status of madrasas, the main challenges they face, and future plans. The Chief Minister was informed that there are currently 13,329 recognized madrasas running in the state, where 12,35,400 students are studying. Out of these, 9,979 madrasas are at the primary and upper primary levels (Classes 1 to 8), and 3,350 are at the secondary and higher secondary levels (Classes 9 to 12). Among them, 561 madrasas receive government grants, and they have a total of 2,31,806 registered students. These grant-aided madrasas have 9,889 teachers and 8,367 non-teaching staff, all of whom have been receiving salaries and allowances as per the 7th Pay Commissions recommendations since January 1, 2016. The Chief Minister was informed that the Madrasa Portal was launched in August 2017, which made all the functions of the Madrasa Education Council online. A total of 19,123 madrasas registered on the portal, out of which 13,329 have been verified and locked. Through this portal, systems like online exams, certificates, verification, and integration with the U-DISE code have been implemented, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, the number of students appearing in board exams has steadily declined over the years. In 2016, 4,22,627 students appeared, but by 2025, this number dropped to only 88,082. The Chief Minister called this a serious concern and said that there is a need for improvement. Officials also informed that the Madrasa Education Council now conducts exams only at the Maulvi/Munshi (secondary) and Alim (senior secondary) levels. To improve the quality of education, the SCERT curriculum has been implemented and fully enforced from the academic year 202526. Efforts are also underway to align the curriculum for Classes 9 to 12 with the State Secondary Education Council. The curriculum now includes not only religious subjects like Theology, Arabic, and Persian, but also modern subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Hindi, and English. Indias job market stands at a critical juncture. With about 60 crore unemployed and aging youth, the nation must act swiftly to avoid turning its demographic dividend into an economic burden without losing more time as delays will only deepen the crisis. Recent global shifts ~ especially the tariff war unleashed by President Donald Trump ~ underscore Indias urgent need to build a resilient, self-sustaining workforce with skill-oriented training through ITIs and other institutions. The automobile sector, offering vast opportunities in EVs, green energy, and AI-driven technology, could be a game changer in creating secure, respectable, and self-reliant largescale employment. However, despite holding diplomas and degrees in automobile engineering, many students remain unprepared for real-world challenges, missing vital job opportunities due to their lack of practical expertise in modern automobile technology and inadequate communication skills ~ both in vernacular and English. Advertisement For industries, corporate bodies, and State administrations, selecting candidates who can seamlessly integrate theoretical learning with practical execution remains a daunting task. The frustration among trainees who have invested significant financial resources and time in education is understandable, but the blame does not rest on them alone and needs to be equally shared by scores of training institutions which have not yet restructured their curricula to include realistic training that will equip students with hands-on expertise, communication skills, and an in-depth understanding of modern automobile technology. It is imperative that educational institutions imparting technical education address these gaps and seek solutions for bridging them effectively. Advertisement Over the past two decades, India has experienced an automobile revolution, with manufacturers introducing computer-controlled and electronically integrated vehicles. The modern automobile is no longer just a mechanical machine ~ it incorporates sophisticated electronic modules, advanced diagnostics, and high-tech safety systems. For consumers, a car represents more than just a mode of transportation ~ it is a necessity for work, education, leisure, and overall mobility. However, en suring the reliability and failsafe operation of these vehicles require skilled professionals who can diagnose and rectify faults efficiently and with precision at affordable cost. Yet, Indias training ecosystem lags behind. While major automobile manufacturers provide limited training to technicians within their authorized service centers, independent mechanics and non-branded workshops often lack access to such specialized knowledge. Strangely in India, car manufacturers and dealers tend to monopolise critical model-related borrowed technical data and are reluctant to share this with do-it-yourself (DIY) customers or training institutions even on payment, something totally against consumer rights and business ethics. Due to non-availability of technical data, affordable diagnostic tools and scanners etc, professional training suffers, leaving diploma holders ill equipped to deal with modern automobile complexities. This results in widening the gap between industry expectations and available ill trained unemployable aspirants. Moreover, despite India having over 14,800 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) affiliated with the Directorate General of Training (DGT), most ITIs still rely on outdated fourstroke Fiat-type engines for their training modules. Modern ECM systems, injector based technology, ADAS calibration, precision wheel alignment, tire balancing, and advanced cooling systems etc. are taught only in a rudimentary fashion, leaving students underprepared for actual industry challenges. In comparison, countries like Germany and Japan have developed strong partnerships between automobile manufacturers, educational institutions, and independent garages, ensuring graduates gain hands-on exposure to the latest vehicle technologies. Structured apprenticeship programmes allow technicians to work with new car models, making them industry-ready upon graduation. For Indias automobile sector to truly thrive, technical training must be reimagined. Automotive technician programmes should integrate practical exposure with advanced diagnostic knowledge to ensure students possess skills relevant to industry needs. Training modules should include: * Structured Courses: ITIs and engineering colleges must revamp syllabi to include realtime training on modern automobile systems. * Mandatory Data Sharing: Manufacturers and Dealers must be legally bound to share car-specific workshop manuals and discouraged to monopolize the technical specifications required to undertake proper repairs and maintenance of the high tech vehicles. * Hands-on Experience: Technical institutions need to collaborate with industry players to offer workshops where students can get on the job training to work on vehicles. * Affordable Equipment: Indigenous development of car scanners, diagnostic tools and software must be prioritized to support small-scale and non branded workshops. * Communication Training: Students need effective professional communication skills to enhance their career prospects and client interactions. An often overlooked aspect is the participation of women in the automobile sector. Across the U.S. and Europe, female technicians thrive in professional workshops, proving that expertise in vehicle servicing is not gender-dependent. In India, however, the industry still remains male dominated. It is only at dealer run authorized workshops that girls are employed, mainly at the reception counters or at service desks for tele-fixing service schedules. By encouraging young women ~ especially from economically weaker backgrounds ~ to enroll in automotive technical programmes, the sector can unlock new avenues for their financial independence, self-reliance and also open avenues for sustainable job opportunities as technicians, supervisors and even as workshop managers. Many technical institutes do offer automotive training but lack the basic workshop infrastructure needed to make their students industry-ready. To bridge this gap, educational institutions must transform their existing workshops into modern training hubs. A blueprint for Transformation must include the following: * Comprehensive Syllabus: ITIs and Colleges need to develop structured diploma and degree programmes that include indepth training on modern automobile systems in simple vernacular or English language. * Professional Development: Emphasis should be placed on communication skills and industry-standard work ethics. * Smart Classrooms: Institutions will need to redesign classrooms with audio-visual aids for enhanced theoretical learning. * Library and Research Facilities: Students should have access to an extensive repository of technical literature and reading space. * Affordable Fee Structure: With little effort, affordable education can be accessible to students across different economic backgrounds. The Government must share its responsibility to increase education sector allocation beyond just the 6 per cent of GDP target set by National Education Policy (NEP) to provide required subsidy to achieve quality training. * Modernized Workshops: Institutes need to equip their workshop facilities with hydraulic lifts, diagnostic tools, and repair stations to mimic real-world work environments. * Utility Planning: Workshops will also need to ensure adequate electricity, water supply, and accessibility for vehicles. * Collaborations with Industry: Private car owners and industry leaders should be invited to engage in training programs, ensuring real-time exposure. One successful and effective model to emulate is that of a medical college ~ where students receive theoretical instruction alongside practical on-the job training with real patients. In the same manner, existing automobile workshops within technical institutes can easily be modified to allow students to practically work on customer cars for diagnostics, rectification, repairs and routine maintenance. This dual approach would provide valuable work experience ensuring students are ready for employment upon completion of their training. Additionally, the institutions will also benefit financially by offering services at lower costs making their effort more lucrative for many vehicle owners. Indias automobile industry continues to expand, but the shortage of skilled technicians poses a significant roadblock. While global manufacturers have entered the market, the nation still struggles to produce adequate numbers of industryready professionals. By modernizing technical education, ensuring that diagnostic tools are indigenously produced at affordable cost, and promoting gender inclusivity, India can bridge the gap between glitches in education and employability. A collaborative push from educators, industry leaders, and policymakers can transform technical institutes into skill hubs, creating highly capable technical force ready to steer the future of the expanding automobile industry. The road ahead demands proactive efforts ~ the time to accelerate change is now. As Malcolm X said, Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today (The writer is a retired Air Commodore, VSM, of the Indian Air Force) The latest escalation in the Sino-US trade conflict marks a dangerous turning point in global economic diplomacy. What was once a battle over tariffs has morphed into a geopolitical tug-of-war, with countries caught in the middle being asked to take sides. But the real tragedy here isnt just the rising levies or retaliatory sanctions ~ it is the erosion of trust in a global system that was supposed to encourage cooperation, not coercion. Washingtons push to compel countries to reduce trade with China in exchange for tariff relief may seem like a tactical maneuver, but it undermines the principles of free trade and sovereignty. The message is clear: loyalty to the US must come at the cost of commercial ties with China. This binary choice is not only unsustainable for most nations, particularly in Southeast Asia, but also deeply counterproductive. Many of these countries have long-standing economic ties with both powers. Forcing them into a zero-sum equation ignores their national interests, domestic economies, and aspirations for balanced growth. Chinas response has been equally forceful, not by threatening direct retaliation against the United States alone, but by warning other nations ~ particularly in Southeast Asia ~ against entering trade agreements with Washington that could undermine Chinese interests. Advertisement Beijing has made it clear that it will oppose, in a resolute and reciprocal manner, any economic alignment that comes at its expense. This approach reflects not only its intent to shield its commercial sphere of influence but also a growing anxiety about being economically marginalized by shifting global alliances. For smaller nations seeking neutrality and balance, such warnings add another layer of pressure. Neither side appears willing to de-escalate. And that is where the real danger lies. The global economy is not a chessboard where the major powers can endlessly maneuver without consequences. Advertisement As barriers rise and trade flows shrink, businesses suffer, consumers pay more, and investment slows. Southeast Asian nations, whose economies thrive on trade and supply chain integration, now find themselves navigating a minefield. Their leaders must make difficult choices ~ not just about tariffs and quotas, but about who to align with in a world increasingly defined by rivalry instead of cooperation. At its core, this conflict reflects a broader struggle for influence ~ not just economic, but technological and strategic. The targeting of semiconductors and shipping, the imposition of port fees, and the pursuit of bilateral trade advantages all point to a future where global rules are rewritten by power, not consensus. Whats especially troubling is the normalisation of weaponised trade tactics. Tariffs, once used as limited policy tools, are now being wielded as instruments of political pressure. This sets a precedent where economic engagement becomes conditional on strategic allegiance. If left unchecked, such practices risk institutionalising distrust among trading nations. It encourages a world where economic strength is leveraged not for mutual benefit, but for dominance ~ a world that is ultimately more volatile and less prosperous for all. The death of Pope Francis this week marks the end of a historic papacy and the beginning of a significant transition for the Catholic Church. As the faithful around the world mourn his passing, attention now turns to the next phase: the election of a new pope. This election will take place through a process known as the conclave. Typically held two to three weeks after a popes funeral, the conclave gathers the College of Cardinals in the Vaticans Sistine Chapel. Here, through prayer, reflection and secret ballots, they must reach a two-thirds majority to choose the next Bishop of Rome. While, in theory, any baptised Catholic man can be elected, for the past seven centuries the role has gone to a cardinal. That said, the outcome can still be unpredictable sometimes even surprising the electors themselves. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio who became Pope Francis wasnt among the front-runners in 2013. Nonetheless, after five rounds of voting, he emerged as the top candidate. Something similar could happen again. This conclave will take place during a time of tension and change within the church. Francis sought to decentralise Vatican authority, emphasised caring for the poor and the planet, and tried to open dialogue on sensitive issues such as LGBTQIA+ inclusion and clerical abuse. Advertisement The cardinals must now decide whether to continue in this direction, or steer towards a more traditional course. There is historical precedent to consider. For centuries, Italians dominated the papacy. Of the 266 popes, 217 have been Italian. However, this pattern has shifted in recent decades: Francis was from Argentina, John Paul II (19782005) from Poland, and Benedict XVI (2005 2013) from Germany. As with any election, observers are speaking of their favourites. The term papabile, which in Italian means pope-able, or capable of becoming pope, is used to describe cardinals who are seen as serious contenders. Advertisement Among the leading papabili is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, aged 70, the current Secretary of State of Vatican City. Parolin has long been one of Francis closest collaborators and has led efforts to open dialogue with difficult regimes, including the Chinese Communist Party. Parolin is seen as a centrist figure who could appeal to both reformminded and more conservative cardinals. Yet some observers argue he lacks the charismatic and pastoral presence that helped define Francis papacy. Another name to watch is Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. At 60, he is younger than many of his colleagues, but brings extensive experience in interfaith dialogue in the Middle East. His fluency in Hebrew and his long service in the Holy Land could prove appealing. Then again, his relative youth may cause hesitation among those concerned about electing a pope who could serve for decades. As the papacy of John Paul II demonstrated, such long reigns can have a profound impact on the church. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines is also frequently mentioned. Now 67, Tagle is known for his deep commitment to social justice and the poor. He has spoken out against human rights abuses in his home country and has often echoed Francis pastoral tone. But some cardinals may worry that his outspoken political views could complicate the churchs diplomatic efforts. Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, now 76, was a prominent figure during the last conclave. A strong voice on environmental and economic justice, he has served under both Benedict XVI and Francis. Turkson has largely upheld the churchs traditional teachings on matters such as male-only priesthood, marriage between a man and a woman, and sexuality. He is also a strong advocate for transparency, and has spoken out against corruption and in defence of human rights. Though less widely known among the public, Cardinal Mykola Bychok of Melbourne may also be considered. His election would be as surprising (and perhaps as symbolically powerful) as that of John Paul II in 1978. A Ukrainian-Australian pope, chosen during the on-going war in Ukraine, would send a strong message about the churchs concern for suffering peoples and global peace. Other names that may come up are Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cardinal Jaime Spengler of Brazil both of whom lead large and growing Catholic communities. Although news reports dont always list them among the top contenders, their influence within their regions and the need to recognise the churchs global demographic shifts means their voices will matter. On the more conservative side is American Cardinal Raymond Burke, who had been one of Francis most vocal critics. But his confrontational stance makes him an unlikely candidate. More plausible would be Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, aged 71. Erd is a respected canon lawyer with a more traditional theological orientation. He was mentioned in 2013 and may re-emerge as a promising candidate among conservative cardinals. Although Francis appointed many of the cardinals who will vote in the conclave, that doesnt mean all of them supported his agenda. Many come from communities with traditional values, and may be drawn to a candidate who emphasises older church teachings. The conclave will also reflect broader questions of geography. The churchs growth has shifted away from Europe, to Asia, Africa and Latin America. A pope from one of these regions could symbolise this change, and speak more directly to the challenges faced by Catholic communities in the Global South. Ultimately, predicting a conclave is impossible. Dynamics often change once the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel and begin voting. Alliances shift, new names emerge, and consensus may form around someone who was barely discussed beforehand. What is certain is that the next pope will shape the churchs future: doctrinally, diplomatically and pastorally. Whether he chooses to build on Francis legacy of reform, or move in a new direction, he will need to balance ancient traditions with the urgent realities of the modern world. (The writer is Historian, Australian Catholic University. This article was published on www.theconversation.com) India has formally proposed retaliatory tariffs on select US products under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, in response to Americas recent hike in import duties on automobiles and auto parts originating from India. On Friday, April 25, the Austrian parliament unanimously adopted a resolution in support of the protection and return of Ukrainian children who were deported or forcibly displaced by Russia, said head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak. "In the document, all four leading parties in Austria call for continued work at all levels - to return the kidnapped children, bring the perpetrators to justice and protect Ukrainian children in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child," Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel. According to him, this is an important signal of solidarity, for which Ukraine is sincerely grateful to its Austrian partners. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the telephone over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and said that France stands firmly with India and its people in this hour of grief. Macron also said that France will stand together with its allies and would continue the fight against terrorism wherever necessary. Advertisement Taking to social media platform X, the French President wrote: I have just spoken to my counterpart @narendramodi about the cowardly terrorist attack on Tuesday, which resulted in the tragic death of dozens of innocent civilians. France stands firmly with India and its people in this hour of grief. France, together with its allies, will continue the fight against terrorism wherever necessary. Advertisement Earlier on Thursday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X: President @EmmanuelMacron called Prime Minister @narendramodi and conveyed his personal condolences on the brutal killing of innocent people in the heinous terror attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He strongly condemned the attack and expressed full support and solidarity with the people of India adding that this kind of barbarism is totally unacceptable. MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal further wrote: Prime Minister thanked him (French President Emmanuel Macron) for his message of support and conveyed Indias strong resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. The heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack, which occurred on Tuesday in the Baisaran meadow of Anantnag district, has drawn condemnation from across the world. The brutal incident led to the killing of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and injuring several others. Following the attack, India convened a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The Central government has announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistans Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has admitted that his country has been funding and backing terrorist groups. In a viral video clip which shows the Pakistani minister in conversation with Sky News, Asif said, We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades and the West, including Britain. Advertisement That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistans track record was unimpeachable, he added. He also did not rule out the possibility of an all-out war with India. Advertisement Asifs statement lays bare the fact that Pakistan, for many years, has been harbouring the terror groups. India has already spoken about the cross-border linkages of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 tourists were killed on April 22. New Delhi has pointed out that Pakistan could not digest the successful holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territorys steady progress toward economic growth and development. US President Donald Trump on Thursday reacted angrily to Russian strikes on Kyiv, telling his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to STOP, marking a new and sharp change in tone in his remarks on the Russian leader. Nine persons were killed and more than 100 were impacted in a Russian airstrike overnight in what has been described as the largest attack on the Ukrainian capital this year. Advertisement I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Advertisement President Trump has so far refrained from attacking the Russian leader, reiterating multiple times the friendship between them. He has been far more critical of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and slammed him on Wednesday for refusing to accept Russias suzerainty over Crimea, which it snatched in 2014. President Trumps attempts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have stalemated in recent days. While Ukraine has accepted the US peace plan of a complete ceasefire, Russia has not and has continued attacking Ukraine. Zelenskyy has sought a complete ceasefire before further talks. It has been 44 days since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes, he wrote on X on Thursday. This was a proposal from the United States. And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions. It is extremely important that everyone around the world sees and understands what is really happening. Nearly 70 missiles, including ballistic ones. And about 150 attack drones. US support under President Joe Biden enabled Ukraine to withstand the Russian onslaught for three years. After taking office, President Trump has indicated that support is not for as long as it takes, as President Biden had vowed, and has sought access to Ukraines rare earth reserves in exchange for the support and also pushed the two sides to end the war. He has obtained President Zelenskyys agreement to his ceasefire plan, but has not made much headway with President Putin. And that frustration showed through in the Thursday morning post on Truth Social. Ship detained in Black Sea for illegally exporting about 5,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain from occupied Crimea Photo: https://t.me/DPSUkr/25944 A vessel that was illegally transporting Ukrainian grain from occupied Crimea has been arrested in the Black Sea, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported. "The investigation established that at the end of 2024, the ship delivered about 5,000 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat from the port of Sevastopol. It was taken from the temporarily occupied part of southern Ukraine. In order to hide the true origin of the cargo, the ship sailed under the flag of one of the Asian countries - this is how the shadow fleet of the Russian Federation operates," the message posted on the Telegram channel on Friday says. The detention operation was carried out by the Marine Guard of the State Border Guard Service and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) - as part of comprehensive measures to combat economic crimes in the Russian Federation. During the search on board, navigation equipment, documents and other evidence of involvement in illegal transportation were seized. The vessel is currently under arrest, the crew has been handed over for procedural actions. The pretrial investigation is ongoing. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Tech giant Apple is musing to move the assembly of all its iPhones sold to the US from China to India by next year, according to Financial Times that cited sources familiar with the matter. The iPhone and MacBook makers latest stance to shift its assembly to India seems to be in direct response to US President Donald Trumps trade war against China. This news comes at a time when China is said to be considering exempting certain US imports from its 125 per cent tariff slab, according to agencies. The Chinese government recently reached out to American business associations and enterprises in the mainland to seek details about goods that might be eligible for such exemptions. The news of Apples plans to move away from China and the manufacturing capital of the world looking at exemptions could be viewed as the first signs that China is indeed worried about the economic fallout of the Trump tariffs. Apple shifting more of its iPhone assembly to India might also urge other Indian exporters not to use the country as a re-routing hub for goods originating from China to the US. According to economic thinktank GTRI, Indian enterprises should look at genuine value addition, supply chain transparency, and adhere to US customs rules. Currently, the US tariffs on China run as high as 245 per cent on China. Reciprocal tariffs to other countries, including India, were slashed to 10 per cent on a temporary basis. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, India is expected to come up with provisions in the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement in a bid to avoid Trump's reciprocal tariffs, which are expected to come into effect after July 8. Such an upheaval has caused a worldwide disruption in the way companies source and import products, even affecting global giants like Apple Inc. If the move to India takes place, the countrys iPhone assembly would essentially double from what it is now. However, that means stripping China off of the massive production and assembly facilities Apple established there for a better part of the past two decades. And if India manages to save itself from the Trump tariffs with the bilateral deal negotiations, it could potentially lead to cheaper iPhones in a country where Apple products are seen as luxury and premium splurges due to a compounding of taxes and import duties. With over 12,000 hectares dedicated to the cultivation of the fruit, pineapple is serious business in the northeastern state of Tripura. It is no surprise that then-President Ram Nath Kovind declared the humble queen pineapple as Tripuras state fruit in 2018. Now, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) looks to commit over 132 crore to promote Tripuras queen pineapple on the global stage. The state government of Tripura has been looking for avenues to expand the reach of its queen variety of the fruit for some time now. And the latest move by the DoNER ministry is expected to help matters, after it took note of the proposal it received from the state ministry. Tripura produces at least 1.77 tonnes of pineapple a year. Organically grown queen pineapples in the state are expected to have a robust demand in global markets, especially with the latest push for healthy and chemical-free produce. Phani Bhusan Jamatia, Director of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department in Tripura told agencies that the states Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath held an online meeting with DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and other officials on Thursday in this regard. In the meeting, our minister highlighted the unique taste, flavour and nutritional value of the [queen] pineapple, which makes it highly marketable globally, added Jamatia. However, organically grown fruit is easily perishable. And pineapples tend to spoil in six to eight days. This calls for exploring techniques in preservation that do not involve harmful chemicals. According to the official, the state government in Tripura might consider safe hormonal treatments to extend freshness. The importance of Queen Pineapples Queen pineapples of Tripura are harvested from May through mid-August. Apart from preservation techniques, the government is also looking at processing and packaging options to extend the life of the fruit. Agartala already has an integrated packaging facility, according to Jamatia, with another one expected to be ready in Nalakata in a month. The union ministry has also pushed for using the latest in agri-tech to improve the yield and quality of pineapples. These include drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and an array of IT tools. Apart from queen pineapples, the other variety available in Tripura is the kew pineapple. While queen pineapples are spiny, golden yellow in colour, and weigh around 600 to 800 grams (TSS content at 10 to 14 brix), kew pineapples are spineless, juicier, and significantly larger at 1.5 to 3kg (TSS content at 8 to 12 brix). However, the queen rules. The queen pineapple variety produced in Tripura is not just distinctly special in comparison with other varieties grown elsewhere in India but also significantly different in quality from the same variety grown in other adjacent states of North East, according to a study in the International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology (IJAEB), It is the most popular and excellent cultivar of Tripura for fresh consumption. Pineapple farming in Tripura is also consistent with local beliefs. According to Tripura farmers, pineapple never betrays. When other crops failed due to unexpected changes in climate or weather cycles, pineapples penchant for being a viable crop that survived more odds meant it provided generations of Tripura farmers with consistent income year on year. Moreover, demand hasnt waned. Queen pineapple was 2 apiece in 2018. In 2024, it soared to 32 per fruitsixteen times its price six years ago! Despite Tripura being a designated Agri Export Zone (AEZ), a chunk of its considerably small exports outside the country go to Dubai and Muscat. Recent geopolitical developments in Bangladesh added to export woes, adding to the wastage of the fruit. The latest move by the DoNER ministry and the state government is expected to cut the distress in surplus queen pineapple production. The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a war drill, 'Exercise Aakraman' on Thursday, amid the ongoing tensions with Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack which left 26 people dead. The exercise, which has been dubbed routine, involved the frontline fighters Rafales and Su-30MKIs, MiG-21s, the S-400 air defence system, airborne warning and control system (AWACS), mid-air refuellers and Garud commandos, according to media reports. The Print reported that the exercise simulated assault scenarios across various terrains, including plains to high-altitude mountain passes. Top pilots have been flown in and every sortie is being overseen by highly experienced weapons instructors, ensuring that the servicemen master both day-and-night operations, an official has been quoted as saying. The IAF operates two squadrons of the Rafale aircraft, based out of Ambala and Hashimara in West Bengal. The cutting-edge technology fighter jets are carrying out complex missions involving ground attack and electronic warfare drills. The assets of the IAF have been moved from multiple airbases, including from the eastern side," news agency ANI quoted defence sources as saying. ALSO READ: INS Surat test fires surface-to-air missile amid tensions with Pakistan after Pahalgam attack The exercise by the IAF comes even as the Indian Navy's guided missile destroyer INS Surat test-fired a medium-range surface-to-air missile, with an approximate range of around 70km. "The Indian Navy's latest indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Surat has successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea-skimming target, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the Navy's defence capabilities," the Navy had said. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said his country is not worried about retaliation from India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and added that if India attacks, Pakistan will retaliate in kind. In an interview with British news channel Sky News, the Pakistan defence minister dismissed allegations that Pakistan had a role in the attacks that left 26 people dead on Tuesday. He blamed India for the Pahalgam terror attack, saying, "They create these situations..." and claimed that such attacks are staged by India. According to him, India never presented evidence for the terror strikes it faced for which they blamed Pakistan. ALSO READ: A firm warning to Pakistan? Rafales, Su-30MKIs roar as IAF launches war drill simulating assault scenarios However, when the news anchor asked him what evidence did he have to substantiate his claim that India staged the attack, he said the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba does not exist anymore, although an offshoot of the organisation, named The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility for the attack. When asked about Pakistan's long history of sponsoring terror, he said, We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for three decades, and West, including Britain. That was a mistake, we suffered for it. He said Pakistan is already prepared for a possible strike from India. We are already prepared for it. Any eventuality which will take place...we will retaliate. When he was asked if the world should be worried about the clash between two nuclear powers, he said, Yes, I think so. The clash between two nuclear powers is always worrisome. In a message to New Delhi, he admitted that while India and Pakistan may have problems, these should be solved through negotiations and urged India not to escalate the situation as an all-out war will have serious repercussions for not just both the countries, but for the world. Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha called for a military offensive against 'Pakistan-sponsored terrorists' in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Citing the example of Uri and Pulwama attacks, he claimed that India has shattered the 'myth' that two nuclear powers cannot engage in conventional warfare. "It is imperative that the Indian armed establishment repeats those counter-offensives so that our enemies know who they are dealing with. This is the need of the hour," the news agency quoted Air Chief Marshal Raha as saying, asserting that he has no doubt about the role of Pakistan in the terror attack that claimed 26 lives. ALSO READ: Pakistan to conduct surface-to-surface missile test after INS Surat missile test-fire? We have done it before at Balakot and Uri he said, but clarified that he is not in a position to spell out how and when of such operations. "We are used to (doing) it and we can do it again. India has already busted the myth that one nuclear-powered country cannot use military force on another," he said. Air Chief Marshal Raha, an experienced fighter pilot, said the military establishment of Pakistan has no shame left. "That country suffered the ignominy of surrendering 93,000 prisoners of war as a result of its 1971 misdeeds. The nation is now in the doldrums and is extending its begging bowl to virtually every country that would help. And in times like these, the Pakistani military is seeking revival by promoting such acts of terror," Air Chief Marshal Raha said. Highlighting the need for enhancing the task of "actionable intelligence gathering" by means of advanced technological warcraft like satellite imageries, drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to counter terror infiltration, he stressed that the tried and tested mechanism of information gathering through human intelligence should also be made foolproof. "Effective and actionable intelligence is the only means to prevent such attacks in future. Intelligence gathered through technology must be corroborated by multiple sources to make them actionable. That is where human intelligence plays a crucial role. MFA: Work on finalizing text of agreement on fossil fuels may take time, but we want to do it as soon as possible Ukraine is working with the American side on the final approval of the text of the agreement on mineral resources and wants to do this as soon as possible, said spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Heorhiy Tykhyi. "We are working with the American side on finalizing the text. This may take time, but we want to do it as soon as possible. And we understand that this agreement is critically important for the development of our strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday. The spokesperson stressed that, in the opinion of the Ukrainian side, the final text of the agreement should be mutually acceptable and beneficial for both parties. "We are confident that we can find a formula by which both sides will benefit from this cooperation," Tykhyi added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled that the Minister of Finance of Ukraine is currently in Washington, and the Prime Minister has also recently been in Washington. "They had very constructive talks with the American side, and they are working on this agreement," the spokesperson noted. Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, has faced severe criticism after a video shared by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday allegedly showed him chanting Hindustan Murdabad instead of Pakistan Murdabad during a protest outside the Legislative Assembly. The protest, held in response to the brutal killing of Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, saw Adhikari and BJP leaders burning Pakistani flags while chanting Hindustan Zindabad and Pakistan Murdabad. However, the TMC released a video showing Adhikari mistakenly shouting Hindustan Murdabad, which was quickly corrected by fellow protesters. Despite the correction, the TMC used the incident to attack Adhikari, labelling him a "traitor" and posting the clip on their official Facebook page, writing, Preaching love for Hindustan and Hindus but harbouring anti-national poison in the heart. The mask has been removed. The party leaders too joined in. Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister Shashi Panja said, "Nationalism is not a costume that you wear on stage and take off backstage. Medinipur MP June Maliya sarcastically remarked that the truth about Adhikari has been exposed. A local contact of mine has shared information with me that two Kashmiri individuals are currently residing at:- Flat No - 1F, Block - 2 Niranjan Apartment K. M. Roy Chowdhury Road Beside Rash Math, P.O. & PS - Baruipur, Pin Code - 700144 They have installed a NanoBeam 2AC pic.twitter.com/fx4pF0AbJJ Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) April 24, 2025 Additionally, Adhikari faced backlash for falsely claiming that two Kashmiri individuals had installed a NanoBeam 2AC compact wireless network bridge at a house in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, alleging it was a high-speed, long-distance connectivity device. Mr. Palash Chandra Dhali (IPS); Superintendent Of Police; Baruipur Police District, firstly I appreciate that you were prompt enough to respond after my X Post regarding two individuals staying at Baruipur. I listened to the Press Conference where you were providing updates https://t.co/rtsfiOcztL pic.twitter.com/R85REHoN0U Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) April 24, 2025 The police later clarified that the two individuals were engineers from Madhya Pradesh. The device in question was just part of the Jio AirFiber network installed at their home, stated Baruipur Police District in a statement. Debangshu Bhattacharya, the state president of Trinamools social media & IT cell, took a sarcastic dig at LoP Adhikari. First and foremost, Kashmir is an integral part of India. Being a Kashmiri and residing in any other part of the country is not a crime. In fact, those who are making a fuss about it are, in essence, endorsing Pakistan's claim, he said. Should we not laugh? The image he has shared as a 'nano beam' is actually the internet receiver of Jio Fiber Plus, he added. Following the attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, LoP Adhikari has expressed strong outrage. TMC has accused him of communalising the incident. He claimed to have told the wife of Bitan Adhikari, a Kolkata resident killed in the attack, that "like Israel finished Gaza, we will finish them." Following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of three tourists from West Bengal, the sorrow in the state has deepened with two more distressing developments. An Indian Army soldier from Nadia district was martyred during an operation, while a BSF officer from Hooghly district has been captured by Pakistani forces. Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh of the elite 6 PARA Special Forces was shot during a joint counter-terror operation conducted by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Udhampur. He later succumbed to his injuries. A resident of Patharghata village in Nadias Krishnanagar, Jhantu leaves behind his wife and two children, who were in Agra when they received the devastating news of his death on Thursday. Jhantu, the youngest of three brothers, followed a proud tradition of service. His elder brother also serves in the Indian Army. His parents, Sabur Ali and Akali Bibi, still live in their village home, where grief now hangs heavy. Despite their profound loss, the family is sending a powerful message of unity. Amid rising communal tension over the Pahalgam attack, where tourists were targeted based on their religion, one of Jhantus cousins told local media, The terrorists targeted Hindu tourists. But my brother, a Muslim, who killed him? Terrorism has no religion. Jhantus father echoed these sentiments. Highlighting how Muslims are frequently questioned about their loyalty, he said, Whenever the India-Pakistan issue arises, were often asked, Whose side are you on? This time, my son gave that answer with his own blood. In Hooghlys Rishra, on the other hand, the Shaw family is gripped by hope and anxiety. Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw of the Border Security Force (BSF) has been captured by the Pakistan Rangers after he accidentally crossed the border in Punjabs Ferozepur district. According to reports, Purnam had been escorting farmers near the border on Wednesday. Exhausted during duty, he reportedly fell asleep under a tree, without realising that he had entered the Pakistani territory. With the Rangers yet to release him, the Purnams family is deeply worried. His wife and his parents have made a heartfelt appeal to the Union government to take all necessary steps to secure his release from Pakistani custody. Rajani Shaw, Purnams wife, said, On Wednesday night, one of Purnams friends informed me that he has been captured by the Pakistan Rangers while on duty. The last time she had spoken to his husband was on Tuesday night. The Bombay High Court restricted the Mumbai police from arresting or taking any coercive action against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra though it can continue probe against him for his alleged remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Bombay High Court, hearing Kamras petition seeking to quash the FIR registered against him for his alleged derogatory remarks against Shinde, has admitted the petition for detailed arguments during the next hearing. A bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and S.M. Modak restricted the Mumbai police from arresting Kamra. The bench also restricted the trial court from proceeding against the comedian if the police filed a charge-sheet before the High Court passed a verdict on Kamra's petition. In his petition, the comedian argued that even if taken at face value, the allegations against him do not constitute an offence. Kamra informed the court that he is facing death threats since a case was filed against him over his alleged remarks and had agreed to appear for interrogation before Mumbai police via videoconferencing. The court observed if police wishes to record Kamras statement then they should do so from Chennai, where the comedian currently resides, after giving prior notice. During his recent performance in Mumbai, Kamra performed a parody version of a Hindi song from the film "Dil Toh Pagal Hai," and allegedly referred to Shinde as a "gaddar" (traitor). However, Kamra did not name the Shiv Sena leader in the show. Kamra also performed jokes about recent political developments in Maharashtra. Four cases have been registered against Kamra over his remarks and Khar police are investigating it. Angered by Kamras performance, Shiv Sena workers vandalised The Habitat studio premises where the performance was held. Mumbai police arrested 12 persons including Shiv Sena functionary Rahool Kanal for vandalising the premises and they were released on bail later. BJP's Raja Iqbal Singh was elected as the new mayor of Delhi on Friday. Iqbal Singh defeated Congress candidate Mandeep Singh as BJP returned to power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after two years. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had boycotted the mayoral election. Raja Iqbal Singh was the Leader of the Opposition in the MCD and earlier served as the Mayor of North MCD. He hails from a family with strong Akali Dal connections. His father-in-law was a councillor from the GTB Nagar constituency, and his brother-in-law was also active in Akali politics. #WATCH | BJP candidate Raja Iqbal Singh elected as Delhi's new Mayor. pic.twitter.com/y0jwWG10eA ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025 Raja Iqbal Singh emerged victorious securing 133 out of 142 votes polled. The BJP lost two votes due to the absence of MP Manoj Tiwari, while one vote was declared invalid. The BJP has 117 councillors in MCD while the AAP has 113. The Congress has just eight. There are 238 incumbent councillors while 12 seats are vacant. "We will try to form the Standing Committee within a month and work in coordination with the Delhi government to ensure people face no problems. Our priorities include making parks greener, curbing corruption and pollution, and scrapping user charges immediately," Iqbal Singh was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He said the party will "motivate" teachers, provide funds for students' uniforms, and improve school infrastructure. "The people of Delhi have shown faith in Prime Minister Modi and the BJP We are committed to serving the city through the MCD and delivering on our promises. All eligible contractual workers under BMP will be regularised as per rules," he said. Iqbal Singh too served as an Akali Dal councillor from GTB Nagar and headed the Civil Lines Zone of the corporation until September 2020. The electoral college for the mayoral election includes these 238 councillors, 10 MPs -- seven from the Lok Sabha and three from the Rajya Sabha -- and 14 MLAs -- 11 from the BJP and 3 from the AAP being nominated by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta. reports said. The house of Asif Sheikh, one of the militants believed to be involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, has been demolished in Tral, Pulwama district of south Kashmir. According to information, security forces noticed some suspicious items during a search operation at the residence. As a precaution, they retreated. A large explosion followed, badly damaging the house. VIDEO | House of terrorist Asif Sheikh, who was allegedly involved in Pahalgam terror attack, was blown up in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral. More details awaited. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/KQLGoPRpgf Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2025 Sheikh is believed to be part of the militant group that attacked the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam. Eyewitnesses reported that around 2.40pm, militants entered the meadow, located four kilometres from Pahalgam, and separated men from women and children before opening fire. The attack killed 24 tourists, a local horseman named Adil Shah, and a Nepali national. Several others were injured. After the shooting, the militants escaped into nearby forests. The incident caused panic among visitors, prompting many tourists to cut short their visit to Kashmir early. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have released sketches and names of the three militants believed to be involved. All three are linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group. A cash reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for information leading to each of them. The militants whose sketches have been released include Adil Hussain Thoker, a resident of Anantnag (local) Ali Bhai, also known as Talha Bhai (Believed to be Pakistani), and Asim Musa, also known as Suleiman (Believed to be Pakistani). The police have assured that informants' identities will be kept strictly confidential. Tip-offs can be shared by contacting the SSP Anantnag at 9596777666, the police control room at 9596777669, or via email at dpoanantnag-jk@nic.in. The attack on tourists has been widely condemned in Kashmir by political parties, the chamber of commerce, tour operators and civil society members. A complete strike was observed against the killings in Kashmir on April 23. The strike evoked a complete response. Shops, educational institutions and traffic remained shut for the day. Firing was reported from multiple Pakistani posts along the Line of Control by the Pakistan Army throughout the night. The exchange of fire across the LoC comes ahead of Army chief General Upendra Dwivedis scheduled visit to Jammu and Kashmir to assess the security situation in the region in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. According to Army officials, small arms firing was initiated by the Pakistan Army at some places on the Line of Control. However, no casualties have been reported. Small arms firing at some places on the Line of Control were initiated by the Pakistan Army; effectively responded to by the Indian Army. No casualties. Further details are being ascertained, ANI reported quoting the Army. The development comes as tension simmers between Pakistan and India in the wake of gruesome terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on Tuesday. As many as 26 persons including 24 tourists were killed in the attack. According to the Centre, the tourists were taken to the spot without the permission of local police. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will visit Srinagar and Udhampur later today. The Indian Army chief will meet senior commanders deployed in the region and officials from other security agencies and review the security situation in the region. The Army chief will also assess attempts by the Pakistan Army to violate LoC. General Dwivedi will conduct a meeting with 15 corps deployed in the region. India has vowed clear retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack and has asserted that guilty wont be spared. During a programme in Bihar on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers. Terrorism will not go unpunished. India has formally informed Pakistan of its decision to keep the Indus water treaty in abeyance in the wake of gruesome terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. In its letter to the neighbouring country, India said security uncertainties have impeded the full utilisation of Indias rights under the treaty. India's Secretary of Water Resources Debashree Mukherjee, in her letter to Pakistani counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, said, The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India had announced a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan in the aftermath of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons were killed. The deceased include 24 tourists from various parts of the country. After the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, India announced, 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. In the letter, India said the security uncertainties have affected Indias utilisation of the treaty. The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilisation of its rights under the treaty. The Centre also highlighted Pakistan's failure to negotiate modifications as per the treaty. Apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the treaty and is thus in breach of the treaty, it said. Besides suspending the treaty, India announced the closure of Integrated Check Post Attari, the cancellation of SVES visas for Pakistani nationals and bringing down overall strength at high commissions to 30 from 55. India also declared the defence/military, naval and air advisors in the Pakistani High Commission, and their five support staff as Persona Non Grata. India also withdrew its defence advisors from the Islamabad High Commission. The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a trial court's order issuing summons to Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for his controversial remarks against Vinayak Damodar Savarkar but warned the politician to refrain from making derogatory remarks against the freedom fighter. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan warned Rahul Gandhi that he would face consequences if he made such remarks in future and reminded him that Savarkar is worshipped in Maharashtra. #WATCH | J&K | Congress MP and LoP Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrives at Srinagar's Hari Niwas to meet party leaders and civil delegations pic.twitter.com/vlV3Jfm5Vp ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025 During a brief hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, tried to explain the case before the judges but the bench said, We wont allow anyone to comment on freedom fighters. Warning Rahul Gandhi for stern action, the bench said, His statements against the freedom fighter were irresponsible and that the Court will initiate suo motu action if he makes similar statements in future. The bench though stayed the summons issued to Gandhi by a magistrate court in Lucknow in a criminal case initiated against him for the controversial statements against Savarkar. "You have a good point on law and you will get a stay. But, any further statement by him will be taken up suo motu. No words on our freedom fighters. They gave us freedom and we treat them like this? Issue notice. Stay on impugned order," the Court directed. The Bench reminded Singhvi as to how Gandhi's grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi had written to Savarkar praising him. "Does he (know) that even Mahatma Gandhi used the words 'your faithful servant'. Does he know his grandmother also sent a letter to the freedom fighter praising him? Let him not make irresponsible statements about freedom fighters. You cannot make such statements without knowing the history or geography of freedom fighters," the Court observed. When Singhvi tried to intervene, Justice Dipankar said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) is a person of stature. He is a political leader of a political party. Why should you foment trouble like this? You go to Akola and make this statement, in Maharashtra, where he (Savarkar) is worshipped? Don't do this. Why do you make this statement?" Justice Datta further said that even the judges of the Calcutta High Court used to address the Chief Justice as "Your servant" during the British times. "Someone does not become a servant like this. Next time, somebody will say Mahatma Gandhi was the servant of the British. You are encouraging these kind of statements," Justice Datta said. The top court was hearing a petition challenging an order by the Allahabad High Court, which had declined to quash a summons issued to Gandhi over remarks he made against Savarkar. High Court had refused to entertain Gandhi's plea, noting that he could instead file a revision petition under Section 397 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before the sessions judge, rather than approaching the High Court directly. The summons was issued by a magistrate court in Lucknow on December 12, 2024. Gandhi is facing charges under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code. The case stems from a complaint filed by advocate Nripendra Pandey. Pandey had originally approached the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM), seeking the registration of an FIR against Gandhi for remarks made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on November 17, 2022. Gandhi had allegedly referred to Savarkar as a British collaborator and claimed that Savarkar received pension from the British government. Pandey contended that these remarks were intended to incite societal hatred and also pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi had previously described Savarkar as a patriot. In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to all chief ministers and asked them to identify all Pakistanis staying in India. Shah urged the CMs to send a list to the Centre so that their visas could be cancelled. After Shahs directive, chief ministers started the process of preparing the list and identifying the Pakistani nations staying in their respective states. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that police stations in the state were directed to ensure that Pakistanis do not stay on with their visas cancelled. Also read | Pahalgam terror attack suspect Asif Sheikh's house blown up in blast in J&K's Pulwama "A list of all Pakistani nationals present in the state is ready and we are monitoring them. All police stations have been asked to ensure that Pakistani nationals leave the country within the stipulated time. If there is delay and overstay, necessary action will be taken against the concerned persons," Fadnavis told reporters. Also read | Can India 'stop the flow' of water by axing the Indus Waters Treaty? Pakistani experts say no The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday announced that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES). MEA also gave directions for those currently staying in India under the SVES visa to leave the country within 48 hours. Amid tensions, Shah also held a key meeting with senior officials to discuss the future course of action on the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan. Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil and other senior officials attended the meeting. Also read | Pahalgam terror attack: 'Sustained cross-border terrorism, lack of negotiations', says India in letter to Pak over suspension of Indus water treaty According to sources, the water going to Pakistan will be stopped under the Indus Waters Treaty. Patil has hinted that the Centre is prepared with the short-term and long-term plan. After the attack, India has already informed Pakistan of its decision to temporarily suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with immediate effect. India's decision came after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. Also read | Pahalgam terror attack: Pakistan opens fire across LoC, Indian Army responds effectively Under the treaty, India has the exclusive rights to the water of the eastern rivers- the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi. While western rivers- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab- were largely allocated to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan has rejected India's suspension of the treaty and said any measures to stop the flow of water "belonging to Pakistan" under the pact will be seen as an "act of war". Meanwhile, as many as 191 Pakistani nationals returned, while 287 Indians came back through the Attari border. India had announced that those who crossed the Attari-Wagah border with valid documents should return through the route by May 1, 2025. "Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended," a press release said. A conference of the Vice Chancellors, held in Ooty, which was inaugurated by vice president Jagdeep Dhankar, is likely to escalate tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the DMK-run Tamil Nadu government. It is all likely to take a toll on the functioning of the state-run universities which are already facing a huge financial crisis even to manage the day-to-day activities. Incidentally, six universities have remained headless for the past two years due to the existing power struggle between Governor Ravi and the government, in setting up the search panels to appoint the VCs. ALSO READ | Why only 18 out of 56 invited vice chancellors attended the annual conference called by TN governor R.N. Ravi? During the conference at Ooty, Ravi accused the state government and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin used the police force to deter the VCs from attending the conference. He even accused that some of the VCs were kept under house arrest and some others were threatened for participating in the conference. It is reminiscent of the emergency days. When telephonic threats from the minister of higher education to the VCs not to participate in the conference did not work, Chief Minister Stalin used the police. Some VCs have given me in writing that they have had midnight knocks at their doors, saying they cant return home. I told them to take care of their families, Ravi alleged while addressing the VCs at the conference held in Ooty. Ravi also questioned if Stalin was afraid of the consequences of the rise in standards of state universities and felt that it could be a threat to his political future. The standards of the state universities largely cater to Dalit and poor students. Any quality improvement will make them aspirational and inspirational. Does he feel that it could be a threat to his political future? he asked. Speaking during the meeting, Dhankar said that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is accepted by all and "only Tamil Nadu is opposing it. Stating that the most significant aspect of NEP 2020 is for students to learn in their mother tongue, Dhankar said, NEP It has got us out of the colonial regime. Even medicine and engineering in local languages, which could not be entertained at one point in time, even in dreams, are getting in shape on the ground. Replying to Ravis accusations, in a strongly worded statement, higher education minister Govi Chezhian pointed out that the VCs have boycotted the conference due to the Supreme Court verdict that transferred the powers of managing universities from the Governor to the state government. The VCs are aware of the SC verdict and law. Despite knowing everything, the Governor is hell-bent on fomenting trouble. Since the VCs felt it would amount to going against the law to participate in an illegal meeting convened by the Governor, they have boycotted. Is it necessary for the VCs also to not respect the law? Photo: https://t.me/mindovkillia/4876 Ukraine will receive EUR22.6 million from European partners to ensure nuclear safety, improve radiation protection and manage radioactive waste, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources reported. The corresponding draft contribution agreement 2024/2025 was agreed upon within the framework of the meeting of the supervisory board on the implementation of the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation in Ukraine. The meeting was held on Friday by Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk together with the Director for Nuclear Energy, Safety and ITER of the Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission Jan Panek, Head of the Nuclear Safety Sector, GD INTPA of the European Commission Ynte Stockmann. The agreed contribution agreement provides for financing a number of important projects for Ukraine. Among them are ensuring backup power supply for uninterrupted operation of radioactive waste management facilities, as well as construction of the necessary infrastructure for proper disposal of radioactive waste; creation of an early detection system for forest fires in the exclusion zone; arrangement of a modern analytical laboratory for the analysis of radioactive materials in Chornobyl; restoration of the functioning of the automated radiation monitoring system of the exclusion zone, damaged by Russia during the occupation of Chornobyl NPP. In addition, it is planned to create a national Integrated Automated Radiation Monitoring System for the entire territory of Ukraine and its integration with the European Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP), the European Community Urgent Radiological Information Exchange System (ECURIE), the International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS), which is managed by the IAEA; providing personnel of enterprises in the exclusion zone with appropriate modern conditions for transportation and accommodation in the territory of the exclusion zone, as well as personal protective equipment and decontamination in emergency situations. Attention is also planned to be paid to the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with Euratom norms as one of the conditions for Ukraine's accession to the EU. All measures are planned to be implemented within five years. Forty-two years after he left the Indian shores in search of a better life, Thiruvananthapuram native Gopalan Chandran, 64, finally returned home, reuniting with his 95-year-old mother, who never gave up hope. Chandran left India at the age of 22 in 1983, as one of those Malayalis seeking job opportunities in the Middle East. Unfortunately, soon after reaching Bahrain, his employer died, leaving him undocumented as he lost his passport and travel documents. Decades later, Chandran came to the attention of the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), an NGO that helped him connect with his family in Kerala and obtain the necessary documents for his return. Chandran's return became possible with the support of Sudheer Thirunilath, Dr Rithin Raj, Anil Thankappan Nair and a dedicated team of volunteers. The PLC consists of retired judges who assist Indians facing injustice in India and abroad. The expatriate community in Bahrain came to know about him in 2020 when the police detained him after a fight with another Malayali expatriate. The PLC expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain's Ministry of Interior, the Immigration Department, and the Indian Embassy, especially Ambassador H.E. Vinod K. Jacob and the embassy officials. "I have to track down my relatives and friends, Chandran said upon his return. While I remain a bachelor, two generations have been born in my family. The world I left behind in Kerala has changed. If I go out, I will get lost." He returned empty-handed and grief-stricken, but with a heart filled with renewed hope. His reunion with his 95-year-old mother was particularly emotional. In a Facebook post, the PLC shared, "Today, we share a story that will stay with you long after you read ita story of loss, perseverance, and the extraordinary power of human compassion", and truly, our hope in humanity gets restored little by little through gestures like this. On Friday, the central government filed its response in the Supreme Court, urging the dismissal of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Centre told SC that for the last 100 years, Waqf by user is recognised only upon registration and not by word of mouth and the amendment was in sync with consistent practice. Calling the legislation a valid and lawful exercise of legislative power, the Centre defended the amendments and opposed any interim relief sought against its provisions. In its 1332-page affidavit filed by Shersha C. Saidik Mohiddin, Joint Secretary, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Centre said there will be a maximum of two non-Muslims among 22 members in the Waqf Council and Waqf Boards, a measure that is representative of inclusiveness and not intrusive of the administration of Waqfs. "The Waqf Act, 1995 conferred recognition of Waqfs as a valid statutory dedication of property and that remains unchanged continuing to protect the religious rights of a Muslim individual or a community in general. The secular provisions of proving such a dedication, and the management of such properties including preventing their waste or misuse are permissible under the constitutional framework," the affidavit stated. Centre said that the identification of government land deliberately or wrongly mentioned as Waqf properties is to set the revenue records right and that government land cannot be treated as land belonging to any religious community. "The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, very clearly limits itself to secular dimensions (like record management, procedural reforms, and administrative structure) and not any matters of ritual, prayer, or fundamental Islamic obligations. It is submitted that therefore the Act, by confining itself to non-essential practices, steers well clear of infringing the religious freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, the affidavit reads. Centre defended the Act by saying that Waqf laws have been misused to encroach on government and private land. Between 2013-2024, there was an increase of at least 20 lakh acres of land or 116% increase of Waqf properties which called for a serious relook at the law, it said. Urging the Supreme Court not to grant any stay on the Act, the Centre said constitutional courts do not grant stays on statutory provisions, either directly or indirectly, while the case is still being heard. Instead, such matters are to be decided after a final judgment. There is a presumption of constitutionality that applies to laws made by Parliament and an interim stay is against the principle of balance of powers. The law has been made on the recommendations of a Joint Parliamentary Committee followed by an extensive debate in both Houses of Parliament, the reply stated. The affidavit further stated that a deliberate, purposeful and intentionally misleading narrative is built very mischievously, giving an impression that those Waqfs which do not have a document to support their claims will be affected. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is slated to hear the matter on May 5 on the passing of interim orders. The changes in the law have been introduced solely to ensure better management and transparency, the affidavit stated. "Taking away the statutory protection to a Waqf by a user does not deprive a person of the Muslim community to create a Waqf," stated the Centre. 'Waqf by user' refers to land or property that is considered Waqf due to its long-term use for religious purposes. Even without formal documentation or a written deed, such property could be declared 'Waqf by user', depending on its usage over time. "It is submitted that despite the existence of the concept of 'Waqf by user', the requirement of registration or self-declarations before the court was made mandatory in order to ensure that the regulatory provisions of the enactments achieve the intended objectives. It is submitted that therefore, there has been a clear and mandatory legislative regime, which has sought to enforce and implement registration requirements on all kinds of Waqfs since at least 1923," the affidavit reads adding that Centre said that it is too late in the day for anyone to claim today that although it claims to be a genuine Waqf, it is still not registered. The issue of trusts created by Muslim persons will not be governed by the Waqf Act, the affidavit stated. The Amendment Act reaffirms that identification, classification, and regulation of Waqf property must be subject to legal standards and judicial oversight. It is submitted that the legislative design of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 ensures that no person is denied access to courts and that the decisions affecting property rights, religious freedom, and public charity are made within the bounds of fairness and legality. It is submitted that through these changes, the Amendment Act brings judicial accountability, transparency, and fairness. Two siblings from two different political parties are on a war path over a company that is of interest to the two Telugu states Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Kesineni Srinivas or Nani, is a former MP of Vijayawada and a YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader. Kesineni Sivanath or Chinni is his younger brother, who is the current MP of Vijayawada and is part of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Nani openly accused his younger brother of being a fraud and the latter retaliated by calling his elder brother a psycho. But why are brothers fighting over Ursa Clusters, a company that claims to have presence in the United States and India? At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this year, Ursa Clusters signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Telangana government to establish a 100MW AI-powered data centre with a total and phased investment of Rs 5000 crore. In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Ursa Clusters' name cropped up as their proposed investment of Rs 5,700 crore in Vizag was cleared this month by the Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board. A few days back, the Andhra Pradesh cabinet decided to allot lands to companies like TCS in lieu of investments and employment generation. TCS was allotted 21.1 acres at Rs 0.99 per acre. Ursa Clusters too was allotted land to an extent of 59 acres, with a market value of hundreds of crores, at subsidised rates. Ursa Clusters garnered attention and became a hotly discussed topic. Media outlet The Wire conducted an in-depth investigation into the functioning of Ursa Clusters and found that the company was floated in the USA just months before they signed the MoU with Telangana. Its Indian subsidiary was incorporated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, again a few months before they got the nod from the Andhra Pradesh cabinet. The Wire found that the companys offices in Hyderabad and California were merely residential units with no commercial or office setup. The report also highlighted that the company did not have any contact details listed online. The company too did not demonstrate any past history of large-scale business. The report questioned the capabilities of Ursa to invest Rs 10,000 crore in two states and also the rationale behind the Andhra Pradesh government allotting lands worth hundreds of crores. Though the Andhra Pradesh government issued a Government Order (GO) allocating land for TCS, it did not issue any GO related to Ursa Clusters after the controversy broke out. As per the formal procedure, after an order is issued, the land is registered in the companys name after it complies with the required guidelines. The YSRCP went to town criticising the TDP government alleging that it was a scam where kickbacks were routed using shell companies. The management of Ursa has responded to media reports and issued a statement. They called the reports and allegations misleading narratives and introduced themselves as a global consortium of seasoned technology and infrastructure professionals. Ursa also claimed that they have the required resources to raise the required capital for investments. Amidst this, former MP and YSRCP leader, Kesineni Nani took to X (Twitter) alleging that an individual named Satish Abburi, who serves as a director in Ursa is a long-time associate and college mate of his younger brother and current Vijayawada MP and TDP leader, Kesineni Chinni. This is nothing but a benami and Fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, using frontmen to gain control over prime public land for private profiteering, he tweeted. He also said that Satish Abburi and Chinni were former business partners in a failed venture called 21 Century Investments which allegedly duper investors. In a follow-up tweet, he also furnished proof to corroborate his allegation regarding the business tie between Ursa's director and his political foe, his younger brother. Kesineni Chinni responded by calling his brother a psycho in his Facebook post and uploading documents to claim that his brother also did business with family members of Satish Abburi in the past. Will Ursa get the land as promised or will the government backtrack? It has to be seen how the TDP government responds to the issue and settles the dust. In yet another blow to Tamil Nadu governor R.N. Ravi, only one-third of the Vice Chancellors (VC) turned up to the annual VC conference called by him at Ooty on Friday. Inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, the meeting turned into a damp squib even when Ravi had tried to impress saying that there was no power struggle between the government and the Raj Bhavan. Out of the 56 state, central and private universities in Tamil Nadu, only 18 VCs attended the conference. The VCs of all the 18 state-run universities skipped the meeting. All the VCs including the heads of five central universities, 20 state universities, four central institutions, and 27 private universities were formally invited by the Raj Bhavan for the annual VCs conference. But only 18 of them attended, according to the sources in the Raj Bhavan. And out of the 18 who attended the meeting only two were from the state universities and even these two were not VCs and only representatives. One of them, the director of the research department - was deputed by Periyar University VC as his representative. The other was a college principal representing Alagappa Universitys physical education department. However, according to sources, none of the VCs gave reasons or sent any message to the governor for not skipping the conference. Raj Bhavan sources said, reasons unknown when asked. Sixteen VCs who attended the meeting were from the central universities. The meeting which had been an annual affair since 2022 has always had full attendance. But this time there was very poor attendance indicating a political backlash for the conference. While Ravi and Raj Bhavan call the meeting a meaningful event aimed towards building a stern path to improve the academic dialogue and innovation in the higher education sector, the VCs of the state universities skipping the conference stems out of the growing tussle between the governor and the government and the recent Supreme Court ruling against Ravi. Earlier on Wednesday the Raj Bhavan, in a media release, slammed the reports saying that the VCs conference called by the governor was not a power struggle between the government and the Raj Bhavan and that it was a regular affair. The governors office then called the media reports as entirely erroneous and mischievous. The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to establish the position of vice president, in what is widely seen as a move to prepare for a potential succession to 89-year-old Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The decision comes amid mounting international pressure for reform within Palestinian political institutions and discussions over the future governance of Gaza following the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. At a two-day meeting held in Ramallah, the PLO Central Council approved the creation of the vice presidency with a 170-1 vote, and one abstention. Rizq Namoura, a member of the council, described the outcome as almost unanimous during an interview with Palestine TV, noting that this was the first time in the PLOs history such a position would exist. Abbas first proposed the idea during a summit in Cairo in March, where Arab and Western leaders discussed the post-war political structure of Gaza. The new role is designed to be both the vice chair of the PLO Executive Committee and the vice president of the state of Palestine, an entity recognised by nearly 150 countries. Under the new arrangement, Abbas will choose the vice president from among the 15 members of the PLO Executive Committee. However, the committee is dominated by pro-Abbas loyalists. Moreover, the president will have the power to dismiss the vice president, raising questions about the effectiveness of the new measure. The move appears aimed at addressing long-standing concerns from the international community about the ageing leaders failure to name a successor or initiate institutional reforms. Abbas, who has led both the PLO and the Palestinian Authority (PA) for two decades, has remained in office despite his official term as president of the PA having expired in 2009. The last presidential election took place in 2005, following the death of Yasser Arafat, and no successor has been publicly groomed since. Some observers believe that setting up the vice presidents post should be seen as a leadership transition. If Abbas dies or he relinquishes his post, the vice president will take over as the next leader of the PLO as well as the state of Palestine. Still, there is no clarity about how and when the vice president would be appointed, and whether the post would actually address the legitimacy crisis facing the PLO leadership. The international community, especially PAs Western donors, have been demanding reforms as they are concerned about reports of corruption, authoritarianism and a lack of electoral legitimacy in the PA. Many of them believe that reforming the PLO and the PA is essential if both entities are to play a major role in the future administration of Gaza, as part of a post-war reconstruction and peace framework. At the moment, the PA has limited authority in parts of the West Bank where Israel is steadily increasing its control. However, its presence in Gaza has been nominal since 2007, when Hamas took charge after a violent split from Fatah, the PLO faction under Abbas. Hamas had won legislative elections the previous year, but relations quickly deteriorated, culminating in the PAs ejection from the territory. Hamas is not a member of the PLO, which functions as an umbrella organisation of various Palestinian political factions that signed the 1993 Oslo Accords with Israel. Those agreements established the PA and outlined a vision for eventual Palestinian statehoodone that has never materialised. Multiple attempts at reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah have failed, including a 2017 agreement brokered in Cairo and a follow-up pact signed in Beijing in 2023 involving 14 Palestinian factions. Efforts to unify Palestinian governance remain mired in distrust and mutual accusations. The latest announcement of the vice-presidency came just a day after Abbas delivered one of his strongest-ever public rebukes of Hamas and accused it of providing Israel with excuses to prolong its military campaign in Gaza. Referring to Hamas as sons of dogs, he demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages and called for the militant group to disarm, relinquish control of Gaza and operate purely as a political party under the authority of the PA and the PLO. These hostages are Israels justification for continuing this war, Abbas declared. Hamas must hand over everything and get us out of this ordeal. Hamas quickly rejected Abbass comments. A senior Hamas official, Bassem Naim, accused him of suspiciously siding with Israel and called the remarks insulting. The Hamas-aligned Palestinian Mujahideen Movement also condemned Abbas, accusing him of undermining Palestinian unity and ignoring the sacrifices made by the people of Gaza. Despite the harsh rhetoric, Abbas reiterated calls for a ceasefire and urged the international community to convene a peace conference and implement existing United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the war in Gaza goes on endlessly, with Israel intensifying its attacks on a daily basis and even speaking about a permanent occupation of the territory, Abbass vision for a unified Palestinian front under PLO leadership appears increasingly urgent. With his own political legitimacy in question and unity talks stalled the creation of a vice presidency may offer the appearance of progress. Whether that turns into real change remains to be seen. The Dubai government has introduced a new public health law which mandates that every traveller who arrives at the Emirates sticks to specific health protocols. The new laws announced by UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aim to promote public health and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. As per the new law, all travellers entering Dubai should provide accurate health information upon arrival at Dubais entry points. They should also report any suspected or confirmed communicable diseases to the authorities. The travellers infected with or suspected of having a communicable disease should avoid contact with others. They should avoid travelling or moving, except to healthcare facilities, without the approval of the Dubai Health Authority. The law also makes it punishable to hide infections or spread them, whether intentionally or unintentionally. They should also follow guidelines issued by relevant authorities and healthcare providers. If infected, the people have to observe hygiene practices, such as wearing face masks and maintaining physical distancing. The new Public Health Law will come into force 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette. This will also mean that it overrides any conflicting previous legislation and requires full cooperation between public and private entities to implement its provisions. The Dubai administration passed the law to minimise health risks affecting individuals and communities in Dubai. It also promotes coordination and collaboration to mitigate health challenges. Houthi militants in Yemen have shot down three more American Reaper drones in the past week, raising the total number downed since mid-March to seven, according to US Air Force officials. The escalation came after the Trump administrations March 15 decision to launch an intensified air campaign against the Iran-aligned group, aimed at ending their persistent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Since then, however, the Houthis have not only withstood the pressure, but also managed to inflict significant losses on American assets. The Houthis launched their maritime attacks in support for Hamas, which was targeted by Israel, following the October 2023 attacks on southern Israel. The US has chosen to step in to ensure that busy sea lanes and commercial shipping in the Red Sea remains unaffected, and also to prevent an escalation between Israel and the Houthis. However, so far, the Houthis have downed more than 15 Reaper drones, which play a crucial role in gathering real-time surveillance used to direct airstrikes. The MQ-9 drones cost around $2830 million each and typically fly at altitudes higher than 40,000 feet, forming a part of a larger US arsenal of approximately 280 Reapers. ALSO READ | Will Pete Hegseth be fired? US Defense Secretary shared Houthi attack plan on a second Signal group chat Despite an extensive and costly air campaignnow said to have involved roughly 750 airstrikesUS officials admit that the operation against the Houthis has yielded only limited strategic results. Much of the Houthis military infrastructure, including missile systems, drones and command hubs, is stored in fortified underground bunkers that have proven difficult to destroy, although the Central Command has claimed destroying over 800 targets. However, Congressional briefings indicate that the airstrikes have not significantly degraded the Houthis ability to wage asymmetric warfare. The Houthis have continued to launch missiles and drones at American military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, though none have successfully struck their targets. The US effort has grown increasingly expensive. Early estimates in April placed the cost of munitions alone at $200 million, with officials now projecting that this figure could reach $1 billion. The airstrikes have been conducted by F/A-18 jets from two aircraft carriersthe USS Harry S. Truman and the USS Carl Vinsonas well as B-2 stealth bombers based on Diego Garcia. In response to escalating hostilities, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Truman deployment to be extended, and is currently considering a further extension. The presence of two carriers in the region is a rarity, due to concerns over maintenance schedules and personnel fatigue. Meanwhile, the campaign has come under growing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers. Senators Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, and Tim Kaine have criticised the Trump administrations conduct of the war, warning that the high civilian death toll undermines the presidents claim of being a peacemaker. According to the Yemen Data Project, US strikes killed at least 63 civilians (including 11 children), and wounded 150 between March 15 and April 15. The senators particularly questioned a strike on April 17, targeting the Ras Isa fuel port on the western coast of Yemen along the Red Sea coast, which reportedly killed 80 people, including civilian workers and paramedics. According to the US military, the strike was intended to take out economic infrastructure used by the Houthis, but human rights groups say such blanket attacks could worsen Yemens already dire humanitarian situation, and push more people to povertyand even famine. The US defence department has been so far deliberately opaque about the Yemen campaign, despite the senators demanding clarity about civilian casualties. The Houthis maintain that they will continue their attacks until Israel ends the war in Gaza and the blockade on Palestinian territory. Meanwhile, a senior Houthi figure said that they would stop targeting American ships if the US halted its bombing campaign in Yemen. Yet, there is no indication that Washington is considering such a move. The Trump administration's aggressive military response has so far failed to compel the Houthis to stand down. Instead, it has resulted in costly losses, civilian casualties and growing domestic and international criticism. The Houthis appear to be bolstering their support among the Yemeni population80 per cent of them are under Houthi ruleby portraying themselves as defenders against foreign aggression. Even as India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan retaliated to the move, stating any attempt by India to block water flow into Pakistan would be treated as an act of war. While many debate the aftermath of such a move on Pakistan's agriculture sector, many Pakistani experts have claimed that there is no way India can stop the flow of water towards Pakistan. According to Hassaan F Khan, a Pakistani urban and environmental policy expert at US-based Tufts University, India cannot stop water flow into Pakistan. "Certainly not at the scale that would make a meaningful dent in flows during the high flow season," he claims in an opinion piece that appeared in the Karachi-based website Dawn. He argues that the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab are enormous rivers that carry tens of billions of cubic meters of water between May and September when the snow melts. Though India has some upstream infrastructure on these rivers, including the Baglihar and Kishanganga dams, none were designed to hold back these kinds of volumes. Khan claims that the Baglihar and Kishanganga, being run-of-the-river hydropower projects, have limited live storage and even if India were to coordinate releases across all its existing dams, all it can do is slightly shift the timing of flows. Any attempt to disrupt the flow would cause flooding in its upstream regions as the overall volumes in the western rivers during this high-flow period are far too large, he added. India has stopped the flow of the Indus River water to Pakistan. A government-released video today shows four dams and their corresponding canals closed. Pakistan had previously warned that this would "be considered an Act of War." pic.twitter.com/5P5uiYppV2 Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 24, 2025 Abdul Basit, Pakistans former high commissioner to India between 2014 and 2017 also claims that the suspension of the treaty won't have much impact on Pakistan. He called the move largely "symbolic" due to Indias current lack of infrastructure to divert the western rivers. "At this stage, India cannot stop the flow of water," he told Karachi-based newspaper Express Tribune. He also urged Pakistan to engage the World Bank, the treatys broker and guarantor, and to prepare a robust diplomatic and legal response. "India is not complying with its international obligations. So much for the worlds largest democracy and its aspirations for a UN Security Council seat" he added. What happens during dry season? That said, even Khan agrees that Pakistan will feel the pinch during dry seasons. When the flow of water across the basin is lower, the absence of the treaty can be felt. India developing new infrastructure in the region could be a threat, he agrees. This would give it greater control over the timing and volume of flows into Pakistan. He argues that any large-scale dam or diversion project would take years to build. Khan argues that building such infrastructure in Kashmir is geologically challenging and the financial cost would be enormous. There would also be a great political risk. "Pakistan has long said that any attempt by India to construct major new storage on the western rivers would be viewed as an act of war. In todays age of satellites, these structures would not be invisible. They would be contested politically and possibly militarily," he argues. On March 13, 2013, the world witnessed a moment of profound surprise and change within the Catholic Church. That evening, as I was at De Nobili College (DNC), Cyril Desbruslais, S.J., a professor of philosophy, knocked on my door and announced, Habemus Papam. We rushed to the television, where Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran declared that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, had been elected Pope, taking the name Francis. The news that he was a Jesuit astonished us. Little did we know that this man would bring a fresh spirit to the papacy. My meeting with Pope Francis: A moment of grace Years later, on December 14, 2022, I finally had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in person. Introducing myself as a Jesuit pursuing a PhD in Christological studies of Christian Muslim dialogue warmed him. He encouraged me with the smiling word, Bravo. He spoke to me with affection. He encouraged me about my work. He blessed a stole for Jubin, my brother, who would be ordained on December 28, 2022. He also prayed for our families. This brief meaningful interaction confirmed what I had long admired about Francis: authenticity, deep spirituality, and unwavering commitment to living out the Gospel. His simplicity and humility were tangible. Passion and simplicity Pope Franciss papal ministry was rooted in Jesuss simplicity, as he asked for the blessing of the people before he blessed them. After his election, he travelled with cardinals on a bus, paid his hotel bill, and carried his little suitcase while travelling. His lifestyle mirrored this simplicity, from choosing to live in Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse instead of the Apostolic Palace, to his modest attire and simple vestments for the liturgy without using a golden chain or red shoes. For Francis, Jesuss birth in a manger reflected Gods divine style, which is marked by simplicity rather than grandeur. Bergoglio always emphasised Christs humility through his papacy. Synodality: Walking together as a Church One of Pope Franciss most significant contributions was his emphasis on synodality and listening. It was rooted in the apostolic tradition, and we read it in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 15, where Peter, the first pope, listens to Paul, an apostle of gentiles. It is a teaching that enables the Church to walk together as a Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Pope saw synodality as a governance model and an essential expression of communion within the Church as the Body of Christ. Therefore, he included clerics and lay as part of voters in the synod of synodality. This approach reflected his belief in collegiality and inclusivity. It also aligned with the vision of Vatican II. By fostering dialogue and participation among entire Christian communities, which includes bishops, clergy, laity, and non-Catholics, the Pope revitalised the Churchs mission in the modern world. Vatican II: Ressourcement and Aggiornamento Pope Franciss theology was deeply influenced by Vatican IIs dual principles of ressourcement, the French word meaning returning to original sources and aggiornamento, the Italian word meaning updating. Therefore, the Pope called for a Church rooted in apostolic traditions and responsive to contemporary challenges. He was reforming ecclesiastical structures that reflect this updating balance with the original sources. By emphasising Jesus as the foundation of faith, Francis sought to move away from legalism and triumphalism toward a more pastoral and compassionate Church. Preferential option for the poor Pope Franciss vision of the preferential option for the poor was a principle idea spoken so much by the Jesuits in General Congregation 32, of which Francis was also a member. He frequently reminded Christians that serving the poor is not optional but integral to their faith. Whether addressing economic inequality or advocating for systemic change, Francis challenged individuals and institutions to prioritise the needs of societys most vulnerable members. His actionssuch as establishing showers for homeless people near St. Peters Basilica with the help of the Jesuit Curiaspoke louder than words. The spirit of Jesuits: Men for others As a Jesuit, Pope Francis embodied the Ignatian spirit of being men for others. His leadership reflected key themes from Ignatian spirituality, including discernment, mission to the peripheries, and service for Gods greater glory. He often recalled St. Ignatiuss call to find God in all things and Jerome Nadals assertion that the whole world is our home. This universal outlook toward the poor underpined his efforts to engage with diverse cultures and contexts while remaining faithful to Christ. Pope Francis was an outspoken advocate for migrants and refugees. He described their rejection as a grave sin. The Pope exhorted nations to provide safe migrant routes and fight human trafficking. His dedication to solidarity with displaced persons was shown by his visits to refugee camps, personal gestures, and bringing refugees to Rome. He believed that refugees and migrants are the cause of war and poverty. He also called every Sunday to a parish in Gaza, where Christians and Muslims were sheltered due to war. The man of dialogue Francis took significant steps to foster interfaith dialogue among all religions, even among Indigenous people. He described Judaism as Christianitys elder sibling in faith and said, We, Jews and Catholics, share priceless spiritual treasures. Similarly, he engaged extensively with Muslim communities, emphasising mutual respect and collaboration. His historic meeting with Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi and signing of the human fraternity document on February 4, 2019, led to a groundbreaking gesture of dialogue. Pope Francis was deeply committed to ecumenism and maintained close ties with leaders like Bartholomew I, Patriarch of Constantinople, Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. He included 21 Coptic Orthodox martyrs who were executed by ISIS on a beach in Libya in 2015 into the Catholic Liturgical calendar. His suggestion to celebrate Easter on a common day reflected his desire to promote Church unity. The man of care and peace In his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis urged urgent action to save the planet Earth. He framed environmental stewardship as a moral imperative rooted in respect for Gods creation and highlighted how environmental issues disproportionately affected the poor by linking ecological degradation with social injustice. Francis consistently condemned war as contrary to the will of God. He criticised both Russias aggression in Ukraine and Western nations arms trade policies. He rebuked Patriarch Kirills support for Russias actions. The Pope demonstrated his courage to challenge even any religious or political leaders, where once he dared to challenge Trump, saying that the one who builds walls is not Christian. On the Israel-Palestine war, Pope Francis advocated for peace through dialogue and supported a two-state solution that respected the rights of both peoples because the common people are the victims of both sides. Pope Francis always took a balanced approach. He sought justice while promoting reconciliation between conflicting parties. A Pope who surprises Pope Francis surprised us with his authenticity and courage, from his election night gesture of bowing before blessing the crowd to his daily acts of compassion. For meand countless othershe represented hope in a world often marked by division and despair. Meeting him was not just an encounter with a global leader but an experience of grace that deepened my faith and inspired me to follow Christ more closely. The writer, a member of the Jesuit Kerala Province, is a researcher at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Amid intensifying India-Pakistan tensions, Iran on Friday offered to step in and initiate mediation between the two neighbouring countries following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Stressing the importance of peace, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that India and Pakistan are "brotherly neighbours of Iran". India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbors of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like other neighbors, we consider them our foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater pic.twitter.com/5XsZnEPg2D Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 25, 2025 They "enjoy relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilisational ties. Like other neighbours, we consider them our foremost priority," Araghchi tweeted. He also added that Tehran stands ready to use its offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time. The recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. The Resistance Front, a proxy group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) took the responsibility for the attack. Though Pakistan denied any involvement in the attack, India took a firm stand by immediately suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 after the attack. Among the decisive measures taken by New Delhi included suspending the visas of Pakistani nationals, reducing the number of diplomatic mission staff and imposing restrictions along the Attari border. Islamabad said that any move to divert water under the Indus Waters Treaty would be treated as an "act of war". Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Jal Shaki Minister C.R. Patil and other senior officials to discuss the future course of action regarding the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM @narendramodi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) April 25, 2025 Also, extending support to India, the US's Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We stand in solidarity with India...we support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack," she said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said that his office is closely monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan. Guterres urged both the nations to exercise restraint. Photo: https://x.com/poroshenko/status/1915782411964612905/photo/1 The division of property of the spouses of Maryna and Petro Poroshenko is a common tactic to protect the family from attempts to block the ability to finance assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and political activity, according to a statement published on the website of the European Solidarity party, which is headed by Poroshenko. "The lawsuit about the division of property is a common tactic of the Poroshenko family to protect against Zelenskyy's attempts to block Petro Poroshenko's ability to finance assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and political activities. Since Zelenskyy, by his decree on sanctions, prohibited Petro Poroshenko from committing any transactions, even paying taxes, the financing of the Poroshenko Charity Foundation can only be unblocked through a corresponding court decision. Petro and Maryna Poroshenko informed the court that there is no dispute about the terms of the division between them, so the court has no reason not to satisfy the lawsuit next week," the report says. The party also noted that there is no talk of a divorce between the spouses and called the relevant reports attempts to discredit the politician and an information attack on the family. "Petro and Maryna Poroshenko ask to convey to everyone who is interested: their marriage remains strong and filled with love, mutual support and respect for 40 years... There are actually no conflicts in the Poroshenko family and there have never been any," the message says. As reported, the Kryzhopil District Court of Vinnytsia region will consider the case on April 29 on the division of property between the spouses of Maryna and Petro Poroshenko at the initiative of the wife, according to information on the portal Judiciary of Ukraine (Sudova Vlada Ukrainy). According to information in the court register, Maryna Poroshenko applied to the court on March 27 of this year with a lawsuit on the division of the spouses' property. "Since this dispute is of a property nature with the claim price of UAH 17.103 billion, which exceeds 250 subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons, this case is subject to consideration in the general claim proceedings in a court session with notification (summons) of the parties," the court's ruling of March 28 states. Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by decree of February 12 of this year, imposed sanctions against Poroshenko, who was president before Zelenskyy. Among them is the blocking of assets, namely temporary deprivation of the right to use and dispose of assets belonging to an individual or legal entity, as well as assets in respect of which such an individual may directly or indirectly (through other individuals or legal entities) perform actions identical in content to the exercise of the right to dispose of them; suspension of the fulfillment of economic and financial obligations. Poroshenko has challenged these sanctions in the Supreme Court of Ukraine. At first hearing on April 17, the fifth president of Ukraine said that the sanctions imposed against him are "preventive in nature." Poroshenko and his representatives emphasize that the sanctions were imposed illegally. Pakistan continues to peddle the narrative that the Pahalgam terror attack was a "false flag" operation initiated by India with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir "Prime Minister" Chaudhry Anwarul Haq joining the bandwagon. Haq taunted India, stating it lacked the courage to violate Pakistan's borders and called the terror attack 'fabricated'. Speaking at the PoK Legislative Assembly, Haq said: "India does not have the courage to violate Pakistans borders. But if it does, a strong response awaits." Haq said India followed "the Chanakya doctrinea dagger in the cloak of diplomacy" and said the Pahalgam incident had been "exposed as a fabrication." He said India could use a third party to destabilise PoK from within. "If India attempts such an adventure, it will receive a fitting reply," he said. "Pakistan is a nuclear power," Haq stated. "No country, including India, has the courage to violate our borders. We are always ready to respond." Puppet PM of Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq publicly announces support for Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir, India. Tum Balochistan Mein Pakistaniyon Ke Khoon Se Holi Kheloge, Iski Kimat Tumhe Dilli Se Lekar Kashmir Tak Deni Padegi pic.twitter.com/OgUFcn1DrD Lutyens Watch (@LutyensWatch) April 24, 2025 Haq also claimed that people in PoK "enjoyed freedom" and he stood with his brothers and sisters across the Line of Control. Despite his vain claims, the region has witnessed street protests seeking basic facilities, including food, reflecting the growing discontent among people. Haq also alleged that Indiahad already begun to divert water from rivers Poonch and Neelum. "These are part of Indias broader designs against Pakistan," he said. His statement comes as Pakistan anticipates a cross-border or air strike like in the 2016 Uri attacks and 2019 Pulwama attacks, wherein India hit a militant camp in Balakot with airstrikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. As per reports, flight data showed Pakistan Air Force C-130 is doing rounds of PoK. Hussain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, told BBC that an escalation is possible this time, with India likely to consider limited "surgical strikes" like in 2016". He added that such strikes can also invite retaliation from Pakistan. US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday to discuss a US plan to end the Ukraine war on terms that are very likely favourable to Russia: the reason behind Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's refusal to accept the Paris talks framework plan so far. However, the three-hour-long meeting, preceded by numerous significant events on both sides of the border, only ended with vague remarks of it being constructive and useful, with both the US and Russia having narrowed differences. So far, peace efforts stand on shaky ground, as the planned high-level talks between US, Ukraine, and Kyiv's European allies, scheduled for April 23 in London, were postponed after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped the meeting. Yet, Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have emerged as Trump's key tools in America's efforts to negotiate the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which the Trump administration seems eager to close and move on, on account of the conflict entering its fourth year since Russia's special military operation escalated tensions with Ukraine in 2022, and because he had promised to end the war on day one during his presidential campaigna stance he has since termed an exaggeration, in an interview with TIME magazine. Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, and you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news ... Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended. ALSO READ | US warns it may drop Ukraine-Russia peace efforts. Here is how Kremlin responded The interview also saw the US President blaming Kyiv for starting the war, asserting that Crimea will stay with Russiaa reference to America's proposed framework at the Paris talks to end the conflict by freezing it in place, which would see Russia legally stake a claim to parts of Ukraine that they had illegally annexed over the years, such as Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. As per a Reuters report, other key clauses in the Russia-Ukraine frameworkwhich was reworked after backlash from Ukraine and its European alliesare a permanent ceasefire with monitoring, Kyiv being barred from joining the NATO, a US-Ukraine minerals agreement, a gradual easing of sanctions on Russia, US (de jure) recognition of Crimea and the de facto recognition of Luhansk, as well as Russian-controlled areas in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson. The document also promises robust security guarantees to Ukraine, offering it control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and assistance with postwar reconstruction. The Putin-Witkoff meeting was also preceded by three events that set the tone for it. The first and second were Russian offensives on Thursday and Friday, respectively, while the third was an attack on a Russian official on Friday. ALSO READ | Make Crimea Russian again? US mulls recognising Crimea as Russian in bold bid to end Ukraine conflict Thursday's attacks saw as many as 12 deaths and 90 injured in Ukraine, as per a New York Times report. According to Zelenskyy, nearly 70 missiles (including ballistic ones) and about 150 attack drones had targeted cities across the countryalthough Kyiv was hit the hardest. This large-scale attack prompted an uncommon rebuke from Trump on Truth Social. A report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi on the frontline situation as of April 24. Nearly 150 Russian attacks on our positions and over 4,500 instances of shelling, including with heavy weaponry. The toughest situation was in the Pokrovsk direction. I am grateful to all our Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) April 24, 2025 "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, Stop!" he said, addressing Putin by his first name. On Friday, Russia also launched a drone attack on a southwestern city in Ukraine, killing three people and injuring 10, as per an Associated Press report. This was part of a larger attempt to fire 103 Shahed and decoy drones at five Ukrainian regions overnight, according to Ukraines air force. However, on Friday, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalikthe deputy head of the main operational department in the general staff of the Russian armed forceswas killed by a shrapnel bomb planted in his car at Balashikha, a few miles east of Moscow, as per a Guardian report, which also mentioned that Kyiv was blamed for it. The scene of the car explosion at Balashikha | Reuters Despite all these events taking place before the Putin-Witkoff meetingthat had been highly played up by Trumpnothing concrete emerged from it. The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now, Trump had told reporters on Thursday. I think were going to make a deal I think were getting very close. Putin's senior aide Yuri Ushakov, who was also present for the meeting, onlly remarked later on that the discussions had been constructive and quite useful, noting that the two sides had narrowed differences: a statement with an intentional vagueness that might not bode well for Ukraine and its European allies. However, he also said to reporters later that there was now a possibility of resuming direct negotiations between the conflicted nations, which has not happened since 2022. According to Putins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, Witkoff left the meeting with a message for Trump, but no public comment. As such, it remains unclear whether Moscow, which has consistently proven their disregard for America's ceasefire proposaldespite the numerous concessions it offers the Kremlinwill finally agree to be bound by it, as the conflict rages on. The mood shift in Tharun Moorthy's films is quite interesting. Also interesting is the way he markets them. This filmmaker has always been cautious about revealing the true nature of his stories in the trailers. He knows how to mislead the audience. This approach doesn't work with every film/filmmaker. Tharun's way of doing this, however, is most admirable. He is only two films old, and he has surprised us both times be it Operation Java or Saudi Vellakka, Tharun's way of getting us invested in his storytelling was different in each. With Thudarum, you go in expecting it to be a certain kind of film, but then you realise that he is not here to give you that, but something else. And that something else is mostly making you uncomfortable. And I don't mean this in a bad way. Make no mistake: Thudarum was made to please Mohanlal fans, and he delivers. I would even go so far as to say that Thudarum makes up for the disappointment caused to some by L2: Empuraan. Now, I'm wondering how to review a film like this, because, what we saw in the trailer was just a tiny portion of the film. A lot of things happen in the film that Tharun didn't show in the trailer. Without giving anything away, when the film's title first appears, what we see is a simple, unblemished font. But when the title reappears later instead of the usual 'interval' card, it has a couple of bloodstains. Before I went into the film, I was a bit apprehensive as I assumed Tharun made a saccharine-loaded, full-fledged feel-good entertainer. I assumed this would be his attempt at doing a Sathyan Anthikad-style family drama with plenty of laughs. Look, we do get those moments but those are all placed in, maybe, the first 30 minutes. The subsequent developments hit you like a sledgehammer the subsequent developments get progressively darker. I wouldn't say it's as dark as the recent Officer on Duty, starring Kunchacko Boban, but it comes close. But even when the film's atmosphere gets thicker and heavier with menace, maybe enough to recall one of those intense Korean thrillers, Tharun doesn't forget to inject us with doses of catharsis when we most need it. After all, Mohanlal's character, Shanmugham, is a cab driver who also happens to be a former... stuntman. But Tharun gives us this information right in the beginning, instead of the oft-repeated and ineffectively cliched way of throwing us a surprise and then telling us, "You know what? He once used to be a badass!" In so doing, Tharun scores one goal after another when we least expect him to. And as I said earlier, Tharun is unafraid to dole out one discomforting moment after another. He puts the characters of Mohanlal, Shobana, and a few others through some emotionally devastating circumstances. But he also incorporates enough meta moments and callbacks to earlier Mohanlal films both the good and the bad ones to make the overall experience more palatable. For instance, in one scene, Shobana utters two of Mohanlal's most trolled dialogues while he is experiencing a crisis. The same goes for the production design. In one shot, we see that the nursery run by Shobana is named 'Pavithram'. In another, we see that the name of the street they live in is 'Vietnam' Nagar. And there is one particularly trying situation in a police station that reminds you of Mohanlal's 1989 filmVaravelpu. There's more, but I don't intend to spoil it for those who haven't seen the film yet. All I'm saying, for now, is that once Thudarum ends, the cumulative feeling we get is that of having watched a Sibi Malayil film more than a Sathyan Anthikad film. Film: Thudarum Director: Tharun Moorthy Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Binu Pappu, Maniyanpillai Raju Rating: 3.5/5 Far-left darlings Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders are once again proving that irony is not just aliveits cruising at 41,000 feet. The socialist duo, known for their fiery crusades against wealth, capitalism, and corporate greed, were spotted disembarking from a Bombardier Challenger 604a luxury jet with a price tag that could wipe out the tuition debt of half their fanbase. The flight, costing a modest $15,000 per hour, was part of their Fighting the Oligarchy tour, which seeks to denounce well, private jets, rich people, and excess. The aircraft, a gleaming symbol of the very elite privilege they claim to battle, whisked them from stop to stopLos Angeles, Salt Lake City, Bakersfield, Nampaeach stage more anti-wealth than the last. Their campaign website insists the tour requires only a modest amount of resources. Apparently, modest is the new code word for multimillion-dollar air travel. At a rally, AOC implored the crowd to vote for Democrats who stand for the working class. Judging by her transportation upgradesshe flew first-class on JetBlue just last month to a similar eventstanding for the working class now includes reclining 180 degrees while sipping complimentary mimosas. And while they bash billionaires, their campaign literature is sure to remind readers the tour is paid for by Friends of Bernie Sanders (not the billionaires). One assumes that means just the millionaire friends. But perhaps the most dazzling contradiction of all is the environmental one. Both Sanders and AOC routinely frame climate change as an existential threat. And yet, their aircraft of choice burns through 365 gallons of fuel every 79 minutes, according to Nature journal. Thats more carbon than the average human emits in an entire yearper trip. So while AOC and Bernie continue their sky-high crusade against wealth, privilege, and carbon, the rest of us can only look upliterallyand marvel at how far the revolution has flown. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is urging President Donald Trump to abandon ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and instead launch military strikes to destroy the countrys nuclear facilities. Youre never going to be able to negotiate with that kind of regime that has been destabilizing the region for decades already, and now we have an incredible window, I believe, to do that, to strike and destroy Irans nuclear facilities, Fetterman told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview on Wednesday. Fettermans remarks come as the Trump administration prepares for a third round of talks with Iranian officials, scheduled for this weekend, aimed at dismantling Irans nuclear program. The talks, which began in Oman earlier this month, follow Trumps withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term in 2018, a move Fetterman supported. Since then, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reporting in March 2025 that Iran possesses 275 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purityclose to the 90% needed for a nuclear weapon. The senator, a staunch supporter of Israel, dismissed concerns from foreign policy experts that a military strike could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He argued that Irans proxies, including Hamas and the Houthis, have been significantly weakened, saying, The Houthis have been effectively neutered, and describing Hamas as a bunch of tunnel rats with low-quality rockets. Fetterman also criticized the negotiation team led by Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, calling their efforts unimpressive and utterly bewildering. He suggested that the negotiations should instead involve 30,000-pound bombs and the IDF. Fettermans position aligns with his consistent advocacy for strong U.S. support for Israel and a hardline stance against Iran. In March 2025, during a visit to Jerusalem, he told JNS that he fully supports partnering with Israel to bomb Irans nuclear facilities, emphasizing his refusal to turn my back on Israel. He has also previously criticized the Biden administrations approach, particularly its decision to withhold 2,000-pound bombs from Israel, a move reversed by Trump that Fetterman supported. The Trump administration has maintained that a diplomatic resolution is its primary goal but has not ruled out military action. President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of severe consequences if a deal is not reached, warning that failure to agree could result in bombing the likes of which they have never seen before. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has clarified that the administration seeks the full dismantlement of Irans nuclear program, including enrichment and weaponization capabilities. Israel has also been contemplating a limited strike on Irans nuclear facilities, according to Reuters. Israeli officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the U.S.-Iran talks, with some comparing the emerging framework to the 2015 JCPOA, which they opposed. Iran, for its part, has signaled a willingness to engage in talks, with adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, saying that Tehran would give the negotiations a genuine chance if the U.S. approaches with sincere intentions. However, Iran has rejected demands for complete dismantlement, seeking instead a deal that limits its program in exchange for sanctions relief. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) An official Egyptian source spoke to the Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat about the joint military exercise between Egypt, Russia, and China, saying that these exercises are held periodically, were planned long ago, and are not related to the tensions between Israel and Egypt about the war in Gaza. The source said that the purpose of the exercises is to increase the capabilities of the Egyptian army and maintain its strength to maintain Egypts national security, and not to pose a threat to anyone. However, he stressed that of course, anyone who is concerned will understand the message conveyed by the exercises. He added that the exercises are conducted openly, and any friendly or enemy entity, as well as potential enemy, will receive the messages according to their intentions or what they think about Egypt. Recently, Egyptian parliament member Mostafa Bakry, who is close to the government and a media personality, attacked Israel, writing on X that the Israeli claims that Egypt violated the peace agreement are false claims and an attempt to cover up the internal failure of the Israeli government. Bakry mentioned Defense Minister Yisrael Katzs statement that the United States should intervene and ask Egypt to withdraw it forces from the Sinai: We are facing a plan targeting the Egyptian army and its arms. They (the Israelis) forget the power of this army and the people behind it. This army protects the national security of the homeland. It is a respectable national army that does not know what defeat is and does not accept dictates. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagons security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press. The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseths use of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance. Known as a dirty internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the users information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagons secured connections maintain. Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if theres a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked. But the biggest advantage of using such a line is that the user would not show up as one of the many IP addresses assigned to the Defense Department essentially the user is masked, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with military network security. But it also can expose users to hacking and surveillance. A dirty line just like any public internet connection also may lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law, the official said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. A dirty internet line to use Signal The two people familiar with the line said Hegseth had it set up in his office to use the Signal app, which has become a flashpoint following revelations that he posted sensitive details about a military airstrike in two chats that each had more than a dozen people. One of the chats included his wife and brother, while the other included President Donald Trumps top national security officials. Asked about Hegseths use of Signal in his office, which was first reported by The Washington Post, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretarys use of communications systems and channels is classified. However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer, Parnell said in a statement. Its the latest revelation to shake the Pentagon. Besides facing questions from both Democrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information, Hegseth has dismissed or transferred multiple close advisers, tightly narrowing his inner circle and adding to the turmoil following the firings of several senior military officers in recent months. Trump and other administration officials have given Hegseth their full support. They have blamed employees they say were disgruntled for leaking information to journalists, with Trump saying this week: Its just fake news. They just bring up stories. I have 100% confidence in the secretary, Vice President JD Vance told reporters Wednesday about Hegseth. I know the president does and, really, the entire team does. Secure ways to communicate at the Pentagon The Pentagon has a variety of secure ways that enable Hegseth and other military leaders to communicate: The Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network can handle the lowest levels of sensitive information. It allows some access to the internet but is firewalled and has levels of cybersecurity that a dirty line does not. It cannot handle information labeled as secret. The Secure Internet Protocol Router Network is used for secret-level classified information. The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System is for top-secret and secret compartmentalized information, which is some of the highest levels of secrecy, also known as TS/SCI. Hegseth initially was going to the back area of his office where he could access Wi-Fi to use his devices, one of the people familiar said, and then he requested a line at his desk where he could use his own computer. That meant at times there were three computers around his desk a personal computer; another for classified information; and a third for sensitive defense information, both people said. Because electronic devices are vulnerable to spying, no one is supposed to have them inside the defense secretarys office. Important offices at the Pentagon have a cabinet or drawer where staff or visitors are required to leave devices. Fallout over Signal Signal is a commercially available app that is not authorized to be used for sensitive or classified information. Its encrypted, but can be hacked. While Signal offers more protections than standard text messaging, its no guarantee of security. Officials also must ensure their hardware and connections are secure, said Theresa Payton, White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush and now CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity firm. The communications of senior government officials are of keen interest to adversaries like Russia or China, Payton said. The National Security Agency issued a warning earlier this year about concerns that foreign hackers could try to target government officials using Signal. Google also advised caution about Russia-aligned hackers targeting Signal users. 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. Hegseth pulled the information about the strike on Yemens Houthi militants last month from a secure communications channel used by U.S. Central Command. He has vehemently denied he posted war plans or classified information. But the information Hegseth did post in chats exact launch times and bomb drop times would have been classified and could have put service members at risk, multiple current and former military and defense officials have said. The airstrike information was sent before the pilots had launched or safely returned from their mission. (AP) On Yom HaShoah, as Jews across the world paused to remember the kedoshim who perished in the horrors of the Holocaust, a deeply moving moment unfolded thousands of miles away in the very place where so many Yidden were taken from this world al kiddush Hashem. Y., a combat soldier from Yerushalayim serving in the Netzach Yehuda battalion the IDF unit comprised of Orthodox Jews flew to Poland on Wednesday as part of a special delegation marking Holocaust Remembrance Day. Just a few short months ago, on Chanukah, Y. was seriously injured during a brutal encounter with terrorists. An RPG struck the area where he and his fellow soldiers were operating, killing his friend Uriel Peretz Hyd, and wounding nine others. Y. himself lost a leg in the attack. Since then, he has been undergoing a grueling process of rehabilitation physically and emotionally. But Y. did not retreat. With inner strength and emunah, he chose to rise above the pain. Now, standing on one leg, he made his way to the grounds of Auschwitz, where so many of our ancestors met their end, to stand as a representative of Israels fighters. I stand here today in the name of my comrades-in-arms, Y. declared at the memorial gathering. For Uriel Hyd, for the injured, and for all those who have fallen so that we can continue to be a free nation in our Land. By his side was Mr. David Hager, a noted baal tzedakah who has stood behind Netzach Yehuda for over 25 years, supporting the soldiers who have taken up the mantle of defense. At the memorial ceremony, he joined Y. and other soldiers in lighting a ner zikaron in memory of the six million, offering tefillos for the safety of the soldiers and the future of Am Yisrael. Standing here next to Y., a chareidi soldier who gave so much for Klal Yisrael, I feel the power of the connection between generations, Mr. Hager said emotionally. Between the kedoshim of the Shoah and the brave defenders of our people today. Y. is a true gibor a walking testimony to the unbreakable spirit of Netzach Yehuda and of Am Yisrael. Your browser does not support the video tag. What began as a high-profile visit by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has descended into chaos, as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters converged outside the iconic Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway this evening, triggering confrontations, shouting matches, and reports of physical altercations with Lubavitcher bochurim. The unrest follows a whirlwind 24 hours for Ben-Gvir, a polarizing figure in Israeli politics known for his hardline views, whose presence has ignited fierce backlash across multiple New York City stops. On Wednesday night, Ben-Gvir was met with loud protests and jeering at Yale University, where demonstrators interrupted his address with chants and disruptions. Earlier today, during a visit to Wall Street Grill in Manhattan, a Palestinian supporter breached security and began screaming at the minister before being physically removed from the premises. Your browser does not support the video tag. But it was this evenings surprise stop at 770 that brought tensions to a boiling point. As news of Ben-Gvirs presence spread, protesters rapidly descended on the area, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans. Your browser does not support the video tag. Ben-Gvir later went to dine at Essen, a popular Flatbush restaurant known for hosting Israeli officials and askanim. Ben Gvir arrived there at 11:30PM under heavy security. SEE IT: The crowds outside Essen Restaurant in Flatbush as Ben Gvir arrived. Your browser does not support the video tag. A highly anticipated appearance by Ben-Gvir at the Young Israel of Woodmere has also been canceled due to similar safety concerns. Organizers cited threats of large-scale demonstrations and the risk of violence, echoing the same warnings issued by New York City police. Back in Crown Heights, the streets around 770 remain tense. The NYPD have declared a Level 2 Mobilization, bring in hundreds of officers in an attempt to keep the peace or whatever is left of it. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. While at Wall Street Grill restaurant in NYC, Ben Gvirs security had to physically remove a pro-Palestinian protester. Your browser does not support the video tag. WATCH: Youre a Nazi. Ben Gvir was confronted repeatedly for 8 minutes as he walked through Wall Street after leaving a restaurant. Gvir was surrounded by private security and NYPD as he walked with a smile, waving, confronted by opposition. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Master Sgt. (res.) Asaf Cafri, Hyd, a 26-year-old reservist from Beit Chashmonai, was killed by sniper fire in northern Gaza on Thursday. An officer from the Yahalom unit and a reserve combat soldier in the 79th Battalion were seriously injured in the same incident, and another combat soldier was moderately injured. The incident occurred when the soldiers, most of them reserve armored soldiers, were traveling in a tank in the IDF buffer zone in the northern Strip, near Beit Hanoun. At some point, the soldiers exited the tank to carry out an operational mission. Hamas terrorists lying in wait fired an anti-tank missile at them, which failed to hit them, and at the same time carried out sniper fire, killing Cafri, zl, and wounding the three others. The terrorists managed to flee the area before the soldiers could return fire. The incident occurred near the place where IDF tracker Ghaleb Sliman Alnasasra fell last Shabbos. The IDF is investigating whether the cell that attacked the forces on Thursday is the same cell that killed Alnasasra and injured five soldiers. Following the attack, the IDF launched an extensive wave of air and artillery strikes, attacking about 40 Hamas terror targets in the northern Gaza Strip. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Trump: Talks with Russia and Ukraine going well, but the situation is very fragile US President Donald Trump has said talks with Russia and Ukraine on an agreement to end the war were progressing well. Trump told reporters before flying to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral that he thinks that as for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, he thinks they're coming, but it's a very fragile situation. In a major win for Israel, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court on Thursday unanimously ruled to reconsider an Israeli challenge against the courts jurisdiction to try Israeli citizens for war crimes. The judges wrote in their decision that the pretrial panel committed an error of law by failing to sufficiently address Israels argument that it was entitled to make a jurisdictional challenge under the courts founding treaty, the Rome Statute. The judges ordered the pretrial panel to issue a new ruling on the substance of Israels challenge to the jurisdiction of the Court. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded to the ruling by stating: The International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC) doesnt have, and never had jurisdiction to issue arrest warrants against Israels Prime Minister and its former Minister of Defense. Israel is not a member of the ICC and is not party to the Rome Statute. The ICC Appeals Court instructed the Court today, to do what it should have done from the start: to make a determination with respect to jurisdiction. On this topic, there is only one correct answer: the Court has no jurisdiction over Israel. The warrants were issued unlawfully. They are null and void. However, the judges did not suspend the absurd arrest warrants for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, which were issued together with warrants against the leaders of Hamas who spearheaded the October 7 massacre, equating the democratically elected leaders of Israel with savage terrorist leaders. In addition, the warrants were issued by the morally depraved Karim Khan, who is currently under investigation for retaliating against staff who reported allegations of his inappropriate behavior and abuse of a female aide. His behavior has enveloped the ICC in a major scandal as serious concerns have arisen regarding the integrity of external probe against Khan due to his links to the investigative body, the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), a watchdog that oversees probes of UN agencies. Concerns have been raised at the highest level of the court, with one concern relating to Khans wife, Shyamala Alagendra, who previously worked at OIOS, has deep connections there, and also allegedly acted highly inappropriately following the claims against her husband, including contacting the victim directly. Additionally, it is strongly suspected that Khan issued the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant in order to deflect attention from his case. Reuters reported in July that on May 20, the same day that Khan made a surprise request for warrants to arrest Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders, he suddenly canceled a scheduled trip to Israel to collect evidence on the decision. Reuters spoke to eight people with direct knowledge of the matter, who said that plans for the visit had been discussed for months with US officials. The trip was intended to allow Israeli officials to present their position regarding the allegation of war crimes and for Khan and his team to collect evidence. Apparently, Khan decided that he didnt need any evidence for his antisemitic claims. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) As previously reported by Chaim VChessed, a significant travel update took effect at the start of 2025: all travelers to Israel are now required to complete an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before departure. Without an approved ETA, airlines will not permit passengers to board flights to Israelwith the exception of Israeli passport holders. Even Israeli citizens need an ETA if traveling on a foreign passport. With the conclusion of the busy Pesach travel season, many are now returning to Israel after the holiday, while others are arriving for the first time. Whether youre a seasoned visitor or a newcomer, it is absolutely vital to confirm that you have a valid ETA in hand before traveling. Do Student Visa Holders Need an ETA? Technically, holders of valid student visas are exempt from the ETA requirement. However, Chaim VChessed strongly recommends that even student visa holders apply for an ETA to avoid any confusion or mishap at the airport. Additionally, if your student visa has expired, you must obtain an ETA. Dont Overlook Children or Expiring Passports Parents, please take note: children of all agesincluding infantsmust have their own ETA to board a flight to Israel. This detail has caught many families off guard. Another important point to be aware of is the fact that ETAs are only issued to passports which have at least 3 months of remaining validity. Avoid Boarding Denials In recent days, Chaim VChessed has been inundated with reports from individuals who were denied boarding due to not having an ETA. These unfortunate situations often stem from misunderstanding the rules or assuming exemptions that do not apply. If you do not have a valid visa, you must apply for an ETA. If you are unsure about your status, the best course of action is to apply for an ETA just in case. Its a simple step that can prevent significant frustration and delays. In some instances, the travelers boarded flights from the USA without a valid ETA, yet were stopped at a connecting airport, and stranded there, due to their lack of an ETA. Beware of Fraudulent ETA Websites Travelers should be aware that there are several unsavory websites mimicking the official ETA site, often charging exorbitant fees for a service that is inexpensive on the official site. These third-party services may appear legitimate but should be avoided. An ETA on the authentic site costs just 25 NIS, and is valid for two years. The only correct way to apply is through the official link. Click here to apply for an ETA. President Donald Trump declared in a newly released Time Magazine interview that he believes Saudi Arabia is on the verge of joining the Abraham Accordsthe historic normalization agreements his administration first brokered between Israel and several Arab nations. I think Saudi Arabia will go into the Abraham Accords, Trump said, hinting at what could become the most significant addition to the agreement since its inception in 2020. The comments come ahead of Trumps high-stakes visit to Riyadh next monthhis second foreign trip of his second term, following a surprise appearance at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. The upcoming Saudi trip, according to Trump, may mark the beginning of a renewed wave of diplomatic deals. I think it will be full very quickly, he said, referring to the normalization framework. Trump praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling him a friend and commending the kingdoms pledge to invest a staggering trillion dollars into the American economy. His itinerary after Riyadh includes visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emiratestwo countries already closely tied to the Abraham Accords, suggesting that Trump may be orchestrating a broader regional push to rekindle the momentum of his original Middle East strategy. Trump also blamed former President Joe Biden for what he called a lost opportunity. They did nothing with the Abraham Accords, Trump charged. We had four countries in there, it was all set. We would have had it packed. Now were going to start it again. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) President Donald Trump said the United States would willingly join Israel in launching a military assault on Iran if nuclear negotiations collapse, though he still holds out hope for a diplomatic resolution. Speaking to Time Magazine in a wide-ranging interview reflecting on the first 100 days of his second term, Trump addressed mounting tensions with Tehran, his recent diplomatic outreach, and the growing pressure from Jerusalem to take action. If we dont make a deal, Ill be leading the pack, Trump said, making it clear hes not afraid of confrontation should Iran fail to come to terms. The interview follows reports that Israel recently proposed a series of coordinated strikes on Irans nuclear infrastructure. While Trump admitted he didnt outright block the Israeli initiative, he acknowledged that he didnt make it comfortable for them to proceed. Ultimately, I was going to leave that choice to them, but I said I would much prefer a deal than bombs being dropped, he explained. Yet Trumps patience appears finite. I think we can make a deal without the attack. I hope we can, he said, reiterating a preference for diplomacy even as military options remain firmly on the table. Asked whether he fears being dragged into a conflict by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump rejected the notion outright. To the contrary, he said, I may go in very willingly. The president also signaled openness to direct engagement with Irans leadership, saying he would meet with either Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or President Masoud Pezeshkian if needed. This comes just days after U.S. and Iranian officials reportedly made very good progress toward a new framework to limit Irans nuclear ambitions. Trump, who famously pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his first term, has long warned that time is running out. Since 2019, Iran has exceeded the limits set by that agreement, amassing uranium at enrichment levels far beyond what Western powers say is needed for civilian use. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Software has always been a game of time, cost, and quality. Traditionally, if you wanted fast and affordable, you had to sacrifice quality. Not anymore. Thanks to major advances in AI, software development has entered a new era and its good news for frum business owners. Rather than replacing developers, AI is making them dramatically more productive. That means custom, high-quality software is now faster to build and far more affordable. At Bitbean, this change is being led by what they call Artisanal Intelligence. Their top-tier developers still guide every project with expertise and care, but now AI helps accelerate the technical work. The result? Beautifully built, intuitive systems delivered in a fraction of the time. Were putting the art back into artificial intelligence, says CEO Ephraim Arnstein. Our developers can now focus more on what really matters structure, scale, design instead of routine code. The results speak for themselves. For a local tzedakah organization, Bitbean built a transparent donation platform customized to their unique needs in three weeks instead of three months. For a mens custom suit store, they delivered a full automation system for tailoring orders every detail accounted for in half the time it usually takes. Best of all? Bitbeans Artisanal Intelligence initiative has made premium software up to 80% more affordable, giving small and mid-size businesses access to tools that used to be out of reach. Want to learn how this shift can help your business grow? Reach out to Alex at Bitbean [email protected] | (732) 806-1125 to explore the new possibilities now within reach. A former Bank of England governor has urged Rachel Reeves to tackle Britain's staggering debt pile. King, who led the Bank of England from 2003 to 2013, told the House of Lords yesterday: 'We owe it to our grandchildren to take seriously the challenge of reducing the national debt.' He criticised Reeves's 'flawed' fiscal rules, which allow debt to keep rising as a share of GDP for the time being with the aim that it will start coming down after a few years. Warning: Mervyn King was boss of the Bank of England from 2003 to 2013 King, 77, made his comments during a Lords debate after official figures this week showed Britain's debt pile stands at 2.8 trillion, or 95,300 per household. HSBC has considered scrapping its in-person annual general meeting to cut costs and prevent disruption from protesters. The banking giant discussed moving its yearly gathering of shareholders to a digital-only format to save money on leasing venues, providing refreshments and hiring security. HSBC is also said to be considering the move to prevent its AGMs being hijacked by protesters, particularly climate activists such as Extinction Rebellion. There is speculation the bank's gathering next Friday may be its last in-person AGM, the Financial Times reported. Online only: HSBC has considered scrapping its in-person annual general meeting to cut costs and prevent disruption from protesters HSBC has denied it is considering removing the option for investors to attend the meetings in person. Climate protesters have targeted the bank on multiple occasions, interrupting chairman Mark Tucker's speech in 2022. Drugs giant AstraZeneca, toothpaste maker Haleon and building society Nationwide have made their AGMs online-only. But critics of the move say the trend violates a key principle and shareholder democracy. More than 30 victims of missile strike on Kyiv on Thurs remain in hospitals Zelenskyy More than 30 people injured in the Russian missile strike on Kyiv on Thursday night remain in hospitals, some with very serious injuries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. More than 30 people remain hospitalized, including those with severe injuries and amputations, Zelenskyy said on X Friday. According to him, rescue operations have been completed at the site of one of Russias strikes on Ukraine on April 24. On that day, in Kyiv, the Russians, unfortunately, killed 12 of our people and nearly 90 people were injured, he added. Earlier, it was reported that 12 people were killed and 90 were injured as a result of the missile strike on Kyiv. Among the injured were 12 children aged 1.5 to 18 years. At least 44 people were hospitalized. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ US President Donald Trump believes that Ukraine should never have raised the issue of joining NATO, and Crimea should remain Russian. He stated this in an interview with Time ezine. I dont think theyll ever be able to join NATO. I think that's beenfrom day one, I think that's been, that's I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO. If that weren't brought up, there would have been a much better chance that it wouldnt have started, Trump stated. Commenting on the possibility of recognizing the occupied Crimean peninsula as Russian territory, Trump stated that the return of the territory to Ukraine will not happen, and "everybody understands that." Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time, Trump believes. Crimea went to the Russians. It was handed to them by Barack Hussein Obama, and not by me. With that being said, will they be able to get it back? They've had their Russians. They've had their submarines there for long before any period that we're talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea. But this was given by Obama. This wasn't given by Trump. Would it have been taken from me like it was taken from Obama? No, it wouldn't have happened. Crimea, if I were president, it would not have been taken, he added. A veteran explorer is aiming to celebrate his 89th birthday by rowing 22 miles to help restore Britains temperate rainforests. Robin Hanbury-Tenison, 88, from Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, will row along the River Tamar across two days in May. Mr Hanbury-Tenison, who climbed Cornwalls highest peak aged 84, five months after surviving coronavirus, hopes to raise 200,000 for Thousand Year Trust, a charity dedicated to tripling the amount of temperate rainforest in the UK. The author and explorer said he is determined to complete his rowing challenge despite his familys objections. My theory is that as long as bits of you are still working, you might as well use them to your advantage, Mr Hanbury-Tenison told the PA news agency. My legs are pretty well given out now, so no more running or climbing mountains, but the arms are still pretty strong. Im just going to get out and have a nice row up and down and I think Ill do it all right, and I hope Ill raise quite a lot of money. Mr Hanbury-Tenison, who has travelled to some of the worlds most remote places, said he has always enjoyed rowing. I actually spent most of my childhood in Ireland in a tree house on an island on the lake, rowing back every morning about a mile to shore, he said. Then when I became an explorer, my first big expedition was to cross the first crossing of South America from east to west in 1958 and from north to south in 1964 to 1965. He also led the Royal Geographical Societys largest expedition to date, taking a group of 115 scientists into the rainforest in Borneo for 15 months from 1977 to 1978. Now he is supporting his son Merlin Hanbury-Tenisons efforts to preserve Britains temperate rainforest. Merlin, who founded the Thousand Year Trust in 2023, is crowdfunding to raise 750,000 to create the UKs first Rainforest Research Station and Community Hub. The station will be built on the site of the familys former farm on Bodmin Moor which has become a retreat centre and rainforest restoration project. Merlin, my son, and daughter-in-law have started a retreat there, where people come and detox in the wood itself, said Mr Hanbury-Tenison. He suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after being in the Army and a lot of people come and get therapy from being in the woodland. The trust is to triple the size of the remaining temperate rainforest. At the moment theres only little fragments and valleys. We hope to join them all up and in the next 30 years have a million acres of temperate rainforest. Mr Hanbury-Tenison will embark on his rowing challenge on May 7 and 8, marking two special occasions: his birthday and the 80th anniversary of VE Day. He aims to complete the feat in a little wooden boat which he likens to an image of The Owl And The Pussycat. The idea is that Im just doing that with a few supplies, some jelly babies on the bench in front of me, and a bunch of bananas, and off we go. You can learn more about Robin Hanbury-Tenisons challenge and the Thousand Year Trust at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-cornwall-rainforest-comm The temporary closure of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) is a result of decades of failed leadership and mismanagement, the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council has claimed. The centre in Clonskeagh in south Dublin will remain closed until further notice and an investigation and security review takes place following an incident last weekend. It remained closed for Friday prayer, however, a number of people arrived at the gates of the centre to pray. A number of gardai maintained a presence outside the centre throughout Friday. In a statement, the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council said the mosque fails to represent the diversity of Irish Muslims, and accused it of alienating its community. The Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council views the closure of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland not as an isolated incident, but as the culmination of three decades of failed leadership, where personal interests were consistently placed above the needs of the community, it said on Friday. This institution, gifted to the Muslims of Ireland by the Al-Maktoum Foundation, was meant to be a thriving hub of faith, education and unity. Instead, it has been stifled by mismanagement, exclusion and a lack of vision, preventing it from ever reaching its true potential. For too long, the ICCI has been controlled by individuals who prioritised power over service, division over unity, and stagnation over progress, including elements with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an organisation banned in multiple Arab states for its exploitation of religion for political ends. The result? A mosque that fails to represent the diversity of Irish Muslims, an administration that neglects its financial and moral accountability, and a leadership that has alienated the very community it was meant to serve. We call upon those previously entrusted with the ICCIs management to put aside personal interests and ego, recognising this is not about individuals but about safeguarding the future of Islam in Ireland. In light of longstanding governance failures, we urge them to engage in genuine reconciliation by demonstrating true leadership through voluntarily relinquishing control to allow for necessary renewal. We expect their full co-operation with the Al-Maktoum Foundation to facilitate a smooth transition of leadership to a new, representative management body capable of restoring trust and progress for our community. The ICCI belongs to the Muslim community, not to any one group. It is time for a fresh start, one built on transparency, unity, and genuine service. In a sign posted at the centres entrance gate, it said there is a temporary closure of the mosque and centre. We regret to inform you that, following the deeply troubling incident that took place on April 19 2025 an unprecedented and distressing attack on our mosque and centre, and members of the board we have no choice but to temporarily close the mosque and centre to the public, it said. This decision has been made with the utmost concern for the safety and wellbeing of our community, especially the children of the Muslim National School. The closure will remain in effect until we are able to: complete a full investigation into the events of April 19; review and implement robust safety and security protocols. This is a deeply sorrowful moment in the history of our mosque and centre. We ask for your continued support and prayers as we work toward recovery and renewal during this difficult time. Sincerely, management. Just a few more things we want to consider with our closest readers as we take a peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines one more time . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . Home Team Bounces Back Royals finish the sweep with a 6-2 win in game two of the Rockies double header Royals offensive success continues as they put up 13 runs on the day and come away with a sweep against the Rockies. Local Help Amid Harsh Times Federal cuts hitting Kansas City food banks hard; fundraiser planned to stock shelves Community kitchens like Nourish KC have spent the last month trying to stretch a delivery of 8,000 pounds of food. The usual monthly delivery was 20,000 pounds. More Deets On New Digs 'A dream come true': Husband & wife architects share design vision for Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art expansion WEISS/MANFREDI, a New York architecture firm, is the winner of a months-long competition to design an expansion of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Community Fabric Alternatives 9 Kansas City area craft stores that makers can turn to after Joann closings Discover 9 Kansas City craft stores for fabric, yarn, and supplies after Joann closures. Explore small businesses offering unique materials and classes. Soaring Above Money Pit New Kansas City Zoo zipline attraction opening this week Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium visitors will get a bird's eye view of several exhibits thanks to a new attraction. We Remember Gen X Host Brooke Burke, 53, reveals trick to staying slim as she models bikini The 52-year-old Dancing With The Stars veteran was smiling as she had on a neon green suit. There was not a spot of fat on the mother-of-four as she looked more muscular than in the past. MAGA Targets Opposition Cash Trump tells DOJ to investigate Democrats donation platform ActBlue ActBlue called Trump's action "blatantly unlawful." Progressively Divided DNC chair rebukes David Hogg over plan to primary 'out of touch' Democrats Ken Martin says young progressive must choose between vice-chair role and desire to unseat 'ineffective' incumbents Tech Security Plagues Appointee Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal, AP sources say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon's security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer. Guv Cutbacks Cont'd Exclusive: US Justice Dept grant cuts valued at $811 million, people familiar say The U.S. Justice Department is terminating grants totaling $811 million for a wide range of services to crime victims, including trauma recovery centers and sign language interpretation, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Strongman Weakens Over Time Health of Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro has worsened, doctors say The 70-year-old, who remains in intensive care, underwent intestinal surgery earlier this month - and currently faces coup charges. Vlad Offers Terms Again Russia's top diplomat says Kremlin is "ready to reach a deal" with U.S. on Ukraine, some elements to be "fine tuned" Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told "Face the Nation" that the Kremlin is "ready to reach a deal," but some elements need to be "fine tuned." Middle-East Fight Proves Expensive Houthi rebels have shot down 7 US Reaper drones worth $200 million in recent weeks Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven U.S. Reaper drones in less than six weeks. It's a loss of aircraft worth more than $200 million in what is becoming the most dramatic cost to the Pentagon of the military campaign against the Iran-backed militants. Far East Flexes Amid Trade War China says there are no negotiations with the US over tariffs China has denied U_S_ President Donald Trump's assertion that the two sides were involved in active negotiations over tariffs, saying that any suggestion of progress in this matter was as groundless as "trying to catch the wind." Spicy Old School Inferno Erupts Staten Island sex toy fire destroyed home of 88-year-old woman, who's now living in terror A blaze on Staten Island that started with sex toys being set on fire in a backyard and then spread quickly destroyed the home of an 88-year-old woman and has left her living in terror, her family told the Daily News. "The first night she had a nightmare, she screamed really loud. Hometown Charm Emerges How this 'Hallmark town' gets its country charm from a Main Street serial entrepreneur "I have a lot of passion for for Warsaw," said apparel designer-turned-shop owner Jennifer Flores. "I think it's the most special place in the world, honestly. And so when I went away to college, I knew that I always wanted to come back and work." Spring Showers Forecast . . . Scattered showers expected tonight; severe weather risk Monday Scattered storms are possible Thursday night in Kansas City, with more rain Friday morning. Severe weather is possible Monday evening. And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Longtime local denizens of the discourse know this power player from his time in local politics. Now he's pushing back against the White House over a controversial immigration decision. Here are the basics of the legal ruckus that'll probably rest with a higher court . . . Check-it: U.S. District Court Stephen Bough signed the order on Thursday. According to the judge's decision, the Department of Homeland Security recently terminated the visa registrations of the five students in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), the database maintained by DHS to track information about non-immigrant students. Bough's decision states DHS cannot revoke the studentss visas. It also prevents the government from detaining or deporting the students. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . US signals about possible withdrawal from peace process intended to stimulate peace process- Ukrainian MFA Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi commented on US statements about a possible withdrawal from peace talks. "We have seen comments and signals, in particular from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. We believe that this is part of a communications strategy. That is, by sending such signals publicly, the American side is trying to stimulate the peace process. To speed it up. It is in this context that we are considering this," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday. According to Tykhyi, Ukraine has not received any official information about the US' alleged desire to withdraw from the so-called "peace process." "As of now, we have not received any official, diplomatic information, correspondence, notes, or anything through officially closed diplomatic channels about preparations for withdrawal from the peace process," the spokesperson emphasized. He added that Ukraine treats this "normally, as signals that are intended to speed up this process" and "does not dramatize it." Separately, Tykhyi once again emphasized that Ukraine adheres to a principled position, the Constitution of Ukraine, and the national interests of Ukraine. "I can assure everyone of this absolutely clearly," he said. Near the conclusion of another turbulent week, this morning we roundup recent news regarding police action, suspected misdeed, neighborhood testimony, mugshots, court deets and, as always, community outreach. Check TKC news gathering . . . Kansas City man charged in high-speed, street-racing crash that killed two A man is facing charges in connection with a crash that killed two people during a street race in Kansas City late last year. Man charged after allegedly threatening teens with gun at Olathe playground An 18-year-old is charged with aggravated assault in Johnson County, Kansas after a group of teens said he pulled a gun on them last Friday. Raytown man pleads guilty to possessing, transferring 2 machine gun conversion devices Darrius Harris, also known as "D" and "D2," pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri, to possessing and transferring two machine gun conversion devices. Questions remain after Wednesday's homicide in KC's Northland New details are being revealed about what led up to the death of a young man who was shot in the front yard of his Northland home Wednesday afternoon. Neighbors describe 'active' night following Northland teen's death Neighbors are still trying to come to terms with what happened after a teenager was shot and killed in a Northland neighborhood in broad daylight. Kansas City man sentenced for 2023 deadly strangulation of woman A Kansas City man was sentenced on Tuesday, for the fatal strangulation of Elizabeth Stivers in March of 2023. Kansas City man sentenced to more than 2 decades for fatal strangulation A Kansas City man who strangled a woman to death just over two years ago was sentenced Tuesday to more than two decades in prison. Man sentenced for officer assault after forcing plane to land at KCI in 2022 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 Ai... Lee's Summit man pleads guilty after stolen shotguns found in wrecked truck A Lee's Summit man could spend more than a dozen years in federal prison after stolen firearms were found in the back of his pickup during a 2022 crash in Independence. Missouri couple accused of starving one-year-old, parents blame pot: police A Carthage, Missouri couple is charged with abusing and starving their one-year-old son. How Cecil Brooks, charged in KCK sex trafficking conspiracy, became a DEA informant | Opinion KCKPD detective Roger Golubski wasn't the only defendant whose law enforcement work would have made prosecuting this case so unlikely. From Melinda Henneberger: Colombian man dies in ICE custody at jail in central Missouri The man died April 8 after he was found unresponsive at the Phelps County Jail, in Rolla, about 100 miles west of St. Louis, the agency said. Fairway woman concerned roofing company scammed her Jules Kellogg, a Fairway, Kansas resident, has been working with a company named Evolve Construction since her roof was damaged during a storm last summer. Overland Park police need the public's help to find dog that bit woman Overland Park police need the public's help to find a dog owner whose dog bit a woman Thursday afternoon. KCPD Sergeant Shines In Parallel Careers Deployed to the Middle East, Hollie Brannen was exactly where she wanted to be serving her country and her state in the Missouri Army National Guard. It was the call to service, after all, that drew Brannen away from managing a bowling center to following her heart. That call also summoned her to KCPD where Brannen, nearly 13 years later, is a sergeant at East Patrol Division. Developing . . . . . . . Zelenskyy on farewell trip to Pope Francis: If I don't make it, Ukraine will be represented at level of foreign minister and First Lady Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy notes the importance of Ukraine being present at the farewell ceremony for Pope Francis in Rome, and if he himself does not have time to come to the ceremony, then Ukraine will be represented at the level of Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and First Lady Olena Zelenska. "If I don't make it, Ukraine will be represented at a decent level. The foreign minister and the first lady will be there. As for me, it was important for me to be here," Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday. He also reported that he had several military meetings scheduled today, as well as Headquarters. "There are several closed questions regarding this strike [the Russian strike on the night of April 24] and regarding Ukraine's response. I don't know how long this will take. If I have time, I will definitely be present [at the farewell ceremony for the Pope], because I have already said that this is important for Ukraine," Zelenskyy added. As reported, on April 21, the Vatican announced the death of 88-year-old Pope Francis. Pope Francis' body was transferred to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on April 23 for a three-day lay in state. The basilica was open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday. Pope Francis' funeral will take place on April 26. It was previously planned that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would go to pay his last respects to Pope Francis. However, after the shelling of Ukraine on the night of April 24, he cut short the South African part of his visit and announced that he was returning to Kyiv. 04/25/2025 By Ellen Wetmore This is a July 10-day residency in the Alentejo, Portugal, to study biology by doing basic lab work, and, with those results, we create art work. We do microscopy, collect local vegetation, examine DNA and marine life, study soil samples and native clay. In the Alentejo we work with materials from an autochthonous forest featuring native cork (quercus suber) and strawberry trees (arbutus unedo). Soil samples have yielded local ochres (yellow and brown pigments) from which we make and use paint. Our host is Cultivamos Cultura where we will stay and learn to cook local dishes. Trips include visits to the Atlantic coast near Vila Nova de Milfontes, the Mira river, and the Biodiversity Park at Ribeira do Torgal. Some funding available to UML students. Art Exhibition to follow in the fall on campus. No previous experience needed. Counts as an AH credit. Check out the brochure for more information or contact Ellen_Wetmore@uml.edu. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Sad to see Kashmiri students attacked after Pahalgam attack: Rahul Gandhi Leader of Opposition (LoP) and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday April 25, 2025 expressed concerns over the attacks on Kashmiri students in different parts of the country after Pahalgam terrorist attack Friday April 25, 2025 11:36 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies Srinagar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Friday April 25, 2025 expressed concerns over the attacks on Kashmiri students in different parts of the country after Pahalgam terrorist attack. It is sad that some people in the rest of the country are attacking our brothers and sisters in Kashmir. It is imperative that we all stay united, stand together, fight against this barbaric attack and defeat terrorism once and for all, Rahul Gandhi said while speaking to reporters in Srinagar Friday. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Kashmir Friday and went to hospital to meet those injured in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. At least 28 people 27 tourists and 01 local horseman, were killed by 4-5 gunmen on April 22, 2025 in Pahalgam . Some 17 other tourists were injured in the worst attack on civilians in the last 25 years. Talking to reporters, Rahul Gandhi also said that the motive behind the attack is to divide the society on communal lines and asked the countrymen to stay united. The intention behind this attack is to divide the society and pit brother against brother. At such a time, it is extremely important that every Indian stays united and stands together so that we can foil this conspiracy of the terrorists, he said. Rahul also praised the Kashmiris saying the whole of Jammu and Kashmir have condemned this horrific attack and have fully supported the country. Kashmiri students targeted Talking to The Indian Express, Isherpreet Singh Sidhu, NSUI President, Punjab said two female Kashmiri students were harassed by some boys a day after the Pehalgam attack while they were returning to their PG after college in Kharar. Talking to media J&K Students Association National Convenor Nasir Khuehami said they have been receiving multiple distress calls from Kashmiri students from Dehradun. "The students feel threatened and insecure in the aftermath of a video released by Hindu Rakhsha Dal, warning Kashmiri Muslim students to vacate Dehradun", he said. There are also reports from some places where Kashmiri students were asked to vacate their rented premises. From some places, boycott calls of Kashmiris are also being reported. The Kashmiri students of Universal Group of Institutions, Derabassi, Chandigarh said local individuals and other students forcefully entered the hostel at midnight and assaulted them with sharp weapons. It is also alleged that Kashmiri students in Arni University, Kathghar (Indora) and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh have been harassed, abused, and physically attacked. In a report Al Jazeera said from Uttarakhand, Punjab, to Uttar Pradesh, landlords are pushing Kashmiri tenants out; and shopkeepers are refusing to trade with them. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home United States: Judge arrested for 'obstructing' Trump's immigration operation In a bizarre turn of event in the wake of President Donald Trumps hardline deportation policies, a judge in Wisconsin state of U.S. was Friday April 25, 2025 arrested for what the security agencies said 'obstructing' immigration operation Saturday April 26, 2025 0:38 AM , ummid.com News Desk In a bizarre turn of event in the wake of President Donald Trumps hardline deportation policies, a judge in Wisconsin state of U.S. was Friday April 25, 2025 arrested for what the security agencies said 'obstructing' immigration operation. In a post on social media FBI Director Kash Patel wrote the Milwaukee County circuit judge, Hannah Dugan, was arrested for helping an undocumented migrant evade federal agents last week. The post was later deleted, news agency Reuters reported. The US Marshals Service spokesperson later told the media about the arrest, saying that the judge was arrested at the courthouse Friday (April 25, 2025) morning. After deleting the first post, Kash Patel again took to the social media platform X and wrote, We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest." Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public, Patel wrote. Forceful deportation of "illegal" and "undocumented" migrants in the United States is one of the many controversial promises Trump had made during the 2024 U.S. President election campaign. The Trump administration, however, is facing a lot of legal hurdles in implementing its strict immigration policy. Many of the attempts have been blocked by a number of courts, bringing the executive and the judiciary in the country on loggerheads. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. US backed proxy war against Myanmar Junta and Bangladesh dilemma Highly placed sources said that the mission is to support a US-backed proxy war in Rakhine state against the Myanmar military junta, and wants Bangladesh to join Friday April 25, 2025 5:50 PM , Saleem Samad In recent times, there has been a gargantuan development in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Large swatches of the Rakhine state have been occupied by the rebel Arakan Army (AA) with a political objective of confederalism of the ethnic Rakhine community. The Rakhine state in northern Myanmar borders 270 kilometers of Bangladesh. The battle-hardened foot soldiers of Arakan Army political objective is to achieve regional autonomy of the ethnic Rakhine community. Arakan Army - A Brief History The Arakan Army, fighting since 2014, have seized control of 13 of the 17 townships in Rakhine State, including all townships along the border with Bangladesh. However, the state capital, Sittwe, and the port city of Kyaukpyu remain under the control of the Myanmar military junta. Founded in April 2009, the Arakan Army is the military wing of the United League of Arakan (ULA). It is currently led by Commander-in-Chief, Major General Twan Mrat Naing. It is the military wing of the Rakhine ethnic people in Rakhine state, where they are the majority. The majority are Buddhists and a mix of Christian and animistic tribes (describes the belief that natural objects and phenomena, such as plants, animals, rocks, and the weather, have souls or spirits). The Rakhine seek greater autonomy from Myanmars government and want to restore the sovereignty of the Arakan people. It was declared a terrorist organization in 2020 by Myanmar, and again by the military junta in 2024, headed by a 69-year-old General Min Aung Hlaing, who has ruled Myanmar with an iron hand as the Chairman of the State Administration Council since seizing power in the February 2021 coup detat. He assumed his position as President in July 2024. Millions of ethnic Rakhine are victims of forced displacement due to the conflict and onslaught of the government forces, and another 1.2 million ethnic Rohingya Muslims are languishing in crowded camps in Coxs Bazar in southeast Bangladesh. The displaced Rakhine community are starving due to want of food and do not have cash to buy food. There is an unconfirmed report that a consignment of food from the international food aid has been clandestinely sent to the beleaguered Rakhine state. The internally displaced refugees are demanding more food aid for their survival. Food and water supplies have been blocked by the Myanmar Junta to regions held by the rebels. The AA and rebel China National Army have reached out to Bangladesh for food aid and to reopen trade between the two countries. Bangladesh has not officially come up with a decision for food aid and trade. Earlier the government had said that they cannot hold talks with AA, as they are not a legitimate authority representing Myanmar. But, last week the Adviser, Tauhid Hossain, for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs said Bangladesh may hold dialogue with AA for a number of pressing agendas, including border security, fresh influx of Rohingya refugees and other crucial issues. Silkhali Corridor Project The nascent Interim Government is in a dilemma as to whether Bangladesh should okay the Silkhali Corridor proposed by the Americans to provide food and logistics to keep the people of Rakhine state, or to continue with the challenge against the military junta in Naypyidaw, the new capital of Myanmar. For military and strategic development, a team of military strategists has identified Silkhali as a supply hub for operations in Myanmars Rakhine state. Well, no construction has yet begun, but top military visits (including Bangladesh Army COAS General Waker-uz-Zaman) confirm a positive nod for the site, which is in proximity to the conflict zone. Silkhali is a revenue village, 30 kilometer north of Teknaf, near the Naf River, which separates Myanmar and Bangladesh. The corridor is presumed for the planned Rohingya repatriation once the operation begins. The site is adjacent to the Bangladesh Armys artillery field firing range (used for Turkish field guns and anti-tank guided missile ATGMs mortars). The coastal location is ideal for artillery testing and covert logistics movement, and has a thick forest cover often visited by elephant herds. A massive logistics hub near Teknaf is under construction for supply movement. Meanwhile, the Coxs Bazar airport is being upgraded for Turkish UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) operations for the Silkhali Corridor. US Backed Proxy War Recently, three US officials, Susan Stevenson (Charge dAffaires based in Naypyidaw, Nicole Chulick (Deputy Assistant Secretary, South Central Asia) and Andrew Herrup (Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asia-Pacific) flew into Dhaka. It is not clear whether they have visited Silkhali. Sources privy to the development said the US diplomats held secret parleys in Dhaka with representatives of the Arakan Army and the Chin National Front (CNF). The AA and CNF refused to ally with the jihadist Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) as a condition for the secret meeting, the source said. Their refusal led to the recent arrest of ARSA supremo Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi from the fringe of the capital Dhaka. He is accused of waging deadly 2017 attacks that led to a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar and forced 750,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh. It could not be ascertained which agency ensured the safe passage for the Myanmar rebels to Dhaka and return to their secret headquarters in Rakhine and Chin states. However, a senior diplomat with the US embassy in Dhaka denied such meetings with Myanmar rebels. He also said he does not know whether any dialogue with the rebels is planned to finalise logistics support for the supply of food aid. Well, the plan for logistics and supply to Rakhine state will not include the Bangladesh Armys role in the US-backed operation. Bangladesh government of Prof Muhammad Yunus is strict in ensuring that the armys 10th, 17th, and 24th Divisions will not get involved in any combat role except for facilitating logistics. The United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) has been deployed for the proxy war and logistics at the Silkhali Corridor. Highly placed sources said that the mission is to support a US-backed proxy war in Rakhine state against the Myanmar military junta. The mission will provide weapons, training to Arakan Army and CNF guerrillas, food and other supplies. Myanmar is staunchly anti-US and anti-West. This diplomacy has pushed Naypyidaw to develop strategic and military alliances with China and Russia. On the other hand, America, the European Union, as well as the United Nations have imposed several economic and diplomatic sanctions against Myanmar. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of the Myanmar military junta, is facing an international arrest warrant issued in November 2024 by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, for crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya Muslims. At least 6,700 Rohingya, including at least 730 children under the age of five, were killed in the month after the violence broke out in 2017, according to medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Amnesty International says the Myanmar military also raped and abused Rohingya women and girls. The primary objective of the US proxy war is to capture the most wanted war criminals, especially General Hlaing and six other Myanmar senior military officials responsible for the genocide against the Rohingya people, to stand trial in the ICC. Washington is actively working with the National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (NUG), under the leadership of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, currently imprisoned in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) for sedition. NUG has been able to ally to share power and bury differences and frictions with most of the ethnic rebel groups that took up weapons for confederalism and have overrun two-thirds of the territories once held by the junta. [The writer, Saleem Samad, is an award-winning independent journalist based in Bangladesh. The above article was first published in the Strathieia Policy Journal, Islamabad, Pakistan on 25 April 2025.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Ukraine expects security guarantees from the United States to be as strong as those of Israel, and also needs the Patriot air defense system, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, answering a question from an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent about what security guarantees Ukraine expects from the United States. "There is an issue that I am discussing... regarding security guarantees from the United States of America. We really want them to be strong, at least as strong as Israel's," Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday. In addition, Ukraine expects a military contingent from its European partners. "We are working on the infrastructure of security guarantees. Even where there are European troops, we are talking about the backstop of the United States of America," Zelenskyy said. According to him, he spoke with US President Donald Trump that for Ukraine, a "backstop" does not necessarily mean "boots on the ground" in Ukraine. "I know that the United States of America does not look at this very positively, so we are talking about intelligence work, we are talking about cyber defense, we are talking primarily about the Patriot air defense systems," Zelenskyy emphasized. He also added that security guarantees are needed on land, in the air and at sea. "The Ukrainian Defense Minister shared our latest developments with his counterpart in London, and I think we will continue to work at the military level on this security guarantee infrastructure," Zelenskyy said. During a working meeting in London, the Ukrainian side proposed its responses to US proposals, in particular regarding the contingent and format of protection, as provided for in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "There were American proposals or visions, and in response to this, the working group in London, which consisted of our colleagues from Europe and the USA, proposed our vision of the proposals that the USA had made. There are answers there," Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday. The President emphasized that Ukraine's accession to NATO does not depend on the wishes of the Russian Federation, but above all on the allied position of its partners. "And therefore, if it is not there, then at the present time we need security guarantees. We are absolutely open, this is proposed in this paper - I do not know how to say this, because this is not a document yet, these are proposals and our responses to these proposals," the President added. "There are absolutely constructive proposals there, as I said, both the contingent and the format of the fifth amendment. Not the fifth amendment itself, but specifically those forces and the kind of protection that the fifth amendment provides for in NATO countries," the president explained. According to Zelenskyy, relevant proposals have been made, and Ukraine is awaiting a response. Only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian, Ukraine will never legally recognize any temporarily occupied territories as Russian, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, answering a question from an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent regarding US President Donald Trump's statement that Crimea should remain Russian. "Our position is unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian. And the Constitution of Ukraine decides: all temporarily occupied territories are temporarily occupied, they all belong to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian people. Ukraine will not legally recognize any temporarily occupied territories," Zelenskyy told reporters on Friday. The President stressed that this is an absolutely fair position, which is also legal from the point of view of international law. "In this, even those countries that constantly balance between us and Russia, even they all recognize the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula," the president added. As reported, US President Donald Trump believes that Ukraine should never have raised the issue of joining NATO, and Crimea should remain Russian. He stated this in an interview with the Time ezine. COLUMBIA, S.C. The University of South Carolina has renamed its College of Arts and Sciences the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, honoring a transformative $75 million gift from alumnus Peter McCausland, his wife Bonnie, and The McCausland Foundation. Announced on April 23, 2025, during a ceremony on the university's historic Horseshoe, this donation marks the largest single gift in USC's history and will enhance academic programs, faculty support, and student opportunities. "This gift is truly extraordinary," said Joel H. Samuels, dean of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. "The liberal arts and sciences have always been the foundation of higher education, but our success in preparing students to launch careers is often overlooked. This gift allows us to create programs that will help our students discover their interests and develop skill sets that help them thrive in purposeful careers" Peter McCausland, a 1971 USC graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, founded Airgas, Inc., a leading supplier of specialty gases. As chairman and CEO, he navigated Airgas through a high-profile hostile takeover attempt from 2009 to 2011 before its sale in 2016. The McCauslands have previously supported USC, establishing the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging in 2006 and the McCausland Faculty Fellowship in 2014. The donation will fund significant initiatives within the college. It will provide paid internship stipends for up to 150 students per year, creating one of the nation's premier career development programs for liberal arts and sciences students. The gift will also invest in the college's neuroscience major, the university's fastest-growing academic program, by creating funds for student and faculty research. Faculty excellence will be supported through the expansion of the McCausland Faculty Fellowship, recognizing outstanding teaching and research. "At the University of South Carolina, Peter McCausland discovered his passion for history, which helped him develop the confidence, critical thinking and communication skills necessary to pursue a successful career," Samuels said. "This gift empowers our college to do this for even more students as we begin this next chapter of our history" With over 10,000 students enrolled in 38 undergraduate and 36 graduate programs, the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences is USC's academic cornerstone. Every USC student takes at least one course in the college to fulfill general education requirements, making it integral to the university's mission of fostering critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. This renaming is the third donor-named college at USC since 2023, following the Joseph F. Rice School of Law and the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, each supported by $30 million gifts. The McCausland gift reflects USC's growing philanthropic momentum, with prior donations naming the Darla Moore School of Business and the Arnold School of Public Health. The McCausland College of Arts and Sciences is poised to become a national leader in liberal arts and sciences education, driving innovation and opportunity for South Carolina and beyond. This historic gift underscores the profound impact of alumni giving on higher education. NEW YORK Columbia University prepared for a wave of pro-Palestinian protests on April 24, 2025, as reports surfaced of planned tent encampments on its campuses in response to the ongoing war in Gaza. However, the anticipated demonstrations did not take place, leaving the university's Morningside Heights and Manhattanville campuses quiet, according to university officials and NBC News reporting. The university had been on high alert following a leaked recording obtained by NBC News, which revealed plans for encampments on Thursday at the main campus and Friday at Manhattanville. Organizers, cautious after last year's protests, referred to the encampments as "the circus" in coded language and advised against wearing masks to avoid alerting campus security. Columbia's public safety team responded swiftly, reiterating that "camping and encampments on Columbia's campuses are prohibited by University Policy" in an email to the community. "Our focus is on protecting the safety of our community and ensuring that the University is able to proceed normally with all academic activities," a university spokesperson stated. "We are closely monitoring, as always, for any disruptions, and campus activities are currently proceeding as usual". The university warned that encampments violate policy and could lead to disciplinary action, a stance reinforced after last year's protests, which saw over 200 arrests and the resignation of President Minouche Shafik amid criticism of her handling of the demonstrations. Last spring, Columbia became a focal point for nationwide protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza, sparked by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed over 1,200 people. Students set up encampments, occupied buildings, and demanded divestment from companies tied to Israel, leading to clashes with police and accusations of antisemitism. The university faced further scrutiny this year when the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding, citing inadequate responses to campus protests, prompting Columbia to tighten protest policies. While Columbia saw no encampments, approximately 50 masked protesters wearing Palestinian keffiyehs gathered outside the City College of New York (CCNY) on Thursday afternoon, though it's unclear if they were linked to Columbia's planned protests. The absence of demonstrations at Columbia may reflect heightened security, organizer caution, or a chilling effect from recent federal actions, including the arrests of Columbia students Mohsen Mahdawi and Mahmoud Khalil for their roles in prior protests. Columbia's experience underscores the ongoing tension between free expression and campus safety, as universities nationwide navigate politically charged protests. With disciplinary proceedings against past protesters still ongoing and new policies in place, Columbia remains a flashpoint for activism and debate. United States Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Mark Stelton (left) and Kenneth Sims, a UW professor of geology and geophysics and a member of the USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, examine a large tephra deposit inside of the Henrys Forks Caldera. Sims and other research scientists recently discovered that mafic volcanism of Henrys Fork Caldera -- located in eastern Idaho and west of Yellowstone National Park -- occurred concurrently with second- and third-cycle rhyolite volcanism in and around the Yellowstone caldera. The research was published this month in the journal Geology. (Brandi Lawer Photo) Kenneth Sims and other research scientists recently discovered that mafic volcanism of Henrys Fork Caldera -- located in eastern Idaho and west of Yellowstone National Park -- occurred concurrently with second- and third-cycle rhyolite volcanism in and around the Yellowstone caldera. The revelation, detailed in a recently published paper, helps provide a new and younger timeline of volcanic activity in the Henrys Fork Caldera region and adds knowledge to the chronology of mafic eruptions and their temporal relation to rhyolitic volcanism in the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, of which little was previously known. Essentially, it changes our understanding of the Yellowstone magmatic system by showing how basaltic eruptions have thermally primed Yellowstone's big caldera-forming eruptions and shows that there are some very young eruptions in the Henrys Fork Caldera, says Sims, a University of Wyoming professor of geology and geophysics and a member of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Sims was second author of a paper titled New 40Ar/39Ar eruption ages reveal an important temporal relationship between mafic and silicic volcanism in the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field that appeared in this months print edition of the journal Geology. Geology, the journal of the Geological Society of America, features rapid publication of about 23 refereed four-page papers each month. Articles cover all Earth science disciplines and include new investigations and provocative topics. Cole Messa, a former Ph.D. student under Sims in UWs Wyoming High Precision Isotope Laboratory, and now a research professional in the School of Energy Resources, was the papers lead author. Other contributors to the paper were Brandi Lawler, a UW Ph.D. student in geology and geophysics; Mark Stelton, a scientist with the USGS Volcano Center in Moffett Field, Calif.; and Mel Kuntz, a research geologist with the USGS in Denver. To address the information gap in understanding volcanism in Yellowstone, the research team collected 13 samples of 40Ar/39Ar eruption ages from mafic lava flows of the Henrys Fork Caldera region, according to the paper. A mafic volcanic eruption is one characterized by lava flows low in silica and high in iron and magnesium. Rhyolitic lava flows are viscous in nature and form lava domes that are thick and blocky. Yellowstones caldera forming super-eruptions also are rhyolitic in composition. This study produced a timeline of volcanic activity in Henrys Fork Caldera and related it to volcanic eruptions linked to Yellowstones most recent caldera-forming cycle, the paper says. The new timeline determined that extra-caldera mafic volcanism in Henrys Fork Caldera frequently followed rhyolitic volcanism in Yellowstone caldera. This alignment of eruption timing led the researchers to suggest that periods of volcanic unrest at Yellowstone are characterized by an increase in activity in the lower, basaltic portion of the magmatic system that provides the heat necessary to spur the shallow, rhyolitic portion of the magmatic system into growing and/or erupting, Sims says. USGS Scientist Mark Stelton hammers a basaltic rock to assure the quality of the sample for 40Ar/39Ar dating and radiogenic isotope analysis. (Brandi Lawer Photo) These periods of increased activity in the lower portion of the magmatic system are manifested on the surface as periods where numerous basaltic magmas erupt outside the caldera while rhyolites, which are less dense, block the basalt from rising where a rhyolite magma chamber is present -- namely in the Yellowstone caldera -- but may erupt themselves, Sims says. This explains why Yellowstone caldera is characterized by numerous episodes of rhyolite lava flow activity that correlate in time with basaltic activity outside of the caldera. Another striking conclusion from the new research is the identification of a basalt eruption that is just 35,000 years old located in the Henrys Fork Caldera region, Sims says. Previously, it was thought that the youngest eruption in the region was the rhyolite lava of the Pitchstone Plateau about 70,000 years ago, while the youngest known basalt flow was 120,000 years old. The new result means that this 35,000-year-old basalt is now the youngest Yellowstone eruption known, Sims says. The younger age implies that basaltic activity remains possible west of Yellowstone National Park, and that the deeper, basaltic portion of Yellowstones magmatic system has been active since the last known eruption of rhyolite at Yellowstone. The results of this study also were highlighted in the Yellowstone Volcano Observatorys Caldera Chronicles here. The study was funded by the Wyoming National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Grant Consortium, USGS Jack Kleinman Grants for Volcano Research, the Wyoming Geological Association and the Tobacco Root Geological Society. 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. On 21 April, the UN Security Council examined the situation in Haiti. Since February, organized crime groups have launched coordinated attacks to expand territorial control and undermine state authority, killing 1,086 people in two months. Director of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Ecuadorian Maria Isabel Salvador (photo) confirmed that the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS) has so far deployed in only 40 percent of the territory, leaving the rest of the country under gang domination. Remember that MMAS is not a UN force, but a Kenyan one, deployed at the request of the United States with a UN mandate. The Chinese delegation invited the "sovereign nation" of Haiti to form a legitimate government without delay and to stop relying on systematic help from abroad. It also accused the U.S. of longstanding interference in Haitian affairs. Having orchestrated the installation of a new government a year ago, Washington is now turning a blind eye, despite the chaos, by not actually enforcing the arms embargo it agreed to impose. The result is that the gangs are better equipped than the Haitian National Police, while most of the weapons arriving in Haiti come from the United States. The French delegation also confirmed its intention to continue the "work of remembrance" initiated by President Emmanuel Macron, who announced on April 17 the creation of a joint Franco-Haitian commission in charge of studying the debt retroactively demanded by King Charles X for the liberation of slaves. Any foreign military personnel, who intend to participate in the parade in Moscow on May 9, must realize that they will be marching side by side with people who committed war crimes in Ukraine, said Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi. "I will repeat our general attitude to the event that Moscow will call the victory parade on May 9. We believe that the Russian military who will march on Red Square on May 9 not only have nothing to do with the victory over Nazism, but are also, quite possibly, participants in war crimes against Ukrainians during the Russian aggression against Ukraine," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday. The spokesperson stressed that "any foreign military personnel who plan to participate in this parade must realize that they will likely be marching side by side with people who committed war crimes in Ukraine." "In our opinion, this has nothing to do with honoring the feat of the victors over Nazism - and this, by the way, is not only Russians," Tykhyi said. He also noted the enormous role of Ukraine in World War II and the losses amounting to 8 million people. He called the downplaying of Ukraine's participation as one of the countries that won the victory over Nazism a cynical manipulation and distortion of historical truth. Earlier, the media reported that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had not changed his mind about visiting Moscow on May 9, despite warnings from the European Union, and said that Serbia was participating in the "joint" organization of the parade in Moscow. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation Sergei Naryshkin has met with a representative of the Syrian special services in Baku, the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service said in an interview with TASS, Trend reports. A conference on Afghanistan was held in Baku. One of the heads of the Syrian special services was there. Our meeting with him was held in an absolutely constructive and friendly atmosphere, he said. Pope's funeral procession will be held at walking pace through the streets of Rome. The funeral of Pope Francis will be held in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on Saturday 26 April at 10.00, after three days of lying in state in the papal basilica. Almost 130,000 mourners have paid their respects to the late pontiff since Wednesday morning, with St Peter's Basilica staying open throughout the night to cope with the crowds. In keeping with his request to simplify the papal funeral rites, Pope Francis' body is lying in an open wooden casket, after he eliminated the tradition of having three coffins of cypress, lead and oak. The public viewing will end on Friday evening at 19.00 however access to Piazza San Pietro will close at 17.00. The Vatican Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will preside at the Rite of Sealing the Coffin at 20.00, in a ceremony that will be broadcast live on Vatican News' channels. The Camerlengo is entrusted with the administration of the Vatican during the papal interregnum - the period between the death of a pope and the election of a new one. On Saturday morning, St Peter's Square will host dozens of world leaders and foreign delegations, cardinals, priests and hundreds of thousands of faithful who will attend Pope Francis' funeral. Tickets are not required for the event but expect huge crowds, with Rome even busier than usual as this is Jubilee Year. The city has boosted its transport services and will televise the funeral ceremony on giant screens on Via della Conciliazione as well as in Piazza Pia, Piazza Risorgimento and Piazza Esquilino. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the funeral liturgy and deliver the final commendation and valediction when the pope's coffin is taken inside St Peter's Basilica. The late pontiff's body will then be transferred for burial in Romes Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, or St Mary Major, located about six kilometres from St Peter's. The funeral procession, which will be held at walking pace, will cross the bridge onto Corso Vittorio Emanuele and continue through Piazza Venezia, past the Colosseum, along Via Labicana and up Via Merulana to Santa Maria Maggiore. A group of poor people will welcome late pontiff's body at St Mary Major, the Vatican has said. The burial will not be open to the public however people will can pay their respects to Pope Francis during the funeral procession whose route will be lined with barriers, the prefect of Rome Lamberto Giannini said. The funeral will mark the start of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning, after which the conclave - the process to choose a new pope - is set to begin sometime between 6 and 11 May. Pope Francis's tomb is being prepared at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. pic.twitter.com/LkUu0frqpl Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) April 23, 2025 Pope Francis tomb in the Basilica of St Mary Major has been made with marble from Liguria, the Italian region of his grandparents. In accordance with his final wishes, it is a simple tomb bearing only the inscription Franciscus and a reproduction of his pectoral cross. The late pontiff had a special devotion to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Over the course of his 12-year pontificate he made more than 100 visits to the fifth-century papal basilica where he would pray to the Marian icon of 'Maria Salus Populi Romani' before and after trips abroad. 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. The pope's tomb can be visited from the morning of Sunday 27 April, the day after his burial, the Vatican has confirmed. Photo credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com. The Mayor of Waterford City and County Council welcomed the descendants of the first Labour Mayor to the mayors parlour recently to honour the centenary of Alderman Richard Keanes appointment, in 1925, and his lasting legacy. Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Jason Murphy said that both the mayoral and Labour traditions are very important to the city. But to see Richard Keanes legacy live on and inspire his family through generations was an honour to celebrate. I was delighted to have the chance to host this. I am truly honoured, said Mayor Murphy. Mayor Jason Murphy addressing those gathered to honour the centenary of the election of the first Labour mayor of Waterford. Picture by Browne's Photography. RICHARD KEANE Speaking on behalf of Richard Keanes descendants, Tony Morrissey told those gathered of the first Labour Mayor's rise from the railways to Waterfords highest seat. An orphan at 10 years old, Richard Keane lived in the same house on Morris Road his whole life. He started out working as a railway servant on the railway, but as an extremely hard worker, it wasnt long before he found himself in management. He met his wife Margaret at age 37 and had six children. The Labour movement was in its infancy, but Keane was a significant advocate. John Murphy, Tom Morrissey, Kathleen Nolan, Rita Flynn, Mayor Jason Murphy, Marie Parker, Tony Morrissey, Councillor Seamus Ryan, Mary Daly and Councillor Joe Kelly. Picture by Browne's Photography Councillor Joe Kelly, Michael Ryan, Councillor Seamus Ryan, Mayor Jason Murphy and Tony Morrissey. Picture by Browne's Photography. When Keane decided not to cross the picket line during a dispute that began in Limerick, he found himself unemployed. The dispute was resolved, but the owner of the company made 10% of the workforce redundant in retaliation, with Keane among them. Keane then set up as a coal merchant, remained active in the union and eventually made his way to politics. In 1925, he was elected Mayor of Waterford. Mr Morrissey paraphrased a section of the Aldermans election speech saying: I would like to thank God on this day that saw me elected as mayor of my home city. A GREAT HONOUR On behalf of the Labour Party, former mayor and current councillor Seamus Ryan thanked Mayor Murphy for hosting the event. He told the family that it is a great honour to be elected as mayor and that the whole family should be proud. Mayor of the Metropolitan area, Joe Kelly, concurred with Cllr Ryan and called the Alderman essentially a colleague through time. He said that he is a lifelong socialist and Labour activist and is proud of Waterfords working-class communities. Metropolitan Mayor Joe Kelly addressing those gathered. Picture by Browne's Photography. He said it was something special to see this family gathered, especially the younger members who hoped would go into politics one day. And perhaps to become a Labour mayor one day. There is something special about this occasion. To see so many members of the one family is fantastic, said Cllr Kelly. Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe reminisced over his younger days in the Deise in a recent interview with Sean O'Rourke. Costelloe is possibly one of the most successful and internationally renowned designers to have come from Ireland. His clothing and design products are sold globally. Costelloe was a personal designer for Princess Diana of Wales from 1983 until her death in 1997. On the RTE podcast 'Insights', he sat down with O'Rourke to chat about his early life, being born the youngest of 7 children and getting 'kicked out' of the family home and moving to Paris. O'Rourke asked him: "Before you were sent to Paris, am I right in thinking that you went at the age of 16 to work in a pig factory in Cappoquin in Waterford?" Costelloe replied: "Yeah, and God bless Waterford. "I was working in a few areas including where the ham is cured and then I ended up in the office, grading the pigs." He went on: "It was a great experience and I rode for Cappoquin very briefly on the water. Then the dance on the Sunday night was a big thing." Costelloe lived in Cappoquin for around a year, referring to it as a time of: "No bad memories. Just a good life experience." The interview in full can be listened to on rte.ie. A man in his 70s has been found not guilty of historical sexual abuse. The man stood trial at Waterford Circuit Court before Judge Eugene OKelly, charged with 53 counts of sexual abuse ranging from dates between 1967-1976. However, the number of charges was reduced to 26 during the course of the trial. The allegations of abuse came from two women who would have been children at the time noted. They alleged that the man, alongside his brother who is now deceased, regularly abused them within their family home. The witnesses were asked about the specific times and dates of the allegations. One woman replied: I dont remember, I was a child. The defendant gave evidence and emphatically denied all allegations of abuse. He spoke about visiting the complainants when they were at the Good Shephard Orphanage and of how they attended his wedding. During their cross-examination by Mr Colman Cody, both women confirmed that they were sent to live with their grandparents after the dissolution of their parents relationship. The women spoke about their dysfunctional relationship with their father, referring to him as a monster. The first complainant told the court that she found it very difficult to remember details from her childhood, including dates. Under questioning by Conor ODoherty BL, acting for the state, the complainant gave an outline of the events. She said she was born in the UK, after which her family moved to Australia. She is one of five children who spent time in an orphanage in Australia. When her mother left the family home, her father brought her and her siblings to Ireland, where they lived with their grandparents. She said her two uncles also lived in the house. While living in the house, the complainant told the court that her uncles would take her and her sister to their grandmothers bedroom and force them to perform oral sex on him. The complainant told the court that after she disclosed the abuse to her grandmother, she and her siblings were sent to the Good Shepard Orphanage. She basically said it was our fault, said the complainant. The complainant said that she married after she left the institution but had since separated. She has received counselling but didnt feel it benefited her. She told the court that she was coming forward because she knew that her uncle worked with vulnerable adults, and she was concerned for their safety. Acting for the defendant Colman Cody BL, put it to the complainant that she was coming forward due to a dispute over a house in the UK which had belonged to her father before his death. The complainant rejected the accusation and said that her father had been dead for several years before she learned anything about his death or estate. She denied it had any bearing on her claims, saying that she couldnt care less about the matter. Mr ODoherty clarified that the complainant had applied to a redress scheme in 2003 and had referenced the abuse in her application. The women experienced abuse within the residential institution. The second complainant told the court that she did not remember being abused at the same time as her sister but sometimes had flashbacks about her grandmother's bedroom. She described being forced to perform oral sex or touch another uncles genitals in a cubby hole off the familys sitting room. She said the two men would sometimes take turns, but one was worse than the other. She said she thought her grandmother knew and had sent them away. It got too much for her, but I think she knew, said the complainant. Neither women could remember exact times but estimated they were under 10 years of age when the alleged abuse began. The second complainant said that after she was placed in the institution, her uncle would try to lure her away, threaten her and give her money for the abuse he allegedly inflicted. The second complainant had also married, had children and separated. Her new partner encouraged her to come forward, but she had been previously approached by a Garda investigating claims about her uncle. Nothing had come of that case. The defendant told the court that his older brother, father of the complainants, sent the girls to the orphanage because they had fallen behind in their learning. A former partner of one of the witnesses was called to give evidence. He told the court that he had known the witness since their teens and was told about the alleged abuse when they were in their late teens. At the turn of the century, the man wrote a book that was understood to have been inspired by the witness. The defendant contacted a solicitor about the possibility of defamation in the book. The solicitor informed him that since he was not named in the book, there was no legal recourse. She said: Ive struggled everyday of my life because of what they did to me. The court heard that the initial claims were made to Gardai by the witnesses in 2016 and 2019, respectively. One witness had told her counsellor in 2004. The defendant told the court that the family home was filled with people and children, and that if any abuse had occurred it would have been witnessed. He said that his mother, the girls grandmother, loved them and took care of them. He said: Very few women would do what she had done. They loved my mother and my mother loved them. The jury deliberated over a number of days before returning unanimous verdicts of "not guilty" on each count. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. A briefing was held today at the office of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum dedicated to the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform, which will take place in Baku on April 2829, Trend reports. Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, Ramil Iskandarli, announced that on April 28, a landmark event will take place in the life of civil society across the Global South a vast region covering two-thirds of the world's countries, including Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. "For the first time in history, a Global South NGO Platform is planned to be created. It is a great honor and pride for us that Azerbaijani civil society is the initiator of this platform," Iskandarli said. He recalled that during the international NGO conference of Non-Aligned Movement countries held on November 15, 2024, within the framework of COP29 and titled Advancing Climate Action Through South-South Cooperation: The Role of NGOs, the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum declared it was time to establish a Global South NGO Platform. This initiative gained international support and was endorsed by NGOs from nearly 140 countries, with over 1,000 foreign NGOs issuing a joint statement in its favor. The COP29 NGO Coalition, 84 percent of whose members represent civil society from developing countries, also called for the implementation of this initiative. At the end of last year, the coalition raised the issue of institutionalizing the Global South NGO Platform and proposed that the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum lead this process. We are grateful to the Agency for State Support to NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan for its tangible support in turning this global initiative into reality and for responding positively to all our requests for assistance. Leading NGO representatives from over 110 countries have accepted our invitation to come to Baku. This is a true mobilization of NGOs, both for the Global South and for Azerbaijan. We will demonstrate our solidarity and combine our efforts, he emphasized. Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the Agency for State Support to NGOs of Azerbaijan, noted that the Global South NGO Platform is another innovation brought to the country through COP29. This initiative was proposed during COP29. We are very proud that for the first time ever, an initiative from Azerbaijani NGOs has received such global support. During Azerbaijans chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, its active engagement for a new and just world order, the initiatives it put forward, and the achievement of the Baku breakthrough during COP29 have earned the country much sympathy across the Global South, Aliyeva noted. Calling this a new chapter for Azerbaijans civil society, she added that Azerbaijani NGOs will establish new ties with NGOs from Global South countries and further deepen their cooperation. Nadima Ragimli, Deputy Chair of the For the Social Welfare of Citizens Public Union, highlighted that the formation of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku reflects Azerbaijans emerging role as a successful mediator and a bridge between the Global North and the Global South. The founding conference will take place at the Baku Convention Center on April 2829. The two-day forum, titled Solidarity Actions: Empowering Global South NGOs for a New and Just World, will feature speeches by leading NGOs from around the world, global discussions, and a focus on the historic Bandung Principles adopted in Indonesia 70 years ago. These principles reject interference in internal affairs, promote a peaceful and just world order, uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensure equality among nations, and call for mobilization to strengthen mutual interests, cooperation, and economic prosperity. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Disgraced soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has suffered a blow to his plans to appeal against a defamation judgment which found he committed war crimes while on duty in Afghanistan. The former Special Air Service corporal sued the publisher of this newspaper, then known as Fairfax Media, and The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, after a series of articles alleged Roberts-Smith carried out war crime murders while deployed with the SAS. Ben Roberts-Smith departs the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney after the first day of his defamation case in 2021. Credit: Brook Mitchell The Federal Court dismissed the case in June 2023 when a judge found, to the civil standard of the balance of probabilities, that Roberts-Smith had committed multiple war crime murders, assaulted Afghans and engaged in a campaign of bullying against Australian troops a decade earlier. The Victoria Cross recipient appealed against the judgment and has been waiting for a decision for more than a year. Tripp explained the board had approved the ceremony for multicultural round and Indigenous round but not Anzac Day. We werent sure it was happening in this game, and when we asked the question, there was a bit of confusion, Tripp told his masthead. Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Brown delivering the Welcome to Country at the dawn service on Friday. Credit: Getty Images He said the board would consider approving the Welcome to Country for future Anzac Day matches. Tripp said he wasnt aware of the disturbance during the Welcome to Country at the dawn service in Melbourne earlier on Anzac Day. I had no idea. I had been working all day and wasnt aware, but that was disgraceful this morning. We strongly condemn that behaviour, Tripp said. The Indigenous performers noted far-right agitators had earlier booed and heckled Bunurong elder Uncle Mark Browns Welcome to Country at Melbournes Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, veterans groups and Indigenous leaders condemned the neo-Nazis who booed and heckled as tens of thousands gathered to honour those who served in Australias armed forces. As she arrived at AAMI Park on Friday afternoon, Aunty Joy said such disruptions made her even more determined to stand proudly at such events. Murphy said Storm gave no explanation to the Indigenous groups for the clubs initial cancellation, other than Storm chief executive Justin Rodski telling them it was a board decision. After being disrespected, we couldnt then go forward with a smile on our face and act, Nicholson Ward said. We would dearly love to be out there, but theyve broken our hearts, Murphy said. We want to rebuild our relationship. We want to make them that this was wrong, hurtful, deceitful and tokenistic. But we want to help look after our communities in the NRL and the current players for Storm too. Shouts shatter silence during dawn service Loading At Melbournes Anzac Day dawn service, convicted neo-Nazi Jacob Hersant led several men in a co-ordinated stunt of booing and heckling during Browns Welcome to Country, shattering the pre-dawn hush. They heckled again during Victorian Governor Margaret Gardners address. Each time a speaker thanked the traditional owners, the group jeered from the middle of the crowd, their identities obscured by the darkness. Others in the crowd cheered and clapped the speakers as they tried to project their voices over the hecklers. Police confirmed a 26-year-old Kensington man was interviewed and released after the incident, and that he was expected to be charged on summons with offensive behaviour. Last year, Hersant became the first person in Victoria to be convicted for performing the Nazi salute. Police lead away white supremacist Jacob Hersant, who heckled the Welcome to Country at the dawn service at Melbournes Shrine of Rememberance. Credit: Getty Images There is no place in Australia for what occurred in Melbourne, Albanese said in a statement. A neo-Nazi disrupting Anzac Day is abhorrent, un-Australian, and disgraceful. The people responsible must face the full force of the law. The men at the shrine on Friday claimed to be protesting against the Welcome to Country ceremonies on a day they said should be dedicated to Australian war veterans. Loading Indigenous soldiers have served in every conflict involving Australian defence contingents since 1901, according to the Australian War Memorial, including at least 70 who fought at Gallipoli. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a long and proud history of serving and sacrifice for this country, said the Bunurong Land Council in a statement following the incident. The actions of a few this morning are abhorrent and do not deserve to take away any more from today. Hours later, a heckler shouted obscenities during a Welcome to Country at Perths dawn service in Kings Park. Loading Jeers rang out as Noongar elder and former soldier Di Ryder took to the podium for the traditional welcome. The crowd quickly hushed the heckler. At the shrine in Melbourne, John Selleck said he had participated in Anzac Day commemorations for decades and was disappointed the event was interrupted. Its not the place for that. Its a place for remembrance. You should leave all that political stuff behind, the CFA lieutenant said. Were here to pay our respects. Selleck said it was an important occasion for his family: his son served in the navy, his daughter was an air force cadet, and he marched representing his grandfathers unit. Loading Veteran and former longtime Fitzroy footballer Uncle Ricky Morris said it was a disappointing act. Today is unique being Anzac Day where a lot of our ancestors and descendants fought for our country, and when they came back home from service, they were treated differently, Morris said. [The people who disrupted Fridays Welcome to Country] need to go back and have a good hard look at themselves, because its not OK, and its very disrespectful, not only for my people, Aboriginal people, but also many other of parts of the Australian community that have served this country. The Anzac Day disruptions are the latest in a series of stunts by far-right agitators during the federal election campaign. A man shouted down a candidates forum in the Kooyong electorate earlier this week; Albanese was confronted by alt-right protesters at a hotel in Melbourne last week; and gatecrashers disrupted Brisbane events for both parties on the first day of campaigning. Premier Jacinta Allan said the incident at the shrine was beyond disrespectful. A neo-Nazi disrupting this day is appalling. It has no place here, she said in a statement. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australians should focus on the sacrifices of Anzac soldiers instead of the deplorable actions of an alleged neo-Nazi. RSL Victoria president Robert Webster condemned the behaviour and said the crowds support for the speakers far outweighed the small minority of hecklers. The actions of a handful were completely disrespectful to the Aboriginal community, veterans, and the spirit of Anzac Day. In response, the spontaneous applause from the 50,000-strong crowd attending the service drowned out those who disrupted, and showed the respect befitting of the occasion, he said in a statement. AFL legend Eddie Betts (centre) took to the field with the Fitzroy Stars in Melbourne on Friday. Credit: Justin McManus The co-chairs of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray, reiterated the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We stand in solidarity with Bunurong elder, Uncle Mark Brown, and acknowledge his strength and resolve during the disruption, they said in a statement. Australias richest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, has called for a gargantuan rise in defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP at a sunset vigil before Anzac Day as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Defence Minister Richard Marles sat in the audience. Dutton, Marles and former prime ministers Tony Abbott, Scott Morrison and John Howard were guests at the Channel Seven Anzac Day Eve ceremony just outside the Sydney Opera House. Gina Rinehart at the Anzac ceremony. Credit: James Brickwood It came a day after the Coalition leader said if his party formed government, it would take defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 and to 3 per cent by the middle of the next decade. Defence spending under Labor is projected to rise from 2.02 per cent of GDP this year to 2.3 per cent by 2034, making the Coalitions 3 per cent long-term pledge significantly more ambitious. Washington: US President Donald Trump offered rare criticism of Vladimir Putin on Thursday (Washington time), urging the Russian leader to STOP! after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraines capital. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! A mother comforts her daughter in a school basement used as a shelter after a Russian airstrike in Kyiv. Credit: AP/Evgeniy Maloletka Russia struck Kyiv with an hours-long barrage of missiles and drones. At least 12 people were killed and 90 were injured in the deadliest assault on the city since last July. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said based on early information, Russia had used a North Korean ballistic missile to hit one of Kyivs residential buildings. If the information that this missile was made in North Korea is confirmed, this will be further proof of the criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang, Zelensky said on X. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The Baku Network expert platform rolled out the next part of the analytical video series "Dialogue with Tofig Abbasov", Trend reports. The guest of the program was People's Artist of Azerbaijan and Artistic Director of the Samed Vurgun Russian Drama Theatre Alexander Sharovsky. According to Sharovsky, though Azerbaijan has been bending over backwards to mend fences with Armenia, the neighboring country has shown zero response. During the conversation, Sharovsky referred to a speech by an Armenian political analyst, noting with surprise his harsh criticism of his own leadership. He said that Azerbaijan is doing its job clearly and consistently. How about Armenia? This country still believes the West's tales, the guest recounted. Sharovsky repeatedly returned to the topic of peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness, which, he said, was a reality in the recent past. The renowned director expressed confidence that it is the Armenian elite who must take responsibility for leading their society out of a state of historical delusion. When their eyes stop reflecting the glint of blood and truly look around then, maybe, theyll lead their people toward reconciliation with us, he said. Sharovsky paid special attention to the topic of multiculturalism, emphasizing that this phenomenon is deeply rooted in Azerbaijani identity unlike in European countries, where, in his opinion, it never took root. In Azerbaijan, it starts from childhood from the yard, from school. Its a great vaccine, one the West was never inoculated with, he noted, mentioning the work of the Center for Multiculturalism and the teaching of this discipline in the countrys universities. Assessing international attitudes after the Second Karabakh War, Sharovsky mentioned that perceptions of Azerbaijan abroad have changed significantly. Previously, Armenia's propaganda machine created the image of an inhumane country, but now, when people come, they see a flourishing republic, while in Armenia, devastation. The bluff has been exposed, he pointed out He spoke critically about the large-scale financial and propaganda efforts undertaken against Azerbaijan, calling them a dirty game that yields no results. Sharovsky was particularly harsh in his assessment of Armenian nationalism, calling it a pandemic that has infected Armenian society. Weve seen relapses of this disease, its outbreaks, and now the fever hasnt subsided. People are blinded by defeat; they see the world through a lens of hatred, he emphasized. In his opinion, without acknowledging defeat and abandoning revanchist illusions, it is impossible to build a realistic political agenda. Theyve lost their sense of critique. Weve taken whats ours; were not touching yours. This is our country. Put on, finally, not fascist glasses, but human ones, he said. Sharovsky condemned the revanchist sentiments that persist in certain circles of the Armenian elite, calling them politically and morally unacceptable. This is intolerable. They are repeating the path of the Nazis, praising Garegin Nzhde. This is no longer politics this is a crime against the Armenians themselves, he said. Sharovsky noted that a real future is only possible by rejecting the door to the past and embracing rational thinking. As long as they are blinded by hatred nothing will work. But there is hope in those who will see clearly, who will lead the people forward, not into the abyss, he concluded. The Russian Ministry of Transport just dropped a bombshellMoscows going all-in on the Trans-Afghan Railway project. At first glance? Just another line on the post-Soviet transit map. But dig deeper, and its a high-stakes power play aimed at redrawing the logistics chessboard across Central and South Asiaterritory long kept on a short leash by the Anglosphere and its pals. For the first time in decades, Russia is stepping into direct engagement with Afghanistans de facto rulers, and it's doing it not with guns or lectures, but with steel and rail. This isnt about charity or tradeits about leverage. And in a world where economic routes mean political clout, Moscows move is pure realpolitik. So, why now? Because the old world orders off its axis. Russias under the boot of Western sanctions, Indias stepping up as a heavyweight geoeconomic player, Pakistans coming apart at the seams, Irans Chabahar Port is heating up, and global shippings still twitchy after the Suez fiasco. In this reshuffle, Afghanistan isnt just a "problem" anymoreits the master key to unlock Eurasia. Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan: Between Crossroads and Crosshairs Uzbekistan: Playing the Long Game Since 2018, Tashkents been riding hard for the TermezMazar-i-SharifKabulPeshawar line. Nicknamed the Kabul Corridor, its Uzbekistans shot at breaking through to the Indian Ocean via Pakistan. By 2020, the project had backing from Qatar and the UAE, with a joint ventureADL Ulanishready to roll. But then came August 2021, and the Taliban* takeover hit the brakes. Still, Tashkent didnt slam the door. In 2024, it inked fresh MoUs with the Taliban*, and in early 2025, Afghan Deputy PM Mullah Baradar touched down in Uzbekistans capital. Post-meeting, the Uzbeks announced a reboot of feasibility studies for the HairatanHerat sectionhinting at a pivot toward a southern route via Kandahar. Smart play: hedge your bets and keep your lanes open. Turkmenistan: Betting West Ashgabats locked in on its western flank. In September 2024, track-laying kicked off on the TorgundiHerat segment, part of a corridor running HeratKandaharSpin Boldak. Thats a double-barreled route: one eye on Iran (via KhafHerat), the other on Pakistan (via Balochistan). Politically, Turkmenistans sticking to its positive neutrality shtick, but make no mistakeits weaving a tight little triangle with Kazakhstan, Iran, and Qatar on the southern rim of Central Asia. Russia: Resurrecting the MoscowSouth Asia Land Bridge For years, Russia kept Afghanistan in the too hot to handle file. But that changed around 2023. First came cautious feelers from Russian Railways (RZD). By December 2024, Moscow officially gave the green light to a Trans-Afghan feasibility study. Now? Its go time. Russias not picking sidesit wants both tracks in play: the western swing through Turkmenistan and the eastern arc via Uzbekistan. The proposed linesMazar-i-SharifHeratDelaramKandaharChaman and TermezNaibabadLogarKharlachiPeshawararent just tracks. Theyre potential new spines of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC), stitching Russia to India through Iran and the Caspian. This isnt some vanity project. Russias thinking tactically. Its moves in Afghanistan arent cannibalizing its Iran planstheyre complementing them. While it builds out the Iranian branch (AstrakhanRashtQazvinBandar Abbas), its also laying a backup line through Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, future-proofing itself against Western sanctions or Iranian turbulence. Afghanistan: The New Front Line of Influence Wars The Taliban Factor* Since 2021, the Taliban* have been the only game in town for infrastructure talks. They know theyre sitting on a goldmine of transit potential and are offering investors sweet, streamlined terms. And theyre walking a tightropekeeping the door open to Beijing, Moscow, Tashkent, Ashgabat, and Islamabad, letting rival corridors sprout simultaneously. No favoritism, just business. The Security Wildcard Yeah, there are red zonesespecially in Balochistan (Pakistan) and Afghanistans Helmand Province, where separatists and jihadis still lurk. But heres the twist: 20242025s seen clear momentum toward stabilityat least along the main linesthanks to deals with tribal leaders whove cut their own piece of the pie with Kabul. Its not exactly Switzerland, but its stable enough for steel rails and rolling stock. This isnt about railroads. Its about rewriting the geopolitical mapone sleeper at a time. Russias carving a backdoor to South Asia. Central Asias hedging its bets. And Afghanistan? Its gone from a graveyard of empires to a high-speed roundabout in the next great game. Welcome to geopolitics 2.0where the real empires ride rails. South Asian Triangle: Pakistan, Iran, India The Silent Chessboard Behind the Tracks Pakistan: Between Strategy and Strain Islamabads all for the so-called Kabul Corridor, the north-south rail route linking Peshawar to Central Asia. Its a logical fiton paper. But recent border skirmishes and airstrikes into Afghan territory in 2024 have made the terrain politically radioactive. The safer bet now? The ChamanKandaharHerat route. It skirts the explosive Pashtun belt and offers a clearer shot through less-contested terrain. For Pakistan, its less about ambition and more about risk mitigation. Iran: Chabahar, the Ace Up Tehrans Sleeve Tehran isnt just talking logisticsits building them. The ChabaharZahedanDelaram rail link is under full steam, while the KhafHerat line is getting a serious upgrade. With New Delhis backing, Iran is working hard to transform Chabahar Port into a key regional logistics node. In 2024, Tehran inked a deal with Kabul to build a line into Nimroz Province, and in early 2025, a joint venture was launched between Irans RAI and Afghan Railways. The message? Irans not playing second fiddle in the regional transit gameit wants the conductors baton. India: Cutting Out the Middleman For New Delhi, the Afghan corridors are about more than tradetheyre a geopolitical workaround. Bypassing Pakistan is a must. Thats why India is doubling down on Chabahar and, since 2024, actively investing in freight terminals in Herat and Kandahar. The Kandahar route is a lifelineconnecting India not just to Iran, but further north to Uzbekistan and the heart of Central Asia. Its not just a supply line. Its a strategic artery. Tying It All Together: The INSTC Angle The Trans-Afghan Railway is rapidly becoming the southern extension of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC)and thats not just bureaucratic branding. Russias Ministry of Economic Development reported that cargo traffic through INSTC hit over 18 million tons in 2024, up a whopping 33% from 2023. Of that, around 4 million tons moved on the RussiaIran stretch, and another 1.3 million tons headed toward India and Pakistan. What Afghanistan offers is simple but game-changing: it cuts travel time between Russia and South Asia from 30 days down to just 12. At the 2025 RussiaCentral Asia summit, agreements were signed to harmonize tariffs and streamline customs across the expanded corridorintegrating Afghanistan as a full-fledged transit player. Show Me the Money: Investment & Stats (20242025) Total Rail Investment (Central Asia): $11.8 billion in infrastructure (via EDB & AIIB), with $2.7 billion going directly to rail projects. Uzbekistan: Allocated $115 million for feasibility studies on both the Kabul and Kandahar routes. $35 million of that came in partnership with the UAE. Iran: Completed the 628-km ChabaharZahedan line in 2025; extension to Delaram is in progress. Pakistan: China-backed $900 million overhaul of the QuettaChamanSpin Boldak railway. Russia: RZD funneled $210 million into feasibility and surveys for Afghan routes, working hand-in-glove with ADL Ulanish. The Elephant in the Room: Risks & Roadblocks Security Concerns Balochistan (Pakistan) and Helmand (Afghanistan) remain hot zones, with insurgents targeting crews and infrastructure. Though major arteries are stabilizing, attacks cant be ruled outespecially outside tribal strongholds aligned with central power. The Taliban Problem* Lack of international recognition means IMF, World Bank, and other institutions are staying on the sidelines. The U.S. and EU are quietly leaning on regional partners to slow-walk cooperation with Kabul. Corridor Wars The Kabul and Kandahar routes are in quiet competition, with regional backers lobbying hard behind closed doors. China is also muscling in through Gwadar and the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), pitching its own alternatives. The Forecast: Looking 35 Years Down the Track Scenario 1 Corridor Consolidation Probability: 60% In this play, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan quit competing and start coordinating. They ink a strategic pact to unify their rail initiativessyncing standards, aligning logistics hubs, and co-investing in shared infrastructure. The result? A singular, high-flexibility Trans-Afghan corridor that branches toward both Pakistan (Gwadar, Karachi) and Iran (Chabahar, Bandar Abbas). Key Drivers: Tashkent and Ashgabat realize undercutting each other only hurts the regions appeal to outside investors. Russia leverages the corridor as a southern arm of the INSTC, tapping directly into the Indian Ocean trade lanes. India pumps more cash into Chabahar and its adjacent rail spurs, reinforcing its position as a counterbalance to Pakistan and China. What Comes Out of It: Azerbaijan links into the web via Astara and Rasht, gaining traction in the geopolitics of Southern Eurasia. A fully integrated logistics grid emergesseamlessly tying the Caspian, Afghanistan, Iran, and South Asia into a single ecosystem. Supply chains across the region gain resilience against future geopolitical shocks, whether from sanctions, conflict, or economic disruption. In a Nutshell: This isnt just track-layingits a tectonic shift. The Trans-Afghan Railway is morphing into a geopolitical switchboard. And the players? Theyre not just countriestheyre whole strategies in motion. What were seeing is a slow but steady rewiring of Eurasias logistics logic, with Afghanistan smack in the middleno longer a black hole, but the beating heart of a new Great Game. Scenario 2 Geopolitical Fragmentation Probability: 25% In this scenario, Central Asian nations fail to strike a regional consensus. Instead of joining forces, each player doubles down on its own track. Uzbekistan bets big on the TermezMazar-i-SharifKabulPeshawar corridor, while Turkmenistan pours resources into the TorgundiHeratKandaharPakistan route. Meanwhile, Iran pushes ahead with its Chabahar-centric infrastructure projects, sidestepping both Pakistan and the fragile Afghan equation wherever it can. Whats driving this split? A lack of trust between regional players and the absence of any solid, institutional mechanism to coordinate transport policies. Fierce competition for foreign capital, with China, India, Russia, and the EU all shopping for influence. Rising political volatility inside Afghanistan, which makes collaborative megaprojects a logistical and financial minefield. The Fallout: You get overlapping, redundant logistics routeskilling efficiency and driving up costs. The region loses the ability to negotiate as a bloc with major global players. For Azerbaijan, the fragmented approach means more complexity: separate talks, separate deals, separate logistics protocols with every stakeholderespecially when working through Iran. Scenario 3 The Iranian Breakthrough Probability: 15% Here, international pressure ramps up on Pakistanwhether due to political chaos, militant blowback, or a hot flare-up with India. As the Pakistani route gets riskier, traffic shifts eastonto the Iranian axis: ChabaharNimrozKandaharGhundanUzbekistan. Iran and India step up big time, pouring capital and tech into rail and road development along this corridor. Key Factors at Play: India scales up its geoeconomic engagement with Iran as an end-run around Pakistans bottleneck. Iran grabs the opportunity to reposition itself as a regional logistics powerhouse, attracting new capital flows. The U.S. and EU, despite formal sanctions, may tacitly support the route as a way to undercut Chinas CPEC and edge Pakistan out of the spotlight. What This Means for Azerbaijan: The AstaraRasht rail line inside Iran becomes a lot more valuable as it links up with the southern transport grid. Demand for Bakus transit capacity spikes, especially for cargo flows from Russia, Turkey, and Eastern Europe bound for Indiaand vice versa. But There Are Catch-22s: The scenario is highly sensitive to internal Iranian instability and the broader weight of Western sanctions. Afghanistans role in the route is still hobbled by poor security and the absence of any truly centralized authority. Given current trends, the smart moneys on Scenario 1: regional players realize that turf wars are a dead end and come together to co-build a unified, branch-enabled Trans-Afghan corridor. Its the one setup that aligns everyone's interestsfrom Tashkent and Ashgabat to Moscow, Tehran, and New Delhi. For Azerbaijan, its a golden opportunity. Not just to be a bridge, but the bridge. A pivot point where the Caspian meets the Indian Ocean, where East-West and North-South flows converge. Bakus position as a transit hub and energy powerhouse puts it squarely at the intersection of the new logistics world order. Final Takeaway for Azerbaijan: The Trans-Afghan railway isnt just a foreign project to monitorits a tectonic shift in Eurasian geoeconomics that demands proactive engagement. If the pieces fall into place, this rail spine connecting Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan could become a game-changer, slashing time and cost to Arabian seaports. But none of this happens in a vacuum. With Pakistans volatility and Afghanistans unpredictability, Baku has to stay sharp, flexible, and ready to plug into whichever scenario gains traction. Whether it's the consolidation route or a pivot through Iran, Azerbaijans future as a logistics kingpin depends on being fast, connected, and geopolitically savvy. This isnt just another rail project for Azerbaijanits a shot at the big leagues. Thanks to its prime location on the Caspian and its already well-oiled integration frameworks, Baku is uniquely positioned to become a cornerstone of the Trans-Afghan logistics chain. And not just as a passive stop along the way, but as a strategic gatewayespecially when plugged into the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC). Heres where things get interesting: the Iranian link matters a lot. The AstaraRasht segment, currently undergoing major rail upgrades, isnt just a local spurits a southern artery connecting Azerbaijan directly to the heart of the Afghan corridor and further down to South Asia. Indias pushing hard to sidestep Pakistan, and routes through Iran are their go-to workaround. Baku, by plugging into this system, becomes a critical enabler of that geoeconomic pivot. Syncing efforts with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is a no-brainer. Tashkent is one of the main architects behind the Trans-Afghan railway, and theyre hungry for secure, diversified access to global marketsincluding Iranian and Turkish ports. Turkmenistan, sitting pretty on the Caspian with massive energy reserves, brings both power and port potential to the table. If Baku, Tashkent, and Ashgabat start singing from the same logistics hymn sheetcoordinating transport policies, standardizing customs protocols, syncing investmentswhat you get is a seamless, cross-regional delivery machine. From Central Asia to the Middle East and down to the Indian Ocean, cargo moves faster, smoother, and safer. Getting in on the ground floor of the Trans-Afghan railway isnt just smart economicsits top-tier geopolitics. In a world where global supply chains are splintering, and regional alliances are the new currency of power, Azerbaijan has every reason to go all in. This initiative turbocharges its role as a connectornot just between North and South, but between East and West. With the Caspian at its back and South Asia on the horizon, Bakus not just reacting to the new Eurasian logistics mapits helping redraw it. In this emerging reality, Azerbaijan isnt a bystander. Its a bridge, a broker, and a builder of the next era in transcontinental trade. Baku Network BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. A working meeting was held in Baku between the delegations of the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. As part of the event held in accordance with the bilateral military cooperation plan signed for 2025, the Military Strategy and Defense Planning Department of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry provided the guests with an expanded briefing on the work done in defense planning within the Azerbaijan Army, as well as on the management of related projects in this area. During the convening, a discourse on matters of synergistic collaboration was conducted, and inquiries from attendees were addressed. In the end, the sides exchanged gifts, and a photo was taken. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, on April 25, Trend reports. During the one-on-one and extended meetings, the sides discussed the current state of the cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and the EU, development prospects, opportunities for cooperation in various spheres, including energy security, transport, communications, fight against climate change, as well as regional security issues and the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In addition, in the course of the meeting, the sides exchanged views on measures that will contribute to strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, including high-level visits and mutually beneficial initiatives, and emphasized the importance of continuing negotiations on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement taking into account the existing realities. Jeyhun Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan has always advocated the establishment of equal relations with the EU countries, in which the legitimate interests of each other, priority issues, and existing realities are taken into account and respected. The Minister informed his counterpart about the situation in the region in the post-conflict period, reconstruction works carried out in the liberated territories, combating the mine threat, and the return of IDPs. The current stage of negotiations on the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the factors hindering the process were brought to attention, in particular, the existence of territorial claims to the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the liquidation of the institutions such as the Minsk Group, which have already lost their importance. Moreover, the role of Azerbaijan in Europe's energy security, the importance of historical agreements that can change the situation in the field of combating climate change, including raising financial targets within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of COP29, as well as cooperation in the field of green energy, were also emphasized. The parties also exchanged views on other topics on the agenda and of mutual interest at the meeting. Following the meetings, the sides held a press conference and made statements. POLLOCK, LA: On Thursday, April 24, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., employees responded to multiple incarcerated individuals fighting at the United States Penitentiary (USP) Pollock in Pollock, Louisiana. Responding employees isolated and contained the incident and initiated life-saving measures. Emergency medical services (EMS) were requested while life-saving efforts continued. Mr. Ramadhan Jaabir Justice was transported by EMS to a local hospital and was subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital personnel. A second individual was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was notified. No employees or other incarcerated individuals were injured and at no time was the public in danger. Mr. Justice was a 30-year-old male who was sentenced in the Eastern District of North Carolina to a 130-month sentence for Interference of Commerce by Threats or Violence and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. He had been in custody at USP Pollock since March 4, 2022. USP Pollock is a high security facility. Additional information about the Federal Bureau of Prisons can be found at www.bop.gov. ### If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit By Cillian Sherlock, PA A Sinn Fein TD has said trans constituents contacted him after being upset by a social media post made by one of his colleagues. Last week, Sinn Fein health spokesman David Cullinane apologised for a post on X, formerly Twitter, about the UK court ruling on excluding trans women from the definition of woman in equality law. Mr Cullinane said the complex issue needs to be approached with compassion and he apologised for any offence caused. Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said his colleague responded appropriately in deleting the tweet and apologising (Cillian Sherlock/PA) The UK Supreme Court ruled last week that the terms woman and sex in the 2010 Equality Act refer to a biological woman and "biological sex. This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces, such as changing rooms and homeless hostels, if proportionate. On Wednesday evening, Mr Cullinane called for the ruling to be fully examined in this state. The Waterford TD said on X: The Scottish Supreme Court ruling on the legal meaning of woman is a common-sense judgement. The ruling found that for equality legislation, a woman means a biological woman & sex refers to biological sex. It also confirmed that trans people are protected under their Equality legislation in a separate category of gender reassignment. He subsequently deleted the post and stated: I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the trans community following a tweet I sent last night. That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many, but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all. Im sure those in the trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterdays judgement, and I apologise that my words added to that. On Friday, Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said his colleague responded appropriately in deleting the tweet and apologising, adding that he was satisfied the matter was closed. Asked if the party needed to clarify its position on transgender people, Mr O Broin said: The partys policies are the partys policies. And David Cullinane did the right thing in removing the tweet and apologising. Ive been contacted by quite a few constituents who are trans, or family members of trans people who were very upset by it. The party is doing a piece of work around further developing a policy on trans rights and trans healthcare in due course. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly sunny and pleasant with refreshingly low humidity! Great weather to celebrate the 4th of July!. Tonight Mostly clear skies and very comfortable overnight. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) in the field of mine clearance needs to be expanded, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov during a press conference today in Baku, Trend reports. "Another important issue for us is the reconstruction of the liberated territories and the return of internally displaced persons. This process is progressing actively. I informed the esteemed EU representative about the large-scale construction efforts underway - the building of new cities, towns, and two international airports, with the inauguration of a third expected soon. However, landmines remain the most serious challenge," he said. According to him, there is already cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan in addressing the mine threat. "We believe this cooperation should be expanded, and major joint projects should be implemented. This is in the interest of our country, and we look forward to further collaboration," he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. We warmly welcome the visit of the European Unions High Representative to Azerbaijan following a nine-year hiatus, said the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Trend reports. Speaking during a joint press conference with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, Bayramov called this an important opportunity for the development of bilateral relations. We positively welcome the visit of the EUs High Representative to Azerbaijan after a nine-year break. We believe this visit is highly important in terms of the current state and future prospects of EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, Bayramov said during a joint press conference with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas. "Today, following a nine-year hiatus, we warmly welcome the visit of the European Unions High Representative to Azerbaijan. We view this visit as a significant opportunity to assess the current state of EU-Azerbaijan cooperation and to explore its future prospects. We held both one-on-one and extended meetings with Ms. Kaja Kallas, during which we engaged in constructive and meaningful discussions," he said. According to Bayramov, the legal foundation for the documents governing relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union was laid in 1999 with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements. Since 2017, negotiations on a new, comprehensive draft agreement have been underway, following the mandate issued in 2016." As a result of negotiations held over several years, agreement has been reached on nearly ninety percent of the issues covered by the agreement. Several topics, mainly related to trade and economic aspects, remain open. In recent years, some stagnation was observed in the process, and today, this is discussed. We agreed that both sides will take practical steps in the coming months to resume work on the agreement. Furthermore, we believe there is potential to enrich the agreement even further, Bayramov added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel African scientist receives prestigious German research accolade Alexander Humboldt Award bestowed on pharmacogeneticist Prof. Collen Masimirembwa for dedication to ensuring Africans receive safe, efficacious medicines. The work of Professor Collen Masimirembwa combines human genetics, drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetics research in predicting drug response. One important result of his work is a genetic test and dosing algorithm that is being clinically validated across Africa A Distinguished Professor in the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) at Wits, Masimirembwa is among two Africans to have received the Alexander Humboldt Award, which has also been bestowed on 61 Nobel laureates. Fostering international collaboration in cutting-edge medicine The award aims to promote collaboration between leading international researchers and their German counterparts. Masimirembwa will build research collaboration between German and African institutions through advanced research in the field of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics. In Germany, he will work closely with his long-time research collaborator, Professor Dr Julia Stingl at the University of Heidelberg. What is pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics? Pharmacokinetics investigates how the body handles medicines that we take when we are sick. It involves processes such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Pharmacogenetics, on the other hand, is a sub-discipline of pharmacokinetics that investigates how a persons genetic makeup affects their bodys processing of medication. Bringing African diversity to the heart of medicine development Over the past 30 years, Masimiremwbas research has focused on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of medicines when used in people of African ancestry. Often, when medicines are used in African populations, there can be adverse effects because almost all drugs on the market have been developed and optimised for safety and efficacy in people of European ancestry. Masimirembwas pioneering work showed that there were different safety and efficacy profiles for Africans regarding the HIV drug, Efaviraz, the breast cancer drug, Tamoxifen, the anti-organ rejection drug, Tacrolimus, the anti-coagulant drug, Warfarin, and others. We uncovered the genetic reasons for these responses and therefore advocated for the need to take into account Africas genomic diversity in the clinical development of new medicines, says Masimirembwa. Unpacking the risk of drug interactions in African patients When patients take two or more medications, the way one drug is processed in the body can be affected by the other. This is known as a drug-drug interaction. It happens when one drug interferes with enzymes or transporters that handle how another drug is absorbed, broken down, or eliminated. In Africa, this issue is particularly concerning. Many people are being treated for infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and schistosomiasisall of which often require multiple medications. At the same time, theres a rising number of patients with long-term non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and mental health conditions. As a result, more people are living with multiple health conditions [co-morbidity] and are taking several drugs at once [polypharmacy]. This significantly increases the risk of harmful drug interactions, he says. Masimirembwas work has helped to uncover how these drug interactions happen in real-world clinical settings across Africa. For instance, he identified the enzyme that breaks down the antimalarial drug amodiaquine and showed how it can create toxic byproducts that harm the liver and blood. In another recent study, he discovered a dangerous interaction between anti-HIV medications and praziquantel, a drug used to treat schistosomiasis (an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms). Masimirembwa's findings are helping doctors make safer treatment choices by avoiding drug combinations that can cause harm. A deeper dive into drug-drug-gene interactions Under the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Award, Masimirembwa and Stingl are working together to address one of the major challenges in modern medicine: how to safely treat patients who are prescribed many different medicines at the same timeparticularly in the African context. Consider, for example, an HIV patient who also contracts tuberculosis (TB), a common co-infection. Such a patient might be prescribed three drugs for HIV, three to four for TB, and may also have conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which could require an additional four to five medications. Across the continent, thousands of patients are on between five and fifteen medicines at once. This significantly increases the risk of harmful drug-drug interactions, where one medicine affects how another is processed in the body, leading to changes in effectiveness or causing serious side effects. The challenge becomes even more complex when drug-gene interactions are also involved. In these cases, a person's genetic makeup influences how their body responds to specific medicines, either accelerating or slowing their metabolism. This can worsen drug-drug interactions and lead to poor treatment outcomes. Through their collaboration, Masimirembwa and Stingl aim to unravel these overlapping drug and genetic interactions. Their goal is to support safer, more effective treatment strategies that take into account both the number of medicines a patient is taking and their individual genetic profilehelping to improve care for people across Africa who are living with multiple chronic conditions. A shared vision for science and building African-led genetic research Masimirembwa is the founding director of the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology in Harare, Zimbabwe. As Distinguished Professor at the Wits at SBIMB, he has teamed up with world-class researchers, professors and clinicians to build the pharmacogenomics research theme, From research bench to patient bedside, in South Africa. Citation from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation The following is the Foundations citation for awarding Masimirembwa: Professor Masimirembwa is a leading scientist in the field of pharmacogenetics and has made pioneering work deciphering the genomic diversity of African populations and its implications for the safe and efficacious use of medicines. He combines human genetics, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics research in predicting drug response. One important result of his work is a genetic test and dosing algorithm that is being clinically validated across Africa. During his research stay in Germany, he will explore the implementation of pharmacogenetic diagnostics in patients taking multiple drugs and will adapt it to the needs of African patients. He will also develop training material for the uptake of pharmacogenetics by medical practitioners. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The European Union (EU) welcomes the humanitarian support provided by Azerbaijan to Ukraine, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, during a press conference today in Baku, Trend reports. "Azerbaijan is an important partner in the region. It is a valuable energy partner for the European Union, and together we have made significant progress in strengthening our ties. You have helped the EU diversify its energy sources and enhance our energy security at a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges. We are also grateful for Azerbaijans humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and for your leadership in hosting the COP29 climate summit last year. Such multilateral efforts demonstrate that by working together, countries can truly influence global processes," she said. Students study at a library on Laoshan campus of Ocean University of China in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2024. [Xinhua/Yang Guang] BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) By 8 a.m. on a Saturday, Shanxi provincial library in the northern Chinese city of Taiyuan was besieged not by silence, but by backpacks, strollers, and retirees quietly queuing under the dawn light, a scene once reserved for museums and concert halls. "I've recently gotten into psychology and wanted to study it systematically," said Ma Jiaqi, a resident. While screen reading dominates daily life, he added, physical books help him focus. Like many Chinese urbanites, he now spends weekends "soaking up" time at libraries, a sight that has become routine nationwide. Libraries are no longer silent sanctuaries but vibrant "third spaces" blending learning, leisure and community, reflecting a shift fueled by rising literacy demands and government campaigns. At the provincial library of Shanxi, visitor numbers jumped 70.52 percent year-on-year in 2024, with over 3.1 million attendees at 3,500 reading events. To meet the demands, the library expanded seating by 43.6 percent, adding 2,034 seats, said Fu Jingjing, the library's deputy publicity director. As of the end of 2023, China hosts 3,246 public libraries holding 1.44 billion books, per 2024 cultural statistics. In 2023, visits to these libraries soared 46.9 percent to 1.1 billion. The transformation is stark in Shanghai, where the renovated Shanghai Book City draws crowds not just for books but author talks, photo exhibitions and concerts. "Every new feature here ties back to books, but in ways that fit modern urban lifestyles," said Zhao Feng, deputy general manager of Shanghai Xinhua Media. Technology also plays its part. Hefei City Library in east China's Anhui Province uses an AI librarian powered by DeepSeek's language model to recommend books via social media. As Wednesday marks World Book Day, Beijing's National Library blended subway themes and digital tech in its "Reading as a Journey" initiative, while Shanxi hosted 43 classical literature programs, showcasing reading's enduring relevance. "Libraries today are about open, smart, inclusive sharing," said Chen Chao, director of Shanghai Library. "They're places where people happily spend entire days." As Fu put it, "Bookishness is an atmosphere. We want that scent of pages to permeate everyday life." (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kenyan President William Ruto at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. [Xinhua/Yue Yuewei] BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing on Thursday, with the two sides agreeing to elevate their ties to a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era. Noting that the move is a strategic choice for both sides, Xi said that in response to the historical trend and the trend of the times, China is willing to work with Kenya to create an example in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and lead the development of China-Africa relations and the forging of solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries. China and Kenya should continue to firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, firmly support each other in exploring development paths that suit their respective national conditions, and deepen exchanges of experience in state governance, Xi said. He called on the two sides to enhance regular policy communication, build connectivity at a higher level, promote sustainable trade, explore diversified financial integration, carry forward the friendship forged through generations, and be leaders in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Xi said China's supersized market has always kept its door open to high-quality products from Kenya, adding that China encourages more capable Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Kenya. As important members of the Global South, China and Kenya should take concrete actions to firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, promote extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit in global governance, and practice true multilateralism, Xi said. Xi said China is willing to work with African countries, including Kenya, to achieve more early results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to better benefit the African people, and promote high-quality China-Africa cooperation to lead Global South cooperation. Stressing that there are no winners in tariff and trade wars, Xi said China is willing to work with other countries to address various challenges through solidarity and cooperation, safeguard legitimate rights and interests, uphold international trade rules, and maintain international fairness and justice. Ruto said Kenya and China have always adhered to sincere treatment and mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Kenya firmly adheres to the one-China policy and insists that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Ruto expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their selfless assistance to Kenya's efforts in improving infrastructure and responding to natural disasters, adding that Belt and Road projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway have effectively promoted Kenya's national development. He said Kenya is willing to work with China to build a community with a shared future, comprehensively strengthen the synergy between their economic and social development strategies, strengthen cooperation on trade, investment, infrastructure construction and science and technology, and enhance exchanges in education, culture and tourism. Cooperation between Africa and China is conducive to Africa's peaceful development, and Kenya is willing to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Ruto added. Ruto said that trade wars undermine the existing international rules and order, and that Kenya appreciates China's role as a stabilizer in the current volatile situation and China's efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries. After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, new and high technology, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, economy and trade, and media. The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kenya on Creating an Inspiring Example in the All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era. Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for Ruto and his wife, Rachel Ruto, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People. Xi and Peng also hosted a welcoming banquet for Ruto and Rachel in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People at noon on Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kenyan President William Ruto at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. [Xinhua/Yue Yuewei] Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Kenyan President William Ruto at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. [Xinhua/Yue Yuewei] Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. [Xinhua/Li Xueren] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kenyan President William Ruto at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The European Union supports the efforts of Azerbaijan and Armenia to achieve sustainable and lasting peace, the EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas said at a press conference in Baku, Trend reports. "The European Union supports the efforts of both sides to achieve sustainable and lasting peace. Armenia and Azerbaijan now have such an opportunity. I welcome the agreement reached on the text of the peace treaty and look forward to the next steps," she said. He gets him what he needs: Hegseths new favorite adviser helped set up Signal on one of secretarys computers at Pentagon BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The European Union and Azerbaijan have agreed to resume negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement, the EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas said at a press conference in Baku, Trend reports. "This partnership should be built on mutual respect, including respect for EU member states, as well as on basic principles such as the rule of law and human rights," she said. She noted that the EU and Azerbaijan share a longstanding partnership. In particular, the EU is Azerbaijans largest trading partner as well as its biggest investor. "The EU also provides significant support for demining efforts in Azerbaijan, helping to address the consequences of the conflict and save lives. Our cooperation holds great potential for further development," she said. In response to the Trump administrations 32 percent reciprocal tariffs imposed on Taiwan, the country declared a series of measures to balance the US trade deficit. This included expanding arms purchases and imports from the US, eliminating existing tariffs on imports from the US, removing non-tariff barriers to trade (e.g., health and sanitary regulations), and further increasing Taiwans direct investment in the US. Prior to Liberation Day announced by US President Donald Trump, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited had already pledged to invest US$165 billion in the US, the largest foreign direct investment in US history. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, April 2, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] Taiwans economy is highly dependent on exports to the US. The ruling Democratic Progressive Partys abject capitulation to Washington makes clear that working people will be made to bear the burden of escalating economic warfare. On April 9, the DPP government further pitched its capitulation to Trumps demands as Leaving China, Entering the North by proclaiming that Taiwan would capitalize on every geopolitical and economic shift to advance its economic development, with the goal of decoupling from China and integrating the islands economy with Washington-led democratic allies of the Global North. In his opinion piece titled Taiwan Has a Roadmap for Deeper US Trade Ties published in Bloomberg on April 10, Lai Ching-te, President of the Republic of China (ROC), elsewhere referred to as Taiwan, simply reiterated his previous stance on reciprocal tariffs. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, October 10, 2024 [AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying] Wu Yong-Yi, a seasoned trade unionist and Taiwanese scholar, responded to his Bloomberg piece on April 14. He criticised that not only had Lai made no request for tariff reductions from the White House, he was also prepared to go to any length to win over the Trump administration. Wu has played an instrumental role in organizing a group of professors, social democrats and Stalinists, to oppose the DPP governments anti-China stance and rhetoric. He is renowned as an anti-imperialist. It is worth examining the actual content of his groups struggle against Trumps America First policies. Wu accused Lai of betraying the national interests of the Republic of China and turning over Taiwan to deliver blood transfusions to the US economy. Wu insisted that an opinion piece outlining the national interests of the ROC by the president should have been carefully worded to recognize the goodwill displayed to Taiwan by previous US administrations. Lai, he complained, did nothing of the sort. Following the election debacle for the Democrats, he simply consigned into oblivion their contributions to Taiwan, including the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the numerous arms sales to the island that were made possible by the Biden administration. After aligning himself firmly with the Democrats, which he clearly views as pursuing a more carefully calculated anti-China policy that benefitted Taiwan, he characterized Lais groveling before Trump as stupid, ignorant, rude, snobbish and ruthless. When one examines the response to Trumps global economic warfare by Wu and the group he represents, it is clear that they differ tactically from the DPP government only in terms of Taiwanese national capitalisms geostrategic orientation. In a press conference held by Wu on April 9, social democrats and trade unionists laid out a blueprint for defending Taiwans access to markets and profits, namely South-South cooperation as an alternative to the policy of Leaving China, Entering the North. Trumps maneuvers to re-shore manufacturing jobs had drastically eroded Taiwans industrial base, they argued. The DPP should have acted as a genuine ruling party rather than as a subordinate of the US government, which aimed to hollow out Taiwans manufacturing capacity. The island must shore up its economy by integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), establishing a division of labor between Taiwan and the mainland and tapping into Chinas market. Social democrats and Stalinists painted a rosy picture of Chinas export-oriented economy while turning the defense of countries oppressed by US imperialism into political support for their own bourgeois states fair share of capitalist exploitation. There can be no reformist or national solution to a deepening breakdown of the global capitalist system, of which the US-China rivalry is a malignant expression. Since Washingtons escalation of its trade war on a global scale, it has made enormous efforts to prevent BRI countries from tilting toward China. As the Wall Street Journal reported, the Trump administration is bent on pressur[ing] US trading partners to limit their dealings with China through respective tariff negotiations. Furthermore, South-South trade proposed by Taiwans social democrats, Stalinists and trade unionists has never escaped capitalist production relations. According to David Goldman, economist and Deputy Editor of Asia Times, while Chinas direct exports to the US had fallen from 8 percent of GDP in 2007 to 2.3 percent in 2024, Chinas indirect reliance on the US market had remained quite substantial. Between 2020 and 2023, Chinas exports to the Global South surged from approximately US$60 billion each month to US$120 billion each month. During this period, US imports from the Global South increased from over US$40 billion per month in 2020 to almost US$80 billion per month by 2023. The Port of Shanghai, May 2013, [Photo by Bruno Corpet / CC BY-SA 3.0 As US imports from the Global South rose in proportion to Chinas exports to the region, Goldman explained that Chinas exports to the Global South were contingent on that regions exports to the US. Personal consumption expenditures accounted for 84 percent of US GDP growth over the last decade, he pointed out. Phrased differently, the acceleration of South-South cooperation will not compensate for Trumps global economic warfare that removes the US as Chinas consumer of last resort. Moreover, Chinas economy has faced huge demographic challenges. According to the Brookings Institution, Chinas working-age population... peaked in 2011 at more than 900 million. It would decline by nearly a quarter, to some 700 million, by mid-century. This demographic trend coupled with Chinas rapid technological breakthroughs contributes to the countrys increasing use of automation and robotics in production processes. Dandan Zhang, Professor in Economics at Peking University, stated in February 2025, the demand for labor in manufacturing industries, particularly computers, communications, and consumer electronics, gave rise to a production model with specific Chinese characteristics, combining high-tech and gig economy. There were around 40 million just-in-time workers in these industries, accounting for 31.12 percent of the total workforce in these sectors. Dr. Zhang Dandan [Photo: BHP: Climate Change Project] Zhangs research showed that smart manufacturing technologies like industrial robots, artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things not only increased productivity but also paved the way for the decimation of manufacturing jobs and the rise of gig employment in this sector. Job vacancies in major manufacturing hubs like the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta required merely familiarity with 26 English letters. No educational qualifications or prior work experience were needed. To compound the problem, the ability of labor recruitment platforms to hire just-in-time gig workers made it possible for cyclical fluctuations in exports and changing demand for labor to match seamlessly. This enabled Chinese corporations to drive down labor costs by depriving gig workers of social security, medical insurance and pensions. Zhang claimed these platforms have created job opportunities for workers by giving them greater autonomy and flexibility. By 2021, Chinas flexible workforce had grown to 200 million, accounting for 43 percent of urban employment including non-manufacturing sectors. As Karl Marx powerfully explained in Capital, Volume 1, the use of machinery and technology is never intended to lighten workers toil under capitalism. Rather, it is a means for capital valorization. Like every other instrument for increasing the productivity of labour, machinery is intended to cheapen commodities and, by shortening the part of the working day in which the worker works for himself, to lengthen the other part, the part he gives to the capitalist for nothing. Marx further explains: the advance in the productivity of social labour undergoes a complete inversion, and is expressed thus: the higher the productivity of labour, the greater is the pressure of the workers on the means of employment, the more precarious therefore becomes the condition for their existence, namely the sale of their own labour-power for the increase of alien wealth, or in other words the self-valorization of capital. Karl Marx (1818-1883) Chinas large-scale automation in manufacturing exemplifies Marxs insight. It should be underlined that Zhang is Deputy Dean at the National School of Development and Deputy Dean of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development, Peking University. Her study was intended to assess the true scale of gig workers in Chinas key manufacturing sectors while simultaneously promoting the sustainable growth of gig workers and policies supposedly assisting them to achieve common prosperity. It is another telling example of professors for labor rights rallying workers behind the ruling elite to defend the frontiers of the capitalist state. These academics have no qualms whatsoever about making the toiling masses pay for Chinas spectacular economic rise. In 1866, Marx explained to working people that as capital transcended national boundaries it would be impossible for trade unions to fight for workers jobs and rights on a national basis under capitalism. He indicated: Apart from their original purposes, they must now learn to act deliberately as organising centres of the working class in the broad interest of its complete emancipation. They must aid every social and political movement tending in that direction. [] They must look carefully after the interests of the worst paid trades. They must convince the world at large that their efforts, far from being narrow and selfish, aim at the emancipation of the downtrodden millions. One must reasonably ask the following questions: Whether those who speak in the name of national interests are primarily concerned about the interests of the national bourgeoisies of Taiwan and China to accumulate profit under capitalism? Whose national interests and division of labor do those social democrats, Stalinists and trade unionists embody? Why, similar to the Chinese Stalinist regime, is this patriotic front of Taiwan so utterly oblivious to the plight of the Chinese downtrodden millions? There is no doubt that the relentless economic warfare and onslaught on jobs and living conditions launched by the Trump regime pose a threat to the US working class and to workers internationally. The Taiwanese and Chinese toiling masses, if they remain isolated, can never defeat this onslaught on their own. The global trade war is a symptom of the breakdown of the world capitalist economy and a key component of the US war drive against China, Russia and Iran. The fight against America First policies hence must not be channelled back into the political dead end of bourgeois democracy. As the ruling classes try to accelerate tensions between China and the rest of the world, working class opposition to this global social counter-revolution must be mobilized independently from and in opposition to both our own ruling establishment and all factions of the bourgeoisie. To the capitalist division of the world into rival nations and blocs, we must counterpose the unity of the international working class in the fight for the socialist revolution and the overthrow of capitalism. We urge workers, youth and principled scholars who aspire to real peace and equality among nations to contact the International Committee of the Fourth International and take up the fight to abolish capitalism, the root cause of class exploitation, national oppression, oligarchy, fascism and war. A supporter of the Pakistan Murkazi Muslim League party holds a crossed poster of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the words 'Modi butcher" during a demonstration against India's suspension of a water-sharing treaty, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, April 24, 2025. [AP Photo/Fareed Khan] India and Pakistan, South Asias rival nuclear-armed powers, are rapidly cascading towards war after India accused Pakistan of responsibility for a brutal terrorist attack in Indian-held Kashmir. Twenty-six tourists, all but one of them an Indian citizen, were killed Tuesday when they were targeted by a commando attack near Pahalgam in the scenic Baisaran Valley. Little more than 24 hours later, Indias government, led by the Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), announced a series of bellicose retaliatory measures targeting Pakistan. Moreover, it has given every indication that this is only an initial volleythat a military strike on Pakistan even larger than those in 2016 and 2019, which brought the subcontinent to the brink of all-out war, is under consideration, if not already in preparation. Since the beginning of the 21st century, and especially under the would-be Hindu strongman Narendra Modi, India has integrated itself into US imperialisms ever-widening military-strategic offensive against China. New Delhi is no doubt counting on Trump to be at least as supportive of Indian action against Pakistan as he was in 2019, during his first term, when he lauded an illegal Indian strike deep inside Pakistan. On Wednesday, in remarks clearly directed at Pakistan, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh declared, We will not only reach those who have perpetrated this incident but also those who, sitting behind the scenes, have conspired to commit such acts on the soil of India. Yet New Delhi has provided no evidence to back its claims of Pakistani state involvement in the Pahalgam attack. It has simply asserted that the Resistance Front, the terrorist group that has reportedly claimed responsibility for the atrocity, is tied to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an Islamist terrorist organization that previously received backing from sections of the Pakistani military-intelligence apparatus. The measures announced Wednesday include: an order for all Pakistani nationals in India, except diplomatic personnel, to leave the country by April 29; the closing of the most important land crossing between India and Pakistan, that linking Amritsar and Lahore; the expulsion of all Pakistani military personnel attached to its embassy in India; and the withdrawal of all but a skeleton staff from Indias embassy in Islamabad. Most provocative of all is New Delhis announcement that it is suspending its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty. In the 65 years since the treaty came into force, India and Pakistan have fought two declared wars, several undeclared wars, and countless border skirmishes. Yet never before has India suspended the treaty, thereby arrogating the power to deny Pakistan the water supply on which its electricity grid and agriculture depend. On Thursday, Modi followed this up with a provocative, war-mongering speech, in which one could hear the echoes of US President Donald Trumps threats to obliterate Iran and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus speeches inciting genocide against the oppressed Palestinians of Gaza. Addressing a BJP rally in Bihar, Modi vowed, Those who carried out this terror attack and those who planned it will get a punishment beyond their imagination. It is time to render into dust the remaining land of terrorists. The resolve of 140-crore (1.4 billion) Indians will now break the backs of the masters of terror. The Indian government has long denounced its arch-rival Pakistan as the worlds chief terrorist state. Pakistan has responded in kind. On Thursday, it announced that it was suspending the Simla Agreement, a treaty signed in July 1972 in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. Among other things, the Simla Agreement commits the two countries to seek the peaceful bilateral resolution of disputes and established the Line of Control (LOC) that separates Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistani-controlled Azad Kashmir, pending final resolution of their competing claims for sovereignty over the whole of Kashmir. In a statement issued by Prime Minister Shebhaz Sharif on Thursday, Islamabad amplified its recent charges that India is seeking to destabilize the country, including by providing covert support to Balochi separatists and the Islamist Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan (Pakistani Taliban). Pakistan, the statement declared, shall exercise the right to hold all bilateral agreements with India including but not limited to the Simla Agreement in abeyance, till India desists from its manifested behavior of fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan; transnational killings; and non-adherence to international law and UN Resolutions on Kashmir. The statement charged that Indias suspension of the Indus Water Treaty was illegal, with water constituting both a vital national interest of Pakistan and a lifeline for its 240 million people. It then went on to warn that if India should now act upon its threat to cut off Pakistans water supply, it will trigger war: Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty will be considered as an act of war and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of national power. The Indo-Pakistani conflict is a reactionary conflict between rival capitalist states, rooted in the 1947 communal partition of South Asia into an avowedly Muslim Pakistan and a Hindu India. Out of fear of the growing anti-imperialist movement and, above all, the emergence of a combative working class, the bourgeois-led Indian National Congress abandoned its own program for a united, democratic, and secular India and made a sordid deal with London for a quick transfer of power, in which it assumed control over the colonial capitalist state erected by British Imperialism. This included working with its right-wing rival, the Muslim League, to communally partition the subcontinent, triggering mass communal violence in which as many as two million people died and the forced migration of some 20 million people, as Muslims fled India and Hindus and Sikhs, Pakistan. Central to the continuing Indo-Pakistani conflict is control over Kashmir, which is an ethnic-linguistic and geographic region, as well as the name of a princely or vassal state of Britains former Indian empire. Kashmir was bifurcated through war in 1947-48 into rival Indian- and Pakistani-held Kashmirs. Both the Indian and Pakistani bourgeoisies have run roughshod over the democratic rights of the Kashmiri people. New Delhi brutally suppressed mass protests that erupted in 1989 in response to its rigging of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Indias lone Muslim-majority state. This triggered an insurgency, which Pakistan manipulated to further its own reactionary interests, by redeploying and expanding the network of Islamist militia it had developed at American imperialisms behest to fight the Soviet-backed government in Afghanistan. For decades, the LOC has been one of the worlds most dangerous conflict zones, with massive concentrations of Indian and Pakistani troops and artillery arrayed against each other; and Indian-occupied Kashmir among the most militarized regions in the world. More than half a million Indian security personnel are deployed in a region of 14 million people. The conflict over Kashmir and world geopolitics Since the turn of the century, the Indo-Pakistani conflict has become ever more enmeshed with Indias rivalry with China and the conflict between US imperialism and China. Washington has massively downgraded its relations with Pakistan, which during the Cold War was its principal regional ally, to pursue a global strategic partnership with India. Its aim is to build up India as a counterweight to China, while ensuring, in partnership with it, US dominance over the Indian Ocean, whose sea lanes are critical to Chinas access to resources and exports to the world. Successive US presidents, Democratic and Republican alike, stretching back to George W. Bush, have lionized the US-India partnership, on occasion going so far as to describe it as Americas most important for maintaining dominance throughout the century. As the US lavished strategic favors on India, including advanced weapons and access to civilian nuclear technology, Pakistan warned that Washington was dangerously disrupting the balance of power in the region. But its increasingly shrill warnings were blithely ignored. In response, Pakistan has doubled down on its all-weather strategic partnership with China, further antagonizing Washington and New Delhi. Emboldened by US support, the Modi government has sought to change the rules in the relationship between India and Pakistan, as part of a drive to establish itself as the regional hegemon. While the cross-border surgical strikes Modi mounted inside Pakistan were far from the first ever undertaken by India, never before had New Delhi boasted about it and asserted, in the style of the imperialist gangsters in Washington and Tel Aviv, a right to violate international law at will. The ever-increasing antagonism between the US and China has given new global strategic importance to the Kashmir region. India has stridently reasserted its claim to all of Kashmir as part of its legal-diplomatic justification for its staunch opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is itself a key element in Chinas Belt and Road initiative. Through the CPEC, China aims to link Pakistans Gwadar Arabian Sea port via rail and pipeline with western China, and thereby circumvent US plans to use ocean chokepoints to strangle the Chinese economy. In August 2019, shortly after winning his second term as prime minister, Modi abolished Jammu and Kashmirs special, autonomous status within India, in flagrant violation of the constitution. This was a longstanding goal of the BJP and the Hindu right. But Modis coup against Kashmir, which included bifurcating it and reducing it to a Union Territory so as to place it still more directly under the control of the central government, was also aimed at strengthening its hand against China and Pakistan. One element in this was the carving off of the remote Ladakh region, which borders China, and its transformation into a separate Union Territory, thereby giving the military, which is engaged in massive military infrastructure projects along the border, a freer hand. In May-June 2020, Indian and Chinese troops clashed on the disputed border between Indian-held Ladakh and Chinas Aksai Chin. A tense border standoff ensued, with both India and China maintaining massive forward deployments of tens of thousands of troops, artillery and warplanes in one of the worlds most inhospitable terrains and climates. The US, under both Trump and Biden, egged India on in this conflict, using it to further integrate India into its web of anti-China alliances. Washington publicly tied the India-China border dispute to the US-instigated territorial disputes between China and its South China Sea neighbors, labeling China as the aggressor, and for the first time took a position on the Sino-Indian border dispute, declaring New Delhi to be in the right. How far India is ready to go and risk in securing its predatory ambitions and Washington in bolstering its anti-China alliance will play out in the coming days. Given the multiple crises roiling the Pakistani state and bourgeoisie, the far-right Modi government may calculate that it can deliver its rivals a major blow. What is certain is that any military clash between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan could quickly spin out of control and into catastrophe, potentially drawing in other powers. It is also certain that the capitalist ruling elites of both India and Pakistan will seize on the war crisis to whip up communalism, attack the social and democratic rights of the workers and toilers and advance reactionary policies and plans that were previously deemed too explosive. In this regard, it is important to note that India has for some time been indicating its dissatisfaction with the Indus Waters Treaty, claiming it is frustrating Indias economic development. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Bogdan Syrotiuk showing an image of Leon Trotsky in an old Soviet edition of John Reeds Ten Days That Shook the World, April 2023 Exactly one year ago, on April 25, 2024, our Comrade Bogdan Syrotiuk, aged 25 at the time, was arrested by the Ukrainian Secret Service (SBU). Bogdan is a socialist opponent of the war in Ukraine and is a leading member of our organization, the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), which has declared its solidarity with the world Trotskyist movement, the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) and the World Socialist Web Site. Bogdan has been charged with treason under martial law. He is being held in an overcrowded prison under poor hygienic conditions in Nikolaev, sharing his fate with imprisoned factory workers and youth. If convicted, he faces between 15 years to life in prison. Central to the indictment and trial is the SBUs claim that Bogdan was involved in preparing publications on behalf of representatives of the Russian propaganda and information agency World Socialist Web Site. The principal evidence for the charges are articles he wrote that were published by the WSWS. In reality, Bogdans and the ICFIs well documented views directly refute this claim of the SBU. The ICFI and the YGBL have opposed the invasion of Ukraine from the beginning as a reactionary response by the Russian oligarchy to the imperialist encirclement of Russia, which would only serve the interests of the imperialist powers and divide the working class. Bogdan has consistently called for an end to the war through the unification of the Ukrainian, Russian and world working class on the basis of a socialist perspective. He has consistently opposed both the Zelensky regime and the Putin regime, both of which he has characterized as the reactionary result of the restoration of capitalism in the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy. This is what Bogdan, as the representative of the YGBL in Ukraine, wanted to say at last years May Day online rally of the ICFI: On this day of international working class solidarity, we, the members of the Ukrainian branch of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists and the entire YGBL, call for the unification of the Ukrainian and Russian proletariat with the proletariat of the imperialist countries to end this war! We call for the creation of branches of the International Committee of the Fourth International in all former Soviet republics. We call on the proletariat of the whole world to unite under the banner of its leader, the International Committee of the Fourth International. Let the words of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels ring out louder and stronger: Workers of all countries, unite! He wrote these words just a few days before his arrest and was unable to deliver them. These words alone are more than enough to make clear the content of his crimes. In fact, Bogdan was arrested for expressing his anti-war socialist views, for his exposures of the crimes of the Ukrainian fascists and, above all, for his struggle for the rebuilding of the Trotskyist movement in the former Soviet Union. The YGBL was founded in 2018 as an organization seeking to uncover the truth about Trotsky and the Left Oppositions struggle against the nationalist betrayal of the October Revolution by Stalinism. The YGBL emerged in conditions aptly described by the Soviet historian Vadim Rogovin as scorched earth for Trotskyism. In the Great Terror of the 1930s, virtually all Trotskyists and other revolutionaries had been physically destroyed by the Stalinist bureaucracy. In the decades after, all information about Trotsky and the struggle of the Left Opposition against Stalinism was distorted or concealed. In our further development, we came to the conclusion that it was necessary to join the conscious struggle of the international working class. This recognition was expressed in our decision to join the International Committee of the Fourth International as the only force capable of leading the working class. Today, the YGBL, together with the ICFI, is fighting to overcome the legacy of Stalinism and revive the internationalist traditions of Lenin and Trotsky in the working class of the former Soviet Union. Bogdans prosecution exposes the imperialist propaganda that the war waged by NATO against Russia in Ukraine is a war for democracy against Putins dictatorship. For the persecution of this socialist youth, dictatorial laws are being mobilized that allow the Ukrainian government to prosecute citizens for their statements if they are suspected of being traitors to the state. To prove such crimes, special linguistic experts are brought in to prove the criminal content of statements. In effect, what is happening is the persecution of people for thought crimes, a procedure previously associated, above all, with Nazi Germany. Tens of thousands of young people and workers have been arrested on this basis. Since the start of the war, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian youth and workers have died on the front lines; many more permanently injured or crippled. Their lives have been brutally squandered, not for freedom and democracy but for the predatory interests of the imperialist powers and the rapacious oligarchy. Bogdan was arrested amid growing opposition to the war and an immense social crisis in Ukraine. Having emerged from the Stalinist betrayal of the October Revolution, the Ukrainian oligarchy, like its Russian counterpart, is acutely sensitive to the threat posed to its rule by the Trotskyist movement. Fearful that Bogdans views would gain a wider hearing amid a movement among workers and youth against the war, it moved to arrest him. The arrest of Bogdan is not only an attack on Bogdan and the YGBL, it is an attack on the entire working class and the ICFI in particular. The state is building its case with the aim of criminalizing Trotskyism. The WSWS, the online publication of the ICFI, was banned one month after Bogdans arrest in order to cut off Ukrainians access to the exposure of Bogdans trial and to the real information about his views. There can be no doubt that Bogdans arrest was orchestrated not only by Kiev but also by the imperialist backers of the Zelensky regime in Berlin, London and Washington. It is worth remembering that the ICFI has been under attack from governments for a number of years. In 2018, the Socialist Equality Party in Germany (SGP) was added to the list of left-wing extremist organizations. And last year, the IYSSE in Germany, the youth section of the SGP, was added to the list of anti-constitutional organizations. But we have not been and will never be intimidated by such attacks. The International Committee responded to Bogdans arrest with a powerful campaign on a global level, demanding his immediate release and popularizing the Trotskyist principles for which he stands. In the first days after Bogdans detention, a petition demanding his release was created and gathered more than 4,700 signatures. A special page on the WSWS features information about Bogdan and this campaign. On June 13, the ICFI held pickets outside Ukrainian embassies around the world, reading out a letter from David North, the chairperson of the WSWS editorial board, to the Ukrainian government demanding Bogdan Syrotiuks release. Bogdans release was one of the central themes of the election campaigns of the Socialist Equality Parties in the UK, Sri Lanka, the US and Germany. The campaign has received support from numerous organizations, intellectuals and public figures, including Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters. As a result, the state prosecutors have come under intense public scrutiny and are scrambling in court to prove their case against Bogdan. But this struggle is far from over. One year on, the fight to free Bogdan is more urgent than ever. At stake is not only Bogdans freedom but the political mobilization of the international working class against the escalating threat of world war, fascism and dictatorship. Whatever the outcome of the current negotiations by the US with Ukraine and Russia, the trajectory is toward a new imperialist redivision of the world. But as the experience of the war in Ukraine shows, imperialist war and the ensuing mass death cannot be imposed on the working class without a brutal crackdown on anti-war opposition and the bolstering of fascist forces. Since Trumps coming to power, his administration has revived the law to justify the deportation of illegal immigrants, has already deported more than 100,000 people and has also revoked the visas of more than 1,600 foreign students, many of whom were targeted because of their political statements protesting the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Like Bogdan, they are being persecuted effectively for their opposition to war and fascism, a thought crime. We therefore appeal to workers and youth in Russia, Ukraine, the US and throughout the world to join the campaign for Bogdans release as a central part of the conscious struggle against fascism, dictatorship, war and capitalism. Sign the petition demanding Bogdans release, and share it with your friends and acquaintances! No to fascism and war! Fight for the unification of the Ukrainian, Russian and international working class, through the building of the Trotskyist movement! Participate in the 2025 Online May Day Rally on May 3! Join the Socialist Equality Party and build the Fourth International! Fight for freedom for Bogdan Syrotiuk! Backed by thousands of protesters, dock workers in Morocco this week refused to load Maersk container ships carrying parts for F-35 fighter jets Israel is using in its genocide in Gaza. Anti-genocide protests which have taken place regularly in Morocco escalated to coincide with the arrival of the Nexoe Maersk (flagged in Hong Kong) and another container ship involved in the onward transit of the components to Israel, the US-flagged Maersk Detroit. It is understood that the F-35 parts were en route to the Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel, a pivotal location for the Israeli Air Forces war against the Palestinians. Moroccans protest the docking of a Maersk cargo ship carrying airplane parts they suspect are headed to Israel, outside Tangier Med Port, Sunday, April 20, 2025. [AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy] The Danish shipping corporation A.P. Moller-Maersk plays a major role in facilitating the war, due to a contract with the US military which supplies the F-35s to Israel and components for the repair of the planes. The F-35s, manufactured by US corporation Lockheed Martin, are a critical element in Israels killing machine. It has at least 40 of the advanced stealth warplanes in operation, with 75 on order. On Sunday April 20, according to the Drop Site independent news outlet, 18 out of 20 remote crane controllers on the first shift at Tangier Port refused to operate machinery to service the ship believed to be carrying F-35 parts. On the second shift, 27 of 30 workers reportedly joined the refusal. The report added, While not officially acknowledged by the port or Maersk, internal updates viewed by Drop Site indicate the disruption remains in effect. Drop Site has compiled a valuable X thread of the action by workers and their supportersincluding photos and videos. The workers blockade in Tangier followed a boycott, April 18, by dockworkers backed by thousands of protesters at Casablanca port as the Nexoe Maersk arrived. This followed a call on April 14 by the Union of Port Workers in Morocco, for workers, users and frameworks of companies operating in the port of Casablanca to boycott the ship. The statement explained that the Nexoe Maersk was in charge of transporting a cargo of spare parts for F-35 military aircraft and deadly American military supplies directed to the Zionist entity, after being emptied by another ship named MAERSK DETROIT coming from the port of Houston in the United States in order to enable Israel to continue the barbaric and [sic] killing of Palestinian women and elders with control or censorship. The New Arab reported that the Casablanca protesters began assembling in front of the citys main train station, just metres from the entrance to the port. Waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs, the crowd moved cautiously toward the harbour, easily passing through an initial police barricade while chanting, Our protest is peaceful. One placard held by a demonstrator read, The ships of the enemy at the ports, the blood of the martyr wont be forgotten. At the second line of police, stationed closer to the ports main gate, protesters were halted. Some attempted to push through, aiming to reach the port where the Maersk Nexoe is set to dock but were repelled by security forces. Protesters remained there around two hours, the New Arab reported. Several dockworkers at the port had already heeded a rare call by Moroccos two largest labour unions, the UMT and the CDT, to boycott the ship. The New Arab stated, According to the investigative reports and pro-Palestine groups, the [Maersk] Detroit container was scheduled to dock in Tangier on 20 April, where it would offload its cargo onto the Nexoe for onward shipment to Haifa Activists with BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] Morocco, MaskOff Maersk, and the Palestinian Youth Movement believe the ship is carrying a bulk shipment of surface analysers, devices used for spot repairs on damaged F-35s equipment deemed critical to maintaining the jets currently deployed by Israel to bomb Gaza. Sion Asidon, a founder of the Moroccan branch of the BDS movement, explained, Roughly every ten days, one of these F-35s breaks down and needs repairs to return to service. A sea shipment in a full container implies a large volume of this essential equipment, a delivery that could significantly bolster Israels ongoing assault. On April 20, around 1,500 people protested in Tangier. Press TV reported, The people want the ship banned, and No genocidal weapons in Moroccan waters, people chanted as they marched down a road alongside the Tangier Med container port. Nearly every docker in the port refused to service the Maersk Detroit when it arrived. Maersk attempted to dissemble over its involvement in facilitating the genocide in Gaza, stating that Maersk Detroit and Nexoe Maersk are carrying containers with F-35 parts. However, these shipments are destined for other countries participating in the F-35 program. The company claimed: As part of the coalition-building of the F-35, Maersk Line Limited regularly transports parts between participating countries, including Israel, where F-35 wings are manufactured. These shipments, however, are conducted on behalf of suppliers not the Israeli Ministry of Defense. This was after Declassified reported in an April 4 article that cargo data it and another news site, The Ditch, had evidence of showed how goods from US Air Force Plant 4 in Fort Worth are being transported to Haifa port in Israel on two Maersk container ships between 5 April and 1 May, and then a separate company will courier them by land to Nevatim air base. Air Force Plant 4 is a US government-owned facility which is operated by Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor in the international consortium that produces F-35 jets. It hosts a mile-long factory where F-35 fighter jets and components are produced before being dispatched to NATO partners and allies including Israel. Nevatim air base is home to Israels squadron of F-35s, which have been used to commit war crimes in Gaza. As Declassified noted, In response to previous criticism, Maersk issued a statement last year saying it has contracts with the U.S. government and transports cargo to over 180 countries under security cooperation programs which includes military-related cargo to Israel. In their attempts to muddy the waters, the company was assisted by a section of the Moroccan trade union bureaucracy. Press TV, among several news sites, reported that the Moroccan media did not confirm the presence of any weapons on the [Maersk Nexoe] vessel, citing a statement by the CGT General Union of Dock Workers and Port Personnel of the Gulf of Fos: All containers have been checked, nothing to report, no weapons, no parts. Without the role of the trade union bureaucracy internationally, Israelwhich is totally reliant on its imperialist backers to supply and continually reload its war machinecould not have continued its genocide for the 18 months since October 2023. As long ago as October 16, 2023, a group of Palestinian trade unions insisted, This urgent, genocidal situation can only be prevented by a massive increase in global solidarity with the people of Palestine and that can restrain the Israeli war machine. The unions called on our counterparts internationally and all people of conscience to end all forms of complicity with Israels war crimes, most urgently halting the arms trade with Israel, as well as all funding and military research. In response the trade union bureaucracy internationally organised next to nothing, with any action in solidaritywith a few exceptionsorganised by port and logistics workers themselves. Courageous actions taken by workers in 2023 include that of port workers in Barcelona, Spain; airport ground crew in Belgium; and workers at Athens International Airport. Last year workers at 11 major Indian ports refused to load or unload weapons bound for Israel on any ship, and Greek dockworkers blocked a shipment of 21 tonnes of ammunition to Israel. In Britain, despite dozens of anti-Gazan genocide national demonstrations taking place mobilising millions collectively in London, the Trades Union Congress and main unions affiliated to it have refused to organise delegations in support. The leadership of one of the largest union in Europe, Unite, have mounted a witch-hunt of its members demanding an end to the supply of British arms to Israel. Wolfgang Weber at the party congress of the SGP in 2010 On January 19, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) in Germany held an international event in memory of Wolfgang Weber, who died on November 16, 2024. Wolfgang was an outstanding fighter for Trotskyism and a long-time leading member of the SGP. The following remarks were delivered to the January 19 meeting by David North, chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site and national chairman of the Socialist Equality Party in the US. Comrades, It is, in one sense, difficult to speak at a meeting like this within a short period of time, especially when trying to sum up the significance of Comrade Wolfgangs life. Comrade Uli and Comrade Christoph have already done an excellent job addressing Wolfgangs political history, which spanned half a century. While, in a broad historical sense, we understand that half a century is not an immense amount of time, it is a vast portion of an individuals life. My own relationship with Wolfgang spanned nearly that entire 50 years. I first met him in 1975, at a school of the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP). He immediately struck me as a comrade of immense intellectual depth. I was drawn to the movement through the historical struggle waged by Trotsky against the most terrible manifestation of barbarism in the 20th centurythe coming to power of the Nazi regime. It was the clarity with which Trotsky and the Trotskyist movement had explained the significance of fascism, and their advanced program that could have stopped Hitlers rise to power, that convinced me of the historical importance of Trotskys role. This understanding was perhaps even more powerful than his leadership in the October Revolution. Everything that Peter, Christoph and Uli have said about the significance of this historical experience for Wolfgang is absolutely true, and it was true for many others as well. As we reflect on Wolfgangs history, I think its important to note that he conducted his work under extremely difficult conditions for the movement in Germany. While the British movement and Gerry Healy led the struggle against Pabloism and for the defense of Trotskyism, the Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP) was already in retreat by the time Wolfgang joined the movement. One particularly disturbing aspect of this political retreat was the WRPs attitude toward the section in Germany. There are perhaps many reasons for this, but in some strange way, they viewed any serious discussion of the history of Germany as a manifestation of pessimism. They seemed to believe that dwelling on the experiences of the 30s and 40s, the catastrophes of that period, somehow contradicted the argument that the working class was undefeated. There was only one occasion when I heard Healy address this issue in a way that was appropriate. It was at a school in the United States and Canada in 1973, when he warned, We are not going to permit again the destruction of the flower of the working class. But the necessary political and historical clarifications for the development of the German movement were not undertaken. The German comrades, who were young and inexperienced, yet full of determination, were profoundly aware of the tragic history of Germany and the significance of fascism. However, the required political and theoretical work was not encouraged, and this created exceptionally difficult conditions for them. I sensed that this attitude underlay what seemed to be a hostility from Healy, Banda and Slaughter toward Comrade Wolfgang, which I could never understand. Whenever I spoke with Wolfgang, I was always impressed by the depth of his knowledge, his political seriousness, his love of history and his immense culture. Having such a comrade was a source of great encouragement for me. It wasnt until 1981, when I met Comrade Wolfgang again in Essen, and especially after the split in the International Committee, that it became possible to have genuine political collaboration with him. Much has been said about the political work Wolfgang conducted. I particularly recall his articles and essays, his efforts to explain the nature of the East German state and the betrayal of Stalinism in the GDR (German Democratic Republic). The most enjoyable element of my collaboration with Wolfgang came in the 2000s, when he took the initiative in conducting a fight against the lies of Robert Service. I remember two episodes that are worth emphasizing. The first was Wolfgangs role in organizing a campaign to sponsor a lecture by Professor Alexander Rabinowitch on the subject of the Russian Revolution. Rabinowitch, a distinguished historian in the United States, had written key works on the history of the Russian Revolution, such as Prelude to Revolution, The Bolsheviks Come to Power, and The Bolsheviks in Power. Rabinowitch, who spent hours with Wolfgang, later commented that he considered Wolfgang one of the most brilliant people he had ever met. Wolfgangs depth of interest and knowledge in Rabinowitchs work had a profound impact on him, especially at a time when Rabinowitchs historical approach was being increasingly sidelined by the postmodernist trends that dismissed careful historical narrative and Marxist perspectives. Wolfgang played an enormous role in guiding and supporting Rabinowitch during his tour, representing the party very well. I also remember the meeting at which Alexander Rabinowitch spoke. It was so significant that Der Spiegel published a major article about it. Over 400 people attended, despite attempts to sabotage the meeting. Wolfgangs seriousness and the work he carried out in the fight to clarify the historical questions of the 20th century, particularly the nature of fascism, remain a source of immense relevance. Another major contribution by Comrade Wolfgang was his initiative to prevent the publication of Robert Services biography of Trotsky in German. Wolfgang contacted leading historians in Germany and Austria, persuading them to oppose the publication. His efforts were successful in blocking the German release of the book for over one year, and by the time it was eventually published, the book was largely discredited. This was a great political victory for the International Committee and significantly strengthened our intellectual presence. Tomorrow, one of the most degrading events in American history will take place: the inauguration of a convicted criminal, a gangster, charlatan and social trash as president of the United States. Just four years after attempting to overthrow the Constitution on a fascistic basis, Donald Trump will again be inaugurated as president. We wrote, some 23 years ago, that the United States had a rendezvous with disaster. Tomorrow, that rendezvous will be fulfilled. The presidency of Donald Trump marks the beginning of the end for American capitalism. The American bourgeoisie has forfeited all political and historical credibility with this event. Many are responsible for this: not just the political right or the capitalist system, but also American liberalism, the Democratic Party, the pseudo-left, the cowardly academic community, the media and the corrupt business culture. Now, it is left to the working class to stop this, and that will happen. As we honor the life of Comrade Wolfgang, we must also be mindful of our historical task. The fight against fascism is not only about clarifying the past but about mobilizing our movement for the tasks we face in the future. Had Comrade Wolfgang lived a few more years, he would have been fully engaged in this struggle. He was a great champion of Trotskyism, a defender of historical truth, an implacable foe of capitalism and a fighter against the barbarism it represents. So, in bidding farewell to Comrade Wolfgang, I assure all who honor his memory that we will carry forward this fight to its necessary conclusion. Long live the memory of Comrade Wolfgang Weber. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared on Saturday that a re-elected Labor government would introduce legislation to prevent any future attempt by big business to remove weekend, public holiday and after-hours penalty rates from industrial awards. The proclamation, timed to coincide with the Easter four-day weekend, was aimed at bolstering the Albanese governments fraudulent claim to have improved the wages and conditions of workers during its first term in office. In reality, the Labor government has presided over the worst fall in working-class living standards in decades, while also carrying out multiple attacks on the basic democratic rights of workers. Building workers march in Sydney on November 12, 2024, in opposition to administration of CFMEU The announcement came after major retailers, banks and other businesses sought to abolish penalty rates in the awards, which are set by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and lay out minimum pay and conditions for each job classification in a given industry. While not all workers are employed under awards, changes to these minimum standards would have a broader impact across the working class. Enterprise bargaining agreements cannot legally be approved by the industrial court if, at the time of signing, they would leave any employee worse off than the relevant award. Labors proposed change would not protect workers from the elimination or slashing of penalty rates. It would simply require businesses wanting to attack those entitlements to engage in enterprise bargaining, which in most cases involves at least one union. This kind of wheeling and dealing behind the scenes to trade off workers hard-won conditions for nominal pay increases is a central aim of the enterprise bargaining system, which was set up by the Hawke-Keating Labor government in collaboration with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Labors announcement was predictably hailed by union officials. Workers have been bombarded online with advertisements urging them to thank Labor and the unions for the penalty rates they were earning over the Easter long weekend instead of spending time with their family and friends. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) issued a press release that spells out the cynical electoral motivations behind Labors penalty rate promise. According to polling commissioned by the peak union body ahead of the announcement, 44 percent of Australians say they are more likely to vote for a political party with a policy to legislate to protect penalty rates, compared to 10 percent who say theyd be less likely to. The ACTU provided examples of the financial impact on various workers, stating that a retail worker on a typical roster cycle over Easter would lose $353.21, an aged care worker $632.52 and a paramedic $742.56 if penalty rates were removed from their take-home pay. These figures illustrate the enormous financial pressure on employees to work whatever unsociable and extended hours that the bosses demand. Amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, many workers have become dependent on penalty rates and overtime just to get by. Almost 40 percent of workersmore than 4.5 millionregularly work on weekends, and almost one-third usually work extra hours or overtime, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Albanese claimed the penalty rates announcement set a precedent for the Labor Party defending the rights of working people to have decent wages and conditions. Thats something weve been doing since 1891 we have supported working people earning more. But what is the real record of Labor and the unions, under Albanese or in decades gone by? The Wage Price Index increased by 10.62 percent between the March quarter of 2022 and the December quarter last yearthe most recent figures published by the ABS. Over the same period, the Consumer Price Index rose by 12.51 percent, while median advertised rents soared 41.3 percent for apartments and 26.21 percent for houses. The Albanese government and its state Labor counterparts have spearheaded this attack on real wages. Since the March quarter of 2022, public sector wages have increased by an average of just 9.33 percent. This is a direct result of punitive wage caps imposed on health workers, educators and other public sector workers with the vital aid of the unions, which have shut down numerous mass strikes and pushed through sell-out deals. According to market research firm Roy Morgan, 1.83 million Australians, or 11.5 percent of the workforce, are now unemployed, compared with 8.1 percent in May 2022. A further 1.63 million are under-employed, meaning a total of 21.7 percent of workers have no work or not enough work. At the same time, the phenomenon of workers needing to hold down two or more jobs to make ends meet has become more common than ever before. In December 2024, 6.7 percent of Australian workersmore than 1 millionreported having multiple jobs, up from 5.8 percent in December 2019. Young people are most likely to have multiple jobs, with 9 percent of those aged 2024 and 8.3 percent of 1519-year-olds reporting this. Women are also disproportionately represented, with 7.6 percent holding more than one job. Almost 200,000 healthcare and social-assistance workers hold multiple jobs, with close to 100,000 each in administrative and support services, education and training, accommodation and food services and retail. For men, this is most common in construction, where 68,300 hold multiple jobs. This is a vast understatement, however, due to the prevalence in the industry of sole tradersindividuals who are forced to operate as small businessesto save big-business developers and contractors the cost of providing secure jobs and basic entitlements. As well as presiding over the increasingly dire conditions faced by workers, the Albanese Labor government has introduced sweeping reforms to industrial relations law. Like the penalty rates announcement, these have been championed by the union bureaucracy as victories for the working class. In fact, as the Socialist Equality Party has explained, these changes have been aimed at increasing the powers of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to shut down disputes and impose management demands for wage cuts and attacks on conditions. The starkest example of the Albanese Labor governments hostility to the working class was last years imposition of administration on the construction division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU). This placed building workers under quasi-dictatorial state control, in a move aimed at shutting down the wage struggles of a historically militant section of workers. Labor and the union bureaucrats now claiming credit for the introduction of penalty rates is not just a fraud; it is a deliberate attempt to cover over the historical reality. Penalty rates, like the eight-hour day and all other industrial rights, were not bestowed upon workers out of the good nature of the ruling class. They were fought for and won through the class struggle, not just in Australia, but globally. Sunday penalty rates, for example, were won by Australian workers in 1919, when strike activity in the country was at its highest-ever level, encouraged by the immense political impetus given to workers internationally by the Russian Revolution in 1917. Under these conditions, and in a period when the economy was highly regulated within a national framework, the unions were able to extract limited concessions for workers. But the vast expansion of globalised production, particularly in the 1980s, led to the transformation of the unions into corporatised representatives of Australian capitalism, tasked with imposing sweeping cuts to wages and conditions to make local industry internationally competitive. The same punitive class-war measures imposed by Thatcher in Britain and Reagan in the US were implemented in Australia by the Hawke-Keating Labor government, with the full collaboration of the ACTU. Since that time, the unions have kept industrial action to historically low levels, suppressing workers opposition to attacks on their working and living conditions. Aiding this, successive Labor governments have tightened draconian anti-strike laws and increased the powers of the industrial courts to shut down disputes and impose wage cuts, most significantly with the union-backed Rudd-Gillard governments introduction of the Fair Work Act and the FWC in 2008. This is the real history that Labor and the unions are trying to cover over in this election campaign. Above all, what they are determined to conceal is that the only way workers can fight for decent wages and conditions is through the class struggle. To fight back, workers need to build new organisations, rank-and-file committees, completely independent of the union bureaucracy and Labor, and controlled by workers themselves. Through such committees, workers can link up their struggles across workplaces and industries, across Australia and globally, and prepare an industrial and political fight against the offensive on jobs, wages and working conditions. Above all, what workers are up against is the capitalist system itself, in which all social needs are subordinated to corporate profits. To fight back, the working class needs its own mass socialist party, independent from and opposed to all of the capitalist parties. That is what the Socialist Equality Party is fighting to build. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 14, 2025. [AP Photo/Pool] After weeks of legal setbacks and injunctions that have slowed or disrupted the implementation of its fascist policies, the Trump administration is moving closer to direct defiance of the courts. Trump gave the signal for this Monday with his first direct attack on the US Supreme Courtthree of whose nine members he appointed, providing a 6-3 right-wing majority. Im doing what I was elected to do, remove criminals from our Country, but the Courts dont seem to want me to do that, Trump wrote on his social media platform. My team is fantastic, doing an incredible job, however, they are being stymied at every turn by even the U.S. Supreme Court, which I have such great respect for, but which seemingly doesnt want me to send violent criminals and terrorists back to Venezuela, or any other Country, for that matter. Trump was reacting to the 7-2 ruling issued by the Supreme Court just before 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 19, which has temporarily barred the resumption of deportation flights taking Venezuelan and Salvadoran migrants to the torture prison in El Salvador operated by the dictatorial regime of President Nayib Bukele. The US president went on to denounce the fundamental right of due process, which is based on the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the US Constitution, indicating it should not apply to immigrants. We cannot give everyone a trial, because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years, he wrote. We would need hundreds of thousands of trials for the hundreds of thousands of Illegals we are sending out of the Country. Such a thing is not possible to do. What a ridiculous situation we are in. Actually, Trump has claimed that he intends to remove as many as 21 million people from the United Statesmore than double the consensus estimates of undocumented immigrants. His statement that trials of even hundreds of thousands are not possible to do means that the vast majority of immigrants, as well as the millions of others who are being targeted for state repression and violence, will be denied all constitutional rights. Trump repeated his comments about denying due process to immigrants in remarks made to reporters Tuesday in the Oval Office. I hope we get cooperation from the courts, because we have thousands of people that are ready to go out and you cant have a trial for all of these people, he said. It wasnt meant. The system wasnt meant. And we dont think theres anything that says that. Were getting them out, and a judge cant say, No, you have to have a trial, he continued. The trial is going to take two years. Were going to have a very dangerous country if were not allowed to do what were entitled to do. This broadside against judges who find the administration in violation of the Constitution was followed up by his top aides. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday attacked rogue district court judges. Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller went on Fox News Wednesday to declare, Either we all side and get behind President Trump to remove these terrorists from our communities or we let a rogue radical left judiciary shut down the machinery of our national security apparatus. President Trump will make this nation safer than ever before and do it over the fighting and opposition of the communist left-wing judges. One right-wing talk show host urged Trump on X: Ignore the Supreme Court. Arrest anyone who tries to enforce this. Dissolve the Supreme Court entirely if they push. You can deport foreigners or you dont have a country anymore. This fascist vitriol is setting the stage for violent attacks both on individual judges and on the families of those targeted for illegal detention and deportation. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland father of three who was wrongly deported to the CECOT prison in El Salvador, said she has moved to a safe house. She told the Washington Post that she feared for her safety and the safety of her children after the Department of Homeland Security posted on X a court document from 2021a protective order she obtained against her husband after a family conflictwhich provided her home address. I dont feel safe when the government posts my address, the house where my family lives, for everyone to see, especially when this case has gone viral and people have all sorts of opinions, she told the Post. So, this is definitely a bit terrifying. Im scared for my kids. In the case of the courts, at least half a dozen federal district judges have received threats in the form of unsolicited pizza deliveries to their own residences, a method of telling the judges, We know where you live. According to Judge Esther Salas, whose home was attacked by a crazed defendant in 2020, such threats have escalated qualitatively in recent weeks. Salas 20-year-old son Daniel Anderl was shot and killed by the attacker, who later committed suicide. Judge Salas was not at home. But this month, she told NBC News, pizzas have been delivered to the homes of several federal judges with her son, Daniel Anderl, listed as the person sending it: a clear death threat. Supplementing this campaign of political bullying, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed on April 10 the No Rogue Rulings Act of 2025 (NORRA), by a vote of 219-213, with just one Republican joining all of the Democrats in opposition. The bill expressly states, notwithstanding any other provision of law, no United States district court shall issue any order providing for injunctive relief, except in the case of such an order that is applicable only to limit the actions of a party to the case before such district court with respect to the party seeking injunctive relief from such district court and non-parties represented by such a party acting in a representative capacity pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Translated into ordinary English, NORRA would bar federal district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions. This would severely restrict the courts ability to enjoin unconstitutional governmental conduct. Injunctions issued by a District Court would instead bind only the actions of the parties involved in that specific case or those within that judicial district. Consequently, this bill would undermine the fundamental principle that nationwide injunctions are necessary to ensure the uniform application of constitutional rights across the country, preventing variations by location. Under NORRA, conduct in one or more states or parts of states could be deemed constitutional and lawful, yet unconstitutional and unlawful in other states or parts of states, meaning that constitutional rights would depend on ones ZIP code. Since Trump has taken office, federal judges have issued more than two dozen nationwide injunctions barring the enforcement of many of his executive orders, including those involving birthright citizenship, diversity initiatives, multiple cases of DOGE firings, withdrawals of protections against deportations for certain immigrant groups and actions against law firms. By the passage of the NORRA, the Republican House hopes to be able to present to Trump a legislative remedy to help facilitate his dictatorial agenda. Or at least, they seek to demonstrate their slavish loyalty to the would-be dictator, since the law is unlikely to pass the Senate where it would need a 60-vote majority, and Republicans hold only a 53-47 margin. Democrats have opposed the bill, arguing that Republicans did not complain when conservative judges issued nationwide injunctions against the Biden administration during his presidency. Republicans responded that during the Biden administration Democrats had introduced similar bills, without success, to limit and restrict nationwide injunctions. Nationwide injunctive relief was rare prior to the 1960s, as government actions being restricted in one district usually meant the government refrained from that action nationally, rather than just attempting it again in a similar case. During the 1960s, however, injunctive relief was used by the government to compel desegregation and to enforce constitutional rights. In recent decades, as the political crisis within the ruling elite has become ever more intense, the courts have more and more been called on to step in and settle issues rather than allow them to be taken out to the broader population, where social anger against the ruling elite has become explosive. So far the campaign of political bullying and criminal threats has failed to accomplish its aim, as federal judges issued further rulings this week striking down or limiting the scope of Trumps executive orders and other policy directives. On Tuesday, District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein of New York criticized the denial of due process to immigrants seized on the streets by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This is not a secret court, an inquisition from medieval times. This is the United States of America, he said at a hearing. You gotta tell a person what hes done. In Colorado, District Court Judge Charlotte Sweeney blocked the federal government form using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to remove anyone detained in the state, without providing three weeks notice so they could challenge their removal in court. To the extent Trumps executive order relies on the Acts invasion and incursion provisions to justify its removal powers, it does so improperly, she wrote. On Wednesday, a Maryland federal judge appointed by Trump in his first term, Stephanie Gallagher, ruled that the administration had wrongly deported a 20-year-old Venezuelan immigrant in violation of a legally binding, court-approved settlement last year of a lawsuit against the summary deportation of migrants who arrive as children. The young Venezuelan, known only by the name Cristian, had arrived as an unaccompanied minor and filed for asylum. Judge Gallagher cited approvingly the rulings of her colleague Susan Xinis, the federal judge handling the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. She went even further than Xinis in spelling out the governments obligations in the case, writing: This Court further orders that facilitating Cristians return includes, but is not limited to, Defendants making a good faith request to the government of El Salvador to release Cristian to U.S. custody for transport back to the United States to await the adjudication of his asylum application on the merits Three more federal court rulings were handed down on Thursday, on cases not directly related to the mass deportation campaign. In San Francisco, Federal District Judge William Orrick issued an injunction prohibiting federal agencies from withholding funds from 16 sanctuary cities and counties, which have limited or barred cooperation with ICE. The cities include San Diego, Minneapolis and New Haven. In Washington D.C., District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly blocked enforcement of part of an executive order issued by Trump last month requiring voters to present documentary proof of citizenship when they go to the polls. Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the statesnot the presidentwith the authority to regulate federal elections, she wrote, adding that Trump could not short-circuit Congresss deliberative process by executive order. In New Hampshire, District Court Judge Landya McCafferty blocked the withholding of federal funds from K-12 public schools that maintain programs that the administration characterizes as diversity, equity and inclusion, saying that this violated free speech rights and exceeded the authority of the executive branch over local schools. The temporary restraining order applies to any school that employs members of the National Education Association or the American Federation of Teachers, which were among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. This is the first of a series of articles on the 2025 San Francisco International Film Festival, April 17-27, which made a number of films available online. Souleymanes Story Governments throughout the world have declared war on immigrants and refugees. The Trump administrations agenda may be one of the most brazen, sadistic and transparently illegal, but the pursuit and persecution of the most defenseless members of the human community is the policy, stated or unstated, of every capitalist regime and leading party, far-right or nominally left. Everywhere governments promote their racist and chauvinist anti-immigrant programs as the defense of native-born workers, but nothing could be further from the truth. The policies are merely meant to divide the oppressed and pit one section of workers against another in a scramble for the crumbs that the billionaires let fall. The conditions facing Souleymane Sangare (Abou Sangare), a food delivery worker in Paris, in Souleymanes Story (Lhistoire de Souleymane), directed and co-written by Boris Lojkine, are ghastly, but typical. The phrase precarious work may be metaphorical in some cases, but in the unstable and perilous existence Souleymane leads the precariousness is real and ever-present. The fiction work treats two desperate days in the life of this undocumented Guinean immigrant, as he struggles heroically to make a living and simultaneously prepares for an all-important asylum application interview, which will go a long way toward determining his official fate in France. He pays cash, something he is terribly short of, to get tutored by a fellow Guinean in a fake account of political persecution. He has to remember (falsely) that he was arrested for resisting evictions, that he is a member of the UFDG (Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea), the bourgeois opposition coalition, etc., etc. This is intended to qualify Souleymane as a political refugee. In fact, as we learn, his actual circumstances are far more devastating than the story he shakily learns by heart. Souleymane delivers meals, but in fact he rents an UberEats account from another African immigrant, who takes half or more of his earnings every week. The undocumented are frequently reduced to this. In the end, his colleague refuses to pay him what hes owed and even pushes him down a flight of stairs. A tiny episode is enough to propel Souleymane toward disaster: a minor accident while riding his bicycle damages a bag of food, which a customer refuses to accept. Life is harsh. Souleymane is always rushing, running, chasing after people who owe him money or favors. A missed bus means losing out on a bed in a homeless shelter and a night on the cold, wet streets of Paris. He phones his girlfriend in Guinea in the middle of the night, while huddling on the street, only to tell her she should marry an engineer who has asked for her hand. He has no future to offer her. The pain of leaving you burns I wish you a happy life. Ill never forget you. Its a moving, difficult sequence. I dont know why I came to France, Souleymane says forlornly, without self-pity, at one point. The final portion of the film is devoted to the frightening asylum application interview with a government official. She is perfectly sympathetic, but she knows his story about membership in the UFDG, etc., is phony as can be. What will happen when he tells the truth? Souleymanes Story is very strong, sympathetic. It cuts through a lot of rubbish and sets out the nightmarish, exhausting, debilitating circumstances undergone by the undocumented, friendless, isolated immigrant. Director Boris Lojkine explains that he and a collaborator met many food delivery workers. They told us about the behind-the-scenes aspects of their work: the problems with their account holders, the scams theyd fallen victims to, their interactions with customers; they told us about their difficulties to find accommodation, their relationships with their fellow deliverymen, colleagues who arent necessarily their friends. In all their stories, the issue of papers occupied a special place. It was particularly the case with the Guineans we talked to. Almost all of them were or had been asylum seekers, and they were obsessed with the application process, because being granted asylum could radically change their lives. Lojkine observes that he and his co-writer, Delphine Agut, built a dramaturgy closer to a thriller than to a social chronicle. Here are the efforts of a character struggling like a fly in a jar, prey to an oppressive system. During these two days when he should be resting before his interview, our protagonist doesnt have a minute to catch his breath. He runs around, trying to sort out problems that are piling up, grappling with the merciless system of a European society that we think is gentle, but which is terrible for those who arent citizens. Interviews and research do not by themselves produce an artistic work. Far from it. The filmmakers in this case bring sensitivity, thought and artistry to their work. Xoftex Xoftex, directed by Noaz Deshe, is set in a refugee camp in Greece. The inhabitants come from many places, but mostly Syria and Palestine. They are stuck in a hellish limbo. Nasser (Abdulrahman Diab) and his older brother Yassin (Osama Hafiry) wait, once again, for a decision on their asylum applications. They live in what looks like a shipping container. Xoftex The camp residents keep their spirits up by imagining the countries they would prefer to end up in. Not Poland, one insists, I want Paris, only because, it seems, of the Eiffel Tower. The Swiss will never accept you. Give him New York. Meanwhile, Nasser sneers, You hear Europe and you think human rights. Once again, the asylum interview looms large. The refugees rehearse. They prepare for questions: Have you committed any crimes? and so on. The camp is a dark, nervous, miserable place. Kids on roofs hurl rocks at one another. A crazy man bangs on doors. People are coming down with some sort of sleeping sickness. At the same time, someone lectures on space-time. The refugees pass their time by acting out amateur science fiction and then zombie films. The latter cuts too close to the bone, they feel like zombies, living dead. How can we turn back into humans again, one asks? The overall effect is hallucinatory. Smugglers operate out of a nearby rail yard. They sell passports. People hide in the undercarriage of trains. They need to memorize the railway schedule so they can climb down at the proper time. The smugglers also sell them metal shields for 20, because the stones [kicked up by the train] are like bullets under there. In its final section, Xoftex, based on theater workshops with refugees, passes over into surrealism, as the painfulness propels Nasser into what appears to be a fantasy world. Asked about his experimental style, director Deshe responded that in todays world, News is arguably only delivered by either actors or, in the best case, comedians who struggle to joke in order to make sense and draw attention to issues. There are a handful of real brave journalists who are often demonized. The mainstream fast-food media tends to dehumanize people rather than bring the audience closer, and images of victims, especially with an ongoing genocide not just in Gaza but predominantly in African nations or locations with severe human rights abuses, the norm is not to dive deep; it is to make you angry. Even the well-intentioned sometimes create a distance by not balancing the overly saturated images of horror. The answer may not be entirely satisfying, and neither is the film, but it goes some distance in representing the psychological trauma and disorientation resulting from the current displacement of refugees from the Middle East and other regions and the condition of mass statelessness. Where the Wind Comes From From Tunisia and writer-director Amel Guellaty, Where the Wind Comes From is a little softer and more genial, but it has striking and truthful sequences. Where the Wind Comes From Alyssa (Eya Bellagha) and Mehdi (Slim Baccar) are two young people, friends, not from the poorest of the poor but still from modest circumstances, living in Tunis, the countrys capital. He is an aspiring artist, she merely aspires to something other than what she is living through. Im leaving Tunisia, she declares firmly. She wants to move to France. You know how they treat Arabs there, Mehdi reminds her. Ill pretend to be Italian, is her semi-jocular answer. Alyssas mother is suffering from depression, following her husbands death. Alyssa and her father used to make wooden toys and other objects together. On the street one day, the girl spies a poster announcing an artistic contest in Djerba, in the south of Tunisia, offering a six-month residency in Germany. This is her and Mehdis ticket out of the country, she becomes convinced. Germany is full of tall blondes with blue eyes and red passports, she exclaims. Alyssa manages to convince Mehdi to prepare an artwork and make the trip, although they have hardly any money and no way of getting there. She borrows a car from an admirer, and they set off. En route, Alyssa provides her sardonic version of what a Tunisian national news program should say: Were fucked. Theres no money, no butter, no milk. Dictatorship is back in full force. But it doesnt matter, the earths burning up, were all gonna die. Alyssa exhibits the ingenuity of those without means, faking an epileptic fit at one point so the pair can avoid paying for a tank of gas. Mehdi, in fact, turns out to have wealthy relatives, to whom the young couple pay an unhappy visit. Alyssa imagines them with pigs heads. The contest proves to be fixed in favor of a well-connected artist, another disappointment. I cant take it anymore. Im drowning, suffocating, Alyssa says. In the end, Mehdi turns up in Marseilles, while Alyssa is still stuck in Tunis. The greatest strength here is Eya Bellaghas breathtaking performance. She has so much personality, energy, disobedience and resilience in her. Fragmented is a short film directed by Tanya Marar and Balolas Carvalho, but worth noting because of its subject matter. The documentary records the thoughts and opinions of Qassem, a former Palestinian political prisoner of the Israelis and a retired journalist, who left Gaza for the island of Malta after several weeks of the genocide in 2023. Fragmented This war changes everything, he says. Where is the humanity? When he was interrogated by the Israelis in the 1980s, his Zionist tormentors strove to make you feel you are nothing. They are a great power. He saw Israeli bulldozers and tanks destroy his familys heritage. But Gaza will never shut up. Theyre willing to pay the price. This war will change lots of peoples lives, he promises. Its a brief but stirring interview. To be continued BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The European Union (EU) is Azerbaijan's main trade partner, said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Trend reports. Speaking during a press conference today in Baku with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan considers the EU its key trade partner. "The European Union is the Republic of Azerbaijans primary trading partner. By the end of 2024, our trade turnover is expected to reach approximately 20 billion US dollars. For many years, Azerbaijan has been a reliable and consistently predictable partner for the European Union across various sectors, with energy cooperation standing out as a key area. Azerbaijan has long been a dependable supplier of crude oil to EU countries. Moreover, following the completion of the second phase of the Southern Gas Corridor and the construction of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, gas supplies from the Caspian region to European nations commenced for the first time at the end of 2020," he said. Bayramov also emphasized that, in recent years, particularly after the start of the war in Ukraine, the volume of gas supplies to European markets from Azerbaijan has increased significantly, following requests from European countries. "Today, Azerbaijans gas supply geography includes 12 countries, with 10 of them being European nations, eight of which are EU member states. We discussed the existing cooperation in this field as well as future prospects," the minister added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. We expect the Armenian and French authorities to react to the burning of flags of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at a press conference in Baku, Trend reports. "We are concerned that revanchist sentiments are still present in Armenian politics, as well as the rapid militarization of the country, which remains a source of threats. Recent events are particularly disturbing - two days ago, hostile slogans against Azerbaijan and Turkey were heard during a mass march in Yerevan. The flags of these countries were burned. Unfortunately, a similar incident took place the next day in Paris. We expect the authorities of these countries to react within the law: such actions are a criminal offense and must be strictly suppressed," he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The South Caucasus is one of the key regions on the OSCE agenda, Feridun Sinirlioglu, Secretary General of the OSCE, said during the reception by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 25, Trend reports. Sinirlioglu expressed his gratitude for the congratulations on his appointment as the OSCE Secretary General. The OSCE Secretary General conveyed his congratulations on the progress made regarding the agreement on the text of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He also noted that discussions on the normalization of relations between the two countries are ongoing. Sinirlioglu touched upon the cooperation projects implemented by the OSCE with Azerbaijan. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. We strongly condemn the burning of Azerbaijans flag during the torchlight procession in Iravan, Armenias capital on 23 April, as well as during a gathering of the Armenian community in the French capital Paris on 24 April, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. "The governments of Armenia and France should have prevented such campaigns embodied in ethnic hatred, in a timely manner and should have taken appropriate security measures. The governments of Armenia and France should hold those responsible for these acts accountable. Such acts, which are still a clear manifestation of a revanchist and ethnic hatred-based mindset in Armenia and beyond, should be condemned and prevented at the international level," the statement reads. David Thomas of Pere Ubu - Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Heres a long goodbye to David Thomas of Pere Ubu, one of the most defiantly eccentric and uncompromising voices in American rock. He made history with Pere Ubu, a garage band of Cleveland art-noise crackpots sending out a roar from the mid-Seventies Midwest industrial wasteland. In his early days, he was an imposing and ornery character, reveling in his onstage persona as the fearsome Crocus Behemoth. With Ubu and his earlier band Rocket from the Tombs, he howled and shrieked in a voice full of pulp nightmares, doing for Cleveland what George Romero did for Pittsburgh. The bands motto to the end, as Thomas declared on his website: We dont promote chaos, we preserve it. Thomas had a long and prolific career, right up to his final years, despite his health woes and a famously cranky personality that could curdle soup across the room. But you can make an argument that he achieved a lifetimes worth of greatness in the first three years of Pere Ubu hell, he could have called it quits after their first two indie singles and hed still be a legend, with classics like Heart of Darkness and Final Solution. Ubus early run remains a landmark of American avant-garage proto-punk, especially the trilogy of The Modern Dance, Dub Housing, and Terminal Tower. His voice is the ghost in the machine, a strangely humane presence amid all the urban-industrial pastoral. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were into reality music, Thomas told the Cleveland Plain Dealer in December 1975, shortly before Ubus live debut on New Years Eve. People want to live in fantasy worlds. They think theyre stars. They take dancing lessons Monday, foreign language on Tuesday, and macrame on Wednesday and think theyre artists. Reality is a scary thing. But so was Ubus music. The emotion in Heart of Darkness is desperation. We want to make the listener feel as if he is the narrator. Mission accomplished. Ubu released Heart of Darkness in late 1975, on their own Hearthan label, a debut single that went on to warp minds around the world. Heart of Darkness is a full-on psycho-destructo breakdown a hypnotic bass line from Tim Wright, primitive EML synthesizer swoops from Allen Ravenstine, the drum pulse of Scott Krauss, the proto-punk guitar of Peter Laughner and Tom Herman. Thomas pleads for his sanity in his paranoid whispers, his voice twisting and flopping like a fish on a line. By the end, hes chanting Im looking into the heart of darkness until hes screaming for his life. Its one of the most terrifying songs youll ever hear, proving this weird little band had a unique vision. Mission of Burma did a great nine-minute version on their live album The Horrible Truth About Burma, the only Ubu cover to capture the dread (and humor) of the original. He named the band after Alfred Jarrys surrealist play Ubu Roi. As he said early on, he chose the name as an added texture of absolute grotesquenessa shadow behind everything thats going on, a darkness over everything. Nobody in Cleveland was paying attention, but for him, that just meant freedom. [We] were working in isolation, Thomas said in Clinton Heylins essential From the Velvets to the Voidoids. So we had no hope of ever being successful, which is a heartening and creatively positive thing. Thomas was already a local rock journalist when he started Rocket From the Tombs in 1974, billing them as the Worlds Only Dumb-Metal Mind-Death Rock & Roll Band. He met guitarist Peter Laughner, another rock critic Laughner was into Dylan and the Velvets, Thomas was more into Beefheart and Hawkwind and the MC5, but both were obsessed with the Stooges. They first played together at the Special Extermination Music Night in December 1974, at the Viking Saloon, where Thomas worked as a bouncer. The Rockets played along with two other legendary Cle proto-punk innovators, the Electric Eels and Mirrors. All three bands were part of a local underground that worshipped the Velvets (who always played in their spiritual homes Cleveland and Boston far more than they did NYC). The Eels prided themselves on Art Terrorism, and thats what all three of these bands achieved. Thomas called himself Crocus Behemoth, a professors kid from Cleveland Heights, inspired by sci-fi and monster movies on late-night TV. The Rockets played future Ubu tunes like Life Stinks and 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, along with Stones and Stooges covers. Unfortunately, his strict Jehovahs Witness parents threw him out of the house after unwisely attending a gig where he crawled on the floor and howled Iggys I Wanna Be Your Dog while throwing dog biscuits at the crowd until he threw the whole box and hit his dad on the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a while, he got demoted to alto sax when his bandmates decided he couldnt sing. They left to start the bro-punk Dead Boys, taking Rockets songs like Sonic Reducer and Aint It Fun. Thomas and Laughner moved on to Ubu. Rocket from the Tombs split up without making a record, leaving behind classic bootlegs like A Night of Heavy Music, until the band finally got a proper testament with the 2002 collection The Day the Earth Met Rocket From the Tombs. But Thomas always had more ambition for Pere Ubu. The band has always operated on the basic principle of throw everything up in the air and see which way the wind blows it, Thomas told Rolling Stones Tom Carson in 1979. Were intuitive, we work on intuitive things. If you can explain it, its not worth doing. Ubu released a handful of indie singles, collected on the EP Datapanik in the Year Zero, and the 1986 compilation Terminal Tower. On the flip side of Heart of Darkness was 30 Seconds Over Tokyo was a dirge for a World War II pilot on his final raid, crashing and burning in the synth-and-guitar sludge. Final Solution might be their most famous moment, a wildly funny teen lament in the garage-rock mode of Psychotic Reaction or Summertime Blues or Talk Talk. (He took the title from the Sherlock Holmes mystery The Final Problem it had nothing to do with Nazis.) Thomas complains, Mom threw me out till I get some pants that fit/She just wont approve of my strange kind of wit until the guitar comes in like a nuclear destruction. Laughner died in 1977, only 24, destroyed by booze and drugs. (His great career anthology is the 1994 Take the Guitar Player for a Ride; make sure you dont die before hearing Amphetamine or Cinderella Backstreet.) Without him, Ubu cut their debut, The Modern Dance; the pressing plant sent it back, puzzled at all the distortion. It kicked off with Non-Alignment Pact, one of two songs Husker Du covered at their first gig (the other: Frankie Fords Sea Cruise), with gems like Street Waves, Laughing, and Over My Head. Ignored in their homeland, it became massively influential in the U.K., always the bands biggest market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But their magnum opus was 1978s Dub Housing, where Thomas shows off his collection of animal noises, grunts, yelps, and screeches, up to his neck in industrial synth-and-guitar factory noise. For Ubu, rock & roll was Caligaris Mirror, and Thomas made music by staring into that distorted mirror and making voices for all the misshapen selves he saw in there. He was never more lovable than in Navvy, raving, I got these arms and legs, they flip-flop flip-flop, over the bands manic slop-beat. In the chorus, he chants, Boy, that sounds swell! Side Two is a joyfully fuzzed-out groove of ambient sludge, from Drinking Wine Spodyody to (Pa) Ubu Dance Party to Blow Daddy-O, until the desolate ballad Codex. If youre dipping into the Ubu universe, thats the place to start. These records (and the back cover of Dub Housing) made Cleveland sound hugely romantic to outsiders, especially Europeans. A giant, blown-out factory town, Thomas described it in the NME. Theres the Flats with all this incredible industry, steel mills going flat out all day and all night, and its just half a mile away from where all the people live. This gives them the feeling that theres no future for somebody here, and all the musicians seem to be in love with that fact. Thomas was basically a graduate of the Captain Beefheart Charm School, never an easy man to get along with, as he made increasingly narrow music, broke up the band, made solo records. Ubu made a surprisingly strong return with their 1988 reunion, The Tenement Year, a jovial mess that might be their warmest. They next made a string of odd synth-pop records like Cloudland with Pet Shop Boys producer Stephen Hague, proving mostly that writing pop songs is hard. But it was a relief when he went back to the mayhem of Raygun Suitcase (pick hit: My Friend Is a Stooge for the Media Priests), Pennsylvania, and Lady From Shanghai. He did a musical adaptation of Ubu Roi with his 2009 Long Live Pere Ubu!, also playing the title character in the London theatrical production Bring Me the Head of Ubu Roi. As a cult hero, he inspired great tributes from Love Childs Crocus Says to Manishevitzs Lonesome Cowboy Dave Thomas. In 2003, Rocket from the Tombs staged a surprise reunion, including Televisions Richard Lloyd, touring and hitting the studio for new songs on Barfly). In the 2000s, he gratified fans by playing The Modern Dance at festivals. But he remained a combative type, compulsively abrasive to promoters, audiences, or interviewers. I only do what I want, he told the Village Voice in 2011. How many times do I have to say this? I dont need your approval or appreciation. I dont need anything you or an audience can give me. You and the audience give me nothing. I dont do anything for you or for the audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Bartleby spirit came out on his Ubu Projex website, one of his greatest long-running creations, a site full of rules, regulations, and principles. Pere Ubu does not recognize swarm think. Nearly every Pere Ubu song is funny in some way and meant to be funny. David Thomas is in sole possession of the Nuclear Trigger. Pere Ubu does not dabble in irony it is the last refuge of the weak-willed and cowardly. We are no cowards. When a member crosses the line, they become poison in the system that must be purged. The best guitar part is the one that requires you to move your fingers the least. And perhaps most fundamentally, The most important sentence in any musicians vocabulary (quoted below in full): No. Pere Ubu will never end, Thomas vowed in 2011. I am already grooming my replacement in the band. The plan is that he will be taking over in approximately five years, or sooner if he makes more rapid progress in terms of songwriting. But he never did quit; he held on to Ubu down the line, with his noir farewell in 2019, The Long Goodbye, and the 2023 coda, Trouble on Big Beat Street, with its tributes to the Carter Family and the Osmonds. Id been listening to commercial pop radio nonstop for months, he explained in his notes to The Long Goodbye. Thats what I wanted to rewrite and reimagine. Pop music shouldnt be without meaning or truthfulness. We live in desperate towns and we keep on going regardless of the stench. Its not often youre gonna find the answers. If ever. But here is pop music the way it should sound. Needless to say, it didnt sound a thing like commercial pop. Instead, it was the sonic stench of those desperate towns, where Thomas always felt at home. That was the music he heard in his head, and its the music he spent his life making, right down to the end, always exploring that same heart of darkness. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. EXCLUSIVE: Buyers, ready your bids: Israeli-Latin American gameshow format The Auction will be presented at next weeks Paris Unscripted Showcase. Israelis Dori Media Group will be hosting a live experience of the debuting show to kick off international sales efforts at the inaugural edition of the French screenings event. Guests will be able to participate as contestants and learn more about the format from a currently unnamed but experienced TV game show host. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The show comes from Dori and fellow Israeli firm Abot Hamieri in collaboration with Perus America Television, Kapow and Open Kimono. A Peruvian version, made by American Estudios, is set to launch mid-2025 on leading commercial network America Television. The Auction pits pits two teams of five family members against each other in an auction setting. Each team is given an equal budget and tasked with acquiring prizes with the highest value, while trying to reach the final and win the shows grand prize. Our fruitful collaboration with Abot Hameiri has once again created a new unscripted format with the potential to become the next big global format franchise, said Dori CEO Nadav Palti. The Auction has all the elements of a classic game show in an auction setting, filled with suspenseful, funny twists and eye-popping prizes. We are proud to collaborate with our partners Kapow and Open Kimono and, together with America Television, Perus top-ranked network, to bring this thrilling new show to their audiences. Fernando Muniz Betancourt, CEO of America Television, added: For America Multimedia and America Studios, this is an important opportunity to demonstrate our ability to produce high-level content, while also successfully delivering it on the countrys most important screen and its digital platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agustin Sacanell, co-CEO of Argentinian production house Kapow, said the show is the result of an international creative synergy that deeply inspires us, adding: We have always backed ideas with original DNA and global ambition, and this format is proof of that. Kapow is one of two Argentina-based producers attached to the show, with Nicolas Grapper, CEO of the other, Open Kimoni, adding: We strongly believe in this new IP that Abot Hameiri and Dori Media created and we are counting the days to enter into production. The Paris Unscripted Showcase will run for the first time in the French capital from Monday until Wednesday (April 28-30) at the Sofitel Arc de Triomphe. Distributors descending on the event include Dori, 2P2L, Banijay, Cant Stop Media, Dreamspark, Effervescence, France TV Distribution, Fremantle, Global Agency, Keshet International, M6 Formats, Media TV, Mediawan, Primitives, Rabbit Films, Satisfaction Group, Sony Pictures Television, Webedia and WeMake Productions. Several companies besides Dori will be holding showcases to reveal their latest formats to buyers. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Cannes Film Festivals Marche du Film has unveiled the 10 directors who will pitch their upcoming feature film projects at its third Investors Circle meeting. The one-day event unfolding on May 18 at the markets Plage des Palmes venue aims to connect auteur directors and their elevated international projects with film financiers and private investors. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years director cohort includes Belgiums Lukas Dhont, whose second film Close shared Cannes Grand Prix in 2022; Hungarian festival regular Kornel Mundruczo, who won the Un Certain Regard Prize in 2014 for White God, as well as Austrian Cannes regular Jessica Hausner. Two of the directors presenting new projects have completed films in this years Cannes Official Selection: Icelands Hlynur Palmason with The Love That Remains and Chiles director Sebastian Lelio with The Wave. The other participating directors comprise Giacomo Abbruzzese (Italy), Eliza Hittman (US), Jasmila Zbanic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Marcela Said (France, Chile)and Marie Kreutzer (Austria). Details of the projects are under wraps and are only unveiled to people participating in the meeting. Te market said the projects spanned a wide variety of cinematic styles, languages and production scales, the ten selected projects carry budgets ranging from 3M to 9M ($3.4M-$10.2M). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As new economic models continue to emerge, the Marche du Film reaffirms its role as a global accelerator for innovative film financing, said Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marche du Film. For its third edition, the Investors Circle is quickly becoming a reference point for those looking to engage in equity-driven support for independent film. We are proud to provide a platform where auteur cinema and financial strategy align. The Marche du Film runs from May 13 to 21. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Birds in hats fly to a festival, mischievous monkeys enjoy their pilfered prizes and the iconic frog musicians shake their maracas. Adriana Garcia brings these images to life, bringing the vibrant cultures of Ecuador and Puerto Rico to Lubbock. Garcia, sometimes known as the woman who paints birds with hats, works as a graphic designer at Texas Tech. She's also a passionate painter who aims to tell a story with every piece she creates. Her paintings pair the iconic animals of her homeland, Ecuador, and her husband's, Puerto Rico, with elements from those cultures. "I always try to make my art fun, playful and tell different stories," Garcia said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia has two painting series. Her first series, Harmony of Nature and Tradition, is a tribute to her homeland of Ecuador. Her second collection, which is ongoing, highlights Puerto Ricos biodiversity and heritage. This article continues after the photo gallery. Some of her favorite pieces she's made are Trio Los Coquis, Lista para el desfile, and Travesura Encantadora. Lista para el desfile, translated to Ready for the parade, features a Vermillion Flycatcher in a hat, who is flying to the Festival of Flowers and Fruits in Ecuador. Travesura Encantadora, translated as Charming Mischief, shows a Misahuali monkey, which are known to pick up trinkets from unaware tourists. Trio Los Coquis features a trio of Puerto Ricos coqui frogs holding maracas. They're actually based on this really famous band from Puerto Rico, Garcia said. Coquis, there's this joke that every time when you call someone that is in Puerto Rico, you'll hear them in the background." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shocking prices: Study shows Lubbock has the highest electricity rates, bills in Texas, here's why People who attended Mano Negra Brewing Co., 2610 Salem Ave., before it closed in 2024 may be familiar with Garcia's work. Her first collection came into creation after she met with the owner, Daniel Badillo. Daniel (the owner) always has different artists showcasing their work at Mano Negra, Garcia said. When I was talking to him, he said if you have really good work and want to have it here, I can do that. That was the main reason I started creating a whole series. Prior to that, Garcia's passion for art started when she was a child. It blossomed as people continued to encourage her talents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like my whole life, I was always into drawing and doodling, Garcia said. I remember having this kind of finding Waldo game where you need to find dinosaurs. My mom got me a huge cardboard, and I was trying to recreate each drawing. Garcia kept drawing and took classes, where people continued to encourage her to pursue art as a career. West Texas artists: Designer's jewelry, hats appear on 'Yellowstone,' musicians; here's her story I didnt know that I could do that, Garcia said. So thats when I decided to study graphic design. Some of the classes I took there was learning how to sketch, use different mediums, and one of them was acrylic and oil painting. I didn't know before that I could actually use these materials and create something cool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After graduation and moving to Lubbock, Garcia focused on graphic design. Her husband encouraged her to take up painting again. They found themselves at Michaels to buy paints and canvases often. This sparked her partnership with Michaels MakerPlace, an online marketplace through the company that allows crafters to sell their work. Garcia also accepts pet portrait commissions with an option for painting on canvas or digital art. People can see her continuing work at michaels.com/makerplace/storefront/AdriGarciaArt, adrigarcia.art and Instagram. Alana Edgin writes about business for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip? Contact her via email at aedgin@lubbockonline.com. "Trio Los Coquis" by Adriana Garcia is described as "Chucho, Alfredo, and Hernando are dedicated to perfecting their sound. The trio has gained a loyal following over the years with their famous "coqui" vocals, and they've decided to start experimenting by incorporating maraca rhythms using custom-sized Puerto Rican flag maracas as they advance in their music career." This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Adriana Garcia, Lubbock painter, shows Ecuador, Puerto Rico heritage Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine is South Dakotas newest and only restaurant for Peruvian cuisine. The restaurant opened on January 25, 2025, and theyve been innovating in their food and drink menu ever since. Luna Nunez-Israel moved from Lima, the capital of Peru, to Aberdeen in 2012. At the time, Nunez-Israel didnt speak English. Learning the language was her first hurdle on her path to opening Cuzco. Then in 2020, after having learned English, she graduated from Northern State University with a Business Management degree. Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine in Aberdeen, South Dakota, features authentic dishes from Peru, where the owner grew up. More: LaRues brings authentic French pastries, cuisine to Aberdeens historic Ward Hotel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I learned a lot (from work and school), Nunez-Israel said. Everything I could learn I soaked up, Im one of those people who cant be doing nothing. Nunez-Israels drive for productivity was one of the reasons she was inspired to open her restaurant. Having more than 10 years of experience in the restaurant business, including working at Minervas Family Restaurant and Moccasin Creek Country Club, Nunez-Israel feels comfortable going out on her own. Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine in Aberdeen, South Dakota, features authentic dishes from Peru, where the owner grew up. I saw the need (for) a place with one of the best cuisines in the world in Aberdeen, she said. I thought why not? Lets give (Aberdeen) something unique that youre not going to find anywhere else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: South Dakotas best bistro: Krave Cafe serves up a variety of tasty crepes in Aberdeen Nunez-Israel said how difficult it was to find a building in Aberdeen, citing that there werent many great places for a restaurant available. Then, when she and her husband Leao Israel found their location on Sixth Avenue, they set to work renovating the interior. They installed a new hardwood bar and furnished the seating area with an elevated decor. Nunez-Israel credits her husband for the design choices. Being partial to pollo la braza, which is Peruvian rotisserie chicken, because it sends her back to her early days in Peru, Nunez-Israel recommends it to families who are seeking a unique brunch experience. She also recommends causa limena, a traditional Peruvian entree made with layers of aji and lime-infused potato puree, filled with chicken and topped with avocado and a touch of aioli. From left: Leao Israel, Laila Israel, Luna Nunez-Israel and Danny Israel stand inside the family restaurant. More: Watertowns new Latin fusion restaurant serves up savory Central American cuisine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuzco has a wine and beer bar. (Our cocktails) are something unique, nobody does it in town, said Nunez-Israel. People are loving it. The restaurant is also one of the only places in Aberdeen that has beers from Drekker, a brewing company out of Fargo, North Dakota, on tap. My husband absolutely loves (Drekker), said Nunez-Isreal. We plan on bringing in more Drekker for the fans in the summer months. Brunch will also soon be added to Cuzcos menu, featuring new hours. The menu will also have cold dishes for summertime. Nunez-Israels goal for the long term is to build up her following and eventually open a larger location. Cuzco Peruvian Cuisines hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cusco Peruvian Cuisine is located at 20 Sixth Ave. SW in Aberdeen. This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine features Peruvian food in Aberdeen and SD As videos of emotional college acceptances and elaborate school-themed bed parties fill high schoolers' social media feeds, some seniors are putting a humorous spin on the emotional let down of getting denied from colleges with rejection cakes. In one TikTok with more than 5 million views, Needham, Massachusetts high school senior Ceci Skala and her friends cheer This is our rejection cake! as they present a cake decorated with miniature flags from top schools that rejected them. Skala, who applied to 12 colleges and was waitlisted from her top choice, says the trend is a way to make fun of the daunting, stressful college admissions process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the video, her friends placed rejection pins from schools like Yale University, University of Southern California, Harvard University, University of Virginia, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University and Boston College. If you're applying to a hard college and you're seeing all these acceptance videos, it's going hurt, because it's like, 'Am I the only one rejected? Am I not good enough?' " Skala says. You don't see all the videos of everybody else getting rejected. Today's trends: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter for all the buzz. College acceptance videos have heightened the stakes College consultant Brooke Hanson, who is the CEO and founder of SupertutorTV, says social media has made the college admissions process more stressful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty years ago, students showed their excitement for college with a sweatshirt or yard sign. Now, Hanson and Norman say, that display has moved onto social media, where teens For You Pages are flooded with acceptance videos featuring screams of joy and tears. That can contribute to the stress or feeling that you're not good enough, Hanson says. They're feeling like everybody's getting into all these great schools. The opposite is true when it comes to elite colleges that operate with acceptance rates of 10% or lower, 90% of applicants face rejection. College admissions feels like, Oh my goodness. This is rejection. This is so terrible. But in life as adults, you're going to fail, you're going to get rejected, Hanson says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Co-Founder of Counseling at Expert Admissions Bari Norman saw the rejection cake videos, she thought, finally, some reality. She says students should remember that the videos of students celebrating might not tell the full story for every video posted, there are more that were deleted. Plenty of people will tell me, Oh, we videoed it, and she was in hysterics. We deleted it right away,' Norman says. In the elaborate decorated bed party celebration videos, the school being celebrated may have been someones third or fourth choice. Skala says social media distorts students perception of the admissions process. On days when school decisions come out, news about acceptances spreads like wildfire. News spread very, very quickly on everyone's decisions in my school, even people I'm not friends with. I heard what colleges they got into and didn't get into, Skala says. Gen Z uses humor to cope Platforms like YouTube and TikTok have changed the way teens talk about their mental health. And whereas the cultural norm on Instagram is a more polished aesthetic, TikToks trend-driven community feels more informal and prioritizes user engagement, creating a fertile environment for personal moments to go viral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the comment sections on users rejection videos are filled with support, it builds a sense of solidarity and peer connection. Humor is an extremely useful and common coping strategy that can help some process heavy events, according to Marni Amsellem, a licensed psychologist. For others, it can lighten the emotional severity of a situation as well. Plus, Gen Z is more pessimistic than millennials, which might explain their inclination toward dark humor, explains Jean Twenge, author of "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood." How the trend is helping students with redirection Hanson says its healthy for teens to acknowledge the hardships of college rejections and to find community in commiserating over the experience together. But ultimately, they should remind themselves that college is what they make of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The point is not necessarily just to get a brand name stamped on your sweatshirt, Hanson says. It's to have an experience, and above all, learn how to gain skills that are going to benefit you. Norman says thinking of college as an end point is a miscalculation, and that rejection can be redirection. What students do once they get to college is what matters. You're about to just get started in your life and your career. This is not the end point, you've just reached the starting line, Norman says. Skala and her friends, at least, were determined to put a positive spin on their application process. In an April 14 video, the girls posted a commitment cake, with each student showing the school theyll be attending in the fall. Skala, who is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison and plans to study kinesiology, says things worked out in the end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes admission processes are just a gamble, and your self worth shouldn't be defined by a school or a decision, Skala says. Having other people relate to it makes it easier. Needham, Massachusetts high school senior Ceci Skala posted a rejection cake video on TikTok. Shes attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall. Rachel Hales role covering Youth Mental Health at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal Ventures and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Reach her at rhale@usatoday.com and @rachelleighhale on X. Jenna Ryu contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why these high schoolers are celebrating college rejection COLORADO CITY, Arizona (ABC4) One person was found dead due to a shooting near the Utah-Arizona border on Thursday. Colorado City and Hildale City Police officers responded to the area of Lauritzen Street in Colorado City following the report of a possible gunshot victim on April 24, at 1:24 a.m. Hit-and-run suspect at large after hitting two UTA workers in Murray At the scene, officers found a male who had been shot multiple times. Life-saving efforts were performed, but police said ultimately, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado City and Hildale Police officers found the suspect vehicle at a residence in Hildale. Police searched the residence and took them into custody. At this time, the identities of those involved have not been released. This is still an ongoing investigation and police said there is no threat to the public. Police are asking anyone who may have information related to the incident to contact the Colorado City/Hildale City Police Department at (AZ) 928-875-9170 or (UT) 435-874-2240 and reference case number 25CM0962. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Latest headlines: 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 ABC4 Utah. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Several crews, including Clark County OSP are on scene to investigate a vehicle into a river. According to the Clark County post of OSP, a vehicle crashed into the Mad River, prompting response from multiple agencies. This is a reportedly fatal crash investigation according to OSP. The crash occurred around 6:18 a.m. Crews have the two right lanes blocked on I-70 East/SR-4 North beyond SR-235/SR-4. As of 9:19 a.m. the lanes will reopen soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going southeast on I-70 at SR-4/SR-235 there is a significant backup. Photo by Jarod Thrush/WDTN Photo by Jarod Thrush/WDTN Photo courtesy of OHGO Photo courtesy of OHGO This story is developing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. DENVER (KDVR) One person is facing two misdemeanor charges after a threat involving social media posts caused heightened security measures at several schools in Brighton in mid-April. The 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office told FOX31 that charges were filed against one person, including two counts of interference with staff, faculty, or students of educational institutions. The office said that due to the age and level of offence, no further details can be provided. Denver Sheriff Department deputy arrested, accused of stalking, harassment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 15, the Brighton Police Department said that there was a threat involving social media posts last week to Overland Middle School. A criminal investigation was launched, and heightened security measures are in place at affected schools and neighborhoods, police said in a Facebook post. School Resource Officers (SROs) and additional police officers are being dedicated to school safety, and the school districts armed security team remains in place and vigilant at all campuses, police said in mid-April. The school district, 27J Schools, said Overland Trail Middle, Brighton High School, Vikan Middle School, Innovations and Options and Northeast Elementary were affected. The school district sent a message to parents during the investigation, which said that students in question were in custody or under parental supervision for at least a week during the investigation in mid-April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, its unclear if the person facing charges is a student. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Anar Guliyev has been appointed as the national coordinator for the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree. According to the decree, the national coordinator has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the preparations for the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum. This decree comes into force from the day it is signed. Urban development activities in Azerbaijan are one of the key strategic goals of sustainable development, as outlined in the "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development" approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Decree No. 2469 dated February 2, 2021. Currently, consistent and purposeful steps are being taken in this direction, with modern standards being applied in urban planning and urbanization. The projects implemented in Baku and other cities of the country play a significant role in the comprehensive development of the country. The process of reconstructing the hundreds of villages, towns, and cities in the liberated Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions, which were destroyed, is proceeding rapidly and in a planned manner. Azerbaijan's modern urban development experience was widely showcased at national urban planning forums held in 20222023. These forums, organized for the first time in the region, created a platform for comprehensive discussions on urban development. Azerbaijans successful activities in the field of urban planning have been appropriately recognized, and it was decided that the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum will be held in Baku in 2026. This prestigious event, a demonstration of respect and trust towards Azerbaijan, will significantly contribute to the promotion of the country's development strategies and achievements in sustainable urban planning to the international community. Following Article 109, Item 32 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, the decision was made to organize the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum at a high level in Baku in 2026 and to promote Azerbaijan's urban planning activities internationally. A 101-year-old Hasidic family matriarch who fled Russia after World War II and was extremely independent till her last day was fatally struck by an unlicensed driver in Brooklyn, according to cops and her family. Taibel Brod was walking home from a birthday party for a rebbe around 8:25 p.m. on April 8 when a 65-year-old man behind the wheel of a 2023 GMC Yukon SUV plowed into her as she crossed at the corner of Brooklyn Avenue and Montgomery Street in Crown Heights, authorities and relatives said. Brod was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center, where she was initially listed in stable condition but succumbed to her injuries less than two weeks later, on Sunday, police said. Family matriarch Taibel Brod, 101, was fatally struck by an unlicensed driver in Crown Heights, cops said. Brod left behind five children three sons, two daughters and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, according to her loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in Kremenchuk, Ukraine, Brod was among many Hasidim who fled Russia on escape trains to Poland, according to an online obituary. She met her husband, Reb Chatzkel Brod, at the Poking displaced persons camp in Germany, the obit said. They married there and had two daughters before moving to the US in 1951, according to Brods relatives. The growing Chabad family lived in Brownsville before moving to Crown Heights in the mid-1950s. Brod lived alone after her husband died 20 years ago. On Thursday afternoon, her Crown Heights home a short walk from the deadly crash was filled with grieving family members sitting shiva, a seven-day Jewish mourning ritual. Brod, a grandmother and great-grandmother, fed patients at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center for 50 years, her family said. Google Maps Her son, Yosef Brod, 73, who works as a building engineer in Los Angeles, said his mother spent decades feeding patients at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For over 50 years she would feed patients, said Yosef, as he sat next to three lit candles. Over 50 years day in and day out. Yosef said his mother, who was very active in the community, had goodness and kindness going for her. Another son echoed his sentiments. My mother was deeply committed to the community as a volunteer in many areas. She did a lot of praying on a daily basis, added son, Yisroel, 69, of Israel. A very open house and visitors would come from other countries to be in this community. Shed welcome them for a weekend, a holiday. She was a very giving person. The great-grandmother was walking alone with the light in her favor when driver Menachem Shagalow tried to make a left turn eastbound onto Montgomery Street and struck her in the crosswalk, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was [a] very independent woman, said her 38-year-old grandson, also named Yisroel, of Miami, who works in business development. Extremely independent and strong. She would take the bus by herself. She was extremely independent till her last day. Shagalow was arrested at the scene and charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, failure to exercise due care and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, cops said. He was released on a desk appearance ticket and is set to be arraigned on April 28, according to the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office. Shagalow has only one prior arrest, for grand larceny in 1998, cops said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family declined to talk about the driver, with the elder Yisroel only saying, It was an accident. Yosef said he had the chance to visit his mother in the hospital on Thursday and Friday, days before her death. From time to time, she did open her eyes, he said. I sensed that she did recognize me. The day that she passed away, my brothers and two sisters walked from Brooklyn to the hospital and she smiled at them. That was before she passed away. He said he looks to his faith as he grieves his mothers death. I dont know Gods mystery, how he wants the world, Yosef said. We are taught that everything that happens in the world is called Divine Providence. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Henderson Fire Department welcomed the citys newest firefighters to the force. The graduating class endured 20 weeks of intense training to prepare for their new careers. On Thursday, they walked across the stage, taking the oath to serve and protect. This day means the world to me, graduate Isaiah Russell said. Henderson Fire Academy Class 56, which consists of 12 men, received their fire helmets and embraced the shared commitment of service, sacrifice, and brotherhood. Graduation day for Henderson Fire Academy Class 56. (KLAS) Its an incredible moment. These 11 other guys are my brothers. Weve been through a lot together. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears, graduate Nicholas Villa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Service isnt new to this group of graduates. This is the second time in my life I get to put on a different uniform being a part of something that Ive earned, so its super special to me, Villa said. Villa served in the Air Force for 11 years. Russell also served in the military, fighting fires on ships in the Navy. Now, hell be battling blazes on the ground. Both Villa and Russell reflected on their 20 weeks of civilian service training. Every day was exciting and every day was also challenging at the same time, Russell said. The most challenging part was getting beat up in the morning and then getting beat up when were going over our drills and everything like that, but it was worth it in the end, Villa said. (KLAS) (KLAS) (KLAS) (KLAS) For some, it was a long journey to get to this point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a lot that was put into this. Several years of trying to get hired in a department and it felt like rejection after rejection. And finally, I got the call from Henderson and my whole life turned around, graduate Nathan Rhoads, a Las Vegas native, said. Rhoads comes from a family of first responders, including his father, a retired metro officer who completed 25 years of service with the department. I told my parents when I first started that it just feels like I was born to do this and the fact that I get to be a part of something so amazing I wouldnt trade it for anything, Rhoads said. The current recruitment for the Henderson Fire Department closes at the beginning of May. The next fire academy will start in November. For more information, visit Join Henderson Fire. 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. The 156 dogs removed from an Ogden house last week are starting to find new homes and owners. The Humane Society of Utah took 45 of the animals from Weber County Animal Services, and as of midday Thursday had found new homes for 22 of the critters. People are coming in to adopt, said Guinn Shuster, director of marketing and communications for the Humane Society, based in Murray. The backstory of the animals they were found crowded in a home on Jefferson Avenue, repeating a similar episode that happened at the same location in 2012 seems to have motivated some of the adopters, she said. The Humane Society will still have dogs available in the next week or two, though, she thinks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meantime, whether the prior owner of the animals, who has not been publicly named, faces repercussions remains to be seen. Ogden police say theyve completed their investigation, and representatives from the Ogden City Prosecutors Office didnt respond to a query on Thursday seeking comment on the matter. The owner was cooperative with authorities when they removed the dogs on April 15 and has relinquished ownership. The remaining 111 dogs will likely be sent to other shelters so they can be put up for adoption, Shuster said, while an adoption event and fundraiser is set for Sunday, April 27, at Scooters Coffee at 1085 12th St. in Marriott-Slaterville in support of Weber County Animal Services. It will go from 8 a.m. to noon. This event isnt just about adoptions, its about recognizing the shelters commitment, helping them continue their amazing work and mission, and bringing the community together to say thank you, said Mark Berger, the Scooters owner. A statement on the event said that while most of the dogs removed on April 15 arent yet ready for adoption, many other loving dogs and cats are available now. If they get new homes, it will free up space for Weber Animal Services ongoing efforts with the influx of canines. Caring for the 156 animals overloaded the shelters facilities and prompted many workers to do double duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melanie Jensen, of the shelter, said the outpouring of support from the community in the wake of the discovery of the dogs has been overwhelming. The shelter particularly needs cat food and other cat items, but welcomes food and things for dogs at Sundays donation drive. Our team and so many volunteers have been working nonstop to care for these animals, and events like this mean so much, Jensen said. As for the dogs at the Humane Society of Utah in Murray, Shuster said they are all around 10 pounds or less and appear to be poodle and Chihuahua mixes. These cuties have been through a lot, and many are a bit nervous about making new friends. They are going to need very special adopters who are willing to work with them and help them to become the best dogs they can be, reads a Humane Society Facebook post. The Humane Society animals up for adoption are vaccinated and have received medical attention. Some were groomed and might have funky haircuts to deal with hair matting, Shuster said. In 2012, Ogden authorities removed 149 dogs from the same home where the 156 dogs were discovered on April 15. A teen girl and her mother are speaking out after the 16-year-old escaped a man who allegedly stalked and harassed her, an incident that was caught on camera. In surveillance video obtained by Philadelphia ABC station WPVI, Ariana MacMillan can be seen walking home along a busy road outside of Philadelphia when a man begins walking closer to her and, according to Ariana, making inappropriate comments. "I kept on hearing this guy, but I was just like, 'It sounds like an older man. I don't think an older man would approach me that way,'" Ariana recalled to "Good Morning America," saying the man eventually "ran up to me" holding a "very large bottle of liquor." PHOTO: Surveillance video shows Ariana MacMillan walking along a busy road outside of Philadelphia when a man approaches her. (WPVI) "He pushes me a little bit, [saying], 'We better start walking.' And in this moment, I had a sense of panic in my brain that I needed to do something immediately," she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mom describes moment man allegedly tried to kidnap her son in Walmart: 'We're tug-of-warring' According to Ariana, she felt scared, thinking the man might "kill her," and made a quick decision to run to a nearby shop. "I just was like, 'There's a woman there and I'm gonna run to her,'" she explained. "I saw, like, someone had a sign in, like, their yard or something that said something about someone named Rachel. So the name, I just went, 'Aunt Rachel, Aunt Rachel is that you?'" Ariana's mother, Christina Pino, said her daughter's callout served a key purpose as a distraction. PHOTO: Christina Pino and her daughter Ariana on Good Morning America on April 25, 2025. (ABC News) "It distracted whatever that gentleman was trying to do," said Pino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mom shares warning after kids' near-kidnapping caught on camera The woman Ariana called out to turned out to be shop owner Tina Moss, who said she saw the teen running toward her and started to play along, returning a hug the girl gave her and taking the girl into the store with her husband Bill Moss. "[The man] followed her directly from the store to the window and banged on the glass," Bill Moss recalled. Ariana said the Mosses called the police on her behalf shortly after. PHOTO: Christina Pino met Bill and Tina Moss to thank them for helping her daughter Ariana when she encountered a man who approached her along a busy road. (WPVI) "Once they came, he still was banging on the doors and wasn't stopping," said Ariana. "And they were trying to arrest him." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man has now been charged with stalking and harassment, according to Ridley Township Police in Folsom, Pennsylvania. Pino said she commends her daughter for identifying someone who could potentially help and said she considers the Mosses her daughter's "guardian angels." The store owners say they're parents as well and hope someone would do the same for one of their children. 16-year-old speaks out after escaping man who allegedly stalked, harassed her originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City police have identified a 17-year-old boy as the victim of a deadly shooting that happened earlier this week in the Northland. Police said Charles Sanders was shot in the front yard of a home around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, in the 7800 block of NE 75th Court. The teen was taken to a hospital, where he died a short time later. Woman robbed at gunpoint at UMKC; campus police investigating Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No arrests have been announced. FOX4 is working to learn whether police have identified the suspect(s). Anyone with information is asked to call KCPDs Homicide Unit at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-8477. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX4 for the latest updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Two men in Riverside County arrested earlier this week are facing felony torture and human trafficking charges, officials announced. The arrests, according to a Hemet Police Department news release, come after officers, on March 12, responded to the Hemet Global Medical Center on reports of sexual abuse. After an initial interview with the victim, officers handed the case off to HPDs Investigations Division. Investigators determined that the victim had been subjected to torture, sexual assault and forced prostitution, the release detailed. During the investigation, a second victim was identified who also reported that she had been trafficked, raped and physically assaulted by the same suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The identities of both victims are being withheld for their protection and safety, officials added. Hemet police cruisers are seen in this undated file photo. (KTLA) In the subsequent weeks, detectives say they identified two men, Davion Marshall and Travis Grisham, as the suspects in the case. On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Hemet Police Investigators, with support from Southwest City SWAT, took both suspects into custody in the 300 block of South State Street in Hemet without incident, the release stated. Both men were booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on multiple felony charges, including human trafficking and torture. Bail for each of the alleged offenders was set at $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said that the investigation is ongoing and that anyone with information is urged to contact Investigator Daniel Cortez at 951-765-2433. Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the Hemet Police Departments free mobile phone app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ELKHART The Elkhart Police Department arrested two people and seized several pounds of drugs after executing a search warrant at a residence in the 700 block of Harrison Street. An officer on Monday reported seeing people making short-term stops at the residence. Officers seized a plant-like substance, purported tune or synthetic marijuana, after stopping some of those individuals, and obtained a search warrant in connection with a drug investigation, the Elkhart Police Department said. City officers, including a K9 officer, executed the search warrant at about 2:50 p.m. Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the execution of the warrant, officers detained multiple individuals inside the residence. Officers also seized multiple firearms, THC products/marijuana, and suspected synthetic drugs pursuant to the search warrant. Officers also located and seized over 7 pounds of finished product and over 28 pounds of unfinished product, the report said. Joshua Brown, 44, of Elkhart, was booked on preliminary charges of dealing in a Schedule I or II controlled substance, a Level 2 felony; conspiracy to deal in a Schedule I or II controlled substance, a Level 2 felony; unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony; maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony; and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. He was also booked on an outstanding probation violation warrant. His bond was set at $250,000 in this case. Stephanie Spake, 42, of Elkhart, was booked on preliminary charges of maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony, and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. Her bond was set at $3,000. The arrests were forwarded to the Elkhart County Prosecutors Office for review of formal criminal charges. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Two people were taken into custody after a police presence in Trotwood early Friday. On the morning of April 25, members of the Montgomery County Range Task Force, SWAT and Trotwood Police Department were in the 5000 block of Wolf Creek Pike. While reportedly conducting a search warrant at the location, they allegedly found: Ammunition Firearms Marijuana Methamphetamine Authorities arrested two people, who were taken to the Montgomery County Jail. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on determining the authorized body of Azerbaijan in the Interstate Council for Legal Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Trend reports. According to the decree, the authorized body of Azerbaijan in the Interstate Council on Legal Protection and Protection of Intellectual Property of the CIS has been determined as the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan. The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan must send a notification to the CIS Executive Committee on the determination of the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan as the country's authorized body in the Interstate Council on Legal Protection and Protection of Intellectual Property of the CIS. It's been another dry week in Florida, with more areas labeled as under extreme drought conditions by NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System. Conditions aren't expected to improve anytime soon. Little to no precipitation is expected for at least another week, NOAA posted on X. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Friday, April 25, there were 96 wildfires burning across Florida, burning 3,832 acres. Eighteen counties have issued burn bans, up two from April 24. The mean statewide drought index has jumped to 444. Extreme drought conditions expand across Florida Areas of severe to extreme drought are expanding across the Florida peninsula as of April 25, 2025. NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System posted on X (formerly Twitter) conditions across the state range from abnormally dry to extreme drought. "Some areas have precip deficits over 6 in the last 90 days. Little to no precip is expected for at least another week." A total of 51.8% of the state are under drought conditions." '80% of homes lost to wildfires could have been saved.' Here's what you can do Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The breakdown of drought conditions in the state, which affects 14 million residents, is: Abnormally dry: 41.9% Moderate drought: 18.5% Severe drought: 28.5% Extreme drought: 4.9% Exceptional drought: 0% Maps: See drought conditions by county No red flag warnings currently in effect in Florida The National Weather Service has not issued any red flag warnings as of Monday morning. However, very low humidity combined with dry soil and vegetation, especially when combined with gusty winds, are creating an elevated fire danger. What is a red flag warning? A red flag warning is issued when "critical fire weather conditions" are in place. "A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger," the National Weather Service said. What should you do or not do under a red flag warning? Forecasters said residents under a red flag warning should follow this advice: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch. Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road. Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it. Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread. See the map: Active wildfires reported across Florida Where are the largest fires currently burning in Florida? There were 26 active wildfires burning as of Friday, April 25, morning. The largest are: Bee Island Fire: 600 acres in Sarasota County. 95% contained. Cowpen Fire: 250 acres in Flagler County. 90% contained. 27 Fire: 500 acres in Broward County. 90% contained. Clayton Road Fire: 162 acres in Bay County. 90% contained. Sandy Pine Fire: 108 acres in Walton County. 90% contained. How do Florida brush fires get their names? "Wildfire names are generally based on the geographic location of the fire or a nearby geographic feature," according to Tim Brown, communications manager with the Florida Forest Service, in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For example, the '344 Fire' was due to its location near 344 Street." Will it rain today in Florida? Rain is not likely for most of Florida, but some areas near the Georgia/Alabama borders in North Florida may see some locally heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. Elsewhere, especially in the driest areas of the state, the "dry pattern" will continue, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. Florida weather forecast for Friday, April 25: Western Panhandle, Pensacola: Mostly cloudy. High 80. Low 68. Central Panhandle, Tallahassee: Sunny. High 87. Low 64. Northeast Florida, Jacksonville: Mostly sunny. High 85. Low 66. East Coast, Central Florida from Daytona Beach to Stuart: Mostly sunny but isolated sprinkles possible before 10 a.m. High 82. Low 69. South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples: Mostly sunny. High 79. Low 75. Southwest Florida, Fort Myers to Sarasota: Sunny. High 82. Low 69. Interactive map: Enter your address to find closest wildfire risks Current drought conditions in Florida The Keetch-Byram Drought Index mean for Florida was 444 on April 25. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of April 25, there were eight counties with a drought index over 600, which means severe drought conditions with an increased risk for wildfires. There were 20 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger. Here are the counties with a drought index over 600, which is associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurring: Counties in bold were just added to each section. Charlotte: 616 Collier: 633 Glades: 601 Hardee: 612 Hendry: 637 Lee: 647 Palm Beach: 623 Sarasota: 607 Counties with drought index in the 500s: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brevard: 512 Broward: 592 DeSoto: 581 Flagler: 505 Hernando: 547 Highlands: 557 Hillsborough: 551 Lake: 589 Manatee: 599 Marion: 518 Martin: 562 Miami-Dade: 591 Monroe: 599 Okeechobee: 523 Orange: 543 Pasco: 576 Polk: 551 Seminole: 543 Sumter: 579 Volusia: 560 Another six of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s. Three counties are within 25 points of hitting 500: Citrus: 489 Osceola: 482 Pinellas: 487 What do the drought numbers mean? Here's an explanation of what the Keetch-Byram Drought Index numbers mean, according to the Wildland Fire Assessment System. 0-200: Soil moisture and large-class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. Typical of spring dormant season following winter precipitation. 200-400: Typical of late spring, early growing season. Lower litter and duff layers are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity. 400-600: Typical of late summer, early fall. Lower litter and duff layers actively contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively. 600-800: Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels. 18 counties in Florida under burn bans Burn bans are in place for 18 counties across Florida as drought conditions worsen April 25, 2025. According to the Florida Forest Service, as of April 25, burn bans are in place for the following counties: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brevard Charlotte Collier Flagler Glades Hardee Hendry Highlands Lake Lee Okeechobee Orange Pasco Polk Sarasota Seminole Sumter Volusia The open burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties: Duval Hillsborough Orange Pinellas NWS radar: How close is needed rain to Florida? Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida drought worsens. 18 counties issue burn bans, 96 wildfires EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Two people were arrested on Thursday, April 24, for illegal dumping in a desert area in far East El Paso, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. According to the Sheriffs Office, Lilia De La Riva, 79, and Refugio Alvarez Valdez, 61, were arrested on illegal dumping warrants. Both De La Riva and Valdez were booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $2,500 bond each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Sheriffs Office, on Wednesday, April 23, the East Montana Patrol Station Criminal Investigations Unit was notified of a video posted online showing a citizen confronting an individual engaged in illegal dumping in a desert area near Montana Vista. Investigators located the dumping site and determined roughly 110 cubic feet of trash had been dumped, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. Warrants were then issued for the arrest of De La Riva and Valdez. In addition to the arrest of De La Riva and Valdez, the vehicle that was used during the dumping was impounded, the Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) Two people were arrested following a brief foot chase in New Britain Friday morning after police recognized the vehicle was involved in larcenies across the state, police said. Authorities said they recognized a car around 1:00 a.m. on Berlin Turnpike that had been involved in multiple larcenies throughout the state. Police said the vehicle was known to engage police in pursuit, so they attached a GPS tracking dart. Three men arrested after allegedly assaulting cab driver in Norwalk Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they tried to stop the car and did not try to pursue it when it continued. Police tracked the vehicle to New Britain, where it ran out of gas. After a brief foot chase, Jason Bartone, 35, from Manchester, and Tucker Platt, 45, from New Haven, were arrested, police said. Bartone was charged with interfering with an officer, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bartone was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at New Britain Superior Court on May 9. Platt was charged with interfering with an officer and possession of a controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at New Britain Superior Court on 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 WTNH.com. Video is previous coverage: Tucker County businesses continue pushing for Corridor H Northern Route (July 2024) WARDENSVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY) While residents in Tucker County, West Virginia have fought to have the four-lane Corridor H highways bypass their towns and tourism hubs, a small town in Hardy County is worried that the new highway will turn it into a ghost town. On April 22, the West Virginia Division of Highways held a public hearing in Hardy County on the Wardensville to Virginia section of the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of Corridor H, which will be 132 miles of highway connecting Interstate 79 in Weston, West Virginia to Interstate 81 in Strasburg, Virginia, is already complete, but the sections in Tucker County and Hardy County are still in the planning stages, largely due to pushback from the communities. About 80 people attended Tuesdays meeting, in-person and virtually, and most of them spoke against the current proposal for the 6.8-mile section of highway, according to a press release from the environmental group, Friends of Blackwater. Smoke from Virginia fire seen in West Virginia The proposed Corridor H route bypasses Wardensville, going south of the current Main Street. Residents are concerned that traffic going around the town instead of through it will turn the community they have worked hard to revitalize into a ghost town. Proposed Corridor H route in Wardensville (WVDOH) This road to nowhere is bypassing somewherethe town of Wardensville, said Kirsten Johnson, who works at Macks Bingo restaurant on Main Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other residents are concerned about the loss of land containing fishing streams, recreational trails and family farms that have been around for generations. Several environmental groups also spoke, emphasizing that the highway will cut into protected land in the George Washington National Forest and that construction could negatively impact wellhead protected areas. Those in favor of the four-lane voiced their support for creating a safer road than the current two-lane W.Va. Route 55, which has some dangerous curves and steep grades. The timeline on the WVDOHs website estimates that construction will begin this summer. Public comments are still being accepted by the WVDOH online here until June 1. A full video of the April 22 meeting is available here. Additional details about the Corridor H Wardensville to Virginia project are available 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 WBOY.com. NORFOLK A 20-year-old man has been arrested for his believed involvement in a Saturday night shooting on Norfolk State Universitys campus. Zakeyis A. Womack of Ringgold, Virginia, was taken into custody by authorities in Reidsville, North Carolina. He was been charged with multiple felony counts and is being held without bond. Ringgold is a small community outside of Danville. The on-campus shooting, which happened near the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center at around 11:30 p.m., sent two 22-year-old men to the hospital, police said. At the time, one had life-threatening injuries. Both are now expected to make recoveries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I sincerely hope the announcement of this arrest reassures the Norfolk State University community that the threat has ended and they may move away from this academic disruption and complete the semester knowing they are safe, Norfolk Police Department Chief Mark Talbot said in a statement. Following detectives investigation, Norfolk police said Womack was taken into custody with the assistance of the U.S. Marshall Service and the Norfolk State University Police Department. Detectives have not released any further details about the shooting, police said. The investigation remains active. Those with information are encouraged to contact the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit a tip through the P3Tips mobile app. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Phoebe Putney Health System (PPHS) has been named to the Forbes list of Americas Best Employers 2025 by Statista. PPHS is the third highest rated in the state of Georgia to be recognized on the Best Midsize Employers List and is one of the 13 companies based in Georgia. We are proud to be southwest Georgias largest employer, and we are honored to receive this recognition that reflects our dedication to creating a positive work environment for the 5,500 members of the Phoebe Family, said President and CEO of PPHS, Scott Steiner. Phoebes greatest asset is our people. We know our organization thrives when our employees thrive, and we thank them for their hard work and their service to our patients and our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forbes and Statista selected Americas Best Employers 2025 through an independent survey from a vast sample of over 217,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S. They say more than 6.5 million employer evaluations were considered. PPHSs leadership says they hope this will assist in hiring efforts and encourage the community to apply for the numerous clinical and non-clinical roles they offer. Find out details about those available jobs and submit a job application at www.careers.phoebehealth.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 WRBL. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack visited Morgantown Thursday to return unclaimed property to the welding and machining company Northco. Unclaimed property is assets, such as checks, stock or accounts which have been inactive for an extended period of time and therefore by law must be turned over to the state. The Treasurers Office then works to return the unclaimed property to its rightful owner. MHI RJ donates $15,000 to Pierpont Community & Technical College Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unclaimed property for Northco totaled $26,761. Northco told 12 News that the money will go back into the company and that they like to invest in making sure their employees are happy and productive. Pack told 12 News the state has over $400 million in claims, and that the individuals and companies can check their website to see if they have unclaimed property that can be returned. Pack said, We would love to locate the rightful owners. We would love to get it back in circulation, we would love to help not only businesses like Northco but also individuals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. California has officially added a second massive air tanker to its firefighting fleet, marking a significant expansion in the states wildfire suppression efforts just ahead of what is expected to be a drier-than-average summer. The latest C-130 Hercules air tanker will join the CAL FIRE aerial fleet, the second former U.S. Coast Guard cargo plane to be retrofitted for firefighting purposes. Adding a second C-130 aircraft to Californias aerial firefighting force today is a truly remarkable advancement in our states wildfire suppression capabilities, said Matt Dias, President and CEO of the California Forestry Association. The addition of this critical aircraft to the states wildfire suppression arsenal will save lives and property, and improve air quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft can drop 4,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in under five seconds and fly up to 800 miles per deployment, officials said, and its speed, range and payload capacity make it the most capable aircraft in CAL FIREs entire fleet. The state received its first of seven retrofitted C-130s in August 2024. That aircraft has gone on 90 missions since then, and has dropped more than 253,000 gallons of retardant, Gov. Gavin Newsom said. CAL FIREs new C-130 Hercules aircraft is shown at a CAL FIRE hangar in Sacramento on April 24, 2025. The state completed the purchase of the aircraft in December 2023 after passage of the National Defense Authorization Act. When all seven Hercules aircraft are retrofitted and ready for service, theyll be strategically placed at CAL FIRE bases across the state to ensure theyre never too far from where theyre needed, providing not only wildfire suppression support, but assisting in search and rescue efforts and various emergency operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California has the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world, and the acquisition of these massive air tankers is the latest in the states efforts to prevent future disasters. This latest tool has become all the more important following recent Los Angeles County wildfires. One of the most devastating and deadly wildfires in our state just a few months ago only underscores the urgency of this moment and the urgency of continuing to make additional progress, Newsom said. To view more detailed information about the C-130 Hercules, 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 KTLA. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the national press, Trend reports. According to the document, the 150th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national press should be widely celebrated in the country. The administration of the president of Azerbaijan, together with the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan and the Press Council of Azerbaijan, must ensure the organization of anniversary events. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan should address issues related to the financing of the anniversary events. To note, in the second half of the 19th century, Azerbaijan, which had become one of the worlds oil and industrial centers and was experiencing an economic boom, underwent significant changes in its socio-political and cultural life. The Enlightenment movement began to spread, and the necessity of creating a national press emerged. This is why, 150 years ago, on July 22, 1875, the prominent intellectual, natural scientist, and educator-journalist Hasanbay Zardabi published "Akinchi," the first example of the national press in Azerbaijan, marking an important event in the country's history. The newspaper, which lasted only two years, became a voice for enlightenment ideas, published sharp articles against ignorance and superstition, and significantly contributed to the development of national self-awareness, public, political, and literary thought, as well as the formation of a progressive generation of journalists. After "Akinchi," numerous publications that followed its traditions united the patriotic intellectuals and reformists of the time around a common cause, playing an essential role as leading tools in the national awakening process and in achieving national goals. At the end of the last century, reforms implemented under the leadership of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, who returned to power due to the people's demand, created a reliable foundation for the establishment of freedom of speech and information, pluralism of ideas, and other democratic values in the country. Heydar Aliyev considered the development of the media one of the priorities and adopted consistent decisions regarding the formation of a legislative framework to regulate its activities, removal of artificial barriers hindering its development, and strengthening of its material-technical base, thus laying the foundation for progressive traditions in state-media relations. As a result of the resolute and consistent implementation of the independent political course, the dynamic development of Azerbaijan was ensured, and the strategic tasks ahead were successfully achieved. Azerbaijan won a glorious victory in the Second Karabakh War and, with a unique anti-terrorist operation, wrote a new chapter in military history, restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty. During the war, Azerbaijani media exemplified patriotism and solidarity, made special efforts to disseminate the truth to the international community, exposed false information from the enemy and its supporters, and created a rich chronicle of the heroism of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, soldiers, and officers. The reforms that began immediately after Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Karabakh War, including the adoption of the "Media Law," aimed at adapting media activities to the challenges of the digital era and improving the information environment in the country. Measures such as tax exemptions, the removal of VAT for newspapers and magazines, granting journalists the right to benefit from preferential mortgage loans, and other steps have ensured the sustainability of work aimed at strengthening the economic independence of information resources and improving the social protection of journalists. Today, Azerbaijani media, as an active participant in the process of Azerbaijan's progress and modern state-building, has expanded its international relations and influence in the global information space, increasing its competitiveness. However, the changing world order, the intensification of political processes, and the establishment of new operational principles pose new tasks for Azerbaijan's media. The application of advanced technologies, increased activity on social media platforms, digitalization, artificial intelligence, enhanced media literacy, combating disinformation and fake news, and active participation in effective communication are key issues that will define the development prospects of Azerbaijani media and its place in the global information space in the coming period. At the same time, the media, taking into account modern trends, must always uphold Azerbaijan's state interests and be more active in informing the public about the positive changes occurring in the country and its role and position in the modern system of international relations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Wichita community has reached an important goal in its effort to help the people who live near the 29th and Grove groundwater contamination site. The Kansas Health Foundation announced that it has the full $3.5 million needed for health screenings. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment designated a vertical slice of Wichita, shown in red on the map, as being impacted by groundwater contamination. It is east of Interstate 135 and south of Kansas Highway 96. The problem KDHE says the contamination originated with a carcinogenic chemical leaking at the Union Pacific rail yard approximately 30 years ago. Residents learned of the problem in 2022; in 2023, a KDHE study found higher cancer rates in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kansas Legislature committed $1.5 million in state funds for health testing and promised an extra $1 million if the Wichita community could match the $1 million. On Thursday, the Kansas Health Foundation announced that the community matched it through city, county, and local contributions. The $3.5 million is coming from: State of Kansas: $2.5 million Kansas Health Foundation: $500,000 City of Wichita: $125,000 Sedgwick County: $125,000 Wichita Foundation: $100,000 Fidelity Bank: $50,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas: $50,000 Stand Together Foundation: $35,000 Sunflower Foundation: $15,000 While this situation has been complicated and at times tense, I believe we all need to applaud our local and state officials for their spirit of collaboration and for prioritizing the needs of residents in the 29th and Grove neighborhood, Ed OMalley, KHF president and CEO, said in a news release. Grant program The money will be used for people affected by groundwater contamination sites in Sedgwick County, particularly the 29th and Grove site. The funds will be distributed through a grant program launching this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KHF will administer the program in coordination with those who contributed. Local health clinics can apply for grants to cover testing costs, including staff time, equipment, and processing. KHF will not be reimbursed for administering the program. An advisory group of local officials, health care experts and community members will track and guide the grant program. The integrity of this effort hinges on the meaningful involvement of impacted community members, ensuring they receive regular updates and have the opportunity to provide valuable input on both the process and potential solutions, Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson said. Recognizing this from the beginning, we have actively engaged with community health professionals and prioritized understanding the perspectives of those directly affected by the tragic spill. The grant program timeline begins in June: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June 1 Grant program is live at kansashealth.org. July 15 Grant program closes; applications must be submitted. By August 31 Grant recipients are publicly announced. By October 30 All grant funds are dispersed. This grant program would not be possible if not for many different sectors working together to offer solutions and find ways to help those impacted by the groundwater contamination, OMalley said. While this is just the beginning of ways to help those in the affected neighborhoods, it is a first step. KSN News hopes to learn more about what this means for residents of the groundwater site during a media briefing Friday morning. We will update this story with more details. In the meantime, click here to visit the Kansas Health Foundation 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 KSN-TV. Three airmen who died during a World War II bombing raid have been accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday. U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Charles W. McCook, 23, U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Henry J. Carlin, 27, and U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Sidney Burke, 22, were carrying out a low-altitude bombing raid in Meiktila, Burma, on Aug. 3, 1943, the DPAA said. The mission was carried out with a B-25C "Mitchell" bomber. McCook was the plane's pilot. Carlin was its navigator, and Burke was the armor-gunner. There were three other men also aboard the plane. B-25 bombers were among the most famous American planes used in World War II, according to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and were used in every combat area and extensively in the Pacific Theater. View of a B-25 Mitchell bomber in flight, 1940s. / Credit: Getty Images The plane crashed during the raid. Four of the airmen, including McCook, Carlin and Burke, were killed. The two surviving airmen were captured by Japanese forces. The DPAA did not say if the fourth airman who died in the crash or if the two men who were taken captive have been accounted for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCook, Carlin and Burke's remains were not recovered after World War II ended. All three were declared missing in action. More details about how the three mens' remains were found and identified will be released once their families receive a full briefing, the DPAA said. About 70,000 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for from World War II. Russian foreign minister on latest Kyiv strikes: "We only target military goals" Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates Toxic algae bloom kills whales, pelicans DENVER (KDVR) Three juveniles are each facing a felony charge in connection with a fire that caused damage at a park in Windsor in March. The Windsor Police Department said in a press release that the three juveniles are facing one count of arson, a class three felony, and two of them are also charged with theft under $300, a petty offense. Denver Sheriff Department deputy arrested, accused of stalking, harassment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from a fire at Main Park in Windsor, located at 301 Locust St., that broke out on March 5 around 7:45 p.m. The department said in a post on Facebook on March 6 that the fire caused significant damage to the public restrooms, but Windsor Severance Fire Rescue contained the fire before it could spread to nearby structures or vegetation. Police asked the public for help in the investigation. Investigators interviewed numerous people in the neighborhood and reviewed surveillance footage provided by community members through the Secure Streets program, which police said helped to identify the suspects. Police announced the charges on Friday and said the names of the juvenile suspects would not be released to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While proceedings will remain confidential due to the age of the individuals, the department is committed to pursuing appropriate accountability while respecting all legal protections afforded to minors, WPD wrote in the release. The police department said the case will proceed through the juvenile justice system. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A cardinal convicted of financial crimes by the Vatican who was demanding he should be able to participate in the upcoming conclave to decide who will replace Pope Francis now says he will not take part in it. Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, 76, was asked by Francis to step down from his position and resign all rights and privileges of being a cardinal at the Vatican in 2020 after he was accused of being involved in embezzlement and fraud. Three years later, Becciu was convicted of the charges and given a five-and-a-half-year sentence. Since his conviction, Becciu has maintained his innocence. Last week, he told a Sardinian newspaper that despite being labeled by the Holy Sees press office a non-elector in the conclave, there was no explicit will to exclude me from the conclave nor a request for my explicit renunciation in writing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becciu released a statement on Tuesday, saying, I have decided to obey, as I have always done, Pope Francis will not to enter the conclave, while remaining convinced of my innocence. Heres what we know about Becciu: He held 2 of the highest positions at the Vatican before he was convicted Becciu has been involved with the Vatican since 2001. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as substitute for general affairs in the secretariat of state, similar to a chief of staff position, making him the third most powerful person at the Vatican. Francis made Becciu a cardinal in 2018 and then appointed him prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, another powerful position where he was in charge of the Vaticans saint-making department. Pope Francis appoints Becciu as a cardinal at St. Peters Basilica in June 2018. (Alessandra Benedetti/Getty Images) He renounced his cardinal rights in 2020 after he was accused of being involved in a financial scandal The Vatican issued a statement in September 2020 announcing that Francis had accepted Beccius resignation from his position at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and his rights connected to the cardinalate. The Vatican identified Becciu as His Eminence Cardinal, which means that Becciu still had the cardinal title but none of the rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, it was reported that Becciu was involved in a financial scandal involving the Vaticans investment in a real estate deal in London. In 2014, the Vatican entered a real estate venture by investing $200 million in a fund run by Raffaele Mincione, an Italian businessman, to grant the Vatican 45% ownership of a luxury building in Londons Chelsea neighborhood, the Associated Press reported. The investment funds came from the asset portfolio of the secretariat of state, which Becciu had been No. 2 in at the time, and is funded by Peters Pence donations from Catholics around the world. Peters Pence donations are forwarded to the pope to help maintain the Vatican and donate to charities. When Becciu left the position in 2018 after Francis named him a cardinal, Beccius successor wanted to end the fund and buy out the full building to avoid losing more money. Instead, the buyout deal cost the Vatican millions of euros, which launched the investigation into Becciu and other Vatican employees involved in organizing the deal in 2014. Becciu wasnt investigated only because of the London building. He was also accused of funneling money to his home diocese of Sardinia, BBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Becciu was accused of sending large amounts of money to Australia when an Australian cardinal was on trial. Becciu is the 1st cardinal to be tried and convicted by the Vaticans criminal court Becciu meets with the media the day after he resigned his cardinal rights, in September 2020. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters) Becciu and nine other defendants including financiers, lawyers and former Vatican employees faced charges including embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and abuse of office, according to BBC News. After two years of trials, the Vatican court sentenced Becciu to five and a half years in jail for financial crimes in December 2023. Becciu became the first cardinal to be tried and convicted by the Vaticans criminal court. We reaffirm Cardinal Angelo Beccius innocence and will appeal, Beccius lawyer, Fabio Viglione, said after the verdict. We respect the ruling, but we will definitely appeal. Becciu and his lawyer have appealed the 2023 ruling. While the appeal process is ongoing, Becciu has avoided jail and has been allowed to live in his Vatican apartment. LONDON (AP) Three men who plotted to kill a former cage fighter, who years before had been convicted of being one of the ringleaders in the U.K.'s biggest-ever heist, were sentenced Friday to a collective term of over a century in prison. Daniel Kelly, 46, and brothers Louis Ahearne, 36, and Stewart Ahearne, 46, were found guilty by a jury last month for conspiracy to murder Paul Allen, then 41, in 2019. Allen, who was left for dead, was paralyzed from the chest down after being shot at his large home in Woodford Green, northeast London. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the details of the case and the criminal backgrounds of the three men who were also involved in the burglary of a Geneva museum a month before the shooting resembled the plot of a Hollywood crime caper. Solving it involved the retrieval of an iPad from the River Thames weeks after the shooting, they said. Judge Sarah Whitehouse said the three men were motivated by a promise of financial gain in their agreement to murder Allen. But what they stood to gain remained unclear. During the trial, prosecutors alleged that the background to the shooting was the fact that Allen was a sophisticated career criminal. He was convicted in 2009 for his part three years earlier in Britains biggest armed robbery at a depot in Kent, southeast England, in which 54 million pounds ($72 million at current prices) in cash was stolen, much of which has never been recovered. During their investigation into the shooting, police discovered along with Swiss authorities that the three men were also involved in a burglary at the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva on June 1, 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three pieces of Ming-era porcelain were taken from the museum, which had a combined insurance value of around $3.6 million. Investigators also uncovered that the defendants flew to Hong Kong later that month, where they tried to sell one of the items they had stolen a phoenix bowl at an auction house. The two brothers were extradited to Switzerland and were convicted of the burglary in January 2024. Both were subsequently returned to the U.K. to be tried for the shooting of Allen. Kelly is still the subject of an extradition request by Swiss authorities. Jurors heard how elements of that museum heist echoed with the shooting of Allen, including the use of a Renault Captur hire vehicle. The case against the three men was given further impetus with the discovery in Nov. 2024 of an iPad in the Thames that had been used to track the movements of Allen before he was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This attack may look like the plot to a Hollywood blockbuster but the reality is something quite different, said Detective Superintendent Matt Webb of the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation. This was horrific criminality. Whitehouse sentenced Kelly to 36 years in prison with an extended license period of five years. Louis Ahearne was sentenced to 36 years in prison while Stewart Ahearne was sentenced to 30 years. They will all serve a minimum of two-thirds of their sentences before being eligible for parole. She said Kelly was the shooter and was higher up in the chain of the conspiracy. Apart from the outstanding extradition request from Switzerland, Kelly is also wanted in Japan for a separate alleged robbery. [See Cleveland homicide statistics in the player above.] CLEVELAND (WJW) Cleveland police need the publics help identifying three suspects in the shooting death of a 19-year-old man earlier this month. Juaquim Torres, 19, was walking with two friends on East 55th Street, between Kinsman Avenue and Cobleigh Court, at about 7 p.m. on April 11, according to a news release from Cleveland police. Cuyahoga County John Doe identified as Danny Lee Mitchell, Cleveland man who went missing in 1980 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three males headed the opposite direction encountered Torres group and exchanged words. It was then that at least one person produced a firearm and shot Torres. He was pronounced dead at the scene. (Cleveland Division of Police) (Cleveland Division of Police) (Cleveland Division of Police) (Cleveland Division of Police) (Cleveland Division of Police) (Cleveland Division of Police) CMSD raised taxes, but spent $1,399 on Chill Chair: I-Team Police described the suspects as Black males in their teens to early 20s. They were last seen fleeing south on East 55th Street. Anyone with information on the suspects or the shooting is urged to call Cleveland homicide detectives at 216-623-5464, Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463 or visit the Crime Stoppers website. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) Three students at West Virginia University who had their student visas revoked by the Trump Administration earlier this month have now had them restored. According to Shauna Johnson, WVUs Executive Director of Strategic Communications, the university is aware of three students who have had their information restored into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as of Friday afternoon. Johnson said all three attend the Morgantown campus. 12 News previously reported that a total of seven peoplefour students and three alumniacross the WVU system had their visas revoked. However, Johnson said that as of Friday, that number had climbed to nine total people, including three at WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia (ACLU-WV) informed 12 News that it had filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration on behalf of Sajawal Ali Sohail, a 25-year-old WVU student from Pakistan who had his visa revoked on claims that he had a criminal background. Gov. Morrisey signs Laurens Law in Morgantown On Friday, ACLU-WV confirmed that Sohail was one of the three WVU students whose visa had been restored, as well as Marshall University student Shival Vyas, who was granted a temporary restraining order against the Trump Administration earlier this week. This is positive news not just for our two clients in West Virginia, but for international students across the country. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely, particularly the announcement that ICE will be developing new policies for revoking legal statuses. We want to be clear that the administration is backing down not because its the right thing to do, but because they have been dragged to court repeatedly and lost again and again. Statement from ACLU-WV On Friday, The Hill reported that 1,500 international students will have their visas restored by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after numerous lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter said that student records in SEVIS will also be restored, The Hill reported. He added that ICE will create a new framework for SEVIS record terminations, and that in the meantime, all student records that have been removed from SEVIS will be restored. Editors note: This story has been updated to correct information provided by WVU officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One of the hot-button issues in US politics lately? Tariffs. President Donald Trump has gone back and forth on the controversial issue, announcing tariffs on imports from other countries before later imposing delays. The results have been nothing short of disastrous from retaliatory tariffs to deep stock market declines to rising prices. Some of this has come as a shock to Trump supporters and conservatives, who seemed to think tariffs would A) force other countries to foot the bill and B) drive business back to America. Win McNamee / Getty Images However, this is not the case. Tariffs cause many American companies to pay more for the same goods, a cost often passed down to the consumer in the form of rising prices, as companies don't want to lose that money. And while buying American is a noble idea, many popular brands are based abroad, and many items are not produced (or can only be expensively produced) in the US. Even items made in America often use materials from other countries. And let's not forget how much these tariffs' impact on the stock market has already harmed many Americans. Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images Look, tariffs are confusing we get it. But I have to say, it's a little infuriating to see Trump supporters blindly supporting tariffs with absolutely no idea of their actual effects or how they work. Here are 31 people who were just so, so wrong about tariffs and US trade in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1.At least this person was aware of their ignorance. 2.As was this person. 3.This person didn't know the difference between imports and exports. 4.This person was bafflingly incorrect. In case you didn't know, iPhones are mostly assembled in China, which is facing massive tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5....Yes. Yes, we do. 6.This suggestion that Nintendo a massive Japanese company move their entire company to the US is just baffling. 7.Once again...Nintendo is a Japanese company. 8....Yeah, that's totally how that works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 9.These terrible ideas and ill-informed comments are not just coming from the dark recesses of the internet they're right there on the news. 10.Complete inaccuracies are literally being spouted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. 11.Once again, we are not taxing the rest of the world with tariffs. We're taxing ourselves. Fox News / u/Miserable-Lizard / Via reddit.com 12.This claim about other countries "caving" to tariffs is laughable considering the retaliatory tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 13.This person clearly just unquestioningly believed Trump without doing any thinking of their own...which seems like a common thing with Trump supporters. 14.I think this person had this the wrong way around it'd be more accurate to say we survive by buying products from China. 15.This person was also really confused about how much our economy relies on materials and products from China. 16.Oh look, another person overestimating the impact on China and forgetting how much the US relies on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 17.It's kind of wild to say "economically speaking, you can't hurt us" about Canada, considering 62% of the crude oil we imported last year was from Canada. In 2022, 99% of the natural gas we imported was from Canada. 18.Does this person really think America doesn't import anything? And what do they even mean by "other countries import goods to our country?" They were accidentally right when they claimed the companies importing the goods pay the tariffs, but...again, that means US companies. 19.Quick note: tariffs have nothing to do with income tax! 20.The US is not, in fact, holding all the cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 21....Maybe they meant 48% of the US rice supply? 22.*Sigh*. It's a lot more complicated than buying American! 23.Buying American coffee is going to vastly limit your options, and we know what a high demand and small supply means. 24.I hope "France wishes they had Wisconsin cheese" is a joke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 25.I hope this is a joke, too. 26.This claim is just wrong on multiple levels. 27.I feel like this person is reallyyyy not understanding that those tariffs are not being paid by Mexico they're being paid by American companies. 28.At least this person was trying to get clarification, but you gotta love that they had to ask who pays for tariffs AFTER voting for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 29."Bro, American cheese is the most exported cheese on this planet." Oh, boy. 30.Soybeans? Mines??? What in the... 31.And finally, the irony of this person saying "getting ripped off had to end at some point"...then describing being ripped off...*Sigh.* (KRON) The San Jose Police Department said four people are injured after a Thursday afternoon vehicle collision involving a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail train. VTA was offering a bus bridge service for impacted commuters due to the incident. Shortly before 6:50 p.m., the transit agency announced that regular light rail service had been restored between River Oaks and Gish in both directions. Person possibly hit by BART train; Fremont station closed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SJPD said officers responded to the crash at 4:27 p.m. in the area of Charcot and First streets to find a box truck that was struck by a VTA train. According to the VTA, the driver of the vehicle tried to turn left when the train was moving, and they collided into one another. Police said the driver of the truck was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Three occupants of the VTA train confirmed as its conductor and two passengers were also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A VTA spokesperson told KRON4, In order to remove the truck from the tracks on first Street we have to shut down the overhead train power so the bus bridge has been extended from River Oaks to Gish. The roadway has since been cleared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collision 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 KRON4. NIANTIC, Conn. (WTNH) Rocky Neck State Park will receive $4 million in federal grant funds to restore two habitats. Brush fire closes Rocky Neck State Park The money will go towards restoring the Bride Brook Estuary and Coast Marsh. The effort hopes to make this unique ecosystem healthier and improve visitor experiences. This project is really going to accomplish both of those goals, Justin Davis, bureau chief for natural resources at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) said. Well be looking to improve the health of the marsh here, which provides really critical wildlife habitat and also protects coastal communities from flooding and the impacts of coastal storms. Were also going to be looking at ways that we can improve visitor experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funds were secured by the nature conservancy through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Azerbaijan and the OSCE have discussed the post-conflict situation in the South Caucasus, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at a joint press conference with OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu in Baku, Trend reports. We had useful and informative discussions on several fronts. During the meeting, detailed information was provided on regional development and post-conflict challenges. In particular, the issues of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as reconstruction works carried out in our country in the post-conflict period, were discussed, he said. According to him, before discussing bilateral topics, the sides also exchanged views on a wider range of issues related to the current situation in a vast geographical space. We touched upon the topics of threats to stability and security, deterioration of mutual trust between the countries, growing tension and complication of the situation, as well as manifestations of ethnic and religious intolerance and discrimination, Bayramov added. The Foreign Minister noted that in such an unstable and fragmented situation, the sides stressed the importance of such an organization as the OSCE, based on the concept of comprehensive and collective security. We discussed the necessity of improving decision-making mechanisms, flexible adaptation to new conditions, and strengthening activities in priority areas, said Bayramov. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The 4Warn Storm Team kept an eye on storms that moved into the state Thursday night. LOCAL WEATHER: Thunderstorm chances increase Thursday evening According to KFOR Meteorologist Aaron Brackett, said the storms formed in northwestern Oklahoma. The storms did move east and southeast. Hail will be a big threat initially in western Oklahoma along with a low tornado risk. Storms weakened some as they moved toward central Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More rain and storms will be possible Friday into the weekend. A tornado touched down near Freedom, Oklahoma, just after 6 p.m. Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. At least five people have died after a police plane crashed into the ocean in Hua Hin district, Thailand on Friday, April 25, authorities have confirmed All the victims were police officers, Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong said, per the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) The cause of the crash is not currently known and an investigation is underway, per reports Five police officers have died after a small plane crashed into the ocean near a popular beach town in Thailand, according to local authorities. On Friday, April 25, at approximately 8 a.m. local time, the aircraft crashed into the water while officers were conducting a test flight to prepare for parachute training in Hua Hin district, Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong said, per the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archayon confirmed six people on board; five of whom died at the scene, while the sixth person remains in the hospital in critical condition, the outlet reported. All the victims were police officers, Archayon said, per the network. ROYAL THAI POLICE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A police plane crashed into the sea in Hua Hin district, Thailand on April 25, 2025 A police plane crashed into the sea in Hua Hin district, Thailand on April 25, 2025 Officials are yet to confirm the model of the propeller plane involved in the crash, but photos from the scene appear to show it was a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter, per the TPBS and Associated Press. The crash occurred near Hua Hin Airport, TPBS stated, citing the public relations department of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, with images showing the aircraft in the water around 330 feet off shore. ROYAL THAI POLICE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Royal Thai Police officers salute the victims of the a police plane crash Royal Thai Police officers salute the victims of the a police plane crash Per the Bangkok Post, the incident happened close to the beachside resort, the Baby Grande Hua Hin Hotel, located in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi province. The outlet stated that there were three pilots, two mechanics and an aircraft engineer on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The body of the plane appeared to have been broken in two, TPBS reported. The outlet stated the cause of the crash was not immediately known and officials are now gathering evidence, including data from the aircraft's black box, Archayon said. Xinhua/Shutterstock A police plane crashed into the ocean in Hua Hin district, Thailand on April 25, 2025 A police plane crashed into the ocean in Hua Hin district, Thailand on April 25, 2025 National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet said, "The families of the victims will be closely supported and funeral arrangements will be made for them," reported the Associated Press. "I have ordered a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash," the officer added. 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 Royal Thai Police shared a tribute to the victims on Facebook, writing in a translated post, "The National Police would like to express its deepest condolences and honor to the 5 policemen. The National Police Office will fully take care of the benefits and welfare of the families of the 5 brave policemen." The Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Industry Office didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) Garbage bags are filling up around Rapid City as they celebrate Clean Up Week. Groups have been cleaning up trash and other litter across the city in celebration of Earth Day. Witnesses called in Sioux Falls murder trial Each year this week-long event sees thousands of residents doing their part, many who return each year to keep making an impact. I think last year about halfway up we generated about 30 full bags of trash alone. Beer cans, diapers, you name it and its just so sad to see that. So its important to us to keep it clean, Weather Tite Exteriors Marketing Manager Hillary Chandler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groups typically pick up in some of the 1,700 acres of park space, along highways, and throughout other urban areas rain or shine. We had a job to do, knew it was going to be raining, but we did it anyway, thats what really defines South Dakota. Even when its tough, even when its dirty you do it anyway. We see people do it on farms and ranches, we see people do that in businesses and in life. Its even displayed in things like cleaning up your community, Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun said. I love it. Honestly, I travel a lot and I see trash on sidewalks and the parks. Its just heartbreaking because we live here and we love it here, and seeing it clean and taken care of, theres nothing more satisfying to me, Chandler said. This week provides an opportunity for the community to come together and be good stewards of the land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody wants to live where its dirty and messy. They want it to be clean, they want it to be beautiful and here in Rapid City, theres no place more beautiful than Rapid City, its such a gorgeous city. We have a lot to be proud of so its really cool to see an entire community come out in great numbers and say no this is our town, were going to keep it clean, Salamun said. The city-wide Cleanup Week has been successfully going for 54 years. This Saturday will be the culmination of Cleanup Week with the Earth Day Expo taking place at Western Dakota Tech. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Six police officers tragically died Friday morning after a propeller plane they were riding plunged into the ocean in Thailand. According to The Associated Press, the plane was performing a test flight to prepare parachute training. It's unclear what led to the crash, but the apparent Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter plane suddenly plunged to the Hua Hin beach waters, killing all six police officers onboard. Five of the six officers were pronounced dead at the scene and the pilot, also a police officer, later died at a hospital. The plane appeared to break in half as a result of the crash. Witness video shows the harrowing moment when the plane plunged. The video cuts before the plane makes impact some 330 feet offshore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Royal Thai Police spokesperson Archayon Kraithong, the crash occurred around 8 a.m. Officials are still investigating the crash and are gathering evidence from the plane's black box. Related: U.S. Man Fatally Shot After Hijacking Plane The crash reportedly occurred near a luxury hotel and near the Hua Hin Airport. "The families of the victims will be closely supported and funeral arrangements will be made for them," National Police Chief Kitrat Phanphet told The Associated Press. "I have ordered a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash." The Royal Thai Police paid tribute to the fallen officers in an emotional Facebook post. For nearly six decades, there have been few media institutions as durable and respected as the CBS newsmagazine "60 Minutes." Even as traditional appointment TV viewing fades, "60 Minutes" remains the most watched news program, approaching 10 million viewers in some weeks, according to Nielsen data. Correspondent roles on the program are the most coveted positions in TV journalism. Its deeply reported stories have influence in an age when other mainstream news outlets' clout has diminished in a fragmented media landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But "60 Minutes" now faces an unprecedented crisis. This week, the program lost its executive producer, Bill Owens, only the third person to hold the job in the show's storied history. His farewell note to staff cited interference from the corporate owner, Paramount Global, which is seeking regulatory clearance from the Trump administration to complete an $8-billion merger with Skydance Media. Clouding the deal, which requires approval by the Federal Communications Commission, is President Trump's $20-billion lawsuit against CBS over the program's October interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The case goes before a mediator next week. Trump alleges the program was deceptively edited to favor Harris, a charge that 1st Amendment experts say is spurious. But Shari Redstone, controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, and the Skydance partners want to clear the legal obstacle to close their deal, even if it means a settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Paramount Global representative declined to comment. "60 Minutes" former executive producer Bill Owens, left, with correspondents Bill Whitaker and Lesley Stahl. (Rick Loomis / For the Times) The staff of "60 Minutes" was shaken by Owens' departure. But no one is expected to follow him out the door, largely because it would be seen as giving in to Trump, said one longtime member of the program who was not authorized to comment publicly. In the short term, Owens' exit is not likely to change the hard-charging journalistic values of the program, as many of his lieutenants share his ethos. Executive editor Tanya Simon, who is running the program on an interim basis, is the daughter of the late Bob Simon, a well-known correspondent for the program. "She is one tough cookie," said Tom Bettag, a former network news producer who worked on the program and is now a lecturer at the Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland. "The troops admire her." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Owens cited corporate interference, there was little evidence of it on the screen. "60 Minutes" remained dogged in covering the first 100 days of the second Trump presidency, with critical reports on the administration's handling of Ukraine and the bird flu outbreak. The program brought together a Marine Corps band that was dissolved as part of the administration's purge of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the military. "60 Minutes" staffers credit the drive of Owens, a 25-year veteran of the program, to get tough Trump stories on the air. Read more: CBS News says Trump is dropping out of 60 Minutes' interview after accepting invitation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS executives not authorized to comment noted that "60 Minutes" has a long history of operating independently and Owens was likely not used to the additional oversight implemented in recent months. Former CBS News president Susan Zirinsky was enlisted last fall to oversee standards at the news division after Redstone became irritated over some of the network's coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, including a "60 Minutes" piece that criticized former President Biden's handling of the conflict. But the larger fear at "60 Minutes" is that the company will settle the lawsuit with an apology and payment to Trump. Any willingness to placate the president could have the "60 Minutes" journalists and producers looking over their shoulders as they try to do their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Confidence, swagger and even a bit of arrogance are part of what made "60 Minutes" a TV news powerhouse since 1968. Those characteristics may be undercut by uncertainty over corporate support, making it difficult to aggressively cover the Trump White House. "People want to work at CBS News and especially at '60 Minutes' because they want to work in a place that will stand up and fight for themselves," Bettag said. "I have students who look at '60 Minutes' and say 'that's the kind of person I want to be.'" "60 Minutes" has been subjected to corporate pressure in the past when network owners were involved in merger talks. When Laurence Tisch owned CBS and was looking to sell the company to Westinghouse in 1995, the network killed a "60 Minutes" story that featured tobacco industry whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand, a former Brown & Williamson executive who revealed that its cigarettes contained additives to boost the nicotine that keeps smokers hooked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown & Williamson threatened CBS with a lawsuit, claiming the interview would interfere with Wigand's confidentiality agreement with the company. Under orders from its legal department, ''60 Minutes'' did not broadcast the interview or air Wigand's most damaging charges until after the Wall Street Journal reported on a deposition he gave in another case. The conflict was dramatized in the 1999 Michael Mann film "The Insider" and stained the program's stellar reputation. "60 Minutes" survived that episode and maintained its stature as the gold standard of TV journalism. In recent years, the program has dominated investigative journalism in prime time as its competitors "Dateline" on NBC and "20/20" on ABC have moved exclusively into telling true crime stories. What is baffling people who have worked on the program is why Paramount Global or Skydance would want to risk damaging the value of an asset that continues to generate millions in profit for the network and provides enviable stature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I pray they back off and see that there would be real glory in speaking up and supporting '60 Minutes,' which is truly a national treasure," Bettag said. "It is also a cash cow and it has an identity for a network, which is truly important." 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. Indiana lawmakers closed the books on the 2025 legislative session in the early hours of April 25, approving some of the most controversial bills of the session and the state budget on the last day. Its also the time of year where lawmakers in the House and the Senate make last-minute adds and eliminations to some bills and resurrect once-dead language in others before the final versions of legislation head to the governors desk. The biggest lift was the two-year state budget. Lawmakers and Gov. Mike Braun on April 23 announced a deal on a slimmed down version of the bill following a dismal forecast last week that required more than $2 billion in cuts from what was originally proposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But bills making school board elections partisan and reining in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in government entities saw tense debate before lawmakers gave their final approvals. Here are some of the efforts state lawmakers squeezed into the last day of the session. State budget passes primarily along party lines A tight budget year got even tighter with a surprise $2 billion revenue shortfall unveiled last week. The version of House Bill 1001, the two-year budget, that the House passed 66-27 and the Senate passed 39-1, was only a little more than a day old when those votes happened. In that time span, lawmakers added a cigarette tax hike, cut public health and public media funding, and enacted a litany of policies affecting universities and faculty that never saw the light of public testimony. Some of the most tense debate toward the early morning hours of April 25 centered around that process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Gov. Mike Braun will get to sign his first budget as governor. Partisan school boards narrowly approved Senate Bill 287, a controversial plan to make school board elections partisan races narrowly passed the Indiana Senate by a vote of 26-24 on April 24. It's now on the way to Braun's desk. It was a rare close vote for the chamber with a Republican supermajority. Fourteen Senate Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the bill, with some GOP senators pleading with their colleagues to reject it Some Senate Democrats appeared surprised SB 287 squeaked through and following the vote said they expected the bill to fail. Sen. JD Ford, D-Indianapolis, urged Republicans who voted against SB 287 to call on Braun to veto the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents of SB 287 throughout the legislative session said they worried partisan school board races would continue to politicize the offices, while supporters said thats already the case. House lawmakers made it optional for school board members to disclose their affiliation, not mandatory, when running for office. Sen. Gary Byrne, R-Byrneville, who authored the bill said partisan identifiers provide increased transparency for Hoosiers at the ballot box. "If we think the work of the sheriff, the judges, the coroners is partisan," Byrne said on the Senate floor on April 24. "Than I would say school boards are more partisan than that." Anti-DEI bill After executive orders in January from President Donald Trump and Braun, Indiana lawmakers on April 24 signed off on a bill aiming to rein in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, known as DEI. The House voted 64-26 and the Senate voted 34-16 to send the bill to Braun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 289, prohibits publicly-funded entities from taking actions based on a person's "personal characteristics," such as race, religion and sex. It also allows individuals to bring legal actions over alleged violations, but plaintiffs would only be able to receive court and attorney fees and actual damages if a court rules in their favor. More: Lawmakers send anti-DEI bill to Gov. Braun. Here's what it does The version of SB 289 on its way to Braun is a slimmed down version of the bill that passed the Senate earlier this year. The session's landmark DEI bill began as a blanket ban on DEI concepts, trainings and even offices within state institutions, including colleges. Earlier this year, some state colleges began shutting down DEI-related offices and trainings due to what was proposed in the Senate. Nonprofit hospital pricing The key piece of legislation that attempts to add some controls on the prices nonprofit hospitals charge is now on its way to Braun, for whom the cost of health care is a top issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 1004 passed the House 67-23 and the Senate 37-13. HB 1004 came out swinging at the start of the session, but was watered down significantly as it traveled through the Senate. What started as financial penalties and the revocation of their nonprofit status if hospitals charge prices above a certain threshold, ended as a bill asking for a study of these hospitals' average prices, and then have the nonprofit-status threat take effect in 2029. It also restructures the hospital assessment fee to allow hospitals to draw down more federal dollars, and requires insurance agents to publicize their commissions in quotes they give customers as well as the all payer claims database. Pharmacy benefit managers Senate Bill 140, the main bill taking a crack at the powerful pharmacy benefit manager industry the middlemen between drug manufacturers and pharmacies is now heading to Braun. The House voted 84-1 and the Senate voted 39-10 on the final version of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill requires PBMs to provide adequate coverage networks, prohibits them from steering business to their own affiliated pharmacies, and requires PBMs to reimburse independent pharmacies at cost, plus a dispensing fee. (The dispensing fee is what the PBMs liken to a "pill tax.") The final version of the bill exempted out Medicaid, managed care and state employee health plan from the provisions. Marijuana advertising ban When lawmakers approved a House bill with directions for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on April 24, they also signed off on a ban on advertising of marijuana products by any medium within the state. More: Marijuana isn't legal in Indiana. So should advertising be legal here? Lawmakers say no The language hopped around in different bills in the final weeks of April before landing in House Bill 1390. The ban applies to signs on the interstate and flyers sent to mailboxes, which had started appearing in Indiana as companies in neighboring states try to entice Hoosiers to spend their money across state lines. (All of the states bordering Indiana have some form of legalized marijuana.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertising bill proposals appeared in three different bills at the start of the legislative session, which all died without receiving a hearing in legislative committees. "Obscene" performance ban Other controversial language lawmakers approved after it bill-hopped in the final days: a ban on local governments hosting or funding obscene performances and the ability for anyone to sue a local entity they believe violates the language. Democrats and LGBTQ advocates said the provision targets drag shows and other performances someone might not like. The original language was added in the House to Senate Bill 326, a bill clarifying language about child sex abuse materials. It was removed in a conference committee and then added to House Bill 1014 on April 24, a bill about the terms of imprisonment for misdemeanors. The bill passed the House 78-13 and the Senate 42-8. It now heads to Brauns desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 7 bills Indiana lawmakers approved in the final hours of the 2025 legislative session **Related Video Above: What to do during an animal attack HUNTINGBURG, Ind. (WJW) A 4-year-old girl died following a dog attack at an Indiana home last week where a woman also died, police said in a statement. Gut-wrenching: 152 dogs rescued from extremely poor conditions in Utah home After being dispatched to a Huntingburg residence on April 14, first responders said they found a 53-year-old woman and a 4-year-old girl unresponsive. The woman, identified as Oliva Mora Regalado, was pronounced dead at the scene, but the little girl, named Evelynn Lopez, was taken to a hospital in Jasper where she later died, Huntingburg police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon investigation, including an autopsy, police said Regalado was determined to have suffered from a medical emergency caused by a preexisting condition. For unknown reasons, police believe that dog(s) inside the residence then attacked Evelynn, who was the only other person inside the residence, police said in a statement. Police said they found six pit bulls and one poodle mix at the home and that for the safety of everyone involved and the preservation of evidence, all dogs were sedated and then euthanized on scene. Had no warning: Grandma who was deaf mauled to death by neighbor dogs in her backyard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the child died from injuries due to a dog attack. It was not clear if the woman and child were related or what their relationship was. No criminal charges have been filed, but an investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. HONOLULU (KHON2) A man is dead after attempting to hike Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. Firefighters locate missing hiker off Lulumahu Falls Trail The Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to the incident just before 11 a.m. on Thursday. The 76-year-old man ventured off the trail and was later reported missing. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters searching on the ground were able to locate him, but he was found unresponsive and pulseless. HFD said they initiated CPR and applied a mechanical chest compression device for the airlift operation. Around 1 p.m., the hiker was airlifted to a landing zone where paramedics took over. Check out more news from around Hawaii Honolulu EMS said they attempted resuscitation efforts but were unsuccessful. Officials said the man suffered cardiac arrest and 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 KHON2. RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) For the first time, we are hearing the distraught 911 call from a friend of the Rio Arriba County sheriff, to report the sheriffs death, shedding light on what led up to his body being found in his work vehicle. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That friend of Sheriff Billy Merrifield called 911, describing some of the events that unfolded before he found his friends body. It started when the friend got a call about the sheriff getting into a crash in the middle of the night. Friend: My phone rang at 3 oclock, and this girl that was with him told me that they were in Abiquiu somewhere by his house, and she sounded desperate and was crying. Merrifield was off duty, and the friend said he didnt know the woman with him. The friend met up with the two, and the woman drove the sheriffs unit back to the sheriffs house. The friend told dispatch he believed Merrifield was drunk, and he told him to go inside. The friend then drove the woman home, leaving the sheriff behind, still in his car. Later in the morning, the friend said he repeatedly called Merrifields phone and decided to go check on him. Friend: Hes in his unit, hes unresponsive, I think hes dead. Operator: And youre saying its for sure? Friend: Yeah, Billy Merrifield. Hes my friend. Operator: Okay. And hes unresponsive? Friend: Yeah, I honestly think hes dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merrifield was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of Sheriff Merrifields death is being investigated by New Mexico State Police. The autopsy report is still in progress. New Mexico State Police said they are also checking to see if the sheriff was under the influence of drugs or alcohol before his 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man was charged Wednesday after police say he stole $91,000 from another person in York County through a water auction scheme. Andrew Baskett, 39, of Virginia, kept giving different excuses for months and never paid the victim despite saying how they were supposed to get back more than half a million dollars, the charges filed by York County Regional police show. Police said there are other people who invested in the water auction scheme that have not been paid or reimbursed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter The victim reported to police that Baskett called him in September 2021, asking him if he wanted to invest in a company called BAM. Baskett said the BAM company bought water rights in small Alaskan towns and had large tankers offshore to gather the water from lakes. That water would then be taken to whatever countries had shortages and would be auctioned off. Baskett even mentioned countries like China and Russia He also explained how he signed a non-disclosure agreement and wasnt supposed to be talking about the investment, but he wanted to help the victim because he claimed he was so rich, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The worst Ive ever done was double my money, Baskett reportedly told the victim when asked how much money he lost in the auction, the charges filed state. Baskett made it seem like he was living a luxurious lifestyle by driving expensive cars, saying about buying a million-dollar cabin in West Virginia, and how he bought a house for a family member. However, police say, the victim found out those were lies. Police said from October 2021 to March 2022, the victim paid Baskett $91k to invest in, and he even told the victim they were looking at a return of $600k, however, Baskett never sent the money. More than 100 construction equipment items, tools seized from home; Cumberland County man charged Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Excuses provided by Baskett included the war in Ukraine, and how he was in a crash where the checks with the victims name on them flew out the window. He is also accused of lying about an active shooter in his neighborhood, and how a Swiss banker was arrested with the checks, according to police. Baskett also claimed he was arrested by the FBI and they took the checks, and he couldnt get them back. Basket claimed to have tried to send wire transfers but blamed the FBI when nothing ever showed up, police say. A letter from a law firm was sent to Baskett about how he was supposed to pay the victim their money back by April 10, 2024, or criminal charges would be pursued. As of Wednesday, April 23, Baskett has not fixed the matter, police said in the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baskett was charged with two felony counts of theft by deception and receiving stolen property. A preliminary hearing has yet to be scheduled. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. I highly appreciate the agreement of the text of the draft peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Secretary General of the OSCE, Feridun Sinirlioglu said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku, Trend reports. Dialogue and diplomacy must remain at the core of our efforts if we seek a sustainable and lasting peace - a peace based on OSCE principles, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. In this context, I welcome the successful conclusion of the negotiations on the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This is an important milestone reflecting the common aspiration for a future based on peace, stability, and cooperation in the South Caucasus, he said. Apr. 24AUSTIN Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) on Thursday encouraged Texans to participate in this year's Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday starting Saturday, April 26, through Monday, April 28. "Having emergency supplies on-hand is one of the best ways Texans can keep themselves and their loved ones safe during emergency weather events," Abbott said in a news release. "I encourage all Texans to take advantage of this tax-free holiday to purchase emergency supplies, such as flashlights, first aid kids, or fire extinguishers, in order to be prepared for any potential severe weather or disasters." The Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday was established in 2015 after Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 904 into law. It allows Texans to purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free, in-store or online, during the designated weekend each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas Comptroller's website contains more information about eligible items and qualifying purchases. With spring storms in the forecast and hurricane season beginning on June 1, Texans are encouraged to take advantage of this annual opportunity and proactively prepare an emergency supply kit. Texans are urged to review disaster preparedness tips at tdem.texas.gov/prepare and visit TexasReady.gov to locate information on emergency planning resources, including guidance on assembling a supply kit. Apr. 24An Albuquerque-based technology education organization, Teeniors, will expand its footprint in New Mexico thanks to a $15,000 award from Comcast. Trish Lopez, founder and CEO of Teeniors, appeared on NBC's "The Kelly Clarkson Show" this week to talk about the nonprofit she runs that connects young people with older adults looking to learn more about technology. She noted that older adults who are first introduced to tech such as phones in their 60s or 70s often struggle to learn how to use them without assistance. That's where Teeniors comes in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Comcast grant, announced near the end of the show segment, came as a surprise. "New Mexico is one of the most impoverished states in the country, and so there are so many more older adults who cannot afford to pay than those who can. And we never turn away anyone who can't afford to pay," Lopez told the Journal. "So this funding really means a lot to us for that reason." Lopez also brought her 12-year-old daughter, Kaia Lopez Grant, and a Teeniors' client, Kathy Ferguson, on the show. "It was just very cool to have this opportunity, and it was super fun," Lopez said. (NewsNation) Attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia are accusing government lawyers of stonewalling his case by failing to produce substantive information about what steps are being taken to facilitate the Maryland mans release from an El Salvador prison after he was mistakenly deported. A discovery deadline originally scheduled for Wednesday was extended until April 30 with the agreement of both sides, according to an order by U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis, who is overseeing the case. However, in a letter filed to the court, Abrego Garcias attorneys now argue that government lawyers have repeatedly failed to comply with an April 15 court order that granted Abrego Garcias legal team expedited discovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kilmar Abrego Garcias wife says shes moved to safe house Xinis previously said that the government appeared to have done nothing to aid in Abrego Garcias release from custody and return to the United States. This week, the judge wrote in a ruling, For weeks, (the government) has sought refuge behind vague and unstantiated assertions of privilege using them as a shield to obstruct discovery and evade compliance with this Courts orders. What are Kilmar Abrego Garcias attorneys claiming? Abrego Garcias attorneys maintain that the government is guilty of producing nothing of substance in response to requests for information. That includes any details about what the Trump administration is doing to facilitate Abrego Garcias release. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, whose husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported by ICE, speaks at a rally and news conference at the CASA Multicultural Center ahead of his hearing. Instead, Abrego Garcias attorneys claim the government has responded by saying that inquiries for information 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, that is specifically what the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in its decision when the matter reached the high court, as has the federal appeals court that sits directly over Xinis jurisdiction. Rather than provide Abrego Garcias legal team with discovery, attorneys argue that the governments documents have included only public filings from dockets, copies of the actual requests for discovery and correspondence. Other correspondence, attorneys argue, is similarly non-responsive. First-ever sperm race hopes to combat declining male fertility Attorneys also allege that the government refuses to produce any information about Abrego Garcias initial placement in El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia was deported last month despite being granted protective status from deportation in 2019. The government has acknowledged that Abrego Garcia was deported due to an administrative error, but federal officials, including those from the White House, have continued to argue that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang. Governments response to Kilmar Abrego Garcias attorneys claims In response to Abrego Garcias legal teams assertions, attorneys representing the U.S. government say that they have put forward a good-faith effort to provide appropriate responses to Abrego Garcias legal teams requests. Migrant convicted in DUI killing of teens to be released early: Report However, government attorneys characterized Abrego Garcias attorneys insistence on examining the legal basis for their clients confinement as an absurdity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government attorneys say that now that Abrego Garcia is being detained in El Salvador, that matter is up to the Salvadorian government rather than the U.S. They argue that requiring a detailed response about that matter would be wholly inappropriate and an invasion of diplomatic discussions. Trump believes Kilmar Abrego Garcia is part of MS-13 gang Trump administration officials, including Pam Bondi, have said that the decision to return Abrego Garcia would be up to El Salvador, which the countrys president has said he will not do. President Donald Trump listed allegations against Abrego Garcia that the Department of Homeland Security reported, stating he was part of the MS-13 gang. MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, has been designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department. The gang was created by immigrants from El Salvador in the United States before it gained traction in Central America, officials said. Credit: U.S. District Court This undated photo provided by Murray Osorio PLLC shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (Murray Osorio PLLC via AP) HYATTSVILLE, MD APR 4: Jennifer, center, whose husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported by ICE, is hugged by a staff member of CASA, at the CASA Multicultural Center during a press conference ahead of Garcias hearing. GREENBELT, MD APR 4: Protestors stand outside the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland during Kilmar Abrego Garcias hearing. HYATTSVILLE, MD APR 4: Jennifer Vasquez Sura, whose husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported by ICE, speaks at a rally and press conference at the CASA Multicultural Center ahead of his hearing. GREENBELT, MD APR 4: Protestors stand outside the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland during Kilmar Abrego Garcias hearing. HYATTSVILLE, MD APR 4: Lucia Curiel, who represented Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks at a press conference and rally for Garcia before his hearing, at the CASA Multicultural Center. This undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025, shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (CASA via AP) This man is a very violent person, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS officials wrote on X, Kilmar Abrego Garcia had a history of violence and was not the upstanding Maryland Man the media has portrayed him as. In that post, the familys home address and other personal information were not redacted. Officials with DHS told MSNBC that the documents posted on X are accessible to the public. Trump event met with El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele, who said he wouldnt be sending Abrego Garcia back to the country. Trump doing the right thing on immigration: Tom Homan Abrego Garcias wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, has continued to advocate for him. She told reporters, Enough is enough. My family cant be robbed from another day without seeing Kilmar. This administration has already taken so much from my children, from Kilmars mother, brother, sisters and me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNations Steven Joachim contributed to 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 NewsNation. Haoxiang Gao, 20, a Chinese national facing felony charges that he voted illegally in last year's election, failed to appear at a hearing Thursday in District 14A Court in Washtenaw County. (Elaine Cromie / Votebeat) This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for Votebeat Michigans free newsletter here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ANN ARBOR A University of Michigan student accused of illegally voting in the 2024 election is facing a bench warrant after failing to appear in court for a hearing Thursday. Haoxiang Gao, 20, a Chinese national, is facing two felony charges that he cast a ballot despite not being eligible and lied on the voter registration form. He was scheduled for a probable-cause hearing but didnt appear. The hearing had been delayed repeatedly over the past several months. Its not clear where Gao is. K. Orlando Simon, Gaos attorney and a staff member at the University of Michigans Student Legal Services, declined to comment Thursday, and university officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A voicemail left with the Washtenaw County prosecutors office Friday morning was not immediately returned. The bench warrant, which authorizes an arrest, is an escalation in a case that has highlighted a loophole in the states same-day registration system, prompting lawmakers and state officials to propose new solutions to ensure it wont happen again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision, made by Judge J. Cedric Simpson of District 14A Court, happened after a bench conference with Gaos lawyer. If convicted, Gao could face up to nine years in prison and potential deportation. Records obtained by Votebeat show Gao allegedly cast a ballot at an early voting center at the University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor in October. Federal law restricts voting in U.S. elections to citizens, and authorities say Gao falsely claimed citizenship when registering. In emails sent to local prosecutors and state election officials the day after the incident, Ann Arbor Clerk Jackie Beaudry said Gao admitted what he had done, after initially suggesting that someone else had used a green card to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cases like Gaos are exceedingly rare. A statewide review in Michigan identified just 15 other suspected noncitizens who voted in the 2024 general election roughly 0.00028% of all ballots cast. That number closely matches the rate seen in other states. A 2024 review in Ohio found fewer than 600 of the 8 million people registered in the state were not citizens. In that instance, 138 of those people had potentially voted in the last year, officials said. A similar 2024 review in Georgia found that 20 of the more than 8.2 million people registered to vote there arent U.S. citizens. Only nine of those 20 had voted in previous elections, state officials said. Michigan Republicans have seized on Gaos case to call for stricter voting laws. Rep. Bryan Posthumus, a Republican from Rockford, introduced a potential constitutional amendment that would require new voters to prove their citizenship when registering in addition to requiring the state to run continual citizenship checks for voters already on the rolls. Critics call the proposal a disproportionate response that could disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly those who may struggle to obtain documentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the measure cited Gaos case during a recent legislative hearing. Rep. Jay DeBoyer, a Republican from Clay Township, argued that common sense election provisions like citizenship checks would have prevented the incident. Last week, members of the Board of State Canvassers unanimously approved language for the Committee to Protect Voters Rights to gather signatures to get a nearly identical measure on the ballot through the petition process. The group, which has historically worked against ballot issues focused on the expansion of voting rights, has 180 days to gather nearly 450,000 valid signatures from registered voters around the state to get the proposal on the 2026 ballot. Democrats have suggested they would introduce legislation that would stop noncitizen voting without requiring broad citizenship checks. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is running for Governor, said she would spearhead those efforts, but specifics of a plan have yet to be introduced. Gaos next hearing has not yet been scheduled, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayley Harding is a reporter for Votebeat based in Michigan. Contact Hayley at hharding@votebeat.org. Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization covering local election integrity and voting access. Sign up for their newsletters here. A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. President Donald Trump has expressed some interest in the idea of giving new parents a $5,000 baby bonus, and a new CDC report shows the US fertility rate is hovering near a record low as younger people rethink parenthood. But there is also a disconnect between the vague idea of spending taxpayer money to spark a baby boom and the drastic cuts in government spending and mass deportations the Trump administration is actively pursuing. Undocumented immigrants, despite having entered the country without authorization, risked everything to live in the US and also represent one answer to the related issues of declining birth rates and having enough workers to fund Social Security in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps government is also working hard to roll back work-from-home flexibility for federal workers, and sending a message to the private sector in the process. That $5,000 baby bonus idea wouldnt pay for more than a few months of day care in most of the country. Those details complicate any Trump administration calls for American women to have more babies. Simone and Malcolm Collins, pronatalism activists, say they have given the White House ideas for how to encourage Americans to have more kids. Simone told CNNs Pamela Brown on Thursday that $5,000 likely wouldnt be enough to spark a change. Instead, pronatalists like the Collinses want to reset Americans priorities to glorify motherhood and encourage young people who are worried about the financial situation to instead get excited about families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are still living with their parents and they dont have homes and they dont have families because weve prioritized things like: first get educated, first go to college, first get your job, first get your house, first get all these things, and then maybe start dating and get married and have kids, she said, arguing society is out of whack. Pronatalists are having a moment, in part because of the worried-about-humanity musings of tech bros like Elon Musk, who has at least a bakers dozen of offspring. Catherine Shoichet, one of the reporters who produced a CNN article about pronatalism earlier this month, flooded my inbox with studies on both sides of the pronatalist movement, but the bottom line is that evidence overwhelmingly shows that government efforts to encourage more babies can be very expensive and rarely work. But that doesnt mean governments shouldnt try. The US currently spends a lot more money on its aging and retired population through Social Security and Medicare than it does encouraging people to have children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How much to worry about the falling US (and worldwide) birthrate is a matter of debate. Some of those most concerned about climate change and resource depletion, for example, may think falling birthrates have more benefits than risks. Critics of pronatalism also warn that it seems like a potential slippery slope to restricting womens reproductive choices and forcing people to have children they did not choose. And a lot of smart people think pronatalist predictions of civilizations imminent collapse are overblown. What are the odds of a baby bonus happening? Sounds like a good idea to me, Trump said when a reporter asked him in the Oval Office about a New York Times report that mentioned the $5,000 proposal, among others. That will encourage supporters of the idea, but its far short of an endorsement. On Capitol Hill, where lawmakers would have to vote for and figure how to pay for the idea, House Speaker Mike Johnson called the idea creative, but his colleagues are spending more time looking at how to slash social spending on the Medicaid program that insures many young mothers, on food assistance and more as they look for ways to extend Trumps first-term tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those tax cuts, by the way, did double, to $2,000, the popular tax credit parents and caregivers can claim for children. The US has tried more generous incentives But Republicans generally opposed a far more generous tax credit for children that was included in a Covid relief bill passed by Democrats during the Biden administration and was made available as a subsidy payment even to parents whose earnings are so low they do not traditionally file tax returns. There have been bipartisan proposals to revive that refundable tax credit, which was essentially a check to parents, and Vice President JD Vance has endorsed the idea of increasing the annual child tax credit to $5,000, but the White House has not, at least so far. That short-term experiment, by essentially paying parents up to $3,600 per child, was credited with lowering the poverty rate for US children. After it lapsed in 2022, the child poverty rate jumped, as CNNs Tami Luhby wrote at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been other ideas, like efforts to help pay for child care for American kids, that also did not pass through Congress. Sen. Cory Booker, the New Jersey Democrat, suggested baby bonds investments at birth to help all American kids eventually afford college or buy a home. Demonstrators gather outside of the offices of the Department of Education in Washington, DC, on March 13, 2025, to protest against mass layoffs and budget cuts at the agency. - Bryan Dozier/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images The US is not a leader in supporting families The vast majority of countries in the world offer some kind of paid family leave for new mothers. A number of US states have such programs, but the federal government does not require companies to provide paid family leave and the latest in a long line of efforts to create one during the Biden administration failed. Other countries, like Italy, Germany and Poland, among others, pay parents to have children. There is an upbringing benefit in Poland. Hong Kong pays parents $2,500 per child. Hungary, led by Trumps ally Viktor Orban, offers a $30,000 interest-free loan to young newlyweds that is forgiven if the bride has three children. Germany offers monthly payments to all parents, the kindergeld, as well as additional benefits for new parents and tax advantages. Its fertility rate, 1.4 births per woman, is lower than US at 1.6 births per woman and much lower than the 2.1 births per woman needed to keep the population steady. Would a baby bonus work? While payments to parents would certainly help shoulder some of the burden of parenthood, there is a lot of worldwide evidence that theres not much to be done to actually reverse declining birth rates in developed countries. How do you create a societal shift? Should you? For decades, governments actually did things that contributed to declining birth rates. Giving women more access to education, opportunity in the workplace and access to birth control gave them more power over their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Maryland sociologist Philip Cohen, wrote for The Hill last fall that falling birth rates swam with the tide of history and anyone expecting to easily reverse birth rates is unlikely to be satisfied. Everything about modern society pushed in the direction of fewer children, culturally and economically, Cohen argued. Reversing that tide is not just difficult its impossible. You cant go back. We may someday achieve a global regime of sustainable birth rates, but that will be part of a new social order yet to be invented. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com COLUMBIA, Ky. (FOX 56) Schools in Adair County will be closed on Friday so students, staff, and their families can attend the funeral of an eighth-grade student who died in a crash on Monday. Skyler Huckabys funeral service will be at noon on Friday, April 25, at Free Union Separate Baptist Church in Columbia. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckaby died on Monday while riding with David King, 31, whose vehicle crashed into a tree on the side of Sano Mount Oliver Road with at least three minors inside. State police said two other minors were hurt in the crash, and one was taken to a Lexington hospital for life-threatening injuries. District leaders said they continue to keep Skylers family, friends, and the entire community in their hearts through this difficult 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 FOX 56 News. Adam Schiff is bringing House-style confrontation to his new seat in the Senate and defying the chambers more staid, seniority-driven sensibilities along the way. In the five months since the California Democrat left his two-decade House career for the Senate, he has blasted his leaderships decision to advance a Republican bill to prevent a government shutdown; led a bicameral mock hearing as the junior-most member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and pledged to block Trumps controversial nominee to be the District of Columbias top federal prosecutor. First-year senators typically ease into the spotlight, wary of upstaging more senior colleagues. But Schiff a former chair of the House Intelligence Committee who catapulted to national fame as the leader of President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial has positioned himself at the center of confirmation fights. Hes even launched his own Substack, where he posts direct-to-camera videos explaining whats happening in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schiff, in an interview, said he might have been content with a more low-key launch had Vice President Kamala Harris won the election in November. I did arrive very intent on being seen and not heard, and I think frankly, if it had been a Harris presidency, I would have continued to be seen and not heard, Schiff, 64, said. But given that every day is a new crisis, none of us can afford to be seen and not heard. That approach, though, has not been well-received by all of his new Senate peers. In the House, interpersonal disputes and bickering often bleed into regular legislative business, and members focus on developing their own social media followings and personal brands. The Senate has a reputation for more understated maneuvering, with a tradition of civility and bipartisanship of which many longtime lawmakers are fiercely protective. Dump the House stuff, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said in an interview of what advice shed give her new colleagues, including Schiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate, she said, is a place where lawmakers work across the aisle, where todays foe is tomorrows conduit for something that you really need for your state. And while she acknowledged it was important for Democrats to articulate opposition to the Trump administration, she said, we dont want to become the House. Schiffs more aggressive posture, however, is giving Senate Democrats a playbook for more forcefully countering Trump and his legislative agenda. A resistance road map is something much of the base has been clamoring for, especially since the government funding fight last month left large swaths of the party questioning longtime Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumers leadership. As a frequent target of the presidents ire, Schiff is also used to being a pariah among Republicans. In 2023, he was removed from the House Intelligence Committee by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and was censured by the GOP-controlled House for his part in Democratic-led investigations into Trump. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi who was early to endorse Schiff in his Senate primary race against two fellow House Democrats vented frustrations in a recent interview about how Senate Democrats have handled confirmation proceedings for Trump nominees, arguing her party should have been more aggressive in battling the presidents Cabinet picks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my view, this is the worst Cabinet weve ever had in the history of our country, said Pelosi, another Californian. I think that [Democrats] should have been tougher in opposing them. Schiff, in contrast, has been particularly dogged about calling out the nominees at confirmation hearings, said Pelosi. She added that her former protege was bringing the House enthusiasm to the process. In one well-watched exchange during Kash Patels confirmation hearing to lead the FBI, Schiff pressed the former House Intelligence Committee aide about whether he was proud of his alleged involvement in fundraising off a musical recording from a group of rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He asked Patel to turn and face the Capitol Police officers in the hearing room whose force defended the building against the violent siege. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee and the lead manager for Trumps second impeachment trial, also praised Schiff for still operating with the urgency of the House. In the context of the stopgap funding measure, Raskin reflected, Schumer might have been thinking about the consequences of the government shutdown fight for the long term, but the current moment required Congress to see the fight through a much more immediate lens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House was set up to be much more of a weather vane of what's going on in the country right now, whereas the Senate was designed to be a place where passions could cool off and people could take a longer view, Raskin said in an interview. But I think that Adam maintains the cadence and the rhythm of the House. Schiff said he sees benefits to the more collegial and congenial tone of the Senate, where bipartisanship is common and personal attacks in committee hearings are rare. At the same time, he said he and his fellow freshmen wont be wallflowers and called old traditions about new senators waiting months for their first major speech on the chamber floor completely outdated. Schiff was one of five House Democrats elected to the Senate last year, joining Sens. Andy Kim of New Jersey, Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. Each joined Schiff in voting no on moving forward with the government funding bill, with Gallego characterizing Schiffs ethos as an approach shared by the whole class: I think we all brought House energy to the Senate. Still, Schiff is arguably experiencing the biggest adjustment in terms of losing his seniority inside his caucus. He tried to put himself back into the public eye earlier this month, teaming up with Raskin to convene Democrats from both chambers to hear testimony from former Justice Department officials who have since departed the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The so-called shadow hearing is a tactic frequently used by House members in the minority party to garner attention when they lack committee gavels or subpoena powers. Schiff wants to normalize this strategy in the Senate, saying a future forum could examine the GOP push to impeach judges who issue rulings against the administrations agenda. We should vigorously communicate with the public in every means that we can, Schiff said. When you're in the minority, you have to be more focused on message, more disciplined on message than the other side, and you have to be more unified. And we havent done that yet, and its been much to our detriment, and it has to change. In a sign of his maneuvering for clout, Schiff was seated at the head of the dais leading the questioning with Raskin during that recent shadow hearing. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee and the No. 2 Senate Democrat who announced his retirement this week, sat, for the most part, quietly beside him. Hes in a unique position, said Durbin of Schiff during the event, bridging the experience you had in the House of Representatives with this administration and now your responsibility here in the United States Senate. President Donald Trump on Thursday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to STOP! after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraines capital. Retired Admiral William H. McRaven tells NewsNations CUOMO that he applauds Trump for trying to end the war but needs to realize that Vladimir Putin wont be true to his word. McRaven argues Zelenskyy isnt perfect but has shown tremendous courage in being a wartime leader. Misunderstanding the people youre negotiating with is something he needs to get right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The OSCE is ready to take part in demining works in the border territories of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Secretary General of the OSCE, Feridun Sinirlioglu, said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku, Trend reports. "We have the relevant experience and expertise in demining. We are ready to support demining along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, if both sides express such a will. The OSCE is an organization of participating states. We are at their service. If both Armenia and Azerbaijan approach us for assistance, we have everything necessary tools, experts, and methods, he said. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer coordinates with other officials during an enforcement operation in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 5, 2025. (Photo by ICE) Immigration rights advocates plan to gather outside the federal building and courthouse in downtown Providence at noon Sunday to protest the Trump administrations mass deportation policies. The demonstration follows the detention of a Dominican national who was hospitalized Thursday after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who came to his Providence home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An email Saturday morning responding to an inquiry from Rhode Island Current from ICE spokesperson James Covington stated the man, who has a criminal history, became combative with the officers and attempted to grab the belt of an arresting officer. As a result, one of the ICE officers deployed a taser to subdue the individual, Covington said. The man appeared to have a medical episode and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, said Maya Lehrer, an organizer with the Rhode Island Deportation Defense Coalition. A crowd of 85 people protested outside Rhode Island Hospital for over three hours on Thursday. The coalition says an attorney for the man was denied entrance to see him. Deportations are not new to Trump, Lehrer said Friday. But this particular kind of fearmongering and extreme racism has come along with it, and ICE feels empowered to do whatever they have to outside the legal means to seize our community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Covington said ICE officers are highly trained in tactics to subdue individuals. In this case, our officers used the minimum amount of force to de-escalate the situation and were justified in their actions, especially considering the individuals history of violent history, according to the email. Aside from being in the United States illegally, the subject has been previously arrested for domestic violence assault and battery, domestic violence unlawful breaking and entering a dwelling or house, domestic violence refusal to relinquish/damaging/obstructing telephone, resisting arrest, assault of a police officer and disorderly conduct, Covington said. Lehrer said the coalition received a call around 11:08 a.m. Thursday reporting that a man was being detained by ICE agents at his home on Parade Street. At some point, officers used a stun gun and the unnamed man suffered a medical episode. City spokesperson Josh Estrella confirmed the Providence Fire Department responded to a call for service on Parade Street for a person who had been tased, but said officials are unaware of any details of the investigation by any federal agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Providence Police were not involved in the detainment, as Mayor Brett Smileys administration has made it clear that city officers will not act as immigration agents. Were never going to collaborate, and were never going to interfere, Estrella said. Among the demonstrators gathered outside the hospital Thursday afternoon, was Providence City Council Chief of Staff June Rose, who attended on behalf of Council President Rachel Miller, whose ward includes the address where the man was detained by ICE. This community will not stand idly by as the Trump administration disappears our neighbors off the street, Rose said in an interview Friday. ICE shouldnt be in our city at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the man arrived at Rhode Island Hospital, Central Falls-based immigration attorney Kelvin Santos said he was contacted to represent him. However, Santos said he was denied the opportunity to meet with his client, despite the man having signed a form confirming Santos as his legal representative. ICE wasnt allowing us to go and see him and the hospital wasnt trying to supersede what ICE was saying, he said. Brown University Health spokesperson Kelly Brennan declined to comment on the case, citing patient privacy. Rhode Island Hospital is committed to providing care to all our patients, Brennan said in an emailed statement. We follow the same protocols for all patients, including those concerning patient rights and access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lehrer said multiple demonstrators had called ICE and claimed federal officials seemed alarmed when told that the man was denied his legal right to counsel. ICE did not respond to questions asking about the mans access to an attorney or where the man was taken. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos issued a statement Thursday evening saying she and her office were closely monitoring the situation and called on ICE to immediately allow the man they detained to speak with his attorney. The rights enshrined in our Constitution, especially the right to due process, are our only safeguard against authoritarianism, Matos said. If we do not immediately and vocally protect the first people to be stripped of those rights, then eventually all people will be stripped of those rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays demonstration wrapped up around 4 p.m., the same time Rose said the man was discharged by the hospital. He now remains in ICE custody, but Santos said his clients whereabouts are unknown. Its in limbo right now, Santos said. Were going to do our best to get in contact with him. The coalition claimed the man was taken in an unmarked van being driven by officers from the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls. But Wyatt officer Jim Louis told Rhode Island Current that no vans from the facility were dispatched to Rhode Island Hospital on Thursday. Updated with response from ICE on Saturday at 4:40 p.m. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The White House has weaponized an accusation of domestic violence in the case of a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, and in the process, forced his wife and her children into hiding, a national network of advocates for immigrant victims of domestic violence argued in a letter Thursday. The Alliance for Immigrant Survivors said that it supports Jennifer Vasquez Suras campaign to see her husband returned to the United States, and argued that the Trump administrations decision to disseminate a petition for a protective order filed by Vasquez Sura against Kilmar Abrego Garcia has turned her experience of domestic violence into political theater at her own expense. Abrego Garcia, whose detention and arrest have captured national attention and become a rallying cry among Democrats for immigrants due process rights, remains in El Salvador. The Trump administration and federal courts are caught in a standoff over the case after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate his return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife, Vasquez Sura, has become one of his most visible advocates. Let us be clear: Our movement does not advocate for the erosion of due process or the mass expulsion of immigrants as a solution to violence against women in this country. This is not what makes communities safer, letter reads. The alliance is responsible for helping craft immigration policy proposals for the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. Advocates argue that the Trump administrations decision to use the protective order in its case against Abrego Garcias return could have broader consequences for the movement to end gender-based violence. Politicizing their pain sends the message to survivors that seeking help could have tremendous negative consequences far beyond their control. This makes survivors far less likely to come forward to report crime and get help, the letter reads. Rina Gandhi, attorney for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks to the press outside the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on April 15, 2025. Garcias wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, stands beside her (center). (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post/Getty Images) Vasquez Sura told The Washington Post that she and her children had gone into hiding and were living in a safe house after the Trump administration disseminated the familys home address on social media. Their Maryland address was not redacted when the White House shared a copy of a temporary protection order Vasquez Sura had filed after an incident of domestic violence in June 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the petition, the filing stemmed from an argument in the couples car, during which Vasquez Suras husband became angry, eventually striking her. The incident left her with bruises, a scratch above her eye and a ripped shirt. The order was dismissed a month later after Vasquez Sura failed to appear in court. We were able to work through this situation privately as a family, including by going to counseling, Vasquez Sura said in a statement shared by her attorney with news outlets. Kilmar has always been a loving partner and father, and I will continue to stand by him and demand justice for him. Abrego Garcia was detained and deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador last month, a move that the Trump administration initially said was due to an administrative error. In the weeks that followed, the White House and President Donald Trump himself have deployed a messaging campaign alleging that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 Salvadoran gang, and that returning him to the country would hurt public safety. Abrego Garcia, who was removed within three days of being detained without a hearing, has never been convicted of, or charged with, being a member of a gang. The protective order petition became part of the White Houses argument, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security shared a copy of the petition on the social network X; it had been viewed 4.3 million times as of late Thursday. During a White House briefing April 16, press secretary Karoline Leavitt waved court documents and called Abrego Garcia an alleged woman beater. In an interview published Friday, Trump told TIME Magazine that he wasnt convinced the Supreme Court had ordered Abrego Garcias return I leave that to my lawyers, he said and added that Abrego Garcia wasnt a saint. He was MS-13. He was a wife beater and he had a lot of things that were very bad, you know, very, very bad. The Alliance said the administrations actions do not demonstrate a serious commitment to ending violence against women. Survivors deserve control over their own destinies, not the exploitation of their families and private lives to serve political goals, the letter argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Trump took office, the actions of his administration have put key domestic violence resources in jeopardy. A temporary freeze spooked nonprofits that rely on federal funding, including many established organizations aiding those experiencing intimate partner violence. Other organizations see no way to comply with executive orders targeting illegal DEI, risking their funding. The Department of Justices Office on Violence Against Women, a major funder of services for domestic violence shelters, hotlines and prevention efforts for nearly 30 years, took down its notices of funding opportunities for the 2025 fiscal year. There is no indication of when these grant applications will go online, risking funds that anti-violence groups have depended on for years. This week the DOJ canceled hundreds of grants from the Office of Justice Programs, removing promised monies pledged to victims services programs across the nation. The National Center for Victims of Crime lost nearly $3 million, funding it depended on to run its Victims Connect Resource Center for victims of all kinds of crime. Renee Williams, the CEO, wrote on LinkedIn that the organization would struggle to staff phone lines past this week. A banner on the website already notes that hotline wait times are longer than usual. An email sent to awardees of canceled grants by Maureen Henneberg, the acting head of the Office of Justice Programs, informed organizations that their work doesnt support the priorities of the department. She also wrote that funding will focus on several areas, including supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a departure from previous statements, Trumps proclamation recognizing April as National Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month incorrectly blamed undocumented immigrants for rising rates of sexual violence. (Trump himself was found liable in federal court for sexual abuse in May 2023.) In a statement to The Washington Post, Attorney General Pam Bondi identified herself as a lifelong advocate for victims of crimes against women. She said services for victims services would not be impacted by the cancellations, and that grantees will have a chance to appeal. Some cancellations have already been reversed, per NBC News. Stephanie Love-Patterson, the president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told Mother Jones that this latest round of funding cuts will have devastating, real-life consequences for survivors and their children. The post Advocates for immigrant victims of domestic violence condemn White House political theater appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. TYLER, Texas (KETK) A man was arrested in Tyler on Wednesday after a 13-year-old girl outcried to her teacher that a family member was sexually abusing her. According to the arrest affidavit from the Smith County Sheriffs Office, on Monday, the sheriffs office was contacted by a CPS investigator who received a report about a 13-year-old girl who told her teacher that she was being sexually abused by a family member. 2 arrested after Tyler apartment shooting, police say Mugshot of Arnulfo Ramierz-Salas, courtesy of Smith County Jail Officials said on Tuesday, forensic interviews by detectives were conducted at the Smith County Texas Child Advocacy Center with the 13-year-old girl and her sister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the forensic interview with one girl, she disclosed that Arnulfo Ramierz-Salas, had been sexually abusing her since she was seven years old, the affidavit said. She remembers being alone in her bedroom in Tyler when Salas walked in and told her to hush, pulled up her shirt and began touching her underneath her clothing. The 13-year-old victim said the last time she remembers Salas sexually assaulting her was one weekend in December 2024, according to the affidavit. She was in her bedroom working on homework one day when Salas came in to her bedroom and told her to touch him, the document said. Salas forced her hand to touch him. SHERIFF: Longview doctor found dead just 2 days before sentencing hearing for sexual assault of child On the same day as the two other interviews, officials said detectives interviewed an older sister that on occasion, Salas inappropriately touched her over the years from age 10 until she became an adult, but she was able to prevent Salas from touching her in private areas before he could complete the act by pushing away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salas was arrested on Wednesday for continuous child sex abuse of a victim under 14 and was booked into the Smith 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. (EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) An El Paso County woman is facing child abuse charges after she allegedly used nicotine patches on a 4-year-old in her care to try and treat his behavioral issues. According to an arrest affidavit, 53-year-old Tammy Eddings-Dion is facing charges of felony child abuse and crimes against an at-risk juvenile. The affidavit states that a 4-year-old boy was in the care of Eddings-Dion on April 3 before being picked up by a family member. After being picked up, the affidavit states that the boy was extremely lethargic and began vomiting. After being taken to the hospital, the boy was almost unresponsive and could not stay awake or hold his head up. While in the hospital, a nicotine patch was found on the boys leg. He was treated for nicotine poisoning, and the day after being discharged, the family member found another patch on the boys back that was missed in the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family member suspected it had been Eddings-Dion who put the patch on the boy, because Eddings-Dion was reportedly under the belief that nicotine would cure his behavioral issues. The boys diagnosis is redacted in the affidavit, but it states that he has the brain development of a 2-year-old. The documents state that he struggles with understanding social cues, cannot form complete sentences, exhibits repetitive behaviors, has sensitivity to loud noises, has difficulty adjusting to new places, and has continued behavioral episodes due to not being able to regulate his emotions. According to the affidavit, Eddings-Dion had allegedly sent text messages to the family member in March stating that she had ordered a 30-day supply of 24-hour release nicotine patches and that the 30 days should be enough time to see if the treatment is working. The family member responded and asserted that they did not want to use nicotine patches on the boy. Following the boys hospitalization, the family member called Eddings-Dion and recorded the conversation, in which the family member yelled at Eddings-Dion and accused her of making the boy sick and putting him in danger. Eddings-Dion could reportedly be heard in the recording profusely apologizing and saying she would never have hurt the boy. When the family member reiterated that Eddings-Dion did in fact hurt the child, Eddings-Dion replied, It was not intentional. A deputy with the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPSO) spoke with a forensic nurse at Memorial Hospital Central who had examined the boy when he was brought to the hospital on April 3. The nurse attested that a child exposed to nicotine would present with nausea, vomiting, and severe agitation, and had he not received medical intervention, could have suffered dehydration and electrolyte imbalance that could have caused severe bodily harm. Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriffs Office Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriffs Office The EPSO deputy also followed up with an interview with Eddings-Dion, who reported that the boy was awake and lucid when he left her house. Eddings-Dion admitted to buying the nicotine patches because, according to her own research, nicotine would help the boy with his behavioral issues. However, Eddings-Dion asserted that she never opened the patches and had forgotten where she put them in the house, though she told the deputy the patches would have been out of the boys reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eddings-Dion alluded to the boy having played with Band-Aids that day in her care. The affidavit states that there was probable cause to arrest Eddings-Dion on charges of child abuse and crimes against an at-risk juvenile. She is due to appear in El Paso County court on April 28. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) African leaders meeting in Uganda on Friday called for more peacekeepers for Somalia to defend against the extremist al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group that has been wreaking havoc in the Horn of Africa nation. A statement at the end of a regional leaders meeting in the Ugandan capital of Kampala suggested additional troops could possibly come from Egypt. More than 10,000 African Union troops are currently deployed to Somalia, nearly half of them from Uganda. The AU troops were authorized by the United Nations Security Council and multiple versions of the peacekeeping mission have been deployed there since 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest mission, which took over earlier this year and is known as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, faces funding challenges and regional disagreements over which countries are authorized to deploy troops. Somali authorities want Egyptian troops in the mission but not those from Ethiopia. However, relations between Ethiopia and Egypt have been strained in recent years over Ethiopias construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, a key tributary of the Nile River. Egypt claims the project will likely diminish its share of the water from the Nile. Al-Shabab militants have fought for more than 15 years to overthrow Somalias internationally backed government. To this day, the extremists launch deadly raids and bombings, including in Somalia's seaside capital of Mogadishu, despite a new offensive by government troops as well as routine airstrikes by the United States. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told the meeting in Kampala that the government offensive against al-Shabab is "now at a critical juncture, urging for continued international support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni encouraged Somalia to recruit volunteers among its citizens willing to fight al-Shabab. "A small Somali national army, in terms of numbers, plus a small (AU) force from friends is a very dangerous underdose that has caused the chronic sickness of insecurity Museveni said. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed the Justice Department to investigate doctors who provide health care to transgender minors, likening gender-affirming surgery for trans patients to female genital mutilation in a memo to U.S. attorneys this week. I am putting medical practitioners, hospitals, and clinics on notice: In the United States, it is a felony to perform, attempt to perform, or conspire to perform female genital mutilation (FGM) on any person under the age of 18, Bondi wrote, instructing U.S. attorneys to wield existing laws against FGM to investigate providers who she said mutilate transgender youth under the guise of care. As NBC News pointed out, Bondis memo does not supersede the law, which allows doctors to continue to treat trans patients in states where gender-affirming care is legal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her directive, however, is yet another example of the administrations attack on transgender rights and protections. In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to prohibit the funding, sponsoring, promotion, assistance or support for gender transition one of several actions he has taken since his return to office that advocates say further ostracize trans people and violate their rights. Gender-affirming care encompasses a wide range of treatments, from counseling to hormone replacement therapy to surgeries and other cosmetic procedures. Both transgender and cisgender people can receive gender-affirming care, though a common understanding of the term, especially among the right, is that such care is performed only on trans people. Research has shown that gender-affirming care can have immense benefits for trans people, including for minors, who already face higher rates of self-harm and suicide and are often the target of state-sanctioned discrimination. The administrations demonization of such care is also at odds with recommendations from major medical associations in the U.S., which have said that gender-affirming care for trans youth can greatly improve their mental health and well-being. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com WYOMING, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Pennsylvania Attorney General, Dave Sunday wants to beef up crime fighting efforts across our state. He met with local law enforcement to find out the challenges their departments are facing and how lawmakers can help. While a number of issues were discussed, the drug epidemic and difficulty hiring new officers were some of the main concerns these departments brought to the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If our communities arent safe, nothing else matters, voiced Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday. Attorney General Dave Sunday met with local law enforcement Thursday afternoon to create an open line of communication between his office and police. Leaders from multiple departments, local and state police, had a chance to make the challenges they are facing in their departments, known. A growing issue they all deal with drugs. Sunday says having a proper drug task force is crucial to not only combating drugs on the street, but other crimes as well. Their number one job is to investigate and arrest drug dealers, but they are also at the tip of the spear with regard to so many other societal crimes, stated Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Sunday, the Attorney Generals Drug Task Force Budget hasnt changed since 1995, something he says hes working to increase. 28/22 News spoke with Wyoming Area Regional Police Chief Michael Turner, who says this increase in funding is necessary to help them fight the growing issue. Should more moneys be allocated to this county for drug task force? Yeah, I mean theres a rise in drug investigations, stated Turner. And while more funding will allow police to do their jobs more effectively, they must also focus on increasing manpower. I know some municipalities had, many years ago, had 100 applicants. Now theyre lucky if they have 3 or 4, added Turner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner says this issue is one that many departments have faced in the last few years, and was one of the main focuses of Thursdays meeting. He says while nothing is set in stone just yet, they did discuss potential state-funded programs that would benefit those entering the career field. I encourage anybody that wants to get into law enforcement to get out and apply, encouraged Turner. While no formal programs or budget increases were reached today, Im told that this meeting was the first of many between the attorney generals office and local law enforcement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. The U.S. Air Force set a trial date for a lieutenant colonel who previously faced child sex abuse charges, according to the service. Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco an active-duty service member stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada was arrested in 2022 by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and brought up on charges that included lewdness in the presence of a child and one charge of abuse or neglect. The Air Force ultimately opted to move forward with administrative procedures and withdraw the charges, dismissing the case without prejudice on June 7, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But DiFalco finds himself staring down similar charges again. On December 6, 2024, charges were preferred anew in the case against Lt Col Kevin DiFalco, a Nellis Air Force Base spokesperson told Military Times in an emailed statement. On March 27, 2025, the Office of Special Trial Counsel referred the case to trial by general court-martial. The base said it could not elaborate on the nature of the charges or why new charges were preferred, as it could impede an impartial trial. DiFalco is facing seven charges, including sexual assault, sexual abuse of a child, indecent exposure, indecent conduct, giving false testimony, conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman and possession of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Army doctor pleads guilty to sexually abusing dozens of soldiers His trial is expected to start September 15. At the time of DiFalcos arrest, he was commander of the 57th Operations Support Squadron, which manages Nellis Air Force Bases airfield, airspace and flight scheduling operations, according to its website. Military Times reported in September 2022 that the alleged victim informed school counselors that DiFalco had sexually assaulted her from December 2021 to June 2022, according to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department report. DiFalco sent the victim lewd Snapchat messages, asking her to wear lingerie hed gifted her, the victim told authorities. The victim was also able to identify a tattoo in DiFalcos groin area, which the police later confirmed. The counselor alerted law enforcement, and DiFalco was arrested that same day. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyevs recent state visit to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) on April 22-24, 2025, marks a new qualitative stage in the strategic partnership between the two countries, Azerbaijani political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. According to the expert, this visit holds historic significance, not only in its format but also in its outcomes. "The high-level meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, along with the signing of key agreements and substantive negotiations, has laid a solid foundation for the continued advancement of Azerbaijani-Chinese relations "The remarks made by President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China during his extended meeting with President Ilham Aliyev in Beijing clearly reflected the core significance of the visit. Xi Jinping described Azerbaijan as a reliable partner for China, highlighting the countrys stability and sustainable development under President Aliyevs leadership, and underscored its growing international standing. In response, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that ties with China have consistently held a special place in Azerbaijans foreign policy. He expressed strong appreciation for Chinas 'Belt and Road' initiative, noting that Azerbaijan plays a key role in the project and contributes significantly through its transport and logistics capabilities. One of the most important aspects of the meeting was the reaffirmation that both countries continue to support each others territorial integrity and sovereignty," he said. Garayev highlighted that several significant agreements spanning a wide range of sectors were signed between Azerbaijan and China during the visit. "These included agreements on cooperation in the fields of economy, transport, energy, information technologies, agriculture, and humanitarian affairs. The signed documents reflect that Azerbaijani-Chinese relations have entered a new phase focused on delivering tangible, practical outcomes. Among them, the most notable was the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People's Republic of China, signed by President Ilham Aliyev and President Xi Jinping. In addition, key agreements were reached in areas such as legal cooperation, trade, and infrastructure. Altogether, these documents affirm both nations' strong commitment to deepening collaboration in the years ahead," he added. Touching on the Joint Declaration signed by President Ilham Aliyev and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Garayev emphasized the significance and breadth of the agreement. The Joint Statement lays the groundwork for a new chapter in relations between the two nations. It is not merely a formal diplomatic document, but a reflection of deepening cooperation between Baku and Beijing, built on mutual trust and a long-term strategic vision. Forging such a partnership with a global power like China further elevates Azerbaijans international standing, particularly in the fields of energy and transportation, while opening new avenues for economic collaboration under the framework of the 'Belt and One' initiative. The statement also reaffirms Azerbaijans growing importance in the East-West and North-South transport corridors and reinforces its role as a dependable regional partner. In essence, this Joint Statement marks a qualitative shift in Azerbaijani-Chinese relations, now significantly strengthened in both geopolitical and economic dimensions, he added. According to Garayev, Azerbaijan and China maintain political relations grounded in the principles of mutual respect, sovereignty, and non-interference in each others internal affairs. "China has consistently upheld a principled stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and on the issue of Azerbaijans territorial integrity. This position was reaffirmed during President Ilham Aliyevs recent visit to China. Additionally, Azerbaijan unequivocally supports the 'One China' policy. Built on this foundation of trust, the two countries engage in active cooperation within the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and other international platforms. China also supports Azerbaijans international initiatives, including the hosting of major global forums and summits in Baku. Moreover, during the extended meeting in Beijing, President Xi Jinping invited President Ilham Aliyev to this years Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in China. President Aliyevs acceptance of the invitation is yet another testament to the high level of mutual trust and the strength of relations between Baku and Beijing," he added. Political analyst Azer Garayev emphasized that President Ilham Aliyevs visit once again underscored the strategic nature and dynamic progression of Azerbaijani-Chinese relations. This visit carries significant weight in terms of deepening political dialogue between the two countries, broadening economic cooperation, and reinforcing mutual support on international platforms. It is more than a routine diplomatic engagement the agreements signed, understandings reached, and messages conveyed mark the beginning of deeper, multifaceted collaboration in the years ahead. Azerbaijans geopolitical location and Chinas global economic influence complement one another. In this context, President Ilham Aliyevs state visit to China will be remembered as a pivotal moment one that shaped not only bilateral ties but also the broader trajectory of regional development, Garayev added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian airlines as tensions grow between the two countries. Several Air India flights had to change directions and land elsewhere. Passengers from Toronto took 24 hours to reach New Delhi, some 10 hours later than expected. Hundreds of passengers from across the world faced lengthy delays after Air India flights were forced to divert on Thursday. Flights from San Francisco and Toronto landed in Denmark, while those traveling from Paris and London diverted to the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the planes involved were midway through their journeys when Pakistan closed its airspace to all Indian carriers. Tensions have boiled over between the two countries since 26 people were shot dead in the Kashmir region on Tuesday. India has pointed the finger at Pakistan, but the latter has denied involvement in the attack. The closure means many flights to India will now take longer, costing the country's airlines more for fuel and labor. Even before the disruption, passengers on Air India Flight 180 were set for a lengthy redeye trip. It took off from San Francisco around 9 p.m. local time Wednesday, bound for Mumbai. Data from Flightradar24 shows that 11 hours into the journey, the Boeing 777 turned around while over Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It then flew four hours west to Copenhagen. Passengers had to wait a couple of hours before continuing to India, landing nine and a half hours later than scheduled. Passengers from Toronto on Flight 190, which was headed to New Delhi, also U-turned over Russia and diverted to Copenhagen. They eventually landed in the Indian capital around 24 hours after leaving Canada, some 10 hours later than expected. Flights 162 and 148, from London and Paris respectively, changed directions to fly over Iran and land in Abu Dhabi. Passengers on both flights ultimately reached New Delhi four hours later than unexpected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Due to the announced restriction of Pakistan airspace for all Indian airlines, it is expected that some Air India flights to or from North America, UK, Europe, and Middle East will take an alternative extended route," Air India said in a statement on X. It added that it "regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure that is outside our control." The flag carrier flies the longest routes of India's airlines, but budget airlines IndiGo and SpiceJet also operate routes that have typically crossed over Pakistan. Read the original article on Business Insider (WHTM) More than 1,000 acres are burning in the Michaux State Forest, causing a large plume of smoke to rise over the Cumberland County forest. Wildfires in recent years, most notably in Los Angeles and Canada, have caused air quality concerns across the country, especially in Pennsylvania. WATCH: Helicopter scoops water from lake at Michaux State Forest With a wildfire this close to home, what can we expect for air quality? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Fire.AirNow.gov, the air quality in the Midstate is between good and moderate. The Carlisle area is experiencing moderate air quality levels, meaning unusually sensitive people (should) consider reducing outdoor activity. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts Those who may fall under that category are recommended to go inside to clean air if they experience symptoms. The Hershey and Annville areas are experiencing similar air quality ratings, while the Harrisburg, York, and Gettysburg areas are in the good air quality rating. The Thompson Hollow fire within the Michaux State Forest was reported to be 1,150 acres on Friday morning. Shippensburg/Baltimore and Thompson Hollow Roads are closed indefinitely for the emergency response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents in the area of Shippensburg Road, Forest Road, Thompson Hollow Road, and Three Turn Road were asked to evacuate on Thursday to the Big Flat Parking Area at 2460 Shippensburg Road. The Hammonds Rocks fire, which is about 200 acres, has closed Ridge Road and Cold Springs Road. Buck Ridge Trail is also closed from Pine Grove Furnace State Park to Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV 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 ABC27. NEW YORK (PIX11) High pressure will slowly move offshore into the Atlantic as a front will work its way in from the west. The region can expect sunshine Friday morning to give way to increasing clouds this afternoon. There is a chance of a late evening shower or thunderstorm, especially west of the city. The high will be 78 degrees in the city, upper 70s to low 80s in the suburbs. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday will be mostly cloudy with rain and thunderstorms as low pressure passes north of the region. Temperatures will be cooler with a high of 73 degrees in the city, and upper 60s to low 70s in the suburbs. Sunday will be partly cloudy, breezy, and cooler as winds shift to the northwest, bringing Canadian air back into the region. The high will be 60 in the city and the upper 50s to low 60s in the suburbs. Monday will be mostly sunny and mild as high pressure will center over the area. Temperatures will rebound with a high of 74 in the city and low to mid-70s in the suburbs. Tuesday will be mostly sunny and unseasonably warm as winds will shift to the southwest. The high will be 80 in the city, upper 70s to low 80s in the suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday will feature a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures that will remain in the low 80s for much of the area. Thursday will be sunny early, followed by partly cloudy skies in the afternoon as cooler air works its way in from the ocean. The high will be 68 in the city, upper 60s to low 70s in the suburbs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) In Alabamas third congressional district, frustrations are growing over what people say is silence from their elected officials. Indivisible Auburn-Opelika held its own town hall to allow community members to express concerns over the current political climate. Representative Mike Rogers (R- Ala.) was invited to the town hall, but declined to attend. Some point to a letter by House Speaker Mike Johnson instructing them not to attend town halls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It breaks the basic social contract that our elected representatives have, said Lee McInnis. They are elected to represent the people of the third district of Alabama. If he is not going to meet with a broad spectrum of his constituents he does not know what his constituents think and he does not know how to represent them. Speakers at the event criticized Rogers and his voting record, including his support for cutting Medicaid and Medicare and voting to overturn the 2020 election results. The event was recorded and will be sent to Rogers office. Whether he watches or not, residents say their message is clear. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, presents the proposed 2026 Education Trust Fund budget in the Alabama House of Representatives on April 24, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The budget passed the chamber on a 103-0 vote. It will next go to the Senate, which approved the budget earlier this month, for concurrence with House changes or a conference committee. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives passed a package of education funding bills Thursday, including a nearly $10 billion 2026 Education Trust Fund budget (ETF). SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, allocates $9.9 billion for K-12 schools and higher education, a 6% increase over the current budget. The House Ways and Means Education Committee approved the budget on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was an important budget. I think the members understood it, but the work got done, Garrett said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The budget also includes $135 million for the CHOOSE Act, a voucher-like program that will award students with funds to be used for education-related expenses, including private school tuition. The program was initially slated to get $100 million, but Garrett said that because of the nearly 37,000 applications there needed to be more money for qualifying students. We have had such an enormous response to the application process. So there were a lot of moving pieces here, Garrett said after the House adjourned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is currently limited to special needs students and those making under 300% of the poverty line, about $79,950 for a family of three. The program will be open to all applicants starting in 2027, without any income limits. About two-thirds of the 37,000 applicants for the program this year are already in private school or homeschooled. The budget also includes a $99.2 million increase for the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan. There are no pay raises for education employees in the budget. Garrett said they also had to allocate funds for educator workmens compensation and paid parental leave. So we had a lot of things in the budget, but the good news was we had adequate reserves. We had limited our budget growth every year for the past several years, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute. It moves to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. The Senate approved the budget on April 10. Garrett said one of his priorities in the budget is continuing to invest in public education in the state. SB 305, also sponsored by Orr, allows the Legislature to appropriate additional funds to schools based on student needs. The House added an additional $58 million to begin the transition to the new model. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey to be signed into law. SB 111, also sponsored by Orr, would appropriate $375 million over three years for that transition, which aims to get more money to students with particular needs, including children in poverty and English Language Learners. Every district can report how many students they have that are in the poverty definition, how many are in special education, how many are English as a second language, he said. And what we will do is allocate this additional pot of money to those districts based upon that weight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, supported the weighted funding model. Under the legislation, Montgomery County Schools will receive $7.7 million with most coming from the 2.5% weight for poverty. I know students in Montgomery Public Schools are going to be better off because of this, Ensler said. The bill passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute that added $80 million to the Education Opportunity Reserve Fund for the CHOOSE Act. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. The Senate adjourned Thursday before final approval of the budgets, so its consideration was not possible Thursday. The House also passed SB 113, also sponsored by Orr, which is the $524 million 2025 supplemental appropriation for education. It passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute that added funds for various needs. It also passed with a floor amendment from Garrett that changed language to clarify funding for dual enrollment programs. It moves to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House also passed SB 114, also sponsored by Orr, which is the $1.25 billion supplemental appropriation for the Advancement and Technology budget. It passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute that added a $100 million grant to create career technical programs in areas of the state that do not have one already. It moves to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. Garrett said that he hopes the creation of the programs will improve Alabamas labor participation rate. The state ranks 47th in labor participation at 57.8%, according to the U.S. Joint Economic Committee. These initiatives that weve undertaken, through improving education, through increasing the Career Tech opportunities and collaboration with community colleges, all of that, he said. If that drives that labor participation rate up, the state is in a really good position. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, commended the budget committee and Garrett for their work on the budget. This was a great deal. Chairman Garrett did outstanding. His committee works hard, and the work showed that today, Ledbetter said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) Lawmakers are hoping a $9.9 billion Education Trust Fund (ETF) will change the quality of learning for student in Alabama. That money will go towards everything from teacher salaries to after school programs, and even scholarships for students. Yeah, this is always an anxious time of year, because you never really know which way things are gonna go with the budget, said Chilton County Schools Superintendent Corey Clements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Clements, that anxiety is subsiding. Thats because the House of Representatives passed a budget with school funding changes, and Clements hopes it will support more students in his county. Were really excited, not just to have the funding, but also to have the flexibility to use it how we see fit within our system and not be earmarked like a lot of things are, said Clements. That flexibility could come in the form of a funding formula. Education budget chairman Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) said schools will now receive money based on student need, rather than head count. He said this means more money for English language learners, low-income students and those in special education and gifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its transformative because, right now, the state is not providing a lot of support for ELL, he said. Some of the districts have 30, 40% of ELL. Thats a challenge for those districts. It dilutes resources they could otherwise spend elsewhere. Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) said Democrats are concerned about funding school choice. Its a tax credit public school students could use to attend private schools. Ensler said it takes away from public schools, but he said the budget is beneficial overall. I think, for students in Montgomery, but students anywhere in the state- having the funding based off of the needs of that district are much more equitable and a much fair, better way of doing it, said Ensler. Students can also look forward to new career tech centers around the state, which has been allocated for in the budget. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said these will be critical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than 70% of our kids are going to college. We need to give them an opportunity to be successful, said Ledbetter. With the career pathway diploma last year, I think its essential that we have those facilities so they can learn some type of trade to be successful. The budget passed in the House with amendments. Now, itll go back to the Senate for final concurrence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. James Osgood was sentenced to death for his role in the 2010 sexual assault and murder of Tracy Brown, 44. He was put to death Thursday April, 24 2025. (Alabama Department of Corrections) The state of Alabama executed James Osgood by lethal injection Thursday for his role in the 2010 rape and murder of Tracy Brown. It was the second execution conducted by the state this year. I havent said her name since that day, Osgood said before the start of the execution according to media witnesses. I felt like it was disrespectful to say it. But then sometimes I felt like it was disrespectful not to. Today, it will be the first time I say her name. Tracy, I apologize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Osgood, 55, was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m,, according to a news release from Gov. Kay Ivey, which referred to Brown by the last name of Wilemon. Court records used Brown to identify the victim. The murder of Tracy Wilemon was premeditated, gruesome and disturbing, and tonight, the state carried out the death sentence of James Osgood, Ivey said in her news release. Both Mr. Osgood and his accomplice who will never see the light of day from the moment they were inspired by a Hollywood torture scene, set out to commit this heinous crime against Ms. Wilemon and are now paying the price. I pray that her loved ones can feel some sense of closure today, Ivey said. Media witnesses did not observe any complications with the execution. The curtain opened at 6:05 p.m. and witnesses saw some labored breathing along with Osgood moving his fingers until he stopped moving all together at 6:18 p.m. Staff then closed the curtain at 6:25 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Osgood and his then girlfriend, Tonya Van Dyke, accompanied Brown to her home in 2010 and then proceeded to sexually assault and kill her. Van Dyke pleaded guilty for her role in Browns death in exchange for the district attorney removing the death penalty from consideration. She was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Osgood was convicted of two counts of capital murder in 2014, the second charge due to the fact the murder was committed during a sexual assault. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals remanded the case back to the Chilton County trial court in 2016, ruling that the trial judge had made an error in the instructions to the jury during the penalty phase of the trial. In 2018, just as the court was about to empanel a jury for the case, Osgood requested that he be put to death because he said he believes in an eye for an eye approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state executed Demetrius Frazier in February for the rape and murder of Pauline Brown in Birmingham in 1991. Earlier this year, Ivey commuted the sentence of Robin Rocky Myers from the death penalty to life in prison, saying she was not convinced of his guilt. This evening, the State of Alabama executed James Osgood for a crime that he committed 15 years ago, said Alison Mollman, ACLU of Alabama legal director, the attorney who represented him. Although Mr. Osgood had many years of appeals remaining in his case, he volunteered for execution to demonstrate his atonement and, in his words, to complete the sentence he received in his casedeath by lethal injection. While he knows that no words or expressed remorse can repair the harm that his previous actions caused, he hopes that his decision brings the victims family closer to healing. This symbol is inside of the Alaska Department of Corrections office on Sept. 7, 2022, in Douglas, Alaska. (Photo by Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska Department of Corrections has reported three in-custody deaths in the month of April so far, bringing the total reported this year to five in-custody deaths. Nathaniel David Leask, 49, died on April 3 in the Anchorage Correctional Complex. He was remanded just six days prior, for multiple probation violations according to the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU of Alaska first reported that Leask died by suicide, and said according to witnesses that he lay for more than three hours before correctional staff began attempting life-saving measures. It was the second in-custody suicide this year. The civil rights group has called for more resources for mental health care, and greater oversight and accountability from the Department of Corrections in protocols surrounding in-custody deaths, and preventing more deaths. The Alaska Department of Public Safety confirmed Leasks death was a suicide on Thursday, through department spokesperson Austin McDaniel. Troopers were notified at 8:40 pm on April 3 that 49-year-old Ketchikan resident Nathaniel Leask had died at Anchorage Correctional Center inside of a general housing cell. An investigation conducted by the Alaska State Troopers determined that Leasks injuries were self-inflicted. Next of kin have been notified, and his body was sent to the State Medical Examiners Office, he said in an email statement. Alaska state troopers conduct investigations into all in-custody deaths, just as we would for any other unanticipated death that occurs in Alaska, McDaniel said. Our primary duty is to determine if any criminal conduct contributed to the decedents death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in April, two people died in-custody that McDaniel said were medically expected deaths. Marcias Zorita Reinhold, 83, died in Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River on April 8. She had been incarcerated since 1998, according to the department. Lena Lola Lynn, 63, died in Goose Creek Correctional Center in Wasilla on Sunday, April 20. She was remanded on June 21, 2024, for parole violations related to prior convictions, the department said. DOC has reported five in-custody deaths so far this year. Pedro George Rubke, 78, died on Feb. 4, in Goose Creek Correctional Center. He had been incarcerated since 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reginald Eugene Childers Jr., 42, died on March 3 at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. He was remanded on January 3, and was incarcerated pretrial. According to the State Troopers, he was found unresponsive in a cell and transported to a hospital where he later died. The death was deemed a suicide. The recent deaths bring the tally to at least 70 deaths in custody of DOC jails and prisons since 2020, with at least 18 deaths reported as suicides, according to the department. DOC declined to comment on the recent death incidents on Thursday. Betsy Holley, a department spokesperson, said internal investigations are ongoing. Our processes remain consistent: every inmate death is treated with the utmost seriousness, she said by email. Each case undergoes a thorough internal review by both our Medical and Institutions Divisions, as well as an external and independent review by the Department of Public Safety and the State Medical Examiner. Of the three deaths referenced, two were anticipated by medical personnelspecific details of which we are legally prohibited from sharing due to HIPAA regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been three wrongful death lawsuits filed against DOC since 2022. In March, the family of Lewis Jordan Jr. and the ACLU of Alaska filed a lawsuit for the 53-year-olds death in Goose Creek Correctional Center in 2023 alleging staff displayed deliberate indifference and ignored his pleas for medical attention for an ear infection. His condition deteriorated into fatal meningitis, and he later died after weeks in a coma and his family had to remove him from life support. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Members of the Alaska Senate gather before a floor session on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) With school funding still uncertain, and less than a month to go in the Alaska legislative session, the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday advanced a reworked bill that would increase the base of the states funding formula by $700 per student. Members of the committee also included some policy proposals suggested by Gov. Mike Dunleavy last week. Members of the committee said its an effort to compromise with the governor after he vetoed a larger education funding bill last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee passed House Bill 57 after amending it on Thursday to allow charter school planners to apply for approval at any time of year, require school districts to simplify processes for charter renewals, and establish a new state task force on education funding. It would also direct the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to gather data on students post-graduation. Dunleavy has signaled a hard line in the education policy changes he favors as a precondition for increasing the base student allocation, core of the states per-pupil funding formula. Dunleavys office declined to comment on the added policies and amended bill that passed the committee, saying, the governors statement issued yesterday still stands. Dunleavy shared a statement on social media on Wednesday criticizing the bill as lacking policies that he wants. We agree that more money is needed, but without policy, we wont see better outcomes. Policy that ensures reading gains, expanded enrollment options, and true accountability is essential. Reforms need to be in the bill for my support, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But lawmakers see the reworked bill as a step in negotiations and finding a compromise. This proposal isnt the final word, but its a serious step toward addressing the challenges in our education system. It reflects a willingness to engage, to put forward ideas, and to keep moving the conversation toward meaningful solutions, said Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, in a statement announcing the amended bill. We may not all agree on every piece, but we all recognize the need to act and this bill is part of that ongoing effort. The amended bill also calls for a 10% increase to per-pupil transportation funding, which Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, and co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said was essential. We need to get this funding into classrooms now our students cant wait, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage and chair of the Senate Rules Committee, said the plan is for the bill to be introduced to the full Senate on Friday, with amendments and a final vote on Monday. From there, it would go to the House for approval. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. A restored version of the film "On Distant Shores" (1958) in German was digitally restored and showcased in Berlin, following a request from the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Germany, Trend reports. The restoration, which really hit the nail on the head in terms of enhancing the image and sound quality, was carried out in cahoots with the DEFA studio and various archival sources. The film "On Distant Shores" was dubbed into German in 1959 by the DEFA studio in Berlin and was presented under the title Damals in Triest. After extensive collaboration between the Azerbaijani embassy, the DEFA studio, and archival organizations, the German version of the film was discovered and meticulously restored by a Berlin-based company specializing in classic film restoration. The restored version was screened with the organizational support of the Azerbaijani Embassy at the renowned Urania cinema in Berlin, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism in World War II. The event was attended by representatives from German government institutions, ambassadors from various countries, academics, cultural figures, film experts, and journalists, as well as members of the Azerbaijani, Turkic, and other friendly communities residing in Germany. In his speech, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Germany Nasimi Aghayev emphasized that the film reflected the determination, selflessness, and unwavering will of the partisan hero Mehdi Huseynzade. He noted that Huseynzade was not only a devoted warrior but also a symbol of international solidarity and heroism in the fight against fascism, sacrificing his life for this cause far from his homeland. The diplomat, while discussing Azerbaijan's remarkable role in the historic triumph over fascism, pointed out that approximately 700,000 Azerbaijanis took up arms, with more than 300,000 losing their lives. Over 170,000 soldiers and officers were awarded various orders and medals, including 130 who were honored with the title "Hero of the Soviet Union." He highlighted the glorious combat path of the national rifle divisions, made up of Azerbaijani conscripts and volunteers, from the Caucasus to Berlin. Ambassador Agayev also noted that Azerbaijan not only contributed human resources to the fight against fascism but also played a crucial role with its rich energy resources. Following the speech, the film was enthusiastically viewed by the audience. The influential German newspaper Berliner Zeitung published a detailed article about the event (https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metropole/damals-in-triest-so-erinnert-aserbaidschan-in-berlin-an-das-ende-des-zweiten-weltkriegs-li.2319067), informing readers about the film and Azerbaijan's contribution to the victory. TV Berlin and the Stimme Der Hauptstadt portal also broadcast detailed reports about the event (https://www.stimme-der-hauptstadt.berlin/restaurierter-film-damals-in-triest-begeisterte-das-publikum/portal). The restored version of the film can be viewed through the following link: https://youtu.be/qbrgRXHs7xA?feature=shared. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A convicted sex offender who has served prison time for child rape has been arrested again, accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Albuquerque Police Department said 42-year-old Joseph Lacour-Benavidez was found with two juvenile runaways in his home. Detectives who did the investigation and arrested him Thursday told KRQE they are glad the offender is off the streets. We found out stuff was going on with one of these juveniles. We arrested him today and charged him with a bunch of counts of CSP, exploitation of a child, just all kinds of stuff to try to keep him in jail to keep these children safe, said Detective Byron Samora with the Albuquerque Police Department. According to a criminal complaint, on Monday, police arrived at the home of Joseph Lacour-Benavidez, looking for two runaways, 14 and 11 years old. At the home, they found Lacour-Benavidez and his mother, along with the girls who had run away from a foster home. Benavidez admitted to having sexual relations with the 14-year-old and said they were inappropriately texting each other. He told detectives his girlfriend introduced him to the 14-year-old. Benavidez is a registered sex offender for the rape of a 12-year-old back in 2002. After serving prison time in that case, he pleaded guilty in 2017 to child solicitation for trying to get a teen to send him nude pictures by text. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since this individual was not on probation, the law does not permit them to hand over their electronics to be monitored by law enforcement. With that being said, wed like to take a proactive approach to remind parents, guardians, and those who are overseeing children that theyre monitoring and educating their juveniles on things like this, said Lt. Erica Lowry with the Special Victims Section at APD. At this time, it is not believed that the 11-year-old child was the victim of a sexual assault. Benavidez was arrested Thursday and is locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center. APD said more people could face charges as the investigation is ongoing. Benavidez faces rape charges, along with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for giving the 14-year-old meth. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two new Aldi Locations have opened their doors to the Las Vegas community. The first store is in North Las Vegas on Craig Road, and the second is in Henderson on Marks Street. Customers gathered outside the North Las Vegas location overnight in anticipation of the grand opening, with close to 200 shoppers in line. The prices are great and theres a lot more products that are naturally made. We like to eat more natural products with healthy ingredients, Aldi shopper Keith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevada ranks in the top five states for the most expensive grocery bills for both in total cost and compared to household income. Having a local grocery chain whose top priority is saving you money while also providing fresh produce daily is something families can look forward to. One of Aldis goals is to focus on quality, simplicity, and affordability. More than 90 percent of the products in Aldi stores are Aldi-exclusive brands. Around 90 percent of their products in the store are made just for Aldi. That way, they are able to give better prices to the consumer, Keith said. Something that also makes Aldi different from other chains is the shopping cart system. A customer inserts a quarter to unlock the cart, and when the cart is returned, you get your quarter back. This reduces the stores liability for door dings and stray carts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On average, families can save up to 36 percent on their grocery bills. A third location is set to open at Warm Springs and Rainbow Boulevard. There is no word yet on an opening 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 KLAS. MONTAGUE COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) Prosecutors continued presenting testimony and evidence on Thursday, including the flashlight allegedly used to brutally beat Tia Hutson, ultimately resulting in Saint Jos first murder case in over three decades. PREVIOUS STORY: Testimony begins in trial of Gregory Bell for Saint Jo murder Gregory Aaron Bell, 58, of Saint Jo, stands accused of the murder of Tia Hutson, 50, after she was found beaten inside her home in Saint Jo in August 2022 and died six days later, marking the first murder in the small Montague County town since 1986. Gregory Bell in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Bell faces up to 99 years or life in prison if convicted by the Montague County jury. Prosecutors have indicated they intend to seek a deadly weapon finding from the jury, and Bell has elected to have the jury set his punishment if they first find him guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testimony resumed on Thursday, April 24, 2025, with prosecutors Paige McCormick and Katie Boggeman of the 97th Judicial District Attorneys Office calling more witnesses to take the stand in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom. Sexual assault nurse takes the stand The first witness called to the stand by the prosecution on Thursday morning was Priscilla Kenyon, a sexual assault nurse examiner who assessed Hutson after she was hospitalized in 2022. Priscilla Kenyon, SANE nurse, testifying in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) During the course of Kenyons testimony, several matters were taken up with Judge Trish Coleman Byars outside of the jurys presence, leading to several breaks and causing a slight delay in proceedings. Kenyon testified that based on her analysis of Hutson, there were signs of possible sexual assault. She testified that she observed bruising on Hutsons thigh, which raised a red flag since her other injuries were higher on her body. She testified that she collected DNA swabs from Hutsons thigh and genitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS STORY: Jury seated in trial of first Saint Jo murder since 1986 During cross-examination, Bells defense attorney, Bob Estrada, questioned Kenyon regarding her analysis of Hutson. Kenyon testified that some of her findings could have been a result of consensual sexual activity rather than sexual assault. Priscilla Kenyon, SANE nurse, testifying in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) On redirect examination from Boggeman, Kenyon testified that in her experience, instances of sexual abuse are more common when a victim is attempting to leave a relationship, or shortly after the victim leaves the relationship. She testified that she was informed that Hutsons injuries had come at the hands of Bell. During further cross-examination by Estrada, Kenyon testified that individuals who use drugs are at a higher risk of sexual assault, in her experience. She testified that she was not privy to the results of Hutsons toxicology screening after she died. Former Saint Jo Police Chief testifies After Kenyon was released from the witness stand, McCormick called the prosecutions next witness, Sgt. Mark Robertson, an investigator with the Clay County Sheriffs Office. Sgt. Mark Robertsont testifying in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Sgt. Robertson testified that prior to his time with the CCSO, he served as the Chief of Police for the Saint Jo Police Department for about six months. He testified that the SJPD had two full-time officers and that his role as chief of the small department was more of a working role than an administrative one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his testimony, Sgt. Robertson described Saint Jo as a quiet place without much crime. READ MORE: Trial set for man accused of Saint Jos first murder in decades Sgt. Robertson testified that he responded to Hutsons residence on the morning of Aug. 5, 2022. He testified that he found Hutson beaten and lying on the floor of her bedroom, and that a large flashlight was on Hutsons bed. The alleged murder weapon used by Gregory Bell was admitted into evidence (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) McCormick then entered the flashlight, allegedly used by Bell to beat Hutson and ultimately end her life, into evidence without objection from the defense. Sgt. Robertson later testified that he delivered the flashlight to the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab in Garland for forensic testing and DNA analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sgt. Robertson testified that he was informed that Hutson might not survive her injuries, and that what he initially thought was an aggravated assault case could turn into a murder case if Hutson did not survive her injuries. Sgt. Mark Robertsont testifying in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Sgt. Robertson testified that Hutson never regained consciousness to tell authorities what happened to her, and that hed hoped she would have. He also testified that he contacted the Texas Rangers to assist with the investigation into Hutsons death. Sgt. Robertson then testified that the SJPD had responded to several calls at Hutsons residence regarding Bell in the past. He testified that before Hutsons death, he was made aware of a protective order filed against Bell for Hutson and her son. According to Sgt. Robertsons testimony, Bell was arrested for violating the protective order at the end of July 2022, less than a week prior to Aug. 5, 2022, when Hutson was found beaten in her Saint Jo home. Sgt. Mark Robertsont testifying in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Sgt. Robertson testified that during the course of his investigation, he reviewed security footage from a gas station in Nocona that showed Bell was on the premises at around 3:04 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2022, at around the same time that 911 was called by Hutsons neighbor, who found her beaten in her bedroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Estrada could cross-examine Sgt. Robertson, Judge Coleman Byars released him from the witness stand and notified him that he was subject to be recalled. This was done in order for the prosecution to call witnesses from out of town to testify. PREVIOUS STORY: Arrest made in Saint Jos first murder case since 1986 Counsel for the prosecution and the defense agreed that Sgt. Robertson would be recalled the following day for cross-examination. DPS forensic scientists review DNA results McCormick then called a series of forensic scientists with the DPS Crime Lab in Garland, who conducted DNA testing and other forensic analysis on evidence given to them by the Saint Jo Police Department. Bob Estrada, Bells defense attorney, in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) After explaining the process of DNA testing, forensic testing for the presence of blood, and how scientists are able to determine whether or not an individuals DNA is present in a given sample, the forensic scientists reviewed the results of their testing with the jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the testimony of the DPS forensic scientists, a presumptive test for the presence of blood on the flashlight returned a negative result. The flashlight was then swabbed for DNA analysis. Amber Moss, one of the forensic scientists, testified that she was able to find four distinct DNA profiles from the swab taken from the flashlight allegedly used to assault Hutson. She testified that she could not rule out Bell as a contributor. Gregory Bell in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Moss also testified that Bell could not be ruled out as a contributor to the DNA sample that was taken from Hutsons thigh and genitals. She testified that she was able to exclude other individuals as contributors. During cross-examination, Estrada questioned the forensic scientists about the process by which they all preserved the DNA samples between testing without damaging the integrity of the samples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, the final witness left the stand, and the jury was dismissed. Testimony will resume with Sgt. Robertson returning to the stand for cross-examination on Friday morning, April 25, 2025, in the 97th Judicial District Courtroom This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. U.S. allies are voicing growing alarm over the Trump administrations proposed framework to end the war in Ukraine, which would allow Russia to retain large areas of seized Ukrainian territory. Multiple diplomatic sources told CNN that officials in Europe and Asia are bracing for the outcome of renewed U.S.-Russia talks and fear the plan sends a dangerous message. The proposal, presented in Paris last week, includes potential U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and Ukrainian territorial concessions. Vice President JD Vance reinforced this stance, saying on April 23, theres a need "to freeze the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today." Trump, when asked what Russia would give up in exchange, responded: "Stopping the war, stopping [from] taking the whole country, pretty big concession." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remark has unsettled many diplomats, with one Eastern European official warning that the framework threatens the integrity of international law: "This is very much about our own existence and the weakening of any safeguards that my or other countries have for our own independence." Read also: Vladimir, stop! Trump not happy with Russias deadly attack on Kyiv "If one country in Europe is forced to give up parts of its legal territory... no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO," the diplomat told CNN. In high-level meetings held in London on April 23, U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials reportedly made progress in narrowing differences. U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg called the talks "candid, positive and productive." At the same time, a European official said negotiators had "managed to convince the Ukrainians to convince themselves to get in a more U.S. administration-friendly position." Still, the core issueterritorial concessionsremains fraught. A German official acknowledged that "the Ukrainians are coming around," but emphasized they "have red lines they cannot cross." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Ukrainian lawmaker described any deal requiring major territorial losses as "political suicide," warning it would not be approved by parliament. European diplomats admitted that any agreement acceptable to Moscow would appear "unfavorable to the Ukrainians," but noted that "within reason, the Ukrainians will have to come to terms with something that may be second best to a deal they would have wanted two years ago." Questions remain about how the U.S. intends to implement the plan, with one American official describing the administrations approach as "somewhat directionless, rudderless, confused." Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An ambulance was rear-ended in a multiple-vehicle crash in Northeast Portland, which police believe stemmed from a road rage incident early Friday morning. Just after 1:30 a.m., police said they received a call from an AMR ambulance crew who reported a suspicious van tailgating them and yelling at them near Northeast 121st and Sandy Boulevard. Closed pools, cracked roads: How Portland is reckoning with $1 billion infrastructure gap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived at the scene, they found the ambulance had been rear-ended by a vehicle which had been rear-ended by another vehicle. Police said they believe the road-raging van driver pulled in front of the ambulance and braked, causing the ambulance driver to slam on the brakes, causing the cars behind to also crash. Although police said they could not locate the driver of the van, no one was hurt. However, authorities noted one of the drivers was cited for failing to carry proof of insurance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TYLER, Texas (KETK)State Senator Bryan Hughes of Mineola is leading the charge at the Capitol when it comes to pro-life. Filing two of three bills up for vote this session. Pro-life laws in Texas are to protect a little unborn baby growing inside her mothers womb, and we recognize the mom also deserves protection. We can love them both, and protect them both, State Senator Bryan Hughes said. He filed Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act, as a way to clarify some of the exceptions under the states current abortion law. Especially for some doctors who were confused and scared to treat their patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East Texas Reps bill to classify abortions as murder withdrawn Despite our willingness and commitment to provide the best care possible that there were circumstances where our decision making could result in adverse consequences for us, both personally and professionally, Texas Medical Association Dr. Zeke Silva said. The bill was first heard in the state affairs committee at the end of March. After valuable feedback, Hughes went to work with the Texas Medical Association to clear up the confusion on who would be charged and when they would face consequences. Hughes reiterating the mother would not be prosecuted for having an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exempting us from any charge of aiding and abetting during discussions that happen commonly between a physician and their patient, Dr. Silva said. The amendments also took out the word Life-threatening when referring to medical emergencies. This bill clarifies that theres no expectation to wait until those shortcomings are imminent or to wait until the mothers condition turns to a point that would lend itself to that, Dr. Silva said. Clarified the definition of a condition called an ectopic pregnancy to better align that definition with current medical standards and accurate anatomic decisions and descriptions. The amended bill also adds required education for lawyers and doctors to better understand Texas abortion laws. After getting a unanimous green light, the amended bill will now make its way to the Senate floor to be discussed and voted on before the 89th Legislative Session ends on June 2nd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas pro-life laws have always recognized an exception for the life of the Mother, Hughes said. Texas Lottery executive director resigns amid controversy Senate Bill 31 will make the law even clearer and will require doctors to receive specific training on the medical emergency exception. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) According to an American Lung Association report, Hampton Roads air pollution is slightly worse than it was last year. The air pollutants highlighted in this report are widespread and pose a risk to everyones health, said American Lung Association VA, MD, DC, DE Advocacy Director, Aleks Casper, in a release. Courtesy: American Lung Association The associations 2025 State of the Air report analyzes ozone smog, short-term particle and year-round particle pollution levels in areas across the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both ozone and particle pollution can lead to premature death and cause serious health issues such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, and even problems with cognitive function later in life. Particle pollution can also increase the risk of lung cancer said Casper. The reports data specifically looks at the levels of an areas worst administrative subdivision. The data is then used to nationally rank each area. Hampton Roads rankings include: 149th most ozone pollution in the nation (improving from last years 116th spot) 152nd worst short-term particle pollution in the nation (worsening from last years spot) 161st worst year-round average level of particle pollution in the nation (worsening than last years 175th spot) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, too many people in the metro area are living with dangerous levels of ozone and particle pollution every day. This pollution is making kids have asthma attacks, causing people who work outdoors to get sick and unable to work, and even contributing to low birth weight in babies said Casper, in a release. The report found that 46% of the nations population live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution. To decrease this number, the American Lung Association is urging people to make a difference. Were urging Virginia policymakers to continue their commitment to improve our air quality. Were also calling on everyone to support the vital work of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said Casper. To view the full report and learn more, 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 WAVY.com. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Four Americans have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in federal court in Utah after authorities said they conspired to stage a violent coup in Congo that failed. Three of the defendants were charged this month following their return to the United States from Congo, where the death sentences they faced were commuted prior to repatriation. Among them is 22-year-old Marcel Malanga, son of opposition figure Christian Malanga, who led the coup attempt targeting the presidential palace in Kinshasa. A fourth man in Utah alleged by prosecutors to be an expert in explosives is charged with aiding the plot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Zalman-Polun were ordered to remain in custody after pleading not guilty during a joint court appearance Thursday. The alleged explosives expert, Joseph Peter Moesser, 67, appeared separately and was also ordered to remain in custody after entering a not guilty plea. Prosecutors say he provided explosives training and instructions at his Utah home and contributed weapons. The May 2024 coup attempt aimed to overthrow Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. At least six people, including Christian Malanga, died when armed men in camouflage fatigues led an attack on the homes of the president and a deputy prime minister. The four Americans are charged with crimes including conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to bomb government facilities and conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country. They face lengthy prison sentences if convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three who traveled to Congo were among 37 people sentenced to death last September by a military court in Congo for their role in the coup attempt. Lawyers for Moesser and Zalman-Polun declined to comment. Attorneys for Malanga and Thompson could not immediately be reached by phone or email. During Antarcticas warm season, the sleek Norwegian passenger ship known as the MS Fridtjof Nansen departs regularly from Argentina for its journey south across the turbulent Drake Passage, down to the Antarctic Peninsula. The cruise carries wealthy adventurers, bucket listers and, increasingly, polar scientists looking to gather data as public funding for Antarctic research vanishes under the Trump administration. The National Science Foundation is one of the largest funders of scientific research in the world, with an annual budget of roughly $9 billion that supports the bulk of U.S. Antarctic research. Over the last few months, the Trump administration has ordered deep cuts to the agency, leaving scientists to wonder how theyll study everything from melting glaciers and ice sheets to the impact of pollution from power plants and wildfires. On Thursday, Sethuraman Panchanathan, the director of the National Science Foundation, resigned after the White House directed him to slash the agencys budget and staff by more than half, according to exclusive reporting from Science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panchanathans resignation follows an earlier order from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency to freeze funds for all new research grants at the National Science Foundation, and last weeks announcement that DOGE will be terminating over $200 million in wasteful research grants awarded by the agency. Some experts are concerned that the Trump administrations ongoing cuts to the National Science Foundation may signal the end for American research in Antarctica. A leopard seal along the Antarctic Peninsula. James Barnes, the co-founder of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, an international alliance for environmental nongovernmental organizations focusing on Antarctic conservation and research, says that the National Science Foundation has become an evil word among many in the Trump administration. Its tragic to me having the National Science Foundations budget cut, he said in an interview with NBC News. For what reason? Its not good for us on lots of levels, because theres lots to be learned in Antarctica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps directives specifically targeting Antarctic research include high-profile firings of several National Science Foundation staffers working on Antarctic projects and cuts to essential construction funding for McMurdo Station, the biggest U.S. research base on the continent. Research operations based in Antarctica had already been dwindling for several years decades of robust field work were disrupted and never recovered from Covid-19 restrictions. Now, research on the worlds southernmost continent is facing several years under Trumps slash-and-burn policies. But aboard the MS Fridtjof Nansen and its sister ship, the MS Roald Amundsen, polar scientists have reliable funding for their research. HX Expeditions, which operates the two Antarctic ships, hosts researchers from institutions like Western Washington University; the University of California, Santa Cruz; and the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Their room and board is covered by ticket purchases from tourists sailing to Antarctica for their once-in-a-lifetime trips. We would not be able to support the research that we are supporting if we did not have paying customers that would allow our ships to go down south, Verena Meraldi, chief scientist of HX Expeditions, said. Its not easy [to get there]. There are not many flights going down here and there are fewer and fewer research vessels. Gentoo penguins along the Antarctic Peninsula. The tourists traveling with HX Expeditions are part of the exploding ecotourism industry, which centers on experiencing nature while supporting local conservation. The number of visitors to Antarctica has increased from around 8,000 every year in the 1990s to more than 120,000 annually, according to the latest data from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. By 2035, the ecotourism market is projected to grow to over $550 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On its late March expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, the MS Fridtjof Nansen was home to more than 400 ecotourists and several researchers, including Freya Alldred, a doctoral student from Durham University in England who says that without this cruise, its unlikely she would have been able to get to Antarctica. Alldred traveled with sterilized bags to collect samples of seaweed growing in Antarctic waters and snow algae, which blooms on the continents vast expanse of snow. She is studying how climate change affects the carbon content of these Antarctic species, and the cruise offered a unique opportunity to collect new samples. Weve not been to anywhere with a research base, Alldred said. If instead, Id gone to the British Antarctic base, I could only sample within my area. Whereas here, weve been to five different sites across the peninsula that have potentially not been studied before. The boat housed scientists and ecotourists in close quarters, giving scientists the rare opportunity to explain their work directly to nonscientists through interactive sessions in the onboard lab. For 10 days, eager passengers attended lectures from resident researchers, ate with them in the ships restaurants and shared their first steps on the vast polar desert that is Antarctica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To share these experiences with people and then explain why we do the research, what types of questions were answering with it, and for them to see it firsthand is incredible, said Chloe Lew, a researcher working with California Ocean Alliance to capture the impact of tourist boats on humpback whales in the Antarctic. It kind of fires me up at my passion for the work. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By John Geddie, Yoshifumi Takemoto and Trevor Hunnicutt TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -When Tokyo's top trade negotiator met U.S. President Donald Trump for tariff talks at the White House earlier this month, he presented him with a gold-coloured piggy bank. One detail, seemingly unnoticed by those in the room, is that the gift was made in China, the focal point for Trump's sweeping trade war that has engulfed Japan and dozens of other countries, roiled financial markets and stoked recession fears. As Trump seeks to leverage his tariff threats to strike scores of bilateral deals in a matter of months, the well-travelled present was an unintended reminder of the complexity of the global supply chains he is seeking to redraw. Negotiating a speedy deal with Japan, a close U.S. ally that counts rival China as its biggest trading partner, has been billed as a "test case" for Trump's chances of success. There are already signs, however, that negotiations with Tokyo may prove tortuous, especially as its embattled ruling party worries about signing up to a bad deal ahead of a dicey election. "Trump needs to get some concessions from Japan so that he can show he is a 'tough president'," said Daisuke Kawai, an economic security specialist at The University of Tokyo. "He needs to create a kind of example as soon as possible." While some analysts expect Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump to announce an agreement when they meet at the G7 summit in Canada in June, others say it will be risky for the Japanese government to cede ground on thornier issues before upper house elections expected in July. Polls show the ruling coalition is poised to lose its majority in that ballot, a result that could force Ishiba's ouster after he suffered the same fate in elections for the more-powerful lower house last year. Trump has hit Japan with 24% tariffs on its exports to the U.S., although, like most of his levies, they have been paused until early July to allow room for negotiations. A 10% universal rate remains in place, as does a 25% duty on cars, a mainstay of Japan's export-heavy economy. Japan's trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is set to depart for Washington for a second round of negotiations next week. A spokesperson for the U.S. trade representative declined to comment on negotiations. The White House and Japan's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Asked about the gift to Trump - modelled on the otherworldly mascot Japan chose for the World Expo it is hosting in the city of Osaka - Akazawa said on Friday it had no meaning other than to encourage Trump to visit the event. He declined to comment on the item's origins, adding only that "Trump loves gold". On April 23rd, NARGIS Magazine hosted the presentation of the book lifba. A Cultural Alphabet at the archaeological site La Chellah in Rabat. Organised by NARGIS Magazine, the evening was a vivid celebration of Azerbaijani culture, showcasing its rich heritage through music, art, fashion, and cuisine. The book lifba. A Cultural Alphabet is an Azerbaijani alphabet for adults and children with colourful illustrations, in which each letter of the Azerbaijani alphabet provides information about a particular architectural monument, work of art, historical tradition or folklore character of our country. The ideological inspirer and author of the project is Ulviyya Mahmud, Editor-in-Chief of NARGIS Magazine and the creator of many unique initiatives, all aimed to promote Azerbaijani culture throughout the world. The presentation was attended by a distinguished audience, reflecting the international resonance of the project. Among the honoured guests were: Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Morocco; Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of Morocco; Abdelaziz El Bouzdaini, Secretary General at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of Morocco; Naima ben Yahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family of Morocco; Plamen Stoyanov Tzolov, Ambassador of Bulgaria; Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of Kazakhstan; Ziad Atta Allah, Ambassador of Lebanon; Fabio Chinda, Ambassador of Thailand; Mustafa Ilker Klc, Ambassador of Turkiye; Serhii Saienko, Ambassador of Ukraine; Anar Karimov, Head of Partnerships and Cooperation at ICESCO; Leila Bilrha, Vice Mayor of Rabat; Latifa Akharbach, President of Morocco's High Authority for Audiovisual Communication, Prof. Ghizlane Benjelloun, Vice-President of the National Observatory for Children's Rights (ONDE); Seyfullah Ilyas, Country Director of Turkish Airlines of Morocco; Abdelilah Bouzidi, President of the Council of the Agdal-Hay Riad district of Rabat; Fouad Arif, Director General of MAP (Maghreb Arab Press Agency); Mohammed Haitami, President and CEO of Le Matin, and other esteemed guests. One of the symbolic highlights of the evening was the sculptural crystal created by artist Teymur Garibov. The crystal stood as a metaphor for clarity and truth values reflected in the cultural journey told through the letters of the Azerbaijani alphabet. An installation Welcome to Baku prepared specifically for the project by artist and sculptor Rashad Alakbarov was also presented. Guests were treated to a mesmerising musical segment featuring renowned Azerbaijani pianist and composer Ruslan Agababayev, performing solo and in collaboration with celebrated Moroccan musician Mustapha Antari. The evening also included a dynamic performance by a live band. A highlight of the cultural showcase was a fashion show featuring 14 traditional Azerbaijani costumes from different regions, set to musical compositions by the legendary Aziza Mustafa-Zadeh. As part of the presentation, there was a screening of History in Letters a documentary animated drama that introduces viewers to Azerbaijani culture and history through the prism of the alphabet. This is not just a documentary cartoon, but a philosophical search for truth that demonstrates to the viewer the power of love for art. The film was worked on by: producer Meran Ismailsoy, screenwriter Agamehti Abidov, animation artists Kenan Sheykhzamanli and Nargiz Heydar. Illustrations for the book were made by artist Orkhan Huseynov. To conclude the night, guests enjoyed a buffet of Azerbaijani cuisine, specially prepared by Chef Maksim Golovin, bringing the authentic taste of the country to Morocco. The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azercell Telecom LLC, and in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kingdom of Morocco. Angeline Murimirwa at the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, on April 24, 2025. Credit - Nina Westervelt for TIME Angeline Murimirwa, CEO of CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education), delivered a powerful speech Thursday night at the 2025 TIME100 Gala, focusing on the critical need to invest in girls' education across Africa. Speaking to an audience of industry leaders, celebrities, and global changemakers, she underscored just how difficult the odds are for girls in rural Africa, where education remains out of reach for the vast majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did you know that only 5 out of 100 girls from the most marginalized families in Africa complete high school? she asked during the event at Jazz at Lincoln Center. You heard that right: 95% of the most marginalized girls in rural Africa never complete secondary school. Held annually in New York City, the TIME100 Gala celebrates those shaping the future across disciplines like culture, politics, science, and social justice. This years event was hosted by TIME100 honoree Snoop Dogg and was attended by other honorees, including Olympian Simone Biles, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero, and global superstar Ed Sheeran. Raised in a rural Zimbabwean village, Murimirwa described the sacrifices her family made for her education. I know too well the depth of despair that comes with exclusion, and the boundless possibilities that open up with every day in school," she said. My mum sold two buckets of maize to buy me the blanket and toothbrush I needed to stay at the school I would attend, which was far from my village. My family gave up many meals to see me through, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her community selected her for one of the first scholarships from CAMFED. Years later, Murimirwa became one of its first 400 graduates and helped grow it into a global movement. Today, CAMFED has supported the education of millions of girls across Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. And when I made it, with the first 400 graduates of CAMFED, we started working on what was next, she said. Because we knew that education transforms your lifeand it puts you in a position to be able to transform others'. The organizations alumnae network, which is 313,000 strong, has become a grassroots engine for change, with each woman supporting an average of three more girls through school. We built a movement for girls education, led by young women who know first-hand the barriers that keep girls out of school, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She concluded with a passionate call to action: Tackling our worlds biggest challenges and creating a brighter future is possible. And it starts with sending a girl to school. So ladies and gentlemen, let me make a toast: To my amazing mum. To my fellow girls education leaders. To everyone joining us on this journey as we charge ahead. This is the time to support more girls, to support them better, and to support them now! The TIME100 Gala is TIMEs annual celebration of the TIME100 list of the worlds most influential people. The Gala brings together icons, leaders, change-makers, and celebrities from across industries and nations for one lively evening of meaningful dialogue and celebration. TIME is teaming up with ABC to bring viewers inside the exclusive TIME100 Gala with a special television event. TIME100: The Worlds Most Influential People, produced in partnership with P&G, airs Sunday, May 4 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC, and the next day on Hulu, featuring host Snoop Dogg, a performance by Ed Sheeran, and appearances by Demi Moore, Serena Williams, and more. The 2025 TIME100 Gala was presented by Booking.com, Circle, Diriyah Company, Prudential Financial, Toyota, Amazon, Absolut, Pfizer, and XPRIZE. Contact us at letters@time.com. Advocates for victims of church abuse have hit out after it emerged a disgraced U.S. cardinal is to help close and seal Pope Francis casket ahead of his funeral Saturday. Cardinal Roger Mahony, 89, was selected by the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations to be one of nine clergymen to be present at the ceremonial Rite of Sealing of the Coffin on Friday in St Peters Basilica. Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles from 1985 to 2011, will also oversee the popes interment at Romes Basilica of Saint Mary Major following the service in St. Peters Square this weekend, the Vatican announced. The cardinal was stripped of his administrative and public duties with immediate effect in January 2013 by his successor, Archbishop of Los Angeles Jose Gomez, after he was accused of shielding priests embroiled in a child sex abuse scandal between the 1980s and 1990s to protect the Catholic Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Making the announcement in 2013, Gomez said Mahony had expressed his sorrow for his failure to fully protect young people entrusted to his care. However Mahony, who is among the oldest and longest-serving cardinal priests in the College of Cardinals, denied any wrongdoing and weeks after his removal Gomez maintained that he remained a priest in good standing with the Catholic Church. Cardinal Roger Mahony is due to preside at the Rite of Sealing of the Coffin of the late Pope Francis on Friday (REUTERS) The Los Angeles archdiocese said on Thursday that Gomez's first statement had been "misinterpreted" at the time. "We are blessed to have Cardinal Mahony represent our Archdiocese in Rome for the funeral of our Holy Father," said the statement. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni added that the cardinals involved in the ceremony were determined by their length of tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those supporting the survivors of clergy abuse have criticized the Vaticans decision to select the cardinal for the ceremonial honor. Shame on him for participating in the public rites for Pope Francis, and shame on the College of Cardinals for allowing him to do so, Anne Barrett Doyle of the group Bishop Accountability, which has tracked Catholic clergy abuse for decades, told Reuters. Mahony, over the casket of Catholic Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell in March 2023, was stripped of his duties in 2013 (POOL/AFP/Getty) Mahony traveled to the Vatican this week to pay his last respects to the late pontiff, who passed away on Monday, who suffered a stroke and heart failure a day after appearing at Easter Sunday mass in St Peter's Square. The cardinal said that though he didnt know Francis very well before he was elected pope, they had become closer in recent years and would write to each other regularly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He encouraged us to write to him, Mahony told ABC 7 Eyewitness News. I haveI don't know the final numberover 30 letters back from the pope, Pope Francis. In 2013, the release of Church files related to a lawsuit suggested Mahony and another official had shielded several accused priests in the 1980s by sending them for treatment to psychiatrists known as friendly to the Church. Mahony apologized after the release of the files "for my own failure to protect fully the children and youth entrusted into my care." But he said many Catholic officials did not understand how to handle clergy suspected of abuse at the time. The Los Angeles Archdiocese paid over $660 million to settle clergy abuse claims against 508 victims during Mahony's tenure. The LA archdiocese has paid out over $1.5 billion in total to more than 1,300 victims in various settlements. President Donald Trump sat for a wide-ranging interview with TIME on April 22, touching on tariffs, peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia, the Iran nuclear deal, wanting Canada to become a US state and more. The sitdown included Trump saying he would sign a ban on members of Congress trading stocks, that he doesnt want to use loopholes to run for a third term and that he has not asked El Salvador to return a mistakenly deported undocumented immigrant. He rejected the idea that he is expanding the powers of the presidency, saying he is using the office, as it was meant to be used in his second term. What Im doing is exactly what Ive campaigned on, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also trod on some familiar themes, including claiming, without evidence, that there was cheating in the 2020 and 2024 elections and that tariffs are good for the country. Here are nine moments that stuck out from the transcript of TIMEs Trump interview: 1) Trump says hes made 200 deals on trade, that 50% tariffs would be a total victory Trump said in the interview that hes made 200 deals with companies and countries after pausing new tariffs on countries. But the White House hasnt announced any of them, and Trump declined to detail any specific deals. Additionally, Trump said if the US still had tariffs of 50% on foreign countries a year from now, hed still consider that a total victory because the country would be making a fortune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked why he hasnt announced the deals that have been agreed to, Trump said trade negotiations would be wrapped up in the next few weeks. Trump initiated the 90-day pause on April 9. I would say, over the next three to four weeks, and were finished, he said. Well be finished. Still, Trump left himself room for flexibility, saying some negotiations may continue beyond that benchmark: Some countries may come back and ask for an adjustment, and Ill consider that. 2) Trump says Xi has called him, while Chinese officials continue denying trade talks are happening Trump maintained in the interview that talks are ongoing with China on tariffs, though Chinese officials are firmly stating the opposite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump even said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called him, saying: Hes called. And I dont think thats a sign of weakness on his behalf. Trump did not offer specifics on the call or when it took place. However, when pressed by CNN Friday morning on if Trump has spoken to Xi since tariffs were implemented on Beijing, he declined to comment. I dont want to comment on that, but Ive spoken to him many times, Trump said in response to CNNs Alayna Treene when leaving the South Lawn. 3) Trump has not asked Bukele to return Abrego Garcia Trump told TIME that he has not asked El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele to send back Kilmar Abrego Garcia an undocumented immigrant that US officials mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a Supreme Court ruling that said the Trump administration had to facilitate his return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent, Trump said. He said he wouldnt. President Donald Trump meets with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 14. - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Trump generally deferred to Justice Department lawyers on most of TIMEs questions regarding Abrego Garcias status, including saying it was up to the attorneys if they want to start facilitating any return of Abrego Garcia. At this moment, they just dont want to do that. They say were in total compliance with the Supreme Court, he said. 4) Trump not trolling on Canada becoming a 51st state Trump indicated to TIME that he is serious about making Canada the 51st US state a message the allied nation has repeatedly bristled at. Im really not trolling, Trump said. Were taking care of their military. Were taking care of every aspect of their lives, and we dont need them to make cars for us. In fact, we dont want them to make cars for us, Trump said. We dont need their lumber. We dont need their energy. We dont need anything from Canada. And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump added that he wouldnt mind if his legacy as president included the expansion of territory. 5) Trump doesnt want to use loopholes to run for a third term The president has publicly flirted with running for president again in 2028, in violation of the 22nd Amendment that says presidents can only serve two terms. He indicated to TIME that while there are some loopholes that have been discussed to allow him to run again, he doesnt believe in using loopholes. I have more people begging me to run again, but I havent looked at even the possibility, Trump added. Those statements run counter to comments Trump made at the end of March, when he said he was not joking about the possibility of running for a third term. The Trump Store, which is run by the Trump Organization, also started selling Trump 2028 hats earlier this week. 6) Trump would veto significant cuts to Medicaid If Republicans in Congress pass a party-line bill that involves large cuts to Medicaid, Trump vowed in the interview to veto it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GOP congressional leaders have said the planned cuts would only be from waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid, but experts have questioned if those reductions would really add up to the $800 billion price tag that GOP leaders are aiming for in their party-line bill. Trump reiterated the goals to only cut waste, fraud and abuse in the interview, but said he would veto the bill if it involved other cuts to the program likely welcome news to centrist Republican lawmakers who have said they would not back big cuts to Medicaid. 7) Trump says Crimea will stay with Russia in reversal of US policy, says Ukraine wont ever be able to join NATO As part of the peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump said Crimea will stay with Russia which would breach international law that generally does not recognize forced territorial acquisitions. It would also contradict the first Trump administrations own statement reaffirming as policy its refusal to recognize the Kremlins claims of sovereignty over territory seized by force in contravention of international law. If Crimea will stay with Russia we have to only talk about Crimea because thats the one that always gets mentioned. Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that its been with them for a long time, Trump said. A vehicle runs down Crimean Bridge passing over the Kerch Strait and linking southern Russia to the Crimean peninsula on May 15, 2018. - Alexander Nemenov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Publicly, Zelensky has indicated that recognizing the occupation of Crimea is a red line for him in negotiations. He told reporters earlier this week: Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. There is nothing to talk about. It is against our constitution. Putin invaded Crimea in February 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also said Ukraines attempts to join NATO sparked Russias invasion and the president said he doesnt think Ukraine will ever be able to join NATO. 8) Trump doesnt rule out wading into Middle East war Trump told TIME he wasnt worried about Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dragging the US into a potential future war with Iran, because he would go willingly if they couldnt reach a nuclear deal with Iran. I may go in very willingly if we cant get a deal. If we dont make a deal, Ill be leading the pack, Trump said, referring to the ongoing talks with Iran about a nuclear deal. Trump also denied reporting from the New York Times that he waved Israel off from attacking Iran during nuclear talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt stop them. But I didnt make it comfortable for them, because I think we can make a deal without the attack, Trump told TIME. 9) Trump thinks Saudi Arabia may join Abraham Accords Trump also said that he believes that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords, an agreement from Trumps first term aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East, which was initially signed by Israel and the UAE. I tell you what: I think Saudi Arabia will go into the Abraham Accords, he said. Trump travels to Saudi Arabia next month on his second foreign trip. We had four countries in there, it was all set. We would have had it packed. Now were going to start it again, Trump said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A new military command unit has started operation within Ukraines Armed Forces the 8th Corps of the Air Assault Forces (AAF). Source: Air Assault Forces press service Details: The creation of the corps is intended to enable more effective command over subordinate brigades, improved personnel management, and faster logistical and operational support. The corps is built around a core of experienced officers and sergeants who are well-versed in modern warfare and have faced one of the most brutal enemies on the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 8th Corps includes combat brigades that became legendary during the Anti-Terrorist Operation [the ATO or Anti-Terrorist Operation is a term used from 2014 to 2018 by the media, the government of Ukraine and the OSCE to identify combat actions in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts against Russian military forces and pro-Russian separatists ed.], Joint Forces Operation, as well as those that were formed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, namely: 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Air Assault Forces as well as combat and logistics support units. Quote from the corps commander, Colonel Dmytro Voloshyn: "Clear planning and coordination, a strong fist and concentration on the front are the principles by which the 8th Airborne Corps will fight!" Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! During the Vietnam War, Da Nang was a major base for both the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. The first American combat troops landed there in 1965, and it became a hub for operations and supply. Today its beautiful beaches, including the one dubbed China Beach by the Americans and Australians who used it for R&R, boast resort hotels popular with tourists. The past is somewhat easier to imagine at the former Victoria Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, known at the time as Saigon, which was used to house American officers and was attacked in 1966 by Viet Cong guerrillas. Three Americans died and the facade of the apartment building was damaged. Thats been repaired, but the faded and cracked balconies evoke memories of its past. By contrast, the Independence Palace, the former home and workplace of South Vietnams president, is today set up specifically to ensure people dont forget what it was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Vietnamese tanks famously broke through its gates on the day Saigon fell, and today replicas are on display outside. Inside the building, rooms seem frozen in time, displaying the offices, dining rooms, lounges and other areas used by officials, including a helicopter landing pad on the roof and operations rooms in an underground bunker. Likewise, much of the historic core of the city is little changed, like the Opera House, which dates to the French colonial era. From the same period, the Saigon Central Post Office, which served as a communications hub, still stands, overlooked by the twin-spires of the citys Notre Dame Cathedral. Tourists frequently enjoy a drink from the rooftop of the nearby Caravelle Hotel, a haunt of foreign correspondents during the war. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) One local homeowner is celebrating a legal victory after her property was stolen through a fake deed. 2 NEWS has been following Robin Mobleys legal battle for nearly two years, after she suffered quit claim deed fraud on her property. On Friday, the Ohio Second District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Mobley, proving in court that her property was stolen through a forged deed. When I heard about the ruling, I actually really started crying. And I had to honestly thank God, because its been a journey, said Mobley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mobley says she was very emotional as she learned the appellate court ruled in her favor. Court filings on Friday show that the three-judge panel agreed with the decision of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court to reward Mobley her residence. After a two day trial in 2024, a judge awarded Mobley her home and determined the quit claim deed used to transfer it from her was fraudulent. In the review, court documents say that the defendants failed to prove that the deed used to transfer the home from Mobley was valid, therefore the ruling was upheld. Mobley says this appeal prolonged the legal process to get her home back, but she says it was worth it for the sake of her childrens family home. They grew up in this neighborhood, and so it means a lot, said Mobley. So now my grandchildren can have something. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Mobley must address more than $15,000 worth of property taxes on the home, in addition to extensive damages that happened as a result of other people who had access to the home during this time. With a court ruling rendered, Mobley says regaining ownership of the house is not automatic. She says she is still navigating how to have her property put back in her name, and is working with city officials. Mobley says there is still a long way to go until the home could be livable for her family, but she hopes her battle encourages other families targeted by quit claim deed scams to fight to get their homes back. If you know that you are right and something is yours, keep fighting, keep fighting, said Mobley. Ive met so many people that just walked away from their properties. Now, Mobley is looking to the community for resources as she continues to work to have the property officially transferred back into her name. Click here to learn more. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) A Texas appellate court has reversed a Travis County judges decision to throw out a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the city of Austin over its marijuana decriminalization ordinance. We have received a decision from the 15th Court of Appeals and thank the Court for its time and consideration. We are reviewing the Courts ruling as we evaluate our next steps, the city of Austin said in a statement. In 2022, more than 85% of Austin voters approved a proposition to decriminalize having small amounts of the drug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This court ruling is a huge letdown. Austin voters made their voices loud and clear in 2022, and instead of respecting that, the State has chosen to ignore their will, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes said. Now, our police will be forced to waste time on minor marijuana cases instead of focusing on violent crimes. Once again, the State is stepping on local decisions that reflect the values Austin residents actually care about. While this ruling opens the door for officers to resume citing people for possession, city officials say their focus remains on more serious crimes. The voters wanted us to focus our police time on kind of more serious crimes and hopefully theyll continue to do that but the courts are saying that a policy requiring that is no longer legal, Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter said. KXAN has reached out to Attorney General Ken Paxton for comment. San Marcos in the same boat San Marcos got the same answer from the appellate court last Thursday. The court also issued an opinion siding with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, stating that San Marcos marijuana decriminalization ordinance violates state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ground Game Texas was the group behind both the push in Austin and San Marcos to decriminalize marijuana. Catina Voellinger, the executive director said: These decisions dont change the fact that the people of Austin and San Marcos spoke with one voice. It doesnt change the fact that for years, the ordinance protected residents from arrest and criminalization over low-level possession. And it definitely doesnt change our commitment to this fight. It changes how we fightnot why we fight. We will continue to work with our partners in San Marcos and Austin to craft policies that respond to this ruling while working to preserve the will of the voters who overwhelmingly turned out for these ordinances. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appellate court finds San Marcos voter-approved marijuana ordinance unlawful 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to KXAN, the city of San Marcos confirmed it cannot enforce the marijuana ordinance pending a trial on the merits. KXANs Sam Stark contributed to this report. You can find his full report on San Marcos ruling here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee says applications for the states school vouchers program will launch next month. On Thursday evening, Lee announced that the applications for the Education Freedom Scholarship will launch on May 15 at noon. Signed into law in February, the controversial Education Freedom Act allows for taxpayer dollars to be used to fund enrollment in private schools. Families can apply for a $7,000 scholarship for their children to attend the private school of their choosing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funds will be administered by the Tennessee Department of Education. Sources: MSCS oversight bill may be dead after passing in Senate, House There are 20,000 scholarships available for the 2025-2026 school year. The Tennessee Department of Education has released a checklist for requirements needed to apply. EFS_ApplicationChecklistDownload The Education Freedom Act has faced significant pushback from lawmakers, educators, and local leaders across the state, with many stating that the program will divert money from struggling public schools. School vouchers officially signed into TN law: What does it mean? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre pulling all of that money from public education, and then that hurts us. It hurts, you know, us when were trying to build the infrastructure in schools, said Dolores Rivers with the Memphis Shelby County Education Association. Tennessee State Rep. Jesse Chism of Memphis said the private schools selectiveness could negatively impact neighborhood schools. It wont be school choice for the parent. Its school choice for the schools themselves, because if theres only a certain amount of seats available, theyre only going to pick the valedictorians and the athletes, Chism said. So that leaves our other students at our neighborhood schools at a disadvantage, because if you take away the highest achievement students, that makes the median test score go down. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man was charged with eight counts of possession or use of child pornography in Crittenden County, Arkansas on Friday. According to the Crittenden County Sheriffs Department, Justin Lee Russell, 47, was charged with eight counts of child sexual abuse material. Justin Russell Lee_Mugshot Courtesy of Crittenden County Sheriffs Department Deputies said they received a tip from the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children unit that Russell was possibly involved in the possession of child sexual abuse material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs department said they served a search warrant on this case and recovered CSAM material. Russell was booked into the Crittenden County Detention Center and is scheduled to have his first arraignment on Monday in the West Memphis District Court on the eight felony counts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The second day of the Space Technology Conference (STC2025) has finished in Baku, Trend reports. Just like on the first day, today the participants will also address a range of pressing topics such as Earth Observation for Sustainable Regional Development, Connectivity in Central Eurasia: The Role of Satellite Communications, The Latest Technologies Driving Innovation & Investment in the Space Industry, and others. On the first day, Azercosmos signed a memorandum of understanding with several companies. Today, several documents in the space field are expected to be signed. The conference has brought together over 400 participants representing 112 organizations from 35 countries. Representatives from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Africa are attending the event. Speaking at the event, Strategy Manager at 4iG Space and Defense Technologies, Sebastian Misurak said thatthe 4iG Space and Defense Technologies company is ready to work with new partners in the space sector. According to him, the company has a very ambitious program related to space research. "Private companies in the Eastern and Central European region can play a significant role in the space sector. However, we cannot carry out all our activities without partners. Thats why we must approach current issues in the space field with a very pragmatic mindset. We are already collaborating with certain companies and plan to work with new partners as well," he explained. Misurak underscored the potential to navigate obstacles within the aerospace domain via synergistic collaboration. "We are ready to share our knowledge in the space field with our partners and to build mutually beneficial cooperation. Over the past year, we have enhanced our expertise by benefiting from the experiences of various countries, particularly through collaboration with Polish companies. We are also ready to offer training for our new partners in this field," the company representative noted. As part of the event, Turkish astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasevar told Trend that I'm eager to see Azerbaijan's participation in our microgravity research in the coming years. "One of them was my fellow countryman, Alper Gezeravc. He has become famous in the Turkish world. During that mission, we conducted 13 scientific experiments, and five months later, we carried out our second space mission, and I was fortunate to participate in it. During this flight, we conducted seven different scientific studies and achieved significant milestones in conducting scientific experiments in a microgravity environment. In the coming years, we aim to achieve even more ambitious goals in these studies. [Source] Sharon Kwan made history on April 15 by becoming Arcadia, Californias first woman Asian American mayor. About Kwan: Kwan, who was previously elected to represent District 2 on the Arcadia City Council, succeeds Michael Cao, who served as mayor since July 2024. Before joining the council, Kwan led Arcadias Rancho Santa Anita Property Owners Association for a decade. A 20-year Arcadia resident and mother of four, Kwan is a small business owner who entered the financial services industry in the 1990s when few women of color were represented. She holds a Bachelor of Science from UC Riverside, where she graduated cum laude and was awarded Most Outstanding Student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reactions: At her swearing-in ceremony, Kwan said she is humbled to serve as both a leader and a voice for the city. I want every family to find not just shelter in Arcadia, but a community that honors their story, respects their hard work and helps build the future their children deserve, she said. City officials also highlighted that Kwan who is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese is uniquely positioned to build connections across all walks of life given her deep community roots and appreciation for diversity. Kwan will focus on public safety, transparency and fiscal stewardship during her nearly 10-month mayoral term. Trending on NextShark: Myanmars capital is having to be redrawn after devastating earthquake This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Arcadia swears in its 1st woman Asian American mayor Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! By Angelo Amante VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Argentine Marcelo Bruno jumped into a car early on Thursday and set off on the long drive to Rome from Syracuse on the island of Sicily, to bid farewell to his compatriot Pope Francis. He arrived in the early hours of Friday and went straight to St. Peter's Basilica where the body of the first ever Argentine pontiff was lying in state, joining the tens of thousands of mourners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is an event that I believe transcends faith and spirituality," Bruno, a resident of Mar del Plata, said of the Pope's death. Leaders from around the world will attend Francis' funeral on Saturday along with an expected crowd of more than 200,000 Italian and foreign mourners. For Argentines saying goodbye to a countryman as well as a spiritual leader, the event is particularly poignant. "It's very impactful, vibrant, everything is very respectful but seeing him was unbelievable," said Agustina Rigo, from Buenos Aires, after visiting the pope's body in the basilica with her sister Antonella. The Vatican said almost 150,000 people from all over the world had bid farewell to Francis as of midday on Friday (1000 GMT). Long queues are still snaking around St. Peter's Square and entry will be allowed until 7 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 88-year-old pope, who died on Monday in his rooms at the Vatican's Santa Marta guesthouse after suffering a stroke, left a lasting mark on the home country he never returned to after his election in 2013 - even among non-Christians. "We are not religious, but this is a historic event. We brought the kids to show them," said Ramiro Lopez, as he approached Via della Conciliazione, the monumental boulevard that leads up to St. Peter's Square from the River Tiber. He called Francis a "very political pope" who always focused on the poorest and the intrinsic value of the human being. Other mourners commented on the symbolism of the pope's passing during the Easter period, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisandro Scaravino, originally from the Argentine city of Rosario, flew to Italy on Wednesday from Spain, where he lives, along with fellow Argentine Jorge Paravicini. "The death of a pope hurts ... but at the same time there's peace and joy, because his life ended during Easter time, for resurrection," said Scaravino. (Editing by Gavin Jones and Alexandra Hudson) The former Little Rock Family Planning Services at 4 Office Park Drive in West Little Rock is now the home of the Your Options Understood (YOU) Center. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate) The Arkansas Abortion Support Network plans to show people on Saturday what seeking an abortion was like before the states ban took effect nearly three years ago, the group announced in a press release. The immersive event will take place at a former Little Rock abortion clinic that now houses the Your Options Understood (YOU) Center, which AASN launched in the fall of 2022. The center provides resources about abortion, parenting or adoption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Rock Family Planning Services was the only abortion provider in Arkansas before the state enacted one of the nations most restrictive abortion bans, with a narrow exception to save the life of a pregnant person in an emergency. AASN has helped fund out-of-state abortion services since Arkansas 2019 trigger abortion ban took effect upon the U.S. Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Arkansas lawmakers have since proposed restricting abortion further or clarifying the terms of the existing ban. Some of those proposals became law after the 2025 legislative session, which ended last week, and the 2023 session, which saw a wider range of maternal and reproductive health legislation. Brittaney Stockton, AASNs policy and growth strategist, said she and other activists take issue with legislation that further governs abortion resources when the procedure is already banned. An unsuccessful bill this year would have required health care facilities to be licensed as ambulatory surgery centers in order to perform abortions if the procedure becomes legal again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not have access to abortion, but [lawmakers] are still doing everything they can to chip away and make it harder, Stockton said. Even while Roe v. Wade was still in place, state law required Arkansans seeking abortions to jump through additional hoops, which will be included in Saturdays reenactment, Stockton said. Such hoops included a pregnant patients written consent for an abortion, a 72-hour waiting period between a doctors consultation and the procedure, and the requirement for doctors to show ultrasound images to pregnant patients seeking abortions. Participants in Saturdays event will learn why patients of the former clinic sought abortions. No personal information will be shared, Stockton said. A key aspect of the event will be the portrayal of anti-abortion protesters outside the clinic, which can be traumatic for abortion seekers, Stockton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really want folks to understand what it was like to come into a clinic, she said. Whether you were there for a fetal anomaly or because you experienced sexual assault, or whatever you still had to go through protesters telling you that you were evil, and making a terrible decision, and Why cant you just think about the baby? The reenactment should last between 10 and 15 minutes, but wait times at abortion clinics used to last hours, Stockton said. Afterward, attendees will have the opportunity to watch the film Preconceived, a documentary contrasting the abortion experience with the misleading tactics of crisis pregnancy centers, according to AASNs news release. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The YOU Center is next to Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Centers Little Rock location. APRC is one of several anti-abortion centers state lawmakers have supported with taxpayer funds since the abortion ban took effect. Thirty-five organizations applied for shares of the $2 million set aside last year; pro-choice advocates have said these centers mislead pregnant people about their options. Stockton participated in last years attempt to put a proposed limited right to abortion on the November ballot. Many Arkansans were unaware of the near-total abortion ban, she said, and some of her fellow canvassers were not aware of the former abortion clinic in Little Rock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturdays event is an effort to close gaps in public knowledge about abortion in Arkansas, Stockton said. Theres hope in knowing what happened in the past so you can understand and do better moving forward, she said. The Arkansas Abortion Amendment did not make it to the ballot after the Secretary of State disqualified more than 14,000 signatures on a technicality. Other Arkansas laws ban abortions at 12, 18 and 20 weeks gestation. A Democrat-sponsored bill to repeal these bans and restore abortion access in Arkansas was not considered by the Republican-led Legislature this year. Legislative background AASNs services at the YOU Center include free emergency contraceptives, condoms and pregnancy tests. The organization distributed more than 13,000 doses of emergency contraception in 2024, Stockton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said Arkansans should not take the availability of contraceptives for granted because in her 15 years as a pro-choice advocate, she has watched lawmakers place more and more restrictions on abortion before and after Roe v. Wades reversal. Anna Strong (right), executive director of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, speaks against a bill sponsored by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (left), R-Elm Springs, that would have required minors to obtain written parental consent in order to receive long-acting reversible contraception. The House Public Health, Labor and Welfare Committee voted down the bill on April 3, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Earlier this month, a House committee rejected a bill from Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, that would have required minors to obtain written parental consent in order to receive long-acting reversible contraception, such as an intrauterine device (IUD). The Arkansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics opposed the bill. Lundstrum said Thursday she has not decided if she will reintroduce the bill in a future legislative session. She said she wanted the bill to open this conversation that IUDs can have side effects and do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases even though they prevent pregnancy. These kids are thinking its a get-out-of-jail-free card, Lundstrum said. The parents and the doctor and the kids need to have a conversation that this is not a be-all end-all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas teenage pregnancy rate is more than twice the national average, with the majority of those pregnancies unplanned, according to data from Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. The organization said last year that greater access to contraception and a more robust sex education landscape would reduce the rates of teen pregnancy and birth. In February, a Senate committee rejected a proposal to require public school students, starting in fifth grade, be shown a fetal development video created by an anti-abortion organization. Stockton spoke against the bill and advocated for more comprehensive sex education in public schools; state law requires abstinence-based sex education, if it is taught at all. A separate bill that became law this month will require human fetal growth and development education and the viewing of an ultrasound video at grade levels to be determined by the Arkansas Department of Health. Lundstrum said shes not aware of any upcoming proposals to further change Arkansas abortion laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she was asked to sponsor Act 387 of 2025, which clarifies that doctors can perform abortions to save a pregnant Arkansans life within reasonable medical judgment. The law will let doctors in emergency situations be doctors, Lundstrum said. It passed the Legislature with bipartisan support. Another new Arkansas reproductive health law Act 859, the Reproductive Empowerment and Support Through Optimal Restoration (RESTORE) Act requires all entities that receive federal family planning service grant funds to provide services that help women track and manage their fertility. The RESTORE Act is groundbreaking legislation that champions reproductive healthcare for women in Arkansas by prioritizing restorative reproductive medicine, conservative group Heritage Action for America stated in a news release Wednesday. The law also prohibits state-funded entities from penalizing a medical professional who declines to participate in fertility treatments due to sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. Another new law allows medical providers to opt out of providing abortions for religious reasons. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LITTLE ROCK, Ark. An Arkansas woman was sentenced to federal prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to stealing from credit union customers. Officials said 27-year-old Tyra Brown of Benton was sentenced to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud in January. Brown had pleaded guilty to stealing over $300,000 from elderly customers at a New Hampshire credit union. Justice Department orders investigation of local compliance with Trump immigration crackdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Brown was a customer service representative for a New Hampshire credit union. Because of her job, Brown could access customers personal identifying information, security questions and answers and account balances. Officials continued that Brown was only permitted to access customer account information for business purposes, such as to answer customer questions on calls. Instead, they said Brown used that access to steal $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly victims and attempted to steal $428,526.85 in total. Brown used wires, electronic debits, and the Zelle app to transfer victim funds to other accounts. Prosecutor says Sean Diddy Combs lawyers are looking for reasons to delay his May trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant deliberately abused her position of trust and chose to target elderly account holders, knowing some of whom were unfamiliar with electronic banking, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack said. James Crowley, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Boston division, said that the FBI will never stop working to shut down elder fraud schemes like this one. Tyra Brown had no compunction about swindling elderly victims out of their hard-earned money. What she did isnt just cowardly, its cruel, Crowley said. US Attorney Habba investigating New Jersey governor over immigration enforcement policy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Hampshire led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen of the District of New Hampshire and Katie Hinojosa of the Eastern District of Arkansas 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 KARK. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The neighborhood near West 79th and Jefferson in Kansas Citys Waldo neighborhood has been a target for a group of people breaking into cars recently. Just last week, gunshots hit several homes after neighbors saw the thieves breaking into cars. Those neighbors shouted from their homes to stop, but were met with gunfire. ICE detains mother at citizenship appointment in Kansas City, family says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Megan Hogans car was hit, as well as a tree that blocked her daughters room. When the police came, they said youre lucky because now we know they wont be coming here for a while, she said. However, one week later, at almost the exact time of night, they returned to finish the job; stealing a Chevrolet Corvette. Absolutely, it was the same people. They parked at the exact same spot and they got out and fanned around my neighbors house, Hogan said. Another homeowner didnt want to go on camera, but did send photos of his car, and video from when it was broken into last week. He said he was asleep at the time, and by the time he got up, they were gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as his car alarm went off, they all had guns and they were pointing the guns right at my neighbors door. So Im like, Please dont let him come out his door, because they will kill him,' Hogan described. KC mayor proposes new ordinance to combat predatory towing Megan would then call 911, giving dispatchers a play-by-play from her window. She says it took police 15 minutes to show up. Police could be working on this, but they are not communicating that with the community. So we dont know and it just feels like nobody is protecting us. In a matter of minutes, the Corvette was gone. Hogan fears what remains and that the impact of two armed incidents nearly back-to-back will be enough to force some out of the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres very little description available on the suspects, Hogan says they were in all black with ski masks. KCPD confirmed detectives are looking into the situation. When they are able to make a report, it will be made, they said. If you have any information, call the TIPS hotline at (816) 474-TIPS (8477). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) The armed suspect shot and killed by police in Bonita last weekend has been identified. Carlos Enriquez, 56, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the hospital, Lt. Daniel Meyer with the San Diego Police Department said in a news release Thursday. One handgun was recovered next to the suspect, while a second handgun was found in his waistband. The incident occurred Saturday around 5:41 a.m. in the 1400 block of Country Vistas Lane after a call about a family disturbance involving a firearm at the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When authorities arrived on scene, they found several family members hiding outside the house. Police learned the suspect was inside the home with access to multiple firearms. The man later exited the home with his hands in his pockets while authorities told him to put his hands into the air. As the man removed his hands from his pockets, he dropped a firearm on the steps leading up to the residence. The man was directed to walk away from the firearm, but he instead sat down and put the handgun on his lap. For several minutes the officers continued directing the man to put his hands up while the gun remained in his lap, Meyer said. When the suspect didnt comply to commands from police to drop the gun, he was struck with a less-lethal beanbag shotgun round. The impact of the shot caused the man to fall back and the gun to fall out of his lap and on to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say officers continues to give the man commands who then picked the gun up and pointed it in the direction of the officers. Three officers fired their department rifles and struck the suspect. Enriquez was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The officers with the Chula Vista Patrol Division have been identified as Agent Thomas Luhta (11 years), Officer Alfonso Perdomo (7 years) and Officer Roman Buyson (5 years). Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The Armenian flag was raised outside Fresno City Hall on Thursday in remembrance of the estimated 1.5 million people killed or displaced during the Armenian genocide. The genocide was carried out against Armenian Christians living in the multiethnic Turkish Ottoman Empire. Holocaust scholars consider what occurred to Armenians starting in 1915 to be a genocide and inspiration for Nazi Germanys mass persecution of Jews during World War II. There were approximately 1.5 million Armenians living in the multiethnic Ottoman Empire in 1915, says the United States Holocaust Museum. At least 664,000 and possibly as many as 1.2 million died during the genocide, either in massacres and individual killings, or from systematic ill treatment, exposure, and starvation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the places that Armenians fled to was Californias Central Valley and Fresno specifically. In 2021 then-President Joe Biden gave official U.S. recognition to the Armenian Genocide, straining relations with Turkeys government, which has always denied such an event occurred. Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Saroyan of Fresno, himself an Armenian, once described the resilience of the Armenian people this way: Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia. Fresnos Honorary Consul to Armenia Berj K. Apkarian carries the countrys flag at the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. Fresnos Honorary Consul to Armenia Berj K. Apkarian raises the countrys flag at the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. A man wears an Armenian-themed cap at the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. A member of the Homenetmen Fresno Sassoon Scout Chapter holds the Armenian flag at the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Armenian flag was raised at Fresno City Hall at the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. Rev. Fr. Ashod Khachadourian of Fresnos Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church awaits the start of the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. Students from the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School in Clovis sing during the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. Students from the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School in Clovis pose for a photo with Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer during the Armenian flag raising at the annual Armenian genocide commemoration and flag-raising ceremony at Fresno City Hall on April 24, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Happy Friday! The Army announced this week that male and female soldiers in 21 combat military occupational specialties will have to meet the same standards on the new Army Fitness Test, which also eliminates the standing power throw event, which soldiers dubbed the overhead yeet. Both men and women between 17 and 21 years old who serve in combat arms military occupational specialties will have to deadlift at least 140 pounds under the new changes women previously had to lift 120 pounds. Women in that age group will also have to complete the sprint-drag-carry event in less than 2 minutes and 28 seconds, nearly a minute faster than the current requirement. The new standards will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, for active-duty soldiers and June 1, 2026, for the National Guard and Reserve. Any soldiers who do not score 350 on the test after their second attempt will have to be reclassified into a new job based on the needs of the Army at that time, said Regimental Sgt. Maj. Stephanie Carl, the senior enlisted leader for Army public affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The test partially fulfills the Armys longstanding and elusive goal of requiring men and women to be held to the same physical standards. In 2018, then-Army Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that the service was trying to create a PT test that was both gender- and age-neutral, because the enemy does not specify who theyre going to shoot and not shoot combat is combat. The Army eventually abandoned the age- and gender-neutral standards after initial testing showed that 84% of women who took the tests failed. The service also dropped the leg tuck from the test which 72% of women failed during testing following a RAND report that determined the event did not accurately measure womens core strength. But in March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the military services to develop sex neutral physical standards for service members who directly participate in ground combat. The new changes to the Armys PT test fall in line with Hegseths instructions but are not a result of that, said Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann, the senior enlisted leader for U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Marine Corps currently has no plans to change its Physical and Combat Fitness Tests, All human performance standards are continually analyzed, assessed, and updated as needed, said Maj. Hector Infante, a spokesman for Training and Education Command. All Marines in ground combat arms specialties are held to the same sex-neutral, occupation-specific, and operationally relevant physical standards, Infante said in a statement to Task & Purpose. Regardless of military occupational specialty, all Marines must also complete age- and sex-normed general fitness tests: the Physical Fitness Test and the Combat Fitness Test. Now that weve worked up a sweat, heres your weekly Rundown: U.S. struck hundreds of targets in Yemen. The U.S. military has struck hundreds of targets since resuming air and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in March, Hegseth said during his visit on Wednesday to the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His comments mark the first time in more than a month that a U.S. official has provided a public update on the number of U.S. strikes against the Houthis. More than 30 targets were hit on March 15 as part of the first wave of strikes, Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, director of operations for the Joint Staff, told reporters last month. Troops can detain trespassers on the southern border. As part of the U.S. militarys ongoing mission on the border, troops can now apprehend people within the New Mexico National Defense Area, a strip of land 170 miles long and 60 feet wide that was recently transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Defense Department, according to U.S. Northern Command. Troops conducting installation security support operations within the defense area, which is now part of Fort Huachuca, are authorized to temporarily detain trespassers until they can be handed off to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents or other law enforcement officials. Little Crappy Ships no more. USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul recently intercepted two shipments of drugs within 72 hours, underscoring that the Littoral Combat Ship, or LCS, has found its niche with counternarcotics operations. Although the LCS has had its share of problems over the years, the ships are almost perfectly made to stop drug smugglers. Other Navy warships, such as destroyers and cruisers, are better suited for high-end combat. Elbe Day anniversary. Friday marks 80 years since U.S. and Soviet troops met at the Elbe River near Torgau, Germany, shortly before the end of World War II. Pictures taken around that time show troops from both countries shaking hands and greeting each other warmly. In April 2020, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement to mark the 75th anniversary of the event: The Spirit of the Elbe is an example of how our countries can put aside differences, build trust, and cooperate in pursuit of a greater cause. Trump returned to office this year, vowing to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Email storm. When you get an email that was accidentally sent to a large distribution list, for the love of God, please dont reply all. Case in point, on April 15, a Marines certificate for completing the corporals course was accidentally emailed to the wrong distro list, so responses to the message went to a larger audience than intended, said Capt. Jonathan Coronel, a spokesman for II Marine Expeditionary Force. Although it took about 20 minutes to fix the issue, some kept receiving responses for longer than that, said Coronel, who added that steps are being taken to avoid such SNAFUs in the future. He also said the email storm was an opportunity for small unit leaders to review basic email etiquette. Subsequently, the email blast misfire led to a petition to have Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith attend the corporals graduation ceremony and it garnered nearly 1,700 signatures before being closed. Promote ahead of peers, indeed. Wishing you all a happy weekend! Jeff Schogol The Army plans to test 3D-printed drones next month during an exercise in Poland to see if the service can mass produce its own small unmanned aerial systems at a much lower cost than the defense industry, Army officials told Task & Purpose. The 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion based in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, has built about seven small drones, which have sensors to scan the electromagnetic spectrum to find targets, like The Predator from the movie franchise, the officials said on Friday. The Task Force will send one or two of the 3D-printed drones to the exercise in Poland to test their ability to help soldiers identify simulated threats, said Lt. Col. Aaron Ritzema, commander of the battalion, which is tasked with conducting long-range reconnaissance missions in the European theater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main way that I see adversaries is through their electromagnetic signature, Ritzema told Task & Purpose. So, a lot of the threat replication that we do rather than making a cardboard or a wooden tank to go see, really what I want to do is replicate what one of those adversary capabilities would look like in the spectrum. The drones are designed to look for cell phones, routers, Blue Tooth, WiFi, radars, and other electromagnetic signatures that cannot be detected with a camera alone, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chris Lehr, the team lead for the battalions innovation lab. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has shown both the Army and Defense Department just how important unmanned aerial systems are on modern battlefields, Lehr told Task & Purpose. What we know to be true now is that there are never enough of them, Lehr said. Theres never enough of them on the forward line of troops. Theres never enough of them in production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drones are very much a work in progress, Lehr said. The first tests about two weeks ago did not go well, but the lab was able to learn from its mistakes by revamping the drones frames and making other changes. Subsequently, the lab has conducted more than 10 successful tests. Lehr said the lab is trying to demonstrate to the rest of the Army how soldiers can build small drones for between $2,000 to $3,000, compared with a commercially built quad copter that can cost up to $28,000. Learning how to 3D print the components for the drones has been quite a journey, said Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Baumgartner, the innovation labs noncommissioned officer in charge. The Army tests a 3-D printed drone at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels training area, Hohenfels, Germany, on April 11, 2025. Army photo by Pfc. Brent Lee. Baumgartner said he had to learn how to get the right quality of print for the drones, and how to make sure the airframe is the right weight and strong enough to fly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything has been self-taught, through Chief Lehr and I, where we have stumbled upon an issue, and either we sourced to friends and partners for a solution, or we spent a copious amount of hours self-studying to develop a solution on our own, Baumgartner told Task & Purpose. So far, the most difficult aspect of building the drones has been the lengthy process required to get parts approved by the Defense Department, which also increases the cost of each drone, Lehr said. When we say we produced seven aircraft in eight months, at least 90 to 120 days of that was just waiting on paperwork to be completed so we can actually put these things in the air, Lehr said. While the parts used for the drones are available commercially, they are required to be produced by certain countries, Ritzema said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some restrictions in terms of where those parts come from that kind of force us to use sometimes the least economically viable solution to actually get that in our hands, Ritzema said. When asked if that means the lab cant buy parts made from China, Ritzema replied, Something like that. Even though were not doing this at scale or at range that we would in an operational environment, our ability to do this by ourselves in advance of the Army fielding this capability is absolutely foundational to our ability to actually fight this formation in the future, Ritzema said. The latest on Task & Purpose TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 25. Uzbekistans Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade, Ilzat Kasimov, held talks with a Chinese delegation led by Zhang Yong, Governor of Shitai County in Chinas Anhui Province, and Lin Lusheng, Chairman of Anhui Hongling Technology Co., Ltd., Trend reports. The meeting focused on potential cooperation in the development of projects in the electrical engineering and food processing sectors. As a preferred location for the implementation of these initiatives, both sides considered the special economic zone (SEZ) in the Bayavut district of the Syrdarya region. During the discussions, Uzbek officials highlighted the preferential conditions offered within the SEZ, noting that such incentives create new opportunities for foreign investors, including Chinese companies seeking to expand their presence in Uzbekistans industrial sector. The talks are part of broader efforts to attract international investment and strengthen industrial ties between Uzbekistan and China. FBI Director Kash Patels announcement Friday that federal authorities arrested a judge over an immigration dispute marks a stunning development in the Trump administrations power struggle with the courts and mirrors a similar case from President Donald Trumps first term. In 2018, Massachusetts state District Court Judge Shelley Joseph and a court officer were accused of helping an undocumented migrant sneak out of the Newton District Court in Newton, Massachusetts, before an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer could detain him. The man was arrested on narcotics charges and had been deported from the U.S. twice, prosecutors said at the time. Joseph was later indicted by federal prosecutors on charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice and pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time Joseph was charged, then-state Attorney General Maura Healey, now the Democratic governor of Massachusetts, claimed it represented a radical and politically motivated attack on our state and the independence of our courts. Josephs attorney at the time, Thomas Hoopes, accused then-U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling of political bias in court documents pointing to a Boston Herald op-ed he authored and accusing him of leaking confidential information to the media. Unlike the case Friday, however, Joseph surrendered to authorities. And federal prosecutors eventually dropped the charges against her in 2022 . Joseph was instead referred to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct, a state agency charged with investigating allegations of misconduct among those admitted to the bench. Late last year, the commission filed formal charges against Joseph with the states highest court, a surprisingly forceful step for a body that has only gone so far five other times since 2000 . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wisconsin judge arrested Friday, Hannah Dugan, was charged with felony counts of obstruction and concealing a person from arrest. She too was accused of helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest. Federal authorities allege she sent agents away from her courtroom and then led the immigrant out of it via a private exit. Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers criticized the Trump administration for attempting to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor. (KRON) Four people were arrested following a string of robberies and burglaries that happened shortly after 4:45 a.m. Thursday. The Oakland Police Department arrested the suspects in connection to an alleged crime spree that spanned six different Oakland locations. When officers arrived, they learned that multiple suspects used vehicles to force entry into several businesses, the Oakland Police Department said. Once inside, the suspects burglarized or robbed the establishments before leaving the area in their vehicles. The highlighted locations were hit during an Oakland crime spree during the early morning hours of April 24, Oakland police say. (KRON4) Aggressive, day-biting mosquitoes capable of spreading dengue invade San Jose Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators tracked down the vehicles used in the crimes, OPD said. The vehicles led OPD to arrest three men and one woman on the 3400 block of Wood Street in Oakland. At the scene of the arrests, officers recovered property believed to have been stolen from the crime spree, OPD said. The crime spree is said to have occurred at the following Oakland locations: 3500 block of Grand Avenue 3300 block of Park Boulevard 700 block of Market Street 4100 block of Redwood Road 600 block of High Street 2400 block of MacArthur Boulevard The investigation is ongoing. OPD is asking anyone with information about the crimes to contact investigators. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Apr. 25The formal dedication of the Arthur J. Rambo Memorial Bridge will be held on Memorial Day weekend in Libby. The dedication ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at Riverfront Park. According to Rambo's sister, Patty, who still lives in Libby, the memorial plaque will be installed in view of the bridge. The public, near and far, is invited to join in for the dedication ceremony. The Rambo family extends a special invitation to the students who have been awarded the Arthur J. Rambo Memorial Scholarship over the past 56 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, on Jan. 16, the first bill of the 69th session of the Montana Legislature, Senate Bill 59, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte in the State Capitol Building in Helena. Senate Bill 59 was introduced by Sen. Mike Cuffe, the representative of Lincoln County. Senate Bill 59 declared, and was made into law, that the bridge spanning the Kootenai River on Highway 37 in Libby be named and dedicated to honor Staff Sgt. Arthur J Rambo, a Libby native who was killed in Vietnam on Thanksgiving Day 1969. Rambo was returned home and buried the day before his 25th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the Vietnamese Presidential Citation for his actions in the mortar attack that his unit came under that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides his immediate family, extended family and many friends, he left behind his wife Helen Ryan Rambo and his two daughters Kerry and Amy, both under the age of two when their father was killed in action. For more information, please contact Patty Rambo at (406) 293-4306. [Source] Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, of the Philippines, has emerged as among the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis following the pontiffs death on Monday. If elected, Tagle would become the first Asian pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Continuing Pope Franciss legacy Tagle, often referred to as the Asian Francis for his humility and progressive stance on key social issues, is currently one of the two frontrunners alongside Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. The secret conclave of 135 eligible cardinals is set to convene in May to elect the next pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Known for his inclusive views, he has advocated for a more compassionate approach toward LGBT individuals and divorced Catholics. His rising prominence was marked by his tribute to Pope Francis, quoting a line from a 2015 speech: All I can do is keep silent, and I walk with you all in my silent heart. Trending on NextShark: Myanmars capital is having to be redrawn after devastating earthquake Tagles journey Born in Manila in 1957, Tagle was ordained a priest at age 24. He earned his doctorate in sacred theology in Washington, D.C. and returned to the Philippines to teach and lead seminary formation. He became Bishop of Imus in 2001 and Archbishop of Manila in 2011. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI elevated him to cardinal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tagle was a key figure in the Churchs synods on family life and evangelization and was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 2019. Throughout his ministry, he has been recognized for his pastoral warmth, academic rigor and tireless service to marginalized communities. He is also known for rejecting clerical privilege often riding jeepneys in Manila, living simply and engaging directly with laypeople. Trending on NextShark: Arcadia swears in its 1st woman Asian American mayor Major leadership shift Tagle currently serves as the Pro-Prefect for the Section of First Evangelization and New Particular Churches under the Dicastery for Evangelization. A respected theologian and former Archbishop of Manila, Tagle has held key roles within the Vatican, including President of Caritas Internationalis and Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urban University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His potential election would mark a historic shift in the Churchs leadership toward the global south. Asia, home to over 141 million Catholics, has never had a pope, despite being the site of some of the Churchs fastest-growing communities. Trending on NextShark: An Asian pope? Filipino cardinal emerges as frontrunner for papacy Five or six years ago, he was Pope Franciss favorite to succeed him hes quite a strong contender, Edward Pentin, author of The Next Pope: The Leading Cardinal Candidates told The Telegraph. Looking ahead to the conclave The conclave is scheduled for May, with 135 cardinals expected to vote. Vatican rules require a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope. While no single candidate dominates, observers note that with over two-thirds of voting cardinals appointed by Francis, the next pope is likely to uphold his vision of a Church that emphasizes mercy, outreach and social justice. Trending on NextShark: My Dad, the Rockstar to premiere at Tribeca Festival a poignant tribute to Asian dads everywhere Overall, I think the fact that by my count over 100 of the eligible papal electors were appointed by Francis could have a profound effect on the outcome, Cristina Traina, a professor at Fordham University, told Newsweek. That is, we may not get a pendulum swing away from Francis' priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Beijing amplifies patriotic messaging in propaganda war with US over tariffs Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! In the Garcia case and the deportations of [alleged] Venezuelan gang members: How can there be a constitutional violation? They are not citizens, so they should not be protected by the Constitution. Chet Monroe Hi Chet, Constitutional protections arent limited to citizens or even to people who are here legally. That doesnt mean noncitizens have the same rights as citizens in all circumstances. For example, this Brennan Center analysis noted that its against the law for noncitizens to vote in federal and state elections. But to highlight a recent high-profile example, noncitizens have due process rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To help understand how, lets start with the text of the Constitution. The Fifth and 14th Amendments grant due process rights not only to the narrower category of citizens but to the broader category of person[s]. Indeed, the courts wouldnt be going through all this litigation if noncitizens had no rights. The Supreme Courts recent orders on the Alien Enemies Act and Kilmar Abrego Garcias case take due process as a given. To be clear, its not only the Democratic-appointed justices who have stressed these rights, although they have voted to enforce them more strictly than have their Republican-appointed colleagues. As Trump appointee Brett Kavanaugh put it earlier this month: all nine Members of the Court agree that judicial review is available. Likewise, Reagan-appointed appellate Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III wrote last week: The government asserts that Abrego Garcia is a terrorist and a member of MS-13. Perhaps, but perhaps not. Regardless, he is still entitled to due process. Of course, theres having a right on paper and then theres the reality of what happens in practice; rights arent worth much without a remedy for their violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that said, the extent to which the Supreme Court majority will enforce the law in these cases remains to be seen. But, again, as a general matter, just because someone isnt a citizen doesnt mean they lack rights, even if their rights dont always line up with citizens rights in every way. Have any questions or comments for me? Please submit them on this form for a chance to be featured in the Deadline: Legal Blog and newsletter. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com BOSTON (WWLP) Second Amendment and gun rights advocates took Massachusetts to court over an assault weapons ban, and a federal appeals court ruled that the states laws are constitutional. Last July, Governor Healey signed an enormous, sweeping gun reform law that ranges from the assault weapon ban to limiting buildings in which people can carry to cracking down on illegal ghost guns. The NRA and other pro-second amendment groups have been fighting this law ever since, claiming it unconstitutionally denies Massachusetts citizens the right to bear arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most high-profile lawsuits, dealing with the assault weapons ban on AR-15s and other semi-automatic guns, has worked its way up to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week, which ruled the law acceptable and consistent with the nations history of firearms regulation. Following this decision, spokespeople for the NRA said the court is making a mistake, and that their ruling is inconsistent with recent state and federal precedent. The Bay States Attorney General disagrees, pointing to other precedents and calling the ruling a win. Massachusetts has some of the strongest common-sense gun laws in the country, and we know they are effective in ensuring our communities, especially our children, remain safe, said Attorney General Andrea Campbell. The Attorney General called the Appeal Courts decision a tremendous victory, and since the laws passage, the governor has insisted that it will stand up to any legal challenge. 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. A professor at Arizona State University's School of Social Work was arrested after police said he tried to meet up with an undercover detective who posed as a 15-year-old boy, shared explicit material with them and propositioned them for various sexual acts. Court documents said the detective identified themselves as a 15-year-old boy and used age-regressed photos of themselves when they began to chat with a suspect who was identified as Shiyou Wu. Court documents listed a different name from Wu's, but a Maricopa County Superior Court spokesperson confirmed Wu was the correct name. Court documents said Wu told the detective that he had borrowed a large SUV from his roommate and stopped at a store to purchase alcohol for the boy prior to meeting up at an apartment in Chandler where he was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents said Wu requested an attorney before police asked him any questions. Wu faced one count of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and was held in jail on a $100,000 bond. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said Wu was released with electronic monitoring on April 20 after he posted bond. ASU's website listed Wu as being an associate professor and the associate director for doctoral education at the university's School of Social Work and also served as the assistant director for "China Initiatives of the ASU Global Center for Applied Health Research." "Shiyou Wu has been placed on administrative leave and is prohibited from accessing campus or engaging in any Arizona State University activities while the university undertakes action in accordance with Arizona Board of Regents and ASU policy," a university spokesperson said. "As this matter involves an active personnel matter, we are unable to offer additional comment at this time." Wu's next scheduled court hearing was April 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public's help sought: Tempe police seek leads on child sexual abuse images being posted along the Western Canal Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at perry.vandell@gannett.com or 602-444-2474. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PerryVandell. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU professor on administrative leave after sex crime accusations UPDATE: The Athens Police Department said that Josef Eughen Teel has been located safely in Huntsville. ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) The Athens Police Department is searching for a missing 26-year-old man. Athens Police said that Josef Eughen Teel was reported missing on Thursday night around 7 p.m. Teel was last seen in red and black pajama pants and a white shirt. According to Police, Teel walked away from a group home on U.S. 72. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said that he is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. If you see him or have information, please call Athens Police Dept. at 256-233-8700. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. The Atlanta Police Departments Larceny Unit is investigating the theft of thousands of dollars of items from a Lululemon shop. According to APD, two men entered the store location on Ponce De Leon Avenue on Monday night. Police say they are accused of stealing about $10,000 in merchandise, then leaving. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said they are believed to have left the shop and drove away in a black Volkswagen SUV with a South Carolina license plate. Now, police are asking the public to help track the suspects down and released surveillance photos of the two men in the store. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-8477. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. A conference on the topic "Constitution and Sovereigntythe Development of Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan," dedicated to "Entrepreneurs' Day" and the "Year of Constitution and Sovereignty," is being held at the "Gulustan" Palace, Trend reports. The conference is attended by Head of the Legislative and Legal Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Gunduz Karimov, First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev, MP, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Azer Amiraslanov, Chairman of the State Customs Committee Shahin Baghirov, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan Sahib Mammadov, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations Mammad Musayev, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency Yusif Abdullayev, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium-Sized Business Development Agency Orkhan Mammadov, Director of the Group Legal and Compliance Department of PASHA Holding LLC, Ph.D. in Law Aytac Gasimova, and media representatives. Will be updated An Atlanta woman who was convicted of defrauding the Federal Management Agency on a contract to help with Hurricane Maria relief has learned her fate. Tiffany Brown, 43, was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay more than $1.7 million in restitution. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Brown received a $156 million contract to provide 30 million self-heating meals for Puerto Ricans in the wake of the devastating hurricane in 2017. Federal investigators claimed that she provided only 50,000 meals and none of them were self-heating as promised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal grand jury indicted Brown in September on 11 counts of major disaster fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government money, and three counts of money laundering. Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico as a category 4 storm in 2017. After FEMA declared it a major disaster, the government agency started to look for vendors to provide over 40 million self-heating meals per week to the island. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA said that Brown submitted a proposal that her company, Tribute Contracting LLC, could assist and provide 10 million meals per day with 210 trucks. Browns proposal also said the trucks were equipped with the staff and tools needed to make the deliveries, according to investigators. Brown spoke to several national media outlets about the contracts termination as she said that she was a scapegoat for FEMAs process with small business contracts. I resent the fact that this is turning into an attack, its an attack on FEMA using me as a vessel. Please dont use me as a vessel. if you want to attack FEMA or address FEMAs concerns please attack it from a more intelligent perspective instead of it being about me, Brown told ABC News in 2018. Read the full ABC News report here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Puppies for sale via an illegal breeder frolic among participants in a Puppies & Yoga Las Vegas class on Easter weekend. (Photo courtesy of a participant who asked not to be identified) An unlicensed dog breeder from California who was caught on an audio recording has been fined $15,400 for offering puppies for sale Easter weekend at a Las Vegas class offering Puppies & Yoga. Its illegal to sell dogs without a breeders license in Clark County, which is enduring a critical animal overpopulation crisis. A bill before state lawmakers would prohibit retail pet sales statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont need a license, the breeder, Denise Gottlieb, told the Current when reached by phone. I do this all over the country. An activity report obtained by the Current from Clark County Animal Control says Gottlieb of Pinon Springs, CA, had 11 puppies and three adult dogs at a Puppies & Yoga class Easter weekend at Kalma Events in Commercial Center. Fines for illegal selling of puppies range from a minimum of $500 per count or the sale price or offered sale price of the animal, Clark County spokesperson Yazmin Beltran said via email. Fines have ranged from $500-$5,000 per count. In 2024, the county issued citations for 94 counts of illegal sales of puppies, with fines totaling $201,250. So far in 2025, the county has issued fines totaling $46,700 for 36 counts of illegal sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gottlieb, when confronted by Animal Control officers who were tipped off to the event on April 19 by Nevada Voters for Animals, denied she was selling the puppies and refused to provide her identification to officers, who she alleged cited her because she called them the f-cken dog catcher, according to the countys activity report. Gottlieb became very confrontational, the report says, when officers told her they received statements and audio as evidence of the attempted sales. Gottlieb can be heard on the recording offering one puppy for $750 and another for $1,295. I could have walked out of there with a puppy, with no adoption record, nothing, says one of two animal rescuers who attended the class and recorded Gottlieb. The Current agreed not to identify the sources out of concern for retaliation. The countys report says a man identified as Edgar, the owner of the business, told Animal Control officers via phone that he has the breeders (sic) sign a contract stating that the sale of animals is not permitted on the property or during class, however, officers did not ask to see the contract, according to a County spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gottlieb said she was unaware of such a contractual provision. The Current was unable to find a local business license for Puppies & Yoga, which operates in 14 states, according to its website. Puppies and Yoga did not respond to numerous requests for comment. Wellness trend or commoditization? I feel like they are using puppies for money, said one of the two animal advocates who tipped off authorities to the attempted sales. Puppies and Yoga Las Vegas charges $69 per person and advertises as many as five classes a day on the weekend, each for about 20 people. Our puppies come from breeders who recognize the importance of early socialization and want their puppies to be well-socialized before moving to their new homes, says Puppies & Yogas website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoga classes featuring small animals such as puppies, kittens, goats, and rabbits are a popular trend. Animal advocates are increasingly concerned, noting potential emotional and physical trauma can befall small animals, and citing health concerns, such as intestinal parasites that are common in puppies and can be transmitted to other dogs and to humans. Italys Ministry of Health has banned puppy yoga classes, the BBC reports, saying it was aware that organizers borrow puppies from breeders. Gottlieb can be heard on the recording saying she brings the puppies to town every weekend. Its unknown whether the puppies were used in subsequent yoga classes on Saturday. The company did not respond to requests for comment on whether it has considered using its events to assist shelters and rescues with adoptions. Weve done puppy yoga as a fundraiser twice, said one of the Currents sources, who operates an animal rescue. But all of the money goes back to the rescue. Apr. 25ROCHESTER Attorneys in a former Rochester City Council member's discrimination suit against the city report they will be ready for a potential jury trial by June 1, 2026. A report filed with the federal court on Thursday outlines the attorneys' expectations ahead of a planned May 1, 2025, pretrial conference related to Molly Dennis' claims that the city denied her access to public services based on her attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder disability. The report states the attorneys met on April 15, a day after Paul Ostrow of Minneapolis-based Ostrow Law, filed notice that he was representing Dennis. Dennis filed the lawsuit in early 2023 , originally representing herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is being represented by Minneapolis-based Greene Espel law firm, which is being funded through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. The city denies allegations made by Dennis in the wake of her 2023 censure, stating actions taken were not acts of retaliation but were a response to complaints about Dennis' actions against elected officials and staff. The new report outlines expectations for the year leading up to what the attorneys estimate would be a four-day jury trial. It also outlines views regarding the potential number of witnesses and the sharing of information. It also points to potential conflicts related to some information that could be raised during a trial, including how to deal with a city-issued laptop that Dennis has yet to return. The report states Dennis has offered to purchase the device, but the city did not agree to the option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The plaintiff's legal counsel will further discuss resolution of this issue with defense counsel," the report states. The two sides also reportedly disagree on the handling of some information shared by others with City Attorney Michael Spindler-Krage. While the city considers some of the material protected under attorney-client privilege, the report indicates Dennis' attorney questions the status in some cases. The parties were required to discuss potential settlement options ahead of Thursday's hearing, but the report states more time is needed to allow Ostrow time to review the case documents filed so far. "Because plaintiff's counsel was only recently retained and needs to fully review the matter and consult with his client following that review, the plaintiff is not yet able to make a detailed settlement proposal and the parties are not yet able to conduct a meaningful discussion about possible settlement," it states. "Both parties nonetheless believe that a pretrial conference would be useful at the discretion of the court." U.S. Federal Court Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko confirmed plans to hold the scheduled hearing on Thursday. SYDNEY (Reuters) -Thousands gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Friday for Anzac Day, a public holiday commemorating military service members who fought and died during wartime. Anzac Day originally marked the nations' role in an ultimately unsuccessful campaign to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during World War One, which resulted in 130,000 deaths on both sides of the conflict. In a key episode on April 25, 1915, thousands of troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) took part in an ill-fated amphibious invasion by British Empire forces on the area's narrow beaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Anzac Day honours all Australian and New Zealand troops who have served in conflict. "It is now a century and a decade since the first Anzacs climbed into their boats and rowed into history," centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who paused election campaigning for the day, said in a statement. "The years come and go, and still we come together to honour them and all who have followed." One of the largest services marking the day, a public holiday in both nations, was held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra where more than 26,000 attended. Services in state capitals Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart also drew crowds. The Melbourne event was marred by booing from some in the crowd during an Indigenous Welcome To Country ceremony, behaviour that Albanese labelled as an act of "cowardice on a day when we honour courage and sacrifice". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A prominent neo-Nazi was escorted from the event by police, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. Overseas, memorials were held at Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, which has long drawn visitors from Australia and New Zealand, as well as at sites of wartime significance in France, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia. Peter Dutton, leader of the conservative National-Liberal coalition, Albanese's main opponent in Australia's May 3 general election, said Friday's services "pay tribute to the more than 103,000 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation". "There was valour in every act of service," Dutton said on social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Zealand, which contributed about one in six troops to the Gallipoli campaign, memorials also took place, including a large service at the country's war memorial in the capital, Wellington. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, at Gallipoli for Anzac Day, said he had visited battlefields and cemeteries in the area where around 2,800 New Zealanders died during the failed campaign. "Nothing in my life has been quite as humbling and moving as walking in the footsteps of the ANZACs," Luxon said on X. (Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Shri Navaratnam, Philippa Fletcher) MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Hundreds of thousands of people gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Friday for dawn services and street marches to commemorate their war dead on Anzac Day. At least two Australian services were disrupted by protests. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton took a day off campaigning ahead of general elections on May 3 as a mark of respect. April 25 is the date in 1915 when the newly formed Australia and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the beaches of Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey, in an ill-fated campaign that was the soldiers first combat of World War I. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Zealand prime minister commemorates Anzac Day in Turkey New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon traveled to Gallipoli to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the landing day. He told a dawn service at Anzac Cove that New Zealands contribution of 16,000 soldiers to the Gallipoli campaign was disproportionately large from a national population that was then only 1 million people. What happened here scarred generations of New Zealanders. While we remain proud of those who serve, we do not glorify what happened here. We know too much to do that," Luxon said. Instead, we acknowledge the courage and tenacity of the Anzacs and we respect the valor of the Ottoman Turks who resisted them, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The service was also attended King Charles III 's sister Princess Anne, who represented the British royal family, and the king's representative in Australia, Governor-General Sam Mostyn. Charles, who is the head of state of New Zealand, sent a message thanking that country's World War II veterans for their service as the 80th anniversary of the end of that conflict nears. The New Zealand goverment was aware of 81 surviving veterans in that country, the news website Stuff said. Albanese attended a dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in the national capital Canberra. Each year, we renew our vow to keep the flame of memory burning so brightly that its glow touches the next generation and the generation after that, Albanese told a gathering of 25,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dutton laid a wreath at a dawn service in his hometown Brisbane. Hecklers disrupt dawn services in Melbourne and Perth A small group of hecklers disrupted a dawn service attended by 50,000 people at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne with boos and jeers. The booing began when a local Indigenous man Mark Brown started the service with a so-called Welcome to Country a ceremony in which Indigenous Australians welcome visitors to their traditional land. The interruptions continued at any mention of Indigenous soldiers. Hecklers yelled this is our country and we dont have to be welcomed, echoing a slogan of the minor party Trumpet of Patriots. The party's extensive advertising is funded by mining magnate Clive Palmer and is inspired by U.S. President Donald Trumps policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hecklers were drowned out by the applause of others who urged Brown to continue. Veteran Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the booing was led by someone whos a known neo-Nazi. Were commemorating some of those soldiers who fell in a war that was fought against that sort of hateful ideology and so it was completely disrespectful and it's not something that is welcome at Anzac Day commemorations ever, Keogh said. Police said a 26-year-old man had been directed to leave the service. The man had been interviewed over an allegation of offensive behavior and would be issued a summons to appear in court, a police statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A heckler also disrupted the Welcome to Country at the main dawn service in the Western Australia state capital Perth. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook condemned the interruption as totally disrespectful and disgusting. This is a solemn occasion. It's one where we should come together as a community and for someone to use it to make a political point and in that disrespectful way is really quite unacceptable, Cook said. The Austrian Parliament has passed a resolution calling for stronger efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia, and for those responsible to face justice under international law. Source: Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda Details: The resolution urges the Austrian government to continue advocating at all levels for the protection and support of Ukrainian children in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the federal minister for European and international affairs is instructed to continue advocating for the return of deported children and to actively support the prosecution of such crimes in line with international criminal law. The resolution was jointly submitted by four out of the five parties in the National Council the Austrian People's Party, the Social Democratic Party of Austria, the Greens and NEOS. Although the far-right and pro-Russian Freedom Party of Austria was not among the co-authors of the resolution, it ultimately also voted in favour of it. Background: In March 2023, the Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin. Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights, was also targeted with a warrant and is accused of war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. At the end of March, Scottish MP Joanna Baxter formally proposed that 17 July be designated as a day of remembrance for Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (FOX40.COM) The Nevada County Sheriffs Office said it is investigating a homicide after discovering a body buried at a home in Grass Valley earlier this month. According to the sheriffs office, deputies conducted a welfare check around 11 p.m. on April 15 at a residence on Boundary Way after a person said they were unable to reach their family member for several days. Upon deputies arrival at the scene, they observed suspicious circumstances leading to the discovery of a body that had been buried on the property, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The body was identified as Patrick McCaffree, 63, of Grass Valley. The sheriffs office said it is working with the California Department of Justice and the Nevada County District Attorneys Office on the case and that there is no known risk 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 FOX40 News. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) The Laurel County Sheriffs Office asked for help on Thursday in finding the family of a woman found in poor medical condition along KY 1223 in southern Laurel County. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The office said that 66-year-old Darlene Wagers was taken to the London St. Joseph hospital for evaluation and is asking anyone who might have information on her or knows any of her family to contact the Laurel County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact the office by calling (606) 864-660, messaging the Laurel County Sheriffs Office Facebook page, or emailing g.acciardo@laurelcountysheriff.gov. The sheriffs office said information about anyone who knows Wagers will be confidential. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Hungary's 4iG Space and Defense Technologies company is ready to work with new partners in the space sector, Strategy Manager at 4iG Space and Defense Technologies Sebastian Misurak said during the Space Technology Conference (STC2025) today, Trend reports. According to him, the company has a very ambitious program related to space research. "Private companies in the Eastern and Central European region can play a significant role in the space sector. However, we cannot carry out all our activities without partners. Thats why we must approach current issues in the space field with a very pragmatic mindset. We are already collaborating with certain companies and plan to work with new partners as well," he explained. Misurak underscored the potential to navigate obstacles within the aerospace domain via synergistic collaboration. "We are ready to share our knowledge in the space field with our partners and to build mutually beneficial cooperation. Over the past year, we have enhanced our expertise by benefiting from the experiences of various countries, particularly through collaboration with Polish companies. We are also ready to offer training for our new partners in this field," the company representative noted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Wildlife advocates in California are one step closer to completing the world's largest wildlife crossing bridge. Conservationists and project partners recently laid the first layer of soil on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a massive bridge that provides a safe way for wildlife to traverse U.S. Route 101 in Agoura Hills, California. The 210-foot by 174-foot crossing, which will be off-limits to humans, will create nearly 1 acre of wildlife habitat once it is complete. It was designed as a habitat-connecting corridor for native wildlife like bobcats, gray foxes, coyotes, and deer. But the primary inspiration for the project was the mountain lion. California is home to about 3,200 to 4,500 mountain lions, one of the largest populations in the country. Mountain lions are a threatened species, with about 20,000 to 40,000 living in the U.S. today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research estimates mountain lions could become extinct in the Santa Monica Mountains within 50 years or less without intervention. CBS News reported that mountain lions are isolated because of California's massive freeways, which act as barriers across the region. Wildlife advocates hope the crossing will help protect wildlife and commuters by reducing the risk of vehicle collisions. Every year, collisions between vehicles and large animals lead to an estimated 1 million to 2 million accidents, resulting in around 26,000 human injuries and 200 fatalities, per The Pew Charitable Trusts. Animal crossings have proved to be an effective way to reduce wildlife-related collisions. In Arizona, the construction of more than 20 wildlife corridors has led to a 90% decrease in these incidents, according to National Geographic. Notably, the project will use more than 6,000 cubic yards of specially engineered soil enriched with local microorganisms to support native plant life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement " It wasn't just a bag of soil you bought from Home Depot. [It] had to be cured and meticulously prepared," Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation and leader of the Save LA Cougars campaign, told LAist. "This habitat on top is a result of a lot of design, engineering, and planning and it's happening." Approximately 5,000 native plants, grown from more than 1 million locally collected seeds, will soon be planted to create a thriving habitat. Plant-covered 12-foot-tall sound walls will minimize light and noise pollution from the 10 lanes of rushing traffic below, making the crossing more appealing for wildlife. Wildlife officials told LAist that 300,000 to 400,000 cars cross this section of the 101 freeway daily. According to Federal Highway Administration data, the 101 is one of the top 25 busiest highways in the U.S. "We have to almost trick [the animals] into thinking they're not on the freeway," Pratt told LAist. "And sound and light blockage is a big piece of that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond its functional purpose, the crossing is a powerful symbol of human efforts to heal environmental harm, supporting native animals with long-overdue respect and consideration. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This is the first natural layer," Pratt told CBS News of laying the soil. "For me, what I can envision with that is a mountain lion's paw print in the soil." The project, expected to be completed by late 2026, is estimated to cost $92 million upon completion. 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. BRYANT STATION, Texas (FOX 44) Authorities are saying a bridge set on fire in Milam County is suspicious in nature. According to Milam County Crime Stoppers a bridge in Bryant Station, south of Buckholts, was reported to be on fire around 11 p.m. Monday. The fire impacted the north end of the bridge. (Courtesy: Milam County Crime Stoppers) Law enforcement needs your help to identify those responsible for this crime. If you have any helpful information, you can call Milam County Crime Stoppers at 888-697-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. ADDIS, La. (Louisiana First) Authorities reported rescuing 40 people from an Addis apartment complex. It was a sudden evacuation forced by the rising floodwaters. Chief Jason Langlois with the Addis Police Department said, It was a heck of a morning. A lot of rain was dumped in a short period of time. It was well over seven inches in some areas. Langlois said it appears a rainstorm stalled out over one particular area, causing heavy rains in a short period of time, outpacing the drains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said in all the years he can think of, hes never seen this area flood quite this badly. We had some help with the assistance of the West Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office and the Brusly Police Department. We used high water rescue vehicles to help 40 residents from these apartments get to dry land, Langlois mentioned. He said residents in and around the DIberville Apartments on Chad Drive watched as the flood waters rose, and were able to grab a few items before they had to go. They did have six inches, roughly, of water that got into the lower floors of some of the apartments back here, said Langlois. It was a crazy morning. I hope the weather stays away and will give time for the water to recede. I feel bad for them. Weather is a crazy thing. You never know when flooding or anything will take place as far as weather goes. The chief said the water receded relatively quickly as the rains stopped, and the drains were able to catch up. The water may be coming down, but there are several locations where West Baton Rouge Parish officials are giving out sandbags. You will need to bring your own shovel. 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. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) The Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office is asking for help as they search for a a man accused of raping his cousin in 2021. Courtesy | Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office The Sheriffs Office says 38-year-old Selvin Lopez-Reyes allegedly took his cousin to a remote location, where he sexually assaulted and raped her. They say she was eventually able to escape by jumping out of his moving vehicle. Officials say Lopez-Reyes is 55 with black hair and brown eyes. They say hes known to stay at a home on Vegas Verdes Dr. in Santa Fe, but may have fled to Texas. Anyone with information on his location is asked to contact the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office at 505-428-3720 reference SFSO Case No 2021-004117. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) The White House is weighing exemptions that could spare automakers some of President Donald Trumps tariffs, according to multiple reports. The Financial Times reported Wednesday that Trump is planning to exempt auto parts from tariffs on imports from China that were applied to counter fentanyl production, as well as levies on steel and aluminum, citing two people familiar with the matter. The move would effectively de-stack the duties when it comes to auto parts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How does the automotive supply chain work? However, the exemptions would leave in place a 25% tariff that Trump imposed on all foreign car imports, the FT reported. A separate 25% tariff on parts, which is set to take effect on May 3, would also remain. Another option being studied would fully exempt auto parts that comply with the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact, known as the USMCA, according to Bloomberg. Those components dont currently face tariffs, but the administration had planned to tax the non-US share of those parts from Canada and Mexico, Bloomberg said. President Trump hasnt signed off on any of the reported plans and said he was not considering any changes to auto tariffs during a presser in the Oval Office on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Truckers fear for job security amid tariff confusion In fact, the president said auto tariffs on Canada could go up. We dont really want Canada to make cars for us, to put it bluntly, Trump told reporters. We want to make our own cars and were now equipped to do that. Any carve-out for auto parts would come as welcome relief to carmakers who have warned that the tariffs will lead to higher prices for consumers, even for cars made in the U.S. Thats because the auto supply chain is a complex, interconnected web of domestic and international suppliers a network that makes tracking each parts tariff impact a logistical nightmare. In some cases, a single car part can cross the border multiple times before it ends up in a finished vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An import tax on auto parts will also drive up repair and insurance bills, meaning everyone with a car, not just buyers, will notice. Auto groups are lobbying the Trump administration to reverse course ahead of May 3, when tariffs on auto parts are set to take effect. Trump claims his tariffs will revive U.S. manufacturing, but some automakers have cut jobs instead. Last week, Volvo Group North America announced plans to lay off hundreds of workers across Mack Truck and Volvo plants in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. Heavy-duty truck orders continue to be negatively affected by market uncertainty about freight rates and demand, possible regulatory changes, and the impact of tariffs, John Mies, a Volvo spokesperson, told NewsNation in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Stellantis the automaker behind Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram Trucks paused production at several North American plants, prompting temporary layoffs in Michigan and Indiana. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHANGHAI (AP) Booths of big Chinese, German and Japanese automakers were bustling at Shanghais auto show this week as the industry kept its focus on a wider global market not subject to steep U.S. tariffs on imports of cars and auto parts. Signs are that U.S. President Donald Trumps 25% tariffs on auto imports is causing companies to recalibrate their strategies, and in some cases find new opportunities. When governments up above are at odds, it's going to impact the businesses down below, said Ma Lihua, general manager at Soling, a Chinese maker of domain control units and other electronics used in such things as rearview camera displays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soling, headquartered in Shanghai, counts Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and many other top tier global and Chinese automakers among its customers. It's also setting up a manufacturing base in Vietnam, whose local electric vehicle maker VinFast has ambitions to become Southeast Asia's leading automaker. Many of the dozens of auto parts and components companies exhibiting at the Shanghai auto show have operations spanning both the Chinese and world markets. Metal components maker Gestamp, a supplier of chassis, battery boxes and other key auto parts, has suffered from a slowdown in the U.S. and western European markets but is expanding in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. The tariffs are now an added complication, as automakers watch to see what comes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, supply chains usually would run like Swiss clockwork, but now it's the opposite, Ernesto Barcelo, chief ESG officer for Gestamp, said of the uncertainty now dominating the market. "The lack of stability now, it's something very ... fluffy," Barcelo said. A fundamental criteria for investing in any market is political stability, Wei Jianjun, chairman of GWM, or Great Wall Motor Co., told reporters when asked about his company's plans to expand manufacturing overseas. That applies to countries like Hungary, where the company has not yet decided on whether to build a factory, he said, but also to the United States under Trump. If a country is not politically stable, it's very risky, said Wei, who also goes by the name Jack Wey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With U.S. tariffs so high, GWM can focus elsewhere, such as on trade between China and Europe, which is bound to grow, he said. He didn't address the tariffs of up 45.3% that the EU has imposed on electric vehicles made in China. Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, a joint venture of Stellantis and China's Leapmotor, said the U.S. market wasn't its first focus. Now, we want to monitor the regulatory environment, and also customer preferences are slightly different compared with other markets," Xin said. Japan's Nissan plans to launch 10 new EVs in China by 2027, nine of them its own brand, and to spend an extra $1.4 billion by the end of 2026 on its expansion there. In the U.S. it has the option to ramp up its spare capacity to make up for reduced imports due to the tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some doors have been shut, but others have been opened, Ma said. But any plan you make you will change it very quickly. The market changes very quickly. Apart from higher tariffs, automakers and suppliers also must contend with national security restrictions that are an increasingly important factor in auto electronics. Wuhan Kotei Informatics, which provides software for autonomous driving, adapted its business model to cope with sanctions. Now the company based in central China's Wuhan acts as a consultant and allows foreign customers to adapt software to local requirements, said Ye Xiongfei, general manager for the company's autonomous driving division. Its like I teach you how to walk if you dont know how to walk, and I will help you walk if you arent able to walk, Ye said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some restrictions on technology are understandable, but too many will hurt the innovation of the U.S. itself, hindering the speed of the development of their supply chains if it tries to only use local companies, he said. Some attending the show said they believe that ultimately Trump will end up softening his stance. Trump is a businessman and he hopes to boost the U.S. economy by imposing tariffs on other countries, but I do believe those measures are temporary, said Yang Jingdi, assistant to the CEO of LvXiang Automobile Parts Co., which makes electronics including rearview mirrors and pumps. We'll wait and see, he said. China has full and abundant supply chains and it is the U.S. that wont hold on if the tariff measures from both sides remain unchanged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AOD Technology, which makes domain control units that process various commands such as opening doors and controlling running boards on SUVs, was displaying a bare-bones version of Tesla's Cybertruck equipped with its devices evidence of its ambition to eventually sell to the EV maker. It might not be the best time to be planning on selling such components to a U.S. automaker for production in America, Claire Deng, a senior sales manager, conceded. But she said AOD, based in south China's Zhongshan, had bought the Cybertruck as part of a process that can take years, developing what's needed to become a supplier. Who knows what will happen, she said. We want to be ready. ___ Associated Press researcher Yu Bing contributed. Avelo Airlines is targeting a new passenger segment: migrants being sent to detention centers across the U.S. The budget carrier will also use its planes to fly migrants out of the country under the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies. Avelo has signed a contract with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to handle deportation flights for U.S. Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE), the company told CBS MoneyWatch. Avelo, which launched in 2021, said the move is necessary for the Houston-based airline to remain financially stable. "We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic," Avelo founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement to CBS News earlier this month after the company struck a deal with ICE. "After significant deliberations, we determined this charter flying will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service and keep our more than 1,100 crewmembers employed for years to come." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The domestic and international flights ferrying migrants will begin May 14 out of a new hub at Mesa Gateway Airport in Phoenix, where Avelo will station three Boeing 737-800 planes to handle the transports. Unlike the company's regular commercial flights, the aircraft used for the trips will not bear Avelo's logo, the company said. Avelo described the agreement with ICE as a "long-term charter program." The exact terms of the deal were not made public. The airline is now recruiting flight attendants to staff the flights, according to a job posting for what it calls a "charter program for the Department of Homeland Security." The job pays $28 an hour for the first year of service. "We are seeking energetic, highly motivated Flight Attendants who wish to join a committed group of safety and service professionals at Avelo Airlines," the listing reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Flights will be both domestic and international trips to support DHS's deportation efforts," the post adds, although it makes no references to migrants. Avelo offers flights across the U.S. and to international destinations including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. It operates out of eight hubs across the U.S., flying out of the following airports: Concord-Padgett Regional Airport in North Carolina; Hollywood Burbank Airport in California; Lakeland International Airport in Florida; Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina; Sonoma County Airport in California; Tweed-New Haven airport in Connecticut; Wilmington Airport in New Hampshire; and Wilmington International Airport in North Carolina. The company previously operated charter flights as Casino Express Airlines before rebranding as Avelo in 2021, according to S&P Capital IQ. Avelo declined to comment further on its contract with the government. DHS confirmed to CBS MoneyWatch that Avelo is contracting with ICE to assist with deportation flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security has long contracted with CSI Aviation, an aviation broker that provides private air charter services, medical flights for patients in emergencies and government flight services. Under its new contract with ICE, Avelo will operate as a sub-carrier of CSI. DHS also subcontracts with other air charter companies, which provide planes and operate the flights. One such charter outfit is GlobalX. It handles roughly 70% of DHS' flights, according to immigrant advocate Tom Cartwright of Witness at the Border, an activist group monitoring ICE operations. GlobalX did not reply to a request for comment on its work with DHS. Cartwright, who tracks ICE flights through publicly available sources, expressed surprise at Avelo agreeing to shuttle migrants destined for detention centers or deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have never seen a retail airline that sells to consumers being used in this way," he told CBS MoneyWatch. "Typically, charter companies that don't fly retail-type flights. They are not selling tickets directly to consumers." According to data on USAspending.gov, a U.S. government website that tracks federal spending, DHS' roughly 6-month contract this year with CSI Aviation is worth at least $78.1 million. Its value could rise to as much as $162.2 million. The purpose of the agreement, the site states, "is to provide daily scheduled large aircraft & special high risk charter flights to facilitate ICE's enforcement and removal of operations of illegal aliens." CSI Aviation did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment on its contract with the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruising for revenue Airline industry experts said charter outfits like CSI typically aren't familiar to the general public. "Nobody has usually ever heard of the airlines," Scott Keyes, founder of Going.com, a flight deals site, told CBS MoneyWatch. "They are charter airlines that don't have a set schedule on a website," he said. However, an upstart airline hunting for additional revenue streams outside of selling tickets to members of the flying public is not unusual. "It's very difficult to compete with the Deltas and Uniteds of the world, so they try any number of tactics," Keyes explained. "They fly to and from smaller cities, they offer bargain-basement prices. There are all different types of counter-positioning things they do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Avelo's move is more surprising because most commercial airlines don't have enough spare aircraft and crew for specialized operations like migrant flights, noted Seth Miller, founder and editor in chief of PaxEx Aero, an aviation consulting service. Miller said he opposes Avelo working with U.S. immigration authorities on ethical grounds. Avelo's contract with DHS is also drawing criticism from an immigrant advocacy group. A petition started by the New Haven Immigrants Coalition urging people to boycott Avelo until it severs ties with ICE has collected more than 34,650 signatures. "We reject the Trump Administration's inhumane deportation practices, reject cooperation from the State of Connecticut in support of Avelo as long as they are complicit in these practices and pledge to boycott Avelo as long as they are profiting from ICE flights," the petition states. Although federal contracts can provide steady business for airlines and charter carriers, Avelo's partnership with DHS poses a reputational risk, experts told CBS MoneyWatch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I still think it's morally questionable to run these charters for the federal government and think it poses a very real reputational risk for Avelo," Miller said, citing protests against the airline at some of Avelo's hubs. Will Humphries, a traveler at Sonoma County Airport, in Santa Rosa, California, where Avelo operates, is among those members of the flying public who plan to boycott Avelo because of its work with ICE. "There's not much I can do as an individual, so the limited choices I can make, like switching an airline, is definitely within my ability," he told CBS News Bay Area. 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" Imagine trying to buy a car seat and realizing it costs more, not because it got fancier, but because it got taxed. Thats the reality for American parents now, thanks to tariffs on essential baby goods. In a bold move to rally attention, Babylist CEO Natalie Gordon just dropped a full-page ad in The Washington Post, calling out what she terms a baby tax. And shes not alone. With support from fellow industry leaders like UPPAbaby, Ergobaby, Nanit, Frida, Owlet, Munchkin, and more, Gordon is spearheading a coalition demanding immediate tariff relief on baby essentials like cribs, strollers, and safety gear. Their message: Moms shouldnt have to choose between keeping their babies safe and staying afloat financially. We dont tariff our future. We love it, the ad reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Hungary gives full income tax exemptions to moms with two or more kidswhat if the U.S. did the same? The timing couldnt be more urgent. American mothers are already stretched past their limitstrying to manage soaring childcare costs, unpaid maternity leaves, and a system that wasnt built with modern motherhood in mind. As Motherlys Elizabeth Tenety wrote, American mothers are still living in the 1950s when it comes to societal support. Tariffs on baby goods are just one more way new parents are squeezed. And lets be clear: This isnt about fancy designer gear. Its about the basics that every mom needs. A safe car seat, required by law to bring your baby home from the hospital. A safe crib, because every baby deserves a secure place to sleep. When tariffs drive up the price of essentials, moms are forced into heartbreaking trade-offs between safety and affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gordon and Babylist are calling on Congress and the White House to see tariffs on baby goods for what they are: an unfair penalty on motherhood itself. Becoming a parent is one of lifes greatest joys, one our country should champion, not tax, the ad states. If youve ever stood in a checkout line, calculating whether you can afford the gear your baby needsyou know this so-called baby tax isnt some abstract policy. Its a gut punch. Its personal. And once again, its moms who are left figuring out how to stretch their budgets just to protect their children. For moms already juggling sleepless nights, pediatrician appointments, and the cost of groceries, the idea of challenging something like trade policy might feel overwhelming. But real change often starts with small stepsand this movement could start with moms, strollers, and a signature. What now? Babylist is urging moms everywhere to take action by signing their petition to end tariffs on essential baby gear. You can learn more and add your name at babylist.com. Because babies deserve lovenot tariffs. And parents deserve reliefnot another bill. Related: What parents need to know about the Child Tax Credit this year Raymond Ward wants to see solar panels draped over every balcony in the United States and doesnt understand why that isnt happening. The technology couldnt be easier to use simply hang one or two panels over a railing and plug them into an outlet. The devices provide up to 800 watts, enough to charge a laptop or power a small fridge. Theyre popular in Germany, where everyone from renters to climate activists to gadget enthusiasts hail them as a cheap and easy way to generate electricity. Germans had registered more than 780,000 of the devices with the countrys utility regulator as of December. Theyve installed millions more without telling the government. Here in the U.S., though, there is no market for balcony solar. Ward, a Republican state representative in Utah who learned about the tech last year, wants that to change. The way he sees it, this is an obvious solution to surging power demand. You look over there and say, Well, thats working, he told Grist. So what is it that stops us from having it here? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His colleagues agree. Last month, the Legislature unanimously passed a bill he sponsored to boost the tech, and Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed it. H.B. 340 exempts portable solar devices from state regulations that require owners of rooftop solar arrays and other power-generating systems to sign an interconnection agreement with their local utility. These deals, and other soft costs like permits, can nearly double the price of going solar. Utahs law marks the nations first significant step to remove barriers to balcony solar but bigger obstacles remain. Regulations and standards governing electrical devices havent kept pace with development of the technology, and it lacks essential approvals required for adoption including compliance with the National Electrical Code and a product safety standard from Underwriters Laboratories. Nothing about the bill Ward wrote changes that: Utahans still cant install balcony solar because none of the systems have been nationally certified. These challenges will take time and effort to overcome, but theyre not insurmountable, advocates of the technology said. Even now, a team of entrepreneurs and research scientists, backed by federal funding, are creating these standards. Their work mirrors what happened in Germany nearly a decade ago, when clean energy advocates and companies began lobbying the countrys electrical certification body to amend safety regulations to legalize balcony solar. In 2017, Verband der Elektrotechnik, or VDE, a German certification body that issues product and safety standards for electrical products, released the first guideline that allowed for balcony solar systems. While such systems existed before VDE took this step, the benchmark it established allowed manufacturers to sell them widely, creating a booming industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relentless individuals were key to making that happen, said Christian Ofenheusle, the founder of EmpowerSource, a Berlin-based company that promotes balcony solar. Members of a German solar industry association spent years advocating for the technology and worked with VDE to carve a path toward standardizing balcony solar systems. The initial standard was followed by revised versions in 2018 and 2019 that further outlined technical requirements. The regulatory structure has continued to evolve. Ofenheusle has worked with other advocates to amend grid safety standards, create simple online registration for plug-in devices, and enshrine renters right to balcony solar. Politicians supported such efforts because they see the tech easing the nations reliance on Russian natural gas. Cities like Berlin and Munich have provided millions of euros in subsidies to help households buy these systems, and the country is creating a safety standard for batteries that can store the energy for later use. Meanwhile, the United States has yet to take the first step of creating a safety standard for the technology. U.S. electrical guidelines dont account for the possibility of plugging a power-generating device into a household outlet. The nation also operates on a different system that precludes simply copying and pasting Germanys rules. The U.S. grid, for example, operates at 120 volts, while that countrys grid operates at 230 volts. Without proper standards, a balcony solar system could pose several hazards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One concern is a phenomenon called breaker masking. Within a home, a single circuit can provide power to several outlets. Each circuit is equipped with a circuit breaker, a safety device within the electrical panel that shuts off power if that circuit is overloaded, which happens when too many appliances try to draw too much electricity at the same time. That prevents overheating or a fire. When a balcony solar device sends power into a circuit while other appliances are drawing power from the circuit, the breaker cant detect that added power supply. If the circuit becomes overloaded imagine turning on your TV while a space heater is running and youre charging your laptop, all in the same room the circuit breaker might fail to activate. This was a concern in Germany, so it developed standards that limit balcony solar units to just 800 watts, about half the amount used by a hairdryer. That threshold is considered low enough that even in the countrys oldest homes, the wiring can withstand the heating that occurs in even the worst of worst-case scenarios, said Sebastian Muller, chair of the German Balcony Solar Association, a consumer education and advocacy group. As a result, Ofenheusle said there havent been any cases of breaker masking causing harm. In fact, with millions of the devices installed nationwide, Germany has yet to see any safety issues beyond a few cases where someone tampered with the devices to add a car battery or other unsuitable hardware, he said. Another issue in the U.S. is the lack of a compatible safety device called a ground fault circuit interrupter, or a GFCI. They are typically built into outlets installed near water sources, like a sink, washing machine, or bathtub. Theyre designed to minimize the risk of electric shock by cutting off power when, for example, a hairdryer falls into a sink. Yet there are no certified GFCI outlets in the U.S. designed for use with devices that consume power, like a blender, and those that generate it, like a balcony solar setup. Germanys equivalent of a GFCI, called a residual current device, can detect bidirectional power flows, said Andreas Schmitz, a mechanical engineer and YouTuber in Germany who makes videos about balcony solar. Some people have raised concerns about the shock risk of touching the metal prongs of a plug after unplugging a balcony solar device. German regulators accounted for that by requiring the microinverter which converts currents from the panel into electricity fed into the home shut down immediately in an outage or when it is suddenly unplugged. Most of them already have this feature, but any U.S. standard will likely need to formalize that requirement. The lack of an Underwriters Laboratories, or UL, standard is perhaps the biggest obstacle to the adoption of balcony solar. The company certifies the safety of thousands of household electrical products; according to Iowa State University, every light bulb, lamp, or outlet purchased in the U.S. usually has a UL symbol and says UL Listed. This assures customers that the product follows nationally recognized guidelines and can be used without the risk of a fire or shock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some companies have sold plug-in solar devices in the U.S. without a UL listing, the companys seal of approval typically is a prerequisite for selling products on the wider market. Consumers might be wary of using something that lacks its approval. Utahs new balcony solar policy, for example, specifies that the law applies only to UL-listed products. Read Next Solar panels are seen hanging from the small balcony of a brick apartment building in Germany. How Germany outfitted half a million balconies with solar panels Akielly Hu Achim Ginsberg-Klemmt, vice president of engineering at the plug-in solar startup GismoPower, has been working on creating such a standard for more than a year and a half. In 2023, the Department of Energy awarded his company a grant to work with UL to develop a standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GismoPower sells a mobile carport with a roof of solar panels and an integrated electric vehicle charger. Unlike rooftop solar, the system doesnt need to be mounted in place but can be rolled onto a driveway and plugged in, generating electricity for the car, house, and the grid. Were basically taking rooftop solar to the next level by making it portable and accessible for renters, Ginsberg-Klemmt said. The product is in use at pilot sites nationwide, though a lack of standardized rules for plug-in solar has forced the company to negotiate interconnection agreements with local utilities a time-consuming and sometimes costly process. GismoPowers product avoids one of the biggest technical challenges with balcony solar by plugging into a dedicated 240-volt outlet, the kind typically used for dryers. Such an outlet serves a single appliance and uses a dedicated circuit, sidestepping the risk of overloading. But it runs headlong into the same obstacle of lacking a compatible UL standard. Ginsberg-Klemmt is working with researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, other entrepreneurs, and engineers at Underwriters Laboratories to develop such a standard, but it hasnt been easy. We have found so many roadblocks, he told Grist. One major sticking point is that any standard must comply with the National Electrical Code, a set of guidelines for electrical wiring in buildings that does not allow for the installation of plug-in energy systems like balcony solar. The rules are issued by the National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit trade association, and adopted on a state-by-state basis. The code is updated every three years, with the next iteration due later this year for the 2026 edition. Ginsberg-Klemmt and his working group submitted recommendations for amending the code to allow plug-in solar and every one of them was rejected in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeff Sargent, the National Fire Protection Associations staff liaison to the National Electrical Code committee, told Grist that this is the first time the organization had received public comments about plug-in solar systems. For now, it cannot consider amendments to allow their use until a compatible ground fault circuit interrupter exists, he said. Once thats available, he said, the association can ensure that outdoor outlets can be safely used for balcony solar. Electrical standards are constantly evolving, and it often takes more than one cycle of code changes to allow for new products, said Sargent. Ginsberg-Klemmt said his group will continue to pursue other avenues to amend the codes. Until that happens, a UL standard for plug-in solar is unlikely to go anywhere. But interest in plug-in energy solutions isnt going away, and decision-makers will have to adjust to that reality eventually, Ward said. It happened in Germany, where people across the political spectrum have embraced the technology. Ward believes the same thing will happen here. The way he sees it, Its just a good thing if you set up a system so people have a way to take care of as much of their own problems as they can. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Balcony solar took off in Germany. Why not the US? on Apr 25, 2025. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A proposal requiring proof of citizenship to vote in Michigan could end up on the November 2026 ballot. The proposal would mandate that people registering to vote in Michigan must show a birth certificate, passport or other documents to verify their citizenship. When its time to cast their ballot, they would also have to show voter ID. Currently, Michigan doesnt require proof of citizenship for voter registration and voters dont need a photo ID to vote in person. If people change their name or move to a new address, they would need to reverify their citizenship. The State Board of Canvassers has advanced the proposal by the Committee to Protect Voters Rights, meaning the group can now start gathering signatures to try to put their question on the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How 5 key demographic groups voted in 2024: AP VoteCast State Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Rockford, has been trying to get his fellow lawmakers to place this on the ballot. Posthumus says its aimed to make sure only U.S. citizens vote. My view is it should be easy to vote and difficult to cheat, he said. A Michigan Department of State audit found that among 5.7 million ballots cast in November 2024, 16 likely non-U.S. citizens voted. Thats 0.0002%, Kyle Zawacki, the legislative director for American Civil Liberties Union Michigan, said. Thats a decimal point and four zeros after it. Theres people who broke the law and they will have their day in court, as they should. But we shouldnt be putting roadblocks up and speed bumps along the way for people to access the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Posthumus questioned the audits effectiveness in determining only 16 people voted illegally. An internal self-review of our state-held databases is insufficient to know for sure, he said. Other states that have done it have worked for Department of Homeland Security and utilized their databases. Former Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer, working for an opposition group called Promote the Vote Action, argues the rule would disenfranchise voters who dont have access to or cant afford the documents to prove citizenship. This has real-world harmful effects and will deprive many, many voters of the right to vote, he said. This proposal, like proposals like this is in other states, will disenfranchise millions of Michigan voters, married women who changed their names, rural voters and elderly voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your Local Election Headquarters In response, Posthumus said there would be a financial hardship program covering the cost of citizenship documents for those in need. You can still register to vote the same way you do right now, Posthumus said. You just have to provide proof of citizenship, thats it. Committee to Protect Voters Rights will need to collect about 440,000 signatures to qualify for the 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 WOODTV.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Exports of Russian petroleum products to Central Asia remain steadily high, General Partner of Energo Trade for Central Asia and the Caucasus Parviz Mammadov said during the Caspian and Central Asian Oil Trade and Logistics Forum held in Baku, Trend reports. He noted that the volume of Russian petroleum product exports to the region has remained stable at around six million tons per year since 2022. Mammadov highlighted that the largest increase in imports was recorded in Uzbekistanalmost double compared to 2021. Kazakhstan has also ramped up purchases, while Kyrgyzstan shows a stable import trend, largely due to its participation in the Eurasian Economic Union. The years 2023 and 2024 show a consistent trend: about six million tons of Russian petroleum products are supplied annually to Central Asian markets, he emphasized. Simultaneously, he asserts that Kazakhstan stands as the sole nation in the region exhibiting a substantial output of indigenous petroleum derivatives. Mammadov also emphasized the significant escalation in the production metrics of medical devices in Kazakhstan, achieving unprecedented benchmarks in 2024. He elucidated modifications in the fuel production paradigm. As is known, the Atyrau oil refinery underwent modernization to increase aviation kerosene output. As a result, the production of fuel oil and vacuum gas oil has decreased, since oil refining has become deeper and more efficient. We are seeing a steady increase in the production of light petroleum products, he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BALTIMORE A federal judge has ordered Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services to pay $60,000 to a gay former employee who said the agency revoked health insurance coverage for his husband, according to court documents. The former employee, referred to as John Doe in court documents, worked as an information technology professional at Catholic Relief Services, the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Church in the U.S. In the lawsuit, Doe alleges Catholic Relief Service withdrew health insurance benefits for his husband because he and his husband are men. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Julie Rubin found that Catholic Relief Services violated the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act, ruling the agencys claim of an exemption to the law for religious groups did not apply to Does positions at the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very happy with Judge Rubins ruling and am honored to be part of such a precedent-setting case that has helped clarify, for employers and employees alike, the legal protections Maryland law provides, especially for LGBTQ workers, Doe said in a statement provided by his attorneys. I truly hope that CRS will see this ruling as an opportunity to promote the human dignity of employees in same-sex marriages by providing them the same opportunities and benefits granted to their straight counterparts. A spokesperson for Catholic Relief Services said the agency is reviewing the ruling and did not have any comment at this time. Attorneys said that Does lawsuit against Catholic Relief Services is the first case to apply the Supreme Court of Marylands clarification on the religious exemption under MFEPA. The complaint was first filed in 2020 when Doe worked for Catholic Relief Services with the understanding that employee benefits covered all dependents, including same-sex spouses. Attorneys for Doe said that Catholic Relief Services did not follow through on that commitment and canceled his husbands insurance coverage because they are gay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake ruled in Does favor under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Federal Equal Pay Act, stating that religious organizations are not excused from anti-discrimination statutes, attorneys said. Upon clarification from the Supreme Court, Judge Rubin concluded that Doe did not directly further a Catholic Relief Services core religious mission in any of the positions he held at the agency. As a result, Catholic Relief Services could not rely on the religious exemption to allow it to discriminate against him. The court also concluded that because MFEPA is neutral and generally applicable, it does not violate Catholic Relief Services First Amendment free exercise rights, according to Does attorneys. MFEPAs prohibition on employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation does not apply to a religious entitys employment of an individual of a particular sexual orientation whose duties directly further a core mission, Rubin wrote in court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does attorney said the case should provide a precedent on how the Supreme Court of Maryland and trial courts analyze MFEPAs religious exemption on a case-by-case basis. The court thoughtfully weighed all of the circumstances and correctly concluded that while he was dedicated to assisting CRS provide humanitarian relief to vulnerable individuals around the world, his specific job duties did not permit CRS to compensate him lesser than his colleagues merely because of who he loves. We are delighted that our client has received the justice he deserves, Anthony May, an attorney with Brown, Goldstein & Levy who represents Doe, said in a statement. _____ BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Calling all job seekers, Barksdale Air Force Base is hosting a career summit with more than 25 employers, workshops, and much more. This in-person event will connect military community job seekers with American businesses that are hiring for opportunities in industries such as Defense Contracting, Project Management, Aviation/Aerospace, and Cyber/IT, details hosts Hiring Our Heroes (HOH). The HOH Career Summits is open to service members, military spouses, veterans, military caregivers, transitioning service members and veterans who are ready to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Battle of the Badges: Bossier Fire v. Police boxing fundraizer They say that applicants will have the opportunity to meet and network with regional and national employers at this professional development and hiring event. According to the website, the job seeker workshops are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop topics include understanding compensation and negotiation, SkillBridge and training opportunities, and preparing for interviews. Registration is encouraged. HOHs Hiring Fair from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., located at the Club Buff, 155 Rickenbacker Ave Barksdale AFB. For updates on the job summit, follow Barksdale M&FRC. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Baton Rouge drug bust led to the arrest of one man on Thursday. According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office, agents conducted a joint investigation with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into alleged drug dealer Alvin Betts, 53. Investigators made multiple cocaine purchases from Betts and were able to identify five locations they believe Betts used for his drug trafficking operation. Search warrants were granted for five locations: home on Beechwood Drive, home on Victory Drive, building on College Drive, home on 77th Avenue and apartment on N. Ardenwood Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following items were seized after searching all locations: 2.26 pounds of cocaine 3.7 grams of crack cocaine 1.1 pounds of marijuana 2 dosage units of amphetamine 48 dosage units of Hydrocodone $200,165 three handguns, one reported stolen Betts was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of two counts of distribution of Schedule II drugs, two counts of possession with the intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, illegal carrying of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, money laundering, and transactions involving drug proceeds. 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) A major drug and gun investigation in Baton Rouge led to the arrest of four people and the seizure of illegal drugs and 10 firearms, including several fully automatic weapons. The primary target of the investigation, Quintin Chambliss, was under surveillance throughout April 2025. Agents conducted extensive surveillance and identified Chambliss residence on South Sunderland Avenue as a hub for illicit activity. The sheriffs office said observations confirmed hand-to-hand drug transactions and individuals entering the apartment with firearms. On April 21, agents from EBRSO SWAT and the Gang Intelligence and Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at the residence. During the operation, investigators discovered a second related location on Yorkfield Drive, which was also searched under a subsequent warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BRPD searching for man accused in deadly home invasion Seized items include: 4.8 grams of fentanyl. 1.2 grams of cocaine. 0.7 grams of oxycodone. 10 firearms, including multiple full-auto handguns and AR-style pistols. Digital scales with fentanyl residue. Ammo, gun parts, plastic bags. Arrested and charged: Quintin Chambliss, 33 Possession of a Schedule II drug Fentanyl. Possession of a Schedule II drug Cocaine. Possession of a Schedule II drug Oxycodone. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Possession of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance. CDS in the presence of a juvenile. Handling of a machine gun. Possession of drug paraphernalia. Fugitive warrant (Livingston Parish): Possession of a Schedule II drug. Illegal possession of a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EBRSO said Chambliss admitted to owning the drugs and five of the guns, including a full-auto handgun. He is a convicted felon and legally banned from having firearms. Dwayne Williams, 26 Possession of a stolen firearm. Possession of a firearm by someone convicted of domestic abuse battery. Violation of a protective order. EBRSO bench warrant for domestic abuse battery, violation of a protective order and possession of marijuana. EBRSO said Williams admitted the gun near him was his. It turned out to be stolen. He also has prior convictions that make it illegal for him to have a gun. Bryson Lumbers, 21 Handling of a machine gun. Resisting arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EBRSO said Lumbers ran from police while carrying a full-auto gun. He admitted to adjusting the switch on the weapon earlier in the day. He has a prior conviction for illegal weapon possession. Daviyon Ventress, 17 Handling of a machine gun. EBRSO said Ventress told agents the full-auto gun that Lumbers ran with belonged to him, including the conversion switch that made it fully automatic. Agencies involved: EBRSO SWAT K-9 Division Crisis Negotiation Team Criminal Information Unit Crime Scene Division ATF Task Force Baton Rouge Office 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) A Baton Rouge man was sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection with the death of his son. Court records show Luciano Livious, 27, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter on Monday, April 21. He was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in September 2023. Livious was arrested in June 2023 after his six-month-old son died from Shaken Baby Syndrome. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of second-degree murder and cruelty to a juvenile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BRPD searching for man accused in deadly home invasion 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Two Baton Rouge Police officers were placed on administrative leave after a shooting at a motel on Gwenadele Avenue. Authorities said officers were responding to a disturbance call involving a male suspect at the Super 6 Inns and Suites on April 20. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the suspect, who was later identified as Kevin Vallian, 34. Coroner identifies man killed in officer-involved shooting near Baton Rouge motel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police and Vallian exchanged gunfire before a bullet struck him, and he later died at the hospital. No officers were injured in the shooting. BRPD identified the officers as David Jennings and Gene Meazell. Jennings served in the department for six years, and Meazell served for nearly three years. This is an ongoing investigation. 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County is once again offering residents a chance to clean house without opening their wallets during its biannual Waste Amnesty Days, set for Friday, April 25, and Saturday, April 26. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at the Steelfield Landfill, located at 11411 Landfill Road in West Bay, just off State Road 79. During this two-day event, Bay County residents can drop off a wide range of materials, including yard debris, household garbage, and even hazardous waste, free of charge. Proof of residency, such as a drivers license, utility bill, or voter registration card, is required to participate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is something we do as a service to the community, giving people an opportunity to do some spring cleaning at their properties and also dispose of household hazardous waste properly without concern about it damaging the local environment, said Solid Waste Division Manager Cory Parsons. Residents may bring the following items for disposal: Appliances (air conditioners, stoves, dryers, etc.) Construction and demolition debris (concrete, lumber, sheetrock) Household trash and furniture Hazardous waste (pesticides, paints, used oil, lead acid batteries, etc.) Lawn equipment and other small engine devices Tires (limit 25 per vehicle) Yard waste (grass, leaves, branches, etc.) Certain items, including appliances, hazardous waste, tires, and engine-containing devices, must be processed separately. Residents are asked to load these items in a way that allows for easy separation at the drop-off site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is limited to Bay County residents only. Commercial customers will still be subject to tipping fees, and any load arriving in a commercial vehicle or trailer will be considered commercial by default. Unaccepted materials include gas cylinders, explosive items, ammunition, and flares. However, residential-sized propane tanks will be accepted. For additional details, contact Bay County Solid Waste Management at (850) 236-2212. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. The BBC is to hold a listening session for transgender staff following the Supreme Courts ruling on the definition of a woman. An internal memo from senior figures at the cooperation invited transgender and non-binary staff members to a dedicated in-person listening session. It acknowledged that the last few days have been difficult for many of you after Britains highest court ruled that transgender women are not legally women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC is facing questions about why the same support was not offered to female employees who have felt isolated by the broadcasters position on sex and gender. The memo, seen by The Telegraph, was sent to members of the corporations LGBTQ+ network, BBC Pride, by Alice Macandrew, the corporate affairs director, and Simone Marquis, the chief talent and inclusion officer. The memo was not a corporate central message from the BBC. In a joint message, they said: Dear all, We recognise that the last few days have been difficult for many of you. Like many other organisations, the BBC is waiting to see the updated Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice in order to understand the Supreme Court ruling more fully and any legal implications to our policies and practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to be really clear that in no circumstances will we accept this ruling being used as a mechanic to create an environment of hostility towards our trans and non-binary colleagues. We are committed to ensuring that everyone at the BBC feels safe and accepted when they come to work and that we engender a culture of belonging. This means all of us of us working together. For that reason, were keen to create a space to hear from our trans and non-binary colleagues on what more we can do to create an environment where the community feels valued, safe and respected. We would like to invite trans and non-binary colleagues to a dedicated In-Person Listening session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be a great opportunity for us to meet you and for you to share how you are feeling, to help us understand what some of your challenges are and discuss your thoughts about what practical steps we could take to create an inclusive environment. For Women Scotland campaigners Susan Smith, left, and Marion Calder celebrate the Supreme Court ruling - Dan Kitwood/Getty The BBC has previously faced criticism for its stance on trans issues. Last year, the broadcaster upheld a complaint against Justin Webb, the Today presenter, after he called trans women males on air. The corporation also subjected Cath Walton, a former journalist, to a disciplinary process for saying there was no scientific support for the idea that males can be women in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at human rights charity Sex Matters, said: What about all the years when women at the BBC felt that they were threatened, sidelined, insulted and humiliated by the BBCs unstinting support for the identity claims of men who say they are women? Did the BBC worry about those womens mental health and feelings of distress? We know perfectly well they didnt, because we hear from those women all the time. Instead of being cosseted they were bullied in some cases bullied out of their jobs. This response is one that those of us who have watched the BBCs coverage of the supreme court judgment have become very familiar with. Rather than asking how it affects women, they skip straight past the female half of humanity and go straight to how a tiny minority of identity-confused men feel about it. Its as if women dont even exist for our national broadcaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Barker, chief executive of LGB Alliance, said: We agree: everyone should feel safe to come into work. However, the BBCs output since the Supreme Court judgment makes us question whether it feels some people are more deserving than others when it comes to safety and recognition. It has devoted huge swathes of coverage and now counselling to those who identify as trans, and nothing to LGB people who have fought for 10 years for their basic rights to single-sex spaces. The BBC 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. A judge sentenced Ryan Cato to 25 years to life in state prison Friday for brutally beating his girlfriends 10-year-old son to death, hitting the little boy so hard that his internal organs ruptured. Cato was found guilty last month of murder in the March 6, 2021, death of Ayden Wolfe, who was found naked with bruises across his body, broken ribs and lacerations to his spleen, liver and kidneys. Isolated from teachers and other responsible adults because of the pandemic, 10-year-old Ayden Wolfe was enduring horrific violence at the hands of his mothers boyfriend, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. Ryan Cato brutally abused him, eventually killing Ayden in his own apartment. While todays sentencing will not bring back this innocent child, I hope it gives his loved ones a sense of comfort and closure in this abhorrent crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The abuse started in January 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortly after Cato moved in with the boys mother at their W. 131st St. apartment in Harlem, prosecutors said during the trial. Cato would make Ayden hold weights above his head while Cato punched him, according to court documents. The boys father, Darnell Wolfe, and neighbors and loved ones, speaking to the Daily News in 2021 after Aydens death, described him as a bright, tech-savvy child, wise beyond his years. He had been attending school remotely due to the pandemic and had not interacted with teachers, counselors or school nurses in months, jurors heard during the trial. The jury heard from Aydens mother, Aquisha Johnson, who cooperated with the prosecution against Cato. She previously pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in connection to her sons killing. She admitted to sometimes hitting the boy with a belt and forcing him to hold weights as discipline, and said the abuse he suffered at her boyfriends hands became more severe over time, to the point Cato would fight the child as forcefully as he would hit a grown man, jurors heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors told jurors that the beatings that ultimately killed little Ayden began the day before his death. A doctor from the city Medical Examiners Office said that a piece of the boys liver broke off inside his abdomen and the casing of his kidney had begun to come off, like the peel of an orange. The M.E. ruled that the boy had died from battered child syndrome. The child had multiple injuries to his ribs in various states of healing, serving as further evidence of a prolonged period of abuse, Assistant D.A. Jonathon Junig said. It looks like he a was hit by a train, but this is from the defendant pummeling him over and over again, the prosecutor said during the trial, pointing to disturbing photos taken during the boys autopsy. If this isnt depraved, what is? BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The total volume of investment projects signed with Chinese companies during a visit to China organized with the support of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy this month amounts to nearly $335 million, creating new opportunities for business representatives in the country, First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev said at the conference held today on the theme "Constitution and Sovereignty - Development of Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan," Trend reports. According to him, in order to develop the investment environment in Azerbaijan, joint investment funds have been established with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and the UAE. Additionally, the Turkic Investment Fund, founded by Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, aims to strengthen mutual economic cooperation, increase investments in strategic sectors, and support regional development. Entrepreneurs can take greater initiative to benefit from these international financial mechanisms, implement joint projects with partner countries, and expand their businesses. The expansion of Azerbaijan's foreign economic and trade relations is also opening up new opportunities for local entrepreneurs. For example, during the recent visit of the President of Azerbaijan to China, a Declaration on the Expansion of Strategic Partnership was signed between the two countries. Other developments included the introduction of a visa-free regime and the signing of nearly 20 cooperation agreements in areas such as law, green development, alternative energy, digital economy, intellectual property, and aerospace. These developments are highly significant in terms of Azerbaijans entry into the Asian market, its deeper engagement with the region, and the formation of new partnerships. Our country is also making significant strides in entrepreneurship development, business climate improvement, and SME support through cooperation with international financial institutions and development partners. With the technical and financial support of organizations such as the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Asian Development Bank, a number of programs and projects are being implemented. These programs aim to provide entrepreneurs with access to concessional financial instruments, enhance business skills, support the digital transformation, and aid the transition to a green economy. A particular focus is placed on increasing the competitiveness of SMEs and promoting innovative and export-oriented activities, which remain key priorities in the international cooperation agenda. Azerbaijan is also working to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations with other countries. Preferential trade agreements have been signed with Turkiye and Pakistan. Under these agreements, customs duties on certain designated products are reduced or entirely removed, which in turn promotes mutual trade and increases export opportunities for entrepreneurs," the official pointed out. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV) Boats that have been beached on Beauforts river since Hurricane Helene are finally being removed from the waterfront shoreline. Beaufort city officials said the five boats that remain washed ashore have been claimed and are in the process of removal. Several residents complained that the boats were interfering with the waterfront view. Officials said originally two boats were to be removed this evening. They got word that one was removed last night and two were removed early this afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said the process relied on the owners claiming title and the high tides making it possible to tow them out. Ashley Brandon, with the City of Beaufort told WSAV that it was a longer process than anticipated. Theyre currently working on new legislation that will make the future process much easier. Were really hoping that goes through, said Brandon. The efforts to get the boats out were a coordination between OQuinn Marine, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the City of Beaufort. It does cost money and so its figuring out how to pay for it, said Brandon. Duncan OQuinn is actually donating some of his time and some of his equipment and hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon said SCDNR is covering some of the costs along with the city. We want to see the boats off the bluff as well. Were doing it as absolutely as fast as we can. City officials said the remaining two of the five boats are planned to be towed away this weekend, but theres also a possibility it could happen before then depending on the tides. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Polish security agency to investigate disappearance of Belaruss opposition activist amid fears of foreign involvement. Russian, Belarusian security services plan violent attacks on Belarusian diaspora, Lithuanian Security Department says. Russian FSB detains Belarus citizen allegedly preparing to carry out "terrorist act" on behalf of Ukraine's SBU. Lithuania to fortify second Suwalki Gap route, viewed as one of the most likely targets for a future Russian attack on NATO, Politico reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viasna Human Rights Center volunteer released after serving full term. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us Polands Internal Security Agency to investigate disappearance of Belarus opposition activist The case of missing Belarusian opposition activist Anzhalika Melnikava has been handed over to Polands Internal Security Agency, the ABW, to check for the potential involvement of foreign intelligence services, Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported on April 16. Exiled Belarusian political activist and speaker of the Belarusian oppositions Coordination Council Melnikava went missing on March 25. Four weeks later, her whereabouts remain unknown, although signals from her phone were reportedly traced to Belarus, raising alarm among members of the exiled Belarusian opposition, who fear being targeted by the Belarusian regimes agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Rzeczpospolita, the disappearance case, initially opened by police in the Polish capital Warsaw, has been transferred to the National Prosecutors Offices Lublin Department of Organized Crime and Corruption, which specializes in investigating the most serious crimes including espionage. The move suggests that there might be evidence of extraordinary circumstances, like kidnapping or murder, that needs to be investigated by a higher authority, Michal Potocki, the editor of Polands largest legal journal, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, told U.S. broadcaster RFE/RL. Previous police enquiries failed to clarify the circumstances of Melnikavas disappearance, with several versions of events being discussed, ranging from kidnapping by a foreign intelligence agency, or that Melnikava was acting on behalf of such services, or the misappropriation of the oppositions funds. The National Prosecutors Office representative, Katarzyna Calow-Jaszewska, told the press that the ABW was investigating the case under charges of deprivation of liberty and other undisclosed articles of the Criminal Code. A former Coca-Cola executive, Anzhalika Melnikava joined anti-Lukashenko protests in Belarus in 2020 and left the country fearing prosecution. In May 2024, she was elected speaker of the Coordination Council, heading the new incarnation of the exiled opposition structure, branded as the proto-parliament. Melnikava handled funds for the Coordination Council and Cyberpartizans, a hacker group behind the attacks on the regimes digital infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Polands Internal Affairs Ministry, Melnikava had not been in Poland for several weeks at the time of her reported disappearance, and one of her devices was traced to Belarus on March 19. Conflicting evidence says that she had traveled to the United Kingdom while her two daughters were in Belarus with their father. The family is not planning to report her disappearance, journalists have learned. Notably, Belarusian propaganda has not mentioned the case, unlike that of the former volunteer fighter in Ukraine, Vasyl Verameichyk, whose extradition from Vietnam to Belarus was covered by Belarusian state-run television. Melnikavas case appeared in the background of Belaruss law enforcers constant attempts to silence exiled opposition figures. All 257 contenders for the Coordination Council seats had criminal investigations opened against them. Polish prosecutors are also now investigating an alleged plot to murder Pavel Latushka, another prominent opposition leader. Moreover, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenkos agents are also suspected of being behind the murders of Belarusian opposition activist Vital Shyshou in 2021, and journalist Pavel Sharamet in 2016 in Kyiv. Russian, Belarusian secret services plot violent attacks on Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania, State Security Department says Lithuanias Department of State Security or VSD said on April 23 that it had uncovered a plot by Russian and Belarusian intelligence services to commit violent attacks against Belarusians living in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lithuania, which neighbors Belarus, hosts 50,000 Belarusian exiles and the office of Belarusian opposition leader Svitlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced to flee her homeland after reportedly beating Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential elections. Lithuania has sided with Belarusians protesting Lukashenkos contested re-election and has faced a backlash from his regime in the forms of an artificial migration crisis, a crackdown on the Lithuanian diaspora in Belarus, and Lukashenkos frequent verbal attacks on the country. The Russian and Belarusian intelligence services have stepped up their operations in Lithuania, with the first attempts to commit violent attacks on representatives of the Belarusian community being recorded, according to the VSD. The VSD found foreign agents trying to lure Belarusian students in Vilnius with an easy one-time gig to a remote location where they were to be ambushed and beaten. The would-be attackers were provided with exact locations, timing and details of the victims appearance. The organizers are trying to create the appearance of a conflict between two warring forces Belarusians promoting the ideology of Litvinism, and Lithuanian groups allegedly opposing them, the VSD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Belarusian intelligence was allegedly behind the so-called Litvinism movement a fringe historical Belarusian revisionist idea that claims the Lithuanian capital Vilnius does not belong to Lithuania. Graffiti in crooked Cyrillic reading Vilnius is ours started appearing in Vilnius, and Lithuanian politicians received threats from alleged Litvinist groups. In 2024, the attacks turned to buildings belonging to representatives of the Belarusian diaspora. Vandals set fire to a Belarusian house in Vilnius, shot at a chapel with pneumatic weapons, and left graffiti in poorly-spelled Lithuanian calling for Tsikhanouskaya to leave the country. The violent attack on Belarusians was to be the next step in this staged conflict, the VSD said. The size of the Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania has shrunk significantly, dropping from over 62,000 in January 2024 to 53,700 in April 2025, according to Lithuanias Migration Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024 alone, nearly 600 residence permits for Belarusians were revoked on national security grounds, often due to their holders having served in the military in the past or even having been employed in non-sensitive roles like bank call centers. Read also: Front-line situation not severe enough for Ukraine to be forced to accept Trumps deal, experts say Russias FSB detains Belarusian allegedly planning terrorist act on behalf of SBU Russias Federal Security Service or FSB announced on April 18 that it had detained a Belarusian citizen who had been preparing a terrorist act in the interests of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), according to an official FSB press release. The FSB claimed the detained foreign citizen was recruited by the SBU in December 2024 to gather information about the locations of Black Sea Fleet ships, Russian army personnel in Krasnodar Krai, and to carry out "terrorist attacks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video released by the FSB, an unidentifiable detainee claims to be a Belarusian citizen. With his face blurred in the footage, he recites the script, stating that his SBU curator instructed him to carry out the attack to disrupt negotiations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine and escalate the conflict. Russian agents allegedly found a 2.5-kilogram improvised explosive device that they said was to have been planted in an administrative building in Novorossiysk. The FSB opened a criminal case on the suspect on charges of preparing to commit a terrorist act charges punishable by 10-20 years in prison. This is not the first such case reported by Russia. In December 2023, a Belarusian national, Siarhei Yerameyeu, was detained in Omsk and accused of blowing up two trains on the Baikal-Amur Mainline in Buryatia. Yerameyeu is still in Russian custody awaiting trial. Belarusian and Russian law enforcers are notorious for obtaining false confessions by using various forms of psychological pressure and physical torture. Lithuania to reinforce second route through Suwalki gap near Belarus, Politico reports Lithuania is to upgrade and fortify the second main road leading through the Suwalki gap, the NATO choke point squeezed between the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and its ally Belarus, Politico reported on April 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Suwalki gap is a 100-kilometer-wide stretch of NATO territory connecting Poland and Lithuania, bordered by Belarus and Russias Kaliningrad, which is viewed as a prime target in any potential Russian military attack on the alliance. These roads (are) critical to us from a security and defense perspective, Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas told Politico. Theyve always been part of our civil-military planning as key ground routes for allied support during a crisis. Currently, all military mobility between Lithuania and Poland is ensured by Via Baltica, the road between Lithuanias former capital Kaunas and Warsaw, and the high-speed railroad Rail Baltica. The project will upgrade 113 kilometers of road and renovate eight bridges from the capital, Vilnius, to the Polish border town of Augustow. It is expected to be completed by 2028. Lithuania expects to secure European funding for the project, which the Baltic state and Poland have jointly financed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2022 report by Politico labeled the Suwalki gap the most dangerous place on Earth. After Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine it soon faced sanctions, which in turn prompted Lithuanias national railroad carrier to refuse transit of certain goods from Belarus to Kaliningrad, including coal, metals, and building materials. At the time, Russian President Vladimir Putins staunch ally, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, said Lithuanias decision to comply with EU sanctions resembles a declaration of war. Over a year later, in November 2023, First Deputy State Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council Pavel Muraveiko claimed Belarus has every right to pave a corridor through Lithuania to transit goods. Security tensions in the region are set to rise: In September 2025, Belarus is holding Zapad (West) military drills involving 13,000 Russian troops. According to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, the actual scale of Zapad exercises has a history of far exceeding the publicly declared numbers. Threats against NATO member states neighboring Belarus were heard again when the head of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, visited Minsk on April 15 and claimed that Poland and the Baltic states were highly aggressive and would be the first to suffer if there were any NATO aggression against the Russia-Belarus Union State. Viasna volunteer released after serving full term in prison Andrei Chapiuk, the volunteer of Belaruss oldest human rights watchdog, the Viasna Human Rights Center, was set free on April 18 after serving five years and nine months in prison. Meanwhile, four other Viasna advocates remain behind bars. Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Viasna chairman Ales Bialiatski and three of his colleagues the centers deputy chairman Valiantsin Stefanovich, lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich, and volunteer coordinator Marfa Rabkova are serving almost decade-long prison terms after being prosecuted for their human rights advocacy. Belaruss oldest human rights organization, Viasna has been documenting electoral fraud and human rights abuses by the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko since 1996. Chapiuk was detained in October 2020 on charges of inciting social enmity, participating in mass discord, and being a member of a criminal organization. Sentenced to five years and nine months in prison over his involvement in human rights activism, the political prisoner was also officially declared to be an extremist and terrorist. Before his release, a handcuffed Chapiuk was taken for interrogation, Viasna reported. Accused of financing protests, Bialiatski received a nearly 10-year prison term, while two of his colleagues were punished for 7-9 years. Rabkova received an extremely harsh sentence of almost 15 years. All four have health conditions that reduce their chances of surviving imprisonment. Lukashenkos authorities branded Viasna an extremist organization in 2023, outlawing any communication between activists and the victims of repression within the country. Over 1,200 political prisoners are still held behind bars in Belarus in the aftermath of widespread anti-Lukashenko public protests in 2020. Read also: End policy of appeasement European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trumps Russia stance Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Brussels Airport, Belgium's main international flight hub, will cancel several flights on Tuesday, while Charleroi Airport plans to suspend all departures the same day due to a nationwide strike over the new government's austerity policies. Brussels Airport said in a statement that some of its baggage and security service providers were due to participate in the industrial action. While it did not specify how many flights would be cancelled, Belga news agency reported that at least 30% of departures were to be axed and that disruption to incoming flights was also possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charleroi Airport said in a statement that a staff shortage expected on Tuesday would make it impossible to ensure safe operations for departing flights. It added that incoming flights would continue as scheduled. Belgian unions are organising another nationwide strike against the new government's policies including pension reforms. The planned pension reform rewards those who work past retirement age with 35 years of service, while early retirees without 35 years of work behind them face a penalty. The new system would be less favourable for lower-income earners compared with the previous one, which provided a lump sum based on career length. Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever's government was sworn in on February 3 after eight months of negotiations that resulted in a five-party coalition including conservatives, centrists, and socialists. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Hugh Lawson) NEW JERSEY (PIX11) A beloved New Jersey father detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently sent a message to his community, stressing he is trying to maintain hope. Karim Daoud, a father of two and local celebrity in Flemington, has been at the ICE Detention Center in Elizabeth for over 40 days. More Local News In a letter posted on his behalf to Facebook, Daoud said he recently received 104 letters of support in just one day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every single day I try to stay strong and positive. I do really try; and I sure get the most amazing love and support reminder especially when I received all the letters from my friends, family and folks Ive never met before (yet), Daoud wrote in the letter. That definitely boosts my hope and lets me know, Im not fighting this alone. Despite having no criminal history, Daoud was unexpectedly detained after an appointment to pick up documents related to his work authorization, his loved ones said. Daoud, who is from Egypt, has been trying to get his citizenship for years, his loved ones told NJ.com. New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim told PIX11 News he recently visited Daoud at the Elizabeth facility, where he showed up unannounced to get a sense of normal conditions. This is just heartbreaking, Kim said. This is someone who has been in the country for 20 years, has a U.S. citizen wife, has two kids born here. And no criminal background, no violent background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State During the senators visit, Daoud expressed concern about his young children, who recently wrote to their father saying they miss him every day. Hes telling me heartbreaking stories about seeing his little kids and [is] uncertain when hes going to be able to be with them again, Kim said. This is his country, after 21 years being here, [he] built a family here. In the letter posted to Facebook, Daoud described the moment he saw the letter from his child. Every ounce of steel I had left in me, just collapsed without any warning, Daoud wrote in his letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for ICE told PIX11 News Daoud was arrested on March 12 after violating U.S. immigration laws and has already used many avenues for appeal. Mr. Daoud has exhausted all due process and appeals and is now subject to a final order of removal from an immigration judge, an ICE spokesperson said. Since his detention, Daouds community has called on the government to Free Karim. Local business owner Dave Norton said Daoud is a local celebrity known for his kindness. A GoFundMe for Daouds family has raised $93,406 from over 1,000 donors. Earlier in April, hundreds of people showed up to a recent vigil for Daoud at the Strangl Factory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karim was a community builder, he was a connector, Norton said in an Instagram video. Everybody loves Karim. It is no hyperbole when I say that he is one of the most well-respected, hard-working members of this community. Even still, Kim said he thinks Americans know this isnt the right approach. I really, truly believe the American people know thats not what we should be focused on, Kim said. 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. 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. The mother of an 8-month-old boy who died of a fentanyl overdose in a Roseville hotel room has admitted she is responsible for his death and will be put on probation as part of a plea deal with the prosecution, according to court records. Wynona Ann Littlewolf, 30, of Bemidji, Minn., pleaded guilty in Ramsey County District Court last week to second-degree manslaughter in connection with the March 2022 death of Ashton Michael Littlewolf at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Cleveland Avenue. The plea deal calls for Littlewolf to receive at sentencing a downward departure to probation for up to five years and no additional time to serve. Shes scheduled to be sentenced June 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, St. Paul police were sent to a business in the citys St. Anthony Park neighborhood around 2:45 p.m. March 12, 2022, on a report of a baby who was blue, unconscious and not breathing. Medics responded and pronounced the infant dead, noting he was already in rigor mortis and his body seemed abnormally cold. Littlewolf and her boyfriend told officers they had stayed overnight at the DoubleTree and found Ashton was purple when they awoke in the afternoon. They left for a hospital, but stopped at the St. Paul business for help after getting lost. Officers recovered drug paraphernalia from the hotel room: a burnt piece of tinfoil in the bathroom and a rolled-up dollar bill on the floor. An autopsy on her son concluded he died of fentanyl toxicity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Littlewolf agreed to speak to investigators from the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee on March 30, 2023, when she was serving time for two Cass County cases. She said her son was starting to eat solid foods and had just started crawling and standing up. She said he crawled on the hotel floor during their stay. Littlewolf said she and her boyfriend had argued after dinner and so she went into the bathroom to calm down and smoke heroin. When she left the bathroom, she found her boyfriend and Ashton asleep on a bed. She moved the infant to his crib. When asked if she was responsible for her sons death, Littlewolf replied, I think I should have been watching him more, the complaint states. Okay, I should have been, you know, I should have been watching him a lot more, but I pushed him off to [her boyfriend]. Charged while incarcerated The Ramsey County Attorneys Office charged Littlewolf just over two years after Ashtons death while she was still incarcerated at the Shakopee prison for second-degree burglary and possession of a fifth-degree controlled substance. Both cases occurred on Sept. 21, 2022, six months after the infants death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Gerhardstein, Ramsey County Attorneys Office spokesman, said Friday the delay in charging Littlewolf in Ashtons death had to do with an ongoing law enforcement investigation and because in January 2023 she requested execution of her Cass County cases. She received a sentence of two years and four months in prison, with 45 days of credit for time already served in custody. Related Articles The investigation into Ashtons death hinged on results of an analysis by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension of the drug paraphernalia found in the Roseville hotel room the tinfoil and dollar bill as well as a subsequent blood sample from Littlewolf. Both the items and her blood tested positive for the presence of fentanyl, the complaint says. Littlewolf was released from the Shakopee prison and into supervised probation on July 1. She was discharged from probation April 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as the plea deal calling for probation in the infants death, Gerhardstein said the attorneys office reviews the facts on a case-by-case basis before recommending a solution. He noted that Littlewolf had taken advantage of sobriety counseling and other prison services. Knowing she was progressing well and that her time inside would count as time served in any conviction, the (attorneys office) felt it would be better to pursue an outcome of extended supervised probation rather than a few additional months in prison, he said. BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA.KFTA) A new mixed-use development is planned for downtown Bentonville, with developers saying the project will add residential units, commercial spaces and underground parking while maintaining elements of the areas historic character. Blue Crane, a Bentonville-based development company, announced the project on April 25 in partnership with Riverside, a development firm based in Austin, Texas. The planned development will span Second Street between NW A Street and North Main Street, just north of the Bentonville Square. According to a news release, utility relocation began earlier this month, and full construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026. COURTESY: Downtown Bentonville COURTESY: Downtown Bentonville The project will include updated street-level storefronts designed to reflect the appearance of 19th-century brick commercial buildings, according to concept renderings provided by the developers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans also include restoration of the historic Benton County Jail, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We really tried to create a space that honors the squares importance while carefully introducing new architecture and amenities to serve our growing community. Brian Shaw, a member of the development team at Blue Crane, said in the release. Rock music movie filmed in Northwest Arkansas releasing next month The Arvest Bank branch on the square will temporarily relocate to 215 NW A Street during construction, with plans to return in a redesigned space that includes a community room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project also adds residential units to boost housing availability and support local businesses, alongside new commercial space. Plans include underground parking to improve access while preserving the squares walkability and public areas that connect to the Razorback Greenway and A Street Promenade. The north side of the square was last significantly redeveloped in the 1980s, when many of the original structures were reconstructed. More information about the project, including renderings and future updates, is available at bluecrane.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 KNWA FOX24. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Hundreds of students from all over Central Illinois joined in the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Edison Middle School in Champaign Thursday morning. Best Buddies is an international non profit raising money and focusing on protecting students with special needs from isolation. WCIAs Remarkable Woman back from California, inspired to grow Champaign-based non-profit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our mission is to connect students with disability or different ability, also, with other students in the general area and the general classroom or in the community, Mary Nada, a functional life teacher at Edison Middle School, said. Three years ago, Nada had a huge role in getting her school and others involved. We wanted to join the Chicago and Normal walk, but we couldnt take our students or the buddies. Its hard for their families and for us, so we decided to do a small thing in here, Nada said. 22 libraries open in two Illinois prison facilities, IDOC announces That small thing ended up turning into nearly 150 people the first two years. And now, its gotten even bigger, with more than 500 people this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inclusion is a big part of our community. And I didnt really realize that until I joined best buddies, 8th Grader Mallory Borden said. Borden has been part of best buddies for the past three years. She says the program has taught her a lot about herself and life. I can learn more about the diverse backgrounds and just like different abilities that people have. And its just really interesting and it makes me feel really good that Im able to help someone and just like, connect with them, Borden said. Project Success back up and running at 6 Vermilion Co. schools Borden said the knowledge shes gained helps her spread the message to her friends and encourage them to join the program. Because for Nada, thats her mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teach them about Best Buddies and teach them about inclusion and how its important for our community members and our students and and the area and just be aware of it, Nada said. The Best Buddies organization was able to meet their fundraising goal of $16,500. The money will go toward creating jobs for people with disabilities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MONSON, Mass. (WWLP) Starting Friday, the Monson Water and Sewer Department will close the Bethany Road area between Stewart Avenue and State Street for water main repairs. Wil Morales promoted to Assistant Vice President at Monson Savings Bank The road is expected to remain closed for about one week, or until repairs are complete. Monson Police are asking residents to use another route when traveling. 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. Apr. 24PITTSTON TWP. Mark C. Bailer, director of public safety at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, on Thursday reported on the May 7, roll-out of REAL-ID. Bailer, who started in the position on March 21, advised the Bi-County Airport Board to inform their constituents to be ready for the mandatory start of REAL ID. "Customers without REAL ID will still be able to fly, but the process will be twice as long to get through security," Bailer said. With federal REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll, along with officials from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, and the American Automobile Association, recently encouraged Pennsylvanians to prepare now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID driver's license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification such as a valid passport or military ID to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter a military base or other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.6 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver's license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019. A passport is still needed for international travel. Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the following documents: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proof of identity. Proof of Social Security number. Two proofs of current, physical PA address. Proof of all legal name changes. When a customer gets their first REAL ID, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the renewal fee, which is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver's license and $42.50 for a photo ID. In other business, the Airport Board: Heard a report from Carl R. Beardsley Jr., executive director, on passenger activity. "As you can see, we are experiencing significant growth," Beardsley said. Beardsley said passenger enplanements for the month of March 2025 increased 27.7% to 21,475 up from 16,814 in the month of March 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2025, 3 departing flights were cancelled 2 for weather and 1 for maintenance. Beardsley said this accounts for 130 (.5%) out of a total of 26,986 departure seats. Also, five arriving flights were cancelled four for weather and one for maintenance. Approved the Airport Use Agreement between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and Breeze Aviation Group, effective April 1, 2025. Authorize the advertisement for bids for HVAC Maintenance Services. Approved the financial report of Chris Dalessandro, Director of Finance, that showed for the month of March 2025, Airport Operations had an income totaling $135,640 compared to an income of $5,571 in March 2024 a difference of $130,069. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dalessandro said year to date, the profit is $294,388, compared to a loss in 2024 of $267,577 a difference of $561,965. Invoices received since the last meeting for supplies and services totaling $738,644.95 were approved by the Board. These invoices include major construction project costs of $316,5636.73. Approved three appointments presented by Michelle Aigeldinger, Director of Human Resources: Anthony Constantine, Dunmore, Maintenance 2, to be effective once confirmation of airport clearances and approved physical are received. Bryan Cadwalder, Old Forge, to Maintenance 2, to be effective once confirmation of airport clearances and approved physical are received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan Crawn, Dupont, to Maintenance 2, to be effective once confirmation of airport clearances and approved physical are received. Heard updates from Stephen Mykulyn, P.E., director of engineering, on engineering projects. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A bill giving Oklahomans the right to sue medical insurance companies was given new life after first being stalled at the state capitol. House Bill 2144 passed through the House floor with unanimous support in March, and it seemed the legislation was moving in the right direction, but as News 4 reported Wednesday, the bill was not heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee, leaving the bill in limbo as the deadline to hear bills was Thursday. After our initial story aired, things changed; the bill was on the agenda for the Senate Rules Committee meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debate continues over declaring Christ is King in Oklahoma It was heard Thursday morning and passed with overwhelming support, 17 to 2. I cant afford to take no, or I wont be alive, so it means a lot that people who dont have the voice or dont know what to do will have the back of this bill now, said Lacy Cornelius-Boyd, who was denied a transplant. Cornelius-Boyd has been in a fight for her life, not just against her injuries, but against her insurance company. After a devastating car crash, she lost nearly all of her intestines. The average person has 35 feet of intestines, and I have about 35 inches left, said Cornelius-Boyd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her insurance company has denied a transplant several times, and now her kidney and liver are failing. I have a five-year-old, so its hard for her to know that mommys sick and I just dont have a normal life anymore, said Cornelius-Boyd Her story is one that pushed the bill now headed to the Senate floor. If it becomes law, it would create the Insurance Consumers Protection Act, giving those the right to sue medical insurance companies that deny or delay care in bad faith. Some questioned and argued it could flood the courts and benefit more than just the patient, but supporters fought back. This is not about anti-insurance, and its sure not about pro lawsuit, what this is about is pro citizen, said Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Carri Hicks also weighed in. There are very few patients who have the level of medical expertise to bring a compelling case, we also have to be mindful if patients are awaiting medical treatments, they are more than likely not at a financial position where they could also pay for that legal remedy, said Sen. Hicks. For Cornelius-Boyd, its never been about the money, she says it is about staying alive. I could care less about any amount of money. I want to be alive for myself, my husband, my family, my daughter. They deserve it and I deserve a chance to live, said Cornelius-Boyd. If you would like to hear more about Lacy Cornelius-Boyds story, 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 25. A delegation from the Nuclear Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan (Uzatom), led by Director Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, visited the production facility of MVM EGI in Wuzhen Province and held high-level talks with Harbin Electric Corporation, one of Chinas largest energy equipment manufacturers, Trend reports, citing Uzatom. During the visit to MVM EGI a company specializing in the production of heat exchangers for dry cooling systems the delegation was introduced to the complete production cycle of heat exchange equipment. Established in 2009, the plant spans an area of 8,500 square meters and manufactures up to 7,000 heat exchanger assemblies annually. The equipment, originally transferred from a production site in Hungary, is known for its high quality, utilizing aluminum with optional stainless steel components for specific requirements. The operational lifespan of the heat exchangers exceeds 30 years. The Chinese side proposed an adaptation of the cooling system to suit Uzbekistans climatic conditions by integrating a surface humidification system, which would ensure efficient cooling performance during the hot summer months. Following the facility visit, the Uzbek delegation met with executives of Harbin Electric Corporation, a leading Chinese state-owned enterprise that manufactures equipment for various types of power plants. The discussions focused on potential cooperation in the supply of energy equipment and the implementation of joint energy projects. The working visit is part of Uzbekistans broader effort to strengthen international partnerships in the field of nuclear energy. The trip also included key discussions related to the development of the country's first nuclear power plant. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BOSTON (WWLP) Massachusetts life without parole sentences could be a thing of the past if a prison reform bill were to pass. Advocates gathered in the State House on Wednesday to fight for family members, friends, and strangers serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, arguing that they are serving death sentences by another name, and it can be considered cruel and unusual punishment. As of last July, 1,774 inmates were serving life sentences in the Bay State, with just under 1,000 serving with no possibility of parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One bill this session looks to end life without parole by giving inmates a parole hearing after 25 years of their sentence. It would not guarantee parole, but solely the hearing. One advocate explained the benefits of ending this type of life sentence. There would be an opportunity to take accountability, and they could come to the parole hearing with an open heart and understanding and ready to rejoin the community, said Daniel Delaney of Delaney Policy Group. The bill would promote reform by connecting prisoners with those affected by their crime to identify harm and come to terms with its impact. Advocates say releasing more inmates will benefit the prison system by decreasing financial burden and encouraging restorative justice principles. Supporters of the bill are emphasizing that only inmates who have shown accountability and who are unlikely to reoffend will be released on parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill has been filed several times before, but each time it has died after hearings and a study. 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. Bill Gates isnt sugarcoating it: Artificial intelligence is coming for jobs. And not just blue-collar ones. In a recent episode of the People by WTF podcast, the Microsoft co-founder laid out a vision of the future in which AI tools take over some of the most essential professions in America, including teaching and medicine. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But instead of sounding the alarm, Gates insisted its a good thing even as millions of workers brace for change. "We've always had a shortage of doctors, teachers, of people to work in the factories. Those shortages won't exist," Gates told host Nikhil Kamath. AI will come in and provide medical IQ, and there won't be a shortage." Gates also spoke to The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon about the transition. Will we still need humans? Fallon asked. Not for most things, Gates replied. So what are the implications for working Americans? Are doctors and teachers on the chopping block? Gates zeroed in on two industries already under pressure: teaching and health care markets that have historically suffered labor gaps, especially in rural areas of the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AI, Gates believes, can fill in the gaps or at least relieve some of the burden. In schools, AI-powered tutoring tools are already being tested, offering personalized help for students in reading and math, according to Government Technology. In health care, companies like Suki, Zephyr AI and Tennr can now generate clinical decision support, helping doctors diagnose faster and more accurately, says Business Insider. Years from now, AI will have changed things enough that just this pure capitalistic framework probably won't explain much, because as AIs, both as sort of white-collar type work and as blue-collar workers, the robots will get good hands and are able to do the physical things that humans do, Gates told Kamath. We will have created, you know, free intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: This hedge fund legend warns US stock market will crash a stunning 80% claims 'Armageddon is coming. Dont believe him? He earned 4,144% during COVID. Heres 3 ways to protect yourself More industries on deck Its not just teachers and doctors. Numerous industries are facing an AI invasion. Besides some of the other industries that Gates mentions, like construction, cleaning companies and factory workers, the impact has already trickled down to customer service and IT support. For instance, AI chatbots with wildly inconsistent success have already assumed much of the first response nature of product support on the web. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some, AI may simply become a co-pilot, a helper that boosts productivity. But for others, it could mean full-on job replacement. Gates doesnt deny that. What he argues is that the tradeoff might be worth it. Less work, more free time or mass displacement? In Gates ideal scenario, AI takes over routine tasks and frees people up to pursue more leisure. He envisions a world where the standard 40-hour workweek shrinks and people enjoy better work-life balance. But critics arent buying the utopia just yet. A recent United Nations report warned that AI could affect 40% of jobs worldwide, raising concerns about automation and job displacement. The benefits of AI-driven automation often favour capital over labour, which could widen inequality and reduce the competitive advantage of low-cost labour in developing economies, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So while the industry is expected to reach $4.8 trillion, the UN says the payoff will be highly concentrated. According to UN Women, theres also the issue of bias and reliability. AI tools have been shown to replicate racial and gender disparities, particularly in hiring and health care decisions trends that could compound, not solve, existing problems. What should workers do now? Gates isnt alone in predicting AIs rise. But believe it or not, hes one of the few tech leaders still mostly optimistic about it. If his vision holds, workers may need to pivot fast. That could mean refining skills that complement AI, rather than compete with it. Things like critical thinking, emotional intelligence and creativity are talents that machine thinking may be more likely to struggle with for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also a wake-up call for policymakers to think ahead. The transition could be bumpy, but with the right guardrails, it might just lead to a smarter economy. At least, thats what Gates is betting on. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. NEW YORK (AP) When Billy Idol first entered American consciousness in the early '80s, leather-clad and bleached hair in tow, he not only brought a punk rock sound to the mainstream. The Englishman brought a new attitude, a new, rebellious way of being. In the time since, songs like White Wedding, Rebel Yell and Eyes Without a Face have become instant classics for those who've worn a spiky jacket and those who've only imagined what it might be like. Now, over four decades later, he's got the wisdom to reflect. It's led to a new documentary about his life, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, which will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and a new album, the polished punk-pop of Dream Into It. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a gradual process, really, he said of 11 year span between albums. It wasnt so much that we didnt want to make an album, it was more like we were building up to doing this. Idol discussed with The Associated Press this week his new album and forthcoming documentary, his past struggles with addiction, his first-ever Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination and more. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity. AP: You've described Dream Into It as autobiographical. I thought your last album, 2014's Kings & Queens of the Underground, pulled from your life as well. IDOL: Being this age, in particular, 69, when you look back, you can really see your whole life, how it plays out. And maybe its also having grandchildren. My children are having children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You sort of reach this vantage point where you can really look back and see all the sort of different eras of my life. And you can sing about it. And I think I didnt go deep enough with the songs I did on Kings and Queens. I thought lyrically I could go deeper. Thats one of those regrets I had about the last album. So I really went for it, and I went for more imagery, (on Dream Into It, in the) way of talking about my life. Im not spelling it out exactly. AP: There are a lot of rock n roll women on the album. Joan Jett, Avril Lavigne and The Kills' Alison Mosshart are all featured. IDOL: (Mosshart's) voice is just incredible. And of course, Joan Jett, Ive known since 1978 after a Germs/Dead Kennedys concert. We hung out at the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles. I was on a Generation X promotion tour for the first album. And then Avril, I mean, Ive just been watching her career forever and shes fantastic. So, it was just great. AP: The documentary has an evocative title, Billy Idol Should Be Dead. It sounds like it may dive into your past struggles with addiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IDOL: There was a point in my life when I was living like every day, like, Live every day as if its your last. One day, youre going to be right. In the '70s, in England, you know, young people, we had this feeling that we were being completely ignored. You were even being told that you had no future. And so, we just didnt think beyond the day-to-day existence. It was probably only when I really started having children and stuff like that, I really starting to realize I (should) try start to give up drugs and things. Ive always flirted with death, in a way. Even riding motorcycles, youre staring at the concrete. Its right there, you can come off that thing and get horribly messed up. And Ive done it. Its horrible. You find out how human you are, how vulnerable. Theres lots of things about my life that, yeah, I did kind of call death at times. Not really mean to, but you just were living like that. Imagine if it was today. If I was doing what I was back then today, I would be dead because I would have run into fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AP: I've heard that sentiment from other performers. IDOL: When we were young, with lots of drugs and stuff, one minute people were there and then next week they werent. We were just living the rock n roll lifestyle 24/7, dressing like it, thinking like it. And in those days, it embraced drugs. Its just what it was like. I took acid at 12 and a half, 13 (years old.) You get sucked into that world and it takes a hell of a long time to get away from it. And thats partly what Im singing about in the album as well. Theres a point in my life where I was very drug addicted, and it ruins relationships. Yeah, Im lucky that I've kept the brain Ive got, because some people went brain-dead and some people ended up in jail forever. Or dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AP: You're nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the first time. Do you think your younger punk rock self would be excited? IDOL: I do sort of think about Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry and Little Richard. And what? Are you going to be in something with those guys? You know, Buddy Holly. These are some of the seminal people who turned on the people that turned me on, you know? Somewhere down the road, it led to punk rock. Also, my motorcycle has been in the Rock & Roll of Fame for like five years. So I might as well be in it, too. A bipartisan delegation of House lawmakers will be attending Pope Franciss memorial service in Rome this weekend, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced Friday. The group of 10 legislators, led by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), will attend the popes funeral Saturday in St. Peters Square in Vatican City. Scalise will be accompanied by Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), John Joyce (R-Pa.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) and Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), according to the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am honored to be asked to lead the Congressional delegation of the House Representatives to attend the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican this weekend, Scalise said in a statement. The Holy Father humbly devoted his life in service to the Church, and he was dedicated to spreading the Gospel of the Lord to the world. As a lifelong Catholic, I am honored to represent the House in paying our respects and praying for the soul of Pope Francis, as Catholics all around the world grieve, and as Church leaders prepare to elect a new pope in the coming weeks, he added. The group will join scores of world leaders and other influential people who will be in attendance for the funeral. President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, are all expected to attend the procession. The pontiff died on April 21 at the age of 88 at his Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City after battling health issues from chronic lung disease. His heart failed after he suffered a stroke that put him in a coma, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson offered his condolences for Catholics around the world who are mourning the loss of their leader. His death, the first of a sitting pope since 2005, will now kick off a high stakes search known as the conclave for the next pontiff. Our prayers are with the many Christians who mourn the passing of Pope Francis, Johnson said. It is my honor to send this Congressional delegation, during which participating Members will celebrate the life of Pope Francis and the teaching 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 The Hill. NEW YORK (PIX11) An alarm is being sounded, and its a matter of life and death. The supply of blood in New York and New Jersey is at critically low levels. New York Blood Center reports only a two-day supply of O negative blood, which is the universal blood type used in emergencies. Overall collections are currently registering nearly 20% below the demand from hospitals in the region. The center has issued an urgent call for donations, particularly from those with types O positive and O negative blood. It expects to collect only about 6,500 donations this week. Thats about 1,600 donations below the usual amount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News At the center on West 35th Street, Julia Tang waited to donate on Friday afternoon. Shes a regular donor because blood donations saved her life. Its important for people to understand that it goes to real people. There are a lot of people, including me, who are alive because we got blood donations. Donating blood is a great way to give back to the community, and its also a great way to celebrate your own health and your own capacity to be able to help people, Tang said. Representatives said the spring is typically a slower time. But its also important to stockpile blood for the busy summer season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we start to build our inventory ahead of the trauma-heavy summer season, the need is more urgent than ever. Were calling on our community, especially type O donors, to roll up their sleeves and make a donation today. Your blood donation could be the lifeline that ensures our hospitals are ready to face any emergency that comes their way, said New York Blood Center senior vice president Andrea Cefarelli. Donors can give once every 56 days, and platelet donors can give two times a month. To see current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800-688-0900. Make an appointment by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. The process takes between 45 minutes and an hour. Firefighter Philip Reilly has been donating for more than 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started with 9/11. They needed blood and platelets, and I was right there, Reilly said. Javier Jimenez has been a donor since high school, and he also works at the blood center. If there was a crisis in the city, it would be difficult to handle the situation. Its very personal to me, Jimenez said. New York Blood Center was founded in 1964 and delivers 500,000 blood products every year to more than 150 hospitals, EMS and health care partners. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Thursdays Board of Education meeting was a back-and-forth between Superintendent Ryan Walters and three of the state school board members over the proposed social studies standards. There may have been some comments that werent 100% accurate, but I wouldnt say thats new to the Department of Education, said Board Member Ryan Deatherage. The proposed standards were posted online and included the ones submitted for public comment. But board members said that 12 hours before the February board meeting, changes were made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It now directs teachers and students toward debunked theories of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, and to Old Testament Bible stories and how they influenced American colonists. It was changed last minute, and the board members said they were not made aware. Senate leader taking a second look at social studies standards The members called it a bait-and-switch. Thats simply not true. And so that is a lie. Now that has been pushed to the governor. It has been pushed out of the people of Oklahoma, said Supt. Walters to the board members on Thursday. Walters also claimed that the changes were made based on public comment. News 4 got an open records request back for the public comments but none of them mentioned what was changed in the standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about that, Supt. Walters said, I stand by the decision we made, and I told the board members that it was up to me to make the final decision of what are we going to put in and what are we going to take out. There were also several discrepancies with the minutes that were posted after the February board meeting. In the minutes, it said that member Deatherage was the one to make a motion to approve the social studies standards. That wasnt the case according to Deatherage. Also, what wasnt in the minutes was the fact that Deatherage put it up to a vote to give the members more time to look over the standards. That vote failed to pass in February, but it wasnt listed in the minutes. Oklahoma governor disapproves of social studies standards switch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deatherage asked to have that changed. Also, the video from the broadcast for the February meeting was deleted almost a month ago. News 4 reached out to the OSDE spokesperson, who said that Facebook is deleting broadcast videos after 30 days. Walters continued to claim that what the governor said and what the board members said was a lie about the standards having two sets. Ultimately, the minutes for both January and February were tabled by the board members to be discussed at a future board 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) The body of the missing I-95 construction worker was discovered on Thursday, the Bryan County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) confirmed. The office revealed on April 24 that at approximately 4:14 p.m., a homeowner called BCSO in regards to a strong odor that came from beneath a dock in the Ford Plantation community. Deputies, along with an investigator, responded to the call and soon found a boot under the dock. The Bryan County Fire Department, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Richmond Hill Police Department all joined the search and recovered the body of a deceased individual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clothing on the body of said individual matched the description Jose Tilo Hernandez Garcia, who first went missing in the Ogeechee River on April 7. Bryan County Sheriff Mark Crowe held a press conference detailing the discovery. Hernandez Garcias family has been notified. Watch the full press conference by clicking here. This is a developing story and WSAV will provide updates as soon as they are made 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 WSAV-TV. The body of Alejandro Gonzalez was found after he went swimming with friends in Cancun, Mexico, on Sunday, April 20 The 20-year-old died after trying to rescue a friend from a riptide Alejandro was a junior at College of Creative Studies in Detroit and a graduate from Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy A student from Michigan has died after attempting to rescue a friend from a riptide in Mexico. According to Michigan Live, 20-year-old College of Creative Studies in Detroit junior, Alejandro Gonzalez, had been missing after swimming in Cancun with high school friends on Sunday, April 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After helping save a pal who was pulled away by a riptide, Alejandro was swept away by the strong current. Per the outlet, his family was told by officials on Wednesday, April 23, that they had found his body. We held out hope, and prayed for a miracle. While the outcome wasn't what we wanted, God did answer our prayers, Alejandros mother Renee Gonzalez, said on Facebook on Wednesday. Alejandro's body has been found, Matt and I are going to be able to bring our baby home. PEOPLE has contacted the Cancun Police and the College of Creative Studies for comment. GoFundMe Alejandro Gonzalez Alejandro Gonzalez Related: West Virginia Fathers Body Pulled from Lake After He Rescued His Son: 'Terrible Tragedy' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. She added, Thank you all again for all the love and support. We are going to continue to accept donations, while it looks like Matt and I won't be going to Mexico, we are going to need help with the expense to bring him home, and all of the expenses that come with a situation like this. Renee also shared a photo of the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy graduate posing by the water moments before his death. In the snap, the young man appeared in good spirits as he smiled and held two thumbs up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The picture is from the evening he went into the water, the smile on his face reminds me how happy he was to be with his friends and spending time somewhere new, Renee wrote. It's good to know he was so happy. Getty Tulum beach in Mexico Tulum beach in Mexico Related: Missing Mother Found Dead After Jumping into California River to Rescue Daughter According to a GoFundMe page set up for the artists family, Alejandro was a talented artist as well as a wonderful friend. He lights up a room and is always up to a new project, the description read. He is caring and fiercely loyal to his friends and family and isn't afraid to try new things. He is smart, has consistently high grades and high performance in everything he does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, $8,158 has been achieved out of the $10,000 GoFundMe goal. The funds will be used to help the Gonzalez family bring Alejandros body back home. "Along with being a wonderful human being, Alejandro was graduate of Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy, and an artist who painted the cat-themed utility box mural shown in the pictures for The Great Mural Project in 2023, Riverfront Saginaw wrote in a Facebook post of their former student. Read the original article on People BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. I'm eager to see Azerbaijan's participation in our microgravity research in the coming years, Turkish astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasevar told Trend on the sidelines of the second day of the Space Technology Conference (STC2025). He recalled that in 2024, Turkiye sent two people to space. "One of them was my fellow countryman Alper Gezeravc. He has become famous in the Turkish world. During that mission, we conducted 13 scientific experiments, and five months later, we carried out our second space mission, and I was fortunate to participate in it. During this flight, we conducted seven different scientific studies and achieved significant milestones in conducting scientific experiments in a microgravity environment. In the coming years, we aim to achieve even more ambitious goals in these studies. These goals include cooperation with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is my homelandthe place where my mother was born and raised. When I flew to space, I took both the Turkish and Azerbaijani flags with me. I really want Azerbaijan to be involved in the microgravity studies we will carry out in the coming years. This will strengthen the ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye even further," the astronaut said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Idaho State Board of Education is elevating a Boise State University official to serve as the schools interim president, according to a news release. State Board President Kurt Liebich asked Dr. Jeremiah Shinn to step into the temporary role, the release said. Shinn is Boise States vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. I consider it an honor and privilege to serve as interim president for Boise State University, Shinn said in the release. I look forward to supporting a successful presidential search process and partnering with our next university president to continue the culture of student-centeredness, creativity, and service to the State of Idaho that define this exceptional institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shinn returned to Boise State in 2023 after a stint at Louisiana State University. President Marlene Tromp announced she was leaving in March to be the University of Vermonts president. Tromp has helmed the university since 2019, seeing it through disputes with the Idaho Legislature about diversity, equity and inclusion as well as a lawsuit with a local coffee shop. (The university must pay $4 million to the shops owner, according to previous Statesman reporting.) Boise States student population and graduation rate grew with Tromp in the top job. The State Board of Education said it will take formal action on Shinns appointment later. BOLIVAR, Mo. Bolivar is getting ready for the fourth annual Missouri Beef Days (MBD). The event is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate Missouris rich cattle heritage. During the 8-day event, there will be activities including a parade, street festival, the Boots & Bling, Cowboy Church, Beef Pairings, Rodeo Market and concert. A look into the history of the Hazelwood Cemetery Photo courtesy of Missouri Beef Days Missouri Beef Days is all about celebrating our agricultural roots and the people who make this community so special, Matt Henenberg, president of the Missouri Beef Days board of directors, said in a press release. Whether youre here for the rodeo, the food, or just to spend time with neighbors, theres something for everyone to enjoy. Were excited to see Bolivar come together once again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is May 3-10, in Bolivar, Missouri. For more information on each day, visit the MBD 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. PROVO, Utah (ABC4) A man was taken into custody after allegedly brandishing a weapon and prompting a bomb squad response in Provo on Friday. At 10:30 a.m., Provo police responded to a call in the area of the Provo Town Centre Mall about a man in a vehicle who was brandishing what appeared to be a gun. Officers searched the area and found the suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Eric Whitaker, still in his vehicle in the area of 1200 South, Town Centre Blvd, near a church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jury begins deliberation in trial of Kent Cody Barlow According to police, the initial investigation found that Whitaker had allegedly been in possession of a handgun and ammunition. Police also reportedly found items that looked like Improvised Explosive Devices, which led to a bomb squad response. Police said that four total devices that seemed to be pipe bombs were safely removed from the area. Whitaker was booked in the Utah County Jail for Possession of an Incendiary Device, a second-degree felony. The investigation is still ongoing. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Latest headlines: 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 ABC4 Utah. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The annual Book Lovers Book Sale kicked off Thursday at the Southern Hills Mall in Sioux City. The sale is taking place in the old Chuck E. Cheese location at the mall. Its being put on by the Friends of the Sioux City Public Library. Thousands of books come from the library which were taken out of circulation or were too numerous. The rest of the books are donations from the community. Along with books, there are also DVDs, vinyl albums and audio books for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prices range from $1 to $4 for books and $2 for DVDs and audio recordings. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland gets donation from local McDonalds restaurants We get people from all over that travel to come, said Debbie LaCroix with the Friends of the Sioux City Public Library. We get book collectors, we get moms, we get teachers, we get grandmas, we get those that just love books. People looking to escape, people looking to learn. Youre going to find just lots of reasons to be here. There is also a silent auction for a 95-book collection Louis LAmours works. You can bid on the books or buy the collection outright for $900. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book sale runs until May 3. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former UK Prime Minister and outspoken supporter of Ukraine Boris Johnson has sharply criticised US President Donald Trumps proposals for ending the war. Source: Johnson on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Johnson stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is indiscriminately killing Ukrainian civilians, yet is being offered the following: to retain sovereign Ukrainian territory seized by force, to control Ukraines future by blocking its NATO membership, to have sanctions lifted, to gain economic cooperation with the United States and to rebuild its military for another attack in a few years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As for Ukraine what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion? What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world? Apart from the right to share their natural resources with the United States they get nothing," Johnson wrote. He added that nothing in the proposed "peace plan" would realistically prevent another Russian invasion. "If we are to prevent more atrocities by Putin then we must have a long term, credible and above all properly funded security guarantee for Ukraine a guarantee issued by the UK, the US and all western allies," Johnson stated. Background: Last week, the Trump administration reportedly handed Ukraine a one-page document in Paris, presenting it as the final offer for a peace deal. In it, the US shows readiness to recognise Russian control over Crimea and ease sanctions on Moscow. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration had shown Ukraine and Russia a path to peace and what the finish line should look like and now both sides just have to say "yes". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! BOWIE (KFDX/KJTL) Bowie City Council members approved a water rate hike Tuesday, April 22, after a second reading initially failed earlier in the month. According to The Bowie News, the ordinance to raise rates passed in March. However, two city councilors who originally voted yes on the rate changed their vote on its second reading on April 8. Mayor Gaylynn Burris vetoed the vote, which brought the second reading back for further consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was agreed that no one on the council wanted to see rates increase. However, additional revenue will be necessary with mandated improvements to the water plant and to help stabilize the water department budget, which has seen a large deficit due to increased costs. CONTINUING COVERAGE: City of Bowie explains reasoning behind water rate hikes The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also mandated the installation of a new pump at the raw water pump station. City leaders tried to get a variance to allow more time, but the TCEQ did not allow 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 Texomashomepage.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis announced Friday that it is closing nine clubs at Memphis high schools because their COVID-era funding source is depleted. The sites will close May 24 at these high schools: Booker T. Washington Hamilton Manassas Raleigh Egypt Ridgeway Sheffield Trezevant Westwood Wooddale The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis opened 10 new high school clubs in 2021 with $9 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded by the city of Memphis. Nine of them are closing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding ran out in October of 2024, but the nonprofit continued the programs until the end of the school year. The nonprofit said it worked hard to find a funding source to keep the $2 million programs open, but was unable. Memphis grapples with rising youth crime, teen victims This is the hardest news weve had to share, said Gwendolyn Woods, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. But we are certainly proud of the thousands of children weve served and helped the last three years. Its particularly difficult, because some of these schools are in high-crime areas, and business owners around the sites told us crime started to fall when we gave the high schoolers positive things to do after school. The nine sites serve more than 3,500 high school students, with 49 employees affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two killed in South Memphis shooting, suspects wanted Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis will still have 11 sites, including two in high schools, at Craigmont and Melrose. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MADISON As Rep. John Spiros started to comment during an April 23 hearing on a bill that would strengthen penalties for people found guilty of sextortion, he paused for few moments, overcome with emotion. Spiros, who chairs the committee on criminal justice and public safety, which held the hearing at the state Capitol, wanted to ensure that, in addition to this bill, school districts, schools and parents understood what's at stake. "There are predators like this looking to manipulate children, possibly take their lives, and they don't care, and that's what's sad," said Spiros, R-Marshfield, choking up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill in question is named Bradyn's Law in memory of 15-year-old Bradyn Bohn of Kronenwetter, who died by suicide March 5 after being victimized for hours by a cybercriminal. It would establish harsher punishments for people found guilty of committing sextortion. It would also make the victim's family eligible for payment under the state Department of Justice's crime victim compensation fund. The bill still needs to go through the Assembly and Senate before it makes its way to Gov. Tony Evers' office. The purpose of the hearing was to listen to and potentially amend items in the bill ahead of legislative action. Bradyn Bohn, a 15-year-old teenager living in Kronenwetter, Wis., took his own life March 5, 2025, after being tormented for hours by scammers who threatened to ruin his life. The crime, financial sextortion, is now the fasting growing cybercrime targeting children, and especially teenage boys, in North America. Should the law pass, Bohn's perpetrators could be charged with felony murder if caught and prosecuted in Wisconsin. The bill was authored by Reps. Patrick Snyder, R-Weston, and Brent Jacobson, R-Mosinee, who crafted the legislation with Attorney General Josh Kaul and the state Department of Justice. Other states, like Kentucky and South Carolina, have recently passed laws that put 20- to 50-year enhancers on sextortion crimes if they lead to suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're just learning about this, and we want to have the ability to send a message to these predators that if they do something like this, it's going to be harsh punishment if it does end up leading to a suicide," Snyder said. "But even if it doesn't, it's still ruining this person's life." Jacobson, for his part, said that authoring the bill will likely be "by far the most meaningful and productive thing I'll do in this job, including if it might save the life of my own child." More: Sextortion is the fastest growing cybercrime in North America. Here's how to keep your child safe. Sextortion is the fastest-growing cybercrime targeting children in North America Financial sextortion is a form of child sexual exploitation that involves threatening or blackmailing children, often after tricking them into sending them nude or sexual images. The scammers threaten to go public with their photos if they don't comply with their demands, which sometimes involve money, coercing them into sexual activities or sending additional sexual content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the hearing, Snyder emphasized the startling statistics surrounding financial sextortion, the fastest-growing cybercrime targeting children, and especially teenage boys, in North America. Between October 2021 and March 2023, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations have received more than 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion of minors. Brittney Bird, Bohn's mother, testified at the hearing after Snyder, Jacobson and state Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp, took questions from the Assembly. Some, like Rep. Jodi Emerson, D-Eau Claire, who plan to sign on to the bill, wanted to better understand the proposed statute of limitations, especially if, 15 or 20 years after being sextorted, someone revisits the trauma and takes their own life. The statute of limitations, Snyder said, would be four years, but he said he'd defer to Legislative Council on the logistics. Bradyn's Law would be similar to Len Bias Law Others, like Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, expressed concern over how courts would be able to hold someone responsible if their actions lead to someone's suicide and asked about similar felony-level cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while no cases came to mind, James, who also works as a part-time law enforcement officer, cited the Len Bias law, which allows the state to prosecute people who supply the drugs that lead to fatal overdoses. "That stuff is going on right now. Is that wrong to do? It's the same concept, but this is worse, because it involves children," James said. Bird shared with the Assembly the devastating turn of the events that led to her son's death, while Luke Bird, her husband, sat beside her holding up a picture of Bohn. Brittney Bird talked of her son's ambitions to go to college, get a stable job, marry, have kids and own dogs. And she shared with the Assembly the final time she heard him laugh, on a car ride home from her hair salon when he woke himself up laughing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the harrowing weeks since his death, Bird has learned about the professional criminals who are trained with scripts on how to target children ages 14 to 17. "They work in groups. It's their careers. It is their job to find our kids and extort them," Bird said. "My son paid them, and they would not stop." Many of the offenders committing these crimes live overseas, which complicates the process of prosecuting them. But once the investigation is handled by the FBI, it goes to the federal courts. In one example James cited, the U.S. was able to extradite a Nigerian man who will face prosecution for sextorting Gavin Guffrey, a South Carolina minor, which led to the teenager's death by suicide. South Carolina responded to Guffrey's death by enacting Gavin's Law. As a result of South Carolina's law, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, the Nigerian man, faces up to life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm here to get justice for Bradyn," Bird said. "We're never going to stop this from happening. The monsters will always be there, but now we get to fight back." If you or someone you know has information on potential child exploitation, you can report it to NCMEC online at report.cybertip.org or by calling 800-843-5678. Reports can also be made through Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO), a 24/7 statewide confidential reporting system run by DOJs Office of School Safety. Reports can be made online at speakup.widoj.gov, by calling 800-MY-SUSO-1 or by texting SUSO to 738477. Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her X (Twitter) profile at @natalie_eilbert. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bradyns Law goes before Wisconsin lawmakers for hearing BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. In 2024, Bulgaria's poverty rate continues to pose a significant challenge, with the average monthly poverty line set at 763.83 BGN ($442.96) per person, Trend reports. A total of 1.4 million people, or 21.7% of the population, were living below this line. Poverty assessment in the country includes both objective and subjective indicators. The latter measures personal perceptions of material deprivationspecifically, a households ability to meet essential needs. Since 2021, a new indicator has been used to assess severe material and social deprivation, which reflects the inability to afford 7 out of 13 essential items for a dignified life. In 2024, 16.6% of Bulgarians were found to be severely deprived, a slight improvement from the previous years 18%. In line with the EU's "Europe 2030" strategy, which monitors national progress on key social targets, a combined indicator of poverty and social exclusion was calculated. This includes the at-risk-of-poverty rate, severe deprivation, and households with low work intensity. In 2024, this combined figure revealed that 30.3% of the populationnearly 2 million peoplewere at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Despite some progress in reducing material deprivation, poverty remains a pressing issue in Bulgaria, with a significant portion of the population continuing to face economic hardships. SAO PAULO (AP) Brazils former President Fernando Collor was arrested early on Friday in the northeastern state of Alagoas and ordered to begin serving a prison sentence stemming from his 2023 conviction for corruption. Collor was convicted of receiving 20 million reais ($3.5 million) to facilitate contracts between BR Distribuidora, a fuel distributor formerly controlled by the state-owned oil company Petrobras, and construction firm UTC Engenharia for the construction of fuel distribution bases. In return, he offered political support for the appointment of executives at BR Distribuidora when it was still state-owned. Collor, who led the country from 1990 to 1992, was sentenced to eight years and 10 months, to be served initially in prison, rather than under house arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Brazilian legal system, cases concerning members of Congress, presidents and ministers go directly to the Supreme Court. He was not yet in prison because his lawyers were still lodging appeals. The case stemmed from the Operation Car Wash, a sweeping corruption probe that has implicated top politicians and businesspeople across Latin America including current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was arrested in 2018 and imprisoned for nearly two years. Collor, 75, was the first Brazilian president elected by popular vote, in 1989, after a 21-year military dictatorship. He was impeached and removed from office by Congress in 1992 following corruption allegations. In 2007, he was elected as a senator representing his home state of Alagoas in northeastern Brazil. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the former president's arrest Thursday, with the full board set to vote on Friday whether to confirm the decision. De Moraes said in his decision that Collor should begin serving his sentence, noting that the former president's lawyers have attempted to drag out proceedings through appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justice also said that the court had previously ruled in similar cases that, once appeals have no merit, the sentence can be served right away. Collor's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. The Department of Defense will resume providing gender-affirming care for transgender service members, according to a leaked memo obtained by Politico. Its an embarrassing setback to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths efforts to restrict their participation, the outlet reports. The Defense Department is complying with a court order that found the restrictions on trans service members unconstitutional. Federal judges have blocked the ban in two separate lawsuits, and one appeals court has denied the departments request to lift the block while legal challenges proceed. Donald Trumps administration has now appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Service members and all other covered beneficiaries 19 years of age or older may receive appropriate care for their diagnosis of [gender dysphoria], including mental health care and counseling and newly initiated or ongoing cross-sex hormone therapy, Dr. Stephen Ferrara, the acting assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs, said in the memo obtained by Politico. It was dated Monday. This returns the department to its trans-inclusive policy implemented during Joe Bidens presidency. The Trump administration policy stems from an executive order he signed in February to reinstate the trans ban from his first presidency. Lawyers for the administration have argued it's simply a ban on service members experiencing gender dysphoria, but courts have held that it's a ban on all trans troops and therefore discriminatory and unconstitutional. The governments Supreme Court request follows the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuits upholding of an injunction in one of the cases, Shilling v. United States. The appeals court upheld U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle's ruling that blocked the enforcement of Trump's executive order, . He ruled that the policy likely violates the Fifth Amendments equal protection guarantee and called it dramatic and facially unfair, citing a lack of evidence that transgender troops harm military readiness. In the other case, Talbott v. United States, D.C. District Judge Ana Reyes described the ban as soaked in animus and dripping with pretext. The administration appealed Reyes's injunction against the ban in the federal appeals court for the D.C. Circuit, but in a hearing Tuesday, Department of Justice lawyers struggled to defend the ban. Story developing. INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana State Police held an awards and recognition ceremony in Indianapolis Tuesday. The ceremony publicly recognized officers for their dedication, service, bravery, and devotion to the department and the residents of Indiana. Matt Drudge Matt Drudge Trooper Matthew Drudge was recognized as the 2024 Trooper of the District for the Bremen Post. The award is given annually to a trooper in each district that personifies integrity, professionalism, and a well-rounded work ethic. Drudge was selected by his command staff for his dedication, traffic and criminal enforcement, community involvement, and other services performed for the department beyond normal expectations, information provided by ISP reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drudges efforts resulted in him making 430 criminal arrests and assisted other troopers and agencies in many more. Over the course of 2024, Drudges traffic enforcement resulted in 357 traffic citations and 577 warnings. He also has been active in the Indiana State Police marijuana eradication program. His community-oriented efforts saw him work at the Elkhart County Fair, Indiana State Fair, and the Indianapolis 500. Trooper Drudge also received the District DUI Award for the Indiana State Police Bremen Post. This award is presented to the top trooper in each district for outstanding efforts in removing intoxicated drivers from Indianas roadways. Drudges efforts resulted in 51 arrests for drivers operating while intoxicated during 2024. Drudge has been a trooper for nearly 10 years. He lives in Kosciusko County. Brian Robbins Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Robbins Senior Trooper Brian Robbins was recognized, along with Officer Bradley Taylor and Officer Tyler Thornton of the Mishawaka Police Department for their lifesaving actions that took place on Aug. 18, 2024. On this night, Officers Taylor and Thornton were in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle when the female driver of the fleeing vehicle lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wooded area, the statement from ISP reads. The female driver sustained life-threatening injuries, and her vehicle caught on fire. Officers Taylor and Thornton pulled the female from the burning vehicle and found that she was unresponsive with no pulse. While they began CPR, Trooper Robbins retrieved his AED, but no shock was advised. Robbins took over on chest compressions and she began to have a pulse. The driver survived this crash and continues to recover. The extraordinary conduct of all three officers resulted in her surviving this crash, the statement reads. Robbins has been a trooper for 14 years. He lives in Elkhart County with his wife, Morgan, who is also an Indiana State Trooper, and his three children. John Streeter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Streeter Trooper John Streeter was recognized as the 2024 Trooper of District for the Toll Road Post. This award is given annually to a trooper in each district that personifies integrity, professionalism, and a well-rounded work ethic. Streeter was selected by his command staff for his dedication, traffic and criminal enforcement, community involvement, and other services performed for the department beyond normal expectations, the statement reads. During 2024, Streeter was responsible for 86 criminal arrests. His traffic enforcement saw him responsible for 283 traffic citations and 1,969 warnings. Streeter also made Indianas roadways safer by having 13 arrests for drivers operating while intoxicated. Streeter has been an Indiana State Trooper for nearly three years. He patrols the Indiana Toll Road primarily in LaGrange and Steuben County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lecil Martin Lecil Martin Trooper Lecil Martin received the District DUI Award for the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post. This award is presented to the top trooper in each district for outstanding efforts in removing intoxicated drivers from Indianas roadways. Martins efforts resulted in 48 arrests for drivers operating while intoxicated. Martin has been an Indiana State Trooper for nearly three and a half years. He patrols the Indiana Toll Road primarily in Porter and Lake County. The normally strident Donald Trump defenders at Fox & Friends took a rare moment to (gently) admonish the president Friday, warning it appears hes getting played by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the effort to secure peace in Ukraine. Describing Russias war in Ukraine in stark terms, co-host Brian Kilmeade made it clear that, contrary to Russias portrayal of the war to Trump, its not going well for them. The way Ukrainians are fighting has embarrassed Russia to no end, he said, noting Russias been forced to conscript prisoners and recruit fighters from North Korea who go to war backed by Iranian weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Russia has the advantage of time, because Putin destroyed all of the countrys checks and balances, that doesnt mean Trump needs to capitulate if Putin refuses to make concessions. Vladimir Putin, I think, to a degree, is embarrassing President Trump when he bombed Kyiv in this brutal attack, Kilmeade said, referring to the barrage of missiles Russia hit the Ukrainian capital with Thursday, killing scores of civilians. After the bombing, Trump was reduced to begging Putin to stop via social media: Vladimir, STOP! Trump is giving Russia an open door to end this war, Kilmeade assessed, but, if [Putin] is going to embarrass the president ... its going to get worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the segment below: Kilmeades points were emphasized later in the segment during an interview with retired Army Gen. Jack Keane, who sharply criticized Putin and the Russians for their conduct both at the negotiating table and on the battlefield. With his attacks on civilians in Kyiv, Putin is going full-throttle, Keane observed. He also noted the Russians walked away from a reasonable 30-day ceasefire, whereas the Ukrainians were on board. [Putin] is the problem here, Keane said. He has been the problem from the beginning because he obviously invaded a country illegally. And he committed genocide. Hes a thug and hes a killer and hes a war criminal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The general predicted that Putin would only participate in peace negotiations if he thinks theyll make Ukraine vulnerable to a future attack. Russia fully intends to take control of Ukraine and then also other countries in Eastern Europe, Keane concluded. Thats likely news to Trump, who told reporters Thursday he thinks the only concession Russia needs to make is to not take the whole country. Russia has been attempting and failing to take the whole country since February 2022. Related... Ed Miliband has urged opponents of his net zero policy to bring on the fight after the Governments climate push faced criticism from the US. Mr Miliband, the Energy Secretary, said at an international energy summit in London that the Government is not for bending on net zero after a US delegation criticised Labours staunch climate policies. Tommy Joyce, Donald Trumps envoy, told Mr Miliband at the meeting that net zero policies harm human lives and undermine health, wealth and opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Joyce, Americas assistant energy secretary, said climate zealotry was a threat to economic and national security. Americas assistant energy secretary Tommy Joyce said net zero policies harm human lives - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe There is no national or economic security without energy security, and energy security is not possible without access to secure, affordable and reliable access to energy, he said. It follows other recent attacks on Government climate policy, including from the Conservatives, who say the 2050 net zero target is too ambitious, and Reform UK, which wants to scrap it altogether. But speaking after the meeting, Mr Miliband rejected the criticism, saying that international cooperation on renewables and cutting climate emissions makes all our countries stronger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: The critics will not shut up, Im sure. But the critics need to know, if they want to fight about this, this Government says bring it on. Lets bring on the fight. Lets have the argument and any day of the week, any hour of the day, any month of the year we will have the argument between cheap, clean renewables that give you energy security, lower bills, the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century, against their case to say no to all that. To stick simply with expensive, insecure fossil fuels which gave us the cost of living crisis, which ruined family finances, which ruined public finances, which ruined business finances, and they will say no to these huge job opportunities that are on offer. So whether it is political parties or other forces that want to take on net zero and the clean energy transition, they need to know that this Government is not for bending, this Government is not for buckling, this Government is standing firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, you know what, I think the British people are on our side on this. At the summit, Sir Keir Starmer also pushed back on net zero critics, reiterating the Governments commitment to clean energy as the only way to ensure energy security and bring down bills over the long term. However, the US stance on the clean transition also overshadowed some of the consensus. Sir Keir Starmer reiterated the Governments commitment to clean energy as the only way forward - Justin Tallis/Pool AFP Asked about the time he spent with Mr Joyce during the summit and if the US official used it as an opportunity to attack climate policies and promote the countrys fossil fuels, Mr Miliband said the Government had been seeking to find common ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the United States, the Prime Minister has shown absolutely the right leadership on this, which is President Trump is the duly elected president of the US, elected on a clear mandate, he said. We are the duly elected government of the UK, also elected on a clear mandate. Obviously there are some differences but there is also common ground, he added. Part of our job is to find that common ground, to work together with the US on those issues and theyre the discussions we had at this [summit]. Mr Miliband later cited the growth of nuclear and geothermal energy as a shared interest with the US, despite the country coming at it from a different perspective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundamental thing here goes to what the British people expect of us, he said, adding it is to stick to the mandate on which they elected us. They also expect us to reach out and seek to find common ground and that is what were doing. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. April 25 (UPI) -- A British man who paid more than $26,000 to replace his stolen car later discovered he had unknowing bought his own vehicle back. Ewan Valentine, 36, from Solihull, England, said he discovered Feb. 28 that his black 2016 Honda Civic Type-R had been stolen from its overnight parking space. Valentine said he was distraught about the loss and hoped to replace the car with a nearly-identical vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sure enough, I found one for sale. Same color, same year, same custom exhaust system," he wrote on social media. The license plates and VIN were different from his stolen vehicle, so he didn't think too much about the similarities until he had already paid more than $26,000 for the replacement ride. "I started to notice some odd things when I got it home. I noticed a tent peg and some Christmas tree pines in the boot. I noticed the locking wheel nut was in a Tesco sandwich bag. I noticed some wrappers in the central storage section. All oddly similar to my stolen car," he wrote. Valentine decided to check the car's on-board GPS and discovered it had previously been to his house, his parents' house and even his partners' parents' house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A part of me felt sort of triumphant for a moment until I realized, actually, no, this isn't some heroic moment; you didn't go and get your car back; you've actually done something a bit stupid," Valentine told the BBC. He took the vehicle to a Honda dealership, where technicians confirmed the VIN was a fake and the car was indeed the one that had been stolen from Valentine. "The first Honda technician, he pulled the physical key out, puts it straight in the door and unlocks it and he's like, 'Yes, it's your car,'" Valentine said. Valentine said he does not believe the garage that sold him the car knew it was stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The police and the Honda garage all said this was one of the best clone jobs they'd ever seen, so if it wasn't for these little artifacts, no one would have ever known," he said. The car is currently being investigated by police for forensic evidence and will then be turned over to Valentine's insurance company. "The police are now handing the car over to my insurance company, who will either get it road legal again and in a position that it can be insured on my original policy again or pay out for the car if that costs more than the car," he told Birmingham Live. BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) After being closed for several years, the historic Bedford Branch Library in Brooklyns Bed-Stuy neighborhood has finally reopened its doors, drawing crowds of families, local leaders, and longtime residents for a festive grand opening celebration. The atmosphere was anything but quiet on Thursday, as music filled the newly renovated library and neighbors gathered to mark the long-awaited return of a beloved community institution. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I moved to the neighborhood, I was really excited about there being a library here, but I was really disappointed that it was closed, and I learned that it was closed for like four years, said Renee Ryans, a Bed-Stuy resident who lives just minutes away. Ryans was among the first through the doors, eager to see the changes and reconnect with her neighbors. Im really excited to see the community come together for this, she shared. The Bedford Branch Library, which first opened in 1897 and has occupied its current building since 1905, recently underwent a major renovation after being shuttered for four years due to outdated heating and cooling systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extensive upgrades include: A new energy-efficient HVAC system Replaced windows and LED lighting A modernized elevator and updated flooring Fresh landscaping An adult learning center with new classrooms For Ryans, who works from home, the new spaces offer an inspiring change of scenery. More Brooklyn News I never saw it before it was closed, so its hard to compare, but its so beautiful. I love how theres space routines for kids, for the meeting rooms and everything like that. I am really looking forward to working here all the time. Adeeba Rana, the librarys branch manager, reflected on the challenges of restoring a 125-year-old building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we started doing HVAC repair, there were so many other things that came up. Every time they opened up a wall, every time they opened up the floor, there were just more things that needed to be done to just repair and rehab this beautiful building so that she can stay beautiful for another 125 years. But for Rana, the reopening is about more than just bricks and mortar. Bed-Stuy is full of artists and thinkers and makers, and really this community flourishes when theres a library space to help those things happen. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Apr. 24A brush fire engulfed 7 acres near a marsh in Scarborough Thursday afternoon, officials said. The blaze, which spread throughout the marsh along Highland Avenue and its intersection with Lilac Lane, was ignited by a "campfire that was not extinguished properly," the Scarborough Fire Department said. Initial reports of the fire came in shortly after 1 p.m., and it was extinguished within three hours, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine Forest Service rangers joined Scarborough firefighters on the scene, the department said in a post on social media. The marsh borders the Nonesuch River. A forest service helicopter dropped water on the blaze to help contain it, the department said. The Scarborough Fire Department did not immediately return a call requesting details of the fire. Maine has seen several brush fires in recent weeks, and most of the state is under a high risk of wildfire, according to the forest service. Rising temperatures and dry underbrush are partially responsible for the increased risk. A burning permit is required for most outdoor fires, and burning is prohibited when the forest service reports more than a moderate risk of wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials have declared this week Wildfire Awareness Week. 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Uzbekistan is limiting imports of fuel oil, focusing on the development of environmentally friendly fuel, Rustam Nurbaev, commercial director of PanAsia Group, said at the Caspian and Central Asia Oil Trading and Logistics Forum in Baku, Trend reports. According to him, at the moment, investments in Uzbekistan's oil and gas sector are insufficient to meet domestic demand, which leads to the need to import various types of fuel, including fuel oil and diesel fuel. The use of outdated fuels, such as 80-grade gasoline and low-quality diesel fuel, is damaging to the environment, and the government is actively combating the problem, Nurbayev said. In 2023, Uzbekistan imported more than 700,000 tons of fuel oil, mostly from Russia. This high-sulfur fuel oil was adding to environmental pollution. In response to these challenges, the government limited fuel oil imports in 2024, and significant changes in supply volumes are expected in 2025. Nurbaev expressed confidence that with the development of refineries in Uzbekistan, the country will move to producing more environmentally friendly fuels such as 92 gasoline. At the same time, problems with financial mechanisms in the domestic market remain a serious obstacle to attracting investment in the industry, and the government is actively working to resolve them. Burlington, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Officers in Burlington are looking for a man that they believe followed one person and inappropriately touched another Wednesday. Authorities were dispatched to the scene on North Prospect Street at roughly 4:55 a.m. Police met with the victim, who said that an unknown male had followed them to their home, approached and took their photo. Officers canvassed the area but could not find the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BPD later took a second report about an incident on North Prospect Street, which occurred around 4:16 p.m. Police say that a male approached someone from behind before touching then inappropriately. BPD believes that the same person may be involved in both incidents, as similar descriptions and behaviors were reported. The suspect has been described as a black male wearing a black and grey sweatshirt, possibly in his twenties. Courtesy: BPD Anyone with information about this incident should contact BPD by calling (802) 658-2704. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A 2.5-mile segment of Idaho 16 will be closed to all travel on Sunday. In a news release Thursday, the Idaho Transportation Department said the highway just west of Meridian would be closed both directions from State Street (Idaho 44) to Chinden Boulevard starting at 9 a.m. Sunday. That section opened in 2014 as part of a long-touted vision to turn the once-sleepy Idaho 16 in Emmett to a freeway extending south all the way to Interstate 84. Now, ITD is working to build an interchange at Idaho 16 and Chinden and to continue extending the highway south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ITDs release stated that failing asphalt ... has created a bulge in the roadway and that crews would work to remove the asphalt and ultimately create a smoother surface for motorists. Commuters have navigated the construction at Idaho 16 and Chinden Boulevard for years as Phase 2 of the Idaho Department of Transportation project extends Idaho 16 south to connect to Interstate 84. Sophia Miraglio, a public information officer for ITD, did not immediately respond to a voicemail from the Idaho Statesman regarding the cause of the asphalts problems. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes during the closure, which should be lifted at 6 p.m., according to the release. This busy Idaho 55 turnoff is getting a traffic signal. Heres when its coming U.S. 95 to reopen after weeks of landslide repairs, detours near McCall Gas line break leads to road closure in Meridian near Interstate 84 San Francisco ABC affiliate 7 On Your Side and The San Francisco Standard report that California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has been having a good time on the taxpayers dime during an unprecedented insurance crisis. The news outlets reveal that Commissioner Lara used campaign funding to pay for $30,000 in fancy meals and taxpayer dollars to travel to Paris, Bogota and beyond. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has launched a probe in the wake of the news investigations. Laras spokesperson has responded to a request for comment by saying the Insurance Commissioner is laser focused on his job serving Californians as we face unprecedented times and bringing solutions to the insurance crisis. Heres a look at what the commissioner has been doing and what critics are saying about it. What the commissioner is doing versus what hes supposed to be doing According to ABC7, Commissioner Lara has gone on at least 46 cross-country and international trips with taxpayer funds. His office has not revealed the function of the trips. He has spent $30,000 at some of the fanciest restaurants in California, dining on lobster salpicon, sea urchin, rack of lamb, and a $16 grapefruit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Francisco Standard reports that the meals were listed as campaign meetings and paid for with funds from a campaign committee he created during his run for lieutenant governor years ago. Even though his run was never publicly announced, he kept collecting campaign donations coincidentally amounting to $30,000. As Insurance Commissioner, Laras job is to lead the Department of Insurance, which licenses insurance companies, establishes rate regulations, punishes insurance companies for rule violations and investigates consumer complaints. Critics say hes not doing his job. Since 2019, hes missed eight of 14 of the state's insurance hearings. Dozens of insurers have left under his watch 22 since 2021 according to the management consulting firm Milliman. Read more: This hedge fund legend warns US stock market will crash a stunning 80% claims 'Armageddon is coming. Dont believe him? He earned 4,144% during COVID. Heres 3 ways to protect yourself Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many insurers are fleeing California due to climate change risks, critics argue that Lara's actions have worsened the crisis. For example, CNBC reports that some insurers have pulled out because California has set strict limits on rate increases. Commissioner Lara blocked companies from raising premiums, despite huge losses, in part because of the potential impact of price increases on his re-election chances. Now California insurers are being sued for allegedly colluding to limit coverage in high-risk areas. Critics suggest that Lara is too cozy with insurers especially after he was caught collecting tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations in 2019. Californians must deal with the insurance crisis themselves If critics are right that Lara's actions made things worse, Californians are the ones footing the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lara is not serious. It was always a game to him, political scientist David Letterman told the San Francisco Standard. And now insurers are leaving. People are being priced out; they cant get insurance. Its gone beyond like, Oh, hes just not up for the job. Many Californians have had to turn to the FAIR Plan. FAIR has issued 555,000 home policies in California double the number in 2020 covering $458 billion in properties. The FAIR Plan was established by statute to make sure everyone could get coverage. Essentially, it's a high-risk pool. All insurers licensed to sell property and casualty coverage in California come together to cover FAIR plan participants. The insurers share profits, losses, and expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is that FAIR Plans are costly and provide limited coverage to homeowners. With so many homeowners stuck with few choices, it's no wonder people are mad at the commissioner for living his best life on taxpayer and campaign funds. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Caddo Parish Schools held its annual districtwide job fair at Huntington High School. Organizers told us they were expecting around one thousand people to attend. Caddo Schools are seeking a diverse range of professionals, including classroom teachers, bus drivers, and support personnel. District recruiter Renee Ellis said, Some examples would be a bus driver, a classroom teacher, a laborer, a warehouse worker, a security officer. In Caddo Parish, we say big dreams start here. Virtual reality app helping students in Louisiana with public speaking Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynn Gardner, the principal at Westwood Elementary, told us, Im looking for math, ELA, social studies, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade, just great people who love kids. Southwood High principal Latoria Grant was selling her school to prospective employees. She told us math teachers are in high demand. She went to say, We have promoted everything that Southwood has to offer such as robotics, our bio tech program, our digital team, our award winning band, our award winning JROTC, so we are excited about the new school year and we are looking for some innovative teachers who are ready to help us make history. If you missed the hiring event, you can find open positions at Caddoschools.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 KTALnews.com. California joined several other states Friday in suing the Trump administration over its demand that public schools eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or risk losing federal funding expanding its defiance in a standoff with high stakes for students across the state. The lawsuit from California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and other state attorneys general came one day after a Trump administration deadline for state officials to collect certifications from every school district in the nation confirming that all DEI efforts had been eliminated, on the argument that such DEI initiatives amount to illegal discrimination. And it comes two weeks after the California Department of Education defended the legality of DEI efforts in a letter to school district superintendents. Bonta took a similar stance in announcing the lawsuit Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The U.S. Department of Education is unapologetically abandoning its mission to ensure equal access to education with its latest threat to wholesale terminate congressionally mandated federal education funding," Bonta said in a statement. "Let me be clear: The federal Department of Education is not trying to 'combat' discrimination with this latest order. Instead it is using our nation's foundational civil rights law as a pretext to coerce states into abandoning efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through lawful programs and policies." Read more: California defies Trump order to certify that all school districts have eliminated DEI Bonta, whose office has now sued the current Trump administration 15 times, said President Trump had "once again ... exceeded his authority under the Constitution and violated the law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither the White House nor the U.S. Department of Education immediately responded to a request for comment Friday. Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights in the department, has previously said that "federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right," and that many schools have flouted their legal obligations to qualify for such funding in the past, "including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans to favor another." The states are not the first to sue over the anti-DEI threat to school funding. Lawsuits filed by teachers unions and civil liberties groups also had some early success. On Thursday, a federal judge in New Hampshire blocked the administration's directive that schools eliminate diversity programs in a lawsuit brought by the National Education Assn. and the American Civil Liberties Union. A second judge postponed other DEI-related education directives in a case brought by the American Federation of Teachers in Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not unusual for multiple different parties to sue over a single government policy, as different stakeholders hold different standing and positions on such matters, and their cases can fair differently as they rise through the courts. In an interview with The Times on Friday, Bonta said the issue was one he felt was "ripe and appropriate" for his office to jump into and litigate for several reasons. First among them is that California has "billions of dollars of funding at stake." His office said $7.9 billion in federal funding due to California was at risk. The lawsuit put the threat to its multistate coalition at $13.9 billion overall. Bonta also said he acted because the Trump administration's directive to schools took a "perverted and distorted view" of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, "turning it on its head" by "saying that efforts to address discrimination are somehow discriminatory." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The directive was also a prime example of a more broadly problematic and legally dubious pattern by the Trump administration of vaguely ordering an end to DEI initiatives across government despite failing to define what "DEI" means or why it merits concern, Bonta said. "This waging of the cultural war, this attack on DEI without defining what it is, but just saying it's bad and you can't do it and they want you to certify that you can't that is something that we wanted to be engaged in," Bonta said. "And this is a good case to do it." The California Department of Education has repeatedly made similar arguments. In a letter to school districts, county education offices and charter schools, Chief Deputy Supt. David Schapira wrote that there "is nothing in state or federal law ... that outlaws the broad concepts of diversity, equity, or inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate letter to the U.S. Department of Education, the CDE wrote that it was "unclear which specific programs or activities" the federal agency was targeting with the directive, as it mentioned "certain DEI practices" or "illegal DEI" but provided no definition of those things. Joining Bonta in leading the lawsuit were the attorneys general of Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York. The attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin also joined. 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. By David Shepardson (Reuters) -The California Department of Motor Vehicles said Friday it is proposing to allow testing of self-driving heavy-duty trucks and other large vehicles on state public roads. California currently allows self-driving light-duty passenger vehicles for testing on public roads but not heavy-duty vehicles weighing more than 10,001 pounds, which manufacturers are testing in states like Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state would limit autonomous heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles driverless testing on specified routes that are legal for the size, weight and loading of the vehicle or vehicle combination and would largely ban operation on city streets. California would not allow testing of certain heavy-duty operations including household movers, commercial vehicles used to transport passengers, oversize loads, hazardous materials, and bulk liquids. The state plans a public hearing on June 10 on the proposal. The state is also proposing to update light-duty testing requirements. All manufacturers will be required to Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement initially hold a permit to test with a safety driver in the vehicle and then apply in subsequent phases for driverless testing permit and deployment permits. To apply for a driverless testing permit for light-duty vehicles, manufacturers will be required to conduct testing within the proposed operational design domain for a minimum of 50,000 miles. Heavy-duty manufacturers would be required to conduct at least 500,000 autonomous miles of testing; up to 400,000 of these miles may occur outside California. California is proposing to expand both the frequency and type of data reported to the department during testing and deployments requiring monthly reporting on disengagements, vehicle immobilizations and hard braking events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal comes as the Trump administration said Thursday it is easing some reporting requirements for self-driving and advanced driver assistance system incidents. Heavy-duty truck manufacturers face other issues. In 2024, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration denied Aurora Innovation's application to pilot modernized roadside warning systems in autonomous trucking, prompting the automaker to file suit in January. Aurora has said it plans to launch driverless trucks in April in Texas. (Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Franklin Paul) California is heading toward another record year for cases of valley fever, the disease caused by fungal spores linked to cycles of drought and precipitation. There were 3,123 reported cases of valley fever in the first three months of the year , according to state health officials roughly double the 10-year average for the first-quarter time period. Cases ranged from a low of 801 in 2016 to 3,011 last year. Most people who are infected with the fungus won't experience symptoms, and their bodies will fight off the infection naturally. Those who do suffer symptoms however are often hard-pressed to recognize them, as they resemble the onset of COVID or the flu, further complicating efforts to address the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disease is caused by inhaling spores of coccidioides, a fungal pathogen that thrives in the drier and dustier regions of the state. The fungus is released when the dry soil where it grows is disturbed. "We actually had sort of seen this coming, just based on the climate cycle of the last few years," said George R. Thompson, a professor of medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine and a specialist in invasive fungal infections. Research has shown that patterns of drought and precipitation play important roles in the number of valley fever cases in California, said Doua Ge Yang, a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Public Health. "When there are several years of drought in California, followed by a wet winter, and then a dry summer," there are increases in valley fever cases for the following two years. She said 2023 typified such a scenario, and as predicted, 2024 resulted in a record-high case count, with 12,637 cases recorded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Valley fever is on the rise in California," she said. While the numbers for 2025 are so far higher than any previously recorded first quarter, Yang said health officials can't predict whether it will remain a record year. She also noted that all the numbers from 2024 and 2025 are considered preliminary and therefore demographic issues such as age, sex and race cannot yet be reported. In addition to patterns of rain and drought, research shows that other factors can play a role in incidents of valley fever including soil disturbance, such as the kind accompanying construction activity, wild fires and even archaeological digs. Construction workers, firefighters and archaeologists working in the dry, arid regions of the state are at increased risk of getting the disease especially as Californians move into these previously less inhabited regions of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, at least 19 people who attended Lightning in a Bottle, a five-day music and art festival held at Buena Vista lake in Kern County, came down with the disease including several who reported severe effects that included pneumonia-like symptoms, rashes, headaches and exhaustion. The festival's organizers will be holding the event again this year at the same location. According to the festival website, organizers will try to reduce dust by applying water to the ground to keep it in place, adding artificial turf in front of the stages for dancing, and reducing the number of motorized vehicles used by staff around the site, and placing additional wood chips over heavy traffic areas to suppress dust. Because most people clear the infection on their own, the true number of afflicted people is not known. If a person's immune system is unable to clear the infection and it is left untreated, it can cause death or permanent disability. Treatment varies depending upon severity, but antifungal drugs, such as fluconazole (Diflucan) or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), are the most common medications used. However, they come with serious side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, dry skin, dry mouth and chapped lips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While several Central and Southern California counties have seen recent increases in their case counts, Monterey's numbers have ballooned. In 2023, there were 22 cases reported during the first quarter in the Central California county; this year, the number is 217. County health officials said they began seeing a surge in November of last year, at which point they sent out a health advisory to local medical providers and clinics providing information about the disease and testing guidance. Monterey County spokeswoman Karen Smith said that many residents had experienced severe disease and delays in their treatment and diagnosis. She said rates were highest for people who live in the southern part of the county and in the largely agricultural Salinas Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the county encourages people to reduce their risk of getting the disease by avoiding breathing in dirt and dust. Thompson, the UC Davis doctor and researcher, said there has been anecdotal evidence that the disease may be increasing in severity, and there are concerns that it may also have acquired some immunity to the common antifungal medicines used to fight it. Some theorize that the widespread use of antifungal chemicals on crops in areas where the fungus is endemic may be contributing to its resistance, but research on the topic is only just getting underway and answers so far are elusive. He said there's a statewide effort looking into these issues, that includes participation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state's public health department, UC Davis, UC San Francisco, and Cal State Fresno and Cal State Bakersfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the disease for years had largely been sidelined in public health circles, as attention and funding was targeted at other pathogens that had wider and more severe impacts. "I hate to disparage that, but I think with limited resources, public health agencies do have to really prioritize certain pathogens," he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 25. Uzbekistan and Malaysia discussed the launch of regular direct flights on the Kuala Lumpur Tashkent Kuala Lumpur route, Trend reports, citing the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan. The meeting was attended by Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Chairman of AirAsia X, and Benyamin Ismail, the airlines Chief Executive Officer. The proposed flight service is expected to commence in October 2025, with three weekly operations. In addition to the launch of direct flights, the discussions also explored the possibility of expanding cooperation through connecting flights to third countries, aimed at boosting regional and international connectivity. A major focus of the talks was on increasing the flow of Malaysian tourists to Uzbekistan, particularly through the development of pilgrimage tourism under the "Umrah+" program. Representatives from Uzbek tour operators participated in the meeting to identify partnership opportunities and promote cultural and religious tourism. This initiative underscores the shared commitment of both countries to deepening people-to-people ties, enhancing mutual understanding, and positioning Uzbekistan as a leading destination for religious and cultural tourism in Central Asia. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel After state Rep. Hillary Cassel left the Democratic Party and became a Republican, special interests and Republican-aligned organizations in the state capital started filling her campaign bank accounts. In the 10 weeks after she changed parties, Cassel raised almost as much money as she did during the previous two years combined, when she was still a Democrat. Her campaigns finances werent the only beneficiary of her party switch. Away from Tallahassee, angry Democrats opened their wallets for her 2026 challenger. More than 1,500 contributions poured into Todd Delmays campaign in the six weeks after he announced his candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donations to Cassels campaign and her political committees averaged $1,886, with 40% of her contributions coming from entities in Tallahassee. Donations to Delmays campaign and his political committee averaged $53. Just 2% of his contributors were from entities in the capital city. The Republican lawmaker finished far ahead of the Democratic challenger in the first phase of fundraising for the 2026 election in the 101st state House District in southern and eastern Broward County. The first campaign finance reports of 2025 show another contrast: larger Tallahassee-oriented contributions for Cassel vs. much smaller donations from outside the capital for Delmay. Totals Cassels committees raised $164,000 during the first two months of 2025, before she had to suspend fundraising when the annual legislative session got underway. State representatives are prohibited from political fundraising when the Legislature is in session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delmay raised $81,000 from the time he announced his candidacy on Feb. 11 through March 31. Fundraising for both candidates, and their associated political committees, was disclosed this month in campaign finance reports filed with the state. The 2026 Cassel-Delmay contest is shaping up as the hottest state legislative race in Broward County next year. Cassel, then a Democrat, won her first term in 2022. In 2024, no Democratic primary or Republican general election candidate came forward to challenge her, and she was returned to office without facing the voters. Then, on Dec. 27, she delighted Republicans including Donald Trump, then the president-elect and infuriated Democrats by denouncing the Democratic Party and becoming a Republican, saying it provided a better political home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of her new party, Cassel explained on social media, I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida, adding that she was constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians. I can no longer remain in a party that doesnt represent my values. The top Republican in the Florida House, Speaker Daniel Perez, rewarded her with a position as vice chair of the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee. To do that, he removed the vice chair hed previously appointed. Campaign contributions soon started coming in, the reports show. Related Articles Cassels for Delmay The name of one donor stood out on the campaign report from Delmays nascent campaign: Seth Cassel, a nephew of Hillary Cassel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four years ago, when Hillary Cassel was a Democrat in the first weeks of her ultimately successful first campaign for state House of Representatives, Seth Cassel donated $1,000 to her campaign. This time, Seth Cassel donated $1,000 to Delmays campaign. I support Democrats, thats really it. When she was running as a Democrat, both for family and political reasons I supported her, Seth Cassel said. I believe in progressive causes. I think its important to help those who need help. I think Democrats have (had) their positions misconstrued based on what a very small set of progressives believe. And I take issue when Republicans bastardize those positions for their own political gain, whether its abortion to immigration to Israel to you name it. Cassels brother-in-law, Brad Cassel, who lives west of Lake Worth Beach, publicly criticized her party switch in January. He said he just donated $100 to Delmay, but it hasnt yet shown up in campaign filings because it came after the cutoff for the report. Cassel breakdown Hillary Cassels total was $164,120. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her campaign for state representative received 57 contributions, totaling $50,820, from the beginning of the year through March 3. Her Balanced Leadership political committee took in $70,300 from 23 contributors and her Friends of Hillary Cassel political committee reported receiving $43,000 from seven contributors. (Friends of Hillary Cassel also transferred $25,000 to Balanced Leadership.) Cassel benefited from the annual frenzy of campaign contributions from Tallahassee insiders just before the start of the session. Her reelection campaign received nine $1,000 contributions and one $500 contribution on March 3, the day before the annual session. The week before, she received 32 contributions. All but four were for $1,000 each. There were only two contributors with addresses in the district Cassel represents: The Diener Firm in Davie, which describes itself on its website as a law firm that sues insurance companies, and Action Public Adjusters in Hallandale Beach, which helps people pursue claims with insurance companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the contributions from outside the district are related to insurance and public adjusters, businesses that can be affected by the work at the committee where Cassel serves as vice chair. Cassel is co-founder of the Cassel & Cassel law firm, which describes itself as a boutique law firm dedicated solely to the representation of policyholders throughout the State of Florida in property damage claims. Cassel didnt respond to a request for comment about her fundraising. Delmay breakdown Delmays total was $80,813. His campaign for state representative received 1,529 contributions, totaling $74,688, from the time he announced his candidacy on Feb. 11 through March 31. As with Cassel, some contributors gave more than once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides the contribution from Seth Cassel, the Delmay contribution report stands out because of the large number of individual contributions. Aside from the total amount of money they can generate for a campaign, many small contributors can be a sign of strength for a candidate. It does tend to be a good indicator of broader support, said Kevin Wagner, a political scientist at Florida Atlantic University. People who donate tend to vote for you, and when you have a lot of people donating to you, its a good base of voters. The candidates separate political committee, Delmay for Florida, wasnt very active. It took in $6,125 from four contributions, including a $2,000 loan from Delmay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delmay and his husband, Jeff Delmay, each contributed $1,000 to the campaign committee. He didnt respond to a request for comment about his fundraising. Republican support As a Republican, Cassel now has both the advantage of incumbency and a position in the majority party that controls all of Florida state government. Once this years legislative session ends, even if it runs into overtime beyond the scheduled May 2 adjournment, Cassel will be able to resume fundraising. Shell almost certainly have whatever financial resources she needs for 2026. I suspect shell be well resourced, Wagner said. Republicans control has given the party a significant advantage in raising campaign money. The party organization for Republican candidates for state House has used its fundraising advantage in past elections to deploy money wherever its needed as Election Day approaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A clear signal of Republican intentions to support their newest state lawmaker came in the form of $12,000 in contributions to Cassels two political committees. The money came from two political committees controlled by state Rep. Sam Garrison, the Fleming Island Republican who is in line to become speaker of the Florida House after the 2026 elections. A central mission for an incoming legislative leader like Garrison is raising money to aid the partys candidates. In addition, political committees controlled by five other Republican members of the Florida House collectively gave $6,000 to Cassel. Republican critic Cassel had been a Republican, became a Democrat in 2016, went back to the Republicans in December explaining in a statement, I do know that I will always have input, collaboration and respect, adding that lawmakers in her new party welcome different ideas and collaboration, which is the cornerstone of effective government. Some Democratic elected officials and constituents were withering in their criticism of Cassels party switch, expressing outrage and feelings of betrayal. More recently, state governments top Republican, Gov. Ron DeSantis, questioned the sincerity of her party switch. As hes chafed at the resistance hes received this year from Republicans for the first time in more than six years as governor, DeSantis has been lashing out at his critics in the party and feuding with Perez, the Republican speaker of the House. As hes escalated his criticism of Perez, DeSantis has cited Cassel to illustrate his contention that House Republicans arent acting like Republicans. In fact, you know, they have like they brought into the party a liberal Democrat from down in South Florida. She switches parties to be Republican even though shes very, very liberal and opposed us on everything for six years, DeSantis said earlier this month. Cassel was first elected in 2022, and hasnt been in office for six years. Running that year as a Democrat, she said, I disagree with Governor DeSantis on almost all issues. Campaigns, committees Candidates have their campaign committees to raise money for their efforts. Contributions to a legislative candidates campaign are limited to $1,000 per person or entity. Many times related entities will contribute. For example, Ron Book, one of the states most prominent lobbyists, contributed $1,000 to Cassels campaign. His firm also gave $1,000. And two related Deerfield beach companies, Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Family Automotive, each gave $1,000 to her campaign. To raise even more, many candidates can establish political committees such as Cassels Balanced Leadership and Friends of Hillary Cassel and Delmays Delmay for Florida. Unlimited contributions can go to a political committee. Thats how Nectris, a Daytona Beach hemp extract company, was able to contribute $25,000 to Friends of Hillary Cassel. It was her largest contributor. As the shakeout from Cassels party switch continued, Friends of Hillary Cassel paid what appears to be a final legal services bill from the Fort Lauderdale firm Haber Blank. Her political committee also replaced Jason Blank, a Democratic lawyer, as its treasurer with a Tallahassee Republican. In February, Delmay for Florida formed with Blank as its treasurer. No guarantees The 101st state House District which includes all or parts of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach and Hollywood is Democratic, but not overwhelmingly so. Its registered voters are 36.7% Democratic, 32.5% no party affiliation/independent, 28.1% Republican and 2.6% minor parties. Voting in the district is becoming more Republican, according to an analysis of presidential results by Democratic data analyst Matthew Isbell. In 2012 and 2016, the territory in the district was solidly blue. In 2020, former President Joe Biden won it with 56.7% of the vote. In 2024, Trump won it with 50.6% of the vote. Candidates dont officially qualify to appear on the ballot in 2026 until next spring. Delmay could face another Democrat. Cassel filed paperwork on Sept. 10 to run for reelection as a Democrat. On Jan. 13, about two weeks after her party switch, she reaffirmed her intention to seek reelection to the House as a Republican. A campaign for reelection isnt locked in. In a November interview, before she switched parties, she said shed consider running for a state Senate seat. If the opportunity presents itself and its right for me and its right for my family, I definitely would have my eyes on a Senate seat, she said at the time. Since then, former Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book has announced shed run for the southeast Broward seat in 2026 if incumbent state Sen. Jason Pizzo resigns to run for governor or in 2028 when he is term-limited. Cassels campaign filing contains a clue that suggests a Senate candidacy against Book is unlikely. That clue is the donations to Cassel from Books father, the lobbyist Ron Book, and his firm. Insiders suggest its unlikely that Ron Book would give money to a candidate if he had any expectation it might someday be used in a campaign against his daughter. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Beginning May 1, 2025, people will be paying more to visit camps at state parks. This is the first major price increase since 2019. Tent campsite prices will range from $20-$30 and RV campsites with full hook ups will cost $45. The per vehicle entrance fee at Falls, Jordan and Kerr Lakes will cost $10. Senior citizens (62 years old or older), veterans, and active-duty military will continue to receive a discounted rate of $5 per vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2026 State Parks Annual Pass which covers entrance fees, equipment rentals and more will also increase in price. The Annual Pass for Reservoirs will cost $70, the Annual Pass $100, and the Annual Pass with Four-Wheel-Drive Beach Access will be $200. In addition to the May 1st changes, transient and monthly boat slip rentals at the Carolina Beach State Park marina will increase beginning July 1. The increases reflect market adjustments and the higher costs to maintain these facilities. For a full list of fee changes, please visit ncparks.gov/fees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tyler Cummings, the deputy director of the board overseeing the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems, was selected as the NPERS executive director at the pictured Jan. 27, 2025, board meeting. The governor rejected the board's selection, though Cummings has continued to serve as interim director through the start of the year. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A member of the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems Board said Thursday that he resigned earlier this week after Gov. Jim Pillen rejected the best candidate to head the agency that oversees state and school retirement plans. But Pillens office said he hadnt rejected anyone. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen. Dec. 10, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) It appears to be a case of differing interpretations of state law regarding the hiring process, and clearly represents a new interpretation of the law from the governors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen Simpson of Lincoln, a long-time PERB member who had headed the boards personnel committee, told the Examiner that the committee recently recommended the hiring of the current interim director/deputy director of the agency, Tyler Cummings. He would have filled the vacancy left when the past director, former State Treasurer and State Sen. John Murante, resigned in December. Same process followed Simpson said the PERB search committee followed the same process as it had in hiring the previous three directors do a search, and then let the governor approve it. Theyre not going to get a better candidate than Tyler Cummings, Simpson added. He said he resigned from the board on Monday feeling that if the governor did not agree with his committees pick, you probably shouldnt stay on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im trying to say this in the most politically correct way possible, said Simpson, who, like Pillen, is a Republican. However, later Thursday, Pillens spokeswoman, Laura Strimple, emailed that the governor hadnt rejected anyone. Strimple said that state law requires PERB to work with the Governor in selecting a director and that the Governor shall approve the applicant before the appointment proceeds to the Legislature. The state law cited by Strimple clearly states that it is the responsibility of the PERB Board to appoint a director to administer the systems under the direction of the board. The appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Governor and a majority of the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Examiner reporter could not find a clause in the chapter of state law, 84-1503, cited that mentions working with the governor to select a director. And Strimple was not immediately available Thursday evening to clarify. Surfaced in legislative debate In her earlier statement, Strimple said that Gov. Pillen looks forward to working with the Board to identify a highly experienced leader for NPERS. She said that applications for the job, which had paid $205,000-a-year, are now due by May 22. When asked about the differing interpretations of law, Simpson said that while hes not an attorney, I can read a statute as well as anyone else. The personnel committee, he said, used the same process as it had in three previous selection processes, and the governor had approved all three. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simpson added that he hoped that Cummings would still be considered to become director because he is highly qualified and has the respect of the retirement system staff. The issue of the reopened search for a PERB director was raised during debate in the State Legislature over a bill making major changes to the state teachers retirement plan. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A car bomb in Moscow has killed a senior Russian military officer, Russian officials said. The Russian Investigative Committee said Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik "was killed in an explosion" on Friday after an improvised explosive device allegedly planted in a parked car detonated in Balashikha, just outside Moscow. Moskalik was the deputy head of the main operations directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, the committee said. PHOTO: A destroyed car sits in the courtyard of residential buildings following a blast in Balashikha, Russia, on April 25, 2025. (Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP via Getty Images) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed Ukraine for the explosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Kiev regime once again shows its essence," Peskov told a Kremlin-associated reporter on Friday. "The Kiev regime continues to be involved in terrorist activity in our country. This once again shows that despite peaceful negotiations, we must be alert and understand the essence of this regime." There has been no official comment from Ukraine yet on the incident. PHOTO: Police and investigators work at the scene where Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik was killed by an explosive device placed in his car in Balashikha, just outside Moscow, on April 25, 2025. (AP) MORE: 'Vladimir, STOP!' Trump says to Putin after deadliest Russian strike on Kyiv in months A team of investigators were at the site of the explosion, Russian officials confirmed. ABC News has seen video of the moment the parked vehicle exploded as a person can be seen walking toward it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The footage is seemingly from a CCTV camera overlooking the parking lot of what appears to be an apartment complex. PHOTO: Flames and smoke rise from the scene where Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik was killed by an explosive device placed in a car in Balashikha, just outside Moscow, on April 25, 2025. (Ostorozhno Novosti via AP) The explosion comes as President Donald Trump and his negotiators have been pushing to bring the three-year-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine to a speedy end. The president said Thursday he has a "deadline" in mind for talks to make progress, though he did not say what it was. MORE: Trump insists Ukraine peace talks making progress despite Russian strikes: ANALYSIS Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy and lead negotiator in the peace talks, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for a fourth time on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting came a day after Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Putin after Moscow launched missile and drone strikes at Kyiv that killed at least 12 people, marking the deadliest attack on the capital city since the summer of 2024. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing," Trump said on social media Thursday. "Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!" Car bomb kills senior Russian general in Moscow: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Car crashes into building on Route 19 in Raleigh County GHENT, WV (WVNS) A car crashed into a building on Route 19 Flat Top Road in Raleigh County Friday morning April 25, 2025. 59News was on scene as first responders were directing traffic and assessing the damage just before 11:30 AM. Members of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department and West Virginia State Police were on scene. Woman dies in Coalfields Express way accident, criminal charges pending It is unknow at this time what caused the accident or if any injuries were sustained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic is being directed in the area. Stick with 59News for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Harvard University and Hillsdale College have a lot more in common than you might expect: Both are home to many good and serious students and faculty, neither is very much like the cartoon of itself outsiders see, and they both have the one big important thing that kept Donald Regan from getting bossed around by Nancy Reaganit is, after all, to Ronald Reagans irascible treasury secretary that we reportedly owe the popularization of the term fk-you money. Why does Harvard need such a big endowment? people used to ask. Why is Hillsdale so insistent about not taking government money? others demanded. Now you know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvards endowment was right around $64 billion at last count, equal to about 10 years of the schools operating expenses. Those investments produce billions of dollars in income for the university, which uses some of the proceeds for operating expenses and reinvests the rest. Endowment income is Harvards largest source of revenue. Its a little complicated, of course: Harvards endowment isnt a fund but some 14,000 individual funds, most of which are restricted to certain uses in certain programs. But it is a big pile of money, and theres a great big stream of revenue from tuition and other sources, too. It is not that Harvard isnt going to miss the $2.2 billion in grants and contracts the Trump administration has frozen on account of pretexts for its pique and resentment and vindictiveness. But Harvard can adapt. So can Yale University ($41 billion) Stanford University ($36 billion), Princeton University ($33 billion), and the University of Pennsylvania ($21 billion), etc. Hillsdale does things a little differently. It has a respectable endowment, too, right around $1 billion. Tuition represents a relatively small share of its revenue; instead, the school has developed real proficiency at fund-raising and generating its own income over the years. Hillsdale has a reputation for conservatism, but conservatism is a slippery thing: Hillsdale was open to black and female students from its founding in 1844 (doing so was part of the point of its founding as a Christian college) whereas Harvard didnt graduate its first African Americans until a generation later and didnt admit female undergraduates until the 1970s. I taught a seminar at Hillsdale a few years back, and I was surprised (and pleased) to learn that while there were a lot more young people walking around with pictures of Margaret Thatcher there than at the typical campus, that was a minority enthusiasm, while most of the students were there to learn history and read philosophy and to be, in a word, educated. What Hillsdales independence from government funding has enabled is not conservatism or sectarianism but independence. Does that sound good to anybody else right now? And by anybody, I mean anybody sitting in a universitys presidents office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres an old story about two brothers, one an alcoholic and the other a teetotaler. The alcoholic explains himself: My father was a drunk. My grandfather was a drunk. All my uncles were drunks. What choice did I have? And the teetotaler explains himself: My father was a drunk. My grandfather was a drunk. All my uncles were drunks. What choice did I have? Hillsdale is a teetotaler when it comes to government money, but other institutions may be getting the message that it is time to sober up. They should take advantage of the moment. It is easy to find a lot of inane, insane, or counterproductive stuff being done with public money at universities. (Theres a whole weird little galaxy of right-wing media that employs telegenic 22-year-olds to do almost nothing else.) On the other hand, university-based (and most often government-supported) work in basic sciencepure research into the fundamental questionsis an excellent use of the modest public resources involved. And, yes, the resources are modest: A typical years worth of federal support of basic science amounts to about 11 days of Social Security spending. A smart political hustler, understanding that the road from pure research to commercialization is not as long and winding today as it was a generation ago, might propose some modest entitlement reform, using most of the savings for deficit-reduction but kicking in enough to, say, triple federal funding for basic science, which could have real benefits for the areas in which the United States actually excels, which isnt 20th-century manufacturing but cutting-edge information technology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, other medical technologies, aerospace, robotics, energy, agriculture, etc. The graduate students and captains of industry youd bring into your camp may not be a huge voting bloc, but Americans have, historically, enjoyed living in the country that keeps inventing the future, and we had a pretty good run of it from the Manhattan Project through the birth of the Internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, our current generation of political hustlers is peopled by those who arent even smart enough to see the most obvious kinds of opportunity. There is much to be said for government support of university research, as the Pentagon and NASA et al. have known for a long time. The case against the universities is the same as the case against other elite institutions: They are too fat and lazy, too smug and self-satisfied, too insulated from market pressures and democratic accountability, too keen on niche enthusiasms and voguish ideological jihadstoo far removed from the people they are supposed to serve and the people who pay the taxes that support so much of their work. That case often is overstated, but it does not come out of nowhere, and it is not entirely without merit. Harvard has an opportunity to set an example, to refocus itself on its most worthwhile work and to do a little pruning of the unfruitful and the meretricious. And maybe make a little bit of a show out of itand drive home the point. Other universitiesthe ones that do not have Harvards resourceswould benefit from Harvards taking the lead. Government money is always going to come with political strings, but there are better and worse ways to play the politics, and Harvard has enough in its rainy-day funds to enjoy some flexibility: Thanks to its endowment, Harvard doesnt have to kowtow to this administration or to the next one. But the moment does call for action: This is one of those cases where good policy is good politics: Husbanding university resources more prudently would be a better practice and would also assuage some of the populist irritation that has made a political target of higher education. Sure, there will be some howls down at the sundry grievance-studies departments, but whats the point of having fk-you money if you never say the words and do the thing? 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. By Anastasiia Malenko KYIV (Reuters) - You'll receive a generous salary, a bumper bonus and an interest-free loan to buy a home. The challenge? You'll have to fight on the frontlines of Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. It's a tough sell to young people with their whole lives ahead of them. Two months after Ukraine launched a national drive to recruit young people to fight in its tired and aged armed forces for a year, fewer than 500 have signed contracts, according to Pavlo Palisa, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's military adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palisa stressed it was early days for the scheme, which was initially confined to six brigades before expansion to 24. The numbers so far provide scant respite for Ukraine's defence forces, which are outnumbered by Russia after three years of war that has killed and injured hundreds of thousands. Pavlo Broshkov, among the few hundred young people to take up the offer so far, said he viewed military service as his duty and wanted to help spare his six-month-old daughter Polina the horrors he had faced growing up during the conflict. "I don't want my child to even hear the word 'war' in the future," said the 20-year-old, among seven young recruits interviewed by Reuters who are being sent to fight with frontline units in about two months. "I simply don't want her to know what it means." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a new father dreaming of buying an apartment for his family, Broshkov was also attracted by the financial terms of the recruitment scheme, which was launched in February targeting 18 to 24-year-olds who are prepared to fill fighting roles. On top of the mortgage deal, the package includes a monthly salary of up to $2,900, way above the national average wage of about $520, a cash bonus of 1 million hryvnia ($24,000) and a one-year exemption from mobilization after a year of service. Broshkov's 18-year-old wife understands the need to defend the country but can't stop agonizing over the danger. "Death is chasing my husband now and it can catch up with him at any time," said Kristina Broshkova, who moved back with her parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Money is a motivation, but dying for money is not really worth it." 'THEY ARE STILL BIG CHILDREN' The young recruits are preparing to head to the front at a time when Russian forces continue assaults along multiple fronts even as the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump seeks a negotiated ceasefire. Zelenskiy said in January that Ukraine had 980,000 people in arms, while last year the Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the size of the Russian armed forces to be increased by 180,000 to 1.5 million active service personnel. A Ukrainian draft has been in place for most adult men after the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022, and Kyiv reduced the age of those required by law to join up from 27 to 25 last year in a bid to invigorate their forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youth recruitment scheme marks a departure from the forced mobilization, which was hampered by public mistrust, and is part of a broader drive to make the military more professional and sustainable, officials say. The average age of Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield is 45, a senior diplomat source with knowledge of the country's defence capabilities told Reuters. Serhii Filimonov, commander of the Da Vinci Wolves battalion serving on the eastern Pokrovsk front, said many motivated young people had joined up even before the recruitment drive. So he didn't expect many 18 to 24-year-olds to sign up to the scheme, adding that money alone wasn't sufficient motivation to fight a war. "You have to fight for your friends, for your family, for the future, not for a million hryvnias." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, Oleksandr Moroz, military instructor at one of the brigades, said most of the young men he had trained were attracted by the financial benefits, though described the recruitment to date as "a drop in the ocean" in attempts to lower the average age on the frontline. "At this stage, they are still children, big children," he added as the new recruits learned tactical medicine at a training site. TIKTOK V REAL LIFE As well as being enticed by the money, the recruits interviewed by Reuters variously said they joined to defend their homeland, have greater control of their fate than simply being drafted and to potentially forge a military career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they still have multiple weeks of training left before deploying, their first experience of simulated artillery and drone attacks came as a shock to some. "It's like TikTok and real life: there is a big difference. In the video, it looks so cool, so easy, but in reality it's not," said Zakhariy Shatko, a 24-year-old who joined the scheme together with his friend Broshkov. As instructors practiced drone assaults, one of the main battlefield threats, the two friends got a smoking break in. When instructors learn of such infractions, 100 push-ups are assigned for the entire unit to drill in shared responsibility. For 18-year-old Yuriy Bobryshev - the first person to join the programme - the motivation to fight was personal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After escaping the Russian occupation of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region at the age of 15, he is haunted by memories of the violence as well as by the loss of his brother, who was killed there. "I saw too many bodies," Bobryshev said. "As soon as I left, I wanted to go fight." (Reporting by Anastasiia Malenko; Additional reporting by Yurii Kovalenko; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Pravin Char) ROCK HILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The Catawba Nation issued a formal response to recent comments made before the S.C. House Ways and Means Subcommittee by former tribal officials Jason Harris and Dwayne Rogers. These statements were made in support of a proposed casino project in Santee, SC a project backed by outside business interests, not the Catawba Nation. This project is not sanctioned by our current tribal leadership and undermines our sovereignty. The proposal sidelines the Tribe entirely, while offering long-term benefits to private developers at the expense of our people. Brian Harris, Chief of the Catawba Nation While Jason Harris and Dwayne Rogers have promoted the project as a win for the Tribe, both men have had alleged past financial or political connections to the developer in question. Their advocacy raises concerns about conflicts of interest and a disregard for tribal autonomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tribe clarified that any future gaming project must be initiated and controlled by the Catawba Nation. Leadership means protecting our peoples future, not trading it for personal gain. We urge state leaders and the public to stand with us in honoring tribal sovereignty and rejecting attempts to exploit our identity for profit. Brian Harris, Chief of the Catawba Nation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 25. Practical work has already begun based on the agreements signed between Azerbaijan and China, Executive Director of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev told Trend on the sidelines of the conference themed "Constitution and SovereigntyDevelopment of Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan." He noted that a few days before President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's state visit to China, an investment conference in the industrial sector was organized by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, the Trade Representative of Azerbaijan in China, AZPROMO, and the National Development and Reform Commission of China. "During this conference, 13 documents were signed. Four of these documents were signed between institutions, while nine were practical agreements. These include memoranda and agreements in the fields of both light and heavy industry, such as cardboard production, machine engineering, tractor production, high technologies, laptop and computer production, and the expansion of aluminum production in Azerbaijan. The total value of these agreements is $335 million," he said. According to the director, work has already begun in some areas under this cooperation. "Specifically, almost three hectares of land have been allocated for cardboard production, and work on these projects has already started. In the near future, the investment and the process of creating the company will be completed. At the same time, the local company involved in tractor production has finished discussing the financial model with a Chinese company. Practical steps have been taken towards the next phases. Practical steps have already started in each sector, and practical actions are expected in other areas as well. These are practical agreements that will contribute to bringing real Chinese investments to Azerbaijan. A number of projects have already been launched as part of the cooperation with China, and more will continue to be initiated," Abdullayev added. AZPROMO was founded in 2003 by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan to facilitate foreign investment in the non-oil industry and promote exports of non-oil products. The agency's primary objective is to enhance the nation's economy by soliciting international investment and fostering exports in the non-oil sector. To date, the agency has conducted 33 export trips to international destinations under the "Made in Azerbaijan" initiative. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist will host a special mass Monday afternoon honoring the late Pope Francis. Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune will offer mass on Monday, April 28, at noon as part of the churchs nine-day mourning period. Photos: Pope Francis through the years Leaders with the Diocese of Charleston said the special mass will serve as an opportunity for the faithful to pray for the Pope and the repose of his soul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who cannot attend Mondays mass in person can stream the service live on the churchs YouTube and Facebook pages. Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic Church, died the day after Easter and nearly a month after he was released from a hospital in Rome where he had fought a respiratory illness. The Vatican said his cause of death was a cerebral stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. As we mourn his passing and grieve, we also rejoice in the hope of the Resurrection. Let us turn to prayer, asking for his intercession and entrusting his soul to Gods mercy as we carry his legacy of love, humility and service to others. May God receive him into the joy of heaven, said Bishop Fabre-Jeune in a statement following the Popes death. A tribute to Pope Francis inside the sanctuary at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston A black bunting was draped over the doors at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Monday to symbolize a state of mourning. The church then welcomed a large congregation into the sanctuary for afternoon mass and remembrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral of Pope Francis will be held Saturday in St. Peters Square in Rome. The funeral will take place after Francis body lies in state for three days at St. Peters Basilica. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) Central African Republics capital had been torn apart by inter-religious violence leading up to Pope Francis 2015 visit, its streets haunted by fear and division. Yet, there was the open-air popemobile driving through a Muslim-majority neighborhood of Bangui, a zone off-limits to Christians, with the pope crossing a line many feared amid a yearslong civil war. An imam at his side, Francis removed his shoes, bowed his head and entered a mosque, imploring people to "say no to hatred, vengeance and violence, especially that committed in the name of a religion or God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The episode is being recalled by Catholics as they weigh the pontiffs legacy throughout Africa, a continent where the faith is growing rapidly and where, unlike Francis, the priesthood leans deeply conservative. A big lesson on humility Priests and parishioners who spoke to The Associated Press from Morocco to South Africa remembered Francis' commitment to the marginalized, including victims of violence, poverty or the enduring structures borne from colonialism. "Christians and Muslims who used to stare at each other were reconciled," Ella Carine Kossingou, a Bangui resident, said of Francis' visit. Im not Catholic, but I wont forget his presence in our country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the announcement of his death, a graffiti artist dabbed finishing touches onto a portrait of Pope Francis in Kenya. In Nigeria, parishioners lined up to sign a condolence book beneath his portrait. And in South Sudan, Father James Rombe knelt to pray along with students at the St. Lawrence Minor Seminary. He taught our leaders a big lesson on humility, and what it means to be a servant a servant leader, Rombe said, remembering when Francis kissed the feet of warring South Sudan leaders as government troops battled rebels in parts of the country. That was the powerful message that we all received from him: Hope. To be hopeful. And these two words always go together: hope and peace, Rombe added. Once at odds, conservative priests now mourn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his 12-year pontificate, Francis visited 10 African countries, seven more than his predecessor. He spoke of the wisdom found in poor neighborhoods, in a Kenyan slum, preached fraternity across religion divides in Morocco and condemned foreign plunder in Democratic Republic of Congo. The late pope was very unambiguous in telling world powers to stop exploiting Africans, said Father Michael Nsikak Umoh, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. African ministers who clashed with Francis' stances on same-sex couples remembered him this week as someone who shared a commitment to justice, rather than someone with whom they disagreed. A priest in Cameroon told Catholic media that Francis was a post-colonial pope. In Mozambique, another recalled his ministry in the aftermath of natural disasters. Im not sure that he would want to be painted liberal or conservative. What he wanted to do was to walk a line between church teaching and the experience of people, said Father Hugh Patrick OConnor of the South African Council of Churches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That line, however, often frayed at the edges. African bishops conferences, largely among the churchs most conservative, pushed back against Francis' positions. After he issued an edict allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa, called for more recognition of perspectives from Africa, which he described as the future of the Church. The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa, led by Cardinal Ambongo, and Zimbabwes Catholic bishops were among the conferences that disavowed Francis stance on same-sex couples. Despite those differences, Father Tryvis Moyo, the conferences secretary-general, remembered him as a faithful shepherd who did not just become leader of the church, but became the conscience of the world. Moyo highlighted Francis commitment to doctrine and gospel while holding steadfast to his conferences stance against blessing same-sex couples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was not hesitant to say or stand up for what he believed in, Moyo said of Francis. About one in five Catholics lives in Africa Francis led the church as Catholicism experienced rapid growth throughout Africa, including in places where ministries provide health and social services to communities below the poverty line. More than 281 million Catholics live across Africas 54 countries, far more than the 185 million when Francis became pope in 2013, according to the Vaticans latest figures. Elizabeth Foster, a Tufts University historian and author of African Catholic, said that, in addition to a reformer, Francis was also a byproduct of debates that took shape during his youth, when the church was navigating decolonization and Europes withdrawal from Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the space of two generations, weve gone from a predominantly European church that was exported to Africa to now, where the flow of people has entirely reversed and Africans are coming to Europe to run parishes and the missionary societies that were founded to evangelize Africa, she said. A man of the poor Dom Joao Carlos Nunes, Archbishop of Maputo, remembered Francis' ministry in light of Mozambique's floods and cyclones, including when he visited in 2019. He was a man of the Church and also a man of the poor, of those who have no voice or place, those who are left aside. He taught us to welcome, to have a huge heart, to love without measure," Nunes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside leadership, many remembered him as someone who spoke to their struggles and embodied a faith attentive to the reality they lived. "He was real, he was like Jesus. He came down to our level. He understood us, said long-time congregant Lee-Anne Bertrand at the end of a memorial this week at Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg. __ Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco. AP writers Chinedu Asadu, Michelle Gumede, Mogomotsi Magome, Charles Mangwiro, Florence Miettaux and Farai Mutsaka contributed from throughout Africa. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Tampa animal rescue group worker and a college student came to blows over a dog, and now the internet is weighing in. Now, the foster dog is caught in the middle of this heated fight. It was supposed to be a routine rescue handoff, but both sides showed the moment it turned into a physical fight. Now, both said they just wanted what was best for the dog. Yelling, shoving and a disabled dog caught in the middle of a tense confrontation have now gone viral. Mike, a chihuahua mix, was recently rescued by Mercy Full Animals Project in Tampa. He had a missing eye and he had a broken leg, a broken limb that was just hanging in there, Heydi Acuna said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WATCH: More than a dozen bystanders stop man trying to drive off with children, mother A University of Tampa student came to foster Mike and, ultimately, adopt him. Yes, she voluntarily came here and thats how we found out that she was a good fit to take care of the animal. But we came to find out that that was not the case, Acuna said. The student, Karolyn Rodriguez, said she cared for Mike, whom she nicknamed Rex, for a month. I felt so bad for him, and I wanted to show him that not all humans are bad and that the experience he had is not right, Rodriguez said. But confusion over adoption fees escalated the situation. Visitor pulls gun on valet attendant at Tampa hospital building: officials I had questioned it because I had obviously heard 400, now 500 [dollars]. My concern was, why did the price increase, and where is it going? Rodriguez said. She didnt see the bigger picture that we are asking for an adoption fee in order to continue rescuing animals, Acuna said. But the argument didnt just go viral for the fight. A video surfaced, showing Rodriguez dancing with the injured dog at a concert. I take accountability for that situation, and I know that that would never happen again and I would never do that again, Rodriguez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First wildlife crossing over I-4 under construction in Polk County The rescue center said the incident has threatened their reputation, and the student is now worried for her safety. Despite it all, both sides said their intention was to give Mike a better life. Until it went viral, people were commenting. They know where I live. My school is getting involved. Im two weeks away from graduation, Rodriguez added. The intent behind all of this and Rex was to give him a loving home. Acuna said she disputes sharing Rodriguezs personal information. Mercy Full Animal Rescue said Mike has since been placed in another foster home. Both parties said they are considering legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tampa police confirmed they are investigating the battery incident that happened Wednesday, but said both parties have withdrawn their complaint. However, the owner of the rescue center said she plans to move forward with pressing charges against the student. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. There comes a moment when journalistic integrity meets corporate reality. For Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, that moment arrived on Tuesday when he announced his resignation to a stunned newsroom. Its clear that Ive become the problem. I am the corporations problem, Owens told his staff, his voice breaking as he struggled to maintain his composure. After 37 years at CBS News and six years leading the iconic news program, Owens found himself backed into a corner where journalistic independence gave way to corporate and political pressure. What happened here is that the Trump administration effectively forced out the leader of one of Americas most respected news programs. And nobody at ParamountCBS Newss parent companyhad the backbone to stand up for journalistic integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just about one producer losing his job. This is a five-alarm fire for press freedom in America. The catalyst? A $10 billion lawsuit filed by Trump against CBS over what he called a deceptively edited October interview with thenVice President Kamala Harris. Legal experts have called the suit frivolous, but that hardly matters when corporate interests are at stake. The real story here is about Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount, whos desperately trying to secure Trump administration approval for her companys multibillion-dollar sale to Skydance, a company run by the son of tech billionaire and Trump supporter Larry Ellison. Redstone has reportedly pushed for a settlement with Trump, despite the absurdity of his legal claims. Owens, to his immense credit, refused to cave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 his resignation memo. At Tuesdays emotional meeting, which Oliver Darcys Status newsletter obtained audio of, Owens revealed the creeping corporate control that has infected CBS News. In a million years, the corporation didnt know what was coming upthey trusted 60 Minutes to report the stories and program the broadcast the way 60 Minutes saw fit, he said, adding that any change to that arrangement created a really slippery slope. That slippery slope began months ago. In January, Redstone complained to CBS executives about a 60 Minutes segment on the Israel-Hamas war. A day later, the company appointed Susan Zirinsky to oversee the news divisions journalistic standardsa thinly veiled move to review politically sensitive 60 Minutes segments before they aired. For a program that has operated independently for 57 years, this was an unprecedented intrusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The staffers at 60 Minutes certainly understood what was happening. Lesley Stahl, who has spent more than 50 years at CBS, told Owens, I think you taught us all a lesson of following principle and being courageous and fighting for what you believe in. And I know you have taken a hell of a beating. She ended with a devastating admission: I honestly dont know how we are going to go on without you. And I mean that. Scott Pelley added that this wasnt something Owens was doing voluntarily: This isnt something Bill is doing on his own volition. Youre not being abandoned. There was no choice in any of this. The message couldnt be clearer: Owens was pushed out for defending journalistic independence against Trumps rage and corporate appeasement. Weve seen this before. Media consolidation means fewer independent voices, and massive corporate parent companies with business interests far beyond journalism make editorial decisions based on whats good for shareholder value, not whats good for democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Trump, this is already a win. Hes managed to depose the leader of a news program that has consistently held him accountable with aggressive coverage. Now, even if CBS continues to cover the Trump administration, we have to question whether that coverage has been compromised by Paramount executives eager to please the administrationand whether the story assignments, editing decisions, and interview questions will be filtered through the lens of Will this piss off Trump? If Redstone agrees to settle Trumps lawsuit to push her merger through, it wont just be a capitulation; it will be a permanent stain on the legacy of CBS News. The house that Walter Cronkite built will have surrendered to presidential intimidation. The most chilling part of all this is what it means for the rest of the media landscape. If 60 Minutesone of the most powerful, respected, and economically successful news programs in American historycan be brought to heel, what hope do smaller outlets have? When we allow presidents to effectively determine who runs our news organizations, weve crossed into dangerous territory. Defending a free press isnt some abstract principleits the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As viewers, we should be deeply skeptical of CBS News coverage moving forward. When you watch Scott Pelley deliver the news with his trademark gravitas, or when Lesley Stahl interviews a controversial figure, remember that behind the scenes, a Trump-size sword of Damocles hangs over the editorial process. Bill Owens may be gone, but the questions his departure raises should haunt us all. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) Council for Life Central Texas is hard at work preparing for its 2025 Celebrating Life Luncheon! The event will take place at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13th in the Brazos Ballroom of the Waco Convention Center, located at 100 Washington Avenue. Board Chair Keith Brown and Luncheon Co-Chair Berkley Knas tell us about the event in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two years after a Las Vegas woman was shot and killed, family and friends gathered in North Las Vegas to celebrate her life. It has been really, really hard, Regina Lacerda said. To live without her. Las Vegas man accused of killing girlfriend arrested in Mexico after 2-year search: sources Lacerda spoke with 8 News Now about her daughter, Tabatha Tozzi. Two years after a Las Vegas woman was shot and killed, family and friends gathered in North Las Vegas to celebrate her life. (KLAS) Two years after a Las Vegas woman was shot and killed, family and friends gathered in North Las Vegas to celebrate her life. (KLAS) Two years after a Las Vegas woman was shot and killed, family and friends gathered in North Las Vegas to celebrate her life. (KLAS) Two years after a Las Vegas woman was shot and killed, family and friends gathered in North Las Vegas to celebrate her life. (KLAS) Two years after a Las Vegas woman was shot and killed, family and friends gathered in North Las Vegas to celebrate her life. (KLAS) Two years after a Las Vegas woman was shot and killed, family and friends gathered in North Las Vegas to celebrate her life. (KLAS) Shes the light of my life, Lacerda said. Because Im never going to say that she was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 26-year-old was shot in the head in the west valley on April 22, 2023. She died two days later. When could Tabatha Tozzis boyfriend return to Las Vegas to face charges in her murder? She has too much light on her, and people, everyone who is here, Lacerda said. And I know there are people who did not know Tabatha, and they are fighting with me. Tabatha Tozzi was shot in the head in the west valley on April 22, 2023. She died two days later. (KLAS) Tozzis accused killer, her then-boyfriend Oswaldo Nate Perez-Sanchez, now 27 years old, was on the run until last week. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Undersheriff Andrew Walsh spoke with 8 News Now on the moment authorities arrested him in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I could describe going to the highest high and the lowest low in about a half a second, Undersheriff Walsh said. Thats how it felt. Perez-Sanchez is also accused of murdering a second woman, identified as Vivian Karely, in Mexico. When I found out that a life had, someone died for me to have that happening, Lacerda said of Perez-Sanchezs arrest. That kills me. Lacerda said no matter what happens and how much time passes, she will always fight for what her daughter would have wanted. She was very strong and she had a voice, Lacerda concluded. And I believe that I have to be her voice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the murder charge Perez-Sanchez faces in Mexico, his extradition process becomes more complicated. According to federal documents, it could take years for him to come back to the United States. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. CHEYENNE Wyomings billion-dollar gambling industry will be the sole focus of a new select committee created by legislative leadership this year, given the heavy lift of the complex issue. The issue is, theres no home committee for gaming, said Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, one of the co-chairmen for the new Select Committee on Gaming. Its been kind of the unwanted child, getting passed from committee to committee. Last year, the Legislatures Joint Appropriations Committee took the first stab at investigating gambling in Wyoming. The JAC created a special working group devoted to exploring this topic and paid for a statewide comprehensive study of the gambling industry. By the end of the interim, five committee-sponsored bills related to gambling were filed for the 2025 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of these bills focused on allowing local governments to have a say in approving historic horse racing machines, and another would have allowed national betting on Wyoming live horse races. However, a majority of these bills failed at the beginning of the session, and none made it to the finish line. This year, the Management Council created the new select committee that will be entirely dedicated to studying gambling issues in Wyoming. There are six members on the committee, three from the House of Representatives and three from the Senate. No meetings have been scheduled yet, however. Rep. Jayme Lien, R-Casper, and Kolb are the co-chairpersons of the committee. Kolb told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle hed like to focus on local governmental control to issue gambling licenses and unifying revenue from the gaming industry to make it more equitable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of issues with how the formulations have been constructed over the years, for lack of a better word, how this activitys been taxed, Kolb said. Its certainly not uniform across the board, with different types of gaming activities. He elaborated that gambling revenue is complex and not some one-size-fits-all situation. The gaming-related bill that made it farthest through the legislative session was House Bill 85, Local approval for simulcasting. This bill would have given city and town governments the authority to approve or deny simulcast permits, a power that is currently reserved at the county level. HB 85 made it all the way through the House before dying in the Senate presidents drawer. Before the creation of the new committee was announced earlier this month at a Management Council meeting, the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources listed gambling and lottery issues as one of its priorities for the interim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both chairmen told the WTE the committee will likely focus on lottery issues during the interim, but will hand over gambling to the new select committee. Co-chair Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, said the committee will review the modernization of the lottery and look at safety and security for retailers. Co-chair Rep. Andrew Byron, R-Jackson, said he appreciated that theres a new select committee to take on the heavy lift of gambling issues, especially after legislative leadership reduced the number of committee meeting days from six to four this interim. Byron hosted an educational meeting at 6 oclock one morning during the session and invited lawmakers to attend to learbn more about the gambling industry. The meeting was led by Wyoming Gaming Commission Executive Director Nick Larramendy. If anything, it made me realize that it needs its own standing committee, Byron said. Its become such a huge industry. Its the Wild West right now as it relates to whats happening in Wyoming. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths chief of staff left his role on Thursday after spending less than 100 days in the position, the latest shakeup at the Pentagon amid a series of controversies and firings. Joe Kasper is leaving his role as Hegseths chief of staff voluntarily to move into a part-time special government employee position, focusing on science, technology and industry, Kasper told the Washington Post. A senior defense official confirmed to The Independent that Kasper will continue working on projects as a designated special government employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His departure arrives as Hegseths office faces allegations of mismanagement, disorganization and total chaos while the defense secretary is accused of mishandling sensitive information in another Signal group chat. Hegseth has faced accusations of mismanagement since taking over the Defense Department (AP) Its unclear what exactly led Kasper to leave his role, but Hegseth seemingly maintains a good relationship with him, telling Fox & Friends last week that his chief of staff was a great guy and had done a fantastic job. The special government employee designation is the same one Elon Musk has accepted as part of President Donald Trumps administration. It means Kasper can work up to 130 days as a government employee in one year. Some people familiar with the situation told the New York Times that staffers reportedly complained about Kaspers unsystematic leadership style, claiming he went on unrelated tangents during meetings and dropped the ball on paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth said Kasper was certainly not fired. But the chief of staffs departure contributes to a larger, unusual shakeup at the Pentagon at the hands of Hegseth. Last week, a group of senior staffers was fired for allegedly leaking information to the press. Hegseth blamed one of those disgruntled staffers for telling reporters about the second Signal group chat with Hegseth, his wife, brother, personal lawyer and others. A fourth former staff member, John Ullyot, wrote a scathing op-ed for Politico, accusing Hegseth of overseeing a chaotic office and scapegoating the three fired staffers for leaks. Ullyot described working for Hegseth as a month of total chaos under Hegseths leadership. Police say they may have thwarted a "mass casualty event" after officers arrested a St. Peter man for shoplifting at a Mankato retail store. Blue Earth County District Court documents say Mohamed Adan Mohamed, 24, has been charged with theft and making threats of violence, but details of the criminal complaint suggest he may have been planning a much more serious crime. Mohamed was arrested on Thursday, April 17, after he was found to have attempted to steal $21,500 worth of merchandise at a local business including ammunition and body armor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension special agent had been aware of Mohamed's recent activity, informing law enforcement "there were strong indicators that Mohamed was preparing to conduct some sort of attack (mass casualty event) in the next 24 hours." Mohamed Adan Mohamed.Blue Earth County Jail According to the criminal complaint, officers with the Mankato Department of Public Safety went to the business in question just before 3 p.m. on April 17 to investigate a suspicious person. Employees told police that a man, later identified as Mohamed, entered the store wearing a heavy winter jacket, green knit cap, a COVID mask and gloves. He had selected multiple items from the store, such as several magazines for a 9mm firearm, bear spray and body armor. Staff became suspicious after Mohamed had continued to select high-priced items and not checking the prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint, Mohamed told people on the sales floor that he "possessed an AR-style rifle that was calibrated to 9mm." An investigation revealed Mohamed had a blue Toyota Sienna parked on the side of the building with no rear license plate. Mohamed then allegedly left the business with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and was able to evade a citizen's arrest, getting into the Sienna, nearly running over a pedestrian, hopping a curb, and then driving through some mulch and onto Raintree Road. Employees found a list that Mohamed had been looking at while selecting items. The list reportedly says at the top, "Survival Gear List with Alternative" which included a sleeping bag, lights, eight magazines, knives, pepper spray, a "6-mag chest right," bows and arrows. Eight ammunition magazines were stolen from the store. One of the officers noted the items and recalled that he had been on a "call for service" in the last week when Mohamed had made several social media posts showing firearms and ammunition. One post reportedly showed himself pointing an apparent assault rifle at the camera, according to the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A hashtag used in the social media post said "#deathtoamerikkan&israeilliImperialism." Mohamed is in custody at the Blue Earth County Jail as of Thursday. He's set to make an initial, Rule 8 court appearance on May 1. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. SkyCues company plans to further expand its activities in Azerbaijan, the company's representative, Israel Kehat told Trend on the sidelines of the second day of the Space Technology Conference (STC2025). He recalled that the company signed an agreement with Azercosmos and expressed hope that they would further expand their cooperation opportunities. "Azercosmos will benefit from the technology we have developed. Our areas of activity in Azerbaijan will, in fact, be even broader, because Azercosmos does a lot of work, and they will work with us in Turkiye, Pakistan, and other places. We brought them a unique innovation. Everything looks great in the Google Maps application, but this is from three years ago. We presented newer solutions to Azercosmos three days ago. I cannot mention how much our company has invested or will invest in Azerbaijan, but we plan to come here very often and work on new projects," the company representative noted. SkyCues is a start-up company based in Morges, Vaud, Switzerland, operating in the Aviation & Aerospace industry. The company specializes in delivering high-resolution satellite imagery at a 1-meter resolution, achieving global coverage every five days. This service is designed to suit machine learning and automated analytics applications, setting it apart as a unique offering in the market. a unique offering in the market. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel For book lovers or those who want to get out of a reading slump, Independent Bookstore Day may be up your alley. On Saturday, April 26, many Milwaukee-area bookstores are having events, author visits and special deals. One is even having its grand opening celebration. Organized by the American Booksellers Association, the national celebration began in 2013 to highlight the community impact of these bookstores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michelle Raasch, owner of Epilogue Books in downtown Menomonee Falls, said bookstores help "connect" the community. "Weve had so many people stop into the shop or come to one of our events and tell us how hard it is to meet others with similar interests and theyre finding that connection here," Raasch said. "Weve seen customers strike up conversations about books that have turned into real friendships," she added. Here are seven local bookstores that are holding special events on or around Independent Bookstore Day. Epilogue Books in Menomonee Falls Epilogue Books will have two local author appearances for Independent Bookstore Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26, Kristin Thiel, executive director of the Mequon Nature Preserve, will be presenting her picture book, "123@MNP," a children's book that details the habitats of different kinds of animals. From 2 to 4 p.m. M.D. Kling, who specializes in fantasy and romance, will be showcasing her book, "Forever Yours" in which Prince Aurelius is bored with his royal routine, but meets a potential love interest who turns his world upside down. Michelle Raasch is the owner of Epilogue Books in Menomonee Falls, one of the Milwaukee-area bookstores participating in Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 26. On April 26, Epilogue Books will also bring back the "Blind Date with a Book" program where the booksellers wrap up popular books and give hints about what is inside. "It's a fun way to try something you might not normally pick up, and honest, it's kind of exciting not knowing what you're getting into until you open it," Raasch said. The store also will be offering discounts on different genres throughout the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Location: W88 N16739 Main St., Menomonee Falls Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The bookstore is closed Sunday through Tuesday. For more information: Visit the Epilogue Books Facebook page or instagram.com/epilogue_books_wi. Niche Book Bar, Milwaukee For Niche Book Bar, Independent Bookstore Day coincides with its grand opening, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26. Festivities include vendors, story time and half off champagne and mimosas. According to its website, Niche Book Bar is committed to showcasing Black books that are representative and varied in genre and featuring Black literature not solely rooted in trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Location: 1937 N. Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee For more information: Visit findyournichemke.com Lion's Tooth in Milwaukee Lion's Tooth in Bay View is set to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with prizes and surprises all day. Lion's Tooth also has monthly book clubs. Location: 2421 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Lion's Tooth is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information: Visit lionstoothmke.com Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee Boswell Book Company will have a ticketed book signing with Alton Brown, author of "Food for Thought: Essays and Ruminations," at noon Saturday, April 26. The cost is $23.19, which includes the book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, April 27 at 4 p.m., Hannah Morrissey, author of "The Unlucky Ones," and Ashley Winstead, author of "This Book Will Bury Me" will be at the bookstore. The event is free, and there will be a 20% discount by buying both books through Boswell Book Company's website. Location: 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, to buy books and to register for author events, visit boswellbooks.com Books & Company, Oconomowoc Books & Company will have an all-day celebration for Independent Bookstore Day. There will be a giveaway of advanced reader's copies of books already on sale, snacks, button-making, a free Books & Company sticker for spending $50 and exclusive merch on sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Location: 1039 Summit Ave., Oconomowoc Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and SundayFor more information: Visit booksco.com. Wonderland Bookshop in Shorewood Wonderland Bookshop is set to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with festivities including drawings, giveaways, activities and an author visit. Location: 4001 N. Downer Ave., Shorewood Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The bookstore is closed on Monday For more information: Visit wonderlandbookshop.com or facebook.com/wonderlandbookshopmke. More: We asked how important sidewalks are to you and your community. Here's what you told us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: The state conservation funding behind Lions Den and Cedar Gorge is in jeopardy. Here's why Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 6 Milwaukee-area booksellers celebrating Independent Bookstore Day Chicago police announced murder charges Friday against an Austin man believed to have set the trash fire that led to the death of Capt. David Meyer, a veteran firefighter known as the rock of his family. First-degree murder and aggravated arson charges were filed against Charles Green, 44. Meanwhile, funeral arrangements have been made for Meyer, who died earlier this week at 54 after battling a suspicious garage fire on the West Side. In a statement, police said Green was arrested within hours of the fire and identified as the person who set it. Investigators used a network of surveillance footage in the area to track down the suspect, a source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green is expected to appear before a judge Saturday for a detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, according to police. A wake for Meyer is scheduled for Monday at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago, according to the Fire Department. A private family visitation is from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a public visitation from 3 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Brebeuf Church, 8305 N. Harlem Ave. in northwest suburban Niles. About 4 a.m. Wednesday, Meyer responded to a fire that when responders arrived had spread to a garage in the 5500 block of West Crystal Street. The fire was put out, but Meyer was critically injured afterward when the garage collapsed. He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cook County medical examiners office ruled the cause of Meyers death as pending a fire and police investigation. The Office of Fire Investigation, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, determined the fire was caused by ignition of contents of a trash bin by human action. Cook County court records show the suspect has a registered address in the Austin neighborhood and a criminal record dating back more than 25 years. Hes been arrested more than three dozen times and was previously convicted of robbery and various drug-related charges. Meyer, a captain of Truck 29, joined the department in 1996 and spent most of his nearly 30-year career on the West Side. He left behind a wife, three daughters, a son and his parents, according to Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. His family said he was a talented builder and good with his hands, Nance-Holt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please keep us all in your prayers, she said earlier this week. This is unfortunate. Its one of those things we go to work every day and, you know, we never know if were going to come home. Chicago Tribunes William Lee contributed. Chicago police are searching for a missing 14-year-old girl who was last seen on the citys south side. Azaria Lawrence is described as 52 and 90 pounds with brown hair and black eyes. A description of the clothing she was last seen wearing was not provided. Police say she was last seen on Thursday, April 24 in the 7300 south block of Stony Island Avenue. Anyone with information on Azarias whereabouts is asked to contact the assigned detective at 312-856-3121or Area One Detectives at 312-747-8380. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The Chicago Board of Education approved and ratified an agreement between the teachers union and Chicago Public Schools, along with a budget amendment allocating $139 million in funding to cover it, at a meeting Thursday. The two sides reached a $1.5 billion four-year deal in early April, amid a large budget deficit and looming attacks from the federal government on public schools with diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs. The morning before Thursdays board meeting, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trumps directives to use civil rights enforcement to eliminate DEI practices in schools, although it remains to be seen how the ruling will be upheld. But at the monthly meeting, Chicago Teachers Union representatives and district officials celebrated the newly approved contract, which they said centers equity. Thursdays agenda items focused on initiatives directed toward the districts diverse student population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At my South Side school, our students are 100% minority, and 96% of them are considered economically disadvantaged. Were labeled hard to staff by (the Illinois State Board of Education) and have other unique challenges, said Erin Bell, who received two National Board teaching certifications. So let me be clear, our students deserve excellence. Outgoing CPS chief Pedro Martinez celebrated the end of the negotiations process, which he said avoided the kind of labor strike that has been so disruptive to our families in the past. He also recognized the difficulty on the horizon, as CPS faces a projected budget shortfall of $529 million for fiscal year 2026. What we know for certain is that our financial outlook for the next several years is challenging, and we must work together to find new revenue to better fund our schools, he said, urging CPS students and staff to travel to Springfield next week to advocate for more funding from the state. Martinez, who was fired in December, was nominated to be the commissioner of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Tuesday, moving the district, its board, CTU and Mayor Brandon Johnson toward closure of more than a year of rancor as they debated how to settle a the new teachers contract and shore-up the underfunded school district and its $9.9 billion 2024-25 budget. Martinezs tenure with CPS ends in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez outlined next steps for the district: to familiarize school leaders with the contract and implement it using the $139 million in additional funding from taxing districts. CPS officials say there is sufficient funding to cover the first year of the contract, but specifics for the remaining three years remain unclear. Adding to the uncertainty is a notice the U.S. Department of Education sent on April 3, demanding that states and school districts sign a certification against DEI policies or risk losing hundreds of millions in Title I funding for students who fall below achievement standards. Title I dollars are allocated to support the proficiency and achievement of students from primarily low-income families. Were doing everything we can to shield as much as we can, as we plan for the upcoming budget season, said Ben Felton, the districts chief talent officer, in a presentation touting the CPS teacher recruitment process to board members. But maintaining staffing levels will require additional revenue, and theres no disillusionment around that. To address disparities that persist between Black students and other student groups in terms of discipline, academic achievement and access to rigorous academic courses and extracurricular activities, the school board passed a resolution codifying its Black Student Achievement Committee, chaired by board member Jitu Brown, of District 6 on the citys West Side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee will develop strategies and recommendations for Black student achievement and opportunity, the agenda states. The district launched its five-year Black Student Success Plan in late February, which aims to improve educational experiences and outcomes for Black students. Student achievement should be taken into account in the search for a new superintendent, added Lafayette Ford, vice chairman of the Black United Fund of Illinois, in public comment. On Thursday, the board approved the interview process for the districts next leader, who will join later this year. The search process will include interviews and focus groups with teachers, students, principals, staff, union leaders and community partners. Board members applauded that effort Thursday. At the last hour, board member Karen Zaccor amended a resolution in response to a complaint that she said shes received about a lack of Spanish-language online captioning for public comment. Several board members raised concerns that they hadnt seen the language beforehand, but the language change passed 17-3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know we cant wave a magic wand and make it happen but I think its important to make that commitment, she said, before the vote. Also, for the fourth consecutive month, the board again delayed a vote on charter school renewals. Charters have been a contentious topic in recent months, following the announced closures of seven of 15 schools in the Acero charter network last October. In February, the board voted to keep five of those Acero schools open, which some board members said could set a new precedent, as school boards have not historically stepped in to financially support charters. Charters receive funding from CPS but are responsible for managing their day-to-day operations with those funds. Their renewal terms have gotten shorter in recent years. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Enough is enough, say Memphis leaders after a violent month in the city. Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis spoke Friday along with Mayor Paul Young and others, hours after two students at Booker T. Washington High School were gunned down in broad daylight. Davis said the Memphis Police Department has responded to 28 homicides in 25 days this month. Everybody misses them: Two students killed in South Memphis shooting, MSCS confirms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of it is gun violence, some of it is gang violence, some of it is domestic violence, but all of it is nonsense, Davis said. The police chief sent out an appeal to the community, especially parents. Get your children, she said. If you want life and if you love your children, help them stay alive by paying attention to them, just like the mayor said. Either they will die to gun violence or they will end their lives in jail. Either way around, we have a very, very catastrophic situation in our city that all of us need to be concerned about. Davis released few details about Thursdays shooting near Booker T. Washington High School that left two teenagers dead. She would not comment on a motive or what type of weapons were used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memphis-Shelby County Schools confirmed Friday that both victims were students at Booker T. Washington High School. There were several different weapons on that scene but we dont have that specific information right now. There was a lot that was going on in that particular situation, she said. Davis saying the shootings appeared to be tied to gangs and it is believed the victims were targeted. Davis also says MPD has ramped up efforts in its fugitive unit, homicide unit and specialized units by adding assistance from federal partners and taking every case they can to federal prosecution. Memphis Murder Map 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Chief Davis and Mayor Young agree more involvement from parents and guardians can help stop juvenile gun violence. If you see a young person walking out of your household with a hoodie on when its hot outside, with a backpack on and its not a school day, you need to ask some questions, you need to check the backpack, Young said. We need everybody to be a part of this solution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Andrew Silver, Trixie Yap and Brenda Goh (Reuters) -China has exempted some U.S. imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need levy-free, according to businesses that have been notified, in the clearest sign yet of Beijing's concerns about the trade war's fallout. The dispensation, which follows de-escalatory statements from Washington, signals that the world's two largest economies were prepared to rein in their conflict, which had frozen much of the trade between them and raised fears of a global recession. Beijing's exemptions, which business groups hope would extend to dozens of industries, pushed the U.S. dollar up slightly and lifted equity markets in Hong Kong and Japan. "As a quid-pro-quo move, it could provide a potential way to de-escalate tensions," said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a senior adviser to the Conference Board's China Center, a think tank. But, he cautioned: "It's clear that neither the U.S. nor China want to be the first in reaching out for a deal." China has not yet communicated publicly on any exemptions. U.S. President Donald Trump told TIME magazine in an interview that U.S.-China talks were taking place on tariffs, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping had called him. Beijing has so far disputed the U.S. characterization of talks. "He's called. And I don't think that's a sign of weakness on his behalf," Trump told TIME. He did not say when Xi called or what the two leaders discussed. Equity markets largely shrugged off the interview. European shares remained in positive territory, while U.S. stock futures failed to hold onto early gains and were last little changed on the day. [MKTS/GLOB] A Friday statement by the Politburo, the Communist Party's elite decision-making body, focused on efforts to maintain stability at home by supporting firms and workers most affected by tariffs. The readout, which followed the Politburo's regular monthly meeting, showed that Beijing was also ready to hunker down and fight a trade war of attrition if needed to outlast Washington in enduring trade war pain. A Ministry of Commerce taskforce is collecting lists of items that could be exempted from tariffs and is asking companies to submit their own requests, according to a person with knowledge of that outreach. The ministry said on Thursday it had held a meeting with more than 80 foreign companies and business chambers in China to discuss the impact of U.S. tariffs on investment and the operation of foreign firms. By Andrew Silver SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Several of Europes biggest funders of scientific collaboration with China, in fields such as viruses and air quality, have put bilateral research programmes on hold due to concerns over Chinese data protection laws, funding agencies said. The suspension, which Reuters is reporting for the first time following queries to the agencies on funding, highlights the widening impact of a Chinese data protection law that has already impeded some business projects, as international institutions and companies assess how to navigate the regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many countries require various protections and privacy safeguards for research involving their citizens, one of Chinas most recent laws known as the Data Security Law makes it illegal to share any "important data" with overseas partners without approval. Three European funding agencies - the German Research Foundation, Swedish Research Council and Swiss National Science Foundation - told Reuters that they had not offered new co-funding for projects with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) since 2021, the year the law took effect. They said they would not jointly fund new research projects with the NSFC due to concerns over access to data, potential conflict with local data law, or legal liabilities for themselves or research institutes for breaches of the law's vaguely-defined provisions. What constitutes "important data", a designation requiring security clearance from the Cyberspace Administration of China to export, is of particular concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is not clear what the definition of 'important data' is," the Swiss National Science Foundation told Reuters. "It is therefore difficult for the Swiss research community to assess when and under what circumstances a research collaboration could be subject to sanctions or even penalties." China had defined "important data" as data that poses a threat to national and economic interests or affects the rights of individuals or organisations, and has not provided further details. A dataset classified as "important data" means "it will be extremely difficult (if not virtually impossible) to export these data from China to another country," the German Research Foundation told Reuters. The suspension could potentially delay research in the health sector - one area of joint collaboration funders had previously supported - at the same time as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump moves to freeze billions of dollars in U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, cut 1,200 of that agency's staff and withdraw from the World Health Organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could also influence other research institutes' perceptions about the Data Security Law and similar laws in China. "The concerns about how the data laws are being applied exist, and are very real," said Jan Palmowski, secretary-general of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities. "We saw that responding to the COVID pandemic effectively required global sharing of data on a massive scale; but we have also seen national sensitivities around data relating to the origin of COVID," Palmowski added. "If we want to be agile in responding to future pandemics and address other key health challenges, we need to find ways to share data responsibly, safely, and according to common ethical rules." In their last projects with the NSFC, the Swedish Research Council provided about 36 million Swedish crowns ($3.7 million) in funding, the Swiss National Science Foundation 4.8 million Swiss francs ($5.8 million) and German Research Foundation 6.6 million euros ($7.51 million), according to statistics the European funders provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They (China's science ministry) don't understand why (the problem) needs to be clarified on a government to government level," said a European government official who is discussing the data security law with the ministry. The European official said China's science ministry has recommended researchers sort out any issues themselves. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order not to jeopardise its discussions with the ministry. China's science ministry and the Cyberspace Administration of China did not reply to requests for comment. The three funders were among the top 50 overseas co-funding agencies with the NSFC, China's top funder on scientific publications, in documents registered to the Web of Science publication database between 2015 and 2024, data Clarivate provided to Reuters showed. Advertisement Advertisement They have previously accepted proposals for jointly-funded research projects in subjects including the airborne spread of antibiotic resistance and the virus that causes COVID-19. CONCERNED Other countries have also expressed concerns including the U.S. which has previously said what China considers "important data" in the data security law is broad and vaguely defined. Kei Koizumi, a former White House science policy official, told Reuters that U.S. agencies including the NIH, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy expressed concerns about data access and researcher protections and they were incorporated into a U.S.-China science deal announced in December. He did not elaborate further. Advertisement Advertisement According to the agreement, which Reuters obtained from the US State Department via a Freedom of Information request, the two countries agreed to carry out a complete and timely exchange of data from cooperation activities and meet about differences in data management and access plans within 60 days of a dispute mechanism being triggered. UK Research and Innovation also told Reuters it was actively engaged in discussions with Chinese research funders about China data laws. It said it would "share guidance" to its research grant applicants "where necessary and appropriate". Some observers are hopeful of change. "In the present ongoing approach between the EU and China, due to the US situation, there is an opportunity for pushing China to relax its rules," Kurt Deketelaere, Secretary-General of the League of European Research Universities, told Reuters. ($1 = 9.5814 Swedish crowns) ($1 = 0.8255 Swiss francs) ($1 = 0.8790 euros) (Reporting by Andrew Silver; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Kate Mayberry) BEIJING (Reuters) - China, Russia and Iran jointly met with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to discuss Iran's nuclear programme, Chinese state news agency Xinhua said on Friday. The joint meeting on Thursday between the IAEA representatives and the nuclear agency's director general came after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visited Beijing this week. The meeting had in-depth communication on the IAEA's role in the political and diplomatic settlement process of the Iranian nuclear programme, with China expressing support for Iran's dialogue with all parties including with the U.S., Xinhua said. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Azerbaijan has long been a key player in global energy security as a traditional energy exporter. In recent years, the country has taken significant steps to adapt to the shifting global energy landscape, where nations are increasingly focused on transitioning to new, sustainable energy sources. As part of this shift, Azerbaijan has adopted a new green energy strategy aimed at achieving both national and international energy transition goals. Research has revealed that Azerbaijan possesses substantial potential in the renewable energy sector. However, to fully harness this potential, the country needs to collaborate with experienced international companies and experts. In this regard, Germanys expertise in the renewable energy sector stands out. Since the 1990s, Germany has been a pioneer in promoting and developing renewable energy sources. According to recent data, in the first half of 2024, green energy made up 61.5% of Germanys total energy production, a significant increase from 50.2% in 2020. This upward trend reflects the success of Germanys transition strategy. By 2030, Germany plans to source at least 80% of its electricity from renewable sources, highlighting its leadership in the green energy sector. Germanys renewable energy is largely derived from wind power, with the North Sea playing a crucial role in providing favorable conditions for wind farms. Azerbaijan, keen to achieve its green energy goals, has already started collaborating with renowned international companies such as bp, TotalEnergies, Masdar, and ACWA Power on renewable energy projects. The countrys confirmed potential for green energy is impressive, with 135 GW on land and 157 GW offshore. These figures suggest that Azerbaijan is well-positioned for future large-scale projects, offering opportunities for new partnerships with global companies. Wind power in the Caspian Sea In recent years, Azerbaijan has also engaged in discussions with the German government and companies to strengthen cooperation in the renewable energy sector. The Azerbaijani government is eager to leverage Germanys vast experience. For example, last year, Michael Harms, CEO of the East Business Association of Germany, led a delegation to Baku, where he met with Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov. The talks focused on Azerbaijans energy transition agenda, ongoing and planned green energy projects, and potential opportunities for renewable energy exports, including green hydrogen. Delegation led by Michael Harms, CEO of the Eastern Business Association of Germany, Baku, February 28, 2024 During the COP29 conference, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between SOCARs subsidiary SOCAR Green, Siemens Energy, and Nobel Energy to jointly develop renewable energy projects, enhance energy security, and accelerate the region's transition to cleaner energy. Also, during the conference, Minister Shahbazov met with Babel Haidebroek, President of the German Wind Energy Association (GWEA), to discuss Azerbaijans green energy transformation and the progress of the "Caspian-Europe Green Energy Corridor" and the "Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor" projects. The two sides also explored opportunities for cooperation on offshore wind energy development and green energy corridor projects with German companies. Meeting with Babel Haidebroek, President of the German Wind Energy Association A few weeks ago, President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Azerbaijan, where energy-related matters were also on the agenda. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijans ambitious alternative energy plans, acknowledging the wealth of experience German companies bring to the sector. Azerbaijans renewable energy projects are also strategically important for the energy security of the EU. In 2022, an agreement was signed between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, Hungary, and the EU for the construction of an underwater electrical cable under the Black Sea. This cable will transport Azerbaijans green energy to Europe, further integrating Azerbaijan into Europes energy landscape. With its growing green energy potential, Azerbaijan is increasingly attracting international interest. The country is open to cooperation and investment in renewable energy projects with German companies, seeing them as reliable partners. Germany, as a leader in renewable energy, is poised to play a critical role in Azerbaijans green energy transition. We spoke with Nurlan Rahimli, the technical manager of wind farms at ERG Germany, to discuss the potential of Azerbaijan's alternative and renewable energy sector and explore future cooperation opportunities with German companies. Considering Azerbaijan's potential in alternative and renewable energy, how do you assess the opportunities for German companies to collaborate with Azerbaijan in the field of green energy? I would begin answering this question with some statistical data. According to statistics from 2023, Azerbaijan's total electricity consumption was approximately 23,857 GWh, which is equivalent to an electricity consumption demand of about 2.72 GW. The country's installed electricity generation capacity stood at over 8.3 GW in 2023. This means that Azerbaijan already has more than twice the generation capacity it requires for consumption. Additionally, recent research has shown that Azerbaijan has an offshore wind energy potential of around 157 GW. Of this, 35 GW is economically feasible in the short term, as it can be developed in the shallow areas of the Caspian Sea (depth <50m). If we include other renewable energy potentials such as onshore wind and solar, the total potential will be even greater. This potential electricity could be exported to Europe through existing or ongoing electricity transmission projects or various Power-to-X initiatives. This aligns well with the expertise and technological leadership of German institutions and companies, which have decades of extensive experience in implementing green energy solutions. Germany has built one of the worlds most advanced renewable energy sectors, with strong capabilities in wind energy, solar technology, energy storage, and grid integration. However, the German market is now highly saturated, making it difficult for German companies to realize profitable projects. The experience of these companies could be applied in a highly cost-effective way to the potential of Azerbaijan's energy sector. As Azerbaijan seeks to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, there is a real opportunity for strategic cooperation. German companies can offer technical know-how, innovative solutions, and investment models to support Azerbaijans clean energy transition. Moreover, Azerbaijan's recent government initiatives to reform its energy sector and attract foreign investment - such as creating a legal and regulatory framework for renewables, launching pilot projects, and developing grid infrastructure - are positive signs that lay the groundwork for future partnerships. What could the sharing of German expertise with Azerbaijan bring to both official Baku and German companies? Therefore, I appeal to and encourage German companies to cooperate in Azerbaijans renewable energy sector. The country is entering a new phase of its energy evolutionone focused on sustainability, innovation, and long-term partnerships. There is a growing political will, backed by concrete government strategies and international engagement, to shift toward a greener economy. Last but not least, I also appeal to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, to support and stand behind this cooperation. It will not only benefit German companies but will also benefit Germany and the European Union by reducing their energy sustainability concerns in Eastern Europe. With mutual commitment, transparent frameworks, and a shared vision, Azerbaijan and Germany can build a successful model of green energy cooperation that could even become a reference point for other countries in the region. People visit the Baoding Catholic church in Baoding, China's northern Hebei province on April 22, 2025. Credit - Adek BerryAFP/ Getty Images When Pope Francis died on Monday, governments around the world swiftly issued glowing tributes to the late Catholic leader and Vatican head of state. But one major country held off on a response until Tuesday evening. China expresses condolences for the passing of Pope Francis, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said matter-of-factly on April 22, when asked for comment at a daily news briefing. In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contacts and carried out beneficial exchanges. China is willing to work with the Vatican to promote the continued improvement of China-Vatican relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day delay may appear innocuous, but experts tell TIME it reflects a strained ties between the Church and China. As Pope, Francis worked on repairing this rocky relationship by increasingly engaging with Beijing, which is known for imposing restrictions on religious expression across faiths. Critics from both inside and outside the Catholic Church questioned Francis diplomatic attempts, but he emphasized the need to improve relations. Speaking to the Asia Times in 2016, Francis expressed his admiration for China and even extended greetings to President Xi Jinping, adding: The Western world, the Eastern world, and China all have the capacity to maintain the balance of peace and the strength to do so. We must find the way, always through dialogue; there is no other way. Experts tell TIME that Francis' passing may lead to some changes in the Vatican's approach to China, though they add that it would be in the world's best interest for the new Pope to continue outreach efforts. To protect its own sovereignty and to allow its capacity to engage with global affairs, the Vatican does need working relationships with the most powerful world powers, says Michel Chambon, a researcher of Asian Catholics at the National University of Singapore. You cannot not have a working relationship with China. A history of China-Holy See relations There are a number of roadblocks to improved ties, perhaps no less than the lack of formal diplomatic relations. Two years after it was established, the atheist Communist regime of the Peoples Republic of China in 1951 severed its diplomatic relations with the Vatican and expelled its papal internunciothe Holy Sees envoyon espionage grounds, an apparent rebuffing against Western influences. The Vatican, meanwhile, maintains formal relations with Taiwan, the self-governing island over which China claims sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domestically, Chinas Constitution allows for freedom of religious beliefs, with some caveats: that nobody can use religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair the health of citizens or interfere with the states education system, and that religious groups and religious affairs shall not be subject to control by foreign forces. Catholicism is one of five official religions that the Chinese Communist Party recognizes, but Catholics are only legally allowed to practice a version of the religion monitored by the state. Each of the five religionsthe other four being Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Protestantismhave government-controlled bodies that manage their respective affairs; for Catholicism, its the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. Chinese Catholicism is essentially the same theologically and doctrinally when compared to mainstream Catholicism, but the two diverge on their governing structure. Traditionally the Vatican governs Catholicism globally, but for Chinese Catholicism the state governs the church. The CCPA is meant to ensure that the practice of Catholicism aligns with Xis sinicization of religionwhich forces religions to incorporate the CCPs political agenda into their ideologies and practices. And, while the Pope generally holds authority over bishop appointments worldwide, the CCPA and the Bishops Conference of the Catholic Church in China (BCCCC), another government organization, made these appointments in Chinawithout Vatican approval. But a faction of the Catholic Church, colloquially known as underground Catholics, chooses not to affiliate with the CCPA and instead looks to the Vaticanas well as secretly ordained bishopsfor theological leadership. Chinese authorities have historically harassed this faction, reportedly detaining some of its clergymen and closing its churches. China has about 6 million Catholics according to official figures, while there are an estimated additional 6 million underground Church members. Papacies as far as Pope John Paul IIs have tried to mend the relationship, but Beijings conditions for full reconciliation with the Vatican reportedly include breaking off ties with Taiwan and vowing not to interfere in how the CCP runs its Catholic Churchincluding bishop appointmentswhich the Church has not agreed to. How Pope Francis made inroads When Francis became Pope in 2013, the Vatican was in a dilemma and a no-win situation when it came to China, Jonathan Tan, a professor of Catholic Studies at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, tells TIME. The separation between the Vatican and Chinese Catholics had led to an increasingly aging and dying Chinese episcopate [body of bishops] for Chinese Catholics who remained loyal to the Holy See. Something needed to change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis repeatedly expressed his desire to visit Chinawhich no Pope has ever visited. Ultimately, he never did set foot there, but, in a sign of thawing tensions, Beijing allowed him to fly over Chinese airspace in 2014with Francis even extending well-wishes to Xi as he passed over for a South Korea trip. It was the first time a Pope had been allowed to enter Chinese airspace en route to an Asian country. In 2018, Francis papacy saw another historic development: a joint accord between China and the Vatican agreed to a compromise on the appointment of bishops, a sign of willingness to share Catholic authority. The specifics of the deal have not been made public, but Reuters reported that included a framework in which Chinese authorities and local communities would put forth names of new bishops that the Vatican would approve. Its not the first time the Vatican came to an arrangement with a Communist-led regime; with Vietnam, for example, bishop appointments since the mid-1980s have been made by the Holy See presenting a list of names to the state for approval. Still, critics from both within and outside of the Catholic Church viewed the reported deal as the Vatican ceding power to China. One clergyman suggested in a New York Times interview in 2018 that the move raises questions about how the Vatican would handle persecuted underground Catholics: Those that are in jail, or those who dont want to belong to the patriotic church, what will happen to them? But others say unwillingness to even sit at the negotiating table would have been worse. The past 10 years were not the ideal international context to approach and discuss with China, says Chambon. Yet Pope Francis achieved an agreement. The deal has since been extended thrice and is set to remain in effect until at least 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his tenure, Francis also boosted the Vaticans diplomatic profile by engaging with China, says Thomas Chingwei Tu, a Vatican researcher at Taiwans National Chengchi University. Tu pointed to how Francis in 2023 sent Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi to Chinaalready a rare featnot for an ecclesiastical mission but as part of a peace mission for Ukraine. His significant performance is on these international politics issues, Tu said, calling Francis the first Pope to send a cardinal to China and to ask for Chinas assistance in international efforts. Whats at stake for the next Pope Experts tell TIME that the next Pope must approach China similarly to how Francis did if the Vatican wants to continue to exercise international influence as well as ensure the Catholic Church remains relevant in the country. But repairing the relationship is not a one-sided task. Lai Pan Chiu, a professor of religious studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, says China is less than lukewarm about establishing a relationship with the Vatican, because Beijing is more concerned at the moment with its relations with Washington amid an escalating U.S. trade war. Lai adds that China could easily abandon the 2018 accord with the Vatican over bishop appointments and face little repercussions. Nevertheless, Lai and Chambon both say the Vatican under its next papacy should still pursue good ties with China to effectively collaborate with it in solving issues like hunger and poverty. Chambon thinks the next Pope should even try to visit China, if possible. China is such an important country in the world today, he says. The Catholic Church it has to embrace it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the next Pope were to change course on China and abandon efforts to reconcile, it could harm the Churchs image as an international peace broker, Chambon says. The Vatican would be perceived, he says, as having yielded to pressures from Washington and would be less able to effectively prevent a dangerous polarization of the world. A backsliding could also lead to further governmental pressure on the Chinese Catholic Church, for which a lot had already occurred in the era of President Xi, says Tu. How China could escalate its pressure on underground Catholics, who have already faced bishop arrests and churches being destroyed by authorities under pretenses of local law violations, Tu says: I dont know how ridiculous it will be. Contact us at letters@time.com. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Wisconsin doctors are calling on Congress to reconsider support for a recently passed resolution. Some doctors in the Chippewa Valley are calling on Congressman Derrick Van Orden to reconsider support for a recently passed resolution. Dr. Abby La Nou, an ER doctor in Eau Claire, explains, Were calling on them to listen to us, their constituents. As physicians, we are deeply concerned that Congressman Van Orden voted for the budget resolution that paves the way for enormous cuts to Medicaid. The worries stem from potential cuts to a federal committee that oversees the program that benefits low-income Americans, children and those with disabilities. Dr. La Nou says, Further cutting that is going to result in less funding for our hospitals, particularly rural hospitals. With a higher proportion of Medicaid/Medicare patients. President Trump and Republicans have said Medicaid funding will not be impacted. Congressman Van Orden released a statement that says, in part, No American citizen who is legally receiving benefits from the Federal Government will see their support cut. Last budget cycle, Democrats claimed Republicans were cutting Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and other vital programs. None of that happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Committee on Energy and Commerce is tasked with cutting $880 billion from its budget. If it only cuts funding thats not Medicaid, it would have only cut $581 billion. Thats according to a report from the Congressional Budget Office. The budget cuts are a move for Republicans to cover costs when it comes to President Trumps proposed tax cuts and to fund mass deportations, another priority of the President. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. The son of a deputy head of the CIA was killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine in 2024, Russian publication Important Stories reported in an investigation published on April 25. Michael Gloss, 21, was the son of CIA Deputy Director for Digital Innovation Julianne Gallina Gloss, and Iraq war veteran Larry Gloss. Before arriving in Russia on August 13, 2023, Gloss was travelling around Europe. On his Vkontakte page bio, he wrote: "I ran away from home (and) traveled the world. I hate fascism." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gloss studied Human Ecology at Middlebury College in Vermont and was described as an eco-activist, womens rights supporter, and anti-fascist, Important Stories reports. He created an Instagram post with anti-fascist graffiti in March 2023, with the hashtag "end Ukraine war." But despite supporting Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale war, he was at a military recruitment center in Moscow, alongside other foreign nationals, by September 5, 2023, the investigation found. His social media posts show a distinct change in his views one identified by Important Stories as belonging to Gloss suggest he believed in conspiracy theories involving Ukraine, and claimed NATO was an evolution of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gloss was enlisted in Russias 137th Ryazan Airborne Regiment, according to the investigation, which found several pictures and videos of his recruitment process, as well as speaking to some of his fellow recruits. A Russian soldier who served with him said he was "a staunch supporter of Russia and loved it." On April 4, 2024, he was killed, likely during a Russian offensive near Bakhmut. His burial in the U.S. did not take place until December 2024, Important Stories said. Gloss told his family he was working in Russia to get a Russian passport and save money for a trip to Africa. According to an obituary written by his parents, Gloss "was tragically killed in Eastern Europe," while he "was forging his own heros journey with his noble heart and warrior spirit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He wanted the world to be a better place with more fairness, peace and harmony with nature," it says. "In his brief life, he built houses in Honduras, he restored buildings in Turkiye destroyed by earthquakes, he worked on farms in Italy learning sustainable agriculture." The obituary made no mention of Russia or Ukraine. Since the start of its full-scale invasion, Moscow has relied on various methods to enlist migrants and foreign nationals to offset its heavy battlefield losses while avoiding full-scale mobilization. Reports indicate that Russia has recruited individuals from Nepal, Somalia, India, Cuba, and other nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: High-ranking Russian general killed in car bombing near Moscow, as Witkoff meets with Putin Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (FOX40.COM) The City of Sacramento announced that three storefront dispensary permits were added after a unanimous city council vote, bringing the total to 43. Video Above: How often are marijuana cases federally prosecuted? The permits aim to benefit participants in the Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity program, along with advancing equity in the citys cannabis industry. The new changes include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A one-year timeline extension to establish a dispensary for three existing CORE permits. Three approved permit reservations for CORE applicants, bringing the total to 14. A five-year extension for the eligibility window for new CORE storefront permits. The approval comes as storefront dispensary permits were previously capped at 40 by the city, with 29 being for non-CORE and 11 for CORE majority-owned businesses, officials said. While the program offers business training, only a handful have been able to enter the storefront market. Cal Expo water park reopening delayed to 2027 to build whole new park Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expanding the number of permits reserved for CORE participants creates more equitable opportunities for those who have historically faced barriers in the cannabis industry, said Al Romero-Gibu, who leads the Citys Office of Cannabis Management. The next eligible applicants on the list will be offered the additional permits, officials said. City officials said there is a 4% business tax that all cannabis businesses in Sacramento are required to pay. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) The City of Spartanburg is celebrating Water Safety Month with free swim lessons this summer. Swim lessons will be hosted on May 12 through May 15. Lessons are for beginners and non-swimmers only. You must register for the program. Lessons will be taught at the Dr. TK Gregg Community Center on 650 Howard Street, in Spartanburg. Time slots include: 4 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classes are for ages six through adult. For questions or more information, you can contact Liz Walker at lwalker@cityofspartanburg.org or call at 864-384-7050. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A school district will be presenting a levy on the ballot this May that will allow them to continue their day-to-day operations. Clark-Shawnee Local School District says that they have been spending in the negative, and this levy would allow them to operate with more breathing room. 2 NEWS spoke with the district superintendent to find out what this levy could bring if passed, as well as what could happen if it fails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Superintendent Brian Kuhn says levy will mainly deal with operational costs. Weve been deficit spending for several years, said Kuhn. Clark-Shawnee Local Schools say they have not had a ballot on the levy for more than ten years. The last levy put on the ballot was back in 2014, but that levy only lasted for a few years. In order to maintain their vision of education in the district and to meet the change from the city on diverting a portion of their funds to new properties they will be putting an income tax levy on the ballot this May 6. A majority of this levy will go to retaining the districts current faculty and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As staff progresses in years of service, there are cost of living increases, there are steps for experience that we have to be mindful of, said Kuhn. So the biggest chuck goes into our staff because we are a service-based organization. The rest of the money will go to helping keep that educational engine running. We would need to look at two additional buses. Educational materials and supplies are part of the general operating expenses. Its the things that carry out our day-to-day operations, said Kuhn. And if the levy does not pass, the school board has approved the creation of a plan to look at cuts across the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to be looking at programs. Are there offerings, are there positions that can be reduced? The challenge is when you do those, you impact the student experience in the school district, right? said Kuhn. Courses that cant be offered, a service that cant be offered. Is it a sport that cant be offered something that weve been accustomed to that we can no longer afford to support? Kuhn says that at the end of the day, its about their students and making sure they are set up for success. No district likes to do that, right? Its not a win for kids. Its not a win for our community. So how do we promote financial stability for the long term? And at this moment time, the best way to do that is with the earned income tax levy, said Kuhn. The district wants to remind voters that if passed, this will only take taxes out of earned wages. If you are on pension or social security, your income will not be affected. 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. CLEMSON, S.C. (WSPA) Leaders in Clemson, Anderson and Pickens are looking 20 years into the future at how to make getting around town easier. Theyre wanting to hear from you. Our study area kind of is a radius around Clemson and then all the way down to 85 going following 76, said Nathan Hinkle, City of Clemson engineer. Engineers are looking at intersections, traffic projections and roadway conditions. Leaders want to make traveling safer for pedestrians and drivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you look at the survey, it asks various questions like: How do you get around? How long does it take you to commute? Have you been late getting somewhere due to lack of transportation And more Generally I feel like its pretty safe to walk around. I see a lot of people commuting on foot to places. I would say College Avenue sometimes can get a little hairy, especially with the new construction going on. I know theres some crosswalks, but sometimes its hard to see people on the sides, said Jackson Coulter. The second part of the survey is an interactive map giving you the option to take a look at where safety, speeding, or a lack of lighting may be an issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How people get from point A to point B, what safety concerns there are, what hindrances there are, whether its a road alignment, lane numbers looking more like where busses connector interconnection on, bus systems, looking at where multimodal paths would really be beneficial to help people, or the possibility of decreasing number of cars by increasing number of people on bikes and walking to sites, said Hinkle. Residents we spoke to said they already know what they want to see more of. Public transportation, because theres a lot of people who use public transportation here. Make it more frequent, a lot quicker, because I know some people have to wait like 30 minutes for a bus or so, said Shields Haire. Leaders said a second public meeting will be announced this summer to take a closer look at survey results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here to access the survey. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Federal corn crop insurers could see a 22 percent spike in claims filed by 2030 and a nearly 29 percent jump by midcentury, thanks to the impacts of climate change, a new study has found. Both U.S. corn growers and their insurers are poised to face a future with mounting economic uncertainty, according to the research, published on Friday in the Journal of Data Science, Statistics, and Visualisation. Crop insurance has increased 500 percent since the early 2000s, and our simulations show that insurance costs will likely double again by 2050, said lead author Sam Pottinger, a senior researcher at the Center for Data Science & Environment at the University of California, Berkeley, in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This significant increase will result from a future in which extreme weather events will become more common, which puts both growers and insurance companies at substantial risk, he warned. Pottinger and his colleagues at UC Berkeley and the University of Arkansas developed an open-source, AI-powered tool through which they were able to simulate growing conditions through 2050 under varying scenarios. They found that if growing conditions remained unchanged, federal crop insurance companies would see a continuation of current claim rates in the next three decades. However, under different climate change scenarios, claims could rise by anywhere from 13 percent to 22 percent by 2030, before reaching about 29 percent by 2050, according to the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal crop insurance, distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides economic stability to U.S. farmers and other agricultural entities, the researchers explained. Most U.S. farmers receive their primary insurance through this program, with coverage determined by a growers annual crop yield, per the terms of the national farm bill. Not only do we see the claims rate rise significantly in a future under climate change, but the severity of these claims increases too, said co-author Lawson Conner, an assistant professor in agricultural economics at the University of Arkansas, in a statement. For example, we found that insurance companies could see the average covered portion of a claim increase up to 19 percent by 2050, Conner noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers stressed the utility of their tool for people who want to understand how crop insurance prices are established and foresee potential neighborhood-level impacts. To achieve greater security for growers and reduce financial liability for companies in the future, the authors suggested two possible avenues. The first, they contended, could involve a small change to the farm bill text that could incentivize farmers to adopt practices such as cover cropping and crop rotation. Although these approaches can lead to lower annual yields, they bolster crop resilience over time, the authors noted. Their second recommendation would involve including similar such incentives in an existing USDA Risk Management Agency mechanism called 508(h), through which private companies recommend alternative and supplemental insurance products for the agencys consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are already seeing more intense droughts, longer heat waves, and more catastrophic floods, co-author Timothy Bowles, associate professor in environmental science at UC Berkeley, said in a statement. In a future that will bring even more of these, our recommendations could help protect growers and insurance providers against extreme weather impacts, Bowles 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The recent meeting of the Mixed Commission on International Road Transport was held in Azerbaijan's Baku on April 23-24, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency. The meeting focused on the current state of international freight transport between the two countries, the issues in this field, and solutions to address them. To enhance the participation of carriers from both countries in international freight transport, an agreement was reached to double the annual quota for permit forms on a bilateral basis. Additionally, a new type of permit form was added to the existing list the bilateral/transit/third-country/entry form. As a result, an agreement was reached to exchange one thousand bilateral/transit permits and 300 bilateral/transit/third-country permits with Latvia. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani delegation introduced the 'e-Permit' system, which has been successfully used between Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan, enabling the exchange and issuance of permits in electronic format. Interest was expressed in establishing a similar electronic exchange system with Latvia soon. In addition, the Latvian delegation was briefed on the theoretical and practical training process for drivers at the Driver Training Center of the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency, the statement said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Firefighters from throughout the Borderland region put out a fire at an oil and gas structure Thursday evening, April 24, in Hudspeth County. Clint Fire Department was initially called out on a mutual aid call at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday for a fire on Hueco Station Road in Hudspeth County, Clint Fire said. Photos from Clint Fire Photos from Clint Fire Photos from Clint Fire Upon arrival, Desert Haven Fire discovered a large oil and gas structure with light smoke showing and requested help from El Paso County Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support was provided by Clint Fire, Horizon Fire and Montana Vista Fire. No injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly brought under control before it could spread. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A recent audit finds Portlands $1 billion infrastructure gap is leaving broken fences, aging sewers and cracked sidewalks with leaders struggling to pick up the pieces. Portland staff are quoted in the audit as referring to the citys maintenance as a game of whack-a-mole, and the report shows the problem will only get bigger and more expensive if it isnt corrected soon. DA Vasquez disgusted by MultCo budget proposal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From city parks with cracks in courts, public pools forced to close down, broken signs, an aging water system and roads riddled with potholes, these are not new problems in Portland. According to the city audit released earlier this week, the 2007-era estimate for keeping infrastructure in good standing year over year was $112 million. Fast forward to 2023, and that number has soared to more than $1 billion. Why arent you maintaining what you have and youre chasing these bright, shiny objects over here, were neglecting the assets that we already own, said District 4 Portland City Councilor Olivia Clark, the transportation and infrastructure committee chair, in reaction to the audit. Everybody in Portland who drives, walks, rolls, rides a bike on our city streets, knows that our assets are not being cared for. Similar audits have pointed out Portlands infrastructure shortfalls for the past 20 years. Now Clark is drafting a resolution to the auditors recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just transportation, its water, its sewer, its arts, its culture, its police, its fire, its all of our assets, Clark said during a Portland City Council meeting on Monday. The city parks department claims that without new funding, 20% of its assets including pools, lights, bridges and playgrounds could fail in the next 15 years. A recent example includes North Portlands Columbia Indoor Pool, which remains in limbo after the city was forced to shut its doors in 2022, with no renovation funding in sight. I think any parent who has kids in Portland knows its very difficult to get into swimming lessons. And, you know, having one less pool available to us makes it just that much harder, shared Alyson Emmett, a neighbor, last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Troutdale program aims to cut down textile waste In response, Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan agreed with the audits general findings, including the need to set up an asset management strategy, setting a target date for 2027. I dont want to wait that long. Im impatient, and I dont want our assets to continue to deteriorate in the meantime, Councilor Clark said. Clark added that Portlands new form of government gives city leaders a chance to finally address this crisis. Her resolution would require the city to set up an assessment plan, create a standard to evaluate assets and a financial roadmap to address infrastructure moving forward. She is slated to present her plan before the city council for a vote on May 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating an indecent exposure incident that occurred earlier this month. It happened along the Charlotte Rail Trail on April 7. ALSO READ: Be very aware: Woman warns fellow runners after indecent exposure incident at Uptown park A video about this incident went viral on TikTok. An investigation revealed 47-year-old Santiago Garcia Herrera as the suspect in this case. On April 24, Herrera turned himself in to law enforcement. He is being held at Mecklenburg County jail. VIDEO: Be very aware: Woman warns fellow runners after indecent exposure incident at Uptown park ELKHART The future of the Johnson Street Dam is uncertain. A newly formed coalition of community members, elected officials and members of the St. Joseph River Association this week launched the Elkhart County Gives A Dam committee to focus on protecting the asset in Elkhart. The Johnson Street Dam resides next to Johnson Street between Elkhart Avenue and Beardsley Avenue and controls the water flow from the Upper St. Joseph River to Mottville, Michigan, all the way to the Lower St. Joseph River into Mishawaka, where the nearest two St. Joseph River dams are located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original dam was built from logs around 1868, and eventually transformed into the modern day structure. The dam that stands today is over 100 years old, built in 1912. The dam provides so much for our community, Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick said. Energy-wise, the dam powers the equivalent of roughly 500 homes, which is not a lot, especially compared to the impact the dam has on roughly 1,000 parcels of land along the Upper St. Joseph River, in addition to dozens of tributaries that the water funnels through. Theres bass fishing tournaments all the time, theres kayakers all the time, theres random people that put in tubes and flow down it in the summer. I paddle board on there, Weirick said. Theres ecosystems that have developed over the last 100 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By law, companies that manage energy resources like the hydroelectric production plant that is part of the Johnson Street dam, must periodically apply for licensure through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to continue maintaining infrastructure. Weirick said last summer AEP had a public meeting where they discussed the Johnson Street dam and licensure surrounding the property. Theyre really looking for any option, anywhere from a complete shutdown to a complete rejuvenation, and the 3,000 options in between, Weirick said. The companys license is set to expire in 2030, with a required decision on their intent to relicense due by late 2025. Weirick said, in trying to understand the process, she began looking into the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had no idea what I didnt know, she said. I got concerned. I just wanted to make sure trust, but verify that Elkhart County still has the Johnson Street dam when all is said and done. Utilities companies in possession of dams are also required to maintain the dam. That is truly a financial burden on anybody, she acknowledged. Its a very expensive system. Its a very old dam. This current dam is built on top of the riverbed, so its not attached to the riverbed. It is not driven into the bedrock below the riverbed. Its a very sandy bottom and sediment keeps coming up with every storm. Its not something that is easy to maintain and keep safe; it requires a lot of attention and AEP has been doing that and will continue to do that as long as they have their license active. But for the people and communities that reside along the river, the dam is something that Weirick believes is instrumental to their quality of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our property values are based on that, our property purchase price has been based on that and there are so many public launches and public accesses, there are so many people that use the river all of us, use it as a lake, she said. Weirick also noted that in addition to property values, changes in the river levels could also cause changes in property tax collection for the county, Elkhart and Bristol. It wouldnt function as a lake anymore, Weirick said. Changes to the dam could also allow potential flooding on the Lower St. Joseph River, specifically, near the Elkhart Aquatic Center. On the other hand, on the Upper St. Joseph River, the lack of dam would lower water levels to the point that it would no longer be a boat-able height. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Think about all of the development on the riverbeds on either side, the Upper, the Lower, the east, the west, the north, the south, depending on where the river is curving, all of that property is impacted in value by the river, hence, the dam, Weirick said. Weirick said the committee is working closely with AEP to make sure they have information as soon as possible. The Elkhart County Commissioners have also all pledged support for the project, and local state and federal legislators are also aware. Were all trying to work together to make sure that this is the best solution for everybody involved, which is not easy, Weirick said. Its kind of a monumental task to get everybody on the same page and in the same direction. Community members are encouraged to visit www.ElkhartCountyGivesADam.com to sign up for updates and share what the St. Joseph River means to them. Ongoing updates and community conversations can also be followed on the St. Joseph River Associations Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sjrainc. All we have right now is a voice, Weirick said. Elkhart County Gives a Dam and all the social media around that is to make sure that we inform people of the process, make sure that they know when to speak out and make sure that people are engaged and informed because our voice needs to be heard. Its better to be at the table earlier than on the table for dinner. Coca-Cola workers recently went on strike over alleged unfair labor practices, including rising health care costs, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. The protests notably come as the company faces growing criticism for rolling back its environmental promises. What's happening? Coca-Cola workers in Fort Wayne, Indiana, recently went on strike after negotiations with the company turned sour. The workers' union said the strike soon expanded to Toledo, Ohio, because the company sent a negotiator from Toledo to Fort Wayne to bargain on its behalf. According to Toledo news station WTOL, the strike involved drivers, merchandisers responsible for stocking products on store shelves, and employees at the bottling facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers first went on strike after the company allegedly proposed increasing health insurance costs during contract negotiations but refused to provide workers with information regarding the specifics of the increase. During the early days of the strike, the company reportedly made a "last, best, and final offer" to Fort Wayne employees of a minimum wage increase of 1 cent per hour in Years 2, 3, and 4 of employment. Union members unanimously rejected the proposal, according to WTOL. Fort Wayne Union President Ehren Gerdes told WTOL the offer was a "smack in the face," adding that the union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing Coca-Cola of bargaining in bad faith. The strike ended after nearly three weeks when a deal was made, according to Fort Wayne news station WANE. The beverage company is making further concessions to its workers that were not fully disclosed in the report but included a four-year cap on health care costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are satisfied with the contract," Gerdes told WANE. "It moves Coke forward to meet the other area standards of the other beverage companies." Why are these strikes important? The strike comes at a challenging time for Coca-Cola, especially regarding environmental progress and commitments. The company recently quietly abandoned its pledge to make 25% of bottles returnable or refillable by 2030 and reduced its recycled material target from 50% by 2030 to between 35% and 40% by 2035. Additionally, nearly 900 cases of Coca-Cola Original Taste were recalled last month after customers found plastic in their soda cans. The incident raised concerns about product safety and quality control. The company is also under fire for being named the world's biggest polluter of plastic waste for the sixth year in a row. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these challenges, Coca-Cola has made progress on its environmental initiatives, including the development of hydrogen-powered vending machines and the incorporation of recycled plastics into its bottles. The company has also made strides to improve its water management and accessibility and switched to renewable energy at some facilities. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has voluntarily revoked the license No. BKT-29, issued on November 1, 2014, to Premier Kredit Non-Bank Credit Organization (NBCO) LLC, the CBA told Trend. Under Article 25.4 of the Law on Non-Banking Credit Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the decision to revoke the license of a non-banking credit organization takes effect immediately, and the organization is required to cease its activities and be liquidated under the provisions outlined in the Civil Code of Azerbaijan. MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) A Coden man is dead, and another man was injured after a crash in Mobile County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. According to an ALEA news release, the two-vehicle crash occurred around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, on Alabama 193 near the 16-mile marker, about three miles south of Mobile. Patrolling paradise: Gulf Shores police enter spring break home stretch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffery S. Shaw, 40, was killed in the head-on collision. He was pronounced dead on the scene, according to ALEA. The other driver was injured and taken to Springhill Medical Center. ALEAs Highway Patrol Division is 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 WKRG News 5. CHICAGO (AP) Over the past few weeks, Greta Reich, editor-in-chief of Stanford Universitys student newspaper, has had almost two dozen requests to take down quotes, bylines, photos and opinion articles from current and former sources and writers. She and her staff at the Stanford Daily have been reviewing them on a case-by-case basis. Its a number that has been startling to see, Reich said. Other student journalists on college campuses across the country are fielding similar requests. They are being asked to remove previously published content amid the Trump administration's crackdown on student protesters, fears of deportation for international students and what critics have described as unprecedented attacks on campus speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many young editors are beginning to reconsider long-standing journalistic practices around transparency to protect the people who appear in their reports. It's happening amid a climate of fear on campuses that is causing certain students to be reluctant to speak out publicly. Fears of deportation lead to a reassessment of transparency These dramatic shifts in student media escalated after Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University student from Turkey, was threatened with deportation and detained in March over what her lawyers say is apparent retaliation for an op-ed piece she co-wrote in the student newspaper. Ozturk was among four students who wrote the op-ed in the campus newspaper, The Tufts Daily, criticizing the universitys response to student activists demanding that Tufts acknowledge the Palestinian genocide, disclose its investments and divest from companies with ties to Israel. And Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist, was arrested in March and has been held in a Louisiana detention center for more than six weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, more than 1,000 students at 160 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review. The federal government has since announced it will reverse the termination of legal status for international students after many filed court challenges, a government lawyer said Friday. The need to consider high-stakes safety risks has increased pressure on students in newsrooms that are meant to be learning labs for future journalists. Emma Wozniak, editor-in-chief of The Lantern at Ohio State University, where 12 students had their visas revoked, said it's taken a mental toll on staff members. We feel an enormous pressure to do the right thing because the stakes are higher and we dont want to put anyone in danger, she said. Its terrifying to think that something we put out into the world could have such a devastating impact on someone. And so we take that very seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A chilling effect on campus journalism Earlier this month, the Student Press Law Center and other media rights groups issued guidance urging student journalists to be more flexible about requests to take down content. This is something weve never, ever done before, said Mike Hiestand, senior legal counsel for the center. Its unprecedented. But we felt it was important to respond to what we were hearing from students. Hiestand said hes seen a surge in calls from student journalists facing requests to take down content, remove bylines or offer anonymous sourcing. Some of the calls have been from international students concerned about how to protect themselves while working in campus newsrooms. Many, fearing legal repercussions, have decided to retract their names in the bylines of published articles or opinion pieces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are really concerned, really fearful, he said. The Stanford Daily has seen multiple staff members step away from editing positions or from covering certain stories related to the Israel-Hamas war or President Donald Trumps campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Reich said. Certain students scared to have their stories told Since returning to the White House, Trump, a Republican, has threatened funding for universities over what he calls wokeness and diversity efforts in education, and he has launched an unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement that has pushed the limits of executive power and clashed with federal judges trying to restrain him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stanford Daily published a letter from the editor in April addressing a chilling effect weve noticed on campus and the fear of speaking to the Daily and announcing more leniency in granting anonymity for students who feel threatened. Three days before, the Daily reported that six student visas had been revoked by federal authorities. Reich said she worries about the diversity in voices the Daily may be losing because international students especially are afraid to speak with reporters or join the newsroom. When we have an entire section of the student body scared to have their stories told, thats a significant portion of the life of Stanford that just isnt being told, she said. Its wildly concerning. Adam Kinder, editor-in-chief of the Columbia Political Review, said hes had about half a dozen requests from student writers wanting to put the publishing process on hold and a similar number of requests to take down previously published articles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the requests have been from international students because of the very real fear right now, including the fear of deportation, Kinder said. The publication reversed a previous rule restricting non-bylined articles. I dont think its a coincidence that were getting more of these requests than we ever had before, he said. Worries that the first draft of history could be erased Dylan Hembrough, editor-in-chief of the Alestle at Southern Illinois University, said hes also being more flexible with taking down previously published content, removing bylines from staff writers and offering anonymity. That includes for an upcoming story about eight international students at the school who have had their visas revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alestles staff is working on a new policy for removing previously published content. Offering anonymity now is important because for some of these people, their lives could be completely upended at a moments notice, Hembrough said. Peoples lives are more important than a good story. Jane Kirtley, a University of Minnesota media ethics professor, acknowledged that the current moment raises a whole new set of ethical issues that may feel much more existential. But she encouraged student journalists to slow down when deciding how to weigh minimizing harm with other ethical standards, including to seek the truth and report it and to tell the full story of what is happening. Kirtley said anonymous sourcing and non-bylined work can appear less credible. Removing previously published content can have lasting effects, given that journalism is often called the first draft of history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to ask yourself, what am I doing to the historical record, especially amid attempts in the current administration to rewrite history, she said. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. DENVER (KDVR) A man who spent 15 years in prison is now free after his conviction in a triple shooting at a bar was vacated. James Cass Garner was released from prison hours after the courts ruling on Wednesday, according to a press release from the University of Colorado Boulder. The Korey Wise Innocence Project at the universitys law school fought to have his conviction overturned. Missouri girl missing since 2024 found in Fort Collins Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garner has maintained his innocence since the shooting on Nov. 22, 2009. According to the release, he was at a bar in Adams County celebrating a birthday when three people were shot. All three victims, who were brothers, survived. According to the release, none of the victims identified Garner in photo lineups shortly after the shooting, but all three testified that he was the shooter in a trial three years later. Nationally recognized experts in human memory and eyewitness identification determined that the identifications made at the trial were unreliable. The court order comes after the prosecution formally conceded several key claims raised in Garners petition for post-conviction relief. Earlier this month, KWIP attorneys Kathleen Lord and Jeanne Segil presented compelling evidence during an evidentiary hearing that challenged the reliability of the eyewitness identifications used to convict Garner, the press release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Attorney Brian Mason said that vacating the conviction was the right thing to do. My job is to do the right thing in every case, and in this case, this was the right thing to do, said District Attorney Brian Mason. We carefully reviewed the jury trial transcript, considered the new witness testimony, and ultimately determined that there were significant issues that justified this decision. Our commitment to justice means doing whats right and, in this case, vacating the conviction was the right thing to do. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Sen. Lindsey Daugherty speaks during a bill signing at the Colorado Capitol on April 24, 2025. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline) The Colorado Senate voted on Friday morning to override a veto on a bill that would require social media companies to remove users who sell drugs and firearms to young people. If the House takes the same action, it would be the Legislatures first successful veto override in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill gives us the tools to help remove predators and traffickers who use social media to harm our kids. This is not about censorship. Its not about speech. Its about standing up for the safety and dignity of our youngest and most vulnerable, said Sen. Lindsey Daugherty, an Arvada Democrat who sponsored the bill. The chamber voted 29-6 to override. It needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers to become law. Senate Bill 25-86 would regulate social media companies by requiring they remove people from the platform who violate the terms of service by exploiting young people for sexual content or sell drugs or firearms. It would also set a stricter timeline for when companies would need to comply with a law enforcement request for materials and require annual data reports to the Legislature about illegal activity on platforms. The bipartisan supporters of the bill say it is about protecting children who use social media from predators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we let this veto stand, we are choosing to protect the business interests of billion-dollar tech companies over the safety of Colorado kids, Daugherty said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE But opponents, a group that spanned the political spectrum including left-leaning ProgressNow and the libertarian group Independence Institute, argued the bill could infringe on free speech and places too much power in the hands of social media companies to police their sites. Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, ultimately landed on that side as well. This law imposes sweeping requirements that social media platforms, rather than law enforcement, enforce state law. It mandates a private company to investigate and impose the governments chosen penalty of permanently deplatforming a user even if the underlying complaint is malicious and unwarranted, he wrote in his Thursday veto letter. In our judicial proceedings, people receive due process when they are suspected of breaking the law. This bill, however, conscripts social media platforms to be judge and jury when users may have broken the law or even a companys own content rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His office pointed to the nine veto requests various organizations sent. In a statement after Friday mornings vote, spokesperson Shelby Weiman wrote that the the bill in its current form is unworkable, contains no safeguards for private information that could be leaked, gives big tech too much power to deplatform people, and (Polis) is worried about preserving civil rights and defending vulnerable Coloradans, which are so important at this critical moment. She wrote that Polis supports certain parts of the bill that give law enforcement more tools to crack down on online criminal activity, especially targeted at children. Democratic Sens. Julie Gonzales of Denver, Nick Hinrichsen of Pueblo, Janice Marchman of Loveland, Katie Wallace of Longmon, Faith Winter of Broomfield and Republican Sen. Mark Baisley of Woodland Park voted against the override. Polis could also face a veto override vote over his rejection of Senate Bill 25-77, which would set a longer timeline for some open records requests from non-journalists. The Senate laid over that override vote until next Friday. Editors note: This story was updated at 6 p.m. on April 25 to include comments from the governors office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A pro-Palestinian encampment is seen on the Auraria campus in downtown Denver, May 2, 2024. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) At least nine international students in Colorado have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration alleging due process violations when their legal status was revoked without an opportunity to defend themselves in immigration court. The University of Colorado said in a statement that as of April 17 it is aware of 22 students who have had their visas revoked. A spokesperson for Colorado State University said Thursday that 16 of its students have been affected by revocations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear how many of the students still remain in the country. President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting student visas of those who participated in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses and another instructing the State Department to review visa programs to ensure no foreign nationals pose a threat to national security. Estimates say over 1,800 international students across the United States have had their visas revoked, though that number could be higher. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Raquel Lane-Arellano, a spokesperson for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, said the Trump administrations decision to target students for speaking up is really disturbing. While many of the students in Colorado who have sued say they have not been politically engaged, some who have had their visas revoked have been. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To see this administration so brazenly target them based on their use of their First Amendment right is a really scary step in the wrong direction, Lane-Arellano said. She said the visa revocations align with how she described the Trump administrations broader goal of silencing those who are speaking out against the human rights atrocities that theyre committing, whether thats abroad or here at home. Universities in Colorado need to stand by their students and do everything in their power to protect international students being targeted, and support them in efforts to reinstate their visas, Lane-Arellano said. She said universities need to show that their values around information access and free speech are more important to them than any funding being threatened by the Trump administration. Trump has used the threat of withheld federal funds to coerce universities to bend to his policy preferences. Speaking their minds Ella Smith, a third-year student at CSU Fort Collins who organizes with Students for Justice in Palestine, said they know at least one CSU student lost their visa for attending protests in support of Palestinian people. They said while police are present at the protests their organization holds, no students have had any formal interactions with law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said they are appalled and disgusted to see tuition-paying students who are in the country legally attacked for speaking their minds. International students and immigrant students are terrified and exhausted, they said. They said at least six of the CSU students who have had their visas revoked have already left the country. The international community has been seeing lots and lots of attacks on not only their character, but on their rights, and as people who are here in America, they deserve the same protections as any American citizen, including protections under the First Amendment for speech and for protest, Smith said. Smith said it appears the university has been scrambling in recent weeks since visa revocations started in determining how to best help affected students. Student organizations like SJP are trying to get whatever information they can to help other international students, Smith said, but everyone is relying on limited information. What we think is that the university thought that they would see this in different places across the country before they saw it in Colorado for example, seeing it in New York, in California at the Ivy League schools before it approached Colorado, Smith said. From the Middle East and Southeast Asia All nine students who filed lawsuits in Colorado are referred to as Student Doe in their cases filed in the U.S. District Court of Colorado due to fear of retaliation by Defendants for asserting their rights through this lawsuit, and of harassment or blacklisting by third parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students records were deleted from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a government database that tracks international students compliance with their F-1 visas, which are granted to nonimmigrant international students. The complaints say terminating a record within the database effectively ends F-1 student status and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not have the authority to end that status even if a visa is revoked, which the complaints allege the agency did. Zachary New, an Aurora attorney representing the nine students, said a visa is a document the State Department oversees, and it determines whether someone is permitted entry into the country. Once they are in the country, the Department of Homeland Security oversees their immigration status. New said there is not a method to challenge the revocation of a visa, which is a travel document, in court, but the plaintiffs are instead challenging the termination of their legal status. The students New is working with are from countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, which he said is consistent with students being targeted across the country. The Colorado cases are being litigated individually, and the students all remain within the U.S. Newsline reviewed three lawsuits that were filed last week, but access to others that were filed more recently was blocked by the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defendants in the suits include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons. I can't think of anything more disempowering to a young student learning about the world than to be put in removal proceedings or taken out of their ability to be here because they engaged in one of the most sacred constitutional rights we have, which is the right to speak out about things. Raquel Lane-Arellano, a spokesperson for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition ICE said in a statement that it does not comment on pending litigation. In a statement, a senior DHS official said ICEs Homeland Security Investigations conducts regular reviews of the SEVIS database to ensure visa holders remain in compliance with program requirements. The official shared a link detailing why SEVIS terminations may occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuits say the reason for the students removal from the SEVIS record is Other Individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked. DHS said it will notify the State Department if a violation is identified, as the department has the authority to determine visa revocation and may consider criminal arrests and other national security concerns. The statement said individuals who remain in the U.S. without legal status may be subject to arrest and removal and that the safest and most efficient option is self-deportation. DHS declined to comment on the specifics of the Colorado students cases due to privacy concerns and visa confidentiality. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that it would restore legal status for students with limited criminal history. New said in a statement to Newsline Friday that he is incredibly happy to see this decision and that some of the students who have filed lawsuits have had their records restored. He said without an explicit policy announcement from ICE, though, we are only tentatively celebrating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students need additional protections and assurances before the lawsuits will be dismissed, New added. He said many questions still remain, including why the records were terminated in the first place and if students will be targeted for staying in the country during the interim period when their file was deleted. (W)e are very happy to see that ICE has changed its tune on this issue, but it has been so incredibly disruptive and harmful to thousands of students, and we still need answers both for the students in these lawsuits and for students who were not able to join a lawsuit, New said in a statement. For those who have filed lawsuits, we need assurances from the government against future harm as a result of these actions before well be comfortable dismissing anything. The Constitution still matters New said he has never seen something this blatantly illegal happen before in his time in immigration law. He said he worked on many lawsuits during Trumps first term, but hes never seen something so black and white before. It suggests to me that the goal of this action wasnt necessarily to follow the law as its written, it was to get this end result to have this psychological impact on students even where there is not really a leg to stand on in a federal court if a student wants to challenge it, New said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Universities and students have found out about their visa revocations by proactively checking the SEVIS database. None of the schools involved received any warning or explanation regarding the plaintiff students SEVIS records being terminated. The lawsuits allege violation of the Administrative Procedures Act, the Fifth Amendment and the Declaratory Judgement Act when ICE which operates under DHS terminated the students SEVIS records. They ask the court to declare DHSs actions unlawful, vacate DHSs termination of the students SEVIS records and order that the department reinstate SEVIS records and F-1 student visa status. They also ask the court to order the defendants to pay the plaintiffs attorneys fees. A Colorado Springs students complaint says they have not engaged in any significant political activity. The only criminal history the student has is for possession of alcohol and marijuana as a minor. The student received a new visa approved by the State Department and the DHS after that charge. A Denver students complaint says their criminal history includes a low fine paid for running a red light resulting in a crash, and a petty larceny offense charge that was dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Fort Collins students complaint also says they have not engaged in significant political activity. Their criminal history includes a driving under the influence and drunk driving charge in California, which was ultimately dismissed. The student pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count and completed a court-ordered three-month DUI program while serving 12 months of summary probation. New said the other students have similarly low-level infractions, none of which include convictions for violent crimes. One student was arrested but never had charges filed against them, he said. When he first started working in immigration law, New said he was told it was the trenches of the Constitution, as immigration is where the boundaries of the Constitution are really pushed. These students have not had the opportunity to be heard in regards to action the government is taking against them, he said. In the end, the Constitution still matters. Due process still matters. Procedure still matters, New said. In some ways, protecting individuals who are most vulnerable to these Constitutional violations is protecting everybody from having their Constitutional rights eroded. The cases are all in early phases since lawsuits were filed in the last week, and New said more actions should be expected in those cases in the coming weeks. Lane-Arellano said the Trump administrations actions targeting international students will make prospective students wishing to study in the U.S. second guess whether that is the right choice for them. I cant think of anything more disempowering to a young student learning about the world than to be put in removal proceedings or taken out of their ability to be here because they engaged in one of the most sacred constitutional rights we have, which is the right to speak out about things, Lane-Arellano said. Editors note: This story was updated at 2:50 p.m., April 25, 2025, to reflect the Trump administrations decision to restore legal status to international students. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Protesters did not set up new tent encampments or demonstrate against the war in Gaza at Columbia University on Thursday as planned. NBC News reported Wednesday that a group planned to set up tent encampments on the New York City school's main campus Thursday afternoon. The encampments would have been likely to inflame tension at the Ivy League school, which for weeks has been at the center of a tug-of-war between the federal government and its students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would have been the first tent cities at the university since students took over a building last year and since the Trump administration embraced an aggressive approach to target what it describes as a failure to deal with antisemitism on college campuses. More than 100 protesters met Tuesday at a community center in Brooklyns Bushwick neighborhood to coordinate tent encampments at Columbia for this week. Organizers, whose identities remain unknown, went to extreme lengths to conceal their plans. NBC News obtained a recording of the meeting, which revealed that students were planning an encampment Thursday at the universitys main campus in Manhattans Morningside Heights neighborhood and a second encampment Friday at the nearby Manhattanville campus. It is unclear whether the encampment planned for Friday will proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of protests Thursday, the scene on campus included students enjoying one of the first warm days in New York City this spring. Dozens of students lay out beach towels, snapped selfies under the sun and tossed around Frisbees. There were, however, signs of what the day was expected to bring. Outside the university gates on 116th Street and Broadway, several New York police officers gathered but they were gone by 2 p.m., an hour after the protests had been expected to begin. Students and security guards on the lawn at Columbia University on Thursday. A handful of people who appeared to be security guards in plainclothes circled the planned site of Thursday's protest before it was expected to begin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cole Donovan, 27, a Ph.D. student studying philosophy and education, said the student body's attitude toward protests seems to have changed since the encampments a year ago. Gone are the days when students felt free to set up tents, take over academic buildings and march for days, as they did last spring, he said. "There was obviously an antagonistic relationship between the student body and the institution last year. But at the core of that was a kind of faith ... that they were both engaging in at least some degree of good faith," he said. "The student body has sort of felt thats no longer the case and, rather than producing a sort of stronger outcry of protest, has produced actual legitimate fear in the student body." Students play on the lawn at Columbia University. Last month, the Trump administration began terminating federal research grants at several of the country's most prestigious universities, demanding significant changes to how schools operate. The administration has argued that the universities failed to protect Jewish students amid war protests. Columbia was the first university the administration targeted. It conceded to a number of the government's requests, including that it adjust its admissions process, implement "greater institutional neutrality" and hire three dozen new security officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration similarly challenged Harvard University, which rejected its proposals and sued the federal government. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive actions that would enforce stricter oversight of foreign donations to universities and change how they are accredited. Immigration authorities have apprehended at least three Columbia students in recent weeks. Among them was graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, who helped lead student protests last year. Protesters in front of City College of New York on Thursday. About 45 minutes after the protest at Columbia was expected to start, pro-Palestinian student advocates affiliated with City College of New York announced on social media that they were staging a protest at the nearby public college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear whether protesters who had intended to be part of the planned Columbia encampment were among the roughly 50 people who gathered outside CCNY's gates Thursday afternoon, wearing masks and Palestinian keffiyehs. However, a student protest group affiliated with Columbia shared the CCNY group's post on social media. CCNY closed its gates and appeared to start barring students from entering campus while the protest ensued. On Tuesday, a crowd of protesters at Yale University set up a handful of tents on campus before they disbanded a few hours later. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student who faces deportation, was detained without an arrest warrant last month, according to court documents released Thursday. Khalil, a Syrian-born legal resident and green card holder, was arrested March 8 after returning from an Iftar meal during Ramadan. In court documents, Department of Homeland Security attorneys state that the immigration officers "had exigent circumstances to conduct the warrantless arrest" and that Khalil said he would not cooperate and intended to leave the scene. Federal immigration authorities said they "believed there was a flight risk and arrest was necessary, according to the court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video footage of the arrest shows Khalil cooperating and telling officers, "Yes, I'm coming with you." He remains in custody at an immigration detention facility in Louisiana. Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla, who announced the birth of the couples first child Monday, said in a statement three days after the arrest that ICE agents told her they had a warrant to revoke his student visa. When informed he didn't need one, they replied that they were there to revoke his green card, Khalil's attorneys previously said. DHS argued in court documents submitted to the court Thursday that it did not need to obtain a warrant before the arrest because immigration officers have the power to detain people where there is suspicion of an offense against the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] supervisory agent believed there was a flight risk and arrest was necessary," the DHS wrote. "The agents had reason to believe that the respondent was likely to escape before a warrant could be obtained," it continued. Previously, DHS attorneys filed Khalils arrest report in immigration court, which stated that federal immigration authorities informed Khalil that they had a warrant for his arrest. At that time, he asked if he could contact his lawyer when they approached him in March. Khalils attorneys, however, argue DHS did need a warrant to enter their client's apartment building. Khalil's legal team is calling for the case to be dismissed, claiming that he cooperated with authorities throughout the arrest and that no evidence has been presented to prove he was a flight risk. "We learned for the first time that the DHS agents who arrested Mahmoud lied to him: they wrote in their arrest report that the agents told him that they had an arrest warrant, but DHS has now admitted in their filing that that was a lie and that there was no warrant at all at the time of the arrest," Marc Van Der Hout, one of Khalils attorneys, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice and ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Friday in an emailed statement: "Khalil was encountered by ICE officers and identified as a removable alien. When he tried to walk away, he was arrested. An administrative arrest warrant was executed at the time of his booking as is the custom." One of Khalil's lawyers, Amy Greer, said in a March 9 court filing that she spoke to one of the agents who was the Columbia housing complex. He identified himself as Special Agent Elvin Hernandez of Homeland Security, she wrote, and repeated that agents had a warrant. In an amended challenge to Khalil's detention filed March 13, his lawyers said that while Khalil was initially detained in federal facilities in downtown New York City, "Mr. Khalil saw an agent approach Agent Hernandez and say, 'the White House is requesting an update.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Greer said in a statement That night, I was on the phone with Mahmoud ... and even the arresting agent. Today we now know why they never showed Mahmoud that warrant - they didnt have one." In three statements in the two days following Khalil's arrest on Columbia property, the university said its policy is to comply with the law but also to require law enforcement operating in its non-public spaces to have a judicial warrant. Law enforcement must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public University areas, including residential University buildings," Katrina Armstrong, the school's interim president, said in a statement on March 10. Columbia did not respond Friday to a request for comment on agents' lack of a warrant for Khalil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils case has gained international attention as the Trump administration seeks to deport several students accused of jeopardizing their immigration status by supporting groups designated as foreign terrorist entities, such as Hamas, in some instances without providing evidence. Documents released Thursday also show that Khalil has submitted an asylum application after an immigration judge ruled this month that he could be deported. The Trump administration has advanced two grounds for Khalils removal from the U.S. since his arrest on March 8 in New York City. Khalil is currently detained in a Louisiana detention facility. The government first cited a provision in immigration law that gives the secretary of state the authority to deport someone if it is determined that the person "would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most recent argument, which the government made public on March 23, alleges that Khalil withheld information about his membership in certain organizations and failed to disclose his employment at the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut in his permanent residency application. Khalils attorneys also submitted additional evidence to the court countering allegations of antisemitism, including letters from multiple Jewish classmates and professors at Columbia University who said Khalil condemned Hamas, de-escalated tense situations on campus and supported Jewish students. The graduate student's attorneys also denied allegations that Khalil failed to disclose his employment history and involvement in the Columbia University Apartheid Divest on his permanent residency application. NBC News previously reported that these allegations against Khalil were partially based on unverified tabloid news reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday's filings were in response to a deadline the day before set by the immigration judge in Khalils removal case in Louisiana. In his separate federal case, which challenges his detention, the judge requested that copies of the filings be submitted to the court, where they were made public. Khalil's asylum application is sealed "due to the sensitive nature of the information that could affect his safety in the future," his legal team said. In federal court, Khalil is still seeking bail and a preliminary injunction that would release him from custody while his immigration case proceeds. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Columbus civic organizations gathered last week for a town hall meeting to discuss plans for the coalitions to unite and consolidate Black voters behind candidates ahead of the 2026 local elections in Muscogee County. Leaders from organizations, including the Columbus branch of the NAACP and the Columbus Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, led the meeting April 17 in the Page-Doleman Complex at Holsey Chapel CME Church. The meeting followed multiple news conferences condemning the Columbus Councils appointment of Councilor John Anker to the citywide District 9 seat the same day former Councilor Judy Thomas resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the town hall was meant to focus on the coalitions plans for the next election rather than expressing opinions about elected officials, national NAACP board member and the Georgia state administrator Ed DuBose told the Ledger-Enquirer. During the town hall meeting, leaders from multiple organizations laid out plans for their movement, named Columbus, GA, United, to vet, prepare and campaign for a single unity candidate for each seat up for election. We are really looking at shifting paradigms, the Rev. Johnny Flakes III of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church said during the meeting. Were looking at shifting the process and establishing clear-cut paths to providing the best candidates that Columbus deserves to serve residents of this city. Elections for mayor and Columbus Council seats for Districts 1, 5, 7 and 9 are in May 2026. Vetting and training candidates Members of the coalition who were involved in the recent news conferences understood that they had to create an organization that would include everybody, Flakes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These conversations led to the creation of Columbus, GA, United. The goal is to prevent vote splitting, preserve and protect our political power, Flakes said. Black power that does not exclude anybody else. Their plan is to consolidate community support behind a single viable candidate in races where multiple Black candidates will split the vote, he said. The first step in achieving this is to create a vetting committee consisting of 7-10 members representing faith leaders, youth organizers, elders, advocates, political strategists and neighborhood representatives. This committee would review candidate credentials, records and community support. They would interview prospective candidates and analyze their viability using data and strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee also would host public forums where candidates would answer key issue-based questions, demonstrate their policy knowledge and public speaking ability and share their campaign vision. Someone in the room might be like, Whos controlling the show? DuBose said. The people. The power always belongs to the people. As part of this process, the coalition also will develop candidate scorecards, DuBose said. This is important for more than just vetting candidates, he said. The community has allowed people to step into a role, DuBose said, and then they dont grade them. This has created a situation where candidates can vote against key issues multiple times without it being graded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the election time came around, you came to our church, picked up a baby and sang Lift Every Voice and Sing, DuBose said. And then you got a free ride because we didnt follow your campaign. We didnt follow what you said you would do for us. We were fooled by your appearance at our church anniversary. Candidates who go through this process will be asked to pledge to step down and not continue to run as a spoiler candidate if they are not selected, DuBose said. As part of the process, Columbus, GA, United will have potential candidates attend workshops preparing them to run for office. The coalition hopes to complete outreach to potential candidates and orientation by June and have the vetting committee formed by July. Then candidate interviews and public forums will take place from August through September. By October, the committee is expected to be ready to make its recommendations, and the 2026 campaign will be launched between November and December. A centralized communication strategy Centralizing messaging and voter information is a key component of Columbus, GA, Uniteds strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Urban League of the River Valley will be in charge of messaging for the coalition, Dorothy Dot Bass said during the meeting. Clarity and consistency are key, she said. A single trusted source for voter information helps eliminate confusion, prevents misinformation and builds collective confidence in the electoral process. Centralizing voter education will help streamline communication across the partners, Bass said, and will help support a rapid response if a polling location changes or a runoff is announced. Organizations in the coalition would send their information to the Urban League, which then would disseminate the information. Voter mobilization Another large part of Columbus, GA, Uniteds strategy is to focus on voter mobilization. The coalition knows there are voter turnout disparities among African Americans, community organizer Marquese Averett said during the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that our opposition is strategic, they are coordinated, and they are well-funded, Averett said. We must be just as intentional. We also know, when all people vote in full force, we change who gets to make decisions on housing, policing, schools and economic development. The coalition will go to places that have mattered the most in the community, like churches, barber shops and salons, he said. They also will reach out to communities of all demographics, Averett said, because every group cares about issues like affordable housing, jobs and safer communities. They also will focus on mobilizing young people early. Its not good enough to wait until two or three weeks before the election and say we need to go find some young folks, Averett said. We have to make sure that they are included from the very beginning because their issues matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus, GA, United could represent what civil rights leader Jesse Jackson referred to as a rainbow coalition, he said. I often say that doing nothing isnt a revolutionary act, Averett said. Sitting on the sideline doesnt take any courage. In order for us to make this happen, we have to mobilize voters and get people out to vote. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The City Manager and six Columbus councilors are embroiled in a public legal dispute that has prompted lawyers to exchange letters back and forth over the last week. Isaiah Hugley has threatened to sue the councilors if they do not retract and apologize for statements made about his role in a 2022 grant payment to his wife, a State Farm Insurance agent. The councilors, through their attorney, have said they were acting in their official capacity, and the truth is an absolute defense. For months, there has been speculation that when Isaiah Hugley leaves the city managers office at the end of the year, hes going to run for mayor of Columbus, Thursday, WRBL asked Hugley if he was considering a mayoral run next year. He responded that he will be retiring at the end of the year. And he does not know what he will be doing in retirement. However, the speculation that Hugley could run for mayor after serving as city manager for two decades and more than four decades with the city is something that Mayor Skip Henderson has been monitoring. The city manager and I have had discussions about that, Henderson said. He has told me that at this particular point, he has not made any decisions about doing that. He doesnt know what hes going to do. As long as hes focusing on serving the citizens of Columbus, Im OK with it. Hederson that would change if Hugley decided to enter the mayoral race before he retires in December. If he does make a decision, he and I have had the conversation, and hes indicated hell let me know because at that point, well both have to agree to part ways simply because it wouldnt be fair to him, nor would it be fair to me, Henderson said. When I say it wouldnt be fair to me, it would be unfair in terms of trying to move the city forward, and casting doubt in some areas. I dont think it would make any change or difference in how he does his job. The city races, which include five council seats and the mayor, will be held next year. Qualifying is in March, and the election will take place in May 2026. Henderson is serving his second term as mayor and is not eligible for re-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. UPDATE: COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Columbus Police say Jeremiah Simmons has been located safely. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Columbus Police Special Victims Unit is searching for a boy who went missing Thursday night. Jeremiah Simmons, 12, was reported missing Thursday, April 24 around 9:15 p.m. Simmons was last seen near the 700 block of Andrea Drive. He is described as wearing a no shirt, with gray shoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about this individual or their whereabouts, is asked to contact 911, the CPD Special Victims Unit at 706-225-3449, or the lead investigator, Cpl. Bethani Thompson 706-580-9238. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has held a presentation on the topic "Most Common Errors in Issue Prospectuses", a source in the CBA told Trend. According to the source, the event, attended by representatives of investment companies operating in the country, provided important information on the most common errors found in issue prospectuses, practical examples of these errors, and their analysis based on the requirements of regulatory legal acts. The presentation also included recommendations on how to properly and fully prepare issuance documents. The goal of the event was to improve the quality of issuance prospectuses, organize the issuance process more efficiently and transparently, and raise awareness among issuers and investment companies. During the presentation, practical approaches were discussed, and the participants' questions were answered. "The organization of such informative events by the CBA serves the effective communication of issue-related processes and the attraction of new issuers to the capital market. The Central Bank will continue its educational activities in the future to improve the issuance of securities and ensure regulatory compliance," the source added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The City of Columbus has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its cuts to infectious disease funding during a rise in measles outbreaks across the country, including in Ohio. City Attorney Zach Klein said Columbus Public Health has already had to terminate 11 infectious disease workers due to cuts in the funding, leaving only 11 employees left. The Trump administrations termination of billions of dollars in infectious disease funding is both dangerous and unconstitutional, Klein said in a statement. The City cannot stay quiet on the sidelines as extremists within this administration continue to defy the Constitution and recklessly endanger the health and safety of our children and the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio State faculty vote to join Big Ten alliance against Trump The city claims that the funding cuts are unconstitutional because the money was already approved by Congress. The city is asking for a judge to order the Trump administration to reinstate the grant programs and congressionally appropriated funding. Kansas City and Nashville also joined the lawsuit, along with Harris County, Texas, which includes Houston. Read the full lawsuit below Dkt.-1-ComplaintDownload Several states also previously sued the administration over the funding cuts. U.S. Health and Human Services Department spokesperson Andrew Nixon told the Associated Press earlier this month that it doesnt comment on pending litigation, but said the HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. 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. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Rep. Gabe Amo joined 12 News at 4 Thursday to sound the alarm over President Donald Trumps economic policies and how the tariffs will jack up the cost of living for Rhode Islanders. Amo also shared his thoughts on the $880 million in proposed cuts to Medicaid and other federal agencies. Watch the full interview in the video above. 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. Editor's note: Watch as we recap the session live now here. Over the course of 36 hours at the tail end of the three-month legislative session, Indiana lawmakers made significant policy changes that fundamentally alter how state universities conduct themselves. These changes among them, giving Gov. Mike Braun sole appointing power over Indiana University's board of trustees, subjecting tenured faculty to "productivity" quotas that could lead to termination, dissolving the decision-making power of faculty governance organizations were never the subject of a filed bill or amendment and saw no opportunity for public testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They appeared near the bottom of the 220-page budget bill the evening of April 23, and rose to the forefront of the heated debate that went into the early hours of April 25 when lawmakers approved the bill. More: Indiana state budget deal: Cigarette taxes go up, public health funding goes down "Its hard to imagine anything that could possibly be more nontransparent, opaque," said Russ Skiba, professor emeritus at IU. "This is a complete takeover of universities by the governor and state legislature." Republican Rep. Jeff Thompson of Lizton, the House's budget writer, repeatedly defended the measures as the state exercising its duty to ensure taxdollars are spent wisely and efficiently. Asked multiple times, he said he could not recall who brought forward the ideas. IU Board of Trustees The governor has previously appointed five of the nine trustees to IU's board, plus a student member. Three alumni board members have been elected by alumni. The new language gives the governor appointing and replacing power over all nine members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, in whose district IU's flagship campus sits, questioned why the university itself hadn't made a public position known on this language. He pointed out that one alumni-elected board member recently questioned the pay raise and contract extension of the university president referring to Vivian Winston, who was the sole "no" vote on that measure. House Speaker Todd Huston said there are so few who participate in the elections for the alumni board members, so the university is "better served" to have the highest state elected official appoint the board. That doesn't mean alumni wouldn't be one of Braun's choices, Braun told reporters earlier in the day. But he said the "current process" has perhaps not "yielded the proper results" in terms of curriculum, cost and the operation of the university. "So I want to get a board there that is going to be maybe a little more rounded, that's going to produce better results," he said. Faculty tenure and power Colleges will be required to adopt a post-tenure review policy that includes certain productivity based quotas: the faculty member's class load, the number of students who they graduate, their time spent instructing and the amount of research they put out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's reminiscent of the additions to the tenure review process that lawmakers added last year, in Senate Enrolled Act 202, which dictated that a condition of tenure includes fostering intellectual diversity. Huston said Thursday night's debate reminded him of that bill. "I think, frankly, Indiana universities from what I can understand are thriving after that passage," he said. Thompson again said this is about ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer dollars. Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, posited that this could lead to "diploma creep" an inflated number of students attaining diplomas who perhaps aren't ready simply because their professors are incentivized to increase their numbers or meet a quota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You cant use Stalinist techniques to run an educational system," he said. "It will lead to distortion." Skiba said if he were still working as a professor, he would leave the state rather than be subjected to these standards. While these metrics are quantitative, the measure of a professor's success is often more about the quality of the students they graduate, he said. "Essentially there will be no such thing as tenure anymore," he said. "The review is kind of disturbing, really. ... Any professor could be summarily put on probation and fired for failing to meet some standard." Another insertion into the budget designates faculty governance organizations as "advisory" only in nature contrary to the "shared governance" tradition that many institutions have. Faculty will now also have to post all their syllabi online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, the process behind the policy became just as criticized as the policies themselves. "Why did members of this body not have the courage to admit to members of this public what they planned to do?" Pierce said. "It is beneath this institution to do such a thing." Both Huston and Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray acknowledged that the legislative process wasn't ideal, and they try to limit how often policies get added to legislation in the final hours of session. "There a few things that land in a budget that maybe haven't seen much light of today before," Bray said. "We still have the opportunity, of course, to debate them, and we did that this evening. So, certainly not perfect, but you'll have some of those things almost every session." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X@kayla_dwyer17. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Lawmakers exert control over university policy in 11th hour Completion of the new Reading High School Innovation Academy is in jeopardy, the Reading School District announced. The U.S. Department of Education in March revoked more than $51 million in previously approved federal funds designated for the project, the district said in a news release, noting the significant funding gap could delay or jeopardize construction of the academy. It has been recommended that we stop progress on the Innovation Academy, Dr. Jennifer Murray, district superintendent said Wednesday at the school boards voting meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new facility, underway at Ninth and Douglass streets, is designed to reduce overcrowding at Reading High and expand science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, academic opportunities for students. Our community has made tremendous progress, and this facility is critical to continuing that upward trajectory, Murray said in a statement. To lose these funds now would not only harm our students, but it would also reverse years of work to provide them with the opportunities they deserve. The district is working with its solicitor, the state Department of Education, state and federal legislators, representatives of Gov. Josh Shapiros office and others, Murray said. Anybody who will listen to us, she noted. We are waiting for guidance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Gov. Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit with 15 other states and the District of Columbia challenging the Trump Administrations decision to abruptly revoke $185 million in funding owed to Pennsylvania, much of which the U.S. Department of Education had already approved for distribution. These funds include $183.6 million owed to 116 Pennsylvania school districts, charter schools, intermediate units and career and technical centers, and $1.8 million owed to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, according to the state website. Last week, local and state leaders, including U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and state Sen. Judy Schwank, toured the partly built academy to observe construction progress and meet with district leaders. Houlahan praised the facilitys potential but expressed concern about the loss of federal support, the district said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let me be clear: our government must stand by its word, Houlahan said in a statement. These federal funds, secured by the American Rescue Plan Act that I proudly voted for in 2021 and duly appropriated by Congress, must be distributed as promised. For President Trump and his administration to claw back Congressionally approved and appropriated funding is illegal. Houlahan said she fully supports Gov. Shapiros lawsuit to challenge this decision in court. If these funds are not delivered as promised, the people of Reading will suffer financial consequences and thats not right, Houlahan said. The students of Reading want and deserve a high school to prepare them for the competitive jobs of the 21st century, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats exactly what they will gain with a STEM education, Houlahan said. Theres nothing efficient about a halfway built school. The Trump administrations decision is absolutely punitive and foolish. The district was originally awarded more than $104 million in American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ARP ESSER, funds. Of that, approximately $77 million has been spent or committed to the academy and other construction projects, including heating, ventilating and air conditioning improvements across the district. The initial deadline for expenditure of the funds was September 30, 2024, with additional 90 days to distribute all the funds, but the district was granted an extension for another 14 to 18 months to complete the project, Murray said Wednesday at a meeting of the school board. The extension was needed primarily due to the unexpected discovery of bedrock that required blasting at the academy site, she said, and post pandemic issues with obtaining adequate building supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. D.E.P. has now reversed its earlier decision on the extension, citing regulatory timelines and a shift in federal priorities post-pandemic. As a result, Murray said, the district risks losing more than $51 million in total. This includes $23.8 million already spent but not yet reimbursed, and another $27.5 million in pending obligations. We followed every guideline and were granted an extension that aligned with our project timeline, said Wayne Gehris, district chief financial officer. Now weve told those funds are no longer available. This puts the future of the Innovation Academy in question and creates a financial challenge we havent seen in more than a decade. Despite the challenge, district leaders say they are committed to exploring every available option to close the funding gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district said it is also evaluating potential legal options. Our students deserve access to state-of-the-art learning environments, just like students in other communities, said Gehris. Were doing everything we can to ensure this building is completed. For updates on the RHS Innovation Academy project, visit https://www.readingsd.org/. Apr. 24ALEXANDRIA, S.D. The Hanson County Board of Adjustment voted down Thursday morning a proposed conditional use permit for an animal feeding operation in Worthen Township after the applicant had earlier requested that the application be pulled from the agenda. The move came at the meeting of the Hanson County Planning Commission at the Hanson County Courthouse in Alexandria, where the commission, acting as the board of adjustment, voted to deny the application from William Lingemann Trust and Carol L. Lingemann Trust for a Class B animal feeding operation in an agricultural district. After hearing three other conditional use permit applications, the board discussed the Lingemann application and noted that the Lingemanns had requested the agenda item be tabled from the Thursday meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian McGinnis, a community development specialist with Planning & Development District III who was in attendance at the meeting, advised the board that even though the applicant requested the item be tabled to May, without the submission of a formal letter requesting the move, he recommended proceeding with the public hearing as it was legally advertised. "There was no written document or record of him withdrawing this, it was only verbal," McGinnis told the Mitchell Republic following the meeting. "So, minus a written document, (the board) chose to move forward with the hearing process." Josh Kayser, chairman of the board of adjustment, also noted that, along with the request for tabling the item, several other pieces of information were not included with the application as of Thursday, including a nutrient management plan or site plan. That left the board little to evaluate before moving on to public input on the subject. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to open this to public comment. Obviously you've heard we have an incomplete application here and he has requested that it be withdrawn, and we're going to go ahead with that," Kayser said. A handful of area residents spoke out against the proposed project. The permit application describes the facility as a 2,400-head swine ISO wean to finish Class B CAFO, or concentrated animal feeding operation. The facility would be located just over two miles east of Ethan. Mike Harvey, of Ethan, was one who spoke against the project. He said he was the closest resident to the proposed facility and asked the board to heed resident concerns before any approval of the application. "I'm the one that's closest to this site. I'm right at 1,300 feet from where he's proposing it to put it. I mean, I can see it out of my dining room window," Harvey told the board. "I would respectfully ask the board to consider the impact he's having on the neighbors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martha Huber, also of Ethan, was another area resident who spoke in opposition to the project. She said she lives about a mile north of the proposed operation and felt it would negatively impact her business, which deals in antiques, art and crafts. Customers sometimes come to her business looking to spend time in the country while perusing the selection. The smell from a hog operation that close to the business could drive visitors away, she said. "This will just be the fourth year there. I can't imagine what a pig smell could do to our business. There is artwork there, the doors are open when we have events. We're out there every day working," Huber said. "But just a thought of the smell coming in, sticking on the art canvases, cloth items, everything we sell. We might be one mile and a few feet (away), but I don't think that smell is going to stop if it's blowing that way." Other comments from the public included concerns about the potential impact to property values in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither of the Lingemanns were present at the meeting, and no one in the audience spoke in favor of the proposed project. The Mitchell Republic attempted to reach out to William Lingemann for comment but had not heard back by the time this story was published. Should the applicants wish to reapply for the same or similar conditional use permit, the earliest opportunity for it to come before the board again would be May 22, which is the next scheduled meeting of the board. Any new application would go through the same process again, with the board weighing the application and required accompanying materials. The public would also again be allowed input at that hearing. By Sonia Rolley and Jessica Donati (Reuters) -Congo and Rwanda vowed to come up with a draft peace deal by May 2 and refrain from providing military support to armed groups, according to an agreement signed in Washington on Friday as part of diplomatic efforts to end violence in eastern Congo. The agreement, reached amid an unprecedented advance by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in Congo, is expected to bring significant U.S. public and private investment to the region, which is rich in minerals including tantalum and gold, the final text said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It raises hopes that the latest cycle of violence in a decades-long conflict rooted in the Rwandan genocide might ease. However, previous ceasefire calls have not produced a sustained break in the fighting. Both parties also agreed to explore a joint security coordination mechanism to crack down on armed groups and criminal organizations. The two countries' foreign ministers signed at a ceremony with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also signed as a witness. "To our countrymen and women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the east, we know you are watching this moment," said Congo Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have every reason to expect more than promises," she added. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said it opened the door to a definitive peace agreement. "We are discussing how to build new regional economic value chains that link our countries, including with American private sector investment," he said. Building on the investment potential outlined in the agreement, Washington is in talks to invest billions of dollars in minerals in Congo, which has vast deposits of not only tantalum and gold but also copper, cobalt and lithium, used in mobile phones and electric cars. Separately, Rwanda said this week it was also speaking to Washington about a possible minerals deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A durable peace in the Great Lakes region will open the door for greater U.S. and broader Western investment, which will bring about economic opportunities and prosperity," Rubio said at the ceremony. "Our firms are good corporate citizens, American firms, and they'll bring good governance and ensure responsible, reliable supply chains for things like critical minerals." 'VERY BROAD' The agreement is a "declaration of principles", which a diplomatic source described as "very broad objectives to work towards". Both sides will finalise the specifics in a few months and then sign the agreement, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congo has seen a surge in violence after M23 launched a major offensive in January that led to the capture of the two largest cities in the east. The United Nations and Western governments say Rwanda has provided arms and troops to M23. Rwanda denies backing M23 and says its military has acted in self-defence against Congo's army and a militia founded by perpetrators of the 1994 genocide. Both Qatar and the U.S. have shown an interest in mediating a resolution. Qatar in March brokered a surprise sit-down between Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame during which the two leaders called for a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qatar has also hosted talks between Congo and M23, and this week the two sides issued a statement vowing to work towards peace. The Qatari foreign affairs ministry said the agreement signed in Washington was a "positive and important step toward fostering peace and stability". The Trump administration has taken a special interest in Congo since a Congolese senator contacted U.S. officials to pitch a minerals-for-security deal this year. Washington wants greater access to minerals that are currently exploited predominantly by China and its mining companies. The State Department has said the U.S. is interested in a deal and expects any agreement to involve private sector partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already positioned to support a partnership is prominent Trump backer Erik Prince, who agreed earlier this year to help Congo secure and tax its vast mineral wealth. (Additional reporting by Ange Kasongo in Kinshasa, Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Robbie Corey-Bouley in Dakar; Writing by Jessica Donati and Sofia Christensen; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Lisa Shumaker) LUMPKIN, G.A. (WNCT) On Thursday, Apr. 24, 025, Congressman Don Davis toured the Stewart ICE Detention Facility in Lumpkin, Georgia. The trip marks the third detention facility Congressman Davis has visited in 2025, with following visits being to Alamance County ICE Detention Facility in Graham, N.C., and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. During the visit, Congressman Davis received a briefing from ICE and facility administrators focused on the centers current operations and capacity challenges. Medical care for detainees and how ICE is coordinating with federal and local law enforcement to process cases more efficiently was also covered. After the brief, ICE provided a tour of intake, the medical unit, and food services. First-hand conversations with medium-high and high-custody detainees about their history in the United States and their experience in ICE detention was also included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am tracing the most likely path of a detainee from eastern North Carolina. After visiting the ICE detention center in Alamance County, I traveled to the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, where detainees are transported for possible deportation, Congressman Don Davis said. Our immigration detention system is facing an influx, and witnessing this firsthand was essential. Congressman Davis has made border security a top priority in his first 100 days of the 119th Congress. The first bill he introduced was H.R. 1060, the Modern Authentication of Pharmaceuticals (MAP) Act, bipartisan legislation to help prevent counterfeit and fentanyl-laced drugs from entering the pharmaceutical supply chain. H.R. 1060 would also require on-dose identifiers on controlled substances to ensure the authenticity of prescription and non-prescription 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 WNCT. BOSTON (WWLP) Politicians across the nation are sending condolences to the McGovern family after Congressman Jim McGovern announced the sudden death of his daughter, Molly. Congressman McGovern discusses healthcare, Social Security concerns with seniors in Whately The Congressman says she was fighting a rare type of cancer and died unexpectedly while on a trip to Italy. She was 23 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers from across the aisle have publicly expressed their sorrow and sent support to the family. Congressman Jim McGovern, his wife Lisa McGovern, and their son Patrick McGovern released the following statement: Molly radiated pure joy. She lit up every room with her beaming smilefull of laughter, endless warmth, and a sharp wit that could disarm you in an instant. She was unbelievably funny, fiercely loyal, and wise beyond her years. Molly had a rare gift: She made everyone feel special, because she genuinely believed everyone was special. She treated people with compassion and kindnessalways standing up for the underdog, and making fast friends wherever she went. Her love for the Boston Bruins was fierce, but it was no match for the love she gave so freely to her family and friends. If you ever met Molly, you carried a piece of her light with you. She had that kind of effect on people. Even as she faced a rare cancer diagnosis, she did so with relentless courage, optimism, and tenacityrefusing to let her illness slow her down. She had just finished a semester abroad in Australia. She passed away unexpectedly in Italy while visiting a good friend and his family. Molly will always be the soul of our family. We are so proud of her, and so glad that so many people were touched by her incredible life. We love you, Molly. We miss you already. Congressman Jim McGovern, his wife Lisa McGovern, and their son Patrick McGovern Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra of Northampton released the following statement: On behalf of the people of Northampton, I want to express my deepest condolences to Congressman Jim McGovern, his wife Lisa, and their son Patrick on the heartbreaking loss of their daughter and sister, Molly. Mollys passing is felt deeply throughout our region by all who have worked with Congressman McGovern and come to know his steadfast compassion and commitment to public service. We hold his family in our hearts as they grieve the unimaginable. Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra of Northampton Governor Maura Healey also released the following statement: Molly was a light in her familys lives and the lives of so many. We are all feeling the sadness of her being taken too soon. Governor Maura Healey 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Azerbaijan and the UAE discussed expanding cooperation in the economic sector, trade, investment, industrial parks, and green energy, the Azerbaijani Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on X, Trend reports. "We had the pleasure of meeting the delegation led by Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates. Our discussions focused on strengthening the economic partnership between our countries, with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation in trade, investments, industrial zones, and green energy," Jabbarov pointed out. Energy remains the backbone of Azerbaijan-UAE relations. Azerbaijans State Oil Company (SOCAR) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) have established strong ties in the oil and gas sector. Special attention is given to joint projects in renewable energy, supporting the global transition to a green economy. Azerbaijan aims to generate 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. UAE-based Masdar plays a pivotal role in this mission, implementing projects like the Garadagh Solar Power Plant. With a capacity of 230 MW, the plant will produce 500 million kWh of electricity annually, reducing carbon emissions by over 200,000 tons. Masdar and SOCAR are also exploring offshore wind and hydrogen technology projects with a combined capacity of two GW. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Three conservative grassroots organizations have joined forces in an effort to fight back against a possible property tax hike in Davidson County. The organizations have said that property taxes are becoming a burden. With higher costs and economic uncertainty, the possibility of higher property taxes in Nashville has gotten pushback. Americans for Prosperity Tennessee, GOP Nashville and the Nashville Tea Party have teamed up to campaign against a potential property tax hike in Nashville after a 34% increase in 2020. PREVIOUS: Davidson County home values increase, potentially meaning rise in property tax Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nashvillians are not the ATM. There are other ways. You could cut your spending, said Pamela Furr, the grassroots director of Americans for Prosperity Tennessee. Furr told News 2 that she had seen some Metro Councilmembers send emails to constituents in their districts talking about federal cuts. There have been, to my knowledge no federal cuts to anything that should affect Nashville not Nashville city government, Furr said. If you want that transit plan to be fully funded and to work, keep more money in our pockets so that we can spend money on goods that will be sales taxed. Mayor Freddie OConnell has said in the past a tax hike this spring is likely, but he has not said how much of an increase. In a March press conference, the mayor said he thinks the federal funding scenario is going to put a lot of pressure on it. Nashvilles overall popularity and overall low taxes mean people continue to relocate here and as we grow, we have to provide services to more residents than ever, he said during a roundtable discussion in April. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The groups plan to bring the issue up in a call to action on May 1 at the Nashville Public Library, coinciding with the Mayors State of Metro address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now is the time for Nashvillians to get together, Furr said. I think that Mayor OConnell is a reasonable person we can talk to and say, No new taxes, sir. Please, do not do this to us 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 WKRN News 2. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) From a music festival in Blount County to ongoing TDOT construction projects, 6 News anchor Bo Williams has what East Tennessee drivers need to know before hitting the roads this weekend. The Rock the Country Festival will take place at Maple Lane Farms in Greenback on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Due to the thousands of attendees expected each day, the Blount County Sheriffs Office has created a traffic plan for the weekend. To learn more, click here. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has issued its weekly construction report for April 25 through April 30, detailing ongoing and upcoming construction activities. This report includes information about lane closures and road work across 24 East Tennessee counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TDOT-Weekly-Construction-Report-4-24-25-to-4-30-25Download In addition, the Market Square weekend pedestrian zone on Union Avenue and Market Square will continue to go into effect at 4 p.m. on Fridays and continue through 6 p.m. on Sundays. To learn more about the pedestrian zone, click here. Find live traffic conditions: TDOT Smartway Map If you have any specific questions about road work in your area, email bwilliams@wate.com. 6 News takes a look at upcoming road work and traffic conditions from the 6 News Alert Desk on Friday afternoons. Stay up to date with the latest road work updates 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. NIBLEY, Utah (ABC4) A construction worker is in critical condition after falling 20 feet on a construction site. According to the Cache County Sheriffs Office, emergency units were dispatched to Heritage Elementary School around 5 p.m., where a new middle school is currently being constructed. Details are limited however police told ABC4.com that the worker was working on the roof of the new middle school when he fell 15 to 20 feet, landing on the concrete floor below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critical care was provided to the worker on scene, and the worker was later transported to the hospital where they were then flown to a trauma center for further care. Sheriffs tell ABC4.com that the construction worker sustained serious injuries, and that they remain in critical condition. Further details arent being released at this time out of respect for the familys privacy. 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. (KRON) Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton is defending her record as the countys top prosecutor and blasting a recall effort as misguided. The campaign seeking to oust Becton from office received approval Friday to begin collecting petition signatures for a potential recall. As your District Attorney, Im committed to protecting public safety and pursuing justice without fear or favor. That means holding everyone accountable, Becton wrote on her Facebook page Thursday. But now, special interests want to roll back our progress with a wasteful, misguided recall. They are weaponizing fear, distorting facts and exploiting victims not to serve our community, but to push their own agenda, Becton wrote. District Attorney Diana Becton stands for a portrait in Martinez, Calif. (Photo By Lea Suzuki /The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) Recall campaign leaders will hold a news conference 5 p.m. Saturday at the Alexis Gabe Memorial Bench, located at 3231 Main Street in Oakley. It is important to celebrate this momentous occasion with the many supporters who have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to sign the petition, the Recall District Attorney Diana Becton Team wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabe, a 24-year-old Oakley woman, was slain by her boyfriend inside his Antioch home on January 26, 2022, according to police and prosecutors. Alexis Gabe vanished on January 26, 2022. (Photo courtesy Help Bring Alexis Gabe Home / Facebook) The boyfriend, Marshall Curtis Jones, drove to his mothers house two days later, backed his Ford Explorer into the driveway, and unloaded several large, heavy garbage bags, police said. Gabes family said her remains were inside the bags. Surveillance video shows Jones carrying the black garbage bags and talking to his mother in her home driveway. That night, Jones re-loaded the bags back into the Ford Explorer while his mother was hosting a karaoke party inside her house. Gabes partial remains were later found hidden in Plymouth, Calif. Jones, 27, was shot to death police officers who attempted to arrest him on murder charges. Marshall Curtis Jones carries several large garbage bags out of his vehicle. (Image via the Gabe family) Jones mother was arrested by the Oakley Police Department in 2022, however, Becton declined to file charges against her. The DAs office said, Some information raised suspicion about Alicia Coleman-Clarks potential culpability as an accessory after the fact, but prosecutors could not find sufficient evidence to charge her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexis Gabe disappearance and homicide timeline Gabes father, who joined the recall campaign, wrote this week, Together, we can seek the justice that Diana Becton has withheld from us. Becton said the DAs office made significant strides in strengthening our criminal justice system during her eight years as district attorney. Becton highlighted her accomplishments as: I established a Major Crimes Task Force to crack down on violent offenders, gang crime and organized retail theft. I have also expanded our Victim Advocate Team, increasing services and resources for victims of violent crime, particularly in underserved communities. I launched a Human Trafficking Unit to combat modern-day slavery and protect victims of exploitation. My Cold Case Unit is at the forefront of solving unsolved homicides by combining forensic science with traditional investigative methods. Because prevention is key to lasting safety, I have championed initiatives that keep our youth on the right path and stop crime before it happens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recall against Becton was launched on the heels of two successful recalls against progressive district attorneys in the Bay Area. San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin was recalled by voters in 2022, and Alameda County DA Pamela Price was throw out of office by a 2024 recall. Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton (File Photo by /Bay Area News via Getty Images) Becton wrote Thursday, We cannot afford to go backward. This recall isnt about public safety, its the final cry of a broken system and its failed policies that made all our communities less safe. Ive learned the right thing isnt always easy, but it is necessary to deliver safety, justice and progress. Recall campaign leaders will need to gather about 72,000 signatures for the process to move forward. Campaign leaders wrote, The residents have reached a breaking point. We stand in solidarity with the victims of crime who have suffered under this administration and feel despair in their pursuit of justice. We deserve a District Attorney who demonstrates empathy for victims while ensuring that criminals are held accountable for their actions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth finds himself under fire again this time from political skeptics or foes across the political spectrum. But just as the case was during the recent presidential transition period, when Trump opponents resuscitated the discredited 2018 Brett M. Kavanaugh/Christine Blasey Ford playbook in an attempt to derail Hegseths nomination , the stakes now are much higher than Hegseths job security helming the Pentagon. When he was up for the nomination, Democrats and many in the media went all-in in an attempt to destroy Hegseth. Like the anti-Kavanaugh campaign in September 2018, when the then-pending Supreme Court nominee was accused of everything from sexual assault to gang rape (and denied the claims), the recent anti-Hegseth operation accused the two-time Bronze Star-decorated veteran of recurring alcoholism, having a ruinous Bill Clinton-esque libido and, yes, sexual assault (he has also denied the claims). But the concerted effort to sink Hegseths nomination was not actually about Hegseth . It was an attempt to chum the waters, demonstrate Trumpian vulnerability and sabotage the incoming administration before it even took office. Thankfully, the cynical effort failed . And military recruitment, perhaps Hegseths single most important Day 1 priority, has already greatly benefited . Fast-forward a bit. Hegseth was one of the main Trump administration officials caught in the crosshairs of last months Signalgate group chat controversy , which saw sensitive military information about the United States attack plans on the Yemen-based Houthi terrorists inexplicably delivered to the editor in chief of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg. The contents of the leaked chat revealed a Trump administration that is internally divided on matters of foreign policy in particular as it pertains to Iran and its regional proxies, such as the Houthis. Iran doves and anti-Israel provocateurs tendentiously seized the opportunity to attempt to excise a convenient "hawkish" scalp whether that be Hegseth or national security advisor Michael Waltz. But both Hegseth and Waltz kept their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Signalgate, there have been two additional Hegseth-related developments. Last Sunday, the New York Times reported that Hegseth had shared sensitive information about the Houthi attack plans in a second group chat that included his wife and his brother, among others. Hegseth admitted to this second chats existence but claimed no harm was done. Around the same time , three high-ranking Department of Defense officials Deputy Chief of Staff Darin Selnick, longtime Hegseth friend and confidante Dan Caldwell and the chief of staff to the deputy defense secretary, Colin Carroll were first placed on leave, and then fired, amid an ongoing Pentagon leak investigation. The cashiering of Caldwell is notable because of his relationship with Hegseth. The dismissal suggests that Hegseth is committed to leaving no stone unturned and is willing to go scorched-earth on onetime allies if need be, to regain operational control of his leak-addled Pentagon. But the reaction to the firings, and Caldwells immediate conduct afterward, are highly telling. What the Pentagon firings aftermath reveals, in short, is the same thing last months original leaked Signal chat revealed: a Trump administration deeply divided on issues of foreign policy, especially pertaining to Iran. Caldwell, who has worked for various isolationist outfits, is an Iran dove. In the earliest days of the Biden administration, Caldwell even went so far as to praise Robert Malley Bidens execrable choice for special envoy to Iran, and previously the chief American negotiator for President Obamas 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Shortly after being fired from the Pentagon, Caldwell promptly went on the popular show of the nations best-known Iran dove, Tucker Carlson a man who just referred to Iran hawks as enemies of the United States to tell his side of the story. Caldwells narrative was pure victimhood: He argued that his Pentagon tenure threatened established interests, and he dismissed leak accusations. Given that his old ally Hegseth fired him and is now recommending he be prosecuted , Caldwells tale doesnt pass the laugh test. But the entire saga is illuminating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One must wonder why many supposed allies of President Trump would decide to capitalize on the reporting from the New York Times and try to throw Hegseth under the bus at a vulnerable moment. Shouldnt allies have followed the lead of Vice President JD Vance and Trump himself and defended Hegseth to the hilt? Curt Mills of the magazine the American Conservative said the quiet part out loud : The reality is operational Hegseth is just not up to this. In other words, the Hegseth smear campaign continues, but now it takes on a different hue: The target this time is all Iran hawks. The backdrop for all this high drama, adding yet another twist to this elaborate puzzle, is the administrations ongoing Iran nuclear negotiations, which are led by Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff. Those negotiations will resume this weekend in Oman. Witkoff is a billionaire real estate investor with no particular knowledge of the Middle East. In 2023, Witkoff sold his Park Lane Hotel in New York City to the Qatar Investment Authority for $623 million, and perhaps not coincidentally, in January 2025 he went on TV to praise Qatar for doing Gods work . In the Carlson interview, Caldwell referred to Witkoff as a godsend, and Carlson hailed him as an instrument of peace. Carlson, notably, recently hosted the prime minister of Qatar and praised him for seeking to stop military action against Qatars ally and trade partner, Iran. One starts to see what is really going on here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The good news is that Trump himself is clear-eyed on matters pertaining to Iran. So too, it seems, is his secretary of Defense. One must thus conclude that Hegseths detractors are expressing frustration that the president is not as Iran-curious as they are. That would explain why certain purported administration allies are yet again attempting to destroy Pete Hegseth. Josh Hammers latest book is Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West. This article was produced in collaboration with Creators Syndicate. @josh_hammer 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. A Minnesota man who cut off his GPS tracker and fled before his criminal sexual conduct trial concluded in Washington County District Court died Wednesday night in Texas, officials said. David Powers, 37, of New Auburn, Minn., reportedly jumped off an overpass onto a highway in San Antonio and then assaulted someone who stopped to help. He later died at a hospital in San Antonio, police said. Officers responded to a report of a suicide in progress at 10:19 p.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of Northeast Loop 410, according to a preliminary report from the San Antonio Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses told police they saw a man jump off a bridge near Jones Maltsberger Road and land on the westbound lanes of Loop 410, according to the report. He was then seen walking along the highway, attempting to get vehicles to stop, police said. A citizen stopped his vehicle to assist, when the male suspect pulled the citizen out of his vehicle and began assaulting the citizen, attempting to take the citizens vehicle, the report states. Officers arrived and detained Powers. He was later taken by EMS to the hospital, where he succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead, the report states. Washington County officials received confirmation on Friday morning from Texas authorities that the man who died was Powers, said Chief Deputy Doug Anschutz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powers did not show up to be cross-examined by Washington County prosecutors near the end of his five-day criminal trial on Monday, and Washington County District Court Judge Helen Brosnahan issued a warrant for Powers arrest. Related Articles On Tuesday afternoon, a Washington County jury found Powers guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and domestic assault by strangulation. Powers, who got out of the Washington County Jail on May 9 after posting $500,000 bail, cut off his GPS ankle monitor, which had been a condition of his bail, officials said. Powers, who also is known as David Robekevich, was charged in 2023 with beating and raping a Lake Elmo woman while holding her against her will in her home for more than 24 hours. CONWAY, Ark. The Conway Police Department called a Friday afternoon press conference to give updates on two shootings that took place in the city over a six-day period the week of April 13. Lt. Tom Kennedy gave updates on arrests made and warrants issued in connection with the two events. Multiple 911 calls give witness insight into deadly mass shooting at Conway park The first event took place the evening of April 13 at 5th Avenue Park where gunfire during a large gathering at the park resulted in two dead and nine injured. Kennedy said investigators found that 73 rounds were fired at the park from seven different weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two are in custody and two additional people have warrants issued against them in connection with the park shooting, Kennedy said. Kennedy said two are in custody are 20-year-old Ryan Goins of Pine Bluff, facing 11 counts of felony aggravated assault and 19-year-old Tyler Antonio Jamel Farris of Conway, facing two counts of felony capital murder, one count of felony terrorism and nine counts of felony attempted capital murder. Ryan Goins. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Tyler Antonio Jamel Farris. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Warrants issued in the park shooting are for brothers 21-year-old Keydrick Roddrell Johson and 18-year-old Kemaria Tyrone Johnson, both of Conway. Kennedy said the two in custody are each facing charges of two counts of felony capital murder, one count of felony terrorism and nine counts of felony attempted capital murder each. Keydrick Roddrell Johnson. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Kemarie Tyrone Johnson. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy added that the terrorism charges come when a significant portion of the population is being targeted. The second event was at the University of Central Arkansas shooting in a parking lot at 1:05 a.m. April 19, where a man received non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the leg. Kennedy said three are in custody and an additional person has a warrant issued against them in connection with the event. Conway police identify victims in Sunday deadly park shooting Kennedy said 29 rounds were fired from four guns in the parking lot shooting. In custody is 20-year-old Landen Nikolas Miller of Cabot, facing one count of felony first-degree battery and one count of hindering apprehension. Kennedy added that the hindering charge is a charge for anyone who attempted to protect someone being sought by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in custody in connection with the UCA shooting are 20-year-old Christian Scott Van Why of Cabot and 19-year-old Bralaen Raymond Griffin of Austin, both facing charges of felony first-degree battery and felony terrorist act. Bralaen Raymond Griffin. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Landon Nikolas Miller. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Christian Why. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Kennedy said a warrant had been issued for 23-year-old Zion Bernard Jackson of Ward, facing a charge of felony first-degree battery and felony terroristic act for the UCA incident. Zion Bernard Jackson. Courtesy of Conway Police Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Chris Harris said the department was continuing its investigation into the shooting and will provide more information when it is available. Neither Harris nor Kennedy took questions. Conway police ask that anyone with information call its tip line at 501-450-6135 or 501-450-6130. Tips may be made anonymously. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) A 3rd grader is changing lives all over the country by teaching heart health Ten-year-old Finn Blumenthal interviewed Lisa Satory, the principal of the Pinecrest Academys Sloan Canyon campus as part of a whirlwind trip to southern Nevada. The young man from Virginia is spreading the word about hands-only CPR, visiting 7 schools in the Las Vegas area as well as two hospitals. He also teaches the warning signs of a stroke Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Principal Satory says: There are things that kids feel they cant do. Like you cant make a difference. But you know what you can do, is you can learn how to save a life! If anyone knows about saving a life, its Finns mom, Kelly. In an American heart Association video she says: Finn was born with congenital heart disease. He spent the majority of the first year of his life in the hospital. During that time he endured 10 surgeries including one open heart surgery. Hes come a long way since then. To learn more about Finns mission and hands-only CPR training, click > HERE. We always want to know Whats Cool At School. If youve got something, let us know. Whats Cool At School is under the Community tab at 8newsnow.com. Or just email: whatscoolatschool@8newsnow.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 KLAS. COTTONWOOD, Ala (WDHN) The Cottonwood Police Department will soon have a new drug detection device in the hands of officers after an encounter with fentanyl sent officers to the hospital last year. According to ADECA, the city will receive $24,000 so the department can purchase a drug identification device that will allow officers to scan suspected illegal drugs from a distance. This is an attempt to prevent officers from coming in contact with hazardous substances and prevent any injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes after Chief of Police Tony Money and Colonel Jim Smith were exposed to fentanyl during a drug raid at a home in September 2024. Im recovering, Cottonwood Col. and Chief passed out, rushed to hospital after being exposed to fentanyl while assisting OD victim, police say While on the scene, Chief Money suddenly passed out, and Col. Smith became unresponsive. An EMS worker who responded to the scene began having visual hallucinations. The department has ordered the device, and according to the state, Cottonwood plans to share it with neighboring departments in Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston counties upon request. 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Following the death of Pope Francis, everybody wants to know who his successor will be, but experts say it's hard to know for sure One factor that could impact things is that this upcoming conclave will have one of the most diverse groups of cardinals, many of whom Francis himself appointed "They don't know each other. Most of them have not worked in Rome together," says Dr. Bill Cavanaugh, a professor of Catholic studies at DePaul University, who adds that "makes it really hard to say who's going to come out on top" In the wake of Pope Francis' death, many names have been thrown out for his potential successor but experts believe that while there are some top contenders, it's difficult to predict who the cardinals will select. For one, the list of potential eligible clergy is very long as the College of Cardinals includes 135 men that are eligible to become the 267th pope and those seen as frontrunners aren't always selected. For example, Francis wasn't a name that was being discussed back in 2013, and yet he's who came out on top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, that hasn't stopped a number of cardinals from being identified as potential pontiffs. Experts have their own ideas. One question that keeps being asked is, could there be an American pope? The answer is theoretically yes, but in practice, it's unlikely. "I think that there's no chance for an American pope just because the United States is already so powerful in the world," Dr. Bill Cavanaugh, a professor of Catholic studies at DePaul University, tells PEOPLE. However, if the unlikely did happen, Cavanaugh said Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of Newark (yes, as in New Jersey) has some strengths. "He is a kind of affable guy in the mold of Pope Francis," he says, before quickly adding, "but I don't think it's a serious possibility." Mario Tama/Getty Cardinals paying their respects to Pope Francis Cardinals paying their respects to Pope Francis Meanwhile, Anthea Butler, a professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania, says that another potential American pontiff might be Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, who has called the threat of mass deportations in the Unites States "profoundly disturbing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He has been very outspoken about immigration," Butler says, noting that for some Catholics he wouldn't be seen as a "theologically perfect," but then again, "neither was Francis," who took a similar stance on the topic. Although other American candidates have been discussed, including Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, Butler says that many of these picks seem unlikely for a number of reasons, whether it be their age, politics or health. "If it's Dolan, that puts him way too close [to conservatives] because he's been so nice to Trump that it would make conservatives happy, but it would make everybody in this country lose their s---," Butler explains. "Excuse my French," Butler adds, "but a lot of Catholics would just be really upset." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: What Is a 'Conclave' and How Does It Work? An Expert Demystifies the 'Secret' Process That Decides the Next Pope (Exclusive) Another potential factor is that Francis appointed 108 of the cardinals who will be voting, and many share the same politics and beliefs as the late pontiff. However, the fact that this upcoming conclave will have one of the most diverse groups of cardinals from around the world who have differing views could make electing a new pope even more complicated, according to Cavanaugh. 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. "One of the things that makes this particular conclave so hard to handicap, I think, is that Pope Francis has named 80% of the voting cardinals, and they are from all over the world," Cavanaugh says. "He's picked them from obscure locations like Mongolia and South Sudan and the Central African Republic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They don't know each other. Most of them have not worked in Rome together. And so it makes it really hard to say who's going to come out on top," he continues. "And I really haven't seen any plausible explanations for why certain candidates are the front runners and others aren't." Mario Tama/Getty Cardinals look on as the body of Pope Francis is transferred into the Basilica at St Peter's Square on April 23, 2025 Cardinals look on as the body of Pope Francis is transferred into the Basilica at St Peter's Square on April 23, 2025 Butler adds that while nothing is positive, she wouldn't be surprised to see the conclave elect an Asian or African pope, which would be a historic moment. "Cardinal Robert Sarah, who's from Guinea, would be one of the names that has come up before," she says, "But he has had so many issues in terms of things that he aligned himself with." (He has been dubbed by some as the "Anti-Woke" Cardinal.) "I don't think it would be him, although he's showing up on a lot of the lists," she adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another choice from Africa might be Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, who "would make a lot of conservatives happy," according to Butler, although her prediction is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines. According to Butler, he's a moderate and represents a part of the world where the Catholic church is actually growing. "He would be amenable to so many people," she says. Related: Who Will Be the Next Pope? Experts Say 'Anything Can Happen' (Exclusive) But experts continually stress that no matter what people predict, there's no saying what will actually happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have no idea. Nobody does. I think that's the main takeaway," Cavanaugh tells PEOPLE. "I spent part of the day looking at lists of potential candidates and if you add 'em all up, there's like 30 or 40 names that are being put out there all with equal plausibility," he adds. "Anybody is going to be unexpected at this point, in some ways." Read the original article on People BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. A meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding (AIH) was held on April 25, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers. The agenda of the meeting, chaired by Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding (AIH), covered a wide range of topics. These included the Activity Report for 2024 of the portfolio companies managed by the Holding, key financial outcomes such as total income and EBITDA indicators, and the newly added portfolio companies: Azeraluminium LLC, Azrbaycan Aluminum OJSC, and Azerpambiq ASK LLC. The meeting also discussed the final report and key practical recommendations from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on corporate governance assessments of the portfolio companies, progress on the Joint Investment Funds, and other important matters. Ruslan Alikhanov, CEO of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding, presented a detailed report during the meeting. Following the meeting, decisions were made on the debated matters, taking into account the feedback and suggestions of the Supervisory Board members. Relevant instructions were issued to the AIHs Executive Board. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ST. LOUIS Vatican City thrums with activity in the wake of Pope Francis death, who passed away Monday at age 88 from heart failure caused by a stroke. While the late pontiff lies in state at St. Peters Basilica ahead of Saturdays planned funeral, the College of Cardinals readies for the responsibility of filling the papal interregnum. Following Pope Francis funeral and burial at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, select members of College of Cardinals will sequester themselves inside the Sistine Chapel to choose a successor. Among the North American cardinal electors, 10 are from the United States. Of those 10, two have ties to St. Louis: Cardinals Raymond L. Burke and Timothy M. Dolan. Cardinal Burke Burke, 76, served as archbishop for the St. Louis Archdiocese from January 2004 to May 2008, when he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to positions in the Roman Curia, among them the Congregation of the Clergy. Burke was elevated a cardinal in Nov. 20, 2010, and he participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deemed one of the more conservative cardinals, Burke routinely challenged Francis more progressive views of contraception, the LGBTQ+ community, civil marriages, and capital punishment, as well as the Vaticans COVID-19 response. Pope Francis eventually removed Burke from the Congregation of the Clergy and his post on the Apostolic Signatura, the high court of the Catholic Church. However, the pope would eventually reappoint Burke to the high court. Francis named Burke patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in November 2014, but removed the cardinal from that position in June 2023. He left me with a title, but I dont have a functionits clear that the pope doesnt want me in any leadership position, that he doesnt see me as the kind of person he wants to be giving any strong direction to things. But Ive never had the impression that he thinks Im his enemy, Burke said in the interview. Cardinal Dolan Dolan, 75, was born in St. Louis in 1950 and grew up in Ballwin, Missouri, attending Holy Infant. He entered Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (then Saint Louis Preparatory Seminary) in Shrewsbury in 1964. He earned his bachelors degree in philosophy from Cardinal Glennon College and was ordained in June 1976. He celebrated his first mass at Holy Infant Parish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope John Paul II named Dolan auxiliary bishop of St. Louis in June 2001. The following year, he was appointed archbishop of Milwaukee. In February 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Dolan the archbishop of New York. Dolan was elevated to cardinal on Feb. 18, 2012, and would participate in the conclave to elect Pope Francis. During the 2013 conclave, Dolan was briefly mentioned as a possible contender for the papacy. He served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2010 to 2013. Like his colleague Burke, Dolan is among the conservative wing of the cardinalate. He opposes gay marriage; and while he welcomed gays to march in New Yorks St. Patricks Day Parade, Dolan did not agree with Pope Francis more opening stance on the issue. The cardinal has previously chastised both Republicans and Democrats on matters of gun control and abortion, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Dolan has opposed the demonization of immigrants. He penned a 2023 op-ed saying members of all faiths have a moral duty to welcome, clothe, feed and respect newcomers, no matter how they got here. The Catholic Church recognizes 264 men having held the title of Pontifex Maximus across 266 official papal reigns (Pope Benedict IX, who holds the distinction of being the youngest pope in history, was Bishop of Rome on three separate occasions) over its two millennia history. Under governing rules, Cardinals under the age of 80 at the time of the papal vacancy (in this case, April 21) are eligible to participate. Of the 252 members of the College of Cardinals, only 135 meet the requirement to serve as electors. At the time of this writing, two of those cardinals have said they will be unable to attend for health reasons, bringing the number of electors to 133. A papal candidate must receive two-thirds of the participating electors; in this case, 89 votes. Four rounds of voting are held each day until a candidate reaches that two-thirds threshold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While any baptized Catholic male in the world is eligible to be elected, the next pope is typically chosen from the electors within the College of Cardinals. The last non-cardinal to be elected pope? Pope Urban VI in 1378. When they arent voting, the 133 cardinal electors will reside in dormitories within Vatican City. Europe will have the most electors, with 51 (17 from Italy alone); followed by Asia, with 23; North America, with 20; Africa and South America have 18 and 17 electors, respectively; and the Oceania region has 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It sounds like something out of a comic book: Princess Awesome vs. Tariff Man. And, as so often seems to be the case in those stories, the would-be hero faces daunting odds against a powerful villain, with the fate of the worldor at least a chunk of the global economyhanging in the balance. Princess Awesome LLC, a Maryland-based shop that sells nerdy apparel for kids and adults, is one of several plaintiffs in a new lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of President Donald Trump's unilateral tariff powers. Other plaintiffs in the suit include five sellers of tabletop games and board games, an art studio, a kitchen supply company, and a toy store. All say they have paid tariffs or expect to have to pay them in the near future, as their businesses depend on imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a blog post on the company's website earlier this month, Princess Awesome cofounder Rebecca Melsky showed how tariffs were increasing the prices of her products. "It's bad for the world, for the country, for you, and for all companies, but particularly small ones," she wrote. "Big businesses will have an easier time absorbing the extra costs and passing them on to the consumer." In the complaint filed this week, Princess Awesome says it has already paid over $1,000 in tariffs this year, with more payments expected on upcoming shipments from Bangladesh, India, and Peru. One of Princess Awesome's sidekicks in the lawsuit is Stonemaier Games, a board game company founded in 2012. Orders that are ready to ship from China could cost the company "millions [of dollars] in tariffs," the lawsuit alleges. "We will not stand idle while our livelihoodand the livelihoods of thousands of small business owners and contractors in the U.S.are treated like pawns in a political game," said Jamey Stegmaier, cofounder of Stonemaier Games, in a statement. "We now face a $14.50 tariff tax for every $10 we spent on manufacturing with our trusted long-term partner in China. For Stonemaier Games, that amounts to upcoming tariff payments of nearly $1.5 million." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed this week in the U.S. Court of International Trade, a special federal court that handles disputes over tariffs and trade deals, by the Pacific Legal Foundation. It alleges that Trump overstepped the authority granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he announced a universal 10 percent tariff on all imports to the United States earlier this month. The Trump administration has also used IEEPA to impose massive tariffs on imports from China. The lawsuit argues that Trump's use of IEEPA is unlawful since the law does not explicitly give presidents the power to levy tariffs. It also argues, as other critics of Trump's tariffs have, that the law allows for presidential action only in response to an "unusual and extraordinary threat," and that the free exchange of goods across national borders does not qualify as either. Separate from the Princess Awesome lawsuit, 12 states filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday, also challenging Trump's tariffs on the grounds that the president overstepped the powers granted by IEEPA. "The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim, but that's exactly what President Trump has been doing with these tariffs," New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the 12 state attorneys general who filed the lawsuit, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the attorneys general and the small business owners are right. Board games, clothes, and other imported goods do not constitute an "unusual" or "extraordinary" threat that justifies a massive tax increase on Americans. Trump's tariffs are economically foolish and legally dubious. Courts (and Congress) should move quickly to strike them down. The post Could 'Princess Awesome' Defeat Trump's Tariffs? appeared first on Reason.com. The London-Laurel County Tourist Commission responded to several funding requests for events at its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 15. The first request discussed was one by Fishers of Men, whose event had already taken place Saturday, April 12. The group requested $1,500 but said that any amount would be fine. The commission was unable to address the request sooner due to not meeting in March. In light of this, commissioners ultimately decided not to contribute any funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They had a fairly successful event, said PR and Events Director Travis Shortt, who had been in contact with the group. Theyre trying to build it back up here in Laurel County. The event drew in 74 fishermen, consisting of both locals and those from outside of the area. Next was the Come-Unity Cooperative Care Horse Show, which was a $1,500 request. The commission had budgeted $500 for the show but agreed to give $1,500 this year. Also requesting funds was the Redbud Ride committee, asking for $5,000. The tourist commission had $3,000 budgeted for the event. Sticking with that, Commissioner Randy Singh made the motion to contribute only the $3,000. Shortt, who serves on the events committee, said that he finds the amount appropriate, with the opportunity of increasing it in future years based on the rides success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets take it a year at a time, Executive Director Kim Collier agreed. The final request discussed by the commission was one made by Pittsburg Marine for a fishing tournament at Laurel Lake, which is planned to become an annual event. The organization did not make a specific request, stating that any amount would be acceptable. The commission had not previously funded the event, but chose to contribute $1,000 this year. London City Tourism Commissioner Todd Roberts was present, reporting that the commission was in the process of hiring a manager for the Fairgrounds. We basically made that hire and theyll start marketing and hopefully theyll come to some of your meetings and working with you all, said Roberts. Thats a real big deal out there. Theres a lot of stuff that could happen out there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The London City Tourism Commission has since made that hire, with Christina Sowders of Corbin being the one to enter the role. The meeting closed with the entering of an executive session to discuss personnel. The London-Laurel County Tourist Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at Heritage Hills, located at 472 Falls Street in London. The commissions next meeting will take place May 20 at 12 noon. Soon after the Trump administration announced it was cutting billions of dollars in grants to Harvard University following a breakdown in discussions over antisemitism on campus, the Ivy League institution pulled out the biggest weapon in the federal legal arsenal: the First Amendment. The Governments attempt to coerce and control Harvard disregards fundamental First Amendment principles, Harvards lawsuit says. But while citing the Bill of Rights best-known guarantee is an attention-grabber both for judges and the general public a more arcane issue is the focus of many of the lawsuits 51 pages: Harvards claim Trumps executive branch isnt following federal rules for changing key government policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, the Administrative Procedure Act requires this Court to hold unlawful and set aside any final agency action that is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law, Harvard says in its lawsuit. It was only hours after its talks with Harvard fell apart that the White House froze $2.2 billion fueling much of the schools research, a breakneck response that mirrors the pace of sweeping changes on issues from immigration and tariff policy to federal staffing by an administration that prefers quick, unilateral action to deliberation and compromise. No administration has done anything like this before precisely because there are procedures in place to restrain this kind of extreme thing, David A. Super, a professor of administrative and constitutional law at Georgetown and Yale, told CNN. Whether the government can impose broad demands on Harvard as a precondition for funding appears to be the latest Trump controversy inevitably headed for the Supreme Court. And while predicting what the high court will do is usually a fools errand, Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck believes Harvards case is strong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not that controversial a proposition that the governments not allowed to say in exchange for this money which were going to give you to fund medical research, to fund new scientific methods, etc. you have to only teach the classes we tell you to teach or you have to only hire the administrators we tell you to hire, the CNN contributor told the networks Laura Coates on Monday. Why the Administrative Procedure Act could be key in court The Administrative Procedure Act, known as APA, was passed in the wake of World War II, as the government struggled to manage the major expansion of federal agencies under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Congress passed the APA to guard against irrational, emotional, unfounded decision-making, Super said. Its purpose is not to push any particular agenda substantively but to make sure that the executive branch is following the law and considering the facts before it acts. The APA does not require a hearing for every decision made by a government agency, but it does say agencies should not suddenly change procedures without reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard argues suspending federal medical and scientific research funding as a way to combat antisemitism doesnt make any sense and upends official procedures they had come to expect with no warning. For decades, Harvard has relied on the well-established process for federal financial assistance in its budgeting and financial planning, including with respect to staffing, infrastructure, facility and equipment purchases, and long-term investment decisions, the university said in its suit. While the Trump administration asserts Harvard has allowed antisemitism to flourish in violation of the Civil Rights Act, the university says it is already addressing concerns from Jewish students and faculty by tightening its ban on encampments and other protests that disrupt student activities, making doxing a violation of its anti-harassment and anti-bullying rules and expanding inclusion and belonging efforts to include Jewish students. Students protest the war in Gaza and passersby walk in Harvard Yard on April 25, 2024, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. - Ben Curtis/AP Further, Harvard says the Civil Rights Act requires the government to first give it a chance to fix any violations before taking federal money away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agencies have to follow their own procedures. If they say theyre going to give you a warning, they have to give you a warning, Super said. They cant say, Well, were mad, so were going to bypass the warning. In its lawsuit, Harvard argues the Trump administration did just that: They issued a Freeze Order on research funding first (with no process or opportunity for voluntary compliance) and used that freeze as leverage to negotiate, Harvards attorneys wrote. Such action is flatly unlawful and contrary to statutory authority. Indeed, the university learned the billions in federal funding would be frozen at the same time everyone else did in the final 26 words of a one-page news release from the governments Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, it says. The release was issued on the same day Harvard President Alan Garber announced the school would not agree to the administrations demand letter. The Trump administrations attorneys have not yet provided a response to the allegations in the lawsuit, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday, The president has made it quite clear that its Harvard who has put themselves in the position to lose their own funding by not obeying federal law, and we expect all colleges and universities who are receiving taxpayer funds to abide by federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvards decision to challenge the funding freeze in court seemed to take the administration by surprise. One White House official considered the back-and-forth with Harvard all part of a negotiation, they told CNN, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a CNBC interview, We would like to be able to move forward with them and other universities. But along with the carrot, the White House official continued to brandish a stick at Harvard. 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 told CNN. SCOTUS likely will be final word on APA limits Harvard is far from the only group affected by the Trump administrations orders to mention the APA when fighting back in court. More than 160 lawsuits have cited alleged violations of it, from complaints over international students facing deportation and fired federal workers to transgender students access to sports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawsuits challenging the finer points of federal law often take years to resolve, but Harvard is asking a judge to speed up the process, saying time is of the essence to avoid harm to their programs. While Harvard is diligently seeking to mitigate the effects of these funding cuts, critical research efforts will be scaled back or even terminated, the universitys lawyers wrote Wednesday in a court filing asking for an expedited hearing. A flag flies March 17 at the US Supreme Court building. - Win McNamee/Getty Images With so many lawsuits pending, the question of how much the APA can limit the White House is almost certain to be decided by the Supreme Court. An early ruling from the justices indicated that, despite showing sympathy to APA-based challenges in the past, citing that law is not a guarantee of success. Earlier this month, they blocked a lower courts order to delay the Trump administrations planned termination of $600 million in teacher training grants to states, saying the APA does not necessarily give courts the power to force the government to pay grant money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government is likely to succeed in showing the District Court lacked jurisdiction to order the payment of money under the APA, said the unsigned order from the conservative majority. It was a 5-4 ruling, with conservative Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the courts three liberal justices, a split that makes future decisions in similar cases even more difficult to predict. The issue at the heart of the teacher grants case with states arguing withholding grant money over diversity, equity and inclusion policy amounted to a broken promise from the government rather than a First Amendment dispute is different than Harvards. But it shows the rocky road anyone challenging the White Houses administrative decisions could face, perhaps including Columbia University, which cut its own deal last month over federal funding tied to policy demands over antisemitism. Still, education advocates say, its worth facing the legal uncertainty to draw a line in the sand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harvard did absolutely the right thing. They came up with a very courageous decision, and more importantly, I think, they made great arguments for why this kind of federal overreach is beyond the pale, said American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell. And the extreme speed of the actions of taken against Harvard the unapologetic pace Trump prizes is likely to be the governments legal undoing, Super said he believes. These actions are so sloppy that I dont see any serious chance that theyll survive, he said. CNNs Katelyn Polantz, Tierney Sneed and Betsy Klein contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is named as a defendant in a complaint filed in federal court by a New Mexico Tech student challenging her agency's decision to terminate his student status. Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico on Friday granted a Ghanaian doctoral student at New Mexico Tech a temporary restraining order so his legal team can continue challenging the termination of his F-1 student status by Homeland Security, ACLU of New Mexico announced. ACLU-NM, which is representing the student known as K.O.D. in court records along with Huffman, Wallace & Monagle LLC, on Wednesday filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Source reported earlier this week, according to court records, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on April 9 abruptly terminated the students status in the Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVIS) system, placing K.O.D. in danger of immigration detention and deportation, his attorneys wrote. Losing my F-1 status puts my education, research, and career trajectory at risk, and I fear being forced to leave the country before I can complete my Ph.D. program, the student wrote in a sworn statement included in court records. This sudden disruption has made me feel vulnerable and anxious, not only about my immediate situation but also about the stability and direction of my life in the years to come. In a statement Friday, attorney Shayne Huffman said the courts ruling reaffirms that every person within our borders, regardless of where they were born, deserves to be protected from arbitrary actions by the U.S. government. The court has recognized that K.O.D., like other international students, cannot simply have his status terminated without notice or explanation. K.O.D. can now continue his doctoral research without the immediate threat of detention or deportation hanging over his head. According to an ACLU-NM news release, New Mexico universities have approximately 2,000 international students. K.O.D.s lawsuit against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons will continue, the release notes, and seek permanent relief. Todays ruling sends a clear message that the government cannot arbitrarily target international students, ACLU of New Mexico senior staff attorney Rebecca Sheff said in a statement. This is an important first step toward justice for K.O.D. and potentially hundreds of other international students facing similar situations Elno Zikmund, a Creighton University alumnus, and his wife, Tillie, have gifted $10 million to the university for scholarships. Zikmund served in World War II and later opened his medical practice in Central City, Nebraska. (Courtesy of Creighton University) OMAHA Creighton University has announced a $10 million scholarship gift that can be used to financially support a variety of students regardless of study discipline or program area. A media statement this week from Creighton officials described the gift as one of the largest ever made to support unrestricted scholarships not limited to a particular field or income level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funds come from the estates of alumnus Dr. Elno Zikmund and his wife, Tillie. He died in 2022 and she passed away the next year. They expand the Elno T. and Mathilda M. Zikmund Endowed Scholarship, which was created in 2010. Its 80 recipients so far represent a variety of professions, ranging from budding physicians to accountants and ministers. With the wide-ranging support of the Zikmund Scholarship, students from many different fields are taking Creightons values into their communities, as Dr. Zikmund did, said the Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, president of Creighton. The familys gift continues a university legacy that started nearly 90 years ago when Elno Zikmunds mother, Omaha nurse Hattie Zikmund, paid for her sons Creighton education, the statement said. Though Zikmund went on to acquire his medical degree elsewhere, he attributed his formation as a person and success as a physician to his time at Creighton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Zikmund practiced medicine in Central City. He retired there at age 65 and moved to Omaha. Zikmund and his first wife, Janaan Zikmund, who died in 1962, had four sons. Admirers noted a framed copy of Zikmunds favorite poem, Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, that hung in his medical office. They said he lived by the words, among them: Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Fugitive Alexander Surin and part of his supercar collection Lamborghinis and other luxury cars bought with the proceeds of crime are being driven abroad to be sold, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned ministers. The agency said a gap in the law meant police officers could not intervene to seize the vehicles unless there was direct evidence to link them to a crime. It said the loophole meant criminals were being left free to launder their illicit gains by selling the cars and using the proceeds to either fund further crime or their lifestyles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NCA has asked the Government to legislate to add cars to the group of listed assets which already include items such as fine art and jewellery that can be seized by officers on suspicion that they have been bought with unlawful funds. Expensive cars such as Lamborghinis have been a traditional asset used by criminals to launder their profits. One, with the numberplates crime pays, was among 6 million of assets seized from county lines dealers who flooded the UK with cocaine. Left to right: criminals Leon Lay, Dale Martin and Daniel Harris - South Wales Police Three members of the gang Leon Ley, 34, Dale Martin, 28, and Daniel Harris, 40 saw assets also including a Range Rover, luxury caravans and cash confiscated after they were caught trafficking 50kg of drugs from London and Essex to Wales. The proposed law change would give officers the power to detain the cars before they leave the country and to later pursue forfeiture proceedings at court to take ownership of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To avoid this, the owner would have to convince a judge that the car had been bought with legally earned money and counter the agencys case that it had instead been acquired as a way of laundering the proceeds of crime. The NCAs push for a legal change followed a succession of cases in which officers have had to watch high-value vehicles being driven abroad despite concerns about the criminal background of their owners. In one example in August last year, a Lamborghini with a value of 130,000 was spotted leaving the country to be delivered to the EU by two people with extensive criminal records. Seized personalised numberplates, gloating that crime pays - South Wales Police It was supposedly being driven abroad for diagnostic engine work on behalf of the absent owner. But there was no evidence of bookings for accommodation, garage or return travel, and officers believed the true reason was to launder criminal proceeds by selling the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another case, in June last year, a Lamborghini with a trade value of 182,000, which was driven by the target of a law enforcement investigation, was transported out of the UK via Dover on a trailer. It has not returned. Officers were unable to act because there was no direct evidence of criminality and no border offence was committed. That meant the vehicles could not be seized. A source said similar cases involving high-end vehicles being taken out of the UK in suspicious circumstances were regularly seen by other agencies including Border Force, HMRC, Immigration Enforcement and Home Office Intelligence. A seized Lamborghini from the Welsh gang - South Wales Police By adding cars to the listed assets in the Criminal Finances Act of 2017, they could be seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest Home Office asset recovery bulletin, published in September last year, showed a total of 163 listed asset seizures with a value of 7 million in the financial year to the end of last March the highest annual total since the seizure power was introduced. Among those who have laundered criminal assets into cars is Alexander Surin, a fugitive crime lord from London who was dubbed Don Car-leone because he owned so many expensive cars. Surin was forced to hand over four three Ferraris and a Rolls-Royce as well as the profits from the sale of a Bugatti Veyron after admitting in High Court litigation brought by the NCA that they were bought with the proceeds of 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. MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4) A criminal investigation is being conducted into a house fire that broke out in Millcreek on Thursday, according to the Unified Fire Authority. Benjamin Porter, the public information officer for Unified Fire Authority, said that firefighters were called out to a house fire near Lake Circle and Barrows Avenue at 11 a.m. on April 24. State of the Air: Utah among top 10 states for worst ozone pollution, according to report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Porter said that when crews arrived, the house was fully engulfed. No one was home at the time of the fire. When we arrived on scene, we did have a home that was fully involved with smoke and flames. Our crews made a quick interior offensive attack and they were able to find the fire quickly and they were able to get it under control as quickly as possible, Porter said. Porter said the fire started in the kitchen and the home appears to be a total loss. An investigation is still underway. In an update around 5 p.m., the Unified Fire Authority said that in conjunction with the ATF, a criminal investigation is now being conducted. Latest headlines: 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 ABC4 Utah. In an abrupt reversal, the US Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday that it no longer plans to cut funding for the Womens Health Initiative, a groundbreaking research project focused on preventing disease in older women. The move comes after a wave of concern and criticism about the threat to the longstanding study. For decades, the initiative conducted by the National Institutes of Health has tracked the health of tens of thousands of women to understand how to reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and more in women after menopause. Seminal findings from the project have included the risks of using certain kinds of hormone therapy for menopause helping prevent an estimated 126,000 breast cancer diagnoses and the finding that vitamin D does not help prevent bone loss. The work has led to more than 2,400 scientific publications overall, shaping clinical practice and public health policies across multiple disciplines in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the program announced that HHS planned to terminate contracts with its regional centers in September, a move that would significantly impact ongoing research and data collection. Investigators were awaiting more details Thursday when an update from HHS indicated that plans had changed. These studies represent critical contributions to our better understanding of womens health, HHS told CNN in a statement. While NIH initially exceeded its internal targets for contract reductions, we are now working to fully restore funding to these essential research efforts. NIH remains deeply committed to advancing public health through rigorous gold standard research and we are taking immediate steps to ensure the continuity of these studies. In a social media post Thursday, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that we are not terminating this study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all recognize that this project is mission critical for womens health, he wrote. Experts say that cuts to one of the largest long-term studies on womens health would be a critical loss, jeopardizing invaluable datasets and important studies already in the works. We already have serious gaps in womens health that need to be addressed, Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinics Womens Health Specialty Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and medical director for The Menopause Society, said when the funding cuts were announced. The Trump administration has identified addressing chronic disease as one of its top priorities, and the Womens Health Initiative has a unique ability to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you compare a person to themselves over time, it allows you to much more definitively answer questions about the causes or the factors that contribute to the development of those kinds of diseases that were all worried about, whether its heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes, fractures, things like that, said Dr. Rebecca Thurston, a prominent womens health researcher. Its the ability to follow a large number of people over time. The launch of the Womens Health Initiative in 1992 marked a major shift in the way medical research regarded women, experts say. For many years, we thought about women as essentially small men when it came to many chronic diseases, Thurston said. There had been a prevailing view that womens health was only about bikini medicine, focused on reproduction and the areas of the body that a bikini covers, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the Womens Health Initiative, and subsequently other studies, have really underscored that things like cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia and brain aging, they have unique features in women and unique contributors, Thurston said. That means that we really have to study women specifically, that theyre not interchangeable with men, and that womens health is more than bikini medicine. The historical lack of inclusion of women in medical research is why funding for a project like the Womens Health Initiative is so important, said Dr. Stella Dantas, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. WHI centers have become a source of invaluable data and drive research on treatments to address some of the most common health concerns for postmenopausal women, such as heart disease and breast cancer, she said in a statement. Thurston says that some major findings from the Womens Health Initiative were being published at a formative time in her career and led to the work she does now, researching menopause, cardiovascular disease and brain aging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This study has been answering really important questions on really prevalent health issues, she said. We need to keep the science going. Its so important if we want to prevent heart disease, prevent cancer, keep our bones healthy, keep our brains healthy. We need to be doing this research. CNNs Sandee LaMotte contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The development of logistics corridors through Azerbaijan is contributing to increased trade with Asia, said Sergey Revin, General Director of AGB Energy Limited, Trend reports. Speaking at the Caspian and Central Asian Oil Trade and Logistics Forum in Baku, Revin noted that while Afghanistan has several logistical routes that could be of potential interest, they come with significant challenges. However, according to him, transportation through Afghanistan faces multiple obstacles, including mountainous terrain, closed mountain passes, and unsafe areas. The route through Mazar-i-Sharif is particularly difficult due to ongoing instability. He also mentioned the railway connection from Kazakhstan to Turkiye as a promising direction. However, this route is hindered by technical issues such as the need to change wheelsets due to differing railway gauges, as well as dimensional restrictions that complicate cargo transportation. Revin emphasized that the development of the North-South transport corridor through Azerbaijan is actively being discussed and could serve as a vital link for delivering goods to the Indian Ocean region and further into Europe. The official emphasized that, despite the numerous challenges, these routes have the potential to significantly enhance trade with emerging markets such as Pakistan, India, and other Asian nations. He added that Afghanistan, despite its ongoing political instability, possesses substantial potential for economic development, thanks to its abundant natural resourcesparticularly in the mountainous regions surrounding Kabul. Revin also highlighted the strategic importance of expanding railway links between Azerbaijan and Iran. He pointed specifically to the transport of Russian goods via Iran's northern ports through the existing corridor, which he believes could be further developed. He expressed confidence that strengthening these routes would unlock new opportunities for regional trade and logistics. In his view, ensuring the successful operation of these corridors will require either the construction of new infrastructure or the establishment of border transshipment terminals to enable efficient cargo handlingmeasures that would greatly accelerate delivery times and reduce transportation costs. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) said the utility has been addressing community concerns about low water pressure in the Anapra area, particularly highlighted during a recent fire incident, the utility said in a news release. House catches fire in Sunland Park CRRUA provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa. The utility, in partnership with the City of Sunland Park, recently installed critical fire suppression infrastructure in the Anapra area that had been lacking, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of a regional improvement initiative under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, CRRUA contributed $345,000 in match funding to install new fire hydrants, waterlines, and water meters throughout the Anapra subdivision, an area that previously lacked this essential infrastructure, CRRUA Executive Director Juan Crosby said. Crosby said CRRUA is aware of low water pressure in the Anapra area, as a structure fire happened there earlier on Thursday. However, he said that thanks to these recent improvements, first responders had access to nearby hydrants. Without these upgrades, the nearest hydrant would have been on McNutt Road, potentially delaying response efforts and increasing fire damage, Crosby said. CRRUA said the Anapra Subdivision is in one of the oldest areas of the utilitys water system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water mains in the Anapra Subdivision were installed more than 40 years ago following codes and standards that were in effect at the time of construction. Many of the existing water mains are not large enough to meet current fire flow and pressure requirements, read the news release. Crosby said while progress has been made, CRRUA recognizes the continued need for infrastructure enhancements, including the replacement of the existing 6-inch and 4-inch water main along McNutt Road with an 8-inch or 10-inch line to further support improved fire suppression and water pressure in Anapra. However, additional funding is required to undertake this next phase of improvement, according to the news release. CRRUA remains fully committed to securing funds and making the long-term investments needed to strengthen the entire utility system, Crosby said. CRRUA is dedicated to ensuring safe, sustainable, and efficient utility services while proactively investing in infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing community, Crosby added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A woman faces charges for allegedly shooting at another woman in a vehicle as she followed her after a dispute at a fast food restaurant in Berlin on Tuesday. The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. in the parking lot of the Burger King at 146 New Britain Road, according to the Berlin Police Department. It was not reported to police until the next day. According to police, an investigation found that the incident involved three individuals who were known to one another in separate vehicles. During the altercation, police alleged that 37-year-old Juliana Rivera of Middletown pointed a handgun at a woman and tried firing. According to police, the gun jammed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police alleged that Rivera tried to fix the gun and continued trying to fire it as she followed after the woman who began driving away. Rivera was allegedly able to fire one shot from the gun as the woman drove toward New Britain, according to police. No injuries were reported. Detectives from the Berlin Police Departments Investigations Division acquired a search warrant for Riveras home after identifying her as a suspect. She was arrested Thursday on charges of criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault with a firearm, first-degree threatening with a firearm, reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Rivera was held on a $250,000 bond and was expected to face a judge on Friday. A woman was arrested after allegedly fleeing from state troopers on Interstate 84 in Southbury on Thursday afternoon. Troopers patrolling the eastbound side of I-84 in the area of Exit 16 spotted a driver around 3:10 p.m. and found that her vehicle, a 2007 Ford Edge, had several motor vehicle violations including a suspended registration because of insurance compliance issues, according to Connecticut State Police. Troopers tried to pull the driver over, but she allegedly sped up and began using all of the lanes to get away, state police said. The vehicle was not pursued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police said they found that the vehicle was registered to 39-year-old Quanda James of Waterbury. Troopers used her Department of Motor Vehicle photo to confirm she had been driving, according to state police. State police went to James last known address and took her into custody. She was taken to Troop A in Southbury and charged with engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, disobeying the signal of an officer, operation of a motor vehicle under suspension and operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance. James was released on a $1,500 bond and is expected to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on May 8. Mayoral hopeful Andrew Cuomo on Friday locked in the endorsement of 1199SEIU, New Yorks largest health care workers union, continuing a trend of organized labor organizations lining up behind the former governors bid for City Hall. The endorsement comes even though the unions boss, George Gresham, demanded Cuomos resignation as governor in 2021 amid accusations that he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women. In a statement, the powerful union said it opted to back Cuomo for mayor because he as governor helped raise the states minimum wage to $15 and expand paid family leave. The union, which is known to financially boost its preferred candidates and launch rigorous get-out-the-vote efforts for them, represents 200,000 nurses, therapists, hospital support staff and other health care workers in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when our city is facing enormous challenges, we need leaders with the experience and vision to deliver real results our members recognize that Governor Cuomo is the clear choice to lead New York forward, said Gresham, a longtime Cuomo ally who has recently faced scrutiny from his members amid allegations of financial mismanagement. In a statement, Cuomo said hes honored to have the unions backing. 1199SEIU members are the backbone of healthcare in New York, they are caregivers, nurses, social workers, housekeepers and so much more both in our daily lives and in times of crisis, Cuomo said. Greshams group, which is also the citys largest private sector union, endorsed progressive lawyer Maya Wiley for mayor in the 2021 election, which Eric Adams won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has dropped out of this summers Democratic mayoral primary and is instead seeking reelection as an independent in Novembers general election, a move he made amid continued political fallout from the Trump Justice Departments dismissal of his corruption indictment. Cuomo, whos polling as the clear favorite to win the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary, has been endorsed by a swath of other powerhouse unions in New York, including 32BJ and the Hotel Trades and Gaming Council, both of which also demanded his resignation as governor in 2021. Cuomo has denied sexually harassing anyone, though he apologized upon resigning for making women feel uncomfortable. In a significant break from Cuomos block of labor support, DC 37, the citys largest municipal workers union, endorsed Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for mayor earlier this week. Henry Garrido, DC 37s executive director, said at a press conference his union decided against backing Cuomo because of cuts he enacted as governor to benefits for public sector retirees in New York. ALBANY, New York Andrew Cuomos campaign got spurned after seeking an alliance with one of his rivals in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. Two Cuomo allies told state Sen. Zellnor Myries team they wanted a partnership ahead of the June primary, according to four people familiar with the outreach. Myrie, who has been consistently critical of Cuomo, ultimately rejected the overtures. The Cuomo allies sought a nonaggression pact in which the candidates wouldnt attack each other and a cross-endorsement deal in which Cuomo and Myrie would ask their respective supporters to place their prospective allies names as secondary options on their ranked choice ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo has had a commanding plurality in every poll conducted since he entered the race. And Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the Democratic primary, choosing instead to run as an independent in the general election another factor that falls into the positive column for Team Cuomo. But due to a crowded field and New York Citys ranked choice voting system, a plurality isnt necessarily enough for the former governor. Even if hes favored by 40 percent of the electorate, he could still lose to a candidate whos the top choice of 20 percent of voters and the second choice for another 30 percent. And Cuomo might face more of a hurdle in getting those pivotal second-choice votes than other contenders. There have been multiple efforts encouraging people to completely leave the ex-governor off their ballots, including a Dont Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor campaign. Myrie began attacking Cuomo before the ex-governor entered the race and spent much of February accusing him of being silent as the Trump administration consolidated power. He amplified his attacks as the ex-governor officially launched his campaign. We have had so-called leaders who sat in the governors mansion, sat in our pews on Sunday and cut our schools on Monday. And now they are using us to rehabilitate their image, the senator said at a National Action Network event in March. Our community, the Black community, we are people, were tired of the rhetoric. Give us the results already. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not long after making those remarks, Assemblymember Jordan Wright, an early Cuomo endorser, and Shontell Smith, the Cuomo campaigns political director, reached out to Myries campaign which rebuffed both requests. Andrew Cuomos decades-long effort to silence Black elected officials who tell the truth about his record is further proof he should not return to public office, said Myrie press secretary Olivia Lapeyrolerie when asked about the request that he stop attacking Cuomo. Cuomos campaign brushed off the significance of the outreach. "There was no official outreach from the campaign. A mutual friend heard that he'd be interested and while we were deeply skeptical there was one informal conversation by another mutual friend about it, said Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi. It was weeks ago, and we haven't thought about it since, but clearly some candidates in the back of the pack are so desperate for attention that they'd spoon feed any silly piece of palace intrigue to reporters." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ex-governor would obviously benefit from having one fewer opponent criticize him on the campaign trail particularly while speaking about his record with Black voters, who have been the strongest supporters of his efforts. Finding a way to make inroads with voters considering their second and third choices in New York Citys ranked choice voting system could also be crucial to Cuomo avoiding an upset in a race that hes steadily led for months. Polling shows Cuomo has a much higher floor than any of the eight other lesser-known Democrats seeking the mayoral nomination. Hes all but guaranteed to receive at least a third of the first-choice vote, while other candidates are struggling to top 20 percent. Recent numbers from the Siena College Research Institute indicate Cuomo is the first choice of 34 percent of registered Democrats. Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is the first choice of 16 percent. Five candidates generally perceived as being somewhere between the two ideologically received between 4 and 6 percent, including Myrie, Comptroller Brad Lander, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, former comptroller Scott Stringer and state Sen. Jessica Ramos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the poll also showed that 22 percent of registered Democrats didnt indicate their support for any of the candidates. Its possible many of those people represent nonvoters. But some are likely people who simply havent tuned in yet. Thats a problem for Cuomo practically every single New York resident knows who Cuomo is and has an opinion on him. If they were open to supporting him, they most likely would have said so. Its too soon to say what might happen with this 22 percent of the electorate. But consider a scenario in which half of them dont vote. The other half is split between Mamdani and the pack of five candidates that includes Myrie. That would mean the standings in the polls would be adjusted to 39 percent for Cuomo, 25 percent for Mamdani and a 36 percent split among the other five contenders. If one of those five candidates emerges from the pack in the next two months, they could come close to consolidating the second-choice votes from the other four and also gain some secondary support from Mamdanis backers. That could lead to some very narrow results between Cuomo and a challenger with momentum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuomo would be hobbled in such a scenario if hes almost no ones second choice or even third choice, as the Siena numbers suggest. In the second round of ranked choice voting (which was the first to exclude undecided voters), he was at 44 percent. He was at 44 percent in the third, 44 percent in the fourth, 46 percent in the fifth and 46 percent in the sixth. Such a scenario could probably happen only if one of the six candidates behind the ex-governor establishes themselves as the consensus second choice for non-Cuomo voters. None of them has done so yet, but there is a chance that could happen. Cuomos best path to avoid such a risk would be finding one or more alliances that make another 6 percent of the electorate open to placing him somewhere on their ballots. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) It took a Caddo Parish jury less than an hour to find a Dallas, Texas man guilty of a violent murder that happened at a West 70th Street convenience store in January 2022. On Wednesday, Noel Deon Garner was found guilty of the second-degree murder of Jermond Houston. The killing happened inside the Shell gas station along West 70th Street just after midnight on January 20. Man critically injured in shooting, suspect detained by police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors proved Garner walked into the store, approached Houston from behind, and snatched a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine from Houstons right pocket. Houston was then shot 26 times by Garner before he fled the crime scene. Seven days later, Garner was involved in a standoff with Shreveport Police near Greenwood Lane and Hutchinson Street. Garner barricaded himself inside a building, refusing to come out before ultimately surrendering after several hours. Garner will be in court once again on May 15 for sentencing. He faces a mandatory life term without possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A special birthday party was held at the Dayton VA Thursday, as one local veteran turns 106. 2 NEWS got the chance to speak with WWII Army Veteran John Dorsey, who says the VA feels like family. Dorsey says he didnt know about the party was going to happen until last month. Local veteran post donates nearly 30 AEDS to Kettering first responders Dorsey says it feels good to be 106. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say, well nobody else doing it, how you be so lucky?' Dorsey said. They dont think God is dependable. But without God, you got nothing. I aint got a step I can make without Him. Dorsey says he enjoys spending time with the important people in his life. Theres nothing in the world better than having fun with people, said Dorsey. Last November, Dorsey served as grand marshal at the VA Veterans Day parade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) A rabbit found dead in Tuscola was confirmed to have died from tularemia, officials in Douglas County said. Now, the Douglas County Health Department is encouraging area residents to be aware of tularemia symptoms, and to monitor family members and pets for signs of illness. Illinois reports first measles case of 2025 Tularemia is caused by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis. Its commonly found in animals like rodents, rabbits and hares. Humans, cats and dogs can also become infected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can be passed on through contact with infected animals, through tick or flea bites, or by inhaling or ingesting infected materials. Symptoms may include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, a sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, joint pain, muscle aches, cough and weakness. If you develop symptoms, or you notice symptoms in your pet, contact your healthcare provider or your veterinarian immediately. To reduce the chance of you or your pets of becoming infected, the Douglas County Health Department said there are a couple of steps to take. This includes: Supervising your cats or dogs while they are outdoors Making sure your pets are protected from tick bites Reporting large die-offs of rodents or rabbits to your local animal control agency Avoid mowing over sick or dead animals Avoiding handling wild animals Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Champaign County, health officials warned residents that a squirrel tested positive for tularemia April 16. For more information about tularemia, visit the CDCs 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 WCIA.com. This years White House Correspondents Association dinner will be focused on journalists and journalism and in a departure from the past, will include speeches from the associations annual award winners, according to this years president, Eugene Daniels. The evening at the Washington Hilton not only looks to be a departure from tradition, as there will be no POTUS and no comedian, but will match the moment that we are living in right now, Daniels said. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The moment is a fraught time for the press corps and the WHCA itself. As president, Daniels presided over the transition from the Biden administration to the Trump administration, and while things generally went smoothly in the first couple of weeks, that quickly changed on Feb. 14 when the presidents team announced an indefinite ban on the Associated Press from its slot in the White House pool. The AP sued, with the WHCA supporting the case via a friend of the court brief. The day after the first hearing in the case, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the administration, not the WHCA, would take charge of who is in the pool and of other logistics, taking over duties that the independent non-profit has handled for decades. Although the AP has had some access restored following a judges determination that the White House was in violation of the First Amendment, the White House has indicated that it wanted to take other actions, like control over who sits where in the briefing room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniels, who recently moved from Politico to MSNBC, said that there may be unexpected moments of the evening, but cautioned that he didnt want to oversell a bunch of surprises. When [the WHCA board was] sitting down, and as the dinner has kind of shifted, and as the world has shifted, the focus [was on] You know what, we should hear from the people who actually do all the work. We should hear from the people who have for years pushed and prodded the presidents, and who are the apex of their careers in getting this award, and we should honor them by giving them center stage. Deadline spoke with Daniels on Thursday about what to expect on Saturday, and how he and the WHCA have handled Trump 2.0. DEADLINE: So a very simple question: What can we expect to see at the dinner? EUGENE DANIELS: Everyone can expect a dinner that tries to match the moment that were living in, that works to match the mood of the press corps, and that is working to fit the need of celebrating the First Amendment, celebrating the award winners, celebrating the scholarship students that are there, and at its core, celebrating the people that go to the White House every single day, holding the most powerful leaders in our country accountable. Its going to look a little different for folks. Will there be moments of levity? Maybe. Probably not. Even the videos that we have are more earnest and in a defense of journalism and a celebration of the work that the WHCA does everyday. DEADLINE: When did it become clear that you had to drop plans for a comedian? [Amber Ruffin was originally set for the dinner.] DANIELS: Those conversations, that thought process started happening around the time that the White House started blocking the AP. And the reason was because the mood of the press corps, and the feelings that that we felt on the board and that we heard from some of our members. And that just became very obvious as time went on, that at the end of the day, the focus needs to be on the journalists and journalism, and uplifting the folks in that room at a time when not everyones feeling uplifted because of the attacks on the press. DEADLINE: The White House was also out there attacking the comedian as well. Was that a factor? DANIELS: No. That wasnt a factor. The White Houses objections to the comedian had nothing to do with our decision. We stand up to the White House all the time. When they make wrong decisions, like kicking the AP out or taking over the pool rotation or getting rid of the wire positions in the pool, the board, the association, our members are not scared of going toe-to-toe with any White House. DEADLINE: Did you have any advance warning before the press secretary announced that the White House would be taking over the pool selection? DANIELS: No, no, not at all. When she got behind the lectern and said that she they were taking over the pool, that was the first time that the board had heard of it, that theyd come to that decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEADLINE: I heard some people say, Why didnt the press just boycott the briefing? Why wasnt more of a show of unity? DANIELS: I think that, as a board, because I can speak for the board, we are a member-based organization, and we can do what the members want to do. And so I think Ill probably maybe leave it thereMany people in the press corps felt like we have to continue to do our jobs, being in the rooms, asking the tough questions, and that won out at the end of the day. We represent our members, and we, as a board, cannot do things that our members dont want to do. DEADLINE: Is there anything that you would have done differently before the White House made this move? DANIELS: I dont know what we could have done differently. They didnt come to us and ask us. They didnt tell us, Hey, you know, lets talk about this pool. Lets see what we can do here. We were just as surprised as everyone else. So there was nothing else for us to do. DEADLINE: There were some members who said it feels like everyone is just on their own. What was your response to that? [Andrew Feinberg, correspondent for The Independent, expressed concerns over print outlets access to accurate and timely pool reports]. DANIELS: I dont want to talk about my response to Andrew Feinberg. What he was talking about was a print pool email. He wasnt talking about whether folks wanted to protest. And people never missed out on the print pool notes, so folks were never on their own. The board has worked diligently, all nine members, on a volunteer basis to fight for more access, and that has continued even as the relationship has changed with the White House. DEADLINE: What other issues, the seating. Do you know what the status of seating in the briefing room? DANIELS: Thats a question for the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [As reports surfaced that the White House was considering such a move, the WHCA board released a statement saying that the administration was trying to cynically seize control of the system through which the independent press organizes itself, so that it is easier to exact punishment on outlets over their coverage.] DEADLINE: The thing about the pool is there are incredible amount of logistics involved in that. Whats your assessment on how the White House has handled that? DANIELS: The reason that for years, the White House Correspondents Association board, and people who are our pool chairs have been operating the pool logistics and all of the other logistics, is because its important. And if White Houses have believed this too, that the people that are being covered do not choose who covers them. Im not going to kind of judge how good or bad the White House logistics are. What I will say is that the no one understands the needs of the correspondents, videographers, audio techs, radio correspondents, producers, wire reporters, like the people who are their actual colleagues. Anyone who would suggest that the WHCAs control of the logistics was bad is just completely inaccurate. We have for decades, been able to see beyond the next angles, knowing all of the institutional knowledge thats on the board and within the membership, knowing what could happen on any type of trip, and theres no replacing that. DEADLINE: What do you think the impact has been with the White House in control the pool? At the court hearing for the APs case, Zeke Miller was asked that question and said, Oh, there is a difference in the type of questions that the president is getting. DANIELS: I am not going to speak to what my friend Zeke said. But what I will say is that the board stance has always been a question of addition and not subtraction. So the White House has been adding people for years into pools that they maybe liked more than us, who are going to ask different questions. And we never fought that. Its addition, not subtraction. What were talking about here is something completely different. And so what you have is the government choosing the people who ask the questions of the president. What I have been heartened by is that despite all of these attacks, the members of our association continue to ask hard-hitting questions, probing questions, questions that the American people deserve to have answers to, to the president of the United States, to his aides, to the people who you know walk down the driveway of the White House and do gaggles, members of the Presidents Cabinet. That has not stopped. But yes, there is a sprinkling of other types of questions but I will let other people speak to that. DEADLINE: The administration keeps saying this is the most transparent White House in history. I hear that from Karoline Leavitt a lot. Do you agree with that? DANIELS: Im 36 years old, and I was not here when George Washington was president, so I cant speak to that. We see President Trump a lot, right? We hear from President Trump a lot. That isnt a question, and thats not something that the WHCA has opposed in any new way, shape or form. DEADLINE: Leavitt also has made a point of having a new media seat and more reporters, more podcasters in the briefing room. What do you think has been the impact of that? DANIELS: As you can see every single day that they have a press briefing, our folks still ask the same tough questions, no matter who else is in the room. I dont really know how to answer that question, because at the end of the day, again, it was a question of addition, not subtraction. Our folks are still in the room asking the tough questions, and thats what matters. DEADLINE: You also moved from Politico to MSNBC, which has been a target of the president, has that had an impact at all on on how the administration treats you. DANIELS: The president attacked Politico as well, just to be very clear, on Truth Social and otherwise. I think at the end of the day, it doesnt matter. What people say about me and how they treat me is not my focus. My focus is on making sure that folks within the membership do what they need to do the jobs that they wake up every day to do. Personal pot shots at me are never going to stop me from advocating, supporting and defending the members of our association and the association itself. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has praised Azerbaijan's leadership in the climate agenda, said the OSCE Secretary General, Feridun Sinirlioglu, at a press conference today in Baku, Trend reports. I commend Azerbaijan's active leadership on the climate agenda, demonstrated in particular last year as Baku hosted COP29, he said. According to him, the OSCE and Azerbaijan continue to cooperate in important areas such as promoting economic regional connectivity and combating climate change. Countering these strategic challenges is essential. This morning I visited the Baku International Sea Trade Port, where we discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in the field of transportation and connectivity, as well as our ongoing joint work in this area, including within the framework of the OSCE project on promoting green ports and sustainable connectivity in the Caspian Sea region, he said. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Law enforcement officers who used deadly force on a man they say led them on a high-speed chase from Poinsett County to Crittenden County in March have been ruled justified. On March 20, deputies say a man sped off from Poinsett County Sheriffs who were attempting a traffic stop on him due to reckless driving. The man allegedly led deputies on a high-speed chase from Poinsett County to Crittenden County, where Harrisburg Police and Arkansas State Police had to get involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demetrius Haley wants charges dismissed on double jeopardy grounds Deputies say the chase ended on Interstate 555 after a trooper employed a tactical vehicle intervention. The suspects vehicle then stopped in the median and before going up in flames. While officers extinguished the fire, they say the suspect remained in the vehicle and ignored commands to get out. The suspect is then accused of telling officers he had a weapon. When he reached for the weapon, an ASP Trooper, PCSO, and HPD officers say they discharged their service weapons, striking the suspect. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Joe Versie, 54, of Jonesboro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Crittenden County Prosecutors Office determined that the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law, ruling the shooting justified. The officers involved were faced with a grave and imminent threat to their safety and the safety of others. Their decision to use deadly force was both reasonable and justified in the circumstances. It is a testament to their professionalism and bravery that, despite the grave danger, no officer was injured during this highly dangerous encounter. Officers not only acted in self-defense but also made concerted efforts to save Mr. Versies life, even while under threat, said Sonia Hagood, Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Bureau of Land Management is continuing to take precautionary measures following the deaths of 25 burros at a Axtell holding facility in Utah. The animals were removed from Canyonlands Herd Management Area in Wayne County earlier this year. During routine handling for vaccination, equine infectious anemia testing and preparation for the adoption process, the agency said caregivers observed several lethargic burros exhibiting signs of respiratory illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first deaths were reported on March 11. Veterinarians worked with the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on postmortem examinations. Necropsy results identified the cause of death as bronchopneumonia, complicated by a secondary infection with the Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus bacterium. The underlying viral infection causing the death of the animals was identified as a gammaherpes virus. The BLM said all living affected animals are receiving medical treatment, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications to manage symptoms and reduce fever. As a precaution, exposed burros received a long-acting antibiotic to reduce the risk of secondary infections. The burros were quarantined from other animals at the facility until they recover and receive a clean bill of health from the attending veterinarian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other burros at the corrals displayed any symptoms indicating that it is not spreading beyond the recently gathered animals. Wild horse advocates said the deaths point to the need for reforms in the agencys wild horse and burro program. The close quarters and stress from roundups create the unfortunate conditions that lead to disease outbreaks. This incident is not isolated. In 2023, multiple burros from Nevada died at the same Utah facility. The majority succumbed to hyperlipidemia, a blood disease linked to stress-induced anorexia. American Wild Horse Conservation said the deaths at the Axtell holding facility underscore a systemic problem faced by the agency it spends tens of millions of dollars annually to hold over 68,000 wild horses and burros in government corrals, something it says is an unsustainable system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BLMs roundups are confining these animals in feedlot-like conditions where disease spreads rapidly and unnecessarily, said Suzanne Roy, the groups executive director. We are heartbroken for these burros who tragically lost their lives as a result of this program and are calling for true reform that prioritizes in-wild conservation and habitat protection, not more suffering behind corrals. Roy said the deaths are an example of why the agency should shift its on-range management practices, including fertility control programs. Continuing the current practices will only perpetuate disease outbreaks, animal suffering and escalating costs, the group added. The advocacy group runs a sophisticated fertility control for wild horses on state land in Nevada. But the BLM has said in the past that a singular focus on that type of herd management would not work in many rugged and remote places in Utah. Picture an ocean world so deep and dark it feels like another planet where creatures glow and life survives under crushing pressure. This is the midwater zone, a hidden ecosystem that begins 650 feet (200 meters) below the ocean surface and sustains life across our planet. It includes the twilight zone and the midnight zone, where strange and delicate animals thrive in the near absence of sunlight. Whales and commercially valuable fish such as tuna rely on animals in this zone for food. But this unique ecosystem faces an unprecedented threat. As the demand for electric car batteries and smartphones grows, mining companies are turning their attention to the deep sea, where precious metals such as nickel and cobalt can be found in potato-size nodules sitting on the ocean floor. Deep-sea mining research and experiments over the past 40 years have shown how the removal of nodules can put seafloor creatures at risk by disrupting their habitats. However, the process can also pose a danger to what lives above it, in the midwater ecosystem. If future deep-sea mining operations release sediment plumes into the water column, as proposed, the debris could interfere with animals feeding, disrupt food webs and alter animals behaviors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an oceanographer studying marine life in an area of the Pacific rich in these nodules, I believe that before countries and companies rush to mine, we need to understand the risks. Is humanity willing to risk collapsing parts of an ecosystem we barely understand for resources that are important for our future? This audio article was produced by News Over Audio (Noa) and ElevenLabs, using an AI voice. Listen to more articles from The Conversation, narrated by Noa. Mining the Clarion-Clipperton Zone Beneath the Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii, a hidden treasure trove of polymetallic nodules can be found scattered across the seafloor. These nodules form as metals in seawater or sediment collect around a nucleus, such as a piece of shell or sharks tooth. They grow at an incredibly slow rate of a few millimeters per million years. The nodules are rich in metals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese key ingredients for batteries, smartphones, wind turbines and military hardware. As demand for these technologies increases, mining companies are targeting this remote area, known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, as well as a few other zones with similar nodules around the world. So far, only test mining has been carried out. However, plans for full-scale commercial mining are rapidly advancing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exploratory deep-sea mining began in the 1970s, and the International Seabed Authority was established in 1994 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to regulate it. But it was not until 2022 that The Metals Company and Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. fully tested the first integrated nodule collection system in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The companies are now planning full-scale mining operations in the region. With the ISA still debating regulations, The Metals Company appealed to President Donald Trump. The company applauded his order on April 24, 2025, to expedite U.S.-issued licenses for seabed mining outside national waters under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. The U.S. is one of a handful of countries that never ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and set up its own licensing regime. Several countries have called for a moratorium on seabed mining until the risks are better understood. The mining process is invasive. Collector vehicles scrape along the ocean floor as they scoop up nodules and stir up sediments. This removes habitats used by marine organisms and threatens biodiversity, potentially causing irreversible damage to seafloor ecosystems. Once collected, the nodules are brought up with seawater and sediments through a pipe to a ship, where theyre separated from the waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leftover slurry of water, sediment and crushed nodules is then dumped back into the middle of the water column, creating plumes. While the discharge depth is still under discussion, some mining operators propose releasing the waste at midwater depths, around 4,000 feet (1,200 meters). However, there is a critical unknown: The ocean is dynamic, constantly shifting with currents, and scientists dont fully understand how these mining plumes will behave once released into the midwater zone. These clouds of debris could disperse over large areas, potentially harming marine life and disrupting ecosystems. Picture a volcanic eruption not of lava, but of fine, murky sediments expanding throughout the water column, affecting everything in its path. The midwater ecosystem at risk As an oceanographer studying zooplankton in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, I am concerned about the impact of deep-sea mining on this ecologically important midwater zone. This ecosystem is home to zooplankton tiny animals that drift with ocean currents and micronekton, which includes small fish, squid and crustaceans that rely on zooplankton for food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sediment plumes in the water column could harm these animals. Fine sediments could clog respiratory structures in fish and feeding structures of filter feeders. For animals that feed on suspended particles, the plumes could dilute food resources with nutritionally poor material. Additionally, by blocking light, plumes might interfere with visual cues essential for bioluminescent organisms and visual predators. For delicate creatures such as jellyfish and siphonophores gelatinous animals that can grow over 100 feet long sediment accumulation can interfere with buoyancy and survival. A recent study found that jellies exposed to sediments increased their mucous production, a common stress response that is energetically expensive, and their expression of genes related to wound repair. Additionally, noise pollution from machinery can interfere with how species communicate and navigate. Disturbances like these have the potential to disrupt ecosystems, extending far beyond the discharge depth. Declines in zooplankton populations can harm fish and other marine animal populations that rely on them for food. The midwater zone also plays a vital role in regulating Earths climate. Phytoplankton at the oceans surface capture atmospheric carbon, which zooplankton consume and transfer through the food chain. When zooplankton and fish respire, excrete waste, or sink after death, they contribute to carbon export to the deep ocean, where it can be sequestered for centuries. The process naturally removes planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. More research is needed Despite growing interest in deep-sea mining, much of the deep ocean, particularly the midwater zone, remains poorly understood. A 2023 study in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone found that 88% to 92% of species in the region are new to science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current mining regulations focus primarily on the seafloor, overlooking broader ecosystem impacts. The International Seabed Authority is preparing to discuss key decisions on future seabed mining in July 2025, including rules and guidelines relating to mining waste, discharge depths and environmental protection. These decisions could set the framework for large-scale commercial mining in ecologically important areas such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Yet the consequences for marine life are not clear. Without comprehensive studies on the impact of seafloor mining techniques, the world risks making irreversible choices that could harm these fragile ecosystems. This article, originally published March 25, 2025, has been updated with Trumps order to expedite mining licenses. 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: Alexus Cazares-Nuesser, University of Hawaii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Alexus Cazares-Nuesser receives funding from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Past research received funding from The Metals Company Inc. through its subsidiary Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The attorney for a former Memphis police officer accused in the beating death of Tyre Nichols is now asking for his charges to be dismissed. Demetrius Haleys attorney filed a motion on April 21 to dismiss the indictment against him on double jeopardy grounds. His attorney argues that Haley was indicted due to his interactions as a police officer with Nichols on January 7, 2023, but he was also indicted by the federal government based on the same incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney notes the district attorney has worked alongside the federal government in prosecuting Haley. MORE ON TYRE NICHOLS The motion says the indictment is a violation of Haleys rights to be free from being put in jeopardy twice to allow the state to prosecute him for his encounter with Nichols, because it is apparently unsatisfied with the jury verdict. This comes days before Haley and two other former officers are set to go to trial. The three ex-officers are facing state charges of second-degree murder. Jury selection starts for ex-officers in Tyre Nichols trial On March 28, the attorney of Justin Smith, the other former officer accused in the beating death of Nichols, also filed a motion to dismiss the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion says the United States and Tennessee Constitutions protect a defendant from being twice placed in jeopardy for the same offense. Smiths attorney says the State of Tennessee should not be permitted by the court to conduct a prosecution arising from the same facts already tried in the federal civil rights charges brought against him. He notes the state can not point to any distinct state interests that were not fully addressed in the federal trial against Smith. However, Thaddeus Johnson, a criminal justice and criminology professor for Georgia State University, says that argument does not apply to this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under dual sovereignty, the federal government and states are considered to be sovereigns. Separate, right? And each may kind of prosecute the same conduct, without it violating double jeopardy, Johnson said. Johnson also tells WREG that the deadly police beating of Tyre Nichols created distrust within the Memphis community. I think a big issue in this case is the race fact, Johnson said. You know, we always say, well, its white officers on Black folks. Well, these were Black officers on a Black man and I think it woke everybody up about the realities of policing and the nuances of policing. Johnson says the outcome of this state trial will play a role in the communitys future relationship with the Memphis Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says its also important for MPD to create transparency and conversations within the community that eventually lead to improvements and reduced crime. How people feel about the police, the legitimacy, theyre willing to call the police, he said. How this case turns out can really impact that, because its already been an impact in the trust in police. And if people dont trust the police, they wont call when theyve been victimized. District Attorney Steve Mulroy addressed the upcoming state trial in his weekly email Friday, saying that the federal and state charges were separate. In our criminal justice system, criminal acts can violate federal law and state law separately, and those separate offenses can be tried separately in federal and state court. Thats happening here: there was a federal trial, with sentencing occurring this June. In the meantime, we will try the three defendants in state court, Mulroy wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A Washington state Democrat came under fire during a town hall after backing a bill that would require voters to prove their citizenship when casting a ballot. On Thursday, U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez walked into a town hall attended by hundreds of her constituents in Vancouver and was met with resounding boos. Voters were upset shed voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act and other pieces of legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second-term congresswoman struggled to speak over the disturbances during the hour-long event, according to KOIN 6. Attendees told the outlet they wanted their representative to know they were outraged, even though Gluesenkamp Perez had told them the bill wouldnt pass in the Senate. Americans believe that only US citizens should be determining the outcome of American elections. And any idea that I am standing to disenfranchise people is patently false, the representative said at the meeting. Anna Brouns, who lives in the congresswomans district, said: I came here to hear what she has to say. Unfortunately, it always sounds like the same thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she wants the representative to be angrier than she is and get more done. I wish that she would stand stronger and voice more of like, This is what Im doing. Im doing x, y, z. Im talking to the Republicans. Im trying to get them to shift. That would be helpful. Instead of talking about shop class, Brouns said. Gluesenkamp Perez reiterated her commitment to being here and present and available and accountable and trying to have as productive of a conversation as we can. The congresswoman was whisked away after the event for security concerns, her team told the TV station. The FBI arrested a sitting U.S. judge Friday for obstructing an immigration arrest operation, a jarring escalation in Donald Trumps nationwide assault on immigrants, the judicial system, and anybody who opposes his mass deportation efforts. Democrats are reeling. Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on charges of obstruction after she helped an undocumented immigrant evade arrest in her courtroom, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X Friday morning. The 30-year-old man, originally from Mexico, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, is now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. His arrest marks at least the third time in recent months that ICE agents have appeared at the courthouse with arrest warrants, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require high legal bar, Wisconsin Representative Gwen Moore said, shortly after the arrest in her home state. I will be following this case closely, and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at [these] increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Admin, and in particular ICE, who have been defying court orders and acting with disregard for the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is remarkable that the Administration would dare to start arresting state court judges, said Representative Jamie Raskin. Its a whole new descent into government chaos. The Trump administration again is breaking norms in how its dealing with immigration, the legal system, and normalcy. This is stuff I expect from Third World countries, Wisconsin Representative Mark Pocan told Axios. Representative Darren Soto echoed Pocans disbelief that a judge was arrested in the United States. Arresting federal judges is third world country dictator type of stuff. Everyday they get more desperate, Soto wrote on X. This will be bounced out of court as quick as the rest of their illegal actions. Senator Tammy Baldwin called Dugans arrest a gravely serious and drastic move, but in line with Trumps attack on the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has ignored a number of court orders relating to his unlawful deportations and will apparently punish anyone who gets in his way. At least eight immigration judges across three states have now been fired or put on leave. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by, Baldwin said in a statement on X. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. The most insane thing Ive ever heard is how legendary political strategist James Carville described the decision by his partys vice chairman, David Hogg, to spend $20 million to run progressive candidates against the Democrats current congressional leaders. Doubts abound as to whether Hogg can raise that sum, which is in any case paltry compared to the record-breaking $239 million that Donald Trump took in from his second inauguration. Some observers quietly wonder whether Hoggs stated intention would betray his fiduciary responsibilities. But insanity is par for the course for the Democratic party these days. Despite still languishing on a historically low approval rating, they seem hell-bent on supporting causes that have mired them in what could be generational unelectability. Their current poster child, an El Salvadorian citizen named Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, is imprisoned in his native country after having been deported from the United States. He has been accused of being a member of MS-13, a violent gang and US-designated terrorist organisation. For Democrats, however, Abrego Garcia is a mild-mannered Maryland man, a devoted husband and father residing in that state who, despite being in the country illegally, should properly be returned to the United States through high-level intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obsessed with a court order declaring that the Trump administration should facilitate his return, Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen travelled to El Salvador to visit Abrego Garcia in prison, decrying what he believes to be a gross violation of his due process rights. Americans are far from sympathetic. Only about half, according to a YouGov poll, feel Abrego Garcia should be returned, and earlier this year some 81 per cent agreed that illegal immigrants criminals should be deported. Chris Van Hollen speaks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador on April 17 - Press Office Senator Van Hollen Once the party of the counterculture, the Democrats are also now fielding puzzling demonstrations in favour of government bureaucrats, who are being suspended or sacked in large numbers upon the recommendations of Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), or by government agencies tasked with reducing budgets and personnel in the shadow of a federal debt that now exceeds $36 trillion. Here, too, the Democrats position is of dubious benefit at the ballot box, where Trump won his 2024 victory in part on campaigning to reduce government bloat. According to a Harvard CAPS-Harris poll released in February, some 72 per cent of Americans agree that there should be a government agency focused on efficiency, with seven in 10 believing that government is filled with waste, fraud, and inefficiency and 77 per cent supporting a full examination of all government expenditures. The Democrats, however, have effectively argued that the administrative state should continue to operate untouched, despite mounting evidence of billions being squandered in waste and fraud. Nor will voters be all that sympathetic to the media sob stories about sacked bureaucrats facing such elite dilemmas as how to square their newfound unemployment with Tesla ownership and private school fees, neither of which average Americans can afford, or the shock of sudden joblessness, a fate to which most American workers are vulnerable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americas universities are the Democrats third latest cause celebre. They have leapt to defend the institutions, which are facing government funding cuts due to manifest violations of federal civil rights laws, particularly with regard to their failure to protect Jewish students, along with the continuing use of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies now forbidden by executive order. Once again, the public is likely to be ill-disposed. Some 68 per cent believe race should play no role in admissions. Following recent appalling events on campuses across the United States, where protesters have shamelessly displayed their support for Hamas, multiple elite institutions have reported drops in applications and private donations. Informed observers are also beginning to look critically at major institutions claims that federal funds are vital to their life-changing missions even as they cling to tax-privileged endowments that are in some cases worth tens of billions of dollars. Nor should it escape public notice that the university presidents who are complaining the loudest receive salaries exceeding $1 million per year. As the Democrats reel in unpopularity, their only apparent solution is to fetishise alleged terrorists, campaign for a return to wasteful bureaucracy, and prop up a failing educational establishment. They show little interest in changing course, but unless they do they could remain out of power for decades to come. Paul du Quenoy is president of the Palm Beach Freedom Institute. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEW YORK New York City Democratic mayoral hopefuls are warming to a rent freeze this year on the citys roughly 1 million rent-regulated tenants. But most are stopping short of committing to one if elected, in a sign of a political shift to the center. City Comptroller Brad Lander and his predecessor, Scott Stringer, and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams have all said in recent days they support a rent freeze this June by the mayor-appointed Rent Guidelines Board. The nine-member entity annually decides whether and by how much rents should go up on rent-regulated tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their backing comes amid a campaign by tenant groups to reach voters who live in rent-stabilized housing, in the hope of motivating them to back mayoral candidates who will appoint a tenant-friendly rent board once in office. Voters head to the polls June 24 for the citys closed partisan primaries. The candidates have no power over the existing board, which serves under Mayor Eric Adams and is expected to reach a decision in June. But their positions shed light on how they would navigate one of the biggest housing matters under the purview of City Hall: where rents should be set for some 1 million regulated tenants at a time of increased anxiety over the high cost of living in New York. The scale of the Rent Guidelines Board is beyond [the amount of housing] any mayor produces in their career, said Cea Weaver, who is leading the tenant coalition. One of the things we want to do is give tenants something to vote for that is not just an individual but is meaningful to their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenant activists have been critical of Eric Adams, who often empathizes with fellow small landlords and once proclaimed, I am real estate. Guidelines board increases have largely exceeded those under his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, who froze rents three times as mayor and campaigned on that when running for reelection. Mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo called support for a rent freeze a politically convenient posture in his recent housing plan, and said he would appoint members who make decisions based on the evidence. The citys well-heeled real estate industry, which is coalescing around Cuomo, fiercely opposes a rent freeze and has argued Rent Guidelines Board increases in recent years have not kept up with landlords operating costs. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist polling second to Cuomo, is running on a pledge to freeze rents as mayor. Lander and Stringer have said previously their support for a rent freeze would depend on whether data backs it up. For this year, yes, I think the data supports it, Lander said at a mayoral forum focused on affordability on Monday. But Im not going to forward-commit, I want to keep rents down as low as they can, making sure that landlords can do repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is expected to further detail his position during testimony before the Rent Guidelines Board on Thursday, in his capacity as comptroller. The board reviews a series of reports each year that detail the state of rent-regulated buildings, trends in operating costs and landlord and tenant incomes. The body uses that data, and public testimony from tenants and landlords, to make its final determination on permissible rent hikes. The net operating incomes of landlords with rent-stabilized apartments rose 12.1 percent in 2023, the most recent year data was available the highest annual increase going back more than 30 years. But the costs of operating buildings with rent-stabilized units also went up by 6.3 percent, a higher increase than in previous years when the board approved a freeze. Asked by POLITICO on Wednesday whether he thinks the latest RGB data backs up the case for a rent freeze, Stringer said, I do, albeit with the caveat that he has not had a chance to review the data closely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant go into something without having a transparent and honest review of the numbers, and I think tenants will trust me to make those critical decisions, he said. At the Monday forum, Adrienne Adams also said she supports a freeze this year, but did not commit to enacting one in future years. Tenant activists see the support for a rent freeze this year as a litmus test for candidates on how they would handle the Rent Guidelines Board process as mayor. Cuomo, in his housing plan, said he would appoint members who will make decisions objectively. If landlords small landlords in particular do not receive rent increases that reflect their costs, they will be unable to maintain their buildings, his plan states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landlord groups have argued insufficient rent increases in recent years have left many rent-regulated buildings particularly older buildings outside prime areas of Manhattan in accelerating disrepair. Its interesting to me that every candidate seems to be now getting in line with these talking points but not a single one is talking about the costs the mayor can control, said Kenny Burgos, executive director of the New York Apartment Association. The tenant coalitions canvassing efforts have spanned the city. Volunteers have knocked on 5,000 doors as part of an electoral-style outreach effort, getting signatures in support of a rent freeze from about 2,700 New Yorkers. In total, theyve collected upwards of 10,000 signatures in support of a freeze. The Housing Justice for All coalition is a non-profit organization that cannot advocate for political candidates. But the groups within it launched an electoral arm earlier this year called New York Tenant Bloc, which may endorse in the Democratic primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The canvassing operation has shown support for a rent freeze is not limited to left-leaning voters, according to tenant activists. One canvasser described a voter who enthusiastically signed the rent freeze petition, but supports Cuomo in the mayoral primary. I dont need to talk to DSA members about a rent freeze. I want to talk to Cuomo voters thats the beauty of this demand, Weaver said. Is the issue of their housing costs salient enough to change their vote? Our gamble is yes. At a recent canvass observed by POLITICO, one longtime tenant of a building in Hells Kitchen happily signed a petition in support of a rent freeze, even knocking on her neighbors doors to share the tenant advocates materials. Her candidate of choice? Republican Curtis Sliwa. Demonstrators gathered Thursday on the steps of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) building for a die-in over proposed funding cuts at the agency that could devastate programs addressing LGBTQ health disparities. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sought to radically reshape the department and its approach to health care, including through funding cuts to programs geared toward treating and preventing HIV, a virus that in the U.S. disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men. Kennedy previously questioned evidence linking HIV to AIDS, a discovery that won a Nobel Prize in 2008. On Thursday, more than 100 participants sank slowly to the ground while Matthew Rose, senior public policy advocate for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which organized the demonstration, read aloud from a list of possible outcomes that funding cuts at the HHS would have on the LGBTQ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every person here represents countless other stories. Countless lives. Countless possibilities. And as the federal government cuts funding from research to housing, from mental health to Medicaid were not just watching systems disappear. Were watching lives disappear, Rose said Thursday. But LGBTQ+ people will always be here. We are still here. In defiance. In community. In truth. Organizers said they specifically chose to stage a die-in a form of protest used by HIV/AIDS activists in the late 1980s to jolt political leaders into action to symbolize the people who will die because of the funding cuts. Its a glaring visual, said John Gruber, director of national campaigns at the HRC. It sends a message when you put your body on the ground like that that youre not willing to compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a demonstration of what is going to happen, said Hooriya Hussain, a volunteer leader from San Diego. Instead of making strides forward in an area that is already significantly underfunded, were going backwards, and this is going to cost us more lives. The HHS began laying off thousands of workers earlier this month, including personnel at the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention and the Global Health Center Division of Global HIV and TB. Within the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions division of HIV prevention, five branches were eliminated completely, including the research, surveillance and prevention communication branches. Kennedy has defended plans to overhaul the HHS in the name of efficiency. Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants, he said in a news release in March announcing restructuring at the agency. The Trump administration appears set to slash other LGBTQ-focused health programs. A budget document obtained by The Washington Post last week would end funding for an LGBTQ youth suicide hotline, for instance. 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. Azerbaijan's national air carrier, AZAL, continues to expand the geography of its flights. Starting in July, the airline will launch direct regular flights from Baku to Ahmedabad, one of the largest cities in India. The inaugural flight is scheduled for July 4. Flights en route Baku-Ahmedabad-Baku will be operated 4 times a week - on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Ahmedabad is a city rich in historical heritage and vibrant modern life. Its ancient part is distinguished by its architectural landmarks and a unique blend of cultural and religious traditions. In contrast, modern Ahmedabad features skyscrapers, shopping centers and dynamic infrastructure. It is worth noting that currently AZAL operates regular flights to the Indian cities of Mumbai and New Delhi. Thus, flights are performed en route Baku-Mumbai-Baku 4 times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. From June 16, these flights are scheduled every day. Meanwhile, flights from Baku to New Delhi are served 3 times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased via the official website www.azal.az, the airlines mobile app, AZAL ticket offices, or accredited travel agencies. DENVER (KDVR) The Firestone Police Department arrested a deputy employed by the Denver Sheriff Department, according to a news release sent Thursday. The announcement was made by the Denver Sheriff Department on Thursday afternoon. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The sheriffs department said the Firestone Police Department reported that Denver Deputy Sheriff Christian DeAnda was arrested and faces charges of: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stalking causing emotional distress Harassment Criminal mischief under $300 damages Felony menacing (domestic violence) The Denver Sheriff Department placed DeAnda on investigatory leave and notified the Office of the Independent Monitor and the Public Integrity Division. The agency said DeAnda became a deputy sheriff in 2023 and was assigned to the Downtown Detention Center. According to Colorado court records, DeAnda, who spells his name Cristian, was arrested on Thursday and given a personal recognizance bond of $25,000. Hes scheduled to appear for a return filing of charges on Monday. According to the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Certification website, DeAnda is not currently POST certified. 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. Former GOP state Rep. Joel Rudman and Tracy Caruso in the Capitol on April 25, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) For the past month, something of a civil war has raged between Florida Republicans in Tallahassee. Gov. Ron DeSantis has accused Florida GOP House leadership of being at war with the voters who provided the supermajority in the first place. Hes criticized them for ignoring his request for a property tax cut and not doing enough on condominium legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And hes accused them of working with the liberal media in the now-concluded investigation into Hope Florida, the welfare assistance program led by First Lady Casey DeSantis. As a show of support, supporters of DeSantis called for a Rally in Tally Friday afternoon at the Capitol in support of his Freedom Agenda. There was no such rally, but there was a press conference on the Plaza Level of the Capitol featuring former Panhandle House Republican Dr. Joel Rudman and Tracy Caruso, wife of Palm Beach County GOP Rep. Mike Caruso, along with some DeSantis supporters. There was a mandate when we voted DeSantis in and there isnt a person here who ran on the idea of dismantling any of DeSantis policies, said Tracy Caruso, who has already filed to run in the House District 87 seat in 2026 now held by her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My message to everyone here is please come out and talk to your representatives, she added. Tell them that you stand with our great Gov. Ron DeSantis. Text messages sent this week to voters from Restore Our Nation (RON) PAC, a DeSantis-affiliated political committee, bore a similar message: Florida House leaders are working with Democrats to stop our agenda and sabotage Floridas success. Call your State Rep and tell them to stand with the people and me to keep Florida free! Text messages like this were sent to Floridians this week from Restore Our Nation (RON) PAC. Rudman stepped down from his seat representing parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties late last year to run for the congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz, but lost in the GOP primary to former CFO Jimmy Patronis. He said on Friday that he was appalled at what was being taught at a learning session for House members last November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We werent being taught open carry. We werent being taught red flag laws. We werent being taught immigration, he said. Instead, the topics of discussion that afternoon from the top down were, We are not listening to Ron DeSantis anymore.' Rudman has made these charges repeatedly in recent weeks, including during a press conference hosted by DeSantis last week. Looking back, once the session started, I had no idea what we were facing even here today, Rudman said. I had no idea that we would see what I would call treachery. Basically, we have the most popular conservative governor in America. Other people in other states stop me and they tell me, I wish I was from Florida. What can we do to get your conservative leadership in Georgia? In South Carolina? In Mississippi? So, to have this open revolt was even more that I couldnt dare imagine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot have representatives who go against our governor when hes the one who makes the decision on these things, added Larry Downs from Pensacola. I dont want the fighting amongst our governor and our legislators. I dont like that. I want them to lead. Perez responds Perez fired back in a statement sent to Fox News on Friday. While the Florida House remains the most conservative body in the Legislature passing a budget billions lower than the Governors, approving larger tax cuts than the Governor, and pushing bold conservative policies like repealing gun laws and passing E-Verify the Governor seems uninterested in a conservative Legislature, he said. He wants a compliant one. After seven years in office, its clear he doesnt want people asking hard questions, especially after neglecting his duties while running for president. Rep. Caruso was also slated to speak at the event, but with the House in session, he was unable to attend. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A political mystery lies at the heart of the Hope Florida scandal. Set aside the issues lawmakers from both parties have raised with the nearly $10 million in Medicaid settlement money that went to the Hope Florida Foundation a transfer some Republicans have suggested was illegal. Set aside the Hope Florida Foundations missing paperwork, or that Gov. Ron DeSantis wanted Hope Florida enshrined in Florida law despite a lack of accountability. Even set aside the House abruptly ending its official inquiry into the foundation on Thursday. None of that fully answers this question: Why did Republicans go so hard after the governor? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two years ago, dozens of Republicans in the House, including many still serving today, endorsed DeSantis for president. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, was among them. This month alone, DeSantis has taken numerous shots at Perez, calling his leadership terrible and rotten and saying House leadership is colluding with the left, they are colluding with the media to try to sabotage all the great success that Florida has had over these last six years. What happened? The Tampa Bay Times interviewed more than a dozen lobbyists, lawmakers and political operatives to try to answer that question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those sympathetic to DeSantis side say its all political, part of the 2026 midterm jockeying. Others say House Republicans are tired of being steamrolled by a governor who runs Tallahassee not with a deft personal touch but with an iron fist. This seems like a story about me versus the governor. And that could not be further from the truth, Perez wrote in an email via a spokesperson. The Legislature and the governor are meant to be partners, check and balances in a representative government. This is not about power absolutely not. Its about how we all work together for outcomes that serve the people of Florida." Under Perez, the House has moved to check DeSantis power numerous times. Lawmakers publicly rejected the governors immigration proposal during a high-profile special session. They passed a bill limiting his power to pick university presidents and voted to overturn some of his budget vetoes. The Houses renewed assertiveness has put DeSantis at odds with lawmakers who used to be his biggest allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, endorsed DeSantis for president in 2023. Hes sponsored the governors pet bills, including one that would have loosened defamation protections for news outlets. He supported other high-profile moves by the governor, such as his decision to fly Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Massachusetts. Even while cheering on DeSantis, there was tension behind the scenes, according to Andrade. He said DeSantis team threatened him into endorsing the governor for president, not-so-subtly reminding lawmakers that DeSantis could always veto projects for those who dont toe the line. (DeSantis office did not respond to requests for comment.) Ive always known that hes selfish and sometimes condescending, Andrade said. Andrade kept supporting the governor because they aligned on policy. But in recent years, as DeSantis national profile has grown, hes become more insular, and things have started to slip through the cracks, Andrade said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors inner circle was never large, but the Hope Florida scandal underscores how small its become. The same man who ran the governors presidential campaign, James Uthmeier, was also his chief of staff and the person he deputized to defeat Amendment 3, which would have allowed the sale of recreational marijuana. Andrade, who has led the charge on the Houses investigation into Hope Florida, has alleged that Uthmeier told two advocacy groups to solicit grants from the Hope Florida Foundation. The foundation had just gotten millions in an unrelated state settlement. After the groups received the money from Hope Florida, they sent millions of dollars to a political committee controlled by Uthmeier that was created to defeat Amendment 3. If Uthmeier orchestrated these transactions, they would have amounted to a stunning series of state-funded political maneuvers from the then-chief of staff. Uthmeier is now attorney general. To Andrade, the governors team played fast and loose with millions in state money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in DeSantis orbit view the fight with House members differently. Some Republicans have never been true fans of the governor, they say. They accuse Andrade of acting not in the public interest but on behalf of the marijuana companies that lost at the ballot box in November. Now that DeSantis is on his way out of office hes termed out in 2027 some politicians see an opportunity, the governors supporters say. The speaker wants more power. Where is he going to get it? Hes going to take it from the governor, said Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, one of the few remaining vocal DeSantis supporters in the House. No Floridian voted on this power grab. The speaker, who is picked by the Houses members, has considerable sway over his or her colleagues by determining what bills get heard, how committees get staffed and whether local budget requests get fulfilled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez said hes empowered representatives to express themselves this session. But Caruso disputes that, saying Perez is forcing others in the House to support him in the battle against DeSantis. The way he tells it, Caruso has paid a steep price for siding with the governor over Perez. Fourth-term Republicans like Caruso usually get to run committees and pass numerous consequential bills. After he sided with DeSantis during a special session earlier this year on immigration, Caruso was stripped of his position as committee chairperson. None of his bills have gotten so much as a committee hearing this session. Caruso blamed Perez. We often shuffle members around in committee positions based on a members interests and skill set, Perez wrote in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So is the House pushing back on DeSantis to establish a culture of good governance? Or is there something else at play? Again, depends on whom you ask. Hope Florida is undeniably politically charged. DeSantis needs a way to stay nationally relevant ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run. One option is to have his wife, Casey, win the Governors Mansion in 2026. That makes Hope Florida a rich target for those looking to take DeSantis down a peg. Its Casey DeSantis signature initiative. The program, as described by the governor, aligns perfectly with the conservative vision for government. Its meant to help Floridians get off of government assistance by connecting them with nonprofits like churches and other community aid organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By casting suspicion on the programs effectiveness, Florida House leaders are removing a springboard from which Casey DeSantis could launch her gubernatorial campaign. (Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has announced his candidacy for governor, has been mum on the scandal.) I think its all just to throw water on the idea that the governors wife, our first lady, Casey DeSantis, might run for governor, Caruso said. Its to taint her persona. DeSantis usual critics have pounced on the Hope Florida kerfuffle. Roger Stone and Laura Loomer, two far-right Donald Trump loyalists who have never forgiven DeSantis for challenging Trump in 2024, have each had choice words for the governor on social media. DeSantis defenders may have their own political motivations, too. Caruso, whos termed out of office, has been rumored to be under consideration for the open lieutenant governor spot. (Caruso said he is interested in that job, but denied thats why hes sticking up for the governor.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier wants a full term as attorney general. Hes denied wrongdoing and defended the DeSantis team. House Republicans insist they dont care about 2026. Perez said the idea that he is trying to undermine the first lady is absolutely false. Andrade echoed that sentiment. But even in doing so, he took a shot at Casey DeSantis. I dont care if she runs for governor, he said. I would say her track record on executive administration is terrible if shes claiming Hope Florida as her track record. TALLAHASSEE Gov. Ron DeSantis administration this week released its most detailed explanation to date on its legal reasoning behind diverting $10 million in Medicaid settlement money to the Hope Florida Foundation. In short, only $57 million of a $67 million legal settlement Florida made with the Medicaid contractor Centene was considered potential Medicaid-related damages to the State, Agency for Health Care Administration General Counsel Andrew Sheeran wrote to lawmakers on Tuesday. That meant that Centene could be directed to divert the remaining $10 million to the Hope Florida charity, Sheeran wrote. The charity was created by DeSantis administration to support the first ladys Hope Florida initiative, which aims to get Floridians off government assistance, including Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It totally debunks the bogus media narratives that were out there, DeSantis said Thursday of the agencys letter. But Medicaid experts questioned the logic in Sheerans memo and said all the money should be owed to the state and federal taxpayers. It also appeared to be at odds with a move by the DeSantis administration to reimburse the federal government based on the full $67 million amount. All of it is taxpayer money, according to Scott Newton, a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor with decades of experience investigating, prosecuting and defending health care fraud. The character, the very identity of the programs funding never changes, Newton said. It is and remains the taxpayers money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans have questioned the legality of the states $67 million settlement with Centene, reached in October after three years of negotiations. Florida was among more than 20 states to settle with the company, which was found to have overbilled Medicaid systems for prescription drugs. Unlike nearly every other state, Florida kept the settlement secret until Republican lawmakers began asking this month about the source of Hope Florida Foundations $10 million donation. Not Medicaid funds? Sheeran wrote to lawmakers that the transaction was neither illegal nor illicit, as some lawmakers have alleged. He also said the $10 million was not comprised of Medicaid funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As evidence, Sheeran gave lawmakers a four-page letter labeled confidential by Centene from 2023 showing how the company arrived at $67 million. The company used the total number of prescriptions and a percentage of how much Florida taxpayers spent on them between 2017 and 2018 to calculate that it owed $56.2 million for overcharges. Also included in the calculation was an additional $10.8 million for any other potentially alleged damages related to overbilling and to incentivize states to settle without doing formalized claims audits that would cause further delay and cost to the parties. In other words, the additional $10.8 million was a margin of error for Centenes calculations and an incentive for Florida not to do its own analysis to see if the company was accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also the baseline for Medicaid damages. Every state that settled received a minimum of $10.8 million, Centene wrote. But Sheeran, in his memo, wrote that the $10.8 million was not to compensate the State for loss of Medicaid funds. He said that meant the $10 million donation by Centene that came from that portion was not Medicaid funds. Its unclear if the state ever completed its own audit of Centenes overbilling to get a better understanding of what it was owed. The state never answered the Times/Heralds questions about it. The final settlement was identical to what lawyers working with Centene first proposed paying in restitution in February 2022: $67,048,611. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis has said the $10 million was a cherry on top of the $57 million. The agreement they reached with the company was for $56 million to recoup for this Medicaid thing, DeSantis said Wednesday. Its there, its documented, and then they got a 10 million private donation on top of that. Repaying the federal government Under federal rules, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is owed its share of the Centene settlement. For Florida during this period, that would mean 57% was owed back to the feds. That calculation must be based on the entirety of the settlement, according to federal guidance. Its not clear to me why the entire $67 million settlement amount isnt owed to the states Medicaid program, said Andy Schneider, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy who has over 50 years of experience with the Medicaid program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If thats the case, the federal government would be entitled to 57 percent of the amount, Schneider said in a statement. Florida seems to acknowledge that the entire settlement is for $67 million, according to Rep. Alex Andrade, the Pensacola Republican who has been investigating the Hope Florida Foundation. He said Floridas accounting ledger shows that the state is setting aside $38.3 million which is 57% of $67 million. Given AHCAs own internal disagreement about what is and is not Medicaid money, Im certainly concerned about their competence over there, Andrade said in a statement. Other states do not appear to have added clauses like Floridas donation to the Hope Florida Foundation into their settlements with Centene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts returned its portion of its $14 million settlement with Centene to its state Medicaid program. Washington returned its portion of its $33 million settlement to its Medicaid Fraud Penalty Account. California said its share of its $215 million settlement went to its False Claims Act Fund and the state Department of Health Care Services. Not addressed in Sheerans memo is what the Hope Florida Foundation did with the $10 million. It awarded it to two nonprofits. Those nonprofits later gave $8.5 million to a political committee controlled by DeSantis then-chief of staff. Apr. 25On a crisp January afternoon in 2006, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released 14 wild turkeys from Goodhue County in southeast Minnesota at sites near Red Lake Falls and Thief River Falls. So began a multi-year relocation project to see if the birds could survive north of U.S. Highway 2. Ross Hier, who was assistant area DNR wildlife manager in Crookston at the time, admits he was "at best neutral" about the prospects for success. But in response to pressure from a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the DNR agreed to give the relocation effort a try. While trap-and-transport relocation projects had long been a hallmark of the DNR's turkey management strategy, the department had never moved birds farther north than Detroit Lakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We thought fishers would work on them, and we certainly thought winters would work on them," said Hier, who retired in 2016. Today, turkeys provide a hunting opportunity in northwest Minnesota that no one could have imagined 25 years ago. This year's Minnesota turkey season opened April 16, with "A through F" hunting time periods continuing through May 31. "It's astounding," Hier said. "I don't think in my wildest dreams I could have thought there'd be so many turkeys around here 19 years later." All told, the DNR released 59 hens and 19 males in northwest Minnesota in 2006 and 39 hens in 2007. Additional birds were released a year later in Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk and Red Lake counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chad Parent, who was a UND graduate student at the time, conducted the fieldwork portion of a two-year research project to monitor relocated turkeys fitted with tracking devices at the sites near Red Lake Falls and Thief River Falls. The survival rate that first year was very low, he recalls. "It was a pretty cool study for the time," said Parent, who now is survey coordinator for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck. "It was the most northern release of wild turkeys ever recorded in the literature. After that first year where we observed really low survival, I remember there being a lot of discussion about the northern limitations of turkeys, given the severe winters. But, in hindsight, over the past 20 years, we've learned that turkeys are remarkable generalists." To say wild turkeys now are abundant in northwest Minnesota might be an understatement. While the relocation effort extended only as far north as New Maine Township in Marshall County, wild turkeys today can be found all the way to the Manitoba border and east into forested areas of northern Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're in every county (of Minnesota) now, I'm sure," Hier said. Most likely, the turkeys thriving today across northern Minnesota are descended from those early releases, managers say. "I think that's a safe assumption," said Doug Franke, area DNR wildlife manager in Thief River Falls. Like Hier, Franke also was involved with those early releases. "There was some pretty significant mortality the first winter because they were still trying to figure things out in a new environment," Franke said. "But after that, they were off to the races and they've only been on an upward trajectory since. We continue to see them in new areas even today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wild turkeys, which are both adaptable and prolific, will eat almost anything, Franke says; he once heard of a bird found with the casing of a .30-06 bullet in its crop. "They're resilient," he said. "They'll sit in an aspen tree and (eat buds) like a ruffed grouse will. The cold does not affect them at all. It's whether they can dig down to food or not is what limits them, really. They're powerful birds." Besides his initial skepticism about wild turkeys surviving in northwest Minnesota, Hier says he was concerned about the potential for depredation problems. The early releases coincided with peak enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program, a federal initiative that pays landowners to take marginal land out of production and establish wildlife habitat. "We had more deer than we'd ever had in northwest Minnesota ever," Hier said. In addition, more farmers were growing corn, and reports of problem bears were becoming more frequent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was very concerned that we'd just be getting phone calls and more phone calls of turkeys in cattle (feed) in the winter," Hier said. "Some of that is happening, but not the level that I predicted or in my own mind I was concerned about." Franke doesn't remember the exact year, but wild turkey populations eventually grew to the point where the DNR offered hunting seasons in northern Minnesota north of Highway 2. "It took a little bit of time for people up here to really catch on (to turkey hunting)," Franke said. "It's still not like the southern part of the state, where that tradition has been passed along, but I'll say there are a lot more people probably double the people that there were 10 years ago hunting up here now." Aaron Lefor of Greenbush, Minnesota, has been hunting turkeys close to home for the past few years and says he'd like to see the DNR allow hunters to take more than one tom turkey during the spring season or one bird that's either a tom or a hen in the fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a kid, seeing a turkey around here was a rarity," Lefor said. "People I know in the community say, 'You hunt turkeys, come to our property.' They're like, 'We just want them gone.' They're all over. "If you would have asked me when I was a senior in high school back in '98 if there'd be turkey hunting up here, I'd be laughing," he added. "It's amazing how in 10-plus years they've adapted to northwest Minnesota with all the weird weather we can get in March and still survive." This spring, Lefor says wild turkeys even showed up on trail cameras on family hunting property south of the Carp Swamp in the Beltrami Island State Forest area south of Baudette, Minnesota. "We had three turkeys on our cameras," he said. "We've seen turkeys in the past, I've seen turkey tracks, but this is weird, this far east into the wooded area." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The population has "just exploded" since the DNR introduced them, Lefor says. "I've seen it preseason out scouting the property I hunt for turkeys," he said. "I counted well over 100 turkeys in the field." That doesn't mean hunting them is a slam-dunk, Lefor says. "You've got to know what you're looking for," he said."This year, I went out opening day on Wednesday (April 16). I put a hay bale blind out, sat in it, had them all timed out when they'd be in this field. "Nope, they didn't show up. Went back out in the afternoon, here they come." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cousin hunting with him shot his first turkey, Lefor says. The big tom weighed "just over" 25 pounds with an 11-inch beard (described by the DNR as a "feathered appendage protruding from the breast that is generally found only on males") and 1 1/2 -inch spurs. "I said that's about as big of a bird as I've seen in a while," Lefor said. Hier, who helps the DNR with its spring prairie chicken counts, recalls being in the field early one spring morning when he came across a parked pickup with the tailgate open and turkey hunting gear in the back. After checking a nearby prairie chicken lek, he drove back toward the parked truck and saw two young guys with "big beautiful toms over their shoulder" walking back toward the pickup. He congratulated the pair, who were "all smiles," and asked if they were students at the nearby University of Minnesota Crookston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They smiled and said, 'We're juniors at Red Lake Falls and we ought to get to school,' " Hier recalled with a laugh. "And I thought, 'That's how life should be right there.' These young kids, they can go hunting before class." Not that many years ago, they'd have to travel south at least to Detroit Lakes, and likely farther. "That's pretty cool," Hier said. "You can have a hunting opportunity right in your backyard, basically." April 25 is World Penguin Day, and the Detroit Zoo is celebrating an ongoing study benefiting wild penguins. Since 2013, the Detroit Zoo has partnered with Falklands Conservation, a nature organization based in the Falkland Islands that monitors seabird and other wildlife populations. As part of their seabird program, Detroit Zoo staff helped count the number of penguins around the region. Staff traveled to various, far-flung islands. Drones were purchased so that workers could do aerial surveys and count that way, saving great time and effort. During that partnership, Falkland Conservation noticed alarming population declines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All seabird populations are declining, said Ann Duncan, Associate Vice President of Life Sciences for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). The animals that are near to the polar areas of the world are being affected quite a bit by climate change, so they were concerned about the things that might be causing these decreases particularly the impact petroleum activity in the area might have. The DZS bird curator at the time reached out to the animal health team, led by Duncan. In order to create a study that would explore those impacts, Duncan led a small team to the Falklands in 2018, 2019 and 2024, going each time in autumn, which is nesting season. Blood samples and toxicology testing were done to look for evidence of an immune symptom response to various diseases, a process called serology. We also look for the pathogens themselves, said Duncan, using PCR and looking for the DNA of the types of pathogens that we think would impact penguins in the wild. Its a big effort. Traveling to the Falklands is challenging; it takes over two days to get there, and we ship our supplies ahead of time. We have to keep the samples cold when we transport them back from the Falklands, so we travel with a great, big dry shipping liquid nitrogen tank that maintains a really cold temperature inside and keeps the samples preserved. Duncan said the exploration of the samples is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we do know, she said, is that high path avian influenza is a global concern and has had an impact on some marine mammals in the area north of the Falklands, so were taking a closer look at that. We see evidence of other diseases, but for the most part, the penguins that weve looked at have been healthy, and thats a good thing to see. However, there had been one site where we generally sample the penguins, that the landowner had noticed the number of rock hopper penguins in that colony had decreased by a lot. They didnt want us to go into that colony to collect samples, because theyre concerned. There are some areas where the flock sizes are still good, and other areas where the flock sizes are not good, so this kind of work, looking at whats impacting these animals, is important to understanding them. One thing the study allowed them to do was compare and contrast samples from penguins that were far away from humans and petroleum with populations that were closer to those influences. There are so many pressures on wild populations, said Duncan. Some of them are climate, some of them are man-made things like the petroleum industry in the area. One of the reasons why Falklands Conservation wanted to partner with us is because it may be possible to learn if there are certain contaminants in the environment, and measures that could be taken to change things, or policies that could be written that could change the way things are done. If they could prove that there was an impact coming from petroleum shipping or from oil spills or other things going on in the area, they might be able to influence and avoid some of those things moving forward. Thats the ultimate goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See also: Detroit's Hannan Center called one of Michigans best-kept secrets for senior citizens Duncan emphasized that science is important, and that every citizen is capable of helping with conservation. Science is real, she said. It is evidence-based. Its performed by scientists who are trained, and it can spark and ignite an interest in the people who live in the Detroit area, understanding more about the ways that animal populations are being impacted globally, and looking for ways that they can make a difference. And that can be financial support to an organization thats doing work. It can be just learning more and talking about it, and igniting that spark in other people. It can be visiting the zoo, because when you visit the zoo, your financial support of admission does go toward our conservation programs. Thats partly how we fund this. And it can be voting. It can be getting active and influencing legislation here in the United States that impacts things like climate change, impacts things like clean water, impacts things that are affecting wildlife everywhere, including in Michigan, in our area, in our footprint. All of those things are interwoven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Dimitrie, DZS Director of Conservation, said the work being done here at the Detroit Zoo results in the zoo being able to help animals in the wild. By having our animals at the Detroit Zoo, he said, and having our team who are managing them and handling them and taking care of them day in and day out, and having Dr. Anns team, with their knowledge, we are able to really provide an important health benefit to our partners in the field, and that expertise that I think can help leverage and elevate the conservation work that it happening. And so, what were doing at the Zoo is allowing us to then go out into the field and also help with these important conversation projects. Its really exciting to have the animals here at the zoo, but also to have those skill sets that we can bring back out into the field. Duncan agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres actually a viral disease that is to some extent impacting cat populations in managed care at other zoos and aquariums right now, she said. One of the things were going to do is test the animals in the wild to understand if this is also impacting wild penguins. That work can also help us inform the care of our animals that live here at the Detroit Zoo, so it does go both ways. Dimitrie emphasized that the Zoo is proud to be able to add support to projects like this. We have a really important skill set and a suite of scientific expertise, said Dimitrie. We have Dr. Ann and her team from the vet and the health side of things. We have our bird team going down as well, and we have our penguins here at the Detroit Zoo. But were also really focused on their conservation in the field, as well. That baseline data can really help us begin to untangle these different potential threats that the wildlife are facing down in the Falklands. But, at the same time, I think one of our roles is to always be thinking and looking ahead to the future and to the next potential conservation challenge thats going to be facing these habitats and these animals down there. Having this relationship and this work already established there can really help us be champions and leaders for helping to guide what the future of conservation may look like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more or support the Detroit Zoos conservation efforts, visit detroitzoo.com. To learn more about Falklands Conservation, visit falklandsconservation.com. Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Zoo celebrates World Penguin Day with conservation work A multimillion-dollar ad campaign airing in Mexico and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, designed to discourage undocumented immigration to the U.S., has been met with anger by Mexican government officials and locals. The ads, featuring Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, call for the self-deportation of undocumented immigrants within the U.S. and serve as a warning for those with plans of trying to enter the U.S. illegally. According to The Washington Post, Mexico's government is calling for the ads to be pulled from the airways, and President Claudia Sheinbaum is urging the country's Congress to fast-track a law that would outlaw the airing of such ads on major TV and radio channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new law would also ban other forms of "propaganda" from being distributed in the country by other foreign governments. Speaking to reporters, Sheinbaum said, "Mexico stands for diversity, inclusion, and rights. Our sovereignty must be respected." U.S. taxpayers are funding the ad campaign, which is costing up to $200 million with a flight run of over two years. The ads, which have also appeared in the U.S., have aired in other Central American countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. DHS plans to air these ads across broadcast and digital channels, including Telemundo and Univision, and in multiple languages like Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Russian, and Portuguese. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A London tattoo parlor wants to share your ugliest piece of permanent body art with the world. Tried and True Tattoo Parlor in London announced on Wednesday that those with ugly ink have until April 30 to submit their entries for the worst tattoo. Former inmate set to lead new re-entry program at the Jessamine County Detention Center Its time to get that crappy tattoo fixed, event organizers wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Entries will be gathered and posted on social media, where the public will vote on which piece is the worst. Tried and True Tattoo staff said the winner with the worst tattoo will get it covered or fixed for free. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Brad Mallory, owner of Tried and True Tattoo Parlor, told FOX 56 News that the idea for the contest came about seven years ago, hoping to help the community and give back to those who have supported him. Contest rules In the last worst tattoo contest, there were 30 to 40 total entries. Mallory said this years contest already has nearly 60 submissions, with the deadline still looming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To enter the contest, email triedntruetat2@yahoo.com and include your contact information. The bad tattoo has to be on the body of the person entering. Contest organizers will not add your name to the photo unless you insert it or tag yourself. Dont be embarrassed or ashamed, take action. You may win, contest organizers 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. By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is barely more than one week away. Post positions will be drawn on Saturday, after which we can start finalizing our betting strategies. Journalism is expected to start as a clear favorite in the Kentucky Derby, and I'm confident he'll prevail on the first Saturday in May. But three double-digit longshots have also caught my eye, and I intend to use them in exotic wagers. 1. Citizen Bull If you draw a line through Citizen Bull's disappointing fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), it's hard to knock his credentials. The champion two-year-old male of 2024 posted gate-to-wire wins in the American Pharoah (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) last year, counting Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Gaming and future Sunland Park Derby hero Getaway Car among his beaten rivals. And Citizen Bull started 2025 on a winning note, wiring the Robert B. Lewis (G3) by 3 3/4 lengths over future Wood Memorial (G2) winner Rodriguez. Now granted, the Santa Anita Derby was a big step backward for Citizen Bull. He led with three furlongs remaining, but gave way steadily down the homestretch to finish 9 3/4 lengths behind the winner. But perhaps we can look at Citizen Bull's performance in a different light: The Santa Anita Derby was a tough race. The winner, Journalism, posted a 102 Beyer Speed Figure (the highest number from any of the final-round preps) and is the favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Citizen Bull entered the Santa Anita Derby off a two-month layoff. Trainer Bob Baffert has been saying since last year that Citizen Bull is a heavy horse who benefits from racing, and Citizen Bull may have been short of peak fitness for the Santa Anita Derby. Fitness shouldn't be an issue for the Kentucky Derby. Citizen Bull got back on the work tab just eight days after the Santa Anita Derby and has worked every five days since then, going half a mile in :47 3/5, six furlongs in 1:11 4/5, and seven furlongs in 1:24 1/5. Furthermore, the Daily Racing Form reports Citizen Bull will race without blinkers for the first time in the Kentucky Derby, a change that could help Citizen Bull work out a favorable trip settling behind the expected fast pace at Churchill Downs. There's a good chance Citizen Bull will start around 20-1 odds in the Kentucky Derby, so if you're willing to forgive his Santa Anita Derby misfire, you'll get a good price on a talented horse with many positives in his corner. 2. Final Gambit Some bettors may hesitate to support Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Final Gambit because he's never run on dirt. In my opinion, Final Gambit's lack of dirt experience makes him more intriguing as a longshot because switching surfaces gives him a clearer path to significant improvement than other longshots in the Derby field. I liked Final Gambit's performance in the Jeff Ruby Steaks. The early pace wasn't overly slow22.97, :47.91, and 1:12.84yet Final Gambit blazed his final three furlongs in :36.21 and his final furlong in :11.91 to close from 8 3/4 lengths back and win by 3 1/2 lengths. In the years since Turfway Park switched from Polytrack to Tapeta in time for the 2021 Jeff Ruby, the race has had better luck producing serious Kentucky Derby contenders. In 2022, Rich Strike clocked the final three furlongs of the Jeff Ruby in :36.89 before upsetting the Kentucky Derby at 80-1. In 2023, Two Phil's finished the Jeff Ruby in :36.93 before running a game second in the Kentucky Derby. As a son of Not This Time out of a mare by Tapit, Final Gambit has the pedigree to shine while switching to dirt. Don't leave this improving colt off your tickets. 3. Grande Rodriguez is receiving well-deserved acclaim for his gate-to-wire, 3 1/2-length romp in a fast edition of the Wood Memorial. But runner-up Grande also deserves respect for a strong showing. Coming off maiden and allowance victories running long at Gulfstream Park, Grande performed well with a tricky trip in the Wood Memorial. He was caught very wide around the first turn, but steadily advanced through the middle of the race, drawing within 1 1/2 lengths of the lead with three furlongs remaining. In doing so, he ran his second and third quarter-miles in :23.85 and :23.98. Even after making this big middle move, Grande managed to run his final three furlongs in a sharp :37.24 to finish second, 3 1/2 lengths behind Rodriguez. He lost ground to Rodriguez at the top of the stretch, but gained back half a length through the final furlong. Considering Grande raced wide around the second turn as well, this was an admirable performance. Grande pressed the early pace in both of his victories, but in the Wood Memorial he showed he can be effective as a closer. If he gets a faster pace to work with in the Kentucky Derby, I can envision Grande passing a lot of horses down the homestretch to snatch a top-four finish at 15-1 or even 20-1 odds. Now it's your turn! Which longshots do you like in the 2025 Kentucky Derby? ***** Want to test your handicapping skills against fellow Unlocking Winners readers? Check out the Unlocking Winners contest pagethere's a new challenge every week! (Please note: older contest entries can be found here.) ***** The Unlocking Winners Road to the Kentucky Derby Handicapping Challenge is back! Check out the special contest page to play along. J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, met with Feridun Sinirlioglu, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to discuss prospects for collaboration in the field of transport and logistics, Trend reports via the CJSC. The meeting took place at the Baku International Sea Trade Port and focused on potential avenues for cooperation in advancing regional connectivity. In the course of the discussion, the OSCE delegation was briefed on Azerbaijans transport and logistics capabilities, particularly within the framework of a national initiative promoting green ports and connectivity across the Caspian Sea region. The sides emphasized that joint projects and initiatives could strengthen Azerbaijans role as a regional transport hub and contribute to the broader sustainable development of the region. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) West Virginians are no strangers to the stereotypes that come with living in Appalachia, such as inbreeding and poor hygiene. Some media even depict Appalachians as dangerous, the the horror series Wrong Turn, which takes place in rural West Virginia and features inbred cannibals as antagonists. While all of this might sound silly in the modern day, there were multiple reports of real wild men lurking around the Mountain State back in the 1800-1900s. According to the official website for Braxton County, West Virginia, the Flatwoods area is known for another scary legend in addition to the famous Flatwoods Monster. A newspaper article published on March 8, 1919 reported that the return of the Wild Man and revived some old terrors. The story was told by Luther Douglas, who said he saw a wild-looking fellow, in rags and with long hair and beard that others who have seen him have described. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Douglas then said that he took out his revolver and fired two shots, and the man turned and fled, screaming louder than ever. The article ends by saying that authorities were again agitating the question of taking some means to capture the much-feared lunatic, or whatever he is. Another report of a Wild Man came even earlier in 1871. According to the Southern Highlander, a website dedicated to preserving the culture of southern Appalachia, a man was captured by citizens near Morgantown, West Virginia, who was said to have been covered with rags and had long brushy hair, giving him the appearance of a gorilla more than a human being. This man turned out to be Thomas Foley of Ireland, who had been living in the woods of West Virginia for two years after coming from Connecticut. After someone brought Foley to their house and dressed him, he escaped and ran to the mountains, reportedly tearing off the clothes as he ran. The brothers that lived in a tree in West Virginia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of West Virginias most notable wild men is Orval Elijah Brown, who became known as the Clay County Wild Man during the Great Depression, according to the West Virginia Encyclopedia. He became a local celebrity with a long beard and next to no clothing. Some would travel to take a photo with him for 25 cents. Despite the title, Brown attended school through the eighth grade and was known to love reading. He passed away in 2005. Today, the idea of wild men, more often referred to as feral people, is a common scary story trope which is usually set in the Appalachian Mountains, including West Virginia. Many of these stories can be found online. The fight still continues for West Virginia to rid itself of these stereotypes. In 2019, West Virginia University President Gordon Gee stated, after watching a short film about West Virginias opioid problem, that the true West Virginia stereotype is being resilient, companionate and resourceful. 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. Sean Diddy Combs sex trafficking trial is set to begin in two weeks, and prosecutors have revealed he once had a chance to take another way out. In court on April 25, prosecutors confirmed the Bad Boy founder was offered a plea deal, but he rejected it and chose to move forward to trial to fight for his freedom. According to Rolling Stone, prosecutors asked Judge Arun Subramanian if he could allocute Combs on the plea agreement, essentially meaning, ask him in court and on the record if he understands the plea he was offered and rejected. Subramanian said he would address the plea at a hearing next Thursday, May 1. Although the specific conditions of the plea deal remain unknown, there was never any confirmation about the long-rumored deal until now. Fridays hearing also resulted in Judge Subramanian ruling that the 2016 video of Combs physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel could be shown to the jury. Sean Diddy Combs attends TimesTalks Presents: An Evening with Sean Diddy Combs at The New School on September 20, 2017 in New York City. It was also confirmed this week that the prosecution plans to use the audio from a 2011 phone call to 911 detailing how the 55-year-old artist allegedly broke into one of his victims homes in Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, Combs legal team attempted to delay the trial by two months, but that motion was swiftly denied. His attorneys were requesting more time to prepare as more charges stacked up, but according to CBS, the decision was made immediately in court on April 18. Judge Subramanian said to the Ill Be Missing You rappers lawyers that the motion was filed last minute and they did have sufficient time to prepare. Subramanian also said he did not understand why Combs wasnt prepared when he has four different law firms working on his case. The trial will begin on May 5 as originally scheduled. On Sept. 16, 2024, the Love Album creator was arrested in NYC and charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. Disturbing details from the court documents accused Diddy of using his companies to fund and facilitate Freak Offs, where hed allegedly drug his victims and put them in sexually abusive situations. He is currently being held at the MDC Brooklyn and has been denied bail several times. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sean Diddy Combs in October 2023 - Credit: MEGA/GC Images Follow all our Sean Combs trial coverage Prosecutors finally confirmed that Sean Diddy Combs was offered and rejected a plea deal at a court hearing Friday, April 25, just weeks before the disgraced hip-hop moguls sex trafficking trial is set to begin. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long-rumored deal was mentioned near the end of the hearing, during which a variety of other matters were discussed. Prosecutors asked Judge Arun Subramanian if he could allocute Combs on the plea agreement, essentially meaning, ask him in court and on the record if he understands the plea he was offered and rejected. Subramanian said he would address the plea at a hearing next Thursday, May 1. The terms of the plea deal Diddy rejected are unknown, and its unclear if theyll ever be revealed. A lawyer for Combs did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment. Its standard procedure for prosecutors to offer plea deals in most cases they oversee, even when they believe they have a strong case. Francisco Mundaca, a former state prosecutor in New York and now owner of the Mundaca Law Firm, tells Rolling Stone, This frequently happens in these types of cases. With sex assault cases, prosecutors try to protect the alleged victims as much as possible. Maybe their safety is in question, or you want to protect them from having to relive what happened. Once they testify, all the details are out there. So prosecutors want to balance bringing justice on behalf of victims while also protecting them. Its a fine line they have to walk. Along with the revelation of the rejected plea, Fridays hearing also saw Judge Subramanian rule that the 2016 security footage of Combs beating then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel could be shown to the jury. The infamous footage leaked to CNN last May, and at the time, Combs (who hadnt been arrested and indicted yet) even posted a short apology video, in which he said, I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. Im disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, and Im disgusted now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, however, Combs and his lawyers have fought hard to discredit the video and make it inadmissible as evidence. Just last March, Combs alleged that CNN had altered the security footage and destroyed the original tape. He accused the network of covering the time stamp and then changing the video sequence, and speeding up the video to make it falsely appear that the actions in the video are taking place faster than they are. CNN issued a statement denying Combs claims. Of the ruling on the video, Mundaca says, Its a huge win for the prosecution, and a tough loss for the defense. I cant see how any jury member will be able to view that video and think favorably of Sean Combs. Its going to be hard to watch. Visuals are so powerful at trial, theyre almost irreplaceable. Combs trial is set to begin May 5. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, and has denied all other allegations of misconduct leveled against him. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Gov. Katie Hobbs signs a bill to provide $122 million in emergency funding for the Division of Developmental Disabilities, avoiding an end to services for some 60,000 disabled Arizonans. Photo courtesy Arizona Governor's Office Arizonas developmentally disabled community breathed a collective sigh of relief Thursday, as a bipartisan solution to an impending budget cliff was finally signed into law. The agreement to supply the Division of Developmental Disabilities with $122 million in supplemental funding to get it through the end of the fiscal year passed through the state House of Representatives Wednesday evening and was approved by the Senate on Thursday. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the bill into law Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathleen Muldoons 11-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy and is blind and deaf, relies on DDD services. She said she ran around her house in celebration after the vote on Wednesday. Muldoon is a mother of three and a full-time medical school professor, but still trudged to the Capitol twice a week for the past few months to fight for the developmentally disabled community. I feel relieved, and I also feel unsettled, she told the Arizona Mirror. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The approval of House Bill 2945 came after months of political fighting and accusations between the Republicans who control both chambers of the legislature and Hobbs, who they accused of causing the funding gap through fiscal mismanagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill headed to her desk after bipartisan votes of 48-11 in the House and 28-1 in the Senate, with only Republicans most of them members of the far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus voting against it. Legislators, who are constitutionally responsible for funding the state government, have had since January to negotiate a supplemental funding bill. But they fought for months to come to a solution that would get through both chambers without getting a veto from Hobbs. Muldoon and Michele Thorne, cofounder of the advocacy organization Care 4 the Caregivers, both said they were thankful for support from the community and for the legislators who worked behind the scenes to make sure they didnt face devastating service cuts. But theyre also walking away from the last couple of months of intense advocacy at the Capitol with resentment for the political showmanship that some Republicans displayed throughout the process. Kathleen Muldoon, who relies on Division of Disability services to help care for her son, pushes for funding alongside other members of the developmentally disabled community on Feb. 26 at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix. Photo by Caitlin Sievers | Arizona Mirror I hope that, in the future, if they want to have negotiations with us that they actually do it in good faith and they dont play politics with this community ever again, Thorne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding bill takes effect immediately because it had emergency language and passed with a two-thirds majority in both chambers, allowing it to bypass the normal 90-day delay from signature to implementation. Getting that supermajority on board was crucial, since DDD was expected to run out of money May 1, meaning that the nearly 60,000 Arizonans with conditions like cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental disabilities would lose access to services they depend on. The Parents as Paid Caregivers program, which was responsible for the majority of DDDs budget deficit, trains parents and then pays them to provide in-home care to their own children instead of third-party caregivers but only if they require extraordinary care above and beyond typical parenting tasks. The PPCG program expanded over the last year from about 3,000 participants to around 6,000, even after Republicans in the legislature refused to provide specific funding for it. They accused Hobbs of executive overreach for allowing the program to balloon without the necessary funding to pay for it. In the end, the final version of the funding bill that passed through both chambers included the $122 million that Democrats and advocates had begged for to keep DDD solvent. But it also places tighter restrictions on the PPCG program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the bill allocates $355,000 for a special audit of the program, something that Republicans pushed for to ensure that parents arent abusing it. Muldoon said that some House Republicans treated the parents who use PPCG like they were draining money from society, even though many of those parents had to quit their jobs to provide full-time care for their children. Muldoon was struck by House Republicans decision to walk out of the chamber while DDD parents shared their personal stories last month. Thorne agreed that GOP legislators efforts to block advocates for the disabled community from sharing how proposed cuts to the PPCG program would impact them was distressing. I was shocked by the lengths that, especially the House, went through to silence the caregivers, and to ensure for a very long time that we didnt have a voice in the hearings, Thorne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And she thinks theres a simple explanation for House Republicans repeated refusal to allow the advocates to speak during public hearings where they discussed their gap funding proposals: The optics wouldnt be good for them. They would have looked really bad, Thorne said. Our stories are impactful. The way we live our lives does make an impact and motivates people to act for the right reasons. After voting to pass the gap funding bill, legislators from both parties thanked one another for their efforts to finally come together to reach a solution that didnt leave the DDD community in crisis, but Thorne said she wasnt buying that warm sentiments that some of the legislators expressed for those who rely on PPCG. Particularly disingenuous, Thorne said, were what she called a victory lap from Republican Reps. Matt Gress and David Livingston, who had spent months pushing for cuts to the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thorne and Muldoon both said that Reps. Nancy Gutierrez, a Democrat, and Julie Willoughby, a Republican, are the legislators who deserve praise for working behind the scenes to ensure that a compromise was reached. I think shes a really brave person, Muldoon said of Willoughby, who took a stand against her own party last week when they pushed to cut the PPCG program in half, risking her own political career in the process. Both advocates also reserved praise for all of the members of the developmental disability community and their supporters for their constant presence at the Capitol to push lawmakers to do the right thing. Im so proud of our community, Muldoon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even though they seem to have won this battle, it hasnt been without consequences. Many families lost nurses and outside caregivers as the deadline to fund DDD got closer and closer and those workers sought jobs with a more certain future. We really need to look inward. We need to do better. This entire process was a disaster, Democratic Sen. Analise Ortiz, of Phoenix, said Thursday morning, before voting for the gap funding bill. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks to the media on Friday, March 21, 2025. (Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission issued a firm rebuttal this week to Attorney General Todd Rokitas attempt to dismiss a pending ethics complaint accusing him of misleading the court. In the 44-page brief filed Tuesday, Adrienne Meiring, executive director of the disciplinary commission, called Rokitas motion procedurally improper and meritless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She referenced the Republican attorney generals filing from February, in which he argued that the pending disciplinary case violates his First Amendment rights and Indianas anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to protect political speech from frivolous legal action. Meiring repeatedly rejected Rokitas claims that three new charges filed against the Republican attorney general were politically motivated or an unconstitutional attack on free speech. She urged the states high court to move forward with the case. This matter is not about politics. It is not about (Rokitas) viewpoint on any political, social, or cultural issue, nor is it about any executive decision or action by (Rokita) in his statutory office of Indiana Attorney General, Meiring wrote. Instead, this matter pertains to the integrity of the judicial system and the attorney disciplinary process. Disciplinary commission pushes back At the heart of the dispute is a press release Rokita issued just hours after the Indiana Supreme Court publicly reprimanded him in November 2023 for earlier misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a sworn affidavit, Rokita admitted to violating professional conduct rules in exchange for a public reprimand. Although he agreed not to contest the charges, the commission found that Rokita recanted almost immediately, suggesting in a public press release that he had done nothing wrong. The disciplinary commission held that this retraction of acceptance of responsibility demonstrates that the respondent was not candid with the court when he attested that he admitted he had violated Indiana Professional Conduct Rules. One member of the nine-person commission, Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter, abstained from the proceedings. Story continues below. Commissions Brief in Opposition Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokita did not contradict the earlier disciplinary agreement or the sworn affidavit in his motion to dismiss. Rather, he maintained the disciplinary commissions latest charges against him violated Indiana law, specifically the constitutional separation of powers principles. The attorney general also said he should be permitted to speak freely to his constituents without the constant threat of an unelected commission parsing his every word, ready to pounce with a disciplinary action when they perceive any imagined inconsistency. Given the serious constitutional, statutory and factual problems with its case, Rokita continued, the right thing for the commission to do is withdraw its complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few actions could be deemed more in need of the Courts exercise of its constitutional responsibility than an allegation that a lawyer has lacked candor and been dishonest with the States highest court. Adrienne Meiring, executive director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission The commission disagreed. The Commission has no dispute with Respondents right to issue a press release or to discuss the Conditional Agreement and the resolution of his disciplinary case. The fallacy in Respondents argument is that he misidentifies the speech involved in this disciplinary matter, Meiring wrote. The core issue in this proceeding is whether Respondent was candid with this Court in making sworn statements recited and relied upon in the 2023 Opinion. Simply put, Respondents statements to the Court in the 2023 disciplinary proceeding, under oath, are the problematic speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As to Rokitas free speech claims, Meiring further argued that the First Amendment does not protect attorney speech that lies or misleads, and cited multiple state and federal precedents that permit disciplinary sanctions for dishonest conduct by attorneys. Meiring asserted, too, that Rokita failed to file a required answer to the charges and instead tried to improperly use a motion to bypass a formal hearing. Tensions flare over proposed rules Rokita additionally accused the commission of retaliating against him for proposing reforms to Indianas attorney discipline rules, which he submitted to the state supreme court in November and released to the public in January. The changes sought to limit the disciplinary commissions power and protect attorneys from politically driven complaints. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokita argued that the commission was aware of the proposal well before it was made public. He said the new disciplinary complaint filed against him at the end of January was a direct response. Meiring disputed those groundless claims at length in this weeks brief. She called Rokitas theory baseless, noting that the commission was already bound by a Feb. 4 deadline to conclude its investigation, and, if appropriate, file charges. (Rokita)s decision on when to publish his Rules Proposal had no bearing on the Commissions filing decision, Meiring wrote. Respondents decision to publicly release his Rules Proposal on or about January 7, 2025, when the Proposal had been delivered to the Justices two months earlier, was his own timing choice, she continued. Respondent cannot create suspicion of retaliation simply by publicizing his Rules Proposal closer to the Commissions deadline for filing the instant proceeding. Just as a litigant cannot prompt disqualification of a judge via the litigants own action of filing an unfounded complaint or lawsuit, Respondent should not be able to prompt dismissal based on alleged suspicious timing brought about by his own actions. The underlying case Central to the disciplinary commissions complaint is Rokitas sworn conditional agreement regarding his discipline, and a subsequent press release issued by the attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2022 interview with Fox News commentator Jesse Watters, Rokita called Indianapolis doctor Caitlin Bernard an activist acting as a doctor and said his office would be investigating her conduct. Bernard, an OB-GYN, oversaw a medication abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio in 2022. That November, a split-decision and public reprimand from state Supreme Court justices found that he had violated two of the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers: They said Rokitas comments constituted an extrajudicial statement that he knew or reasonably should have known would be publicly disseminated and would prejudice related legal proceedings. They also said his statements had no substantial purpose other than to embarrass or burden Bernard. Rokita and the commission agreed to the discipline in the conditional agreement. In a sworn affidavit, Rokita admitted to the two violations and acknowledged he couldnt have defended himself successfully on the charges if the matter were tried. The parties disputed over a third charge engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice which the commission agreed to dismiss in exchange for admission to misconduct on the others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokitas punishment included a public reprimand and $250 in court costs. But the same day the reprimand was handed down, Rokita shared a lengthy and unrepentant statement, defending his true remarks in which he attacked the news media, medical field and cancel culture. The disciplinary commission pointed to those remarks as well as earlier drafts of the statement obtained by subpoena, and a recent quote provided to the Indiana Lawyer as evidence of Rokitas lack of candor and dishonesty to the Court after he agreed to accept responsibility for misconduct. A decision on the dismissal motion and the disciplinary commissions new complaint is up to the Indiana Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the charges arent dismissed or if the disciplinary commission and Rokita cant reach a settlement agreement the states high court justices will appoint a hearing officer to hold a public hearing on the case and hear evidence. It would be up to the hearing officer to then issue findings and recommendations to the court, which has final say over the outcome of the case. Sanctions depend on the seriousness of the case. Possible sanctions include: a private or public reprimand; suspension from practice for a set period of time; suspension from practice with reinstatement only after the lawyer proves fitness; and permanent disbarment. The vast majority of grievances filed with the commission are dismissed, however. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez was less than pleased by the latest county budget proposal, saying that although appearing to support public safety on paper, it is using creative accounting to hide the reality. In a Thursday press conference, Vasquez said he was disgusted and blindsided by the latest proposal, saying it makes cuts to key public safety components, including 10 DAs Office staff members. City councilor threatens Portland State University funds over crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under this budget, this office will be laying off people, he said. We will be unable to serve victims of domestic violence, well be unable to properly serve children in our Juvenile Services Unit. With this proposal, the DAs Office could also see the loss of the Auto Theft Task Force, a prosecutor in the Domestic Violence Unit, a prosecutor in their Treatment Court Unit and potentially the Organized Retail Theft Unit. The task forces in particular, Vasquez noted, were some of their most successful positions, producing a dramatic turnaround in the community. Given these factors, Vasquez said it was shocking that Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson allocated $23 million into the Homeless Services division, doubling down on failed issues, instead of funding the DAs Office or the Dept. of Community Justice. City of Portland targeted in $6.7 million fraud scheme Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He further argued that those funds could come from funding from the Supportive Housing Services measure which he claims holds around $200 million instead of taking from his office, which holds one of the smallest budgets in the county. We have the funds and the resources in this community, said Vasquez. Its about the decisions we make and the priorities. On the one hand, were hearing that the Chair says its a priority to serve families and some of our most vulnerable communities. But across the board in this budget, were seeing cuts in our juvenile services and domestic violence areas and so this budget doesnt match the Countys values. Vasquez added that when he previously met with the Chair prior to the unveiling of the budget, he put together a $4.5 million package, none of which was approved. All Im asking for is balance, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest Multiple organizations including TriMet, Historic Parkrose, the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center and the Oregon Department of Justice sent in letters to Vega Pederson supporting the DAs Office and encouraging reform of the budget proposal. In the meantime. Vasquez says he will be working diligently every day with each of the commissioners to get the votes necessary to amend it. If approved, the budget will go into effect at the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2025. In a statement, Vega Pedersons responded to Vasquezs comments on the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elected leadership and the hard decisions that come with it are not new to me. We have a serious budget deficit that requires tough choices the DAs budget is no exception. The DAs budget has seen a 57% increase since 2019. The numbers in my budget speak for themselves public safety is prioritized with no cuts to the Sheriffs Office, jails, and some of the smallest reductions in the County to the DA and Department of Community Justice. To imply otherwise is disingenuous. No one jumps the line and gets special treatment because they go on TV and talk loudly. Vasquezs full press conference can be viewed above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A disagreement over a womans car ended in serious charges for a 74-year-old man and his family member, according to Memphis Police. Carl Shelton, 74, and Marcus Shelton, Jr., 36, have both been charged with aggravated robbery. According to Memphis Police, officers responded to a report of a carjacking at an apartment on Idlewild Street near Union Avenue on April 17. Marcus Shelton (mugshot courtesy of the Shelby County Sheriffs Office) The victim reportedly told officers that he believed that he had been set up. Police say that a friend had told the victim to come to the apartment to get some belongings from another friends unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a police report, the victim says he was then ambushed by two men. One of them reportedly pointed a silver and blue gun at the victim and demanded his keys and wallet. The suspect allegedly told the victim to give me my sisters car back. Baby shoe sale leads to robbery with shots fired: MPD The victim reportedly told police that the other suspect got into the car, a 2013 Chevy Spark, and tried to leave the parking lot. Memphis Police say the victim tried to stop the suspect by stepping in front of the car, but was struck and fell to the ground. The suspects then fled the scene in the Chevy Spark and a brown four-door sedan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the victim had lacerations and scrapes on his hands and shoulders but did not want to be taken to the hospital. According to police, the victim told officers that the Chevy Spark belonged to his girlfriend, who had permitted him to drive it. Memphis grapples with rising youth crime, teen victims Police say that officers spoke to the friend who asked the victim to come to the apartment. She reportedly told officers that she was unaware of the incident. According to police, she also told officers that the victims girlfriend had said that she and the victim had been in a dispute over returning the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A couple of hours after the incident, officers reportedly spotted the Chevy Spark at the Winbranch Apartments. Officers found Carl Shelton inside the car and took him into custody. Memphis Police say officers learned that a tan Toyota Prius was possibly involved in the initial carjacking. Officers spotted that vehicle and took the driver, Marcus Shelton, Jr., into custody. Memphis Police say that while officers were on the scene, a woman told them that the Prius belonged to her. She also reportedly told officers that she owned a blue and silver gun that matched the description of the gun used in the robbery. Carl and Marcus Shelton both had bonds of $50,000. Carl Shelton is still being held at the Shelby County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Ingrida Domarkiene, pictured above, and her team at Vilnius University in Lithuania conduct research on ancient DNA. . | Credit: Photo by Indre Mazeikiene, Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine Ingrida Domarkiene studies ancient DNA, weaving together fragments of genetic material from modern humans and our long-extinct human relatives to retell their stories. From a background in molecular biology and medical genetics, Domarkiene now spearheads Lithuania's first ancient DNA lab, headquartered at the Medical Science Centre at Vilnius University. Along with international collaborators, the lab is studying the remains of people in medieval mass graves in Poland to learn about social practices that were prevalent in the region at the time, as well as the migrations of Iron Age individuals in Lithuania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're also revealing insights into the aftermath of the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant . Looking at the DNA of Lithuanian workers involved in the cleanup after the disaster, the researchers identified genes that help protect against the effects of radiation . Live Science spoke with Domarkiene, who is also an associate professor at Vilnius, asking about her research, the unique challenges associated with studying ancient DNA, and how delving into our genetic history can lead to medical advances today. Related: Modern Japanese people arose from 3 ancestral groups, 1 of them unknown, DNA study suggests Emily Cooke: What is it about ancient DNA that you find interesting? Ingrida Domarkiene: It's fascinating, how you can reassemble stories from DNA pieces, you know: You just sequence DNA; it's kind of the technological thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And for me, coming from molecular biology, it's so fascinating that you read the biochemical fragment, organic molecule, and then you compare it with other samples, and you get a picture of how people moved, where they came from, where they went, how they lived. You can get "admixture signals" that means that people [from different populations] mixed, and you can get an idea of who met whom and how they went on and on, and you can retell [their] stories. EC: What are the unique challenges associated with studying ancient DNA? ID: The most critical challenge is that you have to embrace uncertainty and failure here. Why is that? Because you are never quite sure if you will get the quality and quantity of DNA to work on further. That's because, when an organism dies, DNA starts to decay, and there's nothing there to repair the DNA as it is in living cells. So it starts to fragment, and changes in composition. What's more, it blends with all other environmental DNA , which, when extracted, appears as contamination. So, in this case, I like an analogy of a confetti or what is left of it after a huge celebration. EC: Can you talk a bit about your research on Chernobyl survivors? ID: Chernobyl survivors cleanup workers or liquidators, they're also called. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was our project with colleagues at the Department of Human and Medical Genetics, and in the group, we had the idea to analyze the genomes of Chernobyl liquidators, and we invited them to participate in the study. And when they started coming, we heard their stories, and we understood that you know, those people went through a lot, but still, there were so many of them who were aging quite healthy, without cancers. You could expect the worst outcomes after what they've been through, but they were quite OK. Studying ancient DNA comes with a whole host of challenges, Domarkiene says. | Credit: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images And then we got this hypothesis: that maybe there is something in the genomes of those survivors that protects them from all that bad that happened, let's say also, psychological stress, which was immense back then, when they were taken from where they were at the moment and brought to Chernobyl without saying a word. They were telling stories of how they were woken up, and they were just there on a train going to God knows where. And then that was a hard time, of course, there, and they had not only to work hard through liquidation work, but also trying to keep sane in that kind of place. So, we started analyzing their genomes, and we found some potential signals of protective variation. And then we also have this new [as of yet unpublished] paper written by our student, which is on mitochondrial DNA . So, those Chernobyl liquidators might have protective variants also in the mitochondrial genome and nuclear genome [DNA in the nucleus] that supports mitochondrial function. So perhaps that's the idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Chernobyl's liquidators didn't pass on radiation damage to their children EC: How can studying our genetic history help us address medical challenges today? ID: Studying the past through ancient DNA is fundamental research and takes time to realize what the findings are and how they can be implemented in practice. Perhaps the most important ingredient would be a strong interdisciplinary team that you can trust, and you can't do anything alone, really. I find Svante Paabo 's work as a benchmarking example: How can you talk about ancient DNA without mentioning Svante's name? He and his team developed the whole field of paleogenomics and generated the reference genome of Neanderthals . They started to give us explanations of what the differences between human and Neanderthal sequences are and what they mean in a functional way. For example, one of Svante Paabo's group scientists, Dr. Hugo Zeberg , with colleagues, found that the Neanderthal variant in the progesterone receptor is associated with preterm birth, but also protective against miscarriage , and results in more live births. That knowledge can be translated into real help for women to save their pregnancies. DNA from our extinct, distant cousins, the Neanderthals can reveal new insights about our health today. | Credit: DEA PICTURE LIBRARY / Contributor via Getty Images Or, another love story: metagenomics [the study of genetic material from all organisms in an environment], which is [an] even more challenging field. But it can help with infectious diseases, as we just witnessed one of the pandemics and with the changing climate, there might be even more . So while reconstructing genomes of pathogens and building phylogenetic trees [diagrams of evolutionary relationships between species], we can understand the ways pathogens evolve and spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With those analyses, we can even start new narratives. For example, a long time ago, it was thought that the Spaniards introduced tuberculosis to the New World. But professor Johannes Krause 's team [at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology] showed that the bacteria was there before Columbus was, and apparently it was brought and transferred to humans by seals , which were a nutritious food for the people living there in Peru. So you can see that, with this field, we can give science and medicine even more. EC: What do you think the future of ancient DNA research will look like? ID: From my point of view, I think that with the fast-evolving technologies, we will be able to go deeper in the sequences, wider in the datasets, and more divergent markers that we analyze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because now, we usually analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs [pronounced "snips," which are variations in single building blocks of DNA], as we call them. But my dream would be to reconstruct copy number variation, which are the huge chunks of [repeated] DNA, and it's not possible to do that now, but there are initiatives to do that. We can also go for analysis of epigenomic markers [changes to DNA across the genome that alter the activity of genes without affecting the underlying sequence], which are very good markers for analysis of how the genome is regulated to understand how it was back then. Those epigenomic markers also would be of great value. RELATED STORIES Papua New Guineans, genetically isolated for 50,000 years, carry Denisovan genes that help their immune system, study suggests Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India's evolutionary past tied to huge migration 50,000 years ago and to now-extinct human relatives Unknown human lineage lived in 'Green Sahara' 7,000 years ago, ancient DNA reveals And besides analysis of sociocultural structures of ancient sites, I would say research will definitely be directed towards understanding the functional meaning of the DNA variation that we analyze. And in the grand finale, we would be integrating the whole data of the holobiome . That means all genomic information from the environment not only humans, but also bacteria, viruses, plants, animals, everything who lives there. And integrating this data not only from the different disciplines, but also with different methods we have. Because the data comes using different methods, and that would be nice to integrate everything. And maybe then we will have the complete picture. Editor's note: This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned doctors who perform gender-affirming procedures on children and teenagers would be subject to Justice Department investigations. In a memo signed earlier this week, Bondi directed U.S. attorneys to use existing laws on female genital mutilation to investigate providers of transgender health care for minors. The Department of Justice will not sit idly by while doctors, motivated by ideology, profits, or both, exploit and mutilate our children, Bondi wrote Tuesday. Under my watch, the Department will act decisively to protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nations top prosecutor said that any person or institution that provides gender-affirming surgery for young Americans would face the full force of the law. Bondi did not explicitly state what type of procedure would be considered female genital mutilation, per her interpretation of the law. I am putting medical practitioners, hospitals, and clinics on notice: In the United States, it is a felony to perform, attempt to perform, or conspire to perform female genital mutilation (FGM) on any person under the age of 18, she continued. That crime carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years per count. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is seeking to further limit access of transgender health care to minors (REUTERS) Bondi directed DOJ officials to investigate pharmaceutical companies that allegedly make false claims about the on-or-off-label use of puberty blockers, sex hormones, or other drugs used to facilitate a minors gender transition. She also urged officials to hold drug manufacturers accountable for allegedly misleading the public about the long-term side effects of chemical and surgical mutilations for young people, which may include hormone replacement treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney general blamed gender ideology for children undergoing the procedures, claiming that young people are being taught to process stress and confusion as a case of mistaken identity. Bondis memo cites research conducted by Stop the Harm Database, an advocacy group that opposes gender-affirming care for minors. About 14,000 children received treatment for gender dysphoriathe distress one feels due to the mismatch between their gender they were assigned at birth and their gender identityand 5,700 had surgery between 2019 and 2023, per the groups findings. Protestors outside of Seattle Children's Hospital after it postponed some gender-affirming surgeries for minors following Trumps order (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) However, some trans advocates have pointed to a misinterpretation of the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2011, for example, more than 14,000 breast reduction procedures were performed in the U.S. on adolescent boys to correct gynecomastia, a benign condition that causes enlarged breast tissue, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The directive follows President Donald Trumps executive order in January that aims to restrict access to gender-affirming care for Americans under the age of 19. The order, which has temporarily been blocked, threatened that the government would prohibit federal funding and grants from medical institutions that perform such practices. Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urged states not to use Medicaid funds for gender reassignment surgeries and hormone treatments for minors. As a doctor and now CMS Administrator, my top priority is protecting children and upholding the law, Mehmet Oz, the agencys administrator, said in a statement. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The United States will look to strengthen its relationship with Azerbaijan around hydrocarbons, Erik Jacobs, a Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Energy Resources, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. He pointed out that the United States recognizes the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor to Azerbaijan and the region. "The United States takes great pride in its role in both the Southern Gas Corridor and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. We are working hard with our European partners and allies to ensure Europe has access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy supplies. Gas is essential to meeting rising global energy demand and will remain a fuel of choice for decades to come. The United States looks forward to working together with our allies and partners to help unleash energy abundance to ensure every nations right to build and prosper using its own resources and we are open to partnering to identify and accelerate opportunities to advance energy security and economic growth for the United States, U.S. business, and energy industries," noted Jacobs. He went on to add that Azerbaijan, like the United States, is blessed with abundant natural energy resources. "The United States will look to strengthen our relationship with Azerbaijan around hydrocarbons as our broader relationship expands. The United States looks forward to working together with Azerbaijan to help unleash energy abundance to ensure every nations right to build and prosper using its own resources. Leveraging energy abundance to bring economic opportunity, better health, and education; and to improve the lives of your citizens; is the duty of any good government," Jacobs concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn 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? DODGE CITY, Kan. (KSNW) A new housing development in southwest Kansas is bringing more affordable housing to the area. The workforce is growing in Dodge City, and local leaders hope this new development will significantly reduce the need to house those workers. The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) says rural Kansas needs more homes. To keep up with demand, 3,800 to 4,800 new housing units are needed each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Areas like southwest Kansas, like Dodge City, on an annual basis, weve also seen some national figures that show that Kansas is more than 50,000 homes short, Emily Sharp, communications director of KHRC, said. Kansas towns get $1.5M for downtown revitalization projects Sharp says that Dodge Citys new housing development, United Village, is one way to address this issue. United Village will have more than 200 housing units. The KHRC, the states housing finance agency, is one of the partners. This is an excellent example of the state providing resources to incentivize housing development and to actually develop the housing, partnering with local community leaders who know their housing needs best, she said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project has 227 units, including single-family homes and town homes. It helps the housing shortage, but a recent housing needs assessment found the need is still great. The last update was just finished at the beginning of 2025, and it predicts over the next ten years a housing need of over 1,400 housing units in all income ranges, Mollea Lightner, the assistant director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, said. She also says this comes as more people are moving to the area for economic opportunities. To see the excitement that theyre able to purchase a home thats affordable and also very good quality, brand new home for their families, its really heartwarming, its something our community really needs, Lightner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both noted that housing development is also about economic development. More businesses can relocate to Kansas when theres enough room to house potential. 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. One of the most influential social science papers of the 21st century argued that when countries legalize prostitution between consenting adults, it causes more people to be coerced into sex work. The study, published in 2013 in the journal World Development, has been used to stop legalization initiatives around the world and to justify harsh new laws that turn customers of voluntary sex work into criminals, often in the name of stopping human trafficking. Unfortunately, the authors of the study used a flawed economic model and abysmal data to reach their conclusion. When crucial information was missing, they guessed and filled it in. Then, when the analysis didn't yield what seemed to be the authors' desired finding, they threw out the data. There is no evidence that legalizing prostitution increases human trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite its obvious flaws, the paper has been widely influential, cited not only in the press but by advocates and lawmakers writing policy. The Canadian government referenced the paper when crafting a 2014 law criminalizing the purchase of sexual services, and it influenced a similar law passed in France. An open letter signed by 800 feminist activists pointed to the study as evidence that legalization had failed to reduce "the harms that surround prostitution." The Nevada Independent cited the paper as one of "[n]umerous studiesshow[ing] that prostitution and sex trafficking are inextricably linked." It has also been referenced in policy debates all over the United States, as various localities have debated decriminalizing sex work. So, how do you demonstrate that allowing consenting adults to exchange money for sex causes more people to be driven into sexual slavery? They classified countries based on 4,950 accounts of human trafficking from 1996 to 2003, tabulated in a dataset put together by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UNODC report was compiled from official government reports, news and opinion articles, and materials produced by activist groups. These sources aren't consistently trustworthy, and yet the study authors weighted them equally and didn't bother taking into account the number of reported victims in each incident. Almost half the accounts were missing crucial data, and the U.N. only included English-language sources. Another problem with the data is that it included human trafficking unrelated to sex, like people forced to clean houses and prepare food. The dataset is also limited by only counting people trafficked across international borders, ignoring domestic exploitation. The authors conceded that given all of these problems, their data "needs to be interpreted cautiously." But they plowed ahead anyway, asserting that their index was still "meaningful." After tabulating the human trafficking incidents by destination country, the authors looked at whether or not sex work was legal in each place. A problem is that most countries allow some types of sex work but not others, and the laws often vary in different parts of the same country. Some places changed laws significantly during the study period. Enforcement also varies widely, from non-existent to very strict. The binary classification into legal or illegal that the authors used misses more information than it reveals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And yet, the dataset they compiled showed no statistically significant link between legalized sex work and traffickinguntil the authors eliminated 34 countries from their analysis. What was their rationale for deleting data? The authors claimed that some of the countries were so poor that their citizens wouldn't have enough money to pay for sex work. That is unlikely to be true, and in any case, wasn't a good reason to exclude data, since the study already controlled for per-capita income. If the authors really believed this, they shouldn't have omitted the fact that they suppressed 23 percent of their data. The abstract should have read, "Legalization increases trafficking in rich countries," and claimed that only 116 countries were included in the analysis, not 150. After boiling the list down to 116 countries, they reran the analysis, but there was another problem. The authors had made so many adjustments and "imputed"that's a fancy word for guessingso much of the missing data that the results were statistically unreliable. But they ran with them anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It turned out that the study's strongest finding was that human trafficking destinations happen to be countries with democratic governments, not where sex work is legal. Why didn't they make that the banner claim of their study? Can you imagine any journalists or policymakers citing such a finding to argue that we need more dictatorships? So the authors ran with the sixth strongest effect they found, suggesting, falsely, that legalizing prostitution caused more human trafficking. That's the finding that would sell. But logically, we expect legalizing sex work to reduce human trafficking. Criminalization discourages voluntary but not coerced sex work, causing trafficking to increase to fill the vacuum left by departing voluntary workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When sex work is a crime, formerly legal providers face the trauma and stigma of jail, along with the cost of fines and bribes. They also lose the ability to complain to authorities about rape, robbery, and other abuse in connection with their work. The situation is entirely different for traffickers. They were violating the law all along, so they face no additional costs, and the trauma is borne by their enslaved workers. Therefore, we expect criminalization to mean more coerced and less voluntary sex work. There's no good reason for the government to interfere with competent adults choosing to exchange money for sexual services. But even people who think the government exists to force their moral choices on unwilling others should not support the criminalization of sex work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the goal is to reduce trafficking, put more resources into enforcing anti-coercion laws. If the goal is to discourage paid sex work, decriminalization, which means removing criminal penalties but allowing fines, sin taxes, and other penalties, accomplishes the goal with far less undeserved suffering and official corruption. It also allows sex workers to access police protection against rape, robbery, and assault in connection with their work. Sex work criminalization leads to trafficking for the same reason alcohol prohibition in the U.S. created bootleggers. They had the same policy goal as temperance activists, who opposed drinking on moral grounds. That's the origin of the term in economics, "bootleggers and Baptists." Criminalization brings together people who dislike an activity and criminal providers who want to discourage competition. It's unfortunate that such a poorly executed study with a conclusion that defies economic common sense received so much attention from advocates and policymakers. Its perverse finding has likely only led to an increase in human trafficking while making willing, adult sex workers and their customers considerably worse off. Photo Credits: Thomas Padilla/MAXPPP; Olivier Donnars/ZUMA Press/Newscom; Midjourney The post Does Legalizing Sex Work Increase Human Trafficking? appeared first on Reason.com. Whenever Sen. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) raised the hackles of left-wing activists for opposing some trillion-dollar progressive priority during the Biden administration, liberal writer Matt Yglesias would defend the senator on the grounds that he was performing above replacement value. Instead of comparing Manchin to other progressive senators, Yglesias argued lefties should compare him to his most likely replacement, which would almost certainly be a very conservative West Virginia Republican. All things considered, he was the best West Virginia senator progressives could reasonably hope for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a similarly sunny assessment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The looming close of the Trump administration's first 100 days in office, and Elon Musk's announcement that he is stepping away from DOGE, have provoked a lot of critical retrospectives. The $1 trillion that Musk claimed DOGE would save has been downgraded to $150 billion, and even this figure might not stand up to closer scrutiny. The many grants and employees terminated by DOGE have been reinstated, at least temporarily, by the courts. Federal government experts argue that few of its cuts have actually made the government operate more smoothly. As one Reuters headline pointedly declared, "100 days of DOGE: lots of chaos, not so much efficiency." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Libertarians may well feel that the whole DOGE effort has been a massive letdown. Compared to an ideal effort to shrink the size and scope of the federal government, DOGE has indeed disappointed. However, when one considers the most realistic alternatives to DOGE, its record actually looks pretty good. The most obvious point of comparison to DOGE is the Kamala Harris administration that didn't happen. Harris would most certainly not have launched anything approximating DOGE. If she governed remotely similarly to her predecessor, we could have expected another four years of rapidly expanding government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Biden administration, federal spending rose by $4.7 trillion, and $2.5 trillion was added to the deficit, according to an analysis from the Economic Policy Innovation Center. Meanwhile, regulations finalized under former President Joe Biden added an estimated $1.8 trillion in regulatory costs. The new spending was obviously done with the consent of Congress. Much of the additional regulatory burden was a result of the Biden White House's "whole of government" initiatives whereby agencies were told to go around finding rules that could be tightened in the name of equity, environmental justice, and more. So, it's true that DOGE didn't come anywhere close to meeting its $1 trillion savings goal. But the cuts it has made already put it in the black compared to what a Harris administration would have done. DOGE can also be ranked as a success when compared to what the Trump administration could have done instead on the small government front, which is to say nothing at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump is not a libertarian. He's not even a remotely small government guy, as his recent actions on trade and immigration demonstrate. He's staffed his administration with fewer traditional free marketers than past Republican presidents. Nevertheless, the president was willing to give Musk a remarkable amount of string to fire federal workers, terminate federal grants, and downsize whole agencies. Milton Friedman, when asked about the free market reforms undertaken by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, liked to say that the real miracle in Chile wasn't that those reforms worked but that a military dictatorship was willing to try them in the first place. Something similar could be said for DOGE. Its success isn't that it's been super effective at shrinking the government, but rather that Trump let it happen at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that DOGE did happen raised the hopes of small government reformers that we might see a lot of executive energy devoted to a steady, methodical, and congressionally supported effort to shrink the state. But that was never in the cards. Steady and methodical is just not how the Trump administration approaches anything. Witness the utter chaos that's erupted over the administration's tariff policy. Tariffs are one of the few things that Trump himself clearly believes in. His administration is full of similarly committed protectionists. And yet, even on this issue, the administration can't decide how exactly it wants to impose punishing trade barriers, or if it even wants to impose punishing trade barriers at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One couldn't reasonably expect Trump to approach a cause he's clearly not committed to with more care. For all the chaos that DOGE has unleashed, it's hewed pretty closely to the initial vision that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy laid out for it in their joint Wall Street Journal op-ed published shortly after the 2024 election. The two promised to use executive orders to shrink the federal work force and rescind agency regulations that should have properly been passed by Congress. That's more or less what's happened. The DOGE teams within federal agencies have fired staff en masse. The White House has also issued a steady stream of executive orders instructing agencies to identify and repeal federal regulations not supported by an underlying statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One could argue that all this could have happened without DOGE's characteristic chaos bordering on bungling incompetence. But even bungling incompetence has an upside. Making the federal government a less secure place to work and a less reliable funding partner means fewer people will want to work for it, and fewer organizations will rely on it for funding. Encouraging the best and brightest federal workers to leave government employment might not make the government operate more efficiently. But it will make the economy operate more efficiently by shifting talented people from unproductive bureaucratic work to a profit-seeking private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE was not the libertarian moment. One could dream about what a Rand Paul administration could have accomplished with the aid of a Congress stuffed with Justin Amashes and Thomas Massies. But the country didn't elect Rand Paul as president. It elected Donald Trump. The relevant benchmark for DOGE's performance isn't how much a highly competent effort to shrink government could have accomplished. Rather, it's what the most likely alternatives to the DOGE would have accomplished. Every plausible alternative would have resulted in more government than what we got with DOGE. On that metric, it's been a smashing success. The post DOGE Has Been a Smashing Success appeared first on Reason.com. GREENVILLE, N.C (WNCT) Live music will be back in downtown Greenville Friday as Sup Dogs annual Doggie Jams event comes to Five Points Plaza. The 12th-annual concert will feature Grammy Award winning artist 2 Chainz along with DJ group Cheat Codes. The event raises money to help the downtown Greenville partnership. Event organizer and Sup Dogs owner, Bret Oliverio, said the event is one of the biggest revenue boosters of the year for the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been planning this for a long time with the city of Greenville, he said. Obviously, our business just reaching out to artists and were lucky enough to have Cheat Codes, which is a pretty famous DJ group and then 2 Chainz who, you know, won a Grammy not too long ago. So, were excited to bring a ton of energy here in downtown Greenville. Click the video above for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. CASA of Southwest Missouri is facing a major funding loss after the Department of Justice cut federal grants. The nonprofit, which supports kids in foster care, will lose $95,000 a year putting 95 local children at risk of losing their advocates. With 200 more already on a waitlist, CASA says community support is now critical. As new funding challenges emerge, CASA of Southwest Missouri is highlighting the powerful impact its volunteers have on children navigating the foster care system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) spend, on average, four months less in foster care compared to those without one a critical difference in a childs life. Even more striking: fewer than 1% of CASA-supported children re-enter the system, a dramatic contrast to Missouris 17% statewide average. The program also offers significant savings to taxpayers. By helping children exit foster care sooner and more successfully, CASA is estimated to save more than $20,000 per child per 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. President Donald Trumps brash approach to silence dissenters and push his agenda is laid bare in a profile of his first 100 days in office, where he told a rebel House Republican not to be a ball buster. It was just one example of the presidents brazen style to implement his agenda and it included putting Texas House Rep. Chip Roy in his place as Republicans wrangled over the spending bill earlier this month, according to TIME. Members of the Freedom Caucus a group of hardline conservatives in the House were ready to vote against a Senate budget resolution earlier this month but at a meeting with Trump, the president made it clear he was having none of it, TIME reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what I want, Trump said after he entered the Cabinet room flanked by aides and Speaker Mike Johnson, before he lectured the caucus for 45 minutes, according to the outlet. Mr. President, I hear you, Roy reportedly said. But at the end of the day, I dont trust this process. The Senate has screwed us over before. Trump replied: Dont be a ball buster, OK? Roy backed down and supported the measure after he said he had received assurances from the president. President Donald Trumps brash approach has been laid bare in a profile about the presidents first 100 days in office. Trump made it clear what he wanted in a meeting with members of the House Freedom Caucus earlier this month, and quietened his dissenters. (AP) People close to the president also revealed to the outlet how winning a $15 million defamation settlement against ABC in December was the catalyst that triggered a broader strategy of Trumps to keep corporate enemies in line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump believed that if ABC would cave, so too would other companies worried about getting on his bad side, TIME reports. After the win against ABC, Trump was inspired. He instructed Stephen Miller, his top policy adviser, incoming White House counsel David Warrington and staff secretary Will Scharf to start working on Executive Orders. That was the first break in the dam, a source close to Trump told the outlet. The source said the message was clear: Look, either we come after you, we shut you down, or youre going to help me out. A profile on Trumps first 100 days in office lays bare his brash approach to how he implements his agenda. President Trump is the most powerful force in politics in the modern era, Speaker Mike Johnson said. (AP) Over the last three months, the Trump administration has moved at a rapid pace, going after universities, law firms, journalists and other organizations the president perceives as enemies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps former White House chief strategist during his first term, Steve Bannon, said the president is on a jihad to reform them first by bringing them to heel. The Department of Government Efficiency has become the sharpest weapon for enacting Trumps agenda, the outlet reports. When Louis DeJoy, the former head of the U.S. Postal Service, refused to give Elon Musk's DOGE broad access to agency computer systems, Trump wanted him gone, according to TIME. Sergio Gor, Trumps director of personnel, suggested to DeJoy that Trump and Musk could make life uncomfortable for him, sources told the outlet. DeJoy resigned from his position in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents tactics to implement his agenda have resulted in much of the Republican party toeing the MAGA line. And polling shows a growing number of Republicans nos identify with the movement. They understand that President Trump is the most powerful force in politics in the modern era, Speaker Johnson told TIME. Everybody wants to be on this trainand not in front of it. WASHINGTON (AP) The day before he died, in his final public address, Pope Francis expressed an Easter Sunday message of unity and an appeal for the marginalized and migrants. All of us, he proclaimed, "are children of God! In a dramatically different message Sunday, President Donald Trump issued an insult-laced post wishing a happy Easter to his opponents, including Radical Left Lunatics, WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Judges and Law Enforcement Officials, and former President Joe Biden, our WORST and most Incompetent President." Some of the fundamental differences between the U.S. president and the late pope not only their divergent styles but their positions on migration, the environment and poverty will come into sharper focus with Trump in Rome to attend Francis funeral, to be held Saturday morning in St. Peters Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, as he prepared to leave Washington on Friday, said Francis loved the world, actually, and he was just a good man. I thought he was a fantastic kind of a guy, Trump said. David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University in New York, put it this way: Obviously, it's been a fraught relationship. The relationship eroded Things weren't great between Trump and the pope during Trump's first term, from 2017 to 2021. But, says Gibson, Trump II was even worse with the Vatican because of how much more aggressive it has been on every level, against migrants, against international aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Argentine pontiff and the American president sparred early on over immigration. In 2016, Francis, alluding to then-candidate Trump, called anyone who builds a wall to keep out migrants not Christian. Trump called the comment disgraceful. Despite the billionaire former reality stars divergences over the years with Francis, who was known for a humble style, Trumps support has gradually risen among American Catholics. He courted them in his last presidential campaign, and many influential bishops are among his supporters. Trump, who has identified himself as a non-denominational Christian," has long counted Christians, especially evangelical Christians, among his key blocs of support. His policies on abortion, including his role in appointing three of the five U.S. Supreme Court justices who overturned national abortion rights, deepened his support among Christians, including many conservative Catholics. His politics are also closely aligned with many conservative U.S. Catholic bishops, who were often at odds with Francis more progressive approach to leading the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican president implored Catholics last year to vote for him. In October, when he addressed the Al Smith charity dinner in New York, which raises millions of dollars for Catholic charities, Trump said: You gotta get out and vote. And Catholics, you gotta vote for me. Many Catholics did. In the 2024 election, Trump won the Catholic vote, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. In 2020, the Catholic vote was evenly split between Joe Biden, but in 2024, 54% of Catholic voters supported Trump and 44% supported Kamala Harris. For Trump, Catholics' support didn't earn Francis' But while Trump may have won the Catholic vote, he never won over Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic who met briefly with Francis the day before he died, dismissed the pontiffs disagreements with the administration, telling reporters this week that the pope was a much broader figure than American politics a man who led a church with 1.4 billion members worldwide. Im aware that he had some disagreements with some of the policies of our administration, Vance said. He also had a lot of agreements with some of the policies of our administration. Im not going to soil the mans legacy by talking about politics. Trump, too, met with Francis, in a largely cordial meeting at the Vatican in 2017. But their differences persisted. In February of this year, Francis sent a letter to U.S. bishops that was similar in tone to his comments on immigration almost a decade earlier. He denounced the Trump administrations embarking on plans for mass deportations and noted that in the Bible, the infant Jesus and his family were themselves refugees in Egypt, fleeing a threat to their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some leading bishops did applaud some of the new Trump administration initiatives on school choice and policies defining gender as determined at birth. Francis, while upholding church teachings on sexuality, took a more tolerant stance toward LGBTQ+ people. Other prominent bishops, appointed by Francis, are more sympathetic with his priorities. They include the new archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Robert McElroy. Catholics are a diverse group and act accordingly But the Catholic vote is not monolithic. John Fea, a professor of history at Messiah University in Pennsylvania, said many conservative Catholics, even if they respect the office of the pope, dont like his progressive views" on immigrants and his authorizing of blessings for same-sex couples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The views of many conservative American Catholics line-up with Trumps brand of populism: strong borders, pro-life on abortion, concern about critical race theory in schools, etc., Fea, author of Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump, said via email. In contrast, he speculated that many progressive Catholics who do share Pope Francis social justice concerns probably did not vote for Trump. In addition to migration, Francis also differed with Trump on the environment, writing an encyclical calling for climate action, in contrast to the presidents push to bring back fossil fuels. Francis also staunchly opposed the death penalty, something Trump supports. Stylistically, Trump's big personality also contrasted with Francis more self-deprecating and welcoming tone, immortalized by his Who am I to judge? response to a question about gay priests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Francis did share some policy goals on issues such as abortion and religious freedom, and U.S.-Vatican relations involve more than two people, said Steven Millies, director of the Bernadin Center at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. But the alignments were at the diplomatic level more than at the personal or political level, of course, said Millies, a professor of public theology. They were profoundly different people one whod been formed by Jesuit spirituality and lived his life in deepening faith that he shared with the world, the other who mangles Scripture quotations, sells Bibles for personal profit, and uses Christian faith like a brand identity in a market competition. ___ Smith, a religion writer for The Associated Press, reported from Pittsburgh. Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed to this report. Im not saying that Donald Trump wants to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting because a 2005 episode of Sesame Street featured a trash can-living Grouch named Donald Grump who had an orange hairpiece and bragged about having more trash than anyone. But if I had to guess Id say yeah, thats probably why Trump wants to defund all public media. He seeks revenge for every perceived offense. And he probably blames it on Elmo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the episode, Donald Grump is looking for a Grouch apprentice to help sort through his trash. Elmo wins the job, then gets fired for doing it well (although he gets to keep the toupee hed earned on the job). Congress grumps search for a 'communist agenda' This perhaps explains why one of Donald Trumps trash-spewing grumps in Congress, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, got all grouchy with the heads of National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service at a hearing in Washington, D.C. She said, NPR and PBS have increasingly become radical leftwing echo chambers, adding that she believes they have a communist agenda. This led Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia to ask the head of PBS, The American people want to know is Elmo now, or has he ever been, a member of the Communist Party of the United States? Hes obviously red. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rangy little red monster with the falsetto voice, who claims to be 3 years old, has had plenty to say over the years. Im surprised lawmakers didnt subpoena him to appear before a committee and demand that he explain some of his most notorious quotes. Let's ask Elmo to explain his notorious quotes Things like, Elmo loves you! Or, Elmo thinks its important to be kind because if youre kind to somebody, then theyll be kind to somebody, and it goes on and on and on. Opinion: Trump says tomato (tariff), we say Arizona is screwed Or, Elmo thinks sharing is important! Or, Elmo knows that helping others is a great way to show you care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or, Elmo knows that everyone has something special to contribute. Maybe we should blame Trump, not PBS Im guessing that grouchy Marjorie and her grumpy Republican pals could have claimed that Elmo the Red has placed hidden messages about diversity, equity and inclusion in his little diatribes. Can you believe it has come to this? That things have gotten this venal? This petty? This ludicrous? This insane? Rep. Garcia put it best, saying, The fact that were sitting here talking about defunding public television is actually not funny. If were going to get rid of any puppeteers, we should get rid of the one thats actually controlling Donald Trump. Fire Elon Musk and save Elmo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or, as a skinny little red puppet once said, Elmo knows that when youre kind, it makes the world a better place. Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com. Like this column? Get more opinions straight into your email inbox by signing up for our free opinions newsletter, which publishes Monday through Friday. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: PBS isn't the problem. It's Elon, Trump's puppeteer | Opinion BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 25. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is set to hold talks with Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda in Moscow today, Trend reports via the Russian government. The two heads of government will engage in a dialogue addressing pivotal dimensions of Russian-Tajik collaboration, emphasizing trade dynamics, economic advancement, investment strategies, and the enhancement of cultural and humanitarian linkages. Focused scrutiny will be directed towards the operationalization of significant collaborative initiatives across the sectors of energy, industrial development, agronomy, educational frameworks, and cultural exchange. To note, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon visited Russia on March 16-17, 2025, during which the sides explored the prospects for deepening the strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries. Discourse encompassed synergies in trade and investment collaboration alongside the intricacies of regional security dynamics. A suite of bilateral agreements is anticipated to be executed and ratified subsequent to the forthcoming negotiations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel A busy road in the South Hills closed Friday morning because of a downed tree and wires. Painters Run Road remains closed between Bowers Run Road and McMillian Road. Mount Lebanon School District said the high school was put on a 2-hour delay because of a partial power outage. The Galleria of Mt. Lebanon Mall temporarily closed for a power outage, but reopened around 10:40 a.m. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW AUSTIN (KXAN) A Texas agency is improving operations to be prepared to save lives during emergencies. On Thursday, the Texas Department of Public Safety demonstrated what it looks like to conduct a hoist rescue. It showcased the agencys skills in using a helicopter to save people from places that are too dangerous to perform ground-based rescues. The demonstration was part of a two-day training session, which was organized by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA). It took place at the Texas Department of Transportations Flight Services hangar in Austin, according to a news release from DPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-day training included more than 150 local, state and federal law enforcement personnel from across the state, according to DPS. This is a very challenging maneuver, in other words, operating a single-engine helicopter low to the ground often in inclement weather, it requires a lot of currency. So every 30 to 60 days, we actually put these hoist crews together and conduct both dummy loads and live loads, said Stacy Holland, DPS chief pilot. According to DPS, a hoist rescue saved a stranded family in Guadalupe Mountains National Park last 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 KXAN Austin. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A suspected member of the Cruces Boyz gang, who prompted a lockdown at Lone Star, Canutillo, and Alderete schools as he was fleeing from troopers in early April, has been arrested, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Suspected gang member flees from troopers, prompts lockdown at CISD schools Fugitive Esteban Acosta, 35, of Vado, New Mexico, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, April 23, DPS said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPS said Acosta was arrested thanks to its partners at the El Paso Police Department. As we previously reported, on Thursday afternoon, April 10, a Texas DPS trooper attempted to stop a white Ford Equinox for equipment and traffic violations on Interstate 10 near Mile Marker 3. After a brief pursuit, the trooper lost sight of the vehicle, DPS said. DPS said that later, troopers found the abandoned vehicle in the desert area between the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso and Canutillo Elementary School. Reports of two individuals running through school property led to lockdowns at Lone Star, Canutillo, and Alderete schools. The lockdown ended before 3 p.m. after troopers cleared the area, DPS said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secure protocol lifted at Alderete MS, Canutillo ES DPS said troopers found a bag in the abandoned vehicle, which contained Acostas drivers ID. Acosta has an outstanding warrant for vehicle theft and now faces charges of evading arrest in El Paso County. He is also a suspected member of the Cruces Boyz gang, DPS 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Ozarks Tech has revealed their new Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Dr. Aaron Light, photo courtesy of OTC Dr. Aaron Light was chosen after serving the college as the Dean of Health Sciences since 2021. Throughout his time as Dean of Health Sciences, Dr. Light has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of our academic programs, Hal Higdon, Ozarks Tech Chancellor, said in a press release. His visionary leadership propelled transformative growth in student enrollment, expanded our programmatic offerings and forged meaningful partnerships with leaders in healthcare and local industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Bolivar schools teacher pleads not guilty to child endangerment Light is known for being instrumental in developing Missouris first bachelors degree offered by a community college. He has also been known for being a faculty member for the Respiratory Therapy Program, Director of Clinical Education for 12 years and then Program Director for six years. Im honored to step into the role of provost at the college that has been my home for over two decades, Light says in a press release. From my days as a student to serving as faculty, program director and dean, Ive witnessed firsthand the incredible journey of growth from classrooms in malls to six thriving campuses and centers. Its a privilege to help shape the next chapter of this remarkable institution. Light will be appointed to his new role on July 1, pending approval by OTC Board of Trustees. 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. Salt Lake Citys downtown, Capitol Hill and University of Utah commutes are converging into regular residential traffic patterns, resulting in unique challenges for the northeast end of Utahs capital city. These challenges are exacerbated by the areas hilly topography, including barriers like City Creek Canyon and the multimodal transportation needs within the triangle. Theyve also worsened as the city grows, leading to traffic headaches for those zipping in and out of town and additional burdens for the many people living in the neighborhoods at the center of everything. Its why state transportation officials are exploring creative ways to handle a growing number of people using the roadways, adding to efforts at the city level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were trying to balance the transportation network in this area to help people just get around, said Geoff Dupaix, a Utah Department of Transportation regional planning manager. Following months of surveying, state transportation officials unveiled a series of proposals to address traffic circulation on Tuesday, as they near the end of the Capitol Hill Study. 6 possible solutions proposed in UDOT's Capitol Hill Study Scenario 1: Add pedestrian enhancements to State Street between North Temple and 300 North, and removing State Street's southbound right turn lane at North Temple. Scenario 2: Close the I-15 interchange at 400 South. Vehicles would enter northbound I-15 at 500 South and exit southbound I-15 at 600 South. Scenario 3: Adjust signal timing at the Victory Road and Beck Street intersection. Scenario 4: Convert Main Street to one lane in each direction between North Temple and 300 North. Scenario 5: Install a grade-separated pedestrian crossing at Main Street and North Temple. Scenario 6: Create a one-way couplet, potentially turning State Street and Main Street into one-way streets in opposite directions. Some two-way access would remain in and around the Capitol Hill area, while a pedestrian scramble a way to allow pedestrians to cross in any direction during a pause in vehicle traffic would be installed at North Temple and Main Street. None of the concepts has been funded, however, and theyd require additional study. Coordination with the city would be required in some cases, which means that the suggestions have a long way to go before becoming a reality. Dupaix said the project is more of a planning-level study before more detailed work will begin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were taking more of a 30,000-foot look at the entire area from I-15 all the way over to the University of Utah to determine where people are going first, he told KSL.com. This is just the starting point for a much more in-depth process to really analyze, take into consideration and potentially fund any of these solutions to see what could work. Tackling Capitol Hills travel If the areas traffic patterns and topography arent complex enough, different agencies also manage its roads. UDOT and Salt Lake City split many of the key routes, which require planning coordination. Those conversations are usually collaborative, keeping everyone on the same page, Salt Lake City transportation engineer Jon Larsen said. These roads are all interconnected, he said, explaining that some streets are so closely intertwined between city and state ownership that projects dont start until theyve talked. Traffic moves north along State Street near the Utah Capitol on Thursday. The street could be turned into a one-way road under one proposed solution to Capitol Hill traffic. | Carter Williams, KSL.com This is why UDOT included the city in conversations when it started its Capitol Hill Study last year. Since then, it and partners like Horrocks Engineers have reviewed the areas traffic patterns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also found that downtown, Capitol Hill, and the University of Utah almost equally split destination traffic, although Capitol Hill traffic unsurprisingly triples during the legislative session. Streets like 600 North, North Temple and 300 West generated the most speed-related crashes, posing the top concerns. Initial surveys, which collected feedback from over 600 online participants plus responses from people at community events, found that residents would like to reduce commuter traffic that cuts through residential areas, improving walking/biking accessibility and connectivity in the area and increasing public transit access. All those data points were blended into the concepts displayed Tuesday evening. Project officials believe most scenarios would improve traffic volume or have very little impact on key roads in the area. Still, some of the ideas could negatively impact Main Street, North Temple, and 300 West. 500 South and 600 South could also experience big volume increases with the I-15 change, while 400 South and others would see a big decrease. This graph shows projected traffic volume changes to key Salt Lake City streets within the Capitol Hill Study zone based on six scenarios proposed for the area. | Utah Department of Transportation The options could add to existing transportation projects proposed for the area, including an expansion of I-15, a fourth TRAX line by the university and a bus rapid transit system between Salt Lake City and Davis County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They could also be considered in Salt Lake Citys plans for the area. The city still intends to add new bike lanes through a project added to the budget earlier this year. The proposal to convert Main Street to one lane in each direction, among the UDOT options, was complicated by SB195 this year, a bill requiring the city to work with the state on some projects. However, Larsen said it wasnt designed yet, much like the other solutions brought to the table Tuesday. The next steps Dozens of people attended UDOTs open house, but the agency is still accepting online public feedback on the six proposals through May 2. Project officials will sort through the feedback and post final recommendations this summer, offering items to study further. The ones that seem to rise more to the top we want to bring forward and discuss them with the community, Dupaix said. Matt Seipold, a transportation and transit planner for Horrocks Engineers, explains traffic volume proposals to residents at a Capitol Hill Study open house in Salt Lake City on Tuesday. | Carter Williams, KSL.com Some projects could be implemented relatively soon. Signal timing changes could happen right away if transportation officials choose that, Larsen said. Large-scale projects may require long-term planning and funding, meaning they could take years to come to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents will be kept in the loop regardless of what happens next. There will undoubtedly be some projects that spin off and get implemented, but there will be further engagement whether its a UDOT project or Salt Lake City project before theyre implemented, he said. At this point ... its very exploratory. If people really like or dont like some of these options, right now is the perfect time to let that be known. This is the time of the year when educational statistics and rankings scream for our attention, Eric Thomas writes. (Illustration by Eric Thomas for Kansas Reflector) Lace up your court shoes because April is National Pickleball Month. Its also apparently National Afternoon Tea Month, National Brunch Month and National Canine Fitness Month. So maybe you should be playing pickleball with Fido before a brunch date and afternoon tea? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today I am petitioning for a new designation for April: its National School Statistics Month. This is the time of the year when educational statistics and rankings scream for our attention. For our uniquely American media that rank schools against each other, its also the moment to pit business schools against each other and even teachers against each other. As Fido knows, its a dog eat dog world. In the upcoming days, high school seniors who have been accepted at a few different universities will choose their home for next year. They will consider the rank of one school against another: Should I go to the No. 159 school in the nation because they are providing a greater scholarship than the No. 102 school in the nation? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, rising juniors and seniors in high school are consulting rankings and lists to map out their college visits this summer and fall. The most popular months for parents to move houses, according to multiple moving companies, are during the summer. (Welcome to National Moving Month in a few days when May begins!) Parents will be consulting school rankings, graduation rates and student-teacher ratios. Choosing a new neighborhood is really about choosing the best neighborhood elementary school. April is also a common month for students choosing a course schedule for next fall. While some college students choose classes based on personal or professional interests, they also are scouting the professors and teachers who typically teach each course. Who gives the most homework? Whose class would you take again? The internet will give you those answers too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trouble with all of these rankings, as they compare schools who are wildly different, is the air of certainty that they promise. Consider the statistical precision offered by certifying one high school as the No. 1 school over a No. 2 school. Let alone gasp! a No. 7 school. Even with the many algorithms, reviews and databases that ranking services promise to employ, the rankings are often misleading. RateMyProfessors.com College instructors share a queasy feeling when this website gets mentioned. Those who are bold enough to log on to RateMyProfessors.com quickly get the feeling that they are a plate of fries being reviewed on Yelp! (Too salty indeed!) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What insights does RateMyProfessors.com provide from University of Kansas students who previously took my courses? 3 out of 5 for quality, 3 out of 5 for difficulty: Eric Thomas was a good but not great professor. Had some meh moments but also some fun ones. 5 out of 5 for quality, 2 out of 5 for difficulty: MY KING. its (sic) a big class and you get put in a random group and that group will grade you at the end of the quarter but most of you (sic) grade is daily group class work and tests. GREAT GUY 4 out of 5 for quality, 4 out of 5 for difficulty: Hes (sic) alright Clearly, I need to teach a bit more grammar. And need to elevate my meh energy. Yesterday during office hours, a student told me she had been unsure about registering for my class. In the end, she said she signed up for it only after scrolling those RateMyProfessors.com reviews. Im wondering which glowing (or angry) review hooked her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The website provides a preposterous sample, of course. After teaching more than 2,000 students during 11 years at KU, 43 have left these curt reviews summing up 16 weeks in my class with a few syllables. I cant argue that students should trust other students because they often have smart observations. But as any instructor knows, the students who drench you in feedback are usually the A+ achievers who loved your class, or the students who failed and see the rating as a chance to exact revenge. Hence, a 2023 review of me: When you talk to him in private, he could not possibly care less about you. Ouch. We can be grateful for the progress that RateMyProfessors.com no longer uses hotness as a part of their rating system. For years, students used the sites infamous chili pepper to rate the attractiveness and wardrobe of their instructors. Thankfully, that yucky metric fell away in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And yes, I did try to use the Wayback Machine to see if I could recall how many chili peppers I had earned. But alas, that metric is lost. (And yes, my vanity score just skyrocketed. How many mirrors did I earn?) Niche.com rankings This week, the Kansas City Star relayed rankings from the educational website Niche. The headline promises empirical certainty: These 15 high schools are some of the highest ranked in the KC area for 2025. The results are summarized with the top 10 overall schools, according to the website, which boasts: Niche has the most comprehensive data on U.S. schools and neighborhoods. We rigorously analyze dozens of public data sets and over 100 million reviews and survey responses to help you understand what a place is really like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am not convinced. The data are opaque to visitors. Average ACT and SAT test scores are reported but its unclear when students achieved these scores. The website summarizes the Culture & Safety of some schools with as few as 10 survey responses for a particular school. To trust a website like this and report its findings as fact demands more transparency. Whether you trust them or not, the rankings tout suburban schools that hug the Kansas-Missouri state line as being the 10 best. Half of the schools are private and charge more than $15,000 per year. Its a mash-up of schools from affluent areas charging more than $50,000 for a high school education. They should be good. That being said, I have personally visited each of these schools, and they are excellent but in totally different ways. Its laughable to rank them, from a private high school with fewer than 200 students to a public high school with more than 1,700 students, this bluntly. College rankings U.S. News and World Report invented both the folly and fortune of these college rankings. Each September, their rankings trumpet the best universities in the nation while dunking on others. (Todays teens shopping for colleges arent likely to know that U.S. News and World Report was once a magazine you saw many places, but mostly in doctors and dentists offices.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other publications have responded with rankings to rival and mock the lists from U.S. News and World Report. In its 20th year, Washington Monthly released its rankings, calling them our answer to U.S. News and World Report, which relies on crude and easily manipulated measures of wealth, exclusivity, and prestige. We rank liberal arts colleges four-year institutions that award almost exclusively bachelors degrees and that focus on arts and sciences rather than professional programs based on their contribution to the public good. The numbers are right there, as transparent as we readers would hope. And the mission is precise. Rather than trying to summarize the entirety of a university, the staff hopes to evaluate social mobility, research, and promoting public service. If those are your values, the rankings suggest, these are your metrics. Washington Monthly goes further, providing even more specific rankings, Americas Best and Worst Colleges for Women in STEM. According to the rankings, Fort Hays State University is the second worst in the country in graduating women with a chemistry degree and 10th worst in graduating women with a biology degree. Wichita States electrical engineering ranks near the bottom of that discipline with only 8.6 of graduates who are female. I wish that I could report that any Kansas schools achieved spots on the best list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruthlessly narrow goal of these rankings is admirable. Washington Monthly is saying: We will put a specific band of statistics in context for you. We cant tell you everything about a university, but you can trust us on this. The publications humility and focus are rare in the business of publishing educational rankings. Its hard to be humble when everyone wants to be No. 1. Eric Thomas teaches visual journalism and photojournalism at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. A driver is in custody after they drove into a bookstore just outside of Los Angeles International Airport early Friday morning, according to authorities. The Los Angeles Police Department said officers were dispatched to the area of Sepulveda and La Tijera in Westchester at about 1:11 a.m. after a report of a vehicle crashing into a building and catching fire. Upon arrival, officers found the vehicle and its driver, who crashed the car into The Book Jewel, located on West 87th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries were reported. A driver is in custody after driving into The Book Jewel in Westchester on April 25, 2025. (The Citizen App) A driver is in custody after driving into The Book Jewel in Westchester on April 25, 2025. (KTLA) A driver is in custody after driving into The Book Jewel in Westchester on April 25, 2025. (KTLA) The driver was taken into custody. Police believe the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but its not yet confirmed if an arrest was made. The building was damaged. Video captured by KTLA showed the glass of the front door shattered with tables and bookshelves destroyed. Meanwhile, video captured and posted to The Citizen App showed a sedan on fire in the intersection of Sepulveda and La Tijera. Its not yet clear if the driver attempted to flee the scene in the damaged vehicle before it caught fire. No additional details were immediately made available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The woman accused of hitting a person crossing in the street and leaving them for dead told police she thought she hit a rock, according to documents 8 News Now obtained. Las Vegas Metro police arrested Dora Henderson, 22, on Wednesday on charges related to the hit-and-run crash Sunday on Tropicana Avenue east of Conquistador Street near Hualapai Way. The 41-year-old pedestrian, identified in police documents as Natale Burton, was taken to a hospital where doctors pronounced her dead. Police later released photos of the suspected vehicle involved in the crash as part of the search for Henderson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence at the scene and surveillance footage showed that an SUV was traveling east on Tropicana Avenue, east of Conquistador Street, at the same time a woman was kneeling or lying in the road, police said. Surveillance video from a nearby retirement community showed Burton kneeling in the road and then the SUV hitting her, police said. While reviewing the video, an employee at the community recognized the SUV as Hendersons because she works there. Police then reviewed more video, which showed Henderson getting into the car, they said. In an interview with police, Henderson said she hit a rock and pulled over, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dora kept stating she thought she had hit a large white construction boulder, which had scraped along the bottom of her vehicle, police said. Dora stated she does not see well without her glasses and was not wearing them the night of the collision. Henderson faces a charge of duty to stop at a scene of an accident involving death, records said. A pro tem judge set her bail at $100,000. She remained in custody as of Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) The driver of the truck that flipped and crashed into Oquirrh Lake last week has passed away, according to the South Jordan Police Department. On Thursday, April 17, around 1:30 p.m., a truck traveling at a high rate of speed failed to stop. He struck several objects including a fire hydrant, road sign, and road barriers before hitting a parked car and flipping into the lake in the Daybreak neighborhood. South Jordan Police Department is still investigating what led to the crash. Bystanders witnessed and heard the crash. They raced to pull the driver out of his vehicle, submerged in the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VIDEO: Truck crashes into lake, good Samaritans save driver I saw this truck in the water. I needed to feel and check and make sure if theres anyone in there, and pull them out of that truck before they drown or anything, Christian Doffermyre one of the good Samaritans who rushed to save him said on the day of the crash. According to authorities, Doffermyre and other bystanders performed CPR until emergency crews arrived. The driver was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he later passed away, according to a release from the South Jordan Police Department. The City of South Jordan extends our heartfelt condolences to the family. We want to thank the community members who acted heroically that day, the South Jordan Police Department said. Latest headlines: 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 ABC4 Utah. Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), lead sponsor of a bill package that would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, speaking in support of the original legislation in 2023. | Kyle Davidson For the second time, Michigan Senate Democrats have pushed forward legislation they say will bring to heel skyrocketing prescription drug costs in the state. On Thursday, the state Senate passed bills that would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, or PDAB, which would have the authority to set upper payment limits on drugs sold in Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This board is a simple concept and a great idea, Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township), sponsor of one of the bills, said. It allows for a public body of officials appointed by the governor, including folks who have no connection to the pharmaceutical industry whatsoever, who would then review some of these exorbitant price increases that we see from some companies as they are attempting to gouge the American consumer. They will hold them accountable. It will be a public and transparent process, and they will find ways to lower those costs for our residents. Republican opposition, however, centered on concerns of replacing a free market system with a government-controlled collectivist system, as Sen. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) referred to it. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Why do we have such a disproportionate amount of innovation and pharmaceuticals in the United States of America as opposed to the rest of the globe? he asked. Its because the producers are free to innovate and they are free to have the market regulate the supply and the demand of the product. If you eliminate that, theres no incentive for innovation or entrepreneurship. It goes away. The competition is destroyed. This does not benefit people. This hurts people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The package, consisting of Senate Bills 3, 4 and 5, passed with a bare majority of 20 votes, with Sen. John DaMoose (R-Harbor Springs) the lone Republican to join the 19 Democrats in approval. The legislation now moves to the GOP-controlled House, where its future is less assured. This is the second time Democrats have passed the bills through the Senate, with the upper chamber previously approving the legislation in October 2023, only to see it ultimately die without a vote in the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee. At the time, the House was controlled by Democrats, but with Republicans now in the majority there, passage will be even more difficult. One ray of hope for supporters came from Damoose, who voted against the plan when it originally passed, but on Thursday said further investigation produced a change of heart on his part. Last term I was persuaded by the idea that the market should determine the cost of drugs, Damoose said. But the more I learned, the more apparent it became that calling the prescription drug market a free market is a total farce. We are so far from being a free market when it comes to pharmaceuticals, its unbelievable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Damoose noted the hundreds of billions of dollars invested by the federal government in developing many of the most popular and useful drugs, and yet U.S. taxpayers in many cases did not have affordable access to those drugs. Its unconscionable in my mind that those within the nation that supported the development of production of the most incredible body of medical advancement the world has ever seen would pay more than anyone else to access the benefits of those very prescription drugs, Damoose said. The pharmaceutical industry, however, sees the situation differently, with trade group PhRMA saying the proposed board would have long-term, harmful effects on both the development of livesaving drugs and patients ability to access them. Prescription Drug Affordability Boards are a disaster for patients, said Stami Turk, director of public affairs at PhRMA. These bills put the government between patients and their doctors. Patients deserve access to the medicine their doctors prescribe not roadblocks from Lansing. The House has the chance to do the right thing and to get the government out from in between patients and their physicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors, meanwhile, have welcomed the proposal, with support from the Michigan State Medical Society and the Committee to Protect Health Care. Dr. Rob Davidson, is an emergency room physician in west Michigan and executive director of the committee. Doctors are encouraged to see this legislation to help our patients better afford their prescription drugs, and to help finally hold Big Pharma accountable, move forward in the legislative process, Davidson said. We look forward to swift passage of these bills in both the Senate and House in Michigan so that our patients here can also benefit from upper payment limits and be able to take their medications as doctors like us prescribe. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 25. The leader of the ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party and former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has announced his intention to end his political career, Trend reports. "Today, I would like to announce my decision to leave politics. In recent weeks, many rumors have arisen regarding my future political activities, and I consider it my duty to give clear and complete explanations to society," he said at a press conference. On February 22, 2021, Parliament approved Irakli Garibashvili's candidacy for the post of Prime Minister (89 votes in favor), and President Salome Zurabishvili signed the appointment decree. On January 29, 2024, Garibashvili announced his resignation as Prime Minister and announced that he had received an offer to lead the ruling party. Related video: Suspect killed after multi-county chase in western suburbs ends in shootout DuPAGE COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) DuPage County prosecutors cleared two suburban law enforcement officials of wrongdoing following last years fatal shootout involving a man, who authorities said led police on a multi-county chase in the western suburbs. The DuPage County States Attorneys Office ruled Thursday that the officers were justified in the killing of Nicholas Novak on Saturday, Sept. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said the incident began just before 6:45 p.m. when deputies with the Kendall County Sheriffs Office responded to the 3800 block of Pratt Court in Plano to assist local police with a report of a possible home invasion involving shots fired. Complete disregard for human life: Robert Crimo III gets life sentences for deadly Highland Park parade shooting Plano police said officers later located a male victim, identified as 70-year-old Russell Novak, who had been shot several times inside a residence in the area after reportedly calling 911 to report a home invasion. Arriving officers attempted lifesaving efforts, but Novak died from his injuries. Officers then pursued Nicholas Novak after authorities spotted a Ford Bronco fleeing the home, which he was operating. According to authorities, responding officers believed the vehicle and the shooting incident were connected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 25-minute chase ensued, with Novak allegedly leading to the intersection of US-34 and Eola Road in Aurora. Once in Aurora, ISP troopers said an armed Novak opened fire after exiting his vehicle. Officers told authorities they feared for their lives and returned fire, eventually striking Novak once in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. First responders rushed Novak to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Kankakee County elementary school cancels Thursday classes after catalytic converter thefts render bus fleet unusable Prosecutors say the Plano police officer and Kendall County sheriffs deputy involved in the fatal shooting discharged their service weapons simultaneously, a total of 16 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police recovered a Remington 870 tactical shotgun and several shell casings at the scene. DuPage County prosecutors revealed Thursday that ISPs investigation uncovered phone notes in Novaks cellular phone that read in part, Unfortunately, Im done with life, a search history that included murder then fleeing, gun suicide, Do police shoot to kill and suicide by police, and also revealed that Novak had made suicidal statements to a family member. DuPage County prosecutors concluded that Novak was trying to shoot him or the other officers on scene, and that deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself and the other officer. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISP led the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The Colorado River is pictured near Moab in 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Researchers at the University of Utah recently published a first-of-its-kind study that measures the impact dust has on melting snow in the Colorado River Basin. Dust has long been credited to accelerating snowmelt in the Intermountain West. Blowing from arid regions and settling in the mountains, the dust darkens the snow, lowering its albedo essentially, darker snow doesnt reflect the sunlight as well, leading to more heat absorption and speeding up the melting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its particularly prevalent in the Colorado River Basin, with large mountain ranges like the San Juans, La Sals and Maroon Bells pushed up against dry expanses of desert. As drought continues to impact the region, dust events have worsened, depleting the snowpack at faster rates and complicating an already precarious situation for the Colorado River and the 40 million people who get their drinking water from it. And while previous papers have recorded the impact dust has on snowmelt, University of Utah researchers are the first to study an area as large as the Colorado River headwaters, which spans multiple states. According to the university, there are no snowmelt models streamflow forecasts in mountain basins essential for areas that rely on snowpack for water that take dust into account. The degree of darkening caused by dust has been related to water forecasting errors. The water comes earlier than expected, and this can have real world impacts for example if the ground is still frozen its too early for farmers to use. A reservoir manager can store early snowmelt, but they need the information to plan for that, said McKenzie Skiles, associate professor at the universitys School of Environment, Society and Sustainability. If we can start to build dust into the snowmelt forecast models, it will make water management decision-making more informed. Stiles is a co-lead author of the study, which was published in the scientific journal Geophysical Research Letters in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stiles and other researchers analyzed 23 years of satellite images, from 2021 to 2023, to observe snow darkened by dust in the spring months. They found that dust accelerated snowmelt in the Colorado River Basin every spring, even during less-dusty years. During runoff season, typically between April and May, the snowpack melts about 10 to 15 millimeters each day. According to the study, dust deposition can accelerate snowmelt by 1 millimeter per hour during peak sunlight during a high-dust year, that can factor out to about 10 extra millimeters each day. Its not just how much dust gets deposited over a season, but also the timing of dust deposition that matters, said Patrick Naple, doctoral candidate of geography at the University of Utah and lead author of the study. Dust is very effective at speeding up melt because its most frequently deposited in the spring when days are getting longer and the sun more intense. Even an extra millimeter per hour can make the snowpack disappear several weeks earlier than without dust deposition. One of the most comprehensive analyses of dust and snowmelt yet, the university says this research could improve water forecasting and allocation for communities that rely on the Colorado River. This story was originally published in Utah News Dispatch. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Early voting for the May 3 election will continue through this weekend and end on Tuesday, April 29. There are 25 early voting locations across El Paso County. Election Day is Saturday, May 3. Weekend Early Voting is a convenient opportunity for voters to cast their ballot ahead of Election Day, the El Paso County Elections Department said. You can find a list of early voting sites and their hours by clicking here. This is not a countywide election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballots for this election include: Haciendas Del Norte Water Improvement District; El Paso Independent School District; Socorro Independent School District; San Elizario Independent School District; El Paso Community College; Town of Anthony; Village of Vinton; Town of Horizon City; and City of San Elizario. You can find out more about the election, including finding sample ballots by clicking here. For questions, voters can call (915) 273-3597 or e-mail epelections@epcounty.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 KTSM 9 News. UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KETK) An East Texas man was found guilty of selling illegal narcotics on Thursday. Courtesy of Upshur District Attorneys Office The funeral of Pope Francis: How to watch, what to expect According to the Upshur County District Attorney Billy W. Byrd, Walter Hall was found guilty by the 115th District Court of delivery of a controlled substance and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Byrd said evidence against Hall included video footage of him selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant in March 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hall was found guilty following a two-day trial where ten witnesses testified against him and two witnesses testified on his behalf, according to a press release from Byrds office. Along with his sentence, Hall will also have to pay a $5,000 fine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) The Lufkin Police Department is searching for a man accused of placing Easter eggs filled with marijuana around the city as part of a scavenger hunt. Tyler High School student earns scholarship worth more than $100,000 According to a release from the Lufkin Police Department, a resident tipped officials after they saw several Facebook posts regarding the eggs. The suspect, Avante Nicholson, allegedly posted four photos showing each location as hints to find the eggs. Courtesy of the Lufkin Police Department Courtesy of the Lufkin Police Department Courtesy of the Lufkin Police Department He also posted a photo of five plastic eggs in the seat of a vehicle. Officers found four eggs and believed he had not placed the fifth, Lufkin PD said. However, the fifth egg was found by a man and his granddaughter at Winston Park the following day and brought to the police station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AUTOPSY: No foul play suspected after body recovered in Kurth Lake Avante Nicholson, courtesy of the Lufkin Police Department. The Easter eggs were found at three city parks and a local motel. The police department said the marijuana totaled more than a quarter of an ounce of marijuana. Officials also found several posts referencing selling narcotics. In one of the posts, Nicholson said he would give out hints of the locations of the eggs for those who had shopped with him. Incidents like this are a reminder of why we take seriously all information called in to our offices, Lufkin Police Chief David Thomas said. On the surface, it seems implausible that someone would give away a drug, but the follow-up proves that sometimes even the most unlikely things do happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholson is wanted on four warrants, three for delivery of marijuana in a drug-free zone and a state jail felony for delivery of marijuana. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 639-TIPS, or through the website at www.639tips.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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. Apr. 24With the Texas Education Agency's 2023 A-F Accountability Ratings released, the ratings are not official, but that doesn't mean Ector County ISD hasn't been working on schools that need extra support. Following a nearly two-year court case that was recently resolved by an appellate court ruling, ECISD received an overall grade of C, compared to B in the 2022-23 school year. Six schools earned an A, 12 got a B, six received a C, 11 schools got a D, including Travis which was closed in May 2024, and three schools were rated F, including Burleson Elementary which closed in May 2024 and will reopen in August 2026 as an early childhood education center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A daycare center is still in the works for Travis, Chief Communications Officer Mike Adkins said in an email. ECISD Executive Director of Accountability and School Improvement Robert Trejo said ECISD is waiting for guidance from TEA on what happens with the F campuses. Trejo said district officials had an idea of where the scores might land, but they were not official. "Now that they're official ... we're in the same dilemma again with the 2024 ratings because there's an inclination of where those scores might land, but nothing's official. We have this situation where some of our campuses that might have been an F in 2023 we're showing that they might not be an F," Trejo said. He added that the district had an idea internally of where campuses were in accountability ratings, so they didn't wait to jump in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data is two or in some cases three years old, depending on what you're looking at, Trejo said. "Our district has already engaged in work, whether it was providing interventions for students, revamping the offerings for CCMR to our kids ... a lot of that work has already been in place for ... over a year now. But officially, TEA has not given us anything like you need to do X, Y, Z for these campuses. We still don't have direction from them, so we're just kind of monitoring that situation and waiting," he added. Schools that are F rated for five consecutive years can be ordered closed or the board replaced. "What we try to do is obviously provide the support that the campuses need way before that. The moment a campus is either F or D rated, we start looking at the data, breaking it down and seeing what is that campus leadership and the teachers and that community need to get ahead of the curve," Trejo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, ECISD doesn't have any campuses that are at that five-year mark, he added. "We're not there yet, but it doesn't mean that we're not also engaging in work to prevent that," Trejo said. All campuses create Campus Improvement Plans at the beginning of the year. They look at their data from the previous year and break it down by things like student performance, grade level, subject area and subpopulations. Then they look at how they allocate their resources, their personnel, plans for professional development, how they are going to support students in "the four corners of the classroom," after-school tutoring and other interventions. "They look at all of that and then ... they make a plan. The campus improvement plan is really that driving, guiding document for the entire year, that commitment of hey, looking at the data from the previous year at the beginning of the year, this is work that we need to engage in to support our kids. Then it becomes their blueprint ... that they're going to engage in for the rest of the year," Trejo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents can transfer their students to another school based on campus performance. Trejo said the district would prefer to keep students at their schools, but if parents have questions they can call his office at 432-456-5811 and there is information on his department's website at https://www.ectorcountyisd.org/departments/accountability/welcome He also recommends talking to the campus administrators and principals, "hear them out to see the work that they're engaging in." "I know as a former principal I wanted to keep my kids. This is your school. This is your community. We might not have performed where we wanted to ... but it's all a collective commitment. We're all going to work together. We're gong to look at the data and we're going to put things in place to give everybody the best education that we can," Trejo said. In a briefing April 22, Education Commissioner Mike Morath said new ratings will be released Aug. 15 for the 2024-25 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's of course how it will work unless we get sued again. We've been sued two years in a row. It's taxpayer funded lawsuits so the people that choose to file the lawsuits will have to pay for them," Morath said. The agency also issued "What if" ratings. "The rating methodology was basically the same from 2017 through 2022. In '23 there were tweaks to the calculation of how the ratings were calculated. So what we did was we went back to '22 and we recalculated all the schools' performances using their data from '22 but using the newer methodology," Morath said. "So the 'what if' rating is a way of comparing apples to apples performance between '22 and '23. Cut scores are part of that methodology. It's sort like what percentage of kids need to be on grade level in order for you to get an A. What percentage of kids need to be on grade level in order for you to get a B. ... Think about it the same way a teacher might have a grade book" where quizzes count for a certain percentage, in-class tests count for a certain percentage and projects count for a certain percentage, Morath added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In information released April 24, it says there were no changes to STAAR achievement cut points for elementary and middle schools. "The refreshed system better recognizes how well campuses are Closing the Gaps and accelerating instruction," the information says. Ratings and other information can be found at TXSchools.gov. School by school 2023 Accountability Ratings: A schools Hays STEAM Academy Elementary Reagan Magnet Elementary Gale Pond Alamo STEAM Academy New Tech Odessa Odessa Collegiate Academy OCTECHS B schools Austin Montessori Blanton Elementary Burnet Elementary Cameron Dual Language Elementary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dowling Elementary West Elementary Ross Elementary San Jacinto Elementary Ector College Prep MS Nimitz MS Wilson & Young MS STEM Academy C schools Milam Fine Arts Elementary LBJ Elementary Fly Elementary Noel Elementary Crockett MS Permian HS D schools Jordan Elementary Blackshear Elementary Travis (closed in May 2024) Goliad Elementary Gonzales Elementary Ireland Elementary Cavazos Elementary Buice Elementary Bonham MS Bowie MS Odessa HS F schools Burleson (closed in May 2024, will reopen in August 2026 as an early education center) EK Downing Elementary Sam Houston Elementary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ECISD by the numbers ECISD's total enrollment is 33,268, according to TEA. It is 79.4 percent Hispanic, 66.4 percent economically disadvantaged, has 10.4 percent special education students, and 23.8 percent emergent bilingual/English learners. The attendance rate is 90.8 percent. Chronic absenteeism is 33.3 percent. The district has 3,784 employees, 1,774 of which are teachers. The average teacher salary is $63,387. Q&A with TEA What was the average rating statewide? Highlights of the 2023 State Academic Accountability Results Of the 1,209 school systems in Texas, 1,198 were evaluated. 128 (10.4%) earned an A overall rating, 479 (40.2%) earned an B overall rating, 382 (32.8%) earned a C overall rating, 168 (13.9%) earned a D overall rating and 41(2.7%) earned an F overall rating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the 9,044 campuses in Texas (including open-enrollment charter campuses, and including campuses evaluated under Alternative Education Accountability), 8,539 were evaluated. Of the campuses considered for ratings, 1,646 (19.3%) earned an A overall rating, 2,873 (33.6%) campuses earned a B overall rating, 2,107 (24.7%) earned a C overall rating, 1,264 (14.8%) campuses earned a D overall rating, 649 (7.6%) an F overall rating. On the ratings, if a district had schools that failed in 2023, what happens to them? Campuses that receive an overall D or F rating in state accountability must engage in school improvement interventions. Under state law, this includes conducting a needs assessment and developing and implementing an improvement plan. What do those schools need to do? Campuses that received a second consecutive unacceptable rating with the preliminary 2023 A-F accountability ratings are required by state law to develop a campus turnaround plan. Campuses that received a third or higher consecutive unacceptable rating with the preliminary 2023 A-F accountability ratings are required by state law to implement their previously approved campus turnaround plan and may request a modification to the previously approved plan. Do they wait until new ratings are released in August? Campuses that received their first unacceptable rating with the preliminary 2023 A-F accountability ratings do not have to submit their plans to the agency until 2025 ratings are released. Once the 2025 ratings are released, all campuses continue with a 2025 unacceptable rating must submit improvement plans to the agency. It should be noted that while the 2023 ratings were just publicly released, school leaders have had access to the underlying data subsets since Nov. 16, 2023, and should already have been engaged in improvement planning and implementation. This is the first year What If ratings have been issued. They were issued to assist districts with direct comparisons between 2022 and 2023 data due to the A-F refresh. An overhaul of Britains energy pricing market being considered by Ed Miliband would hurt investment in the UK, global energy giant Hitachi has warned. A breakup of the electricity billing system and a shift towards so-called zonal pricing would slow spending and risk undermining Labours Clean Power 2030 plan to decarbonise the grid, executives said. Laura Fleming, Hitachis UK managing director, said: I think zonal pricing will create uncertainty in the investment climate. For example, it would have a huge effect on the renewable energy projects that are ready to be built and are ready to be connected into the grid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zonal pricing will absolutely affect that in terms of how that is going to be built out. And the uncertainty will start to delay investments going forward. So it will put the Clean Power 2030 plans at huge risk. Andreas Schierenbeck, the chief executive of Hitachi Energy, and Ms Fleming both warned Mr Miliband this week that his planned shake-up of the UKs power markets risked undermining both energy security and his decarbonisation plans. Hitachis warning comes as Mr Miliband oversees a review of electricity market arrangements, with zonal pricing as one of its key proposals. If approved, Britains current single national power market would be abolished, and the country would instead be split into a dozen or so regions. Each would have different charges for power linked to demand in the region and its amount of generating capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In practice, this would mean bills rising in the South, where there is less generating capacity, and falling in the North, where a growing number of wind farms have generated a massive excess, especially on windy days. The Telegraph reported this week that government officials had advised Mr Miliband to press ahead with zonal pricing. Whitehall sources did not deny the claim, but stressed that no final decision had been made. One said Mr Miliband continued to debate the policy with his inner circle. Mr Miliband said on Thursday he was studying the proposals and would make a calm and considered decision. He insisted he would not take a decision that is going to raise prices in some parts of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The zonal energy proposals have pitted major energy industry players against one another. Supporters such as Greg Jackson, of Octopus Energy, say the change would reduce the need for expensive grid upgrades and so reduce bills. Opponents say it would slash investment in northern wind farms but replace it with a surge of massive wind and solar developments in the countryside around Englands cities that would scar landscapes forever. Companies such as Hitachi are at the centre of such debates because the equipment they make is huge, designed to last for many years and very expensive. Hitachi supplies around half the transformers, inverters and switch gear vital to the UKs great grid upgrade. Steep costs mean its customers need a high degree of political and economic stability to justify potential investments. Any threatened change to charging structures or other aspects of the market are potentially highly disruptive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Fleming said: When the Government came in last summer, I really urged Miliband not to start making huge changes for changes sake. Were saying, dont fix something that isnt broken, but instead continue building the confidence and stability in the industry so we can continue moving forward at the huge pace that is required in order to get to the 2030 targets. Hitachis Laura Fleming fears zonal pricing could have a huge effect on renewable energy projects - Eddie Mulholland Her comments were echoed by Mr Schierenbeck, Hitachis energy chief, who said the UKs priority should be to build the transmission systems needed to move electricity around the country, rather than confusing the markets by introducing zonal pricing. Little clarity beyond 2030 Hitachis main European factories are in Sweden and Switzerland, meaning the UK is dependent on imports despite repeated government pleas for such companies to invest in British factories. It is expanding its engineering and design workforce and says the UK is a vital customer but baulks at building new factories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the impact of the Conservative Partys recent repudiation of the 2050 net zero target and the growing success of Reform, which has pledged to scrap the Climate Change Act, Ms Fleming said Hitachi would not yet take the risk of investing in UK factories. She said that although Mr Miliband had done a good job in delivering a clear programme for expanding the UKs transmission systems from now till 2030, there was too little clarity beyond that. What we require beyond 2030 to invest in the UK is longer-term visibility. So the visibility until 2030 is great, but to be able to start considering longer-term investment, that visibility needs to go well beyond the political cycle. The company recently submitted written evidence to a Commons select committee calling for much longer-term thinking. It said: Despite the UKs ambitions to become a leader in the energy transition, there is currently no mechanism to incentivise the use of locally sourced materials, services or labour in energy infrastructure projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hitachi also warned that the UK had an acute shortage of tradespeople, apprentices and engineers with the practical skills needed to expand the grid. Ms Fleming called on Mr Miliband to accelerate training, especially of apprentice engineers. She said: Right across the energy industry theres a huge skills gap, but that also creates a huge opportunity to build up, and provide good, purposeful jobs. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An Akron police officer was found to be at fault for an accident in Highland Square that smashed up four cars, and a department investigation revealed he violated policy. (Photo from Akron Police body camera footage.) Ohio activists are starting to gather signatures to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would end qualified immunity a protection for police and other government officials that prevents citizens from suing them. When an Akron police officer caused an accident that crushed four cars, Steven Rockich expected some sort of remedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could not believe my eyes, man, I was like what the heck? Rockich said, evaluating the damage. But he didnt get it. He told us in January that even though the officer was found liable for causing the damage, he would be the one paying the price. The towing that I had to pay out-of-pocket was over $600, and then my car was worth over $5,000, so its all out the window just smashed, Rockich said. State law prevents government officials from being held liable for civil damages unless the victim can prove that the officer violated their constitutional rights, which activist Marije Rivers explained is an uphill battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to prove that exact, because you would initially need full evidence, with redactions, with opinions, with point of views, audio, Rivers said. Its so hard to get it exactly right. This is why she is collecting signatures for the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity and is working to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The proposal would take away this protection and allow victims to sue for damages. Click here to read the full proposal. WEWS investigators found thousands of at-fault crashes by emergency vehicles piling up across the state during the past five years. But Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald argued that this is necessary to shield officers who are just trying to do their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I am worried about whether or not Im going to get sued and lose my house and put my family at risk, then Im also going to be worried about whether I should proactively police that neighborhood, McDonald said. But when it comes to car crash damage, we asked who should pay for it. Well, right now theres existing frameworks to pay for that, he responded. We dont need a complete expansion of litigation rights that could cause taxes to go up, could cause cops to cease working in this profession. Rivers said current legal remedies tend to be ineffective. The city will fund and insure what they want to fund and insure, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this wont just hurt police, McDonald warned. This impacts childrens services workers, teachers, custodial people at schools, he said. Were exposing the lunch lady at your local elementary school to litigation that doesnt exist today. Attorney General Dave Yost has also been fighting against the amendment, but recently, a federal court forced him to approve the petition, so that Rivers and others can start collecting the about 415,000 signatures needed by early July. Until then, Rockich is footing the bill. They said that theyre not going to pay anything for what just happened because its full immunity, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists are trying to get it on the November ballot. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ABILENE, Kan. (KSNW) As the Jewish community observes Yom Hashoah on Thursdaya solemn day of remembrance commemorating the Holocaust and the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprisingthe Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene hosted a program reflecting on the legacy of General Dwight D. Eisenhower and the liberation of Nazi concentration camps. The Eisenhower Library marked the occasion by emphasizing the importance of Holocaust remembrance with a presentation by historian Dr. Jason Lantzer, Assistant Director of the Honors Program at Butler University and author of Dwight Eisenhower and the Holocaust. Dr. Todd Arrington, director of the Eisenhower Library, emphasized the programs timing: Were now in the 80th anniversary of the liberation of concentration campsmany of which were liberated by the Allies under Eisenhowers command. It seemed like a natural to us to have Dr. Lantzer here to talk about this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wichita homicide detective receives public service excellence award Eisenhower visited one of the camps in April 1945 and immediately ordered its documentation, fearing future denial. He wanted evidence so that people wouldnt ever believe this was propaganda or that it never happened, Lantzer said. Today, we are seeing a rise in people discounting the Holocaust. Thats why first-hand accounts are so important. The historian also addressed the psychological toll the liberations had on Allied soldiers. We had a good discussion about whether helping to liberate the camps translated into PTSD, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The days observance will continue on Thursday with a conversation with the author event at the Eisenhower Visitors Center, where guests can meet Lantzer and have books signed. Both the afternoon and evening programs will be posted on the librarys YouTube channel. 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. China set to dominate global acrylonitrile production over next 5 years The largest planned capacity addition is expected from the Zhejiang Petrochemical Daishan Acrylonitrile Plant 2, which will contribute 0.66 mtpa. Operated by Zhejiang Petrochemical Co Ltd, the plant is scheduled to begin production in 2025. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register SQUIRE, WV (WVNS) A 71-year-old man identified as the person who died in a fatal house fire in McDowell County over the weekend. According to the WV State Fire Marshal, the fire happened around 1:30 AM in the Squire area of McDowell County on Saturday, April 19, 2025. The house was located on Skygusty Highway. The cause of the fire was ruled as undetermined due to how severe the fire was. The mans body was sent to the West Virginia Medical Examiners Office for further identification and autopsy. Stick with 59News for updates as they become 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 WVNS. Thousands of pills more potent than fentanyl and morphine were found in a drug bust last month. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Jorge Santillan, 41, of Indianapolis, was indicted on March 5 in Fairfield County Common Pleas Court. Hes facing charges of aggravated drug trafficking, aggravated drug possession, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, Attorney General Dave Yost said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pickerington Police found that Santillan had pills marked as oxycodone and multiple bags containing a powdery substance. The pills and powder were sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations. TRENDING STORIES: They identified 3,723 pills meant to resemble pharmaceuticals were actually carfentanil, a lethal synthetic opioid about 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine, according to Yost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carfentanil is used by veterinarians to sedate large animals like elephants and rhinoceroses and is not approved for human use. Thirty-two samples containing carfentanil have already been identified in the first four months of 2025. Carfentanil peaked in Ohio in 2017, when the BCI lab found it in 1,119 drug samples, according to Yost. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Elizabeth Murphy Burns, who served as president and CEO of family-owned broadcasting and media company Morgan Murphy Media for 43 years, has died. She was 79. Her death was announced Friday by Morgan Murphy Media. The company did not provide details on the cause of her death. Murphy Burns struggled with a few different ailments over the last several years and died the afternoon of Thursday, April 24, at her home in Arizona, according to her stepson Brian Burns, who is currently Morgan Murphy Medias president and CEO. Murphy Burns last month stepped down as CEO to become chair of the Madison, Wisconsin-based companys board. She was a pioneer in American broadcasting who transformed her familys business into a multiplatform media company while breaking barriers for women in the industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elizabeth Murphy Burns was a visionary leader whose influence extended far beyond our company, Brian Burns said in a statement. Her commitment to journalistic integrity, technological innovation, and community service shaped not only Morgan Murphy Media but the entire broadcasting industry. Her legacy will continue to guide us as we move forward. Born Dec. 4, 1945, in Superior, Wisconsin, Murphy Burns began her career at 14 selling classified ads for her familys newspaper. After attending the University of Arizona, she entered broadcasting and owned and operated a radio station by age 25 before rejoining her familys management team. In 1982, she became vice president of what would later become Morgan Murphy Media, leading the company with her brother John Murphy. Under her stewardship and in partnership with her brother, the newspaper business her grandfather founded in 1890 grew to include broadcast TV stations in eight markets affiliated with all major networks, 17 radio stations, a monthly magazine, and digital marketing agency Phase 3 Digital Agency. Murphy Burns accomplishments including becoming the first woman elected to the CBS affiliates advisory board and one of the first women elected to the National Association of Broadcasters board of directors. She was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2005, joining her father Morgan Murphy as an inductee, and she was designated a Giant of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, she served on the board of trustees for Arizona State Universitys Walter Cronkite School of Journalism Endowment; served as chairwoman of the board of the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV); and was a director of the Republic Bank in Duluth and of the National Guardian Life Insurance Co. in Madison. Morgan Murphys influence extended beyond company leadership into technological innovation and policy. In 1998, she testified before a Senate congressional hearing advocating that cable companies should be required to carry digital broadcast signals, helping to advance the transition to HDTV. Her impact reached international levels when she participated in a delegation for the administration of President George W. Bush to promote independent news media in Russia, collaborating with Russian media executives to foster journalistic integrity. In recent years, Murphy Burns and her husband Richard spent time in Arizona, helping shape the next generation of journalists at Arizona State Universitys Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The couples contributions led to the dedication of the schools largest teaching space in their honor, a 141-seat, technologically advanced classroom. Murphy Burns often reminded employees their duty was to inform, educate and entertain, according to the company. Despite trends toward corporate consolidation at all levels of media, she believed being family-owned and operated allowed the local properties to be more closely connected to the communities they serve. This industry has been very good to me and my family. And you need to give back, and you need to set an example. Because what youre doing is what should be focused on. Its the act, not the person, Murphy Burns once said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement about her death, NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said, Liz Burns was a trailblazer, a fierce advocate for local broadcasting and a dear friend to me and so many in our industry. Through her visionary leadership at Morgan Murphy Media and her tireless work with NAB, Liz left an indelible mark on broadcasting that will endure for generations. From pioneering roles on the NAB Board and CBS Affiliate Board to championing the concerns of small market broadcasters on Capitol Hill, Lizs passion for our mission was unmatched. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Billionaire Elon Musk's effort to rid the government of purported "waste and fraud" has been a dismal failure. With his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the richest man in the world has done little to actually save money, cutting his ambitions from an originally promised $2 trillion in savings to a mere $150 billion earlier this month a figure that remains highly untrustworthy. Worse yet, Musk's DOGE could actually be costing the government far more than it saves an astronomical waste of taxpayer money that's resulted in immense and needless pain and suffering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the New York Times reports, mass firing and then re-hiring thousands of public sector workers could cost upward of $135 billion this fiscal year alone. And the Internal Revenue Service, which has lost thousands of its employees due to the cuts, is expected to collect a staggering $500 billion less this year following the bloodletting, a loss that dwarfs Musk's limited savings. That's in addition to the mountain of lawsuits and appeals Musk's indiscriminate gutting of agencies has triggered. According to the NYT, 30 out of the roughly 200 lawsuits related to the Trump administration's agenda implicate DOGE. "Not only is Musk vastly overinflating the money he has saved, he is not accounting for the exponentially larger waste that he is creating," nonprofit Partnership for Public Service chief executive Max Stier told the newspaper. "Hes inflicted these costs on the American people, who will pay them for many years to come." Experts agree that the way Musk and DOGE went about mass-firing workers and slashing budgets was counterproductive and could've been done in a far more meaningful and effective way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They can do all the things they are currently doing, but they cant do them the way theyre doing them," former public service worker Jeri Buchholz, who oversaw decades of hiring and firing at federal agencies, told the NYT. "They can either start over and do it right, or they can be in court for forever." While it may have looked like DOGE set fire to huge swathes of the government's workforce, at least one quarter of the 100,000 workers buyouts and firings trimmed had to be rehired at full pay, per the newspaper. And firing them was a glaring mistake from the get-go. Thousands of those rehired workers were in charge of safeguarding nuclear weapons, combating bird flu, or fighting HIV at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of them were initially put on paid leave, racking up massive taxpayer bills for no work at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, it's no wonder Cabinet leaders and White House officials are growing tired of Musk's charade. As Rolling Stone reported earlier this month, some personnel have started calling him "Crazy Uncle Elon," a reference to his unpredictable and abrasive personal behavior. Besides dad jokes and screaming matches, Musk's bull-in-the-china-shop approach has put his baffling incompetence as a "special government employee" on full display and taxpayers will ultimately have to foot the bill for his ravagery. More on DOGE: Elon Musk's DOGE Has Been a Dismal Failure Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency is cutting off Americans from the Social Security benefits they're supposed to be receiving by writing them off as dead even though they're very much among the living, the Daily Beast reports. "We have people who did not receive benefits come in every day with their ID and say, 'I'm not dead, I'm alive!" Rennie Glasgow, a claims technical analyst and fifteen-year veteran of the Social Security Administration who works at the agency's office in Schenectady, New York, told the Beast. These clerical zombies are the collateral damage of DOGE's meddling with the SSA's "Death Master File," a comprehensive list of deceased individuals who should no longer receive benefits. Musk, who has called Social Security the "biggest ponzi scheme of all time" and has spread outrageous claims of mass benefits fraud, ordered millions of people who were "probably" dead to be moved to the list, the Washington Post reported, in order to make it more accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[DOGE staffers] went into the system and they killed off people," Glasgow told the Beast. "About four million people, they marked them as dead. But they're not sure if those people were supposed to be marked as dead, so they're sending us an email saying, 'If these people come into the office with their identification, you can reinstate them.'" As with other federal agencies, DOGE has swept through the SSA like a tornado. Under its recommendations, the SSA will lay off 7,000 employees, reducing its workforce to 50,000. Dozens of its offices across the country have either already been closed or will be. Its website constantly crashes, while its phone helplines are being shut down. Glasgow's office is reeling from the brutal changes, losing eight employees in a location that now only has 30, with only four of its 18 service windows able to stay open. For two hours every day, its computer system goes dark. In what is one of its most flagrant intrusions into the SSA's operations, the Trump administration is also attempting to force over 6,000 immigrants to "self-deport" by placing them in the Death Master File. Once so interred, a person on this list is cut off from accessing bank accounts and credit cards in the US a veritable financial death sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When they mark someone dead on the Social Security record, it stops their life," Glasgow told the Beast. "It stops their car payments, it stops their credit, it stops their ability to do anything. Their identification gets flagged. And most times those things have to go to the payment center." Even now, Social Security remains overwhelmingly popular with Americans across virtually all demographics. But Glasgow suspects that Musk and DOGE are deliberately sabotaging the agency so that the public will one day turn on it. More on DOGE: Elon Musk's DOGE Has Been a Dismal Failure MINNEAPOLIS (AP) X Corp., the social media platform owned by Trump adviser Elon Musk, is challenging the constitutionality of a Minnesota ban on using deepfakes to influence elections and harm candidates, saying it violates First Amendment speech protections. The company's federal lawsuit filed this week also contends that the 2023 state law is preempted by a 1996 federal statute that shields social media from being held responsible for material posted on their platforms. While the law's reference to banning deep fakes might sound benign, in reality it would criminalize innocuous, election-related speech, including humor, and make social-media platforms criminally liable for censoring such speech," the company said in a statement. Instead of defending democracy, this law would erode it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota's law imposes criminal penalties including jail time for disseminating a deepfake video, image or audio if a person knows it's fake, or acts with reckless disregard to its authenticity, either within 90 days before a party nominating convention, or after the start of early voting in a primary or general election. It says the intent must be to injure a candidate or influence an election result. And it defines deepfakes as material so realistic that a reasonable person would believe it's real, and generated by artificial intelligence or other technical means. Elon Musk funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into the 2024 presidential election and tried to buy a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat," said the law's author, Democratic state Sen. Erin Maye Quade. "Of course he is upset that Minnesota law prevents him from spreading deepfakes that meant to harm candidates and influence elections. Minnesotas law is clear and precise, while this lawsuit is petty, misguided and a waste of the Attorney General Offices time and resources, her statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office, which is legally obligated to defend the constitutionality of state laws in court, said in a statement that it's reviewing the lawsuit and will respond in the appropriate time and manner. The Minnesota law was already the subject of a constitutional challenge by Christopher Kohls, a content creator, and GOP state Rep. Mary Franson, who likes to post AI-generated parodies of politicians. That case is on hold while they appeal to overturn a judge's denial of their request to suspend the law. The attorney general's office argues in that case that deepfakes are a real and growing threat to free elections and democratic institutions, that the law is a legitimate and constitutional response to the problem, and that it contains important limitations on its scope that protect satire and parody. X, formerly known as Twitter, said it's the only social media platform challenging the Minnesota law, and that it has also challenged other laws it considers infringements of free speech, such as a 2024 California political deepfakes law that a judge has blocked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement X said in its statement that its Community Notes feature allows users to flag content they consider problematic, and that it's been adopted by Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. The company's lawsuit said its Authenticity Policy and Grok AI tool provide additional safeguards. Alan Rozenshtein, a University of Minnesota law professor and expert on technology law, said in an interview Friday that it's important to separate the free-speech issues from whatever one thinks about the controversial Musk. I'm almost positive that this will be struck down, Rozenshtein said. There's no exception under the First Amendment for false or misleading political speech, even lies, he said. And the potential for criminal penalties gives social media companies like X and Facebook an incentive to take down anything that might be a deepfake. ... You're going to censor a massive amount to comply with this law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deepfakes aren't good, but it would be nice to get evidence that they're causing actual problems before imposing such limits on free speech, the professor said. And while it's easy to focus on the supply of misinformation, the large demand for it is the problem. People want to be fooled, and it's very bad for our democracy, but its not something I think can be solved with a deepfakes ban," he said. Companies slowing or cancelling orders from China could lead to empty shelves in stores, amid Donald Trumps ongoing trade war with its major trading partner. Currently, the number of freight vessels scheduled to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles is on track to be down by 31 percent for the week ending May 10 compared with the previous year, according to the ship tracking site Port Optimizer. Earlier this month, the president raised the tariffs on imports from China to 145 percent. It comes at a time when U.S. retailers would usually be ramping up to prepare for fall and winter shopping periods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, on Friday, CNN reported that China appeared to have rolled back retaliatory tariffs of 125 percent on some products made in the U.S. Three import agencies told the outlet that the move was an attempt to mitigate prolonged escalation. The exemptions, per CNN, apply to integrated circuits, also known as microchips or semiconductors. Fears of empty shelves in U.S. stores come after Donald Trump raised the already eye-watering tariffs on imports from China to an alarming 145 percent earlier this month. It comes at a time when U.S. retailers would usually be ramping up in order to prepare for fall and winter shopping periods (Getty Images) Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy for the National Retail Federation, said that U.S. retailers were still struggling to predict the effect of tariffs on supply chains and, subsequently, their purchases. "They're making their holiday buying decisions now," he told NBC. "It's a challenge for folks to figure out how to properly order and price with all the uncertainty that's out there on the tariffs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If no changes to Trumps China tariffs are made, U.S.-based companies have to pay at least $145 in tariff fees to Customs and Border Protection to import most items valued at $100, wiping out profits unless the prices are hiked up significantly. American companies, including Target, have already decreased or cancelled orders, Chinese vendors told NBC News earlier this month. In addition, the National Retail Federation expects imports to drop by 20 percent in the second half of the year if no changes to tariffs are made. Industry leaders have compared the current fears to those during Covid-19, when shortages of basic goods including toilet paper became apparent on U.S. store shelves (Getty Images) Industry leaders have compared the current fears to those during Covid-19, when shortages of basic goods, including toilet paper, became apparent on U.S. store shelves. Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, told NBC that customers would begin seeing shortages of various items beginning in a couple of weeks. We are just going to start running out of stuff, and if the administration waits to resolve the problem until we have shortages and hoarding, that is just too late, he told the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Trump hinted that his administration and China were at the negotiating table, and actively having discussions, to resolve the trade war, but the claims were quickly shut down by Beijing. The president said he planned to be very nice to reach a deal, admitting that his 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods was too high and vowed it would come down substantially. However, two Chinese officials on Thursday contradicted his claims. He Yadong, Chinas Ministry of Commerce spokesperson, said Thursday: Any claims about the progress of China-U.S. trade negotiations are groundless as trying to catch the wind and have no factual basis. Chairs of the foreign affairs committees of eight European parliaments on April 25 urged U.S. President Donald Trump to end "the policy of appeasement" towards Russia, and called for a "resolute stance" against Moscow, according to a document seen by the Kyiv Independent. "We strongly warn against yielding to its blackmail and deception," the statement read. The statement is signed by chairs of the foreign affairs committees of the U.K., France, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump has adopted a more critical stance toward Ukraine than his predecessor, while courting Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Trump administration has temporarily paused military and intelligence support for Kyiv while taking no significant steps to pressure Russia into ending its war in Ukraine. "We urge an end to the policy of appeasement and call instead for a united, resolute stance against Russias terrorist regime," the statement reads. "Negotiating with the war criminal Putin is evidently futile; his main objective is to undermine and humiliate our ally, the United States. We call upon all states to ensure that Vladimir Putin and all those complicit in his crimes are brought to justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officials also called upon the U.S. and other NATO members to admit Ukraine into NATO "without delay." as well as accelerate Ukraine's accession to the European Union. "We must not repeat the mistakes of Munich in 1938," they said. The chairs stressed that there can be "no compromise and no external pressure" on Ukraine regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as U.S. is reportedly proposing its de jure recognition of Russian control over Crimea, which Russia has occupied since 2014, as part of a potential peace deal. They also urged Europe to confiscate Russias frozen assets and redirect them to support Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, a copy of the peace proposal given to the U.S. by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week show the diverging viewpoints of the U.S. on one side, and Ukraine and its European allies on the other as they seek to end Russia's full-scale invasion. Read also: Ukraine, Europes ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no recognition of Crimea, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Households energy bills are on course to fall by 166 a year after Donald Trumps trade war sent gas prices tumbling. The cost of a typical dual-fuel tariff is now expected to reduce from 1,849 to 1,683 from July under the Governments energy price cap. Consultancy Cornwall Insight forecast the significant drop, which equates to a 9pc fall, based on recent changes in wholesale gas prices. Analysts said gas prices were partly being driven down by Mr Trumps decision to impose tariffs on all goods entering the US, which economists fear could plunge the world into recession and reduce demand for oil and gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also pointed to unseasonably warm weather and discussions in the European Union about reducing gas storage requirements. All these factors have put downward pressure on forward gas prices, with the European benchmark falling from a peak of about 58 (50) per megawatt hour (MWh) in February to about 34 this week. Ofgem calculates the price cap on a quarterly basis and Cornwall Insights forecast another a very slight fall in October and another drop in January. Craig Lowrey, of Cornwall Insight, said the reduction showed how vulnerable gas prices were to geopolitical and market shifts. However, he added: There is unfortunately no guarantee that any fall in prices will be sustained, and there is always the risk of the market rebounding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expected fall in energy bills this summer will be a welcome political development for Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, who has been under pressure over Labours promise to cut energy bills by 300 a year. During last years election campaign, the price cap stood at 1,690 per year slightly above what it is expected to be in a months time. Responding to recent increases to the price cap, Mr Miliband has blamed a global spike in gas prices and insisted the only way to cut bills in the long run is by switching to renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar. This week, The Telegraph also revealed that Mr Miliband has been urged by officials to implement regional electricity pricing, a policy that supporters claim will cut bills overall for millions of households but could increase energy costs for people living in the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, has claimed that the rapid adoption of renewables is bankrupting Britain. She warned that the Governments net zero policies were putting energy security at risk, criticising muddled plans, unrealistic targets and deadlines [and an] over-reliance on China. 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. Blancpain-backed expedition discovers first living dinosaur fish in the maluku archipelago, Indonesia Blancpain's continued dedication to ocean exploration leads to a groundbreaking discovery: the first living coelacanth of the Maluku archipelago, in Indonesia. Once believed to have vanished 70 million years ago, the elusive "Dinosaur Fish" or "Raja Laut" ("King of the Sea" in local Indonesian language), has once again revealed itself, allowing Alexis Chappuis and UNSEEN Expeditions to bring back the first images of this species (Latimeria menadoensis) ever taken by divers in its natural habitat. Following Laurent Ballestas legendary encounter with the West Indian Ocean species, in South Africa in 2013, this new chapter once again proudly supported by Blancpain is a breathtaking reminder that the ocean remains largely unknown and that exploration is as relevant as ever. UNSEEN Expeditions Alexis Chappuis The coelacanth, often mistakenly called a "living fossil" or "dinosaur fish" had been known from fossils dated back to more than 400 million years way before dinosaurs and was thought to be extinct until 1938, when a specimen was discovered in a fishing net off the coast of South Africa. This marked one of the biggest Natural History discoveries of the 20th century. In 2013, renowned diver and longstanding Blancpain partner Laurent Ballesta together with his team became the first divers to study and document living coelacanths in their natural habitat. Today, Alexis Chappuis, leader of UNSEEN Expeditions, has achieved a similar milestone by being the first diver to photograph the Indonesian species. Overcoming the extreme technical challenges of deep mixed-gas diving, both teams captured unique in situ images of the two known living species of coelacanths, at -120 and -145 meters. For just a few minutes at these depths, divers need hours of decompression, floating a few meters beneath the surface, in the open ocean. Since 2020, Blancpain has been supporting a long-term collaboration led by Alexis Chappuis and UNSEEN Expeditions, along with international and local scientific partners, to document the largely unexplored mesophotic zone and eventually discover potential coelacanth habitats. In this context, the discovery of the very first coelacanth of the Maluku archipelago adds crucial knowledge to the distribution of the Indonesian species Latimeria menadoensis, aiding in the understanding and conservation of this ancient lineage. (Read the full scientific publication here.) UNSEEN Expeditions Alexis Chappuis This monumental find not only enriches our understanding of marine biodiversity but also evokes a profound sense of wonder and excitement among scientists and conservationists worldwide. Coelacanths being especially sensitive to external perturbations, the exact locality of the discovery will remain confidential until further studies are conducted, and better protections are in place. Dr. Gino Valentino Limmon, researcher at Pattimura University and Alexis counterpart on this project, emphasized, This discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of North Maluku and underscores the urgency of further exploration and conservation of the mesophotic zone. Dr. Mark Erdmann, Vice President of Conservation International's Asia-Pacific marine programs, added, Im delighted to see that this team has managed to settle the long-standing question of whether coelacanths occur in the North Maluku region. The fact they were able to do such using deep trimix diving is even more impressive and opens the door to a plethora of exciting conservation research opportunities. Alexis Chappuis, Marine Biologist & Leader of UNSEEN Expeditions, said, We didn't tell Blancpain and our partners that we were going to find the coelacanth. We told them we would explore potential coelacanth habitats. It's becoming increasingly challenging to find reliable, long- term partners who support this kind of project. UNSEEN Expeditions Alexis Chappuis Marc A. Hayek, President & CEO of Blancpain, stated, "Blancpain is proud to support bold scientific projects that lead, inspire, and have positive impact on global marine conservation. Following Laurent Ballesta's milestone in 2013, we are very proud of this discovery, which reaffirms our commitment to these efforts since more than two decades." Environmental groups are decrying an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to expedite deep-sea mining for minerals, saying it could irreparably harm marine ecosystems and ignores an ongoing process to adopt international rules for the practice. Trump's order Thursday directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fast track permits for companies to mine the ocean floor in both U.S. and international waters. The move comes as China controls many critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese used in high-tech manufacturing, including for military uses. Trump said his order establishes the U.S. as a global leader in seabed mineral exploration and development both within and beyond national jurisdiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order also comes after Canada-based The Metals Company said it would request approval through a U.S. subsidiary for mining in international waters. The company issued a statement on its website Friday saying it plans to apply for permits this year to mine nodules that contain valuable minerals to strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains. As always, we remain committed to acting in the best interests of our sponsoring states, partners, investors, and the planet, said Gerard Barron, the companys chairman and CEO. But environmentalists worry it could harm fisheries and even affect oceans' ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide, the main driver of global warming caused by the burning of coal, gas and other fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 30 countries, as well as fisheries trade groups, environmentalists and some auto and tech companies, have called for a moratorium on seabed mining. Scientists agree that deep-sea mining is a deeply dangerous endeavor for our ocean and all of us who depend on it, said Jeff Watters, vice president for external affairs at the Ocean Conservancy. "The harm caused by deep-sea mining isnt restricted to the ocean floor: it will impact the entire water column, top to bottom, and everyone and everything relying on it.' Such concerns prompted most countries in the 1990s to join a United Nations-affiliated International Seabed Authority to govern seabed mining in international waters. But the U.S. never signed onto the effort, which has not yet adopted rules. Watters warned that ignoring those efforts is opening a door for other countries to do the same before safeguards are adopted. The ramifications could resonate beyond deep-sea mining, affecting agreements on fishing, shipping, navigation and marine research, warned Duncan Currie, legal advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world also must ask if it can afford to not mine deep-sea minerals that could help develop low-carbon technologies to fight climate change and whether the impacts can be managed, said Assheton Stewart Carter, CEO of the global consulting firm TDi Sustainability. We face tough choices and the prospect of uncomfortable trade-offs if we are to face and find solutions to serious climate change problems, he said. But Katie Matthews, chief scientist at the advocacy group Oceana, said Trump's order to expedite the process now is a clear case of putting mining companies greed over common sense ... Any attempt to accelerate deep-sea mining without proper safeguards will only speed up the destruction of our oceans. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Utah is in the middle of overhauling its approach to drugs and homelessness. At the root of this makeover is one deadly fact: The state has been flooded with a new generation of narcotics that an old set of policies are inadequate to confront. An unprecedentedly large and lethal influx of fentanyl pills and super meth has forced state officials, not just in Utah, but around the country, to completely rethink their approach to preventing, treating and prosecuting the evolving overdose epidemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its changing almost everything weve ever thought about drugs, author Sam Quinones told the Deseret News. What we need to understand is that this is a new era. This is the message Quinones, the award-winning author of The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth, plans to bring to Salt Lake City on May 7 during a Solutions Utah conference with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. The visit could hardly come at a better time as Utah finds itself as an outlier in terms of drug overdose deaths with drug seizures of fentanyl and meth continuing to grow. Utahs growing fentanyl problem In 2024, Utah was one of only five states that saw a jump in overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the country as a whole had a 24% decrease in overdoses from 2023 to 2024, Utah had a 5% increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes after Utah recorded its highest number of overdose deaths ever in 2023. That year there were 606 drug overdose deaths in Utah, with 290 of those involving fentanyl, according to reports from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Along with this tragic record, Utah law enforcement are seeing significantly more fentanyl enter the state and stay here. Seized fentanyl pills are displayed during a press conference about the dangers and increase in fentanyl at the Drug Enforcement Administration Salt Lake City District Office in Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The pills are marked to look like authentic pharmaceutical drugs, but are fake and can be deadly. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News In 2020, Utah task forces of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area seized over 49,000 dosage units of fentanyl. That increased sevenfold to 330,000 in 2021 before quadrupling to 1.5 million in 2022, doubling to 3.4 million in 2023 and hitting 4.7 million in 2024 totaling 95 times the amount of interdicted fentanyl from four years earlier. The pace isnt slowing down. Utah Highway Patrol and the State Bureau of Investigation have already seized nearly as many dosage units of fentanyl in the first four months of 2025 as they did in the entire year of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But potentially the most worrying statistic is that, unlike in past years, around half of those drugs were destined for Utah markets instead of just passing through the state, according to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jess Anderson. That causes me great alarm, Anderson said. Either weve got a demand issue going on here in Utah that we were not aware of ... or weve got more of ... a cartel issue ... than what we would like to admit. Isa Empey, left, and Haley Kline, center, both hold vigil candles while listening to a prayer during the annual Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil, hosted by the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness, in Pioneer Park in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News A death sentence for the homeless No one has been harder hit than those living on Utahs streets. In 2023, the No. 1 cause of death for people experiencing homelessness in Utah was drug overdose, accounting for 35% of the 216 homeless deaths recorded that year, compared to 5% of deaths in the general population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fatality rate associated with fentanyl which is 50 times stronger than heroin has flipped the consensus approach to homelessness on its head, according to Quinones. No longer can localities justify permanent encampments or housing first programs that offer low-barrier apartment units or shelter space with no requirements for sobriety or treatment, Quinones said, because doing so is a death sentence. The problem is now, if you leave people on the street to find readiness to hit rock bottom, meth will drive them mad, and fentanyl will kill them before any readiness for treatment ever takes place, Quinones said. After spending more than 10 years reporting in the towns most impacted by drugs, Quinones has concluded that what places like Utah need to do is develop replacements for the approaches refined in a pre-fentanyl America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One solution Quinones has seen take hold in some counties is to use jail-time for arrested individuals as a forced detox period to encourage recovery and treatment upon release. Recalling one individual who was arrested with 94 warrants against him, Anderson agreed that law enforcement needs additional resources to break the cycle by helping people get sober in a humane way, potentially with a 30-day jail stay, to decrease the chances that arrested individuals exit and immediately look for ways to get more drugs. The No. 1 cause of homelessness is a catastrophic loss of family. Rep. Tyler Clancy Utah Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, who has spearheaded recent efforts to transform the states goals on homelessness, is also on board. Many fentanyl addicts use the drug 8-10 times every day, said Clancy, who is a detective with the Provo Police Department. Were fundamentally misunderstanding the depth of this addiction and misunderstanding the danger of fentanyl, Clancy said. When someones in the absolute thick of addiction, its mandatory treatment or death or destroying their life or leaving citizens on the streets of our cities to be subject to disorder and crime. A homeless persons belongings are pictured on Victory Road in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 | Laura Seitz, Deseret News New law enforcement initiatives During the last legislative session, Clancy sponsored HB199, which would allow first responders to connect overdose survivors to treatment resources while prohibiting syringe exchange programs in certain areas, and HB329, which would require shelters to maintain a zero-drug policy while enhancing criminal penalties for drug distribution in the surrounding areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both bills passed the Legislature unanimously and will take effect on May 7. They were accompanied by HB87, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gwynn, R-Farr West, which would make the trafficking of 100 grams or more of fentanyl a first degree felony. The bill also became law with a unanimous vote in both chambers. If youre caught with fentanyl, 100 grams or more, we will treat you as if you are coming to our communities trying to kill our people, Anderson said. That is what happens with overdoses and so therefore we will hold you accountable. During the first few months of 2025 before HB87 was signed into law, Utah law enforcement encountered 47 individuals in the Salt Lake City area who would have qualified for the new felony designation, Anderson said. In response to Utahs growing number of overdoses, Cox tapped Anderson in October to head the new Utah Fentanyl Task Force, which has the goal of reducing drug overdoses by 25% before 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative hopes to rebuild Utahs approach from the ground up with groups focused on improving the states drug data, revamping long-term recovery programs, conducting public outreach about the dangers of fentanyl and increasing police presence. There are already signs that this renewed focus is bearing fruit, according to Anderson. With more officers to disrupt key drug distribution areas, the price of fentanyl has increased from $1 per pill to $10 per pill, Anderson said. Andersons office believes this contributed to what they expect to be a 3% decrease in overdose deaths during the final quarter of 2024, which was not included in the CDC survey. But as fentanyl faces pressure from law enforcement its actually being overtaken by meth, Anderson said. Word about fentanyl is actually getting out. Community-driven solutions To avoid playing whack-a-mole with new drug variants, the state needs to increase efforts to address the root of drug supply as well as drug demand, according to Anderson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A newly secured border under the Trump administration is expected to help cut off some trafficking, Anderson said, pointing out that half of those that we pick up dealing the drugs are illegal immigrants. But local solutions must focus just as much on demand as they do on supply, Quinones found while researching his book in towns like Portsmouth, Ohio. Frequently towns need municipal recovery as much or more than they need drug addiction recovery, Quinones said. This kind of recovery comes in unlikely forms. One of Quinones favorite solutions is community swimming pools, which he said are a perfect example of the kind of public space that bring people together and encourage healthy habits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to investing in public recreation, Quinones said counties have experimented successfully with setting aside areas of jails as rehab pods, where inmates can successfully detox to reduce recidivism. But jails and prisons are far from the best place to treat the problem of drug use, according to Amanda Alkema, the behavioral health director at the Utah Division of Correctional Health Services, which oversees the medical care of the states roughly 6,500 prison inmates. When there is illicit drug use going on in the prison, its not always also the right place to try to detox somebody, Alkema said. A prisons never going to really provide a therapeutic environment. More funding could help move the state toward Quinones vision of designated detox areas, Alkema said. About two-thirds of prison inmates have substance use disorders, including around 1,500 who have opiate use disorder, according to Alkema. To be effective, these funds would need to help provide comprehensive care, Alkema said. Currently there is only one mental health medication prescriber for every 170 patients with serious mental illness in Utah prisons. However, more funding and forced detox can only accomplish so much, according to Clancy. Ultimately, America and Utahs drug and homelessness problem finds its source much closer to home. The No. 1 cause of homelessness is a catastrophic loss of family, Clancy said, quoting Alan Graham, founder of the Community First! homeless village in Austin. That is a huge thing were seeing, not just with our neighbors who are homeless, but across the country, were becoming more and more disconnected from one another. After all, Clancy said, the opposite of addiction which seeks isolation and shuns accountability is community, and if theres anything Utahns can rally behind its that. Friday was Arbor Day, and Eries mayor encouraged residents to plant a tree. Mayor Joe Schember did his part by planting a tree in East Perry Square Friday morning. Erie has received the designation of Tree City USA for the 19th year in a row. Diocese of Erie hosting memorial mass for Pope Francis This recognized the citys work planting new trees, maintaining existing ones, and replacing those that are dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eries arborist said trees do more than just make the city more beautiful. Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. tours Penn State Behrend, eyes new center They also provide shading and cooling in the hot summer months. They can act as windbreaks in the winter to help with our heating bills. They are homes to birds and wildlife, and even our insects and bees, said Sarah Peelman, City of Erie arborist. Tree seedlings and educational materials will be handed out to the public on Saturday, April 26, from 10 to 2 p.m. at the Blasco Library. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russia continues to grind down Ukraines military through an intense war of attrition, with no evidence it is preparing for a ceasefire, according to Estonias Defence Forces Intelligence Centre. Source: Estonian public broadcaster ERR, as reported by European Pravda Details: In its weekly assessment of combat activity, published 25 April, Estonian intelligence reported an average of 137 Russian attacks per day along the front over the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Easter period, Sunday 20 April stood out, as the number of Russian attacks dropped to 96. For the first time, aircraft were not used to strike targets on Ukrainian territory. In addition, artillery and strike drone use fell by two-thirds on that day. However, the following day, the number of attacks returned to previous levels, the intensity of air tactical strikes increased by 1.5 times, and deep strikes by Russian forces across Ukraine resumed. In this context, the defence forces noted that there are still no signs of Russia preparing for a possible ceasefire. This renders public statements by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin about peace meaningless and an attempt to mislead the public, the report adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces continue to apply pressure along all frontline areas. Donetsk Oblast remains the main attack area. There is high combat activity near the city of Pokrovsk, which accounts for around one-third of all daily attacks. Pressure also continues near the city of Toretsk, where Russian forces are gradually expanding a previously captured foothold. Estonian intelligence reported that Russian attacks on other fronts have largely been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the report highlights as a Ukrainian success the explosion of munitions at the 51st Arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of Russias Ministry of Defence in the Kirzhach district of Russias Vladimir Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early assessments indicate that the consequences of this explosion are comparable to the blast at the ammunition depot in the city of Toropets, Tver Oblast, in September 2024, when 30,000 tonnes of various munitions were destroyed in Russia. Background: Recently, UK intelligence noted that Russias education system is becoming increasingly ideological, which suggests that aggressive expansionist sentiments will only become more entrenched in Russian society. Estonian Internal Security Service believes that regardless of any agreement on the war in Ukraine, the level of threat to Estonias internal security will not decrease. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A Minnesota Senate ethics panel cleared Senate President Bobby Joe Champion following a conflict of interest investigation. The Senate's Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct said Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) didn't have a financial conflict of interest when he proposed a bill to award $1 million to a nonprofit run by one of his former legal clients. However, the committee did say that Champion should disclose "any appearance of" conflicts of interest in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report from the Minnesota Reformer, Champion helped steer millions in grant funding to a violence interruption group run by Rev. Jerry McAfee, despite representing McAfee's nonprofit Salem Inc. as an attorney on a series of mortgage cases starting in 2022. Related: Senate President Champion seeks ethics opinion after article details potential conflict-of-interest McAfee's nonprofit 21 Days of Peace was awarded a $3 million grant in the 2023-24 legislative session through a bill authored by Champion. In March, Champion proposed another $1 million in funding to 21 Days of Peace, though this funding didn't make it into the final bill. Champion told the Reformer that the work he carried for McAfee starting in 2022 was pro-bono. You can read the full report here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Champion, who had requested the ethics review, released a statement following the panel's findings on Thursday, saying he is "grateful for the opportunity to clear my name, and to move on with the important work of passing an equitable, balance budget that will improve the lives of all Minnesotans." "I appreciate the conclusion the members of the Ethics Subcommittee, which as expected found that I had not violated Senate rules," Champion said. "I sought the advisory opinion from the in full confidence that I have followed the rules of the Senate with regards to conflict of interest, and conducted myself with integrity. As was discussed in this process, and acknowledged even by the Republican members, I have always acted in the service of the people. That mission encompasses both my legislative work and the pro bono legal services I have provided, particularly to churches and nonprofits." Sen. Bobby Joe Champion.Minnesota Senate Media/YouTube Champion temporarily stepped down from his role as chair of the ethics subcommittee during the investigation. He asked the panel for an advisory opinion, which ultimately said that Champion is advised to "disclose any appearance of a potential conflict of interest to the committees of interest when he is the chief author of bills." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ethics panel is evenly split between two Democrats and two Republicans. Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton) suggested that a standard of disclosing such information going forward is not only beneficial of legislative purposes, but also for "the people of Minnesota." "What we do when there is disclosure to our colleagues, when there is a bill that's going to direct taxpayer dollars to an entity that a member has a previous relationship with, I think a bare minimum disclosure of that past relationship is appropriate," Mathews said. Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) said: "It is difficult because we're all involved in our communities, we all serve on boards ... maybe we're not attorneys doing pro bono work but we do volunteer work. It is challenging but I think it's our responsibility to at least provide some recommendations so we're not back in this same situation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethics Subcommittee Chair Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), suggested the panel could make recommendations to the legislature on how procedures are done. Pappas defended Champion's pro bono work, adding that it would "be a shame" if he was to stop doing it. Senate Republicans have made a motion to remove Champion from his role as president of the chamber, which was deferred by Democrats to the rules of committee for future discussion. You can watch the committee hearing held on Thursday by clicking here or watching the embedded video below. The Senate Subcommittee on Ethics on Thursday advised Minnesota Senate President Bobby Joe Champion to disclose potential conflicts of interest in future bills he sponsors. Though in that same motion, the panel made no finding on whether Champion had a conflict of interest when he carried a 2023 bill that gave state money to a nonprofit whose founder he had done free legal work for in the past. Further, they found no financial conflict in a bill he sponsored this year to bring that organization another $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision was unanimous, though the Ethics Subcommittee has two Democratic-Farmer-Labor and two Republican members and often deadlocks or rules inconclusively. On May 5, its expected to hear a Senate GOP complaint against Champion regarding his relationships with nonprofits he helped fund. Violence prevention nonprofit Champion, a Minneapolis DFLer, has been under scrutiny in recent weeks after reports that he helped the violence prevention nonprofit 21 Days of Peace obtain $3 million in funding, and that he had done pro bono work for its founder, Jerry McAfee. The senator temporarily stepped down as chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct and asked for an advisory opinion on April 7, and has maintained that his pro bono work did not coincide with his sponsorship of the bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate the conclusion the members of the Ethics Subcommittee, which as expected found that I had not violated Senate rules, Champion said in a statement. I sought the advisory opinion from the in full confidence that I have followed the rules of the Senate with regards to conflict of interest, and conducted myself with integrity. Minnesotas ethics rules for legislators are not particularly expansive. Current law bans members from voting on matters that result in a direct financial gain for themselves or their business disproportionate to others in the same field. Political observers and lawmakers of both parties have noted that Minnesotas part-time citizen legislature naturally lends itself to members voting on issues directly related to their work and communities. Teachers, nurses and business owners often back or carry bills directly related to their lines of work. Connections may effect work as lawmakers As the Senate Ethics Subcommittee prepared to pass a motion Thursday, Chair Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, who joined the committee after Champion stepped down, reflected on that challenge for Minnesota lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that we have to be very careful with this advisory opinion and what we issue, because if were doing our job as legislators, as I said, we have a lot of relationships and a lot of people we know in the community, and that informs our work as legislators, she said. That should be considered a good thing. Pappas said the advisory opinion from the Ethics Subcommittee telling Champion to disclose potential conflicts in the future was a reminder for all members to weigh how their connections might affect their work. Champions connection to nonprofits he helped fund has raised questions in the Legislature about changing state ethics rules. Senate Republicans have said that regardless of whether Champion violated rules, state lawmakers should hold themselves to a higher standard of conduct. Privilege rules Sen. Michael Kreun, R-Blaine, who brought the complaint against Champion, has said a big part of his concern is that Champion had interactions with McAfee, which would be private under attorney-client privilege rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The choice to carry legislation that provided funding to an entity with which Champion has a privileged relationship without disclosing the relationship fails to meet those standards, he said in a Thursday statement. This opinion from the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct acknowledges that fact by saying he should make disclosures in the future. The Ethics Subcommittee will hear Kreuns complaint at a meeting where theyll officially adopt Thursdays advisory opinion. Kreuns complaint requests that the subcommittee look into whether Champion violated rules prohibiting actions that discredit the Senate or undermine public trust in government. Related Articles JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) East Tennessee State University (ETSU) President Brian Noland issued a campus-wide memo Friday outlining ETSUs approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the wake of governmental restrictions on DEI. The changes include the end of ETSUs Office of Equity and Inclusion, effective immediately. The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation earlier this week prohibiting public universities and other state government entities from housing offices or units focused on DEI. Prior to that, federal policy directives were issued nationwide to universities, prohibiting institutions from offering services exclusively to specific races, ethnicities, and identity groups. According to Noland, after months of deliberating, the following plans or changes will be implemented at ETSU: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of Equity and Inclusion will sunset operations. A newly envisioned Mary V. Jordan Center, focused on supporting the lifelong success of all students, will launch this coming fall. The center will serve as a front door for student services and be a dynamic new hub expanding programming to include dedicated support for low-income and first-generation students. Educational programming related to cultural awareness and competency currently provided by the Multicultural Center will transition to the Carrier Center to ensure it is more closely aligned with the universitys overarching student life and engagement programs and more fully integrated within the entire campus community. The Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center and the Women and Gender Resource Center will be reimagined within a new Dr. Patricia Robertson Center, which will provide services for students focused on supporting holistic well-being and community connections. More information on the Jordan and Robertson centers will be provided in the coming weeks, Noland said. News about the closures began circulating last week. Carmen Webb, co-chair of ETSU Young Democratic Socialists of America, said she found out during a club event. I get pulled to the side and we find out that we are going to have to overhaul one of our speeches, Webb said. Because we found out that the Pride Center and the Women and Gender Center are going to be closing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freshman Evie Malone found out during the same event. She said the centers helped her decide to be a Buc. I probably would not have come here if it were not for these centers being present on campus, Malone said. The students said they found themselves disappointed by ETSUs lack of communication. I believe it is their responsibility to have open and honest communication with students and alumni who are supporting them financially, Malone said. Malone created a petition following her discovery and said there is a need for open communication. Im giving this school my time and my money, fifth-year student Jordan Bond said. And theyre not telling me things that are important to me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that anyone who was in these groups and had their trust disputed probably has completely lost it, Webb said. Noland also said in his statement that no staff positions will be terminated as a result of the new plans or changes, but their duties may change to adapt to the overall changes. I understand that changes such as these are likely to be difficult for many on our campus, Noland wrote. I would like to reassure our campus community that we remain firmly committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff during this transition. As always, resources are available to help students and employees who may be struggling. I also urge each of you to consider ways you might serve as a source of support and encouragement for one another as we enter the last weeks of a busy and eventful semester. The emotions and stressors that come with the end of the academic year are inevitable, but each of us can make the choice to act with the kindness and civility for which the ETSU community is known. Throughout this process, our focus will continue to be providing the best possible support and experience for the students we serve. Thank you for all you do. ETSU President Brian Noland Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. The European Union has become increasingly concerned about Russian interference as part of what it sees as a broader hybrid campaign orchestrated by Moscow to weaken the West. Addressing a meeting of the European Parliament Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) on Tuesday, Bulgarian investigative journalist Christo Grozev stressed that Russias hybrid warfare goes far beyond espionage to include sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation. According to Grozev who used to work at investigative website Bellingcat and now writes for the German magazine Der Spiegel and Russia-focused, independent media outlet The Insider Russias campaigns are designed to sow chaos and confusion and to spread fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Events such as the Olympics in Paris as well as national elections in Romania, Germany, Moldova and last years European Parliament elections have been seen as targets in the hybrid campaign. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last year pledged to set up EUDS to counter the threats. The commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection, Michael McGrath, is in charge of developing the initiative. The European Parliament established the special committee and is tasked with proposing tangible solutions to strengthen the blocs resilience to hybrid threats. Grozev was optimistic that Russian hybrid threats can be countered. Exposed cells, mapped networks, and convicted spies show that these operations can be countered. Success stems from collaboration cooperation among journalists and among states, he said. What are hybrid threats? Hybrid threats refer to a range of non-traditional attacks such as cyberattacks or disinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The generic security term covers actions that state or non-state actors use to harm other countries without waging open warfare. As a rule, they are difficult or impossible to attribute to a specific perpetrator. In recent months, many countries in Europe have reported damage to infrastructure, including underwater data cables in the Baltic Sea, and arson attacks. Investigators believe that Russia is behind many of the attacks, although sometimes it can be made to look like other countries are responsible. The EUs foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in an annual report last month that foreign information manipulation and interference is a major security threat to the EU." The report said that in 2024 it tracked disinformation attacks against over 80 countries and more than 200 organizations. Ahead of a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels in December, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said there were 500 suspicious incidents in Europe in 2024 and that nearly 100 of them can be attributed to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief of the military alliance, Mark Rutte, said at the meeting that China, Iran and North Korea are also active in cyberattacks. Disrupting servers ... and elections A common type cyberattack is a so-called Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, which floods a server with internet traffic in an attempt to make it inaccessible and stop working. Last year, the pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16) launched such a DDoS against public institutions and strategic sectors in Spain and other NATO countries seen as allies of Ukraine. While temporarily blocking some Spanish websites, the attack was contained and no data thefts or malicious software were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hacktivist group emerged after Russia began its war against Ukraine and threatened to respond to the anti-Russian actions of Western countries. In July, Spains Civil Guard arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the attacks. According to intelligence services, Russia has also often tried to interfere with democratic processes in Europe by trying to disrupt elections. The 2024 annual report by the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) this week revealed that Russian hackers carried out cyberattacks on public transport companies and political party websites in an attempt to disrupt the European Parliament elections in the Netherlands, making it more difficult for citizens to vote. According to MIVD Vice Admiral Peter Reesink, the hackers also tried to access vital infrastructure in the Netherlands with the goal of disrupting aid to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Germany, days before a general election in February, the Interior Ministry warned that Russia was targeting voters with a disinformation campaign seeking to help the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and destroy confidence in democracy." The campaign suggested that the AfD, which is has a more sympathetic line towards Russia than other parties, was being unfairly treated. In December, the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) annulled the countrys presidential election over concerns of Russian interference in the vote, in which the far-right Moscow-backed Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round. According to the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT), Romania was targeted by actions of a state cyber actor on information and communication technologies supporting the electoral process. Keeping an eye on the EUs neighbourhood Disinformation and conspiracy theories also continue to flood the EUs close neighbours such as Moldova and North Macedonia, which is pushing for EU membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moldova, one of Europes poorest countries, remains heavily reliant on Russian gas. The former Soviet republic is deeply divided between pro-European and pro-Russian factions. Pro-Western President Maia Sandu won a second term in office in October, and the EU accused Russia of unprecedented meddling in the votes in an attempt to favour pro-Kremlin candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo. In North Macedonia, pro-Kremlin actors on social media play on disillusionment, scepticism, and suspicion, according to a report issued by Euro-Atlantic Council of North Macedonia. The country's Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Timcho Mucunski has warned that the EUs credibility is at stake, and argues that enlargement is the solution to prevent the greater weaponization of Russian propaganda. He specifically warned about malign actors exploiting North Macedonias frustration with the constantly shifting requirements to join the EU. The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, Agerpres, ANP, BTA, CTK, dpa, EFE, MIA as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project. Charles Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and leading expert on child abuse investigations, at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2019. The Archbishop of Malta, Charles Scicluna, 65, is perhaps the most respected figure within the Vatican in the fight against child abuse. He led the landmark investigation into Marcial Maciel, the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, as well as inquiries into the bishops in Chile and the recent probe into Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana, a powerful ultraconservative organization in Peru. In 2019, he returned to the Vaticans inner circle to address the ongoing crisis plaguing the Catholic Church: clerical pedophilia. The pope entrusted him with a key role as Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and as a member of the organizing committee for the synod in Rome with the presidents of the worlds episcopal conferences. Scicluna is seen as the nemesis of abusive priests, a relentless hunter of pedophiles and their protectors within the clergy. Prudent and discreet, he admits that Pope Franciss death came as a great shock. While he doesnt want to comment on whether the next pontiff should be uncompromising in this fight, he warns that the cries of the victims cannot be ignored. Question. What will Francis legacy be? He implemented significant reforms, and whether they remain or not will depend on his successor. Answer. Obviously, the new pope will have to be honest with himself and express his vision of the Church. He cant be a photocopy of the previous one. He will have to be allowed the freedom to make his own decisions. And we hope they will be made in tune with the demands of these times. We will follow them. Q. Pope Francis polarized the Church. There have been many tensions. Will the new pontiff have to heal those divisions? A. A prophet faithful to the Gospel will always be a sign of contradictions. There will always be tensions; every pope has been a symbol of these opposing forces. Q. One of the pillars of your pontificate has been the fight against child abuse. Where does this fight stand now? A. The list of reforms, laws, and documents is impressive. In 2014, he created the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, followed by a special body in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) to study cases of child abuse. In 2016, he issued a motu proprio about the accountability of the Church in these matters... There is a new theology of the Churchs response to this issue. When one of our own is hurt, we are all hurt. And that makes us responsible for responding to the scourge of abuse. Q. Beyond the laws and rules, theres a culture of cover-up thats harder to combat. Has anything changed in that regard? A. Theres still much to be done. Cultures need conversion and convergence to promote reporting [of cases]. Another problem is that many victims protect themselves through shame and silence. And this is such an ingrained culture that it hinders the culture of reporting. We cannot say that everything is resolved; there is still much work to be done. There are just foundations, but the conversion of culture take a long time. Q. It seems that the automatic processes havent worked, and that many of the resolved cases were due to Pope Francis personal efforts: Chile, Sodalicio, Legionaries... A. Justice isnt delivered automatically; it requires discernment, respect for people, and respect for the truth. These are structures that must function, and theres still work to be done on that. I hope this work continues. Q. Do you think that Francis death could relax that fight or leave the Church with fewer tools to combat it? A. The instruments are there, and we must thank Francis for them. Now we must use them. But we must not be afraid of laxity in this matter: it is Gods people who demand justice. That desire will not die. It is something that must be above any pope. This is not his pontifical shield; it is about the safety of children. No one can ignore the cry of Gods people and of the victims. Q. You are the deputy secretary of the CDF and head of the department dedicated to abuse. How many people work there? Are there any staff shortages? A. Look, I too am the bishop of a large diocese. And the fight against child abuse isnt carried out in the CDF, but in the parishes, in the schools, in the dioceses. The Pope insisted that each diocese have instruments for listening to and promoting the protection of minors. The CDF is important because these crimes find their penal response there. But the battle is won and lost in the parish, in the seminaries where future priests are trained. Thats where the war must be fought. Q. But many in the CDF complain of a lack of resources for the number of cases that arrive. A. We can try to ensure that the dicastery continues to have more staff. There are currently about 40 people dedicated to this work. But this is only part of the Churchs response. Child protection isnt guaranteed there, but rather by promoting it in the parishes, where the people are. Q. Is the current legal apparatus enough to address the issue? A. The law must continually adapt to reality. And in the last 25 years, it has changed because reality has changed. Twenty-five years ago, the concept of online child pornography didnt exist, for example. We shouldnt lock any legislation in a box. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A month after a town hall in Downers Grove was shut down due to protests over the Israel and Gaza war, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten faced several activists at a similar event Thursday in Evergreen Park. Police officers removed individual pro-Palestinian protesters who interrupted Castens speech ahead of a scheduled question-and-answer session with about 100 attendees, largely focused on recent policy decisions made by President Donald Trump and his Republican counterparts in Congress. The Democratic congressman began his address at the Hamilton B. Maher Community Center by acknowledging the Downers Grove town hall protests, which led police to cut the event short as several activists approached and confronted Casten at the front of the stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police felt that there was going to be a safety situation where some people were disrupting, and the audience was not happy with the people that were disrupting, Casten said. The people who were disrupting had completely valid concerns, he said, but urged Evergreen Park attendees to raise any issues respectfully, and then sit down. However, fewer than five minutes into Castens address, a protester with a megaphone stood up and shouted frustrations about U.S. military assistance to Israel in its deadly attacks on Gaza residents during their war with Hamas. The protester, who was also present at Castens event in Downers Grove, would only provide her first name, Lamees. Lamees and several protesters who followed her continued to interrupt Casten to criticize his position on the war, and were individually removed by Evergreen Park police. Some audience members, frustrated with the disruptions, began drowning them out by singing Bananaramas Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After explaining the status of pending legislation he supports and speaking out against the flurry of policy changes instituted by Trump, Casten responded to questions from attendees. When asked to explain his support for legislation sending aid to Israel, Casten said much of the funding he supported was intended for defensive weapons to protect Israelis from Hamas fighters. There is no inconsistency with loving the Palestinian people, loving the Israeli people and criticizing the governments they represent, but trying to make sure they bring that forward, Casten said. Casten represents the Illinois 6th District, which stretches from west suburban Lombard southeast to Tinley Park, taking in Chicagos Beverly and Mount Greenwood neighborhoods and areas near Midway. ostevens@chicagotribune.com Ukrainian emergency workers have continued clearing debris more than a day after a recent large-scale missile attack on Kyiv, rescuing not only people but also animals trapped beneath the rubble. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) Details: Photos shared by the SES show rescued pets, including fluffy cats and even a hedgehog. The agency also posted touching images of emotional reunions between the pets and their owners. Quote: "Every life matters! These two frightened furballs waited over 20 hours to be rescued from the rubble! They were found in an area of total destruction where it seemed no life could have survived Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The emotions of one cats owner are hard to describe tears of joy that her grey fluffball, a beloved family member, is alive! And this morning, emergency workers found a tiny spiky nose a hedgehog beneath the ruins." Background: Just recently, rescue workers pulled a puppy out from under rubble in Sumy Oblast following a Russian airstrike. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis-Shelby County Schools have confirmed that two students were killed in a shooting in South Memphis on Thursday. Friday afternoon, Memphis-Shelby County Schools confirmed that the victims were students at Booker T. Washington High. MSCS said that it is working closely with law enforcement and that grief counselors will be available. We extend our deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, and the entire BTW community, MSCS said in a statement. Violence has no place in our communities or our hearts. We must stand together to protect our children and create a future where they feel safe, valued, and supported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several shootings throughout the Bluff City have some communities on edge and searching for solutions. One day after two people lost their lives to gun violence, the South Memphis community continues to mourn. Friday morning, there is a heavy presence of Memphis police and school resource officers outside Booker T. Washington as students make their way into the building. This all came after two people were killed just steps away from the school on Thursday. One student says he was friends with the victims. Everybody misses them now that theyre gone, said Mario Robinson, a student. Robinson is an 8th grader at Booker T. Washington. He says he lived in a nearby complex and considered the victims to be family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says he fears, knowing that we wont live that long because of things like this. Two killed in South Memphis shooting, suspects wanted Memphis Police say they rushed to a scene near Mississippi Boulevard and South Lauderdale after receiving a call about shots fired. They found two teenagers dead. Witnesses say they saw the killings in broad daylight three men, with faces covered, carrying automatic weapons. Its been a bloody week, and people are searching for answers. 1 dead, 2 injured after separate overnight shootings Aint nothing open now. They closed everything. They need to have somewhere for children to go to enjoy themselves as children, said Leonard Hull, a community member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson says he doesnt feel safe, and hes calling for city leaders to make a change. Guns, beefing, gangs, all for nothing, Robinson said. I want to see kids playing around instead of these guns being toted. Its bad for kids to be killed at a young age. 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. Speech by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine (20212024) Valerii Zaluzhnyi at the UK - Ukraine Defence Tech Forum. April 25, 2025 It is a great honor for me to be once again within the walls of a British think tank that specializes on international security and military affairs. Today we will talk about them. Today it is extremely important. First of all, probably everyone present in this room has understood that we live in times of global changes. So the reason is not me, who commented on this last year in the walls of Chatham House, but a whole range of factors that have surfaced in the 21st century. Especially the war in Ukraine, which has become not only the bloodiest act of violence in the 21st century so far, but also the driving force behind many forces that have already led to changes in the world order. This change has already happened. And it doesn't depend on whether modern politicians want to see it or not. Secondly, in a world that has already changed and continues to change, the global security system has also changed, against the wishes of the same politicians. It has transformed not only because the geopolitical space is changing, but also because the very force on which this security system was based has changed due to the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether you want to believe it or not, whether you have contracts for tanks or helicopters for the next 10 years or are still planning to sign them, the nature of military power has already changed. It's a pity that this is well understood in Ukraine, Russia, China, but not at all understood in other places. I won't say in which ones today. It doesn't matter anymore. So we will talk about Ukrainian technologies. Who will need them, except for Ukraine, will obviously be decided by politicians. I will only outline what they are and how they work. Although, I would also like to note that they are most relevant now for building the defense capabilities of Europe. First of all, because of the reformatting of the Euro-Atlantic security space that has begun. So, about technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian-Ukrainian war completely changed the nature of warfare. One morning in the summer of 2023, when Ukrainian troops, using available doctrines and existing weapons, were overcoming enemy defense lines meter by meter, drones appeared in the sky, which caused the transformation of the entire architecture of the battle. Reconnaissance, strike drones, and drones that served artillery fire, combined with a situational awareness system, made the battlefield completely transparent. All this provided unlimited opportunities for delivering high-precision strikes at the tactical level. Gradually, as in World War I, this war entered a stupor. Later, in 2024, the development of scientific and technological progress led to a situation where drones were no longer the only means of striking targets not only in front of the front line, but also in operational depth. This made it impossible to find any equipment, firepower, or reserves beyond even the front line. Precision strikes on logistics routes have become commonplace today. Moreover, such strikes are already part of the tactics of forcing out of positions. Thus, due to absolute transparency, a 10-15 kilometer zone of continuous death was formed in front of the front line. It is no longer surprising when a drone hunts not for a group target or an armored object, but even for an individual soldier. By the way, this zone is constantly expanding, as is the probability of being destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why has it become possible? Once again, I repeat, the reasons for this are as follows. Firstly, the rapid development of electronic warfare (EW) means. It was thanks to the development of electronic warfare that it was possible to neutralize the ability of satellite technologies, radio- and GPRS-guided munitions to deliver high-precision strikes at the operational level. The effectiveness of expensive missiles and precision-guided munitions has dropped to zero. Second, a large number of visual reconnaissance and strike drones of tactical and operational levels have appeared on the battlefield. As a result, tactics and operational art underwent significant changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the operational level the war has reached a stalemate. Deep maneuvers or strikes to operational depth have become impossible. Largely because the confrontation between unmanned systems on the one hand and electronic warfare and air defense means on the other continues. Therefore, classic offensive operations and offensive actions have not only lost their effectiveness, but have become almost suicidal. Over time, even offensive actions by small, highly mobile, and technologically equipped tactical groups coordinated with situational awareness, support, electronic warfare, and air defense systems became highly ineffective. Thus, we can say with confidence that: Thanks to unmanned systems and digital technologies, the traditional and familiar types of weapons that defined the nature of war for decades have become history. They are gone. Armored vehicles, which have been the basis of offensive operations since 1915, have become defenseless against cheap drones, and therefore, their use in other types of combat is impossible today. High-precision weapons that used GPRS positioning have lost their effectiveness due to the development of electronic warfare. Air defense is undergoing perhaps the biggest transformation. The emergence of a large number of small and cheap drones has made the use of extremely expensive missiles for air defense systems economically impractical. The airspace above the battlefield became inaccessible to manned aircraft and turned it into an auxiliary means of air defense. Aviation needs modernization and the ability to conduct reconnaissance and strike from completely different distances. The sea space has gradually been occupied by naval drones. Now powerful ships hide in protected ports. This is not just technology. All of this requires a complete rethinking of the forms and means of application. As a result, the military doctrine was revised. This will lead to a revision of the principles of organizing the Armed Forces and, ultimately, to defense planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't know how long this will take you, dear audience. I think that for our enemies this process will take no more than three years, and taking into account the scaling five. It is obvious that victory on the battlefield now depends entirely on the ability to outpace the enemy in technological development. It is very important that changes occur in the chain "science (development) - production - application". Innovative development will depend on the effective interconnection between them. Manufacturers must be flexible and adaptable, ready to make changes to their hardware solutions at any time. If your hardware solutions are regulated by state bureaucracy or corrupt interests, the chain will break and the enemy will be ahead. So you must be prepared to modify products to suit the conditions of use on the battlefield. Of course, it is necessary to pay attention to the following: Development of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. It is obvious that the speed of implementing AI technologies on the battlefield, especially in managing complex processes in the fields of intelligence, planning, control, fire destruction, as well as autonomous combat systems (without human control), will provide a qualitative and quantitative advantage. Decisions in the field of electronic warfare. They are perhaps the most important. It is necessary to essentially solve two extremely important tasks: create a digital field for application and protect it from enemy influence. And this, of course, is the search for new communication technologies. For example, cognitive radio. Such developments already exist. Which means that such communication can adapt. Finding new ways to navigate and reorient is also important. Development of new data transmission methods that go beyond the radio frequency spectrum. Development of cheap, high-precision, long-range unmanned systems. This is necessary for: Increasing the ability to systematically destroy enemy infrastructure; Depleting enemy air defense systems; The need to launch combined attacks on important enemy targets. 4. Development and production of drones (robots) as a component of basic combat capabilities. The Russian-Ukrainian war has taught countries an important lesson a war that involves exchanging human lives for tactical successes is no longer affordable. In modern combat, a person is an extremely expensive resource. A resource that cannot be restored. It is technology that allows us to maintain combat effectiveness while radically reducing costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, we must develop: Strike drones that have proven their exceptional effectiveness, especially in conditions of artillery ammunition shortages; Reconnaissance; Anti-aircraft; Ground-based unmanned systems; Universal platforms; Maritime unmanned systems. 5. Civilian or dual-use technologies have reached such a level of sophistication that today they form the basis of combat capabilities. Among them: Use of commercial satellite systems for intelligence purposes; Using 3D printing for the rapid production of spare parts and components of military equipment in "handicraft" conditions; Using social networks to collect intelligence; Creation of improvised electronic warfare systems from commercially available components to jam communications and control enemy drones; Use of civil messengers with end-to-end encryption for data exchange; Use of cloud solutions. By the way, this is what already enables small players with limited resources individual countries, departments, and even units to achieve impressive results using relatively inexpensive asymmetric solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In conclusion, the revolution in military technology based on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence has completely changed the nature of war and is provoking it to evolve. So the speed of innovation implementation directly increases a state's ability to achieve victory in war. Presumably, in the future high-tech war the winner will be the one who adapts to the technological conditions of the battlefield faster than the enemy. The side that is the first to make the transition to a different military-technological order systematically and qualitatively will have an unconditional strategic advantage and impose its will on the other side. As long as the enemy has the resources, forces, and means to strike at our territory and attempt offensive actions, he will do so. This is a war of attrition. Only the complete destruction of the ability to wage war, that is the military-economic potential, can put an end to this. The destruction of the latter, of course, calls into question even the presence of occupation troops in the occupied territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any case, the architecture of the strategy of both victory and survival at the current stage is possible only by building a new military-technological system. In the current technological cycle, which may last no more than 3-5 years. On the international arena, the way out of the situation we are talking about today lies not only in adapting to new challenges, but in forming a new global security reality, to which Ukraine has already joined as an equal and active participant. Ukraine is no longer just an object of support we have become a source of experience, technologies, and solutions that have a strategic importance to the entire civilized world. This is not just a matter of supporting Ukraine it is a matter of joint readiness for a new era of warfare dominated by technology, information and decision automation. The Ukrainian experience has become unique we were the first to be forced to restructure our army, industry, and strategy in response to challenges that others are only beginning to realize. These challenges are not just for Ukraine. They are challenges for everyone. Global security is no longer based on old guarantees it is built on dynamics, technology and a willingness to change. We made our choice and pay a high price for it every day, but in return we were given a chance to survive. And we invite you to make this choice with us. To not only survive, but to win. And not just today, but in everything that lies ahead. A former Detroit police officer charged in a fatal motorcycle crash last year will be sentenced in May after pleading guilty in Roseville district court. Corey Siquan Jones pleaded guilty to the charge of moving violation causing death April 16 in 39th District Court in Roseville, according to online court records. His sentencing is set for May 21. Jones' attorney, Vincent Toussaint, had no comment April 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones, then 28, was arraigned in February in the fatal crash in August in Roseville. He pleaded guilty to the original charge, a one-year misdemeanor. Jones, while off-duty, stopped at a red light Aug. 16, then proceeded through it while it was still red, hitting a motorcyclist who was riding lawfully through the green light, according to a prior release from the county prosecutor's office. The crash happened at the I-94 service drive and 12 Mile Road. Evan Newman, 27, of St. Clair Shores, died at the scene, according to the release. A prosecutor's office spokeswoman previously indicated in an email to the Free Press that Jones, of Roseville, was driving a Jeep Cherokee. No drugs or alcohol were involved. She indicated Jones, who was on his way to work, was not hurt. Jones resigned from Detroit police in December, a department spokesman previously indicated in a text message to the Free Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Peter Lucido indicated in the prior release, in part, that this case "is a reminder of how a simple traffic violation can have devastating consequences. A life was lost, and a family is now left to grieve an unimaginable loss." Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Detroit cop to be sentenced in May in fatal motorcycle crash Republican fraudster George Santos, whose congressional career famously collapsed under the staggering weight of his lies and criminal schemes, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Friday in a Long Island courtroom for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentence marks the end of a staggering fall for the disgraced Queens politician, who broke down in tears in Central Islip federal court when Judge Joanna Seybert announced the length of his prison term. Santos, wearing a gray suit with a blue sweater and tie, was also ordered to pay $373,749 in restitution to his victims, and $205,002.07 in forfeiture, which will also go to his victims, prosecutors said. He was told to surrender to the court on July 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I offer my deepest apologies, Santos said in a statement inside the courtroom. I take responsibility for my actions. I was wrong he said, wiping his eyes. I cant rewrite the past but I can control the road ahead. Seybert countered by asking, Wheres your remorse? Where do I see it? Mr. Santos, words have consequences, she added, noting it was his lies that got him elected to Congress. I have sympathy for you what are you gonna do the next decade of your life? she asked. Youre a bright man, Mr. Santos. There is no reason why you have to commit crimes to support yourself. Santos nodded while crying as his attorney Andrew Mancilla put his hand on Santos back to comfort him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos received the full sentence of 87 months that prosecutors were seeking for a string of scams, including stealing the identities of 11 people to falsely report tens of thousands of dollars in donations to his campaign, using his donors credit card information to buy designer clothes and pay personal debts, and tricking donors into giving to a nonprofit that led to his personal bank account. His lawyers, citing a litany of childhood and personal problems including mental illness, had asked for the mandatory minimum of two years. Outside the courthouse, John Durham, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said Santos had engaged in a brazen crime spree in which he cheated and lied to a litany of victims that included political supporters, constituents, the Republican party, Congress and several government agencies. From the moment he declared his candidacy for Congress, Santos leveraged his campaign for his own enrichment and financial benefit, Durham said. He did this by targeting specific supporters and constituents. He saw them as easy marks, and he made them victims of his fraud. Santos victims were real people, and they suffered real losses. He went so far as to seek out elderly people who suffered from cognitive impairment and dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But today, finally, Santos has been held accountable for his years of fraud, deceit and theft. Hes going to federal prison, and hes going to be punished for his staggering fraud and the abuses he put on our electoral process. Santos, 36, became a national punchline within weeks of his 2022 election to the House of Representatives, when the New York Times started pulling on the threads of his personal biography. His numerous fabrications including claims that he graduated from Baruch College and attended New York University, and that he was once employed by Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. At one point he said he was Jewish and that his grandparents fled the Holocaust, but that claim also fell apart under scrutiny. But Santos fantasy-filled profile became a criminal matter in 2023, when federal prosecutors indicted him on a long list of charges. From the start, legal experts described prosecutors case as a slam dunk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House of Representatives expelled him in December 2023, and in August, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, three weeks before he was set to go to trial. In a letter to Judge Seybert, Santos lawyers laid out a very different biography than the one he tried to sell to voters and campaign donors. His father had high drinking proclivities and his mother gambled frequently, his lawyers wrote, and the two divorced in 2000. He moved to Brazil with his mother and sister after fourth grade, and when he returned to New York, he attended William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens for just a month in 2004, before leaving because he was being bullied by older students, his lawyers wrote. He got a high school equivalency diploma in 2006. His lawyers also describe Santos struggle with mental illness, including a voluntary committal in 2013 or 2014, and touch on problems with alcohol consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But federal prosecutors countered last week that Santoss social media activity shows he remains unrepentant for his crimes. They pointed out an April 4 post on X where he wrote, No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit. In even more posts, he called himself a scapegoat and said Department of Justice officials refuse to prosecute the cabal of pedophiles running around in every power structure in the world including the U.S. government. Santos tried to explain himself in an over-the-top letter to the judge Saturday. Every sunrise since that plea has carried the same realization: I did this, me. I am responsible, he wrote. 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 One of Santos victims wasnt swayed by his teary apologies, calling it crocodile tears. That wasnt real. Hes not remorseful, said Richard Osthoff, 49, a veteran who has accused Santos of raising $3,000 for his sick dog Sapphire, then stealing the money. The dog later died when she couldnt get the life-saving surgery, Osthoff claims. Hes crying because he knows hes getting bitten in the a and hes got to go away now, said Osthoff, who had earlier lunged at the Jeep SUV Santos was escorted away in, yelling, You killed my dog Fk you! Thats the only reason he had any tears in his eyes. Its fake, like everything else about him. NEW YORK Republican fraudster George Santos, whose congressional career famously collapsed under the staggering weight of his lies and criminal schemes, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Friday in a Long Island courtroom. The term marks the end of a staggering fall for the disgraced Queens politician, who broke down in tears when he heard his sentence. Santos, wearing a gray suit with blue sweater and tie, was also ordered to pay $373,749 in restitution to his victims. He was told to surrender to the court on July 25. Santos received the full sentence of 87 months that prosecutors were seeking for a string of scams, including stealing the identities of 11 people to falsely report tens of thousands of dollars in donations to his campaign, using his donors credit card information to buy designer clothes and pay personal debts, and tricking donors into giving to a nonprofit that led to his personal bank account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers, citing a litany of childhood and personal problems, including mental illness, had asked for the minimum two years. Santos, 36, became a national punchline within weeks of his 2022 election to the House of Representatives, when the New York Times started pulling on the threads of his personal biography. His numerous fabrications including claims that he graduated from Baruch College and attended New York University, and that he was once employed by Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. At one point he said he was Jewish and that his grandparents fled the Holocaust, but that claim also fell apart under scrutiny. Santoss profile went from an SNL punchline to a criminal matter in 2023, when federal prosecutors indicted him on a litany of charges. From the start, legal experts described prosecutors case as a slam dunk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House of Representatives expelled him in December 2023, and in August, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, three weeks before he was set to go to trial. In a letter to Long Island Federal Court Judge Joanna Seybert, Santos lawyers laid out a very different biography than the one he tried to sell to voters and campaign donors. His father had high drinking proclivities and his mother gambled frequently, his lawyers wrote, and the two divorced in 2000. He moved to Brazil with his mother and sister after fourth grade, and when he returned to New York, he attended William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens for just a month in 2004, before leaving because he was being bullied by older students, his lawyers wrote. He got a high school equivalency diploma in 2006. His lawyers also describe Santos struggle with mental illness, including a voluntary committal in 2013 or 2014, and touch on problems with alcohol consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes asking for the mandatory minimum two years behind bars. Federal prosecutors countered last week that Santoss social media activity shows he remains unrepentant for his crimes. They pointed out an April 4 post on X where he wrote, No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit. In another post, he denied using campaign cash to buy luxury goods from Hermes, even though he didnt object to that detail being in a pre-sentencing report to the court. In even more posts, he called himself a scapegoat and said Department of Justice officials refuse to prosecute the cabal of pedophiles running around in every power structure in the world including the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos tried to explain himself in an over-the-top letter to the judge Saturday. Every sunrise since that plea has carried the same realization: I did this, me. I am responsible, he wrote. But saying Im sorry doesnt require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head. In another florid passage, he writes, The red, white, and blue runs through my veins long before the ink of any plea agreement. So when I fire back, it isnt vanity or defiance for sport; its my way of saluting the messy, glorious free-speech tradition that makes this country worth every bruise. _____ Four hours under fire from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel: Were going to have a party El Mencho ordered trailers to be set alight and highways blocked in Michoacan, Jalisco, and Guanajuato. Two police officers were killed, but no arrests were made: Weve never seen blockades of this scale The first vehicle burst into flames around 2 p.m. on Wednesday. It was a truck from a delivery company. At first, they said it was an electrical circuit failure, but then it became clear we were in the midst of a narco blockade because of the other vehicles [that caught fire], says the advisor to the Human Security Observatory of Apatzingan, in the Mexican state of Michoacan, who asks to remain anonymous. This is protocol in a country where its become routine for cartels to take to the streets, set cars on fire, and lay siege to entire towns to send a message to the state. The news began to spread by word of mouth, cell phone to cell phone, neighbor to neighbor. The dismantling of the rule of law has led people to seek preventive security measures, and WhatsApp groups are one of the most effective, says the advisor. The violence started in Apatzingan, but spread beyond the Mexican city. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) aimed to demonstrate its power through fire, setting ablaze highways across more than 30 municipalities in three states. The worst-hit areas were the roads of 26 towns in Michoacan, but the violence of CJNG leader Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera also spread to two towns in Guanajuato and another in Jalisco. Voice notes circulating on WhatsApp, with those gray letters at the top indicating when a message has been forwarded multiple times: Get away folks, everyone whos heading out to the road right now, theyre burning cars. Quiroga, Zacapu, Apatzingan, Uruapan, Tlazazalca, in 10 municipalities, theyre burning cars. Cars, trucks, buses everything, everything. Theres no authority, says one voice note. Another warns: Turn around, theyre shooting at each other, its a clash between hitmen, the National Guard, and Sedena [Mexicos Defense Ministry]. While a son urges: Turn around, Dad, theres a shooting. The advisor from Apatzingan, who doesnt want to give his name, went to a grocery store just before nightfall. The owner was telling me that the guy who supplies him with limes was really scared because he thought they were going to take his truck. The streets had emptied, and people took refuge in their homes. This has happened several times, and normally theres fear, falling back, hiding, not going out, not moving around, being very cautious, not talking about the issue. The town goes silent from one moment to the next. Yesterday, we didnt gather together; we dont have the capacity or the will to be martyrs. Guanajuato State Police officers participate in an operation during the roadblocks. SSP GUANAJUATO It was an old and familiar terror, but that doesnt make it any less terrifying. It was a reminiscence of times we thought were relatively over. Were going backwards in terms of the security conditions we had tried to build over the last few years as a society. Weve never seen blockades on this scale, says the anonymous source from Apatzingan. Alongside videos of burning trucks, photographs of collapsed highways, and voice note warning, other information began to circulate. Among security personnel, different prosecutors offices, reporters, and analysts, speculation arose: what had led El Mencho to order such an attack? The official version That same Wednesday morning, there was a military operation that included an armed helicopter opening fire on some groups entrenched in the hills, according to the advisor from the Human Security Observatory of Apatzingan. It was rumored that the Navy had raided Ocotlan, in the Jalisco region bordering Michoacan, to arrest a high-ranking drug lord. Some even claimed that they had captured him, and that El Mencho unleashed all his firepower to secure his release. This was discussed by local reporters and also mentioned off the record, as a fait accompli, by government agents. More than one comparison was made with the 2019 Culiacanazo, when the Sinaloa Cartel set Culiacan on fire to force then-Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to release Ovidio Guzman, the son of Joaquin Guzman El Chapo Loera a goal they initially achieved. This was also reported to EL PAIS by sources with knowledge of the operation. The Michoacan Public Security Secretariat was brief but confirmed that road blockades caused by criminal groups in response to security operations had occurred. Mexicos Security Cabinet issued its daily report listing significant actions of the day. There were information on seizures and arrests in a dozen states. But there was no mention of the narco blockades in Michoacan, Jalisco, and Guanajuato. The governors of Michoacan, Jalisco, and Guanajuato kept silent, as did Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and her security czar, Omar Garcia Harfuch until Thursday. That morning, the two presented their official version: The attacks are the result of conflicts between two criminal groups fighting over territories. Members of the Civil Guard conduct patrols in the municipalities of Alvaro Obregon, Indaparapeo, and Charo, in Michoacan. SSP MICHOACAN There were four hours of blockades in 30 municipalities across three different states. Two police officers died in clashes with the gunmen. Dozens of vehicles burned in makeshift barricades on federal highways. A couple of stores were also set on fire in Apatzingan. No one was officially arrested, despite the scale of the attack. And the official version spoke, as it has so often before, of criminals fighting over territory. Residents of the affected municipalities were skeptical about this version of events, to say the least. It was common for these narco blockades to happen, especially to exert pressure on the authorities whenever a member of the organized crime was arrested. It happened with El Chango Mendez [from La Familia Michoacana] and other drug lords from another era, recalls the Apatzingan Observatory advisor. And even if he believed the official version, he adds: Its worrying that they now acknowledge that the territory is being chronically disputed between criminal groups without the state putting a stop to it. David Saucedo, an expert security analyst, agrees: Omar Garcia Harfuchs version is implausible. It doesnt make sense to me. Two rival groups never attack each other with narco blockades; they usually use them to pressure authorities if their members are arrested, as in the Culiacanazo. In 2022, the Mexican Army tried to capture Ricardo El Doble R Ruiz, El Menchos right-hand man, and Gerardo El Apa Gonzalez. The military failed to arrest him, and in response, the CJNG unleashed chaos very similar to this weeks. It doesnt seem like a conflict between groups, says Saucedo. It points to a failed operation to capture someone. And only a regional leader would generate simultaneous narco blockades in three states. It makes sense to me that it would be El Doble R, because hes the boss in those areas. By 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the worst was over. The fires were being extinguished, and traffic was returning to the roads. The local authorities boast that the roads were cleared as a success, but its a defeat; they didnt arrest anyone, says Saucedo. The cartel used the narco terrorism playbook, he notes, with the complicity of local governments. Its not possible, the analyst argues, for a criminal group to sustain hours of terror in so many places simultaneously without suffering a single arrest. Saucedo explains that the usual modus operandi in these cases is for the drug lords to warn the police with a coded message: Were going to have a party. The agents pull back, and the gunmen run riot. Criminal feudalism There are now concerns about future violence. There will be acts of retaliation against the federal government, says Saucedo. The uncertainty lies in how the CJNG will respond, as it has been simmering for weeks due to the renewed offensive the Mexican government has launched against it. We wouldnt want an outbreak like those weve experienced in other eras, says the advisor from the Apatzingan Observatory. Weve already seen self-defense groups here that didnt achieve their objective. There is definitely social unrest that isnt being addressed, and it is worsening because all the authorities statements are unsatisfactory. People find it humiliating to be told things are fine when its clear they arent. A municipal police patrol in Michoacan, April 23, 2025. SSP MICHOACAN Its no longer just about Wednesdays road blockades: Landmines in rural areas, drones with explosives, so-called criminal governance, which we call criminal feudalism governance is too big a word for them, adds the advisor. Its the appropriation of lives and property by warlords who impose their order. I dont think the state lacks capacity; whats missing is interest. Meanwhile, the consequences have already led to an economic recession, says the Apatzingan resident: closed businesses, farmers unable to reach their fields, strikes by lime and avocado workers. There have also been other outbreaks of violence, taking advantage of the chaos created by the blockades. Yesterday, a person working in a workshop was murdered, he continues. Hitmen arrived to kill him point-blank. We dont believe its directly related [to the narco blockades], but when these events occur, it facilitates the commission of other crimes because the waters are completely muddied. Saucedo concludes: Its not a conflict between drug traffickers. For me, its an excuse. They tried to capture a drug trafficker, he escaped, and the reaction caused panic in three states. They were left empty-handed and embarrassed. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition (NewsNation) Former U.S. Rep. George Santos has been sentenced to 87 months in prison for federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The decision, made in a New York federal court Friday, comes after Santos pleaded guilty to defrauding donors and committing identity theft last summer. The New York Republican is also liable to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties as part of a plea deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Come July 25, George Santos will finally be where he belongs behind bars answering for these crimes, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly told the media after the sentencing. Diddy in court ahead of trial, with judge to rule on juror questions The sentence puts Santos in federal prison for seven years, a length prosecutors previously sought, according to court documents. Santos planned and executed an assortment of fraudulent schemes and leveraged them and a fictitious life story to enrich himself and capture one of the highest offices in the government of the United States, Department of Justice attorneys wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos, who was ousted from Congress in 2023, previously admitted to duping donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people to fund his campaign. Trump administration faces legal challenges to key actions Soon after flipping New Yorks 3rd Congressional District for the GOP in 2022, it was discovered that Santos had fabricated much of his backstory including lies about owning businesses, holding jobs and buying real estate. He told reporters earlier this week he was resigned to whatever happens Friday. Im doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances, Santos wrote in a text message to the Associated Press on Thursday. I will be in court tomorrow, ready to face the music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. NEW YORK (AP) A former Taliban commander pleaded guilty Friday to providing weapons and other support for attacks that killed American soldiers and for key roles in the 2008 gunpoint kidnapping of a reporter for The New York Times and another journalist. Speaking through an interpreter, Haji Najibullah entered the plea in Manhattan federal court to providing material support for acts of terrorism and conspiring to take hostages. The bearded Najibullah, wearing a black skull cap over his shaved head, told Judge Katherine Polk Failla that he provided material support including weapons and himself to the Taliban from 2007 to 2009, knowing that his support would be used to attack and kill United States soldiers occupying Afghanistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of material support I provided to the Taliban, U.S. soldiers were killed, Najibullah said. He said his material support also included his role as a Taliban commander in Afghanistan's Wardak Province, where the fighters under me were prepared to, and sometimes did, conduct attacks against U.S. soldiers and their allies using suicide bombers, automatic weapons, improvised explosive devices and rocket propelled grenades. Najibullah, 49, said he also participated in the hostage taking of David Rohde "and his companions" so demands could be made for ransom and for the release of Taliban prisoners held by the U.S. government. I created proof-of-life videos of David Rohde and his companions in which they were forced to convey the Taliban's demands, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Times reporter and Afghan journalist Tahir Ludin were abducted when they were on their way to interview a Taliban leader. Both men made a dramatic escape from a Taliban-controlled compound in Pakistans tribal areas more than seven months after their Nov. 10, 2008, kidnapping. Their driver, Asadullah Mangal, was a third kidnapping victim. He escaped a few weeks after Ludin and Rohde. Rohde, a Pulitzer Prize winner who now works as senior executive editor for national security at NBC News, attended the plea proceeding. I am pleased that he admitted his guilt today and grateful to all the U.S. officials who brought him to justice, he said in an email to The Associated Press after his sentencing. Most of all, my heart goes out to the families of the three U.S. soldiers and the Afghan translator who were killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the plea, Najibullah was led from the courtroom in shackles and handcuffs by U.S. marshals to face an Oct. 23 sentencing. Federal sentencing guidelines, as acknowledged by a plea agreement signed by Najibullah and prosecutors, recommend a life prison sentence. New York Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha expressed gratitude to U.S. authorities for pursuing Najibullah, and she noted the dangers journalists face worldwide. More than 120 journalists were killed in 2024, the most on record, she said. "Journalists go to dangerous places to uncover the facts that citizens need. Governments can and should protect journalists by investigating all attacks against reporters and publicly condemning threats. CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he learned his punishment for the crimes that led to his expulsion from Congress. Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, appealed for mercy. In a federal court a short drive from his old congressional district, he said through tears that he was humbled and chastened and understood he had betrayed his constituents' trust. I offer my deepest apologies, he said, adding: I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently wasn't convinced. Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. Its always someone elses fault. The New York Republican, who must report to prison July 25, didnt respond to reporters questions outside the courthouse. Hours later, though, he took to social media angling for a White House reprieve, despite saying in recent days he wouldnt seek clemency. I believe that 7 years is an over the top politically influenced sentence and I implore that President Trump gives me a chance to prove Im more than the mistakes Ive made, he wrote on the social platform X late Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos, 36, served in Congress less than a year before becoming just the sixth member of the House to be ousted by colleagues. He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. His plea deal included agreeing to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties. From the moment he declared his candidacy for Congress, Santos leveraged his campaign for his own enrichment and financial benefit, U.S. Attorney John Durham, whose office prosecuted the case, said outside court. Santos victims included a woman with brain damage and two octogenarian men, prosecutor Ryan Harris told the judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense lawyer Andrew Mancilla had asked the judge for a sentence of two years, portraying Santos as a troubled figure who grew up in a broken house and was subjected to bullying throughout his life. As a result, he built the man he wanted to be, not who he was, Mancilla said. He did that because he believed that the world would not accept him for who he was. Deep down, he is warm, kind, caring and thoughtful, Mancilla said. But, the lawyer said, now everyone hates George Santos. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio. In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. He falsely claimed to have been a volleyball star at a college he never even attended. He had referred to himself during the campaign as a proud American Jew, but later acknowledged that he was Catholic and insisted he'd only said he was Jew-ish after learning that his maternal family had a Jewish background. Reporters uncovered that Santos had been accused in Brazil of using stolen checks to buy clothing, and that he had once been charged in Pennsylvania with using bad checks to buy puppies from dog breeders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign. He told lie after lie until it caught up with him until we caught up with him and exposed him for what he truly was: an opportunist and a fraud, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican, said outside court Friday. Her office also investigated Santos. Before winning office, Santos collected unemployment benefits from New York state while actually working for a Florida company. Once in Congress, he cosponsored legislation intended to root out unemployment fraud. As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective and apologetic in social media posts, but at other times seemed to relish his notoriety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He launched a podcast called Pants on Fire with George Santos, and earned hundreds of thousands of dollars selling cheerful, personalized video messages on Cameo. He leaned into his longtime support of Trump, praising the new administration. The week of his sentencing, Santos told The Associated Press by text he was ready to face the music. On X, he made one final plug for his Cameo account. Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today, Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis. ___ Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz and Jake Offenhartz in New York contributed to this story. ___ Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo. WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) A former Whitehall car dealership owner was indicted on Thursday after he allegedly changed odometers on vehicles to lower milage before selling them to customers, according to federal prosecutors. Simon C. Nwaru, Jr., who owned S. Automotive Ltd., disconnected, reset, and altered milage on eight vehicles between November 2020 and May 2022, prosecutors said, by about 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Capital City Half Marathon will cause road closures, COTA delays Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nwaru allegedly reduced the odometers on the following vehicles by these amounts: Vehicle Approximate High Mileage Approximate False Mileage 2012 Toyota Sienna 222,789 132,450 2007 Honda Odyssey 216,635 121,710 2009 Chevrolet Traverse 200,980 120,000 2004 Toyota Sienna 229,511 118,000 2007 Toyota Tundra 279,964 106,546 2007 Honda Accord 294,747 105,558 2003 GMC Envoy 195,616 105,000 2007 Toyota Camry 188,220 85,000 Nwaru was indicted on eight counts of replacing, resetting, and altering vehicle odometers. If convicted, he faces up to three years in federal prison on each count. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. There have been 266 popes in the Catholic Church's roughly 2,000-year history, which spans three millennia. With the death of Pope Francis, a series of formal events was immediately set into motion to elect the Church's next Supreme Pontiff. That storied process is a mix of tradition, pageantry and practical necessity, one that has undergone many changes over the centuries but that has remained largely the same in modern history. It begins, and ends, with what's known as the conclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all eyes now on the Vatican after Pope Francis' death, here's a look at the conclave and its role in electing the next head of the Catholic Church. Francis died at age 88 and was remembered as a "pope among the people." What is the conclave? Simply put, a conclave is the assembly of cardinals that elects a pope. The word itself comes from the Latin "com" and "clavis," meaning "together" and "key," respectively highlighting the absolute, behind-closed-doors secrecy with which the cardinals conduct their discussions and balloting. PHOTO: The procession of cardinals in the Sistine chapel as the conclave to elect a new Pope starts in The Vatican, May 7, 2025. (Vatican Media/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) The conclave assembles during the interregnum, which is the time period that begins upon the pontiff's passing and ends with the election of his successor, and generally convenes between 15 and 20 days after the pope's death. The same period of time, during which the papacy is vacant, is also known as the sede vacante, Latin for "vacant seat." A popes body usually lies in state for three to five days to allow sufficient time for mourners to pay their respects. The funeral mass and burial must take place between the fourth and sixth day after the popes death. Out of respect for the late pope, formal decisions and conversations about the conclave do not begin until after the funeral but it's safe to say that behind the scenes, the cardinal electors and those who quietly would like to be pope have already begun to discuss what type of pope the cardinals think is best to next hold the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Pope Francis live updates: Vatican may extend hours to see pope lie in state due to turnout What's a cardinal? Cardinals are the highest-ranking clergy of the Catholic Church, after the pope. Originally, cardinals were the princes of the papal court and often came from the powerful families of the Papal States that is, states that once were under the direct rule of the Vatican. Cardinals wear red as a sign of their willingness to shed their blood for the pope and the Church. Only the pope can make a clergy member a cardinal and, once appointed, they typically hold that title and position for life. As cardinals, they serve as advisors to the pope regardless of where they reside and often hold elevated positions within the Vatican. Any member of Catholic clergy can be a cardinal but the appointment is traditionally reserved for high-ranking clergy such as bishops and archbishops. The pope reserves the right to make any member of the church a cardinal, including laity. Pope Francis expanded the College of Cardinals beyond the larger dioceses and archdioceses to create geographic and cultural diversity and to better represent the makeup of the laity, as well as where the church is growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selecting a pope as part of the conclave is considered a cardinal's highest duty. Those who do so are known as cardinal electors. PHOTO: Vatican Obit Pope Francis What's Next Explainer (L'Osservatore Romano via AP, Files) How many cardinals are in the conclave? It varies. While all cardinals are summoned to the Vatican upon the pope's death, only those under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in the conclave. Those aged 80 and older can decline the summons if they wish, since they aren't allowed to be conclave members. There are currently 252 cardinals worldwide. The preparatory meetings they have daily during the interregnum are collectively known as the General Congregation. Of the total number of cardinals, 135 are age-eligible to serve in the conclave as cardinal electors, which is the largest number in history. Two electors have told the Vatican that they will not be able to participate due to health reasons. MORE: Popes through the ages: Some facts you might not know Who's in charge of the Vatican during the sede vacante? The camerlengo, or chamberlain, of the Church runs things during the conclave, including overseeing the conclave itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cardinal Kevin Farrell, 77, the senior Vatican official who announced Pope Francis' death on Monday, April 21, will serve as the interim manager of the Vatican until a new pope is elected, according to Church officials. Pope Francis appointed Farrell as camerlengo in 2019. Who's eligible to be elected pope? Canon law says any unmarried, baptized male Catholic, clergy or not, is eligible to be pope. That said, only cardinals have been elected for the last 600-plus years, so being considered for the position in this case is very much the result of whom you know. All likely or potential papal candidates are collectively known as "papabile." Politics and personalities aside, one of the paramount considerations when determining papabile is a candidate's age. The ideal papal candidate is between 60 and 70 years old, with the ideal length of time in office considered to be from 10 to 12 years. If too young a pope is elected, he could end up overseeing and influencing church doctrine for decades, since only death or resignation would end their time in the office. Conversely, if too old a candidate is elected he may have little time to make an impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Paul II, at 58, was considered young when elected and Francis, at 76, was considered old. People queue to pay their respects to late Pope Francis as his body lies in state, outside St Peter's Basilica in The Vatican, on April 23, 2025. (Stefano Rellandini/AFP via Getty Images) How secret are the conclave's discussions? In a word? Very. Balloting takes place in the Sistine Chapel amid a level of security that wouldn't be out of place in a government situation room. Recording technology of any kind is forbidden, with technicians checking to ensure there are no secretly installed bugs or other like devices inside the Sistine Chapel or adjacent areas. Any handwritten notes cardinals may take during the proceedings are burned after each morning and afternoon session, along with that session's ballots. During the conclave, the cardinals reside in private rooms in the Domus Marthae Sanctae, aka Saint Martha's House essentially a hotel in the Vatican with dining facilities that typically houses visiting clergy and laity. Conclave members are sworn to absolute secrecy and have minimal contact with the outside world: Televisions, radios, phones, cameras, computers, newspapers and magazines are banned, and no written or verbal correspondence with anyone outside the conclave is allowed. Likewise, the Sistine Chapel, Domus Marthae Sanctae and other areas are off limits during the conclave to everyone other than cardinals and those people who have specific business there, such as service staff, support personnel and physicians. Also, don't expect a cardinal to share any inside scoop after balloting is complete and the new pope is elected. That expectation of secrecy continues indefinitely, with only the pope himself possessing the authority to make exceptions. What is the actual voting process like? Though wreathed in centuries of elaborate ceremony and tradition, the balloting process itself is straightforward. Each conclave member writes his choice on a paper ballot slip, folds it once in half and carries it held aloft between two fingers as he walks to the altar and deposits it in an special urn placed there that is used only for that purpose. In order to make the balloting secret, conclave members are instructed to write their votes as far as possible in handwriting that cannot be identified as his. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any conclave member who cannot make it in person to the Sistine Chapel due to illness or infirmity will cast their ballot from their room in the Domus Marthae Sanctae, where they're collected, placed in a lockbox and carried to the Sistine Chapel. The votes are then counted by three scrutineers who affirm what is written on each ballot and then announce it to the conclave, so the cardinals can record the votes themselves. If the number of ballots cast is different than the number of cardinal electors, those ballots are discarded and burned and a new vote taken. The candidate who first secures two-thirds of the votes is elected pope. MORE: Electing a new pope: What happens next and what is a papal conclave? Faithful queue to pay respects as Pope Francis lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, April 23, 2025. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters) How long does it take to elect a pope? A pope could be elected as soon as the first ballot, or the process could continue indefinitely. The longest-ever conclave lasted just over 1,000 days, from November 1268 to September 1271, due to political infighting amongst the cardinals, and resulted in the election of Gregory X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, since 1831 no conclave has lasted more than four days. Up to four rounds of voting can typically take place in a day. If no clear choice has emerged after three days, balloting is suspended for 24 hours to allow cardinal electors time to reflect. Another seven rounds of balloting then takes place, followed by another break, and so on. If no pope is elected after 33 or 34 votes generally about 13 days then a new rule introduced by Pope Benedict XVI decrees that the two leading candidates as determined by previous ballots will engage in a runoff vote. The candidates themselves, if they're members of the conclave, cannot vote in the runoff but are present for it. Whichever candidate receives the necessary two-thirds majority of the votes is the new pope. How does the conclave signal that they've elected a new pope? Of all the ceremonies associated with electing a new pope, the one most familiar to the general public is the smoke that emanates from a stovepipe chimney atop the Sistine Chapel after every round of balloting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black smoke fumata nera in Italian indicates an inconclusive vote, while white smoke fumata bianca will signify that a new pope has been elected. Along with the white smoke, the bells of St. Peters Basilica will ring to proclaim the event to the world. White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel meaning that cardinals elected a new pope during the conclave on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images) However, that ceremonial smoke isn't created by the burning of the ballots, as commonly believed; that's done in a stove that dates back to the 1922 conclave and is set up for the occasion in the Sistine Chapel. The smoke that wafts from the stovepipe chimney is created using chemical pellets that are burned in another stove that's connected to the chimney, which is temporarily erected atop the Sistine Chapel just for that purpose. MORE: What we know about Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican's interim manager until a new pope is elected When is the pope's identity publicly revealed? Assuming the elected cardinal accepts the office, the new pope's identity is typically revealed within an hour of the final ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before he's presented to the public, the new pope is also asked by what name he will be known. While popes have the option of keeping their baptismal name, every pope for the last 470 years has chosen to change his name, usually to honor a predecessor and to signal their intention to emulate his example. Pope Francis was a notable exception, instead choosing his name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th century cleric now celebrated in the church as the patron saint of animals and the environment. The new pope is then attired in temporary vestments prepared in various sizes for the occasion and awaits his formal introduction by the senior cardinal deacon, who stands on the balcony on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica, overlooking St. Peter's Square and declares in Latin: "Nuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus papam" "I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope." Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. (Dylan Martinez/Reuters) The new pope then emerges onto the balcony to present himself to the world and deliver his first blessing to the crowd gathered below in St. Peter's Square. Although the newly elected pope immediately has full authority and jurisdiction, a ceremonial mass to install him is held about a week after his election, either in St. Peters Square or St. Peter's Basilica, with cardinals, bishops and other international dignitaries present. Traditionally, the pope's installation was a coronation featuring a three-tiered crown, known as the triregnum. Pope Paul VI was the last to wear the triregnum, during his installation in 1963. When does the conclave end? As soon as the new pontiff has assented to his election the conclave ends, though the assembled cardinals will remain at the Vatican until the attendant ceremonies are over. In 2013, Francis asked the cardinals to stay in the conclave for an extra day to pray with him. ABC News' Phoebe Natanson contributed to this report. What exactly is the conclave? Here's what to know about how the next pope is elected originally appeared on abcnews.go.com COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga (WJBF)- Several local high school seniors rewarded for their hard work by the Exchange Club of Columbia County Thursday. The organization awarded scholarships at its annual breakfast. Anything that we can do to help these students go and further their education. When you hear these students and see them, they are amazing and the things that they are going to do in our community are just incredible. And so we want to support them in every way that we can, said Phyllis Salazar, President of the Exchange Club of Columbia County. Every year the Exchange Club of Columbia County gives scholarships to 6 seniors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salazar added that shes always impressed by the applicants and their achievements. These kids excel in their educational pursuits. I mean, these are top students, and yet theyre also volunteering. They are giving so much back to the community. Theyre just involved in so many things. And its just incredible. One senior from each Columbia County high school is awarded a Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) scholarship towards their next steps. This years winners include Thomas Murilla-Bivins from Evans High School, Adelyn Swogger from Greenbrier, Kashiya Moore from Grovetown high, Claire Duffie from Harlem and Campbell Harison from Lakeside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One student is awarded the Accepting the Challenge of Excellence scholarship for overcoming major hardships. This year, the award went to Ella Cassedy from Harlem High School, who battled and beat cancer. It was after seven months of waking up in the middle night with tremendous jaw pain that medicine couldnt help. We ended up going after going to like dentist to dentist, we went to the Dental College of Georgia, and they ended up biopsying the area and sent us back over to the Childrens Hospital where we then found out that it was leukemia, she said. Cassedy spent most of her freshman year at harlem homebound, completing her schoolwork while going through chemo treatments. Despite losing her hair and weakness from treatment she went back to school, even making the cheer team. She said the support she received from her classmates meant everything. I experienced a lot of support, which I was just shocked from the amount of people I didnt even know coming up in support of me, whether it be like through a meal train or giving gift cards or money. It was just crazy, you know, support that I had. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cassedy will attend Augusta University after graduation and major in Biology. Then she hopes to move on the the Dental College of Georgia and work towards becoming a dentist. Its a dream inspired by her journey fighting cancer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As the Florida legislative session nears its close, Action News Jax spoke one-on-one with Governor Ron DeSantis Thursday about his rocky relationship with the Florida House this year. DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) are the center of what, from the outside looking in, appears to be a civil war between Republican-led factions in Floridas government. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Unlike in previous years, where the Governor and state legislature worked in lockstep, this year the House has worked to reverse many policies passed earlier in the Governors tenure and even opened an investigation into his wifes passion project, Hope Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Gov. Ron DeSantis claims Hope Florida controversy debunked as House panel ends inquiry Well, I think its just that the House leadership is revolting against the voters that sent them there, said DeSantis. Speaking exclusively with Action News Jax, Governor DeSantis explained where he pins the blame when it comes to the divide. I think the difference in this session is that just the House has decided to cater more to special interests, said DeSantis. Watch the full interview: One-on-one with Governor Ron DeSantis: Revolt in the House, Hope Florida investigation And theres one group in particular the Governor believes is flexing its muscles: Trial attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you didnt know anything else about that House, and you just saw what they were pushing, you know, you would think that they were all sponsored by Morgan and Morgan, said DeSantis. When the Governor made similar comments earlier this month, John Morgan responded on social media offering to debate DeSantis over the insurance litigation reforms passed in recent years. We now know that the information legislators were given were huge lies. Its a fact. Its what they do. Deny. Delay. Defend, wrote Morgan. But State Representative Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) believes theres more under the surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She suggested the Governor lost a lot of political capital after his failed bid for the Presidency and perhaps tensions between DeSantis and his former Primary opponent, President Donald Trump, could be simmering in the background. Many House members are trying to cater to a Trump endorsement for future political ambitions as there is still tension between Trump and DeSantis. It seems that for many of my Republican colleagues that are the most aggressive on this intend to challenge appointees to different statewide offices, said Eskamani. But DeSantis rejected that idea when we asked whether he believes the Trump administration may be encouraging some of the drama. Oh, absolutely not. No, no, hell no. These guys are governing far to the left of where the Trump administration is going. These guys are really representing the old Tallahassee swamp, said DeSantis. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] As for his message to Republicans pushing policy he disagrees with this year, DeSantis said hes hopeful he wont have to use the veto pen more than usual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thing is, I think a lot of what theyre trying to do in the House I think is going to crash in the Senate, said DeSantis. The Governor said hes still hopeful condo reform, property tax relief and a permanent ban on employer vaccine mandates could make it across the finish line in the last week and a half of session. Lawmakers are supposed to gavel out on May 2nd, but there are still plenty of differences between the House and Senate budget proposals to reconcile. 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. By Devjyot Ghoshal, Poppy McPherson and Pasit Kongkunakornkul BANGKOK (Reuters) - Myanmar's junta has kept up a deadly military campaign, including airstrikes and artillery assaults, despite announcing a ceasefire after a major earthquake killed thousands in March, according to the United Nations and data from a crisis monitor. The March 28 quake, the worst natural disaster to hit the impoverished nation in decades, triggered a multi-national relief effort to support hundreds of thousands already ravaged by conflict and repeated international calls to halt the fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 2, following similar moves by opposition armed groups, Myanmar's military announced a 20-day ceasefire to support humanitarian relief. On Tuesday it said the temporary cessation had been extended until April 30 after rare high-level talks led by Malaysia's premier. But unreported figures from the United Nations show that the fighting has continued unabated and a Reuters analysis of data provided by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project found the frequency of junta aerial attacks has increased since the ceasefire announcement, compared to the six months prior. A junta spokesman did not respond to multiple calls from Reuters seeking comment. Between March 28 and April 24, the military launched at least 207 attacks, including 140 airstrikes and 24 artillery barrages, according to data from the UN Human Rights Office, based on reports it had received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 172 attacks have occurred since the ceasefire, 73 of them in areas devastated by the earthquake. "It's business as usual," said James Rodehaver, Myanmar head for the United Nations Office on Human Rights. "The ceasefire...should have involved stopping all military activity and repurposing your military to support the humanitarian response and that has not happened." Myanmar has been in crisis since the military seized power in February 2021, toppling the elected government of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. A brutal junta crackdown on the opposition ignited a spiralling civil war, including in the previously peaceful central heartlands where protesters took up arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CIVILIAN TARGETS Two weeks into the ceasefire, junta aircraft swooped over South Kan Ma Yaik village in southeastern Karen state on April 16, during Burmese new year celebrations, and dropped bombs that killed a pregnant woman and her unborn baby to the north of the settlement, an eyewitness told Reuters. "The first bomb exploded near her house. Then she braced her children for a second bomb and shrapnel hit her body," said the witness, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution. "All the children were bleeding all over." Reuters could not independently verify the witnesses' account but the ACLED data contains an entry for a junta attack on the village on April 16, including one fatality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the six months before April 2, the junta every day conducted an average of 7.6 attacks using aircraft or drones that killed more than five people daily, including civilians, according to data provided by ACLED. Between April 2 and April 18, the military carried out an average of 9.7 aircraft or drone attacks every day, leaving more than six people dead each day, since the ceasefire was announced, ACLED data shows. In all, 105 people were killed by junta aerial attacks during this period. The data showed opposition groups only conducted three aerial attacks during the ceasefire, between April 2-18. Anti-junta groups in the country lack any conventional air force and rely on drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, the Myanmar junta's air force includes Chinese and Russian-made fighter and ground attack aircraft, Russian attack helicopters and some heavy unmanned aerial vehicles, according to an International Institute for Strategic Studies report last year. The junta's aerial attacks since the quake have been in the Sagaing region and northern Shan state, where it is attempting to regain strategic positions, as well as in Kachin and Rakhine states, said ACLED Senior Analyst Su Mon. "The military is still conducting aerial strikes that target civilian populations," she said. In its ceasefire announcements, on April 2 and April 22, the junta said that it would retaliate against a range of actions by rebels, including recruitment and territorial expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a few instances, the data indicated that the military was attacked by armed groups prior to launching an airstrike, the U.N's Rodehaver said. Referring to the junta, he said, "Whenever you get attacked by... small arms fire, your response is to launch airstrikes on an area and you end up killing a dozen people who were not involved in the fighting at all. Is that a ceasefire?" (Reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal, Poppy McPherson and Pasit Kongkunakornkul, additional reporting by Zaw Naing Oo; Editing by Michael Perry) (Refiles to correct number of the update in the slug to UPDATE 3) By Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Secretary of State Marco Rubio has appointed a former member of his Senate staff who primarily has experience as a business consultant as the U.S. State Department's top official for Europe, according to the department's website. The change in the most senior official who helps oversee U.S. ties with Europe at the State Department, first reported by Reuters, comes at a time when Washington is managing an increasingly tense relationship with the continent as President Donald Trump says he wants to take over Greenland, pressure allies on NATO spending and end Russia's war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also the latest change as the Trump administration has proposed a major overhaul of the State Department aimed at ensuring the agency faithfully implements Trump's "America First" priorities. Louis Bono, a senior foreign service officer who was appointed as senior bureau official in the department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs when Trump took office in January, wrote to staff on Friday that Brendan Hanrahan would be taking over the role. A biography posted on the department's website later on Friday confirmed the appointment. "Brendan brings valuable experience from the private sector and the Senate, where he served on the secretary's staff, making him well poised to lead the bureau through the reorganization and to successfully advance the Secretary's agenda throughout Europe and beyond," Bono wrote in an internal email on Friday seen by Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not clear what role Hanrahan had in Rubio's Senate office and how long he worked there, or whether he has direct experience working on foreign policy. Hanrahan's new title of "senior bureau official" typically suggests an appointment for an interim period. The SBO position serves in an acting capacity when an assistant secretary, a Senate-confirmed position, is yet to be named. It was not immediately clear whether Hanrahan was brought in for a temporary period or for longer. PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE Two State Department officials, who requested anonymity, said some staff were concerned about his apparent lack of relevant experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department biography of Hanrahan posted on Friday said he was previously an investor at Bain Capital on the North America Private Equity team and began his career at McKinsey & Company. He also worked as a policy advisor for the U.S. Senate's Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship under then-Senator Rubio, it said. The biography did not refer to any direct experience working on foreign policy issues. A senior State Department official, responding to this story, said Hanrahan is "a talented and proven professional who has immense experience in the private sector carrying out commercial diplomacy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Brendan will bring an important economic perspective to the bureau, play a critical role in the reorganization, and be instrumental in advancing our America First agenda throughout the region," said the official, who requested anonymity. The head of the State Department's Europe bureau typically plays a front and center role in Washington's dealings with European countries including Ukraine and also Russia. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine began in February 2022, State Department officials serving in that role have been instrumental in Washington's diplomacy with Europe and in managing relations with Russia. Those officials were almost always Senate-confirmed. The administration's negotiations with Russia have so far been led by Trump's special envoy and his close friend, Steve Witkoff, who made his fourth visit to Moscow on Friday since Trump took office to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has already been growing concern across some European officials that the Russians are taking advantage of the lack of experience by the U.S. negotiating team. Witkoff is a real estate billionaire who had no diplomatic experience before joining Trump's team in January. Since taking office in January, Trump has upended U.S. foreign policy, pressing Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire while easing many of the measures the Biden administration had taken to punish Russia for its invasion of its neighbor. (Reporting by Simon Lewis; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Daniel Wallis and Chizu Nomiyama) YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) If youre looking for something to do on Easter break with the kids, head downtown to OH WOW! The new second floor and exhibit are now open. Yeah, we had first robotics with our friends from Austintown here a couple of weeks ago when we opened the floor. So they were in the new technology hub, which also has our robot, Pepper. and our goal is to engage with the community, and really try to bring in some area robotics teams, maybe some drone teams, so they can start to engage with some of those younger learners and inspire the next generation of robotics teams here in the Mahoning Valley, Executive Director Katie Detoro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A tour from West Branch took part on Thursday in the new maze and explored the technology center. DeToro says robotics clubs from local schools are using the facility. OH WOW! is celebrating its 14th birthday in early May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Kremlin sees breakthrough in Ukraine negotiation after Putins meeting with Trump envoy We are on the right track, declares Russian Foreign Sergey Minister Lavrov, who adds that there are still details to be resolved The United States threatens to leave Ukraine to its own devices while Russia has welcomed, with some optimism, the White Houses attempts to impose a peace agreement on Kyiv. However, this has not stopped the Kremlin from redoubling its bombardment of civilians in the invaded country. The president of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told CBS on Friday regarding the negotiations. For Lavrov, the Kremlin is ready to sign the alleged peace agreement, but there are still some details to be fine-tuned. These statements preceded the meeting of about three hours that Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, held with President Vladimir Putin. Todays conversation has brought our positions even closer not only on Ukraine, but also on other international issues, stressed Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to the Russian leader. Ushakov noted that the two sides discussed the possibility of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, a situation that last occurred at the abortive talks in Turkey in March and April 2022. Another member of the Kremlin negotiating team, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian sovereign wealth fund and a person close to Putins family, summed up the meeting tersely: Progress has been made. Trump had suggested before the meeting contrary to the basic principles of the post-1945 international legal order recognition of Russias annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the rest of the occupied territories in Ukraine. However, for Moscow, these territories are merely a separate issue in its plans: Putin wants to return Ukraine to Kremlin control, directly or indirectly, and to do so, he needs its disarmament. At approximately the same time as Witkoff arrived in Moscow, a car bomb killed Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff, just outside the capital, the second high-ranking general to be killed on Russian soil in four months. Ukrainian intelligence killed Igor Kirillov, head of Russias chemical and biological defense forces, last December. On the other side of the front lines, Russian ballistic missiles and drones are terrorizing Ukrainian cities with greater determination than ever. Moscow isnt concerned that its latest massacres of civilians could jeopardize Trumps support. Lavrov stated that Russian forces are attacking exclusively military targets and civilian buildings used by the military, despite the images of children and pregnant women trapped in the rubble of residential blocks in Kyiv. Trump has proposed a freeze in the fighting on the front lines. In exchange for this truce, a modern American president would for the first time legitimize the conquest of territories by force by demanding that Kyiv recognize Russias annexation of Crimea China, Moscows ally, does not. Furthermore, Washington is demanding Ukraine formally reject joining NATO and advocates lifting sanctions against Russia. For Putin, its a tempting offer, but the Russian leader didnt launch his all-out invasion of Ukraine to control only medium-sized towns like Soledar and Bakhmut, now devastated, but rather to force Kyiv into his sphere of influence. Any agreement would be a tactical manoeuvre [by Moscow], notes Russian political scientist Tatiana Stanovaya on X. Putin appears genuinely convinced that Ukraine, under its current leadership, cannot uphold such commitments and that domestic turmoil is inevitable, adds the Carnegie expert, although she stresses that the fundamental condition imposed by Moscow is the end of Western arms shipments: Without this, he would not consider the deal acceptable. Since the talks began, the Russian government has insisted that it will not accept the deployment of international peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. According to The Times, the United Kingdom has reconsidered this measure because the risks are too high and there are not enough forces to carry out such a task. However, the European Union and the United Kingdom say they are not willing to leave Ukraine alone and have made other proposals to Washington, according to documents seen by Reuters. Brussels public position is to maintain military support for Kyiv and defend the countrys territorial integrity: Crimea is Ukraine. Russia rearms Putin has hinted this week that hes not contemplating a definitive peace, but rather even greater rearmament. On Friday, the Russian president discussed with his Security Council how to further strengthen his military-industrial complex. The Kremlin leader met on Wednesday with the heads of Russian arms companies to review their massive arms production. Russian factories have doubled their supplies of weapons and electronic warfare equipment, and have delivered more than 4,000 armored vehicles and 1.5 million drones to their troops. I know very well, and so do many of those participating in this meeting: these weapons are still scarce, they are not enough, Putin told the business leaders, despite the siren calls of a possible truce. Putin is 72. His latest constitutional reform, in the midst of the pandemic, formally allows him to remain in power until 2036. This means that, health permitting, the leader has the same time remaining until his conquest of Crimea in 2014. And his imperialist ambitions have not waned after the initial failure of his invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Its important for Putin to reclaim Crimea because he wants to go down in history as a famous territorial collector. He dreamed of reclaiming all of Ukraine, but failed, so at this stage hes trying to internationally legitimize the seizure of at least a piece of foreign land, Russian journalist Ekaterina Kotrikadze said on her YouTube channel. Furthermore, the Kremlin could break the peace agreements at any time, as it has already violated dozens of other treaties by invading Ukrainian territory over the past decade. Moscow believes Zelenskiy is illegally in power by not holding elections while Russia bombs its cities. Any document signed by Zelenskiy could be challenged [in the future] for its illegitimacy, Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said in an interview with the French outlet Le Point. Emergency services at the scene where a car bomb killed a Russian general in Balashikha, outside Moscow, on Friday. Yulia Morozova (REUTERS) One of the challenges the Kremlin faces if it were to accept a truce now is how it fits into an increasingly radicalized Russian society. From the first minute of the invasion, Putin has set as his goals the total disarmament and denazification of Ukraine, a euphemism for replacing the Zelenskiy government and other administrations with a Kremlin-friendly authority. The consensus among Russian military personnel this newspaper has had access to, from mercenaries and volunteers to regular troops, is that Putin is their supreme commander-in-chief and they will obey his orders no matter what, although they do not hide the fact that halting the offensive now would be a disappointment. However, the Kremlin has strengthened its control within the military with a sweeping purge within the Ministry of Defense. General Ivan Popov, one of the heroes who stabilized the front in 2023 and criticized the bleeding among his troops caused by the high command, was sentenced this Thursday to five years in prison on a controversial corruption charge. In any case, allowing an independent Ukraine would be a 180-degree turn in the Kremlins rhetoric. We will not abandon the denazification of the Kyiv regime, which is legislatively and physically exterminating everything Russian, Lavrov proclaimed at the end of March. We are the heirs of the great victory won for us by the heroes of the past. As long as we remember this, we will be invincible. Victory was ours. Victory remains with us. Victory will be ours, said Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev Friday at an event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet front in World War II. For Putin, the invasion of Ukraine is his personal Great Patriotic War, and its outcome will determine his place in history. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A 38-year-old man who was exonerated from Delaware's death row in 2017 has now been convicted on federal sex-trafficking charges in Hawaii. A Hawaiian jury found Isaiah McCoy guilty on April 22 of four counts of sex trafficking three women and one child. At his sentencing hearing, scheduled for Aug. 18, McCoy faces up to life in prison. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said in a statement that the conviction vindicates the rights of women and girls who McCoy terrorized over several years in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The defendant specifically targeted each victim's unique vulnerabilities and used false promises, brute physical force and psychological manipulation to compel the victims to engage in commercial sex for his own profit," Dhillon said in a statement. "There is no place in a civilized society for the defendant's atrocious conduct and the Justice Department is committed to standing up for vulnerable human trafficking victims and holding their traffickers accountable." McCoy went from death row in Delaware to giving speeches about wrongful convictions, then back behind bars in less than a year. More: Exonerated death row inmate charged with sex trafficking Isaiah McCoy walks out of Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington as a free man in January 2017. Delaware conviction McCoy was accused of shooting 30-year-old James Munford in 2010 during a drug deal in the back parking lot of the Rodney Village Bowling Alley. The deal supposedly was for 200 ecstasy pills and crack cocaine, but prosecutors said he pulled a gun and killed Munford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was found guilty in June 2012, but his conviction and death sentence were overturned by the Delaware Supreme Court in 2015 after it found a lower court had erred by denying McCoy's challenge to strike a potential juror. More: Former death row inmate goes free after acquittal McCoy had struck more than a dozen white potential jurors. The judge and prosecutor believe this was a race-based decision, which is impermissible, though McCoy said it was not. The Delaware Supreme Court also said prosecutors made errors by improperly vouching for the credibility of a state witness and cited overall unprofessional conduct during the proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCoy faced a retrial in January 2017, and the state offered him the opportunity to plead guilty to manslaughter and a weapons charge, which would have carried a sentence of five to 50 years in prison. McCoy refused, claiming he was innocent. A judge found him not guilty, and McCoy went free in 2017. Isaiah McCoy hugs one of his daughters as he walks out of Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington as a free man in 2017. Hawaii charges Shortly after moving to Hawaii, McCoy was able to fend off trafficking charges he faced in 2018. But he was later convicted in 2021 of robbery in state court, according to Hawaii News Now a news department shared by three television stations in Honolulu. After that conviction, federal prosecutors insisted McCoy ran his trafficking operation from behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was indicted on those charges in 2024. The evidence presented at the 12-day trial showed McCoy compelled victims to commit hundreds of commercial sex acts by making promises of a romantic relationship, a luxurious lifestyle and financial security to women and girls struggling with low self-esteem, a difficult upbringing or financial trouble, federal prosecutors said. After luring the victims, prosecutors said McCoy turned violent and abusive if the victims did not provide him with enough money or violated his rules, which included having his victims call him "Daddy" or "Zeus." When the women or girls did not do as told, prosecutors said McCoy would assault them, leaving them "battered and bruised." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one case, prosecutors said McCoy repeatedly burned one of his victims with cigar butts when she did not provide him with enough money. In another case, prosecutors said McCoy smashed a victim's head against a car door before carrying her unconscious body through a hotel lobby and into an elevator. In addition to being convicted on the sex trafficking charges, a jury also found McCoy guilty of two counts of obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, seven counts of interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises and one count of interstate travel for prostitution purposes. Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware man found guilty of sex trafficking women, child in Hawaii Deforestation has long been a major factor in our changing climate, which is why its impact is certainly noticeable in communities all around the world. For residents of Telangana, India, the destruction of a vital urban forest will cause untold damage. What's happening? The Telangana government in India had planned to auction off 400 acres of the Kancha Gachibowli forest land, which is located around the University of Hyderabad. Crews were sent in and ordered to clear the area, Telangana Today reported. The intention was to build an IT park inside the cleared land. However, this was met by a large protest organized by university students, faculty, and environmentalists. The organized protest, accompanied by a Change.org petition, argues that they "are fighting for our planet" by preventing the destruction of Kancha Gachibowli. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the public outcry, officials continued with the plans to clear the forest. From late March to early April, large swaths of Kancha Gachibowli were completely razed. Satellite imagery taken of the area and shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, demonstrated the rapid and complete destruction of hundreds of acres, according to India Today. "A mere few days and it's nearly cleaned up. One more night, and it should be gone," the post on X said, per Telangana Today. Why is the razing of Kancha Gachibowli important? As noted by Mongabay India, Kancha Gachibowli can be described as an open natural ecosystem with "a mix of dry deciduous and wet deciduous forests, savannah, scrubland, rocky outcrops and more." The forest is also noted as one of the last remaining green spaces around Hyderabad. According to estimates from the Economic Times, Kancha Gachibowli is home to over 220 species of birds, 734 species of flowering plants, 15 species of reptiles, 10 species of mammals, as well as numerous insects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment report, deforestation took out around 6.37 million hectares in 2023. Deforestation can dramatically alter natural landscapes for crops and livestock, as the Forest Stewardship Council International explained, affecting our food chain. The destruction of trees can greatly increase the amount of carbon gas pollution as well, since trees naturally absorb carbon dioxide, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented on the destruction of Kancha Gachibowli, emphasizing the importance of the natural resource. "They are busy razing forests. Their acts resulted in damage of forest land and death of innocent animals that inhabited the Kancha Gachibowli lands," Modi said, per M9 News. "The Congress is busy, busy killing a thriving forest by sending bulldozers." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about the razing of Kancha Gachibowli? An Indian Supreme Court order has temporarily halted the destruction of the Kancha Gachibowli. In an effort to reverse their decision, Mongabay India reported that the Telangana government is now considering building a 2,000-acre eco-forest park instead. According to the report, the eco-park would be reminiscent of Central Park in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the proposed eco-park has been met with resistance. Akash Kumar, vice president of the University of Hyderabad Students' Union, criticized the idea of stripping the Kancha Gachibowli forest of its natural state. "Why not leave that patch of land as it is? This is a natural forest, looked after by students from the beginning," Kumar told Mongabay India. "They can protect it without turning it into a tourist spot that can be tampered with." 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. You never know when a natural disaster will strike. They can happen anywhere, anytime, including right here in Massachusetts. Hurricane Helene brought a wave of destruction to the Southeast in 2024. The storm led to massive flooding, where homes and lives were washed away. In California, massive wildfires destroyed entire communities, and businesses burned to the ground. Take a look at these numbers: 90% of natural disasters involve flooding 1,000 tornadoes touch down in the U.S. each year The 2024 U.S. hurricane season caused an estimated $500 billion in damage Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you were told to evacuate because of a natural disaster, would you know what to grab? Disaster experts tell Boston 25 News everyone needs a go bag. Kerry Tucker lost her home during the Pacific Palisades fire. She was away for work when she told her 21-year-old son to grab some things in the house and get out. And some of the humor in this is my son called and said, Okay, mom, Ive got the passports, Ive got your laptop, Ive got both Xboxes and my skis, Tucker said. When Tucker and her kids finally returned to see what was left, they found the house was all gone. We had time to grab a couple of things, but you didnt pack the whole car, and you didnt grab all the things that now you say I wish I had grabbed [that] because you dont prepare for that kind of evacuation, Tucker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Friedlander with the Insurance Information Institute says no matter where you live, you should always have a go bag with essential items. Emergencies happen quickly, and you may be given orders by local authorities where you have to evacuate now, Friedlander said. Have important documents, your insurance documents, including all contact information for your insurance companies and your insurance agents, copies of your social security cards, of birth certificates for every family member, even your marriage certificate. These emergency bags can also include a copy of your bank account numbers, passports, a list of your medications including dosage, a list of important contacts, a handful of cash in small bills in case of power outages, chargers, and a change of clothes. Its recommended for a go bag to be kept in a closet near the front or back door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somewhere on the ground floor, where its easy to access and everybody in your household is aware of it, Friedlander said. As Tucker tries to rebuild, she recommends everyone take pictures and videos of their belongings before disaster strikes. Because the most painful part right now is trying to remember everything that was there, she 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 Fifty years ago, Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, kicked off an effort to electrify its public transportation. Today, a dozen dusty and abandoned electric buses are what's left of that original effort according to The Guardian. But, the outlet reports, the electric dream may be experiencing a major resurgence in the South Asian country: "More than 70% of four-wheeled passenger vehicles largely cars and minibuses imported into Nepal last year were electric, one of the highest rates in the world." This surge in popularity appears at least partly to be cost-driven, as import taxes on EVs, no need for gas, and less need for maintenance all favor the cleaner-energy options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the switch from gas-guzzling vehicles could offer an assist in the fight against pollution in Nepal, where the Air Quality Life Index at the University of Chicago wrote in 2024 that about 50,000 people are dying annually due to dirty air: "According to the Ministry of Health, 66 percent of deaths from chronic lung disease are caused by air pollution. Similarly, 34 percent of deaths from heart disease, 37 percent of deaths from stroke, and 22 percent of deaths from respiratory infections are caused by air pollution." The Guardian further reported that Kathmandu, located in a pollution-trapping valley, is often covered over in smog. "Our analysis shows that transport contributes to about one-fourth of the fine particle matter air pollution in the valley," David Sislen of the World Bank told the publication. "Motorists switching to EVs is an important part of getting towards cleaner skies and improved health." Beyond Nepal's borders, a massive worldwide switch to EVs could help combat rising global temperatures. EVs produce far less planet-warming pollution over their lifecycles, and one country demonstrating their utility on a mass scale has the potential to encourage more to follow suit. But challenges remain, as the EV transition hasn't yet wholly remade the public transportation system Kathmandu once sought to revolutionize. The initial costs of purchasing electric buses and a lack of charging infrastructure are among the obstacles, Bhushan Tuladhar of FHI 360's USAID Clean Air and public transport cooperative Sajha Yatayat told The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FHI 360 and USAID previously worked to get electric public transit back on track after the COVID pandemic and "created green jobs in the process" with a sustainable training program to support women from under-resourced communities in becoming licensed drivers of electric three-wheelers. The Guardian reported that there are "hundreds" of such three-wheelers in operation. And the co-op Sajha Yatayat brought 40 electric buses and 24 charging stations to Kathmandu, the local Annapurna Express reported in 2024. Nepal isn't alone in its EV surge. For instance, EV sales rose by 46% in the United States in 2023. The Oakland Unified School District in California became the first major school district in the country to convert to an all-electric school bus system, and large companies like Tootbus, which runs sightseeing buses in Europe, are going electric as well. The United Nations Environment Programme has also said "2025 could be the year of the electric vehicle in developing countries." 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. Bee populations around the world are in trouble, and that spells danger for us, too. Bees are widely recognized for their importance as pollinators. However, in Cambodia, native bee populations are declining. Although Cambodia's native bees are not currently in danger of extinction, a recent study found that the populations are diminishing. What's happening? As Mongabay notes, worldwide problems such as rising global temperatures, parasites, and the use of insecticides compound with local challenges such as habitat loss, unsustainable honey processes, and bee brood consumption all of which put the bees in a precarious situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We may lose local [bee] populations," the study's lead author, Eric Guerin, told Mongabay. "Though there is still time to change that." The study doesn't provide a detailed survey of bee population numbers, but it does highlight threats to bees in Cambodia that put the populations at risk. In 1948, historical accounts detail how a single tree could have dozens of colonies of bees nesting in it. These bee colony clusters do not occur today. Bee populations are diminishing across the globe. According to researchers at Penn State University, in the United States, "beekeepers have lost about 30% of their colonies every year since 2006." From June 2024 to February 2025, the United States lost 1.1 million colonies. Why are bees important? Bee populations face many challenges. One is our warming climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As temperatures rise around the globe, bees are struggling to regulate the temperatures in their hives. A paper in Frontiers in Bee Science found that bees will struggle to survive if temperature ranges begin to exceed 97 degrees Fahrenheit. Losing bees means losing our food security. Bees are pollinators that play an important role in the production of fruits, vegetables, and some nuts. If pollinator populations continue to decline, food will become more scarce and more expensive. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Beyond food crops, bees play an important role in all sorts of plant pollination. This means that even if we aren't eating from the plants bees pollinate, their work still contributes to biodiversity and ensures rich ecosystems. What's being done about bee populations? Natapot Warrit, an assistant biology professor at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, told Mongabay: "Southeast Asia is the cradle of honeybee diversity." It's no surprise that Guerin's study calls for greater attention to bee populations in this important region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want to do your part to help bees, you can make your yard more friendly for pollinators. This includes planting native plants and having a wide variety of plant diversity in your yard. You can also opt for chemical-free pest control. Making your outdoor spaces more hospitable to bees is a great step in preserving these crucial creatures. 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. Experts are warning that warming global temperatures could soon significantly impact key modern staple foods such as coffee and chocolate. What's happening? According to Wales Online, some of those effects are already being felt in the form of increasing scarcity and higher prices. The article noted that a high-end chocolate bunny made by Lindt has already gone from 2.99 to 4.25 ($4 to $5.64) in just five years. If trends continue, that luxury rabbit's price will jump to 6.04 ($8) by the end of the decade. It's not just imported goods that will be affected; local produce is also under threat. Milder seasonal weather will threaten supplies of carrots, parsnips, broccoli, and other winter crops. British supermarkets are anticipating "tight periods for broccoli supply later this spring." Why is food insecurity important? Because chocolate and coffee are grown in areas vulnerable to rising temperatures and extreme weather, their long-term availability is under threat. Europe relies heavily on West Africa for its cocoa imports. Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana alone provide about half of the world's supply. Ghana is already experiencing extreme weather conditions. Dangerous heat waves and volatile rainfall do not make for stable agricultural output. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coffee is another staple that may well become a rare luxury in the near future if trends continue, as coffee beans can only be grown in certain climates. The Coffee Belt is tightening, and the 70 or so coffee-growing nations are often vulnerable to political instability. Dr. Morgaine Gaye told Wales Online: "Many farmers are already moving to higher elevations or switching crops, which means coffee will no longer be grown in some areas." What's being done about food insecurity? There's no silver bullet for combating food insecurity, but there is a range of options to mitigate the problem. Promising innovations can help reduce waste and boost production while moving toward more sustainable growth models. Additionally, individual actions like shopping smarter, growing your own food, and taking local action can all help reduce pressure on the global food supply. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Like tapping the glass on a fish tank, influencers are getting a little too bold with wild sharkspushing boundaries in the predators own territory. And despite Hollywoods killer-shark narrative, researchers say many so-called attacks are just defensive moves. The sharks didnt sign up to be part of anyones viral stunt. According to a new study in Frontiers in Conservation Science, French scientists say the spike in shark attacks isnt randomits fueled by selfie-chasing influencers egging tourists on to pet the oceans cold-blooded predators. I dont encourage, as many influencers do on social networks, [people] to cling to a sharks dorsal fin or stroke it, under the pretext of proving that they are harmless, lead researcher Professor Eric Clua of PSL University in Paris, France, told The Times of London. Low angle underwater view of Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) swimming over a sandy bottom in the Atlantic Ocean at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas. Bahamas. (Photo by: Dave Fleetham/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Design Pics Editorial/Getty Images To examine the cause of recent shark attacks, Professor Clua and his team examined records of encounters off the coast of French Polynesia between 2009 and 2023. They found that of the 74 bites recorded during this periodmost of which were from smaller and medium-sized sharksaround 5 percent were likely to have been the result of sharks acting out in defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clua pointed out that these defensive bites often happened without warning and usually involved multiple quick bites, typically leaving only minor injuries, and superficial wounds. A deeper dive into the Shark Attack Filesa global database dating back to the 1800suncovered over 300 similar incidents driven by self-defense. In the study researchers focused on bites linked to activities that might put people in proximity to sharks and were classified as provoked. This showed that 322 bite events could have been motivated by self-defense, which coincides with the 5 percent of self-defense bites that were recorded in French Polynesia. Scientists believe that these observations might be transferable to the rest of the world. While experts like Clua, work to prevent more attacks, sharing messages like "these are potentially dangerous animals, and not touching them is not only wise, but also a sign of the respect we owe them. Influencers continue to produce content that encourages contact with sharks. Popular Instagrammer Ocean Ramsey is an example of the behavior Clua and his team are discouraging. The influencer is one the more controversial figures in the shark encounter scene, and regularly posts close footage and offers tips on avoiding contact with tiger sharkslike minimizing splashing and staying upright in the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a previous post Ramsey shared her deep admiration for sharks. "I want to help people to overcome their fear of sharks, so they will help protect them, but a high healthy level of respect while working in water with them should remain with a constant awareness of their behavior and proximity," she said to justify her close interaction with sharks. Another influencer and wildlife photographer Taylor Cunningham is often pictured touching the nose of a tiger shark off of Hawaii. The sharks here feel like family, the self-proclaimed crazy shark lady and went on to say "Its an unrequited love. I know this is a one way relationship. But I cant help but be attached." As mentioned in The New York Post, the study comes just two months after a Canadian tourist lost both her hands after getting bitten by a 6-foot shark that she was trying to take a photo with in Turks and Caicos. Earlier this month, Barak Tzach, 40, a father of four who was killed while trying to film sharks in the water off Hadera, Israel. However, its unclear in either case if the victims touched or fed the predators. For context, approximately 100 million sharks are killed annually. This translates to roughly 274,000 sharks per day. The primary drivers of this high mortality rate include shark finning, bycatch in fishing nets, and targeted fishing for sharks and other marine life, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). With that in mind, the odds are sharks are at higher risks of getting killed daily than humans are likely to encounter a shark attack. During an interview with The Times, and in addition to reducing the number of such bites in the field, Clua made his message clear. "We hope that one of the major effects of our study will be to modify the vision and attitude of journalists by suggesting that they take a closer look at the conditions in which bites occur, without systematically blaming the animals, but rather making humans more responsible, Clua said. (KRON) Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) issued a statement Friday in response to the FBIs arrest of a county judge in Milwaukee. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday and faces multiple felony charges for allegedly attempting to stop ICE from arresting an illegal immigrant in her courtroom. Wieners office called the arrest a major escalation by the Trump administration. Latest tech layoffs hit Metas Reality Labs division: reports Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps FBI arrested sitting Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday on charges of obstructing plainclothes ICE agents who attempted to enter her courtroom to apprehend a defendant, Wiener office said. The arrest is a major escalation of the Trump Administrations assault on democracy, the rule of law, and an independent judiciary a clear attempt to intimidate local and state officials into complying with the administrations illegal mass deportation efforts. Wiener called for local and state officials to stand against Dugans arrest, calling the federal governments actions an authoritarian assault on democracy. Contra Costa County DA says recall effort is weaponizing fear Its hard to overstate the level of authoritarianism this escalation represents: Arresting a judge for the way she runs her courtroom, Wiener said. All state and local officials are now targets. This arrest an extreme abuse of federal power happened because ICE is now in courthouses looking for undocumented people. ICEs presence in courthouses undermines public safety. It signals to immigrants that they shouldnt go to court to testify as victims or witnesses. That makes us all less safe. 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. The risk of wildfires continues throughout Central Florida. As of Friday morning, there were two active wildfires in the region. The largest, Cowpen 2 in Flagler County, had burned 250 acres and was 90% contained at last report. The Palm Cay fire, a smaller blaze in Marion County, measured about a half-acre in size and was also about 90% contained. The lack of rain has significantly contributed to dry conditions, with not much relief in sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central Florida is now experiencing its worst drought in eight years, meteorologist Kassandra Crimi said. The newest drought monitor upgraded several counties including parts of Lake, Sumter, Marion, Volusia, and all of Seminole to extreme or severe drought levels. Brevard County is also drought-impacted with many brush fires popping up throughout the county this week. All were contained as of Friday morning. Area law enforcement agencies continue to be on high alert as burn bans remain throughout most of Central Florida. Brevard, Seminole, Orange, Volusia and Lake counties have issued the ban. Meantime, on Wednesday, a woman was arrested in east Orange County for allegedly setting fires in a wooded area off Oberry Hoover Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an arrest report, Amanda Clark, 34, set multiple fires near a transient camp. Clark, who faces a charge related to the illegal burning of land, was booked into the Orange County Jail on a $2,500 bond. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. U.S. carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighters have been shooting down Houthi drones in the course of recent operations over and around the Red Sea, in addition to striking targets in Yemen, according to a U.S. official. The disclosure comes amid an evolving U.S. aerial campaign in the region, in which the threats posed by the Yemeni militants air defense capabilities have become an increasingly pronounced factor, as TWZ just explored this week in a highly detailed feature. TWZ had first reached out about the possibility of F-35Cs being employed against Houthi drones after the Pentagon released a video, seen below, showing one of the jets aboard the supercarrier USS Carl Vinson with a live AIM-9X Sidewinder missile loaded on its right wing. STILL HERE. STILL CRUSHING THE ENEMY. The @CVN70 remains positioned to counter threats from Iran-backed Houthi forces. pic.twitter.com/mkWlOqoiDg Department of Defense (@DeptofDefense) April 23, 2025 The U.S. official told TWZ that F-35Cs assigned to Navy carrier strike groups have downed Houthi drones at least since the beginning of this month, when the supercarrier USS Carl Vinson arrived in Middle Eastern waters. A Navy F-35C squadron Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97), the Warhawks is part of the air wing currently embarked on Vinson. A second carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman, is also operating in the region, but its air wing does not contain F-35Cs. An AIM-9X-armed F-35C seen onboard the USS Carl Vinson in April 2025. USN/Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Jordan Whether or not Marine F-35Cs assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down any drones while that carrier was deployed in and around the Red Sea last year is unknown, and TWZ has reached back out for more information. Imagery released at the time showed some F-35Cs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314), the Black Knights, flying combat sorties with underwing launch rails for AIM-9Xs installed, but without any missiles loaded on them. Though not conclusive, this could be a clue to the Marine jets having participated in counter-air duties. VMFA-314 F-35Cs with underwing pylons for AIM-9Xs, but no missiles on them, seen on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in May 2024. USN F-35Cs, like all other Joint Strike Fighter variants, can also carry AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), as well as various air-to-ground munitions, in their internal weapons bays. The F-35C and the F-35B can also be equipped with gunpods containing a single four-barrelled 25mm Gatling-type GAU-22/A cannon, which can be employed against aerial targets and ones down below. F-35As have built-in GAU-22/As, a configuration that has suffered significant issues over the years, as you can read more about here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. official also reconfirmed that carrier-based F-35Cs have been participating in strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, something the Pentagon first disclosed in November 2024. It is also not known whether or not F-35Cs shooting down Houthi drones represent the first air-to-air victories for U.S. Joint Strike Fighters of any type. Israeli F-35Is have already been downing drones, as well as cruise missiles, for years now. A cruise missile launched from the southeast toward Israeli airspace was successfully intercepted by F-35i fighter jets. On the same day, the IAFs Arrow Aerial Defense System intercepted a surface-to-surface missile in the Red Sea area. pic.twitter.com/jZn0wcqwUX Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 2, 2023 Making History: Last year, Israeli "Adir" (F-35I) fighter jets successfully intercepted two Iranian UAVs launched towards Israeli territory. pic.twitter.com/FQsEjKzxct Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 7, 2022 Carrier-based F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers belonging the Navy, as well as U.S. Air Force F-16C Vipers flying from bases on land in the region, have also downed drones, as well as cruise missiles, in the course of ongoing operations against the Houthis. The Navy jets have also sometimes been tasked to perform counter-air duties even when its not their primary mission. The basic fact that U.S. F-35Cs are now being regularly employed on combat missions in the Red Sea is an important milestone for the type. The F-35C was the last of the Joint Strike Fighter variants to reach initial operational capability, with the Navy announcing it had done so in 2019. The jets only began deploying on Navy carriers in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also worth noting here that work is ongoing to enable F-35Cs, as well as A variants, to carry six AIM-120s internally, rather than just four, with the help of a device called Sidekick. The system, unfortunately, will not work with the internal bays on the F-35B variant, which are smaller due to the large lift fan behind the cockpit, one of several features unique to the short takeoff and vertical landing-capable jets. Plans have also been laid out in the past to allow for all versions of the Joint Strike Fighter to carry additional AIM-120s on their underwing pylons, but it is unclear whether or not that is an operational loadout option now. An F-35 carrying any stores under its wings does come at the cost of some of the jets low-observability (stealthiness). An F-35C with a full array of underwing pylons, including onboard ones with AIM-9Xs loaded onto them, seen during testing. Lockheed Martin Ongoing operations against the Houthis, as well as U.S. participation in the defense of Israel against multiple rounds of large-scale Iranian missile and drone attacks last year, have highlighted the value of additional magazine depth. The crew of at least one Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle switched to guns after running out of missiles while responding to Irans missile and drone barrage in April 2024, but was unsuccessful in bringing anything down. Starting last year, U.S. Air Force F-16C Vipers have notably been using 70mm laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets to down drones on missions over and around the Red Sea, which TWZ was first to report on. We have also now seen Vipers flying in the region with loadouts that include two seven-shot 70mm rocket pods on a single pylon, which more than triples the number of total engagement opportunities for the aircraft on a single sortie. A pair of US Air Force F-16s with air-to-air loadouts flying somewhere in the Middle East on Feb. 11, 2025. The Viper at the rear has two seven-shot 70mm rocket pods under its right wing. USAF APKWS II rockets, which have unit costs in the low tens of thousands of dollars, depending on their configuration, also offer a valuable lower-cost option for engaging less dynamic targets like drones and cruise missiles. Current generation versions of the AIM-9X and AIM-120 each cost around $450,000 and $1 million, respectively. APKWS II is not currently cleared for use on any F-35 variant, even from external underwing pylons, and it is unclear whether the Navy may be moving to integrate it onto its Super Hornets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new dual-mode version of the APKWS II with an additional infrared seeker is now in development, which will further expand its capabilities, especially in the air-to-air role. Demand for cheaper anti-air munitions is growing across the U.S. military, in general, due in large part to drone threats. As for the F-35Cs downing Houthi drones, the news comes amid an expanded aerial campaign against the Yemeni militants that President Donald Trumps administration kicked off last month and that has been exposing some hard truths. This includes the real threats posed by the air defense capabilities available to the Yemeni militants, which TWZ just explored in great detail in a feature published this week. The United States looks to have lost at least 18 MQ-9 Reaper drones to the Houthis so far, and possibly more, including seven downed just since the beginning of March. | The Houthis show footage from the shootdown of another U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper UCAV. If I'm not mistaken, that would be the 20th MQ-9 downed by the Houthis from Yemen. pic.twitter.com/SCwRVLSs7s Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) April 18, 2025 Houthi air defenses have been hindering the US ability to move into phase two of the operation, according to a report from CNN just today, citing unnamed U.S. officials. The US was hoping to achieve air superiority over Yemen within 30 days, officials said, and degrade Houthi air defense systems enough to begin a new phase focusing on ramping up intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance of senior Houthi leaders in order to target and kill them. TWZ has previously noted how an uptick in the use of standoff munitions against targets in Yemen, as well as the employment of stealthy aircraft like F-35s and B-2 bombers, has also pointed to Houthi air defense capabilities presenting greater challenges than have been widely appreciated. Another video that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released on Monday notably showed a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler armed with a rare load of four AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles, highlighting ongoing efforts to suppress and destroy the Yemeni militants anti-air assets. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) continues 24/7 operations against the Iran-backed Houthis #HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/6FcZHKG4HY U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 21, 2025 The F-35C could be proving particularly valuable in the current campaign, given their unique survivability among aircraft in the Navys current carrier air wings. The naval Joint Strike Fighters could be used to launch direct attacks in areas that might otherwise require the use of standoff munitions to reduce risk. At the same time, sending F-35s into more heavily defended areas could create different risks, especially if one of the aircraft were to go down for any reason. Launching a combat search and rescue mission to recover the pilot in that scenario would require sending significant resources into that same more contested environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, U.S. officials have contended that operations against the Houthis have still been able to significantly degrade the groups ability to launch drone and missile attacks, including against commercial vessels and warships sailing in and around the Red Sea, per reports from CNN and Fox News. Since the start of operations against the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists, USCENTCOM has struck over 800 targets. These strikes have destroyed multiple command-and-control facilities, air defense systems, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities, advanced weapons storage locations, and killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders, Dave Eastburn, a spokesperson for the command, told Fox News. Credible open sources report over 650 Houthi casualties to date. Additionally, Houthi ballistic missile launches have dropped by 87% while attacks from their one-way drones have decreased by 65% since the beginning of these operations. The U.S. has not reached full air security over the Houthis in Yemen, due to the Houthis continuing to shoot down U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones, a U.S. official tells Fox News. Seven U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones have been shot down since March 3rd, which has drastically impacted the U.S. Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) April 25, 2025 Separately, Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel said during a virtual talk that the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) hosted yesterday that his service is already learning important lessons from the air campaign against the Houthis. Kunkel is currently the director of Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming within the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Futures at the Pentagon. The fight in Yemen right now, that is an air campaign. It is an air campaign, Kunkel stressed. How we conduct that air campaign, with a set of capabilities that are performing interdiction, that are performing counter-air, that are performing this counter-IADS-like mission we need to think differently about how those things are coming together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IADS here refers to integrated air defense systems typically associated with the armed forces of nation states rather than non-state actors like the Houthis. The Navy has also made clear that it has been seeing significant lessons learned, including when it comes to maritime operations, from operations against the Houthis, something TWZ predicted would be the case more than a year ago. The issues that the current campaign has highlighted, including around magazine depth and air defense threats, would be even more pronounced in a future high-end fight against a near-peer competitor like China. Another AIM-9X-armed F-35C seen aboard the USS Carl Vinson in April 2025. USN If nothing else, we have now been told that the role of carrier-based F-35Cs in the current campaign against the Houthis has expanded to shooting down the groups drones, as well as targeting its assets on the ground in Yemen. Howard Altman contributed to this story. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Son of a CIA deputy director fought and died in Ukraine as a Russian soldier Michael Alexander Gloss, who was killed in combat in 2024, was the son of the head of digital innovation for the US intelligence service and had been in Putins army for a year The son of a senior U.S. intelligence officer fought in the Russian army in Ukraine: 21-year-old Michael Alexander Gloss lost his life on the front lines in April 2024. His mother, Julianne Gallina Gloss, had been appointed two months earlier as the CIAs deputy director for digital innovation under the administration of Democrat Joe Biden. The Russian investigative outlet Vazhnie Istorii revealed his story through leaked medical records from recruitment offices. According to the database obtained by its journalists, Gloss had been serving in the Russian army since at least September 2023. Gloss is one of more than 1,500 foreign citizens Vazhnie Istorii has identified as serving in the Russian military. According to a source close to the deceased, Gloss was assigned to assault units. The military facilities he showed in videos posted on his Russian social media were the same ones shared by Nepalese recruits: a barracks of the 137th Airborne Regiment. According to the outlet, this unit participated in the bloody battle for the town of Soledar, in the Donetsk region, at the time Gloss lost his life. The circumstances of his death are unknown, the investigation states. The deceased came from a military family with significant connections in American cybersecurity. His mother was the first female commandant of cadets at the U.S. Naval Academy and subsequently forged a three-decade career in American intelligence, from the Navy to her final assignment at the CIA as head of digital innovation. Juliane Gallina Gloss, CIA deputy director for digital innovation. INSA. His father, Larry Gloss, a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, has worked in cybersecurity his entire life: first as an employee of the National Interest Security Company and then as the owner of his own software provider for the U.S. Department of Defense and other NATO countries. Vazhnie Istorii reports that Gloss became a globetrotting hippie in 2023. That year, he joined the Rainbow Family anti-war movement, went to an eco-activist camp, and cleaned up earthquake debris in Turkey. According to an acquaintance, Gloss watched conspiracy videos and began discussing ideas of a multipolar world and a war against Western hegemony. From Turkey, he moved to Russia, where his visa was about to expire when he went to a recruitment office in Moscow. Gloss was buried in December 2024. According to chats from the peace movements in which he participated, his family learned of their sons death six months after he died on the front lines. The Russian authorities have contacted his family, wrote a friend of the deceased who spoke to his sister. They were told he died on Ukrainian territory. We dont know if he participated in the war; they didnt give any details. An obituary posted by his family on the website of the cemetery where Gloss is buried states that the deceased loved JRR Tolkien and his depiction of fellowship among heroes. He equally loved Adventure Time and the adventures of Finn and Jake, who were equally just in their quest for simple truth. With his noble heart and warrior spirit Michael was forging his own heros journey when he was tragically killed in Eastern Europe on April 4, 2024." The tribute does not mention Gloss service in the Russian army. Michael had a heightened sense of fairness [...] He wanted the world to be a better place with more fairness, peace and harmony with nature, his family recalls. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Claim: FBI Director Kash Patel, or a person managing his X account, posted, deleted and later reposted an announcement about the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. Rating: Rating: True Context: Patel, or someone managing his account, deleted the message. However, he later posted the same message once more. Social media posts displaying screenshots of Patel's deleted post indicated he made the original post at 10:11 a.m. EDT, deleted it sometime prior to 10:44 and then posted the same message again at 12:11 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 25, 2025, X users claimed FBI Director Kash Patel deleted a post announcing the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. For example, Aaron Parnas, a popular user who provides TikTok users with breaking news alerts including about Dugan's arrest posted on X, "Why did Kash Patel delete this?" Many other users also asked about Patel purportedly deleting a post. (@AaronParnas/X) It's true that Patel, or someone else with access to his account, deleted the in-question post about Dugan's arrest. Then, exactly two hours after the creation of the original post, the same message appeared again in a new post (archived) on Patel's account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The link to the deleted post on Patel's official FBI X account, @FBIDirectorKash shared in reporting from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel displayed the message, "Sorry, that post has been deleted." An examination of others users' posts (archived) and (archived) numerous (archived) screenshots (archived) showing Patel's deleted message indicated he, or someone managing his account, made the original post at 10:11 a.m. EDT, deleted it at some point prior to 10:44 and then posted (archived) the same message again at 12:11 p.m. Regarding Dugan's arrest, in a news release Snopes received via email, Milwaukee County Circuit Court District 1 Chief Judge Carl Ashley said, in part: "The judicial code of conduct restricts judges from commenting on pending or impending matters in any court. Judge Dugan's court calendar will be covered by another judge as needed." The FBI did not yet respond to an email asking about the deleted post, nor did Parnas return a general request for comment. Patel's post announcing Dugan's arrest In Patel's post, he said the FBI arrested Dugan "on charges of obstruction," alleging evidence showed that, in the prior week, she "intentionally misdirected federal agents away" from being able to arrest a migrant, whose name Patel said was Eduardo Flores Ruiz, in her courthouse. The post read: Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest. Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public. We will have more to share soon. Excellent work @FBIMilwaukee. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also posted (archived) on X about Dugan's arrest, writing, "I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov. No one is above the law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of this writing, President Donald Trump had only shared (archived) on his Truth Social account a screenshot of another user posting about Dugan's arrest. He added no additional comment above the screenshot. The charges against Dugan The Associated Press reported further details, citing U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron as saying Dugan's arrest occurred the morning of April 25 on courthouse grounds. Snopes contacted the U.S. Department of Justice to confirm these details but did not yet receive a response. The AP published Dugan's charges as concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, as well as obstructing or impeding a proceeding: [Dugan] appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. Her next court appearance is May 15. "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety," her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. He declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter following her court appearance. Dugan is charged with "concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest" and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. She's accused of escorting the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, and his lawyer out of the courtroom through the jury door on April 18 as a way to help avert his arrest, according to an FBI affidavit filed in court. More details about Flores-Ruiz Days before Dugan's arrest, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported about Flores-Ruiz's arrest, spelling his last name with a hyphen. Snopes did not yet find credible information to confirm whether the man in question hyphenates his name. The reporting from April 23 said: Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 30, is listed as being in ICE custody at Dodge Detention Facility in Juneau, according to the federal online detainee locator system. State records show Flores-Ruiz, a native of Mexico, appeared before Dugan for a pre-trial conference early on April 18 on three misdemeanor counts of battery. The FBI is now looking into whether Dugan tried to help an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest after that person appeared in her courtroom last week. Officials have not yet identified the defendant, but Flores-Ruiz appears to match the description. It is not clear what his legal status is. A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not yet respond to an email requesting any available documentation about Flores-Ruiz's legal status. Wisconsin governor issues statement about arrest Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, published a statement regarding Dugan's arrest on his official government website, without mentioning her by name: MADISON Gov. Tony Evers today released the following statement regarding the arrest of a Milwaukee County judge: "In this country, people who are suspected of criminal wrongdoing are innocent until their guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt and they are found guilty by a jury of their peersthis is the fundamental demand of justice in America. "Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor. "I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nation's judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and AP are providing continuing coverage of this breaking news story, including details of the sequence of events occurring on April 18 involving federal agents' attempts to arrest Flores-Ruiz. Sources: Bice, Daniel, Vanessa Swales, et al. "Mexican Immigrant Sought by ICE Is Apprehended after Hearing before a Milwaukee County Judge." Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025, https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/23/ice-arrested-mexican-immigrant-after-hearing-before-judge-dugan/83233154007/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bice, Daniel, John Diedrich, et al. "Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan Charged with 2 Felonies in ICE Case." Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025, https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/breaking/2025/04/25/milwaukee-county-judge-hannah-dugan-arrested-by-feds-at-courthouse/83270885007/. "Live Updates: Judge Accused of Helping Man Evade Immigration Agents Is Released after Arrest." The Associated Press, 25 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-4-25-2025. Richer, Alanna Durkin, et al. "FBI Arrests a Milwaukee Judge Accused of Helping a Man Evade Immigration Authorities." The Associated Press, 25 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/immigration-judge-arrested-7997186bbca5730e70a25f2347e631f6. Sirkin, Jay. "Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan Arrested and Charged with Two Felonies in ICE Case." TMJ4 News, 25 Apr. 2025, https://www.tmj4.com/news/milwaukee-county/milwaukee-county-circuit-judge-hannah-dugan-arrested-by-federal-authorities-in-her-courtroom. Claim: A post from U.S. President Donald Trump showing Kilmar Abrego Garcia's hand tattoos was unedited and proves he was affiliated with the Salvadoran gang MS-13. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: Although the original image held by Trump in the photo was genuine, it had been edited to insert the text "MS-13" above the symbols tattooed on Abrego Garcia's hand. What's False: There is no clear evidence proving a link between Abrego Garcia's hand tattoos and MS-13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 18, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a photo on X and Truth Social supposedly showing proof that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who immigrated to the U.S. illegally from El Salvador in 2012 then was detained and deported by the Trump administration in March 2025, was a member of the MS-13 gang. In the photo, Trump can be seen holding a piece of paper featuring a separate picture purportedly showing the tattoos across Abrego Garcia's hand. (X user @realDonaldTrump) Other users shared a cropped version of the photograph showing a close-up of the tattoos: (X user @WesternDecline_) On April 29, in an interview with ABC News' Terry Moran, Trump repeatedly referenced the claim that Abrego Garcia had "MS-13" tattooed on his hand, saying it proved he was a gang member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes readers searched the site and wrote to us asking if the photograph was real and if it proved Abrego Garcia was affiliated with MS-13. While publicly available evidence confirmed the image shared by Trump was authentic in origin, it also confirmed that the image had been altered to insert the text "MS-13" above the actual tattoos in effect annotating them. There was no clear evidence the symbols on Abrego Garcia's fingers proved an affiliation with MS-13. Abrego Garcia was mistakenly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 12, 2025. According to CASA, an immigration advocacy organization involved in Abrego Garcia's legal defense, he had no criminal convictions in either the U.S. or El Salvador. In 2019, a judge ordered that he not be returned to El Salvador on the grounds that he would face persecution. Three days after his detainment in 2025, however, the government sent Abrego Garcia to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center prison, or CECOT, without a hearing, according to The New York Times. The Trump administration itself called his detention and removal an "administrative error." Even after acknowledging it had made a mistake, however, the administration repeatedly claimed that it ordered Abrego Garcia be sent to the Salvadoran mega-prison because he was a member of MS-13. (Snopes previously investigated the little evidence the administration has used to justify Abrego Garcia's gang affiliation and concluded there was not sufficient evidence to prove he was in the gang.) Trump shared the photograph as supposed proof of such a connection, and the post's caption claimed Abrego Garcia had "MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other photos of Abrego Garcia provided confirmation that he has four knuckle tattoos, as shown in the picture held by Trump. Trump's picture had been edited to add the text "MS-13" above the tattoos, but there was no actual evidence demonstrating a link between the tattoos and the El Salvadoran gang. Trump's photo of the tattoos was edited, likely in an attempt to add context The photo held by Trump shows four knuckle tattoos a marijuana leaf, a smiley face with X's for eyes, a crucifix and a skull. We confirmed the existence of these tattoos on Abrego Garcia's hand by cross-checking with other images of him. Two separate photos in USA Today stories (one came from El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's social media and the other was credited to CASA) featured the knuckle tattoos, although only the skull and cross were visible in one of them. However, Trump's "proof" also contained "MS13" spelled across the knuckles and a description of the four tattoos underneath "marijuana, smile, cross, skull." When Moran pushed back against Trump in the ABC News interview (at timestamp 22:00), Trump made it clear he believed the text "MS-13" present above the symbols was real, not annotated with editing software. "It says M-S-one-three," he told Moran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those elements were not present in the other photos in the USA Today articles, indicating they were added to Trump's photo after the fact. Moran tried to move on by saying the tattoos could be "interpreted" as connecting Abrego Garcia to MS-13 (this is not really true, as we'll see in the next section), but Trump did not budge. "He had MS as clear as you can be. Not 'interpreted,'" Trump said. Moran pointed out that other photos of Abrego Garcia clearly showed he did not literally have the gang's name tattooed on his knuckles. Trump still refused to acknowledge he was wrong. "He's got MS-13 on his knuckles," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite what the president claimed, Abrego Garcia did not have the gang's name literally "tattooed onto his knuckles." Abrego Garcia's tattoos did not match known MS-13 tattoos Snopes reached out to several experts in gang tattoos to learn more about the symbolism in MS-13 tattoos and whether Abrego Garcia's tattoos matched those symbols. We also reached out to ICE for comment. We had not heard back from any of them at the time of publishing. Looking at other photos of MS-13 gang tattoos, however, revealed that members of the gang have its name literally tattooed on their bodies in some form, generally an "MS," a "13" or both. A source from ICE reportedly told the New York Post that if Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, getting such a tattoo would have been a requirement. However, Snopes was unable to independently verify this claim. If MS-13 members are required to have a rather blatant "MS" or "13" tattoo and if Abrego Garcia was actually involved with the gang, the Trump administration would presumably be able to share a photo of such a tattoo. The fact that the four knuckle tattoos, none of which were "MS13," were the supposed proof undermined the administration's claim of his affiliation with the gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICE source who reportedly spoke to the New York Post also said he had "never heard of those resemblances being made" when asked if Abrego Garcia's knuckle tattoos signified membership in MS-13. Regardless of whether Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13 or not, the U.S. Constitution grants him the right to due process and the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration on April 10 to "facilitate" his return. As of this writing, the administration had not complied with the ruling. Sources: "A Man Was Sent to El Salvador Due to 'administrative Error' despite Protected Legal Status, Filings Show." NBC News, 1 Apr. 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-was-sent-el-salvador-due-administrative-error-protected-legal-stat-rcna199010. CASA Demands Justice For Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia We Are Casa. https://wearecasa.org/casa-demands-justice-for-kilmar-armando-abrego-garcia/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarke, David Culver, Abel Alvarado, Evelio Contreras, Rachel. "Tattoos Transform from Signs of Gang Allegiance to Art." CNN, 14 Apr. 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/14/americas/el-salvador-cecot-gang-tattoo-intel/index.html. Deng, Grace. "Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Wife Confirms She Filed Protective Order, Says They Worked out Problems with Counseling." Snopes, 18 Apr. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/abrego-garcia-restraining-order/. ---. "Vance Was Wrong: Maryland Father Accidentally Deported to El Salvador Isn't 'Convicted MS-13 Gang Member.'" Snopes, 4 Apr. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/deported-maryland-father-vance/. "Due Process." LII / Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/due_process. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "El Salvador President Bukele Says He Won't Be Releasing a Maryland Man Back to the US." AP News, 14 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-white-house-el-salvador-kilmar-abrego-garcia-ad338d6b4558a6aba80e8290fd3eece9. Feuer, Alan, and Karoun Demirjian. "What to Know About the Deportation of Abrego Garcia to El Salvador." The New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/article/abrego-garcia-trump-deportations-el-salvador.html. Garrett, Luke. "House Democrats Land in El Salvador, Demand Abrego Garcia's Return." NPR, 21 Apr. 2025. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/04/21/g-s1-61500/house-democrats-land-in-el-salvador-demand-abrego-garcias-return. "Inside the Trump Administration's Fight to Imprison a Wrongfully Deported Immigrant." The Independent, 14 Apr. 2025, https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/kilmar-abrego-garcia-trump-supreme-court-b2729085.html. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kilmar Abrego Garcia and MS-13: What Is Alleged and What We Know. 19 Apr. 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k4072e3nno. "Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Wrongful Deportation Spotlights Trump Immigration Policies." USA TODAY, https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation/2025/04/15/kilmar-abrego-garcia-deportation-trump-immigration-photos/83104318007/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. News, A. B. C. "Wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Says Seeing Photo of Him Alive Is 'Very Overwhelming.'" ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/wife-kilmar-abrego-garcia-photo-alive-overwhelming/story?id=120941345. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Penzenstadler, Eduardo Cuevas, Michael Collins and Nick. "Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Block Order to Return Deported Maryland Father." USA TODAY, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/07/kilmar-abrego-garcia-order-trump-el-salvador/82956985007/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025. Taer, Jennie, and Emily Crane. Trump Says Deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Tattoos Show That He's MS-13 as Social Media Is Flooded with Theories. 18 Apr. 2025, https://nypost.com/2025/04/18/us-news/social-media-flooded-with-theories-about-kilmar-abrego-garcias-ms-13-tattoos/. "Trump Appears to Hold up a Altered Image of Wrongfully Deported Man's Hand." The Independent, 19 Apr. 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-kilmar-abrego-garcia-hand-b2735920.html. "US Still Won't Say Whether It Will Return Mistakenly Deported Man, despite Supreme Court Decision." AP News, 12 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/abrego-garcia-maryland-father-deported-el-salvador-6de340ac95f2abb5fd3688fc1679fd66. Updates: April 30, 2025: This story was updated to include reference to claims Trump made about Kilmar Abrego Garcia's tattoos during an interview with ABC News He wasnt joking. When President Donald Trump was reminded in an interview with Time magazine this week that he had said he would end the Russian war on Ukraine on day one, he claimed he hadnt been speaking literally or seriously. Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, and you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news [unintelligible]. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended, Trump said, according to Times transcript. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This in jest claim is a lie. On the campaign trail in 2023 and 2024, Trump said on dozens of occasions, in an entirely serious tone, manner and context, that he would end the war in Ukraine either within 24 hours of his return to the White House or even sooner than that. He said over and over again, including at both presidential debates of 2024, that he would have the war settled when he was president-elect, before his inauguration. A Friday search of the Roll Call Factba.se database that catalogues Trumps public remarks turned up at least 53 examples of Trump making such comments. Its sometimes hard to determine the intent of a politicians one-time ad-libs, but this was no jovial ad-lib. Rather, the promise of a rapid end to the war was a sober staple of Trumps pre-written rally remarks. He framed the promise as a key component of his second-term agenda, and he justified it with claims about his credibility as a leader, his history as a peacemaker, and his knowledge of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump sometimes emphasized that he was speaking literally, scoffing at critics who said he couldnt end the war that fast. Ill get that done within 24 hours. Everyone says, Oh, no, you cant. Absolutely I can. Absolutely I can, he said at one July 2023 rally in Iowa. He said at a Pennsylvania rally later that month: Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we all together win the presidency, we will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. It will be settled. The war is going to be settled. Ill get them both I know Zelensky, I know Putin, itll be done within 24 hours, you watch. They all say, Thats such a boast. It will be done very quickly. Here are the 53 examples. There might well be more; this isnt intended as an exhaustive list. March 4, 2023. Speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled. It will be settled quickly. Quickly. I will get the problem solved and I will get it solved in rapid order and it will take me no longer than one day. I know exactly what to say to each of them. March 25, 2023. Rally in Waco, Texas. And before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled. And: So when I say end it, Im going to get a settlement very quickly. And I know both people, and you can get it very, very quickly. You can only do it through the presidency, but you control the money coming in, coming out. You can get that. I will have that settlement done within 24 hours. April 21, 2023. Speech to Republican dinner in Fort Myers, Florida. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Ill get it settled very quickly. I know both; I know Zelensky and I know Putin. April 27, 2023. Rally in Manchester, New Hampshire. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. May 10, 2023. CNN town hall in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Trump: If Im president, I will have that war settled in one day, 24 hours. CNNs Kaitlan Collins: How would you settle that war in one day? Trump: First, Ill meet with Putin, Ill meet with Zelensky. They both have weaknesses and they both have strengths. And within 24 hours that war will be settled. It will be over. It will be absolutely over. June 10, 2023. Speech to North Carolina GOP convention in Greensboro, North Carolina. Heres just some of the bold agenda Ill put into effect when we become the 47th president of the United States. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled if its not already settled, and they should get it done quickly. June 24, 2023. Speech to the Faith and Freedom Coalition in Washington, DC. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine totally settled. Ill have it done in 24 hours. I say that, and I would do that. Thats easy compared to some of the things Id get that done in 24 hours. I know them both. I know them both. As the Bible says, Blessed are the peacemakers. See that? And I will be your peacemaker. I was your peacemaker. June 27, 2023. Speech to Republican women in Concord, New Hampshire. I get along with him (Zelensky), get along with Putin, Id have that war it would have never happened under me, never ever, would have never happened but Ill have that war settled in 24 hours. And it wont even be a tough one by comparison to other things. June 30, 2023. Speech to Moms for Liberty in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we all together win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. It will be done within 24 hours. July 1, 2023. Rally in Pickens, South Carolina. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency because of you, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled; Ill get it done in 24 hours. I know them both very well, Zelensky and Putin. Ill get it solved very, very quickly. July 7, 2023. Rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. And: Ill get that done within 24 hours. Everyone says, Oh, no, you cant. Absolutely I can. Absolutely I can. July 15, 2023. Speech to Turning Point event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine totally settled. Well get that settled very quickly. And: But this conflict has to end. And when Im president, it will be done very quickly, I believe in 24 hours. July 29, 2023. Rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we all together win the presidency, we will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. It will be settled. The war is going to be settled. Ill get them both I know Zelensky, I know Putin, itll be done within 24 hours, you watch. They all say, Thats such a boast. It will be done very quickly. August 4, 2023. Speech to Republican dinner in Montgomery, Alabama. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, because we are going to win it, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both very well, they will settle. Would have never ever happened. It will be done very, very quickly. August 5, 2023. Speech to Republican dinner in Columbia, South Carolina. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both very well. We will get it settled. It shouldve never happened. Shouldve never happened. All the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of dead people; the number of people dead is far greater than what youre hearing but we will get it settled immediately, and fairly settled. August 8, 2023. Rally in Windham, New Hampshire. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, we will have that horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Itll be settled. I know them both very well. Get it done very quickly, maybe in 24 hours. September 15, 2023. Speech to Concerned Women for America in Washington, DC. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. September 25, 2023. Rally in Summerville, South Carolina. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Its going to be settled. I know them both. Its going to be settled quickly. September 29, 2023. Speech to Republican event in Anaheim, California. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Itll get settled very fast. November 11, 2023. Rally in Claremont, New Hampshire. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presiden(cy), because we are going to win it, Ill have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled and which it should have never started. November 18, 2023. Speech in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency together, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Were going to get it settled. I know Putin very well, get along with him. I know Zelensky very well. January 5, 2024. Rally in Mason City, Iowa. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency its going to be us all together I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both very well, Zelensky and Putin. Ill get it settled. January 17, 2024. Rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Upon taking office, I will also restore peace through strength. I will get that war in Ukraine settled so fast. And: I will get that straightened out very fast, very early. I think I think Ill get that finished when Im president-elect. I think Ill get it long, long before, long before I take the office. January 19, 2024. Rally in Concord, New Hampshire. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we, we, win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I will get it settled. I know Putin, I know Zelensky very well, I know them both, and were going to get it settled. Its got to get settled. January 21, 2024. Rally in Rochester, New Hampshire. I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled before I even take office. January 22, 2024. Rally in Laconia, New Hampshire. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency we win, we are going to win it together I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Well get it settled. January 27, 2024. Rally in Las Vegas, Nevada. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Ill get it done fast. I know them both. And we will restore on this planet peace through earth (sic). February 14, 2024. Rally in North Charleston, South Carolina. But before I even arrive at the Oval Office I will win the presidency I will be doing things that will be amazing, like I will get the war between Russia and Ukraine settled forthwith. It will be settled very quickly. February 23, 2024. Rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office shortly after we we, we, not me, we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled, I will get it settled. People dying by the thousands, horrible thing. Under the Trump administration, we will return to peace through strength. February 23, 2024. Speech to Black Conservative Federation event in Columbia, South Carolina. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled and restore peace through strength. March 2, 2024. Rally in Richmond, Virginia. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both very well. And we will restore peace through strength. Get that war settled, its a bad war. March 2, 2024. Rally in Greensboro, North Carolina. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we, we, win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled, and we will restore peace through strength. May 1, 2024. Rally in Freeland, Michigan. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, we win, all of us together are going to win, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both. I will get it settled. May 1, 2024. Rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency and its we all together, its we, its not me I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. May 11, 2024. Rally in Wildwood, New Jersey. Before I even arrive in the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both very well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May 18, 2024. Speech to the National Rifle Association. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled, and we will restore, as we had just four years ago, peace through strength. June 6, 2024. Interview with Dr. Phil. I will deal with it, and Ill get the war in Ukraine settled and done by the time I get to office. As president-elect, I will get it done. As president-elect, you have great power. I was able to do great deals from the time I got elected in 2016. I was able to do great deals from the time I got elected to the time I got to office, in that little because you have great power there. June 15, 2024. Speech to Turning Point event in Detroit, Michigan. I will have that settled prior to taking the White House as president-elect. I will have that settled. Gotta stop it. June 27, 2024. Presidential debate against then-President Joe Biden. I will have that war settled between Putin and Zelensky as president-elect before I take office on January 20. Ill have that war settled. People being killed so needlessly, so stupidly. And I will get it settled, and Ill get it settled fast before I take office. June 28, 2024. Rally in Chesapeake, Virginia. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency we, we win the presidency I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine totally settled. July 20, 2024. Rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency we, we win; were going to all win it together I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. July 24, 2024. Rally in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we we, the people in this room win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Were going to get it settled quickly. Ill do it as president-elect, Ill do it. July 26, 2024. Speech to Turning Point event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled; I will get it settled, and I will prevent World War III. July 27, 2024. Rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency and I say we win, were winning this together I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. August 9, 2024. Rally in Bozeman, Montana. And before I even arrive at the Oval Office, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. August 21, 2024. Rally in Asheboro, North Carolina. If we win, Ill get that thing settled before I take the office; Ill get it settled as president-elect, Ill get that war stopped. With Russia, yeah, well get that stopped. Ukraine and Russia, were going to get it stopped, and quickly. Itll be done before I get to office. August 23, 2024. Interview with Shawn Ryan. Ive said this before, Shawn: I will have that war settled when Im president-elect, meaning before I get to office on January 20. September 7, 2024. Rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin. But this whole Russia thing: nobody was tougher on Russia, in history, than Trump. And the person that knows that better than anyone is President Vladimir Putin. He knows it better than anyone. And Ill tell you what: I will have that war finished and done and settled before I get to the White House. As president-elect, I will get that done. September 10, 2024. Presidential debate against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. I want to get the war settled. I know Zelensky very well, and I know Putin very well; I have a good relationship, and they respect your president, play? They respect me. They dont respect Biden. How would you respect him? Why? For what reason? He hasnt even made a phone call in two years to Putin. He hasnt spoken to anybody. They dont even try and get it. That is a war thats dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president. If I win, when Im president-elect. And what Ill do is Ill speak to one, Ill speak to the other, Ill get them together. September 19, 2024. Interview with Newsmax. So, hopefully, were going to win the election. Were going to get it all changed. Ill get that war settled before I even become president. I will get it settled while Im president-elect. October 1, 2024. Rally in Waunakee, Wisconsin. I will settle the war in Ukraine before I even take office; Ill settle it as president-elect. I met with President Zelensky the other day. I know President Putin very well. Ill get it settled. October 16, 2024. Interview with Patrick Bet-David. Trump: I think the world is going to behave and I think I will settle Russia-Ukraine while Im president-elect. Bet-David: While youre president-elect. Trump: While Im president-elect. Bet-David: Wow. Trump: You need that credibility. Bet-David: Sure. Trump: While Im president-elect, I will settle it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement October 17, 2024. Speech at the Al Smith charity dinner, New York, New York. I had a lot of people from, very religious people, come up to me tonight, from Ukraine, and theyre asking me for help. So, so sad to see so many people have been killed in Ukraine, and were going to get it were going to get it settled up if we win. As Im president-elect, Im going to get that done. Im going to do it before we ever get there. CNNs Danya Gainor contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FALLS CHURCH, Va. (DC News Now) Parents and students at a Fairfax County school board meeting Thursday said more needs to be done to keep schools safe after a teen was stabbed by another classmate at West Potomac High School in Belle Haven. Thursday was the first day new weapons detectors were in use at the school, in place less than 24 hours after the stabbing that took place during the school day on Wednesday. Police: 2 officers shot during traffic stop in Fairfax County; suspect dead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) parent Vanessa Hall said the news of the stabbing left her shaken up, and it compelled her to testify about school safety and the school systems budget on Thursday. Im a parent whos actually had that call that somethings happened to their child. Ive had the worst call and had to suffer through that, Hall said. It was dramatically horrible, terrible for all the parents standing outside. Hall believes students are smart enough to circumvent those weapons detectors, and that a lot of the violence between students at school happens outside the buildings walls. She and a student testified before the board on Thursday in favor of finding new safety measures following the addition of new Open Gate weapons detectors at West Potomac and several other schools in Fairfax County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students are panicking, afraid of being treated like a suspect for the crime of potentially being a victim of school violence. My peers and I dont believe the Open Gate system is capable of keeping our schools safe, student Alexander Mather said. Fairfax County school board members call for increase in safety measures after stabbing at high school Pamela Revels is the president of the National Association of School Resource Officers. She said those systems can help, but they arent a solution on their own. When you do add things like a weapons detection system, it is an enhanced feature, but you cant just rely on that alone to stop weapons, Revels said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boards student representative, Megan Sawant, said those detectors are an important step toward safety. This is the reality that we live in, and we always need to be prepared, Sawant said. Its not clear how long the new weapons detectors are going to be in place at West Potomac High School. The program is still in its pilot phase. The school issued a statement Friday on the incident: There were numerous heroes in the halls of West Potomac High School on Wednesday morning who played a part in saving the life of a young person. We are just two among many who represent what a teacher is today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In those chaotic and frightening few moments, we stepped from our classrooms and transitioned into emergency responders, counselors and therapists, crowd control, and lifesavers. Later that day, as we sat with our colleagues and reflected on what we had been a part of, there was a sense of disbelief and shock. And yet we continue to believe in the extraordinary power of public education and will continue to show up for our students. While this week has undoubtedly been the hardest we have faced in our combined almost four decades as educators, we want to make it clear that this terrible act of violence should never be what defines our incredible school or community. We challenge anyone who has spent time at WestPo to remain unmoved by the vibrant and uplifting place of education that changes the course of the lives of those who attend it. We will forever remain incredibly thankful for the support of our amazing West Potomac family, both inside the school walls and outside in the community, where our motto To the Stars Through Struggles shines on. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A Fairfield man was sentenced to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling millions of dollars from banks where he held high-ranking positions over the past decade. According to evidence and testimony, James Blose, 56, approximately $7.4 million from his employers, which included Hudson Valley Bank, Sterling National Bank, and Webster Bank, starting in 2013. Solar energy systems running at 6 Connecticut state prisons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From approximately 2013-Jan. 2022, Blose was an attorney and ultimately served as general counsel at Hudson Valley Bank and Sterling National Bank. When Webster Bank acquired Sterling National Bank in Jan. 2022, Blose served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Webster Bank until Feb. 2023, when his embezzling was discovered by his employers. Blose defrauded his employers (The Bank) in various ways. In certain commercial loan transactions in which The Bank was the lender, Blose fraudulently retained for himself portions of closing costs, including legal fees. In certain real estate transactions where The Bank was the seller, Blose retained portions of the sale proceeds for himself. For some real estate transactions, Blose created false documents in order to hide his theft from The Bank. Blose stole from The Bank in other ways. As part of the scheme, Blose used his attorney trust accounts for personal expenses, and to transfer funds to accounts in the names of businesses he created and controlled, and then used those funds for his personal benefit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blose used the stolen funds to purchase a vacation property on Kiawah Island in South Carolina, for construction of his Connecticut home, and for luxury vehicles, jewelry, private jets charters, multiple country club memberships, and other expenses. On Dec. 20, 2024, Blose plead guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of engaging in illegal monetary transactions. He was released on a $250,000 bond. Blose will have to pay restitution, the amount of which will be determined after additional court proceedings. He is required to report to prison on June 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A fallen Fort Smith firefighter will be one of two Arkansans honored at the 44th Fallen Firefighter Memorial Weekend next month. The event, taking place on May 3 and 4 in Emmitsburg, Maryland, will commemorate 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024 and 70 firefighters who died in previous years. Arkansas Department of Health: 2 locations exposed to measles in Fort Smith Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Philip P. Christensen, of the Fort Smith Fire Department, who died in February 2023 at the age of 54, will be honored. Chief Philip P. Christensen (Courtesy: Fort Smith Fire Department) FSFD said in a social media post at the time of his death that Christensen had battled brain cancer for the previous nine months. His is a Line of Duty death as his cancer was certainly from an exposure during his time as a firefighter, the department said in the post. Captain Jim McCammon of the Harrison Fire Department, who died in 2019 at the age of 64 from liver cancer, will be the other Arkansan honored. The candlelight service will be on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby from the St. Louis Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victim in fatal crash on Midland Bridge in Fort Smith identified The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Eastern time on May 4 and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm. This weekend is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and commitment of those who put their lives on the line to protect others, Troy Markel, Chair of the NFFF Board of Directors, said in a news release. We come together not only to remember the fallen, but to stand in solidarity with their families and departments, letting them know their loved ones will never be forgotten. For more information and a link to the live stream, visit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundations 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 KNWA FOX24. Renowned aerobatic pilot Rob Holland of Nashua was killed Thursday when his plane crashed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. Rob Holland Champion aerobatic pilot Rob Holland of Nashua was killed in a crash Thursday in Virginia. Holland, 50, was flying his customized MXS-RH stunt plane when he crashed on approach to the runway at Langley shortly after 11:30 a.m. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Dan Boggs said Friday that Holland was making a normal approach for landing and was not performing any aerobatic maneuvers when the crash occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holland was scheduled to perform in this weekend's Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show at Langley. A post on his Facebook page reads: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today, 24 April 2025, in an accident at Langley AFB, VA. The cause of the crash is not known at this time, and is under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, and DOD. "Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history. Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday." A regular performer at competitions and air shows around the world, Holland was a 13-time national aerobatic champion and the winner of 37 international aerobatic medals, including 14 gold, according to his website, ultimateairshows.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based at Nashua's Boire Field, Holland was a graduate of Daniel Webster College and could often be spotted performing high-performance maneuvers while flying out of Nashua. Holland had been a licensed pilot since 1992, with more than 15,000 hours of flight time in more than 180 types of aircraft. The Virginia air show will go on as scheduled this weekend. Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez disappeared on April 12, and was last seen kayaking on the Willamette River, according to police Although his kayak was found about 7.5 miles downstream of Willamette Falls the next day, the 20-year-old man remains missing In a statement released by police, his family said they are "devastated by the tragic event" and "would not wish this experience on anyone" A 20-year-old man disappeared while kayaking in Oregon and now his family is left grappling with grief. On the evening of Saturday, April 12, Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez arrived in the area while on vacation with his family, then went out kayaking in the Willamette River, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before 11:00 p.m. local time, police reported that multiple people called 911 to report "observing a kayaker in distress" just upstream of Willamette Falls. "A short time later, witnesses stated the individual, a lone adult male, was seen going over the falls and did not resurface," police wrote. In audio obtained by ABC affiliate KATU and Fox station KMPH-TV, one caller, identified as Carlos Acosta stated that there was an "emergency." Related: Hawaii Man, 49, Dies After Falling from Waterfall While 'Hiking with Acquaintances' Over the phone, Acosta could be heard yelling to others at the scene, "Do you guys see him? Put some lights on him!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After briefly losing sight of the kayaker, Acosta found them again and said that he was "fighting with the water" and "screaming for help." KATU Willamette Falls. Willamette Falls. Another witness, Nathan Billman, called 911 and reported seeing a man go over the edge of the waterfall and screaming for help, the outlets reported. Related: Man Dies After Slipping on Tree Branch While Trying to Jump Off Waterfall The third 911 call came from a woman, Amy Beli, who was on a floating home on the river and encountered the kayaker before his situation turned dangerous. The woman said she spoke to the man, who did not seem distressed at the time. Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search efforts for Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez at Willamette Falls. Search efforts for Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez at Willamette Falls. The following day, police announced that they had found the man's kayak near Elk Rock Island, which is about 7.5 river miles away from Willamette Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three days later, and despite "extensive efforts" to find him, officials identified the kayaker, who remained missing. 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. Police also shared a message on behalf of the Rodriguez family, who said they were "truly devastated" by what happened and "would not wish this experience on anyone." "Our family is making every effort to heal and come to terms with our loss," they added. As the statement continued, the family urged others to be cautious when going out on the river "as the forces of nature can quickly become overwhelming and deadly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We extend our sincere gratitude to the teams of first responders who rushed to our aid and continue to search for our boy. We also thank the locals and fishermen out on the water who have been watchful and helpful during this difficult time," the family added. "Marcelus loved God, his family, and nature. We hope that this tragic accident can be avoided in the future for other families. May God keep watch over Marcelus and bless him always. In their statement, officials said that the search efforts are ongoing by the Sheriffs Office Marine Unit, who hope to "bring closure" to the family. Read the original article on People A 99-year-old woman died nearly two weeks after she was struck by an unlicensed driver in Brooklyn, N.Y. Taibel Brod, 99, a Hasidic Jewish woman who fled Russia after World War II, was struck while crossing Montgomery St. in Crown Heights on Tuesday, April 8, around 8:30 p.m., a New York Police Department spokesman said. She was transported to Maimonides Medical Center, where she was initially listed in stable condition. But she succumbed to her injuries 12 days later and died on Sunday, April 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The matriarch was allegedly hit by Menachem Shagalow, a 65-year-old man who was driving a 2023 GMC Yukon SUV traveling south on Brooklyn Ave. That same day, he was charged with aggravated unlicensed operator, failure to exercise due care and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a NYPD spokesman said. avid_creative/Getty Stock image of Modern LED light bar on police cruiser flashing red and blue emergency lights. Stock image of Modern LED light bar on police cruiser flashing red and blue emergency lights. Taibel, a longtime resident of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was survived by her large Chabad family, including her five children and several grandchildren, according to her obituary. Taibel was born in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. She came to the U.S. after World War II, when she fled Russia on an escape train to Poland, her family said, per the New York Daily News. In 1946, she ended up in the displaced persons camp of Pocking, in Germany. There, she married her husband, Chatzkel Brod, and gave birth to her two older daughters, her son Yisroel Brod said, per the Daily News. She moved to New York in 1951. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NYPD lists her age as 101 at the time of her death. Her children believe she was 99 because when she escaped Russia, she used another persons passport. Her actual age is unclear. Related: Off-Duty Police Officer Fatally Struck by Truck While Helping Crash Victim on Highway: 'Will Be Deeply Missed' The hardship in her youth in Russia gave her the strength to go forward. She survived communism, her son Yosef Brod, 73, told the Daily News. She walked every morning from Crown Heights to Brookdale Hospital. She used to feed patients there for many many years, Taibels youngest son, Yisroel Brod, 70, told NY Daily News. He called the accident a tragedy. Getty Nypd police patrol car in November 2020. Nypd police patrol car in November 2020. 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. She also fed patients at the Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center for over 50 years day in and day out, Yosef told the New York Post. He added that she was very active in the community and had goodness and kindness going for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mother was deeply committed to the community as a volunteer in many areas. She did a lot of praying on a daily basis, son, Yisroel, 69, told the outlet. A very open house and visitors would come from other countries to be in this community. Shed welcome them for a weekend, a holiday. She was a very giving person. She was [a] very independent woman, her 38-year-old grandson, also named Yisroel, said. Extremely independent and strong. She would take the bus by herself. She was extremely independent till her last day. Read the original article on People VALLEY, Ala. (WRBL) Valley Police are asking for the publics help in locating 16-year-old Dalton Edward Teague, who was last seen around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22, at his residence on Rebel Road. Teague is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighing approximately 143 pounds. At this time, there is no known clothing description or known direction of travel. While investigators currently do not suspect foul play, police say they are concerned for Daltons safety, and his family is desperate to bring him home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A $5,000 cash reward is being offered by his family for information leading to his safe return. The reward will be paid once Dalton is safely back in the custody of his mother or grandparents. Dalton If you have any information on Dalton Teagues whereabouts, please contact the Valley Police Department at 334-756-5200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The conclave that will elect the new pope is set to begin in a few days, with 133 cardinals in attendance. Although the College of Cardinals consists of 252 members, only those under 80 years old are eligible to gather in the Sistine Chapel to vote for Pope Francis successor. This conclave is the most international and youngest in history.. EXPLORE Frontrunners Named by Position Age Continent/region (diocese) Country (diocese) You have selected: Jon Bahr holds his newborn daughter, Taverie, in March while testing equipment at the new MilkShake Factory franchise in Colorado Springs, Colo., he opened with his wife, Micayla Bahr. Colorado had a 4.5% increase in births last year, the largest in the nation, as births increased nationally for the first time since 2021. (Courtesy of Jon Bahr/MilkShake Factory) The number of births in some Western states that are adding new housing rose last year, reversing losses the year before in many cases, according to new federal statistics released Wednesday. Increases from 2023 to 2024 were highest in Colorado (4.5%), Idaho (3.8%), Utah (3.6%), Washington state and Nebraska (each 2.6%). Births increased around 2% in West Virginia, South Dakota, North Carolina, Montana, Rhode Island and South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost all those states had decreases in births the previous year, and many have been building housing rapidly since 2023. Idaho, North Carolina and Utah have issued enough building permits in 2023 and 2024 to add about 4% to their housing stock, the highest in the nation. Melissa Kearney, an economics professor at the University of Maryland who specializes in families and fertility, said there could be a link between homebuilding and more babies. It is quite possible that increased access to home ownership, coming from a reduction in the price of houses in places that are building more houses, could meaningfully increase birth rates, Kearney told Stateline in an e-mail. Many of the other states with increases in births are also seeing building booms: Colorado, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota and Washington state are all set to add more than 2% to housing stock based on permits issued in 2023 and 2024, according to a Stateline analysis of U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When taking a broader look at the number of births from 2019, just before the pandemic, to 2024, Idaho leads the nation with a 5% increase in births, followed by Tennessee (4%), and South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas, all with a 3% rise. Hawaii saw the largest drop, at 12%, followed by California, Illinois, Louisiana, and New Mexico, where births fell by 10%. Building permits can take up to two years to translate into finished houses and apartments, but they indicate which states are most willing to allow new housing that can boost population, tax receipts and the workforce. In Colorado, Denver County is set to add almost 10,000 housing units and in Idaho, Ada County, which includes Boise, could add 11,200 units based on building permits. Nationally births were slightly higher in 2024 than the year before, by about 1%, according to provisional federal numbers from the National Vital Statistics System within the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fertility rate also increased slightly, but it remains below the replacement level needed to keep the population stable 2.1 children for each woman over her lifetime. All the increase nationally was in births to Hispanic and Asian mothers, with births continuing to decline for Black, American Indian and white mothers. Births to teenagers and women ages 20-24, in sharp decline since 2007, continued to drop last year, while births increased for women 25 and older. The number of births dropped most in states struggling with stagnant population: falling about 4% in Louisiana, 3% in Mississippi, and 2% in New Mexico and New Hampshire. All those states had little or no population growth between mid-2023 and mid-2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. Like the SC Daily Gazette, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. The Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online court records show that the government did not request that Dugan be held in detention and that she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that shed appear in court when required. The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies. It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nations immigration laws, he said. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugans case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patels statement shows that Trumps FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote on social media that ICE making arrests at courthouses interferes with the work of local justice officials. Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement, the organization said. Everyone is due their day in court, and when ICE starts showing up to courts looking to make arrests, it risks interfering with those rights. In recent weeks, the administration has attacked the integrity of our judicial system, refused to comply with a Supreme Court order, and arrested a judge for using her authority to protect the fair administration of justice. This is a developing story and will be updated Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. April 25 (UPI) -- Federal authorities on Friday arrested a Milwaukee County Circuit Judge over allegations she helped an undocumented migrant evade capture. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the news on X before deleting the post and later reposting it, in which he accused Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan of obstructing federal officials last week. "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject -- an illegal alien -- to evade arrest," Patel wrote in the now-deleted social media post, which also congratulates the FBI's Milwaukee field office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public." Dugan mainly presides over misdemeanor matters and has sat on the court for the last nine years. The judge ran unopposed in 2022, with her term set to expire in 2028. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the news on X before deleting the post, which accused Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan of obstructing federal officials last week. File Photo by Will Oliver/UPI Neither Patel or the FBI have commented publicly on why the director's post was deleted. Dugan was arrested inside her courtroom Friday, WTMJ-TV reported. Later she made an appearance before a federal magistrate judge and was released on bond. Reports stated that she has another court hearing scheduled for May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlet also published a photo of a seemingly-related note posted on the exterior of the courtroom door. "If any attorney, witness coordinator, or other court official knows or believes that a person feels unsafe coming to the courthouse to courtroom 615, please notify the Branch 31 clerk to request court appearance via Zoom," the note in the photo read. Earlier in the week, the Milwaukee Sentinel reported Dugan was under investigation by federal authorities for helping undocumented migrants avoid capture. The FBI did not confirm the investigation at the time. The Sentinel reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers visited the courthouse last Friday with an arrest warrant but did not take anyone into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has made removing migrants illegally in the United States one of his administration's priorities. Earlier in the month, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants temporarily in the United States, leaving them open to arrest and deportation. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 7-2 to pause deportations being carried out under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Hundreds of Venezuelans held in northern Texas have been deported recently to El Salvador's maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Center prison, using the Act as a justification. The FBI has arrested a judge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they have accused of obstructing the arrest of an undocumented migrant. According to a now-deleted X post, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote that the FBI has arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patel wrote, adding that Flores Ruiz had been arrested. U.S. Marshals confirmed Dugans arrest to several publications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report from The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Flores Ruiz, who is from Mexico, appeared for a hearing before Dugan on April 18. According to an email from Chief Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Carl Ashley obtained by the Journal Sentinel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the Milwaukee courthouse and were asked whether they had a warrant, and the agents presented the warrant as well as their identification [] They were asked to go to Chief Judges office. They complied. According to Ashleys email, the agents were asked to wait until their suspects hearing had concluded before making their arrest. In a response to the Journal Sentinel, Dugan wrote that nearly every fact regarding the tips in your email is inaccurate. Sources told the Journal Sentinel that Dugan directed Flores Ruiz out of a side door from the courtroom and into another public area of the courthouse when immigration agents left to speak with the Chief Justice. In an email response to Chief Justice Ashley, Dugan wrote that a warrant was not presented in the hallway on the 6th floor. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson criticized the arrest during a press conference on Wednesday. Typically when something like this happens, an indictment of a potential defendant is ordered, there will be a court appearance. That didnt happen in this case. I think what happened here is just show-boating. Theyre trying to have this show of force, Johnson said. In the process of doing this, in a courthouse where people need to go for court proceedings, theyre scaring people away from participating in the process [] which makes our community less safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states governor, Democrat Tony Evers, also sounded off, writing on X that we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level. Rep. Jaime Raskin (D-Md.), ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, told CBS News that while all the facts are not yet in, the implications of this arrest are chilling. This is a drastic escalation & dangerous new front in Trumps authoritarian campaign of trying to bully, intimidate & impeach judges who wont follow his dictates. The Trump administration has been making clear for months that they want to retaliate against anyone who impedes their anti-immigration efforts. We are going to prosecute you, and we are prosecuting you, Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News on Friday when asked for her message toward those trying to obstruct their deportation efforts. I could not believe a judge really did that. She then suggested Dugan is deranged and thinks shes above the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It isnt just Bondi, Patel, and the Justice Department. Last month, Trumps Border Czar Tom Homan suggested that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) be investigated for posting advice to undocumented migrants regarding their rights if they are confronted or detained by ICE agents. Earlier this month, Trumps personal lawyer turned acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba said she would be launching an investigation into the states Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, as a warning for everybody who sought to protect migrants from the plans of the administration. In February, a lawyer named Clay Jackson was reportedly confronted by two unidentified agents who shut off the WiFi in his home and accused him of obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation after he offered to find legal help for a mixed-status family whose relative was in ICE custody. The FBI and Department of Justice have not released additional details regarding the arrest, but the detention of Judge Dugan takes place after a series of threats by the Trump administration to retaliate against judges who act dis-favorably to the presidents agenda. The president has threatened impeachment and removal against federal judges who have blocked his administrations efforts to strip migrants of due process rights, and gut large swaths of the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its no surprise that Trumps FBI might begin arresting judges over disputes regarding undocumented migrants. 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. A Wisconsin judge has been arrested at the courthouse where she works for allegedly obstructing efforts to arrest a migrant. Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee county circuit judge, was detained on suspicion of obstructing an immigration arrest operation, Kash Patel, the FBI director, said. Announcing the arrest on X, Mr Patel wrote: We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. We will have more to share soon. Excellent work @FBIMilwaukee. Mr Patel shared the post shortly after 10am local time (3pm UK) but it appeared to have been taken down less than an hour later. He then reshared the message around two hours later. A spokesperson for the US Marshals Service said Ms Dugan was arrested on Friday at the courthouse. Judge Dugan was released on bail after a brief appearance at a federal court in Milwaukee on Friday. Her next court appearance is May 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her supporters gathered outside the court holding signs saying free Hannah and chanting: No justice, no peace, judge Dugan will be free. Defendant left courtroom through side door The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel previously reported the FBI had placed Ms Dugan under investigation after allegedly trying to help Mr Ruiz avoid arrest when he was scheduled to appear in her courtroom on April 18. Carl Ashley, the chief Milwaukee county circuit judge, reportedly confirmed in an email that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents came to the county courthouse on April 18 with an arrest warrant. Ms Dugan allegedly directed ICE agents to Mr Ashleys office, after which she allowed the defendant to leave the courtroom through a side door, sources told the newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Dugan described the email as inaccurate at the time. The FBI said: As a standard practice, the FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations. History of supporting immigrant causes Ms Dugan has a history of supporting immigrant causes, having previously been a member of the immigration legal services steering committee at Catholic Charities, according to a copy of her CV. She also attended a Milwaukee vigil in 2019 in support of immigrants and Latinx people where demonstrators waved anti-Trump signs, an image from her Facebook page shows. The Trump administration has pledged to prosecute local officials who do not comply with his edicts to crack down on immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has frequently clashed with district judges over efforts to block his deportation drive. ICE agents arresting undocumented immigrants in state court has become a frequent point of friction with local authorities, who argue such actions can deter people from entering courthouses. Ms Dugan is believed to be the first judge to be arrested by ICE agents under the new administration. During Mr Trumps first term, a local Massachusetts judge was incited by the justice department on charges of obstructing immigration authorities. The charges were eventually dropped. 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 Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online court records show that the government did not request that Dugan be held in detention and that she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that shed appear in court when required. The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan-Crim-complaint In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies. It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nations immigration laws, he said. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugans case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patels statement shows that Trumps FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. Gov. Tony Evers said the arrest was another example of the Trump administrations attacks on the judiciary. Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor, he said. I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nations judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote on social media that ICE making arrests at courthouses interferes with the work of local justice officials. Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement, the organization said. Everyone is due their day in court, and when ICE starts showing up to courts looking to make arrests, it risks interfering with those rights. In recent weeks, the administration has attacked the integrity of our judicial system, refused to comply with a Supreme Court order, and arrested a judge for using her authority to protect the fair administration of justice. This is a developing story and will be updated The Milwaukee County Courthouse. FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. (Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) This story originally appeared on Wisconsin Examiner. FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. In a statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. This is a developing story and will be updated Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday in Wisconsin, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pretrial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Dugan-Crim-complaint Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. This is a developing story and will be updated This story was originally published by Wisconsin Examiner, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. The Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Dugan-Crim-complaint Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. This is a developing story and will be updated Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. The Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies. It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nations immigration laws, he said. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugans case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patels statement shows that Trumps FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this president is putting those basic democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, whose district includes Milwaukee, said the arrest was shocking. This administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. Dugan-Crim-complaint This story was originally produced by the Wisconsin Examiner which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The company is concerned that although male fertility is in sharp decline, no one is talking about it. If someone were to make a joke and ask, What do American billionaires do when theyre bored? a cheeky answer might be, Send their wives into space! But now, that punchline might have some competition: organize sperm races. Eric Zhu, co-founder of Sperm Racing, is getting ahead of the potential jokes. Sperm racing isnt just a joke. its not just some viral idea for the internet to laugh at, he says. Its something much bigger. The startup has already raised $1.5 million to launch its debut competition on April 25 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The race will pit two healthy college students from rival universities against each other. Chosen based on matching biomarkers, their sperm samples will face off on an eight-inch-long (20-centimeter) track designed to replicate the female reproductive system, complete with chemical signals, fluid dynamics, and synchronized starts. Every movement will be captured by high-resolution cameras and streamed live with real-time statistics, rankings, and instant replays. The winner will be the sperm that crosses the finish line first. More than 4,000 spectators are expected to attend the event, which will be broadcast live with 40x zoom to follow the 0.05-millimeter sperm in detail. Sperm typically swim at about 5mm per minute, meaning each race will take at least 40 minutes, explains Bevan Hurley in a report for The Times. Turning health into sport Zhu laments in the companys manifesto that although male fertility is in sharp decline, no one is talking about it. Sperm motility how fast your sperm moves turns out to be a massive factor in fertility. Its measurable, trackable, and just like running a race or lifting a weight, its something you can actually improve. But no ones turned it into something people care about. So we did. Were turning health into a sport," explains the young investor, who is also part of Thor Ventures, a firm that backs tech-focused projects. Data presented at the latest meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, held in Copenhagen, may validate his concern. The findings revealed that only 11% of male reproductive issues are properly diagnosed. To put that into context with Spain, it suggests that around 3.7 million Spanish men may be experiencing fertility problems without even knowing it. After analyzing 5,000 samples at Spains Bernabeu Insitute group over the past five years, researchers found a 16.75% overall decrease in sperm count (per milliliter), along with a 12% drop in motility. Sperm racing isnt just about racing sperm (although, lets be honest, thats hilarious). Its about turning health into a competition. Its about making male fertility something people actually want to talk about, track, and improve, says Zhu. This young entrepreneur who is only 17 years old founded Sperm Racing alongside Nick Small of Stealth Consulting, Shane Fan, CEO of the NFT pricing platform Waterfall, and Garrett Niconienko, the former head of strategic content for Mr. Beast, the worlds most-followed YouTuber. The race for manhood Oh Great, Millionaires Are Racing Sperm Now, Elizabeth Gulino quips in a headline for The Cut about the event. But why are wealthy men so eager to measure the quality of their sperm? Erick Pescador Albiach, a sociologist and sexologist, argues that this fascination is deeply rooted in the patriarchal model of masculinity where power and virility go hand in hand. In the age of the manosphere, of Trump and his acolytes and imitators, its often declared that a man is more of a man and more successful if he exhibits sexual and reproductive dominance, he tells EL PAIS. Being rich and powerful should go hand in hand with having lots of sex, lots of power, and ideally, lots of children, and if possible, sons. Pescador Albiach notes that many men refer to their sperm as little soldiers, as if fertilization were a battle or a race making this competition a perfect fit with that military imagery. Fertility gives men identity and prestige even in the 21st century, and even more so now that there are fewer and fewer fertile men, he says. Everything related to sexuality and virility is linked to and symbolically built around masculine power. Many men believe that their identity must be reaffirmed and that they must compete with other men to obtain their identity status. According to the expert, in a patriarchal society, being born with a penis isnt enoughyou have to prove your manhood through rites of passage, contests, and tournaments against other men. The crux of the matter isnt just being powerful, but being powerful in front of other men and in competition with them, he continues. Thats why, in this crazy time of macho antics and fistfights between billionaires, it almost makes sense that a race of rich mens sperm is being promoted for April 25. May the best man win? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Milwaukee County Courthouse is pictured. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online court records show that the government did not request that Dugan be held in detention and that she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that shed appear in court when required. The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies. It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nations immigration laws, he said. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugans case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patels statement shows that Trumps FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. Gov. Tony Evers said the arrest was another example of the Trump administrations attacks on the judiciary. Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor, he said. I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nations judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote on social media that ICE making arrests at courthouses interferes with the work of local justice officials. Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement, the organization said. Everyone is due their day in court, and when ICE starts showing up to courts looking to make arrests, it risks interfering with those rights. In recent weeks, the administration has attacked the integrity of our judicial system, refused to comply with a Supreme Court order, and arrested a judge for using her authority to protect the fair administration of justice. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online court records show that the government did not request that Dugan be held in detention and that she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that shed appear in court when required. The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan-Crim-complaint In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies. It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nations immigration laws, he said. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugans case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patels statement shows that Trumps FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Gov. Tony Evers said the arrest was another example of the Trump administrations attacks on the judiciary. Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote on social media that ICE making arrests at courthouses interferes with the work of local justice officials. Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement, the organization said. Everyone is due their day in court, and when ICE starts showing up to courts looking to make arrests, it risks interfering with those rights. This is a developing story and will be updated Like Minnesota Reformer, Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. WASHINGTON The FBI arrested a county judge in Milwaukee on Friday, alleging that she obstructed federal authorities who were seeking to detain an undocumented immigrant by escorting the man and his defense attorney though a nonpublic jury door. The arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, in line with its rhetoric about going after local and state authorities on immigration-related matters. It's also marks another step in the Trump administration's battles with judges over federal policy. In an appearance on Fox News on Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondi used the arrest to pull in the administration's broader, repeated criticism of judges. "What's happening to our judiciary is beyond me," Bondi said, before using the term "deranged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan faces charges of obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States, as well as a charge of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. A statement issued on Dugan's behalf indicated she had hired former U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic to represent her in the case. "Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated," the statement said. Hannah Dugan during a forum at the Milwaukee Bar Association in Milwaukee in 2016. Dugan was arrested by the FBI at about 8:30 a.m. local time in the parking lot of the Milwaukee County Courthouse, before she entered the building, a senior law enforcement official told NBC News. She was then transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals, the official said. Dugan made an appearance before a federal magistrate judge and was released on bond, with another court hearing scheduled for May 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news of Dugan's arrest broke in a post on X from FBI Director Kash Patel, which he initially deleted and then later reposted. He wrote that the bureau believed that Dugan "intentionally misdirected federal agents" when the "subject to be arrested" appeared in Dugan's court on a separate case. Patel said that agents "chased down the perp on foot," but said that Dugan's "obstruction created increased danger to the public." Bondi, referencing Dugan on her Fox News appearance on Friday afternoon, said "shame on her" and said that the type of conduct Dugan allegedly engaged in would result in federal prosecutions. "I cannot believe I think some of these judges think they are beyond and above the law, and they are not. And were sending a very strong message today, if you are harboring a fugitive, we dont care who you are," Bondi said. In a statement, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin also nodded to the Trump administration's court battles and orders from federal judges restricting administration policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American peoples mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland," McLaughlin said, before calling Dugan's alleged behavior "shocking and shameful." It's not the first time the federal government under Trump has hit a local judge with federal charges alleging that they helped an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest in the course of their official duties. In 2019, during Trump's first term, the U.S. attorney in Boston charged a Massachusetts judge and a court officer with obstruction of justice for allegedly aiding an undocumented immigrant in leaving the courthouse through a back exit to avoid arrest. The judge's attempts to get the case dismissed in federal appeals court were denied. But prosecutors reached a deal to drop the charges in 2022, under then-President Joe Biden's administration, with the case instead going to review at the state judicial commission. Details of the Milwaukee case FBI Agent Lindsay Schloemer, a member of the white-collar crimes squad in the bureau's Milwaukee Field Office, wrote in an affidavit that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement found that Eduardo Flores-Ruiz had been removed from the U.S. in 2013 and that an immigration official found probable cause to believe Flores-Ruiz was removable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of ICE planned to arrest Flores-Ruiz during a court hearing in a domestic violence case before Dugan on April 18, according to the affidavit. Schloemer wrote that making arrests inside of courthouses lowers the risk to law enforcement because targets have gone through an individual screening. Dugan was on the bench when the ICE agents appeared in the hallway, and a courtroom deputy told the FBI that Dugan became visibly angry and called the situation "absurd" when a clerk spoke with her about ICE's presence. Dugan and another unnamed judge then confronted deportation officers in the hallway, the affidavit alleges, and Dugan asked if they had a judicial warrant. "No, I have an administrative warrant," one of the agents replied, according to the affidavit. Dugan then "demanded" that the agent speak with the chief judge while members of the arrest team were in the chief judge's chambers, the complaint states. Dugan then escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a jury door, the government alleges. But the ICE team was able to make the arrest after a foot chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An arrest record from the Milwaukee Police Department shows that Flores-Ruiz was arrested in March after a dispute involving three other roommates, when Flores-Ruiz allegedly struck one of the roommates in the body and face after a dispute over loud music. The complainant stated that Flores-Ruiz put his hands around the roommate's neck for about six seconds. Two other roommates stated that Flores-Ruiz struck them when they tried to break up the fight, with one stating he struck them in the head multiple times and another stating he elbowed them in the upper arm. Two of those roommates, a 43-year-old female and 39-year-old male, an unmarried couple, said Flores-Ruiz had attacked them in their Milwaukee home in March and they were in the courtroom to testify last week. The pair, who wished to remain anonymous to protect their safety, told NBC News on Friday that they werent certain what was happening when Flores-Ruiz was ushered out of the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair said they hope Flores-Ruiz will be held accountable for the alleged attack. The former roommates did not clearly indicate whether they want Flores-Ruiz to be deported and did not take a position on the judges alleged actions. The deputy court clerk for Dugan told NBC News that they could not comment on the arrest. In a statement, the chief judge of the court, Carl Ashley, said that the judicial code of conduct restricts judges from commenting on pending or impending matters in any court. Judge Dugans court calendar will be covered by another judge as needed. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The FBI arrested a county judge in Milwaukee on charges of obstructing immigration enforcement, FBI director Kash Patel said on Friday. However, she has since been released. In a post that has since been deleted from X, Patel said Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested because she intentionally misdirected federal agents away from taking an illegal alien from Mexico into custody. The man, 30-year-old Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who has been accused of misdemeanor battery, was able to evade arrest, according to Patel, because of Dugan helping him get away from ICE agents who came to arrest him at a court hearing last week. Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, her lawyer Craig Mastantuono said at a later hearing on Friday. Dugan was then released from custody and now has a court date set for May 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local reports have offered different stories on whether Dugan helped Ruiz hide in a jury deliberation room or escape the courthouse on Apr. 18, when ICE agents came to arrest him. Posted then deleted pic.twitter.com/3hLRMCitZk Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 25, 2025 Sources say Dugan didnt hide the defendant and his attorney in a jury deliberation room, as other media have said, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Thursday. Rather, sources said, when ICE officials left to talk with the chief judge on the same floor, Dugan took the pair to a side door in the courtroom, directed them down a private hallway and into the public area on the 6th floor. Eventually, Ruiz was chased down on foot by agents after the judge initially helped him elude ICE, Patel said in his X post. But the judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. The arrest of Judge Dugan comes as the Trump administration has increasingly butted heads with courts on its push to deport illegal immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brady McCarron, a U.S. Marshals spokesman, confirmed to The New York Times that the judge had been arrested by F.B.I. agents on Friday morning. The charging documents were not immediately available. The post FBI Arrests Milwaukee Judge for Intentionally Blocking ICE Arrest, Kash Patel Says appeared first on TheWrap. The Milwaukee County Courthouse (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online court records show that the government did not request that Dugan be held in detention and that she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was released from custody without having to post bail and signed an agreement that shed appear in court when required. The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan-Crim-complaint In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies. It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nations immigration laws, he said. FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugans case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patels statement shows that Trumps FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. Gov. Tony Evers said the arrest was another example of the Trump administrations attacks on the judiciary. Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor, he said. I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nations judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. The ACLU of Wisconsin wrote on social media that ICE making arrests at courthouses interferes with the work of local justice officials. Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement, the organization said. Everyone is due their day in court, and when ICE starts showing up to courts looking to make arrests, it risks interfering with those rights. In recent weeks, the administration has attacked the integrity of our judicial system, refused to comply with a Supreme Court order, and arrested a judge for using her authority to protect the fair administration of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story and will be updated. Wisconsin Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Wisconsin Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Ruth Conniff for questions: info@wisconsinexaminer.com. The FBI has arrested a state circuit court judge in Wisconsin over her alleged obstruction of immigration agents' attempt to arrest someone scheduled to appear in her courtroom, Bureau Director Kash Patel announced Friday. In a now-deleted post to X, Patel said that Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan had been charged and taken into custody Friday because of "evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week, per The Independent. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported earlier this week that the FBI was looking into whether the jurist, who has served on the bench since 2016, had tried to assist an undocumented immigrant evade an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patel said, adding that ICE officers had still arrested Ruiz and claiming that Dugan had "created increased danger to the public." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allegations against Dugan follow right-wing radio host Dan O'Donnell's Tuesday "exclusive," posted on X, that the judge was under investigation for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant defendant evade ICE agents who came to arrest him in her courtroom during a hearing the Friday before. O'Donnell claimed that she had allowed Ruiz to "hide in her jury room" after being informed of his impending arrest and made "that hearing off the record in an attempt to hide from ICE the fact that the illegal would be in her courtroom that day. Dugan's arrest is not the first time the Justice Department has taken a jurist into custody for allegedly obstructing an enforcement action. In President Donald Trump's first term, Massachusetts State District Court Judge Shelley Richmond Joseph and a court officer were indicted in 2019 on charges that they had prevented an ICE officer from arresting a man by letting him out of a back door rather than into the lobby, according to The New York Times. Under President Joe Biden, however, the DOJ dropped the charges against both Joseph and the officer after reaching an agreement with the accused. The Wisconsin judge who was arrested by the FBI last month has pleaded not guilty to helping a man escape immigration authorities. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday on charges of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. She entered her not-guilty plea on Thursday morning. If Dugan is convicted on both counts, she could face up to six years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines. The Wisconsin Supreme Court temporarily suspended Dugan while she faces the federal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to NBC News, Dugans attorney Craig Mastantuono said, "As she said after her unnecessary arrest, Judge Dugan asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court." Her next court appearance is Thursday, when she is scheduled to enter her plea to the charges. What is Dugan accused of? An FBI affidavit accuses Dugan of escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer out of the courtroom through a jury door on April 18 when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered the courthouse. In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel said Dugan, 65, was arrested for intentionally misdirecting federal agents who came to her courthouse to detain an immigrant who was set to appear in front of her in an unrelated court case. Patel posted the same message earlier on Friday, but had deleted it before reposting. Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025 "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patel wrote. "Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the FBI arrested Dugan "for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest" by ICE. "No one is above the law," Bondi said on X. I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov. No one is above the law. Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 25, 2025 Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a statement accusing the Trump administration of undermining the country's judiciary "at every level." "In this country, people who are suspected of criminal wrongdoing are innocent until their guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt and they are found guilty by a jury of their peers this is the fundamental demand of justice in America," Evers said. Democratic Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, said in a statement that while all of the facts about Dugan's arrest haven't been confirmed, "the implications of this arrest are chilling." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This Administration has shown brazen contempt for the judiciary," Raskin continued. Every American should be deeply troubled by this massive escalation." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last month that the FBI was investigating Dugan for trying to "help an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest." The publication reported that Chief Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Carl Ashley had sent out an email to judges alerting them that agents with ICE had come to the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 18 with an arrest warrant, but his email didn't name Dugan specifically. What we know about Judge Hannah Dugan Dugan is in her ninth year as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, and her current judicial term expires in 2028. She is a former Milwaukee Bar Association president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her legal career, according to the Journal Sentinel, has been focused on civil law and civil leadership. She primarily oversees cases within the Circuit Court's misdemeanor division. Court records show that Dugan had 25 misdemeanor cases on April 18, with Flores-Ruiz's case scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET. What we know about Eduardo Flores-Ruiz Flores-Ruiz, 30, is a Mexican immigrant who was facing three misdemeanor battery charges. He was in Dugan's courtroom for a pretrial conference on April 18, represented by a public defender, the Journal Sentinel reported. What does the FBI say happened on April 18? The FBI's affidavit claims Dugan was notified by her clerk that ICE agents had entered the courthouse. Dugan is described as having been "visibly angry" that immigration agents were in the hallway and asked one of the officers if they had a judicial warrant. After allegedly arguing with the ICE team, Dugan sent them to the chief judge's office, the affidavit states. That's when, according to investigators, Dugan ushered Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer into a private area of the courthouse. The affidavit classifies this as unusual because only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door. The Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) This is a developing story and will be updated. Last updated 11:34 a.m., Apr. 25, 2025 FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, shes been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencys director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating increased danger to the public. Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugans courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared outside Dugans courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan-Crim-complaint In a statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugans arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process, Crowley said. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, she said. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said the arrest was shocking. This Administrations willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach, Moore said. Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a $29.8 million contract with the tech company Palantir to develop software that tracks information on immigrants who are either in the country without permission or whose visas have expired, with the aim of facilitating deportations, according to 404 Media. Organizations such as Amnesty International and legal experts consider the measure a violation of human rights. An aberration, says Ricard Martinez, director of the Chair of Privacy and Digital Transformation at the University of Valencia in Spain. Palantir is founded by tycoon Peter Thiel, a partner of Elon Musk, who has not responded to EL PAISs requests for information. It has promised to develop the software, even though it contradicts the companys own human rights policy. The tracking platform, named Immigration Lifecycle Operating System, or ImmigrationOS, is designed, according to ICE, to save time and resource expenditure when selecting and detaining violent criminals, affiliates of known transnational criminal organizations, or migrants who have overstayed their visa. It will also provide near real-time tracking of individuals who have decided to leave the country. According to the contract, which has been shared by several media outlets, ImmigrationOS will streamline end to end immigration lifecycle from identification to removal. The prototype of the program commissioned from Palantir is expected to be delivered on September 25 and will last for two years. It responds to executive orders signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who considers irregular immigration a significant threat to national security. Palantir has collaborated with the U.S. Armed Forces, tax collection agencies, the FBI, and, most recently, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was initially led by Elon Musk. The company has been providing programs for ICE since 2011 and, according to Business Insider, ImmigrationOS is a modification of a contract signed by the Biden administration in 2022. That contract allocated $95.9 million to assist the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) department to advance its mission of investigating and preventing transnational crime and high-level threats that exploit international trade, travel, and financial infrastructure. The program being developed by Palantir gathers biographical and biometric data from government databases to identify immigrants, including those who may have entered the country legally but have expired permits, to facilitate deportations. The program allows people to be grouped according to dozens of different categories, such as their origin, entry into the country, or residency permit status, according to the 404 Media report. It can also identify them using data like hair or eye color, license plate numbers, vehicle geolocation, or the presence of scars and tattoos, which may be used to prejudge alleged gang affiliations. Ricard Martinez describes the program as aberrant, barbaric, unethical, and a violation of human rights. Likhita Banerji, head of the Algorithmic Accountability Lab and deputy director of the Amnesty Tech program at Amnesty International, agrees: The new deepening of Palantirs ties with ICE through these new contracts is alarming for the human rights of dozens of immigrants and people seeking safety in the United States. Martinez explains that these new developments have their roots in measures already implemented, especially after the September 11 attacks, which began with demands for data from airlines and multinational companies outside the U.S. But what is happening now significantly escalates the level of human rights violations because it establishes a methodology of total social control to maximize the efficiency of immigration agencies in deporting immigrants and persuading them to leave. It is simply abhorrent because it strips human beings of all dignity and all rights, he adds. The professor argues that, although all countries limit certain rights for foreigners, these restrictions are political in nature, linked to citizenship status or, in exceptional cases, because there is a risk to national security. But regardless of their method of entry, they are fully entitled to their fundamental rights. They have, of course, the right to privacy, to their own image, to education, to not be arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, and to a fair trial, among others, he explains. According to Martinez, the Trump administrations system aims to completely monitor a human beings life, including biometric tracking and geolocation. The goal is to have absolute control over a certain category of people and completely curtail their freedom, he adds. In this regard, Martinez explains that this tracking technology prevents, for example, an immigrant from going to the doctor, purchasing credit cards, using Wi-Fi that facilitates geolocation, or walking in places with facial recognition cameras. It turns the person, for their own survival, into a subject devoid of all rights, and this also affects the family: they wont be able to take their children to school or to the doctor, he says. Its simply intolerable because it deprives people of all their rights. The destructive and sobering effect of this technology will turn immigrants into little more than subhumans. Martinez not only blames the Trump administration but also the tech companies that have created and facilitated the ecosystem allowing such actions, neglecting their social responsibility. Banerji also shares this view: Private technologies have become a ubiquitous and risky tool for shaping and implementing asylum and migration management policies in numerous states around the world. These technologies can systemically fuel racism, discrimination, and oppression, and are routinely used to further racist and xenophobic agendas. She continues: Technologies used in asylum and migration management can also be problematic in and of themselves, as their systems are vulnerable to bias and errors or lead to the collection, storage, and use of information that threatens the right to privacy, non-discrimination, and other human rights. Martinez openly criticizes this way of thinking: Palantir is ideologically aligned with the Trump administration, and its ethics favor totalitarianism. Banerji also points to the companys direct responsibility for actions she considers unlawful. In this regard, she argues that contractors like Palantir, who are providing systems to support President Donald Trumps plan to implement a mass deportation campaign, must recognize that these policies will be based on mass arrests, detentions, and expulsions of both long-stay community members and newcomers, in flagrant violation of their human rights. Banerji does not believe in this alleged ethical commitment from Palantir and other tech companies: Numerous companies providing these types of technologies have a history of blatant disregard for human rights. Its time for them to be held accountable for the human rights harm they have caused or contributed to. Martinez contrasts the situation in the United States with that in Europe, where temptations to monitor citizens have been met with judicial rulings that have halted them at the highest level. In all areas considered to be risky, even in police investigations, an appropriate legal basis and oversight by independent authorities are required. Within the framework of the European Union, no system like Palantirs would pass a fundamental rights impact assessment, he says. By Sarah N. Lynch and Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. officials arrested a Wisconsin judge on Friday and charged her with helping a man in her court briefly evade immigration authorities in an escalating dispute between President Donald Trump's administration and local officials over immigration enforcement. In a criminal complaint, the U.S. Justice Department said Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, hindered the immigration agents who showed up to arrest the man without a judicial warrant outside her courtroom on April 18, and that she tried to help him evade arrest by allowing him to exit through a jury door. Agents arrested the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, outside the courthouse after he left with his lawyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan appeared briefly at a federal court in Milwaukee to face charges of obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest, records show. She was released and is scheduled to enter a plea on May 15. A crowd formed outside the courthouse, chanting: "Free the judge now." Dugan left the courthouse through a side door without comment. "Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated," a publicity firm said on her behalf. Trump, a Republican, launched a sweeping immigration crackdown after taking office in January, and the Justice Department has directed federal prosecutors to pursue criminal cases against local officials who interfere with the effort. Such resistance was widespread during Trump's first 2017-2021 term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No one, least of all a judge, should obstruct law enforcement operations, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. The Trump administration has been locked in an escalating confrontation with federal judges, as several have issued rulings that limit its aggressive use of presidential power in immigration and other matters. State courts have played a less significant role in that dispute. FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media that agents had arrested Dugan for interfering with the arrest of Flores-Ruiz, whom he described as an "illegal alien." He later deleted that post, made before the case against Dugan was unsealed in federal court in a possible violation of secrecy rules. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the Trump administration "continues to test the limits of our Constitution," and that when immigration officials "interfere" with the criminal justice system it prevents witnesses and victims from coming forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How does arresting a sitting judge make America any safer?" Durbin said in his statement. SECOND JUDGE CHARGED Federal authorities this week also arrested a former New Mexico judge and charged him with evidence tampering, court records show, after a man who authorities allege was linked to a Venezuelan street gang was found living on his property. The former judge, Joel Cano, was charged alongside his wife Nancy after they allegedly helped the man, who faces illegal gun possession charges, destroy a cellphone believed to contain evidence of him holding firearms, according to a criminal complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joel Cano was barred by the state supreme court on Tuesday from serving as a judge in the state. Lawyers for Joel and Nancy Cano did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the Wisconsin case, a criminal complaint alleged Dugan became "visibly angry" and said it was "absurd" when plainclothes immigration agents arrived on April 18, saying they wanted to arrest Flores-Ruiz after he left her court, where he faced misdemeanor battery charges related to domestic abuse. Speaking in the corridor outside, she asked the agents if they had a judicial warrant for his arrest, and they told her they did not, only an administrative warrant issued by a colleague at the Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan told the agents they needed a judicial warrant to arrest someone inside the courthouse and told them to speak with the chief judge, the complaint said. She then returned to her courtroom and, after adjourning the hearing, directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to leave through a door which led to a non-public area of the courthouse, the complaint said. Agents outside approached Flores-Ruiz as he left the courthouse, and arrested him after a chase on foot, about 22 minutes after they first saw him arrive at court. Carl Ashley, chief judge of the Milwaukee court, declined to comment. The complaint said Flores-Ruiz had previously been deported to Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American people's mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland," DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement, "but this judge's actions to shield an accused violent criminal illegal alien from justice is shocking and shameful." Dugan was first elected as a county judge in 2016 and before that served as head of the local branch of Catholic Charities, which provides refugee resettlement programs among other services. She spent much of her early career as a lawyer at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, which serves poor people. During Trump's first 2017-2021 term, federal prosecutors brought criminal charges against a Massachusetts judge accused of impeding a federal immigration arrest of a defendant in her courtroom. Those charges were dropped in 2022, when Trump was out of office. Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor now at the University of Michigan Law School, said judges have no special immunity but prosecutors should consider the impact on the U.S. federal system, which allows states to enforce their own laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This seems like a very aggressive exercise of prosecutorial discretion," she said. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Andrew Goudsward; Additional reporting by Jason Lange and Ted Hesson; Writing by Andy Sullivan and Jonathan Allen; Editing by Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis and Diane Craft) MILWAUKEE (AP) Protesters chanted and marched Saturday outside the FBI after agents arrested a Milwaukee judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities. The case has escalated a clash between the Trump administration and local authorities over the Republican presidents sweeping immigration crackdown. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of escorting the man and his lawyer out of her courtroom through the jury door last week after learning that immigration authorities were seeking his arrest. The man was taken into custody outside the courthouse after agents chased him on foot. President Donald Trump's administration has accused state and local officials of interfering with his immigration enforcement priorities. The arrest also comes amid a growing battle between the administration and the federal judiciary over the presidents executive actions over deportations and other matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, protesters chanted Immigrants are here to stay and held up signs saying, Liberty and Justice for All outside the FBI's Milwaukee division. The judiciary acts as a check to unchecked executive power. And functioning democracies do not lock up judges, Democratic state Rep. Ryan Clancy told the crowd before it marched around the area. Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on Friday morning on the courthouse grounds, according to U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron. She appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. She faces charges of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety," her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. He declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter following her court appearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, in a statement on the arrest, accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law," he said. Court papers suggest Dugan was alerted to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway. The FBI affidavit describes Dugan as visibly angry over the arrival of immigration agents in the courthouse and says that she pronounced the situation absurd before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse, displaying what witnesses described as a confrontational, angry demeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, she demanded that the arrest team speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says. After directing the arrest team to the chief judge's office, investigators say, Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of wait, come with me before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a jury door into a non-public area of the courthouse. The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door. A sign that remained posted on Dugans courtroom door Friday advised that if any attorney or other court official knows or believes that a person feels unsafe coming to the courthouse to courtroom 615, they should notify the clerk and request an appearance via Zoom. Flores-Ruiz, 30, was in Dugans court for a hearing after being charged with three counts of misdemeanor domestic battery. Confronted by a roommate for playing loud music on March 12, Flores-Ruiz allegedly fought with him in the kitchen and struck a woman who tried to break them up, according to the police affidavit in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another woman who tried to break up the fight and called police allegedly got elbowed in the arm by Flores-Ruiz. Flores-Ruiz faces up to nine months in prison and a $10,000 fine on each count if convicted. His public defender, Alexander Kostal, did not immediately return a phone message Friday seeking comment. A federal judge, the same one Dugan would appear before a day later, had ordered Thursday that Flores-Ruiz remain jailed pending trial. Flores-Ruiz had been in the U.S. since reentering the country after he was deported in 2013, according to court documents. Attorney General Pam Bondi said victims were sitting in the courtroom with state prosecutors when the judge helped him escape immigration arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rule of law is very simple," she said in a video posted on X. "It doesn't matter what line of work you're in. If you break the law, we will follow the facts and we will prosecute you. White House officials echoed the sentiment of no one being above the law. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who represents Wisconsin, called the arrest of a sitting judge a gravely serious and drastic move that threatens to breach the separation of power between the executive and judicial branches. Emilio De Torre, executive director of Milwaukee Turners, said during an earlier protest Friday afternoon outside the federal courthouse that Dugan was a former board member for the local civic group who was certainly trying to make sure that due process is not disrupted and that the sanctity of the courts is upheld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sending armed FBI and ICE agents into buildings like this will intimidate individuals showing up to court to pay fines, to deal with whatever court proceedings they may have, De Torre added. The case is similar to one brought during the first Trump administration against a Massachusetts judge, who was accused of helping a man sneak out a back door of a courthouse to evade a waiting immigration enforcement agent. That prosecution sparked outrage from many in the legal community, who slammed the case as politically motivated. Prosecutors dropped the case against Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph in 2022 under the Democratic Biden administration after she agreed to refer herself to a state agency that investigates allegations of misconduct by members of the bench. The Justice Department had previously signaled that it was going to crack down on local officials who thwart federal immigration efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department in January ordered prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal charges any state and local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions. As potential avenues for prosecution, a memo cited a conspiracy offense as well as a law prohibiting the harboring of people in the country illegally. Dugan was elected in 2016 to the county court Branch 31. She also has served in the courts probate and civil divisions, according to her judicial candidate biography. Before being elected to public office, Dugan practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981 with a bachelor of arts degree and earned her Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the school. ___ Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Eric Tucker in Washington, Corey Williams in Detroit and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released its latest annual report, which says that Texas ranked in second out of all states in the number of complaints received, according to the agency. The agency said the 2024 Internet Crime Report combines information from 859,532 complaints of suspected Internet crime and details reported losses exceeding $16 billion a 33 percent increase in losses from 2023. According to the 2024 report, Texans reported $1.35 billion in losses, a $328 million increase from the prior year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a group, people 60 and older submitted the second highest number of complaints but suffered the most severe financial losses at $489.7 million. People 40 to 49 submitted the greatest number of complaints, with the third highest financial loss of $155 million, the agency said. The agency said the top three cybercrimes in Texas, by number of complaints, reported by victims in 2024 were: extortion (7,854), personal data breaches (5,424), and phishing/spoofing (3,987). The top three cybercrimes in Texas reported by financial losses were: investment fraud ($636 million) up from $362 million in 2023; business e-mail compromises ($293.5 million), down from $294.8 million in 2023; and tech support scams ($86.7 million), up from $62.7 million in 2023, the agency said. Cybercrime remains a serious and growing threat to Texans, with victims losing millions of dollars annually, John Morales, special agent in charge of the FBI El Paso field office, said. The FBI is fully committed to identifying and bringing cybercriminals to justice and empowering the public with the critical tools and awareness. One effort is our outreach to West Texas seniors where we engage with groups about current online threats and provide them with security measures they can take to stay ahead of the evolving cyber landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said that to promote public awareness, the IC3 produces an annual report to aggregate and highlight the data provided by the public. The quality of the data is a direct reflection of the information the public provides through the IC3 website. The IC3 standardizes the data by categorizing each complaint and analyzes the data to identify and forecast trends in Internet crime, the agency said. The agency said the annual report helps the FBI develop effective relationships with industry partners and share information for investigative and intelligence purposes for law enforcement and public awareness. The FBI recommends that everyone frequently review consumer and industry alerts published by the IC3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or your business are a victim of an Internet crime, immediately notify all financial institutions involved in the relevant transactions, submit a complaint to www.ic3.gov, contact your nearest FBI field office, and contact local law enforcement, read the news release by the FBI. You can learn more about the history of IC3 by listening to this previously released podcast: FBI podcast episode Inside the FBI: IC3 Turns 20. The full 2024 internet crime report can be found 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 KTSM 9 News. The federal government used brazen, heavy-handed tactics on Friday to arrest a Wisconsin state judge on obstruction charges related to an immigration case. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan received the distinction of being arrested at her courthouse. She does not appear to have been given the opportunity to surrender to law enforcement. Instead, Trump administration officials immediately used the arrest to create a spectacle and broadcast to the country that state officials including sitting judges must cooperate with the Trump administrations mass deportation campaign or else face overbearing actions from federal law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. Marshals Service spokesman told TPM that FBI agents arrested Dugan at around 8:30 a.m. Milwaukee time. They made the arrest, Marshals spokesman Brady McCarron told TPM, as she arrived for work on the state courthouse grounds, detaining her outside of the building. Around half an hour after, FBI Director Kash Patel posted a tweet announcing the arrest. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, he wrote. Patel deleted the tweet minutes later, though he would later repost it. Contrast the brazenness of Dugans arrest, and Patels efforts to manufacture publicity around it, with how a somewhat similar case proceeded during Trumps first term. In 2019, a Massachusetts state judge was indicted on obstruction charges over allegations of blocking ICE officials from taking custody of an undocumented citizen of the Dominican Republic. In that case, itself an extremely rare federal prosecution of a state judge over a decision related to the use of her office, the defendant was allowed to surrender. The DOJ dropped the charges in September 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident that Patel referenced took place last week, on April 18. Federal prosecutors charged Dugan via complaint with one count of obstruction and one count of concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Per reports from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Dugan was presiding over a pre-trial conference in the misdemeanor battery case of an undocumented Mexican citizen that morning. ICE agents appeared at the courthouse seeking to detain the person as the hearing was in progress, according to an email obtained by the newspaper. At one point, ICE agents met with the chief judge on the same floor; during that time, Dugan purportedly directed the defendant and his attorney to the public hallway on the same floor. In an affidavit, the government described several witness reports including that of one DEA agent who was in the courthouse but who thought Dugan may not have noticed him to accuse the judge of drawing ICE agents away from the courtroom while directing the undocumented man to exit via a private hallway that led to the public floor area. ICE agents later arrested him after a foot chase, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story blew up from there. Dan ODonnell, a local conservative talk radio host, first reported on Wednesday that the FBI was investigating Dugan for having allegedly helped an illegal immigrant misdemeanor defendant, having a hearing in her courtroom, hide from ICE agents with a valid arrest warrant. Per the AP, Dugan appeared in court this morning and was subsequently released. Patel reposted his initial tweet after that hearing concluded. The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced on Thursday a global operation to combat international sextortion schemes to address the rise in American suicides of those who have fallen victim to the crime. And the problem is on the rise in a big way. From October 2024 to March 2025, the FBI reported a 30% increase in sextortion-related tips submitted to their National Threat Operations Center, according to the press release. Additionally, the number of victims increased from 34,000 to 54,000 between 2023 and 2024, and in the last two years, more than $65 million in exploited money has been transferred to perpetrators from their victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, the FBI recently conducted Operation Artemis, looking into the high volume of sextortion criminals based in Nigeria who were preying on Americans. The investigation led to 22 Nigerian arrests, and nearly half were connected to American victims who took their own lives because of threats of sexual extortion they were facing. The majority of victims are boys between the ages of 14 and 17. Operation Artemis exemplifies the FBIs never-ending mission to protect our most vulnerable, and to pursue the heinous criminals harming our children no matter where they hide, said FBI Director Kash Patel, per the press release. This operation highlights the critical need for international cooperation to address this growing threat, and its a fight we cant take on without our valued partners across the globe. We hope this message encourages parents and guardians to continue to educate their children about online safety and serves as a reminder of the FBIs relentless pursuit of keeping our children safe. Sextortion: A national and local issue Sextortion can occur on any social media, messaging or even gaming platform, virtually anywhere with an online public discord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What often happens is that a minor will believe they are in conversation with someone of a similar age who is interested in pursuing a relationship with them, but is actually an adult posing as a young person. The perpetrator will then coerce them into sharing sexually explicit materials of themselves, which they will then use against the child to exploit money. Our young men are actually committing suicide from the experience itself. It can be drawn out and bring them to that point where theyre finding no other way out, Utah state Sen. Calvin R. Musselman, R-West Haven, said during a ceremonial public safety bill signing earlier this month. To target the worst of the worst, HB38, Criminal Offenses Modifications was signed into law this year, and Musselman, who was the bills floor sponsor, said the education side of the law will hopefully make these young men recognize its not who they think it is thats posing online, and also, know that their lives arent over, and hopefully, this will make a difference. The law comes after the loss of multiple boys who took their own lives last year in Utah, who, after being sexually exploited, concluded that suicide was their only outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah mother Cindy George shared the story of losing her son Jake last year in testimony to lawmakers in December. No mother should have to bury their son. Im here because I cannot catch those evil people. Nothing was done to catch them, she said, per KUTV. These evil people are preying upon our children and if we cant stop them we need to prevent our youth from taking the bait. They need to understand what is preying upon them. They need to know that a mistake of sending a picture is not worth taking your life over, she added. For five days, Jake was the victim of sextortion after sending a nude photo to what he thought was a girl who liked him. And as soon as he sent it, he got a message saying, Now weve got you, youre gonna pay us or were going to ruin your life with this, with this picture, his mother said, recounting the messages she read from her sons phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI Special Agent Curtis Cox, who serves on the Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force in Salt Lake City, told KSL TV that Salt Lakes field office gets 10-12 reports a week. We think that the best remedy to solving this problem is education and the knowledge of what is happening, Cox said. My kids have cellphones. We do frequent checks with them. We know the pins. We review the messages sent and received, pictures. We restrict the apps that they can use. HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) On March 28, Florida Department of Financial Services investigators walked into the Holmes County Commission offices and seized a computer. Former administrative assistant Whitney Milburn primarily used the county-owned computer. She had resigned three days before the search, citing a hostile work environment. Milburn alleged unethical conduct by Commissioner Brandon Newsom and Commissioner Clint Erickson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the search warrant, investigators were collecting evidence concerning Newsoms company, Bail Bonds by Brandon Newsom. Based on the contents of the search warrant, its evident that authorities believed Newsom had county staff members doing work for his bail bond company. State law requires that anyone handling bail bond money or acting on behalf of a licensed bail bond agent must be licensed. Jackson County honors Ernie Padgetts 31 years of service Newsom is licensed, but the county employees allegedly handling money for his company are not licensed. If true, then that would constitute unlawful delegation of authority, working without proper licensure, and distributing supplies to unlicensed individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public records confirm that Milburns County computer may contain files to prove illegal activity on the part of Newsom. Besides the computer, investigators seized hardware, passwords, and data. Modern Tech, a support contractor hired by the county, issued a written statement claiming Newsom requested backup data from Milburns computer days before the search warrant. Modern Techs owner, Matt Watkins, says he provided Newsom with the unredacted files on a flash drive. According to our media partner, the Holmes County Advertiser, the flash drive contained blank and pre-filled court forms, commonly used by bail bond agents. One contained the information of an individual previously bailed out by Newsoms agency in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reactions pour in after Panama City residents vote yes for Beach Drive Pathway Others were pre-filled for Walton, Holmes, and Washington counties, all places where Bail Bonds by Brandon Newsom does business. News 13 spoke to Clint Erickson. He says he was blindsided by the allegations. He also says there was no complaint filed to commissioners regarding unprofessional behavior and he was not aware of the investigation highlighting newsome. Newsom has not returned our calls for comment. The Holmes County Advertiser spoke to Whitney Milburn, who declined to comment on the 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 mypanhandle.com. PHOENIX (AP) The Trump administration's plan to strictly require anyone illegally in the U.S. to register with the government and carry documentation is stirring up fears of heightened racial profiling even among legal residents, immigrants' rights advocates say. For some, it's a return to a climate from the recent past in which police departments and other law enforcement agencies' insistence on documentation drove immigrants underground and increased public safety concerns. It happens already to an extent. ... I think this would make it even worse because how would you know somebody is undocumented? said Jose Patino, vice president of education and external affairs for Aliento, an Arizona-based advocacy organization that supports immigrants without documents. It creates ambiguity of how youre going to enforce and identify people who are not in the country (legally)." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge sided with President Donald Trump earlier this month in a lawsuit brought by immigrants' rights groups over the policy and the mandate took effect April 11. Trump officials say they are simply enforcing a requirement that has been law for decades. The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce," U.S. Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem said in the statement after the ruling. "We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans. Under federal law, everyone 14 and older without legal status must self-register and give fingerprints and an address. Parents and guardians of anyone younger must ensure they are registered. Not doing so is considered a crime, and a lack of documents risks prison time and fines. Complications and confusion about enforcement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mandate has rarely been enforced under previous administrations. To complicate matters, there have been recent instances of authorities detaining even people born in the U.S. as confusion also sweeps through other federal and state immigration policies. An online appointment app used by temporary residents has sent work permit cancellations since late March, including to U.S. citizens. A growing number of Republican-led states also are refusing to recognize state drivers licenses specially issued for immigrants without documents. It's made a drastic change in the way we interact with our community, Martin Quezada, a former Democratic state lawmaker and the attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Arizona, said during a news conference Friday to promote a May 1 immigrants' rights rally. I think it's (racial profiling) certainly going to start spiking now. But I also think the extremity of everything that's happened is going to create some unity." Guerline Jozef, executive director of the nonprofit Haitian Bridge Alliance, said racial profiling already happens at a disproportionate rate to Black migrants. The sudden pivot has aggravated things, and people with Temporary Protected Status or who had regular Immigration and Customs Enforcement check-ins have been detained during travel, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She decried the whole ordeal as a form of psychological warfare." Migrants who were allowed temporary legal residence are not sure if they need to protectively carry documents at all times. It is very hard to even communicate with the community members on what to do, telling them they need to know their rights, but they trample on their rights anyway, Jozef said. We are back in the show me your papers era. Show me your papers The new mandate evokes previous instances of certain groups having to carry documentation. During the time of enslavement in the U.S., freed Black people had to have freedom papers or risk being re-enslaved. During World War II, Japanese Americans were required to register and keep identification cards but were put in incarceration camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statutes that are on the books about registration have been dormant" for 85 years, said Lynn Marcus, director of immigration law clinics at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. There weren't forms to comply with this requirement. It was created in wartime originally. The renewed strict registration requirement forces U.S. citizens to carry birth certificates or other proof of citizenship at all times, especially if they have a foreign appearance,'" Marcus said. People who are valid residents or visa holders could potentially be profiled based on factors other than physical characteristics. Let's say law enforcement encounters someone in another circumstance maybe they're reporting a crime, Marcus said. They might not be satisfied with answers if they aren't able to communicate because not all U.S. citizens speak fluent English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Impacts on immigrants' well-being Eileen Diaz McConnell, a professor at Arizona State University's School of Transborder Studies, pointed to the effects of a 2010 Arizona law requiring all immigrants to obtain or carry immigration registration papers. In 2012, the Justice Department sued the state over the law and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the papers requirement, but those two years when the requirement was in place were a traumatic time for Latino families in the state, McConnell said. Parents wouldnt ride together in a car. They were always separated because they were worried they would be stopped, Diaz McConnell said. People dont leave their house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has done extensive research on how immigration policies can impact the mental health of mixed households of family members who are American-born and don't have documents. In previous years, children report, even if theyre U.S.-born, real harm impacts on their own sleep, worry, not eating, depression, Diaz McConnell said. There will be people who will say things like, Well, if youre not undocumented, what do you have to worry about?" Patino, whose undocumented parents brought him to the U.S. when he was 6, is accustomed to keeping papers as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient. He knows others without special status are now panicked. The single mother of one of his U.S.-born former interns has stopped going to the grocery store, church and other places since she lacks documents. Its like shes afraid of her shadow or, like, even to go out and throw out the trash, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who crossed the border without documents are especially unsure whether to register in the wake of international students and others being detained or deported even though they had visas or pending court hearings. Youre asking people to come out of the shadows and enroll us in a system that most of them probably have not heard of, Patino said. It seems the administration is trying to go catch-22 with folks. You are in trouble if you do, youre in trouble if you dont. Federal authorities have arrested a Wisconsin-based judge amid an investigation into whether she tried to help a migrant lacking permanent legal status avoid arrest after he appeared in her courtroom. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested Friday on charges connected to obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote. No one is above the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugans arrest marks an aggressive move by the administration on immigration enforcement and a major escalation in its battles with the courts, which have issued decisions pushing back on some of the administrations actions. Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) condemned the arrest, calling it part of a broader attack on judicial power. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this Presidents lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congresss checks on his power, Baldwin said in a statement. FBI Director Kash Patel also referenced the arrest in a now-deleted social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week, Patel wrote. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest. Patel added Flores Ruiz was later chased down on foot and is now in custody. Dugan has already been released and is set to have an arraignment hearing May 15. The FBI in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment about why Patel deleted his post. The FBI Field Office in Milwaukee also did not immediately respond to request for comment, nor did the U.S. Marshals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill has left a message with Milwaukee County Courts Chief Judge Carl Ashley. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last week that Flores Ruiz, a Mexican national, was arrested after being due in Dugans courtroom on three misdemeanor counts of battery stemming from a fight with roommates. According to court documents, when Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials appeared at the courthouse April 18, they presented a warrant, but Dugan asked for more information and told them they would need to speak with the chief judge before carrying out an arrest. Judge Dugan became visibly angry, commented that the situation was absurd, left the bench, and entered chambers. At the time, Flores-Ruiz was seated in the gallery of the courtroom, according to an affidavit filed by the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers then left to speak with the chief judge, which is when Dugan is accused of telling Flores Ruiz and his attorneys to leave through a side door used for the jury. The courtroom deputy then saw Judge Dugan get up and heard Judge Dugan say something like Wait, come with me. Despite having been advised of the administrative warrant for the arrest of Flores-Ruiz, Judge Dugan then escorted Flores-Ruiz and his counsel out of the courtroom through the jury door, which leads to a nonpublic area of the courthouse. The affidavit describes that as unusual, as defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door. The Journal Sentinel said it was the third time in recent months that ICE officials have come to the courthouse with arrest warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI affidavit indicates Ashley, the chief judge, was crafting a policy to limit where immigration enforcement could be carried out at the courthouse. During their conversation, the Chief Judge stated he was working on a policy which would dictate locations within the courthouse where ICE could safely conduct enforcement actions. The Chief Judge emphasized that such actions should not take place in courtrooms or other private locations within the building. Deportation Officer A asked about whether enforcement actions could take place in the hallway, the document states. Flores Ruiz was ultimately spotted by officials in the hallway, leading to the foot chase. Court records indicate multiple law enforcement agencies were all on hand to help with the arrest, with officials from the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents present. Under the Biden administration, ICE was prohibited from making arrests in certain sensitive areas such as schools and churches. The Trump administration rescinded that memo and replaced it with a new one in January, outlining specific criteria for conducting immigration enforcement at courthouses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats also criticized the arrest. While all the facts are not yet in, the implications of this arrest are chilling. This is a drastic escalation and dangerous new front in Trumps authoritarian campaign of trying to bully, intimidate, and impeach judges who wont follow his dictates. We must do whatever we can to defend the independent judiciary in America, said Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. Every American should be deeply troubled by this massive escalation, and Judiciary Democrats are standing strong for judicial independence. This is an unmistakable descent further into authoritarian chaos. Updated at 3:20 p.m. EDT 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. MADISON, S.D. (KELO) Federal funding freezes have caught the nations attention over the last couple of months. However, one South Dakota community is showing us what can happen if federal grants and loans are put to good use. The organization United Today Stronger Tomorrow partnered with Madison Mayor Roy Lindsay and put together an all-day bus tour Thursday. The group invited us along, and they showed us how federal dollars can improve smaller communities like Madison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governors race full of possible candidates, for now If you were in Madison Thursday, you might have seen a charter bus driving through town. It made stops at projects that have benefited from federal funding. We have legislators on the bus, we have businesspeople, we have people that are part of nonprofits that are on the bus to see where those dollars have been spent and what the benefits have been to the towns that theyre seeing, Madison Mayor Roy Lindsay said. Lindsay led the tour. A couple of the places he highlighted included the Lewis and Clark Water Connection, Berry Fast Bicycles and a building currently under construction. It will eventually be a child care center for 140 kids. Each project has received federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindsay says federal loans have been crucial for Madisons growth. Theyre a true asset to cities our size because without them, we have projects, we have businesses in town that wouldnt be able to continue or be built, Lindsay said. Its very crucial because in the smaller areas, taxations are smaller because theres less people in the area, so the federal funding makes up that deficit, South Dakota AFL-CIO business director Kory Rawstern said However, Lindsay says Madison has not been affected by funding freezes yet, and he hopes that continues. I think were just kind of waiting for the dust to settle, see what happens and where things are. We are very hopeful that the projects that are currently under loan guarantees will not be affected, Lindsay said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have also talked with Senators Mike Rounds and John Thune as well as U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson about federal funding. You can find those stories below. Rounds looks at 25 dynamics, says no gubernatorial run in 26 Rep. Johnson: Federal cuts, tariffs and 2026 plans Thune shares his thoughts on tariffs, DOGE, and public concerns Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) One of the Trump administrations top health officials said Friday that the federal government is working to expand access to and lower the cost of transformative treatments for Medicaid recipients with sickle cell disease. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke about the initiative during the National Conference of Insurance Legislators spring meeting at the Francis Marion hotel in downtown Charleston. The three-day conference brings together state lawmakers, insurance commissioners, and lobbyists for a series of discussions focused on various insurance policy areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In brief remarks, Kennedy said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has negotiated with manufacturers of an FDA-approved gene therapy for sickle cell to create an innovative payment structure and support services. He offered few specifics about how the model which began under the Biden administration would work but claimed that 35 states, covering 84% of Medicaid beneficiaries with sickle cell, have applied to participate. This goes to show we are meeting a real need that states have for affordable, next-generation therapies, Kennedy said, adding the model is a real win-win for everybody. It also realizes a broader principle I want to realize through HHS, he continued. People assume that budget cuts translate into worse service for beneficiaries, and I dont think it has to be that way. When we adopt cutting-edge technologies and make tough but fair negotiations with the industry, we can cut costs and improve patient care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement List: Which foods contain the dyes that RFK wants eliminated in the US? Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder in which red blood cells are misshapen, typically in a crescent shape, and cannot bend or move easily. This blocks blood flow to the rest of the body, causing strong pain episodes and other potentially serious health complications, according to the National Institutes of Health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the condition affects approximately 100,000 Americans, more than 90% of whom are Black. Treating the disease is expensive, with some estimates placing the lifetime cost of medical care for patients at around $2 million. The secretary said that states such as South Carolina, with high burdens of sickle cell disease, have helped inform the new payment model and applauded Republican Sen. Tim Scott for his ongoing efforts to expand access to care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott arrived at the hotel shortly after Kennedys remarks to participate in a roundtable discussion with doctors from the Medical University of South Carolina and a sickle cell patient who received gene therapy treatment. The fact that were doing [Kennedys announcement] here in South Carolina is a real blessing, Scott told reporters afterwards. I was really excited to see him come to us because when you think about the sickle cell fight, it is right here in South Carolina. Were sometimes ground zero. Scott noted that the secretary also assuaged his concerns that the Office of Minority Health could be eliminated as the Trump administration looks to drastically slash the size of the federal government. Lt. Governor Pamela Evette (R), who also participated in the discussion, said she was proud to see the Palmetto State leading the way on sickle cell research and treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside, a small group of protestors gathered on the corner of King and Calhoun streets to demonstrate against Kennedy and the health policies his agency is pursuing. Im very concerned with whats going on with American healthcare, Julia OShea said, as she held a sign reading No health registries for any American an apparent reference to CBS News reporting that a new disease registry is being launched to track Americans with autism. Some, like Jessica Towne, expressed fears over what HHS programs might be cut and urged Kennedy to do the right thing related to vaccines. A known skeptic, the secretary faced intense scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing over his controversial views on vaccination. Others took direct aim at the purpose of the meeting happening just upstairs in the hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Insurance] is a for-profit industry, and thats why all those people are here, said Jennifer Small, noting her concern about a perceived push to privatize Medicare. Costs are definitely going to go up, and preexisting conditions will be a factor again, she predicted. Friday marked Kennedys second visit to the Lowcountry in the past 18 months. He hosted a town hall with Charleston voters during his 2024 presidential campaign. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. At the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Dallas, Texas, the inmates are restless a bundle of nerves and fears. Though they suspect whats coming, none of them knows for sure. Its Friday, April 18, and word is that theyll be the next group of detainees the U.S. government will send to the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT) in El Salvador. But nothing is certain no one tells them anything, no one explains. Diover Jose Millan Leon, a 24-year-old Venezuelan, grabs the phone from jail, in tears, and calls his wife in Atlanta. He told me he thought they were going to deport them in the afternoon. It was being said that they were going to take them to the CECOT, says his wife, who asks to remain anonymous. Leon was given the red uniform used by authorities to identify high-risk inmates and was made to sign a letter in English, a language he doesnt understand. However, he was able to make out the name of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). The document, obtained by EL PAIS, is an expulsion order stating that President Donald Trump has found that the TdA is perpetrating, attempting and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States. Therefore, TdA members are deportable under Title 50 of the United States Code, Section 21 Leon meets the criteria outlined in the letter: he is at least 14 years old, not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and he is Venezuelan. He is also, according to authorities, an enemy alien, allegedly a member of the criminal gang. Leon refused to sign the document. He says he doesnt understand what hes being accused of aside from having tattoos: the Cheshire Cat with a watch, a hand holding a rose, the word family, the names of his mother and aunt, and a few other inked designs on his skin. At 6:52 a.m. on April 12, Leon who arrived in the U.S. in 2023 from Maracaibo and worked in construction left his house and started his car. Security cameras captured the moment several plainclothes officers approached, arriving in a black pickup truck and pointing a gun at him. Leon managed to ask one of the officers why he was being detained if his documents were in order: he was a recipient of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which covers around 600,000 Venezuelans, and an asylum seeker. The officers reply was blunt: You may have all your papers in order, but youre not American, nor are you a resident. The next day, Leon was already in Texas, just another inmate at Bluebonnet. On April 18, after speaking with his wife by phone, he and a group of more than 60 people were loaded onto a bus almost hidden, his wife says escorted by nine patrol cars in front and nine behind, forming a convoy that left the detention center and headed straight to the airport. I was crying, so scared. He told me, Its good people who go through things like this, she recalls. Someone on the bus who spoke English asked where they were being taken. An officer responded, Youre going to the CECOT in El Salvador, because youre criminals. Also on the bus was Luis Eduardo Marin, a 24-year-old Venezuelan detained by ICE four days earlier in Atlanta and later transferred to Texas. On the morning of April 18, from Bluebonnet, he called his mother, Eucaris Prieto, in their hometown of Maracaibo, in Zulia state, and told her he had also been made to sign a deportation order. Her mother told him: My son, if theyre going to deport you to Venezuela, praise God. 00:34 Luis Eduardo Marin Luis Eduardo Marin's call to his mother to inform her of his detention (Spanish audio). But the plan was to send them to El Salvador, just like the more than 250 Venezuelans that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has accepted since mid-March for whom he will reportedly receive around $20,000 per person annually. That very night, however, the families of the dozens of detainees en route to the airport learned that the buses had turned around and returned everyone to the detention center. The U.S. Supreme Court had issued a ruling halting the deportation until further order from this court. This is one of several recent clashes between the executive branch and the judiciary, part of an ongoing legal tug-of-war. The struggle has also included rulings like that of a federal judge in Colorado, who temporarily blocked the deportation of Venezuelans in the state and ordered the Trump administration to uphold due process a principle that has been repeatedly violated since the start of his presidency. Going forward, authorities must notify potential deportees in their native language and provide at least 21 days notice, during which time they can seek legal representation and appeal their cases. Although dozens of detainees remain at Bluebonnet for now without being deported, they live in constant uncertainty aware that at any moment, they could become part of the next group sent to CECOT. Until they take this red uniform off me, I wont feel at ease or unless they send me to another detention center, Leon told his wife during a video call. Leon also told her that he barely sleeps, and the conditions in the facility are harsh. They havent been given decent food, there arent enough beds, and they have to take turns, his wife says. When theyre hungry, all they do is drink water, got to bed early, and start praying. Prieto, whose two other children Kevier Marin Prieto, 19, and Elvia Maria Prieto, 27 are also held in a detention center in Louisiana, says whats happening to them is unfair. Theyre not guilty, she insists. Theyre hard workers, parents. If they dont want them in that country, they should send them back to Venezuela. But our children are not criminals. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A federal judge in California on Thursday barred the Trump administration from denying or conditioning the use of federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions, saying that portions of President Trumps executive orders were unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge William Orrick issued the injunction sought by San Francisco and more than a dozen other municipalities that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts. Orrick wrote that defendants are prohibited from directly or indirectly taking any action to withhold, freeze, or condition federal funds and the administration must provide written notice of his order to all federal departments and agencies by Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Trump's deportations may face challenge as prison punishment without a trial One executive order issued by Trump directs Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal money from sanctuary jurisdictions. The second order directs every federal agency to ensure that payments to state and local governments do not abet so-called sanctuary policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation. At a hearing Wednesday, Justice Department lawyers argued that it was much too early for the judge to grant an injunction when the government had not taken any action to withhold specific amounts or to lay out conditions on specific grants. But Orrick, who was nominated by President Obama, said this was essentially what government lawyers argued during Trumps first term when the Republican issued a similar order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their well-founded fear of enforcement is even stronger than it was in 2017, Orrick wrote, citing the executive orders as well as directives from Bondi, other federal agencies and Justice Department lawsuits filed against Chicago and New York. San Francisco successfully challenged the 2017 Trump order and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court that the president exceeded his authority when he signed an executive order threatening to cut funding for sanctuary cities. Plaintiffs were pleased with the judges order. Read more: What happens if Trump doesn't obey court orders? New spotlight on U.S. marshals Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when we continue to see tremendous federal overreach, the Courts ruling affirms that local governments can serve their mission and maintain trust with the communities they care for, said Tony LoPresti, counsel for Santa Clara County, in a statement. Its unclear if federal agencies will abide by the order. On Thursday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a reminder to recipients of federal transportation funding that they are expected to follow federal law, including on immigration enforcement, or face potential consequences. The department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. There is no strict definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces immigration laws nationwide but seeks state and local help in alerting federal authorities of immigrants wanted for deportation and holding that person until federal officers take custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders of sanctuary jurisdictions say their communities are safer because immigrants feel they can communicate with local police without fear of deportation. It is also a way for municipalities to focus their dollars on crime locally, they say. Besides San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which includes a third plaintiff, the city of San Jose, there are 13 other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which include Seattle and King County, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.; New Haven, Conn.; and Santa Fe, N.M.. Har writes for the Associated Press. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building pictured on Nov. 25, 2024. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom) A federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Educations attempt to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools by threatening to withhold federal funding from those that refuse to comply. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Baltimore wrote Thursday that the court isnt required to assess whether policies from the department are good or bad, prudent or foolish, fair or unfair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the court is constitutionally required to closely scrutinize whether the government went about creating and implementing them in the manner the law requires. The government did not, the judge wrote. The Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their Administrative Procedure Act (APA) claim, have demonstrated that they will be irreparably harmed absent preliminary relief, and have shown the equities and public interest favor them, she wrote in a 48-page ruling. While Gallagher focused on the process behind the policy, another federal judge blocked the attempted DEI ban based on the effects the policy would have if it was allowed to take effect. U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty in New Hampshire said in her 82-page ruling Thursday that a preliminary injunction was proper because the plaintiffs had shown they were likely to win on their claims that the policy is unconstitutionally vague, that it infringed on teachers First Amendment rights, that it would cause actual harm and that it overstepped the federal agencys authority, among other claims. And yet another judge, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in the District of Columbia, ruled from the bench Thursday that the government could not enforce its demand that schools certify by April 24 that they were in compliance with the anti-DEI rule because the policy was so vague that schools could not know if they were in compliance or not. Threatening the loss of federal funding without sufficiently defining the conduct that might trigger liability, violates the Fifth Amendments prohibition on vagueness, Friedrich said in a brief 16-page ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rulings by Friedrich and Gallagher both of whom were appointed by President Donald Trump (R) in his first term are effective nationwide. The preliminary injunction by McCafferty, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama (D), is nationwide as well, but only in effect at schools where plaintiffs in her case the National Education Association, its New Hampshire chapter, and the Center for Black Educator Development are represented. Since being sworn in to his second term in January, Trump has pushed for the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies in federal agencies, colleges and universities and K-12 schools. The lawsuits stem from a Feb. 14 Dear Colleague letter from the Education Department to schools across the country that reminded K-12 schools, colleges and universities that if they do not comply with civil rights law face potential loss of federal funding. But the letter, and supporting documentation, went on to declare that DEI programs violate the law as just another form of racial discrimination, using terms like pervasive and repugnant, toxic, and insidious instruction that use crude racial stereotypes to divide students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was followed by an April 3 letter to state education agencies given 10 days later extended to April 24 to certify their compliance with federal DEI ban in order to continue receiving federal assistance. The letter was quickly challenged. In addition to the New Hampshire plaintiffs, the NAACP filed suit in Washington, D.C., and the American Federation of Teachers, its Maryland chapter and the American Sociological Association later joined by a school district in Eugene, Oregon sued in Maryland. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A spokesperson for the Department of Education did not respond to emails Thursday seeking comment on the multiple court rulings. But education advocates were elated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays decision from the court affirms what we already know the Trump administration is unlawfully threatening educators who meet the diverse needs of every student and undermining our public education system, AFT Maryland President Kenya Campbell said in a statement. This preliminary injunction pauses the chaos caused by targeting and attacking vital communities and temporarily protects the critical funding schools, from our K-12 schools to our higher education institutions, rely on. Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement that, Our fight is far from over, but todays decision is a victory for Black and Brown students across the country, whose right to an equal education has been directly threatened by this Administrations corrosive actions and misinterpretations of civil rights law. We look forward to prevailing against their cruel attempts to undermine the mission of the U.S. Department of Education and relegate children of color, students with disabilities, and poor students to a second-class education in a throwback to the era before Brown v. Board of Education, he said of the 1954 Supreme Court ruling the ended the separate but equal doctrine that allowed for segregated schools. Reaffirming its commitment While the court challenges were pending, Maryland school officials were working on their own response to the DEI certification letter that had been due to federal officials by Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a letter from State Superintendent Carey Wright, the state will continue to affirm its commitment to upholding civil rights laws. In doing that, all 24 school system superintendents signed a certification of compliance letter that was sent via email to the federal departments Office of Civil Rights. Wright also mentions the New Hampshire case, in which the plaintiffs had reached a short-term agreement with the department to delay implementation of the certification, which was extended Thursday by McCaffertys ruling. While MSDE [Maryland State Department of Education] is unaware of any legal authority obligating it to comply with USDEs request, MSDE is reaffirming its commitment to complying with Title VI and other relevant federal laws, Wright wrote. Wright and state Board of Education President Joshua Michael issued a joint statement in a video for stakeholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above all, our charge remains to ensure that all students have equal access to a high-quality education all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, neighborhood, disability, socioeconomic status, or the language spoken at home, Michael said. Not only is this our moral calling, but Maryland law gives us this charge. As for the case in Maryland, Gallagher did reject the plaintiffs request to require that the Trump administration restore DEI and civil rights guidance from previous administrations on its website. She also ruled the current department can maintain an online portal titled End DEI, through which community members can report instances of discrimination. The government is entitled to express its viewpoint on its website and to maintain a reporting portal for Title VI and Equal Protection concerns, so long as it does not actually pursue enforcement actions that are not in accordance with existing law, the judge wrote. April 24 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Thursday restricted the Trump administration from denying funds to public schools that participate in diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The ruling, issued by New Hampshire federal Judge Landya McCafferty, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, is limited to schools that participate with the plaintiffs in the case, the National Education Association and the Center for Black Educator Development. McCafferty said Trump's action would "cripple the operations of many educational institutions," and would constitute a violation of executive branch power in overseeing local school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NEA is the nation's largest teachers union with more than 3 million members. "The Department's attempt to punish schools for acknowledging diversity, equity and inclusion is not only unconstitutional, but it's also extremely dangerous -- and functions as a direct misalignment with what we know to be just and future forward," Sharif El-Mekki, Center for Black Educator Development CEO and founder, said in a statement. "Today's decision is a critical step toward protecting the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn." The suit was filed after the Trump administration demanded that public schools in all 50 states not participate in programs that violate its interpretation of what constitutes a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Education Department pushed back against the lawsuit, saying public schools in the United States have embraced "pervasive and repugnant race-based preferences," which "emanated throughout every facet of academia" and did so by holding the "false premise that the United States is built upon 'systemic and structural racism.'" The administration demanded that public schools comply with existing civil rights laws or risk losing potentially billions of dollars in federal aid earmarked for low-income students. In her ruling, McCafferty also said the Trump administration's definition of diversity, equity and inclusion is unlawful, and in "stark contrast to the dictionary definition of DEI." She added that the administration's stance is "inconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the phrase." Trump signed a flurry of executive orders in January that took aim at eliminating DEI programs at various institutions and government departments across the country. Federal judges on Thursday dealt three separate blows to the Education Departments plans to enforce sweeping bans on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the nations K-12 schools, in decisions that declare Trump administration policies or the way they were enacted likely violate the law. The rulings stem from lawsuits brought by the countrys largest teacher unions and civil rights groups in separate jurisdictions. But each court decision carries national implications that temporarily block the administration from carrying out this months directive that school systems comply with its interpretation of federal anti-discrimination law or risk sanctions. Despite the impact of each court ruling, states and schools may still face challenges to determine how the decisions apply locally and whether educational institutions should delay or reverse policies they may already have implemented in response to the Trump administrations demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ruling in favor of a preliminary injunction requested by the National Education Association from Landya McCafferty, a New Hampshire federal judge appointed by former President Barack Obama, stopped short of issuing a nationwide order that halts the Education Department from enforcing its orders for schools. But McCaffertys ruling does apply to entities receiving federal funding that employ or contract with the NEA or its members a key nuance that gives her decision considerable effect across much of the country where the largest U.S. labor union has a presence. The second court ruling from Stephanie Gallagher, a Maryland judge appointed by President Donald Trump, in a case brought by organizations including the American Federation of Teachers, delayed the enactment of a Feb. 14 department letter that asserts federal law prohibits schools from using race in decisions pertaining to all aspects of education. This Court takes no view as to whether the policies at issue here are good or bad, prudent or foolish, fair or unfair, Gallagher wrote in her decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this Court is constitutionally required to closely scrutinize whether the government went about creating and implementing them in the manner the law requires, she added. The government did not. A third ruling issued in the District of Columbia by Judge Dabney Friedrich, a Trump appointee, further blocked the department from demanding schools certify their compliance with the Trump administration. The government's threats, the judge said, likely violate the Constitution. The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment. Education Secretary Linda McMahon's agency this month directed state school systems to quickly sign onto a Trump administration interpretation of federal anti-discrimination law or risk potential lawsuits, civil penalties and the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds. The agency later agreed to delay enforcing its orders until today's hearing, as part of a temporary agreement in the New Hampshire case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NAACP filed a lawsuit to challenge that directive in mid-April, and won a swift ruling that granted part of its request for a preliminary injunction after today's hearing in the District of Columbia, according to court records. Our fight is far from over, but todays decision is a victory for Black and Brown students across the country, whose right to an equal education has been directly threatened by this Administrations corrosive actions and misinterpretations of civil rights law, NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. The National Education Association, its New Hampshire affiliate and civil rights organizations sued the department in federal court last month to challenge agency guidance that directed schools to end their diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The American Federation of Teachers joined the American Sociological Association and an Oregon school district in its lawsuit, in conjunction with the Democracy Forward legal services organization. "Todays ruling allows educators and schools to continue to be guided by whats best for students, not by the threat of illegal restrictions and punishment," NEA President Becky Pringle said in a statement on the New Hampshire case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court agreed that this vague and clearly unconstitutional requirement is a grave attack on students, our profession, honest history, and knowledge itself, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said of the Maryland case. Thursday's rulings are not final decisions on the merits of the lawsuits, though they block the department from enforcing its orders while each case awaits further rulings. Each ruling, though, said each lawsuit was likely to succeed on at least some of their respective claims. The department's Dear Colleague letter from February that asserts federal law prohibits schools from using race in decisions pertaining to all aspects of education is "unconstitutionally vague," McCaffertys 82-page ruling said, adding that the letter likely exceeds the department's statutory authority. That letter and a department "End DEI" federal tip line "raise the specter of a public 'witch hunt' that will sow fear and doubt among teachers lest they be publicly branded as peddlers of 'divisive ideologies' based on the Departments or even private parties subjective assessments," the New Hampshire judge said. "While it may be true that a line must be drawn somewhere between the Departments lawful prerogative to enforce anti-discrimination law and its prohibition from controlling curriculum, the Letter and its associated documents do not toe that line," McCafferty wrote. The Trump administration significantly ramped up its clash over immigration with officials at the state and local level on Friday after FBI agents arrested a county judge in Milwaukee, accusing her of obstructing an immigration arrest. "Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week," FBI Director Kash Patel posted Friday morning on the social media site known as X. "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo [Flores-Ruiz], allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest," Patel added. "Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brady McCarron, deputy chief of public affairs for the U.S. Marshals Service, confirmed that Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, was arrested by the FBI at 8:30 a.m. Friday. Dugan was charged with obstruction or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. An FBI special agent assigned to the Milwaukee Field Office said in an affidavit that Flores-Ruiz was charged on March 18 in Milwaukee with battery, domestic abuse and infliction of physical pain or injury. Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations subsequently identified Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican citizen, as "not lawfully in the United States" and obtained a warrant for his arrest. "This criminal illegal alien has a laundry list of violent criminal charges including strangulation and suffocation, battery, and domestic abuse," Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement, noting that Flores-Ruiz illegally entered the U.S. twice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When ICE agents came to Dugans courthouse April 18 to arrest Flores-Ruiz following his criminal court appearance, the affidavit said, Dugan became visibly angry and commented that the situation was absurd. Read more: Federal judge in California bars Trump from denying funds to 'sanctuary' cities According to the affidavit, Dugan approached a deportation officer with a confrontational, angry demeanor." After asking officers from the arrest team whether they had a judicial warrant and demanding that they speak with the chief judge, Dugan then escorted Flores-Ruiz and his counsel out of the courtroom through a back jury door, which leads to a nonpublic area of the courthouse. Flores-Ruiz was chased down by FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents outside the courthouse. After a foot chase, he was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week later, Dugan was arrested inside the courthouse. Dugan appeared in federal court on Friday before being released from custody. During the roughly four-minute hearing, court records show, prosecutors advised Judge Stephen Dries that they would present the case to the grand jury and were not seeking to keep Dugan in custody. Dugan's attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told the court her arrest was not made in the interest of public safety. "Judge Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge. Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated," Mastantuono's law firm wrote in a statement to The Times. Read more: Dugan complaint Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan is scheduled to appear in court again May 15. "Since President Trump was inaugurated, activist judges have tried to obstruct President Trump and the American peoples mandate to make America safe and secure our homeland but this judges actions to shield an accused violent criminal illegal alien from justice is shocking and shameful," McLaughlin said in a statement. Trump campaigned on a platform of clamping down on immigration, and his administration has moved swiftly to investigate and prosecute local officials who do not go along with federal immigration enforcement priorities. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, said it's highly unusual for the government to prosecute a judge for this type of conduct, particularly when it was able to apprehend the person it was initially seeking to arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think this is an attempt by the Trump administration to send a message with regard to how aggressive they're going to be in enforcing immigration law," Chemerinsky said. "It's a message to judges that this administration has little respect for the judiciary and isn't going to let the judiciary get in the way of what it wants to do." In a statement to WisPolitics, a political news service, Chief Judge Carl Ashley said he could not comment on Dugan's arrest. "The judicial code of conduct restricts judges from commenting on pending or impending matters in any court," he said. "Judge Dugans court calendar will be covered by another judge as needed. Read more: Trump fires more immigration judges in what some suspect is a move to bend courts to his will Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several local and federal Wisconsin politicians issued statements Friday condemning federal authorities for arresting Dugan, who oversees misdemeanor cases in Milwaukee County. Milwaukee Common Council Member Peter Burgelis said that Dugan serves the community with "integrity, intellect and an unwavering dedication to constitutional values," and is a "model of what public service should look like: fair, principled and rooted in justice." He said that the arrest was shocking and that the public needs to reflect on Dugan's reputation for defending due process. "No one is above the law, but no one is beneath it either," Burgelis wrote. "Judge Dugan deserves the same fair and impartial treatment that she has long ensured for others." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) said that Dugan's arrest had "all the hallmarks of overreach" and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said that the arrest of a sitting judge is "a gravely serious and drastic move" that threatens to breach the country's system of checks and balances and separations of power. "Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by," she wrote. "By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders and arresting a sitting judge, this president is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line." According to a 2022 judicial candidate biography, Dugan practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society as a litigation attorney before she was elected. While in private civil practice, she also led several major local nonprofits. She has also taught law as a clinical supervisor and adjunct professor at Marquette University. This is not the first time that Trumps administration has moved to penalize a local judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, during Trumps first presidency, a Massachusetts District Court judge, Shelley Joseph, was federally indicted by the Justice Department on obstruction of justice charges after preventing an ICE officer from taking custody of a defendant who was undocumented. The charges were dropped in 2022 after the judge agreed to refer herself to a forum designed to investigate and address judicial misconduct. In late 2024, the commission filed formal disciplinary charges against Joseph alleging that she engaged in willful judicial misconduct. Joseph has denied any wrongdoing. Since Trump returned to the White House in January, he has repeatedly lashed out at judges over unfavorable court orders. In March, Trump wrote on the online platform Truth Social that U.S. District Judge James Boasberg should be impeached. He referred to Boasberg as a "radical left lunatic" and "troublemaker and agitator" after the judge ordered the administration to halt its efforts to deport Venezuelan nationals. In another post March 20, Trump accused judges of trying to "assume the powers of the presidency." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unlawful Nationwide Injunctions by Radical Left Judges could very well lead to the destruction of our Country!" he said. "These people are Lunatics, who do not care, even a little bit, about the repercussions from their very dangerous and incorrect Decisions and Rulings." 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A felony charge against a Franklin County deputy who was accused of fleeing a Pataskala officer at speeds over 100 mph has been dismissed and he will return to duty, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. Robert A. Lampkin, 32, was allegedly spotted by a Pataskala police officer April 16 in the area of Mink Street driving at a high speed, according to an arrest warrant. The officer reported seeing Lampkin run a red light and fail to use a turn signal. The Pataskala officer turned on his siren in an attempt to pull Lampkin over, but he turned onto Etna Parkway and reached speeds well over 100 mph, authorities said. The speed limit in that area is 45 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lampkin was charged with failure to comply with order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony, according to arrest records. That charge has been dismissed, but misdemeanor charges are still pending, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. Central Ohio man killed after farm tractor hits power lines His unpaid administrative leave ended on Friday, and Lampkin will return to duty on Sunday. An internal investigation remains open. After being read his Miranda rights, Lampkin reportedly said he worked for the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, but denied that he was responding to a call. A Franklin County Sheriffs Office vest was seen in the back left passenger area and an unloaded gun was also found, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the officer was getting Lampkins drivers license out of his wallet, Lampkin said, I apologize, I didnt know that you guys were following me until the last minute and then I panicked, according to the responding officer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO (WGN) Two Chicago men are facing a slew of felony charges in connection with an alleged crime spree last summer that eventually led to a shootout with an off-duty police officer on the citys Far South Side. According to Chicago police, the two men, 21-year-old James Robinson and 21-year-old Angel Contreras are each facing a handful of felony charges in connection with the alleged crime spree and shootout. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An initial report by police indicated that the shooting happened just after 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, when the two men allegedly attempted to carjack and rob the off-duty officer in the 10800 block of South Campbell Avenue in West Morgan Park. A home security camera in the area captured a dark-colored vehicle speeding down the street shortly before gunfire could be heard. An individual can then be seen running from 108th and South Campbell and officers believe that person was one of the suspected shooters. While the officers vehicle was hit by gunfire, the officer was not injured in the shootout and one suspect was taken into custody, but later released. The incident also sparked a COPA investigation and the off-duty officer was placed on a paid 30-day administrative leave, in accordance with department policy. Photos provided by Chicago police show 21-year-old James Robinson (left) and 21-year-old Angel Contreras (right) who are each facing a handful of felony charges in connection with a crime spree that eventually led to a shootout with an off-duty police officer on the citys Far South Side in July of 2024. Photo provided by Chicago police shows 21-year-old Angel Contreras who is facing a handful of felony charges in connection with a crime spree that eventually led to a shootout with an off-duty police officer on the citys Far South Side in July of 202 Photo provided by Chicago police shows 21-year-old James Robinson who is facing a handful of felony charges in connection with a crime spree that eventually led to a shootout with an off-duty police officer on the citys Far South Side in July of 2024. Just before the shootout, officers said the two men allegedly attempted to carjack and rob a 42-year-old woman in the 10900 block of South Oakley Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, the crime spree continued after they fled the scene of the shooting and officers believe the two men allegedly robbed and carjacked two others in Lansing later that morning. The two men evaded police for nearly a year after the alleged shootout, but CPD officers, with the help from the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, eventually tracked them down on Thursday in the 2600 block of South California Avenue in Little Village. Officers said Robinson has been charged with one felony count of attempted first-degree murder, eight felony counts of armed robbery with a firearm, five felony counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, four felony counts of aggravated robbery with the indication of a firearm, two felony counts of attempted armed robbery, one felony count of armed robbery with the discharge of a firearm, one felony count of attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking with the discharge of a firearm and one felony count of attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contreras has been charged with one felony count of attempted first-degree murder, three felony counts of armed robbery with a firearm, three felony counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, two felony counts of attempted armed robbery, one felony count of attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking with the discharge of a firearm and one felony count of attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm. The additional charges against Robinson that Contreras is not facing stem from his alleged involvement in five other incidents that unfolded over a four-hour period just two days before the alleged shootout, on July 22, 2024, though specific details about the incident are unclear. Both men are set to appear in court for a detention hearing on 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 WGN-TV. BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Joseph Ferlazzo, the man convicted after killing his wife in 2021, was sentenced to spend over 40 years in prison. The New Hampshire man was convicted back in December 2024 for murdering 22-year-old Emily Jean, who Ferlazzo shot and stabbed in their camper. All of this happened in Bolton, while the pair was on a trip to celebrate their one-year anniversary. After killing Jean, Ferlazzo reportedly sat with the body before dismembering her, leaving the remains in the shared camper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge at Ferlazzos sentencing called this a horrendous crime and an act of cruel and extreme domestic violence. Ferlazzo did speak in the courtroom and said, This event doesnt define me or who I am. Im a son, Im a father. Ferlazzo was specifically sentenced to 42.5 years of imprisonment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. April 25 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts town is under siege from an apparently territorial pileated woodpecker being blamed for damaging more than 25 vehicles in the area. Rockport resident Janelle Favaloro managed to capture a photo of the culprit caught in the act of targeting a vehicle with its jackhammer-like beak. "We have a vandal in the neighborhood," Favaloro wrote on social media. "He was described as 18 to 24 inches tall, wearing black and white with a red hat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Favaloro said she knows of at least 25 vehicles that have been targeted by the bird, usually on the side-view mirrors or windows. "The woodpecker showed up and landed on the windshield wipers of the RV in our yard and was looking at its reflection. And we were like, 'You know what, I bet he was the one that damaged the mirrors, as well,'" she told NBC's Today show. Some residents said they have started protecting their mirrors with plastic wrap or sweaters while the vehicles are not in use. Mike Foster said the woodpecker cracked his passenger side window while he was sitting in his pickup truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When it landed on the window, I thought it was my girlfriend tapping on the window," Foster told The New York Times. "I was like, 'Oh, I'm in trouble.' It was staring me right in the eyes for a solid 30 seconds." Matthew Fuxjager, a co-director of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology graduate program at Brown University, said the woodpecker's behavior can likely be explained by the current mating season, in which the males of the species are known to become fiercely territorial. "They're a ferocious bird, and they're really strong," he said. "It's the biomechanical equivalent of a hammer." Ron Magill, Zoo Miami's communications director, agreed the mating season is likely to blame. He said it makes sense for the woodpecker to be targeting reflective surfaces. "If they're seeing their reflections of themselves, they don't understand it's a reflection," he said. "They think it's a competitor." SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)- The owner of Doreens Going Places Travel Services told 22News, 2025 travel circumstances are different because of higher grocery prices and job losses that are interfering. Preparing for severe weather season According to a survey from the consumer finance company Bankrate, 46% of the respondents said they were planning a summer vacation this year, which is down from 53% in 2024. Nearly 65% said money was the main reason. Travel experts told 22News travel insurance can help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets say you plan a vacation for November, right, and then all of a sudden, God forbid you lose your job, hence the insurance. So either you get a credit back or you have your money in full back minus the insurance, said Doreen Coakley Rodriguez, owner of Doreens Going Places Travel Services. Some travelers are looking for more cost-efficient packages, such as downsizing a trip to Italy or Tokyo to a cruise to those parts of the world. Normally, it would take only 4 months to plan a trip in advance, but Coakley Rodiguez said trips are now taking up 2 years. 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. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. A Smoking Gun Document A newly unsealed court filing has revealed previously unknown details about the Trump administrations operation to remove Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act and threatens to undermine key elements of its legal defense. The filing is a declaration by ICE official Carlos D. Cisneros in an Alien Enemies Act case in federal court in the Southern District of Texas. The implications of what Cisneros has revealed could reverberate in AEA cases around the country, including at the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timing: The headline news was Cisneros revelation that detainees are being given no less than 12 hours to decide whether to contest their imminent removal under the AEA and another 24 hours to file a habeas case. This is supposed to satisfy the notice requirement the Supreme Court imposed earlier this month in AEA cases, but it is unlikely any court is going to find the 12/24-hour combo sufficient. By way of comparison, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney of Colorado earlier this week imposed a 21-day notice requirement and other procedural safeguards on the government in an Alien Enemies Act ruling. Inconsistency: Legal reporter Chris Geidner has an excellent analysis of how the Cisneros declaration reveals the Trump administration is telling the Supreme Court one thing and apparently doing another. In a different AEA case out of North Texas, Solicitor General John Sauer has told the Supreme Court the administration will not remove AEA detainees who file habeas claims. But the Cisneros declaration reveals that there may be a couple of different exceptions in practice to that general rule, which would undermine if not flat out contradict what the Trump DOJ represented in court. Imminence: In that North Texas case, where the Supreme Court acted in the middle of the night to block another round of removals, Justice Samuel Alito wondered in his dissent (joined by Justice Clarence Thomas) what all the rush was about. The papers before us, while alleging that the applicants were in imminent danger of removal, provide little concrete support for that allegation, Alito wrote. But the new revelation in the Cisneros declaration about the 12/24-hour combo establishes exactly what the plaintiffs had claimed: Removals were imminent. (Credit to Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck for this catch.) Another Brazen Defiance Of A Court Order? Reuters: The Trump administration moved a Venezuelan man to Texas for possible deportation about a half an hour after U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines had issued an order blocking his removal from the Western District of Pennsylvania. A Bad Day In Court For President Trump Elections Executive Order : U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly temporarily blocked a provision of President Trumps executive order demanding that proof of citizenship be added to some federal voting forms. Anti-DEI : Federal judges in DC, Maryland, and New Hampshire separately blocked elements of the Education Departments ban on DEI in K-12 schools. Sanctuary cities: U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick of San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administration from withholding funds from sanctuary cities, a replay of a case Orrick had early in Trump I. As Bad As It Gets President Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate the leading Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue: Ooof A slow-motion train wreck and a nightmare for any lawyer has played out since Wednesday in the NYC congestion pricing case. The sequence was as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday night, DOJ mistakenly uploaded to the public docket an internal letter that contained its legal advice to the Department of Transportation about why its case was a sure loser. Thursday morning, DOJ asked the judge in the case to remove or permanently seal the inadvertently uploaded letter. A Department of Transportation spokesperson blasted the DOJ attorneys and questioned whether it was really a mistake: Are SDNY lawyers on this case incompetent or was this their attempt to RESIST? At the very least, its legal malpractice. Its sad to see a premier legal organization continue to fall into such disgrace. The Department of Transportation said it was replacing the lawyers involved, who worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, with lawyers from the Main Justices Civil Division in DC. The federal judge in the case, Lewis Liman, temporarily sealed the mistakenly filed letter but ordered briefing on (i) whether theres a sufficient basis to seal the letter permanently since it was already made public and widely republished by news outlets; and (ii) whether the inadvertent publication of the letter waived attorney-client privilege. The cringe outweighs any schadenfreude. Blast From The TPM Past Former Nevada state Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R) A decade ago, Michelle Fiore of Nevada was a fixture in TPM coverage of far-right politics. This week President Trump pardoned her before her sentencing on a federal fraud conviction. Her crime? Using money collected to honor a slain police officer on personal expenses, including cosmetic surgery. For Your Radar Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is scheduled to be sentenced today in federal court in New York, where he pleaded guilty in his fraud case. The Purges Govt-wide : President Trump signed an executive order Thursday making it easier to fire probationary government employees. VA : The Veterans Affairs Department is forcing staff in workforce reduction discussions to sign non-disclosure agreements. SSA: Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek is moving to convert the status of many of his agencies employees to the new Schedule F. Vladimir, STOP! On the same day that President Trump plaintively posted to social media Vladimir, STOP! CNN reported that he is frustrated and has privately told advisers that mediating a deal to end the war in Ukraine has been more difficult than he anticipated. Pete Hegseth Watch WSJ: Polygraph Threats, Leaks and Infighting: The Chaos Inside Hegseths Pentagon AP: Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal NYT: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths personal phone number, the one used in a recent Signal chat, was easily accessible on the internet and public apps as recently as March, potentially exposing national security secrets to foreign adversaries. Good Read Jay Willis: Lets Take a Look at the Childrens Books Sam Alito Is So Afraid Of Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! Kevin Smith, a fire captain from Washington state, is being praised for his "selfless actions" after he saved a little boy from drowning during a trip to Mexico The little boy's mother and brother were also pulled from the ocean and transported to a hospital, but Smith is unaware of their current health status "[I'm] thankful that I was in the right place at the right time," Smith tells PEOPLE A fire captain from Washington state is being praised for his heroic actions after he saved a young boy from drowning while he was on vacation with family in Mexico. On Thursday, April 10, Kevin Smith was eating breakfast at a hotel in San Jose del Cabo while on spring break with his family when he saw a group in distress near the shoreline, he tells PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Something's going on down by the water, the captain of the Spokane Fire Department remembers his wife saying to him. I think you might need to go down there. The 46-year-old firefighter says he quickly ran about 100 yards down to the beach. When Smith arrived at the shoreline, he saw a nearly unconscious woman being pulled out of the ocean by a man. He later learned that they were the parents of two children who were also swept up in the surf, which was rougher than normal that day. Frantic people on the beach told Smith that there were others caught in the waves. I only saw one, but I could see him in the surf, Smith remembers of the boy he saw. The child was approximately six years old. City of Spokane Fire Department Facebook A stretch of beach in Mexico A stretch of beach in Mexico Related: Landscaper Rescues Driver Trapped in Sinking Car, Then Buys Dry Clothes So He Can Go Back to Work Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He'd get pulled out and then he'd crash down with the next incoming wave before he'd get washed out again, says Smith. And it was just kind of a cyclical thing that he was caught in. Smith then ran another 100 yards to the boys location. He waded into the chest-deep water, waiting for the next wave to hit. When that crashed, I was able to see, I think it was a leg, says Smith, who grabbed the child and brought him back to the beach. The boy wasnt breathing, but did have a faint pulse. He was pretty much unconscious and limp, says Smith, who immediately began rescue breaths. After one or two minutes, the little boy opened his eyes and began crying. The father, who had just arrived, swooped his son up into his lap and thanked Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, the other little boy also made it out of the water. Smith saw him conscious and walking around, he says. But hes unaware of the final status of the family, who were grateful for his heroic actions. Related: Teens Trying to Fish Rescue Man Who Drove into River After Medical Emergency: 'Just Wanted to Help' I checked with one of the security guards later, says Smith. He indicated that they'd been transported to the hospital and that was it. The captain was then able to return to his wife, two children and friends. They were just stunned and wide-eyed, but thankful, says Smith. Thankful that I was in the right place at the right time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So is his team back home. Justin Deruyter, information officer for the fire department, says that it was fortuitous timing for Smith. Related: 15-Year-Old Girl Rescued After Getting Trapped in Sand While Digging Hole That Collapsed 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. That intervention was at the right time, says Deruyter. Without the breathing, [the boy] would've gone into cardiac arrest very shortly, and with lungs full of water, he was on the downward spiral for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Smith returned from Mexico, the fire department posted a tribute to him on Facebook. Please join us in recognizing Captain Smith for his courageous and selfless actions, they wrote on Tuesday, April 22, adding that Smith undoubtedly saved the life of a helpless child caught in the oceans powerful grip. Read the original article on People ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Over 20 fire departments staged a mock disaster at the Chicago Rockford International Airport on Friday to prepare for the event of an emergency on the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration requires the drills be run every three years. In Fridays scenario, officials responded to a plane that had caught fire after a landing gear failure. Sixty actors were used to simulate patients in need of help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire officials said even if an aircraft crash is an unlikely scenario, it is important for them to stay prepared. Its definitely a unique scenario. Not every day does it happen that we get an aircraft incident. But in the event of an aircraft incident, we want to be ready. We want to be able to show that were able to do our jobs out here and respond accordingly, said Captain Joe Milan, of the airports fire department. So, its not an everyday situation,n but it definitely helps to practice this and get with the partners out here. In addition to fire departments, multiple police agencies and medical centers participated in the drill. It also builds relationships with our communities and first responders, and other agencies that would participate in a real emergency, said airport operations manager Isaac Mendoza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Shreveport Fire Department responded to reports of a house fire behind Fairfield Elementary Magnet School. The call was made by Fairfield teaching staff who reported they were evacuating students from the temporary building in close proximity to the main building of the school due to the smoke, a press release stated. Blaze strikes abandoned apartment complex in Shreveport for 10th time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters arrived at 1:53 p.m. at the scene of a single residential structure fully engulfed in flames on the 500 block of E. 64th Street. Seven fire units, comprised of 24 firefighters, responded to the fire before it was brought under control at 2:25 p.m. The SFD says no injuries were reported, but the origin and cause of the fire remain 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 KTALnews.com. By Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke WASHINGTON (Reuters) -After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Taras Atamanchuk found safety for his family near Houston, Texas. The 32-year-old moved to the U.S. with his wife and daughter in 2023 through former President Joe Biden's parole program for Ukrainians with U.S. sponsors, landing a job as a software engineer with an annual salary of $120,000. In February he tried to renew his two-year work permit, but President Donald Trumps administration had quietly stopped processing renewals or applications by Ukrainians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He now worries about how he will support his family, which includes a son born last year. "I can't work and there's no place to go," he said. In his first hundred days in office, Trump has taken dramatic steps to strip legal immigration status from hundreds of thousands of people, increasing the pool of those who can potentially be deported as he tries to ramp up removals to historic levels. The Republican president has moved to end humanitarian legal entry programs launched by his Democratic predecessor and revoked visas of thousands of students who took part in protests or had minor criminal charges, including traffic offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The breadth of the crackdown has stunned immigrants who lost their legal status. Some Democrats have criticized Trumps strong-arm tactics as plainclothes and masked immigration officers have descended on homes, workplaces and university campuses. Americans are split on Trumps immigration approach but he has a 45% approval rating on immigration, better than other major issues, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-April found. The message that his campaign gave is, Were going to go after the criminals, but what he is doing is a much, much broader effort, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow with the American Immigration Council, a pro-immigrant advocacy group. Trump said in March that he was weighing whether to strip the legal status of the 240,000 Ukrainians who entered under Biden's parole program. A similar move to revoke legal status from 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans was blocked in federal court earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has paired the crackdown with a push to encourage migrants in the U.S. illegally to self deport - threatening steep fines and highlighting efforts to send deportees to notorious prisons in El Salvador and Guantanamo Bay. Polina Hlova, 25, from the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, was working as a dental assistant in Florida when she and her husband lost their work permits in March. She constantly checks for updates on pending applications and said the stress has been overwhelming. My emotions, I cant control it, she said. Im just crying every day. White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the Trump administration was undoing what it views as unlawful Biden programs that allowed migrants to enter the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is not stripping legal status from immigrants it is unwinding the Biden administrations illegal paroling of hundreds of thousands of aliens into the United States," he said in a statement. "Aliens who have not received asylum or other legal status to remain in the United States cannot be allowed to remain in our country indefinitely." Desai said parole programs should be used on a case-by-case basis and when there is a "significant public benefit." LEAVE NOW Immigration attorneys earlier this month reported that clients who used a Biden-era app to schedule an appointment to cross the U.S.-Mexico border were among those pressed to leave the U.S. The app, which was meant to alleviate chaos at the border, was rebranded by the Trump administration as CBP Home and is now used to facilitate self-deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migrants who entered the country legally using the app - then known as CBP One - received a tersely worded email telling them their status had been revoked. "It is time for you to leave the United States," it read. Claudia, 35, her husband and their four children entered the U.S. using the CBP One app in August 2023, fleeing gang threats in Michoacan, Mexico, and applied for asylum. On the evening of April 11, she was checking her email for any correspondence from her kids' school in California's Central Valley, when she got the email. It was in English, but her email provider automatically translated it into Spanish. "I felt dizzy," she said. Desai, the White House spokesperson, criticized the CBP One program. The fact of the matter is that the Biden administrations CBP One app was an illegal tool to effectively launder illegal immigration by allowing would-be illegal border crossers to obtain flimsy legal grounds to just walk right into the United States," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Trump's actions have "restored integrity to our immigration system, ended policies that were magnets to illegal immigration, and delivered a clear message to illegal aliens to self-deport or face the consequences." U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 145,000 immigration violators during Trumps first three months in office - up from 113,000 in all of fiscal 2024, a DHS spokesperson said. Deportations were down in Trump's first three months in office from 195,000 last year to 130,000 this year, DHS statistics show, due to a higher number of encounters at the border under Biden where migrants could be sent back more quickly. VISAS REVOKED The Trump administration stunned major universities with arrests of students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests, including Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident, raising questions about free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting in March, ICE sent hundreds of names of foreign students to the State Department asking them to revoke their visas, according to a U.S. official not authorized to speak about the matter. The names initially appeared to be students who had police contact during a protest, the official said. Later, it was students with criminal charges, including for traffic violations. The State Department declined to comment. On April 8, Prasanna Oruganti, an Indian PhD student at Ohio State University received an email from her university alerting her that her status had been terminated in an ICE-maintained database known as SEVIS, according to court documents. They told her the reason given was Other- individual identified in criminal records check and/or has their visa revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oruganti had not been notified that her student visa had been revoked, and her only criminal record was a traffic misdemeanor after she misjudged the distance turning a corner and her car hit some decorative bricks, she said in court documents. Oruganti sued and a judge blocked the termination, so that she can, for now, continue to study. The Trump administration said in a court filing on Friday that it would restore previously terminated student statuses but said it would seek to find other ways to proceed with the crackdown. A mechanical engineering student at the University of California Riverside with one quarter to go until graduation was given the same reason as Oruganti for his status revocation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt make any sense, I was super confused, the 23-year-old Indian national, who is identified in court documents as VJ, said in an interview. He had lived in the U.S. since he was 10, as a dependent on his mothers H-1B visa for skilled workers. When he was a sophomore in college, he was arrested for public intoxication, he said, but he had disclosed the offense when he applied for his student visa. He has sued to get his status reinstated, but worries that he will be detained or deported. I still dont know if I can go to class or not, he said. Ive just been completely under the radar. (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Editing by Mary Milliken and Michael Learmonth) The first burials of unidentified Ukrainian soldiers are planned to take place at the military memorial cemetery in May. Source: Deputy Interior Minister Leonid Tymchenko in an interview with Censor.net Details: Tymchenko said that the bodies of people who cannot be identified are subject to temporary burial. "In general, temporary burial is reserved for those bodies which we managed to add to the database by taking a DNA sample, but found no match. In such cases they are stored for a year," explains Klymenko's deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tymchenko said that there were also temporary burials in Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts back in 2022, when the decision was made by oblast or city military administrations, because there were many bodies. Quote: "Now it is planned that in cases where the bodies could not be identified, they will be buried in a military memorial cemetery with appropriate honours. So far, a large number of bodies are still being stored. The first group of unidentified soldiers will be buried at the military memorial cemetery in May." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Trump administration accused UC Berkeley of failing to disclose millions of dollars in foreign funding on Friday, touting muscular new enforcement of an obscure federal rule amid ongoing efforts to bridle America's top research institutions. The University of California flagship is the second top school to come under investigation this month for alleged violations of Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which requires disclosure of "foreign source gifts and contracts" worth more than $250,000. A similar investigation into Harvard was announced last week. On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Education to ramp up enforcement of the rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department "will begin by thoroughly examining UC Berkeleys apparent failure to fully and accurately disclose significant funding received from foreign sources," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. Read more: California, other states sue Trump administration over anti-DEI funding threat to schools Dan Mogulof, assistant vice chancellor of the UC Berkeley communications and public affairs office, issued a statement that said the school has already been in contact with federal authorities about the issue. Over the course of the last two years, UC Berkeley has been cooperating with federal inquiries regarding [Section] 117 reporting issues, and will continue to do so," Mogulof said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The audits are the latest in a barrage of administrative actions against elite universities around the country. The campaign-season blueprint known as Project 2025 that laid out Trump's potential agenda highlighted Section 117 as a possible mechanism to claw back federal funding from top schools, including through Pell Grants and Fullbright Scholarships a move experts say could devastate critical research. "All of these are really existential threats to the research university as it currently exists," said Kevin Kinser, a professor of education policy at Penn State University. "A world-class university has to have engagements around the world thats what defines world-class." The University of California system was already reeling from massive federal funding cuts, student visa cancellations and Justice Department probes into admissions and allegations of antisemitism. Harvard, the world's richest school, emerged as an unlikely folk hero after it rebuffed the administration's demands for extensive control of the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A wave of Section 117 challenges could further isolate institutions already under assault. Read more: Trump stopped federal funding to Maine over transgender athletes. Could California be next? America's elite universities are already deeply enmeshed with top schools abroad, from engineering partnerships with the Indian Institute of Technology to the Persian Gulf campuses of Georgetown, Texas A&M and NYU. Proponents say such partnerships are essential to innovation and academic excellence. Critics argue that foreign cash buys influence over American students and wedges open a back door to American intellectual property for foreign governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Protecting American educational, cultural, and national security interests requires transparency regarding foreign funds flowing to American higher education and research institutions," Wednesday's executive order reads. The new UC Berkeley inquiry revives a 2023 House subcommittee investigation into the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, a partnership between UC Berkeley's College of Engineering and China's Tsinghua University begun in 2016. The two schools have collaborated extensively on research including clean energy and climate change for decades. Tsinghua has similar formal partnerships with the University of Washington, Indiana University and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, among others. According to tax forms from its American nonprofit, Tsinghua gave $2.5 million to the UC Regents to fund the program in 2019 and 2018. It gave $4.5 million to the Regents in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Times staff writer Jaweed Kaleem contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TOKYO - Japan's government on Friday unveiled a package of emergency economic measures to counter the adverse effects of U.S. President Donald Trump's higher tariffs, ahead of a second round of bilateral trade negotiations expected next week. The relief package consists of five pillars, including support for corporate financing and steps to stimulate consumption, in a bid to alleviate concern that the U.S. levies could weigh on Japan's exports, potentially taking a heavy toll on the broader economy. The government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also pledged to reduce gasoline and diesel prices by 10 yen per liter, provide subsidies for energy bills and consider expanding the scope of low-interest loans for smaller companies from next month. During a meeting to map out the package, Ishiba urged government officials to make maximum efforts to ease the impact of the higher U.S. tariffs. The U.S. tariffs could "substantially hurt domestic industries that underlie our nation, such as automobiles and steel," Ishiba said, emphasizing the necessity of Tokyo and Washington working together for mutual benefit. "It is extremely important for us to clearly convey to the United States the fact that Japanese enterprises have been making a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through investment and job creation," he added. Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, a close aide to Ishiba, is planning to visit the United States again for three days from Wednesday to hold talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the point man for negotiations with Japan. Akazawa's trip to the United States is viewed as an opportunity for Japan to push for exemptions or revisions to the sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump, which Tokyo has said are a major threat to the stability of global trade. Depending on the outcome of the second round of talks, Ishiba's government could introduce additional steps to prevent the performance of Japanese manufacturers from slumping and consumer confidence from deteriorating sharply, sources close to the matter said. Trump has moved to impose higher import duties on cars, steel and aluminum. A baseline 10 percent levy remains in place despite a 90-day reprieve for so-called reciprocal tariffs. Related coverage: Japan, U.S. finance chiefs discuss currency as part of tariff talks Japan to emphasize benefits of free trade to U.S. in tariff talks: PM In the first coordinated operation between U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security launched a large-scale operation in Florida to find and detain about 800 undocumented immigrants, according to a report from the Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald. The effort, nicknamed "Operation Tidal Wave," targets people in Miami-Dade and Broward counties and the cities of Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Stuart, Tallahassee and Fort Myers, according to records seen by the Herald. All of them are areas with high immigrant populations. "The records do not explain in detail how the federal government chose its targets, but do say that authorities are trying to detain 'criminal individuals or immigration violators' that have final deportation orders," the media sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what we know: When is the massive ICE operation in Florida? According to the Times/Herald, it started on Monday, April 21, and runs through Saturday, April 26. Immigration crackdown: Florida officials seek Trumps help in speeding up the deporting of more immigrants How many people were arrested or detained in the Florida ICE operation? According to the Times/Herald, ICE declined to say how many people have been detained in the operation so far. The agency publicly announces the results of operations when appropriate, an ICE spokesperson said. Who is cooperating with ICE to find immigrants? What is the 287(g) program? ICE has been collaborating with Homeland Security Investigations, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which acts as ICE's primary investigative arm, the Florida Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State and local law enforcement partners have also been enlisted to help with federal immigration enforcement through the 287(g) program, an ICE initiative that allows local law enforcement agencies to help "identify and remove criminal aliens who are amenable to removal from the U.S.," according to ICE. Nearly 230 Florida law enforcement agencies, including sheriff's offices, city police departments and college and university campus police,e have signed 287(g) agreements, the most out of any state in the nation, the Herald/Times said. More than 130 of the currently active agreements are under the task force model, which allows law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight, including questioning, arresting, and detaining people suspected of violating federal immigration laws. "State and local law enforcement have a legal duty to assist with the enforcement of federal immigration laws," Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference in Manatee County in March. "Because if you think about it, Florida Highway Patrol pulls somebody over on a highway who's driving drunk, they have no license, they're not here legally. Being able to just transport them to ICE and get them out is the easiest way to do it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DeSantis administration, which oversaw the passage of a harsh immigration law in 2024, has been pressuring local governments to comply and law enforcement to sign on. After the Fort Myers city council failed to pass an agreement in March to train city police to partner with ICE, DeSantis posted on X, saying, "Florida will ensure its laws are followed, and when it comes to immigration the days of inaction are over. Govern yourselves accordingly." Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened an investigation into the council. Gov. DeSantis: Sheriffs now able to enforce immigration laws under new agreement with feds What does ICE stand for? What is it? The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security to protect the U.S. from cross-border crime and illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE enforces the nation's complex Title 8 immigration laws inside the country and U.S. Customs and Border Protection handles it at the nation's borders. ICE has more than 20,000 law enforcement officers and an annual budget of about $8 billion. The Trump administration, however, deputized thousands more federal law enforcement officers to help with his goal of mass deportations, and many local law enforcement agencies have agreed to coordinate and cooperate with the efforts. Who is ICE deporting? That depends on who you ask. "ICE detains individuals as necessary, including to secure their presence for immigration proceedings and removal from the United States," the agency says on its website. "ICE also detains those who are subject to mandatory detention under U.S. immigration law and those a supervisor has determined are public safety or flight risks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president, who declared a national border emergency on his first day in office and ordered the U.S. armed forces to repel "forms of invasion," has said his administration will prioritize deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal histories. However, there have been multiple instances reported of mistaken identities, random sweeps, and people detained and shipped to a prison in El Salvador without any criminal charges filed, trials, or ways to appeal. The most well-known is Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was picked up and sent overseas without due process and kept there despite orders from a federal court and the Supreme Court to bring him back. On April 16, a Georgia native with an ID and Social Security card on him was arrested in Florida's Panhandle under a blocked Florida immigration law. The family of Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez presented his birth certificate to a judge, who agreed it was valid but said she had no power over his release. Lopez-Gomez was finally released after 30 hours in prison. What can I do if I fear an ICE raid? The National Immigration Resource Center recommends: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gather important documents for all family members showing how long each one has been in the United States. This can include birth certificates, U.S. income tax returns, utility bills, leases, school records, medical records or bank records. Put copies into a secure online folder or location you can access by phone. Identify your emergency contacts, memorize their phone numbers and make sure your contact can access all of your documents. Provide your childs school or daycare with an emergency contact to pick up your child in case you are detained. Tell your loved ones that if you are detained by ICE, they can try to use ICEs online detainee locator to find you with the date of birth and country of origin. That's at locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search. You, your family or emergency contacts can contact the local ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office to initiate an ICE Case Review process. You can find your local ERO office here. Have supporting documents ready. Everyone living in the United States has certain rights and protections provided by the U.S. Constitution, whatever their residency status is, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. You have the right to remain silent. You dont have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police or immigration officers. Anything said to an officer can later be used against you in court. You have the right to say 'no' if an immigration officer asks if they can search you. Immigration officers do not have the right to search you or your belongings without your consent or probable cause. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ICE teams with Florida law enforcement for 'Operation Tidal Wave' SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) South Dakota has its first announced ticket for governor and lieutenant governor in 2026. Republican Rep. Jon Hansen announced Thursday he is running for governor at a event where the states motto was front and center in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Witnesses called in Sioux Falls murder trial Under God the People Rule,' Hansen said. Its not just some slogan; its our way of life. Its who we are and who were supposed to be. But our way of life is under threat. Weve seen it over and over and over again in Pierre: the peoples interests are becoming second to special interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 39-year-old Hansen, a lawyer who represents Minnehaha and Moody Counties in the state legislature, currently serves as speaker of the House of Representatives. Grassroots patriots from all across the great state of South Dakota are standing up, and we are saying in record numbers, no more corruption, no more waste and abuse, no more attacks on our land and our liberties and our way of life, Hansen said. Today renews the coming of the end for all of that. Joining Hansen on his ticket is Republican Karla Lems, who represents Lincoln, Turner and Union Counties in the state House of Representatives. We just need to be reminded of how is winning defined, Lems said. Remembering the foundation that was laid, reestablishing ourselves upon it and moving ahead together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are ready on day one to clean up Pierre and restore the government back to the people, Hansen said. Private property rights and opposition to abortion were two of the evenings themes. For the moment, Hansen is the only announced candidate. What were focused on is not who might run but on the things that we stand for, Hansen said to gathered media after his announcement. With regard to running for governor in 2026, current Gov. Larry Rhodens office sent KELOLAND News a statement from Rhoden on Wednesday which says in part we are not ready to make a public announcement. South Dakotas lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Dusty Johnson, said Tuesday he has considered running for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Dakotas primary is on June 2, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Five police officers have died after their plane crashed into the sea in Thailand. The plane was conducting a test flight to prepare for parachute training in Hua Hin district before it crashed just after 8am on Friday, said Archayon Kraithong, the Royal Thai Police spokesman. One officer is in critical condition. The five officers are thought to have died instantly - ROYAL THAI POLICE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The plane, which appeared in footage to be a Viking DHC-6 Twin Otter, crashed near Hua Hin Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to authorities, the air traffic control tower cleared the aircraft for take-off at 8.07am on a weather reconnaissance flight. One minute after take-off, it lost contact and crashed into the sea, the Thai enquirer reported. Prasoot Hombunterng, the Hua Hin district chief, said initial reports suggested the aircraft experienced a loud engine noise resembling an explosion shortly after take-off. The crew attempted to return to the airfield but were unsuccessful. Photos show the plane in the sea about 100 meters (330ft) off shore. The body of the plane appeared to be broken in two. The plane crashed into the sea just a minute after take-off - ViralPress All six people on board were police officers. Mr Kraithong initially said five people died at the scene and one died at the hospital, but later revised the death toll to five, confirming the officer who was sent to the hospital remained in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Mr Kraithong said officials were gathering evidence, including data from the planes black box. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Ohio House passed an over 5,000-page biennial budget bill this month that includes not only $61 billion in state spending but also law changes on topics ranging from abortion to adult websites and drivers ed. On April 9, after two months of testimony and negotiations, lawmakers in the House passed a proposed state budget for the next two years by a 60-39 vote. The legislation will now be reviewed by state senators, who will have the opportunity to make changes before it heads to Gov. Mike DeWines desk for final approval. Ohio Supreme Court to decide same-sex parental rights case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The version of the budget passed by the House included multiple controversial provisions, many of which do not make spending appropriations but rather create or update state laws. Five of those provisions can be found below. Age verification for adult websites The budget bill would require pornography websites or any site that hosts content that is obscene or harmful to juveniles to verify visitors are over 18 years old through photo identification or other documentation. Specifically, users would confirm their age through a copy of a government-issued photo ID or another personal document, such as proof of a mortgage or employment. Companies would be required to immediately delete such documents after the age verification is complete. However, websites would be able to store the documents if an individual has an account. If a resident has a profile, they would have to go through age verification every two years after its creation. If a user does not renew their account within two years, all age-verifying documents would be deleted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio State faculty vote to join Big Ten alliance against Trump Adult websites would be responsible for using a system to monitor the location of their visitors to ensure Ohioans ages are verified. If an adult website fails to verify a users age and a minor gains access to its content, the Ohio attorney general may bring a civil lawsuit against the company. No other person or entity would be permitted to file a civil action, the provision says. Lawmakers introduced similar bills pushing for this change in both this General Assembly and the past legislative session. Drivers license requirements The House-passed version of the state budget would require all individuals under 21 years old to complete drivers education to obtain their license, while the current law only requires the training for those under 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio drivers under 18 who are obtaining their license for the first time must have a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction, eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and 50 hours of in-car supervised practice before they can take the road test. Currently, legal adults do not need to complete these requirements to get a license; they just need to pass the road test. LGBTQ+ issues The budget bill would codify that the state recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and that these sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. The bill defines gender identity as an individuals internal and subjective sense of self that is disconnected from biological reality and cannot be recognized as a replacement for sex. It further specifies that the state recognizes women as individuals who belong, at conception, to the sex that produces egg cells, while men belong to the sex that produces sperm cells. The bill would also require public libraries to place material related to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in a portion of the public library that is not primarily open to the view of minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio University attempts to include student, faculty input in anti-DEI requirements Furthermore, it would prohibit state agencies from displaying any flag, like a pride flag or other political symbols. Only the United States, Ohio and POW/MIA (Prisoners of War/Missing in Action) flags would be permitted at government buildings. Eliminating elections for county coroners If the budget bill were to pass as is, Ohioans would no longer see county coroners on the ballot, as boards of commissioners would begin appointing the position instead. Coroners investigate and certify the causes of death for people who die within their jurisdiction, primarily under unnatural or suspicious circumstances. The job is elected in almost all of the states counties. Summit and Cuyahoga counties alternatively have appointed medical examiners, who typically have more extensive forensic pathology training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous coroners have come out against the provision, expressing concern that appointments could invite political influence into death investigations. Judge dismisses parent lawsuit against Hilliard schools over LGBTQ+ policies We feel the best system for the state of Ohio and for all Ohioans is to elect the coroner to preserve the impartiality, the integrity and the independence of death investigation in the state, David Corey, executive director of the Ohio State Coroners Association, recently told NBC4. By being appointed corner, youre beholden to the people or the person that appoints you, versus trying to just find out the truth and serving the county electorate. The County Commissioners Association of Ohio has long lobbied for the change, claiming many counties have problems recruiting candidates for the role. The group also believes the change would allow for commissioners to share, combine or reorganize the duties of the coroner across a larger geographic area for a more efficient system. Changes to abortion reporting Ohio law requires certain information about abortions performed in the state to be reported to the Department of Health through a confidential form given to patients. The document includes medical history and demographic information. The data from the forms is summarized into annual reports that are publicly released, detailing abortion statistics in the state. Patients names are not included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget bill would require the department to develop a public electronic dashboard and publish abortion data from these forms every month. The continuously updating dashboard would include similar data as the annual reports, including the total number of abortions, patients ages, if they are Ohio or out-of-state residents, and marital status. The monthly dashboard would also add a new statistic, listing the number of abortions performed on minors by each facility. This would not replace the annual report but supplement it. The Senate will send a completed version of the bill to DeWines desk by June 30. As with all spending bills, DeWine can reject certain provisions within the legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. The retrial of Karen Read started with opening statements on Tuesday and there are already big differences from the first trial. Jurors may not see Read on the witness stand in the coming weeks, but videos of her interviews are being played in between witness testimony by new prosecutor Hank Brennan. Brennans order of witnesses is much different than Adam Lally, the Norfolk County prosecutor who led the prosecution team last year. The first trial ended with a hung jury, and this time around, both sides are putting lessons learned into practice. Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan studies case material in court ahead of Karen Read's retrial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)AP Ten witnesses have testified so far, ranging from Canton firefighters, paramedics and friends of John OKeefe. The first expert witness testified on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the first week. 1) New evidence expected Both sides said during opening statements that data and science will bolster their arguments. That means jurors can expect to hear vastly different interpretations of the same evidence by expert witnesses called by each side. In one example, Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Read, said he expects an expert witness for the prosecution to testify that OKeefe likely suffered from hypothermia. An expert for the defense, however, is expected to testify to the complete opposite. Shell tell you that John OKeefe did not suffer from hypothermia as the commonwealth will undoubtedly allege, Jackson said. His body showed no signs of it. No frostbite, no cold-induced injuries to his organs, no damage based on cold or frost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson argued that OKeefe must have been injured somewhere else, somewhere warmer, and that his body must have been moved out into the cold. Karen Read and lawyer Alan Jackson review jury questionnaires in Norfolk Superior Court on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)AP Last year, the prosecutions expert said there was evidence that strongly suggested that OKeefe suffered from hypothermia. DNA evidence will also play a big role some of it new. Theyre going to try to dazzle you with talk of DNA because it sounds so scientific, Jackson said. DNA was on the taillight, but youll learn that there was no DNA on the actual shards that they claim came in contact with Johns arm. None. There was no blood, no tissue, no skin, no DNA on a single shard of plastic that prosecutors say cut deep marks into OKeefes arm, according to Jackson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, more evidence is expected in this trial about OKeefes shoe, which Jackson said had the DNA of five unidentified males. 2) Perjury claims In a dramatic exchange on day 2 of the trial, the judge turned to a key prosecution witness and asked, Did you lie? The witness looked away from the judge, startled by the question, and replied, I did. Not intentionally. The admission by Kerry Roberts, a close friend of OKeefe, came during intense cross-examination by Jackson on Wednesday. It also marked a significant difference from the first trial since the defense decided not to cross-examine Roberts last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts admitted to telling a false statement to a grand jury in 2022 before Reads indictment. Jackson asked if she realized she made the false statement under oath and penalty of perjury, to which she said, I did. Kerry Roberts testifies during the Karen Read trial in Norfolk Superior Court at Dedham, Mass., on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)AP The exchange went viral and set social media and YouTube commentators ablaze with questions around whether Roberts admitted to committing perjury during her testimony. A retired Massachusetts judge isnt so convinced. He said the admission amounted to a prior inconsistent statement, but perjury? If they prosecuted this person for a prior inconsistent statement, there would have to be hundreds and hundreds of perjury cases, said Jack Lu, a mediator and adjunct law professor at Boston College who served as a Massachusetts Superior Court judge for 16 years. 3) Reads own words used against her One of the many unique aspects of the Read case is just how outspoken she is and all the interviews shes done. Its incredibly rare for murder defendants to give such wide-ranging interviews and access to cameras, but shes bucked that trend and reaped both a strong advocacy movement and lots of financial donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At trial, however, the prosecution is effectively weaving her interviews in between witnesses, often to drive home a point. "A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read" premieres on Monday, March 17.Investigation Discovery/YouTube On Monday, after a back-and-forth cross-examination of Canton firefighter Timothy Nuttall, where lawyers argued about whether he really heard Read say, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him, Brennan rolled the tape. This time, from Reads interview with ID Docuseries, dated June 15, 2024. In it, she says she did say, I hit him. Read: I remember it, but I question do I remember it because its been relived so much? I mean, when I see the video of me driving from the Waterfall, like what I just described tapping the brakes when I crossed the intersection, Washington over Sherman street do I actually remember that I kind of slowly proceeded through that green light? No, I dont actually remember that, but Ive seen the video so many times that you then question, did I remember on my own, or was my memory jogged? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I also wondered, did I say that I hit him? Or was it told to me that I said I hit him? And I knew I never could have said that, so the closest I must have said was, did I hit him? I know I said I hit him, but did I really say it as many times as law enforcements claiming I said it? 4) Order of witnesses After opening statements last year, the first witnesses were OKeefes brother, Paul OKeefe, and his sister-in-law, Erin OKeefe. Jurors heard from Erin OKeefe about a trip to Aruba that Read and OKeefe took with a group of friends. She described a fiery screaming match after Read accused OKeefe of kissing another woman. On the first day of trial last year, jurors were made aware of potential simmering tensions between Read and OKeefe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No such story at this trial. Brennan said he wouldnt introduce any testimony about the Aruba trip, and instead, he called Canton firefighter Timothy Nuttall as the first witness. Nuttall described the bedlam of the scene blizzard conditions, police lights and Read running and screaming hysterically as paramedics attempted to resuscitate OKeefe. Canton Fire Department paramedic Timothy Nuttall shows how to do a Carotid Pulse at Karen Read's second murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Dedham, Mass.Photo by Stuart Cahill/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool On cross, Jackson hammered at an inconsistency from the first trial, when Nuttall testified that OKeefe wore a black, puffy coat the only witness to say so and by all other accounts OKeefe never wore. Then Jackson pointed out Nuttall testified he heard Read say I hit him three times at the scene, but last year he said he only heard her say it twice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like the first trial, the defense is scrutinizing the I hit him statements some first responders say they heard, since initial police and hospital reports did not contain the damaging statements attributed to Read. 5) Reads intoxication level 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. Norfolk County prosecutors say Read struck OKeefe with her SUV while driving intoxicated and then fled the scene in January 2022. Reads lawyers contend that her SUV never struck OKeefe, and on Tuesday, Jackson said, There was no collision, and repeated it three times to emphasize for the jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Chief Pathologist of Signature Healthcare Garrey Faller took the stand. He is the former chief pathologist at Good Samaritan Medical Center, where Read and OKeefe were brought after he was found. Faller told the jury his hospitals tests found Reads blood alcohol level to be 0.093 above the legal limit to drive by 9 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2022. This was the same number Faller testified to in the last trial. Reads defense team has again tried to undermine the accuracy of the hospitals testing. Attorney Elizabeth Little questioned on Friday if Faller was aware of a specific study that showed a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis could lead to elevated levels of the enzyme tested to determine a persons blood alcohol. She also asked if the hospital considered her diagnosis as a factor in her results. While Faller said neither Reads MS diagnosis nor her anemia were taken into account, he also said the particular MS-related enzyme Little was discussing would not affect the test results. The trial will resume Monday, April 28 with half a day of witness testimony, then voir dire a hearing away from the jury with two accident reconstruction experts testifying for the defense. MassLive reporter Irene Rotondo contributed to this article. Karen Read murder case Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Students from FSU, FAMU, and TCC gathered at the Ruby Diamond Auditorium to protest DeSantis administration policies on higher education on Feb. 23, 2023. (Photo by Briana Michel/Florida Phoenix) No one should be surprised by Gov. Ron DeSantis announcement that the state DOGE taskforce intends to dig into the finances of Floridas public colleges and universities, pore over years of research, and decide what is kosher and what needs to be jettisoned. Its the beginning of a new round of aggression by DeSantis, designed to mortally wound universities as we have known them and rid the state of these supposed hotbeds of liberalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrogance is stunning. This man, who admits he knew nothing about DEI until a couple of years ago, and who has never shown a glimpse of intellectual discernment, is now the self-appointed curator of Floridas higher education. Theres certain state policies that have been implemented, such as the abolition of DEI, which I know on a superficial level the universities went and applied with, DeSantis said. But as weve seen, you know, you kind of burrow in and rename, do what you want. And there is some sense in some quarters that whatever the law in the state of Florida is, it just is not obligatory on them, and they can kind of do their own little fiefdom. Thats not going to fly here. DeSantis has it in for these institutions, as have many extremist conservatives who despise education and the educated, harboring a deep loathing of learning any ideas of which they disapprove. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although he pretends otherwise, DeSantis, conservative ideologue Christopher Rufo, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, and others know that education has always been an antidote to authoritarianism, which is why they are fighting so hard. They are resisting the diversity that the Civil Rights movement, the womens movement, and LGBTQ-rights movement engendered. The professors are the enemy The DeSantis blitzkrieg through higher education has include book bans and removing womens studies, African American history, and critical race theory from university curricula. He hijacked New College of Florida, purged its courses of liberal topics, forced dissenters to flee or be silent, and tossed books into dumpsters. As a part of his audit, DeSantis is demanding that universities provide information about researchers including names, job titles, salaries, and details of their work, Newsweek reports. He says the state seeks to identify, review, and report on unnecessary spending, programs, courses, staff, and any other inefficiencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis isnt operating in a vacuum. The assault on universities and institutions of higher learning has been carefully choreographed by the Heritage Foundation, the Republican Party, archconservatives, and MAGA. Vice President J.D. Vance captures the animus Republicans in general have towards education and educational institutions. Vance said during a speech: There is a wisdom in what Richard Nixon said approximately 40 to 50 years ago. He said, and I quote, The professors are the enemy.' DeSantis, by his actions, is no different. His war on academia has so far only been checked by the courts. Republicans aggressive approach is an effort to reshape education in consequential and permanent ways. They want to shift the ideological tilt of a higher education system which they regard as profoundly hostile to conservatives. The Trump administration has several universities in its crosshairs, threatening billions of dollars in federal contracts and grants. They include the University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Cornell University, and Northwestern, stripping them of federal contracts and research grants; demanding control over hiring and the authority to oversee university operations. DJ Spang, a student from Tallahassee Community College, joined a walkout at Florida State University to protest various policies for higher education from the DeSantis Administration. Feb. 23, 2023. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Florida Phoenix) Harvards example Floridians could look to the example of Harvard University in refusing to obey Trumps directives and moves toward a mutual defense compact being organized among faculty at 18 Big Ten universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yi-Li Wu, associate professor of History and Gender Studies at the University of Michigan said during a recent faculty meeting that the United States is on the cusp of authoritarianism and that everyone must look at themselves in the mirror and determine what they will do as democratic institutions like higher education are attacked. Neither silence nor compliance are survival strategies, Wu added, noting that Columbia University, which has hundreds of millions of dollars pulled and several pro-Palestinian students arrested, is a prime example of the reality that compromising on core values will not save schools from Trumps wrath. Prof. Jason Stanley, a former Yale University philosophy professor, says the war on universities is straight out of an authoritarian playbook. Throughout history, he said, the rise of authoritarian regimes has coincided with attacks on intellectuals and efforts to discredit the institutions theyre associated with in concert with the scapegoating of marginalized groups. Authoritarians view universities vital centers of critical thought and free expression as an innate threat to their desire for complete subservience, Stanley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The universities, not because of ideological indoctrination but because they contain a lot of young smart people called students, have always been the source of resistance against authoritarianism and unjust war, he said. The leaders of Floridas colleges and universities have shown no backbone or a willingness to resist DeSantis bullying. But those concerned about his onslaughts must fight back fiercely. Boycott Resisting should be a slam dunk. Floridas colleges and universities should be protecting their cherished traditions, as well as their diverse student populations, from these ideological thugs. And if they are content to cower in the corner, the people must take the fight to DeSantis and the rest of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They hope that by instilling fear in people, they wont fight back. But there is too much at stake not to oppose these people at every turn. Journalist and author Joy Ann Reid told Dr. Christina Greer, a political scientist, during a recent Zoom discussion organized by Fair Fight Georgia, that education triggers rebellion, adding that a grassroots political uprising is necessary to fight against what she described as a toxic, noxious, lawless political party. Well, you know, as a university professor, the university is a space for intellectual ideas and debates. We cannot have a space where its filled with fear and silence. Greer told Juan Gonzalez on Democracy Now. I think universities have to band together. This is the what is the point of an endowment if during hard times youre not going to use it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that there are some universities that are larger, more powerful than others. If they stick together collective action, which is what I talk about in all of my books you can actually get a lot more than sort of being picked off one by one time and time in America, if you know your history. You know, as you target one group, many groups dont ever think that theyll be targeted. And its like, your day will come. Reid agreed. A generation from now, you wont have enough people aware of history to fight back. Dont be like Columbia and get on your knees, she warned. Join a compact, send your children to a state where they are protecting people. Dont go to states like Florida. Economic boycotts are effective tools, Reid said. Dont buy from stores who gave to Trump. Reward people who are fighting back, unsubscribe from newspapers, dont buy Tesla. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A top Florida Democrat issued a scathing seven-word rebuke as he announced his surprise departure from the Democratic Party. State Senator Jason Pizzo, the Democratic minority leader, made a dramatic announcement on the Senate floor Thursday that he is changing his voter registration to no party affiliation: a common registration in Florida for independent voters. Heres the issue, Pizzo told fellow lawmakers. The Democratic Party in Florida is dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pizzo stated that the party needed new leadership but other top state officials didnt want him to be it. There are good people that can resuscitate it. But they dont want it to be me. Thats not convenient. Thats not cool, he added. Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo stated that there is a major 'issue' with today's Democratic party (Florida State Senate) After the Senate adjourned, the Democratic caucus convened and unanimously elected state Senator Lori Berman as the new minority leader of the Florida House. Pizzo said the Democratic party his late father volunteered for in the 1960s is not the party today. He added that the modern party craves and screams anarchy and then demands amnesty. He continued: I think stripping myself of a title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear, clean and transparent and help many, many more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pizzo indicated that he did not defect to the Republicans because the party has a lot of problems. Writing on X later on Thursday, he said: I wont punch down. Wishing everyone well. It marks another blow for Florida's embattled Democratic party, which has 1.2 million fewer members than the Republicans, and no incumbents holding statewide elected office. Pizzo is reportedly weighing the Florida governor race in 2026 (AP) Instead, Pizzo has long been rumored to be weighing a gubernatorial run in Florida next year. He told Politico earlier this week that he wouldnt make a decision about the race until September. In January, the lawmaker said he would not mount a campaign for governor as an independent, according to the Florida Phoenix. When probed whether he would run for governor as an independent candidate, Pizzo did not shut the door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pizzo became the third state lawmaker to leave the party this year after former state House Democrats, Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdes, defected to the Republicans in January. Pizzos decision comes the same day that former GOP Florida Representative David Jolly announced that he had registered to become a Democrat, according to Politico. Jolly previously said he is very close to announcing a run for governor in 2026, and that he would be committed to doing my part as a Florida Democrat. Florida Representative Byron Donalds has pitched himself as Donald Trumps governor pick, and First Lady Casey DeSantis, the wife of incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis, has been a rumored candidate. Florida House investigation into Hope Florida ends TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Gov. Ron DeSantis showed his frustration with state lawmakers Thursday. DeSantis doesnt like their investigation into the money trail that connects his wifes non-profit Hope Florida to a political action committee. That PAC was used to fight the legalization of marijuana. House members have been following the money for about a month now, saying the states attorney general was calling the shots and illegally moving the cash around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers met for the last time in the Hope Florida investigation. State Rep. Alex Andrade (R- Pensacola) said Thursday that their work is done and its up to the FBI to investigate further. Immigration lawyer, who is a naturalized US citizen, ordered to self-deport This week, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Mark Wilson, Hope Florida Foundations Legal Counsel Jeff Aaron, and non-profit members involved, like Executive Director for Save Our Society from Drugs Amy Ronshausen, were all supposed to be questioned by state lawmakers. Each one denied the invitation to appear at the state capitol, some just minutes before the committee started. Rep. Andrade said members of Florida Commerce may have known they were misusing Medicaid funds. I would be extremely concerned as the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said Andrade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation dives into a mysterious money trail that state lawmakers believe was a misuse of taxpayer dollars. At the center of lawmakers concerns, Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was DeSantis Chief of Staff at the time. I was not involved in the settlement negotiations related to the Hope Florida contribution, and looking at it, everything looks legal, said AG Uthmeier. Floridas Attorney General announces lawsuit against Snapchat What hes telling regular Floridians we should be grateful for his commission of money laundering and wire fraud because he did it for the kids. I think thats inappropriate, said Rep. Andrade. 8 On Your Side reached out to Uthmeiers staff following Thursdays committee meeting at the Capitol, whose team shared: Over the past few weeks, a member of the Florida House of Representatives has stated to the pressrepeatedly and conclusivelythat Attorney General James Uthmeier committed multiple federal and state crimes. These ridiculous accusations are false and not based on any judicial finding or evidentiary record. We know political posturing is typical in the legislative process, but baseless accusations by a member of the legislature about the Attorney General of Florida violating the law not only surpasses what should be proper decorum between Florida officials but also presents potential legal ramifications for the Representative. Its easy to allege criminal wrongdoing on TV and in left-wing newspapers, but the Representative should bear in mind that hes a member of the Florida Bar and must adhere to professional and ethical canons. And those canons generally discourage the wild, defamatory accusations he has lobbed at the Attorney General. While the Representative is wasting time waging law-fare on behalf of his mega weed corporation private interests, James has been working hand-in-hand with ICE, DOJ, and the FBI to bust criminal aliens and deport them out of our country. Gov. DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis were in St. Augustine Thursday morning, touting Hope Floridas success, brushing off the investigation as a political attack, saying theres been a misunderstanding of the organizations mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. DeSantis, Casey DeSantis speak about Hope Florida When you see some of these political attacks, thats just because people know this is effective. That is because theyre threatened by this model. Some people are threatened politically because the First Ladys been so good at doing this, said Gov. DeSantis. What weve tried to do is to really re-engineer, rethink the way that we can help somebody, said Casey DeSantis. As House lawmakers wrap up the investigation, is this the end of the story? Were not judges or prosecutors. While Im firmly convinced that James Uthmeier and Jeff Aaron engaged in the conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud, and that several parties played a role in the misuse of $10 million in Medicaid funds, we as legislators will not be the ones making the ultimate charging decisions, said Rep. Andrade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. WASHINGTON - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday did not push his Japanese counterpart for support to prop up the yen during their first face-to-face talks, officials said, as the two countries seek common ground over President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs intended to reduce trade deficits and protect domestic industries. After the meeting in Washington, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said they confirmed the Group of Seven countries' longtime agreement that exchange rates should be set by markets and excessive currency volatility would hurt economic and financial stability. Kato told a press conference that they discussed currency issues but "there was absolutely no" reference by Bessent to pursuing specific exchange rate levels or a framework to control currency movements. He said they agreed to continue discussing currency issues "closely and constructively." Their meeting, which lasted about 50 minutes, took place after Japan and the United States formally launched negotiations last week in the wake of higher import tariffs imposed by Trump to address what he sees as unfair trade practices by other countries. Among major trading partners, the Trump administration has prioritized tariff negotiations with Japan, a key U.S. security ally with an export-oriented economy. During the first round of the negotiations, the two countries did not touch on currency issues, agreeing to leave them for the finance ministers. The Japanese minister said he told Bessent that Trump's tariffs were "extremely regrettable" and urged Washington to review its sharp increase of protectionist measures, which the International Monetary Fund warned this week could lead to a "significant slowdown" of world economic growth. Trump and his administration officials have not just focused on trade issues in the ongoing talks with Japan, also urging Tokyo to cover more of the costs of hosting U.S. troops. On the trade front, Trump has especially called into question what his officials view as Japan's nontariff barriers, while claiming that Tokyo has devalued the yen to give Japanese carmakers and other manufacturers an advantage. Japanese officials have dismissed the assertion as untrue, adhering to the position that exchange rates should move stably based on economic fundamentals. Contrary to the claim, Japan has also conducted yen-buying, dollar-selling interventions in recent years to arrest what it characterized as excessive, speculative currency movements. The Trump administration's new 24 percent tariffs on goods imported from Japan are paused until early July under a 90-day reprieve of its so-called reciprocal duties also targeting dozens of other countries. Only about 13 hours after the country-specific, higher-band tariffs took effect on April 9, Trump instituted the pause for all countries, except China, to allow for negotiations. But Japan, along with many other trading partners, continues to face an additional duty of 25 percent on car imports and other sector-based tariffs, as well as a universal levy of 10 percent. The meeting between Kato and Bessent, held on the sidelines of the semiannual gatherings of the IMF and World Bank Group, followed last week's visit to Washington by Japan's chief negotiator in the tariff talks. On April 16, Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's minister in charge of economic revitalization, met with Trump in the Oval Office for 50 minutes before taking part in a meeting with Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Akazawa is set to visit the United States again next week for another round of negotiations, with the hope of eliminating the additional tariffs on automobiles, a key Japanese industry, and some other products, according to sources familiar with the plan. Japan has made it clear that it has no intention to discuss tariff issues concurrently with other subjects, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba saying over the weekend that he does not think it would be appropriate to deal with both trade and the security arrangements of the two allies at once. Ishiba told a parliamentary session earlier this week that what matters for Japan is the substance, rather than the speed, of any agreement in its negotiations with the United States. Related coverage: U.S. has no specific currency targets in Japan tariff talks: Bessent Discussion of security issues in tariff talks not appropriate: Japan PM Japan PM wants to see "specific progress" in next U.S. tariff talks Rep. Lawrence McClure and Speaker Daniel Perez discuss the budget impasse at a news conference April 24, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) The House on Friday voted, 78-29, to pass a $5 billion tax relief package, with most of the opposition involving changes to the collection of tourist development dollars. While it was a mostly partisan vote in support, the bill faces opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has pushed for the elimination of property taxes and a $1,000 homeowner rebate, and Senate President Ben Albritton who has rolled out a more modest tax relief package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disagreement over the breadth of tax relief is a primary reason the Legislature is unlikely to pass a state budget within the 60-day legislative session, scheduled to end on May 2. HB 7033 sponsor Rep. Wyman Duggan called the proposed tax reduction historic. Its record breaking. Its historic. Its permanent. Its immediate. Every citizen in the state will benefit from it, he said. Specifically, the bill would lower Floridas state sales tax rate by 0.75%, to 5.25%. The bill would reduce all other sales tax rates by the same amount commercial rent from 2% to 1.25%; electricity from 4.35% to 3.6%; new mobile home purchases from 3% to 2.25%; and coin-operated amusement machines from 4% to 3.25%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Starving fiscally constrained counties? Most of the criticism on the floor centered around the changes to the tourist development tax, known as the hotel bed tax. Florida law authorizes counties to levy five separate tourist development taxes for specified purposes, all of which are generally related to the tourism industry. These taxes cover a bevy of uses financing stadiums; operating convention centers; funding tourism development councils; and promoting publicly owned zoological parks among them. These are levied in 62 of the states 67 counties with total combined rates ranging from a low of 2% to a high of 6%, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 7033 redirects the use of tourist development taxes away from tourism-related efforts to the countys general revenue coffers instead. The bill directs the funds to be used to offset county property taxes beginning in 2026. Rep. Allison Tant, who represents parts of Leon, Jefferson, and Madison counties, said the tax receipts are vital to those counties, none of which offer the beaches that beckon so many tourists to Florida. Rather, those counties rely on bed taxes to market the wonder of rural Florida the part of our state you dont see in fancy brochures on the turnpike or inexpensive ads on TV. Pulling tourism development tax dollars from this effort will not just further starve fiscally constrained counties, but also punish them for their self-sufficiency, Tant said. It's record breaking. It's historic. It's permanent. It's immediate. Every citizen in the state will benefit from it. Rep. Wyman Duggan While he has support of his chamber, Perezs ambitious $5 billion reduction doesnt have the support of his counterpart, Senate President Albritton. The disagreement is a major reason the House and Senate couldnt agree on the total dollar amount in spending for the state fiscal year 2025-26 and wont pass a spending plan before the end of the 60-day session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albritton is on board with tax relief but he has floated a more modest $2.1 billion tax plan, centered around a permanent elimination of the sales tax on clothing and shoes costing $75 or less. Other parts of his plan include a permanent reduction in the business rent tax from 2% to 1%, a one-time credit for vehicle registration fees, and several sales tax holidays. DeSantis opposes the House plan but not because of the price tag. The governor has proposed his own $5 billion cut starting with providing homeowners a $1,000 property tax rebate. From there, DeSantis wants to permanently eliminate property taxes, which would take voter approval and couldnt be done before November 2026. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE JENSEN BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida judge will appear on the other side of the courtroom after a traffic stop led to his arrest earlier this week. Brett Waronicki, a circuit judge for Floridas 19th Judicial Circuit in Fort Pierce, was arrested Wednesday on charges of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bulldozing and erasing history: More unmarked graves detected at Tropicana Field Deputies with the Martin County Sheriffs Office spotted a Ford F-150 swerving in a lane, striking the fog line and a bike lane several times and going through a roundabout without any lights on around 10:41 p.m. on NW Jensen Beach Blvd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Waronicki was pulled over, authorities noted a strong alcoholic smell on his breath, bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred thick tongue speech, body tremors and trouble sitting still, the affidavit said. The judge told deputies he was going to pick up two friends and head back to his home, before admitting he had had two vodka drinks, having his last drink at 6:30 that night. Court documents show Waronicki did not want to do field sobriety exercises because he did nothing wrong, and refused an alcohol breath test. 1 dead, 1 hospitalized in Lakeland bar shooting A K-9 searched Waronickis vehicle, discovering cocaine residue in Waronickis wallet. The circuit judge was taken to the Martin County Jail, along with the two passengers in his vehicle, who were also cited for possession of cocaine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement from the 19th Judicial Circuit, obtained by NBC affiliate WPTV, read in part: All cases currently assigned to Circuit Judge Brett M. Waronicki will be re-noticed for hearing before a temporary duty judge, when available, consistent with the chief judges authority under court rules. The chief judge will take steps to ensure the speedy, efficient, and proper administration of pending and filed cases within the circuit. Litigants with questions regarding any schedule changes to upcoming hearings may visit the St. Lucie Clerk of Court website to locate up-to-date information. According to WPTV, two people came forward about Waronickis drug use. For several weeks, narcotics investigators with the sheriffs office have been looking into the judge. Waronicki is scheduled to appear in court on May 22. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida state lawmakers are in a budget standstill as they enter the final stretch of their spring session, with legislative leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis at odds on how to best provide tax relief to Floridians. Senate President Ben Albritton told senators Thursday that no spending deal has been reached with the House and that they were free to head home for a three-day weekend. That means legislators wont finish budget negotiations in time to end their session as scheduled on May 2. The biggest hurdle at this time is related to tax relief, both the number and the policy, Albritton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it appears Floridians will likely see a tax break of some sort, DeSantis and legislative leaders all have offered different proposals and have yet to reach a consensus. Lawmakers must pass a budget before July 1, and the governor has line-item veto authority over spending. Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez want to provide a sales tax break, but the Houses plan goes further. DeSantis has called for $1,000 property tax rebates for primary residences, saying that would be a bigger help for Floridians. At an event in Naples on Tuesday, DeSantis slammed state representatives, part of a growing rift between him and the Florida House. On so many issues, they have just gone AWOL, he said. They are not doing anything to address my call for property tax relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Houses tax plan would lower the sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, providing taxpayers savings of about $5 billion. The Senates plan includes about $3 billion in recurring and one-time tax breaks. It would eliminate sales tax for clothes and shoes priced at $75 or less, reduce the business rent tax and provide a one-time credit on vehicle-registration fees. Albritton, a Republican said he has concerns the Houses proposal could lead to budget shortfalls in the future. I am committed to passing historic, unprecedented tax relief, he said. However, it wont be at the expense of the long-term financial stability of our state. In a fiery speech late Thursday, Perez vowed to fight for a smaller budget, adding that he thinks the Legislature has been addicted to spending and slashing the sales tax would help fix that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will hold the course until we can vote on a fiscally conservative budget that genuinely addresses the states spending problem and provides meaningful tax relief to people of this state, he said. The real danger to the state budget is the habit of pathological overspending that is enshrined in the Senates budget. DeSantis ultimate goal is to eliminate property taxes entirely, and he wants to put a proposal to do that on the 2026 ballot. That would require the support of at least 60% of voters to pass. Scrapping property taxes would threaten billions of dollars cities, schools and counties allocate to educate children, pave roads, maintain parks and police neighborhoods, among other civic functions. Some analysts say such a cut would be doable only if state leaders hiked the sales tax considerably. Budget negotiators are also hashing out proposed changes to Floridas hotel tax, a key source of revenue for Central Floridas tourism economy. Orange County collects roughly $360 million from visitors annually, which is used for the tourism marketing organization Visit Orlando, the convention center, and sporting and arts venues. The Houses tax plan would require that money be used to lower property tax bills starting in 2026, less any grandfathered debt commitments. The Senates plan eases the mandatory spending requirement for tourism marketing, while keeping the tax intact. Florida authorities have made an arrest in the 1986 cold case murder of a successful commercial real estate developer. Jeffrey Taylor, 64, was taken into custody Thursday, April 24, in connection with the killing of 49-year-old Shirley Brant. He is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. The resolution of this case reflects our department's commitment to justice, no matter how much time has passed, said Chief of Police Juan Pinillos. We hope this arrest brings a measure of closure to the Brant family and all who knew her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities allege Taylor left fingerprints at the crime scene but they were never entered into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System "due to not meeting certain criteria at the time," North Miami police said in a press release. Investigators resubmitted the fingerprints for analysis and allegedly matched the prints to Taylor in March. Brant was on the phone with a client in her real estate office in North Miami Beach when two intruders entered on June 13, 1986. A temporary employee told police she heard Brant scream and then witnessed one of the males attempting to take the phone away from her. Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Jeffrey Taylor Jeffrey Taylor Related: A Beloved Fla. Mom Was Fatally Shot in Her Real Estate Office in 1986, and Police Have Reopened Investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The witness then heard Brant say, "Don't shoot!" before she was shot, North Miami Beach police detective Pam Denham previously told PEOPLE. Police allege Taylor pulled the trigger. At the time, the witness told the police that the two men were nicely dressed, Denham said. They were in dress pants and a long-sleeve collared shirt. Maybe that was because they didn't want to stand out and they wanted to look professional. The two men absconded with cash and credit cards before fleeing the scene. Courtesy Ben Brant Shirley Brant Shirley Brant Brant's death devastated her four children as well as her husband, local dentist Dr. Lawrence Brant, who "never got over it," Brant's son, Dr. Steven Brant, previously told PEOPLE. "He missed my mom terribly, terribly. He hired a private eye to look over things and to see that everything was done." 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. (Shirley Brant's grandson, who is the nephew of Steven Brant, is an editor at PEOPLE.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steven Brant described his mother as a very, very talented woman, who sang on cruise ships with her sister in the 1960s before becoming a real estate agent in the early 70s. He last saw his mother two weeks before her murder. We had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant in Gainesville," he said. "And we were all sitting around the table. She passed away one week before her 50th birthday. She said she had seen a birthday card about 50th birthdays, and she said on the card it said, 'It's nifty to be 50.' But she never made it to 50. Read the original article on People Apr. 24A Florida man will spend around 60 years in prison after he was found guilty of a list of charges for allegedly hitting his daughter with a pickup truck and leading a police pursuit that ended with a crash and him being shot by police. James Michael Skirvin, 55, of Venice, Florida, was sentenced by Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Ellis to a total of 58 to 63 and a half years in prison for four counts of felonious assault of a police officer, two counts of aggravated menacing and single counts of felonious assault, vehicular assault, failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, aggravated possession of drugs and a misdemeanor count of domestic violence. On Jan. 8, 2024, following an argument at Voyager Village, a mobile home park off West Third Street in Trotwood, Skirvin hit his 35-year-old daughter with a pickup truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When police arrived and began to help the woman, Skirvin reportedly drove past at high speed and pointed a long gun at the officers, who then chased after him in an attempt to pull him over. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Dayton Police Department also responded to assist. During the chase, Skirvin drove erratically, swerving into oncoming traffic and forcing a Trotwood cruiser to take evasive action to avoid a crash, as well as firing a rifle at officers out of the window of the pickup truck, police said. At U.S. 35 West near Liscum Drive, Skirvin reportedly ran over a tire deflation device, then drove across all westbound and eastbound lanes to crash into a sheriff's cruiser head on, finally landing on top of a Trotwood police cruiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the following shootout, seven Dayton officers, four Trotwood officers and two deputies fired at Skirvin, hitting him an unknown number of times. A Montgomery County grand jury in July 2024 declined to indict the officers involved in the shootout, finding that they had acted lawfully, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office. The Trotwood officer whose cruiser Skirvin landed on, identified as Michael Richardson, was injured, and both he and Skirvin were taken to Miami Valley Hospital. Skirvin's daughter was treated and released after she was hit, Trotwood police said. After the pursuit, U.S. 35 was shut down between Infirmary Road and Abbey Avenue for more than eight hours for investigation and cleanup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skirvin has no known criminal history in the area outside of minor traffic infractions in the Dayton area, police said. In a sentencing memorandum, Skirvin's defense attorney said that he also had no significant criminal history in Florida, quoting Skirvin as saying, "I led a law-abiding life for 54 years and I ruined it in seven minutes." Staff writer Jen Balduf contributed to this story. A mother in Florida has moved to take legal action against her neighbor after a violent social media post threatening to cause harm to her child. According to the Atlanta Black Star, Tyler Chambers, a resident of the Tampa, FL. suburb of Riverview, caught the 8-year-old daughter of Beyond Shabazz on his doorbell camera. The child, Sincere, and her 11-year-old cousin were going door-to-door selling candy for a fundraiser. After Chambers took a screenshot of the security footage, he shared it on social media, with a profane message alerting others that if he was at home during the seemingly innocent visit, he would have responded violently to the children. Youre lucky we werent home to shoot your a** dumb bi**h, he wrote in a now-deleted post. Although he removed the post due to backlash, screengrabs of the upload were captured and shared with many, suggesting he should lose his job, among other consequences. Shabazz came to learn of the threat to her daughters safety after posts condemning Chambers went viral. Florida Man threatens chlld This incident occurred on Monday, April 14th, at approximately 4 PM in the afternoon. I am just now seeing this all over my social media, and I immediately called the police to file a report, wrote Shabazz on a GoFundMe Campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundraiser was launched to financially support legal action she plans to take against Shabazz. As of Friday morning (April 25), the campaign stood at just $3 short of its goal, with $15,597 collected. I was told by officers that he and his family have left their home due to threats from all over because of the post he made about my daughter. He has been exposed all over the internet; they have found his address, job, and his past record, she explained. Homes sky view She continued to claim that Chambers not only made the absurd post but also created false motives. He is now asking police to simply have a conversation with me, and I wont let it happen because he and his wife thought it would be a good idea to lie publicly! Tyler Chambers and his wife, Cassidy Chambers, stated on social media they were going to hurt my little girl because she knocked on the door. His exact words were, YOURE LUCKY WE WERENT HOME TO SHOOT YOUR A**, DUMB BI**H to a 9-year-old!! Then he goes on to say he apologizes after his post went viral but then lies and says that she and her brothers, which she doesnt have, tried to break into his house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shabazz continued to allege, Not only did they lie about her trying to break into their house, but they also claimed they were not home in the original post. Then later, the wife said she was home with their 7-month-old at the time and she was scared. Tyler Chambers Facebook According to the outlet, Chambers initially explained, I saw that on my camera and have a wife and 7-month-old at home, which I will protect as you would. I was hot when I posted it which is why I deleted it right away I could have handled it a lot different, before deactivating his social media accounts. Amid being doxxed, social media outrage led users to Chambers LinkedIn page, which led to his alleged employer, Mister Car Wash, being blasted with complaints. This individual is not employed by Mister Car Wash any reports suggesting otherwise are not accurate. Their actions are reprehensible and in direct conflict with our values. We have zero tolerance for hate speech in any form. Thank you for your message and concern, detailed an X account attributed to the company in response to the backlash. The message was also previously shared from a Mister Car Wash Facebook account. A screenshot was uploaded to Shabazzs GoFundMe campaign, as pictured above. I have reached out to the authorities, and this is an open investigation. I will do everything in my power to put this sick bastard in jail, declared Shabazz. My child does not feel safe in her neighborhood now due to this, and now every time she clicks on her Facebook or TikTok, she sees what this monster posted about her for the world to see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued, I will not let this go under the rug. I promise I will make an example out of this fool. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Florida has undergone a dramatic political transformation over the past decade from a swing state to Republican stronghold. Floridas recent congressional special election on April 1, 2025, showcased the states increasingly conservative identity, when Republicans won both congressional seats. Still, Democrats felt hopeful about these results, since the two Democratic contenders lost by slimmer margins in the 1st and 6th districts than in other recent elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a political anthropologist who has conducted fieldwork in central Florida, Ive spent over five years tracking the growth of conservative political groups like the Proud Boys and Moms for Liberty, whose leaderships are based in Florida. Ive seen firsthand how conservative activist networks and the growth of culture war politics, among other factors, have reshaped Floridas political identity. Floridas Republican state Sen. Randy Fine holds a victory party on April 1, 2025, in Ormond Beach, Fla. Joe Raedle/Getty Images The state that stopped swinging Although political strategists have historically considered Florida a swing state in presidential elections, it has consistently voted Republican since 1948. It has only voted for Democratic presidential candidates five times since 1964, for Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and twice for Barack Obama. President Donald Trump has won Florida three times in a row, most recently winning the 2024 election in all but six of Floridas 67 counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main battleground since 2000 has been the I-4 Corridor, which connects Tampa, Orlando and Daytona. In 2000, President George W. Bush won the corridor by 4,400 votes. Since Bush only won Florida by 537 votes, and thus the presidency, the area became a top priority for both political parties. Some Democrats have said Floridas political evolution happened gradually and then all at once. In 2012, there were almost 1.5 million more registered Democratic voters than Republicans in Florida. In 2020, Democrats advantage dropped to about 97,000. And by September 2024, there were almost 1 million more registered Republicans than Democrats. Steve Schale, the head of Obamas 2008 campaign in Florida, argues that this shift happened because the Democratic Party lost the support of some white voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have also actively courted Hispanic voters, while Democrats falsely believed that young Hispanics would inherently lean toward their party. This assumption has hurt the Democratic cause because, for example, some Hispanic voters in Florida, like many Cuban Americans, have long favored Republican. In fact, Trump performed so well with Hispanics in Florida in 2024 that it was the only state in which he received more of the Hispanic vote than Kamala Harris. State-level conservative success Florida has also had a Republican governor since 1998, a state Senate Republican majority since 1995 and a state House majority since 1997. This Republican dominance has only grown since Trumps 2016 election. In 2018, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received Trumps endorsement and went from being relatively unknown in the gubernatorial primaries to the Republican nominee. He ultimately assumed office in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, DeSantis has successfully passed a slew of laws and policies reflecting the conservative values of what he saw as the new Floridian electorate. For example, DeSantis passed a six-week abortion ban measure into law in 2023. With DeSantis approval, Floridas state Legislature also blocked diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state colleges in 2023 and banned lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity for public grade school students that same year. In 2023, the Florida governor also signed a law that allowed people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. The pandemic factor Some conservative political pundits and DeSantis supporters say that the governors COVID-19 policies are among the factors that have attracted newcomers to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost 300,000 people moved from out of state to Florida between April 2020 and April 2021, equal to roughly 903 people relocating to the state each day. The governor ordered Floridians to stay at home during April 2020, but many of his restrictions were lifted at the end of the month. DeSantis did not enforce mask mandates, vaccine requirements and other measures that were common in other states. During my fieldwork in Florida from 2022 through 2024, I met multiple people who moved to rural parts of the state because they did not want their lives to be severely restricted during the pandemic. One man in his early 50s stated, During COVID my wife and I realized how screwed we were if things got really bad. We hated the lockdowns and got scared about not having enough food. If things got really bad, we didnt want to trust other people, we wanted to be self-sufficient. So, we decided to get a place in the middle of the woods, on our own property, that we could go to if everything went to hell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This couple settled on moving from out of state to a rural area of Florida, where they thought they had the best chance of avoiding future lockdown restrictions. DeSantis policy successes and his freedom first response to the pandemic have been celebrated by conservatives nationally. Moms for Liberty members in Viera, Fla., protest student face mask mandates in 2023. Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gety Images Floridas home for the alt-right As Florida lawmakers have continued to push conservative policies since the pandemic, Florida-based activist groups like Moms for Liberty have mobilized to support and expand them. Moms for Liberty was founded in 2021 by three Florida former school board members who opposed COVID-19 regulations during the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moms for Liberty is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, and is focused on reshaping public school curriculum to exclude what its members see as woke themes, like sexual orientation. The group lobbied for the 2022 Parental Rights in Education Act and the Stop-Woke Act, referred to by critics as the Dont Say Gay law. This law restricts Florida classrooms from teaching kids in kindergarten through third grade about sexual orientation and gender identity, and also limits instruction on these subjects in higher grades. Florida has increasingly become a stronghold for other kinds of political activists, some of whom were instrumental in the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. Florida was home to 11.5% of the 716 people who were initially charged with participating in the Capitol riots. The most notable of these Jan. 6 arrests is Enrique Tarrio, a Miami native who has served as the symbolic leader of the Proud Boys, an alt-right Western chauvinist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alt-right activists are a minority of Floridas conservative population. In my fieldwork, I have spoken to many Florida conservatives who did not identify with the Proud Boys or other alt-right groups but were still sympathetic to many of their populist and conservative causes. No longer in play? Florida is now a major Republican stronghold with Floridians becoming increasingly prominent in national politics. Trumps Cabinet has 23 people 16 of them are connected to Florida. These include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who served as a senator in Florida, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, who served as Floridas state attorney general. Though some Democrats may feel optimistic about the special election results, they have lost the Sunshine State, at least for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Alexander Lowie, University of Florida Read more: Alexander Lowie 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. ORLANDO, Fla. The Kissimmee police officer whose brutal beating of a man two years ago sparked a scandal in his department pleaded guilty Friday to felony battery, witness tampering and official misconduct. Officer Andrew Baseggio now faces up to two years behind bars and must surrender his law enforcement certification, according to the plea agreement read in Osceola County court. The beating, the false report he wrote about the incident and the culture of cover-up grand jurors said led his superiors to hide his actions and give him only an eight-hour suspension eventually led to the resignation of the then-chief of the Kissimmee Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baseggio, hired as a patrol officer at KPD in 2007, was accompanied in the courtroom by his attorney Jay Rooth as Judge Keith Carsten read out his guilty plea. They hustled out of the courthouse once the hearing concluded and did not comment to reporters. In exchange for his plea, he can be sentenced to far less time in prison than the 40 years he initially faced. He will not be sentenced for another two months pending a court investigation. As part of his plea, two other charges he faced solicitation of perjury and misdemeanor battery will be dropped. The plea also requires that he testify regarding any criminal activity as requested by the state, though it is not clear for what investigation prosecutors might want his testimony. Representatives of Kissimmee Police Department and the Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case began with an April 2023 call about a disturbance at a home on Brack Street. Body-worn camera video showed Baseggio illegally entered without a warrant and then brutally beat 44-year-old Sean Kastner by kneeing him in the face and stunning him with a Taser seven times. He was then taken to a hospital with lacerations on his face and a nasal bone fracture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baseggio later wrote an incident report that did not accurately describe what happened and then, following an internal investigation, was given an eight-hour suspension for the beating. The incident went unaddressed until prosecutors learned what happened from a TV news report. They then took the case before the grand jury, which returned an indictment against Baseggio. The grand jurys 34-page report questioned the credibility of 11 officers at KPD along with its top brass, including Chief Betty Holland. She resigned days ahead of the reports public release. The report accused Holland of not being truthful with prosecutors investigating the beating and found she had blocked attempts at a criminal investigation into Baseggios actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers who conducted the internal investigation sought to downplay the incident by falsely accusing Kastner of kicking at Baseggio, an effort to call the beating objectively reasonable, the grand jury found. Holland had also kept Baseggio informed about the progress of outside investigations, which the report said allowed him to seek to influence the testimony of fellow officers. Then-State Attorney Andrew Bain presented the grand jurys report in October, telling reporters on the steps of the Osceola County Courthouse that the investigation into the officer was compromised from the beginning. So we went back and re-interviewed a lot of those witnesses who were inside of that investigation, and it turned out that many of the things they said were falsified, he said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors also determined KPD ran afoul of Florida law by not reporting to state authorities 15 excessive force cases involving other officers or Baseggio, a lapse stretching back a decade. The reporting of those cases was later rectified but yielded no charges against the accused officers. After Hollands resignation, city officials quickly replaced her with Orange County Sheriffs Office Maj. Robert Anzueto, who served as interim chief while OCSO conducted its own investigation into the Kissimmee department. Anzueto recused himself from that probe but moved to reform agency policies regarding internal investigations and other matters highlighted by the grand jury. Where the Sheriffs Office investigation stands is unclear. On April 1, Charles Broadway, the former Clermont police chief, was sworn in as Hollands permanent replacement and tasked with rebuilding the departments reputation. _____ JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Phil Roe spent six terms as the congressman for the First District of Tennessee. He served on the Veterans Affairs Committee and passed several bills to benefit veterans and servicemembers. I went to Leader [John] Boehner, and I said, Look, I need to be on the Veterans Affairs Committee,' the former congressman recalled. And he said, Why? I said, Im a physician. Im a veteran. I did some of my training in a [Veterans Affairs] hospital, and Ive seen VA patients. I said, I need to be on that committee. Roe was one of the last people drafted in the Vietnam War. He was in medical school, and his orders to go to Da Nang were deferred, so he ended up in Korea instead. He was the captain of the medical battalion in the 2nd Infantry Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were three of us young doctors that were in charge of taking the healthcare of an infantry division with 10,000 men in it. He got out of the Army in 1975 and continued with medical school. Roe became one of the regions most well-known OB-GYNs. He spent some time in local government before heading to the nations capital. When we put our folks at risk like that, then I think as a country, were obligated to take care of any potential problems that they have in the future, he said. Those who were boots on the ground and part of the brown water navy in Vietnam were already presumed to have exposure to Agent Orange. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It turned out that the Blue Water people, the people were on ships that serviced the aircraft and so forth, drank the water they desalinated, were not included. And that was the Blue Water Navy bill. The bill also included those in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, near where Roe was. We should have figured out something. When you spray it on a leaf and it wilts- thats probably not going to be good for you if youre attached to it. But we didnt have all that, he said. It just took time to realize this. And then we had to appropriate the money. Its very expensive. The road to the bills passage was not easy. The former doctor spent hours going through studies while working on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were two studies that were done, one a Russian study, and one was an Australian study. Im probably the only guy to ever read both of them, he said. I couldnt come to a conclusion about whether it was presumptive or actually helped cause something or not. And I said, okay, if Ive looked at this, the only evidence we have, and I cant determine scientifically whether it does or doesnt, Im going on the side of the serviceman and woman. Thats what Im going to do. It took 10 years to get the bill passed. And when it finally went through in 2019, there were fewer than 90,000 blue water navy service members left. You have to be pretty bullheaded to stay with something that long and what people dont realize is that every congress you have to start all over again, Roe said. So every two years I had to restart this process and try to convince people it took that long to get it done. But we got it done. Join News Channel 11 on Friday at 5 p.m. as we continue our series on The Vietnam War: 50 Years Later. And this Saturday, you can watch Vietnam War: A Lost Generation at noon. 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. JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A new restaurant in Johnson City has been shut down by the health department. Foodies Restaurant, located on Reynolds Road in the same building as Mooneys, has a notice of closure taped to its front door dated April 15th. There is also a hand-written note on the door from owner Hassan Wraich indicating that the restaurant will be reopening soon, once it is inspected by the health department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Director of Environmental Health at the Broome County Health Department Joshua Phelps tells News 34 that Foodies did not pass its initial pre-operational inspection and began serving food without a permit, prompting the closure. According to social media postings, Wraich is a recent immigrant from Germany who plans to offer a variety of dishes, including German fare, Halal dishes, pizza and more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. TOKYO - A Japanese court on Friday ordered the Japanese unit of online retail giant Amazon.com Inc. to pay 35 million yen ($244,000) in damages for failing to take measures to stop sellers from offering fake products on its platform. The focus of the trial at the Tokyo District Court was on the degree of obligation Amazon Japan G.K. has to police listings, and how much effort it must make to identify and remove counterfeit goods. Medical equipment manufacturer Try and E Co. and its distributor Excel Plan Co. sought 280 million yen in damages against Amazon Japan, claiming that their sales declined due to the availability of counterfeit items. Presiding Judge Yuko Shintani said Amazon is obliged to take effective measures against counterfeits, noting that it failed to stop listings of such products despite being made aware of them. Try and E and distributor Excel Plan, both based in Kobe, filed the lawsuit over pulse oximeters for measuring blood oxygen levels. Only Excel Plan was compensated. "The ruling was a landmark in terms of acknowledging the obligation to build an appropriate (authentication) system, as businesses practically have no other option but to use platforms such as that of Amazon," a lawyer representing the plaintiffs said. The pulse oximeters concerned are developed and manufactured by Try and E, and distributed exclusively by Excel Plan. According to the suit, Excel Plan was selling a pulse oximeter on Amazon in 2021 while another seller listed a counterfeit item on the same page at about 10 percent of the price of the genuine product. Since the Amazon system promotes goods with the lowest price, the fake product was more visible on the site, it said. Excel Plan reported the situation and requested Amazon take appropriate action, but the page listing the genuine oximeter was deleted and the company was unable to sell it, according to the suit. Related coverage: Japan tells Google to stop antitrust practice over smartphone app Japan's digital deficit hits record 6.5 trillion yen as U.S. tech reigns People in Japan scammed out of record figure on social media in 2024 Forecasters on Friday warned low humidity and gusty wind increased the risk that fire could develop across parts of New Jersey, Philadelphia and its suburbs and Delaware as firefighters continued to battle a vast wildfire in the Pine Barrens. The National Weather Service discouraged any outdoor burning with low humidity, temperatures reaching near 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and southerly winds that could gust up to 20 mph (32 kph) across a swath of the Mid-Atlantic. There's a chance of rain over the weekend in the region, where officials said fires also burned uncontained in Pennsylvania on Friday. In its most recent update, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said about 60% of the fire spread over nearly 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) in the southern part of the state was contained. No injuries or deaths have been reported, but buildings have burned along with cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspect is arrested in connection with wildfire Officials have charged a 19-year-old man from the area with starting the blaze that led to the wildfire. Prosecutors on Thursday said Joseph Kling, 19, from Waretown, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with arson and aggravated arson, saying he lit wooden pallets on fire and left the area before they were fully put out. A public defender representing him during the hearing said she had nothing further when asked by a judge. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender cannot comment on pending cases at this early stage of the legal process, other than to remind everyone that individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law," said Cristina LiBassi a spokesperson with the Office of the Public Defender in an email Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attempts to reach Kling by phone were not successful. Blaze first spotted when smoke appears amid the pines Authorities first spotted the blaze Tuesday morning from a fire tower when a smoke column appeared amid the pines. Law enforcement said they used a GPS to plot the origin of the fire and determined the cause was a bonfire that hadnt been put out. Speaking Thursday afternoon at a news conference, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said we can confidently say that we think the fire was set intentionally. He declined further comment on why authorities believe the man they arrested was responsible and other matters related to the investigation since it remains ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's forest fire season in the pinelands, a wilderness that encompasses more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) an area roughly as large as the Grand Canyon. Firefighters are contending with low humidity and the aftermath of a monthslong drought in the region. New Jersey is most densely populated state New Jersey is the nations most densely populated state and officials have warned the fire could threaten developments nearby, although parts of the Pine Barrens are uninhabited. The fire had grown to more than 23.8 square miles (about 62 square kilometers) on Thursday. Officials said the fire is believed to be the second-worst in recent years in New Jersey, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim and Lenore Thoms, who own a business in an industrial park near the blaze, called the fire a very scary experience and praised the efforts of firefighters. The firefighters were phenomenal, they saved this whole park, Jim Thoms said. If they werent around, the way things were going on, you might not have seen any buildings at all. The fire is roughly 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of New York City. Its about 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Philadelphia. Firefighters also battle blazes in Pennsylvania Some 115 miles (186 kilometers) to the west of Philadelphia in south-central Pennsylvania, firefighters battled two fires around Michaux State Forest covering a combined 2.1 square miles (5.4 square kilometers), authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Pennsylvanias Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said warm, dry conditions and winds made the fires difficult to contain, although no structures had yet been consumed by midday Friday. On Thursday, New York officials warned of higher-than-normal pollution levels were possible in New York City, Rockland and Westchester counties, and in Long Islands Nassau and Suffolk counties. Officials said New Jersey's fire is believed to be the second-worst in recent years, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers). Video released by the state agency overseeing the fire service showed billowing white and black clouds of smoke, intense flames engulfing pines and firefighters dousing a charred structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pine Barrens sit between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east. In the region with quick-draining sandy soil and trees with still-developing leaves, humidity remains low and winds can kick up, drying out the forest floor. ___ Associated Press journalists Tassanee Vejpongsa in Waretown, New Jersey, and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania contributed to this report. Forecasters on Friday warned low humidity and gusty wind increased the risk that fire could develop across parts of New Jersey, Philadelphia and its suburbs and Delaware as firefighters continued to battle a vast wildfire in the Pine Barrens. The National Weather Service discouraged any outdoor burning with low humidity, temperatures reaching near 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and southerly winds that could gust up to 20 mph (32 kph) across a swath of the Mid-Atlantic. Theres a chance of rain over the weekend in the region, where officials said fires also burned uncontained in Pennsylvania on Friday. In its most recent update, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said about half of the fire spread over nearly 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) in the southern part of the state was contained. No injuries or deaths have been reported, but buildings have burned along with cars. Officials have charged a 19-year-old man from the area with starting the blaze that led to the wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors on Thursday said Joseph Kling, 19, from Waretown, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with arson and aggravated arson, saying he lit wooden pallets on fire and left the area before they were fully put out. A public defender representing him during the hearing said she had nothing further when asked by a judge. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender cannot comment on pending cases at this early stage of the legal process, other than to remind everyone that individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law, said Cristina LiBassi a spokesperson with the Office of the Public Defender in an email Friday. Attempts to reach Kling by phone were not successful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities first spotted the blaze Tuesday morning from a fire tower when a smoke column appeared amid the pines. Law enforcement said they used a GPS to plot the origin of the fire and determined the cause was a bonfire that hadnt been put out. Speaking Thursday afternoon at a news conference, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said we can confidently say that we think the fire was set intentionally. He declined further comment on why authorities believe the man they arrested was responsible and other matters related to the investigation since it remains ongoing. Its forest fire season in the pinelands, a wilderness that encompasses more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) an area roughly as large as the Grand Canyon. Firefighters are contending with low humidity and the aftermath of a monthslong drought in the region. New Jersey is the nations most densely populated state and officials have warned the fire could threaten developments nearby, although parts of the Pine Barrens are uninhabited. The fire had grown to more than 23.8 square miles (about 62 square kilometers) on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the fire is believed to be the second-worst in recent years in New Jersey, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers). Jim and Lenore Thoms, who own a business in an industrial park near the blaze, called the fire a very scary experience and praised the efforts of firefighters. The firefighters were phenomenal, they saved this whole park, Jim Thoms said. If they werent around, the way things were going on, you might not have seen any buildings at all. The fire is roughly 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of New York City. Its about 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 115 miles (186 kilometers) to the west of Philadelphia in south-central Pennsylvania, firefighters battled two fires around Michaux State Forest covering a combined 2.1 square miles (5.4 square kilometers), authorities said. A spokesman for Pennsylvanias Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said warm, dry conditions and winds made the fires difficult to contain, although no structures had yet been consumed by midday Friday. On Thursday, New York officials warned of higher-than-normal pollution levels were possible in New York City, Rockland and Westchester counties, and in Long Islands Nassau and Suffolk counties. Officials said New Jerseys fire is believed to be the second-worst in recent years, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video released by the state agency overseeing the fire service showed billowing white and black clouds of smoke, intense flames engulfing pines and firefighters dousing a charred structure. The Pine Barrens sit between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east. In the region with quick-draining sandy soil and trees with still-developing leaves, humidity remains low and winds can kick up, drying out the forest floor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 former president of the Pageland Chamber of Commerce was charged on Thursday, officials with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division stated. ALSO READ: Man in custody after standoff, allegedly shooting at SC officers Timothy Dewayne Griffin, 63, was charged with three counts of breach of trust with fraudulent intent with a value $10,000 or more. Griffin is accused of wrongfully using money belonging to the Pageland Chamber of Commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged crimes happened from 2021 to 2023, according to an arrest warrant. Griffin was booked into the Chesterfield County Detention Center. The Pageland Police Department requested that SLED investigate the case. VIDEO: Man arrested in connection with dog fighting ring near Pageland, sheriff says SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) There are new charges in the investigation into a former Sioux Falls day care worker. When we first told you about Chelsea Struss last week, she was facing four counts of child abuse. Now, she faces 18 counts. Witnesses called in Sioux Falls murder trial According to an amended complaint, Struss is now accused of abusing 7 toddlers, some of them multiple times on the same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are told Struss is no longer employed at NXT Gen Kidz Day Care She is scheduled to be back in court 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 KELOLAND.com. ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) A former Disney World employee was sentenced to three years in federal prison for hacking into Walt Disney Worlds computer system to manipulate menu information. In July 2024, Disney became aware of a former employee, Michael Scheuer, 40, accessing their menu system following his termination from the company a month prior, according to NBC affiliate WESH,. Scheuer, who worked for Disney as Menu Product Manager, was accused of hacking into their system over three months and manipulating menus in various ways that included changing prices, adding profanity, and altering the allergen information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida stated that a judge sentenced Scheuer to three years in federal prison on Friday and ordered him to pay $687,776.50 in restitution. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that Scheuer altered wine regions detailed on the menus to reference the locations of mass shootings. He also targeted employees in an attempt to lock them out of their company accounts. Reporters said that Scheuer pleaded guilty to all charges on Jan. 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. TRINIDAD, Texas (KETK) A Southeast Texas man was sentenced on Thursday to federal prison after stealing funds from Trinidad ISD to purchase trips to Walt Disney World. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Texas, Brandon Delane Looney, 39, of Orange, pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds and was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Officials said Looney stole almost $340,000 from Trinidad ISD between 2017 and 2023 while serving as Trinidad ISDs business manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rusk man sentenced to life in prison after robbing, killing elderly man in 2022 Looney used the stolen funds to purchase personal trips to Walt Disney World and on spending sprees at the Disney Store, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Trinidad ISD is one of the poorest school districts in Texas and suffered adverse financial consequences as a result of Looneys theft. Looney worked with the Financial Litigation Unit to liquidate his available assets, including his home, to pay $200,000 of the restitution before sentencing, officials said. The remaining balance of the restitution judgment will be collectible for 20 years after Looney is out of prison. Federal law makes it a crime for someone to steal from an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal funds annually, officials 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. George Santos became a punch line to an unfortunate joke before his career on Capitol Hill even began. In December 2022, just weeks before he was sworn in as a member of Congress, the New York Republican was exposed as a prolific liar, having created a detailed personal narrative that bore no resemblance to reality. But it wasnt long before Santos troubles grew considerably worse: The GOP politician wasnt just a fabulist, he was also a criminal. Five months into his congressional career, the Justice Department charged the then-congressman with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. Soon after, prosecutors filed additional charges against Santos, accusing him of, among other things, identity theft and charging a supporters credit card and then transferring the money to his personal bank account. He was ultimately expelled from Congress a rarity in American history and though Santos initially pleaded not guilty and professed his innocence, the case against him ultimately proved overwhelming. Last summer, as part of a plea deal with prosecutors, the former congressman pleaded guilty to two counts wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and agreed to pay restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now hes going to prison. NBC News reported: A federal judge in New York sentenced former Rep. George Santos to over seven years in prison Friday. Prosecutors had urged U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert to throw the book at Santos, the disgraced former Republican congressman, to reflect the seriousness of Santoss unparalleled crimes. The sentence was entirely in line with expectations. Indeed, the night before he was sentenced, Santos told The New York Times, Right now, my expectation is Im going to prison for 87 months. Im totally resigned. The developments would appear to bring this sad saga to an end, though there's still some question about a possible presidential pardon. Earlier this month, for example, Santos responded to a question about whether he planned to ask Donald Trump for a pardon, and the disgraced former lawmaker said, You bet your sweet a-- I would. Indeed, the night before sentencing, Santos appeared on a conservative media outlet called OANN, where former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz asked about the prospect of a presidential rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent petitioned the president for a pardon, Santos said. A lot of people keep asking me this, but obviously, if the president were to extend one, Id be humbly grateful, because hed be taking a major weight off my back. He added, But again, I hope hopes the last to die like, I can hope for many things, and I do hope that hopefully he takes a look at me, too. Trump hasn't made any public comments of late about Santos' scandals, though as we were reminded again this week, the incumbent president has repeatedly come to the aid of former Republican congressmen convicted of corruption. Watch this space. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Former Hennepin County District Judge Jay Quam, who retired last month, has been publicly reprimanded by the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards after its investigation concluded he engaged in a sexual relationship with his law clerk and made inappropriate and sexually suggestive comments to other clerks. Quam was appointed to the Fourth Judicial District bench in 2006 and stepped aside March 7 in the midst of the boards investigation, which concluded that he violated the Minnesota Judicial Councils harassment policy. The board began the investigation after receiving a complaint concerning Quams conduct. He cooperated with the case and did not demand a formal complaint and public hearing. He admitted that he engaged in the misconduct outlined in the public reprimand, which was issued Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quam, 62, did not return a Friday phone call seeking comment. The reprimand notes that Quam agrees to refrain from making any public statement that tends to justify, excuse, or contradict the facts, conclusion, or determinations of the investigation. The reprimand says Quam engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with his law clerk for a period of time of her employment. The judge and clerk were seen by court employees and justice partners in and around the courthouse without any apparent business reason, the reprimand says. Several years after she left the job, the relationship was renewed and continued until recently. In 2022 and early 2023, on at least three occasions, a court staff person overheard explicit sounds of sexual activity while Quam and his former clerk were in his chambers. Within the past year, an attorney saw Quam and his former clerk canoodling outside the courthouse, sitting close together with hands on each others knees, the reprimand says. Inappropriate comments Quams inappropriate comments to other clerks included telling one that he would like to go to happy hour with her to see another side of her after a few drinks, according to the reprimand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While looking another clerk up and down, Quam said, Yeah, you definitely have a runners body. Quam commented to a clerk that she looked great for just having a baby. He commented on clerks clothing in an awkward or flirtatious way, and offered compliments about food intake and appearance. One clerk estimated that Quam made 50 to 60 inappropriate comments to her during her employment. Quam would also stand unnecessarily close to clerks, or leer at them in a way that made them feel uncomfortable. Substantial harm In response to Quams conduct, clerks began to wear longer skirts, avoided his invitations to coffee or lunch and acted in an extra-professional way to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clerks are fearful that Judge Quam may have an impact on their career and expressed uncertainty about including him as a reference, the reprimand says. Quam has otherwise enjoyed a good reputation throughout his career and does not have a disciplinary record with the board, according to the reprimand. However, the degree of notoriety and effect of his misconduct has damaged the publics confidence in the integrity of the judiciary, it continues. Judge Quams misconduct was serious and caused substantial harm to the court clerks and staff. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Quam had not retired, the board may have sought more serious discipline, the reprimand says. Established by the state legislature in 1972, the Board on Judicial Standards is an independent state agency made up of volunteer members four judges, four public members and two lawyers that responds to allegations that may violate the Code of Judicial Conduct. Violations include improper courtroom behavior, gender or racial bias, conflicts of interests or other improprieties. Besides a reprimand, the board can recommend that the state Supreme Court remove a judge. Quam is not the first Minnesota judge to be reprimanded over sexual harassment. In 1989, the state Supreme Court suspended Ramsey County District Judge Alberto Miera for one year for allegedly making sexual advances to his court reporter. A former manager at a Jimmy John's in Iowa City has pleaded guilty and been placed on probation for two years after police say she lost more than $8,000 in cash. Jillian Begg, 46, was arrested in October for third-degree fraudulent practice when the owner of the Dodge Street Jimmy John's discovered $8,468 was missing during a routine audit of the store's accounts. Begg pleaded guilty to the aggravated misdemeanor on April 7, which includes a fine roughly equal to the amount of the store's deposits that Begg allegedly lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Federal restraining order says UI students cannot be deported, demands status reinstatement Begg was originally charged with second-degree fraudulent practice, a Class "D" felony in Iowa. As part of her plea agreement, the charge was reduced. Jimmy Johns is pictured near Dodge Street Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. In her plea, Begg requested a deferred judgment, two years of probation and an $855 fine, the minimum allowable fine under Iowa law for an aggravated misdemeanor. She also agreed to pay "all victim restitution," though exact amounts are not specified in court documents. More: Former Iowa City Jimmy John's manager facing felony charge for allegedly losing $8K Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court has accepted Begg's guilty plea and ordered a deferred judgment. Former store manager says money was stolen from her car After the audit in August, the store owner contacted Begg, who was the then-store manager. She allegedly admitted that she had "lost the money." According to a criminal complaint, Begg told police she didn't deposit the store's income in May, which was part of her daily duties. In early June, Begg allegedly gathered the nearly $8,500 in deposits in a bag and put them in her vehicle "with the intent of depositing the money." That evening, she said she stopped "at a couple of stores" on her way home and "again forgot" to deposit the money, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: $35M UIowa project will raze, move Center for Disabilities and Development. What to know: The next morning, police say Begg "remembered "the money was in her car and intended to deposit it, but discovered the money "was no longer there." Begg told police the money was stolen while she was shopping the night before. Authorities noted that there were no visible signs of forced entry, although Begg said her power locks were not working. Police believe Begg 'altered' deposit slips Begg told police that she "altered" Jimmy John's deposit slips in July and August in "an attempt to conceal the lost money," changing the dates to previous ones in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An employee confirmed to the Press-Citizen last October that Begg is no longer employed by the Dodge Street Jimmy John's. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Former Iowa Jimmy John's manager placed on probation for 'losing' $8k The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan mulls expanding imports of soybeans, corn in U.S. tariff talks TOKYO - The Japanese government is considering increasing imports of U.S. soybeans and corn as part of ongoing negotiations with Washington over U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on automobiles, steel, aluminum and other goods, a government source said Friday. Japan is looking to step in and take up excess supply created by falling U.S. exports of the two crops to China due to heightened trade friction between Washington and Beijing. By doing so, it hopes to win exemptions from U.S. tariffs, the source said. ---------- Japan main opposition party aims to cut tax on food as election looms TOKYO - Japan's major opposition party said Friday it wants the consumption tax rate on food items to be scrapped for a year, ahead of a crucial parliamentary election this summer. The country is bracing for the prospect of persisting inflation and a hit from higher U.S. tariffs, prompting political parties, to a varying degree, to consider the feasibility of reducing the current 10-percent consumption tax to appease voters in the run-up to the House of Councillors election. ---------- Amazon Japan ordered to pay 35 mil. yen for allowing listing of fakes TOKYO - A Japanese court on Friday ordered the Japanese unit of online retail giant Amazon.com Inc. to pay 35 million yen ($244,000) in damages for failing to take measures to stop sellers from offering fake products on its platform. The focus of the trial at the Tokyo District Court was on the degree of obligation Amazon Japan G.K. has to police listings, and how much effort it must make to identify and remove counterfeit goods. ---------- Japan's FY 2023 greenhouse gas emissions hit record low for 2nd year TOKYO - Japan's greenhouse gas emissions fell to a record low in fiscal 2023 for the second straight year on the back of reduced manufacturing activity and a greater share for renewable and nuclear energy in power generation, the government said Friday. National emissions in the year through March 2024 totaled 1.07 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, down 4 percent from fiscal 2022 and marking the lowest level since comparable data became available in fiscal 1990. ---------- Japan's emperor conveys condolences over death of Pope Francis TOKYO - Japan's Emperor Naruhito has conveyed the imperial family's condolences over the death of Pope Francis to the acting head of the Vatican, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday. The emperor sent the message on Wednesday from himself, Empress Masako, and his parents, former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, the agency said. ---------- March duty-free sales at Japan dept. stores fall, 1st drop in 3 yrs TOKYO - Duty-free sales at department stores across Japan dropped 10.7 percent in March from a year earlier to 44.2 billion yen ($308.4 million) due to a stronger yen and falling consumer confidence on concerns over a global recession, an industry body said Friday. The data marks the first monthly decline since March 2022 despite the number of inbound customers hitting a record high for the month. Spending per capita sank by 21.3 percent, according to the Japan Department Stores Association. ---------- Pakistan retaliates after India closes border, suspends water treaty ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI - Pakistan has announced a series of retaliatory steps against India after New Delhi closed the main border crossing, suspended a river water sharing treaty and imposed other punitive measures following a deadly militant attack in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir. India has blamed Pakistan for the incident that occurred in the disputed region Tuesday and killed 25 Indians and one Nepalese. Pakistan denies any involvement, and a local militant group has claimed responsibility. ---------- Incoming Seven & i CEO vows faster decision-making amid buyout threat TOKYO - Seven & i Holdings Co.'s incoming CEO Stephen Dacus has vowed to speed up decision-making at the Japanese retailer group to increase its corporate value with continuing takeover interest from Canadian rival Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Speaking at a recent media briefing, Dacus, who will take over the top role from Ryuichi Isaka on May 27, said that under his management, decision-making will be team-oriented, emphasizing that the company plans to shift away from the traditional top-down style the company has long operated under. Video: Divers take carp streamers swimming in sea in Wakayama WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Two Wichita business owners are living proof that opposites really do attract. Its their differences that sparked a friendship thats lasted a lifetime. Jeff Baker, a former El Dorado police officer, and Kelly Tunnell, a man who served a prison sentence in Colorado. Both said they were looking for a fresh start, getting away from the trauma they dealt with daily by starting a small business. That is when they met at a job site, not knowing the impact they would have on each other. Its really rare to find two people who are taking their entire life and trying to change it through service to others, Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negatively impacting his life at home, Baker said what he saw during his police shifts was leading him down a dark path. He turned in his gun in exchange for a mower and started a landscape company, not knowing hed meet someone who would get the trauma he dealt with during his time in law enforcement. Both share an understanding of just how hard the streets can be; we both can come together and help make sure we keep those things in the past, said Baker. On the flip side, Tunnell said his life was beaten down by drugs and alcohol, which led to a lengthy prison sentence. He, too, started a small business to leave that life behind. He said he was guarded when the two first met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Touchy deal for me at first, Im like, Ah man, this guys an ex-cop, and I was in prison. Whats he going to think of me?' Tunnell, who owns Kansas Tree Experts, said. Faith in a new friend, a sense of understanding that felt genuine. The two felt comfortable talking to each other about their life problems. Anchor Inn founder dies, family hopes to continue legacy in Hutchinson He didnt judge me by that; what he did was listen to me, and he gave me a shot, Tunnell said. Neither decline a phone call at odd hours; they say a bond is rare. There are a lot of people that will talk with you, but there are only a few people you can have true, deep conversations with that dont leave that phone call and can listen and understand. When you find those people, its time to connect, Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tunnell said his tree-cutting service employs those who are now sober and looking for that second chance. He plans to release a book in the coming months about his experiences. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A former New Mexico judge and his wife were arrested Thursday after federal law enforcement learned that their tenant, an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member, was arrested at the judges home. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Joel Cano and his wife Nancy Cano were taken into custody at a home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, said Jason T. Stevens, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso. Alleged Tren de Aragua gang member arrested at Dona Ana County judges home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cano and his wife were booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on a charge of tampering with evidence, with no bond. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano (Homeland Security) Nancy Cano (Homeland Security) Cano rented out his casita to Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged Tren de Aragua member, at the behest of his wife last year, Nexstars KTSM previously reported. They met Ortega-Lopez when his wife hired him to do housework, according to a criminal complaint. The District Attorneys Office said Canos daughter had multiple firearms and let Ortega-Lopez hold, shoot and pose with them in pictures that were posted on social media. The feds seized those firearms and arrested Ortega-Lopez in February. Homeland Security Investigations said Ortega-Lopez admitted to entering the country illegally in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens said HSI in Las Cruces is continuing with the ongoing investigation and came back to the judges home with an additional search warrant to recover additional evidence on the case, which resulted in two arrests. Initially, we came back here to arrest his wife, and as we started conducting our interviews and started looking at evidence, we subsequently arrested Mr. Cano as well, Stevens said. Stevens also confirmed that Ortega-Lopez was not the only one living at the house, saying there were three individuals in the home. All three of them, we believe, are alleged members of [Tren de Aragua]. Obviously, we continue just to focus on the totality of the investigation instead of just zeroing out on them, Stevens said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens said the two other alleged gang members are in custody. Its unknown if Cano or his wife knew of Ortega-Lopez or the other two individuals alleged gang affiliation. A spokesperson with ICE sent the following statement regarding the arrest of Canos wife: On April 24, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and probable cause arrest at a residence in the 1200 block of North Reymond Street in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Homeland Security Investigations special agents working with federal law enforcement partners took Nancy Cano into custody as part of an ongoing HSI-led criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents obtained by KTSM, the New Mexico Supreme Court and Third Judicial District Court received Canos resignation letter on March 31. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will appoint a new judge who will serve out his term through 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. NEW YORK Republican fraudster George Santos, whose congressional career famously collapsed under the staggering weight of his lies and criminal schemes, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Friday in a Long Island courtroom for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The sentence marks the end of a staggering fall for the disgraced Queens politician, who broke down in tears in Central Islip federal court when Judge Joanna Seybert announced the length of his prison term. Santos, wearing a gray suit with a blue sweater and tie, was also ordered to pay $373,749 in restitution to his victims, and $205,002.07 in forfeiture, which will also go to his victims, prosecutors said. He was told to surrender to the court on July 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I offer my deepest apologies, Santos said in a statement inside the courtroom. I take responsibility for my actions. I was wrong ... he said, wiping his eyes. I cant rewrite the past but I can control the road ahead. Seybert countered by asking, Wheres your remorse? Where do I see it? Mr. Santos, words have consequences, she added, noting it was his lies that got him elected to Congress. I have sympathy for you ... what are you gonna do the next decade of your life? she asked. Youre a bright man, Mr. Santos. There is no reason why you have to commit crimes to support yourself. Santos nodded while crying as his attorney Andrew Mancilla put his hand on Santos back to comfort him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos received the full sentence of 87 months that prosecutors were seeking for a string of scams, including stealing the identities of 11 people to falsely report tens of thousands of dollars in donations to his campaign, using his donors credit card information to buy designer clothes and pay personal debts, and tricking donors into giving to a nonprofit that led to his personal bank account. His lawyers, citing a litany of childhood and personal problems including mental illness, had asked for the mandatory minimum of two years. Outside the courthouse, John Durham, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said Santos had engaged in a brazen crime spree in which he cheated and lied to a litany of victims that included political supporters, constituents, the Republican Party, Congress and several government agencies. From the moment he declared his candidacy for Congress, Santos leveraged his campaign for his own enrichment and financial benefit, Durham said. He did this by targeting specific supporters and constituents. He saw them as easy marks, and he made them victims of his fraud. Santos victims were real people, and they suffered real losses. He went so far as to seek out elderly people who suffered from cognitive impairment and dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But today, finally, Santos has been held accountable for his years of fraud, deceit and theft. Hes going to federal prison, and hes going to be punished for his staggering fraud and the abuses he put on our electoral process. Santos, 36, became a national punchline within weeks of his 2022 election to the House of Representatives, when The New York Times started pulling on the threads of his personal biography. His numerous fabrications including claims that he graduated from Baruch College and attended New York University, and that he was once employed by Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. At one point he said he was Jewish and that his grandparents fled the Holocaust, but that claim also fell apart under scrutiny. But Santos fantasy-filled profile became a criminal matter in 2023, when federal prosecutors indicted him on a long list of charges. From the start, legal experts described prosecutors case as a slam dunk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House of Representatives expelled him in December 2023, and in August, Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, three weeks before he was set to go to trial. In a letter to Seybert, Santos lawyers laid out a very different biography than the one he tried to sell to voters and campaign donors. His father had high drinking proclivities and his mother gambled frequently, his lawyers wrote, and the two divorced in 2000. He moved to Brazil with his mother and sister after fourth grade, and when he returned to New York, he attended William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens for just a month in 2004, before leaving because he was being bullied by older students, his lawyers wrote. He got a high school equivalency diploma in 2006. His lawyers also described Santos struggle with mental illness, including a voluntary committal in 2013 or 2014, and touched on problems with alcohol consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But federal prosecutors countered last week that Santos social media activity shows he remains unrepentant for his crimes. They pointed out an April 4 post on X where he wrote, No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit. In even more posts, he called himself a scapegoat and said Department of Justice officials refuse to prosecute the cabal of pedophiles running around in every power structure in the world including the U.S. government. Santos tried to explain himself in an over-the-top letter to the judge Saturday. Every sunrise since that plea has carried the same realization: I did this, me. I am responsible, he wrote. 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 One of Santos victims wasnt swayed by his teary apologies, calling it crocodile tears. That wasnt real. Hes not remorseful, said Richard Osthoff, 49, a veteran who has accused Santos of raising $3,000 for his sick dog Sapphire, then stealing the money. The dog later died when she couldnt get the life-saving surgery, Osthoff claims. Hes crying because he knows hes getting bitten in the a-- and hes got to go away now, said Osthoff, who had earlier lunged at the Jeep SUV Santos was escorted away in, yelling, You killed my dog ... F--- you! Thats the only reason he had any tears in his eyes. Its fake, like everything else about him. _____ George Santos, whose surprise political ascent to winning a New York congressional seat ended in what prosecutors called a mountain of lies, theft, and fraud, was sentenced Friday to more than seven years in prison. Where is the remorse? U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert asked Santos the host of a podcast called "Pants on Fire" before sentencing him to 87 months behind bars and ordering him to pay almost $374,000 in restitution and over $200,000 in forfeiture. Santos, 36, had pleaded guilty in August of last year to charges of committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, conduct that prosecutors said was part of a yearslong scheme that preyed upon the campaign finance system and his own political party, donors and family members in order to line his own pockets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was ordered to surrender by July 25. Follow live politics coverage here Seybert handed down the sentence after Santos made a tearful plea for mercy and acknowledged he'd "betrayed the confidence" of his constituents. The judge did not appear moved by Santos' sobs. She said she doesn't like sending people to jail, but Santos was fully deserving of the lengthy sentence. In a social media post Friday night, Santos criticized the judge's sentence and called on Trump to intervene. I believe that 7 years is an over the top politically influenced sentence and I implore that President Trump gives me a chance to prove Im more than the mistakes Ive made, Santos wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night. Santos added in his post that he offers his deepest apology and that he had asked the court for a sentence that balanced accountability with the chance to prove through sustained, measurable action that I can still contribute positively to the community I wronged. Santos attorneys had urged Seybert to sentence him to the minimum of two years. His conduct, though involving dishonesty and abuse of trust, stemmed largely from a misguided desperation related to his political campaign, rather than inherent malice, his attorneys contended in a court filing, noting that he had no criminal history. Moreover, the public nature of this case and Mr. Santoss fall from a position of public trust serve as a stark warning to others who might contemplate similar offenses, their filing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked this month on his podcast whether he planned to ask President Donald Trump for a pardon, Santos said, You bet your sweet a-- I would. In an interview with NY1 this week, Santos said he hadnt reached out to Trump, but he added that he believes the president is aware of my situation. If he feels like Im worthy of a commutation or of clemency or whatever the case is, he can make that decision, he said. Former Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, on Friday in Central Islip, N.Y. John J. Durham, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, called the sentence "justice" after the hearing, and said Santos was "finally held accountable for the mountain of lies, theft, and fraud he perpetrated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For the defendant, it was judgment day, and for his many victims including campaign donors, political parties, government agencies, elected bodies, his own family members, and his constituents, it is justice, Durham said. Prosecutors had urged Seybert to throw the book at the disgraced former Republican congressman to "reflect the seriousness of Santoss unparalleled crimes." "From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santoss unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives," prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum, in which they asked Seybert to sentence him to 87 months in prison. Prosecutors said that despite his guilty plea to the pair of felony fraud charges and a teary expression of remorse to news cameras after the proceeding Santos is "a pathological liar" who isn't actually remorseful about his actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors noted he'd recently launched a weekly podcast called "Pants on Fire with George Santos," which they called a perfect crystallization of his lack of genuine contrition and his tone-deaf efforts to continue turning lies into dollars." "It is abundantly clear that, without a substantial deterrent, Santos will continue to deceive and defraud for years to come. That is especially true given Santoss craven efforts to leverage his lawbreaking as a springboard to celebrity and riches" while failing to pay restitution to the people he swindled, prosecutors said. Then-Rep. George Santos in the Longworth Building in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 10, 2023. Santos was elected to Congress in 2022, when he flipped a seat on Long Island from Democratic to Republican, helping cement a narrow GOP majority in the House. Questions about his background emerged before he even started his term. The New York Times reported that he had lied about or embellished parts of his resume and personal history. That led to other fabrications' being revealed, including a claim that he was Jewish. He later said he was Jew-ish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those lies were later revealed to include campaign finance fraud. He was indicted in federal court on Long Island on a wide array of charges in 2023. Prosecutors said he committed identity theft and swindled donors to enrich himself and live a luxurious lifestyle. Among those whose credit card information he used to make unauthorized donations were three "elderly persons suffering from some degree of cognitive impairment or decline," prosecutors said. He was also later hit with a scathing House Ethics Committee report that found he spent campaign funds on rent, luxury designer goods, personal trips to Las Vegas and the Hamptons, cosmetic treatments and a subscription to the adult content site OnlyFans. The House voted to expel him in December 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos claims to have raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars since then, thanks in large part to personalized videos he was selling on the website Cameo. In their sentencing memo, prosecutors suggested he might have been inflating those claims, as well. "Santos represented to the Probation Department that he has earned approximately $400,000 during the first month of his career on Cameo and now receives $5,000 per month on average. Yet he represented in a financial statement to the government that his lifetime earnings from Cameo are only $358,256. Clearly, he is lying to someone," the filing said. They also said Santos told prosecutors that he'd been paid $200,000 by a documentary filmmaker but that he'd told the Probation Department the amount was $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors noted that under the terms of his plea agreement, Santos had agreed to pay a $200,000 forfeiture and over $373,000 in restitution to his victims. In a court filing this month, they said that "Santos has forfeited nothing and has not repaid any of his victims." In his interview with NY1, Santos said: "As of today, right now, I'm unable to pay anything. I don't know if that's going to change within the next 24 to 48 hours, prior to sentencing, because I am still working on trying to make some kind of meaningful attempt at restitution because it is my obligation." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Originally appeared on E! Online George Santos is facing the consequences of his actions. A federal judge in New York sentenced the former Congressman to 87 months in prisonwhich totals to more than seven yearson April 25, per NBC News, after Santos plead guilty to two felony fraud charges in August 2024. U.S. Judge Joanna Seybert handed down the prison sentence after prosecutors urged for the 87 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum, per NBC News, Santoss unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives. In addition to calling Santos a pathological liar, the outlet reports prosecutors also called out his recently launched podcast Pants on Fire with George Santos as a perfect crystallization of his lack of genuine contrition and his tone-deaf efforts to continue turning lies into dollars." More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors noted that without the substantial deterrent of 87 months, Santos will continue to deceive and defraud for years to come. That is especially true given Santoss craven efforts to leverage his lawbreaking as a springboard to celebrity and riches. Santos attorney, meanwhile, had asked Judge Seybert to hand down the minimum sentence of two years. Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images "His conduct, though involving dishonesty and abuse of trust, stemmed largely from a misguided desperation related to his political campaign, rather than inherent malice," his attorneys said in a court filing, per NBC News, referring to Santos lack of a criminal history. "Moreover, the public nature of this case and Mr. Santos's fall from a position of public trust serve as a stark warning to others who might contemplate similar offenses. Upon his 2022 election to Congress, claims Santos had made about his background quickly came into question, with The New York Times reporting hed lied or embellished parts of his resume and history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further investigation later revealed campaign finance fraud, and in 2023 Santos was indicted in federal court on Long Island on a wide array of charges. In December of that year, the House of Representatives voted to expel him from Congress. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images One night before his sentencing, while in conversation with former Congressman Matt Gaetz on One America News Network, Santos addressed the possibility of a pardon from President Donald Trump. I havent petitioned the president for a pardon, Santos said. A lot of people keep asking me this, but obviously, if the president were to extend one, Id be humbly grateful, because hed be taking a major weight off my back. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Disgraced New York congressman George Santos has been sentenced after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft charges. The former rep received more than seven years behind bars during his sentencing hearing on Friday in a Long Island courtroom. His punishment comes two years after his indictment in May 2023. George Santos was elected as the U.S. representative for New York's 3rd congressional district in 2022 and sworn into office in January 2023. However, his reign was cut short in December 2023 when the House of Representatives voted to expel him from Congress. George Santos To Spend Over Seven Years In A Federal Prison ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA During his sentencing, Santos was ordered to spend 87 months in a federal prison. His punishment continued with a bill of over $370K in restitution. He also forfeited certain assets, bringing the total cost to $580,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disgraced NY rep initially faced a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for the identity theft charge. However, it seemed the judge decided Santos needed a higher punishment to match his crimes. Following his indictment, the former politician was charged with close to two dozen crimes. Santos initially described his indictment as a witch hunt before acknowledging his faults and accepting a plea deal last summer. He pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud, confessing he used a campaign donor's credit card in September and October 2022, per TMZ. The Convicted Felon Hopes To Serve His Sentence In Solitary Confinement Annabelle Gordon - CNP / MEGA The night before his sentencing hearing, Santos appeared on One America News Network's "The Matt Gaetz Show." He expressed concerns about serving his sentence in a federal prison, claiming his safety was at risk. According to Santos, his life might be endangered behind bars because of his stance against gangs during his short tenure in Congress. On that note, he revealed he would request to serve his time in solitary confinement for his protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains to be seen if his request will be granted, but his sentencing left many ecstatic on X. "That will complete his 2 terms," a critic mocked Santos. Another implied he was in for trouble behind bars, noting, "He'll be dropping the [soap emoji] a lot" A third celebrated his 87-month sentence, writing "Bye Bye!" while a fourth condemned Santos' actions. "Shouldn't have stolen puppies from the Amish if he wanted any public sympathy," the X user penned. Their words referenced Santos's theft charge in Pennsylvania after several bad checks were written in his name to Amish dog breeders in the area. The incident occurred in 2017, per CNN. The FBI & Justice Department Slammed Santos With Federal Charges Rod Lamkey - CNP / MEGA The Blast covered Santos' fall from grace in 2023, reporting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Justice Department had slammed the former representative with federal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was accused of several crimes, including corrupt practices, orchestrating a credit card fraud scheme, and lying about his credentials. Santos also made waves for allegedly stealing the money meant for a disabled Iraq War veteran's dying service dog. The veteran, Richard Osthoff, claimed the scam occurred in 2016 when he lived in a New Jersey tent along a highway with his pet, Sapphire. Their situation became dire when Sapphire fell ill and was diagnosed with a stomach tumor that required surgery. Unfortunately, when he met Santos, Osthoff could not raise the $3,000 bill and was searching for other ways to pay. However, the former politician worked with him under the false name Anthony Devolder. Inside The Disgraced Rep's Alleged Dog Scheme Rod Lamkey - CNP / MEGA Santos, posing as Anthony Devolder, met Osthoff while running a pet charity called "Friends of Pets United." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He allegedly promised to help Osthoff and opened a GoFundMe account to raise money for his sick dog. Things went well initially, with donations pouring in for Sapphire until Santos went under the radar. Osthoff recalled he shut down the donations page when it reached the $3,000 mark and became "increasingly difficult to contact." Although he recommended a pet clinic to Osthoff for Sapphire's treatment, Santos wasn't forthcoming with the money. Eventually, Osthoff discovered Sapphire's tumor was inoperable, and Santos had used the money meant for his dog's surgery on "other dogs." The veteran lost his beloved pet a year later, motivating him to file charges against the former rep for the scam and loss. George Santos Was Expelled From Congress Rod Lamkey / CNP/ MEGA In December 2023, The Blast confirmed Santos' reign had officially ended following his expulsion from Congress. The House of Representatives sent him packing with an impressive 311-114 tally, with 105 Republicans in favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, all four top House GOP leaders shockingly opted to keep Santos in Congress. Following his exit, the convicted felon expressed his anger to sources, declaring, "It's over." He was stunned by the House's decision, claiming they had set a "new dangerous precedent for themselves" with his expulsion. When asked if he would stay to use non-member privileges, Santos vehemently responded: "Why would I want to stay here? To hell with this place." The former rep could access these privileges because he did not have a felony conviction at the time of his removal from Congress. Will George Santos win his request for solitary confinement? Apr. 24LIMA A pretrial hearing in Allen County Common Pleas Court for the former executive director of the Allen County Regional Transit Authority failed to materialize Thursday due to what was described as a breakdown in communication. Shelia Haney, 63, was scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. Thursday in front of Judge Terri Kohlrieser for a hearing. When the appointed hour arrived, Haney was still at her Texas home, and her attorney, Sean Boyle, was at his office in Columbus. According to a court staffer, Boyle believed the pretrial hearing was to be conducted remotely. Samuel Kirk, a special prosecutor with the Ohio Auditor's Office, was present in the Allen County Justice Center and reportedly did speak briefly with Haney's attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirk has been appointed by the Allen County prosecutor's office to head up the case against Haney, who is alleged to have stolen nearly $27,000, according to the Ohio Auditor's Office. Haney was indicted by a grand jury in October 2024 on charges including theft in office, four counts of tampering with records and counts of tampering with evidence and telecommunications fraud. All the counts are third-degree felonies. A jury trial is scheduled for July 7. A final pre-trial will be held June 5. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Ohio Auditor's Office Special Investigations Unit. According to a release from the auditor's office, the investigation was started after discrepancies were found related to "proceeds from the sale of salvage vehicles and, separately, Haney's expense reports." Haney resigned from the RTA on Feb. 14, 2020. Featured Local Savings CONTENT WARNING: This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material, and child sex abuse. Report child pornography to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency. WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) A former scout leader has now been charged with over 80 felony counts of child sexual abuse, after being arrested late last week. Charles Sheldon Bates, 61, after being arrested late last week for 42 charges related to child sex abuse, has now been charged with 84 separate felony counts, according to the Salt Lake County Attorney and the Unified Police Department. According to law enforcement, the alleged abuses occurred over a 36-year period, with the earliest occurring in 1986 and the most recent in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS: Former Boy Scout leader arrested on 42 felony counts for alleged sexual abuse over 10+ years Among Bates 84 felony counts include: 6 counts of first-degree felony sodomy upon a child 1 count of first-degree felony attempted sodomy upon a child 25 counts of first-degree felony forcible sodomy 4 counts of first-degree felony attempted forcible sodomy 4 counts of first-degree felony object rape 6 counts of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child 30 counts of second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor 5 counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse 1 count of third-degree felony retaliation against a victim 1 count of third-degree felony aggravated kidnapping in the course of committing unlawful detention 1 count of class A misdemeanor stalking Court documents detail several accounts across several alleged victims of Bates. Detailing where Bates allegedly used his position as Scout Leader, and other positions of trust to lure young boys to take photos for him and engage in abusive behavior with minors as young as six years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the documents, Bates allegedly told victims that the abuse was normal and not to tell anyone because he would get in trouble and so would they. In 2022, police responded to Bates home and seized several electronic devices that belonged to Bates. Police allegedly found 134 images of child sex abuse material, including two separate disks that were labeled with the initials of separate alleged victims that contained pictures that Bates had allegedly took of them. The victims, in this case, experienced a magnitude of abuse at the hands of the defendant, the statement of probable cause reads. While the State is filing charges related to events that occurred over the last 36-plus years, it believes its essential to recognize that the defendant forced each of these victims to engage in sexual activity each time they were together, resulting in well over 51 sexual assaults, as filed in this case. The defendant, using coercion tactics and grooming, forced each victim to engage in sexual activity with him, and the number of charges filed does not diminish the abuse that these victims had to endure. Sim Gill, District Attorney for Salt Lake County, said in a statement to ABC4.com that he hoped that the actions taken by his office gave victims comfort, and that the community was working to provide them the resources they needed for recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope that the filing of these charges help the victim-survivors see that their community is working together to bring them justice, Gill said. This office will provide the resources necessary through our Survivor and Victim Services division to help these victim-survivors heal from their traumatic experiences. The case is still in its early stages and is scheduled to have Bates appear for an initial appearance on April 29. Bates currently resides in the Salt Lake County Jail, where he is being held on a no bail warrant. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. TIOGA CENTER, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Skyline Motorsports Park in Tioga Center, formerly known as Skyview Drags, has entered a multi-year partnership with the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA), the park announced Friday. The scenic eighth-mile facility will be under new management going forward, with veteran track operator James Robinson leading the effort alongside George Coleman and Dave Gennett. Robinson has nearly 35 years of drag racing venue management experience across New York State. Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and vision to Skylines future, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original Skyview Drags only operated for 12 years, closing abruptly in 2018, and forcing local drag racing enthusiasts to drive to Syracuse or beyond to participate in the sport. In April 2024, the track was resurrected by a team of mostly volunteers under the name Skiview Drags led by an anonymous owner and track managers Pat Schrader and Gennett. WDRA director Jon ONeal says the Alliance is excited to welcome Skyline Motorsports Park into the family. Having the Skyline racers in the WDRA will feel like a family reunion, ONeal said. Im excited that a part of the new managerial goal is to bring a team to the Bracket Finals. The goal of providing a platform for racers and racetracks to prosper is not lost on Robbo and the new team. The new schedule will include a variety of events and be more conducive to fans and racers alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday fun and grudge Saturday Racing Shows Sunday WDRA points series No Prep Events & Special Features New: Points Racing Program moved to Sundays Car Shows, Tractor Pulls, and Diesel Races Jet Dragsters and Holiday Weekend Shootouts Monthly Wednesday Night Grudge Racing & test and tune Truck Nights and More For a look at the full schedule, visit SkylineDrags.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. SEOUL - A South Korean court on Friday ordered the Japanese government to pay compensation to the son of a former "comfort woman" over her treatment in military brothels during World War II. The Cheongju District Court's decision over the case, where the son had sought 200 million won ($140,000), was the third known South Korean ruling in favor of comfort women, following ones in January 2021 and November 2023 that were later finalized as Japan skipped the hearings and did not appeal to the Supreme Court. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said in a statement that the ruling, which the government believes contradicts international law and a 1965 bilateral agreement, is "extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable." Iwaya said the court decision denies "sovereign immunity," a concept under international law that a state is immune from the jurisdiction of a court in another country. Japan has taken the position that all claims related to its 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula were settled "completely and finally" under the 1965 pact under which it provided financial aid to South Korea. The comfort women issue has repeatedly soured relations between the two countries, even after they agreed to settle the matter "finally and irreversibly" in an accord in 2015. Under the accord, the Japanese government contributed 1 billion yen ($7 million) to a foundation set up in South Korea. The funds were then distributed to former comfort women and the families of those who died. But some refused to accept the money, calling instead for an official apology and compensation from Japan. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday called his indictment on bribery charges unjust, accusing prosecutors of abusing their power in what he called a politically motivated investigation. Moons comments came a day after prosecutors in the southern city of Jeonju announced his indictment over allegations that a budget airline gave his son-in-law a lucrative no-show job during his presidency. Meeting with National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik, Moon said he feels that prosecutors are pushing forward in a predetermined direction, no matter what and that his case was an example of how politicized the prosecution has become and how prosecutorial power is being abused. The former liberal leader was visiting the National Assembly for an event marking the seventh anniversary of his 2018 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, held during a brief period of engagement between the rival Koreas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moons indictment adds to a long list of South Korean leaders who have faced criminal allegations or scandals near the end of their terms or after leaving office. On June 3 South Korea will hold a presidential election to select a successor to conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was recently removed from office over an ill-conceived imposition of martial law in December. Yoon, who previously served as prosecutor general under the Moon administration before a high-profile fallout with the liberal leadership, is now facing a criminal trial on rebellion charges related to the decree. Moons political allies at the main opposition Democratic Party have portrayed the indictment as a political vendetta, pushed by Yoons supporters at the prosecution service to humiliate the former liberal leader ahead of the election. Prosecutors allege that Moon, who served as president from 2017-2022, received bribes totaling 217 million won ($151,000) from Lee Sang-jik, founder of the budget carrier Thai Eastar Jet. The bribes were allegedly in the form of financial support for Moons son-in-law between 2018-2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say the man, who reportedly divorced Moons daughter in 2021, was hired by Lees company in Thailand despite having no experience in the airline industry, and performed minimal duties while claiming to work remotely from South Korea. Prosecutors said they had not found evidence that Moon directly arranged political favors for Lee, but that Lee, who worked on Moons campaign, likely expected his assistance to be repaid. Lee was later named the head of the state-funded Korea Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Agency and was nominated by Moons party to run for parliament while Moon was in office. Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his wife leave the Fred D. Thompson Federal Courthouse in Nashville on April 24, 2025. (Photo: J. Holly McCall/Tennessee Lookout) A former Tennessee House member testified Thursday she wouldnt have used a secretive vendor called Phoenix Solutions for constituent mailers in 2019 if shed known a fired House staffer was running the company. Patsy Hazlewood, the former House finance committee chair who was defeated in her re-election bid last year, said on the stand in U.S. District Court that former Rep. Robin Smith misled her about the identity of Phoenix Solutions operators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution termed the case an epic fall from power for the states former House speaker and his chief aide, while the defense accused the federal government of inventing a case thats wasting the jurys time. Hazlewood, one of numerous former and current House members expected to testify in the corruption trial for former Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-chief of staff Cade Cothren, said she didnt find out Phoenix Solutions was involved until she saw an invoice. Until then, Hazlewood said she thought Smith was handling the constituent mailers because she had run Hazlewoods campaigns until winning election to the House. Former Rep. Patsy Hazlewood, photographed in 2024, testified that she would not have chosen to work with the fictitious Phoenix Solutions had she known Cade Cothren was operating the company. (Photo: John Partipilo) Smith has pleaded guilty in the federal fraud and kickbacks case and is cooperating with prosecutors. She and Casada were accused of taking bribes and kickbacks to steer business to Cothren after he was fired from his post because of a sex and racist texting scandal that involved Casada, too. Hazlewood said the scandal that surrounded Cothren destroyed his reputation and that she was upset by the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had no faith or trust in his integrity, she said, and added she wouldnt have worked with him in any fashion. Prosecutors say Casada and Smith had to cover up Cothrens identity because of the scandal and the embarrassment Hazlewood said it caused. When she inquired about Phoenix Solutions, Hazlewood said Smith told her she knew Matthew Phoenix, a bogus name for the companys president, and that the company had operated out of East Tennessee but moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the lifestyle but still could do the mailer work. She vouched for his work, Hazlewood said under questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Phillips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor introduced documents showing Phoenix Solutions formed in November 2019 in New Mexico and had an account with First Horizon Bank with Cothren as the authorized signer. Attorneys for the defendants acknowledged that Casada and Smith concealed Cothrens identity because of problems surrounding his departure from the legislature. In fact, defense attorney Joy Longnecker told the 14-member jury during opening statements that the case isnt based on whether Cothren is a sinner but whether he committed a federal crime. In addition to sexist and racist text messages, Cothren at the time admitted to using drugs while in state offices. Longnecker told jurors the prosecution created a case out of junk mail based on Cothrens personal indiscretions that didnt cause the state to lose a dollar or lawmakers to be shorted on constituent mailers, informational pieces paid for with tax dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She termed the case a matter of politics and business as usual on the Hill. In my mind, it was a very corrupted way to do business. Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin Reps. Esther Helton Haynes, of East Ridge, and Jay Reedy of Erin were called to testify after Hazlewood concluded her testimony. Reedy, who used Phoenix Solutions for design and printing of a legislative survey that was distributed in a local newspaper, said he believed he was working with Casada and did not hear of Phoenix Solutions until FBI agents contacted him in May 2021 after federal agents had initiated an investigation into the bogus company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to questioning from Phillips about his reaction to learning about Phoenix Solutions and its operations, Reedy said In my mind, it was a very corrupted way to do business. Defense attorneys cast the situation as Casada, who started Right Way Consulting, and Smith, who ran Rivers Edge Alliance, being paid by Phoenix Solutions for their work rather than receiving kickbacks or bribes for steering work to his company. They admitted that Cothren ran Phoenix Solutions but did all the work requested, which totaled about $52,000. Casadas attorney, Ed Yarbrough, told the jury that Cameron Sexton was elected House Speaker in October 2019, after Casada stepped down, and started talking to the FBI before Phoenix Solutions and Right Way Consulting existed. FBI agents showed up at Casadas door in August 2021 with TV crews behind them, shooting video of the former speaker in his bathrobe, proof the media was tipped off, Yarbrough said. Yet Casada talked to the agents without an attorney, because he felt his business dealings with Cothren were legitimate, Yarbrough said. He added that Casada made only $4,000 to $7,000 on the arrangement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yarbrough further framed the situation of one in which House Speaker Cameron Sexton tried to get rid of Casada and then Cothren for political reasons. Cothren has claimed he helped Sexton win the speakers race and sought to obtain phone records to show he and Sexton communicated frequently in the fall of 2019. Phillips characterized the case as one of powerful politicians who used their influence to line their pockets by hiring Cothren and his pass-through company to tap into the tax-funded constituent mailers for kickbacks. The assistant U.S. attorney told jurors that Cothren used a fake identification to run the company and that he signed a federal tax document with the bogus name, Matthew Phoenix. Prosecutors did not introduce the document as evidence Thursday. (Holly McCall contributed to this story.) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BOLIVAR, Mo. Southwest Baptist University (SBU) is welcoming a former U.S. Attorney General to speak at their upcoming commencement ceremonies. John Ashcroft is set to be a keynote speaker at the SBU Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Ashcroft is known for being the 79th U.S. Attorney General under President George W. Bush. He is also known for being a former Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator. Bolivar prepares for upcoming Missouri Beef Days Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For nearly a century and a half, Southwest Baptist University has a legacy of preparing leaders who have shaped our culture and ministered in the State of Missouri and all around the globe, instilling Christian values that honor God and enrich communities, Ashcroft said in a press release. It is humbling for me to participate in the graduation celebration of another class from this unapologetically Christ-centered institution. The first graduation ceremony is at 11 a.m. and the second ceremony at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness Center at SBU in Bolivar, Missouri. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE) A New Mexico hiker is battling severe injuries after he fell during a hike in Alamogordo on Easter Day. That incident prompted the military to get involved, leading to a rescue mission in the middle of the night. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports, the man was hiking the Dog Canyon Trail in Alamogordo when he fell nearly 100 feet and suffered severe head trauma. The hiker called several civilian agencies in the area for help, but due to the extreme weather conditions and dangerous terrain, they all declined. Thats when Alamogordo first responders reached out to For Bliss in El Paso, TX, for assistance. Shortly after, a rescue operation was underway. In a matter of a couple of hours, military rescue crews descended on the hiker, with paramedics immediately giving medical care. They arrived at the site at 23:45, which is 11:45 pm, said Maj. Arturo Rogriguez, Public Affairs Deputy for the 1AD Public Affairs Office. They were on ground for approximately 45 minutes as the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hovered overhead. The hiker was put in a stretcher and hoisted up into the Black Hawk helicopter, where he was flown to a hospital in El Paso. Fort Bliss, we are here to support the community when needed, said Maj. Rogriguez. Our soldiers are highly trained, prepared, professional, and always ready to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. An Army noncommissioned officer was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison for a violent campaign of sexual assaults and physical attacks on women stationed at Fort Cavazos, Texas, concluding one of the most high-profile courts-martial in recent years. Sgt. Greville Clarke, 31, was convicted on 29 counts including rape, intent to commit kidnapping, attempted premeditated murder, sexual assault, indecent visual records, robbery, physical assault and obstruction of justice. The offenses, which took place between 2021 and 2022, involved five female soldiers attacked in their barracks. Additionally, Clarke was sentenced to 112.5 years on top of the life sentence, a reduction in rank to E-1, a dishonorable discharge from the Army, and a total forfeiture of pay and allowances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: 48 Hours with Marines and Soldiers on the US Southern Border "I am incredibly proud of the five survivors of Sgt. Clarke's violence for standing strong against him during trial. It has been my honor to walk with them on the journey to receive justice," Maj. Allyson Montgomery, lead prosecutor from the Army's Office of Special Trial Counsel, said in a statement released by the service. "May they now begin their lifelong paths of healing and vindication knowing their voices have ensured the accused is held accountable for his crimes." In the most recent incident on Oct. 2, 2022, according to court records, Clarke broke into a woman's barracks room, bound her hands, and blindfolded her before sexually assaulting her at gunpoint. He took photos of her naked, struck her with his gun, and stole $14,000 after taking her credit card. He attempted to force her into a footlocker to take her to another location, but she fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another attack, Clarke broke into a barracks room and assaulted two female soldiers while holding them at knifepoint, according to court records. He raped one of the women. In a separate incident, he hid in a woman's shower and attacked her when she got to her barracks, but she was able to flee. Clarke was apprehended in October 2022 and held in pretrial confinement. Barracks typically have virtually no security, including no cameras and, in some cases, no appropriate locks. A 2023 Government Accountability Office report found widespread deficiencies in basic safety infrastructure within barracks, including broken door locks and windows. In some instances, service members reported being unable to lock their doors and were concerned about security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarke was most recently assigned to the 74th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade. He joined the Army in 2017 as a bridge crewmember. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. Related: Sexual Assaults at Service Academies Are Finally Down, But Female Cadets Still Wary of Reporting Apr. 24GRAND FORKS During tobacco compliance checks carried out Wednesday, April 23, 15 businesses passed and four failed, according to a press release issued by the Grand Forks Police Department. The checks are done by the GFPD's Education and Outreach Bureau in collaboration with area underage buyers who enter establishments that sell tobacco products and under police supervision attempt to purchase the products, the release said. They make no attempt to conceal their age, and promptly display ID if they are asked for it. Checks are done in compliance with SYNAR grant funding, which is issued by Grand Forks Public Health and the North Dakota Department of Health, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nineteen businesses were checked that have tobacco licenses issued by the state. The four that failed were TA Express, Cenex on South Washington Street, Hugo's Wine and Spirits on 32nd Avenue and Pluto's Smoke Shop. The 15 that passed their compliance checks were Happy Harry's on 32nd Avenue; Simonson's on 32nd Avenue and Gateway Drive; Superpumper/Cenex and GF Smoke Shop, both located on 32nd Avenue South; Hugo's Wine and Spirits on South Columbia Road; Hugo's on South Washington Street, Petro Serve USA on 36th Avenue, South Columbia Road and University Avenue, Circle K on South Washington Street, both Casey's, M&H Gas and Discontent. CONCORD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Four suspects are facing charges in connection with the March 17 shooting into a home on Graham Drive SW in Concord. Detectives with the Concord Police Department identified four suspects in the shooting and connected it with a previous 911 call at the same Graham Drive SW address from February 25. Detectives believe both incidents stem from an argument between the suspects and victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects are identified as 20-year-old Baron Riley, 23-year-old Jamel Spence, and 17-year-old ZyTravion Hall. Two people hurt after shots fired into Concord home: Police Riley is charged with second-degree kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and discharging a weapon into an occupied property. Spence is charged with felony conspiracy, and Hall is being charged as an adult for second-degree kidnapping. The Concord Police Department also filed a petition through the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice for one juvenile suspect who is being charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and discharging a weapon into an occupied property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, on March 17, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Concord Police officers responded to a report of gunshots at 375 Graham Drive SW. Upon arrival, officers discovered broken glass and multiple victims inside the home. A 20-year-old man was found on the floor inside suffering from gunshot wounds to both legs. Officers quickly administered first aid and applied two tourniquets to control the bleeding. A second victim, a 12-year-old, was in a nearby hallway with a gunshot wound to the upper left chest. Officers applied a chest seal at the scene. Both the 20-year-old and the 12-year-old were transported to the hospital, where they later recovered from their injuries. Additionally, a third victim, a 5-year-old child, sustained a minor chest injury from shrapnel but did not require transport to the hospital, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, detectives linked this incident to a previous call for service at the same location on February 25, involving an armed person. During this incident, two people reported being approached outside their vehicle by a man wearing a multi-colored sweater and a white mask who pointed a long gun at them and ordered them to get down. Additional armed suspects in dark clothing were also seen near the home, police said. A teen girl inside the home was reportedly threatened by one of the suspects when she attempted to open the front door. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY Authorities said the four suspects arrested in connection with these incidents have each been charged accordingly for their roles in the offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Concord Police Department at 704-920-5000 or call Cabarrus Area Crime Stoppers at 704-93CRIME or 704-932-7463. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. President Donald Trump promised to end the conflict in Ukraine on day one of his presidency. Almost 95 days later, peace remains elusive and even Fox News is admitting that the president is being embarrassed by his Russian counterpart. Vladimir Putin, I think to a degree, is embarrassing President Trump, long-time Trump acolyte Brian Kilmeade said on Fox & Friends Friday morning. Kilmeade was reacting to attacks on Kyiv that started on Wednesday and bled into Thursday. The aerial bombardment by Russian forces, the deadliest the Ukrainian capital has seen since July 2024, killed at least 12 people and injured 90 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Trump broke with his recent playbook and criticized Putin on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! he wrote on Thursday. If hes going to embarrass the president, the president let him know yesterday, he blasted him, Kilmeade added in his retort Friday. Kilmeade suggested Putin, pictured speaking with Trump at the G20 summit in Germany in 2017, is taking Trump for a ride. / Carlos Barria / REUTERS Its going to get worse, and there are sanctions queued up. He says it doesnt help me and doesnt improve the situation if I tell you whats going to happen to Russia, but if they continue to undermine peace. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Trump signed off his Thursday post before warning later in the Oval Office that things will happen if Russian attacks continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Trump blasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for drawing a red line on recognizing Crimea as part of Russia in peace negotiations. Zelensky said that he is ready to talk, but pushed back on Trumps insistence on making land concessions to Russia as part of a peace deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking at a joint press conference in South Africa on April 24 where he reiterated that he could not recognize Crimea as part of Russia. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images The fact that Ukraine is ready to sit down at a negotiating table after (a) full ceasefire with terrorists is a big compromise, he said during an official trip to South Africa which he cut short to return to Ukraine. He said the strikes were aimed at pressuring the U.S. Kilmeade has long maintained that Putin is not to be trusted, despite pushback from his colleagues at times. In March he said that Vladimir Putin is the bad guy, before his co-host Lawrence Jones responded: We dont need to virtue signal every single day and say Putin is the bad guy. Fox News host Brian Kilmeade said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarrassing President Donald Trump with the latest attacks on Ukraine. Trump lashed out about Russias latest strikes on Kyiv Thursday, where at least eight people were killed in the bombing as the White House attempts to broker a deal to end the conflict. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, Trump fumed on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fox & Friends co-host and long-time Trump supporter accused Putin of undermining the peace talks, which he said was embarrassing for the president. Vladimir Putin, I think to a degree, is embarrassing President Trump when he bombed Kyiv in this brutal attack, Kilmeade said Friday morning on the network. Brian Kilmeade said Putin's latest bombing of Ukraine is 'embarrassing' for Trump, who is trying to broker a peace deal. Kilmeade, a longtime Trump supporter, held up a copy of the New York Post front page with the headline about the conflict: Words arent enough. (FOX) If hes going to embarrass the president, the president let him know yesterday, he blasted him, Kilmeade added. Its going to get worse, and there are sanctions queued up. Trump repeatedly boasted throughout his presidential campaign and after his White House victory that he could end Russias war in Ukraine in one day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And Ill have that done Ill have that done in 24 hours, Trump said in May 2023. In a sit-down interview with TIME published Friday, he was quizzed about it and said the comment was made in jest. Trump snapped at a journalist Thursday when he was asked why he is not putting more pressure on the Russian leader during an Oval Office meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, Trump told the outlet. And you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news...Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended. He repeated his claim that the war would never happened if he were president in 2022, when Russia first invaded Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump snapped at a journalist Thursday when he was asked why he is not putting more pressure on the Russian leader during an Oval Office meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store. You don't know what pressure I'm putting on Russia, Trump replied. They're dealing. You have no idea what pressure I'm putting on Russia. We're putting a lot of pressure. Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow and has met with Putin for critical peace talks after the president claimed they were very close to a deal. They discussed the U.S. proposal for peace in Ukraine, which has been billed by Washington as a final offer to Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin called the talks constructive and very useful, according to Reuters. A Fox Business panel tore into President Donald Trumps idea to pay a $5,000 bonus to new mothers Thursday, blasting it as perverse and a Biden-Kamala-era stimmy. $5,000 as a baby bonus wont get anyone who is on the fence about starting a family to start a family, said The Big Money Show co-host Dagen McDowell, slamming the plan as completely unnecessary. The proposal, which aims to boost Americas birth rate by offering an incentive for procreation, is currently under consideration by the presidents administration. Trump said it sounds like a good idea when asked about it Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDowell suggested that there are already enough government incentives to have a childlike tax credits and prenatal healthcare through Medicare. Investor Jonathan Hoenig went so far as to challenge whether the president should even try to boost the birth rate. He observed that the issue is one that Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, who has 14 children with four different women, has advocated. Musk has been a loud pro-natalism advocate. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images What I dont understand is this collapse Elon keeps alluding to. Hes doing his best to try to avoid the collapsehe has many children with many different mothers," he said, pointing out that the United States population has grown remarkably over the last half century. After joking about whether the bonus could work retroactively for people who already have kids, co-host Taylor Riggs eviscerated Trumps plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It creates a perverse incentive to have children because you want a check, without thinking through the long-term cost, which is much bigger than $5,000, she said. But perhaps the most damning indictmentat least to the presidents earscame when co-host Jackie DeAngelis said it sounded like a move that could have been cooked up by the previous administration. I dont agree with it. I call them like I see them. This feels like a Biden-Kamala-era stimmy to get people to do what you want them to do, she said. If we are concerned about population, I understand that. There are other ways that you guys have brought up that we can address this issue. The president is considering several proposals to boost the birth rate and has not yet made a final decision on the bonus, according to ABC. TOKYO, Kyodo News Plus - With the number of foreign nationals residing in Japan hitting record highs, foreigner associations are calling for recognition of their contributions and for Japan's politicians to steer immigration in the right direction. At a talk event in Tokyo's Shibuya district on April 16, the Japan Association of Foreigners invited discussion from panelists, experts, and audience members, aimed at letting the Japanese public know that foreigners exist, are here to contribute, and need to be recognized. Speaking to Kyodo News Plus on the fringes of the event, association president Oussouby Sacko said that one of the biggest issues to address was the perception of foreigners as a source of labor first and little more beyond that. "They want people who can change, who can contribute to society, but they don't want to consider them as human," he said. During panel discussions, educators and representatives of foreigner associations addressed issues related to education, diversity, and politics. One of the main concerns raised by the panelists was a perceived lack of relevant parties involved in policy making related to immigration and foreign residents. Some panelists went as far as to say that Japan was taking in foreign workers without any clear immigration policy behind it. Panelists also called for Japan to be more proactive in setting up forums where the voices of foreign residents can be heard. Robert Dwiputra, from an association of Indonesian business leaders in Japan, said that with around 90 percent of Indonesians identifying as Muslim, concerns raised by those living and working in Japan are often related to religion. While individual organizations and employers might have policies in place recognizing their religious needs, Dwiputra raised concerns that Japan was not doing enough to ensure these needs remained protected. Foreigners living under the country's technical internship program, many of whom work in rural areas, in particular, face difficulties in having their voices heard, according to Dwiputra. "They dont know what the correct thing is to do. They just believe that they don't have any rights, and they live with the inconveniences," he said. Masaru Ishikawa, a member of the Suita city assembly, in Osaka Prefecture, was among the audience members. Ishikawa told Kyodo News Plus that as a politician he had heard similar discussions several times and had deepened his understanding of what needs to be done to address what he said were shared issues. "We must think about the future of Japan and the world as a common issue," he said. As of December, 3,768,977 foreign nationals were residing in Japan, up 10.5 percent from a year before and a record high for the third straight year, according to the Immigration Services Agency. Over 2.3 million foreigners were in employment, including approximately 456,000 living under the country's technical internship program. Shohei Sugita, a lawyer and special adviser to the association of foreigners, highlighted the pace of change during the event. An increase of nearly one million foreign residents over the last three years Sugita felt was contrary to an image of Japan portrayed in the media as not a popular choice of country to live and work. With leading politicians reluctant to take a firm stance on divisive immigration issues, he said that change is not being driven by policy but by the economy alone and that measures to facilitate social integration might not keep up. Likening the situation to a car, Sugita described Japans economy as the engine. "We are pressing down on the accelerator in the belief that someone is at the steering wheel when, actually, no one is," he said. In June 2022, the government formulated a Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals. Building on previous measures to facilitate integration, the roadmap for the first time detailed medium-to-long-term issues, including language education and strengthening consultation systems for foreigners. Starting in 2024, the Ministry of Justice designated January as a month to promote life in harmony with foreign nationals. Sugita said that while the roadmap is aimed at helping foreigners adjust to life in Japan, there is no vision about how many people are needed, or whether to encourage people to choose Japan as a destination in the first place. "Unless a politician comes forward and discusses what kind of country we want to make, the discussion about whether we should steer to the right or to the left will never begin," he said. In the meantime, Sacko said he believes that there are people who want to change the political landscape of Japan to one that better recognizes foreign residents. "If we want to see a change in politics in Japan, we should support these people and work together with them to form their policies," he said. This article was submitted by a contributing writer for publication on Kyodo News Plus. BOSTON (WWLP) A man from Turners Falls has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges after police found illicit files on his computer. Student charged in Williams College restroom surveillance case; Six victims still unidentified The Department of Justice states that 79-year-old Edward Dunphy was identified through an investigation of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. During the search of his home on May 18th, 2023, over 340,000 files were found on his computer and external hard drives that contained child sexual abuse material Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunphy pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and is scheduled for sentencing on July 30th. The charge of possession of child pornography is a sentence of at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. 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. Measles have been in the news over the past few months due to outbreaks in Texas and other states. The Centers for Disease Control says three deaths from measles have been reported; two in Texas and one in New Mexico. The Trinity Muscatine Public Health Department is now offering free measles vaccines for any county resident who needs one, regardless of insurance coverage. Jennifer Craft, director of Trinity Muscatine Public Health Department, spoke with Our Quad Cities News via Zoom to talk about measles and why vaccines are crucial for public health. Jennifer Craft While there have been zero confirmed cases in Iowa to date, Craft says its still important for people to know their vaccination status. We encourage everybody to talk with their health care provider to see where theyre at as it relates to measles immunity. Generally, the normal vaccination schedule is for kids at age 12 months to get their first MMR vaccine and their second between ages four and six. However, were seeing a decrease in vaccination rates within the past few years. So were really encouraging everybody to take a look at their immunization records and talk with their healthcare provider to see if this is something that they need, as we are seeing an outbreak in more of our southern states, Texas, New Mexico. People who arent sure if theyre current on vaccines should talk with their doctors, she said. We do encourage you to call your health care provider because theyre going to know your specific history, your health care concerns and whatnot. Starting with your primary care physician is always important, but we at Public Health can help navigate that as well. If you dont have a primary care physician, we can help get you connected to one who could help do that counseling for you. Craft says immunization does more than protect the person who received it. We historically have had community immunity, she said. Community immunity happens at 95% vaccination rate and today were seeing in Muscatine County as of January 2025, Iowa HHS (Health and Human Services) released data saying that the vaccine rate for children under the age of two right now in Muscatine County is 87.9%. For kindergarten, its 89.8% and K through 12, its 92.4%. We are not where we need to be for community immunity and measles is very, very dangerous. There have been deaths throughout the country, not in Iowa, but in southern states. Were approaching travel season, so its really, really important to make sure that youre keeping yourself and your loved ones safe. Part of what makes measles so dangerous is its lengthy incubation period, she said. The average incubation period for measles, from exposure to initial symptoms, which would be fever, cough, watery eyes, runny nose, is about 10 to 12 days. Symptom onset could range anywhere from seven to 21 days after exposure. The symptoms are similar to colds and flu, but Craft says people shouldnt do what they might normally think is the right course of action. We really, really, really, really encourage people, if you are experiencing those symptoms, do not go to urgent care. Do not go to the hospital. Call your healthcare provider, explain what symptoms youre experiencing, stay home, those sorts of things. Its very, very important that you dont rush yourself to the ER or go to urgent care because you dont know if it is the common cold or if it is measles. Having that conversation over the phone with your healthcare provider and the healthcare professionals will be imperative. We do not want to risk exposing other individuals, and we also want to keep you safe. Call Trinity Muscatine Public Health, 1609 Cedar Street, at (563) 263-0122 to schedule an appointment. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residents who need a vaccine and cant make those hours should call the department to make arrangements. 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. Apr. 24FREEMAN, S.D. A buzz of anticipation filled the halls of Freeman Junior-Senior High School on Wednesday morning as students in grades 6 through 12 explored what their future could look like not in some distant city, but right here at home. The first-ever Greater Freeman Area Career Fair, organized by the Freeman Community Development Corporation in partnership with Experience Freeman, brought together more than 20 local businesses, two technical colleges and community leaders for a hands-on, hometown career showcase. For many students, it was their first opportunity to speak directly with employers about the work available in their own community and to envision how they might one day contribute to it. "This is more than just a job fair," said Shelly Wanninger, Marketing and Development Coordinator for the Freeman Development Corporation. "It's about showing our students that they don't have to leave Freeman to find opportunity. Development doesn't always have to come from the outside we can grow from within." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That message resonates deeply in small towns across South Dakota, where youth retention has become a growing concern. According to the South Dakota Board of Regents, 24% of South Dakota students attend college out of state, and only 46% remain in the state to live and work after graduation. While many students seek broader horizons and rightly so the challenge lies in showing them that meaningful, fulfilling careers can be built right at home. Enter the Freeman Career Fair. Over the course of the morning, students rotated through booths hosted by local employers, learning about job roles across a range of industries from automotive repair and construction to real estate, banking and retail. They had the chance to ask questions, make connections and even consider part-time jobs that could give them a foot in the door while still in high school. Businesses were encouraged not only to explain what they do, but to highlight the benefits both financial and otherwise of working in Freeman. From competitive wages and flexible scheduling to team culture and opportunities for advancement, the message was clear: regardless of your skillset, there's a place for students here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freeman's strong economic foundation supports this claim, Wanninger said. With two thriving business districts one in the heart of downtown and another along Highway 81 the town has seen steady growth over the years. Employers range from family-owned shops and service providers to manufacturers, health care facilities and educational institutions. There's even room for teens looking to earn extra money, thanks to jobs at grocery stores, convenience stores, child care centers and local restaurants. Emily Hofer, a Freeman native and CFO at Merchants State Bank, kicked off the event by sharing her own story. After studying abroad and exploring the world, she ultimately found herself drawn back to her hometown. "That's okay if you want to blow this popsicle stand and get away from home as far as possible," Hofer said with a smile. "But come back." She encouraged students to look beyond labels when considering careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Banking may sound boring, but it's more than just bankers," she said. "There are IT roles, marketing positions, and so much more. Talk to these businesses and see what they may have for you now or five years down the line." Wanninger echoed that sentiment, noting that even after living in Freeman collectively for over a decade, she's still discovering what local businesses have to offer. "I've lived here collectively for 12 years, and only recently took a tour of Vermeer. I was amazed," she said. "I think a lot of residents may not even realize the range of opportunities we have right here." Also present were representatives from Mitchell Technical College, Lake Area Technical College and the Build Dakota Scholarship program, all offering students post-secondary pathways that connect directly to in-demand local careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Principal Mitzi Wynia praised the event's dual purpose exposing students to real-world opportunities while helping employers connect with the next generation of talent. "It's about giving our students the tools to envision a future here not because they have to, but because they want to," Wynia said. Organizers hope this is just the beginning. With positive feedback and strong turnout, there's momentum to make the Greater Freeman Area Career Fair an annual tradition one that invests in Freeman's most valuable resource: its youth. "If we show them the possibilities," Wanninger said, "they just might choose to stay or to come back." BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) A John S. Battle High School freshman ranked sixth in the country for her contribution to the American Heart Association, the association announced in a release Thursday. Elliot Williams is the American Heart Association Tri-Cities 2025 Teen of Impact Winner for her work in raising funds and awareness to eliminate heart disease and stroke in her community. She ranked sixth out of 177 teen participants nationwide and raised $71,090. Over nine weeks, Elliot competed for the Teen of Impact title by participating in community awareness and fundraising activities. She hosted a fashion show fundraiser, a historic home tour and a cookout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ETSU Spring Literary Festival connects students with writers This campaign has been deeply personal to memy familys battle with heart disease has shown me how urgent this fight truly is. Being part of Teen of Impact has given me a way to turn that personal pain into purpose, and Ive seen how powerful it is when a community comes together to create change, Williams said. I am honored to have received this recognition and am excited to continue working alongside the American Heart Association to ensure my generation is aware of their risks and has the information they need to live heart-healthy. Kayla Smith, Knoxville/Tri-Cities American Heart Association executive director, said Williams is making a difference in her generation and the next. In the United States, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 cause of death and can begin developing as early as young adulthood. To learn more about the American Heart Association, visit its website. Williams (middle) with other participants Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russia is waging small-scale assaults across the entire front, but the situation on the battlefield is nowhere near bad enough for Ukraine to be forced into an unfavorable peace deal, military analysts and soldiers told the Kyiv Independent. Since Ukraine announced the start of the Russian spring offensive in early April, Moscow has made "incremental gains" in multiple sectors of the front at a high cost, but achieving a breakthrough seems unlikely. Russia's bogged-down progress on the battlefield comes as the U.S. tries to force Ukraine into a rushed peace to end the war at all costs, with Washington potentially recognizing Moscow's illegal annexation of Crimea among the hard-hitting concessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that his country is not forcing Ukraine to legitimize the Russian occupation of Crimea and declined to say whether he would want Kyiv to formally recognize it. President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out acknowledging Ukrainian territory as Russian, with Trump criticizing his position as "harmful to the peace negotiations with Russia." In an interview with the Time Magazine, Trump said "Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time." Trump also said that Russia's major concession is that Moscow won't take Ukraine, the "whole country," as he put it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military though outmanned and outgunned has managed to stabilize the front. According to experts who spoke with the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine can keep fighting contrary to Trump's argument. "Ukraine's position is nowhere near bad enough that they would need to make such concessions, especially when Russia isn't making any actual concessions," said Jakub Janovsky, a Prague-based military analyst at the Oryx open-source project tracking Ukrainian and Russian equipment losses. Read also: End policy of appeasement European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trumps Russia stance Stabilizing front While Russia wages costly assaults in Donetsk Oblast and across the southern front, its troops appear to be struggling to keep advancing, and Ukraine has gotten better at countering these attacks, including with the use of cheap first-person-view (FPV) drones and mines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Creeping one kilometer after another in a country as large as Ukraine isn't exactly a viable strategy," Janovsky told the Kyiv Independent. Based on the open-source footage of Russian assaults thus far in the spring offensive, Janovsky assessed that the assaults that rely on mechanized and motorized units and "loads of infantry" are not going well. The Russian assaults are, nevertheless, endless on the ground, varying in intensity from day to day. Oleksandr Spytsin, commander of a drone unit in the National Guard's Omega special operations division, deployed near Pokrovsk, said that Russian troops have been creeping "non-stop." His unit's task is to locate and prevent them from reaching the Ukrainian infantry positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We often observe this pattern: When they take a serious beating, the next day their activity drops, they quiet down a bit," Spytsin told the Kyiv Independent at a drone position about two kilometers from the "zero" line. "Then maybe they don't operate for a day, or they focus on another direction, and then they're back here again, acting like nothing happened." Janovsky predicted that Russia's potential gains in the future would depend on how many resources Moscow would be willing to allocate, especially given how the usable equipment from the mass Soviet-inherited storage is "shrinking significantly." Despite Russia's losses outnumbering its arms production capacity, Moscow would likely be able to keep replenishing its units this year, even if it means using less favorable options such as civilian vehicles instead of armored personnel carriers, according to Janovsky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk, chairman of the Kyiv-based Center for Defense Strategies, argued that no matter the front-line situation, the de jure recognition of Crimea is "certainly unreasonable." Zagorodnyuk said that the suggested peace formula circulating in the public domain has "nothing concrete about security guarantees," failing to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from breaching the ceasefire and restarting the war. "You can only formally accept territorial losses once, you cannot get them back again. But Russia can breach ceasefires as many times as it likes," Zagorodnyuk told the Kyiv Independent, stressing that Ukraine needs firm security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe. "Even if Ukraine has no 'cards,' it still cannot accept something which reinforces Putin for further actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmaker Yehor Cherniev, deputy chairman at the National Security, Defense and Intelligence Committee and a chairman at Ukraine's permanent delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, said that "all our partners have long been informed about these red lines" despite the U.S. reportedly considering recognizing Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. "We have nowhere to retreat, we will not sign a surrender," Cherniev told the Kyiv Independent, saying that he hopes the European partners will remain on Kyiv's side. John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, agreed that the overall front-line situation is "not great, but not dire," and it's unlikely to collapse. Even if the U.S. were to pull out its military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine again, Hardie believes that a front-line collapse is unlikely, although the effect in some areas such as the air defense may be felt quicker. Trump's team has threatened that the U.S. could ditch the peace talks efforts if there is no progress in the coming weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Russia's advances in its spring offensive may speed up with time despite its infantry currently being "very low quality," Ukraine's "really good ability" in its prepared defense and precision pose "a formidable challenge for the Russian attackers." "I don't think Ukraine is in a position where it sort of has to accept whatever the U.S. says or Russia's demands in order to get a deal immediately," Hardie told the Kyiv Independent. Read also: Full text of US peace proposal at odds with Ukrainian, EU positions, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Fort Cavazos, Tx (FOX 44) The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel reports a convicted rapist and kidnapper was sentenced to life in prison for a series of crimes against fellow soldiers. In addition of being found guilty of rape and kidnapping, the military judge also convicted Sgt Greville S, Clarke of attempted premeditated murder, assault with the intent to commit rape, burglary, robbery, aggravated sexual contact, aggravated assault, assault with intent to commit kidnapping, assault consummated by battery, indecent visual recording, and obstruction of justice. Clarke was found guilty of 29 separate specifications. Clarke was found not guilty of two specifications, one specification of attempted premeditated murder and attempted fraudulent use of an access device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial was conducted in the Lawrence Williams Judicial Center on Fort Cavazos. In addition to his life sentence with the possibility of parole for attempted murder, he received a consecutive sentence for his other crimes for an additional 112.5 years, a reduction in rank to E-1, total forfeiture of pay and allowances, and a dishonorable discharge from the Army. The successful prosecution of this case was a team effort between the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, III Armored Corps and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Clarke will serve his prison sentence at the United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am incredibly proud of the five survivors of Sgt. Clarkes violence for standing strong against him during trial. It has been my honor to walk with them on the journey to receive justice, said Maj. Allyson Montgomery, lead prosecutor, Headquarters, Army OSTC. May they now begin their lifelong paths of healing and vindication knowing their voices have ensured the accused is held accountable for his crimes. Man accused of threatening woman and kids with gun as they decorated eggs I am honored to have been part of the process in securing justice for the five survivors, said Capt. Garrett Morgan, prosecutor, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, III Armored Corps. Their unimaginable bravery and courage in recounting their story made this verdict and sentence possible. I hope that the outcome in this case gives the survivors some closure and helps restore trust and faith in the Army and in the military justice system. My thoughts are with the five survivors of Sgt. Clarkes crimes, said Capt. Cassidy Siberski, prosecutor, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, III Armored Corps. I am proud of our teams work to bring him to justice and my sincere hope is this result brings each of these brave women peace as they move forward toward healing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We commend the victims and individuals who came forward to help bring Sgt. Clarke to justice, said Spc. Jorge Carvajal, litigation paralegal, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, III Armored Corps. This verdict is a testament to our commitment to holding offenders accountable and ensuring the safety and dignity of our community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for the Middle East, presented a proposal to European officials in Paris on 17 April aimed at ending the Russo-Ukrainian war. The proposal includes the recognition of Russia's control over several Ukrainian territories currently under Moscow's occupation. Source: Reuters, citing the full text of the proposal, as reported by European Pravda Details: The United States has presented a draft agreement to European officials to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The document outlines clear terms and presents Washington's final proposal for both sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal calls for a permanent truce between Russia and Ukraine, with immediate negotiations on its technical implementation. Ukraine is offered security guarantees and the right to join the European Union, but not NATO. A key component of the agreement is the de jure recognition by the United States of Russia's control over Crimea, as well as its de facto control over Luhansk Oblast (referred to as Luhansk) and parts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson oblasts. Under the US plan, Ukraine would regain control over the occupied parts of Kharkiv Oblast, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the Kakhovka Dam. Ukraine would also gain control of the Kinburn Spit and unimpeded access to the Dnipro River. On the economic front, Witkoff's plan calls for an economic cooperation agreement between the US and Ukraine, alongside the resumption of financial assistance for Ukraine's full recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the plan proposes lifting sanctions imposed on Russia since the outbreak of the war in 2014 and highlights economic cooperation between the US and Russia in the energy and other industrial sectors. Background: Earlier, media reports suggested that the Trump administration handed over a one-page document to Ukraine in Paris last week, presented as a "final proposal" for a peaceful settlement. Among other things, the US is prepared to recognise Russia's control over Ukrainian Crimea and ease sanctions against Moscow. On 24 April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US had presented its strategy for the Ukrainian territories during talks in London. He added that after the US proposal, "another paper appeared", following a conversation between the Ukrainian delegation, the European team and the United States. The Telegraph has revealed details of a new negotiation document aimed at ending the war, with Kyiv hoping to deny Russia official international recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea and other occupied territories as part of the peace talks. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Reuters on April 25 published the full text of a U.S. peace proposal presented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to European officials in Paris on April 17, offering the clearest look yet at the Trump administration's plan to end Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine. The publication also released a counterproposal delivered by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week. The documents expose disagreements on critical issues, including territorial concessions, sanctions relief, security guarantees, and the size of Ukraine's armed forces. The U.S. draft includes a provision to legally recognize Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and de facto accept Russian control over Ukrainian territory seized since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, the European-Ukrainian proposal insists that territorial questions should only be addressed after a full ceasefire and start from the basis of the line of control. Security guarantees also remain a key dividing line. The U.S. text offers vague language about a "robust security guarantee" for Ukraine to be provided by unspecified European and "friendly" countries. It also requires Kyiv to abandon its bid to join NATO. The Ukrainian-European proposal calls for reliable, enforceable guarantees from allies including the U.S. and rejects limits on Ukraine's military or its ability to host allied forces. The documents also diverge sharply on sanctions policy. The U.S. plan calls for lifting sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014, including those related to Crimea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian-European text proposes sanctions relief only after establishing a "sustainable peace" and includes mechanisms to reimpose them if Russia violates any agreement. Kyiv also calls for the return of all deported and illegally displaced Ukrainian children, which the U.S. proposal does not mention. Read also: End policy of appeasement European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trumps Russia stance While proposing concessions on core political issues, the U.S. plan does include conditions for Moscow. It demands that Russia return occupied in 2022 Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukrainian control, under U.S. oversight, to provide power to cities on both sides of the front line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan also calls for restoring Ukrainian control over the Kinburn Spit, providing secure passage across the Dnipro River, and reclaiming occupied areas of Kharkiv Oblast around 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) currently held by Russian forces. On the economic front, the U.S. draft outlines a future agreement on cooperation and reconstruction, pledging financial support for Ukraine's recovery and infrastructure development. President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any peace terms involving territorial concessions. "This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine," he said on April 22. Ukraine has already accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposal introduced by the U.S. in March, provided Russia reciprocates. Moscow has so far rejected the ceasefire and continues offensive operations across the front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite promising to end the war swiftly, U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to impose new sanctions or take other steps to pressure the Kremlin. Read also: Trump says Crimea will stay with Russia, blames Ukraines NATO aspirations for war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. OSAKA - Survivors and families of victims of a 2005 West Japan Railway Co. train derailment offered prayers at an event marking the accident's anniversary on Friday, with some pledging to pass on lessons learned from the tragedy which killed 107 people. At a memorial ceremony at the site of the accident in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, JR West executives and other attendees paused for a moment of silence at 9:18 a.m., when the rush-hour commuter train crashed into a building 20 years ago and left 562 people injured. JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa vowed at the ceremony, hosted by the company, not to let memories of the accident fade as more than 70 percent of its roughly 25,000 current employees joined the company after the derailment. "Had we not caused the accident that day, (victims) would have lived lives full of dreams and hopes," Hasegawa said before a cenotaph at the site. "I can only offer my sincere apologies for the frustration of having had lives suddenly taken away." Kentaro Kosugi, a Tokyo resident, who lost both his parents in the accident, said he wished they would have lived to meet his two children. "I think there are 107 different ways of (feeling) sadness among the bereaved families," the 41-year-old said, referring to the number of fatalities. JR West is building a facility in neighboring Osaka Prefecture to preserve train cars involved in the accident and the belongings of those who died, with its completion expected sometime in December. The facility will be closed to the public in consideration of bereaved family members opposed to the display. It is planned to be open to families of victims, officials of transportation operators in charge of safety and those who were involved in rescue efforts. The accident occurred when the seven-car train on the JR Fukuchiyama Line derailed as it entered a curve on the track and crashed into a nearby condominium building. The train was traveling at around 116 kilometers per hour, far exceeding the 70 kph speed limit. All four former JR West presidents indicted on charges of professional negligence were acquitted. The Penal Code has no mechanism for punishing organizations for such accidents, and the bereaved families have been calling for the enactment of a special law to penalize both corporations and individuals. Related coverage: Kumamoto marks 9th anniversary of fatal quakes Japan emperor explores his symbolic role in trips to mourn war dead Victims of 1995 AUM sarin attack struggling with PTSD, survey shows GREENVILLE, S.C. (WFLA) The funeral for one of the Florida State University mass shooting victims is being held on Friday. Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old father of two, was among those killed by the 20-year-old suspected shooter, Phoenix Ikner, on April 17. Officials release timeline of attack, updates on victims after deadly FSU shooting Chabba, who was a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, is returning to his hometown in a casket, surrounded by family and loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tiru Chabbas family is going through the unimaginable now, Bakari Sellers, one of the attorneys hired by the family, said in a statement. Instead of hiding Easter eggs and visiting with friends and family, theyre living a nightmare where this loving father and devoted husband was stolen from them in an act of senseless and preventable violence. We are heartbroken to confirm that an Aramark employee was among those killed at FSU yesterday in that senseless act of violence, a spokesperson for the food service provider said in a statement last week. We are absolutely shaken by the news and our deepest sympathies are with the family and our entire Aramark community. The mass shooting, which took place outside FSUs Student Union, also left six others injured and hospitalized. Five of the six victims have since been discharged. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. (NewsNation) The funeral of Pope Francis took place Saturday in St. Peters Square in Vatican City, drawing around 200,000 people who bid farewell, according to the Vatican. The service started at 4 a.m. EDT Saturday, beginning with prayer and song. Francis body laid in state for three days at St. Peters Basilica since Wednesday. Proceedings and plans for his final resting place were simpler than those of previous popes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can watch the funeral on this page, or on NewsNations cable channel and NewsNations site and app. Not sure how to watch NewsNation? Find your channel here. Farewell to Francis Clergy arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peters Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) Crowds gathered outside in St. Peters Square for the funeral Mass where Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 91, delivered the Liturgy of the Word, or readings from Scripture. Dear Pope Francis, we now ask you to pray for us, said Re, who presided over the ceremony. We ask you from heaven, may you bless the church. May you bless Rome and bless the whole world as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica. Re led the funeral Mass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement War always leaves the world worse than it was before, Re said as he detailed Francis life and moral values, saying he always maintained his temperament. How was Pope Francis funeral different from other popes? Francis 2024 changes to burial rites for pontiffs paved the way for his more humble funeral and particular burial site, the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major. Located outside the Vatican, the basilica is home to Francis favorite icon of the Virgin Mary. The first images of Francis body were released earlier this week after his death Monday. He was 88. Francis was placed in a wooden casket, in red vestments and with his bishops miter, with the Vatican secretary of state praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel, where he lived and died. What is Pope Francis legacy? 5 lessons from the Argentine pope Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, popes have three coffins made of cypress wood, lead and elm that are ultimately 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. Francis singular coffin was not placed on an elevated bier, as is custom; his coffin, instead, simply faced the basilicas pews. Who attended Pope Francis funeral? President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the funeral shortly before the service began at 10 a.m. local time. Former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden were present at the start, as well. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, center, arrive for the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peters Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Argentine President Javier Milei and Prince William were among the mourners. The 42-year-old member of Britains royal family attended the Vatican City funeral on behalf of King Charles III, multiple outlets reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William, heir to the British throne, has traditionally represented the monarch at funerals, according to Vanity Fair. The office of Polish President Andrzej Duda said Duda planned to attend the ceremony. Poland has also declared a day of national mourning on Saturday for the funeral. Pope Francis legacy of serving the poor and marginalized The following world leaders also attended the funeral: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and first lady Janja Lula de Silva French President Emmanuel Macron German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda Romanias interim President Ilie Bolojan Spains King Felipe and Queen Letizia Switzerlands President Karin Keller-Sutter Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council President Antonio Costa, Parliament President Roberta Metsola East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito Freitas Belgiums King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and Prime Minister Bart De Wever Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance did not attend. He visited Francis during a brief meeting on Easter Sunday, the day before the pontiff died. How and when did Pope Francis die? Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic Church, died one day after Easter and nearly a month after his release from a hospital. His cause of death was a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, according to the Vatican. Francis was hospitalized in February, staying five weeks with double pneumonia that required high flows of oxygen and blood transfusions. What happens after Pope Francis funeral? The popes death sets off the formal process to select his successor, known as a conclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The word conclave is derived from the Latin words com, meaning with, and clavis, meaning key. It refers to the practice of Catholic cardinals gathering in a closed room or hall to vote on who should be the next pope. White smoke billows from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope on March 13, 2013, in Vatican City. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) Per the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the conclave usually occurs around 15 to 20 days following the death or resignation of a pope. Due to political turmoil, it took more than two years to elect Pope Gregory X in 1271. To ensure the papal election was not dragged out in the future, Gregory X ensured cardinals would remain together until a new pontiff was decided. Only cardinals younger than 80 are allowed to participate in the secretive, anonymous conclave vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of a successor for Francis, there are several frontrunners or papabile including Cardinals Peter Erdo, Reinhard Marx, Luis Tagle, Marc Ouellet and Robert Sarah, among others. NewsNations Anna Kutz, Ashley N. Soriano, Patrick Djordjevic 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 PIX11. Gabby Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, recently opened up about the investigation into her daughter's murder, sharing some new details about Brian Laundrie's family that came to light just weeks ago. While making an appearance on Tay and Taylor Lautner'sThe Squeeze podcast last week, Schmidt shared "new information" she learned about the Laundrie family just days prior, which she said now "keeps her up at night." SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over three years after her daughter's murder, Schmidt said she was given new information about the Laundrie family home from a source whose name was not shared. Schmidt was told that Laundrie's room at his parents' house had been "completely gutted and renovated" while he was still believed to be "missing." "None of his things were there," Schmidt revealed. "That very same week. Gabby was missing and cops were going to their house to try and get a scent from their dogs," Schmidt recalled, only learning recently that Laundrie's room was "completely empty." "Just gone," she said. According to Schmidt's intel, the unnamed source said there was "something wrong" with Laundrie's mother, Roberta, who was described as "clearly not mentally well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And I'm like...just add it to the list because I didn't even know about that," Schmidt told the Lautner's. The tragedy first occurred back in 2021, when 22-year-old Petito went missing during a cross-country road trip with Laundrie. He returned home to Florida in their van that September, but Petito never did. Petito's body was found near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming later that month, with her death ruled as homicide by manual strangulation. Laundriewho was later reported missing by his familywas found the following month in what appeared to be death by suicide. Authorities later determined he was responsible for Petito's death. According to Schmidt's account, the van Petito and Laundrie used to travel across the country was also "completely cleaned out" after Laundrie returned home from the trip without Petito. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mattress they slept on in the van was "never recovered," and "Gabby's stuff was packed away in a closet," according to her mom. Schmidt noted that it still "drives [her] crazy" to think authorities never talked to Laundrie directly about Petito's disappearance before he went missing, too. "That's the one thing that keeps me up at night sometimes," she added. DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Gabon's constitutional court confirmed Friday that Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Gabons interim president who staged a 2023 coup, won the Central African nations April 12 presidential election. Oligui Nguema won the election with 58,074 votes, which accounts for 94.85% of votes cast, according to the final results announced by the Constitutional Court. Oligui Nguema's tally increased by almost 5% compared to the provisional results announced the day after the April 12 vote by the Ministry of the Interior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He defeated seven other candidates, including immediate past Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who came in a distant second with 3% of votes cast. None of the other six candidates crossed the 1% mark. Bilie-By-Nze recently told The Associated Press that Oligui Nguema took advantage of state resources to support his campaign. The government denies this. Local observers deemed the conduct of the election satisfactory in nearly all the polling stations monitored. The Constitutional Court announced a turnout of 70,11 % in the election in which some 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 overseas, were registered to participate across more than 3,000 polling stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Ministry had previously announced a higher turnout of 87.21% in its provisional results announced the day after the vote. It was Gabons first election since the 2023 military coup that ended a political dynasty that lasted over 50 years. It was seen as a crucial election for the central African nations 2.3 million people, a third of whom live in poverty despite its vast oil wealth. Oligui Nguema, the former head of the countrys Republican Guard, toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago. He hopes to consolidate his grip on power for a seven-year term in office and is set to be inaugurated on May 3. Nevada Gaming Commissioner Brian Krolicki. (Nevada Gaming Commission stream screengrab) The Nevada Gaming Commission approved a stipulated agreement Thursday stemming from a complaint filed last week by the Nevada Gaming Control Board against MGM Resorts International. The complaint alleged MGM allowed three illegal bookmakers to gamble at the companys properties, despite knowledge of, or suspicions about their sources of income. One bad apple can ruin years of great work, Nevada Gaming Commissioner and former Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki said moments before the Commission approved the $8.5 million stipulated fine agreed to by MGM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a few bad apples can prove costly, if not damaging, to the states largest casino conglomerate, which won praise from regulators, even as they imposed the massive fine for allowing the bookmakers to gamble on more than 700 separate days at the MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan, which the company later purchased. 2,600 customers in the last 10 years have been banned from your property, Krolicki noted. 46,000 SARS (suspicious activity reports) have been filed. That is a culture of compliance. You should be proud of it. I do feel that this is a much different situation than what weve seen in other cases, Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey said. MGM did have a strong culture of compliance, not just because they were already in trouble. Its something that you had long before the trouble arose. MGM long sought to be a leader in gaming compliance, said Scott Scherer, a former Gaming Control Board member who represented the company before the commission and serves on its compliance committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, this case exposed one of the weaknesses in that program when employees forget their responsibilities or decide not to fulfill those responsibilities, whether it is because they are going rogue, or because they think thats what their customers, supervisors, or peers would want them to do. Scherer added that all culpable employees had either left the company voluntarily before these issues came to light, or have been terminated This is not an organization where compliance is a priority until its inconvenient for the business, MGM General Counsel John McManus told the commission. Compliance is what makes the business possible. McManus said although MGM could have done better, the company was consistent with industry best practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not here to beat up on individual former employees who made poor decisions and mistakes that many of them, all of them really, paid a significant price for, McManus said. Former MGM Grand president Scott Sibella entered a guilty plea in federal court for failing to file a suspicious activity report in 2018. He also agreed to give up his Nevada gaming license for five years. Commissioner Abbi Silver recused herself from the MGM item, citing her long friendship with Sibella. The Current was first to report in 2023 that the Criminal Division of the Internal Revenue Service was investigating MGM and Resorts World. The Nevada Gaming Commission last month approved a stipulated agreement in which Resorts World agreed to pay a $10.5 million fine. Federal authorities have yet to take any action against Resorts World. Gov. Gavin Newsom urged the federal government to pour more resources into helping fight ever-increasing numbers of wildfires while the Golden State awaits White House approval for $39 billion to cover the costs of Januarys devastating infernos in Los Angeles. Speaking from a hangar at McClellan Air Force Base, Newsom said during a Thursday press conference that California had made record investments in its wildfire response since he took office by stepping up its vegetation and forest management practices. He touted that Cal Fire had acquired a second C-130 Hercules military air tanker, one of seven the agency is expected to eventually receive from the federal government. Gov. Gavin Newsom looks under a wing of Cal Fires new C-130H firefighting airplane during a press conference at McClellan Park on Thursday. The challenges have been laid out. You heard the comments about the notion of seasonality now being disabused, he told reporters while sporting a black Cal Fire branded bomber jacket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact (is) we had one of the worst fires in California history in the middle of the winter, in January ... That it was one of the most devastating and deadly wildfires in our states history just a few months ago only underscores the urgency of this moment and the urgency of continuing to make additional progress. He also decried the federal government for cutting the U.S. Forest Service budget by 10% despite controlling 57% of Californias forestland. You cant even make that up. Thats not risk taking, he said. Thats recklessness, and so well do our part, but we need stronger partners. Newsom, who led the resistance during Trumps first term, initially took a circumspect approach to the federal government when the president recaptured the White House last November. Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson dangled the prospect of conditioning federal disaster relief money to California while the Los Angeles area suffered a series of devastating wildfires in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor reiterated that he wanted to approach the president with an open hand, not closed fist, even as Congress has so far not approved the $39 billion California is seeking in disaster relief money. At the same time, Newsom said Trump has not followed through on his threats to require the Golden State to overhaul its forest management practices or institute harsher immigration policies in order to get the funds. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about the Cal Fires new C-130H firefighting airplane during a press conference at McClellan Park on Thursday. Theres been no public statements that Im aware of, certainly no private missives that have come my way, Newsom said. He also praised Republican Rep. Ken Calvert for working to lift the dense fog of partisanship that initially surrounded the aid negotiations. The governor, believed to be a 2028 presidential contender, has increasingly taken antagonizing stances in recent weeks. Newsom filed lawsuits earlier this month to pause the shuttering of AmeriCorps and to stop a series of tariffs that he said would devastate the Golden States economy, calling them the poster child of stupidity. CENTRAL ISLIP, New York A federal judge on Friday sentenced disgraced former Rep. George Santos to more than seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a case that resulted in his expulsion from Congress and capped a colorful flameout for the first-term Republican. The 87-month sentence for Santos, who wept as it was announced, comes after a memorable one-year stint in Congress in which he was exposed, in prosecutors words, as a pathological liar and fraudster. In imposing the lengthy sentence, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert decried his flagrant thievery, describing him as an arrogant fraudster talking out of both sides of his mouth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His voice shaking, Santos told the court, I betrayed the confidence entrusted to me by constituents, donors, colleagues and this court. He must report to prison by July 25. Seybert also ordered him to pay more than $373,000 in restitution, due immediately, and to serve two years supervised release. Santos political saga gripped Washington and New York, where he flipped a Long Island House seat in a little-watched 2022 race that led to his prominent rise and ultimate downfall. After prosecutors charged him in May 2023, he refused to resign, buoyed by the support of many House Republicans. That support eventually dwindled, however, and Santos became the first member since the Civil War to be booted from the House without a conviction. In August 2024, he pleaded guilty to two felony charges and acknowledged he used his campaign fundraising apparatus for personal gain. He admitted to submitting false reports to the FEC during his congressional run and to stealing the personal identity and financial information of elderly and cognitively impaired campaign donors. He fraudulently charged their credit cards, making unauthorized contributions to his campaign and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also admitted to persuading donors to contribute money to a company that he claimed was a social welfare organization or super PAC, when in fact he used their contributions to put himself up at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, shop at Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Brooks Brothers, pay off his credit cards and gift himself thousands of dollars in cash. In his guilty plea, Santos also acknowledged fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic. In court on Friday, New York state Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon delivered a victim impact statement, saying Santos criminal actions demonstrate a callous disregard for his constituents and fellow citizens. His campaign for Congress didnt turn him into a fraudster, prosecutor Ryan Harris told the judge. It simply revealed him for what he already was. The criminal investigation and a separate congressional inquiry, coupled with significant media coverage, revealed that Santos had promoted scores of lies about his educational and professional background, as well as numerous other falsehoods, including that his mother died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House of Representatives voted to expel Santos in 2023 after the ethics committee released an explosive report that found significant evidence of Santos criminal wrongdoing. Democrats last year won back his Long Island seat in a special election. From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santoss unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives, prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo. They had recommended he receive an 87-month sentence, in large part because, they argued, he wasnt remorseful. In fact, after prosecutors submitted their sentencing memo, they provided an additional filing to the court highlighting Santos social media posts to demonstrate that he remains unrepentant. In one post, he referred to himself as a scapegoat, and in another, he denied having used campaign contributions to shop at Hermes. No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, he wrote in another post, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to the court , Santos argued that he is profoundly sorry for the criminal conduct to which I pled guilty, but that he had the right to protest the Justice Departments request for the lengthy sentence. Santos himself suggested he serve two years, the legal minimum for one of the counts to which he pleaded guilty. In the first few minutes of Fridays sentencing, the judge took aim at both Santos criticism of the Justice Department, calling the case hardly a vindictive government prosecution and his plea for the lightest sentence available, telling him curtly, thats not going to be possible. Former Republican congressman and Cameo star George Santos was sentenced Friday to serve over seven years in federal prison. Santos 87-month sentence comes a year after he pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. At that time, Santos confessed to lying to Congress and defrauding campaign donors, among other crimes. Standing in Federal District Court in Central Islip, New York, on Friday, Santos was given until July 25 to surrender to federal authorities and officially begin serving his prison sentence of seven years and three months. Mr. Santos, words have consequences, Judge Joanna Seybert told Santos. You got elected with your words, most of which were lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Seyberts sentence adhered to federal prosecutors recommendation. Santos lawyers had fought for a lesser sentence of two years with probation, but Santos also told The New York Times this week ahead of his sentencing that he had no plan to request a pardon of any kind. Right now, my expectation is Im going to prison for 87 months. Im totally resigned, he revealed to the outlet on Wednesday. I came to this world alone. I will deal with it alone, and I will go out alone. In 2022, Santos was elected to Congress when he won a Congressional seat in a famously Democratic-leaning Long Island district. He became the first openly gay Republican to be elected to Congress. However, an investigation by the House Ethics Committee discovered that Santos had spent some of his campaign funds on OnlyFans, Botox, designer fashion items and cosmetic products. This investigation led to over 100 Republicans joining House Democrats in voting for Santos to be expelled from the House of Representatives. As a result of his expulsion, Santos became the first House member to be expelled prior to being convicted of a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his brief tenure in the national spotlight, it was discovered that Santos had not only lied about the distribution of his campaign funds but also that he was the descendant of Holocaust refugees and that his mother had been in the World Trade Center during the infamous 9/11 attacks in Sept. 2001. He had also lied, it turned out, about where he went to high school and college and had fabricated past experiences working on Wall Street and competing as a volleyball star. Shortly after he was expelled from Congress, Santos joined the social media app Cameo, which allows users to pay celebrities to record and send them personalized videos. He took advantage of his cultural infamy to make quick money, even in the wake of his political fall from grace. In December 2024, he launched a podcast titled Pants on Fire, in reference to his history of lying. Its guests have so far included Isaiah Washington, Taylor Lorenz, Perez Hilton, Joe Exotic and others. The post George Santos Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft appeared first on TheWrap. Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison -- the maximum he faced -- on Friday after pleading guilty to a series of fraudulent schemes. U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced him to 87 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. A tearful Santos told the judge he regrets defrauding the voters who supported his 2022 run for Congress before she handed down the sentence. PHOTO: Former Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) "My conduct betrayed my supporters and the institutions I swore to uphold," he said during his sentencing hearing in a New York federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He began to cry and struggled to get out the words as he tried to express remorse for the crimes he committed. "I undermined the faith in the very institutions I swore to uphold," he said. "I cannot rewrite the past but I can control the road ahead." He urged Seybert to impose a lenient sentence, arguing he can positively contribute to the community he "robbed." Judge rebukes Santos' repeated lies Santos, 36, was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He faced a sentence of 75 to 87 months imprisonment, including a mandatory minimum two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. Santos did not take any questions from reporters as he arrived at federal court in Central Islip for the Friday morning sentencing hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: George Santos insists he's 'accepted full responsibility' for crimes days before of sentencing His attorney, Andrew Mancilla, described his clients conduct bluntly, arguing the former congressman is forever stained by his actions. Everyone hates George Santos, Mancilla told the court ahead of the sentencing, claiming his client is not the caricature drawn by the media. He is a 36-year-old gay man with no criminal record who came from a broken family, Mancilla said. He built this ego of a man he wanted to be, not who he was. PHOTO: Former Rep. George Santos arrives at federal court for sentencing, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip, N.Y. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) But prosecutors argued Santos has shown little remorse for his crimes, has blamed the Department of Justice and committed an unprecedented series of crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has committed crime after crime after crime, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Harris said. He has repeatedly proven he is unable to tell the truth. Harris rebuked Santos for suggesting the prosecution was politically motivated and argued the former congressman has demonstrated a genuine lack of contrition. This case is not the product of so-called lawfare. It is the result of years and years of deceit, he said. Seybert agreed, calling out Santos for his repeated lies and lack of remorse. Its incredible that he did not stop with the lies, she said. Its incredible now that he tries to blame the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Judge agrees to delay George Santos' sentencing in federal fraud case Before imposing her sentence, Seybert noted she has sympathy for Santos, believes he is a talented man and hopes he will eventually contribute to society. Mr. Santos, words have consequences, she said, noting the same words that won him a seat in Congress landed him in court. You have a future, and I am sad to say in one sense that it is going to be shortened by the sentence I am about to impose, she added. As the sentence was read, Santos covered his face with his hands. He was not immediately remanded and will report to prison at a future date. PHOTO: Former Rep. George Santos, departs after the sentencing in his criminal corruption charges at Central Islip Federal Courthouse in Central Islip, New York, April 25, 2025. (Peter Foley/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) Prosecutors highlight 'social media blitz' In a court filing ahead of Friday's sentencing hearing on Long Island, federal prosecutors requested the maximum possible sentence -- amounting to seven years and three months -- calling his conduct a "brazen web of deceit" that defrauded donors and misled voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also argued the former New York congressman's recent "social media blitz" shows he "remains unrepentant for his crimes" in a subsequent filing. In one example, prosecutors pointed to an April 4 post on Santos' X account that stated, "No matter how hard the DOJ comes for me, they are mad because they will NEVER break my spirit." The post was made the same day the DOJ filed its initial sentencing recommendation. MORE: Prosecutors seek more than 7 years for George Santos in 'brazen web of deceit' Santos, meanwhile, insisted in a letter to Seybert this week that he has "accepted full responsibility" for his crimes. He said he can be both "profoundly sorry" and upset by the Justice Department's recommendation of a lengthy prison sentence. "But saying I'm sorry doesn't require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head. True remorse isn't mute; it is aware of itself, and it speaks up when the penalty scale jumps into the absurd," Santos' letter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos included a selective chart to suggest the government's sentencing recommendation is out of step with other political prosecutions, citing former Illinois Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. being sentenced to 30 months for misusing $750,000 in campaign funds or ex-New York Rep. Michael Grimm being sentenced to eight months for concealing $900,000 in wages and taxes. Santos had asked for a two-year prison sentence. PHOTO: George Santos corruption trial at the Central Islip Federal Courthouse (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) Former campaign treasurer set to be sentenced Prosecutors alleged Santos, with the help of his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, falsified Federal Election Commission filings, fabricating donor contributions and inflating fundraising totals to meet the $250,000 threshold required to join the National Republican Congressional Committee's coveted "Young Guns" program. Marks pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in 2023 and is awaiting sentencing in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: George Santos made $400K from Cameo appearances, prosecutors say Santos pleaded guilty in August 2024. The Republican was expelled from Congress in December 2023. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to pay nearly $600,000 in restitution and forfeiture. The judge agreed to delay Santos' sentencing, which had initially been scheduled for Feb. 7, after Santos asked for more time to make money off of his podcast to satisfy his restitution and forfeiture. Members of the Concerned Citizens of NY-03, an organization formed in 2023 by voters from across the region Santos once represented in response to his actions, spoke out following the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My reaction in sitting in the courtroom was, 'Cry me a river,' when he got that sentence," Jody Kass Finkel, the head of Concerned Citizens of NY-03, said outside the courthouse. "He has betrayed the public trust." George Santos sentenced to over 7 years in federal fraud case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was sentenced Friday to seven years and three months in prison, putting a bookend on the more than two-year scandal that captivated Washington and brought the New York Republican from a GOP trailblazer to an embarrassing stain on the party. The sentence marks the latest development in the drama that surrounded the former congressman, who earned praise as the first openly gay Republican to win a House seat as a nonincumbent in 2022 before becoming the face of controversy after his background was exposed as a series of outlandish lies. The storm surrounding Santos on Capitol Hill hit an apex in December 2023, when he was expelled from the House in a bipartisan vote, becoming the sixth lawmaker in history to be ousted from the lower chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As his political career nosedived, prosecutors charged Santos with 23 federal counts over several criminal schemes. He took a deal last summer that included pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Federal law mandated that U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, an appointee of former President Clinton who oversaw the case, sentence Santos to at least two years, given the severity of his charges. Santoss attorneys contended that punishment is sufficient given his remorse, but the judges 87-month sentence matches prosecutors recommendation. As part of his plea deal, Santos admitted to filing false campaign finance reports, charging donors credit cards without authorization and fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits, among other things, saying he was taking responsibility for the lies I have told myself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also agreed as part of the deal to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution and a forfeiture judgment of roughly $205,000. Central to his sentencing was whether Santos truly felt remorseful. Prosecutors urged the lengthier sentence by asserting he remains unrepentant, pointing to his recent social media posts attacking the Justice Department. Santos pushed back in a letter to the judge earlier this week, telling Seybert he was committed to making amends for his crimes. But saying Im sorry doesnt require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head. True remorse isnt mute; it is aware of itself, and it speaks up when the penalty scale jumps into the absurd, Santos wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santoss sentencing puts an end to his stunning rise and fall on Capitol Hill. His election in 2022, which flipped a blue seat red, was hailed as a boon for Republicans until weeks later; before he was even sworn into office, The New York Times reported that several parts of his biography and resume were fabricated. From the minute he arrived on Capitol Hill, he was mired in controversy, which culminated with a historic vote in December 2023 to expel him from the chamber. A bipartisan group of lawmakers came together to support his ouster, overcoming the inflated two-thirds threshold required for expulsion. The move reverberated in Congress. Santoss expulsion left House Republicans, already grappling with a razor-thin majority, down a key vote. Later, in February 2024, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) won a special election to replace Santos, putting the purple district back into Democratic hands. With his trial in the rearview mirror and the sentencing decided, Santos is now staring down time behind bars a reality that he, during an extensive sit-down interview in the Capitol the day before his expulsion, said he was worried about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wouldnt you be? I mean, of course, Santos told reporters when asked if he was scared to go to jail. Thats why I made it very clear that I am, you know, standing my ground, but of course, everybody should be. These are serious allegations and I have a lot of work ahead of me. Updated at 12:47 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. TOKYO - Potentially harmful PFAS chemicals have been detected at high levels in rivers and groundwater across 22 of Japan's 47 prefectures, a government survey conducted in fiscal 2023 showed Friday. The survey, which covered approximately 2,000 sites in 39 prefectures, found that PFAS levels exceeded the government's provisional cap of 50 nanograms per liter in 242 locations. The highest level was detected in groundwater in Settsu, Osaka Prefecture, at 26,000 nanograms per liter, or 520 times the upper target. PFAS is a general term for a group of over 10,000 artificial chemicals that include PFOS, or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. They are used in various products, such as frying pan coatings and water-repellent clothing. There is currently no concrete evidence of adverse health impacts from PFAS, although some researchers have warned of potential effects, including an increased risk of cancer. Of the 242 sites where high PFAS levels were found, 42 sites across nine prefectures showed levels above the provisional cap for the first time and 97 locations had previously exceeded the cap and remain under monitoring, while 103 sites were those close to locations which exceeded the cap in past surveys and monitored to identify the extent of past contamination. PFAS contamination is frequently detected near factories, U.S. military bases, and Japan Self-Defense Forces facilities. The Environment Ministry, however, has not disclosed the specific testing sites. Local governments have identified the source of contamination in only four cases, including Kibichuo, a town in Okayama Prefecture, where disposed activated carbon was determined to be the cause. At sites where the polluted water had been used for drinking, authorities have already taken measures such as switching water sources or restricting consumption. Other areas where high levels were detected included groundwater in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, at 15,000 nanograms per liter, a river in Ayabe, Kyoto Prefecture, at 4,600 nanograms, and groundwater in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, at 2,200 nanograms. The data was compiled based on studies conducted by the ministry as well as local government-led investigations. Eight prefectures did not provide responses to the voluntary survey. While high PFAS levels were detected in 111 sites across 16 prefectures in the previous study in fiscal 2022, the ministry noted that direct comparison was difficult due to differing survey conditions. Related coverage: High levels of PFAS chemicals found at Japan defense force facilities Japan inspects U.S. base in Tokyo over possible PFAS chemical leak PFAS chemicals detected in 20% of Japanese tap water in gov't survey WASHINGTON Former Rep. George Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison on Friday, bringing an end to a yearslong saga that culminated in the New York Republicans removal from office in 2023. Santos received the maximum sentencing in federal district court in Central Islip, New York, by Judge Joanna Seybert as the former congressman quietly wept. Santos addressed the judge before his sentencing was handed, acknowledging that his conduct betrayed my supporters and the institutions I swore to uphold. Mr. Santos, words have consequences, Seybert said. You got elected with your words, most of which were lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentencing comes after Santos pleaded guilty last year to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft as part of a plea deal. Santos was indicted in 2023 over accusations that he had misled donors by lying about his personal and professional resume and that he had used campaign funds for personal purchases, such as Botox, designer clothing, cosmetics, and an account on OnlyFans, an internet subscription service that is mostly known for sexually explicit content. The indictment also found that Santos lied on congressional documents by reporting fictitious loans to his political committees to incentivize donors to make further contributions only to use those repayments to pay off his own loans. Santos faced a slew of other ethics violations after being investigated by the House Ethics Committee, which concluded that Santos knowingly filed false or incomplete reports to the Federal Election Commission, used his campaign funds for personal purposes, and engaged in knowing and willful violations in relation to the Ethics in Government Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos was later expelled from the House in a 311-114 vote, with 105 Republicans joining their Democratic colleagues to remove him from office. Santos is only the sixth member of Congress to be removed from office and the first to be expelled without having first been convicted of a crime or having fought for the Confederacy. Seybert based the 87-month sentencing on recommendations from prosecutors who said that Santos needed to serve out the maximum sentence to consider the seriousness of his unparalleled crimes and to protect the public from being defrauded. Prosecutors also accused Santos of showing little remorse for his actions, pointing to social media posts in which Santos counted down the days to his own sentencing and appeared to lack regret. I came to this world alone. I will deal with it alone, and I will go out alone, Santos told The New York Times ahead of his sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Santos attorneys pushed for a lighter sentence, the former congressman said earlier this week he would not seek a pardon and that he would accept full responsibility. But saying Im sorry doesnt require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head. True remorse isnt mute; it is aware of itself, and it speaks up when the penalty scale jumps into the absurd, Santos wrote in a letter to Seybert on Tuesday. Santos has until July 25 to surrender himself and begin his time in prison. (Reuters) - Former U.S. Representative George Santos, who was expelled from Congress after a brief and scandal-plagued tenure, was sentenced by a federal judge on Friday to more than seven years in prison for fraud and identity theft. Santos pleaded guilty last August to two of the 23 criminal counts he faced for inflating fundraising numbers and faking donor names to qualify for financial support from the Republican Party during the 2022 election cycle, when the political newcomer was elected to represent a slice of New York City and its eastern suburbs. On Friday, Eastern District of New York Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced the 36-year-old to 87 months in a federal prison and ordered him to surrender by July 25, the New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Santos, words have consequences, the judge told Santos. You got elected with your words, most of which were lies. In April, prosecutors recommended an 87-month sentence, saying the top end of Santos guideline sentence range was appropriate to reflect the seriousness of his unparalleled crimes. During his campaign, Santos claimed that he attended New York University, that he had worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and that his grandparents had fled the Nazis during World War Two. None of those claims were true. Santos was hit with federal charges in May 2023 for laundering campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses, charging donors' credit cards without their consent, and receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of his plea deal, Santos admitted to all of the wrongdoing described in the indictment, even though he only pleaded guilty to two of the 23 counts in August. Santos spent much of his 11 months in office engulfed in scandal, marginalized by his fellow lawmakers and mocked by late-night TV comedians following revelations that he had lied about much of his past. A bipartisan investigation by the House Ethics Committee found he spent campaign money on Botox, luxury brands such as Hermes, and OnlyFans, an online platform known for sexual content. He was expelled from the House of Representatives in December. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; editing by Diane Craft) Disgraced former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who lied about his life story and defrauded donors, was sentenced Friday to over seven years in prison, sobbing as he heard his punishment. Santos, who pleaded guilty last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, appealed for mercy, telling a court through tears that he was humbled and chastised and realized he had betrayed his constituents trust. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I offer my deepest apologies, he said, adding: I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert evidently wasnt convinced. Where is your remorse? Where do I see it? she asked as she sentenced him to 87 months behind bars. She said the former politician appeared to feel that its always someone elses fault. The New York Republican served in Congress barely a year before his House colleagues ousted him in 2023. He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen people, including his family members, to fund his winning campaign. As part of a plea deal, Santos has agreed to pay roughly $580,000 in penalties in addition to prison time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 36-year-old didnt respond to reporters shouted questions as he walked into a Long Island courthouse, but he told The Associated Press on Thursday that he was resigned to his fate. Im doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances, Santos wrote in a text message, adding that he was ready to face the music. Prosecutors sought the 87-month sentence, questioning Santos remorse in light of his recent social media posts casting himself as a victim of prosecutorial overreach. Prosecutor Ryan Harris said some of Santos victims were extremely vulnerable, including a woman with brain damage and two octogenarian men who have dementia. Santos has said in recent days that he has no intention of paying back victims promptly, Harris noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People think of this as a victimless crime because its about money. There are many victims in this crime, added New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. She addressed the court as a victim because Santos collected unemployment benefits while employed by a Florida company. Santos lawyers had called for a two-year prison stint, the mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft. Defense lawyer Andrew Mancilla portrayed the ex-congressman as a troubled figure forged by adversity. Santos, who has no prior criminal record, grew up in a broken house and was subjected to bullying throughout his life, the attorney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, he built the man he wanted to be, not who he was, Mancilla said. He did that because he believed that the world would not accept him for who he was. Deep down, he is warm, kind, caring, and thoughtful, Mancilla said. But, the lawyer said, now everyone hates George Santos. Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. Soon after, it was revealed that the political unknown had fabricated much of his life story, painting himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms and held a valuable real estate portfolio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality, Santos was struggling financially and even faced eviction. The revelations led to congressional and criminal inquiries into how he had funded his campaign. As his sentencing approached, Santos was reflective in social media posts, thanking his supporters and detractors alike. I learned that no matter left, right or, center we are all humans and for the most part Americans (LOL) and we have one super power that I cherish and that is compassion, he wrote Thursday on the social platform X. To the trolls well you guys are an impactful part of how people shape themselves, and yall made me much stronger and made my skin thicker! He also made one final plug for his Cameo account, where he records personalized video messages for $100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Think ahead and of any celebration or event coming up later this year. Book them today, Santos wrote, ending the post with a series of heart emojis. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Disgraced former Rep. George Santos sobbed as a judge sentenced him to 87 months in jail on Friday, April 25 While handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert called Santos an arrogant fraudster talking out of both sides of his mouth Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in August 2024, after admitting that he had lied about his background and committed identity theft in order to bolster his political career Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos had an emotional reaction as his lengthy prison sentence was handed down on Friday, April 25. A New York Times reporter inside the Long Island courtroom shared that Santos "covered his face and was sobbing" as U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced him to 87 months in prison for his "flagrant thievery." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos wrote a letter to Seybert in the days leading up to his sentencing, aiming to assure her that he was "profoundly sorry" for his crimes and arguing that an 87-month sentence would be overly harsh. Every sunrise since that plea has carried the same realization: I did this, me. I am responsible, he wrote. But saying Im sorry doesnt require me to sit quietly while these prosecutors try to drop an anvil on my head. Related: George Santos, Disgraced Congressman Turned Cameo Star, Sentenced to More than 7 Years in Prison for Fraud However, his pleas did little to move Seybert, who described the former congressman as an arrogant fraudster talking out of both sides of his mouth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on Aug. 19, 2024, admitting that he had lied about his background and committed identity theft in order to bolster his political campaign. Only a year after flipping a congressional seat red in the 2022 midterm elections, he was ousted from the House of Representatives in December 2023, becoming just the sixth congressperson ever expelled in the chamber's history. Related: George Santos Is the Sixth Congressman in History to Be Ousted by His Colleagues: Here Are the Other Five Alex Wong/Getty Former New York Rep. George Santos Following his sentencing, Santos remained emotional as he told the court, I betrayed the confidence entrusted to me by constituents, donors, colleagues and this court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was ordered to report to prison by July 25 and must also pay $373,000 in restitution. Related: Expelled Rep. George Santos Has a Bitter Message for Republicans After Democrat Tom Suozzi Flips His House Seat In a Justice Department filing from April 17, U.S. Attorney John J. Durham asked for a lengthy sentence for Santos, arguing that his "unrepentant" social media posts about his legal issues proved that he deserves a significant carceral sentence. Put plainly, Santos is not genuinely remorseful, despite accepting responsibility as part of his allocution, Durham wrote. If he were, his actions would be different. At a minimum, one would expect Santos to approach sentencing with a modicum of restraint so as not to undermine the attorneys who have advocated for leniency on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, however, Santos has reverted to form and approaches sentencing with belligerence and an insatiable appetite for likes, blaming his situation on everyone except himself, the federal prosecutor added in his blistering note to the court. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a previous filing, attorneys argued that Santos had made a mockery of the U.S. election system. "From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santos's unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives," they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the end of his congressional career, Santos launched a podcast, Pants on Fire, and sought commissions on Cameo and OnlyFans in order to pay legal fees and fines. Read the original article on People Georgia authorities are on the hunt for a caregiver whos facing serious charges following a shopping spree. Nah, theyre not accusing her of shoplifting. The cops say her shopping haul came at the cost of a very vulnerable individual. Briauna Michelle Powell, 24, is at-large for a series of suspicious transactions that happened over the course of February and March. The Stone Mountain native was described as a healthcare assistant at Visiting Angels who was responsible for the care of an 82-year-old woman who suffered dementia and Alzheimers, per Channel 2 Action News. A police report says the patient was moved from Visiting Angels in Tucker to another senior living facility upon the advancing of her illnesses. She was also assigned a power of attorney. However, on Feb 8, the power of attorney noticed something suspicious: a fraud alert from Truist for a $236.37 purchase from Shein. The purchase was made on the patients Mastercard, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following that, the typical steps were taken and both the transaction and the card were cancelled. Though, the investigation into the fraud charge only opened up the discovery of even more fraudulent transactions. Between Feb. 19 and March 6, police found six unauthorized transactions on the patients account, including one bill of over $1,000 at Lowes, the purchase of a car and rent payments, per FOX 5 Atlanta. There was even an attempt to open a new account in the womans name. Officers tracked the suspicious activity to the one person who was ordered to care for the woman: Powell. They also found that while working at the facility, she tried to scam two other patients. Police then issued a warrant for her arrest. I dont know how she thought shed get away with it. Maybe she thought, because they were elderly and they couldnt care for themselves, so they wouldnt notice. If youre preying on the people that cant take care of themselves, we take that seriously, and we want to make sure shes held accountable, said Suwanee Police Capt. Robert Thompson via FOX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though, she still hasnt been arrested yet. When the cops do eventually find her, shell be facing multiple counts of ID fraud and elder exploitation. Suwanee police are asking the public for any information to help locate Powell. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Imagine being told you have just five days to leave your home with nowhere to go and no plan for what comes next. That was the nightmarish reality for residents of The Vault apartment complex in Statesboro, Georgia. City inspectors deemed the buildings dangerous to life, health, property and safety, and gave the property 10 days to submit a repair plan, according to WJCL News. Instead, eviction notices were posted on April 7 saying units must be vacated by April 11. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Basically saying that we need to move out by Friday. By the end of the business day," Tamia Allen told the local broadcaster. Here's what residents have to say about the state of the complex, and what tenants should know about their rights. A horrendous state of disrepair A decade-long resident of the complex, Duston Bowen says he's spent the last four years begging management to make repairs. "This right here. You can just squeeze and just peel it off. It's just it's not even on. There's a hole that goes up underneath it right now that's just rotted out," he said while pointing out damages on the outside of his unit. Shots of the inside showed further damage, such as peeling on the ceiling and mold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowen says calls to fix the unit have been ignored. "I've told them about so many things; I've actually given up," he said. Read more: This hedge fund legend warns US stock market will crash a stunning 80% claims 'Armageddon is coming. Dont believe him? He earned 4,144% during COVID. Heres 3 ways to protect yourself Other residents have complaints of their own. "When I opened the closet, an army of roaches crawled out," Walter Robinson told WJCL News. On top of living in these conditions, hundreds of residents were suddenly left scrambling to find a new home within a matter of days. What tenants can do Many states have tenant protection laws about the living conditions of rental properties. Georgia has the Safe at Home Act, signed into law last year, which requires rental properties for new or renewed leases to be fit for habitation and free of safety risks. If a landlord fails to comply, tenants can file complaints with local housing authorities. Landlords may also be open to legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you feel your rights as a tenant have been violated, you can take certain actions. First, document everything (photos, videos) and keep a record of any written complaints. You can also reach out to tenant advocacy groups or even an attorney for support. Explore rental assistance programs in your area if necessary. According to WJCL News, a number of local groups have offered former residents of The Vault assistance. For example, the nearby Georgia Southern University has offered students additional resources. Statesboro Pediatrics and Family Healthcare Center, a local clinic, has offered some free services in April. Christian Social Ministries has offered food and supplies. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help a Millbury woman and her family after her husband died last week and a fire consumed their home, rendering it a total loss. At around 11 p.m. on April 17, firefighters battled a fire at a home on 3 Fink Road, the Telegram & Gazette reported. Crews fought the fire until early the following morning, Jake Wark, spokesman for the Office of the State Fire Marshal, told the Telegram. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the home and the exact point of origin remains undetermined, Wark told MassLive. One person, a man in his 60s, was located deceased at the scene and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was identified by his family to the Telegram as Wayne W. Wunschel. The online fundraiser was set up by Wunschels stepson, Michael Woodbury, the Telegram wrote. [My mother] Karen Wunschel lost everything when her home caught fire, including her significant other, Woodbury wrote on GoFundMe. And in one horrifying moment, her world was turned upside down. She is now left with nothing, no home, no belongings and a heart full of grief." She didnt just lose the roof over her head, she lost the memories, the safety, the foundation of everything she had worked for and now she has to start over from scratch while trying to process a trauma no one ever should have to endure, Woodbury continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign was set up with a $10,000 goal to pay for the immediate needs [such as] clothing, shelter, food, and the process of rebuilding her life, Woodbury wrote. So far, the fundraiser has received $1,440 from 23 donations. This includes one donation of $200, seven donations of $100 and two $50 donations, among others. Anything you can give, no matter how small, will help her know shes not alone, Woodburys statement concluded. More GoFundMe stories ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Keith Country Day Elementary School Teacher Alyssa Passmore was awarded the Golden Apple Award in March for the joy and consistency she brings to the classroom. During Golden Apples selection process, students were not aware that their teacher was being considered for the award. I just told them that someone was looking for a really excellent second-grade class, said Passmore. They were really proud when observers came in I didnt tell them until the very end what it was actually for. Then they were very excited. Alyssa Passmore wins Golden Apple Award Shes very consistent, said Head of School Co-Lead Annie Baddoo. She delivers this high-quality, very targeted instruction for every child every day. She does it with so much joy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her students also expressed how wonderful she is as a teacher. Shes kind, nice and generous, said one student. I like her teaching style, another student explained. She always gives us second chances if we get things wrong. Passmore made the life-changing decision to switch from teaching high school Spanish classes to elementary education five years ago. The biggest key to being a teacher long term is finding the best fit for you, said Passmore. Finding joy in your everyday, finding what you love, what makes your day fun and sparks the joy in your students as well. For a full list of the Rockford areas Golden Apple Award Winners, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about the award and the organization, visit the Golden Apple Foundations website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. TOKYO - Seven & i Holdings Co.'s incoming CEO Stephen Dacus has vowed to speed up decision-making at the Japanese retailer group to increase its corporate value with continuing takeover interest from Canadian rival Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Speaking at a recent media briefing, Dacus, who will take over the top role from Ryuichi Isaka on May 27, said that under his management, decision-making will be team-oriented, emphasizing that the company plans to shift away from the traditional top-down style the company has long operated under. "We will accelerate decision-making," he said in Japanese, adding that the firm will focus on the growth of its 7-Eleven convenience store business. Seven & i said last August that it had received a takeover proposal from Couche-Tard, the operator of Circle K convenience stores, with the offer currently exceeding 7 trillion yen ($48.72 billion). The Japanese firm's founding family had sought to take the retail conglomerate private to block the buyout but gave up on the plan after struggling to secure funding. The incoming CEO said growing sales and profit will be one way to head off a hostile takeover, although the Canadian firm has said it does not plan to acquire Seven & i without it agreeing to a deal. "Our sales per store in the United States are higher than those of Couche-Tard," Dacus said. "We can grow further once we take overseas the competitive advantage we have in Japan." Seven & i said in March that outside director Dacus would take the helm of the company, becoming its first non-Japanese CEO. Related coverage: 7-Eleven stores of future to open at Osaka expo, with avatar robots Japan 2024 convenience stores sales at record high on inbound tourism U.S. Rep Maggie Goodlander (center) speaks to Monadnock Community Hospital leaders in Peterborough on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Cynthia K. McGuire, president and CEO, is at left, and Richard Scheinblum, executive vice president and CFO, is at right. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin) U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, a Democrat from Nashua, has represented New Hampshires 2nd District in Congress for just over three months. While she acknowledges the hectic nature of becoming a lawmaker during President Donald Trumps second term, Goodlander made a point to emphasize some basics in an interview with the Bulletin this week: the housing market, health care, and child care prices. I think our system is being tested right now in ways that weve never seen before, she said, during a visit Tuesday to Monadnock Community Hospital. Governments not functioning at the federal level in the way that it ordinarily functions where, when, as a member of Congress, I ask a question of the Department of Health and Human Services, and we get answers to that question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodlander harkened back to her work on Trumps first impeachment trial. Prior to becoming a congresswoman, Goodlander worked in a number of non-elected government roles, including as an adviser to several U.S. senators and in the Biden administration. An attorney, she served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee in late 2019 when the Democratic-controlled House voted to impeach Trump over a phone call he made to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy threatening to withhold military aid unless Zelenskyy announced an investigation of Joe Biden. The Republican-led Senate ultimately voted to acquit Trump in early 2020. Goodlander compared the administrations recent actions to those that motivated her and her colleagues to impeach Trump during his first term. The case that we brought is really, at bottom, what were seeing play out every single day with this administration, she said. Were seeing abuses of power of all varieties, including of the variety that was like the direct case that we brought back in 2019. She condemned the Trump administration sending hundreds of migrants to a Salvadoran prison without due process, decried Trumps tariff strategy as a senseless trade war conducted at ordinary Americans expense, and called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has been embroiled in controversy over mishandling classified information, to resign. Goodlander said that if Democrats were in the majority, she would support an impeachment investigation into Trump. There has been no inquiry that has started, she said. But what I can tell you is that weve seen a pattern and a practice over the course of this second Trump administration that repeated itself in the first and so yes, I do believe that there would be credible grounds to really conduct a thorough investigation. But I want to stress that I really believe that there shouldnt be casual talk about impeachment proceedings. This is a punishment that our Constitution really reserves for a very, very select subset of offenses. Were talking treason and high crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodlander said its a priority of hers to help her party win a majority in the House of Representatives during 2026s midterm elections. The system our Constitution creates is of three co-equal branches, she said. And we need a check on this administration. Goodlander cited this as one of the reasons she decided against giving up her seat in the House to run for Senate in 2026. When Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who has represented New Hampshire in the Senate since 2008, announced she wouldnt seek reelection last month, Goodlander openly considered joining the race to replace her. However, she announced last week she would not launch a campaign, instead endorsing U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, who remains the only candidate in that race so far. Im really grateful, and Im humbled by the outreach that I got from people all across the state who encouraged me to take a look at the Senate seat, she said. The job Im in right now, Im on Day 109. I want to dedicate all of my energy towards ensuring that we have a House of Representatives, which is the body thats closest to the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout communication with constituents, Goodlander said shes heard consistently about the rising cost of housing, child care, and health care. As such, those are priorities for her, she said. Our system is just simply not working for so many hard-working people, she said. And were in an environment right now where the big fight is about how were going to dedicate federal resources and federal programming. And I just cant think of a more wrong approach than the approach that we see the Republican majority in Congress taking and this administration taking, which is to fund trillions of dollars in tax breaks on the backs of hard-working people, and thats going to mean higher health care costs. Thats going to mean higher costs across the board. She singled out housing among these issues as one she hears about constantly. Housing is a cornerstone of the American dream, and it is so far out of reach for far too many people, she said, pointing to rapidly increasing rent and home sale prices in New Hampshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether she thinks the constant controversies swirling around the White House are a distraction to addressing issues like housing, Goodlander said, Weve got to do both at once. We are seeing people Republicans, independents, Democrats who are stepping up and speaking out and want to be involved in a way that I dont think weve seen in a long time in this country, she said. And this is what gives me a lot of hope: the people who are coming from across the ideological spectrum, some of whom Im sure voted for President Trump, but did not vote for what theyre seeing happen here right now. They did not vote for the biggest cuts to Medicaid in American history. They did not vote for an indiscriminate, reckless, senseless set of trade wars that are jacking up costs and putting small businesses out of business. This is not what they voted for. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. One of the most revealing moments of the 2024 election on abortion came when Missouri, one of the most conservative states in the union, approved a ballot initiative creating constitutional reproductive rights. And yet less than six months later, Republican lawmakers are pushing a new constitutional amendment to overturn the result voters put in place. The Missouri experiment is a reflection of the lessons that abortion opponents have taken from their heavy losses in past ballot fightsand whether efforts to rebrand and modestly change old bans will work, even in the reddest states. For decades, the anti-abortion movement has argued that women should be treated as the second victims of abortion because they dont understand what they are doing, even if abortion itself is intrinsically wrong. Now, Missouri Republicans are applying the same theory to voters to forgive them for rejecting the GOPs abortion policy. Missouri was just the latest ballot initiative loss for the anti-abortion movement. Each defeat has prompted soul-searching among abortion opponents. Some have recognized that voters dont like bans that begin at fertilization, especially when those laws include harsh criminal penalties. Others blame the losses on voters own misunderstanding of the issues, or argue that right-to-lifers were simply outspent. In Ohio, for example, Republicans argued that voters didnt recognize how broad a right they had ushered inor how many restrictions would be constitutionally suspect once the ballot initiative was in place. Missouri Republicans are making a similar argument nowwith a new wrinkle. Missouri conservatives think voters only opted for Amendment 3, the reproductive rights ballot measure, because the states ban didnt have enough exceptions. And the state GOP is banking on the idea that a sweeping ban can rebranded in a way that voters will like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment Republicans have proposed would allow for exceptions slightly broader than the ones in the ban that Amendment 3 repealed, including certain severe medical emergencies, fetal abnormalities, and rape and incest (for the latter, survivors would have access only for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy). The amendment would also ban gender-affirming care for minors, which Missouri law already prohibits. All of that sounds standard for a conservative state like Missouri. The problem is that voters just rejected an abortion ban. Republicans nevertheless are arguing that what theyre doing is anything but undemocratic. Instead, they reason that voters didnt understand how extreme Amendment 3 wasand didnt have a real choice because they werent offered a middle ground between Amendment 3 and the old ban, which contained only a life exception. These arguments may sound familiar because the anti-abortion movement has made similar claims to explain why abortion victimizes women. In the 1980s and 1990s, a thriving clinic-blockade movement was damaging the reputation of the anti-abortion movement, especially following an escalation in violence against clinics and providers. The leaders of prominent anti-abortion groups wanted to establish that they werent anti-woman, even as they recognized a tension in framing abortion as murder without condemning women for choosing it. To reconcile these tensions, anti-abortion leaders stressed that women didnt understand what they were choosing. The movement championed right to know laws that claimed to inform women of the nature of life in the womb and the medical risks of abortion. Other abortion opponents claimed that most abortions were coerced. Now, Missouri Republicans are drawing on this playbook to justify ignoring what voters just did. The state GOP reasons that voters didnt understand what Amendment 3 would permitand that they opted for it only because they werent given a real choice. There may be some truth in the latter. Missouri voters are generally quite conservative, including on abortion, and may prefer what they might see as a middle-ground solution, such as whats in place in Nebraska, which allows abortion until 12 weeks, or North Carolina, which does the same, subject to a wide array of additional restrictions. But thats not what Republicans are giving them. The amendment Republicans are proposing would just institute another ban on virtually all abortions, with narrow and probably unworkable exceptions. Thats hardly a banner example of moderation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Republicans really might be doing is trying to confuse voters about what they are choosing, all while claiming that misinformation is to blame for the success of Amendment 3. A separate measure the GOP is advancing would give the Legislature the final word on the official description used for ballot measures (a judge had retooled the one used for Amendment 3 after concluding that the Legislatures was misleading). And Republicans are trying to make sure their new proposal appeals to voters who might not want a ban on abortion from the moment of fertilization. The proposal moving through the state Legislature asks voters whether they want to guarantee access to care for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages, ensure womens safety, permit parental consent for minors, allow abortions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest, require physicians to provide medically accurate information, and protect children from gender transition. Missourians who arent closely following the issue might want to allow abortions for medical emergencies and other reasons and still like the sound of the amendment. Voters might like the idea of banning gender-affirming care for minors without remembering that the state already prohibits it. Most critically, the amendment says nothing about the fact that the amendment would ban all other abortions. Theres some debate about whether the amendment itself would act as a ban or simply allow the Missouri Legislature to pass one, but one thing is clear: It presents itself as a sensible step to the center when it closely resembles the nations most sweeping criminal abortion laws. The truth is that Missouri Republicans know they are ignoring voters and arent worried about the consequences. Republicans in Missouri control every lever of government power, and Democrats stand no chance of changing that in the near term. GOP leaders know that Missourians have rejected the partys position on abortion, but they are betting that voters party loyalty is strong enough that they simply wont do anything about it if Republicans ignore what the state voted for just last year. The new proposal in Missouri isnt about giving voters a more nuanced choice. Its a show of force from a party in a state that thinks it has nothing to lose. NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WKBN) If you need a gift for graduation, a birthday, retirement or a housewarming, a New Middletown business is ready to help. Buckeye Gourmet Popcorn, located at 11092 Main St., has its grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday. Buckeye is a family business run by Vicki Dugan, her three daughters, son-in-law and four grandchildren. They use high-quality ingredients and make 20 flavors of popcorn, as well as fudge, cotton candy and saltwater taffy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the work is done by hand. We are so excited to be part of the community. The welcoming that weve had so far, people stopping in to see when were opening, has been phenomenal. Cant believe the online orders that are coming in already from just the local people, Dugan said. Buckeye can also help your organization with fundraising and split the profits. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit their 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 WKBN.com. North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong gives a student the pen he used to sign a bill establishing cellphone-free public schools during a signing ceremony April 25, 2025, at Bismarck's Centennial Elementary. He was joined by first lady Kjersti Armstrong. (Photo provided by governor's office) North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong went to a Bismarck elementary school Friday to sign a bill banning public school student cellphone use from bell to bell. This is a game changer for our public schools, giving students the freedom to focus on learning and to interact with teachers and friends without the constant tug of their cell phones and addictive social media, Armstrong said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 1160 would require public school districts to have policies requiring student cellphones be silenced and locked away during the entire school day on school grounds. The devices, including bluetooth-enabled devices, tablets, smartwatches or other wearable devices and gaming devices, must be stored in a lockable pouch, phone locker or other inaccessible locations. The law allows students to use their phones while privately traveling to an off-site educational location, such as a career and technology center. It also allows school districts to craft their own cellphone-use policy during school-related noninstructional time, such as bus rides, field trips, sporting events and school dances. Students with medical needs that require an electronic monitoring device and students participating in individual education programs may be exempted from the law. School districts will also be required to collect data and compile a report on the impact of its cellphone policies on student behavior, mental health, disciplinary incidents, school attendance and academic performance during the interim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said teachers have told her that student mental health challenges have become more overwhelming. This law gives students the gift of attention, connection, and presence. We are removing the constant pull of comparison and distraction and replacing it with space to learn and grow, Baesler said in a statement. The new law will go into effect Aug. 1. Lawmakers also are considering Senate Bill 2354, which would also restrict student cellphone use in private schools. The bill is being debated in a conference committee between the House and Senate. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday morning. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency over drought concerns in 17 counties, and issued recommendations on conserving water throughout the state. Weve been monitoring drought conditions closely, and unfortunately, our streamflow forecasts are low, particularly in southern Utah, Cox wrote in a press release Thursday. I urge all Utahns to be extremely mindful of their water use and find every possible way to conserve. Water conservation is critical for Utahs future. According to the Governors office, Utahs snowpack had peaked around Mar. 23 at 14.3 inches, stating it was only 44% of Utahs normal snowpack. Cox also reported that current reservoir reserves are only at 84%, which he said would help the drought, but preparations were needed to help with the summer ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, 42% of the beehive state is in severe drought, and 4% is in extreme drought. The 17 counties the governor lists in the declaration are: Washington Iron San Juan Kane Juab Emery Grand Beaver Garfield Piute Millard Tooele Uintah Carbon Sevier Sanpete, and Wayne The order puts into effect the state emergency operations plan, and calls the Drought Response Committee to begin reviewing hardships caused by the drought, identify actions to meet the needs of those hardships, and ensure agencies are coordinating between themselves regarding the drought. Additionally, the Governor has issued recommendations to water companies. Asking them to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Encourage efficient landscape watering, and Contact the Division of Water Resources for assistance, as needed, with developing drought response plans. These kinds of declarations also allow many local water districts to receive emergency funding to help with water conservation. In an interview with Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District, he told ABC4.com how crucial some of these programs are for rural agricultural areas. We appreciate [the declaration], Bennett said in an interview. That makes certain programs available to the agricultural community in the area. The farmers are going to get just about a third of the water they would normally get, and that is a pretty severe situation for them, and so some of these programs open up when the Governor makes that declaration. The Governor is also asking cities and counties to consider implementing restricting measures and other water conservation policies for the upcoming irrigation season to protect drinking water supplies. In past drought seasons, this has often taken the form of restricting watering times, shutting water, and other policy changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The declaration is also asking residents to employ water conservation in their everyday routines. These include: Reducing outdoor water use and waste Fix irrigation leaks and inefficiencies Convert turf areas to water-wise landscapes with drip irrigation Consider purchasing a smart-time controller or low-flow toilet. The Governor advises using rebates that are available at Utah Water Savers . Reduce indoor water use by fixing leaks Its really important that there be more awareness, Bennett told ABC4.com. That we have a very limited water supply this year because we didnt have the snowpack. The Governors order and the programs it opens up is only in effect for the next 30 days. If the declaration needs to be extended, it will have to come by approval of the State Legislature. Latest headlines: 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 ABC4 Utah. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Gov. Kay Ivey announced that Alabamas First Dog, Missy has passed away. According to the governors office, Missy is around 10 years old. In January 2019, the governor adopted Missy, a blended collie mix, from the Montgomery Humane Shelter. Governor Ivey and Missy were inseparable, and Missy adored the governor from the start. Whether the governor was working in her office at the Governors Mansion, hosting gatherings in the back courtyard, enjoying a meal, or even taking her pontoon boat out on the lake, Missy was always right by the governors side. Office of Governor Kay Ivey Missy was a great friend. After the best days and the hardest ones, it was always so good to return to the Governors Mansion and be greeted by Missy. She really made it feel like home, and I will miss her dearly, said Governor Ivey. Missy lived a great life. There is nothing quite like the love from our pets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Ivey is thanking all the employees at Montgomery Veterinary Associates who gave Missy excellent care and comfort in her final days. The governor encouraged all Alabama families to hold their pets extra close. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Gov. Bill Lee has signed a Republican-sponsored bill into law codifying the right to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and contraceptives in Tennessee, despite 11 House Republicans urging him to veto the measure in a letter. The Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Iris Rudder (R-Winchester) and Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), unanimously passed the Senate, but Republicans were divided on the issue in the House. To me, this bill is about life, Rep. Rudder said. It brings life into the world. It gives families the right to access IVF. It gives families the opportunity to plan their families through contraceptives. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts However, some House Republicans argued women already have the right to IVF and contraceptives in the state, making the bill unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill is a solution in search of a problem with serious, negative consequences, Rep. Chris Todd (R-Madison County) said. Others said the bill conflicts with state law and alluded they believe its anti-life. We already encode [in state law] on the one hand, that an embryo is a person; its an unborn child, yet this bill creates a statutory right to create and destroy human embryos without limitation of any kind, just wantonly, Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) said. I think as you listen to some of the discussion on the House floor this morning, maybe you can understand why this is a very important bill to codify into law the rights of women to continue to access IVF and contraceptives, Rep. Rudder said. This bill has nothing to do with what has been discussed on this floor this morning, other than to codify into law that the women in the state of Tennessee will continue to have the right to access IVF and contraceptives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed the House, with 37 Republicans voting against it. In response, 11 House Republicans wrote a letter to Gov. Bill Lee, imploring him to veto the measure. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom If we, as a government, authorize the slaughter of even one innocent life, God will judge us collectively, the letter reads. The power to save lies in your hands. The letter, sent by Rep. Chris Todd (R-Madison County), also signed by Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka), Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dickson), Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston), Rep Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain), Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville), Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill), Rep. Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville), Rep. Kip Capley (R-Summertown), Rep. Brock Martin (R-Huntington), and Rep. Ed Butler (R-Rickman), argued the morning after pill could be considered an abortion pill because it could prevent implantation of a fertilized egg, a notion thats been disproven by multiple medical studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, lawmakers wrote in the letter IVF clinics destroy the fertilized eggs that the couple does not use, which is a type of abortion and an act of intentionally terminating human life that should not be provided legal cover. The letter goes on to state IVF can result in too many pregnancies at once, posing a health risk to the mother and her babies, and requiring a surgery to remove some of the babies. Lawmakers called this selective abortion. Gov. Lee was not asked about the letter, but he told reporters on Tuesday he believes he knows what hell do once the bill reaches his desk. Until I read it, I cant definitively comment on it, but the basis of my understanding of what it is, I plan to sign that bill, Gov. Lee said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com On Thursday, a spokesperson for the governors office confirmed that Gov. Lee had signed the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill became law upon receiving his signature. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DORCHSTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Governor Henry McMaster will be in the Lowcountry on Friday morning to address Sustain South Carolinas Conservation Summit. The goal of Sustain SC is to generate conversations between businesses and local stakeholders in favor of sustainability investments in the state. During the summit, Sustain SC will announce the launch of applications for the Land and Water Action Platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summit is being held in Dorchester. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Its been 11 days since the Governors Residence in Harrisburg was broken into and lit on fire by an arsonist, threatening the life and safety of Governor Josh Shapiro and his family. In the time since, the governor has been traveling around the Commonwealth, thanking first responders, and on Thursday, visited Erie to advocate for more state funding for firefighters. EXCLUSIVE: Governor Shapiro speaks on Erie Countys role in his goals for Pennsylvania Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stood before dozens of erie fire officials and city leaders at Central Station on Thursday, he recalled an attack on him and his familys life in harrisburg. Seared into my mind will be the image of Lori and I trying to get our children and our dogs out of the residence while firefighters literally rushed in in order to put out the fire and make sure that the entire governors residence did not go up in flames, the governor said. Its another reason for the governor to travel around the Commonwealth to places like Erie to thank first responders and advocate for more funding in his proposed budget. A ladder truck, as were looking at today, 15 years ago, cost about $750,000. Today, around $2 million. Now, pumper trucks now often cost over $1 million. There were in the $400,000-$500,000 range a few years ago. It could cost nearly $10,000 now just to outfit one firefighter, said Bob Brooks, president of the PA Professional Firefighters Association. We cant fund public safety one bake sale at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mercyhurst University names new director of acclaimed intelligence program Even before the arson attack, the governor had proposed a $30 million increase in funding with his budget. Along with that, Shapiro highlighted a pilot program that would be created in his budget proposal that allows fire departments to better collaborate and share resources. The governor is also looking to protect firefighters with yearly cancer screenings paid for by the commonwealth. Weve had these programs, these grant programs in the past, which are good, not great. Good because everybody gets something. But as youve heard, costs are just dramatically rising, Shapiro said. Weve got to keep up with that, and thats why having a competitive grant program like Im proposing is going to be very, very helpful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts share good news following 2025 Presque Isle spring beach walk Shapiro said, beyond spending for first responders, Erie is well represented in his budget proposal. When you look at public safety, education, economic development, all things critically important to erie, erie has done very well in our budgets and will continue to do well, and Ill continue to look out for erie. On another note, Shapiro said he and his family are doing well since the attack on his home. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News He said he wont live in fear of what happened and will continue his job as a governor, as a father, and a man of faith. 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. DAMASCUS, Va. (WJHL) -A Virginia area that was devastated by Hurricane Helene is still finding hope in its recovery efforts. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin was in Damascus on Thursday for the dedication of the first of 83 houses completed after Hurricane Helene. The organizations Trails to Recovery and Mennonite Disaster Service built the house for Carl and Linda McMurray, who became trapped in their former home during the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The house, which had been in Lindas family for three generations, collapsed while they were inside. The couple became separated when Carl was swept away, but they were reunited almost 24 hours later. Not a day passes by that we dont think of September 27, Linda McMurrary said. Some days are better than others, but every day is a good day. God is good every day. The McMurrays said they are grateful for the help they have received from the Damascus community. Of all the good people that came out, it didnt matter what politics, what church, didnt matter what you as a person was your neighbor, Carl McMurray said. Everybody just rolled in and helped out and then they might go first next week or something. It was just really amazing, here, how everybody pulled together Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngkin reciprocated the same feelings towards Damascus, which he shared in a speech at the dedication. When communities come together and pull hard, we can move mountains, Youngkin said. Today is a demonstration of community, he later said in a press conference. There was little to no federal money in this. This was volunteers. This was donations from well minded individuals who said, we want to help. Congressman Morgan Griffith also attended the event. He announced Thursday that nearly $6 million from FEMA would be coming to help recovery efforts in Washington County, Virginia, and the Town of Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just the start, said Griffith. There should be more from different agencies, but this is from FEMA. And Im very happy that we were able to get this money 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia is making great progress towards achieving its malaria-free target by the end of 2025, Prime Minister Hun Manet said. In a message to mark the National Malaria Day on Friday, he said the Southeast Asian country reported only 355 malaria cases in 2024, a significant drop of 75 percent compared to 2023. The prime minister added that the kingdom had reported zero deaths from the disease since 2018 and no local Plasmodium Falciparum cases since 2024. "Cambodia is on the verge of achieving a malaria-free goal by the end of 2025," Hun Manet said, urging all stakeholders to continue to support the country to achieve the target. Huy Rekol, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, said malaria diagnostic tests and treatments have been highly effective in Cambodia, with Artesunate/Mefloquine, or ASMQ, being 100 percent safe and efficacious against malaria. "This progress has put Cambodia in the category of successful countries in eliminating malaria," he told Xinhua. Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that is typically found in forest and mountainous provinces, especially during rainy seasons. To avoid being bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Rekol advises people living in malaria-risk areas to sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets at all times. Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron, speaks on the South Dakota Senate floor on March 4, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced Friday hes seeking nominations for a new lawmaker to represent District 22 in eastern South Dakota after he appointed Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron, to serve as a judge in the states Third Circuit. District 22 includes Beadle, Spink and part of Clark counties. Wheeler was serving his third term as a state senator after he was first elected in 2020. He served as chair of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee this session and vice chair of the Government Operations and Audit Committee and the State Affairs Committee. He was also a member of the Judiciary and Legislative Procedure committees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheeler will replace retiring Judge Greg Stoltenburg. The Third Circuit consists of the counties of Beadle, Brookings, Clark, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Miner, Moody and Sanborn. As a judge, it will be my job to apply the law fairly and equally, Wheeler said in a news release, without regard for politics or personal beliefs. Rhoden said he believes Wheeler will represent the judicial branch with the same integrity, work ethic, and passion that he did in the Senate. Wheeler earned his bachelors, masters and law degrees from the University of South Dakota before returning to his hometown of Huron. He is married with three children and a partner at the Blue, Wheeler and Banks law firm. Submit a nomination To submit a nomination for the open state Senate seat in District 22, email ryan.brunner@state.sd.us by May 16. Nominations should include the candidates name, current physical address, resume, cover letter and letters of recommendation. CHICAGO Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton officially launched her Senate campaign in Bronzeville Friday morning, the neighborhood where she grew up and lives with her family. At the event, she got an official endorsement from Governor JB Pritzker. Pritzker released the following statement: Over the past six years, Ive had the privilege of working with Juliana Stratton, one of Illinois fiercest fighters for working families. She is a tested and steady leader who leads from a place of integrity, pragmatism, and dedication. Julianas lived experience has made her a passionate and compassionate advocate able to get big things done. Im proud to call her not just a partner in governance, but a true friend. At this perilous moment in Washington, Julianas fighting spirit and dedication to improving lives is exactly the type of representation Illinoisans need, and Im proud to endorse her for the United States Senate. Governor JB Pritzker During the campaign event Friday, Pritzker said that Illinois could use a fighter like Stratton in the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her announcement came hours after Sen. Dick Durbin announced on Wednesday that he would not seek re-election. Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announces bid for U.S. Senate Stratton used her speech to talk about what she says shed bring to the table in Washington and what prompted her to run. I have a little one who, when she asked who won the election and we told her Donald Trump, she broke down in tears. And what I knew is that I have to step in, and lean in, and keep fighting, Stratton said. Stratton is the first candidate to officially throw her name in the race, which is expected to be highly competitive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Potential candidates include Democratic Congressman Raja Krisnamoorthi, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and Congresswoman Robin Kelly. Republican Congressman Darin LaHoods name has also come up. Sen. Durbin told WGN he didnt intend to endorse any of the candidates for now. As for Pritzker, he is throwing his support behind Stratton early before any other candidate joins the 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 WGN-TV. Apr. 24GRAND FORKS With the grant paperwork now signed, the work to make additional air service to Grand Forks International Airport moves into a new phase. The paperwork was approved Thursday by the Grand Forks Airport Authority. The airport and city received a $1 million small community air service grant from the United States Department of Transportation, geared toward adding additional flight options to Grand Forks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand Forks was one of 14 communities that received a grant and only one of seven that received a grant of $1 million or more. Approximately $12 million was available, and over $31 million had been requested. After the grant became official on Thursday morning, the Grand Forks Air Service Expansion Committee met later in the day at the Hive to discuss the next steps. "(Grand Forks) has, what I'm going to call, clandestine defense work being done that requires air travel in and air travel out," said Sonjia Murray of the Meehan Aviation Group, the consulting company hired to help with the grant. "The DOT, they don't want their money back. They expect us to spend it, so you now go to part B in the effort." That effort includes meeting with airlines and working on the business case on why airlines should add flights to GFK. The likely outcome is an additional flight Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement from SkyWest Airlines to Denver as a United Airlines partner service. SkyWest had signed a letter of intent as part of the grant agreement, so now negotiations move forward with the grant paperwork finalized. Additionally, the Meehan Group has also worked with city and airport officials to get another flight to Minneapolis from Delta; if it happens, it will mean four flights daily, rather than the current three. According to Zoe Lindemuth from the Meehan Group, the total number of Delta flights to Minneapolis across all serviced North Dakota airports is less than pre-pandemic, but Grand Forks has been hit particularly hard. "The fourth flight will allow Grand Forks passengers to meet all of Delta's connecting flights in Minneapolis and allow so many more of our passengers near Grand Forks to be able to use the service because the flight times actually make sense," Lindemuth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timeline for additional flights is, at the earliest, at the end of the year. Roughly six months before the new service would start, the pledges made by numerous businesses in Grand Forks and the region will come due. They pledged more than $500,000 to support bringing additional flights to Grand Forks and have been nearly unanimous in their opinion they don't want to have to drive to Fargo for flights. "We are constrained by our service," Murray said. "We have the runways, we have the gates. We need (more service) and we want it. (Driving) an hour down the road is not what we want to do." Business travel has been a major focus. Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barry Wilfahrt said it may require businesses to change their own travel policies. "I know who people will go, 'I'm getting a (mileage) check for $130 (so) I'm just going to fly out of Fargo because it's $20 cheaper.' But by the time you pay the mileage reimbursement, the employer is actually paying $110 more," Wilfahrt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expanding service at the airport is also important to maintain the vitality of UND's flight school, Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski said. With the flight school, the airport is among the busiest airports in the country in terms of total air traffic, but commercial traffic is the main way the airport makes money, according to the airport's 2024 statistics. "If we don't have commercial (air traffic) and other stuff going on, the airport becomes more and more expensive and harder for that program to grow," Bochenski said. "We've got to grow what's happening at the airport, otherwise the costs just continue to fall on them." YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A city man arrested earlier this year on charges that he fired a shot at his brother was indicted Thursday by a Mahoning County grand jury. Derrick Jackson, 33, faces a charge of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, and a firearm specification. Jackson was arrested March 17 on a warrant by police charging him with shooting at his brother March 5 during an argument at a home on East Midlothian Boulevard. No one was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were called about 11:40 p.m. to a gas station at East Midlothian Boulevard and South Avenue, where they met a man who told them he was arguing with his brother at a nearby home when his brother pulled a revolver and fired a shot. The shot missed, and the man ran into another room, reports said. Two other shots were fired, but both missed, the report stated. The man then got in his car and drove away. Reports said police went to the mans home and found bullet holes, but the suspect was gone. Jackson is free after posting bond following his arraignment in municipal court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Mahoning County grand jury Thursday indicted a Youngstown man on charges he caused serious injuries to a passenger in his truck when it crashed in Coitsville. Chael Soto, 38, faces charges of aggravated vehicular assault, a third-degree felony; and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. Soto is accused of being the driver of a pickup truck on January 25. Around 3 a.m., the pickup truck was traveling south on State Route 616 before driving off the side of the road into a culvert and hitting a mailbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An accident report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said a 29-year-old female passenger was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center with serious injuries. The report said she had to be cut out of the truck by firefighters. Soto was also treated for injuries, the accident report said. The accident report did not say he was given a field sobriety test, or what the results of blood or urine tests may have been to determine his blood alcohol content. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 university lecturer warned police her estranged husband was going to murder her hours before he stabbed her to death outside her home. Paul Butler, 53, murdered Claire Chick, 48, after subjecting her to a six-month campaign of stalking and harassment when she ended their relationship. Before she was killed, Ms Chick had made six statements to the police about Butler and he had been arrested three times for assault, harassment and stalking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Plymouth Crown Court on Friday, Butler was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 27 years in prison for the brutal murder. The court heard that Butler took an overdose after the killing and when he was arrested he shouted: I am a monster. I have just seen hell, I am going to hell. Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, said that in the months leading up to the murder, despite being on bail and banned from going near her, 6ft 5in Butler continued to stalk his 5ft 2in wife and had hidden a tracking device on her car. Claire Chick had made six statements to the police about Butler When he learnt she had started a new relationship, he went to her flat wearing a camouflaged hooded top and waited for her to come out of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then attacked her in the street, stabbing her more than 20 times with a large kitchen knife he had bought hours earlier from a supermarket. Butler then fled the scene but not before chasing Ms Chicks new partner, Paul Maxwell, who had returned from an evening run and witnessed the murderous assault, shouting at him: Ill f------ do you too. Butler later messaged a friend saying: I am pretty certain I have ended her. I loved her so much. I meant to get him, but f--- him. I killed her. Butler was arrested the following day at a hotel in Liskeard, Cornwall, after barricading himself inside the room and taking an overdose of painkillers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Chick contacted the police on numerous occasions. On the day before she was killed, she gave a statement to police and said: I only feel that Butler will kill me if further action is not taken. I am in fear of leaving my house. Frenzied, brutal, murderous At a previous hearing, Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, pleaded guilty to murder and possession of a bladed article. Passing sentence, Judge Robert Linford said Butler had carried out a frenzied, brutal, murderous attack. He said the killing was nothing less than sheer murderous brutality. Lydia Peers, Ms Chicks daughter, described Butler as a parasite who had come between her and her mother with his jealousy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Ms Chicks death, Devon and Cornwall Police made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous contact. Our investigation into Claire Chicks contact with Devon and Cornwall Police prior to her murder in January is ongoing, an IOPC spokesman said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. GRAY, Tenn. Officials from Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) are partnering to conduct a traffic study along Suncrest Drive in Gray. Gray traffic study seeks feedback on traffic near I-26 exit The portion of the road being looked at is from the Gray exit off Interstate-26 to Hugh Cox Road, just past Daniel Boone High School. We kind of identified that this quarter, from Interstate-26, just past the high school, its a growth area. We see a lot of traffic issues there, said the City of Johnson Citys Metropolitan Planning Transportation Organization (MTPO) manager, Glenn Berry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berry added that a firm has been hired to help them study multiple variables. We hired a consultant called CDM Smith out of Knoxville to help us study what the needs are to be in that corridor, Berry said. It can be everything from pedestrian to do we need traffic signals out there in the future. Are we looking at widening? But this is an area of growth. Berry also said that one of the main reasons for the study is new housing developments in the area. Thats one of the driving forces of the plan. We knew this was coming, and the city did some initial studies related to that specific development, Berry said. This is a longer look, and were looking at it as kind of short-term and then long-term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also noted that the study will be a long process, and reminded the community to be patient as the process moves forward. Berry said the MTPO has some plans for what to do, but nothing is finalized. Weve got some ideas, but were not finalized on anything yet, except for maybe one traffic signal down at Sam Jenkins Road, said Berry. There will be a public meeting on May 8 to discuss the traffic study and hear comments and traffic concerns. Were going to have our consultant there, CDM Smith. Were going to have some staff up there, and really, what we want is were going to have a very short overview, Berry said. We want to know what issues you see along that quarter. What would you like to see? What do you want to preserve? That thing. So its a listening session, that will be the first thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting will be inside Ridgeview Elementary Schools gymnasium and will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. that evening. You can find more about the project 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. BEIRUT/DAMASCUS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Eight Syrian refugees were injured on Thursday when a booby-trapped drone exploded on a farm in the eastern Lebanese town of Hosh Al-Sayyid Ali, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). The NNA reported that the drone was rigged and detonated near the Syrian border, adding that the eight wounded Syrians had been transported to hospitals in Lebanon's eastern city of Hermel. Also on Thursday, Syrian authorities accused Lebanon's Hezbollah militia of firing artillery shells at Syrian army positions near the town of Al-Qusayr in western Syria's Homs province. Five shells were launched from Lebanese territory toward Syrian army positions in the Al-Qusayr area, and the army responded by targeting the origins of the shelling, according to a statement carried by Syria's state-run SANA news agency, which cited a defense source. The Syrian side halted firing at Lebanon after coordination with the Lebanese army, said the source, noting that the Lebanese army has pledged to "comb the area and pursue the terrorist groups responsible for the attack." There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the Syrian side. The incidents came despite that Syria and Lebanon agreed in March to halt hostilities along their shared border and strengthen military coordination. The Lebanon-Syria border has long been a flashpoint for instability, with frequent reports of smuggling and armed activity. BALTIMORE The Maryland Office of the Council on American Islamic Relations released a statement on Friday demanding that the Howard County Public School System stop using a music book at Dunloggin Middle School that requires students to learn or perform the Israeli national anthem. The statement came after parents and students protesting the killings of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war raised concerns, the organization said in a news release. The book referred to in the organizations demands is Book 2 of Essential Elements for Strings. Sheet music for the Israeli national anthem Hatikvah, which translates to The Hope, is in the book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter sent to Superintendent Bill Barnes and Dunloggin Middle Schools Principal Antoinette Roberson, CAIR called for the district to no longer use any content or text in its curriculum that incorporates the Israeli national anthem, out of respect for students from diverse backgrounds and those impacted by the Israeli governments actions in Gaza. Teaching students in the United States to perform the national anthem of a foreign country, particularly one whose government is currently under investigation by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, is not only inappropriate, but also traumatic for many students, Zainab Chaudry, CAIRs Maryland director, said in a news release. Learning the anthem undermines the environment of inclusivity the school system strives to create, Chaudry said, especially when students have family members or loved ones in Gaza directly impacted by the war. CAIR believes that your school can achieve its instructional goals without having to subject students to additional distress and trauma, a portion of its letter included in the news release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization said in the letter that some students have felt silenced, erased, marginalized and deeply uncomfortable by the school system. ACLU Maryland sent a letter to Barnes and the principal of River Hill High School in June 2024, saying that Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian students were censored for seven months and demanded that the school protect their First Amendment rights. Students with the schools Muslim Students Association and Arab Students Association met with school administrators several times to organize a walkout as protests against the war in Gaza erupted at schools nationwide. It was decided that the students could hold a walkout as long as they refrained from saying words such as Palestine, Gaza or siege. The students experiences made them feel utterly silenced, the letter said. About seven months later, in January 2025, the school system entered a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights after an investigation of alleged antisemitic harassment. Through the offices investigation, it was found that the district was notified of at least 28 instances of shared ancestry discrimination against Jewish students at 16 schools in the last two school years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The OCR investigation included walkouts at seven high schools during the 2023-2024 school year. The schools were contacted by about 30 people and groups voicing concerns and fears about actions and language that would cause a hostile environment before, during and after the walkouts, according to a letter sent by the OCR to Barnes. CAIR is also calling for students not to be asked to learn or perform national anthems of other countries with governments that have been charged by or are under investigation by the International Court of Justice or the International Criminal Court, the release said. The school system confirmed Friday that a response to the organizations letter is anticipated after its administration and General Counsel have reviewed it. _____ SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Siouxlands highest-achieving graduating students mainly celebrated on Thursday, but KCAU 9 Chief Meteorologist Victor Perez already had them looking towards the future. At KCAU 9s 42nd Annual Best of the Class, Victor gave a number of high school valedictorians a chance to provide their own weather forecast. Though they were all smart kids, it wasnt everybodys area of expertise! You can watch all of Thursdays Guest Weather segments in the video players above and below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Waco, Tx (FOX 44) A plea to a murder charge has netted 30 years for a man accused of killing a woman as she celebrated her 28th birthday. Gertraveon Demar Wilson entered the plea Friday morning. He was accused of the June 2020 shooting death of Crystal Richards at Wacos Trendwood Apartments. He had been free on bond pending his case coming up. Police had been called to the apartments at 1722 Dallas Circle at 10:30 p.m. June 8, 2020 on a report of shots being heard fired. The victim was found dead at the scene. Officers were given a description of the suspected shooter and Wilson was quickly located and taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man held after 150 pounds of marijuana found in traffic stop Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged fire along the border in Kashmir, as relations between the two countries continued to fray following a deadly attack on tourists. The report of a gunfight comes amid soaring tensions between the nuclear powers after gunmen killed 26 people near the resort town of Pahalgam in the Himalayan region of Kashmir on Tuesday. India immediately described the massacre as a terror attack and said it had cross border links, blaming Pakistan for backing it. Pakistan denied any connection to the attack, which was claimed by a previously unknown militant group calling itself the Kashmir Resistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three Indian army officials said that Pakistani soldiers used small arms to fire at an Indian position in Kashmir late on Thursday. The officials said Indian soldiers retaliated and no casualties were reported. In Pakistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to confirm or deny the report. Shafqat Ali Khan, a spokesman, said: I will wait for a formal confirmation from the military before I make any comment. He added there had been no effort from any other country to mediate. Kashmiri women walk past the destroyed family home of Asif Shiekh, a militant who officials believe was involved in the deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam - AP/Dar Yasin In the past, each country has accused the other of starting border skirmishes in Kashmir, which both claim in its entirety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN has urged India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that the situation and the developments weve seen do not deteriorate any further. Any issues between Pakistan and India, we believe can be and should be resolved peacefully, through meaningful, mutual engagement, the UN urged on Friday. Following the attack, India announced a series of diplomatic actions against Pakistan. New Delhi suspended a crucial water-sharing treaty that has withstood two wars between the two countries and closed the only functioning land-border crossing between the countries, while also cutting the number of diplomatic staff. A day later, India revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals with effect from Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In retaliation, Pakistan responded angrily that it had nothing to do with the attack, cancelled visas issued to Indian nationals, closed its airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines, and suspended all trade with India, including to and from any third country. Islamabad also warned that any Indian attempt to stop or divert flow of water would be considered an act of war and met with full force across the complete spectrum of Pakistans power. Tuesdays attack in Kashmir was the worst assault in years, targeting civilians in the restive region that has seen an anti-India rebellion for more than three decades. India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir. New Delhi describes all militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism. Pakistan denies this, and many Muslim Kashmiris consider the militants to be part of a home-grown freedom struggle. 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. ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) Armed men killed at least 20 people and injured dozens in a mining village in Nigerias northwestern Zamfara state, a rights group said. Gunmen arrived on motorcycles in the village of Gobirawa Chali in the Dan Gulbi district around midday Thursday, and went on a "house-to-house killing spree," Amnesty International Nigeria said in a post on X the same day. The gunmens first target was a gold-mining site where they initially killed 14 people, before more bodies were found inside homes and in a mosque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The possible motive for the attack was unclear but bandit groups have been known for mass killings and kidnappings for ransom in the conflict-battered northern region, most of them former herders in conflict with settled communities. Dozens of armed groups take advantage of a limited security presence in Nigerias mineral-rich northwestern region to carry out attacks on villages and along major roads. The people of Dan Gulbi district have been repeatedly attacked by gunmen and continue to live perpetually in fear of a potential attack, Amnesty International Nigeria said in its post, adding that many people are missing since the attack. The rights group said that residents of the district often require armed security escorts to travel in and out of the area because of the frequent attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rabiu Bawa, a resident of Gobirawa Chali, told The Associated Press that the raid on the community was a reprisal, which residents had successfully repelled on Wednesday. They lost about seven of their men in that attack, he said. Bawa said the people responsible for the attack are loyal to Dogo Gide, a notorious bandit who has been terrorizing communities in the state of Zamfara for months. Last December, gunmen abducted at least 50 people, including several women and children, in the Maradun area of Zamfara. Kidnappings for ransom have become a lucrative way for bandit groups to fund other crimes and control villages in the restive region. A 10-person team of federal health workers was helping Iowa firefighters limit their exposure to fumes from idling vehicles when news broke earlier this month that all but one team member had been fired. The Cincinnati-based team of scientists traveled to Iowa last August after three fire stations requested their help out of concern that their workers were being exposed to diesel exhaust. They were preparing for a follow-up visit this summer to test the levels of various pollutants in different rooms including where firefighters eat and sleep and recommend the best form of ventilation. That's all been put on pause, said Hannah Echt, a member of the team and a union steward at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. We haven't been able to travel since the end of January, and now there's no one to do the traveling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NIOSHs congressionally mandated Health Hazard Evaluation program is one of many health and safety services on which firefighters depend thats been shrunk or eliminated by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s reduction in force a purge of more than 10,000 employees. Firefighters are regularly exposed to toxins and chemicals that affect their physical and mental health, problems compounded by stress and irregular sleep. NIOSH research found that firefighters have a 9 percent greater risk of a cancer diagnosis and a 14 percent greater risk of dying from cancer than the general population. After years of helping improve firefighters health outcomes, people in and out of government fear the NIOSH cuts will lead to major backsliding. Interviews with five current and former NIOSH employees, several of whom were granted anonymity due to fear of retribution, as well as active and retired firefighters, lawmakers and patient advocates, reveal instances in which data collection, safety evaluations and direct services for firefighters have been terminated due to staff reductions. Workers running the Center for Firefighter Safety, Health and Well-being, which includes the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program that researches why first responders get sick and die and how to prevent it, were laid off. Services for hundreds of thousands of people exposed to toxins on 9/11 including thousands of firefighters are hampered by cuts to NIOSHs World Trade Center Health Program, which researches and treats cancers and other health problems linked to the terrorist attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And most of the team maintaining the CDCs National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, which President Donald Trump authorized in 2018, were let go. Kenny Schroeder, a firefighter hired by the CDC to help recruit participants for the cancer database, said the cuts are really a gut punch. It was the Trump administration that put the registry in place, said Schroeder, who was a probationary employee and got his termination notice in February. Its very disheartening. The government is supposed to assist us all they're there in place to do work for us as the people of this country. Polls showed firefighters and other first responders overwhelmingly supported Trumps reelection, and the president has often praised firefighters for their work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An HHS spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment about the cuts. Not able to continue NIOSHs Health Hazard Evaluation program operated for decades as a free consultation service for small businesses, large factories and other workplaces with health and safety risks. Crucially, workers could make anonymous requests to the federal team. The recent layoffs are disrupting dozens of investigations involving firefighters and other workers from mining to cannabis processing to university campuses and preventing new ones. An April 22 email obtained by POLITICO to a New Mexico university where a custodial worker died last year said the NIOSH team is not able to continue our health hazard evaluation and also not accepting any new requests. Basically, we're being told to close up shop, Echt said. Well close out what evaluations we can, and then we'll be issuing letters to requesters explaining about the reduction in force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another NIOSH researcher, granted anonymity for fear of retribution, said they were investigating how to remove contaminants from firefighting gear after a fire is doused when their team received termination notices. Their team had been looking at PFAS so-called forever chemicals in gear, how quickly firefighting equipment degrades and how to certify the commercial service providers that launder firefighting gear. All of that research is basically halted, the person told POLITICO. We also had a nationwide exposure assessment study, and the analysis was actually complete, the data is sitting there. A study of firefighters exposure to carcinogens during electric vehicle fires and the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, which examined line-of-duty deaths, were also halted. "I don't feel like there was a thoughtful, intelligent process going into this, said John Goodman, president of IAFF Local 29, a union of firefighters in Spokane, Washington. They're just cutting big budget items without even looking into what it is. I think that even the people that voted for [Trump] are feeling that way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Association of Firefighters, which endorsed President Joe Biden in 2020 and 2024 before declining to endorse either President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, declined to comment on POLITICO's reporting that the Trump administration is taking no steps to undo the cuts to NIOSH programs for firefighters. The union referred POLITICO to an April 3 statement from its general president Edward Kelly calling the eliminated programs "vital investments" that "help prevent future tragedies" and promising to "continue working with the President to restore them. Some Democratic lawmakers, local firefighter unions and other groups are also pushing the Trump administration to reverse the cuts arguing they make a dangerous job even more so, with little savings to show for it. Michael Barasch, the leading attorney and advocate for survivors of 9/11 and their families and a cancer survivor, is heading a delegation of unions and patient advocates to Washington on April 29. They plan to meet with House and Senate members from both parties to plead for help pressuring the Trump administration to reinstate workers in the World Trade Center Health Program who were laid off earlier this month. Chronic underfunding and understaffing meant that there was already a four-month wait for an appointment. Barasch said that has doubled since the cuts took effect this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im afraid of what we're going to see with all these delayed mammograms, prostate exams, whole body skin exams, and every blood cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and brain cancer case that's going to go undiagnosed for months unnecessarily, he said. I just can't believe that Mr. Trump, who signed the permanent extension of the [September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act] in 2019, would allow this to happen if he had any idea how these cuts have affected the health program that's taking care of so many people who voted for him. Research that needs to get done Firefighters celebrated Trumps 2018 signing of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, which required the CDC to create a database of firefighters health data to help the federal government track the unusually high cancer rates in the industry. Since then, tens of thousands of firefighters have submitted health data, which NIOSH scientists hoped would yield insights into what practices and protective equipment work best. But most of the team running that first-of-its-kind database was terminated, and the data was pulled offline. And while a leaked budget proposal from the Trump administration shows plans for the registry to continue under the new Administration for a Healthy America, its unclear who would do that work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is going to set the science back years and years, said Micah Niemeier-Walsh, vice president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3840, who had worked on firefighter health research at NIOSH. The research that needs to get done to keep firefighters safe and to know how to keep them safe isn't going to get done. A few Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the cuts. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), for instance, sent a letter to Kennedy on Tuesday urging him to reinstate terminated NIOSH employees researching coal-mining safety, though she did not mention the cuts to programs supporting firefighters. More than 100 Democratic House members wrote to the administration earlier this month demanding the cuts to NIOSH be reversed. No Republicans signed the letter, and HHS has not responded. Mine workers, steel workers and firefighters have reached out to my office and they want to know: Why is the Trump administration undermining the people who are keeping them safe? said Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), who represents the district where NIOSHs Cincinnati office is located. RFK himself said that they made a mistake, that they went too far, so they need to own their mistakes, reverse these decisions and put these people back to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landsman told POLITICO he wants a hearing on the cuts in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and has asked the Republican chair to demand Kennedy sit for questioning. The sooner, the better, he said. Time is of the essence when it comes to people's jobs and worker safety and the health of this country it is all on the line. Fifth-generation dairy farmer Dustin Machia said Wednesday the arrests of eight farmworkers by Border Patrol agents on Monday in Berkshire sent shockwaves through Vermont's tightknit dairy farming community. The reason is simple: Vermont dairy farms can't survive without migrant workers. "I'm very worried about it," Machia said of the arrests. "It's not sustainable to not have (migrant farmworkers). Farming would be very bleak and the cost would skyrocket in the grocery store, because you can't pay an American to do (this) job any more. Americans just don't want to do this job. Without the foreign labor, it's just not sustainable." Machia & Sons in Sheldon employs 11 migrant farmworkers to milk about 1,400 cows on two farms. The work is dirty, dangerous and unrelenting. Erasto Lopez, a milker on Machia & Sons Dairy in Sheldon, moves cows in the milking parlor on July 15, 2024. "These guys work six 12-hour days," Machia said. "They don't care about having Christmas off and this and that off. It's a 24/7 job. We don't get the ability to shut down the place for a week. We're dealing with living, breathing creatures." Migrant workers are essential for Vermont dairy farms No one with any understanding of the dairy industry argues the necessity of having migrant farmworkers on Vermont's dairy farms. Vermont Agency of Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts issued a statement in the wake of the Berkshire arrests saying migrant workers fill "essential roles, including milking, animal care and chores around farms across Vermont and the country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Migrant workers are productive members of our Vermont community helping to sustain dairy and agriculture amidst labor shortages," Tebbetts added. Dustin Machia, co-owner of Machia & Sons Dairy in Sheldon, as seen on July 15, 2024 in one of three cow barns at the farm. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, issued a statement saying, "Trump wants to deport migrant agricultural workers. This will only disrupt families, raise food prices and put more pressure on struggling family farms. It is exactly the wrong approach. The time is long overdue for real immigration reform and a path to citizenship for migrant workers." Machia agrees. "I agree that we don't want bad people in our country," Machia said. "If they're gangbangers and rapists, they shouldn't be here. Round those people up and send them home. The rest of the guys here, they're good people. Get them a visa. They want to work. That's all they're here for. Let them work, and in 10 years, a lot of them will go back home. It will be a cycle. They won't be here forever, because they all got families they want to go back to and they'd rather be at home." Arrests of farmworkers have increased dramatically since Trump took office Brett Stokes is the director of the Center for Justice Reform clinic at Vermont Law & Graduate School, one of the few pro bono legal service providers in the state that offers representation to individuals in immigration matters. Stokes said he currently has more than 120 active cases, the vast majority of which are immigration cases. Vermont Law School students help out with the cases, learning by doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stokes said he wasn't surprised by the arrests in Berkshire, given his own experience. He said in the year prior to the second Trump Administration from January 2024 to January 2025 he received two calls from individuals who had been detained in Vermont. Machia & Sons Dairy in Sheldon, as seen on July 15, 2024. The farm is a member of Migrant Justice's Milk with Dignity program. "This year honestly I've lost count of how many calls we've gotten, but we're talking 20-plus," he said. "This week alone we have eight people arrested in one go." In his statement, Tebbetts said his department "continues to explore what led to the detainment of the farm workers." A very good question, according to Stokes. "For ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) or CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) to show up on a farm or any business they would need a reason to do so," Stokes said. "You got to have a warrant. On top of that, you got to have a warrant signed by a judge. We're talking about a private business or farm with fences to keep cows in and people out. If I were looking into this case I would be looking into, was there probable cause to make these arrests?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border Patrol did not respond to a request for more information. Migrant Justice: Border Patrol agents chased farmworkers through the barns at Pleasant Valley Farms On Wednesday, at a rally outside the federal courthouse in Burlington, Will Lambek from Migrant Justice, the Burlington nonprofit that advocates for migrant farmworkers, said armed border patrol agents entered Pleasant Valley Farms in Berkshire on Monday evening and "chased farm workers through the barns and arrested eight." Migrant Justice spokesperson Will Lambek recounts the ICE arrests of eight farm workers from a Vermont farm. "These workers are now being held behind bars for the sole crime of coming to Vermont to search for a better life," Lambek said. "The purpose of these sorts of arrests, the purpose of attacks against immigrants, whether it's ICE detaining a Palestinian student at his citizenship interview or it's Border Patrol detaining farm workers, is to try to cow us into silence." With that scenario in mind, Machia has impressed on his workers not to run if Border Patrol agents show up in the milking parlor at Machia & Sons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We told them if Border Patrol enters in this building which they shouldn't, they don't have the right continue on doing what you're doing," Machia said. "If they ask you where somebody is, point in that direction and continue milking. If you run, you look guilty." Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosio@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Farmworker arrests put future of dairy farming in Vermont into question WACO, Texas (FOX 44) It wasnt a typical school day at the Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy (GWAHCA) on Thursday. Instead of classrooms and lectures, students were met with a room full of opportunity. Representatives from local hospitals, nursing homes, higher education institutions, and even the U.S. Army filled the building for a career fair designed to connect students with future paths in health care and beyond. This event was accessible to students in Waco, Troy, Bruceville-Eddy, Chilton, and Midway Independent School Districts, as well as the Methodist Childrens Home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our hope at GWAHCA is to open up every single door of opportunity for our students, said Mark Ducklow, a counselor at the academy. Whether thats going straight into the workforce, going to college, or joining the militaryall those are open to them. Partners at the event included McLennan Community College, Tarleton State University, Waco Family Medicine, and more. For seniors like Alejandra Limones of University High School, the experience was both eye-opening and reassuring. Theyre all here because it gives a lot of us opportunities and a lot of insights on what we could do or what we want to do, Limones said. So its a really big, helpful thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Limones aspires to become a neonatal nurse after high school. GWAHCA offers students industry certification courses in areas such as certified nursing assistant (CNA) and certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA), providing many with the credentials to begin working in the health care field right after graduation. This is our way to kind of culminate all of that and allow them to network and get the opportunity to interact with some of our local organizations and schools, Ducklow said. Whether students are headed to college, the military, or straight into a health care career, GWAHCA leaders say the event was about one thing: empowering students to take the next step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Today, a brief rundown of news involving Merck and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, as well as updates from Sanofi and Novo Holdings that you may have missed. Halozyme Therapeutics has sued Merck & Co., alleging that the pharmaceutical company is infringing on multiple patents in developing a subcutaneous form of the cancer immunotherapy Keytruda. Halozyme has a drug delivery technology that can turn intravenously infused medicines into under-the-skin injections. The company licensed it to several drugmakers, among them Bristol Myers Squibb and Roche, which have used the technology to make subcutaneous versions of their own cancer immunotherapies. Halozyme expected Merck to do the same, but claimed the company instead used its technology to develop subcutaneous Keytruda without Halozymes permission. The Food and Drug Administration could approve the drug by Sept. 23. Halozyme is seeking damages and injunctive relief. Jonathan Gardner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent mass job cuts have impacted the FDAs ability to respond to Vanda Pharmaceuticals challenge to a drug rejection the agency issued last year. Vanda previously claimed the FDA disregarded the evidence from two placebo-controlled trials in turning back its gastroparesis drug. The company then challenged the ruling and accepted the agencys offer of an opportunity for a hearing. However, in a federal court filing, the FDA said layoffs are partially to blame for that hearing not yet being recommended to commissioner Martin Makary, according to Vanda. The company called on Makary to step in and restore adherence to the law. Ben Fidler Sanofi revealed Thursday that a closely watched immune drug prospect failed a Phase 2 study in psoriasis. Called balinatunfib, the drug is a pill with the same target as popular injectable medicines like Humira. But while balinatunfib appeared as effective in testing as other oral psoriasis medicines, it missed its main objective because of the studys limited nature. The company may explore its use in drug combinations and internal assessments and external discussions are ongoing, Sanofi said. Ben Fidler In a bid to bolster life sciences startups in the Nordic region, Novo Holdings and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark are investing 48 million euros, or about $54.5 million, in the Swedish venture fund HealthCap IX. The new investment will enable HealthCap to establish a presence at the BioInnovation Institute in Copenhagen, according to a Thursday statement. HealthCap supports early-stage companies emerging from academia and corporate research, and has invested in more than 130 companies its founding in 1996. Gwendolyn Wu Avidicure, a new biotechnology startup working on antibody drugs, announced Thursday it raised $50 million in seed financing. The funding, led by EQT Life Sciences and involving five other firms, will help Avidicure advance a group of multifunctional antibodies its developing for cancer. Avidicure claimed these therapies, which it calls AVC-boosters, have properties that could make them superior to T cell engagers, checkpoint inhibitors and other popular cancer antibody drugs. Its top prospect is aimed at TROP2, a well-known lung cancer target. Gwendolyn Wu Recommended Reading HAIKOU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At midday, sunlight pierces the rippling surface of the South China Sea, scattering golden flecks across the one-meter-deep shallows. Lying prone on the seafloor just off Yongxing Island, Huo Da remains as still as a strand of seagrass. Wearing a dive mask and snorkel, clad in a stinger suit, and holding a waterproof camera, he documents the hidden wonders of the ocean: a rare seagrass flower that blooms just once a year, an octopus that extended a curious arm to brush his hand, a green sea hare perfectly hidden among the blades of grass. This 33-year-old, who grew up in a rural village in Baoding, an inland city in northern China, has now found a sense of belonging among the tropical seagrass beds of the south. "Here on Yongxing Island, you don't have to dive deep or go far," he said. "If you look closely, life is right beneath your feet." Each of Huo's dives lasts one to two hours. After surfacing, he returns to the Xisha Marine Environment National Observation and Research Station on the island. As a researcher there, he spends most of his time collecting data on water quality and marine life, studying the patterns and changes in the surrounding waters, and compiling his findings into detailed reports. Founded in 2009, the station is home to nine resident researchers who monitor and study oceanic environmental dynamics and reef island ecosystems, providing scientific support for the ecological conservation of the Xisha Islands. ROAD THAT LED TO THE SEA Born in 1992 in Baoding, Huo spent his childhood surrounded by fields rather than waves. Yet from an early age, he was drawn to the mystery of tropical oceans. He studied aquaculture at a university in Wuhan, central China, and later moved south to Guangzhou for his graduate studies, where he began researching Holothuria leucospilota, the black sea cucumber. It wasn't until a 2016 scientific expedition to the South China Sea that he saw one in the wild. "Seeing a sea cucumber in its natural habitat, not in a farm or a lab, was an entirely different experience." Two years later, after earning his master's degree, he came to Yongxing Island and joined the Xisha station, becoming an observer and chronicler of this tropical marine world. "The ecological environment in Xisha is excellent, with rich biodiversity. It's a paradise for marine scientists," he said. As China's southernmost city, Sansha has made marine ecological conservation a top priority since its establishment in 2012. The city has introduced regulations such as the marine environmental protection provisions and the sea turtle conservation regulations. It has encouraged fishers to shift to alternative livelihoods, carried out regular coral reef restoration and seagrass bed surveys, and established a sea turtle rescue and conservation center. Huo uses his camera to capture life beneath the waves. He has photographed and filmed more than 400 species of marine creatures, including sea hares, stonefish, octopuses, floating anemones, hermit crabs, and sea turtles. Some species on his laptop still await classification. "Every time I dive, I come across one or two species I've never seen before," he said. "Marine creatures are truly fascinating. Octopuses are intelligent and curious. They swim toward me, reach out their tentacles, and gently touch my fingers. Their nervous systems are spread throughout their bodies, allowing them to change color constantly," Huo said. Some fish are also capable of changing color. Once, he saw a gray conger eel. At first, it had dark spots on its body, but then it turned completely white and spread its wide, translucent dorsal fin. "I couldn't help but wonder, is this still a fish?" Sea cucumbers are considered highly evolved creatures. Some species, when threatened, expel their internal organs as a defense mechanism, and later regenerate them. There are over 100 sea cucumber species in the South China Sea, he said. "The more time you spend underwater, the more you begin to recognize them," Huo said. "Day versus night, young versus old, you start piecing together their life stories. And eventually, you feel a deep reverence for life." Among all the aquatic creatures, Huo's favorite is the gently swaying seagrass beds. They play a vital ecological role -- purifying the water, capturing and storing carbon, stabilizing coastlines, and providing food and shelter for marine life. Seagrass is highly sensitive to water quality, and around Yongxing Island, he has seen it grow more plentiful. "In places with poor water quality, seagrass dies off," he said. A DIFFERENT WAY OF SEEING The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and serves as the cradle of life. China is one of the world's richest countries in marine biodiversity, with over 28,000 recorded marine species, accounting for about 11 percent of all documented marine life globally. Over the past decade, China has made significant progress in marine ecological conservation, pollution control, and biodiversity protection. A national action plan released last year set a clear goal: by 2030, the area under China's marine ecological protection red line will reach no less than 150,000 square kilometers. Still, Huo believes humanity knows far less about the ocean than it does about the moon. Part of the reason, he said, is perspective. "We often view the sea through a land-based, human-centered lens. We call marine animals sea cucumbers, sea hares, sea horses, but you never hear of anything on land called a 'land something.'" "Some people still see all marine life as seafood," Huo said. "No matter how magical or beautiful the creatures I share online are, someone always asks, 'Can you eat this?'" To Huo, true conservation begins with understanding. "If you know nothing about the ocean, and someone suddenly tells you to protect it, it's like being asked to protect aliens," he said. "People need to first understand their environment; only then will they begin to care about it." To help bridge that gap, Huo started sharing his underwater photography and marine knowledge on social media. His posts have drawn unexpected attention: a documentary filmmaker reached out, hoping to visit the island for filming. One viewer, inspired by Huo's footage of seagrass beds, learned about the ecosystem for the first time and even decided to join seagrass conservation efforts. Huo is now co-authoring a book on South China Sea marine life with a friend. On the Chinese short-video platform Douyin, his profile tagline reads: "Life is water." He once read a fable where a young fish asks its mother, "What is water?" The mother replies, "Water is like the air we breathe. It's so natural we don't even notice it." His WeChat nickname, Merapi, comes from Mount Merapi, a volcano on Indonesia's Java Island that he summited in 2016. "Life is like water, which is colorless and tasteless. Everything we go through is life itself. It can be deeply felt, and it can be given meaning," Huo said. "Even if life feels as plain as water, we should always keep a fire burning in our hearts." Enditem (Reporting by Han Song, Cheng Lu, Zhong Qun, Chen Ziwei and Xia Tian) Palestinian co-director of No Other Land Hamdan Ballal has penned a candid op-ed in The New York Times detailing the extent of his West Bank assault last month: Our movie won an Oscar, but our lives are no better than before. Ballal, a co-director of the Academy Award-winning documentary, as well as two other men, Khaled Mohammad Shanran and Nasser Shreteh, were attacked and arrested late March. Another co-director of the film, Israeli creative Yuval Abraham, said Ballal had injuries to his head and stomach, bleeding after being assaulted by a group of settlers in his home village of Susiya. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Academy refused to publish a statement in support of Ballal after his Oscar win, according to Abraham, the organization was swift to apologize. We abhor the suppression of free speech under any circumstances, it later said in a statement. Now, Ballal is talking about the experience in his own words. On what was a typical evening on Mar. 24, Ballal says he was quickly confronted by a group of men at his home and believed he and his wife would be killed that night. It is difficult for me to write about this moment now, Ballal wrote in the piece published Friday. After I was beaten, I was handcuffed, blindfolded and thrown into an army jeep. For hours I lay blindfolded on the ground on what I later learned was an army base, fearing that I would be held for a long time and beaten again and again. I was released a day later. The filmmaker said that winning the Oscar just three weeks earlier was one of the most incredible moments of his life. He said: I had a taste of power and possibility Los Angeles and the Oscars were of an entirely different world from the one I know: I was struck by the enormous buildings, the rushing cars, the wealth all around me. And suddenly there we were, me and my three other co-directors, on one of the worlds most important stages, accepting the award. But even though the movie received global recognition, Ballal confesses that he feels the group had failed in their attempt to make life better for his fellow community. My life is still at the mercy of the settlers and the occupation, he said. My community is still suffering from unending violence. Our movie won an Oscar, but our lives are no better than before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack on him and his community was brutal, Ballal continued, but occurs frequently in the region. Just a few days later, dozens of settlers, many of them masked, attacked Jinba, a village nearby. Five people were hospitalized, and more than 20 were arrested. Later the army raided the village and ransacked homes, the mosque and the school. With the press attention received because of the Oscar victory, Ballal finishes the op-ed by urging the public not to turn away from the violence happening in Susiya and further afield. I know that there are thousands and thousands of people who now know my name and my story, who know my communitys name and our story and who stand with us and support us. Dont turn away now. The IDF had offered a different version of events surrounding the incident in its own statement released after the incident, saying the violence started after several terrorists hurled rocks at Israeli citizens, damaging their vehicles. Both sides began throwing rocks at one another, and as IDF and Israeli police arrived at the conflict, several terrorists began hurling rocks at the security forces. Both parties agreed that three Palestinians were detained. No Other Land, capturing the budding friendship between a Palestinian activist and Israeli journalist, was directed by four filmmakers two Israeli, two Palestinian. It took home the prize for best documentary at the 97th annual Academy Awards on March 2. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) A group of students, parents and teachers from Hamden Public School District will head to Tucson, Ariz. next week for the Spring 2025 Innovative Schools Learning Excursion to Arizona. Hamden will send a nine-member team to join nine other New England schools to learn and visit with Desert View High School and Sunnyside Unified School District. The trip was organized by the national nonprofit organization Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) with funding from the Boston-based Barr Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We feel privileged to participate in this innovative learning experience and are eager to return with ideas that will enhance our vision at Hamden High School Hamden High School Principal Eric Jackson said in a press release. Observing how other schools cultivate student learning, design relevant educational pathways, and foster robust school cultures will invigorate our ongoing efforts to redefine what is achievable for every student in our community. The aim of the trip is to provide New England high schools with the chance to observe innovative learning practices, exchange ideas for enhancing the educational experience, and develop plans for implementation in their own schools and districts. The teams from each schools district are comprised of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members. Hamden is the only school district from Connecticut participating in the excursion after being selected through a competitive application process. While in Tucson, the teams will explore the high schools college and career academies and examine student agency and intentional teaching and assessment strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants will observe classrooms, tour facilities, engage in student panels, attend teacher-led discussions, and participate in workshops that showcase the strengths of Desert View High School and Sunnyside Unifieds approach. We fully intend to become a high school that creates winners and not one that simply chooses winners, Superintendent of Hamden Public Schools Gary Highsmith said. This is an important step in our efforts to fundamentally improve the high school experience for all of our students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BETHLEHEM, N.H. (WWLP) A Lowell man was arrested in New Hampshire after driving the wrong way on I-93. Mass. man arrested after driving over 130MPH in New Hampshire The New Hampshire State Police states that at 10:55 p.m. on Sunday, troopers received a report of a vehicle driving northbound in the southbound lanes, in the area of Exit 34C on Interstate 93 in Franconia. Troopers located the driver near Exit 39, driving right towards them in the high-speed lane. The troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, but were unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the day, troopers saw another vehicle driving southbound directly in the path of the wrong-way driver, however, the southbound driver was able to avoid the other vehicle. The wrong-way driver eventually stopped on the shoulder of the road, where he was identified as 62-year-old Ronald Lerned of Lowell. Lerned was arrested and charged with reckless conduct, driving after revocation or suspension, third offense DWI, and disobeying an officer. He will be arraigned at a later date in Littleton District Court. Anyone with information about this incident is being asked to contact Trooper Connor Coppin at (603) 227-4087 or Connor.M.Coppin@dos.nh.gov. 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. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan was arrested Friday, with federal authorities alleging the judge tried to impede with President Trumps immigration agenda by helping a migrant illegally in the country avoid arrest in her courtroom. Dugan, 65, faces charges related to obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest, after she reportedly delayed Immigrations and Customs Enforcements (ICEs) apprehension of Mexican immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 30, while he appeared in her courtroom on a misdemeanor battery charge earlier this month. Flores-Ruiz is now in ICE custody. Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, Craig Mastantuono, who is representing Dugan, said during a hearing Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was released from custody and is scheduled to be arraigned May 15. Here is what to know about the judge. Who is Hannah Dugan? Dugan, 65, is a Milwaukee native who was first elected to the bench in 2016. She ran unopposed for reelection in 2022, and her current term runs through 2028. Circuit Court judicial races in Wisconsin are nonpartisan. She previously served as executive director of the nonprofit Catholic Charities of Southeastern Wisconsin from 2006-09, was an adjunct assistant professor at Marquette University and was an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee for more than a decade, her online bio indicates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She received an award in 2012 from the Milwaukee Bar Association recognizing her pro bono work and is a past president of the legal group. In a 2016 interview with the Milwaukee Independent, Dugan said she love(s) the challenge of law to meet the promise of equal justice and its capacity to bring hope to people. The rule of law and precedential law is meant to provide consistency and predictably to create order and safety, she said. And yet the law also offers the capacity to transform peoples lives and evolve with changing times and circumstances. She also noted the ability for some cases to become politicized in that interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the role of the judge to be particularly cautious that such cases are handled according to the legal process and not be overwhelmed by political pressure, she said. What happened? There have been conflicting reports about what happened when ICE agents showed up in Dugans courtroom April 18. According to court records, when authorities presented a warrant, Dugan asked for more information and told them they needed to speak to the chief judge before they could arrest Flores-Ruiz there. The FBIs affidavit alleges the judge became visibly angry, commented that the situation was absurd, left the bench, and entered chambers. At the time, Ruiz was seated in the gallery of the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They claim a courtroom deputy witnessed Dugan telling Flores-Ruiz and his attorneys to leave through a side door, as the agents sought out the chief judge. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported before Duggans arrest that sources told the newspaper the judge didnt hide Flores-Ruiz. Rather, sources said, when ICE officials left to talk with the chief judge on the same floor, Dugan took the pair to a side door in the courtroom, directed them down a private hallway and into the public area on the 6th floor, the Journal Sentinel reported. Local talk radio host Dan ODonnell first reported the FBI was investigating Duggan and alleged the judge allowed the defendant to hide in her jury room (which is normally off-limits to everyone except the judge and members of the jury). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That prompted a statement from Republican state lawmaker Bob Donovan. In all my years of Milwaukee politics and public safety issues, working with cops, district attorneys, and judges, I have never seen a more irresponsible act by an officer of the court, let alone a judge, if true, Donovan wrote. This borders on obstruction of justice and I hope the FBI continues a thorough investigation and, if warranted, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Our laws are not suggestions; they must be upheld to maintain order in a functioning society, he continued. If Judge Dugan is insistent on aiding and abetting a criminal, she should be disbarred for violating her sworn oath to uphold the law. Donovan responded to news of Dugans arrest in a post Friday on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By now, Im sure she regrets her decision, but she can only blame herself for her alleged irresponsible actions that created this mess to begin with, he 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 The Hill. As a couple of key court cases against President Trump's executive actions intensify, questions of how and whether the White House will follow judges' orders are mounting. Already, some judges have issued orders reprimanding the Trump administration and demanding action. But who has the authority to enforce such orders? Situated at the nexus of the face-off between the executive and judicial branches is a little-scrutinized arm of the federal government: the U.S. Marshals Service. Who are U.S. marshals? The U.S. Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency. It is tasked with a broad range of actions hunting fugitives, transporting federal prisoners and managing goods seized from criminals. Oftentimes the Marshals Service will work with state and local law enforcement agencies on particularly difficult cases, such as hunting down a man who escaped a Pennsylvania prison last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People ask us to do jobs they're not willing to do," said Barry Lane, a spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service. Federal courts also rely on the U.S. Marshals Service to enforce federal orders. Sometimes that means keeping order in a courtroom, said Stephen Monier, a retired former U.S. marshal for the district of New Hampshire. "The judge can say, get him out of here for being disruptive in the courtroom which, then, we would be responsible for," Monier said. "We would remove him from the courthouse." The Marshals Service reports to the Department of Justice, which is part of the sprawling federal executive structure. But it serves as the enforcer of federal court orders occupying an unusual position between the executive and judicial branches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Like the director of the FBI, the director of Marshals Service reports to the attorney general of the United States," Monier said, adding, "but because of our unique role with the court, we are the enforcement arm of the court." Another responsibility of the Marshals Service is protecting courthouses and judicial officers. U.S. Marshals have ramped up security efforts in response to an increasing number of threats against judges and court personnel including creating the Judicial Threat Branch to monitor and respond to high-level incidents. One of the marshals' responsibilities was providing protective service detail for U.S. District Judges Aileen Cannon and Tanya Chutkan, who ruled in criminal cases against Trump. "These decisions generated threats directed at the judges that warranted protective service details," the U.S. Marshals Service's annual report notes. Is Trump following court orders? Trump has repeatedly said he will follow court orders, and White House officials have said they are following the letter of the law in the myriad cases brought against the administration since he took office. So far, the Supreme Court has issued limited rulings affecting the White House. Last weekend, the justices temporarily blocked the Trump administration from carrying out deportations of Venezuelan men deemed foreign gang members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are obviously complying with the court's order," Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said Tuesday. "However, it was a temporary pause. The Supreme Court basically said, sit tight and they will follow up with an order, and we're confident that the Supreme Court will rule on the side of law and recognize the president absolutely has the executive authority to deport foreign terrorists from our nation's interior under the Alien Enemies Act." But Trump has already lashed out at other federal court judges who've ruled against his administration over their efforts to deport immigrants including U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, who threatened to hold White House officials in contempt of court for not following his earlier orders to stop a plane carrying deportees to an El Salvador prison midflight. Boasberg said last week that he found probable cause for putting administration officials in criminal contempt for not turning the planes around. What does being held in contempt of court mean? Being held in criminal contempt of court means defying a judge's orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg said that Trump administration officials violated his orders by not stopping a plane carrying deportees to El Salvador. He warned that he could refer the matter for prosecution where Department of Justice officials would have to decide whether to take up the case. If they decline to do so, Boasberg said, he would appoint a private attorney to prosecute the case against the administration and specific officials. Holding a defendant never mind a government official in criminal contempt is rare. "It would be very unusual in my experience," Monier said. In another case, the Supreme Court said the administration had a duty to "facilitate" the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man the Trump administration said it had mistakenly deported to that country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador, and U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis condemned the government's lawyers for defying the court's order, saying their "objection reflects a willful and bad faith refusal to comply." Have U.S. marshals said they would enforce an order against the Trump administration? No. The U.S. Marshals spokesperson declined to comment for this article and referred The Times to its annual report. The U.S. Marshals Service is also without a permanent director, since Gadyaces Serralta, whom Trump appointed last month, has yet to be confirmed. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MUNFORDVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A man from Horse Cave was killed in a crash on KY-88 on Friday morning. According to a news release, Kentucky State Police (KSP) got a call just after 6 a.m. on Friday saying that someone had been killed in a crash on the 5100 block of Cub Run Highway. An initial investigation showed that a 2015 Ford F-150 driven by Randy Hawkins, 44, of Cub Run, was on the highway when he allegedly crossed the center line, hitting a 2010 Nissan Maxima driven by Jordan Pippin, 26, of Horse Cave. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pippin was pronounced dead at the scene by the Har County coroner, per state police. The deadly crash investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Happening Friday, Hartford HealthCares Neighborhood Health Team- in collaboration with the Hospital of Central Connecticut, local barbers, and community partners- will host Cuts of Kindness. Through haircuts, health screenings, and educational resources, the event aims to uplift and empower individuals and foster a sense of dignity and community. Kelly Toth, system director of Neighborhood Health with the Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. to discuss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. The Trump Organization has fired one of its legal advisers because he also represents Harvard University, with whom President Donald Trump is in a pitched battle over federal funding. The move came after Trump slammed the attorney, William Burck, in a post to his Truth Social network on Thursday, The Hill reported. In that post, Trump urged his sons, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump, who oversee the family business, to fire Burck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Harvard is an Anti-Semitic, Far Left Institution, as are numerous others, with students being accepted from all over the World that want to rip our Country apart," Trump said in the post. The place is a Liberal mess, allowing a certain group of crazed lunatics to enter and exit the classroom and spew fake ANGER AND HATE. It is truly horrific! Now, since our filings began, they act like they are all American Apple Pie, he continued. Harvard is a threat to Democracy, with a lawyer, who represents me, who should therefore be forced to resign immediately, or be fired. Hes not that good, anyway, and I hope that my very big and beautiful company, now run by my sons, gets rid of him ASAP! Harvard leaders sued the Trump administration on Monday, arguing that the Cambridge-based schools constitutional rights have been violated by the governments threats to pull billions of dollars in funding if the school does not comply with demands for an overhaul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the Trump administration announced a freeze on $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University. On April 3, the administration sent a letter with demands including to shutter diversity, equity and inclusion programs, implement a mask ban and adopt merit-based admissions and hiring policies to end preferences based on race, color or national origin. Harvard then received another letter on April 11 with an updated and expanded list of demands, school officials said. Harvard must comply with the demands if it intends to maintain Harvards financial relationship with the federal government, the second letter read. More political news Read the original article on MassLive. A Hays County corrections officer was arrested after a female inmate accused him of sexual misconduct, including asking her to take a shower and then watching her take it, Sheriff Anthony Hipolito said Friday. John Duran was charged with official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Duran, 45, also was charged with tampering with a governmental record, a state jail felony. He is accused of lying on his job application form to the sheriff's office by saying he had never previously been the subject of an internal investigation, the sheriff said at a news conference. A state jail felony is punishable by up to two years in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duran, who began working as a Hays corrections officer in July 2022, has been placed on administrative leave. He was arrested Thursday and was being held Friday in the Hays County Jail with bail set at $20,000, according to Hays County records. Duran had no physical contact with the female inmate who made the accusation, Hipolito said. During one incident, he said, Duran woke up the female inmate after all the inmates were supposed to go to bed. Duran encouraged the inmate to get in the shower and then watched her shower on his computer screen, Hipolito said. The sheriff said there is a camera in the shower room. "Whether she agreed to it or not it doesn't matter," said Hipolito. "He (Duran) used his power and his position to get her in that position." Hipolito did not discuss other details of the official oppression charge. He said Duran had never been the subject of a previous internal investigation at the Hays County sheriff's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities were alerted when the female inmate told a corrections supervisor about her accusation on April 4, Hipolito said. After the sheriff's office began an internal investigation on April 6, Duran was removed from all contact with female inmates, officials said. Authorities also discovered during the investigation that Duran had lied on his application form to the Hays County sheriff's office, the sheriff said. Duran said on the application that he had never been the subject of a criminal investigation, said Hipolito. However, Hays County investigators found out that when Duran worked at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice he was investigated for the trading of contraband and received six months of probation in 2010, Hipolito said. Duran was investigated again in 2014 by TDCJ when he had a prisoner cut his hair, which is a violation of his authority, said Hipolito. When Duran resigned from TDCJ, he also was under investigation for making false statements, Hipolito said. "I believe he was working at a prison," the sheriff said. He said he didn't know exactly when Duran left his job with the state but said it possibly occurred in June 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TDCJ officials did not confirm on Friday what Hipolito said, but said they were "looking into it." The background check at the time when Duran applied for a job at the Hays County sheriff's office was "insufficient," said Hipolito. "This person never should have been hired," the sheriff said. "We don't want anybody that takes actions like Duran did to work here." The investigation "points to no one other than Duran" but the sheriff's office will be examining over time the applications of all current employees to make sure the background checks were thorough, Hipolito said. The sheriff's office is also asking the Hays County Commissioners Court to hire 16 more corrections officers "with the goal of getting them trained by the end of September," Hipolito said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Hays County corrections officer accused of sexual misconduct SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) A Hays County corrections officer was arrested and placed on administrative leave Thursday night, according to the Hays County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office issued a press release late Thursday saying theyd arrested Corrections Officer John Duran, 45. Duran was charged with Official Oppression (a Class A Misdemeanor) and Tampering with a Governmental Record (a State Jail Felony), according to HCSO. KXAN has reached out to his attorney and will update this story when we receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An inmate reported to a Hays County corrections supervisor that she was a victim of sexual misconduct committed by Duran, according to the sheriffs office. HCSO said it immediately started an internal investigation, and steps were taken to ensure Duran no longer had contact with any female inmate, specifically including the victim, the release noted. The onset of the internal investigation determined that if the accusations against Duran were true, they could potentially meet the elements of a criminal offense, the release said. The internal investigation was suspended, and the Hays County Criminal Investigation Division began a criminal investigation. Those findings were discussed with the Hays County District Attorneys Office, probable cause affidavits were presented to a Hays County Judge, and arrest warrants were issued for Duran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HCSO arrested Duran Thursday night, and he was booked into the Hays County Jail. Duran was placed on administrative leave. HCSO continued its internal investigation and said it will release the findings when the investigation concludes. Duran has been a Hays County Sheriffs Office employee since July 2022 and has not previously been the subject of any internal investigations, according to HCSO. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ISLAMABAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- An intermittent exchange of fire took place between Pakistani and Indian security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, sources said. The incident occurred between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. local time on Friday in the Leepa sector, located in Jhelum Valley district of the region, security officials told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. No casualties were reported on either side. An Indian army officer said that the Pakistani army violated a truce deal and opened fire from posts along the Line of Control, according to Indian media. A Hays County grand jury has declined to indict an Austin man who was arrested and charged in connection with the 2018 fire at the Iconic Village Apartments in San Marcos in which five people died.Jacobe De Leon O Shea Ferguson, 31, was arrested almost two years ago on a charge of arson causing bodily injury or death for the catastrophic fire. The next step in bringing him to trial was for the Hays County District Attorney's Office to secure a grand jury indictment on the first degree felony charge. However, the grand jury decided Wednesday not to indict Ferguson, effectively clearing the way for dismissal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson, a Texas State graduate who previously lived at the San Marcos apartment complex, had no criminal history before his arrest. He was taken into custody July 5, 2023 almost five years after the fire and freed from jail almost three months later on a personal recognizance bond. At the time of his release, prosecutors said further investigation was necessary. His bail was set at $400,000. It was not clear why the case against Ferguson collapsed. The inferno erupted just before 4:30 a.m. on July 20, 2018, when someone ignited a discarded mattress in a first-floor, outdoor breezeway at one of the apartment buildings in the 200 block of Ramsay Street. Most residents were asleep at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five victims were found dead in the rubble Dru Estes, 20, of San Antonio; Belinda Moats, 21, of Big Wells; Haley Michele Frizzell, 19, of San Angelo; David Angel Ortiz, 21, of Pasadena; and James Phillip Miranda, 23, of Mount Pleasant. All of their deaths were ruled homicides. Estes, Frizzell and Ortiz were Texas State students, while Moats was a former student of the university.All of the victims killed had been residing in four separate apartments on the second floor when flames swept through the building. Several survivors were injured as they ran for their lives. One survivor, Zachary Sutterfield, now 26, of San Angelo, suffered a traumatic brain injury and third-degree burns to nearly 70% of his body when he escaped from the fire. He is still undergoing medical treatment for those injuries and is continuing to recover nearly six years later. A probable cause affidavit supporting Ferguson's arrest almost two years ago accused him of setting the fire because he was angry at a woman who lived in the apartment building and because he was depressed about his life circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit quoted a witness as saying that Ferguson admitted setting the mattress aflame and that Ferguson had described to him how it burned "super hot" and "super fast." The arrest affidavit, filed June 30, 2023, said that witness who lived in the building before it was torched told investigators that he and Ferguson previously had a conversation about the flammability of the mattress discarded in the first-floor breezeway. Ferguson adamantly denied knowing anything about the mattress when investigators first questioned him, the affidavit stated. But another witness, a woman who moved out of the apartment building before the fire, told investigators she had left the mattress in the outdoor breezeway for Ferguson. That witness reported she had left a note bearing Ferguson's nickname on the mattress, the affidavit stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a follow-up interview, Ferguson told investigators he had lied when he initially claimed to have no knowledge of the mattress. He told investigators he had become too busy to pick up the mattress. In a follow-up interview in 2023, the first witness who claimed he had previously discussed the mattress' flammability with Ferguson reported that Ferguson contacted him by phone and by text on the night of the fire. That witness told investigators that Ferguson was intoxicated, the affidavit stated. Ferguson informed the witness that his apartment was on fire and that the witness' cats were dead, according to the affidavit. The same witness told investigators that he and Ferguson discussed the day after the catastrophe how the fire could have started. The witness reported Ferguson said a stray spark or someone intentionally setting fire to the mattress could have caused the inferno. In a follow-up interview in 2023, the woman who left the mattress behind in the outdoor breezeway said Ferguson had told her to lie to investigators in 2018 and urged her not to say anything about the discarded bedding, the affidavit shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman claimed Ferguson told her she did not have to talk to investigators and pressed her to say she did not remember information because five years had passed since the fire, the affidavit stated. In another interview in 2023, the first witness told investigators that Ferguson had been frustrated with the responsibility of getting rid of the mattress and that Ferguson also was upset because another woman who lived in the torched building had rejected him after they went on a date, the affidavit shows. That same witness told investigators that Ferguson had "contempt for women" and that Ferguson was upset because he was working three jobs and felt like he was getting nowhere. The witness said he and Ferguson also discussed what kind of criminal charges Ferguson could face. Ferguson's attorney, Kristin Dow, told a judge during a court hearing last year that the defense could have filed a motion seeking to dismiss the case, citing a provision of state law that allows dismissal if an indictment hasn't been secured within 180 days of arrest. The attorney said Ferguson asked her not to do that. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Grand jury declines to indict suspect in 2018 San Marcos apartment fire The federal government has cut nearly $1 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Department of Public Health to address asthma in Western Massachusetts, the governor said Friday. In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey said the DPH has submitted a formal dispute contesting the EPAs decision. The funding was intended to support in-home environmental remediations, such as mold removal and improved ventilation, in Chicopee, Holyoke and Springfield, Healey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By canceling these grants for Hampden County, the Trump Administration is undermining our efforts to improve the health of the people of Western Massachusetts, Healey said in her statement. With extreme heat, droughts and wildfires becoming all the more common, its essential that we prioritize improving air quality and reducing causes of asthma, Healey said. This is just their latest attack on the health and wellbeing of communities across our country. Boston 25 has reached out to the White House for comment on Healeys statement. Healey said this follows recent action by the federal government to abruptly terminate nearly $100 million in grants to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She cited a recent report by the American Lung Association gave Hampden County a D for poor air quality, with 5,576 children and 43,484 adults suffering from asthma. The loss of this funding is harmful to our public health efforts. We know the specific steps we can take to help people with asthma in Western Massachusetts and planned to support these efforts with this federal funding, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said in a statement. Our team remains committed to identifying and addressing equitable health outcomes, but without this funding, Western Massachusetts residents may not be able to access services like vent cleaning and mold removal needed to combat the disproportionate health impacts in the region. Healey said the withheld funding totals nearly $900,000 out of the promised $1 million over three years. DPH used these funds for in-home environmental remediation to address asthma in residents and communities disproportionately at risk, state officials said. The funding also went to community engagement, capacity building, and cross-bureau collaboration within DPH to address environmental hazards and to build community level adaptability and resiliency to address public health threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau expressed their concerns about the funding cuts in the statement provided by Healeys office. We are disappointed that this critical resource that was slated to provide environmental remediation to homes in Chicopee, Holyoke, and Springfield residents has been terminated, Vieau said. 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 MEMPHIS, Tenn. The xAI debate is heating up, and Friday night, the community will have an opportunity to share their concerns with the health department. The health department will be at Fairley High School at 5 p.m. for families to continue sharing their concerns on the project. This is all centering around the growing number of turbines sitting on Elon Musks supercomputer site in South Memphis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, WREG learned there are almost double the amount agreed upon, leaving many wondering how much pollution theyll cause. Mayor Young says only 15 of xAIs 35 turbines are being used The health department has been gathering comments over the past month. Last week, the departments director, Dr. Michelle Taylor, made remarks. We will continue to do our work as an environmental health team, and if there are health concerns to be shared, we will share them, Taylor said. xAI supercomputer in Memphis accused of violating federal law Ahead of the meeting on Friday, representative Justin J. Pearson is expected to hold an environmental justice rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pearson wants the health department, along with county and city leaders, to take action and get the project stopped. Were being told by Mayor Lee Harris, by Director Taylor, and everybody else whos just greenlighting this project like its the best thing in the world that this is okay for us to be mistreated. Its okay for us to continue to be polluted. Its okay for us to continue to be hurt while they make billions and profits off of our backs, said Pearson. His rally will be at 4:30 p.m. If you cannot attend the community meeting, youre still able to share your comment with the health department online. That comment period is open until Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Health officials are putting a call out to Michiganders, urging them to take action with nine confirmed measles cases now in Michigan. The state is in the middle of its first measles outbreak since 2019. Experts define an outbreak as three or more new cases from one incidentwhich is what happened in Montcalm County. On Wednesday, Ingham County confirmed its second case. Were really here to sound the alarm because we are seeing some real consequences from declining childhood vaccination rates, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As confirmed measles cases continue to increase in West Texas, New Mexico, and here in Michigan, experts are seeing a decrease in vaccinations. Vaccine-preventable diseases are a threat. Make no mistake about that, said Veronica Valentine McNally, President of Franny Strong Foundation and Founder of the I Vaccinate Campaign. As of March, Michigan health officials say only 79% of children ages 19 to 35 months had gotten the MMR vaccine that protects against measles. Thats down from 85% in March 2020. In order to protect communities from outbreaks of measles, you need to have vaccine coverage of about 95%, said Ryan Malosh, Director of the Division of Immunizations for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingham Countys MMR vaccine rate is only about 83% as of the last quarterly report. Jackson County sits around the same level and Eaton County reports only 80%. Often when Im talking about measles, Im talking about it as being the most transmissible disease that we deal with in modern medicine, said Dr. Bagdasarian. If you visited the Lansing Urgent Care Frandor location for any reason on the evening of April 15, youre going to want to keep an eye out for measles symptoms. Officials initially had the exposure window from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., but that has now been corrected to 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Other potential exposure sites include Aldi in Okemos, the Okemos Farmers Market, and the MSU Community Music School. In Lansing, officials are actively monitoring Toscana Restaurant, Tractor Supply on Grand River Avenue, and the UM Health-Sparrow Emergency Department as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Possible measles case in Eaton Co., potential public exposure Measles can remain airborne in very, very fine particlesfor about two hours, said Dr. Bagdasarian. Malosh warns that the illness is more contagious than many well-known sicknesses, such as the flu and COVID-19. If a case of measles is exposed to a group of folks that are completely unvaccinated, on average that one case will lead to about 12 to 18 additional cases. With the flu, that number is about 1 1/2 to 2 additional cases, said Malosh. For the latest measles updates and information, visit 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 WLNS 6 News. Vials of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are displayed on a counter at a Walgreens Pharmacy on January 26, 2015 in Mill Valley, California. (Photo by Illustration Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) New Mexico Health officials reported one additional New Mexico measles case Friday, this time an adult in Eddy County, bringing the total reported infections to 66. The slow drip of cases in recent weeks does not indicate the outbreak is abating, according to New Mexico Department of Health Communications Director Robert Nott, who told Source NM that symptoms can appear a week or more after infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seemingly slow increase in measles cases in New Mexico should not be taken as a sign we are anywhere near out of the woods with this outbreak, Nott said in a written statement. We see continued measles spread in bordering areas Mexico and Texas, for example so there is always the potential for a new introduction of cases in New Mexico. Nott also noted that cases may rise in coming weeks after recent Easter weekend gatherings, given that symptoms of measles do not appear until roughly a week (or more) after infection. The majority of measles cases in New Mexico remain in Lea County, which has 61 cases; the state has had six hospitalizations since the outbreak began in neighboring Gaines County, Texas, just across the state line. Cases in Dona Ana and Chaves counties remain unchanged, with one reported case each. Texas health officials on Friday reported cases increased by an additional 22 infections, bringing the total there to 646. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles is highly contagious, spread through contact with airborne droplets from an infected person. Infected people can spread the disease several days before symptoms such as fever, red eyes, cough or spotty red rash appear. Two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine offers 97% protection against catching the measles, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. While the majority of health professionals continue to recommend two doses of the vaccine as the safest and most effective prevention from contracting measles, a recent poll from nonpartisan health research organization KFF found nearly a quarter of their sample believed false claims about the vaccine. Also this week, researchers from Stanford Medicine published findings that determined if vaccination rates drop further, measles (and other infectious diseases) could return in the U.S. after decades of eradication. Using a mathematical model to simulate the spread of diseases, researchers also found that if vaccination rates remain the same, measles may still make a comeback in the next two decades. Pediatrician Dr. Melissa Mason told Source NM she sees a measles comeback as a matter of potential life and death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With vaccination rates as they stand, without dropping more, were still gonna see people get measles get sick and die from this, she said. Mason, who chairs the immunization committee for the New Mexico Pediatric Society, said shes been impressed with efforts from New Mexico health officials to vaccinate people in the Southeastern corner of the state. Statewide vaccination rates are nearly double from the same time frame last year, according to data released Tuesday. These are gold star efforts, and thats going to make a difference, she said. But nationally, in other areas that continue to have lower rates than 95% coverage, were going to continue to see measles. Julia Goldberg contributed to the reporting of this story. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) A heated debate Thursday night on whether Chicopees Anna E. Barry Elementary School should stay in its current location or move to another site. Residents met with the Anna E. Barry School Building Committee to voice their thoughts. Some believe sticking to the original plan of building a new school a few feet behind the current Barry Location, but building officials think otherwise. The future of Anna E. Barry Elementary School in Chicopee is still in question. After the original plan to build the new school just feet behind the current Barry Location ran into issues, the Building Committee is considering another site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre looking to expand the Szetela Early Childhood School on Macek Drive. But not all residents agree since there are fields and a park behind the school. This park is used all year round by kids, families people walking their dogs. Its just wonderful to have a neighborhood park, said Jennifer Christianson of Chicopee. The building committee explains why they are looking at this as an option. We want to avoid redistricting, and we need a good-sized parcel of land in order to build the school. And unfortunately, within this district, theres really not a lot of options available to us, added Chair of the Anna E. Barry School Building Committee, Carissa Lisee. The project designer and manager will be studying and investigating the site to determine if it is a good fit. There will also be a survey of the property. If this school is selected as the new site, it would combine its preschool students with the Barry Schools 340 kindergarten through fifth-grade students. The other possibility is another location off of Robbins Road, but is out of district. But residents believe building the school behind the current Barry location is the best option for the school, despite the challenges with wetland soil and Article 97, which protects parkland area under Massachusetts State Law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barry was built on wetlands before, and if it was built on what lands before, it can be done again, and theyre grandfathered in. Theres already a school there. They need to redistrict some of the kids. Maybe for a year and build on that property again, said Christianson. The building committee says it will come down to cost as to what project they move forward with. The committee hopes to present several preliminary design options by June. Chicopee is working in partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority on this project. The Massachusetts School Building Authority will be providing funding to support the final design. Information meetings will continue to be held on the second Thursday of every month. 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. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagons security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press. The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseths use of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance. Known as a dirty internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the users information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagons secured connections maintain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if theres a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked. But the biggest advantage of using such a line is that the user would not show up as one of the many IP addresses assigned to the Defense Department essentially the user is masked, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with military network security. But it also can expose users to hacking and surveillance. A dirty line just like any public internet connection also may lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law, the official said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. A dirty internet line to use Signal The two people familiar with the line said Hegseth had it set up in his office to use the Signal app, which has become a flashpoint following revelations that he posted sensitive details about a military airstrike in two chats that each had more than a dozen people. One of the chats included his wife and brother, while the other included President Donald Trumps top national security officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Hegseths use of Signal in his office, which was first reported by The Washington Post, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretarys use of communications systems and channels is classified. However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer, Parnell said in a statement. Its the latest revelation to shake the Pentagon. Besides facing questions from both Democrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information, Hegseth has dismissed or transferred multiple close advisers, tightly narrowing his inner circle and adding to the turmoil following the firings of several senior military officers in recent months. Trump and other administration officials have given Hegseth their full support. They have blamed employees they say were disgruntled for leaking information to journalists, with Trump saying this week: Its just fake news. They just bring up stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have 100% confidence in the secretary, Vice President JD Vance told reporters Wednesday about Hegseth. I know the president does and, really, the entire team does. Secure ways to communicate at the Pentagon The Pentagon has a variety of secure ways that enable Hegseth and other military leaders to communicate: The Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network can handle the lowest levels of sensitive information. It allows some access to the internet but is firewalled and has levels of cybersecurity that a dirty line does not. It cannot handle information labeled as secret. The Secure Internet Protocol Router Network is used for secret-level classified information. The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System is for top-secret and secret compartmentalized information, which is some of the highest levels of secrecy, also known as TS/SCI. Hegseth initially was going to the back area of his office where he could access Wi-Fi to use his devices, one of the people familiar said, and then he requested a line at his desk where he could use his own computer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That meant at times there were three computers around his desk a personal computer; another for classified information; and a third for sensitive defense information, both people said. Because electronic devices are vulnerable to spying, no one is supposed to have them inside the defense secretarys office. Important offices at the Pentagon have a cabinet or drawer where staff or visitors are required to leave devices. Fallout over Signal Signal is a commercially available app that is not authorized to be used for sensitive or classified information. Its encrypted, but can be hacked. While Signal offers more protections than standard text messaging, its no guarantee of security. Officials also must ensure their hardware and connections are secure, said Theresa Payton, White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush and now CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The communications of senior government officials are of keen interest to adversaries like Russia or China, Payton said. The National Security Agency issued a warning earlier this year about concerns that foreign hackers could try to target government officials using Signal. Google also advised caution about Russia-aligned hackers targeting Signal users. 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. Hegseth pulled the information about the strike on Yemens Houthi militants last month from a secure communications channel used by U.S. Central Command. He has vehemently denied he posted war plans or classified information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the information Hegseth did post in chats exact launch times and bomb drop times would have been classified and could have put service members at risk, multiple current and former military and defense officials have said. The airstrike information was sent before the pilots had launched or safely returned from their mission. AP reporter David Klepper in Washington contributed to this report. ABC News has confirmed that in at least two separate meetings Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused top-ranking military officers of leaking to the media and threatened to polygraph them. According to one person familiar with the exchanges, Hegseth was upset by media reports that he had planned a briefing for Elon Musk on China. In a meeting with Adm. Christopher Grady, who was serving as then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hegseth yelled Ill hook you up to a [expletive] polygraph! PHOTO: President Trump Hosts Prime Minister Of Norway Jonas Gahr Store To The White House (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Hegseth then made a similar threat in a separate meeting with Lt. Gen. Doug Sims, the Joint Staff director, according to the person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wall Street Journal first reported the exchanges. A spokesperson for the Joint Staff declined to comment. Hegseth shouted threat to 'polygraph' top military officials: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wanted to access Signal from the Pentagon despite restrictions preventing it, he knew just who to ask: Col. Ricky Buria, a close military aide. Buria, a junior military assistant, has quickly become a key member of Hegseths inner circle as the defense secretary faces controversies surrounding his misuse of the messaging app and the terminations of top Pentagon officials. CNN reported that it was Buria who asked the Defense Departments chief information officer whether Hegseth could be exempted from a policy outlined in a 2023 memo that states apps like Signal are NOT authorized to access, transmit, process non-public DoD information. Col. Ricky Buria shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Pentagon on April 24. Buria has gone from carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's bags to meeting with foreign leaders. / AFP via Getty Images He likes that Ricky does what he asks and gets him what he needs, a defense official told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inquiry reportedly raised eyebrows among senior Pentagon officials who were unsure if the request was appropriate. Its unclear whether Hegseth was ever granted an exemption, though sources told The Washington Post that the app was installed on his desktop computer and used an unsecure internet connection, also known as a dirty line. The Secretary of Defenses use of communications systems and channels is classified. However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN. Col. Ricky Buria (far left) sits close to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a meeting with El Salvador Defense Minister Rene Merino Monroy at the Pentagon. / AFP via Getty Images Buria is a career Marine who was one of the only holdovers from the team of former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A Marine spokesperson confirmed to CNN, however, that Buria submitted his retirement papers to the Marine Corps last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buria is now transitioning to a new role as a senior civilian adviser to Hegseth, according to sources who spoke to Defense News. Multiple reports have also indicated that the defense secretary is potentially eyeing Buria for the chief of staff post recently vacated by Joe Kasper. In February, Buria briefly became the acting senior military assistanta role normally reserved for three-star officersafter Hegseth went on a firing spree. The job eventually went to Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, but Buria nonetheless filled an urgent gap. Col. Ricky Buria (two seats to the right of Hegseth) was among top aides who attended the defense secretary's meeting with El Salvador Defense Minister Rene Merino Monroy at the Pentagon. / Getty Images Ricky was only the SMA because he was the only guy standing, an official told Defense News. 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, another official said. Buria has since gone from carrying Hegseths bags to attending meetings with top Trump officials and foreign leaders, leaving current and former defense officials to wonder whether hes qualified for high-level roles. Proximity is power, a source told Defense News. He was around the secretary more than anybody else. TOKYO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Four automobile mechanic trainees were killed after their car crashed into a water gate on a river in central Japan on Thursday, local media reported. At around 12:35 p.m. local time, the passenger vehicle driven by Ryosei Ikeda, 20, skidded off the road on the Tenryu River in Iida, Nagano Prefecture, killing all four people in the car, Kyodo News reported. According to Hirokazu Aizawa, principal of the Iida Vocational Training School where the four men were enrolled, they attended class in the morning and the accident occurred during their lunch break. A nursing care worker in her 40s who lives nearby said, "I drive there carefully as there are blind spots," according to the report. The police are investigating the accident. With a grip of bestselling books, a successful series of movies and about a half-decade of goodwill-destroying social media posting, it's fair to say the world has heard enough from JK Rowling. Pedro Pascal counts himself among the number who wish the "Harry Potter" author would leave her moldy house and touch grass. The star of "The Last of Us" lashed out at Rowling's recent celebration of a United Kingdom Supreme Court ruling that could spell disaster for the cause of trans rights. That ruling narrowly defines sex and blocks trans women from the protection afforded to cis women under a 2010 anti-discrimination act. Rowling has made no secret of her aversion to trans women, calling them "men performing their idea of femaleness" and endlessly arguing that accepting trans women harms biological women. She drew the ire of Pascal after celebrating the ruling with a seaside shot shared to X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I love it when a plan comes together," she wrote. Responding to an activist calling for a boycott of Rowling-associated brands, Pascal commented on Instagram that Rowling was exhibiting "heinous loser behavior" and spouting "awful disgusting s**t" about trans women. Pacal's sister, Lux, is a trans woman and his comments aimed at Rowling are not the first time he's shown support for the community. Shortly after the UK ruling was announced, Pascal walked the red carpet for the premiere of Marvel's "Thunderbolts*" wearing a t-shirt with the slogan "Protect the dolls." The Conner Ives-designed shirt raises money for the US charity Trans Lifeline. "The hotline connects trans people to a wider community, offering support and resources they need to survive and thrive," a description on Ives' shop reads. "Given the US Federal government's current hostility towards trans people, support like this is needed now more than ever." DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office said a Henagar police officer was arrested Thursday for sharing child sex abuse material. Joshua Min Kwon, 40, of Henagar, is charged with Public Dissemination/Displaying Obscene Matter of someone under 17. DCSO said he was arrested and interviewed Thursday evening. A DeKalb County Investigator who is also assigned to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a social media account that was used to share child pornography, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, DeKalb County Investigators and Special Response Team, along with ALEA, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, and the Department of Homeland Security searched a home in Jackson County early Thursday. After reviewing IP address details and logs, obtaining electronic devices, and speaking with witnesses it was determined another potential suspect in this case to be a police officer employed with the town of Henagar, DCSO added. The sheriffs office said the investigation continued and enough information was gathered to arrest Kwon. DCSO said the case is still under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Federal authorities on April 25 arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who was under investigation for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest. The immigrant in question appeared in Dugan's courtroom April 18 for a pre-trial conference. In recent weeks, immigration officers have arrested several people in the halls of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Here's what we know about Dugan's arrest and the circumstances leading up to it. Hannah Dugan in 2016 as a candidate for Milwaukee County Circuit Court' When was Hannah Dugan arrested? Dugan was arrested at 8 a.m. on April 25 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, according to Brady McCarron, spokesman for U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a since-deleted X post, FBI Director Kash Patel also said the following about the arrest: "Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week," Patel wrote. "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest." A screenshot of a since-deleted April 25 tweet by FBI Director Kash Patel At 11:05 a.m. Friday, U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi also confirmed the arrest in an X post: "I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov. No one is above the law." I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov. No one is above the law. Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 25, 2025 What is Hannah Dugan charged with? Dugan is charged with two federal felony counts: obstruction and concealing an individual. What happened in Hannah Dugan's courtroom with the undocumented immigrant? On April 18, Immigrants and Customs Enforcement agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse with an arrest agent for an individual, according to an email Chief Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Carl Ashley sent to judges that same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley's email did not mention Dugan or the defendant by name. However, he said the ICE agents went to the sixth floor, which is where Dugan's courtroom is located. Ashley said the agents presented a warrant, but Dugan responded to the email saying, "a warrant was not presented in the hallway on the 6th floor." When ICE officials left to meet with the chief judge, Dugan reportedly took the defendant to a side door in the courtroom and directed them down a private hallway and into the public area on the 6th floor, sources told the Journal Sentinel. The Journal Sentinel spoke with five legal experts earlier about the case. None thought Dugan's actions constituted a federal crime. Who is Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, the immigrant Hannah Dugan is accused of assisting? Officials have not confirmed the identity of the defendant who Dugan reportedly assisted, but it appears to be Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant, was mentioned by name in Patel's deleted X post. Flores-Ruiz was set to appear in Dugan's courtroom for a pre-trial conference on three misdemeanor counts of battery on April 18 at 8:30 a.m. the same morning the ICE agents came to the courthouse. As of April 23, Flores-Ruiz is listed as being in ICE custody at Dodge Detention Facility in Juneau, according to the federal online detainee locator system. According to his criminal complaint, Flores-Ruiz is charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery. The case stemmed from a March 12 fight between roommates at a home on the 3900 block of West Vliet Street. Flores-Ruiz was accused of playing music too loudly in the home, and a fight ensued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint says Flores-Ruiz punched another person 30 times, then struck a woman who tried to break up the melee. Each of the three Class A misdemeanors has a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine. Where is Hannah Dugan now? On Friday morning, Dugan appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries for a brief hearing at the federal courthouse after her arrest. She made no public comments. Toward the end of the hearing, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told the court: "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety." Who else have ICE agents arrested at the Milwaukee and Ozaukee County courthouses? Including the incident in Dugan's courtroom, federal immigrant agents have come to the Milwaukee and Ozaukee County courthouses with arrest warrants at least three times in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since March, ICE agents have arrested at least two people at the Milwaukee County Courthouse and a third person at the Ozaukee County Courthouse. Daniel Bice, John Diedrich, Eva Wen, Chris Ramirez, Vanessa Swales and Mary Spicuzza contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why did FBI arrest Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan? Here's what to know Controversial plans by a southern Arizona school district to construct a facility for use as a seminary by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been scrapped. On April 22, the Vail School District announced that the LDS Church had decided to terminate its contract with the district, which serves a rural community southeast of Tucson. The plan had called for a 1,300-square-foot building on the Cienega High School campus, located at Mary Ann Cleveland Way and Colossal Cave Road. Under the proposed 10-year agreement, the building would have primarily served the school district, with the church scheduled to use it for several hours on weekdays. Heres what to know about the proposal that generated criticism from parents, community members, and resistance from pro-secular organizations. What was the agreement between the LDS, school district like? The school district's governing board unanimously approved the seminary in March. The building would have been owned and managed by the district under a lease agreement with the LDS Church, which would have used the space from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The church would have covered monthly rent, utilities, and maintenance costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Superintendent John Carruth said the church would contribute $500,000 to construct the facility and pay $500 a month for utilities and maintenance and $100 monthly rent. Other school and community needs would have been accommodated by the building. What did parents and the community have to say? Parents and other area residents filled a room April 16 at the Vail School District's office for a nearly three-hour meeting to express concerns related to the contract between the district and the LDS church. Many, including retired teachers and former students, expressed frustration and a sense of disenfranchisement over how the agreement unfolded, with most voicing concerns about maintaining the separation of church and state in public education. I'm not against the church at all; it has nothing to do with that. It's this idea that it should not be on a school campus during school instruction time," said retired teacher and librarian Diana Roche. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parent Geraldine Kleber said many within the community only learned of the agreement after she shared plans on Facebook. Questions also arose about why the agreement had not been brought before the public ahead of the school boards' vote. There were additional concerns about the safety of students after Carruth said the vetting of seminary staff would be made by the church and not the school district. What did the school district say? Carruth assured parents at the meeting that the agreement between the district and the church complied with both state and federal law. Students who sought to attend the seminary would be able to do so during their free period and would not be excused from their scheduled school time, Carruth said. The district superintendent also said there would not be permanent religious decorations in the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A letter from the district's legal advisers, DeConcini McDonald Yetwein & Lacy, deemed the site of the proposed facility as "essentially a dirt lot that is separate from the school itself." What did pro-secular organizations say? The nonprofit advocacy group Secular AZ stated that it had warned the district about the legality of the seminary plans. Their challenges against the building began after the district and the church reached their now-canceled agreement. "This would have blurred the lines between church and state in a deeply inappropriate way," said Dianne Post, legal director for Secular AZ, in a statement. "This is a public high school, not a platform for religious proselytizing." The Wisconsin-based nonprofit Freedom From Religion Foundation joined Secular AZ in demanding the district terminate its agreement with the church, arguing public schools cannot provide resources benefitting churches' religious classes. To do so would be against the Constitution, FFRF insisted. What did the LDS church say? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in an email, "We are grateful to the Vail School District for their efforts to provide opportunities for our students. We regret that at this time we will not continue in negotiations. We recognize our right to practice our religion in public spaces, but do not want our efforts to be a distraction to the community and district." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republic reporters Alexandra Hardle, Sarah Lapidus and Wren Smetana contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: LDS church canceled AZ high school seminary plans. Here's what to know Even before Saturday's funeral service for Pope Francis at the Vatican, the leader known as "the People's Pope" had already broken with some traditions in the ways pontiffs are laid to rest. His body lay in state for three days in St. Peter's Basilica, where members of the public have been filing past to pay their respects. Unlike his predecessors, who were buried in three nested coffins one made of cypress, one made of lead, and one made of elm the famously humble Francis chose to be buried in a simple wooden coffin. That change came as part of recently updated funeral planning for pontiffs, published late last year and approved by Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The updated Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, as it's called in Latin, also says that the public should be able to view the pope's body in an open coffin. People bid farewell to Pope Francis at his open coffin in St. Peter's Basilica on his last day of lying in state, April 25, 2025. / Credit: Christoph Reichwein / picture alliance via Getty Images Another break from tradition is its direction that the ascertainment of the pope's death should take place in a chapel, not his room. "A second edition [of the official funeral rites for pontiffs] became necessary, first of all because Pope Francis has requested it, as he himself has stated on several occasions of the need to simplify and adapt certain rites so that the celebration of the funeral of the Bishop of Rome may better expresses [sic] the faith of the Church in the Risen Christ," Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, said in a statement released by the Vatican at the time of the update. Archbishop Ravelli also said, "The renewed rite also needed to emphasise 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other major break from papal funeral tradition is the place where Francis has chosen to be buried. In his last will and testament, published shortly after his death, Francis requested that he be laid to rest outside the Vatican, in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore, in Italian). He often visited that ancient church in Rome to pray before and after his travels. Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass privately on the altar of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Dec. 8, 2020. / Credit: Grzegorz Galazka/Archivio Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images Many popes are laid to rest inside the Vatican, in the Vatican grottoes, a system of vaults on the lower level of St. Peter's Basilica. The church said seven popes in history have been buried at St. Mary Major, but Francis is the first one in centuries. "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," Francis said in his will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus," he specified. That is also a departure from other popes whose tombs include an inscription honoring their papacy. He was carried to his final resting place in a procession that drove slowly through the streets of Rome, with crowds lining up to catch a glimpse of the Popemobile bearing his coffin. Crowds gather to watch the procession carrying the coffin of the late Pope Francis through the streets of Rome to his final resting place at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) on April 26, 2025. / Credit: Andrei Pungovschi / Getty Images Russian foreign minister on latest Kyiv strikes: "We only target military goals" Who will be the next pope? Some of the top possible candidates Saturday Sessions: Goose performs "Thatch" NEW DELHI (AP) India and Pakistan have intensified their hostilities over the hotly contested Kashmir region following a massacre of 26 mostly Indian tourists, which New Delhi linked to Pakistan. Pakistan denies it was behind Tuesday's attack by gunmen on a group of tourists in Kashmir. Both sides have since escalated the tensions by exchanging diplomatic and trade sanctions against each other and raising fears of a military conflict. Here are five reasons why a flare-up between India and Pakistan matters: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kashmir attack can lead to an armed conflict between two neighbors Under intense domestic pressure, India has hinted at the possibility of a limited military strike on Pakistan in response to what it called the terror attack with cross-border links. Pakistan made it clear that it will respond militarily to an attack. This raises fears that an escalation by any one side can lead to a wider war. The last time the two nations came to blows was in 2019, when a suicide car bombing killed 40 Indian soldiers in Kashmir. In 2021, the sides renewed a ceasefire agreement along their border, which has largely held. That relative calm was broken on Thursday after a brief exchange of fire between their armies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint between the archrivals Both India and Pakistan are armed with nuclear weapons. There are fears that any conventional war or skirmish between them could potentially turn into a nuclear exchange. India and Pakistan have fought two major wars, in 1965 and 1971, but in 1974, India conducted its first nuclear tests, raising the stakes in any military conflict. It triggered a nuclear race and Pakistan reached that same milestone in 1998. Since then, India and Pakistan have had one major border skirmish in 1999 that killed at least 1,000 combatants. The fighting only stopped after U.S. intervened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A conflict could drag in China India and China are geopolitical rivals whose armies clashed along the disputed Himalayan border in 2020. Ties between the Asian giants have improved since but they still maintain large numbers of troops on their borders. Their borders are also contiguous to Pakistan's, making it the worlds only three-way nuclear junction. Beijing also controls a part of the Kashmir region that New Delhi says belongs to India. On the other hand, China is also a main ally of Pakistan and has helped advance its missile programs, creating additional military concerns for New Delhi. Meanwhile, India maintains strong defense ties with the U.S., which has long sought to limit Beijings rise in the Indo-Pacific region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say any conflict between India and Pakistan is unlikely to stay strictly between them, as their strategic partners are likely to get involved. Kashmir tensions can lead to a war over water In response to the massacre, India suspended a crucial treaty that governs the flow of river waters into Pakistan. Pakistan said it would consider any attempt to stop the flow of water from India an act of war." Under the Indus Water treaty, India is obliged to let six rivers flow freely to Pakistan. If India follows through and restricts the flow, it can have a devastating impact on Pakistan's agriculture as it battles acute water shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also also a major environmental issue. Water insecurity is a big concern in both India and Pakistan due to rapidly growing populations and climate change. Attacks by militants and rights abuses in Kashmir test world's response Rights groups including the U.N. have blamed New Delhi for rights violations including civilian killings and arbitrary arrests in Indian-controlled Kashmir as a result of an intense crackdown by Indian forces. It has hurt India's human rights record and raised concerns that global powers are not doing enough to pressure New Delhi and hold it accountable. Militants fighting against Indian rule have also killed scores of civilians, including Hindu pilgrims. India has used military response against militants as part of its efforts to eradicate terrorism," saying it threatens regional stability. Arizona wildfire season Training wildland firefighters| Grassland threat| Urban wildfire risk High-risk areas | Rebuilding smarter Wildfire forecast PINE LAKE, Ariz. Surrounded by the burn-scarred peaks of the Hualapai Mountain Park, the fire crew from Lewis Prison cleared the dense brush and overgrown shrubs around this remote town on a recent April morning. The sound of chainsaws echoed between towering pines as the crew threw piles of easily combustible vegetation into a wood chipper to be trucked away. The work of the crew marks the first phase of a multi-year, multi-million dollar project to help prevent future wildfires from overtaking Pine Lake, a small unincorporated community in Mohave County that the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management says is the highest-risk community in the state for wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By removing the brush between the mature pine trees, the fire crew is creating a vital barrier that could prevent a wildfire from spreading quickly down the mountainside, providing time for residents to evacuate and firefighting teams to mobilize. As state officials warn that ongoing extreme drought conditions could fuel widespread wildfire activity, communities like Pine Lake highlight the importance of prevention activities in every corner of Arizona. Lewis Fire Crew clears brush and reduce wildfire risk around the Hualapai Mountain Park on April 2, 2025. The project is a multiyear, multi-million dollar effort by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management around unincorporated community of Pine Lake, which has been deemed the highest risk community in Arizona for wildfires. Multiple factors are considered when assessing the wildfire risk to a community. For Pine Lake, its proximity to wilderness, the history of wildfires in the area and the single paved road out of town put the community at the top of the list. The neighboring community of Pinion Pines, about six miles down the road, ranked 16th in the state in 2023. If you ever drive through that area, it's very beautiful, but at the same time it's very unique and rugged. In years past, we had the Dean Peak Fire and then the Flag Fire, and those were two real near misses for the town. said Aaron Casem, prevention chief at the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. I don't want to get to a point where we try to roll the dice for a third incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Mount Lemmon: After village burns, neighbors try to save key parts of forest to reduce risk A large investment in small communities In May 2024, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management announced a multi-million dollar investment in federal funding from the USDA toward the states prevention efforts. The U.S. Forest Services Community Wildfire Defense Grants provide financial assistance to at-risk communities to implement wildfire protection plans. In 2023, Arizona was granted nearly $7 million in funding through the program. It was a super competitive process, because you're not just going against other communities or programs in Arizona. You're putting up your grant against the western states, basically everybody from Oregon all the way to Nebraska, said Casem, who wrote the grant. We were one of the few that was awarded last round. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly $4 million of the federal funding was earmarked for Pine Lake, an unincorporated community near Kingman with a population of 142, according to the 2020 census. The grant funds will also be used to create and update wildfire protection plans for the greater Flagstaff area and Santa Cruz, Coconino and Cochise counties, as well as a fuel reduction project in Patagonia. Recovering from a fire: Rodeo-Chediski Fire forced people to flee their homes. Many returned, but with new anxiety An overnight photo of the Flag Fire near Kingman in 2021. The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program was launched in 2022 by the Biden Administration and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help tribes and communities implement the National Cohesive Wildland Management Strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations push to reduce government spending and freeze federal grant programs has left future funding an open question. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has not been affected by any federal funding concerns, according to Tiffany Davila, a communications specialist with the agency. We want to make sure that we're actively engaged and have the project work started, and that we have our own state budget to back it up if something were to happen with those federal funds, said Davila. That's not just for this project, that's for all the projects that we're working on, either on federal land or with federal dollars. For places like Pine Lake, the funding makes a big impact. It's a very small community with a small volunteer firefighting force. This helps really put some horsepower into a community that wouldn't have the support to do a project of this magnitude, said Casem. We need to keep looking to help the little guys. The Flag Fire was a 'near miss' In April 2021, a wildfire ignited in the Hualapai Mountains and exploded across 1,200 acres within a day. The Mohave County Supervisors issued a state of emergency as multiple fire departments responded to the growing blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Flag Fire prompted the evacuations of over 200 homes in the Pine Lake area, and neighboring communities were placed on alert as strong winds spread the embers over the mountains. Lisa Nagy, a Pine Lake resident of 15 years, was working at the Hualapai Mountain Resort Restaurant when the evacuation order was issued. I had enough time to get this place shut down. We left dirty dishes, everything. We had to get everybody out of here. And I still had to get home, get my family, my belongings, my animals, said Nagy. By the time we left my property, there were hot embers falling in my yard. It was pretty scary. The Flag Fire area received light rain, one shed or outbuilding was burned and fire activity had moderated/lessened relative to conditions in the fire area yesterday, BLMAZFire tweeted on April 26, 2021. A wave of overnight rainfall and snow moved through the area of the Flag Fire as firefighters worked to suppress the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fuel treatment area created by the Bureau of Land Management in 2001 was critical to protecting the structures in Pine Lake. By clearing out shrubs and small trees that can fuel the spread of fires along the forest floor, the break has allowed residents to evacuate and firefighters to work in a more predictable environment. The new project will reinforce and bolster that protection. The Lewis Fire Crew will continue to reinforce the fuel break until peak wildfire season takes resources to other parts of the state. Project managers expect the 2,000 acre project will take years to complete. Beyond the forest, the next phases of the project include working directly with community members to clear defensible spaces around structures on private property and conducting public outreach on fire safety. I think that people get confused with the idea that we're going to come in and just moonscape everything, and that's not really what it is, said Mike Laing, the project manager for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think once we start working down there, it's going to make a huge difference because it seems to have a snowball effect over time when people actually see the end of the results of that work. John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to john.leos@arizonarepublic.com. Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pine Lake at high risk for wildfires, so Arizona invests in prevention Robert Crimo III, the man who admitted to fatally shooting seven people and wounding dozens of others during a 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, has reported to prison. The Lake County Sheriffs Office issued a statement that said the 24-year-old was transferred to an Illinois prison Friday morning. Due to the hard work of the Circuit Clerks Office quickly processing all of the post-conviction paperwork, our Corrections Team was able to transfer the defendant to an Illinois Prison this morning, Lake County Sheriffs Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WGN News is told Crimo is in Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill. More: Complete disregard for human life: Robert Crimo III gets life sentences for deadly Highland Park parade shooting Earlier this week, Crimo was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti handed down seven consecutive sentences of life in prison to Crimo. She also sentenced him to 50 years on each of the 48 counts of attempted murder to be served consecutively to the seven life sentences. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The Illinois man who opened fire at a Chicago-area July Fourth parade in 2022, killing seven people and wounding 48, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Robert Crimo III, 24, pleaded guilty last month in the mass shooting in Highland Park, about 30 miles outside Chicago. Crimo did not show up for his sentencing hearing and declined to make a statement to the court, NBC reported. This court has absolutely no words that could adequately describe and capture the horror and pain that was inflicted on July Fourth, state circuit judge Victoria Rossetti said in court, according to the outlet. She added that Crimo is irretrievably depraved, permanently incorrigible, irreparably corrupt and beyond any rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liz Turnipseed, who was shot in the pelvis and still struggles with mobility, called Crimo a coward to NBC for hiding from the victims. And regardless of whether he was there or not, this was going to happen. I dont need to see his face. I know what he looks like. I watched the videos with the confession. That was enough to see how cavalier he was about murdering seven people, she said. When prosecutors showed parts of Crimos lengthy video-taped confession which defense attorneys tried to have thrown out it showed a blank-faced Crimo wearing all black slumped in a chair, arms crossed, CNN reported. He said he briefly reconsidered because of a problem with the gun, but he fixed it. Crimo injured 48 people and killed seven, the outlet reported. The youngest person he wounded was 8-year-old Cooper Roberts, who was paralyzed from the waist down. Jim Vondruska/Getty I walked up the stairs, jumped on the roof and opened fire, Crimo said in the video, per the outlet. He said he tried to avoid children but it was unavoidable because of the mesh of people below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Bodden, a Highland Park police officer, said in court that Crimo was calm during questioning, laughing and making jokes, per the outlet. He was never serious, no remorse, Bodden testified. He said Crimo started planning the mass shooting in 2017. His intentions were to shoot at people, to kill people, Bodden said in court, per CNN. Eric Reinhart, Lake County State Attorney, told the court that 83 shots rang out over 40 seconds, according to NBC. "Eighty-three attempts to hurt people, do as much damage as possible. Eighty-three attempts to kill. Eighty-three attempts to reduce light in the world," Rinehart told the court. "He intended to end the happiness he saw around 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. The courtroom was filled with survivors and family members who cried during the testimony, putting their arms around each other, coming to terms with Crimos sentence, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crimo will serve seven consecutive life terms for the seven people he killed, in addition to another 50-year sentence, to be served consecutively, for attempted murder. He was also hit with 47 more 50-year-terms for attempted murder, which will be served concurrently, NBC reported. "He will not survive his first life sentence," Rinehart said in court, per the outlet. Read the original article on People Tacomas historic Blue Mouse Theatre is getting a makeover. As its website and fundraising campaign describe it: Old Theatre, New Seats. The theater, 2611 N. Proctor St., has been in the process of replacing its seats with new ones. About 77 seats already have been removed so flooring and electrical work could start as new lighting is also being installed. Not only the auditorium but the lobby flooring is getting a refresh, smoothed and made easier in terms of upkeep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday (April 24), the goal was to remove the rest of the existing seats to make way for the new seating that work being tackled by the theaters manager, her brother and two theater employees. The entire renovation project is estimated to take about six weeks. As theater manager Sue Evans explained in a recent phone interview with The News Tribune, its been an evolving process. At first, the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act)-compliant area was just going to be the size that it needed to be, and we were going to install 165 seats (total), she told The News Tribune. The team then decided to adjust the number of total seats slightly and expand the accessible area, make it a multi-purpose space and enhance the use of the theater, Evans explained. The inside of the Blue Mouse Theatre for now is a construction zone, with workers focused on flooring improvements and seat removal/replacement. The seats in that section are removable for the multi-use purpose. She added, We do rent the theater a lot, for events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not all about movies, she continued. Its about whatever people want to rent it for. We do birthday parties and movie clubs and film festivals, and private screenings of filmmakers, and public screenings for filmmakers. You name it. Thats the advantage of having an independent theater. Were not beholden to the big corporate conglomerates, and we can do pretty much whatever we want. The theater, which marked its 100-year anniversary in 2023, is funding the new seats through both donations and a matching grant of $50,000 from the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, through its Historic Theater Grant Program. The program, established in 2021, works to recognize and preserve historic theaters as an essential element to the economic vitality and social health of any community, according to program information online. Seats are removed and renovations are made to the Blue Mouse Theatre to make it ADA-friendly and increase comfort, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tacoma. We were blessed to get the grant, and we had to match it, which we did and then some, Evans said. But now that weve really delved into the construction, weve had a shortfall, because you never can really estimate what its going to cost for all this cement work that we need to do for the handicap accessible area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans estimated the shortfall at roughly $25,000, so fundraising again is key. To that end, donations can be made through an online link via the nonprofit Tacoma Neighborhoods Together website. The fundraising link can be found by going to tacomaneighborhoodstogether.org and clicking on the Events and Partners tab and then clicking on Blue Mouse Theatre Old Theatre New Seats Campaign. The link is also on the Blue Mouse Theatres website: bluemousetheatre.com. To donate Go to this link for more details and to donate to the Blue Mouse Theatre seat campaign. This photo taken on April 24, 2025 shows Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, chairman of Indonesia's National Economic Council, delivering a speech through video at an international academic symposium titled "Seventy Years of Bandung Spirit: Strengthening Global South Development Amidst Global Challenges" in Bandung, Indonesia. The symposium was held here on Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. More than 400 government officials, diplomatic envoys, scholars and youth representatives from China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and other countries and regions attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong delivers a speech at an international academic symposium titled "Seventy Years of Bandung Spirit: Strengthening Global South Development Amidst Global Challenges" in Bandung, Indonesia, April 24, 2025. The symposium was held here on Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. More than 400 government officials, diplomatic envoys, scholars and youth representatives from China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and other countries and regions attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) Participants register for an international academic symposium titled "Seventy Years of Bandung Spirit: Strengthening Global South Development Amidst Global Challenges" in Bandung, Indonesia, April 24, 2025. The symposium was held here on Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. More than 400 government officials, diplomatic envoys, scholars and youth representatives from China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and other countries and regions attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) This photo taken on April 24, 2025 shows the interactive discussion session of an international academic symposium titled "Seventy Years of Bandung Spirit: Strengthening Global South Development Amidst Global Challenges" in Bandung, Indonesia. The symposium was held here on Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. More than 400 government officials, diplomatic envoys, scholars and youth representatives from China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and other countries and regions attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) Dancers perform traditional West Javanese dance at an international academic symposium titled "Seventy Years of Bandung Spirit: Strengthening Global South Development Amidst Global Challenges" in Bandung, Indonesia, April 24, 2025. The symposium was held here on Thursday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference. More than 400 government officials, diplomatic envoys, scholars and youth representatives from China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and other countries and regions attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulus airport is set to undergo a wave of upgrades, promising travelers a more comfortable and cultural experience. Its the gateway to paradise, but plans are underway to make Honolulus airport feel like part of the vacation. Facial recognition at airports: 9 things to know before you get in line Whether its inter-island, or whether youre going to trans Pacific, you gotta fly. You want to make sure that our experiences, our collective experiences, here are better for everybody, said Ed Sniffen, Hawaii Department of Transportation Director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Likely one of the first and biggest changes you will see in the mauka terminal is the expansion of the Hawaiian Airlines lounge, which will be five times the size of the old lounge. The secret language of power: How dominance works without saying a word The new premium lounge is set to open in 2027 and is part of Alaska Air Groups strategic plan to consolidate lobby space following the merger with Hawaiian Airlines. Beyond the terminals, Lobbies 5 through 8 will be undergoing $60 million in renovations, including relocating the baggage handling system to the back of the ticketing area. Top 9 warning signs the economys in trouble: What that means for you Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It gives us a better, spacious feel in the front side, more of a better operation for the airlines themselves, and just better experience overall, said Sniffen. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You And new artwork on the walls will tell the story of Hawaii, addressing critics who say the airport lacks any strong cultural identity. A line up of recognized restaurants and bars are touching down, including Panda Express at the end of May, Alan Wongs, MW, Aloha Plate and Waialua Bar and Cafe next year. Also coming soon, a build-out of the Diamond Head concourse to match the improvements at the mauka concourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behind the scenes, critical systems are getting attention, too. About half of the $1.78 billion in the capital improvement budget the state legislature earmarked for airports next year, will go towards airfield improvements. Theyve done a lot of emergency repairs that we had to do because of the failing pavements, and we want to make sure that for the next 35 to 50 years, we dont have to worry about it anymore, said Sniffen. Ten million dollars will be used to upgrade airport rescue and firefighting operations, that can be used to support local firefighters in an emergency. Check out more news from around Hawaii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres bigger planes coming in with more fuel. We got to make sure were ready to be safe in these areas. and thats statewide, said Sniffen. The DOT is also looking into ways to improve technology at the airport to stop it from feeling like a layover from the past. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nov. 9, 1938, was Karl Reisers birthday, but Reiser didnt spend that night celebrating. He spent the night hiding for his life as mobs descended on Vienna, burning and pillaging Jewish-owned stores, homes and synagogues. The synagogue where my grandparents were married was burnt to the ground by 11 a.m., said Cindy Silverman Chronister, Reisers granddaughter, said of the aftermath of Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Kristallnacht, Reiser, like all Jews in Nazi Germany, had already been forced out of his job, banned from public spaces, and made to carry a passport stamped with the letter J. But despite the abuses he suffered at the hands of the Nazis, Reiser was able to escape what Kristallnacht foreshadowed. He and his wife Mathilda Reiser fled to England in 1939 and eventually made their way to the United States. Those who did not survive the ensuing genocide were honored at a ceremony April 23, which is Yom HaShoahHolocaust Remembrance Day. Today we celebrate our survival and our strength, even as we honor our lost, said Vicki Haller Graff, program director at the Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks. Tonight we remember real peopleWe will take inspiration from their resilience, and the strength of those who stood up for each other in the most difficult of circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The service at the Jewish Cultural Center in Wyomissing featured a lighting of memorial candles by the descendants of holocaust survivors. One of those descendants was Silverman Chronister, of Sinking Spring, who shared the contents of a box of photos she said her grandparents never spoke about. The photos depicted memories from the Reisers time in Vienna and their escape to England, the story of which Silverman Chronister relayed. Cindy Silverman Chronister shares stories and photos depicting her grandparents escape from Nazi-occupied Vienna. (Keith Dmochowski Reading Eagle) She noted that Karl Reiser was able to escape through an emergency rescue mission to Kitchener Refugee Camp in Richborough, England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silverman Chronister said she thinks Reiser was chosen for the mission because he was an electrician, and the former military barracks had no electricity or running water upon his arrival. (Jewish refugees at Kitchener) could not be employed, nor would England provide any financial assistance, Reiser said. These refugees were forbidden to speak their native language, and my grandfather was expected to work long hours maintaining the camp. Mathilda Reiser was eventually able to escape Vienna as well, but not before being left penniless by the Nazis, who charged her an exorbitant departure tax and stole her luggage. She arrived (in England) with almost nothing, no money, no English, and no one to help her, Silverman Chronister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six weeks after Mathilda Reiser fled, World War II broke out, and all immigration was halted. Had my grandmother not obtained a job in England, and her visa not come when it did, I might not be standing here today, Silverman Chronister said. In 1932, there were 200,000 Jews living in Vienna, but in 1942, only 800 remained. Silverman Chronister noted that her grandparents rarely spoke about life in Vienna, but through her own research, she was able to discover eight of her great grandfathers relatives who were killed in concentration camps. Even after enduring tragedy, the Reisers refused to abandon the values of tikkun olam, meaning repairing the world, a Jewish concept that emphasizes social action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the war, they sent care packages to their struggling non-Jewish friends in Vienna, Silverman Chronister said. They donated to Jewish causes and honored their murdered family members by supporting memorials at concentration campsIn choosing compassion, they showed that even in the face of darkness, kindness is a form of resistance. The ceremony also featured a reading of the names of Holocaust victims who have family members in the local community. In a time when antisemitism is rising around the world, and voices of division and intolerance grow louder, our presence here is an act of resilience, said Brian Chartock, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks. It is a statement that memory matters, and that justice, compassion and dignity are not negotiable. A growing insurance gap is leaving thousands of New Mexico homeowners dangerously exposed. In a state increasingly threatened by climate-fueled disasters, nearly 1 in 4 lack insurance a rate that's raising alarms among experts. What's happening? A report from LendingTree, summarized by Newsweek, revealed that 23.3% of New Mexico homeowners more than 133,000 households are uninsured, nearly double the national average. The problem is especially severe in wildfire-prone areas, where rising premiums and policy cancellations are becoming more common. In Albuquerque, 15.2% of homes are uninsured one of the highest rates among major U.S. cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insurance industry experts point to rising premiums, worsening climate disasters, and poverty as key drivers of this growing gap in coverage. "Some people can't get insurance because their homes are considered too risky to insure," said Rob Bhatt, a licensed insurance agent with LendingTree, per Newsweek. And unlike car insurance, home insurance is not required by law. Why is this lack of coverage concerning? As the climate crisis accelerates, so does the severity of extreme weather. In New Mexico, that means more frequent, longer, and more intense wildfires, hailstorms, and flash floods all of which can cause serious damage to homes and infrastructure. According to the National Weather Service, all 33 counties in the state are at risk of damaging storms that bring high winds, hail, lightning, and flash floods. The capital of Santa Fe has a nearly 56% natural disaster risk score. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet many residents are completely unprotected. Should a major disaster strike, uninsured homeowners could face catastrophic losses with no financial safety net. "If you don't have insurance, the cost of rebuilding after a major disaster falls on you," Bhatt said. The burden is disproportionately higher on some communities, according to J. Tim Query, a professor emeritus at New Mexico State University. Do you think home heating costs are higher than they should be? Definitely Depends on the season Depends where you live No Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Studies found that homeowners of color are disproportionately at risk [of being uninsured], with an estimated 22 percent of Native American, 14 percent of Hispanic, and 11 percent of Black homeowners having no homeowners insurance," Query told Newsweek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With average premiums of around $2,205 per year in New Mexico, according to Bankrate which is already above the national average some families are forced to cancel coverage or rely on limited federal aid and unaffordable loans. "Sadly, some people can't afford homeowners insurance and have to make the difficult decision to cancel their policy," Bhatt added. What's being done about it? This problem isn't unique to New Mexico. Across the U.S., insurers are retreating from high-risk markets such as California and Florida, leaving more homeowners vulnerable. State lawmakers are exploring solutions, including a proposal from New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to create a public fire insurance program that would operate outside the existing Fair Access to Insurance Requirements plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regulators have also temporarily increased the maximum coverage limit on FAIR plan policies from $350,000 to $750,000 to help wildfire victims rebuild. Nationally, organizations such as the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction are advocating for stronger resilience planning and home retrofitting programs. Longer term, real progress will require tackling the root cause: the burning of dirty energy sources. The more we rely on dirty energy, the more climate disasters we'll face and the harder it will be to insure our homes. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Honor Flight San Diego is escorting nearly 100 veterans from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to Washington, D.C. on Friday morning. The mission: to honor their service and provide them with a chance to visit the memorials dedicated to their sacrifices. The veterans, ranging in age from their 80s to over 100, gathered at San Diego International Airport before dawn. They were met with a warm welcome from fellow veterans, family members and supporters, including San Diego firefighters who escorted them through the terminal. The atmosphere was filled with gratitude and anticipation as the group prepared for their journey to the nations capital. A preview of the Lakeside Rodeo with KUSI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a great experience for us to be here and help out some of the veterans, a local firefighter told FOX 5/KUSI. Were here to hype them up. Were here to welcome them and to make sure they have a great flight. Over the course of the three-day trip, the veterans will visit several memorials, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, where the names of 48 Navy SEALs who made the ultimate sacrifice are inscribed. The trip is not only an opportunity for reflection but also a chance for camaraderie among veterans who served in different eras. Honor Flight San Diego is a non-profit organization dedicated to escorting San Diego County veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The organization relies on donations and volunteers to carry out its mission. As for this flight, it was solely funded by a woman named Sue Busby who donated approximately $300,000 to make it possible. Coast Guard intercepts suspected human smuggling boat near Oceanside Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I heard about the Honor Flight about two or three years ago and just was so intrigued with the whole veteran treaty and all that, so I got involved, said Busby. Its wonderful; Im just so thankful to be here. For more information or to support the cause, visit honorflightsandiego.org. Fridays departure marks the 30th Honor Flight San Diego flight, with more expected in the future. The veterans return is scheduled for Sunday, April 28. The public is invited to attend the homecoming and show their appreciation for their service and sacrifices. KUSIs Paul Rudy and Chris Hansen are joining this Aprils San Diego Honor Flight and will be providing more coverage throughout the weekend. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. News 8 has been telling the stories of people in our area who served, and one local man is described as the keeper of our areas stories. Baylis enlisted as a Green Beret combat medic and was deployed outside of Vietnam. Currently, Baylis serves as the executive director of the Military History Society of Rochester. The museum is inside the Anderson Arts Building at 250 North Goodman Street, on the second floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been curating at the museum for 16 years, as its been pieced together through his own collection of items found at auctions, donations, and more. The real reason I have done this is that there was nothing in our area that dealt with military heritage, he said. Baylis highlighted that there are similar organizations in Buffalo and Syracuse. Congressman Morelle recognizes local Vietnam veterans He says that Rochester, as a city, sent some war material to Vietnam; things soldiers carried: from sunglasses, to essential boot powder. But now, Baylis carries the stories of Monroe County residents who served, and the 282 who were killed in Vietnam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those include Gary Beikirch, Don Holleder, Geoffrey Considine, who had 4,400 combat hours in the air during the war, Stephen Purchase who won a Distinguished Service Cross for piloting a medevac chopper successfully after his co-pilot died, and Richard Martineau a sub-hunter pilot who is alive to see four of his grandchildren in aviation. Medal of Honor recipient Will Perkins Jr. is also one of the soldiers whose story Baylis holds. His father worked for Kodak. He became a combat photographer. He was with his unit (and) they were ambushed, Baylis said. (Perkins is) in a foxhole with three of his buddies, a hand grenade comes in, he hops on top of it, and he was awarded the Medal posthumously. The Greater Rochester International Airports tribute to the military is being redone to honor Perkins, and the Military History Society will provide the content for the exhibit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Apr. 24The Odessa City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to rename a portion of Murphy Street in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Councilmember Eddie Mitchell of District 1 spearheaded the effort. "This was an awesome day in Odessa. We are moving forward with changes in our city," said Mitchell. The renamed area will span approximately 2.59 miles. It includes Murphy Street from Grant Avenue to Standard Avenue, Standard Avenue from Murphy Street to Dixie Boulevard, and Murphy Street from Dixie Boulevard to Interstate Highway 20, a City of Odessa news release said. The meeting was packed with residents excited to celebrate this special occasion, the release said. A hooligan whose reckless gunfight allegedly led to the tragic death of beloved Harlem community pillar Excenia Mette was out on bail in a slashing case when the senseless shooting unfolded, The Post has learned. Darious Smith, 23, pulled a white Tyvek suit over his face as he was pushed in a wheelchair into a Manhattan courthouse Thursday to face charges of attempted murder and criminal possession of a firearm for Mettes death. Sources said Smith is believed to have exchanged shots with the still-at-large gunman whose stray bullet hit Mette in the head as she selflessly rushed outside to check on her grandson Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was shot in the foot during the scuffle. Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Kacie Lally ordered Smith to be jailed without bail an outcome he dodged the last time he stood accused of a violent crime. This is whats making our job harder, Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday during an event about taking illegal guns off the streets. When you allow those who have recidivism, continuous violence in our city to continue to walk the streets, he said. Criminal justice system includes police, judiciary, and legislators. They all must be engaged on the same path. Records show Smith was arrested in June 2024 after he allegedly slashed two people with a box cutter on Lenox Avenue near West 118th Street while he tried to steal e-bike batteries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he was arraigned on robbery and assault charges, prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office requested bail at $50,000 cash or $150,000 bond, records show. A reckless gunfight allegedly caused by Darious Smith, 23, led to the tragic death of beloved Harlem community pillar Excenia Mette. Excenia Mette/Facebook But Judge Michael Ryan set it at $10,000, which Smith posted allowing him to walk free ahead of his scheduled May trial, sources said. Smith lived just a block away from Mettes former business, Momma Zees Food to Plez Deli, which was the first black woman-owned bodega in the city when she opened it in the 1980s. Loved ones and neighbors gathered Thursday at a makeshift shrine in front of Mettes home at West 113th Street and Lenox Avenue, where she was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They hung up a photo of Mette, whom they affectionately knew as Momma Zee or Zeenie, frolicking on a beach. Neighbor Barbara Johnson, 66, said she wasnt surprised one of the shooters is an accused repeat offender. The Post has learned that the alleged shooting suspect was out on bail in a slashing case when the senseless shooting unfolded, while also suffering a shot to the foot. They need to do something for the youth, to keep them occupied, give them something to do, something to look forward to, she said. Idle hands is the Devils workshop. No system devised to keep the people down will do anything to help us up, and thats from the beginning, the first day of this country. Adams, speaking to PIX11 Wednesday night, instead blamed the criminal justice system for allowing Smith to be out on the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public safety is a criminal justice apparatus that includes police, that includes judges, that includes lawmakers. The police are doing their job, he said. Smith allegedly slashed two people with a box cutter while he tried to steal e-bike batteries nearly a year before the tragic shooting. Robert Miller When you have a person with repeated violence, just last year, he was arrested for robbery, stabbing two people. Now hes back on the street, involved in a shooting that took the life of an innocent woman. We have to have the other parts of the criminal justice system do their job. City Councilman Yusef Salaam (D-Manhattan) who represents the Harlem neighborhood and chairs the councils public safety committee issued a heartfelt remembrance of Mette, and blamed the violence in part on systemic failures. Harlem is in mourning for Mette, who fed the community, stood beside the youth and gave back through service with leaders such as the Rev. Al Sharpton and the artist Jim Jones, Salaam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This act of violence the result of reckless and deadly conflict on our streets is yet another painful reminder that we are in the midst of a public safety crisis, he said. It is a crisis rooted not just in crime, but in a long history of disinvestment, lack of opportunity, and the systemic failures that continue to plague our neighborhoods. Other lawmakers representing the area focused on gun prevention efforts, such as Assemblyman Jordan Wright (D-Manhattan), who called it a reminder of how imperative it is to get guns off of our streets. We have to continue fighting hard together to find solutions, added state Sen. Cordelle Cleare (D-Manhattan) in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now is not the time for resources to be cut. Video footage showed a man matching Smiths description ride a scooter toward a group of people, pull a gun and fire two shots, court papers state. Police believe the second suspect then grabbed a gun of his own and fired off the shots that wounded Smith and killed Mette, law-enforcement sources have said. Smith allegedly rode the scooter along West 113th Street before he collided with an NYPD cop who tried to stop him, the court docs state. He ran away onto St. Nicholas Avenue, where he threw a 9-millimeter pistol to the sidewalk, the papers state. Sources said eight bullets were found at the fatal shooting scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiths high-profile criminal defense attorney Dawn Florio claimed in court that four cops beat him with a guns and a Taser, in addition to his gunshot wound. She asked for medical attention for Smith and griped that him being connected with the shooting is causing problems for his loved ones. My clients family who lives in the neighborhood is getting threatened, she said. Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden and Hannah Fierick Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne, listens to bills in the House Chamber on April 24, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Much of the compromise reached for House Enrolled Act 1004 mirrors what left the Senate earlier this month. Penalties for five nonprofit health systems exceeding price caps have now been pushed off into 2029 after the Office of Management and Budget identifies the average hospital rate for certain inpatient and outpatient services. The final version retained a provision to strip nonprofit hospitals of their tax-exempt status under Indiana code as well as enhanced reporting metrics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with those changes, we are making meaningful, incremental changes to provide relief to our constituents, said author Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne. Most House Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns about what losing a nonprofit status could mean for a community. (The) loss of nonprofit state versus a penalty will impact what benefits are provided to the community to keep Hoosiers healthier and prevent the unnecessary use of hospital services, said Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis. A provision allowing the state to phase out the Healthy Indiana Plan, which covers low- and moderate-income Hoosiers, if federal funds are not allocated also gave her pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is nothing in this bill that ensures that patients will pay less for quality health care, but there is a lot of red tape, she continued. And there is an increase in administration and labor fees, so we will be voting no. Shackleford and 22 other lawmakers including one Republican voted against the bill in the House. For the first time, the state will also institute a Managed Care Assessment Fee, similar to the provider tax known as the Hospital Assessment Fee, which could reap a maximum $1.4 billion annually though the rate would need to be negotiated with the federal government. Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, speaks against legislation making Indiana school boards partisan on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Additionally, insurer negotiations with hospitals will be separated from Medicare Advantage deals even if the insurer offers both. Combined with a reconfigured Hospital Assessment Fee that will leverage a larger federal reimbursement to health systems, Republicans said rural hospitals notched some wins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two-thirds of Indiana nonprofit hospitals benefited more from the federal, state and local tax breaks than they invested back into their communities, said Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown. this bill is going to put more dollars into our rural systems all across the state. But reliable opposing Sens. Liz Brown and Tyler Johnson Republicans from Fort Wayne and Leo, respectively shared their discontent with setting pricing standards for any industry. Both have ties to Parkview Health, one of the five systems named in the bill, which recently announced a deal to purchase a struggling hospital in Cass County that would have otherwise closed. If they lose their not-for-profit status, they lose their license. Which means they cant operate at all they have to close their doors, Brown said. She worried that, under such a situation, a for-profit chain would only buy certain facilities, leaving out the rural hospitals that depend on their nonprofit status. A bipartisan group of 13 senators opposed the bill compared with 37 supporting votes. Heat and humidity contributed to kidney damage and disease in the San Luis Valley in Colorado between 1984 and 1998, according to our recently published work in the peer-reviewed journal Weather, Climate, and Society. The San Luis Valley is the largest high valley desert in North America. Many of its residents work in agriculture and are exposed to worsening air quality. That decline is due to increased wildfires, dust and temperatures, in combination with low humidity. This change was in part caused by the regions climate becoming more arid due to a 23-year drought. Im an environmental epidemiologist with an engineering background. For nearly two decades, I have partnered with the San Luis Valley community to investigate how water systems affect human health. Over the past eight years, my teams research has focused on the far-reaching human health effects of the drought in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this study, we used data from a cohort of people in the San Luis Valley who were originally recruited for research on the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. Researchers often look to established datasets to evaluate new hypotheses because it avoids the need to recruit new study participants. This dataset includes 15 years of clinical, behavioral, demographic, genetic and environmental exposure data. Using it in our recent study allowed us to evaluate the impacts of drought conditions on kidney health. Our study suggests that a 10% decline in humidity is associated with a 2% increase in risk for acute kidney injury, while accounting for known risk factors for kidney disease. Those risk factors include age, sex, diabetes and hypertension. These findings are supported by our previous study that examined the effects of drought and heat on emergency and urgent care visits for kidney-related issues between 2003 and 2017 in the San Luis Valley. The two studies align with growing evidence that climate-related changes, particularly heat and humidity, are contributing to kidney injury. Over time, this means that more people are developing chronic kidney disease. Why it matters Globally, 10% of the population has kidney disease. In 2021, kidney diseases were the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. People experiencing poverty or limited access to health care are disproportionately affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the U.S., more than 1 in 7 adults has chronic kidney disease. That does not account for those with undiagnosed kidney disease. Extended exposure to drought conditions coupled with inadequate water intake has been linked to kidney stones, acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Dehydration, especially in outdoor workers who labor in hot or dry conditions, is a known contributor to both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Acute kidney injury is characterized by a reduction in kidney function that is reversible. Chronic kidney disease is kidney damage that is progressive and may not be reversible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Studies in Florida and California have shown declining kidney health in agriculture workers as working conditions are becoming hotter and drier. Outdoor workers in agriculture, forestry, mining, ranching and construction are susceptible to the effects of changing outdoor conditions coupled with physical labor. This combination exacerbates dehydration and leads to acute and chronic kidney disease. What other research is being done In addition to these studies, our research team is involved in other projects aimed at addressing the health impacts of a changing climate. One such initiative is the Mountain West Climate-Health Engagement Hub, which focuses on reducing exposure to decreased air quality. This includes the deployment of do-it-yourself air filters and development of low-cost, point-of-use water filters to mitigate exposure to the secondary effects of drought. Do-it-yourself air filters can reduce exposure to decreased air quality. The Washington Post/Getty Images In the Centers for Health, Work & Environment, where I am affiliated, multiple national and international studies are focused on agriculture workers, farm owners and ranchers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These studies examine how heat, air quality and drought affect kidney, cardiovascular and mental health. These broader studies aim to inform policy and interventions to safeguard the health of workers globally and particularly in regions most vulnerable to climate change. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. 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: Katherine Ann James, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine Ann James receives funding from National Institutes of Health and CDC-National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health VIENNA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China supports the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in playing a constructive role in promoting the political and diplomatic resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, a Chinese envoy said here on Thursday. Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, made the remarks following a joint meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, his Russian counterpart Mikhail Ulyanov, and Iranian counterpart Reza Najafi. China, Russia, and Iran emphasized that political and diplomatic engagement based on mutual respect remains the only viable and practical path for resolving the Iran nuclear issue. The three countries agreed that the IAEA and its director general possess the necessary potential and expertise to contribute constructively to this process, with the goal of supporting diplomatic efforts and addressing the issue in a positive and practical manner. China and Russia expressed support for Iran in strengthening dialogue and cooperation with the IAEA, Li noted. Li said that China appreciates Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons, respects its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and supports Iran in conducting dialogue with all parties, including the United States, to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests through consultation and negotiation. China is willing to further enhance communication and cooperation with Russia, Iran, and the IAEA to inject positive momentum into diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, Li added. Lawmakers convene in a joint session in the Florida House of Representatives chamber to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis deliver the State of the State address on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) The House tacked on a proposal Friday that would award attorneys fees to the winning party in insurance litigation to a Senate bill that would extend new legal protections to phosphate mining companies. The Houses modified version of SB 832 couples insurance litigation changes the Senate has refused to consider with a proposal the chamber already approved. Gov. Ron DeSantis, the states insurance regulator, and insurance companies contend the proposal would incentivize lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty House lawmakers, mostly Republicans, voted against the bill. Yet the maneuver is unlikely to create a favorable result for the House because senators didnt consider any legislation giving policyholders greater access to courts against insurance companies. Just because you have gone a slight inch farther in the right direction, doesnt mean that you solved the problem, House Speaker Daniel Perez told reporters on Thursday. We have not solved the problem for property insurance. We sometimes want to pat ourselves on the back for solving the problem because weve done a better job. Peter Cuderman, DeSantis legislative affairs director, sent an email Thursday evening to House lawmakers warning that enacting a loser-pays policy in insurance lawsuits would lead to higher rates for policyholders, citing an analysis he directed the Office of Insurance Regulation to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This legislation poses serious risks to the progress Florida has made in stabilizing the insurance market and the affordability/availability of insurance products in the state, Cuderman wrote to lawmakers. The original Senate proposal would establish a defense for companies from lawsuits related to pollution on sites of former phosphate mines had drawn wide support, with only three senators voting against it on April 15. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In the month since the US launched a major military campaign targeting the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, the militants have successfully shot down at least seven multi-million-dollar American drones, hindering the US ability to move into phase two of the operation, multiple US officials familiar with the matter told CNN. The US was hoping to achieve air superiority over Yemen within 30 days, officials said and degrade Houthi air defense systems enough to begin a new phase focusing on ramping up intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance of senior Houthi leaders in order to target and kill them, the officials said. But the platforms best suited to conduct that persistent effort, the MQ9 Reaper drones, keep getting shot down, the officials explained. In fact, the Houthis are only getting better at targeting them, the officials said. The US does not have boots on the ground in Yemen, so it relies on overhead surveillance much of it from the MQ9sto conduct battlefield damage assessments and track terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reported earlier this month that the US had killed several Houthi officials considered to be mid-level, akin to middle management, rather than senior political leadership. The officials said the US had hit over 700 targets and launched more than 300 airstrikes since the campaign began on March 15. The strikes have forced the Houthis to stay underground more and left them in a confused and disarrayed state, the officials noted. But the consistent loss of the drones has made it more difficult for the US to determine precisely how much the US has degraded the Houthis weapons stockpiles. Over the last six weeks, the Houthis have launched 77 one-way attack drones, 30 cruise missiles, 24 medium-range ballistic missiles, and 23 surface-to-air missiles either at US forces, into the Red Sea, or at Israel, two of the officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intelligence community has also assessed in recent days that over nearly six weeks of US bombing, the Houthis ability and intent to keep lobbing missiles at US and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and at Israel is little changed, as is their command-and-control structure, according to two other people familiar with the intelligence. These assessments were largely based on signals intelligence, one of the people said. Yemenis watch a damaged vehicle at Farwah popular market which Houthis said it was struck by US airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on April 21. - AP Asked for comment about the downed drones and whether it has negatively impacted the operation, a defense official told CNN in a statement that we are aware of the Houthi reports these MQ-9s have been shot down. While hostile fire is likely a probable cause, the circumstances of each incident are still under investigation. A variety of factors, including an increase in operational tempo, can increase risk. The U.S. will take every measure possible to protect our troops, equipment, and interests in the region. Dave Eastburn, a spokesman for US Central Command, told CNN details about the US operation were limited because of operational security. He said, however, that the strikes have destroyed multiple command-and-control facilities, air defense systems, advanced weapons manufacturing facilities, advanced weapons storage locations, and killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders. Credible open sources report over 650 Houthi casualties to date, Eastburn said. Additionally, Houthi ballistic missile launches have dropped by 87% while attacks from their one-way drones have decreased by 65% since the beginning of these operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration is vowing to continue with the campaign until the Houthis can no longer attack Red Sea shipping. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson last month, President Donald Trump said the operations would continue until the Houthi threat to United States forces and navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea and adjacent waters has abated. But the Houthis have long proven to be extremely resilient, burying their equipment deep underground and continuing to receive supplies from Iran. They withstood a yearslong campaign by Saudi Arabia to eliminate them, and the Biden administration attacked them for over a year with limited impact. Despite internal assessments raising questions about the efficacy of the campaign, the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed that it has been wildly successful so far. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called it devastatingly effective in March. Trump posted on X in March that the Houthis have been decimated and their capabilities are rapidly being destroyed. While Eastburn provided additional data on Thursday regarding the impact of US strikes, US Central Command has been largely silent about the impact, however, even as it routinely shares photos and videos on its X account of missiles firing off of warships or US aircraft preparing to launch off aircraft carriers in the Red Sea. The Pentagon has also not addressed claims by the Houthis that the airstrikes have killed dozens of civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a rare update, CENTCOM said last week that it had destroyed a port in Yemen that the Houthis were using to import oil and fuel their attacks. But the impact of that on the Houthis operations similarly remains unclear. One of the US officials who spoke to CNN left the door open for a continuous campaign in support of US partners in the Gulf region against the Houthis, similar to how the US operates in Africa. The costs of the campaign, meanwhile, are only rising. The operation cost the US nearly $1 billion in just the first three weeks, and the US has continued striking Houthi targets daily for over a month. This photograph released by the US Navy shows a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter hovering over the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier while operating in the Middle East on April 12. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Jordan/US Navy/AP The large-scale operation has also rattled some officials at US Indo-Pacific Command, who CNN has reported had complained in recent weeks about the large number of long-range weapons being expended by CENTCOM that would be critical in the event of a war with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to maintain a high state of indications and warning so we can get those forces back if there is a crisis with greater exigence than there is one in the CENTCOM (area of responsibility), US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Sam Paparo told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month, after an entire Patriot air defense battalion was moved from the Pacific to US Central Command. And I owe the secretary and the president constant vigilance on this, he added, and a constant awareness of that forces ability which is assigned to INDOPACOM, the Carl Vinson Strike Group and a Patriot battalion if need be that they return to the INDOPACOM theater for a higher priority threat. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com HOWE, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) Two Howe, Oklahoma, residents have been sentenced to life in federal prison for the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. On April 24, 2025, Armondo Palma, 23, received a life sentence for one count of transportation of a minor. The day prior, Brooklyn Wilson, 28, was sentenced to life in prison for four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, as well as 10 years for one count of possession of certain material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor to be served concurrently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palma and Wilson pleaded guilty to the charges on November 12, 2024. Man wanted for fentanyl charges in Fayetteville arrested in Florida Case background According to investigators, law enforcement became aware of the case after discovering Palma was sending images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Further investigation revealed that between Nov. 2023 and March 2024, the pair repeatedly sexually abused a child under the age of 12, often recording or photographing the abuse. On multiple occasions, Palma and Wilson transported the child across state lines, where the abuse continued. Electronic evidence seized from their cell phones included images depicting not only the abuse of the identified child, but also the sexual exploitation of additional children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These defendants routinely abused an innocent child, showing a complete lack of concern for the life-altering physical and emotional damage their sexually exploitative behavior would inflict, said Travis Pickard, Special Agent in Charge for HSI North Texas and Oklahoma. The lengthy healing journey for this childs unwarranted trauma can now begin with these child predators incarcerated for the rest of their lives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) The Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) announced Thursday it received a donation of 6.6 acres of land from NRG Energy to go toward a new state-of-the-art marine laboratory. HSWRI is a nonprofit committed to addressing threats to marine life and operates out of San Diego, Carlsbad and Melbourne Beach, FL. Legoland California announces reopening of Driving School attractions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, U.S. Congressman Mike Levin, Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn and representatives from HSWRI and NRG Energy toured the research facility in Carlsbad. The 22,000-square-foot facility, called the Leon Raymond Hubbard, Jr., Marine Fish Hatchery, is dedicated to restoring the population of California white seabass and is capable of producing over 350,000 fish each year. Rendering of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute laboratory in Carlsbad. (Courtney Snyder) Rendering of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute laboratory in Carlsbad. (Courtney Snyder) Tour of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute hatchery in Carlsbad. (Courtney Snyder) The donation of land by NRG Energy is meant to help expand the institutes mission and support the development of a new aquaculture lab focused on increasing sustainable domestic seafood production. According to a spokesperson for the institute, the expansion would allow them to develop more innovative solutions, create jobs and ensure a stable food supply within the state as well as nationwide. 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. Logistics experts are warning that cargo volumes at U.S. ports are undergoing a precipitous drop. This trend is most apparent in Los Angeles, home to the nations busiest port, and one that is first to feel any drop-off from Asian shipping. The drop in container shipping is the latest sign the White Houses trade war is having a real effect on the U.S. economy, and one sizable group of workers is poised to feel the impact first: long-haul truckers. On Thursday, the founder of a media firm that tracks shipping trends reported that daily volumes this week are equivalent to Thanksgiving and Christmas Daythe two slowest shipping days of the year. The founder, Craig Fuller, also warned truckers to avoid hauling shipments to Los Angeles since they would likely have to deadhead back homethe industry term for driving an empty load. Trucking volumes out of Los Angeles are equivalent to Thanksgiving and close to Christmas. Thanksgiving and Christmas are typically the lowest volume days of the year. Truckers should avoid taking freight to Southern Cal, else risk having to deadhead back to Dallas to get pic.twitter.com/fdF0JCozWO Craig Fuller (@FreightAlley) April 24, 2025 The drop-off coincides with the ongoing fallout from the global trade war launched by President Donald Trump, which imposed tariffs on countries around the world, and singled out China for a dramatic 145% levy. This has led to a resulting drop-off in orders for Chinese goods, though the effect on shipping is only hitting U.S. shores now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, though, the effect is beginning to be felt at West Coast portsand is soon going to become far more pronounced. Here is a chart from Port Optimizer, hosted by the Port of Los Angeles, that shows what is poised to happen to import volumes: Import-Volumes-graphic Those declining volumes will translate directly to even fewer loads for truckers at the Port of Los Angeles, but that is only the beginning of the ripple effects. In addition to a coinciding drop-off at other West Coast ports like Long Beach and Seattle, truckers in other citieswhere vessels take longer to arrive from Asiawill see deliveries dry up. On X, entrepreneur Molson Hart posted shipping route data to show that in the next two weeks, containers will stop arriving in Houston and Chicago, and that the same will happen in New York a week later: The White House has put itself and the country in a bad situation but doesnt realize it yet. Around April 10th China to USA trade shut down. It takes ~30 days for containers to go from China to LA. 45 to Houston by sea, 45 to Chicago by train. 55 to New York by sea. That pic.twitter.com/8vnGDMWCpt molson (@Molson_Hart) April 24, 2025 Earlier this week, President Trump indicated that he was ready to scale back some of his tariffs. That may not be enough, however, to reassure skittish trading partners wary that the Presidents tariff policy could shift again. Meanwhile, a near-term drop-off in container traffic is now a certainty, meaning that U.S. truckers may have to get used to driving fewer miles for the foreseeable future. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society is getting ready to host its first adoption event of the year. Spring Into Love starts April 25 and goes through May 2nd. There will be 20 dollars off the first 40 adoptions of dogs over 6 months old and cats over a year old, with some exceptions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 world, and countless generations of interactions with it, coaxed our brains to evolve in the unique way that humans perceive reality. And yet, thanks to the past century's developments in cognitive science and now artificial intelligence, we have entrenched a view of the brain that doesn't spend much time on this dynamic. Instead, most of us tend to see our brains as a "network" made of undifferentiated brain cells. These neurons produce cognition by the patterns in which groups of them fire at once a model that has inspired advanced computers and AI. But accumulating discoveries of different specialized brain cells pose a challenge to models of human or artificial intelligence in which thoughts and concepts arise purely from the distributed firing of many essentially-identical brain cells in a network. Perhaps it's time to consider that if we want to replicate human intelligence, we ought to take a closer look at some of the amazing adaptations that have evolved in mammalian neurons and specifically, neurons in the human brain. Instead of the popularly understood idea of the brain as a neural network of undifferentiated brain cells, research has increasingly found that different neurons, even of the same basic type, have their own specific functions and abilities. In fact, in the modern, popular understanding of the brain, we really tend to think of this organ as a sophisticated version of the technology it inspired. Merriam-Webster defines neural network as "a computer architecture in which a number of processors are interconnected in a manner suggestive of the connections between neurons in a human brain and which is able to learn by a process of trial and error." This is a typical definition, in which the computer-brain analogy focuses on the distributed connections between neurons (or, in a computer, nodes) with no attention to what exactly those neurons are for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a definition that has been good enough since the 1980s, when future Nobel Prize-winner Geoffrey Hinton and others picked up on an older idea called backpropagation, applying it as an algorithm that mimics human brains by systematically reducing errors through repeated iterations and thus allows for more efficient training of multilayer neural networks. This reinvigorated the earlier idea that a system of nodes and connections that mimics the human brain might work to create an artificial form of intelligence, leading to the deep learning models and machine learning we have today. Since the discipline of artificial intelligence latched onto the neural network, though, it's largely focused on developing different forms of artificial (or simulated) neural networks, and mostly moved away from studying the human or animal brain as an artifact of evolution with specifics worth mimicking. But while it's true that that most neurons are important only for their firing or non-firing, not for their specific role, even as computer scientists have been expanding the things that artificial neural networks can do, research on the brain itself has continued. Over decades, and especially the past few years, individual pieces of research have gradually identified a host of different brain cell types, upending our simple image of the brain as merely a very powerful computer. Instead, they reveal mammalian brains to be the product of millions of years of evolution and adaptation to environments. Over all those years, countless tiny changes have led animal brains to evolve a unique nervous system in which the key component, the neuron, is now able to represent our experiences and thoughts and surroundings in specific and wondrously clever ways not available to other animals who have not evolved our most recent adaptations. Our particular form of intelligence, it seems, depends on this minority of specialized neuron types. The brain as a computer Back in 2001, Yuri Arshavsky wrote, "I argue that individual neurons may play an important, if not decisive, role in performing cognitive functions of the brain." At that time the research was already accumulating, but the idea went counter to the prevailing view in neuroscience. By now, though, it's becoming hard to argue against Arshavsky's claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are brain cells that represent entire concepts, some with an affinity for visual information and others for olfactory input. Scientists have also found neurons that can encode entire concepts with the firing of a single cell, or that are devoted to specific aspects of cognition and how we represent the world, and that fire when their particular function is needed: warm-sensitive neurons, place cells and related time cells, olfactory concept cells, visual concept cells, Lepr neurons that control metabolism... the list of discoveries is long and still growing. New research looking into the already-brewing notion of time and space-encoding cells demonstrates how different cell types work together to give us both "what" and "where" information that allows our brains to represent our experience of time. Researchers still haven't decided how best to classify all the different types, but they are increasingly trying to map the specific kinds of input they encode through the patterns of which neurons fire when, and the relationships between the different representations this creates. "I do agree that todays AI models have important deficiencies and among them might be that they lack some of the predispositions various parts of our brains may have," Jay McClelland, a noted cognitive scientist at Stanford University, told Salon in an email. AI is doing incredible (and destructive) things these days, solving impossible medical problems and generating imagery that manages the trick of being simultaneously trite and bizarre. The computing power this requires sucks water from a parched earth and puts entire creative industries out of work. AI models that act as "artificial brains" are able to do therapy, provide health care or write (in a manner of speaking.) But there are ways in which the large language models and similar generative AI are missing not simply the feeling of being human, but the actual function. How do we know we think differently from computers? Most of our understanding of how the brain works at the single neuron level equivalent to a node in an artificial neural network comes from studies of murine (mouse or rat) or primate models, because it isn't considered ethical to do brain surgery on humans just to find out what interesting things are going on in our brains. So it's only with the recent development of a technique that allows for single neuron recordings to be taken during unavoidably necessary brain surgery done on epilepsy patients for diagnostic purposes that researchers gained subjects who would be available for perhaps a week at a time to look at things and talk about them while scientists recorded which neurons fired, how intensely, and for how long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very particular situation, but luckily there are many people with epilepsy of different kinds, and a subset of them need electrodes implanted in their brains to record their spontaneous seizures over the course of a week or two so as to figure out if they are a candidate for surgery to cure them. These implants are done in two parts of the brain that often produce seizures, the medial temporal lobe and the medial frontal lobe. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. The majority of brain cells are neurons, while some cells have other functions. But the exact number of neuron types is unknown, although recent research in human brains has identified at least two million neurons, which researchers were able to categorize into different types: "31 superclusters, 461 clusters, and 3313 subclusters," resulting in a massive number of individual types. It's remarkably different from the simple three neuron types classification motor neurons, sensory neurons, and interneurons one might have learned in a cursory overview of brain science. Itzhak Fried, lead author on the newly published research on time and space cells, is a neurosurgeon at UCLA whose lab, and postdoctoral students trained there, spawned many of the major discoveries of these specialized neuron types. Fried told Salon about the two decades of research, or more, that have led to the profusion of concept cells and other neuron types we now understand to play critical roles in encoding and representing our experience with the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not just with the world, but with our imaginations, and experiences that now live only in memory rather than being triggered by external stimuli. Fried cited the work of Hagar Gelbard-Sagiv, a postdoc in his lab, who, as described in a 2008 paper, found that when subjects were shown a variety of film clips while researchers recorded the activity of single neurons in their hippocampus and surrounding areas, a subset of those neurons fired in response to a particular concept there was one neuron, for example, that began firing at the start of a clip from "The Simpsons" and continued firing despite the changing images on the screen. That is, it responded not to a specific image but to the general Simpsons concept and not to any other videos that weren't Simpsons-related. Even more remarkable was that when the movie-watchers were asked to tell the researchers what they'd seen, they would begin to describe the assortment of 20-odd movie clips they'd been shown, and that particular neuron would fire during the actual act of remembering the Simpsons video. "After we presented, let's say, 20 videos ... we said to the patient, 'Just tell us what you say, okay?' She says, 'well, you know, I remember Martin Luther King's speech, and I saw a landing on the moon'. And suddenly the Simpsons neuron started firing and then a second later, [the patient] says 'The Simpsons'," Fried recalled for Salon. "It's as if there was some process going on [that] she didn't even realize yet, as there was already a signature of that memory. Obviously there was no sensory input. She was completely locked in her mind. And that concept neuron started firing, and the memory came out, essentially emerged at the conscious level." In some ways, we do work like computers and use distributed networks of firing neurons in important ways. In fact, most parts of the brain work like that, Dr. Florian Mormann, a cognitive and clinical neurophysiologist at the University of Bonn who conducts single neuron recordings on epilepsy patients (and who was a postdoc in Fried's lab), told Salon in a video interview. "One control region we have in the visual pathway is the parahippocampal cortex, which indeed features a distributed network code, which is what most of the brain regions do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in the Simpsons neuron case, for example, it was just a subset of neurons in the medial temporal lobe that behaved with extreme specificity to enable patients to quickly grasp the relevant concept. Just a single neuron could determine the patient's memory that a video of, say, Itchy and Scratchy, or of Moe's bar, or of a three-eyed fish at the Springfield nuclear power plant, was a video about the Simpsons. AI just doesn't work like that. Instead, it analyzes large amounts of data to detect patterns, and its algorithms rely on the statistical probability of a particular decision being the right one. Incorrectly chosen, biased or inadequately large data sets can result in the famous "hallucinations" to which AI models are prone. "It comes to a fundamental issue about what sort of a system do we need to model intelligence," McClelland explained in a keynote talk, Fundamental Challenges for AI, that he delivered last April at the Computer History Museum in Palo Alto, CA. Writing to Salon, he offered the example of place cells, the specialized neuron he's most familiar with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are different views, but the role and nature of so-called place cells is extremely nuanced. These cells can code for all kinds of things in tasks that arent simply requiring animals to move around in space," McClelland said. McClelland pointed out that the differences between human brains and artificial intelligence systems include how we learn. Indeed, learning and the necessary process of memory formation and retrieval are key to the specialized roles played by concept cells and some of our other specialized neurons. "I also think that our brains use far different learning algorithms than our current deep learning systems," McClelland said. "Im taking inspiration from a fairly-recently discovered new form of learning called Behavioral Time Scale Synaptic plasticity [BTSP] to think about our brains might have come to be able to learn with far less training data than we currently need to train contemporary AI systems." The pattern recognition that allows AI to learn is based on something called Hebbian-style synaptic plasticity, based on Donald Hebb's idea that learning arises through repeated use of the same connections between neurons in the brain: repeated activation strengthens the efficiency of cells firing together. The term "synaptic plasticity" just means the ability of these connections to be strengthened or otherwise changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The prevailing theories of the 20th century and later all proposed that the primary mechanism of CA3 ensemble or attractor formation was Hebbian style synaptic plasticity, based on correlated AP [action potential, or neurons firing] activity," write the authors of a study published in Cell in November that explored the dynamics of neurons contributing to memory formation. Hebbian-style synaptic plasticity allows for creation of memories and learning from experience within a network of neurons and synapses. This is the basic understanding that underlies deep learning models used in AI. But the authors of the Cell study propose that in human brains, what's actually going on is a different form of synaptic plasticity, BTSP, which allows for far fewer firings of neurons to create a memory in fact, you might just need a single "event" to result in learning. Like another hypothesis for how neurons do their thing, the sparse coding hypothesis, BTSP works well because it doesn't need the kind of overlap that Hebbian-style plasticity requires. Concepts in the human brain, as we've seen, can be encoded with just a small number of neurons firing, or even just one, Mormann explained: "So when I say sparse versus network, or sparse versus distributed, that means that [most] neurons are silent, and then just a few neurons suddenly say 'Look, this is my favorite stimulus.' It indicates that that stimulus is there." A reason evolution might allow itself "the luxury of having these sparse representations" when network codes would be more efficient, Mormann suggested, is that "they actually provide the semantic building blocks that are being pieced together to form mnemonic episodes." That is, our episodic memories are pieced together from a small number of concepts embellished by the brain's tendency to make up less important details, or to remain fuzzy about them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The only things that are really reliable and can be reliably tested are a few core semantic facts, and those are the ones that we believe are represented or provided by concept neurons, and they are being pieced together to form episodic memories," Mormann said. Although we have not yet created a complete picture of how humans represent experience, including through the apparently vital roles played by concept cells, place or grid cells, time cells and other specialized cell types, it's becoming clearer that neurons in animals have evolved unique adaptations. Researchers have, for example, identified thousands of specialized neurons in mice. But they help them do mouse things. In humans, culture, language, care, tools and other still-to-be demonstrated ways in which we interact with the world around us has produced specializations that let us encode entire concepts and think in an abstract way, internally representing our experiences. So AI might do well to look back at how the world has shaped us, letting us do human things by the way our brains now make the world. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) Hundreds gathered on Thursday, April 24, at University Place on Syracuse Universitys campus to stand up against the Trump Administration. Students and activists alike stood together to protest the crackdown on students with international visas. Some students expressed their outrage towards the colleges administration for the handling of three international students having their visas revoked earlier in the week. Alyssa Sutherland, a senior student, made a sign that read, S.U. is supporting the Trump Administration. S.U. is supporting fascism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted to call out the Syracuse University administration, and specifically the chancellor, for not speaking up against the Trump Administration and protecting its students, Sutherland said. During the rally, several educators and protestors chanted with the crowd, Hands off our bodies, students, schools, and democracy, and asked students to continue the fight when the semester concludes. We really need to get to the bottom of this to find outwhy was this done and how can we support our studentsbecause we will lose some of these amazing scholars and students if we dont have a safe space, Dr. Srivi Ramasubramanian, a Newhouse endowed chair professor, said. The rally drew people in from well off campus, as well. Larry Battles, a member of Indivisible-Oswego County, walked around proudly with an upside-down flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was reluctant to display it upside down until I read the U.S. flag code, and this is the time to do it. Its a sign of deep distress in America, Battles said. Another protest was announced during the conclusion of the event for May 1 at 3:30 p.m. in Clinton Square. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Supporters of federal healthcare programs like Medicaid and Medicare organized yet another rally in front of Congressman David Valadaos district office on M Street in downtown Bakersfield on Thursday. These protests come in the backdrop of Congress trying to cut federal spending in its new budget bill. The proposed large-scale cuts sparking concerns programs like Medicaid and Medicare must be touched, if not slashed, to meet the budget numbers. On Thursday, a large crowd filled up the lot right outside, including some out of towners. These constituents are asking the congressman, how many of them will it take for him to commit to not cutting federal healthcare programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do we want? Healthcare. When do we want it? Now, chanted hundreds of attendees. Say it loud, say it clear, Medicaid is needed here, attendees also chanted. We want a commitment from Valadao, said civil rights activist, Dolores Huerta. He needs to come, and he needs to tell people here that hes going to vote no. We dont want him just to take a walk. We want him to stand up and send a statement to all of the people in California. Your constituents voted for you, another attendee added. When you went and did door knocking to be put in that seat, you promised them something. Its now time for you to give back what you promised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This rally also came with plans to get some protesters those in orange vests arrested, in the name of civil disobedience. Mothers, youre talking children, youre talking elderly folks with disabilities, and we cant do that to our community hereso, Im willing to make a stand and get arrested, said Melissa Figueroa. Beale Avenue bridge closed for construction on Friday Those designated to be arrested were initially blocking the entrance of the building to Congressman Valadaos office. No arrests were made there, so they moved even farther out, blocking the entryway to the entire parking lot, again, in hopes of being arrested in the name of civil disobedience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No arrests were made. But protesters wrapped up with a promise. Well be back. Well be back, they shouted. These programs are the most popular government programs ever. So why would you want to, why would you cut them? asked Devon Newton, a voter in the 22nd Congressional District. When asked why no arrests occurred, Sheriff Donny Youngblood told 17 News hes proud deputies did not arrest anyone, though they did monitor the scene. Youngblood added that organizers are entitled to free speech and did not cause a disturbance. In a statement to 17 News, Valadao stated, Ive said it many times before and Ill say it again: I support Medicaid, there havent been any votes to cut its funding, and I wont vote for a final reconciliation bill that cuts coverage for vulnerable populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued, Just last week, I sent a letter to House Leadership urging strong support for the program, and Ive already heard from a number of grateful constituents about it. My focus will always be on protecting access to care for the people I represent, and its sad to see political activist groups deploying buses full of protesters to spread misinformation and scare people. Multiple buses were present at the rally, but when asked if any were paid actors, a spokesperson for one of the rally organizers the Fight for Our Health Campaign said, Absolutely notthe vast majority of people we have here at the rally today either live in the district or very close to the district. We still believe in his promise, said Grace Huerta, who has family members with developmental disabilities. Grace Huerta a CD-22 voter and daughter-in-law of Dolores Huerta noted those family members have long called Valadao their hero, as he made them a personal commitment to fight for their medical resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, were trying to say were here today to say, fight, 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 KGET 17 News. ANKARA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have detained 210 individuals suspected of links to the Islamic State (IS) in recent nationwide operations, Turkiye's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Friday. The operations were conducted over the past two weeks across 49 provinces, including Ankara and Istanbul, Yerlikaya said on social media platform X. "Unity, solidarity, and cooperation against terrorism are our greatest strengths," Yerlikaya said, adding that operations will continue uninterrupted to ensure public safety. The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013, and Turkish police have been regularly conducting counter-terrorism operations against its members across the country. Judge Gina Jones declared a hung jury Friday after jurors couldnt reach a verdict on the second day of deliberations in a Gary mans child molesting trial. Frederick Fenderson, 64, was charged in December 2020 with child molesting and sexual misconduct with a minor. He pleaded not guilty. A status hearing is set for June 25. The victim, then 29, told a Colorado detective in 2019 that Fenderson sexually assaulted her in Gary from age 7 to 14. The worst happened from 2002 to 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In closing arguments Thursday, Deputy Prosecutor Jessica Arnold, with co-counsel Maureen Koonce, said the victim told others, including her sister, a school classmate what happened two decades ago. The victim remembered the big details, Arnold said. Defense lawyer Casey McCloskey said Gary Police Det. Roberto Figueroa did a slipshod investigation. The prosecution only called four witnesses mostly names the victim provided. He argued there wasnt any decades-old corroborating documentation for example, from a pediatrician or school. No one from the Indiana Department of Child Services testified. The agency had begun an investigation before the victims mother moved herself and the kids back to Colorado. What they presented isnt enough, McCloskey said. mcolias@post-trib.com The Huntington Park City Council has chosen a local civil service commissioner to replace former Councilmember Esmeralda Castillo, whose seat was declared vacant after a probe determined she was not living in the city. Wednesday's appointment comes several days after a California appeals court issued a stay on a Los Angeles Superior Court judges restraining order that had prevented the city from filling the seat. Castillo requested the restraining order as part of a civil lawsuit she filed against the city in February, in which she claims she was illegally removed from office . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her attorney, Albert Robles, said he was not surprised about the appointment and claimed the city was violating his client's due process rights. Judge Barbara A. Meiers of the Los Angeles County Superior Court directly and unequivocally cautioned the City Council not to appoint a replacement and if they did so, it would be at their own peril,' he said in a written statement. Yet despite this judicial warning, and despite multiple members of the public attempting to alert the City Council during public comment, they proceeded in known defiance. Read more: In scandal-plagued Huntington Park, the abrupt ouster of a council member raises alarms Huntington Park officials said theyre committed to due process and transparency. They also say they respect Castillos right to seek judicial review of the councils decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it is important to clarify that the councils action to declare the seat vacant was taken in accordance with longstanding state and municipal laws, which require elected officials to live in the city while serving in public office, the statement read. "This determination followed public complaints and an independent investigation conducted by the Huntington Park Police Department. The investigation based on documentation, verified evidence, and witness statements substantiated that the former councilmember no longer resides in the [city]." By appointing a new council member, Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores said the city was upholding its laws and the interests of its citizens. Any attempt to discredit this legal process is an attack on our democratic institutions and we must not stand for it, he said. Former Huntington Park City Councilwoman Esmeralda Castillo, photographed in Los Angeles on April 3. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) At least 29 candidates sought to fill the vacant seat. The council's eventual pick was Nancy Martiz, a member of the Huntington Park Civil Service Commission that advises the city on equitable hiring practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her biography posted on the city's website says she "brings a strong community foundation and over 15 years of public and private sector experience to the Council." Martiz, according to the city, graduated from South Gate High School in 2004 and holds a double bachelors degree in government and American studies from Smith College. She also earned a masters degree in public administration and policy from Cal State Long Beach and has worked for the South Gate city attorneys office and Los Angeles mayors office, according to her bio. Martiz could not immediately be reached for comment. Her appointment is the latest wrinkle in the ongoing legal dispute over Castillos controversial removal from office on Feb. 18, when the results of the city's residency investigation were revealed to civic leaders in a closed-door meeting. The council subsequently declared her seat vacant on Feb. 24 and sought candidates to replace her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later, investigators with the L.A. County district attorney's office executed search warrants at the homes of then-Mayor Karina Macias, Councilman Eduardo Eddie Martinez and City Manager Ricardo Reyes. Search warrants were also executed at the homes of two former council members, a contractor and a consultant. The warrants were part of what's been dubbed Operation Dirty Pond, a probe into the alleged misuse of taxpayer funds allocated for a $24-million aquatic center that hasnt been built. No one has been charged. Read more: Huntington Park was promised a $24-million pool complex. It was never built. Where did the money go? Robles said Castillos removal was not only unlawful but politically motivated, because she had filed a formal complaint with the city against three council members and the city manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here, defendants not only acted as judge, jury and executioner, but to further highlight defendants self-directed unjust political power grab, [they] also conducted the investigation, Castillo alleged in her suit. Andrew Sarega, the attorney who was hired to oversee the city's inquiry, said Huntington Park police investigators looked into Castillos residency months before she filed her grievance. He said a complaint was also filed in August with the L.A. County district attorneys office, which declined to take the case after it determined the issue was a civil matter, not a criminal one, according to an email obtained by The Times. Huntington Park authorities say they launched their investigation into Castillo in November, after the city manager received complaints alleging she was not living in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: It's a tale as old as time: Huntington Park residents lambaste leaders over corruption probe The investigation included surveillance, court-approved GPS tracking and search warrants at Castillos Huntington Park apartment and her parents home in South Gate. Investigators also interviewed five witnesses, including Castillo, according to Sarega. He said investigators tracked Castillos vehicle for a month in January and found that she had only stayed at the Huntington Park apartment once. Someone else was living there, but Castillo had mail sent there, too, Sarega said. Robles said his client had been caring for her ailing parents while maintaining a full-time residence in Huntington Park, which he said is permitted under state and city election laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meiers, the Superior Court judge, issued a restraining order against the city on April 4 prompting officials to file an appeal. California's 2nd District Court of Appeal granted the stay this week, just days before the city's 60-day deadline to fill the seat and avoid what would have been a costly special election. 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. Huron-Clinton Metroparks is willing to sell for $5 the Flat Rock Dam and a portion of adjoining Huron River bottomlands to either the city of Flat Rock or Huron Township, parks officials declared Friday. Metroparks posted the offer to its website, as well as separate letters sent Friday to Huron Township Supervisor Kelly Trombly and the township board, and Flat Rock Mayor Steven Beller and City Council members. Metroparks, with partners and using federal grant money, since 2022 has studied ways to potentially improve habitat around the more than 500-foot Flat Rock and smaller nearby Huroc dams and improve upstream fish passage. Identified options include keeping the dams more or less as-is but working to improve fish passage; a partial removal of the dams and a rock ramp construction that allows fish to move but maintains close to current water elevations; or removal of the dams altogether, which would drain levels of the long-standing 250-acre impoundment behind the dam by about 10 feet and expose large amounts of currently submerged bottomland. The Flat Rock dam In Flat Rock on Friday, April 18, 2025. Though no final decision on any option is close, the idea of the dam removal and loss of much of the impoundment led community members to be increasingly active in their opposition. Residents' lives have been built around the water body behind the dam, which has existed since the late 1920s, when Henry Ford built the dam for hydropower to his car lamp plant in Flat Rock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dam feasibility study has provided multiple opportunities for public and stakeholder input, Metroparks spokeswoman Danielle Mauter said. "A common theme we have heard is a consistent desire for more local control in the decision-making around the future of the dam," she said. "For us, this move is really about listening to that feedback we have received." Huron-Clinton Metroparks manages 13 large parks and more than 25,000 acres of woods, water and recreational facilities across five southeastern Michigan counties: Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Washtenaw and Macomb. "We do take a regional look at the Metroparks with all of the five counties that we serve," Mauter said. "For us, this (dam sale offer) feels like an opportunity and way to bring that decision-making a little more local." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Potential removal of Flat Rock dam on Huron River has communities nearby concerned Beller and Trombly did not immediately return Free Press messages seeking comment Friday afternoon. The city or township, or some partnership between them, would not only be taking over the dam and bottomlands but the responsibility for maintaining the dam and potential liabilities arising from it. Metroparks' letter to both local governments notes that the Flat Rock dam is designated as a high hazard potential dam by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy's Dam Safety Division. " 'High hazard potential' indicates a dam located in an area where a failure may cause serious damage to critical infrastructure, critically harm the environment, or where failure could cause potential loss of life," the Metroparks letters to Huron Township and the city of Flat Rock state. The letter further notes that the most recent inspection of the Flat Rock dam found it in fair condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "However, like any aging infrastructure, it will continue to degrade over time," the Metroparks letters to the local governments state. "As such, we feel it is our responsibility as the owners of the Flat Rock Dam to be proactive in the management of the dam and have as much information about future alternatives as possible to make decisions and to budget for future needs. That is why we are currently conducting the feasibility study around this dam." More: Trump budget document points to ending federal role in Great Lakes science by next year The feasibility study will continue to its conclusion, with a next step being a public forum slated for sometime in June to go through questions and answers from earlier public engagements, Mauter said. "Regardless of the outcome of the sale and transfer, we will still complete the feasibility study," she said. "We feel its really important to have as much information and data as we can to make future decisions regarding the dam." Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Metroparks offers to sell Flat Rock dam to city, Huron Township for $5 DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) announced his southwest Ohio office location is in Butler County. According to Husted, southwest Ohio residents with comments, concerns or questions can either visit 300 N. Main St., Suite 200 in Middletown, or call 1-513-318-1100. Im happy to continue serving Ohioans in every corner of our state, whether they need help navigating a federal agency or are applying to a service academy, said Husted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Roadhouse building new Hamilton location Husted said offices are also opening in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. Constituents who travel to Washington DC are also able to visit his office there. To contact Husted by message, 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. NEW YORK Federal immigration authorities did not have a warrant for the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil when he was taken into custody in the lobby of his Columbia University-owned apartment building last month, according to new filings Thursday in federal court. Marc Van Der Hout, one of Khalils lawyers, accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of misleading their client. Court documents show the feds logged in their arrest report that agents told Khalil there was a warrant for his arrest yet the latest filings suggest no warrant was executed until he was transported down to an ICE office in Lower Manhattan for processing. The governments admission is astounding, Van Der Hout said in a statement, and it is completely outrageous that they tried to assert to the immigration judge and the world in their initial filing of the arrest report that there was an arrest warrant when there was none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Van Der Hout called on the immigration court to terminate proceedings. The judge in that case, Jamee E. Comans, ruled earlier this month that Khalil could be forced out of the country as a foreign policy risk. The Trump administration maintains that an immigration arrest without a warrant was not unusual, stating: It is the pattern and practice of DHS to fully process a respondent once in custody. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE, which is under the umbrella of DHS, did not immediately return a request for comment. Generally, a warrant of arrest must be obtained, the court documents read. However, an exception to the warrant requirement exists where the immigration officer has reason to believe that the individual is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained. The filings were made ahead of a deadline this week in Khalils immigration case in Louisiana, which gave the Trump administration more time to submit evidence on its second ground for deporting Khalil: claims that he made misrepresentations on his green card application. Lawyers for Khalil deny the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, the federal judge in Khalils case in New Jersey an independent legal action where the activist is challenging the constitutionality of his detention asked for copies of the filings the following day, on Thursday. Khalil also submitted an application for asylum in the United States, which was sealed to the public, his lawyers said. Amy Greer, another lawyer for Khalil who he had retained in response to a separate Columbia disciplinary action before being detained by the feds said she was on the phone with Khalil, his wife and an agent on the night of the arrest. Those agents repeatedly failed to show us a warrant, Greer said. Today we now know why they never showed Mahmoud that warrant they didnt have one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of their rationale for a warrantless arrest, the government offered new claims that Khalil refused to cooperate with the federal agents and threatened to leave the scene. The supervisory agent, the court filings said, believed there was a flight risk and arrest was necessary. Khalils lawyers denied the new allegations: No one should take seriously the governments patent lie, which it offers for the first time many weeks after the fact, that somehow Mahmoud was anything other than compliant when ICE agents unlawfully abducted him under cover of darkness, said Ramzi Kassem, co-director of CLEAR, and another lawyer for Khalil. Khalil continues to be held in an ICE detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he missed the birth of his first child on Monday after federal authorities denied his request for temporary release. Khalil, 30, was detained by ICE agents on March 8 after returning home to his Columbia-owned apartment from an iftar dinner with his wife, a U.S. citizen from the Midwest. He was living in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident with a green card. He was set to graduate in May after completing his masters at Columbias School of International and Public Affairs in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The student played a leading role in last years campus protests about the rising death toll in Gaza in Israels war against Hamas and the universitys investment ties to Israel, acting as a mediator between Columbia administrators and student protesters. The government has not accused Khalil of committing any crimes. It says that even if Khalils actions in the U.S. were otherwise lawful, his political beliefs could have unfavorable repercussions for the Trump administrations foreign policy objectives. Khalil was the first international student targeted in the current crackdown, which has seen hundreds detained, including a Russian scientist working on groundbreaking cancer research at Harvard who has been in ICE detention for two months. _____ Federal immigration authorities did not have a warrant for the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil when he was taken into custody in the lobby of his Columbia University-owned apartment building last month, according to new filings Thursday in federal court. Marc Van Der Hout, one of Khalils lawyers, accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of misleading their client. Court documents show the feds logged in their arrest report that agents told Khalil there was a warrant for his arrest yet the latest filings suggest no warrant was executed until he was transported down to an ICE office in Lower Manhattan for processing. The governments admission is astounding, Van Der Hout said in a statement, and it is completely outrageous that they tried to assert to the immigration judge and the world in their initial filing of the arrest report that there was an arrest warrant when there was none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Van Der Hout called on the immigration court to terminate proceedings. The judge in that case, Jamee E. Comans, ruled earlier this month that Khalil could be forced out of the country as a foreign policy risk. The Trump administration maintains that an immigration arrest without a warrant was not unusual, stating: It is the pattern and practice of DHS to fully process a respondent once in custody. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Khalil was encountered by ICE officers and identified as a removable alien. When he tried to walk away, he was arrested. An administrative arrest warrant was executed at the time of his booking as is the custom. Khalil is arguing in immigration court that an arrest warrant is necessary prior to the arrest of a removable alien, she added. There is no legal basis for that position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filings were made ahead of a deadline this week in Khalils immigration case in Louisiana, which gave the Trump administration more time to submit evidence on its second ground for deporting Khalil: claims that he made misrepresentations on his green card application. Lawyers for Khalil deny the claims. Separately, the federal judge in Khalils case in New Jersey an independent legal action where the activist is challenging the constitutionality of his detention asked for copies of the filings the following day, on Thursday. Khalil also submitted an application for asylum in the United States, which was sealed to the public, his lawyers said. Amy Greer, another lawyer for Khalil who he had retained in response to a separate Columbia disciplinary action prior to being detained by the feds said she was on the phone with Khalil, his wife and an agent on the night of the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those agents repeatedly failed to show us a warrant, Greer said. Today we now know why they never showed Mahmoud that warrant they didnt have one. As part of their rationale for a warrantless arrest, the government offered new claims that Khalil refused to cooperate with the federal agents and threatened to leave the scene. The supervisory agent, the court filings said, believed there was a flight risk and arrest was necessary. Khalils lawyers denied the new allegations: No one should take seriously the governments patent lie, which it offers for the first time many weeks after the fact, that somehow Mahmoud was anything other than compliant when ICE agents unlawfully abducted him under cover of darkness, said Ramzi Kassem, co-director of CLEAR, and another lawyer for Khalil. Khalil continues to be held in an ICE detention facility in Jena, La., where he missed the birth of his first child on Monday after federal authorities denied his request for temporary release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil, 30, was detained by ICE agents on March 8 after returning home to his Columbia-owned apartment from an iftar dinner with his wife, a U.S. citizen from the Midwest. He was living in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident with a green card. He was set to graduate in May after completing his masters at Columbias School of International and Public Affairs in December. The student played a leading role in last years campus protests about the rising death toll in Gaza in Israels war against Hamas and the universitys investment ties to Israel, acting as a mediator between Columbia administrators and student protesters. The government has not accused Khalil of committing any crimes. It says that even if Khalils actions in the U.S. were otherwise lawful, his political beliefs could have unfavorable repercussions for the Trump administrations foreign policy objectives. Khalil was the first international student targeted in the current crackdown, which has seen hundreds detained, including a Russian scientist working on groundbreaking cancer research at Harvard who has been in ICE detention for two months. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Pittsburg, Kansas family is fighting to get their mom home after they say Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers took her away. Carina Moran said her mother walked in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Office (USCIS) in Kansas City for an appointment, instead she said her mother was detained by ICE officers. Three men charged with re-entering United States illegally Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It feels like shes been stripped away from me, and I feel like Im never going to see her again, Moran said. Ive been with my mom my entire life. I dont know what its like to not have her and to have to tell my younger brothers that theyre not going to get to see their mom. It makes me feel awful to see my dad struggling the way he is. Moran said her dad, Nixon, became a U.S. citizen in March. Thats also when he filed a form repetitioning for his wife, Rosmery Alvarado, to potentially get a green card. He got a notification three weeks later saying, hey youve gotten approved; we want you to come down for an interview, Moran said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They received a letter last week that said, you are notified to appear before a USCIS officer regarding the application. Moran said, on Wednesday her mom, dad and lawyer walked into the USCIS office for the appointment. About an hour later, Morans dad walked out the front door without her. The last time that I saw her, I was walking her up to that building thinking they were going into a routine interview, but from the moment we got that letter they were being lied to, Moran said. She really holds our household together and to not see her here and to not hear her voice really hurt. Morans father said that during the appointment officers said the paperwork looked good, then separated her Nixon and Alvarado and thats when ICE officers took Alvarado away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as he stepped out, ICE came in through the back part of the office and two officers detained my mom, didnt say anything to her, Moran said. They took her out the back, put her in a white van that was untagged, and they just drove off with her. Moran said Alvarado is now being held at a detention center in Chase County, about two hours away. Their lawyer told Moran that Alvarado had a deportation order. She said it stems from failing to appear in court when Alvarado was a minor. We thought we had all of our defenses, we had the evidence, we had everything we were prepared, everyone in my family is a citizen, Moran said. I thought that would protect her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 reached out to ICE and USCIS. ICE acknowledged our request, but said they needed more personal information about Alvarado before they could comment. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Moran said their attorney filled a deportation stop, theyre waiting to see if it gets approved and her mom can come home. If its denied, she said her mom will be sent to Guatemala three days after denial. Moran said her mom has diabetes. She started a GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses, legal assistance and internationally mail [Alvarados] belongings if necessary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested four people outside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on Wednesday, a spokesperson for ICE confirms to Channel 9. A Channel 9 review of court records shows two of the men arrested had business at the courthouse that day. According to ICE, agents conducted targeted arrests outside the courthouse and arrested Oscar Lopez-Lopez, Jose Ortiz-Ortiz, Jose Nicolas-Martinez, and Miguel Sanchez-Vega. The four men were taken into custody without incident, ICE said. Channel 9 reviewed court records and discovered Lopez and Ortiz both had court hearings in Mecklenburg County on Wednesday. Ortiz was due in court on a simple assault charge. Police say he bit someones thumb. The Mecklenburg County DAs office dismissed the charge Wednesday because of a lack of a prosecuting witness. Lopez was due in court on domestic violence charges. He was accused of striking his girlfriend and making her unconscious. The Meck DA dismissed the charge Wednesday due to insufficient evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 9 was unable to verify any known criminal history of the two other people arrested by ICE. According to ICE, Lopez and Ortiz were both previously subject to detainers but they were not honored by the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office. Court records show a 48-hour detainer was issued to Lopez on January 15. Following the detainers expiration, Lopez was released without bail on January 21. In addition to the 48-hour hold, a detainer requests the holding agency to call ICE prior to the release of the suspect. ICE says Mecklenburg County does not make that call. Sheriff Garry McFadden has previously told Channel 9 that the law doesnt require him to. Speaker Destin Hall is sponsoring a bill that would change this. The detainer says Lopez is a citizen of Honduras. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A detainer is not showing in court records for Ortiz. However, Ortizs original arrest was in 2023. North Carolina law did not require sheriffs to honor detainers until December 2024. Thats also when Mecklenburg County court records started displaying detainers online. Channel 9 was unable to verify criminal history of Jose Nicolas-Martinez, and Miguel Sanchez-Vega. It is unclear if they also had business at the courthouse on Wednesday. Sheriff Garry McFadden witnessed ICE making one of the arrests on Wednesday. He told Channel 9 he provided the arresting agents with his personal cell phone number and asked that they call him in advance of future arrests outside the courthouse. He says this will ensure court proceedings are not disrupted. Sheriff McFadden predicted immigration enforcement at the courthouse will continue. I do foresee it happening again, Sheriff McFadden said. We are going to prepare for it and have conversations with the public, our partners and other law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff McFadden is creating a policy for future arrests. A spokesperson for ICE acknowledged the sheriffs interactions with agents on Wednesday and said the agency appreciates the outreach. While the operation was underway, ICE officers were approached by the MCSO Sheriff, who inquired about the enforcement action and expressed interest in revisiting opportunities for future collaboration, a spokesperson for ICE said. ICE leadership recently contacted Sheriff McFadden and will continue to work towards building a relationship with MCSO and welcomes a constructive dialogue with all local law enforcement partners to support public safety. The Carolina Migrant Network expressed concern about arrests at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. The group is worried this will scare people from attending court proceedings and visiting the courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to remember that Mecklenburg County isnt just for adjudicating criminal charges, founder Stefania Arteaga said. We have small claims court. We have people who are trying to get married within the court. It will have an impact on the community if community members do not feel safe accessing the court system. (VIDEO: Man arrested by ICE pleads guilty in court) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The U.S. government is reversing the termination of legal status for international students around the country after many filed court challenges against the Trump administration crackdown, federal officials said Friday. The records in a federal student database maintained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been terminated in recent weeks. Judges across the U.S. had already issued orders temporarily restoring students records in dozens of lawsuits challenging the terminations. More than 1,200 students nationwide suddenly lost their legal status or had visas revoked, leaving them at risk for deportation. Many said they had only minor infractions on their record or did not know why they were targeted. Some left the country while others have gone into hiding or stopped going to class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government says it will restore student status Word of the policy pivot came Friday from lawyers representing the government in several of the lawsuits. A lawyer for the plaintiff in one of the lawsuits, Brian Green, provided The Associated Press with a copy of a statement a government lawyer emailed to him on the restoration of legal status for people whose records were recently terminated. It says: ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain Active or shall be re-activated if not currently active and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems database that tracks international students compliance with their visa status. NCIC is the National Crime Information Center, a database of criminal justice information maintained by the FBI. Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant Homeland Security secretary, said ICE had not reversed course on any visa revocations but did restore SEVIS access for people who had not had their visa revoked. Several colleges said Friday they noticed legal status already had been restored for some of their students, but uncertainty remained. It is still unclear whether ICE will restore status to everyone it has targeted and whether the State Department will help students whose visas were wrongly revoked, said Greg Chen of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal fights may not be over Green, who is involved in lawsuits on behalf of several dozen students, said his cases only sought restoration of the student status and that he would be withdrawing them as a result of the statement Friday from ICE. But lawyers in the Oakland case are seeking a nationwide order from the court prohibiting the government from arresting or incarcerating students, transferring them to places outside their district or preventing them from continuing work or studies. Pam Johann, a government lawyer, said it was premature to consider anything like that given that ICE was in the process of reactivating records and developing a policy. We should take a pause while ICE is implementing this change that plaintiffs are seeking right now, on its own, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White asked her to humor the court. It seems like with this administration theres a new world order every single day, he said. Its like whack-a-mole. He ordered the government to clarify the new policy. Visa revocations and student status terminations caused confusion Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said his department was revoking visas held by people acting counter to national interests, including some who protested Israels war in Gaza and those who face criminal charges. But many students whose status was terminated said they did not fall under those categories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs research found that even the visa revocations for students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests are more unpopular than popular. About half of U.S. adults oppose this policy, and only 3 in 10 are in support. Among college educated adults, 6 in 10 strongly oppose, compared with 4 in 10 who arent college graduates. In lawsuits, students argued they were denied due process. Many were told that their status was terminated as a result of a criminal records check or that their visa had been revoked. International students and their schools were caught off guard by the terminations of the students' records. Many of the terminations were discovered when school officials were doing routine checks of the international student database. Charles Kuck, who filed a case in Atlanta on behalf of 133 students across the country said ICE's reversal can't undo the distress and hardship they have faced in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive got kids who lost their jobs, who might not get them back, he said. Ive got kids who lost school opportunities who might not get them back. Weve got kids who missed finals, missed graduation. How do you get any of that stuff back? Jodie Ferise, a higher education attorney in Indiana, said some students at schools her law firm works with already left the country after receiving instructions to self-deport. This unprecedented treatment of student status had caused tremendous fear among international students," Ferise said. Some of them were too frightened to wait and hope for the administration to change course. Earlier this week, before the government's reversal, Ferise said the situation could hurt international student enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world is watching, and we will lose students, not just by the technical revocation of their status, but by the message were sending that we dont want them anyway and that it isnt safe to even try to go to school here, she said. At least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked, their legal status terminated or both, since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records. The AP has been working to confirm reports of hundreds more students who are caught up in the crackdown. ___ Brumback reported from Atlanta. Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Makiya Seminera in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Annie Ma, Rebecca Santana and Linley Sanders in Washington contributed reporting. SYDNEY, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Two people have been hospitalized in critical conditions following a crash during a police pursuit in Sydney's southwest. A police statement said on Thursday night that officers from the traffic and highway patrol command in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) attempted to stop an unregistered vehicle in Cabramatta, about 25 km from central Sydney, on Thursday night. A pursuit ensued when the driver allegedly failed to stop. The chase continued into the neighboring suburb of Canley Vale where the unregistered vehicle crashed into a power pole. Two occupants of the vehicle, a 33-year-old female driver and a 35-year-old male passenger, were injured. They were both treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics before being taken to a nearby hospital in critical conditions. NSW Police has launched a critical incident investigation, which is standard practice for incidents involving a police officer that result in the death or serious injury of a person. (This story has been updated to specify the number of University of Cincinnati students impacted by the revocation of visas). The Trump administration is reversing course and temporarily restoring the immigration status of many international students across the country, including those at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. Officials with both UC and Xavier confirmed to The Enquirer that at least some of their international students who had their immigration status pulled earlier this month have had it restored. A Xavier spokesman said all of its impacted international students have had their status restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration's decision was announced during a federal court hearing April 25 for a UC student who had filed a lawsuit earlier this month. Jiarong Ouyang, an international student at the University of Cincinnati, as well as three other students from China, are suing the administration for canceling their immigration status to study in the country. The administration's announcement was also shared in court filings of several similar cases nationwide, in which students have asked judges to reinstate their visas. However, the UC student's case is unique because he is asking for the court to pause immigration officials from revoking students' visas nationwide and reinstate all visas already revoked. More than 4,700 international students across the country have had their visas revoked and immigration status pulled since the beginning of April, including Ouyang's, a UC doctoral candidate that has never been convicted of a crime. Ouyang has had his degree and work on hold while he faces the risk of being deported. U.S. attorney Elizabeth Kurlan began the hearing Friday with the news, saying she was informed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement right before the hearing that they are developing a new policy for revoking students' immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiffs in the Northern District of California cases and all other similarly situated plaintiffs will remain active or shall be reactivated if not currently active," Kurlan said, referring to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that tracks international students in the country. "ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination." Kurlan and another government attorney leaned on the reversal for arguing against a nationwide pause by the court, which would bind ICE from revoking students' immigration status more strictly than the agency deciding to do so themselves. U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White grilled government attorneys over their argument, saying that the Trump administration continues to change its positions day by day and it's unclear what will come next. More: Trump administration reverses controversial termination of student visas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It seems with this administration it's a new world order every day. It's like whack-a-mole," said White, who was appointed in 2002 by President George W. Bush. White did not make a ruling on Ouyang and his peers' request April 25. Instead, he extended a two-week reinstatement of their status while asking for more information from the government about its procedures. Ouyang and his attorneys in California did not respond to requests for comment from The Enquirer. Brad Banias, a seasoned immigration attorney who is defending dozens of international students across the country, said ICE's decision to restore status was a strategic move by the agency to fend off Ouyang's suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're staring down the barrel of this hearing and it's not going well right now," said Banias, whose client's case was also heard by White alongside Ouyang's. "This is to save face in court because they've lost a lot." A historic fountain sits next to the College of Arts & Sciences building, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati. How many students have had their status temporarily restored? It's unclear exactly how many students nationwide have had their immigration status temporarily restored by ICE, but Ouyang's attorneys confirmed in court his status was restored earlier in the day. There were at least 10 international students whose visas had been revoked at UC and were notified by the school, according to records reviewed by The Enquirer. All 10 students had their visas revoked after being identified in a criminal records check. A UC spokeswoman confirmed to The Enquirer that some students whose statuses were terminated in the immigration system now have an active status. UC originally said in early April that only that "a small number" had their visas revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Xavier spokesman said all students affected by the recent SEVIS terminations have had their status restored. The school previously announced "at least one" of its students had their visa revoked. Who is the UC international student who sued over his revoked visa? Jiarong Ouyang, 34, is a doctoral candidate in statistics at the University of Cincinnati. He's an international student from China whose visa was revoked at the beginning of April, joining "a small number" of other UC international students in the same situation and hundreds more nationwide. Ouyang has been studying in the United States since 2012. He first enrolled at the University of California, Riverside, and earned his bachelor's degree in computing statistics, according to the lawsuit. He also earned a Master of Science in applied statistics in California before coming to Cincinnati. Expected to earn his doctorate in 2026, Ouyang has 3.94 GPA and has multiple research projects that have been placed on pause since his visa was revoked, according to the lawsuit. He also has a wife and young sons in the country that he cares for. Why was this UC international student's visa revoked? UC and other schools across the country have said their international students have had visas revoked due to legal issues, ranging from minor traffic infractions to criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after midnight in January 2019, police officers were called to Ouyang's home in Riverside, California, after a report of a domestic violence incident, according to police records reviewed by The Enquirer. He was taken into custody that night. The charge was later dropped, and Ouyang was never convicted. More: UC says 'small number' of international students whose visas were revoked had legal issues After being arrested, Ouyang's visa was revoked, but he was able to legally stay in the country. He later applied for a new visa and was approved. Immigration officials cited the arrest as why they revoked his visa a second time, court documents show. This story was updated with new information from the hearing. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ICE temporarily restores visas for some UC, Xavier foreign students This week, an immigration judge found the official document initiating the deportation of Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born Harvard Medical School researcher, failed to meet legal standards. Petrova has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) custody since February. She is challenging the cancellation of her J-1 scholar visa while seeking asylum due to the threat of persecution she faces in Russia. The judge asked the government to file additional information to support deportation, and a hearing to assess the validity of Petrova's deportation charge has been set for late July. Petrova was initially taken into ICE custody on February 16 at Boston Logan International Airport while returning from a work trip. She had flown to France to pick up frog embryo samples from a partner research lab for her research on cancer detection. Petrova did not declare the samples and was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Petrova "was lawfully detained after lying to federal officers about carrying substances into the country," including "petri dishes, containers of unknown substances, and loose vials of embryonic frog cells," according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In cases like these, CBP typically confiscates undeclared items and issues a fine of $50 to $500, Gregory Romanovsky, Petrova's attorney, told MSNBC. Instead, Petrova was taken into custody and her scholar visa was canceled. Romanovsky believes Petrova's arrest is "part of a broader effort to create an unwelcoming and hostile environment for noncitizens." He is representing Petrova in a lawsuit against DHS alleging that her visa cancellation and subsequent detention are unlawful. Although DHS accuses Petrova of "knowingly breaking the law and took deliberate steps to evade it" when she chose to "smuggle" research samples into the U.S., Romanovsky is pushing for her release. He told NBC News that she's a victim of a new, indiscriminate policy of refusing release, despite Petrova not being a flight risk or a risk to the community. Instead, "she's just taking up bed space." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petrova has also requested asylum for fear of persecution should she return to Russia. Before coming to the U.S., she was arrested for protesting against the war in Ukraine and now fears further persecution and jail time if she returns to Russia. But even if an immigration judge grants her asylum, the appeals process could keep her in continued detention. While Petrova sits in custody awaiting answers, researchers at Harvard Medical School's Kirschner Lab cannot continue with their cancer research without Petrova's expertise. The lab is currently developing a microscope, whose computer script was developed by Petrova, that could drastically improve early cancer detection, according to one of her co-workers. Petrova's case represents a growing trend causing many international students to fear immigration backlash. Under the Trump administration, over 1,800 international students have lost their F-1 or J-1 student statuses, according to a tracking database by Inside Higher Ed, with little explanation as to why. The post ICE Is Trying To Deport a Harvard Medical School Researcher Over Frog Embryos appeared first on Reason.com. A judge on Thursday refused to rule out the death penalty in the trial of a man accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students in 2022. Defense attorneys for Bryan Kohberger had sought to strike capital punishment as an option in his upcoming murder trial, but Judge Steven Hippler denied the request. Attorneys for Kohberger argued that he was recently found to have autism spectrum disorder and that the death penalty would be "dehumanizing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No court has ever found ASD to be a categorically death-disqualifying diagnosis," Hippler wrote in the ruling. He wrote that prosecutors were correct in their arguments that autism spectrum disorder does not qualify under the law for exemptions for the death penalty under intellectual disabilities, and that there is no national consensus on the issue. Kohberger is charged with murder and other counts in the stabbing deaths of four students in an off-campus Moscow, Idaho, home where most of the victims lived on Nov. 13, 2022. He is accused of killing Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in the three story-home. Investigators believe the students were killed sometime between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m., according to court documents. Their bodies were discovered later that morning after roommates were unable to contact them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hippler in November had previously ruled that prosecutors could seek the death penalty in the case. In a separate ruling Thursday, Hippler allowed the 911 call from the surviving roommates the day the bodies were discovered and texts to be admitted at trial, as long the proper foundation is laid. Some redactions were ordered. Kohberger was a resident of Pullman, Washington, around 10 miles from Moscow, and he was doctoral student in the criminal justice and criminology department at the Washington State University when the killings occurred. He was arrested in northeastern Pennsylvania on Dec. 30, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. A judge has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The trial is scheduled to begin on Aug. 11. A motive remains unclear in the slayings. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The judge overseeing Bryan Kohbergers upcoming murder trial ruled Thursday that prosecutors may play for jurors all but three short portions of the 911 call that was made hours after four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed, and also determined that texts between two surviving roommates were likely admissible. Judge Steven Hippler of Idahos 4th Judicial District rejected the defenses argument to restrict the call during their clients upcoming trial. His attorneys also requested that only the approved portions of the recording with 911 dispatch be allowed or a transcript of the call not both. But Hippler decided that jurors would be given a transcript to be used to aid them in understanding all of the permitted portions of the conversation with the dispatcher. Some of the hearsay statements on the 911 call do not qualify under the exceptions cited by the state and, therefore, must be redacted, Hippler wrote. However, the balance of the 911 call as well as the texts and conversations noted herein are likely admissible provided that the requisite foundation is laid at trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three portions of the call Hippler said he would restrict from jurors as hearsay included when a female friend told the dispatcher that one of the four victims was drunk the night before, passed out and wasnt waking up. Police said from the beginning that the 911 call was over a report of an unconscious person. In another instance, the same female friend told the dispatcher that a surviving roommate saw a man in the home where the students were killed overnight, which Hippler labeled hearsay. Also, when one of the surviving roommates tried to explain what happened overnight, but was quickly interrupted by the dispatcher, Hippler said that will be redacted from the call, too. That same roommate is expected to testify at trial and offer that information and a description of the man she saw in the home. Kohberger, 30, is accused of killing four U of I students in Moscow in November 2022. At that time, he was a graduate student of criminal justice and criminology at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, located about 9 miles west of Moscow across the Idaho state line. The victims were Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington. The three women lived at the off-campus home with two female roommates who went physically unharmed in the attack, while Chapin was Kernodles boyfriend and slept over for the night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger has been held in police custody without bond for nearly 28 months since his late December 2022 arrest on four counts of first-degree murder and a count of felony burglary. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if a jury finds Kohberger guilty. Judge also rules to keep state experts for trial Audio of the 911 call, the source of much public speculation for more than two years after the November 2022 quadruple homicide, was released last month in response to public records requests filed to the regions dispatch center located in Pullman, Washington. Its public release followed the inclusion of a call transcript in a prosecution filing to allow jurors to hear the call at trial. Steve Goncalves, father of victim Kaylee Goncalves, told KCPQ-TV Fox 13 in Seattle earlier this month that the recording remains a difficult listen one his wife didnt plan to ever hear. Honestly, its terrible, he said of the roughly four-minute call. She still hasnt listened to it, she probably never will. But I know those girls that did those calls, the people that were in there, and I know that theyve been tossed into the same bucket as us, that you get victimized and youre feeling like the whole world is staring at you and criticizing everything you say, everything you do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judges Thursday order followed his rulings on a host of other debates over certain evidence between prosecutors and Kohbergers public defense team. Last week, Hippler decided one of the surviving roommates may testify to having seen a man in the students rental home with what she described as bushy eyebrows, which the defense argued to prevent. The decision on the 911 call was one of the last for Hippler to make following an all-day hearing earlier this month on various evidence issues. On Thursday, he also ruled against the defenses effort to limit testimony from the majority of the prosecutions 25 disclosed expert witnesses, as well as against a push to strike the death penalty because of Kohbergers autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. There is no basis to exclude or limit the detectives disclosed testimony, Hippler wrote about three members of law enforcement with backgrounds in digital forensics. It is clear they will be testifying to the facts of their investigation, not providing traditional expert opinions. Kohberger is next scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on May 15. His trial is set to begin with jury selection in late July. Apr. 24An Idaho judge on Thursday ruled Bryan Kohberger's recent autism diagnosis does not preclude him from facing the death penalty if he's convicted of killing four University of Idaho students. Kohberger, 30, is charged with the first-degree murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, who were all found stabbed to death in an off-campus Moscow home in November 2022. Kohberger, who prosecutors say is tied to the crimes through DNA evidence, already has filed multiple motions urging Ada County Judge Steven Hippler to take the death penalty off the table. Most recently, his defense team has argued Kohberger's recent autism diagnosis creates an exemption to the death penalty under the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishments. Executing people with mental disabilities was made illegal in the U.S. following a 2002 ruling by the Supreme Court from a case based out of Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger was handed a low-level autism diagnosis by the defense team's neuropsychologist, court records say, "without accompanying intellectual or language impairment." The neuropsychologist noted he was polite and engaged in conversations, but his speech was repetitive and scripted, according to court records. Kohberger also "demonstrated rigidity" in his thoughts and behaviors, wanted to know the results of his cognitive tests and was "highly" interested in topics like forensic psychology and the Japanese author Haruki Murakami, who often writes about loneliness and self-realizations. Hippler found that Kohberger's low-level diagnosis does not meet the standard of "intellectually disabled" from psychologists and previous court rulings, court records say, that no court has found autism to be a death-disqualifying diagnosis and there is no "national consensus" on the matter. Hippler noted that in order to be less culpable than the "average criminal," the person must have a subaverage intellectual function and significant limitations in everyday skill sets. Kohberger has an IQ of 119, court documents show, and showed strong cognitive abilities like reasoning, reading skills and concept formation. It's what led Hippler to refer to Kohberger's association of autism with a severe intellectual disability as an "apples to oranges comparison." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While intellectually disabled and ASD individuals may share some of the same adaptive impairments, the intellectual deficit an essential feature of an intellectual disability is not a diagnostic element of ASD," Hippler wrote in his ruling. He referenced that the medical community typically refers to IQs below 70 and 75 to be below-average intellectual function. Even if Hippler ruled against Kohberger's motion, the defense still asked for the death penalty to be thrown out because of the excessive media coverage on the issue, since news sources have pointed out Kohberger's demeanor before the homicides. Hippler ruled against that request, too. There is no precedent for media coverage, and any concerns about bias can be mitigated through jury selection, Hippler wrote. Kohberger is set to face trial starting Aug. 11. In a packed hearing room, the Idaho Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging state officials' descriptions of an abortion rights ballot initiative on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho Supreme Court on Friday heard arguments in a lawsuit that alleges state officials drafted biased and misleading information for voters on an abortion rights ballot initiative. Idahoans United for Women and Families, the group behind the ballot initiative, in January sued, alleging ballot titles and financial analysis developed by state officials for voters to see are inaccurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idahoans need clear and concise information about a proposed ballot initiatives fiscal impact and its purpose to decide whether to say yes or no at the ballot box based on their understanding, and not on confusion, said Anne Henderson Haws, an attorney with the law firm Holland & Hart, which is representing the abortion ballot initiative group. The fiscal impact statement and the ballot titles prepared for the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act fail to meet these standards. State agencies defend the descriptions which use fetus viability in one reference, and say the initiative will marginally raise state expenses. The agencies, which wrote the ballot titles and fiscal analysis, say they comply with state law. To the extent theres a gap here, I think the gap between their definition and the term fetal variability is worlds larger than the gap between the term fetal viability and fetus viability, said Idaho Solicitor General Alan Hurst, who works for the Idaho Attorney Generals Office. And if the two terms are not synonymous like if fetus favors us slightly, and fetal favors them slightly, which we dont concede then why is it that the one thats in favor wins out, when the statutory standard is youre not supposed to be either in favor or against? The ballot initiative proposes abortion exemptions to Idahos strict abortion ban laws for emergencies, fetal viability and other reproductive health protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court will issue a decision at a later date. In 2023, the Idaho Supreme Court ordered the Idaho Attorney Generals Office to rewrite ballot titles for an unsuccessful election reform ballot initiative, following a lawsuit. Anne Henderson Haws, an attorney representing the abortion ballot initiative group Idahoans United for Women and Families, presents opening arguments to the Idaho Supreme Court on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Justices grilled AG attorney on using fetus viability in ballot title The ballot titles, developed by the Idaho Office of the Attorney General, are brief descriptions of the initiative. The short title doesnt say that the law would allow emergency abortions after viability, Idahoans United spokesperson Melanie Folwell previously told States Newsroom. And the short title uses the term fetus viability, which is not the medical phrase, the initiative group argues. That conflicts with the long titles use of the term fetal viability, the group argues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justices repeatedly asked Idahos solicitor general why the attorney generals office used a different term than the initiatives policy. Hurst said the AGs office believes fetal viability and fetus viability are essentially the same term. Idaho Supreme Court justices listen to oral arguments in an abortion rights ballot initiative lawsuit on Friday, April 25, 2025. From left to right: Justice Robyn Brody, Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan, and Justice Gregory Moeller. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) At one point, Justice Robyn Brody questioned whether the language was meant to evoke the broader abortion debate. Anti-abortion activists often call fetuses unborn children. But abortion-rights activists often frame abortion in terms of medical freedom for pregnant patients. Hurst then referenced news writing standards by the Associated Press, a prominent international news wire outlet, that advise against using the terms pro life and pro choice in news articles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no neutral options here. To the extent the neutral options are here, its fetus viability fetal viability, Hurst replied. Thats more favorable to their side than to ours. The AG has not used pro life language in this. He has done his utmost to use language that is consistent with the way the initiative frames things. Justice Cynthia Meyer soon pointed out that the Attorney Generals Offices long title uses the term life of the unborn child. Fiscal impact statement says initiative will marginally raise state costs. Thats also in dispute. The bigger issue is with the fiscal impact statement, Folwell previously told States Newsroom. The fiscal impact statement says the initiative wouldnt affect taxes or the states general fund, but it says the initiative could minorly affect state expenses in Medicaid and prisoner populations. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passage of this initiative is likely to cost less than $20,000 per year. The Medicaid budget for providing services was about $850 million in FY2024, the fiscal impact review said. If passed, nominal costs in the context of the affected total budget are insignificant to the state. Initiative organizers argue thats not true. Justice Colleen Zahn pressed an attorney for Idahoans United on how the initiative wouldnt raise costs, since Idaho pays for Medicaid patients who need care from complications from abortion pills. Theres no evidence that it would increase costs so as to increase any budget that doesnt already exist, Henderson Haws said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fiscal analysis was prepared by the Idaho Division of Financial Management, an agency overseen by Idaho Gov. Brad Little. What is the Idaho abortion rights ballot initiative? After filing four proposed policies in August, Idahoans United for Women and Families narrowed its focus down to one policy that would establish a fundamental right to contraception and fertility treatments under Idaho law. That would include: in vitro fertilization; making decisions about pregnancy and childbirth; legalizing abortion before fetal viability; and preserving the right to abortion after viability in medical emergencies. Under the proposed initiative, fetal viability would be determined by a physician and what treatment is available. In the medical community, viability is generally considered to be between 23 to 24 weeks of gestational age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initiative organizers are collecting signatures in the hopes of qualifying the initiative to be considered by Idaho voters in the November 2026 general election. A ballot initiative is a proposed law that Idaho voters can approve or reject independent of the Idaho Legislature. Only the Legislature can propose constitutional amendments, unlike many other states. To pass, the initiative would require a simple majority support from voters. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Initial findings in an ongoing Israel Defense Forces investigation found that Israeli tank fire caused damage to a United Nations structure in central Gaza in March, killing one UN staffer and injuring five others. The incident occurred one day after the ceasefire collapsed, according to a release from the IDF on Thursday. The IDF said it attacked the structure because of "suspicions of enemy presence." PHOTO: Israeli attacks continue on Gaza (Anadolu via Getty Images) UN staffer Marin Marinov was killed in the Deir al Balah strike, UN Secretary General Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told ABC News in an email in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured staffers were Neil Arnold, Joel Fournet, Nicolas Berthon, Alexandru Baban and David Petrov, Haq said. The IDF initially denied involvement in the strike, saying it "did not strike a UN compound in Deir al Balah." On Thursday, it apologized for "the unintentional harm to the UN employee and share the grief of the family." "The IDF continues to conduct thorough investigation processes in order to draw lessons and examine additional steps to prevent incidents of this type," it said. "The IDF sees great importance in continuing the dialogue with international organizations, as part of efforts to coordinate, draw lessons, and prevent similar incidents in the future." The UN has opened its own fact-finding mission to learn more surrounding the circumstances of the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN under-secretary-general and UNOPS executive director, responded to the IDF's latest statement on the incident, saying: "We acknowledge the reported initial findings of the Israeli Defense Forces today that a tank round was the cause of the death of a UNOPS colleague in Deir al Balah. This is consistent with known facts to the UN: this incident was a result of a tank round into a fully deconflicted UNOPS premises. Full accountability must be ensured with respect to the grave violations of international law that have been committed." A week after the incident, the UN said it was "comfortable with the assertion" that rounds were fired by an Israeli tank during its initial gathering of security information, Haq told ABC News last month. MORE: Gaza protesters demand 'Hamas out' as Israel presses military campaign The UN secretary general announced that the organization planned to "reduce the Organization's footprint in Gaza" on March 24, four days after the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the past week, Israel carried out devastating strikes on Gaza, claiming the lives of hundreds of civilians, including United Nations personnel, with no humanitarian aid being allowed to enter the Strip since early March," Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for UN secretary general, said in a statement in March. "As a result, the Secretary-General has taken the difficult decision to reduce the Organization's footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar and our concern over the protection of civilians intensifies." The Israeli government has blocked the delivery of all goods, food and medical supplies into Gaza for more than eight weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was blocking aid because Hamas refused to release more hostages in an extension of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Fifty-eight hostages remain in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. The March 19 strike brought the number of UN staff members killed in Gaza since Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, to 280 people, the UN secretary general said in March. The March UN building strike is one of several incidents where the IDF has acknowledged accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It recently took responsibility for misidentifying targets and firing on a convoy of emergency medical vehicles on March 23, killing 15 medical and humanitarian workers. It's unclear from the IDF if any Israeli soldiers will be held accountable for deadly UN strike. IDF investigation finds Israeli tank fire responsible for death of UN staffer originally appeared on abcnews.go.com CHICAGO Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is expected Friday to endorse his running mate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, for the U.S. Senate, a move that could serve as a politically powerful warning to the rest of an emerging field seeking to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Pritzkers announcement, scheduled for Friday morning at a church in the Bronzeville neighborhood where Stratton grew up, comes only two days after Durbin made public his decision not to seek a sixth term and just one day after the two-term lieutenant governor formally declared her Senate candidacy. In prepared remarks shared with the Tribune by sources, Pritzker is expected to describe Stratton as a tested and steady leader who leads from a place of integrity, pragmatism and dedication as well as a passionate and compassionate advocate able to get big things done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this perilous moment in Washington, Julianas fighting spirit and dedication to improving lives is exactly the type of representation Illinoisans need, and Im proud to endorse her for the United States Senate, Pritzkers prepared remarks say. With Pritzkers endorsement, Stratton will lock in the backing of the powerful titular head of the states Democratic Party as she seeks early frontrunner status and attempts to preempt a large field of rivals from developing. Pritzker, a billionaire entrepreneur and heir of the Hyatt Hotels fortune, has used his personal wealth to support state and local Democratic organizations and spent $350 million of his own money in winning the 2018 and 2022 elections with Stratton on his team. There was no initial indication of what financial support Pritzker will provide Strattons nascent Senate campaign, though such backing is likely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among Democrats also considering a Senate bid are U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Robin Kelly of Matteson and Lauren Underwood of Naperville as well as state Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Stratton cannot use money in her state campaign account for a federal campaign because of tighter fundraising rules. But members of Congress can use their federal campaign funds for a Senate bid. Krishnamoorthi has $19.4 million in his campaign account, Kelly has more than $2 million and Underwood has $1.1 million as of the start of April. Even before she announced her candidacy, Stratton has frequently mentioned her partnership with Pritzker. In her prepared remarks to be given Friday, Stratton is expected to call the governor a true leader for our state who has shown the country what it looks like to stand up to (President) Donald Trump and fight for the values we hold dear. Also in her advance remarks, Stratton is expected to pledge to work to bring our record of accomplishments to Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her candidacy announcement on Thursday, Stratton sat for interviews with several local TV and print outlets as she begins the process of building name recognition and detailing her personal background for voters. Pritzker has not announced if he will seek a third term next year as he has increased his national footprint, leading to speculation of a potential 2028 presidential bid. If he runs for governor again, Strattons decision to seek the Senate would force him to find a new running mate. ____ BANGKOK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A small police plane crashed near the shore of Thailand's resort town of Hua Hin, Phetchaburi province on Friday morning, killing six people, the Thai police said. The Thai national police said on its social media page that the aircraft of the police aviation division crashed into the sea shortly after taking off, with all six on board killed. The police said the accident took place when the plane was conducting a test flight for parachute training. The cause of the accident will be investigated. The police emergency center of Phetchaburi province said that it received notifications of a plane plunging into the sea just near a local resort at about 8:15 a.m. CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is condemning the arrest of a Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities on Friday. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of helping a man and his lawyer escape through a jury door last week, after learning Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents was seeking his arrest and waiting in the hallway outside the courtroom. The man was later arrested outside the courthouse after a foot pursuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI, on charges of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstruction. Arresting a sitting state judge is an alarming escalation of Donald Trumps war on the courts. Shortly after, Attorney General Pam Bondi went on Fox News to brag about it and confirm this authoritarian administration is going to keep persecuting and prosecuting sitting judges, Pritzker said in a statement later that day. We do not have kings in America. We do not accept propaganda as fact. And we do not let authoritarian federal overarch hold us back from speaking up for justice, Pritzker continued. America was built on a system of Checks and Balances where different parts of our government have the duty to hold the power of the others to account. Today is a reminder for the Judiciary, Congress, and States to do our part in holding Trump and his lackeys accountable. Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, in a statement on the arrest, accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nations judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime, Evers said. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law. Court papers suggest Dugan was alerted to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway. The FBI affidavit describes Dugan as visibly angry over the arrival of immigration agents in the courthouse and says that she pronounced the situation absurd before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse, displaying what witnesses described as a confrontational, angry demeanor. After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, she demanded that the arrest team speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After directing the arrest team to the chief judges office, investigators say Dugan returned to the courtroom was and was heard saying words to the effect of wait, come with me before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a jury door into a non-public area of the courthouse. The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the man was facing domestic violence charges and that victims were sitting in the courtroom with state prosecutors when the judge helped him escape immigration arrest. The judge put the lives of our law enforcement officers at risk. She put the lives of citizens at risk. A street chase its absurd that that had to happen, Bondi said on Fox News Channel. The case is similar to one brought during the first Trump administration against a Massachusetts judge, who was accused of helping a man sneak out a back door of a courthouse to evade a waiting immigration enforcement agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That prosecution sparked outrage from many in the legal community, who slammed the case as politically motivated. Prosecutors dropped the case against Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph in 2022 under the Democratic Biden administration after she agreed to refer herself to a state agency that investigates allegations of misconduct by members of the bench. 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday that Argentina's election in October was for its people to decide, clarifying her remarks on Thursday that Argentina should stay the course on economic reforms. "Elections are for the Argentine people, not for us," Georgieva told reporters during IMF and World Bank spring meetings. "What we have learned from experience is that very often before elections, governments weaken their resolve to reforms. So my message was to the government - stay the course for the benefit of growth in Argentina, for the benefit of the Argentine people," She said. (Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Andrea Ricci) MIAMI (AP) As hundreds of migrants crowded into the Krome Detention Center in Miami on the edge of the Florida Everglades, a palpable fear of an uprising set in among its staff. As President Donald Trump sought to make good on his campaign pledge of mass arrests and removals of migrants, Krome, the United States' oldest immigration detention facility and one with a long history of abuse, saw its prisoner population recently swell to nearly three times its capacity of 600. There are 1700 people here at Krome!!!!, one U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employee texted a co-worker last month, adding that even though it felt unsafe to walk around the facility nobody was willing to speak out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That tension comes amid a battle in federal courts over whether the presidents immigration crackdown has gone too far, too fast at the expense of fundamental rights. At Krome, reports have poured in about a lack of water and food, unsanitary confinement and medical neglect. With the surge of complaints, the Trump administration shut down three Department of Homeland Security oversight offices charged with investigating such claims. A copy of the text exchange was shared with The Associated Press by a federal employee on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Other documents include detainee complaints as well as an account of the arrival of 40 women at Krome, an all-male facility, in possible violation of a federal law to reduce the risk of prison rape. Nationwide, detentions have surged to nearly 48,000 as of March 23, a 21% increase from the already elevated levels at the end of the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To address the shortage of capacity, ICE this month published a request for bids to operate detention centers for up to $45 billion as it seeks to expand to 100,000 beds from its current budget for about 41,000. As part of the build-out, the federal government, for the first time, is looking to hold migrants on U.S. Army bases. By some measures, Trump's controversial approach is working. Barely 11,000 migrants were encountered at the U.S.-Mexican border in March, their lowest level in at least a decade and down from 96,035 in December 2024, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Krome is just one of five facilities that ICE directly runs and can house detainees for more than 16 hours. The vast majority of bed space is leased from local prisons, jails or privately-run facilities that have strict limits on how many detainees they are contractually obligated to accept. As its concrete cellblocks began filling up, federal workers started documenting the worsening conditions in weekly reports for DHS leadership. They worked their way up the chain through DHS Office of Immigration & Detention Ombudsman, an independent watchdog established by Congress during the first Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-March, the offices 100 staffers including a case manager at Krome were placed on administrative leave. Rather than supporting law enforcement efforts, they often function as internal adversaries that slow down operations, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said at the time. Around the same time, Kromes chaos spilled into public view. Images secretly shot on a cellphone and posted on TikTok showed a group of men sleeping on concrete floors and under tables with little more than their shoes as pillows. We are practically kidnapped, Osiris Vazquez, his eyes bloodshot due to a lack of sleep, said in the grainy video, which garnered 4.4 million views. We dont want likes. We want help. Please! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vazquez said he shared a small room for two weeks with some 80 men. Showers and phone calls werent allowed, the fetid-smelling bathrooms were left unattended and food was restricted to peanut butter sandwiches. You lost all notion of time, whether its day or night," recalled Vazquez in an interview after self-deporting to his native Mexico. It couldve been worse. Since Trump returned to the White House, three detainees have died in ICE custody two of them at Krome. The latest, Maksym Chernyak, died after complaining to his wife about overcrowding and freezing conditions. The 44-year-old Ukrainian entered the U.S. last year under a humanitarian program for people fleeing the countrys war with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sent to Krome after an arrest for domestic violence and got sick with a chest cold. After being monitored for a week with high blood pressure, on Feb. 18, at 2:33 a.m., he was taken to a hospital for seizure-like vomiting. Two days later, he died. Other than acetaminophen, he received no medication to treat his blood pressure, according to a two-page ICE report about Chernyaks death. Chernyaks widow said that before her husbands detention, he was a strong, healthy man. Without a translator, she said, her husband struggled to communicate. They saw his condition, but they ignored him, said Oksana Tarasiuk in an interview. If he wasnt put in Krome, Im sure that he would still be alive. ICE, in a statement, didnt comment on specific allegations of mistreatment but said it adjusts its operations as needed to uphold its duty to treat individuals with dignity and respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These allegations are not in keeping with ICE policies, practices and standards of care, the agency said. Krome housed 740 men and one woman on March 31, according to the latest ICE data. Thats up 31% from just before Trump took office. ICE refused to disclose Kromes current capacity because of security concerns. AP Writers Michael Sisak in New York and Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed to this report. A Texas nun who advocates for immigrants is making an unexpected journey to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral a decade after the pontiff singled her out for praise during a 2015 ABC News event. Sister Norma Pimentel has been the face of immigrant advocacy in South Texas for more than a decade, overseeing the Rio Grande Valley in her role as executive director of Catholic Charities. Watch ABC News live coverage of the funeral for Pope Francis on Saturday starting at 3:30 a.m. ET on ABC stations and streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. PHOTO: In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, poses for a portrait while visiting Shaughnessy Family Center at Laboure in South Boston. (Boston Globe via Getty Images, FILE) MORE: Pope Francis live updates: About 61,000 have visited St. Peter's Basilica Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to ABC News on Thursday, Pimentel recalled her work with migrant families in 2014 when she helped Border Patrol respond to large groups of families arriving in poor conditions, mostly from El Salvador. She highlighted the community's response at Sacred Heart Parish Hall and discussed the impact of Pope Francis' support. "I visited Rome and wrote him letters and he sent a video message," Pimentel told ABC News. "After that, I was invited to the Vatican a couple of times to speak and I met the Holy Father as well." Pimentel noted the pope's personal connection to migrants' struggles and his constant push for empathy when dealing with refugees. Her response to the 2014 influx is what caught the pope's eye -- and he singled her out during a 2015 ABC News virtual audience to praise her work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to thank you," the pope said via an interpreter. "And through you to thank all the sisters of religious orders in the U.S. for the work that you have done and that you do in the United States. It's great. I congratulate you. Be courageous. Move forward." From that moment on, the two stayed in touch and she was invited to visit the Vatican several times. PHOTO: Sister Norma Pimental is shown during an interview with ABC News. (ABC News) Pimentel pointed to Pope Francis' family history -- the son of Italian citizens who immigrated to Argentina. "He connected with immigrants," Pimentel said. Not long after being elected as the leader of the Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Francis visited Lampedusa, Italy, along the dangerous route many migrants traveled to reach Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his visit, he met with migrants and condemned the "globalization of indifference." He urged the world to recognize these individuals as people and human beings, not merely as refugees. The pontiff also recognized Pimentel's work with immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, where she helped provide shelter, food and comfort to thousands of migrants in crisis. MORE: Faithful recall Pope Francis' historic US virtual town hall with David Muir in 2015 Pimentel acknowledged her sadness and grief at the pope's passing, noting that she unexpectedly got the chance to attend his funeral on Saturday. Within 12 hours of his death on Monday, a stranger called her office and asked to sponsor her journey to the ceremony. A journalist that traveled with the pope has also offered her a place to stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Gaza's Catholics mourn Pope Francis, who 'never forgot' them during war "So, I'm going representing all of us. You know, I'm going because I want to be there as one of us that is going to be next to him in this moment," she said. "And so I bring all the love and the tears of everybody from the (Rio Grande Valley) from here, from the valley." Immigration advocate nun makes journey to Pope Francis' funeral originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Troops from Pakistan and India have exchanged fire in the disputed valley of Kashmir, officials in Islamabad said on Friday, as tensions between the rival nuclear powers escalate following a deadly terrorism attack in the region. Indian troops fired at a Pakistani border post in the region of Leepa overnight, two intelligence officials told dpa. "Our troops returned fire with light arms. The firing has stopped now," one official said, adding no casualties have been recorded on either side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exchange comes as the South Asian nations reeled from a deadly attack by terrorists in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir earlier this week, resulting in the death of 26 tourists and bringing the two countries to the brink of another conflict. India and Pakistan have since closed their only operating border crossing, blocked trade and ordered the expulsion of each other's citizens in tit-for-tat measures following the attack. India has also suspended a key water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, which is vital for the neighbouring country's water supply. New Delhi blames the gun attack on a militant group allegedly operating from Pakistan. Islamabad denies the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Indian media, approximately 1,500 people have been arrested in the Himalayan region in connection with the attack for questioning about possible links to the perpetrators. The South Asian nations have fought three wars since their independence in 1947 and pulled from the brink of a fourth one over contested Kashmir, a picturesque Himalayan valley divided in parts between the two countries. Deadly skirmishes commonly took place at the Line of Control (LoC), a de facto frontier that divides Kashmir, before a renewed ceasefire agreement in 2021. By Fayaz Bukhari and Shivam Patel SRINAGAR (Reuters) -Armed police and soldiers searched homes and forests for militants in Indian Kashmir on Friday and India's army chief reviewed security there after the killing of 26 men at a tourist site - the worst attack on civilians in nearly two decades. The attack triggered outrage and grief in India, along with calls for action against neighbour Pakistan, whom New Delhi accuses of funding and encouraging terrorism in Kashmir, a region both nations claim and have fought two wars over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India's army chief visited Srinagar, capital of Indian Kashmir, and authorities scoured Pahalgam, the scenic town where the attack took place on Tuesday. India has said there were Pakistani elements to the attack, in which 26 men were shot in a meadow. Islamabad has denied any involvement. The nuclear-armed nations have unleashed a raft of measures against each other, with India putting the critical Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines. The treaty, negotiated in 1960, split the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will ensure that not a single drop of the Indus River's water reaches Pakistan," Indian Water Resources Minister C.R. Paatil said in a post on X. Pakistan depends heavily on the Indus system for hydropower and irrigation, and has said any attempt to stop or divert its waters will be an "act of war". U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to play down the tensions, saying he was confident India and Pakistan will figure out relations between themselves, although the attack had been "a bad one." He said he was very close to both India and Pakistan and knew both their leaders. "They'll get it figured out one way or the other, I'm sure of that," Trump said as he travelled aboard his plane. "There's great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indian financial markets fell sharply but recovered some of their losses to close 0.7%-0.9% lower. The Indian rupee fell 0.2%, while the yield of India's 10-year benchmark bond rose four basis points. SOME IN MODI'S PARTY URGE MILITARY RESPONSE Indian general Upendra Dwivedi visited Kashmir to review security a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to chase the perpetrators to the "ends of the earth". Those killed in the attack came from all over India, Modi said. India's top two airlines, IndiGo and Air India, said some of their international routes, including to the United States and Europe, would be affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace, leading to extended flight times and costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, India conducted a military strike in Pakistani territory in retaliation for a suicide bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police. Several leaders of Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party have called for new military action against Pakistan. The two countries both claim Muslim-majority Kashmir in full, but rule it in part. India, with its Hindu majority, has long accused Islamic Pakistan of aiding separatists who have battled security forces in Indian Kashmir - accusations Islamabad denies. Indian officials say Tuesday's attack had "cross-border linkages". Kashmiri police identified three suspects and said two were Pakistani nationals. India did not elaborate on the links or share proof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in Indian Kashmir demolished the houses of two suspected militants, one a suspect in Tuesday's attack, an official said. Governments in many states ruled by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party have torn down what they say are illegal houses or shops belonging to people accused of crimes, many of them Muslims, in what has come to be known popularly as "instant, bulldozer justice". In an unrelated incident, sporadic firing was reported along the Line of Control that divides Indian and Pakistani Kashmir, the Indian army said. (Reporting by Fayaz Bukhari and Shivam Patel in Srinagar, additional reporting by Dharamraj Dutia in Mumbai, Sakshi Dayal in New Delhi, Steve Holland Aboard Air Force One and Susan Heavey and David Brunnstrom in Washington; writing by Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Alexandra Hudson, Kevin Liffey and Daniel Wallis) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Indianas Attorney General says he is strongly opposed to the merger of two Wabash Valley hospitals. Union Health signed an agreement to acquire Terre Haute Regional Hospital in September 2023. The state review process is now underway, and the Indiana Department of Health will host a town hall on May 1, 2025, at the Ivy Tech campus in Terre Haute. Attorney General Todd Rokita is encouraging residents to attend that meeting and said in an April 17th letter that he is against the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all understand that hospitals face distinct challenges, but consolidation at the expense of free-market competition is not the way to address those challenges in this case, Attorney General Rokita said. In fact, the creation of a regional monopoly would impose a negative impact on Hoosiers in the area seeking quality health care and affordable costs. He added that the acquisition would lead to the monopolization of Terre Haute hospital systems that (would) be unchecked in raising healthcare costs, stifling innovation, suppressing wages, and reducing access to care for the citizens of Terre Haute and the surrounding community. Rokita added that during the acquisition review hospital officials have pointed to the success of mergers in Tennessee and Virginia. But in those cases the merger involved massive hospital systems in urban areas. The solution for other states working to integrate a hospital system with more than 20 hospitals is not a fair comparison or likely to work for a rural, two-hospital town, Rokita wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the acquisition is stopped by the state, Rokita predicted that Terre Haute Regional Hospital would be able to find another buyer. The solution is competition between strong competitors that fosters efficiency, ingenuity, and technological advancement, Attorney General Rokita wrote. Union Health responded by noting that the Wabash Valley is dealing with unique challenges that require strategic solutions to improve health care. Today, Regional Hospital leaves many beds empty due to a staffing shortage, while Union Health is at capacity and needs more bed space to provide the care our community needs, Union officials wrote. Without the approval of this merger, HCA will seriously consider ending services or closing Regional Hospital, which would further exacerbate the already serious capacity issues Union is facing. 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 MyWabashValley.com. TEHRAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Friday condemned Israel's "acts of aggression" in Gaza and Lebanon, accusing Israel of "war crimes" and criticizing international inaction. Baghaei reacted in a ministry statement to deadly Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday and pointed to the "continuation of Israeli aggressions against Lebanon's sovereignty," the statement said. Baghaei described Israel's siege of Gaza, prevention of aid entry, and attacks on camps housing displaced Palestinians as "clear instances of war crimes." The spokesman stated that the United States and some European nations providing arms to Israel "are accomplices in the Israeli crimes." Baghaei also denounced ongoing Israeli "aggressions" against Lebanon's sovereignty, citing violations of ceasefire agreements, airstrikes, and drone attacks. He highlighted the responsibility of the United Nations and ceasefire agreement guarantors to stop these Israeli actions, according to the statement. Almost 2,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 5,200 others injured since Israel renewed its air and ground assaults on March 18 across Gaza, while the total Palestinian death toll since October 2023 has topped 51,000, according to recent data by Gaza-based health authorities. Israel has also blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2. The Indiana House voted on dozens of bills on the last day of the legislative session, April 24, 2025. (Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Legislators authorized a few court closures Thursday while approving the biennial court officers bill. Its the first time lawmakers are eliminating judges that are underutilized. Statewide, we have the right number of judicial officers, said Fishers Republican Rep. Chris Jeter. The question is, are they in the right places? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks ago, the Senate added language taking away judges in 11 mostly rural counties. But the conference committee report approved 83-5 in the House and 45-4 in the Senate eliminates only one court in Blackford County, one court in Monroe County and one magistrate in Jennings County. It also removes several unfilled magistrate positions in Marion County. House Bill 1144 which adds judges and magistrates in Elkhart, Hamilton, Lawrence and Vigo counties had moved through the entire session without language abolishing courts. Then, on April 10, hours before a committee deadline, an amendment was added in the Senate Appropriations Committee eliminating one court each in Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Jennings, Monroe, Newton, Owen, Pulaski, Rush and Scott counties, along with six juvenile magistrate positions in Marion County. This provision was estimated to save the state approximately $748,885 in Fiscal Year 2027 and up to $2.75 M in Fiscal Year 2032, according to a fiscal analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers from those areas were deluged with concern from constituents. The general idea of reallocation was discussed in a study committee in October 2024. Essentially, Indiana uses a weighted caseload study that assesses how much judicial time is needed for different types of cases. Then it looks at how many cases are filed to determine how many judges and magistrates are needed for the caseload. For years, lawmakers have added state-funded court officers when the statistics have shown more judges are needed to handle additional cases. But as population has shifted away from some rural counties, they have never taken a judge away even if the weighted caseload shows they have too many court officers. The weighted caseload study shows, for instance, that Monroe County has 10 judges but only needs 7.87. Blackford County has two judges, but the study shows it needs less than one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, said these are never easy decisions but that population shifts mean some counties arent seeing as much crime or as many lawsuits. Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, said he doesnt disagree with the premise but said the process should have been set out well in advance. He noted the House never heard testimony on eliminating judges. He said Monroe County is losing a court because one of the judges announced she is retiring. Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, thanked his colleagues for giving the Carroll County courts a reprieve. He said the Delphi double-murder case really upset the court system there. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand Taiwanese authorities this month charged the Chinese captain of the cargo vessel Hong Tai 58 for damaging an underwater communications cable connecting Taiwan to the Penghu Islands near the Chinese coast. The legal move is a reminder that sabotage of vital seabed cables, which is notoriously difficult to prove, has firmly entered the canon of gray-zone tactics meant to find weak spots in an adversarys defenses. Taiwans coast guard had detained Hong Tai 58, a Togolese-flagged cargo vessel crewed by Chinese sailors, in late February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar incident occurred north of Taiwan in January, but on that occasion a Hong Kong-owned commercial vessel was fingered as the culprit. Taiwan has reported five cases of seabed cable damage this year already, compared with just three each in 2023 and 2024. Taiwans coast guard has created a blacklist of nearly 100 suspicious China-linked ships. A growing problem Despite Beijings denials, some observers believe such nefarious actions are part of Chinas coercive behavior towards Taiwan. During a House Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington earlier this month, for example, U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) blasted Chinas reckless, coercive and aggressive activities, singling out sabotage of undersea cables as a particularly alarming tactic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same hearing, U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), acknowledged attempts to sabotage undersea internet cables, particularly around Taiwan. Wew weeks after Taiwan seized Hong Tai 58, media revealed that the state-owned China Ship Scientific Research Center had patented a deep-sea device capable of severing the worlds most fortified underwater communication or power lines. One of Chinas priorities in major hostilities against Taiwan such as a naval blockade or full-blown invasion would be to isolate the island and interfere with civilian and military communications. Risk and redundancy In his testimony to U.S. lawmakers, Paparo proposed two countermeasures against Chinese sabotage of cables. The first is to penetrate the targeting chain through intelligence gathering, and then showing up with forces in the locations where they would be otherwise cutting those cables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, Paparo added, is resilience. This encompasses redundant communication networks to ensure the information environment continues unabated, as well as the proliferation of multiple satellite constellations in low Earth orbit. Meanwhile, naval tech companies are sensing a new market for their equipment. Andy Keough, managing director of Saab Australia, said the company is well positioned to support governments in defending underwater infrastructure through its countermine portfolio. Our products play a crucial role in mine countermeasure solutions as well as the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, including pipelines and subsea cables, across the globe, Keough said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs for short, can monitor infrastructure, and seabed sensors can provide real-time maritime domain awareness. Developing the ability to quickly repair infrastructure or reroute communications is also important. For example, Saabs electric Work-Class Remote Operated Vehicle can operate at depths of 5,500m and is controlled via satellite link. For inspections and repairs, the companys Sabertooth AUV can act as a persistent underwater resident with the aid of a subsea docking station, said Keough. Elsewhere, the company Exail won a French military contract to design an AUV that can dive as deep as 6,000m to counteract seabed warfare. To be delivered in 2027, these vehicles have the ability to reprogram themselves mid-mission. For example, if one detected something suspicious, it could move into observation mode to watch what a given target is doing. Thales Australia hopes to attract new customers with its sensing equipment. Gavin Henry, of the companys undersea warfare unit, said Thales Blue Sentry technology, with its thin-line towed array, can help find potential threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This system employs a network of sophisticated sensors capable of detecting and tracking both surface and underwater contacts, he said. Maritime domain awareness Ross Babbage, CEO of Strategic Forum in Australia, argues the undersea threat to key infrastructure requires a layered, whole-of-nation approach. In conjunction with automatic identification systems on ships, you can make sure people are following the correct channels and their prescribed route, because theyre only going to do these things if they deviate from their normal route, he said. So there are bell ringers there to then target an asset to go and have a look. Nations like Australia need to conduct surveillance and look for anomalies, Babbage said. If you can do that, then you can pinpoint those anomalies and start to put the heat on them before they do it, or certainly capture them after theyve done it, as theyve done in Europe, and deal with it on a diplomatic basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Australian Defense Department spokesperson told Defense News the military has a range of capabilities to monitor and respond to threats to undersea communication cables. The Australian Defence Force works with other agencies specializing in cybersecurity to protect infrastructure, though much of that information is classified. AUSTIN (KXAN) For years, Texas lawmakers have debated whether parents should be able to use taxpayer dollars for private school tuition. This week on Inside the Investigation, Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley explains how, under the states latest plans, private schools will still be out of reach for some of the states poorest students. Related reading: Join KXAN Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley every Friday at 10:30 a.m. on YouTube, Facebook, or KXAN.com for a live recap of the latest headlines and in-depth reporting from the KXAN Investigates team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also listen to KXANs investigative podcast, highlighting some of our award-winning teams latest reports exposing corruption, safety concerns and system failures across Texas. We also feature audio versions of our weekly Inside the Investigation discussion with the journalists working on those stories. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gather round because sources are spilling. Several insiders spoke to The Times about Prince William and Kate Middleton as they prepare to become King and Queen, and we've learned some interesting things. For starters, Kate has "always seen her role as a supporting one" and wants to act as "gatekeeper" to make sure William can balance work/fatherhood. Per the newspaper, everyone "understands that is the deal" and it's the "long game" for the Princess of Wales. Meanwhile, William desires control and normalcy. Per a source, Three words come to mind when I think of William. Normal, private, control. These are the things he wants: as normal a life as possible; private time for his family; and control over how he organizes his life and work. Kate is just as strong on control and privacy as him. In that glare of publicity and scrutiny they are very tight, very close, very strong, and cancer has made them closer and stronger, which is very common in families facing these challenges." This source adds that Kate is "hugely influential behind the scenes in hiring and decision-making and they approach it as a team. Like the late Queen and Prince Philip, and the King and Queen, theyre a good double act." Karwai Tang - Getty Images Another insider adds that William and Kate likely won't move to Buckingham Palace when Wills become King, and that he'll still do day-to-day activities like take his kids to school: Hell be asking, if [the children] are still young when I take on the big job, how do I maintain that privacy? Im pretty sure that they wont move into BP. You cant imagine him saying, 'Great, lets move back to central London.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And per yet another source, William has played a very smart hand. He has chosen it. He has shaped it as he wanted to. He was thinking about this early because he didnt want to drift and then find that he hadnt had a say in it. Its one of the defining qualities of the man." NOTED! You Might Also Like In 2021, Target CEO Brian Cornell made a memorable comment about George Floyd, who was murdered by police in 2020 in an act that sparked outrage over long-standing injustice against Black Americans. He could have been one of my Target team members, Cornell said. He pointed to Floyds death in Minneapolis, where Target is headquartered, as the catalyst behind several corporate pledges at the giant retailer. Target said it would spend $2 billion on Black businesses by the end of 2025. In 2020, the company also enacted policies designed to hire and promote more people from underrepresented groups, including people of color and people who identify as LGBTQ+. But three months ago, Target dramatically scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. It announced the changes a few days after President Donald Trump took office and signed executive orders banning DEI in federal workplaces and at federal contractors while threatening to act on illegal DEI policies in the private sector. In a memo to employees about the pivot away from DEI , the company referenced the evolving external landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Targets Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer, framed the shift in that memo as a new phase in the companys progress toward creating an inclusive work and guest environments that welcome all. But the backlash was immediate, and the retailer became the most prominent example of a DEI about-face ricocheting through corporate America. The fallout over Targets decision to unravel their DEI efforts has culminated in a boycott against the store organized by Black activists and faith leaders who are asking their communities to vote with their dollars, and avoid shopping at Target altogether. The most prominent boycott was launched by Jamal Bryant, senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta. What he began as a spending fast for Lent shows no signs of slowing down, risks real economic damage to the company, and has already become a public relations nightmare that could permanently stain the cult-favorite brand. Cornell initiated a meeting with the civil rights leader Al Sharpton, who in turn invited Bryant to a meeting last week at Sharptons New York office. The trio discussed the pain of the Black community, Bryant tells Fortune. Target has acknowledged that Cornell requested the meeting with Sharpton. The company declined to comment on the meeting, but in a statement to Fortune, a spokesperson for the company said that Target has an ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all team members, guests, and suppliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We remain focused on supporting organizations and creating opportunities for people in the 2,000 communities where we live and operate, the company also stated. Bryant says that the meeting was a good start, but certainly did not clear up enough issues to inspire him to call off the boycott. It did not come up to all that we're expecting or needing, says Bryant. Were still boycotting. Betrayal and boycotts On Jan. 24, Target announced it was ending its three-year program to promote diversity in hiring and promotions, closing a program designed to increase spending and media exposure to Black brands, and would stop participating in external reporting of its diversity metrics, among other changes. The repercussions were immediate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some social media users declared that they would stop shopping at Target, and invited others to do the same. Since then, more than 135,000 people have signed a Move On petition demanding that Target reverse course. On February 1, Minneapolis civil rights lawyer and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong started a national boycott timed to coincide with the start of Black History Month. Even the daughters of one of Targets cofounders decried the companys decision, saying it stands in sharp contrast with the companys original principles. Other major retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, have also quietly stepped back from their DEI goals. But Bryant says that Target has been a particular focus of social ire because the retailer previously went out of its way to court Black shoppers, and touted its programs supporting Black businesses and vendors. Following organic social media uprisings, several majority-Black churches also launched boycotts. Bryants church in Atlanta initially called for a Target fast during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter weekend. (This year, Lent began on Wednesday, March 5, and ended on Thursday, April 17, the day before Good Friday, and the same day that Bryant, Sharpton, and Cornell met.) The action involved four demands: Invest some of its profits from Black dollars into Black banks, open locations on the campuses of 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, complete its 2020 pledge to spend $2 billion on Black small businesses, and reinstate its original DEI hiring and promoting goals. As Lent ended, Bryant called for the fast to continue, saying its a full boycott now, and compared it to protests during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are resolved to stay the course. The reality is that the Montgomery Bus Boycott was 381 days, and we've just been in this for 10 weeks, and I think that every day we're gaining traction and momentum, he says, adding that the movement has now attracted 200,000 followers. Inside the meeting At the April 17 gathering at Sharptons National Action Network office in New York, Bryant met with Cornell for the first time since launching his initial Target Fast more than a month prior. Sharpton had not been engaged with Target, he tells Fortune, but he agreed to the meeting only if Bryant could attend. You boycott people to get them to the table, says Sharpton. So I said, if I could help him get to the table, then fine. Bryant says he raised his previous four asks at the meeting, which lasted an hour and 45 minutes. Cornell was accompanied by one of his board members, Bryant says, and Sharpton was joined by Franklyn Richardson, the chair of the National Action Network board, and Carra Wallace, a senior advisor at the organization. At the meeting, Bryant says, Cornell pledged to honor its original 2020 commitment to invest $2 billion in Black businesses by July 31. Bryant calls that a positive sign, but not enough. He's very warm, very affable, very personable, very engaged, but very out of touch, if they're not moving expeditiously to get it resolved, says the pastor. Every day that he's dragging is every day that is costing the company dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Bryant and Sharpton pressed Cornell about why Target rolled back its DEI goals, they received pregnant pauses, says Bryant. Targets representatives walked the group through the progress the company made with diversity goals since 2020, Bryant adds, but he emphasizes that was in the pre-Trump-Musk era. Sharpton says he tried to explain to Cornell that they cannot appease Trump at the expense of their consumers. That's what I said to the CEOthat I don't know why you all are currying favor with Trump when Trump will be gone in [a few] years, Sharpton tells Fortune. Your consumers are who you need to deal with. Sharpton also said that CEOs cant expect to maintain a diverse customer base while dropping diversity in its business practices. Either you want diversity or you don't, he recalls explaining. So if you don't want diversity in terms of how you do business, then we will make sure you don't have diversity in terms of who your consumers are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornell also had an ask of the community leaders, according to Bryant: more time to respond to their demands. Bryant argues that he realizes Cornell doesnt work in a silo, and has the board to answer to. But he cites sterling examples of others in the business world, including Marriotts CEO, and Disney shareholders, who have moved quickly to defend DEI. Just as it is easy for those Fortune 500 companies, so should it be for Target. Falling traffic, pointed comments The meetings between Target and Bryant will continue, Bryant explains. But he and his organizing team are still deliberating over future plans should Target fail to meet the churchs demands. (Safety for the boycotts supporters is his first priority. I want to be very cautious and mindful before mobilizing demonstrations in any form, he says.) But he adds Cornell should feel a sense of urgency about making peace with Black shoppers and reinstating its DEI policies. He should be sending us FTD flowers every day to get it resolved, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data from Placer.ai shared with Fortune show that weekly foot traffic to Target stores was consistently lower on a year-over-year basis in the 11 weeks following the companys DEI announcement. Foot traffic for the month of March is down 6.5% compared to last year. By contrast, Costco, which recently outlined its firm commitment and rationale for supporting DEI, has seen consistent year-over-year increases throughout the same period and a March foot traffic increase of 7.5% compared to last year, according to Placer.ai estimates. To be sure, Placer.ai also notes that several factors could contribute to the shift, including weather patterns and uncertainty in the economy, especially in the wake of Trumps announced tariffs. But some signs of the boycotts impact are hard to miss. On Instagram, Target cant post a promotional video without attracting comments about its DEI flip-flop and demands for public apologies. Responding to a recent run-of-the-mill clothing ad, for example, an Instagram user wrote: My shopping dollars will not go toward uniformity, inequality, or exclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Bryant and others, including the NAACP, have created directories that guide users to shop directly from the Black small businesses whose products theyd normally buy at Target and other major retailers, and church groups have organized markets selling goods from Black-owned businesses in major cities including Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta. That isnt to say that the boycott of what has been a beloved and convenient shop has been easy for many, including members of Bryants family. He says his wife and daughters shopped at Target before the boycott. So I'm feeling the pressure on every side of my house, he says. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com VATICAN CITY From road closures to stepped-up security, the final preparations are underway for Pope Francis funeral. Massive crowds are expected to fill St. Peters Square on Saturday, and crews and law enforcement are scrambling to set the scene. WGN Full Coverage: Remembering Pope Francis Security helicopters and fighter jets are expected to fly above the Vatican during the ceremony. Anti-drone weapons and sophisticated jamming technology are in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the basilica, workers constructed altars and placed chairs, risers, monitors and metal detectors. St. Peters is hosting the third papal funeral in two decades. I dont know how they did it so quickly, Mountain Butorac, known on social media as the Catholic Traveler, said. Security is always tight but this year its elevated with 2,000 police officers, 400 traffic officers and citywide barricades. Usually around the Vatican, theres these aluminum barricades that are kind of easy to maneuver. And now theyve brought in, like, military grade, unmovable barricades, Butorac said. How to watch Pope Francis funeral and what to expect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Church officials, monarchs and heads of state will witness the solemn funeral mass. Seating will not be in order of importance as with Pope John Paul II but instead be organized strategically in alphabetical order in French. Then there will be the faithful, hoping to get as close as possible. Security might move you, but youll get to where youre meant to be, Butorac said. Tens of thousands of mourners are expected at St. Peters Square along with up to 150 dignitaries from around the world. You can watch the funeral on this page, or on NewsNations cable channel and NewsNations site and app. Not sure how to watch NewsNation? Find your channel 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 WGN-TV. International students studying at Utah colleges are counted among the hundreds of students whose recently revoked visas are reportedly being restored following an abrupt announcement by the Trump administration. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday that it is restoring the previously terminated legal statuses of hundreds of foreign students in the United States while it develops a new policy that will provide a framework for potentially ending them in the future, according to Reuters. The update was announced during a court hearing before a federal judge in Boston who is presiding over a challenge by one of the many international students across the country who are suing over immigration actions taken by the Trump administration in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nationwide scope of the student visa registration issue has prompted wide and often passionate public reactions including in Utah. Almost all of Utahs degree-granting colleges have reported visa registration revocations among their international students. And Utah is counted among the many states where the revocations prompted legal challenges. Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah and several local immigration attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine international students in Utah whose SEVIS registration records were abruptly terminated without explanation. In a complaint filed last Friday, nine plaintiffs identified as John Doe or Jane Doe petitioned the U.S. District Court to allow them to continue their studies in Utah by reinstating them in the SEVIS registry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs, according to the complaint, are using pseudonyms due to fear of retaliation by Defendants. SEVIS is the web-based system that the Department of Homeland Security uses to maintain information on international students enrolled in schools in the United States. The termination of a SEVIS record effectively ends student status, according to the court complaint. Upon SEVIS termination, the student instantly becomes out of status, losing all employment authorizations and student privileges, the complaint added. Utah immigration attorney Adam Crayk represents international students impacted by the recent federal actions. He was pleased with Fridays news from Boston but not surprised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security has been losing these temporary restraining orders all over the country because these SEVIS revocations were were not done appropriately they were not done in a way that allowed for human review," Crayk told the Deseret News. Now they are unilaterally reinstating basically everybodys SEVIS, and I would assume theyll start going person-by-person, based on their National Crime Information Center searches, to look at them individually. Crayk said his Utah clients are elated with Fridays news. Theyre all very happy. Their lives are reinstated. Legal statuses restored for now Hundreds of students in lawsuits filed in recent weeks said their records were terminated based on charges that had been dismissed or for minor offenses when legally their status could only be revoked if they were convicted of violent crimes, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar actions were taken against Brigham Young University Ph.D. student Suguru Onda, whose own legal status was stripped then restored recently. Outside of a couple of speeding tickets, Onda had only one legal hiccup during his six years of study in the United States. He was reportedly cited for harvesting more fish than his fishing license allowed during a 2019 outing with his Latter-day Saint church group. The fishing charge was later dismissed and, last week, Onda learned his legal student status had been reinstated. Over 200 students removed from SEVIS have won court orders temporarily barring the administration from taking action against them, according to a Reuters count, including Boston University student Carrie Zheng. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before a Friday hearing in Zhengs case, U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor said he had received an email from a lawyer from the government alerting him to a change in position by ICE, Reuters reported. According to that email, ICE was now developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until that policy is issued, the SEVIS records for Zheng and similarly situated plaintiffs will remain active or will be restored, the email said. The email said ICE maintains the authority to terminate students SEVIS records for other reasons, including if they engage in other unlawful activity that would render them deportable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin in a statement said the agency, which oversees ICE, did not reverse course on visa revocations but restored SEVIS access for people who had not had their visa revoked, according to the Reuters report. Saylor said that given that the reactivation of the SEVIS records for the students would take some time, he would extend a temporary restraining order he previously issued barring immigration officials from arresting or deporting her. Marshall University, located in Huntington, W.Va. (Lexi Browning | West Virginia Watch) Two international students attending West Virginia colleges have been cleared to return to class after President Donald Trumps administration abruptly reversed course on its plan to revoke their visas, the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia said Friday. ACLU-WV sued the Trump administration on behalf of Sajawal Ali Sohail, a 25-year-old WVU computer science student from Pakistan and S.V., a 28-year-old Marshall graduate student from India. S.V. and Sohail were two of more than 1,000 international students around the country who were previously notified that their student visas were being revoked, putting them at risk for being deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is positive news not just for our two clients in West Virginia, but for international students across the country, the ACLU-WV said in a statement Friday. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely, particularly the announcement that ICE will be developing new policies for revoking legal statuses. We want to be clear that the administration is backing down not because its the right thing to do, but because they have been dragged to court repeatedly and lost again and again, the organization said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) One of the immigration attorneys who filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that international students Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) accounts are being reinstated. Phillip Kuck, the immigration attorney, confirmed to ABC4 that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun reversing the termination of those records. For all international students who have seen their SEVIS records terminated in recent weeks, it does appear that ICE is reversing the SEVIS terminations of international students, which allows them to lawfully complete their studies and OPT programs, Kuck said in an email to ABC4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah international students file lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security The lawsuit, filed last Friday, April 18, was filed by eight international students from several countries who had their SEVIS accounts terminated while studying in Utah. According to the lawsuit, DHS violated students Fifth Amendment rights on the basis that they had no notification or opportunity to contest the decision. The lawsuit asked that the court restore the students SEVIS registration, nonimmigrant student status, and curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT). It did not ask that visas be reinstated at this time, though it stated said revocations appear to have been taken in bad faith.. NATIONALLY: ICE restoring international students visa registrations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the reinstatement of these SEVIS records does not return the revoked visas to students. It does not appear (at the moment) that the Department of State plans to reinstate any visa revocations, Kuck stated. According to an article from The Hill, in a Friday court filing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter said ICE told him was going to restore SEVIS records. ICE is putting together a framework for SEVIS record terminations, and will reverse the termination of records until that framework is established. PREVIOUSLY: BYU PhD Student will not be deported, lawyer says Last week, a BYU PhD students visa was reinstated after this lawsuit was filed. Adam Crayk, his attorney, was not able to say for sure it was due to the lawsuit, but it was the right course of action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reversals of SEVIS termination appear to be in line with the lawsuits demands, and ABC4 has reached out to ICE for more information on why they are now restoring these students accounts. MJ Jewkes 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 ABC4 Utah. CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Greenlight Networks just announced that its latest Pennsylvania network expansion is currently underway. According to Greenlight Networks, which is a leading fiber-to-the-home provider, work is now underway to bring ultra-fast fiber internet to south central Pennsylvania communities. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Local Business Beat The latest project, which is backed by a $5.8 million investment, will bring access to fiber services to Chambersburg residents starting this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, Greenlight Networks says the buildout will connect more than 5,000 homes and small businesses next generation internet. Were really excited to be expanding in Pennsylvania, where the regulatory environment fosters competition and makes it a great place for internet providers like us to grow and innovate, Mark Murphy, CEO of Greenlight Networks said. People are eager for more choices when it comes to their internet, and we are eager for families and businesses to try Greenlights fast, fiber internet. We are moving quickly with our south central Pennsylvania buildout and are proud to bring our reputation for great service to even more Pennsylvanians. To date, construction on the new expansion has begun in Chambersburg neighborhoods including Shasta, Liberty, and Scotland, which will be followed by Lortz, Arthur and Orchard. According to Greenlight Networks, they have partnered with the Franklin Fire Company to host its network equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are pleased to welcome Greenlight Networks as a new member of the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance and look forward to seeing the advancements in internet service they will bring to our region, Cumberland Valley Business Alliance President Stephen Christian said. To learn more about Greenlight Networks in Chambersburg, you can click here. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. CHONGQING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- "I want to live in Minzhucun and I wonder how to make the same community in my country," said Andreas Maryoto, deputy managing editor of Indonesia's daily newspaper Kompas. Over the past few days, Maryoto and other media representatives from more than 20 countries have visited China to explore the country's advancement in fields such as intelligent manufacturing, cultural preservation, and urban renewal. During his trip to Minzhucun, a community in Jiulongpo District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, he was highly intrigued by the community that aligns with his ideals. On arriving at Minzhucun, Maryoto was struck by the clean and orderly environment. The streets are lined with bustling shops and throngs of visitors. Young people gather at trendy spots to take photos. Established in the 1950s as a residential area for workers of a factory in Chongqing, it once faced issues such as poor sanitation, outdated facilities, and aging housing. Now, the community serves as a microcosm of China's efforts to renovate aging neighborhoods and implement urban renewal. As one of China's first urban renewal projects, Minzhucun's rebirth began in 2021. The project included improving infrastructure, adding elevators, and enhancing social services such as education and elderly care. Over three years, the community underwent a remarkable transformation, significantly improving residents' quality of life. In the People's Artisan Studio, the community's service workshop, local craftsmen work rent-free, earning money by offering services like shoe repairs and key replacements. In the community canteen, residents can enjoy meals starting at just 10 yuan (about 1.4 U.S. dollars), with additional discounts for seniors aged 60 and above. "The community is so people-oriented as it cares about all the residents. For the senior residents, the community offers job opportunities for those who want to work and bear in mind their living conditions and health issues," said Maryoto, adding that he deemed this place the best example to show the world how to care for the community. During the visit, Maryoto kept taking notes, eager to share China's experience with people in Indonesia. He participated in a courtyard meeting to gain a deeper understanding of local community governance. At this gathering, people sit together to exchange ideas, chat about daily life, share gossip, and discuss community issues. He asked how public participation is incorporated into the governance process in Minzhucun. The secret to Minzhucun's changes is empowering every resident to be the master of their own affairs, replied Qin Changde, Party secretary of the Jiulongpo District. Qin added that, during the renovation, decisions on elevator placement, market design, and wastewater management were made through public discussions. The government acted as a facilitator, organizing surveys and meetings to ensure every resident's voice could be heard. "Chinese modernization is not only for the rich and the urban people. It also works with rural and ordinary people, and no one was left behind," said Maryoto. He has written an article on the strategies of Chongqing's modernization, documenting his reflections and experiences from this trip, which was published in Kompas. "The community exemplifies that the Chinese government cares about people so much and views leading the people to a better life as their abiding goal," said Agus Setiawan, senior editor of Indonesia's Antara News Agency. During their four-day visit, they have got the full picture of Chongqing. The group visited the Seres Super Factory to witness the development of new-energy vehicles in China. When visiting Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they learnt about China's fruitful endeavor to protect ancient cultural relics. "I can feel all the aspects of Chinese modernization as we know what the past, the present, and the future of the country are looking like, all of which are amazing," said Maryoto. They also highlighted cooperation between China and Indonesia. "At present, many Chinese auto manufacturers such as BYD and Seres have set up factories in Indonesia. Some of the auto enterprises in China have developed self-driving technology, so we can work hand in hand with China to introduce such technology to Indonesia," said Setiawan. "We seek to strengthen synergy with China and learn from China about some science and technology. Indonesia needs to adopt new technologies to become a country of the future," said Maryoto, adding that cooperation in education and tourism between both countries should also be promoted in the future. DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch) A bill to create grocery reinvestment and local food processing grant programs advanced Thursday from the Iowa House of Representatives, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports. House File 1032 aims to help rural areas of the state retain grocery stores and expand local food systems with the goal of preventing rural food deserts. Rep. Shannon Latham, R-Sheffield, said rural grocery stores are often just one freezer breakdown or one cooler breakdown away from having to close their doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill can help bridge the gap between local producers, processors and consumers, Latham said. Hy-Vee closing food production facilities, 461 employees impacted Through the grocery reinvestment program, existing or new grocery stores could apply for funds to expand capacity, upgrade utilities, purchase equipment or technology and cover professional costs. Recipients must provide matching funds and financial assistance could not exceed $100,000. Grocery chains with 10 or more stores would not be eligible. The bill also creates a program for local food processing grants that would expand the availability, access, efficiency and capacity of local food processing in a community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local food processing grant program would have $100,000, or 10% of the total allocated fund, annually to award to eligible local processing projects that source goods from more than one Iowa farm. Earlier versions of the bill, House File 59, and House File 550, included an appropriation of $2 million, from the general fund, to the programs. This section was not in the version of the bill that passed on the floor. Advocates of the bill said they have been told by lawmakers that an appropriation is expected, though it likely wont be the full amount from the initial bill. Cynthia Farmer, Iowa policy manager with the Center for Rural Affairs, said the group is excited to see the bill advance and is hopeful for buy in from Senate appropriators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although we may not receive the full appropriation requested in the initial bill, we continue to ask legislators to invest the $2 million appropriation, Farmer said in a statement. The bill had three proposed amendments, the first of which was introduced by Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, to amend the definition of a rural grocery store. Iowa House votes to flush sales tax on toilet paper The intent of this bill is to make sure that our rural areas, that are more prone to be food desert areas are able to take advantage of this program, Harris said. The amendment, which was adopted, expands the definition of an eligible rural grocery store to a business where 50% of the retail space, or 30% of revenue, relate to general line food retail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris said this would account for grocery stores that share space with other businesses, like a fuel stop or a diner, as is common in rural towns. The second amendment, brought forth by Rep. J.D. Scholten, D-Sioux City, did not pass, but would have addressed the real problem of price discrimination by distributors who favor corporate stores. For decades, weve had out-of-state corporations undercut local grocers thats the problem, Scholten said. Scholten said it would stop suppliers from giving preferential pricing to established corporate stores over local grocers. This will allow your local grocer to play on an even field, Scholten said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latham recommended a no vote on the amendment because she did not have an opportunity to speak with the office of the attorney general or other noted offices in the amendment. The amendment failed 58-31. Iowa anti-SLAPP bill heads to Iowa governors desk The final amendment, brought forth by Rep. Chad Ingels, R-Randalia, moved the local processing element of the bill under the purview of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, instead of Iowa Economic Development Authority, where the rest of the program is managed. The amendment would also prioritize funding for local facilities that process goods from three or more Iowa farms, participate in the Choose Iowa program or sell to a rural grocery store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ken Croken, D-Davenport, said all of the amendments made the good bill better and better. HF 1032 passed with no dissenting votes and moves to the Senate. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter. This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. DES MOINES, Iowa Several Iowa organizations serving people with disabilities are worried their programs may be cut after a federal internal budget document was leaked last week. The Washington Post was first to report this leak that proposed to cut about 1/3 of the 2026 discretionary budget for the Department of Health and Human Services. Thats a $40 million cut, which would affect many programs for those with disabilities. If this proposal were to go through the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, the Disability Rights of Iowa and the Iowa University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, among many others, would be eliminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, the CDC estimates that 28% of Americans have some type of disability, and that data holds fairly true for Iowa as well. So, 1/4 of Iowans would be affected. Shock. I think that was our first reaction. And yeah, just a little bit hurt too, I think because these are cuts to our program, Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council Executive Director Brooke Lovelace said. We feel like its almost an attack against people with disabilities and their family members. Popular discount store opening at Outlets of Des Moines Our three programs have worked so well together over the last 50 years to help decrease the institutionalization of people with disabilities. By eliminating our program it feels like all that work will go away, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To not have someone who could independently go in and make sure that people are being treated with dignity, respect and safety is a huge concern for peoples lives, the Harkin Institute Director of Disability Policy, Daniel Van Sant said. I think about school kids receiving services through something like Head Start or special ed services through Disability Rights Iowa. Theres just so many potential things that would be cut. This is just a leaked proposal, so its not official. But over the next few months these groups will try to fight it. Theres a lot of advocacies that can still be done. I think what were asking of folks is: If youre impacted by one of the programs that are theyre being cut, and again theres thousands of programs that are being cut not just our program, reach out to your Congress members and make sure that you tell them how these programs impact you, Lovelace said. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa's governor on Friday sued the Des Moines Register over the newspaper's open records request, asking the court to validate her office's withholding of certain emails she claims are protected. A Register reporter submitted a records request in February to Gov. Kim Reynolds' office, according to the complaint. In response, the Republican governor's office provided 825 pages of relevant documents and withheld four emails, asserting they were protected because they were intended to be confidential, and disclosure would inhibit the governor's ability to receive candid, fulsome, and robust information in the future," according to the office's response included in filings. An attorney followed up on the Register's behalf last week, according to court filings, arguing that so-called executive privilege is not an exemption in Iowa's open records law and, even if it was, there was no indication the governor sent or received the emails. The attorney, Susan P. Elgin, called the withholding legally indefensible and asked the records be produced in a week's time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird sued Friday to ask the court to intervene, as Iowa law allows, and force the Register to halt its pursuit of the records. The Associated Press emailed Elgin Friday requesting comment. The Register's parent company, Gannett Co., said in an email it does not comment on pending litigation. In a statement, the governor's office said it was unfortunate that public resources would be used to defend the governor's withholding of the records. It is in the publics interest that governors can receive candid advice from their closest advisors, said spokesperson Mason Mauro. In 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected Reynolds request that the court throw out a records-related lawsuit filed against her by the liberal-leaning Bleeding Heartland blog, Iowa Capital Dispatch and Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a nonprofit that focuses on open government issues. The organizations and some of their reporters sued accusing Reynolds of violating the states open records law by ignoring records requests and not producing records in a timely manner. The Register, along with the newspaper's parent company and their former pollster, also is named in a suit filed by President Donald Trump, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and former Iowa state Sen. Brad Zaun. Accused of misleading voters with an inaccurate poll in the final days of the 2024 campaign, the Des Moines Register has called that lawsuit an affront to constitutional free speech principles. DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa House voted Wednesday to wipe away the stain of sales tax on toilet paper purchases, as Rep. Christian Hermanson, R-Mason City, said during debate, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports. House File 1019 passed the House on a vote of 82-11 and moves to the Senate. If signed into law, the bill would take effect July 1. Legislation to quickly end lawsuits attacking free speech, press heads to Iowa governors desk Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure would cost the state an estimated $6 million in estimated general fund receipts in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, growing to a total of $6.5 million a year by 2030, according to a fiscal analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency. The local option sales tax revenues collected by local governments and the 1-cent sales tax that goes to Iowa schools each would decline by just over $1 million a year, LSA estimated. The bottom line: A total savings of $9.1 million annually for consumers by 2030. Hermanson noted that the state also exempts sales taxes on other necessities such as food and medicine. The bill recognizes toilet paper is not a luxury, its not a choice, its a necessity. And I think we can all agree, taxing it stinks, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, rolled with the puns, adding that it was time that we flush away this sales tax on toilet paper. Hy-Vee closing food production facilities, 461 employees impacted The bill is one of several proposals this session to remove the sales tax from the purchase of household necessities, such as tampons, soap and laundry detergent. A separate bill removing the tax from vitamins and minerals also passed the House on Wednesday. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter. This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. DUBAI (Reuters) -An Iraqi delegation met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday to discuss restoring an Iraqi oil pipeline through Syria to Mediterranean ports, the Iraqi state news agency reported. The Iraqi delegation, led by the head of the National Intelligence Service, and al-Sharaa also discussed counter-terrorism cooperation, border security and ways to expand bilateral trade. Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held talks with al-Sharaa in Qatar, their first meeting since the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December after more than 13 years of civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria, grappling with an energy crisis due to the collapse of its oil industry due to the civil war, has been seeking oil imports through local intermediaries. Attempts to secure oil through public tenders have been largely unsuccessful due to international sanctions and financial risks. Damascus used to receive the bulk of its oil for power generation from Iran, but supplies have been cut off since Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led the ouster of Tehran-allied Assad in December. Syria's economy collapsed during nearly 14 years of war when the United States, UK and European countries placed tough sanctions on Syrian people and businesses in a bid to pressure Assad. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir; Additional reporting by Yomna Ehab and Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by David Goodman and Cynthia Osterman) As Irish hotelier Patrick McKillen tells it, he met the former emir of Qatar on a yacht in Doha to discuss a business opportunity in California, more than 8,000 miles away. McKillen and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani were discussing the purchase of a Beverly Hills hotel, which McKillen said he committed to managing and redeveloping. Now that hotel the Maybourne Beverly Hills is at the center of a civil racketeering complaint filed in the Central District of California on Tuesday, in which McKillen accuses Qatari royals of orchestrating "a global scheme" to defraud him and his company of hundreds of millions of dollars for work completed on several luxury properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the lawsuit, McKillen, who reportedly co-owns a whiskey distillery with U2 frontman Bono, said he and his team undertook a massive redevelopment effort on the Beverly Hills hotel where rooms go for more than $1,000 a night over a two-year period, but were not paid millions of dollars allegedly owed for the work done. McKillen, a citizen of Ireland and the United Kingdom, brought the complaint against senior members of the royal family, including Hamad bin Khalifa; and Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former prime minister known as HBJ; as well as the familys agents, representatives and controlled businesses. In the complaint, which encompasses claims already being litigated in courts around the world, McKillen alleges that the schemes against him and his company, Hume Street Management Consultants Limited, "are part of a years' long pattern of illegal racketeering orchestrated by the Qatari royals and are in line with a history of illicit, lawless actions." McKillen's lawyers declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the latest of many vacuous claims made by Paddy McKillen and associated parties across multiple jurisdictions, all of which are either on-going or have been struck out by the courts," the Qatari-owned Maybourne Hotel Group said in a statement. "As with the other claims, we will contest this latest claim and prove the allegations to be entirely false. The federal lawsuit filed in Los Angeles is the latest action taken by McKillen in his long-running legal dispute with the Qatari royal family, a conflict that has made headlines around the world. He has filed actions in the U.S., France and the United Kingdom. The Maybourne Beverly Hills is also the subject of a breach of contract lawsuit that was filed by McKillen's company in Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2022. That court denied a motion by the company that owns the hotel to force McKillen's company into arbitration. The decision is under appeal. "It appears that Mr. McKillen would prefer to litigate in the press rather than continue the actions he initiated in the United States, UK, and France and await their outcome," Jason D. Russell, who is representing Hamad bin Jassim in California actions, said in an email. "Our client remains confident that these claims, like the myriad others he has filed, will be found to lack merit in a court or by an arbitrator." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the High Court in London set aside McKillen's company's permission to serve a claim on Hamad bin Jassim outside of the jurisdiction, finding it had failed to show a real prospect of success, according to court documents. The claim, for around 3.6 million (about $4.8 million), was tied to the development of a private home in London for Hamad bin Jassim. The company's appeal was refused earlier this month, according to British court records. McKillen was also convicted in Paris earlier this year of being physically and verbally aggressive to a bailiff who was in his apartment in the city because of the alleged nonpayment of a loan to the Luxembourg-based Quintet Private Bank. McKillen's lawyers told the Irish Times that their client vigorously denies any violence or any wrongdoing against the bailiff and claimed the allegations against him were false." McKillen, who was reportedly fined 10,000 (about $11,377) over the incident, has appealed the conviction. By the time the Qatari royal family approached McKillen about the California hotel in 2019, he said, he had been working on projects with them for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the federal complaint filed in California, in 2004, McKillen acquired shares in a group of luxury hotels that came to be known as the Maybourne Hotel Group. Despite later selling his shares in the group to a company owned by Hamad bin Jassim, McKillen said he continued to manage and redevelop the Maybourne Hotel Group and its hotels at the direction of the royals. Hamad bin Khalifa later acquired an interest in the Maybourne Hotel Group, according to the complaint. McKillen said he and his company had been tasked with the management and redevelopment of the refurbishment of a Manhattan mansion owned by Hamad bin Jassim in 2018; the construction and development of a new Parisian hotel on the site of the historic Ilot Saint-Germain building in 2019; and the management and redevelopment of the newly branded Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel in 2019. McKillen alleges that for each of those projects, the Qatari royals told him he would be compensated through fees for services performed, but that at some point, the Qatari Royals decided, in secret, that they would not, in fact, be compensating Mr. McKillen or HSMC. McKillen alleged in the complaint that he and his company were strung along under false representations that they would be paid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint detailed the October 2019 meeting on a yacht in Doha, Qatar, between McKillen and Hamad bin Khalifa to discuss the opportunity for the royal family to acquire the California hotel, then known as the Montage Beverly Hills. McKillen said he presented a vision for the hotel to Hamad bin Khalifa and gave his commitment to manage and strategically redevelop it. A holding company owned by Hamad bin Khalifa purchased the hotel later that year, according to the complaint. In the complaint, McKillen said a representative of the family confirmed that he and his company would be compensated with fees paid for work performed on the hotel. During the next two years, McKillen said, he and his team transitioned the hotel to the Maybourne brand and led the hotels development and management. In July 2021, according to the complaint, McKillen submitted a fee proposal to an advisor to the Al Thani family, stating that his company was owed $6 million in project management fees on an annual basis, to be paid quarterly, from January 2020 to January 2025. That proposal was met with stonewalling by the Qatari Royals, the complaint alleges. After months passed with no payment, McKillen said, he wrote a letter to Hamad bin Khalifa and Hamad bin Jassim telling them about the refusal to pay him fees owed and stating that he could no longer work on the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKillen later sent an additional invoice for $12 million in project management fees for work performed in California in 2020 and 2021, according to the complaint. He alleges that none of those fees had been paid. The Qatari royals are facing a separate legal battle over the Maybourne Riviera, after French authorities sued them for allegedly breaching planning and environmental regulations and illegally building on land exposed to seismic risks," according to an Irish Times article. The newspaper reported that, at a recent hearing, a representative for the Al Thani family blamed McKillen. McKillen told that news outlet that the alleged breaches occurred two years after he was fired from the project in April 2022. The damage was done after we left," he told the outlet. "The French state isnt suing me, its suing the Qataris. 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. KOKOMO, Ind. Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo has received a $50,000 grant from Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC. and the NiSource Charitable Foundation to expand its English as a Second Language Career Training Program. The grant will be used to enhance educational opportunities for speakers of other languages who live in the area, equipping them with language skills and career-specific training to advance in their chosen fields. Participants in the ESL Career Training Program will receive tailored support, including supplemental instruction and real-world speaking practice, relevant to their professional aspirations. The program is offered in collaboration with Immigration Connection from Cass County to maximize its impact across the Ivy Tech Kokomo Service Area, which includes Logansport and Peru. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is open to recent high school graduates and adults looking to further their education. Individuals already employed are also eligible. By reducing language barriers and equipping individuals with essential job skills, the ESL Career Training Program will create clear pathways to educational and workforce success, said NIPSCOs Karen McLean, Public Affairs & Economic Development manager. NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation are proud to support this community initiative. The funding will support approximately 100 participants annually and will cover fees associated with instructional tools, including the Test of Adult Basic Education testing system and EnGen language upskilling software. TABE is a standardized assessment that helps determine participants English proficiency levels. Participants will be placed in appropriate instructional levels, with opportunities to progress through the program and achieve full English proficiency upon successfully passing level four. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EnGen is an advanced language learning platform designed to teach common words and phrases relevant to a participants career field. Studies show that 95 percent of EnGen users gain confidence in their English abilities, while 93 percent improve job-related skills and efficiency. The grant will be paid over two years $25,000 each in 2025 and 2026. Ivy Tech is currently in the pilot phase of the first year of the program. The next class will run from June 9 to August 1 at Ivy Techs Logansport campus. Day and evening classes are available. For more information, contact Carlos Marroquin, ESL coordinator, at cmarroquin1@ivytech.edu or call 574-398-6081. US Vice President JD Vances cousin, Nate Vance, believes that the negative comments the vice president made about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys appearance during his meeting with Donald Trump at the White House last winter were "a performance aimed at someone who was not in the room". He suggested that it may have been done for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Source: European Pravda, citing Nate Vance in an interview with German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung Magazin Details: The interviewer reminded Nate Vance that Zelenskyy was criticised on camera for not wearing a suit during his visit to the Oval Office in late February. Nate was shown a photo of himself with JD Vance in casual clothes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Nate was then asked if this was an act of solidarity with Zelenskyy, he responded that it was not intentional. JD and Nate Vance. Photo: Suddeutsche Zeitung Magazine "I asked JD: 'Hey, I don't want to sound cynical, but I don't have a suit. Is that a problem?' He replied: 'Don't worry, just come in. We have visitors all the time'," he said. According to Nate, JD Vance is aware of why Zelenskyy doesnt wear a suit. "We talked about it, he's not stupid," Nate said. "And he [JD Vance] didn't take it as disrespectful. That's one of the reasons why I think the whole show with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office was aimed at someone who wasn't in the room." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if the performance could have been directed at Putin, he replied: "It's possible." Zelenskyy has not worn a suit since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Polish President Andrzej Duda once said he hoped to see Zelenskyy at a future summit "in a suit", as that would symbolise the end of the war in Ukraine. One of the reporters in the Oval Office asked Zelenskyy why he did not wear a suit to a meeting at the highest-level office in the United States. "Why don't you wear a suit? Do you own a suit?" the journalist asked. "Do you have any problems?" Zelenskyy replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of Americans have problems with those who don't respect the dress code of the Oval Office," the journalist replied. Zelenskyy said he would wear a suit when the Russo-Ukrainian war is over. Background: Media reports have indicated that one of the things that irritated Trump at his meeting with Zelenskyy was the fact that the Ukrainian leader did not wear a suit. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) issued a survey report on Friday, debunking "sea reclamation" allegations concerning the country's Tiexian Jiao and Niu'e Jiao in the South China Sea. According to the report, satellite remote sensing and on-site survey data showed that the three cays on Tiexian Jiao reef flat and the one cay on Niu'e Jiao reef flat are all above water at high tide, with apparent natural characteristics, regular changes of position and form, and sufficient materials fostering their growth and formation. "Therefore, the formation of the four cays is a normal physical geographic phenomenon," it said. The false remarks by the Philippines that China dumped coral debris at Tiexian Jiao, and rumors spread by relevant countries that the formation of the cays is due to China's "sea reclamation" are without any scientific or factual basis, the report said. Titled "A Survey Report on the Coral Reef Ecosystems of Tiexian Jiao and Niu'e Jiao," the document was produced by the South China Sea Development Research Institute of the MNR together with other research institutions. Affected by the outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfishes, the coral reef ecosystem of Tiexian Jiao has degraded severely, the report said, adding that from 2016 to 2024, the reef-building coral coverage area at the atoll reef platform where Tiexian Jiao is located decreased by about 68.9 percent. The document noted that tropical cyclone strikes and frequent human activities, especially the Philippines' persistent and illegal construction on Zhongye Dao are also causes of the deterioration of the coral reef ecosystem of Tiexian Jiao. According to the document, the coral reef ecosystem of Niu'e Jiao is in a healthy state, although seasonal, sporadic heat-induced coral bleaching and human activities still create some stressful influence. Fishing vessels were found operating in waters around Tiexian Jiao and Niu'e Jiao, the report said, warning that such fishing activities and anthropogenic disposals would threaten the health of the coral reef ecosystems. As the sea surface temperature continues to rise under the background of global climate change, the reefs in Nansha Qundao, including Tiexian Jiao and Niu'e Jiao, are exposed to the risk of large-scale coral bleaching, the report said. Efforts will be made to further intensify the survey, research, evaluation and protection for Tiexian Jiao, Niu'e Jiao and their adjacent waters, according to the report. SMYTH COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) A company that makes electrical grid infrastructure is adding a warehouse in Smyth County, Virginia and expanding its facility in Bland County a move that will create 120 new jobs. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkins office announced in a news release Friday that Hitachi Energy is expanding operations to meet increased demand. Hitachi Energy is growing its transformer production capacity in the Commonwealth by investing $22.5 million. Open house held as Tri-Cities Airport Master Plan nears completion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investment will expand the companys facility in Bland and add a warehouse in Atkins. The Atkins site will handle core cutting and warehousing work, according to the release. Hitachi Energys investment in the new Atkins facility and the transformative modernization of the Bland plant is a powerful endorsement of Virginias manufacturing capabilities. This world-class companys investment in Southwest Virginia is not only expanding domestic transformer production, but also creating high-quality, skilled jobs and driving innovation in energy infrastructure. Hitachi Energy is a trusted, long-term partner with Virginia, and together we are growing a hub of energy innovation and infrastructure advancement. Governor Glenn Youngkin Steve McKinney, Hitachi Energys senior vice president and head of transformers in North America, said Virginia has been pivotal in the companys success for decades. The new facility in Atkins, alongside the upgrades at our existing site in Bland, represents a major milestone in our commitment to building resilient energy infrastructure in the U.S., McKinney said. About 450 people are employed at the current Bland facility, which has been in operation since 1972. The Bland location manufactures transformers used across the United States. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. In a move to strengthen the countys behavioral health services, the commission has approved twenty-one new positions at Johnson County Mental Health Center. The decision establishes an Adult Crisis Stabilization Center and enhances 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline support. The board approved the use of $1,243,000 in 2025 reserves to fund eighteen positions for a new Adult Crisis Stabilization Center and $222,000 in 2025 reserves to add three call specialists to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE detains mother at citizenship appointment in Kansas City, family says Ongoing funding for the Adult Crisis Stabilization Center positions will be provided through Medicaid revenue tied to JCMHCs full certification as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, while the 988 roles will be funded through a contract with the State of Kansas for Community Mental Health Centers. No county tax support is required to fund the new positions. These additions are a response to undeniable community needs. The Adult Crisis Stabilization Center will benefit not only members of the community in need of mental health assistance but will also lessen the demands on area law enforcement and emergency rooms where these individuals were previously treated, this helps everyone in Johnson County, said BOCC Chairman Mike Kelly. The additional 988 operators will better serve our youth population by expanding texting services, meeting young people where theyre at with their preferred form of communication. New Adult Crisis Stabilization Center in Shawnee Establishing an Adult Crisis Stabilization Center will help address one of Johnson Countys most significant gaps in care: 24-hour local support for adults experiencing a behavioral health crisis or emergency. Too often, these individuals are sent to jail, emergency rooms, or out-of-county services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 14-bed program will be housed at The Recovery Place in Shawnee, which also houses Johnson County Mental Health Centers 10-bed Adult Detoxification Unit that helps adults safely navigate withdrawal from alcohol and drugs. The shared location will improve coordination of care, providing detox, observation and stabilization under one roof. Our goal is to provide the right service at the right time to people in our community experiencing a behavioral health crisis, and that starts with access, said Tim DeWeese, Johnson County Mental Health Centers director. The Adult Stabilization Center will be a critical around-the-clock connection to immediate intervention and care in our own backyard, providing crisis support within the community and keeping adults with mental illnesses out of jails and emergency rooms. Man charged after allegedly threatening teens with gun at Olathe playground Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demand for behavioral health services is rising in Johnson County, so does the call volume for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and Johnson County Mental Health Centers local crisis line. Thursdays vote adds three call specialist positions to the 988 team, which also answers calls to JCMHCs local crisis line. The new positions will also allow JCMHC to answer text messages to 988 and online chats through 988lifeline.org, joining a network of other Kansas call centers in responding to Johnson County and Kansas residents who reach out for help using those forms of communication. If you need support, help is always available. If you or a loved one is struggling with your mental health, help is always available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Johnson County Mental Health Centers local crisis line. A trained mental health professional will listen without judgment, provide support, and help you find the resources you need. Call: 988 or 913-268-0156 Text: 988 Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat 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. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) The annual State of the City Address, delivered by the Johnstown Mayor and the City Manager, touched on several projects, such as the Main Street and Central Park redesigns, as well as other plans, such as a new municipal website. Frank Janakovic, the Mayor, and Art Martynuska, the City Manager, discussed many subjects during their hour-long presentation Thursday at Aces in the Cambria City section of Johnstown, according to our media partners at The Tribune-Democrat. Martynuska focused on providing updates on the Main Street and Central Park projects. The remakes are part of a larger initiative that will also include work on the Johnstown Train Station, the Johnstown Inclined Plane and the Downtown Intermodal Transportation Center. The U.S. Department of Transportations Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity discretionary grant money supplied more than $24 million for the projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The renovation of Central Park is expected to start later this year and be completed in 2026. An original design was done by a New York City-based architect with assistance from a local firm, with the local firm taking the lead on the project now. Johnstown has also made changes to its code enforcement, with Laurel Municipal Services set to join in enforcement with city code officers and firefighters. There are also plans to either repair the Public Safety Building or construct a new building entirely, with renovations expected to cost $10 million and a new building priced around $20 million. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Janakovic, in his third and last term as mayor, touched on developments made over the past years that have contributed to the citys improving economic condition. Specifically, he pointed to the city selling its sewer system to the Greater Johnstown Water Authority, with the money then used to shore up the police, fire and municipal workers pension funds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Actor Jon Voight is ready for his close-up as he prepares to put forward a plan to President Donald Trump that he says will make Hollywood more MAGA friendly. Bloomberg reported that Voight, with his manager Steven Paul, will present Trump with a plan next week to help boost the U.S. film and TV industry. According to the report, Voight and Paul also plan to touch on changes to film tax credits, tax codes, job training and infrastructure investmentsall in the name of keeping film production opportunities in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important that we compete with whats going on around the world so there needs to be some sort of federal tax incentives, Bloomberg reported Paul as saying. Trump named Voight, along with Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson as special ambassadors to Hollywood, and the men have all been spotted cozying up to Trump in some way leading up to his sweeping election win. According to reports, Trump didnt bother telling Gibson about his appointment beforehand, but that hasnt stopped the troubled star from reaping the benefits from his association with MAGA. The actor is reportedly set to have his gun rights restored after he lost them on the heels of being convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor in 2011. Trump said it was his honor to appoint the men to be his envoys of Californias great but very troubled place. They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACKBIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE! wrote Trump. He added, These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood! A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administrations efforts to rescind collective bargaining rights from employees at nearly a dozen government agencies and departments. The order from U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman requires federal agencies to engage with their employees unions and to resume collecting dues payments, among other normal employee relations business. The judges order covers employees at the departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Treasury, Energy, the Office of Personnel Management and other major agencies. Trump issued an executive order last month that purports to rescind the longstanding rights of most public employees to join unions that represent them in collective bargaining over their employment terms. He also moved to end those unions existing contracts with the government. Trumps executive order relied on an obscure wartime provision in the federal labor laws that authorizes the president to exempt agencies engaged in national security work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Treasury Employees Union sued, arguing that Trump exceeded his powers under the collective bargaining laws. The NTEU is also arguing that Trump issued the order in retaliation for its efforts to block his moves to downsize government. Friedman suggested during a hearing Wednesday that the administration's moves appear targeted toward unions that have opposed his agenda. The Trump administration has also filed its own lawsuits in Kentucky and Texas seeking to invalidate the NTEUs contracts with various agencies. SPRINGFIELD A federal judge last week dismissed a suit by a doctor who says Baystate Healths report of him as an immediate threat to the public in a national data bank has made it impossible for him to work elsewhere as a transplant surgeon. That assessment to the National Practitioner Data Bank was included in court papers field over the past year with the federal court in Springfield. Dr. Bejon Maneckshana, who lives in Connecticut, is not provided the right of legal action under the federal Health Care Quality Improvement Act, the law that established the National Practitioner Data Bank, ruled U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni on April 16. Mastroianni also ruled that Maneckshana failed to allege a possible defamation claim under Massachusetts law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maneckshana sued in 2024. Maneckshana is a certified organ transplant surgeon and board-certified general surgeon, licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts. He obtained his medical degree in 2003 and in July 2020, he started working for Kidney Care and Transplant Services of New England in Springfield, a private nephrology group. According to the suit, he was called in during 2022 to meet with the chair of Baystate Medical Centers Department of Surgery, Dr. Nicolas Jabbour, and the chief of transplant, Dr. Kenneth McPartland, where he was informed an outside surgeon would be brought in to observe his next procedure because a prior transplant performed by Maneckshana left a patient with a nicked kidney artery, according to court papers. In Maneckshanas suit, his lawyers said the nick left the patient unharmed and caused no harm to the viability of the kidney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than two weeks later, on Oct. 4, 2022, Maneckshana said he was asked to meet with Jabbour and the chief medical officer, Dr. Doug Salvador, after a patients death. Baystate sent nine cases of Maneckshanas outside the organization for peer review and six of those cases were deemed to have met the proper standard of care. Three did not meet that standard. But Maneckshanas lawyers argue that in one of those cases, reviewers said the outcome is due to all the doctors involved and the other two cases were a procedure with known complications. Maneckshana said he agreed to sign a voluntary agreement not to exercise his clinical privileges rather than face suspension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts, Mastroianni ruled, give medical reviewers protection from suits. But when he tried to get a new transplant job in California, the database prevented him from getting hired, according to Maneckshanas lawsuit. His attorneys did not return an email and a call for comment. Stories by Jim Kinney BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Mental health screening should be incorporated into the routine diagnosis and treatment processes of all clinical departments at medical institutions in China, as required in a circular released by the country's National Health Commission on Friday. The circular details the launch of a three-year campaign, lasting until 2027, to improve China's pediatric care, mental health and psychiatric services. According to the circular, patients flagged through screening as potentially having psychological issues should receive timely mental health evaluations. Those confirmed to have psychological issues or suspected of having mental illnesses following evaluations should promptly receive intervention. Local authorities should take effective measures to expand the pool of specialized personnel engaged in mental health and psychiatric services, including physicians, pharmacists, nurses and psychotherapists, the circular said. As part of the campaign, local authorities are required to strengthen the staffing of medical personnel engaged in the management and care of patients with severe mental disorders at township health centers and community health service centers, ensuring that each facility has dedicated personnel for this purpose. Apr. 25OREGON An Ogle County judge has denied a defense motion to move a first-degree murder trial out of the county. Judge John "Ben" Roe announced his decision Wednesday, April 23, during a short hearing at the Ogle County Judicial Center. "I have considered all the evidence, motions and arguments," Roe said. "At this time, the proper way is for this to be assessed during voir dire." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voir dire is a Latin phrase meaning "to speak the truth" that is used to describe the process where potential jurors are asked questions by attorneys and the judge before being selected to serve as jurors. Duane Meyer, 43, of Stillman Valley, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in connection with an Oct. 19, 2016, Byron house fire in which Meyer's ex-wife, Margaret "Maggie" (Rosko) Meyer, 31, was found dead. The couple's 3-year-old son, Amos Meyer, who also was home at the time of the fire, was later pronounced dead at a Rockford hospital. Meyer has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and has been held in the Ogle County Jail since his arrest Oct. 9, 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyer's attorney, Christopher DeRango of Rockford, filed a motion in January to move the trial out of Ogle County, just three weeks before the jury trial was scheduled to start Feb. 3 and expected to take the entire month. In his "change of place of trial," motion, DeRango argued that because of "heavy" media coverage of Meyer's numerous pretrial hearings since 2016, Meyer "cannot obtain a fair trial in Ogle County, Illinois." He also has claimed that derogatory comments on social media pages about his client are prejudicial. A change of venue motion typically asks the judge to move the trial to a different location. Those motions usually cite reasons that the filing party believes would prevent a fair trial in the county in which the case was filed. Pretrial publicity often is listed as a reason for a change of venue motion. A change of venue survey is one of the tools that can be used by defense attorneys before filing a motion for a change of venue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeRango said a survey, paid for by Meyer's parents, asked Ogle County residents from December through January about the case. In that survey, DeRango said 34% of respondents recalled the fire and 59% had formed an opinion regarding the defendant's guilt. He did not say how many people responded to the survey. But Ogle County State's Attorney Michael Rock and his assistants argued against the change of venue, calling the survey "flawed" and arguing that the trial should stay in Ogle County. They argued that Meyer "will absolutely receive a fair trial" and that just because someone is aware of a pending case does not mean they have formed an opinion as to innocence or guilt. Assistant State's Attorney Allison Huntley said pretrial publicity was primarily updates about the case as it moved through the court system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, she argued, potential jurors could be eliminated during voir dire. She said there was no evidence that the pretrial publicity in the Meyer case was so pervasive and prejudiced that juror responses to voir dire questions concerning potential bias would be unreliable. Huntley said pretrial publicity is to be expected in cases of such magnitude, and only 184 residents had been questioned in the survey commissioned by the defense less than 1% of the county's total population. At a December hearing, DeRango said the company conducting the survey had to "adjust their methods" because of Ogle County's smaller population size. DeRango argued that the results of the survey indicated a "reasonable apprehension" that Meyer cannot get a fair trial in Ogle County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Roe asked Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Leisten and DeRango to start considering dates for a new trial date. "Start looking at your calendars for trial dates, considering the estimate of how long the trial will take," Roe told the attorneys. He remanded Meyer to the Ogle County Jail and set the next hearing for 2 p.m. May 14. Maggie Meyer was a teacher at the Chana Education Center at the time of her death. She filed for divorce in 2014, and court records show the divorce was finalized in September 2016. Prosecutors have argued that their evidence will show Duane Meyer planned to end Maggie's life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In previous hearings, DeRango and prosecutors have said numerous cellphone records and data will be part of the evidence presented. DeRango also has argued that text messages sent by Duane Meyer before the deaths were only part of a "contentious" divorce and not indicative of anything nefarious. Prosecutors disagree. NEW YORK A judge once again pushed back the opening of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Rikers Island dealing a blow to Mayor Eric Adams and his administration. The decision Friday from Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Mary Rosado prevents the city from allowing federal immigration authorities on Rikers Island for potentially several more weeks. Rosado has scheduled the next hearing in the case for May 29. The ruling came as part of a lawsuit filed by the New York City Council, which is seeking to stop the Adams administration from allowing federal immigration agencies into the jail to arrest migrants accused of certain crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court Friday, the Council argued the move is a corrupt bargain, part of a quid pro quo deal with the Trump administration, which successfully moved to dismiss criminal bribery charges levied against Adams. The Adams administration countered that the lawsuit is part of a campaign to damage the mayors credibility during an election year. Both the mayor and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams are running for mayor. This is nothing more than a political statement masquerading as a petition, said Jim Catterson, an attorney representing the mayors office. The Council has asserted that allowing federal immigration authorities access to Rikers Island would irreparably harm immigrant communities and erode their trust in city government, as well as give ICE access to databases and information that could compromise migrants safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Kornstein who represents the Council said it would also put immigrants accused of minor crimes at risk of deportation and facilitate the Trump administrations goal of deporting all migrants, not just those accused of crimes. Catterson dismissed the notion that allowing federal immigration authorities on Rikers Island would cause irreparable harm to immigrant communities, calling it speculation. Cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration enforcement is already possible and ongoing. Adams and border czar Tom Homan announced in a press conference Wednesday that 27 alleged Tren de Agua migrant gang members were indicted in a joint effort conducted by New York Police Department and federal authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For weeks now, the Trump administration has been unlawfully disappearing people across the country, including our own residents, without due process or justification, said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. The mayor has claimed to support due process, but his actions say otherwise, that the only due process he supports is for himself. First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, who signed the executive order that sought ICEs cooperation, said at a subsequent press briefing the city was disappointed in the ruling, but was confident the administration would ultimately prevail. [Violent transnational gangs] are a threat to public safety and we are prepared to do something about it, Mastro said. I dont think the city council should be arguing in court that federal law enforcement should be denied sources of information that will help them prosecute. Joe Anuta contributed to this report. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) In federal court Thursday, the governments efforts to silence convicted strip club owner Peter Gerace hit a brick wall. U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo declined to hold Gerace in criminal contempt at the behest of federal prosecutors for phone interviews with media entities, including News 4 Investigates. The judge said he did not believe Gerace willfully and knowingly violated his March order, which he said put restrictions on in-person media interviews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not my intention to gag him from talking to the media, Vilardo said. Vilardo said while his order may be ambiguous, his intention was to require reporters to follow the U.S. Marshals Service policy by getting permission from five people, but only for in-person jailhouse interviews with Gerace. Restricting telephone interviews certainly did not cross my mind, he said. But Vilardo has not completely closed the door on the issue. Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Chalbeck argued the U.S. Marshals policy is not limited to in-person interviews but all forms of interviews. She said the publicity could give Gerace celebrity status in jail, sparking safety concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It goes to an institutional security concern, Chalbeck said. Other concerns Chalbeck raised were that Gerace could violate a protective order by discussing sensitive elements of his case and use the media to attack prosecutors and threaten or harass victims, witnesses, or others involved in the case. Vilardo gave prosecutors an additional month to present very strong evidence for why the celebrity status argument is a real concern for jail administrators or the U.S. Marshals Service. Or is it something the government concocted to shut Mr. Gerace up from publicly criticizing prosecutors? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a little scary to me, Vilardo said. Geraces decision not to testify at his trial is now one he said he regrets. In December, the jury took less than a week to convict him on eight of nine charges, including drug and sex trafficking. Gerace faces life in prison when sentenced Aug. 15. The week following his conviction, Gerace sought in-person jailhouse interviews to tell (his) side of the story. Thats when the government thwarted an attempt by News 4 Investigates to interview Gerace in jail by securing a temporary order from Vilardo that specifically halted in-person interviews at the Chautauqua County jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vilardos final order in March did not specify whether reporters needed to follow the U.S. Marshals policy for all forms of interviews, such as over the phone. As a result, Gerace contacted reporters from jail on a Saturday in March to be interviewed over the phone. His interviews with News 4 Investigates included criticism of prosecutors for what he described as malicious prosecution and prosecutorial misconduct. Gerace also protested the testimony of an ex-wife, Katrina Nigro, and some of the former exotic dancers, who he said perjured themselves over and over again. Nigro told News 4 Investigates that she did not lie in her testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors then filed a motion to hold Gerace in criminal contempt for violating the judges order by failing to secure permission to do the phone interviews. On Thursday, Vilardo told prosecutors he was reluctant to further restrict Geraces First Amendment right to free speech. Eric Soehnlein, one of Geraces attorneys, said it would have been helpful if a representative of the U.S. Marshals Service could articulate the purpose of the policy. He said it remains unclear whether the policy requires permission for all forms of interviews. Geraces attorneys have argued that restricting face-to-face interviews does not violate Geraces right to free speech, as long as alternative channels of communication remain open and the restriction operates in a neutral fashion without regard to the content of the expression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on the schedule Vilardo set for arguments, a decision may not be made until sometime in June. Latest Local News Dan Telvock is an award-winning investigative producer and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2018. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. A photo of Jimmie Duncan, center, with his family and friends during a visit at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. In the second image, a younger Duncan is pictured with his parents, Sharon and Bennie. (Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica) This article was produced for ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with Verite News. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published. A Louisiana judge this week set aside the first-degree murder conviction and death sentence of Jimmie Chris Duncan, whose 1998 conviction for killing his girlfriends 23-month-old daughter was based in part on bite mark evidence that experts now say is junk science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision comes after a Verite News and ProPublica investigation in March examined the questions surrounding Duncans conviction as Gov. Jeff Landry, a staunch death penalty advocate, made moves to expedite executions after a 15-year pause. Judge Alvin Sharp, of the 4th Judicial District in Ouachita Parish, pointed to new testimony during a September appeals hearing that such bite mark analysis presented by a once-heralded forensics team is no longer valid and not scientifically defensible. The original analysis came from forensic dentist Michael West and pathologist Dr. Steven Hayne, whose longtime partnership as state experts fell under legal scrutiny after questions emerged about the validity of their techniques. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past 27 years, nine prisoners have been set free after being convicted in part on inaccurate evidence given by West and Hayne. Three of those men were on death row. Duncan was the last person awaiting an execution based on the pairs work, which Sharp said in his ruling appeared questionable at best. Other expert witnesses said that Haynes autopsy and his findings were sloppy in practice and inadequate overall. It is worth noting that the qualifications of Dr. Hayne were lacking in certain ways to an extent that called into serious question the pathologists expert designation, Sharp wrote in his ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharp also stated in his ruling that he found very compelling the September testimony of an expert medical witness who said that the childs death was not the result of a homicide but of an accidental drowning. It remains unclear when or if Duncan will walk free. Robert S. Tew, district attorney for the 4th Judicial District, can choose to appeal the decision, retry Duncan on the murder charge or a lesser offense or accept the courts ruling and set him free. Tew did not respond to requests for comment. Duncans legal team declined to comment. Louisiana has a long record of convicting and sentencing to death people later found to be innocent. In the past three decades, the state has exonerated 11 people facing execution, among the highest such numbers in the country, according to The National Registry of Exonerations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duncan, 56, has maintained his innocence for more than three decades, while prosecutors continued to insist that Duncan committed the murder and should be executed without delay. Duncan was babysitting Haley Oliveaux, his girlfriends daughter, at the house they shared in West Monroe, on Dec. 18, 1993. He said he had left her alone in the bathtub while he washed dishes. At some point, he said he heard a loud noise from the bathroom. When he went to check on Haley, he found her floating face down in the water. She was pronounced dead a few hours later. While Duncan claimed it was a tragic accident, authorities charged him with first-degree murder after Hayne and West examined the girls body and determined there was evidence she was sexually assaulted and intentionally drowned. After about two weeks of testimony in 1998, the jury found Duncan guilty and sentenced him to death. Years later, Duncans post-conviction attorneys uncovered evidence that was not presented at trial that, they said, proves his innocence. This includes a jailhouse informant who wrote to prosecutors offering to share Duncans confession to the crime in what the defense claims was an exchange for leniency (the informant later recanted his trial testimony); past head injuries Haley suffered that might explain her death; and a video in which West can be seen grinding a cast of Duncans teeth into Haleys body. West later claimed those bite marks, which the defense says the forensic dentist manufactured, were a match for Duncans teeth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayne died in 2020. West did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling. West has previously said he was simply using what he called a direct comparison technique, in which he presses a mold of a persons teeth directly onto the location of suspected bite marks because it provides the most accurate results, according to a 2020 interview with Oxygen.com. West said he no longer believed in bite mark analysis in a 2011 deposition in a different post-conviction appeal, saying, I dont believe its a system thats reliable enough to be used in court and admitted to making mistakes in previous cases. But he told The New Republic in a 2023 interview that his methods are valid because other people have used them. In this weeks ruling, Sharp also noted the September testimony of Detective Chris Sasser, who investigated Haleys death. Sasser said there was no blood, no signs of struggle, no cleaning rags and no cleaning agents in the bathroom or house where the alleged crime occurred. This undermined the states assertion that there was massive blood loss, the ruling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Sharp found that Duncans trial attorney, Louis Scott, provided ineffective counsel. Sharp pointed to a witness who testified that Scott failed to investigate or present evidence that was available at the time of the trial, that he did not develop a coherent theory of defense, and that he failed to disclose a conflict of interest. Scotts wife told Verite News and ProPublica that he has suffered significant health problems including memory and speech impairment and declined to comment on the judges ruling. Duncan is among 55 people on death row in Louisiana, though until very recently he and the others were not in imminent danger of being executed as the state hadnt put anyone to death since 2010 due to the unavailability of execution drugs. That changed with Landrys 2023 election. Landry has made clear his intention to carry out these death sentences as soon as possible, having recently approved the use of nitrogen gas, a controversial method allowed in only three other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This cleared the way for the states first execution in more than 15 years, as Jessie Hoffman was put to death on March 18 using nitrogen gas. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. NEW YORK The judge in New York City Mayor Eric Adams now-dismissed corruption case on Friday ordered a trove of documents be released. The documents, which are slated to be released Friday, May 2, could provide a window into the case, which never made it to trial. They include some search warrant materials, affidavits describing evidence and discovery indexes, among other documents. Adams case was dropped earlier in April after Trumps Department of Justice stepped in, arguing that the charges must be dropped in order to mayor to help carry out the administration hard-line immigration agenda. Adams has denied any quid pro quo existed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was originally scheduled to go on trial this week. Prosecutors alleged the mayor had accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from associates of the Turkish government who later allegedly cashed in on the transactional relationship by asking the then-up-and-coming politician to carry out political favors. Adams has denied doing anything wrong. The New York Times and The New York Post both filed motions, which were unopposed to release the documents. The first of its kind never should have been brought in the first place airline upgrade corruption case is over, Adams criminal defense lawyer, Alex Spiro, wrote in a statement in response to the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Names of law enforcement officers and unindicted subject will be redacted, Judge Dale Ho wrote in his order. We appreciate the courts decision, which affirms the publics right to access judicial information, a spokesperson for the Times wrote in a statement. These documents will help the public understand more fully why this prosecution was brought, the evidence that supported it, and whether justice was served by DOJs decision to drop the case. Representatives for the Post did not immediately respond to a request for comment. _____ MADISON COUNTY, Iowa A hearing has been set regarding a petition to remove the embattled Madison County Treasurer from office after she was asked to resign, but did not. In the meantime, county officials have been ordered not to pay her salary, benefits, or any other compensation. Amanda DeVos was elected to a four-year term in November 2022 and began serving that term on Jan. 1, 2023, according to court records. On January 31, 2025, she was arrested for alleged felonious misconduct in office, tampering with records, fraudulent practice in the third degree, and third-degree theft. A criminal complaint states investigators were tipped off in late November of 2024 that DeVos may have used her access as county treasurer to alter government records to make it look like she paid $758 for her vehicle registration plates when she had not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly a month later, the Madison County Sheriffs Office announced additional criminal charges were pending against DeVos. These charges are separate from earlier charges filed in relation to vehicle registrations and stem from an investigation into DeVos own property taxes that were owed for 2023/2024, said Sheriff Jason Barnes in a written statement at the time. Those charges are expected to be filed by the Iowa Attorney Generals Office, which is reportedly conducting an investigation of its own. DeVos was relieved of her duties after a vote during a Madison County Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 6. However, it appears she continued to collect her salary and potential benefits for more than two months. She was asked to resign from her position, according to County Attorney Stephen Swanson. When she did not, Swanson took the legal step dictated by Iowa Code Section 66 to force her out of her elected office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear how much time had passed between when DeVos was asked to resign and when the legal action was taken, but last Friday, Swanson filed a petition to formally remove her from her position and also petitioned for an injunction that would prohibit Madison County from distributing salary, benefits, or other compensation to Defendant during the pendency of this action. DeVosPetitionforRemoval_aef1fbDownload The court filing points to purported investigations by the state AGs Office and the State Auditors Office and to several incidents of alleged money mishandling by Devos, like when the City of Winterset erroneously received more than a quarter of a million dollars in a series of erroneous financial deposits from the Treasurers office that were meant for other municipalities. The filing went on to allege, the Defendants continued receipt of public funds while facing felony charges and allegations of gross mismanagement is contrary to the public interest and unjustly enriches her at taxpayer expense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devos was making $78,787.13 this year after getting a 3.57% raise, according to online public records posted by the Iowa State Association of Counties. District Judge Stacy Ritchie, for Iowas Fifth Judicial District, set a public hearing for May 5 at 10 a.m. at the Madison County Courthouse and ruled that pending the outcome of these proceedings, Madison County, its officers and agents are temporarily enjoined from disbursing any salary, benefits or other compensation to Amanda DeVos. DeVoss elected term is set to expire on December 31, 2026. After her initial arrest, WHO-13 discovered that the Winterset Community School District said it was forced to withdraw investment funds to cover payroll after late payments from the Madison County Treasurer. DeVos allegedly blamed many of the financial issues on a third-party systems management company that the county retained. However, multiple leaders of small municipalities and local school districts within Madison County provided documentation to WHO-13 that showed financial errors that impacted their organizations went unacknowledged by the Treasurer for months, despite repeated efforts to notify her. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) An Ohio State University students legal status has been reinstated by a federal judge, who ruled on Friday that his arrest at a pro-Palestine protest was not grounds to revoke his visa. Graduate student Ahwar Sultan sued President Donald Trump and federal immigration officials when his visa was abruptly revoked two weeks ago. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered Sultans lawful status as a student to be reinstated as the lawsuit continues and said federal immigration services will need to prove why they believe his visa should be terminated. Sultan, who is from India, believes his visa was revoked because he was arrested in April 2024 at a pro-Palestine protest. The charges associated with that arrest were dismissed and later expunged from his record, and Chutkan said they were not grounds for visa termination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio State faculty vote to join Big Ten alliance against Trump Under the ruling, Sultans status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) has been returned to active from terminated. The change means Sultans student record is considered valid once more, and indicates he is in good standing. Chutkan said U.S. immigration services should be prepared to explain Sultans visa status and whether they still intend to initiate removal procedures against him at the next court proceeding. She said his arrest alone would not be considered grounds for removal. According to a court transcript provided by Sultans lawyers, Chutkan told the lawyer representing the U.S. government this week that Sultan was put in an impossible situation. Further, she questioned immigration officials defense, saying not only was it unclear for Sultan, it was unclear to her. OSU police charge president of pro-Palestine student group after Sultan hosts press conference The announcement came one day after Sultans lawyers hosted a news conference regarding student visa terminations on OSUs campus. The speakers included Sultan, his lawyer Jana Al-Akhras, and Jineen Musa, a student and president of Students for Justice in Palestine. Al-Akhras alleged after the conference concluded, all three were followed by university police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a university spokesperson, a student was issued a summons by OSU police for criminal trespass after repeatedly being asked to abide by the university space standards. The concern came from Musa using a microphone, as amplified noise is restricted on campus. Al-Akhras said Musa immediately complied and continued without the microphone. NBC4 was present at the event, and video shows an officer walked over and spoke to Musa, after which she asked him to repeat himself. Journalists in the crowd called for the officer to speak louder, and Musa offered him the microphone. According to the video, the officer said if Musa continued to use amplified sound, she would be issued the summons. I will be issued a summons for trespassing if I continue using this mic, Musa said into the microphone, clarifying the officers comments for the crowd. Over a press conference for a student that had his visa revoked. This is what this university stands for. Shameful. Columbus sues Trump administration over cuts to disease funding amid measles outbreak Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musa finished the conference without using the microphone. Al-Akhras alleged after the crowd dispersed, she, Musa and Sultan were all followed by police. Al-Akhras said she was detained for 25 minutes and told she would be similarly charged, but a university spokesperson told her she and Sultan would not be. A university spokesperson told NBC4 only one person was facing charges. Al-Akhras said the detainment was unsettling; as an OSU graduate, she had always felt safe on campus before. In a press release, Sultans legal team said law students are preparing a response to the charge against Musa, imploring the university to drop its charges. The decision was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia around the same time the Trump administration announced a turnaround to reinstate many students SEVIS statuses as active. Al-Akras, said she was told that ICE is currently developing a policy to revoke SEVIS status for students, but until they finalize the policy, students statuses will be returned to active status. OSU Spokesperson Chris Booker said the university is waiting to hear more about the reported reinstatement of students SEVIS statuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this appears to be a positive development, the university is eager to receive more details on the new SEVIS policy framework that is mentioned in numerous reports, Booker said. Sultan is one of at least 12 Ohio State students who have had their visas revoked. It is not yet known if the Department of Justices announcement will lead to the reinstatement of their visas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An injunction hearing in the international student visa termination case wrapped up on Thursday. Now, the judge says shell rule in the coming days. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A slight delay for attorneys representing the dozens of international students who had their U.S. visas terminated this month. What does it cost America to tell foreign students to go home? attorney Charles Kuck asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside a federal courtroom Thursday, the judge heard arguments during an injunction hearing, but ultimately decided to make her ruling in a few days. This is these students chance to stay in the United States and finish their degrees, Kuck told Channel 2s Audrey Washington. TRENDING STORIES: The judge said shell make her decision before the temporary restraining order that she put in place. Its set to expire on May 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At issue, accusations that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) illegally revoked the immigration status of more than 100 international students without due process. The lawsuit states that ICE used the student and exchange visitor information system to terminate the students immigration records. But the government argued under current laws and regulations, the cancellations were valid. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The judge asked the attorney representing the government how the records were terminated. But the attorney said he was unsure. Next, both sides will submit more documents to the judge before she makes her ruling. Currently, all the students in the lawsuit are still protected by the temporary restraining order but their attorneys talked about filing a class action lawsuit. A Manhattan judge is blocking Mayor Adams administration from letting federal immigration agents operate on Rikers Island for at least another month, extending a temporary restraining order barring the controversial effort from moving forward. The restraining order was first issued Monday by Justice Mary Rosado in response to a lawsuit from the City Council alleging the mayors effort to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Rikers is part of a corrupt quid pro quo he entered into with President Trumps administration to get his federal corruption case dropped. During a brief Manhattan Supreme Court hearing Friday afternoon, Rosado ruled the restraining order should stay in place at least until the next hearing in the case. Rosado set the next hearing for May 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restraining order says City Hall cant let feds onto the island, or even start negotiations with Trumps administration about the terms under which ICE agents would be permitted to operate at the infamous jail. Before Rosados ruling, lawyers for the Council argued the freeze was necessary to prevent irreparable harm from being carried out on Rikers and within immigration communities. Daniel Kornstein, a lawyer for the Council, said opening the door to ICE would mean ramped deportations not just of those convicted of serious crimes, but also accused of more minor infractions. Pointing to Trump border czar Tom Homans comment that he wants to go after immigrants on Rikers even if theyre only accused of shoplifting, Kornstein said he intends to subpoena Homan to testify before the court so we can drill down what he thinks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its for an ulterior purpose: Its not for criminal enforcement, its to expand and drum up deportations, Kornstein said of the executive order Adams administration issued last month to let ICE on the island again. ICE used to have an office on Rikers where it coordinated deportation actions until 2014, when the city strengthened local sanctuary laws to bar federal immigration enforcement at the island jail, where a majority of inmates are awaiting trial and havent been convicted of any crimes. An attorney for the mayor, Jim Catterson, told the judge the Council had failed to prove any immediate harm: All this is nothing but speculation. This is nothing more than a political statement masquerading as a petition, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the hearing, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, who signed the administrations Rikers-ICE executive order, said he was disappointed by the outcome. I think there is no question that we will prevail, but for the lawyers on the other side to have led the court to believe that this was simply maintaining the status quo, Mastro said. Adams has denied entering into a quid pro quo with Trump. The presidents Justice Department officials secured a dismissal of Adams corruption indictment this month after informing him they expected the quashing of the case would allow him to play a larger role in helping Trump target undocumented New Yorkers for mass deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams announced he would seek to let ICE back on Rikers shortly after Trumps administration first moved to end his case, and the judge presiding over his indictment wrote in an opinion that the dismissal smacks of a political bargain. The Council sued the mayor last week over the executive order, claiming the move was the poisoned fruit of a corrupt deal with Trump. The Councils suit also argues the order, signed by Mastro, is invalid on its face because it broke procedure laid out by the City Charter requiring the mayor himself to issue such a directive. After Fridays ruling, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams lauded Rosado. This represents an important step by the court to protect public safety in our city and keep all New Yorkers safe. It validates our efforts to defend New York City from being made even more vulnerable to the Trump administrations extreme agenda, the speaker, whos running for mayor this year, said at a rally outside the courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides the presiding judges concerns about a bargain, the Trump DOJs intervention in Adams criminal case set off waves of resignations from the feds who prosecuted him, including then-acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who wrote in a letter that the dropping of the charges was a product of a corrupt deal with the president. Mastro issued the administrations Rikers-related executive order late April 8. According to the mayors office, the directive is in compliance with local sanctuary laws because its tailored to only permit ICE agents to conduct criminal as opposed to civil enforcement on Rikers. What that means in practice is that ICE agents can only target immigrants on Rikers if they have federal judicial warrants authorizing their deportation due to serious crimes, like murder and rape. Under the executive order, agents arent supposed to be able to target immigrant inmates on the island if theyre only armed with civil deportation detainers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Council Democrats and immigration advocates say the Mastro order flouts the spirit of the sanctuary laws in that they fear ICE agents will engage in civil enforcement on Rikers anyway. They have cited those concerns to the fact that Trumps administration has shown itself willing to bend various rules as part of its hardline immigration crackdown, including by targeting even some U.S. citizens for deportation and seeking to revoke the status of green card holders over free speech issues. Mastro said recently there would be consequences if ICE is caught engaging in civil enforcement on the island. However, he and the mayors office have declined to say what those consequences might be. A police plane is seen crashing into the sea off Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, April 25, 2025. The plane crashed near the shore of Thailand's resort town of Hua Hin on Friday morning, killing six people, the Thai police said. The police said the accident took place when the plane was conducting a test flight for parachute training. (Xinhua) BANGKOK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A small police plane crashed near the shore of Thailand's resort town of Hua Hin on Friday morning, killing six people, the Thai police said. The Thai national police said on its social media page that the aircraft of the police aviation division crashed into the sea off Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province shortly after taking off from the nearby Hua Hin airport, with all six on board killed. The police said the accident took place when the plane was conducting a test flight for parachute training. Video footage showed the plane nosedived into the sea. Initial investigations suggest that the engine malfunctioned shortly after takeoff. The police said the cause of the accident will be investigated. The police emergency center of Phetchaburi province said that it received notifications of a plane plunging into the sea just near a local resort at about 8:15 a.m. A police plane is seen crashing into the sea off Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, April 25, 2025. The plane crashed near the shore of Thailand's resort town of Hua Hin on Friday morning, killing six people, the Thai police said. The police said the accident took place when the plane was conducting a test flight for parachute training. (Xinhua) A police plane is seen crashing into the sea off Cha-am District, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, April 25, 2025. The plane crashed near the shore of Thailand's resort town of Hua Hin on Friday morning, killing six people, the Thai police said. The police said the accident took place when the plane was conducting a test flight for parachute training. (Xinhua) NEW YORK A Manhattan judge is blocking Mayor Eric Adams administration from letting federal immigration agents operate on Rikers Island for at least another month, extending a temporary restraining order barring the controversial effort from moving forward. The restraining order was first issued Monday by Judge Mary Rosado in response to a lawsuit from the City Council alleging the mayors effort to allow ICE agents on Rikers is part of a corrupt quid pro quo he entered into with President Donald Trumps administration to get his federal corruption case dropped. In a Manhattan Supreme Court hearing Friday afternoon, Rosado ruled the restraining order should stay in place at least until the next hearing in the case. She didnt immediately schedule the hearing, but said it wont be for at least another month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restraining order says City Hall cant let feds onto the island, or even start negotiations with Trumps administration about the terms under which ICE agents would be allowed to operate at the infamous jail. Before Rosados ruling, lawyers for the Council argued the freeze was necessary to prevent irreparable harm from being carried out on Rikers and within immigration communities. Daniel Kornstein, a lawyer for the Council, said opening the door to ICE would mean ramped deportations not just of those convicted of serious crimes, but also accused of more minor infractions. He said Adams alleged quid pro quo with Trumps administration creates a bad taint that cant be cured over the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its for an ulterior purpose: Its not for criminal enforcement, its to expand and drum up deportations, Kornstein said of the executive order Adams administration issued last month to let ICE on the island again. ICE used to have an office on Rikers where it coordinated deportation actions until 2014, when the city strengthened local sanctuary laws to bar federal immigration enforcement at the island jail, where a majority of inmates are awaiting trial and havent been convicted of any crimes. Jim Catterson, an attorney for the mayor, told the judge the Council had failed to prove any immediate harm: All this is nothing but speculation. This is nothing more than a political statement masquerading as a petition, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has denied entering into a quid pro quo with Trump. The presidents Justice Department officials secured a dismissal of Adams corruption indictment this month after informing him they expected the quashing of the case would allow him to play a larger role in helping Trump target undocumented New Yorkers for mass deportations. Adams announced he would seek to let ICE back on Rikers shortly after Trumps administration first moved to end his case, and the judge presiding over his indictment wrote in an opinion that the dismissal smacks of a political bargain. The Council sued the mayor last week over the executive order, claiming the move was the poisoned fruit of a corrupt deal with Trump. The Councils suit also argues the order, signed by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, is invalid on its face because it broke procedure laid out by the City Charter requiring the mayor himself to issue such a directive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Fridays ruling, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams lauded Rosado. With todays decision, the court has now ruled twice against Mayor Adams illegal executive order that conspires to sell out New Yorkers, and we look forward to the courts consideration of our request for a preliminary injunction, the speaker, who is running for mayor this year, said in a statement. Spokespeople for the mayor did not immediately return requests for comment. Besides the presiding judges concerns about a bargain, the Trump DOJs intervention in Adams criminal case set off waves of resignations from the feds who prosecuted him, including then-acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who wrote in a letter that the dropping of the charges was a product of a corrupt deal with the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mastro issued the administrations Rikers-related executive order late April 8. According to the mayors office, the directive is in compliance with local sanctuary laws because its tailored to only permit ICE agents to conduct criminal as opposed to civil enforcement on Rikers. What that means in practice is that ICE agents can only target immigrants on Rikers if they have federal judicial warrants authorizing their deportation due to serious crimes, like murder and rape. Under the executive order, agents arent supposed to be able to target immigrant inmates on the island if theyre only armed with civil deportation detainers. But Council Democrats and immigration advocates say the Mastro order flouts the spirit of the sanctuary laws in that they fear ICE agents will engage in civil enforcement on Rikers anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have cited those concerns to the fact that Trumps administration has shown itself willing to bend various rules as part of its hard-line immigration crackdown, including by targeting even some U.S. citizens for deportation and seeking to revoke the status of green card holders over free speech issues. Mastro said recently there would be consequences if ICE is caught engaging in civil enforcement on the island. However, he and the mayors office have declined to say what those consequences might be. _____ The Missoula County Court House pictured on December 20, 2020. Missoula County District Court Judge Jason Marks peppered questions at a lawyer for the State of Montana in a hearing Thursday about whether a bill that bans gender-affirming care for minors is constitutional. In 2023, the Montana Legislature adopted, and Gov. Greg Gianforte signed, Senate Bill 99, which banned gender-affirming care for minors in Montana. The bill also opened up providers to punishment and civil actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coalition of minors and providers sued the state, and in December 2024, the Montana Supreme Court found the District Court in Missoula was correct in temporarily blocking the law based on privacy rights in the state Constitution. Thursday, Marks heard arguments for summary judgment, or a decision without a trial based on the facts already presented. ACLU of Montana lawyer Alex Rate argued the case, Cross et al v. State of Montana, is parallel to abortion lawsuits in which courts have granted summary judgment based on the states constitutional right to privacy. Those abortion cases have been unanimously upheld by the Montana Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate case regarding an executive order, Rate said, the federal court there said, quote, the evidence supporting gender affirming care for adolescents is as robust as the evidence supporting other pediatric treatments. However, Michael Noonan and Thane Johnson for the State of Montana said a trial is warranted. Noonan said the parties disagree on many material facts, such as the harms of gender-affirming care, and experts are offering differing opinions that need to be sorted out. A trial is the appropriate time to evaluate the merits of the competing evidence presented in this case, Noonan said. State argues its protecting minors In his argument, Noonan said the state Constitution gives the state the power to protect minors in Article 2 Section 15, and SB 99 clearly enhances the protection of minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said care can leave people infertile or irreversibly physically damaged, it isnt proven to reduce the risk of suicide, and some countries in Europe, which had been the vanguard of such treatments, have since reversed course. Meanwhile, Noonan said, some people in the U.S. end up rushed into gender-affirming care, without an adequate or even any psychological evaluation. When the government has a compelling interest, such as protecting a minor, it can enforce a law designed to be narrow enough to address that interest. In one of many questions for Noonan, Marks said he wanted to know why the law bans the treatment altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Marks said, it could have required extra evaluations before allowing a patient to grant informed consent, a voluntary decision to receive a medical intervention with knowledge of its risks and benefits. I dont see this as narrowly tailored to the problem youre addressing. Can you help me with that? Marks said. Marks also said the idea that people under 18 cant give informed consent doesnt seem to be supported by Montana law. Noonan said Montanas approach in SB 99 aligns with Europes approach, which starts with psychotherapy, but doesnt rush into gender-affirming care. He said in the U.S. minors are being hurried into treatments that might be unnecessary, and they dont get the full scope of what might alleviate their gender dysphoria, the condition of feeling like ones gender is out of alignment with ones sex at birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Marks said under the law, even minors who had gone through an extensive evaluation and continued to experience gender dysphoria would not be able to receive gender-affirming care. Doesnt that seem problematic? Marks said. The judge also said Montana offers a higher degree of privacy protection than other states. Additionally, Marks said he struggled with the idea that the legislature could ban a certain treatment because the possibility of a negative outcome, a conclusion he saw in the states argument. For example: What about a concern stemming from a debunked claim that measles vaccines cause problems? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noonan argued the parallel didnt apply: There was one study thats been clearly debunked, and the medical consensus, at least I would say globally, is that vaccines are fine. We dont have the same facts here. Marks, though, said he wrestled with the idea the state had a legitimate position in its blanket ban on gender-affirming care when minors already can give consent to treatments that can result in other serious harms or even death, such as surgery to remove a brain tumor. Under Montana law, this is literally the only treatment that a child cannot give informed consent to, Marks said. Why do you think thats a defensible position? Noonan said adolescents dont always choose wisely, its not a lifelong ban, and the decisions are heavy and consequential, such as infertility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can they even weigh what that means in the future, and will that matter to them? Noonan said. Plaintiffs show framework for summary judgment Rate said the state offered claims about gender-affirming care from experts who dont treat gender dysphoria and witnesses who dont have any connection to Montana. He said it had to look to Europe for its arguments, although no country offers a ban as draconian as Montanas, and the two that the state identified are in the United Kingdom, which he said allows hormones at 16. He said the true justification for Senate Bill 99 is animus, plain and simple. Rate, for the ACLU of Montana, said the case is actually simple and straightforward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rate said the cases that offer the legal framework are abortion cases in Montana, which have been decided on summary judgment without trial almost without exception. The plaintiffs are Phoebe Cross, a transgender minor, and parents Molly and Paul Cross; a couple of medical providers Juanita Hodax and Katherine Mistretta, on behalf of themselves and their patients; and a John Doe and Jane Doe. Their legal team also includes ACLUs National LGBT & HIV Project, Lambda Legal, and Perkins Coie. As for the legal framework, Rate said the right to privacy for abortion is parallel in this case for gender-affirming care, and privacy is protected in the Montana Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health care decisions should be made between an individual and their health care providers, not by the legislature, not by the executive, not by the courts, Rate said. He said the state had argued that abortion comes with great risk of complications, and the state had a right to protect its citizens. But Rate said in Weems et al. vs. State of Montana and other cases, the court found the state could not show the laws were narrowly tailored to address the concern. He also pointed to rulings in Planned Parenthood vs. the state of Montana and Armstrong vs. the State of Montana. Additionally, he said, the states argument about a high health risk didnt hold up when compared to abortion. In another parallel case, he said the court found a medical protocol endorsed by major medical organizations was prohibited for abortion care, but the identical protocol was allowed for miscarriages. But in that case, the court found there cant be a bona fide health risk if the protocols are the same, he said. Rather, Rate said, the state made a values judgment that it doesnt like abortion. In fact, he said, in another case about parental consent, the state argued a minor was not mature enough to decide to get an abortion, but the court struck down that law as well, finding the states interest wasnt compelling, or narrowly tailored. The state argued some people regret gender-affirming care, and Rate said some people periodically regret abortion too, but that doesnt justify making it illegal. Even if the judge accepted the states overly inflated data point that 30% of people who experience such care regret it which we vigorously dispute he said it would still mean 70% dont regret it, but would be banned from receiving it. Even in the Cross case, he said, the court has provided a clear roadmap to strike down SB 99 as unconstitutional. Rate also shared the results of gender-affirming care for one of the teams clients. Our client Phoebe Cross has flourished as a result of receiving gender affirming care, Rate said. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A federal judge is barring the Trump administration from denying or conditioning the use of federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes explains the judges decision and legal fallout. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WESTFIELD At an April 25 noon press conference, Mayor Michael McCabe, joined by state Sen. John Velis and Community Development Director Peter Miller announced what he said would be good news for the residents of Westfield and surrounding communities. After months of communication and consideration, I am very pleased to announce that Jupiter Power has withdrawn their proposal for a battery energy storage site in the city of Westfield, McCabe said. The Streamfield Battery Energy Storage Site proposed by Jupiter Power overlapped the Barnes Aquifer, which has a recent and costly history of PFAS contamination. The project caused an outpouring from residents in Westfield and neighboring communities, who voiced their opposition to the plan at meetings and in other public forums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor said he had received a brief statement from the company that morning that also followed a recent meeting he had with Miller, Velis and Jack Godshall, chief financial officer of Jupiter Power, that he shared at the press conference. Jupiter Power has a broad portfolio of projects in active development across the United States, and is consistently evaluating which projects to continue to invest in and advance. While we know that the Streamfield project would bring many economic and grid resiliency benefits to the region, and are of course disappointed with the outcome, Jupiter Power has now made the business decision to terminate the Streamfield project and focus development efforts elsewhere, the statement from Godshall read. McCabe said he had been impressed in that final meeting with the company at how much they had listened to Westfield. City Council President John Beltrandi, state Sen. John Velis, [state] House Rep. Kelly Pease and I have been meeting and speaking with the company over the past few months. I am happy to report that the meetings were congenial and achieved the transparency necessary for Jupiter to come to this conclusion, McCabe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Velis said before the last meeting with Jupiter Power, he had expected a full-on brawl. I give them credit. They listened in a collaborative manner and were cognizant of Westfields history. Velis said he was also impressed by the number of emails and phone calls his office received on this matter, and the people who came together in opposition. I would like to thank our City Council, especially Councilors Dan Allie and Kristen Mello for getting the word out to our constituents and to those residents who answered the call and wrote letters, attended meetings and otherwise voiced their concerns to the [Department of Public Utilities] Siting Board. There is no doubt that vocal public discourse contributed to Jupiter Powers decision to withdraw, McCabe said. In my 40 years in public service, I never saw an issue like this that was unanimously panned. Nobody was in favor, they were 100 percent opposed, McCabe said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protection of our Citys natural resources should be paramount in all our decision-making processes and to that end we are very pleased with this development, he added. The current proposed site of the Streamfield Energy System's battery energy storage system that will be the subject of a public hearing by the Energy Siting Board on Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. (streamfieldenergy.com)The Westfield News Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. UPDATE: 4/25/25 at 8:32 p.m. PROVO, Utah (ABC4) A jury has found Kent Cody Barlow guilty on all charges, including two counts of murder, and one count of use of a controlled substance. Sentencing is scheduled for a future hearing. After deliberating for over nine hours, the jury in the Barlow trial, that has populated headlines for the last two years, found Barlow guilty on all counts. It was our pleasure and our privilege to bring some measure of justice to Odin and Hunters families, Ryan McBride and Michael Starrs, prosecutors in the case, said in a statement. While these verdicts cannot begin to make those families whole, we hope that they can find some peace knowing that a jury has held Barlow accountable under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theresa Ratliff, mother of Odin Ratliff, spoke to press after the verdict was read. She thanked the prosecution for their work on the case, and expressed comfort in the verdict that was given. We trusted the jury, we let the process do what it needed, an emotional Ratliff told reporters. But hearing the words guilty of depraved and indifference murder is what we have been fighting for, and that is what we got because that is what he was guilty of. So we are very happy with our prosecution team and the effort and work they put in. Now that Barlow has been found guilty, his sentencing has been set for June 30, where it will be decided how long he will serve for his sentence. According to the Utah County Attorneys office, Barlow is facing 15 years to life in prison for each count. Utah County has unfortunately experienced an increasing number of tragic and unnecessary deaths from excessive speeds, distracted driving, road rage, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, The Utah County Attorneys office said in a statement. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray is committed to holding fully accountable all those who, like Mr. Barlow, so flagrantly violate the law and endanger others. ORGINAL ARTICLE PROVO, Utah (ABC4) The trial of Kent Cody Barlow, the man accused of killing two Eagle Mountain toddlers after crashing his car at high-speeds while high on meth, is now in the hands of the jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timeline in Kent Cody Barlows deadly DUI crash that killed two 3-year-olds Attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense rested their case on the 15th and final day of the trial. Both sides acknowledged that Barlow allegedly caused the deaths of Hunter Jackson and Odin Ratliff, two three-year-olds, on May 2, 2022. TIMELINE: Kent Cody Barlows deadly DUI crash that killed two 3-year-olds While the two sides are asking the jury for a guilty verdict, what is left to be determined is the charge Barlow will be found guilty of. During his closing arguments, state attorney Michael Starrs argued Kent Barlow should be found guilty as charged with depraved indifference murder. Starrs said that while Barlow did not intend to kill Hunter Jackson and Odin Ratliff, his actions knowingly put human life in grave danger and ultimately led to the deaths of the two three-year-old boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does not matter that he did not see them, argued Starrs. What matters is the depraved indifference aspect of it. The signs of life. Were dealing with risks here. Grave risks of death. Not certainties, but risks. The risk with the signs of life in front of him. Barlows attorney, Justin Morrison, disagreed. While conceding a homicide did take place, the case more appropriately fits an automobile homicide charge, rather than depraved indifference murder. My client got high, and he was having too good of a time, but he wasnt a cold-blooded killer. He wasnt engaging in an act that was designed to inflict grave harm and just didnt care who lived or died, said Morrison. He later added, Automobile homicide fits this case like a glove. A tragic, unintentional, and unfortunate killing that was born out of human frailty. About 10:30 a.m., the jury began deliberation on whether he was guilty of the charges as charged, guilty of a more negligent crime such as automobile homicide, or not guilty. As of noon the same day, the jury had not returned from their deliberations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC4 will monitor the case and provide an update when it is available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Apr. 24A jury on Thursday convicted Kristina Withrow of second-degree murder for handing her 18-year-old son a gun that he used to fatally shoot a homeless Albuquerque woman in 2023. But jurors rejected the most serious charge of first-degree murder in a case in which her attorney highlighted the dangers of Withrow's neighborhood near Zuni and San Mateo SE. Withrow's son, Kristian Crespin, now 19, pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder in the April 3, 2023, shooting death of Monique Garcia. He was sentenced in September to 18 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurors deliberated less than three hours Thursday before reaching the verdict following a four-day trial in 2nd Judicial District Court before Judge David Murphy. Jurors also convicted Withrow of aggravated assault and tampering with evidence. Her sentencing hearing has not been scheduled. Withrow's attorney, Keren Fenderson, told jurors Thursday that Garcia had approached Withrow aggressively in a neighborhood where violence was a daily reality for residents. "There were shootings and stabbings and killings and break-ins, just threats coming all the time," Fenderson said in closing statements. Withrow had found Garcia on a neighbor's property and ordered her to leave the area, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This woman was not only mouthing off at (Withrow), she was approaching her," Fenderson told jurors. "Kristina (Withrow) said that this lady's body language tells Kristina that this lady wants to fight." Prosecutors alleged that Withrow pointed a handgun at the unarmed woman, then handed it to her son, telling him to "put one next to her," or fire a warning shot at the woman. Prosecutor Ronald LoLordo played a recording of the three gunshots and told jurors that about four seconds passed between the first and third gunshots. LoLordo said the long pause suggests that the fatal shot was deliberate and considered. LoLordo also told jurors that Withrow herself may have fired the fatal shot an allegation Fenderson denied in her closing. No video exists of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was a deliberate act, either by Kristina (Withrow) or her son," LoLordo said. "This wasn't an intent to scare. It was not rash or sudden." Albuquerque police responded to a report of a shooting at 12:40 p.m. on April 3, 2023, in the 500 block of Ortiz SE, where they found Garcia lying on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to her chest. She died in a hospital the following day. Withrow told police she was frightened by Garcia and grabbed her gun but handed it to Crespin because he was better at handling firearms, according to a criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court. Withrow testified in her own defense Wednesday, describing violent incidents she and her family had experienced prior to Garcia's killing. In one incident, she and two children were caught in the crossfire of a fatal shootout, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Withrow told jurors that violent incidents were a regular occurrence in the area around Zuni and San Mateo SE, where she lived in an apartment with her husband and five children. "It felt like a constant state of fight or flight, like being in a war zone," Withrow told jurors. The violence had left her traumatized and prompted her to carry a gun, she said. Withrow also testified that she did not realize at first that Garcia had been shot because she turned and walked away before collapsing on the sidewalk. CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) It was last summer when a truck crashed into the gas pumps at a 7-Eleven in Castle Rock and killed a member of the Air Force. The store is located on East Plum Creek Parkway. A police affidavit states a pickup truck crashed into the gas pumps on Aug. 4, 2024, at 2:22 p.m. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox That truck hit another vehicle and a man who had just parked at a pump and was putting gasoline in his Sequoia SUV. Court records show 56-year-old Paul Stephenson was driving the truck that went out of control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Douglas County District Attorneys office says 38-year-old Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson from Centennial was killed. His family was inside the SUV at the time. Records show Stephenson had stated he had been drinking beer and a pint of Fireball Whisky before the crash. Police said video cameras captured the truck moving recklessly and at a high rate of speed. Stephenson took the stand at the Douglas County Courthouse Thursday, testifying that he did not remember the crash and that he knew it was wrong to drink and drive. Closing arguments started late Thursday afternoon, where both state prosecutors and Stephensons defense attorney spoke about what happened on the day of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that conduct begins from the moment this guy climbs into that truck having drank a pint of whiskey and two Bud Lights and puts himself on those roads. And then at the perfect moment, for him and the worst moment for everyone else, he turns, accelerates and plows right into that crowded gas station, 23rd Judicial District DA George Brauchler said. 12-year-old girl dies a week after deadly Thornton motorcycle crash Something happened to him to make that vehicle go into that 7-Eleven parking lot. Theres no indoor camera there, so we dont know exactly how, but something did. Thats not the way he drives, Defense Attorney Mike Mitchell said. Several members of the Air Force dressed in blue military uniforms were in the courtroom for the closing arguments. Andersons wife, father and other family members were also present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury deliberated for an hour and a half and is scheduled to resume deliberations on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. MERCER, Pa. (WKBN) A jury found a defendant not guilty of murder charges in a fatal shooting case that began this week in Mercer County Court of Common Pleas. Billy DeWayne Phillips faced multiple charges in connection with the shooting of 35-year-old Terran Page-Hughes on Ravine Place in Sharon on August 1, 2024. His trial began on Tuesday. On Thursday, the jury found Phillips not guilty of first-degree murder, criminal conspiracy murder in the first-degree; third-degree murder and criminal conspiracy murder in the third degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury did find Phillips guilty of aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy aggravated assault. Phillips sentencing is set for July 22. A co-defendant in the case, Jamel Jordan, is facing charges of criminal homicide and first-degree murder. Charges against a third defendant were filed but later withdrawn. Investigators have said the shooting was a result of a feud over a woman and a fight that preceded the shooting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A jury Thursday found a Youngstown man not guilty of a second-degree felony drug charge. Jurors before Judge Maureen Sweeney found Rishun Jones, 21, not guilty of possession of heroin. He was found guilty of a misdemeanor obstruction charge in the same case. Sentencing will be at a later date. Jurors were picked Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to hear the case. Jones was to plead guilty Monday but opted for a trial instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from an October traffic stop and foot chase where officers said Jones threw away heroin as he was running from police on the north side. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang (Rear) delivers a speech at an investment and business promotion event for China's northern port city of Tianjin, held in London, Britain, on April 24, 2025. China's firm opposition and countermeasures to the United States' (U.S.) so-called "reciprocal tariffs" are aimed not only at safeguarding its own national interests, but also at defending the multilateral trading system and upholding international justice, said Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang on Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Ying) LONDON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China's firm opposition and countermeasures to the United States' (U.S.) so-called "reciprocal tariffs" are aimed not only at safeguarding its own national interests, but also at defending the multilateral trading system and upholding international justice, said Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang on Thursday. The ambassador made the remarks at an investment and business promotion event for China's northern port city of Tianjin, held in central London. The U.S.' so-called "reciprocal tariffs" imposed on all its trading partners, including China and the UK, are "in flagrant violation of WTO rules, and a reckless act of unilateralism, protectionism and trade bullying," said Zheng. "It has dealt a devastating blow to the multilateral trading system and the global economy, seriously undermining the interests of all countries." Over the past few days, Washington has sent confusing signals, announcing high tariffs on some Asian countries while stating they would substantially reduce tariffs on China, likely using this gimmick to mitigate self-inflicted losses and influence the capital market, the ambassador pointed out. The ambassador reiterated China's stance that from day one, tariff and trade wars have no winners, emphasizing that China does not seek war but is not afraid of it, and would fight if necessary. Stressing that China's doors remain open if the U.S. wants to talk, Zheng said: "But at the moment, there is no negotiation happening between China and the U.S." He added that any dialogue should be based on equality, mutual respect, and shared benefit, and urged the U.S. to abandon its "maximum pressure, threats, and blackmail." Zheng also called on the international community to show solidarity and act together against unilateralism and trade bullying. "Appeasement or caving in will simply invite more trouble and embolden the bully," he warned. The ambassador also expressed his hope that the UK, with its long tradition of championing free and open trade, would stay on the right side of history, supporting multilateralism and aligning with the majority of the international community on this major issue of principle. Newly uncovered guidance from the Justice Department claims the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) allows federal law enforcement officers to enter the houses of suspected gang members without a warrant and remove them from the country without any judicial review. In a March 14 memorandum, obtained by the open government group Property of the People through a public records request and first reported by USA Today, Attorney General Pam Bondi instructs federal law enforcement officers on how to carry out arrests on members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA), which President Donald Trump has declared are "alien enemies" under the AEA. The Trump administration has refused to disclose many of the operational details of its unprecedented invocation of the 1798 wartime law to send alleged TDA members to a prison in El Salvador under an agreement with that country's president, Nayib Bukele. The memo is one of the first public glimpses at the Trump administration's claims that it can identify, pursue, arrest, and deport migrants, unconstrained by the Fourth Amendment or due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the memo encourages officers to cooperate with federal prosecutors, it notes that "a judicial or administrative arrest warrant is not necessary to apprehend a validated Alien Enemy." The memo also allows officers to arrest suspects they encounter in the field "upon a reasonable belief that the alien meets all four requirements to be validated as an Alien Enemy." "This authority includes entering an Alien Enemy's residence to make an AEA apprehension where circumstances render it impracticable to first obtain a signed Notice and Warrant of Apprehension and Removal," the memo continues. The memo includes a previously published "Alien Enemy Validation Guide" that uses a scorecard to determine suspected TDA members. That scorecard includes alleged symbolic ties to the gang, such as tattoos and clothing. However, as multiple media outlets have reported, Venezuelan migrants have been flagged as violent gang members for generic and inoffensive tattoos, like an autism awareness symbol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once a suspect is apprehended, Bondi claims they are "not entitled to a hearing before an immigration judge, to an appeal of the removal order to the Board of Immigration Appeals, or to a judicial review of the removal in any court of the United States." "The documents reveal the Trump administration has authorized every single law enforcement officer in the country, including traffic cops, to engage in immigrant roundups explicitly outside due process," Ryan Shapiro, executive director of Property of the People, said in a press release. "With Trump also pushing to deport U.S. citizens, we are lurching ever closer to authoritarian rule." Since the memo was issued, the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that AEA detainees are subject to due process and can challenge their imprisonment through habeas corpus petitions. Several lower federal courts have also rejected the Trump administration's claims of AEA deportations being beyond judicial review. Last week, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, appointed by former President Ronald Reagan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, wrote that the Trump administration's claims "should be shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order," Wilkinson warned. "Further, it claims in essence that because it has rid itself of custody that there is nothing that can be done." The Justice Department did not immediately return an inquiry asking if it has updated or rescinded its guidance in light of the Supreme Court and other federal court's rulings. The post Justice Department Memo Claims Alien Enemies Act Allows Warrantless Home Searches and No Judicial Review appeared first on Reason.com. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Walking through weapon detectors will be part of the daily morning routine for many students in Kalamazoo Public Schools in the fall. The KPS Board of Education unanimously approved installing weapon detection systems at all middle and high school entrances during a meeting Wednesday night. Superintendent Darrin Slade said recent shootings in Texas and Florida highlight the need for expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a school shooting or a shooting in a school or university at least once a week. We just had one in Florida State University. We had one in a public school in Dallas, I think, this month already. The goal is to add an additional layer of security to make sure our students are as safe as possible, he said during the meeting. GRPS future plans include security upgrades, electric buses Several board members spoke in support of the motion. Trustee Karla Murphy said she was hesitant at first because of previous experience with other detectors. Everyone taking their shoes off, everyone taking their belts off. Everyone taking their earrings out and taking their jewelry off; no watches. And that was just to get in to a federal building. These are not that, Murphy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the OPENGATE system the district uses can be adjusted to avoid an intensive process. Slade said the idea has been discussed for more than a year with teachers, parents and students. During meetings with parents in the winter, district leaders mentioned that last year, a gun was taken from a student at Kalamazoo Central High School. Slade said detectors were commonplace at his previous districts. The district bought 11 OPENGATE weapon detectors last November and has been using them at sporting events. Comstock Public Schools also use similar detectors during sporting events. Lansing Public Schools uses a similar system. Comstock Public Schools rolls out new rules ahead of first home football game Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slade previously said that there should be no additional cost since each middle and high school is already equipped with the system. Several parents at Maple Street Magnet School told News 8 that they like the plan. One woman said that while she supports the idea, shes concerned about long lines and the safety of students who gather outside of the schools and havent yet walked through the detector. A trainer with CEIA USA, the marker of OPENGATE, said proper communication between students, parents and the district can help create a seamless and safe transition. There will be a test period in one of the districts buildings before the detectors go up in the fall, district leaders previously 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 WOODTV.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a slew of bills into law while vetoing one on Friday, including approving legislation to protect the states residents from artificial intelligence (AI) sex crimes. Kelly announced in a press release on April 25 that she has signed a bill criminalizing the possession, creation and distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse material. The bill also requires certain prior convictions to be considered when determining bond for those arrested for specific sex offenses. Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle approved of the legislation which also raises the minimum bond for repeat offenders who are charged with violent sex crimes to $750,000. Republican Representative for House District 76 Brad Barrett praised the bill for the benefits it will have in protecting the states youngest residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kansas Statehouse is slowly changing color, heres why As child predators turn to AI to create obscene, exploitative images of children, whether by altering real photos or generating abusive material from scratch, we must act, Barrett said. This legislation strengthens our child exploitation laws to protect kids from this evolving threat and also updates our breach of privacy law to shield adults from having their images maliciously altered to appear nude or sexually explicit when they have an expectation of privacy. Kelly also chose to veto Senate Bill 24 on April 24, sending it back to the Kansas Legislature for further action. If approved, Senate Bill 24 would expand the postsecondary educational institutions eligible to participate in the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program and raise the maximum annual appropriation limit. The Kansas Promise Scholarship Program provides financial support to Kansans to help them cover the cost of a two-year degree or technical training program. Currently the program is limited to not-for-profit schools. Senate Bill 24 would allow two private, for-profit institutions to participate in the program. I have serious concerns about the precedent that would be set by providing state funding to for-profit educational institutions that are not accountable to the state or taxpayers. This program is meant to support Kansans as they pursue an education, not funnel public money to private, for-profit institutions. Gov. Laura Kelly veto statement on Senate Bill 24 Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins responded to the governors veto decision on Senate Bill 24. He said the bill would be a win for everyone and help benefit the states students and families. Im disappointed to see the Governor veto an expansion of the Kansas Promise Scholarship. The program has been a successful tool- helping Kansas students gain the skills needed to excel in high-demand, well-paying jobs while also helping to retain those talented workers here in Kansas. Whether the student attends a public or private school is irrelevant, especially as we face workforce shortages across many industries. The results of the Kansas Promise Program benefit Kansas students, families, and businesses, regardless of the school they attend, and expanding it would truly be a win for everyone. Republican House Speaker Dan Hawkins statement on Senate Bill 24s veto Why legalizing weed in Kansas isnt working Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly signed a total of 11 bills into law on April 25 dealing with various topics. You can read through the new laws below: Senate Bill 186 protects Kansans by combating online sexual crimes and strengthens protections for survivors of sexual assault, among other related public safety issues. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2007 reconciles multiple amendments to certain statutes dealing with the 2025 legislative session. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2125 modifies the deadline for mailing property tax statements to taxpayers and the deadline for governing bodies to certify the amount of property tax to be levied to the county clerk. Also provides for the country clerks use of the previous years budget when a taxing subdivision fails to file its budget in a timely manner, among other changes. House Bill 2289 modifies certain requirements for the production and issuance of license plates. House Bill 2231 provides personal exemption for head of household tax filers and increases the personal exemption for certain disabled veterans for purposes of income tax, modifies the definition of household income and increases the household income and the appraised value thresholds for eligibility of older adults/disabled veterans related to increased property tax homestead refund claims. Senate Substitute for House Bill 2125 authorizes certain local governments to submit local sales tax proposals to voters for various projects. House Bill 2335 adds maternity center to the definition of healthcare provider for purposes of the Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability Act. Senate Bill 98 creates a sales tax exemption for qualifying data center projects. Also gives the state another tool to bring jobs and infrastructure to Kansas communities through economic development. Senate Bill 156 increases the reimbursement amount the Kansas Department of Corrections may make to compensate inmates for losses for personal injury or property damage. Senate Bill 204 creates a new process for the appointment of trustees to county law libraries. Senate Bill 204 also requires that certain sensitive information about cases, warrants and subpoenas in criminal and juvenile cases be kept confidential to protect the privacy of Kansans. Senate Bill 237 authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct investigations of violations of the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act. For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. TOPEKA (KSNT) State troopers are planning to move their agency headquarters to a new area in Topeka. A Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) spokeswoman told 27 News this week that plans to move the agencys General Headquarters (GHQ) received the green light in 2025. Now, state troopers look to move operations from the old GHQ to the first level of the Curtis State Office Building at 1000 Southwest Jackson in Topeka. The KHP initially asked members of the Kansas Legislature for approval on a $48 million plan to construct a new GHQ facility. However, this plan was taken down in favor of moving the agency headquarters into an existing office building in downtown Topeka better suited to the needs of the KHP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KHP continues to work with the Department to determine transitional costs, said KHP spokeswoman April McCollum. Relocation of the GHQ is anticipated for FY 2027. Rowdy teens, kids lead to tighter visitation rules at West Ridge Mall Staff at the current GHQ in Topeka are divided between two buildings located at Southwest Seventh Street and Southwest Jackson Street in Topeka. McCollum previously told 27 News the agency searched for a new GHQ location to improve efficiency and better secure operational practices. The Kansas Legislature also approved the Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI) request to move its own headquarters in Topeka to the downtown area this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas gov. approves 11 new laws, vetoes scholarship bill For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) More than $1.5 million in state funding is heading to 19 Kansas communities to support revitalization projects aimed at breathing new life into historic downtown buildings, the Kansas Department of Commerce announced Thursday. The funding from the states Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program, matched by over $6.4 million in local contributions, totals about $7.9 million. Closures, reduced services at some Kansas lakes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By revitalizing our historic buildings, we can create spaces that drive community growth and bring in new economic opportunities for the entire state, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said in a news release. Our rural communities are some of the best places to be in Kansas and its because we are intentional with how we invest in them. The HEAL program offers matching grants to small towns for projects that convert vacant or underused buildings into active spaces for businesses, housing, child care, arts, and community uses. Since its 2021 launch, it has funded improvements to nearly 100 buildings statewide. This group of projects will save buildings in some of the smallest communities in Kansas, Trisha Purdon, director of the Office of Rural Prosperity, said. Its about more than preserving buildings its about generating opportunity and restoring vitality to our downtowns. Highlights from the latest round of funding include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admire: A $35,000 grant will help transform a 120-year-old senior center into the Last Chance Arcade, a retro gaming space with more than 60 classic arcade machines. The venue aims to be the largest arcade between Wichita and Kansas City, serving as a family-friendly attraction. Garnett: The city received $100,000 to renovate one of its largest historic buildings into a modern, 24/7 fitness center with a designated kid zone. The project is expected to increase foot traffic and downtown activity. Sharon Springs: A $100,000 grant will support redeveloping the long-vacant upper levels of two historic buildings into new housing. The effort aligns with local housing needs identified through a recent community assessment. Wilson: The Weber & Peirano Building, a 1904 structure serving as a tourism hub, mercantile, and art space, will receive $40,000 for facade restoration. The updates aim to preserve the buildings architectural integrity while supporting entrepreneurship and tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state says the HEAL program is part of its broader strategy to support economic development and livability in rural Kansas through targeted investments and partnerships. For a complete list of grant recipients and projects, visit the Kansas Department of Commerce 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 KSN-TV. A Kansas woman was charged with murder Thursday in the death of a 4-month-old girl at an unlicensed day care program she was running out of her home. Christy M. Nemnich, 32, faces charges of first-degree murder and operating an unlicensed day care, along with two counts of felony child abuse. Nemnich previously operated the childcare business out of her Ellinwood, Kansas home under the name of Building Blocks Daycare, LLC, according to a lawsuit filed in September 2023 by the parents of the deceased. The infant, identified in court documents as M.R., had been at Nemnichs home on March 24, 2023, and sustained injuries from which she passed away on March 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Barton County judge dismissed M.R.s parents lawsuit in October 2024, according to court documents. In the lawsuit, the parents alleged that Nemnich had called them several hours after day care drop-off to say that the babys arm had become stiff and she had lost consciousness. M.R.s parents took her to a local emergency room, the lawsuit reads, where doctors discovered a brain bleed consistent with a head injury. M.R.s arm and clavicle had also been fractured, along with five ribs, the lawsuit states. M.R. was airlifted to a hospital in Wichita, according to the lawsuit, where she was pronounced dead as a result of the brain bleed within four days. Thursdays charges against Nemnich followed a joint investigation by the Barton County, Kansas, Sheriffs Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Charges against Nemnich were filed in Barton County Court by the office of Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. Nemnich is currently being detained in the Barton County Jail, according to the KBI. Ellinwood, Kansas is about 240 miles west of Kansas City. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. DEDHAM, Mass. (WPRI/AP) The jury in Karen Reads second murder trial left court on Friday to see the home in Canton where her Boston police officer boyfriends body was found. Read, 45, is accused of ramming into John OKeefe with her SUV and leaving him for dead in a snowstorm back in January 2022. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crime. Defense attorneys say she was a victim of a conspiracy involving the police and plan, as they did in the first trial, to offer evidence pointing to the real killer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Boston officers mom gives tearful testimony in Karen Read retrial The point of the jury visiting the home was to help them better understand the evidence presented during the trial. Friday is a half-day for the jury, including the site visit, and limited testimony is being conducted. Monday is also set to be a half-day for the jury. A mistrial was declared last year after jurors said they were at an impasse. The second trial has looked similar to the first one so far. Its being held in the same courthouse before the same judge, and dozens of Reads passionate supporters are again rallying outside. The primary defense lawyers and many of the nearly 200 witnesses will also be the same. 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. Kate Orchard, who has died just short of her 103rd birthday, worked for the RAF in India during the Second World War. In 1942, together with two of her sisters, the 20-year-old Kate Hillier (as she then was) joined the Womens Auxiliary Corps (India), which had been created earlier that year to release men for other duties. She was allocated to the RAF for air defence duties the only operational role undertaken by WAC (I) and posted to the No 5 Filter Centre, RAF Guindy, close to Madras (now Chennai). The filter centres plotted aircraft movements to produce a tactical air picture for the benefit of air defence commanders at all levels. There were 10 non-commissioned roles necessary for a filter centre to function and Kate was to operate in all these roles. I wanted to do something for my country, she recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The region was a key area for the build-up of forces for Burma and in range of Japanese bombers. At the end of March 1942, a large Japanese naval force, including aircraft carriers, entered the Indian Ocean and threatened ports in the Bay of Bengal on their way to their main objective, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Flying a glider over Cornwall just before her 100th birthday - Neil Hope / SWNS Madras suffered an air attack in August 1943, which caused minimal damage, but sufficient to focus the attention of the military authorities and the civilian population to the threat posed by the Japanese. The defences around the city were duly strengthened. Kate and the other WAC (I) women were fully integrated into No 5 Filter Centres operational structure and Kate quickly mastered all the roles. The centre operated on a watch system: There was a large grid in this room with a map of India. As the messages came through you had to identify if [an aircraft] was hostile or friendly, she recalled. By 1943 she was a corporal and by 1944 she was a sergeant duty watch supervisor. She eventually became the NCO in charge of the filter room before her skills saw her selected to train other operators for the 12 filter centres across India, including those protecting the air resupply route to China and aiming to gain control of the air to allow the 14th Army to operate in Burma without undue interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her training role involved wide travel across India and by the end of the war in the Far East she had risen to the rank of Warrant Officer First Class a rank rarely achieved by women in an operational role, either in India or the UK. Kate was one of nine filter centre veterans who attended the Royal opening of the Bentley Priory Museum at the former headquarters of Fighter Command in 2013, where she was presented to Prince Charles. Its now I realise what an important job we were doing and how secretive it was, Kate said. I feel very proud to think that I was a part of it. She was a regular attendee at the Battle of Britain Service at Westminster Abbey, and was a guest at the RAFs 100th celebrations alongside Lord Dowding and four other Dowding System veterans. Kate Orchard at Bentley Priory, in front of the window dedicated to Fighter Control Officers - Ant Upton She was born in April 24 1922 to James and Jess Hillier, the sixth child in what was to be a large Anglo-Indian family of five boys and eight girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her father was a chief telegraph inspector on the Indian railways which entailed a lot of moving from one state to another and so she spent much of her childhood attending boarding school. She trained as a governess and worked for an Army officers family; she was about to travel with them to South Africa but the war intervened. In 1944 she met her future husband Sergeant Bill Orchard, who was serving in the Royal Artillery and on leave from the Burma front. They were married within two weeks of meeting and in 1946 Kate moved to a very different life in the United Kingdom, settling in Cornwall. Kate Orchard carried her wartime sense of duty and community spirit into her postwar years, coupled with an indefatigable and adventurous nature. Her flights raised money for the Royal British Legion, the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmens Families Association, and Help for Heroes - Neil Hope / SWNS She was a volunteer supporting her church, community and various military charities. On her 97th and shortly before her 100th birthdays, she took to the skies in a glider from the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. After landing the second time, she said she felt she wanted to fly away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her flights raised money for the Royal British Legion, the Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmens Families Association, and Help for Heroes. She was passionate about the need to look after ex-military personnel, especially those who had been injured or psychologically damaged. For many years she also sold poppies to raise money for the British Legion. In 2023, her granddaughter arranged for her to be lifted by the wires of the Cornwall Playhouse, making her the oldest person to fly on stage. Her husband Bill died in 1992 and she is survived by their two sons. Kate Orchard, born April 24 1922, died April 4 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The City of Kansas City has joined a group of local governments and a labor union in a lawsuit over the Trump administrations elimination of COVID-era federal grants used for public health programs, such as disease testing and vaccinations. The other plaintiffs listed in the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, are Harris County, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. They are asking a federal court to vacate and set aside the wholesale elimination of the grant programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE detains mother at citizenship appointment in Kansas City, family says The local governments argue that the congressionally-appropriated funding was not limited to the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic but was expected to address the long-lasting effects of the pandemic and to prepare cities and counties for future public health crises. They cite measles outbreaks currently being reported across the country among public health officials concerns with the federal governments cuts. Missouri reported its first case of the year last week, while Kansas has recorded 37 cases. We saw the vulnerabilities in the local public health system, and in the national public health system, you would hope that it would allow us to be in a better situation for whats coming next, said Dr. Marvia Jones, Director of Health in Kansas City, Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We realized that the public health system was already underfunded, so when we received these funds that have been pulled back, the effort was to build us up so we would not be underfunded and better prepared. However, the lawsuit states that President Donald Trumps picks to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control opted to eliminate the federal grants that provided more than $11 billion to public health departments all across the country. The cuts were announced in March. The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement to the Associated Press on March 25. Woman robbed at gunpoint at UMKC; campus police investigating Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson with HHS told FOX4 in an email Friday that the department does not comment on active litigation. FOX4 has also emailed the CDC for comment and is awaiting a response. According to a statement issued Friday from Mayor Quinton Lucass office, the Kansas City Health Department said that because of the funding cuts, it is unable to move forward with plans for an infectious disease testing laboratory, and community health worker programs in underserved neighborhoods will also be closed. This funding was never meant to be temporary it was a critical investment in our countrys ability to respond to current and future health threats, Marvia Jones, director of the citys health department, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cutting these programs now is not just shortsighted, its dangerous. Kansas City is standing up because our residents deserve consistent, reliable public health protections not uncertainty driven by bureaucratic decisions that ignore Congressional intent. A court date has not yet been set in the case as of Friday afternoon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows art works displayed in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows an art work displayed in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows an art work displayed in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows an art work displayed in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows art works displayed in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) An aerial drone photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows art works displayed in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Staff members experience an art work in the shape of a seesaw in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, on April 25, 2025. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) Villagers walk past an exhibited art work in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province, on April 25, 2025. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) This photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows an art work displayed in the fields in Donglin Town, Huzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province. A land art event kicked off in the wheat fields in Donglin Town on Friday. Teachers and students from many Chinese fine arts academies formed the core creative team, producing 42 land art pieces here. Taking the vast land as canvas and natural elements as medium, the artists skillfully integrated various art forms such as art installation and landscape art into the fields and villages, allowing tourists and local people to enjoy the art works in the countryside. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) KANSAS CITY, Mo. Mayor Quinton Lucas, alongside Councilman Darrell Curls announced on Thursday a proposed ordinance aiming to combat predatory towing in Kansas City. For too long, Kansas City residents have been victimized by aggressive towing operations that have drained their wallets and provided little recourse, Lucas said, in a news release. New claims from alleged victims of KC tow company under criminal investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ordinance proposes a number of code changes including: An increase in penalties to deter unlawful behavior The creation of additional responsibilities for tow operators Establishment of new requirements for property owners The ordinance comes less than two weeks after new charges were filed against a Kansas City tow company owner and his mother, after multiple people claimed they were victimized by the company. Also listed in the ordinance is the requirement for the city manager to identify software for city departments to report towing and for the Kansas City Police Department to monitor compliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KC woman says shes a victim of tow company under criminal investigation Too many of our residents have fallen victim to unreasonable fees and questionable towing practices. This ordinance will establish clear guidelines to ensure towing companies operate fairly and transparently, Curls said. The ordinance is expected to be discussed during the citys upcoming Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. ODESSA, Texas(KMID/KPEJ)-Keep Odessa Beautiful is hosting two community clean up events this Saturday, April 26. One clean-up will be at the Woodson Boys and Girls club from 9am-1pm. BCCP will provide trash bags, lunch and cleaning supplies. The second clean-up will be at the MCM Fun Dome located on Hwy 80 to NW Loop 338 tarting at 8am-12pm. Its up to all of us to invest the time and energy needed to keep our community beautiful. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) In 1988, KELOLAND sent a crew to Vietnam in what was a groundbreaking visit. The Vietnam War had only been over for 13 years and the communist government was just starting to let people visit the country. 18,000 South Dakotans went to Vietnam during the war. This week, both KELOLAND and our parent company, Nexstar, are airing specials on Vietnam. 37 years ago, KELOLANDs Steve Hemmingson and Dexter Gronseth appeared on Kelolands weekly half-hour news show called 30 hosted by Doug Lund. They had accompanied Senator Larry Pressler to get a look at the country and hopefully find some answers. At the time very little was know about what Vietnam was like after the war. First into the race: Hansen running for SD governor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While curiosity about Vietnam was a common thread among our party, we all had different motives for making the trip, wrote Hemmingsen. For Senator Larry Pressler, Vietnam veterans making the trip it was a combination of nostalgia and his current decision-making role as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The missing in action, improving relations with our former enemy. For photographer Bruce Gronseth and myself, a journalists curiosity and in a way an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history foot steps made by 18 thousand South Dakotans when what is now history the Vietnam War was current events. What Hemmingsen and Gronseth found was a country frozen in time, the buildings were old, transportation was simple and the economy was struggling. The average Vietnamese worker made a few hundred dollars a month. One of the most poignant outcomes of their journey was the coverage of the Vietnamese governments return of the remains of 27 American service members, who had been killed during the war. In a ceremony no doubt staged for Senator Presslers benefit, the Vietnamese turn over the remains of 27 known Americans. Plus, three our officials dont think are Americans, those 3 are treated differently. The American in charge suspects the Vietnamese would like to see some of their people get American military honors. The propaganda war goes on. This ceremony accounts for only about one percent of our missing, wrote Hemmingsen. In 1988, there were still fears that not all American POWs had been freed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is my judgment that there are probably not any living MIA who are being forcefully held by the Vietnamese, said Pressler in 1988. There very well could be some who are being held in territory not controlled by them in Cambodia or someplace such as that. Senator Pressler served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Part of his job in the army was helping South Vietnamese farmers be more productive. The Humboldt native was curious to see if the lessons he left behind were still being used. To round out the program, Hemmingsen and Gronseth joined Lund in the studio to talk about a range of issues from food to electricity to the people. Lund- One final question for both of you. If you had the opportunity to return, would you? Steve- I would. Dexter- I would too. Steve- If wed had more time there. In Vietnam we had 4 days and we were running, this was 48-hour style journalism. Dexter- I would go back in a second. Its a beautiful country. I wish we could have gotten into the less populated areas the countryside and really had a chance to visit with those village-type people. For both, the experience was eye-opening, offering a profound perspective on the impact of the war and the enduring human stories that continued to unfold years after the conflict had ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viewers can watch the full episode of the 1988 special in the KELOLAND archives section of KELOLAND+. Saturday at 7 p.m. KELO TV is going to be airing a special, titled Vietnam War: A Lost Generation. You can also tune in for a special edition of Inside KELOLAND as we share the stories of local Vietnam veterans. Inside KELOLAND airs Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and again on Sunday at 10:30 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 KELOLAND.com. A panel including Kentucky lawmakers discuss AI at the University of Kentucky. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) LEXINGTON In front of a crowd that included the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, state lawmakers discussed the ample opportunities to use artificial intelligence in Kentucky particularly in areas of workforce development. The panel, held Thursday evening on campus, comes after the General Assembly passed initial legislation to regulate AI in state government with Senate Bill 4 earlier this year. The law, carried by Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, sets standards for how state agencies can use AI and how to report that use to an oversight committee. The legislation had some bipartisan support and was signed by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the policies set forth in the law were discussed in last years legislative AI task force, chaired by Bledsoe and Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon. In November, the group released 11 recommendations for AI policies the General Assembly debated during the 2025 legislative session. Most of the questions during the panel discussion focused on how AI could benefit Kentuckians in areas like health care, education and more. The panelists discussed a variety of possibilities, such as how AI could be used to automate scheduling doctor appointments for patients or giving students an AI tutor to assist them with learning. We only just scratched the surface of really a few areas, Bledsoe said of last years task force. We left out some really key places. Many of those discussions centered around how the state government can use AI ethically while also protecting the privacy and rights of Kentuckians, the senator said. After the panel, she told the Kentucky Lantern she hopes the task force is renewed by the General Assemblys leadership for the interim session leading up to the 2026 legislative session beginning in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the biggest conversation that we didnt get to have was centered around energy use policies and what data centers mean for, not only for Kentucky, but for artificial intelligence in general, Bray said during the panel. Bray said that cheap energy resources are in demand across the country, and data centers needed to support AI technology use a lot more energy than really any other sector or emerging industry, but theres not a ton of jobs tied to it and to the data center itself, and so theres a really large policy discussion and some decisions that have to be made around that. After the panel, Bledsoe said discussions on AI and energy policy are going to be critical moving forward, along with figuring out land-use policies for AI data centers across the state. During last years task force, some conversations honed in on AI in areas like criminal law and election interference. SB 4 ultimately included that political candidates that have their speech or videos altered by AI can sue in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams testified before the legislative task force, urging lawmakers to consider legislation that would make it a crime in Kentucky to impersonate an election official. His concerns at the time stemmed from a political consultant making fake robocalls to New Hampshire voters mimicking President Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 primary election encouraging them to not vote. Bledsoe said after the Thursday panel that some issues around AI and crimes are still being litigated in courts, meaning they could affect legislation passed before a judge renders a decision. Plus, Kentucky lawmakers are watching how laws passed in other states, especially those addressing AI in elections, are playing out. The task force also made a recommendation to urge the federal government to bolster AI regulations at the national level. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to promote AI education in K-12 schools, calling AI the way to the future. Bledsoe said if Congress passed a national framework for states on AI policies, that could avoid having a patchwork of different laws across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were hoping that moves forward before we have to, she said. I think most states are waiting are hoping that moves forward. As for the 2026 legislative session, Bledsoe hopes to reintroduce legislation she pulled this year that would have established rights for ownership of ones likeness in images. She said the bill was not quite where it needs to be and faces complications in social media use. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) Kentucky State Police held its annual Cover the Cruiser event in Owensboro. The campaign raises funds and awareness for local athletes competing in the Special Olympics Summer Games. Members of KSPs Owensboro Post were at Audubon Federal Credit Union. For $1, people could put a custom sticker on a KSP cruiser, symbolizing their support. Were told every dollar raised goes directly to Special Olympics Kentucky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the program has raised more than $67,000 since its inception back in 2020. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). (NewsNation) The wife of the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador has had to move to a safe house with her children after the Department of Homeland Security posted her home address, according to reports. MSNBC reported the DHS posted a court document on social media that had Jennifer Vasquez Suras address on it. Border Report Live: Mexico feeling the heat of the Trump presidency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Vasquez Sura told The Washington Post, I dont feel safe when the government posts my address, the house where my family lives, for everyone to see, especially when this case has gone viral and people have all sorts of opinions. Kilmar Abrego Garcia had a history of violence: DHS The Trump administration has released documents that show the case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, according to NBC News. DHS then posted a copy of a protective order that was granted to Abrego Garcias wife in 2021. Credit: U.S. District Court This undated photo provided by Murray Osorio PLLC shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (Murray Osorio PLLC via AP) HYATTSVILLE, MD APR 4: Jennifer, center, whose husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported by ICE, is hugged by a staff member of CASA, at the CASA Multicultural Center during a press conference ahead of Garcias hearing. GREENBELT, MD APR 4: Protestors stand outside the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland during Kilmar Abrego Garcias hearing. HYATTSVILLE, MD APR 4: Jennifer Vasquez Sura, whose husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported by ICE, speaks at a rally and press conference at the CASA Multicultural Center ahead of his hearing. GREENBELT, MD APR 4: Protestors stand outside the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland during Kilmar Abrego Garcias hearing. HYATTSVILLE, MD APR 4: Lucia Curiel, who represented Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks at a press conference and rally for Garcia before his hearing, at the CASA Multicultural Center. This undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025, shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (CASA via AP) DHS officials wrote on X, Kilmar Abrego Garcia had a history of violence and was not the upstanding Maryland Man the media has portrayed him as. In that post, the familys home address and other personal information were not redacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with DHS told MSNBC that the documents posted on X are accessible to the public. Kilmar Abrego Garcias wife filed protective order in 2021 In a statement, Vasquez Sura said her experience with domestic violence in the past, before her relationship with Abrego Garcia, is why she got the protective order. She said it happened after a disagreement with Abrego Garcia and was done in case things escalated. Immigration lawyer in Utah ordered to self-deport Things did not escalate, and I decided not to follow through with the civil court process, she said. No one is perfect, and no marriage is perfect. That is not a justification for ICEs action of abducting him and deporting him to a country where he was supposed to be protected from deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, Kilmar is not perfect nobody is, Vasquez Sura told The Washington Post. Day by day, you grow. Every day, you learn. And he was trying his best for me, for our kids, for our future. Trump administration believes Kilmar Abrego Garcia is part of MS-13 gang The Trump administration has continued to say that Abrego Garcia is part of the MS-13 gang in Long Island, New York. However, there has been no evidence to suggest this, and Abrego Garcia has denied the allegations. MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, has been designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department. The gang was created by immigrants from El Salvador in the United States before it gained traction in Central America, officials said. Illinois Gov. Pritzker acts against El Salvador over Kilmar Abrego Garcia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump met with El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele, who said he wouldnt be sending Abrego Garcia back to the country. The Trump administration was ordered by the Supreme Court to facilitate Abrego Garcias return but has yet to do so. Abrego Garcias wife has continued to advocate for him. She told reporters last week, Enough is enough. My family cant be robbed from another day without seeing Kilmar. This administration has already taken so much from my children, from Kilmars mother, brother, sisters and me. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fox News host Brian Kilmeade warned Russian President Vladimir Putin is risking angering President Trump with his refusal to stop bombing Ukraine as the U.S. works to broker an end to the ongoing war between the two countries. Vladimir Putin, I think to a degree, is embarrassing President Trump when he bombed Kyiv in this brutal attack the worst, youre watching it now, Kilmeade said on Fox & Friends. The worst in a year and killed these innocent people, he added in comments first highlighted by Mediaite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Thursday expressed frustration with Putin after more bombs hit Ukraine killing at least eight people. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Kilmeade on Friday suggested Putin risks escalating tension with Trump and other Western leaders with the continued bombing after the U.S. president opened a door to a peace deal. If hes going to embarrass the president, the president let him know yesterday, he blasted him, Kilmeade said. Its going to get worse, and there are sanctions queued up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says it doesnt help me and doesnt help the situation if I tell you whats going to happen to Russia, if they continue to undermine these peace talks, 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. The Kissimmee police officer whose brutal beating of a man two years ago sparked a scandal in his department pleaded guilty Friday to felony battery, witness tampering and official misconduct. Officer Andrew Baseggio now faces up to two years behind bars and must surrender his law enforcement certification, according to the plea agreement read in Osceola County court. The beating, the false report he wrote about the incident and the culture of cover-up grand jurors said led his superiors to hide his actions and give him only an eight-hour suspension eventually led to the resignation of the then-chief of the Kissimmee Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baseggio, hired as a patrol officer at KPD in 2007, was accompanied in the courtroom by his attorney Jay Rooth as Judge Keith Carsten read out his guilty plea. They hustled out of the courthouse once the hearing concluded and did not comment to reporters. In exchange for his plea, he can be sentenced to far less time in prison than the 40 years he initially faced. He will not be sentenced for another two months pending a court investigation. As part of his plea, two other charges he faced solicitation of perjury and misdemeanor battery will be dropped. The plea also requires that he testify regarding any criminal activity as requested by the state, though it is not clear for what investigation prosecutors might want his testimony. A KPD spokesperson said Baseggio was fired Nov. 7, three months after his arrest, but referred further questions to the Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office, which did not comment on the plea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As this remains an active legal matter, the Kissimmee Police Department will continue cooperating with the judicial process, read a statement issued by spokesperson Alibeth Suarez. We take these matters seriously and remain committed to maintaining public trust and accountability within our department. The case began with an April 2023 call about a disturbance at a home on Brack Street. Body-worn camera video showed Baseggio illegally entered without a warrant and then brutally beat 44-year-old Sean Kastner by kneeing him in the face and stunning him with a Taser seven times. He was then taken to a hospital with lacerations on his face and a nasal bone fracture. Baseggio later wrote an incident report that did not accurately describe what happened and then, following an internal investigation, was given an eight-hour suspension for the beating. The incident went unaddressed until prosecutors learned what happened from a TV news report. They then took the case before the grand jury, which returned an indictment against Baseggio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grand jurys 34-page report questioned the credibility of 11 officers at KPD along with its top brass, including Chief Betty Holland. She resigned days ahead of the reports public release. The report accused Holland of not being truthful with prosecutors investigating the beating and found she had blocked attempts at a criminal investigation into Baseggios actions. Officers who conducted the internal investigation sought to downplay the incident by falsely accusing Kastner of kicking at Baseggio, an effort to call the beating objectively reasonable, the grand jury found. Holland had also kept Baseggio informed about the progress of outside investigations, which the report said allowed him to seek to influence the testimony of fellow officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then-State Attorney Andrew Bain presented the grand jurys report in October, telling reporters on the steps of the Osceola County Courthouse that the investigation into the officer was compromised from the beginning. So we went back and re-interviewed a lot of those witnesses who were inside of that investigation, and it turned out that many of the things they said were falsified, he said at the time. Prosecutors also determined KPD ran afoul of Florida law by not reporting to state authorities 15 excessive force cases involving other officers or Baseggio, a lapse stretching back a decade. The reporting of those cases was later rectified but yielded no charges against the accused officers. After Hollands resignation, city officials quickly replaced her with Orange County Sheriffs Office Maj. Robert Anzueto, who served as interim chief while OCSO conducted its own investigation into the KPD. Anzueto recused himself from that probe but moved to reform agency policies regarding internal investigations and other matters highlighted by the grand jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Attorneys Office did not comment on the investigations into the agency, as it is an active investigation, spokesperson Anika Hamilton said in an email. On April 1, Charles Broadway, the former Clermont police chief, was sworn in as Hollands permanent replacement and tasked with rebuilding the departments reputation. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) Kiwanis International, an organization dedicated to serving the children of the world, held an event Thursday to honor the citizen and educator of the year. Dana Schmidt was recognized as educator of the year for her work teaching kids from all circumstances in theater. Charles and Jodie Chelle were named citizens of the year. The Chelles fostered 32 children over a number of years and were recognized for their work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years President of the Kiwanis Club Tim Haggerty talked about the club and what they do. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers, dedicated to improving the community one child and one community at a time. Its all about the kids. The Grand Junction Kiwanis Club will hold its biggest fundraiser of the year, Pancake Day, June 7, at the Mesa County Fairgrounds from 8 11 a.m. Click here to be redirected to the Grand Junction Kiwanis Club website. Click here to purchase tickets to Pancake Day at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Comments from Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko that Ukraine may be forced to temporarily give up some territories to Russia have been met with dismay by Ukrainian lawmakers who spoke to the Kyiv Independent. "No politician in Ukraine is authorized to change Ukraine's borders this is the sovereign right of the Ukrainian people alone," Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a lawmaker from the Holos party and chairman of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, said. "Therefore, such positions or proposals only play into the hands of the enemy, showing that pressure works and some concessions are possible," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with the BBC on April 25, Klitschko said that with ongoing U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine there are "a lot of conversations about a possible solution." "One of the scenarios is... to give up territory. It's not fair. But for peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution. Temporary," Klitschko said in a released excerpt of the interview. He added that Ukrainians would "never accept occupation" by Russia. "I absolutely disagree with this statement," lawmaker and chair of the parliament's foreign affairs committee, Oleksandr Merezhko, told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Maybe he expressed his thoughts incorrectly and didnt mean it. The truth is, that Ukraine will never agree to any territorial concessions," he said. "Ukraine will always retain its sovereignty over temporarily occupied territories. The question is when these territories will be returned and by what means military or diplomatic means?" Later on April 25, Klitschko in a post on Telegram sought to "clarify" his comments. "I said that Ukraine could be forced to make territorial concessions in exchange for ending the war. Unfortunately, as we see, such a scenario is quite possible," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And many world politicians and media are talking about it today," he added, insisting he was not raising anything that hadn't already been raised. But Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian lawmaker from the Holos political party, told the Kyiv Independent that the comments were "the first time I have heard such an idea from a Ukrainian politician." She expressed skepticism about the consequences of making territorial concessions to Russia in any form as part of any peace deal. "If you offer your arm to a tiger, dont be surprised when it takes your whole body," she said. Yurchyshyn suggested the idea of giving up territory to Russia was not widely shared among other Ukrainian lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have not observed any change in my colleagues' stance on the inadmissibility of recognizing the occupied territories as part of Russia," he said. The issue of territorial concessions became headline news earlier this week after it was reported the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was considering giving de jure recognition of Russia's control of occupied Crimea. A copy of the peace proposal given to the U.S. by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week shows the diverging viewpoints of the U.S. on one side, and Ukraine and its European allies on the other as they seek to end Russia's full-scale invasion. The document, reprinted in full by Reuters on April 25, includes "robust security guarantees" including from Washington, and no talks on territorial concessions until a "full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land and at sea" has been implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have no right to abandon our people or our landit would be a betrayal of those who gave their lives in the war and would render their sacrifice meaningless," Yurchyshyn said. Read also: Ukraine, Europes ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no recognition of Crimea, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. KAMPALA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- As the world marked World Malaria Day on Friday, a Ugandan health official said China is a key partner in helping the East African country eliminate the deadly disease by 2030. Jimmy Opigo, head of the National Malaria Control Division at the Ministry of Health, told Xinhua in a recent interview that Uganda is eager to learn from a country whose relentless efforts have reduced annual malaria infections from about 30 million in the 1940s to zero in 2017. In 2021, the World Health Organization officially declared China malaria-free, making it the 40th country in the world to have eliminated malaria. Opigo said that over the years, China has supported Uganda in fighting the disease, which kills between 70,000 and 100,000 people in the East African country annually, with pregnant women and children most affected. The 2024 World Malaria Report indicates that Uganda remains a high-burden malaria country, with 12.6 million cases in 2023, ranking it among the most affected countries globally. Chinese innovative medicines, artemisinin-based combination therapy and injectable artesunate have played a critical role in fighting malaria, Opigo said. "This is one of their most important contributions in the fight against malaria in Uganda and the world. Coartem (an antimalarial drug) is a Chinese innovation." In February last year, China donated about 500,000 packs and doses of anti-malaria medicines worth 1.1 million U.S. dollars to Uganda. According to the Chinese embassy here, this donation was a rapid response to the urgent request by the Ugandan government to address the rising number of malaria patients. The embassy said the cooperation in the health sector is one of the most important areas in the bilateral relationship, noting that besides the donation of medicines, China has been sending medical teams to share experiences with the Ugandan counterparts and treat local people since 1983. Opigo hailed China's "1-3-7" strategy to eliminate malaria. "They eliminated malaria and came up with the concept called '1-3-7', meaning if you identify any malaria cases, report it within one day, have it fully investigated and all contacts traced within three days, and then have all of them treated and the area where the disease emerged controlled within seven days," he said. The health official said Uganda has modified the Chinese strategy into a community-based model to manage cases and reduce malaria transmission. Once a case is identified in a community, it is treated, and the community people are screened for the disease. Opigo said that, drawing from China's experience, this quick case detection, investigation and surveillance system is critical in fighting the disease. The official said China is currently running a pilot anti-malaria project in Uganda, where it has set up malaria elimination demonstration zones in Kamwege, Luwero, Nakaseke, Buliisa and Rukiga districts. In these zones, malaria elimination medicines are being administered. Opigo said Chinese company Yorkool, the leading manufacturer of long-lasting insecticidal-treated mosquito nets, will supply Uganda with more than 15 million nets through the Global Fund next year. He added that treated mosquito nets have been one of Uganda's key strategies in fighting malaria. "We appreciate the long-standing bilateral relationship between Uganda and China, which has been in several fields, including trade, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and medicine, and we are now developing one in malaria elimination," the official said. "Uganda is working with China for the elimination of malaria." SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Good morning, Siouxland! Heres a quick rundown of your Friday morning headlines. As measles outbreaks continue to pop up across the U.S., Siouxland doctors urge parents to ensure their kids are vaccinated before the virus gets any closer to home. Measles cases rise across the United States, but none in Iowa yet As a reported leak indicates the budget for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could be cut by one-third, Iowa organizations that advocate for people with disabilities are worried about the possible impacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa disability programs brace for potential cuts after budget leak The Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame has introduced its 2025 group of inductees, including a Marshalltown woman with a record-setting history of service at the Iowa Veterans Home. And last but not least, KCAU 9 hosted our annual Best of the Class at the Orpheum Theatre Thursday, giving a well-earned moment in the spotlight to high school valedictorians from the Class of 2025, coming all three of the Siouxland states. KCAU 9 celebrates 2025s Best of the Class Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend, and well see you bright and early at 5 a.m. Monday on Good Day Siouxland! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Weeks after tornadoes caused destruction and deaths in Arkansas, a rumor began to spread that U.S. President Donald Trump refused to release disaster relief funds for the state. For example, a post on X, which reminded readers that Arkansas voters had elected Trump in the November 2024 election, said Trump had denied funds to the state (archived): Wait, wait, wait Trump denied federal disaster relief funds to the people of Arkansas in the wake of those deadly tornadoes last month?!? WTF. pic.twitter.com/4QHf3pFoVK Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) April 25, 2025 The claim appeared several times on X, with some users emphasizing that Republican elected officials from Arkansas who have historically supported Trump, such as Sen. Tom Cotton and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, were begging the president to release the funds. Posts also appeared on Facebook, including one with an image that read: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE TRUMP IS NOW SCREWING OVER REPUBLICANS IN NEED OF DISASTER RELIEF Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote a letter to the president begging him to approve aid for the state after a series of destructive storms Further, reputable news outlets such as ABC News and CNN also relayed the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statistics from the National Weather Service showed six people had died in Arkansas and 46 had been injured in 35 tornadoes, one thunderstorm and floods as of late April 2025, with most of the storms occuring in mid-April. The storms also destroyed homes and businesses across the state. In case of a major disaster, the president makes a declaration unlocking funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support recovery efforts. For this, the governor of a state must make an official request. Following procedure, Sanders applied for major disaster relief on March 21, 2025, a week after the first casualties. On March 29, she submitted another request. On April 2, she released $250,000 in state funds for relief. On April 4, she submitted another request to help the state recover from flooding. However, on April 18, 2025, Huckabee Sanders sent a letter appealing FEMA's denial for relief funds for the damage caused by tornadoes on March 14 and 15. The letter read: The sheer magnitude of this event resulted in overwhelming amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the tragic loss of three lives, and injuries to many others. Less than three weeks later, Arkansas was once again devastated by a second wave of severe storms, tornadoes, and a generational flooding event. These compounding disasters severely affected many of the same counties, adding even more catastrophic debris and tragically claiming the lives of three additional Arkansans. Given the cumulative impact of these events, federal assistance is essential to help our communities recover. Indeed, Trump had not made a declaration of major disaster as of this writing. We contacted the White House asking how he might respond to the appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 28, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared she planned to eliminate FEMA, an agency that is part of her department. Noem echoed Trump, who said on Jan. 24, 2025, he would sign an executive order "reforming or overhauling FEMA or maybe getting rid of FEMA." He added states should rely on themselves "and not waste time calling FEMA." Besides Arkansas, FEMA denied funds for disaster relief in some counties of West Virginia, prompting the governor to consider an appeal. The agency also denied funds following a windstorm in Washington state without giving a reason. Another FEMA letter denied funds for an extension requested by North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. We have contacted the White House, the National Security Council, Sanders' office and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, asking for updates and explanations for the denials. We will update this story should they respond. Sources: Arkansas Weather Statistics for 2025. National Weather Service, https://www.weather.gov/media/lzk/StormsOf2025.pdf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frazin, Rachel. 'Noem's Vow to "Eliminate" FEMA Raises Alarms'. The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025, https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5220996-noem-trump-fema-elimination-concerns/. Hamilton, Cameron. FEMA Letter to Gov. Jay Inslee Denying FEMA Disaster Relief Funds. 11 Apr. 2025, https://governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/WA%20TD%20Letter.pdf. ---. FEMA Letter to Gov. Josh Stein Denying Further Disaster Relief Funds Following Hurricane Helene. 11 Apr. 2025, https://x.com/ReubenJones1/status/1910800943861342449. News, A. B. C. 'GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Republican Lawmakers Urge Trump to Reconsider Denial of Disaster Relief'. ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sarah-huckabee-sanders-arkansas-lawmakers-urge-trump-reconsider/story?id=121105810. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nilsen, Ella. 'Tornado Victims Blocked from Federal Recovery Aid after Trump Denied Request'. CNN, 23 Apr. 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/23/weather/trump-denied-disaster-aid-arkansas-tornadoes/index.html. Request for Presidential Major Disaster Declaration and Appeal To Major Disaster Declaration Denial - Arkansas Governor - Sarah Huckabee Sanders. https://governor.arkansas.gov/request-for-presidential-major-disaster-declaration-and-appeal-to-major-disaster-declaration-denial/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Sanders' Letter to President Trump Requesting a Major Disaster Declaration - Arkansas Governor - Sarah Huckabee Sanders. https://governor.arkansas.gov/sanders-letter-to-president-trump-requesting-a-major-disaster-declaration/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Sanders Signs Executive Order to Provide Funding for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding Expected to Occur on or About April 2, 2025 - Arkansas Governor - Sarah Huckabee Sanders. https://governor.arkansas.gov/news_post/sanders-signs-executive-order-to-provide-funding-for-severe-storms-tornadoes-and-flooding-expected-to-occur-on-or-about-april-2-2025/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders Submits Additional Disaster Declaration Request to President Trump - Arkansas Governor - Sarah Huckabee Sanders. https://governor.arkansas.gov/news_post/sanders-submits-additional-disaster-declaration-request-to-president-trump/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Sanders Submits Disaster Declaration Request to President Trump Ahead of Potential Flooding - Arkansas Governor - Sarah Huckabee Sanders. https://governor.arkansas.gov/news_post/sanders-submits-disaster-declaration-request-to-president-trump-ahead-of-potential-flooding/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Storm Leaves 3 People Dead, 32 Others Hurt in Arkansas | Arkansas Democrat Gazette. 15 Mar. 2025, https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/mar/15/storm-leaves-3-dead-32-hurt-in-arkansas/. Trump Says He Wants to Eliminate or Overhaul FEMA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQfZfJSi_Q8. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Trump's FEMA Denies Washington Disaster Relief for "Bomb Cyclone" Windstorm'. Opb, https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/14/trump-s-fema-denies-washington-disaster-relief-for-bomb-cyclone-windstorm/. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025. Ware, Victoria. 'FEMA Denies Assistance to 7 West Virginia Counties'. Https://Www.Wsaz.Com, 23 Apr. 2025, https://www.wsaz.com/2025/04/23/fema-denies-assistance-7-west-virginia-counties/. (WKBN)- Summer break is a great time to have some fun, but some teenagers might want to use the time to earn some money and get some work experience. The Ohio Department of Commerce says that in order for teens to start off on the right foot, they need to have the right paperwork filled out. During the school year, all teens ages 14 through 17 require a minor work permit. During the summer, that rule only applies to kids ages 14 and 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose is to keep the children safe, to make sure that the employment, the type of employment, the occupations, the participation that theyre doing is safe for them, both health-wise and mentally. So that being a student is their first job, said Stephen Clegg, the chief of the Ohio Bureau of Wage & Hour. Once teens secure a job, they will need to download the minor work permit online and complete the application. This will need signatures from a parent and information filled out by their employer. The application must then be returned to the childs school district. Its important to plan. The U.S. Department of Commerce encourages parents and teens to gather necessary documents ahead of time to avoid any delays when opportunities become 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. The Kremlin has stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff, during their meeting, "brought positions closer" and also discussed the possibility of "direct talks" between Russia and Ukraine. Source: Yuri Ushakov, Putins foreign policy advisor, in a comment to Russian media, as reported by European Pravda Details: Ushakov said that the three-hour "conversation" between Putin and Witkoff "had a constructive and very useful nature" and "allowed for further rapprochement of Russia's and the US's positions" on a number of issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "As for the Ukrainian crisis specifically, the conversation included, in particular, the possibility of resuming direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives." Background: This is Witkoffs fourth visit to Moscow and his meeting with Putin, through which the US aims to achieve a "peaceful settlement" in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on 24 April that the Kremlin is "ready to reach a deal" with the US regarding Ukraine, although some elements of the deal still need to be "fine-tuned". Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson strongly criticised Donald Trumps proposals for ending the war in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has elaborated on remarks he made in an interview with the BBC in which he said one possible scenario is that Ukraine might temporarily cede territories in exchange for peace. Source: Klitschko on Facebook Quote from Klitschko: "Perhaps I should clarify. In my interview with BBC journalists, I mentioned that Ukraine could be compelled to make territorial concessions in exchange for ending the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, as we can see, this scenario is entirely possible. Many of the worlds politicians and the media are discussing it today. Therefore, by expressing this, I haven't said anything groundbreaking." Details: Klitschko said he had stressed in the interview that "the Ukrainian people will never accept Russia's occupation of their country". Quote: "We understand that the scenario of territorial concessions goes against our national interests and we must resist its implementation to the very end. This will require exceptional efforts from both us and our European partners." Background: Klitschko said in the BBC interview: "One of the scenarios is to give up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary." He added that the Ukrainian people would "never accept occupation" by Russia. The Kyiv mayor said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may be forced to accept a "painful solution" to achieve peace. Asked whether Zelenskyy had discussed any details of a possible settlement with him, Klitschko replied bluntly: "No. President Zelenskyy does [it] himself. It's not my function." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! On the heels of the catastrophic January wildfires, L.A. County first responders are demanding raises and rebuking politicians for not moving faster to grant them. Unions representing sheriff's deputies, firefighters and lifeguards made a public pitch Thursday for more support in increasingly testy contract negotiations, releasing a half-hour documentary that highlighted their members harrowing tales from the first days of the fires. Dave Gillotte, head of county firefighter union IAFF Local 1014, said he wants the footage to serve as a reminder to county politicians about his members heroism battling the worst wildfire of their careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre a little bit bewildered seeing press conferences from the county saying what an amazing job youve done, said Gillotte, whose unions contract with the county expired a week before the fires. That doesnt reconcile with my members. The documentary captures a sheriff's deputy reminiscing about her car slowing in the middle of an inferno as her tires melted. A lifeguard narrates footage from his body camera of driving through black smoke during a beach patrol and spotting the beam from a flashlight a Hail Mary from a man whose house was about to be consumed by flames. Firefighters share stories of working double shifts without food or sleep. My members dont whine. They dont complain, Gillotte said. But they did a damn good job. The film's release comes about a month after L.A. County Chief Executive Fesia Davenport told the unions they would get no raises in their new contracts because of unprecedented financial pressures. The county is saddled with a $4-billion sex abuse settlement , an estimated $2 billion in wildfire costs and signs from the White House that hundreds of millions' worth of public health grants will soon be cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: L.A. County faces $2 billion in fire recovery costs, straining budget The chief executive office said in a statement that the county is trying to balance the need to pay employees fairly with keeping the county solvent. Los Angeles County appreciates the essential contributions of our workforce, and we are deeply grateful for the brave and important work by our firefighters and other first responders during the unprecedented January wildfires, the statement read. At the same time, the County is facing serious budgetary challenges on multiple fronts. Despite the punishing headwinds, the county balanced its $48-billion recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which officials credit to cautious financial planning. They said the sex abuse settlement can be paid with bonds and the countys plush rainy day fund, a seldom-touched pot worth nearly a billion dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike L.A. County, the city of Los Angeles recently gave its workers significant pay raises , which are now a major factor in a nearly $1-billion budget deficit , along with ballooning legal payouts and a weakening national economy. Mayor Karen Bass' proposed budget includes 1,650 layoffs, a quarter of them civilians at the Police Department. City labor negotiators have started to talk to union leaders about postponing this years raises, which are expected to cost about $250 million. County unions insist theres some room left over for raises. SEIU Local 721, which represents about 55,000 county employees, has accused the county of slow-rolling negotiations and plans to strike at the end of the month. Read more: 911 logs show more than a dozen calls from burning west Altadena before evacuations ordered Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unions representing first responders said the county's refusal to grant raises landed with a particularly brutal thud among employees who expect to be rewarded for their work in the wildfires. Im pissed off, bluntly, said Richard Pippin, head of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, whose contract expired at the end of January. Because the county fiscally is so much healthier than the city is even with the settlement. We know that they have the budget. None of the five L.A. County supervisors responded to a request for comment. Sheriff Robert Luna, who greenlighted the use of deputy footage in the documentary, said he has been advocating to Davenport and the supervisors to increase the pay of his deputies, warning they will otherwise leave for better-paying jurisdictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They absolutely need to be fairly compensated, Luna said. We cant move forward and continue to get zeroes. In L.A., the union that represents rank-and-file police officers has said it will back Bass for reelection after supporting her opponent, Rick Caruso, a billionaire developer, the last time. Asked whether they were threatening political repercussions for the supervisors, county unions demurred. We just need the CEO to show up, Gillotte said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Los Angeles immigration attorney said she received an email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) telling her to leave the U.S. immediately even though she is a U.S. citizen. Harriet Steele said she was stunned when she opened an email sent to her from the federal agency on April 10 that read, It is time for you to leave the United States. I was startled when I first read it, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portions of the email also read, DHS encourages you to leave immediately on your own. DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States the federal government will find you. The agency warned that the recipient could face criminal prosecution, civil fines and penalties. Steele said she was confused about receiving the letter and worried that it was intended for a client instead. An email immigration attorney Harriet Steele received from the Department of Homeland Security telling her to leave the U.S. immediately. (Harriet Steele) Los Angeles-based immigration attorney Harriet Steele speaks to KTLAs Sara Welch on April 24, 2025. (KTLA) An email immigration attorney Harriet Steele received from the Department of Homeland Security telling her to leave the U.S. immediately. (Harriet Steele) Theres no identifying information about who the intended recipient is, she said. I would imagine it would be terrifying for someone who, unlike me, doesnt have the privilege of having attended law school, of being a U.S. citizen born in the United States to two U.S. citizen parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear how many people have mistakenly received the DHS notice. In a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times, DHS said that U.S. Customs and Border Protection used each immigrants known email address for the 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 statement read. CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis. Steele believes the emails fall in line with the current White House administrations focus on mass deportation plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this is in line with a lot of the policies that weve seen over the past three months, which are both chaotic and intimidating and meant to intimidate people into self-deporting, Steele said. Steele represents unaccompanied minors in her daily work and said the DHS email has stoked fear and concern with some of her clients, but she remains focused on her work in immigration law. Im aghast to think that anyone would get an email like this, U.S. citizen or not, Steele said. Im not going to be intimidated by this. Im going to continue doing my work for the organization where I work [as] public counsel and continue working with the clients in the communities that we serve. According to the L.A. Times, Steele is not the only U.S. citizen to receive the DHS email a San Diego County man, an immigration attorney in Massachusetts and a physician in Connecticut also received the DHS letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLA has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment and is awaiting a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) will resume direct flight from the Brunei capital Bandar Seri Begawan to Beijing, China, from Monday, according to Haji Muhammad Juanda Rashid, Brunei's minister of development and the chairman of the RBA. At a reception event held on Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo said the move will infuse new energy into the friendship between the two countries, and provide stability and positive energy to the world economy under the current turbulence. Haji Muhammad Juanda Rashid said the flight resumption marks not only the revival of a vital air link, but also a reaffirmation of the strong and enduring ties between Brunei and China. The route will be in service twice a week and will be operational through Beijing Daxing International Airport, said Sabirin Haji Abd Hamid, the airline's CEO. Having taken office pledging to smash the criminal gangs that are shipping boatloads of illegal migrants across the English Channel, Sir Keir Starmer now appears instead to be in the business of renting houses for their clients. Serco, a government contractor, is seeking landlords to house some of the 30,000 asylum seekers it is currently responsible for. Backed by state funding, it is able to offer five-year leases with no risk of arrears or non-payment, full funding for repairs and maintenance, and no letting or management fees. This is an appealing offer for landlords, but an appalling situation for those taxpayers in the private rented sector, who now face the prospect of the state effectively using their own money to outbid them for housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a situation is clearly corrosive to the social contract. It is unlikely to engender much warmth towards the Labour Governments next set of tax rises, either. Without a meaningful deterrent to the numbers crossing Europe for a chance to come to Britain, we will continue to be the destination of choice for many, and the state will continue to produce absurd outcomes as it attempts to manage the situation. It is now evident that the Government has lost control of the situation in the Channel. Migrant crossings have risen by more than 40 per cent compared with the same period last year. Such a situation is self-evidently unsustainable. It is long past time that Sir Keir and his colleagues treated it with the seriousness it deserves. 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. Salvation Army officials said they were forced to end four of its six after-school and summer programs in Mecklenburg and Union counties because of limited resources. Channel 9 spoke with Breanna Chambers, who had her 8-year-old son, Isaiah, enrolled in their afterschool program at Marshville Elementary School. She was considering sending him to their summer camp. However, she recently learned its ending. ALSO READ: Thieves target Maiden Salvation Armys after-hours donations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wanted to know why because I like the staff at the Boys and Girls Club, she said. The Salvation Army said it lost money in the split with the Boy and Girls Club of America in January. In an email to Channel 9, the organization said, On Jan. 10, 2025, The Salvation Armys national agreement with Boys & Girls Clubs of America came to a close. As a result, our local youth programs no longer carry the Boys & Girls Club name, nor does our organization benefit from funding from Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas national corporate partners. These changes have resulted in the difficult decision to re-evaluate our existing footprint. The parents pay $5 a year. Its (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.). It really helps the kids with their math, reading, homework they have to do, Chambers said. Teach them leadership skills, core values, so it was really beneficial to the parents. It makes me sad, so hopefully they come up with something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Salvation Army said its locations on Marsh Road and Belmont Avenue will stay open, and theres room for families to apply. The organization said it hopes to be back in Union County someday. The Salvation Army locally remains committed to providing safe, enriching, and supportive environments for youth that families have come to expect, said Brent Rinehart, The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. The Salvation Army has been providing youth programs in the Charlotte area since 1934; we have a long history in this community of serving youth and plan to continue doing so. The Salvation Army now calls its programs Red Sheild Youth Centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a link to where families can sign up. Links to area summer camps: VIDEO: Gastonia Salvation Army announces its closing shelter LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) A Lafayette man has been indicted for murder and rape in the 2022 death of a toddler, authorities said. Dillon Cormier, 32, of Lafayette, was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday in the 15th Judicial District Court of first degree murder, first degree rape and second degree cruelty to juveniles. Cormier and his girlfriend, Deziree Suttoon, were arrested in 2022 after the death of a one-year-old boy, Suttoons son, at their home on Willie Mae Lane in Lafayette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two had been charged with second degree murder. Both the murder and rape charges can be punishable by death in Louisiana. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Workers install fiber optic cables for a school in Harrisburg, Pa. The Trump administration is extending the deadline for states to submit their final proposals for a federal broadband program thats still largely in the planning phase after more than three years (Spencer Platt/Getty Images). The Trump administration is extending the deadline for states to submit their final proposals for a federal broadband program, further delaying an effort thats still largely in the planning phase after more than three years. States will have an additional 90 days to submit their final plans for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, known as BEAD, a federal grant program meant to expand broadband access to underserved areas across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extension comes as the Trump administration prepares to make changes to the BEAD program, according to a notice from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The department is currently reviewing the program to remove unnecessary rules and mandates, to improve efficiency, take a more technology-neutral approach, cut unnecessary red tape, and streamline deployment, the notice said. The $42.45 billion program, created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, began falling behind schedule in part because of inadequate federal mapping of where broadband is most needed and a lengthy challenge process to the maps. As a result, the slow-moving program has some local officials and experts questioning its efficiency. They anticipate that federal officials might change an affordability requirement, which mandates states include a low-cost service option for low-income households, or the type of technologies given preference under the program. That shift likely would be away from fiber-optic internet toward satellites or other technology. Earlier this month, more than 100 state lawmakers from 28 states sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick requesting that any changes to the BEAD program be optional rather than mandatory. They argued that mandatory changes could undo their BEAD plans and delay broadband deployment by a year or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BEAD program originally had required states to submit their final proposals to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration within a year of their initial plans approval. Citing extraordinary circumstances, however the new federal review deadlines for states final proposals will be moved, according to the notice. NTIA declined to comment for this story. All 50 states have had their initial BEAD proposals approved, unlocking a portion often 20% of the money the feds will provide. As of April 14, Delaware, Louisiana and Nevada are the only states to have submitted their final proposals for public comment, according to the NTIAs BEAD Progress Dashboard. Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas are the only states that have not made any progress beyond having their initial proposal approved, according to the tracker. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The right lane of I-70 eastbound in Huber Heights was blocked, causing a bit of a back up in traffic. According to OHGO, it was the right lane on I-70 East beyond SR-202/Old Troy Pike that was blocked specifically, due to a crash. There was already scheduled maintenance happening on that stretch of the interstate as well, which is contributing to the backup. According to Huber Heights Police and Fire dispatch, the crash involved two vehicles. At this time, injuries were not reported. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A judge set bail Friday at $263,000 for the man accused of shooting and killing a dog in the east Las Vegas valley. Kevin Hoskins, 34, faces animal abuse and gun-related charges for the shooting on April 23, records said. The shooting happened in the 6000 block of Halehaven Drive, near East Bonanza Road and North Sloan Lane, police said. Officers found a man, later identified as Hoskins, standing in the street. Police said the dog was dead from apparent gunshot wounds inside a kennel inside the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through investigation, detectives learned that Hoskins was upset with the dog and made threats that he was going to kill it. In 2017, Hoskins faced a charge of murder with a deadly weapon in North Las Vegas, records said. Hoskins told police he shot a man in self-defense as that man tried to get into his apartment. Several months after Hoskins arrest, prosecutors dropped the case over the self-defense claim, documents said. In 2014, Hoskins faced a charge of aiming a gun at another person, records said. A judge later reduced the charge to disorderly conduct and ordered Hoskins to complete impulse control counseling. Hoskins completed the counseling, and a judge closed the case, records said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specific details about Wednesdays dog killing were not available yet as of Friday. 8 News Now was awaiting a public records request for more information. Hoskins was due in court on April 29 when a judge could readdress his bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Protesters gathered at UNLV on Thursday in a demonstration targeting the Trump administrations immigration policies. The protest follows the revocation of four UNLV international student visas in early April. Those students identities remain unknown due to federal privacy laws. Three more students had their visas revoked this week, totalling seven. Since then, UNLV has sent a message to the university community indicating a total of seven international students who have had their visas revoked, some undergraduates and some graduate students. The university said no additional revocations have occurred since April 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reinstate their visas. Make sure student safety is a top priority, protest organizer Stephanie Gentry said. For other protesters, the concern is larger than the revoked visas but also the bigger picture for other international students. Students, UNLV alumni and even students from other universities took part in the protest. A protester holds a sign during a rally on the UNLV campus on Thursday. (KLAS) Weve had a lot of students that have to basically leave and flee because they dont have any good immigration standing, UNLV student Raymond Behnke told 8 News Now. They can be deported if they stay, so they cant finish their spring semester here. They need to already go home. Benke said he is impressed overall with the universitys response to student concerns, even crediting some professors who canceled class in solidarity with protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is so close to exam season, and theres all these different scheduling issues that they had. Its even Bring Your Kid to Work day, right? Despite all that, they still wanted to show support for this protest and rally, which Im really happy about, he said. But he also criticized how the university is handling concerns. Behnke said phrases like this is something unfortunate that has occurred and Im sorry, were doing our best, feel too passive. I do think there needs to be a little bit more of an active language, like, Heres what were doing in order to show support, in order to increase our programs that relate to this, such as the immigration clinic, he explained. Protesters on the UNLV campus on Thursday. (KLAS) Chris Heavey, the officer in charge following UNLV President Keith E. Whitfields exit, issued the universitys initial statement in early April. On Thursday, university regents approved hiring Heavey as interim president by vote of 11-1. Heaveys statement read as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have learned that four of our international students have had their visas revoked by federal immigration authorities. We will not identify the students in accordance with federal privacy laws. We recognize that this news may be difficult for some. Unfortunately, similar circumstances are affecting many universities and colleges across the country, and so we were prepared for this possibility. We are offering support and guidance to the students during this difficult time, including helping those in need to fulfill requirements necessary to complete their spring semester. UNLV remains steadfast in our commitment to helping all of our students achieve their academic goals, and we will approach any similar future situations with the same mindset and support. Finally, we are grateful the university has immigration resources for those in need. For example, the UNLV Immigration Clinics University Legal Services program, part of the Boyd School of Law, offers free immigration legal services, including DACA assistance, to current students, faculty and staff, and their families. The clinic also helps students and others navigate immigration laws and processes. The University Police Department has created a Q and A document as a helpful resource to understand rights and responsibilities related to federal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone is in need of support services following this news, we urge you to please utilize our mental health and wellness resources , or talk to a friend or colleague. We are here for one another. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This is an edition of the Books Briefing, our editors weekly guide to the best in books. Sign up for it here. If you were judged on the basis of your darkest dreams, what could you be found guilty of? Moral debasement? Murderous intent? Desperate, cringey behavior? Thankfully, no one can spy on the sordid or embarrassing acts that may transpire in other peoples sleep. But two recently published books connect dream behavior to real-world implications. The reissued Third Reich of Dreams, by Charlotte Beradt, documents the dreams of Germans during Hitlers rise in the 1930s; Laila Lalamis novel, The Dream Hotel, imagines a woman who is incarcerated in part because of her nightmares. Together, these two very different works propose an intriguing argument: Dreams, though beyond our conscious control, might be our purest expressions of free will. First, here are four new stories from The Atlantics Books section: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beradts dream catalogue, first published in 1966, shows how deeply the Nazis infiltrated the minds of ordinary Berliners: The citys residents regularly reported being forced to sing songs or perform salutes in their sleep. In a recent essay about the book, my colleague Gal Beckerman was most interested in dreams of submissionscenarios in which Germans fiercely opposed to the Nazis might get a back massage from Hitler, or find him irresistibly charming at a party. Although Beradt interpreted these vignettes as reflections of a deep wish to conform, Beckerman, borrowing a little from Freud, suggests that such dreamers might in fact be flirting with unfreedom subconsciously as a way of relieving this particular itch and fortifying themselves. In The Dream Hotel, Lalami conjures a future in which a dystopian surveillance state monitors peoples dreams, sometimes using the data to incarcerate those whom it deems likely to commit crimes. This week, Lalami wrote for The Atlantic about how plausible her speculative scenario feels today in America, with eerie parallels in news reports of permanent U.S. residents being detained for long-ago infractions. Yet Lailami embarked on the novel well before Donald Trump even ran for president. I was thinking instead, she writes, about the ever-more-invasive forms of data collection that Big Tech had unleashed. I wondered if one of their devices might target the subconscious one day. Sara Hussein, the protagonist of The Dream Hotel, has dreams in which she poisons her husband or inadvertently pushes him off a bridge. Detained for pre-crime, she joins a cellblock of women incarcerated for similar reasons, people who are deemed dangerous by algorithms. The system of the novel is unfair in many ways, but its incursions into the unconscious feel most outrageous. Dreams are where private, unregulated impulses get to fight it out, freed from the imperatives of waking life and unhindered by the laws of society or reality. They are a medium through which humans can explore desires that are detrimental to themselves or others. If we were to act on every impulse or fear manifested there, chaos and anarchy would result. People would regularly show up to work in their underwear, betray or kill their lovers, miss most of their flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea that dreams predict our behavior is plainly absurdbut so is the notion that they therefore do not deserve our attention. As Beckerman writes, they can help us register slow, subtle changes in life, such as a growing yearning for freedom, or the creeping emotional stress caused by what he calls nascent authoritarianism. Thats part of why the premise of The Dream Hotel is so frightening: If anyone were able to see and control our dreams, theyd thereby command our imaginations. They Dreamed of Hitler By Gal Beckerman A newly reissued book documents the dreams of Germans living under the Nazis, charting totalitarianisms power over the subconscious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the full article. What to Read The Great Derangement, by Amitav Ghosh Broadly, Ghosh argues, the problems of climate change are created in the developed world yet are felt most acutely outside it. Ghosh, who has seen the ravaging effects of tornadoes and monsoons on his native Kolkata, builds his series of interlinked essays about the history and politics of global warming around a double-edged storytelling problem that he says prevents the people in rich countries from grasping the enormity of climate change. First, because our common narrative framework depends on the past, many people still consider warming through a speculative lens, failing to recognize the severity, and urgency, of superstorms and sea-level rise. And second, that framework also neglects to assess the past, because it leaves out how centuries of extraction and domination by wealthy, powerful countries have made it hard for formerly colonized nations to be resilient in the face of rising temperatures. Thats the derangement of his title: the inability of our stories to change as quickly as our world is. Heather Hansman From our list: What to read to wrap your head around the climate crisis Out Next Week Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, by Michael Luo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Accidentals, by Guadalupe Nettel, translated by Rosalind Harvey Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI, by John Cassidy Your Weekend Read Ryan Young Ryan Coogler Didnt Want to Hide Anymore By David Sims Ryan Coogler: Yeah. It was always there, bro. Gumbo is spicy. Itll make your nose run if its done right. The vampire was always the spice. Gumbo has to hurt a little bit. If you serve me gumbo that doesnt hurt a little bit, its not right. The vampires were always there, because so much music deals with the supernatural. So much of its about being haunted by ghosts or dealing with supernatural creatures or having a rabbits foot or a mojo bag. It deals with darkness. Its dealing with the id. And I love horror cinema; I love horror fiction and the concept of the vampireeverything about it made sense for this movie when I really started to think about it. The fact that they have perspective, that theyve been around for a long time. When Remmick hears Sammie sing, he knows what that music is. He knows what it can do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the full interview. When you buy a book using a link in this newsletter, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic. Sign up for The Wonder Reader, a Saturday newsletter in which our editors recommend stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight. Explore all of our newsletters. Article originally published at The Atlantic Good morning KELOLAND! Very welcome rain fell in much of KELOLAND yesterday. The map below shows some of the 24 hours rainfall totals. Sioux Falls had .70 at the airport, but some parts of the city had .80 to 90 by the end of the day. It was nice to see some 1 inch pockets west of Sioux Falls as well. You can see the areas of rain that moved across KELOLAND and the rest of the plains the past 24 hours. The breaks in the thunderstorms across southern Nebraska helped our moisture supply. The local runoff in the city of Sioux Falls can be seen at Falls Park this morning. Our short-term forecast today calls for some decreasing clouds in Sioux Falls with highs near 60. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Futurecast shows mainly dry conditions today with clearing across the northeast. We expect quiet conditions into Saturday morning as winds turn around to the south. A developing warm front late in the day should spark a line of scattered showers and thunderstorms Saturday night into Sunday morning. We expect more scattered t-storms to fire on Sunday. The most likely scenario will feature scattered storms Sunday night into Monday morning with pockets of severe weather and locally heavy rain. The Storm Prediction Center has already highlighted far southern SD and northern NE into a severe weather outlook Sunday evening. More storms will roam the plains on Monday, with the highest target zone focused east of Sioux Falls Monday afternoon. All modes of severe weather will be possible. Here are the details of the forecast. 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. The FBI on Friday arrested Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan, saying she intentionally misdirected federal immigration agents away from a man they were trying to take into custody at her courthouse. The judge's arrest escalates a clash between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the Republican presidents sweeping immigration crackdown. The Justice Department has previously signaled it was going to crack down on local officials who thwart federal immigration efforts. Here's the latest: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some see Trump weaponizing government by targeting judge and Democratic site The Trump administration is providing another example of how its targeting those the president feels are blocking his agenda. The FBI arrested a Milwaukee judge it accused of impeding an immigration investigation, as the president feuds with judges he thinks are stonewalling his immigration agenda. And Trump himself directed his Department of Justice to investigate a prominent Democratic fundraising portal. The acts show how Trump has used the power of the presidency to silence opposition. Experts warn that this is a typical feature of authoritarian governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about Trump targeting his critics The US oversees a peace pledge for east Congo Secretary of State Marco Rubio has overseen the signing by Congo and Rwanda of a pledge to work toward a peace deal that would ease U.S. access to critical minerals in resource-rich eastern Congo. The deal would bring U.S. influence to bear in a minerals trade that has helped fuel conflict that has killed millions over the past three decades. Rubios participation in Fridays ceremony is an early step in what the Trump administration says is a rebuilding of U.S. foreign policy to focus on transactions of direct financial or strategic benefit to the United States. Congo and Rwanda hope U.S. involvement will calm the violence that has defied peacekeeping and negotiation since the mid-1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about the peace pledge Trump calls for Ukraine and Russia to meet for very high level talks Trump posted on his Truth Social site shortly after arriving in Rome for Pope Francis funeral that it was a good day of talks and meetings between the two sides. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, had made a visit to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to finish it off, Trump wrote. Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about Trumps call for Russia and Ukraine to meet Kennedy Center events scheduled for LGBTQ+ pride celebration have been canceled Organizers and the Kennedy Center have canceled a weeks worth of events celebrating LGBTQ+ rights for this summers World Pride festival in Washington, D.C. The events at the center had been planned for June 5 to 8. Multiple artists and producers involved in the centers Tapestry of Pride schedule told The Associated Press that their events had been quietly canceled or moved to other venues. Washingtons Capital Pride Alliance has disassociated itself from the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Centers website still lists Tapestry of Pride on its website with a general description. The center didnt respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about the cancellation Trump arrives in Rome for Pope Francis funeral The president, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, will overnight at the U.S. ambassadors residence in Rome. He said he may meet with some people Friday night and Saturday on the sidelines of the funeral service at St. Peters Basilica. Justice Department to resume issuing subpoenas to journalists as part of leaks crackdown The U.S. Justice Department is poised to crack down on leaks of information to the news media, authorizing prosecutors to issue subpoenas to news organizations as part of leak investigations, serve search warrants when appropriate and force journalists to testify about their sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New regulations, announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi in a memo to the workforce obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, rescind a Biden administration policy that protected journalists from having their phone records secretly seized during leak investigations a practice long decried by news organizations and press freedom groups. Read more about the leaks crackdown Judge blocks Tru mp administration from nixing collective bargaining for most federal employees A key part of Trumps March 27 order cant be enforced at roughly three dozen agencies and departments where employees are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman ruled Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union said the order would cancel collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees. The union also said it would lose more than half of its revenue and over two-thirds of its membership if the judge denied its request for a preliminary injunction. Read more about the ruling 19 states sue Trump administration over push to end DEI programs in public schools A lawsuit filed by Democratic attorneys general in 19 states seeks to block the Department of Education from withholding money following an April 3 directive ordering states to certify that they have rejected what the government calls illegal DEI practices. States also were told to certify their compliance by April 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the plaintiffs informed the government that they stand by their prior certifications of compliance with the law but refuse to abandon their diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment. Read more about the lawsuit Schumer says Trump cant just arrest US judges There are no kings in America, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said. Schumer called the Wisconsin judges arrest a dangerous escalation, an attack on the separation of powers. We will fight this with everything we have, he said. Trump says hell be meeting with world leaders in Rome but suggests doing so may be a little disrespectful Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is repeating his plans to meet with some people in Rome including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. But he also suggested to reporters on Air Force One flying to Rome that such meetings would come a little bit quickly and added, Frankly, its a little disrespectful to have meetings when youre at the funeral of a pope. Trump nonetheless insisted, Ill be talking to people. Ill be seeing a lot of people. One person he doesnt expect to see is former President Joe Biden. Trump said he didnt know his predecessor would be at Pope Francis funeral and, asked if theyd meet, said, Its not high on my list. Its really not. Things to know about Hannah Dugan Dugan has been a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since her election in 2016. FBI Director Kash Patel said Dugan increased danger to the public by letting Mexico native Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer leave her courtroom through a jury door April 18 to help avert his arrest, according to an FBI affidavit. Dugans lawyer says the judge regrets and protests her arrest. She is due back in court May 15. Read more about what to know about the Milwaukee judge Wisconsins Democratic governor accuses Trump of undermining the judiciary at every level In a statement on the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level. I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nations judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime, Evers said. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law. Trump says Zelenskyy is late to sign minerals deal The long-delayed agreement over U.S. access to Ukraines mineral deposits remains unfinished, according to Trump. He posted on Truth Social that Zelenskyy has not signed the final papers and it is at least three weeks late. Trump asked Zelenskyy, who he has been pressuring to make concessions to end the war with Russia, to handle it IMMEDIATELY. SUCCESS seems to be in the future! Trump wrote. The president is on his way to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis. Zelenskyy was also expected to attend, but he may not make it amid Russian attacks. A senior Republican senator pushes back on Trumps plans for Ukraine Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, is pushing back on Trumps plans to make concessions to Russia as he seeks to end the war in Ukraine. In a social media post, Grassley asks Trump to put the toughest of sanctions on Russian President Vladmir Putin. He says the Republican president should be able to see that his Russian counterpart is playing America as a patsy. Republican senators have been reticent to publicly push back on Trumps foreign policy plans, even though traditional Republicans are often at odds with his aims. However, with Congress taking a break from Washington this week, a few hawkish GOP senators like Grassley and Sen. Roger Wicker have taken to social media to decry Putin. Similarities to another judge prosecuted during Trumps first term Judge Hannah Dugans arrest is similar to a case during the first Trump administration against a Massachusetts judge accused of helping a man sneak out a back door of a courthouse to evade a waiting immigration enforcement agent. That prosecution sparked outrage from many in the legal community, who slammed the case as politically motivated. Prosecutors dropped the case against Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph in 2022 under the Democratic Biden administration after she agreed to refer herself to a state agency that investigates allegations of misconduct by members of the bench. Sen. Tammy Baldwin slams the arrest of Judge Dugan Baldwin, a Democrat who represents Wisconsin, called the arrest of a sitting judge a gravely serious and drastic move that threatens to breach the separation of power between the executive and judicial branches. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by, Baldwin said in an emailed statement after Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line, she said. Iran talks are progressing, Trump says The president expressed confidence that negotiations between Washington and Tehran will lead to a deal on Iran's nuclear program that would be good for humanity. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said preventing Iran from having a nuclear weapon would ultimately save their country billions and billions of dollars. Having a nuclear weapon is really expensive, he said. But its also very dangerous. And they cant have a nuclear weapon. Trump once again hinted at the possibility of violence if an agreement isnt reached. There are some people who want to make a different kind of a deal, a much nastier deal, he said. And I dont want that to happen to Iran if we can avoid it. Melania Trump gets an unexpected trip to Rome and an airplane meal for her 55th birthday Shes got a working birthday, Trump told reporters accompanying him aboard Air Force One. The Trumps are flying to Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, which is also the first ladys 55th birthday. Asked if hell take her to dinner, Trump said amid some laughter that, Ill take her for dinner on the Boeing. Ill take her for dinner on Air Force One. Trump on Texas GOP Senate primary: Ill make a decision somewhere along the line The president is leaving open the possibility that hell endorse in the already-nasty Texas Senate primary race between Sen. John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, the states attorney general. I like Paxton, I like Cornyn, theyre both good people, Trump told reporters traveling on Air Force One en route to Rome on Friday. So Ill make a decision somewhere along the line. But you have two very good men. He added: In a way, I wish they werent running against each other. Trump cant rule out insider trading by staff as tariff policies cause markets to whipsaw President Donald Trump said he couldnt rule out members of his administration sharing tips on his tariff policies and trade negotiations with traders on Wall Street, saying I can commit to myself, thats all I can commit to. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said that while he couldnt be sure, he hires honorable people and that I have thousands of people that work for me, but I cant imagine anybody doing that. He was responding to news reports that some administration officials have provided non-public updates to traders and financial executives amid market turmoil caused by Trumps steep tariffs on American imports. Deportation fears raise ethical issues for student journalists Student journalists on college campuses across the country are fielding requests to remove previously published content, offer anonymous sourcing and retract bylines. That comes amid the Trump administrations crackdown on student protesters, fears of deportation for international students and what critics have described as unprecedented attacks on campus speech. Many young editors are beginning to reconsider long-standing journalistic practices around transparency, in order to protect the people who appear in their reports. The Student Press Law Center and other media rights groups have responded by issuing a guidance urging student journalists to be more flexible about requests to take down content. ICE is reversing the termination of legal status for international students, a government lawyer says The records had been suddenly terminated in recent weeks, often without the students or their schools being notified. Many of those students have filed court challenges throughout the United States. Judges had already issued temporary orders restoring the students records in a federal database of international students maintained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. A lawyer for the government read a statement in federal court in Oakland on Friday that said ICE was manually restoring the student statuses. Brian Green, a lawyer who represents a plaintiff challenging their termination, said a government lawyer told him the reversal would apply to all students in the same situation, not just those who had filed lawsuits. Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest, attorney says Judge Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee judge who was arrested by the FBI on accusations she helped a man evade immigration authorities, appeared briefly in federal court Friday before being released from custody. Her next court appearance is May 15. Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. He declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter following her court appearance. The arrest comes amid a growing feud between the Trump administration and the judiciary over the White Houses immigration enforcement policies. FBI director: Wisconsin judge accused of helping someone evade immigration agents has been arrested FBI Director Kash Patel made the announcement in a post on X and said his office believes Judge Hannah Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse. Patel identified the subject as Eduardo Flores Ruiz and said Dugans actions allowed Ruiz to evade arrest. The Justice Department didnt immediately have a comment Friday. A person answering the phone Friday at Dugans office said he couldnt comment. The Associated Press left an email and voicemail Friday morning seeking comment from Milwaukee County Courts Chief Judge Carl Ashley. The arrest marks an escalation in the Trump administrations fight with the judiciary over the White Houses sweeping immigration enforcement policies. The Justice Department had previously signaled it was going to crack down on local officials thwarting federal immigration efforts. Read more about the FBIs arrest of the judge Environmental groups fear Trumps order to speed deep-sea mining will harm ecosystems The groups are decrying an executive order signed by President Trump to expedite deep-sea mining for ores and minerals, saying it could irreparably harm marine ecosystems and ignores an ongoing process to adopt international rules for the practice. Trumps order Thursday directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to fast track permits for companies to mine the ocean floor in both U.S. and international waters. The move comes as China controls many critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese used in high-tech manufacturing, including for military uses. Trump said his order establishes the U.S. as a global leader in seabed mineral exploration and development both within and beyond national jurisdiction. Read more about Trump and deep sea mining Municipalities in several Republican-led states sue Trump administration for cutting federal money The billions in federal dollars supported COVID-19 initiatives and other public health projects throughout the country. The City of Columbus the capital of Ohio, and the largest city in the state filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday. It alleges that some $11 billion in funding cuts to such programs had already been approved by Congress and so are being unconstitutionally withheld. The litigation further charges that the administrations actions violate Department of Health and Human Services regulations. In a statement, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, a Democrat, said the cuts have forced the city to fire 11 of its 22 infectious disease staffers, even as measles outbreaks are spreading to multiple U.S. states and diseases like whooping cough and mpox are on the rise. The cities of Kansas City, Missouri; Davidson County and Nashville, Tennessee; as well as Harris County, Texas; home to Houston, also joined the suit. Former President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, will attend Pope Francis funeral Thats confirmed by his office. Biden was only the second Roman Catholic American president, and frequently attended church while in office and met with the pope at least twice during his term. They were to meet in January days before Biden left office Jan. 20, but the trip was called off because of devastating wildfires in California. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth travels to the southern border Hes traveling to the southern border corridor that was recently turned over to the Defense Department as part the Trump administrations effort to detain migrants crossing into the U.S. Kingsley Wilson, a Pentagon spokesperson, said he was going to the New Mexico National Defense area. The long sliver of land, known as the Roosevelt Reservation, is a 60-foot-wide federal buffer zone that ribbons along the border from New Mexico to California, except where it encounters tribal or privately owned land. It had been run by the Interior Department until Trump directed control be transferred to the Defense Department in a presidential memo earlier this month. By taking control of the land and turning it over to the Army, U.S. troops will now be able to detain anyone whos trespassing on military land. Chinese embassy gives no comment on Trumps claim of getting a call from Xi The Chinese embassy in Washington on Friday said it has no comment when asked if Chinese President Xi Jinping has had a recent call with Trump, as claimed by the U.S. president. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said hed received a call from Xi but didnt make it clear when and if such a call took place. This morning, he provided no clarity when speaking to reporters while leaving the White House for his trip to Rome to attend Pope Francis funeral. Earlier Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry again denied any consultation or negotiation with the U.S. on tariffs. The U.S. should stop creating confusion, said Guo Jiakun, a ministry spokesman. Trump says hes being inundated with requests to seek a third term And he insists there are some loopholes to the constitutional bar preventing presidents from seeking a third term. During an interview with Time magazine, Trump was asked about saying he was not joking about seeking a third term previously. He responded, There are some loopholes. But, Trump added, I dont believe in using loopholes. The 22nd Amendment states, No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. A possible way around that would be for Vice President JD Vance to be elected president in 2028, then step aside in favor of Trump. Trump said he didnt know anything about that possibility, but also noted, I am being inundated with requests. Wall Streets rally fades as more CEOs talk about uncertainty ahead because of Trumps trade war Wall Streets three-day rally is running out of momentum Friday and U.S. stocks are drifting in mixed trading as they near the end of another roller-coaster week. The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in early trading, though the majority of stocks within it were falling. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 10 points, or less than 0.1% , as of 9:40 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.3% higher. Intel weighed on the market after the chip company said its seeing elevated uncertainty across the industry and gave a forecast for upcoming revenue and profit that fell short of analysts expectations. Its stock fell 7.6% even though its results for the beginning of the year topped expectations. Read more about the financial markets Trump calls Pope Francis a fantastic kind of guy while leaving for his funeral The president and first lady Melania Trump are heading to Rome for the funeral. Speaking to reporters before boarding a helicopter to Air Force One, the president said, Were going to Rome to pay our respects and well be leaving that same day. He repeated his predictions that hell be meeting with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the funeral. But exactly what that might entail is unclear. Trump even suggested that a meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was possible. He added of the possibility of several meetings: Its going to be very interesting. Trump said he met Francis twice and that the pope loved the world, actually, and he was just a good man. I thought he was a fantastic kind of a guy, Trump said. A call with Chinese President Xi Jinping? Trump raised eyebrows in an interview with Time magazine when he claimed to have received a call from Xi. If true, it would be a notable development in the tariff standoff between the worlds two largest economies. But its unclear when or if such a call took place, and Trump provided no clarity when speaking to reporters while leaving the White House for his trip to Rome to attend Pope Francis funeral. I dont want to comment on that, Trump said. Ive spoken to him many times. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has previously denied negotiations have been taking place. The National Security Council did not immediately return a request for comment. Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis Heads of state and royalty will start converging on Rome on Friday for the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vaticans St. Peters Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis humble persona and disdain for pomp. Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the leaders arriving Friday, the last day the Argentine pope will lie in state in St. Peters Basilica before his coffin is sealed in the evening in preparation for his funeral Saturday. The Vatican says 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. Read more about the dignitaries attending the funeral of Pope Francis Negotiations between Iran and the US over Tehrans nuclear program return Saturday to Oman There, experts on both sides will start hammering the technical details of any possible deal. The talks seek to limit Irans nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans program if a deal isnt reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Read more about the nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal, AP sources say Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagons security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press. The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseths use of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance. Known as a dirty internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the users information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagons secured connections maintain. Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if theres a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked. Tara Copp Trump orders Justice Department to investigate Democrats top fundraising platform In an executive order signed Thursday, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate allegations that Republicans have raised that ActBlue allows illegal campaign donations. Democrats, who had anticipated they would be targeted, condemned the move Thursday and ActBlue called it an oppressive use of power by the White House. The Trump Administrations and GOPs targeting of ActBlue is part of their brazen attack on democracy in America. Todays escalation by the White House is blatantly unlawful and needs to be seen for what it is: Donald Trumps latest front in his campaign to stamp out all political, electoral and ideological opposition, ActBlue said in a statement. ActBlue said it would pursue all legal avenues to protect and defend itself. Trumps order directs Bondi, in consultation with the Treasury Department, to investigate allegations that online fundraising platforms, and specifically ActBlue, have been used by some to make straw or dummy contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees. Read more about Trumps executive order on ActBlue Trump says Russia should keep Crimea The president sat down with Time magazine for an interview marking 100 days in office, a milestone that he crosses next week. During the conversation, which was published on Friday, Trump said Crimea will stay with Russia. The strategic peninsula was seized by Russia in 2014, years before the full-scale invasion in 2022. Everybody understands that its been with them for a long time, the president said. Its been with them long before Trump came along. Theyve had their submarines there for long before any period that were talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea, Trump said. But this was given by Obama. This wasnt given by Trump. How the publics shift on immigration paved the way for Trumps crackdown Since returning to the White House, Trump has launched an unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement that has pushed the limits of executive power and clashed with federal judges trying to restrain him. But unlike in his first term, Trumps efforts have not sparked the kind of widespread condemnation or protests that led him to retreat from some unpopular positions. Instead, immigration has emerged as one of Trumps strongest issues in public polling, reflecting both his grip on the Republican base and a broader shift in public sentiment that is driven in part, interviews suggest, by anger at the policies of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden. The White House has seized on this shift, mocking critics and egging on Democrats to engage on an issue that Trumps team sees as a win. Read more about Trumps crackdown on immigration Immigration is Trumps strongest issue, but many say hes gone too far, a new AP-NORC poll finds Trumps handling of immigration remains a point of strength as he takes wide-ranging actions to ramp up deportations and target people in the U.S. illegally, according to a new poll. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 46% of U.S. adults approve of Trumps handling of immigration, which is nearly 10 percentage points higher than his approval rating on the economy and trade with other countries. While Trumps actions remain divisive, theres less of a consensus that the Republican president has overstepped on immigration than on other issues. Still, theres little appetite for an even tougher approach. About half of Americans say hes gone too far when it comes to deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally. Theyre divided on the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants who are accused of being gang members to El Salvador, and more oppose than support revoking foreign students visas over their participation in pro-Palestinian activism. Read more about what the poll shows CHONGQING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A shipment of fresh lemons departing from Tongnan District of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, can now arrive in Vietnam in just two days, covering a journey of some 1,300 km. The first delivery of 28 tonnes of chilled fresh lemons from Tongnan to Vietnam was made recently on a cross-border highway truck via the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. "This route slashes transit time from six days to two days, ensuring Vietnamese consumers enjoy fresher produce," said Hu Zaiyang, manager of a local fruit dealer. This vibrant trade scene underscores the deepening economic ties between China's western regions and Vietnam. From electronic components to fruits and flowers and from smart home appliances to daily necessities, trade volume between the two sides has surged, buoyed by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Vietnam has remained the largest ASEAN trade partner among China's western provincial-level regions. Chongqing's 2024 trade with Vietnam hit 39.77 billion yuan (about 5.5 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for a third of its total trade volume with ASEAN. Youyiguan Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a gateway to Vietnam, is piloting a brand new customs supervision model, using intelligent means to improve efficiency and capacity of customs clearance. In the future, the port will operate customs clearance around the clock and goods can be delivered from Nanning, the regional capital of Guangxi, to Vietnam's Bac Giang within 24 hours, said Shi Lei, deputy director of Youyiguan Customs. Beyond trade, investment cooperation has continued to bring benefits to the people of both sides. In Bac Ninh and Bac Giang, Vietnam, modern industrial parks invested and constructed by Chinese new energy and electronics manufacturing firms are driving local employment and growth. Chongqing's 2024 investments in Vietnam jumped 33.4 percent to 33.16 million U.S. dollars in sectors like general equipment and automotive manufacturing. As of the end of 2024, Chongqing had 24 investment projects in Vietnam, with cumulative factual investments totaling 213.4 million U.S. dollars. In Vietnam's Ha Tinh province, CISDI Group Co., Ltd., based in Chongqing, set up its branch as early as 2013. The company has taken charge of multiple key metallurgical projects in the country. Among them, the blast furnace of Formosa Ha Tinh Steel, which CISDI planned, designed and took part in constructing and operating, has now become one of the most competitive integrated steel complexes in Southeast Asia, generating over 10,000 job opportunities for local people. This elevated Ha Tinh from a traditional agricultural province to an industrial powerhouse in central Vietnam. Since 2007, Sichuan-based Tongwei Co., Ltd. has established and acquired five standardized feed production companies in Vietnam, with total investments exceeding 500 million yuan. The first feed mill it invested in, Tongwei Vietnam Feed Co., Ltd., has become one of the top-selling single feed factories in Vietnam by sales volume. "The BRI fosters mutual growth," said Xiao Shengyong, Tongwei's chief tax officer, highlighting technology transfers and aquaculture partnerships. The two countries recently signed 45 cooperation documents, covering connectivity, artificial intelligence, customs inspection and quarantine, and agricultural trade, among others. With the gradual implementation of the cooperation documents, Vietnam-China relations will enter a more mature and stable development stage, which will be not only reflected in policy communication and high-level interaction, but also in people's daily life, said Vo Dai Luoc, former director of Vietnam's Institute of World Economics and Politics. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW) An Horry County lawmaker has introduced a coercive control bill in the South Carolina Senate nearly one year after the suicide of Mica Miller. Republican State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch of Murrells Inlet introduced the bill during Tuesdays regular session. It was read a first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee. The bill looks to amend the South Carolina code of laws by adding section 16-25-140 so as to create the offense of coercive control over another person, to provide examples of the types of behavior and evidence that may be used to support the offense, to provide a penalty, and to define terms related to coercive control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timeline: The saga of John-Paul and Mica Miller Mica Miller, the wife of Myrtle Beach pastor John-Paul Miller, died on April 27, 2024, at a state park in Robeson County. Her death was ruled a suicide, but the case sparked nationwide interest after claims surfaced that John-Paul abused her before her death. Regina Ward, the attorney for Micas family, urged lawmakers last June to pass a coercive control bill. Four years ago, a South Carolina lawmaker filed a bill that would criminalize coercive control, with punishments of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Since that time, efforts to get such a law on the books have stalled in both chambers of the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coercive control bill was most recently filed in 2021 by state Republican Sen. Katrina Shealy of Lexington. However, it never made it out of the Judiciary Committee, which is now led by Conway Republican Luke Rankin. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Apr. 25A law prohibiting the display of certain flags and banners on government property passed the Montana Legislature on Tuesday. House Bill 819 restricts flags and banners that "represent a political viewpoint" from being displayed on grounds owned or leased by state, county and local governments, including public schools, universities, courthouses and administrative buildings. Among the list of banned flags are any motifs that pertain to a specific race, sexual orientation, or gender, including Black Lives Matter flags and flags representing members of the LGBTQ+ community. Republican lawmakers showed resounding support for the measure, which was introduced by Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, arguing that some restriction was necessary to preserve government unity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was thrilled whenever the pro-life movement got our flag suspended in the rotunda, but I would be willing to give that up if we could tone down the polarization in this building," said Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton. "I would give up the pro-life flag along with the rainbow flag, myself." Democrats in both chambers claimed the measure was chaotic, contradictory and potentially unconstitutional. During an April 18 hearing on the Senate floor, Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula, declared the bill "a First Amendment nightmare." She focused on the bill's definition of a flag as "any physical or digital material designed for display on a flagpole, building, wall, vehicle, or other structure," questioning whether a picture of a rainbow on a teacher's door or a cross decal on a student's locker might be prohibited under the law. "We know this is going to be a lawsuit," said Boldman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers disagreed on whether a later section of the bill stating restrictions only applied to official government displays effectively preserved personal expressions of free speech if they occur on government property. Other lawmakers pointed to the inclusion of the Gadsden flag under a list of allowable displays as evidence of the legislation's bias. While the so-called "Don't Tread on Me" flag originated as a symbol against British tyranny during the Revolutionary War and is still widely in use today it graces a Montana license plate design, for example the rattlesnake motif also has been adopted by extremist movements. When questioned on the House floor, Mitchell conceded that the Confederate flag could also be considered a flag of historical significance, making it an allowable display under HB 819. He refused to answer subsequent inquiries regarding what other flags might be considered historically significant. Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula, questioned why the law would protect two flags meant to depict resistance to government authority while barring LGBTQ+ pride flags, which she described as a sign of inclusivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Call it what it is," she said of the bill. "It does not treat all viewpoints equally." Some tribal nations also voiced opposition to the bill's list of allowable flags, which includes the official flag of federally recognized tribes but excludes other symbols important to tribal identity such as specific clan flags and the flag of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The bill passed through both Houses along party lines and is now pending approval from the governor. Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4433. Bipartisan delegations of House and Senate lawmakers are en route to the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday. It is a tremendous honor to be selected to lead this bipartisan delegation of United States Senators to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis and pay our respects to his life and legacy, Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is leading the senators' delegation, said in a statement Friday. As a lifelong Catholic, I am honored to represent the House in paying our respects and praying for the soul of Pope Francis, as Catholics all around the world grieve, and as Church leaders prepare to elect a new pope in the coming weeks, added House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who is leading the House cohort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joining Scalise is former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), as well as Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), French Hill (R-Ark.), John Joyce (R-Pa.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Ann Wagner (R-Mo.). Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Ed Markey of Massachusetts will join Republican Sens. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Eric Schmitt of Missouri as part of the Collins-led Senate contingent. Many of the lawmakers traveling to Rome heard from Francis in a joint meeting on Capitol Hill in 2015 the first time a pope ever delivered such an address. Francis had struggled with health issues in recent years and died at 88 on Easter Monday after a stroke. Tens of thousands of mourners have also lined up to view him lying in state inside St. Peters Basilica ahead of the funeral this weekend. In addition to the showing from Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump is one of several heads of state expected to attend the funeral. It will mark Trumps first foreign trip since the start of his second administration. BATON ROUGE The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee advanced legislation this week aimed at closing gaps in child abuse investigations at early learning centers. The bill moved forward following a heartbreaking testimony from a family whose three-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a classmate at an unlicensed private school. Senate Bill 41, introduced by Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, aims to clarify who holds responsibility for investigating child-on-child abuse in early education settings and strengthen oversight of unlicensed early learning centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They include some day care centers and pre-kindergarten programs that are not currently required to follow Louisiana Department of Education guidelines. Louisiana House passes bill that aims to stop reservation reselling without restaurant consent The proposal gained urgency after a powerful testimony from a Jefferson Parish family. The father, a member of the Army National Guard, testified that he discovered blood in his daughters underwear after picking her up from school and helping her change into her leotard for gymnastics practice. His daughter later told him a classmate had touched her inappropriately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We immediately sought medical help at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans, the father told the committee. The weeks that followed, my mental health would be equivalent to, if not worse than, my combat deployment to Iraq. The family explained how the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office initially refused to investigate, citing the childrens young age, and how the Department of Children and Family Services (DFCS) stated that the matter fell under law enforcements jurisdiction. It was not until weeks later that a detective was assigned to the case. Everybody is pointing fingers at each other, the mother proclaimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She explained that no agency would take responsibility for the case. That led her to pull her child out of school and have her father-in-law travel down from New York to help care for the children. Under current law, public schools are required to conduct criminal background checks on employees but are not mandated to consult DCFSs child abuse registry. We need to get this gap closed, Sen. Barrow said. There is no reason this school shouldnt be treated like any other school. SB41 would require all schools, public and private, to conduct both criminal history checks and consult the child abuse registry before hiring staff. It also aims to define which agency must respond when incidents like the one experienced by the Jefferson Parish family occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill revives effort to criminalize non-consensual STD exposure in Louisiana State child ombudsman Kathleen Ritchie testified that such incidents often stem from a history of trauma and said both alleged perpetrators and victims must be assessed and connected to services. Weve failed this child, and we need to fix this problem, said Sen. Jay Luneau. Weve got to do better. The bill also includes amendments that limit registry background checks to school employees hired after August 1, 2018, and exempt certified teachers from duplicate checks already completed by schools. The bill received strong support from the committee and heads to the Senate floor. 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. Skip Leonard, interim chief financial officer for the Oklahoma mental health department, takes an oath to give a special House committee testimony on the agency's financial shortfalls Thursday at the state Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY House lawmakers questioned the qualifications of the mental health departments chief financial officer after he was unable to provide basic information about the agencys budget shortfall and why it cannot pay its bills. Lawmakers spent three hours peppering Skip Leonard with questions about the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services $43 million deficit, what steps theyve taken to fill the gap, and how a $6.2 million supplemental request would be enough to carry the agency through the end of the fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leonard, the interim chief financial officer tasked with managing the agencys over $610 million budget, was unable to give specific examples to many questions, but promised a renewed budget request of the Legislature by next week. Leonards testimony, which was made under oath, filled the second day of a special House committee hearing investigating the agencys finances. Lawmakers are probing reports of financial disarray at the agency as well as why some provider contracts were abruptly cut or canceled. Allie Friesen, the mental health commissioner, who testified last week, has pointed fingers at previous administrations for financial problems and a failure to make proper budget requests. Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen, right, and the agencys general counsel, Christina Green, left, attend a meeting April 17. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) During her testimony, Friesen told lawmakers to ask Leonard for specifics about the agencys financial shortfalls. Frustration visibly built among lawmakers throughout the meeting as Leonard and the agencys general counsel, Christina Green, were unable to explain the numbers being presented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, asked Leonard about his qualifications to be the chief financial officer of a state agency. Leonard said he was formerly a city manager who has dealt with large budgets, but is not a certified public accountant and has no experience leading finances for a state agency. Im guessing Im not the only one in here at this point thats mildly confused at the CFO of the agency not being able to be the one that can do a deep dive into issues, Marti said. Im appreciating what youre bringing to the table but if the chief financial officer of the (agency) is more of a visionary on community outreach and not diving deep into these issues, I find that concerning. Leonard said he was not initially hired to be a CFO. Leonards LinkedIn profile lists his initial role with the agency as executive partnership consultant, which he began in November. He said he received no formal training from the agency when he became interim CFO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he first became aware of the deficit around 4 p.m. Feb. 21 after an agency budget director brought it to his attention. At first, agency officials believed the deficit was $63.7 million, but after further investigation, they later lowered the shortfall to $43 million. Leonard also said the agency spent $9.5 million from its budget for the current fiscal year on last years debts. Marti said Leonards hourly pay rate adds up to $343,000 if he were to be employed full time for a year at his current hourly rate of $165 per hour. No listing has been posted for a permanent CFO yet, as Leonard said theyre waiting until the agency gets through its current budget situation. Marti said in the last year, the agency hired 20 employees with salaries $100,000 or more. He said 12 more had their salaries raised to that level, and another 13 were hired with salaries under six figures. Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, also questioned Leonards apparent lack of understanding on specifics of the agencys finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Respectfully, Mr. Leonard, do you recognize your lack of knowledge and skill? she said. Why would you stay in this position, with all these months going by, making critical decisions that have definitely hit providers in our districts? After the hearing, Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, who chaired the special committee, said he still has a lot of questions, and its concerning that there isnt more clarity and certainty in the two months since the department leaders were made aware of the deficit. We started all of this to have more confidence in the numbers that have been presented, he said. I dont know that I have any more confidence today than the day when we started. But were committed to getting this information so that we can make the best decisions that we can before sine die. He said hes not sure why the agency only needs a $6.2 million supplemental. Rep Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, leads an April 17 meeting of a special House committee reviewing finances of the Oklahoma mental health department. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, also said during the hearing that he doesnt understand how the supplemental budget request could cover such a large deficit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essentially, the department had a $9.5 million structural deficit from the jump, he said. And youre short and youre only asking for $6.2 million. I would say, publicly, thats great if all we need is $6.2 million, but Mr. Leonard, the math is just not adding up. Leonard, who said he assumed the interim role in January, said he cant answer all those questions completely, but told lawmakers $2.9 million in contracts were cut, the agency found $8 million in fixed utilization savings, and another $3.5 million to $4 million in contract cuts within the department. Lawmakers also asked the mental health departments general counsel, Green, questions focused on nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements signed by executive staff within the agency. Green said state law doesnt allow or preclude state agencies from having employees sign such agreements and said they were requested by Friesen to prevent information from being leaked from executive staff meetings on sensitive internal investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green said she drafted an initial NDA from an existing agency draft, but later found it was too restrictive as it would allow the agency to pursue monetary damages against employees. She then created a second, briefer confidentiality agreement. Leonard and Green said signing the agreements was optional. Leonard and Green both signed such agreements. Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, said there was indication that the agencys director of workplace violence and behavioral threat assessment had held a meeting with those asked to sign the agreements, threatening to go full cop mode if they werent signed. Green and Leonard both said they were not present at the meeting, didnt know who attended, or what was discussed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House officials hope to hold additional hearings next week, including one with Regina Birchum, executive director of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency. LOFT is also investigating the mental health departments finances in addition to the committee, the state auditor and a special investigator. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Just before 9 p.m. on the last night of Indiana's legislative session, a massive bill intended to deregulate the state's education system narrowly passed the Senate, with some new language that the public had never provided testimony on. The amended House Bill 1002 was released hours before the vote, removing a 2017 requirement for high schools to offer an optional racial or ethnic studies course. One of the bill's co-sponsors, Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond, said the amendment came from a request from the Trump administration, which has threatened to revoke education funding from states thought to be promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in schools. The administration sent a Feb. 14 letter to all states' education secretaries that said schools needed to provide an environment free from discrimination to keep receiving vital financial support. Currently, Indiana receives a bit under $2 billion in federal funding for education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The feds' missive cited discrimination against white students and said teaching "that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not" propagates stigma. The contentious legislation, which was criticized by both Democrats and Republican, moved forward by a margin of two votes in the Senate - one of the closest votes this session. It passed the House by a 61-25 vote earlier that day. Sen. Mike Young, R-Indianapolis, was infuriated by the last-minute change. "This is bull crap," said Young, who doesn't caucus with Republicans. "You've got a 116 page bill. You've got 30 minutes to read it. We should have more time than that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, pointed out that the letter didn't reference racial or ethnic studies curricula, and that it warned of a potential, not certain, loss of funding. "There are a lot of qualifiers in there that would make me seek legal opinion before taking action," Hunley said. Earlier on Thursday, Reuters reported that federal judges in New Hampshire, Maryland and Washington, D.C. blocked the federal government from following through on the funding cuts threatened in the February letter. More: Republican lawmakers split over massive education deregulation bill. What the bill does Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before the last-minute changes, lawmakers had voiced frustration that the book-length bill's broad scope makes it difficult to explain to constituents. Among more than 65 additions to Indiana's legal code, the legislation cuts teacher training requirements, allows schools to charge parents for curricular materials, and removes the requirement for the state's secretary of education to have a background in education or to have lived in Indiana for more than two years prior to being appointed. Supporters, meanwhile, said the bill would streamline Indiana's educational code and offer school districts more flexibility. If the law passes, students could see classes such as African Studies, Comparative Religions and Ethnic Literature disappear from their course catalogs. Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, wrote the 2017 bill that the new law will nullify. He told colleagues on Thursday night that there's never been a requirement to take the ethnic studies classes only for schools to offer them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are many ethnicities out in this audience today," Taylor said. "And you're going to tell me that we are not brave enough to hold pat on an elective course for kids because the federal government says, 'We could cut your funding?'" There was no opportunity for public comment on the version of the bill that now awaits Gov. Mike Braun's signature. The Indiana Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Lawmakers nix ethnic studies classes after Trump administration threat Engines are roaring, the crowds are rolling in, and Leesburg is officially in the fast lane. Leesburg Bikefest 2025 is here, transforming the city into a bikers paradise with high-octane energy, chrome-filled streets and a boost that will power more than just motorcycles but the local economy. Leesburg 2025 Bikefest shifts the city into high gear Its a great influx of cash into our downtown community, said Michael Huey, Owner of Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe and Vanderbrew Coffee Shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leesburg Bikefest is the largest three-day motorcycle and music event in the country. It features live music on multiple stages, stunt shows, bike shows, parades and vendors stretching for blocks. A lot of the attendees that come to this event from last year to this year have talked about how they feel like its getting to the pre-COVID days, and everybodys just enjoying and having a great time, said Maggie Lyden, Special Event Manager for Leesburg. Leesburg 2025 Bikefest shifts the city into high gear Lyden said this years turnout is massive, with 110,000 people expected to pack the city. Extra law enforcement and medical personnel from across Lake County will secure the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bikefest is enjoyable for all, but for local businesses, it represents more than just positive energy; its serious revenue. We saw a difference in two and a half years. In two and a half years. Leesburg has transformed because of Leesburg Bikefest. The businesses and everything. Were a big advocate of local businesses, said Damian Hendricks, Leesburg Bikefest attendee. Hotels are booked solid, restaurants are packed, and local shops and street vendors are thriving, thanks to the influx of visitors hungry for food, fun, and Florida sunshine. I love it. Its just fun and a great place to hang out with like-minded people. We really enjoy it, especially here in our little town, said Amy Hendricks, Leesburg Bikefest attendee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bikefest also brings added exposure and long-term tourism to the area. Visitors who come for the bikes often return for the lakes, the charm, and the vibrant downtown scene. City leaders say events like this help generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for the local economy, not just from spending but also from job creation and increased visibility for small businesses. Whether youre here for the bikes, the music, or the thrill of the ride, know that every rev of the engine is also revving up Leesburgs economic momentum. Bikefest isnt just a weekend eventits a full-throttle celebration that keeps on giving. Leesburg Bikefest runs from Friday to Sunday. April 25th - 27th 2025 Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch) Courts could more quickly resolve lawsuits meant to silence critics or media outlets under legislation that went to the governors desk Thursday after years of being stalled in the Legislature, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports. Douglas Burns, former co-owner of an Iowa newspaper that was nearly bankrupted by such a lawsuit celebrated the bills passage. This is a big day for Iowa, its a big day for democracy, its a big day for community newspapers, Burns said in an interview. And most of all, its a big day for the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House File 472 deals with strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP lawsuits, a term referring to civil lawsuits filed by organizations, businesses or individuals against news organizations or activists because they have published articles or made statements about a topic the plaintiff does not want them to publicize. The entities filing these lawsuits do not necessarily expect to win in court, but aim to stop individuals or groups from continuing to report or talk about the topic by engaging them in a legal battle that costs them significant time and money. Hy-Vee closing food production facilities, 461 employees impacted The issue came to Iowa lawmakers attention when a Carroll police officer sued the Carroll Times Herald in 2018 for reporting that he had sexual relationships with teenagers, which the officer had confirmed was true. The judge dismissed the lawsuit, but the legal fees, totaling more than $100,000, nearly caused the paper to go out of business. The bill seeks to prevent similar situations by allowing courts to grant expedited relief in cases involving First Amendment rights, including freedoms of speech and press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of January 2025, 35 states and the District of Columbia have similar anti-SLAPP laws in place. Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, has been the main proponent of Iowa joining these states. During floor debate on the bill Thursday, he said he began having conversations about anti-SLAPP legislation in 2018. This is the fourth or fifth time weve passed anti-SLAPP legislation, Holt said. We passed this numerous times, never advanced in the Senate. This year, it did advance in the Senate. The measure came back to the House with an amendment removing the ability to grant expedited relief for a cause of action asserted in a civil action. The amendment striking this provision would mean anti-SLAPP protections cannot be applied retroactively, a situation Holt said rarely occurs. Iowa town hall attendees turn on each other as Sen. Grassley faces heated questions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This amendment really does nothing in terms of the fact that were this to be signed into law, it will be on the books going forward, which will be a tremendous victory in trying to protect our small town newspapers and media outlets from being put out of business, Holt said. The amendment was approved unanimously, and goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds for final approval. Holt said he corresponded with Burns, the former co-owner of the Carroll Times Herald, who he said spent $140,000 defending himself in court after telling the truth and basically lost his newspaper as a result, about the bill earlier Thursday. Speaking with the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Burns said the bills passage proves that the ashes of a business can be the foundation for something durable and meaningful in Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He thanked Holt for his tenacity and determination in advocating for the bill for years in the Legislature, and praised the bills passage with bipartisan support. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KCAU 9 Morning Update It just shows that sometimes the truth can be apparent to all, and the truth can prevail, Burns said. With this legislation in place, assuming the governor will sign it, it should secure more truthful outcomes to a variety of stories and scenarios in our state for generations. Note: Douglas Burns is a guest columnist for Iowa Capital Dispatch. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter. This story was republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) and Senate President Mattie Daughtry during a joint session of the Maine Legislature on Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) Legislative leadership approved a late bill on Thursday that would make the funding in the two-year budget for Medicaid available more immediately. Because the issue has already been through the legislative process, Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) said the bill shouldnt be referenced to a committee and instead should go straight to the Maine House of Representatives and Senate for votes. If it can secure two-thirds support, the funding would become available immediately upon the governors signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats pushed through a two-year budget in March without Republican support that continued government funding at the same level but also included one-time funding for some immediate needs, notably to fill a funding gap in MaineCare, the states Medicaid program. Earlier, a change package to address that gap and other emergency measures in the current fiscal year failed after Senate Republicans refused to support it unless it included structural reform to the health care program. Because the Democrats budget did not garner the two-thirds support needed for an emergency measure, the Legislature adjourned to start the clock to allow the funding to take effect in 90 days, which will be just before the start of the next fiscal year on July 1. This has left some health care providers in a bind until then. When the budget passed, several hospitals said they were not in a position to absorb the payment cuts theyre seeing as a result of the funding delay. On March 12, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services started capping payments owed to health care providers in an attempt to ensure some level of funding was available for the duration of the current fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. James Dill (D-Old Town), who sponsored the new proposal, underscored these concerns when presenting his bill to the Legislative Council on Thursday. There are major concerns not only that some of the smaller ones may close down because of the lack of MaineCare funding, Dill said, but even if they dont close down, that some of my constituents will lose their jobs even of the greater concern, not only could they lose their jobs leading to unemployment, etc., they could lose their health insurance. Members of the Legislative Council voted 6-2 to allow in the late bill, with the assistant minority leaders, Matt Harrington of York in the Senate and Katrina Smith of Palermo in the House, opposed. Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart of Aroostook and House Majority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham of Winter Harbor were absent. This bill is among a handful the Legislative Council has approved past cloture, the deadline for submitting legislation to the Revisors Office, which was Jan. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of these late bills specifically aim to provide support in light of recent federal funding cuts. On Thursday, the council approved a late bill as a vehicle to address the possibility that the Maine Sea Grant Program within the University of Maine System may not be fully reinstated. The vote was also 6-2, with Harrington and Smith opposed. On. Feb. 28, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notified University of Maine that it was immediately discontinuing funding for the $4.5 million Maine Sea Grant, which helps finance statewide research, strengthened coastal communities and supported thousands of jobs over more than five decades. While one of 34 such grants, Maines was the only one terminated, a decision that came about a week after President Donald Trump threatened to withhold funding from the state for not complying with his executive order barring transgender students from competing in womens sports. After outcry from Maines congressional delegation, NOAA announced it will be renegotiating the grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains unclear at this time whether the Maine Sea Grant will be fully reinstated, said Rep. Holly Stover (D-Boothbay), the bill sponsor. The loss of the Maine Sea Grant will have devastating consequences to our fisheries, coastal communities and economies statewide. Every federal dollar spent on the Sea Grant results in $15 of economic activity in the state, amounting to a total annual impact of $23.5 million. In February, the Legislative Council also approved a measure to help farmers secure low interest loans to backfill commitments after the Trump administration froze funding for existing contracts. Among other bills deemed non-emergencies, the Legislative Council voted against allowing any late submissions for joint resolutions to Congress, with Fecteau and Senate President Daughtry (D-Brunswick) arguing they would consume more time and resources than is available for the remainder of the special session. Theres a lot of work that still needs to be done, Fecteau said, and I generally dont think the Congress listens to us, frankly. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has required medical institutions to establish 24-hour green channels to provide acute and intensive treatment for children aged three and under, according to a circular issued by China's National Health Commission on Friday. The government also supports hospitals in treating critically ill children via the green channels before requiring payment, according to the circular on a three-year campaign to improve the country's pediatric care, mental health and psychiatric services. According to the circular, all secondary and tertiary public general hospitals in China are expected to provide pediatric services by the end of November 2025. By the end of 2025, more than 90 percent of township health centers and community health service centers should be capable of providing diagnosis and treatment for common pediatric illnesses, said the circular. The circular also encourages hospitals to set up specialized outpatient services for children, including those for growth and development, as well as mental and psychological health. Term limits are necessary for U.S. presidency (Reading Eagle, April 3) led me to investigate. The Scranton Times-Tribune guest editorial makes a claim about the 12th Amendment that isnt true to the literal text. It claims that those ineligible to run for president may not seek the vice presidency. This claim is actually an interpretation. As such, it is likely to hold up in court due to the intent of the Constitution. But the claim misleads the reader into thinking its the only interpretation. A technical loophole, as follows, could allow Trump to be elected as vice president and then become president after a second term.Article II, Section 1 gives three eligibility requirements for the office of president: natural born citizen, age 35 or older, and at least 14 years U.S. resident. If one of the requirements were that of being elected president, then the line of succession could not exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus, as in the case of Gerald Ford, a distinction exists between becoming president and being elected president. The 12th Amendment explicitly talks only about eligibility for the office of president, as per Article II, Section 1, not about eligibility for being elected president, as in the 22nd Amendment. Literally, only those ineligible to become president may not seek the vice presidency. Under this interpretation, Trump could become president a third time without being elected president more than twice. Glenn Shrom Upper Bern Township New research examining a fragment of a 17th century letter addressed to good Mrs Shakspaire suggests that William Shakespeares marriage to Anne Hathaway was happier than previously thought. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582, when he was 18 and she was about 26 and pregnant. The couple had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. For more than 200 years, it has been assumed that the English playwright left his wife in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon to pursue his career in London. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The belief even inspired writer Maggie OFarrell, who chronicled the unhappy relationship in her 2020 novel "Hamnet", about the death of Shakespeares only son Hamnet at 11 years old. The forgotten letter, preserved by accident in the binding of a book in Hereford, England, appears to show that the couple lived together in London at some point between 1600 and 1610. It is the first written evidence supporting this claim. It alleges that Shakespeare was withholding money from a fatherless apprentice named John Butts. The author of the letter then asks Mrs Shakespeare herself for money. Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First discovered in 1978, the letters been known for a while, but no-one could identify the names or places involved or see any reason to think that the Mr Shakespeare in the letter was necessarily William rather than anyone else of the same name in the general period, said Professor Matthew Steggle of the University of Bristol, who published the research in Shakespeare, the journal of the British Shakespeare association. The scholar tracked down people and addresses mentioned in the letter to find out if the playwright and his wife could possibly have been in London at that time. In short - it's two steps, Professor Steggle explained. You identify the boy involved, and given that it's him and that fixes the date, then Shakespeare is much the best recorded candidate to be the London-based Mr Shakspaire. The letter gives Shakespeare a previously unknown address in Trinity Lane, in central London. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also casts new light on Anne Hathaways life. It seems to show her being involved with her husband's money affairs and social networks. So, it's a game-changer in terms of thinking about the Shakespeares' marriage, Professor Steggle said. The back of the fragment also contains a reply from Mrs Shakespeare, which would be the first ever recorded words from Anne Hathaway. The fragment of the letter is held at Hereford Cathedral Library. To the editor: When the jury that found the Menendez brothers guilty of murdering their parents for their money sentenced them to life imprisonment instead of giving them the death penalty, they were assured that their verdict would be honored ("Menendez brothers bid for freedom stalled by fight over parole board document," April 17). Instead, we are now hearing from people trying to get the brothers possibly freed. Had the jury known that this outrageous move, initiated by former Los Angeles Dist. Atty. George Gascon, might happen, it could have have moved them to rule in favor of the death penalty instead. Life without parole should mean exactly what a jury rules on and no less. Doug Weiskopf, Burbank .. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the editor: I believe the best reason that the Menendez brothers' 1995 sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole should be affirmed. If their sentence is reduced, altered, dismissed or even if a new trial is granted would not hundreds or even thousands of similar verdicts deserve similar treatment? Irwin Zeke Warsaw, Marina del Rey .. To the editor: Now that Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered a risk assessment for the Menendez brothers, does that mean that all murderers who use the abuse excuse expect similar consideration? Or only the ones who look cute in a sweater? Kevin Dawson, Burbank Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement .. To the editor: It is upsetting to follow your coverage of the Menendez brothers. It is sad because it feels like momentum is building for the brothers' release. Your governor would be committing political suicide, locally and nationally, by supporting that release, and, to the rest of the country, the opinion of him and the entire state of California is already quite negative. The brothers deserve to remain in prison until their deaths. John Lewis, Wilmington, Del. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Apr. 25Lodi's mayor on Wednesday said the city's commitment to building an access center should not be called into question, and that federal funds allocated to support its operation will be spent. "Contrary to recent claims, the access center project has been consistently and meticulously planned over the last four years, with a clear timeline, dedicated staff, and a broad community input," Mayor Cameron Bregman said. "This facility is not simply a project it is a lifeline. If withdrawn, these funds would not go back to the county to still be used in our broader San Joaquin County community, but rather go straight back to the federal government and provide no service to our local residents." Bregman's comments come after San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding said he would be asking the board to take back some $8.2 million in funding allocated to the center during Tuesday's meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ding said the City of Lodi is currently lacking leadership, internal controls and has no plan to spend the funds. The supervisor's remarks came a week after the Lodi City Council was scheduled to discuss canceling a previous request for proposals to operate the access center and consider either leasing or selling the facility to a third party for $1. The discussion was tabled to a future meeting so the entire council could vote on the item, as only three members were present. Bregman said selling or leasing the site would require the new operator to provide services for five years, adding the city would be using the asset to repay any funding received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county allocated $2.8 million in to the city for the access center in 2021. Another $5.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding was allocated the following year. Bregman said pulling the $8.2 million funding Ding referenced would force the city to use general fund dollars to complete the access center, as well as cause it to lose the ability to address homelessness. He added the city's community development department, which has guided the project since its 2021 inception, has devoted hundreds of hours planning, securing funding, and coordinating logistics for the project with many agencies, including county staff. To halt it now, he said, would undermine years of hard work and relationships, as well as deny critical services to vulnerable residents. And while the city is currently experiencing executive transitions with the recent decision to place city manager Scott Carney on administrative leave, Bregman said the core group of city and county staff members are still working together to complete the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The city's acting leadership team has not only maintained city operations but has continued to move key initiatives forward, including the access center," he said. "We, the city, the staff, and this council are not only managing, but in full force, with highest work ethics, driving forward our goals and objectives." While Bregman said funds withdrawn would be returned to the federal government, the project's MOU between the city and county state they would be returned to the latter if not used for the approved project by Sept. 30, 2025. In addition, the MOU states the city "agrees to maintain all program, fiscal, statistical and management records and make such records available for inspection by county representatives," and that those records include "property documents, any and all costs associated with the project, opening of the access center, and learning and job training readiness center invoices, records of services rendered, and receipt/contractor service-related correspondence." Failure to comply with county requests and inspections results in a breach of the MOU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Federal Assistance Management, the federal government retains a reversionary interest in real property constructed, acquired, or improved with federal funds. Modernization projects totaling $500,000 or more are required to file a Notice of Federal Interest against the property title, and all construction projects are required to file an NFI. In addition, the NFI requires prior written approval in order for a property owner to mortgage, sell, transfer or use the property for a purpose inconsistent with the award. The HRSA said while leasehold improvements modifications made to a leased property to accommodate the specific needs of a tenant are allowed under federal funding, property owners must provide a landlord letter of consent and agree in writing to allow the recipient to undertake the proposed project; acknowledge federal interest and file an NFI against the property title in the local jurisdiction before the project begins; and agree to modify the lease with additional terms that indicate the continued rights of the recipient or federal government in the event that the lessor of record changes. Construction on the permanent access center, located at 710 N. Sacramento St., was scheduled to begin this month and last about a year. The planned 23,000-square-foot center would include overnight space for about 100 individuals, which could be expanded to 200 if needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans also call for a commercial kitchen, space for as many as four classrooms, a medical clinic and offices. The council is expected to receive an access center progress update at a future meeting, and Bregman invited supervisors and county staff to attend. "The city is committed to completing the access center and strengthening our partnership with the county," he said. "We believe in a shared responsibility to serve all residents, especially those in greatest need. We urge the board of supervisors to continue on the path already set forward for this vital regional project." OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) While thunderstorms raged overnight, firefighters were busy responding to five lightning strikes. Three of those caused house fires Friday morning. I heard this ridiculously loud boom, said Julie Crighton. Friday morning, Crighton was rattled awake, in a neighborhood near NW 164th St. and MacArthur Blvd. She went to her bathroom and found smoke coming from her light fixtures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: Firefighters battle tank battery fire in Grady County While I was standing there, the mirror exploded. I mean, it was a miracle that I did not get cut up, said Crighton. I could feel the heat coming out of it. With her husband not home, she rushed outside to escape the smoke and flames. I didnt have any time to get anything out of there except my dogs, said Crighton. Capt. John Chenoweth, with OKC Fire Department, said mother nature was to blame. You get a lightning strike, it charges the whole house, said Chenoweth. Crighton isnt alone in the early morning fright. Lightning sparked fires at two other metro homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifteen minutes away from Crighton, near Memorial Rd. and Morgan Rd., lightning struck the back of the home. Thankfully, the family was out of town and a neighbor called it in. Then down south, near SW 89th St. and Rockwell Ave., a woman was home alone after her husband and kids left for the day. She heard a loud boom, smelled smoke and walked outside, and unfortunately her house is on fire right now, said Captain Scott Douglas at the scene. You can see where the lightning penetrated the roof. Firefighters said lightning-strike house fires are a tough battle. The flames spread quickly throughout the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: OCDC inmate accused of assault leading to cellmates death The thing about lightning strikes, they usually start in the attic as an attic fire, said Chenoweth. So, our firefighters are climbing the roofs in the rain, the storm, everything like that. The best advice is to do what Crighton did, get out as fast as you can and call 911. Very scary. Im still shaking! said Crighton. We asked if theres anything you can do to protect your home against lightning strikes. The Lightning Protection Institute, in Norman, said people install lightning rods on their roofs everyday. However, they must be professionally installed and grounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The Salt Lake Chamber presented its 2025 Giant in our City award on Thursday to Lisa Eccles, the president and chief operating officer of the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation. It is the year of Lisa, said Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, who hosted the event with his wife Mary Catherine Perry, who is the vice president of public policy and government affairs at the Salt Lake Chamber. Eccles is the 46th recipient of the award. Prior honorees include former governor Gary Herbert, Gail Miller and Kem Gardner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Giant in our City recognition is given to those with exceptional public service who also have extraordinary professional achievement, according to the Chamber. President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber Derek Miller, right, awards President and COO of the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation Lisa Eccles, left, with the 46th Giant in our City award at the Salt Lake Chambers 2025 Giant in our City Celebration at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 24, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The award was established by the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Governors in 1969. It is considered the most prestigious award presented by the Chamber. Philanthropy is at the heart of Lisas lifes work, Perry said. At her core, she believes in the life changing impact of a helping hand, in the limitless potential of young people and in the transformative power of the arts to inspire, heal and bring people together. The award was presented to Eccles at an event at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. During the event the chamber also presented the Utah Community Builder Award to Joseph Grenny, author and co-founder of The Other Side Academy. Who is Lisa Eccles? I definitely prefer to work behind the scenes, Eccles said as she accepted the award. Being recognized as a giant in our city is, without doubt, the most uncomfortable and overwhelming night of my life. But at the same time, Im filled with such gratitude for the outpouring of love and support Ive received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After graduating from the University of Utah in 1989 with an art history degree, Eccles took a part time job at the charitable foundation started by her Uncle George and Aunt Lolie. She originally planned to work there for no longer than a year, but three years in, the position became full time, and a few years later she joined what had been an all male board. President and COO of the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation Lisa Eccles, center, is hugged by friend Rachel Alder, of the 2034 Olympic committee, left, while Alders daughter Mae Alder, right, laughs before Eccles is honored with the 46th Giant in our City award at the Salt Lake Chambers 2025 Giant in our City Celebration at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 24, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Eccles has been leading the foundations grant program ever since, even as it has grown significantly. Over the years the foundation has given almost $1 billion to thousands of worthy causes and organizations. Two other Eccles have been given the Giant in our City award, Lisas father Spencer Eccles and her uncle George Eccles. Lisa and Spencer are the first father-daughter pair to both be recognized for the award. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is, in my mind no question, a giant in our city, said her father Spencer in a video presentation honoring her. Lisa Eccles co-founded Utah Community Builders, the non-profit foundation of the Salt Lake Chamber. She is a board member of the National Park Foundation and served on the National Trust for Historic Preservation-National Trust Council, as well as the boards of the Utah Symphony, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Salt Lake County Center for the Arts, Natural History Museum of Utah, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Intermountain Healthcares Community Care Foundation among others. She has also played a role in preserving and restoring historic cultural and environmental sites in Utah such as Brigham Young Academy and Peterson Dance Hall. Its especially meaningful to be recognized by my peers in the business community, who I admire so much, Eccles said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She thanked the Salt Lake Chamber and also recognized her family for being her best friends and working with her to help serve the community. We are truly in this together, she said about her family. President and COO of the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation Lisa Eccles speaks after being honored with the 46th Giant in our City award at the Salt Lake Chambers 2025 Giant in our City Celebration at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 24, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The Utah Community Builder Award Grenny, who received the Utah Community Builder Award, is an author and co-founder and board chairman of The Other Side Academy and The Other Side Village, where people who struggle with homelessness and addiction are given help, work and support. He was recognized for his commitment to addressing poverty, breaking cycles of hardship, and empowering those who face addiction, homelessness and incarceration, said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. The Utah Community Builder Award recognizes an inspirational individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to address a crucial community issue. A furious Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to hook up the acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to a f****** polygraph test following a news leak last month, according to a report. Hegseth reportedly erupted last month after information emerged that the Pentagon had set up a briefing for Elon Musk on plans in the event of a war with China. An angry Donald Trump immediately responded that Musk would not be receiving any information given his major business ties with Beijing. The leak infuriated the president and raised alarm bells within the Pentagon, The Wall Street Journal reported. A teed-off Hegseth wanted to know who was responsible for the leak, and reportedly shouted at the then-acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Christopher Gray: Ill hook you up to a f****** polygraph test! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth also accused Joint Staff Director Doug Sims of the leak and similarly threatened to make him take a lie-detector test, the Journal reported. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly profanely threatened to make top officers take a polygraph test following a news leak last month (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) When contacted for comment, a senior defense official told The Independent the Pentagon won't respond, adding that Hegseth's conversations with senior leaders are private. Its the latest of a string of Hegseths controversies since he was sworn in just three months ago. Hegseth reportedly recently added his wife, Jennifer Rauchet, his brother and personal lawyer to a Signal group chat in which he discussed U.S. plans to strike Houthi targets in Yemen. That was after National Security Adviser Mike Waltz inadvertently added the Atlantics top editor to a similar group chat with high-ranking officials in which Hegseth also discussed strike plans in detail, again using Signal instead of the approved encrypted Pentagon communication system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Hegseth has included his wife in meetings with Republican lawmakers and with at least one international official in protocol-shattering behavior. What Ive seen with Hegseth never in my life have I ever seen this, a former Pentagon official told CNN. Hegseths tumultuous tenure has critical national security implications, experts told the Journal. I didnt believe he had the requisite experience and skills to handle the toughest job in the cabinet before he was confirmed, and I have seen nothing in his performance so far that would disconfirm that judgment, Eric Edelman, a former top Pentagon official under President George W. Bush, told the newspaper. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's time at the helm of the largest executive department has been anything but smooth sailing. Plagued with leaks and buffeted by scandals, this "infidel" Ahab has become anxious, ornery and isolated as President Donald Trump's second term enters its third month. A new report from the Wall Street Journal shows that Hegseth is starting to see elusive leakers in his nightmares. According to the outlet, Hegseth threatened top officials with lie-detector tests to root out media sources on recent embarrassing stories. Shortly after word broke last month that the Pentagon might brief Elon Musk on secret war plans in China, Hegseth exploded at the then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Christopher Grady. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill hook you up to a f**king polygraph! Hegseth reportedly yelled at Grady, per two unnamed sources who spoke with the outlet. The Times of London reported that Hegseth has created "an atmosphere of intidimidation" via threats of lie-detector sessions. The extraordinary thing is that lie detector tests are being threatened not to uncover potential anti-President Trump civil servants but to catch political appointees suspected of leaking classified or sensitive information, a source in defense told the paper. Hegseth's Defense Department has been a reliable source for palace intrigue stories, as dangerously sloppy information security around military strikes in Yemen has led to a chaotic wave of firings. A source who spoke to Politico characterized the situation in Hegseth's inner circle as a "knife fight." Many senior advisers were shown the door by Joe Kasper, Hegseth's chief of staff, who is reportedly leaving his role. SCOOP: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's controversial chief of staff, Joe Kasper is *OUT* and will leave DOD today. Kasper is the *FIFTH* top DOD official to leave the agency in the past week, and was a central figure in a power struggle that cost three top aides their jobs. pic.twitter.com/40Glja5JFv Jack Detsch (@JackDetsch) April 24, 2025 ? A man who came to the United States after fighting alongside its soldiers in Afghanistan said he received an email telling him to self-deport. He was in the Afghan army and helped U.S. troops before the war in Afghanistan ended in 2021. He said he was promised shelter and a life in the U.S. If I want to go to Afghanistan, theyll kill us. Me, my family, and children, he said. Channel 9s Tina Terry spoke with him. For his safety, Channel 9 has chosen not to share his name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ: ICE, partner agencies arrest 24 people in Charlotte operation He said he is one of thousands who received the email from Homeland Security. He said it gave him seven days to leave the country. But he said returning to Afghanistan would be a death sentence. How can I go? Where can I go? he said. Thats a big problem for us. The letter says, It is time for you to leave the United States. And that if he doesnt leave now, he will be subject to potential law enforcement actions. He is one of the thousands who rushed to the airport in August 2021 to get on a U.S. plane. But the chaos in the Kabul airport left him and his family stranded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ: All thats left is to wait: Trumps immigration policy changes spark concern in Charlotte He said he, his wife, and their three children had been living on the run. They kept up hope until they secured passage into Iran. And then Brazil. Until he made it to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024. His family used a program called the CBP One to get into the U.S. The program was introduced in 2020 to allow immigrants to begin the asylum process as they arrive at the border. President Donald Trump canceled the program earlier in 2025. The first cancellation notices were sent in March. Immigration Attorney Ursula Bonar told Terry that she told the immigrant to stay in the country, despite the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes a legal immigrant. He entered the U.S. legally, she said. He was given permission to be here and he was well within the time frame that his permissions were given. So I told him, Do not leave. Go to work. READ: Share the culture: Local business owner shares concerns over tariff impacts Bonar said the immigrant has already begun seeking permanent asylum through the courts. And she said she thinks it will be granted. Thats why the courts are here, thats why this is the United States, we can rely on our courts, Bonar said. She said she thinks the email targeted those who used the CBP One program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a press release earlier in 2025, department director Kristi Noem said, The Biden Administration exploited the CBP One app to allow more than 1 million aliens to illegally enter the United States. ALSO READ: How the public's shift on immigration paved the way for Trump's crackdown The Department of Homeland Security released a statement addressing the incident, saying: CBP has issued notices terminating parole for individuals who do not have lawful status to remain. This process is not limited to CBP One users and does not currently apply to those paroled under programs such as U4U and OAW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBP used the known email addresses of the alien to send notifications. If a non-personal emailsuch as an American citizen contactwas provided by the alien, notices may have been sent to unintended recipients. CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis. To be clear: If you are an alien, being in the United States is a privilegenot a right. We are acting in the best interest of the country and enforcing the law accordingly." WATCH: All thats left is to wait: Trumps immigration policy changes spark concern in Charlotte DAMASCUS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Syria on Thursday welcomed Britain's decision to lift sanctions on 12 Syrian entities operating in key sectors. In a statement issued by Syria's foreign affairs authorities, the Syrian government described Britain's move as part of broader efforts to amend its sanctions regime on Syria and viewed it as a positive signal for Syria's reconstruction and recovery. The British sanctions previously targeted major sectors such as financial services, energy production, banking, and trade, as well as key ministries related to defense and interior. The statement emphasized that easing these restrictions would directly contribute to improving living conditions for Syrians, assist in reviving vital sectors, including public services and security, and help attract much-needed investment to rebuild critical infrastructure and boost the national economy. Meanwhile, the statement reaffirmed Syria's willingness to work with all international partners who are committed to the country's peace, stability, and reconstruction. Earlier on Thursday, Britain said it would support efforts to rebuild Syria by removing some sanctions to encourage investments in financial services, energy production, and other sectors. It also lifted asset freezes on Syria's defense and interior authorities and a range of intelligence agencies. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County Sheriffs deputies arrested 58-year-old bodybuilder and fitness trainer John Puskarich on Saturday after he was accused of sexually fondling a teenager. Deputies said Puskarich, who also goes by the name of Kijon Lee, invited the 16-year-old girl to meet him for coffee to discuss nutrition and her fitness training. She said that Puskarich then changed the meeting location to his Panama City Beach home. At some point, he allegedly offered to give her a massage. During the massage, she claimed Puskarich became erect and touched her buttocks under her clothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Puskarich has been charged with lewd and lascivious touching of a minor. He is free after posting his $20,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A warning has been issued to parents across western Washington after several measles cases popped up in our area. Local health officials, including Dr. Nicole Saint Clair, Executive Medical Director of Regence BlueShield, are urging people to get the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, but many people are still showing vaccine hesitancy for a vaccine that has been in use for decades. Unfortunately, were seeing a continuation of what we saw last year in terms of a decreasing trend; were seeing kids are more frequently missing their childhood vaccinations, said Dr. Saint Clair when she recently sat down for one of our interviews for Healthier Together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The doctor says year over year, from 2024 to 2025, vaccination rates are going down, and that includes the MMR vaccine that protects against measles. Right now, across the entire nation, were experiencing a significant measles outbreak, Dr. Saint Clair said. CBS News recently reported on a vaccine clinic in Texas that was dealing with the fallout over a lack of vaccinations. There have been more than 600 measles cases and counting in Texas, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, and hundreds more across the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At least one CDC scientist, Dr. David Sugerman, says the actual case numbers are probably higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In talking with families, they may mention prior cases that have recovered and never received testing, other families that may have cases and never had sought treatment, he said. Medical experts say outbreaks happen when we get below a certain percentage of people getting vaccinated. Dr. Saint Clair says herd immunity makes sure the measles has nowhere to go. If vaccine rates slip even a little, and measles gets out and infects people, it can be deadly." We forget how significant some of these conditions can be, and we can downplay the severity of contracting one of these illnesses, Dr. Saint Clair told KIRO 7. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, often called a vaccine skeptic, recently told CBS News he believes people should get vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My position is that people should get the measles vaccine, but... the government should not be mandating those. Measles can be mild, but 1 in 5 kids could be hospitalized, and among those, some will likely die, according to the CDC. Dr. Saint Clair says messaging and education can help, but vaccine misinformation is rampant since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some doctors say decades of MMR vaccinations without problems proves that the vaccine is safe and effective. Measles was essentially eradicated, which is why health officials are urging people to roll up their sleeves. Dr. Saint Clair concurs on people getting the shot. All of our old traditional vaccines that have been around for decades that we have lots and lots of experience with, theyre really tried and true. DAVIESS COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Many people gathered at the Gasthof Amish Village in honor of the State of Daviess County Address on Thursday afternoon. The quarterly legislative luncheon gave local leaders, business professionals, and community members the opportunity to come together to discuss key issues and the future of the county. Its to bring our community together to talk about what were going to do and why Daviess County is a great place to live, work, and play, said Joe Morris, Executive Director of the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. The ultimate goal is to be the advocacy arm of the county. (The address) is for us to engage our members to bring those benefits and value to the membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who attended heard from local officials about the county budget, and upcoming projects including the renovation of the Daviess County courthouse. Plus, another key discussion at the meeting was Senate Bill 1, and how that will impact residents in Daviess County moving froward. Its very important to talk about the future, what the future holds, and that the future is actually bright in Daviess County, stated T.C. Cook, Daviess County Commissioner. Were excited about the things going on in the county. All of the different entrepreneurs, businesses, quality of life things we got going on, so to highlight that for our constituents is a big deal. For more information on the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce and upcoming events, 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 MyWabashValley.com. AUSTIN (KXAN) After 50 years serving the local community, the American Red Cross Central Texas Chapter is getting ready for a long-overdue upgrade a new facility. Located at 2218 Pershing Drive in East Austin, the current building has been hosting blood drives, trainings, military and disaster support services for 50 years. Although the current building will be torn down, the organization has no plans to move locations. Instead, construction will begin this year on a brand new facility. This is an exciting new chapter for our Austin office, and were thrilled to continue meeting the needs of our community in a new, modern space, said Marty McKellips, Regional Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Central and South Texas Region. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with the community and reflecting on the incredible 50 years of service provided from our historic building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new facility will feature space for offices, trainings and collaborative conference rooms, and a blood fixed-site collection center to meet the growing need for blood across our country. Demolition Celebration The American Red Cross Central Texas Chapters Board of Directors will be hosting a Demolition Celebration on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The public is welcome to join local officials, Red Cross volunteers and staff at the office site off Perish Drive from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. to learn more about the upcoming groundbreaking of the new facility later this year. Red Cross event open to the public Wednesday, April 30th 2025 No RSVP is needed; however, due to the threat of inclement weather, attendees are encouraged to check the Red Cross website for any potential postponements. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Members of the Maine House of Representatives during the first session of 2024 in the State House in Augusta. (Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) The pace of work continues to pick up as the Maine Senate and House of Representatives are meeting for session three days a week to vote on bills. Also, the list of legislation set aside to be funded via the appropriations table is growing. If bills arent explicitly funded in the state budget, they need to be paid for using remaining unappropriated money, which is divided up usually near the end of session when the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee runs the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislation to increase funding for sexual and reproductive health care services is now among the bills vying for that pot of money. Rather than taking a vote to enact the bill on Thursday, the Senate placed LD 143 on the table after it garnered initial support from the chambers. While bills placed on the table can still pass, precedent shows that most will die, left on the table without final action by the time the Legislature adjourns. Other votes of note: Both chambers voted this week to back LD 98, which would make school counselors eligible for the Educators for Maine Program, which provides loan repayments for eligible teachers and some other school staff obtaining advanced degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the floor debate, Sen. Jim Libby (R-Cumberland) expressed concern with some of the financial details of the grant program and said the Legislature was hand-picking one particular specialist. However, Sen. Joe Rafferty (D-York) said the department bill is targeting a need, citing statewide concerns about the mental health of students, he said schools have a desperate need for counselors. Legislation (LD 109) directing the Maine Arts Commission to study national efforts to protect artists from copyright infringement by Artificial Intelligence companies and suggest potential legislation passed the House 80-64 and the Senate 18-14. Some opponents argued that study would be duplicative of efforts by the AI task force created by the governor, pointing to a report of recommendations from that group due in October. But Rep. Dan Sayre (D-Kennebunk), who sits on the task force, argued theres no need to wait for that report before moving forward with this bill. The Senate voted 21-12 and the House 75-64 to back legislation (LD 457) to provide one-time funds to support climate resiliency projects related to the repair of certain historic structures on the Southern Maine Community College campus damaged by erosion and sea level rise. A bill (LD 70) to provide one-time funding of $250,000 for each year of the next biennium to the states five free health clinics passed the House 78-66 and the Senate 19-13. While opponents, such as Rep. Kathy Javner (R-Chester), said the bill amounted to the Legislature choosing which nonprofits taxpayers should support, Rep. Michael Brennan (D-Portland), who sponsored the measure, said this is probably the best healthcare investment we receive or have in the state of Maine, noting that all of the health care professionals who work in the clinics donate their time to provide primary care to thousands of people across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate and House passed without a roll call a bill (LD 462) to amend the state retirement system laws to provide credit for service in the U.S. Armed Forces during operations in Lebanon, occurring from August 21, 1982 to February 26, 1984, and operations in Grenada, occurring from October 25, 1983 to December 15, 1983. A proposal (LD 703) to provide one-time funding of $500,000 for a health care gap year program that incentivizes recent college graduates to work in critical health care positions, particularly in underserved and rural communities passed both chambers. The House voted 87-56 for the bill and the Senate backed it without a roll call. Both chambers unanimously backed the emergency enactment of LD 678, An Act to Provide for the 2025 and 2026 Allocations of the State Ceiling on Private Activity Bonds. Both chambers voted under the hammer, without a roll call, to pass: LD 1127, An Act to Establish Immunity for a Receiver Appointed by the Public Utilities Commission to Oversee the Operations of a Consumer-owned Water Utility; LD 884, Resolve, to Establish the Criminal Justice Legal Aid Clinic Pilot Project at the University of Maine School of Law; and LD 238, An Act to Protect Emergency Medical Services Persons Right to Work in Multiple Health Care Settings. Senate action The Senate voted to confirm Donald Marean and Chandler Woodcock to the State Harness Racing Committee. The members also voted for the reappointment of Roger Katz to the University of Maine Board of Trustees and Emily Becker to the Maine Turnpike Authority Board of Directors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate voted 17-15 to reject a proposal (LD 717) that would strike a provision from the Maine Criminal Code regarding economic loss and restitution that would require a defendant to be convicted of trafficking and the court finding that the conviction was motivated by profit. Senators voted 21-12 to reject a bill (LD 939) that would have increased the maximum permissible size of recreational campfires. Members passed under the hammer: LD 606, and emergency bill to Study Barriers to Financial Assistance Programs for Farmers and Food Producers; LD 413, An Act Regarding Disclosure by Sellers of Residential Real Property of Notices of Shoreland Zoning Ordinance Violations; LD 36, An Act to Clarify Processes of the Board of Environmental Protection; and LD 465, An Act to Update Waste Discharge License Fees. House action The House voted 109-33 against a bill (LD 265) that would prohibit the Maine National Guard from combat deployment absent an official act of Congress (more on the bill here). The floor debate highlighted the belief that Congress is shirking its duty by allowing the executive branch to initiate war, as co-sponsor Rep. Tracy Quint (R-Hodgdon) put it. However, others pointed to General of the Maine National Guard Dianne Dunns opposition to the bill and her belief that it would ultimately hurt Maine people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the House voted without a roll call to kill legislation (LD 502) which would have amended some of the laws restricting the use of outdoor wood boilers. The House also voted under the hammer to pass: LD 1150, An Act to Require Reporting of Sheltering or Aiding Missing Children; LD 296, An Act to Appropriate Funds to the Department of Environmental Protection, Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund; and LD 398, an emergency Act to Amend the Definition of Transient Occupancy in the Laws Governing the Maine Land Use Planning Commission. Committee action The Judiciary Committee decided to table two bills (LD 208 and LD 1230) that would repeal the law requiring a 72-hour waiting period after the purchase of a firearm. Because the law that took effect last August is currently being challenged in court, committee members said they would like to see what happens with the lawsuit before determining any changes to make. The Taxation Committee voted 9-3 to recommend passage of a bill (LD 1294) that would provide an additional $300 per child under six years old for the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit, for a total of $600 per child per tax year (more on that here). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several bills were also moved to the appropriations table, where the budget committee can choose to support the measures with any remaining funds. These included: SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Friday, April 25, 2025, marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating fire that set ablaze the iconic Oceanside Pier, a cherished landmark in North County. The massive blaze erupted at the far end of the pier, destroying the former Rubys Diner where French fries and milkshakes were once enjoyed above the ocean. Also impacted were surrounding structures, including the kiosk-style seafood eatery known as Brine Box. The fire sent plumes of dark smoke billowing into the sky and left the community in shock as the nostalgic structure that had withstood generations of storms, salt and surf was suddenly at the mercy of the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: San Diego lifeguards Triton fire boat assists in Oceanside Pier blaze For days, firefighters worked valiantly, battling the lingering blaze from all angles. Their swift and continued actions prevented the fire from spreading eastward toward the shoreline. Despite the extensive damage to the the piers hammerhead section, firefighters managed to contain it, saving approximately 90% of the historic structure. When the embers finally cooled, a charred and hollowed-out shell of the old Rubys Diner remained. On the bright side, no injuries were reported in connection to the incident. According to fire investigators, accidental causes likely caused the blaze, which started on the northwest corner of the pier, outside of the vacant restaurant building. Particularly, investigators pointed to an electrical failure under the planks of the pier head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the year since the fire, the city of Oceanside has been diligently working on a comprehensive rebuilding plan. City engineers have been analyzing the structural integrity of the remaining pier sections and plans are in place to reconstruct the wooden west end, with hopes of preserving its historic charm. The restoration project is expected to cost at least $17 million. RELATED: Oceanside Pier fire first responders honored by city at luncheon As North County locals and San Diegans as a whole pause to remember the moment their beloved pier caught fire, many may reflect on the resilience and unity displayed by the local community in the face of disaster. Heres a look back at those fateful few day: Crews are battling a fire that broke out on the Oceanside Pier Thursday afternoon. Crews are battling a fire that broke out on the Oceanside Pier Thursday afternoon. Crews are battling a fire that broke out on the Oceanside Pier Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews are battling a fire that broke out on the Oceanside Pier Thursday afternoon. Brine Box Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruby's Diner Aftermath of Oceanside Pier fire (FOX 5/KUSI) Aftermath of Oceanside Pier fire (FOX 5/KUSI) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oceanside Pier damage The fire at the Oceanside Pier as of 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Courtesy of the city of Oceanside) An aerial view of the former Ruby's diner at the Oceanside Pier on Friday, April 26, 2024 following a massive fire. (SkyFOX/KUSI in the Sky) Aftermath of Oceanside Pier fire (FOX 5/KUSI) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oceanside Pier fire (FOX 5/KUSI) Aftermath of Oceanside Pier fire (FOX 5/KUSI) Aftermath of Oceanside Pier fire (FOX 5/KUSI) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oceanside Pier Oceanside Pier as seen on April 26, 2024, one day after a fire ripped through a vacant restaurant. Oceanside Pier Fire Oceanside Pier fire (FOX 5/KUSI) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews are battling a fire that broke out on the Oceanside Pier Thursday afternoon. The future of the wooden structure gleams on the horizon. In the meantime, locals and visitors alike still flock to the iconic Southern California landmark. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The US Navy appears to be using new "StormBreaker" glide bombs against the Houthis. What appeared to be one of these guided munitions was spotted in the sand in Yemen this week. Fully intact wreckage could be exploited by US adversaries, including Iran. US fighter jets appear to be using advanced "StormBreaker" precision glide bombs in combat against the Houthis, part of the intense bombing campaign against the Iran-backed rebels. An image of what looked like an unexploded, US-made bomb half-buried in the sand began circulating on social media Thursday. Open-source intelligence accounts geolocated the image to Yemen's southern Shabwah governorate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trevor Ball, a former US Army explosive ordnance disposal technician, identified the munition as the GBU-53/B StormBreaker, a relatively new munition in the American arsenal. He told Business Insider that the discovery of the bomb, seemingly fully intact, highlights a problem: it could fall into the wrong hands. . pic.twitter.com/RjqmkGiJhW (@defenseliney) April 24, 2025 The GBU-53/B, known as the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II, is an air-launched standoff weapon with precision guidance and pop-out wings. The 200-pound bomb is made by US defense contractor Raytheon, now RTX, and can be released from carrier-based fighter aircraft like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The weapon can be used against moving and stationary targets and is capable of operating in inclement weather, according to Naval Air Systems Command. The bomb can also receive updated target coordinates mid-flight. In October 2023, the Navy declared early operational capability for the StormBreaker and said its Super Hornets would be the first platforms to carry the bomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Central Command, which oversees Middle East operations, published footage last month appearing to show the StormBreaker among other ordnance aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which has been at the forefront of the Houthi conflict. In a screengrab of this March 21 video, the StormBreaker bomb can be seen with the yellow stripe at the bottom of the frame on the USS Harry S. Truman. US Central Command The War Zone, which first reported on Friday on the StormBreaker's discovery in Yemen, spotted evidence last month that the Navy had used the munition for the first time in combat. The image of the apparent StormBreaker looks to be the clearest sign that the US is using this weapon against the Houthis. That the munition is fully intact suggests air defenses did not take it out. A defense official declined to answer BI's questions about the incident or provide further details. Ball, a researcher at Armament Research Services, said the risk in this situation is that Iran, which has long supported the Houthis, could get its hands on the StormBreaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Iranians are notorious for reverse engineering weapons systems and creating their own versions," Ball said. "The quicker Iran can acquire weapons to exploit relative to the US fielding them, the more Iran can try to narrow gaps in their capabilities." This could even go on to benefit Russia, which has enjoyed increasingly close defense ties with Iran since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The carrier-based F/A-18E Super Hornet can carry StormBreaker bombs. US Navy photo Ball explained that although the StormBreaker was reportedly found in an area of Yemen that the Houthis don't control, "it highlights the risk of unexploded munitions ending up in Iranian possession," especially given that there are likely highly classified components in the munition. "The greater the scale of airstrikes and use, the more likely this becomes," Ball said, adding that the same risk applies to the AGM-158, which the US has been using against the Houthis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AGM-158, or Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), is a stealthy, long-range cruise missile developed by Lockheed Martin. The JASSM and StormBreaker are standoff weapons, meaning that aircraft can release them from a distance and avoid Houthi air defenses, unlike conventional gravity bombs dropped directly over a target. The US also appears to be using the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), among other advanced munitions, against the Houthis. The US has been bombing the Houthis for six weeks straight to get the rebels to stop their attacks on Red Sea shipping. The military has publicly disclosed very few details about the intense campaign since the early days, though it acknowledged striking a major Houthi-controlled oil terminal last week. Dozens of people were reportedly killed in the attack. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the US has attacked hundreds of Houthi targets since the campaign began and decimated its leadership. However, analysts have cast doubt that the strikes will effectively eliminate the rebels' capabilities; previous stikres haven't. Just a few days ago, for instance, they fired missiles at Israel. Read the original article on Business Insider Lori Vallow Daybell is speaking out for the first time after being found guilty of conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in Arizona. Speaking exclusively with True Crime Arizona correspondent Briana Whitney, Lori said she was surprised that jurors found her guilty on Tuesday, April 22, after deliberating for three hours over two days. She's still awaiting sentencing. I mean, obviously I knew that was a possibility, yeah, so, it was a bit of a surprise actually, she said in the interview published on Thursday, April 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lori represented herself at trial and told the jury during opening statements that her brother, Alex Cox, fatally shot Vallow on July 11, 2019, while protecting her and her daughter, Tylee Ryan. Lori would later be convicted of murdering Tylee. Facebook Charles Vallow Related: Lori Vallow Daybell Found Guilty of Conspiring to Kill Her Fourth Husband Cox was never charged in Vallow's death and died in December 2019 from what the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office determined were natural causes. Prosecutors said that Lori wanted Vallow, who had filed for divorce, dead in order to collect a life insurance policy and marry Chad Daybell, who authored religious doomsday books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lori, along with her husband Chad, was convicted of murdering Loris children 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua J.J. Vallow. The siblings disappeared in September 2019 before their remains were discovered on Chads Idaho property in 2020. Related: Where Are Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell Now? Inside Their Lives 5 Years After Horrific Doomsday Murders Lori, who is currently serving a life sentence in Idaho for the murders, also addressed her late daughters death in the interview after Whitney asked her what it was like seeing Tylee in body camera footage shown during the trial. Well, I understand where Tylee is in heaven, Lori said. I know what shes doing and where she is, so its been almost six years since she passed away. Rexburg Police Department (2) Joshua "J.J." Vallow; Tylee Ryan She added, I mean, this is the catalyst, right? What happened with her and Charles was the catalyst of her killing herself. So I was precluded from talking about that. I was precluded from bringing that up. But the detectives obviously dont say that she killed herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lori further claimed that she told her surviving son, Colby Ryan, that Tylee died by suicide after killing her younger brother J.J., per the outlet. 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. Idaho prosecutors have said that Lori was a follower of Chad's religious doomsday writings and beliefs, which held that Lori's children were zombies and Lori was a "goddess," among other outlandish theories. Two years ago, Lori was also convicted of conspiring to kill Chad's first wife, Tammy Daybell. Chad was sentenced to death in 2024 for killing Tammy and Lori's two children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Lori Vallow Daybell was found guilty on Tuesday of conspiring to murder her estranged husband. Vallow Daybell, who represented herself in the proceedings, denied she played a part in the murder of Charles Vallow, 62, for life insurance money. In 2019, Alex Cox, Vallow Daybells brother, killed Vallow and later said he acted in self-defense. Cox died of a blood clot a year later, as the Deseret News previously reported. When will Lori Vallow Daybell be sentenced? Vallow Daybell asked to be sentenced after her second trial in Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is going on trial again in June for a charge of conspiring to murder Brandon Boudreaux, her nieces husband. Boudreaux alleged that someone drove by his home in Gilbert, Arizona, and shot at him. He survived the incident. Vallow Daybell has pleaded not guilty. Boudreaux released a statement to East Idaho News in reaction to the verdict. We are grateful to the state of Arizona. Charles deserved to have this small sliver of justice. His family and all of us who love him grieve the loss of him in this life. We wish you all could have known him, he said. What happened during Lori Vallow Daybells trial in Arizona? Vallow Daybell did not call any witnesses to the stand and repeatedly argued that the evidence showed a family tragedy and not a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A two-minute period changed our lives forever, Vallow Daybell said. How can you choose between three people you love: your husband, your daughter, your brother? But the prosecutors labeled it premeditated execution. Charles was on the ground when Cox fired that second shot, prosecutor Treena Kay said. The injuries to Charles, the location of the bullet strikes, the trajectory of the injuries, both in Charles and in the house: All show this was not self-defense. This was a staged murder scene. One juror told NBC affiliate KPNX of Phoenix that Vallow Daybell was smiling and laughing during the trial and didnt seem to take anything very seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is serving five life sentences without parole after being found guilty in Idaho for the murder of her children, Tylee Ryan and JJ Vallow, and Chad Daybells then-wife, Tammy Daybell. Chad Daybell was found guilty of the same crimes in May 2024. He was sentenced to death. Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybells family react The jury heard from Adam Cox, Vallow Daybells surviving brother, and Kay Woodcock, Vallow Daybells younger sister, both of whom asserted that Lori Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell killed Charles Vallow. Adam painted Charles Vallow as desperate to shake Lori loose of whatever she was under, some spell. Vallow Daybell developed strange beliefs, according to her brother. Lori had told people that Charles was no longer living, that some guy named Ned was inside of his body, that theres a zombie living inside of him. And didnt respond to any of my text messages when I was supposed to be with him, and he was at that house that morning. Lori talking crazy about how shes a translated being all these things all added up into that moment and that morning, Adam Cox testified, as KSL.com reported. BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China's job market has remained stable, supported by government initiatives aimed at boosting employment for college graduates and helping businesses retain jobs amid global economic challenges and other headwinds. On Friday, China unveiled a raft of measures on employment support for 2025 college graduates and the youth, according to a circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance. "College graduates and other youths are valuable human resources," said the circular, noting that every effort must be undertaken to provide them with employment support. The circular stressed expanding employment opportunities through multiple channels, such as increasing market-driven job creation and stabilizing public-sector employment. Organizations that employ 2025 graduates, graduates unemployed within two years after leaving school, or registered unemployed youth aged 16-24 are eligible for a one-off job expansion subsidy, according to the circular. This policy remains effective until Dec. 31, 2025. The circular said that the one-off subsidy policy for state-owned enterprises hiring graduates will extend to Dec. 31, 2026. PRO-EMPLOYMENT POLICIES In addition to pro-employment policies targeting college graduates, relevant authorities are fast-tracking the rollout of comprehensive measures to support business operations and ensure job stability amid mounting external pressures. Authorities announced on Tuesday that China will extend key unemployment insurance policies through 2025 to help companies retain employees and support workers in upgrading their skills. 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 a circular, jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Taxation Administration. The policy is part of broader efforts to help enterprises maintain stable employment. The measures also ensure continued access to basic living allowances, including unemployment benefits, basic medical insurance, and support for older unemployed individuals. "Employees are the company's most valuable asset," said Zhang Shili, principal of Changshu Lively Home Textile Co., Ltd. in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. Across China, local governments are stepping up policy support, intensifying recruitment efforts, and expanding initiatives to stabilize and generate employment, implementing a range of practical measures and targeted services to steadily safeguard jobs and improve livelihoods. Beijing is offering tax incentives to enterprises that hire individuals who have been unemployed for over six months or those lifted out of poverty. In Sichuan, companies hiring new workforce entrants between April and September are eligible for a recruitment subsidy of 1,000 yuan (about 138 U.S. dollars) per employee. Meanwhile, Chongqing plans to provide 10,000 free entrepreneurship spaces and fund 100 high-quality startup projects this year. Approximately 190 million market entities in China play a crucial role in maintaining employment stability. In the first quarter, steady consumption growth drove a significant rise in workforce demand within the consumer services sector. Data from Zhaopin.com shows that job openings in online life services, transportation and logistics, elderly care and nursing, and resident services increased by 43 percent, 35 percent, 17 percent, and 10 percent, respectively, compared to the previous year. Employment demand in emerging industries is surging. In the first quarter, corporate recruitment for mechanical engineers and automation engineers in industrial automation and related sectors increased by 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively, compared to the previous year. Similarly, the demand for algorithm engineers and machine learning professionals rose by 44 percent and 18 percent, according to Zhaopin.com. CAREER TRAINING FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT Chinese authorities are actively enhancing vocational skills training while refining program offerings to better align with industrial changes and societal needs. "As industrial upgrading accelerates, corporate demands for workforce skills evolve. Only by improving workers' competencies and technical capabilities can the needs of industrial development be met," said Li Chang'an, a researcher with the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics. Friday's circular said China also aims to train 1 million graduates and youths in 2025 to improve their employability. It also stressed the need to strengthen employment services and create a favorable employment environment, including launching campaigns to rectify irregularities in the human resources market. The human resources and social security department of Henan Province recently unveiled a three-year action plan for "AI+" high-quality employment, designed to bridge talent gaps in the AI industry by enhancing training curricula. From 2025 to 2027, the province aims to train over 50,000 individuals annually in AI applications, with plans to support at least 40,000 people in securing employment or pursuing entrepreneurship in AI-related fields. Starting this year and continuing for three years, China's annual vocational skills training subsidies will benefit over 10 million trainees, with a focus on key areas such as healthcare, elderly and infant care, advanced manufacturing, modern services, and emerging professions. China's government work report has set a target of creating over 12 million new urban jobs in 2025, with an aim to keep the surveyed urban unemployment rate around 5.5 percent for the year. The country's surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in the first quarter and 5.2 percent in March, 0.2 percentage points lower than the previous month. China will continuously enhance its policy toolkit to maintain employment stability and support economic growth, according to a meeting held on Friday by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee to analyze and study the current economic situation and economic work. The adopted policies should be implemented as quickly as possible, while additional policies in reserve should be swiftly introduced to respond to changes in the situation, according to the meeting. Things got ugly at a Louisiana hair salon when a stylist and a parent got into a heated altercation over a late fee that ended in an injury. And now the family of an 11-year-old girl is looking for justice as they say witnessing the whole thing go down left her traumatized. Conchota Singleton told WBRZ News Baton Rouge that her granddaughter had an appointment at the Draft Picks Barbershop in Baton Rouge on April 14 that was rescheduled by the stylist for the following day at 5:00. Singletons daughter and granddaughter arrived at 5:10 for her appointment for a braided style. The mom paid for the style, but when she was asked to pay an additional $25 late fee, she adamantly refused pointing out that the fee only applies to clients who arrive more than 10 minutes late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The verbal exchange turned violent as the stylist picked up a pair of shears and prepared to cut the braids out of her young clients hair. But as Singletons daughter, who is six months pregnant, tried to stop the stylist from cutting the girls hair, her hand was cut instead something Singleton said is unacceptable. They told me that there was no intent, that she was not trying to cut my daughters hand, but my issue is once she picked up scissors, she became a threat, she said. According to WBRZ, TJ Malveaux, owner of Draft Picks Barbershop issued an apology to the client and her family and said the stylist has been fired. We extend our sincerest apologies to the client and family affected, and to anyone who may feel uneasy as a result of this situation, Malveaux said. This incident does not reflect the values or standards we uphold at Draft Picks. We are taking immediate steps to review and strengthen our policies, as well as provide additional training to our staff, to ensure that every client continues to feel safe, respected, and welcomed in our chairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Singleton says the damage has already been done and her granddaughter is traumatized after watching the violent exchange. You do not have the right to cut the style out of the childs head. Theres ways to handle things. You cant take the law into your own hands, she said. Those following the case have started a heated debate on Facebook about when the late fee should have been applied. Some think Singletons daughter was still in the grace period window. Bottom line the stylist was wrong ! She even said the client made it at 5:10 per her own policy it states each client gets a 10 min grace period !!! She didnt make it at 5:11! She made it at 5:10 !!! So she made it within her grace period time plus she had previously rescheduled her ! She dont know what she had to do to make it to that new appt day and time because she scheduled the initial appt for that particular date and time for a reason After she paid in full for the hairstyle for her child ! So where in her right mind she thought it was okay to cut a style out that she was already paid in full to do. Jesus be a fence !! wrote someone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But others believe ten minutes late is still late. Im not saying the stylist actions were right but man people seem to have forgotten simple math. 10 minutes is 5:00-5:09. 5:10 is 11 minutes and would be out of the grace period, wrote someone else. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ALEXANDRIA, La. (KLFY) A Georgetown man could be spending years in federal prison after being convicted of looting an archaeological site in Grant Parish, authorities said. Roy Everett Jordan, Jr., 57, of Georgetown, was found guilty by a federal jury in Alexandria last month of unauthorized removal of archaeological resources and illegal possession of a firearm. Jordan faces a sentence of not more than 2 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both, on the conviction for removal of archaeological resources, as well as restitution for the archeological sites. He also faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the firearms conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USDA Forest Service law enforcement agents discovered unauthorized digging at four Native American archaeological sites in Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish in 2022, prosecutors said. The digging had been done in places where stone tools, ancient pottery and other artifacts were known to be present. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Investigators said photo evidence of Jordan being in the area where the digging was taking place was obtained. A few hours after photos were taken of him conducting unauthorized digging, Jordan made a post on social media about a find that he had made that day in that location and the piece of pottery he found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, archaeological excavations are only permitted for Secretary of the Interior qualified archaeologists in consultation with State and Tribal partners, prosecutors said. Testimony by Kisatchie National Forest archaeologist Matthew Helmer at trial established that the value of the restoration and repair of the disturbed archaeological sites will be greater than $500, maiiung it a felony offense. Since digging or artifact hunting is legal on private lands, the preservation of archaeological resources on public lands is especially important for safeguarding the nations heritage, according to Kisatchie National Forests Supervisor Lisa W. Lewis. Justice was served, Lewis said. Looting is a terrible problem on federal lands that not only destroys the history that belongs to the people, but it robs us of what happened at these sites. When looters steal artifacts, it is like ripping pages out of a history book, leaving big gaps in our knowledge of what was here in the past. People do not realize the impact and consequences that result when they take items from archaeological sites on public lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Archaeological Resources Protection Act prohibits any unauthorized disturbance to sites located on federal lands and over 100 years in age. This is one of the first felony Archaeological Resources Protection Act convictions in the history of Louisiana, officials said. 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. By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges of gunning down health insurance executive Brian Thompson, a day after prosecutors formally stated their intent to seek the death penalty. Wearing a tan jail-issued t-shirt in a packed lower Manhattan courtroom, Mangione stood up as U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett asked for his plea. "Not guilty," Mangione said, leaning down to speak into a microphone on the defense table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione, 26, previously pleaded not guilty to a separate set of New York state charges over the December 4 killing of Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealth Group's insurance unit UnitedHealthcare. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month announced that the Justice Department would seek the death penalty for Mangione. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office formalized their intent in a Thursday night court filing. Mangione's lawyers have said Bondi's April 1 announcement was "unapologetically political" and breached government protocols for death penalty decisions. Garnett gave the defense until June 27 to file a legal brief laying out their arguments as to why the government should be barred from pursuing capital punishment. The judge set Mangione's next court date for December 5, and said she would aim for a trial date some time next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garnett also reminded the lawyers about strict limits on public statements that could impede Mangione's right to a fair trial. She asked the prosecutors to convey her message to Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, and ask that he pass it along to Bondi. The brazen shooting of Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel, where the company had gathered for an investor conference, and the ensuing five-day manhunt, captivated Americans. Authorities say the words "deny," "delay," and "depose" - a phrase that echoes tactics some accuse health insurers of using to avoid paying out claims - were found written on shell casings at the crime scene. While public officials condemned the killing, some Americans have cheered Mangione, saying he drew attention to steep U.S. healthcare costs and the power of health insurers to refuse payment for some treatments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In justifying their decision to seek the death penalty, prosecutors wrote in a Thursday night court filing that Mangione "presents a future danger because he expressed an intent to target an entire industry, and rally political and social opposition to that industry, by engaging in an act of lethal violence." If Mangione is convicted in the federal case, the jury would determine in a separate phase of the trial whether to recommend the death penalty. Any such recommendation must be unanimous, and the judge would be required to impose it. Mangione is currently being held in federal lockup in Brooklyn. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges of stalking, murder, and firearms offenses in Manhattan federal court, NBC News reported. Mangione, wearing tan jail clothes and a white long-sleeved shirt, appeared in court just before 1 p.m. on Friday. He was seen chatting with his attorneys, flipping through papers on the table, and even smiling at one point. The charges stem from the Dec. 4 shooting of Thompson, who was gunned down on a Manhattan sidewalk outside a hotel where he was attending a business conference. Supporters of Luigi Mangione gather outside a federal court in Manhattan. / Spencer Platt/Getty Images Mangione allegedly shot Thompson with a 9mm firearm, and the killing sparked national outrage not only because of the brutal execution of a prominent figure but also due to the growing frustration with the U.S. healthcare system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some supporters of Mangione have drawn a link between his actions and the anger over the countrys for-profit healthcare industry, The Guardian reported. A truck with a video screen outside Manhattan Federal Court on April 25, 2025 to attend court as Luigi Mangione is set to be arraigned in New York federal court on a four-count indictment for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. / TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images In fact, throngs of Mangiones supporters gathered outside the courthouse Friday, some wearing medical masks or sunglasses, and many expressing outrage at the healthcare system. I am a chronically ill person. I live in chronic pain, one supporter, relating to Mangiones own ailments, told the Guardian. When I say not that much I mean like $30,000 in medical debt, she added, echoing the frustrations of many who feel burdened by the U.S. health insurance system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangiones back problems, dating back to childhood, became more debilitating after a surfing accident in Hawaii in 2022. The injury aggravated his spondylolisthesis, a condition where a vertebra slips out of alignment, causing intense pain. R.J. Martin, his friend, recalled that the pain was so severe Mangione couldnt engage in certain physical activities, including sex. Martin told CNN, He knew that dating and being physically intimate with his back condition wasnt possible. I remember him telling me that and my heart just breaks. Mangiones supporters, many who have their own health issues, have voiced their support for him, seeing his act as a response to systemic issues in healthcare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was even a group of protesters carrying signs reading Free Luigi and Health care is a human right, according to The Guardian. Luigi Mangione stands in prison clothes with his lawyers Karen Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo and Avi Moskowitz, at his arraignment in New York Federal Court, in New York City, U.S., April 25, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. / REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Mangiones defense attorneys, who are contesting the charges, are also challenging the pursuit of the death penalty. In their filings, they argue that this move is politically motivated. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, under pressure from the Trump administrations tough on crime agenda, directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Bondi referred to Thompsons killing as a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America, underscoring the political dimensions of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Mangiones supporters continue to rally behind him, with fundraising efforts now exceeding $900,000, CNN reported. Luigi Mangione, suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, arrives at a heliport with members of the NYPD on December 19, 2024 in New York City. / Spencer Platt/Getty Images Mangione is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he awaits further hearings. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 5, the one-year anniversary of Thompsons murder. Luigi Mangione on Friday pleaded not guilty to federal stalking and murder charges in connection with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 26-year-old appeared in Manhattan federal court, sporting noticeably shorter hair and wearing mustard-colored prison garb over a thermal white shirt. He was chatting with his attorneys before Judge Margaret Garnett asked him to stand and make his plea. Mangione responded with only one-word answers before entering his not guilty plea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, he could be sentenced to death. Attorneys for Mangione did not immediately respond to a request for comment. During the hearing, defense attorney Karen Agnifilo alerted the judge that someone had inadvertently listened to a call between her and Mangione. "We were just informed by state court prosecutors that they were eavesdropping on his attorney calls," Agnifilo said. "They said it was inadvertent that they listened to a call between Mangione and me. I am the lead attorney." The judge grilled federal prosecutors about the allegation, and the team stated that Agnifilo's comments were the first time they had heard about the calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge added that she expects an update from federal prosecutors next month to ensure Mangione is given appropriate access to a secure line. "I remind all counsel, criminal rule 23.1, about public commentary that could impede Mangiones right to a fair trial," Garnett said in the courtroom. "I'm specifically directing the government to convey my directive to Mr. Clayton and request that he convey the same to Attorney General Bondi and her associates at main justice." The next hearing date in Mangione's federal case is scheduled for Dec. 5, at which a trial date will be determined. Defense attorneys have asked for Mangione's federal case to go to trial first due to it carrying the possibility of a death sentence. Last week, a federal grand jury indicted Mangione on four charges, including two counts of stalking, one count of murder through use of a firearm and a firearms offense for an allegation that he used a silencer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione is accused of shooting Thompson from behind on a Manhattan sidewalk outside a hotel where the CEO was staying for an investors' conference. Two spent shell casings found at the scene had the words "deny," "depose" and "delay" written on them. After a five-day manhunt, Mangione was arrested at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Prosecutors filed a notice on Thursday seeking the death penalty for Mangione, weeks after Attorney General Pam Bondi directed them to do so. The prosecutors cited what they believe is the intentional nature of Thompson's killing, Mangione's alleged desire "to provoke broad-based resistance" to the healthcare industry, as well as "future dangerousness" that he presents to it. "Mangione presents a future danger because he expressed intent to target an entire industry, and rally political and social opposition to that industry, by engaging in an act of lethal violence," the notice read. "And he took steps to evade law enforcement, flee New York City immediately after the murder, and cross state lines while armed with a privately manufactured firearm and silencer." Mangione is also facing state charges in New York and Pennsylvania, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, two counts of second-degree murder, weapons charges, and a count of using a forged instrument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded not guilty to the murder and terrorism charges in New York. The courtroom was packed for Fridays hearing, and former U.S. Army analyst and whistleblower Chelsea Manning was among those who attended. After the approximately 30-minute hearing concluded, Manning shared her thoughts on Mangiones cases, describing it as "unprecedented" that two cases are running simultaneously: the federal case and the state case. "They have a capital case thats being speed run ... that is, we dont do that, we dont do that here," Manning said outside court. "We dont do that in America. We dont do that in our justice system. We dont speed run justice." When asked if she was a supporter of Mangione, she said she is "a supporter of the justice system being done in a fair manner." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEW YORK (Reuters) - Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges of gunning down health insurance executive Brian Thompson, a day after prosecutors formally stated their intent to seek the death penalty. Mangione, 26, wore a tan jail-issued t-shirt as he was led into the packed lower Manhattan courtroom. He previously pleaded not guilty to a separate set of New York state charges over the December 4 killing of Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealth Groups insurance unit UnitedHealthcare. He entered the plea at an arraignment before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brazen shooting of Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel, where the company had gathered for an investor conference, and the ensuing five-day manhunt, captivated Americans. Luigi Mangione , accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day search is scheduled, appears in court for a hearing, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in New York. Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP, Pool Authorities say the words deny, delay, and depose - a phrase that echoes tactics some accuse health insurers of using to avoid paying out claims - were found written on shell casings at the crime scene. While public officials condemned the killing, some Americans have cheered Mangione, saying he drew attention to steep U.S. healthcare costs and the power of health insurers to refuse payment for some treatments. In justifying their decision to seek the death penalty, prosecutors wrote in a Thursday night court filing that Mangione presents a future danger because he expressed an intent to target an entire industry, and rally political and social opposition to that industry, by engaging in an act of lethal violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this month announced that the Justice Department would seek the death penalty for Mangione. Thursdays court filing by the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office formalized prosecutors intent. Mangiones lawyers have said Bondis April 1 announcement was unapologetically political and breached government protocols for death penalty decisions. If Mangione is convicted in the federal case, the jury would determine in a separate phase of the trial whether to recommend the death penalty. Any such recommendation must be unanimous, and the judge would be required to impose it. Mangione is currently being held in federal lockup in Brooklyn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Related... Luigi Mangione appears at a hearing for the murder of UHC CEO Brian Thompson at Manhattan Criminal Court on February 21, 2025 in New York City. Mangione is accused of slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson late last year and is making his first appearance on state charges of murder as an act of terrorism. He is facing 11 counts for the Dec. 4 shooting of Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel which set off a massive manhunt. He is also facing federal charges of murder and other charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested. - Credit: Curtis Means - Pool/Getty Images Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to federal charges of murder, stalking, and firearms offenses on Friday afternoon in New York federal court. The night before, prosecutors filed formal notice to seek the death penalty for Mangione, who has been accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The filing claims Mangione, intentionally killed Thompson, to amplify an ideological message, maximize the visibility and impact of the victims murder, and to provoke broad-based resistance to the victims industry. Federal prosecutors also allege that Mangione presents a future danger because he expressed intent to target an entire industry and rally political and social opposition to that industry, by engaging in an act of lethal violence. Mangiones legal team, led by Karen Friedman Agnifilo, previously called the Justice Departments intent to seek the death penalty barbaric. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione, 26, was uncuffed in his tan prison uniform. He is currently being held at Metropolitan Detention Center and is also facing charges in two additional state cases in Pennsylvania and New York. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the three cases against him. At the arraignment, Mangiones lawyer, Friedman Agnifilo, said that since the death penalty is officially being sought, his defense would be moving to have the federal trial go before the New York state trial. Previously there had been a handshake agreement that New York would go first. Friedman Agnifilo has repeatedly spoken about how unprecedented it is that three jurisdictions (Pennsylvania, New York, federal) are seeking charges for the accusation of one murder. Friedman Agnifilo also revealed that state prosecutors had just informed her they had been eavesdropping on all of Mangiones phone calls, including his calls with his legal team. They said they inadvertently listened to him and me, Friedman Agnifilo said in court. She also added they told her they received the calls from the Southern District of New York. Judge Margaret Garnett asked prosecutor Dominic Gentile about the eavesdropping. This is the first weve heard of this, Gentile responded, adding that this was not the federal courts normal practice. He said federal prosecutors would look into the situation. Garnett ordered the prosecution to respond by May 2, updating the court on what arrangements they were making to make sure Mangiones able to privately speak to his attorneys. She asked to hear what had happened and what is being done to prevent a repeat scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she had directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Luigi Mangiones murder of Brian Thompson an innocent man and father of two young children was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America, Bondi said in a statement. The murder was an act of political violence, Bondis office said in her statement. Mangiones actions involved substantial planning and premeditation and because the murder took place in public with bystanders nearby, may have posed grave risk of death to additional persons. Friedman Agnifilo slammed their argument. Their decision to execute Luigi is political and goes against the recommendation of the local federal prosecutors, the law, and historical precedent, said Friedman Agnifilo. While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi. By doing this, they are defending the broken, immoral, and murderous healthcare industry that continues to terrorize the American people. In court on Friday, Garnett said that given how high-profile Mangiones case is, she wanted to remind the lawyers of rule 23.1, which prevents legal team from trial publicity and giving extrajudicial statements on the case. I am openly directing the government to discuss with [Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay] Clayton and have Mr. Clayton discuss this with Attorney General Bondi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangiones next New York state court appearance is scheduled for June 26. In Pennsylvania, his legal team has filed motions declaring Mangiones constitutional rights were violated when he was apprehended in Altoona. Judge Margaret Garnett set dates for motions to be filed and said that on Dec. 5, the next scheduled hearing, she intends to set a firm trial date in 2026. Outside of the courthouse on Friday, groups of supporters convened for a rally to calling for justice for Mangione. A legal fund has raised more than $950,000 for his defense. People Over Profit NYC organized the rally, with calls to action about health care reform. One man, a provocative conservative artist named Scott LoBaido wheeled around an effigy of Mangione; a skeleton dressed as the Luigi character from SuperMario, strapped to an electric chair. LoBaido walked around with bodyguards and a sign that said Fuck Luigi. Meanwhile, death penalty advocates are speaking out against the federal governments decision to pursue capital punishment. Death Penalty Action executive director Abraham Bonowitz released a statement calling it a hypocritical political stunt by Bondi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is yet another disturbing reminder that our society values certain lives more than others, said Bonowitz. Just in recent months, another individual who many would classify as the worst of the worst, who killed multiple people in a mass shooting in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, was appropriately punished without the death penalty. While we do not condone the murder of Brian Thompson, his life did not matter more than the lives of regular people who were simply out shopping while Brown. We urge the Attorney General to rescind her call for the death penalty, he continued. Should Luigi Mangione be found guilty after a fair trial, we demand that the Trump Administration pursue an alternative punishment, one that can hold him accountable without killing him. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEW YORK Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty Friday to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in his federal death penalty case as a judge warned government prosecutors to tell their bosses to heed the high-profile defendants right to a fair trial. Before a packed courtroom in Manhattan federal court, the 26-year-old, wearing beige prison garb with a white long-sleeved shirt underneath, stood and proclaimed he was not guilty of murder through the use of a firearm which is death penalty eligible stalking and related offenses. Not guilty, Mangione said after telling Manhattan Federal Judge Margaret Garnett he understood his rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an April 1 press release weeks before Mangione had been indicted Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department would seek the death penalty against him, the first sought since President Donald Trumps return to power, which Mangiones attorneys have argued was premature and prejudiced his right to find an impartial jury. The prosecution didnt formally file their intent to seek capital punishment with the court until Thursday. Garnett warned both sides about public commentary that could impede Mangiones right to a fair trial, specifically telling Assistant U.S. Attorney Dominic Gentile to convey her directive to the new Trump-appointed head of the Southern District of New York prosecutors office, interim Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, and the AG herself. Im specifically directing the government convey my directive to Mr. Clayton and request that he convey the same to Attorney General Bondi, Garnett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maryland man has also been charged on the state level in an indictment filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg with murder and terror offenses, carrying the possibility of life without parole if he is convicted. Hes pleaded not guilty and is expected to go on trial first in that case, the feds said Friday. He also faces lower-level charges in Pennsylvania related to items he was allegedly in possession of upon his arrest. Thompson was shot dead on Dec. 4 outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown, where the 50-year-old father of two was arriving for an annual investor conference, with the gunman fleeing the scene. Shell casings at the Midtown scene bore the words deny, defend, and depose, authorities say, in reference to the healthcare industry routinely denying claims to maximize profits. Mangione, an Ivy League computer science graduate, was arrested five days later at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a nationwide manhunt. State and federal authorities in New York and Pennsylvania allege he was in possession of a 3D-printed ghost gun, a silencer and ammunition matching that recovered at the scene, as well as a manifesto with writings critical of the health insurance industry. Mangione has reached icon status among some Americans frustrated with the U.S.s expensive health care system, raising nearly $1 million toward his legal defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of supporters turned up for Fridays hearing, bearing placards outside the lower Manhattan courthouse with messages like presumed innocent, and the definition of jury nullification, which is when a jury votes not guilty even if they believe the defendant broke the law. On Friday, Mangiones lead attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said the defense wanted the federal case to go to trial first. She has heavily criticized the dueling prosecutions and the prospect of double jeopardy, arguing that she has to present arguments for charges of a different nature that could harm Mangiones respective defense strategies. Agnifilo, who declined to comment after the hearing, also told Garnett that she had recently learned that a fed had inadvertently listened in on an attorney-client privileged call she had with Mangione from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. We were just informed by state court prosecutors that they were eavesdropping on all of Mr. Mangiones calls, the lawyer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge gave prosecutors seven days to file a letter with the court explaining what happened and 30 days to hand over discovery, setting other deadlines in September. She scheduled Mangiones next federal court hearing for Dec. 5, when she said she would set a trial date for sometime in 2026. If Mangione is convicted at his federal trial, it will be a jury, not prosecutors, who will decide at a second trial, known as the death penalty phase, whether the state should execute him. The last death penalty case tried by the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office was in 2023 against Sayfullo Saipov for killing eight people on a West Side bike path. It took months for the parties to find New Yorkers who werent opposed to capital punishment, and the chosen panel ultimately couldnt reach a unanimous decision. Saipov got a life sentence. _____ Luigi Mangione is standing his ground and insisting on a not-guilty plea! The alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO killer has reiterated his innocence on the charges leveled against him by the federal government in a New York City court hearing. Luigi Mangione was arrested last year following an incident in which he allegedly shot and killed Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. The tragic event occurred in the early hours of the morning in New York City. Luigi Mangione Was Given Until May 27 To Prepare His Defense PA State Police/MEGA Mangione recently entered a not-guilty plea in a New York City federal court to a series of serious charges, including murder through the use of a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arraignment, held on a Friday, saw him face one count of murder, two counts of stalking, and an additional firearms offense related to the use of a silencer. The judge mandated that all discovery materials be provided to the defense within 30 days, setting a deadline of May 27. Mangione's legal troubles extend beyond federal charges; he is also confronting state murder charges connected to the alleged killing of Thompson, to which he pleaded not guilty last December. Notably, entries in Mangione's alleged diary suggest that he had been planning the murder for months, with one entry indicating that "insurance is the target" as it "checks all the boxes." TMZ shared that the prosecution is pursuing the death penalty against Mangione, a move that his defense team is actively contesting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public reactions to the case have been mixed, with figures like former President Donald Trump condemning Mangione and his supporters. Journalist Taylor Lorenz has adopted a more ambivalent stance on the matter. POTUS Directed That The Death Penalty Should Be Allocated To Deserving Crimes Aaron Schwartz / CNP / MEGA The president condemned Mangione's supporters for their opposition to the death penalty, aligning with his administration's initial step toward it in January. As shared by The Blast, in a significant move, Trump directed the attorney general to seek the death penalty for all crimes deemed severe enough to warrant it. In an executive order, he emphasized that the restoration of capital punishment was crucial for ensuring justice and enhancing public safety. This order reversed former President Biden's moratorium on federal executions and criticized Biden for commuting 37 death row sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, it mandated that states have access to lethal injection drugs and called for the overturning of Supreme Court rulings that limited the application of capital punishment. The order also imposed strict imprisonment conditions for individuals convicted of violent crimes. It also enforced the prosecution of violent crimes and bolstered law enforcement coordination. Mangione Gained A Massive Online Movement In Favor Of His Story ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Mangione has garnered significant support and developed a dedicated following since his arrest, which many attribute to public frustration with the health insurance industry and issues surrounding claim denials. This situation has reignited discussions about the need for healthcare reform. In response to the growing support, Mangione's defense team launched a website aimed at providing information and addressing inquiries about his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, he expressed his gratitude to supporters through a statement on the site, saying he felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of letters and stories from people around the country and beyond. He noted that this support cut across political, racial, and class lines. Although he acknowledged the difficulty in replying to most letters, he assured supporters that he read each one and looked forward to continued communication. Inside Mangione's Lawyers Move To Avert The Death Penalty PA State Police/MEGA The Blast reported earlier in the month that lawyers representing Mangione filed a motion in the federal District Court located in Lower Manhattan. They requested that the judge block federal prosecutors from pursuing the death penalty for their client. The defense team criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision, describing it as "political, arbitrary, capricious," and in violation of established death penalty protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They expressed concern that this action has significantly biased the legal process against Mangione. The lawyers emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating in their filing that the U.S. government aims to execute Mr. Mangione as part of a political stunt. Luigi Mangione Tipped For Death Penalty By US Attorney General Pam Bondi ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA On April 1, Attorney General Bondi announced her intention to seek the death penalty for Mangione, pending a conviction for his alleged role in the murder of Thompson. The UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer was described as an innocent man and the father of two. Bondi described Thompson's killing as a premeditated assassination that left the nation in shock. She emphasized that her decision was made after careful consideration and aligns with Trump's agenda to combat violent crime and enhance public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authorities allege that Mangione fatally shot Thompson in Manhattan and subsequently fled the scene. Both state and federal cases against Mangione will be pursued concurrently. Interesting times are surely ahead for Luigi Mangione and his case! Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last year. Appearing inside federal court in Manhattan for his arraignment, Mangione wearing a brown prison jumpsuit stood and entered his not guilty plea, according to reporters inside the courthouse. He was seen chatting with his attorneys during the brief proceeding. Before entering his plea, U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett asked Mangione if he had read the indictment against him. "I have," Mangione said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 26-year-old was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on four counts, including stalking and murder through the use of a firearm the latter of which carries a maximum sentence of death. The Justice Department filed a formal notice on Thursday saying that it intends to seek the death penalty after Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the Department of Justice to seek the maximum punishment. "Mangiones murder of Brian Thompson an innocent man and father of two young children was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America," Bondi said in a statement earlier this month. "After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trumps agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again." Mangione was already facing state charges. In late December, he was indicted on 11 state charges in New York, including murder and terrorism. He pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione is also facing state charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested following a weeklong manhunt. The charges there include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. He was extradited to New York before entering a plea. He is being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, where Sean "Diddy" Combs and other high-profile defendants are also awaiting trial. His next court date is June 26 in the New York state case. How authorities say the killing unfolded Police officers investigate the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images) Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, outside the New York Hilton, where UnitedHealthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference. According to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, Mangione arrived in New York City by bus on Nov. 24 and checked into a hostel on the Upper West Side under the name "Mark Rosario," using a fake New Jersey ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the morning of Dec. 4, investigators say, Mangione left the hostel around 5:30 a.m. ET and traveled to midtown near the Hilton hotel. As Thompson was walking up to the hotel, Mangione took out a 9mm, 3D-printed ghost gun equipped with a 3D-printed suppressor and shot him once in the back and once in the leg. Surveillance images show the shooter wanted in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson at an NYPD press conference in New York City on Dec. 4, 2024. (Mike Segar/Reuters) Mangione fled the scene on a bicycle, setting off a five-day, nationwide manhunt. He was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pa., on Dec. 9 with the same fake New Jersey identification and the 3D-printed ghost gun, as well as a handwritten document that police said appeared to be a manifesto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Mangiones fingerprints matched those collected by the NYPD on a water bottle and a KIND bar wrapper recovered near the scene of the shooting and on a cellphone found in an alley near the hotel. The search for a motive Luigi Mangione is escorted by police after being extradited to New York, Dec. 19, 2024. (Pamela Smith/AP) Authorities have yet to officially identify a motive in Thompsons slaying. According to the federal complaint unsealed in December, the FBI said that writings in the handwritten notebook Mangione had with him when he was arrested showed his "hostility towards the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular." In one entry, Mangione wrote that "the target is insurance," according to the FBI. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny previously told reporters that there did not appear to be "any specific threats" mentioned in the manifesto, but "it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione was not a customer of UnitedHealthcare, but police said he had identified the company as one of the largest corporations in America in the document. So thats possibly why he targeted that company, Kenny later said in an interview with NBC New York. Police also reportedly recovered shell casings at the scene with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" written on them echoing the title of a 2010 book, Delay, Deny, Defend, that was highly critical of the insurance industry and describes how insurers avoid paying claims. According to the federal complaint unsealed in December, the FBI said that writings in the handwritten notebook Mangione had with him when he was arrested showed his "hostility towards the health insurance industry and wealthy executives in particular." Free Luigi movement Supporters of Luigi Mangione outside a federal courthouse in Manhattan on April 25. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) The killing sparked a national conversation about the U.S. health care system with people sharing stories about denied insurance claims and made Mangione a hero in the eyes of some who share his apparent outrage over corporate greed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a procedural court hearing in lower Manhattan in February, dozens of people wearing Free Luigi shirts and carrying homemade signs braved frigid temperatures for hours to show their support for Mangione. I dont condone murder, but what he did and its focus on UnitedHealthcare has really brought to life how our health care system is broken, Shane Solger, one of the demonstrators outside the hearing, told Yahoo News. Im here because the way that our health care system is designed right now hurts people. This is kind of a protest of our health care system. Mangiones supporters again gathered outside the courthouse on Friday. They were met by at least one counterprotester, pro-Trump artist Scott LoBaido, who brought a sculpture meant to represent Mangione in an electric chair. Artist Scott LoBaido displays a sculpture called Deep Fried Luigi outside a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Friday. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters) Who is Luigi Mangione? Luigi Mangione shouts as he is escorted by law enforcement to a hearing in Hollidaysburg, Pa., Dec. 10, 2024 (Benjamin B. Braun/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) Mangione was born on May 6, 1998 in Towson, Md., and raised by a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather was a real estate developer who owned country clubs in Maryland. And he is the cousin of Maryland Republican State Delegate Nino Mangione. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He graduated in 2016 as a valedictorian from Gilman School, a private all-boys school in Baltimore. Mangione then attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 2020 with a dual bachelor's degree in computer engineering and a masters degree in computer and information science. Mangione's last known address was in Honolulu. Some of the people who knew him in Hawaii said he told them he had been suffering from back pain following spinal surgery. According to friends and family, Mangione stopped communicating with them about six months before Thompsons killing. Who was Brian Thompson? UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (UnitedHealth Group/AP Photo) Thompson worked for UnitedHealthcare, the nations largest private health insurer, for 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson was named CEO in April 2021, after having previously served as the CEO of UnitedHealthcare's government programs, including Medicare & Retirement, according to his company profile. He joined the company in 2004. Before that, Thompson was a practicing CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, serving as a manager in the transaction advisory services group of the companys audit practice, according to his LinkedIn profile. Thompson earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Iowa. He graduated in 1997. He was a husband and father of two children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson lived in Maple Grove, Minn., a suburb of Minneapolis. His wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that her husband told her he had been receiving threats. "There had been some threats," she said. "I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The draft environmental code will be submitted to Chinese lawmakers for its initial reading on Sunday. The draft systematically integrates over 30 existing laws related to ecological and environmental protection in China. Once adopted, it will become China's second formal statutory code, after the 2020 Civil Code. The announcement was made by Huang Haihua, spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, at a press briefing on Friday. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead not guilty when he appears before a judge this afternoon on federal charges. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have submitted notice theyre seeking the death penalty if Mangione is convicted. Mangiones federal arraignment is in Manhattan at 1 p.m. More Local News Prosecutors point to the premeditated nature of Mangiones crime, saying the death penalty is warranted given that Mangione stalked Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, court records show. They argue Mangione is a further risk, and could continue to rally political and social opposition to the health insurance industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in early April that the Justice Department would pursue the death penalty against Mangione, as President Donald Trump signed an executive order vowing he would resume federal executions. Mangiones defense attorneys have already called the decision to seek the death penalty a political stunt and barbaric. Mangione, an Ivy League-educated 26-year-old from Maryland, is facing both federal and state murder charges. New York does not have the death penalty, but if he is found guilty on the state murder charges, he faces a maximum sentence of life without parole. Mangione is accused of running from police and sending them on a multi-day manhunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Todays edition of quick hits. * A reversal on visas: The Trump administration on Friday reversed course on the revocation of visas for international students, making an abrupt if temporary 180 on a policy that left more than a thousand foreign students scrambling and civil rights experts sounding the alarm about free speech. * Another White House legal setback: A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the administration of President Donald Trump from stripping hundreds of thousands of federal employees of the ability to unionize and collectively bargain over working conditions. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, D.C., blocked a March executive order by Trump from being implemented pending the outcome of a lawsuit by the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents about 160,000 federal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * A welcome reversal: The Trump administration is restoring financial support for a landmark study of womens health, an official said Thursday, reversing a defunding decision that shocked medical researchers. * Another welcome reversal: Federal health officials have reversed the decision to fire a few dozen scientists at the Food and Drug Administrations food-safety labs, and say they are conducting a review to determine if other critical posts were cut. * A case worth watching: Nineteen states that refused to comply with a Trump administration directive aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public schools went a step further Friday, filing a federal lawsuit challenging what they consider an illegal threat to cut federal funding. * A looming threat of empty store shelves? Retailers are warning that U.S. consumers could once again be faced with empty store shelves and the kind of supply chain snarls that marked the Covid era if President Donald Trumps tariffs on China remain at their current levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * This is likely to create all kinds of problems: President Donald Trump on Thursday destabilized a global effort to limit mining in the deep sea, signing an executive order that could eventually open up international waters to excavation firms that the United States unilaterally deems worthy. * Good for him: Gov. Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota vetoed a bill this week that would have required most libraries in the state to keep material considered sexually explicit in areas difficult for minors to access. Under the measure, librarians who do not comply could have faced prosecution. Mr. Armstrong, a Republican former congressman in his first year as governor, said in his veto message that the bill represents a misguided attempt to legislate morality through overreach and censorship. Have a safe weekend. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Nevadas Michele Fiore was already a notorious right-wing political figure when her career took a turn for the worse last summer: Fiore was indicted last July on a series of felonies, and the case against her appeared strong. According to the evidence compiled by federal prosecutors, Fiore used her position as a Las Vegas city councilor to raise money for a seemingly good cause: The Republican said she wanted to build a statue memorializing a police officer whod been killed while on duty. The effort was successful, and Fiore raised tens of thousands of dollars. The statue, however, was never built. Instead, according to the criminal indictment, Fiore used the money to pay fundraising bills, subsidize her rent, pay for plastic surgery, and even help cover the expenses of her daughters wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though she pleaded not guilty, a jury heard the evidence and found her guilty of six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Following her conviction, Fiore was poised to be sentenced, and she was likely to be sent to prison for quite a while. That is, until Donald Trump intervened. NBC News reported: Trump has pardoned former Las Vegas City Council member Michele Fiore, who was due to be sentenced on wire fraud charges, according to a copy of the pardon her lawyer posted on the docket in connection with her case. Neither the president nor anyone on his team have explained why, exactly, he decided to let Fiore get away with her apparent felonies, but its worth emphasizing for context that Fiore who has occasionally been described as Nevadas Lady Trump is a longtime Trump supporter and loyalist. The pardon is also part of an indefensible pattern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Trump prepared to leave the White House after his 2020 election defeat, the Republican issued some of the most controversial pardons in American history. After his second inaugural, he wasted no time in picking up where he left off. On the first day of his second term, Trump issued roughly 1,500 pardons and commuted the sentences of 14 Jan. 6 criminals, including violent felons who were in prison for assaulting police officers. A few days later, he kept going, pardoning 23 anti-abortion-rights activists, seemingly unconcerned with their guilt. That was soon followed by a pardon for former Gov. Rob Blagojevich, a man synonymous with corruption in Illinois politics, whom Trump saw as any ally. In early March, he pardoned a Tennessee Republican who was just two weeks into a 21-month sentence for his role in a campaign finance fraud scheme. In late March, he pardoned a prominent campaign donor. (Asked to defend the latter, the president struggled in unintentionally hilarious ways.) Taken together, Trump appears to have created an entirely new legal/political dynamic, without precedent in the American tradition, in which pardons are available to perceived political allies with whom the president sympathizes. Fiore is one of the most brazen examples, but shes not alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traditionally, presidents have issued pardons in order to right a wrong or protect those who have been falsely accused of wrongdoing. In 2025, if Trump sees a convicted criminal as an ally, thats apparently all the president needs to know. But lets also not overlook the soft spot Trump seems to have for politicians convicted of corruption. Indeed, the pattern is unmistakable. The Washington Post published this memorable roundup on the last day of Trumps first term: Since Trump took office, two incumbent Republican congressmen have been convicted of crimes, Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Duncan D. Hunter (R-Calif.), as has a former congressman, Steve Stockman (R-Tex.). Trump pardoned all three of them. Trump also pardoned four former Republican congressmen convicted before his presidency: Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), Mark Siljander (R-Mich.) and Randall Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.). ... [A]ccording to GovTracks Legislator Misconduct Database, Trump has now pardoned a majority of Republican congressmen convicted of felonies in the 21st century. As the presidents second term gets underway in earnest, he hasnt just pardoned Fiore and a man synonymous with corruption in Illinois politics, his administration has also abandoned the criminal case against a former Republican congressman whod already been found guilty of corruption by a jury, while simultaneously taking steps to abandon a corruption investigation targeting an incumbent Republican congressman. Its against this backdrop that the Trump administration also dropped corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message to politicians convicted or accused of corruption couldnt be clearer: You have a friend in the Oval Office. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com After months of speculation about what, specifically, the White House had in mind to end Russias war in Ukraine, the broad strokes of the administrations plan came into focus this week. For those eager to assess the proposal, that was the good news. The bad news is that the plan is a one-sided absurdity. If Donald Trumps approach were implemented, Russia would get to keep the Ukrainian land it has seized by force an extraordinary reward for launching an unprovoked invasion of its neighbor while Ukraine would be prohibited from joining NATO, further cementing one of Moscows principal goals. One NATO official, when asked for a reaction to the plan, replied, Did Putin write this for him? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day later, a reporter asked the American president what concessions Russia would have to make as part of the diplomatic process. Trump replied, Stopping the war. Stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession. Lets take stock. Under the administrations preferred approach to resolving the crisis, Russian officials get to keep the parts of a foreign country they have taken by force, while also ensuring that their neighbor does not join the NATO alliance. Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, get to keep some of whats left of their own country, while receiving only vague security assurances from an ostensible ally that now appears to be aligned with Russia. This, the world is supposed to believe, is a fair compromise. As part of this agreement, Russia gives up nothing except its ambition to acquire the entirety of a neighboring country by force, which obviously is not a concession by any sane definition of the word. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A couple of days ago, Russia the country that the American president keeps claiming is committed to peace launched one of its most devastating bombardments on Ukraines major cities since the war began. Soon after, Trump published a pitiful message to his social media platform, claiming he was not happy with the latest military offensive. Vladimir, STOP! the Republican added. This generated a new round of coverage about Trump expressing rare disagreement with Moscow. But lets not forget recent history: Since his second inaugural, Trump has made similar gestures multiple times, even threatening possible sanctions, and in each instance, the American president has followed through with nothing except new rewards for the Putin regime. Those inclined to believe that Trump might finally be prepared to respond to Putin with a stiffened spine should remember a phrase thats often repeated within Team Maddow: Watch what they do, not what they say. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Nearly 35 years ago, there was an episode of The Simpsons in which Mr. Burns decides to run for governor, and his campaign team arranges for a staged interaction at the Simpsons family home. As part of the photo-op, Lisa Simpson is told to ask her fathers boss, Mr. Burns, your campaign seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular? When she does as instructed, Mr. Burns responds, Ooh, a tough question, but a fair one. The episode has come to mind a lot lately, including a handful of times this week. Mediaite noted: President Donald Trump expressed approval Thursday after a reporter asked Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store whether Trump should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Norwegian leader didnt answer the question directly, though Trump took a moment to say, Thank you very much for that question. I like that question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it happens, the Republican has been saying this a lot lately. Trump has made no effort to hide his hysterical contempt for media professionals, having referred to journalists as the enemy of the people, media outlets as evil and reporters as scum. In his second term, however, as Trump-aligned conservatives have started populating press pools alongside actual journalists, the president has started to hear the kinds of questions that make him happy. This started just a few days after Inauguration Day, when Trump held a brief Q&A with the press, and one conservative actually asked, out loud and in apparent seriousness, Youre putting the American people first. Your thoughts on that? The president was delighted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I like that question. Boy, I want more questions like that, Trump said, adding that the person who asked the question is a very professional reporter, I have to say. During a press conference in early March, a conservative told the president that the Biden administration was guilty of fudging immigration numbers. I love that question, Trump replied. Around the same time, a different conservative asked the Irish prime minister during an Oval Office event why he let Rosie ODonnell move to Ireland. I like that question, Trump said. Soon after, a different conservative asked the president to explain why his administration is so effective at apprehending violent illegal migrants. Trump responded, I love this guy. I wish more people would ask questions like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alas, the list goes on. Trump celebrated a conservative who asked about previous Democratic support for trade tariffs, which was soon followed by the Republican professing his affection for a different conservative who had slammed Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland during a recent press conference. See, this is a kind of reporter I like, the president said. That Trump approves of sycophants might seem inherently uninteresting, but the pattern stands out because of what it tells us about the presidents twisted perspective when it comes to the free press. In his mind, journalists good journalists, with the highest professional standards ask questions that allow him to reflect on how impressed he is with himself. Those who do so are, by his definition, very professional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, reporters from independent news organizations, who fail to shower him with affection are fake, nasty, threats to democracy and enemies of the state. He has certain expectations about what quality journalism looks like, and it involves asking him how awesome his awesomeness is. Each of these exchanges offers a peek into Trumps beliefs into why the press exists and what journalists are supposed to do and as far as this president is apparently concerned, there should be no meaningful line between reporters covering the White House and the talking points issued by the White House press office. In other words, Trump celebrating far-right figures who present themselves as White House correspondents isnt funny; its additional evidence of his authoritarian instincts. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com For many years, Republican officials looked at ActBlue with envy. The more the donation platform positioned itself as an effective and successful tool that fueled the Democratic Partys fundraising, the more GOP insiders wished they had something comparable. But more recently, Republicans didnt see ActBlue just as a tool to emulate, they also saw it as a target to attack. On Capitol Hill, GOP lawmakers have launched dubious investigations into ActBlue. Online, prominent Republican voices such as Elon Musk have peddled a variety of allegations intended to undermine public confidence in the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was against this backdrop that Donald Trump took matters one step further, signing an executive memorandum aimed at investigating his political oppositions infrastructure. NBC News reported: The memorandum directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate allegations regarding the unlawful use of online fundraising platforms to make straw or dummy contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees, and to take appropriate action to enforce the law. It specifically names ActBlue as an online fundraising platform being used to improperly influence American elections. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, issued a compelling written statement soon after the presidents move, describing it as a striking development. Donald Trump pocketed millions of dollars in unlawful payments from foreign governments during his first term, his Administration shut down a probe into whether his campaign received an illegal and urgent $10 million bribe from Egypt, and foreign nationals are spending millions on Trump-owned cryptocurrencies right now in apparent hopes of buying their way out of federal criminal investigations through undisclosed payments. The Trump Administration has also systematically dismantled crime-fighting efforts at the Department of Justice aimed at foreign corruption of our politics and actually announced its indifference to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. So its rich indeed for Americans to read now that Trump has launched a big initiative to crack down on foreign influence in American politics with one purpose crippling the fundraising platform of his political opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays presidential decree targeting the campaign infrastructure of the Democratic Party with precisely zero evidence of wrongdoing is the kind of edict youd expect from a power-mad dictator in a Banana Republic. This president, with his approval ratings underwater and sinking like a stone, is desperately seeking to undermine his political opposition by cutting off their access to funding. Ideally, the president would respect the independence of the Justice Department, especially on matters related to criminal investigations, and further still on matters related to criminal investigations of his political opponents. Trump, however, continues to take truly radical steps to target his perceived foes and to attack his opponents infrastructure. It comes on the heels of the Republican also directing his politically aligned attorney general to investigate a former administration official who refused to go along with his conspiratorial lies in the wake of his 2020 election defeat. Im also reminded of a recent New York Times analysis published weeks before the directive related to ActBlue about the scope and direction of Trumps efforts against Democratic politics. Executive actions intended to cripple top Democratic law firms. Investigations of Democratic fund-raising and organizing platforms. Ominous suggestions that nonprofits aligned with Democrats or critical of President Trump should have their tax exemptions revoked. Mr. Trump and his allies are aggressively attacking the players and machinery that power the left, taking a series of highly partisan official actions that, if successful, will threaten to hobble Democrats ability to compete in elections for years to come. Sometimes, Trumps authoritarian tactics are subtle. The new offensive against ActBlue was far more overt. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Donald Trumps handpicked district attorney announced Thursday that police busted a domestic terrorism suspect in the nations capital, but said he was letting the suspect walk free without bail. Thats because the suspect in question is not actually accused of a violent offense, but instead was busted for allegedly defacing four Teslas in Washington, D.C. last month. The so-called Tesla Takedown is domestic terrorism, and my team is taking it on front and center, U.S. Attorney Ed Martin said in a statement Thursday. These attacks are not just an attack on someones property. They are meant to intimidate and suppress political speech and shut down the marketplace of ideas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D.C. resident Justin Fisher, 49, is the suspect in question. Martin alleges he defaced private property on Tesla vehicles in the districts northeast corner between March 1 and March 21 during daylight hours, but did not release any additional details. Ed Martin, who backed Donald Trumps baseless claims of a stolen 2020 election and defended U.S. Capitol rioters, was nominated by President Donald Trump in February to be the top federal prosecutor in Washington. / The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images Fisher was arrested on April 1, but had his first court appearance on Thursday. Martin, who defended Capitol rioters before being nominated as D.C.s top prosecutor in February by Trump, said Fisher faces four counts of defacing public or private property. He was released on personal recognizance and is not due back in court until June 10 for a misdemeanor initial status hearing. Tesla outrage has cooled from its peak in March. That is when the electric vehicle manufacturers CEO, Elon Musk, was still dedicating his full attention to running the Department of Government Efficiency and cutting tens of thousands of federal jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, 53, remains a divisive figure but has been much quieter in April. He has clashed with Trump Cabinet officialsboth publicly and in private meetingsand ushered in one of Teslas worst quarters in the companys 22-year history. He now appears to be taking a giant step back from being a constant White House presence, telling investors on a Tesla earnings call that he would limit himself to a day or two a week of government work. Enraged Democrats and disgruntled federal workers took to Tesla dealerships last month to protest the Trump administration and Musks affiliation with it. Some are accused of elevating those protests into property crimes by vandalizing or, in some cases, outright destroying Tesla vehicles. This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong, Musk wrote last Month on X, sharing a video of burning Teslas in Las Vegas. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also addressed the attacks, as has Attorney General Pam Bondi. The latter promised to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent under the law. If you target Tesla and break the law, then you can expect consequences, said Bondi in a Thursday statement. This Department of Justice will not tolerate such criminal acts. Attorneys for the Department of Justice said federal agents did not have an arrest warrant when they took Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil into custody because the agents believed he was a flight risk before they could obtain a warrant, according to court documents filed Thursday its a characterization Khalils attorneys say is disproven by previously released video of the arrest. In their filing, the DOJ said when a Homeland Security Investigations agent approached Khalil and asked for identification while outside his apartment, he shared a foreign drivers license and not a conditional residence card, also known as a green card. Under US law, lawful permanent residents over 18 are required to carry an evidence of registration document at all times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agent exercised discretion and allowed Khalils wife to get the card in their apartment, despite the offense being a misdemeanor, the court document says. While waiting for Khalils wife, the agent asked him to cooperate while they attempted to verify his identify, but Khalil stated that he would not cooperate and that he was going to leave the scene, the court document says. The agent believed there was a flight risk and arrest was necessary, and put him under arrest, the document says. Khalils attorneys responded to the governments claims by pointing to video of the arrest, which shows Khalil did not attempt to flee or refuse to cooperate with agents as they placed him in handcuffs. The DOJ submitted documents to a New Jersey court Thursday, with both sides sparring over whether a warrant was needed to arrest Khalil, a legal permanent resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations latest motion shows that they are steadfast in smearing Mahmoud Khalil to justify his horrific and unconstitutional abduction. We have the receipts: Mr. Khalil was taken from his family with no warrant and in clear retaliation for his protected speech, Veronica Salama, staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union said in a statement. We will continue to fight for Mr. Khalils freedom and defend the right to speak freely about Palestinian rights without fear of detention and deportation. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. The documents were filed in response to a request from New Jersey federal district court Judge Michael Farbiarz, who directed Khalils legal team and attorneys for the Department of Justice to submit all filings that were presented in Khalils immigration case, which is playing out in a Louisiana immigration court. CNN has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, but has not heard back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil has two parallel cases playing out in two separate courts: an immigration case in Louisiana and a federal case in New Jersey where his attorneys are challenging the legality of his detention and seeking his release on bail. The legality of Khalils detention is central to the case currently unfolding in New Jersey, where his attorneys have petitioned the court for his release. They further do not dispute that they had no warrant at all, neither judicial nor administrative, when they arrested Mr. Khalil in his private apartment building. Instead, without pointing to a single piece of evidence, they falsely contend that Mr. Khalil refused to cooperate with agents, and this supposed failure to cooperate justified their warrantless arrest, Khalils attorneys wrote. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate who played a prominent role in helping organize protests against the Israel-Hamas war on the campus of Columbia last year has been in custody in Louisiana since March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans found Khalil should be deported during proceedings earlier this month after the government submitted evidence to support Khalils deportation, which consisted of a two-page memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the pro-Palestinian activist is deportable because his beliefs, statements or associations would compromise US foreign policy interests. Rubios determination was also cited by attorneys who told the court they were not required to obtain a warrant after Rubios directive was issued. Given the agents interaction with the respondent and the information received regarding removability and the Secretary of States determination, the agents had reason to believe that the respondent was likely to escape before a warrant could be obtained, attorneys for the Department of Justice wrote. The documents also reveal immigration officers were surveying Khalils movements prior to the arrest as part of an effort to establish what attorneys for the Department of Justice describe as a pattern of life. It was during that surveillance that officers received notice that a charge of removability under the Immigration and Nationality Act had been approved and supported by the Secretary of State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils attorneys and the government were facing a deadline to submit additional documents to the immigration court this week. Judge Comans had ordered the parties to submit any additional evidence or motions seeking relief. Attorneys for Khalil told CNN Thursday he has applied for asylum with the court, which remains sealed due to the sensitive nature of the request. Its not entirely clear why New Jersey district court Judge Farbiarz requested to see evidence submitted in the immigration case. During a hearing with the parties last week, Farbiarz said he was still weighing whether he had jurisdiction to rule on multiple motions before him including a motion to release Khalil on bail, a motion to compel the government to return him to New Jersey, and a motion seeking a preliminary injunction that would release Khalil from custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Farbiarz grants the preliminary injunction it would also block the Trump administration from targeting other noncitizens who have engaged in protest activity for deportation. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis was activated Thursday after a body was found in Granite City. Granite City Police received a call about the body in the area of Pontoon Road and Alton Street at about 9:30 a.m. Police Chief Gary Brooks requested assistance of the Major Case Squad in the investigation. Capt. Adam Connor of the Granite City Police was tabbed deputy commander of the investigation. The identity of the person remained unknown as of Thursday night. No other information is available. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Major Case Squad Command Post at 618-877-6111 ext. 1104 SAN FRANCISCO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Intel announced on Thursday a series of measures, including layoffs, company restructuring, elimination of non-core products, and return-to-office mandate, as the company reported its first-quarter earnings. Intel has not specified the number of employees to lay off, but stated that the company will begin the adjustments in the second quarter and will implement them over several months. According to a Bloomberg report citing an anonymous source, Intel would cut more than 20 percent of its workforce, which could equate to nearly 20,000 employees. Intel last laid off 15 percent of its workforce, approximately 15,000 employees, in August 2024. Intel said it's reducing its operating expense target by 1.5 billion U.S. dollars over the next two years. The company will reduce its operating expenses to 17 billion in 2025, a 500 million dollar cut, and aim for 16 billion dollars in 2026, a further 1 billion dollar reduction, according to its financial report. In the first quarter of 2025, the company made an organizational change to integrate the Network and Edge Group (NEX) into the Client Computing Group (CCG) and the Data Center and AI Group (DCAI). The company will also require all employees to be in the office for four days per week, effective September 1. "I'm talking about the opportunity to fundamentally reinvent an industry icon. To pull off a comeback that will be studied in business schools for generations to come. To create new technologies and deploy them at scale to change the world for the better," Intel CEO Lip Bu-Tan said. "It's going to be hard. It will require painful decisions. But we will make them knowing it's what we must do to serve our customers better as we build a new Intel for the future - and I have great confidence in the power of our team and our people to make it happen." he added. In May 2024, dozens of Saudi Arabian citizens were falling ill, many of whom were hospitalized. Health authorities quickly homed in on the source of the illness, a single location of the popular local burger chain Hamburgini, where it was discovered that the mayonnaise had been contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria, the bacteria responsible for botulism. A full 75 people were hospitalized in the city of Riyadh, with one unfortunate victim actually dying from the incident. Health officials were quick to step in and shut down the production plant responsible for the outbreak. It wasn't long before legal action came to hold the relevant parties responsible, but as the investigation continued it became increasingly apparent that some public officials were attempting to cover their tracks. It's not entirely clear how much of a role this played in the outbreak, if any at all, but an attempted coverup isn't a great look when the public is demanding answers. The Saudi Arabian government issued a recall for the mayonnaise, instructing consumers to destroy the specific brand regardless of batch number or expiration date about as sweeping of a recall as you can imagine. The first major food recall in the United States was also due to concerns of botulism, one of the most dangerous forms of food poisoning out there. Botulism is also why it's so dangerous to eat bulging canned foods a telltale sign of the bacteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Canned Foods You Should Avoid At All Costs Food Recalls Save Lives All Across The World A man in a white lab coat and blue latex gloves holding a placard reading "food safety" - Michail Petrov/Shutterstock In the world of modern food, potential health risks like this seem to be commonplace, which is why government regulation is so important to our health and safety. When picking up condiments from the grocery store or purchasing a hamburger from a local restaurant, no one expects the food to contain potentially lethal neurotoxins. And, for the most part, they don't, thanks to careful regulation. But when food safety issues do present themselves, modern societies have protocols in place to quickly contain any potential outbreak. Sure, it's not a good look when millions are affected by condiment recalls, but the alternative is objectively worse. Without food recalls, those unintentionally harmful products would be free to roam the market unrestrained. If that were the case here, who knows how many more might have been affected or killed? It isn't just Saudi Arabia, either. Food recalls were on the rise in 2024, at least in the United States. Although we all would prefer our food to be safe 100% of the time, we can rest a little easier knowing there are systems in place to protect us when things don't go according to plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Santiago Garcia Herrera, 47, is back on the street, out on bond after he was accused of exposing himself earlier this month on the very populated South End Rail Trail. PAST COVERAGE: Man arrested for indecent exposure incident along Charlotte Rail Trail A woman brought the incident to the forefront through a viral TikTok video where she talked about what happened. Many people on the Rail Trail on Friday were glad he was arrested, but not so happy that he got out of jail without paying anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TikTok user said in the video that Garcia Herrera allegedly exposed himself to her friend in South End. She took a photo of the alleged suspects truck and shared it online weeks before he turned himself in on Wednesday. A man pulled up in a crosswalk, intentionally stopped to stop her from walking, got her attention, exposed himself, the woman said in the video. Police said it happened on April 7 in one of the busiest areas for foot traffic in the city. Thousands of people use the trail every day. Thats horrible, said Lilly Deshene, of Minnesota, on Friday. Thats scary, said Megan Schimmel. I certainly dont know what I would have done if I was exposed to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news of the crime stunned many people enjoying their Friday. It makes me frightened for the other women out there, said Schimmel. The TikTok user said other women had similar stories. Garcia Herrera was charged with one count of indecent exposure. Police said they identified Garcia Herrera and interviewed him. He surrendered to police after warrants were filed for his arrest. VIDEO: Repeat offender arrested for indecent exposure at CPCC Authorities are investigating a suspected homicide inside the Oklahoma County Detention Center. According to a statement, a detention officer conducting routine safety checks around 2 a.m. on April 25 discovered evidence of an altercation between two inmates housed in the same cell. One injured inmate, 40-year-old Clinton Pike, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Pike had been in custody since Feb. 21 and was recently sentenced on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma County Detention Center Criminal Investigation Division said its preliminary investigation indicates that Pike was assaulted by a 20-year-old cellmate. The Oklahoman is not naming the man because he has not been formally charged. The suspect had been in the county jail since April 11 on a charge of robbery/attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. "Acts of violence within the Oklahoma County Detention Center will not be tolerated," said Paul Timmons, interim chief executive officer of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority. "Our Criminal Investigation Division is committed to conducting a thorough and diligent investigation. The safety and security of every individual in our custody remains our top priority, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to uphold that standard." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Authorities investigate homicide at Oklahoma County jail after assault QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) A New York man is accused of running over and killing a motorcyclist during a road rage clash on the Long Island Expressway earlier this month, prosecutors said. Jordan Rosen, 42, was arraigned on murder charges Friday in connection to the April 5 incident, officials said. Rosen was driving a BMW SUV and the victim, William McField, 55, was on his motorcycle when their vehicles bumped by the eastbound exit ramp near Woodhaven Boulevard at 9:21 a.m., according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McField then passed Rosen on the exit ramp and broke a red light before driving around traffic on Woodhaven Boulevard. Rosen followed him and McField rode through the zebra stripes on the left side of the road before the defendant allegedly sped up from behind and hit him, prosecutors said. The motorcycle went airborne and McField was run over by the BMW, authorities said. The bike then burst into flames. Rosen then allegedly struck another motorist in a Mazda CX-5 in the center lane before crashing into lamp post in the middle of the road, according to court records. McField died at the scene from severe bodily trauma, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. Rosen, who manages two Nissan dealerships, pled not guilty and is being held without bail, according to court records. His attorney, John Arlia, declined to comment Friday. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man charged with leading Youngstown police on a chase downtown was given three years of probation Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Bryce Bunofsky received the sentence from Judge Anthony Donofrio after he pleaded guilty to charges related to the July 14 incident. He was also ordered to undergo mental health treatment as part of his probation. Reports said police on patrol on Commerce Street at about 2:25 a.m. encountered Bunofsky, who was part of a large crowd and was pummeling a man in front of police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the officers turned on their lights and sirens, Bunofksy ran away, reports said. As he did, he tossed a gun, later found to be a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, over a fence on Hazel Street before he was caught. The charges he pleaded guilty to were 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. MELVILLE, N.Y. (PIX11) Talk about having a fake friend. A Long Island man is accused of putting a mannequin in his front passenger seat to take advantage of the carpool lane on Long Island, Suffolk County Police said. More Long Island News The 33-year-old Bellport resident was pulled over on Thursday just before 5 p.m., according to authorities. Police say officers spotted the suspicious-looking passenger and initiated a traffic stop near exit 50 on the Long Island Expressway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers immediately observed the dummy passenger and issued multiple tickets to the Long Island driver for HOV occupancy violations and window tint. 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A D.C. man was indicted on federal firearm charges Thursday, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia. The USAO states that Vankese Russell, 26, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Russell in the Chinatown area in January on public consumption of marijuana and illegal firearms charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police investigating stabbings in Southeast DC that left 2 hurt Court documents say that officers noticed Russell allegedly smoking marijuana behind a Metrobus stop near 7th and H Streets NW. When he noticed officers, he then attempted to discard it. Officers then searched Russells person and located a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun in his waistband. Court documents add that Russell was convicted of a felony in 2018 and is not permitted to possess a firearm. This case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) The Bulloch County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) has arrested a man for reportedly impersonating an officer for financial donations from local businesses. According to BCSO, Terry Allan Damstra was arrested on April 17 after the department began receiving complaints the day prior. A BCSO spokesperson said businesses reported a person requesting and soliciting financial donations for ads to be published in magazines and coloring books. The reports prompted an investigation, which resulted in Damstras identification. Damstra is from the Grayson, Ga. area and was conducting this activity for a company located in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon Damstras contact with a representative of the local businesses, he would introduce and represent himself as being from the sheriffs office. Damstra was also wearing a black hat with SHERIFF embroidered on the front of the hat in bright yellow. Personnel from some of the businesses provided statements that he was also wearing a pullover type shirt with Bulloch County Sheriffs Department embroidered on the chest of the shirt. Damstra was in no way employed by the Sheriffs Office, officials said. He has been charged with 15 counts of impersonating a public official or officer and one count of possession of marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials encouraged people to be aware of impersonators and potential scams in the area and to report immediately if there are concerns or questions about an activity. If you have any additional information about this person or these cases, please contact Investigator William Sims at (912) 764-1767. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A man suspected of receiving and reselling a horde of stolen items such as bicycles, medication, health products and construction tools was arrested by the San Francisco Police Department. Dash cam deals: Scam QR code stickers spotted on Walnut Creek parking meters San Francisco police said Ronald Lopez-Rivera, 45, of Richmond, was taken into custody on April 18 after months-long surveillance. Police said Lopez-Rivera was tracked that day by detectives while transporting an allegedly stolen bicycle from 8th and Folsom streets to Leavenworth and McAllister streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said an officer search of Lopez-Riveras vehicle located two confirmed stolen bicycles that were reported stolen from residential burglaries earlier that day in San Francisco. A further search of his home and storage units uncovered more stolen goods from San Francisco that were collected as evidence, said police (See slideshow below). Photo courtesy of SFPD. Photo courtesy of SFPD. Photo courtesy of SFPD. Photo courtesy of SFPD. Photo courtesy of SFPD. Photo courtesy of SFPD. Lopez-Rivera was booked into San Francisco County Jail for suspected possession of stolen property. Despite the arrest, this remains an active case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a TIP to TIP411, starting the message with SFPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SFPDs Burglary Detail unit reminds victims of bicycle thefts to keep records of serial numbers and utilize databases such as www.bikeindex.com a free database for recovering stolen bicycles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hichem Messaoudi (L), director of the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis and Tunisian director of the Confucius Institute, and representative from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group exchange cooperation agreements on Chinese calligraphy education in Tunis, Tunisia, on April 24, 2025. A Chinese university press and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese calligraphy education in the Tunisian capital on Thursday. The signing ceremony included a donation of specialized calligraphy textbooks and instructional equipment from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, a leading academic publisher affiliated with the prestigious Beijing Normal University, to the Confucius Institute. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) TUNIS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese university press and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese calligraphy education in the Tunisian capital on Thursday. The signing ceremony included a donation of specialized calligraphy textbooks and instructional equipment from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, a leading academic publisher affiliated with the prestigious Beijing Normal University, to the Confucius Institute. Kang Zhen, vice president of Beijing Normal University, underscored the profound historical and cultural significance of Chinese calligraphy during the event. He emphasized that the partnership aims to foster a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture among Tunisian youth and expand bilateral exchanges, particularly in education and youth development. Hichem Messaoudi, director of the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis and Tunisian director of the Confucius Institute, welcomed the initiative. He noted that China and Tunisia have made significant efforts in recent years to expand Chinese language education in the country, and that Tunisian youth are increasingly enthusiastic about learning the language and exploring Chinese culture. The new calligraphy program, he said, will further enrich cultural cooperation between the two nations. Chinese calligraphy, an art form involving the aesthetic rendering of characters using brush and ink, is regarded as one of the highest expressions of Chinese artistic tradition. Recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2009, it remains widely practiced today. The art continues to evolve through educational initiatives, exhibitions, and digital innovation, serving as a symbol of China's enduring cultural legacy. A representative from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group demonstrates the use of calligraphy teaching equipment in Tunis, Tunisia, on April 24, 2025. A Chinese university press and the Confucius Institute at Carthage University signed a cooperation agreement on Chinese calligraphy education in the Tunisian capital on Thursday. The signing ceremony included a donation of specialized calligraphy textbooks and instructional equipment from Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, a leading academic publisher affiliated with the prestigious Beijing Normal University, to the Confucius Institute. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) A case of road rage escalated into gunfire when a driver shot another motorist on State Route 347 near Casa Blanca Road, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Randolph John Rose Jr., 41, of Maricopa was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Jail on charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, endangerment and drive-by shooting. DPS responded to a road-rage and shooting incident involving two vehicles at 3:57 a.m. April 23 after the drivers got in a fight while southbound on the highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the other vehicle pulled up alongside Rose's vehicle and gave him an "obscene hand gesture." Rose then shot him in the hand with a handgun, DPS confirmed. DPS Major Crimes Unit officers then arrested Rose without incident. The shooting caused significant traffic delays during the morning commute, but traffic cleared by noon, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man arrested after road-rage shooting backs up traffic in Maricopa SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A man was taken into custody for robbery on Thursday afternoon. Christopher Burnett, 32 from Sioux Falls, allegedly shoplifted a couple items from a business near 10th and Cliff. Church fire in Parmelee When Burnett was confronted by loss prevention, he kicked the individual in the shin and threatened to stab him with a knife before leaving the business, according to SFPD Sgt. Aaron Benson in Fridays police briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers located Burnett nearby, and he was taken into custody for robbery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RUSSELL COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) A homicide investigation is underway after a deadly shooting Thursday night in Russell. At about 9:30 p.m., officers with the Russell Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting in the 800 block of East 2nd Street. When they arrived, they found a 49-year-old woman with gunshot wounds outside the residence. She informed officers that her husband, also 49, was still inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wichita man sentenced for babys murder Officers entered the home and discovered the husband, Robert Torres, dead in the back living room, also from apparent gunshot wounds. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says information gathered at the scene led authorities to a 33-year-old relative. Deputies with the Russell County Sheriffs Office found him in the 2200 block of Highway 40 and took him into custody without incident. The man was booked into the Russell County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder and attempted murder. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting, and the case remains under investigation. KSN does not name individuals believed to be connected to a crime unless formal charges have been filed. 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. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man was arrested Wednesday night for allegedly shooting juveniles. According to the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office, deputies said they arrived at Enoree Mart on Highway 92 at around 11:30 p.m. after being called to a shooting. At the scene, deputies found four minors in a car. Two of the juveniles, as well as the car, had been shot. The two victims were taken to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said the minors are expected to fully recover from their injuries. After speaking with the two other juveniles, deputies were told the shooting occurred near a home on Spring Street in Enoree. The minors said they were meeting at the location to fight with other teens. While at the home, the minors told deputies a man came out of the home and fired multiple rounds of a rifle into the ground. The minors then attempted to leave the area, the man allegedly fired more rounds at the car, hitting the two victims. After speaking with the teens, deputies said they determined the suspect, identified as Brennan James Readinger, was on home detention for an aggravated assault arrest from 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies then went to the home on Spring Street, called Readinger out of the home and arrested him for a home detention violation. Officials said shell casings and a rifle were found at the home. Readinger, 35, was charged with four counts of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, discharging a firearm into an unoccupied vehicle and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Spartanburg County deputies have arrested Readinger 15 times since 2007. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing in Ridgecrest early Thursday morning. The man arrested was identified as Damahjai Kelly, 18. Officers with the Ridgecrest Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of South China Lake Boulevard around 6:39 a.m. for the report of a woman who had been attacked. During the call, the caller provided a description of the suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sergeant at the scene found a man who matched the description of the suspect near South Sanders Street and West Church Avenue, according to the police department. The suspect then fled toward the Kerr McGee Community Center. A short foot pursuit happened but ultimately Kelly was tackled, which stopped him from retrieving a knife he was allegedly reaching for, according to police. Kelly was taken into custody without further incident. The victim, a 44-year-old woman, was taken to a local trauma center where she is in critical but stable condition, according to the police department. Kelly was booked in the Kern County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and other related charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of caution James Monroe Middle School was placed on lockdown for about 45 minutes while officers were investigating, according to the police department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WFRV) A 32-year-old Eau Claire man was taken into custody after reportedly refusing to leave an elementary school property he was previously banned from, prompting a lockdown and leading to the discovery of a loaded firearm in his vehicle. According to a release, the Eau Claire Communications Center received a call just after 11 a.m. on April 24 from staff at Putnam Heights Elementary School. The staff reported that a man who was prohibited from the premises was attempting to gain access to the building. Teacher at Kaukauna Catholic school arrested on 10 counts of possession of child pornography Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individual was identified as Andrey Y. Sichuga of Eau Claire. Due to prior incidents, Sichuga had been formally banned from all district properties. After denying Sichuga entry, school officials placed the building into a Secure A lockdown a protocol that restricts all entry and exit but allows classes to continue as normal. Officers located Sichuga as he was leaving the school and conducted a traffic stop. During the initial contact, a loaded handgun was reportedly visible in the vehicle. Authorities say Sichuga failed to comply with commands to exit the vehicle and had to be forcibly removed. The firearm was secured, and Sichuga was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fond du Lac Fire Rescue installs smoke detectors in apartment after stove fire He was booked on several charges, including carrying a firearm on school grounds, resisting an officer, and disorderly conduct. He was also cited for trespassing and not having proof of a concealed carry permit. The incident remains under investigation, and no further information was 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. ST. LOUIS A suspect is behind bars nearly a month after a deadly shooting at a north St. Louis apartment complex. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office has charged Johnny Haynes, Jr., 44, with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the case. He was arrested on warrant Wednesday. 18-year-old struck, killed by firetruck at Midtown intersection Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haynes is accused of fatally shooting Mikell Rayford, 27, around midnight on March 31 at the James House Apartments, located in the 4300 block of Saint Ferdinand Avenue in The Ville neighborhood of St. Louis. Investigators say Rayford was found with a gunshot wound in the torso and sent to a hospital for treatment, but he later died from his injuries. Haynes was booked into the St. Louis Justice Center without bond, according to online Missouri court records. As of Friday, no court dates have been set over his charges. NOTE: Video is from FOX 2s report of the murder case on March 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO Felony charges have been filed against a man accused of starting a garage fire that led to the death of a longtime Chicago firefighter on Wednesday. Charles Green, 44, is facing two counts of murder and aggravated arson. Officers said he was taken into custody just after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday near his residence. Captain David Meyer was a 28-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department. He was killed after crews responded to a garage fire that broke out around 4 a.m. Wednesday in the 5500 block of West Crystal in Austin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the fire had been extinguished when the garage collapsed and critically injured Meyer. He died from his injuries at the hospital. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Chicago fire officials said its Office of Fire Investigation, in collaboration with the ATF, determined that the blaze was the result of human action. Officials allege Green lit the contents of a trash bin on fire, which eventually sparked the blaze. Meyer, who was described as the rock of his family, loved carpentry and was nearing retirement. He had spent most of his career working on the West Side. This morning the Chicago Fire Department had another devastating loss. We lost a beloved member, Captain David Meyer. He was the rock of his family. His wife shared with me that they had been together since they were 14 years old and started dating when they were 15 years old, said CFD commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. So they had been married a long time. His mom and dad are still here. Its hard. The mom said, no one should watch their child go first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Chicago Fire Department say the past few days have been difficult as Cpt. Meyer was admired by so many of his colleagues for his leadership. Captain David Meyer, courtesy CFD Many of his former colleagues, as well as the owner of the structure that caught fire, said they were relieved to learn charges have been filed in connection with his death. Thats something were all processing, Miriam Alonso, who owns the garage, said. Alonso said she is glad to know someone has been arrested in connection with the deadly fire. Im extremely relieved, especially because now the community can be at peace with the fact that no more garages are going to be burned down and no one is going to lose their life for that, Alonso said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members inside his firehouse in the citys Austin neighborhood declined an on-camera interview and said the crew that was with Meyer on Wednesday is on leave. They said this is a difficult time for everyone, but they agree with the charges filed in court. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines They described Meyer as an amazing leader and a good man. The CFD would like to thank the CPD, CFD Office of Fire Investigations, ATF, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, & the Cook County States Attorney for their diligence that resulted in charges being brought in the fire that caused the death of Captain David Meyer, Chicago fire personnel said via X, formerly Twitter, on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day earlier, a large procession on Thursday carried Meyer from the medical examiners office to a funeral home on the Northwest Side. Visitation for Meyer will begin Monday at 3 p.m. at Malec & Sons Funeral Home. Meyer will be laid to rest the following day, with funeral services held at Saint John Brebeuf Parish in Niles. Green is set to appear in court on Saturday for a detention 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 WGN-TV. Warning: The subject matter of this story is extremely graphic and may be unsuitable for some audiences. ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (WFLA) A 13-year-old Florida boy was raped by a man in the woods while playing hide-and-seek with him and his brother, the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office said Thursday. Caught on camera: Dispute over foster dog turns physical in Tampa The boys family reported the incident to deputies in Charlotte County on April 20, according to a warrant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said the child was too afraid and nervous to tell anyone immediately but eventually came forward to his mother with details about what had happened to him about a week prior on April 13. The 13-year-old said he and his younger brother were playing hide-and-seek with the suspect in the backyard of their fathers home in Englewood that day. He was hiding in the woods when the man, later identified by detectives as Samuel Cobos-Carmona, approached him and began hiding with him in a bush. Its unclear exactly how the children knew Cobos-Carmona, but investigators said he had befriended the two boys. While in the bush, Cobos-Carmona asked the 13-year-old a series of disturbing questions, including if the child wanted to touch his genitals, according to the warrant. After being told no multiple times, Cobos-Carmona grabbed the child and began holding him down, investigators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim tried to scream and fight back, but authorities said Cobos-Carmona covered the childs mouth with his hand and began raping him. Detectives said Cobos-Carmona stopped what he was doing and ran off after hearing the childs younger brother approaching. The 8-year-old found his brother lying on the ground in the fetal position, according to the warrant. The victim also told his mother that he was bleeding when he went to the bathroom later that day. The sheriffs office said the victim was referred to the Child Advocacy Center for medical examination immediately following interviews with him, his mother, and others involved in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives found Cobos-Carmona in Englewood mowing lawns, but learned he only spoke Spanish. Another deputy helped translate a roadside interview in which authorities said Cobos-Carmona admitted to playing with the children but denied any sexual contact. When asked why the child victim would make up such a story, Samuel stated that he did not know, the warrant said. Cobos-Carmona was hesitant at first but eventually agreed to submit to DNA testing and a polygraph test, according to authorities. The sheriffs office said Cobos-Carmona was arrested for lewd and lascivious battery involving a victim 12 to 16 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video released Thursday, Sheriff Bill Pummel said detectives learned Cobos-Carmona was in the country illegally after initially being taken back to Mexico in August 2021. Hes believed to have illegally reentered the U.S. again sometime in 2022 and was spotted in Sarasota two years later. However, according to the sheriff, Cobos-Carmona was released back into the community at that time. Were going to work very hard with the State Attorneys Office and our federal partners to make sure this individual does not see the light of day again, Pummel said. And if he does, to make sure that he is permanently removed from the United States. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A man faces felony charges after he allegedly threw rocks and shattered windows at a church and several other businesses in south St. Louis County earlier this week. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Jacob Abernathy, 29, of Farmington, Missouri, with institutional vandalism and first-degree property damage over the reported rock-throwing incidents. Investigators say Abernathy was first jailed Wednesday after he was linked to throwing rocks at a church and other nearby businesses. He was then released Thursday, and later that same day, he was accused of throwing rocks at another business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 18-year-old struck, killed by firetruck at Midtown intersection According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, someone threw rocks and shattered a window of St. Lukes Church at 2761 Telegraph Road while at least one person was inside. Surveillance video caught the incident on camera, and police identified Abernathy as a suspect. Upon his arrest, Abernathy was reportedly wearing the same clothes as seen in the churchs video. While investigating, police also linked Abernathy to property damage at a few other businesses on Telegraph Road. When questioned by officers, Abernathy admitted to damage and was subsequently booked into jail in St. Louis County. One day later, according to court documents, Abernathy was released from jail, and targeted a Value City at 7077 Chippewa Street. Investigators say he threw two rocks through a large front window of the business. Officers found Abernathy nearby, and he again admitted to damage, per court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News In both reported incidents leading to arrests, the damage reportedly exceeded $750. Court documents state that Abernathy is linked to 11 other property damage and peace disturbance cases over the last month in St. Louis County and beyond. Following his arrest Thursday, Abernathy was booked into a jail on a $25,000 bond. No court dates have been set over his charges yet, per Missouri online court records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIENTIANE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Officials from Laos and Thailand reviewed progress of border cooperation and discussed strategies to strengthen relations, focusing on improvements in diplomatic and security efforts to address border security challenges and ensure peace. According to a report from the Lao People's Army News on Friday, representatives from both countries gathered for the first meeting of the Subcommittee on Lao-Thai Border Cooperation for Peace and Security, held in the southern Laos' Champasak province from Tuesday to Friday. During the meeting, both sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to maintain peace and order along the border, including increased information exchange, enhanced border management, and necessary legal measures to combat smuggling, illegal labor, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and transnational crimes. A Walt Disney World vacation turned into a nightmare after a Georgia man was arrested for allegedly strangling his girlfriends young daughter at the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. 36-year-old Patrick Young, of St. Marys, Georgia, was charged with child abuse and battery by strangulation, both third-degree felonies, after the horrifying incident unfolded on April 2 at Disney World. Georgia Man Arrested For Reportedly Strangling Child At Disney World Amid Family Vacation Chaos ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA According to the Orange County Sheriffs Office, which was obtained by WDWNT, the situation escalated after a day of drinking. Young, who had been living with his girlfriend for about a year, allegedly claimed he was just "playing around" with the child. But the girl told a much different story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not positive what started it, but he grabbed me around my neck and started choking me with his forearm, the child recounted. First, I thought he was joking, but then I started actually being unable to breathe. Man Chokes Girlfriend's Child, And Then Lashes Out ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA The terrifying encounter lasted 10 to 15 seconds, with the girl's mother witnessing her daughters face turning blue. Despite her frantic screams for him to stop, Young reportedly held on until the child tapped his arm, then finally let go. I dropped to the ground and started crying and gasping for air because I could not breathe at all. I moved away and he tried to pull me back, the young girl added. Rather than apologizing, Young allegedly lashed out when confronted, calling their emotional reaction a liberal f-cking [expletive] response, the arrest report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He started to become irate and saying he didnt understand why everyone was so upset, the childs mother told deputies. When I told him because she couldnt breathe and was crying, he said, That sounds like a liberal f-cking [expletive]! I told the girls to grab their things, and we would go. The young girl backed up her mothers account, saying, My mom was trying to defend me, and he yelled that my mom trying to defend me is a liberal f-cking [expletive] response. My mom told us to get our stuff and he started yelling at everyone about literally anything and everything he could. The mother immediately called 911, and Floridas Department of Children and Families was notified. Man Defends Disney World Attack On Girl ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Deputies noted that while there were no visible bruises or marks on the childs neck, she had clear signs of distress, including puffy cheeks from crying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young later told deputies he thought they were just wrestling and claimed he didnt realize there was a problem until his girlfriend screamed and called the police. Walt Disney World Enforces Strict No-Tolerance Policy For Violence And Disruptive Behavior ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Walt Disney World prides itself on being a safe and welcoming environment for guests of all ages. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone, the resort enforces a strict policy against any form of violence, threats, or disruptive actions that could endanger others or interfere with park operations. Guests are expected to adhere to a clear set of guidelines while visiting the parks. Some of the major prohibitions include: Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, knives, and any other type of weapon are strictly forbidden on Disney property. Self-Defense Devices: Items such as pepper spray and similar protective devices are also banned. Illegal Substances: The possession or use of illegal substances, including marijuana, is prohibited. Aggressive Behavior: Any threatening, violent, or harmful actions toward other guests or Cast Members are not tolerated. Operational Interference: Behavior that disrupts the park's operation or diminishes the experience for others can result in removal. Inappropriate Attire: Clothing that is offensive, violent, or obstructive in nature is not permitted inside the parks. Consequences For Violating Disneys Policies ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Disney takes violations of its rules seriously and outlines several consequences for those who fail to comply: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Removal from the Park: Guests who break the rules may be asked to leave the park immediately and, in some cases, could face a permanent ban from all Disney properties. Legal Action: If a guest is found in possession of a weapon or commits a crime, local law enforcement may be called to intervene. Financial Penalties: Guests removed from the parks for rule violations may not be eligible for ticket or resort stay refunds. Walt Disney Worlds policies are designed to maintain a safe, magical environment where guests can focus on making memories, not worrying about their safety. By following these rules, visitors help ensure that the "Most Magical Place on Earth" stays that way for everyone. However, for Young, instead of enjoying magical memories, he is facing serious legal trouble, and the vacation ended in a way no family could have ever imagined. Young has pleaded not guilty. SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) A former Goldrush Stables employee who was convicted of animal cruelty last month in connection to a video of him repeatedly whipping a horse has been sentenced to just under a year, but only one week of that sentence will be served in jail. Earlier this month, David Allen Whaley was convicted of animal cruelty after a trial. He was arrested and charged in July 2022 after a video that was taken in May of that year circulated on social media and showed a man whipping a horse repeatedly. Kincannon proposes firefighter raises, housing investments in upcoming Knoxville city budget Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the investigation, a former employee of the stables told 6 News that the man in the video was lashing out at the horse for following him out of the corral after he failed to tie it up. Whaley was given a 11 month and 29 day sentence on Wednesday. Of that sentence, only one week will be served in jail. For the remainder of the sentence, Whaley will be on supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a $500 fine and complete seven days of public service, court records explain. Tomatoes tossed at McMinn County sandwich restaurant during health inspection Under Tennessee law, animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry up a sentence of up to 11 months and 22 days as well as a fine of $2,500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Oleksii Khlibets, a miner and combine operator at the Heroes of Space coal mine, part of Ukraines largest private energy company, DTEK, was killed in his own home as a result of a Russian drone strike on a residential building in the city of Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on the night of 24-25 April. Source: press service for DTEK Details: Oleksiis 15-year-old daughter Valeriia was also killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife, Oksana, sustained severe injuries. DTEK reported that doctors are currently fighting to save her life. Background: On the night of 24-25 April, Russian forces attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones, causing fires in several settlements. Three people were killed and 14 injured in Pavlohrad. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A crash in West Price Hill left a driver dead after he struck another car, Cincinnati police said in a news release. At approximately 12:40 p.m. on April 25, officers responded to Glenway Avenue to investigate a fatal injury traffic collision. A 40-year-old man was driving a 2011 Cadillac CTS eastbound on Glenway Avenue when he crossed left of center and struck a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe traveling westbound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Cadillac was pronounced dead at the scene, and officials have not yet released his identity. The driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. Police say the driver of the Cadillac was not wearing a seat belt. They are investigating whether excessive speed and impairment contributed to the crash. Cincinnati police ask any witnesses to contact the department's Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man killed in two-vehicle crash in West Price Hill Family members said a man who was detained by federal immigration agents in Pomona was released from custody Wednesday, a day after a group of day laborers was detained during a nearby raid outside a Home Depot. Martin Majin Leon has owned and operated a barber shop on Holt Avenue in Pomona for nearly 20 years. On April 22, surveillance footage showed Martin arriving at his shop early in the morning. He steps out of his car to open a gate and seconds later, a van and SUV surround him as several agents quickly approach him with guns drawn. Surveillance video showed Martin Majin Leon being surrounded at gunpoint and taken into custody by immigration officials outside his barber shop in Pomona on April 22, 2025. (Miguel Majin) Surveillance video showed Martin Majin Leon being surrounded at gunpoint and taken into custody by immigration officials outside his barber shop in Pomona on April 22, 2025. (Miguel Majin) Martin Majin Leon (center) holds a press conference with his family as he speaks to the media outside his Pomona barber shop on April 24, 2025. (KTLA) Martin Majin Leon is seen in a personal photo. Miguel Majin (center) reads a letter from his father that was translated into English from Spanish as they held a press conference in Pomona on April 24, 2025. (KTLA) Martin Majin Leon holds a press conference with his family as he speaks to the media in Pomona outside his barber shop on April 24, 2025. (KTLA) They get him at gunpoint and he surrenders, Martins son, Miguel Majin, told KTLAs Shelby Nelson. I think its unnecessary to use guns. My dads not a criminal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a press conference on Thursday, Martins family gathered to share more details about his detainment. Miguel read from a letter his father wrote in Spanish that was translated into English: Im a husband, a father and a small business owner who has lived and worked in California for over 39 years. I have built a life here, raised my family here, paid taxes and contributed to my community every day all these years. On the morning of April 22, I was detained without prior notice by federal agents for over 30 hours. My family did not know where I was or what had happened to me. I was not given a chance to contact them and no immediate explanation was provided. Martin said the ordeal left him scared and in shock. He was later transported to a facility in Indio, then El Centro, before arriving in Riverside. On Wednesday, his family was able to retrieve him after he was released from a Riverside courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Martin said he had previously been deported in the early 2000s, he said he has nothing to hide and is cooperating with authorities on his case. The charge against me relates to an immigration issue from over 20 years ago, Martin said. I want to be clear Im fully cooperating with the legal process and trust that the court will consider the facts of the life Ive built here in the U.S. Martins family said they still have many unanswered questions. They believe U.S. Customs and Border Protection was behind the arrest. KTLA has reached out to the department and is awaiting confirmation. The agency did, however, confirm that they were involved with the detainment of a group of day laborers outside a Home Depot store the same morning that Martin was taken into custody. Immigrant rights advocates and community members held a demonstration outside a Home Depot store in Pomona on April 22, 2025, protesting a raid that involved the arrest of a group of day laborers at the location. (KTLA) Cell phone video from a witness showed several unmarked vehicles and vans reportedly belonging to U.S. Customs and Border Protection as agents surrounded a Home Depot store in Pomona and arrested a group of day laborers on April 22, 2025. Cell phone video from a witness showed several unmarked vehicles and vans reportedly belonging to U.S. Customs and Border Protection as agents surrounded a Home Depot store in Pomona and arrested a group of day laborers on April 22, 2025. Immigrant rights advocates and community members held a demonstration outside a Home Depot store in Pomona on April 22, 2025, protesting a raid that involved the arrest of a group of day laborers at the location. (KTLA) Immigrant rights advocates and community members held a demonstration outside a Home Depot store in Pomona on April 22, 2025, protesting a raid that involved the arrest of a group of day laborers at the location. (KTLA) Home Depot store in Pomona, California. (KTLA) Hilton Beckham, Assistant Commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, released a statement on the incident saying: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents conducted an operation in Pomona targeting an illegal alien with an active arrest warrant. During the operation, nine additional illegal aliens were encountered and taken into custody. Several of those apprehended had prior charges, including child abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, immigration violations, and DUI. As for Martins case, his family said they are seeking legal counsel on what they should prepare for moving forward. Martins next court date is scheduled for May 29. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A man is suing American Airlines after he said the airline delayed medical attention for his 62-year-old father on a flight a move he claims led to his fathers death. The father, John William Cannon, was traveling from Louisville, Kentucky, to Durango, Colorado, on April 28, 2023, to celebrate the life of his late girlfriend, who had died the month prior, Joe LoRusso, an attorney for the plaintiff, told HuffPost. But, after experiencing medical emergencies on two different planes throughout his journey, he was pronounced dead later that night. In a complaint filed this week and obtained by HuffPost, Kyle Cannon, the son of the deceased, argues that American Airlines delayed helping his father, ultimately leading to his death. The lawsuit is now seeking at least $75,000 in damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines said they are reviewing the complaint but did not provide additional comment on the allegations to HuffPost. John Cannon boarded his American Airlines flight at 12:30 p.m. on April 28. He was heading toward his layover at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and, according to the complaint, he lost consciousness during the flight and/or deboarding. Airport or airline crew members then helped him to the gate for his next flight, the complaint said. He was allegedly released in under three minutes for his connecting flight to Durango, Colorado, with Envoy Air, which is a subsidiary of American Airlines Group. Once again, he lost consciousness during the flight and/or during deboarding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (American Airlines has not released any details about the timeline of events to Cannons family, LoRusso said, making it unclear at which points exactly Cannon lost consciousness. All details in the complaint come from reports from the airport and emergency medical services, he said.) Despite Mr. Cannons escalating medical crisis, the AAL4896 flight crew delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned, the complaint alleged. At 1604 hours, a crew member of AAL4896 called emergency services and reported Mr. Cannon as being in and out of consciousness with labored breathing. Durango Fire and Rescue then arrived and began administering aid to Cannon aboard the plane. Emergency service workers began to transport him to a hospital, with an ambulance crew giving him chest compressions, epinephrine and multiple defibrillator shocks, but his heart did not start pumping again normally, according to the complaint. Cannon was pronounced dead at 1:29 a.m. on April 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His familys lawsuit is now arguing that he never should have been allowed onto the connecting flight while he was having a medical crisis, that the airline failed to give him first aid while onboard and that the crew failed to prioritize deboarding him and getting him medical attention. The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritizes inaction over intervention, attorneys for Cannons son said in a statement to HuffPost. This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical emergencies happen on about 1 in every 604 commercial flights. In 2018, the family of 25-year-old Brittany Oswell filed a wrongful death lawsuit against American Airlines, also alleging the flight crew chose not to make an emergency landing after she lost consciousness and vomited on the plane. She died three days later. The suit was later dismissed, according to The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, the family of 14-year-old Kevin Greenidge sued American Airlines for wrongful death after the teenager suffered from cardiac arrest on a flight from Honduras to Miami. The suit is ongoing. Related... HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) The Indiana State Police are on scene of a death investigation in Oakland City. Officials with Indiana State Police say one male was found dead inside their home. Officials go on to say the investigation is on Dale Street in Oakland City. One male has been detained by law enforcement. Gibson County Sheriff Bruce Vanoven told Eyewitness News deputies are assisting in the investigation and are also on scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Eyewitness News Crew on scene says detectives are going door to door talking with residents. Dale Street is blocked off while crews investigate the scene. 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Apr. 25---- One of two people charged in the 2022 overdose death of a Willmar man was found guilty of murder after a four-day jury trial in Lateef Deondra Mahaffey Jr., 28, was found guilty April 17 on all six criminal counts against him, including third degree murder via distribution of a controlled substance. Mahaffey was also found guilty of second-degree manslaughter and third-degree drug sale, plus three counts of felony aiding and abetting. An amended complaint filed earlier this year charges that he and a co-defendant aided each other in the commission of the murder, manslaughter and drug sale crimes charged originally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Rodney Hanson ordered Mahaffey to be held in the Kandiyohi County Jail, pending his next court appearance. A sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for July 14. Mahaffey had most recently been living in according to court documents, but has been incarcerated since August 2023. Co-defendant Mercedes Leigh Carpenter, 21, of Maynard, is currently free, with conditions, after posting a $50,000 bond. Her next hearing in Kandiyohi County District Court is currently scheduled for May 15. Carpenter was initially charged with the same three counts: third-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and third-degree drug sale. Charges of aiding and abetting each of those three counts were filed against her earlier this year as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criminal complaints in the case identify John Jesse Olvera as the man found deceased at his Willmar residence on Sept. 26, 2022, the morning after the alleged drug purchase. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office later determined in its final autopsy summary that the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity. According to the narrative in the criminal complaints, an adult male who lived in the same residence as Olvera told officers that Olvera had returned home from work between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Sept. 25, 2022. He said Olvera went to the bathroom to take a shower. The next morning, the roommate woke up around 5:11 a.m. and observed light in the bathroom and the shower still running. After knocking on the door to no answer, he entered and found Olvera seated in the bathtub up against the wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 911 call was placed, and Olvera was pronounced dead at the scene shortly thereafter. According to the criminal complaint, data pulled from Olvera's cell phone showed he had exchanged messages with four different people to purchase drugs. One of the numbers he texted was traced to Mahaffey. A review of messages dated Sept. 25, 2022, showed discussions among Mahaffey, Carpenter and Olvera about where to meet and when. Detectives also confirmed Olvera made a $20 payment via CashApp to an account registered to Mahaffey. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) Indiana State Police detectives and crime scene units are investigating a confirmed homicide in Oakland City. Officials state it happened in the 300 block of W. Dale Street, and a suspect has been detained so far. ISP says the Oakland City Police Department on Thursday received a request to conduct a welfare check where arriving officers discovered a deceased male who was identified as 57-year-old Brad Fiscus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday. The investigation is ongoing. More information will be released when it becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). April 24 (UPI) -- A man living in New York has been charged with immigration fraud for concealing his identity as a perpetrator of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the Justice Department announced Thursday. Faustin Nsabumukunzi, 65, of Bridgehampton, N.Y., lied on his application when applying for a green card and United States citizenship, the Justice Department said. Nsabumukunzi was a local leader with the title of "Sector Counselor" in Rwanda in 1994 when the genocide began, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Between April and July of that year, members of the majority Hutu population persecuted the minority Tutsis, committing acts of violence including murder and rape," a release from the Justice Department said. "An estimate 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during the three-month genocide." Nsabumukunzi lived in the country under false pretenses for decades, the Justice Department said. "The depraved conduct of which the defendant is accused represent the worst of humanity," Acting Special Agent in Charge, Darren B. McCormack of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations New York, said. Nsabumukunzi used his leadership position to oversee the violence and killings of Tutsis and directed groups or armed Hutus to kill Tutsis, the release said. He allegedly set up roadblocks to detain and kill Tutsis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court for genocide. Nsabumukunzi applied for refugee resettlement in 2003, received a green card in 2007, and applied for naturalization in 2009 and 2015. If convicted on charges of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud, he faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. MACAO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The 13th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) kicked off on Friday, setting new records with 755 exhibitors from 70 countries and regions. Organized by the tourism office of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government and coordinated by the Macao Travel Agency Association, the event aims to foster global tourism cooperation and strengthen Macao's international connectivity. Over 500 participants gathered for the opening ceremony, including the SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR Zheng Xincong, and Commissioner of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macao SAR Liu Xianfa. With 30,000 square meters of exhibition space, this year's expo showcased 1,502 booths. Tourism authorities from Qatar, Hamburg of Germany, Sweden, Burundi, Kenya and Turkiye participated for the first time. According to the Macao SAR tourism office, the number of international exhibitor booths increased by 50 percent this year. New highlights for this year's MITE include a live-streaming section for exhibitors from Belt and Road countries, a coffee station showcasing products from Portuguese-speaking nations, and a foodie market that celebrates the culinary diversity of Macao. In her opening address, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Tourism Office of the Macao SAR government, said that Macao continuously enhances the role of a bridge to connect the tourism industries of Macao, the Chinese mainland, and the international community. She also called for the expansion of the international network to promote mutually beneficial development in the global tourism industry. The expo runs until Sunday with over 70 activities, including promotional sessions and forums. A 30-year-old man who stabbed a beggar to death in the German city of Frankfurt in order to be arrested was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. "He wanted to kill to get into prison and rid himself of his worries," said the presiding judge of the jury chamber at the Frankfurt regional court. "That seemed to him to be the very best solution to his problems." Prior to committing the crime, the man lived in Nastatten in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, was unemployed and facing homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 7, 2024, he packed a large kitchen knife and drove to the Frankfurt train station district. According to the court's findings, he was looking for a victim there who was inferior to him: a small, slender, timid man. He came across the beggar, a 49-year-old who was missing a leg, was wheelchair-bound and weighed just over 40 kilograms. After a brief conversation between the two men, the victim rolled off into a passageway. The then 29-year-old went after him and stabbed him several times in the back with great force. The court met the prosecution's request with its verdict for "insidious murder with base motives," although the verdict is not yet final. The 30-year-old defendant's lawyer had sought a sentence of five to seven years in prison for manslaughter. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced to 25 years for a 2021 murder when he shot a woman to death at a Walgreens in Parkway Village. Gregory Morton, 53, has been charged with Second-Degree Murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the fatal shooting captured on surveillance cameras. Gregory Morton (Courtesy of Shelby County District Attorneys Office) The attorneys office says that in Dec. 2021, surveillance video showed Morton pulling up next to the victims vehicle in a white van at the Walgreens at 3177 South Perkins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ORIGINAL: Woman dead after shooting at Walgreens, police say After that, he got out of his van and started shooting through the womans drivers side door and struck her multiple times. She was transported to Regional One in critical condition, where she later died. The woman was later identified as Juanita Washington, 60, who was also the head administrator of L.Y.E. Academy. Morton was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on Mar. 25, 2022, after he was on the run in Las Vegas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) A Newton man has pleaded guilty to abusing a young child in Harvey County. Christopher M. McAhren, 32, had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday in Harvey County District Court. Instead, he entered a guilty plea to charges of aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, rape of a child under the age of 14, and aggravated internet trading in child pornography. DUI suspected in crash that closed westbound Kellogg Wednesday night, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crimes took place in 2024 and involved a victim under the age of 8. Sentencing is scheduled for June 23. He will face a minimum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years and a lifetime registration as a sex offender if ever released from prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who reports said offered an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper over $15,000 if he would let him go during a traffic stop was indicted Thursday by a Mahoning County grand jury. Michael Nakley, 36, faces charges of bribery, a third-degree felony; possession of cocaine, a fourth-degree felony; and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor. The charges stem from a Dec. 22 traffic stop at about 3 a.m. on Interstate 680 by a member of the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The trooper said Nakley was pulled over for weaving across the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said Nakley stopped in the middle of the road and when a trooper approached him, he smelled heavily of alcohol and was very animated. Nakley failed a field sobriety test and was arrested, reports said. When he was searched, the trooper found a bag of cocaine in his shirt pocket, reports said. As they were sitting in the troopers cruiser waiting for a tow truck, reports said Nakley told the trooper he would give him $2,500 to let him go and if the trooper followed him back to his house, he would give him another $15,000. Nakley was able to post bond in this case but was rearrested in April on another fourth-degree felony drug charge, according to court records. That case was bound over to a grand jury. Nakley was also able to post bond in that case, reports 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 WKBN.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man has been sentenced to prison in Salt Lake County for the death of a juvenile in 2021, according to an announcement from Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill on Friday. On Dec. 25, 2021, police responded to a welfare check at the Gene Fullmer Recreation Center in West Jordan. Upon arrival, they found a deceased juvenile male later determined to be 16 years old identified simply as K.G. Police also found three shell casings next to K.G.s body and a shoe print in the mud. Two days later, on Dec. 27, 2021, police learned about an incident in West Valley City where a juvenile and two men stole a vehicle from a driveway in the neighborhood. The accused individuals were followed by a witness after the theft, who then told a nearby police officer what had happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer tried to stop the stolen vehicle but it sped away. The vehicle then lost control and the individuals inside ran from the scene. The suspects identified as Coda Benjamin Verucchi and Jedediah Newsome were taken into custody shortly after. During a police interview, Newsome told investigators that he and Verucchi had taken part in a homicide on Dec. 24, 2021, near a recreation center in West Jordan. Newsome told police that K.G. was shot because he was trying to get put on with a gang that Newsome and Verucchi were in, according to a press release from the DAs Office, but K.G. was already in another gang. Newsome told police he and Verucchi had talked to K.G. and told him to think about joining the gang overnight. Newsome started to walk away from Verucchi and K.G., but he told police he heard two gunshots, so he went back, grabbed a gun from Verucchi, and shot K.G. twice. The co-defendants then ran away, the release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Aug. 2022, Newsome pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life at the Utah State Correctional Facility. On April 24, 2025, a judge sentenced Verucchi to five years to life for first-degree felony aggravated robbery and one to 15 years for second-degree felony manslaughter. The judge set the sentences to run consecutively. We hope this sentence helps provide some measure of justice for K.G.s family and loved ones. We have recently worked closely with our state lawmakers to try and stem the involvement of youth in gangs, to try and prevent senseless deaths like this one, said Salt Lake County D.A. Sim Gill. We appreciate the years of work by our prosecutors and support staff. We thank the West Jordan and West Valley City police departments for their thorough investigations that helped lead to these convictions. No further information is available at this time. Latest headlines: 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 ABC4 Utah. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A man was seriously injured after a shooting in front of a Mead Street home on Friday morning. Rochester police arrived at an address on Mead Street around 8:45 a.m. to investigate a ShotSpotter activation. They learned a man in his 30s arrived at Rochester General Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was rushed into surgery to be treated for his serious injuries. His condition is unknown at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators found evidence that indicated that the victim may have been shot in the driveway of a Mead Street home. The circumstances behind the shooting are unknown. Anyone with information on this shooting is encouraged to call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. CHAMPION TWP., Ohio (WKBN)- The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a crash between a motorcycle and a car Thursday night. Troopers were called to the intersection of U.S. 422 and Anderson Anthony Road in Champion Township around 8:30 p.m. OSHP said a car was stopped at a stop sign before entering the intersection. Reports said that the motorcyclist struck the car. Troopers said that the motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. OSHP said the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSHP advised drivers to take a second look before entering roadways. Troopers thanked the Champion Police Department, Champion Fire Department, West Farmington Fire Department, Mays Towing, and Buds Towing for assisting with the accident. The crash is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) is investigating after a man was shot and killed on his front porch Friday afternoon. Police identified the victim as Abraham Ross, 34. Investigators were called to the 2600 block of Jefferson Avenue, near Plank Road, around 12:30 p.m. Friday. Authorities have not released information on a possible suspect or motive at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact BRPDs Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. DENVER (KDVR) A Weld County District Court judge sentenced a 54-year-old man to 50 years in the Department of Corrections last week in connection with an undercover drug operation. According to the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office, Leroy Cerda sold a half pound of methamphetamine in April 2024 to an undercover officer with the Weld County Drug Task Force. The sale netted Cerda about $1,000. 12-year-old girl dies a week after deadly Thornton motorcycle crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district attorneys office said that a month later, Cerda sold another half pound of methamphetamine for another $1,000 to undercover officers in the task force. He pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of a controlled substance in February. DA Michael Pirraglia said in a release that Cerda was an established drug dealer in the community. He preyed upon some of the most vulnerable by spreading this deadly poison throughout our community, and by seeking to make a profit off other peoples addictions, Pirraglia said in the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) A Richmond woman is facing multiple charges, and a man is sought by law enforcement after he escaped from a chase with deputies from the Laurel County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) on Wednesday afternoon. Around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the sheriffs office posted on Facebook that members of the drug interdiction unit (DIU) tried to pull over a white Honda Accord on KY-909, about 10 miles north of London. Former Estill County clerk sentenced after paying himself nearly $80K extra Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When DIU members tried to walk up to the Accord, the driver, identified as 39-year-old Brandon Lee Woods, allegedly sped away onto the northbound ramp of I-75. The LCSO wrote that Woods drove at speeds near 110 miles per hour on slick highway roads for about five miles before he went over the shoulder of the road over a slight embankment, at which point he allegedly left the Accord and ran from law enforcement. Laurel County deputies wrote that state police arrived with a K-9 to help track Woods but were unable to find him. Court documents show that Taylor Sierra Markwell, 29, a passenger in the Accord, was arrested after the chase and charged with: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theft of the identity of another without consent First-degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense methamphetamine Possession of drug paraphernalia Giving an officer false identifying information She was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The LCSO wrote that an arrest warrant was issued for Woods for the following charges: First-degree fleeing or evading police First-degree fleeing or evading police on foot Driving over 26 miles per hour over the speed limit Reckless driving Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies noted that Woods is also wanted on a parole violation warrant. Anyone with information that could help law enforcement find Woods is asked to call (606) 8646600 or email g.acciardo@laurelcountysheriff.gov. Information will be kept confidential. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHANGHAI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Space experts from over 40 countries and 10 international organizations gathered in Shanghai for the International Conference on Space for Climate Change, urging enhanced global collaboration in space technology to combat climate change. Shan Zhongde, head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), said that CNSA has long been actively promoting the application of space technology in such areas as emissions monitoring, carbon reduction and early warning of disasters. He said CNSA will adhere to innovation-driven development, explore technological breakthroughs in the space sector, and expand the global partnership to cope with climate change. "We stand ready to work with global space agencies and international organizations to address climate challenges and advance the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda," Shan said. Attendees echoed the need for joint efforts in space utilization, energy conservation, emission reduction and carbon neutrality. During the conference, the CNSA launched the Pujiang Initiative, calling for joint and expanded cooperation in space technology to address climate change. The CNSA, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the China Meteorological Administration, the Shanghai municipal government, and partners from Brazil, France and Thailand co-hosted the three-day conference that is expected to conclude on Saturday. A man accused of large-scale fraud and embezzlement was arrested in Scottsdale after years of evading authorities, police said. Vander Tuig, wanted on an outstanding federal warrant in California under his real name of Lambert Dean Vander Tuig, was taken into custody by Scottsdale police on April 15 and was being held pending extradition. The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California had previously indicted him in connection with a major fraud investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scottsdale police began looking into Tuig after receiving an auto theft report in February. He was identified as Michael Andrew Kennedy, also known as Steven Kennedy, a man living near 100th Street and Mountain View Road. A database search revealed both names were aliases for Tuig. Investigators discovered Tuig had prior convictions for embezzling $50 million from investors. He was also wanted in connection with an additional federal fraud case dating back to March 2023. Though police deemed the auto theft a civil matter and the vehicle was returned, Scottsdale detectives continued surveillance on Tuig and tracked him to Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Boulevard in Scottsdale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronted, he identified himself using the Kennedy alias and presented an Arizona ID that matched his real date of birth and Social Security number. He told detectives he had lived in Scottsdale for the past few years. Tuig was arrested without incident and was expected to face federal charges in California. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale police arrest fugitive accused of embezzlement FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A man who fled Fayetteville while wanted on felony drug charges was arrested Wednesday evening in Florida, according to authorities. Luis Marquez Garcia, 38, was taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriffs Office in Davenport, Florida, after deputies were contacted around 7:45 p.m. on April 23. COURTESY: Polk County Sheriffs Office The U.S. Marshals had issued a felony warrant for Marquez Garcia in connection to fentanyl trafficking charges stemming from Fayetteville, according to an X post from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polk County deputies responded to a residence on Bent Oak Loop in Davenport, where Marquez Garcia was arrested. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and is expected to be transferred into the custody of the U.S. Marshals. Washington County court records show Marquez-Garcia is facing four charges: Trafficking fentanyl Simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms Possession with purpose to deliver methamphetamine Possession of drug paraphernalia One injured in vehicle-pedestrian accident in Fayetteville The charges stem from an Oct. 12, 2023, incident in which Fayetteville police found Marquez-Garcia allegedly in possession of approximately 4,369 fentanyl pills, 77.6 grams of methamphetamine, a firearm and numerous empty baggies commonly used for drug distribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A revocation hearing for Marquez Garcia has been set for August 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man and woman were arrested during a traffic stop Wednesday in connection with a bank theft investigation in Union County. The Union County Sheriffs Office charged 44-year-old Wayne Thompson, of Charlotte, and 31-year-old Briana Murphy, of Blackstock, with forgery following an investigation that was initiated in March. Deputies received information regarding fraud that occurred at three separate Arthur State Bank locations in Union County for close to a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was reported that the individuals allegedly cashed forged checks at the locations. Facial recognition from images obtained from the bank, along with bank tellers identifying Murphy and Thompson in photo lineups, helped deputies identify the suspects in the crimes. On April 23, the sheriffs office was notified by a teller that the suspects were attempting to cash another forged check. Deputies were nearby the scene at a red light on Main Street when they saw Murphy exiting the bank and getting into a white Toyota RAV4. A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle. Deputies learned that Thompson was wanted by five North Carolina agencies and Murphy was wanted by two South Carolina agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials did not share if the suspects warrants from other agencies were for similar crimes. During a search, authorities found several identification cards and credit cards belonging to different individuals throughout NC and SC, along with marijuana and two pills in Murphys purse. The sheriffs office charged her with possession of marijuana and nine counts of forgery. Deputies said Thompson confessed to one incident that occurred in March and their attempt to cash a check the day of his arrest. Murphy denied committing any crimes, according to law enforcement. Both individuals were booked in the Union County Jail following the traffic stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. PARRISH, Fla. (WFLA) Manatee County deputies had their work cut out for them Thursday when they wrestled a gator that had wandered too close to a local high school. According to a post on social media by the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, the alligator was spotted on the property of Parrish Community High School. Body camera video of the incident shows deputies wrestling with the alligator, which put up a pretty good fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After managing to subdue the animal and wrangle it into the back of a truck, deputies released the alligator into more suitable waters far away from the schools campus. In the video, the alligator can be seen backing into the water, with someone off camera commenting, Hes moonwalking. Thats pretty amazing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Monday will bring an end to one of the most volatile election campaigns in Canadas history. The conclusion could potentially be even more astonishing. Liberal prime minister Mark Carney may be about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. On some levels, it shouldnt even be close. Pierre Poilievre and the Canadian Conservatives had maintained a huge lead in the polls for over two years. The gap with the Liberals had extended to 20 or more points as recently as February, presaging a landslide victory for Poilievre. He had certainly impressed Canadians with his support for lower taxes, smaller government and private enterprise. He gained particular credit among voters for his focus on the affordability crisis that the Liberals had created, which had pushed up the cost of food, clothing, gas and electricity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the main reason for his huge lead in the polls, of course, was Justin Trudeau. The then-Liberal PM had bumbled and fumbled his way through the top of government for almost a decade. Right-leaning Canadians had long been fed up with Trudeaus antics. They were joined by a growing number of Canadian progressives. A Nov 24 2024 poll by Leger found that 68 per cent of respondents disapproved of Trudeaus leadership, with only 5 per cent being very satisfied. When Trudeau finally resigned on Jan 6, Poilievres numbers continued to increase. Few thought this trend would last forever. Trudeaus departure would obviously reduce the gap between the Liberals and Conservatives. Poilievre and his team were prepared for it. Pierre Poilievre is gaining support - REUTERS What they werent prepared for was US President Donald Trump. Most political observers assumed that Trump would use tariffs as he had during his first presidential term. They certainly didnt expect him to make Canada one of his main targets. Canadians were frustrated and furious when he did so, and Poilievre was unfairly labelled a Canadian Trump. It was always inaccurate: the two leaders may share some similarities in their messaging, but they have entirely different ideologies, policies and personalities. When Carney became Liberal leader on March 9 and prime minister on March 14, the Liberals gained a further polling boost. The former central banker had real momentum in the elections early stages. It seemed like he was going to win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But things have changed. Week by week, Carney has watched his polling lead dissipate. Some models now suggest that a hung parliament is a strong possibility. But it could be worse than that for Carney. His political inexperience, arrogant behaviour, massive ego, aloofness and reportedly volcanic temper have been on full display during the campaign. Hes been accused of swiping ideas from the Conservatives, kept a fair chunk of Trudeaus lousy programme, and has barely suggested anything original. He did poorly in the two leadership debates. Meanwhile, the Conservative platform released this week received a positive response. It calls for a big income tax cut, a repeal of restrictions on building new energy pipelines, help to enable older people to accumulate more savings, and tax credits and apprenticeship grants for workers. This could be the hammer that brings down Carney. Ironically for a former central banker, it is on economic policy where the Liberals are at their weakest. The Conservatives have always been regarded as Canadas guardians of fiscal prudence, and Carney has not been able to escape the pitiful legacy left behind by Trudeau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So for all the predictions that Carney will storm to victory next week, dont be surprised if he falls at the final hurdle. Trump may have given him an undeserved boost. But Canadians have had a chance to watch the man up close, and many dont like what they see. Michael Taube, a columnist for the National Post, Troy Media and Loonie Politics, was a speechwriter for former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. 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. Apr. 24---- The Joint Powers Board on Thursday accepted the resignation of Business Development Manager Michelle Marotzke, effective May 15. This comes just one week after new Executive Director Barbara Carr started in her position. Marotzke had been serving as interim executive director since former executive director Patrick O'Rourke was terminated after only four months in the position. O'Rourke started in the executive director position in August of 2024 after former executive director Aaron Backman resigned in July of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marotzke was one of the finalists interviewed for the executive director position in the most recent search, but the Joint Powers Board approved hiring Carr for the position in a split 4-2 vote. Joint Powers Board members Roger Imdieke, Justin Ask, Corky Berg and Doug Reese voted in favor of hiring Carr for the position, citing that she seemed more qualified. Joint Powers Board Chair Steve Gardner and board member Vicki Davis voted against offering the position to Carr, noting that they felt that Marotzke was just as qualified and had been working in the position since November of 2024. Marotzke was hired to replace former business development manager Sarah Swedburg, who resigned in December of 2023. She started in the position on March 6, 2024. Marotzke previously worked for the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission. "I just want to say that after a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided that now is the right time for me to move on," Marotzke said on Thursday. " ... I'm grateful for the opportunities, the growth and the people I've worked alongside. All of you have been wonderful and supportive, and I really couldn't have asked for a lot more for this past year. It's been a lot of change, a lot of uncertainty, but I do believe that from the outside looking in, we are a stable, confident organization doing a lot of wonderful things for the area." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that her decision comes from a place of appreciation and excitement for what is next in her career and that Kandiyohi County is her home and always will be. Members of the Joint Powers Board praised Marotzke for the work that she has accomplished in the 13 months of her tenure. "You packed a lot into those 13 months," Gardner said. "I know you have one or two projects out there that aren't at the announcement stage yet, but I'm fully aware of the work ethic that you have given to this organization." The Joint Powers Board and Carr discussed next steps in replacing Marotzke. Carr noted that she would like to thoroughly review the job description for the business development manager to "see if what we had originally written is accurate for the work that was done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also suggested that the position could be split into two part-time positions due to the fact that there is a lot of evening work involved along with the expected daytime work and splitting the position into two might be beneficial. "Also, I'm still trying to figure it back to my role what things I'm going to be taking on and doing, as well," Carr added. "So I'd really like to just take the next 30 days, and when we meet for a strategic discussion ... we can talk about it again." In the meantime, the Joint Powers Board appointed Gardner and Davis to be a part of the search committee to fill the position. DES MOINES, Iowa A Marshalltown man has been arrested on hundreds of counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after police say he was discovered to be in possession of child pornography. Michael Benson Michael Benson, 65, is charged with 329 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor a Class D felony, according to a news release from the Marshalltown Police Department. Hy-Vee closing food production facilities, 461 employees impacted Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPD said its investigation began in January of 2024. A search warrant application revealed MPD began investigating after a Cyber Tipline Report was submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a child porn image that had been uploaded from an IP address geo-locating in Marshalltown. Police learned the IP address was registered to a Mediacom account in the name of Benson. A search warrant for Bensons residence was granted, and evidence was seized. MPD said analysis of the data over the next 12 months led to arrest warrants being applied for and granted on April 23rd, 2025. Benson was arrested outside his residence on Thursday afternoon. Iowa news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Former Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin OMalley came to Wisconsin this week as he travels the country warning about the danger of cuts to the administration. | Photo courtesy Maryland's Executive Office of the Governor. Martin OMalley, the former Maryland governor and Social Security commissioner under President Joe Biden, was rushing around Wisconsin Thursday, conducting a flurry of local media interviews before speaking at an evening town hall in Racine. Ive found myself doing a lot of town halls, OMalley said, speaking on his phone from the passenger seat of a car as he hurried to a local TV station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, he was in Kansas City, Missouri, talking to constituents of Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. Before that he traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the invitation of a grassroots group to speak to a big crowd of people worried about threatened cuts to benefits for seniors. In Racine on Thursday night he joined a town hall hosted by the progressive coalition group Opportunity Wisconsin. U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican who represents the 1st District, was invited, but did not attend. Having served in the agency so recently, as its last confirmed commissioner, I just feel a responsibility to speak up, OMalley said of his detour from private life to travel the country criticizing President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for cutting Social Security staff and closing offices. The only thing thats going to stop the driving of Social Security into system collapse is the American people rising up, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he came into the Social Security Administration in 2023, OMalley said, a decade of staff reductions had reduced the agencys workforce to a 50-year low, just as the Baby Boom generation was causing a spike in the number of retirees it was serving. As a result, every line of service was headed in the wrong direction. The agency needed to turn things around, and to their credit they did it, he said. OMalley is full of praise for the federal workers he supervised, who reduced call wait times from 42 and a half minutes on average to 12.8 minutes, along with other improvements. Its one of the most highly skilled executive services Ive ever worked with, he said, including when he served as mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland. The obsessive compulsive culture of the agency, as OMalley affectionately terms it, has meant that over the last 90 years, no one missed a check. Then came Trump and Musk, who unleashed a reign of terror on those employees the same people who got us through COVID without ever missing a payment. Mass firings, a hostile work environment, and the huge waste of taxpayer money as employees were paid to walk out the door appalled OMalley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of rooting out waste fraud and abuse, Musks DOGE cut the IT department in half, undoing the work OMalley and his colleagues had done to improve service at the agency. As Trump and Musk drive out the people who know how the system works, intermittent IT outages have become a problem. The website for Social Security accounts has gone down. Wait times are skyrocketing. And as the problems get worse, OMalley said, ultimately, it will interrupt benefits. I dont know when it will happen, he said, but when it breaks, it will break. What is the point of this wanton destruction? I dont know what the end game is, OMalley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of Congress in both political parties have told him they think Trump and Musk have set their sights on the $2.6 trillion in the Social Security trust fund in order to make tax cuts for the superwealthy permanent. Then theres Musks nihilistic ideology, captured in his assertion that the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy. Theres no more empathetic program than Social Security, says OMalley. It guarantees widows and orphans and people who are disabled dont live in poverty. Maybe Musk thinks those are useless members of society who dont help build his immense wealth. I dont know. Whatever their motives, OMalley is certain that Musk and Trump must be stopped from a campaign that will end in enormous damage to Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMalleys message is the opposite of Musks far from being riddled with waste, fraud and abuse, the Social Security administration is a model. Fraud affects less than one-half of 1% of Social Security funds. And far from being wasteful, the program spends 1.2% of its budget on overhead, meaning it could be seen as the most efficient insurance company in the world. Private health insurance companies have notoriously high administrative costs. Other Big Lies OMalley is out to bust include the whopper that immigrants without legal status are draining resources from the system. In fact, they pay about $26 billion in Social Security tax withholdings to fund benefits they themselves can never access, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Nor are dead people drawing Social Security benefits. There is no zombie apocalypse, says OMalley. Facts and figures supporting the efficiency of Social Security are laid out in plain language on his website, winbackourcountry.com. The good news is that people are beginning to push back on the idea that Social Security is riddled with abuse and should be made more efficient. Congress people are getting a heck of a lot more calls now than they did two months ago, OMalley said, whether its from people experiencing long wait times, or having trouble accessing the benefits theyve worked their whole lives to earn, or who are just seeing whats happening on the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That pressure is absolutely necessary if we are going to prevent the raiding and destruction of a New Deal program that has served so many people so well for generations. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ding Zehui operates a drone in a field in Ronghe Township of Wanrong County in Yuncheng City, north China's Shanxi Province, March 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Hao) TAIYUAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Ding Chengmin, 66, beamed with excitement as he watched his grandson operate a drone to spray pesticide over a village farm in north China's Shanxi Province. Ding thought to himself how vastly different this scene was from the spring farming when he was young. Hailing from the landlocked Wanrong County in Yuncheng City, Ding began doing farm work with his parents as far back as he can remember, and remembers those early years as a bitter chapter of his youth. "Back then, we had few cattle, let alone machinery," he recalled. "All we had was manpower, with farmers toiling from dawn to dusk in the fields." It was a time when China's industries were just beginning to take shape, and agricultural mechanization remained a distant dream. According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, the country had fewer than 2,000 tractors in 1952. By 1978, when China launched its reform and opening up, the number of large and medium-sized tractors had increased to 560,000. At that time, however, the overall mechanization level of crop cultivation and harvesting stood at only 17 percent. Ding recalled that the hardest task each spring back then was applying fertilizer. In the early days, he carried a shoulder pole, going door to door in the village to collect manure before hauling it to the fields. Later, he spent over 100 yuan (equivalent to today's 13.7 U.S. dollars) to buy a trailer, which he had to pull by himself. For his four mu (about 0.267 hectares) of land, he had to make the trip 40 times. "My shoulders were full of blisters by the end of the day," he said, adding that it usually took him more than 10 days to complete the task. Tractors began to gain popularity in China's countryside during the 1990s. In 1991, Ding borrowed from relatives and friends 4,000 yuan to buy a small tractor. That same year, the number of large and medium-sized tractors in China reached 788,000, while the country was home to nearly 7.3 million small tractors. Tens of thousands of farmers bid farewell to the plough, an essential tool that had been used in China for centuries. Agricultural mechanization significantly boosted production efficiency. Soon, the land Ding farmed expanded from four mu to 300, with the wheat yield per mu surpassing 150 kilograms. Ding's elder son, Quanwei, graduated from middle school in 1998 and became an agricultural machinery operator. The small tractor could no longer meet the demands of their expanding farm, so it was replaced by a larger one. Quanwei, no longer content with working solely on their own land, began considering offering machinery services to other farmers to earn extra money. In 2004, the Chinese government announced subsidies for the purchase of agricultural machinery. By 2018, the central government had invested over 200 billion yuan, directly benefiting more than 33 million households. "The subsidies eased the financial burden on farmers to buy machinery," said Ding Quanwei, adding that he was able to purchase equipment like planters and harvesters. In 2008, he founded a cooperative to provide agricultural machinery services. Thanks to the machinery, the time needed to sow 10 mu of land went from a week to a single day, while the average wheat yield per mu nearly tripled to 450 kilograms. The cooperative has since expanded, with more than 50 members now carrying out the entire farming process using machinery. With the passage of time, China entered an era of modernization and industrialization, and the third generation of the family stepped in. According to Ding Quanwei's son, Ding Zehui, a university graduate majoring in husbandry, smart agriculture was the future, and that rural areas held great potential. With this in mind, he chose to return to the village after graduating last year and became a "new farmer." Now, as it's time to spray pesticide on the wheat, Zehui's approach is vastly different from his father's. Whereas his father would have driven agricultural machinery to do the job, Zehui simply sets the route for his drone and presses a button. "Drones are much faster than traditional agricultural machinery," he said. A drone can cover 3,000 mu of crops in a single day. His family has also purchased an unmanned seeder, which, equipped with the BeiDou navigation system, can operate 24 hours a day without stopping, greatly enhancing sowing efficiency. China's grain output reached a record 706.5 million tonnes last year, marking a 1.6 percent increase from 2023. Earlier this year, a plan by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council outlined the goal of making significant progress in strengthening the country's agricultural capabilities by 2027. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the comprehensive mechanization rate for crop cultivation, planting, and harvesting in China is expected to reach 75 percent by this year. "Replacing human labor with machinery is just the first step in agricultural modernization," said Zehui. "Today, smart agriculture is developing rapidly. Digital planting, robot operation, and big data monitoring are the tools we, as the new generation of farmers, are using." Ding Chengmin inspects irrigation facilities in a field in Ronghe Township of Wanrong County in Yuncheng City, north China's Shanxi Province, March 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Hao) Ding Quanwei reconditions agricultural machinery in Ronghe Township of Wanrong County in Yuncheng City, north China's Shanxi Province, March 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Hao) BALTIMORE Maryland counties air pollution continues to worsen, especially in Baltimore County, according to a newly published report, which found more ozone, smog and fine particles aloft across the state. In its most recent State of the Air report, documenting air quality data from 2021 to 2023, the American Lung Association found that almost all Maryland counties reported worsening air quality in terms of both ozone smog and fine particle pollution from last years report. Of the states 24 counties, Maryland reports data on particle pollution in only 11, and high ozone days in 15. The report said wildfire smoke from Canada in 2023 that moved into the state likely contributed to Marylands poorer air quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baltimore, Harford, and Prince Georges counties received F grades for ozone smog in the report, with each seeing more than 10 days of high ozone concentrations during the reporting period. In the same period, Garrett County got an A rating, with no days of high ozone concentrations. Overall, the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington area, encompassing more than half Marylands counties, ranked 36th worst in the country for ozone pollution, and 2nd worst in the Mid-Atlantic region. The report found that nearly half of all Americans are living in areas with unhealthy air pollution. In measuring particle concentrations statewide, the report gave every recorded county in Maryland a passing grade, but found that they all revealed worse levels of particle pollution from last years report. While Baltimore and Cecil Counties earned D grades in this category, Baltimore City received an A. ------------ MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. The Maryland Heights Police Department says it is using drone technology to assist in targeted traffic enforcement operations, specifically for stop sign enforcement. In a Facebook post Wednesday, the department shared that its drone operator helped officers monitor stop sign compliance and issue multiple citations in under an hour. Photo provided by: Maryland Heights Police Department The drone was deployed near Bennington Place and Ameling Road, a short distance from the Maryland Heights Community Center, to provide aerial support and help officers identify drivers who failed to stop completely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland Heights police say the effort aims to improve public safety by encouraging full stops and stronger compliance with traffic laws. 18-year-old struck, killed by firetruck at Midtown intersection However, some people turned to the departments Facebook post to express skepticism about drone-aided enforcement operations. Some questioned the use of surveillance technology for minor traffic offenses, while other voiced concerns about privacy and whether stop sign enforcement is the best use of the departments drone operator. Well before this, Missouri lawmakers have pushed to address various concerns over drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah) has introduced two bills in hopes to tighten restrictions on drone usage, including one that would require state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant when using drones to gather evidence related to criminal conduct. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News While perhaps not the most common source of enforcement around the St. Louis region, drone-assisted traffic enforcement has made headlines elsewhere around the country. In Ross Township, Pennsylvania, according to CBS News, multiple officers have obtained pilot licenses to operate drones specifically for stop sign enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear how frequently Maryland Heights police plan to use drones for future traffic enforcement efforts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. April 25 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice said Friday that a federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against a Maryland man on charges of conspiring to support armed separatist militias in Cameroon. Cameroon national and Maryland resident Eric Tataw surrendered to custody and was scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday. According to Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the DOJ's Criminal Division, "The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ said in a statement that the violent armed groups are fighting to form a new nation called "Ambazonia" in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland said in a statement, "Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda." The militia are known as "Amba Boys." Prosecutors allege that Tataw and others "sought to raise funds for the Amba Boys to finance violent attacks in Cameroon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say Tataw allegedly also called "for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of civilians and the destruction of public, educational, and cultural property in Cameroon." Prosecutors further allege Tataw directed maiming torture of Cameroon civilians by severing limbs. Tataw allegedly referred to himself as "Garri Master," or master of mutilation. Tataw faces up to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support to the militias and five years on each of four counts "of interstate communication of a threat to harm." Apr. 24Maryland schools are not required to sign a certification of compliance with the U.S. Department of Education's demand to cut diversity, equity and inclusion, a federal judge ruled Thursday. But Maryland sent its own version of a certification anyway. The judge's ruling temporarily blocked the Trump administration's mandate against DEI efforts in public schools, which the administration argues is illegal based on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the U.S. Supreme Court case, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Still, the Maryland Department of Education today sent the U.S. Department of Education a document to "affirm their commitment to full compliance with Title VI," signed by all 24 Maryland local Superintendents, according to a statement from the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, the Department of Education sent a letter to the state demanding that schools remove DEI from "all aspects of student life" or lose all federal funding. This year, the Maryland State Department of Education received $285.6 million in federal funds. That letter was followed up on April 3 with a letter insisting that all local school superintendents sign the certification, setting a deadline to return the document by Thursday. Other states, including Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Wisconsin, refused to sign the certification point-blank. Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright asked local superintendents to sign an alternative certification. State officials revised the certification to say only that school districts are in "full compliance" with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and do not discriminate based on "race, color and national origin." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government's proposed certification letter goes further than Wright's alternative. It requires schools to "acknowledge...compliance with the below" apparently referring to a section later in the document that says, "any violation of Title VI including the use of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion ("DEI") programs to advantage one's race over another is impermissible," and "the use of certain DEI practices can violate federal law." In the memo to Maryland superintendents obtained by The Baltimore Sun, Wright appeared to question whether the federal department's original certification would hold up in court. "I disagree with the [U.S. Department of Education's] current interpretation of Title VI and its view of SFFA v. Harvard University and the certification required," Wright wrote. "While [the Maryland State Department of Education] is unaware of any legal authority obligating it to comply with USDE's request, MSDE is reaffirming its commitment to complying with Title VI and other relevant federal laws." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright wrote that the federal memo does not clearly outline the purpose or legal authority of the request. The state department advised districts to consult with their attorneys before signing the certification or taking other action. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by the National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, which accused the Republican administration of violating teachers' due process and First Amendment rights. It is unclear whether the federal government will accept Maryland's modified version. The Department of Education did not respond to questions on Thursday. Have a news tip? Contact Bridget Byrne at bbyrne@baltsun.com or 443-690-7205. Contact Mary Carole McCauley at mmccauley@baltsun.com and 410-332-6704. Originally Published:April 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM EDT ROCKVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) Maryland State Police (MSP) said it is trying to identify two suspects who could be connected to identity theft and fraud. Police say that on March 3, a complaint was filed saying their credit card information had been fraudulently obtained and used to buy around $1,600 worth of items at a Target in Rockville. Man sought for two armed robberies in Anne Arundel County MSP released surveillance photos of the alleged suspects who can be seen leaving the Target, located at 5700 Bou Ave., on March 2 and March 3. (Courtesy: Maryland State Police) Anyone with information is asked to call (443) 506-9492 or email james.brant@maryland.gov. 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. Reported in Springfield When a woman was found dead in Forest Park in January, Springfield officials began searching for answers. But months passed with no arrest and few details were made public. Then, a second grim discovery of a woman near a bike path left the community asking: Is there a serial killer? We have no reason to believe theres any connections here or any reason to be in a position of heightened concern as a member of society, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni told MassLive. But if that changes, I consider that my responsibility to let folks know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Gulluni and other police departments reassurances, some community members remain skeptical, pointing to the limited information released about the two deaths and several others across New England. I dont like that the police are like, Dont jump to conclusions, ... this has literally got [expletive] serial killer written all over it, a TikTok user with the screen name @sassykittypaw said in an April 10 post. The rumors will continue unless the DA tells us what the cause of death is, Jim Targonski wrote on Facebook. People will talk until theres proof of anything different, Danielle Brinkley wrote in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the proof people want to see might actually backfire and give criminals a chance to slip through the cracks and walk free. A womans body was found on the bike path near 1500 Hall of Fame Avenue, Tuesday morning. Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook Whats happening in Springfield? In January, JoAnn M. Garelli, a 56-year-old West Springfield woman, was discovered face down in the woods on the edge of Forest Park. A woman walking her dog in Forest Park on Jan. 7 at dusk near Camp Angelina discovered the body and called police. Law enforcement officials were slow to release details after her body was discovered, first releasing information about an unattended death and later deeming Garellis death a homicide. Police said Garelli appeared to have a wound to her neck. Neither police nor Gulluni have released the cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months later, police have still not arrested anyone in connection with Garellis death. Then on Tuesday, 45-year-old Meggan Meredith was found unresponsive near a bike path at 1300 Hall of Fame Ave. She was declared dead shortly after Springfield Police arrived. Merediths death is being investigated as a homicide, Gulluni confirmed to MassLive Friday. Police had previously only said it is being investigated by the Springfield Police Homicide Unit as an unattended death. The Chief Medical Examiners Office has been tasked with performing an autopsy on the body, Springfield Police said. As of Friday afternoon, there have been no arrests in connection with Merediths or Garellis deaths. A womans body was found on the bike path near 1500 Hall of Fame Avenue, Tuesday morning. Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook Could there be connections? At least seven cases of bodies have been found in past weeks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, in mostly geographically close towns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all but two unidentified, these cases include the woman found in Springfield on Tuesday, a skull unearthed in the woods of Plymouth on March 6, human remains found in at least three Connecticut towns at the end of March and start of April in New Haven, Groton and Killingly and a body discovered in Foster, Rhode Island on March 27. Its not the first time people have suspected a serial killer in New England often tying deaths in the Merrimack River together. But both Gulluni and New Haven police officer Christian Bruckhart have told MassLive that isnt likely the case. The evidence isnt pointing to there being any meaningful connections. Instead, its likely the mystique of a serial killer that has people talking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres certain things that have a mystique about them, and I think serial killers are one, Bruckhart told MassLive. ... A serial killer is this almost mythical figure in the zeitgeist I mean, how many Hannibal Lecter movies have been done? Stewart Weldon's sentencing hearing In Gullunis 10 years as district attorney, hes had experience with all types of cases, including serial killer Stewart Weldon, a serial rapist and Lisa Zeigerts killer, who was a stranger to her, once writing: Ive never really been or even felt normal. From a very young age I was fascinated by abduction & bondage. I could never keep it too far from my mind for long. On that fateful day, I let myself do something terrible. Gulluni knows to look out for those types of connections. And while each case is different, he said he can bring what he learned from those cases into investigating new ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand how those matters work, and were going to bring that experience to bear on these two cases here in 2025, and were going to solve it, he said. But staying grounded in the facts of each case is crucial speculation can quickly lead the investigation off course, he said. More often, he sees cases of domestic violence, gangs and drug-related killings in his more than 100 investigations over the years. For the women found in Springfield, they were both living in risky situations, Gulluni said, that can heighten exposure to violence and exploitation. He hopes his preventative work can help to stop some of those crimes, including domestic violence and gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were effectively and intelligently prosecuting gun crimes and even just gun possession cases because the person whos possessing a firearm illegally is probably going to use that at some point, he said. Were stopping murders by getting guns out of the wrong hands and being firm on how we deal with those cases as prosecutors. But overall, he said, Springfield is safe. Its where he and his wife live, too. I tell my family and my wife, Always be aware of your surroundings, always be careful. Nothing good happens after 10 p.m., he said. All those kinds of things are just our normal operating procedures. But theres no reason for anything beyond that right now, as far as Im concerned. Plus, rumors of serial killers can also do more harm than good as the public focus on a case can be traumatic for a victims family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont want this womans death to be treated as like a sideshow for peoples own personal interests, Bruckhart said of the New Haven case. We have to be able to do our jobs As pressure mounts, Gulluni and other New England agencies face the challenge of keeping the public informed while safeguarding the integrity of ongoing investigations. If I were to let out specifics of a murder and then we interview a witness or we interview a suspect and that person were to say things along the lines of what has been released by me or by someone else, and then we get a trial, that person can maybe have an excuse as to why he or she knew something about a case or maybe it devalues a witness account because that information was already in the public, he explained. Meanwhile the public is concerned about keeping their loved ones safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I understand peoples interest first and foremost in making sure they and their families are safe. I understand the interest in knowing things that are happening. We all have that interest to know whats happening in our communities, he said. But it doesnt make the community safer if a killer can later walk free. My first and foremost responsibility is to make sure that were conducting quality investigations that lead to sound arrests and that were able to prosecute someone whos guilty of doing something really terrible to a conviction, and then that conviction holds up in post-conviction scrutiny in terms of appeals and so forth, he said. Its the behind-the-scenes aspect of law enforcement that can leave the public feeling confused and out of the loop. But, Gulluni said, it helps keep the public safe in the long term. We have to be able to do our jobs through the course of investigations and prosecutions the right way, he said. And thats always foremost in my mind. Once a case is solved, more information can be released. But murder cases often take a long time, sometimes as long as two or three years, before going to trial. Investigations can vary. Weve wrapped up murder cases and put cuffs on an offender in four hours. But it all depends on the case and making sure that we are abiding by our responsibilities to the law and our ethics and that were establishing probable cause at those initial stages to place someone under arrest, he said. He recognizes as the days turn into months, it can feel frustrating to not get more information. But hes not giving up. Theres nothing I want more, and the investigators involved in these cases, than to bring someone to justice who killed another human being, he said. More News Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. Read the original article on MassLive. A Western Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty to having over 340,000 digital files of child sexual abuse material, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office announced Thursday. Turner Falls resident Edward Dunphy, 79, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in federal court in Boston after previously being indicted by a grand jury, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. Dunphy was identified as a suspect through an investigation of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, the U.S. Attorneys office said. During a May 2023 search of his home, over 340,000 digital files of child sexual abuse material were found on his computer and external hard drives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunphy is set to be sentenced July 30, the U.S. Attorneys office said. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. More local crime stories A Brighton woman was charged in connection with a stabbing at a Brighton music hall last year, in which her brother was previously charged in connection with, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office said. Chandra Dixon, 38, was charged with assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), Haydens office said in a statement. While a judge released Dixon on personal recognizance, she is scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial hearing on June 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a thorough investigation that didnt stop when one person was identified and charged, Hayden said in the statement. Everyone involved in this case worked diligently to identify and charge this second person for an extremely violent event that left the victim seriously injured." On Dec. 1, 2024, Boston police learned of a stabbing at the Roadrunner at 89 Guest St., Haydens office said. A 27-year-old man was stabbed five times in the back. The mans condition since the stabbing is unclear. Witnesses saw Dixon in a verbal altercation after she cut the line inside the music hall, Haydens office said. That argument, seen on surveillance video, escalated into a physical confrontation between two groups. Dixon was seen in the video running toward the group. One person was punched and another person was kicked in the right shoulder after the fight, Haydens office said. But neither of the two saw who struck them, but investigators identified Dixon as the person who struck them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dixons brother, Collin Hullum, was arrested in connection with the stabbing, Haydens office said. He was charged with assault to kill and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. Hullum is expected to appear again in court on June 18 for a probable cause hearing. More local crime stories In Salem, Massachusetts, the discovery this week of two male bodies in the woods near the Highland Ave Walmart once again raised concern over the possibility of a New England Serial Killer. Since March, bodies have been discovered across the Southern New England States, including five in Massachusetts. The popular New England Serial Killer SK FB page, which now boasts more than 65-thousand members, is filled with discussions about possible leads and tips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of it prompted law enforcement to warn against speculation. In Salem, suspect Jay Blodget, a homeless man, is facing two counts of murder. The Police chief told me the case is not connected to any other. We do believe this is an isolated incident and the perpetrator is under arrest, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said. In Plymouth, where a human skull was recently found near Route 3, investigators say the case is under investigation. But in Framingham, where a body was found on April 10th, the DA said in a statement: Information gathered at the scene does not indicate foul play. In Springfield, where a womans body was found this week, the DA had sharp words for talk of a serial killer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unverified claims can compromise active investigations, the statement said. At this time, there is no indication that these incidents are connected to each other or are they part of a larger public safety threat. Boston 25 Security analyst Dan Linskey tells me that if a suspected New England serial killer were on the prowl, it would not stay secret for very long. If law enforcement had reason to believe there were any connections between these cases they are obviously going to share them and work together on that. And then, when appropriate, reach out to the public to notify them of whats going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW HANGZHOU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At the Liangzhu Museum, Gehane Nabil, director of the Grand Egyptian Museum Learning Center, adjusted her AR glasses as 5,000-year-old artifacts from China's Neolithic Liangzhu Culture came to life before her eyes. Nabil was among more than 190 museum curators, experts and cultural leaders from over 60 countries and regions to gather for the third UNESCO High-Level Forum for Museums held from Wednesday to Friday in east China's tech hub of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. The three-day event aims to amplify the role museums play in addressing global challenges and fostering inclusive societies. During the event, participants explored how AI is revolutionizing museums, as well as opportunities and challenges of AI integration. AI is emerging as a transformative tool in museum collection management, offering solutions for cataloging and conservation. Britt Romstad, executive director of Audience and Engagement under the Australian Center for the Moving Image (ACMI), said that ACMI is developing AI tools to make its collections more accessible and discoverable for researchers and people interested in these collections. "AI can detect damages in old museum buildings or damages invisible in old artifacts. But human proofreading of the outputs remains important in the era of AI," said Gabor Zsigmond, director general of the Hungarian National Museum. "Once we have the data, the museum is able to analyze the data depot, and to rate the content, whether it's programmed special exhibitions or even permanent galleries, and try to customize it to the individual preferences," said May Khuen Chung, director of the National Museum of Singapore. "AI helps plan exhibitions. We're working with Hangzhou's tech firms on digital exhibitions. Given a theme, requirements and product options, AI can select exhibits and build an exhibition framework using the existing text content," said Zhao Feng, dean of the School of Art and Archaeology at Zhejiang University. While embracing the benefits of AI, participants also shared their concerns over related challenges. In an interview, Romstad told Xinhua that copyright issues, the ethics of AI, and what AI means for creativity and the ownership of artwork should be considered as well. "It's been hard to be focused on the future of AI because the advances are happening so quickly," Romstad said. She also noted that technology is a common language, and that it "opens up possibilities of collaboration in a way that's quite exciting." "There's a lot of work that we need to do to be able to build more equity into that kind of digital space," she added. Participants also discussed the relationship between AI and human roles. "Research and original work are not that easy. The output of AI needs expert judgment and review," Zhao said. The forum's conclusions will be submitted to the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, scheduled to take place in September in Spain. During a cultural excursion to the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site that bears testimony to the existence of the Chinese civilization for at least 5,000 years, Chung told Xinhua that Chinese museums offer valuable lessons, particularly on the use of technology and cultural relics to narrate the history of regions and countries. "I'm so interested in prehistory and also those stone tools, because there are similar narratives about the social practice between the two populations of China and Egypt," Nabil said. "We realize that we have many things in common, and these are what eventually will unite human beings together." Apr. 25MASSENA Massena village trustees have adopted the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, and Massena Central School District voters will be asked to approve the district's proposed spending plan on May 20. While they may be separate entities, they did have one thing in common the impact of their budgets on Louisville taxpayers because of the town's equalization rate. Mayor Gregory M. Paquin and Massena Central School Superintendent Ronald P. Burke addressed the issue during their respective board meetings. For the village budget, West Massena is the portion of the town of Louisville that's located within the village. For the school budget, Louisville falls within the district's boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You'll kind of notice the tax rate for Louisville went up more than the others. The reason behind that is because Louisville hasn't done a reassessment. The equalization rate is now down to 60%. It's what causes that to go up more than the others," Paquin said. Under the village's adopted budget, the tax rate in Louisville is $23.123689 per $1,000 of assessed value. That's up 6.9204%, or $1.49668 from $21.627007 in 2024-25. That compares to an increase of 1.1632% or $0.19941 for Massena, where the equalization rate is 80%, and 0.1471% or $0.02998 for Norfolk, where the equalization rate is 68%. "The town of Massena is at 80% now. When Louisville's new reassessment kicks in next year, I'm hoping that will actually bring down that tax rate for the village residents in the town of Louisville. I'm not going to say a lot, but at least get closer to what the tax rate is for everybody else," Paquin said. "I know a lot of people complain about assessments. But, if your community isn't doing assessments regularly, that equalization rate is punitive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the cost of doing reassessments was costly for the municipality. "I think I read $334,000 is what it cost Potsdam to do their reassessment. They (the state) expect us to do that every two or three or four years," he said. Burke also addressed the Louisville equalization rate with school board members. "Those of us that live in the town of Potsdam are seeing a major reval. One of the things I wanted to do is to address just some of the ideas that happen when we start talking about what a person, what a family, what a homeowner or landowner actually pays after a reassessment," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said some of the information was "pretty nebulous because we don't have all the data yet." "We don't know, for example, what the full property value is of all properties that reside within our district boundaries," Burke said. "One thing I think we're pretty confident on is what our tax levy will be next year. We are still on target for a 0% increase, which is a $14,831,697 tax levy." He showed board members a three-year comparison of the tax rates in Louisville. "I chose just the town of Louisville because one or two townships in our county have gone through a full reval and certainly creating a lot of consternation," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burke said one of the areas that determines the final tax rate per $1,000 is the township's actual percentage of the overall property value of the entire district. He said the full value for Louisville was $212,726,624 in 2022-23; $232,578,392 in 2023-24; and $255,080,510 in 2024-25. Meanwhile, the overall value of all properties within the school district was $880,708,715 in 2022-23; $987,648,235 in 2023-24; and $1,033,861,002 in 2024-25. "You can see the growth from $880 million to just over $1 billion," Burke said. He said Louisville was responsible for 24.2%, or $3,582,452 in 2022-23 when the equalization rate was 71%; 23.5%, or $3.492,673 in 2023-24 when the equalization rate was 65%; and 24.7%, or $3.659,367 in 2024-25 when the equalization rate was 60%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That translated to a tax rate in Louisville of $23.72 in 2022-23, $23.10 in 2023-24, and $23.91 in 2024-25. Burke said 2023-24 was an "anomaly." "Their percentage of the overall land value decreased by .7%. When that happens, you would think that the tax rate would go down, and it did. But, then the equalization rate also decreased by 6 percentage points. Typically, when the equalization rate decreases, your tax per $1,000 should go up. It didn't. It still stayed down. It was really because of that value of the taxable land within the town of Louisville," he said. Then, Burke said, Louisville "took kind of a double hit" during the current 2024-25 school year. "Their property value actually increased an overall percentage. It went up 1.2% to 24.7% of the taxable responsibility belonging to the town of Louisville based on their overall value. At the same time, they also had an equalization rate that dropped down to 60% Those two forces coming together raised their taxes per $1,000 to $23.91. So, those are the two big forces that are going there, and that certainly does not help to erase any of the concerns that the town of Louisville residents are facing," he said. Welcome to Cochise County, Arizona, where residents pursue their passions, care for their land, and fight against large corporations to protect their water. A small town in this county recently made an important case for putting politics aside to safeguard the Earth. "Water isn't Republican or Democrat. When your well is dry, it's dry," said Ed Curry, a fourth-generation farmer, according to a report featured in the Environmental Defense Fund's Vital Signs newsletter. But farmers never imagined that the water table below their crops would go dry. In 1998, resident Steve Kisiel aimed to build a house among the scrubby mesquite trees of Cochise, first digging a well to ensure he could have running water at home. At 370 feet, he tapped into a stable, bountiful source of groundwater and started on his dream home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But "in 2012, even though he and his wife only lived there part-time, the well ran dry. In a little over a decade, the water level had dropped more than 100 feet," the EDF reported in Vital Signs. So what happened in the intervening years? Big corporations took advantage of Arizona's relaxed water protection laws and drained the water table of its supply. "In about 75% of Arizona, there's no limit on how much water you can pump out of the ground," Chris Kuzdas, an Environmental Defense Fund expert on environmental issues in Arizona, told Vital Signs. "Whoever's got the longest straw can come and take as much water as they want for free." This area has a long history of agriculture, and there has always been enough water to go around. It wasn't until companies realized that Arizona is an H2O gold mine that the ground dried up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, a large Minnesota-based dairy operation called Riverview bought a feedlot in Cochise County. Riverview would be legally obligated to monitor and report its water usage in Minnesota; however, there's no such law in Arizona. As a result, Riverview expanded the cattle operation in Cochise from 10,000 to 150,000 cows, massively increasing the strain on resources. This is far from the only example of corporate greed digging deep into the water table. "In 2014, a Saudi Arabian conglomerate began growing thousands of acres of alfalfa in Arizona to feed the kingdom's cattle," according to the EDF's Vital Signs report. "Corporate nut growers planted pistachio and pecan trees where scrubby mesquite once grew. Private equity firms bought farmland simply to sell the water rights to newly developed Phoenix suburbs." By 2018, the community couldn't reach any water within 409 feet of the ground's surface. This is much deeper than any domestic well descends. Additionally, giant fissures formed, damaging homes and instilling fear among residents. They had to take action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents couldn't wait any longer for local lawmakers to take action. They began to look for help elsewhere. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, who campaigned on this issue in the 2022 gubernatorial race, made the rounds to rural communities across the state to discuss water protection laws. In January, Arizona's water department "designated the Willcox Basin as an active management area, which puts a stop to expanding irrigation," according to the Vital Signs report. "Major water users will now have to conserve, measure and report their use." The community of Cochise County strongly values its independence and fears government overreach. But residents now work with water officials to solve problems and make changes. "People have hope that they can finally have a say in how they manage their own water, and their future," Kuzdas said. 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. Mrs. Mauldin is still recovering from surgery and remains on FMLA, federally protected leave, despite her unlawful termination while on leave. Mrs. Mauldin was the interim for only a short time, 8 months to be exact. During which time she was directed by the Board to man the ship while they embarked on a National Search for a permanent CEO. She took the assignment without any pay increase because she has a heart to serve the Citizens of Memphis and the employees of MATA. I will note that during her short tenure, Mrs. Mauldin was dealing with the terminal illness of her mother, who has since passed away; as well as struggling with painful illness that made it impossible to travel on small or cramped flights. She had been booked for surgery and FMLA prior to being appointed Interim, but given the unexpected exit of the prior CEO, she delayed a much needed surgery to man the ship as requested by the Board, for what had been described as a short appointment as interim while they conducted a national search for the next CEO. Ill note that this short Interim Appointment as the Interim to man the ship came only with the interim title, and had no matching compensation. She was directed to just maintain the status quo and work with the practices, policies, and procedures that had been in place, while the Board worked to recruit a permanent CEO. ALL of the policies and procedures Mrs. Mauldin followed were in place, and well established before she assumed the Interim Post. As Deputy, she had no direct involvement with any MATA finances, review or otherwise; but rather was charged to advocate for added funding and better conditions for the drivers, and managing relations with the riders. She had no seat at any financial planning or oversight. She often presented reports prepared for her as directed by the CEO. The rational for her one way flights were two fold. 1) Single flights allowed her flexibility with her advocacy and meeting efforts to bring additional funds and best practices to MATA. Meetings with legislative agencies are not always definitive, and require fluidity. 2) Further, one way flights afforded her the ability to leave a meeting and travel directly home to Birmingham to be by her dying mothers side during a very tender time. She balanced the needs of MATA while dealing with extreme physical pain and the task of being a caregiver for her terminally ill Mother. Mrs. Mauldin required and has had two complete knee replacements. Her condition was so acutely that she could not bend her knees to fit into cramped seat, it was a physical impossibility. As such, upgrading to a seat that would accommodated her well documented medical condition was a necessity, and not a frivolous luxury. Mrs. Mauldins chief responsibility as Deputy Director was Community Engagement and securing funding to support MATA. As the Chief community liaison, forging goodwill and raising the brand and profile of MATA was a core job responsibility. Therefore, partnering with an array of community groups and nonprofit organizations to raise awareness of the MATA brand was a function of her job. While you point to her supporting Get Out The Vote efforts with her sorority (whose founding principal involved promoting voting rights and awareness), the initial partnership to Get Out The Vote and MATAs Free Rides to the Polls Campaign was a partnership with The Election Commission. Moreover, its not a new effort, it was just better publicized effort because of the well established work of her sorority in this space. The goal was to get voters to the polls, at no cost, to exercise their civic duty. MATAs voter awareness and GOTV efforts were spawned by a partnership with the Shelby County Election Commission, and was joined by all of the Divine 9 Greek Letter Organizations, and other nonprofit groups that raised Voter Awareness, and not just her sorority. This type public partnership is not unlike many corporate entities, including those funded by EDGE, The Memphis Chamber, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Methodist, Baptist, The City of Memphis, and Shelby County Government, to name a few. All of the foregoing entities give donations/ sponsorships to other notable civic groups such as The Womens Foundation and their mission to empower underserved Women in Memphis. Its only because there is an attempt to paint her in a negative light that her community engagement work is under attack. Her creativity in this space should be celebrated, because her work empowered citizens and raised MATAs goodwill and brand. She was doing her job masterfully. Moreover, the policies in place regarding such community efforts preceded Mrs. Mauldin, were approved by her CEO, were supported by her Board, and were a continuation of similar approved activity that preceded her employment with MATA. Her actions were not arbitrary, but an extension of her job to build goodwill and rebuild the damaged MATA Brand. As Deputy and Interim, she had substantial support from the broader community as well as from the bus drivers and its union for her creative approach to transportation, including the launch of a program for college students to earn while training Rogers how to use the digital apps to track busses and map routes. The charge to Monte Blanc was the retirement gift to the former CEO Gary Rosenfeld. When traveling to multiple offices for meeting while visiting legislators, attending transit conferences or trainings, and representing MATA, it is customary for any professional to take an Uber or car service and not rent a car in a strange place or metropolitan area where parking is often hard to find and very expensive. My office is reviewing other charges on Mrs. Mauldins card that was rarely in her physical possession. The standard operating practice for the credit card was that it was held by the Executive Assistant to the CEO, who would make most required purchases for the entire division, in addition to booking most of her travel arrangements. These charges were then submitted to and approved by the appropriate fiscal officer, who would sign off on the charges. While the practice may not have been ideal, it is the practice that long precede Mrs. Maudlin being asked to man the ship for a short time, with no CFO pay or privilege to match the title. It was under Mrs. Mauldins short tenure that she ended the contract on the suite with the Grizzlies. It was Mrs. Mauldin that conducted the independent audit that revealed the grave fiscal issues that had been unreported. Mrs. Mauldins produced and presented the first budget and conducted an audit for the first time in several years. Mrs. Mauldin was the Whistleblower, which should have afforded her several federal protections for her job. Prior to her assuming the interim seat, she had NO involvement in the fiscal controls of MATA. It is only because of Mrs. Mauldins dedication to the Citizens of Memphis, the drivers she supported, coupled with her diligence and bravery to come forward and reveal the truth about the fiscal standing of MATA, are we here today. This is a witch hunt and an attempt lay at years of MATAs woes at the feet of Mrs. Mauldin, which proof will show that she is the victim and a patsy of an embarrassed administration and a non-performing replacement. Trans-Pro didnt blow the lid off the financial misgivings and dated /lacking policies and controls, it was Mrs. Baccara Mauldin. It is Mrs. Mauldin that the public should be thanking for her courage and bravery to tell the truth last fall. If you all would review the timeline of the meetings and presentations and findings of the audit that Mrs. Mauldin had completed, as well as the Whistleblower status that had been assigned to her by MATAs prior legal counsel, who was abruptly fired by John Lewis of Trans Pro, after being advised during her short tenure, it will show that her goal as exhibited by her exemplary efforts to get an audit, produce financials for the first time in over 18 months, was to Right the Ship and not simply Man The Ship, as she had been charged by her Board. Her story will prove to be groundbreaking as this saga unfolds with pending litigation as soon as my client is recovered and released from her doctors care and released from FMLA. HER Story is forthcoming and what a revealing story it will be. John Lewis attempts to garner fame on the back of Bacarra Mauldin will be short lived. She opened MATAs books and not TransPro. Their focus should be on performing the requirements of their 1.2 Million contract and not withholding the legal earnings of a sick and disabled employee while out on approved Family Medical Leave while recovering from a very difficult surgery, with no due process, spewing allegations filled with slander and libel to shock the conscience of an unassuming community thats often distracted from the facts by sensationalized news. Like many others, they will come, get paid, and go, leaving public transit no better, while the victim who was actually making real progress has her character assassinated in the news. While some of the choices made may be unpopular, none are illegal nor a knowing and willful violation of MATA policy. She was not afforded any grace, nor time to grow into the role, as any new job would require, she has been left to the wolves. But her day for Justice will come. If you need anything further, I will be happy to address your concerns, after my client is well and recovered from her illness. I ask that the media respect the directions of her medical team, and allow her the appropriate time to heal. Please find attached her Approved FMLA documentation for your records. She was and has been on leave since these unfortunate inflammatory allegations were first levied. Matt Gaetz visited the El Salvador mega-prison last summer and pitched the idea of sending migrants there to Donald Trumps deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, according to a report. Trumps failed nominee to lead the Justice Department was invited on a diplomatic visit by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in July 2024, TIME reports. Bukele made Gaetz an offer during a dinner that he would be willing to imprison migrants that Trump wanted removed from the U.S. inside El Salvadors notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, according to the outlet. The next day, Gaetz was given a tour of the facility, which human rights groups have described as a tropical gulag rife with abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conditions had zapped the inhabitants of any will to fight, Gaetz told TIME. Its tough to see the state of the human condition drained of hope. Gaetz then pitched the idea of sending migrants to the mega-prison to immigration hardliner Miller, a source told the outlet, who then presented it to Trump. One of the reasons I like it is because it would be much less expensive than our prison system, and I think it would actually be a greater deterrent, Trump said in an interview with TIME. Matt Gaetz, Trumps failed nominee to lead the Justice Department, was invited on a diplomatic visit by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in July 2024. During the trip, he visited the countrys infamous mega-prison. He then told Trump ally Stephen Miller about it, a report claims. (AFP via Getty Images) The State Department arranged the $6 million deal with Bukele the self-described worlds coolest dictator in February. It enabled the Trump administration to jail hundreds of immigrants in the country despite U.S. law barring financial support in the form of units of foreign security forces that face credible accusations of human rights abuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days after the deal was agreed, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. Inside the Oval Office alongside Bukele on April 14, Trump said homegrowns should be sent the central American nation next. The prison, which can house up to 40,000 inmates, in recent weeks began holding hundreds of immigrants. The issue garnered mass media coverage after a Salvadoran immigrant living in Maryland, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was deported to the brutal prison in his home country despite an immigration judges 2019 order preventing removal from the United States for humanitarian reasons. The Trump administration claim he was a member of trans-national street gang MS-13 a charge Abrego Garcia and his wife have vehemently denied. Trump said that U.S. citizens in the mega-prison should be next as he met with El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele. CECOT is holding hundreds of immigrants that the Trump administration alleges are members of a Venezuelan gang. (AFP via Getty Images) Government lawyers admitted in court documents that Abrego Garcia was removed to El Salvador due to an administrative error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 10, a unanimous Supreme Court wrote that the United States acknowledges that Abrego Garcia was subject to a withholding order forbidding his removal to El Salvador, and that the removal to El Salvador was therefore illegal. Abrego Garcia was moved to Centro Industrial prison in Santa Ana after outcry and his still fighting for his day in court. When TIMEs senior political correspondent Eric Cortellessa and editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs pressed Trump on if he really wanted there to be gulags for American citizens overseas, the president snapped. Look, I see where youre coming from, from the moment this interview started, and it's fine, I don't mind, Trump said, according to TIMEs transcript of the sit-down. I've answered every question that can be answered by mankind or womankind, and I see where you're coming from. Rapid fire. You can't even wait for me to give you the answer. Editors note: This article has been modified. A reference to a 2022 shooting incident at the end of the article has been removed. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Laughlin River Run, a notorious gathering of bikers, didnt survive the pandemic but a new event might be emerging in its place. This isnt the first time the Mayhem Motorcycle Rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, has taken place, but its getting bigger and the event has a new owner. Materials on the rallys website arent shying away from the outlaw image that grew around the Laughlin River Run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where there is mayhem there will always be after mayhem, the website teases. Mixed in with A commencement ride with the mayor, the site lists events including mud wrestling, tattoo contests Ladies of Mayhem, biker games, burn outs and wet babes. One observer in the Arizona motorcycle community said Thursday that enthusiasts are taking a wait-and-see approach to the event this year. They want to know if it will be a wild party or if bikers will steer clear of that image. Events are planned beginning Thursday, April 24, through the weekend. Bullhead City police posted a caution to drivers on social media as the event arrives, urging drivers to be extra careful around motorcycles. Facebook posts by people traveling from Las Vegas indicate that law enforcement is patrolling on U.S. 95. There are also warnings of road work reducing lanes between the Nelsons Landing exit down to Searchlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Laughlin event was the center of attention in 2002 when rival Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle clubs clashed inside a resort, Harrahs Laughlin. Three bikers were killed in the fight and another 13 were injured. Police made nine arrests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ONTARIO, N.Y. (WROC) A McDonalds employee has been arrested for allegedly brandishing a BB gun at customers. At 10:25 p.m. on April 24, the Ontario County Sheriffs Office and New York State Police responded to a Victor McDonalds parking lot after they had received reports of an employee threatening customers with a gun. During the investigation into the incident, deputies said 21-year-old employee Tyree Littlejohn of Shortsville had argued with customers at the scene before he went to his vehicle and showed what was believed to be a semi-automatic pistol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two people shot outside Tinseltown movie theater The investigation identified a BB gun at the scene that matched the description and characteristics of a handgun. Littlejohn allegedly showed the weapon in an attempt to get the individuals to leave the parking lot. Littlejohn was arrested and has been charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for the imitation pistol, as well as second-degree menacing for his actions. He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Victor 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 RochesterFirst. McLean County students returned to in-person instruction on Wednesday. Students have been out of the classroom since the beginning of the month following the districts spring break. They were supposed to return to the classroom on April 7, but schools have been closed to in-person learning because of widespread flooding across McLean County. The McLean County Public Schools (MCPS) Board announced during its special-called school board luncheon at noon on Tuesday that in-person would resume the following day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the days that we missed previously due to snow, illness and flooding, the district was awarded five extra disaster nontraditional instruction, or NTI, days, said district Superintendent Tommy Burrough. Those extra NTI days were granted to districts as needed thanks to the passage of Kentucky House Bill 241. The bill allowed state Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher to authorize up to five disaster relief student attendance days when schools could provide instruction without having students in the classroom. Kentucky school districts are typically only allocated 10 NTI days to use during the school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MCPS administrators have utilized a combination of those disaster relief NTI days, along with outright school closures, since April 7, having used the final two allotted days during the beginning of the week. Obviously student and staff safety (are) our number one priority at the moment, said Burrough. But, even though there are some routes that buses arent able to take, we have got to get these students back into the classroom so we can finish up this school year. MCPS Transportation Director Ashley Troutman said that roads such as Highway 256 and Highway 1155, along with much of Rumsey, are still underwater. So, bus drivers are having to utilize alternate routes to get students to school, Troutman said. We noticed that Fox Hollow Road has been completely destroyed from the floodwater, which affects one student from our district and that parent has agreed to provide transportation until the end of the school year. And then we have students in the area of Highway 256 who are utilizing boats from their homes to Highway 140, where the floodwaters have receded so that they can get to school. Those families are more familiar with this flooding situation and really just get it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burrough said that he has advised all of the school principals to take notice of which students are absent. Ive told all of the school principals to check in with the students who cant make it into the classroom (Wednesday) to get more of an idea about who all is displaced and who cant make it to school yet, he said. This allows us to know the portion of our students that have been affected and relocated because of the flooding. Burrough explained that after adding up all of the days missed, the districts final day of classroom instruction would be Monday, June 9. But we have three instruction days built into the calendar as a contingency plan and I suggest utilizing those days so that we can make the last day for students Wednesday, June 4, Burrough said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board members across the panel agreed with the superintendent and voted to utilize those banked days. Members of the school board also discussed plans for this years graduation ceremony at McLean County High School (MCHS). I think we should hold graduation sooner rather than later, said school board member Katie Gunterman. The students are already having to wait until June to graduate, and I dont think we should put off the ceremony until the weekend. Board members should be making a final determination about graduation details during the Thursday evening MCPS school board meeting. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, helping to eliminate thousands of deaths a year from the disease. But the measles virus is making a comeback this year, with hundreds of cases in the United States since January. There are 800 confirmed cases of measles in 12 states. The majority of the cases are in Texas, accounting for three out of four reported infections. Milford getting ready for RAGBRAI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Iowa does not have a confirmed case, but there was a recent diagnosis in Illinois. Even though there havent been any cases in the area yet, some health officials advise it is only a matter of time before it gets to all states. According to experts, the best way to avoid the disease is get vaccinated. You got to get vaccinated. Its safe, its effective, said Dr. John Jones, CMO/Pediatric Emergency Medicine for UnityPoint Health St. Lukes. We at UnityPoint encourage people to all vaccinate their children. And as adults, if they havent been vaccinated, adults can get vaccinated as well. Dr. Jones says that the measles vaccination has a 90 percent success rate. To avoid any misinformation, he recommends keeping a close relationship with your primary care doctor and asking them any questions you have concerning measles and vaccines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Reuters) -The Texas health department reported 646 cases of measles in the state on Friday, an increase of 22 cases from three days ago, as the United States battles one of its worst outbreaks of the childhood disease. Cases in Gaines County, the center of the outbreak, rose to 393 from 386 reported on Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. New Mexico's health department reported 66 cases on Friday, one more case from its last update. Most of the state's cases are from Lea County, adjacent to Gaines County in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of April 24, 2025, a total of 884 confirmed measles cases were reported by 30 jurisdictions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with 11 outbreaks reported this year. (Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) DES MOINES, the United States, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A commemorative event marking the 40th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to the U.S. state of Iowa was held on Thursday. Hosted by Iowa Sister States, the event brought together representatives from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the governments of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang City and Zhengding County, as well as about 150 attendees, including Xi's longtime friends in Iowa and friendly individuals from various sectors. Participants fondly recalled the warm moments from Xi's two visits to Iowa and unanimously agreed that his first visit to the state 40 years ago planted the seeds of friendship. Over the past four decades, thanks to Xi's personal attention and long-standing support, subnational and people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, particularly between Hebei Province and the State of Iowa, have yielded fruitful results. Looking ahead, both sides expressed a shared commitment to continuously strengthening cooperation and exchanges in such areas as sister city partnership, youth engagement and people-to-people exchanges, working together to write a new chapter in the friendship between the Chinese and American people. During the event, youth representatives from Hebei and Iowa presented a joint cultural performance. A series of side activities were also held, including a youth exchange photo exhibition and a display of intangible cultural heritage. Stock photo from Getty Images. Budget cuts at the federal and state level have the potential to raise the uninsured rate in Ohio and put health coverage in jeopardy for a large part of the state. A study of state and federal data by the Ohio-based Center for Community Solutions found that more than a quarter of the states population receives health coverage through Medicaid. Medicaid in Ohio covers two in five children, one in five working-age adults and one in 10 adults aged 65 and older, according to the center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest group in the states Medicaid caseload is families and children, making up 53.2% of the cases, followed by the 25.5% covered by the Medicaid expansion. Older Ohioans, along with the blind and disabled, make up 16.6% of the caseload. Since Medicaid was expanded in Ohio, the uninsured rate in the state dropped by half, state data say. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has stated that the Medicaid expansion has been a major contributor to Ohios uninsured rate dropping by half from 14% in 2010 to 7% in 2022. Preventive care and treating conditions early reduce the need for high-cost emergency room visits, long hospital stays and additional public spending, the Center for Community Solutions study on Medicaid stated. Nearly 50% of the 769,520 Ohioans who are on Medicaid expansion are a part of the states workforce, and others on the expansion are students, caretakers, or dealing with a chronic health condition, the center found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is notable as the Trump administration and Congress look at cuts to Medicaid as part of proposals to slash federal spending overall, along with proposals regarding work requirements for the program. Ohio is looking into its own cost-cutting measures, including a provision built into the Houses version of the budget that would trigger cuts to Medicaid in Ohio should the federal government reduce the contribution it makes to the states Medicaid coffers. The Ohio House and Gov. Mike DeWines budget proposals would eliminate Group VIII, the group included in the Medicaid expansion, if the federal government stops funding 90% of the expansion. Advocates and supporters of Medicaid fear that $880 billion could be cut from Medicaid in the budget reconciliation process underway in D.C. They say that would have devastating consequences for low-income areas and those in most need of help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to health policy researchers at KFF, $880 billion in federal cuts over the next decade would represent 29% of per-resident spending on the program, They say the federal cuts are equivalent to all Medicaid spending on 3 million seniors and people with disabilities, 14 million other adults or 22 million children enrolled in Medicaid. Nationally, Medicaid has an enrollment of 72 million, many of whom are in Republican-led states like West Virginia, Arkansas, and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnsons home state of Louisiana. Johnson has claimed the program has billions in yearly waste, fraud and abuse. Edwin Park, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policy, discussed the cuts during a panel discussion hosted by the USC Center for Health Journalism. Medicaid covers 40% of all births in the country, with more than one-third of Medicaid enrollment represented by children, Park said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike the federal government, states are required to balance their budgets, therefore Medicaid cuts at the federal level would necessitate cuts by the states. These cuts are very large, and states would not be able to sustain their current Medicaid programs as is over the long run, Park said. To compensate for a loss in federal funding, Park said states could cut Medicaid programs. They could also cut other parts of their budgets, which would most likely be education funding because its another of the most expensive programs. Or states could raise taxes dramatically. From Parks perspective, states would probably start with cuts to optional Medicaid services, such as vision and dental coverage, and try to obtain waivers for certain parts of Medicaid, such as prescription coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A loss of just the Medicaid expansion group in Ohio would cost 770,000 Ohioans their coverage. Its a group that is made up of 19 to 64-year-olds who have household incomes less than 138% of the federal poverty line, and who arent eligible for other Medicaid coverage. For a family of four, thats about $44,000. There are high Medicaid enrollment rates in Southeast Ohio and rural counties, including House Speaker Matt Huffmans home in Allen County, where Medicaid covers 28% of the population. The Senate is hashing out its budget ahead of the July 1 deadline. Fifteen percent of Henry County, where Senate President Rob McColley lives, is covered by Medicaid as of March of this year. Pike County had the highest Medicaid rate in the state last month, with 42% of residents covered by traditional Medicaid, and 10% in the Medicaid expansion group. Neighboring Scioto County had a 41% Medicaid enrollment, and 12% of its population in the expansion. Clark, Adams, Lawrence and Gallia counties all had similarly high rates, above 30% for traditional Medicaid, and between 8% and 11% in the expansion group, according to state data and Center for Community Solutions analysis. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (NewsNation) Health care officials bracing for cuts to federal Medicaid spending are warning that the cuts could be potentially disastrous for some of Americas most vulnerable populations. Congressional Republicans are considering $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, a joint federal-state program that provides care to about 72 million people in the United States. More than half of those on Medicaid are people of color, with disproportionate numbers of Black and Hispanic people in the program. Studies have shown that Black and Hispanic patients are at a higher risk of developing conditions such as kidney disease, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Ilan Shapiro, a Latino pediatrician and urgent care doctor in Los Angeles, told Stateline that he worries for his chronically ill patients. The majority of the patients he sees at his low-income health clinic are people of color on Medicaid. Black Medicaid patients more likely to be hospitalized for preventable conditions: Analysis The Economic Policy Institute reported earlier this month that children could also be heavily affected if budget cuts were to impact Medicaid expansion or the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The proposed decreases to Medicaid funding could increase the number of uninsured children by about 12%, the think tank found. A quarter of Shapiros patients are children, Stateline reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im deeply afraid, Shapiro said. Its not just health insurance. Its a lifeline for the entire family that could be severely impacted. Doctors like Shapiro, and clinics like the one where he works, could also be greatly affected. According to Stateline, Latino and Black physicians are more likely to take on Medicaid patients than white or Asian doctors. The proposed budget cuts would also impact clinics that already rely on meager Medicaid reimbursements to stay open. Will there be Medicaid cuts? The Medicaid cuts would result from lawmakers attempting to offset the trillions of dollars in tax cuts proposed by the Trump administration. The Hill reported that the federal government is responsible for about 90% of the funding for states implementing Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CBS News, House leaders have vowed to spare Medicaids budget, but it remains unclear how they would otherwise manage the $1.5 trillion in cuts that would be needed under a budget resolution Congress passed earlier this year. The resolution requires the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid, to find those savings over the next 10 years, the network reported. The cuts cannot come from Medicare, which provides coverage to senior citizens. While Republicans have promised to leave Medicaid spending intact, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has determined that the needed savings would not be feasible without cutting the program. According to its report, Medicaid makes up 93% of the committees non-Medicare spending. Cutting all spending outside of Medicare and Medicaid through 2034 would result in just $581 billion in savings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill reported that an analysis by liberal think tank The Center for American Progress determined that more than 34,000 additional deaths could result if the federal government reduces its 90% match. Twelve of those states already have trigger laws in place that would end their expansion efforts if the federal government lowers that match rate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It was clear to the staff in the Indiana treasurer's office who deserved to win employee of the month in February. Alfred, known as Alfie, puts smiles on his coworkers' faces every Wednesday and Thursday when he comes to work at the Indiana Statehouse. His calming presence eases staffers from all floors of the Statehouse and comforts anxious students from across the Hoosier State touring the century-old building for the first time. Its an easy task for the two-year-old golden doodle, with curly white fur, who also brightens the lives of his human family at their home in Greenwood with kisses and tail wags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean come on. Im pretty sure it was a unanimous election," State Treasurer Daniel Elliott said about the employee of the month award, as he gave Alfie well-deserved belly rubs in early March. But before Alfie started his important job at the Statehouse, he was just a pup bringing comfort to the Slatter family when they needed it most. Alfie joined his family on Christmas Eve in 2022, after Alison Slatter learned her husband, who was battling cancer, had just months left to live. Slatter and her husband knew their children needed something to help process the grief that would come with losing their father. "Despite my husband not liking dogs, as his last act of sacrifice for his family, he just looked at me and said, Go get a dog, Slatter told IndyStar. Thats how we found Alfred. How Alfie joined the Statehouse In January 2024, Slatter started her part-time role as a policy advisor in Elliotts office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first months of her new job, Slatter heard comments from Elliott and other staff members that they wanted an office dog. Slatter eventually spoke up: if the suggestions were serious, she knew the perfect pup to fill the role. Sure enough, we brought him in and he was wonderful, Slatter said. I think one of my colleagues told me I was to bring him in perpetuity. Since then, Alfie joins Slatter on her Wednesday and Thursday trips to the Statehouse. He likes to take naps, sometimes on the cool tiles of the vault inside the treasurers office. Some offices, such as the appellate court staff and the Legislative Services Agency, have started keeping treats for Alfie, just in case he stops by with Slatter during their daily walks through the building. He occasionally runs into state lawmakers, and accepts pets from both parties. Alison Slatter and her dog, Alfie (short for Alfred), leave the Office of the Treasurer of Indiana to visit with people on a walk through the Statehouse, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Slatter, a policy advisor in the Office of the Treasurer of Indiana, brings her dog two to work days a week. The friendly golden doodle is an office dog and was even named employee of the month in February. "I've seen many people coming into our office because they're having a stressful day, this place is very conducive to it, and they just come in, sit down on the couch here and scratch him behind the ears," Elliott said. "Suddenly their day seems to be much better." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this years legislative session, Alfie has particularly enjoyed days when groups hold events around the Statehouse in an attempt to talk with lawmakers. The best ones have food. Alfie's tail wagged extra hard on an afternoon in late March as he and Slatter walked through a Ball State advocacy event that had catered snacks. Alfie has been such a hit, that Elliott convinced Slatter to create social media accounts for the pup. Hes now on X, Facebook and Instagram where Slatter shares his adventures around the Statehouse. What takes place inside the Indiana Statehouse, especially during the legislative session, can draw a range of emotions from Hoosiers that visit the building. But Slatter said Alfie draws support from all people and political parties inside the Statehouse. They all recognize hes a good boy. It doesnt matter if youre Republican, Democrat, Slatter said. Hes awesome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Meet Alfie. The 2-year-old golden doodle is a top employee at the Statehouse As part of the Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival, Channel 9 gives students a helping hand in their academic futures. This year, five students got $2,000 scholarships to advance their studies. They got these awards Thursday night at a parade gala hosted by Channel 9 anchor Kirstin Delgado. Here are this years recipients: Deiyaliz Adorno is a freshman at Valencia College is studying creative writing and helps to use her words to inspire others. After graduating from Valencia College, she hopes to go to the University of Central Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samuel Pena is graduating this year from St. Lucie West Centennial High School and will be going to barber school before heading to Indian River State College, then the University of Florida. He says he will use his scholarship money to invest in his future by studying business management and barber school. Cristina Villanueva is studying to be a nurse and will use her scholarship to accelerate her courses. She wants to get my certification and get experience as a phlebotomist while doing her nursing courses. She hopes to attend the University of Central Florida after graduating from Valencia College. Giovanna Chenalier is a 29-year-old Navy veteran attending Valencia College. She is waiting to hear back from several schools to see where she goes after graduating from Valencia. In the meantime, she says the scholarship money will help give her some stability while finding out her next move. Adriana Guzman goes to a science, technology, engineering and math school in Osceola County who hopes to get a degree in medicine. After learning about the scholarship with the Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival, she was really taken by the application process. She said the environmental impact in Puerto Rico were of particular interest since shes currently taking environmental science knows a lot about the topic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WFTV is the official broadcast partner for the Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival. It will be streamed live on air and online at wftv.com starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Megyn Kelly and Douglas Brunt at the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, on April 24, 2025. Credit - Nina Westervelt for TIME Megyn Kelly, long time conservative commentator and 2025 TIME100 honoree, admitted she doesnt have a lot of hope for journalistic freedom. My core belief is that corporate media is dead, whether it knows it or not, Kelly told TIME. They really need to wake up not just during the Trump Administration, but during the Democratic administrations too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly, who recently announced her new podcast network MK Media, was one of several honorees who offered insights into the state of journalism in the current political climate. Her comments came amid broader conversations about media independence, following the recent resignation of 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens, who cited a loss of journalistic freedom. Kelly argued that Owens should take a hard look at what he did during his tenure of the show. It was under his watch that it went so far left and lost all credibility, Kelly said. He let it go out of control to the left. Thats why [Donald] Trump started paying attention. CBS News is currently battling against a $20 million lawsuit from President Trumpa lawsuit which centers around a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. The lawsuit alleges that 60 minutes manipulated Harris interview with deceitful editing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The network released the transcripts of the interview with Harris in February, but 60 minutes has argued that claims of deceitful editing are false. Other TIME100 honorees offered a more hopeful view. ABC World News Tonight anchor David Muir reflected on the role of journalism amid breaking news of the passing of Pope Francis. Muir recalled a historic virtual town hall he hosted with the Pope and American families in 2015. Muir said he will never forget the moment he met the Pope inside the Vatican, after being caught by surprise when the pontiff immediately started speaking Spanish at him. They had agreed to conduct the town hall in Spanish, but Muir was impressed that the pontiff launched right in. I knew that he was just taking a measure of the man he was about to spend an hour with on this town hall, which had never been done before, he told TIME. It was humblingWe talked about the young people waiting to talk to him, and he was extraordinarily compassionate, moving, and human. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muirs guest for the evening, legendary ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer (who wrote a tribute to Muir for the TIME100), also emphasized the enduring appeal of journalism. When asked why young people should consider entering the field amid ongoing challenges, she replied, Curiosity. If you have curiosity, you're on a never-ending path to surprise, she said. The TIME100 Gala is TIMEs annual celebration of the TIME100 list of the worlds most influential people. The Gala brings together icons, leaders, change-makers, and celebrities from across industries and nations for one lively evening of meaningful dialogue and celebration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIME is teaming up with ABC to bring viewers inside the exclusive TIME100 Gala with a special television event. TIME100: The Worlds Most Influential People, produced in partnership with P&G, airs Sunday, May 4 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC, and the next day on Hulu, featuring host Snoop Dogg, a performance by Ed Sheeran, and appearances by Demi Moore, Serena Williams, and more. The 2025 TIME100 Gala was presented by Booking.com, Circle, Diriyah Company, Prudential Financial, Toyota, Amazon, Absolut, Pfizer, and XPRIZE. Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com. Melania Trump will kick off her 55th birthday in Rome as she attends Pope Francis' funeral. The first lady and her husband, President Donald Trump, will be present at the late pontiff's funeral on Saturday, April 26, which coincides with Melania's birthday. According to multiple sources, the first lady who became the first practicing Catholic in the position since Jackie Kennedy is religious in private and is "honored" to be attending the papal funeral, regardless of its timing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She respected the pope," a social source tells PEOPLE. "It is a sad time for Catholics around the world, and the first lady is honored to go to the funeral." Related: Melania Trump 'Doesnt Believe She Has Obligations in the Political World,' Source Says (Exclusive) MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Melania and Donald Trump on the way to Pope Francis's funeral on April 25, 2025 Melania and Donald Trump on the way to Pope Francis's funeral on April 25, 2025 Melania had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in 2017 during her and Donald's first trip abroad as first lady and president. Melania presented rosary beads to the pope, USA Today reported, which was perceived at the time as a confirmation of her faith. 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. Meeting the pope eight years ago made the trip to his funeral all the more important, a source close to the family tells PEOPLE. Melania "admired" the pope, especially in regards to "how he was loved by so many different kinds of people," the source adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melania is an open-minded person with respect for all different types of people and their opinions. They shared a love for children and their welfare," the family source says. "[The pope's funeral] is a significant event for her, a life experience few are able to share. Related: Melania Trump 'Leads Her Own Life' 1 Month into Husband's Second Presidency (Exclusive Sources) REMO CASILLI/AFP via Getty Melania Trump during her 2017 trip to Rome Melania Trump during her 2017 trip to Rome Since Melania's mother, Amalija Knavs, died in January 2024, the first lady has leaned on her Catholic faith to get through the hard times, the family source says. Her religion has continued to play a large role in her life, helping her deal with grief. Related: Melania Trump Delivers Eulogy at Mother Amalija Knavs' Funeral: 'In Her Presence, the World Seemed to Shimmer' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the most part, Melania is "quiet" about her faith, a political source adds, describing her as "religious" nonetheless and asserting that it is "not a chore for her to go to the funeral." PEOPLE's social source agrees, noting that even though it's her duty as a world leader's spouse to show up for the service, she takes "no issue" in spending her birthday morning there. "She will make the most of her birthday in the time frame after the event, the social source says. Read the original article on People Melinda French Gates said she ignores the criticism she gets from tech bros on her philanthropy. "If that's how they want to act? Fine, but it doesn't bother me," French Gates said. Elon Musk has criticized French Gates and MacKenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos' ex-wife, for their work in charity. Melinda French Gates said she isn't bothered by the nasty things tech bros have to say about her philanthropic work. French Gates was asked about the criticism billionaires like her and MacKenzie Scott have received for their philanthropy during an interview with Scott Galloway on his podcast, which aired Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I ignore it," French Gates said. "I know who I am and I know what I am doing and I know what my values are and why I am giving back." "I'm not sitting on the sidelines. To me, it's so easy to sit on the sidelines and, as Roosevelt used to say, criticize from the sidelines. I'm in the arena doing the work," French Gates continued. French Gates has received criticism for her charity work. In June, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said it "might be the downfall of Western civilization" after French Gates endorsed President Joe Biden's reelection campaign. Musk was responding to an X post by the Babylon Bee staffer Ashley St. Clair about French Gates' endorsement. "Many super villain arcs being pursued under the guise of philanthropy," St. Clair wrote in an X post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yeah," Musk replied. Earlier, in March 2024, Musk criticized Jeff Bezos' ex-wife, Scott, for her charitable giving. "'Super rich ex-wives who hate their former spouse' should filed be listed among 'Reasons that Western Civilization died,'" Musk wrote in a now-deleted post on X on March 6, 2024. French Gates told Galloway that attacks and criticism will not stop her from continuing with her philanthropy. "I think when you're not doing the work and you're not in the arena, it's easier to criticize others and to project onto others or make them look bad because you don't want to go do that work," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's up to them. If that's how they want to act? Fine, but it doesn't bother me. My work goes ahead," she continued. French Gates announced her divorce from Microsoft cofounder, Bill Gates, in 2021. The couple had been married for 27 years. In May, French Gates said she had left the Gates Foundation, a philanthropic foundation she started with her now ex-husband in 2000. Her giving efforts are now mainly led by Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company she launched in 2015. French Gates wrote about her decision to leave the Gates Foundation in an op-ed for The New York Times published in May. In that op-ed, she said she would give $1 billion over the next two years to causes relating to reproductive rights, women, and families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Many years ago, I received this piece of advice: 'Set your own agenda, or someone else will set it for you.' I've carried those words with me ever since," French Gates wrote. Representatives for French Gates did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider KANSAS CITY, Mo. A time of mourning is underway, as Catholics across the globe celebrate the life and service of Pope Francis. The 88-year old Holy Pontiff died early Monday morning at his home in Vatican City. His funeral services are scheduled for Saturday in Italy. Kansas City tattoo artist helps self-harm survivors find beauty in brokenness Pope Francis 12 years of service ranks as the ninth-longest in the long history of the Catholic church. Monday afternoons celebration mass at Rockhurst University is a chance for Jesuit mourners, and others from the community, to talk about the Holy Father, and how his example can endure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mourners from across the metro gathered at Rockhurst Universitys Mabee Chapel on Thursday afternoon, where prayers for comfort go out, in addition to praise and expressions of gratitude for the example set by Pope Francis. The first Jesuit pope is unique from other papal leaders, having reached out to people who might have been overlooked or excluded by previous church leaders. Pope Francis continues to be praised for connecting with non-Catholics and non-religious audiences, too. Im amazed by how he affected the life of people. I know that he was well-liked by a lot of people, but what Im understanding now is the depth of how he touched people. He made people feel loved the way God wants us to feel, Fr. Stephen Hess, Rockhurst University Vice-President of Missions & Ministry, said. Hess led Thursdays mass service. Speakers at that assembly agree with his feelings, including Rockhurst student Adian Cutter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think one of the biggest things is his compassion, his ministry to the marginalized and to the poor is one of the first things that got me interested in service as a young man, Cutter said. Catholic mourners are joined by those from other metro religious groups at Thursdays mass, including Christian speakers, Jewish and Muslim representatives too proof of the ecumenical influence this popes legacy carries. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Pope Francis funeral services will be seen live on FOX4 and WDAF+ this Saturday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. When you think of Memphis, one of the first things that may come to mind is the soulful, foot-tapping music, and unfortunately, even those who enjoy grooving to the blues have found themselves having the blues, as crime continues streaming into the Memphis Streets. You have to have your head on a swivel, anything can happen, said Christopher Fair of Memphis. Fair, who was stationed in Japan while in the Air Force, never expected to return to a hometown battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont even have to be involved for it to happen. They can get the shooting over there, and we get shot, Fair said. I believe it angers everybody. Multiple shootings reported across Memphis overnight In the past week, there have been several cases in which teens have either allegedly committed a crime or were caught in the chaos. On Saturday, a mass shooting along Dunlap left a 14-year-old injured. On Sunday, 15-year-old Michael Aguilar was shot and killed along Macon Road. A 16-year-old has been charged with murder. Also happening on Sunday, a 17-year-old is accused of shooting a store clerk to death over a bag of stolen chips and a soda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, a 16-year-old is accused of shooting a security guard along Frayser Boulevard during an attempted carjacking. On Thursday, witnesses told WREG the two victims in a double deadly shooting on Mississippi Boulevard were teens. But their exact ages were unspecified. Working for you, WREG has a solution for some here in the area. The City of Memphis Parks and Recreation is offering a free summer camp program for those living in the city of Memphis. More information and registration can be found 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 WREG.com. TEHRAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it summoned Dutch Ambassador to Iran Emiel de Bont on Friday over "baseless" anti-Tehran accusations leveled by the Dutch intelligence agency on Thursday. Alireza Yousefi, director general for Western Europe at the Iranian ministry, summoned Bont after claims by the Netherlands' General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) in its annual report on Thursday that Iran had been behind two "assassination attempts" in Europe, and the subsequent summoning by the Dutch Foreign Ministry of the Iranian ambassador to the Netherlands. Voicing Tehran's strong protest and regret, Yousefi called the AIVD's claims "unfounded," and the Dutch Foreign Ministry's summoning was made "on the basis of this ridiculous lie." The Dutch Foreign Ministry's summoning was a "conspicuous and unacceptable projection" by the Netherlands, Yousefi said, urging the Dutch side to adopt a professional and respectful approach towards its relations with Iran and refrain from repeating "incorrect and baseless" accusations. According to the statement, Bont assured he would relay Iran's protest to the Dutch government. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Its one of the most iconic structures in Nashville, and the walls of Tennessees State Capitol building help tell the story of how it came to be. As a matter of fact, two of the men who were instrumental in making the Capitol a reality are still inside it to this day prominent Nashville businessman Samuel Morgan and renowned architect William Strickland. These men are not just on the walls they helped to build by way of huge painted portraits, they are inside them, too literally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HIDDEN TENNESSEE | Clock over East Nashville High School honors 59 killed in WW II As the Director of Education and Community Engagement for the Tennessee State Museum, Jeff Sellers knows these stories all too well. He compiled images of the Capitol building in a book telling its history. We all own this building as Tennesseans and its one of the most beautiful and most historic buildings in the state, Sellers said. Sellers explained thats the message of pride and prominence that Tennessee leaders planned to send in the 1800s with their State Capitol building in Nashville. Really, theres a lot of statesmen and politicians that are on the national stage at the time, Sellers added. Capitol generic James K Polk generic Capitol generic Samuel Morgan and William Strickland They wanted a big-name architect to build their State Capitol. Morgan, a wealthy merchant and Capitol building commissioner hired Strickland, who designed notable Philadelphia structures like The Second Bank of the United States, the Merchants Exchange and the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Music City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He really wants to make this [TN Capitol] the crowning achievement in his career and he does, Sellers said. Strickland requested to be buried in the building and designed his own tomb. Within a few months, he was on the steps of the post office the Nashville post office down on the public square walking up the steps and he slumped over, Sellers said. Strickland died in 1854 and was entombed a day later in a key location. The northeast is the cornerstone of a building, Sellers said, standing outside the cornerstone where Strickland had been entombed. HIDDEN TENNESSEE | Historic East Nashville church survives disaster, prepares for homecoming Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building was completed about five years later on May 19, 1859. Its a testament to not only Strickland himself for his design; its a testament to the but also the workers of the Capitol building those that were enslaved, those that were free, those that were imprisoned, Sellers said. During those 14 years of its construction, Morgan never left the project. He just really invested himself in it, Sellers said. You hear stories about [how] he and Strickland not getting along they got along. Morgan respected Strickland for his design and Strickland depended on Morgan to get the appropriations from the General Assembly that he needed to finish the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sellers said Morgan even spent his own money to help with the buildings completion. His body was entombed in the walls at the request of state leaders in December 1881, about 18 months following his death. General Assembly being in session kind of stopped session on Christmas Eve, which is amazing and came down here, Sellers said. The governor had a speech and they entombed his remains in the south portico of our State Capitol building. Hidden Tennessee | Discover some of the Volunteer States best-kept secrets The two men are now forever part of whats become one of the oldest working State Capitol buildings in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also a testament to the State of Tennessees upkeep of this building and the preservation of it, Sellers said. The generations of Tennesseans that committed themselves to preserving this beautiful building. Lawmakers passed a resolution this year to recognize and honor the 15 enslaved persons who helped build the Tennessee State Capitol. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Metra riders face extensive delays after pedestrian struck by train on Northwest Side CHICAGO Metra riders are facing extensive delays on Friday afternoon after a pedestrian was hit by a train on the citys Northwest Side. According to Metra officials, inbound and outbound UP-NW trains are currently operating with extensive delays after a pedestrian was struck by train #627 near Clybourn, in Bucktown. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The crash halted multiple trains, though they were all back on the move by around 3:05 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say delays are still anticipated as a result of the crash and updates will be provided as they become available. Currently, it is unclear what led to the crash and authorities have not provided an update on the victims condition. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland It is unclear how long the disruptions are expected to last. Fridays crash is just the latest in a recent string of incidents involving trains in Chicagoland. This week, three other people were fatally struck by Metra or CTA trains in separate incidents. Visit the Metra website for the latest service updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Cinda Gillilan (right) pictured with her partner. (Photo courtesy Cinda Gillilan) When Pat Serrault retired at 72, she thought her 58 years of hard work and paying into Social Security would mean shed be set for her later years. Its my money. It isnt a whole lot in the scheme of things, but I earned it, Serrault told Source in a written statement. The system put it away for me and I would like to keep it so that I can remain independent for the time I have left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, the Trump Administration has made cuts to Social Security Administration staff and department budgets, prompting concerns over timely receipt of payments and the possibility of reductions in payments. Serrault, an 84-year-old Las Cruces resident, told Source NM that she is just one missed payment away from being unable to afford rent and other necessities. I dont know whats going to happen if they hit Social Security and they also hit Section 8 [housing]. Im going to be on the street, unless theres some kind of safety net that could be developed, Serrault told Source in a phone interview. Serrault added that after paying her bills, she is left with about $250 to $300 for food each month, if shes lucky. Members of NM congressional delegation demand states Social Security offices remain open U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), as well as U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) joined more than 100 members of Congress this week asking the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to keep local field offices open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter followed reports that the General Services Administration had targeted some of the offices for closure, which the Social Security Agency has denied. Field offices provide vital services to Social Security recipients, and beneficiaries need the opportunity to seek assistance from SSA in person, the letter reads. Closing any of these field offices will make it harder for individuals to access their benefits. New Mexico hosts 10 field offices throughout the state and, according to a news release from Heinrichs office, more than 468,000 New Mexicans receive benefits from the department. More than 55,000 additional New Mexicans receive Supplemental Security Income. Many New Mexicans receiving social security benefits share these concerns, according to a survey conducted by Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquezs team. Out of the nearly 600 constituents who responded to the survey, about 87% expressed uneasiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vasquezs team shared respondents first names, ZIP codes and comments with Source, which then selected several people from the list for interview requests. Vasquezs representatives provided Sources email contact to those willing to talk. Cinda Gillilan, 63, lives in Silver City and works as an administrator at an assisted living facility. Gillilan has multiple degrees and has spent the last decade working in social work, but due to limited pay, she and her partner have little in savings and no 401K. She told Source that she and her partner plan to retire when they are 70 and live off of Social Security, but worries that changes and cuts to the Social Security Administration will leave them with very little. When we looked at the cost of living throughout the country, even here in New Mexico in Silver City, our rent has gone from $700 to $900 a month. And on Social Security, that would be a huge portion of one of our two checks, Gillilan said. Were seriously considering leaving the country in 2032 when were both 70. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said they are looking at relocating to Costa Rica, Portugal, Italy or Malta, where their money from Social Security will go further than in the U.S. However, Gillilan told Source that she worries that in the next seven years there wont be a functional system by the time were ready to use it. She said she hears similar concerns in her work at the assisted living facility. One man is facing the possibility of losing Medicaid assistance and having to leave the facility. I think its incumbent upon the state to start thinking about what do we do if people start losing Social Security? What do we do if people lose their Medicaid benefits or their Medicare benefits? How do we respond? Gillian said. And I think they have to get ahead of that curve and get proactive. Like Gillilan is considering doing, Carolmarie Seager, 66, chose to retire and move out of the country. She moved to the United Kingdom in 2018 and now lives in a town in Wales, but still maintains a Las Cruces address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What did I leave behind? My five adult children, a granddaughter, and now a new grandson. I left behind friends, siblings, their families, my sweet mother, and much more, Seager told Source NM in a written statement. In addition to the political nightmare, I chose to leave the U.S. because NM was getting too hot to live in inexpensively, and I knew my medical care would become more expensive without my mild Multiple Sclerosis condition getting any worse. Seager said she lives on a combination of benefits that includes Social Security, and that her payment was quite late this month with no explanation. She said she wouldnt be able to pay her living expenses if her Social Security payment was changed, and she wouldnt be able to afford to move back to the U.S. Alyna LaValley (right) pictured with her husband. (Photo provided by Alyna LaValley) Alyna LaValley, 66, lives in Truth of Consequences with her husband. She told Source NM that they both live off of their social security benefits, as well as long-term disability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaValleys concerns are compounded because she is a transgender woman and moved to New Mexico from Florida because the state was restricting transgender rights. The Trump administration has taken multiple steps in recent months to rescind rights and support for transgender people at the federal level, including denying new passports, restricting gender-affirming care and reinstating a ban on transgender people serving in the military. LaValley told Source that she fears for her safety and worries about even leaving her house at times. And she added that if their benefits are cut in anyway, they will likely lose their house. Well be on the street, she said. There is no American dream. People cant afford to buy houses. Theres no way to get ahead. Its gone. And I feel bad for the world that my grandchildren are going to live in. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A former New Mexico judge and his wife were arrested on Thursday, April 24, after federal law enforcement learned that their tenant, who is an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member, was arrested at the judges home. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody at a home on North Reymond Street in Las Cruces, Jason T. Stevens, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, said. Cano and his wife were booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on a tampering with evidence charge with no bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cano and his wife both made their initial court appearance on Friday morning, April 25 in a Las Cruces court. Detention and preliminary hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, April 29. They will remain in custody pending their detention hearing. Former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano Nancy Cano Alleged Tren de Aragua gang member arrested at Dona Ana County judges home As we previously reported, Cano rented out his casita to Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, who is an alleged Tren de Aragua member, at the behest of his wife last year. They met Ortega-Lopez when his wife hired him to do housework, according to a criminal complaint. The District Attorneys Office said Canos daughter had multiple firearms and let Ortega-Lopez hold, shoot, and pose with them in pictures that were posted on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The feds seized those firearms and arrested Ortega-Lopez in February. Homeland Security Investigations said Ortega-Lopez admitted to entering the country illegally in 2023. Stevens said HSI in Las Cruces is continuing with the ongoing investigation and came back to the judges home with an additional search warrant to be able to recover additional evidence on the case, which resulted in two arrests. Initially, we came back here to arrest his wife, and as we started conducting our interviews and started looking at evidence, we subsequently arrested Mr. Cano as well, Stevens said. Stevens also confirmed that Ortega-Lopez was not the only one living there at the house saying, three individuals were living there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three of them, we believe, are alleged members of that (Tren de Aragua). Obviously, we continue just to focus on the totality of the investigation instead of just zeroing out on them, Stevens said. Stevens said the two other alleged gang members are in custody. Its unknown if Cano or his wife knew of Ortega-Lopez or the other two individuals alleged gang affiliation. According to court documents obtained by KTSM, the New Mexico Supreme Court and Third Judicial District Court received Canos resignation letter on March 31. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will appoint a new judge who will serve out his term through 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson with ICE sent the following statement regarding the arrest of Canos wife: On April 24, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant and probable cause arrest at a residence in the 1200 block of North Reymond Street in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Homeland Security Investigations special agents working with federal law enforcement partners, took Nancy Cano into custody as part of an ongoing HSI-led criminal investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Bernadette Romero-Jaramillo, a lifelong Tesuque resident and Protect Tesuque board member told Source NM the issues over wastewater 'are bigger than us, it's not just a Tesuque Village concern, it's a state concern.' (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) A dispute over sewage disposal in a village outside of Santa Fe is leaking into the New Mexico Supreme Court, as residents contend state environmental agency actions surrounding a draft waste permit were unconstitutional. Dozens of people gathered at blue cafeteria tables and the bleachers lining the Tesuque Elementary School gymnasium Wednesday night to hear the latest in the ongoing fracas over a permit for a leach field to dispose of treated wastewater from Bishops Lodge hotel and 82 adjacent homes in Tesuque Village. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Santa Fe elected officials also attended the town hall, including County Commissioner Justin Greene in the room, and Rep. Andrea Romero and Sen. Peter Wirth virtually. Tensions in the case have been building for the last year, as residents oppose multiple proposals for sewage disposal by the resort. The meeting followed the latest development in the case: On April 22, attorneys for the nonprofit Protect Tesuque requested the states highest court order the New Mexico Environment Department to halt the permitting process for the hotel and homes, arguing in an emergency petition that the agency wrongly applied state environmental laws in the permitting process. Specifically, they say the limitations in liquid waste laws should also apply to larger permits dischargers disposing more than 5,000 gallons, which are regulated under another law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State environmental regulators disagree. The New Mexico Environment Department maintains full confidence in its legal position that the Bishops Lodge wastewater treatment system falls under ground and surface water quality regulations, said NMED spokesperson Jorge Estrada in a written statement. NMED has consistently affirmed that the facility meets or exceeds all applicable state water quality standards. An administrative hearing officer on April 7 rejected Protect Tesuques request for the department to deny the permit. Protect Tesuques argument to the state Supreme Court is that NMEDs permitting process for large dischargers ignores the regulations passed by the Legislature, and the agency doesnt have the legal authority to make exceptions to those laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NMED is making their own laws, Hnakso told Source. Their whole basis for doing what theyre doing is only applying the law if youre discharging less than 5,000 gallons per day. If its more, they apply a different law but thats not what the Environmental Improvement Act says. He called it a separation of powers issue. The plain language is that the executive branch has to apply the law as written by the Legislature, Thomas Hnasko, an attorney representing the nonprofit Protect Tesuque, said. If they dont, its a constitutional violation. On Wednesday, attorneys for both NMED and Bishops Lodge filed court documents requesting that justices either dismiss the case or issue a schedule with deadlines for responses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hnasko in comments at the town hall to the approximate 60 attendees, said he was unsure if the states highest court would hear the emergency petition, and noted that the arguments had to contend with years of agency permitting. Dozens of residents gathered Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in the Tesuque Elementary school to hear the latest in a dispute with the state over a disposal permit for Bishops Lodge hotel and 82 surrounding homes. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Its a heavy lift because thats the way its always been done, Hnasko said. Its really difficult when youre taking a position thats gonna upset the apple cart and not only affect Tesuque, but have an effect statewide. But lawmakers, Hnasko said, could clarify which laws guide NMEDs permitting decisions. If changes need to be made or variances need to be applied for, that can happen in the Legislature, he said. But right now, the Environmental Improvement Act does not allow what theyre doing. Background on the dispute Tesuque Village, with a little over 1,000 residents, depends mostly on septic tanks for sewage, and private wells for drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Bishops Lodges 1970s-era wastewater treatment plant stopped working, the resort began trucking wastewater into Santa Fe for treatment, which the owners described as expensive and inefficient. Bishops Lodge and the Hills & Villas Community have worked closely with the New Mexico Environment Department Groundwater Quality Bureau to replace their old wastewater treatment system, Chris Kaplan, the head of Asset Management at Juniper Capital, which owns Bishops Lodge, said in a written statement. The new system, installed in 2024, is a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility designed to meet or exceed all local and national water quality standards. The resort changed its plans in response to community pushback, he added. The original plan to release the fully treated effluent to surface water was abandoned in favor of an on-site, low-dosing area that will capture the fully treated effluent in the winter months. The current state permit authorizes Bishops Lodge to discharge about 14,700 gallons per day into two leach fields on the property. The new request would allow for discharge of up to 30,000 gallons of treated wastewater into a new leach field. Tina Davila, a Tesuque Village resident, inspects a model of the watershed at the town hall Wednesday. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Protect Tesuque opposes the new disposal plan, writing on its website that the proposal fails to meet engineering, siting, and contamination safeguards required by our state laws, and pushes potential impacts downstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents Wednesday night expressed concerns about the costs of well testing and the potential loss of home values and safety if contamination occurred in the aquifer. I dont want to have to spend $3,000 every year having my well tested test just to have somebody tell me they screwed up my water and I lost, you know, a considerable value in the house and I wont be able to sell, resident Brian Corcoran said. A week-long hearing on the draft permit is scheduled to start May 19. Youre moving too slowly In Wednesdays town hall, local officials suggested longer-term initiatives that could help address some of the issues at play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, Commissioner Greene announced a plan to start engineering a regional water system that could move forward, after securing the final signature from the Pueblos of Tesque, Nambe, Pojoaque and San Ildefonso earlier that day. He said work on the study should begin in the next few months. That said, these things dont happen very quickly. This is a large capital project, this will take years and years and years to do a lot of this groundwork, he said. Wirth agreed that ultimately the long-term solution must be developing a regional water and sewage system. Residents said the solution isnt fast enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry. But youre moving too slowly, said Donna Amos, a resident who lives near Shidoni Gallery, garnering applause from other attendees. We will all be dead by the time a regional water system is done. Both Wirth and Romero, after multiple requests from audience members, committed to meeting with Juniper Capital representatives, but hesitated on further actions, such as introducing legislation, both saying it would be important to see if the states Supreme Court will weigh in on the issue. After the town hall, Bernadette Romero-Jaramillo, a physical therapist and member of Protect Tesuque, said she believes the situation is no longer just a local fight, but one with statewide implications if the court takes up the case. Ours is a community that is here to fight to the bitter end to protect our village, our resources its about our future, she said. We need a resolution for the now. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Correction: This story was updated after publication to reflect the correct spelling of Santa Fe County Commissioner Justin Greenes name. CATRON COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that a Catron County magistrate judge abused her power but will not be removed from the bench. The justices ruled that Judge Susan Griffin used her judicial login credentials to give herself an advantage in a pending lawsuit involving her effort to evict someone from one of her properties. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judicial standards commission found she created a fraudulent document instead of creating a civil one that wouldnt be used in an eviction case. Judge Griffin claimed it was all a mistake, as she was only 5 months into her first term as judge. As a matter of law, there were not sufficient findings with the term fraudulently, and concludes, therefore, the commissions conclusions as to count one are vacated, said New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice David K. Thomson. During a pretrial hearing in her lawsuit, a judge asked her about the document and if she created it. Judge Griffin denied creating the document, despite the fact that her name was auto-populated on the document when she created it, and blamed court clerks. Respondent further eroded the credibility of the judicial system by concealing the truth from another judge and officer of the court, Thomson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Mexico Supreme Court decided not to remove Judge Griffin from the bench. but did suspend her without pay for 90 days, not including her previous suspension in this case. She will also have to go through additional training on the court systems, be appointed a mentor by the New Mexico Supreme Court, and have to write an apology letter to all of the clerks she falsely accused. This eviction case involved Griffins son, former Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin. He was mentioned in the lawsuit by the defendant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY) North central West Virginia has seen an increase in aviation students across the area, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) RJ is helping the career field soar with its recent donation. On Thursday, MHI RJ presented a check worth $15,000 to the Pierpont Foundation, which will be used for students at Pierpont Community and Technical Colleges Aviation Maintenance Technology program. 12 News spoke with Michael Genin, MHI RJs director of operations, on why the company chose to donate to the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very important part of this community; its a very important feeder to make our business a success as well. We have it right here in the airfield, thats not very common with kind of area, where we have all the companies and a school right here with it. We feel like its up to us to also ensure that we are not only, you know, helping the school out, but its helping this airfield out as well, Genin. Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library opens Tool Lending Library MHI RJ often partners with Pierponts Aviation Maintenance Technology program, providing its students with internships and full-time careers after completion of the program. Brad Gilbert, the director of Pierponts Aviation Maintenance Technology program, also spoke with 12 News on how collaborations like this benefit students. Nationwide, theres a tremendous shortage in aircraft mechanics, so being able to partner with a large representative of the industry goes a long way to help fill that gap between the demand and supply of technicians, Gilbert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilbert also said that the program has seen a significant increase in students over the last two years, reaching its maximum capacity of 130 students each year. The funds donated from MHI RJ will specifically go toward student tuition and FAA exam fees. 12 News also spoke with Kathy Hypes, director of the Pierpont Foundation, on MHI RJs donations benefiting the students. Many of our students have barriers that we help them overcome. Barriers such as financial assistance that is needed, so partnerships and collaborations with our industry partners are really a benefit to the students, because it helps them pursue their educational goals, Hypes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierponts Aviation Maintenance Technology will hold its Girls Aviation Day in September. A Youth in Aviation event will also be held at The Bridge 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 WBOY.com. BRIDGEPORT Pierpont Community and Technical College received a $15,000 donation from MHI RJ Aviation group at this years career fair held Thursday at the Robert C. Byrd Aerospace Center. Were using this scholarship for those that may need scholarships, Michael Genin, director of operations at MHI RJ. Weve always tried to partner with the college here, its a very important feeder to make our business a success as well. Pierponts aviation school sits next to the North Central West Virginia Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Genin himself is a product of the schools aviation maintenance program. MHI RJ was Genins first job out of school, where he started as a floor mechanic and worked his way up to director of operations. The company performs heavy service and maintenance for various air carriers, including major names in the industry. The company is also starting a manufacturing component repair and overhaul shop. He said its a good thing to come to the school and show students what can come out of the program, whether its at MHI RJ or any of the other aerospace companies around the airport. Genin added its important to maintain enthusiasm with the students, and to assure them they are making the right decisions. Kethy Hypes, director of the Pierpont Foundation, said the money will go to supporting student tuition, as well as helping defray the cost of their FAA certification exams. Many of our students have barriers, Hypes said. We help them overcome those with financial assistance as well as partnerships and collaborations with our industry partners. It really is a benefit to students because it helps them pursue their education goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brad Gilbert, director of Aviation at Pierpont, said theres a shortage of aircraft mechanics nationwide. The school itself has seen an increase in students recently, for the past two years the program has started the school year at capacity with 130 students. There are plans to build a new combination hangar-classroom which would allow the school to enroll more students and meet industry demand. However, the project is stalled a year and half after it was first announced. Gilbert said he hasnt had any word on the new building since the Morrisey administration took over. The last word on the project in January was that the state had moved to option the land on airport grounds for the new school, but was waiting on approval from the FAA for the deal to go through. Gilbert said the aviation industry in North Central West Virginia is growing. The new airport terminal will be opening soon and theres talk of another company joining the complex, Gilbert said. Gilbert said that although the schools focus is aviation, the skills are transferable to other industries. Although President Donald Trumps tariffs havent impacted the aviation industry in North Central West Virginia yet, its a real possibility. Boeing recently had to scramble to sell an order of passenger jets to other buyers after China canceled their order due to the trade war. Aurora Flight Sciences, one of the companies at the airport, is a subsidiary of Boeing. KABUL, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Construction of a plastic production factory worth 3 million U.S. dollars has begun in east Afghanistan's Ghazni province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Friday. According to the report, the provincial authorities would fund the essential project. The factory will be capable of producing four to five tons of plastic daily and create jobs for thousands of local people. The Afghan interim government plans to launch more development projects across the war-ravaged country to address economic challenges and create more jobs. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at April 24, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 24 drawing Midday: 2-9-2 Evening: 3-5-2 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 24 drawing Midday: 3-9-6-5 Evening: 3-1-7-6 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from April 24 drawing 13-15-20-31-38, Lucky Ball: 14 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 24 drawing JS-3C-6C-9D-5S Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 24 drawing 05-10-26-30-38 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 09-12-24-29-33 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 24 drawing 03-05-06-09-11-12-13-14-19-22-31-32-35-36-52-56-59-64-69-70-77-80 Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices. To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to: 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 24, 2025 (NewsNation) The Department of Justice said Wednesday that it intends to file a felony immigration charge against an undocumented immigrant who was scheduled to be released from prison early after he killed two California teenagers in a 2021 DUI crash. Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, 43, is scheduled to be released this summer after serving more than three years of a 10-year sentence. Fox News was first to report on Ortega-Anguianos expected early release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement REAL ID deadline looms as DMVs run out of appointments The families of Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin said they were outraged over the decision. Its disgusting, Anatoly Varfolomeev, the father of Anya, told Fox. You have two young, unbelievable future, productive American citizens killed for nothing and that illegal immigrant who already has been deported twice is going to be released again? According to Fox, Ortega-Anguiano was driving under the influence at a fast speed on the 405 freeway in Orange County in November 2021 when he crashed into a car being driven by the two 19-year-olds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. DANLI, Honduras (Reuters) - Migrants deterred by U.S. President Donald Trump's border crackdown are making their way back to their home countries as crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border continue to fall. In the Honduran town of Danli, near the border with Nicaragua, dozens of migrants are waiting for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, to fly them back to Venezuela and other countries. Betzabeth Bencomo said that after she gave up on her hopes of entering the United States and left Mexico, she thought she'd have to travel once again across the lawless jungle that separates Colombia and Panama in order to reach her native Venezuela. But upon arriving in Honduras, she learned that the IOM was offering repatriation flights for migrants looking to return home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've been waiting for two and a half months," she said. "God willing, soon we will be home." Venessa Contreras, also from Venezuela, feels safer now that she knows she will be able to fly home - even if she has to wait. She said that the journey home has gotten even more deadly since Panama took steps to block off parts of the jungle, pushing some migrants to resort to traveling by sea on small boats that occasionally capsize on the reverse migration route. Interest in IOM's assisted voluntary return program has soared since Trump's crackdown began. In January and February, the agency received 2,862 requests for the program, more than triple the requests logged during the same period last year. (Reporting by Hugo Monnet in Danli, Honduras, writing by Laura Gottesdiener, editing by Sandra Maler) This Friday, a specialized drone lifted off from the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant to deliver one million seed clams into the Indian River Lagoon. Three million more clams will be deployed over the weekend to improve water quality and support habitat restoration during the weekend-long Project SeaSafe CleanWater Collective. Dr. Todd Osborne with the University of Florida Whitney Lab told us, Well, clams are excellent and just like oysters, they filter water all day to breathe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre pulling water across their gills, and their gills catch all the algae particles and all that kind of stuff. So thats how they eat. The University of Florida Whitney Laboratory, The Coastal Conservation Association Florida, Duke Energy, and Star brite chose their distribution location because of its proximity to the Sebastian Inlet. Osborne said, So, our thought is that with the tide coming in and our organisms growing so well when they spawn, theyll transfer their larval clams upriver. And that will be the natural mechanism for spreading them out. So being close to the inlet helps us disperse the larvae when theyre spawning out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clam deployment continues the Billion Clam Initiative, a large-scale effort led by the Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA) in partnership with the University of Floridas Whitney Laboratory and Capt. Blair Wiggins. The initiative deploys clams using state-of-the-art technology to improve water quality and restore ecological balance throughout the IRL. To date, 50 million clams have been deployed in the Lagoon as part of the Initiative. The effort will continue Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill, 5185 S, 5185 US-1, Grant, FL 32949. The U.S. Department of Justice is slashing millions of dollars in grants to Massachusetts organizations that work to decrease violence and support victims. Termination letters sent out to non-profits this week offered a 30-day window to appeal. Hundreds of grants are being cancelled nationwide because they reportedly do not align with the Trump administrations priorities. Organizations that received those notifications from the federal government are now grappling with the impact of major funding losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a big blow. We believe our mission is perfectly aligned with the goals of the administration, said Dwight Robson, Executive Vice President of Operations at Chelsea-based Roca. The DOJ rescinded $6 million in federal grants to Roca. Robson said the three termination letters he received this week directly impact his non-profits work in Boston, Hartford, and Baltimore. Law enforcement in those cities has credited Roca with helping to decrease homicide rates. Were working hard to consider how we might close this gap. Its enormous, he said. Community violence intervention works. The proof is in the individual stories of transformation we see every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other non-profits in Massachusetts that also work to curb crime rates, prevent convicted felons from ending up back in prison, and combat gang violence are processing the immediate cuts as well. The message we got is this does not align with the agencys goals, yet I would firmly believe that the Department of Justice is about public safety, said Gregg Croteau, CEO of Lowell-based UTEC. Greg Croteaus organization helps young adults who have been involved in criminal activity get on the right track. The termination letters UTEC received strip $2 million in federal grants. This is funding specifically under their program called community violence intervention that works in partnership with community-based organizations, law enforcement, and corrections, explained Croteau. It provides everything from mental health services to childcare support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruth Zakarian, CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, sent the following statement to Boston 25 News: Community Violence Intervention programs are a critical to keeping our communities safe from gun violence. Any disruption in funding is a devastating blow to these programs and the communities they serve. If our government is truly committed to the work of stopping gun violence and keeping our communities safe, they will ensure that CVI programs here in Massachusetts and across the country receive the resources they need. Boston 25 News reached out to the Department of Justice for comment and has not yet heard back. 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 Protesters gather outside of the Federal Building in Milwaukee to denounce the arrest of Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) After the arrest of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan by federal agents Friday morning, the citys political and activist communities responded forcefully, protesting against the arrest across the city. Dugan was charged with obstruction of justice and harboring an individual after a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents showed up outside of her courtroom last week to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criminal complaint against Durgan alleges she broke the law by allowing Flores-Ruiz to use a side door in her courtroom to exit without going past the agents. The agents saw him leave and later apprehended him on foot. While a larger protest took place outside of the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee, local resident Jeneca Wolski stood alone outside of the county courthouse where Dugan was arrested. [Im] just a local citizen who is horrified that we are finding ourselves in this position right now, Wolski told the Wisconsin Examiner. Were sliding downhill so fast. I dont want to be looked back on by history as part of it. We have to do everything we can to kick and fight and scream to save our democracy right now. At a press conference, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley accused the administration of President Donald Trump of acting to intimidate anyone who opposes these policies. Crowley added that Dugan was arrested by a large, performative showing of federal agents in the county courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have an obligation to administer our courts in a safe, efficient manner that delivers due process for anyone, Crowley said. The Trump administrations actions are clearly preventing us from doing so by intimidating judges and eroding public faith in our judicial system. People gathered outside the federal courthouse in Milwaukee Friday afternoon to protest Dugans arrest. At the rally, Christine Neumann Ortiz, executive director of immigrant rights group Voces De La Frontera, told the Wisconsin Examiner the Trump administration was trying to undermine efforts to oppose its immigration policies. They basically want to be unleashed to do whatever they want to commit these raids in courtrooms across the country, she said. They dont want any resistance from judges or from the community standing up for peoples due process rights or limiting their policies of mass deportation and racism. Seven of the city of Milwaukees legislative representatives said in a joint statement that Dugans arrest and ICE operating inside the courthouse will lead to a breakdown of civil society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The County Courthouse is a sanctuary for justice and peace where the accused come forward willingly in a fair and unbiased process, said the lawmakers, Sens. Chris Larson and Tim Carpenter and Reps. Christine Sinicki, Darrin Madison, Supreme Moore Omokunde, Angelito Tenorio and Sequanna Taylor. Arresting people out of a courtroom will lead to a breakdown of civil society. We do not support the presence of ICE in places where it will lead to intimidation against witnesses and victims of crimes, denying everyone involved the justice they deserve. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned how Dugans arrest makes the country safer. The Trump Administration continues to test the limits of our Constitution this time by arresting a sitting judge for allegedly obstructing an immigration operation at the courthouse, Durbin said. When immigration enforcement officials interfere with our criminal justice system, it undermines public safety, prevents victims and witnesses from coming forward, and often prevents those who committed crimes from facing justice in the United States. How does this make America any safer? How does arresting a sitting judge make America any safer? It is imperative that Judge Dugan is afforded due process and the presumption of innocence, as required by our Constitution and her fundamental rights as an American. State Senate Minority Leader Diane Hesselbein (D-Middleton) and Sen. Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, criticized the arrest in a joint statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays arrest of a sitting judge, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, is a frightening escalation of the Trump Administrations attacks on Americas judicial system, they said. This is part of a pattern by this Administration defying court orders, flouting the democratic system of checks and balances, ignoring the right to due process, and threatening judicial independence that alarms us as legislators and as residents of this great state and this great country. We will follow this case closely. We will continue to stand up to lawless and unconstitutional actions. And, we will always fight for a bedrock principle of American democracy: equal justice under the law. The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, an activist group, was planning protests Friday afternoon outside the federal courthouse and Saturday outside the FBIs Milwaukee field office. In a statement, the group said the arrest was a heinous attack. They are seeking to send a clear message: either you play along with Trumps agenda, or pay the consequences, the group said. During this period of racist and political repression, we must stand together to denounce todays actions by the FBI. What happened to Dugan is not new. The FBI and other agencies have been emboldened in recent months, snatching people off the streets, separating families, terrorizing communities, breaking doors down of pro-Palestine activists, and contributing to the unjust deportation of immigrants who dont have criminal records. What is new is that they have gone after a judge. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was charged April 25 with two felonies on allegations of trying to help an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest after he appeared in her courtroom. According to a 13-page complaint, Dugan, 65, is accused of obstructing a U.S. agency and concealing an individual to prevent an arrest. The two charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine, but sentences in cases involving nonviolent offenses typically are much shorter. Specifically, the complaint says Dugan assisted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican immigrant, avoid being arrested by federal immigration officials at the Milwaukee County Courthouse after he appeared in her courtroom for a pretrial conference on April 18. Flores-Ruiz is facing three misdemeanor battery counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two federal agents eventually chased Flores-Ruiz down outside the courthouse and apprehended him at West State Street and North 10th Street downtown, according to the complaint. "Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge," an attorney for Dugan said in a statement. "Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated." Judge Dugan makes brief appearance in federal courtroom On April 25, Dugan appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries during a brief hearing in a packed courtroom at the federal courthouse. Dugan made no public comments during the brief hearing. At the hearing, Dries asked if prosecutors were seeking detention, and they said they were not. He answered that he did not believe that the charges were eligible for detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it ended, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told the court: "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety." Dugan is now being represented by former U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic. Dugan made her federal court appearance a little more than two hours after she was arrested at the county courthouse at about 8 a.m. April 25. Though she was initially in federal custody, she was not in a jumpsuit when she appeared in court but was instead wearing a black dress with white flowers. Federal prosecutors Kelly Watzka and Keith Alexander declined to comment as they walked out of the courtroom after a brief hearing. Reaction to Dugan's arrest grew nationally U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X: "I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, FBI Director Kash Patel posted, deleted and then reposted a tweet about the arrest. "Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week," Patel wrote. "We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest." A screenshot of a since-deleted April 25 tweet by FBI Director Kash Patel Multiple Milwaukee County judges confirmed that the arrest took place at the courthouse. Franklyn Gimbel, a prominent Milwaukee defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, called Dugans arrest outrageous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A person who is a judge, who has a residence who has no problem being found, should not be arrested, if you will, like some common criminal, Gimbel said. And I'm shocked and surprised that the U.S. Attorney's Office or the FBI would not have invited her to show up and accept process if they're going to charge her with a crime. U.S. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin described the arrest as an example of governmental overreach by the Trump administration. Mayor Cavalier Johnson also slammed the Trump administrations move, calling it ham-handed," haphazard and being more about showboating than about keeping Milwaukees community safe. If a judge is being arrested in a courthouse, just imagine the chilling effect that it sends to other folks who would otherwise participate in judicial proceedings in our courthouse and not just in the Milwaukee County Courthouse, but courthouses across the state of Wisconsin and courthouses across the United States, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, the state's top Republican, said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "I would advise everyone to cooperate with federal law enforcement and not endanger them and the public by obstructing their efforts to arrest criminals and illegal aliens." GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is considering a run for governor in 2026, wrote on X: "If you help illegal aliens evade arrest, you will be arrested." Tiffany had attacked Democratic Gov. Tony Evers over a memo sent to state employees that provided instructions on how to interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities who visit state buildings. State employees, Tiffany said, should now "think twice" before following such guidance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, a group of protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee chanting: No justice, no peace. Let the judge be released. Some held signs that read, Justice 4 all and Judge arrest = Trump guilt. At the end, protesters linked arms and stood in front of the courthouse doors and vowed to return. Dugan accused of assisting undocumented defendant facing misdemeanor charges The complaint says federal officials used biometric fingerprint comparisons to see that Flores-Ruiz, who was set to appear before Dugan on April 18, had been deported from the United States in 2013. ICE officials obtained an arrest warrant for Flores-Ruiz on April 17. A day later, six members of the Milwaukee ICE task force dressed in plain clothes and went to the county courthouse to arrest Flores-Ruiz at about 8 a.m., the complaint says. They then informed the bailiff in Dugan's courtroom that they were planning the arrest, agreeing to wait to do so until after his court appearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A clerk notified Dugan that it appeared ICE agents were waiting in the hallway outside her courtroom. "Judge DUGAN became visibly angry, commented that the situation was 'absurd,' left the bench, and entered chambers," the complaint said. According to the complaint, Dugan confronted members of the arrest team while "visibly upset and had a confrontational, angry demeanor." She told the group members they needed a judicial warrant, not an administrative one, and directed them to report to Chief Judge Carl Ashley's office. While this was going on, the bailiff informed the arrest team which included ICE, FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency officials that Dugan had expedited Flores-Ruiz's case. Witnesses told federal authorities that she then "forcefully motioned" for the defendant and his attorney to exit through a side door near the jury box that leads to a private hallway and then to the public area outside the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A DEA agent then saw Flores-Ruiz and his attorney get on an elevator, and he got on it with them, notifying others on the arrest team what was happening. Flores-Ruiz got off the elevator and was confronted by two agents outside the courthouse. "A foot chase ensued," the complaint said. "The agents pursued Flores-Ruiz for the entire length of the courthouse and ultimately apprehended him near the intersection of W. State Street and 10th Street. Flores-Ruiz was handcuffed and detained." Records show Flores-Ruiz was charged April 24 by federal authorities with illegal re-entry into the United States. In an federal court appearance the same day, Flores-Ruiz's federal attorney Marty Pruhs said a judge assisted his client and that Flores-Ruiz was acting on the advice of his state attorney. Minutes from the court hearing said Flores-Ruiz, who has been working as a cook, has been living in Milwaukee for about 12 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores-Ruiz is listed as being in ICE custody at Dodge Detention Facility in Juneau, according to the federal online detainee locator system. That arrest marked at least the third time in recent months that federal immigration agents have come to the courthouse with arrest warrants. In March and early April, two people were arrested by ICE officials in the hallways of the courthouse. Records show that Dugan had 25 cases on the morning of April 18. Flores-Ruiz's case was set for 8:30 a.m. He does not appear to have any other state or federal criminal offenses or charges. According to his criminal complaint, Flores-Ruiz is charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery. The charges include modifiers for domestic violence that could subject him to additional punishment if he is convicted. The case stemmed from a fight on March 12 between two roommates at a home on the 3900 block of West Vliet Street. No one answered the door when the Journal Sentinel visited his residence April 23. The criminal complaint said a fight occurred after Flores-Ruiz was accused of playing music too loudly in the home. The complaint alleges Flores-Ruiz punched another person 30 times, then struck a woman who tried to break up the melee. Each of the three Class A misdemeanors has a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine. Dugan was elected to Branch 31 of the Circuit Court in 2016 by knocking off an appointee of Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Her judicial term expires in 2028. (This story was updated to add a photo gallery.) This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan charged with felonies in ICE case DAMASCUS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A powerful explosion shook the al-Mina al-Bayda area in Syria's Latakia countryside on Friday, the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. Ambulances rushed to the scene following the blast. There were no immediate official reports on the casualties or damage. The cause and source of the blast remained unknown. The al-Mina al-Bayda area has been targeted by Israeli airstrikes twice since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. A Milwaukee judge helped a migrant wanted by deportation agents slip out of their sight at the courthouse, federal officials say, as they have now criminally charged her. Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court was taken into custody Friday based on what FBI Director Kash Patel described as obstruction of justice. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A criminal complaint unsealed Friday and obtained by The Independent provides details of her alleged crimes. It says witnesses on the scene uniformly reported that Dugan was visibly upset and had a confrontational, angry demeanor with ICE agents at the courthouse to arrest a man scheduled for a hearing in her courtroom. She allegedly escorted defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing deportation, through the jury door and into a non-public area of the courthouse. Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for allegedly interfering in Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents attempts to arrests a migrant at the courthouse (via REUTERS) A team of six plainclothes federal agents from the Milwaukee ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Task Force showed up at the Milwaukee County Courthouse around 8 a.m., and told a security guard that they were present to make an arrest, the complaint states. The guard said she needed to speak with a supervisor, who contacted a shift sergeant with the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office. The sergeant asked that the team wait in the hallway outside of Dugans courtroom and wait until proceedings were finished before arresting anyone, which the complaint describes as standard practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the agents waited in the hallway, a public defender snapped photos of them, then informed Dugans clerk that ICE was in the building, the complaint continues. It says Dugan then left the bench and, along with another judge who is not identified by name in the complaint, approached the arrest team and asked if they were present for a court appearance. When they said they were there to arrest somebody, Dugan told them they would need a judicial warrant, not the administrative one they had, according to the complaint. When the ICE team pushed back, Dugan told them they would need to speak with the chief judge, and the second judge standing with Dugan escorted them to his office, the complaint goes on. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the brief hearing that the judge wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest and described it as not made in the interest of public safety (via REUTERS) As agents were speaking with the chief judge, Dugan returned to her courtroom and adjourned Flores-Ruizs case, which had not yet been called, according to the complaint. Then, when he and his attorney were preparing to leave, Dugans courtroom deputy claimed to hear her say something like, Wait, come with me, according to the complaint. She then led Flores-Ruiz out through the jury door, it says. A DEA agent on the arrest team who hadnt been recognized by Dugan and stayed behind in the hallway spotted Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer and got on an elevator with them, the complaint states, noting that the agent alerted the rest of the team that he was in an elevator with their target While on the elevator, Flores-Ruiz and his attorney spoke to each other in Spanish, which DEA Agent A did not understand, according to the complaint. They exited the elevator on one of the bottom floors of the courthouse and used the Ninth Street public entrance/exit to leave the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team members scrambled to locate Flores-Ruiz and arrest him, the complaint states. It says that when agents approached Flores-Ruiz and identified themselves, he turned around and sprinted down the street. Agents caught up with Flores-Ruiz on the corner and cuffed him at 9:05 am, according to the complaint. Flores-Ruiz was arrested and charged last month in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with three counts of Battery-Domestic Abuse-Infliction of Physical Pain or Injury, the complaint states. Earlier on Friday, Patel claimed that Judge Dugan had created increased danger to the public by what he called her obstruction. Protesters demonstrated outside federal courthouse after Dugan was arrested (AP) The FBI director later deleted the X post for reasons that were not apparently clear. But Attorney General Pam Bondi later confirmed the arrest in a separate post, writing: I can confirm that our [FBI] agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by [ICE]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one is above the law, she added. Dugan, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School who practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society before seeking and winning public office, appeared in a federal court in Milwaukee shortly after her arrest and was released from custody pending her next scheduled appearance on May 15. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono said during the brief hearing that the judge wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest and described it as not made in the interest of public safety. The allegations leveled at Dugan, who has served on the Milwaukee County bench since 2016, appear to be based on claims made by a right-wing radio host, Dan ODonnell, who on Tuesday posted on X that Dugan was under investigation for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant defendant evade ICE agents who came to arrest him in her courtroom during a hearing the previous Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X following Patels announcement, ODonnell took credit for the arrest and said it was based on his exclusive report from earlier in the week. Democratic congressman Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement: "While all the facts are not yet in, the implications of this arrest are chilling. This is a drastic escalation & dangerous new front in Trumps authoritarian campaign of trying to bully, intimidate & impeach judges who wont follow his dictates." Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using "dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level." In a statement he said: "I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nation's judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Pam Bondi said some members of the judiciary had become deranged. She told Fox News: What has happened to our judiciary is beyond me ... They are deranged, is all I can think of. Some of these judges think they are beyond above the law and they are not. And we are sending a very strong message today if you are harboring a fugitive, we dont care who you are ... we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you. The charges against the longtime Milwaukee judge mark a significant escalation in what has been until now a war of words between the Trump administration and state and local officials over the extent to which they are required to assist immigration authorities. Trump White House border czar Tom Homan has repeatedly threatened to jail state and local officials if he believes they are impeding lawful deportation efforts by immigration officers. And the Justice Departments number-three official, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, issued a memorandum earlier this year prioritizing investigations and potential criminal charges against state and local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions. The memo cited a conspiracy offense as well as a law prohibiting the harboring of people in the country illegally as legal avenues for potential prosecutions. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent. With additional reporting by agencies Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a Milwaukee County Circuit judge on Friday for allegedly abetting an immigrant living in the country illegally from avoiding arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The criminal complaint filed Thursday states that Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on charges of impeding an immigration arrest and hiding a person to prevent his arrest. Following the arrest Friday morning, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that the agency believed Dugans actions were intentional: The FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest. Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025 Arrest ends in foot chase outside courthouse According to the complaint, the immigrant who was detained is Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican man who was charged in March with three counts of battery-domestic abuse-infliction of injury. Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE determined Flores-Ruiz had been issued an expedited removal notice and was deported back to Mexico by U.S. border agents in 2013. No evidence shows that he was given legal permission to reenter the States. The Milwaukee ICE office was aware of Flores-Ruizs court hearing on April 18 before Judge Dugan. Upon arrival at the courthouse with an arrest warrant in hand, the agents explained their situation to a shift sergeant, who apparently requested that any arrest be made after the court hearing concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filing said that when Dugan learned of the planned arrest she became visibly angry, commented that the situation was absurd, left the bench, and entered chambers. This was reportedly the third time an ICE arrest had occurred in the courthouse in recent months. Dugan left the courtroom to speak with the government agents, as per the filing, instructing them to proceed to the chief judges office. Judge Dugans courtroom deputy then approached the remaining arrest team members and stated that the courtroom deputy was not the one who had notified Judge Dugan about their arrest plans. The courtroom deputy also made a comment about Judge Dugan pushing Flores-Ruizs case through, which the arrest team interpreted to mean that Judge Dugan was attempting to expedite Flores-Ruizs hearing, according to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple witnesses reported seeing Dugan and Flores-Ruiz in close discussion, followed by her escorting him and his counsel through the jury door exit, rather than the public courtroom exit. The state attorney involved in Flores-Ruizs case questioned why the case was never called and discovered through the court that it had been adjourned without his knowledge, despite his presence in court. Flores-Ruiz was eventually arrested following a foot chase outside the courthouse. During her hearing Friday morning, Dugans attorney said his client wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, per The Associated Press. Dugan, who has been released from custody, is scheduled to appear in court again on May 15. MILWAUKEE (AP) Hannah Dugan, the Milwaukee judge charged with helping a man evade federal immigration authorities, is known for running a strict courtroom and being a familiar face in the community, particularly at interfaith events. Dugan was arrested last month at the Milwaukee County courthouse, and a federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted her, allowing the case against her to continue. The case has catapulted Dugan into the national fight between the Trump administration and the judiciary over immigration policies. The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended her while the case is pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors charged Dugan in April with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, a felony, and obstructing or impeding a proceeding, a misdemeanor. She faces up to six years in prison if convicted. In the federal criminal justice system, prosecutors can initiate charges against a defendant by filing a complaint or present evidence to a grand jury and let that body decide whether to issue charges. A grand jury still reviews charges brought by complaint. If the grand jury determines theres probable cause, it issues a written statement of the charges known as an indictment. Thats what happened in Dugans case. Dugan allegedly let Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer leave her courtroom through a jury door not accessible to the public on April 18 to help avert his arrest, according to an FBI affidavit. Flores-Ruiz was taken into custody outside the courthouse after agents chased him on foot. Flores-Ruiz, a native of Mexico, was in court for a hearing after being charged with three counts of misdemeanor domestic battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what we know so far about Dugan and the case against her: The FBI says Dugan helped a man evade ICE The FBI took Dugan into custody on the courthouse grounds the same building that federal immigration agents entered on April 18 in search of Flores-Ruiz. Flores-Ruiz was removed from the U.S. through Arizona over a decade ago, and there is no evidence he got permission to return, according to the affidavit. A fingerprint match prompted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to go to the courthouse and wait outside the courtroom during his appearance. After learning the agents were there, Dugan became visibly angry, according to the affidavit. She and another judge approached them in a hallway and sent them to the chief judge's office. Dugan then returned to her courtroom and ushered Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through the jury door, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defendants who are not in custody and their attorneys never use that door, the affidavit says. That allegedly helped Flores-Ruiz leave the building using an elevator. What does Dugan say about the allegations? Dugan's attorneys said on the day she was arrested that Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge. Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously and looks forward to being exonerated, her attorneys said. Her legal team includes Steven Biskupic, who was a federal prosecutor for 20 years and served seven years as U.S. attorney in Milwaukee, and Paul Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general who has argued more than 100 cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Clement and Biskupic were appointed to jobs by former Republican President George W. Bush. Dugan is a longtime Milwaukee public figure She has been a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since defeating an incumbent appointee of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2016. She ran unopposed in 2022, and her current term expires in 2028. Tom Barrett, a former congressman and mayor of Milwaukee for 17 years, said he was friends with Dugans older sister in high school and has known Dugan, 65, since she was 12. As a person and a judge, she always tries to do the right thing, and she cares deeply about the community and people and justice, Barrett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan previously was a litigation attorney and held administrative posts at Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc. and Legal Aid Society Inc. As an attorney, legal areas she focused on included older people and disabilities, civil rights, domestic abuse and others, according to her LinkedIn page. Dugan was president of the Milwaukee Bar Association from 1999 to 2000 and worked three years as executive director of Catholic Charities of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc. A 1981 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she also received her law degree in 1987, Dugan has taught law and graduate students at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys call the judge a stickler in the courtroom Attorneys who have appeared before Dugan describe her as extremely tough but fair. She is a stickler for procedure, Milwaukee criminal defense attorney Julius Kim said. Shes fair. I certainly dont think shes a pushover, by any stretch. Shes very methodical in her approach. A sign that remained posted on Dugans courtroom door the day she was arrested advised that if an attorney or other court official knows or believes that a person feels unsafe coming to the courthouse or her courtroom, they should notify the clerk and request an appearance via Zoom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan previously found herself involved in a political fight in 2023, when she dismissed a Republican Party lawsuit that argued a Milwaukee get-out-the-vote effort was illegal. What has the reaction been to Dugan's arrest? Democrats and others have rallied around Dugan and protested her arrest, while Republicans have heralded it. Democrats warned that the arrest of the judge could discourage people from reporting a crime or even reporting a fire for fear they could be detained. These actions are transparently meant to be chilling, cruel and undermining the rule of law, said Melinda Brennan, executive director of the ACLU of Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Schimming, chair of the state Republican Party, said on social media that the arrest shows nobodys above the law, even judges. Republicans in the state Assembly, where they have majority control, said in a statement that the charges against Dugan are serious, deeply troubling, and strike at the core of public trust. They suggested they could seek to remove Dugan from office through impeachment. ICE agents are making arrests in courthouses Under guidance issued Jan. 21, ICE officers and agents may carry out immigration enforcement actions in or near courthouses if they believe someone they are trying to find will be there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are generally required to let their internal legal office know ahead of time to make sure there are no legal restrictions, and they are supposed to carry out enforcement actions in nonpublic areas whenever possible, coordinate with court security and try minimize the impact on court operations. They are also to avoid doing so in places that are not used for criminal proceedings, such as family court. Immigration advocates say letting ICE enter courthouses for arrests intimidates crime victims and witnesses who are in the country illegally. ICE officials say they have to find other ways to find deportable people in communities that do not notify the agency when jails or prisons are releasing them. ICE also says courthouse arrests are usually safer for agents because people there have generally been searched for weapons. ___ Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming. Associated Press writer Corey Williams in Detroit contributed. The debate over federal immigration policy, the rule of law and the intimidation of the judiciary touched down in Wisconsin in an explosive case this week. A Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge was arrested at the courthouse by U.S. Marshals on April 25. Judge Hannah Dugan's arrest was followed by a brief federal court hearing on felony charges of obstruction and concealing an individual for her role in allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest after he appeared in her courtroom last week. Her arrest at the courthouse was criticized by some in the legal community, including former federal prosecutor and longtime defense attorney Franklyn Gimbel. Dugan's attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told the court during the hearing: "Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI Director posted and later deleted a post on the social media platform X announcing the arrest. U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi didn't delete her post on X confirming Dugan's arrest, summarizing the Justice Department's position that the arrest and charges against the judge came "for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid arrest by @ICEgov." Please share your thoughts on this case. We'll post comments as they start rolling in. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee judge arrested over ICE allegations: Is it right? | Opinion Milwaukee police are mulling a trade: 2.5 million mugshots for free use of facial recognition technology. Officials from the Milwaukee Police Department say swapping the photos with the software firm Biometrica will lead to quicker arrests and solving of crimes. But that benefit is unpersuasive for those who say the trade is startling, due to the concerns of the surveillance of city residents and possible federal agency access. "We recognize the very delicate balance between advancement in technology and ensuring we as a department do not violate the rights of all of those in this diverse community," Milwaukee Police Chief of Staff Heather Hough said during an April 17 meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time, Milwaukee police officials detailed their plans to use the facial recognition technology during a meeting of the city's Fire and Police Commission, the oversight body for those departments. In the past, the department relied on facial recognition technology belonging to neighboring police agencies In an April 24 email, Hough said the department has not entered into an agreement with any facial recognition and the department intends to continue engaging the public before doing so. The department will discuss it at a future meeting of the city's Public Safety and Health Committee next, she said. "While we would like to acquire the technology to assist in solving cases, being transparent with the community that we serve far outweighs the urgency to acquire," she said in an email. Officials said the technology alone could not be used as probable cause to arrest someone and the only authorized uses would be when there's basis to believe criminal activity has happened or could happen, or a threat to public safety is imminent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hough said the department intended to craft a policy that would ensure no one is arrested solely based on facial recognition matches. That reassurance and others from police officials came as activists, residents and some public officials voiced concern. Concerns ranged from studies which show bias in the technology; its potential use by federal agencies like Immigration Customs Enforcement; and infringement on civil liberties. Many speakers noted cities, including Madison, have banned facial recognition's use by city agencies. Aurelia Ceja said the discrepancy in the information police release on themselves noting that officers involved in shootings don't have their names released compared to the amount of information the police have on residents is a concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "First and foremost, (I'm) inherently against any sort of surveillance technology used by the police" said Ceja, a member of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression in an interview with the Journal Sentinel. About 30 people attended a Fire and Police Commission meeting on April 17 where police officials discussed acquiring facial recognition technology. Attendees spoke for about two hours in opposition. At the meeting, officials shared how the technology had been used in recent cases a homicide and a sexual assault to assist in identifying suspects. In both cases, police ran photos of men ultimately charged in the crimes through facial recognition technology to help identify them. Those identifications were then confirmed during the investigation, police said. The company the department is exploring working with is Biometrica, a company which began with working in the gambling industry in the late '90s. The police presentation said it does not retain data, such as photos of possible suspects, which the police put into its system to check for matches. In exchange for the initial 2.5 million jail records, the company is offering two free search licenses, with any additional licenses costing $12,000 each. Biometrica did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire and Police Commissioner Krissie Fung, who was recently appointed to the oversight body, said in an interview she was unconvinced by the proposal to use the technology at this time. Use of facial recognition should be determined by residents, she said. Fung, like other speakers at the meeting, were concerned with adopting the technology in the current political environment under President Donald Trump. She said the IRS agreeing to share data with Immigration Customs Enforcement as an example. "I did not get the sense that there are clear protections against federal entities being able to access this facial recognition data either through MPD or the company they will use," she said. A spokesperson for Mayor Cavalier Johnson declined comment on his support for the police acquiring the technology. A commissioner cites own experience with bias in facial recognition During the April 17 meeting, Fire and Police commissioner Ramon Evans said he had been subject to bias by facial recognition while at Potawatomi Casino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I got called over and I wasn't the guy," he said. "I was a victim of error." That anecdote followed nearly 90 minutes of public comment from attendees, many who cited concerns over bias from the technology. For years, the technology's issues with identifying faces of Black and Brown people, and other minorities, has been well publicized. Police officials also said Biometrica offers training for racial bias in the technology. Last year, a U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report found the technology has been rapidly adopted by federal agencies with little oversight and raised particular risks for people of color and women. The report also found the U.S. Justice Department had awarded $4.2 million to local police for programs used, in part, for facial recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The technology's capabilities and shortcomings are changing quickly, as evidenced by research from Thaddeus Johnson, an assistant professor at the Andrew Young School of Public Studies at Georgia State University. A former police captain in Memphis, he studies facial recognition and published a study in 2022 noting it contributed to greater racial disparities in arrests. But, as he continued his research, the findings became more complicated. In a 2024 study, Johnson found departments which use facial recognition technology saw lower rates of felony violence and homicides without contributing to disparities or over-arrests. In a review of the 2022 work that followed, Johnson found it led to higher disparities when used specifically on property crimes. Now, he believes it makes sense for departments to use it for crimes like homicides, but not for things like theft and robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both of his studies focused on the outcomes of departments that used facial recognition. It did not examine how the tool was being used, like whether it focused on a specific neighborhood or crime type. Johnson said facial recognition technology has improved greatly since his studies began; however, it still has large gaps between its effectiveness in perfect environments portrait-like photos taken and analyzed compared to those taken in everyday environments. He believed police misuse of facial recognition was at greater fault for issues than the technology itself. "It's not a magic bullet. It can if not used carefully, exacerbate these disparities," he said. Facial recognition technology would only be the latest police technology in Milwaukee The facial recognition proposal prompted backlash before it even began, with concerns over the growth of past police technology cited as a factor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin asked the Milwaukee Common Council to adopt a two-year pause on any new surveillance technology and to develop and pass policy regulating existing technology. It also asked the council to incorporate community input through a public body called citizen control over police surveillance, or CCOPS for short. It's the second technology the Milwaukee Police has announced plans for in the last month. The police announced plans for creating a drone team in March and whether its footage could be incorporated into facial recognition was scrutinized. The department's recently adopted policy prohibits it. In recent years, the department also announced programs where residents can share surveillance footage with the police. The police also use a technology known as FLOCK cameras, which reads license plate numbers, and has grown across the greater-Milwaukee area in recent years. "We are already seeing how surveillance technology is being weaponized in real time," the ACLU's statement said. "While we trust that our local leaders and police officers may have good intentions, history reminds us how quickly larger systems can override those intentions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police considering trading mugshots for facial recognition tech The planned construction of the defence line along the eastern border Latvia shares with Russia and Belarus, set for completion by 2028, is progressing well, Latvia's Defence Minister Andris Spruds said on Friday. "The work is proceeding according to plan," he said during a site visit at a storage area in the town of Zilupe near the border with Rusia. Numerous concrete and tank barriers are stored there, which are to be erected for the fortification and securing of Latvia's eastern border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work aims to create the Baltic defence line, with which Latvia and its neighbouring Baltic states, Estonia and Lithuania, seek to protect themselves from potential attacks. The protective installations are intended to enable the Latvian army to defend the country and its population from the very first centimetre, Spruds said. "The main goal is to stop, distract and destroy a potential intruder," he stressed. Additionally, tank trenches, ammunition depots and mine storage facilities are to be constructed. In some sections of the total 400-kilometre-long border with Russia and Belarus, which is also an EU external border, the construction of the line is already complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Latvia's government decided to invest some 300 million ($340 million) in strengthening the border and constructing the defence line in line with NATO defence plans by 2028. This year, 45 million is to be allocated for this purpose, with which, among other things, mines and sensor systems are to be acquired. In addition to military infrastructure, air defence and cooperation with local industry are also to be strengthened. The planned construction of the defence line along the eastern border Latvia shares with Russia and Belarus, set for completion by 2028, is progressing well, Latvia's Defence Minister Andris Spruds said on Friday. "The work is proceeding according to plan," he said during a site visit at a storage area in the town of Zilupe near the border with Rusia. Numerous concrete and tank barriers are stored there, which are to be erected for the fortification and securing of Latvia's eastern border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work aims to create the Baltic defence line, with which Latvia and its neighbouring Baltic states, Estonia and Lithuania, seek to protect themselves from potential attacks. The protective installations are intended to enable the Latvian army to defend the country and its population from the very first centimetre, Spruds said. "The main goal is to stop, distract and destroy a potential intruder," he stressed. Additionally, tank trenches, ammunition depots and mine storage facilities are to be constructed. In some sections of the total 400-kilometre-long border with Russia and Belarus, which is also an EU external border, the construction of the line is already complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Latvia's government decided to invest some 300 million ($340 million) in strengthening the border and constructing the defence line in line with NATO defence plans by 2028. This year, 45 million is to be allocated for this purpose, with which, among other things, mines and sensor systems are to be acquired. In addition to military infrastructure, air defence and cooperation with local industry are also to be strengthened. Latvian army chief Kaspars Pudans said that in developing the defence line, the Baltic States are guided by the lessons of the war in Ukraine. The capabilities and geographical conditions of the three neighbouring states are also being considered. "The terrain is our advantage - we decide where the fighting will take place in an emergency," said the commander of the Latvian armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spruds pointed out that strengthening the border is a permanent task, even after the completion of the defence line. "Our border with an imperialistically minded neighbour must be strengthened in the long term," he emphasized. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Baltic States feel increasingly threatened. Apr. 24RED Wing, Minn. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is scheduled to speak at Twin Bluff Middle School May 3, following the cancellation of an earlier event at Red Wing High School due to "concerns over significant disruption." The event will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, in the middle school's auditorium. The Red Wing High School Black Student Union will moderate the event, which is open to the public. Doors open at 10:30 am. The event is sponsored by Red Wing Community Education, Red Wing High School Black Student Union, League of Women Voters of Red Wing, American Association of University Women of Red Wing, Fair Trade Books and the SE MN Area Labor Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous event featuring Ellison that was canceled had been scheduled for Feb. 27 in recognition of Black History Month. A Post Bulletin data request for emails preceding the cancellation of the event revealed strong opposition to Ellison's visit. Questions about the event can be emailed to lwvredwing@lwvmn.org Rep. Esther Agbaje, DFL-Minneapolis, speaks at a news conference on April 24, 2025, with progressive legislators and activists to call for increased taxes to offset federal cuts from the Trump administration. (Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer) Take a seat in the Break Room, our weekly round-up of labor news in Minnesota and beyond. This week: Minnesota Democrats hold out hope for softening budget cuts; bill would give teachers $1,200 bonuses; Minneapolis nursing home workers reach deal after strike; salary transparency may boost job applications; and DOGE cuts cost billions. Democrats defiant news conferences As the Trump administration takes a hatchet to federal programs, government workers have looked to the Legislature for a safe harbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Democrats have been eager to answer that call, introducing a slew of tax and spending bills and offering a vision of St. Paul as a bulwark against the upheaval in Washington. We will fight to protect Minnesotans from the chaos, corruption and destruction from the Trump administration and federal Republicans, said Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, at a news conference with several dozen other Democrats and activists on the Capitol steps on Thursday. We cannot accept the false trade-offs between education and health care, between public safety and the environment, between disability services and roads and bridges, she said. Democrats have bills to raise taxes on the top fifth of earners, corporations and luxury goods that could help offset Republican-proposed cuts to Medicaid. They have a bill to fund public health functions (for a yet unspecified amount), as federal cuts have led to layoffs in the state Department of Health. They have a bill to give $16 million to Minitex, a little-known library service facing significant federal budget cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Democrats held a news conference with federal workers to unveil bills that would extend unemployment benefits to those who accepted the Fork in the Road buy-out offer and give $10,000 to laid-off veterans who relocate to Minnesota. Both of those appear to have quickly stalled out. Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, said Democrats are clear eyed that Minnesota cant fix every problem created by federal cuts but need to show theyre trying to soften the blow. The alternative is to do nothing, Greenman said. We have to have ideas. (Two Senate Democrats self-titled Blue Dogs are an exception to the current aversion to talking about cuts with a proposal to reduce the benefits and taxes of the states new paid family leave law that launches Jan. 1.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming three weeks until the scheduled May 19 adjournment, defiant news conferences will turn into difficult closed-door negotiations as Democrats run up against the limits of their resources and power. Its an unfamiliar feeling: The last legislative session they controlled state government and a $17.5 billion surplus. Minnesota now faces a looming budget deficit and Republicans, who control half of the state House, say Democrats proposals are a fantasy. They aim to use their new power to chip away at the sweeping progressive agenda Democrats passed in 2023-24 including unemployment benefits for hourly school workers, funding for light rail and subsidized health insurance for undocumented workers. The Walz administration appears to be readying itself for deep cuts ahead. Minnesota Management and Budget, in negotiations with the union representing some 18,000 state employees, proposed creating an emergency layoffs process. That would allow the state to idle workers in the event of fiscal exigencies without having to follow the usual contractual procedures governing layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship between the Walz administration and the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees union has soured since the governor ordered workers back to the office 50% of the time. MAPE leaders raised the prospect of a strike and compared Walz to Musk. Walz didnt invite them to his State of the State address this week. Democrats float $1,200 bonuses for teachers More than 70,000 licensed public and charter school teachers could receive $1,200 bonuses in the form of refundable tax credits under a bill pitched by Minnesota Democrats. The bill (SF186) could help Minnesota schools struggling to attract and retain teachers, but the proposal must compete with a slew of other spending priorities as a gloomy budget forecast hangs over lawmakers crafting a two-year budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The credits would be expensive, estimated to cost about $100 million a year, but Walz has proposed sunsetting a program costing roughly $80 million a year that offers bonuses to school districts participating in the alternative teacher pay system known as Q Comp. One of the competing spending priorities is helping school districts pay for unemployment benefits for school bus drivers and other hourly school workers. In 2023, Minnesota became the first in the nation to entitle school workers to unemployment benefits, which have long helped workers in construction and other seasonal jobs weather regular periods of unemployment. Greenman, the bill author, told Axios Twin Cities that the benefit has achieved its goal and alleviated a shortage of bus drivers and other workers. Lawmakers gave school districts $135 million to cover the costs until June 2027 or until the funding ran out. Now, the account only has enough to cover about half of whats needed for this coming summer, Axios reported. Walz and the DFL-led Senate have proposed allocating another $30 million to help school districts this year, with the Senate proposing an additional $70 million in aid the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats and SEIU, which represents unionized hourly school workers, scheduled a press conference on Friday to speak in support of keeping the unemployment benefits. Minneapolis nursing home workers reach deal after strike Providence Place nursing home workers strike in Minneapolis in March 2025. (Photo courtesy SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa) Around 80 nursing assistants, cooks, housekeepers and other workers at Providence Place nursing home in Minneapolis won 6% annual wage increases over the next two years after striking for two days last month. A new nursing assistant will earn $21.48 per hour in 2025 and $22.56 per hour in 2026, in line with the average wage for nursing assistants across workplaces in Minnesota. The workers, who are unionized with SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, also negotiated for 40 additional vacation hours and full benefits after their probationary period ends. Were ready to take these gains and keep building towards our next bargaining in 2027 to win even more, Amy Oliver, a Providence Place worker, said in a statement shared by the union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nursing home workers across the state are on track to receive significant pay increases under rules passed by the states new Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, contingent upon funding from the state. By Jan. 1, 2027, certified nursing assistants in all nursing homes will earn at least $24 per hour under the rules approved last year. Salary transparency may boost job applications Twin Cities Business reports a new state law requiring employers to include salary ranges in job postings may be boosting the number of applications companies receive. Jenna Estlick of search firm Versique told the magazine that clients are seeing a considerable increase in job seekers since the law took effect Jan. 1. That tracks with a number of other surveys showing job seekers are more likely to apply to postings when a salary range is included. Minnesota is one of more than a dozen states that now require companies to disclose salary ranges, which proponents say can help reduce gender and racial pay gaps. It may also help current employees to negotiate for raises if open positions are advertised with higher salaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of last year, Minnesota employers are also barred from asking job applicants about their current or previous pay in order to set compensation. DOGE cuts cost billions Trumps Department of Government Efficiency initiative could end up costing the government about as much as its de facto leader Elon Musk promised to save, the New York Times reported. The Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit that studies the federal workforce, estimates DOGE will cost taxpayers upward of $135 billion this year in lost productivity, paid leave and the cost of carrying out the tens of thousands of firings and re-hirings. Cuts to the Internal Revenue Service leading to about 22,000 employees leaving could cost $2.4 trillion over 10 years, according to The Budget Lab, if tax noncompliance is allowed to rise unchecked. Neither of these estimates includes the substantial cost of defending DOGEs cuts in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Compare that to the $150 billion Musk said DOGE is likely to save taxpayers, down from the $2 trillion he originally promised to save. Not only is Musk vastly overinflating the money he has saved, he is not accounting for the exponentially larger waste that he is creating, Max Stier, chief executive of the Partnership for Public Service, told the New York Times. Trump continues to push forward with his assault on the federal workforce, this week issuing an executive order that would make probationary employees easier to fire. *Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the cost estimate for unemployment insurance for hourly school workers. In 2023, the Department of Employment and Economic Development estimated it would cost $135 million annually. President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2025. They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in news reporting and enhancing partnership within multilateral mechanisms. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, in Beijing on Friday. They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in news reporting and enhancing partnership within multilateral mechanisms. The two sides stressed the importance of increasing public understanding of the humanitarian cause through media reports, and agreed to deepen cooperation on programs supported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to advance the international humanitarian cause. A Minnesota fugitive on the run after being convicted in Washington County for the rape and kidnapping of his former girlfriend has died in Texas. David Powers, of New Auburn, Minnesota, didn't return to court on Monday to be cross-examined by prosecutor Scott Haldeman, with an arrest warrant issued as the trial continued, resulting in his conviction for 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and domestic assault by strangulation. The Washington County Sheriff's Office confirmed in an update on Friday that Powers died from injuries suffered when he jumped off a bridge near the San Antonio airport. Police had responded to reports of an attempted suicide in progress after drivers reported seeing someone jump from the Jones Maltsberger bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powers was injured from the jump but was able to walk alongside the highway. Police said a driver pulled over to help, but Powers pulled them out of the vehicle and assaulted them in an attempt to steal the vehicle. David PowersWashington County Jail Officers then arrived at the scene and arrested Powers. He was taken to an area hospital via ambulance, where he died from his injuries. An investigation into Powers' death remains ongoing. Powers' conviction meant a maximum sentence of 30 years for the 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct charge, 40 years for the amended kidnapping conviction and three years for the domestic assault by strangulation charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington County Attorney's Kevin Magnuson provided the following statement to Bring Me The News: We are grateful to the jury for their work on this case. I am currently evaluating what the next steps are in this criminal case. But our focus and sympathy should be with the victim, who suffered through a horrific sexual and physical assault and had the courage to testify against her assailant. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. KISSIMMEE, Fla. (WFLA) Police are searching for a 38-year-old woman who disappeared Tuesday after leaving a Dennys. According to a post on X, formerly Twitter, Carol Ann Molen was last seen at 7 p.m. at an establishment of the chain restaurant located at 2509 W. Vine Street. Credit: Kissimmee Police Department In the post, Kissimmee police also stated that Molen may be disoriented or unfamiliar with her surroundings. Anyone with information about her whereabouts should contact Kissimmee Police directly at 407-846-3333. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. DENVER (KDVR) A missing Missouri girl was found in Fort Collins, and her alleged kidnapper was arrested on sexual assault and child abuse charges, Fort Collins Police Services announced Thursday. The man, Maximilian Bondrescu, would also allegedly make the girl work for his snow removal company, and police are asking for anyone who used his company for help in the investigation. 2 facing charges connected to murder, setting body on fire and I-25 crash near Mead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Collins Police Cyber Crimes Unit on Friday received a tip from a Missouri cyber-crimes detective about a possible kidnapping investigation and that a girl missing from Missouri since December 2024 may be in Fort Collins, police said in a Thursday Facebook post. Officers learned the girl may have been at a residence in the 800 block of Warren Landing, and officers with SWAT assistance entered the home on a search warrant and found Bondrescu. He denied there was a girl in the house, but officers did find her there, police said. The importance of the work done by the Fort Collins Police Cyber Crime Unit, and similar units across the nation play a vital role in helping to keep our children safe, Fort Collins Police Assistant Chief Kristy Volesky said in a press release. Had it not been for the diligent work of these detectives, the juvenile could have continued to be victimized. Our investigators will now work closely with the District Attorneys Office to ensure justice for this child. Bondrescu, a registered sexual offender, was booked into the Larimer County Jail on the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Class 2 Felony 2nd Degree Kidnapping Child Class 3 Felony Sexual Assault on a Child Pattern of Abuse Class 4 Felony 2nd Degree Assault Class 5 Felony False Imprisonment Minor Locked in Room Class 1 Misdemeanor Failure to Register as a Sex Offender Incomplete Registration Class 2 Misdemeanor Child Abuse Class 2 Misdemeanor Harboring a Minor Class 2 Misdemeanor Obstructing a Peace Officer Investigators found that Bondrescu rented a vehicle to drive to Missouri where he met the girl and drove her to Colorado, police said. The victim reported he held her against her will but would also make her work for his snow removal company, FoCo Sno GO. When she would work, Bondrescu would make her wear a mask so people could not see her face. Police are asking for any customers who used this company to contact Detective David Guy at 970-416-2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said since the case involves sexual assault allegations and a juvenile, they could not release any additional information. They did not say how old the girl was or from where in Missouri she was missing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Apr. 24MITCHELL A 48-year-old Mitchell woman was sentenced Tuesday to two years of probation and a $500 fine for her role in a child abuse case that left visible bruises on multiple children. The case centers around the use of a homemade paddle and a wooden dowel rod to physically punish the children. Lori Kelly initially faced three felony charges: two counts of aiding and abetting child abuse, both Class 4 felonies, and one count of aiding and abetting abuse or cruelty to a minor under the age of 7, a Class 3 felony. Those charges were later reduced to three counts of being an accessory to a felony, a lesser Class 5 felony. As part of a plea agreement, two of the charges were dismissed. The case was brought to light following a report from a Child Protection caseworker with the South Dakota Department of Social Services. The worker had received a referral regarding suspicious injuries observed on two children in Kelly's care. According to the report, two children, along with a third child in Kelly's care, had visible bruising and told authorities that Donald Shepard, 44, a friend of Kelly, had spanked them using a homemade paddle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interviews conducted at Child's Voice, a child advocacy center, revealed that the three children were allegedly spanked multiple times by Shepard using a variety of objects, including a wooden dowel rod and the homemade paddle. The incidents reportedly occurred both at Shepard's home and at Kelly's residence. Although Kelly was not accused of administering physical punishment herself, she admitted to witnessing and being aware of Shepard's actions. She told investigators that she knew Shepard had used the paddle at his home and that he had spanked all three children with a dowel rod while at her residence about a month prior to the report. Kelly also acknowledged taking steps to cover up the incident. After learning of the investigation, she went to Shepard's home, retrieved the homemade paddle and discarded it in a dumpster at a local trailer park. Authorities later recovered the paddle as part of their investigation. Shepard has been charged with two counts of child abuse, Class 4 felonies, and one count of abuse or cruelty to a minor under 7 years old, a Class 3 felony. He pleaded not guilty in January and is scheduled to stand trial in June. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A mobile Secretary of State office is opening to make the upcoming federal REAL ID requirements more accessible for West Michigan residents. Kent County announced the office, which is in partnership with the Michigan Secretary of State, in a release. REAL ID: What is it, and why do you need one in May? The temporary site is located at the clerks office, on the first floor at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, between Michigan Street NW and Ottawa Avenue NW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 7, drivers licenses and state ID cards will have to be compliant with REAL ID to travel on domestic flights, visit a military base, visit certain federal facilities or a nuclear power plant. The clerks office and the mobile office do not require an appointment. Residents will need the following to receive REAL ID. Your current Michigan drivers license or state ID card One of the following original documents or certified copies to prove legal presence (faxes or photocopies will NOT be accepted): Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal (available at the Kent County Clerks Office for those born in Kent County) Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization Permanent Resident Card And other acceptable documents listed at Michigan.gov/REALID. Deadline for Real ID less than a month away Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release says that enhanced Michigan drivers licenses or IDs are already compliant with REAL ID. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Rudy Noorlander waited to tell his story until he had his voice back. More than a year and a half after he was mauled by a grizzly bear, Noorlander shared his account of the attack with his newly reconstructed jaw at the University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City. He had previously refused to discuss the attack publicly because he wanted to be able to share it himself. On Sept. 8, 2023, in Big Sky, Montana, Noorlander said he was hiking through the trees to meet up with a father and son who needed help tracking a deer they had wounded when hunting the day before. As he is a good tracker, he volunteered to join them in the search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While hiking to a meeting spot, Noorlander spotted a small bear, which quickly ran away, prompting him to pull out his gun. He then met up with the father and son and began moving toward some crows circling above in search of the deer. Thats when he was suddenly attacked. Rudy Noorlander rescued after surviving a bear attack. (Credit: Rudy Noorlander via University of Utah Health) Rudy Noorlander rescued after surviving a bear attack. (Credit: Rudy Noorlander via University of Utah Health) Rudy Noorlander arrives at the hospital after surviving a bear attack. (Credit: Rudy Noorlander via University of Utah Health) We got a ways down the hill and I stepped over a log, looked over to see where Jordan was, and there the bear was coming at me, he said. Noorlander said he shot toward the bear, but his gun misfired, leaving him with his backup plan of punching the bear in the nose. He said he remembers his fist was the same size as [the bears] nose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next thing I remember was he had me by the jaw, and I think he picked me up off the ground and then he clamped down and I could feel my jaw break. I dont remember any sound, Noorlander said. I dont remember George yelling I dont remember the bear growl, I dont remember hearing the bear running at me, I just remember hearing the crunch. He said the bear stepped on his chest and bit his leg. His friends said they were unable to shoot the bear because it was shaking [him] around like a rag doll and they didnt want to accidentally shoot him. Eventually, they were able to chase the bear away. Im glad that it happened to me because if I hadnt been there, the father wouldve been the closest to the bear And I just dont know that the son would have been enough to chase the bear away, he said. It took rescuers two hours to get to them, and Noorlander said he was conscious the whole time. He was eventually transported to the U of U Health facility, where doctors worked with him for more than a year to reconstruct his jaw. He was able to go home to Montana during that time and work, but returned late last year to get another surgery done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knew my jaw was gone So I knew there wasnt much there to work with, and I just think they did an amazing job, Noorlander said. Rudy Noorlander after medical professionals reconstructed his jaw. He was attacked by a grizzly bear in September 2023. (Credit: Rudy Noorlanders family via University of Utah Health) Rudy Noorlanders reconstructed jaw. (Credit: Rudy Noorlanders family via University of Utah Health) Rudy Noorlanders reconstructed jaw. (Credit: Rudy Noorlanders family via University of Utah Health) Rudy Noorlander after medical professionals reconstructed his jaw. He was attacked by a grizzly bear in September 2023. (Credit: Rudy Noorlanders family via University of Utah Health) Rudy Noorlanders reconstructed jaw. (Credit: Rudy Noorlanders family via University of Utah Health) Health officials said at the Friday conference that he didnt have teeth for over a year. Different specialists spoke on how they reconstructed the missing part of the bone, worked to contour the skin, added tooth implants, and constructed a lower lip, among other things. They called the process groundbreaking as they used virtual surgical planning to map it all out. I think it was two weeks ago, I ate my first piece of pizza like a normal person, Noorlander said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noorlander doesnt consider himself a hero saying he didnt do anything to protect someone else but his attitude has impacted many who have witnessed his story. The minute I met Rudy, it was very obvious that he was so willing to do whatever it takes to get through this. He had such a positive attitude, and I will say that I would find it hard for me to do that, Dr. Hilary McCrary said. It was immediately obvious that Rudy was an exceptional patient. Rudy Noorlanders reconstructed jaw. (Credit: Rudy Noorlanders family via University of Utah Health) Rudy Noorlander after healing from the bear attack. (Credit: Rudy Noorlanders family via University of Utah Health) Noorlander attributes his ability to stay positive to his religious faith and his job in outdoor adventure. While he joked that he would like to bite the bear back, he made it a point to say the bear was likely as surprised by the encounter as he was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can always look at your life or wherever youre at, and say, well, why cant this happen yet? You know, everything in your life could be better, but you could turn around and everything in your life could be worse too, 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 ABC4 Utah. As Sean Spiller campaigns for governor, his record as mayor of Montclair has received scant attention. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for New Jersey Monitor/Spiller photo by Dana DiFilippo) Theres a years-old scandal involving one of our candidates for governor and no ones talking about it. Well, almost no one. State Sen. Mike Testa brought it up during a recent budget hearing with Attorney General Matt Platkin. Testa, a Cumberland County Republican, asked Platkin why his office prosecuted the former mayor of Wildwood for fraudulently obtaining town health benefits for his part-time city job New Jersey law says benefits are meant for full-time workers only yet has not filed similar charges against an ex-mayor of Montclair and current gubernatorial candidate accused of the same thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testa didnt name names, but he meant Sean Spiller, president of statewide teachers union the New Jersey Education Association. You may know him from the tens of thousands of vote-for-Spiller flyers that have been showering the state since the fall. That case never reached a criminal court, while the case in Wildwood was presented to the grand jury not once but twice, and has been pursued aggressively. Youve recused yourself from the Montclair investigation, which stopped completely dead in its tracks. Why such a disparity between those two cases? Testa asked Platkin. Platkin mostly declined to answer questions about the Montclair matter since hes recused from it Platkin lives in Montclair and deferred questions about it to the unnamed person in his office who was or is handling that investigation. Platkin said he doesnt know its status. I dont know why Spillers Democratic rivals there are six Democrats in the race to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy have not needled Spiller about this particular matter in advance of their June 10 primary. But the Montclair story is worth examining. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spiller won election as the Montclair mayor in May 2020 after serving on the towns council for two terms. The town had recently joined the State Health Benefits Program, which since 2010 has barred part-time employees from receiving health benefits. Montclairs mayor and council members are part-time employees but were given the green light to receive health benefits because a town official said they worked the requisite 35 hours a week, according to allegations raised in court by Padmaja Rao, the towns CFO. Rao alleged in a 2022 whistleblower lawsuit that an outside auditor told her Montclairs officials could not accept health benefits per state law, and when she told other town officials this, she became the victim of harassment. Spiller did not accept most of Montclairs health benefits, but he did sign up for its dental plan and take about $5,000 annually from Montclair taxpayers in exchange for not taking medical benefits, according to Raos lawyers. The $5,000 waiver is intended to encourage town employees to save taxpayers money by, say, remaining on their spouses health plan not to fatten the wallet of its already well-paid mayor. The New Jersey Education Associations IRS filings show Spillers 2022 salary was $291,289, plus $106,217 in other compensation. Like Testa, Nancy Erika Smith, Raos attorney, is curious about why the ex-Wildwood mayor was charged with a crime but no one in Montclair was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know what the excuse is, Smith said. Smith noted that Montclair elected officials, including Spiller, signed certifications swearing under oath they worked 35 hours a week so they could qualify for benefits or the $5,000 waiver. Spiller also worked 40 hours a week for the teachers union, per the unions IRS filings, meaning he was clocking 75-hour work weeks. Busy guy! During Spillers deposition in the Rao case, Smith asked Spiller how long he worked per week, but Spiller cited his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself and proceeded to plead the fifth more than 400 more times during that deposition. A portion of former Montclair Mayor Sean Spillers January 2024 deposition in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by the towns CFO. I asked Spillers campaign if he would chat with me about this. It sent a statement from Spiller trashing Testas comments to Platkin as yet another MAGA fueled diatribe in Trenton and said his assertions and those by an interested attorney have no bearing on the facts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Testas response: Thou doth protest too much.) I also asked if Spiller would move to change the law if elected governor to allow part-time public workers like elected officials to collect health benefits. They are denied benefits under a 2010 law, championed by then-Gov. Chris Christie, who said it would lower costs for taxpayers. I have always stood for, and run on, Healthcare as a right for everyone and not a privilege, Spillers statement says. With countless folks and their town and county legal counsel all over the state including Essex County working to interpret current law, we need a Governor who will fight for universal Healthcare for every New Jersey resident. And thats exactly what Ill do. Awfully slippery. The question was about part-time mayors foisting the cost of their health benefits onto taxpayers even if they have full-time jobs that could provide those benefits, and the answer was a progressive call for universal health care. Spiller would fit in well in Trenton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Peter Byron, the former Wildwood mayor, he admitted in September that he defrauded the State Health Benefits Program, among other crimes. Prosecutors with the state Attorney Generals Office recommended a three-year prison term. Rao settled her whistleblower lawsuit with Montclair last May for $1.25 million. And Spiller declined last year to seek a second term as Montclairs mayor. An earlier version of this story said Peter Byron is a Republican. He is a Democrat. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX More than 2,000 Confederate symbols are still standing in public spaces across the U.S., according to a report released Thursday by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Of those symbols, 685 are Confederate monuments, the nonprofit legal advocacy group based in Montgomery, Alabama, said. The remaining symbols are a mixture of government buildings, plaques, markers, schools, parks, counties, cities, military property, and streets and highways named after anyone associated with the Confederacy, the report said. Americans remain divided on how to preserve the Confederate legacy. More than 50% of Americans support preserving the history of the Confederacy, a 2024 survey from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute poll found, views virtually unchanged from a survey conducted two years prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the poll, 81% of Republicans support preserving Confederate monuments, compared to 30% of Democrats. 58% of White Americans, 55% of multiracial Americans and 55% of Hispanic Americans support preserving them, compared to just 25% of Black Americans. Meanwhile, less than 50% of Gen Zers support efforts to preserve the legacy and history of the Confederacy. The numbers show a highly polarized divide along lines of race and party. The fourth edition of the Southern Poverty Law Center's report detailed the challenges that researchers called the "politics of Civil War memory," citing recent name changes of two military bases as a setback that illustrates the "challenges of continuing the work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As the Trump administration escalates its efforts to rewrite our history, we cannot let up in telling the whole, true story of our nation," Margaret Huang, president and CEO of SPLC, said in a statement. Fort Bragg and Fort Benning were two of nine bases for which the Naming Commission a commission mandated by Congress to rename bases honoring Confederates suggested new names. In February 2025, as one of his first acts, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth changed Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, reversing a decision made by a congressionally mandated commission to rename bases that honor Confederate generals. Instead of renaming the base after Gen. Braxton Bragg, who fought for the Confederacy, because bipartisan legislation prevented Hegseth from choosing a Confederate name, he chose to honor Pvc. Roland L. Bragg, who was awarded a Silver Star for actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegeseth posted on social media, "Bragg is back!" after signing the memorandum. Weeks later, Hegeseth announced Fort Moore, formerly named Fort Benning for a Confederate general, will again be named Fort Benning. This time around, however, the fort will now honor a different Benning Cpl. Fred G. Benning, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action during World War I, when he served in the U.S. Army in France in 1918. The base was originally named after Lt. Gen. Henry Benning, a Confederate general and Southern secessionist who opposed freeing slaves. The report also noted what it described as "setbacks" in the renaming of two public schools in Shenandoah County, Virginia, to Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School, honoring Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson, Turner Ashby and Robert E. Lee. A local teacher resigned over the restoration of the names, and some families are considering leaving as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This might not be the community for us any longer," one parent told Southern Poverty Law Center researchers. Also detailed were what researchers called victories to remove Confederate monuments citing Arlington National Cemetery's removal in December 2023 of its Confederate memorial, overcoming a lawsuit that attempted to block it. "We should not honor those who fought to continue slavery and tear apart our democracy," Huang said. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates NIH | Sunday on 60 Minutes by Xinhua writer Tian Ye ALGIERS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At the new headquarters of Algeria's Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning and the City, 26-year-old Huang Shijie guided us through the project being built by her company. In downtown Algiers, final touches are underway at the complex, which is expected to be handed over to the Algerian side in about four months. Workers were meticulously cleaning the intricately patterned floors, while engineers were moving between floors, fine-tuning various equipment. The exterior of the building has been fully completed, and most of the interior facilities are ready for use. "We have introduced advanced Chinese technology and equipment to build modern smart offices in this building. The access control system, air conditioning system and other facilities were all imported from China," Huang said in the spacious auditorium on the first floor of the main tower. Built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC) Algeria, the grand project consists of a 26-story tower, two nine-story podium buildings and a six-story conference building. The tower is designed with an "H" shape, with blue glass walls installed on the top and sides to bring in natural light. The gray tower stands tall, while the podium buildings on either side are adorned with golden decorative patterns. Rising from downtown Algiers -- where whitewashed buildings dominate the landscape -- the complex stands like a modern lighthouse on the Mediterranean coast. From a distance, it echoes the silhouettes of the Maqam Echahid, a monument to the Algerian War of Independence, and the Great Mosque of Algiers, the world's third largest of its kind. Together, they outline the skyline of this North African coastal city. The complex, the mosque, and the Houari Boumediene Airport, located not far from the city center, were all built by Chinese companies -- standing as vivid testaments to the enduring friendship and close cooperation between China and Algeria. "The seismic-resistant technology introduced by the Chinese company can withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 8 -- this is the first time such advanced technology has been applied in Algeria," said 33-year-old Algerian engineer Shakidib Walid Hamza at the project command center next to the complex. Hamza joined CSCEC Algeria six years ago. Before that, he had worked for an Algerian construction company and a Canadian firm. Since joining the Chinese company, he has been promoted twice due to his outstanding performance, with his salary increasing accordingly -- by 15 percent after the first promotion and by 10 percent after the second. The sturdy young man gets along effortlessly with his Chinese colleagues. To facilitate communication on site, he has picked up quite a few Chinese terms related to construction and one of his favorite Chinese foods. "Gang Jin (rebar), Shui Ni (concrete) and Jiao Zi (dumpling) ..." he recited fluently. Speaking about Chinese products, he showed us his Xiaomi smartphone and proudly mentioned that he had purchased a Great Wall car. Working at a Chinese company also comes with its challenges. "Pressure!" he said, half-joking, half-serious. "Efficiency is one of the strengths of Chinese companies. My Chinese colleagues have very high standards when it comes to project progress and quality." In Algeria, Chinese companies have not only built skyscrapers and modern airports but also extended their cooperation with the Algerian side to other areas. As the cooperation between the two countries deepens, Chinese companies bring cutting-edge technology and extensive expertise, injecting powerful momentum into local development. "Ten to 15 years ago, Chinese companies were mainly involved in building welfare housing and road projects. Today, their work has expanded to include new energy projects, data centers, railway electrification and communication projects, as well as new buildings like the Housing Ministry's new headquarters," said Geng Daojin, general manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Algeria, who has spent most of his career working on projects across Africa. Chen Shaozhen, deputy general manager of CCECC Algeria, has witnessed the deepening and upgrading of China-Algeria cooperation. "In recent years, China and Algeria have joined hands in areas such as railway construction, digital transformation and smart applications," he said. When discussing the reasons behind the fruitful outcomes of China-Algeria cooperation, Chen said that "Chinese companies have always adhered to the concept of high-quality development. It is this relentless pursuit of quality that has earned us widespread praise and recognition from the local community." The thriving cooperation between China and African countries, including Algeria, is inseparable from the dedication and contributions of countless Chinese professionals like Geng and Chen. They have devoted years, even decades, to local development, continuously driving forward cooperation between China and African countries, including Algeria, across various fields. During my visit to Algeria, the Algeria-China Business Forum on Investment was being held at the International Conference Center (CIC) in Algiers. This conference center, also the work of a Chinese company, has now become an important place witnessing the expanding cooperation between the two countries. In the conference hall packed with about 600 attendees, an official from the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency introduced the government's investment incentive policies to the audience, sparking great interest among Chinese entrepreneurs and investors. Eager to seize the investment opportunities, they frequently stood up to take photos and capture the details of the slide presentations. Addressing the forum, Algerian Minister of Industry Sifi Ghrieb said cooperation between Algeria and China in various sectors had "reached a satisfactory level and achieved win-win results" since 2014, the year when the bilateral relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He emphasized that through joint efforts and ongoing dialogue, Algeria hopes to continue deepening economic and trade cooperation with the Chinese side. During the event, Chinese and Algerian businesses signed agreements for eight investment projects in Algeria, with a preliminary investment exceeding 2 billion U.S. dollars. Carlo Mauri, the Algeria project supervisor of China's Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co. Ltd., was invited to attend the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the company and a local Algerian enterprise. "Our cooperation is a great start," he said with confidence. AUSTIN (KXAN) More than 30,000 undocumented people sought medical care in Texas in November 2024 about 2.5% of all patients after an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott directed hospitals to start collecting data on patients immigration status. Abbott signed Executive Order No. GA-46 on Aug. 8, 2024. The order directed hospitals to start collecting information regarding patients who are not lawfully present in the United States, beginning Nov. 1, 2024, including the number of patients and the cost of care provided to those patients. Data released by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Friday shows of the more than 1.2 million emergency department patients and hospital inpatients across Texas in November, 30,265 self-identified as being in the country unlawfully, 2.47% of the total. Almost 1 million patients said they were either a U.S. citizen or in the country lawfully, 81.56% of the statewide total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While hospitals in Texas are required to ask each patient their immigration status, patients are not required to answer. About 195,000 patients 15.96% did not answer the question. The cost of care provided in November to patients reported as undocumented totaled $118,521,065.08, according to the HHSC data. The numbers are slightly lower than those initially reported by HHSC in a Friday morning press release. KXANs analysis of the data shows some hospitals also reported patient totals and associated costs for September and October 2024, and it appears HHSC inadvertently included those numbers when reporting the totals for November. KXAN also found data from one of the hospitals was duplicated in the state totals. KXAN reached out to HHSC after the data release. A spokesperson said they could not accommodate our request for an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Texas has reliable data on the dramatic financial impact that illegal immigration is having on our hospital system, said Andrew Mahaleris, Abbotts spokesperson, adding that undocumented immigrants have been straining the Texas hospital system. The governor said the executive order was in response to then-President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris open border policies which his office explained brought in more than 11 million people illegally. Because of President Trumps swift action in securing the southern border, illegal crossings have dropped to record lows. Texas is hopeful that his efforts to remove those who entered unlawfully may also cause these healthcare costs to decline, Mahaleris explained in a statement to KXAN investigators. Hospitals are required to inform patients that responding to the question will not affect their care. Still, immigrant advocate groups are concerned about the executive orders impact. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas previously told KXAN it was worried the order would discourage undocumented Texans from seeking necessary medical care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This order should not impact anybodys access to care period, David Donatti, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Texas, said. Whether you are native-born, a U.S. citizen, an immigrant, whatever your status should be, you should be able to access the healthcare that you need, and the facility should not have the ability to block you from receiving that kind of care. That is crystal clear as a matter of federal law. The Texas Hospital Association (THA) said hospitals have complied with the executive order by meeting deadlines and working with the state on clarifications along the way. The fact that hospitals are required to collect this data should not be a deterrent for people in need of care. Hospitals remain open and ready to serve Texans acute care needs, said Carrie Williams, chief communications officer with THA. With 24/7 life-saving care, hospitals are required by law to treat anyone who comes through the door, regardless of ability to pay, regardless of their demographics. A similar law in Florida requires hospitals in that state to collect the same information. Data released by Floridas Agency for Health Care Administration shows that in 2024, only 0.76% of patients self-identified as undocumented, while 92.5% said they were either a U.S. citizen or in the country lawfully. About 6.7% of patients declined to answer the question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation at 17% more than double the national average. Five million Texans had no insurance as of 2022, THA reported. In 2023, hospitals provided more than $8.1 billion in charity care for uninsured people, with more than $3 billion not reimbursed. Most uninsured Texans are citizens, however. While 1.6 million undocumented immigrants live in Texas, they go to the hospital at lower rates than U.S. citizens and make up a minority of the uninsured cost burden on state hospitals, the Texas Tribune reported. Hospitals are required to report the data to HHSC each quarter, and the first set of data was due by March 1, 2025. As part of the executive order, the data will be reported annually, beginning next year, to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. KXAN Investigator Arezow Doost contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) It has been nearly four years since Governor Kay Ivey signed a measure legalizing medical cannabis in Alabama, but medical cannabis is still not available in Alabama. The cannabis business license selection process, overseen by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, was marked by scoring errors and revotes, and when the final awards were announced, lawsuits followed. Youll hear it directly from me: Despite reports, Tuberville remains non-committal regarding run for governor This week, a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge issued an order Monday that freezes awards of integrated facility licenses, which cover every step of the medical cannabis process. The courts ruling found the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commissions use of an emergency rule to issue licenses was invalid and its actions other than declaring an emergency were not consistent with a declared emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission was sharply critical of the courts order. The circuit court entered injunctions that have completely stalled the Commissions licensing process for the past 16 months, the AMCC said. Now that the appellate court has thrown out those injunctions, the circuit court, in a ruling that could have been made at any point during that 16-month stall, has substituted its judgment for that of the Commission and declared invalid a patient-driven Commission rule that was adopted 18 months ago. News 19 spoke to parties on both sides of the ongoing debate, and despite the continued court battles, they expressed optimism there is now a path in place to get final approval for medical cannabis license approvals. Alabama executes a man who said he was guilty of rape and murder and deserved to die Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joey Robertson, the president and CEO of Wagon Trail MedServe in Cullman, said hes concerned the delays will continue to hurt Alabama patients. Robertsons company was awarded an integrated facility license, which covers everything from cultivation to dispensing. He is frustrated by the Montgomery County courts ruling. The biggest loser in this right now are the patients in Alabama, he said. They have been looking for relief, theyve been sick for years. Theyve been looking for this relief, theyve fought for this relief for years, and here we are tied up in court, unfortunately. This is not a case of whos qualified and whos not qualified at this point. The commission has picked good candidates to run this program for the state of Alabama. The problem is the people who were told no will not accept it. Will Somerville, an attorney for Alabama Always, a company challenging the commissions integrated facility licensing awards process, said the delays are due to the actions of Alabama regulators, not the lawsuits. The reason medical marijuana is not available in Alabama is the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission did not follow the law, the Administrative Procedure Act, refused to explain why it made any licensing decisions so far, which is an absolute denial of due process. Somerville said one day soon, the commission will have to hold a contested case process, during which license award winners and those seeking a license will argue their companys merits and challenge their competitors. Youve got to demonstrate you can commence cultivation within 60 days, youve got a $2 million bond, youre adequately capitalized so that you can survive for two years without having any income, he said. You would have an administrative law judge appointed, to hear all the applications, hear all the applicants on how they can satisfy the significant, substantive requirements in the Compassion Act. Robertson said hes optimistic about getting medical cannabis to patients soon Were going to go to the appellate court, this is going to be overturned shortly, the appellate court has moved quicker on a lot of these issues than they have on some others, he said. I think theyve made their case time and time again, that the process is not complete. So I would say my optimism is on level 10, that we will be able to get patients medicine this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission said it has plans to move forward. In reality, today, at least three licensed medical cannabis cultivators are growing cannabis in Alabama. The Commission, still focused on patient needs, will continue to work tirelessly to see that at least one dispensary license is issued as soon as possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks in Morgantown, W.Va., during the signage of Senate Bill 196 on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (West Virginia Office of the Gov. Patrick Morrisey | Courtesy photo) Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Thursday signed into law a bill to drastically increase criminal penalties for dealing and transporting certain types of drugs in West Virginia. Senate Bill 196 dubbed Laurens Law in honor of a Morgantown woman who died in 2020 after accidentally overdosing on drugs laced with fentanyl passed the Legislature during the last days of the 2025 regular session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill introduces mandatory minimum sentences into state code for transporting cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into West Virginia and removes alternative sentencing options like probation or home confinement for those who are jailed on those charges. It also increases sentences against those charged with manufacturing, delivering or possessing with the intent to deliver a Schedule I or II narcotic or meth from one to five years up to three to 15 years. Anyone who is charged with those crimes who has more than five grams of fentanyl, among other quantities of other drugs, could face 10 to 30 years in jail. The law uses weight requirements that can make someone delivering a drug containing any fentanyl to be charged with conspiracy. It also includes language for the crime of delivering a drug that results in someones death, with increased penalties for failing to render aid to someone who is overdosing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the bill signing on Thursday, Morrisey said he believes the law will be crucial to enhancing enforcement against drug crimes and deterring drug dealers from operating in the state. In West Virginia, we all know weve had a long and arduous history fighting substance abuse. It goes back many, many decades, and its ripped through our communities like a vengeance. Its destroyed many lives. Its laid waste to generations of West Virginia, Morrisey said. Laurens Law, we think, can be instrumental in helping our state deal with the drug epidemic. Its part of the enforcement side of the equation, and it takes direct aim at the drug dealers. But advocates for people who use drugs and people in recovery worry that the law will do more harm than good. Oftentimes, people who use drugs are also dealing them as a way to pay for their addictions. And its not uncommon for individuals to be unaware that the drugs they are using or dealing contain fentanyl, advocates told West Virginia Watch upon the passage of SB 192 in the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill, the advocates say, could open up low-level dealers to heightened penalties that will make it even more difficult for them to get help for their disease. There is no data that shows stronger drug penalties anywhere curbing overdose or fatality rates related to the drug epidemic. Instead of seeing higher criminal penalties that could have unintended consequences for people with substance use disorder, those in recovery and addiction spheres would like to see the state focus more on public health investments that are proven to lessen the impact of addiction on communities. But SB 196 was only one of a handful of bills that was passed by the Legislature this session concerning drugs or addiction. And none of the bills that did pass related to public health initiatives, treatment for addiction or support for people with substance use disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The answer [to the opioid epidemic] is in public health investment. The last few years, weve seen our state thanks to COVID federal funding make additional investments in public health resources, in getting opioid reversal drugs into the hands of people who are using and people who care about them, and weve seen the fruits of that, Sara Whitaker, the senior criminal legal policy analyst at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, told West Virginia Watch earlier this month. SB 196 has none of that, and its not going to change anything for the better. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed into law Senate Bill 50, which requires cities and towns to change their election dates to be the same day as state elections by in 2032. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) West Virginia municipalities will be required to hold their elections on the same day as statewide general or primary elections under a bill Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed this week. Senate Bill 50 requires cities and towns to change their election dates by in 2032. Morrisey signed the bill into law on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill say requiring municipalities to have their elections along with state elections will save cities and towns money on election costs and lead to higher voter turnout. According to the West Virginia Secretary of States Office, 113 municipalities across the state will have their elections in 2025, which is not a year for state elections. Both bodies of the Legislature overwhelmingly supported the measure. Different versions of the bill passed 96 to 2 in the House and unanimously in the Senate. Lawmakers ultimately approved the Senates version of the bill, which sets a deadline of 2032 for the cities to change their election days. The Houses version would have set the deadline at 2028. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX AUSTIN (KXAN) A business operated by a woman accused of forging death certificates and cutting limbs off of corpses for experiments, according to court documents, had a contract with Travis County for its indigent cremation and burial services program. The program provides services for individuals and families who cant cover the cost of a burial or cremation. Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, 50, is charged with Abuse of Corpse Without Legal Authority and Tampering with Government Records. According to online court records, she is out on bond. Police said she turned herself in to Travis County jail on April 18. Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui (Courtesy: Austin Police Department) This case involves complexities that are not immediately apparent and should not be sensationalized, said Jessica Huynh, Buis attorney on behalf of Smith and Vinson Law Firm. Our legal team remains fully committed to defending and advocating for our client with the expectation of fairness and due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mortuary owner arrested, accused of experimenting on corpses in Austin Buis arrest warrant states she did this at Capital Mortuary Services in north Austin. Online state records listed Bui as the owner. The business itself told KXAN it has no comment on the case at this time. According to state records, Bui is listed as the funeral director for Eternal Peace Funeral and Cremation Services as well. The funeral home is located at 16912 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd. The funeral homes website said it is contracted with the Travis County Burial Program to assist with direct burial or cremation services. A Travis County spokesperson said Eternal Peace Funeral and Cremation Services contract was terminated last July. (Photo: KXAN) A Travis County spokesperson said Eternal Peace Funeral and Cremation Services contract was terminated last July. (Photo: KXAN) A Travis County spokesperson said Eternal Peace Funeral and Cremation Services contract was terminated last July. (Photo: KXAN) In a statement to KXAN, the county spokesperson confirmed there was a partnership at one point, but not anymore. Travis County empathizes with the families who have allegedly been victimized by Capital Mortuary Services. No family should suffer like this during their time of grief. While Travis County did have a contract with Eternal Peace Funeral and Cremation Services, it was suspended in July 2024 and then ultimately terminated. Due to the fact that there is pending legal action between Travis County and Eternal Peace Funeral and Cremation Services, there is no additional information I can offer at this time. Hector Nieto, Travis County Spokesperson KXAN went to the funeral home, but no one was there for comment. Did something happen to our loved one? Questions linger for an Austin family after hearing the news of the charges against Bui. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman, who asked to hide her identity, said her family used Capital Mortuary Services and Eternal Peace Funeral and Cremation Services for her fathers funeral last month. Our first thought was, did something happen to our loved one? When we saw the news, we cried. It just adds another blow to the grief that were already going through. Former client of Capital Mortuary Services The woman said she had a positive experience when using their services, and was even considering pre-planning her funeral with them. They were very kind and compassionate, and to just hear about whats going on, the woman said. It was very shocking. Background of the investigation The investigation into Capital Mortuary Services stemmed from a complaint to the Texas Funeral Service Commission from a former employee who said Bui had fraudulently initiated and obtained at least 10 death certificates under his name, and that he was aware of experiments Bui would allegedly conduct on corpses arms. APDs investigation eventually revealed 128 cases where Bui used the former employees name to complete or amend death certificates, an arrest affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These experiments, according to Buis arrest affidavit, involve her injecting formaldehyde into the arms to see the effect it had over time on severed extremities. The former employee who made the complaint showed police a screenshot from a work computer in December 2023, which appeared to show Bui posting photos and updates about the project under a conversation thread titled Freedom Art Experiment. The TFSC investigator wrote in her report that once Bui was finished with the limbs she then allowed the severed body parts to be placed in the crematory retort, where the body parts in their dissected and disturbed state, would be cremated, documents said. Anatomic Pathologist Dr. Alan Rampy spoke with KXAN about the use of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a very common, regularly used fixative in embalming, as well as in other places in medicine where were trying to preserve tissues from decomposition, Rampy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rampy said the use of it is not uncommon, however there are specific rules around its uses. In order to do the type of testing that you describe, he said. There are certain regulations and authorizations that have to be met. Bui admits to experiments in affidavit Police interviewed Bui when the department executed an April 10 search warrant for Capital Mortuary. According to her arrest affidavit, she admitted to using the former employees identity to submit death certificates without his consent and further confirmed that the employee had never done a death certificate at her facility. Bui told APD she directed her employees to conduct experiments on bodies to study the effects of embalming fluid with and without formaldehyde, which included cutting heads, arms and spines from remains sent to her facility while acting in the licensed capacity as a mortuary, according to her arrest affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say Bui worked with a medical-training company, MedtoMarket, on the experiments. She guessed around 15 bodies were mutilated and subject to experimentation with the permission of MedtoMarket and was updating the company on the outcomes. Detectives interviewed the companys CEO who, according to Buis records, said they had a contractual agreement with Capital Mortuary for transport and cremation services. The CEO denied any experimental testing, but said he knew Capital Mortuary was embalming arms to see how long they could preserve them. MedtoMarket also told police the company asked Capital Mortuary to do embalming work on two arms. In a statement to KXAN, MedtoMarket said it has become aware of certain allegations related to a mortuary MedtoMarket has contracted with in performing its important work and mission. MedtoMarket will cooperate with law enforcement and state regulatory officials as part of any investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company also said it is an approved anatomical facility, which, according to the TFSCs statements in the affidavit, would potentially authorize it to perform the embalming actions Bui is accused of doing. But TFSCs executive director told police in regards to Bui performing them at Capital Mortuary it is unlawful for a commercial embalming establishment to use a dead human body for research or educational purposes. In a statement Wednesday, APD said The TFSCs administrative investigation and APDs criminal investigations remain open and ongoing. APD and the TFSC are committed to enforcing state regulations, protecting the public from predatory practices, and ensuring that decedent remains are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Texas law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Apr. 25MOSES LAKE Two Moses Lake and two Warden residents are in federal custody in connection with multiple investigations by the Moses Lake Police Department and two federal agencies into drug trafficking and firearms violations. The case also led to multiple arrests in the Yakima area, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Triston Duplichan, 29, Warden, was one of six people arraigned at the William O. Douglas U.S. Courthouse in Yakima on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duplichan was arrested Tuesday on a federal Drug Enforcement Agency warrant. Another man living at the same residence, Jose Sanchez-Cabanillas, 34, was under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of firearms. Terry Moore, 66, Moses Lake and Brooke Harden, 44, Moses Lake are in federal custody, the MLPD release said. Charges against them were not specified. Five people in addition to Duplichan were arraigned in Yakima in connection with the case, the USAO press release said. Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely said the federal and MLPD investigations were separate but were connected via an overdose death in Moses Lake on Halloween 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What started out as an investigation was done in conjunction with our federal partners," Sursely said. The MLPD Street Crimes Unit was the local lead investigator, with its officers also acting as part of a federal task force, Sursely wrote in the release. "These were separate investigations which had the common theme of illegal narcotics and firearm trafficking occurring throughout Moses Lake and rural Grant County," he said. Through their investigation MLPD detectives identified the supply chain that led to the overdose death, Sursely said. During Duplichan's arrest detectives recovered about 1.5 pounds of heroin, approximately 300 pills laced with fentanyl, about one pound of fentanyl powder and three firearms, Sursely said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In addition to the joint SCU/DEA case, SCU detectives assigned to ATF began a separate investigation into an organization operating in Moses Lake and northern Grant County which was involved in methamphetamine sales," Sursely said. Moses Lake detectives and ATF agents served search warrants at three locations and recovered about one pound of methamphetamine, two guns and about $30,000, Sursely said. Additional suspects are still being sought, Sursely said. These cases are not connected to an arrest April 18 in Grant County of a Yakima man on suspicion of possession of meth and fentanyl with intent to deliver, Sursely said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have a deconfliction system, so we don't cross paths in the middle of an investigation," he said. The Grant County Sheriff's Office Crime Reduction team, GCSO patrol deputies and INET detectives assisted in serving the search warrants, Sursely said. It gave birth to one of Earths earliest and most mysterious civilisations, halted Alexander the Great, and today sustains some of the planets most populous cities. Now the Indus river the mighty water way that carves its way through what is now Pakistan could also give us World War III. On Thursday, Indias government announced it was temporarily suspending the treaty that regulates use of the rivers waters in response to a terrorist attack that killed 26 tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the worst assault of its kind in the disputed region for many years. Pakistan warned that could be an act of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As tensions escalate, the pair have issued tit-for-tat suspensions of visas, with Pakistan halting all trade with India (including via third countries) and expelling a raft of Indian military attaches from the country. India, whose police have named three of four suspected gunmen behind the attack (two of whom are Pakistani citizens), has meanwhile shut the Attari-Wagah border between the two countries and downgraded diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has, ominously, also vowed to pursue those responsible for the attack in Kashmir to the ends of the Earth. I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer, Modi said earlier this week. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue those responsible for the attack in Kashmir to the ends of the Earth - AFP For Pakistan it is existential As the two nuclear-powered neighbours appear to lurch closer to an all-out conflict than they have in years, the Indus river is more than just a symbol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as India is concerned, since it is an upstream country, the importance of the treaty is not so great. These agreements are generally more important for downstream countries, like Pakistan. And for Pakistan, its a life and death issue, says Himanshu Thakkar, director of the Delhi-based South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People. For Pakistan it is existential. It is Pakistans lifeline actually, its agricultural and food lifeline. Thats why it is very touchy, and thats why the provisions in the treaty are very stringent. There should be no uncertainty, no loss of predictability. I mean, it is existential dependence. Thats why they have called it an act of war, he adds. India and Pakistan have battled over water ever since independence in 1947. The new state of Pakistan was centred on the Indus and would depend on it for water outside the summer monsoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the border created by partition cut right across the waterway and five of its main tributaries. It also split the elaborate canal system the British Raj built to irrigate previously barren portions of western Punjab. It is one reason the two countries immediately went to war over Kashmir, the mountainous territory through which the Indus flows on its way from China, and where one of its main tributaries rises. It also explains why the conflict has continued to this day, says Dr Chietigj Bajpaee, a senior research fellow for South Asia in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House. Securing the headwaters of the Indus became critical. In 1960, after years of tense negotiations brokered by the World Bank, the The Indus Waters Treaty came into force. The deal handed India full rights to the use of the three eastern tributaries (the rivers Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej), but guaranteed Pakistan flow from the Indus itself and its two western tributaries the Jhelum and Chenab which account for most of its water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through a number of wars, one nuclear arms race, and numerous skirmishes, Indian and Pakistani delegations continued to meet every year to review water levels, exchange data on rainfall and river flow, and consult on dispute resolution. In the small world of water diplomacy, the Indus treaty has long been held up as a pillar of stability, says David Michel, a senior fellow at the centre for strategic and international studies who in 2012 drafted a review of potential water conflicts for the US intelligence community. It is more of a divorce settlement than a cooperation agreement, literally dividing the basin in half, he notes, and it is not not flexible or suited to new challenges of climate change it doesnt address ground water, or water quality, or glacial melt or things like that but it survived two wars and numerous smaller conflicts. Taking it away India has been allowed to build some dams and take some water from the upstream sections, but only under strict conditions and in coordination with Pakistan. It froze one project in 1987 because of Pakistani objections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Modis government has had the deal in his sights for some time. After a terrorist attack against Indian soldiers in Kashmir in 2016, Modi declared that blood and water cant flow together at the same time. He reiterated the threat after another attack in 2019. In 2023, New Delhi said it would like to renegotiate the treaty. Then, in August last year, India wrote to Pakistan saying it would suspend the annual meetings of the Indus water commission. It is testament to the success of the treaty that even this step is incremental: having frozen the treaty, there is no button for prime minister Modi to press that actually would reduce the flow of water to Pakistan. No such infrastructure exists. Building it now could take a decade of construction work. But there are other ruses. Ignoring the treatys rules about silt flushing the practice of clearing out existing Indian dams by opening the sluices could be used to wreak havoc downstream in the short term, says Thakkar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope India doesnt intend to really interfere in a big way with the flow of water going into Pakistan, he says. But we dont know. There has been a build up to this from 2016, which has led to this situation. Unprecedented escalation While India and Pakistan have always been at loggerheads, Prime Minister Modis decision to suspend the treaty marks an unprecedented escalation. Over the decades, the water treaty became one part of a complex network of written and unwritten understandings that regulated relations. The 1972 Simla agreement formally froze the line of contact in Kashmir where the two sides had stopped fighting following the Indo-Pakistan War, which raged a year earlier and resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. Activists in Kashmir shout slogans as they burn pictures of Indian leaders, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir - AFP The two armies, while regularly shelling one another, established hotlines. Generals would invite one another across the frontline to go duck shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Telegraph visited the contact line in 2019, a Pakistani officer explained that we were in view of Indian snipers who had only recently opened fire but predicted with confidence there would be no fighting that day. If you look over there, you will see they have visitors too today. Sure enough, on the other side of no-mans land, a small group of what were presumably Indian journalists could be seen peering curiously in our direction. This level of coordination should not be romanticised. The grim logic of nuclear deterrence India got the bomb in 1974, Pakistan in 1998 has been at least as important as the water treaty in dampening the desire for full scale confrontation. But on the whole, the conflict has been relatively well regulated. The fear now is that all those safeguards could come tumbling down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve been at it for such a long time, and there are certain rules of engagement. Now those rules of engagement are being questioned, says Bajpaee. Back in 1999 both countries went to war in Kashmir, but the Indian military response was so restrained they refused to send fighter aircraft across the border into Pakistan-administered Kashmir. That has all changed under the Modi government. In 2016, they carried out strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. And in 2019 they conducted air strikes in Pakistan proper. Still, he says, there are some limits notionally in place. Water is one. These are lines that, essentially, cant be crossed. Water wars When it comes to using water as a weapon of war, says Michel, the Indus has long been on the radar. But it is far from alone. The usage of water management as a tool of geopolitical leverage has been an emerging challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most infamous water conflict is in the Jordan river valley, where so much water has been syphoned off that the river is little more than a trickle by the time it reaches the Dead Sea. The Nile is another example of upstream dependency, with Sudan and especially Egypt almost entirely dependent on rains that fall on the Ethiopian highlands. In the Tigris and Euphrates system, Syria and Iraq have both accused Turkey of using its control of the headwaters to exert political pressure. At one point Turkey and Syria signed an explicit conflict-related water deal - Turkey promised to release more water to Syria if former leader Bashar al-Assad ceased backing the PKK, a Kurdish insurgent group. In the Mekong river system, meanwhile, China has been building hydroelectric infrastructure both on its own portion and in that of neighbours like Laos and Myanmar to the alarm of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. India, at large, is itself a downstream nation. The Brahmaputra river, in the countrys east, rises in China and is vulnerable to an enormous hydroelectric project planned by Beijing. The dry riverbed of the Indus River in Hyderabad, Pakistan - Reuters The parallel has not been lost on some Indian newspaper commentators, who have cautioned against setting a precedent by holding Pakistans rivers hostage. It might be best not to give China, a Pakistani ally, any ideas. Pakistan is in a spot its dams only hold about 30 days flow of the Indus. In the dry season Pakistan is heavily dependent on having managed its water resources. That is the chokehold on Pakistans economy, says Michel. So it is a point of leverage. And that is reflected around the world. It is a combustible mixture of hydrology where the water comes from with politics and trust. Look at the Rhine or the Rhone. Dynamics differ because of the trust between those countries. Until recently people would have said the same about relations between the US and Canada over the Columbia river its not the Indus or the Mekong or the Nile. But last month, Donald Trump suspended negotiations over the 61-year-old pact which governs the river including its transnational flood control, power generation and water supply. The concern is the Trump administration could use this pause in the context of larger tensions between the US and Canada as a source of leverage, says Michel. The lesson is simple. Where there is strife, water conflict soon follows. 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Its a video no mother wants to see: Their child kicked, punched, bruised and lying unconscious. For Mamie Easley, its her reality. Easley said her son was attacked by a group of kids on City Walk on April 13. She says it happened after one of the kids tried to take a piece of his clothing and he wouldnt let them. Texas mortuary owner arrested, accused of experimenting on corpses Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was disgusted, I was hurt, I was sad, I was angry. Im like why did they, what did you do? What did you do for them to do this to you?' said Easley. Easley said she was home napping at the time of the attack, unaware as her son snuck out without her permission to hang out with a friend at a festival downtown, an action she says she takes full accountability for. I made a mistake. He made a mistake. Those 20 kids made a mistake, and just because you made one bad mistake doesnt make you who you are, but at the same time its all about accountability. How can you be better if you dont stand up for what you did? said Easley. The day after the incident, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin took to Facebook to release a statement, reading in part City Walk is a public space meant for all people but children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarrant murder suspect escapes police custody from UAB Hospital CBS 42 cannot confirm where security was at the time of the incident, but signs along the City Walk indicate surveillance cameras monitored the area. Easley said she and her son have learned from the situation and she hopes an incident like this never happens to anyone else. I want them arrested and thats it, said Easley. CBS 42 reached out to the Birmingham Police Department to see if an arrest has been made, and we are still waiting to hear back. Easley said her son is doing better and shes thankful for the kids who did help stop the 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 CBS 42. CARACAS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A group of 316 Venezuelan migrants arrived here Thursday from Mexico on a flight of the state airline Conviasa. The repatriates include 174 adults as well as 142 children and adolescents, state-run Venezolana de Television reported. The report said that over 3,000 Venezuelans had returned to their home country through the so-called Return to the Homeland Plan during the first quarter of the year. Launched in 2018, the Return to the Homeland Plan is an initiative to help citizens return with government support. Venezuelan authorities have indicated that many of the migrants returning from Mexico originally came from the United States. A Mexican mother belonging to a group searching for missing relatives was murdered along with her son in a western region plagued by criminal violence, authorities said Thursday. Maria del Carmen Morales was shot late Wednesday in Jalisco state, the prosecutor's office said, adding that initial indications were that the crime was unrelated to her activism. Morales, 43, belonged to the Guerreros Buscadores collective, whose discovery of bones, shoes and clothing at a suspected Jalisco drug cartel training camp in March shocked Mexico. The cartel is led by Nemesio Ruben "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, for whom the U.S. government has offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grisly find shone a spotlight on forced recruitment and other tactics employed by criminal gangs in a country where more than 120,000 people are missing. Morales was killed when she came to the defense of her 26-year-old son Daniel Ramirez when he was attacked by two men on a motorcycle, the prosecutor's office said. Another one of her sons had gone missing last year. The prosecutor's office said there was no evidence so far linking Morales's murder to her search for missing persons. In a statement posted to social media, Guerreros Buscadores called for an "immediate and thorough investigation." Agents from the Jalisco prosecutor's office guard the Izaguirre ranch, in Teuchitlan, Jalisco, Mexico on March 20, 2025. Mexico's Attorney General, Alejandro Gertz Manero, is investigating an alleged cartel killing site and training camp in Teuchitlan, Jalisco, after state authorities failed to properly handle evidence. / Credit: Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images Civil society groups formed by relatives who denounce government inaction risk their own lives searching for remains in unmarked graves, often in areas where cartel gunmen are active. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the discovery at the ranch, other mass graves have been found in recent months in Mexico. In January, at least 56 bodies were discovered in unmarked mass graves in northern Mexico, not far from the border with the United States. A mass grave discovered in December in a suburb of Guadalajara with dozens of bags of dismembered body parts contained the remains of 24 people, authorities said. That same month, Mexican authorities said they recovered a total of 31 bodies from pits in Chiapas, a state plagued by cartel violence. Collectives searching for missing persons say that cartels and other organized crime gangs sometimes use ovens to incinerate their victims and leave no trace. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals A mother is recovering after being trapped for hours beneath a car that crashed into her Pennsylvania home. Nicole Spielman was at home taking a nap around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, when she woke up to a car on top of her, according to a crash report from state police viewed by PEOPLE and CBS affiliate WHP. The 16-year-old driver, who was not identified in the crash report, was traveling east on State Route 30 when he hit a utility pole, slid down an embankment and crashed into the north side of Spielman's home, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to causing significant damage to the house, the mother spent two hours pinned beneath the car on her stomach as first responders sought to free her. Related: Ohio Driver Causes 3-Car Crash with 'Heavy Damage' and Multiple Injuries After Allegedly Dropping His Doughnut "I was screaming for help," Spielman told WHP. "I'm not really sure if anybody could hear me in the beginning." After her rescue, which involved mechanical equipment, Spielman was flown to a trauma center at York Hospital, according to police. The car had to be extracted and towed from the home due to "disabling" damage to the front of the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: 2 Teens Among 4 Killed After Car Hits Charter Bus in Triple Car Crash on Washington Highway The driver, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained minor injuries but refused to be taken to the hospital, according to the crash report. The teen was cited for not driving within the roadway. GoFundMe Extraction of the car from Nicole Spielman's house Extraction of the car from Nicole Spielman's house 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. Spielman's older sister, Tina Keyser, started a GoFundMe to help cover rebuilding costs for the family, which includes Spielman's 7-year-old child. "The family is now without a home and needing to stay in a hotel," she wrote, noting that a number of their possessions have also been lost. Keyser did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Read the original article on People A motorcyclist was killed when he veered off the road in Ledyard late Thursday and struck a stone wall. Emergency crews responded to the area of 44 Fanning Road at 9:52 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting a motorcycle crash, according to Capt. Ken Creutz of the Ledyard Police Department. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Julian R. Lorenzo of the Oakdale section of Montville, was found at the scene where he was pronounced dead, Creutz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Ledyard police, the response at the scene included the Ledyard Fire Company, Gales Ferry Fire Company, Mashantucket Tribal Police and American Ambulance. Members of the Southeast Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit also responded to assist with the investigation. The initial investigation suggested Lorenzo was on a 2023 Harley-Davidson traveling east on Fanning Road when he veered off the roadway while negotiating a curve and struck a stone wall, according to Creutz. He was thrown from the bike and killed, Creutz said. In a statement issued Friday, Creutz said the Ledyard Police Department offers our sincere condolences to Mr. Lorenzos family members and friends. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Officer Heidi Schmidt at 860-464-6400. URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) Multiple agencies responded to an accident involving a motorcyclist in Urbana on Thursday. It happened around 5 p.m. near West University and North Busey Avenues. The Urbana Police Department said the motorcyclist was brought to a nearby hospital with injuries after the crash. At this time, the injuries sustained are believed to be non-life threatening. Another Danville school bus involved in crash; no one hurt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary information indicates that a car failed to yield to the motorcyclist. The driver of the car was issued a ticket. The eastbound lane of University was blocked to traffic from North Lincoln Avenue to North Coler Avenue until around 5:30 p.m. All lanes have been reopened 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 WCIA.com. LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A motorcyclist died in a single-vehicle crash Thursday night in Laurens County. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash occurred before 9 p.m. on Hellams Road near Williams Road in Gray Court. Troopers said a 2000 Honda motorcycle was traveling south when it went off the right side of the road and hit a tree. The motorcyclist died at the scene, troopers said. The Laurens County Coroners Office has identified the motorcyclist as 23-year-old James Carey Lee Brown, of Gray Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash remains under investigation by the SCHP. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A mountain fire is burning in Franklin County as firefighters in Cumberland County battle two massive wildfires. According to the Franklin Fire Company, the Franklin County fire is located in the area of Timmons Road in Fannett Township. Thompson Hollow wildfire fire in Michaux State Forest burning 750 acres The fire company says the Timmons Mountain roadways have been closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some residents in Cumberland County were asked to evacuate due to the nearly 1,000 acres burning in Michaux State Forest. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. People in Atlanta continue to mourn the life of Pope Francis, after he passed away on Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A crowd filled Christ the King Cathedral on Thursday for a mass for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The service brings together people from all different backgrounds and even religions, with local rabis and Islamic leaders among the congregation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in attendance, like Deacon Lenny Alexander, reflected on how Pope Francis embodied a message of unity. He was welcoming to all people, all races, all colorshe was a man open to the people of the world, said Deacon Alexander. Others in attendance were Amanda Acevedo, who shared how Pope Francis gave them hope for a better future. As the years go by, times are getting harder. And people are judgmental at times, and I think that he was helping people get past that, explained Acevedo. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley Morris, Director of the Black Catholic Affairs of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, spoke to the significance that the Peoples Pope played within the African American community. We have about 70,000 or 60,000 African American Catholics who call the Archdiocese of Atlanta home. The individuals in the communities that I serve tend to really like Pope Francis because he was definitely very concerned about meeting the needs of people, said Morris. Archbishop of Atlanta, Gregory John Hartmeyer, whos been traveling since Monday, said that hes been stopped by dozens of people expressing their love and support for the Pope. He says hope will never disappoint. Its a living legacy that the Pope leaves us, said Archbishop Hartmeyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Popes funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Vatican City time on Saturday (4 a.m. local time). Over 200,000 people are expected to attend the service in Italy. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Whatever cruelness you might assign to the month, Dea Kulumbegashvilis April probably has it beat. Kulumbegashvilis shattering, sensational film is set in a hardscrabble, provincial region of Georgia, the Eastern European country. Nina (Ia Sukhitashvili) is the leading obstetrician at the local hospital and she leads a punishing life. In the films opening scenes, she delivers a baby Kulumbegashvili films it from overhead who doesnt cry once born. Sterile hallways and men demanding answers follow the stillbirth and the fleshy, bloody images of the operating room. Though Nina has done thousands of deliveries, the father calls for a police investigation. Left alone with Nina, he tells her he knows she gives abortions in the village. He calls her a murderer and spits on her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nina experiences the moment with horror and silence, a pervading register in April. Kulumbegashvils film is formally composed and rigorously opaque, but it churns with an underlying, aching despair. Abortion legal but fraught in Georgia is central to April. But Ninas predicament and loneliness stem from something even deeper. Again and again, April places its solitary female protagonist in scenes where every gesture professional or intimate is treated as lesser, an imbalance thats violently and brutally impressed upon Nina. In April, where Nina traverses a harsh, isolating landscape, the most resonate, disquieting sounds are the soft, sad murmurs of the deaf-mute teen (Roza Kancheishvili) for whom Nina performs a kitchen table abortion. Its a procedure, shot statically from the side with only half of her visible, necessitated by a mysterious rape. The girls mother has no answers. In April, even howls of pain go unuttered, and only the storm cloud skies cry. April confirms Kulumbegashvili as among the most essential and uncompromising European filmmakers, extending the promise of her 2020 debut Beginning, about the wife of a Jehovahs Witness leader. A prize-winner at last falls Venice Film Festival, April could be accused of leaning too much into an austere, art-film obliqueness. But Kulumbegashvilis absolute control over the camera and the intensity of her calling make her film a grimly spellbinding and unforgettable experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nina says little through the course of April, but when she does, its powerful. Being on the front lines of treating women in a place where their freedom is so restricted has brought Nina closer to desperation. When the investigation proceeds, she flatly tells her boss, Other than my job, I have nothing to lose. Sukhitashvilis deft performance is most expressive in her yearning eyes. Cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan, trading objective and subjective perspectives, toggles between images of Nina alone driving at night, looking for a sexual partner or crowded by men. When she explains the stillbirth circumstances, we see her view: three men, sitting in judgment. Mixed throughout are separate, unexplained scenes of a faceless, humanlike figure with drooping, unformed bags of skin. We see her slowly shifting from one foot to the other, and hear her breathing heavily. Who is this? Is it a malformed expression of Ninas tortured soul? Is it some adult fetus whose plight, in contrast to the unborn, has no sympathizers? These are some of the questions that this haunting film leave you to ponder. April, a Metrograph Pictures release, is unrated by the Motion Picture Association. In Georgian, with English subtitles. Running time: 134 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis Police are calling on the community to utilize a crime-fighting tool that may help solve criminal cases. The Memphis Police Department is encouraging the city to use its public safety program, Connect Memphis. Business owners or homeowners can register or integrate their security cameras with the Memphis Police Department. If a business wants to share their parking lot cameras or their outdoor cameras near their front doors, we would love to have it, because we do have problems at times with our business burglaries, car break-ins, and auto thefts, and other things, said Joe Oakley, deputy chief of Information Systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New MPD command center opens downtown There are currently more than 10,000 security cameras registered with the program and nearly 1,700 integrated cameras. Integrated cameras give Memphis Police access to your cameras in emergencies, while registered cameras only allow investigators to request your videos. Oakley says Connect Memphis is resourceful in crime-solving and prevention. An event on Mud Island where someone was trying to abduct children, well, we went on Mud Island and we found that numerous people had Ring doorbell cameras, so we got their footage and we were able to identify the car and the suspect, Oakley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Camera registration is free, while there are costs for integration; however, grants are available. City leaders say the goal is to solve crimes quickly and make the community safer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MSU ends affirmative action in hiring practices LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan State University has changed its hiring policies to reflect orders from the federal government to slash affirmative action efforts in its employment practices. On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump rescinded a 1965 order from the Johnson administration requiring federal contractors and institutions that receive federal funds to implement affirmative action in their hiring and employment practices. Now, under federal directive, universities like MSU must put an end to the practice and comply with anti-discrimination law at risk of losing federal funding. In 2024, MSU received $528 million in federal grants and contract revenue, according to an audited financial statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the order was rescinded, MSU, being a federal contractor, would take steps to ensure everyone was considered for employment without regard to protected categories such as race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The university would collect demographic data on its workforce and compare it to the demographics of the market. When needed, university recruiters would then create goals based on these protected categories. According to the universitys human resources page, these goals did not require selecting applicants based on a protected categorywhich is illegal. Instead, these goals motivated discussions on how to attract candidates in protected groups and diversify their applicant pools. Affirmative action hiring is illegal in Michigan, with an amendment being added to the states Constitution in 2006 prohibiting the practicewith an exception for those that receive federal funding due to the now-revoked Johnson-era order. Now that the order has been rescinded, the practice is unilaterally prohibited in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they are no longer practicing affirmative action, the university says it will still attempt to diversify applicant pools. MSU is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. Part of that includes ensuring MSU is casting a wide and inclusive net in its recruiting efforts, reads the universitys Human Resources page. MSU will continue to do this. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. CAIRO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met here with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and addressing pressing regional issues. According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency, the discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in key sectors, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment fields. The meeting also discussed the anti-illegal immigration cooperation and the need to support Egypt in this regard, the statement said. The two sides also touched on the situation in the Gaza Strip. Egypt reiterated its commitment to brokering a ceasefire, facilitating the exchange of hostages and detainees, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. In the statement, Cairo firmly rejected the displacement of Palestinians or any attempts to dissolve the Palestinian cause. For his part, Tajani expressed Italy's appreciation for Egypt's mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed his country's support for the early recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza proposed by Egypt, which has garnered broad backing from Arab and Islamic nations. In addition, the two sides touched on developments in Syria, Libya, and Sudan, maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. Egypt reaffirmed its dedication to the stability, sovereignty, and unity of regional neighbors. Tajani praised Egypt's tremendous efforts to restore regional stability and highlighted his country's commitment to continuous consultation and coordination with Egypt over issues of mutual concern. CONWAY, Ark. In the 11 days since a mass shooting happened in Conway, many people still have a lot of questions, including those that live near 5th Avenue Park. Many residents are saying that there was a gathering held on Saturday night before the April 13 mass shooting, and despite multiple calls to the police nothing was done. Several calls heard by KARK 4 News confirmed that residents called regarding gunshots on 3rd Avenue and near 5th Avenue Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its gunshots happening over here on 3rd avenue and right here near the park, one caller said. I was just running anywhere, Witnesses describe chaos of Conway shooting that left 2 dead, 9 injured Conway police told all callers that they were already on the scene. We have several officers there and more in route, a dispatcher said. Residents said they didnt see the police and the party at 5th Avenue Park continued. Less than 24 hours later, the unthinkable happened. Police later confirmed that two people died and nine more were injured. Conway police identify victims in Sunday deadly park shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the Conway Police Department held a press conference two days after the tragedy, prompting questions from residents and Conway Police Chief Chris Harris. Why it was not shut down. I understand that theres questions and I have questions, Harris said. We have to find out what calls they were and what actions were taken by the officers. Following these calls the group Arkansas Stop the Violence began making calls to Conway police asking that they offer a reward to the community to help find the suspects in the shooting. Im mad, Im angry, Im hurt, Vigil held in honor of those killed in Conway mass shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rev. Benny Johnson, founder and president of the organization, said he hasnt heard back from police regarding his request but wants something to be done to bring grieving families justice. I say all the time, sometimes the police department have different pieces of puzzle, but they need help from the community to put the other pieces together where they can connect it all together and get these people off the streets, Johnson said. Johnson said hes hoping Conway police will begin working with him and people from the community to bring closure to this tragedy. He also says that if he does not get a response from Conway police that he will begin raising money for the reward with other organizations. 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. Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been spearheading a multi-million dollar communications project at the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency that regulates the nations air travel, and employees roped into it have been forced to sign non-disclosure agreements, sources with knowledge of the situation say. The situation fits into some broader patterns: Musk and DOGE have expressed significant influence over what happens at the FAA, which regulates Musks space company SpaceX. And as GovExec reported Thursday, Donald Trumps administration has required employees involved with the Veterans Affairs Departments plans to fire tens of thousands of workers to sign NDAs. The worlds richest man and DOGE have overseen mass firings and purges across the government, including at the FAA. At the same time, Musk has offered SpaceXs services to the agency, providing thousands of terminals from its satellite internet business, Starlink. Two months ago, The Washington Post reported that Starlink was jockeying to replace Verizon on a $2.4 billion contract with the FAA to upgrade its systems for managing Americas airspace. Rolling Stone reported last month that FAA officials had recently ordered staffers to find tens of millions of dollars for a Starlink deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A watchdog group, the Campaign Legal Center, last month requested that the Department of Transportations inspector general investigate whether Starlinks business transactions with the FAA violate conflict of interest rules, given Musks role with the administration. The public has a right to know that their tax dollars are being spent in the publics best interest and not to benefit a government employees companies. That is why Musk, while he remains a special government employee is required to comply with the criminal conflict of interest law, Delaney Marsco, the Campaign Legal Centers ethics director, tells Rolling Stone. He cannot legally participate in contracts or similar matters that affect his financial interests in Starlink or SpaceX. To the extent Musk is directing subordinates or working on [a] project himself, any attempt by him to get government business for his companies raises serious ethics concerns. Starlink has denied wanting to replace Verizon on the $2.4 billion contract. But recently, DOGE staffers who now work at the FAA have been directing FAA funds to a new initiative called Project Lift, and employees involved have been made to sign NDAs to keep the details under wraps, according to three sources familiar with the situation. (All sources for this story were granted anonymity due to their fears of retaliation and so they could speak candidly about sensitive matters.) Project Lift is meant to upgrade the FAAs network communications to more modern technologies, and touches on some of the same work as the Verizon project, according to one source as well as an FAA worker. The source clarifies the project is about air traffic communications. (They both say the name Project Lift was forced on the agency by DOGE.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Rolling Stone reported that FAA staffers were told to hunt for money for a Starlink deal, the source says, They switched tactics limited the pool of people who know about it and made them sign NDAs. The source adds that DOGE staffers who are now FAA employees are calling the shots. An FAA spokesperson denies this timeline, but confirmed the existence of Project Lift and the basic thrust of how sources described it to Rolling Stone. The federal employees running Project Lift are exploring a variety of solutions to modernize the FAAs telecommunications network, the spokesperson says. Current contractors are part of the discussion. The FAA did push back on the idea that DOGE is driving Project Lift. DOGE is not spearheading anything at the FAA, nor are there any DOGE employees at FAA, the agency spokesperson says. Project Lift was conceived and is managed by federal employees. Speaking about the NDAs, the FAA spokesperson says: Employees routinely sign non-disclosure agreements to avoid conflicts of interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear what company or companies are benefiting from the project, which has not been publicly announced. Only a few [staffers] know the exact details due to the NDAs, the source says, adding that people just know DOGE is involved and anything with this project is the highest priority. The billion-dollar question is: Who is getting the funding to consolidate these programs, why the secrecy, and why is DOGE all over it? they say. Hedging your bets, says the FAA worker, Project Lift could be an opportunity for Starlink to add itself to the portfolio of network communications for the FAA. They say theres no guarantee thats going to happen at least as of now. The FAA worker offers another potential reason for DOGEs involvement in the project, and its accelerated timeline: Amid a series of troubling air safety incidents and accidents and public outcry about DOGEs chaotic cuts the DOGE team wants a win that they can sell people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other people with knowledge of the matter say that though details remain murky, it is widely assumed internally that this project could be a perfect vehicle for embedding Musks Starlink within the FAAs operations should the administration decide to shove more money into the Trump advisers business empire. Responding to the idea that Project Lift could be an opportunity for Starlink, the FAA spokesperson says: To update our telecommunications system, it will require multiple companies and multiple technologies this is not a one-technology solution. That is why we are testing not only satellites, but also fiber and wireless to ensure the safety of the national airspace system. Some FAA personnel have been implicitly threatened with having their lives ruined by potential criminal charges from the Trump Justice Department if they blab about Project Lift, according to a person familiar with the situation. Recently, when one FAA staffer was warned about leaking by a Musk-aligned superior, the staffer found the threat of prosecution laughable, given that none of the information they were aware of sounded classified, the person familiar with the situation adds. Responding to the claims that FAA staffers have been threatened with criminal charges if they share details about Project Lift, the spokesperson only says, As with any non-disclosure agreement across the federal government, employees must follow the rules of the agreement to ensure there is no conflict of interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The level of secrecy from Musk and Trump allies about Project Lift has raised alarm within the FAA, which the second Trump administration hasnt spared from its three-month campaign of fear, purging, loyalty pledges, and brazen corruption and abuses. Musk, who spent $290 million to elect Trump and Republicans last year before being selected to lead DOGE, has been serving as a temporary special government employee, rather than disclose his vast financial holdings and suffer through a confirmation process. He is expected to formally depart the administration soon, though he said Tuesday he expects to continue working with DOGE in some capacity for the rest of Trumps term. Indeed, few senior administration officials and others close to Trump who spoke to Rolling Stone expect Musk to stop his meddling. It makes no difference, to me anyways, if Elon backs off or steps away or whatever soon, says one of the sources with knowledge of Project Lift. His guys are here [at the FAA] and staying, and theyve been giving orders on this stuff. 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. Elon Musk joined President Donald Trumps interview with Air Force secretary nominee Troy Meink, according to Meinks own disclosure to Congress a highly unusual move that raises serious conflict of interest concerns about the space moguls role in the selection process. The previously unreported detail appeared in Meinks written answers to the Senate Armed Services Committee and was obtained by POLITICO. The disclosure is significant because Musk has billions of dollars in national security and defense contracts at stake as CEO of SpaceX. This includes Pentagon launch contracts, satellite systems and Trumps proposed missile defense shield known as Golden Dome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his involvement in a personnel decision for a top Air Force post marks a new level of political reach for the billionaire entrepreneur and a potential breach of ethical norms that discourage contractors from influencing leadership decisions in agencies that oversee their contracts. Meink wrote that Musk was one of many people present during the December interview but the president was the only one who asked me questions. He did not seek Musks support, he wrote, and Musk made no requests of him in return. I have no relationship with SpaceX or Mr. Musk outside of a professional relationship in the execution of my current duties, Meink said. Meink is a career public servant and the principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, which oversees Americas spy satellites. Hes known for his efforts to bring more commercial space firms into national security missions. That approach aligns with the Trump administrations bent toward nontraditional contractors such as SpaceX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethics experts warn Musks presence crossed a line. Ive never seen anything like this before a military contractor helping pick the people who run the Pentagon, said Richard Painter, the former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush. If Musk helped pick him, Meink needs to recuse from anything involving Musks companies. The episode casts a shadow over any Air Force contracts Musks companies might win, said Danielle Brian of the Project On Government Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog group. More companies being at the table is a good thing, she said. The problem is, we cant tell whether [SpaceX] authentically won these contracts or if [Musks] soft political power, which is frankly not very soft, is whats tipping the scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Reconnaissance Office referred questions to the White House. Spokesperson Harrison Fields rejected the criticism. The decision to hire Troy Meink was done so independently of anyone, and the final decision came to Trump and Trump alone, he said. Any assertion otherwise is just sensationalist journalism. Musk did not respond to a request for comment. The Senate is expected to take up Meinks nomination as soon as next week. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a senior Armed Services Committee Democrat, insists Meinks confirmation requires more scrutiny. Musk sitting in on Meinks interview was highly inappropriate, raising more questions about whether he hand-picked Meink and if so, why, Warren said in a statement. Nobody elected Musk to anything he should not be selecting our national security officials, especially if they have the power to give him billions in taxpayer dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters previously reported that Warren and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) questioned whether Meink tailored the requirements for a classified satellite contract in 2021 to benefit SpaceX a claim Meink has denied. Concerns about Musks influence arent limited to Meink. NASA administrator nominee Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur who has flown with SpaceX and shares Musks ambition of reaching Mars, has also faced questions about his ties to Musk. Isaacman, in written responses to the Senate Commerce Committee released Thursday, said he had not discussed NASA business with Musk since Trumps election and denied having a close relationship with him. He confirmed that he and Musk briefly spoke at Mar-a-Lago in late 2024 about the possibility of Isaacman volunteering to support the Trump administration. He stressed that Trump led his job interview, and a Wall Street Journal report that Musk had called to offer him the NASA job was entirely false. He provided few other details. The person asking me questions and ultimately offering me the opportunity was the president himself, he said. Sophia Cai contributed to this report. A judge berated lawyers representing conspiracy theorist and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell in a court order, accusing them of filing a court document that used artificial intelligence and contained a number of fundamental errors. Lindell is being sued by former Dominion Voting Services employee Dr. Eric Coomer, who accused the CEO, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, of making false remarks about him on a conservative Colorado podcast. Coomers lawsuit has been going on since 2022, and in February, Lindells lawyers filed an opposition brief. The document contained nearly thirty defective citations,Colorado District Judge Nina Y. Wang said in a court order filed Wednesday. She noted a number of fundamental errors in the brief, including citing cases that do not exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindells attorney Christopher I. Kachouroff admitted at a Monday hearing that he used generative artificial intelligence in the error-filled document. Mike Lindell's lawyers were lambasted by a judge who accused them of submitting an error-filled document that they drafted using artificial intelligence. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Wang ordered Lindells attorneys to show cause as to why the court should not sanction Lindell and his companies. She also ordered his attorneys to justify why the court should not refer them to disciplinary proceedings. Kachouroff responded to Wangs order on Friday in a motion obtained by HuffPost, saying there is nothing wrong with using AI when used properly. He also claimed that the brief his team filed was not the final copy, but a previous draft submitted mistakenly. The lawyer also described being questioned in court about the document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court concluded by grilling me on whether the document was generated by AI, he wrote. I freely admitted that I used AI because it is a very helpful tool when used properly. The defense teams response stated that Kachouroff was out of the country with poor internet service at the time he reviewed the brief with his co-counsel Jennifer T. DeMaster over the phone. DeMaster had used a legal research AI tool to analyze the brief to find and add other cases to help bolster their argument. Kachouroff said he routinely uses AI tools to analyze his arguments, as well as his opposing counsels arguments, but does not rely on them. Regardless of whether I use AI in a particular pleading, I always conduct verification of citations before filing, Kachouroff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said in his response that he was taken completely off guard when being questioned in court about the brief because he was unaware the court had a different copy. Kachouroff argued he should have been given advance notice to properly explain the filing. I cannot adequately convey my shock and extreme embarrassment by trying to review an unfamiliar 17-page document while trying to answer the Courts rapid examination, he wrote. Related... JEFFERSON, Ohio (WJW) An entire school district is closed on Friday because of a rash outbreak. According to the superintendent of Jefferson Area Local School District, they made the decision to close the school after consulting with the Ashtabula County Health Department. Cuyahoga County John Doe identified as Danny Lee Mitchell, Cleveland man who went missing in 1980 The outbreak has affected students at Jefferson Elementary and Rock Creek Elementary, the district said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the exact cause of the rash is still unknown, it appears to be viral and contagious, the district said in a statement. According to the statement, the district expects to use Friday to disinfect all school buildings. Suspect slams into local senior center during police chase Closing school allows us to take swift action to protect our school community, the release said. Parents are advised to monitor their children for any symptoms. At this time, classes are scheduled to resume on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talked about the ag industry in Iowa and his potential bid for governor, April 25, 2025 (Image from Iowa PBS video) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is considering a run for governor in 2026, but said he is still talking over the possibility with his family and close supporters. Naig was a guest Friday on the Iowa PBS show Iowa Press, where he also discussed the challenges facing Iowas agricultural economy, bird flu and eminent domain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naig, a Republican and native Iowan, has been ag secretary since 2018 and was reelected in 2022. No official bid for governor Naig said the announcement from Gov. Kim Reynolds that she would not be seeking reelection came as a bit of a surprise that has caused him to pause and consider the possibility of running for the position. I still, at this stage of my life, I want to be of service to the state of Iowa, and I want to think about the best ways that I can do that, Naig said. Naig said at this time the discussion is on his side of the table with family, friends and supporters to decide if a run for governor is the best path forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX When pressed for more details, like staff and campaign strategies in the event of gubernatorial bid, Naig said hes not to that point. This is around my kitchen table, this is about me getting into a planter tractor here in the next couple weeks and giving a lot of thought to it, Naig said. Thats not to say were not talking to a lot of folks. Naig said Republicans in Iowa have a deep bench of potential candidates. Attorney General Brenna Bird, Sen. Mike Bousselot, House Speaker Pat Grassley, and Rep. Bobby Kaufmann have said they are considering the gig. Changes impacting ag in Iowa Naig said the agricultural economy in Iowa is tough and while there were positive trade outcomes from the first Trump administrations foreign policy, Iowa farmers are in a worse position now to weather potential trade wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont have the kind of buffer in our ag economy profitability and margins are not where they were even then, today, Naig said. Theres not a lot of room to absorb that shock. Naig said this was a message sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during her recent visit to Iowa, and that the ag department should be ready to support farmers. Naig said he is encouraged by the countries that are coming to the table to negotiate better trade deals, and hopes to see greater domestic consumption of ag commodities by expanding the ethanol industry and branching into sustainable aviation fuel. What you hope and certainly what were advocating for is unleashing that domestic consumption, but needing to make sure that weve got an expanded trade portfolio as well, Naig said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naig said India could be a potential game changer if the country were able to make a trade agreement with the country. Bird flu The nation is in its fourth year of an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has impacted more than 168 million birds nationally. Naig said he is considering options, like a vaccine for birds, now that he was not willing to consider three years ago. He also said there needs to be more people in the animal industries sector of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to respond to outbreaks like HPAI. The Iowa secretary said he did not believe a herd immunity approach, which has been suggested by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was a workable solution to the bird flu. Other issues Naig has been pushing for the Legislature to expand the Choose Iowa program, which helps to market and support Iowa grown products and producers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of its programs is similar to the recently cut federal Local Food for School and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs, which were COVID-era funds to help schools and local institutions purchase from local farmers. Naig said he hopes the Choose Iowa versions, which this year were just pilot programs, could be a permanent program, funded through regular appropriations rather than short-term funding pools. We want something that can actually stand the test of time, be around, be something that you can plan for, Naig said. Naig also addressed the issue of eminent domain, which has been a growing topic of debate across the state, particularly in relation to a carbon sequestration pipeline that has planned more than 1,000 miles of pipeline in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be rare, Naig said. It should be the least desirable option to get something done, and there should be overwhelming voluntary agreements in place before something like a project any project with eminent domain would go forward. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (KRON) The parents of a man who was shot to death by a Napa Police Department sergeant in October 2021 will receive $1 million in a settlement from the City of Napa, officials announced Thursday. Police said 26-year-old Jeremy Vellenoweth was pointing a shotgun at his father in a domestic dispute before aiming at officers and being killed. Following the fatal police shooting on October 6, 2021, his parents filed a federal civil rights lawsuit. At the time, the familys attorney, Dan Russo, disputed the facts given by the police department. Russo alleged that Vellenoweth was suffering from a nervous breakdown, a mental health crisis, and that he was not threatening anyone. Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced in February 2023 that there would be no criminal charges filed in the incident. The City of Napa continued to deny liability for Vellenoweths death while announcing the $1 million settlement reached on April 17, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We regret Mr. Vellenoweths death, said City Manager Steve Potter in a statement. The City believes that the Sergeant did the right thing in life-threatening circumstances. It also believes that the best resolution of this litigation was this difficult settlement, which satisfies no one, but which allows the Department and community to avoid disruptive litigation stretching far into the future. We wish the best for Mr. Vellenoweths family. Body camera image from a Napa police officer. (Napa Police Department) On the afternoon of October 6, 2021, Napa police were dispatched to a home on the 1600 block of Pear Tree Lane after 911 callers reported a domestic disturbance. One of the calls came from Vellenoweths father, who told dispatchers that his son wanted to commit suicide by cop. Arriving officers heard Vellenoweth fire one shot as they approached the residence. Prior to the sergeant shooting Vellenoweth, authorities said Vellenoweth was seen on the driveway with his shotgun raised at chest level and pointing it at officers. In an effort to protect those being threatened by Vellenoweth, the sergeant fired his service weapon, striking Vellenoweth, causing him to drop the shotgun, NPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After gunshots rang out, Vellenoweths mother could be heard screaming in officer-worn body camera video (WARNING: Video contains sensitive content). Nearby paramedics could not reach Vellenoweth for more than 7 minutes, as the father was uncooperative and would not step away from his son and the nearby shotgun, according to investigators. Vellenoweth was transported to an area hospital, where he died from multiple gunshot wounds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A 41-year-old man was arrested April 24 in connection with the August 2024 fatal shooting of a man at the Richland Hills apartment complex in West Nashville. Metro Nashville police said Terry Watters Jr., is charged with second-degree murder and felony possession of a gun in the fatal shooting of Christopher Rhodes. Rhodes, 25, and his girlfriend were bringing furniture to their apartment when police say Watters confronted the woman about an ongoing dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said in a release April 24 that Rhodes intervened and was pistol-whipped by Watters. Rhodes was shot during a struggle for the gun. Watters fled the scene in a vehicle before police arrived. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Man charged in August 2024 West Nashville apartment shooting TUNIS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia repatriated 149 Guinean nationals on Thursday as part of a "voluntary return" program coordinated with the International Organization for Migration, private radio station Mosaique FM reported. As part of ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of migrants to their home countries, repatriation flights will be scheduled on a weekly basis starting in May, Spokesperson for the General Directorate of National Security Imed Memacha was quoted as saying. The spokesperson attributed the growing willingness of migrants to depart to the government's coordinated efforts to dismantle informal camps in the southeastern province of Sfax and other regions. He stressed that all operations to dismantle unauthorized migrant settlements are being conducted in accordance with human rights standards. Earlier on Thursday, Tunisian authorities dismantled camps sheltering around 2,500 undocumented sub-Saharan African migrants in Henchir El-Karkeni, located in the El-Amra area of Sfax. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar is a politician in demand. On Tuesday, the 35-year-old Austin Democrat flew to California for fundraisers and a meeting about the party's strategy for the upcoming midterm elections. Then he was off to Colorado for a rally Thursday evening in a congressional district that Republicans narrowly won in the last election, after an appearance in Arizona last month with progressive stars U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, during their "Fighting Oligarchy Tour." "We've had to increase the size of the venue," said Shad Murib, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. "The congressman has a fan base here for sure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than three years after he was elected to represent Texas' 35th Congressional District, which stretches from Austin to San Antonio along Interstate 35, Casar has gone from a virtual unknown in the national political scene to chairman of the House Progressive Caucus and has become a sought-after messenger in Democrats' efforts to bring working-class voters back to the party. Casar has been visiting GOP districts in Texas and around the countryin response to House Speaker Mike Johnson's direction to Republican members to stop holding town halls, to avoid potential confrontations with protesters. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, holds a March 29 town hall meeting in the district of Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy using a cutout of the Central Texas lawmaker as a prop. Casar has been visiting GOP districts in Texas and around the nation in response to House Speaker Mike Johnson's direction to GOP members to stop holding town halls. He has also appeared on Fox News and other conservative platforms, criticizing moves by President Donald Trump to reduce services for low-income Americans. "Right now, the fight isnt right versus left. It's Trump, Elon Musk and the billionaire class versus everyone else," Casar said in an interview this week. "That means going places where people dont think of progressives going." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Trump appointed Musk to head his Department of Government Efficiency, Casar has rallied Democrats around calls to "fire Elon Musk" before the end of May amid polls showing Americans at large are worried about Musk's methods. In the process, Casar is starting to build a national brand alongside a team of young progressives in Washington, including Ocasio-Cortez, who is being discussed as a likely presidential candidate in 2028. "Depending on who you ask he's either doing stunts or drawing attention to important issues, but either way he's getting attention," Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston politics professor, said of Casar. "The Democrats are searching for an identity, and Casar is pushing a new progressive vision for the party." In Colorado, Democratic leaders are hoping Casar can help swing back working-class voters in a heavily Latino district with large numbers of Trump voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murib, the state's party chair, said they had learned their lessons from losses sustained in last year's election and settled on a strategy centered on economic issues, something Casar has been urging Democrats to focus on. "He has a way of talking to folks that's in line with our message," Murib said. "'Let's get rid of the purity tests and work on bringing back working-class voters." Rep. Greg Casar speaks at an Oct. 1 voter rally at Texas State University in San Marcos. Casar has gone from a virtual unknown in the national political scene to being a sought-after messenger in Democrats' efforts to bring working-class voters back to the party. Casar is one of a number of Democrats, many with bigger name recognition, working to rally resistance against Trump. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey warned during a 25-hour-long speech on the Senate floor that the "country is in crisis." U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a lawyer from Dallas, appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this week to challenge Trump to an IQ test after he called her "a very low IQ person." Earlier this year, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged members to keep the pressure up on Trump in Washington and in their home districts and "to connect directly with our constituents and discuss the challenges we are decisively addressing on their behalf." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Casar, with his impassioned speeches punctuated by fist pumps and Spanish mantras, has clearly found a moment.A former labor organizer with the Workers Defense Project in Austin, he has long had a reputation of being a rising star within Texas' Democratic Party. Casar caught the attention of political observers shortly after being elected to Congress when he stood on the steps of the Capitol on a hot summer's day for almost nine hours without water, to bring attention to his calls for a federal rule protecting workers from extreme heat. Before heading to Washington, Casar beat a slate of better-known liberal candidates for a seat on the Austin City Council in 2014, running a shoestring campaign out of his apartment that included handwritten notes to constituents with his cellphone number included, said John Lawler, Casar's former campaign manager. "He's gotten here because he works harder than anyone else. He puts the holes in his boots; he stays up writing letters," Lawler said. "And he has an exceptional mind for figuring out the widget that needs to be turned." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Democrats turn to U.S. Rep. Greg Casar to rally working class voters The NATO Secretary Generals 2024 annual report contains no phrasing indicating that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance in the future or that its path to NATO is irreversible, merely reaffirming the Alliances "open door" policy. Source: European Pravda Details: The new report stands in stark contrast to the one published in 2023, which included the text of the Vilnius Declaration, where the Allies stated that "Ukraines future is in NATO and that the Alliance will support Ukraine on its path toward future membership". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2024 report only states that the Allies actively cooperate with 16 partner countries on a bilateral basis: "Among these partners, NATO has developed specific structures for its relationships with Ukraine and Georgia". The report briefly reaffirms NATOs open door policy, which states that membership is open to any European democratic country capable of contributing to the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty. However, the report makes no reference to the wording of the NATO Summit in Washington in summer 2024, which recognised that Allies "will continue to support it [Ukraine] on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership". Instead, the report lists other points adopted by the Allies in Washington concerning support for Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It separately notes the strengthening of NATOs representation in Ukraine to deepen political dialogue, support reforms and provide practical assistance again without any mention of future membership. In the foreword to the report, in the section devoted to Ukraine, the NATO Secretary General stated: "Looking to the future, NATO Allies are united in their desire for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine". Background: Last week, the administration of Donald Trump reportedly handed Ukraine a one-page document during a meeting in Paris, presented as a "final proposal" for peace. Among other things, it included a suggestion that Ukraine should give up its NATO aspirations. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance agrees that Russia is a "long-term threat" to Euro-Atlantic security following his visit to the White House on April 24. Rutte met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on April 24 amid intensified efforts by the U.S. to reach a peace deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Rutte was reportedly expected to use his visit to urge the U.S. not to pressure Ukraine into accepting a peace agreement that favors Moscow. Rutte emphasized that all NATO members agree that Russia threatens regional security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 24, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu threatened that Russia could use "asymmetrical measures," including nuclear weapons, against Europe in response to "unfriendly actions." "We all agree, in NATO, that Russia is the long-term threat to NATO territory, to the whole of the Euro-Atlantic territory," Rutte said. Rutte recognized Ukraine's efforts to reach a peace deal and called for Moscow to make an effort to come to an agreement. "Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court now." After speaking to Trump, Rutte said "something is on the table for Russia" in a potential peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. could reportedly de jure recognize Russian control over Crimea and de facto recognize Moscow's illegal occupation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts as part of a peace deal. Ukraine would be prohibited from joining NATO, but would remain permitted to pursue EU membership. Sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 would be lifted, and the U.S. and Russia would pursue deeper energy and economic cooperation. Moscow has shown signs it is unwilling to move forward on a peace deal with Ukraine. Russian authorities have listed maximalist demands in ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S. Ukraine has already agreed to a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Moscow has refused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 23, Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine insists on an "immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire." "That was the proposal put forward by the United States on March 11 of this year and it was absolutely reasonable," Zelensky said. On April 23, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the U.S. presented a "very explicit proposal" to Ukraine and Russia on a peace deal. Read also: Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday said that Russia remains a long-term threat to the alliance, following talks with US President Donald Trump and senior members of the US administration in Washington. "We all agree in NATO that Russia is a long-term threat to NATO territory to the whole of the Euro-Atlantic territory," Rutte told reporters after the meeting at the White House. When asked about the possibility of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Rutte said that there is "something on the table" now, adding that the ball is clearly in Russia's court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutte expressed confidence that the United States would continue to play a central role in efforts to end the war. "I'm not seeing a situation where the US is walking. I'm seeing a situation where under President Trump's leadership, this could be brought to a positive end, and that's very important," Rutte said. Trump said on Wednesday that a deal with Russia was within reach, while claiming that dealing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been "harder" than with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US president has demanded that Kiev cede the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula and drop its bid for future NATO membership. NATO leaders are due to gather on June 2425 at a summit in The Hague. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) On Friday, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein appealed to President Trump, asking him to overturn FEMAs decision not to extend its 100 percent match for eligible Helene recovery costs. Without this extension, FEMAs match will drop to 90 percent. Preliminary estimates show costs to the state of up to $200 million. Hurricane Helene caused incredible damage to western North Carolina. President Trump, as you noted when you visited the region in January, we need a focus on debris removal to create a clean slate from which we can effectively rebuild, Governor Josh Stein said in a statement. I therefore respectfully urge you to reconsider FEMAs regretful decision and extend our 100 percent cost share period for six months failing that, then for three months. Doing so would allow us to continue to build on the momentum you have helped us achieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Stein requested for the expedition of Hurricane Helene Recovery funding. He also requested an additional $11.6 billion in federal disaster relief funds to support rebuilding, restore infrastructure and reduce the impacts of natural disasters. To read Governor Steins full letter, 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 CBS17.com. A North Carolina Highway Patrol officer demonstrates how to attach a gunlock (Photo: Screenshot from NC SAFE video -- https://www.ncsafe.org/) Gun regulation has been one of the most hotly contested issues at the North Carolina General Assembly this year. Lawmakers have introduced bills on a myriad of topics: constitutional carry, handguns at private schools, and privacy around concealed carry permits, to name a few. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Permitless concealed carry known as constitutional carry due to the idea that individuals have the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms without infringement has drawn the most attention. Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, allows individuals who are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age, and not otherwise prohibited by law to carry concealed weapons without applying for a permit. Its backed by Republican leadership and would make North Carolina the 30th state to approve of constitutional carry. The bill has passed the Senate and awaits further approval in the House. Its counterpart in the lower chamber, House Bill 5 or NC Constitutional Carry Act, is largely the same. This measure still needs approval from the House Rules Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest difference in the legislation is HB 5 authorizes elected officials in the state to carry a concealed firearm while performing their official duties if the official has a concealed handgun permit. While the State Capitol and Executive Mansion are excluded from this list, it would be allowed at the State Legislative Building and Legislative Office Building, where lawmakers conduct their business. North Carolina residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the measures, according to newly released polls. But lawmakers have chosen to move forward. There is political play around this policy that is lawmakers in both chambers pandering to the far right extremists and, frankly, being more worried about their own primaries than they are about the safety of their constituents, Monisha Henley, senior vice president for government affairs at Everytown from Gun Safety, said. That is why theyve been trying to push it through the legislature at lightning speed. A 2022 study from the Crime Prevention Research Center looked at changes in crime and killings of police after adopting constitutional carry. Using data from 13 states, researchers found that the drop in murder is statistically significant, but the change in violent crime is not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Valone, president of the Grass Roots North Carolina gun rights group, has spent decades working on the issue. Hes modeled his advocacy after legislation in Vermont, the first state that didnt have restrictions requiring permits for concealed carry. Paul Valone, Grassroots North Carolina (Photo: NCGA screengrab) SB 50 and HB 5 are not perfect bills, but theyre whats achievable right now, Valone said. Those of us who have spent a lot of time in the movement believe that because we lost our rights over generations incrementally, we will probably have to win them back incrementally. The movement has spread to schools. House Bill 193, Firearm Law Revisions, authorizes individuals with a valid concealed handgun permit to possess or carry a handgun on educational property owned, used, or operated by a private school. The bills wording would allow anybody lawfully entitled to carry a concealed weapon to do so on the premises of a private school below the college level, with written permission from the school. This could be school officials, teachers, and even students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill endangers students, it endangers teachers, and people dont want it, Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover) said during a committee hearing. Youre telling the teachers of North Carolina that we dont really care what you say. Coming up next Tuesday, members of the House Judiciary 2 committee will discuss The Firearms Liberty Act. House Bill 674 would among other changes allow for the issuance of lifetime concealed handgun permits. School districts promote secure storage NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively), a statewide initiative to raise awareness on storing firearms safely, announced a partnership with the Wake County Public School System on Thursday. NC S.A.F.E for Schools is designed to help school districts across the state share resources about safe gun storage with parents in the district. The Wake County Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution in March of last year to regularly and consistently provide families with information and resources on the importance of secure gun storage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina experienced at least 12 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024, resulting in one death and nine injuries. Residents of Raleighs Hedingham neighborhood are still reeling from an October 2022 mass shooting in which a teenager was able to access his fathers firearms killing five people and wounding two others. The teen charged in that shooting spree will go to trial in 2026. Research has shown that secure firearm storage practices are associated with up to a 32 percent reduction in the risk of self-inflicted and unintentional firearm deaths. As a school system, we have resolved to educate our community on the importance of safe gun storage and its role in protecting students. Whether providing handouts for safety presentations, helpful information for digital communications, or even materials for school resource officers, resources from NC S.A.F.E. have been invaluable to that mission, Robert Taylor, superintendent of the Wake County Public School System, said in a statement. For more information click here for a safe storage fact sheet. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. March 31, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A bill that would mandate the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to screen state wards for Social Security benefit eligibility advanced Thursday to the second round of debate in the Legislature. Legislative Bill 275, which State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha named her priority legislation, moved forward on a 34-0 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHHS currently intercepts the Social Security benefits belonging to children in foster care and uses those funds to offset the costs of the youths care, according to Hunts statement of intent. Her bill would bring Nebraska in line with federal law to provide further accountability, transparency, and conservation of a portion of the funds in a trust account for the youths own use when they exit state care. There was little to no debate surrounding the bill Thursday, except for some questioning of its financial impact on the states general funds by two Republican lawmakers. Hunt insisted that her amended bill would impact the state budget less than her original proposal, but that it would still give kids in foster care access to more of their Social Security money than they have today. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Trump administration put most of AmeriCorps approximately 650 staff members on administrative leave last week (AmeriCorps photo) AmeriCorps one of the programs in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump administrations quest to downsize the federal government is a substantial part of the work a West Virginia housing construction organization does in Kanawha and Putnam counties, an official from the organization said. Last year, volunteers from AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps contributed 2,880 man hours to work with Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha and Putnam, executive director Andrew Blackwood told West Virginia Watch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just to kind of put that in perspective, a full-time employee would work 2,080 hours in a year, Blackwood said. So thats the equivalent of a little more than a full-time person. The Trump administration put most of AmeriCorps approximately 650 staff members on administrative leave last week. Members from the National Civilian Community Corps were told they would exit the program early due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Blackwood said if the federal AmeriCorps funding goes away, the organization will lose the services it provided. The for-profit sector wont replace it, he said. The needs will go unmet. We only have access to so many volunteers in our community were already maximizing the service that they can provide, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so its really frustrating when we lose access to that, Blackwood said. Its simply going to mean for us that its going to take longer to build each house, which means that there are delays in improving access to affordable housing. Last year, the NCCC sent a team of 12 members who worked 40 hours a week for six weeks for Habitat of Kanawha and Putnam. Members also did other volunteer work in the area during their free time, Blackwood said. So their impact actually went beyond their service with us, he said. Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha and Putnam typically partners with volunteers to build two to three houses a year, Blackwood said. The program requires that the homeowner put in at least 250 hours of sweat equity building their home and that of others in the program. In exchange they get a home with an affordable mortgage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization employs one construction manager and relies on the homeowners and volunteers for the rest of the work, Blackwood said. Blackwood said the work Habitat does is important, particularly in Kanawha and Putnam counties where theres not a lot of new housing construction. Existing housing stock is old and in need of repair, the cost of rent has increased to an unaffordable level for many families, he said. Very often, people are spending 40 or 50% of their take home income on housing costs, he said. And that just means that they have less money to spend on quality food, education, opportunities, and other things that would strengthen them, whether its as an individual or as a family. In addition to working with nonprofit organizations, volunteers with NCCC serve with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Forest Service, according to the AmeriCorps website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the southeast United States last year, more than 870 AmeriCorps members responded to recovery operations in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas. Members removed debris, tons of sand, managed Warehouses and mucked and gutted homes, according to the AmeriCorps website. The organization also responded to West Virginia after the 2016 floods killed 23 West Virginians and destroyed countless houses. The Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, sent more than 300 service members to flood-affected areas of the state to assist with recovery. White House officials told reporters the cuts are warranted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AmeriCorps has failed eight consecutive audits and is entrusted with over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars every year, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, according to the Washington Post. It is a target-rich environment for President Trumps agenda to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. An email to AmeriCorps headquarters went unanswered. Blackwood said AmeriCorps solicited requests for the year and his organization submitted a request. Hes not gotten any official word from the agency about its plans for the year following news of the program cuts. Weve received no official notification, which is also disappointing to hear that partner organizations around the country are really going to be, in some ways, blindsided by these, Ill call them reckless and thoughtless cuts to a program that directly serves communities across the country, Blackwood said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MUSCAT, Oman (AP) Negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program will return on Saturday to the secluded sultanate of Oman, where experts on both sides will start hammering out the technical details of a possible deal. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic closing in on half a century of enmity. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Irans program if a deal isnt reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Iran nor the U.S. has offered any explanation on why the talks will return to Muscat, the Omani capital nestled in the Hajar Mountains. Oman has been a mediator between Tehran and Washington. Last weekend's talks in Rome offered a more-equal flight distance between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, who are leading the negotiations. But Rome remains in mourning after the death of Pope Francis, whose funeral will be held on Saturday. And Iranian state television, in covering last weekend's talks, complained at length on air about the paparazzi gathered across the street from the Omani Embassy in Rome's Camilluccia neighborhood. Araghchi himself took time out Friday night to sign copies of his latest memoir, The Power of Negotiation, at the Muscat International Book Fair. But he found himself swarmed by cameras even in the Omani capital, showing the intense international interest in the talks. Asked by The Associated Press about the negotiations on Saturday, Aragchi simply replied: I'm here for the book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Peaceful use of nuclear energy' The Muscat talks come as Iran appears to have lined up Chinese and Russian support. Araghchi traveled to Moscow last week and this week visited Beijing. On Thursday, Chinese, Iranian and Russian representatives met the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that likely will verify compliance with any accord like it did with Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. That deal included China and Russia, as well as France, Germany and the United Kingdom, in addition to Iran and the U.S. However, Iran has greatly restricted the IAEA's inspections leading to fears internationally that centrifuges and other nuclear material could be diverted for non-peaceful purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IAEA offered no readout from the talks, but China's state-run Xinhua news agency on Friday described the three nations as saying the agency has the necessary potential and expertise to contribute constructively to this process. China, Russia and Iran emphasized that political and diplomatic engagement based on mutual respect remains the only viable and practical path for resolving the Iran nuclear issue, the report said. It added that China respects Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Trump administration has kept France, Germany and the U.K. out of its direct negotiations with Iran, something similarly reflected in Witkoff's negotiations with Russia over ending its war on Ukraine. Witkoff traveled Friday to Moscow ahead of Saturday's meeting in Muscat. Araghchi meanwhile has said he's open to visiting Berlin, London and Paris to discuss the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ball is now in the E3s court, Araghchi wrote on the social platform X on Thursday, using an acronym for the countries. They have an opportunity to do away with the grip of Special Interest groups and forge a different path. U.S. stance on enrichment hardens From the Iranian side, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi will lead Tehrans expert team, said Mohammad Golzari, an Iranian government official. Takht-e Ravanchi took part in the 2015 nuclear talks. The U.S. technical team, which is expected to arrive in Oman on Friday, will be led by Michael Anton, the director of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's policy planning staff. Anton does not have the nuclear policy experience of those who led America's efforts in the 2015 talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was an early supporter of Trump, describing the 2016 election as a charge the cockpit or you die vote. A Hillary Clinton presidency is Russian Roulette with a semi-auto, Anton wrote. With Trump, at least you can spin the cylinder and take your chances. He also criticized Iran sycophancy in the same essay. Rubio, speaking on a podcast released this week, also kept up a Trump line that Iran needed to stop its enrichment of uranium entirely. If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries can have one, and that is they import enriched material, Rubio said. However, former CIA director Bill Burns, who took part in the secret negotiations that led to the 2015 nuclear deal, expressed skepticism Iran would give up its program like Libya did in 2003. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont personally think that this Iranian regime is going to agree to ... zero domestic enrichment, Burns said in a talk Monday at the University of Chicago. To hold out for the Libya model is virtually to ensure that you're not going to be able to reach an agreement. Iran on high alert But Iran has insisted that keeping its enrichment is key. Witkoff also has muddied the issue by first suggesting in a television interview that Iran could enrich uranium at 3.67%, then later saying that all enrichment must stop. Meanwhile, one more wildcard is Israel, whose devastating war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip grinds on. Trump initially announced the Iran talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side. But Israel, which for years has targeted Iran's nuclear program with attacks on its facilities and scientists, has kept open the possibility of airstrikes to destroy Tehran's enrichment sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Israel's military conducted drills preparing for possible new Iranian missile attacks, the country's public broadcaster KAN reported. Araghchi has described Iranian security services as being on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response. However, Iranians on Friday in Tehran remained hopeful the talks could be successful, as the Iranian rial has rebounded from historic lows. Its OK to negotiate, to make the nuclear program smaller or bigger, and reach a deal, Tehran resident Farzin Keivan said. Of course we shouldnt give them everything. After all, weve suffered a lot for this program. ___ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ MOGADISHU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said Friday it requires 225 million U.S. dollars to scale up humanitarian needs in Somalia for the next six months to October. The WFP said between April and June, an estimated 4.6 million people in Somalia are projected to face severe impacts of hunger and acute food insecurity, marking a rise from the 4.4 million previously estimated in January. "Apart from dwindling availability of funds, anticipated below average Gu season (April-June) rainfall, rising food prices, continued conflict and insecurity, and localized flooding persist as key drivers of food insecurity," the WFP said in its humanitarian report released in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. According to the WFP, multi-hazard displacement projections estimate that over 230,000 people could be displaced between April and June. Drought is expected to be the primary driver, responsible for 69 percent of these movements, especially affecting areas such as Banadir, Baidoa, Kismayo, Luuq, and Afmadow, which could collectively receive over 95,000 new arrivals. "Conflict is projected to account for the remaining 31 percent of displacements, primarily in Bari, Hiraan, and Middle Shabelle. Women and children are expected to comprise 76 percent of those displaced," it said. "Apart from dwindling availability of funds, anticipated below average Gu season (April-June) rainfall, rising food prices, continued conflict and insecurity, and localized flooding persist as key drivers of food insecurity," it added. The estimated acute malnutrition burden, from January to December, has risen to 1.8 million children under five, including 1.3 million likely to face moderate acute malnutrition. The WFP said this marks an increase of nearly 47,000 children from the previous estimate of 1.7 million. It noted that the worsening malnutrition is driven by growing hunger gaps due to reduced food assistance, inadequate child feeding practices, limited access to clean water, and the closure of health facilities and nutrition programs in Somalia. NV Prep is one of two charter schools currently in a repayment plan for PERS. ((Photo: April Corbin Girnus/Nevada Current) Charter schools made up five of the nine public employers in Nevada that at some point over the past 2 years fell more than 90 days delinquent on retirement contributions, state lawmakers learned Wednesday. The Public Employees Retirement System of Nevada better known as PERS is now backing a bill in the state Legislature to establish a mechanism that allows them to recoup the delinquent contributions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The category of employer weve had the most trouble with is charter schools, PERS Executive Officer Tina Leiss told lawmakers on the Assembly Government Affairs Committee Wednesday. With other types of public employers, such as local government, PERS is able to turn to the Nevada Department of Taxation, which has the authority to withhold payments of public dollars to the county, city or agency behind on the payments. Over the years weve been able to use that process successfully, Leiss added. With charter schools there really is, right now, no one that we can go to that has authority over them. Senate Bill 418 would enable the State Superintendent of Public Schools to withhold a charter schools per-pupil dollars in order to pay PERS. That option would only be available after the charter school is more than 90 days behind. The bill was unanimously approved by the Senate earlier this month and heard by the Assembly Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday. No groups have registered opposition to the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any public employer falling behind on PERS contributions is a problem because it affects peoples ability to retire. PERS cannot pay out a persons pension if the employer is behind on their contributions. Kent Ervin, who follows the Retirement Board as part of his work with the Nevada Faculty Alliance, called it outrageous and simply unacceptable. These public charter schools have deducted the PERS contributions from employees paychecks but did not forward even those amounts to PERS. Some have also not reported the service credits, he said, referring to the amount of time a person has worked in a PERS-eligible position, which affects pension levels. Its a disgrace. With charter schools, there is the added concern that they could shut down and never pay what they owe, leaving the state on the hook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not picking on charter schools, Leiss said, but charter schools are one of the few government entities that cease to exist. Our cities, counties, school districts, fire departments dont close. Two charter schools TEACH Las Vegas and Eagle Charter Schools, both in Southern Nevada were delinquent on PERS payments before they shut down last year. PERS was paid the amounts owed as part of the closing of those schools. According to a memo from Nevada State Public Charter School Authority Executive Director Melissa Mackedon to the Charter School Board, NV Prep and Equipo Academy are on PERS contribution repayment plans approved by the Nevada Retirement Board. PERS staffer Teresa Chalmers told lawmakers that, as of April 12, the two charter schools had a combined outstanding balance of $266,120. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SPCSA memo lists a third charter school, Sage Collegiate, as being delinquent as of mid-April. The school was also identified by the SPCSA as being delinquent in late 2023, though it caught up. At least two other schools were identified by SPCSA as being delinquent but have since caught up. Leiss said that at one point charter schools had a combined $1 million in contributions delinquent. She also said she had no insight into why charter schools might be more prone to falling behind on PERS contributions than other public employers. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) This week on Newsmakers: Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss discusses the first 100 days of the Trump administration, what Democrats need to do to review the party, speculation about a potential U.S. Senate bid, and more. Prefer your Newsmakers on the go? Subscribe to our podcast! Apple | Spotify 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. California has become the worlds fourth-largest economy bested only by the full U.S., China and Germany Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) office announced this week, citing new data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). California isnt just keeping pace with the world were setting the pace, Newsom said Wednesday in a statement. Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation. The Golden State previously ranked fifth, but the states nominal gross domestic product (GDP) hit $4.1 trillion last year, according to BEAs preliminary data for 2024, besting Japans $4.02 trillion GDP during the period, per the IMF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BEA data showed that among states, Texas came in behind California, with a GDP of $2.7 trillion, and New York followed at $2.3 trillion. But the California Democrat warned that President Trumps sweeping tariff hikes could threaten his states standing as a global economic powerhouse. While we celebrate this success, we recognize that our progress is threatened by the reckless tariff policies of the current federal administration, the governor said. Californias economy powers the nation, and it must be protected. A White House spokesperson told The Hill in a statement that Californias progress is at risk from foreign countries stealing the intellectual property of its leading technology firms, poor disaster management letting wildfires run ablaze and lethal drugs and violent criminals ruining its communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Trump administration, California has the potential to reach new heights if the states leadership wouldnt stand in the way, they added. Newsom also filed a lawsuit on behalf of the state last week challenging the Trump administrations tariff policies, arguing the trade moves would disproportionally impact California. The governor, who cannot seek reelection next year because of term limits, has been widely floated as a potential candidate for president in 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAMPTON Residents aired their concerns Wednesday about impending cuts to the proposed New Hampshire state budget for the next two years that touch on various programs from healthcare to the Department of Corrections. Nicole Sheaff said her family has depended on Medicaid to afford 24-hour care to her four children who have disabilities. Wednesday, she spoke in front of several dozen Granite Staters who gathered in the Winnacunnet High School cafeteria, explaining how proposed cuts to Medicaid reimbursements would hurt families like her own. I was trying to make the point that Im a highly educated, White, privileged woman who lives in rural Exeter, and I needed Medicaid, Sheaff said. Without that, we could have been unhoused five years ago. State Sens. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, D-Portsmouth, left, and Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, hosted a public listening session on the proposed state budget at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Sheaff and others spoke as part of a public listening session hosted by the New Hampshire Senate Democratic Caucus. State Sens. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, and Rebecca Perkins-Kwoka, D-Portsmouth, told attendees they were working to return funding this budget process for education, healthcare, housing programs and corrections programs designed to reduce recidivism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Seacoast Mental Health Center leader says Medicaid cuts would have dire impact Republicans have said several proposed cuts were made to address an $80 million deficit, which state Sen. Jim Gray, R-Rochester, is expected at the end of the fiscal year June 30. Democrats at Wednesday's forum said they were hoping for grassroots support to call for that funding to return. When people find out, Oh, youre going to eliminate the disability waitlist? Oh no, Altschiller said. That is something that gets people mobilized. Democrats decry cuts to Medicaid, education, mental health care Lucas Coriaty, president of the University of New Hampshire campus Democrats, spoke against proposed cuts to the University System of New Hampshire in a public listening session at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton Wednesday, April 23, 2025, hosted by the state Democratic Senate Caucus Wednesday. The state budget as passed by the House earlier this month would spend $15.36 billion over two years if approved. The Houses version of the budget was $643 million less than the budget presented in February by Gov. Kelly Ayotte. The Republican governor said she hoped to work with the Senate on restoring some of that funding, according to the New Hampshire Bulletin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats Wednesday pointed to $38 million in cuts in the proposed budget to community mental health, as well as significant Medicaid reimbursement rate reductions. The budget would cut Medicaid reimbursement rates by 3% across the board over the next two years, which is projected to mean nearly $53 million in cuts. Deb Jerkoic, state family network coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said New Hampshire has made strides in mental health care that could be undone by cuts proposed in the state budget currently before the state Senate. She said the last calendar saw several days with zero individuals in the emergency room involuntarily. Advocates for mental health consider that a victory where New Hampshire has worked to limit the number of psychiatric patients waiting for care in emergency rooms. We are making real progress, Jerkoic said. Progress we cannot afford to lose. Concerns were raised about 150 positions being cut in the Department of Corrections, which Democrats say increases the risk of reoffending. Altschiller said the cuts would affect programs that are meant to help reduce recidivism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuts to housing programs were also a concern for Democrats Wednesday. They included $50 million in cuts would include the zeroing out of the Housing Trust Fund, Housing Champions, InvestNH and services for the homeless, according to the Democrats' presentation. Residents spoke out against cuts to the education system, which Senate Democrats said includes $70 million in cuts to the University System of New Hampshire over a two-year period and cuts to adult education. Lucas Coriaty, president of the UNH Democrats, said the cuts were another in a series of insults to public school students in New Hampshire. Cutting public education in this state must be a last resort, Coriaty said, Not first on the chopping block. Republicans defend cuts, say conversation is not finished Republicans, who hold majorities in the state Senate and House, have said the state is facing difficult choices as budget cuts are made through party-line votes. State Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller, R-Windham, told WMUR this week the state needs to reduce overall spending, calling the cut to the university system an unpleasant cut that will require sacrifices and some tougher choices from the university system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are in a great position to withstand it, Popovici-Muller told WMUR. State Sen. Jim Gray, R-Rochester, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, said revenues have not come in for the state as projected, while other funding has lapsed. Those things are whats creating the $80 million deficit, Gray said. More: NH business tax cuts cost state at least $795 million since 2015, study says Altschiller and other Democrats Wednesday countered the Republicans claim that cuts are needed to address the deficit when the budget also includes an additional $30 million to go towards school vouchers known as Education Freedom Accounts. Republicans have supported the vouchers as a school choice initiative, but Democrats have argued the vouchers take taxpayer dollars away from public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were we to be able to eliminate this program, the voucher program that is sucking enormous amounts of money out of our education trust fund, wed be able to pay for the cuts to Medicaid, Alschiller said. Its choices. State Sen. President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said the Senate is continuing to take testimony from all the involved agencies before any decisions are made. She said the process still has a long way to go and that they need to know where revenue projections stand. We are listening to the agencies and trying to figure out the best paths forward for Medicare, Medicaid, mental health centers, correctional facilities, and many other budget items, Carson said. However, it is too early in the budget process to say where things will ultimately end up. Altschiller said Democrats will have to find spaces for compromise. Without the majority, she said it comes down to the difference between a flip and a budge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in the business of budging right now, Altschiller said, And its going to be along the edges, working its way to the center. Editor's note: State Sen. Debra Altschilller, D-Stratham, is the wife of Howard Altschiller, Seacoast Media Group's executive editor. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH residents fight state budget cuts to Medicaid, USNH, mental health A coalition of states sued the Trump administration on Friday to block its plans to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding over diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in K-12 schools. The lawsuit, led by California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York, argues that an ultimatum delivered by the U.S. Department of Education earlier this month to comply with the Trump administrations interpretation of federal anti-discrimination law was unconstitutional and unlawful. Under the directive, states are required to certify their schools will adhere to a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the use of race in a range of decisions including admissions, financial aid and other aspects of education. Claiming that diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs are a form of discrimination is entirely illogical, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news briefing. It makes no sense and has no substance. It's a tight soundbite Trump can use to fuel his campaign to dismantle America's education system and roll back progress across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While federal judges temporarily blocked Trumps order earlier this week in separate rulings, the attorneys-general from 19 states filed the lawsuit in hopes of winning a decisive ruling that bars the administration from withholding funding over its DEI demands. Bonta said the states lawsuit goes beyond the claims brought in the earlier cases by teacher unions and civil rights groups by, among other things, challenging the legal basis of a letter a senior education official sent in February threatening the loss of funding if schools did not end diversity programs. We have different claims that we think are very strong claims, Bonta said. It could be the winning claims. We have spending clause and separation of powers and appropriations clause claims. Sometimes, you will see different plaintiffs bringing causes of action based on similar action by the federal government. In all, the states lawsuit claims Trumps directives put more than $18.7 billion of federal funding for education at risk. California receives nearly $8 billion each year in funding from the Department of Education, which is mostly used to support programs for students from low-income families and special education services. New York receives more than $3 billion, of which around half goes to support low-income students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are filing this lawsuit today to protect our schools and our students from yet another one of President Trump's attacks, and we again, will not be bullied or targeted just because our schools work hard to ensure that every student is accepted and welcome here in the great state of New York, said New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump officials have argued they have the authority to control the spigot of federal school dollars. Federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right. When state education commissioners accept federal funds, they agree to abide by federal antidiscrimination requirements, Craig Trainor, the departments acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement when the order was announced. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement that the Trump administration is attempting to illegally stop the allocation of these Congressionally-mandated funds in order to push a vague, anti-DEI agenda at the expense of some of the most vulnerable children in Illinois and across the country. The state receives $1.4 billion in federal funding for schools. I cannot sit on my hands and watch that type of funding cut off to our state, to our boards of education to distribute to our school districts, Raoul added at the news briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states lawsuit contends that the Trump administration has repeatedly failed to define the conduct that they seek to punish or prohibit or what constitutes illegal DEI. This ambiguity pressures Plaintiff States to curtail lawful, congressionally sanctioned and required, initiatives and programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion, in order to dispel all fear of losing federal funds or becoming a target of enforcement, the lawsuit states. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said that he and Trump agree that education is a pathway to opportunity. But here's the thing: if somebody believes that only they deserve an opportunity, and you never do, they'll go out of their way to close every door available to your success, Ellison said. And so in my view, that's why we have to fight off these attacks to diversity, equity and inclusion. It's not because the programs don't work. It's because they do. The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department released its draft 2025-2029 Plan on Aging, committing the department to assisting seniors retain their autonomy. (Photo courtesy of New Mexico Aging Services) As New Mexicos population of seniors continues to grow, the states aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers. The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department released a draft of its 2025-2029 State Plan on Aging on Thursday and is receiving feedback from the public and stakeholders through May 15. The document states that it is expected to go into effect in October 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan details three goals to help New Mexicans age in place and reduce instances of abuse and neglect, including: administering programs to support seniors aging in their own homes, as well as their caregivers; responding to social determinants of health, such as food security, housing security and access to healthcare; and reducing instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation in the state while also preserving seniors autonomy. According to the previous plan, more than 377,700 New Mexicans were 65 and older in 2018. This number grew to more than 391,200 in 2020 and is projected to grow by 122% by 2030, meaning more than 475,600 New Mexicans will be 65 and over. The current draft plan states that New Mexico is currently the 13th state in the U.S. with the highest percentage of population falling into this age category. In the past five years a lot has changed including the growth of our aging population and increased needs such as transportation access and caregiver support, an unattributed written statement from the aging department to Source NM reads. The new plan strives to address these changing needs including standing up new programs like New MexiCare that support family and friend caregivers. The New MexiCare program provides caregivers with financial and training support to then help aging New Mexicans remain in their own homes. The program is currently available in 31 of the states 33 counties, excepting Dona Ana and Bernalillo counties, but aging department representatives have said previously the goal is to eventually expand the program into those counties as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department also noted in its statement that only an estimated 22% of the 60 and older population receive services such as home-delivered meals, congregate meals, transportation, case management, adult day care, respite services and homemaker services all of which fall under the Older Americans Act Title III services and are provided by the Area Agencies on Aging in the state. The advocacy responsibilities remain a quintessential aspect of the work that ALTSD engages in daily, the statement reads. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX No evidence serial killer murdered New Haven woman, police say NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) New Haven police want to make it clear: theres no evidence Denise Leary was murdered by a serial killer. In a statement released Friday, police said they are aware of rumors spreading on social media about her death. The 60-year-olds remains were found in a brush area behind a house in New Haven last month. Rumors swirl about possible serial killer after multiple human remains found along CT shoreline: Police do not think so Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our investigation has not yet concluded, but at this time there is no indication of any criminality in the disappearance and subsequent location of Ms. Leary, police said in their statement. They said the missing womans remains- which were found a short distance from her home in late March- showed no signs of foul play. The Office of the Medical Examiner ruled the cause of her death undetermined. BACKGROUND: Human remains found near brush area behind house in New Haven identified New Haven police are not the first to address rumors swirling about a serial killer in Connecticut. Earlier this month, state police responded to the speculation after multiple reports came out of human remains found along the shoreline and nearby states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no information at this time suggesting any connection to similar discoveries in RI & the CT shoreline area, and there is also no known threat to the public at this time, state police said about two weeks ago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. One day, youre able to enjoy steak, hamburgers, and sausage, and the next day, those foods cause a severe allergic reaction. People who suffer from a condition called alpha-gal syndrome break out in hives after eating red meat. I was fully covered in these hives, head to toe. Literally from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, said Rob Attaway, who has alpha-gal syndrome. Until recently, alpha-gal was linked to a bite from the Lone Star Tick, typically found in the south. But now, new research is tying the red meat allergy to ticks found in New England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDC researchers linked alpha gal to a 45-year-old Maine woman bitten by a Black-Legged Tick in York County. Researchers also linked alpha-gal to a different tick bite in a woman in Washington state. We know the range of Lone Star ticks. And yet these two cases seem to be something, something bit beyond that, said microbiology professor Dr. Stephen Rich, who studies ticks at UMass Amherst. Dr. Rich says this issue has been on their radar for some time, and they still have a lot of questions that need answers. Black-legged ticks, as we know, are throughout New England and even in higher elevations. And so it changes the exposure if thats in fact the case that the black- legged ticks are now a risk factor, Dr. Rich said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDC researchers increased surveillance in Maine and found positive lab reports for antibodies associated with alpha-gal in 57 Maine residents. The symptoms can be severe.... Attaway, who lives in Georgia, said he had itching that lasted for hours and was unbearable. Literally, you could sometimes not even hardly think because youre itching and the only thing you want to do is try and get relief from the itching, Attaway said. My face went numb completely. And I went into and looked in the mirror, and I was so contorted. I thought I was having a stroke, said Jim Dickerson, who also suffers from alpha-gal syndrome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the worst pain Ive ever experienced, Dickerson said. Both Dickerson and Attaway can no longer eat their favorite foods. Both men said they now eat a lot of chicken. Turkey, fish and plant-based meat alternatives are also safe foods. Theres no cure or real treatment for alpha-gal, so until researchers learn more, the best way to avoid any tick-related conditions is to prevent tick bites in the first place. Be mindful. Tick seasons are starting up right now. Theyll continue to rise through the month of May and June, and then well come into the nymphal season. And we have ticks for the next several months. And so be using all the precautions you can to keep them off you, cautioned Dr. Rich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Dickerson and Attaway said they now eat a lot of chicken. Turkey, fish, and plant-based meat alternatives are also safe foods. Both men said they have not had any major outbreaks since their diagnosis. They both carry an EpiPen in case they accidentally eat red meat. The condition could cause their throat to close up and cut off their oxygen supply. Its amazing how your life can change from one little one little bite, Dickerson said. 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 A woman showcases artisanal products at the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 25, 2025. Namibia's capital Windhoek turned into a vibrant spectacle of cultural energy as the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival kicked off Friday, marking its 18th edition. The two-day event features traditional dances, fashion, cuisine, and artisanal products from local and international vendors. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) WINDHOEK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's capital Windhoek turned into a vibrant spectacle of cultural energy as the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival kicked off Friday, marking its 18th edition. The two-day event features traditional dances, fashion, cuisine, and artisanal products from local and international vendors. /Ae //Gams, the indigenous Khoekhoe word for Windhoek, meaning "hot springs," highlights the festival's deep connection to the city's identity and cultural heritage, said Lydia Amutenya, spokesperson for the Windhoek Municipality. "The festival aims to cement cultural roots by showcasing the city's cultural richness and emphasizing the city's often-unseen cultural wealth," she said. Initially held from 2001 to 2015, the festival was revived in 2023 after a hiatus and has since evolved into a popular platform for cultural exchange, national unity, and economic opportunities. Locals embraced the festival as a chance to enhance culture and foster nationhood and unity. Mercy Eises, a Windhoek resident, said that the festival has exposed her to new insights about other cultures. "This cultural exchange has broadened my understanding of other cultures and enhanced my social skills," she said. Business owners, including Windhoek-based entrepreneur Elias David, viewed the festival as a much-needed boost for the creative industry. "It allows us to promote the creative sector, which often faces limited opportunities, and to create value from our culture and traditions," he said. The municipal spokesperson noted that the festival also aims to attract tourists and immerse them in Namibia's diverse culture, leveraging Windhoek's strategic location as a cultural hub. "Tourism is one of Namibia's largest economic sectors, and this festival supports the country's efforts toward national development," Amutenya added. People perform at the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 25, 2025. Namibia's capital Windhoek turned into a vibrant spectacle of cultural energy as the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival kicked off Friday, marking its 18th edition. The two-day event features traditional dances, fashion, cuisine, and artisanal products from local and international vendors. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) People perform at the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 25, 2025. Namibia's capital Windhoek turned into a vibrant spectacle of cultural energy as the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival kicked off Friday, marking its 18th edition. The two-day event features traditional dances, fashion, cuisine, and artisanal products from local and international vendors. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) People perform at the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 25, 2025. Namibia's capital Windhoek turned into a vibrant spectacle of cultural energy as the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival kicked off Friday, marking its 18th edition. The two-day event features traditional dances, fashion, cuisine, and artisanal products from local and international vendors. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) People attend the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 25, 2025. Namibia's capital Windhoek turned into a vibrant spectacle of cultural energy as the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival kicked off Friday, marking its 18th edition. The two-day event features traditional dances, fashion, cuisine, and artisanal products from local and international vendors. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) People perform at the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 25, 2025. Namibia's capital Windhoek turned into a vibrant spectacle of cultural energy as the annual /Ae //Gams Arts and Cultural Festival kicked off Friday, marking its 18th edition. The two-day event features traditional dances, fashion, cuisine, and artisanal products from local and international vendors. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) Apr. 24---- No injuries were reported as a result of a fire reported at the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City school Thursday morning in Grove City. According to a news release from the deputies and the Grove City Fire Department responded and learned a toilet paper dispenser in the boy's bathroom was ignited and the fire suppression system was activated. Dispatchers received the report of a fire alarm at 7:53 a.m. at the school housing grades 5-12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after, school staff called and reported there was a fire in a boy's bathroom within the building, located in the 27200 block of Minnesota Highway 4. The Grove City Fire Department confirmed that the fire was out, and an alert was sent out to notify parents and guardians of school students. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. The incident remains under investigation. The Minnesota Fire Marshal's Office was called to help assist with the investigation. Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, gives an interview at his house in April. - Credit: Mamoun Wazwaz/Xinhua/Getty Images Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the celebrated documentary No Other Land, has published a new essay about being beaten and degraded by Israeli settlers, then blindfolded and detained at an army base, just weeks after winning an Academy Award. Ballal offered a detailed account of the harrowing experience, which he called the worst moment of my life, in a New York Times op-ed. I could hear my wife and kids screaming and crying, calling for me and telling the men to go away, he wrote of the attack, adding: My wife and I both thought I would be killed. We feared what would happen to my family if I died. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack occurred on March 24 in the village of Susiya. Ballal said it was a typical Ramadan evening before a neighbor raised the alarm about a settler attack. Ballal said he first tried to document the moment, but when he saw the crowd growing in size, he returned home. Seeing a settler and two soldiers coming towards him, he told his wife and children to go inside their home and not open the door. Ballal said he recognized the men, and when they confronted him outside of his home, they began beating and cursing me, mocking me as the Oscar-winning filmmaker. Ballal said a gun was stuck into his ribs and someone punched me in the head from behind. On the ground, he continued, I was kicked and spat on. After he was beaten, Ballal said, he was handcuffed, blindfolded, and thrown into an army jeep. For hours, I lay blindfolded on the ground on what I later learned was an army base, fearing that I would be held for a long time and beaten again and again. I was released a day later. While the attack was brutal, Ballal said, he stressed that it was not unique in any way. He noted that, just a few days later, dozens of settlers, many of them masked, attacked the nearby village of Jinba, leading to five hospitalizations and 20 arrests. Afterwards, Ballal said, the army raided the village and ransacked homes, the mosque, and the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military has claimed the attack on Susiya was a violent confrontation [that] broke out, involving mutual rock-hurling between Palestinians and Israelis at the scene. IDF and Israeli Police forces arrived to disperse the confrontation, at this point, several terrorists began hurling rocks at the security forces. Multiple witnesses have disputed the claim of any confrontation. Ballal contrasted the fear and heartbreak he felt on March 24 with the sense of power and possibility hed felt three weeks prior on the Oscars stage. My heart was broken from the disappointment. From the sense of failure, he said, adding: [E]ven though our movie received global recognition, I felt I had failed we had failed in our attempt to make life better here. To convince the world something needed to change. My life is still at the mercy of the settlers and the occupation. My community is still suffering from unending violence. Our movie won an Oscar, but our lives are no better than before. Still, Ballal acknowledged that No Other Lands Oscar victory did bring significant press attention to the attack. The messages and voices of support around the world have been overwhelming, he said. I know that there are thousands and thousands of people who now know my name and my story, who know my communitys name and our story and who stand with us and support us. Dont turn away now. A joint Palestinian-Israeli production, Ballal co-directed No Other Land with Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Shore. The film was made between 2019 and 2023 and documents Israels violent treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank, with a particular focus on Massager Yatta, where both Adra and Ballal live. Despite struggling to find distribution in the U.S., No Other Land earned wide critical acclaim (and some criticism) ahead of its Best Documentary win at the 2025 Oscars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the attack, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a lukewarm statement that neither referred to the attack, nor mentioned Ballal or No Other Land by name, but condemned suppressing artists for their work. Following widespread criticism, and an open-letter signed by numerous A-list actors including Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Gore, and Penelope Cruz the Academy released an equally lukewarm apology, saying, We regret that we failed to directly acknowledge Mr. Ballal and the film by name. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Noa Argamani opened up about what it was like to be held hostage by Hamas for 245 days when she walked the red carpet at the gala celebrating TIMEs 2025 list of the worlds most influential people on April 24 in New York City. Argamani attended the Nova Music Festival where Hamas launched the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that led to the Israel-Hamas war. She recently found it hard to attend the Nova Exhibition, a traveling exhibit on the festival and the conflict. As she put it, It was too much to handle. Too much to carry. But it was a must-see, she said. Argamani was separated from her partner Avinatan Or and said that while in captivity, she was constantly trying to find out where he was. At a certain point, she was afraid to know the answer. I never saw him in captivity. I asked about him everywhere I went, but they didnt tell me nothing. I didnt know if hes alive I didnt want to know the answer because it was too much for me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But until my partner, Avinatan Or, will come back, and all those 59 hostages will come back, I will not heal. I will push forward, and I will fight as much as I can so that everybody will come back home. Later at the gala afterparty, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, described Argamani as one of the most inspiring people Ive ever met, citing her extraordinary strength and her amazing resolve, not just despite what shes been through but what shes still going through. In a tribute to Argamani for the 2025 TIME100, Doug Emhoff, former Second Gentleman of the United States, wrote, her bravery has embodied Jewish resilience and strength even in the worst moments. Argamani was among a select group of honorees to make a short speech during the gala. She urged the star-studded attendees to use their voices and influence to keep attention on those who remain in captivity: Help make sure that the world will not look away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solcyre Burga contributed reporting. The TIME100 Gala is TIMEs annual celebration of the TIME100 list of the worlds most influential people. The Gala brings together icons, leaders, change-makers, and celebrities from across industries and nations for one lively evening of meaningful dialogue and celebration. TIME is teaming up with ABC to bring viewers inside the exclusive TIME100 Gala with a special television event. TIME100: The Worlds Most Influential People, produced in partnership with P&G, airs Sunday, May 4 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC, and the next day on Hulu, featuring host Snoop Dogg, a performance by Ed Sheeran, and appearances by Demi Moore, Serena Williams, and more. The 2025 TIME100 Gala was presented by Booking.com, Circle, Diriyah Company, Prudential Financial, Toyota, Amazon, Absolut, Pfizer, and XPRIZE. Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com. Alexis Lewis was a 22-year-old trying to do everything right. She was enrolled at a local community college in Knoxville, Tennessee, with dreams of being a nurse while working two jobs, earning just enough to get by. "I was taking care of myself at the time," she said. But, like thousands of Americans every year, Lewis' path was derailed by one trip to the emergency room. "I would have panic attacks and pretty much have to go to the emergency room," Lewis said. "And at the time, I didn't have insurance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said she was satisfied with the medical care she received at the largest nonprofit hospital in east Tennessee in 2018, but the $6,500 bill wrecked her finances. "I'm still behind on everything, trying to catch up," said Lewis, who is now a licensed practical nurse. Lewis' story is not unique. Although America's approximately 3,000 nonprofit hospitals are required by law to provide free or discounted medical care to those who cannot afford it, a CBS News investigation found hundreds of those hospitals continue to bill the lowest-income Americans. In return for caring for the poor, the hospitals are exempt from an estimated $37 billion in state, federal and local taxes every year, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet a CBS analysis of IRS tax data found over 400 nonprofit hospitals attempted to collect more than $800 million dollars in a year from patients who otherwise would qualify for charity care. The practice of hospitals receiving massive tax breaks and then billing patients who should receive free care "is not something that really should be allowed," said Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, a think tank that studies the nonprofit hospital industry. "For nonprofits, it really should not be about maximizing the bottom line," he said. Billing lower-income patients is not a choice most hospitals make. CBS' analysis found most nonprofit hospitals do not bill low-income patients eligible for charity care. They say they aim to treat all patients without putting them in financial jeopardy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to CBS News, the American Hospital Association said hospitals and health systems "take seriously their responsibility to provide care for everyone, regardless of ability to pay," and said the true driver of medical debt is inadequate health insurance coverage. "Too many patients either do not have adequate coverage or their coverage imposes cost-sharing requirements that they cannot afford to pay," the AHA said. "Hospitals continue working to close this insurance gap, but can never completely close that gap while also covering the high costs associated with maintaining around-the-clock, high-quality hospital care." But in a medical system that can be difficult to navigate under the best circumstances, the 26 million Americans who lack health insurance risk financial devastation from a single treatment. Health care debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States, and affects an estimated 41% of American adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A growing debt On a cold autumn morning in late 2024, it was standing room only at the Knox County General Sessions Court. Among the crowd were defendants in civil cases, many of them brought by a debt collection agency on behalf of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Judge Patricia Long moved quickly through the docket. "If you breach the payment arrangement, then [the debt collector] can do things like get money out of a bank account or garnish wages," Long instructed them. It was the same court that Lewis had been summoned to months ago to deal with the financial legacy of her 2018 visit to the emergency room at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Lewis said she didn't have insurance at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law requires each nonprofit hospital to have a policy to determine which patients are eligible for free and discounted care. Those policies must be prominently posted in physical spaces where patients enter and must be posted online. Information about charity care is also supposed to be on the hospital bill. CBS News confirmed UTMC satisfies each of these requirements. But there is no requirement that hospitals verbally communicate the policy to patients, or ensure those receiving care understand that they could be eligible for assistance. Federal law also does not specify exactly what those policies need to say. There is almost no penalty if hospitals fail to live up to their own policies. Lewis - who was a 22-year-old student at the time of her treatment - doesn't remember anyone telling her about financial assistance, even though she said her income at the time was far lower than UTMC's threshold for financial help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital said it provided Lewis with a 55 percent uninsured self-pay discount on her original bill. Providing discounts to uninsured patients is required by state law. In December 2018, court records show UTMC produced an affidavit stating that Lewis owed $3,457 for her medical treatment. "This communication is from a debt collector," the document states. In July 2019, Lewis was served with a civil warrant to appear at the Knox County General Sessions Court. She was working at Target at the time. The case was resolved when Lewis and UTMC agreed she would pay $20 a month starting in October 2019 on the $3,457 in debt, plus 7.5% interest, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The terms of that agreement would have left Lewis in debt to UTMC for life. According to CBS News calculations, $20 monthly payments would never pay off a debt of $3,457 at 7.5% interest because the amount of accrued interest added to the debt each month is more than the monthly payment. And so, the debt she was paying grew. By 2022, the balance had increased to $4,524 and she had fallen behind. The hospital, working with a debt collection firm, began pursuing a court order seeking to forcibly take the payments out of Lewis' paycheck from a Knoxville-area nurse staffing company. In July 2024, Lewis' debt to UTMC neared $5,000. She said her wages were garnished about $2,200 in two months. Eventually, Lewis agreed in September to a payment plan of $150 per month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't have the money," said Lewis, now a mother of two. "But they can come get me, I guess...I just know I don't have the money." A UTMC spokesperson said the hospital made multiple outreach attempts by phone and mail to discuss payment arrangements for patient-responsible balances with Lewis before her account was transferred to a third-party vendor for payment remediation. In a statement, UTMC said it takes several steps to proactively identify and support patients who may qualify for financial assistance. "We also recognize that medical expenses can be challenging and complex, especially in situations where severe or specialty needs are being treated," UTMC said. "Each patient's situation is unique and there are many factors that may contribute to financial assistance gaps, such as incomplete applications, missing documentation or missed communications. We partner with patients to remediate these factors to the best of our ability and provide more than $190 million in financial assistance discounts in 2023." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital's tax returns show that since 2020 it has tried to collect more than $6 million - including $1.4 million in 2023 - from patients who the hospital knew would have been eligible for charity assistance. 'No transparency' Efforts to compel nonprofit hospitals to increase transparency about their community benefits - including free and discounted care for those who need it - have been ongoing for decades. When the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, its reforms included new requirements for nonprofit hospitals in the federal tax code. Hospitals, as a result of the ACA, are required to provide a community benefit plan and it must include a policy to provide free charity care to those who cannot pay. However, the ACA's requirements stopped short of spelling out exactly what those policies must say - and provided little in the way of enforcement or oversight. What the ACA did require is a new effort to collect data on the financial practices of nonprofit hospitals regarding low-income patients - often referred to as charity care. As part of the updated IRS nonprofit tax return form, hospitals must report "bad debt" stemming from patients who would be eligible for free or reduced care - but for some reason did not receive it. In those cases, hospitals attempt to collect money from low-income patients and write it off as "bad debt" if those collection efforts fail. Keith Hearle, a healthcare finance consultant tapped by the IRS to help implement the tax provisions of the ACA, was in the room for formative early conversations about the new tax return forms. The reforms enacted under the ACA helped increase the level of public disclosure, he said, but did not go far enough in asking nonprofit hospitals to explain their charity care spending. "More transparency is better than less transparency," Hearle said. "The hospitals shouldn't be embarrassed about shedding light on these policies and how they're carried out," he said. But experts say the IRS should be doing more with the newly-reported information. Although the IRS reviews the tax-exempt status of hospitals every three years, a 2023 report by the Government Accountability Office found the agency "had not revoked a hospital's tax exempt status for failing to provide sufficient community benefits in the previous 10 years." Jessica Lucas-Judy, Director of Strategic Issues at the GAO and the author of the report, said the tax returns filed by nonprofit hospitals - and IRS' oversight of them - need to be improved. "We found 30 in one year that reported no spending at all on community benefits," Lucas-Judy said. "That doesn't mean that the hospitals weren't providing community benefits. It's just that there was no transparency." Nonprofit hospitals are generally acting within their rights and are not violating any federal law when they seek to collect payment from low-income patients. But there are moral and ethical reasons why hospitals should not pursue people in court for medical debt they cannot pay, said Eli Rushbanks, general counsel and policy advocacy director at Dollar For, an advocacy group that helps patients find out if they qualify for assistance. "It is immoral to sue patients who cannot afford their bills as a tax-exempt hospital," Rushbanks said. "These are by definition low and middle income patients who received a bill that they couldn't pay, which is unlike almost any other type of bill," he said. "A medical bill is not like a credit card bill. This is almost never something that you took on willingly or knowingly, and it's almost always a thing that happened to you." Nonprofit hospital debt is one piece of a national health financial system that advocates say is badly in need of reform. Early this month, the nonprofit group Undue Medical Debt announced that it had made a private deal to buy $30 billion of medical debt belonging to an estimated 20 million individuals and wipe it away. But the group said its move merely puts a Band-Aid on a broken system. "This deal underscores that the way we finance healthcare in the U.S. is fundamentally broken," Undue Medical Debt president and CEO Allison Sesso said in a statement. 'Abusive collection practices' Across the country, federal and state lawmakers have spent decades on reforms to the nonprofit hospital system. Change has been slow. Some states require hospitals to use software that determines whether a patient is eligible for free or reduced care - reducing the burden on patients to fill out paperwork proving their need. This method of screening patients is called "presumptive eligibility." In Oregon, state law requires financial screening of all patients with bills over $500 dollars to assess their need for assistance. One year after Oregon's law took effect, Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland saw its charity care eligibility rates jump dramatically -- from 12% to 64%. "Making use of presumptive eligibility software at the point of care standard practice could limit the toll of medical debt on low-income patients," researchers wrote in a 2024 article in Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care. But such drastic changes have been rare, and patients at many nonprofit hospitals are still left to navigate a complex paperwork maze. Hearle, the healthcare consultant who helped the IRS draft new rules following the passage of the ACA, said there are a range of reasons that patients eligible for charity care fall through the cracks. "One end of the spectrum, patients aren't being told about financial assistance, that charity care is available," Hearle said. "On the other hand, though, you've got patients who just simply will not apply. This is like, 'I don't want to, I don't want to apply for charity, even though I technically would be eligible for it.'" Elsewhere on the spectrum, he added, are patients who are confused or daunted by the paperwork requirements needed to apply. In a 2023 survey by Dollar For, the Washington state-based advocacy group, more than half of charity-care eligible patients said they didn't get any information about financial assistance from their hospital. Fewer than half reported filing an application for free or reduced-cost care. "These are patients who, by and large...cannot afford the bill that they've been given," said Rushbanks. "They were happy with their treatment. Sometimes it was life-saving. They want to pay the hospital or their doctor what they can, but they can't." A steady drumbeat of media coverage has uncovered hospitals aggressively suing patients in Missouri, Virginia and elsewhere, with the reports often followed by reforms by individual hospitals. The IRS announced in 2024 that it was auditing 35 nonprofit hospitals - a vast expansion of existing efforts. But for many policymakers, that review does not go far enough. And in a bipartisan effort last November, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, sent a joint letter to the IRS urging them to crack down on nonprofit hospitals that are not fulfilling their mandate. Some nonprofit hospitals benefit from tax breaks while "shirking their responsibility to provide charity care and engaging in abusive collections practices that harm their patients and communities," Grassley and Warren wrote. Among the senators' requests was for the IRS to clarify standards for nonprofit hospitals' financial assistance policies and practices. "A standardized approach would facilitate consistent protection for patients and transparency in the hospital billing and collections process," Warren and Grassley said, "ensuring that patients who qualify for financial assistance under existing hospital policies receive it." Nothing has changed since the senators sent their letter. Meanwhile, lawmakers are making some progress enacting charity care policies state by state. In New York, Governor Hochul signed a law prohibiting hospitals from reporting medical debt to credit agencies. California now requires hospitals to provide charity care to eligible patients and reimburse those who were wrongly billed. Earlier this year, Texas, lawmakers introduced a bill that would bar hospitals from pursuing debt collection until they confirm a patient is ineligible for charity care. For patients like Lewis--now working as a nurse in the Knoxville area--those reforms haven't come soon enough. According to UTMC, she is current on her payments. From her perspective, the nonprofits aren't holding up their end of the bargain. "They call themselves nonprofits, but they're profiting off sick people who don't realize they could be getting help," she said. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates Russia's foreign minister says "negotiations continue" for peace talks over war with Ukraine KANSAS CITY, Mo. Court Appointed Special Advocates For Children, or CASA, of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties announced that theyre the latest local agency to be hit with federal funding cuts. CASA, a nonprofit that works with vulnerable and at-risk children, says the news came last night, when the Department of Justice cut funding for hundreds of grantees. Missouri couple accused of starving one-year-old, parents blame pot: police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was pretty devastating, actually. I mean, I knew this was a possibility just with all of the funding changes that have been happening at the federal level. I just hope that this would not become a reality for us, aid Natalie Julien, President and CEO of CASAJWC. So, to hear that news was just pretty upsetting. And I know my staff and advocates are quite upset with that as well. According to National CASA/GAL, the notices claimed that the funding was being terminated because they no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities, including protecting American children. Since that is in fact the mission of the CASA program, we strongly disagree with the decision to terminate this funding, the post continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without these funds, the work of CASA programs across the country will be impacted along with more than 200,000 children involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings. And were talking about kids who really need someone in their corner who can help represent their best interests, Julien explained. There are so many kids who need the support of CASA to advocate, and we want to be able to provide someone to provide those resources and support for every child that we serve. Now, National CASA says that more than 200,00 abused and neglected children will be affected by the cuts. In Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, CASA says at least 100 children will be directly impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE detains mother at citizenship appointment in Kansas City, family says However, Julien said that they were planning to use the grant funding to hire two new staff members who would train volunteers, allowing them to help more children. I hope that anyone who has any influence over these funding decisions would reconsider and hopefully get us back on track so that we can continue to do the work that we do, Julien continued. We want to maintain that positive influence, that support that they need to let someone, to let the kids know that someone cares about whats happening to them. CASA provided three ways you can help children both nationwide and locally: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact your representative to ask them to contact the DOJ. Make a donation, as CASAJWC is now missing out on about $80,000 of grant funding. Spread the word by sharing CASAs posts about the termination on social media. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administrations directive that school divisions do away with DEI programs, which has been a controversial and sometimes confusing one. Just last night, the Norfolk school board voted to reject the suspension of DEI, with some exceptions. But they want to make clear that does not mean non-compliance. Norfolk school board votes to reject Trump administrations DEI suspension Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 4-3 vote, they decided to modify the letter to the Department of Education, stating theyll comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits employment discrimination based on protected characteristics such as sex and race. But there was concern among board members. My concern is that will be interpreted as non-compliance and that we would forego the $60.6 million that our students need, said Norfolk School Board member Dr. Adale Martin. And as elected officials, we swore when we took that oath to do no harm, so it puts us in a real tenuous position. Noncompliance by school divisions would mean a cutoff of all federal funding and grants, which on average makes up about 10% of a school divisions budget. However, Thursday, a federal judge hit the pause button, blocking President Trumps directive. The ruling came as a result of a lawsuit filed by the National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union. The lawsuits argued the orders were unconstitutionally vague. Judge blocks Trump efforts to eliminate DEI in public schools A U.S. District Court judge said the letter from the Department of Education doesnt make clear what the department believes a DEI program entails or where it crosses the line and violates civil rights law. Thursday was meant to the be the deadline for all school divisions to respond to the letter and certify their compliance. Most of the school divisions in Hampton Roads had already made their decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norfolk and Hampton school divisions both made modifications to their letters, while Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Suffolk have signed their certification letter to comply. Suffolks School Board voted 4-3 Thursday to suspend its policy on DEI, titled Education Equity Defined; Guiding Questions; Equity goals; Equity Measurements; Key Terms, which the board adopted in 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 WAVY.com. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The sounds of the Virginia International Tattoo are filling Scope Arena as it celebrates 250 years of the Army, Navy and Marines. Virginia International Tattoo Thursday is the first night of the Tattoo and NATO night. Before the show began, the Norfolk NATO flag-raising ceremony showed 32 member nations parading their flag at Scope Plaza. Were happy to have this in our city right here in Norfolk, said Alli Pereira with the Virginia Arts Festival. And it really means a lot to us at the Virginia International Tattoo to have that celebration of friendship. That is really the Tattoo spirit. So were happy to carry that through with with Norfolk NATO Festival activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the first of many NATO festival events that are happening this weekend. The Tattoo runs from April 24-27. For us, you can expect a really detailed and impressive drill display with the band and the drill team and big formations and great Norwegian music, said Mats Bakken, company commander of His Majesty the King Scott Band and Drill. The NATO parade will happen Saturday morning in Norfolk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apr. 24BISMARCK A new North Dakota law is expected to put checks on the influence that artificial intelligence and algorithms have on health care decisions, resulting in fewer delays in treatment and medication for patients. On Wednesday, April 23, Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed Senate Bill 2280, which aims to reform the "prior authorization" process for patients needing imaging services, medications and surgeries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior authorization is the approval from a patient's health insurance provider that may be required for a service, treatment or prescription to be covered by their plan, if it's not an emergency. Prior authorization does not guarantee payment, but makes it more likely that their health plan will cover the cost. The new North Dakota law puts deadlines on insurance plans for those prior authorization decisions and requires any denials to be made by a licensed physician, not by AI or insurance companies. The bill passed unanimously in the House and nearly so in the Senate, and with Armstrong's signature, takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Sen. Scott Meyer, R-Grand Forks, the bill's lead sponsor, said it passed due to proponents and opponents sitting down and working it out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just because it was a vote that led to almost unanimous support, it was still a lot of work to get to that point," Meyer told The Forum. Dr. Stefanie Gefroh, president of Essentia Health's West Market, said North Dakota is one of only a few states without statewide oversight of prior authorization. "It's kind of an open book with no guard rails, essentially, around what is an acceptable time frame for a patient to receive clearance to get services," Gefroh said. She said some physicians are having to spend up to 14 hours a week trying to justify a medical decision made for a patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyer said American Medical Association data shows that among all of the prior authorization requests in Medicare Advantage plans that were denied and appealed in 2022, more than 83% were overturned. The result was delays in care, treatment and medications for those patients. Gefroh said most delays involve higher-cost items: MRIs, surgeries, and chemotherapy and immunologic agents. The law calls for insurance companies to make timely decisions; within seven days for non-urgent requests and 72 hours for urgent ones. Requests for services that go unmet or unanswered are considered "authorized." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's why the default to 'yes' really is quite extraordinary, because the beautiful part of it is we're not holding up patient care," she said. In addition, any denials for services must be made by licensed physicians experienced in the relevant condition, not by AI or insurance analysts. Gefroh said insurance companies that don't adhere to the guidelines will likely have to adjust their internal processes. "I don't think they want to be approving by default," she said. There was pushback against the bill from representatives of multiple insurance companies, who said it would increase costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, the bill prevailed due to support from the North Dakota Hospital Association, and a coalition led by Essentia of 20 health care and patient advocacy organizations representing physicians, pharmacists, hospitals, physical therapists, and advocates for seniors, children, and cancer patients. "It's doing the right thing and putting the patients at the center, and anytime we can put the highlight on that, I'm pleased," Gefroh said. Roundup has been a popular herbicide with farmers and for residential use. (Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) North Dakota is poised to be the first state in the nation to implement a law that provides legal protections for pesticide manufacturers an issue that has been debated in legislatures across the country in the face of large payouts to cancer victims. Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Wednesday signed House Bill 1318 that specifies that a label approved by the Environmental Protection Agency acts as sufficient warning to users about the hazards posed by pesticides and herbicides such as Roundup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgias General Assembly passed its version of the pesticide protection bill but it has yet to be signed. The National Agricultural Law Center has been tracking the status of similar legislation in Iowa, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming. Elizabeth Burns-Thompson is the executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance, a national group backing the legislation in North Dakota and other states. This law sets the standard for states across America to pass legislation similar to HB 1318 and, ultimately, stand up for our farmers, Burns-Thompson said Thursday in a statement. Ag groups have lined up behind the pesticide legislation, saying it ensures farmers will have access to chemicals they need to control weeds and insects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics have said the bill will make it harder for people harmed by chemicals to win lawsuits against the manufacturers of chemicals. Germany-based Bayer, maker of the popular herbicide Roundup, has been ordered to pay out billions of dollars to plaintiffs who claim the product has caused cancer. The EPA has never determined that Roundup causes cancer. Plaintiffs have still prevailed, in part on the argument that they were not adequately warned. Brigit Rollins, attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center, wrote earlier this year that almost every pesticide injury lawsuit filed in the past 10 years has included a claim that the pesticide manufacturer failed to warn the plaintiff of the health risks associated with the product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rollins was unavailable for comment Thursday, but wrote earlier this month that it was not clear how pesticide laws might affect pending lawsuits, which number in the thousands nationally. Bayers website says it is also hopeful for a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of laws such as the one being implemented in North Dakota. A Bayer executive said in an April 14 Wall Street Journal article that the company may have to shut down U.S. production of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. The pesticide bill in North Dakota sailed through the House of Representatives, where it was introduced, passing unanimously in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It faced more debate in the Senate, but was amended and returned to the House. A small group of protesters gathered outside the Capitol the day of the Senate vote, urging members to reject the bill. Its second vote in the House was much closer, passing 51-40. As the debate on the bill wrapping up, Rep. Donna Henderson, R-Calvin, said, If we have learned anything, it is that we dont know all the answers. We dont know what this bill does. She noted that similar legislation has been pushed in other states. If its just a simple labeling bill, why did 35 other states vote it down? she asked. Leaders of North Dakota farm groups expressed their appreciation for the bill Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This monumental step forward helps ensure our farmers have the certainty they need to make long-term planning decisions and stay productive in the field, Justin Sherlock, president of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association said. While the debate focused on Roundup, the law applies to other pesticides registered with the state Department of Agriculture. The North Dakota law will take effect July 1. If signed, the Georgia law would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Armstrongs office declined to comment on his decision to sign the bill. This story was originally produced by the North Dakota Monitor which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. When Russia first launched a North Korean ballistic missile at a target in Ukraine, it was accurate to an area hundreds of metres wide. Since that day on December 29 2023, Russian engineers have been attempting to modify and modernise the roughly 148 KN-23 and KN-24 projectiles Moscow received from Pyongyang. Over a year later, on April 24 2025, the missile was responsible for its deadliest attack when a Russian-launched KN-23 slammed into a residential area in Kyivs Sviatoshynskyi district, killing 12 civilians and injuring over 90 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of Thursdays attack, which exposed Kyivs strained air defences, Ukrainian intelligence now believes the missiles have been fine-tuned to make them accurate to an area of tens of metres, as opposed to hundreds. The KN-23 is based on the Russian Iskander-M missile, a weapon with a range of about 500 kilometres and a warhead of about 700 kilograms. However, the North Korean versions are armed with more powerful warheads up to one tonne, according to the Ukrainian intelligence agency. Russian troops load an Iskander missile onto a mobile launcher during drills at an undisclosed location - AP Ballistic missiles can fly at hypersonic speeds above Mach-5, making them much harder to intercept by fighter jets or ground-based systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven such missiles, identified as either KN-23 or Iskander, were used in the deadly attack on Kyiv earlier this week. Despite the lethality of the weapons, they would have usually provided Ukraines armed forces with a series of routine interceptions using the US-supplied Patriot systems that guard the capital. But stocks of the PAC interceptor missiles used by the surface-to-air batteries are dwindling dangerously low. Serhii Kuzan, of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre and a former adviser to the ministry of defence, said: If Ukraine had more Patriot air defence systems, and most importantly, interceptor missiles, the consequences of Russian terrorist attacks would be much smaller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Ukrainian calculations have to choose targets for destruction, prioritising them. The interception radius of a ballistic missile, because of their speed, is between 20 and 25 kilometres, Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for Ukraines air force, said. Ukraine currently operates around six full Patriot batteries, which is not enough to cover the entire country. The US-made system is Kyivs best response to the Russian threat of ballistic missiles. Joe Biden, the former president, donated three of them, as has Germany. The Netherlands has donated at least three launchers to help bolster the complete systems already in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the donations, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, has estimated that they need at least 25 systems to cover all Ukrainian territory. We dont have as many Patriots as we need. The president speaks about this constantly, Mr Ihnat said. We urgently need more Patriots, as well as other systems like Iris-T and Nasams that have proven themselves. But even those Patriots deployed in Ukraine are only as useful as the number of PAC interceptor rockets that remain in the countrys stockpiles. That quantity of missiles is incredibly low, according to Mr Ihnat, who did not comment on the exact number remaining for security reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The estimated cost of each missile is between $2 million and $3 million, and volumes are thought to be low across the world, not just in Ukraine. Only the US carries a significant arsenal and is capable of supplying Kyivs needs. But Donald Trump has not yet moved to transfer any of his forces PAC missiles to Ukraine, as his predecessor, Mr Biden, did on numerous occasions. It is unclear whether the final remaining packages of aid still flowing between Washington and Kyiv, as agreed and arranged by the previous administration, contain the interceptors. Data collected by The Telegraph show that since Mr Trump took office, Ukraines interception rate of Russian missile launches has shrunk dramatically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the summer of 2024, Ukraine intercepted about 60 per cent of all missiles. Last month, it only intercepted 42 per cent. While this is not definitive evidence, it does go a long way to suggest Mr Trumps refusal to restart significant military aid to Kyiv, as he tries to broker a peace deal with Moscow, is having real-world impacts. The aftermath of Russias deadly missile attack in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv - Kirill Chubotin/Ukrinform/Cover Images At one point in time, Mr Zelensky would ask his American counterpart for free donations of Patriot systems and the required interceptor rockets. Now, the Ukrainian president has changed his approach, instead offering to buy at least 10 of those systems from the US, using money collected from other Western allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To satisfy the thirst for interceptors, Ukraine would also purchase the rights and production machinery to manufacture them itself. President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe, the White House said after a call with Mr Zelensky last month. But ultimately, the American leader snubbed the opportunity to sell systems to Ukraine because it could upset his attempts to convince Vladimir Putin to negotiate a ceasefire and peace deal. Just over a month later, Moscows forces launched one of their largest aerial salvos of the war so far 70 missiles and 150 drones on the night of April 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All Mr Trump could say was: Vladimir, STOP! 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 North Korean ballistic missile that Russia fired at Kyiv during its April 24 mass strike contained at least 116 components sourced from multiple countries most of them made by U.S. companies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 25. Russia launched 215 missiles and drones across Ukraine during the assault. Many of the weapons targeted Kyiv, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring 87. Writing on Telegram, Zelensky pointed to both Russia and North Korea in his appeal for greater international accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The lack of sufficient pressure on Russia allows them to import such missiles and other weapons and to use them here, in Europe. The lack of sufficient pressure on North Korea and its accomplices enables, in particular, the production of such ballistic missiles," he said. The president also warned that modern warfare rapidly implicates broader international networks, saying that no victim of aggression faces a single enemy. "Any war can quickly involve many different actors That is why it is so important for defense to be based on collective efforts as well," Zelensky said. Kyiv has consistently called for increased sanctions on Moscow and its partners and for expedited deliveries of Western air defense systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine is grateful to everyone around the world who is helping us protect the lives of our people, supplying us with air defense systems and missiles for them," Zelensky added. The attack came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump later criticized the strike as "not necessary" and "very bad timing," directly addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin: "Vladimir, Stop!" Despite expressing frustration over Russia's continued military escalation, the Trump administration has not introduced new sanctions or taken punitive measures in response to the April 24 attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv has accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Washington in March, but Moscow has yet to agree, pressing forward with offensive operations across the front. Read also: Impossible to believe in Kyiv, Trumps stance on Russia stuns after yet another deadly attack Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A man has died after a shooting near a gas station on the northeast side of Columbus Thursday night. According to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, the shooting happened on the 3300 block of Cleveland Avenue at approximately 8:10 p.m. The victim was taken to a local hospital before succumbing to their injuries. Police said a suspect is in custody. Law enforcement officials taped off the Sunoco station and parking lot at 3317 Cleveland Avenue on Thursday night as the scene was investigated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no further information available at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24) NorthWest Arkansas Community College held a roundtable today to unveil its plans for expansion over the next 25 years. Already the largest community college in the state, NWACC expects enrollment to rise upwards of 30,000 students by the time the plan is completed. Renovations include on-campus housing for both students and faculty, numerous academic buildings, and the addition of three new sporting teams at the school. Estimated costs for expansion are expected to exceed $1 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NWACC sees largest enrollment in schools history President of NWACC, Dennis Rittler, said that funding is one of their biggest challenges, but he reassured that their current student population wont see any increase in fees or tuition. That will be the challenge is going to be raising those dollars because we dont want to put it on the backs of the students. Thats something thats very important to us. We do not want to raise our fees or tuition more than is absolutely necessary, Rittler said. The plan originated in July, and it was a large donation from the Walton Family Foundation that helped get the plan off the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NWACC Foundation Board President, Mat Mozzoni said the next steps are to hopefully break ground soon. However, he added that supporting the community will remain priority number one. What Im most excited about is what it does to first-generation students or the underserved community. This allows us to deliver back to our community to further our growth. 90% of our students stay here, and it allows us to continue to grow. Its generational change, Mazzoni said. For expansion plan details, you can visit NWACCs 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. An 81-year-old French nun who was friends with Pope Francis broke Vatican protocol when she approached the pontiffs casket to say goodbye. Sister Genevieve Jeanningros was at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican where Francis's body was laid in state this week as thousands of mourners waited for hours to say goodbye, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). On Wednesday, April 23, the first day of Francis lying in state, Genevieve entered an area generally reserved for cardinals, priests and bishops, all of whom are male, to pay respects to the pope, according to the news agency. At the time, the general public were not yet permitted inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Pope Francis' 'Eyes Were Open' in His Final Moments but He Was Comatose and Doctor Didn't Want to Risk Hospital Trip According to footage shared on social media, the nun was seen approaching a rope surrounding Franciss coffin with help from an official, theTelegraph reported. Standing a few feet from the casket, Genevieve wept and placed her hands on her face, appearing to be emotionally moved, the newspaper added. NBC News reported that when she began to weep, nobody stopped her, allowing her a moment to grieve. 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 nun and the late pope first met in 2005 when she traveled from Rome to Buenos Aires for the burial of her aunt Leonie Duquet, who was also a French nun, according to the AFP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis, who was then just Bishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, gave approval for the re-burial of Duquet, who died in the mid-1970s during the countrys dictatorship, the news agency reported. Last July, Francis went to Ostia, a Roman neighborhood, to meet Genevieve, who is known for her work with the LGBTQ+ community, Reuters reported. The nun would also visit Francis every week and bring a group of LGBTQ+ community members with her, after he resumed receiving public audiences following the COVID pandemic. "I always wrote to him a little message to tell him who was coming," said Genevieve, according to the AFP. Related: Pope Francis' Heart Was 'Opened' in Private Meetings with LGBTQ Advocates Despite 'Missteps' (Exclusive) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis died on Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. Two days later, his body was taken from his residence at the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter's Basilica, where he will lie in state for three days. When his coffin was carried into St. Peters Basilica, over 20,000 people erupted into "subdued but sustained applause," according to the Vatican. Related: What Happens After Pope Francis' Death? A group of cardinals were the first to pay their respects, and then the public began filing in. According to CBS News, many in line waited four hours or more. "It was his compassion that really brought people to him," Sophia Cabello, a University of Dallas student who was on the line at the time, told PEOPLE. "Even people who aren't necessarily religious, people who aren't Catholic, I've seen giving condolences and really appreciating what he did in his life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis body will remain at St. Peter's Basilica until his burial on Saturday, April 26. Afterwards, it will be transported to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the late pontiff's favorite church, where he will be buried. Read the original article on People NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) An attorney is facing more than 100 counts of drug and sex assault charges after allegedly luring women to his Midtown apartment and torturing them, prosecutors announced. Ryan Hemphill, a 43-year-old attorney in private equity, allegedly subjected at least six women to hours of sexual violence, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Thursday. More Local News Prosecutors accused Hemphill of meeting women on websites like SugarDaddyMeet.com and Craigslist, then brutally raping and tormenting them in his apartment. He allegedly offered money for sexual acts, Bragg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bragg said investigators think Hemphill has more victims. [Hemphill] told these survivors that he was untouchable, the indictment makes clear that he was wrong, Bragg said. The power imbalance could not be more clear. He wielded his law degree and money as both sword and shield. In Hemphills midtown apartment, investigators found handcuffs, fake cash, and a cattle prod used for torture, Bragg said. Investigators also found bullets, drugs and videos of women, Bragg said. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State In messages revealed by prosecutors, Hemphill allegedly threatened women by implying he had close relationships with law enforcement, something prosecutors said was false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These crimes happened between October 2024 and March 2025, prosecutors said. Hemphill was arrested last month. 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. New York City paused school board elections just hours after voting opened on Friday, following reports of invalid and out-of-date ballots. Parents began reporting issues with their online ballots in the early morning, including candidates who had dropped out of the race or appeared on ballots for councils they were not running for. The Education Department emailed parents around 10 a.m. to say voting was on hold, according to screenshots obtained by the Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our vendor is currently addressing any technical issues that have arisen, said Onika Richards, a public schools spokeswoman. In the interest of ensuring a fair and accurate process, we have temporarily paused voting. We are working diligently to resolve any issues by this afternoon, and we expect to resume voting promptly thereafter. Voting had yet to resume as of 4 p.m. on Friday. Parents have until May 13 to cast their ballots, though the citys school system could extend that deadline if the gaffes persist. Parent elections are held every two years. There are 32 Community Education Councils across the five boroughs, as well as four citywide councils: On high schools, English Language Learners, special education, and District 75 for students with more serious disabilities. The councils are mostly advisory, but help inform key policy debates. This years parent elections are particularly high-stakes after controversies on the school boards prompted former Schools Chancellor David Banks to remove two members. One of them sued in federal court to regain her seat. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) issued a lengthy report this month, sounding the alarm over what they describe as prying eyes in the form of hyper-invasive drones that they say could be used by law enforcement to potentially spy on New Yorkers. The report shows well over 800 active drones registered by government agencies across the state, representing a 65% increase in two years, a majority of which are used by law enforcement. We see misuse, deploying these drones at protests, said Daniel Schwarz, a privacy and technology strategist with the NYCLU. We see new features being deployed, new forms of surveillance technologies, whether thats facial recognition or combining these drones with other forms of audio recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drones can be fitted with biometric surveillance capabilities like facial recognition, emotion recognition, or even behavior detection, all features that the NYCLU says could infringe on the privacy rights of New Yorkers. It is no longer just a photo that is being taken, Schwarz said, but rather, once the data is aggregated over time, it allows to track everybodys movement and really understand where they go to work? What are their associations? Did they attend a certain protest? What health care sites do they frequent? What are their religious beliefs? What are their political beliefs? The Niagara County Sheriff was more than willing to discuss how his agency uses its five drones, the second-most in Western New York. We use our drones for searches, missing people, tactical operation oversight, weve used them at fire scenes, said Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti. Theyre a great tool, but thats exactly what they are, a tool, and you have to make sure you use them in the way that theyre intended to be used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Filicetti took exception with the NYCLU report, calling it inflammatory and false. Any notion, again, going back to the civil liberties report, that were spying on people, I think its really irresponsible to run a report without any data to back up what youre saying, that theres some gross misuse of drones and its peering into peoples private lives, Filicetti said. I think its very irresponsible. When it comes to his agency, Filicetti says his policy is sound and protects the privacy rights of Niagara County citizens. He shared that policy with us, which states that the drones will be used in a manner that may intrude upon reasonable expectations of privacy. A search warrant will be obtained prior to conducting the flight. Filicetti went on to tell WIVB News 4 that many of the added features the report referenced dont even apply to their drones, with the exception of thermal imaging which they use for targeted search efforts. Looking for a missing person, looking for a suspect that fled a vehicle, they leave a heat signature, and youll be able to see them clear as day, Filicetti said. Again, instead of searching all over, you can see, through thermal, and direct your people in to where they need to be. Its about public safety. If we can find that missing person faster using a drone, or we can apprehend that suspect that could be potentially dangerous to the public, Im gonna use a drone all day long. I think it just makes sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the focus of the report leaned heavily on law enforcement drone operations, police are not the only ones to register and use the drones. Twin City Ambulance is a private, commercial service that operates three drones. The companys president, Terence Clark says the drones have been used for special event planning, and at times to locate patients. Sometimes, well get conflicting reports where somebody is, Clark said. And in a crowded situation you might be 10 or 15 feet away from a patient, unless somebody is waving their arms, you might not even know theyre there. When it comes to the NYCLUs report, Clark agreed with Filicetti that what was described in the report couldnt be further from what theyre doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of fantasy, Clark said. A lot of absurdity, in the ways that drones could be used that realistically would not be an effective use of drones and I think they missed the target with this article. The Niagara County Sheriffs Office has the second most active, registered drones among law enforcement in Western New York, according to the NYCLU report, just behind the Livingston County Sheriffs Office. Latest Local News Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here. Dan Telvock is an award-winning investigative producer and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2018. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. An Oak Grove man will serve a federal sentence for arson after his sentence was announced Thursday. Officials said 39-year-old Nathan James Hester will serve a 71-month sentence in federal prison after intentionally starting multiple fires in a contracted Searcy rehabilitation facility. Benton police say arson threat led to deadly gas station shooting A federal grand jury indicted Hester on Nov. 2, 2022, for attempting to set fire to a North Little Rock business. Officials said Hester was at the rehabilitation center on pretrial supervision on Nov. 27, 2022, when he set multiple fires in his room at the center, leading to a superseding indictment on Oct. 3, 2023, charging him with arson, endangering others and property damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Hester was suspected of setting fires in Oak Grove and North Little Rock through September and October 2022. Hester pleaded guilty to the superseding charge on Aug. 8, leading to the Thursday sentencing. Suspects aged 14, 10 charged in Arkansas mobile home arsons United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Jonathan D. Ross announced the sentence. Nathan James Hester is a serial arsonist who endangered others and caused property damage, Ross said in making the announcement. These crimes deserve federal attention, and if there are others who make the choice to endanger others and set fire to destroy properties and endanger others, this office will ensure you are held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Department charges man with arson at New Mexico Tesla dealership and GOP headquarters Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker also sentenced Hester to three years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A former Republican lawmaker says members of his own party are failing to hold State Superintendent Ryan Walters accountable after News 4 and Oklahoma Watch uncovered a string of unexplained, five-figure payments the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) made to out-of-state political operatives Walters hired to work for the department. Last Wednesday, News 4 revealed OSDE paid its former spokesperson a final paycheck totaling more than $76,000. Then, on Monday, News 4 reported Walters new chief of staff, Matt Mohler, a Florida political strategist who once worked for the same political consulting firm as Walters highly paid advisor Matt Langston, received a $32,000 bonus in February. New records reveal even more unexplained five-figure payouts to Ryan Walters chief of staff Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As News 4 reported, that was on top of Mohlers six-figure base salary at OSDE and despite him still appearing to work full-time for a company in Florida, according to the companys website. On Tuesday, News 4 uncovered additional records revealing Mohler received another unexplained bonus payment in March for $12,500. On Wednesday, Oklahoma Watch reported OSDE hired another out-of-state political consultant, a man named Chad Gallagher, from Arkansas. Oklahoma Watch reported OSDE hired Gallagher for a temporary role, with a nearly $100,000 yearly salary. His background is pretty interesting, Oklahoma Watch reporter Jennifer Palmer told News 4. He lobbied for ClassWallet, which, of course, you know, weve written about quite a bit here in Oklahoma, Palmer said. As News 4 reported, ClassWallet was a vendor Walters, prior to becoming State Superintendent, hired to distribute federal COVID-relief funds to help families buy school supplies. A state audit revealed that almost 20% of the total purchases families made through ClassWallet were on items not related to educational learning per the grant guidelines, including couches, Xbox consoles, and Christmas trees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further investigations revealed Walters gave ClassWallet his blanket approval for all the purchases. Despite that, the state later sued ClassWallet. When Oklahoma Watch reached out to OSDE spokesperson Grace Kim to explain Gallaghers hiring, she declined to comment. New OSDE chief of staff paid nearly $50K in first month, still listed as active employee for Florida company Kim also declined to comment to News 4 each time we reached out seeking explanations for the tens of thousands of dollars in payments OSDE made to Isett and Mohler. After News 4s reporting, Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt called on state lawmakers to take action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The superintendent has way too much latitude, Kirt said in a TikTok post Tuesday. I keep asking my Republican colleagues to stand up to him and hold him accountable. They wont do it. Her comments caught the attention of former Republican State Representative Mark McBride. Theres so many things we should be pushing back as Republicans, said McBride, who served as the chair of the Oklahoma House Education Committee until he termed out of office in November. But no. Weve got Democrats you can interview, but the Republicans wont step up to the plate and say, hey, this is wrong. Stop it. While in office, McBride repeatedly criticized Matt Langstons role at OSDE, as Walters Chief Policy Advisor. Langston runs a political consulting firm, Engage Right, and worked as a strategist for Walters campaign prior to being hired at OSDE. Despite making a six-figure salary with OSDE, Langston lives and works out of Austin, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSDE claims Langston is a part-timer employee. In February, Oklahoma Watch reported OSDE paid Langston a nearly $ 45,000 bonus, without explanation. Records: State paid former OSDE spokesperson more than $75k in final paycheck Hes a ghost employee pretty much, Ive said that time and time again, McBride said. At least when I was in office, we filed two subpoenas, multiple requests, had him come before us and talk to us. But now Its obvious nobodys watching, McBride said. I dont know what theyre trying to do. This week, Governor Kevin Stitt also expressed concern about the reports. Unfortunately, you know me, the Governor doesnt get to hire and fire the different state agency heads, Stitt said at his weekly press availability Wednesday. Were not dumb. Oklahomans are not dumb. Oklahomans see these people in these different political positions, running for their next office. The only people who push back against him are the governor and the attorney general, McBride said. And theres not a commentnot one commentfrom a Republican legislator pushing back on this misuse of state tax dollars. Its sad. News 4 only heard from one currently-serving Republican lawmaker willing to speak on this issue: State Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton). It seems like theres always new developments happening at SDE, Pae said. The more and more we have these issues arise, we have to follow the money. Pae said he would like to see House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) open a special investigation to look into the mysterious payments at OSDE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know the Department of Mental Health has been the primary focus and there has been a select committee established by Speaker Hilbert, Pae said. We could have a similar committee look into all these discrepancies at SDE. That would be my personal recommendation to have a formal process like that and have public hearings. News 4 reached out to Speaker Hilberts office to ask if he would support launching an investigation. His office said he has no 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Current mobile home owners have nothing to fear ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- On April 14th, the City of Odessa gave notice to some mobile home owners about their property, causing a stir of confusion and concern, according to locals in the area. That fear, City leaders said, is unfounded, as this will not affect anyone who currently has a manufactured home on the properties in question. We are not trying to restrict anyone that already has a mobile home, so they are not going to be affected, Mayor of Odessa Cal Hendrick said. I think that is what I want people to really understand, that this is not going to affect you if you have a mobile home, a manufactured home. We are not messing with you. You are grandfathered in, and you have that home for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment currently under discussion would restrict new mobile and manufactured homes from being placed in certain zones, as shown in a zoning map shared by the City. The proposed change was introduced by Councilman Eddie Mitchell, who said he brought the issue forward after hearing concerns from residents in his district. Theres maybe a perception that mobile homes detract from the value of the area and detract from what they are trying to develop. So I think the council, based on discussions that I have heard, are pretty much in an agreement, Mayor Hendrick said. But they probably need to be kept in areas that are zoned for mobile homes. Those that are in single family dwelling or multiple family dwellings those need to be houses built and constructed and it probably adds value to the neighborhood and probably a better look. City leaders emphasized that existing homeowners will not be impacted by the proposed zoning amendment unless they sell their property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just doesnt allow people to put new manufactured homes in these commercial areas. It does maintain the existing manufactured homes zones in those areas that do exits currently, City council at-large Craig Stoker said. Those are no change. Everything continues, everything existing in those areas right now no change. So the letter did not do a good job at explaining that. They are working on a second communication to go out to hopefully explain that a little better. The amendment has not yet been passed and is still under advisement by City officials. The community can still voice their opinions on the subject at the upcoming planning and zoning meeting on May 1st at 1:30 p.m. There will also be another meeting on May 27th and June 10th, for a first approval and second approval, those meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. All meetings will be held in City Council Chambers, thats on the 5th floor at City Hall, located at 411 W 8th Street. All of these meetings will begin at 1:30 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 Yourbasin. ADDIS ABABA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh has reiterated the government's keen resolve to further solidify its robust economic and trade ties with China as part of the two countries' all-weather strategic partnership. Tiruneh made the remarks in a statement issued Thursday following his meeting with a high-level delegation of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. Tiruneh said the two sides agreed that "Ethiopia is a favorable investment destination for Chinese investors, and that the strategic partnership between the two countries, which remains steadfast and resilient, needs to be enhanced, especially in the economic cooperation sector." The deputy prime minister highlighted that the discussions, among other things, envisaged further deepening the two countries' partnership across various cooperation areas, including in investment, economic development, and trade sectors. Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation also held talks with senior officials at the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) on enhancing the Sino-Ethiopian investment cooperation, particularly in areas of industrial development, infrastructure, and manufacturing, the EIC disclosed in a statement. During the discussions, EIC Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen underscored the crucial need to "further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Ethiopia and China," as part of the East African country's active efforts to foster a more competitive and transparent investment environment. Recent data from the EIC showed that China has remained a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ethiopia, with over 4,500 Chinese-run projects currently operating in the East African country. Noting that Ethiopia has attracted 3.92 billion U.S. dollars in FDI inflow last fiscal year ending on July 7, 2024, the EIC highlighted that China accounted for almost 50 percent of all FDI inflows into the country during the reported period. People often talk about pollution in the context of dirty energy sources, industrial pollution, or waste disposal. We don't think about pollution from demolition as frequently. The Smith Foundry, a former iron casting facility in Minneapolis, closed in 2024 and was torn down in 2025. The foundry was accused of violating the Clean Air Act, risking the community's and the environment's health, per MPR News. Community members were concerned about the site before the demolition began since the area was home to a former arsenic factory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the demolition crew began tearing down the Smith Foundry in February, community members were concerned about the amount of dust coming from the site. In mid-March, drone footage showed how the dust dispersed from the demolition site. As community member Luke Gannon asked The Minnesota Star Tribune, "Who's to tell what is happening to the people who live right next door?" Community journalist Devon Cupery added: "There's clearly a lot of dust. That feels troubling to me, that the narrative is not accurate." The demolition company was spraying water on the wreckage, a common tactic to reduce dust from spreading, per OSHAcademy. However, the video clearly shows dust leaving the site and blowing away in the breeze. The community's apprehensions about the demolition of the foundry are well founded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Lung Association, vulnerable groups, including children and older adults, are more likely to be negatively impacted by outdoor air pollution. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution caused 4.2 million premature deaths in 2019. People face issues with air pollution nationwide. In California, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is distributing thousands of air purifiers to residents to mitigate pollution. Even in Europe, where air pollution levels have decreased markedly over the past few decades, many people live in areas with polluted air. Scott Wasserman, a spokesman for the Minneapolis Health Department, told the Star Tribune that "the Health Department is monitoring the site daily and has required the contractor to cease demolition activity if winds are above 15 mph or if visible dust leaves the site." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to community members using their voices and fighting for their health, Minneapolis issued a fine to the demolition company for polluting the air. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Emergency officials will host a barbecue for flood survivors and volunteers in Henderson County this weekend. Officials say the barbecue will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Reed. A food truck sponsored by World Central Kitchen will be serving food at no cost. Residents will also be able to pick up cleanup kits, and free tetanus shots will be available from the Green River District Health Department from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Some officials in the Trump administration tried to bring back Kilmar Abregoa Garcia just days after he was deported, but the president shut them down. Since Abrego Garcia was unlawfully deported last month due to an administrative error, the White House has vehemently maintained that it will not try to return him to the United States. But a report in The Atlantic Friday revealed that in the days after Abrego Garcias deportation, some officials did in fact try to bring him home. A lawsuit from Abrego Garcias family reportedly sparked urgent conversations among attorneys at the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security, and concern about the lack of evidence behind Trumps claims that Abrego Garcia was part of MS-13, sources told The Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officials floated plans for the father of threes return and sought ways to protect his safety while he was detained in El Salvadors notorious megaprison, CECOT. But at the same time, backlash against the administrations response (or lack thereof) took off, prompting the White House to change course entirely. Abrego Garcias case was no longer an administrative error but now the justified deportation of a foreign terrorist and MS-13 memberan evidenceless story Trump is now using to defend his unlawful deportation efforts as a whole. Abrego Garcias deportation became far more than just the case of one man; it developed into a measure of whether Donald Trumps administration can send peoplecitizens or notto foreign prisons without due process, The Atlantics Nick Miroff wrote. The Supreme Court has since ordered the White House to facilitate Abrego Garcias return, but few actions have been taken to do so. In an interview with Time published Friday, the president said he had not asked El Salvador to return Abrego Garciayet another reminder of the presidents complete disregard for the rule of law. Sea lions are usually playful animals, and you don't typically hear about them attacking people. However, that's exactly what happened in Long Beach earlier this month. What happened? According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Phoebe Beltran, a 15-year-old junior lifeguard candidate, was participating in tryouts when a sea lion came "out of nowhere" and started biting her. Beltran felt a shooting pain in her arm and feared it was a shark before realizing it was a sea lion that reportedly looked sick. The animal bit her repeatedly before she was able to escape and swim to shore. Lifeguards treated her immediately and sent her to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckily, she is OK and is eager to finish her lifeguard tryouts. Why are sea lion attacks concerning? While it's unclear what triggered this particular incident, toxic algal blooms can cause sea lions to behave aggressively toward people. "These blooms produce domoic acid, which can cause seizures, a comatose state, and a head-craning behavior known as 'stargazing' in marine mammals," the Chronicle said. Unfortunately, algal blooms are worsening and becoming more common as Earth's temperature rises. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "[Harmful algal bloom]-forming cyanobacteria thrive in warm, slow-moving water, and typically occur when water temperatures are warmer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only can this negatively affect animals, potentially making them aggressive, but it can also have severe economic impacts. According to the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, harmful algal blooms cost the United States $10 million to $100 million a year. Additionally, human-wildlife conflicts are on the rise, according to the BBC. As people move from cities to the countryside, they don't take the time to get to know and understand their wildlife neighbors. Animals are also migrating to areas populated by humans because of habitat destruction and rising temperatures. As a result, animals will attack out of fright or to protect their young or food. In some cases, they can be sick, which appears to be the case with Beltran's experience. If an animal attacks a human, it can be euthanized, which can ultimately harm biodiversity. The Royal Society explained that the air humans breathe and the food they eat require a healthy ecosystem. What's being done about animal attacks? Spanish National Research Council Researcher Vincenzo Penteriani told the BBC that 50% of these animal attacks could be avoided. For instance, humans can stay away from young animals and their food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A California State Parks wildlife expert also said not to feed the animals so they don't lose their natural fear of humans. Learning about local wildlife can foster a better understanding of how to keep yourself and the animals safe. 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. Santa Cruz County's first-of-its-kind ban on filtered cigarette sales aims to eliminate the area's most common beach trash items, reported the East Bay Times. The county's Board of Supervisors approved the ban last year, limiting sales in unincorporated areas where half the county's population lives. Filtered cigarettes contain chemicals and microplastics that break down in the environment, affecting wildlife and human health. Health care experts have testified that cigarette filters provide no health benefits and cause more harm by leading to deeper inhalations and more frequent puffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katie Thompson, executive director of Save Our Shores, which has helped lead the "ban the butt" effort locally, sees this as just the beginning. "Even at the county level, for it to be effective, we have to have not only the unincorporated county but all the city jurisdictions banning filtered tobacco products," explained Thompson. The county ordinance includes a delayed enforcement date of January 2027, or until two other local jurisdictions pass similar prohibitions, whichever comes later. Local advocates are using both political and cultural strategies to build support. They hosted a screening of "The Cigarette Surfboard," a documentary featuring boards made from cigarette butts collected from beaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor Lane, the local surfer who designed the "ciggy boards," sees the project as more than art. "We realized that this project was a vessel for the larger issue of addressing this global pollution," said Lane. The movement faces challenges. Some worry about impacts on small retailers that rely on tobacco sales, which may create barriers for low-income residents. Mark Stone, a former county supervisor who championed a similar approach with plastic bags, believes the strategy makes sense. "Taking an effort like this, that has proven to be controversial at the state, and bringing it down to local jurisdictions who understand what the value is and are not as tied up in the political constraints that the Legislature is, I think it's a viable strategy," said Stone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The tobacco industry was still spending millions of dollars targeted in the Legislature, which meant it was going to be very, very difficult to get anything through," Stone added. Supporters hope the ban will follow the same path as Santa Cruz County's plastic bag ban in 2011, which inspired similar local measures before becoming state law. As the movement builds momentum toward influencing state policy, Lane offers an encouraging call to action: "There's momentum, people. Are we going to do it, or are we going to get scared?" 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. Rain falls on the National Endowment for the Humanities building on April 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The NEH has begun laying off staff after President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency's, or DOGE, February 11 executive order to reduce the federal workforce. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) The president of the United States is destroying the National Endowment for the Humanities, a tiny federal agency that has existed since the presidency of Lyndon Johnson. The defunding of state humanities councils, including in Idaho, is a pathetically short-sighted move. Even worse its part of a comprehensive effort by the administration to further dumb down a nation where Donald Trump condescendingly celebrates the poorly educated. Who cares, you might ask, if Elon Musk trashes a little federal agency that people who love history and anthropology value? And what are humanities anyway? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Endowment for the Humanities was created along with the National Endowment for the Arts in 1965 by an act of Congress. The legislation said, in part: An advanced civilization must not limit its efforts to science and technology alone but must give full value and support to the other great branches of scholarly and cultural activity in order to achieve a better understanding of the past, a better analysis of the present, and a better view of the future. The legislation passed with strong bipartisan congressional support because there was broad agreement with the kind of thinking embodied in the act. Democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens. It must therefore foster and support a form of education, and access to the arts and the humanities, designed to make people of all backgrounds and wherever located masters of their technology and not its unthinking servants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those members of Congress were really woke back in 1965. How state humanities councils funding contributes to communities Full disclosure: I served on the Idaho Humanities Council years ago, chaired the board for many years and also chaired the Federation of State Humanities Councils, the organization that represents the NEHs state affiliates in Washington. In that capacity I testified my only time doing so before a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee chaired by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson. In those days Simpson was a big supporter of NEH (and the Arts), but that was pre-Trump. I cant guess whether Simpson will oppose the administrations budget chainsaw. My brief remarks back then supported the tiny NEH budget, and I tried to provide a sense of how the Idaho council and other state councils use their federal funding. For decades, for example, Idaho has sponsored an annual institute for teachers who are provided a modest stipend to do a week-long deep dive into a big subject. The institutes offer mid-career opportunities for teachers to spend time, typically on a college campus, with other teachers learning more about subjects as diverse as Abraham Lincolns presidency and the origin and importance of American roots music. The institutes feature fine scholars with deep understand of the subject on offer and the teachers leave the experience with new ideas about how to teach history, literature, religion, art history, law and philosophy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State councils often sponsor traveling exhibits developed by the Smithsonian. Idaho has always tried to get those exhibits to rural communities in cooperation with local libraries or historical societies. Councils, including Idahos, make small grants to scholars to help defray the cost of research often leading to an advance degree. Teacher can apply for a modest incentive grant to develop a class on a particular subject. The Idaho council organizes a speakers bureau that matches speakers with local audiences, a service club, library of senior citizens center, for example. Former Idaho Lt. Gov. David Leroy is listed as a current speaker. A memorable part of my time on the Idaho council were the annual lectures devoted to the humanities. The lectures began in Boise in 1997 when the celebrated historian of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Stephen Ambrose spoke about his book Undaunted Courage. The great David McCullough came to Idaho to talk about the importance of founding father John Adams. Novelist John Updike read some of his work before a packed house and insisted on visiting the old Idaho penitentiary during his Boise visit. Its worth noting that the law creating the endowments specify that the governor of each state with a humanities council appoints 25% of the board, which has meant for the last 30 years Republican governors have appointed pretty conservative folks to the board, many who have been involved in GOP politics. Typically board members are educators, community volunteers, business people and folks like me who love history and literature and enjoy the opportunity make meaningful humanities-based opportunities available to everyone. Civility, respect for different views is at the heart of humanities education My experience at the national level provided an opportunity to visit several state councils. The NEH has long required state councils to conduct reviews of their programs and have those programs evaluated by outside observers. Ill never forget a trip to Jackson, Mississippi, for a site visit to the Mississippi council, where a superb state director, Barbara Carpenter, showed off programs ranging from the history of southern cooking to the states fraught racial history. Civility and respect for different views are always at the heart of these efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the NEHs inspector general has always been something of a legend given the agencys scrutiny of state council spending. This is not the place to search for waste, fraud and abuse. It just doesnt exist. So, why has the Trump administration stopped all NEH grant funding to councils in Idaho and every other state? State councils are creating close to home educational and enrichment options for millions of Americans who have, for more than 50 years, enjoyed access to such a rich and broad menu of humanities programs. So why kneecap this very American institution dedicated to learning and civility? I admit to being baffled by the action. The most recent NEH budget was $207 million, less than the cost of three F-18 fighter jets. By contrast, the Washington Post recently calculated that Elon Musks various business entities have, over the last 20 years, pulled in $38 billion in federal funding. So go our priorities. Im left to conclude the obvious the administration is waging a war on intelligence and learning. How else to explain attacks on libraries, colleges, research, the Department of Education, and state humanities councils? No great nation has ever celebrated poor education or a lack of learning. We now do just that. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Screenshot: DailyMail Ohio police responded to a call about a report about a dispute between a man and his adult son. However, the caller gave a confession to a horrifying crime before the cops pulled up, and now, hes in major trouble. On April 21, Marysville police visited the home of Joe Swindler, 59, responding to a call regarding an alleged argument Swindler had with his son, Micaiah, over washing dishes, per First Alert 4 News. However, hours after settling the matter, they received another, far more frightening call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to lie. I just killed my father, Micaiah said, before detailing that he grabbed a knife and stabbed his father in what 911 dispatchers said was a calm tone. In response to being asked why he did it, Micaiah didnt reference the previous quarrel over the dishes. He gave a much more chilling answer. God. God told me to, he said, per First Alert 4 News. When the cops showed up for the second time, police described Micaiah as being just as calm in person as he sounded on the 911 call, the report says. The boy just walked out and gave himself up to him. They put him in handcuffs, put him in the car and that was it, said a neighbor who witnessed the arrest from across the street, per the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man said Swindler was his neighbor of almost 20 years and recalled him as a quiet man who tended to his yard and often gave a friendly wave. Prosecutors asked the court this week to place Micaiah on a high bond, arguing that he was dangerous. The court granted that request, placing his bond at $1 million. Hes been charged with first-degree murder. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) At Ohio State University, at least a dozen international students have had their visas revoked, joining several hundred more across the state and country. Its been isolating, its been scary, Ive been paranoid, international Ohio State student Ahwar Sultan said. Sultan is from India and is in the middle of his masters program, but two weeks ago, he got notice that his visa was revoked and he had to stop going to class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge reinstates Ohio State international students status I dont know where I stand with the state right now and I dont think the state knows either, he said. Sultan believes his visa revocation is retaliation for his participation in a pro-Palestinian protest in April 2024. He was arrested and detained during that protest, but the charges were later dismissed, and his record was expunged, according to his lawyer, Jana Al-Akhras. Sultan said that when he received the email two weeks ago with his updated status, it offered little explanation. It was somewhere along the lines of my name coming up in a criminal records check and/or I failed to maintain my status, and/or my visa was revoked, and all of those seem really implausible, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sultan fears deportation and said Ohio State is failing him and other international students. Ohio State faculty vote to join Big Ten alliance against Trump In a statement, a spokesperson for the university said all affected students are being offered support, resources, and legal advice is available upon request. Caring for our students is the universitys highest priority, the spokesperson wrote. As Sultan and dozens of other international students in Ohio work through this, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine offered little direct comment. Its still not clear to me who all is losing their visas, DeWine said. Without knowing the particular details, I dont have a comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine said he thinks students have a place on Ohios campuses, but said it is not that straightforward. These central Ohio Walmart locations set for remodel The other side of that is, with a state university, they very well may be taking the place of an Ohio student, DeWine said. So, this is a constant discussion that we have about who should be going to Ohio schools. Thats ludicrous, Al-Akhras said. The history of having international students on our campuses is a long one and now is not the time to be othering our students. DeWine said he does not think the process for international students can be ironed out quite yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that border has not been secure is why weve not been able to have a discussion in this country, a thorough discussion, about who we want to come here and who we dont want to come here, how we want to deal with college students who are coming here, DeWine said. These are all questions that, frankly, are not going to get answered in a real satisfactory way until I think the people of this country have confidence that we have control of the southern border. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a case deciding how parentage laws apply to same-sex couples who raised children but separated before same-sex marriage became legal. The Ohio couple in the case, Priya Shahani and Carmen Edmonds, were together from 2003 to 2015 and had three children together through artificial insemination. Though Shahani was the biological mother, the two gave each child the last name of Edmonds-Shahani and completed legal documents recognizing the other as an equal co-parent. Shahani and Edmonds never legally married, as their relationship deteriorated in 2015 before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage bans, like prohibitions still on the books in Ohio, are unconstitutional. In the breakup, the couple entered into a formal agreement that divided their property and set a parenting schedule for their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge dismisses parent lawsuit against Hilliard schools over LGBTQ+ policies However, Shahani later removed Edmonds from the childrens last name and filed legal motions to terminate their agreement. Edmonds then filed a petition in 2017 to establish her parental rights, but the Hamilton County Juvenile Court held that a same-sex partner does not fall within the definition of a parent under Ohio law. This is because Edmonds was neither biologically related to the children nor married to their birthmother. A trial court ruled against terminating the agreement and ordered that Edmonds could have companionship time with the children but did not grant her a parentage request. Both Shahani and Edmonds appealed to the First District Appellate Court, which decided that the trial court needed to hold a hearing to determine if the couple would have been married if Ohio had already allowed same-sex marriage. Appealing to the Ohio Supreme Court, Shahani said a state court does not have the authority to disregard Ohios statute banning common-law marriage and order a person into an unlicensed and manufactured marriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Kerridge, Shahanis lawyer, said before the states Supreme Court on Tuesday that Shahani doesnt believe in the institution of marriage and never planned to marry Edmonds. The lawyer noted the couple didnt attempt to get a marriage license and that Shahani also isnt planning to marry her current partner. What were kind of getting is one person saying, Well, I want a marriage to be retroactively created, and another person saying, Well, I dont want a marriage to be retroactively created because I never wanted to enter into one in the first place,' Kerridge said. Ohio University attempts to include student, faculty input in anti-DEI requirements However, Jonathan Hilton, Edmonds lawyer, said there is proof the couple planned to marry. Hilton claimed that Edmonds is only allowed to see the children about 30% of the time, struggles to obtain their school and medical records, and that she didnt receive notice when Shahani removed Edmonds from the childrens last name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have children who have hyphenated names, their very identity being changed, and my client has no more rights in that situation than a babysitter, Hilton said, also noting that Edmonds would have further restricted rights if Shahanis partner wanted to adopt the children. Justices discussed back and forth whether Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case legalizing same-sex marriage, applied to a couple that was never married. Justice Patrick DeWine argued to Hilton that it seemed like he was advocating for a really impossible standard. You have one parent who says, I wouldnt have got married. Youve got one parent who says, I wouldve gotten married. How can a court really sort that out? DeWine said. Because no one actually knows what someone would have done, and if they would have been married, the rights would have been different. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ISLAMABAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- At least four paramilitary troops were killed and three others injured in an attack in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Friday, official sources said. The incident happened on the outskirts of Quetta, the provincial capital city, where a vehicle carrying the bomb disposal squad was targeted by an improvised explosive device, the sources from the city's police told Xinhua. "The team, belonging to the Frontier Corps, was conducting routine operations in the area when their vehicle was struck by the explosion," the sources added. The injured troops were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the perpetrators. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Balochistan has witnessed sporadic violence in recent years, with security personnel often targeted in attacks claimed by various militant groups. Hunting in Oklahoma could look a lot different this fall, particularly for nonresident hunters and professional guides, thanks to two key pieces of legislation one of which is already law, while the other is gaining rapid support. Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt into law on Wednesday, Senate Bill 448 creates a lottery-style permit system for nonresident hunters who want to hunt Oklahomas Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs, and National Wildlife Refuges in the state. Nonresident hunters will have to obtain written authorization from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission. If demand outpaces the number of hunters these areas can support, a lottery will determine access. On top of regular license costs, successful applicants will also pay a permit fee of up to $100. Its not clear how many nonresidents will be allowed to hunt a given property before the lottery kicks in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters claim the new rules will help manage hunting pressure and protect public land access for Oklahoma residents. The passage of Senate Bill 448 marks a significant step forward in safeguarding Oklahomans access to our states wildlife management areas, said Sen. Warren Hamilton, a sponsor of the bill. This legislation prioritizes the rights of our citizens while continuing to welcome visiting outdoorsmen from other states through the lottery system and permitting process outlined in this bill. ODWC has backed the move, calling it a tool to prevent overcrowding on popular public lands. But not everyones thrilled. Some hunters have voiced concern about limiting access for DIY traveling sportsmen and the potential impact on local hunting economies. Before reaching the governors desk, SB 448 passed the state Senate with a unanimous vote, then proceeded to the House, where it passed 78-1. The new law takes effect on Nov. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Regs for Outfitters While SB 448 is now officially law, SB 208 is still moving through the legislative process, but is gaining momentum quickly. SB 208, written by Rep. Ty Burns, would require all hunting guides operating in Oklahoma to register and obtain a state license through the ODWC. Commercial hunting preserves and landowners guiding only on their own property are exempt from this requirement. The ODWC will handle details like license fees, training, and background checks. Supporters say SB 208 is about raising standards and ensuring professionalism in the field. Critics argue it could burden small, independent guides and shrink Oklahomas hunting tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed the Senate unanimously in March and has cleared key House committees. Its expected to reach the House floor for a vote in the coming weeks. Like SB 448, if passed, SB 208 would go into effect on Nov. 1, 2025. Both SB 448 and SB 208 reflect a broader push for tighter management of Oklahomas public lands. If SB 208 becomes law, out-of-state hunters and guides will face a dramatically different system this fall. 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) OKLAHOMA CITY A key Republican Senate leader has proposed the Legislature reject academic standards for social studies and science after half of the Oklahoma State Board of Education said Thursday they werent aware changes were made to the standards before they voted to approve them. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, filed the resolution Thursday, citing the limited time board members had to review the final draft of the standards and the magnitude of the decision they made. Pugh leads the Senate Education Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution states questions exist regarding the transparency of the subject matter standard adoption process. Pugh also noted the standards would cost $33 million to implement with new textbooks and classroom materials. Academic standards dictate what topics public schools must teach to students. The social studies standards have attracted significant controversy over their inclusion of Bible stories and the last-minute addition of language suggesting there were discrepancies in 2020 election results. Pugh is the first Republican lawmaker to publicly support rejecting the proposed standards. It is also the first time any lawmakers have suggested disapproving the standards for science. He did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To reject the standards would send them back to the state Board of Education for further review, which is what at least one board member, Ryan Deatherage, has said he hopes the Legislature will do. The current standards, approved in 2019, would remain in effect until a new version is approved. Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday encouraged the Legislature to take action on the standards and raised doubts about the integrity of the boards approval process. Stitt alleged officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Education emailed board members a different version of the standards from what they ultimately voted on. State Superintendent Ryan Walters, pictured Thursday, said allegations that members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education didnt receive an accurate final draft of proposed social studies standards are untrue. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who leads the agency and the board, said Thursday this is untrue. Records from the Education Department indicate the board members received the updated version of the standards at 4 p.m. the day before they took a vote the following morning on Feb. 27. Making changes to the proposed draft based on public comment and input from focus groups has long been a common practice at the Education Department, Walters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deatherage and two other recent appointees to the board, Chris Van Denhende and Mike Tinney, said Walters failed to notify them that changes had been made to the standards from the original draft posted for public comment in December. The board met Thursday for the first time since it approved the standards in February. Walters said he couldnt control whether the board members read the materials provided to them nor that the governor placed them on the board at the end of the 10-month process to develop the new standards. All those board members, we didnt have their information, Walters said after the meeting Thursday. Were sitting here trying to struggle to make sure they can actually legally sit for the (Feb. 27) meeting. So, thats kind of the behind-the-scenes of what we were trying to do to get a board meeting off. So I say all that to say they knew that theyd been updated. House and Senate Democrats filed resolutions earlier this month to similarly reject the social studies standards in full. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Republican leaders of the House and Senate said there hasnt been enough consensus among the GOP supermajority to ensure a rejection of the standards would pass in either chamber. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said Thursday the decision has not been made on how senators will proceed in light of the governors comments this week. It is open, Paxton said. We are looking at it again. Pughs resolution would need to pass both the House and Senate by May 1 to reject the standards. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said a vote from his Republican caucus doesnt look likely. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A prominent Republican in the state Senate is making moves to return controversial social studies standards back to the Oklahoma State Board of Education before they take effect. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, filed Senate Joint Resolution 20, which would declare the Legislature "hereby disapproves in whole the social studies and science subject matter standards approved by the State Board of Education on February 27, 2025." Pugh chairs the Senate Education Committee. Pugh's resolution comes after weeks of speculation about whether GOP lawmakers would take action on the standards. The standards have been at the center of controversy since they were introduced in December with dozens of mentions of the Bible. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters later circulated a new version of the standards, featuring one section that includes requires students to learn about 2020 election denialism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pugh filed the resolution April 24, hours after a debate during an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. Walters and three new board members accused each other of lying over the content of the previously approved social studies standards. More: Oklahoma State Board of Education delays vote to clarify official record with Ryan Walters Oklahoma State Board of Education members say online version of standards different than what they received Board members have said the version of the standards on which they voted during a February meeting didnt match what was publicly available on the education department's website. In response, Walters accused the board members and Gov. Kevin Stitt of spreading misinformation about the process. I can't make you read, Walters said during the meeting. I can't make you do the research before you vote. But here's what I'm going to say, and my expectation is to not have board members lie about a process and create a fake controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Walters and the education department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Pugh's resolution notes "questions exist regarding the transparency of the subject matter standard adoption process." However, members of the Senate and House Democratic caucuses had also filed joint resolutions to reject the standards, calling the proposed subject matter "too advanced" for the agents of students and "politically charged and biased." Pugh's resolution is more likely to gain traction since Republicans control both chambers. It represents the first step in the process of potentially returning the standards to the board. Two board members told The Oklahoman that this is their wish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear if House leaders will sign on to the resolution. Hours before Pugh filed the resolution, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, seemed doubtful that his chamber would take action but said, If we were to do anything, it would be in concert with the state Senate. Sen. Adam Pugh speaks at Public Schools Day, the centerpiece of Public Schools Week at the Oklahoma state Capitol , Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. On April 23, Stitt called on the Legislature to act on the standards and championed proposed legislation that would allow board members to add items to the meeting agenda. That legislation, House Bill 1491, didn't clear the Thursday deadline for House bills to be heard in a Senate committee. It was sponsored by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, and Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and would have allowed an item to be placed on the agenda if requested in writing by at least two members of the board. The Legislature has until May 1 to take action on the proposed standards. If they do nothing, the standards will automatically go into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The standards themselves, the Legislature, hopefully they'll act on that," Stitt said April 23. "I don't know. They may punt it to me, so we'll see." Contributing: Scott Carter and Murray Evans This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Republican senator moves to reject Oklahoma social studies standards Oklahoma State University Interim President Jim Hess speaks at a meeting of the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents March 7, 2025 in Stillwater. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma State Universitys governing board on Friday appointed Jim Hess to serve as the schools 20th president for the next three years. Oklahoma State University A&M Board of Regents said in a statement that Hess, who had been serving as interim president, has proven hes the right person to lead the states second largest university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boards statement did not say why Hess was appointed for only a three-year term. Dr. Hess has proven himself as the right leader at the right time for Oklahoma State University, said Board Chairman Jimmy Harrel. His deep understanding of OSUs land-grant mission gives our board complete confidence in his ability to lead the university forward. The board had tapped Hess to serve as interim president in February following the abrupt resignation of Kayse Shrum, the universitys first female president. Officials have not said what led Shrum to step down after slightly more than three years at the helm. While we could have spent an entire year searching for a new president, seeing Jims work up close over the past months has provided a level of insight and confidence that no interviews with outside candidates would have yielded, said Rick Walker, the boards vice chair. His positive impact across the OSU community has been swift. He immediately took action on key issues and legislative priorities, and his engagement with OSUs students, faculty, and staff has restored much-needed connections and stability throughout the institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hess brings 43 years of experience working in higher education to the role. He most recently served as vice provost for graduate programs at the OSU Center for Health Sciences. He earned a bachelors and masters from Northeastern State University and a doctorate in education from OSU. Hess said he was honored and excited about the universitys future. We launch this journey with an urgency of purpose and the confidence that we can change lives, transform education, and pave the way for the next generation of Cowboys, Hess said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE GOODWELL, Okla. (KFOR) On Friday, the Oklahoma State University A&M board of Regents announced the appointment of Dr. Jim Hess as the next president of Oklahoma State University. Hess has been serving as the interim president since the former president, Dr. Kayse Shrum, suddenly stepped down three months ago after an internal audit. As reported by NonDoc, the internal audit revealed $41 million in funds from the legislature to OSUs Medical Authority were not handled properly from July 2022 to January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shrum denied any wrongdoing. RELATED: Dollars were spent: Board of Regents member addresses OSU audit Hess was appointed to a three-year term, and the vote came during the boards regular meeting at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell. Dr. Hess has proven himself as the right leader at the right time for Oklahoma State University. His deep understanding of OSUs land-grant mission gives our board complete confidence in his ability to lead the university forward. Every day, Dr. Hess demonstrates his commitment to putting students first in everything hes doing, which aligns perfectly with OSUs mission. Board Chairman Jimmy Harrel, OSU A&M Regent Dr. Jim Hess announced 20th President of Oklahoma State University, Image courtesy Oklahoma State University A&M board of Regents Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical Colleges, Image courtesy Oklahoma State University A&M board of Regents OSU names Dr. Jim Hess as interim President I am honored by the boards trust and excited about OSUs future, said Hess following the vote. We share a commitment to our students, an awareness of our challenges and possibilities, and a bold vision for this institution. We launch this journey with an urgency of purpose and the confidence that we can change lives, transform education, and pave the way for the next generation of Cowboys. Hess added, This moment doesnt belong to me, it belongs to our students who work hard to pursue their dreams, to our faculty who ignite our students minds and conduct life-changing research, to our staff who operate OSU with excellence every day, and to our alumni and friends who share their time and resources so generously with this institution. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jim Hess as the 20th president of OSU. His inspiring vision for student success and dedication to enhancing education ensure that OSU will continue to thrive and contribute to Oklahomas future. Blaire Atkinson, President of the OSU Foundation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hess holds a bachelors and masters degree from Northeastern State University and a doctorate from Oklahoma State 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. GOODWELL In a surprise move, regents that govern Oklahoma State University have removed the interim tag from James Hess' title, approving his hiring as the Stillwater universitys 20th president. The vote came during an OSU/A&M regents meeting held at Oklahoma Panhandle State University on April 25. Coming out of a 53-minute executive session, regent Rick Walker made the motion to make Hess the president of OSUs system, which includes campuses in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Okmulgee. The board had named Hess as interim president on Feb. 7, just days after former President Kayse Shrum resigned amid allegations of alleged misspending by the OSU Innovation Foundation. Shrum has denied those allegations. James Hess was named April 25 as Oklahoma State University's new president, with regents removing the "interim" from his title. Walker described Hess as "the right person to lead Oklahoma State University" as he made the motion to hire him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jim has walked the halls of higher education in Oklahoma for decades," Walker said. "Throughout those years, he has been the driving force behind much of OSUs success. He has been a trusted counselor to multiple university presidents. And from the state regents to the state House, Jims track record for driving change and advocating for students, faculty and this institution is well-known." The board voted 5-0 to hire Hess, with three regents absent. Walker said the three absent regents Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur, Jennifer Callahan and Cary Baetz all supported Hess' appointment. New OSU President James Hess poses with OSU/A&M regents and the meeting host, Oklahoma Panhandle State President Julie Dinger. From left to right are Joe D. Hall, Billy Taylor, Jimmy Harrel, Dinger, Hess, Rick Walker and Chris Franklin. Hess told reporters he was surprised but honored by his selection as president, which surprised even OSUs communications staff, which was not given a heads-up about what might happen. Hess choked up at the end of his remarks to regents after their vote. I've had the opportunity of the last many, many years to observe Oklahoma State University from inside, and we have such a great system, Hess said. For the faculty and staff and students that make up our system, Im so honored to serve them. My biggest focus, of course, is keeping the students front and center. They're the only reason we're here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hess said a primary focus in the short term will be continuing to lobby the state Legislature for $295 million for a new veterinary hospital. Hess has spent much time at the Oklahoma Capitol in recent weeks doing just that. More: OSU's once-prestigious vet school is at a crossroads. Can it repair its reputation? Board chair Jimmy Harrel said at the regents' March 7 meeting that the board hadn't yet started a formal search for a new OSU president. Harrel said after the April 25 meeting that the idea of removing Hess' "interim" tag had crossed his mind, and when Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, an OSU alum, suggested that idea to Harrel, Harrel was convinced it was the right thing to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilbert said in a statement that he was thrilled to learn Hess had been hired into the permanent post. "Since stepping in as interim president, hes been a great partner to the Legislature, and his official appointment brings stability to the university as it prepares for continued growth and future success," he said. State higher education Chancellor Sean Burrage said Hess understands the university's mission and vision for student success. Jim has become a fixture in higher education in Oklahoma, and his appointment reflects a confidence that, under his leadership, OSU will continue to strengthen the states workforce and drive our economy forward, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hess most recently has served as vice president for graduate programs at the OSU Center for Health Sciences, where he had worked since 2003. The Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame inducted Hess in 2023. He is from Henryetta and has spent 43 years in Oklahoma higher education. While chief operating officer of the Center for Health Sciences, Hess' efforts led to the acquisition of the teaching hospital, creating what is now OSU Medical Center, which OSU says is the only osteopathic teaching hospital in the United States. He has served as the CEO of the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority and is designated as a Riata Faculty Fellow in the OSU School of Entrepreneurship. Hess earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah before completing his doctorate at OSU. His career in Oklahoma higher education has also included leadership roles at Rogers State College in Claremore and OSU-Tulsa. Hess paid tribute to OSU alumni in making his remarks to regents, and later when speaking to reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are blessed with a huge, loyal, mature alumni base," he said. "They never forget the experience that they had at OSU. The thing I love about our alumni the most is they're all committed to the thing and creating an opportunity for somebody like me, who came from a little rural place in Oklahoma. The university changed my life a long time ago." (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State University names new president after Kayse Shrum's exit For 25 years, Oklahoma families have been using Oklahoma 529 to save for their childrens education. As we celebrate this milestone in April designated as Oklahoma 529 Awareness Month by a proclamation from the governor there has never been a better time to start saving for your loved ones future. A quality education can open doors to opportunity, and Oklahoma 529 helps make saving for education simple, affordable and effective. Whether planning for college, technical school or even K-12 tuition, Oklahoma 529 offers tax advantages and low costs, potentially helping families maximize their savings. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been Oklahoma 529s commitment to reducing fees. In 2021, we announced a 20% reduction in management fees, saving families more than $500,000 annually. In 2024, we took it even further by cutting fees in half putting over $1 million back into the pockets of Oklahoma families. Additionally, Oklahoma 529 has no administrative fees, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to save for education. Its no surprise that Morningstar analysts have consistently rated Oklahoma 529 as a top-tier plan for the past five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma 529 also has evolved to meet the changing needs of families. In 2021, with the passage of HB 1962, Oklahoma 529 conformed with new federal guidelines, expanding the list of eligible education expenses beyond just college tuition. Then, in 2022, we updated our name from the Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan to simply Oklahoma 529, reflecting the broader range of educational opportunities the plan can support. To mark our 25th anniversary, we are excited to launch the Oklahoma 529 25-Year Celebration Sweepstakes. Each month in April, May and June, one lucky winner will receive $529 to help jump-start their education savings. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles anyone looking to give a child the gift of education should take advantage of this opportunity. The message is clear: Saving for education is within reach. With Oklahoma 529, even small, regular contributions can add up significantly over time, helping to provide a strong foundation for a students education. OCCC students and president Dr. Mautra Stanley Jones at a studio set where lighting equipment is being installed. Oklahoma's 529 College Savings Program helps many students prepare for their future. If you havent yet started an Oklahoma 529 account, now may be the perfect time. Join thousands of Oklahoma families who have already discovered how easy and rewarding it is to save for education. Go to www.oklahoma529.com to learn more and enter the 25-Year Celebration Sweepstakes today. Todd Russ Todd Russ is Oklahoma's state treasurer This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: State college savings plan is easy and cost-effective | Opinion KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Johnson County, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) and Johnson County Wastewater is warning residents about health risks in a public health advisory. The health advisory comes after a sewer line break, which was identified last night around midnight, April 24. The advisory is for residents and businesses between Mill Creek Apartment Pond and 1900 Kansas City Road in Olathe. Man charged after allegedly threatening teens with gun at Olathe playground Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the line has since been repaired and is back in service, JCDHE says that individuals and their pets should have no contact with water in the area until further notice due to high levels of E. coli. However, JCDHE says that this does not represent any impact to the public water system. Wastewater management is posting signage in the area and monitoring the location with water testing to find out when the notice can be removed. JCDHE says that updates will follow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OLD FORGE An Old Forge couple is facing multiple felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty after more than 100 cats were rescued from their property, which officials called deplorable. Angelo and Elizabeth Corradino, 517 Smith St., allegedly moved from their property at 200 Amity Ave., leaving two dogs and over 100 cats behind. A neighbor reported she could see cats and kittens in the windows of the residence, but that there had been no one there to care for the animals for at least a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told investigators that she had not seen any activity at the residence, nor had her husband, who is a hunter and often leaves early in the morning. According to the criminal complaint: On Feb. 23, Lackawanna County Humane Officer Marci Zeiler was called to the Amity Avenue residence for the report of cats and kittens being abandoned at the property for an extended period. As Zeiler approached the house, she immediately smelled a strong odor and could see the dangerous condition of the residence from outside. Zeiler said that, because an animal can go only three to four days without food, she requested a warrant to enter the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She posted a notice on the front door of the home, giving the owner or caretaker 24 hours to contact her by to prove the animals had not been abandoned. She noted in an affidavit, Living conditions appear to be extremely unsanitary and animals appear to be in poor condition. Zeiler didnt hear from the homeowners, and at about 11:30 a.m. the next day, animal enforcement officials, Old Forge police officers and code enforcement officials arrived at the house to execute the search warrant. The property was immediately condemned by a code enforcement officer. Officials spotted many cats and two dogs through the front door. When they entered the house, they found floors and surfaces coated in urine and feces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeiler first removed two dogs, one of which known as Ethan was unable to stand and needed to be carried out. That dog, known as Ethan, was covered in urine scalds and caked in fecal matter. Officials then began removing multiple cats from the residence, which were transported to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter in South Abington Twp. for examination and medical care. As officials worked to remove more cats from the residence, they were thwarted by the conditions of the house. Zeiler noted that the bathroom was so caked in feces that she was unable to close the door. The carpet in the master bedroom was so saturated in urine it was lifting from the floor, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the master bedroom, officials rescued more than 20 cats, one of which was dead, on the first day of the rescue. Zeiler was concerned about the strong smell of ammonia and requested the Old Forge Fire Department do an ammonia reading. Fire officials determined the level was extremely high and directed that rescuers limit their time inside the home to 10 minutes and use personal protective equipment. Officials were then able to talk by phone to Elizabeth Corradino, who gave permission for animal control officers to remove the rest of the animals from the home, confirming the permission in an email. She said her husband was at the house daily to provide food and water for the animals. Zeiler said that was even more problematic because it meant he saw the animals in a deplorable condition on a regular basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeiler asked Corradino why, if her husband visited the property daily, he hadnt responded to the notice. Corradino said he must have gone into the house through the back door. Officials worked each weekday until March 11 rescuing cats, setting traps and using cameras. In total, 132 living cats, three dead cats and two dogs were taken from the residence. All animals removed from the house suffered imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death due to the unsanitary conditions in the home and unsafe levels of ammonia they were unable to escape, Zeiler wrote in an affidavit. The owners of the house were there regularly and aware of these conditions, but left the animals here to suffer anyway. These conditions resulted in the death of at least three cats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two dogs, Ethan and Elliot, and two cats, Koa and Kato, were in the worst physical shape and needed urgent care in order to survive, the complaint reads. Unfortunately, there were pregnant cats in the house that have given birth adding to an already unmanageable number of additional cats in the shelter, the criminal complaint concluded. The couple ultimately relinquished the cats to authorities, after thinking it over for several days, the complaint states. Corradino initially asked to keep one of the cats, on which she said she had spent several thousands dollars, but ultimately decided to relinquish that animal also. Angelo and Elizabeth Corradino each have a preliminary hearing scheduled for 10:15 a.m. on May 27 before District Judge George Seig. TOKYO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Prices of rice in Tokyo surged more than 90 percent in April from a year earlier, despite the government's recent release of stockpiles to stabilize the staple food market, consumer price data showed Friday. The 93.8 percent increase, following an 89.6 percent growth in March, marked the biggest year-on-year rise since 1971, when comparable data became available, according to the internal affairs ministry's consumer price index (CPI) for Tokyo's 23 wards. Core consumer prices, excluding volatile fresh food, gained 3.4 percent in Tokyo in April, rising above 3 percent for the first time since July 2023. The Tokyo core CPI, considered a leading indicator of nationwide trends, was up 2.4 percent in the previous month. MEMPHIS, Tenn. An Olive Branch, Mississippi, woman had been ordered to pay over $3.5 million in restitution after being convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering earlier this year. On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills also sentenced Zipora Hudson to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Mississippi said. A federal jury found Hudson guilty of PPP fraud on Jan. 17, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five linked to powerful drug cartel busted in West TN The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide funding for small businesses affected by the economic downturn associated with the Coronavirus Pandemic. According to court documents, Zipora Hudson, her son, Montreal Hudson, and Deandre Jones utilized Zippy Bee, LLC as a tax preparation business in Charleston, MS, to create and file hundreds of PPP loan applications on behalf of borrowers who were not eligible to receive the loans. The defendants created fraudulent Schedule C tax documents to claim gross income amounts that far exceeded the real income for a particular business or claimed gross income amounts for businesses that never existed. The documents were created to receive PPP loans in amounts ranging from $19,000 to $20,833 per loan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two killed in South Memphis shooting, suspects wanted For their efforts, the defendants required the borrowers to pay them a kickback out of the proceeds of each loan. The defendants used the illegally obtained money to purchase luxury vehicles and real estate, among other things. By exploiting a government program designed to aid businesses during a national crisis, Zipora Hudson stole millions of dollars from American taxpayers, said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. The sentence imposed today should send a message to those responsible for pandemic fraud that we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served. Montreal Hudson was convicted alongside Zipora Hudson in the January jury trial, and he is set to be sentenced on June 26, 2025. Deandre Jones, also of Olive Branch, MS, previously pled guilty in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man pleads guilty in 2021 Walgreens shooting, gets 25 years Zipora Hudson committed PPP loan fraud and is now paying the price for her crime, said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Lisa Fontanette of the IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office. She is one of many individuals being held accountable for defrauding a program intended to assist small businesses economically survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Attorneys office said the scheme was initially uncovered during a civil investigation. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case along with investigators from the U.S. Attorneys Office. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with agencies across the government, to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. For more information on the departments response to the pandemic, visit Justice.gov/Coronavirus and Justice.gov/Coronavirus/CombatingFraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline or using the NCDF Web Complaint Form. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Olivia Rodrigo at the Planned Parenthood Gala. - Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD/Getty Images Planned Parenthood recognized Olivia Rodrigos work in educating young women about reproductive rights on Thursday by presenting her with its Catalyst of Change Award at the Greater New York Spring Into Action Gala in New York City. Lily Allen presented her with the award. During her acceptance speech, the artist, 22, spoke about her efforts in support of a humanitarian cause. She spoke about her connection with young women to be perhaps the greatest privilege this career has given [her], as transcribed by Billboard, which published Rodrigos speech in full. And she described her concerts as a space where everyone can all feel safe to be wild, emotional and carefree. It feels like were part of each others lives, she said. I often wonder, What happens to those girls when they leave those venues? What are their dreams? What kind of world are they returning to? More from Rolling Stone We live in a world that politicizes our bodies and uses harmful ideologies to deny us safety and healthcare, and it breaks my heart to think that, because of oppressive laws and outdated policies, some of those girls may not get to follow their dreams the way I was able to follow mine, she continued. Just a year ago, fueled by heartbreak and anger over what was happening in the world, I launched my Fund 4 Good, a global initiative that supports local nonprofits, championing reproductive freedom, girls education, and the prevention of gender-based violence. A portion of my tour proceeds went to the fund, and Im proud to share that weve raised and donated over $2 million to organizations around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also praised Planned Parenthood and the life-saving work that they do, specifically mentioning cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing, and abortion care. Its a privilege to be here tonight to support an organization that, despite countless obstacles, continues to show up with compassion, hope, and dignity for women, she said. My greatest wish is that through organizations like Planned Parenthood and the action of everyday citizens, no woman will need to sacrifice her dreams, her health, or humanity because of restrictive laws or lack of resources. The event also honored Amanda Zurawski, who sued her home state of Texas after a denial of an abortion there imperiled her. Im absolutely floored by your story, Rodrigo told Zurawski from the stage. Your ability to turn something so heartbreaking and painful into such powerful activism is so incredibly inspiring. In 2022, Rodrigo used her platform at Glastonbury (which shes headlining this year) to name the five Supreme Court justices whose votes overturned Roe v. Wade that year. She also brought Allen onstage to sing her song, Fuck You. In 2024, she distributed morning-after pills to fans at concerts for a time. The National Network of Abortion Funds applauded her work that year. In July, she endorsed Kamala Harris for president, citing the then-vice presidents stance on abortion. In addition to Glastonbury, Rodrigo has tour dates booked all over the world this festival, mostly at festivals. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. One person is dead following an early morning fire in Pelham on Friday. Pelham firefighters responded to a home on North Valley Road just after 2:30 a.m. after a caller reported a fire, a spokesperson with the Massachusetts State Fire Marshals office said. Responding firefighters found the two-family home fully engulfed with flames shooting through the roof and windows. Fire crews from Amherst, Belchertown, Granby, Hadley, Shutesbury, and Ware joined the first responders in dousing the engulfed home with water. Firefighters were able to knock down the bulk of the fire in about an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say a man in his 30s lived in the two-story home and was found dead inside. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a formal identification procedure and determine the exact cause of death. The Pelham Fire Department and our community want to express our condolences to the family that lost a loved one today, Pelham Fire Chief Dennis Nazzaro said. This is a terrible loss for them. The building suffered catastrophic damage including partial collapses of the roof and walls. The first personnel on scene reported that they did not hear smoke alarms sounding. The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the Pelham Fire Department, Pelham Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and State Police assigned to the Northwestern District Attorneys office. They were assisted at the scene by the Department of Fire Services Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit and the Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW "Pope oclock." Thats what Gaza residents sheltering in this besieged Catholic parish called the time usually 8 p.m. local time, 7 p.m. in Rome when Pope Francis would video call Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. When he called, everyone would gather near the screen and say hello, in Italian, in Arabic, in English, said Romanelli, one of Gazas last remaining priests. In a place where killing seems omnipresent, the all-too-ordinary death of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88, may have passed with little more than a moments thought for some. But for the church officials and the families at Holy Family Church, the pope was not a distant religious figure in a faraway country, but a daily presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He truly became a member of the congregation, Romanelli said. Francis phone calls, which began almost as soon as the war between Hamas and Israel kicked off some 18 months ago, became a touchstone, a moment of solace in a time of relentless bleakness. Yet through those phone calls, the pope came to understand the suffering of Gaza residents, Christians and Muslims alike, said George Anton, head of the Emergency Response Committee for the Catholic Church in Gaza. He listened, really listened. He was asking, What did you eat today? Did you eat anything? And it wasnt a casual question. He came to know Gaza not from news reports, but from our voices, our hearts, he said. As Palestinian Christians, we often feel forgotten, but in those moments, we werent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The calls were only one manifestation of Francis concern for people in the Holy Land on both sides. In his speeches, he often beseeched the warring parties to forge a ceasefire and end the suffering; he was outspoken in his criticism of Israel for its blockade of Gaza including its most recent siege since March 2, which has stopped all humanitarian assistance into the enclave, according to aid groups. To the very end, he called for peace. I think of the people of Gaza, and its Christian community in particular, where the terrible conflict continues to cause death and destruction and to create a dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation, Francis said in his Easter message. 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! Pope Francis prays in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City in 2014. (Oded Balilty / Associated Press) It was a stance that the Rev. Munther Isaac, a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, saw as a counterweight to the muscular brand of conservative Christianity increasingly dominating U.S. discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christian groups in America pray for Israel and have no problem if the war continues, while Pope Francis was calling for the fighting to end," Isaac said. "He showed another face of Christianity, which I think is the true one the face of peace." He continued: Without a doubt, he was a friend, and someone who played a role in showing the humanitarian side of Palestinians at a time when we have been dehumanized. Gazas Christian population numbers around 1,000 people a minuscule proportion of the roughly 2.3 million people (most of them Muslims) in the enclave. Over the last year and a half of the war, Romanelli said, 19 Christians have been killed in Israeli attacks, while an additional 20 died due to lack of medical treatment and the dire conditions in the enclave. Hundreds of Christians, but also some Muslims, uprooted by Israeli bombardment, now reside on church grounds or in the surrounding environs. Some live in the church. One of the latter was Mohammad Al-Madhoun, a 40-year-old plumber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I found safety between the churchs walls, and I stayed to help fixing pipes, saving water, doing what I could for the people sheltering here, whether Muslim or Christian, Al-Madhoun said, remembering the days when the bombings were close enough to shake the ground, including a strike near the church gate that killed 17 people. He spoke of the time the Israeli army surrounded the area, and no one could leave the church for 20 days. We stayed together. We cooked together, we baked bread together," he said. "We became one family under fire, praying, waiting, surviving." Visitors shop on Children Street in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in December 2023. Palestinian Christians canceled a number of Christmas festivities that month in solidarity with the suffering in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Al-Madhoun said the popes call for peace resonated with everyone in Gaza, regardless of their religion. He hoped Francis' successor would also raise their voice for peace not just for us in Palestine, but for every place suffering under the weight of war. Weve had enough," he added. "Its time for peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his poor health, Francis insisted on calling the church the night before he died. But Romanelli could sense he was weak. Normally he would video call, but this was a normal call," Romanelli said. "He asked how we were, and told us to give his blessings to everyone present. That was it." Read more: Pope Francis' funeral to be held Saturday, with public viewing starting Wednesday Nevertheless, when news first came of Francis death, people in the parish initially refused to believe it, Anton said. Or maybe we didnt want to believe it," he said. "Our connection with the pope made us refuse to accept this truth, even though we knew he was ill." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anton added that Francis had called no matter what the circumstance whether there was shooting, or bombardments or fighting, and he never tired of advocating for the church in Gaza. The pope was vocal about the situation here," he said. "He would say, 'This is not right. Innocents must be spared.' With his death, we are missing this protective shield. We will miss him deeply. Yet the parishioners hope his message will endure. Anton cited a line from the eulogy of Francis that Romanelli delivered: "Just as you were fighting for peace on Earth, let your first miracle be to achieve peace from heaven. Special correspondent Shbeir reported from Gaza City and Times staff writer Bulos from Beirut. 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. Columnist Nick Cady says only lawyers could like a bill moving through the Legislature. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr) The House Committee for Agriculture and Natural Resources recently advanced House Bill 3103, which contains new regulatory requirements and avenues to sue the state over logging on state forests. The bill requires the state forester to set a sustainable timber harvest level a minimum of once every ten years but also requires the level be re-established any time there is a change in forest management or any time a fire, landslide or wind event changes the conditions of state forest land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone familiar with forest management in Oregon will know that changes in forest conditions and associated management changes are annual occurrences. Not only does the statute require an annual establishment of a timber harvest level for state lands but also requires this sustainable timber harvest level be established through administrative rule. An administrative rule requires notice, comment, and public meetings. There are a host of detailed and involved rulemaking requirements. This extensive process will be required every time a new harvest level is established. Further, the state can be sued every time this level is established or not established, not just for procedural defaults in the rulemaking process, but also over compliance with the numerous, vague criteria in the statute. The Oregon Department of Forestry, the timber industry and conservationists are going to disagree on what constitutes an appropriate level of sustainable harvest, and it will likely take years of litigation to cement interpretations of all these differing terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also expressly authorizes injunctive relief pending the resolution of disagreements over the sustainable harvest level, which could result in the suspension of all timber harvest of state lands until the court agrees on a final number. Given that this will take years, and will likely advance to higher courts, it is incredibly likely some area of state forest will burn in the meantime, prompting the entire process to start over, or another round of litigation to start in parallel. Section 3 of HB 3103 provides a specific right of action to sue the state if it fails to set or revise this harvest level. So anytime the forest conditions change on any state forest lands which happens every year the timber industry could sue the state for brushing off or failing to establish a new harvest level. This would follow numerous full administrative rulemaking processes; notices, comments, all day public meetings. You can smell the public tax dollars burning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the bill allows lawsuits against the state for failing to manage state forest land in line with the sustainable harvest level. It is unclear how this provision would work; and across what time frame? What if no one is buying the timber given pricing concerns or a decline in housing construction given market turmoil? The provision again explicitly allows for judicial injunctions, but again, it is unclear how this provision would even work. Injunctions prevent activities, they cannot require the government to plan and auction timber sales to unwilling buyers. The uncertainty and vagueness will again require decades of judicial explanation and intervention. The entire purpose of the state securing a Habitat Conservation Plan for state forests is to put to bed the decades of legal fighting over logging on these public lands. It will provide protections for older forests and waterways and provide a sustainable and predictable supply of timber. As an environmental attorney who has sued the Department of Forestry for illegal logging, you might think I would be all for new ways to sue the state, but I have a family and friends, and do not want to spend the remainder of my days litigating these arbitrary cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And they will be arbitrary because this debate over state harvest levels will ultimately be dictated by federal requirements in the Habitat Conservation Plan. All these state lawsuits will be largely irrelevant; there will be no practical effect on the ground. This has been a theme with timber industry lawsuits against the state lately, and it appears that frustration with losing these cases has brought them banging on the Legislatures door. The only thing this bill will do is provide a non-stop stream of work for timber industry lawyers that will happily con some rural school district into spending its last penny chasing an unattainable goal. It is an obvious waste of public time and money. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Italy today celebrates the 80th anniversary of its liberation. After two-and-a-half years, Italian partisans got rid of both the Nazi German former ally that had occupied half the country and morally rid itself of the already-fallen Italian fascist regime. To put it jokingly: We Italians invented fascism, but luckily we also invented anti-fascism. Fascism, before it was a regime, was (and remains) a political model based on the overpowering of the other and the utter refusal to resolve conflict peacefully. Both before and after Mussolinis fascists seized power in 1922, the squadristi exercised violence daily in the countryside and in the headquarters of political opponents torturing, humiliating and killing. Mussolini declared in his famous 1925 speech claiming moral responsibility for the murder of Socialist politician Giacomo Matteotti, When two elements are in struggle and are irreducible, the solution is force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An anti-fascist movement developed against all this, but it was quickly stifled. Scattered, the rebels of the first hour continued to work against the regime, but their voices sounded faintly. When King Victor Emmanuel III turned his back on Italys German ally on Sept. 8, 1943, throwing the country into chaos, anti-fascists took to organizing to repel both the Nazis and the newly formed Italian Social Republic, the puppet state in which Mussolini sought to reassert his power in the northeast. But their anti-fascism was different from the previous one. It was first of all a less intellectual and thought-out affair. A great many partisans were young renegades and stragglers. They went up into the mountains to join the Resistance driven by ideals as much as by personal confusion. The actual political training took place live, in the heat of battle and in the small community created among them, the microcosm of the banda, the gang. (Just a fg bandit, the partisan of Luigi Meneghellos The Outlaws memorably shouts to a British officer questioning him about who he was). Living in gangs, and with the difficulty of communicating among the various groups (many relay girls dealt with this heroically, a legacy too little remembered), the partisans were forced to give themselves autonomous rules. When they liberated larger territories, they gave birth to short-lived but full-fledged republics with advanced constitutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above all, the Italian Resistance offered an entire generation the chance to make radical choices, to decide not only on their deeds but on the ultimate fate of a continent battered by violence. In the absence of governing powers to which they could delegate responsibility, they took it on in full without abdicating their own youth. The partisans fought and danced, and laughed, and freely created their own lives after years of regimented education. It was very hard yet also, as many remember, very exciting. Such narrative erases the martyr-like appearance so typical of public rhetoric, and restores them in their truth: young men and women who sacrificed everything to liberate their homeland, but also to build a new world. Not that there was agreement on its realization. Communists, Catholics and others had conflicting views, but all adhered to the core idea of denying fascism both as a totalitarian political structure and as the vindication of violence as a lifestyle. If this were only an Italian national fight, the value of Apr. 25 would be limited, and this article not needed. Instead, the aims and gestures of partisans must take on a universal character. Before he was shot by the Nazis, a teenage Italian freedom fighter kissed one of them and smilingly told him, I die for you too. Long live free Germany! Today, the idea of historical fascism returning in full is untenable. But the presence of the drives that defined fascism persist: contempt for democracy, smug admiration of force, totalitarian aspiration and expansionist intent. So I would like to reiterate the goodness of anti-fascism as a method and ideal, even in the absence of true fascism, however one wishes to understand it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe, as has been said in recent days, is at a historic crossroads. But in fact it has been at this crossroads for years. In facing this challenge, the initiative cannot be left solely to the upper echelons and international politics. Blindly delegating political action to them would mean giving into the indifference and fatigue that circulated long before the recent outbreak of Russian aggression. So yes, the moment is crucial and very difficult but also harbors great opportunities. In 1946, Albert Camus expressed it memorably: We cant pretend to escape from history for we are in history. We can only aspire to do battle in the arena of history to save from it that part of man which does not belong to it. This is the obligation each person incurs with regard to others, which must however be balanced by time for reflection, pleasure, and the happiness every person owes themselves. This is nothing to be optimistic about, just as Camus was not. But his stark realism did not prevent him from cultivating a modest utopia and from inviting every person to fight for it, building small, active groups that can influence the world from below. In this regard, the Italian partisans give us an invaluable moral lesson. They refused both the easy indifference that afflicted the majority of the population, and the proxy of commitment to the Allied forces alone. They immediately acted because they couldnt stand the situation anymore, and did it with humanity, courage and responsibility. What a contrast to todays general refusal to be held accountable! Without taking refuge in some idea of moral sanctity, the partisans took up the fight when necessary, and paid its price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we should not remember the partisans standing still in a photograph, but in motion. In fact, Apr. 25, 1945 did not mark the end of the war it launched the insurrection of the cities of northern Italy. That helped the forces of resistance to accredit and legitimize themselves, also through a display of force, to the Allies. Yet the symbolic meaning stands intact: It is not the victory that is celebrated, but the liberation process, the very conflict. Historical perspective helps to avoid making erroneous comparisons and normalizing the partisan experience. Surely Italy has not been up to the Resistance over the last 80 years. Yet such critical distance can also create a trap: to consider these facts accomplished and buried, simply to be studied and known available only as the objects in a moral museum. They are not. The living experience of Apr. 25 gives us reasons to undertake the hard task of being better. Giorgio Fontana is a writer and novelist who lives in Milan, Italy. 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. If he continues his current negotiating approach with Iran, President Trump risks being the second coming of Barack Obama. Thanks to fantastic Israeli military achievements, Trump inherited unprecedented leverage to drive a hard bargain with Iran over its nuclear program. Instead, he appears on the cusp of repeating Obamas fatal mistake by cutting a weak deal that will maintain Irans nuclear threat, strengthen the Tehran regime and make war more likely. For the second time in a week, Trumps chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, appears to have left the Iranians with the impression that the U.S. would accept Iran retaining some capability to enrich uranium. Irans chief negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left his second-round discussions with Witkoff saying that technical experts would soon discuss the maximum levels to which Iran could enrich uranium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would be a terrible mistake. It would leave the door open for the Islamic Republic at some future time of its own choosing to again ramp up enrichment to levels sufficient for nuclear weapons. The only means of closing that door for good is to eliminate Irans enrichment program entirely. Indeed, in 2018, Trump withdrew from Obamas 2015 Iran nuclear agreement precisely because it allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and over time reach the brink of nuclear breakout. Preemptive surrender to Iran on enrichment makes no sense. U.S. leverage is at its height. Israeli strikes have rendered Iran and its terrorist proxies across the Middle East weaker than ever. That includes destroying all Irans strategic defenses, leaving the entire country, including its key nuclear sites, acutely vulnerable to a joint U.S.-Israeli attack. Irans ability to retaliate has been drastically reduced. Any attempt to do so would only guarantee an even more devastating response that could threaten the Iranian regime itself. Indeed, it was precisely that palpable fear of an attack, and stark warnings that it could well trigger major domestic upheaval, that convinced Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to come to the table after repeatedly banning new nuclear negotiations. Instead of exploiting that strong hand like the master negotiator hes supposed to be, it appears that, despite Trumps recent threats to strike Iran, and his deployment of substantial capabilities to do so, he may fear military action even more than Khamenei does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, leaks to the New York Times revealed that Trump had been convinced by so-called restrainers in his administration to nix an Israeli plan to hit Iran out of concerns about getting America into another Middle East war and spiking oil prices. By casting doubt on his own willingness to use force, Trump has dramatically increased the odds that the only deal he will be able to make is a bad deal. That would not only invite embarrassing comparisons to Obama, it would actually increase the risks of the regional war that Trump keenly seeks to avoid. Israel has made clear that it will not sacrifice this unique window to act against Irans program on the altar of another bad nuclear agreement. It will feel compelled to attack even without U.S. assistance. That will put Trump in a difficult position: either he helps ensure Israel is successful and works to deter and defeat a harsh Iranian response, thereby cratering his own bad deal, or he does nothing, shredding Americas credibility and emboldening Iran to retaliate strongly against Israel and possibly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Better to align and stand with Israel now. Trump also overstates the benefits of the deal hes pursuing. He has said it will make Iran rich again and would lead to a a wonderful, great, happy country. But why should the U.S. seek to enrich and make happy a tyrannical regime that terrorizes its own people and whose reason for existence remains to destroy Israel and bring death to America? With or without a nuclear deal, Americas interest is to keep the Islamic Republic weak until it falls not by the force of an American invasion but by the hand of its own people, supported by sustained U.S. political, economic, and if necessary military pressure to ensure that the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism never acquires the worlds most dangerous weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has a rare historic opportunity to finally and fully take care of Irans nuclear threat, whether diplomatically or by helping Israel do so militarily. Now is no time to go wobbly. Michael Makovsky, a former Pentagon official, is president and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, where John Hannah, former national security advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney, is the Wax Senior Fellow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 a conversation about Donald Trump recentlybecause, I mean, what else is there to talk about?!my friend Jody Trapasso, a longtime Democratic operative and all-around good guy, made a profound point. Its one Ive been thinking about ever since. He said, I am paraphrasing here, that the key for Democrats is to separate the what of Donald Trump from the how. As Jody noted, the whatin terms of the issues Trump is focusing onis actually pretty popular. But how he is going about addressing the issues is much, much less popular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hari Sevugan, another very smart Democratic operative, came to the same conclusion as Jodyjust in different words: The way to criticize most Trump policies is to attack the implementation (which few agree with), not necessarily the aim (which most agree with it), he tweeted on Wednesday. In other words, on issue after issue, Americans like Trumps policy agenda and really dont like his methods for carrying it out. Take the DOGE cuts aimed at the federal bureaucracy. WHAT: The federal government is too big and bloated. It does way too many things it shouldntincluding funding programs that push woke ideology. HOW: Give Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and his legions of 20-something technocrats sweeping authority to fire massive numbers of people in what looks for all the world like a willy-nilly manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The what is broadly popular with the public. Say you stop someone on the street and ask is the federal government too big and not effective enough? Lots and lots of peopleRepublicans, Independents and even some Democratswill say yes. The how? A whole lot less popular. Musk himself is increasingly unpopular. And the idea of taking a meat cleaver to the federal government? People dont like it. President Donald Trump is joined by Elon Musk and his son for an event on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images Now lets do illegal immigration. WHAT: The southern border is porous. Joe Bidens policies were too lenient and we need to be tougher in order to restore order in the country. People who came here illegally broke the law and should be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HOW: An executive orderciting an 18th century lawthat allows the president to deport, without due process, people he suspects are in a gang. The removal of student visas from college students who are protesting on campuses. Take this chart from Axios, for example, which paints that what vs how choice on immigration in stark terms: Nearly all Republicansand almost 50% of Democratssupport deporting people here illegally, but when you ask about specific situations, support rapidly ebbs away. And one more: The war between Russia and Ukraine. WHAT: The conflict has dragged on for three years. Its at a stalemate. The bloodshed needs to end. The United States has a role to play in that process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HOW: Vilifying Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and suggesting Ukraine started the war. Refuse to meaningfully criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin. Again, the what makes all the sense in the world. If America can help bring resolution to the war, great! But to lots of people, the how doesnt feel equitable. A CNN poll last month showed that 59% of Americans disapprove of how Trump has handled the relationship with Russia and 55% disapprove of his handling of the situation in Ukraine. It reminds me of a scene from top-10-movie-of-all-time, The Big Lebowski. In it, Walter Sobchak, played by John Goodman, freaks out when someone on an opposing bowling team commits a minor rules violation. (His toe goes over the foul line.) Walter demands that the turn not be counted. And he pulls out his gun to ensure that it isnt. Which of course leads to this amazing exchange right afterward between Walter and The Dude (Jeff Bridges): Like Walter, Trump isnt wrong on diagnosing the what as a problem. That toe did go over the line! Illegal immigration is a problem! But the howpulling a gun in a bowling alley or deporting people without due processisnt how people want the issue addressed. Its way too much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, this framing is the single most important insight I have heard about how Democrats can effectively make the case against Trump and Trumpism over the next few years. And while I dont think Democrats will publicly adopt the slogan Youre not wrong, youre just an a--hole toward Trump, its a very good idea for them to keep that sentiment top of mind between now and the 2026 midterms. Want more ball and strike callingno matter what uniform the batter at the plate is wearing? Check out Chris Cillizzas Substack and YouTube channel. NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 9 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here. The American People Are Smart + Scared Americans do not like being scared and abysmal polling numbers for President Trump show that we are. People like what President Trump is doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont win by telling the American people that theyre stupid or that they shouldnt be scared. Thats what Joe Biden, then Kamala Harris, did, and they lost. The Democrats had a superior attitude. Remember when they said the economy was great, but Americans didnt feel that. Remember when they said the border was secure, but Americans could see it wasnt. Right now, Americans feel that things are out of control and maybe Trump will pull out major wins. As a country, we should hope he does. Trumps brilliance is understanding the electorate his Achilles heel is an inability to admit when hes wrong. Watch tonight: Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary on whether things are actually this unsettled, and should Americans be scared? Ill ask him if Trump is moderating, and can he unring the bell? How should America actually take on China? Is this a messaging problem or an action problem? American Aristocracy Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, United States of America, American Revolutionary War, coloured engraving from a painting by John Trumbull. Two hundred and fifty years ago, America revolted against the entrenched aristocracy of Great Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, we have an entrenched aristocracy in America and will for the foreseeable future. According to Bloomberg, the richest half of American families own about 97.5% of national wealth, while the bottom half holds 2.5%. Look back: We had an aristocracy for a while in the past the robber barons, such as J.P. Morgan but nothing like what we have today. World War II created opportunities for entrepreneurs and Americas middle class. Americas middle class became something unique in the world we are losing that. Told you: We have rung this alarm bell for years America no longer feels fundamentally fair. In September of 2022, we wrote, Fairness is dead; America is now an aristocracy. Watch the segment we did on it here. Fight Oligarchy: We questioned Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders rally slogan but oligarchy and aristocracy arent that much different, and they are getting HUGE crowds. Watch tonight: Douglas Murray, bestselling author, on the coming danger to America of unfairness. Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 9/8 C on NewsNation. Find your channel here. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. With the passing of Pope Francis, the world will look to Rome to see who the conclave of cardinals will pick to be the next head of the church. The conclave is a very political event with backroom deals, favors and handshakes being exchanged. And like this country, there seems to be an ideological divide between cardinals who want to be more liberal and open to the changing world, and those who want to pull back into a more conservative sphere. Of course, when the College of Cardinals meet, there is one country that should be at the front of mind when picking the new pope. The country with the fourth-largest Catholic population, spurred by immigration, that finds itself in a bit of a spiritual crisis: the U.S. There is no doubt that the role of the pope is a political role along with that of a religious leader. We saw this play out in the 1980s when Pope John Paul II was elected and proceeded to take his ministry all around the world, especially to his homeland of Communist Poland. That pope found himself locking horns with the Soviet Union over its influence in Eastern Europe to the point that some believe that Moscow tried to have him killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis was no different. Whether he addressed abortion, gender and sexuality, the war in Gaza, or the treatment of the United States of its migrant workers, he wasnt afraid to lock horns with Presidents Obama, Biden or Trump. The last go around happened right before his death when he sat down with Vice President JD Vance to discuss the issue of migrants. The moves by the pontiff bought an interesting reaction. U.S. Catholics seem to shrug at his suggestions and instead back Trumps political movement. Catholics broke more toward Trump in 2024 than previously with the biggest movement in places like Florida and Texas. It doesnt take much to realize why that was the case. Republicans might like to fearmonger about invaders and Marxists coming into the country, but the reality is most immigrants are Latino, Asian and African Christians. These are groups that are deeply conservative when it comes to religion and have not found the Democrats platform to be aligned with their spiritual views. Conversely these communities had made their bed with a political movement that seems to whip back and forth between wanting their votes and wanting them to leave. The Make America Great Again movement has found itself combatting Pope Francis on everything. Vice President Vance even invoked medieval Catholic moral theology to justify the Trump administrations treatment of migrants, only to get an embarrassing clapback from the pope. This puts the Catholic Church in a remarkably interesting position. The conservative wing of the church may want to choose someone who is more compatible with Trump. Trump, for all his non-Christian behavior, does appeal to a lot of Christians. However, the conservative Catholics may have to take a gamble on how close they want to align with his movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The liberal wing of the College of Cardinals will have to take into consideration the potential for growth of the Church in the U.S. and Americas role in changing the worlds power dynamics. There is no doubt that Trump is on a mission to change (or dismantle) the world of globalization. An American pope who is in line with Pope Francis might be a strong enough voice to lead people away from Trumps rhetoric. Either way, there is an opportunity for the Catholic Church to flex its immense reach into a changing political world. The world is more connected than ever before and more people are exposed to the Catholic Church that normally would not be. Back at the turn of the 20th century, Catholics in the U.S. faced suspicion of their allegiance to Rome over Washington. It was an unfounded prejudice that thankfully went away. But the Catholic Church can now have a figurehead that appeals to the largest Christian denomination in the most powerful country that can help shape the next few decades of both the U.S. and the world. An American pope would have an influence that even John Paul II never had when dealing with the Soviet Union. And that alone is a reason to consider electing an American to lead the Catholic Church. Jos Joseph is a masters candidate at the Harvard Extension School at Harvard University. He is a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and lives in Anaheim, Calif. 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. CANBERRA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his governing Labor Party have increased their opinion poll lead over the opposition with eight days to go until the general elections. According to a new poll conducted by the Australian branch of UK market research firm YouGov, Labor now leads the opposition Coalition of the Liberal and National Parties by a margin of 53.5-46.5 on a two-party basis. It marked an increased Labor lead from 53-47 in a YouGov poll taken earlier in April and a significant turnaround from a 51-49 Coalition advantage reported by YouGov in February. The latest YouGov survey found that Labor now leads on a two-party basis in key outer metropolitan seats and in every state except Queensland, the native state of Coalition leader Peter Dutton. Labor won power at the 2022 election after nine years in opposition with a 52.13-47.17 two-party advantage over the Coalition. When Australians cast their votes in the election, they do so on a preferential basis for candidates running in their local electorate, geographic divisions that each contain approximately the same number of voters. The lower house in the 48th parliament will comprise 150 members each representing one electorate. The YouGov poll found that 33.5 percent of respondents intend to vote for their local Labor candidate as their first preference compared to 31 percent for the Coalition and 14 percent for the Greens, Australia's third-largest party. Labor received 32.5 percent of the first preference votes in 2022 and the Coalition 35.7 percent, with Labor benefitting from stronger preference flows from minor parties and independents, particularly the Greens. A 31 percent primary vote for the Coalition in the May 3 elections would mark its lowest ever recorded since the Liberal Party was founded in 1944. Among respondents to the survey, 50 percent picked Albanese as their preferred PM compared to 35 percent for Dutton. Paul Smith, director of Public Data at YouGov, told the Australian Associated Press on Friday that the public has "clearly made a decision that they don't want Peter Dutton as PM". The news of Pope Franciss death is still settling in. Its hard to imagine our world without him especially in this time of great division and conflict, where freedom and flourishing seem to be at bay. Yet his message throughout his ministry was to dare each of us to dream that life in its fullest with a message of freedom and flourishing for all was within reach, if we each leaned in to do our part. He was a shepherd who smelled like his sheep, a moral leader who walked with the wounded, a bridge-builder in a time when so many chose walls. He was, like his namesake St. Francis of Assisi, a man disarmed of ego, disinterested in status and devoted above all to mercy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many, he was also the worlds most recognizable faith leader. But it was how he used that visibility that set him apart: not for doctrinal combat, not for political advantage, but to lift up the stories of our poorest neighbors, particularly those excluded and displaced, and to invite others to do likewise. For his thirteen-year papacy, he was a model for me, personally, as I matured in my own leadership, as a church planter and pastor, a diplomat and international aid practitioner, as well as an interfaith leader looking to build a stronger democracy. This is how Im remembering Papa Francesco. A pastor of the peripheries From the start, Pope Francis set his sights not on the centers of wealth or power but on the existential peripheries. He visited refugee camps before he visited palaces. He washed the feet of prisoners, Muslims and others, and embraced children with debilitating illnesses. In his work for climate resilience and peace, he lifted up Indigenous leaders, defended undocumented migrants, and reminded all of us that the poor are not a problem to be solved, but people to be loved. He taught that true Christian discipleship has a direction and it moves downward. Like Jesus, who emptied himself as the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the believers in Philippi, Francis embraced descent as a form of holistic leadership. His choices the modest papal apartment, his Ford Focus as personal transport, the name Francis were more than symbols. They were signals for a people that could rediscover its moral center not in dominance, but in service. An interfaith voice for peace Though the Vatican always plays a role in global diplomacy, Francis expanded the moral imagination of what a faith leader could be on the world stage. He deepened relationships with Muslim leaders, including his historic visit with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq, as well as signing the Document on Human Fraternity with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi. He embraced Jewish leaders as partners in justice and memory, most recently, calling for a return of the hostages held in Gaza, while also calling for peace and mercy throughout Palestine. He welcomed Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus and atheists alike into the circle of shared moral concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reminded us that faith, at its best, does not divide it bridges despite our, at times, grave differences and binds us together. It dares us to find dignity in difference and holiness in one anothers stories. In an era defined by suspicion and sectarianism, Pope Francis insisted on encounter. This was not naivete. He was deeply aware of how religion had been used to justify war, exclusion, and fear and of the harm that the Church itself had caused through the sex abuse scandals. But he believed boldly that religion could also be a wellspring of compassion, repair and truth-telling. He showed us what it meant to speak the truth in love without becoming partisan, to carry ones tradition with devotion and yet remain openhearted. A prophet in the age of climate crisis If Franciss 2013 election surprised the world, his 2015 encyclical Laudato si" changed it. For the first time, a pope framed the climate crisis as not just scientific or political, but as a spiritual and moral emergency. The earth, our common home, he wrote, is crying out. He named what so few global leaders had the courage to say: that the ecological crisis and the crisis of inequality were one and the same. That the suffering of the land and the suffering of the poor mirrored each other. And that we are called not just as voters or consumers, but as people of faith and conscience to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called for a new culture of care. He invited us to see the world not as raw material to be used, but as sacred relationship to be honored. For millions of young people, he not only redeemed, in a way, a timeless Catholic social teaching, but also made it radiant and more relevant than ever. A church for the wounded Francis vision of the Church was not triumphal. He called it a field hospital after battle. He said the Church should be known less for dogma than for healing, less for gatekeeping than for grace. His tone toward LGBTQ+ Christians, divorced people and others long hurt by ecclesial judgment was revolutionary in its tenderness. Who am I to judge? became a refrain that reshaped conversations, softened hearts and allowed many to hope again that they had a place at Gods table. He did not rewrite ancient doctrine. But he offered a different tone and posture always proximate to ordinary people along the way, as a fellow pilgrim. A bridge in an age of fracture We live in a time of division. A time of nihilism, narcissism and fracturing nations. Francis understood this. And he offered not a fantasy of uniformity, but a deeper vision of unity with all the varied particularities of our difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He taught that difference is not a threat, but a promise. That we need one anothers gifts to heal, to build, to bless. Which is what pluralism the promise that out of many diverse perspectives, a new people, bringing their diverse solutions for the challenges of the times is all about. He walked with us Perhaps the most Francis-like image of all is this: a man with a crooked gait, shoulders slightly hunched, walking forward slowly but surely, during the Covid-19 lockdowns that seemingly shut down our world for a season, threatening not just our health, but also our notions of belonging. The starkness of an aging man in the historic empty square of St. Peters Basilica carried with it a new invitation for those that had eyes to see, a new sense of priorities for others. Today, people of all traditions and none are mourning. Not just because a pope has died. But because a peacemaker has passed. A servant. A spiritual father. A moral compass in an age adrift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We give thanks for the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio Pope Francis. And we carry forward his hope that another world is possible. A world where mercy is not weakness. Where solidarity is not sentimental. Where love is not abstract. A world, as he once said, where no one is left behind. ABC broadcast the series finale of The Conners on Wednesday, closing out character arcs that began more than 36 years ago with Roseanne. When the first run of Roseanne Barrs eponymous working-class comedy premiered on ABC in 1988, it stood in stark contrast to the prime-time glamour of Dallas and Dynasty, which then dominated television. Instead of sparkling gowns and champagne-fueled catfights, plots on Roseanne involved unpaid electric bills, broken washing machines and kitchen-table spats. For many Americans, like the ones I grew up with in Appalachia, Roseanne gave us a mirror, instead of an escape. It transformed working-class humor-as-a-survival-tool into a relatable sitcom format. It helped viewers those seeing themselves for the first time and those seeing others for the first time grow toward each other. Roseanne and The Conners had an almost magical ability to speak to the haves and the have-nots. The shows invited the wealthy to laugh with, not at, working-class struggles, which helped generate empathy. They invited white working-class audiences into progressive conversations from which they may have previously been excluded. Both shows discussed topics including racism, queerness, gender equality, LGBTQ youth, immigration often characterized as issues for liberal elites or big-city residents in the language of Lanford, Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a kid growing up in rural Kentucky in the 1980s and 90s, Roseanne introduced conversations I wasnt having in church or the living room, and Im not alone among my blue-collar friends in saying that it was Roseanne that made me the political progressive I am today. The show made us aware that we, too, should be a part of these conversations, that we were worthy of being taken seriously, and that the issues we associated with others were intimately tied to our lives, as well. The power of the series to do this work in its original incarnation, its reboot and in the renamed show after Barrs character, Roseanne Conner, was killed off came from its capacity to invite and add. For rural or blue-collar viewers, the show presented new ideas in a world they were comfortable in. For others, the show presented ideas they were already comfortable with but in a world new to them. The shows legacy, then, is making progressive ideas digestible to poor and working-class people. This legacy may be surprising to some, given Barrs disappointing evolution. Now a controversial conservative figure, her 2018 reboot was canceled after a racist tweet. (The Conners starts after her character on the show has died.) In 2024, Barr released a pro-Trump rap video called Daddys Home. Those choices should certainly shape how we understand Barr, but they dont erase the complexity or impact of her earlier work or the original show's spinoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, when I taught a course on gender and television, I had my students analyze shows using the Bechdel test, which asks only: Are there two women on screen talking about something other than men? It took 50 years of randomized TV episodes before we hit one that passed: Dont Ask, Dont Tell, a 1994 episode of Roseanne that tackled homophobia, performative allyship, gender expression and included a same-sex kiss. Revolutionary doesnt begin to describe it. The show earned that moment because its viewers trusted the characters. Viewers, at least the ones I knew, felt like they were watching one of us which made room for growth. Throughout 17 years of the Conners lives shown across two series, viewers were watching stories about difficult topics, but Roseanne invited them in. It said: Youre a part of this. To the same extent, the show said to Americans quick to dismiss the struggles of the poor and working class: This is how hard life is when youre living paycheck to paycheck you, too, are a part of this. No one gets a pass because everyone is included. Few shows have had such political stamina. In the highly criticized original finale, the Conners win the lottery and live out their wildest dreams, but it's later revealed to be a story made up by the character Roseanne. The Conners echoed the original series finale in its final season, with a story arc involving a lawsuit the family filed over the opioid-induced death of Roseanne. Given the scourge of opioids in working-class America, that storyline made sense. This time, though, there is no big payout. In the end, the Conners get a check for only $700, which they use to throw a party with pizza and beer. Ultimately, this is a more fitting conclusion because there is no magical ending for Americas problems. No lottery win. No glamour and champagne. Just moments of pain and fleeting relief. All we can do is care enough to see our own and each others stories. Roseanne and The Conners gave us just that. One episode at a time. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Each December, I mark the anniversary of my survival from cerebral malaria. That near-death encounter left me partially blind, profoundly changed and forever aware of the precarious nature of global health. I contracted malaria in 2012 while working on a project in Liberia funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. What started as fever and chills after a weekend in a coastal village spiraled into unconsciousness. Within days, I was in a coma, with parasite-laden blood cells swelling my brain. I only survived because of an extraordinary improvised coalition of friends, colleagues and an overstretched clinic doctor who arranged my emergency evacuation to Paris. Millions of other people arent as lucky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, malaria remains the leading cause of death in Liberia, a nation of 5.5 million people. Roughly one in 10 Liberian children dies before their fifth birthday many from preventable causes like malaria. In the rainy season, roads become impassable, and rural families often walk for miles to reach a clinic only to find no medicine, no trained staff and no tests. For nearly two decades, America had been a beacon of hope in this fight. That ended with the dismantling of USAID. The Presidents Malaria Initiative was the U.S. governments largest program to combat malaria. Led by USAID and co-implemented with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the initiative partnered with countries that account for around 90 percent of the worlds malaria cases and deaths. It was one of the most effective foreign assistance programs in modern history. Alongside its local partners, the initiative made it possible for families to protect themselves. In Liberia, the Presidents Malaria Initiative supported the training and payment of community health workers, distributed long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, provided diagnostic tests and lifesaving treatment, and supported the national malaria control strategy. These efforts have helped cut child malaria prevalence by more than half over the last six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Globally, the impact has been even more striking. Since 2000, the Presidents Malaria Initiative and its partners have helped save 12.7 million lives and prevent 2.2 billion malaria cases, according to the World Health Organization. This includes 177 million malaria cases and 1 million deaths averted in 2023 in just one year. Strikingly, death rates from malaria in countries that partner with the Presidents Malaria Initiative have dropped around 50 percent since 2006. However, despite this life saving effect, some are now asking whether it is really worth it. Can we really afford to invest in a disease halfway across the world? Heres the truth: Malaria interventions are among the most cost-effective in global health. A rapid diagnostic test costs just 28 cents, treatment is 87 cents and a protective bed net is under $2. These low-cost tools save lives and deliver a high return on investment preventing missed work for parents, missed school for children and millions in avoidable healthcare costs across countries where the disease is endemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the case for continued investment goes beyond compassion and cost-effectiveness. Development is not charity its strategy. Supporting malaria prevention strengthens our diplomatic relationships, builds resilient health systems and makes the world and the U.S. more secure. In his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored why this matters for American interests. The impact that malaria has is not simply a health crisis or a humanitarian crisis, he said. It has deep economic implications It literally sets people and communities back And the cost-benefit of an investment, leveraging private partnerships to deal with things like malaria, pays extraordinary dividends as part of an overall approach to Africa, [it can] improve our prosperity, our security. Helping partner countries combat malaria fosters goodwill, trust and stability in regions critical to U.S. long-term strategic goals. It is soft power at its most effective saving lives while reinforcing the kind of partnerships that prevent conflict, build economic ties and counter the influence of adversaries. In a world where global health threats cross borders with ease, our investment abroad is an insurance policy at home. The Presidents Malaria Initiative wasnt just about fighting mosquitoes. It was strengthening local health systems, creating stability and supporting nations to build healthier, more resilient futures. Thats why its dissolution alongside USAID is so dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the U.S. walked away, progress stalled. Pregnant women have lost access to preventive care. Children are dying without basic medicine. Community health workers the frontline defense in rural villages are going unpaid and unsupported. And malaria will now come roaring back, just as it had in the past when vigilance faded. In fact, internal USAID estimates cite that more than 160,000 people will die from malaria every year from the abandonment of these programs if they are not restored. I know whats at stake. I lived it. And I was one of the fortunate ones. After months of recovery from cerebral malaria including temporary blindness and severe anemia I returned to Liberia. I went back because I believed in its people, its future and the power of global partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That belief hasnt changed. But the political will to stay in the fight might. Malaria is beatable. The tools exist, the science is sound and the return on investment is clear. What we need now is continued leadership, not retreat. In honor of this years World Malaria Day, lets not abandon one of the greatest public health success stories of our time. Lets finish what we started. Jessica Benton Cooney is a USAID staff member. This piece was written in her personal capacity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donald Trump swung his executive wrecking ball on Wednesday at a key component of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, in a move that threatens decades of anti-discrimination efforts. Under a new executive order with the Orwellian title Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy, his administration will deprioritize enforcement of statutes and regulations that cover disparate impact liability. In attacking this critical legal tool in the name of supposed meritocracy, Trump is greenlighting rampant discrimination as long as youre subtle about it. Imagine a business has a Help Wanted sign in its window, but below that is another that reads No Black applicants allowed. This would be a clear violation of anti-discrimination laws. But suppose instead the business specifies that applicants can only live in a certain part of town one that happens to be both extremely affluent and very white. Under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, that business could be sued for a hiring practice that seems neutral on its face but still produces a discriminatory effect.Importantly, such discriminatory effects dont have to be malicious, or even intentional, under the disparate impact standard. The effects of long-term systemic racism, sexism and other prejudices are, after all, often hard to prove via a smoking gun of blatant discrimination. In 1971s Griggs v. Duke Power Co., the Supreme Court upheld Title VIIs provisions to ensure that equal employment opportunity exists across the board. Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote for the majority that Congress has now provided that tests or criteria for employment or promotion may not provide equality of opportunity merely in the sense of the fabled offer of milk to the stork and the fox. Like most of Trumps crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion standards, this executive order turns the idea of discrimination on its head to argue that disparate impact violates the Constitutions guarantee of equal treatment for all by requiring race-oriented policies and practices to rebalance outcomes along racial lines. It builds off long-running conservative animus toward the legal tool of Title VII, premised on claims that employers have been forced to focus on race and sex at the expense of other qualifications in hiring and promotions. Its basically the same argument weve heard for years, one where companies are accused of discriminating against white men in favor of hiring, for example, a supposedly less qualified Black woman instead.Trump cant completely strike the provision from the books because Congress codified the Griggs decision further into law in a 1991 update to the Civil Rights Act. But hes still told his administration to deprioritize enforcement of all statutes and regulations to the extent they include disparate-impact liability. This effort also includes, as The Washington Post explained, having Attorney General Pam Bondi revoke Justice Department regulations that bar any program receiving federal financial support from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This latest executive order is part and parcel with Trumps overarching attack on his perceived enemies, be they legal, political or ideological in nature. The New York Times reported that last month the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission began questioning the hiring practices of 20 of the countrys biggest law firms many of which have been targeted for opposing Trump claiming that their efforts to recruit Black and Hispanic lawyers and create a more diverse work force may have potentially discriminated against white candidates. The administration has also slashed funding for enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, a 1968 law that Trump himself ran afoul of as a New York real estate manager back in the 1970s.The attack on disparate impact is especially pernicious, given how this change will bolster the less obvious forms of racist or sexist bias that the law sought to uproot. Last year, the Brookings Institutions Chiraag Bains examined how updated disparate impact laws are crucial to preventing algorithmic discrimination as the use of artificial intelligence spreads. While most programmers arent purposefully coding programs to harm minority users, those biases can still easily seep into their work. Without disparate impact analyses, proving the harm from seemingly innocuous lines of code will be more difficult. As for the supposed vindication of meritocracy that the executive order promises, its hard to think of a less appropriate vehicle for that principle than Trump. He is himself a mogul only by merit of inheritance, who has fallen upward over the decades despite his many failures. Further, as MSNBC senior contributor Michele Norris put it, Trumps attacks on DEI are particularly hypocritical from a president who has appointed Cabinet members whose experience falls far below the historically established standard for their positions. Trumps inner circle is hardly a model of the meritocracy at work. The latest scandals swirling around Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dont exactly paint him as an upgrade from former Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin. The slapdash decision-making by the phalanx of young acolytes that surround billionaire Elon Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency doesnt seem like the work of the most qualified or experienced people. Americas civil rights laws were meant not just to grant minorities equal protection under the law but to begin to undo centuries of legal harms against them. The conservative movement today would have us believe that were at the point where things are so much better that the oppressors are now being oppressed. In appropriating the language of civil rights laws, Trump has twisted and subverted them to reinforce the very disadvantages that they were meant to topple, all in defense of the still reigning majority. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher. From where The New Abnormals Danielle Moodie is sitting, it appears that CEOs of major retailers now feel comfortable calling out President Donald Trumps tariff policies for one clear reason: He has destabilized the f---ing dollar. While discussing Trumps meeting with the top executives of Walmart, Target, and Home Depot this week, Moodie pointed to how the presidents seesawing claims on tariff prices and his trade war with China will hurt the three big box stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First off, did you know that 50 percent of what is in Target on their shelves is from China? 50 percent? Moodie asked co-host Andy Levy. Like Walmart, I think it was 30 percent. Home Depot, their tariffs are different because youre talking about lumber and steelso youre talking about the war that we started with our allies with Canada. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. The deals that countries are making are without the United States because you have made us unreliable and unstable, Moodie added. You have destabilized the f---ing dollar. And so now these CEOs of these major corporations are just like, stop with the bulls--t because we are going to have to file bankruptcy. Then, Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah joins the program to talk about how Columbia University cancelling her course on race and media is not going to stop her from teaching it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus! Courtney Hagle, the research director at Media Matters, discusses how right-wing podcasts reacted to Trumps tariffs and what their responses reveal about the state of pro-Trump media. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read was in North Carolina asking the U.S. Election Assistance Commission about President Donald Trump's executive order on elections. (Photo by Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle) As a federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked parts of President Donald Trumps sweeping election executive order, Oregons top elections official joined officials from around the country in North Carolina questioning federal agency leaders over plans to implement Trumps order. Trump in March ordered the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a relatively obscure federal agency created after the contested 2000 presidential election, to update the national voter registration form to require prospective voters prove citizenship and withhold federal funding from states that accept ballots after Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon, which conducts its elections entirely by mail, accepts ballots mailed and postmarked by Election Day that arrive after the election. Oregon and Washington, which also runs elections by mail, filed a lawsuit against the order earlier this month. Democratic attorneys general in 19 other states filed a separate suit, as did a coalition that included the League of United Latin American Citizens, the League of Women Voters Education Fund and the Democratic National Committee. Thursdays injunction from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, D.C., applied to that last case. Kollar-Kotelly blocked the Trump administration from requiring proof of citizenship while legal arguments continue, but she declined to block the mailed ballot deadline. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read, a Democrat who took office in January, and state elections director Dena Dawson were in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday for a meeting with the Election Assistance Commission. Read spoke to the Capital Chronicle from Charlotte about the injunction and the feedback state and local election officials shared with the commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact is that the Trump administration is threatening actual security, and its an ongoing battle, Read said. The injunction is a good thing, but fundamentally, we have to be ready for any kind of a disruption in our election systems, whether its a natural disaster or a human or policy disaster. Election officials from around the country and of different political parties had two messages for the commission, Read said. First, they were concerned about how Trumps executive order would make it harder to run elections and harder for eligible voters to participate. Second, Trump doesnt have the authority to govern elections, which are the responsibility of states. Everybody comes with a different perspective and experience, but I think there was pretty dramatic unanimity of saying, This is infringing on the responsibility of states and localities to run their own elections, Read said. Hes particularly concerned about threats to withhold money and other resources from states, especially after this Novembers election saw ballot boxes damaged by incendiary devices in Portland and in Vancouver, Washington. Most ballots in Oregon were unscathed because a fire suppressant within the box protected them, but hundreds of Washington voters had their ballots destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election offices in Oregon and around the country also received envelopes of mysterious white powder, and election officials have faced threats that necessitated additional security. This is not theoretical, its not abstract, Read said. Its real. And yet this administration is saying, Unless you do what we want you to, which is legally dubious at best, then were going to threaten these kinds of things. Read and other election officials also oppose requiring voters to prove citizenship, though most Oregon voters already provide such documents thanks to the states automatic voter registration program that began in 2016. Under that law, Oregonians who present their U.S. birth certificates, passports or other documents that prove citizenship while getting or renewing drivers licenses or state identification cards have their information forwarded to the Secretary of States Office, which then registers them to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order would require voters to provide a passport or U.S. birth certificate to register to vote and end online voter registration. The advocacy group Common Cause Oregon estimates that about 1.8 million Oregonians dont have passports or access to original documents, and nearly 1 million married women in the state could be disenfranchised because their legal names dont match the names on their birth certificates. What weve got to remember here is that the impacts, were this to go through, would not be evenly felt across populations, Read said. Think about seniors. Think about people who are overseas military. Think about women whove changed their name. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) More than 200 colleges and universities are speaking out against government overreach and political interference under the Trump administration, including a handful of schools in the Pacific Northwest. The statement was issued April 22 by the American Association of Colleges and Universities in response to ongoing actions by the Trump administration affecting higher education. 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 states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez booed during town hall in Vancouver 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. We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding, the statement continues. Americas system of higher learning is as varied as the goals and dreams of the students it serves. It includes research universities and community colleges; comprehensive universities and liberal arts colleges; public institutions and private ones; freestanding and multi-site campuses. Some institutions are designed for all students, and others are dedicated to serving particular groups. Yet, 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. 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, AAC&U wrote. The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society. 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, the statement concludes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travel + Leisure names Oregon coast hotel among best in the world As of April 25, the letter was joined by dozens of schools in the Pacific Northwest, including University of Oregon, University of Washington, Portland State University, University of Portland, Lewis & Clark College, Pacific University, Willamette University, Gonzaga University and Linfield University. KOIN 6 News reached out to Oregon State University and Washington State University asking if they planned to join the statement. This story will be updated if we receive a response. AAC&Us website notes they are still allowing other institutions to join the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter comes as the Trump administration has moved to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education, eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in schools, cut funding for Harvard and efforts to revoke some international student visas. KOIN 6 News has also reached out to the U.S. Department of Education. This story will be updated if we receive a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 community of Orlando is raising awareness regarding sexual violence. On Friday, leaders with the New Path Organization or Nuevo Sendero met to discuss ways to combat the ongoing problem within the Central Florida Hispanic population. leaders with the New Path Organization, or Nuevo Sendero, met to discuss ways to combat the ongoing problem within the Central Florida Hispanic population. This issue is the responsibility of all the community, Marta Frias, the Director of Nuevo Sendero Org, said. Community leaders gathered in Orange County Friday for Nuevo Senderos Annual Summit on Sexual Violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 18 years, the organization has not only uplifted the Hispanic community but also all community members who are victims of domestic or sexual abuse. We provide education, we provide support to the survivors, Frias said. We believe that with information, an organization is the only way to eradicate sexual abuse and domestic violence. During the summit, experts, educators and healthcare professionals participated in workshops and discussed the latest data. In all of the USA, every 9 seconds, somebody is assaulted with domestic violence, physical and sexual, Sarai Diaz, the Founder of Heavenly Touch, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization provides transitional housing to survivors who leave violent situations. Its scary because you dont know, Diaz said. Maybe its your neighbor, maybe its someone in your family. More information for resources at Heavenly Touch can be found here My Heavenly Touch | Marked to be marked, transformed to transform and resources at Nuevo Sendero can be found here Nuevo Sendero Promoviendo la Educacion y Prevencion Contra la Violencia Domestica y el Abuso Sexual leaders with the New Path Organization, or Nuevo Sendero, met to discuss ways to combat the ongoing problem within the Central Florida Hispanic population. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. In the not-so-distant future, the essential building blocks of electronic devices from cellphones to missiles could come from Osceola County. Officials on Tuesday announced the launch of the Florida Semiconductor Engine at NeoCity, a project to train workers and attract businesses from around the world. With half a billion in federal investment, the 500-acre NeoCity campus in Kissimmee is leading the states effort to manufacture semiconductors the small chips that power todays technology. NeoCity is the countys technology hub. Until recently it only had a few companies working on semiconductors, but the new effort aims to lure more of them to Osceola as well as develop more partnerships with universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is powered by federal funding, however, and that could change under the Trump administration. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, County Commissioner Brandon Arrington said the new initiative it will promote economic diversity for the state and Osceola. He said NeoCity is the countys defense against a recession. What were trying to do here in Osceola County is not only create an ecosystem for high-paying, high-wage jobs but really trying to combat the issue we have here that anytime theres an economic downturn in the nation, Osceola County always rises to the top of unemployment, Arrington said. Far too often we see kids graduate, go off to amazing schools and never come back home. A large portion of Osceola residents work in tourism 36% according to 2024 data from Experience Kissimmee, the countys tourism department. The county also has the lowest household median income in the region, $68,700 annually based on the most recent data from the U.S. Census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tawny Olore, CEO of the engine, said the project is a significant step toward building a statewide semiconductor ecosystem and advancing Floridas economy. We will strive to bring economic development companies here, right to Florida and then create that workforce so those companies can thrive here, Olore said. Companies can come to our site and want to relocate to Florida. She said the engine will help fund 500 internships for college students from across the state and create a talent-matching app to connect employers to employees. NeoCity semiconductors could be sold to the defense industry along with medical and automotive industries, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NeoCity received a $15 million award from the National Science Foundation last year to fund the Florida Semiconductor Engine, the only such program awarded in the nation. The funding came with the possibility to receive up to $160 million over the next decade. The award was from the Biden administrations CHIPS and Science Act an effort to incentivize semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. and bring it back from overseas. President Donald Trump has publicly stated support for semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. but has repeatedly criticized CHIPS. Last month during his first speech to Congress of his second term, Trump claimed companies receiving CHIPS Act subsidies dont spend the money and urged lawmakers to get rid of the act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also signed an executive order March 31 establishing the United States Investment Accelerator. The order creates an office in the Department of Commerce responsible for managing the CHIPS program and renegotiating much better CHIPS Act deals than the previous administration. Olore said NeoCity is looking at other revenue sources for itself and the project. With all federal funding its subject to appropriations on a year by year basis, Olore said. Because to have a private ecosystem you just dont want it dependent on one funding source. Congressman Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, said theres appetite among Republicans to change how CHIPS funding is distributed. But since the CHIPS Act was passed in 2022 with rare bipartisan support, its likely funding will continue, even if the program is altered, he said. Now is the time to be vigilant and to show support for the CHIPS Act, Soto said. Multiple Republican senators are open minded to changes with the act and may want to see alternative proposals. YANGON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A workshop on enhancing blue ocean and coastal ecosystems through sustainable mangrove conservation was held in Yangon, capital of Myanmar, on Friday. Funded by CITIC Myanmar, the workshop was jointly organized by Kunming Zhi Gen Social Work Development Center (KMZG), Myanmar Environmental Rehabilitation-conservation Network (MERN), Mangrove Service Network (MSN), and China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC). The objectives of the workshop are to share knowledge, experience, and technical expertise on mangrove restoration and conservation, and to explore potential expansion of mangrove restoration programs in the Ayeyarwady, Mon, Rakhine, and Tanintharyi regions, according to CITIC Myanmar. Piao Bo, deputy managing director of CITIC Myanmar, said that by holding the workshop, they aimed to establish a wide range of partnerships with all participants, so that they could jointly create a shared future where humanity and nature thrived in harmony. He added that mangroves are not only Myanmar's green treasures but also global assets in the fight against climate change. "We sincerely hope that every mangrove tree we plant today will grow into a green promise for our shared future," he added. He further said that in the future, CITIC would remain fully committed to carrying out CSR programs in Myanmar and to further strengthening the "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship with local communities. Sen. Jon Ossoff speaks with constituents at a Marietta town hall. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Sen. Jon Ossoff faced pointed questions from fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers and others at a Marietta town hall meeting Friday. The Atlanta-based CDC has seen mass layoffs as part of the Trump administrations widespread government cuts. Frustrated former employees at the town hall said the firings are misguided and will harm public health. Several members of a group called Fired but Fighting said Ossoff is not doing enough to help. Fired CDC worker Abby Tighe questions Sen. Ossoff. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder We want to know why we have gotten no response from your staff, asked Abby Tighe, a former public health advisor in the CDCs division of overdose prevention who was let go in February. We are a huge coalition. We have emailed, we have called, we have tried many times to meet with you and your staff to talk about the concerns that we have from public health, and we have been ignored. We are a huge constituency and we protect you and everyone else in this room from public health disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tighe also asked what Ossoff will do as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to help fund public health. Let me say that this is what democracy is all about, folks, and I welcome tough questions, Ossoff said. I welcome criticism. I ask to be held accountable. Thats the purpose of events like this, and unlike some of my colleagues, we have not pre-screened these questions. Im not reading them from a list that my staff gave me. Were opening it up to my constituents. That last part was a dig at Rome Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who held a town hall not far from Marietta last week and is reportedly considering a run for Ossoffs seat when he is up for re-election next year. Ossoffs seat is seen as one of the most vulnerable in the nation and his race is expected to be expensive, hard-fought and close. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ossoff told the Fired but Fighting members that he supports them and pledged to meet with them in the coming days to discuss how to provide further assistance. Sen. Jon Ossoff. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder CDC accounts, other (Health and Human Services) public health accounts, and global health accounts will be among my priorities on the Appropriations Committee provided we can get bipartisan cooperation to do an actual budget, he said. Youll recall what happened just a couple of months ago, when, on a partisan basis, Republicans in Congress basically signed a blank check for the administration. I will work to avoid that. I will work to make sure that CDC funding, HHS public health funding, and global health funding are robust and protected, and I will continue to do everything I can to hold accountable (United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.) and the new leadership of CDC for these outrageous cuts to the CDCs workforce, which put the American people at risk. Speaking after the town hall, Tighe said she is still skeptical but said she is encouraged by the offer for a meeting and the chance to work together for fired workers. I would love for him to talk more about how hes trying to fold in Republicans who might care about public health, she said. Im not hearing anybody talk about that and I would love to see kind of how thats working or at least giving us the opportunity to come and help him develop talking points to bring more people into the fold because this is going to have to be a big tent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Republicans have been largely indifferent to the CDC cuts publicly. After the first round in February, Gov. Brian Kemp, who is another potential Senate challenger, said government can stand a little right-sizing. Suwanee Republican U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick said he asked the White House to slow the pace of the firings after being caught in the crosshairs of an angry town hall, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in February that I think were just moving a little too fast. Sarah Boim, a former communication specialist with the CDC, also welcomed the chance for a meeting. Im shocked that he has not been standing up more because we drive a lot of the economic activity where we live and were generally blue voters so he should be listening to us, she said. Kate Denny speaks at a town hall with Sen. Jon Ossoff. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Kate Denny, a mom from Avondale Estates, expressed frustration at what she characterized as a lack of opposition in opposing Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You keep saying that there isnt a magic button, and I recognize that youre a senator and not in the House, and everything that Trump is doing is leading us down (the path to) authoritative rule. Why are there no calls for impeachment? she said. Do you think that theres nothing more that can be done? No! Do something more. I like you, and I will vote for you if you are brave and you do what we need, she added. Ossoff said he understands the frustration and that he believes Trumps conduct has already exceeded any prior standard for impeachment by the United States House of Representatives. I also have no choice but to be candid with you about the situation that we face and the tools that are at our disposal, as strongly as I agree with you, he added. And I regret if this is an unwelcome response, but my job is to be honest with you. The only way to achieve what you want to achieve is to have a majority of the United States House of Representatives. Believe me, Im working on it every single day, every single day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding to the exchange on X, the National Republican Senatorial Committee called Ossoffs comments disgusting. Of course, Senator Jon @ossoff wants to overturn the will of Georgia voters who just elected President Trump. Trump, who narrowly lost Georgia in 2020, defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris in Georgia last year by about 115,000 votes, winning with about 50.7% of the vote in a politically divided state. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE OTEGO, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) An Otego woman is facing several sexual misconduct charges after being arrested by Otsego County Sheriffs on Friday. The arrest comes after an investigation that began in February 2025, when sheriffs received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The information revealed that the suspect 24-year-old Amber Renwick of Otego had disseminated material of child sexual abuse from the social media platform Kik Messenger. Further investigation found that Renwick had possessed the material and was sending it to other users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Otsego County Sheriffs along with investigators from the New York State Polices Computer Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at Renwicks residence on Friday, April 25. Renwick was taken into custody without further incident. Renwick was transported to the Otsego County Sheriffs Office for processing. She is currently lodged in the Otsego County Correctional Facility in Cooperstown, awaiting centralized arraignment in the Town of Otego Court. She is currently charged with: Sexual Misconduct, a Class A Misdemeanor, two counts of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class E Felony, and three counts of Promotion of a Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class D Felony. Otsego County Sheriffs say the investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an ongoing investigation. We will provide further details as they become available to 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. LSUs Memorial Tower displays the time on Monday, March 20, 2023, on Tower Drive in Baton Rouge, La. (Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator) Former LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. David Guzick, who resigned from his job this week after months of pressure from an LSU Board of Supervisors member, will fill a newly created role in the LSU System. The board voted unanimously Friday to name Guzick the systems chief research officer. The role comes with a salary of $475,000, a significant reduction from his chancellors salary of $900,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board also named Lester Johnson, the medical schools vice chancellor of academic affairs, as its interim chancellor while a search for Guzicks replacement happens. A search timeline has not been announced. Johnson currently receives an annual salary of $208,763 and will receive a stipend of up to $100,000 for serving as interim chancellor. Guzick resigned as chancellor Wednesday following months of pressure from LSU Board member Esperanza Moran, who called for his dismissal at a board meeting last September. Moran has not spoken publicly about why she wanted Guzick removed. Moran was at the State Capitol on Wednesday for LSU Day. When a reporter approached to ask about Guzicks exit, she waved her hand and walked away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guzick had wide support from LSU leadership, including LSU System President William Tate and the top staff at the Shreveport campus. He was praised for getting the medical school removed from probation by its accrediting body. That accomplishment was described as a grand slam home run in the bottom of the 9th to win by his top administrators in a letter they sent to Tate in March, urging his support for Guzick. A similar letter was sent by 17 department chairs to the LSU Board of Supervisors last month, when the LSU Health Shreveport Faculty Senate also approved a resolution in support of Guzick. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. Jeremie Dufault, R-Selah, protests the closure of the Yakima Valley School, a facility for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, April 9, 2025 at the Washington state Capitol, in Olympia. Dufault was blocked from participating in-person in floor proceedings during the final few days of the 2025 session after an outburst in the House chamber on Thursday, April 24. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) A Republican state lawmaker in Washington wont be allowed back in the House chamber this session following his latest outburst during a legislative debate. Rep. Jeremie Dufault, R-Selah, will be participating remotely in the last three days after his latest verbal disruption proved to be the last straw for House leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I did was a breach of decorum. I accept the consequences of my action, Dufault said in a statement Friday. But I will also continue to fight for my constituents and stand up to the tyranny of the majority when needed. Dufault, who represents the 15th Legislative District in central Washington, has been rebuked several times in the course of the 105-day session for making comments in floor debates that run afoul of House decorum. On Thursday, at the outset of debate on a highly controversial bill concerning the rights of public school students and their parents, Democrats denied a Republican lawmakers motion to reject the version passed by the Senate for not comporting with House rules. When the presiding speaker, Rep. Tarra Simmons, D-Bremerton, issued the ruling, Dufault leapt up and angrily shouted his disagreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the last straw. It was more intense, House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle said Friday. A lot of members were anxious about his mental state and whether that could be a physical threat. Lawmakers in both parties said privately that at that moment, they feared Dufault might be armed and something worse might occur. Dufault said in an interview Thursday, he has a permit to carry a concealed weapon but had no weapons on the floor. Following the episode, floor proceedings in the House paused for about two to three hours, and Washington State Patrol officers increased their presence in the chamber. In the House, the Speaker can remove any person creating a disturbance or engaging in disorderly conduct in the chamber. Fitzgibbon said barring Dufault for the rest of the session was a mutual decision with leaders of the House Republican caucus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, declined requests for comment Thursday. On Friday, a spokesperson sent an email saying Stokesbary is not going to comment on internal caucus discussions. Dufault said Thursday night he learned of the ban in a text from his caucus leader. He said he was working virtually from an office in the legislative building. I will always speak passionately. I will always speak directly, he said. I believe that my tone is appropriate and measured. Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will bid farewell to French President Emmanuel Macron during a brief visit to Paris next Wednesday. The trip is expected to be Scholz's final foreign visit as chancellor. The meeting is "a reflection of the close relationship between the two and once again underscores the special significance of Franco-German friendship," deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said on Friday. A dinner with their wives is planned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Scholz made a similar farewell visit to Warsaw, where he met Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for lunch. Scholz, a Social Democrat, is set to hand over his duties on May 6 to conservative leader Friedrich Merz. Merz has already announced that his first trips after taking office will be to France and, as quickly as possible after that, to Poland. More than 150,000 mourners have filed past the open coffin of Pope Francis as of midday Friday, just hours before the casket will be closed ahead of his funeral on Saturday. The pope's body went on view on Wednesday in St Peter's Basilica. The public will have a chance to see him lie in state until until 7 pm (1700 GMT), when the coffin will be sealed in a private ceremony. Outside the Vatican, large crowds have led to sometimes chaotic scenes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a dpa reporter on the ground, some people waiting on Via della Conciliazione, the main approach to St Peters Square, pushed through security barriers in an attempt to reach the basilica. Inside, guards were forced to sternly warn visitors against taking selfies, with repeated calls of "No photos!" near the casket. During the coffin sealing ceremony, a white silk cloth will be placed over the late pope's face. Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88, will then remain overnight in the basilica before being moved to St Peters Square on Saturday morning for a funeral Requiem Mass attended by global dignitaries. Funeral diplomacy? Among the world leaders expected are US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Observers will be closely watching any interaction between Trump and Zelensky, amid fresh tensions over Trump's recent remarks suggesting that Crimea illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 should remain under Moscows control, a position firmly opposed by Zelensky. Trump is scheduled to return to Washington shortly after the funeral. Also attending are British heir to the throne Prince William and Argentine President Javier Milei, representing the popes homeland. In total, more than 150 international delegations are expected. Security challenges for Rome With the funeral set to attract global attention, Rome is under heightened security. Over 10,000 officers have been deployed, and many streets in the city centre are closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St Peter's Square alone is expected to host some 200,000 additional mourners, with hundreds of thousands more lining the 6-kilometre route to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the private burial will take place. Conclave preparations under way More than 220 cardinals will attend the funeral, including those eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave to elect the next pope. According to the Secretariat of State, 130 delegations had registered for the pope's funeral by Thursday afternoon. Intensive discussions within the Catholic Church are already underway. Since Tuesday, cardinals have convened daily for the General Congregation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The date for the conclave is expected to be announced next week. The election will take place in the Sistine Chapel, with the traditional signal of white smoke announcing the decision to the world. From the central balcony of St Peters Basilica, the new pope will then be introduced with the iconic words: "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope!" (WHTM) Pennsylvania State Police released its data from over the Easter holiday weekend, and while there was an increase in the number of crashes from the previous year, arrests went down. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, from Friday, April 18, to Sunday, April 20, troopers investigated 532 crashes, six of which resulted in fatalities, and 95 injuries. Intoxicated driving made up for 45 of the crashes, which was ten less than the previous Easter weekend. Year Total Crashes People Killed People Injured DUI-Related Crashes Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes 532 6 95 45 0 490 7 71 55 3 This year, law enforcement saw a significant decrease in arrests made and citations filed, according to the data. A standout was the drastic decrease in speeding citations and other citations. Year DUI Arrests Speeding Citations Child Seat Citations Seat Belt Citations Other Citations 282 2,976 52 321 7,789 337 5,346 70 557 10,733 State Police said that this data does not make up for all law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania, just State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. OWENSBORO, Ky. (FOX 56) Police in Owensboro are looking for a missing teen who was last seen on April 18. The Owensboro Police Department posted on Facebook that 13-year-old Kyndall Palmer may have brown or blond hair. She is 5 feet tall with brown eyes, weighing 160 pounds. MISSING IN KENTUCKY Kyndall was reportedly last seen wearing a red shirt, biker shorts, and no shoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who may have information that could help find Kyndall is asked to contact the OPD at (270) 687-8888 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at (270) 687-8484. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. In April, the Trump Administration paused many tariffs, but not for China, the largest importer of tea. We stock between 150 teas and probably 50 to 80 herbs, maybe more, said Danielle Spinola, the owner of Abeille Voyante Tea Co., located in Millvale, Pennsylvania. Recently, she received an email from a supplier advising her to stock up now because tariffs will cause prices to rise. When Channel News asked Spinola whether she could realistically stock up to avoid the price surge, she responded, There is just no way to feasibly stockpile all of that. Just no way. Spinola explained to Channel 11 News that stocking up isnt a viable option for small business owners like herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont have a lot of storage space, and we also lack the capital to make that sort of stockpile. Additionally, if a recession hits and I stock up on all this inventory, I will just end up sitting on it, and it will go stale. Thats not good for my clientele, she said. While the Trump administration paused many tariffs in April, there currently remains a 10% universal tariff on all countries and a 90-day pause on additional reciprocal tariffs. However, China, a major tea importer to the U.S., is an exception; on April 9, the Trump Administration imposed a 145% reciprocal tariff against China. China is one of the largest tea suppliers, and its where Spinola sources most of her specialty blends. Ill go from $40 a pound to $100 a pound, which will significantly impact pricing, she explained. Already, Spinola has been forced to discontinue certain items after one supplier announced its closure due to tariffs. Weve lost our Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey, our Breakfast Blend, and one of our oolongs. Weve just lost a whole lot of the items they did well, she shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Replacing these items is costly and time-consuming, presenting a significant challenge. Its the Chinese teas that will suffer, and it stinks because China is where tea started, said Spinola. She noted that even something as seemingly simple as tea prices could have a broader impact on her community. It impacts me, it impacts all the people I employ, and it affects the community work we do. All of that will be impacted if we are not here, she said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW JAKARTA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia encourages developing nations across Asia and Africa to recall the values presented in the Bandung Conference amid the current rising protectionism and global uncertainties. In an interview with Xinhua here on Friday, newly-appointed Indonesia's ambassador to Kenya, Tyas Baskoro Her Witjaksono Adji, said that the Bandung Conference has shown the developing countries that unity can drive real changes, and called it "a powerful call to work together for a more just and inclusive world." Back in 1955 when the Bandung Conference was held, newly independent nations joined forces to claim their rights and demand fairness in the global system. "They did so without relying on power. They relied on solidarity, shared visions and values," Witjaksono, who just stepped down as director of the Directorate of Asia-Pacific and African Intra-Regional and Inter-Regional Cooperation of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry. "Today with rising protectionism and global uncertainties, that lesson still applies. We should continue to be open to partnership. Cooperation is how we build a more stable, and a more fair world," the diplomat said. Witjaksono, who will begin his career as the Indonesian diplomat in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and some UN organizations in May, said that Africa is an important partner for his nation. He said that Indonesia wants to promote its existing strong historical and political ties with Africa into more concrete economic ties. Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, is committed to increasing its ties with African nations through its Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF), which has been held twice between 2018 and 2024. The forum focused on strengthening partnerships between Indonesia and African nations in politics, economy and cultural exchange. "We want to cooperate with Africa to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We want to work together with Africa to improve the dignity of the Indonesian and African nations together," he said. The cooperation, he continued, would also be carried out with any other nations with mutual interests. "In this context, China, a big country that has been in Africa for a long time with all its businesses there, can certainly be a partner, working together to improve the economy in Africa and improve economic relations between Indonesia and Africa," he said. Israeli airstrikes on two houses in the southern Gaza Strip killed 21 people, according to a local Palestinian-run health facility. The homes of two families in the southern city of Khan Younis were hit, staff at the Nasser Hospital said. The information could not be independently verified. The Israeli military did not initially comment on the reported incident. Israel has recently intensified its attacks on Palestinian Islamist Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stated intention is to smash the Palestinian Islamist militia and free the last Israeli hostages being held by them. According to the Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza, as of Friday, 51,439 Palestinians have been killed since the war started in October 2023. The data does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. However, the majority of those killed are said to have been women and children. Attorney General Pam Bondi hinted at hunting down more judges hours after a Wisconsin judge was arrested for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest. Whats happened to our judiciary is beyond me, Bondi said Friday on Fox News, calling judges like the arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan deranged. Were sending a very strong message today, she continued. If you are harboring a fugitive, we dont care who you are. If you are helping hide one, if you are giving a [gang] member guns, anyone who is illegally in this country, we will come after you, and we will prosecute you. We will find you. Fridays arrest stems from an April 18 incident in which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers entered Dugans courthouse with a warrant to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who was in court for three misdemeanor counts in connection with a March 12 fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI Director Kash Patel claimed in a statement Friday that Dugan helped Flores-Ruiz evade arrest. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patel posted on social media. Dugans attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said at a hearing Friday that she wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest, which was not made in the interest of public safety. In response to the arrest, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said its important that judges can make decisions impartially without fear or favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is only the latest instance of the Trump administration taking aim at the judicial system. Last month, he called for the impeachment of a judge who ruled against the legality of one of Trumps deportation flights. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! Trump wrote on social media in a statement so extreme that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked it. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, Roberts said. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Trumps administration also continues to refuse to comply with a Supreme Court ruling ordering the return of a Maryland man mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prison. Related... PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) At Thursdays Panama City Commission meeting some Panama City residents argued the wording of the Beach Drive referendum was biased. City officials responded to public comment by taking the opportunity to clear up some common misconceptions about the total amount of the funding, specifically false claims about what theyve already spent on the projects design. The city seeks to save face by placing a totally biased referendum on the April 22 election. This is an attempt to silence the voices of the mayor and commissioners by threatening them with possible election interference if they discuss it at Panama City Commission meetings, Mayor Doc Rohan wrote in his first campaign letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rohan admitted to sending the first campaign letter to over 5000 residents just two weeks ago. In that same letter, Rohan wrote in bold, The city has spent over 1 million for engineering plans and legal fees for the project. Well the election is over for the referendum and city officials are now able to clear up some of that misinformation, regardless of who spread it. We keep hearing from some folks that, you know, weve already spent over $1,000,000 to design this path, and that is factually incorrect. We have spent over $1,000,000 right out of $1,000,000 for the purpose of the design, as well as the environmental surveys and review of the project, the surveying, the legal fees to look at every single deed to make sure, again, which this commission has been committed to the entire time, to keep the path within the either the state maintenance or the cities platted right away, City Manager Jonathan Hayes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, we brought in a horticulturist we brought in and arborists. We looked at every single tree. We did public outreach with this. We had four public meetings. All of those have been those fees, said Hayes. Panama City launches Redfish Film Fest: From Bayou to beyond Hayes also addressed claims that the referendum was biased, saying the text was even workshopped to clarify language. I respectfully disagree that the wording was biased. There were a couple of words. If you go back to the commission meeting when they discussed and voted to put the referendum on the ballot, there was two words, it was enhanced landscaping and then beautification. The decision was made to pull those two because they felt those were more subjective. But the words that remained, environmental improvements, pedestrian safety improvements, engineering enhancements, those are objective words, Hayes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys attorney joined in on the discussion that the money already spent will be covered by the $8 million grant, which drew a comment from Mayor Rohan. Are the legal fees covered by the grant? And it sounded to me like you think they probably are. Am I misquoting?, asked Rohan. No. No, they should be, responded City Attorney Nevin Zimmerman. Absolutely should be. All right. So, OK, so the answer to his question is they should be covered. Obviously, we wont know until you send them a bill and get it back, Rohan said. Many who opposed the referendum were concerned that the grant would not cover the total funds needed for a project of this nature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have recently updated our engineering estimate for the construction cost. And we feel very, very sure that our estimate and the overall grant of $8 million is going to be more than enough to build the sidewalk from Frankford Avenue to Johnson Bayou, Hayes continued. The non-binding referendum passed, but its non-binding. Hayes says the city is continuing to communicate with the DOT as originally intended. Theyll review the plans and decide if theyll grant the city the right of way construction permit to build the path. Hayes maintains the city is committed to moving commerce quickly and safely into downtown Panama City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He adds they are currently debating the lane sizes for the project. However, he believes the lanes dont need to be any wider than 11 feet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 flailing Pete Hegseth has taken to threatening colleagues with polygraph tests in an effort to get to the bottom of leaks from his department. And he isnt being particularly polite about it, either. Ill hook you up to a f---ing polygraph! Hegseth yelled at Adm. Christopher Grady, the then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, last month, after word got out that the Pentagon was planning a classified briefing about China to Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outburst at the Navy admiral, reported by The Wall Street Journal Thursday, wasnt the only time Hegseth mentioned the lie-detecting device. The embattled defense secretary, who served as a National Guard major, also brought it up when accusing Joint Staff director Lt. Gen. Doug Sims of leaking. Ultimately, neither man was subjected to a polygraph. At the time of Hegseths outburst, the fallout from the first of two scandals about him using unsecured Signal chats to discuss sensitive battle plans was well underway. Pete Hegseth served as a National Guard officer before beginning his career in broadcast news. / The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Im In that case, he revealed detailed plans for a forthcoming attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen in a group chat that inadvertently included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Signal-related controversy came to light Sunday, when The New York Times reported that Hegseth used another unclassified group chat to discuss those upcoming strikes with his wife, his brother, and his personal lawyer, among others. It was also reported Thursday that Hegseth set up an unsecure internet connectionalso known in intelligence circles as a dirty linein his office in order to bypass a lack of cell signal and use Signal instead. According to The Washington Post, that move apparently flouted the Pentagons security policy. While Hegseths brother and lawyer do work at the Defense Department, his wife, Jennifer Rachet, does not. A former Fox News producer, she has reportedly been attending meetings with her husband, and applied for a security clearance. Its unclear if one was granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid these reports, the department has seen several abrupt firings and resignations. Hegseth has grown concerned about being fired, according to recent reporting by The Wall Street Journal. / Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Last week, three aides were shown the door: Colin Carroll, Darin Selnick and Dan Caldwell. In a joint statement last Saturday, they claimed that they didnt know basic information about the circumstances of their exit. At this time, 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. Caldwell would go on to tell Tucker Carlson in an interview that personal vendettas had fueled their departures. The leaks, he claimed, are coming from the career staff who dont like what the president and vice president and secretary want to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another personnel change involved Hegseths former chief of staff, Joe Kasper, who originally said he would be transferring to another job within the Pentagon. Kasper, facing allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior, indicated he is leaving the Defense Department entirely and returning to consulting. To compound matters, the Pentagons inspector general is investigating Hegseth for allegedly mishandling classified information. As a result, Hegseth has grown concerned about being fired, according to the Journal. Donald Trump has begun the process of replacing the former Fox News host, a U.S. official told NPR on Monday. The White House, however, denied that report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In public, Hegseth has taken a combative approach to the reporting on his tenure, and has staunchly defended his actions. 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 Monday at the White House Easter Egg Roll. 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. No one has yet been charged over the leaks. To Hegseths frustration, more stories about the inner workings of his department continue to come out. Georgia parents were outraged after Colored Only and Whites Only signs were posted above elementary school water fountains as part of a teacher's lesson plan. Several parents of students from Honey Creek Elementary in Conyers were upset upon learning the news, ABC affiliate WSB, Fox affiliate WAGA and NBC affiliate WXIA reported. A Rockdale County school district spokesperson said that the signs posted on April 15 were from a class history lesson about Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to integrate an elementary school in the American South in 1960, according to WSB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news outlet reported that that the signs were also hung in the cafeteria. Related: Texas School Accused of Saying 4-Year-Old Boy with Long Hair Must Cut It or Identify as a Girl Nikisha, a mother of two, told WXIA that her family was disgusted after the kids saw the signs. I thought it was like racist, and I thought nobody should feel that way," Nikishas son Kingston, 10, a 5th grader, told the station. "I don't think anyone should feel like they shouldn't belong in certain areas because of their skin color. Another parent, who did not wish to be identified, pointed out to WSB that lessons can be taught in a way that doesnt inflict trauma on children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Georgia School District Ends Transgender Bathroom Policy After 'Death Threats, Student Harassment' WAGA reported that in a letter sent to parents, the school principal said that " this activity was not included in the teachers submitted lesson plans and was not approved by school administration." "While we do not believe there was ill intent, we do expect all faculty to follow the plans that are submitted and approved," the principal continued. When reached for comment, a school spokesperson directed PEOPLE to a video of the board of education meeting held on Thursday, April 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Man Confronts Family Dollar Employee for Racist Remark She Made in Spanish Not Knowing the Shopper Could Understand At the meeting, Rockdale County Public Schools superintendent Shirley Chesser reiterated that the teacher in this incident did not follow the approved resources or recommended lessons provided by the district. After learning about the signs, Chesser said, the school district immediately launched an investigation and spoke with parents and students who may have been affected. "The teacher did not have any discriminatory intent and this was not a prank," Chessner continued. "This activity did not align with district expectations and we recognize that this may have been hurtful." 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 Georgia and Rockdale County NAACP weighed in on the controversy in a joint statement released on April 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let us be clear: there is no place in our schoolsor in any public spacefor racism, hate, or ignorance, their statement said. What occurred in Rockdale County...reflects the ongoing need for serious, intentional education about our countrys history of racial discrimination and the continued work required to build inclusive, respectful environments for all students. Related: Calif. High School Students Forced to Scan QR Code to Leave Classroom Slam New Policy: 'Unfair' Both organizations called on the school district to take swift action," not only to hold those involved accountable but to implement district-wide anti-racism education, cultural competency training for staff and students. This is not just about one school," they said. "This is about who we are as a society, and what we choose to tolerate. We will not be silent." Read the original article on People Chairs of foreign affairs committees of European parliaments have issued a joint statement calling on US President Donald Trump and the US Congress to "demonstrate true leadership" in confronting Russia. Source: a document obtained by European Pravda Details: The document was signed by seven chairs of foreign affairs committees, including the Chairman of the Ukrainian Committee, Oleksandr Merezhko. Among the signatories were also the chairs of the foreign affairs committees of France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the United Kingdom, who were later joined by their Czech counterpart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Against the backdrop of recent developments related to the negotiation process and Russian strikes on Ukraines civilian population, the chairs of foreign affairs committees of several European parliaments issued a joint statement, in which they called things by their name and addressed President Trump and the US Congress," Merezhko told European Pravda. The signatories called for an end to the "policy of appeasement" and instead spoke out in support of a firm stance against Russias terrorist regime. They urged European countries to immediately confiscate Russias frozen assets and redirect them to support Ukraine. "There can be no compromise and no external pressure on Ukraine regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The signatories also specifically called on the United States and other NATO members to admit Ukraine to NATO without delay, and on EU member states to accelerate Ukraines accession to the European Union. "We must not repeat the mistakes of Munich in 1938. Negotiating with the war criminal Putin is evidently futile; his main objective is to undermine and humiliate our ally, the United States," the statement emphasised. The joint statement. Photo: European Pravda Background: Earlier, Trump stated that he was "not happy" with Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, which claimed the lives of at least 12 people, and addressed the Kremlin's leader: "Vladimir, STOP!" Trump also stated that Russia had already made a "pretty big concession" in terms of a peaceful settlement. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Apr. 24LIMA Two men serving life prison sentences for the 1990 death of former Bath High School student Ryan Young have been denied an early release from prison by the Ohio Parole Board. Recent hearings for Jose Bulerin, 73, and Richard Joseph, 53, resulted in five-year extensions behind bars for both men. Their next appearances before the parole board are scheduled for January 2030. Both men are serving life sentences in the Richland Correctional Institution after being convicted in Allen County Common Pleas Court of aggravated murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young was murdered by Joseph and Bulerin on June 26, 1990. Nine days later, his body was found buried in a stone quarry. Joseph and Bulerin were arrested and charged with Young's murder. Bulerin agreed to testify against his co-defendant in exchange for a plea deal that would allow him to avoid the death penalty. He was convicted of aggravated murder and received a 20-year-to-life sentence as part of a plea agreement. Joseph received the death penalty, but in 2005 a federal judge overturned his death sentence based on a misplaced word in an indictment, making him eligible for parole. Featured Local Savings JOHNSON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) A portion pf Vermont Route 15 will be closed Saturday so that the Johnson Public Library can be rolled out of the floodplain. This route will be closed to all traffic between Vermont Route 100C and Park Street starting at 3:00 a.m. VT-15 will later open to one lane of travel from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., which is when the roadway will likely reopen. A detour will be made available to vehicle operators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Johnson Public Library is being moved half a mile down the street to Legion Field. Johnson is hosting a celebration to honor this move, which will include students from Johnson Elementary School and community members pulling the building into place at 12:00 p.m. We are taking a new approach to flood mitigation and are looking to the future. We are not just jacking up and rolling the physical building down the street, this is far more than providing our most vulnerable residents access to the internet during emergencies and flood events, we are creating a new heart of Johnson that is free from the risk of flooding, officials from the Town of Johnson wrote. The moving will begin on Railroad Street, and finish with the culminating celebration on Legion Field at 11:30 a.m. The library is asking for your support, click on this link to donate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, (left) hands out Holocaust remembrance ribbons on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 22, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle (background) pins a ribbon to his jacket with Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan (right). (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week. Tuesday, April 22 House HB 375, sponsored by Rep. Kelvin Datcher, D-Birmingham, establishes a $37.50 fee for a five year pistol permit in Jefferson County. The bill passed 17-0. It goes to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 494, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, sets the base salaries of Jefferson Countys tax assessor and related officials by tying them to 110% of the highest-paid merit system employees in their office, effective October 2027. The bill passed 23-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 510, sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, updates Lawrence Countys temporary release program by adjusting surplus fund reporting, changing the timing for distributing appearance bond fees and modifying when municipalities can opt into the program. The bill passed 6-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 570, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy, updates Pike Countys pistol permit fees to $20 for a one-year permit and $100 for a five-year permit and provides for distribution to the Pike County Sheriff.. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 571, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, updates Escambia Countys cigarette and beer tax administration by allowing the county to hire inspectors with a monthly expense cap of $500. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to the Senate. Jack Schachter, a survivor of the Holocaust, walks across the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 22, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Schachter was honored by the House as part of an event for Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 24. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) HB 572, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, authorizes the Escambia County Commission to impose an additional motor vehicle license and registration fee of up to $5 per transaction. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 573, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, mandates that candidates for Escambia County sheriff who have retired from active law enforcement have three or more years of full-time post-retirement law enforcement service. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 574, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kirkland, R-Scottsboro, sets the Jackson County probate judges salary at $132,000 annually starting Oct. 1. The bill passed 9-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 576, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kirkland, R-Scottsboro, authorizes the Jackson County Sheriff to use credit and debit cards for approved purchases. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to the Senate. SB 128, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, increases the Calhoun County sheriffs compensation by providing a $13,966 annual expense allowance starting June 1, and establishing a base annual salary of $114,290 in 2027, at which point the expense allowance would expire. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 487, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program by lowering the minimum disability rating for veterans from 40% to 20%, and establishing a pilot program to admit an additional 100 dependents annually. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 479, sponsored by Rep. Brian Brinyark, R-Wyndham Springs, amends voter registration procedures by removing the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a verification database, requiring the use of the Alabama Voter Integrity Database for address change identification, mandating that voters respond within 90 days to address change notices or risk being marked inactive. The bill passed 74-28. It goes to the Senate. HB 454, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, makes it a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000, for an individual to forge sponsorship on local legislation. The bill passed 93-1. It goes to the Senate. Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, reviews papers in the Alabama House of Representatives on April 22, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) HB 542, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, expands retirement benefits for full-time district attorneys, prosecutors, and attorneys employed by the Office of Prosecution Services. The bill passed 95-1. It goes to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 283, sponsored by Rep. Mike Shaw, R-Hoover, establishes comprehensive data privacy regulations, granting consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of the processing of their personal data, and empowering the attorney general to enforce compliance. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 273, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Act, administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, to designate qualified public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education as hunger-free campuses. The bill passed 96-2. It goes to the Senate. HB 176, sponsored by Rep. Mark Shirey, R-Mobile, exempts the sales and use tax on the sale of optical aids, including eyeglasses and contact lenses. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 472, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Matthews, increases the state employee meal allowance from 15% to 17.5% of the regular per diem rate for trips lasting 6 to 12 hours. The bill passed 98-0. It goes to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 471, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, removes the prohibition on state or local officers serving on the board of directors of local water, sewer, or fire protection authorities. The bill passed 84-4. It goes to the Senate. HB 441, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, establishes minimum educational and clinical requirements for speech-language pathology assistants. The bill passed 82-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 521, sponsored by Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden, introduces a new category of low-alcohol mixed spirit beverages (up to 7% ABV), establishes licensing and distribution requirements for wholesalers and retailers, imposes an excise tax on distribution, and mandates exclusive sales territory agreements. The bill passed 68-25. It goes to the Senate. Senate Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, reviews papers on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 22, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) SB 262, sponsored by Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, would allow betting on previously broadcast races and live horse and dog racing would be permitted under specific rules in White Hall in Lowndes County. The bill passed 18-7. It goes to the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 319, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, would establish a $25 civil case filing fee in Barbour County; a $25 conviction fee in the county and a $10 small claims court filing fee in Barbour. Voters would have to approve the fees in a referendum. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 326, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would allow the Jackson County sheriff to establish procedures for using a credit card or debit card to make purchases. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 328, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would establish a $132,000 annual salary for the Jackson County probate judge effective October 1 and entitle the judge to future cost-of-living increases for all county employees. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. SB 327, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, would change the boundary lines and corporate limits of Saint Florian in Lauderdale County. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road (center) applauds for a group in the Alabama Senate gallery on April 22, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Behind Barfoot is Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) SB 329, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, would allow the Lee County revenue commissioner, instead of the probate judge, to take action to reclaim land for taxes in the county. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 301, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, would allow business property tax returns to be filed electronically. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. SB 322, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, would allow certain private residential developments to be annexed by a municipality if they are petitioned by the municipality and approved by the municipalitys governing body. The bill passed 27-1. It goes to the House. SB 278, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, would mandate that school districts establish procedures for students to attend religious classes off-site for elective credit if conditions are met. The bill passed 25-6. It goes to the House. Thursday, April 24 House Wyatt, a service dog, stands on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 24, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Service Dogs Alabama Director Shannon Preston, who brought Wyatt into the chamber, led the House in the Pledge of Allegiance on Thursday. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) HB 583, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, sets the annual salary of a newly-elected Madison County sheriff at $170,000, with 7.5% raises for each consecutive term. The bill passed 23-0. It goes to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 585, sponsored by Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, would end a supplemental payment equal to 2% of the annual state compensation for circuit clerks to Washington Countys circuit clerk when the current clerk leaves office. The bill passed 8-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 586, sponsored by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, extends the corporate limits of the City of Cullman in Cullman County, Alabama. The bill passed 10-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 591, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, extends Henry Countys 4% lodging tax to transients in RV parks. The bill passed 15-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 592, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, abolishes the Southeast Alabama Human Development Council in Henry County and transfers its duties to the Alabama Department of Youth Services. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 595, sponsored by Rep. Ritchie Whorton, R-Owens Cross Roads, removes a specified area from the corporate limits of the City of New Hope in Madison County. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 601, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, creates a single Sheriffs Law Enforcement Fund for Escambia County to consolidate various revenue sources and allocate them to law enforcement and public safety. The bill passed 9-0. It goes to the Senate. Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, stands on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 24, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) SB 293, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, allows the Lee County Commission to exempt households making 75% or less of the poverty line from solid waste collection fees. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 314, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Riverside, authorizes the Shelby County Commission to levy a $2 annual motor vehicle license and registration fee. The bill passed 10-3. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 113, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is the $524 million 2025 supplemental appropriation for the Education Trust Fund budget. The bill passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 114, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is the $1.25 billion supplemental appropriation for the Advancement and Technology budget.. The bill passed 102-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 305, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, allows the Legislature to appropriate additional funds to schools based on student needs. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 111, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, appropriates $375 million over three years for a student funding formula change, which aims to get more money to students with particular needs, including children in poverty and English Language Learners. The bill passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 303, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, revises the definition used to determine eligibility of principals and assistant principals to receive annual stipends under the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act.. The bill passed 98-2. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, allocates $9.9 billion for K-12 schools and higher education, a 6% increase over the current budget. The bill passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 150, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Riverside, appropriates $1.3 million from the Education Trust Fund to Talladega College for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Ivey. Rep. Ben Harrison, R-Elkmont (center) speaks to Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley on the the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 24, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) SB 109, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, appropriates $15.8 million from the Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 122, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, appropriates $450,000 from the Education Trust Fund to Southern Preparatory Academy in Camp Hill for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 379, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, introduces a tax exemption for nonresidents who work in Alabama for 30 days or fewer within a calendar year. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 128, sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, extends the existence of the Board of Nursing until Oct. 1, 2029, and revises its membership structure to ensure representation from each congressional district. The House concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 123, sponsored by Rep. Kerry Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, extends the existence of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy until October 1, 2026. The House nonconcurred with Senate changes 99-0, sending the bill to conference committee. HB 191, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, establishes conditions under which county or municipal sales and use tax exemptions may be enacted. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 250, sponsored by Rep. Kerry Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, revises the filing requirements for statements of economic interests by candidates, specifying deadlines for submission based on candidacy status, and establishing penalties for non-compliance. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 200, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, revises the Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entity Code to make technical corrections, update references, and formalize practices related to electronic filing and name reservations. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 456, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, authorizes the Clarke County Sheriff to charge reasonable fees for specific services, such as fingerprinting, reports, records copies, photo IDs, funeral duties, and court-ordered ankle monitors. The House concurred with Senate changes 83-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 258, sponsored by Rep. Jim Carns, R-Birmingham, changes the date of primary elections in non-presidential election years from the fourth Tuesday in May to the Tuesday before Memorial Day. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Ivey. Senate Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, gives a thumbs-up to people in the gallery of the Alabama Senate on April 24, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) SB 331, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, sets the Barbour County probate judges salary effective October 1 to 70% of the salary paid to a state district court judge with equivalent years of service and provide for increases. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to the House. SB 308, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, would update the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Lee County engineer and the county commission. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to the House. SB 256, sponsored by Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, would allow a Class 2 municipality to enter property with a tax lien certificate to make repairs. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 330, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, would require the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) to convert into regional boards and establish new rules for board member appointments, qualifications and terms. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 304, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would create the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank, as a division of the State Industrial Development Authority, to select and assist in the financing of energy infrastructure projects. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 313, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, would establish the Alabama 21st Century Fund and allow funds not needed to pay debt service on bonds of the authority to be used for any authorized purpose of the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 311, sponsored by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Enterprise, would modify the process for obtaining permits for access to state rights-of-way on public highways. The bill passed 29-1. It goes to the House. SB 317, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would establish staggered terms for the Alabama Innovation Corporations board of directors. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham (lower center) speaks to Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (right) on the floor of the Alabama Senate on April 24, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) SB 248, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would change how courts review decisions made by government agencies and require judges to independently interpret laws instead of accepting the agencys interpretation. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 324, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would increase the number of members on the Board of Pardons and Paroles and update the procedure for selecting the chair of the board. The bill passed 16-8. It goes to the House. SB 315, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would allow Alabama 21st Century Fund revenues to be used to pay project costs and debt service on bonds issued by the State Industrial Development Authority. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 279, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, gives the Alabama Legislature permission to tear down the current building after relocating to the new Statehouse. The bill passed 26-0. It goes to the House. SB 236, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would update the executive committee member requirements of regional mental health authority boards. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 51, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would set requirements on health insurance reimbursement rates for ambulance services. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, would allow the Board of Nursings Executive Director to assign someone to carry out specific duties, powers, and functions of the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board on their behalf. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. HB 253, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, would exempt the gross receipts from the sale of certain aircraft and aircraft parts from state sales and use tax. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 117, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would allow certain municipalities to enter memoranda of understanding with sheriffs for traffic enforcement. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 271, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, would prohibit municipalities from imposing certain fees on natural or manufactured gas utilities for public use. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, listens to a speak in the Alabama Senate on April 24, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) SB 321, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would remove a provision in the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund Advisory Board regulations restricting the Alabama Department of Environmental Management from involving other governmental entities in contamination issues. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 233, sponsored by Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, would increase the Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee membership to include two resident taxpayers, who would be appointed by the commission. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 241, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, would create a database that contains information on people suspected of belonging to a criminal enterprise or gang. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE COLOMBO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-seven people, including 10 school children, were injured on Friday when a bus veered off the road in Mahiyanganaya in Sri Lanka's Uva Province, police said. According to the police, the accident was due to a failure in the bus braking system. Police spokesperson Buddhika Manatunga confirmed that 10 of the injured were school children, and all those injured were taken to a regional hospital for treatment. Last year, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya noted that a significant number of bus accidents in Sri Lanka are caused by mechanical and structural defects. CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WFXR) People in the New River Valley have not had local access to train travel since 1979, after the long-time Cambria station ended operations after more than 70 years. In early 2027, that will change. A renovation project expects to be completed then, and folks will once again board trains in Christiansburg. To our residents, this station belongs to you, Christiansburg mayor Michael Barber said. It may bear the name Christiansburg, but it belongs to all of us in the New River Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials and dignitaries broke ground Thursday morning on a $264 million project that will upgrade infrastructure, add a parking lot and access roads and include an AMTRAK layover facility in Radford. Riders will have access to two daily round trips to Washington D.C. with several stops along thee way, including in Roanoke and Lynchburg. Folks from the greater Montgomery County area and Christiansburg can in fact get real access to the rest of the east coast, without going on interstate 81, Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin said. I love I-81, and we have $4 billion of projects on I-81, but theres a lot of orange cones that people are going to see. AMTRAK station coming to Christiansburg earlier than expected Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 343,000 passengers used the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA)s Roanoke corridor last year to get to and from the nations capital. With the extension back into the New River Valley, that number is expected to go up. Folks have been driving by this old station for years saying, Gosh, my grandparents and parents used to get on the train here,' D.J. Stadtler, the executive director of VPRA, said. Now, thanks to this project and the partnership with Norfolk Southern, we are going to bring passenger rail service right here, and as you saw by the folks who came here today, the community is absolutely thrilled. Joining governor Youngkin for the groundbreaking was Senator Tim Kaine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A long-time advocate for expanding passenger rail travel, he has worked on extending AMTRAK travel through Virginia since he was the governor in 2009. Ive been very proud as Senator to battle for AMTRAK funding to get us to Roanoke and now funding for this particular project, to help find the right site for the passenger station here in Christiansburg, Kaine said. Now on to Bristol. The site will be renamed the New River Valley Station, and construction is set to begin this spring. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. The FBI arrested a Milwaukee County judge on Friday for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest, a remarkable escalation of the administrations battle with the judiciary. Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week, Patel announced on X on Friday morning before deleting the post. He later reposted an identical version of it. Dugan was arrested on charges of obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday. It was not immediately clear why Patel deleted his initial post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan is a Milwaukee County circuit court judge, an elected position. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported earlier this week that the FBI was investigating her, and she told the paper via email that nearly every fact regarding the 'tips' in your email is inaccurate. During a hearing for Dugans case on Friday, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety. And some Democrats strongly condemned the move that threatened the government's separation of powers. But the Trump administration touted the FBI's actions. The days of actively aiding and abetting illegal aliens invading our country are over, White House spokesperson Kush DeSai said in a statement to POLITICO on the arrest. The Trump administration will never waver on putting Americans and America First with a no-nonsense approach to immigration enforcement. In this administration, anyone who commits crimes exposes themselves to criminal liability. Flores-Ruiz was in the country unlawfully, after being deported in 2013, according to the affidavit. He was scheduled to attend a hearing on April 18 for battery-domestic abuse charges when an ICE task force arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse with an administrative warrant to arrest him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan was on the bench leading an unrelated proceeding when she was notified of ICEs presence in the building by a public defender, the complaint alleged. Federal officials assert that she then left the courtroom and told the agents they needed a different warrant and had to speak with Chief Judge Carl Ashley, before allegedly helping sneak Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom through a door leading to a private hallway. Authorities ultimately arrested Flores-Ruiz after what was described as a foot chase outside of the courthouse. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patel wrote in his social media post. Patel said the judges actions created increased danger to the public. The Trump administration has pledged to investigate and potentially prosecute local officials who refuse to cooperate with the administrations sweeping deportation agenda. A Department of Justice memo sent in January told federal prosecutors to pursue charges when necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in February, Trump signed an executive order directing agency heads to ensure federal funding wasnt facilitating illegal immigration or sanctuary policies that seek to shield illegal aliens from deportation. Trump administration officials celebrated the charges on Friday. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared a warning to officials who assist undocumented immigrants with avoiding arrest during a Friday appearance on Fox News: We're going to prosecute you and we are prosecuting you. During Trumps first presidency, the Justice Department indicted a local Massachusetts judge on charges of obstructing federal immigration authorities. The charges were later dropped after the judge agreed to refer herself to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct for possible discipline. Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers criticized the Trump administrations ongoing attacks on judges without directly defending Dugan in a public statement released on Friday about the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law, he said. And Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) called the Trump administrations arrest of Dugan a gravely serious and drastic move that threatens to breach the governments separations of power on Friday. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by, Baldwin said in a statement posted to X. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders and arresting a sitting judge, this president is putting those basic democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. The presiding judge ordered Dugan released on her own recognizance on Friday. The government did not request a bond. Her next court appearance is May 15. Josh Gerstein and Ali Bianco contributed to this report. GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) Spring break is winding down along the Alabama Coast, but that doesnt mean things are slowing down for law enforcement. Daphne firefighters rescue families by boat during severe flooding, receive Smiles Behind the Shield Award WKRG News 5 spent the day riding along with officers on the beach to get a firsthand look at how theyre wrapping up the busy season and gearing up for whats next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gulf Shores police officer Darren Baker has patrolled these beaches for years. He said this spring break has been smooth sailing for the most part thus far. Its been pretty busy. We have seen a more calmer group of college kids, Baker said. During the spring break, my main focus is the alcohol and the groups of people that are causing disturbances, getting into fights, getting highly intoxicated. From checking for alcohol to enforcing beach ordinances, spring break certainly keeps officers on their toes. And as the college crowds pack up and head home, officers are already looking ahead to the next wave. We are preparing for the womens volleyball NCAA tournament. Thats always fun, Baker said. And then, of course, after that, we go right into the Sand in My Boots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether its spring breakers, summer tourists or locals enjoying the coast, Gulf Shores police said theyre ready for anything. We want family and kids to come down here and not have to be exposed to the spring break rowdiness, even summertime rowdiness, Baker said. We just dont put up with it because this is a staple to our community. Volleyball Jesus sculpture removed in Gulf Shores, search begins for new home So while spring break may be coming to a close, for police along the coast, the busy season is just starting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed peace talks are "moving in the right direction," but noted "specific points... need to be defined" in an interview with CBS News released on April 24. "Well, the president of the United States believes and I believe rightly so that we are moving in the right direction," Lavrov said. "The statement by the (U.S.) president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are some specific points, elements of this deal, which need to be defined," Lavrov added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing de jure recognizing Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from joining NATO as part of a potential peace deal. "I think we have a deal with both (Russia and Ukraine), I hope they do it," Trump said on April 23. Lavrov noted that a peace deal is still being negotiated, but that it is "moving in the right direction." "(W)e are busy with this exact process and the United States did not spell out the elements of the deal," he claimed. "Well, you don't trust the word of the president of the United States?" Lavrov said when pressed by journalists to confirm if Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been reported that Witkoff will meet Putin in Moscow on April 25. Lavrov expressed that peace talks are going in the right direction. "We continue our contacts with the American side with the deal with Ukraine. There are several signs that we are moving in the right direction," he said. The U.S. could reportedly de jure recognize Russian control over Crimea and de facto recognize Moscow's illegal occupation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Ukraine would be prohibited from joining NATO, but would remain permitted to pursue EU membership. Sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 would be lifted, and the U.S. and Russia would pursue deeper energy and economic cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump is probably the only leader on Earth who recognizes the need to address the root causes of this situation. This was a mistake by the Biden administration, and he wants to rectify this, Lavrov claimed. On April 23, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the U.S. presented a "very explicit proposal" to Ukraine and Russia on a peace deal. Vance repeated warnings that the U.S. might drop its peace efforts if both sides refuse to settle a peace deal. White House officials have warned that Washington would abandon the peace efforts if a deal is not reached soon. Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Better signage. Wider aisles in the pharmacy area and an expanded Online Pickup & Delivery area are among the things that are in store for the Walmart in Pekin, the company said this week. Saying they were proud to deepen its commitment to Illinois, Walmart said it was going to remodel 11 stores statewide, including Pekins. Its part of a $1 billion ongoing program to upgrade and update its store Among the changes are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big, bold signage. Exciting new displays to better showcase merchandise. Expanded departments. New items. More of what customers are looking for. Expanding Online Pickup & Delivery for the growing number of online customer orders. The Pharmacy will have wider aisles, a private screening room and privacy checkout areas. This year, Walmart says it wants to redo 650 stores across the nation. The ones in Illinois are: Store Address City 1001 NORTH WEST OLNEY 150 COMMERCE DRIVE FAIRFIELD 710 S COMMERCIAL ST HARRISBURG 845 BROADMEADOW RD RANTOUL 1941 W MORTON AVE JACKSONVILLE 1304 E MAIN ST ROBINSON 3320 VETERANS DR PEKIN 1540 N WORTHEY ST FLORA 1555 N RAND RD PALATINE 100 LINCOLN AVE BEARDSTOWN 4101 N VERMILION ST STE A DANVILLE Our stores often serve as the heartbeat of the communities we operate in, and these remodels are a testament to our dedication to enhancing that role, said Glenda Fleming Willis, the companys senior vice president for the North Business Unit. By investing in our stores and associates, we are not only improving the shopping experience but also reinforcing our commitment to being a vital part of the communitys fabric, helping to build a brighter future for 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 CIProud.com. (WHTM) Cody Balmer, the suspect in the arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiros Harrisburg residence, has been moved to a different facility. According to Pennsylvania Department of Corrections records, Balmer was moved from SCI Camp Hill to SCI Waymart. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest According to the Department of Corrections, SCI Waymart serves as the focal point for the treatment of all psychiatric inmates within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balmers mother has told multiple media outlets her son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She requested police assistance for her son; however, Penbrook Police say her request did not meet the standards for emergency psychiatric assistance. Suspect in Governors Residence arson denied bail Balmer was arrested and originally taken to the Dauphin County Prison after the fire at Shapiros residence earlier this month hours after the Shapiro family celebrated Passover. A 911 call from someone claiming to be Balmer took credit for the fire, which officials say was set by Molotov Cocktails in the residences state dining room while Shapiros family slept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balmer is facing charges including attempted homicide, arson, and terrorism. Hes scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 28. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV 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 ABC27. Pennsylvanias lieutenant governor was in Erie County on the Penn State Behrend campus. Austin Davis was given a tour that included the Burke Center labs. He also saw the proposed site of the center for manufacturing competitiveness, which will be built, in part, with state funding. Gov. Shapiro thanks Erie first responders, seeks more funding for firefighters Davis was joined by a group of local business and health care leaders as he saw firsthand the work being done by students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called it a model for other schools around the Commonwealth. Local business owners learn important information at MBA lunch event I think its a wonderful partnership to create a pipeline for young people who are going to school here to walk out of these doors on graduation day, where they can stay right here in Erie County, he said. Davis will be in Meadville Friday morning to discuss the administrations investments in Crawford 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) A Pensacola man found guilty of being a convicted felon with a gun has been sentenced to prison, News 5 has learned. Gulf Shores police open urn, locate ID tag Andre Martelly Tarlton has been sentenced for being a convicted felon with a gun. (Photo courtesy of the Escambia County Sheriffs Office) According to a news release from Florida State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden, 40-year-old Andre Martelly Tarlton was sentenced to 25 years in a state prison after he was convicted in February of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarlton was arrested in June 2022 after officers reportedly saw him driving a stolen car, in which officers found a gun under the drivers side floor mat, according to the release. The gun had Tarltons DNA on it, and he was already a convicted felon. At the trial, the jury determined that Tarlton qualified for the habitual-felony-offender sentencing enhancement, which made him eligible for a sentence of up to 30 years, the release stated. Judge Linda Nobles, who presided over the trial and sentencing hearing, noted Tarltons extensive criminal history, the release stated. Mr. Tarlton, you have one of the worst criminal records that I have ever seen, with 18 felony convictions and 13 misdemeanor convictions, she told him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At nearly 40 years old, you have spent a year incarcerated for nearly every year of your adult life. Escambia County to replace Pensacola Beachs Toll Plaza with archway The case was investigated by the Escambia County Sheriffs Office and the Pensacola Police Department. Assistant State Attorney Ki Misora McInnis 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 WKRG News 5. MADISON - Any boat owners who abandon their watercrafts for longer than a month could face prison time under a new bill two Wisconsin lawmakers are proposing in response to "Deep Thought," a deserted boat stuck for months near Milwaukee's Bradford Beach. State Sen. Rob Stafsholt, R-New Richmond, and state Rep. Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls, are circulating a bill among their legislative colleagues that would ban anyone from abandoning a boat in state waters or on adjacent land. "Unfortunately, there are those who do not respect our waterways," the lawmakers wrote in a memo released Friday to colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Anonymous donor paying for Deep Thought's removal from Milwaukee shoreline Stafsholt and Zimmerman cited "Deep Thought" and a 54-foot yacht that was abandoned in the St. Croix River in 2024. "When boats are left abandoned, they become eyesores for local communities. Worse, they become environmental risks as they deteriorate and rust," the lawmakers wrote. "Any abandoned boat may be carrying fuel that can leak into a body of water." If a law enforcement officer determines a boat has been abandoned, the officer must notify the owner, who then must remove the boat within 30 days. If the boat is not removed by then, the owner faces up to nine months in prison and up to $10,000 fines, under the proposal. At that point, the owner must complete a safety course and receive a certificate of satisfactory completion from the state Department of Natural Resources in order to operate another boat in Wisconsin waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now somewhat of a Milwaukee icon with its own entry on Google Maps, Deep Thought became stranded on Oct. 13, 2024, when its owners, Richard and Sherry Wells of Mississippi, ran out of gas. The couple bought the boat in Manitowoc and intended to stay at McKinley Marina for two nights before navigating home. However, Richard said inadequate directions caused him to miss the entrance to the marina and the boat to get stuck. In October, U.S. Coast Guard officials said they wouldn't immediately try to remove the boat because no lives were in danger and the vessel didn't pose a risk of pollution or floating away. Officials said it would be the boat's owners' responsibility to pay a commercial towing and salvage company to remove it. As the months passed, Deep Thought became lodged deeper in the sand between McKinley Marina and Bradford Beach, then encased in ice sheets over the winter. Now, its exterior and interior are covered in graffiti, and most of its electronics have been picked over or destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jerry Guyer, owner of local salvage company Jerry's Silo Marina, has been trying to assist with the boat's removal since the fall. However, strong winds and eventually winter weather repeatedly delayed the process. The Wellses had been communicating with Guyer, but after several initial conversations, communication has gone "radio silent," Guyer has said. The proposal will be circulated for support until May 2 before being formally introduced. Claire Reid of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin lawmakers introduce bill to ban abandoning a boat PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria City/County Health Department announced that its offices will be temporarily closed on Friday. The closure will be an all-staff training day on April 25, a health department news release stated. No programs or services will be offered on Friday due to the training. More information about the health department is available on its 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 CIProud.com. PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has reported 1.96 million air travelers in the first quarter of 2025, up 19 percent compared to the same period last year, a spokesperson said on Friday. Sinn Chanserey Vutha, who is also a secretary of state for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said international and domestic airlines had operated 17,434 flights to the kingdom's three international airports during the January-March period this year, also up 19 percent compared to the same period last year. He added that the Southeast Asian country also recorded a 10 percent surge in air cargo volume to 17,147 tons. Chanserey Vutha said Cambodia is projected to receive 7.5 million air passengers in 2025, an expected rise of 20 percent from 6.24 million in 2024. He was confident that the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), which was put into official use in November 2023, and the Techo International Airport, which is scheduled to open to commercial operations in July 2025, would help attract more international airlines and passengers to Cambodia. "The two new international airports are capable of handling the landing of almost all kinds of aircraft from across the world, so I believe that they will be able to attract more reputable international airlines to operate direct flights to Cambodia," he told Xinhua. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A male who was not identified in a police report was arrested for public indecency in Warren Wednesday. Officers were called about 7:45 p.m. to the 400 block of Mahoning Avenue NW on reports of a male performing a sex act on himself on a porch. The witness showed police a video of the incident, and the male was located in the 1000 block of Summit Street, where he was arrested and taken to the Trumbull County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police kept a copy of the witness video for evidence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Peacemaking was the theme of the 12th annual Iowa Religious Freedom Symposium held in Des Moines earlier this month. A wide range of belief, and even unbelief, was welcomed and respected. One of the speakers even focused on how secularism and atheism have an essential place in societal peacemaking. In America today, we need peacemaking and spaces to learn about others, and we all could benefit from the messages put forth at this event. I was especially moved by Shirley Mullens keynote address on the courage and cost of choosing to be a peacemaker. She served as president of Houghton University, a private Christian liberal arts college in New York State, and is the author of the 2024 book Claiming the Courageous Middle. I read it recently in preparation for the symposium, and Im glad I did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mullen notes that Americans who stand in the middle of the edges of American political debate are often, and unfortunately, seen as weak and cowardly. That resonates with me, since Ive written before about ways we can encourage political civility. Part of the answer is standing in the middle suspending your views for a time so you can hear, with humility and genuineness, the different religious and political voices so you can understand others with dignity and accuracy. Then you make your own decision. But the act of hearing another person and of being listened to is existentially powerful. Hearing the voices of those who have politically different views takes strength and discipline. There is nothing spineless about it. As I say in my recent book on how to heal a nation through Christlike political civility, I dont think that, in America, we appreciate our Founding Fathers because they make us laugh. They were engaged in disciplined and somber reflection as they prepared their thoughts, debates and dialogues, and all were concentrated readers. They were in the middle space that Mullen outlines, exchanging ideas, deliberating, changing views ... and the Miracle in Philadelphia was born and the sacred U.S. Constitution was birthed. Achieving cognitive elasticity is psychologically challenging work, but people with this middle ground tend to flourish in life and have some of the best marriages and community relationships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a licensed mental health counselor, I sometimes work with couples in crisis. Hearing your partner and being willing to change your mind is paramount for conflict resolution. Finding a win-win middle ground is key. Previously, I have argued that their willingness to seek middle ground is part of what made George Washington and Abraham Lincoln the best American presidents. In Mullens book, she also underscores biblical leaders who were grounded in the middle. Its possible to firmly stand on core religious values while being open enough to hear the voices of others with various political and religious views, and sometimes even make changes and adjustments to your worldview. I am reminded of the public debate about race between Jane Addams and Ida B. Wells in 1901. It was about an intense and volatile subject the lynching of Black men. Although they disagreed with one another, Wells and Addams remained lifelong friends. Wells even referred to Addams as the greatest woman in the United States in her autobiography. These two women could have attacked each other like so many Democratic and Republican government leaders of today, but they did not. Instead, after the public debate, they worked together and had tremendous respect and admiration for one another despite their acute variance of opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wells was an American investigative journalist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement. She was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which was formed in 1909. Addams was born in 1860 into a highly affluent family and went on to open Hull House, a Settlement House in a poor district in Chicago. She was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and was the founder of the Womens International League of Peace. Both women demonstrated an ability to listen to opposing viewpoints. Both chose to find a courageous middle in addressing their different views. How might America be different if more people tried to understand others with different views? Rodney B. Dieser is the author of seven books and more than 100 academic articles. He is a professor in health, recreation and community services at the University of Northern Iowa and also works as a licensed mental health counselor at Wartburg College, a private Lutheran liberal arts college in Waverly, Iowa. His latest book, Cease to Contend, was published in April. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is introducing a new policy called Restoring Good Order and Discipline Through Balanced Accountability, a new plan he says will block members of the Department of Defense from weaponizing equal opportunity programs. Were back with more reforms here at DOD, and this one is one of the most important ones weve done. The official title is Restoring Good Order and Discipline Through Balanced Accountability little wordy, but over the target. The real title that I call it, The No More Walking on Eggshells Policy,' Hegseth said in a video announcement shared to X Friday. You see, too often at the Defense Department there are complaints made for certain reasons that cant be verified that end peoples career, either though EO (Equal Opportunity) or the IG; we need to reform that process completely so commanders can be commanders. He then broke down the policy further, sharing his own examples of what he deems as ways in which people have abused equal opportunity programs in the past. Introducing the No More Walking On Eggshells policy. pic.twitter.com/zOcAW2z2X7 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 25, 2025 Let me explain it a little bit more, so the DOD has equal opportunity programs for service members and civilians to report discrimination and harassment thats a good thing. But, whats not good is when these programs are weaponized, the secretary said. Some individuals use these programs in bad faith to retaliate against superiors or peers; I hear it all the time. Say you receive a bad evaluation well, file a military EO complaint; its nonsense and we want to fix that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth concluded his video saying that his new order will analyze active EO initiatives within the government sector, which he states will assist officials in their duties as leaders and rule enforcers. Thats why today Im signing a memo entitled, as I said, Restoring Good Order and Discipline Through Balanced Accountability, Hegesth said. It directs a comprehensive review of equal opportunity programs to ensure prompt and impartial investigations, fair treatment to all parties involved and timely and appropriate resolution of allegations of discrimination. So heres the goal: empower leaders to make tough decisions, enforce standards and restore good order and discipline. Otherwise known as No More Walking on Eggshells. This is an important one; proud to sign it. Hegseths move came in the midst of a slew of controversies and questions regarding how suited he is to perform his job as the nations secretary of defense. Recently, NPR reported that President Donald Trump and his administration was ready to replace Hegseth following dual scandals involving leaked classified information on the Signal chat app. Though the White House denied the report, Hegseths name has continued to make headlines since he stepped into the role for a number of reasons, including his alleged history of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and public misconduct. The post Pete Hegseth Introduces No More Walking on Eggshells Policy to Department of Defense | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly teed off on a high-ranking official he suspected of a leak, lewdly threatening him with a lie detector test. The Wall Street Journal on Thursday divulged the alleged details of the embattled Hegseths tantrum. When word got out Hegseth was setting up a classified briefing for Elon Musk on China last month, President Donald Trump got angry amid Pentagon concerns over the DOGE leaders business connections to China, the Journal wrote. Thats when Hegseth lost it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill hook you up to a fucking polygraph! Hegseth blared at Navy Admiral Christopher Grady, two people familiar with the exchange told WSJ. Hegseth suspected Grady, then acting chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had let slip the news of the March 21 Musk briefing, so Hegseth insisted on proof that Grady wasnt behind the leak, according to the Journal. But Grady never did take that polygraph, while Hegseth later threatened another official with a lie-detector test over the apparent breach. Hegseths problems apparently got bigger from there. The defense secretary has come under intense scrutiny for divulging imminent attack plans to a reporter on a Signal group chat and in another Signal conversation with his wife, brother and lawyer. Hegseth suggested his aides planted the Signal story and fired some of them. A report that he set up a makeup studio in the Pentagon for TV appearances hasnt helped his image either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one Republican House member has suggested that he be fired and a report emerged that the White House was already searching for a replacement. Related... MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has ordered an investigation into alleged foreign interference in next month's elections after a top security official's warning that Chinese state-sponsored groups may be attempting to influence the outcome of the vote. "This is truly alarming," Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told a media briefing. "We will conduct a thorough investigation so we can uncover the truth behind this." The order came after a top National Security Council official told a Senate hearing on Thursday that signs of Chinese information operations had been detected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments coincided with Senator Francis Tolentino presenting what he said was evidence linking the Chinese embassy in Manila to the proliferation of "troll farm" operations in the Philippines. Tolentino said the embassy had paid a local marketing firm to run online operations, and presented what we said was a copy of cheque issued by the mission as proof. "These troll farms were engaged not only to openly provide information and convey the policies of the Chinese government but also to act as a covert disinformation and influence operation against the Philippine government and the Filipino people," Tolentino said in a statement on Thursday. China's foreign ministry and its embassy in Manila rejected the accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries' domestic affairs," Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the ministry said on Thursday. "We have no interest in interfering in Philippine elections." At stake in the May elections are 317 congressional seats and thousands of local posts, but the fiercest contest is for 12 spots in the 24-seat Senate, a chamber known for its power in shaping policy. The allegations come amid strained ties and confrontations between China and U.S. ally the Philippines in the past few years over disputed features in the South China Sea. The Chinese embassy rejected what it called "heinous accusation towards China" by opportunistic politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We noticed the attempts of some politicians to play the so-called China card to serve their political self interests and boost their election prospects," it said. "Such attempts are despicable and doomed to failure." Tolentino in a press conference on Friday accused China of mounting a "coordinated effort to undermine the democratic system and our way of life," saying part of the objective was to help elect "pro-China" senatorial candidates in the mid-term elections. He did not name the candidates. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty) CLEVELAND (WJW) Federal authorities are sharing new information following a deputy-involved shooting outside the Staples in Cleveland. Human remains found under old Ohio home Medina County deputies shot and killed 47-year-old Andre Martin April 16 outside the Staples store on West 117th Street in Cleveland. They were working with a task force during a drug sting. Now, Homeland Security is sharing photos of a package that contained three kilograms of fentanyl and two kilograms of cocaine. According to Homeland Security, the drugs had an estimated street value of $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shipping label on the package indicated both the sender and the recipient was Andre Martin. Live blog: Browns trade picks ahead of NFL Draft Authorities say they witnessed Martin retrieve a package in the Staples parking lot, which led to their encounter with deputies and the shooting. Deputies reported that Martin was armed with a knife. The case remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Phyllis Hildreth is set to lead Nashville's first-ever Office of Youth Safety. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell announced her appointment on April 25. Hildreth will start on May 12. A lawyer, community leader and longtime youth advocate, Hildreth most recently served as chief of staff at American Baptist College and as academic director of the Institute for Conflict Management at Lipscomb University. "Phyllis's passion for supporting our youth goes all the way back to her childhood, where she watched her father support kids in her community as a high school guidance counselor and Sunday school teacher," OConnell said in a news release. "Her background includes work in both education and juvenile justice giving her a unique perspective on how we build a resilient ecosystem to support our youth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young people were key in advocating for the Office of Youth Safety. The Metro Council passed $1 million last year to start the office at the urging of Nashville youth who are part of nonprofit Southern Movement Committee. Dozens of young people from the organization lined up to speak before the council in June. Derricka Jackson, 15, listens to the panelists at an Office of Youth Safety town hall at Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. As director, Hildreth will lead the charge in establishing programs for youth violence prevention and conflict resolution. She will also work with other city leaders to make neighborhoods safer for youth and minimize their harmful interactions with the criminal justice system. "The Office of Youth Safety will complement the work ongoing in the city to support young Nashvillians," the release stated. "As director, Hildreth will unite the efforts underway in the space of youth safety and programming." Hildreth earned her Bachelor of Arts in biology from Harvard University before going on to attain a law degree at the University of Maryland. She also has a Master's degree in conflict management from Lipscomb University. She worked as chief counsel for administration at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, deputy secetary for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice and managing director for the Baltimore Juvenile Justice Center. The wife of Meharry Medical College President Dr. James Hildreth, she also served on the Community Oversight Board and Human Relations Commission in Nashville. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Phyllis Hildreth tapped to lead Nashville Office of Youth Safety PITTSBURG, Kan. Pittsburg State celebrates one of the first big donations to the school. The 50th anniversary of the Wilkinson Alumni Center kicked off today with new signage for the building. The building was named for Cecil and Eva Wilkinson, who donated the funds for it. Today, their nephew Wendell Wilkinson told us they originally didnt want the building named for them, wishing to keep the donation anonymous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, after campaigning by university administration and family members, they cut the ribbon dedicating the building named in their honor in May of 1976. Wendell says Cecil and Eva were from the old school and while they themselves werent alumni of PSU, they wanted to do something to benefit the future. They wanted to help kids. They had no children of their own, and so, they wanted to help children, or kids, young adults, get an education, because they knew the importance of education, said Wendell Wilkinson, whose uncle and aunt were donors. The Wilkinson Alumni Center officially opened in November of 1975. The Wilkinson Center serves as a central meeting place for PSU alumni and other 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. NEW YORK (PIX11) Welcome to PIX on Politics Daily with Dan Mannarino, where we break down the days political news, headlines, and issues that matter most to you through in-depth conversation. Join us daily on PIX11+ streaming at 1 p.m. as we invite the newsmakers, lawmakers, and key players shaping policies that impact local communities. On Friday, Henry Rosoff was joined by New York City Council member Christopher Marte to discuss lawmakers voting to approve a bill to regulate helicopter flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the video player for the full interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. PLAINVILLE, Conn. (WTNH) Plainville police are hoping the public can help identify a man accused of snatching a womans purse in the Lowes parking lot Friday morning. The incident happened in the New Britain Avenue parking lot around 7:45 a.m. Armed robbery in Hartford under investigation: Police Police said the victim was loading her vehicle when the lone suspect wearing a face covering and hoodie stole the purse from her shopping cart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim tried to stop him, but the suspect pushed her away and fled in a dark gray 2008 BMW 328i with a Massachusetts license plate reading 3MPD23. Police said the vehicle was previously reported stolen from Springfield, Massachusetts. No injuries were reported in the incident. Anyone who can help identify the suspect or provide relevant information is asked to contact the Plainville Police Department at (860) 747-1616. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ISLAMABAD, April 24 (Xinhua) -- India's move targeting Pakistan following a shooting incident in the Indian-controlled Kashmir was "highly irresponsible and legally unfounded," and Pakistan will adopt a series of countermeasures against India, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Thursday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting of the National Security Committee on Thursday, the statement said. The committee expressed concern over the loss of tourists' lives in the incident, and Pakistan unequivocally condemns all kinds of terrorism. In the absence of any credible investigation and verifiable evidence, India's attempts to link the attack with Pakistan are "reckless, irrational and illogical," it said. In response, Pakistan will close down the Wagah Border Post, suspend certain visa facilities for Indian nationals, declare the Indian Defence, Naval and Air Advisors in Islamabad persona non grata, close Pakistan's airspace for all Indian airlines, and suspend all trade activities with India, the statement said. Indian media said that at least 25 people were killed and several others wounded on Tuesday after unknown gunmen fired at them in the Indian-controlled Kashmir. India has accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack. On Wednesday, the Indian government announced several measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, border closure, and the expulsion of Pakistani personnel. India's Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday that it would suspend all categories of visas for Pakistani nationals starting immediately, and advised Indian citizens against traveling to Pakistan, according to Indian media. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Plans for the redevelopment of a troubled east Columbus apartment complex are in the works. The Near East Area Commission held a special meeting for the community Thursday on the future of the now-closed Latitude Five25 apartment complex. Diane McCall and her husband Sonny have lived right across from the site for 22 years. She said that right now, the property is a headache and thorn in their side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knew what the neighborhood looked like back in the day, Diane McCall said. It was well kept, it was clean, we didnt have all these problems. Of course, times change, people change, so it went downhill from there. Latitude Five25 residents were forced to move from the building on Christmas day of 2022 when the pipes burst in the 400-unit twin apartment towers, leaving tenants with no potable water, heat or fire systems. At Thursdays meeting, residents heard from leaders with Nuveen Real Estate, Simmons Corporation and S. Cain Development, who made it clear they will not only invest, but operate the property. They said their mission is to create a high-quality development that reflects the goals of the community, reconnects the site with the neighborhood and provides opportunities for financial stability for hundreds of families. We dont come into anybodys community and tell them what to do, how were going to build, Nadir Settles, global head of impact investing at Nuveen Real Estate, said. We think its a reciprocal process, a mutual process, and we wanted to hear the feedback, and we can incorporate that feedback. We can consider that feedback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stakeholders have proposed nearly 400 long-term affordable housing units for tenants who may otherwise be rent burdened. Around half of the units will be reserved for families with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income. We think that our model of vertical integration, where we will develop the site, we will build the site, we will manage the site for many years to come is so well-suited to this unique challenge where the community is really seeking accountability and stewardship for this site which has been lacking in the past, Max Zarin, director of development for Paths Development, said. Residents raised concerns about keeping the history of the site alive and not repeating the same mistakes. My opinion, well see, Diane McCall said. Proof is in the pudding. Show me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stakeholders are hoping to welcome their first residents in the fall of 2028. To provide feedback directly to the stakeholders, email sawyertowers@pathsco.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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. Crews battle the Plum Creek Fire in north-central Nebraska's Brown County. (Courtesy of Ann Moylan Fiala, Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department) A Friday morning update from Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala, shared through the local KBRB Radio station, indicates the north-central Nebraska Plum Creek Fire is up to 70% contained as crews continue to battle the fire west and north of Johnstown in Brown County. The fire started Monday afternoon after a private landowners prescribed burn done in coordination with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, local fire departments and other partners escaped containment, according to local and state officials. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued a statewide burn ban Wednesday afternoon through the end of April, when the fire was 0% contained and 6,631 acres had been burned. By Thursday morning, the fire was 40% contained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Game and Parks is enforcing a temporary campfire ban across its properties. Many outside resources that were called to assist will depart the area Friday, according to Fialas update. The two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Nebraska National Guard that had been on scene will still make water drops on interior hot spots Friday. We are trying to work hot spots and smoldering areas now, Fiala said in the update. You are still going to see smoke in there for the next couple [of] weeks. Fiala said warmer temperatures and strong winds are expected to return to the area Sunday, which could complicate the response as crews continue fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landowners are encouraged to help local volunteer fire departments monitor the area. One cabin was destroyed and 45 cattle were killed, and a few people lost their deer stands. Crews have managed to save other houses and structures in the area. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Law enforcement officers arrested a fugitive Thursday morning who was wanted in connection with a June 2024 shootout at a Brockton house party, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office. In February 2025, a federal grand jury indicted 26-year-old Brockton resident Romeo Miller and three other Brockton men in connection with the shootout, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. Miller was captured early Thursday morning in Taunton, and the other three men 33-year-old Natalio Miranda, 28-year-old Jonathan Alves and 25-year-old Jahleil Monteiro remain in federal custody. Brockton police responded to the shootout around 1:45 a.m. on June 2, 2024 after receiving a call reporting gunfire at a home, the U.S. Attorneys office said. At the scene, officers found a large crowd gathered outside the home and numerous shell casings scattered throughout the front yard and driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 31-year-old woman was shot in the chest during the shootout, but she was taken to a hospital and survived, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Security video from the home showed that a house party at the home had led to a fight in the driveway and then a shootout between the victim and Miranda, Miller and Alves, the U.S. Attorneys office. Miranda could be seen letting loose several bursts of bullets from an automatic weapon in the front yard before leaving the scene, and Miller and Alves were shown firing towards the victim from the driveway. Later on, Miller can be seen crossing the street to hide behind a parked car, where he is alleged to have shot the victim in the chest, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Miller is then shown returning to the driveway and passing his gun to Monteiro before the two drive away in separate cars. Read more: 4 convicted felons face charges in connection with Brockton shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the shooting, Miranda was on supervised release in connection with a federal fentanyl distribution conspiracy conviction, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He also has a prior state cocaine distribution conviction. Additionally, at the time of the shooting, Miller and Monteiro were on probation for prior state convictions for charges including unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a high capacity feeding device, assault and battery on a police officer and fentanyl distribution, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Alves has a prior state drug possession with intent to distribute conviction. Miller, Miranda and Alves are charged with felon in possession of ammunition in connection with the shooting, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Miranda is also facing a charge of possession of a machine gun, and Monteiro is facing a charge of being an accessory after the fact to a felon. A felon in possession of ammunition charge provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, the U.S. Attorneys office said. A possession of a machine gun charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller is being held pending a hearing on May 5, the U.S. Attorneys office said. More local crime stories KANSAS CITY, Mo. Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) are investigating a deadly shooting Thursday evening. Questions remain after Wednesdays homicide in KCs Northland KCKPD officers responded to the shooting just after 5 p.m. at the Terrace Pointe Apartments near S. 72nd Street and Kansas Avenue, just north of Kaw Drive. When officers arrived on scene they found a man outside, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No suspects are in custody at this time, according to police. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. NORMAL, Ill. (IWMBD) The Illinois State Police announced that it, in conjunction with Normal Police, raided an area massage spa and recovered a person who had been trafficked. Details were sparse from the ISP but according to the agency, Normal police received a call on April 23 from the victim saying they were at the spa and were a victim of human trafficking. The Normal police officer then contacted the state police. Armed with a search warrant, the ISP and Normal police went to the business and then assisted the victim in getting essential services to help them with their recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During human trafficking operations, the state police routinely works closely with local partners to provide essential services to victims, including medical, mental, and substance abuse treatment, as well as food, clothing, short and long-term housing, financial aid, and help obtaining legal assistance. The Bloomington Police Department has also increased efforts to crack down on businesses that are involved with illicit activities, including human trafficking. These multi-jurisdictional efforts are aimed at stopping human trafficking in McLean County, the state police said. Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will. The ISP continues its multifaceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with its ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations. The signs of human trafficking can be subtle; to learn more, please visit Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline. If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov. 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. A Bremen woman was arrested on a charge of practicing medicine without a license on Wednesday. Aurelina Kiefer, 38, of Bremen, owner of Aurelina Beauty Salon Spa in Bremen, was arrested on charges of unlawful practice, a Level 5 felony; corrupt business influence, a Level 5 felony; and practicing massage therapy without licensure, a Class C misdemeanor following a lengthy investigation by the Bremen Police Department. The department began an investigation into alleged practicing medicine without a license-accusation several months ago and asked for the assistance of the Indiana State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Search warrants were executed at a residence located in the 800 block of Ind. 331 in Bremen, the Aurelina Spa, 822 W. Plymouth St., Bremen, and an additional business at 214 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen, which led to Kiefers arrest. Kiefer was taken to the Marshall County Jail. The Bremen Police Department and Indiana State Police were assisted by the Goshen Police Department, Elkhart County Prosecutors Office and the Marshall County Prosecutors Office. Two arrested on drug-related charges Two people were arrested by Elkhart police earlier this week in the 700 block of Harrison Street in Elkhart on drug-related charges. Seized were several pounds of drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Elkhart Police Department applied for and obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 700 block of Harrison Street in connection with a drug investigation. Earlier that day, the officer observed multiple people making short-term stops at the residence, a statement from police reads. Officers seized a plant-like substance (purported tune or synthetic marijuana) after stopping some of those individuals, the report reads. Elkhart Police Department officers, including a K9 officer, executed the search warrant at approximately 2:50 p.m. that day. During that time, officers detained multiple people inside the residence. Officers also seized multiple firearms, THC products/marijuana, and suspected synthetic drugs (tune, a controlled substance) pursuant to the search warrant, police stated. Officers also located and seized over 7 pounds of finished product (purported controlled substance) and over 28 pounds of unfinished product, the report reads. Two individuals were arrested on Monday in connection with this investigation and were booked into the Elkhart County Jail. On Wednesday, an Elkhart County judicial officer found probable cause for their arrests and set bond. Arrested and jailed were: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joshua Brown, 44, Elkhart, on preliminary charges of dealing in a Schedule I or II controlled substance, a Level 2 felony; conspiracy to deal in a Schedule I or II controlled substance, a Level 2 felony; unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony; maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony; and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. He was also had an outstanding probation violation warrant. His bond was set at $250,000 in this case. Stephanie Spake, 42, Elkhart, on preliminary charges of maintaining a common nuisance, a Level 6 felony, and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. Her bond was set at $3,000. HIT-AND-RUN Goshen police were called to the 300 block of South Main Street at 4:43 a.m. Wednesday where an SUV struck a parked car and fled the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ARRESTS A 58-year-old man was arrested by Goshen police at 12:48 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of meth, paraphernalia, marijuana and a controlled substance, maintaining a common nuisance and cultivating marijuana following execution of a search warrant in the 4300 block of Midway Road in Elkhart. A 23-year-old woman was arrested and jailed by Goshen police at 8:59 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated following a traffic stop near Clinton Street and Roxbury Park. A 27-year-old man was arrested and jailed by Goshen police at 1:06 a.m. Thursday on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated after she was stopped for driving left of center near Main Street and Hackett Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 15-year-old girl was arrested and transported to the juvenile detention center by Goshen police at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday after police responded to a possible runaway and stolen vehicle near Target, 3938 Midway Road. The vehicle was confirmed stolen out of St. Joseph County. BURGLARY A 31-year-old man reported to Goshen police at 7:18 p.m. Wednesday a burglary in progress in the 700 block of North Fifth Street. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Goshen police were called to Greencroft at 2:57 a.m. Thursday for an 85-year-old resident being combative with staff. During the incident, the resident allegedly broke a computer in the common area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 57-year-old woman reported to Goshen police at 7:36 p.m. Wednesday that someone damaged multiple coin-operated washing machines and stole change from E&E Gutierrez Laundromat, 1710 Elkhart Road. OFFICERS REPORT Elkhart County deputies at 3 p.m. Monday opened a found property case for an Apple watch and earbuds that were left behind sometime in the last month at Court Security at the Elkhart County Courts Building. The items were unclaimed and collected for safekeeping. THEFT A 35-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that between April 17 and 18 someone stole items from her vehicle in the 30000 block of Cynthia Drive in Elkhart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FRAUD A 60-year-old woman reported to Goshen police at 12:55 p.m. Wednesday that fraudulent checks had been cashed from her business account. A 90-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that between April 15 and April 17 fraud was committed. A 69-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies that between April 5 and April 14 fraud was committed. TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) An investigation is underway into a porch fire in Tiverton over the weekend that detectives believe was intentionally set. Fireighters responded to Main Road Saturday night after a caller noticed a fire on the front porch of a home near the Little Compton town line. The flames were quickly extinguished with minimal damage to the residence, according to police. But an investigation into the fires cause revealed that it was arson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for any information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information on the fire is asked to contact Tiverton Detective Sergeant Stephen Parrillo at (401) 816-4425 or by emailing sparrillo@tivertonpoliceri.com. Tipsters can also reach out to Deputy State Fire Marshal Investigator Kevin Morris by calling (401) 889-5449 or emailing kevin.morris@dbr.ri.gov. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 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. VIENTIANE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting of the National Steering Committee for the Implementation of the UN Plan of Action for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), focusing on preparations for the country's graduation from LDC status by 2026. The meeting, held here on Thursday, was chaired by Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane and attended by representatives from various Lao ministries, government agencies, and the United Nations (UN) offices in Laos. The meeting reviewed a progress report and a draft readiness assessment, while participants exchanged views and recommendations on the country's preparedness and the transition process, the local news website Lao Phattana News reported on Friday. Laos has incorporated the goals and principles of the UN Plan of Action into its national development strategies, beginning with the Doha Program of Action for 2022-2031, and established a national steering committee to lead implementation efforts. Laos is drafting an assessment, with the support of the United Nations, to evaluate its readiness for graduation from LDC status by 2026. The goal is to ensure the transition is smooth, sustainable, and irreversible. DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) DeKalb County Sheriffs Office announced the arrest of a Henagar police officer on child pornography charges Friday. Joshua Kwon, 40, of Henagar, was charged with public dissemination/display obscene matter under 17. Kwon was transported to the DeKalb County Jail. Tarrant murder suspect escapes police custody from UAB Hospital A DeKalb County investigator received a report regarding a social media account that was used to share child pornography. Authorities with DeKalb County, ALEA, and more executed a search warrant at a residence in Jackson County, and it was determined another potential suspect in the case was a police officer in the town of Henagar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is under investigation and additional charges could be pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. MANCHESTER, Conn. (WTNH) State police say they assisted Manchester police in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle on Interstate 84 East. The occupants of the vehicle reportedly fled on foot after abandoning the vehicle on the highway. Tractor-trailer rollover delays traffic on I-84 East in Southbury As of 6 a.m. Friday, state police said their information suggests the incident happened before their units were on scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 8 has reached out to Manchester police for more information. This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Police searching for escaped inmate in south Alabama MOBILE, Ala. (WIAT) Police are searching for an inmate who escaped from a work detail in south Alabama. Randy Jerome Richburg, 51, walked off from the Mobile Work Release at approximately 8:30 a.m. Friday from the Mobile CBF/CWC in Mobile. He is currently serving a 20-year-prison sentence for second-degree receiving stolen property. Richburg is 511, weighs 220 pounds and has different tattoos of a cross, sniper, dream catcher and the phrase God only knows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on Richburgs whereabouts is encouraged to call the police or the Alabama Department of Corrections at 1-800-831-8825. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office have called off the hunt for two men connected to multiple crimes in the Carolinas. There was a heavy police presence reported around the Walmart Distribution Center along Highway 129. Officers said that they were looking for two Hispanic males that have allegedly been connected to crimes committed in Greenville and North Carolina. K-9 teams are aiding in the search. The Wellford Police Department was aiding the sheriffs office in the hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information regarding the suspects, the Wellford Police Department asks you to contact law enforcement immediately. The sheriffs office reported that the hunt has been called off. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. UPDATE: Travis Honaker was located and taken into custody on Friday afternoon, according to the Washington County Virginia Sheriffs Office. BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) Authorities located a man who allegedly fled from police and damaged the Mendota Trail by driving on it. The Washington County, Virginia Sheriffs Office issued a Be on the Lookout (BOLO) alert on Friday for Travis Wayne Honaker. As of 3:58 p.m., the sheriffs office stated Honaker had been found and taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SCSO: Man uploaded 49 images of child sex abuse According to the sheriffs office, the Bristol Virginia Police Department (BVPD) tried to conduct a traffic stop on Honaker on Friday morning. Honaker reportedly refused to stop, which led to a pursuit that involved both agencies. The BVPD stated in its own release that officers were seeking Honaker after responding to a domestic call on Catherine Street at 4:40 a.m. According to the BVPD, officers found Honakers girlfriend with facial and neck injuries, due to Honaker allegedly hitting her with a lamp and strangling her. Honaker is also accused of assaulting his girlfriends mother and stopping her from calling 911. He then allegedly fled from the scene in his girlfriends car. Photo: Travis Honaker, courtesy of the Bristol Virginia Police Department The BVPD stated in its own release that Honaker was found driving at 7:42 a.m. on Gate City Highway near the county line, and the pursuit followed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point during the pursuit, Honaker reportedly drove on the Mendota Trail, which caused significant damage, according to the sheriffs office. The sheriffs office reports Honaker abandoned his vehicle on Margay Drive, located just off Rich Valley Road in Bristol, Virginia. He then ran from the scene, and police report that he escaped into the nearby woods. Honaker faces a multitude of charges. According to the sheriffs offices release, the BVPD has charged him with felony eluding police, and the sheriffs office has charged him with felony destruction of government property. The BVPD stated in its release that Honaker also faces the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aggravated malicious wounding Strangulation/Suffocation Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle Assault and battery of a family/household member Preventing emergency services Simple assault Driving while suspended/revoked According to the sheriffs office, Honaker was taken into custody on Nordyke Road in Bristol, Virginia, after a tip led to his arrest. As of 4:13 p.m. on Friday, he was being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. DENVER (KDVR) Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Colorado Senate bill Thursday that was aimed at protecting social media users, citing concerns that the bill would degrade privacy rights in Colorado and create unwarranted scrutiny of speech on such sites. Despite good intentions, this bill fails to guarantee the safety of minors or adults, erodes privacy, freedom and innovation, hurts vulnerable people, and potentially subjects all Coloradans to stifling and unwarranted scrutiny of our constitutionally protected speech, Polis wrote in his veto letter. Colorado leaders share wildfire outlook and preparedness plan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sponsors of the bipartisan-backed bill, called Protections for Users of Social Media, aimed the legislation at protecting youth users of social media by requiring the companies to provide annual reports to the Attorney Generals Office that detailed each sites policies and enforcement, specifically sharing information about illegal activity on the platforms. The sponsors said they specifically were looking for information on firearms sales that violated federal or state law, sales of illicit substances and sex trafficking, among many others. Right now, its far too easy for youth to purchase illicit substances and illegal firearms on social media sites we need to do more to protect our kids online, said Rep. Andy Boesnecker, a Democrat representing Fort Collins, in a March release detailing how the bill passed through the House Health and Human Services Committee. This bipartisan bill would require social media companies to ramp up their reporting methods and swiftly remove buyers and sellers who violate the companies illegal sales policy and state law, Boesnecker added. As a state, its important we step in when our children are being lured toward illegal drugs, firearms, or sex trafficking on unregulated marketplaces this bill works to keep our kids and communities safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would have also created a hotline for Colorado law enforcement to follow up on warrants submitted to social media companies, which was an effort to speed up the investigations. Make no mistake, I share the concerns of parents and law enforcement across our state about minors and adults exposed to illegal activity on social media platforms as well as in neighborhoods, Gov. Polis wrote in his veto letter to the Colorado General Assembly. This is why my office offered suggestions focused on strengthening tools to help law enforcement successfully apprehend criminals. Polis said the bill sponsors rejected the ideas and passed legislation that infringed on speech, privacy and liberty of users. This law imposes sweeping requirements that social media platforms, rather than law enforcement, enforce state law. It mandates a private company to investigate and impose the governments chosen penalty of permanently deplatforming a user even if the underlying complaint is malicious and unwarranted, Polis wrote. In our judicial proceedings, people receive due process when they are suspected of breaking the law. This bill, however, conscripts social media platforms to be judge and jury when users may have broken the law or even a companys own content rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proposed law would incentivize platforms, in order to reduce liability risk, to simply deplatform a user in order to comply with this proposed law, Polis 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 FOX31 Denver. One of the planned projects funded by the Street and Sidewalk Fund, which is supplied by a .05% sales tax, is 4.4 miles of sidewalk from Walmart going south. This project is in collaboration with the Cherokee Nation, with the tribe constructing 3.25 miles and the city responsible for 1.15. The citys part is $1.5 million $375,000 from the Street and Sidewalk Fund and $1,125,000 from an Oklahoma Department of Transportation grant. The election on the renewal of the sales tax is set for May 13. Ray Hammons, special projects manager for the city of Tahlequah, said at a recent meeting that people may be confusing this sales tax with a bond issue that is also under consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Administrator Taylor Tannehill said what may be confusing is that when the last bond was approved, the projects had a lot of streets on the list, like South Muskogee, Allen Road, Cedar Avenue and Grand Avenue. If the streets and sidewalk tax passes, then the bond will not have those streets as a part of the bond package, Tannehill said. It will be more facilities, more quality-of-life-type of improvements. So you have two sales tax extensions, with one specifically for streets and sidewalks. With the bond we dont need to include the streets. At the February Tahlequah City Council meeting, members heard from Tannehill on the benefits of the tax. He said about $2.1 million is generated annually from this tax. With the tax, we can leverage these funds to make them go further, with a couple of sidewalk grants that we have been very competitive with, Tannehill said. Oklahoma Department of Transportation projects that need extra funds [have benefited from this tax]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approval of the existing sales tax happened in September 2019, and collections started Jan. 1, 2020. That tax expires at the end of 2025. In March, Finance Director Michele Collins said over $8 million had been collected for the street and sidewalk fund from the tax since January 2020. She provided a breakdown of where the money has been spent so far: $118,000 on West Choctaw Street sidewalks; $756,654 on Cedar Avenue, College Avenue, Allen Road, and Fourth Street; $931,842 on traffic signals; $93,324 on Campbell Road improvements; $846,324 on Ross Street improvements; $232,449 on Park Hill Road; $54,942 on Jones Avenue improvements; $78,513 on North Jones Avenue construction; $106,852 on Fox Street; $164,616 on Pendleton Street improvements; $40,500 on Fourth Street/Muskogee Avenue to Graham Avenue; and $53,951 on sidewalks. Former Mayor Sue Catron said the current Streets and Sidewalks tax is only used for those two items and related structures, like intersection lights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been an oversight committee of local residents to help oversee the expenditures of the fund and to make recommendations for projects, Catron said. There is almost no federal or state money directed toward municipalities. Without this fund, the city will not have the money for major road projects without going into debt with bonds. Karen Murphy, communications and marketing director for the city, said without the tax, the city will not be able to do upgrades on streets, sidewalks and lights. Also, there is a Planning Commission that oversees and recommends street and sidewalk projects, Murphy said. These meetings are open to the public to attend. Street updates are published regularly by TDP, and Hammons gives updates on projects at the City Council meetings, which can be viewed on YouTube if residents are unable to attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Facebook Forum April 19, readers were asked if they supported the tax, and what projects would they like to see prioritized. A resident who lives on Cedar Avenue, Anna Nong, said contractors need more oversight. She said that during the construction of her street, they lived for months with a dusty, dry road. We were told the company was supposed to spray the road down once a day to keep the dust down no one ever saw them come out to spray the road, Nong said. She accused Tannehill of allowing the company to change the plans and jag the sidewalk all over the place. These companies, even the ones that do the blueprints such shoddy work, as they left off our own fence that would need to be taken down and rebuilt need massive oversight, Nong said. Until the city is prepared to babysit these companies, dont tax us for things we ultimately dont have a say in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Richmond said he has been a vocal advocate for overhauling the citys sidewalks and streets. He said potholes have damaged several his vehicles, costing him a lot of money. Pedestrians, tourists, college students, and other traffic are forced to walk in the streets and through peoples yards, Richmond said. The complaint is that people dont see timelines, strategies, or phases to which this work should adhere. Theres a lack of transparency in all the construction work going on in our town. He said this creates distrust and speculation among those that are impacted by construction. Furthermore, businesses and residential properties are allowed to put signage and landscaping up close to the road where people cant see oncoming traffic to pull out of parking lots, Richmond said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What you said In a poll on TDPs website, readers were asked: Do you support the continuation of the city of Tahlequahs half-percent sales tax for [streets and sidewalks]? The answer that got the most votes was, Absolutely, with 43.5%; 37.1% answered, absolutely not; 9.7% answered, probably not; 8.1% voted, probably; and 1.6% voted undecided. More Facebook Forum responses can be seen at www.facebook.com/tdpress by scrolling down to the April 19 post. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested and charged early Friday with two felonies obstruction and concealing an individual for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest after he appeared in her courtroom last week. Here's how lawyers, politicians and local officials are reacting. More: Here's what to know about the case of the Milwaukee judge arrested by federal authorities Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Here's what to know about the case of the Milwaukee judge arrested by federal authorities WISCONSIN POLITICIANS Gov. Tony Evers In this country, people who are suspected of criminal wrongdoing are innocent until their guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt and they are found guilty by a jury of their peersthis is the fundamental demand of justice in America.Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor.I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nations judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime. I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law. Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson The state's top Republican said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "I would advise everyone to cooperate with federal law enforcement and not endanger them and the public by obstructing their efforts to arrest criminals and illegal aliens." Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country, and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this President's lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congress's checks on his power. Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is considering a run for governor in 2026, wrote on X: "If you help illegal aliens evade arrest, you will be arrested." Tiffany attacked Democratic Gov. Tony Evers for a memo sent earlier this week to state employees that provided instructions on how to interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities who visit state buildings. State employees, Tiffany said, should now "think twice" before following such guidance. Republican Rep. Tony Wied Wied, who represents the state's 8th Congressional District, responded to the news of Dugan's arrest by saying she should "resign immediately." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not only are activist judges trying to thwart the President's agenda, now they are actively breaking the law to protect illegal aliens," Wied said. State Democratic Rep. Ryan Clancy Weve never seen anything remotely like this before. All she did is what we should all be doing: standing up for folks when they need it. State Democratic Rep. Christine Sinicki Sinicki stood with protestors on the courthouse steps and told reporters she believes Dugan did the right thing. "This is clear intimidation," Sinicki said. "If they can walk into a courthouse and arrest a sitting judge, then what can happen to the rest of us? People are scared." FEDERAL OFFICIALS FBI Director Kash Patel Patel posted, deleted and then reposted a tweet about the arrest. Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025 Attorney General Pam Bondi I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan a county judge in Milwaukee for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov. No one is above the law. Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) April 25, 2025 MILWAUKEE POLITICIANS Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley "Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process. We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a press conference later in the day, Crowley called the arrest a direct attack on the system of checks and balances and separation of powers. He also called the large law enforcement presence performative. It is clear the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose these attacks on the judicial system and our nations immigration laws, Crowley said adding his office is continuing to have discussions with law enforcement and other agencies about the case. We are talking about a sitting judge who deserves the same level of due process just like anyone else in our country. Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Jack Eckblad To be clear: by depriving one person of their right to due process, the federal government is asserting it has the authority to deprive anyone and everyone of those same rights. Judge Dugans example is a testament to our ability to insist on our rights, and history will see her as a champion of our democracy. Judge Dugan should be released immediately. Milwaukee County Supervisor Shawn Rolland Rolland called the episode "unprecedented" and "deeply concerning," and pushed for court proceedings to shift to virtual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doing so would eliminate the collision points between ICE and our courthouse, while also saving millions of dollars in costs spent each year on bailiffs and overtime. This arrest demonstrates the danger that ICE actions in public spaces create," Rolland said in a statement. "Do we want to live in a country where the FBI is targeting and arresting our teachers, judges, public servants and our neighbors? Her arrest by the FBI is an extreme escalation meant to intimidate and silence millions of Americans who believe in a more sensible, strategic and humane immigration policy. We will not be silenced. We will continue to stand for due process, for the Constitution, and for the long-term best interests of America, our economy and our people both documented and undocumented. Milwaukee County Board's Latino caucus A federal arrest of a local judge is incredibly serious," said County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson. It sends a chilling message to community members and leaders looking to do the right thing. Just yesterday, the board stood united, with 17 of 18 supervisors endorsing our resolution on public safety and access to the courthouse for all community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As courthouse events continue to unfold, we are reminded why due process is vital in the pursuit of justice," said Supervisor Caroline Gomez-Tom. The broader implications of this administration that continues to devalue our justice system, instill a sense of fear and distrust within our community, many of whom are just seeking access to the Courthouses essential services. As Ive known Judge Dugan, she has been a pillar of justice, standing for upholding the rule of law and the Constitution. The people will not stand for an administration that continues to weaponize our justice system as a means to intimidate immigrant communities, made clear by the cumulative actions over recent weeks, said Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez. Our resolve to uphold due process, justice for all, and real community safety remains strong, as proven yesterday with the passing of our resolution. Milwaukee Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic Dimitrijevic and Alderperson JoCasta Zamparripa joined protesers outside the courthouse, saying the judge's arrest was a signal from the federal government to immigrants in Milwaukee. "This is not normal, this is not okay," Ald. Dimitrijevic said, urging local and state leaders to stand with immigrants who are afraid. "Everyone is welcome in the city of Milwaukee at all times." MILWAUKEE LAWYERS AND ATTORNEYS Defense attorney, former federal prosecutor Frank Gimbel First and foremost, I know as a former federal prosecutor and as a defense lawyer for decades that a person who is a judge, who has a residence who has no problem being found, should not be arrested, if you will, like some common criminal, Gimbel said. And I'm shocked and surprised that the US Attorney's office or the FBI would not have invited her to show up and accept process if they're going to charge her with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that typically someone who is not on the run, and facing this type of crime would be called and invited to come in to have their fingerprints taken or to schedule a court appearance. He said law enforcement showing up to arrest her, very, very outrageous, in my opinion and not professional. Attorney and former federal prosecutor Stephen Kravit Kravit said the federal governments arrest of Dugan has purposely messed up the entire system. Theyll basically ruin Hannah Dugans life and sacrifice her on the altar for the policy that this administration wants to do, he said. I think the U.S. attorneys office should be ashamed that they issued this process. Criminal defense attorney Raymond DallOsto DallOsto, who has practiced in Milwaukee County courts for many years, described the case against Dugan as a political prosecution. Instructing someone to go out of a side door isnt anything nefarious," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At times, DallOsto had his clients exit through a side door as well. Judge Dugan should never have been arrested or charged in the first place. Thats total B.S. Its politically motivated. Its using her as a scapegoat and a target, he said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Reactions to Judge Hannah Dugan's arrest by FBI VATICAN CITY (AP) He called me la prima della classe, or the first in class. It wasnt necessarily a compliment. I had earned the nickname from Pope Francis in 2018, a year that marked a low point in his papacy, and a turning point in how he handled cases of priests who sexually abused children. The pope had just bungled a big abuse case in Chile and I, like many in the Vatican press corps, reported the scandal during Francis problematic trip to the South American country. Francis had discredited abuse victims, defended a bishop implicated in covering up their case and showed himself to be insensitive to their trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A turbulent news conference Returning to Rome, Francis was inundated with questions about the Chile scandal during the traditional in-flight news conference. Turbulence temporarily halted the session, but when it resumed, I picked up where others had left off, pressing the issue and incredulous that he seemed so unaware of the victims' pain. Francis insisted no victims had come forward to accuse Bishop Juan Barros of protecting the abuser priest, Fernando Karadima. I knew otherwise, and told Francis as much in a tone of voice that still shocks me today. It's the victims who are saying this, I told him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent heard from any victim of Barros, Francis responded. There are! There are! I insisted. The pope interrupted, but I cut him off, my voice rising. No! There are victims of Karadima who say that Barros was there! But they didnt come forward," Francis replied. "They didnt give evidence for a judgment. You, with good intentions, tell me that there are victims, but I havent seen them because they didnt present themselves. By the genteel standards of Vatican protocol, it was a stunningly sharp exchange. Francis could have dug in or retaliated against me and other journalists who challenged him so publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he didnt. His response commissioning an investigation and, once finished, apologizing to the victims for discrediting them underscored what friends and foes alike saw as one of Francis' most remarkable attributes: a willingness to admit mistakes and change course. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, Francis acknowledged the 2018 airborne news conference was a turning point the moment he understood the depths of the abuse scandal. I couldnt believe it. You were the one on the plane who told me, No, thats not the way it is, Father, Francis told me. Thats when the bomb went off, when I saw the corruption of many bishops in this, he said, making a gesture indicating his head had exploded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nickname emerges By then, Francis already had bestowed the nickname on me, coming up with it in August 2018, while the Chilean scandal was still fresh. AP colleague Eva Vergara and I had followed up with a story that Francis had indeed received a letter from a Chilean victim detailing the abuse and cover-up he endured. Again aboard Air Pope One heading to Ireland, Francis came back to greet journalists. When he got to my row, Francis smiled, shook my hand and said, Ahh, la prima della classe. La prima della classe. I wondered what he meant. In Italian it can be translated as the first in class. But it can also carry a negative connotation: a know-it-all, goody-goody or teachers pet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw the nickname as Francis' grudging acknowledgement that AP and I had accurately called him out and corrected him. As reporters, we had to keep a professional distance, covering him in the tough but fair way that met our standards and which was perhaps behind his respect for our work. An evolving relationship with the press The nickname stuck, and Francis used it whenever we met. In many ways, it showed how his relationship with the press evolved over time. When he was elected, Francis made clear his discomfort with journalists. He had had negative experiences in Argentina, where his record as head of the Jesuits in the 1970s during the military dictatorship and his tenure as Buenos Aires archbishop had put him in the media crosshairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Truly, I dont give interviews. Why, I dont know, its just that way, Francis told reporters traveling to Brazil in 2013 for his first foreign trip as pope. Over time, Francis loosened up and his airborne news conferences became a new chapter in papal communication. His comments sometimes required official clarifications, but they pushed the envelope in ways he couldnt in speeches or documents on issues like LGBTQ+ outreach or the role of women in the church. Francis granted more interviews than his two predecessors combined, using the media to speak to his flock in the informal, personal style that characterized his papacy. A work-life dilemma arises Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our last substantive encounter came in January 2024, when reporters met with him in the Apostolic Palace. At the time, I was concerned with an impending work-life conflict: My daughter would be starting college in late August and our family was planning to be in New England to attend orientation and move her into her dorm. At the same time, rumors were circulating that Francis would embark on his longest, most ambitious trip: a four-nation tour of Asia that, in all likelihood, would occur in late August. I couldnt miss either. At the end of the audience, Francis greeted the journalists individually. To this day, I cannot believe what I said, but I laid out my dilemma, summoning both maternal desperation and nothing-to-lose chutzpah. Ever polite, Francis listened intently he often asked about my children as I suggested, somewhat cheekily, that delaying the Asia trip would enable me to cover it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis didnt dismiss it outright, and I figured I could at least tell my daughter I had tried, knowing I'd inevitably have to tell her the Asia trip would take precedence. A final surprise Months later, to my astonishment, the date of the trip was announced: Sept. 2-13. I could do both. I didnt dare think my impromptu conversation as Francis met scores of journalists could have entered into the complicated calculations of organizing a papal trip. But I later received a breathless voicemail from someone close to Francis who had just met with him. You will not believe what he told me, he said. The pope said he changed the dates of the trip to ensure I could come, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I still dont know if other factors affected what became the last major foreign journey of Francis' life. I'm grateful I was able to go. I was a witness as Francis, hobbled and in a wheelchair, ministered to his flock in Indonesia and Singapore, the jungles of Papua New Guinea and steamy East Timor, where half the population attended his final Mass in Dili. On the long plane ride home, I wrote about his resilience. There was Francis, defying the doubters who had questioned if he could, would or should make such an arduous trip to Asia given everything that could go wrong, my story said. The moment seemed to serve as proof that, despite his age, ailments and seven hours of jet lag, Pope Francis still could pope, still likes to pope and has it in him to pope like he used to at the start of his pontificate. I'd like to think he might have read it, knowing it came from la prima della classe. ___ 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. A Cambodian college student delivers a keynote speech during an annual Chinese proficiency competition at the Royal University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 25, 2025. Themed "One World, One Family," the final of the Cambodian leg of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students worldwide was held here on Friday. A total of 14 Cambodian finalists competed in the final round. Among the tests set for the contestants were quizzes, speeches and talent show with each candidate presenting performances pertinent to Chinese culture, including songs, music, dancing, drawing and martial arts. (Photo by Ying Yuyang/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The final of the Cambodian leg of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students worldwide was held here on Friday. The competition was held under the theme of "One World, One Family." A total of 14 Cambodian finalists, shortlisted out of 149 candidates from various universities and institutes in the Southeast Asian country, competed in the final round held at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Among the tests set for the contestants were quizzes, speeches and talent show with each candidate presenting performances pertinent to Chinese culture, including songs, music, dancing, drawing and martial arts. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hang Chuon Naron, also minister of Education, Youth and Sport, said learning Chinese has not only enhanced learners' abilities, but also enabled them to gain insights to Chinese culture, civilization, tradition and custom. "Chinese proficiency is also an important bridge of long-lasting friendship between China and Cambodia," he said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the final competition. "Friendship between our two countries has existed since ancient times, and I'm confident that all learners of Chinese will contribute to fostering this friendship," he added. In his address, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said that in recent years, the enthusiasm for learning Chinese in Cambodia has continued to rise. "Chinese has been incorporated into Cambodia's national education system," he said at the event. "More and more Cambodian young people have chosen to learn Chinese, which not only opens up a broader space for personal career development, but also builds more bridges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples," he added. At the competition, Ros Sopharya, a fourth-year student in the major of Chinese literature at the Institute of Foreign Languages under the Royal University of Phnom Penh, was awarded the top winner. Speaking to Xinhua after the contest, Sopharya said this annual program was crucial for foreign college students to show their abilities and talents and to promote cultural exchanges with China. "I'm excited because I had not anticipated that I would win such a top prize," she told Xinhua. "I have studied Chinese for 10 years since I was a child, so Chinese language, for me, is special and is my second language." Sopharya, 22, said the program has served a bridge of closer friendship between China and Cambodia. Huang Jianhua, a fourth-year Cambodian student in the major of architecture and urban planning at the Royal University of Fine Arts, said the event has not only tested Chinese learners' abilities, but also strengthened the bonds of China-Cambodia friendship. "I participated in this program because I want to strengthen my Chinese proficiency. Moreover, I want to know more people, especially Chinese speakers in Cambodia," he told Xinhua. Jianhua, who has studied Chinese for six years, said Chinese is an important language in Cambodia because a lot of Chinese investors have invested in the kingdom. "As a Cambodian youth, I will continue to contribute to the promotion of Cambodia-China friendship," he said. "In the future, I desire to be a teacher of Chinese because I want to transfer my knowledge of Chinese to other Cambodian people." A Cambodian college student delivers a keynote speech during an annual Chinese proficiency competition at the Royal University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 25, 2025. Themed "One World, One Family," the final of the Cambodian leg of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students worldwide was held here on Friday. A total of 14 Cambodian finalists competed in the final round. Among the tests set for the contestants were quizzes, speeches and talent show with each candidate presenting performances pertinent to Chinese culture, including songs, music, dancing, drawing and martial arts. (Photo by Ying Yuyang/Xinhua) A Cambodian college student delivers a keynote speech during an annual Chinese proficiency competition at the Royal University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 25, 2025. Themed "One World, One Family," the final of the Cambodian leg of the 24th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for foreign college students worldwide was held here on Friday. A total of 14 Cambodian finalists competed in the final round. Among the tests set for the contestants were quizzes, speeches and talent show with each candidate presenting performances pertinent to Chinese culture, including songs, music, dancing, drawing and martial arts. (Photo by Ying Yuyang/Xinhua) Pope Francis, who led the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years, died on Monday morning at the age of 88. Francis' life and time as pope, which was noted for humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, will be remembered during a funeral service taking place on Saturday, the Vatican said. Here's what to know about Francis' funeral and how to tune in. PHOTO: Pope Francis leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, May 15, 2019. (Andrew Medichini/AP) Where and when is Pope Francis' funeral? Pope Francis' funeral will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. Eastern) and will be held in St. Peter's Square or in the Basilica, depending on the weather, in Vatican City. PHOTO: St Peter's Basilica of the Vatican is seen from Rome, April 24, 2025. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images) The pope's body will be placed in a cypress-wood coffin before the funeral and then placed in two other coffins that fit inside one another, each made of different types of wood, at his burial site. Where to watch the pope's funeral There are several ways to watch Pope Francis' funeral. ABC News Live coverage of the funeral will begin on Saturday at 3:30 a.m. ET and will air on ABC stations as well as streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, ABC News Digital will live blog the latest from the funeral as it happens and provide analysis and coverage of the biggest takeaways from the event. MORE: Pope Francis live updates: About 61,000 have visited St. Peter's Basilica Who will attend Pope Francis' funeral? As of Thursday, 130 foreign delegations have confirmed they are attending Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday morning, the Vatican press office said. That number includes "approximately" 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prince William are among those expected to attend. Former President Joe Biden, the second Catholic president ever, and former first lady Jill Biden will also attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Pope Francis and Donald Trump clashed for years over treatment of migrants The funeral, known as Missa poenitentialis, is also attended by cardinals, clergy, representatives of world organizations and diplomats, along with huge crowds of the faithful. PHOTO: Pallbearers, next to Swiss Guards, carry the coffin of the late Pope Francis as it is transported from the chapel of Santa Marta to St Peter's Basilica, following the Pope's death, in the Vatican, April 23, 2025. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images) Where will Pope Francis be buried? After the funeral mass on Saturday, Francis will be buried outside the Vatican in St. Mary Major, a basilica in Rome. Francis will be the first pope in more than five centuries to be buried there. Pope Francis' funeral: Who will attend, how to watch originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Hundreds of thousands of people are set to gather in the square outside St. Peters Basilica for Pope Francis funeral on Saturday, April 26. The Vatican said the proceedings will be broadcast worldwide, with a livestream on the Vatican website along with English commentary. The funeral will also be streamed on Facebook and YouTube. A church spokesman described the expected attendees as hailing from all geographical, social, political, and cultural backgrounds. This diverse crowd represents the Church of Francis, the one that welcomes everyone, everyone, everyone, as he tirelessly repeated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Nun Who Was Pope Francis' Friend Breaks Vatican Protocol While Weeping Over His Casket The funeral Mass, presided over the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will begin at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday and end around 2 p.m. and include a choir, readings, prayers and communion, among other rites. Afterward, Francis coffin will be taken to St. Mary Major, where he chose to be interred marking a break with precedent as many popes have been laid to rest at St. Peters. Before a private burial, his coffin will be welcomed by the last ones, a group of poor and marginalized people who always had a special place in Pope Francis' heart, the Vatican said. 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. Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Pope Francis in 2023 Pope Francis in 2023 Dozens of world leaders as well as a dozen monarchs and 55 heads of state will be in attendance, according to the church. Prince William will join on behalf of his father, King Charles; as will President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis died at 88 of a stroke at his residence in the Vatican in the morning of Monday, April 21, the church has said. His body has been lying in state since Wednesday, with numerous mourners flocking to St. Peters. "I cannot stop crying. He was like a grandfather to the whole church, Mafalda Lopez, who traveled from Francis native Argentina, told PEOPLE. His smile, his simple words that touched our hearts who will guide us now with such compassion?" Related: Melania Trump, a 'Quiet' Catholic, 'Admired' Pope Francis and Has 'No Issue' Attending His Funeral on Her Birthday (Exclusive) The College of Cardinals will gather in May, in secret, to select the next pope in a process known as a conclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think a lot of us are really anxious, and a lot of us are really anticipating being able to see the pope, especially with today being the first day that we're able to see him, Sophia Cabello, a Texas college student, told PEOPLE while in line on Wednesday, adding, It kind of feels unifying in a way, that people from all different parts of the world are coming just for this. It's a very special moment." Read the original article on People The world will bid a final farewell this weekend to Pope Francis, who leaves behind a legacy shaped by his efforts to revitalize the Catholic Church from addressing clerical abuse to expanding dialogue around climate change, migration, and inclusion. The Argentine pontiff died at the age of 88 on Monday from a stroke that resulted in a coma and irreversible heart failure, according to the Vaticans top doctors. It came after Francis who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed when he was younger was admitted to Gemelli hospital on February 14, for a respiratory crisis that evolved into double pneumonia. He spent a total of 38 days there before he was released to recover in his apartment, and he made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, delivering a blessing and greeting followers from his popemobile as he looped around St. Peters Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until his funeral this weekend, Francis body, adorned in his papal vestments, will lie in state at St. Peters Basilica. Heres how to watch. When is the popes funeral? Pope Francis funeral is in Vatican City on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time, which means American viewers will have to tune in during the early hours of the morning 4 a.m. ET, 3 a.m. CT, 2 a.m. MT and 1 a.m. PT to catch the Mass. It is slated to be held in St. Peters Square or inside the basilica, depending on the weather. Where to watch Pope Francis funeral The majority of major television network across the United States will be airing the funeral, including, NBC, CBS, CNN and ABC. Some streamers are also slated to air coverage of the service live, among them Peacock, Paramount+, Disney+ and Hulu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International viewers should also be able to watch the proceedings with popular broadcasters, like BBC in the United Kingdom as well as Globo News and CNN Brasil in Brazil. And those in Canada should be able to watch on CTV and CBC while Spanish viewers can catch the ceremony on Television Espanola The Vatican said it will also provide live coverage on the Vaticans news channel, which has also been streaming much of the rites this week. What to expect at the funeral and who will be there The service, which will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, is expected to draw dignitaries from 170 foreign delegations including at least 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns as well as tens of thousands of ordinary people hoping to pay their respects. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are slated to be among those in attendance, as are former President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceremony on Saturday will begin with a procession, held only after the pope is sealed inside his coffin on Friday, marking the end of the public viewing period. It will, however, be significantly more humble than those held for popes past; Francis last year simplified the rules for papal funerals and requested a simple wooden casket for his own burial. What happens after the funeral? After the Mass, the Vatican said the popes body will be taken into St. Peters Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, about 2 miles away. He chose it as his burial site because it is where he prayed before and after each trip out of Rome, as well as in challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Most live coverage will end when the burial begins. _______ 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. Pope Francis' death reminds me of 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 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. Don't forget where Pope Francis was taking us 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. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, @elviadiaz1. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Death of Pope Francis leaves void of compassion, humility | Opinion VATICAN CITY Three days of public viewing of Pope Francis' body ended Friday evening, after some 250,000 people paid their respects to a pontiff beloved by many for his gestures of compassion and humility, and outreach to outsiders, immigrants and the downtrodden. Earlier, crowds packed into St. Peters Square to line up to say their final goodbyes to Francis, and hundreds ended up being turned away when the square was closed hours before the viewing period ended at 7 p.m. (1 p.m. ET). On Wednesday and Thursday, larger-than-expected crowds prompted officials to extend opening hours overnight. Friday was Liberation Day, which commemorates Italys liberation from Nazi occupation and fascist rule, so many people may have waited for this opportunity to bid farewell to the pope before his coffin was closed. Visitors wait to pay their respects to Pope Francis as he lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday. Giovanni Guarino told The Associated Press that he had driven from Naples in southern Italy with his girlfriend, having been moved by Francis' efforts to help young and disadvantaged people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope that his successor follows the footsteps of Francis, Guarino told the news agency. According to the Vatican, 250,000 people came to St. Peters Basilica, where Francis body was displayed in a simple wooden coffin placed on the floor facing the congregation. He wore red robes and a bishops miter, and held a rosary in his hands. Later Friday, Francis' casket will be sealed as part of a series of meticulously observed rites that define a pope's death. A white cloth will be placed over the popes face, and a bag containing coins minted during his papacy will be put in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, he will be buried after a funeral Mass, which will be attended by heads of state, royals, prelates and ordinary mourners. Faithful leave the basilica Friday after saying their final goodbyes. The Vatican is welcoming 164 delegations for the funeral, including 54 heads of state and 12 reigning sovereigns. Among these is President Donald Trump, who will be seated according to French alphabetical order. French is the official diplomatic language at the Vatican, which means the United States will be sitting with the letter E because in French it is Etats-Unis. Trump will be sitting between Finland and Estonia; he will not be as close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he would have been if seated in the English alphabetical order. The funeral will be the first time the two are together since the unprecedented clash in the White House Oval Office on February 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other public figures planning to attend the funeral are: French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, U.K. heir to the throne Prince William, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The work to choose a new pope won't start until May 5 at the earliest nine days of public mourning. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The papacy of Pope Francis ended with the same core doctrine for LGBTQ+ people that he inherited: The Catholic Church still rejected same-sex marriage and condemned any sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners as intrinsically disordered. Yet unlike his predecessors, Francis incrementally conveyed through his actions, formal statements and occasional casual remarks that he wanted the church to be a more welcoming place for them. Frustrated activists, wary conservatives Among activists, there was frustration over the lack of a doctrinal breakthrough, but still there was gratitude this week for his unabashed warmth toward them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis, who died Monday, was a transformational leader who included LGBTQ people in historic ways, said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of the U.S.-based advocacy group GLAAD, who met twice with the pope. His principles of empathetic listening, inclusion, and compassion are exactly what this divided world needs right now. Many conservative Catholic leaders were wary of his LGBTQ+ outreach and sometimes were angry and defiant, such as when he decided in 2023 to let priests bless same-sex couples. Africas bishops united in refusing to implement the Vatican declaration, saying same-sex relationships were contrary to the will of God. Individual bishops in Eastern Europe, Latin America and elsewhere also voiced opposition. The declaration restated traditional church teaching that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and woman. But it allowed priests to offer spontaneous blessings to same-sex couples seeking Gods grace, provided such blessings arent confused with the rites of a wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis later acknowledged the declaration had encountered resistance; he faulted opposing bishops for refusing to open a dialogue about it. Sometimes decisions are not accepted, he said in a TV interview. But in most cases, when you dont accept a decision, its because you dont understand. This has happened with these last decisions about blessing everyone, Francis added. The Lord blesses everyone. The beneficiaries of Francis welcoming attitude included a community of transgender women many of them Latin American migrants who worked in Rome as prostitutes who visited his weekly general audiences and were given VIP seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before, the church was closed to us. They didnt see us as normal people. They saw us as the devil, said Colombia-born Andrea Paola Torres Lopez. Then Pope Francis arrived, and the doors of the church opened for us. A 2023 synod reflects Francis mixed legacy The popes mixed legacy was epitomized by the Vaticans 2023 synod bringing together hundreds of bishops and lay people to discuss the churchs future. The advance agenda mentioned LGBTQ+ issues; one of Francis hand-picked delegates was the Rev. James Martin, a U.S.-based Jesuit and prominent advocate of greater LGBTQ+ inclusion. Yet in the final summary of the three-week synod, there was no mention of LGBTQ+ people reflecting the influence of conservatives who opposed Francis overtures to that community. During the synod, the pope met with a small delegation from the Maryland-based New Ways Ministry, which advocates on behalf of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the groups executive director, Francis DeBernardo, the pope urged them never to lose hope a message DeBernardo repeated after being disappointed by the synods outcome. The Catholic LGBTQ+ community must take Pope Francis message to heart, he said. The reports shortcomings are an invitation to speak anew about their joys, their sorrows, and their faith. Now is not a time to despair. Another disappointment came in May 2024, when Francis apologized after Italian media quoted unnamed bishops saying he jokingly used the vulgar term faggotness while speaking in Italian during a meeting. He had used the term in reaffirming the Vaticans ban on allowing gay men to enter seminaries and be ordained priests. This week, DeBernardo looked back at Francis legacy mostly with appreciation, even while acknowledging disappointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis was not only the first pope to use the word gay when speaking about LGBTQ+ people, he was the first pope to speak lovingly and tenderly to them, DeBernardo wrote. His kind words of welcome to this community, traditionally marginalized in the church, rang loudly around the globe. An early message Who am I to judge? It became clear early in Francis papacy that he was going to articulate a gentler, more tolerant approach to LGBTQ+ people than any previous pope. The initial high-profile moment came in 2013 - during the first airborne news conference of his pontificate with his memorable Who am I to judge comment when he was asked about a purportedly gay priest. Signals had come earlier. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he had favored granting legal protections to same-sex couples. After becoming pope, he went on to minister repeatedly and publicly to the gay and transgender communities, steadily evolving his position. His abiding message: Everyone, everyone, everyone todos, todos, todos is loved by God and should be welcomed in the church. On some specific LGBTQ+ issues, Francis initially disappointed activists with his decisions, yet later softened or reversed them as part of highlighting his welcoming approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis was criticized by the Catholic gay community for a 2021 decree from the Vaticans doctrine office saying the church cannot bless same-sex unions because God cannot bless sin. But that stance was effectively repudiated by the 2023 declaration on blessings. Another reversal came that year in a Vatican statement saying its permissible, under certain circumstances, for transgender people to be baptized and serve as godparents If it did not cause scandal or disorientation among other Catholics, a transgender person may receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful, it said. Similarly, the document said trans adults, even if they had gender-transition surgery, could serve as godparents under certain conditions. That reversed an earlier outright ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. transgender-rights advocates welcomed Francis inclusive tone, noting that some political and religious leaders were targeting trans people with discriminatory laws and policies. Being homosexual isnt a crime Another issue tackled by Francis pertained to laws in dozens of countries criminalizing homosexual activity. In 2008, the Vatican declined to sign a U.N. declaration calling for an end to such laws. But in a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, Francis assailed these laws as unjust and called for their elimination. Being homosexual isnt a crime, Francis said. Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some regions support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops need to recognize the dignity of everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These bishops have to have a process of conversion, he said, suggesting they should apply tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us. Advocates of greater LGBTQ+ inclusion hailed Francis comments. His historic statement should send a message to world leaders and millions of Catholics around the world: LGBTQ people deserve to live in a world without violence and condemnation, and more kindness and understanding, said Ellis, the head of GLAAD. Praise also came from Martin, who was selected by Francis as a synod delegate. Few bishops or bishops conferences have condemned the criminalizing laws that the pope rejected today, he wrote of the AP interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Jamie Manson, a lesbian who headed the U.S.-based abortion-rights group Catholics for Choice, insisted declarations were not enough. LGBTQ people need more than nice-sounding words in a newspaper interview in order to be safe in the Catholic Church, she wrote. We need doctrinal change. ___ 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. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW By Magorzata Wojtunik, Chiara Rodriquez and Fabiano Franchitti VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Diane Karla Abano, a Filipino migrant living in Rome, has vivid memories of the day that Pope Francis touched her heart and made her feel at home, kissing her two young daughters during an audience in St. Peter's Square in May, 2018. "The moment that I reached out to the pope and saw his smile, I don't know, all the hurt, all the pain that I felt, it changed into happiness and hope," Abano said, her voice breaking and tears welling in her eyes as she showed photos of the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the eyes of Pope Francis, we are not migrants, we're all the same people," not Filipino or Indian or Asian, said Abano. She was back in St. Peter's Square this week, queuing up with tens of thousands of other mourners to pay her last respects to a man whose brief blessing proved transformative. Francis, himself the son of Italian immigrants in Argentina, placed the plight of migrants and refugees at the heart of his moral agenda during his 12-year papacy, personally intervening to assist asylum seekers and pushing governments to do much more to help. He repeatedly spoke out for the poor and marginalised, and criticised countries that shunned migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His first trip outside Rome after he was elected pope in 2013 was to the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa to pay tribute to the thousands of people who had drowned in the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe and a better life. In 2016 he visited the Greek island of Lesbos and brought a dozen Syrian refugees back to Italy with him on his plane. In 2021, he flew to Cyprus and again ensured safe passage for a group of 50 asylum seekers. Among them was Grace Enjei, who had escaped fighting in her native Cameroon in 2020 and had ended up stranded in the so-called "buffer zone" that divides the island as she sought to reach territory that falls within the European Union. Just before the trip, Vatican officials told her that the pope had learnt of the plight of those caught in a legal limbo, and had arranged for them to be relocated to Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were so happy, like, we were singing the whole night, we were dancing, we were celebrating actually. Something so, so, so good, like it was real good, we were so happy," said Enjei. Days after she arrived in Italy, Enjei was unexpectedly invited to celebrate Pope Francis' birthday. "He was like 'these are the people from the buffer zone?' and we were like, 'Yes, yes, yes'. He said, 'Oh, you guys are welcome, I heard about your story, and I was so touched, so I needed to do something'," Enjei said. BRIDGES NOT WALLS The late pope repeatedly urged political leaders to defend migrants, saying their safety should take precedence over national security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015 he became the first pope to address the U.S. Congress, where he recalled his own migrant background and said it was natural for people to cross borders in search of better opportunities for them and their families. "Is this not what we want for our own children?" he said. "I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants." In 2016 he publicly clashed with Donald Trump - who was then campaigning for his first term in the White House - over his plans to build a wall between the United States and Mexico to keep out migrants. "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis told reporters. Trump, who will attend the pope's funeral on Saturday, said at the time that it was "disgraceful" for a religious leader to question a person's faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis was critical again as the U.S. president began his second term, telling American bishops in a letter in February that he disagreed with migrant deportations. The pope faced resistance not just from politicians, but also sometimes from within his own Church with a number of parishes, especially in Eastern Europe, unhappy over his call for religious communities to take in refugees. But speaking from her new home in Rome, Enjei stressed the positive impact that Francis had on so many people, not just herself. "It's not only about me. He has helped so many people, and we thank him for the fight he's fighting for the migrants. We really appreciate and thank him so much," she said. (Reporting by Malgorzata Wojtunik, Leonardo Benassatto, Gabriele Pileri, Roberto Mignucci, Fabiano Franchitti, Chiara Rodriquez; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Frances Kerry) When world leaders gather for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, they will find out how to do diplomacy the papal way giving a nod to different countries by way of prayers. And amid all the languages used to remember the late pontiff, there will be one never before heard at a papal funeral: Chinese. The order of service, which has been released by the Vatican, is 87 pages long, which indicates the Mass could last two hours or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four lines from the Prayer of the Faithful will make history. For us gathered here, that having celebrated the sacred mysteries, we may one day be called by Christ to enter his glorious kingdom. These words, which will be read aloud in Mandarin just after the homily, reflect the late Popes ambitions regarding China, which were contentious among Catholics. While Donald Trump, the US president who will attend the funeral in St Peters Square, continues his battle with China over tariffs, the Vatican is smoothing its relationship with Beijing. As a member of the Jesuit Order, Francis seemed driven to follow in the footsteps of its missionaries to pre-Communist China, and wanted to improve relations with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he drew sharp criticism from those who argued his overtures did nothing to help Catholics and other Christians practise their faith in the communist state. Francis, one of the most widely travelled pontiffs in history, will also be remembered in prayers in French, Arabic, Spanish, Polish, German, Italian and English, which will also be used for a reading from the New Testament. The majority of the liturgy is in Latin. Also highly significant are the prayers at the end of the funeral in Greek from the Byzantine funeral liturgy of the Eastern Catholic Churches, reflecting another of the Popes concerns during his 12 year pontificate the faithful in troubled places such as Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Eritrea. 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. PARIS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A high school student entered a school in western France's Nantes with a knife and stabbed at least four students Thursday afternoon, local media reported, citing the police. One of the victims died from injuries, according to BFMTV, citing multiple sources. Teachers stopped the attacker before police arrived, BFMTV said, adding that the attacker, a second-year high school student, has been detained. Speaking at the scene, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said that some 50 investigators have been deployed and worked "tirelessly" since. Over 70 interviews have been conducted, he added. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has called for an intensification of controls implemented around and within schools following the attack. The prosecutor in Nantes is expected to hold a press conference to give more details about the attack on Friday. ROME (AP) 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 said 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 the pontiff's 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, stressing 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. Marble from Liguria 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. St. Mary Major 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." Mary's protection Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of faithful flocked here since Francis death on Monday, and hundreds stood patiently in line on Friday morning to explore the place where he will be buried, now cordoned off and obscured by plywood. Carlos Taborda, 39, traveled to Europe from Brazil with his husband and a group of friends. It was a coincidence to be in Italy now, for the popes death," he said. We paid homage to him yesterday in St. Peters and now were going to see the place where hell rest forever. Felicia Verawati, a 35-year-old nun from Indonesia, prayed in silence in front of the wooden box protecting Francis tomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me this pope was very special, she said. He would always come to pray in this church, I think because he could feel Marys protection here. St. Mary Major is perched on top of one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built and its bell tower is the tallest in the capital. While Francis tomb will be simple and essential, the basilica strikes visitors with its gilded wood ceilings and intricate mosaics adorning the floor of the central nave. Special bond with youth I felt very close to Francis, I liked his kindness, said 8-year-old Flavia Chiodaroli, who came to Rome with her parents from Pavia, in northern Italy. I want to tell Francis I love him very much and I hope the next pope will be like him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chiodaroli was among the many children and teens who visited St. Mary Major on Friday as part of the Jubilee of Teenagers, which was taking place in Rome despite Francis death. The event is expected to draw over 80,000 teenagers from all over the world to the Vatican to celebrate the special bond between Francis and youth. The pope will start his final journey on Saturday morning from St. Peters Square where his funeral will be attended by over 160 international delegations, including royals and world leaders. His casket will be driven to St. Mary Major through Rome. The motorcade is expected to move slowly so that the public along the route can pay homage for the last time. Upon arrival, Francis' casket will be greeted by a group of Romes poor and needy people, those whom the pontiff felt closer to. Around 40 people homeless, prisoners, migrants and transgender people will salute the pope holding a white rose, just before his burial. The poor have a special place in the heart of the Holy Father, who chose the name Francis to never forget them, the Vatican said. ____ Nicole Winfield contributed to this report Canada's largest Asian grocery chain is continuing its expansion into California with plans to open a new location in Irvine early next year. It will be among the first storefronts in the state for T&T Supermarket, which has more than 33 stores in Vancouver, Toronto and other Canadian cities. The supermarket is popular in Canada for fresh produce and a variety of hot food cooked on site, including Asian street food and staples such as Peking duck. The store in Irvine will also offer Asian wines and spirits and T&T private label products. Its bakery will sell viral Asian treats, including lava mochi puffs and Napoleon Portuguese egg tarts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orange County's 34,000-square-foot T&T Supermarket will anchor a new restaurant and retail development in the Great Park community called the Canopy at Great Park, according to a statement from the company. The Canopy, which is being built by Southern California real estate developer Almquist, will feature 90,000 square feet of shopping, dining and public space. Read more: Jonson and Alice Chen: The new generation for 99 Ranch The location is slated to open in winter of 2026, the chain said. The first U.S. location opened in Bellevue, Wash., in December 2024, and the company also has plans to open stores in San Francisco and San Jose by the end of next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ever since we announced our U.S. entry, we have been getting customer requests all across the United States," T&T Chief Executive Tina Lee said in a statement. "I know T&T may not be well-known in Irvine, but we are excited to surprise our shoppers with a unique shopping experience." Irvine's T&T is likely to face competition, as popular Asian markets including H Mart and Mitsuwa Marketplace are already established in the area. Shoppers can also frequent 99 Ranch and Zion Market, both of which have stores in Irvine and other locations in Southern California. Irvine's population of more than 300,000 is nearly 45% Asian. T&T Supermarket first opened in British Columbia in 1993 and is currently run by the founder's daughter, Lee, who took over in 2014. Canadian retailer Loblaw Companies acquired the chain in 2009, though it is operated as an independent subsidiary. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa The Outlets of Des Moines announced on Thursday that a popular discount store will be opening this fall. Five Below, a retailer known for selling products ranging from decor, toys, and snacks for a discounted price, will be opening at the mall in fall 2025. Hy-Vee closing food production facilities, 461 employees impacted Outlets of Des Moines is delighted to welcome Five Below, an incredible tween and teen favorite with a wide selection of sought-after items for the youth demographic, Josie Broxson, marketing director for Outlets of Des Moines, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement comes just two days after the mall announced the opening of a new food option The Burger Shop. But its not just stores and restaurants moving in, the outlet mall also teased that Planet Fitness will be opening a location at the mall in the future. The outlet mall opened in 2017 and now has over 50 different stores selling products ranging from food, clothing, kitchen goods, accessories and jewelry, and more. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) For decades, the national view of the City of Detroit was of a dying city, a city that went bankrupt, a city that lost about two-thirds of its population over the past half-century. While all of that is true, todays truth is that Detroit is making a real comeback, a vibrant city that embraced what needed to be done to get to a spot where things are clean, bright and looking up. Maurice Cox led the comeback in Detroit as the planning director. The professor in residence of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard led similar efforts in Chicago and New Orleans, helping to regenerate and transform cities. Cityscape featuring modern buildings in the downtown Detroit district, June 13, 2024. (Photo by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images) And the decay he sees in downtown Portland is familiar to him. But its also an opening. City of Opportunity Even though the open-air drug market at SW 4th and Washington in downtown Portland has largely dissipated, the ugliness and blight of the empty building covered in plywood and graffiti remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox said there is no excuse for Portland to tolerate it. Urban planner Maurice Cox in downtown Portland, March 2025 (KOIN) Theres no reason for this building to look like this, he told KOIN 6 News. This is a canvas for artists to try and beautify the neighborhood. So why are we boarding it up with plywood? It just becomes a campus for graffiti. 6 weeks: Anatomy of a Portland drug crisis Cox said to look at how its been tagged, then bring in artists and give them this space as a canvas when your downtown is not going to come back all at once. The interim strategy is almost as important as the long term goal. You need quick wins. You need things that are tactical. You need things that create moments of beauty. KOIN 6 News anchor Jeff Gianola walks with urban planner Maurice Cox past a boarded up building at SW 4th and Washington in downtown Portland, March 2025 (KOIN) He has faith that Portland will figure out the right strategies to revitalize and transform downtown. But it will take years and Portland needs a transitional and immediate plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why not allow, through your regulations, different kind of uses on that ground floor? Why not allow for pop-ups, a shared kind of entrepreneurial space? Why not allow for things that traditionally are not retail based and customer based to occupy your ground floor? he said. I have seen cities that have built an entire district around just giving artists, early young artists, an opportunity to have a gallery space where they can also work in the back. So I assure you that if the City of Portland put out a call for artists to occupy the ground floor of buildings you would have them applying by the hundreds. A boarded up building covered in graffiti at SW 4th and Washington in downtown Portland, March 2025 (KOIN) That, in turn, creates foot traffic, creating traffic for other businesses and shops. Youll start to see the foot traffic skyrocket because people are going from one location to the other, Cox said. It turns into what a good walk downtown fueled by things that are pop-ups, that are shared spaces that move towards a kind of reimagination of downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox wants to make one thing clear: He is a fan of Portland. But it will take bold and creative action to re-ignite and re-create a vibrant downtown once again. Don Kilpatricks murals of rapper Eminem, singer Aretha Franklin, former hockey player Gordie Howe and former boxer Joe Louis hangs outside Little Caesars Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team and Detroit Pistons basketball team in Detroit, Michigan on October 13, 2017. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) I see that potential here, he told KOIN 6 News. It can only happen here. So now the question is, how do you roll up your sleeves and make it happen? How do we get to work? I think the City of Opportunity is a launching pad. Its a whole new season for Portland. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A Portsmouth man whose wife died from cancer a year ago is trying to prevent her parents from having visits with his young daughter, according to a new report from the Boston Globe RI. Scott Naso believes his in-laws made critical medical mistakes that prevented his wife, Sherry, from getting the care that couldve saved her life, the Globe reported. Naso claims he found evidence that his father-in-law, a pediatrician, wrote dozens of prescriptions for Sherry and their toddler Laila, according to the Globe. He also said Sherrys mother, a pathologist, discouraged her from getting proper medical care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When his in-laws petitioned for visitation, Naso refused. The Globe said the case went before a family court judge in Kent County, who granted the visitation anyway without a hearing, without findings of fact and without considering state law. Nasos in-laws deny any wrong-doing in Sherrys death and say they are not a danger to their granddaughter. In the video above, Boston Globe Rhode Island reporter Amanda Milkovits discusses the complex case and the rarely used state law that would prevent the couple from seeing their granddaughter. Read Milkovits full story in The Boston Globe Rhode Island: His wife died of cancer. Who gets to decide whether her parents can visit with his child? 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. U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 25 that he may meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome on April 26 during the funeral of Pope Francis. The two leaders have not met in person since a tense February meeting in the Oval Office, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for what they called a lack of gratitude for American support in Ukraines fight against Russia. The Vatican will seat delegations at the funeral in French alphabetical order, meaning Trump and Zelensky will not be seated near each other during the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said on April 25 that his attendance remains uncertain due to urgent military meetings in Kyiv, including unresolved matters following Russia's April 24 missile strike that killed 12 and injured 87. "If I don't have time, Ukraine will be represented at a decent level. The Foreign Minister (Andrii Sybiha) and the First Lady (Olena Zelenska) will be there," Zelensky told reporters. Following the pope's death, Zelensky said: "We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support." The President last met Pope Francis on Oct. 11, 2024, during an official visit to the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He gifted the pontiff an oil painting titled The Bucha Massacre the Story of Marichka, which references one of the most infamous atrocities committed by Russian forces during the early stages of the invasion. Pope Francis repeatedly called for peace throughout the war, though some of his remarks particularly those equating suffering on both sides sparked backlash in Ukraine. On Dec. 15, 2024, he referred to Russia and Ukraine as "brothers," prompting criticism for minimizing Russian responsibility for the war. Trump's remarks about a potential meeting come as his administration intensifies pressure for a ceasefire in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, he warned that Washington may withdraw from peace efforts if no progress is made soon. While Kyiv has accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day truce introduced in March, Moscow continues to reject the proposal and press forward with its offensive operations. Read also: North Korean missile used in Russias Kyiv attack contained US components, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Post Office paid 600 million to continue using the faulty Horizon IT system, despite deciding to abandon it over a decade ago. Although the IT system from Fujitsu was flawed and contributed to 900 sub-postmasters being incorrectly prosecuted for theft or fraud, the Post Office was unable to change the software system. The terms of the original 1999 deal with Fujitsu, the Japanese computer giant, has meant the Post Office has been stuck with the system and unable to build a replacement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Tony Blair, the former prime minister, and other senior Labour government figures were warned about potential problems with the terms of the deal before it was signed, according to the BBC. The Post Office said it apologises unreservedly to the victims of the Horizon IT scandal, adding it was committed to moving away from Fujitsu and the Horizon software Under the terms of the original 548 million deal between Fujitsu and the former Labour government, the Post Office did not own the computer code for the core part of the Horizon system. Sir Tony Blair, the former prime minister, was warned about potential problems with the terms of the deal - PA/Chris Ison Since 2012, the Post Office has tried to switch IT suppliers, but buying the rights to the code from Fujitsu or building a new system from scratch were considered too expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the amounts paid to Fujitsu to retain Horizon continued to grow. Since 1999, the Post Office has allocated 2.5 billion to contracts with Fujitsu. Of that total, over 600 million has been spent on interim or extension agreements to maintain the Horizon system, even after the search for alternative suppliers began in 2012, according to analysis by data firm Tussell and the BBC. The Post Office, which is owned by the Government, did not own the IT code, so it was unable to inspect the part of the software that processed transactions and had to rely on assurances from Fujitsu that it was functioning correctly. Warnings issued in 1999 In May 1999, Sir Tony received an update from the Treasury, which warned that the terms of the deal with Fujitsu had foundered, with the ownership of the intellectual property being a major sticking point, according to documents obtained by the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It warned that Fujitsu could be in a position to drive a costly settlement with the Post Office if it ever tried to change suppliers. Gordon Brown, the then-chancellor, and other government officials were also warned about the issue of who owned the code. The Horizon deal with the Post Office went ahead in July 1999. Earlier this year, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the business minister, told the House of Lords that the Post Office was unfortunately, still dependent on the Horizon system, and the only way Fujitsu could be out of the picture immediately would mean shutting all local post offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 1990 and 2015, more than 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted of crimes including theft, fraud and false accounting as a result of the faulty Horizon computer software. In 2024, Rishi Sunak, then prime minister, described the Post Office scandal as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nations history. Fujitsu was later removed from the UK governments list of preferred suppliers. Over 900 sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted of crimes including theft, fraud and false accounting as a result of the faulty Horizon computer software - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph In 2016, the Post Office tried to replace the Fujitsu IT system with one built by IBM at a cost of 40 million but it failed. As a result, it had to extend its contract with Fujitsu for at least four more years at a cost of 107 million. The Post Office told the BBC that it finally obtained the rights related to the Horizon software and code in 2023 for 10 million, although it is not known if this includes the core system that processes transactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BBC reported that the Post Office may try to use this licence for Horizons replacement. But while this is being built, IT experts said they believed the Post Offices contract with Fujitsu would need to be extended beyond March 2026, when it is currently due to end. 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 Tom Wakefield started PostalMag.com more than two decades ago, the Dallas-based letter carrier simply wanted to provide a resource for colleagues about their U.S. Postal Service benefits and how to access them. Few websites provided comprehensive information and the ones that did werent updated frequently. Today, PostalMag.com is a trusted platform read by postal workers, businesses and other stakeholders for news and information about every aspect of postal culture from operations and rate changes, to union issues, mail carrier safety, dog attacks, postal regulation and financial performance. And, amazingly, the entire site is run by one man who still has a full-time job. FreightWaves, a leading media brand for logistics and supply chain news, this week announced it has acquired PostalMag.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hi, Im Eric Kulisch, the new Managing Editor for PostalMag.com. Im excited to carry on Toms vision for postal news and help take it to the next level. Ive covered freight transportation and logistics for 25 years, most recently with a focus on air cargo. I find freight and parcel logistics fascinating because it requires organizations to constantly adapt complex networks to changing circumstances. But the most important thing for logistics success is having the right people in the right place executing together to get the load and the mail to the destination safely, efficiently and on time. During my career, Ive been able to earn the trust of sources and readers by working hard to explain complex issues in a way thats easy to understand, digging harder to get the facts below the surface and delivering information that helps you do your job. These are dynamic and turbulent times, with the unrelenting growth in e-commerce, lower parcel volumes for the international express carriers, a new administration in Washington looking to shake up the U.S. Postal Service and even rumblings of postal privatization. With FreightWaves backing, PostalMag.com will be able to provide even deeper, insightful content to its existing audience and attract new readers. We are very excited to bring you, the loyal audience, an enhanced look and feel to the website, giving you easier access to the news that impacts your day-to-day jobs. You can expect to see a different color scheme, layout, and story selection, but the dedication to the important news impacting the industry will not waver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The website has primarily served to aggregate news stories from other sites. Now, PostalMag.com will be able to deliver original content of its own in addition to curating news from all over the USPS ecosystem. We will also expand our coverage to include parcel delivery trends and competition from express carriers because the U.S. The Postal Service doesnt exist in a vacuum. What happens at Amazon, FedEx, UPS and the regional couriers impacts the Postal Service, directly through contractual relationships or as competitors. We will also continue running the discussion boards, where postal employees across the country can voice their opinions, vent frustrations and share information using anonymous postings. We encourage people to take advantage of all the good information shared in the forums, but to be respectful and thoughtful when expressing points of view. FreightWaves and PostalMag.com will also launch a bi-monthly newsletter very soon, so stay tuned for that and please sign up. Im eager to hear from PostalMags loyal readers about the topics and issues that matter most to you. Please dont hesitate to reach out with your ideas and feedback as we work to make PostalMag an even better resource for the postal and parcel community. The post PostalMag becomes part of FreightWaves: Meet your new editor appeared first on FreightWaves. BERLIN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The German government has sharply downgraded its economic outlook for 2025 and is now projecting zero growth. According to the spring forecast announced Thursday by acting Economy Minister Robert Habeck, Europe's largest economy could stagnate or contract for a third consecutive year. This follows back-to-back declines in 2023 and 2024. The latest revision marks a significant shift from the previous official forecast issued in the autumn of 2024, which projected growth of 1.1 percent. Habeck attributed the downgrade primarily to "Donald Trump's trade policies," saying the U.S. threat and imposition of tariffs have significantly heightened global economic uncertainty and dampened growth prospects. Habeck emphasized that these unpredictable trade policies have once again posed serious challenges for Germany's export-reliant economy. He pointed to the country's integration into global supply chains and its openness to international trade. The concern is echoed in a joint report released earlier this month by Germany's leading economic think-tanks, which also slashed their 2025 growth projections to near zero. The report cited U.S. tariffs as a major headwind, particularly the 25-percent levy on car imports, which threatens to severely weaken Germany's automotive industry. The report estimated that these car duties could reduce German GDP by 0.1 percent in both 2025 and 2026. Calculations by the German Economic Institute (IW) also suggest that Washington's so-called "reciprocal" tariff of 20 percent on EU imports could additionally cut Germany's economic output by as much as 290 billion euros (330 billion U.S. dollars) over four years. This equates to an average annual GDP loss of 1.6 percent by 2028. Domestically, Habeck noted that economic conditions have begun to stabilize. A decline in political uncertainty could help spark a gradual recovery in private consumption, he said, adding, "The fiscal policy decisions of the incoming government may provide positive momentum, although their effects will likely only become noticeable in the coming years." Germany has introduced an expansionary fiscal policy after amending its basic law to allow for increased public borrowing, including the creation of a 500-billion-euro infrastructure fund aimed at addressing long-standing public investment deficits. "But money alone won't solve the problem," Habeck warned, citing persistent structural challenges such as skilled labor shortages. He urged the next government to address these issues "quickly and decisively." So far, in its coalition agreement, the incoming federal government has outlined a range of measures aimed at boosting the sluggish economy. These include corporate tax cuts, more flexible labor regulations, and the expansion of renewable energy. According to the government projection, the German economy is expected to grow by 1 percent in 2026. (1 euro = 1.14 U.S. dollar) POTTSVILLE The Pottsville Housing Authority announced that the wait list for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program will be closed starting April 30. The housing authority said wait lists will close at 4 p.m. April 30 due to a great demand for housing assistance that far exceeds the funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The authority said hundreds of people are currently on the wait list. Closing the waiting list will help make the lists more manageable and give applicants more realistic expectations about how long they might wait before being selected, the PHA said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the wait list re-opens, the Pottsville Housing Authority will make an announcement via social media, pottsvillehousing.net, news releases and a public notice. While the wait list for Section 8 is closed, the PHAs public housing program is still available. PHA manages about 509 rental housing units in Pottsville. Public housing residents pay no more than 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent and basic utilities. Those interested can apply at the PHA office at 410 Laurel Blvd., Pottsville, or online at papottsville.tenmast.com/apply. Lack of housing is nagging problem Section 8 housing inventory has been a persistent problem in Schuylkill and surrounding counties in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the Housing Authority of the County of Luzerne closed its Section 8 wait list indefinitely. In September 2023, Schuylkill County Housing Authority Executive Director Thomas F. Hale described a critical shortage of housing options for prospective Section 8 tenants. Hale said that many units fail to meet Section 8 criteria, and many property owners dont pay for necessary repairs. Another problem, according to Hale, is that Schuylkill has a very low Fair Market Rent, or the cost to rent affordable housing units, as established by HUD. The 2024 Fair Market Rent rates were $663 for a one-bedroom unit, $858 for two bedrooms and $1,129 for three bedrooms. In 2023, the average wait time for subsidized housing in Pennsylvania was one year and 9 months, according to HUD. Officials with the Pottsville Housing Authority were not available for comment Friday. DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) Many Americans face hardships for different reasons, but one local organization is looking to give back to the community. On Thursday, the Dothan housing organization partnered with the Wiregrass Food Bank and opened its doors to the public for its very first community-wide food giveaway. The Resident Services Department put together the giveaway, and from poultry to pastries, the residents had plenty of food to choose from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have fresh meat, we have fresh produce, we have some sweets, we have bread, we have a lot of different items here today, said Resident Services Director Samiyah Craddock. Craddock says that the organization ran multiple assessments, where they discovered that many people still faced food insecurities. Even with other means of assistance, like SNAP benefits. So, instead of hosting the giveaway at one of the four locations the organization oversees, they decided to give back to the entire community. Its the greatest mission that we cover. Its to make sure that we provide and meet their needs, said Craddock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt take long for the people to start rolling in, where they could grab what they needed and wanted on a first-come, first-served basis. And from the looks of it, guests were more than happy. At the end of the day, yall are blessed to give us anything to eat; because some folks dont have nothing to eat, said resident Elvis Lewis. Craddock says that she understands the tough times that some people may go through in life, but she wants people to know that coming to a giveaway such as this is nothing to be ashamed about if you truly need help. Its not always a handout. This is a helping hand. You may not have it today, but tomorrow you willIts no limit, were not asking any questions; we just want all the food to go to someone who needs it, said Craddock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craddock says that any food left over will be donated to other charities in need. For this to be the organizations first-ever community-wide food giveaway, the crowd was much larger than expected. However, the organization is planning to host another community-wide giveaway in May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. Electric bills are set to spike starting in June, leading Democratic lawmakers to introduce bills they say are aimed at cutting costs for ratepayers. (Getty Images) Leaders from New Jerseys four regulated utilities told a joint legislative panel Friday that the state could take greater steps to build power generation capacity and cautioned against some cost-saving proposals lawmakers have floated as ratepayers prepare for a double-digit utility bill hike this June. Representatives of PSE&G, Jersey Central Power and Light, Rockland Electric Company, and Atlantic City Electric expressed willingness to play a role in electricity generation and billing changes that could spread high bills across multiple billing cycles. But they warned that lawmakers proposals to lower utility profitability or break with the states grid operator could do more harm than good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We recognize that this unfortunate increase will be delivered to our customers through bills with our name on it. This means whatever the facts are and the facts are we are not responsible for this increase we are involved. We recognize it and intend to be part of the solution, said Richard Thigpen, senior vice president at PSE&G. They warned against lowering utilities return on equity the rate negotiated with state regulators at which they are allowed to profit on their investments saying it could limit investor interest in New Jerseys electric providers and imperil utilities ability to upgrade infrastructure in the long run. In New Jersey, return on equity rates typically hover around 9.6% for every dollar they invest, they receive $1.096 back from ratepayers and can be supplemented by incentives at the federal level that lawmakers are considering blocking. Investors if theyre not seeing the return that theyre looking for as part of that investment in us, they may choose to go elsewhere and invest their money elsewhere, said Phil Vavala, region president for Atlantic City Electric. That then could create the detrimental effect that ultimately would lead to investor disinterest that ultimately would then affect our ability to invest in the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joining a new grid operator would be no guarantee that ratepayers would get lower costs, they also warned. I think I would have a concern unless I was 100% sure that it would benefit the customers, Alex Stern, an official with Exelon, the parent company of Atlantic City Electric. I dont know how it gets done in a way that doesnt make it worse for the customer financially. New Jerseys status as a net importer of energy and the continued loss of in-state net power generation as existing plants go offline pose significant hurdles to a break with New Jerseys grid operator. Democratic legislators have increasingly sought to blame PJM Interconnection, the grid operator for New Jersey, 12 other states, and Washington D.C., for the spike in electricity costs, which is expected to add roughly $25 to a typical customers monthly electricity bill beginning on June 1. Gov. Phil Murphy last week asked federal regulators to investigate whether there had been any market manipulation that led to the price spike. Sen. Bob Smith (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex) renewed attacks against the interconnector Friday, charging without evidence that its voting members had colluded to push up energy capacity prices at a PJM-run capacity auction in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id really like to know who sent the memo around, Lets everybody bid 10 times higher than last year. If that doesnt smell like collusion, I dont know what does, he said. Republican lawmakers have pointed to Murphys ambitious renewable energy goals as a cause of rising prices. That plan has focused chiefly on offshore wind farms, but each of those projects has been abandoned by developers or frozen by executive orders and other regulatory actions by the Trump administration. Industry officials have said lower energy supply coupled with harsher weather and a steep spike in demand driven by artificial intelligence data centers after years of relatively stable electricity needs have driven bills and prices upward. Utility officials said New Jersey could seek more in-state generation through legislative action or a bid process like the one used for the stalled wind projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thigpen said the PSE&G had almost zero confidence that higher electricity prices alone would incent the development of more in-state generation. New Jersey in 1999 deregulated energy generation in hopes that competition would bring down prices in what, before then, was a monopolized market. Since then, the regulated utilities called electric distribution companies have increasingly withdrawn from generation, preferring to transmit power generated by others across the infrastructure they own. At present, only PSE&G, which operates nuclear plants in Salem County that account for roughly 40% of New Jerseys in-state generation, creates any electricity in New Jersey, though representatives from all four regulated utilities expressed willingness to play a bigger role in generation Friday. The timelines, costs, and political uncertainties associated with new generation make nuclear an unattractive power source to provide relief in the short term, Thigpen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such projects take about a decade and billions of dollars to stand up, he said, and could lay at the whims of a future administration or Legislature. If a nuclear project approved under one administration was blocked by a subsequent one, the utilitys investment would be in a precarious position, he noted. Now, weve spent several billion dollars, and the state is no longer behind it, Thigpen said, speaking hypothetically. That is what I would call political risk. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) A team of researchers at the University of Illinois is working to create a more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Now, these scientists have turned to a prairie grass to try and make it happen. Switchgrass is native to North America, can grow in a variety of conditions and often reaches five or six feet in height. It can also be harvested annually for a decade or more without needing to be replanted. In 2021, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge began with the goal of expanding sustainable fuel production to 35 billion gallons by 2050. Switchgrass is just one of several kinds of materials that could meet this challenge. U of I researchers pioneering studies into sustainable jet fuel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists have been studying the bioenergy potential of switchgrass for decades. Previous studies, however, used a less productive kind of switchgrass, used smaller amounts of land, or overlooked important fertilizer inputs. In these two new studies, U of I researchers grew energy switchgrass at a larger scale to figure out which varieties of the grass are most profitable, where itll be most profitable to grow, and how it compares to corn in terms of ecosystem services. All the data that helps us estimate switchgrass suitability for SAF comes from small plot research or older forage-type switchgrass cultivars. We wanted to test high-yielding switchgrass cultivars on a larger scale to provide a more accurate picture of the benefits these new cultivars provide, said DoKyoung Lee, senior author of both studies and professor in the Department of Crop Sciences, part of the College of ACES at the U of I. Biden administration details how producers of sustainable aviation fuel will get tax credits Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muhammad Umer Arshad, a postdoctoral researcher, led the team in analyzing the profitability in switchgrass. Three newer varieties of switchgrass were planted Independence, Liberty, and Carthage and two forage varieties were planted Shawnee and Sunburst. The researchers planted the varieties on low-productivity land across four states, and tested nitrogen fertilizer rates. After five years, Arshad analyzed expenses and profits in each location. Our findings clearly show that Independence and Liberty are much more profitable than the forage cultivars on all the sites, but the most profitable nitrogen rate varied across locations, Arshad said. In most cases, 56 kilograms per hectare achieved higher yields, but in some sites, 28 kilograms performed better in terms of profit. Savoy business gets red placard after 5th health department violation The energy switchgrass outperformed the forage cultivars, but performed differently across the sites depending on the nitrogen rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With these energy-type cultivars, farmers can put marginal lands to use and see returns after two years, Arshad said. Our results can help guide decision-makers to optimize input strategies for biomass production and meet renewable energy demands. Postdoctoral fellow Nictor Namoi led a companion study in field-scale plots in Illinois. Namoi assessed soil greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching in Independence switchgrass. Then, Namoi compared the data to other field ecosystems with different crops. Central Illinois thrift stores say their popularity is rising One of the many benefits of growing purpose-grown energy crops on marginal lands is ecosystem services associated with the perennial nature of energy crops. They can also potentially generate higher profits than conventional row crops on less productive land, Namoi said. Demonstrating ecosystem services of switchgrass, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient loss, will promote purpose-grown energy crops on marginal land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Namoi found that switchgrass had significantly lower levels of nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching than corn. But carbon dioxide emissions after two years were higher in switchgrass than corn. Namoi pointed to higher levels of biomass below the ground in switchgrass than corn as a potential factor. Ebertfest kicks off with John Waynes The Searchers; returns to Champaign with a bang Despite this, Lee said the benefits of switchgrass still outweigh the cons. For one thing, more root biomass means more long-term carbon sequestration potential, Lee said. When we measure total biomass of switchgrass, theres about 10 megagrams of carbon belowground. Thats huge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another advantage of switchgrass lies in its ability to thrive on marginal land. By definition, marginal land is not profitable for commodity crops, Namoi said. So switchgrass reduces competition with food crops and makes use of otherwise unproductive areas. You can find the two studies online. For more details, visit the U of Is 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 WCIA.com. The Navajo community of Westwater is pictured on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) Three weeks ago, the taps rumbled to life in Thomas Chees home. For the first time in his life, water sputtered through his faucet. Oh, it was so beautiful, said 47-year-old Chee on Friday. Boy, it just hit me. It hit hard, and I just broke down. Chee is one of the few dozen residents of Westwater, Utah, a small Navajo community in the southeast corner of the state that for years lacked water and electricity. Chee, who currently serves as the community president, has called Westwater home for his entire life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He, along with his neighbors, have used outhouses, hauled water with tanks on the back of their trucks, relied on solar electricity and lit kerosene lamps. With his grandmother, Chee would often walk down to a spring in a ravine near his home to get drinking water. Westwater resident Thomas Chee speaks from a spring where he used to haul drinking water from in Westwater, Utah, on Friday, April 25, 2025 (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) Until now. For 25 years, residents have been trying to get water. In March, Chee said, our prayers were answered. On Friday, Westwater residents celebrated alongside Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, Utah GOP Rep. Mike Kennedy and other lawmakers, bureaucrats and tribal leaders. As president, my priority has always been water, water, water, said Nygren, who took office in 2023. I grew up without running water. I know what its like to haul water. I know what it takes, its tough, its something that our kids and our relatives shouldnt be going through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bringing water to Westwater was part of a larger, ongoing effort to expand access to water in Navajo communities. Estimates vary, but somewhere between 30% to 40% of homes on the Navajo Nation, the countrys largest Indian reservation, lack running water. Thats despite Lake Powell and the Colorado River, which supplies drinking water to 40 million people across seven states and Mexico, running along the northern border of the reservation. But those communities are mostly rural, tucked away in some of the most remote parts of the lower 48 states. Westwater is not. The same ravine where Chee and his family got their drinking water separates Westwater and Blanding, home to about 3,100 people. In minutes, a Westwater resident can get to Blandings main street, which has a hospital, a grocery store, a city hall, bank, and a handful of cafes, shops and restaurants. Utah State Universitys campus in Blanding is visible from Westwater. I was shocked with how close this community was to Blanding, Henderson told Utah News Dispatch Friday, describing her first visit to Westwater. This is a community right here, next to a city. So to me, this challenge was something that I felt was worth taking on. Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson speaks during a news conference about efforts to bring running water to Westwater, at Utah State Universitys Blanding campus on Friday, April 25 (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) Expanding basic utilities to Westwater was less of a logistical issue which is often the case for the remote communities that dot the Navajo Nation and more of a jurisdictional issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The land has long been home to Navajo families, and was purchased by the Navajo Nation in 1986. However, its fee simple land, not reservation land, meaning the residents pay taxes to San Juan County. Thats different from untaxed trust land, which makes up most American reservations and is under full control of indigenous people. For 25 years, as Westwater residents lobbied for access to water, they were stuck in jurisdictional limbo, caught between the Navajo Nation, the city, county, and state. No one really took ownership, no one took responsibility for the people out here. It wasnt really the tribes responsibility, it wasnt the county, or the citys responsibility. So I decided it was the states responsibility, Henderson said. Henderson, who gave Westwater a shoutout during her inaugural address earlier this year, said she made improving access to water and electricity a priority. Utah Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson (left) and Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren (right) listen to a presentation during a media event at Utah State Universitys Blanding campus on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) In 2020, the Utah Legislature appropriated $500,000 to electrify Westwater, matched by a $500,000 donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two years later, Westwater tied into Blandings grid and lights flickered on in the 29 lots that make up the small community. That same year, Blanding struck a deal with the state of Utah, the Navajo Nation, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and San Juan County to bring culinary water to Westwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navajo Nation chipped in $5.5 million, and Utah state leaders allocated $3.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by former President Joe Biden in 2021. Blanding city leaders changed its ordinances to allow for a well to be drilled, and a coalition of nonprofits, with help from the county, helped raise funds and coordinate the project. State officials helped Blanding build an arsenic treatment plant and drill a new well near the spring that divides the city and Westwater. For the last couple years, crews have been building a pipeline into the community. By late March, every Westwater resident had potable water flowing through their taps. This project is a testament to what can happen when people come together, said Logan Monson, the former mayor of Blanding who now serves as a Republican lawmaker in the Utah House. It is my hope today that this water project will stand as a symbol, a symbol that every person matters. That every community deserves to be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that the residents have water and electricity, leaders have high hopes for the small city. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren thanks Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson for her efforts to bring water to Westwater at Utah State Universitys Blanding campus on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) Moving forward, the Westwater community is not going to have those struggles, so that they can focus on some of the things that matter. What else can life provide you when you set yourself up, Nygren said. Chee, standing in the creek where he once helped his grandmother bring water back to their home, echoed the Navajo Nation president. I believe we will thrive. Life has gotten easier, he said. We dont have to worry about hauling, or looking for water. I believe my community will be more productive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chee spoke over the soft trickle of the spring, pausing as his eyes watered. For many years, we relied on this beautiful water right here. It sustained life. Sorry to be emotional, but water is a real precious resource, he said. Its been a long time coming for my people to have this infrastructure. Westwater resident Thomas Chee speaks from a spring where he used to haul drinking water from in Westwater, Utah, on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) Correction: An earlier version of this story included a typo that incorrectly stated Westwater is located in southwest Utah. Its in southeast Utah. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Donald Trump is heading to Rome to attend Pope Francis funeral. Hell join dozens of world leaders to pay their respects. The popes funeral sets the stage for a rare opportunity for the president to meet face to face with multiple world leaders to discuss pressing trade disputes and a looming peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Right now, he is ramping up pressure on Ukraine to give up more territory. We have a lot of good things going on and I think in the end were going to end up with a lot of new deals, said Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump appeared optimistic ahead of his trip to Rome. He and First Lady Melania Trump departed from the White House early Friday to attend Pope Francis funeral Saturday. Tens of thousands have swarmed the Vatican to pay their respects in person, that includes Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. President Trump confirms she is one of the foreign leaders hell meet in Rome, what remains unclear is if hell meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It would be their first face to face meeting since their now infamous Oval Office blow up. President Trump made waves globally after telling Time magazine Russia should be able to keep the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, which Russia took control of in 2014. Assistant White House Press Secretary Harrison Fields defended the presidents stance on Crimea. Both parties need to come to the table, said Fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special Envoy to the President, Steve Witkoff, arrived at the Kremlin Friday to try and usher in a peace deal with Vladimir Putin. Its their fourth meeting since February. Putin will not attend Pope Francis funeral. The International Criminal Court has an arrest warrant out for the Russian president following his deadly invasion of 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. Illustration via Getty Images White homeowners gain millions, while Black and Brown communities pay with their lives. Once promoted as the winter playground of the Southwest, Phoenix remains a city deeply shaped by segregation, where privilege dictates who gets to stand their ground and who is displaced who is protected and who is left behind. Phoenix is the ninth-most gentrified city in the country, but urban revitalization is nothing more than redlining with a fresh coat of paint another way of systematically displacing Black and Brown residents. Its a modern-day Jim Crow tactic, cleverly disguised as progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was enacted to end these discriminatory practices, yet, much like the de facto segregation of Jim Crow, gentrification still dictates who can remain and who is forced out of their community. Today, instead of train tracks, highways and light rail lines carve through neighborhoods, while real estate deals and best neighborhood websites help reinforce segregation under the guise of personal preference. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In 1935, the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) drafted residential security maps, which gave us the term redlining. They became blueprints for discrimination, rating neighborhoods from A (most desirable) to D (too risky for investment). As a result, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) used redlining maps to decide who deserved a loan and which communities would be denied the chance to build wealth. Redlining maps ensured neighborhoods of color were locked out of home loans, funneling money into the suburbs while excluding and disinvesting in Black and Brown communities. A 1930s Home Owners Loan Corporation map of Phoenix showing redlined neighborhoods. Those areas of town were deemed unfit for lending because they were occupied by Negroes, Mexicans and different classes of foreigners or because there were too many lower classes of white working people to justify lending money to potential homeowners. The result was segregation under the guise of personal preference. Between 2012 and 2016, residential properties within a half-mile of public transit nationally saw a 4%-24% higher median sale price, while commercial properties in four of seven regions experienced a 5%-42% increase in median price per square foot a trend that continues today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take south Phoenixs 85042 ZIP code, which includes the latest extension of the light rail, where median home values have risen from $210,000 in 2012 to $465,000 today. Families near public transportation can save $2,500$4,400 annually, with one in four needing only one car. However, even though light rail was pitched as a way to help improve life for the Black and Brown people who have called that part of Phoenix home for generations, rising home prices are driving them from the area. Politicians, urban planners, and real estate companies often use diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rhetoric while simultaneously displacing communities based on race, class, and power. This isnt just about property values its about who is allowed to belong and who is pushed out. If youve lived in Phoenix long enough, youve heard the narratives. On one side of South Mountain sits Ahwatukee, derisively nicknamed All White Tukee, which is seen as a privileged safe haven, while the south Phoenix redlined neighborhoods on the other side of the mountain that have long been populated by mostly Black and Brown people neighborhoods recently bisected by the Loop 202 expansion are described as violent, crime-ridden and struggling. All White Tukee is not just a nickname: It is a reflection of systemic inequity sewn into the citys foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona Supreme Court recently awarded Ahwatukee homeowners in the Foothill Reserves $12 million in damages, including an additional $6 million for seizing common areas in the community. This comes after a long battle over claims that the controversial Loop 202 construction devalued their properties and impacted their health with increased noise, pollution, and visual obstructions. The judgment acknowledged not just financial loss but also emotional distress due to the increased health risks. Meanwhile, Black and Brown communities in South Phoenix, forced to live in redlined, high-risk areas like sacrifice zones, which causes not only health risks but causes property values to plunge facing an onslaught of injustices with no compensation. Separate but equal was ruled constitutional in the 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson, cementing segregation into law. The U.S. Supreme Court claimed segregation was legal as long as facilities were equal but in reality, they never were. Black residents were shut out of white neighborhoods unless they took on predatory loans they could never hope to repay. Even though Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 struck down separate but equal in schools, the damage was already done. Generations of Black families had been denied access to quality education and locked out of homeownership, expanding the racial wealth gap and limiting social mobility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every day, I am struck by the great migration unfolding in South Phoenix. This is not a movement driven by choice or opportunity. Instead, generations of Black and Brown residents are being forced out by rising home values, increasing property taxes and the systematic closure of schools in historically minoritized neighborhoods. This isnt a new phenomenon but a rebrand of segregation and exclusion, rooted in Jim Crow laws that once labeled South Phoenix as hazardous, a designation that justified confining Black and Brown communities. White banks and developers deemed it too risky for investment, while the city allowed industrial facilities like landfills, stockyards and rendering plants into these neighborhoods, banning them from white neighborhoods. Today, Black Americans are approximately 1.5 times more likely to be exposed to pollutants than white Americans due to living near industrial parks, highways and pollution sources, bearing the brunt of environmental racism. Meanwhile, wealthier, predominantly white communities remain protected from these toxic burdens. This stark inequality exposes the systemic neglect of Black and Brown communities, where the cost of industrial development is paid in poor health and a diminished quality of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though redlining is illegal, its impact remains embedded in housing policies and urban planning. Much like de facto Jim Crow laws, modern policies and regulations, like exclusionary zoning regulations, still force Black and Brown communities into areas plagued by environmental hazards, underfunded schools and economic disinvestment. Though redlining is illegal, its impact remains embedded in housing policies and urban planning. Exclusionary zoning are regulations that restrict the amount and type of housing that property owners are allowed to construct on their land. One example in Phoenix is the R1-6 zoning code, which restricts housing density by mandating that only single-family homes can be built on lots of at least 6,000 square-feet. This limits the construction of multi-family or affordable housing, making it difficult to provide denser, more affordable options and effectively excluding lower-income residents from certain neighborhoods. Gated communities, a specific type of development, often utilize exclusionary zoning practices to restrict access and create a sense of exclusivity and safety. This can reinforce social and economic segregation, leading to a concentration of wealth and resources in certain areas, while others face disinvestment and limited opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highways, like Interstates 10 and 17, have long been weapons of gentrification, disrupting and displacing communities of color. The two intersect when highways and gentrification collide with neighborhood revitalization just as historically disinvested communities begin to thrive on their own, the city steps in, claiming to support them, but instead destabilizing the ecosystem. This pattern echoes past attempts to dismantle Black progress, from Reconstruction to the Black Power Movement. Robert Moses, the powerful New York City urban planner in the early 20th century, exemplified this strategy. He used highways as tools of segregation, intentionally designing roadways that cut through Black and low-income neighborhoods, displacing thousands of residents. His projects, like the Cross-Bronx Expressway, not only destroyed communities but also isolated them from access to wealthier, predominantly white areas. Moses use of infrastructure to reinforce racial and economic divides serves as a historical parallel to current practices of gentrification and urban displacement. Where vibrant urban farming by Black and Brown communities was revitalizing the area, the city disguised exploitation as progress. Just as freed slaves in the post-Civil War era were granted land to cultivate, only to have it stolen through sharecropping, the city designates these once-neglected, hazardous spaces as valuable only after they begin to thrive then swiftly takes them away. White residents, with greater access to generational wealth thanks to redlining, can afford rising property taxes and home values, while Black and Brown residents in South Phoenix struggle to keep up with the increased rent and mortgage. Developers, motivated by profit, inflate costs due to rising impact fees, driving up rents and mortgages. Areas like Ahwatukee and Laveen have the lowest impact fees at $15,000, while Scottsdale and North Phoenix face the highest at $37,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these systemic barriers, some communities fought to defy segregation. One of the first neighborhoods to be demolished, the Golden Gate Barrio, was a historically Mexican American community in South Phoenix that had begun breaking racial barriers. Located where Sky Harbor Airport now stands, it was one of the few places in Phoenix where integration was taking root. But this progress was cut short when the neighborhood was displaced under the guise of airport expansion. As families were forced to relocate, Mexican Americans integrated into other neighborhoods throughout South Phoenix, reshaping the areas cultural landscape. This displacement serves as yet another example of how progress in Phoenix has often come at the expense of minoritized communities. Phoenixs segregation wasnt an accident. It was deliberately designed, reinforced through policy, and sustained by economic and environmental inequality. The language of discrimination may have changed, but its impact remains. The question is: Will we allow history to keep repeating itself, or will we demand justice for the communities that continue to pay the price for Phoenixs progress? SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Apr. 25Three men from Indiana were arrested Wednesday night after a traffic stop uncovered trafficking amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and one suspect was found to have a felony warrant in another state, according to the Priceville Police Department. At approximately 9:35 p.m., police conducted a traffic stop on a southbound vehicle on Interstate 65 and made contact with three occupants. Authorities said William Bradley Ellis, 35, of Indianapolis, was wanted on a felony warrant out of Illinois, which called for nationwide extradition. After detaining Ellis, police said their K-9 alerted them to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle, prompting a further investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia were discovered inside the vehicle. Jason Edward Marcum, 42, of Shelbyville, Indiana, and Roger Lee Weaver, 60, of Indianapolis the other two occupants were also arrested. All three suspects were transported to Morgan County Jail, according to the Priceville Police Department. While being booked, police said they found additional drug paraphernalia on Marcum. According to Priceville police, Ellis faces charges of drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, operating a vehicle with a secret compartment, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of brass knuckles, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held in lieu of a $470,000 bond, and a detainer was placed on him by Illinois authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Priceville police also reported that Weaver was charged with drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled substance (two counts), tampering with physical evidence, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held in lieu of a $465,000 bond. Marcum was charged with drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and promoting prison contraband in the second degree, according to Priceville police. He was held in lieu of a $405,000 bond. wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442. PARIS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A worshipper was stabbed to death on Friday by another worshipper inside a mosque in the southern French town of La Grand- Combe, local press reported, citing judicial sources. The incident took place on Friday morning when there were only two people in the mosque, the victim and the attacker. The assailant stabbed the victim before fleeing. Around midday, other worshippers discovered the crime scene, according to reports by local news website Objectif Gard. The identity of the victim is not yet known, and the police are actively seeking the suspect. The public prosecutor's office has opened a murder investigation, French news channel BFMTV reported. It's a daunting transition any time you're expected to step into a new role, most especially when it's a title a long and historically significant as the monarch of the United Kingdom. Fortunately, the royal heir to the throne appears open to discussing the eventual transition with his ordinary subjects, as seen through a recent conversation with local teenagers in South London. Visiting Mentivity House in the U.K.'s capital this past Thursday, William sat down with several teenagers in the youth outreach program. Mentivity House's co-founder Sayce Holmes-Lewis spoke to Us Weekly about the royal's interactions with teens inside the program, calling the experience "surreal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ill be totally honest, I think the young people were mentoring Prince William," Holmes-Lewis told the publication. "They were giving him advice and telling him what he should do. And if he was king, when he becomes king, he should do this." According to Holmes-Lewis, the 42-year-old Prince of Wales spoke with many members of the program, both staff members and younger teens attached to the charity. The encounter left Holmes-Lewis awestruck, with the charity cofounder stating, "It was just like someone that Ive seen on the TV is now standing beside me, asking me about my work and my story and my life. And it was just powerful." At a roundtable discussion that followed, William also emphasized his intent to help Mentivity significantly grow over the next years. As Holmes-Lewis remembered it, "It was just amazing that Prince William said, I want to get you guys to the next level. You need to be national, and Im gonna do everything I can to support you on this journey.'" By connecting so deeply with the organization, Holmes-Lewis also believed that William was forging a deeper connection to his late mother Princess Diana, something he believes is illustrated through William's continuous support for the program. "That is a testament to him, and the legacy of his mother, because we all loved his mom," Holmes-Lewis remarked. "It was good to actually feel that legacy, you know, through him." Retailers are warning that U.S. consumers could once again be faced with empty store shelves and the kind of supply chain snarls that marked the Covid era if President Donald Trump's tariffs on China remain at their current levels. Companies have been canceling their shipments of goods from China and halting new orders after Trump put a 145% tariff on nearly all Chinese imports this month. As a result, the number of freight vessels scheduled to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles is on track to be down 33% year-over-year for the week ending May 10, according to ship tracking data from Port Optimizer. Typically, U.S. retailers would be ramping up their orders for two critical periods later this year: the fall back-to-school shopping season and the winter holidays. And the pullback is creating uncertainty about whether U.S. shoppers will have the selection of goods they've grown accustomed to in the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're making their holiday buying decisions now," said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy for the National Retail Federation. "It's a challenge for folks to figure out how to properly order and price with all the uncertainty that's out there on the tariffs." At the current tariff rate, a U.S.-based company would have to pay at least $145 in tariff fees to Customs and Border Protection to import an item valued at $100, except for electronics and pharmaceuticals, which are levied at a lower rate. That fee could wipe out any profit a company would be making and force it to sell its products at a loss or raise prices to levels that consumers might not be willing to pay. Chinese vendors told NBC News this month that American companies, including Target, have halted orders. A vendor who sells press-on nails to U.S. retailers said that her products are ready to ship but that they have been sitting in China. She doesnt expect to be sending any products to the United States in the first half of the year. The National Retail Federation expects imports to drop by 20% in the second half of the year if the tariffs continue at their current rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the products likeliest to go missing from store shelves in the coming months will be lower-cost footwear, apparel, toys and electronics, for which manufacturing is heavily concentrated in China, Gold said. Other perishable items coming from China, like apple juice and fish, have limited shelf lives and were more difficult for retailers to stockpile. Like back during Covid where we had shortages of toilet paper, we are going to start seeing that in more and more goods, said Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council. Starting in a couple of weeks, we are just going to start running out of stuff, and if the administration waits to resolve the problem until we have shortages and hoarding, that is just too late. The threat of empty store shelves has appeared to raise alarm bells inside the White House, more so than months of warnings from businesses about rising prices, said a person familiar with business lobbying efforts around tariffs. Trump administration officials seemed particularly concerned about a shortage of products around holidays, like the Fourth of July and Christmas, the person said. Customers shop at Costco in Niantic, Conn., on April 18. After a meeting with major retailers this week, Trump said Wednesday that he was considering reducing the tariffs on China, though he hasnt taken any formal action. He said Thursday that his administration met with Chinese officials, but earlier in the day, Chinese officials denied there had been any formal trade talks with the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some retailers had been surging shipments from China ahead of the tariffs, buying them some time to get through the summer, that wasnt an option for many smaller businesses that typically dont have the money or leverage with their manufacturers to ramp up production levels. Jessica Berger, founder and CEO of the pet company Bundle x Joy, wasnt able to stop her companys latest shipment of dog toys and other pet accessories from leaving China before the 145% tariffs went into effect. Now, she faces a $180,000 tariff bill from Customs and Border Protection when the items arrive in the United States. Berger said her company, which also gets revenue from its pet foods made in the United States, will be able to use existing financing to cover the cost of the tariffs, but thats not the case for all small businesses. Luckily for me, I have the resources, but six months ago, I wouldnt have. It would potentially have put me out of business, said Berger, who sells her products in national retailers like Walmart. Thats how tight cash is as a small business. We dont have massive lines of credit and all of these different things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since nearly all dog toys are made in China, Berger doesnt see an alternative for manufacturing. And for her future product orders, like those shes committed to sell to retailers during the holidays, she said she will have to increase her prices to cover the cost of the tariffs if those duties remain much longer. But she has also been hearing from other small businesses that are halting their China production. I think that youre going to see a very limited supply of discretionary items, and the consumer may just not be buying as much because the products wont be available, and if they are, theyre going to be much more expensive, she said. For importers who arent able or willing to pay the tariffs on their goods arriving in the coming weeks, that could result in thousands of unclaimed containers of goods at U.S. ports clogging the supply chain, similar to during Covid, said Stein. We could have thousands of containers stuck gumming up the port, said Stein. Its going to be a train wreck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Trump were to reduce the tariffs, the disruption caused to the supply chain could take weeks or months to unravel, given the time it takes for ships to across the Pacific and for the other pieces of the supply chain to snap back into place. You have an eight-week period where volumes are going to crash before they can even come back up, and thats if things return to normal, said Dean Croke, principal analyst at DAT Freight and Analytics. All this comes at a time of the year when volumes really should start to increase. He said the reduced flow of imports into the port will have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the shipping industry. Trucks that were hauling goods out of the port will now shift elsewhere, flooding the trucking market with excess capacity and driving down the rates truckers get paid to haul their goods. That drop-off in demand for drivers, along with a slowdown in other areas of the economy, like manufacturing and homebuilding, could cause truckers to leave the industry and contribute to a shortage of drivers later. It may take well into the second half of this year before truckload volumes recover, Croke said. Even if everything went back to normal now. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks about a new autism study during a news conference on April 16, 2025. (Getty Images) This week, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya sent shockwaves through the autism community by announcing the creation of a disease registry to track autistic people. Nazi Germany used such a list to identify possibly hundreds of autistic children to be killed in experimental euthanasia clinics. Until the 1970s, numerous U.S. states used registries to identify disabled people to be subjected to forced sterilization and institutionalization. A number of states still maintain lists of autists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The history there is deeply, deeply disturbed, says Larkin Taylor-Parker, legal director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. It doesnt usually end well for us. It has ended in murder industrial-scale incarceration and murder. In a presentation given to NIH leaders April 21, Bhattacharya said the registry will draw from an unprecedented compilation of public and private databases to be used for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s controversial new study of autism. In addition to information collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the registry and research database will include pharmacy records, private insurer claims, lab and genetic testing information, treatment records from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Service even data from smartwatches. A slide from NIH Directors Update on April 21, 2025. (NIH.gov) Though the plan described is still too vague for advocates to know for sure, NIH might also tap state records that identify neurodivergent children who receive special education services. In the 2022-23 school year, almost 1 million autistic students attended U.S. schools. Bhattacharya promised state of the art protections to guard patient confidentiality, explaining that 10 to 20 groups of outside researchers would be allowed to use the data but not download it. It is unclear whether this meets any legal standard for privacy safeguards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As The 74 has reported, the man tapped to lead Kennedys study was found to have practiced medicine on autistic children without a license, prescribing a dangerous drug not approved for use in the U.S. and improperly giving them puberty blockers. Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaxxer, intends the study to find a link between autism and vaccines. More than two dozen studies have discredited the notion of any connection. Related With few details released about how the NIH will compile data some of which is subject to privacy restrictions at various federal agencies its unclear how patient confidentiality will be maintained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NIH researchers are not bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, the main law that restricts who can access private medical information, and under what circumstances. Instead, the institutes must adhere to the Privacy Act of 1974, which protects records that can be retrieved by personal identifiers such as a name, Social Security number or other identifying number or symbol and, with limited exceptions, prohibits disclosure of personally identifiable records without the written consent of the individual(s) to whom the records pertain. The privacy law was enacted in large part to stop federal agencies from sharing damning information about people singled out by former President Richard Nixon and former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover as political enemies. Since President Donald Trumps second inauguration, privacy law experts have expressed alarm that Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency has gone into sensitive government records systems without legal authority to do so. Some courts have ordered a stop to the practice. The thought of a federal registry of autistic people that includes incredibly personal data that makes us very easy to find deprives us of the privacy that other citizens enjoy, says Taylor-Parker. It taps some of my communitys deepest fears and the specters of some of the most horrifying episodes in our history. In the 1930s and 40s, German and Austrian public health officials reported the names of malformed children to the Third Reichs Ministry of the Interior for a list of those targeted for sterilization or death. Among those supplying names was early autism researcher and Nazi collaborator Dr. Hans Asperger. He identified nearly 2,700 children, most commonly citing education problems as the reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until 2013, Aspergers Syndrome was a diagnosis given to autistic children who were believed to be higher functioning Asperger himself called the visibly intelligent children he experimented on little professors. The Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger gives a speech at the opening of the 13th International Congress for Pediatrics in Vienna on Aug. 29, 1971. (Votava/brandstaetter/Getty Images) Most advocates now recognize efforts to distinguish higher- and lower-functioning autists as false and harmful. In his presentation to NIH staff, however, Bhattacharya said the new research will consider the perceived severity of subjects autism. I recognize, of course, that autism, theres a range of manifestations ranging from highly functioning children to children that are quite severely disabled, he said, according to CBS News. And of course, the research will account very carefully for that. Related This, too, terrifies Taylor-Parker, who notes that autistic people who are nonverbal or also have a developmental disability have historically been involuntarily placed in asylums and other facilities and are still often excluded from general education classrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We already have a societywide problemwith ignoring the support needs of people who can hold down a job, can drive a car and maybe score well on an IQ test, she says. On the other hand, we ignore the capacities, the capability, the humanity of people who dont do those things. Further, she points out, compiling as much diagnostic and prescription information on autistic individuals as possible is likely to uncover other private information that people fear could end up on future disease registries. Im very concerned about this becoming a slippery slope, says Taylor-Parker. There is very good research demonstrating that [autistic people] are trans and gender-nonconforming at above-average rates. In the interest of establishing the prevalence of autism and in some cases understanding which services are helpful, several states and two national philanthropies already maintain registries. With a goal of ensuring that as many children as possible are offered early intervention services, at least two contain identifying information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good intentions notwithstanding, many autistic people oppose the existence of any registry, citing the historical danger they pose for disabled people in general. Indeed, recognizing this last year, New Hampshire lawmakers eliminated the states autism registry. Since Kennedys appointment, autistic people have repeatedly decried his plan to again attempt to link autism to vaccines, despite dozens of credible studies that have ruled out immunizations as a cause. His plan, they charge, would divert resources from research into therapies and services that can improve the lives of people with disabilities. Says Taylor-Parker, That discussion sucks the oxygen out of the room when it comes to making life better for autistic people who are already here and who will be born in the near future. According to the NIH, video of Bhattacharyas presentation will be posted in the coming days. This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox. Two proposed bills in the Florida legislature threaten to eliminate local tourism funding, putting local service-related jobs at risk. In Putnam County, tourism officials told Action News Jax the bills could be detrimental to a county working to become a destination spot. Putnam County isnt a typical tourist hub, but events like the Blue Crab Festival and the Bassmasters Elite tournamentwhich drew 18,000 visitors in Februaryhave helped boost its appeal. But theres a potential problem on the horizon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant fund those events if we arent funded with the TDT [Tourism Development Tax], said Kimberly Morgan. Morgan, Vice President of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, is referring to HB1221 and HB7033. These bills could eliminate local tourism promotion by redirecting Tourist Development Tax revenues to property tax credits. Related: Sales or property tax? Competing tax cut proposals under consideration in the Florida Capitol In short, this means cuts to marketing budgets for businesses that rely on tourism dollars and even potential job losses in the tourism department. Statewide there is 2 million tourism jobs. So, 2 million people are in jeopardy of losing their jobs if this funding goes away, said Morgan. HB 1221 is sponsored by Rep. Monique Miller (R - Palm Bay). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourists flock here to spend their money, Miller told the House State Affairs Committee. This bill gives local governments more control over these taxes and the power to use tax revenues to make Florida more affordable for its residents, Miller said. People are losing their homes. We have to bring them relief. This is a way to bring them immediate relief. Morgan explained why tourism dollars impact everyone. The reason that Florida doesnt have an income tax is because of tourism. Its the one that residents dont payvisitors pay this tax, Morgan added. WATCH: One-on-one with Governor Ron DeSantis: Revolt in the House, Hope Florida investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These proposed bills wouldnt have the same impact on larger counties. According to Floridas Historic Coast, tourists in St. Johns County spend a total of $2.5 billion, creating a $3.8 billion annual economic impact for the area. In Putnam County, tourism brought in $87.7 million. But with potential marketing cuts, small businesses in Putnam wont get the promotion push from their tourism department. If they dont have the shoppers coming in from out of town, then those businesses could suffer, said Morgan. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]those businesses Both bills are set to come up for Florida House votes on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridas economy heavily relies on tourism, making it the states largest industry. Thats why local tourism departments say theyre strongly opposed to both bills. The investment that tourism brings to Putnam County it saves the Putnam County resident almost $400 in annual tax savings, according to Morgan. [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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) While city council has temporarily halted the increase due to an overwhelming response from the public, there is still a pressing issue at hand. The rates were going to repair and rebuild a 70-year old wastewater facility in southeast Bakersfield. That the city says is in dire need of upgrades. The wastewater treatment facility on East Planz Road can see up to 25 million gallons of water each day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are pausing and reevaluating the proposed rate increase, and as Vice Mayor Id like to tell the public we hear you, said Manpreet Kaur, Bakersfields Vice Mayor. On Wednesday night, city manager Christian Clegg proposed to rescind the proposed sewer rate increase. City council agreed, in order to better educate and inform the public about why the rates have to increase. The rates were set to increase by up to 300%, or $950 annually. It currently sits at $239 annually. Well the plants 70-years-old, treatment plants should last 40-50 years and then you start building up a reserve, said Bob Smith, ward four city councilmember. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coroner IDs victims killed in fire in Edwards Smith says that money should have been saved up for repairs in the 90s, but that didnt happen. Sewage is a highly corrosive material to deal with, you start working on one thing and then they had to drain a pipe that hadnt been drained in awhile, said Smith. You go in there and the pipes all corroded out on the top and theres no pipe. Theres no concrete, theres no rebar, and so those situations have happened multiple times. Smith says that a company would need to come in and do a full investigation on what exactly needs to be repaired, replaced or if something needs a full rebuild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City council has to formally vote on rescinding the rate increases at the next city council meeting on May 14. Smith said the rates will still have to increase somewhat. I think all options are on the table at this point, just depends on what the majority of the council wants, said Smith. The water usage rate proposed increases have not been paused. Those rates are increasing by 50%. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. The arrest of a Wisconsin state judge for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest has opened a new front in the Trump administrations aggressive attempt to carry out a historic deportation campaign. The decision by the Justice Department to charge Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan for obstruction and concealing the individual from arrest turned a spotlight on the administrations decision to exercise immigration enforcement in certain places that have in the past been mostly off-limits to such federal activity, including courthouses, schools and places of worship. Her arrest Friday morning immediately drew intense criticism from legal experts and Democratic lawmakers, who widely viewed it as the Trump administrations latest bid to strong-arm courts around the country as it pushes ahead with controversial immigration policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pure intimidation nothing more than that, said retired federal Judge Nancy Gertner. The Justice Department has repeatedly asserted that it will investigate any local officials who do not assist federal authorities on immigration matters. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump revived a policy from his first term that allows federal officials to make immigration-related arrests in courts. But as in so-called sanctuary cities around the US, court officials are not obligated to work with federal officials in such arrests if the warrant being executed is an administrative warrant and not a judicial one. Such was the case for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who federal officials were attempting to arrest on April 18, the day he was appearing before Dugan in a criminal matter. After learning that the officials were in possession of an administrative warrant for Flores-Ruiz, the judge allegedly helped him and his attorney leave through a nonpublic area of the courthouse. Flores-Ruiz was arrested by federal agents shortly thereafter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without a (judicial) warrant, there obviously would literally be no obligation for her to cooperate. It would only happen if there was a warrant, Jeff Swartz, a former Florida state judge, told CNNs Brianna Keilar on CNN News Central. She has no obligation to assist at all with the apprehension of that particular defendant in a civil matter. Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig said that its likely Dugan wouldnt be facing the federal charges had she only declined to cooperate with the agents that day. For her conduct to result in the charges shes facing, he said, there needs to be some affirmative act taken. And here, showing this person the back door, giving this person access to the back door, and then ushering the person out the back door would be an affirmative act. But Honig, a CNN legal analyst, stressed that prosecutors have to take into account a host of factors when deciding whether bringing obstruction charges are appropriate and necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this case, he said, there are legitimate questions about whether pursuing charges against Dugan could represent prosecutorial overreach. Dugans attorney, Steven Biskupic, said in a statement later Friday that his client has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge. Judge Dugan will defend herself vigorously, and looks forward to being exonerated, he added. Canary in the coal mine Dugans arrest is not the first time the Justice Department under Trump has accused a sitting judge of helping an undocumented immigrant evade an immigration officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, a Massachusetts state judge was indicted on obstruction of justice and other federal charges, which were later dropped during the Biden administration. I think the canary in the coal mine was the Shelley Joseph case in Massachusetts, Gertner said. She and other experts CNN spoke with said the way that case was handled was much more measured than how the Justice Department has handled Dugans, underscoring the political nature of the new matter. Gertner, for example, emphasized the fact that Dugan was arrested for a white-collar offense, while the Massachusetts judge Shelley Richmond Joseph was not taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant emphasize enough how preposterous that is, Gertner said. This is not an individual whos going to flee. This is not an individual whos a threat to the community. The experts also pointed to the public statements Trump administration officials made touting Dugans case as evidence of their intention to use her prosecution for political ends. Among those officials are Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said in an interview on Fox News after the arrest was executed that if you are destroying evidence and you are obstructing justice, when you have victims sitting in a courtroom of domestic violence and you are escorting a criminal defendant out the back door, it will not be tolerated. I think some of these judges think they are beyond and above the law, and they are not, Bondi added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doug Keith, who serves as senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justices Judiciary Program, said its possible that more dramatic episodes could arise as the Trump administration continues seeking widespread cooperation in its deportation campaign. Unfortunately, I dont think this is the last conflict we will see like this, Keith said. The policy change that ICE made around courthouse arrests on January 21 has created these circumstances in which we should expect to see chaos like this play out in more courthouses across the country, he added. CNNs Hannah Rabinowitz and Michael Williams contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Prosecutors this week filed their opposition to a request for reduced bond by a suspect in the 2023 shooting death of a 15-year-old girl. Assistant Prosecutor John Juhasz said in his motion filed Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that a request to reduce the bond of Danyo Sellers, 18, from $500,000 to $100,000 should be denied because Sellers would be a danger to the community if he were released. Juhasz also pointed out this is the fifth time that attorneys for Sellers, also known as Legend Pless, have asked for a modification or reduction of his bail. The previous four attempts have all been denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sellers was originally charged as a juvenile with murder, felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter, for the April 15, 2023, shooting death of Amya Monserrat, 15, who was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Southern Boulevard restaurant following a birthday party. Police said Sellers was part of a group of people feuding with another group at the birthday party, and Sellers group drove by and exchanged gunfire with others in the parking lot when Monserrat was shot. She was not part of the feud, police said. The case is set for trial May 19, but because of discovery issues, it has been pushed back to July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Anthony DApolito is hearing the case. Sellers attorney, Aaron Meikle, wrote last week that his client is not able to graduate from high school while he is in jail, but if granted a reduced bond, he could complete his education. Meikle also wrote that the main prosecution witness in the case, Saun Peterson, 22, who has already pleaded guilty but is yet to be sentenced, has recanted his testimony. However, Juhasz said in his motion that the states case is still very strong. He said Peterson may have said something different on a jail call recorded by investigators in order to protect himself and his family from retaliation than what he told investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge DApolito has yet to rule on the motion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than 100 protesters and local officials gathered at the federal courthouse in downtown Milwaukee April 25 to condemn Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan's arrest by federal agents. As word of Dugan's arrest spread, about two dozen protesters linked arms in front of the courthouse, chanting No justice. No peace. Let the judge be released." Some waved American flags. One protestor held a sign that read "Only Fascists Arrest Judges." Inside the courthouse, Dugan, 65, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries during a brief hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was charged with two felonies on allegations she tried to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz avoid arrest after he appeared in her courtroom April 18, facing three misdemeanor battery counts stemming from a fight with roommates. Standing hear the courthouse doors, Elizabeth Kessler, a Wisconsin tax appeals commissioner, said she was appalled that the government would arrest a judge for doing her job. If we dont stand up for the institutions of our government were going to lose them," she said. Michael Rosen, a 77-year-old Milwaukee resident whose aunts survived the Holocaust, believes Dugan's arrest is a betrayal of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is insipid fascism that needs to be stopped," he said. "It's what our fathers fought against in World War II." Milwaukee resident Janice Wilberg said when she heard about Dugans arrest she wanted to cry. She added that she's met Dugan a handful of times and is friendly with her. Shes been an amazing lawyer for poor people, Wilberg said. Shes super fair, super ethical. Shes just a model judge. A handful of Democratic elected officials joined the spontaneous protest. Rep. Christine Sinicki, who spoke to reporters with Milwaukee Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic and Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa on the courthouse steps, called Dugan's arrest "clear intimidation" from the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If they can walk into a courthouse and arrest a sitting judge, then what can happen to the rest of us?" Sinicki said. "People are scared." Dimitrijevic and Zamarripa implored local and state officials to join them in standing up for Wisconsin immigrants who are afraid. "This is not normal, this is not okay, we will not normalize that," Dimitrijevic said. Weve never seen anything remotely like this before, said state Rep. Ryan Clancy. All she did is what we should all be doing: standing up for folks when they need it. County Board Supervisor Felesia A. Martin also joined the protesters. Protesters gather outside the United States Federal Building and Courthouse on the April 25 after news of the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan that morning. Dugan is charged with with two felonies for her role in helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Daniel Bice and John Diedrich contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Protesters decry arrest of Milwaukee judge charged with helping immigrant evade ICE by Xiong Maoling WASHINGTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- At the ongoing Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), "tariff" and "trade" have become keywords in several events and multiple reports. Delegates from Africa, Latin America, Europe and other regions expressed in conversations with Xinhua that, under the shadow of tariffs, concerns are spreading globally, and uncertainty is expected to weigh on global economic growth. In a blog on the global economy published on Tuesday, IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas mentioned the word "tariff" 21 times and "trade" 16 times, underscoring the importance of these topics. During a World Bank panel discussion on job creation on the same day, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga was asked about tariffs and trade issues, reflecting widespread concerns over rising tariffs and escalating trade conflicts. Lyle Enrico Dennis works in marketing for a Brazilian company exporting to the United States. When asked about his primary concern regarding the global economy, he responded without hesitation: "Trade issues." Dennis told Xinhua that the Brazilian company he works with exports various agricultural products, wood, marble, etc. They had originally planned to open an import facility in the United States. "Now we've looked at it financially, it's not feasible for us to do so if the tariffs are going to be as high as they indicated," he said. Goodman Chakanyuka is the executive director of credit risk at the Trade and Development Bank, an African regional development finance institution. He told Xinhua that his primary concern at the moment is trade issues, or tariff issues. Some member countries of the regional bank are "big exporters" to the United States. "With those kind of high tariffs, I think it's likely to impact their capacity to do more," he said. A European delegate, who declined to disclose his name, also expressed deep concerns about the tariff wars. He told Xinhua that the world is a small village, and the ripple effects of price increases caused by tariffs are spreading worldwide. "So it will be a long chain of increase in prices, and at the end of the day, it's the poor citizen who will pay for it," he said. The concerns of the delegates were also reflected in several reports released during the Spring Meetings. In the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the IMF downgraded the global economic growth forecast for 2025 to 2.8 percent, 0.5 percentage points lower than the projection made in January. Noting that this on its own is a "major negative shock," the IMF said in the report that the "unpredictability" with which these measures have been unfolding also has a negative impact on economic activity and the outlook. The IMF's latest Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) shows that global financial stability risks have grown significantly, driven by tighter financial conditions and heightened trade and geopolitical uncertainties. The latest Fiscal Monitor, meanwhile, said that if fiscal revenues and economic output decline more than currently projected due to higher tariffs and weak economic growth prospects, the global public debt situation could worsen further. "Trump's tariffs and retaliation will both slow world growth and undermine the U.S. role in the world economy," Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told Xinhua via email. "Not only are the tariffs themselves bad for growth, the uncertainty around them creates a terrible environment for investment," said Baker. As the initiator of the trade war, the United States is expected to face severe impacts. The IMF forecasts that U.S. economic growth will slow to 1.8 percent this year, 0.9 percentage points lower than the January projection, marking the largest downward revision among advanced economies. The main reasons for the downgrade are "greater policy uncertainty, trade tensions, and softer demand momentum." In addition, the status of U.S. Treasury bonds and the U.S. dollar as global safe-haven assets is facing challenges. "It has already begun, because of the BRICS. I mean, that is a global and will be seen as a global currency, and the U.S. dollar might take a second seat or even a third seat, depending on what the African economic development is going to be and its currency," said Dennis. Looking ahead, Dennis expressed some optimism. He said that if the U.S. market remains closed, the Brazilian company he works with will turn to markets in Canada and Southern countries to seek business opportunities. When talking about the future, Chakanyuka is more concerned. "Unfortunately, for most African countries, they don't have the bargaining powers. They are more on the receiving end. So it's very difficult to influence some of these changes at the global place," he said. "What is happening now it's a lose-lose (situation), what people need to fight for is a win-win," Chakanyuka said. At a press conference on Thursday, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that significant shifts in trade policies have led to a sharp increase in uncertainty, calling on countries to engage in constructive cooperation and resolve trade disputes promptly. "A trade policy settlement among the main players is essential, and we are urging them to do it swiftly, because uncertainty is very costly," Georgieva said. Enditem (Matthew Rusling contributed to the article) The public viewing of the body of Pope Francis at the Vatican came to an end on Friday evening after three days, with the Church estimating that 250,000 mourners paid their respects to the pontiff, who died on Monday at the age of 88. St Peter's Basilica closed its doors at 7 pm. Shortly before, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived to pray beside the coffin. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited earlier in the evening. Since the viewing began on Wednesday, queues stretched for kilometres outside consisting of worshippers waiting to pass through the basilica, where Francis lay in an open coffin before the main altar, prompting the Vatican to keep the basilica open throughout much of the night to accommodate the massive crowds - contrary to original plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coffin was sealed on Friday night. The ceremony in the otherwise empty church was attended by several cardinals and invited guests. According to the Holy See, a white silk cloth was placed over the face of the pontiff in accordance with Catholic rites. A large funeral service is set to take place on Saturday in St Peters Square, with state leaders and dignitaries from around the world in attendance. Possible funeral diplomacy? There has been much speculation about possible so-called funeral diplomacy, since US President Donald Trump and dozens ofther world leaders are expected to attend. But one important world leader might not make it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested on Friday that he might not attend Francis' funeral following Moscow's massive attack on Kiev earlier this week. "If I cannot make it, Ukraine will be represented with dignity. The Foreign Minister [Andrii Sybiha] and the First Lady [Olena Zelenska] will be present," Zelensky told journalists in Kiev. On Thursday, the Russian military launched a massive combined missile and drone attack against Ukraine, killing at least 12 people in the capital, Kiev. Referring to the possibility of cancelling his trip to Rome, Zelensky said: "For me, it was important to be here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his part Trump, commenting prior to his departure from Washington for Rome, said he would not rule out meeting Zelensky on the sidelines of the funeral ceremonies, saying "it is possible." Also attending the funeral are British heir to the throne Prince William and Argentine President Javier Milei, representing the popes homeland. In total, more than 160 international delegations are expected. PASSAIC, N.J. (AP) Alleged gang members without criminal records wrongly sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador. International students detained by masked federal agents for writing opinion columns or attending campus demonstrations. American citizens, visa holders and visitors stopped at airports, detained for days or facing deportation for minor infractions. Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has launched an unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement that has pushed the limits of executive power and clashed with federal judges trying to restrain him. But unlike in his first term, Trumps efforts have not sparked the kind of widespread condemnation or protests that led him to retreat from some unpopular positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, immigration has emerged as one of Trumps strongest issues in public polling, reflecting both his grip on the Republican base and a broader shift in public sentiment that is driven in part, interviews suggest, by anger at the policies of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden. The White House has seized on this shift, mocking critics and egging on Democrats to engage on an issue that Trump's team sees as a win. I think this is another men/womens sports thing for the Democrats, Trump said in an interview with Time magazine published Friday, referring to the cultural wars debate over transgender rights that Trump campaign aides saw as a key driver of support in November. Americas changed, said pollster Frank Luntz, a longtime ally of Republicans who has been holding focus groups with voters to discuss immigration. This is the one area where Donald Trump still has significant and widespread public support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luntz said voters dismayed by the historically large influx of migrants under Biden are now prepared to accept a more extreme approach." Make no mistake," he added. The public may not embrace it, but they definitely support it. And this is actually his strongest area as he approaches his 100th day (in office). Changing views A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that immigration is a relative high point for Trump compared with other issues, including his approach to the economy, foreign policy and trade negotiations. Slightly fewer than half of U.S. adults, 46%, say they approve of Trumps handling of the issue, compared with his overall job approval rating of 39%, according to the survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll was conducted April 17-21, a period that included a trip by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., to El Salvador to demand that Kilmar Abrego Garcia be released from prison after the U.S. government admitted he was wrongly deported. In the 2020 election, few voters considered immigration the most important issue facing the country, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of registered voters in all 50 states. Four years later, after Republicans and conservative media had hammered Biden for his policies and often cast migrant U.S.-Mexico border crossings as an invasion, immigration had risen above health care, abortion and crime. It was second only to the economy. Under Biden, migrant apprehensions spiked to more than 2 million two years in a row. Republican governors in border states bused migrants by the tens of thousands to cities across the country, including to New York, where migrants were placed in shelters and hotels, straining budgets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters in the 2024 election were also more open to tougher immigration policies than the 2020 electorate. Last November, 44% of voters said most immigrants living in the United States illegally should be deported to their home countries, according to AP VoteCast, compared with 29% in 2020. Immigration remains a relative strength for Trump today: 84% of Republicans approve of Trumps immigration approach, according to the April AP-NORC poll, compared with 68% who approve of how he is handling trade negotiations. The poll found about 4 in 10 U.S. adults strongly or somewhat favor Trumps policy of sending Venezuelan immigrants who authorities say are gang members to El Salvador, with an additional 22% saying they neither favor nor oppose it. About 4 in 10 were opposed. Americans are more opposed, broadly, to revoking foreign students visas over their participation in pro-Palestinian activism, with about half opposed and about 3 in 10 in support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changing views are evident in places like northern New Jerseys suburban Passaic County, one of the former Democratic strongholds where Trump overperformed in November. Trump became the first Republican to win the county in more than 30 years. He carried the heavily Latino city of Passaic and significantly increased his support in Paterson, the states third-largest city, which is majority Latino and also has a large Muslim community. He drew 13,819 votes after winning 3,999 in 2016. Having lost New Jersey by nearly 16 percentage points to Biden in 2020, Trump narrowed that margin to 6 percentage points last year. Paterson resident Sunny Cumur, 54, a truck driver who immigrated from Turkey in the late 1990s, describes himself as a Democrat who doesnt usually vote. But he wanted Trump to win, he said, because he was concerned about the border under Biden. While studies show immigrants are generally less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans, local news in New York and other cities frequently featured what Trump took to calling migrant crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Biden did, they opened all the borders, and a lot of people come here for political asylum. Come on! They don't even check if they are terrorists or not," Cumur said. He complained that newcomers willing to work for lower wages have been undercutting workers like him. Throw em out. I dont want to live with criminals, he said. Still, other supporters worry Trump is taking things too far. Republican Manuel Terrero, 39, a real estate agent from Clifton, said he was drawn to Trump because of what felt like chaos under Biden, with too many people crossing the border and too much crime in neighboring New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shouldnt be allowed, said Terrero, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Trump is doing a lot of good things. And that is one of them, stopping the people that are coming here to create chaos. And the people that have criminal records, send them back. But I am against (deporting) the people that are working, he said. I dont think its the right way to do it." Rep. Nellie Pou, D-N.J., who was elected last year to represent the area in Congress, said her constituents believe strongly in border security but stand by her advocacy for immigrants. She recently joined Democrats on a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border. I do not want anyone that may be a danger to come to our country to harm any of our citizens. No one wants that. And I firmly believe thats what people in our district and across America want, she said. At the same time, she said, Our country was made of immigrants. ... So I believe theres a place for someone who comes in the legal ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new paradigm Trump burst onto the political scene in 2015 by labeling Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists and pledging to build a great wall. He spent much of his first term focused on the border. One of his first actions in office was to impose a travel ban barring the entry of citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries. That caused chaos at airports and protests across the nation. The policy was quickly blocked by the courts, forcing his administration to offer three broader iterations, the last of which was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court. The next flashpoint came in 2018, when border officials began separating families detained after illegally crossing the border. In some cases, children were forcibly removed from their parents under a "zero tolerance policy, and the parents were sometimes deported without their kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Images of children held in cages at border facilities and audio recordings of young children crying for their parents drew intense backlash, with thousands participating in hundreds of marches across the country. The protesters included soon-to-be Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who was photographed in 2018 breaking down outside a facility in Texas being used to detain migrant children. Republicans joined in that condemnation. Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, called the separations tragic and heartrending" in a letter that urged Congress to act. This disgraceful condition must end," he wrote. All Americans are rightly horrified by the images we are seeing on the news, children in tears pulled away from their mothers and fathers. This must stop, said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. He introduced legislation mandating that apprehended families be kept together. Bowing to pressure and concerned about the impact on the upcoming midterm elections, Trump halted the policy. This time around, with border crossings down, Trump has shifted focus to expelling people already in the United States. He is expanding the limits of executive power and jousting with judges as he uses old laws and rarely used provisions to label hundreds of men gang members so they can be deported without being able to challenge their cases in court. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who as a senator once tried to negotiate a bipartisan immigration package has moved to expel people in the U.S. legally over political beliefs he deems counter to U.S. foreign policy interests. Their targets have included hundreds of students and others with legal status, including those on student visas or holding green cards conferring permanent residency, as well as those who have sought asylum using legal channels. Jorge Loweree, of the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit advocacy group, said Trump was doing something thats wholly new in historical terms. Its critical that people understand what the administration is doing, said Loweree, the council's managing director of programs and strategy. We have an administration that believes they can disappear who they want, where they want, to anywhere they want. Loweree argued that even if voters in November rejected what they saw as chaos at the border, that doesnt necessarily mean that they support these very draconian measures that are being implemented today. Few elected Republicans are speaking out, though some of Trumps outside allies have criticized what they see as overreach. Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who endorsed Trump late in the campaign, voiced alarm at the case of Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist from Venezuela with no criminal record who was among those sent to El Salvador's maximum-security CECOT prison. You gotta get scared that people who are not criminals are getting like lassoed up and deported and sent to like El Salvador prisons, Rogan told his listeners. Thats horrific. And again, thats bad for the cause. Like the cause is lets get the gang members out. Everybody agrees. But lets not (have) innocent gay hairdressers get lumped up with the gangs. Signs of change? The April AP-NORC poll found that about half of Americans say Trump has gone too far when it comes to deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, compared with about 6 in 10 who say hes gone too far on imposing new tariffs on other countries. It found Americans split on mass deportations, with about 4 in 10 in favor of deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally and a similar share opposed. The percentage who support mass deportations is down slightly from an AP-NORC poll conducted in January, just before Trump took office. Still, about one-third of U.S. adults say Trumps actions have been about right on immigration, and about 2 in 10 think he hasn't gone far enough. One case that has gained traction nationally is that of Abrego Garcia, the Maryland resident from El Salvador who was sent to CECOT despite an immigration court order preventing his deportation. Trump officials have said that Abrego Garcia has ties to the MS-13 gang, a claim Abrego Garcia's attorneys deny, and noted that his wife once sought a protective order against him. El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, has said he will not let Abrego Garcia leave the country. More Democrats have traveled to El Salvador to highlight the case. And people angry about the situation have confronted Republican lawmakers, including at a contentious town hall Wednesday hosted by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, during which several members of the audience shouted at him to push for Abrego Garcia's return. The White House has embraced the fight. A request for Democrats please continue to make defending criminal illegal immigrants your top messaging point, wrote Trumps director of communications, Steven Cheung. Some in the party have urged it to steer clear. Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., called the case a distraction from issues such as tariffs that have emerged as a bigger weakness for Trump. This is the debate (Republicans) want. This is their 80-20 issue, as theyve described it, he said of Republicans on his podcast. Its a tough case, because, he said, it risks people wondering, are they defending MS-13? But Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, is urging Democrats to seize on the case. He says border issues are much more nuanced than immigration good for Trump, bad for Democrats'" and believes that voters are on their side. If we can't stand up against the illegal rendition of the father of a U.S. child to a prison known for torture, then I dont really know what were doing, he said. ___ Associated Press polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) warned President Donald Trump that Russia was playing America" on Friday, asking him to punish the country for attacking Ukraine amid ceasefire negotiations. Russian President Vladimir Putin earned rare criticism from Trump after launching a deadly attack in Kyiv on Thursday, as Trump amps up pressure on Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree to U.S.-led proposals for a peace deal. Grassley, an ardent supporter of Ukraine, has been one of the loudest voices on the Republican side coming down on Russian aggression against Ukraine. IVE SEEN ENOUGH KILLING OF INNOCENT UKRAINIAN women + children, Grassley posted on X on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grassley pushed Trump to institute sanctions on Russia which Trump has previously threatened to do if they didnt come to the negotiating table on the war and added that Russia is playing America as a patsy. Trump has said he is pushing to get a deal out the door before marking his 100 days in office next week. He said that work on the peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly in a post on Truth Social Friday, after urging Zelenskyy to also immediately sign the minerals deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraines rare earths. Outside of demanding Putin immediately stop attacking Kyiv, the majority of Trumps ire this week focused on Zelenskyy. Since entering office, Trump has repeatedly blamed Zelenskyy for not trying harder to end the war that Russia started, calling Zelenskyy a dictator without elections and berating him in the Oval Office with Vice President JD Vance. Grassley has split with Trump before, pushing back on Trumps attacks on Zelenskyy in February, instead calling out Putin as a dictator and blaming him for continuing the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, Trump blasted Zelenskyy on his social media platform over Ukraines pushback against the U.S.-led peace proposal, which Trump and members of his administration signaled would likely include territorial concessions. Trump told TIME Magazine this week that Russian-occupied Crimea will stay with Russia and that Zelenskyy understands that. Zelenskyy has said that he will defend the Ukrainian constitution, and that recognizing an annexed Crimea would be a non-starter. I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy, Trump told reporters in an Oval Office press conference on Wednesday. So far, its been harder. Trump told reporters Thursday that his administration is putting a lot of pressure on Russia. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff also had another meeting with Putin on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the possibility of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv during a three-hour meeting in Moscow on April 25, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told the Russian state-run Interfax news agency. Ushakov described the conversation as "constructive and useful," saying it helped "further bring the positions of Russia and the United States closer not only on Ukraine, but also on several other international issues." The presidential aide added that, per an agreement between the Russian and U.S. presidents, bilateral dialogue "will continue to be carried out in the most active mode." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the meeting "shuttle diplomacy." Witkoff's visit to Moscow follows a mass Russian missile and drone assault on Ukraine. On April 24, Moscow launched 215 missiles and drones across the country, many targeting Kyiv, where at least 12 people were killed and 87 injured. The Trump administration is ramping up efforts to secure a ceasefire in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, but has warned it may end mediation efforts if progress is not made soon. One day before the Moscow meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump said that both sides "want peace" and reiterated that he had set a personal deadline for finalizing a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They have to get to the table," Trump said during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. "And I think we're going to get peace." On April 25, Reuters published the full text of the controversial peace plan Witkoff presented to European officials in Paris on April 17. The proposal includes provisions such as legal recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, acceptance of Moscow's de facto control over occupied Ukrainian territories, a ban on Kyiv joining NATO, and the lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014. A counterproposal submitted by Ukrainian and European officials calls for a full and unconditional ceasefire before territorial issues are addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the ongoing talks, Russia continues offensive operations across Ukraine. Kyiv has accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, introduced in March, but Moscow has so far refused to comply. Read also: End policy of appeasement European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trumps Russia stance Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Particle pollution is made of tiny particles, so small they lodge deep in the lungs and can enter the bloodstream, causing heart attacks, lung cancer and asthma attacks. This image depicts particle sizes compared to fine beach sand and human hair. (American Lung Association) After news that Louisvilles air just received a failing grade for its high rates of particle and ozone pollution, a UofL Health researcher and nurse practitioner says the news is not surprising and steps can be taken to protect peoples health. Rachel Keith, a nurse practitioner with UofLs preventive cardiology clinic and a clinician researcher with the Envirome Institute, said that while Louisville has had occasions to kind of bounce up a little bit and get better its been in that F range for a while. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a press conference Thursday, Keith discussed the State of the Air report, which the American Lung Association released Wednesday. The report showed that Louisvillians spend more than a week every year breathing unhealthy air. In Louisville, unhealthy days for ozone pollution number eight per year on average an increase from the average of five reported in the 2024 report. Ozone pollution can come from a variety of sources including cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants and more, according to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Heres more of what Keith had to say about the report. This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Rachel Keith is a nurse practitioner with UofLs preventive cardiology clinic and a clinician researcher with the Envirome Institute . (UofL photo) Question: Why does Louisville have such poor air quality? Answer: Air quality has two main pieces that the American Lung Association looks at. One is gaseous compounds. The one that we tend to do really poorly on is something called ozone, and the other is particulate matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisville has really high levels of something called NOx (nitrogen oxides) and we also have some high levels of things called VOCs (volatile organic compounds).Think of these as gasses that readily react in the air when you add sunlight on top of it. They mix into this three-oxygen compound called ozone thats really bad for health. Here in Louisville, we have high sources of those emissions that come from combustion, and particularly the NOx that can be roadway, that can be industry, that can be different sources of it. We also have this stagnant air that comes with being in the river valley. So, we have the stagnation of air, we have high production and we have a weather and air pattern that brings other regions air into our area. And all that with our sunlight, especially that we have in summer, leads to really high levels of these compounds and these air pollution factors that can affect health. Q: What exactly is ozone pollution? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: Ozone is a gas. Gas is like air; its a light molecule, a light compound. It has three oxygens, and it can be reactive and highly reactive. In particular, in Louisville, we have a lot of that really highly reactive ozone, which, as it implies, means that it can interact with lots of things. It can interact with a human and make them unhealthy, but it can also do damage to plants and crops and these other aspects of our environment. Q: Are there risks for people in their day-to-day lives from this pollution? A: I think everyone, when you think of a gas or air, things like this, immediately it goes to the lungs. And there are risks for lung problems. It can trigger asthma, it can lead to asthma. People who have COPD or other breathing conditions this can contribute to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I think the lesser known and lesser thought about health conditions are really important too. Long term exposure to these, and even at somewhat low levels so not like youre looking outside and see smog can lead to heart disease, strokes, can affect diabetes. Theres now links of air pollution to autism, Alzheimers. Your whole body is negatively impacted by these compounds. Unfortunately in our city, theyre really high, so its going to lead to people having detrimental health problems from the air they breathe. Q: Are there any signs and symptoms that people should be on the lookout for? A: Those ones that youll see are definitely related to respiratory conditions. So theyre asthma, people with COPD. It can be trouble breathing, feeling what we call air hungry, even though you are breathing, you feel like youre not getting enough wheezing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people have very distinct symptoms to their particular condition, and so those are the ones youre going to see right away. Whats harder are those that take 10 to 15 years to really manifest, because you dont feel your arteries hardening. You dont realize youre not getting the blood flow, or the proteins may be changing in your brain. Those are the ones that I think are most scary, because people dont know theyre happening until its too late, and they have a big problem with it. Q: Is there a way to progress past an F even to a D or a C? What are things people can start doing to help? A: The easy answer is: you have to reduce emissions. Thats the easy answer. That means, if you bring down NOx, if you bring down VOCs, your air quality will change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hard answer is, how? One simple thing I typically think about is: if we say a lot of this comes from combustion and automobiles, Louisville is a big commuter city, and so there are simple choices people can make that could impact our air quality. One of them that an individual could do was, if you think of a car pool line or at a drive through restaurant or places like that, whether you choose to idle or turn your car off, makes a huge difference. On a policy level, supporting things that can make public transportation easier or more available, things like bike lanes and sidewalks that also could potentially change the dynamic of our transportation in the city are very easy ways to think through a way for us to reduce emissions. Q: What effect, if any, do disasters have on air pollution? What about the 2024 Givaudan Sense Colour explosion? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: All these are going to affect it. Wild fires and explosions, industries, controlled burns that sometimes happen these all impact air quality. In particular, in 2024, we had those emissions blowing down from up north (Canada). That year was absolutely impacted by wildfires. And it also goes to show that those can be in a whole other area, region, country, and our air quality changes with it. Q: Does air pollution ever lead to acute problems? A: Asthma attacks are a very relevant acute problem, as is an exacerbation of COPD, but it can change your heart rhythms. We do think that theres a potential for those to trigger heart attacks, but the duration youre exposed and the levels plays into that. Its not a given, but there are studies that suggest even things like an acute heart attack can occur at these higher pollution levels. How to reduce personal carbon footprint The Columbia Climate School offers suggestions for lowering individual carbon footprints. They include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avoid buying fast fashion clothes, which result in significant waste, and buy durable clothes or recycled items instead. Think: vintage and thrift stores. Use reusable bags when shopping. Turn off lights and unplug electronics when theyre not in use. Find ways to drive less carpool, bike, walk or use public transportation when possible. Travel by airplane as little as possible. When you travel by air, try to book a nonstop flight to create fewer take-offs and landings. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts have confirmed a case of rabies found in a raccoon in Northwest Roanoke City near Cove Road and Wellsley Street. To prevent the spread of rabies, consider the following: Avoid all contact with wild and wild animals you dont know Report injured or threatening animals Make sure your pets are vaccinated and are up to date on vaccinations Call your vet or local health department if you come into contact with a rabid animal Contact your vet or local animal control if your pet is exposed to an animal with rabies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traveling abroad with your dog? Heres what you should know The Code of Virginia 3.2-6521 requires pet owners to maintain current rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats aged four months and older. Citizens should not approach or touch any wild or stray animals and should report any abnormal animal behavior to their local animal control dispatcher. All animal bites and rabies exposures (from wild and domestic animals) must be reported to the RCAHD Environmental Health Division at 540-204-9764. For more information visit, bit.ly/raba102524. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is asking the Trump administration to halt the deportations of Afghan Christian refugees in the United States. In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Raffensperger said he has deep concern after the department revoked protections from deportation for Afghans, along with Cameroonians. I respectfully urge DHS and the Administration to pause this decision for at least 90 days and to consider granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or similar legal relief to these individuals, Raffensperger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These refugees, many of whom have already applied for asylum and possess documentation of lawful parole, face a credible threat of imprisonment, torture, or death if returned to the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Citizens from both Afghanistan and Cameroon have been protected under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) since 2022. It prevents them from being sent back to their home country due to dangerous conditions and instability. The courts have blocked similar efforts for other countries by Noem and the administration, but the situation has caused concern and uncertainty. Afghan advocates say the deteriorating conditions in the country have been exacerbated by the Biden administrations 2021 military withdrawal, citing food insecurity and safety issues for women under the Taliban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raffensperger criticized former President Bidens haphazard withdrawal from Afghanistan and said it was faith-based organizations that supported vulnerable Afghans, particularly Christians. They then made their way to the U.S. through lawful channels, he said. The Georgia secretary of state noted that Afghanistan, under the Talibans rule, is a dangerous place for Christians, who face targeted violence, persecution, and execution. Deportation, in this context, could constitute a violation of international law and moral responsibility, Raffensperger wrote. He asked Noem to immediately pause the deportation efforts against impacted Afghan Christians and for the administration to reevaluate their TPS eligibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America has long stood as a beacon of hope to the oppressed and a defender of religious freedom. I respectfully request that DHS continue that tradition by extending protection to these Afghan Christian families, he concluded. Our nations moral leadership is defined not just by the policies we enact, but by the people we choose to protect. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to The Hill that Noem made the decision to terminate TPS for individuals from Afghanistan because the country has improved its security situation and its economy no longer prevents them from returning to their home country. Additionally, the termination furthers the national interest and the statutory provision that TPS is in fact designed to be temporary, McLaughlin said. She noted there are records that show certain Afghan TPS recipients who have been under investigation for fraud, public safety, and national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 8:20 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The weekend will see scattered thunderstorms and rainfall before potentially severe weather comes into the area next week, according to NWS Indianapolis. A hazardous weather outlook for central Indiana shows scattered storms are possible through this evening, some with loud thunder. Severe weather is not expected, but heavy rainfall is possible in some areas. On Saturday, April 25, temperatures will cool down for a little bit before rising again early next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Severe weather is possible early next week, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center said there's a 15-29% for severe weather in Indiana on April 29. The outlook covers the entire state with possible hazards including damaging winds, hail and tornadoes. Meteorologists said there is considerable uncertainty about the storms and their severity, though. Showers with a few rumbles of thunder are expanding northeast into central Indiana early this morning and will increase in coverage through midday. Brief heavier downpours and cloud to ground lightning will be the primary impacts. #INwx #indy pic.twitter.com/A6T82gJ7dw NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) April 25, 2025 What you should know: Severe weather, strong winds, and tornadoes possible next week Indianapolis weekend forecast Friday: 100% chance of rain with rainfall nearing a quarter of an inch and a high of 69 degrees. / Friday night: 40% chance of rain with a low of 46 degrees. Rain showers in the evening with overcast skies overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday: Cloudy early in the day before becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon with a high of 62 degrees. Saturday night: Mostly clear skies with a low of 42 degrees. Sunday: Except for a few afternoon clouds, it will be mainly sunny with a high of 69 degrees. Sunday night: A few clouds with a low of 50 degrees. Monday: A few clouds from time to time with a high of 82 degrees. Monday night: Partly to mostly cloudy skies with a low around 70 degrees. How to sign up for weather alerts Marion County residents can register for emergency alerts by texting MESAINDY to 67283. Those who prefer to receive notifications through voice calls or email can sign up at Smart911.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service's Indianapolis office regularly updates its X feed with forecasts, alerts and other local weather information. Follow them @NWSIndianapolis. Watch? Warning? Know the difference A weather watch means weather conditions are lining up in a way that could create hazardous weather. People should remain aware when a watch is issued. A weather warning means the threat is likely in the area. A tornado warning, for example, is issued when rotation has been spotted via radar or a weather spotter. Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories. Indianapolis weather radar Weather info you need Indiana power outage map: How to check your status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internet outages: How to track them. What you should and shouldn't do when the power is out. Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Weekend weather forecast: Rain could near a quarter of an inch SACRAMENTO, the United States, April 25 (Xinhua) -- California's wine industry is facing significant disruption as the Trump administration's tariff policies have created ripple effects across global markets, according to a CalMatters investigation published Wednesday. CalMatters, a non-profit news site focused on California, reported that even domestically produced wine has seen rising costs due to tariffs, which have affected nearly every aspect of production, from glass bottles, to labels, corks, metal posts and wooden stakes for vines. According to Gino DiCaro, spokesperson for the Wine Institute, as cited by CalMatters, the stakes were especially high for California, which produces 95 percent of all U.S. wine exports. The industry is now facing challenges on multiple fronts, as retaliatory tariffs from trading partners threaten established markets. According to CalMatters, Canada, once accounting for more than a third of California's wine exports, instituted what officials described as a "serious 'don't-buy-American, don't-go-to-America'" campaign in response to the president's threats regarding tariffs and potential annexation. As a result, Canadian businesses are canceling orders for California wines. The report also noted that potential sales to Mexico and the European Union are now on hold. The situation has become severe enough that California recently became the first state to sue the Trump administration over the tariffs. The lawsuit, filed by Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta in federal court in San Francisco, argues that Trump lacked constitutional authority to impose tariffs unilaterally. In recent months, California has seen a year-over-year decline in wine exports for four consecutive months, raising concerns for both agricultural and manufacturing sectors as counter-tariffs on exports begin to take effect. Officials with the Port of Los Angeles also anticipate a significant slowdown in cargo movement in the coming months. Newsom condemned the tariffs, telling CalMatters, "Washington's tariff policy is recklessness at another level. The geopolitical impacts are outsized. The trade impacts are outsized. No rationale, no plan, no conscience to what it's doing to real people." Temperatures are rising this afternoon as winds begin to pick up across the state. Additionally, thunderstorms will begin to move into eastern New Mexico overnight. Upper level moisture is going to surge into eastern New Mexico this afternoon. Pushing the dry line further west. This surge in moisture will allow for thunderstorms and isolated storms to develop is eastern New Mexico over the weekend. The first round of storms is expected to begin early this evening in southeastern New Mexico. The storms will then push towards the northeast into the very early hours of Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon the storms will become much for isolated. The dry line will push back to the east Saturday afternoon drying out the storms. Strong southwesterly flow with also be bringing strong wind gusts to New Mexico over the weekend. Gusts upwards of 50 mph are expected across the state. The strongest gusts are forecasted for Sunday afternoon. Areas of blowing dust and dust storms are possible tonight through Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The very dry air mass in place over most of New Mexico is bringing extremely low relative humidity levels to most of the state. Combined with above average temperatures and gusty winds leads to an elevated fire threat. A red flag warning in in place for the Middle Rio Grande Valley until 7 p.m. today April 25th. Fire weather watches are also in place for parts of New Mexico on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th. Early into next week the weather is expected to calm down in comparison. A pacific cold front will pass over New Mexico Sunday night and into Monday. This front is relatively week and will gradually cool off temperatures across the state back to seasonable averages. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WVNS) Improvements are coming to the Raleigh County area as county commissioners work to address a number of dilapidated structures throughout the area. The potential hazards of these structures have long been a source of concern for community residents, and county leadership is taking measures to bring down of dozens of unused buildings throughout the county. Raleigh County Commission President, Greg Duckworth told 59News that the effort is part of ongoing plans by the commission to clean up Raleigh County and minimize potential risk for residents. Theres about 40 [dilapidated structures] on our radar right now for this year were trying to get down, he said. Those old buildings affect everyone, especially the neighbors. As much as we can do to clean things up, thats our goal for this year. Commissioner Daniel Hall noted the potential hazards of unaddressed structures of this nature remaining intact. People are going into those burned out houses and setting fires and thats dangerous, Hall told 59News. Its bad for the community. It takes, in this particular case, the fire department has to respond. It takes resources to do that, it takes time and money, and it puts people at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioners said that there will be focus on main county thruways such as Eccles, Bolt, Glen Daniel, and many others. Duckworth is encouraging residents to reach out to the county commission about areas impacted by dilapidated structures, as well excessive litter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) The Randolph County Board of Education voted on Tuesday to terminate 33 positions across the county, but Randolph Countys superintendent, Shawn Dilly, says it still wont be enough to balance the countys budget. Of the 42 positions planned to be eliminated, nine of them were spared from the Reduction In Force (RIF) vote on Tuesday. However, Dilly said the funding for those positions is still uncertain. It has really created sort of a difficult situation for us to navigate as there is not adequate funding or confirmation of funding sources to support all the positions that the board elected to save on Tuesday night, Dilly said in an interview with 12 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One problem with Tuesdays vote is that Dilly said some names were inappropriately removed from the list of cuts, and were removed outside the official process they are legally required to follow. Randolph County Board of Education votes to fire 33 staff members Based on the boards decisions last night, and the reallyIm trying to put this delicatelythe lack to follow personnel laws in the state of West Virginia will require us to undo a lot of those positions that were going to be successfully reduced. So therefore, we will be unable to meet our statutory requirements to balance the budget. Dilly also said that the Board of Education will likely meet again in May to correct any actions that dont comply with state law. May could also kick off talks related to school consolidation within the county after motions to consolidate two schools failed earlier this year. 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. DENVER (KDVR) A viral livestream of thousands of rattlesnakes in a secret location in Colorado captured some of the reptiles starting to appear from their mega den again. Rattlesnakes have started to come out of hibernation from a den in an undisclosed location in Colorado, which hit the internet by storm in 2024 when thousands of rattlesnakes were filmed in the surrounding area. California Polytechnic State University researchers set up a webcam in May 2024 at a remote site on private land in northern Colorado to observe snake behavior without interfering. That 24-hour, seven days a week footage then took off when people started seeing footage of up to 2,000 rattlesnakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Taylor, a biology professor leading the Project RattleCam research, said in 2024 that the mega den was one of the biggest ones they know of. Heres what the den looked like in the summer of 2024: FILE This undated image made from a video provided by Project RattleCam shows a mega den of rattlesnakes in a remote location in northern Colorado. (Project RattleCam via AP, File) Last year, 2.5 million people watched the livestream, which featured the rattlesnakes movements, including the live births of some pups. The rattlesnakes took refuge in the den for winter, but on Thursday, a video captured a couple of rattlesnakes emerging from their den. Now, people can watch the reptiles for a second season. There are only a few rattlesnakes right now, but by the end of May, hundreds of snakes will appear from outside their den. 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 FOX31 Denver. Ray Leigh, who has died aged 96, was among the last of the group of designers involved with the 1951 Festival of Britain, and a key figure linking the British Arts and Crafts Movement to postwar modernist design. An architect, artist, designer, manufacturer, co-ordinator of the disparate threads of the UK furniture industry, and latterly founder of the Gordon Russell Museum, Leigh had, as one colleague put it, a smile like Puck and a sense of mischief to match. Raymond Hugh Leigh was born in Streatham, south London, on June 6 1928. He was educated initially at Whitgift School in Croydon, then when his fathers Civil Service department was evacuated in 1939 to Morecambe in Lancashire, he went to the local grammar school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His fathers office was billeted in the recently completed Midland Hotel, designed in an Art Deco style by Oliver Hill, who had stipulated how every detail of the building should relate to the architecture, down to the door handles. With its futuristic appearance, sculptures by Eric Gill, a mural by Eric Ravilious, and rugs and textiles by Marian Dorn, the building played a major part in Rays early creative education, inspiring him to become an architect. Inside the Lion and Unicorn building at the Festival of Britain - Historic England/Heritage Images via Getty Images In 1945, aged 17, he was accepted at the Architectural Association when Frederick Gibberd known for his work in Harlow was principal and three-quarters of the students were ex-servicemen. They were rather in a hurry, building a new Britain, Leigh later wrote, and that gave the place a real buzz. Among his contemporaries there were Philip Dowson, Richard Burton, Ted Cullinan and Colin St John Wilson. His studies were interrupted by National Service in the Royal Engineers. On his return in 1949, he was offered a holiday job by Dick Russell, an architect and tutor at the Royal College of Art (and brother of the furniture designer and manufacturer Gordon Russell) to work with RCA students to fit out the Lion and Unicorn Building at the forthcoming 1951 Festival of Britain. The project transformed Leighs life, bringing him into contact with some of the most creative artists, designers and architects of the postwar era. HIs colleagues and friends included Philip Powell and Jacko Moya, John Piper, James Stirling, Mary Shand, Terence Conran and Robin Wade. Crowds inside the Lion and Unicorn building - Warburton/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images He was later taken on full-time by Russell, becoming a partner in the firm Russell, Hodgson & Leigh (1957-67). Projects included the fit-out of the cruise-liner, SS Oriana, and work at British Museum, the Tower of London, Grosvenor House Hotel and the London offices of Time-Life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One seminal project involved the furniture for the new Coventry Cathedral, which had been designed by Basil Spence and was dedicated in April 1962. Spence pulled together a team of varied talents, with stained glass by John Piper and Geoffrey Clark, a monumental tapestry by Graham Sutherland, lettering by Ralph Beyer and sculptures by Elisabeth Frink. Interior of Sir Basil Spences new Coventry Cathedral, for which Leigh was involved in designing the congregations chairs - The Image Bank/ Getty Images Dick Russells practice designed the congregation chairs, 2,000 of which were made by Gordon Russells eponymous firm; the design became a mid-century classic across the UK and the US. In 1967, Leigh was appointed design director at Gordon Russell, later becoming managing director and then chairman. His feeling for architecture, interiors and furnishings connected to the philosophies of the early-20th-century Chipping Campden Movement and the original Arts and Crafts designers and makers. Although there was always a tension between high-quality hand work and industrial production, sentimentality was not allowed to eclipse economics at Gordon Russell. At its peak, the firm employed more than 200 cabinet-makers, all apprentice-trained, making pieces for schools, colleges, banks and hotels. The firm benefited from the roll-out of UK universities in the 1960s and strategic design-led sales in Japan, the US and the Middle East; in 1986 it was sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leigh was president of the Guild of Gloucestershire Craftsmen, mayor of Chipping Campden, Master of the Furniture Makers Company (1994), a founding trustee of the Crafts Council, chairman of the Furniture Industry Research Association and chairman of the Edward Barnsley Educational Trust. He remained cynical about ever being able to pull together the UKs fragmented furniture industry but never stopped trying. He was unstinting in his encouragement to young designers. Among Leighs later achievements was converting the former factorys machine-shop at Broadway in the Cotswolds into the Gordon Russell Museum, opened in 2008 by Sir Terence Conran. Leigh also commissioned, contributed to and wrote several books and pamphlets about the Gordon Russell legacy, the best of which is by Jeremy Myerson, with an introduction by Leigh, Gordon Russell: Designer of Furniture. Leigh was appointed MBE in 2001. He maintained a lifelong interest in classic cars, fell-walking in the Lake District and finely printed books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ray Leigh is survived by his wife Jean, to whom he was married for 72 years, and by a son; two children predeceased him. Ray Leigh, born June 6 1928, died March 13 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) A majority of Kentuckians still dont have a REAL ID. As previously reported, many are facing long wait times at drivers licensing offices, and now several lawmakers are telling the federal government Kentucky is just not ready. Somebody needed to speak up, Sen. Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) told FOX 56 News on Thursday. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May 7th is a date looming large for Higdon, who chairs the Senate transportation committee, when the nations 2005 REAL ID law is set to take effect. Kentucky is simply not ready. We have less than 40% of our licensed drivers that are REAL ID compliant, Higdon said. While a passport or permanent resident card is another form of a REAL ID, the most common is a drivers license, indicated in Kentucky by a black star in the upper right corner. If the government holds to the May 7th deadline, a REAL ID will be required to access military bases or federal buildings, and itll be needed for any air travel. If it goes into effect, were going to see an equal and more severe problem at our airports. When people show up to fly and they dont have a real ID, Higdon said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, cosigned by 27 other GOP state senators, Higdon asks for a delay and explains how the state has faced limited appointment availability and long wait times at regional drivers licensing offices A year would do; two years would be perfect, he said. Higdon believes that, if implemented on May 7, the requirement could put additional strain on those offices that are seeing more in-person visits for more than just REAL ID. I think its over 100,000. Im going to get you the number. More appointments being scheduled because of the vision screening than we used to. That means theres been a huge shift from online to in-person, right as these other things are happening, Gov. Andy Beshear told FOX 56 during Thursdays Team Kentucky briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beshear said he agrees that a delay is needed, and both he and Higdon are encouraged that some relief is coming down the pipes when third parties like AAA can start issuing renewals in June when Senate Bill 43 takes effect. Higdon is also encouraging those that dont plan to fly soon or visit a military base to not worry about getting one. Your standard Kentucky drivers license is still a good tool. It helps with identification. Its all you need to go vote, he said. So far, Noem has not responded to the letter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. With the sudden news of Pope Francis passing, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William will be attending the pontiffs funeral on April 26. The question is: will Kate Middleton be joining him? According to the Royals schedules, Prince William will be attending the funeral on behalf of The King. The tradition comes after King Charles attended Pope John Paul IIs funeral in 2005 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth. The now-Queen Camilla didnt attend the funeral with Charles. The funeral was also held a couple of days before Camilla and Charles wedding, which the couple had to postpone due to the Popes death. More from StyleCaster Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its likely that Kate Middleton wont be attending the event with her husband due to the same tradition. But the Prince of Wales will soon reunite with his wife because of their upcoming schedules and their wedding anniversary. They will be visiting Scotland, where the couple fell in love when they were college students at St. Andrews College. The news comes after William made a move that blindsided Buckingham Palace. Insiders reported that the Prince of Wales transitioned to his late-mother Dianas lawyers. The Prince of Wales has been regularly using his fathers lawyers Harbottle & Lewis and its partner, Gerrard Tyrrell. Harbottle & Lewis has also represented the Royal family for decades. William made the move to Mishcon de Reya, which represented Princess Diana in her divorce from Charles a year before her accidental death. William wanted to strike out on his own, a source tells the Daily Mail, which broke this news. He did not want to continue using his fathers lawyers. Its as simple as that. He wants to be his own man. While the law firm did represent Diana in her divorce, the company also specializes in dispute resolution, private client & family law, real estate, reputation protection, and innovation & technology. Again, there isnt a thing to be worried about for the state of Prince William and Kate Middletons marriage. Kate Middleton returned to public duties after she announced her remission after her cancer diagnosis and thanked her husband for his continuous support. The Scotland trip marks Kate Middletons first overnight trip after her cancer diagnosis. Best of StyleCaster Sign up for Stylecaster's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) At least two lightning deaths have been reported in the U.S. in the last two weeks and both incidents were related to fishing. The first lightning-related death took place on April 11 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. A 39-year-old man was reportedly struck by lightning while fishing from a boat with his son and friends. He later died as a result of the incident. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Meanwhile, the second death took place on April 22 when a 68-year-old man was reportedly fishing from a boat on a reservoir in Rankin County, Mississippi when he was struck and killed by lightning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incidents are a stark reminder of the dangers of lightning while out on a boat. Courtesy: Glenn Sparks Fishing is the activity that leads to the most lighting deaths in the United States, said Johnson Jensenius, a lightning specialist with the National Lightning Safety Council. In fact, since 2006, we have now seen 44 lightning deaths related to fishing activities. Boating also leads to quite a few fatalities. Weve seen 25 fatalities for boating. So, between fishing and boating, a total of 69 fatalities since 2006. Courtesy: National Lightning Safety Council The most important thing to know is that if you are going out on a boat, you should monitor weather conditions before you go out, Jensenius advised. If storms in the forecast, consider canceling or postponing the activity. If you do go out, monitor weather conditions, keep an eye on the sky, and if you hear thunder, you need to get to a safe place right away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want the forecast delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the News 2 Forecast Newsletter Keep in mind when you are out there, you do need to account for the amount of time its going to take you to get back and to get into a safe place. Source: WKRN You can only hear lightning about ten miles out from a storm, and lightning can strike outward ten miles, Jensenius explained. So, if you are hearing thunder, even a distant rumble, you are within striking distance of the storm. People often wait too long to get to safety, and that puts them in a dangerous and potentially deadly situation. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Take advantage of modern technology. Have an app on your phone that monitors radar and lightning data. Our News 2 Weather App will notify you when lightning is in your area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, lets have a safe fishing season, and when the thunder roars, get off of the lake and indoors. Dont forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker 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 WKRN News 2. This article is part of HuffPosts biweekly politics newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Last month, 14 tornadoes struck Arkansas over the course of two days, killing three people and leaving 32 more injured. The deadly outbreak damaged or destroyed 500 homes, cars and businesses, leaving behind more than $8.8 million of storm damage. As is customary, Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders asked the federal government for help. After a major disaster, the usual procedure is for the federal government to issue a disaster declaration, setting the wheels in motion for the Federal Emergency Management Administration to step in with funds to help the state clean up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But President Donald Trump said no. In a letter from April 11, the federal government said it had determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies. Arkansas was on its own. Since his return to power, Trump has been on a rampage, cutting federal funds, firing government employees and threatening his enemies with political retribution. The federal government, his thinking seems to be, is no longer there to provide services to Americans, but rather a weapon to use against any person or institution that dares to question his policies. And among his targets has been FEMA which he has signaled hed like to dismantle altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While visiting the sites of the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year, Trump told reporters that Americans dont need FEMA, they need a good state government. He added, FEMA is a very expensive, in my opinion, mostly failed situation. The environment for demonizing FEMA was ripe. In September 2024, just before the presidential election, Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction in Western North Carolina along with a deluge of misinformation. Fueled by outright lies from the Trump campaign, right-wing activists claimed the state had been abandoned by the Biden administration. They claimed that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were diverting funds for the state and sending them to undocumented immigrants instead. FEMA paused door-to-door visits during the cleanup after several workers were threatened with violence. But that was tame compared to the egregious lie that the storm was somehow created by the government and sent to destroy North Carolina. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), known for embracing nonsensical conspiracy theories, hinted that she believed the storm was created by the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes they can control the weather, she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Its ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it cant be done. Trump floated his plan for FEMA while visiting North Carolina shortly after his second inauguration. Id like to see the states take care of disasters, he said. Let the state take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen. And, in liberal California, Trump went further and said he would like to see concessions from Democratic-run states before allowing FEMA aid to flow. But still, Trump had made punishing his enemies including blue states and rewarding his allies a key theme of his campaign. So, when tornadoes hit Arkansas, a state that voted for Trump three times, with the last election being the highest margin for a GOP candidate since 1972, and whose governor was his former press secretary, residents perhaps didnt think FEMA denials would apply to them. Clearly, they were mistaken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders filed an appeal one week after the denial, detailing the destruction, deaths and injuries that occurred across the state. [W]ithout the support of a Major Disaster Declaration, Arkansas will face significant challenges in assuming full responsibility and achieving an effective recovery from this event, she wrote. This major Trump ally had been reduced to begging him for help. Arkansas federal lawmakers are also asking the president to reconsider. [T]hese storms caused catastrophic damage across the state, resulting in disastrous amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the deaths of three Arkansans, and injuries to many more, the states two U.S. senators and four U.S. House representatives said in a letter. If this is how Trump treats his friends, how will he treat his enemies? Typically after a disaster, a state will need to ask the president to declare a major disaster, a request which is usually fairly pro forma. If they agree, FEMA is able to disburse aid, which often comes in the form of workers to help clear debris and staffers who process claims for individuals and provide monetary aid to state and local governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But federal funds are Trumps favorite weapon hes threatened to withhold them from universities, school districts, states and cities he doesnt like putting blue states on edge. And now its increasingly seeming like even red states wont be spared from the presidents reckless cuts. The idea that the federal government is the enemy is a common sentiment among the right, because they believe it tramples on their idea of freedom and personal liberties. The idea has been supercharged since Trumps return to power. Aided by the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, which essentially calls for the decimation of the federal government, Trumps move to dramatically reduce the size and scope of the federal government has been cheered on by Republican electeds and MAGA voters who saw the federal government as a shadowy entity that doesnt do anything for the common people. In this view, the government is overrun with radical leftists doling out checks to undeserving liberals in the form of government assistance and fat paychecks for lazy bureaucrats. But one of the first things Sanders did after tragedy hit her state was reach out to the federal government. Because, in reality, the government provides goods and services like public education, national parks and disaster relief. It almost becomes unthinkable that states would ever be able to recover without long, costly recovery periods that would come out of state and local budgets, Craig Fugate, the former FEMA administration under the Obama administration, told NBC News in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without FEMA, states and cities would be left to fend for themselves. Charitable groups would still be able to respond after a storm or wildfire, but they dont have the capacity of the federal government. As a result, places with more wealth and resources would likely be able to recover after disasters faster than smaller, poorer or more rural places. Arkansas is one of the poorest states in the country, with about 15% of the population living in poverty, according to U.S. Census data. Sanders also noted in her appeal letter to the Trump administration that the state was still recovering from storms that struck in 2024 and resources were already stretched thin. Arkansas predicament could signal a coming shift. According to a CNN report published Friday, acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton wants to upend how the agency handles disasters, making it harder for states to qualify for help by drastically increasing the amount of damage that qualifies, denying all major disaster declarations that are related to snowstorms, reducing the amount the federal government will pay and more. The proposal also comes as hurricane season approaches, threatening to leave communities in dire need of help out to dry. Already, Washington state received a denial letter earlier this month after a windstorm left $34 million in damage in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an era of billion-dollar disasters fueled by climate change, FEMA has already been busier than ever while being stretched thin due to staffing challenges. In 2022, the Government Accountability Office report said the agency was short-staffed and dealing with retention problems. Staffing issues have led to slowed recovery efforts in communities experiencing disasters. But that hasnt stopped the Trump administration from cutting workers and threatening to eliminate the agency altogether. As part of the Elon Musk-led DOGE cuts, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the department, announced that 200 FEMA staffers had been fired in February. FEMA staff are some of the most critical and needed in the federal government, Rob Moore, a policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a February report. Slashing these employees indiscriminately will put more Americans in harms way, and means we will have slower and less-coordinated recovery efforts. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and one that may be increasingly common for GOP politicians in the coming years: Her state is being completely screwed over by Trump, but she cant call him out and risk the political fallout. Nor can she lay the blame on the policy of government and budget cuts, which the Republican Party has largely stood behind. Meanwhile, Arkansas residents are set to bear the brunt of the suffering. It turns out the federal government wasnt the enemy until now. Description Mr. Wehrheim will discuss the challenges and the successes the town has faced so far. The event starts at 8:30 a.m.d Supervisor Wehrheim brings over 50 years of public service to the table, starting his career with the Town of Smithtowns Department of Parks, Buildings, and Grounds in 1972. After rising to the rank of Director, he was elected to the Town Council in 2003 and became Town Supervisor in 2018. A Vietnam War veteran, Wehrheim is a third-generation Kings Park native who has made it his lifes work to serve the Smithtown community with distinction. Under Supervisor Wehrheims leadership, Smithtown has experienced a true renaissance grounded in smart growth, fiscal discipline, and innovative planning. His administration has secured over $83 million in grant funding, which has been strategically reinvested into critical infrastructure, parks, and economic development initiatives. Major downtown revitalizations in Kings Park, St. James, and Smithtown are transforming local business districts through the installation of new sewer systems, modernized streetscapes, and comprehensive beautification efforts. The adoption of Smithtowns first Comprehensive Master Plan since 1957 has safeguarded suburban neighborhoods while introducing diverse housing options tailored to both seniors and young families. Thanks to Supervisor Wehrheims responsible financial stewardship, the Town of Smithtown has consistently introduced and passed budgets that remained under the tax cap earning and maintaining a prestigious AAA bond rating from Moodys Investors Service. As a result, Smithtown is recognized by the New York State Comptroller as one of only three municipalities in Suffolk County with zero fiscal stress. Supervisor Wehrheim is a full-time public servant whose tireless dedication to Smithtown has earned him numerous community awards for projects like the recent restoration of Callahans Beach and the revitalization of Lake Avenue in St. James. A proud Vietnam War veteran who served two tours with the U.S. Navy, he remains a steadfast advocate for veterans, seniors, and youth. He also is an active member of local organizations including the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary, Smithtown Historical Society, and BPO Elks Lodge. Nigel Farages Reform UK have hit 30 per cent for the first time in the weekly tracker poll conducted by Techne UK for The Independent. After a massive victory in Mays local elections where the party won 10 councils and 677 seats, Reforms climb in the polls continues while the slide continues for both Labour and the Tories. Ahead of the local elections on 1 May Reform were tied with Labour on 25 per cent each but have gained five points in the last month while Labour have fallen three points to 22 per cent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Tories who were on 23 per cent just before the local elections have seen their support collapse six points in a month to 17 per cent, now just one point ahead of the Lib Dems on 16 per cent. The Greens have also benefited rising by two points to 9 per cent. Techne UKs chief executive Michela Morizzo said: It seems the political landscape in the UK is evolving more rapidly in a totally new direction than ever before in history. This weeks polling revealed that voters aged over 45 are more likely to support Reform with backing for Farage increasing the older people get. Voters aged 35 to 44 are evenly split at the top between Labour and Reform while voters under 35 are more likely to support Labour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than half (52 per cent) of Tory voters from last years election have now switched to Reform. However only 10 per cent of Labours 2024 election voters back Reform now with more (12 per cent) going to Lib Dems. The figures will only add to questions about Tory leader Kemi Badenochs ability to survive while they also appear to have pressured Sir Keir Starmer into a U-turn on winter fuel. Since Sir Keir Starmers government took over, Labour have seen a decline in support. The Conservatives, too, have been unable to keep momentum in opposition, and have fallen to 21 per cent support. Meanwhile Reform, which won an unprecedented 14.3 per cent of the vote in the July general election, has continued to make steady gains, overtaking the Tories in January, and now sit alongside Labour at the top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is important to note, however, that national voting intention polls do not tend to accurately reflect the picture at local elections, but they can provide a useful snapshot of political sentiment. For some voters, political parties play little part in their choice for local councillors, while others might vote solely based on party affiliation. Standing on the balcony of the White Houses Blue Room, flanked by the First Lady on one side and the Easter bunny on the other, Donald Trump declared: Religion is coming back in America. The president made the announcement as he kicked off the annual Easter Egg roll, this year freighted with unexpected significance, falling on the day that Pope Francis was pronounced dead. Mr Trump paid tribute to the pontiff, describing him as a very good man who loved the world and taking the opportunity to say he agreed with the late Popes message of tolerance on migrants. He did not elaborate further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Christianity has always been a dominant force in US politics, Protestant Evangelicalism has long been the denomination favoured by Republicans. But with the return of Mr Trump to the White House, and his stated ambition to bring about a new golden age in America, Catholicism appears to be the religion most prominent among Maga Republicans. Credit: Reuters At least a third of his cabinet are Roman Catholic, with many of his top team and followers using their faith to justify the presidents policy agenda. For some, its really the choice to join the last vestige of the Roman Empire, said Massimo Faggioli, professor of historical theology at Villanova University. We need to save the West, thats why we become Catholic, he added, explaining the thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JD Vance converted in 2019, and is seen as a trailblazer in popularising the faith in the Republican political sphere. Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, who is of Cuban heritage, is also a practising Catholic. Press secretary Karoline Leavitts Catholic faith is so intertwined with her work that she leads her team in prayer before every media briefing. Six of the nine US supreme court justices are members of the Catholic Church, too. Credit: X/@MargoMartin47 A number of high-profile Trump-backers have also converted to the faith in recent years, including Russell Brand, who was baptised in the Thames last year, and launched a Christian prayer app part-funded by Mr Vance. Tammy Peterson, the wife of Canadian psychologist and academic Jordan Peterson, also converted last Easter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candace Owens, the far-Right media personality, converted last year, as did pro-Trump comedian Rob Schneider. Catholicisms resurgence can be seen at a grassroots level as well, with dioceses across America seeing the number of people converting this Easter jump by up to 70 per cent on previous years. You have many of these who come from the Protestant Church and become Catholic because they think that Catholicism is the only possible refuge against post-modernity and the secular world, said Prof Faggioli. Russell Brands baptism in the River Thames last year However, the surge in conversions is not just a turn towards Catholicism, but a highly specific version of it: one described as muscular Catholicism that casts itself in opposition to the modernising approach of the Church in Rome and progressive US politics, and emphasises American strength as a core tenet of faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study published by the Catholic Project at the Catholic University of America found almost all priests ordained in 2020 or later described themselves as moderate or conservative. This marks a stark contrast to the 50 per cent of priests ordained in the 1960s, who described themselves as politically liberal. A conservative Catholic revival has been brewing for decades in the US in response to liberalising reforms to the Church in Rome, with tensions coming to a head during Joe Bidens presidency, when Catholic concerns about culture war issues mapped neatly onto Republican talking points. Candace Owens converted to Catholicism last year - The Washington Post The Democrats wholescale embrace of progressive policies issues such as transgender ideology and abortion under the Biden-Harris administration sparked fury among conservatives. Kamala Harriss support for such policies during her presidential campaign is also thought to have contributed to large numbers of mostly Catholic Hispanic Americans voting for Mr Trump in last years election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump boosted his vote share among Latino Catholics from 31 percentage points in 2020 to 43 per cent, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. Despite Mr Biden being a Catholic himself, and Mr Trump not, the Republicans effectively seized on the groundswell of Catholic opposition to Democrat policies, publicly courting non-establishment leaders, including many on the radical fringe. A Catholic Prayer for Trump dinner in March last year charged $1,000 for the chance to break bread with the president and pray for America at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Credit: Anadolu Agency via Reuters Connect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also accused the Biden administration of persecuting Catholics, releasing Make America Pray Again merchandise and vowing to create a task force to fight anti-Christian bias, which launched this week. Meanwhile, Ms Harris came under heavy criticism during the election campaign for failing to attend the annual Al Smith dinner, which raises money for Catholic charities. Brad Vermurlen, Faculty fellow at the Nesti centre for faith and culture at the University of St Thomas, attributes the swing of Hispanic Catholic towards Mr Trump to voters feeling burned by a consistent stream of anti-Catholic rhetoric coming from the Biden-Harris administration. They got fed up with the rainbow flags hanging from the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where John F Kennedy felt compelled to distance himself from the Roman Catholic Church in 1960, describing himself as the Democratic Partys candidate for president, who happens also to be a Catholic, the faith has become a badge of honour for Maga Republicans. When Mr Vance converted, he described it as join[ing] the resistance, while Steve Bannon, another Catholic and host of the influential War Room podcast, has cast the vice-president as a St Paul figure, spreading the gospel of Trumpism. JD Vance attends the Good Friday Mass on 18 April - ETTORE FERRARI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The growing popularity of Catholicism in the US is particularly pronounced among young men, tapping into another reservoir of support for Mr Trump. Catholicism hasnt made concessions to the feminist movement in the sense of access to ordained ministry, said Prof Faggioli. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has become identified with a certain kind of sexual morality, with natural law, and theres the whole sense that the tradition of the liturgy, going back over a thousand years of uninterrupted continuity. Unlike the Church in Rome under Pope Francis, who spoke out strongly in support of migrants, appointed women to high-ranking Vatican positions and struck a more conciliatory tone towards LGBTQ people, authorising blessings to same-sex couples, US Catholicism places a greater emphasis on conservatism. Clearly it is a different type of Catholicism compared to Roman Catholicism of the 20th century, said Prof Faggioli, describing the movement as a backlash against the so-called Vatican II progressive reforms of the 1960s that aimed to make the Church more relevant and accessible to the modern world. The new Conservative movement is really a revanchist movement against all possible updates of the Catholic Church, said Prof Faggioli, adding that this clash became explosive under Pope Francis. Dioceses across America have seen the number of people converting this Easter jump by up to 70 per cent His papacy galvanised an existing strain of traditionalism in the American Catholic church, with critics, including some clergy, accusing him of sowing confusion over fundamental church doctrines and haphazardly rushing through reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The late Pope clashed with a number of prominent US Catholic leaders, and in 2023 lamented the backwardness of some American conservatives, warning about how ideologies replace faith. A few months before he died, Francis engaged in his final high-profile skirmish with his US flock in a letter to American bishops stating that deporting migrants violates the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families. The challenge of a nationalist Catholicism is very old its the story of relations between Catholicism and the rise of the modern state or empire, Prof Faggioli said. The United States is just a new unknown, because once you could count on the US. Now, you dont know what to expect. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) As the Vatican prepares for Pope Francis funeral this weekend, local clergy members in our area are reflecting on interactions they each had with the pope. 28/22 News spoke with some of the clergy from saint peters cathedral here in Scranton who had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis, they say he was a wonderful man. Hes good man, good man. Were going to miss him, said Deacon Ed Shoener, Diocese of Scranton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local medical organizations come together for Wellness Day Deacon Ed Shoener has met with Pope Francis not once, but several times, through his work in a ministry. We have a ministry called a catholic mental health ministry, which is a new ministry in the church that we started about five or six years ago, and we work with the popes prayer network, explained Deacon Shoener. That partnership led to meetings in Rome, and a deeply personal encounter earlier this year. My wife was able to come, and our personal experience with mental health is that our daughter had bipolar disorder and died by suicide in 2016, and we had a prayer card made up, and I was thorough that my wife was able to meet the pope, and explain to him what happened, he was very sympathetic, understanding, and he took my wifes hand, blessed the card, it was beautiful, it was just wonderful., stated Deacon Shoener. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deacon Shoener says Pope Francis helped bring awareness to mental health through the church. For Father Tudgay, the experience was just as powerful meeting Pope Francis while studying canon law in Rome. We were brought into the Domus Santa Marta, and we waited about 10 minutes, and all of a sudden there was a glass door, and you could just kind of see this, like white, you know, person emerging. Of course, we knew as the holy father, and without any entourage, just in a very simple way, came into the room, said Rev. Tudgay. What followed was a heartfelt lesson about their mission back home. There was an image, Our Lady Undoer of Nots. He said, youre going back to your home diocese, and your task as canon lawyers is to go back and help people undo these knots, to allow the work of the church to uncomplicate peoples lives. It was something that Ill never forget. It was really incredible, stated Rev. Tudgay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father Tudgay and Deacon Shoener say their experiences with Pope Francis were extraordinary, and he will be deeply missed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Easter is behind us, and next up is Mothers Day. A local organization asks you to help them make sure no mom is forgotten. Volunteers of America has an annual campaign called I Remember Mama now running for more than 35 years. The Upstate New York chapter is right now accepting donations to share flowers, gifts, and thoughtful cards with local moms who may have no one to honor them. The president and CEO stopped by the News 8 at Sunrise studio explaining that women so often spend all their lives caring for others, so this is a chance to repay their love and hard work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that theres many women in our community that wont feel so special, because maybe the people in their lives are not here to acknowledge themwhether its because theyve been separated from some of those that love them or theyve just outlived them. So we want to make sure they feel acknowledged and show them how important they are, explains Dr. Junior Dillion. The VOA hopes to make at least 200 gift packages this year for the women in the programs low-income housing as well as across the Greater Rochester region. Dillion says every $45 received equals one delivery. The deadline to donate is May 3 so the gifts arrive in time for Mothers 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 RochesterFirst. U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., talks to voters through a virtual town hall meeting on March 25, 2025. (Screenshot from Fedorchak website) North Dakota U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak will host a second telephone town hall at 7 p.m. Central on Thursday. North Dakotans who want to participate in the conversation must sign up on Fedorchaks website by noon Thursday. The town hall also will be livestreamed on her website and also on her official Facebook page, but people will not be able to ask questions through those platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fedorchak, a Republican in her first term, held her first tele-town hall in March, addressing issues such as Social Security. Im eager to hear what North Dakotans are concerned about and, in turn, how Im thinking about and addressing these consequential issues, Fedorchak said in a news release. U.S. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas shared a stage with a cardboard cutout of Republican Rep. Gabe Evans of Fort Lupton at a "People's Town Hall" event hosted by Colorado Democrats in Thornton on Thursday. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) Democrats, progressive groups and constituents in Colorados 8th Congressional District are keeping up the pressure on Republican U.S. Rep Gabe Evans of Fort Lupton as the GOPs narrow House majority closes in on drastic federal budget cuts that could have a big impact in the battleground district. More than 100 people gathered Thursday in a high school auditorium in Thornton for the latest in a series of Peoples Town Halls organized by the Democratic National Committee across the country, in districts where Republican members of Congress have declined to hold in-person town halls themselves. In place of Evans, attendees asked questions of Rep. Greg Casar, a Democrat in his second term representing Texas 35th District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My title actually isnt congressman. The title is representative, Casar told the crowd. And the person that is supposed to be representing you here in Colorado is not acting like a representative. Hes acting like an employee of the Trump-Musk organization, and hes not going to show up and answer your questions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Casar and Colorado Democratic Party Chair Shad Murib shared the stage with a cardboard cutout of Evans complete with chicken legs for a lawmaker who Rebecca Miller, a hospice nurse criticizing Evans support for Medicaid cuts, said was too chicken to hold a proper town hall. Im sure you recognize my voice, since I call you at least once a week, Miller told the cutout. Hey Gabe, did you know that 25% of your constituents are on Medicaid? Thats 73,000 people that youre getting ready to kick off their health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans and his fellow Republicans in Congress are pursuing a major rewrite of the federal budget, and have approved an initial plan calling for trillions of dollars in tax cuts paired with trillions more in cuts to spending programs, including $880 billion in cuts to be made by the committee that oversees Medicaid. That legislative effort has coincided with an unprecedented executive power grab by President Donald Trumps administration, which has attempted to shut down congressionally-authorized agencies and departments, freeze spending programs, order mass layoffs of federal workers, and take other actions that run contrary to longstanding separation-of-powers principles in the U.S. Constitution. After multiple House Republicans faced backlash from constituents over the GOP agenda during town halls earlier this year, party leaders advised their members to stop holding in-person events, Politico reported. Evans, serving his first two-year term after defeating former Democratic Rep. Yadira Caraveo by about 2,500 votes in the 2024 election, appears to have listened. To date, he has held just a single telephone town hall, answering a select handful of questions on a call that many constituents reported was plagued by technical issues. Rebecca Miller, a hospice nurse from Adams County, asks a question to a cardboard cutout of U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans at a Peoples Town Hall event hosted by Colorado Democrats in Thornton on Thursday. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) They were told by House Speaker Mike Johnson not to have town halls, so theyre just doing what theyre told, Casar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though he represents one of the countrys most evenly divided congressional districts, Evans a former Arvada police officer and Army veteran who served one term in the state Legislature before running for Congress has done little to distance himself from Trump and his agenda. He has endorsed Trumps plans to carry out the mass deportations of more than 12 million immigrants in the country without authorization and backed the presidents chaotic efforts to launch a global trade war. In a statement, Delanie Bomar, an Evans spokesperson, called Casar a far-left activist who wants to see socialism and transgenderism take over America. He represents the total opposite of Congressman Gabe Evans commonsense and winning plan of improving public safety, the immigration system, and the economy, Bomar said. Any day with Greg Casar in Colorados 8th District is a day that helps re-elect Gabe Evans in 2026. With Evans absent, critics of the Republican agenda have sought to fill the vacuum with events of their own, including a March 22 event in Northglenn organized by local groups. Last month, more than 10,000 people turned out for a rally in Greeley to hear from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who taunted Evans from the stage for refusing to meet with his constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays town hall was jointly organized by the DNC and the Colorado Democratic Party. Two other events are planned for this weekend: a Medicaid-focused event organized by labor groups, scheduled for Friday evening at the Thornton Community Center; and a town hall at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Moxie Theater in Greeley. Medicaid cuts The 8th District is Colorados most diverse about 40% of its residents are Latino and most competitive House seat. Drawn by an independent redistricting commission after the 2020 census awarded Colorado an additional congressional seat, it extends from Denvers northern suburbs to Greeley and more rural areas in southern Weld County. With Republicans holding just a three-vote majority in the House, the 8th District race could again prove crucial in determining control of Congress in the 2026 midterms. Caraveo earlier this month announced she would seek to win her old seat back next year, but first she faces a primary contest against Democratic state Rep. Manny Rutinel of Commerce City. Murib said that despite Democrats relatively strong performance in Colorado in 2024, the loss of the 8th District race was a disappointment the party is eager to make up for next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are not going to let Gabe Evans continue to be employee of the month for Donald Trump, Murib said. We are not going to continue to let this cardboard cutout stay away from the people. Polls show that cuts to Medicaid, which provides health care to more than 1 in 5 Americans, are deeply unpopular, with 82% of Americans believing that funding for the program should be increased or kept the same, according to a March KFF survey. House Republicans budget resolution mandates $880 billion in cuts to be made by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid spending. Evans has claimed that there are a wide range of places where those cost savings can be found, but Medicaid makes up 93% of the spending that could be cut by the committee, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said last month. A spokesperson said Evans meant only that the full $880 billion in cuts would not come solely from Medicaid, and that cuts to the program are part of the conversation. The nonprofit KFF estimates that even if all other spending overseen by the committee were fully eliminated, the GOPs budget plan would require a minimum of $700 billion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years or a 10% reduction in projected spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Casar noted that with Republicans holding only a razor-thin majority, it would only require a handful of GOP House members to replace the chicken legs with normal legs to derail the budget plan. Your organizing from here over the course of the next few weeks could save Medicaid as we know it, Casar said. Thats why I got on a plane all the way over here to do this. I know we can and will do it. Editors note: This story was updated at 9:55 a.m., April 25, 2025, to clarify Evans comments on the Medicaid cuts required by the GOP budget resolution. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Friday demanded answers about the arrest of a local Wisconsin judge by federal authorities for allegedly helping an immigrant avoid arrest. The Trump administration must explain to the American people the legal basis for arresting a Wisconsin judge or drop all charges immediately, Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote in a social media post. We will never be intimidated by these far right extremists, the House Democratic leader added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), the chambers minority leader, accused Trumps team of seeking to bully judges into submission. This is a dangerous escalation, an attack on the separation of powers, and we will fight this with everything we have, Schumer tweeted. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a side door last week after learning that immigration authorities were seeking his arrest. The man was taken into custody outside the courthouse after agents chased him on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan was released Friday after a brief appearance in federal court. She faces two felony charges of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. The judges arrest dramatically escalates tensions between federal authorities and state and local officials, whom President Trumps administration has accused of interfering with his immigration enforcement priorities. It also comes amid a growing battle between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary over the presidents executive actions over deportations and other matters. Attorney General Pam Bondi called Dugan deranged and said her actions endangered the public. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) called the arrest of Dugan a gravely serious and drastic move that threatens to breach the separation of powers between the branches of government. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders and arresting a sitting judge, this president is putting those basic democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line, Baldwin said. Caution mixed with optimism yesterday as investors pulled $1.2 billion from the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), which had gained 28% for the year through Tuesday's session on concerns that markets would continue tumbling as a tariff war played out. At the same time, they poured $832.8 million into the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)while the S&P 500 index rose 2.5%as the White House sought to calm investors' fears over the fate of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and and the future of Chinese tariffs. Top 10 Creations (All ETFs) Top 10 Redemptions (All ETFs) ETF Daily Flows By Asset Class Net Flows ($, mm) AUM ($, mm) % of AUM Alternatives 0.32 9,598.88 0.00% Asset Allocation -65.08 22,647.70 -0.29% Commodities ETFs -1,388.19 211,806.16 -0.66% Currency 327.66 108,014.12 0.30% International Equity -358.09 1,599,839.47 -0.02% International Fixed Income 67.04 275,969.97 0.02% Inverse -23.90 15,304.72 -0.16% Leveraged 355.13 90,808.38 0.39% US Equity 103.19 5,953,757.04 0.00% US Fixed Income -365.56 1,625,370.97 -0.02% Total: -1,347.49 9,913,117.41 -0.01% Disclaimer: All data as of 6 a.m. Eastern time the date the article is published. Data are believed to be accurate; however, transient market data are often subject to subsequent revision and correction by the exchanges. Permalink | Copyright 2025 etf.com. All rights reserved PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) was greeted to the sound of booing during her fourth town hall with hundreds of her constituents in Vancouver Thursday night. The second-term congresswoman received tough feedback from those who voted for her, facing major backlash for her vote in support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, among other things. DA Vasquez disgusted by MultCo budget proposal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people at the town hall started booing immediately after Gluesenkamp Perez stepped onto the stage. The congresswoman was not able to get many words in throughout the entire hour-long event. Many people at the event who spoke with KOIN 6 News said they wanted their voices heard. People who voted for Gluesenkamp Perez expressed disappointment with some of her political stances. The SAVE Act that Gluesenkamp Perez voted for would require all Americans to prove their citizenship when voting. Its a bill she said wont pass in the Senate. Americans believe that only US citizens should be determining the outcome of American elections. And any idea that I am standing to disenfranchise people is patently false, Gluesenkamp Perez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I came here to hear what she has to say. Unfortunately, it always sounds like the same thing, said Anna Brouns, a longtime District 3 resident. Brouns explained that while she understands he representatives hands may be tied, she still wants more to be done. She said she wants Gluesenkamp Perez to be angry. I wish that she would stand stronger and voice more of like, This is what Im doing. Im doing x, y, z. Im talking to the Republicans. Im trying to get them to shift. That would be helpful. Instead of talking about shop class, Brouns said. How Portland is reckoning with $1B infrastructure gap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Gluesenkamp Perez closed out her town hall, it was clear from the vocal disapproval in the audience that many constituents were still not satisfied with her message. I am committed to being here and present and available and accountable and trying to have as productive of a conversation as we can, Gluesenkamp Perez said. KOIN 6 News Reporter Ariel Iacobazzi asked if she could speak with Gluesenkamp Perez briefly after the event. Her team said no, saying they had to get the congresswoman out of there for security reasons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Rep. Joe Morelle (D) shared a continued push for children to get vaccinated against measles, following the nationwide outbreak still seen across the U.S. The number of measles cases nationally has climbed four times as high from 2024. Its been over 20 years since a child in our country died from the measles. At just three months into this year, two children have already died and behind each of these cases is a terrified parent facing a sleepless night in the ER, said Morelle, who represents the 25th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As doctors have explained, the disease is highly contagious but is preventable with immunizations. It can linger in a room for two to three hours after someone who has been infected has had it. This is of great concern to my families who have babies and children who have not yet been immunized. Its easy for them to get it if its in a place they can come into, said Dr. Catherine Goodfellow, a Rochester-area pediatrician. Public health officials have traced many of the measles outbreaks to international travel as well as declining vaccination rates, especially among young children. Whats even more alarming is more than two-thirds of the confirmed cases are under the age of 19. [Its] children who should be spending their days on the playground and hopefully enjoying the warm weather, certainly not in hospitals fighting for their lives, said Morelle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information on measles from the NYS Health Department can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (KLFY) An unidentified Louisiana college student was shot during a robbery while on Spring Break in Florida, authorities said. According to a post on the Walton County Sheriffs Office Facebook page, deputies responded to a shooting around 1:15 a.m. Thursday off Holiday Road in Miramar Beach, Florida. The victim, visiting from Louisiana, was robbed and shot by someone matching the description of a car burglary suspect from incidents reported over the weekend, according to the post. Deputies arrived at the scene and transported him to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, the Walton County Sheriffs Office responded to multiple reports of car burglaries in Miramar Beach. Early Thursday morning, the sheriffs office began to receive additional reports of vehicle burglaries at a parking lot, as well as burglaries along the Highway 98 corridor west to Miramar Beach. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Deputies have detained three suspects in Cook County, Georgia, Thursday in connection with the shooting and the burglaries, officials said. No other details were released. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. On Thursday, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 22, giving the government more control over ballot language. Some argue that this will clear a path for state officials to restrict access to abortion and reproductive health care across the state. So, what exactly is Senate Bill 22? Lets start with the basics. Ballot language is the wording that appears on a ballot; its what voters read when theyre deciding how to vote on a particular issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE detains mother at citizenship appointment in Kansas City, family says Senate Bill 22 says if the court finds a ballots summary statement to be insufficient or unfair, it can order the Missouri Secretary of State to rewrite it, up to three times. If the court still finds it to be unfair after the three revisions, the court gets to write the summary statement itself and order it to appear on the ballot. The bill also expands the Missouri Attorney Generals ability to appeal preliminary injunctions on laws that violate the Constitution. It does not allow for any other party to appeal the granting or denial of a preliminary injunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a notice of appeal on Thursday after the bill was signed by the governor, seeking to reverse the preliminary injunctions currently blocking Missouris total abortion ban. TODAY: I filed a notice of appeal challenging the Courts decision to strike down common-sense health and safety standards. Missouri women deserve basic protections that safeguard their health and lives. Im fighting to defend these standards and uphold the rule of law. Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) April 24, 2025 The ACLU of Missouri, Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers on Thursday issued the following statement: A majority of Missouri voters passed Amendment 3 to end Missouris abortion ban and protect reproductive freedom. Rather than following the will of the people, the same anti-abortion politicians that fought against Amendment 3 and lost at the ballot box have changed the rules of both the initiative petition and the court procedures so they can try to reinstate Missouris abortion ban. Patients deserve more access to health care, not less. We will fight these attacks on our fundamental rights to ensure all Missourians continue to have access to abortion and the reproductive care 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley begged Trump to impose more sanctions on Russia, something the president will almost certainly never do. IVE SEEN ENOUGH KILLING OF INNOCENT UKRAINIAN women + children. President Trump pls put the toughest of sanctions on Putin, Grassley wrote on X. U ought to c from clear evidence that he is playing America as a patsy. This post comes as the Trump administration signals that it will abandon Ukraine and allow Russia to continue its takeover of the country under the guise of a ceasefire. On Thursday, Trump told reporters that Putin not colonizing Ukraine was some kind of concession. Earlier in the day, he had begged Putin on Truth Social to stop the attacks on Ukraine, but by Friday, Trump had gone back to pressuring Ukraine to sign a mineral rights deal with the United States. Trumps close relationship with Russia is a massive change in foreign policy protocol that has even traditional Republicans like Grassley disturbed. Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton the architect of the House budget prepares to present the spending plan to the House on April 24, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The majority of Statehouse Democrats opposed the 2025 budget crafted over four months and passed by Republicans early Friday morning decrying unvetted last-minute additions and cuts. For chief House budget architect Rep. Jeff Thompson, the budget was one that lives within our means following a grim financial forecast the week before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Todd Huston gave a robust defense and rare floor appearance in favor of the legislation after nearly two hours of debate. House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, listens to testimony on April 24, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) This budget does so much. It continues to invest in K-12 education in every way. Even with a surprise shortfall in revenue, we made sure we protected K-12 and we did that, said Huston, R-Fishers. House Bill 1001 builds on whats taking place in Indiana. It builds on that success. When we see a challenge and when we get a challenge we meet it and we excel through it. Democrats largely opposed the measure, citing the lack of funds for child care and Medicaid waiver waitlists while wealthy Hoosiers get tax dollars to send their children to private schools. This budget doesnt just keep our government running, it impacts the real people the Hoosiers that are depending on us. Theyre counting on us to pass a budget that, yes, will get balanced. But, more importantly, one that reflects their needs and values, said Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Chesterton. Unfortunately, this budget falls short of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Included in the last version of the budget is an expansion of school choice voucher eligibility, meaning that even families earning more than $220,000 an estimated 3,000 students will qualify. One member from each party crossed caucus lines in the House, but it moved out of the chamber on a 66-27 vote. The bill fared roughly the same in the Senate, where two Republicans voted against the proposal but one Democrat supported it, for a final vote of 39-11. It now moves to Gov. Mike Braun for his signature. Democrats lament funding shortfalls The budget didnt only impact K-12 education, but also the states various higher education institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Matt Pierce, a Democrat from Bloomington, railed against last-minute language, slipped in without public testimony, that would give Braun complete control over the Indiana University Board of Trustees. Other provisions would require reviews of tenured professors for productivity and publicly posted syllabi. April 24, 2025, is a date that will live in infamy, said Pierce, who is employed by IU. The faculty of our state universities were suddenly and deliberately attacked by the Republican supermajority. Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, speaks from the floor on April 25, 2025. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Rep. Chris Campbell highlighted another $1 million budget cut to a housing first program. Those dollars caused homelessness rates to drop by 14% in 2017, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without this program our communities rely on to assist the unhoused, we should expect homelessness to not only continue but to likely increase, said the West Lafayette Democrat. I dont understand how a legislature that has spent a lot of this session trying to criminalize homelessness is now trying to eliminate the one tool we have been using since 2017. The latter portion refers to an effort that would crack down on homelessness by making street camping on public property a crime. That language appeared in a handful of different bills but didnt cross the finish line before the legislators left Indianapolis. Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, criticized the elimination of public broadcasting and trails funding. She said she would have supported cuts to the line items in light of the states finances, but zeroing out these programs is a mistake that tells us they may never come back. But the narrowed eligibility for subsidized child care would make the shortage of options for parents worse, not better, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant afford to make that cut in this budget. This is actually, exactly the moment we should be stepping up our investment in child care. Or, at least maintaining it, she said. But, instead, this budget steps back, choosing to invest in the wealthiest who dont need it instead of those who do. In response to Democratic concerns in the Senate, Sen. Ryan Misher, the bills sponsor, said the measure builds for the future. I know theres really no one going home feeling like they had a big win here not a year that anybody would feel like its a big win, concluded the Mishawaka Republican. I think the best way to look at it is that it could have been much worse. Republicans add their concerns While no House Republicans other than Thompson and Huston spoke on the budget, a handful of Senate Republicans chimed in including two with several qualms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mike Young criticized his fellow Republicans for adding 14 pieces of language that have nothing to do with the budget, including language on carbon sequestration. He also bemoaned individual line item increases while taxes on gas continue to grow. Theres all kinds of things in this current budget, said Young. I think I wouldve looked at more of the cutting than I would about more of the spending which they did. Additionally, cigarette taxes will increase by $2 per pack, with proportional increases for other forms of tobacco. Those dollars will bring in an estimated $850 million in the next biennium. Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, said he was struggling to support that tax increase but focused on the positives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres too much good in there to not vote for this budget, he said. While Young voted against the measure, Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, supported it despite her reservations. We dont have enough money for health care and for Medicaid, but we can give a millionaire a voucher to send their kids to private school. Its unconscionable, said Becker. But the biggest thing Im disappointed in is the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the fact that we didnt fund it. That line item was $6 million in the last budget cycle. First Lady Maureen Braun has vowed to raise those funds. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Donald Trumps one big, beautiful bill will be a top priority for Republicans as Congress returns from its two-week recess next week. To pass the presidents tax breaks, significant cuts to Medicaid are on the table. We all recognize that the real savings is going to be from Medicaid and other programs, said U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.)during the Semafor 2025 World Economy Summit Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haridopolos continued, We have a responsibility to take care of our most vulnerable, but we are putting those people in jeopardy when illegals, people who truly dont qualify or able-bodied Americans are preying on this system and taking from this system that is desperately needed by so many Americans. Haridopolos said those who are pregnant, have disabilities and live in nursing homes would not see cuts to Medicaid. During the swearing in of his Medicare and Medicaid administrator last week, President Trump said, Just as I promised, there will be no cuts. Were not going to have any cuts. Were going to have only help. Democrats warn this type of uncertainty is already impacting providers and their patients back home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The margins are so slim and huge concerns about how they predict, how they plan and where do they go from here, said U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) Warner said the Republican plan could devastate healthcare in his state. Depending on how deep the Medicaid cuts go, we could see virtually every hospital west of Roanoke close down, Warner said. Data from Virginia Health Information shows that would mean roughly two dozen hospitals. GOP leaders want to vote on legislation by Memorial 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. This coverage is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Sign up for Votebeat Texas free newsletters here. Democratic lawmakers and Texas voters spent nearly four hours at a legislative hearing Thursday demanding to know how a GOP-backed bill to require citizenship proof from voters would work, and warning that it could disenfranchise eligible Texans. Houston voter Jacqueline Altman told members of the House Election Committee that it recently took her two days to obtain a copy of her birth certificate from the county, a process that required her to miss work to sit in county offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When decisions are being made about these kinds of documentation, I ask that we take all of that into consideration. said Altman, one of around a dozen Texans who testified in opposition to the bill. House Bill 5337 goes further than the laws and proposals in some other states, in that it would apply retroactively to already-registered voters in Texas, not just new applicants. Texas has more than 18 million registered voters. Officials with the Texas Secretary of States Office told lawmakers Thursday that they estimate around 500,000 currently registered voters who dont have a drivers license number or Social Security number in their voter registration record would have to provide proof of citizenship. That group could include many people who registered before the early 2000s, when federal voting laws began requiring people obtaining state-issued IDs or drivers licenses to provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. Election officials said many are likely elderly. How big a problem is noncitizen voting in Texas? HB 5337 is identical to Senate Bill 16, which passed the state Senate along party lines and with little debate earlier this month. The House version of the legislation is co-sponsored by 50 Republican lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation is modeled after an Arizona law that requires proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. The Texas legislation would also bar voters who dont provide citizenship proof from voting in presidential elections; a similar restriction in Arizona has so far been blocked by federal courts. The Texas bills would also require local election officials to continually check the citizenship status of voters on their rolls and subject the officials to potential felony charges if they lapse. In Arizona, a state error tracking proof of citizenship recently left election officials struggling to consistently administer the requirement. Republican lawmakers in Texas have for months been responding to a nationwide GOP campaign to raise alarm about the threat of noncitizen voting, even though available evidence shows it is extremely rare. In December, the Texas Secretary of State told the Legislature that in 2024, election officials canceled 63 registrations for noncitizenship and 124 for failing to respond to a notice requesting proof of citizenship. Voters who failed to respond to a notice could still be citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Thursdays Elections Committee hearing, state Rep. Carrie Isaac, a Dripping Springs Republican leading the push for the House version of the legislation, said the goal is to prevent all noncitizens from registering to vote. Isaac cited an announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott last fall that 6,500 noncitizens had been removed from Texas voter rolls prior to 2024. An investigation by Votebeat, Texas Tribune and ProPublica found Abbotts numbers were inflated and, in some instances, wrong. In a span of three years, the state actually removed 581 people as noncitizens. The remaining 6,000 or so were people who had failed to respond to a notice asking to confirm their citizenship, which doesnt mean they werent citizens. The investigation indeed found that some eligible citizens had been flagged as potential noncitizens and removed from the rolls. State Rep. John Bucy, a Democrat from Austin and vice chair of the Elections Committee, described the data Isaac cited as misleading and pointed out that election officials already check the rolls for potential noncitizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system we have is working, Bucy told Isaac. We're catching people. We're cleaning the rolls, and they're not voting. Isaac said the number of documented cases of noncitizens voting may seem small but said there was no reliable way to measure the scope of it because the current system doesn't require documentation of citizenship. The bill would cost state officials nearly $2 million over the next five years to implement, according to the bills fiscal note. That number doesnt include the costs for local election officials. Some Texans dont have access to citizenship documents Research suggests that lack of accessible citizenship documentation could be a more widespread issue than noncitizen voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to lack documented proof of citizenship, a 2024 study by the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland found. One percent of Republicans do not have it, the researchers found, and 7% cannot easily access their documents, while nearly all Texas Democrats have documented proof, and 4% cannot easily access it. The study also found that younger Texans are three times more likely to have trouble accessing their documented proof of citizenship than older Texans. Under the legislation, voters could fulfill the requirement by providing any of the following: a copy of a U.S. passport; a passport card; a certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory; United States citizenship papers; identification issued by the U.S. agency responsible for citizenship and immigration; or for citizens born outside the U.S., a consular report of birth abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who shows up to the polls who has yet to provide proof of citizenship will have six days to provide it in order for their full ballot to count. If a voter does not provide it, only the votes in congressional races will be counted. The list of accepted documents does not include tribal documents, which Arizona does accept. Cecilia Flores, the tribal council chairwoman for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, which is located in East Texas, asked lawmakers Thursday to include tribal documents in that list. In Arizona, a Votebeat analysis found voters living on tribal land were more likely to wind up on the federal-only voter list, signaling they may struggle to provide citizenship proof. While many of our tribal citizens may possess a proper birth certificate, my mother was born in 1928 and I have never seen her birth certificate, Flores said. Bucy asked Isaac and other Republicans on the committee to consider amendments to the bill that would expand the type of acceptable IDs and documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House bill was left pending Thursday. The House and Senate must both pass the same version of the legislation, which would then go to Abbott for his signature. Natalia Contreras covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with the Texas Tribune. She is based in Corpus Christi. Contact Natalia at ncontreras@votebeat.org. 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. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A researcher discovered hidden messages called hieroglyphic cryptographies on the Luxor Obelisk in France. Some of the hidden messages were propaganda asserting Ramses IIs power. Messages on one side of the obelisk would have only been read by wealthy nobles approaching by boat. Ramses IIalso known as Ramses the Greatruled Egypt for 66 years, and his reign is considered to be the epitome of power and glory in Egypt. Despite his military shortcomings, Ramses II leaned into an exhaustive public relations campaign, erecting more monuments (and siring more children) than any other pharaoh. And he is still influencing history to this daya researcher just discovered several hidden messages inscribed on one of the obelisks he commissioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monument in question is the Concorde (or Luxor) Obelisk , now located in Place de la Concorde, Paris, France. It originally stood outside the Luxor Temple in Upper Egypt, alongside a twin obelisk, and both pillars were built around the 13th century B.C. Experts can date the engravings back to Ramses II, as they included both names he went by during his reign. Both monuments were later gifted to France by Pasha Muhammed Ali, but because of transportation costs, only one tower was relocated in 1833. Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier, the epigraphist who discovered the hidden messages, did so by accidenthe was merely on his daily stroll. I would walk to [the obelisk] and read the hieroglyphs on its faces to relax, Olette-Pelletier told Sciences et Avenir . At one point, I realized something unusual: the direction of the hieroglyphs indicated a direction, that of the entrance to the portico of the Luxor Temple. But that was only the beginning. Olette-Pelletier explained that he realized there was no literature discussing the different scenes, so he began studying the images from afar. He eventually realized that the obelisk contained hieroglyphic cryptographies, or hidden messages. These encrypted messages are often secret texts inserted into hieroglyphs or hidden in 3D carvings. While some Egyptians would have been able to read hieroglyphs, only the elite would be able to decipher these hidden messages, Olette-Pelletier explained. Interestingly, the hidden messages on the Seine side (once the Nile side) of the obelisk could only be read at a 45 angle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I calculated where to stand at the time to be able to admire this part of the obelisk, I ended up right in the middle of the Nile, Olette-Pelletier said. And then I understood: it was only intended to be seen by the nobles arriving by boat at the temple of Luxor during the annual Opet festival, celebrating the return of the life forces of the god Amun. Olette-Pelletier said the hieroglyphic cryptographies were a true propaganda message to remind other powerful nobles of Ramses IIs mighty sovereignty. The researcher also discovered hidden bull horns on Ramses IIs headdress in one scene, which he said meant ka or vital force of the divinity. A rectangle meaning to appease was also present. Olette-Pelletier explains that, when put together, the phrase would read Appease the ka-force of Amun, reminding people to make offerings to the gods. After intense study, the epigraphist identified a total of seven sets of crypto-hieroglyphics on the obelisk. His findings will soon be published in the journal ENIM. In our written language, we can now clearly distinguish the text from the image, Olette-Pelletier said. These new discoveries remind us that among the Egyptians, they were one. You Might Also Like Having significant capital in the bank when investing in equities is helpful, but is by no means necessary. Even with a relatively modest sum, like $30, it's possible to acquire one whole share of a top corporation that's likely to perform well in the long run. If you're patient and hold on to it through the kind of market volatility we're experiencing, while occasionally purchasing more shares, that should result in excellent returns. Which stocks trading for less than $30 per share are worth investing in today? Let's consider two great options: Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Adyen (OTC: ADYE.Y). 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 1. Pfizer After hitting about $60 per share in late 2021, Pfizer's stock price has been in free fall, currently standing at just under $22. The pharmaceutical giant is no longer generating tens of billions of dollars in sales from its COVID-19 portfolio. It will soon face important patent cliffs, including that of Eliquis, a blood thinner. And though Pfizer has developed and launched some brand-new products in recent years, none looks quite promising enough for the company to get back in the good graces of investors. However, this is a case where patience will be rewarded. Pfizer has steadily built a deep pipeline over the past few years, especially in oncology, where it will likely report significant clinical and regulatory wins in the (relatively) near future. It also expanded its arsenal of tricks by getting into areas such as mRNA vaccines. Meanwhile, Pfizer's financial results aren't as bad as its stock-market performance might suggest. After a period of declining year-over-year revenue, the drugmaker turned that around: It turns out that Pfizer's coronavirus products are still contributing a meaningful amount to its top line, and that will continue for the foreseeable future, since COVID is here to stay. Solid financial results and a deep pipeline that will lead to new blockbusters: That's how Pfizer can get back on track. And the company has a strong dividend program. It currently offers a forward yield of 7.8%, which compares extremely favorably to the S&P 500's average of 1.3%. Pfizer may not be for everyone; growth-oriented investors should look elsewhere. But income seekers looking for a solid blue chip investment to hold on to over the long run should look no further. 2. Adyen Adyen is a Netherlands-based fintech specialist that provides multiple offerings, including payment gateways, payment processing, and risk management. Its services are particularly valuable to multinational companies, as they would otherwise have to rely on a clunky collection of region-specific companies to get everything Adyen offers on a single, integrated platform. That's why its list of clients features some big names including Microsoft, Uber Technologies, and Spotify Technology. It's no secret that Bitcoin has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity over the years. While the Bitcoin price index can often be volatile, its value has also seen dramatic increases. However, Bitcoin mining can have major environmental impacts that may prohibit countries like the United States from meeting air quality standards. What impact does Bitcoin mining have on air quality? In a recent study published in the journal Nature, a team of researchers found that the electricity consumption of Bitcoin mining in the U.S. is causing measurable challenges to air quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers identified the 34 largest Bitcoin mines in the country in 2022. They then located the corresponding electrical plants that powered each mine, "and pinpointed communities most harmed by Bitcoin mine-attributable air pollution." Ultimately, their findings indicated that "from mid-2022 to mid-2023, the 34 mines consumed 32.3 terawatt-hours of electricity," or the equivalent of "the annual demand of three to six million homes." Of that electricity, 85% was generated by fossil fuels, a significant source of particulate matter or PM pollution in the air. As noted by the researchers, the air pollution resulting from Bitcoin mining could pose a public health risk. "We estimated that 1.9 million Americans were exposed to 0.1 g/m3 of additional PM 2.5 pollution from Bitcoin mines, often hundreds of miles away from the communities they affected," the co-authors wrote. Why is this increase in air pollution concerning? Exposure to PM 2.5 particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less has been linked with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions as well as "premature death in people with heart or lung disease," per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Research is also being conducted to study possible connections between PM 2.5 exposure and other health concerns, such as newborn health and skin conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the potential health consequences of an exposure increase of 0.1 g/m3 of PM 2.5 as noted in the study are not unpacked by the researchers in this paper, we do know that poor air quality can cause adverse effects, especially for vulnerable populations. Pregnant people, children, older people, and marginalized communities are the most likely to be affected by this type of pollution. And while it cites a considerably higher increase, for comparison's sake, the Natural Resources Defense Council has noted that "an increase of just 10 g/m3 of PM 2.5 in the air increases the risk of someone dying from heart disease by 10 percent." There is also the question of the potential impact of particulate matter on animals and plant life. Increased air pollution from Bitcoin mines may also hinder progress in reaching air quality milestones. The study noted that "additional Bitcoin mine-attributable PM 2.5 emissions could slow efforts to attain the new National Ambient Air Quality Standard." How could the regulation of Bitcoin mining help address air pollution? A number of countries have introduced regulations to minimize or ban cryptocurrency mining, some at least in part to conserve energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, China became the most high-profile example of an outright ban, which the country reportedly enacted in part to curtail energy use. However, the move ended up shifting crypto mining to other countries, including those with fewer renewable energy resources. In a 2022 interview with the New York Times, researcher Alex de Vries noted the impact of the mining ban. "There was a lot of optimism that China banning Bitcoin mining would make mining more green," de Vries said. "But the fact is, it was already a dirty business and it just got worse." The public could pressure policymakers to require crypto mining to be powered entirely or mostly by renewable energy. However, it would be important to put guardrails in place to ensure crypto couldn't overtake renewables and leave less for people to meet basic energy needs with clean sources. 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. By Ahmed Kingimi MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Gunmen have killed at least 20 people in an attack in a gold mining village in Nigeria's northwestern Zamfara state, residents and Amnesty International said. Details on a possible motive for the attack were not immediately known but Zamfara state has grappled with kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs, who also target security forces. Zamfara police's spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ismail Hassan, a resident, told Reuters gunmen in their hundreds opened fire on miners on Thursday afternoon and a firefight ensued with over 20 people dead in the mining village of Gobirawa Chali in the Maru local government area of Zamfara state. Another resident, Isah Ibrahim, said they had recovered 21 bodies following the attack and that several were injured. Amnesty International said in a statement the gunmen went house-to-house in Gobirawa Chali, killing over 20 people. Armed gangs of men have killed and kidnapped hundreds across northwest Nigeria over the past two years, typically operating from remote forests. The country's thinly stretched armed forces have struggled to secure the large, remote regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigeria's military is stretched by insecurity across the country, including an Islamist insurgency in the northeast, deadly farmer-herder clashes in the central belt and clashes with separatist movements in the south. (Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) A day's burst of rainfall in late March over Bengaluru, India, collected 2 million liters of water in two lakes on the outskirts of the city, rejuvenating the direly low water levels. "The lake was rejuvenated through the relentless efforts of residents, [nongovernmental organizations] and [corporate social responsibility] funding," explained K Ramanath Rao, the executive director of Kasturingar Welfare Association that worked on the restoration, to The New Indian Express. "Seeing rainwater enter the lake from the inlet for the first time since I moved here 14 years ago is an incredible feeling." According to the Deccan Herald, the past year was busy for local and international NGOs working to restore the lakes by "clearing the inlets and outlets, destilting, fixing the bund and fencing the lakes to deter garbage and construction debris dumping." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NGOs were able to monitor the unbelievable rainfall levels through solar-powered radar-based sensors installed within the lakes. The project began in 2023 when the area faced a severe crisis in groundwater levels. The lakes were once thriving before urbanization and environmental degradation overtook them. Restoring these lakes means positive advancements in the groundwater crisis within Bengaluru. The city has no river running through and faces a daily water deficit of 500 million liters. It also means a rebuilt ecosystem within and around the lakes that will support the food chain. Now, residents are hoping the lakes can remain protected under the Forest Department of India's jurisdiction, which would mean they are protected from further encroachment. A CEO of one of the NGOs that helped with monitoring the restoration, Deokant Payasi of SayTrees told the Deccan Herald: "A single day's rainfall filling these two lakes up by 2.1 million liters of water goes to show that if we catch the rainfall properly, we will have more than enough water to recharge our borewells." 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 Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing oversees restaurant inspections in Iowa. (Photo via Getty Images; DIAL logo courtesy of Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing) State, city and county inspectors have cited Iowa restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations during the past four weeks, including serious offenses related to rodents, rotten vegetables and other issues. The findings are reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. Listed below are some of the more serious findings that stem from inspections at Iowa restaurants, stores, schools, hospitals and other businesses over the past four weeks. (It appears that DIAL has not updated its online food-inspection database since April 17, so this story does not include any inspections that took place after that date.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inspections department reminds the public that their reports are a snapshot in time, and violations are often corrected on the spot before the inspector leaves the establishment. For a more complete list of all inspections, along with additional details on each of the inspections listed below, visit the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensings website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Pizza Hut, 1616 N. 2nd St., Clinton During an April 4 visit, a state inspector cited the establishment for handwashing violations, a lack of sanitizing solution for the dishwasher, and for multiple products including sausage, chicken, cheese and ham that were stored in a cooler despite being labeled keep frozen. Also, wire shelving in the kitchen was soiled with grease, food debris, and dust, as were the kitchen walls and the exterior surfaces of some kitchen equipment. The inspector also noted a dark, gummy residue on the floor in the walk-in cooler, and a similar dark residue on the floor in the walk-in freezer. The inspection was in response to multiple non-illness complaints pertaining to facility cleanliness, employee hygiene, food temperatures, lack of date-marking, and staff supervision. The complaints were deemed verified, the inspector reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement La Casa Maya 2, 101 SE 2nd St., State Center During an April 17 visit, a state inspector observed a worker handling raw meat and then handling ready-to-eat food without disposing of their soiled gloves or washing their hands between the two tasks. In the refrigerated food-preparation table in the kitchen, sliced lettuce was being held at 47 degrees, sliced tomatoes at 47 degrees and pico de gallo at 46 degrees too warm to ensure their safety. Inside a walk-in cooler, the inspector found cooked chicken and cooked pork carnitas that were not marked with a preparation date or a discard date. In addition, there was red salsa and queso cheese dip that had been prepared April 9, eight days prior to the inspection, which had to be discarded. Also, the handwashing sink in the kitchen was unable to produce hot water and there was no hand soap available. The inspector also reported that cooked birria, cooked ground beef and cooked pork carnitas were being cooled in full, deep pans inside a walk-in cooler, slowing the cooling process and creating potential risks, and fish was being thawed while still inside vacuum-sealed packaging, creating a risk that any spoilage would go undetected. In addition, the inspector reported there were sticky traps for flying insects hanging over the food preparation area in the kitchen, and multiple pans of cooked beans and a large pot of cooked birria were being stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler. Red Ginger, 1301 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City During an April 17 visit, a Johnson County inspector observed that two food employees didnt wash their hands before donning gloves and handling food. Also, all of the containers of raw seafood and vacuum-sealed fish in the sushi sections coolers were storing food above the maximum temperature of 41 degrees. Because the person in charge stated the food had been there less than four hours, the items were relocated to the restaurants main refrigeration unit to ensure they were chilled to a safe holding temperature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, one refrigerator contained raw chicken and raw shrimp that was being held at 45 to 57 degrees. Because the person in charge stated the items had been there less than three hours, they were relocated to the main refrigerator for cooling. The inspector also noted that several containers of prepared foods in the walk-in cooler had no date markings to ensure freshness and safety. In addition, the dishwasher was not reaching 165 degrees and was in need of repairs; the handwashing sink could not produce hot water; the sanitizing solution used in the sushi section was too highly concentrated, making it too strong for safe use; fish was being thawed while still in vacuum-sealed packaging, creating a risk that any spoilage would go undetected; and all of the coolers used in the sushi section were unable to maintain a temperature of 41 degrees or below. Also, the shelving units inside the walk-in cooler had an excessive buildup of dust, debris and rust on their surfaces, and there was a buildup of food and debris on the floors of the walk-in freezer. St. Kilda Collective, 333 5th St., West Des Moines During an April 15 visit, a state inspector observed a food-service employee eating while washing items and another worker handling ready-to-eat toast with their bare hands. Also, raw chicken was being stored above raw salmon inside a cooler, risking cross-contamination, and cooked sausage links were being held at 75 degrees, which was not hot enough to ensure safe consumption. In addition, a slicer used two days before the inspection remained visibly soiled, and both handwashing stations in the kitchen had no hand soap available and no single-use towels for hand drying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beaver Tap, 4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines During an April 15 visit, a state inspector cited the restaurant for 12 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number, and determined that not all of the employees designated as the person in charge were certified food protection managers as required, and that the person in charge at the time of the inspection was not fulfilling their duties as evidenced by the number and type of violations cited. The inspector reported finding prepared wings that were left out and which measured 93 degrees, which was not hot enough to ensure safe consumption. Inside a walk-in cooler, the inspector found wings that were measured at 73 degrees and 89 degrees, and rice that was measured at 93 degrees and 44 degrees. The inspector also found Raid insecticide that was not approved for use in a food-service establishment, and food items, such as ground meat and pasta, that were cooling at room temperature inside deep, covered containers, which slowed the cooling process. The inspector also reported food debris and a buildup of grease on the floors, under equipment, on storage shelving and on the walk-in coolers floor and shelves. The visit was in response to a non-illness complaint that was deemed verified, although the inspectors report does not describe the nature of the complaint. JWs Pub and Grub, 58 SW Miller Ave., Cedar Rapids During an April 11 visit, a Linn County inspector cited this establishment for eight risk-factor violations. The inspector noted that an employee was observed handling warmed breadsticks with her bare hands, and that biscuits dated April 4 were expired and had to be discarded. Also, macaroni and cheese had been heated in a microwave to 57 degrees rather than 165 degrees or hotter, utensils were being stored in a container of water, and there was no sanitizing solution prepared at the time of the inspection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy presence of mice and mouse droppings in the establishment ... Mouse-like droppings present on floors, cabinets, and racks. Scott County food-safety inspector commenting on Golden Mart in Davenport Golden Mart, 1026 W. River Drive, Davenport During a March 31 visit, a Scott County inspector observed bags of chips that were chewed open by mice and found that prepared salads were being stored with raw chicken in the walk-in cooler. Also, potatoes were being stored on the floor of the kitchen, and corn dogs and burritos that were stored in a hot-holding display unit were measured at 115 to 120 degrees too cool to ensure they were safe to eat. The food was discarded with the inspector noting that the hot-holding unit may need to be replaced. The inspector also noted that the potato cutter, the freezers in the kitchen, the Slushie machine, the fountain-drink machine, the racks inside the walk-in coolers, and the coffee machines were each marred by debris and gunk. Also, chicken livers were left out to thaw at room temperature, and racks and cabinets in the retail sales area were marred by debris and rodent droppings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heavy presence of mice and mouse droppings in the establishment, the inspector reported. Mouse-like droppings present on floors, cabinets, and racks. The visit was in response to a complaint related to cross-contamination of food items and and general sanitation. The complaint was deemed verified. Bickford Cottage, 101 New Castle Road, Marshalltown During an April 11 visit to this assisted living center, a state inspector cited the facility for 10 risk-factor violations and noted the center had no certified food protection manager on staff. The inspector observed that a jar of jelly used for a recent meal was not sourced from an approved vendor and was canned at home by an employee. Also, an open package of ham was stored inside the same container as raw ground pork, risking cross-contamination, and raw fish fillets were cooked to a temperature of only 115 degrees until the inspector intervened and instructed the staff to continue cooking the fillets. Also, there was no detectable level of sanitizer in the sanitizing solution that was being used, and the interior of the ice machine had a buildup of red/brown material on the dispenser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, the food thermometers that were on hand appeared to be inaccurate, with one of the devices showing a deviation of 30 degrees when compared to a calibrated food thermometer. The inspector also noted that a large pork roast was stored in an opened package with the meat uncovered and exposed, risking contamination, and that the interior of a residential style refrigerator was marred by a buildup of food debris and spills. The facilitys kitchen last underwent a food-safety inspection in September 2023, according to state records. The Buffalo Tavern, 2016 S. Main St., Burlington During an April 10 visit, a Lee County inspector cited this establishment for holding cheesy potatoes, gravy, and cheese sauce at 115 degrees, which was not hot enough to ensure safe consumption. Also, the inspector reported, there was a waitress prep cooler temping at 60 degrees with ranch and other sauces an apparent reference to a cooler that wasnt keeping sauces at 41 degrees or colder. In addition, several food items including coleslaw, potatoes and sauces had to be discarded as they had no date-markings to indicate when they were prepared or would expire. The establishment also discarded a pan of cooked hamburger that was not date-marked, and a container of homemade special sauce that was dated Feb. 23, six weeks prior the inspection. In addition, the taverns mechanical dishwasher was not dispensing enough sanitizing solution, a food slicer in the kitchen was visibly soiled with a buildup of food, and the reach-in freezer, reach-in prep cooler, walk-in cooler and microwave oven were each marred by a buildup of food and debris. The inspector said there were issues with general facility sanitation throughout the kitchen and noted that the kitchen walls were visibly soiled with a buildup of some kind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fas Mart, 2175 Central Ave., Dubuque During an April 9 visit, a city inspector noted the store was unable to provide documentation of any workers being currently certified as food protection managers. The inspector reported that an open retail-display cooler was holding packages of hot dogs at 47 degrees, sliced cheese at 44 degrees, a chicken salad sandwich at 47 degrees, and butter at 47 degrees. All of the items were discarded. The inspector also found multiple sandwiches, wraps and pre-made burritos that had sell-by dates of April 2 and April 7, and which had to be discarded. In addition, the hot water in the handwashing sinks of both restrooms reached only 75 degrees, and there was no temperature-measuring device in the cooler that held food items for the stores roller grill. Swagat Indian Restaurant, 1108 Locust St., Dubuque During an April 9 visit, a city inspector found yogurt made two days prior to the inspection in three separate five-gallon pails that had yet to cool to 41 degrees or colder and had to be discarded. Also, the inspector reported finding multiple cooked foods including yogurt, chicken, a spinach dish, and chickpeas that were prepared more than 24 hours previously but which lacked any date-markings to ensure freshness and safety. All of the items were discarded. The inspector also determined the restaurant was producing homemade yogurt without the required variance or regulatory approval. In addition, the restaurant had not posted its most recent inspection report for customers to read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joensys Restaurant, 2563 N. Dodge St., Iowa City During an April 8 visit, a Johnson County inspector noted the establishment did not employ a certified food protection manager as required. Also, rotten and moldy tomatoes were observed stored in the walk-in cooler, and raw eggs were being stored above ready-to-eat food inside the cooler, risking cross-contamination. The inspector also noted that multiple containers of food within the walk-in cooler were left uncovered, creating a risk of contamination, and several containers of prepared foods and sauces lacked any date-markings to ensure freshness and safety. Debris was observed on a can opener, a food slicer, and two sets of tongs, although none of the equipment had been used that day. Several containers of food were being stored on the floor of the walk-in cooler and tongs were stored on a soiled rag between uses. The inspector also noted a buildup of debris on the walls and floor. The establishments most recent previous routine inspection was in February 2021, although there were several complaint-driven inspections or follow-up visits since that time. Very little date-marking was being done in the facility. Most date-marks appeared to have been put on as the inspection occurred. Linn County inspector commenting on Oyama Sushi Japanese Steakhouse in Cedar Rapids Oyama Sushi Japanese Steakhouse, 5350 NE Council St., Cedar Rapids During an April 8 visit, a Linn County inspector cited this establishment for 11 risk-factor violations, an unusually high number. The inspector reported seeing employees handling raw meat and seafood with gloved hands, then handling ready-to-eat food without first washing their hands. In addition, several different species of raw food products were stored in the same containers, risking cross-contamination, and several coolers had containers of food that were left uncovered. Also, the sushi preparation area did not have separate equipment for handling the raw and cooked products, and single-use gloves were seen being washed in a sanitizer bucket and then reused. In addition, cooked rice was being held at 44 to 49 degrees and had to be discarded. Very little date-marking was being done in the facility, the inspector reported. Most date-marks appeared to have been put on as the inspection occurred. The inspector also noted that access to the kitchens handwashing sink was blocked by empty kegs and sacks intended for to-go orders were being used to store raw meat. Line coolers and line equipment were soiled on the insides and outsides, the inspector reported. The visit was in response to an illness complaint which the inspector concluded was not verified. A Taste of China, 30 Pearl St., Council Bluffs During a March 24 visit, a state inspector found that the restaurant had no date-marking system in place to ensure that any of its food was safe and fresh. In addition, precooked chicken and eggs rolls were being held at room temperature and were not marked with the time at which they needed to be discarded. The inspection was in response to two illness complaints received by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. The complaints were deemed to be unverified. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Time's Eric Cortellessa joins Morning Joe to discuss an exclusive new interview with President Trump to mark his first 100 days. The Trump administration has reversed course on terminating the visa registrations of international students studying in the United States, according to Politico. The Department of Justice on Friday announced the reversal of the terminations in federal court. It came after weeks of scrutiny from courts and several restraining orders that were issued by judges who interpreted the mass termination of students from a federal database that universities and the federal government use to track international students in the country as illegal, Politico reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The terminations from the federal database, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database (SEVIS), resulted in more than 100 lawsuits, according to Politico. Judges in more than 50 of the cases ordered the Trump administration to temporarily undo the actions, according to Politico. There have also been lawsuits from students over the termination of their immigration statuses. Five international students filed a federal class action lawsuit last week in New Hampshire federal court that aims to represent more than 100 students in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico who had their F-1 student immigration status revoked by the Republican administration. The students are Linkhith Babu Gorrela, Thanuj Kumar Gummadavelli and Manikanta Pasula. All are from India and are students at Rivier University in New Hampshire, along with Hangrui Zhang and Haoyang An, both of China, who attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit asks the court to reinstate their F-1 student status, which would allow them to continue their studies, according to a press release issued last Friday from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire. According to the lawsuit, the visa terminations disrupted the students education in the middle of a semester as they worked to achieve degrees and followed all the rules required of them, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing them. Gorrelas graduation date for his masters program, for example, is May 20. With terminated F-1 statuses, the students are also now at risk of detention and deportation, the ACLU argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The terminations conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have been occurring since at least March 1, according to the ACLU. We continue to be alarmed by the Trump administrations sudden termination of student statuses at universities across the country without any notice or stated explanation, Gilles Bissonnette, legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, said. International students are a vital community in our states universities, and no administration should be allowed to circumvent the law to unilaterally strip students of status, disrupt their studies, and put them at risk of deportation, Bissonnette said More on education Read the original article on MassLive. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Local officials and RG&E observed Arbor Day by planting trees around the community on Friday morning. Arbor Day is a day to recognize the importance of trees and encourage individuals to plant trees in their communities. Locally, Mayor Malik Evans and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello participated in the holiday by planting trees at Genesee Valley Park. At Mount Hope Cemetery, RG&E also celebrated to push the companys commitment to the local environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Webster Highway facility celebrates completion Planting trees in our communities has countless benefits, arborist Kevin Fagan with RG&E said, They improve air quality and provide shade to help cool urban surroundings. Trees help reduce erosion, filter stormwater, support wildlife, reduce noise, and improve our overall physical and mental health. Native species to New York, including red oak, white oak, and sugar maple trees, were chosen for the project. According to RG&E, trees are the primary cause of power interruptions. The company intentionally planted trees in areas without overhead power lines to address this issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work continues beyond Arbor Day as RG&E vegetation management workers routinely trim and maintain the trees around 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 RochesterFirst. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) This has been a busy week for Gov. Larry Rhoden on the personnel front. On Friday, the new governor announced his selection of David Wheeler to succeed Third Circuit Judge Greg Stoltenburg upon Stoltenburgs retirement. Wheeler, a lawyer, resigned from the state Senate on Thursday. Man arrested for robbery near 10th and Cliff Gov. Rhoden requested suggestions from the public to fill the Senate vacancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That news came the day after Gov. Rhoden announced the promotion of Alvin Young to replace David Flute as state secretary of tribal relations. Young, whos been in law enforcement 23 years, was the state governments tribal law enforcement liaison. Young began his new role on Friday, succeeding Flute. Flute, a former chairman of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, and state Information and Telecommunications Commissioner Madhu Gottumukkala recently resigned from their positions in state government to accept new roles in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Kristi Noem had stepped down as South Dakotas governor in January, after her confirmation by the U.S. Senate as the nations new Homeland Security secretary. Rhoden had been her lieutenant governor and automatically succeeded her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Flute and Gottumukkala are joining Noem in the federal department. Flute becomes senior tribal advisor on Indian affairs. Gottumukkala is the new deputy director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). On Wednesday, Gov. Rhoden announced that Bill Even is returning to state government as the new commissioner of economic development. Even, who had served in past roles as state agriculture secretary and economic development director, recently stepped down as head of the National Pork Board. He succeeds Joe Fiala, who will continue in the role of deputy commissioner. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Friday morning to mark the completion and opening of the Berlin G. Myers Parkway extension. Construction of the Berlin G. Myers Parkway Phase III Project began in 2022 to improve safety, alleviate congestion, and improve the flow of traffic in the area. Officials with the South Carolina Department of Transportation said the project will reach completion ahead of schedule. Leaders from the department will be joined by officials from the Town of Summerville and Dorchester County on Friday morning to celebrate the opening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction included roughly 3.25 miles of roadway between U.S. Highway 17 Alternate and East Carolina Avenue. Other elements of the project saw construction along Sawmill Branch to help reduce the potential for flood-related impacts, and upgrades or changes to the Sawmill Branch Walk/Bike Trail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. German sportswear giant Adidas released preliminary first-quarter financial results with revenue of 6.2 billion ($6.9 billion based on current exchange rates), marking a 13% increase versus the prior year. The results matched analyst forecasts. The picture looks even better if you exclude Yeezy sales last year during the three months ending March 31, with revenues up 17%. In October 2022, Adidas cut ties with Ye, the rapper previously known as Kanye West, over his antisemitic remarks. Last year, Adidas sold its remaining Yeezy inventory and generated roughly $700 million of revenue, down from about $800 million in 2023. More from Sportico.com The company said it had double-digit growth across all markets and channels during the quarter. Gross margins ticked up almost a full percentage point, and the operating margin of 9.9% was up from 6.2% in 2024. It meant an operating profit of 610 million, up 82%, and well ahead of Wall Street estimates. Investors will be encouraged to see that strong brand heat continues to underpin impressive financial delivery, James Grzinic, Jefferies research analyst, wrote in a post-earnings note. Adidas CEO Bjrn Gulden said the results in the current volatile environment reflect the strength of our brand and strong performance by employees. The complete set of financial results will be published on Tuesday. Adidas performance stands in sharp contrast to Nike, which reported its third-quarter results last month for the three months ending Feb. 28. Revenue of $11.3 billion marked a 9% decline, and Greater China was the worst-performing market with revenue off 18%. Nike is embarking on a massive turnaround project under Elliott Hill, who returned to the company as CEO in October, replacing John Donahoe. Hill has vowed to bring innovation back to the brand and reestablish stronger relationships with retailers. With a 30% drop, Nikes stock was the second-worst performer among the 30 components of the Dow in 2024. It is down a further 24% so far in 2025 and is at levels not seen since 2018. Adidas stock price is up 66% since the start of 2023, when Gulden took over as CEO and was charged with his own turnaround. Adidas shares are down 11% in 2025 with the broader market. Best of Sportico.com Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A group of Rhode Island College students and faculty members gathered Thursday outside the R.I. State House to voice their disapproval with planned cuts at the school. RICs president, Dr. Jack Warner, announced in a letter that 20 degree programs will be suspended due to low enrollment, while 15 more will be consolidated. The cuts are effective this fall, but Warner said students currently enrolled in the affected programs will be able to complete their degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to data provided by RIC, some of the majors being cut have had only a handful of completions in recent years, while others havent had any at all. They include art and music education, creative writing, French and Portuguese. Warner said the school conducted a thorough review of its programs to weed out those with very low demand. For bachelors degrees, any program that graduates fewer than eleven students a year for three consecutive years should be subject to review. For masters degree programs, the threshold is fewer than six graduates for three consecutive years. All programs falling below these benchmarks were included in this review process, he wrote in the letter. See the full list of affected programs at the bottom of this article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attendees at Thursdays rally said theyre frustrated that they didnt have any input during the process. Theyre also troubled about the types of programs being cut. In national higher education, we are seeing a growing desire to cut the liberal arts in favor of pre-professional careers, one faculty member said. RIC student Judy LaRose told 12 News she isnt just upset about the cuts, but also the lack of warning. I was shocked. I was surprised because of the lack of communication leading up to, LaRose said. I just think that there could have been a lot better communication to the students and to the professors. I think we deserved that as the student body of RIC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This news may come as a surprise to some members of our campus community, and I understand that change of this kind is often a source of trepidation, Warner wrote in the letter. I cant emphasize enough that this work should be a regular part of our housekeeping processes; it only seems new and novel because it has not been done for so long. No faculty positions are expected to be impacted by the cuts, according to Warner. He said the college will next be meeting with leaders of the affected programs to hear any concerns. This is not easy work, but it is important, Warner added. The result will be a stronger, more effective and more efficient institution that better serves students and produces more graduates prepared to help power our state. 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. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and state Sens. Sarah Keyeski (D-Lodi) and Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) listen to community members at an April 24 roundtable in Richland Center. (Hery Redman | Wisconsin Examiner) RICHLAND CENTER In a 90-minute roundtable meeting at the Richland Center community center Thursday, President Donald Trumps name was mentioned just twice. But community leaders highlighted how his administrations policies are already wreaking havoc on the county with the sixth highest poverty rate in the state. About 15 area leaders representing small business owners, farmers, schools, hospitals and community advocacy groups met Thursday with state Sens. Sarah Keyeski (D-Lodi) and Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. Throughout the event, the attendees discussed how the policies and plans of Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress to cut or diminish Medicaid, Social Security and education funding while instituting widespread tariffs on imported goods from countries around the world and making it harder for migrant workers to obtain visas could decimate their region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of this is right. Where Im at that age in my life where I dont get more thoughtful, I get more pissed, Brett White, executive director of the Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, said. And because this is all not necessary, this is completely unnecessary, which means that its intentional. The group noted repeatedly that a cut to programs in one area had a ripple effect across every other community institution. White, and Chris Frakes, the organizations senior director, said that the cuts to Head Start early childhood education programming that have already come and are set to deepen under Trump are their biggest worry. There are currently about 70 kids in Richland County enrolled in Southwest CAPs Head Start program, according to Frakes. If those programs are lost, poor kids in Richland County will never catch up, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because we know if you enter kindergarten already behind, theres virtually no chance to catch up by third grade, Frakes said. If youre not on grade level reading in third grade, we know your life prospects go down dramatically, right? So Head Start fills this critical, vital need to get those kiddos onto par with their middle class peers when they hit kindergarten, so that they are ready to learn, and their families have the sort of surrounding supports, whether thats food, whether thats access to transportation, for medical care. If Head Start gets cut, the children who are affected will eventually reach Aaron Mithum, the middle and high school principal for the Kickapoo Area School District. Mithum says the district is waiting for the other shoe to drop on the future of the approximately $800,000 it gets annually from the federal government as Trump seeks to shut down the U.S. Department of Education. If Head Start leaves poor kids behind before they turn five, by the time they reach Mithum at a middle school thats also struggling financially, there wont be many options. Were getting them when they get into pre K or kindergarten, and now were trying to go from there, and now, all of a sudden, they dont have any of that foundational aspect, Mithum said. Its a building block, trickle effect, and not in a positive way. So now its that much harder for us to do what [Head Start wasnt] able to do, and it continues to go up. And its just really hard to think about, what does that look like? What does that look like to be a parent with a special ed kid who needs speech services or reading services, or whatever. And the answer is, sorry, not our problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the child care and education system of a community thats already seen the closure of its local University of Wisconsin campus faces the prospect of being unable to keep poor kids from falling behind, the areas food system is also being hit. Retaliatory tariffs on the areas wheat, corn and soybean farmers are hurting their ability to find international markets for their products while tariffs imposed by Trump have made fertilizer and machinery more expensive, said Sally Leong, Wisconsin Farmers Union member and former professor of plant pathology at UW-Madison. Those struggles are continuing to push up the price of food, causing local families to rely on food pantries more than used to, according to Jackie Anderson, executive director of Feeding Wisconsin. Under Trump, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) paused funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which Anderson said has amounted to about a 30% cut to what food banks are able to buy. USDA has also ended a program that connected local farms with food pantries to supply fresh produce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food banks are really looking at the bottom line and saying, like, How are we going to be able to get that amount of food here? Anderson said. The tariffs are also affecting the companies providing jobs in the area. Marty Richards, the county tourism director, said that Rockwell Automation has delayed and cancelled orders because of Trumps tariffs. Meanwhile its getting harder to find local workers and Trumps restrictive immigration policies have made it nearly impossible to hire migrant workers. Richards said the company has had a hard time getting workers from its plant in Mexico to come to the U.S. even temporarily for technical training Teri Richards, board member of the Greater Richland Area Chamber of Commerce, said the county desperately needs more people and she doesnt know where to find them. Were obviously not having enough babies. Were struggling to get that immigrant population and we cant keep stealing from each other, she said. So its time to go into Chicago or Milwaukee, to even get a few of those folks moved out here? I dont know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With fewer people moving in and federal policies discouraging investment from the business community and cutting funds from schools and child care, the community is also facing the management of an aging population. About 30% of the population is older than 60 and 14% is disabled, according to Roxanne Klubertanz, manager of Richland Countys Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). That aging population means the community is only going to become more reliant on federal programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Currently, the ADRC helps people in the community apply for Medicaid to pay for the services that will help them stay in their homes for as long as possible or move to an assisted living facility currently a cost of about $3,800 per month, she said. Republicans in Congress are currently weighing a budget proposal that would slash Medicaid funding. Klubertanz said without the program people wont be able to access those services and will ultimately get sicker and require a placement in a nursing home a cost of about $10,000 per month. So if that funding, that Medicaid funding, goes away, whats going to happen? she said. Maybe right away, youre going to see some decreases, but people are going to get sicker and need more services, and then they have to pay for that nursing home placement, which is almost three times the cost. So if youre trying to fix something today, you have to think about what its gonna be like in five years. Youve gotta have that long range thinking. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Family members report that they found a Richland teen who disappeared Monday morning. Tayla Hopkins, 15, was found safe on Thursday after her father and mother turned to police and social media for help. Her father Michael Guess spoke to the Tri-City Herald on Thursday about the search. Tayla left her house on Easter Sunday but after her family spent all day looking for her, she turned up with a 17-year-old ex-boyfriend from the Tri-Cities, Guess said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She returned home, went to bed but later left the house after using her sisters phone to call the ex-boyfriend, said Guess. He said he was particularly concerned because he believed theyd left the state. However, no other information was released later on where she was found. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Authorities are investigating after a road rage incident led to a man being stabbed multiple times in San Diegos Ridgeview/Webster neighborhood. According to San Diego Police, two men, ages 22 and 56, were involved in a verbal altercation with a 68-year-old man that stemmed from road rage. The incident happened Thursday around 12:40 p.m. while the men were traveling southbound near the 1700 block of Euclid Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vista man faces murder charge after hours-long standoff When they arrived at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Federal Boulevard, the 22-year-old man got out of his car and began vandalizing the 68-year-old mans vehicle. The victim then got out of his car with a 6-inch knife, but was disarmed by the 22-year-old who began stabbing him. The 68-year-old was stabbed approximately 10 times, police stated. He was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was last reported to be in stable condition, according to an update from police later that evening. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old suspect fled the scene after the incident and was arrested by police officers at Euclid Avenue and Groveland Street for attempted murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SDPD Southeastern Area detectives are currently handling the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Siouxland is the recipient of a big donation from Siouxland McDonalds locations. The donation of just over $6,533 is the result of local McDonalds Shamrock Shake fundraisers taking place in February and March. 25 cents from every Shamrock Shake sold at local McDonalds restaurants went to the Ronald McDonald House of Siouxland. National Music Museum receives $1M donation for renovations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were so thrilled every year that McDonalds is willing to do something like this to raise money through Shamrock Shakes or any of the other ways that they do it, said Christy Batien-Clark, Executive Director at RMHC of Siouxland. Were so thrilled they support us in this way, get the customers involved in supporting the Ronald McDonald House. Were so grateful for everybody that came out to buy a Shamrock Shake knowing that it was going to help the house. This money is going to help with our programs. The McDonalds in Vermillion, South Dakota sold the most Shamrock Shakes in the tri-state. The employees there will get a t-shirt for their efforts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) The roof of the Taco Bueno on the 800 block of Valley Mills Drive in Waco has collapsed due to Thursdays storms. The Waco Fire Department says its Technical Rescue Team is assessing damages. No injuries have been reported. (Courtesy: Waco Fire Department) (Courtesy: Waco Fire Department) (Courtesy: Waco Fire Department) (Courtesy: Waco Fire Department) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Royal Caribbean recently made a major change to the itinerary of several of their cruise routes. The popular cruise line will no longer be making stops at Labadee, Haiti. Labadee is home to a private beach resort owned by Royal Caribbean. The change is being made due to the increase in crime, gang activity, and political unrest in Haiti. The U.S. Department of State has given the island nation a level 4 travel advisory, the highest level alert they issue, citing, Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care. Royal Caribbean issued a statement and shared with Southern Living via email: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly." There are just under a dozen ships in Royal Caribbeans fleet that have itineraries that included Labadee. All but one of those ships departs from three Southern cities: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando (Port Canaveral). With Labadee temporarily removed from the routes, it is unclear if a new destination will be added in its place. According to Travel & Leisure, Labadee was very popular with Royal Caribbean customers. "Amenities like a rollercoaster, waterslides, and a water trampoline make this one of the best beaches in the Caribbean for families." This is a developing story. Read the original article on Southern Living Rudy Noorlander survived a grisly and grizzly bear attack in Montana in early September 2023 and not only lived to talk about it, but to tell jokes about the encounter. Friday at University of Utah Health, where he received multiple operations and other treatments, including a complete Jaw in a Day rebuild using his left fibula, Noorlander recounted what happened, surrounded by the surgeons and other experts who saved his life. And he made the audience laugh periodically, too. Noorlander, 63, owns Alpine Adventures in Big Sky, Montana. Hed gone into the woods that day to help a father-and-son pair of customers find the deer theyd shot. Along the way, he encountered a young bear, so he got out his gun in case he happened upon one of its bigger relatives. Hed met bears before without incident, but knew he needed to be prepared. Rudy Noorlander, right, speaks with member of his care team Dr. Richard Cannon, head and neck surgeon in otolaryngology at University of Utah Health, left, during a press conference discussing the care Noorlander received at University of Utah Health after a life-threatening grizzly bear attack on Sept. 9, 2023, in Big Sky, Mont., at University of Utah Health Clinical Neurosciences Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 25, 2025. Over the course of his treatment, Noorlander underwent three complex surgeries, including the hospitals first-ever Jaw in a Day procedure. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The gun misfired, so it wasnt enough to save him from an attack when a 10-foot grizzly charged him, raking his arm and chest. He tried to punch it in the face, but isnt sure if he connected. The animal then picked him up by his jaw and everything around him faded away, he said. He didnt hear his customers yelling and ultimately scaring off the bear. He didnt hear the bear growl. He just heard the crunch as his chin and jaw were demolished before the bear dropped him. He also suffered bites on his arms and legs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not once did he doubt that he would survive, he said, crediting God with intervening. Noorlander said he figured that If God saves you, its probably for a reason. Hes been pondering that. His doctors have told him that had the damage on his face been inflicted one-eighth of an inch in either direction, the bear would have hit an artery and hed likely not have made it. As he once told other reporters covering his medical journey, thats just half a tooth. Rudy Noorlander speaks during a press conference discussing the care he received at University of Utah Health after a life-threatening grizzly bear attack on Sept. 9, 2023, in Big Sky, Mont., at University of Utah Health Clinical Neurosciences Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 25, 2025. Over the course of his treatment, Noorlander underwent three complex surgeries, including the hospitals first-ever Jaw in a Day procedure. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News It took two hours to pull him off the mountain. He was taken to a nearby hospital to stabilize him, then sent to Utah for treatment, but his condition was still very precarious for some time. Later, he would joke numerous times for different media that one of his first thoughts as the bear latched onto his jaw was this face is my moneymaker. Dont touch that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the hospital staff gave him a white board to communicate, since he could not speak, they noted he often made wisecracks. Putting a face together again Dr. Hilary McCrary, a head and neck surgeon at the University of Utah, said she knew theyd be able to reconstruct the bottom of his face. Shed done it before, though for cancer patients. A bear attack was something new, but they had tools to make a precise model of the dimensions, angles and other considerations to shape the fibula the smaller of the two lower leg bones into a jaw. Other experts would then create a prosthetic chin that could be attached and look natural and add teeth. Rudy Noorlander speaks during a press conference discussing the care he received at University of Utah Health after a life-threatening grizzly bear attack on Sept. 9, 2023, in Big Sky, Mont., at University of Utah Health Clinical Neurosciences Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 25, 2025. Over the course of his treatment, Noorlander underwent three complex surgeries, including the hospitals first-ever Jaw in a Day procedure. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The experts who helped him pass what they call the grocery store test, meaning going out in public without being stared at, included McCrary, head and neck surgeon Dr. Richard Cannon, oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. David Adams, maxillofacial prosthodontist Rhet Tucker and anaplastologist Paul Tanner, who had the honor of attaching the natural-looking silicone cover and making sure that its final appearance matched his in tone and contour. As well as, of course, a host of nurses and techs and others that cared for Noorlander on his monthslong journey. All six of the experts discussed their roles in rebuilding his face during the press conference. Cannon said McCrary pulled out all the stops to help Noorlander, who had served in the Navy when he was younger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the sense of humor and great attitude his doctors heralded, the story he told Friday is harrowing. He had to be positioned a certain way so he wouldnt choke first on blood and later and for a long time on his drool. He couldnt talk for some time. He had to learn to swallow and to build up the muscles that enable that act. Dr. David Adams, oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the School of Dentistry at University of Utah Health, speaks during a press conference discussing the care Rudy Noorlander received at University of Utah Health after a life-threatening grizzly bear attack on Sept. 9, 2023, in Big Sky, Mont., at University of Utah Health Clinical Neurosciences Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 25, 2025. Over the course of his treatment, Noorlander underwent three complex surgeries, including the hospitals first-ever Jaw in a Day procedure. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Adams described how the Jaw in a Day reconstruction was plotted out on a computer, with precise cuts so that the fibula would correspond exactly to what was left of Noorlanders jaw. The implants had to be put in in an exact position. There was a lot of conferring and planning involving different members of the team, who each had to do things perfectly to make the operations a success. The jaw has taken some getting used to, Noorlander said. His mouth doesnt open as wide as it used to and hes needed help so that he can now speak again. Tanner said the prosthetic chin and lower lip have sealed off his mouth as best as possible so that Noorlander isnt as bothered by drool, but thats still a work in progress that will likely improve. But life is returning to normal. Hes eaten a slice of pizza and steak and can manage a soda if he uses a straw. And hes ready to head home. So are his daughters, KateLynn Davis and Ashley Noorlander, whove also gotten to know the Wasatch Front pretty well as their dads care has progressed. Big Sky beckons. (Reuters) -German sportswear and apparel maker Adidas on Wednesday reported first-quarter sales and profit above expectations, citing growth across all its markets and channels. First-quarter operating profit jumped 82% to 610 million euros ($692 million), the group said, resulting in a margin of 9.9%. Analysts, in a company-provided consensus, had expected a margin of 8.9% and profit of 546 million euros. The success of sneakers including Samba and Gazelle has helped Adidas gain further market share from U.S. rival Nike as well as maintain a competitive advantage over newer sportswear brands like On Running and Hoka in uncertain times. Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden has turned Adidas around since the brand cut ties with rapper Ye and scrapped its lucrative Yeezy sneaker line in October 2022, with the last Yeezy inventories sold at the end of 2024. First-quarter sales rose 13% to 6.15 billion euros, also higher than the 6.095 billion consensus, Adidas said, adding that excluding sales from the Yeezy line a year earlier quarterly revenue of the Adidas brand was up 17%. Frankfurt-listed shares in Adidas, which is scheduled to release final first-quarter results on April 29, were 6.2% higher at 1702 GMT. ($1 = 0.8812 euros) (Reporting by Angela Christy in Bengaluru and Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt; Editing by Alan Barona, Kirsten Donovan) Voting booths set up at Madison, Wisconsin's Hawthorne Library on Election Day 2022. (Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner) The Wisconsin Legislatures Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) deadlocked Thursday on whether to object to a proposed administrative rule that would guide the conduct of election observers at polling places. The 5-5 vote moves the rule one step closer to going into effect because if the committee doesnt take any action, it will be returned to the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to be implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the rule was written by WEC with input from an advisory committee that included members of right-wing election conspiracy groups, election skeptics opposed the rules passage at a number of public hearings. At a hearing on Monday, 2020 election deniers including former state Rep. Janel Brandtjen testified in opposition to the rule because they believed it didnt do enough to protect the rights of election observers. Lawmakers on the committee, including its co-chair, Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee), complained that the rule was written without enough input from legislators. Despite that opposition, Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) joined with the committees four Democrats, Sens. Melissa Ratcliff (D-Cottage Grove) and Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and Reps. Margaret Arney (D-Wauwatosa) and Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) to vote against the motion objecting to the rules passage. In Mondays hearing, election commissioner Don Millis said the rule gives the state the best chance to clarify how election observers should conduct themselves while protecting the rights of voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont agree with everything in the rule, but I dont want the perfect to be the enemy of the good, he said. Without this rule, municipal clerks have wide ranging authorities to manage polling places as they see fit. Theres no reasonable argument that observers are better off without this rule. While Thursdays vote is a step toward implementation, the rule is still in the committee until May 11, according to the office of the committees other co-chair, Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater). The committee could vote on the issue again before then. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX RUSK, Texas (KETK)- Students at Rusk ISD were exposed to the reality of how drinking and driving can change a life forever and the consequences that follow getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Tyler High School student earns scholarship worth more than $100,000 The mock accident was created through the efforts of the Rusk Fire Department, UT Health, Wallace Thompson Funeral Home, Issacs Wrecker Service, and Cherokee Countys Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really got to see, like, how much this can impact you for the rest of your life, junior Allison Buckholt said. Students lined up at the edge of the parking lot and watched as first responders arrived on the scene. Their classmates enacted the victims and also portrayed a pretend fatality. We want to kind of educate them on what can happen if they choose to go out this weekend and get drunk and drive, Rusk Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Holcomb said. The event was held just days before Rusks prom night to encourage students to make responsible choices. Emergency prep supplies are sales tax free during holiday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could very well be something that happens, student Zach Adams said. And I hope and pray it doesnt this weekend. The students also heard from an inmate who said it took only 10 minutes to ruin his life. He was just like talking with an extreme remorse, Buckholt said. I feel like that was one of the most impactful parts of the presentation because I really got to see, like, how much this can impact you for the rest of your life. Students witnessed a casket serving as a symbol that making smart decisions could not only save their own lives but also the lives of others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. The Russians have launched a combined strike on Ukraine using 103 attack UAVs and decoy drones of various types since the evening of 24 April. A total of 41 drones have been downed and another 40 failed to reach their targets. Source: Ukraine's Air Forces Quote: "As of 08:30, 41 Shahed attack UAVs (and other types of drones) have been confirmed downed in the country's east, north and centre. A total of 40 Russian decoy drones disappeared from radar (without causing adverse effects)." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Kharkiv, Sumy, Cherkasy, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts were under attack. The drones were launched from the Russian cities of Kursk, Bryansk and Oryol. Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces were involved in repelling the attack. Background: The Russians attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones on the night of 24-25 April, causing fires in several settlements. Three people were killed and eight injured in the city of Pavlohrad. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian troops attacked the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones on April 25, killing three people, including a child, and injuring at least 15 others, Governor Serhii Lysak said. A five-story building in Pavlohrad came under attack and several fires were reported in the city. The drone strike also damaged infrastructure and partially destroyed a social institution, according to the governor. Three children, aged six, 15 and 17, are among the injured, Lysak said. Five people were hospitalized. Pavlohrad, a city with a population of over 100,000, lies roughly 70 kilometers (over 40 miles) east of the regional center, Dnipro, and over 110 kilometers (70 miles) west of the front line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central-eastern Ukraine is a regular target of Russian missiles, drones, and artillery strikes. A Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in early April killed 20 people, including nine children, and injured over 70. Recent weeks saw Russia intensify its strikes against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and residential areas as Moscow continues to reject a full ceasefire backed by Washington and Kyiv. Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the U.S. proposal for a peace deal with Ukraine is moving in the right direction, but there are still details that need to be fine-tuned. In a Thursday preview of an interview set to air Sunday on CBS Newss Face the Nation, moderator Margaret Brennan asked the Russian diplomat about President Trumps suggestion this week that they are very close to a deal and that they should now, finally, GET IT DONE. Well, the president of the United States believes and I think rightly so that we are moving in the right direction, Lavrov told Brennan when asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees with Trumps comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, he continued. And we are busy with this exact process. Lavrov said Trump did not spell out the elements of the deal, so it is not appropriate for me to do this. The Trump administration has sought to increase pressure on Russia and Ukraine to come to an agreement, warning that the U.S. will walk away from efforts to negotiate an end to the war if a resolution is not reached soon. Vice President Vance reiterated that threat Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and its time for them to either say yes, or for the United States to walk away from this process, Vance said while visiting India. Details of the proposal have not been made public, but Trump administration officials have previewed the deal to a number of media outlets. Reports indicate the deal would include U.S. recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, a prospect Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky flatly rejected Wednesday. Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea, he said. Theres nothing to talk about here. Trump lashed out in response, writing on Truth Social, This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion. Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didnt they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the killing field, and nobody wants that! Trump added. We are very close to a Deal, but the man with no cards to play should now, finally, GET IT DONE. I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President. Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff is headed to Moscow to meet with Putin this week. Lavrov would not confirm the meeting explicitly but, when asked what Putin will tell Witkoff during their meeting, said, We continue our contacts with the American side, on the situation in Ukraine. There are several signs that we are moving in the right direction, he continued. First of all, because President Trump is probably the only leader on Earth who recognized the need to address the root causes of this situation, when he said that it was a huge mistake to pull Ukraine into NATO, and this was a mistake by Biden administration, and he wants to rectify this. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The fourth meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff brought the sides closer on Ukraine as well as on other geopolitical issues, according to the Kremlin. Witkoff, who has become a force on Trumps foreign policy roster, met with Russias president in Moscow, alongside Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov and Putins investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev. The meeting, which lasted roughly three hours, was constructive. The Kremlin said Witkoff and Putin touched on Russia possibly resuming direct talks with Ukraine, something that has been absent since the early days of the Kremlins 2022 invasion of Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues, Ushakov told reporters after the meeting. As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations, Putins adviser added. The meeting comes as Trump urged Putin stop military strikes targeting Ukraine and to shift his efforts to forge a lasting peace deal that would end the Eastern European war now in its fourth year. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE, Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social after a Russian drone strike killed at least 12 people in Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has turned up the pressure on both Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict since taking office. He and other top U.S. officials, including Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have warned that if substantial progress is not made, Washington might step away from its role as the key facilitator in the negotiations. In an interview with Time magazine, published Friday, Trump blamed Ukraine for igniting the war with Russia by talking about joining the NATO military alliance. He also said Crimea will be under Russias control once the peace deal is hammered out. When asked by the magazine about his campaign claim that he would end the ongoing war in one day, Trump contended that he said it figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, and you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news. Ukraine and European officials met Wednesday in London, where they discussed ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation that a peace deal with Ukraine is moving in the right direction, but some details still need to be hammered out. The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, Lavrov said. And we are busy with this exact process. After the meeting in Moscow, Witkoff is on his way to Oman, where he will be present for the first round of technical talks with Iran over Tehrans advancing nuclear program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that Moscow is ready to reach an agreement with Washington regarding Ukraine, although, according to him, some details still require further work. Source: European Pravda citing Lavrov in an interview with CBS News Quote: "We are ready to reach a deal. But there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine tuned, and we are busy with this exact process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Commenting on the peace negotiations, Lavrov said that there are "several signs that we [Russia and the US] are moving in the right direction". "The President of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction," he said. Lavrov also referred to Trump during the interview as "probably the only leader on Earth who recognised the need to address the root causes of this situation". Background: Earlier reports indicated that President Trumps administration handed Ukraine a one-page document in Paris last week, presented as a "final" proposal for peace. Among other things, the US is reportedly ready to recognise Russian control over Ukrainian Crimea and to ease sanctions against Moscow as part of a potential peace agreement. The Financial Times reported that, according to some European officials, Trump's proposals could undermine transatlantic security and even disrupt the NATO summit in late June. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russias Foreign Ministry has warned Russian citizens of potential risks when travelling to Moldova, citing what it calls "discriminatory policies" against Russians entering the country. Source: European Pravda, citing a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday 24 April Details: The Russian ministry claimed that upon arrival at Chisinau airport, Russian passport holders are often subjected to what it describes as a "humiliating and biased inspection procedure" that may last several hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During these checks, Russians are allegedly not provided with "basic living conditions, including access to water, food or communication with the outside world". The ministry also claimed that, following such treatment, travellers are often denied entry on "contrived grounds" or without any explanation, stating that "every day, Moldovan authorities deny entry to dozens of Russian citizens". Accusing Moldova of denying consular access to Russian nationals, the Russian Foreign Ministry advised its citizens to "take these risks into account when planning trips to the Republic of Moldova". Background: On 31 March, Moldovas Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the expulsion of three Russian embassy employees for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status. In response, Russia expelled three Moldovan diplomats. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechayev has once again appeared at a commemorative event without an invitation this time, he showed up at a ceremony in the town of Torgau marking the 80th anniversary of the historic handshake between American and Soviet soldiers on the Elbe River on 25 April 1945. Source: German press agency dpa, as reported by European Pravda Details: Surrounded by journalists and local residents, Nechayev said: "We must remember the fallen soldiers, so this day is very important for us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before the event, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev had called for the Russian ambassador not to be allowed to attend. Asked what he thought about not being welcome, Nechayev responded: "I dont feel that way, I feel comfortable." The ambassador spoke with several attendees. A black-and-orange ribbon, which Russians regard as a symbol of the Second World War, adorned his lapel. Sergei Nechayev. Photo: Russian Embassy in Germany Michael Kretschmer, Minister-President of the German state of Saxony, addressed Ambassador Nechayev with clear words regarding the war Russia has unleashed against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was Russia that started the war against Ukraine in violation of international law. Not in [2022], but back in 2014. And only Russia, only Russia must end this war," Kretschmer said, addressing Nechayev, who was booed by the crowd several times. Kretschmer also acknowledged the enormous Soviet losses, but reminded those present that the final victory in the East was not solely Russias. "Among them [the Soviet army ed.] were many Russians, but also Ukrainians, Belarusians and Georgians. It would have been nicer, more appropriate, if we had been joined by representatives of Ukraine, Georgia or Belarus," he added. Kretschmer suggested that they may have refused to attend due to the presence of the Russian ambassador. Background: Last week, Nechayev also showed up uninvited at the Seelow Heights Memorial, accompanied by security and his Belarusian counterpart. Meanwhile, controversy erupted in Brandenburg after Nechayev announced plans to attend events marking the end of WWII, despite having his invitation revoked. Axel Drecoll, director of the memorial, stated that if Nechayev dared to appear, he would have to deal with the police. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian attacks against Ukraine killed eight people and injured at least 22 others over the past day, regional authorities said on April 25. Ukrainian forces downed 41 out of 103 Shahed-type drones and other drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Forty more drones disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement. Drones that disappear from radars before reaching their targets are usually decoys. Russia launches them alongside real drones to overwhelm Ukraine's air defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Russian drone attack on the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast killed three people, including a child, and injured at least 14 other people, according to Governor Serhii Lysak. Three children, aged six, 15 and 17, are among the injured. The aftermath of a Russian drone attack on the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, on April 25, 2025. (Serhii Lysak/Telegram) A 36-year-old man was killed in a Russian drone attack near Chuhuiv in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Two women, aged 78 and 83, suffered injuries as a result of Russia's shelling near Kupiansk, he added. Two people were killed in Myrnohrad and Yarova in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Three more people were injured in the region over the past day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 37 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. Two people were killed, and three other people were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) -Alaska Air Group on Wednesday withdrew its full-year financial forecast, citing the prevailing macroeconomic uncertainty. The Seattle-based airline also forecast a lower-than-expected profit for the current quarter due to softening travel demand. Alaska is the latest U.S. carrier after Delta Air Lines and Frontier to pull its guidance as President Donald Trump's trade war has created the biggest uncertainty for the industry since the COVID-19 pandemic. With little clarity on how consumers will behave in the face of a potentially worsening economy, airlines are struggling to accurately forecast their business. Last week, United Airlines gave two different forecasts, a highly unusual move. United said this was necessary because it was impossible to predict the macro environment this year with "any degree of confidence." As travel is a discretionary item for many consumers and businesses, the deteriorating economic outlook has led to a pullback in travel spending. In an interview, Alaska's chief financial officer, Shane Tackett, said that while demand has stabilized in recent weeks, bookings were mostly coming at lower fare levels. "Consistent with our peers in the industry, we have seen lower fare levels being booked into April and throughout the summer," Tackett told Reuters. Weaker pricing power is estimated to shave off about 6 percentage points from Alaska's revenue in the current quarter. It expects an adjusted profit of $1.15 per share to $1.65 per share in the quarter through June. The midpoint of the forecast is $1.40 per share, compared with analysts' average estimate of $2.47, according to data compiled by LSEG. In a sign of resilient premium travel demand, Tackett said the airline is seeing higher passenger traffic and stronger pricing power in Hawaii. Alaska will likely provide an updated full-year forecast in July when it hopes to have more clarity about the economic backdrop, he said. "We just want to go another 90 days to see where the economy ends up," Tackett said. In January, the company had forecast a profit of more than $5.75 a share in 2025. Tackett said if the current revenue environment persists throughout the second half of the year, Alaska's earnings would be below $5.75 a share. "We will still be solidly profitable," he said. Alaska reported an adjusted loss of 77 cents a share in the first quarter compared with a loss of 75 cents a share expected by analysts. The company reported a double-digit increase in premium and loyalty revenue from a year ago during the March quarter. The Russian charge d'affaires was summoned to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry on Friday 25 April following massive Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. Source: a statement by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda Details: A strong protest was reported to have been expressed to the Russian representative in connection with the brutal attacks by the Russian Armed Forces on civilians in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was emphasised that despite all the talk of preparing for peace, the Russian leadership is only increasing its onslaught, and its terrorist actions show its true intentions to conquer Ukraine," the statement said. The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stressed that on the night of 23-24 April alone, 12 people were killed and about 100 injured in a massive attack on Kyiv. The ministry also referred to the Russian strikes on Nikopol, Kharkiv and Pavlohrad. Background: On the night of 23-24 April, Ukraine came under a large-scale combined Russian attack. In total, Russia launched 215 missiles and drones of various types at Ukraine, with the main strike targeting Kyiv. Ukrainian air defence downed 112 Russian aerial targets. After the large-scale Russian strike, US President Donald Trump called on Putin to "stop". French President Emmanuel Macron said that "America's anger should be directed at only one person: President Putin". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russia's ambassador to Germany pressed ahead on Friday with his controversial attendance at celebrations in the eastern town of Torgau to mark 80 years since US and Soviet soldiers famously shook hands at the Elbe River on April 25, 1945. "Today we must remember the fallen soldiers," Sergey Nechayev said in German at the event, surrounded by journalists and citizens. "The day is therefore very important for us." His participation had previously been disputed because of Moscow's continuing military attack on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly beforehand, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev had called for the Russian to be barred from the event. Asked what he thought about him not being welcome, Nechayev said: "I don't feel it, I feel comfortable." "We have the opportunity to make our position known," the diplomat added about his being denied the right to speak at the wreath-laying ceremony. Saxony's Premier Michael Kretschmer addressed the ambassador in Torgau with clear words on the war in Ukraine. "It was Russia that started a war against Ukraine in violation of international law. Not in [2022], but back in 2014. And it is up to Russia, only Russia, to end this war," Kretschmer said in the direction of Nechayev, who received a few boos from the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ambassador spoke to some of the people attending, his lapel adorned with the St George black and orange ribbon. Traditionally considered a symbol of remembrance of the Soviet-German war, the ribbon has been criticized as a Russian propaganda symbol since Moscow first intervened militarily in Ukraine 11 years ago, culminating in the full-scale invasion of February 2022. Russia's ambassador to Germany pressed ahead on Friday with his controversial attendance at celebrations in the eastern town of Torgau to mark 80 years since US and Soviet soldiers famously shook hands at the Elbe River on April 25, 1945. "Today we must remember the fallen soldiers," Sergey Nechayev said in German at the event, surrounded by journalists and citizens. "The day is therefore very important for us." His participation had previously been disputed because of Moscow's continuing military attack on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly beforehand, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev had called for the Russian to be barred from the event. Asked what he thought about him not being welcome, Nechayev said: "I don't feel it, I feel comfortable." "We have the opportunity to make our position known," the diplomat added about his being denied the right to speak at the wreath-laying ceremony. Saxony's Premier Michael Kretschmer addressed the ambassador in Torgau with clear words on the war in Ukraine. "It was Russia that started a war against Ukraine in violation of international law. Not in [2022], but back in 2014. And it is up to Russia, only Russia, to end this war," Kretschmer said in the direction of Nechayev, who received a few boos from the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ambassador spoke to some of the people attending, his lapel adorned with the St George black and orange ribbon. Traditionally considered a symbol of remembrance of the Soviet-German war, the ribbon has been criticized as a Russian propaganda symbol since Moscow first intervened militarily in Ukraine 11 years ago, culminating in the full-scale invasion of February 2022. The Saxon premier also acknowledged the huge Soviet losses - while reminding that the final victory in the east was not that of the Russians' alone. "It is also a historical reality that there were many people from the Red Army, 12 million Red Army soldiers, who lost their lives in World War II," said Kretschmer. Among them were many Russians, but also Ukrainians, Belarusians and Georgians. "It would be nicer, more appropriate, if representatives from Ukraine, Georgia or Belarus were also with us," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fact that they didn't come is probably connected with the presence of our Russian colleague." Last week, the Russian ambassador also appeared at a memorial on the Seelow Heights east of Berlin, where the largest battle of World War II on German territory took place. The event sparked controversy after Germany's Foreign Office issued a handout advising against inviting Russian representatives to commemorations by the federal, state and local governments. The German parliament has decided to exclude Russia and Belarus from the main commemorative event marking the end of World War II in Berlin on May 8. Sergei Netshaev (R), Russian Ambassador to Germany, approaches the wreath of the Russian Federation at the Meeting Memorial in Torgau during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the so-called Elbe Day. US and Soviet troops met in Torgau on April 25, 1945, with the iconic handshake on the Elbe symbolizing the end of World War II and the liberation from National Socialist tyranny. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa Russia says its still open to an agreement to end its war in Ukraine after launching a deadly bombardment of Kyiv that earned rare criticism from President Donald Trump. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a TV interview that he agreed with Trumps recent assertion that a deal can be reached if the parties of the conflict are willing. The president of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction, Lavrov said in a portion of an interview with CBSs Face the Nation released Thursday. The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lavrov said in the interview, which is scheduled to be shown in full Sunday, that there are still issues that must be resolved, though he gave no details. There are still some specific points, elements of this which need to be fine-tuned, he said. A Russian attack on Kyiv early Thursday, one of the largest aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital in months, killed at least 12 people and injured over 70. Trump invoked Russian President Vladimir Putins first name in an angry response. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Trump has tended to be more critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has bristled at suggestions that his country agreed to cede Crimea, which was seized by Russian forces in 2014. Trump told reporters Thursday that he didnt think Russia presented an obstacle to peace and expressed confidence that both Ukraine and Russia were looking to do a deal. Zelenskyy, Trump has repeatedly said, doesnt hold the cards. Well do the best we can working with Ukraine, Trump said. But theyve lost a lot of territory. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, a top ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said on Thursday that Russia is ready to reach a deal with President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine, noting, however, that there are still details to be fine-tuned. Earlier this week, Trump told reporters, Russia is ready for peace as he is pushing both sides to agree to end the three-year conflict. I think we have a deal with Russia, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with CBS Face the Nation set to be broadcast in full on Sunday, Lavrov said Trump believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction. He added, The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this exact process. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov tells @margbrennan that Russia is "ready to reach a deal" to end the war in Ukraine, but "there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned." This comes after President Trump called this week for the pic.twitter.com/IoW1EjpUF9 Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) April 24, 2025 Trump has signaled that he is prepared to hand Moscow big concessions as part of a potential peace plan, including possibly recognizing Crimea as a part of Russia, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ruled out agreeing to. Asked what Russia has offered so far to move the peace process along, Trump on Thursday replied, Stopping the war. Stopping taking the whole country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pretty big concession, he added. Earlier, Trump had issued a rare rebuke of Putin over Moscows attack on Kyiv, which left at least 12 people dead, in the largest assault on the Ukrainian capital since last summer. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, he wrote on his Truth Social platform. Vladimir, STOP! Lavrov appeared to defend the attack, claiming the Russians only target military goals or civilian sites used by the military. Moscow has since launched another drone attack in southeastern Ukraine, killing at least three people, according to local officials. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time in Moscow Friday. Lavrov would not offer a direct answer as to whether a deal between Russia and the U.S. could be reached as early as this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoffs arrival comes as Russia said one of its generals was killed by a car bomb outside Moscow. Meanwhile, both Trump and Zelenskyy are set to attend Pope Francis funeral in Rome this weekend. This will mark the first time the two leaders have seen each other in person since their tense Oval Office exchange in February. Still, its unclear if they will hold talks about the war on the sidelines of the event. Putin will not be attending the funeral, his spokesperson has confirmed. Related... April 25 (UPI) -- A top Russian general died Friday in a car bombing, on the same day President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and a day after Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The car blast occurred in the city of Balashikha, which killed Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik. Russia's Investigative Committee also confirmed the explosion was caused by an IED loaded with shrapnel. No one immediately took credit for the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Envoy Witkoff, who was in Moscow with Putin at reportedly around the same time to discuss a cease-fire agreement regarding Russia's war on Ukraine, has not publicly commented on the incident. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday on social media that it just completed rescue operations in Kyiv after Russian attacked the city Thursday. He said 12 people were killed and almost 90 were injured, with over 30 still hospitalized, "including those with severe injuries and amputations." Zelensky alleged the missile used in the attack was North Korean in origin, and "contained at least 116 components sourced from other countries, and most of them, unfortunately, were manufactured by American companies." He went on to thank those around the world who have provided help and support, insisted Russia "must immediately and unconditionally agree to a full ceasefire," but added that while Ukraine "agreed to President Trump's proposal for a ceasefire in the skies, at sea, and on the front lines 45 days ago," and that Ukraine made a proposal to get Russia to stop attacks on civilian targets, "Russia rejects all of this." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Pressure on Russia is necessary," Zelensky said. On the same day as the attack, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was interviewed by CBS News, and said Moscow was "ready to reach a deal" on ending the war in Ukraine but that there were still some specific points that needed to be "fine-tuned." Credit: IZ.RU/Telegram A senior Russian general was killed in a car bomb attack in Moscow on Friday, hours before the US chief negotiator arrived in the capital for a further round of talks with Vladimir Putin. Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the main operations directorate of Russias army, was killed on Nesterov Boulevard in the Balashikha suburb shortly before 11am, according to Russias investigative committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The explosion was caused by a homemade device filled with shrapnel, a statement read. The Kremlin blamed Ukraine for the killing. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Vladimir Putin, said: The Kyiv regime once again simply shows its true nature. Despite the peace talks, we must be on guard and understand the nature of this regime. Baza, a Russian media outlet with sources inside law enforcement agencies, said the bomb was strapped to a parked Volkswagen car and detonated remotely when Moskalik, who lived in the neighbourhood, walked past. Ukraines intelligence services are suspected of a string of assassinations on Russian soil, including the similar killing of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov in December. Yaroslav Moskalik was responsible for planning military operations in Ukraine Footage posted by well-placed Telegram channels shows the blackened wreckage of the car burning next to a block of flats on Friday morning. A second person was also killed in the blast, according to the Kommersant newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moskalik, who held the rank of lieutenant general, was responsible for planning military operations in Ukraine. Rybar, a Russian war blogger with over 1.2 million subscribers on Telegram, said he was viewed as one of the most intelligent and demanding officers in his directorate. He had participated in a number of high-level Russian delegations, including a meeting in October 2015 of the Normandy Format. The meeting was made up of teams from Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France who oversaw the Minsk agreements designed to end the war between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in 2014. Bomb was strapped to a Volkswagen and detonated when Yuroslav Muskolik walked past, according to Russian media outlet Baza - YURI KOCHETKOV/EFE/Shutterstock On Friday afternoon, Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps special envoy, landed in Moscow for a fourth meeting with Putin. He was set to present the latest US peace plan, which controversially includes American recognition of Russias claim to the Crimean peninsula, which Russia seized by force in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the meeting, Mr Witkoff, who has said he likes the Russian president, was filmed walking around Moscow with his girlfriend. Alongside him was Kirill Dimitriev, a key Putin aide who heads Russias sovereign wealth funds and is serving as a go-between in the peace negotiations. Unlike many senior Russian officials, Mr Dimitriev studied in the US, attending Stanford and Harvard before beginning his career at Goldman Sachs. In the Kremlin, Putin welcomed Mr Witkoff with open arms and the pair exchanged pleasantries before sitting down on either side of a long, white oval table. The talks lasted for three hours and narrowed gaps between Washington and Moscow, according to Yuri Ushakov, an aide for Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US presidents efforts to bring about a swift end to the war have been undermined by continuing Russian attacks on Ukraine. Vladimir, STOP! he posted on X on Thursday after a Russian drone strike killed 12 people in the capital, Kyiv. Hours later another Russian attack killed three more people, including a child, in the city of Pavlohrad. Earlier this month, Russian forces launched a spring offensive aimed at capturing more territory in eastern Ukraine. Putin is boosting spending and recruitment in the Russian military, in a sign that the Russian leader is prepared to drag the war out in the hope of securing further concessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, of delaying the peace deal. I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky, the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky. So far its been harder. Gen Keith Kellogg, Donald Trumps Ukraine envoy, has said the car bombing violated the rules of war SBU, Ukraines intelligence service, did not respond to requests for comment on the killing of Moskalik. Sources in the service admitted it was behind the assassination of Kirrilov, the general in charge of Russias chemical and nuclear forces, who was killed by a bomb hidden in a scooter. Gen Keith Kellog, Mr Trumps Ukraine envoy, said that attack violated the rules of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russia separatist from Ukraine, was also killed by a bomb inside a gated residence in Moscow. Even under the Biden administration, Washington was known to counsel against targeted assassinations on Russian soil. The Trump administrations closeness to Putin may encourage Ukrainian spies to act more brazenly behind enemy lines, analysts said. There are so many Ukrainians who know how to do things like that [the bombing], said a former senior figure in the Ukrainian government, speaking on condition of anonymity. If Ukraine is betrayed, they will not need any government to continue fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Byman, a Georgetown professor and senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Security Studies, said: The Trump administration already has a very strong narrative on whats going on in Ukraine and has put more blame on Russia than Ukraine for any problems. It has highlighted what it sees as Ukrainian negative steps in opposition and downplayed, in my view, much more egregious Russian bombings. I think [the bombing] is likely to reinforce Trump administration views that Ukraine is aggressive and doesnt want to go along with the peace plan. 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. Steve Witkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump for the Middle East, has arrived in the Russian capital on the morning of 25 April. Source: European Pravda with reference to Russian news agency Interfax Details: The agency reported that Witkoffs flight from Miami landed at Moscows Vnukovo Airport. Axios reported, citing a well-informed US source, that the special envoy may meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday. Background: The Kremlin earlier said it would inform the public whether Witkoffs visit to Russia and his meeting with Putin would take place. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on 24 April that the Kremlin is "ready to reach a deal" with the US regarding Ukraine, although some elements of the deal still need to be "fine-tuned". Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson strongly criticised Donald Trumps proposals for ending the war in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! By Joey Roulette WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The secretive Russian satellite in space that U.S. officials believe is connected to a nuclear anti-satellite weapon program has appeared to be spinning uncontrollably, suggesting it may no longer be functioning in what could be a setback for Moscow's space weapon efforts, according to U.S. analysts. The Cosmos 2553 satellite, launched by Russia weeks before invading Ukraine in 2022, has had various bouts of what appears to be errant spinning over the past year, according to Doppler radar data from space-tracking firm LeoLabs and optical data from Slingshot Aerospace shared with Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Believed to be a radar satellite for Russian intelligence as well as a radiation testing platform, the satellite last year became the center of U.S. allegations that Russia for years has been developing a nuclear weapon capable of destroying entire satellite networks, such as SpaceX's vast Starlink internet system that Ukrainian troops have been using. U.S. officials assess Cosmos 2553's purpose, though not itself a weapon, is to aid Russia's development of a nuclear anti-satellite weapon. Russia has denied it is developing such a weapon and says Cosmos 2553 is for research purposes. Russia, a storied space power that launched the first man in space in 1961, has for decades been locked in a security race in space with the U.S. that, in recent years, has intensified and seeped into public view as Earth's orbit becomes a hotspot for private sector competition and military technologies aiding ground forces. The Cosmos 2553 satellite has been in a relatively isolated orbit some 2,000 km above Earth, parked in a hotspot of cosmic radiation that communications or Earth-observing satellites typically avoid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LeoLabs in November detected what appeared to be errant movements with the satellite using Doppler radar measurements from its global network of ground stations. The company in December upgraded its assessment to "high confidence" that it was tumbling based on additional radar data and imagery of the satellite taken by another space company, Darren McKnight, a Senior Technical Fellow at LeoLabs, told Reuters. Russia's Ministry of Defense did not return a request for comment. "This observation strongly suggests the satellite is no longer operational," the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, said of LeoLabs' analysis in its annual Space Threat Assessment published on Friday. U.S. Space Command, which tracks objects in space and has condemned Russian military satellites in the past, said it was aware of a change in Cosmos 2553's altitude but declined to provide further assessment on its current state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The satellite earlier showed signs of odd behavior. Slingshot, whose global telescope network has been tracking the spacecraft since its February 5, 2022, launch, detected movements in May 2024. "Slingshot noted that the object's brightness became variable, indicating a potential tumble," a company spokesperson said. But according to Slingshot's latest observations, Cosmos 2553 appears to have stabilized, according to Belinda Marchand, the company's Chief Science Officer. EYES ON ORBITING OBJECTS Commercial space-tracking services are relatively young but fast-evolving and in high demand as the number of civil and military satellites in space soars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Defense Department and other countries' militaries, keen on avoiding military miscalculation, have made better eyesight in orbit a high priority to better distinguish between various types of spacecraft maneuvers and whether objects are civil or military assets. Russia, a U.S. Space Command spokesperson said, has claimed Cosmos 2553's mission is to test on-board instruments in a high-radiation environment, "but this does not align with its characteristics." "This inconsistency, paired with a demonstrated willingness to target U.S. and Allied on-orbit objects, increases the risk of misperception and escalation," the spokesperson said. Cosmos 2553 is one of dozens of Russian satellites in space with suspected ties to its military and intelligence programs. The country has viewed SpaceX's Starlink, a formidable constellation of thousands of satellites, as a legitimate military target as Ukrainian troops use the service in conjunction with weapons on the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow, as well as China and the U.S., are pouring tens of billions of dollars into military space capabilities and secretively testing an array of technologies in orbit that could have hostile military uses, stirring concerns of miscalculations and laws of justifiable targeting in the event of a future space conflict. The U.S. in recent years has more openly embraced space as a military arena, shrouding much of its cosmic military and intelligence activities in secrecy while relying heavily on private companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX for major programs. Mallory Stewart, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability under president Joe Biden, said last year that Russia is "considering the incorporation of nuclear weapons into its counterspace programs." Three U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence said the timing of the allegations was based largely on the launch of a satellite they identified as Cosmos 2553, which escalated Washington's understanding of Russia's development in the program. (Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Daniel Wallis) A base belonging to the Hospitallers, a volunteer medical battalion, has been destroyed as a result of a Russian strike on the city of Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the morning of 25 April. Source: Yana Zinkevych, founder of the battalion, on Facebook Quote: "The Russians attacked Pavlohrad this morning. Children were killed, civilians were killed, peaceful homes were destroyed. Our battalion's base, and all the property and equipment that were in it, has been completely wiped out. They have struck at the heart once again. They have erased 10 years of work by thousands of people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zinkevych added that the base had provided shelter not only to paramedics and soldiers, but also to displaced persons and even animals. Quote: "Our life full of love and unity was there, and now there is only ash, ruins, shattered glass, and a silence that screams with unspeakable pain. The memory of our fallen Hospitallers was there, and artefacts of their priceless lives and heroism, which are gone now too." Details: Zinkevych has launched a new fundraising campaign with a target of UAH 20 million (about US$478,200) to establish a new base. The destroyed Hospitallers base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Yana Zinkevych The destroyed Hospitallers base. Photo: Yana Zinkevych For reference: The Hospitallers are a Ukrainian volunteer medical battalion that has participated in the Russo-Ukrainian war in Donbas since 2014. They provide first aid and pre-medical care and evacuate wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the battlefield. Background: On the night of 24-25 April, Russian forces attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones, causing fires in several settlements. Three people were killed and 14 injured in Pavlohrad. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! We recently published a list of 15 Best Nancy Pelosi Stocks To Invest In Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE:AB) stands against other best Nancy Pelosi stocks to invest in now. We are aware that Nancy Pelosi isnt the only member of the Congress with amazing stock picking ability. And wouldnt you know it, fresh-faced financial geniuses like Marjorie Taylor Green are popping up, conveniently dumping Treasuries to load up on tech stocks just before a tariff pause. Green sold around $75000 (give or take $25000) of US Treasury bills to fund purchases of more than a dozen stocks (mostly tech stocks) before Trumps temporary tariff pause announcement. We published the list of her stock picks in 20 Best Stocks to Buy According to Marjorie Taylor Greene. In the past few decades, stock trading based on access to information not made readily public was considered a side-benefit to being a lawmaker in the United States. After huge public outcry against the trading activities of lawmakers, Congress passed the STOCK Act of 2012 that made it mandatory for lawmakers to disclose these trades publicly. Staffers at The New York Times had previously claimed that trading patterns showed that the longstanding concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest or the use of inside information by members of Congress were viable and should have been addressed on a priority basis. Some US lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, have advocated for a blanket ban on members of Congress and their family members from dealing in individual stocks while in office. Pelosi, who had previously voiced her opposition to such proposals, nevertheless continues to dabble at the stock market. During the 2020 pandemic, the stock trading activities of Pelosi went widely viral on social media as retail traders created the Pelosi Tracker, an account on social networking platform X that disclosed trades made by Paul Pelosi, the husband of the House Speaker who is an investor and owns and operates Financial Leasing Services, a real estate and venture capital firm. A spokesperson for the former House Speaker has said that Pelosi is not involved in the investment decisions made by her husband. This admission seems rather difficult to digest given the insider information that Pelosi is privy to due to her senior position in the House. Retail traders have since started mimicking the trading activity of the Pelosi Tracker to cash in on the popularity of the tracker. The reviews of such mimicking activity on platforms like Reddit seem mixed at best, but their popularity is uncontested. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said parts of a possible deal with the United States to end the war in Ukraine still need to be "fine-tuned," though he believes the process is moving in the right direction. "There are still some specific points elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned and we are busy with this exact process," Lavrov told US broadcaster CBS on Thursday evening. "There are several signs that we are moving in the right direction," Lavrov said, adding that Russia is "ready to reach a deal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remarks came after a combined Russian missile and drone attack on Kiev killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack drew rare direct criticism from US President Donald Trump, who urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the violence. "Vladimir, STOP!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, one day after he sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his refusal to accept the Russian occupation of Crimea and accused him of prolonging the war. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing," the US president wrote, calling for a peace deal to be concluded. The US has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the negotiations if no agreement is reached soon. Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for over three years. The Sacramento Police Department, in partnership with the Sacramento District Attorneys Cold Case Unit and a Texas DNA laboratory, has finally identified the body of Sheila Osborne over three decades after her body was found. On April 10th, 1991, Sacramento Police responded to reports of a deceased individual on the 2000 block of North B Street, and found the skeletal remains of a white female between 20-and-40 years old. I dont know, in this case, if she was dumped or she was murdered in that location or not, Allison Smith, Spokesperson for the Sacramento Police Department, clarifies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, and the death was ruled a homicide. But despite a thorough investigation, her identity remained a mystery. In 2008, A DNA profile was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System, but no matches were found. The case was later revisited by Sacramento investigators and submitted to Othram Inc., a private DNA laboratory. Othram frequently partners with law enforcement agencies across the nation, using breakthrough forensic technology to identify John and Jane Does. The technology that weve developed works on remains that are degraded, where there may be some contamination from the environment, like bacterial, Colby Lasyone, Othram Chief of Staff, tells FOX40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work is exceptionally detailed and tedious. DNA profiles are composed of about 20 markers, and the DNA profiles that we build here at Othram are composed of hundreds of thousands of DNA markers, Lasyone continues. In one year, Othram was able to do what local investigators couldnt do in over three decades. Officials ultimately identified Sheila by comparing these findings with family DNA. It was a long time ago, so the DNA that weve been able to not only collect but make an identification on this person has been huge, Smith adds. This marks the 61st case in California where officials identified an individual using this technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheila Osborne was 40 years young and had recently relocated to Sacramento from Johnson City, Tennessee, around the time of her death. Were committed to seeing these investigations through and providing people with closure, Smith tells Fox40. The Sacramento Police Department and District Attorneys office did not share if there was reason to believe she had been killed at the crime scene or moved there. As local officials continue their investigation, they ask that anyone who may have information on Osborne contact them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable has been around for over 2 decades, and its not going anywhere any time soon. In fact, the group is hosting a sacred music evening for all faiths at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Sunday evening. The group was formed in preparation for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. There is a statement (related to hosting an Olympic Games) that says the city needs to be responsible for providing access to every faith required by both the athletes and the trainers, roundtable Chair Josie Stone explained to the Deseret News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stone joined the group two years after the Olympics. I think normally those committees are disbanded in most cities around the world after the Olympics, but here, they didnt want to disband it, because they had really enjoyed the company of people from other faith working on it. And so Interfaith Roundtable was born, Stone said. Indra Neelameggham, Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable treasurer and member of the Hindu community of Salt Lake, speaks at a Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable luncheon at the Islamic Center in West Jordan on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Diverse faiths set to worship in the tabernacle on Sunday Speaking at a press conference leading up to Sundays interfaith event, roundtable board member and Rabbi Alan Bachman spoke with sincerity about the tabernacle in Salt Lake City. To me, the tabernacle here in Salt Lake City is a very special building, because its built by people who put everything they had into it. You can feel the love in there, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rabbi Bachman continued, And when you have people from different faiths and belief systems, all a part of Gods family, there is a vibration in that tabernacle that cant be explained in words. You can really feel the presence of God in this tabernacle when various faiths are in there together, and were doing something that is really beautiful together. The event will start at 6 p.m. and feature the Salt Lake Childrens Choir, Divya School of Dance, Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, Luz de las Naciones Choir, the Utah Pipe Band and others. House of Prayer for All Peoples Rabbi Alan Scott Bachman speaks at a Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable luncheon at the Islamic Center in West Jordan on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News The need for interfaith groups in Utah Rabbi Bachman outlined a potential concern people may have with interfaith groups during Wednesdays press conference. At first when you think, oh interfaith, you may think, Oh no, were going to lose everybody to some other faith. Thats a fear many people have deep down, is that were going to lose everybody, Rabbi Bachman said. However, the rabbi believes the opposite actually happens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you meet people from different faiths, your own faith actually gets strengthened, he said. Rabbi Bachman explained that when attacks on religious buildings happened several decades ago, members of respective faiths had to deal with that situation by themselves. Thanks, in part, to a stronger interfaith community, now in the Salt Lake Valley, maybe Utah in general, when one faith gets hurt like that, you see participation from the other faiths, and its a really good feeling, Rabbi Bachman said. I think the congregations are becoming more and more aware that theyre really not all alone in their own particular congregation. Utah Islamic Center Imam Shuaib Din and the Rev. Curtis Price, pastor of First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, talk after a Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable luncheon at the Islamic Center in West Jordan on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Baptist pastor and roundtable vice chair Curtis Price believes an important aspect of interfaith roundtables is the relationships built between faith leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the interfaith roundtable has afforded us relationships that we normally wouldnt have, and that creates a situation where theres cross cultivation, he said. The Rev. Price continued, I would have never met Imam Shuaib (who hosted the press conference at the Utah Islamic Center) if not for the roundtable, and you know, we connect on a lot of different levels and get to have all kinds of conversations, and my people are fascinated, I keep thinking, I need to have Imam Shuaib come to the church sometime and have a conversation like this. So this is building on the relationships that happen in this small little gathering. It spreads out to the different congregations, and those relationships spread, and people make connections. So it really becomes a web, he said. Lanna Lee Cairns, ministerial student from Center of the Light Centers for Spiritual Living, speaks at a Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable luncheon at the Islamic Center in West Jordan on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News The goal: To promote love, harmony and understanding Theres a lot of congeniality between faiths here, Stone told the Deseret News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aim of the roundtable is not to change anybodys religion, Stone said. Were not here to teach religion, we are here to help people to understand that they need to get to know each other, and when they do, theyll feel much more comfortable about it. Its interesting working within a state that has a very predominant religion, Stone continued. We have two members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on our board, and they contribute a lot and invite us to things, they come to our meetings, two were there today that were on our board. The roundtable also works with several universities around Utah, including Utah Valley University, Utah State University and Brigham Young University at their various faith events. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Darlene, who is involved in many organizations in San Angelo, won $300 through KLSTs Pay It Forward campaign, sponsored by Carpet Tech. Darlene was nominated by her friend Miss Alice by leaving a nomination on Conchovalleyhomepage.com Miss Alice wrote that Darlene is very involved in many organizations in San Angelo like the prison ministry, the food and clothing ministry for project Dignadad, the Pregnancy Help Center, she provides food and clothes for homeless, she helps neighbors in need and the biggest one is the sewing ministry she does with five other woman weekly for children all over the world; making dresses, skirts, shorts and head bands since 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the nomination it was also written that Darlene travels all over the world with missionaries. Some countries she was gone to with ministries is Uganda, China, Kenya, Mozambique, Hati and more. She usually goes to places that have been hit by disasters. Darlene talked about how she believes in helping in people because its part of God wants us to do. Thats what God wants us to do, to help each other, support each other and love each other, said Darlene. If you know someone who deserves a little help from the KLST Pay it Forward campaign, sponsored by Carpet Tech, visit Concho Valley Homepages nomination webpage and share why you think theyve earned it! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Several international students at San Diego-area universities who had their visas abruptly rescinded in recent weeks have had their records restored as federal officials have started to walk back the Trump administrations crackdown. Three of the four students at San Diego State University impacted by the administrations targeting of F-1 visa holders over the last few weeks had their legal status reinstated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the school confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI Friday. For UC San Diego, the university says 18 of the 35 international students who previously had their legal status pulled similarly had it restored as of Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local US citizen immigration attorney sent deportation letter Due to privacy laws, neither university disclosed any additional details regarding the students, including whether those whose records remain terminated are at risk for deportation. University of San Diego could not immediately confirm whether the one student who had been impacted by the effort in recent weeks had been impacted by the visa registration restoration. The reinstatement of visa records for San Diego-area students comes amid mounting legal challenges to Trumps stepped up immigration enforcement against more than 160 college campuses nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month the crackdown would target student visa holders who they believed to be acting counter to U.S. interests, notably in connection to protests over Israels war in Gaza, or those facing criminal charges. However, many of the students impacted did not appear to fall into either of these buckets. Some said they had minor infractions on their record ones that would not be enough to revoke the visa or were given no reason at all. San Diego universities make WSJs Best Colleges in the U.S. list Government lawyers on Friday in proceedings for at least two of the lawsuits filed over these actions said Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be developing a policy to provide a framework for terminations of active status in the federal student database, SEVIS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until a policy is issued, federal officials said the F-1 visa registration records in the database will either remain active or be re-activated, if they had been pulled. Immigration attorneys in posts on social media Friday have encouraged international students to check with their designated school official to understand how the governments move to reinstate records in SEVIS may impact their status. In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, UCSD added it will continue to monitor SEVIS records closely and work with students to provide them with relevant information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Reeling from drug overdose deaths and scenes of people smoking fentanyl on sidewalks, San Francisco moved closer Thursday to adopting a recovery first drug policy that sets abstinence from illicit drugs as its primary goal, a proposal that has prompted heated debate in the city that pioneered harm reduction. Opponents of Supervisor Matt Dorsey's proposal say its emphasis on stopping drug use alienates those who are not ready to quit, while proponents say the city has been far too permissive and making drug use safer does not help break the cycle of addiction. Dorsey, himself recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, amended the proposal in his public safety committee to clarify that distributing safer-use paraphernalia and linking people to social services regardless of whether they are using remain critical to the city's response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But more than an hour of public comment with cheers and boos from both sides underscored just how touchy the issue remains. No one dies from harm reduction, Patt Denning said. People die from conventional abstinence-based treatments because theyre either left out or kicked out if they dont comply with abstinence. Brendan Harris, who said he has been clean for six years, countered that harm reduction tactics cannot go on forever and people need a firm if compassionate push into treatment. We cant just keep enabling drugs over and over again, he said. In recent years San Francisco's public health department advised people who use drugs to do so with friends to try to prevent overdose deaths. Critics said that sent the wrong message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Daniel Lurie, who took office in January, has vowed to solve the city's fentanyl crisis. Last year more than 600 people died from accidental overdoses. He ordered city-funded nonprofits to offer treatment or counseling options before giving out certain paraphernalia such as foil and pipes, and they will no longer be allowed to distribute those items in parks and on sidewalks. As amended, Dorsey's proposal states that the long-term remission of substance use disorders for individuals, with the help of fully supported and staffed evidence-based recovery and behavioral health services, shall be the primary goal. It also defines recovery as the process by which an individual suffering from substance use disorder strives to make positive changes that become part of a voluntarily adopted healthy lifestyle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dorsey said aspiring to live a healthy life free from illicit drug use should not be a controversial goal, and abstention can mean receiving methadone as part of a medication assisted treatment program. San Francisco offers an array of services to help people addicted to drugs, but many residents only see the free foil and pipes, he said. We're losing the battle on harm reduction when people think thats all were doing, he said after the hearing. The San Francisco Marin Medical Society, which represents more than 3,500 physicians, proposed the amendments. The full Board of Supervisors votes on the proposal next month. It is expected to pass, with seven of the 11 members sponsoring or cosponsoring. (KRON) Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Daisy Morales was abruptly ousted from her job by the school board Wednesday night. Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Trustees released a statement on Thursday, writing, Last night, the Board of Education took action to remove Dr. Morales from the position of superintendent of schools without cause, effective immediately. SRCS districts chief business officer, Lisa August, will fill-in for Morales to ensure a smooth transition, according to trustees. August will also help us maintain the momentum necessary to support our sites in key work ahead, including the consolidation of campuses, trustees wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school board will meet in three weeks to make a plan for selecting an interim superintendent. Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Daisy Morales (Photo via SRCS) Trustees wrote, The Board believes it is imperative to build the trust and collaboration necessary to positively and effectively address the challenges and opportunities before us as we move forward in our transition plans. We know that there are talented and dedicated people working across our district to run the programs and services needed in order to provide students with an excellent education. We want to express our deep gratitude toward and trust in those employees. The boards statement added, There are critically important projects that must be addressed in order to prepare our campuses for the coming school year. We are confident that our remarkable employees will continue to work collaboratively, positively, and with an unwavering commitment to serve our students. Morales was one of two Bay Area school district superintendents fired on Wednesday. Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell was fired with a narrow 4-3 vote by Oaklands school board. OUSD trustees did not explain why they booted out their superintendent. Kyla Johnson-Trammell reads to fourth grade students during a visit to Hoover Elementary in Oakland. (Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images) Morales biography page was removed from the districts website on Thursday. Her resume includes teaching elementary school and high school Spanish. As an administrator, she previously held numerous roles, including principal, director English language learner services, and director of migrant education. 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. Sarah Ferguson and her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, recently made a joint appearance for a special causeand this one hits close to home. This week, the three royals visited University College London Hospital to support the #AndYoungPeople campaign as patrons of the Teenage Cancer Trust, a UK-based charity that aims to improve the cancer experience of teens and young adults. The Duchess of York shared a few highlights from their visit on Instagram, and I couldn't help but spot their body language as they engaged with patients and staff. For instance, in the first photo, the royal moms are practically beaming as they pose together in the hallway of the hospital. Also, in the second slide, they wear genuine smiles as they converse with a young patient, indicating an authentic connection. I made yet another key observation in the third slide, where the duchess gently places a hand on one of the patients while sitting with the group. This demonstrates her sincerity and desire to connect with people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cancer campaign comes after Fergie's double cancer diagnosis, including an early form of breast cancer in June 2023 and malignant melanoma in January 2024. Now, the Duchess is determined to raise awareness of the challenges faced when living with cancer. On IG, she captioned her post, "It was an absolute honour to return to the T12 Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Unit at @uclh, which I opened in 2005, this time with my beloved daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. I was so proud to stand beside them as fellow Honorary Patrons of @teenage_cancer, united in our commitment to raising awareness of the unique challenges young people face when diagnosed with cancer." She continued, "Ive been on my own cancer journey, so I have some understanding of what these incredible youngsters are going through. Teenagers and young adults with cancer face particular challengesits particularly concerning that on average it takes them three visits to the GP before theyre even referred to a specialist. Im determined that we improve this situation and have signed @teenage_cancers open letter to Health Secretary @wesstreeting." In addition, Princess Eugenie shared a carousel of photos from the visit and echoed her mother's sentiments. In the caption, she wrote, "It is so important to shine a light on the charitys vital work, and the unique challenges young people with cancer face, as part of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. The T12 teenage and young adult unit at UCLH provides care for up to 20 patients aged 13-19, and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Thank you so much for having us and for sharing your stories and hope." Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here. Sarah Ferguson Shares Candid and Emotional New Video Message: I Just Have Got to Say Something SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) A new zoning amendment meant to tackle affordable housing and availability in Savannah has been approved by city council with a 7-2 vote. The four neighborhoods in question included the Victorian District, Metropolitan, Thomas Square and a portion of the Live Oak neighborhoods. City leaders say the Affordable Housing Overlay District will tackle the issue of rising housing cost for renters and buyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents voiced their stance during Thursdays meeting. I love my staff. In fact, Ive built housing for two of them because they can no longer afford to live close enough to my shop to walk or bike there, which means they have to have a car, which means they are essentially making less money, one resident said. The overlay allows developers to build larger, multi-family unit homes in areas that are typically zoned for smaller residences as long as they include affordable units in their plans. All projects must get the approval from the city as affordable. Another resident disagreed with the majority speaking, That area should be, I think, built, but not on the affordable housing side. Thats just not the neighborhood. This not the right fit in this area. When you have this entire city, this particular area, its going to bring down property values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Savannah Mayor Van Johnson responded, So, youre telling me that you dont want a police officer, a firefighter, a mayor to live where you live? The overlay makes room for more homes on smaller lots to address the housing shortage. It will include a mixture of affordable and market-rate housing. The price, whether renting or owning, cannot exceed 30% of a households gross income. I just want to pose a question for anyone that lives in these current neighborhoods that are worried about those who are looking for places to afford, another resident said. Could you afford where you currently stay if you needed to purchase the house that you live in? Can you currently afford it in the rate that it is in the market? City leaders added that this is just the beginning. They are looking to add additional neighborhoods. 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. By Shivansh Tiwary (Reuters) -American Airlines pulled its 2025 financial forecast on Thursday, mirroring its peers, as growing consumer apprehension over an escalating trade war results in carriers facing a level of uncertainty not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic uncertainty can impact non-essential spending such as travel as consumers turn cautious amid fears of recession from U.S. President Donald Trump's fluctuating trade policies. This has created a fresh headache for major U.S. airlines, which just two months ago were riding a wave of strong travel demand. "The economic uncertainty in the market has pressured demand and impacted American's first-quarter results and second-quarter outlook," American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said. The carrier joined peers Southwest Airlines and Alaska Air to withdraw their annual forecasts, following similar moves by Delta Air and Frontier earlier this month. United Airlines recently gave two different forecasts and factored in an economic recession into one of them, saying it was impossible to predict the macroeconomic environment this year. Isom joined other industry executives to urge the elimination of aerospace-related tariffs, stating, "aircraft already cost too much". The airline, which is reeling with higher costs tied to expensive labor contracts, said it has no intention of absorbing tariff-related costs and does not expect its customers to bear them. It forecast its second-quarter adjusted profit per share in the range of 50 cents to $1, compared with analysts' expectations of 99 cents, according to data compiled by LSEG. In the first quarter, it reported an adjusted loss of 59 cents per share, smaller than Wall Street's expectations of 65 cents. The smaller-than-expected loss offered some relief to the carrier's shares, which have lost 46% of their value so far this year. They were up 1.6% in morning trade. The airline reported a total operating revenue of $12.55 billion, down marginally from a year earlier. (Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru and Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Editing by Vijay Kishore) Jason Puhlasky, a lobbyist for the Catawba Nation, and Justin Werner, attorney for the state Public Employee Benefit Authority, speak to a Senate Finance subcommittee on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream) COLUMBIA As the Catawba Nation tries to double its police force, a bill adding the Native American tribes dedicated officers to the state police retirement system could help, officials for the tribe have said. The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously but is awaiting a hearing in the House, would allow members of the police department to receive monthly pension payments after their retirement, based on their salary and years of service. All cities and counties in the state are allowed to opt into the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Catawba Nation, which established its police department in 2023, has struggled to hire officers in large part because nearby law enforcement agencies, such as the York County Sheriffs Department, offer better benefits, said Sen. Michael Johnson, the bills sponsor. Theyre just simply asking to be allowed to join in so they can attract and, most importantly, retain law enforcement, Johnson, R-Tega Cay, told a panel of senators. Ideally, the department would have between 12 and 15 police officers, said Shawn Butler, head of public safety and chief of police for the tribe. The tribe hired its sixth officer earlier this month, but he still needs to go through training before he can officially start policing the reservations 4,200 people. Allowing the Catawba Nations officers to join the state retirement system is not only a matter of fairness but also a practical step toward strengthening law enforcement and public safety statewide, Butler said in a statement. Ensuring equitable benefits for (Catawba Nation Tribal Police Department) officers will enhance recruitment, retention, morale, and inter-agency collaboration all of which are essential for building safer and stronger communities, Butler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, the York County Sheriffs Department handled any issues on the reservation. The states only federally recognized tribe still has an agreement with the sheriffs department to help out as needed, though the goal is to become independent, said the tribes lobbyist, Jason Puhlasky. If allowed to join the retirement system, Catawba Nation officers would contribute nearly 10% of their total pay, the same as every other police officer firefighter, and magistrate who participates. The retirement system allows retirees to start receiving benefits after working for 27 years or turning 55, so long as they meet the programs requirements. Because the nations police force is so small, the impact on the retirement system will be minimal, according to a fiscal analysis of the bill. It would be like any other small town joining, said Justin Werner, an attorney for the Public Employee Benefit Authority, which oversees retirement plans for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike other towns, cities and counties, the Catawba Nation would need legislative approval to join because of the tribes status as a sovereign nation. Since 1993, the tribe has governed itself under an agreement with the state and federal governments. In joining the retirement system, the nation would have to follow the rules of the state retirement system or face enforcement actions. Giving up any aspect of the tribes hard-won sovereignty is difficult, but tribe leaders felt it was worth the benefit of hiring more officers, Puhlasky said. The agreement is a huge give, just so you know, Puhlasky told legislators. It comes with great trepidation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same settlement that secured the tribes federal recognition as a sovereign nation also gave it the power to create its own police department, though for years it lacked the resources. After the tribes Two Kings Casino opened in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, in 2021 roughly 50 miles from the reservation the revenue allowed the tribe to start hiring more officers. Those officers, who work and live in South Carolina, wont be involved with the casino over state lines, Puhlasky said. Security at the casino is handled through an agreement with the local sheriffs department that allows the tribe to hire local deputies as security during their off-duty hours, he said. As the police department grows, the tribe plans to build a permanent courtroom and police department, to be called the Catawba Nation Tribal Court and Peacemaking Center, on the reservation. Early estimates put the cost of the roughly 12,000-square-foot building between $10 million and $12 million, Butler said. A Department of Justice grant will cover $1.6 million of that. But before the tribe can finish its own public safety center, it needs to know it can hire the officers to staff it, Puhlasky said. This is a big piece of how that would work, Puhlasky said. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Mackey Funeral Home in Greenville on Friday to say their final goodbyes to Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old South Carolina man killed in a shooting at Florida State University (FSU). It was a somber Friday morning that marked a painful moment for those who knew him. Chabba was one of two people killed, and six others who were hurt when a gunman opened fire inside a campus building the previous week, according to authorities. Florida State University President Richard McCullough expressed his condolences after the news broke, calling it a tragic day for the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were absolutely heartbroken, said Richard McCullough, president of Florida State University. Chabba, a South Carolina resident, was in Tallahassee as an employee of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, a campus vendor. FSU student Phoenix Ikner, 20, the man accused in the killings, opened fire shortly before noon, according to authorities. Fridays memorial service began with a private gathering for Chabbas immediate family at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville. It gave them a chance to gather quietly during an incredibly difficult time. A funeral service followed, with several hundred people in attendance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chabba was described as a loving husband, devoted father and friend. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Chabbas family is represented by national civil rights attorney, Bakari Sellers of The Strom Law Firm and Jim Bannister. They said the family is devastated by the tragedy and still has unanswered questions. On behalf of the family, the attorneys released the following statement Friday: Today as Tiru Chabba was laid to rest, he was celebrated as a loving husband, a doting father of two young children, a beloved son, brother and friend whose life was tragically cut short. Thats how he lived and thats how he will be remembered. There are so many questions surrounding this tragic event. For now, his family is heartbroken and deeply grieving this unimaginable loss and they ask that for this moment they be allowed the privacy and space to mourn and process their loss in peace. The family is grateful for the outpouring of support theyve received from their community including Tirus friends and colleagues from Aramark, whose kindness and presence have meant so much to the family during this difficult time. We ask that compassion and respect continue to guide all coverage and conversations moving forward. National civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers of The Strom Law Firm and Jim Bannister , representing the family As the casket was carried out of the funeral home Friday, tears were seen mixed with warm embraces. Chabba was carefully placed into a hearse and escorted by local authorities in a small procession to a private site, where immediate family said their final goodbyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Santee Cooper CEO Jimmy Stanton pictured at a legislative hearing in the state House office building. The state-owned power company will start charging a special rate to ensure energy-intensive data centers are paying their share of costs to build new power plants. (File photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette). South Carolinas state-owned power company will start charging a special electricity rate executives say is meant to ensure energy-intensive data centers, built to serve the countrys ever-growing technology needs, are covering the cost of generating the massive amount of power they require. The goal is to ensure existing customers dont end up footing the bill for new, power-hungry companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governing board of Santee Cooper voted unanimously Friday to implement the new rate for large, incoming customers on an experimental four-year basis, testing it out before considering whether they want to make the policy permanent. The change is effective immediately. In a presentation to the board, Mike Smith, director of billing and pricing for the Moncks Corner-based utility, said he anticipates large customers coming into Santee Cooper territory could need as much as 1,000 megawatts of power as soon as 2030. Thats significant growth for a system the size of ours, he said. That growth rate mirrors the demand utilities are seeing across the Southeast, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We expect that to continue, Smith said. We dont think its going to abate anytime soon. The new rate goes beyond data centers. It applies to any customer requiring 50 megawatts of power or more, which would sweep in some of the electric vehicle and battery manufacturers under construction in the state. Those companies have reported energy needs between 100 and 150 megawatts, according to economic development officials. Still, its data centers that have dominated the conversation around energy in South Carolina. These windowless buildings house rows of servers necessary for everything from artificial intelligence to high-speed financial trades. The largest of these centers can use as much as 200 megawatts each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do welcome large loads because theyre good loads for the system. However, because of their size and operating characteristics, theyre difficult for Santee Cooper to absorb, Smith said. Santee Coopers new experimental rate comes as South Carolina grapples with how to meet the energy needs of a growing population, manufacturing base and, of course, an influx of data centers being built by tech giants such as Google, Meta and Blox. A provision on the issue was inserted in legislation under consideration by the General Assembly. In a late-night debate about two weeks ago, the Senate voted to limit tax and power-related incentives the state allows for data centers. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey pushed for the change saying that as data centers come to South Carolina, he wants them to pay an equivalent share of the costs for power plants built to serve them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the weeks since the Senate vote, which amended a bill previously passed by the House with almost no opposition, data center developers have pushed back, said Geoff Penland, Santee Coopers director of government relations. He said technology companies are worried about the loss of sales tax breaks theyve historically received on both computer equipment and electricity. Penland said it appears the House and Senate may reach a compromise on the matter with just two weeks left in the legislative session. While Santee Cooper is largely unconcerned with incentives for data centers, the energy legislation is of the utmost importance to the utility as it seeks permission to partner with private utility company Dominion Energy on a possible 2,000-megawatt natural gas plant on the site of a former coal-fired power plant along the Edisto River in Colleton County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the boards vote Friday means these new power rates will go into effect no matter what legislators ultimately decide on data centers. Meeting a growing energy demand requires construction of expensive power plants, power transmission lines, as well as the purchase of extra power that Santee Cooper has to buy from other utility companies on occasion when it doesnt have enough energy of its own. Building and buying those things mean increased rates for all customers, even if those other customers arent the ones driving the need for those investments, Smith said. Thats what Santee Cooper is trying to curtail. Smith pointed to a similar effort by Georgia Power Company, which asked utility regulators to develop special contractual terms for large users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Santee Coopers new rate, large users must sign a 15-year contract, one they cant get out of without paying a set minimum. The utility also will charge more for power used at times of day when demand for energy is at its highest. Santee Cooper worries about the possibility that these large users, particularly data centers, could come on the grid and then leave before the utility is able to get back the money it spent to serve them, Smith said. The long-term contract aims to prevent that. Finally, the new deals require large users to ramp up to their full contracted power usage within three years. Santee Cooper suggest that would protect it from a company that comes in and oversells, saying theyre going to need 300 megawatts but ends up only needing 127 megawatts, as an example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of how many kilowatt hours this customer uses, if they come on the system, theyll be accountable, Smith said. While the board ultimately all voted in favor of the change, two members who represent South Carolinas power cooperatives, which get their power from Santee Cooper, raised concerns that no large customer would agree to these new terms. They said Santee Cooper and rural electric cooperatives will lose potential new business. They also worried about the speed with which the change was made. Santee Cooper staff will typically take 18 months to vet and implement a new, permanent rate. This change was studied over just a few months. In an effort to allay concerns, staff told the board because of the rates experimental status, it could make changes at any point in the four-year trial period. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) WSAV learned Thursday of a social media post with a discriminatory message. In the post, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) was mentioned. WSAV reached out to SCAD and received this response. Since Savannah College of Art and Design was founded, the university has been committed to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment dedicated to the well-being of all students. Under the universitys nondiscrimination policy SCAD does not allow any form of discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or veteran status. On the evening of Thursday, April 24, university leadership became aware of a social media post that violates these nondiscrimination policies and immediately launched an investigation. Based on this initial investigation, the individual who created the social media post is not a currently enrolled student at SCAD. There is also no evidence that an event as described in the post took place on SCAD property and no discriminatory signage was found anywhere on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing to confirm that no current member of the SCAD community was involved in the creation of the social media post or related activities. SCAD leadership is reaching out to students, faculty, and staff who have been affected by the social media post to offer support and resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEWTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKBN) A Newton Falls Township man reported to the Trumbull County Sheriffs Office that he was threatened on social media in what is believed to be a scam. The man said that someone messaged him on Instagram and wanted to pay him $500 to paint his Instagram profile photo. The man said that the unknown person sent him the money, but then wanted it returned through Cash App, according to a police report. The report did not say how the money was sent to the victim or if any actual money was exchanged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scammer then emailed the victim images of decapitated heads and two people in ski masks with an AK-47-style rifle and a pistol, the report stated. Police took a report and advised the victim to close his social media accounts, delete his email address and contact his bank. The Federal Trade Commission calls social media a golden goose for scammers. Here are some ways to steer clear of scams on social media: Limit who can see your posts and information on social media. All platforms collect information about you from your activities on social media, but visit your privacy settings to set some restrictions. If you get a message from a friend about an opportunity or an urgent need for money, call them. Their account may have been hackedespecially if they ask you to pay by cryptocurrency, gift card, or wire transfer. Thats how scammers ask you to pay. If someone appears on your social media and rushes you to start a friendship or romance, slow down. Read about romance scams. And never send money to someone you havent met in person. Before you buy, check out the company. Search online for its name plus scam or complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about how to spot, avoid, and report scamsand how to recover money if youve paid a scammervisit ftc.gov/scams. If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Outgoing Chicago Public Schools chief Pedro Martinez is alleging board members are continuing to usurp and modify his duties, despite a temporary restraining order issued by a Cook County judge in December that prevents them from doing so. Although Martinez was fired without cause on Dec. 20 he is allowed to stay in his position through mid-June. With one foot out the door and two months before starting a new job, he continues to butt heads with the school board. Martinezs lawyer filed a motion Thursday saying the judges order preventing the school board from stripping him of his duties should stand. The motion includes an affidavit from the schools chief claiming that some board members have continued to overstep their bounds in unprecedented ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief executive officers dismissal followed serious disagreements with Mayor Brandon Johnson about how to settle this school years budget amid a deficit. Johnson requested that Martinez take out a $300 million loan, which he said was irresponsible. Just days after the firing, several board members including President Sean Harden attended a contract bargaining session with the district and the Chicago Teachers Union. The controversial move was unusual because the CEO and his team negotiate union contracts, not the school board. On Dec. 24, Cook County Judge Joel Chupack sided with Martinez and blocked the board from modifying his job duties during his remaining six months in office, including attending contract negotiations or managing CPS staff without the CEOs approval. A lot has changed since that stunning legal battle. Just this week, the Chicago Teachers Union officially finalized its contract with the district. Martinez will soon be moving to Massachusetts to become the next commissioner of the states Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a motion, Jeremy Glenn, a lawyer representing the board, argued the judges ruling should be dissolved because the harm the (temporary restraining order) sought to prevent has not come to fruition. The newly ratified teachers contract represents changed circumstances from when Judge Chupack made his initial ruling in late December, Glenn said. Martinezs lawyer, William Quinlan, responded that the temporary restraining order prevents board members from interfering with any of the CEOs duties, including and not limited to CTU negotiations. He emphasized the schools chiefs ongoing necessity for injunctive relief because the board has not ceased from their efforts to interfere with (Martinezs) job duties. Martinezs affidavit describes some of those efforts, both before and after the teachers union settled its contract. Since entry of the (temporary restraining order), I have been informed of, and witnessed firsthand, several examples of attempts by the Board or appointed members to undermine and usurp my authority and to prevent me from carrying out my duties as the CEO, it states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 6, according to the affidavit, mayoral-appointed board member Karen Zaccor proposed a resolution to replace the teachers evaluation system, known as REACH, because of its discriminatory nature. Johnson is a close ally of CTU, and his appointees also typically side with the unions ideology. The resolution was not put to vote. According to Martinezs affidavit, the resolution mirrored a complaint by the CTU, which identified amendment of the system as one of the CTUs must haves for concluding negotiations. Martinez also points out that though CTUs contract was finalized by board members, still pending are contracts for the principals union and Service Employees International Union Local 1, which includes lunchroom managers who work in schools. There are me-too clauses that require the district to match terms in union contracts, which Martinez says in the affidavit could unwind already negotiated agreements and broadly unbalance the districts budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the conflict that led to his ouster, most of Martinezs statements revolve around budget items pushed for by CTU. He writes that there is presently no readily available funding source for a proposal designating all district schools as permanent vaccination sites. The proposal is expected to be discussed at Mays board meeting. CTU proposed the vaccination sites initiative during contract negotiations, but it was ultimately excluded from the collective bargaining agreement. The affidavit alleges that board President Sean Harden has, in recent weeks, tried to revive a budget amendment that would force the district to cover a disputed $175 million pension payment. Harden delayed the budget amendment vote at a board meeting in March when he didnt have the votes to pass it. Martinez writes that the districts projected deficit for the upcoming school year is $529 million and that the district will be unable to assume debt on reasonable loan terms in the current climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harden has pushed back on the memos and financial presentations Martinez has provided board members, according to the CEO. In early April, Harden tried to schedule a separate meeting with the districts financial officers, according to Martinez. On April 14, Martinez said he attended a special meeting at Hardens request, where the board president informed him that it was not his role to influence individual Board members on whether, on behalf of the District, to incur debt or other obligations. Harden asked that all information to board members be funneled through him, according to Martinez. I am not aware of any precedent for Mr. Hardens instruction, nor of any basis for the Board President to limit the CEOs ability to communicate District-related information to Board members, Martinez writes in his statement. Harden did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An employee of Northeastern Local School District has been placed on administrative leave as the school and law enforcement look into allegations, according to a letter sent to families in the NELSD. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Northeastern Local School District is aware of allegations involving a staff member and student, the statement said. As soon as this matter was brought to the attention of district leadership, it was immediately reported to law enforcement, and an official investigation is now underway. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school says that the incident is under investigation and that they have not yet verified any of the allegations. The employee was placed on leave out of caution, the school says, and is not currently allowed on district property. I understand that this situation is concerning for families to hear. While we are limited in what we can share, please know we are handling this with the utmost seriousness and care, the statement said. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jaguar populations in South America's Gran Chaco region are bouncing back, thanks to conservationists in Argentina who are restoring them. The conservationists, Mongabay reported, are collaring and monitoring jaguars as well as relocating individuals to increase genetic diversity among them. The Gran Chaco is the second-largest forest in South America, according to the Nature Conservancy. It stretches across northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil, hosting 3,400 plant species, 500 bird species, and hundreds of animals. Despite its size and biodiversity, the Gran Chaco faces one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, per the Nature Conservancy. It loses an area of over 133 square miles every month. Habitat destruction and poaching have "decimated" wildlife populations in the Gran Chaco over the past 40 years, according to Mongabay, but the work of the conservationists is changing that trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, individuals from El Impenetrable National Park, Formosa Nature Reserve, and Rewilding Argentina collared and released a male jaguar, whom they named Tanhi Wuk. Tanhi Wuk is one of five collared jaguars in the park, Mongabay reported, and the collars provide the team with data to monitor and protect the animals. Besides collaring, the team relocated a female jaguar named Mini to El Impenetrable last month to increase genetic diversity among the park's population, Mongabay shared. Mini was born wild in Ibera National Park, where jaguars were extinct 70 years ago. She will be the first of her species to be relocated from one wild population to another, according to Mongabay. "It is necessary not only to increase genetic diversity, which is always good, but above all to boost reproduction," Rewilding Argentina biologist Gerardo Ceron told Mongabay. "We need more jaguars, and for that, the best option right now is to bring in females." Conservationists hope to further increase genetic diversity by connecting jaguar populations across the Gran Chaco, according to Mongabay. Their work surrounding jaguars is a win for biodiversity, improving the region's environmental health and serving as a blueprint for other areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These national parks were great but depleted of wildlife. Now, as we recover the ecosystem, the story is changing dramatically," Rewilding Argentina Conservation Director Sebastian Di Martino told Mongabay. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The cracking, melting expanse of ice in the Arctic tells a story that scientists must understand to adapt to our warming planet. With new drone technology, they have a new way to monitor it. Scientists will test their high-speed drones in Greenland in May to see if the technology can effectively provide crucial data about melting ice sheets, New Scientist reported. What's happening? According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, Greenland's ice sheets are an important source of measurements for Earth's changing climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, 80 gigatons of Greenland's ice sheet melted, according to the United Nations, citing the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland. NASA describes 1 gigatonne (about 1.1 gigatons) as the weight of 10,000 fully loaded aircraft carriers. Marble, the company responsible for inventing the drone, is partnering with researchers at the University of Bergen on a project supported by 2 million (more than $2.6 million) from the United Kingdom's Advanced Research and Invention Agency. The drones must be tested because the Arctic is a harsh environment. However, if they work, scientists can receive detailed, frequent images of the ice-covered landscape. Current technology is not effective enough to provide the data that scientists need to properly keep an eye on the ice's thickness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Kerim Nisancioglu of the University of Bergen told New Scientist, "Now we'll be able to continuously monitor." Why are Greenland's ice sheets important? The ice in Greenland and the rate at which it melts are important for predicting various elements of our changing climate. Understanding Greenland's ice melt is crucial for forecasting sea level rise. According to New Scientist, losing all the ice in Greenland would cause the oceans to rise by over 7 meters, or around 23 feet. Do you think America could ever go zero-waste? Never Not anytime soon Maybe in some states Definitely Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While this ice likely wouldn't melt all at once, the melting indicates a larger pattern. This pattern also fuels stronger, less predictable weather events. From heat waves and wildfires to hurricanes and floods, extreme weather has always existed. However, scientists agree that these events have been supercharged by climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This makes them even more dangerous to our communities. Climate.gov estimates that 2024's extreme weather included 27 events that cost $1 billion or more, and these events led to at least 568 deaths. What's being done about melting Arctic ice? Many organizations are working hard to monitor and mitigate the impacts of our warming planet. The Advanced Research and Invention Agency, which backs this drone project, is putting 81 million (more than $107 million) toward projects that monitor climate tipping points. We can all play a part in reducing reliance on dirty energy sources that trap heat in the atmosphere. One option is swapping gas-powered tools for electric ones. We can also move to renewable energy such as wind or solar panels whenever possible. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. By Liangping Gao, Ellen Zhang and Casey Hall BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Eno Qian, who runs a clothing factory in eastern China, says she makes a 20 yuan ($2.74) profit for every item she sells abroad and only a tenth of that on domestic sales, making a shift to the local market "not viable" for her tariff-hit business. Beijing has made increasingly louder calls on exporters to find local buyers as an alternative to the U.S. market, now frozen after Washington hiked tariffs on Chinese goods by 145%, but firms are concerned about complications in making the switch. Many export-reliant factories have decried weak domestic demand, price wars, low profits, payment delays and high product return rates in the Chinese market. Qian said she has "decided not to pursue domestic sales," because of thin margins and "cash flow risks" caused by Chinese retailers not paying bills on time, or demanding to return unsold items. "Foreign partners are more stable." These difficulties highlight the world's second-largest economy's over-reliance on exports for growth and the urgent need for measures to boost consumer incomes, analysts say. Without fiscal stimulus that boosts domestic demand, any increase in product supply in the Chinese market may even backfire, by squeezing businesses and intensifying deflationary pressures, they say. "In China, due to furious competition, the margin is very, very thin, or almost sometimes zero, which could cause some exporters to go out of business if they pivot to the domestic market," said He-Ling Shi, economics professor at Monash University in Melbourne. "This will further make the consumption power worse, because if people go out of business, obviously they don't have income to buy in the domestic market." China's commerce ministry said this month that one of its key strategies to mitigate the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff hikes was to support exporters to sell more domestically. The ministry has since organised "matchmaking" events across China, including in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hainan island, bringing together manufacturers and e-commerce platforms, supermarkets and other retailers to see if deals can be struck. Local governments are forming special task forces to find solutions for the problems raised by exporters, including what officials identified as "unfamiliarity with the domestic market, lack of operational experience, and low brand awareness." CALLS FOR STIMULUS E-commerce giant JD.com has said it would launch a 200 billion yuan ($27.35 billion) fund to help exporters sell their products domestically over the next year. It said nearly 3,000 firms have already made enquiries - about 0.4% of Chinese companies engaged in foreign trade. Can a Hail Mary to stave off climate change by dimming the Sun work? Scientists in the UK are poised to find out. The Telegraph reports that the British government is expected to greenlight a bevy of solar geoengineering experiments in the coming weeks, which will explore techniques ranging from injecting aerosols into the atmosphere to brightening clouds to reflect sunlight. The experiments will be funded to the tune of roughly $66.5 million by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, making the UK one of the biggest funders of solar geoengineering research in the world, according to the Guardian. This stands in contrast to the US, where a number of high-profile solar geoengineering experiments have been shut down while some states consider banning future attempts. Such dramatic measures to respond to climate change remain extremely controversial in the scientific community for good reason but as we race towards critical warming tipping points past which the effects of climate change are believed to be irreversible, some argue that we should be exploring all our options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The uncomfortable truth is that our current warming trajectory makes a number of such tipping points distinctly possible over the next century," Mark Symes, programmer director for ARIA told the Guardian. "This has driven increased interest in approaches that might actively cool the world in a short time frame in order to avoid those tipping points. Having spoken to hundreds of researchers, we reached the conclusion that a critical missing part of our understanding was real world, physical data." The leading proposed method for reducing our planet's dose of solar radiation is through stratospheric aerosol injection, which involves releasing massive amounts of small particles the most popular candidate being sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, where they would reflect some sunlight back into space. Another known as marine cloud brightening proposes we enhance nature's greatest source of shade, clouds, by spraying them with sea salt aerosols that promote water droplet formation to make them denser and bounce back more sunlight. The flip side of that is a more fringe technique called cirrus cloud thinning, which suggests thinning the high-altitude clouds because they trap more sunlight than they reflect. As easy as it is to imagine any of these going catastrophically wrong not to mention their potential to distract from the fact that we must dramatically curb greenhouse gas emissions there is some real-world evidence suggesting that these measures could work, according to Jim Haywood, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Exeter. Scientists have observed how the gigantic clouds of sulfur released by volcanic eruptions have led to global temperature drops evidence in favor of aerosol injection and similarly how the ashy plumes brightened clouds while also increasing their size ditto cloud brightening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional research has shown that a sharp dropoff in shipping fumes due to international regulations ironically caused a spike in global temperatures. But how scientists interpret that result is a glass half-empty half-full situation. On the one hand, it suggests that deliberately releasing aerosols could help measurably cool our planet. On the other, critics argue that it's a foreboding example of how solar geoengineering could go wrong by leading to a "termination shock," in which the planet rapidly heats up again the moment we stop releasing aerosols. "At the moment, all of these ideas need to remain on the table, because otherwise climate change in the coming decades could be extremely damaging," Haywood told the Guardian. "Recent global temperatures have been a real wake-up call." More on climate change: Scientists Activate Facility to Suck Carbon Directly Out of the Ocean The U.S. Supreme Court building. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom) The U.S. Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to hear a GOP appeal in a pivotal Pennsylvania election law case, the state Democratic party and the Democratic National Committee argued in a court filing Friday. The Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania asked the high court in January to hear their appeal of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision on provisional ballots issued days before last years presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 4-3 decision, the states highest court affirmed voters rights in the commonwealth to cast provisional ballots and have them counted, if they learn their mail-in ballots have been rejected. In a brief opposing the GOPs petition, the state Democratic Party and the DNC argue the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the ultimate authority in the case. Granting the appeal would set a precedent invalidating state supreme court jurisdiction in election law cases across the country. Granting certiorari here would almost surely engender requests for this Courts review of any and every state-law election case, burdening the Court with invitations to weigh in on all manner of (often time-sensitive) state-election-law disputes, Democratic party lawyers argue. That is not a regime the Court should foster. The case is Republican National Committee, et al. v. Faith Genser, et al. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four days before the Nov. 5 election, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the RNCs request for an emergency stay against the state Supreme Court ruling. Justice Samuel Alito said the court declined the request because it would not impose any binding obligation on any of the Pennsylvania officials who are responsible for the conduct of this years election. Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairperson Sharif Street said in a statement the DNC is fighting to ensure Pennsylvanians have their votes counted. Pennsylvania Republicans are trying to game the vote in their favor and thats why theyre trying to upend Pennsylvanias sovereignty and end a long-standing voting practice in the state, Street said. With important Pennsylvania elections in November and in 2026, Democrats arent taking anything to chance when it comes to winning back the state. DNC Chairperson Ken Martin said Pennsylvanians deserve to have their votes counted in every election full stop. Simple errors on mail-in ballots shouldnt impede Pennsylvanians from exercising their rights at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the RNC and Republican Party of Pennsylvania did not immediately return calls Friday. The underlying case involves two Butler County voters who were told their mail-in ballots had been rejected because they neglected to seal them inside secrecy envelopes before returning them. The voters went to their polling places for the primary in 2024 and voted by provisional ballot. The Butler County Board of Elections, however, told the voters that their provisional ballots would not be counted. Represented by the Public Interest Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, the voters challenged the boards decision and won favorable decisions in Commonwealth Court and the state Supreme Court. In an opinion for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court majority, Justice Christine Donohue wrote that the Butler County Board of Elections correctly rejected the voters mail-in ballots because they did not comply with the Election Codes requirement to use a plain envelope to ensure the anonymity of ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Donohue said the county board erred by refusing to count provisional ballots the voters cast at their polling places after learning their mail ballots were fatally flawed. The Election Code requires county elections officials to count provisional ballots if no other ballot is attributable to the voter and provided there are no issues that would disqualify the provisional ballot, the courts majority found. In its petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, the GOP argues the state Supreme Court usurped the Pennsylvania Legislatures authority to set the times, places and manner for congressional elections, leaning on a premise known as the independent state legislature theory. That theory asserts that the U.S. Constitution reserves the authority to set the times, places and manner of elections exclusively for state legislatures. In opposition, the DNC and Pennsylvania Democratic Party assert that the U.S. Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction, because the case falls outside the limited circumstances in which it can review the judgment of a states highest court. Such appeals are allowed only when a federal law is in question, a state law is claimed to conflict with federal law or where any title, right, privilege, or immunity is specially set up or claimed under the Constitution. The GOP is not challenging the validity of any federal or state law, the Democratic brief says. Far from it, petitioners seek federal-court enforcement of a state statute as they, rather than the states highest court, interpret it, the Democratic party argues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the U.S. Supreme Court has made clear that a petitioner may claim a constitutional right only for itself and not a third party, the party said. Petitioners the Butler County Board of Elections, the Republican National Committee, and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania cannot claim any right or privilege for themselves under the Elections or Electors Clauses, the Democratic brief says. The U.S. Supreme Court also lacks jurisdiction, the brief says, because the GOP did not raise its claim about the state legislatures sole authority over federal elections until the case got to the state Supreme Court, which ruled that the claim had been waived. In the brief, the DNC and Pennsylvania Democratic Party argue that there are no conflicting court decisions on the question of counting provisional ballots. It also refutes the GOP claim the Pennsylvania Supreme Court exceeded the bounds of ordinary judicial review, with its ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By providing a response to a question about the meaning and intent of a state law in a case duly raised by the litigants on its normal appellate docket, the brief says, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court was quite literally just doing its job. Naloxone harm reduction kits will be available in some public spaces across South Dakota due to a partnership between the state and Emily's Hope, officials announced on April 25, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) About 20,000 opioid overdose prevention kits will be distributed across South Dakota thanks to a partnership between the state and Sioux Falls-based nonprofit Emilys Hope. The kits are filled with naloxone, an antidote for opioid overdoses, along with other resources and information. Emilys Hope founder and CEO Angela Kennecke, whose daughter died from a fentanyl overdose in 2018, announced the partnership in Sioux Falls on Friday alongside South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, state Health Department Secretary Melissa Magstadt and state Social Services Department Secretary Matt Althoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The distribution is funded with $350,000 of South Dakotas $78.6 million and counting in national opioid settlement funds, Jackley said. The national opioid settlements were reached to resolve opioid litigation against pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers accused of flooding communities with opioid painkillers even though they allegedly knew how addictive and deadly the drugs were. South Dakota will receive about $50 million over the next 15 years from the first settlement and will receive another $28.6 million over the next 17 years from a settlement with Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Teva and Allergan. Thats what is so important about this partnership is its putting those dollars back to work to save and protect people, Jackley said. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley speaks at a press conference in Sioux Falls on April 25, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Teva pharmaceuticals donated 2,313 kits for the effort and sold the other kits at a discounted rate to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ninety-five South Dakotans died from overdoses in 2023, according to the state Department of Health. Forty-seven of the deaths were opioid-related, and 39 of those were fentanyl-related, Magstadt said. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. Since 2019, weve had a 70% increase in the amount of fentanyl deaths in South Dakota, Magstadt said. Its hitting home. The program will target areas of the state impacted the most by opioid use, overdoses and death, officials said. The top 10 counties impacted, according to Emilys Hope, are Minnehaha, Lincoln, Pennington, Corson, Roberts, Turner, Todd, Oglala Lakota, Beadle and Meade. Although most overdose deaths are among white residents, Native Americans are disproportionately affected. Native Americans die from overdoses at a rate of 26.6 per 100,000 more than four times the rate among white South Dakotans, according to the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kits will be placed in publicly accessible areas, Kennecke said. Emilys Hope has been distributing naloxone kits, primarily in the Sioux Falls area, for nearly a year. The organization has distributed about 6,000 kits in that time. Although most overdoses occur in private residences, they also happen in public restrooms, in traffic or on the street, Kennecke said. Offering them in public allows more bystanders to access the drug and intervene. Our goal is to have one of these kits in every house, in every business, by every AED possible, Kennecke said. AEDs are automated external defibrillators that help people in cardiac arrest, many of which are stationed in public areas and offices throughout the state. South Dakota Department of Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt speaks at a press conference in Sioux Falls on April 25, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Magstadt called naloxone a one more chance medicine, since it halts overdose symptoms and opens a window for people to seek treatment for opioid use disorder. Administering naloxone will not harm someone who isnt experiencing overdose, she said, and victims often appear sleepy while overdosing from opioid use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has distributed about 15,000 naloxone kits in the last eight years to law enforcement, emergency medical services and schools across the state using a federal grant. About 3,600 kits have been distributed to public spaces through the new program so far. South Dakotas current plan in the Department of Social Services is to put a majority of settlement dollars into a trust fund to gain interest over time. Althoff said he wants to ensure the money is spent wisely rather than spend this precious resource for the sake of spending. Jackley told South Dakota Searchlight he doesnt agree with the trust fund approach and hed rather see the funds be put toward prevention and treatment immediately. That includes funneling some of the settlement money toward rehabilitation for South Dakota prisoners, he said. Today, there was a minimal amount of money used from that settlement to save lives, Jackley said. We need to do more of that. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) 36-year-old Bret Valona was dropped off by his family at the Point Washington State Forest on March 1st. The primitive outdoorsman planned to spend several weeks in the forest. When he failed to check in by March 28th, his family reported him missing to the Walton County Sheriffs Office. Three weeks is the check-in because we cant go longer than that because Mama gets too worried. So he missed that check-in by a long shot, Brets mother Karie Valona said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His family has not been able to reach Valona by phone. His phone is not functioning. Has been functioning. The last time that we know for sure that it may have been working is the 2nd of March. And now its either the SIM cards pulled or its just shut off. Not just turned off, but closed or whatever. We cant get that information right now. Right now, from Verizon, Brets father Tony Valona said. On Wednesday night, Valonas family drove from Wisconsin to Walton County to organize a search party. FDFS investigators seizes computer from Holmes County Commission office They were joined by the United Cajun Navy, Search and Rescue teams, K-9 search teams, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and groups of volunteers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They set out Thursday morning, trying to cover as much of the 15-acre Point Washington State Forest as possible. It is home to black bears, alligators, and snakes. Valonas family says the time to find Bret is running out. Every day that goes by, were getting farther away from something that could be out here, Brets brother-in-law John Rybak said. Predation and everything in your area here in Florida, the odds of finding anything left are running slim, Karie Valona said. Valona is a Marine Corps veteran. After he was reported missing, his family found out that he was having suicidal thoughts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also found out that he had ideas of self-harm to different people. Had said while he was here for that week that he had told them that, Karie Valona said. Valonas family says almost 20 veterans commit suicide a day. We have been talking to other nonprofit groups about the situation, and unfortunately, they have heard this all too often in that groups that they this is just a major issue, the suicidal ideations, Brets sister Ashlee Rybak said. The Walton County Sheriffs office checked local jails and hospitals, and ran a criminal history for Bret Valona, but no results were found. For all the vets that are listening to this, hear this that people out there love you. You dont even know that they love you. But the support of this community theyre showing their love. Theyre pouring it in, they dont even know, Fred. They dont mean to us. They care. They care about you. They care about what youve given for our country, John Rybak said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bret Valona was last seen wearing a plaid shirt, cargo pants, a yellow raincoat, brown hiker boots, and carrying two backpacks. If you see any sign of Valona, contact the Walton County Sheriffs Office at (850) 892-8111. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa The Hamilton County Sheriffs Office is asking people to keep their distance from law enforcement and search and rescue personnel near the Ellsworth exit on I-35 Friday. HCSO posted shortly after 10:00 a.m. that there isnt an active situation, but a search is underway between mile markers 133 and 128 for a missing man who may have last been seen in the area. The missing person, 31-year-old Marcus Anthony Taylor was believed to have been traveling from Fort Worth, Texas to Wisconsin to visit his dying grandmother earlier this month. Marcus Anthony Taylor His license plates were last read on Tuesday, April 8th, while traveling on I-35 in northern Missouri. There hasnt been a record of the plates being scanned since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor was driving a blue Hyundai Santa Fe with South Dakota license plates. If you have any information on this case, please contact the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office at 515-832-9500. 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. ST. CHARLES, Ill. A search is underway for a former suburban driving instructor who was found guilty of sexually assaulting one of his students in 2021. 58-year-old Paul Bocska, a St. Charles resident, was found guilty on a slew of felony charges including four counts of criminal sexual assault and 12 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Kane County States Attorney Jamie Mosser announced Thursday. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Bocska was found to have sexually abused the victim on multiple occasions in April and May of 2021 after he was hired as the victims driving instructor through his St. Charles-based company, Drive Now. In May of 2023, Bocska was released from custody after posting a $50,000 cash bond. Photo provided by Kane County States Attorney Jamie L. Mosser shows 58-year-old Paul Bocska, a St. Charles resident who was found guilty on a slew of felony charges including four counts of criminal sexual assault and 12 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Bocska was set to return to court on April 17 for his jury trial, but a warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to appear. The trial took place in his absence, and he was convicted, but authorities have still not been able to track him down. Authorities are now asking anyone with information on Bocskas whereabouts to contact the St. Charles Police Department or the Kane County States Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courage of this victim stands in stark contrast to the cowardice of Mr. Bocska. My thanks to the victim and family, as well as Detectives Murawski and Schuessler of the St. Charles Police Department, ASA Amanda Busljeta, and victim advocate Sheila Gray. Im encouraging anyone with information about Bocska to come forward so that we he can ensure Bocska is taken into custody and held accountable for these horrendous crimes, Assistant States Attorney Matt Rodgers said. Bocska is scheduled to return to court on June 4, for motions and sentencing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - They may be the most powerful people on earth, but for the seating arrangement at Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday, all foreign leaders will play second fiddle to the Argentines and Italians and surrender to the whims of the French alphabet. About 130 foreign delegations had so far expressed their desire to attend the funeral, the Vatican said on Friday, and more were expected to do so throughout the day. Those include around 50 heads of state who have been confirmed as attending, among them U.S. President Donald Trump and 10 reigning monarchs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apart from the VIPs, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the funeral in St. Peter's Square, which starts at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Saturday. Italian police have laid on one of the most complex security operations in decades. The official delegations will sit at a section to the right of the altar at the top of the steps leading toward St. Peter's Basilica. Pride of place goes to Argentina, Francis' native country, whose president, Javier Milei, will sit in the front row. Milei, a maverick right-wing libertarian, had heaped insults on Francis while he was campaigning in 2023, calling him an "imbecile who defends social justice". But the president shifted his tone after he took office that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next comes Italy, the country that surrounds the Vatican and which agreed in 1929 to recognise its sovereignty as the world's smallest state. It gets the second-best seats in the VIP section also because the pope is bishop of Rome and primate of the Catholic bishops of Italy. That is when the alphabet in French still considered the language of diplomacy kicks in for the other delegations. The countries following Italy are ordered according to their names in French and not in their native languages. So, it is Etats Unis and not United States, Allemagne instead of Deutschland (Germany), and Pays-Bas instead of Nederland (The Netherlands). Royalty will take precedence. Reigning monarchs -- expected to include royalty such as the kings and queens of Spain and Belgium and Prince Albert of Monaco -- will be seated in front of other heads of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Friday that no distinction would be made between Catholic and non-Catholic royalty for the seating order. After the royals come the remaining heads of state. Trump, who attracted criticism from Francis because of his immigration policies, will sit ahead of many other leaders because Etats Unis begins with an 'E'. That alphabetic logic means that Trump - currently engaged in trying to get a peace deal in the war in Ukraine - will not be sitting near Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Former U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been the target of constant criticism by Trump, is attending the funeral, but will not be part of the official U.S. delegation, a diplomatic source said. This means Biden, a lifelong Catholic, should be sitting further back, with other VIPs. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Additional reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Frances Kerry) This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). As Spanish cities go, Mahon is relatively little known to travellers, despite its tumultous history. The port city on Menorcas southeast coast has been at the centre of centuries of conflict, with everyone from the Moors to the Ottomans and French taking control of its natural harbour, the second largest in the world. But it was the British who left their mark, ruling from the early 18th to the early 19th century, leaving a series of military buildings along the waterfront and on nearby islands. Stretching for eight miles, the harbour remains the heart of the city alongside the Old Town, which gazes down from a rocky outcrop. The lattice of streets in the Old Town links most of Mahons major sites. Housed in a former monastery, the Museu de Menorca offers a good introduction to the islands history. Admire the contemporary sculptures in the cloister, then walk through eight galleries: each focuses on a different era, from the prehistoric Talaiotic period to the decades of British rule. For a glimpse of life under the Brits, head to Ca nOliver, a restored mansion once owned by one of the wealthiest families of the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Old Towns heart is Plaza de Espana, home to Mercat sa Placa, a collection of cafes and food stalls in the cloisters of a former convent. Its the place to buy the islands famous Mahon cheese. It has a firm, buttery texture and rich, slightly salty flavour, which intensifies with age. Choose from semi, curado or viejo seasoned for two, five or 10 months, respectively. While here, try coca bamba (a plain cake often served with hot chocolate) at Sucreria Francesa, a pastry shop and cafe, or tuck into oliaigua (a hearty vegetable soup) and sobrasada (a spicy, spreadable sausage) at El Trueno, a tapas bar. Also in the Old Town is Pasteleria Sandra, which has been selling classic Menorcan pastries and tarts since 1972; try a formatjada (stuffed with pork and sobrasada) or flao (a circle of pastry around a tangy cheese souffle). Es Llonguet Forn Artesa is another favourite bakery, not least because it doesnt close from 2-4pm, unlike most businesses in town. For dinner, Ses Forquilles serves classic tapas with a twist, like fricando (simmered beef) in a bao bun or oysters with wakame and lime. Mercat de Peix has the best pintxos (Basque-style tapas, usually on slices of baguette). With a long tradition of shoe-making, Menorca was a major 20th-century player in the global shoe industry. Local, high-end brands like Pons Quintana and Pretty Ballerinas, selling everything from flats to heels, are still popular with celebrities like Kate Moss and Kate Middleton. Each has a shop in Mahon, although most visitors opt for the islands classic avarca sandals peep-toed, flat slingbacks from more affordable stores in town. For something different, Posidonia sells earrings, bracelets and pendants inspired by Menorcas landscapes. The Old Town represents only half of what Mahon has to offer. From the main plazas, stairs lead down to the harbour. This stretch of waterfront is home to the Xoriguer distillery, which claims to produce the oldest gin in the Mediterranean and offers free tastings and bookable tours. Alternatively, take an hour-long boat ride around the area or visit the Hauser & Wirth gallery on Illa del Rei. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also along the harbour, a 10-minute drive from Mahons centre, is the neighbourhood of Es Castell, originally built as a British military base. The waterfront is lined with fish restaurants and tapas bars and its a glorious spot for a sunlit lunch, whether you go for upscale dining at Sa Punta or opt for freshly caught fish and seafood at Trebol. No visit to a Balearic island is complete without an afternoon at the beach. The unspoilt swathe of sand in the village of Es Grau is just a 10-minute drive from Mahons centre. Its a gorgeously tranquil spot, tucked away in the Parc Natural de sAlbufera des Grau, over 19sq miles of wetlands and olive groves. Stay for sunset drinks at Cafe Bar Es Moll, perched right beside the water. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.(Available in select countries only). An Apple Store in Berlin, Germany. - Photo: Sean Gallup / Staff (Getty Images) The European Union fined Apple and Meta a combined $800 million on Wednesday for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a 2022 landmark European antitrust law that addresses anticompetitive practices in the tech industry. Apple and Meta (META), charged 500 million ($570 million) and 200 million ($230 million), respectively, were found liable for failing to give consumers the choice of a service that uses less of their personal data, the European Commission said. The Commission added that the two decisions come after extensive dialogue with the companies concerned allowing them to present in detail their views and arguments. Under the DMA, both Apple (AAPL) and Meta are classified as gatekeepers because they can single-handedly set the rules for businesses and users alike. Apple, according to the Commission, didnt comply with a regulation that app developers distributing their apps via Apples App Store should be able to inform customers, free of charge, of alternative offers outside the App Store, steer them to those offers and allow them to make purchases. Meta, meanwhile, was dinged for creating a consent or pay advertising model that made users fork over cash if they didnt want their data to be used for personalized ads. Apple and Meta are required to pay the fines within 60 days or face further penalties. Todays decisions send a strong and clear message. The Digital Markets Act is a crucial instrument to unlock potential, choice and growth by ensuring digital players can operate in contestable and fair markets, Teresa Ribera, the EU vice president for clean, just, and competitive transition, said in the Commissions press release. It protects European consumers and levels the playing field. Meta and Apple did not immediately return requests for comment. In a statement, Meta chief global affairs officer Joel Kaplan said the Commission is attempting to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards. Meta said it will likely appeal the decision. Apple said it will also appeal, saying, We have spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours and made dozens of changes to comply with this law, none of which our users have asked for. ... Despite countless meetings, the commission continues to move the goal posts every step of the way. The White House has been notably upset about the continuing European crackdown on American Big Tech companies, with President Donald Trump issuing a directive threatening to impose tariffs on Europe to defend these companies from what he believes are overseas extortion and unfair fines and penalties. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) has issued a missing person alert for a 14-year-old girl named Maryam, SPD posted on X. SPD says she was last seen on Thursday wearing all green near the Hillman City neighborhood at 48th Avenue South and South Raymond Street. The alert advises that Maryam does not speak English, only Soninke, which is primarily spoken in West Africa. She attends the Seattle World School near Capitol Hill at 1700 E Union Street. Seattle police ask if she is seen to call 911. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Lawmakers are now vowing to take another look at the new social studies standards for students. That decision follows Governor Stitts questions about how the standards were passed. Last week, both House and Senate leadership said they expected them to take effect. Then late Thursday afternoon, Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, filed a joint resolution regarding the social studies standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SJR20-INTDownload It states, the legislature disapproves in whole the social studies and science subject matter standards approved by the state board of education on February 27th. The resolution also notes the cost of the new standards would be $33 million for textbooks and the curriculum. It was filed just hours after leaders at the State Capitol decided to take a second look. Oklahoma governor disapproves of social studies standards switch On Thursday, Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said he wants to reconsider the situation after Governor Stitts concerns. The legislature is going to have to make a decision on that. But the mechanics of how it came about really just feels It feels like somebody needs to look into it, said Governor Kevin Stitt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was Governor Stitts concern over the new social studies standard vote by State Board of Education members. Its been showed to me from the board members that they were emailed a copy of those standards. But then there was a different standard that was sitting on the desk that they actually voted on, said Governor Stitt. As first reported by NonDoc, if these standards go into effect, students in Oklahoma schools will learn about 2020 stolen election theories and Bible stories. Ive actually pulled the areas of the standards in. And I dont agree that its enough to send them back based on whats in those standards, said Paxton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OK School Standards with 2020 election theories going to take effect While Paxton doesnt think its worth it to send the standards back to the board, he did say the process of the possible switch is something that needs to be looked at. Were getting conflicting information from different sources. Were trying to figure that out to figure out what were going to do, and of course, time is of the essence on this. We need to make a decision pretty quick, said Senate Pro Tem Paxton. As the deadline approaches, Democratic lawmakers are pleading that the standards not be approved. Were calling on our colleagues to hear our resolutions or bring forward their own to make sure we reject this. The window is closing right now and we need to focus on our students first, said Senator Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to send back the standards has to go through the House and Senate, and that deadline is May 1. If nothing happens, the standards will automatically go into effect for the next six years. News 4 reached out to the Oklahoma State Department of Education for comment. Were 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. LANSING A Senate panel on April 24 recommended spending $15 million to improve the safety of railings at Michigan prisons, following a series of Free Press articles about five fatal plunges at two Jackson-area prisons. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections and Judiciary, chaired by Sen. Sue Shink, D-Northfield Township, included the plan in a nearly $2.3 billion proposed budget for the Michigan Department of Corrections, approved in a 3-1 party line vote. The plan now moves to the full Senate Appropriations Committee as the next step in the protracted budget-setting process for the 2026 fiscal year. The proposed expenditure was initially listed as $31 million in a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of the budget bill, but that was an error and the correct figure is $15 million, agency director Kathryn Summers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the latest in a series of articles, the Free Press reported April 16 that 42-year-old Ervin Robinson II died April 12 after falling from an upper gallery at the Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance Center near Jackson. The Department of Corrections described Robinson's fall as accidental, but the Free Press has documented four other fatal falls from the fourth levels at Egeler and nearby Parnall Correctional Facility since 2020. The department listed all four of those deaths as suicides. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, a Democratic activist, former state lawmaker, and current Detroit school board member, said she lobbied lawmakers and community justice groups to take action after reading the most recent Free Press article and said April 25 she is pleased by the legislative action. "It's heartening to see that Sen. Shink has prioritized righting this terrible atrocity that has persisted for far too long," Gay-Dagnogo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the type of decisive action needed to ensure that no one else loses their loved ones due to years of state neglect." Egeler and Parnall each have a similar tiered structure with four levels of cells that are accessed by walkways protected by railings that are 38 inches high, which is lower than Michigan workplace safety standards, according to state records obtained under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. In August 2023, a prison employee complained to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office that gallery railings at the two prisons were too low, putting workers at risk of falling or being pushed to their deaths, records the Free Press obtained under FOIA show. Whitmer's office referred the complaint, which also cited concerns about prisoner safety, to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. But nothing changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No hazard exists," a Michigan Department of Corrections official said in a Sept. 20, 2023, letter to a manager at MIOSHA. The agency closed its investigation less than three weeks later, without physically inspecting the two prisons, despite concerns raised by one MIOSHA official that improvements were needed, records show. Since then, three men have died by jumping or falling over or under the railings. Michael Snyder, the father of 37-year-old Wesley Snyder, who died in what was ruled a suicide after jumping from the fourth level at Parnall in December, told the Free Press the state has been negligent. "If they have one death let alone four or five, it just doesn't make sense they wouldn't have done something," Snyder said in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shink said details are still being finalized but she wants to make prison as safe as possible for both prisoners and employees and she feels that addressing the railing safety issue is a priority. Byron Osborn, president of the Michigan Corrections Organization union representing corrections officers, said ahead of the subcommittee vote that many officers feel at risk walking on the narrow gangplanks outside prisoner cells, protected only by a low railing from a steep fall to concrete below. One time, a prisoner dropped a heavy duffel bag full of his property from an upper gallery and it thudded to the ground just a few feet from where an officer was standing, Osborn said. There's always a risk of an officer falling or being pushed over the railing while breaking up a fight, he said. The risk exists not only at Egeler and Parnall, which each have four gallery levels, but at Marquette Branch Prison, which has three, Osborn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We would certainly support having some kind of additional barrier," Osborn said. "There's some danger there." MDOC Director Heidi Washington, through her spokeswoman Jenni Riehle, has repeatedly refused to comment on what, if anything, the department plans to do to address the hazard. Riehle confirmed April 18 that there was another incident at Egeler this month in which a prisoner suffered a broken leg after falling from the first-floor gallery, following an altercation with two other prisoners. As long ago as 2012, a Michigan prisoner was charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to push two corrections officers over an upper railing, Michigan Court of Appeals records show. The prisoner was acquitted on those charges but convicted on lesser assault charges, records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gay-Dagnogo said she still wants a state investigation into how the situation has been able to persist as long as it has. This story and headlines have been updated to add more information and to reflect a correction to a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: After 5 fatal falls, Senate panel wants $15M fix for prison railings TAMPA Until this week, Laisha Landrum was condemned to die in a Florida prison for a crime she committed when she was 16. On Wednesday, a judge gave her a chance at freedom. Two decades after Landrum and her former boyfriend were convicted in the brutal bludgeoning death of 16-year-old Emily Clemons, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Robin Fuson resentenced Landrum to 35 years in prison. With credit for time she has already served and the possibility of early release once she completes 85% of her sentence, Landrum, 37, could leave prison about nine years from now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt a decision that came easily. At the end of nearly a week of testimony, Fuson spoke at length about the difficulty of crafting a sentence that took stock of the crimes severity along with factors like the defendants troubled upbringing, her youth, her immaturity and her potential for rehabilitation. His voice quavering at times, the judge eyed Landrum and Clemons mother, who sat on opposite sides of the courtroom. I was up at four oclock this morning thinking about this case and the effect its going to have on you and you, Fuson said, pointing to each of the women. And it bothers me. The resentencing was the result of a pair of U.S. Supreme Court rulings. More than a decade ago, the high court held that it is unconstitutional for juvenile defendants to be sentenced to life in prison without a meaningful chance of release. The rulings were rooted in scientific research showing that young peoples brains are not fully developed and their immaturity makes them less capable of understanding consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As those rulings trickled through state courts, they offered a path toward redemption for scores of prisoners whod long ago been condemned to a lifetime of incarceration. Landrum was one of them. In 2020, a judge first heard details about her background, which included tales of emotional and physical abuse from her mother, time spent in foster care and frequent moves to different schools. Back then, her life sentence was reaffirmed. Then came a successful appeal, which put her back in court this week. Judge Fuson heard from Landrums friends, prison officials and psychological experts who said Landrum had changed that shed become a better person in prison, that she accepted responsibility for her role in the crime and that the risk of her getting in trouble again is low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also heard details about the murder. Emily Clemons mother described her as spunky, energetic and like a firecracker. She was a cheerleader in school, extroverted and had a lot of friends. Shed dated a boy, Rocky Almestica, and became pregnant, but ended up losing the child. After they broke up, Almestica got together with Landrum. She, too, became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. Tensions between the two young women had simmered for a long time. Landrum was incensed that Almestica still appeared to be seeing Clemons. There were threats. There were fights. A voicemail was left on Clemons home answering machine: Listen, bitch. You stay away from my man or Ill kill you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the evening of June 9, 2004, Clemons received a phone call from the couple. She later went to the apartment where they lived lived off North 22nd Street, south of Bearss Avenue in North Tampa. Exactly what transpired there has never been completely clear. Whats known is that Clemons was beaten with pots and pans, a boom box and a hammer. A medical examiner would determine shed been hit on her head at least 34 times. The teens wrapped her in a comforter and dragged her to a dumpster in the apartment complex. She was barely alive when sheriffs deputies found her. She died at a hospital. Donna Clemons is haunted by the image of her daughter in a funeral casket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant get rid of the crime, she said in court. Its done. Its all permanent. And I cant change it. She cant change it. Nobody can. On the witness stand, Clemons stared directly at Landrum, who gazed at a table. You should look down, she said. You should feel ashamed. Assistant State Attorney Chinwe Fossett emphasized the crimes extreme brutality. She repeatedly noted a former detectives testimony that the murder was one of the worst hed seen, that Clemons injuries were like breaking an egg on someones head. There was more, though. The judge heard details about Landrums behavior in prison. Though she accumulated several disciplinary violations, they tapered off as she got older. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her defense presented numerous certificates for self-betterment programs shes completed. They included victim impact panels, wherein prisoners confront the effects that their crimes have had on others. In recent years, Landrum converted to Islam. She was attracted to the faiths reflective and philosophical teachings. In court, she wore a hijab, the head covering worn by many Muslim women. Shes ministered to women of all faiths as a prison chapel clerk. Shes held a variety of prison jobs, including a security orderly, a position that requires significant trust. Shes also worked in the kitchen, in laundry facilities and as a library clerk. She has gone out of her way to improve who she is, said Aubrey Land, a prison consultant and former Florida corrections official who testified for the defense. Shes matured. And with all the factors weve looked at in this case, I believe she would be at low risk of committing another crime and I believe she would become a productive citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landrum maintains a close relationship with her daughter. If Laisha Landrum is not an extremely successful rehabilitation story, then nothing ever would be, Assistant Public Defender Carolyn Schlemmer told the judge. Almestica, too, appeared before judge Fuson for a resentencing this month. In his case, though, the judge reimposed a life sentence. Beyond questions about his risk of future trouble, and an unsettling story about him disposing of a weapon after a prison stabbing, the judge noted that Almestica had failed to take responsibility for his role in the crime. It was different with Landrum. Although shed downplayed her own role in conversations with some people shed said that she was defending herself, that she wasnt there and that she was convicted on a legal technicality it was what she told mental health experts, including one hired by the state, that seemed to matter most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One expert testified that Landrum was asked if she should have been convicted of murder. Her answer was yes. Landrum will begin serving an eight-year probation sentence upon her release. The judge required her to complete one year with Abe Brown Ministries, a Tampa nonprofit organization that helps former prisoners obtain jobs and develop skills to succeed in life. He warned that any mistakes Landrum makes on probation will send her back to prison for good. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) An 18-year-old described by authorities as a serial robbery suspect was taken into custody in East Nashville Thursday night. The Metro Nashville Police Department said Violent Crimes detectives investigative work, coupled with Community Safety Center operators keen observations, led to the arrest of Hussein Hassan on South 6th Street near Summer Place on Thursday, April 24. Woman jumps from moving car to escape kidnapping in South Nashville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, Hassan is charged with three counts of aggravated robbery in connection with the Sept. 15, 2024, armed hold-ups of a man and woman in the 200 block of Rose Hall, followed by a man robbed at gunpoint in his vehicle in the 800 block of 4th Avenue South. At the time of his arrest, authorities said Hassan was free on $40,000 bond for robbery and vehicle theft. In that October 2024 case, Hassan and an accomplice allegedly pushed a man against a wall at 4th Avenue North and Commerce Street before taking his wallet. Hassan who matched the description of the suspect who stole a gold Lexus, according to police was in possession of vehicles key when he was apprehended. Teen girl, woman injured after East Nashville shootout Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said warrants for the September 2024 cases were issued in February, but law enforcements efforts to locate the teen continued until Thursday night. As of Friday, April 25, Hassan is being held in the Downtown Detention Center on a $150,000 bond for the aggravated robbery charges, according to the Davidson County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. LOS ALAMOS COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) Juvenile crime is an increasing problem across the state, and one northern New Mexico community is urging parents to take action, as it is costing them thousands of dollars. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Los Alamos County, several incidents of vandalism have occurred in different parks and open spaces, resulting in thousands of dollars in damages over the past few weeks. The reported acts of vandalism include sand being thrown into toilets at Ashley Pond Park, graffiti found at the White Rock Skate Park, and additional damage to a retaining wall at the North Mesa Ball Fields. Some slides at various parks have also been harmed, creating safety concerns for children who use the equipment. Additionally, picnic tables have been thrown onto the road. Over the past three years, the county has spent nearly $50,000 on repairs, and all those responsible for the recent incidents of vandalism have been juveniles between the ages of nine and 15. Assistant parks superintendent Emmauel Abeyta stated, If we can prosecute them, we will, which may involve community service depending on their age. To address these issues, the county is launching a new reporting system through a 311 app that residents can download. This app allows them to report incidents in real time. County officials explained, Its a pretty sophisticated app that enables us to gather real-time data, track reports, and respond quicklyfor example, at 10 a.m. on a Friday, we can send a team immediately. The county is also asking parents to be more aware of their childrens actions and help them take responsibility for their behavior. They emphasized that the funds used for clean-up and repairs could instead be allocated to amenities that benefit the community. Additionally, the county plans to install more cameras in parks and open spaces to enhance monitoring and security. The county is asking parents to step up because its costing them thousands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Tampa community groups and advocates are organizing a demonstration Saturday in support of a Cuban wife and mother who was deported Thursday following an immigration appointment in Tampa. Heydi Sanchez Tejeda, 44, was arrested following a regularly scheduled check-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Tampa on Tuesday morning. Hours later, she was transferred to a jail in Pinellas County. On Wednesday, she was taken to Miami and, by Thursday afternoon, deported along with a group of Cubans on a flight back to the island. Were devastated, said her husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, 40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez Tejeda entered through the southern border five years ago and was under a temporary stay permit known as the I-220B form, a permit that does not grant a legal status or provide protection from deportation. Sanchez Tejeda married Valle four years ago.The couple has a 1-year-old daughter. Its terrible. Right now Im sending clothes, money, something to my wife in Cuba because she has nothing there, Valle said in a phone interview. Its a deep pain. Please bring her back. Shes my wife, shes the mother of my daughter. I want her back so we can continue with our lives. Sanchez Tejeda tried to enter the U.S. through the southern border in 2019 and was placed into the Remain in Mexico program, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. immigration court hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She waited for two scheduled hearings but missed the second one because she couldnt leave the border city due to local safety concerns, according to Valle. When she later entered the United States, Sanchez Tejeda was detained for nine months and placed on a deportation list. During that time, Valle said, she became sick with kidney problems and did not contest the deportation order issued by an immigration judge because of her health. She wasnt deported right away because Cuba was not accepting deportation flights at the time, Valle said. Sanchez Tejeda was released with an I-220B form. Two years ago, Valle filed a petition for permanent legal status for his wife, but he said he never received a response from immigration authorities. Six months ago, Sanchez Tejeda went to an immigration appointment and had no issues. Valle said that this year, his wifes appointment was scheduled for April 30, but she received a notice saying she needed to show up a week earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valle said the government should take into account that his wife has no criminal record, works caring for the elderly in their homes, and is a devoted mother who was still breastfeeding their daughter. Were just people working for our child, he said. Sanchez Tejedas family and supporters will hold a demonstration and press conference in support of the family at 1 p.m. Saturday at 801 N Florida Ave. in Tampa. Shoppers of products from Shein, Temu and AliExpress Chinese e-commerce site giants known for incredibly cheap goods and clothing could see their cart prices balloon quickly, thanks to a new order going into effect next week that stops a tariff exemption from which they benefited. What is the de minimis exemption? The de minimis exemption was introduced in 1938 and was intended to manage the flow of low-value packages. Orders under a certain limit $800 as of 2016 are not subject to the same inspections, duties or paperwork as bigger imports. President Donald Trumps administration made moves to close this exemption, claiming this order would help prevent drug smuggling and avoid flooding the market with cheap goods or counterfeit items. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the quality of goods from Chinese companies and applauded the lifting of this exemption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For too long, this customs loophole has let foreign exporters flood our market with cheap goods and helped drug traffickers move fentanyl past our borders resulting in factory closures, job losses, and deaths, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat, said in a statement. What companies is this most likely to affect? Though any company that regularly fulfills low-value imports will feel the impact, Chinese retailers make up a large chunk of that space. Their export economy reached $66 billion in 2023, according to the Congressional Research Service, with the United States as a top purchaser. Clothing companies like Shein and general e-commerce sites like Temu and AliExpress have become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years, offering direct competition to American giants like Walmart. Experts say their Chinese factory models are not replicable at the same scale domestically. Meanwhile, these companies dont pay duties on these orders under $800, while companies headquartered elsewhere, like H&M, pay hundreds of millions per year on import taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The companies which occupy 17 percent of the U.S. discount market have poured millions into advertising as well, catapulting to top spots on app store download lists. They have cemented their status as a cheap goods dealer for dropshippers, who buy bulk items and resell them at higher rates elsewhere; small businesses; and individual buyers alike. Shein and Temu had recently built warehouses and other hubs in the United States to be able to dispatch orders more quickly, anticipating an increase in demand before Trump announced the pullback. Typical individual orders rarely met the $800 limit the average Shein shopper spends $100 a month, while the average Temu order is $25. Generally, the average value of cheap shipments from China was $54 in 2023, according to the Congressional Research Service. Many environmental advocates have also decried the use of fast fashion sites like Shein, also criticizing the factory conditions necessary to produce and distribute mass amounts of clothing and cheap items. What happens next? As with any tariffs, increased fees on exporters do not automatically translate to higher prices. Shein and Temu recently announced incoming price adjustments starting Friday, without more immediate details. For many retailers, free or discounted shipping for consumers could disappear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order already went into effect briefly in February, causing a pileup of packages at the borders within just a few days, as the country was unprepared to handle the collection process. Without the exemption, shippers have to file much more detailed paperwork, causing delivery logjams that can delay packages for weeks, if not longer. Its unclear how permanent this iteration of the order will be. Combined with an ever-changing trade war with China, in which the United States recently increased tariffs to a sky-high 245 percent, consumers can expect higher prices and longer wait times for their packages. The post Your Shein and Temu purchases are about to get more expensive appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Big Tech stocks surged for a second day on Wednesday with Magnificent Seven firms adding $455 billion to their market capitalizations as the Trump administration hinted at a deescalation of the US-China trade war. Tesla (TSLA) surged more than 5% Wednesday, leading the way after its CEO Elon Musk said late Tuesday his time spent working for the Trump administration would be reduced "significantly." Nvidia (NVDA), Meta (META), and Amazon (AMZN) each jumped around 4%. Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), and Microsoft (MSFT) rose in the 2% range. Wednesday's gains came after President Trump softened his tone on China and hinted at a potential reprieve from unprecedented 145% reciprocal tariffs on imports from the country. He said the current rate is too high and will come down substantially during a White House news conference Tuesday. Trump said he plans to be "very nice" to China to reach a deal in trade talks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent separately called the US-China trade war unsustainable during a private event in D.C. on Tuesday. Bessent publicly confirmed that view on Wednesday but denied that the US would consider unilaterally slashing the steep tariffs on Chinese imports. The Magnificent Seven's value is now up roughly $843 billion since the market close on Monday. Prior to the tech stocks' upswing, the group had shed $1.8 trillion between Trump's reciprocal tariff announcement April 2 and Monday's close. Any potential reprieve from Trumps aggressive, unprecedented approach to trade policy would be good for tech companies, given Chinas importance in their supply chain. Some 90% of Apple iPhones are made in China, Wedbushs Dan Ives said in a previous analysis. China accounted for 17% of Apples revenue in 2024. Ives also noted in the note to investors earlier this month that Tesla sources a considerable amount of parts and batteries from countries including China, and the heightening trade war with China will do little to help the EV company overcome competition from homegrown BYD in one of its most important markets. Teslas first quarter earnings report Tuesday missed Wall Streets expectations. Meanwhile, 30% of the total value of goods sold on Amazon comes from China, and Chinese advertisers accounted for 14% of total spending on Amazon advertising in 2024, according to Raymond James, which recently downgraded the stock. Chinese advertisers account for 11% and 6% of total ad spending on Meta and Google, respectively. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he participates in a ceremonial swearing in of Paul Atkins as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ASSOCIATED PRESS Meanwhile, DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria estimates that China and Chinese companies represent anywhere between 20% and 40% of Nvidias end customers, though he noted in an email to Yahoo Finance that it's hard to tell exactly because of how they report [revenue]. SHOALS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Shoals High School was named a 2024 School of Excellence. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announced Wednesday that Shoals High School was recognized as Indianas American College Application Campaign School of Excellence Award winner. The high school in Martin County is one of 26 schools nationwide recognized for its commitment to postsecondary student success, specifically for students from low-income backgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a media release from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, awardees are selected based on their participation in their states college application campaign. Education News: Students commemorate Holocaust victims on Remembrance Day Shoals High School has a senior class of 45 students. Together, seniors filled out a combined 85 college applications during the campaign. In addition and as part of the campaign students from Shoals elementary, middle, and high schools participated in Indianas College GO! Week activities each day. The Commission congratulates Shoals High School on this incredible accomplishment, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery stated. Our state needs partners like Shoals to encourage students to pursue their postsecondary plans so we can promote economic and social prosperity for all Hoosiers. Thank you to the educators, counselors, and administrators at Shoals for your exemplary participation in this years initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are honored to receive the School of Excellence Award at Shoals High School, Early College Director Megan Hawkins stated. We are blessed to have staff who provide resources, guidance, and love for students for their college and career ambitions. We are proud to continue to empower students as they take the next steps toward their futures; as it is the students who empower and motivate us. Education News: Nerd Herd heads back to robotics world stage College Application Week is part of Indianas annual College GO! initiative. It takes place every August through November. This was Indianas 11th year participating in the initiative. 32 Indiana colleges and universities waived college application fees during the campaign. Theres something thats so rewarding about seeing our state coordinators take part in helping students navigate the admission process, ACAC Director Lisa King stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about Indianas College GO! program, visit Learn More Indianas website 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 MyWabashValley.com. On Thursday Dont Look Up filmmaker Adam McKay appeared at the virtual town hall of a grassroots group attempting to help organize a general strike, encouraging participants to shut down this broken, befouled economy. McKay joined a town hall for the General Strike 4 Resignations group alongside Chris Smalls, the co-founder and former president of the Amazon Labor Union and one of the subjects of the 2024 documentary Union, which McKay executive produced. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of a general strike however realistic or unrealistic has gained momentum in select activist and labor circles in the last few years as a means of changing the status quo in the U.S. The general idea is that if enough working people, unionized or not, withhold their labor across the country, they can establish enough leverage to change policy. While still far from mainstream, two leaders of major stateside unions Association of Flight Attendants international president Sara Nelson and United Automobile Workers president Shawn Fain have endorsed the notion, with Fain calling on fellow unions to time their labor contracts to expire on May Day 2028 to make a mass work stoppage possible for organized workers. McKay is a believer, as he demonstrated on Friday. I am here because I am terrified, he told the modest group of attendees, which hovered a little above 30 over the course of the town hall. I have two daughters and a wife that I love, and I became friends with a bunch of climate scientists. Then at that point, I started to petition our government to do something about this calamity [climate change] that is happening right in front of our faces. And look, Im a Hollywood guy, so we have money, we talk to people. You can be like, Screw you. But I am here to tell you, the people in Washington D.C., the people in London and the Western countries do not give a shit about whats going on. McKay added that he has tried to push the Democratic left for years to no avail. Eventually I started to figure out, Oh, they dont want to offend their money. So the two parties at this point are useless. So what do we do? And what we do is we shut down this broken, befouled economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of the conversation with Smalls and the General Strike 4 Resignations organizers, which occasionally meandered to the topics of the Blue Origin all-female space trip, AI, Palestine and socialism, the filmmaker promised that he would pledge $250,000 to a strike fund to help cover the living costs of people in the southwestern U.S. if a general strike came about. If youre a wealthy person and youre hearing this, you are delusional if youre not giving money to the same fund, McKay said. The filmmaker also emphasized the importance of spreading the idea of a general strike through word of mouth, saying that his work in the media industry has shown him that the business is always trying to recreate those kind of exchanges. He underscored the urgency of climate change and its effects, like rising global temperatures. I kind of feel like the whole reason were here is that every one of you needs to say, Fuck social media, fuck the press. Talk to the people to your left and right and say shut it down, he said. It is a monster death machine. And I am telling you, I have met with so many scientists and so many economists. Shut it down. We can do it. We really can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKay has been active in climate causes in recent years, donating $4 million in 2022 to the Climate Emergency Fund and joining the board of directors. In 2023 he launched the nonprofit Yellow Dot Studios, which seeks to activate people around climate change with entertaining short-form videos that challenge the decades of disinformation pushed by oil companies and amplified by large swaths of elected leaders and the media, according to the organizations website. As Donald Trump amassed electoral votes during the 2024 presidential election, which he eventually won, McKay who has in the past identified as a Democratic Socialist posted on X that it is time to abandon the Dem Party. Im registering Green Party or Working Families. But am open to ideas. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, McKay added, There is a long history around the world of general national strikes as a tool to combat rising authoritarianism and corruption. As the current administration continues to dismantle freedoms, science and government institutions, a general strike becomes more and more necessary. April 25, 3:39 p.m. Updated to add statement from McKay. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The family of a man who died during an American Airlines flight is suing after the passenger was allegedly denied medical attention while experiencing an escalating medical crisis, according to a lawsuit. John William Cannon, 62, died on April 29, 2023. In the complaint reviewed by PEOPLE, his son, Kyle Cannon, claims more could have been done to prevent Cannon's death. American Airlines told PEOPLE they are "reviewing the complaint." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Passenger Dies After 'Medical Emergency' Reportedly Involving Liters of Blood Loss During International Flight Cannon boarded American Airlines Flight 1444 from Kentuckys Louisville International Airport to travel to Dallas at approximately 12:30 p.m. on April 28, 2023, according to the wrongful death lawsuit. Cannon was en route to attend a celebration of life for his late partner, Kyle's attorney, Joseph LoRusso, told McClatchy News on Thursday, April 24. Around the time he was de-boarding from his first flight, Cannon suffered a syncopal event, the lawsuit says. He was helped to the floor of the jet bridge, but was released minutes later to make his connecting flight to Colorado. Ramos Law While Mr. Cannon exhibited concerning signs of medical distress, AAL personnel proceeded to transfer him from AAL1444 to his connecting flight, AAL4896 (operated by Envoy Air, Inc.), the complaint claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim allegedly became unresponsive, and according to allegations in the lawsuit, Despite Mr. Cannon's escalating medical crisis, the AAL4896 flight crew delayed requesting medical assistance until after the aircraft had landed, taxied to the gate, and all other passengers had deplaned. Related: Captain of Passenger Jet Dies After Takeoff from Seattle Forcing Plane to Land in New York City His symptoms included being in and out of consciousness with labored breathing. Durango La Plata firefighters arrived and administered oxygen to Cannon before removing him from the aircraft. However, as he was being transported to Mercy Medical Center, he suffered sinus bradycardia, which progressed to ventricular fibrillation arrest," the lawsuit reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the early hours of the following morning, he was pronounced dead. Related: Plane Passengers Trapped for 2 Hours With Dead Body on Board After Man Dies Mid Flight Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from American Airlines, October 2024 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from American Airlines, October 2024 Kyle and his attorneys argue that Cannons death was the direct and proximate result of the negligence and fault of American Airlines and its employees. The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritizes inaction over intervention, LoRusso and Jessica McBryant, attorneys for the Cannon family, told PEOPLE. 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. This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address, both in seeking justice for John and in advocating for broader organizational change, LoRusso and MCBryant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyle is seeking to recover damages for conscious pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of time and income, medical expenses, and other damages prior to his death in an amount over $75,000, plus attorneys fees. Read the original article on People Editorial Note: The California Highway Patrols Santa Rosa division has confirmed that the body of 74-year-old Clifford Souza was recovered Saturday afternoon from a vehicle submerged in the Russian River. Below is the original report from when Souza was first reported missing. (KRON) The California Highway Patrol is asking for the publics help to locate 74-year-old Clifford Souza. CHP activated a Silver Alert for Mendocino, Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties on behalf of the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CHP said Souza was last spotted on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the area of Old State Highway and Old Stage Road in Gualala. Souza is believed to be driving a gray 2021 Ford Ranger with the California license plate number 77443E3. Courtesy of CHP. Souza is described as 6 feet tall, weighing 220 pounds with gray hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing a dark colored shirt or jacket and tan pants at the time of his disappearance. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Since the 1930s, the Supreme Court has set its lowest bar for constitutional review to economic regulation. The courts rational-basis test doesnt require policymakers to be wise, or even reasonable. It requires only rationality an acceptable policy goal combined with rational actions to achieve that goal. Yet even that deferential standard has limits. And the reasons for those limits grounded both in history and modern economic theoryhave particular force in the modern political climate. While court challenges to these tariffs have primarily relied on statutory limits to presidential authority including a lawsuit filed this week by a dozen states rational-basis review has a significant role to play in that litigation because it complements and clarifies why Congress imposed such statutory requirements in the first place. As economic regulations, the constitutionality of the tariffs is reviewed by courts under the rational-basis standard. And the standards face severe problems under that test, for at least three reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, the tariff-calculation methodology remains inexplicable. The administrations tariff formula, based on total American imports of goods from a country, ignores services an area where the United States consistently excels. It also attributes 100% of that (incorrectly measured) trade deficit to foreign tariffs, ignoring structural factors such as consumer preferences, capital flows, and the U.S. dollars global reserve currency status. The American Enterprise Institute no bastion of liberal thought has bluntly pointed out the administrations formula has no foundation in either economic theory or trade law. Second, while the administration touts tariffs as a revenue generator from foreign manufacturers, the reality is that tariffs inevitably become taxes on American consumers. One of the plaintiffs in the current litigation, a small Florida company, says that the tariffs force it to lay off employees, raise prices, and as a result, lose business to the point of insolvency. Multiply these effects nationwide, especially in response to tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese imports, and the claimed revenue benefit quickly becomes a widespread economic burden on vulnerable Americans. Third, no rational economic basis has been provided for singling out China with tariffs more than tenfold higher than those imposed on any other trading partnerwhile also excluding phones and computers, which are Chinas main exports. These stark disparities are signs of arbitrary action, not rational policymaking. Even under the century-old, highly deferential rational-basis test, the Constitution demands rationality for economic regulation. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit again, no stronghold of liberalismpowerfully illustrated this point in its 2013 decision of St. Joseph Abbey v. Castille. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that case, Louisiana regulators prevented monks from selling handmade caskets without demonstrating any legitimate public interest in health, safety, or consumer protection. The court struck down that law, asserting: The great deference due state economic regulation does not demand judicial blindness to the history of a challenged rule or the context of its adoption nor does it require courts to accept nonsensical explanations for regulation. Similarly, the statutes cited by President Trump in support of present tariffs require genuine findings of national security threats or violations of trade agreements. These laws are not congressional whimthey arise from and embody the Constitutions baseline requirement that the political branches act rationally when they make major economic decisions. That baseline requirement has a solid foundation in both history and modern economic thought. Historically, the driving motivation for the framers of the Constitution was to create a fair system of government to replace the arbitrary whims of King George. While rationality is a low baseline, it was foundational to the framers conception of the new country that they were creating with the Constitution. Fast forward to the present day, and modern neoclassical economic thought. With some exceptions in the field of consumer-choice theory, modern economic theory is grounded in the concept of markets driven by rational actors. In those markets, as famously illustrated by Adam Smiths invisible hand, thoughtful buyers and sellers create efficient outcomes as a result of their pursuit of personal profit. To abandon that baseline requirement of rationality is to abandon economics, period. The judiciary should not accept incoherent justifications merely because they originate from the White House. If policy rests upon transparently flawed economic reasoning or arbitrary distinctions lacking rational explanation, courts not only have the authority but also the constitutional duty to intervene. The augmentation of that constitutional baseline by statute is not congressional overreachrather, it is implementation and enforcement of that baseline. And that baseline, grounded both in Constitutional history and modern economic theory, is a fundamental requirement of a just society. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) A new exhibit at the Sioux City Art Center will display the works of an artist who was born and raised locally. The museum announced Friday that the upcoming Chasing Light exhibit will display a collection of paintings by Craig Albright. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, May 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will be free and open to the public. Albright was born in Sioux City and went to high school at Sioux City North. He currently lives in Iowa City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Book Lovers Book Sale kicks off at the Southern Hills Mall According to a release, his paintings are inspired by the pastoral and industrial landscapes of Iowa. Perfect realism, however, is not his goal. My interest is not to capture a faithful copy of what I see or to duplicate a photograph. Albright says. Im taking cues from various sources. Through the activity of painting, I use a process of abstracting, distilling, refining and even obliterating the image before me to bring the painting to its own life. The May 1 reception will feature food and drink, as well as an artist talk in the Lecture Hall at 6 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until Sept. 14, 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City Art Center will be hosting its second annual Free Family Art Day next month. The event will take place on Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Art Centers campus. There will be activities in the main Art Center building, in the Learning Center, and outside on the front lawn. 2nd annual Breakfast by the Bridge event raises awareness of youth homelessness Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activities will include arts and crafts projects, games and scavenger hunts, magic, balloons, face painting, and free pork sandwiches and snacks. The Art Center said the event is free thanks to the many organizations sponsoring the event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A man will spend more than 50 years behind bars after being found guilty on crimes connected to an incident in early 2024. During Thursdays sentencing hearing, James Skirvin received a sentence of 58 to 63.5 years in prison for several charges relating back to Jan. 8, 2024. Verdict: Skirvin found guilty of domestic violence, assault, drug charges Police say Skirvin ran over his daughter with his truck at a mobile home park in Trotwood. When police responded to the domestic violence call, Skirvin fled, leading police on a chase while shooting at authorities with a long gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skirvin eventually crashed his truck on US-35, colliding with a Trotwood police cruiser with an officer inside. Michael Richardson was the officer in that vehicle, and during Thursdays hearing, a relative read a statement on his behalf in court. Anyone who has ever worked with Officer Richardson knows that he loved being a police officer and loved going to work every day, said Nadia Dexter, Officer Richardsons relative. Dexter shared that the damage Skirvin caused was beyond just physical injuries. He has lost not only his career, but also his sense of purpose and identity that came with serving his community in uniform, said Dexter. What once gave his life structure, meaning and pride has been taken from him. Officer Richardsons personal and professional life has been upended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before hearing his sentence, Skirvin also spoke, sharing his hopes that one day Officer Richardson can forgive him. I understand what hes going through, more than you may know, said Skirvin. I hope that someday he can forgive me, if not for me, but for himself, so that he can move forward. I apologize deeply to him and his family and anybody else who has endured that. Skirvin was then sentenced to 58 to 63.5 years in prison. Ive found and the jurors agreed that your testimony was self-serving and inconsistent with the evidence, said Montgomery County Judge Elizabeth Ellis. Judge Ellis went over the details of the case during the sentencing, also mentioning something that Skirvin said to his lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your attorneys quoted you in the sentencing memorandum saying that you led a law-abiding life for 54 years and I ruined it in seven minutes, said Ellis. Except you didnt just alter your life, Mr. Skirvin, you altered the lives of your daughter, Captain Sample, Sergeant Cairns, the other law enforcement officers on the team scene. And you permanently altered the life of Officer Michael Richardson. There were a lot of people inside the courtroom to show support to the victims, and you can sense the relief on their face as they were exiting as those doors closed not only to the courtroom, but to the final chapter of this case. There were a lot of people inside the courtroom to show support to the victims. Many left with an apparent sense of relief on their faces, closing the doors not only on the courtroom, but to the final chapter of this 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 WDTN.com. Bitcoin is positioned to surpass one of the biggest behemoths in tech history. As of writing, the largest crypto is trading at $93,751.05, with a total market cap of $1.86 trillion, verging on NVIDIA's $2.412 trillion in valuation. To pass NVIDIA and become the fourth most valuable asset in the world, Bitcoin needs to find somewhere around $121,600, assuming its circulating supply remains around 19.8 million Bitcoin. This is about a 29.7% increase from where it is right now. While the increase would be significant financially, it would be both significant and symbolic. NVIDIA has been identified as a major beneficiary of the AI boom and has been one of the hottest stocks on Wall Street. Meanwhile, Bitcoin's ability to remain resilient in the face of regulatory crackdowns and macro volatility has sparked the debate of its true long-term value as "digital gold." Currently, Bitcoin is ranked sixth overall in the world by all asset valuation, behind gold, Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA; it also moved ahead of Alphabet (Google) for total market cap on Apr 23, indicating the increasing significance to institutional portfolios and global finance. With increasing global investment interest from ETFs, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds, a decisive move past NVIDIA may be less a matter of if and more a matter of when. Top ETF analyst weighs in On Apr 22, Bitcoin ETFs had now attracted an astounding $936 million, or approximately $1.2 billion for the week, as stated by Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas. Of interest, 10 out of the original 11 ETFs experienced positive flows. Balchunas described the incoming flows of money as ETFs going into "Pac-Man mode," and he called it a pretty strong showing, especially with Bitcoin trading at $93.5K. The increase in flow depth across multiple issuers points to increased institutional confidence and growing demand to gain exposure to Bitcoin. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Salt Lake City Police Department is seeking the help of the public to locate a missing man who is at risk. Michael Morgan, 74, is an at-risk man who is living with Parkinsons disease and dementia and was last seen on April 24 at 10:30 a.m. near 800 North Wooden Lane in Salt Lake City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, he might be with his small black Shih Tzu dog. Morgan is described as being about 5 9, grey hair, hazel eyes, white, and was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. Police are asking anyone who may have information about his whereabouts to call 9-1-1 immediately. Details are limited, but ABC4.com will update when more information becomes available. 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. Update, April 25 at 6:30 p.m.: On Friday, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom, requesting that he reverse the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole Boards decision to grant early parole to Allie Brown. Brown was convicted of the second-degree murder of her 22-month-old daughter, Lily Sommer-Brown. She had served 12 years of her 15-year sentence when she was granted early parole, according to a news release from the District Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the letter, Dow said that the parole board did not adequately consider the gravity of the crime or Browns conflicting statements about the incident. Originally, Brown said the familys border collie injured her daughter. Later, she said she dropped her daughter in the shower. Additionally, Brown violated rules while incarcerated, and a 2023 assessment of Brown determined that she was at a moderate risk for violence, the letter said. The board further failed to take into account that Brown did not put together comprehensive relapse prevention plans for domestic violence or mental health management, the letter said. This is alarming because both the life crime and the background of abuse against Lilys mother involve domestic violence and apparent mental instability. Original story: A San Luis Obispo County resident convicted of murdering her daughter was granted early parole on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, a judge sentenced Paso Robles resident Allie Brown to 15-years-to-life in prison after she pled no contest to the second degree murder of her 22-month-old daughter, Lily Sommer-Brown, a news release from the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office said. Brown was known as Herbert David Brown III when she was convicted, but is now going by the name Allie, according to the news release. On Feb. 19, 2013, Brown called 911 because her daughter Lily had stopped breathing. Emergency responders found Lily covered with bruises and a severe skull fracture consistent with striking with great force against a hard object, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally, Brown said the familys border collie injured her daughter. Later, Brown said she had dropped Lily in the shower, according to previous Tribune reporting. Lily was transferred to the Stanford University Medical Center, where she was declared brain-dead and taken off of life support. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole Board first granted Brown parole on Oct. 30, to the objection of Lilys mother and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office, according to the release. In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom referred the decision back to the board for review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the board affirmed its original decision and granted Brown parole after serving 12 years in prison. San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow called the decision shameful. (Brown) should have served every day of the 15 years before being considered for possible parole, Dow said in the release. I ask the Board of Parole Hearings: Where is the justice for Baby Lily? Browns release date has not yet been determined. Thayer, Mo. A growing number of people are demanding answers after Thayer police fatally shot a dog last Friday in response to an alleged attack on a child. The incident has sparked widespread concern online, with dozens of social media users calling for the release of body camera footage. According to a press release from the Thayer Police Department, officers responded to a report of a dog bite involving a 5-year-old child around 3:23 p.m. on April 18 near Brewer Street. The child sustained injuries to the neck, prompting officers to call for an Oregon County Ambulance. Police say the dog remained at large when officers arrived and later aggressively charged them during the investigation. One officer was reportedly bitten before police opened fire, killing the animal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department emphasized in the statement that Thayer city ordinances prohibit dogs from running loose and regulate the presence of vicious dogs. Officials also noted ongoing strain on city animal control resources, citing frequent calls about loose dogs and limited capacity at the local pound. Clearly the outcome of this incident is not what anybody wants to see, the department said. However, our officers will do whatever is necessary to protect the public and themselves. The press release shared on Facebook the morning after the incident has hundreds of reactions and comments. Still, the departments account has been met with skepticism by some residents. In online posts and comments, several individuals claim the dog may have been on its own property and in labor at the time of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As public pressure mounts, Ozarks First Investigates has submitted a Sunshine Law request seeking the release of the body camera footage from the incident. The footage could provide crucial insight into the moments leading up to the shooting and potentially address conflicting accounts. The incident continues to stir debate in Thayer and beyond, raising questions not only about animal control enforcement but also about transparency and accountability in law enforcement responses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors Note: The above story originally aired on Nov. 12, 2024 NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) In response to demand, the New York City Department of Sanitation has released smaller trash bins for sale on its official website. The new 25-gallon bins sell for $43.88 and can hold up to two 13-gallon garbage bags. The smaller bins abide by NYC trash rules that went into effect in November, which mandated all residents to put trash in containers with lids for pick-up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News We are proud to be able to offer City residents with even more choices in finding the right waste bin to meet their individual or buildings needs, said Javier Lojan, Acting Sanitation Commissioner. DSNY originally released 35-gallon and 45-gallon official bins to help New Yorkers abide by the new trash rules. The new 25-gallon size comes in response to requests from residents and elected officials. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The smaller bins are expected to be a better fit for some smaller trash bin enclosures and easier to maneuver for residents in smaller households, officials from the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the DSNY more than 750,000 official trash bins have been ordered to date through the departments website. Properties with one to nine residential units must put out their trash for collection using garbage bins with secure lids that are up to 55-gallons in size. Any residents found in violation could face fines ranging from $50 $200. 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wichita school district officials say they dont have plans now to come back to voters to ask for a smaller bond issue vote. Voters narrowly rejected a $450 million bond issue earlier this year. We have no plans, the districts Chief Financial Officer Addi Lowell said Thursday at the first meeting of a new citizen financial oversight committee. That committee could eventually come back with a recommendation for another public vote on a bond proposal, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right after the February election, officials with the district and the Vote Yes campaign had signaled that a smaller bond vote could be a possibility. The newly formed committee, mostly composed of community members with financial backgrounds and some USD 259 parents and students, is an advisory group that can make recommendations to the districts school board. Its tasked with finding short-term financial solutions for the district, which is likely to face significant financial challenges as deferred maintenance costs on school buildings continue to increase. The district had hoped to replace a bond issue that falls off the tax rolls in 2029 with a new one to address some of its building issues. Today were focusing on the short-term options, Lowell said. Ive got to focus on the budget for next fiscal year and we can engage in future meetings about our long term options, certainly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those short-term options could include finding outside funding, reducing the districts operating budget, or closing schools, among others. The committee did not signal which direction it planned to go in its first meeting, but it could make some recommendations at its next meeting in May. I could summarize school finance in, theres never enough resources to do all the things we want to do for our kids and keep up with our infrastructure needs, Lowell said. USD 259 wouldnt be the first district in the state of Kansas to come back and ask for a smaller bond issue in recent memory. Voters in the Kansas City, Kansas school district rejected a $480 million bond issue in early 2024. The district then downsized its plans to a $180 million bond issue, which passed several months later. While millions around the world are mourning the Easter Monday death of Pope Francis, an estimated 50,000 people have made their way to Vatican City to pay their final respects to the Holy Father. But respect seems to be the last thing on some people's minds. Some attendees have used the opportunity to snap smiling selfies in front of the late pontiff, where his body is lying-in-state in an open casket in St. Peters Basilica. Related: Vatican Releases Photos Showing Body of Pope Francis Lying in Open Coffin Martin Gilsenan and wife Catherine were on vacation in Rome from London when Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 on Monday. They used their proximity to travel to The Vatican to pay their final respects, and were shocked to witness people being asked to put their selfie sticks away when they got to the front of the line Martin told The Mirror. There were also many people looking around and getting upset with those on the phones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I found the mobile phones very distasteful, added Catherine. I was very surprised there were photos. The couple shared that they had seen the late Queen lying in state in 2022 and did not witness such disrespectful behavior. Though they both had their phones with them, Martin shared that they remained in their pockets. And after viewing Pope Francis body, they found a spot inside the church for 15 minutes of quiet contemplation. The New York Post shared similar stories of outrage, along with some of the actual photos that people had captured and shared on their social media pages. They also quoted Janine Venables, who had traveled from Wales for the solemn occasion, and admitted that she found all the smartphones to be a bit in poor taste, and Im surprised no one stopped them. The late Popes funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peters Square. Several world leaders, including Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, are expected to be in attendance. Smyrna Town Manager David Santucci appointed Brian Goss, former Brentwood, Tenn. fire chief, to serve as the town's new fire chief, a press release announced Thursday. We are honored to welcome Chief Goss to Smyrna, Santucci said in a press release from town government spokeswoman Heather Kent. His extensive experience, leadership in the fire service and dedication to professional standardswill serve our community well as he leads the Smyrna Fire Department into its next chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'He will make a fine town manager': Smyrna council offers manager job to FL city manager Goss replaces retired former Chief Bill Culbertson. Goss offers 42 years of firefighting experience Goss has 42 years of firefighting experience starting in 1983 in Bangor, Michigan. Ive been fortunate throughout my career to serve in a variety of capacities within several high-performing agencies, and Im excited to bring that experience to work alongside the dedicated professionals of the Smyrna Fire Department," Goff said. Brian Goss Chief Gosss appointment is effective May 19. In 1988, Goss accepting a firefighting position with Grand Rapids, Michigan, and accepted promotions to serve as a lieutenant, captain and battalion chief. Goss moves to Tennessee to serve Brentwood Goss in 2008 moved to Tennessee to serve as an assistant fire chief for Brentwood Fire & Rescue and accepted promotion in 2011 to serve as the city's fire chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire protection: Smyrna officials and firefighters celebrate opening of Fire Station 4 near Interstate 840 Smyrna's new fire chief Goss holds a bachelors degree in biology and chemistry from Spring Arbor University and is a graduate of both the University of North Carolina's Fire & Rescue Management Institute and the University of Tennessees Public Administrator Program. Goss has earned the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Public Information Officer (PIO) designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellences Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC), where he currently serves as a peer reviewer. Government accountability: Complaints against former Smyrna Fire Chief filed ahead of retirement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Smyrna has new fire chief with 42 years firefighting experience PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are facing another blow. Last week, the Department of Justice indicted 19 people for using skimming devices to steal half a million dollars in SNAP benefits from Oregonians money then spent on baby formula to sell on the black market. What can Portland learn from Detroit? A lot Now, House Republicans are considering cutting $230 billion from the program over the next decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, Nicole Williams was checking out at the grocery store with her two kids in tow. But when she swiped her SNAP benefits card, there was no money $900 was missing. It was just really embarrassing because it didnt work, Williams said. So I just ended up using a credit card that Ive never used and I guess thats what emergencies are for. But it still just put me in a bad spot for April. Multnomah County unveils $4 billion budget plan for 2026 amid $77 million shortfall Shes one of hundreds of Oregonians who were victims of SNAP benefit skimming theft. She tried to file for an appeal, but the government said they wouldnt recoup the missing funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients whose food benefits are stolen were no longer eligible for replacements as of Dec. 21, 2024. I have to be really careful with my finances, she said. Just like a lot of us living in Portland, living paycheck, paycheck. Now Williams and others have new threats on the horizon. Last month, the federal government made cuts to USDA food programs. Plus, Congress is talking about a possible 20% reduction in SNAP benefits. City of Portland targeted in $6.7 million fraud scheme Thats money for a single parent and thats just money for kids food that I could use, Williams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing is set in stone, but a decision from Congress is expected in the coming weeks. It will come at a critical time as summer is around the corner, when children lose access to school meals. As a result, food assistance programs, like the Sunshine Division are anticipating a surge in demand for their services. Were expanding our home delivery, were expanding our hours, were expanding our summer food box for families with kids, said Kyle Camberg, executive director of the Sunshine Division. When the government cuts aid Camberg said they cant do this work alone. Its driving more people to our front door, he added. So we are asking if people have the ability to give. Were gearing up for another storm here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Single moms like Williams say surging grocery prices are already taking a toll. Thats make or break for a lot of people, she said. You can donate your time, money or food with the Sunshine Division. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Several Chicago police officers assigned to the Harrison District were found to have repeatedly violated Chicago Police Department rules related to traffic stops in the months before they were involved in the March 2024 shooting of Dexter Reed, and newly released records show that CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling has called for those officers to face suspension and receive enhanced training. Records made public this week by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability show the agency opened at least four investigations from June 2023 to early March 2024 involving 13 CPD officers assigned to the Harrison District (11th). Later in March 2024, five of those 13 officers opened fire on Dexter Reed in the 3800 block of Flournoy after he shot an officer in the wrist during a traffic stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the five has quit the CPD, and the other four remain on administrative duty, according to a department spokesperson. Records show the injured officer was recommended for suspensions in two of the four cases. Though not all allegations were sustained against each accused officer, COPA recommended that several officers face suspensions for violating rules related to citizen detention, traffic stops and vehicle searches the subject of a long-awaited future CPD directive. Records also show that Snelling last month agreed with COPAs recommendations for the officers to face suspensions ranging from three to 25 days. The superintendent also called for the officers to receive additional training. It was not clear Friday whether recommended suspensions have been served. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) More and more central Ohio communities are wrestling with whether to allow solar projects. NBC4 Investigates has covered concerns some residents have in Knox County, worrying about losing farmland, while others are concerned about the impact on the quality of life. Now, NBC4 is looking into how these projects could mean more money for schools. These central Ohio Walmart locations set for remodel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renewable energy companies can pay a lump sum to local governments instead of paying property taxes. Some worry it isnt enough money, so were investigating whats being paid. If the Frasier solar project in Knox County is approved, the project will produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 14,000 homes for a year. I began thinking, which way do I want things to go? Debbie Wells, who lives across from the proposed project, said. Wells has lived across from the proposed site near Mount Vernon for more than 30 years, and it isnt the first big project proposed across from her front yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after I built the house, I started hearing things from my neighbors about an ethanol plant wanting to come in, Wells said. That plant didnt happen; then she heard about the solar project. Ohio State faculty vote to join Big Ten alliance against Trump It was like deja vu about 32 years later, Wells said. This time, she supports the idea. She expects something to come, and shed rather look at panels than a housing complex. Being that, it was something that I was going to be opening up my blinds and seeing every day. It was very important to me, Wells said. She also supports the benefit it could bring to Mount Vernon schools, as does a district teacher, who said the money could pay for more staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres only 24 hours in the day and when I have 160 kids that I have to grade and plan and try to differentiate for with no active co-teacher or support in my classroom, its challenging, Mount Vernon High School teacher Scott Patterson said. Ground broken at Astor Parks residential development surrounding Lower.com Field Solar projects across the state are participating in payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, programs. This allows renewable energy companies to pay fixed annual payments to local governments instead of paying property taxes. Its a nice supplement and it allows us to move forward with, as I said, equipment and supplies that we maybe would hesitate or delay getting based on budgets, Vantage Career Center Superintendent Rick Turner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This program is underway in Paulding County, where Turner is. In fiscal year 2024, the Wayne Trace School District received $1.8 million from the PILOT program. This income is not sustainable to replace state and local funding, Turner said. It is, however, a benefit to the schools and in other ways. Knox County Project could generate nearly half a million dollars a year for Mount Vernon City Schools. Those with Frasier Solar say it would bring in $42.8 million to the county as a whole over the span of 40 years. Ohio University composts nearly 100% of campus food waste The Mount Vernon school district isnt taking a side. In a statement, Mount Vernon City Schools Superintendent said: Because it has become politically divisive with varying viewpoints throughout the community, we have remained neutral on this issue from a district perspective. We have a potential bond issue in the fall for new and renovated buildings so we have taken the position of letting the process take its course, and we would be supportive of the final decision. If additional funds were to be provided through this process, we earmark a significant portion towards STEM and College and Career pathway support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents argue the project takes prime farmland out of use and could hurt quality of life. The next step is for the Ohio Power Siting board to approve or reject the project; the next meeting will be in mid-May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. By Michael Erman (Reuters) -Bristol Myers Squibb reported higher-than-expected first-quarter revenue on Thursday and raised its full-year forecast due to growth from its portfolio of drugs that spur a patient's immune system to fight cancer. The company's shares, which were off 1% in early trading on Thursday, have dropped more than 20% over the past month as investor concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats have roiled the markets. Chief Financial Officer David Elkins said in an interview that the company's global manufacturing footprint puts it in a good position to deal with whatever tariffs may come. "We have a really resilient supply chain, and we have manufacturing globally," Elkins said. "That gives us a lot of flexibility to move our manufacturing as appropriate." The U.S. started a probe into the pharmaceutical sector earlier this month as part of a bid to impose tariffs on the industry. Elkins said it was too early to understand the impact of potential tariffs targeting the pharmaceutical industry, and that Bristol Myers' forecast did not include any assumptions related to them. It raised its full-year forecast for revenue to a range of $45.8 billion to $46.8 billion from its previous forecast of $45.5 billion. It now expects full-year earnings in the range of $6.70 to $7 a share. Chief Executive Officer Chris Boerner on a conference call to discuss the results said partnerships and acquisitions were a top capital allocation priority for the company this year. Boerner said the company had no internal constraints on acquisitions, but plans to take a disciplined approach and focus on opportunities that would bring in more innovative therapies. "We're going to source that innovation from wherever it comes, and there's certainly a lot of exciting innovation taking place in China," he said. Revenue in the quarter fell less sharply than Wall Street analysts had forecast, coming in at $11.2 billion for the quarter, down from $11.9 billion a year earlier. Analysts had expected revenue of around $10.6 billion, according to LSEG data. Sales of the company's cancer immunotherapy Opdivo were $2.3 billion in the quarter, compared with Wall Street forecasts of just under $2 billion. Sales of its older immunotherapy, Yervoy, were $624 million in the quarter, more than $100 million higher than analysts' forecasts. The U.S. drugmaker also benefited as sales of some of its older or off-patent drugs like blood thinner Eliquis, which it shares with Pfizer, and blood cancer drug Revlimid declined less than expected. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A home in south Abilene caught fire Friday afternoon. First responders were called to a home on the 1200 block of Hollywood Drive around 1:30 p.m. The fire was quickly contained to the exterior of the home, and most of the inside was saved from damage. No injuries were reported in connection to this fire, the cause of which is still under investigation. BigCountryHomepage.com will update this article if additional information is released. 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 Ventura County man was convicted of raping a woman with Alzheimers disease. Joseph Lynn Johnson, 45, of Port Hueneme, was convicted of the crime after he was caught having sex with a woman who suffers from Alzheimers disease in February 2020, according to the Ventura County District Attorneys Office. The incident occurred when Johnson was visiting a home in Port Hueneme. He was a family friend of the victim. Joseph Lynn Johnson, 45, is seen in a booking photo from the Ventura County District Attorneys Office. The victim was being cared for by her daughter. When the daughter stepped away to take a shower, she returned to find Johnson on top of her mother in the bedroom, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was reported and Johnson was taken into custody. On April 24, he was convicted by a jury of raping of an incompetent person with a special allegation that the victim was vulnerable. We are grateful to the jury for their careful consideration and for delivering a verdict that brings justice to the victim, said Emily Reber, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. This defendant exploited the vulnerability of a woman who deserved care and dignity, not manipulation and harm. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 22 at the Ventura County Superior Court, where Johnson faces eight years in state prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. COLUMBIA, Ky. (FOX 56) From humble beginnings in 1903 as a training school for Vanderbilt University, Lindsey Wilson College is getting a name change over 120 years later. The unanimous decision was made on Thursday afternoon by the Board of Trustees, according to a news release. University leaders said the change was necessary because the school is far more dynamic than it was even 10 years ago. Ive always been convinced that the best teaching and learning in the world happens at small, private colleges across the United States, said President William T. Luckey Jr, who is reportedly the longest-serving college or university president in Kentucky higher education and has been Lindsey Wilsons eighth president since 1998. That is why this move does not change our mission, who we serve or what we do, but rather it reflects the dynamic nature of who we have become. What went into the decision? University alumni rally for One Day for UK event Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the proposal to become a university made it to the Lindsey Wilson Board of Trustees, officials said President Luckey Jr talked to deans and faculty members across the universitys six schools, along with the National Alumni Board and the Student Government Association (SGA). The alumni board and SGA both unanimously endorsed the change, and the Lindsey Wilson faculty voted for the change 77 to 2 with 10 abstentions. Keeping the same goal There is something unique and special thats part of our institutional DNA and has been since 1903, President Luckey said. We are a universe of one with an institutional culture that cannot be replicated or duplicated. Lindsey Wilson SGA President Zachariah Lawson said that he and his fellow students are excited about the change, especially after meeting with Luckey earlier this school year to discuss it. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School leaders said the university now offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs, and a doctoral program. Lindsey Wilson College will become Lindsey Wilson University on July 1. More information can be found at the schools 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 FOX 56 News. PATASKALA, Ohio (WCMH) Southwest Licking School District has a $115 million bond issue on the May 6 ballot. The money would be used to build a new middle school, an addition to the high school, and a new training facility in partnership with the YMCA. The bond issue would cost homeowners $12.25 per $100,000 of their homes value. Ohio University composts nearly 100% of campus food waste Southwest Licking Superintendent Dr. Kasey Perkins said current district buildings are already near capacity, and more space is needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district did pass a bond issue back in 2017, but Perkins said the new schools still arent enough. At that time, they predicted our enrollment next year to be at 4,200 kids, Perkins said. We are currently at 5,120. If the bond issue passes, the superintendent said Southwest Licking wont have to go back to voters to build more schools ever again. Ground broken at Astor Parks residential development surrounding Lower.com Field We have projected growth for 30 years and beyond, and these buildings will be built to cover that growth, so at no time will we need additional spacing for our kids, Perkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ross Musick, a father of four Southwest Licking students and the president of SWL for Kids, said the bond money is needed. He said the cost to build the schools will only increase over time. If we kick the can down the road because we think theres some magic potion or some big answer thats going to come from somewhere else or the kids arent going to show up, thats just not a realistic scenario, Musick said. On top of building a new middle school for fifth and sixth-grade students and an addition to the high school, 20 percent of the bond money would go toward constructing a training facility called The Spear. It would be a private-public partnership between the school district and the YMCA, complete with an indoor pool, pickleball courts, an indoor track, and a playground. Ohio State faculty vote to join Big Ten alliance against Trump Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voter Christine Boles said this is too much for Southwest Licking to ask of community members. Im retired, so I mean, youre going to have to force retired people just about out of their homes because they cant afford to pay the taxes, Boles said. We have two pools in the neighborhood that are having trouble keeping their memberships up and that kind of thing. And I dont think the schools need to be involved in that. For more information about the bond issue, including a tax calculator, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) 10 Springfield massage parlors were found to have violated a city ordinance, officials announced on Friday. The ordinance was approved last year, and led to the city having to close several businesses in early February. It requires any massage parlor that wants to do business in Springfield to be licensed with the city. The change came after police executed search warrants at some facilities after receiving tips from the public about possible prostitution. Springfield reopens Adams Street 10 months after fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These outcomes reflect the Citys ongoing efforts to ensure that all businesses operate in compliance with local laws and regulations, officials said on Facebook. We remain committed to enforcing standards that protect the well-being of residents and uphold the integrity of our community. Below is the list of massage parlors, how many violations were found, and how much they were fined. Business Number of violations Amount of judgment Sunshine Massage 4 $1,950 Sunflower Massage 12 $9,150 Q2 Asian Massage 3 $2,400 Jade Spa 10 $2,500 total ($2,250 against Jade Spa and $250 against Greg Fraase) Cozy Cabin Spa 2 $750 Illinois Relax Spa 9 $6,900 Royal Massage 7 $5,400 Capital Spa 4 $3,150 Fitness Massage 7 $5,400 Red Bean Massage 7 $5,400 The cities of Taylorville and Decatur have also cracked down on massage parlors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Springfield man pleaded not guilty after officials said he threatened to shoot people at TD Bank and punched a police officer. On March 18, Michael Lane, 65, was causing a disturbance at TD Bank in downtown Springfield around 1:15 p.m., including threatening to shoot people, the Springfield Police Department said. TD Bank employees pressed the panic alarm, which called the police. When officers arrived, they said Lane began throwing punches at an officer and ultimately punched one officer in the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple officers could be seen in a video outside TD Bank slowly walking toward Lane while he threw punches and resisted arrest. After making contact with the officer, the police attempted to grab Lane. While fighting with police, Lane fell to the ground. Police said he was drive-stunned via a taser and taken into custody. He was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and assault. On March 19, Springfield District Court Judge Bethzaida Sanabria-Vega ordered a mental health examination to be evaluated for competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility. He was brought to Bridgewater State Hospital and an arraignment was scheduled for April 8. However, it got rescheduled to April 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was ordered held without bail and is continuing to stay at Bridgewater State Hospital. Lane previously had two arrest warrants from Chicopee District Court, including breaking and entering at night, a felony, trespassing and disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. More News Read the original article on MassLive. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) History is being recalled on the steps of Springfield City Hall. Three arrested in armed robbery in Springfield Thursday marks the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when the Turkish Ottoman Empire killed more than one-and-a-half million Armenians during the early 20th century. The city of Springfield took a moment to observe the day with a flag raising. Officials were joined by members of the Armenian community as they prayed for peace and reflected on this dark moment in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father Bedros Shetilian with St. Gregory Armenian Church told 22News, We struggle because still, the dear Turkey didnt pay the price for it. Still, Turkey denies. So I am very actively pursuing that goal for recognition. The pastor hopes that many will continue to advocate for not just recognition but justice for all Armenians. 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. ST. LOUIS FBI agents from across the United States, including St. Louis, have broken up a global sextortion ring in an effort dubbed Operation Artemis. According to the FBI, 22 suspects in Nigeria have been arrested, three of whom have been extradited to the U.S. for prosecution. The remaining suspects are in the process of being extradited. The impact of the crackdown in recent years has been dramatic in St. Louis and beyond, investigators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson County man charged with wifes murder; says he didnt want her to die in a nursing home The FBI has released a powerful new video highlighting Operation Artemis. It begins with the voice of a father who lost his son to a sextortion-related suicide. Imagine somebody walking into your home in the middle of the night and shooting your son in the head, the father says in the video. This person did something even worse than that. He scared (my son) so bad that he shot himself. The FBI says agents from 13 U.S., cities including St. Louis, were part of a command post in Lagos, Nigeria. The team of investigators from five countries, including Canada and Australia, tracked U.S. sextortion reports to the 22 suspects. About half of them are linked to more than 20 victims whove committed suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects are accused of tricking teens into sharing explicit photos or videos of themselves and forcing them to, in effect, pay a ransom to keep the suspects from telling the victims parents or making the photos and videos public. Joe Weston, acting assistant Special Agent in Charge for the FBIs St. Louis office, told FOX 2 News the payments can range from gift cards to thousands of dollars. These guys just keep coming back, now that they know someones going to pay money, theyll continue to harass this person and try to get as much as they can from whoever theyre victimizing, Weston said. So, its kind of an endless cycle that doesnt stop. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Ayotunde Solademi, an investigator and FBI attache in Nigeria, says in the video, Theres no hiding place. Any criminal, wherever you are, you definitely will be hunted down and arrested and made to pay for your crimes. The investigation remains ongoing. Agents say their awareness efforts are paying off. Theres been roughly a 75% drop in new cases reported in the St. Louis metro alone, according to the FBI. Parents play a key role, too, said Weston, a father of teenagers. Just to have those ongoing conversations with their kids, to talk about online safety, online predators, to talk about what sextortion is; just to make their kids feel comfortable coming to them if they find themselves in trouble, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the suicide victims connected to these Nigerian suspects is from St. Louis, authorities said. Operation Artemis launched in 2023. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: As agentic AI offerings evolve, more than 4 in 5 business leaders expect to deploy the tools in response to workforce capacity constraints, according to Microsoft's annual Work Trend Index. The company commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence to survey 31,000 knowledge workers for the Wednesday report. Nearly half of decision-makers say their companies have fully automated workflows or business processes through the use of agents. Customer service, marketing and product development are the top three priorities for AI investments. The downstream effect of agentic AI adoption remains unclear. One-third of surveyed leaders are considering headcount trims in response to the shifts, while more than three-quarters say they will expand hiring to fill new AI roles. Dive Insight: Agentic AI took over enterprise technology discourse this past year, promising productivity gains and improved customer experiences. Adoption plans are already reshaping enterprise workforce strategies. Entire roles and industries will be redrawn as businesses plug AI into more parts of their operations, according to Jared Spataro, Microsoft CMO for AI at Work. Just as the internet era created billions of new knowledge jobs from social media managers to UX designers the AI era is already giving rise to new roles, with many more to come, Spataro said in a Wednesday blog post. Preparing for whats next is no longer optional. Employees must build AI skills and companies must support them with the right tools and training. In addition to the report, Microsoft announced a slew of updates in its Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2 spring release, aimed at improving what it calls human-agent collaboration. Updates include the new Researcher and Analyst agents, which use OpenAI's deep reasoning models, and enhanced agent access controls for IT. Microsoft isn't alone making the case for agentic AI. An ongoing vendor push is underway to plug automation into more workflows, with Salesforce, Google, SAP AWS and others launching agent platforms. Widespread adoption obstacles remain despite vendor enthusiasm including concerns over governance and the current condition of data infrastructure. Still, more than two-thirds of surveyed employees say AI will help accelerate their careers, even though just 40% say they're familiar with AI agents. Correction: This article has been revised to correctly state that the LRA is on track to demolish 1,000 vacant structures by 2026. ST. LOUIS A bold new chapter is unfolding for one of the most historic neighborhoods in St. Louis. From boarded-up buildings to brand-new beginningsresidents just packed a community meeting to hear about whats next for one thing in mind: the future of north St. Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson County man charged with wifes murder; says he didnt want her to die in a nursing home The Land Reutilization Authority, backed by the St. Louis Development Corporation, laid out aggressive plans to demolish, beautify and rebuild long-disinvested communities like the villehome to legends like Chuck Berry, Tina Turner, and Arthur Ashe. LRA says it is on track to demolish 1,000 vacant structures by 2026, thanks to ARPA funds and $15 million from the Missouri Department of Economic Development200 are already demolished, with 800 more scheduled. Were leveraging the funding we received from ARPA dollars to move forward with acquisitions and development of these specific areas for things such as commercial development, mixed-use development, retail development and new housing development, said Shelton Anderson, director of Real Estate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than $6.5 million is fueling IRAs beautification programminority- and women-owned businesses are clearing debris, cutting grass, and giving neglected blocks a fresh start. LRA says its new infill housing plan includes modern constructionlike 3d-printed homes, modular builds, and rehabbed properties. Its the first time the agency has had funds to invest in this level of comprehensive revitalization. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Property owners who have already transformed LRA properties are shown before and after photos, inspiring others to invest. The city also unveiled plans for The Monarch at MLK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vandeventer neighborhood has received $160 million in private and public funding for development in our neighborhood, so if they can replicate that again for The Greater Ville and going northward, I am happy because we should all live in a neighborhood were proud of, resident Michael Von Gevel said. Even local realtors say they left feeling inspired. Im blown away because when I ride through hereyou know sometimes its depressing but to see the development that is going on in the city right now, it just makes me smile, said Madeline Boykins, a realtor. The building that hosted the meeting is set to become an advanced manufacturing workforce hubhome to offices like LRA, the office of violence prevention and more community-focused resources. 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. Whats in a name? How much does changing the name of a body of water really matter? These are the questions that irked U.S.-based cartographer Michael Hermann when President Donald Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Hermann and his wife had been traveling throughout Mexico for years, and he became increasingly fascinated by the immense scope of the Gulfs history. While visiting Mexicos Yucatan peninsula several years ago, Hermann the founder of Purple Lizard Maps had an ambitious idea. What if he tried to make a story map that visualized 10,000 years of the Gulfs history, from ancient civilizations to modern oil extraction? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea crystallized when Trump changed the Gulfs name on the first day he returned to the presidency. Hermann didnt like how Trump depicted Mexico only as a place filled with gangs and murderers and rapists. He didnt like Trump changing North Americas highest mountain from its Indigenous name (Denali) to Mt. McKinley. Those actions fuel a nationalistic narrative with all the overtones of white colonial power, Hermann told GearJunkie this week. So Hermann launched a Kickstarter to fund his vision for a new map of the Gulf of Mexico. Maps tend to shape things like memory and meaning, Hermann said. They can tell stories, and this lets us tell a deeper story about the Gulf. (Photo/Purple Lizard Maps) Bridging the Gap of Historical Ignorance Trump wasnt content with just issuing an executive order changing the Gulfs name. He has instructed federal agencies to ban or limit the phrase Gulf of Mexico. When the Associated Press (the countrys oldest news organization) continued using Gulf of Mexico in its stories, Trump banned AP reporters from the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid all the rhetoric, however, it became clear to Hermann that few people really understood the uniqueness of the Gulf itself. After all, its the place where a meteor struck the Earth 66 million years ago, killing all the dinosaurs. Its where ancient civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec developed for thousands of years in the lands that eventually became Mexico. The Gulf was critical to the arrival and expansion of colonial powers from Europe. Then it became crucial to U.S. political power, and finally an international hub for extracting the oil created from all those dead dinosaurs. Michael Hermann; (photos/Purple Lizard Maps) His vision for the map includes not only markers, but also brief explanations of history and culture similar to iconic maps from National Geographic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People think of the Gulf from the traditional American perspective, like spending a week in Cabo, Hermann said. This will show the whole landscape, from the earth science and cultural side of it, as well as the modern day, with metrics of the oil and gas industry. It will also be printed. That may sound obvious for a map, but Hermann thinks that printing historically accurate maps is more important than ever. He pointed to the Trump administration, which has begun rewriting web pages of the National Park Service (NPS), one of several federal agencies charged with preserving U.S. history. When Trumps administration updated an NPS page devoted to the Underground Railroad this month, they removed a photo of Harriet Tubman and any mention of the word slavery. Hermann sees the same revisionist history in Trumps name change. According to Google Maps official statement, if youre in Mexico, it says Gulf of Mexico, and if youre in the U.S., it says Gulf of America, Hermann said. So, where is the truth? Were being fed different geographic names based on where were standing. Bye Bye, Traitor Despite the political subtext to his idea, Hermann maintains that his project is still just a map. But not everyone is stoked about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Hermann promoted the Kickstarter through the email list for Purple Lizard, which mostly focuses on trail maps and outdoor recreation, it angered some of the companys longtime fans. And when Hermann promoted the campaign on Facebook, he received lots of support and also quite a bit of vitriol. One person called the project an exhibition of pure stupidity, while another labeled Purple Lizard a liberal company that doesnt want to sell to conservatives. Its the Gulf of America now, dipst, another user commented. Your types arent wanted in America anymore. 77 million Americans said so. Bye bye, traitor. For Hermann, the pushback is more interesting than worrisome. The idea of this map is threatening to certain people in the population, and I find that fascinating, he said. When we did a map of Shenandoah National Park, we never got pushback about what we were doing. Nobody came at us with obscenities. An atlas devoted to Maine created by Purple Lizard Maps; (photo/Purple Lizard Maps) Future of Project Uncertain Ultimately, Hermann doesnt know if the Kickstarter will get funded. He still has 23 days to go, but only about $12,000 of his $65,000 goal. Its the kind of project that could normally get funded through academic institutions. But with Trump punishing universities that dont agree with him, that option doesnt seem viable, Hermann said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, Trumps name changes arent likely to end with the Gulf of Mexico and Denali. In his initial executive order, Trump mentioned the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026 as another opportunity for restoring names that honor American greatness. For Hermann, Trumps insistence on renaming geographies has a symbolic power that sets the stage for a distorted truth. Purple Lizard Maps doesnt have the ability to fight for due process, or for international students having their green cards revoked just because theyre international students, Hermann said. Making a map is something we can do. For many people, this seems unimportant compared to other things. But were cartographers. This is what we do. Early-bird pricing for Purple Lizards Gulf of Mexico map starts at $29. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could be announced by this summer, he said in an interview with the Telegraph published on April 24. "Its got to be a ceasefire that is on terms that all parties can accept, including Ukraine, and its got to be a lasting ceasefire," Starmer said. His comments come as the U.S. pushes for a ceasefire in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv has already agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine signed off on during talks with the U.S. in Jeddah with President Volodymyr Zelensky insisting on a full and unconditional ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Moscow has refused. According to Starmer, Russia must come to the negotiating table for an unconditional ceasefire. He opposed a temporary truce, suggesting that Russia could launch another invasion of Ukraine in the future. "Theyve done it before, Ive no doubt that they will do it again," he added. Trump is reportedly weighing de jure recognition of Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from joining NATO as part of a potential peace deal. Europe will not support any U.S. move to recognize Russian control over occupied Crimea and will not pressure Kyiv to accept it, the Financial Times (FT) reported on April 24, citing undisclosed Western officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. State Attorney Jack Campbell, the capital region's elected prosecutor, isn't looking into the roiling controversy over a foundation connected to Hope Florida, the conservative alternative to traditional welfare that's a signature effort of Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis. Not now, anyway. The USA TODAY Network Florida asked Campbell, a Democrat who first took office in 2017, whether he might convene a grand jury or launch his own investigation into alleged wrongdoing, financial or otherwise. State attorney Jack Campbell serves as keynote speaker at Florida State Universitys fall commencement ceremony at Donald Tucker Civic Center Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. The actions of the grand jury are secret by statute. I would not break that law in any case," he said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As state attorney for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, Campbell is ultimately responsible for criminal prosecutions in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties. "As for (an) investigation, the only source of information I have received is from members of the press," Campbell added. "The Florida Legislature has many good lawyers including some former prosecutors. I am sure they would refer any evidence of crimes to me if they found them. A spokesperson for federal prosecutors in Tallahassee was equally noncommittal. (A)ccording to a long-standing policy, the U.S. Attorneys office does not confirm, deny, or otherwise comment on the existence or non-existence of investigations, said Danielle Durst, the public information officer for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Florida, which stretches east from Pensacola through Tallahassee and then south to Gainesville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments come as a state House leader said his panel is halting a probe into the foundation after the Hope Florida Foundations lawyer, Jeff Aaron, and leaders of nonprofits that received $5 million grants from the foundation refused to appear to answer questions. During a brief meeting April 24, Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican who chairs the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, laid out a timeline of the settlement and the roles Attorney General James Uthmeier and attorney Jeff Aaron a close ally of Uthmeier and a member of the governors inner circle played in steering money to the foundation and the nonprofits. We are not judges or prosecutors. While I am firmly convinced that James Uthmeier and Jeff Aaron engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud, and that several parties played a role in the misuse of $10 million in Medicaid funds, we as legislators will not be the ones making the ultimate charging decisions, said Andrade, who later told reporters he has had discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice about the transactions. The governor, meanwhile, has accused House leaders and lefty journalists of trying to impugn the program: The reality is this has done an enormous amount of good. I am proud of the program, soup to nuts, DeSantis said. He also suggested that Casey DeSantis, said to be mulling a possible run for governor next year, is being targeted because they view her as a threat. U.S. District Courthouse for the Northern District of Florida, Jan. 23, 2020. What is the Hope Florida controversy about? A panel of the GOP-led Florida House and news outlets have been digging into a $10 million donation that was linked to a $67 million legal settlement between the state and Centene, a Medicaid-managed care vendor, over alleged overbilling. The $10 million was directed to the Hope Florida Foundation in October; it raises money for the Hope Florida program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question is whether the $10 million was improperly solicited and directed amounting to a sort of campaign-finance money laundering, as DeSantis' critics in the House and elsewhere hold or not, as the governor and his political allies say. The DeSantises face criticism because under Florida law, money from settlements must be deposited into the state's general revenue fund and reported to the Legislature for oversight. The $10 million donation, which state officials say was separate, was not. Its foundation, after getting the $10 million, then gave two $5 million grants each to two nonprofit organizations: Securing Floridas Future, chaired by Mark Wilson, who is also the chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Save Our Society from Drugs. Those groups in turn gave $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political committee chaired by Uthmeier, then DeSantis chief of staff. In February, DeSantis appointed him to be Florida's attorney general. Casey DeSantis speaks during a press conference in the Cabinet Room on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Where did the Hope Florida donation go? Keep Florida Clean was set up to oppose an amendment on the 2024 ballot to legalize recreational marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group has given $1.2 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another political committee chaired by Uthmeier and used by DeSantis to fight both the marijuana amendment and an amendment that wouldve installed a right to an abortion into the states constitution. The governor has largely deflected questions about the money, which he calls a "bogus media narrative," by directing focus back on the initiative itself. At an April 24 appearance in St. Augustine, he said it has done an enormous amount of good, and I'm proud of the program, soup to nuts." What does Hope Florida do? Hope Florida, operating through the Department of Children and Families, guides needy Floridians toward economic self-sufficiency through personalized assistance, according to its website. Central to the program are "Hope Navigators," who work one-on-one to identify goals, overcome barriers, and connect them with community resources, including nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program targets various groups, such as public benefit recipients, children aging out of foster care, pregnant women with substance use disorders, and families in need, the website says. (This story was updated to add new information.) This story includes previously published material and reporting by the News Service of Florida. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Prosecutor: No investigation planned into Hope Florida controversy LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Michele Fiore, the disgraced politician once convicted of scheming to capitalize on a community tragedy and now pardoned by the President of the United States, could face state charges for fraud or election finance crimes, according to a legal expert interviewed by the 8 News Now Investigators. It took a federal jury two hours to convict Fiore, the former Las Vegas City Councilwoman and now an elected judge in Nye County Justice Court, after an eight-day trial on several counts of wire fraud in October 2024. Each count carried a maximum sentence of 20 years. Fiores sentencing was scheduled for May 14. Thursdays pardon turns the entire legal proceeding on its ear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 8, 2014, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo were gunned down while they were on their lunch break in northeast Las Vegas. Fiore claimed to raise money for statues for the fallen officers, and some of the high-profile citizens from whom she collected donations were Local 872 union boss Tommy White and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, both of whom testified at trial. Lombardo did not comment on the pardon. Neither did Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford, officially, but on his X social media page, Ford criticized the pardon and the President. Donald Trumps blatant disregard for law enforcement is sickening, and pardoning someone who stole from a police memorial fund is a disgrace, Ford said. As Nevadas top cop, I believe theres no room for reprieve when it comes to betraying the families of fallen officers. I will continue to stand with our men and women in uniform. But whether Ford or Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson decide to charge Fiore for state crimes may depend on the statute of limitations for her crimes which federal prosecutors say occurred in 2019-2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is, however, no shield from double jeopardy, which is Fiores right against being tried in different courts for the same crime. The state and the federal government are different sovereigns, Benjamin Edwards, a professor at UNLVs William S. Boyd School of Law, told the 8 News Now Investigators. Its not double jeopardy if the state prosecutes you for the same crime. Edwards continued: She [Fiore] still has exposure here. The underlying conduct that led to this conviction is still available if the state wants to go after her for it. Often, Edwards explained, states will stand down when someone is convicted federally because there is not a good policy reason to pursue charges against someone who has already been penalized. But, Edwards said, when such a conviction is reversed or overturned, or in this case pardoned, state law enforcement may seek charges in order to find justice for its aggrieved citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevada authorities have a responsibility to make the decision they think is right for Nevada, Edwards said. An email sent to Wolfsons media account Thursday afternoon did not garner a response. Judge Fiore, suspended without pay, says she plans to go back to work After Fiores indictment in July 2024, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline suspended Fiore from her judgeship but allowed her to remain on the Nye County payroll. Subsequently, after her conviction in October 2024, the Commission suspended her without pay. An appeal in that case is pending. But Fiore, with the commissions suspension still active, plans to return to work Monday. On Monday, I will walk back into my courtroom as the elected Justice of the Peace not because man permitted it, but because God ordained it, Fiore said in a rambling but fiery message in which she declared victory against those who weaponized the justice system against me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission, however, did not confirm a return to work or business as usual for Fiore. The Commission is aware of the situation but cannot provide comment at this time, an email from Commission Staff to the 8 News Now Investigators said. An administrator at Nye County Justice Court told the 8 News Now Investigators that they were waiting for guidance from the Commission on Judicial Discipline. And Edwards, the UNLV law professor who specializes in judicial ethics, says Fiore may have to somehow remove the suspension before she resumes her position on the bench. Whether or not the court officials are going to recognize her status as a judge is going to depend on the commission and the enforcement of Nevada law, Edwards said. And so, here, if the Nevada commission rescinds her suspension, then I think she would be able to take her seat. But until that suspension is rescinded, I dont see any reason why she would be able to exercise the powers of her office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fiore was appointed to the bench for a partial term in 2022 and elected for a full term in June 2024. She is not an attorney. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Trump administration has terminated federal employees in charge of U.S. global climate policy and climate aid as part of its reorganization of the country's diplomatic focus, the State Department said on Friday. The career employees in the Office of Global Change, which came under the State Department's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, played a lead role in U.S. negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from the office also represented the United States at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and their respective shipping and commercial aviation sectors. The dismissals come after President Donald Trump said he would withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, as well as from IMO negotiations over decarbonization measures to enable the global shipping industry to reach net-zero emissions by "around 2050". The United States belongs to the ICAO and had agreed to participate in the UN agency's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Trump administration, though, has recently objected to ICAO's move to boost sustainable aviation fuel. It is not clear how or if the United States will continue to participate in these international agreements, or whether some office functions will be folded into other bureaus. The Trump administration has been aggressively rolling back existing U.S. climate policy and dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A State Department spokesperson said the office had supported efforts to "hobble" the U.S. through participation in climate agreements and is "unnecessary." CRITICAL MINERALS There are also changes afoot at the State's Bureau of Energy Resources. When it opened during the administration of former President Barack Obama, the bureau helped gather support from allies and partners for sanctions on Iran's oil exports. In more recent years the bureau, which has about 80 staffers, has focused on developing critical minerals and oil and gas alternatives and weaning countries off Russian fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internal documents reviewed by Reuters said the Bureau of Energy Resources would be absorbed into the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs "to ensure a laser-like focus on expanding and exporting American energy." A department spokesperson said the office grew beyond its original purpose and promoted policies "completely inconsistent with the Presidents vision of American energy dominance." The spokesperson said the bureau's functions it deems useful, such as work on securing access to critical minerals, will be preserved elsewhere in the department. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner; Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Tom Hogue and Alistair Bell) Following allegations of impropriety at an economic development affiliate, the IEDC and its partners will undergo a forensic audit, as announced at a press conference with Gov. Mike Braun, left, and Commerce Secretary David Adams on April 24, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Following an explosive news report regarding a state economic development affiliate earlier this week, Gov. Mike Braun announced Thursday that funding for Elevate Ventures has been frozen and state government will conduct a forensic audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. What were talking about today originated in the prior administration (and) was brought to our attention, said Braun, referencing the report from Indiana Legislative Insight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have directed the hiring of an independent forensic auditor of the IEDC and its affiliated entities. Where we have found impropriety or even the appearance of it we have reported it to the inspector general, he continued. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun answers reporter questions about two new executive orders on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The story unearthed allegations of self-dealing, unreported side gigs for employed IEDC staff and questions about potential conflicts of interest impacting tens of millions of dollars in economic development deals. Regarding Elevate Ventures, an economic development affiliate and venture capital firm, allegations include imprecise accounting, questionable staff compensation and not returning unspent funds to the states general fund. In a statement, Elevate CEO Christopher Day pushed back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elevate Ventures was established 15 years ago to serve the entrepreneur and innovation ecosystem in Indiana through venture development services and venture capital investments. We will continue to operate with transparency and are eager to participate in the forensic audit as directed by the Governor to correct the record on factual inaccuracies and misrepresentations made by anonymous sources. Braun emphasized that the administration is not rushing to any conclusions, though some of the concerns stem from an executive order he signed earlier this month. Under the rule, state-affiliated nonprofits would need to disclose their funders, including the IEDCs companion foundation. Previously, that entity didnt have to publicize such information because it had an exemption from the federal government. Those missing audited financials have now been shared with the State Budget Committee, Braun said. The process for hiring a firm for an independent audit is ongoing, said Commerce Secretary David Adams, and will be paid for by IEDC funds. Once a firm is selected, Adams said the audit could take up to a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current funds that have been designated for Elevate Ventures are now frozen. That includes a second tranche of funds from the (State Small Business Credit Initiative). We are going to place those funds on hold until further evaluation, said Adams. The latter fund is a federal program. Adams also said that the IEDCs foundation will not expend any additional dollars at this point. The foundation has accepted money from business in the state for years and used it to fund international trade missions. But they have declined to give specifics on donors and expenses. More details Also in question is whether other affiliates will get caught up in the probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know thats the intent of hiring an independent, national firm to come in and do an audit of all of this to help understand if there are issues and there may not be issues, said Adams. But we thought, instead of trying to do this on a piecemeal basis, the appropriate action to take is (to) look at everything comprehensively. Adams said there have been no issues raised from the entitys financial audits in the past, but that a forensic audit is a very different type of audit. This is looking beyond the financials, but is looking beyond the financials into specific transactions as well as processes. The IEDC was created as a public-private entity under former Gov. Mitch Daniels but became a major target for scrutiny in the last election cycle, including criticism from Braun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, both the LEAP district in Lebanon and a SK hynix project in West Lafayette projects worth billions of dollars that launched under the direction of former Gov. Eric Holcomb have encountered local opposition. But such an audit should have no impact on ongoing projects, said Adams though he acknowledged that competing states may use the audit to leverage potential bids away from Indiana. I do want to say that the IEDC plays a critically important role in this state. Its a strong agency. We help Indiana businesses grow. We help attract businesses here, from entrepreneurs to large organizations, said Adams. We are going to bring transparency to this agency and its partners and its going to make us overall much stronger. But the agency got a 25% cut in the most recent version of the budget, which strikes funding for deal closing and other line items. Adams, however, didnt tie those eliminated dollars to the IEDCs performance, but rather the states $2.4 billion projected shortfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But were also looking at efficiencies and where are things that we can do to help it really be a more effective agency, said Adams. were going to reshape the IEDC to support (regional economic development) in a very different way than we have in the past. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Among packing tents and food, folks who are looking to visit campgrounds across North Carolina may need to pack a bit more cash. The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation announced Friday that an increase in campsite and reservoir fees will go into effect May 1 across the state. According to their news release, fee changes will only impact entrance fees at the reservoir state recreation areas during peak season, most camping rates, and some boat slip rentals only at Carolina Beach State Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials in the parks and recreation division said that any campsite reservation made by 11:59 p.m. on April 30 will not be affected by the price increases. Here is a breakdown of what is changing: Campsites, according to the state parks website The cost to reserve a campsite for a tent, RV or trailer with no hookup to a state park utility required will increase from $26 to $30 per night. If reserving space for a backpacking site, the nightly rate will increase from $15 to $20. If an RV needs an electric hookup only, the cost goes up from $31 to $35. For anyone needing their RV hooked up for more than electric like water or sewer could shell out between $40 and $45. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Group camping will also see rates increase. Groups of more than 16 backpackers occupying one reservation will see a rate increase of $5. Group campsite reservations occupied by 35 campers will go from $65 to $75 per night. Campers of 50 increase from $80 to $115 per night. 100 campers will need to pay $180 per night. Entrance to state parks, according to the state parks website While one motor vehicle currently costs $7 per day, starting May 1, the daily rate changes to $10. An annual reservoir parking pass that starts in 2026 will cost $70 per year if bought after May 1. A regular annual pass will cost $100, and one with Four-Wheel-Beach Access will be $200. Additionally, transient and monthly boat slip rentals at the Carolina Beach State Park marina will increase in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fees that wont change are the bus entrance rates, and if a passenger vehicle has a senior citizen, military member or veteran. Other increases, according to the state parks website The cost of annual swim passes will increase from $90 per year to $100 per year. Swim passes are required for Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Hanging Rock State Park, Lake James State Park, Lake Norman State Park and the pool at Morrow Mountain State Park. An annual pass for boat rentals will go up as well, with the price increase going from $90 to $100 per year. This is available at Cliffs of the Neuse, Dismal Swamp, Hanging Rock, Jones Lake, Lake James, Lake Norman, Merchants Millpond, Morrow Mountain, and William B. Umstead state parks. According to the news release, officials cite that the price hikes are from market adjustments and money needed to maintain park facilities. 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 CBS17.com. Four Austin American-Statesman journalists are finalists for two prestigious national awards for their reporting last year that examined a rural community's book ban battle and the aftermath of a deadly school bus crash. State politics reporter Bayliss Wagner on Wednesday was named a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists, given to journalists who are 35 or younger. She is among 20 journalists across the U.S. honored as a finalist for the prize awarded through the University of Michigan. Wagner is being recognized for her series, "The Cost of a Texas Town's Book Ban Battle," which both chronicled and investigated the far-reaching effects of an ideologically-driven effort to remove more than a dozen books from Llano County public libraries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work explained how the county and 17 Republican attorneys general hope to overturn a 30-year precedent barring officials from removing books for political reasons, detailed a citizen-led effort to combat the removals and revealed that Washington D.C.-based conservative nonprofit America First Legal collected $80,000 from a fundraiser ostensibly held to offset the countys legal costs. Winners for the prize will be announced in June in New York City. A three-member Statesman reporting team also is one of three finalists in their division for an award from the national Education Writers Association for investigative and public service reporting. The series, "A Fatal Field Trip," by Latino community affairs reporter Emiliano Tahui Gomez, education writer Keri Heath and Tony Plohetski, associate editor for investigations who oversaw and co-authored the project, chronicled the emotional aftermath of the March 2024 deadly bus crash in Bastrop County involving a Hays school district bus. The series also exposed regulatory lapses that contributed to the crash and examined a lack of seatbelts on Texas school buses. A boy is transported from a fatal cchool bus crash on SH 21 near Caldwell Road Friday March 22, 2024. Judges called the series a powerful investigation that shows how a senseless and deadly bus crash was preventable while also prioritizing the perspectives of the families who lived through it. Beautifully written and deeply reported." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winners will be announced at the group's annual convention in late May in St. Louis. Executive Editor Courtney Sebesta said that the work reflects the ability of Statesman journalists to identify and examine some of the most critical issues in the region. "Our team works daily to go behind the curtain of news events and to provide our readers trustworthy context and analysis," she said. "We are always pleased when those efforts are recognized by both our audience and our journalistic peers." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: American-Statesman journalists are finalists for two national prizes BW Energy Services Limited Invitation to Q1 2025 results presentation in Oslo on 5 May BW Energy will release its first quarter 2025 results on Monday, 5 May at 07:30 CEST. The Company will hold a presentation followed by Q&A at Hotel Continental in Oslo, Norway, on the same day at 09:30 CEST. The presentation will include an extended review of optimisation and development projects in Brazil. It will be hosted by CEO Carl K. Arnet, CFO Brice Morlot, CSO Thomas Young, CTO Jerome Bertheau and CCO Thomas Kolanski. You can also follow the presentation via webcast with supporting slides, available on: Viewer Registration Q1 2025 For further information, please contact: ir@bwenergy.no About BW Energy: BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company's assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 ("PEL 73") in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. The best friend of a woman who died from suspected methanol poisoning while on holiday in Laos has called for the government to do more to warn teenagers of the dangers of drinking alcohol abroad. Simone White, 28, a lawyer from London, was one of six tourists who died in November after becoming unwell whilst visiting the town of Vang Vieng, a popular stop along the backpacker route in Southeast Asia. Simone had been backpacking with two childhood friends, staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which offered free shots thought to be tainted with methanol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also hospitalised was Bethany Clarke, Simones best friend, but she has since recovered. Bethany is now campaigning for a greater awareness of the risks of drinking alcohol abroad and methanol poisoning. She told BBC Newsbeat that the group did not realise anything was wrong until they were kayaking the next day. Both she and Simone were flat on the backs of the kayaks, unable to move their arms. "That was a moment where I thought I really don't understand what's happening to us. It just seemed like I was just having to accept my fate." It took them a while to get treated for methanol poisoning, as Bethany said the doctors kept blaming their sickness ion food poisoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Methanol, which is tasteless and odourless, has been used in the manufacture of counterfeit replicas of alcohol brands or illegal local spirits, such as vodka. The chemical can rapidly lead to serious illness, with long-term effects such as blindness and permanent damage to the nervous system, as well as comas, or even death if there is substantial exposure. Bethany is now hoping that the dangers of methanol poisoning will be taught in schools, and is warning others to be mindful when drinking alcohol. "The advice is from me: 'steer clear, drink beer'. Look up the symptoms, be mindful about where you're drinking, Bethany told the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just don't let it be your best friend that dies from methanol poisoning." Bethany has also set up a petition calling for the dangers of methanol poisoning to be put in the school curriculum across the UK. The petition states, "children should be taught the dangers of consuming bootleg alcohol as part of the PSHE and/or Biology curriculum in school". "I think it just needs to be a five-minute talk or possibly even some kind of public health advert, just giving the case study of Laos and saying this can happen," Bethany says. "If people want to take the risk and drink it, at least they've been educated, and then they might even be able to spot some of the symptoms if they do happen to drink it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities. The Foreign Office has also included in its travel advice for Laos the warning to take care if alcohol is offered, particularly for free, or when buying a spirit-based drink. If labels, smell or taste seem wrong, then do not drink, it states. It adds that to protect yourself from methanol poisoning, you should buy alcohol only from licensed liquor stores, at licensed bars and hotels, avoid homemade alcoholic drinks, check bottle seals are intact and check labels for poor print or incorrect spelling. The Independent has contacted the Department for Education for comment. Its current statutory guidance for RSHE (relationships, sex and health education) is that by the time pupils leave school, they should understand the facts about legal and illegal harmful substances and associated risks, including smoking, alcohol use and drug-taking. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Apr. 24STERLING Sterling officials have reached a preliminary agreement with a private landowner to secure a site for a new wastewater treatment facility. The announcement was made by City Manager Scott Schumard during Monday's Sterling City Council meeting. "The city recently came to an agreement with the property owner for the purchase of land for the city's next wastewater treatment plant," Schumard said. "That happened last week. With that secured, the city will begin planning and engineering to replace the 46-year-old plant currently in use and unable to meet upcoming regulations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wastewater Superintendent Cory Bradshaw said the project has been planned for several years to address upcoming state regulatory changes, including phosphorous reduction. "We have to start reducing the phosphorus, and that is going to be a whole new treatment process that we're not capable of doing here," Bradshaw said. Wastewater treatment facilities in Illinois are facing tougher phosphorus reduction regulations. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's new restrictions mainly apply to larger plants treating at least 1 million gallons a day. By 2030, these facilities will need to lower phosphorus levels to 0.5 milligrams per liter, as part of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although some details of the project currently are confidential while the land deal is being finalized, including the new facility's location and the landowner's name, Bradshaw said construction is expected to begin two to three years after the acquisition, with an additional two years for completion. The new plant will replace Sterling's aging wastewater facility at 2400 W. Lynn Blvd., which was built in the 1970s. Bradshaw said the current lagoon-based treatment system is becoming outdated and inefficient in terms of cost and environmental performance. Original cost projections for the project from several years ago were calculated at $50 million to $60 million, although that figure may increase. While the exact size and square footage of the new plant has not been finalized, Bradshaw said that it will be "completely different" from the current facility. "It should be state-of-the-art once it's finished," Bradshaw said. "We're looking at being a lot more efficient. As far as the treatment process, it should cost a lot less to treat the water." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current plant will not be decommissioned, but will instead be converted into a large lift station. Half of its 32-acre lagoon will be filled in, while the remaining portion will be used for stormwater retention. From there, wastewater will be pumped to the new facility for treatment. Despite the size of the project, Bradshaw does not anticipate any service disruptions for residents, and the new facility will not require additional staff. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host who is running for California as a Republican, used a visit to San Francisco this week as an opportunity to bash Democratic leadership. Hilton, 55, who emigrated to California from the UK, officially announced his run for governor earlier this week at an event in Huntington Beach Tuesday. The following day, he posted video on X that showed him visiting San Francisco. In the video, Hilton walks through the citys SoMa neighborhood chatting with homelessness and drug policy activist, Tom Wolf. Its infuriating, because its all avoidable and preventable, all of it Hilton says while walking down streets among people showing indications of fentanyl use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apple reportedly moving iPhone production to India in pivot away from China At another point in the video, Hilton and Wolf stand at Sixth and Mission streets as the former Fox host gestures toward Salesforce Tower at the end of the street. I just want everyone to see, were right here, and as weve been saying, this is good compared to what weve seen on other occasions and what youll see here at night, he says. Look at what youve got there, right at the end of the street. That is the gleaming Salesforce Tower, right? The kind of symbol of San Franciscos tech economy, the billionaires, side by side with this totally unacceptable failure of policy. Its not a human failure. Its not these peoples failure. Its the governments failure that were in this situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At no point in the video does Hilton specify which policy failures were to blame for the current conditions in the Sixth Street area, which has been blighted by drug use and street crime for decades. Early in the video, Wolf appears to cast the blame toward former San Francisco Mayor London Breed, telling Hilton, We had a mayor for five years who basically did nothing to stop this. In a second video posted to X on Friday, Hilton is seen on a San Francisco street introducing himself to a homeless couple, telling them, My name is Steve. Im running for governor. Holding up the mans sign, which reads, Please Help, Hilton addresses camera, saying, This is, as Gavin Newsom keeps bragging, the fifth biggest economy in the world. Look down the street, Salesforce Tower, the symbol of the tech billionaires, and youve got good people like this, doing this. Its disgusting actually, and its gone on for so long. Blue Shield, Kaiser announce dozens of layoffs statewide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilton is then seen putting his arm around the woman and introducing Wolf as My friend Tom. Wolf then speaks to the couple, telling them, I used to be on the street too, back in 2018. I got clean and I got off the street. Hilton then addresses camera directly again. Its just so unbelievably, I dont want to say sad and heartbreaking, its true of course it is on a human level, its f***ing outrageous, thats what it actually is. Youve got good people like that, you could see that theyre good people, theyre not drug addicts, theyre not anything like that. Hilton goes on to say that the man on the street told him he wasnt able to get housing because of his disability, but that Wolf told him theyre giving housing to people who are drug addicts but not requiring treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what you get from these totally ridiculous ideological zealots, who impose this leftist ideology without any regard for practicality and whats happening in the real world, he adds, again without adding any specifics. Hilton, who has never held public office before, has pledged to Make California Golden Again and criticized the states one-party rule under Democrats. The Fox News contributor, who is also author of the book, Califailure, has said California is barely recognizable after 15 years of one-party rule. Hilton, who lives in Atherton, is the second high-profile Republican to enter Californias gubernatorial race, alongside Riverside County Sheriff, Chad Bianco. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Bill Stoller, the founder and proprietor of Oregons Stoller Winery passed away on Wednesday, Stoller Wine Group announced. He was 74. According to the winery, Stoller passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. It was always about building this incredible legacy that would last generations, said Stoller Family Estate President Gary Mortensen. Stoller initially built his fortune through his staffing and human resources companies, turning his focus on wine in 1993 after buying land in the Dundee Hills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stoller Winery remembers the founder as someone who led a life of leadership, compassion and dedication. Bill was a visionary who tirelessly championed, inspired, and elevated the Oregon wine industrys standing. His ethos of authenticity, accessibility, and reverence for the land guided his 200-year vision through innovation, sustainable viticulture, and community building, Stoller Winery said in a press release announcing the founders passing. New documentary celebrates 50 years of the Portland Saturday Market Bill was more than a remarkable entrepreneurhe was a generous mentor, a steadfast friend, and a passionate advocate for connecting people with opportunity, Mortensen said. His bold 200-year vision and unwavering belief in the potential of the Oregon wine industry is the cornerstone of everything we do at the Stoller Wine Group. He would want us to continue pushing forward to realize his dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His legacy includes Stoller Family Estate, which claims to have the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregons Dundee Hills, spanning 400 acres with 225 acres dedicated to growing wine grapes. The estate is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. During his career, Stoller received several wine industry accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oregon Wine Board. New app connects Portland-area families in need with local food banks Hes also received recognition on the world stage, receiving the prestigious Diploma of Honor from the Federation Internationale des Confreries Bachiques in June celebrating his unwavering commitment to finding harmony between tradition and innovation, honoring heritage while pushing the boundaries of excellence, Stoller Wine Group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond wine, Stoller Wine Group remembers Stoller as a trailblazer in the staffing industry, who co-founded Express Employment Professionals in 1983. Bill set the example of leadership, compassion, and dedication, which will inspire us for generations to come. We will do our best to honor that legacy every day. At this time, our hearts are with his family, and, per Bills wishes, our sights are focused on the future, Stoller Wine Group 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 KOIN.com. The wreckage of a GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb, also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), has appeared in Yemen. The weapon, which was only recently confirmed as being used in combat in that country, offers some very advanced capabilities, especially over the previous GBU-39/B SDB I. It is set to become one of Americas most important and widely employed weapons, across its own aerial fleets and many of its allies. With that in mind, the technological risk of the remains of this still near-completely intact weapon falling into an adversarys hands is significant. A close-up of the data panel on the same GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb. via X An inert GBU-53/B StormBreaker loaded onto an F-15E Strike Eagle during a test. Raytheon Photos showing the StormBreaker laying in the sand began to circulate recently on social media. Reportedly, the weapon was found by citizens in the Asilan area within the Shabwah governorate, a region in southeast Yemen (not in the northeast of the country, as some accounts have implied). The weapon has clearly not detonated and appears to have had its impact cushioned by desert sand, leaving it in one piece. Its pop-out wings are seen in a partially deployed position. StormBreaker munitions are seen alongside Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles onboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). CENTCOM screencap Its unclear what happened to the StormBreaker, but the relatively limited nature of the damage strongly suggests it had had a technical failure, rather than being brought down by enemy fire. We dont know if this is the first time this has happened, but it appears to be the first time it has been publicly documented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month ago, TWZ reported on what appeared to be the first evidence of the StormBreaker being used in combat by the U.S. Navy, after official videos were published showing missions against the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. This included footage of StormBreakers being carried by U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, as well as being prepared by armorers about the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). U.S Navy ammunition handlers aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) prepare ordnance for Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1).#HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/z5PizSE1eJ U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 21, 2025 The new photos of the StormBreaker wreckage in Yemen confirm that the weapon has actually been used in combat. As we have reported in the past, many of the StormBreakers key advantages lie in the weapons tri-mode guidance system, which can find targets using imaging infrared or millimeter-wave radar or by employing semi-active laser homing to hit a designated aimpoint. Another notable feature of the StormBreaker is its ability to communicate with the aircraft carrying it via onboard datalink. This means the weapon can be launched and, if required, redirected to a new target once in flight, as well as receiving regular midcourse updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weapon can also glide fully on its own guidance using a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system, after which it can strike a specific coordinate or begin searching for a target. This provides considerable flexibility, with the weapon able to engage both stationary and moving targets, including at night or in bad weather, at standoff distances. An F/A-18F with a pair of StormBreaker munitions under the wing prepares to launch from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). CENTCOM screencap Another view of the same F/A-18F on the catapult. CENTCOM screencap Based on figures released by the U.S. Air Force, the StormBreaker can hit stationary targets at a maximum of 69 miles and moving targets at 45 miles. The StormBreakers compact dimensions including a length of just 69 inches, a diameter of no more than seven inches, and relatively light weight of 204 pounds mean that an individual aircraft can carry a significant quantity, allowing more targets to be prosecuted. So far, however, the F/A-18E/F has only been seen carrying StormBreaker on twin smart racks, as evidenced aboard the USS Harry S. Truman during the Houthi strikes. A test F/A-18F with twin racks for StormBreaker. There are two such racks under the right wing, one of them loaded with a single munition. U.S. Navy The StormBreaker is being used as part of ongoing strikes by the U.S. military against Houthi targets in Yemen, launched by President Donald Trump last month, as we reported at the time. This latest campaign was spurred by the Houthis saying they would resume attacks on Israeli-linked ships over the blockade of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as the StormBreaker, airstrikes against the Houthis have seen a wide variety of interesting weapons employed, including a significant proportion of standoff types. Among these, the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) glide bomb has been prominent, as well as the AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missile, and the more familiar Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). Earlier this week, we saw an EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft carrying four AGM-88 series missiles, as you can read about here. A U.S. Navy EA-18G loaded with four AGM-88 series anti-radiation missiles launches from the deck of the carrier USS Harry S. Truman in support of operations against the Houthis in April 2024. U.S. Navy The extensive use of standoff weaponry, as well as the employment of B-2 stealth bombers, reflects the real threat posed by the Houthis air defense arsenal, something that you can read about in depth here. Most obviously, the Yemeni militants have been able to down a significant number of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones. A U.S. defense official told TWZ earlier this week that the militants have or are suspected to have brought down six MQ-9s since March 15. Last month, an unnamed U.S. defense official told Stars and Stripes that the Houthis had downed 12 Reapers since October 2023. S-75 (SA-2 Guideline) series surface-to-air missiles seen at a Houthi parade in 2023. Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images Returning to the StormBreaker wreckage, the fact that this is now very likely in Houthi hands, as well as being notably intact, means that it could present a fairly significant intelligence windfall. Bearing in mind the Houthis sponsorship by Iran and that countrys military and broader strategic connections to both China and Russia, its very conceivable that technologies from the weapon could now be exploited by some of Americas key adversaries. In particular, the tri-mode guidance system would be of great interest, as is its datalink and navigation suite. Access to this kind of technology could help any of these countries in the development of their own weapons and, just as critically, reveal weaknesses in the U.S.-made system that could be exploited in terms of countermeasures. Along with the guidance package, each StormBreaker is packed with other high-tech components, including other electronics, a potent but compact warhead, and even the materials used in its construction. All of these would also warrant close study by an adversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is especially true as this advanced weapon is packed with high-end capabilities will that will be a backbone of U.S. weapons stocks going forward, including being a primary weapon for the F-35. It can be used to prosecute armored formations, SAM sites, and ships, among other target sets. So being able to dissect its exact capabilities and technological advancements is a big deal. While many weapons have been lost in a semi-intact state in Ukraine, none have been this new or densely packed with capabilities. It would be near the top of Russia and Chinas list of weapons with disruptive capabilities that they would want to copy for their own use and examine in order to learn how to better defend against it. Of course, before the StormBreaker was used in Yemen, the technological risk involved would have been considered. After all, whatever the reliability of weapons like this, every weapon has a failure rate and theres always a possibility they will fall into an adversarys hands once exposed to combat. But one falling into the enemys hands in such an intact state is certainly an unwelcome development for the Pentagon. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Koupeliwe Toti lived in Togo for 19 years, but now, hes a citizen of the United States. He got the news while in the hospital recovering from a stroke. Toti, who is now 26, was invited to an Oath Ceremony earlier this month. But it took a lot of work for him to be there. We needed the doctors to evaluate and make sure he would be able to leave the hospital for a few hours. We had the social worker who was in contact with the Washington Pavillion to provide accessible accommodations for us. The therapists worked hard with him to have him be able to withstand what was going on through the day, said Kathy Alfred, a recreation therapist. Witnesses called in Sioux Falls murder trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alfred was one of the therapists who went to the ceremony. That day, Toti returned to find his room decorated with red, white and blue, and a team waiting to welcome him. The group effort also included Totis social worker, who has been with him since he came to Sanford. When he first came to rehab, he was very, he couldnt speak much at all. I would say his affect was very flat. Didnt have a lot of emotion behind him initially. And part of that is he was getting to know us, too, said Crysta DeSmet, Totis social worker. Toti says he doesnt remember a lot about the stroke and early recovery. He didnt know what he was doing. Now, flat isnt the word anyone would use to describe him. Toti is known at Sanford for his positivity and motivation. He is just a very much of a gentleman, a very kindhearted person. And I can tell that, hes very motivated to get back what he can from his stroke, said Alfred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has the best smile. And regardless of anything, hes so positive, said DeSmet. Following his return to the hospital after the Oath Ceremony, Toti asked to see his citizenship paper. And when I handed it to him and when I left the room, he was holding it to his heart. I know it was a very meaningful day for you, and I felt very honored to be part of it, said Alfred. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Stunt pilot Rob Holland died in a plane crash at Langley Air Force Base on Thursday, according to a statement on his official social media page. "Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history," the announcement on his Facebook page said. "Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday." Holland was on approach to the air base when the crash took place, the National Transportation Safety Board said, according to CBS affiliate WTKR. The NTSB described the plane as an "experimental MX Aircraft MXS" in a post on social media. The NTSB, the Federal Aviation of Administration and the Department of Defense will investigate the accident, WTKR said, with investigators expected to arrive at the base on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today we lost a friend of our Air Force family," said Col. Matthew Altman, Joint Base Langley-Eustis commander, in a news conference after the crash, according to WKTR. "On behalf of our entire JBLE team, I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator." Langley Air Force Base told WTKR that the crash was related to the upcoming Air Power Over Hampton Roads Air Show. Holland was expected to fly during the biennial event, according to its website. The show is expected to take place as scheduled on April 26 and 27, WTKR reported. Holland qualified for his pilot license as a teenager and went on to become a legend in his field, earning 37 international competition medals during his career as an airshow performer and freestyle acrobatic competition pilot, according to his website. Holland flew a "one-of-a-kind, all carbon-fiber" custom-built MXS-RH single-seat airplane, according to his website. The aircraft included design modifications suggested by Holland and was able to perform unique airshow maneuvers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Langley Air Force Base is in Hampton, Virginia. Russian foreign minister on latest Kyiv strikes: "We only target military goals" Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) In a split vote, the Suffolk School Board voted Thursday in favor of suspending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the school division. The 4-3 vote to suspend its DEI policy came as a court ruling put a temporary halt to the Trump administrations efforts to end DEI in K-12 public schools in the United States. Board chairwoman Heather Howell, vice chairman Sean McGee, and board members Dawn Marie Brittingham and Kimberly Slingluff voted in favor of the resolution to suspend the DEI initiatives, while board members Tyron Riddick, Valerie Fields and Karen Jenkins voted against the resolution. Judge blocks Trump efforts to eliminate DEI in public schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suffolk, along with Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Hampton have all certified to suspend DEI initiatives, while Norfolk voted to uphold DEI initiatives, with some qualifications. Norfolk board votes to reject Trump administrations DEI suspension Board member Tyron Riddick, who voted against adopting the resolution, was critical of it. He said the divisions equity policy was in place to achieve a greater good for all Suffolk student, and said that if it wasnt necessary, we would have never put it into writing, We are the only city in the entire state that is under a desegregation order, and we want to talk about the relevance of an equity policy? Riddick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remember, were suspending the policy, Slingluff said. The policy is not being eliminated completely. We are suspending it so that we can be in compliance so that we can receive the monies necessary. Its kind of a Catch-22. Were talking the students could be at a loss either way. If services are eliminated because of it being considered as a diversity, equity and inclusion program, then theres services that could be eliminated. But also, there are services that are going to be eliminated for our students if we lose a minimum of $9.5 million, so were really in a spot where we need to take time as a board and collaborate and evaluate and look at this. She said the immediate threat is losing money, which is a guaranteed loss of services to students if the school division loses the money. Superintendent Dr. John Gordon said the only DEI-related policy in place in the school division was the one being discussed during Thursdays meeting. Suffolk-resolution-4-24-25Download Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have had to have conversations with our schools on what the work will look like to ensure that there is no discrimination, Gordon said. As of Wednesday, Gordon said there were 121 school divisions out of 132 in Virginia that had signed this policy. Those that did not, he said, have different funding sources that Suffolk does not. Norfolk board turns aside DEI suspension as court blocks it He said the work would still continue to support the divisions students. Its unfortunate that weve been put into a no-win situation, Gordon said. Dont sign the policy, lose $9.6 million. Or, as [was] alluded to, potentially even additional federal funds for meals, or do sign the policy and feel like you are literally turning your back on what you believe in. So its a tough situation. There is fear of retaliation toward school divisions, and its just terrible. Theres really no other way to say it. 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. A US sugar daddy lawyer has been accused of raping, drugging and torturing half a dozen women in his New York apartment over five months. On Thursday, Ryan Hemphill, 43, was charged with 116 crimes, including predatory sexual assault, rape and assault, which allegedly began last October. Prosecutors accused Mr Hemphill of assaulting six women but warned that there could be many more victims. He pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Hemphill, who worked in private equity, has been accused of using his wealth and power to meet women online, before beating and drugging his alleged victims to restrain them. It was alleged that the 43-year-old would often threaten his victims with guns and knives, and allegedly used a shock collar and a cattle prod before raping women in what Alvin Bragg, the New York district attorney, described as hours of physical and sexual violence. On Thursday, Mr Bragg told a press conference: The defendant told these survivors that he was untouchable. The indictment makes clear that he was wrong. Ryan Hemphill has been accused of using his wealth and power to meet women online In some cases, Mr Hemphill asked the women to tell him about their past sexual traumas before recreating them, prosecutors alleged. It is believed he filmed some of the encounters at his apartment near the Empire State Building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities who searched his apartment found high-capacity magazines, hundreds of bullets, handcuffs, a cattle prod, large amounts of drugs, fake cash and surveillance cameras containing footage of dozens of women, the District Attorneys office said. We have reason to believe that there may be more survivors, Mr Bragg said. Dozens, if not hundreds, of women are captured on that footage. Authorities who searched his apartment found a number of items including handcuffs and fake cash Mr Hemphill allegedly met many of the women on sugar daddy websites, where he offered them large sums of money in exchange for sex and companionship. In many cases, he never paid them the agreed-upon amounts, and sometimes he paid them with fake banknotes. Prosecutors also alleged Mr Hemphill told women that he was highly connected and bragged about his position as a powerful attorney, and told them they would be arrested after accepting his money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one case, Mr Hemphill agreed to pay a woman $2,000 (1,500) to drop her police complaint, prosecutors said. A screenshot of messages between Mr Hemphill and one of his alleged victims - Fox 5/YouTube They also said that he forced women to record videos saying they consented to their sexual encounters, for which he would pay large sums of money. Mr Bragg said: The power imbalance in his predatory acts could not be more clear. Mr Hemphill faces life in prison if convicted. A cattle prod found at Mr Hemphills apartment - Fox 5/YouTube In 2015, he was acquitted of choking and holding a 10-inch knife to his ex-partners throat. During the trial, he admitted that he enjoyed choking his ex-girlfriend during sex, the New York Post reported. His LinkedIn profile shows that he graduated from Hofstra University in 2003 with degrees in drama and philosophy, before attending law school. In 2013, he founded his own firm, Madison Park Capital Advisors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Ann E Scherzer ordered Mr Hemphill to remain in jail without bail, saying it was the only way to ensure he returned to court. The judge said that it was necessary as evidence presented by prosecutors showed the extent to which hes willing to go to protect himself from facing these charges. 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. SUGARCREEK TWP., Ohio (WDTN) Residents in Sugarcreek Township are outraged after they were told a historic cemetery is being relocated. After promising the gravesite would remain untouched, developers and county engineers are now saying its just not possible. 2 NEWS spoke with local residents and trustees about the situation and what could come next for the site. A housing development that has been in the works for years now has Sugarcreek and Bellbrook residents clashing with local leaders over a parcel of land containing a cemetery of historical importance including remains that have reportedly been there for centuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Sugarcreek Township residents are upset after learning about plans to move the gravesite, after trustees and developers said the site would remain untouched when the development was first approved. You have a community thats outraged. The community is very upset, said Jodi Puderbaugh, Sugarcreek Twp. resident. They claim at this point that its completely out of their control, that they thought it was going to be preserved also. But I am a first believer that where theres a will theres a way. The site, located along Feedwire Road near Bellbrook Middle School, contains graves from the 1800s. Though only one headstone remains, the gravesite could have as many as eight graves that are unmarked. Sugarcreek Township trustees, the property owner and the housing developers all signed off on this development two years ago. At the time, everyone was on the same page that the cemetery would be preserved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But then, county engineers discovered the gravesite was going to be in the right of way. Regardless of if the property was developed or not, the cemetery would have to be moved, said Fred Cramer, Sugarcreek Twp. trustee. Our heritage is this land and cemeteries are people that have paved the way before us. We take this very seriously. Sugarcreek trustees are now working on ways to preserve the remains themselves by finding them a new resting place. We are working on a potential new solution that might be able to move it on the same parcel thats already there, said Cramer. So theres other options still in play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another option leaders have looked at is moving the remains to the Pioneer Cemetery on Upper Bellbrook Road. Part of the land in that parcel has also been given to the neighboring Bellbrook Middle School to be used as an area for students to study wetland habitats. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial services firm formerly led by U.S. commerce secretary Howard Bitcoin acquisition business. The company, which is now chaired by Lutnicks son Brandon Lutnick, is using a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) called Cantor Equity Partners to create a new company called Twenty One Capital. That company will be owned in part by stablecoin giant Tether, crypto exchange Bitfinex, and Japanese investment company SoftBank, according to a statement released on Wednesday, and will be used to buy Bitcoin. As a publicly traded company, Twenty One would allow investors to access Bitcoins price movements without investing in the currency directly, similar to Michael Saylors Strategy. It also plans to further the currencys adoption by supporting financial products built with and on Bitcoin and producing Bitcoin-focused content and media, according to a company statement. Twenty One aims to be the most effective public vehicle for Bitcoin accumulation and monetization, with a mission to accelerate Bitcoin adoption and Bitcoin literacy, the statement reads. Tether and Bitfinex will own a majority stake in the new company, and SoftBank will have minority ownership. Twenty One will be led by cofounder and CEO Jack Mallers, the founder of Bitcoin infrastructure company Zap. The company plans to launch publicly with more than 42,000 Bitcoin, worth around $4 billion at its current price of around $93,000. When the deal to create Twenty One closes, it has agreements with investors to raise an additional $585 million in capital, which will be used to purchase additional Bitcoin. The money was raised, in part, by issuing convertible notes, a type of debt financing that can be converted into equity at a later date. Strategy, a software company formerly known as Microstrategy, has proven that Bitcoin acquisition can be extremely lucrative. The company has amassed 538,200 Bitcoins since 2020, worth nearly $50 billion at its current price, leading its stock to grow 2,600% as Bitcoins price increases. The companys success has prompted others to attempt to get in on the hype as well, including medical device company Semler Scientific and Elon Musks Tesla. However, Bitcoin buying has not been as successful for other companies. GameStop, the embattled video game retailer that has been struggling to keep its stock afloat in recent years, announced in March that it would begin stockpiling Bitcoin. While GameStop shares initially surged 14%, the stock slid 23% in the days that followed. Despite having successfully raised $1.3 billion for Bitcoin purchases, GameStops stock is down 10% year to date. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Hoping to send an early warning message to other potential Democratic primary opponents, First Congressional District candidate Maura Sullivan of Portsmouth announced more than 30 endorsements from elected officials, small business owners and veterans. Among those on the list are former House Speaker Steve Shurtleff of Penacook, former party chairman and U.S. ambassador to Belize George Bruno, State Sen. and Ward 3 Alderman Pat Long, D-Manchester, and former Executive Councilor and Army Reserve Ambassador Jim Normand. A Merrimack County commissioner, Shurtleff lives in the Second Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group also includes five school board members and two aldermen from Manchester, the largest city in the district and Pappas hometown. Earlier this month, Sullivan became the first candidate in either major party to declare her candidacy for the seat that four-term U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., will vacate to run for the U.S. Senate. In 2018, Sullivan finished second to Pappas in his first primary for this seat in a race that attracted 11 candidates. Sullivan outperformed expectations in that race but had to overcome criticism that she had only lived in the state for a few months before the campaign and done little grass roots work in New Hampshire in contrast to Pappas who had been an elected official and campaign volunteer for two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since her loss seven years ago, Sullivan has gotten intensely involved in party politics and last month got elected as one of the states two vice chairmen of the New Hampshire Democratic Party along with Sen. Donovan Fenton, D-Keene. She also raised more than $400,000 in the week after she announced for the seat and has won the support of VoteVets, a Democratic political action committee that spent significant resources in support of Navy Reserves veteran Maggie Goodlander of Nashua who won the Second Congressional District seat last November. Sullivan is a combat Marine Corps veteran who rose to the rank of captain and had several foreign deployments including one to Iraq. After her service, Sullivan worked in the federal Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense during the Obama administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her endorsement list also includes five school board members and two aldermen from Manchester, the largest city in the district and Pappas hometown. This open seat is sure to attract other Democratic hopefuls. Potential tough race with Stefany Shaheen looms Stefany Shaheen, a former Portsmouth city councilor and police commissioner, recently confirmed shes considering her own campaign. Shes the eldest daughter of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen who will retire in 2026 after five decades of serving in elective office and working on campaigns. Chris Bright, a Derry businessman who finished fourth in the 2024 Republican primary for this seat, is expected to run again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some activists are encouraging the second and third place finishers in that primary, Greenland business owner Hollie Noveletsky and Manchester Aldermanic President Joe Kelly Levasseur, to run. Other Democrats who are on this latest list to endorse Sullivan include: State Rep. Luz Bay of Dover; Rep. Charlie St. Clair of Laconia, executive director of Laconia Bike Week; Rep. David Meuse of Portsmouth; Ex-Rep. Kate Miller of Laconia; Ex-Rep. Gerri Cannon of Somersworth; Ward 1 Manchester School Board member Julie Turner; Ward 2 Manchester School Board Sean Parr; Ward 7 Manchester School Board Chris Potter; Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward 8 Manchester School Board Jessica Spillers; Ward 11 Manchester School Board Liz ONeil; Ward 2 Manchester Alderman Dan Goonan; City Councilor Eric Hoffman of Laconia; City Councilor Tony Felch of Laconia; Town Councilor Mackenzie Murphy of Merrimack; Retired Lieut. Col. Andy Corrow of Durham; N.H. AFL-CIO Executive Council member John MacNeil of Bedford; Moms Demand Action activist Robin Skudlarek of Londonderry; Belknap County Democratic Chair Johnna Davis of Gilford; Rockingham County Democrats Secretary Trish Tidd of Kingston; Carroll County Dems Vice Chair Tom Randell of Moultonborough; Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former town chair George Hamblen of Plaistow; Town Chair Reva Tankle of Gilford; Town Chair Carrie Duran of Wolfeboro; USMC veteran Bill Kingston of New Castle; Navy veteran and businessman Gray Chynoweth of Manchester; Holly Henshaw, Navy Veteran and Community Leader, Dover and, Katelyn and Michael Wilson, activists from Newfields. klandrigan@unionleader.com Nine months after a ransomware attack took the Sumter County Sheriffs Office completely offline, 9 Investigates is getting an inside look at the hit the agency took. 9 Investigates first brought you the story last August after a Russian criminal group, Rhysida, claimed responsibility for the cyber-attack. The agency is now in its final phases of recovery. Witness statement, victim statements, things of that nature are all having to be re-entered into the computer system as well, said Michelle Keszey, Sumter County records manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keszey in part oversees the large project of typing up, scanning and uploading records from the four months the agency relied on just pen and paper. There were approximately 1,500 crash reports that took place during our time down. And she is averaging about 10 a day, Keszey said. Until the system was safe to be scanned in so it kind of just stacked up, said Sheriff Pat Breeden. Sheriff Breeden took office that November while the agency was still offline. Our newer deputies are used to doing everything electronically, Breeden said. Well now were back to handwriting reports and were handwriting tickets, he said, recalling the challenges over the four months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was after Rhysida claimed to have infiltrated the agencys system in August 2024. We started having some problems with our dispatch one night and dispatch is like, some stuffs not working, somethings not right, Breeden said, Authorities later discovered the hackers got in from an external hard drive infected with a virus that an employee brought in. We discovered that this had actually been brought in several months prior to the hack and it just kind of sit there in limbo waiting, Breeden said. Rhysida posted on the dark web, claiming they stole nearly a terabyte of data. They claimed the data would end up on the dark web, if the Sheriffs Office didnt pay their ransom, seven bitcoins or about $425,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How scary of a time was that for you guys?, Webb asked. I was very scared because, you know, we have employees and we have citizens information, Breeden said. The Sheriffs Office told us they didnt believe the cybercriminals ever uploaded the stolen records to the dark web. They have available for download, they claim 839 gigabytes of data across over 160,000 files, said Luke Connolly, threat intelligence analyst for Emsisoft. That could easily go back decades, especially for a small town sheriff. Connolly says its highly likely the hackers had extended access to the Sheriffs Office database based on the amount of data they claim to have released. He says the hackers arent charging for downloads of the stolen material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our sources did not download the data that the hacker group claimed to have stolen because of the ethical concerns and also the risk of downloading malware. With that, we dont know what all this data could potentially include, including social security or banking information. The Sheriffs Office says authorities are looking to prosecute the Russian group responsible. Now, the agency is in its final stages of recovery. Breeden says the most challenging time was when authorities were working to confirm hackers no longer had access to the agencys system-- what the Sheriff described as cleaning house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hardest part was to analyze everything to make sure our systems are now safe to go back online. So, doing that, we have to backlog everything we did in that time period, lets say between August and now. So everythings on paper. Connolly says the hackers likely were not targeting the Sheriffs Office, but there are records of value in the agency. Money, information, you know, they get anything they can because if they can get peoples identities, theyre looking to do identity theft, they are looking to steal anything they can to make a dollar, Breeden said. The Sheriff also says they are retraining employees on cybersecurity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre now almost back to what they were before August 2024, and the Sheriffs Office says theyre now even stronger. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Chevron logo is displayed at a Chevron gas station on May 22, 2023 in Burbank, Calif. A Rhode Island Superior Court judge on April 22 rejected Chevron's attempt to gut the state's complaint against Chevron and 20 other oil and gas companies named in a 2018 lawsuit brought by Rhode Island's attorney general on alleged procedural violations. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Rhode Islands first-in-the-nation state lawsuit against fossil fuel companies continues into its seventh year after surviving an attempt by one of the defendants to gut the states case on alleged procedural violations. Rhode Island Associate Justice William E. Carnes in an April 22 decision rejected all of the arguments made by Chevron Corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chevron was one of 21 oil and gas companies sued for its role in exacerbating climate change in a landmark state climate change lawsuit brought by then-Attorney General Peter Kilmartin in 2018. The complaint seeks damages from fossil fuel companies on the assertion that for each company, a substantial portion of fossil fuel products are or have been extracted, refined, transported, traded, distributed, marketed, promoted, manufactured, sold, and/or consumed in Rhode Island. After years of appeals, concluding after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case in April 2023, Chevron returned to state court seeking to have a portion of the case thrown out. The company contended the state failed to investigate or prove that any fossil fuel extraction, refinement or production occurred in Rhode Island, violating a clause of state court civil procedure known as Rule 11. Attorneys for both sides made their case before Carnes in an April 16 hearing in Providence County Superior Court. Carnes in his 15-page decision concluded there was no evidence of improper actions by the state at least, not enough to meet the high bar of imposing penalties for Rule 11 violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court must balance competing concerns when evaluating whether to issue sanctions because sanctions can haunt an attorney throughout his or her career with ramifications [that] go far beyond the particular case, Carnes wrote, quoting from a 2017 state Supreme Court decision reversing a lower courts sanctions against an attorney in the case. Carnes rejection of Chevrons pleadings does not signal an outcome on the overall decision in the case, including potentially awarding damages from fossil fuel companies. The next hearing in the case is slated for May 8, according to the public court docket. Timothy Rondeau, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General, praised Carnes decision. We are grateful for Judge Carnes careful consideration, evaluation, and ultimate conclusion that the State acted properly, Rondeau said in a statement Thursday. We look forward to continuing to fight on behalf of Rhode Islanders and for environmental justice. And/or While legal precedent demands a specific standard to penalize attorneys for procedural violations, there is no formal court ruling or history on the use of and/or, another key part of Chevrons legal arguments. Attorneys for Chevron insisted the states use of and/or in its original complaint meant it must prove that all of listed fossil fuel activities manufacturing, refinement, sales and more were performed by each company in Rhode Island. Attorneys for the state countered that the and/or caveat meant at least one, but not all, of the listed activities, could be proven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carnes conclusion? Rhode Island has not formally adopted any legal precedent around the use of and/or, and, even if Rhode Island courts had done so, the States Complaint is not improper because the contested allegations are well grounded in fact based on the States interpretation of paragraph 21(g) and Chevrons filings with the State of Rhode Island, he wrote. He also pushed back against Chevrons citations from the websites of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and the U.S. Department of Energy, both of which said there is no oil production or refinement in Rhode Island. Carnes noted that the federal information was outdated based on data from 2011 to 2014 while the state website information does not specify if petroleum-based fuels were ever produced in Rhode Island, simply that they are not locally produced at present. Other exhibits filed by attorneys for the state, including business filings with the Rhode Island Department of State, suggest Chevron and its subsidiaries have done sales business in Rhode Island as recently as 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It cannot be fairly said that the allegations which Chevron has moved to strike have no relation to the controversy because the State provided evidence that Chevron may have had Rhode Island manufacturing, refining, and other raw material activities, Carnes wrote. Carnes on April 16 ordered Chevron to hand over additional documentation regarding its business activity in Rhode Island. The company has 90 days to turn over evidence to the state for its case. Judges in four other states, including New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and New York have tossed similar state, county or city-level challenges against fossil fuel companies. But dozens more remain under consideration in state-level courts across the country, including in Massachusetts. And in March, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the bid led by Republican state attorneys general that would have blocked these lawsuits from proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theodore Boutrous, an attorney with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in California representing Chevron, pointed to the dismissals in other state courts in a response Thursday to Carnes decision. As the New Jersey Superior Court held in dismissing New Jerseys similar state lawsuit, the leading and most persuasive case supporting dismissal is the Second Circuit decision in City of New York, Boutrous said in an emailed statement. There, the federal appeals court rejected the availability of state tort law in the climate change context. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) ACI-Dungarvins office is constantly getting phone calls for help. We probably get 25 referrals a day of kids needing homes and care, Foster Care Coordinator Kara Bulla said. Thousands of children in North Carolina are currently in the foster care system, which makes the need for foster parents extremely great. Despite this, the organization still make sure each child is put into a loving home and gets the best quality care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was in foster care since I was 8 until I was 18, Bulla said. I have wonderful parents that have supported me, and I know that our kids have the same As rewarding as being a foster parent can be, it comes with its own set of challenges whether its difficulties connecting with children or dealing with a child with exceptional needs. The organization hosts a foster parent support group where parents can learn new things and bounce ideas off of each other. We all look out for each other, Gloria Ipock, a foster parent, said. We have a great team, and we have a lot of trainers, like I said before, because we deal with therapeutic foster kids. Foster care coordinator Scott Foley says the work they do in the group speaks for itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just had a foster parent out front talking about she loves this one-on-one time with other foster parents because she doesnt always feel like shes alone out there, that shes the only one experiencing the certain things that she experiences, Foley said. Learn more about the organization 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. A surfer has died following a tragic accident on Munichs Eisbach River. The 33-year-old woman, whose name is being withheld, was surfing the wave last Wednesday when she fell. Her leash was caught on a rock underneath the wave, and she was submerged under the water for a period of time. Eventually, the fire department came and was able to rescue her. After the rescue, she was sent to the hospital, where her condition was reportedly critical, yet stable no specifics were given on the nature of her injuries. Now, authorities reported she has died. From the local newsreel above, the translated caption reads: The surfer who crashed last week on the Eisbach wave has died, a police spokeswoman announced. The Eisbach wave in Munich is a popular spot for surfers. But it's also very dangerous, as was evident shortly before Easter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the incident, the Eisbach River wave has been closed to surfers. The victims partner has reportedly filed criminal charges for negligent bodily harm, prior to her death. Police are investigating whether or not there is any criminal liability in the situation. Related: Surfer Trapped Underwater at Munichs Famous River Wave As reported in The Munich Eye: According to Moritz von Sivers, a representative of the Munich Surfing Association, the real danger lies beneath the wave, where several stones protrude from the riverbed. These stones, roughly the size of bricks, are meant to prevent erosion but can pose a risk to surfers. Von Sivers noted that it is indeed possible for a leash to snag on these stones, which can lead to dangerous situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath of the incident, there are calls for greater awareness regarding leash safety. Von Sivers expressed his belief that similar accidents could happen to any surfer, regardless of their level of experience. He highlighted the need for leashes that automatically release under tension and suggested that signage warning surfers of these hazards could be beneficial. Tragedy out of Munich. Rest in peace to the victim. Related: Naked German Surfer Nearly Castrated in River Wave Wipeout (Video) Apr. 24Eighty years ago, Allied troops moved across Europe and closed in on Germany, encountering thousands of concentration camp prisoners, many clinging to life because of the horrific treatment and conditions they endured. Thirty years ago, Temple Beth Shalom on Spokane's South Hill started the Spokane Community Observance of the Holocaust to honor the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust, those who survived and others who assisted Jews during the war. The annual tradition continued Wednesday night at the synagogue as a few hundred attendees remembered the murder of millions of innocent Jewish families and children during World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That number, 6 million, is almost impossible to think about for most of us," said Mary Noble, of the Yom Hashoah planning committee. "The 3 million Jews in Europe who survived had endured an unimaginable time." Noble said two out of three Jews in Europe had been killed by the end of the war, reducing the world Jewish population by one-third. Some Jews fought or worked with resistance groups during the war while others hid in forests, churches, sewers and in the countryside with non-Jewish families. "It took time, but the survivors gradually moved forward and created new lives," Noble said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The theme of this year's observance was "Survival and Life After the Holocaust," which was evident with artwork displayed in the church created by local middle and high school students. More than 100 students from the Spokane area participated in the Jessica Stein Memorial Art Contest. The students highlighted survivors who went on to live productive lives after the Holocaust. Winners of the contest were announced during Wednesday's observance. Noble said many survivors were not welcomed to their former homes and made new ones all over the world. Still, some stayed in Europe. "Most had families and considered this their ultimate revenge, the continuation of the Jewish people," Noble said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noble announced six individuals or groups who approached the stage and lit a candle of a Menorah during the candle-lighting ceremony. Carla Peperzak, a Spokane resident and Holocaust survivor, lit the first candle. She was joined by Kristine Hoover and Clement Lye for the lighting. Hoover and Lye are Gonzaga University employees who made the documentary "Carla the Rescuer" about Peperzak's journey as a Jewish member of the Dutch Resistance and her determination to educate and speak out against injustice. The first candle honored the 6 million Jews who perished and the Jews who survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second lit candle honored the memory of "destroyed communities" as thousands of Jewish communities were wiped out, Noble said. The third candle represented the 1.5 million Jewish children targeted and killed by Nazis in an effort to completely eliminate Jews. The fourth candle honored the liberators of the concentration camps. Four daughters of four local servicemen, who have since passed and were previously honored at the inaugural observance, lit the candle. The four veterans liberated camps, Noble said. The fifth candle recognized the "righteous among the nations," or those who fought for and protected Jews during the war and today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, during a time of antisemitism that has been unprecedented since the time of World War II, Jews still rely on and appreciate the support of our non-Jewish friends around the world," Noble said. Pastor Janet Ahrend of Plymouth Congregational Church in Spokane lit that candle for her and her congregation's decadeslong support of Israel and Jewish people, according to Noble. "They've been steadfast despite attempts to instill fear and intimidation through repeated vandalizing of their property because of that support," Noble said. "It takes courage and commitment to stand up and speak up, and they are indeed among the righteous gentiles." Aubrey Marquis, a high school senior who was studying in Israel during the fall of 2023 when the "horrific events" of Oct. 7 happened, lit the sixth candle to honor the "state of Israel," Noble said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gaza war interrupted Marquis' program, as well as the lives of everyone else in Israel. "We pray for the release of the remaining hostages and for the establishment of a permanent and lasting peace in Israel and the surrounding region," Noble said. NBC 6 is proud to partner with the Nell Shehee Foundation on Operation Kindness. Shreveport, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Southern University Shreveport Louisiana (SUSLA) kicked off its partnership with the Nell Shehee Foundations Operation Kindness by hosting a free luncheon and discussion on April 24, 2025. The Pizza with the Chancellors event was a celebration of kindness and community service. Theres a lot of chaos in the world today, said Nell Shehee, Operation Kindness Founder. Theres political divisiveness. There is racism. There is unrest. There is unwellness in the world. Theres an easy antidote to chaos and negativity, and thats kindness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Give for Good challenge: what is it, how to join? SUSLA students and staff are injecting that antidote of kindness into the community through quarterly service projects, which include volunteering at local schools and soup kitchens. They will also conduct food drives and community clean-ups. Some of the projects being planned include: Providing lunch for faculty and staff at Green Oaks High School Hosting a school supply give-away and reading to students at Pine Grove Elementary Serving lunch to clients at Christian Service Cleaning neighborhoods through an adopt-a-road program Those things that were doing here on our campus, we spread kindness, said Aubra Gantt, Chancellor of SUSLA. This partnership with Ms. Shehee will allow us to continue the efforts of spreading kindness not only here at Southern University Shreveport but throughout the city and throughout the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement C.E. Byrd students give back during Centennial Celebration Day of Service As students and staff mingled during the kickoff, they also discussed simple ways of showing kindness in everyday interactions. As chancellor, it makes me feel good to see our students really being kind to one another, talking and communicating with one another in a kind way as well as showing appreciation to faculty and staff who have invested in their education, shared Gantt. Were all different, Shehee said. Were different colors, different religions, but we all have the same heart. If we just give from our heart, the world would be a much better place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to quarterly projects, SUSLA will celebrate World Kindness Day on November 13, 2025, with small acts of kindness around campus. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The 16-year-old accused of stabbing his classmates at a secondary school in western France, killing one student, has been described by those who knew him as a loner who admired Adolf Hitler, a public prosecutor said on Friday. The knife attack took place on Thursday at a private Catholic school in the city of Nantes. A 16-year-old girl was killed by the suspect, and two other students, aged 15 and 16, were injured. The teen did not give any reasons for his actions after his arrest on Thursday and has been temporarily admitted to a psychiatric ward, said Nantes public prosecutor Antoine Leroy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the attacker attended classes as usual that morning before arming himself with a hunting knife and putting on a mask in a school bathroom around midday. He then entered a classroom and fatally stabbed the girl - who was said to have been the only peer with whom he had a positive relationship 57 times. He then went on to randomly attack other students in a separate classroom. The rampage was stopped by a school IT technician who entered the room and struck the attacker with a chair, then held him at bay until police arrived. Leroy said the teenager had no prior contact with law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, his mother had sought help earlier this year for his increasing social isolation, and he had attended six sessions at a counselling centre, he said. School officials had also raised concerns over his admiration for Hitler, prompting a meeting with school management and his mother earlier this month. On Friday, students and members of the public laid flowers outside the school in tribute to the slain girl. ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (WJW) An overnight police chase ended with the suspect crashing into a local senior center. The short pursuit and crash took place at about 3 a.m. Friday in Rocky River. New video: Police-involved shooting outside Staples FOX 8 video from the scene shows the suspects vehicle smashed into the front of the Rocky River Adult Activity Center. The crash left a hole in the front of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local high school students rally in support of levy According to police, one man was taken into custody and a passenger was transported by the Rocky River Fire Department. Its not clear what prompted the chase. The damage is limited to a storage room of the Rocky River Adult Activity Center, FOX 8 learned. They are open and operating as scheduled. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAVIESS COUNTY, Ky. (WEHT) The suspect who police say swung a sword and drove off in a police car after being pulled over for reckless driving is sitting in the Daviess County Jail. The police chase crossed state lines from Warrick County, Indiana to Daviess County, Kentucky. 31-year-old Nina Devillez is facing a string of charges. On Thursday, Eyewitness News Sydney Davis sat down with Devillez for an exclusive jailhouse interview. We do want to note that police identify Devillez as a man, but Devillez told us she identifies as a woman. More details released after Chandler Police vehicle stolen during pursuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all happened just before 10 a.m. Monday. A traffic stop for reckless driving in Chandler caught on camera with a quick shift to sword swinging. It ends with a police vehicle stolen and wrecked in the middle of a field in Kentucky. The person law enforcement has deemed responsible, Nina Devillez, says she was headed to check on a friend who shared they had experienced domestic violence the night before. Just to say. Hey, whats up? You doing okay? So I was I was, you know, I was in a hurry, but I was not like, being reckless or nothing. As she exited the vehicle with her hands up, she says her first intention was to talk to the officer, but his lack of communication made her uneasy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Communicate with me dawg. Like, just talk to meHe said get on the ground. I got this feeling on me like if I get on the ground. Im not leaving this place alive, says Devillez. Thats when she says she grabbed a foam sword. I said hey, this is a toy sword dawg. Its a light sword. Im just keeping my space from you, because I did not trust him, says Devillez. In a video that catches the incident, Devillez can be seen swinging it at the officer. You know what live action. Role play is? You ever seen Grown Ups? Thats what it wasIt was made out of camp mat and foam. It is inspected and regulated. This one I actually bought from a professional. Its made specifically to hit with full contact and not enter them at all. So, he was completely safe that whole time, says Devillez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chandler Police officer fires several shots at Devillez who hops into the officers patrol vehicle. Behind bars and still recovering from gunshot wounds, Devillez says the high speed chase that landed her at the Daviess County Detention Center wasnt a part of some master plan, but rather a plan to survive. I think the first time I had my hands on like this instinctively, like oh, dont shoot me, says Devillez. The 130 miles per hour speed chase all the way across the Natcher Bridge didnt end until she lost control of the Chandler Police cruiser in a field. The field is located just past Owensboro Racing and Gaming. Law enforcement say she then ran for about 300 yards and attempted to fight a Daviess County deputy before being tased. I was trying to get to Kentucky to get to some cops [kentucky and] be like okay, how do you report a crime? Ive been shot by cops. Im not going to the same police department that shot me to report that crime. If I had known that he was Daviess County, I would have surrendered to him, says Devillez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devillezs gunshot wounds were treated at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. She is facing several charges in Kentucky and Indiana, including fleeing and evading police and disorderly conduct. Officials say she will eventually be transferred to the Warrick County Jail. Devillezs preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 30 at 8:45 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). We recently published a list of 20 Takeover Rumors Hedge Funds Are Buying. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Chewy, Inc. (NYSE:CHWY) stands against other takeover rumor stocks hedge funds are buying. Hedge funds tend to pile up on a stock that gains or is expected to gain positive attention in a market. And what more could ignite such a frenzy of activity other than whispers of potential takeovers? When combined with subtle market signals and insider movements, these rumors can cause investors to purchase the stock. Income-seeking investors usually keep a close eye on such signs and movements to capitalize on emerging opportunities. READ ALSO: 10 Dividend Paying Stocks Insiders Are Buying In particular, hedge fund managers, using their vast resources and analytical capabilities, are more receptive to such speculative cues and act upon them. Since investors and the rest of the market tend to generate income by closely following their actions, hedge funds hold influential power in market trajectories. The allure of these rumors lies in their potential to generate substantial returns to shareholders. Those companies that become the target of a takeover or are perceived as a target experience a stock value surge in the market, thus attracting further investor interest. To stay ahead of the curve, hedge funds conduct thorough analyses, including financial statement evaluations, industry trend monitoring, and management behavior assessments, to predict the possibility of such events. Such a proactive approach, in addition to giving them an edge over other investors in the market, also contributes to the evolving nature of financial markets. What prompts the takeover rumors? Loads of factors. In the current environment, as we all know, the new tariff rates and trade wars are the biggest and most significant catalysts for takeover rumors. However, hedge funds also take note of other factors when anticipating a takeover. For instance, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates. After a series of cuts that started in September, the Fed has paused the interest rate adjustments and maintained them between 4.25% and 4.50% since December 2024. The range is not historically low, compared to the near 0% interest rates the Fed announced amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, larger companies may find it easier and less expensive to fund an acquisition or merger at the current interest levels. On the other hand, the broader market sentiment could also play a vital role in takeover rumors. The expected takeover might get rescheduled or withdrawn, depending on the favorability of the market sentiment. For instance, the recent falls in the stock market might reflect negatively on the market sentiment, discouraging companies from risking an acquisition or takeover. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Police are searching for a man who stole 16 product shipping racks worth $3,200 from a Dollar General in Frayser on Wednesday. On April 23, at 12:45 p.m., officers responded to the theft in the 3600 block of North Watkins Street. Witnesses said a man driving a dark SUV pulling a utility trailer came behind the business, loaded 16 aluminum produce shipping racks valued at $3,200, and fled southbound on Watkins Street. Courtesy of MPD Courtesy of MPD Courtesy of MPD Courtesy of MPD No arrests have been made. This is an ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 third-generation Army veteran who works at the RTA led the charge to create a veteran-themed bus that will begin its route during National Military Appreciation Month in May. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] RTA Maintenance Supervisor Gary Daugherty said this vision coming to life is something that means a lot to him and his family. I come from a family with a lot of military backgrounds. In fact, Im third generation Army, my son is fourth generation Army, and Ive got a grandson who will be fifth generation military, Daugherty said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Greater Dayton RTA is rolling out the bus on Thursday, May 1, to celebrate veterans from all six branches of the military: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Space Force, and Marine Corps. The bus will be painted red, white, and blue with a design that features three silhouettes of military members saluting the American flag. The words thank you for your service and honoring our community veterans will be seen on the side of the bus, according to a release from the RTA. More than 50 veterans work for the RTA. Bus riders will be able to read these vets stories when they board the bus. Four RTA veterans will be featured each month via an interior card that states their name, branch, time served, and current role at the RTA, a spokesperson for the RTA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bus will make appearances at various local veterans organizations over the summer for veterans to take pictures with and learn more about RTA services. The bus will also be in Centervilles Americana Parade on Independence Day and various touch-a-truck events. The RTA will be holding a scavenger hunt for riders during National Military Appreciation Month that features six locations along the route, each highlighting veterans. Starting May 5, the RTA will post a clue about each location on social media. Riders who find the correct location will then need to scan a QR code at the bus stop and enter a code on the website along with their contact information. The first rider to visit each location and enter all six codes will win a month of free rides. The second person to do so will win a week of free rides and the third person will win one day, an RTA spokesperson said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) In celebration of Arbor Day, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $15 million in grant awards through New York States new Community Reforestation (CoRe) program, with one of the projects set to take root in Onondaga County. Sixteen funded projects will establish and expand resilient forests in and near New Yorks urban communities, contributing to the 2024 State of the State 25 Million Trees Initiative launched by Governor Hochul. The goal is to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate resiliency and community health. Resilient urban forests support community health, well-being and sustainability, Hochul said. Im celebrating Arbor Day 2025 by awarding $15 million in new grants to support projects across the State that will bring the countless ecological and economic benefits of trees to urban areas. Latest local news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trees in urban areas help reduce high temperatures created by the urban heat island effect. CoRe-funded projects are mostly located in communities with high heat vulnerability. Studies show that forested natural areas can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than under the shade of a street tree just a few hundred feet away. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers the new CoRe grant program, which supports the states efforts to plant 25 million trees by 2033. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, The CoRe grant-funded projects announced today will help make New Yorks communities cooler expanding forest canopies, improving forest health, and moderating temperatures, all while engaging New Yorkers at the local, regional, and watershed levels. In addition to significant climate benefits, trees enhance biodiversity and improve overall community health and well-being for residents statewide. DEC is awarding more than $7.4 million to municipalities, particularly to restore woodlands in public parks. Invasive species removal and expansion of native forests in these open spaces are intended to enhance the ecosystem services provided to residents, particularly an enhanced canopy that provides shade and recreational opportunities. A total of $5.3 million is awarded to not-for-profit organizations for a variety of volunteer-driven projects focused on promoting forest health at the ecosystem level, from riparian zone enhancement along the Upper Susquehanna watershed to protecting Bronx River ecological health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four projects totaling approximately $1.7 million will be awarded to the State University of New York (SUNY) for reforestation projects on college campuses. Projects will serve as living labs for students to research best practices in tree planting, sustainable forest management, and ecological monitoring. Funding for this round of the CoRe grant program was allocated by the Governor in the FY25 Enacted Budget. In addition to the $15 million allocation for the CoRe grant program, the Governors initial commitment to the 25 Million Trees Initiative came with $32 million to modernize the Saratoga Tree Nursery and enhance DECs technological capabilities for tracking tree planting and forest management across the state. The initiative is working to invigorate the States tree planting efforts by scaling up public-sector tree planting efforts, invigorating the private sector, harnessing technology, and engaging the next generation of environmental stewards. Although these grants will be scattered in locations, all through New York State, one of these grants is located right here in Onondaga County. According to Hochuls team, the city of Syracuse will receive $2,080,083 for forest stand restoration. The city will restore eight degraded forest sites, totaling more than 38 acres, by planting trees to contribute to the goal of increasing the citys tree canopy by seven percent. 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 WSYR. The number of Syrians living in Germany fell slightly from February to March, a drop largely due to naturalization rather than returns. According to the Interior Ministry, 968,899 Syrian nationals were registered in Germany at the end of March, down from 972,470 one month earlier a decrease of 3,571. Many Syrians who arrived during the 201516 refugee influx now meet the criteria for German citizenship. Once naturalized, they are no longer counted as foreign nationals, even if they hold dual citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Syrians fled their homeland during the bloody civil war. The conflict finally ended late last year with the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia as his regime collapsed following a lightning offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Organization for the Liberation of the Levant). Few Syrians have opted to return to their home country, despite the ousting of al-Assad in December. Since January, over 600 people have returned to Syria with financial support from German authorities, according to the Interior Ministry. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has been providing financial assistance to Syrian refugees voluntarily returning home, helping cover the costs of their journey and support their efforts to restart their lives in Syria. A ministry spokesman pointed out that not all Syrians who return seek state support. Germany has not carried out deportations to Syria since 2012. In instances where Syrians are ordered to leave, they are typically transferred to another EU country responsible for their asylum claim under the Dublin Regulation. A man charged with the fatal stabbing of his 65-year-old mother in Tacoma is accused of planning the killing. Prosecutors charged Ronald Thomas Stephens, 35, with first-degree murder for the stabbing that happened April 18 in the 1200 block of North Pearl Street. A plea of not guilty was entered on Stephens behalf during his arraignment Thursday afternoon. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Brian Tollefson set Stephens bail at $1.5 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy prosecuting attorney Dalton Smith, who described the attack as violent and vicious, contend it might have been planned for some time. Prosecutors say Stephens at first implied to police his mother died by suicide, but the investigation did not support his claims. The womans identity will be released by the Pierce County Medical Examiners Office. Ronald Thomas Stephens, 35, enters the courtroom for his arraignment at Pierce County Superior Court on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tacoma. Stephens has been charged with the fatal stabbing of his 65-year-old mother. Details from charging documents Stephens reported to 911 at 8:52 a.m. that he found his mothers body after he woke up to take his 6-year-old niece to school. He told dispatch his mother used his knife to kill herself and did not know how she got it, according to the probable cause document. Stephens sister and her daughter were reportedly also at the house when the incident occurred, documents show. The woman was pronounced dead at 9:11 a.m. after Tacoma officers and fire personnel went to the apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, detectives noticed there was no signs of forced entry. There was a cut on the womans right palm/wrist area and a puncture wound to her upper chest, documents show. She also had a pillow over her face, documents show. Detectives learned Stephens had recently moved to Washington from Utah and was sleeping on the couch at his mothers home, documents show. Documents show that Stephens allegedly made inconsistent statements during the investigation about whether his mother was suicidal. The night before the victim was found dead, Stephens sister said her mother came home from church between 7:30 to 8 p.m., documents show. She and Stephens were playing the card game UNO until about 11 p.m, according to the sister. She said that the next morning, Stephens tried to tell her that their mother took herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the interview with Stephens, detectives said there was a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his breath, documents show. At some point in the interview, Stephens allegedly said under his breath, Do I really have to say, mom? Detectives later learned that Stephens did not like his mother and did not address her in that way, documents show. Detectives allege Stephens timeline was different from his sisters. During his interview, Stephens told detectives that his mother and sister were constantly bickering and did not get along. He alleged that his mother texted him the night before but did not show detectives the texts when asked to, saying it might have been an email. Detectives also found a handwritten letter in the apartment to the sister that was signed by Stephens from March 22. Some of the content in the letter said, I got Me and I got You!!! I Got Your Back,,,, and I Hope You Have Mine,,, His sister told detectives Stephens began to say he wanted their mom gone after the letter was written. Judge pro tem Brian Tollefson, left, presides over the arraignment of Ronald Thomas Stephens, 35, at Pierce County Superior Court on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tacoma. Stephens has been charged with the fatal stabbing of his 65-year-old mother. Interview before arrest Stephens sister gave another interview to detectives Tuesday. She said Stephens allegedly did not like how their mother would speak to her and her daughters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When detectives asked the sister if the words, Im going to kill her, ever came out of Stephens mouth, she said he said it about five to 20 times over the past month, documents show. Stephens allegedly told her it would be easy and that was why he showed their mom his knives. Stephens sister recounted the events of the night before the alleged stabbing happened. Their mother came back from church and went to her bedroom, documents show. Stephens and his sister discussed their mom not wanting her to drive the car. His sister said after they played UNO, she went to the bathroom with the fan on, and she assumed her brother went to the living room, documents show. She came out of the bathroom after 15 minutes and did not know where Stephens was so she went to her room. His sister said she eventually heard a gasping noise and did not investigate because she was scared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Stephens came into her room, his sister told detectives that he said something to the effect of, I did it. There was allegedly blood smeared on his palms as well. His sister told detectives she did not know he would actually go through with allegedly killing their mother. She also denied being involved in her mothers death. Stephens does not have any previous criminal convictions, according to court records. Fraud cases in England and Wales surged by more than 1 million last year, new figures reveal, with some victims losing tens of thousands of pounds to scammers. Over 2024, there was a 33 per cent rise in fraud incidents compared to the previous year, rising from an estimated 3 million cases to 4.1 million, according to new data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). Fraud can take many different and increasingly sophisticated forms in the digital age - with one man losing 75,000 through a complex scam involving AI, cryptocurrency and two famous figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just takes over your life. It destroys everything, Des Healey, a scam victim who is still in debt, told the Independent. Last year had highest number of fraud incidents on record since the data was first collected in 2017, meaning 7 per cent of adults were targeted by a scam. This huge rise underlines the simple fact that not enough is being done to prevent fraud or bring criminals to justice, said Wayne Stevens, national fraud lead at charity Victim Support. Being a victim of fraud can unravel your entire life. We have supported people who have lost life changing amounts of money forcing them to sell treasured possessions, or in extreme cases, into bankruptcy or homelessness. Three in four fraud cases lose money Fraud is defined as a person dishonestly and deliberately deceiving a victim for personal gain of property or money, or causing loss or risk of loss to another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 649 million was lost to investment fraud alone last year, ActionFraud figures show. As a little-understood investment, cryptocurrencies are touted in two thirds of all cases. Des Healey, a 60-year-old from Brighton, was one such victim. In August 2023, Mr Healey saw a video on Facebook which featured tech billionaire Elon Musk and money guru Martin Lewis praising a new bitcoin investment scheme. Martin Lewis has become an unwilling face of AI-generated scams, with fraudsters manipulating his likeness to lure people into investment schemes. (Good Morning Britain/ITV) He did not know at the time, but the video had been manipulated using AI, to falsely show endorsement from Mr Musk and Mr Lewis. Intrigued, Mr Healey responded to the ad with some personal details: his name, phone, and number. There was no money exchanged - yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was all it took. From that point on, Des communicated with a man calling himself Carl Heinz, who promised him lucrative investments if he continued to send money. I'll be totally honest with you, when all this started, I thought I was going to get a couple of hundred quid for Christmas. And then this guy is talking about thousands, but I have to invest now, said Mr Healey. The scammer told Mr Healey to download a remote access app - meaning that his phone screen and control would be shared - in addition to Revolut and Binance, which was used to funnel money. Des Healey, aged 59 from Brighton, was tricked into a giving money and taking loans reaching 75,000; by a scammer who claimed to share the same interests, like supporting Manchester United, or being a family man. (Des Healey / The Independent) Mr Healey was sent simulated websites showing his investments rising, gaining more and more money; though he wasnt allowed to withdraw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They put you under a spell. They take over your life. They use human emotions, like guilt, trust and friendship, he said. After an initial 5,000 and further 10,000 of his own money, Mr Healey was pressured into taking out loans totalling 70,000 from four different banks. When his son flagged concern, he eventually went to the police and realised he had been conned. In their last call, Mr Heinz tried to manipulate Mr Healey into giving him access to clear out his accounts -- before lashing out when he realised it was over. Thats when I finally heard the real person, said Mr Healey, who previously believed he had a friendship with Mr Heinz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the year and a half that has followed, two banks (MBNA and Barclays) have forgiven the loans taken out in his name, of which he says he did not see a cent. But he still owes 10,000 plus interest each to Asda/Lendable and Vanquish, both of whom hold him responsible for the credit even though he was scammed. Des appeared on Martin Lewis podcast to raise awareness of his scam story. (BBC) Now, Mr Healey says his debt is at 27,000, which he cannot pay, and he is on the brink of bankruptcy. Theyre just about to send bailiffs around my house. It's obviously hit my credit rating. I've been to my GP suffering from stress. I'm on antidepressants, he added. Since appearing on national news and a podcast with Martin Lewis himself, people have reached out to Mr Healey, sharing that they experienced the same (or similar) scam; including a young mother who lost 150,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Healey was victim to what is known as Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams, a type of fraud where people are tricked or manipulated into sending money. New UK regulation introduced in October means that APP scam victims using mobile banking can expect reimbursement up to 85,000 as standard. But since Mr Healey lost money a year earlier, his case isnt covered. What do the numbers say on fraud? In most cases of fraud, people lose money (75 per cent). Around two thirds of victims managed to fully recover their money last year, according to the crime survey; but this still leaves nearly one million (909,000) incidents where victims lost out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most common instance is bank and credit account fraud, making up around 2.4 million incidents in the last year alone. This can include fraudulent use of your bank details to take out money or make online purchases, or even using your name to open new accounts. Card fraud continues to rise despite efforts from banks and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to increase awareness and warnings around fraud. Consumer and retail fraud has also seen the biggest increase, rising by 35 per cent last year to 1.1 million incidents. This largely includes product-related fraud, where consumers are duped into buying something or receive a fraudulent product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One example is falling for misleading advertising, and paying for something which doesnt fulfil its promises. Oasis fans have recently lost over 2 million to ticket scams, new research today from Lloyds Bank shows; as fraudsters target areas where buyers are desperate due to high demand. Another is counterfeit goods, where people might unknowingly buy a fake product from a third-party retailer but pay full price. In other cases, people buy goods online which never show up. Fraud in the digital age These days, most (but not all) cases of bank or credit fraud see full reimbursement, where there is evidence of card details being used without authorisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims of consumer fraud are less likely to get their money back; with 52 per cent of them only recovering a fraction of losses, or none at all. Consumer fraud often takes place through online marketplaces or third-party transactions. Tracking the end bank account or cryptowallet to find a responsible party is increasingly difficult. Some further 149,000 Brits were victims of computer viruses last year, the crime survey also estimates; and of those who lost money, none were able to fully recover their losses. If youre on your computer and you happened to click on a piece of malware which infects your computer, whos your reimbursement going to come from? said Nick Stripe, head of crime statistics at the ONS. Theres not really a route to reimburse whatever damage has been done there. Unless youve got good a good cyber insurance policy in place, which is unlikely for private individuals. The wealth of personal information available on social media also makes it easier for scammers to appear more authentic; for example, checking in on your birthday, or impersonating friends and family using public photos or details. Previous crime survey data shows that just 1 in 7 fraud offences are reported to the police or Action Fraud. Sadly, there is a lot of shame and stigma associated with fraud, and it is vital that victims do not blame themselves, explained Mr Stevens from Victim Support. What began in Atlanta as a 40-day Target fast in March has evolved into a full-blown economic movement aimed at making corporate America pay for broken promises and uplifting Black-owned businesses in the process. It is time for us to stand 10 toes down about something, said Pamela Booker, a 46-year-old Stone Mountain resident, business consultant, and creator of the hair care brand Koils By Nature. This is the perfect catalyst. The Target boycott began last month in response to the retailers rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in January, less than a week after Trump began a push to end public and private sector DEI programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Target boycott leader Jamal Bryant raised the stakes during a community town hall meeting inside Salem Bible Church in Lithonia on Tuesday night, reiterating plans to continue the economic protest indefinitely while also launching initiatives intended to support Black entrepreneurs. His 12-city State of the People Power Tour begins in Atlanta on Saturday, with a Day of Service farming event at 8 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by a series of workshops covering land ownership, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Bryant also announced that the Bullseye Black Market showcase of Black-owned businesses that began last weekend at locations in five cities, including New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, will expand to 20 cities on Juneteenth. McDonough resident Monica Whyte was one of many patrons at the Bullseye Black Market on Sunday. The 44-year-old small-business owner, who said she was a frequent Target shopper before the boycott, hasnt bought anything at the retailer since November. Small-business owner Monica Whyte said she was a frequent Target shopper before the boycott, but she hasnt bought anything at the retailer since November. (Chauncey Alcorn/Capital B) She said the anti-DEI actions of President Donald Trumps administration and the way corporations like Target have aligned with them have motivated her to spend more money with Black-owned businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of us in my era, weve never seen things like this or had to experience it, so its all new for us, Whyte told Capital B Atlanta. So jumping in and being a part [of the Target boycott], I think its a great thing for us to go through. The economic ripple effect of consumers like Whyte changing their shopping habits to take a stand is already being felt by local Black entrepreneurs. Capital B Atlanta spotted Abdur-Rahim Shaheed, the 75-year-old creator of the True Laundry detergent and fabric softener brand, counting a thick wad of cash Sunday afternoon after participating in New Births three-day Black business showcase. We sold out and had to bring back [more] products today, Shaheed said. That is excellent. We have to hit them in their pockets Up until recently, Target was an outspoken supporter of DEI programs following the 2020 police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, where the bulls-eye brand is headquartered. But the company announced an end to its three-year DEI goals on Jan. 24, days after Trump began his second presidential term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Bryant told Capital B Atlanta that when he and the Rev. Al Sharpton met with Target executives for about two hours in New York last week, the business leaders agreed to fulfill just one of the boycott organizers four demands. Bryant said the Target executives agreed to honor their commitment to spending $2 billion in the Black business community in 2025, but they declined to completely restore their DEI programs, deposit $250 million in Black-owned banks, and establish pipeline programs at 10 HBCUs to teach retail business at every level. Speaking to the crowd in Lithonia on Tuesday, Bryant rejected the compromise outright. You dont get to walk away from your public commitments to Black people and think there will not be consequences and repercussions, Bryant told the reverent crowd on Tuesday. They are doing it because they believe they can get away with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Target hasnt responded to Capital B Atlantas repeated requests for comment. Bryant said he invited CEO Brian Cornell to the town hall, but he declined to show up. Some people have compared the Target boycott to the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. The former has given Black folks troubled by Trumps policies from federal employee layoffs and DEI bans to price-hiking tariffs a way to channel their anger and economic suffering into action. I think history will record that this is larger than that, Bryant told Capital B Atlanta on Sunday. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was one city. This is an entire nation. Bryant estimates that 150,000 people across America have boycotted Target. Macrotrends data shows Targets stock price has slid from $116.56 on March 5, when the boycott began, to a four-year low of about $95 a drop likely made steeper by Trumps recent tariffs on imports, which have contributed to widespread market volatility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Booker, of Koils By Nature, said Black-owned brands that sell products at Target may be impacted by the boycott, but to her, its more important to send an economic message to the retailer and its peers. We have to hit them in their pockets, she said in reference to Target. Marching doesnt do it. Protesting doesnt do it. When we hit them in their pockets and theyre losing $12 million a day, theyre going to have to answer up to something. Going forward, I will not be shopping at Target, said Orisa Hoodoo Publishing founder Dava Diallo (right), seen with publisher Nikki Ifasewa Phillips at the Bullseye Black Market Black-owned business showcase. (Chauncey Alcorn/Capital B) Dava Diallo, an Atlanta-based childrens book author and founder of Orisa Hoodoo Publishing who participated in last weekends marketplace at New Birth, said her Target disavowal is permanent. Going forward, I will not be shopping at Target, Diallo told Capital B Atlanta on Sunday. I dont plan on ever going back, to be honest. The post As Target Boycott Continues, Local Black Businesses Reap the Benefits appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The path toward easing steep tariffs between the United States and China appears uncertain, with conflicting messages from Washington and Beijing and skepticism from trade experts. On Thursday, Chinese officials denied that trade negotiations with the U.S. were underway, calling recent claims from the White House baseless. President Donald Trump quickly responded, contradicting Beijings statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think you have your reporting wrong, Trump told reporters. They had a meeting this morning. The exchange came less than a day after Trump appeared to soften his stance toward China, acknowledging that the ongoing trade war between the two economic superpowers is not sustainable. Were going to play nice, the president said. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods currently reach up to 145 percent. In response, China has imposed tariffs on American exports as high as 125 percent. Bill Reinsch, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and an expert on U.S.-China trade, expressed doubts about Trumps confrontational strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think thats going to scare the Chinese into submission, Reinsch said, referring to Trumps Thursday post on Truth Social accusing China of flooding the U.S. with fentanyl. Reinsch predicted that both nations would eventually agree to lower tariffs, but warned that any deal might lack substantive changes in trade policy. If thats the best outcome, its not very good, he said. Its not good for consumers because prices are going to go up. But its particularly not good for many American manufacturers because a lot of their parts come from China. While tensions remain high, Trump is simultaneously reaching out to other global partners in search of improved trade agreements. On Thursday, he welcomed Norways Prime Minister to the White House, expressing optimism about future deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think were going to come to a conclusion very quickly, Trump said. Despite growing pressure at home and abroad, the outcome of the current trade standoff remains unclear with real consequences for consumers, businesses, and the global 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. MND solemnly warns the DPP: Those who solicit US support for Taiwan Independence will be abandoned as a useless pawn China Military Online) 08:21, April 25, 2025 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Thursday. Question: According to reports from Taiwan media, the US side sent a retired four-star army general, who was also a former commander of US Forces Korea, to serve as the senior observer for the war games of this year's Han Kuang Exercise. In addition, the war games revealed five potential patterns of joint operations between Taiwan and the US in wartime. May I have your comment on this? Zhang Xiaogang: We firmly oppose any form of military collusion between the US and Taiwan. To embolden and support "Taiwan independence" separatists is to ruin peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Those who do that will get burned for playing with fire, and taste the bitter fruit of their own doing. We urge the US side to stop stirring up troubles on the Taiwan question, earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, and deliver on its promise of not supporting "Taiwan independence". We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that those who solicit US support for "Taiwan independence" will be stabbed in the back, and be abandoned as a useless pawn. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. You may recall the tragedy that happened almost nine years ago when a toddler got away from his mom at the Cincinnati Zoo and somehow fell into the gorilla enclosure. Fearing the gorilla could harm the child, and knowing that tranquilizers do not take effect immediately, the zoo made the difficult decision to kill the gorilla. And then a good segment of the American population made the simple decision to troll the mom. A meme went around featuring a photo of the gorilla, Harambe, with the caption, "I was killed because a b*tch wasn't watching her child." There was also the hashtag, "#GorillaIncident MOM IS TOTALLY AT FAULT SHOOT HER." Yes, totally at fault because a 3-year-old, for the first time in recorded history, did not stay by his mother's side every single second of a visit to the zoo. Blame is easy and satisfying for so many reasons. It allows us to vent our rage. It allows us to feel better than someone else. It allows us the false but soothing belief that nothing bad will happen to US because WE are so much better than the person we're hating on. When I asked religion scholar Alan Levinovitz about this, he explained that it's not that we modern folks aren't religious. It's that religion used to have a wider influence in our lives. It dictated what we ate and wore and said and sang, and how we raised our kids. Today it can still encompass what we believe about G od and morals and the afterlife, but it has less influence over all the other things we do. What fills that void? Experts. Studies. Parenting books. ChatGPT. And without a shared set of protocols and beliefs, when something goes wrong, we can no longer look at each other and agree, "The Lord works in mysterious ways," or ask, "Who am I to cast the first stone?" So instead of uniting in our shared sorrow, we lash out. The impact on us parents is this: We know that if something terrible should G od forbid befall our kids, we are likely to get as much blame as sympathy. And that makes it all the more scary to let our kids do anything on their own: We worry they will get hurt AND we worry we will get blamed. So the solution I've come up with is this: a pledge we can sign in reality (print it out!) or in our hearts that promises solidarity in sympathy with any parent going through a loss. I call it: THE 'THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF G od ' PARENTING PLEDGE In raising a family, things will go wrong. No parent is perfect. No home is free of pain. The wheel of fortune spins for us all. No matter how hard we try, we cannot control everything. Some kids will get hurt. Some kids will die. There but for the grace of G od go I. We the undersigned pledge that when we hear of anything from a parenting decision we disagree with to catastrophe that crushes our hearts, we will take a step back. We will refrain from shaming. Parenting is hard enough. And tragedy takes its own toll. We hope and pray all will be well with our kids and all kids. If and when it isn't, we pledge to repeat to ourselves or try: There but for the grace of G od go I. Signed: Us. By Hannah Lang (Reuters) -Coinbase, the largest publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange, is waiving fees on transactions connected to PayPal's stablecoin and allowing its users to redeem the token directly for U.S. dollars, a major milestone for PayPal as the company doubles down on crypto payments. The move is part of a joint effort by Coinbase and PayPal to increase the adoption of PayPal's stablecoin, called PYUSD, which it launched in 2023. PayPal says the integration with Coinbase will allow merchants on its network to settle directly in PYUSD instead of traditional financial rails. Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually a 1:1 dollar peg, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds between tokens. Their use has grown rapidly in recent years, and proponents like PayPal say that they could be used to send payments instantly. "This combination of being able to connect the consumer bases of PayPal and Coinbase, bringing our merchants to the table, bringing [Coinbase's] institutional access to the table -- we think that it creates a really, really powerful combination," said Jose Fernandez da Ponte, PayPal's senior vice president of blockchain, crypto and digital currencies. The two companies also plan on partnering for future efforts to increase the adoption of stablecoins for payments and explore use cases for PYUSD on decentralized finance platforms, which allow users to transact directly on a blockchain network without intermediaries. "This is a partnership that is all about advancing the future of global payments, taking stable coins mainstream, pushing forward this technology," said Lauren Abendschein, global head of institutional sales at Coinbase. Coinbase has previously only offered the same zero-fee treatment for Circle's stablecoin, USDC, the number two stablecoin in terms of market capitalization. "Definitely there will be cases for payments where people will make a choice between PYUSD and USDC, and we want to make sure that we establish PYUSD as the best stablecoin for payments," said Fernandez da Ponte. Circle has also doubled down on the use of its stablecoin for payments. On Monday, the company announced the launch of its Circle Payments network designed for cross-border payment and real-time settlement of its stablecoins between financial institutions. Stablecoins have a market capitalization of more than $238 billion, according to crypto data provider CoinGecko. PayPal's stablecoin has a market cap of only about $872 million, but it could stand to gain greater market share through its integration with Coinbase. DES MOINES, Iowa As Iowa celebrates the 40th anniversary of China President Xi Jinpings visit to Iowa, discussions on tariffs challenge the countries friendship. After placing a 145% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods, China imposed a 125% reciprocal tariff on American exports. Talks between the countries are tentative as both maintain that talks will create no progress. California ports are expecting to see half the number of ships from China due to the tariffs. CEOs from Home Depot, Target, and Walmart all report a drop in imports could cause product shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twelve state attorney generals across the country have filed lawsuits against the president. The president has absolutely no legal authority to issue these tariffs. The tariffs are illegal, said Kris Mayes, Arizona Attorney General. Ames Community School District excited to join new athletic conference In Iowa, a decades-old friendship exists between China and the corn state. In 1985 Xi Jinping, then a county official, visited Iowa as part of an agriculture delegation. The group spent time in Muscatine learning about farming and the latest in agricultural innovation. Iowa and China would reunite again in 2012 when Governor Terry Branstand hosted a diner for Xi, who was at that time Chinas Vice President. These trips helped create a sister-state agreement between Iowa and Hebei province in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday afternoon the sister states celebrated at the World Food Prize, where they marked the 40th anniversary of President Jinpings first visit. Speakers, music, and dance were all shared. Along with talks of the tariff war, Ambassadors Branstand and Quinn both stressed the importance of maintaining a friendship between the countries. These farmers are going to be in a very difficult situation, said Kenneth Quinn, former U.S. Ambassador. My hope is that the increases in tariffs, at least in agriculture, can be put aside for this growing season because I think its not fair to the farmers who are out planting so many soybeans to then not be able to have a market to sell them in. Since the Trump Administration announced the tariffs farmers have expressed concern about losing Chinas export market, which is the biggest market for crops. 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Tarrant police say a capital murder suspect escaped police custody from UAB Hospital Wednesday night. 19-year-old Eddie Jordan was one of two suspects connected to a murder that took place in Tarrant on January 22. Jordan was caught by Tarrant police and U.S. Marshals Wednesday, and he was taken to UAB Hospital to be treated before being booked into jail. Tarrant police say Jordan was in custody of the Birmingham Police Department while at the hospital. Tarrant detectives received a call Wednesday night that he had escaped custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan is accused in the murder of 36-year-old Buford White in January. White was killed at a home on Mountain Drive, and police believe it was a targeted shooting. Alabama executes a man who said he was guilty of rape and murder and deserved to die Tarrant police are also looking for 19-year-old Javaris Russell Jr. in connection to this case. Detectives say he has still not been found. According to Tarrant police, U.S. Marshals are helping search. CBS 42 reached out to BPD for more information on Jordans escape, and were told all information would have to come from the U.S. Marshals office. U.S. Marshal Chester Martin Keely could not confirm information and stated that all information in this case had to come from BPD. 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. APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) The 30-year-old Appleton man who was arrested after being identified as a suspect in an investigation into an online tip regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or child porn faces 14 charges and a $15,000 cash bond. Killoren is scheduled to be back in court on May 30 for a preliminary hearing and arraignment. In a criminal complaint acquired by Local 5, Collin Killoren was arrested on April 23 by the Appleton Police Department following a search warrant at St. Ignatius Catholic School in Kaukauna. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green Bay woman accused of giving drugs to hospitalized boyfriend, charged with homicide The complaint states that Killoren faces the following charges, with possible punishments if he is convicted. Seven Counts: Sexual Exploitation of a Child Class C Felony Up to 40 years in prison and/or $100,000 in fines per charge $500 for each image associated with the crime Seven Counts: Possession of Child Pornography Class D Felony Up to 25 years in prison and/or $100,000 in fines per charge $500 for each image associated with the crime The complaint states that the alleged sexual exploitation crimes happened between October 28 and October 31, 2024, and that Killoren distributed recordings of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child pornography possession charges allegedly happened between October 28, 2024, and April 23, 2025. The complaint accuses Killoren of possessing images or recordings of children engaging in sexually explicit activity. According to the complaint, the Appleton Police Department investigated several online tips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children over the last 10 months. When investigators interviewed Killoren, he reportedly admitted to viewing child sexual abuse material. Three men accused of fleeing police, crashing stolen vehicle in Wisconsin Killoren was placed on administrative leave by the school. Local 5 will provide updates as needed. 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A 17-year-old is being tried as an adult for an April 20 shooting in Southeast D.C., according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Travis Thomas, of Southeast D.C., is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Police say officers responded to reports of a shooting at 5:43 p.m. at the 5300 block of Call Place SE. DC Fire Department announces line-of-duty death of technician Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, a 16-year-old boy was found suffering from a gunshot wound. According to police, he was transported to a local hospital by DC Fire and EMS with serious but non-life-threatening 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. A 16-year-old Pennsylvania girls quick thinking to avoid a man following and intimidating her is being lauded this week. Ariana MacMillan and her mother Christina Pino appeared on Good Morning America on Friday, April 25 to share the unique tactic she deployed to avoid a strange man who began following her on Tuesday night. The scary encounter happened shortly after 7 p.m. on Tuesday night in Ridley Park, Pa., according to WPVI, when MacMillan says a man with a liquor bottle suddenly began following and talking to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I kept on hearing this guy that I was just like, it sounds like an older man, and I don't think an older man would approach me that way," MacMillan recalled. And he finally ran up to me. MacMillan told GMA that the man then began making inappropriate comments to her before pushing her. He did have a very large bottle of liquor in his hand and in my eyes, I saw that as a weapon, the teenager told GMA. He pushes me a little bit [and says], We better start walking. And in this moment, I had a sense of panic in my brain that I needed to do something immediately. Then, MacMillan said, she made the sudden decision to run to a store she just passed by, where she pretended to know the shop owners a move that ultimately distracted the man long enough for her to get to safety. I was like, theres a woman there and Im going to run to her, the teenager said. I saw someone had a sign in their yard that said something about someone named Rachel, so I just went, Aunt Rachel! Aunt Rachel! Is that you? The shop owners, Tina and Bill Moss, told WPVI they sensed the teenager was in danger and played along with her tactic, acting like Tina was Aunt Rachel. "Protect the kid. Protect the kid at all costs," Bill told WPVI he remembered thinking. MacMillans mother told GMA she believes the role-playing may have saved her daughter from danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It distracted whatever that gentleman was trying to do, Pino said. While MacMillans quick-thinking move distracted the man, it didnt stop him from continuing to harass her while she was in the store, Bill told WPVI. "He followed her directly from the store to the window and banged on the glass, the shop owner said. We locked the doors, called the police. 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. WPVI and GMA reported that officers detained the man and he was later charged with stalking and harassment. The Ridley Township Police Department did not provide the outlets with the mans identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PEOPLE has reached out to Ridley police for an update on the mans arrest and charges, but did not immediately hear back on Friday morning. Pino met with Bill and Tina Moss this week, according to WPVI and GMA, which showed video of the teenagers mother hugging the store owners and thanking them. "We're just normal people, Bill told WPVI. We're parents...we just own a store in our town. So we want to make sure our town is safe and we're here for you. Read the original article on People A Nebraska teenager was sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison on Thursday, April 24, after pleading no contest to second-degree murder in connection with her newborn's 2023 death. Chloe Coplen-Anderson, 18, appeared in Sheridan County District Court on Thursday, where Judge Travis O'Gorman handed down the sentence. Chloe Coplen-Anderson hid her pregnancy and slit her newborn son's throat shortly after giving birth in her bedroom, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An officer with the Gordon Police Department arrived at Coplen-Anderson's home on Nov. 6, 2023, after receiving a report of a teenage girl giving birth to a baby boy who was not breathing, the affidavit states. The affidavit says that the officer arrived to find Coplen-Anderson's father saying he believed the child had been stillborn and that it was too late to save the baby, Coplen-Anderson's mother, however, immediately identified her daughter as the baby's killer. At the time, the mother was weeping. She told police her daughter had "hurt him" and noted "marks" where the baby had been stabbed, according to the affidavit. Both parents told officers they had seen their daughter remove a knife from the kitchen earlier that day. The affidavit notes that the knife was still missing from the drawer when authorities arrived at the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, police were later called back to the residence after Coplen-Anderson's father found the knife hidden in his daughter's closet and covered in blood. Coplen-Anderson's attorney Todd Lancaster tells PEOPLE that Coplen-Anderson had been abused by family members. News Channel Nebraska Chloe Coplen-Anderson Chloe Coplen-Anderson Lancaster also said Coplen-Anderson was 15 when she became pregnant with the child, and that the baby's father was 19. Sex between a person who is 19 and an individual who is 15 or younger is considered sexual assault in the state of Nebraska. 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. The two witnesses called by the defense testified that as a result of the trauma, Coplen-Anderson suffers from multiple mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lancaster also claimed in court that no adults stepped in to help his client or stage an intervention. In August 2024, Coplen-Anderson agreed to plead no contest to the second-degree murder charge in exchange for prosecutors downgrading the initial charge of first-degree murder. Prosecutors also dropped charges of child abuse resulting in death and use of a deadly weapon against Coplen-Anderson. Second-degree murder is punishable by anywhere from 20 years in prison to life in prison in the state of Nebraska. As it now stands, Coplen-Anderson will be at least 51 when she leaves prison, as the judge agreed to give her credit for the more than 500 days she has already been behind bars. Read the original article on People BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) State agents released new details Friday surrounding a fatal deputy-involved shooting that occurred in Wando earlier in the week. Berkeley County deputies were investigating a string of recent violent crimes that had taken place in the area Tuesday night when they initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle near Clements Ferry Road and Rivers Reach Drive. An armed individual, later identified as 17-year-old Tyren J. Kinloch, got out of the stopped car and ran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A deputy chased after Kinloch, and during this, Kinloch allegedly pointed a weapon at the deputy, according to Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis. A deputy fired, and Kinloch was shot. Authorities attempted life-saving measures before he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Investigators found a handgun with an extended magazine and a switch near Kinloch, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). A switch is an illegal gun part that modifies a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic firearm. No deputies were injured in the incident. SLED was asked to investigate the shooting by the Berkeley County Sheriffs Office, per state protocol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the second officer-involved shooting for the sheriffs office this year. The incident is the 15th in the state this year. In 2024, the Berkeley County Sheriffs Office reported zero officer-involved shootings, according to SLED. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Teenage boys are able to use girls facilities in NHS hospitals across England if they identify as female, even if their parents disagree. Under existing NHS guidance, which is now under urgent review, staff are told to place children in wards and let them use the facilities of the gender they identify as. It states this should be allowed even if the child is not Gillick competent, which means they are not deemed capable of making decisions in their own best interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children of either sex staying in hospitals because they are sick typically share facilities up until the age of 12, when it is recommended they are split by sex. While each NHS hospital trust can set its own guidance, many use the existing policies set out by NHS England. A source said the guidance around children had been developed in collaboration with the Government Equalities Office. The NHS England guidance is being urgently reviewed following the Supreme Court ruling that trans women are not legally women under the Equality Act 2010. But The Telegraph has uncovered at least a dozen hospital trusts in England that are following the current guidance. Concerns over girls safety Critics have raised concerns about both the safety of vulnerable young girls in the NHSs care and the promotion of allowing children to question their gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust (GOSH), the childrens specialist hospital in London, follows the guidelines in NHS Englands 2019 delivering single-sex accommodation document, which is now under review. The guidance says: Gender-variant children and young people should be accorded the same respect for their self-defined gender as are trans adults, regardless of their genital sex. It says that if the parents do not agree with their childs preferred gender identity, the childs preference should prevail even if the child is not Gillick competent. The guidelines continue to say: Many trans adolescents will continue, as adults, to experience a gender identity that is inconsistent with their natal sex appearance, so their current gender identity should be fully supported in terms of their accommodation and use of toilet and bathing facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NHS trusts continue to use the NHS England guidance despite the Cass Review, led by paediatrician Baroness Cass, which found that such care reaffirms the belief that they have gender dysphoria, when a more holistic approach is needed, given many people change their minds in time. Baroness Casss review found a more holistic approach is needed for healthcare for trans children as many change their minds - Yui Mok/PA GOSH is among at least six hospital trusts in London that care for children under this guidance. The guidance says every effort should be made to accommodate a specific preference for a child and that they may choose to share accommodation with patients of the opposite sex, despite also having policies about eliminating mixed-sex sharing of facilities. Trans and gender-variant young people should be accommodated according to their self-defined gender or presentation e.g. the way they dress, and the name and pronouns that they currently use, it says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other trusts using this guidance in London are Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Barts Health NHS Trust, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and West London NHS Trust. Breaking the bond of trust Whistleblowers collected this evidence, which concerned women and mothers like Fiona, who said: There should never ever be a default policy which seeks to break the bond of trust between parent and child. Thats what we expect from a cult not the NHS. Catherine, another mother, said it was an egregious ethical failure on the part of the NHS to instruct practitioners to disregard a childs Gillick competence. She continued: We know use of mixed-sex spaces e.g. toilets increases the risk of dangers such as sexual assault. A child who is not Gillick competent is by definition not mature enough to understand these dangers, no matter how much they would like to be housed in opposite-sex accommodation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This mind-boggling NHS policy runs roughshod over every child safeguarding recommendation and puts children at risk. The Telegraph also found these policies were in place, according to publicly available documents, in every other region around England, including South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, among others. Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at human rights charity Sex Matters, said: Why should teenage girls and boys lose privacy and dignity by having to share with young patients of the opposite sex who identify as transgender, particularly at a time when they are ill and may be feeling at their most vulnerable? Letting male patients into a womens ward compromises everyones privacy and peace of mind and may even threaten their safety. Putting girls who are ill and vulnerable on a mens ward because they claim to be boys puts those girls at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every week that passes leaves hospitals at risk of legal action, particularly in light of the Supreme Court judgment. Earlier this week, Wes Streeting suggested trans patients could have private rooms under the new NHS rules. The NHS is updating its guidance and what we would like to see is appropriate kinds of rooms and private spaces for trans people to be cared for in NHS hospitals, he told LBC. An NHS spokesman said: The NHS is working through the implications of the Supreme Court ruling and appreciates the need for revised guidance on same sex accommodation. We are working closely with Government to provide any further guidance for the health service as soon as possible. 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. This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Tacoma, Washington-based Columbia Banking System amplified its push into Southern California on Wednesday, announcing it would acquire Irvine-based Pacific Premier Bank in a $2 billion, all-stock transaction that it expects to close in the second half of this year. The deal marks Columbias second multibillion-dollar acquisition since October 2021, when it agreed to purchase Oregon-based Umpqua Bank for $5.2 billion. Though Columbia was the acquirer, the companys retail bank network uses the Umpqua brand. Columbia is walking that back in Wednesdays deal, though. The company plans to tag its network as Columbia Bank later this year to ensure brand clarity as Umpqua Bank deepens its expansion throughout the West, it said. The name change would align the retail brand with the holding company, as well as its wealth management and advisory arm, its private bank and its trust team, Columbia said. Acquiring Pacific Premier would add roughly $18 billion in assets to Columbia and accelerate the banks expansion in Southern California by approximately a decade, said the lender, which would crack the top 10 in deposit market share in the area. The combined entity would count about $70 billion in assets after the transaction closes, the banks said. The deal would also give Columbia access to some perhaps unsung low-cost deposit generators namely, Pacific Premiers homeowners association banking and custodial trust verticals. For Pacific Premier clients, the transaction unlocks Columbias treasury management products and wealth management services. "This combination truly establishes the leading banking franchise in the Western region, Columbia CEO Clint Stein said Wednesday in a statement. It is a natural and strategic fit that strengthens our competitive position in Southern California, enhances our service offerings, and elevates our performance. Columbia said it expects to gain roughly $900 million in value creation after $146 million in transaction expenses. The bank projected it would earn back its tangible book value dilution within three years. Columbia would also get a buffer from Pacific Premiers 17% common equity tier 1 capital ratio, which is more than double the California banks 7% regulatory minimum. [Pacific Premier] is probably the best-capitalized bank in the country, Stein told Bloomberg. Hes got a war chest of capital, and were able to unlock that through purchase accounting and reset those asset marks to current market rates. The Culture Secretary has been threatened with a High Court challenge over her handling of the attempted takeover of The Telegraph by Abu Dhabi. The Free Speech Union (FSU) campaign group has written to Lisa Nandy to warn it is considering a judicial review of her decision not to enforce laws against foreign state ownership of newspapers. The ban was introduced following a parliamentary outcry last year and intended to prevent RedBird IMI, a vehicle majority-funded by Abu Dhabi, from converting a loan secured against The Telegraph to full control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RedBird IMI said it would secure an onward sale of its position, but a year on, no deal has been agreed and the newspaper continues to operate in a form of legal and strategic limbo. In a Lords debate on Friday, Lord Young, the founder of the FSU, is expected to warn that Ms Nandys failure to act has created a crisis at The Telegraph. The move comes as RedBird Capital, the US private equity firm which is the minority funder of RedBird IMI, attempts to acquire The Telegraph itself. Gerry Cardinale, its founder, has signalled he is ready to pay the full price of more than 500m that is required for Abu Dhabi to recoup its outlay. RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale has signalled he is ready to pay the full asking price for The Telegraph - Claudio Villa/AC Milan Mr Cardinale, 57, is a key figure in international media investing and also in the process of acquiring the major Hollywood studio Paramount in a deal worth $8bn (6bn). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is said to have become persuaded of The Telegraphs potential for significant growth in the US and is working on a transaction that could be announced within weeks. Any deal would face months of regulatory scrutiny. Nevertheless, Lord Young will argue that the Culture Secretary is legally required to intervene to force a sale. He will say that RedBird IMI has unlawfully attempted to influence The Telegraph by urging executives to make staff cutbacks and abandon editorial investments. Lord Young will say: Why is the Secretary of State allowing this to happen, contrary to the will of Parliament? Her failure to act means The Telegraph has been kept in a state of suspended animation, with executives unable to make vital strategic decisions about its long-term future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The duty to issue a Foreign State Intervention Notice is not discretionary, and the pre-conditions triggering her duty have already been met. The Secretary of State needs to act before it is too late. Lord Young will say on Friday that RedBird IMI has unlawfully attempted to influence The Telegraph - Dominic Lipinski/PA A judicial review could prove embarrassing for the Government, which has faced diplomatic tensions with the United Arab Emirates as a result of the decision to block the takeover. For instance, the High Court could require the disclosure of a critical Ofcom report on the Gulf states approach to press freedom which was written last year but not published after RedBird IMI promised to secure an onward sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays debate has been called by Baroness Stowell, a Conservative who played a key role in forcing Rishi Sunaks government to prevent RedBird IMI taking control. Peers are also expected to criticise Ms Nandy over lengthy delays to secondary legislation which will allow foreign states to own small minority stakes in newspapers. A consultation on setting the maximum at 5pc closed nine months ago. It is understood the Culture Secretary has recently said privately she expects to lift the threshold to 10-15pc following industry lobbying. Abu Dhabi could therefore seek to retain a small, passive stake in The Telegraph under Mr Cardinales plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for RedBird Capital said: Gerry Cardinales RedBird Capital is evaluating the possibility of becoming the sole control owner of the Telegraph Media Group. A spokesman for the US publisher Dovid Efune, who was previously the leading contender to buy The Telegraph from RedBird IMI, did not comment. He entered exclusive talks to acquire the newspaper after offering the asking price, but was subsequently unable to raise the necessary finance. Todd Boehly, the Chelsea FC co-owner, and local newspaper entrepreneur David Montgomery have also held recent discussions about a bid. Chelsea FC co-owner Todd Boelhy is among those to have recently held talks about a potential bid for the newspaper - Lam Yik/Bloomberg In a letter to Lord Young, Ms Nandy said: The Government is committed to seeing The Telegraph thrive and wants to see a sale that aligns with relevant public interest considerations, including free expression of opinion, presentation of news and a plurality of views in newspapers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I strongly believe that The Telegraph plays a key role in this countrys free press, and that a free press is a cornerstone of our democracy. As I am sure you will appreciate, we cannot provide a running commentary on this sale and these discussions due to the commercial sensitivities surrounding any transaction and the quasi-judicial nature of my role in it. I can, however, reassure you that I take my responsibilities to The Telegraph and its staff very seriously. I will not hesitate to intervene should it become clear that this is the right and necessary course of action. On minority stakes for foreign states she told The Telegraph: What were trying to achieve is the ability for different consortia to put together viable proposals for British media ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the moment, as you know, most of these take place through consortium. You dont just have one buyer. So we want to make sure that we dont deter investment, but we also recognise that the media has a unique place in British society. We need to protect its independence from interference, so were trying to strike that right balance, and were discussing it with parliamentarians right now. Lord Young will label Ms Nandys response to his letter wholly unsatisfactory and argue that she is wrong to suggest the threshold for an intervention to force a sale has not been met. RedBird IMI has denied that it has unlawfully sought to influence The Telegraph. 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. Ukraine, as part of peace negotiations involving the United States, hopes to prevent Russia from gaining formal international recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea and other occupied territories. Source: The Telegraph, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Telegraph says the draft document consists of five key points. The first and second points stress that any peace agreement must be based on international law, not capitulation, with a specific warning related to a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These points also underline the importance of firm security guarantees as a condition for any future agreement in which Ukraine would concede territory to Russia, even temporarily. The third point is described as an attempt to shift control over the negotiations away from Donald Trump and place Ukraine back at the centre of the peace process. The fourth point warns both the US and NATO that allowing Russia to retain control of Crimea would enable it to threaten not only Ukraine but also Black Sea allies such as Turkiye, Romania and Bulgaria. The fifth and final point clearly states that Russia must not be allowed to use any agreement to restrict the size of Ukraines Armed Forces or its defence industry. Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier that the United States had proposed its own strategy concerning Ukrainian territory during negotiations in London. However, he added that after discussions between the Ukrainian delegation, the European side and the United States, "another paper" appeared. Last week, the Trump administration reportedly handed Ukraine a one-page document in Paris, presenting it as the "final offer" for a peace deal. In it, the US shows readiness to recognise Russian control over Crimea and ease sanctions on Moscow. Zelenskyy has reiterated that Ukraine will not recognise Russias occupation of Crimea, which is internationally recognised as Ukrainian territory. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! After an election supposedly about grocery prices, Gov. Bill Lee and Republican lawmakers are laughing at Tennessee families struggling with among the highest grocery taxes in the country. In 2025, like they did in 2024, Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, proposed ending the grocery tax without sacrificing state and local services; they would have achieved this by closing corporate tax loopholes. But the measure did not get a vote prior to the end of the Tennessee General Assembly session on April 22. In 2024, instead of cutting grocery taxes, Republicans passed an unprecedented corporate giveaway, refunding up to three years of franchise taxes already paid by corporations, in addition to a $400 million recurring tax break. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, more than $1.2 billion has been refunded to over 47,000 businesses. GOP treated grocery tax repeal like a joke Much was made of Republicans introducing their own grocery tax repeal this year, but despite that bill, Governor Lees budget again did not include any relief for families. Tennessee State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, announces legislation to eliminate Tennessee's grocery sales tax at The Turnip Truck Natural Market in Nashville on Nov. 20, 2023. Perhaps that is because unlike Representative Behn and Senator Olivers bill (House Bill 2/Senate Bill 2), the Republican proposal (House Bill 21/Senate Bill 1367) was, in fact, a joke. In the Senate, committee Chairman Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, even referred to Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson,s proposal to end grocery taxes as a "pipe dream," and everyone had a good chuckle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to see the humor in a population that cannot afford to eat properly. Then they introduced a bill they have no intention of passing just to get some positive headlines and make Tennesseans think they cared. Sen. Charlane Oliver D- Nashville speaks during an informational meeting on Tennessee State University, held by the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators at Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. And then they laughed about it, on camera, because they think you arent paying attention. They are laughing at Tennessee families struggling while they give away billions to their corporate donors. Tennessee families struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table We are told Tennessee is a low tax state, but in reality it is only a low tax state for big corporations. The Economic Policy Institute reports that more than 60% of companies filing in Tennessee pay zero in the state corporate income tax. That includes 24% of companies that report over $1 billion in revenue to the federal government, according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue as reported by Tennessee Senate Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One reason could be that Tennessee is one of only 17 states that doesnt require "combined reporting" for corporations, allowing them to exploit onshore and offshore loopholes. While corporations get a free ride, Tennessee families are punished by being one of only 10 states that tax groceries. Mom was a Special Education teacher certified in five areas. Throughout her career, she taught children of all ages and in various schools. Like many of her fellow educators, she was deeply concerned about students who came to school hungry, knowing that proper nutrition is essential for learning. Many teachers, including Mom, often used their own money to stock snacks in the classroom to help meet their students basic needs. According to the MIT Living Wage calculator, the wage needed for basic necessities like food, housing, transportation, etc., for an adult with no children in Tennessee is $45,735, but according to the Census the per capita income for that person in Tennessee is $37,866. Diane Moore For a family with two children where both parents work, the income needed for necessities increases to $84,229, but the Census median household income is $67,097 a more than $17,000 deficit. That means that more than half of the people in our state or more than 3.5 million people are struggling, including many two-income households. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the numerous corporate tax breaks over the past decade at the state and federal level have helped Tennessee families, nor did the $500 million in state money spent on a new Titans stadium. What have Tennessee families gotten? Retaliation against cities and towns who try to be responsive to the needs of their residents, an all-out assault on our public schools, and relentless bullying of vulnerable communities. We deserve better. We must join together across our differences, and demand better. Diane Moore is a retired Chattanooga city worker and TN4All volunteer. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Grocery tax repeal should have been a priority for Tennessee | Opinion VATICAN CITY So many mourners lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state in a simple wooden coffin inside St. Peters Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open all night due to higher-than-expected turnout, closing the basilica for just an hour and a half Thursday morning for cleaning. The basilica was bathed in a hushed silence as mourners from across the globe made a slow, shuffling procession up the main aisle to pay their last respects to Francis, who died Monday at age 88 after a stroke. The Vatican said more than 90,000 people had paid their respects by Thursday evening, a day and a half after opening. The basilica closed for just a short time Thursday morning, and will stay open Thursday night as long as there are mourners, the Vatican said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hours spent on line up the stately via della Conciliazione through St. Peters Square and through the Holy Door into the basilica has allowed mourners to find community around the Argentine pontiffs legacy of inclusion and humble persona. Emiliano Fernandez, a Catholic from Mexico, was waiting in line around midnight, and after two hours still had not reached the basilica. I dont even care how much time I wait here. Its just the opportunity to (show) how I admired Francisco in his life, said Fernandez, whose admiration for the pope grew during his 2016 visit to Mexico. Robert Healy, a pilgrim from Ireland, flew on the spur of the moment from Dublin just to pay his respects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its just really important to be here, to show our respect to the Holy Father, he said. We flew from Dublin last night, were staying for one day, home tonight then. We just felt it was really important to be here. Among the first-day mourners was a church group of 14-year-olds from near Milan who arrived for the now-suspended canonization of the first millennial saint, as well as a woman who prayed to the pope for a successful operation and an Italian family who brought their small children to see the popes body. We came because we didnt bring them when he was alive, so we thought we would bring them for a final farewell, said Rosa Scorpati, who was exiting the basilica Wednesday with her three children in strollers. They were good, but I dont think they really understood because they havent yet had to deal with death. Like many others, the Scorpati family from Calabria was in Rome on an Easter vacation, only to be met with the news of Francis death on Easter Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of devotion to the pope and his message of inclusion, the grieving faithful joined the procession of mourners that wended from St. Peters Square through the basilicas Holy Door, with the repentant among them winning an indulgence, a form of atonement granted during the Jubilee Holy Year. From there, the line extended down the basilicas central aisle to the popes simple wooden casket. After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass including heads of state will be held Saturday in St. Peters Square. The pope will then be buried in a niche within the St. Mary Major Basilica, near his favorite Madonna icon. Italian authorities have tightened security around the Vatican, adding drones to foot and horse patrols along the Tiber River and Via della Conciliazione, which leads to St. Peters Square, to secure the area for mourners and foreign delegation expected for the funeral. The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. Among those confirming their attendance are U.S. President Donald Trump with first lady Melania Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini, told a news conference on Thursday that I believe that the security machine is ready,' but will remain flexible and ready to reshape and above all transmit a sense of serenity.' The death of Francis capped a 12-year pontificate characterized by his concern for the poor and his message of inclusion, but he was also criticized by some conservatives who felt alienated by his progressive outlook. A procession of priests, bishops and cardinals accompanied Francis body Wednesday on its journey from a private viewing inside the Vatican to St. Peters Square. The pageantry contrasted with the human interactions of rank-and-file mourners at the public viewing. Francis lay in state in an open casket, perched on a ramp facing mourners, with four Swiss Guards standing at attention. As the crowd reached the casket, many lifted their smartphones to snap a photo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One nun accompanying an elderly woman with a cane walked away sobbing, My pope is gone. Such despair was rare. The mood was more one of gratitude for a pope who had, by example, taught many people to open their minds. I am very devoted to the pope, said Ivenes Bianco, who was in Rome from Brindisi, Italy, for an operation. He was important to me because he brought many people together by encouraging coexistence. She cited Francis acceptance of the gay community and his insistence on helping the poor. Humbeline Coroy came to Rome from Perpignan, France, for the planned canonization Sunday of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis, which was suspended after the popes death. She stayed to pay respects to Francis, enjoying exchanges with Japanese mourners they met as they waited under the sun in St. Peters Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For me, it is a lot of things. In my job, I work with disabled children, and I traveled to Madagascar to work with poor people. Being here, and close to the pope, is a way of integrating these experiences, and make them concrete, she said. Cardinals continued to arrive in Rome for Saturdays funeral, and numbered 113 by Thursday. During a morning session the cardinals started a conversation on the church and the world, the details of which remain private. No sooner than May 5, after nine days of official mourning, cardinals under 80 years of age will meet in a conclave to choose a new pope. That number is expected to be 134, after Spanish Cardinal Antonio Canizares said he would not make it to Rome for health reasons. Bosnian Cardinal Vinko Puljic, meanwhile, confirmed his participation after getting cleared by doctors, the Sarajevo diocese said. We have not yet opened the Conclave, and one feels that, said French Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, arriving for the cardinals meeting. 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. Shondiin Silversmith AZ Mirror Two days after he ignored a subpoena demanding he appear before the Navajo Nation Council as it kicked off its spring legislative session, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will deliver his State of the Navajo Nation address on Wednesday. It will be the first time that Nygren has appeared in the council chambers since January, when he cut his short and left before completing his quarterly State of the Navajo Nation address amid questions from delegates that he thought were disrespectful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Nygren announced on Tuesday that he would honor the Navajo Nation Council Speakers invitation to appear before the council and provide this quarters report in person, he made clear that he wouldnt hesitate to leave again if he was asked questions he didnt want to answer. I am prepared to have a meaningful, engaging and productive discussion about the things we were all elected on, including housing, water, electricity, roads, broadband, sovereignty and more, he said in a memo to the speakers office. I request that you allow me to present my State of the Nation uninterrupted, he added. I reserve the right to excuse myself if the questions and comments derail productive discussion and are not focused on our shared goals of serving the people and moving the Nation forward. Nygren said he specifically wont entertain discussions on topics rooted in gossip, unsubstantiated information, and are unproductive, which he said are not appropriate or productive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nygren requested that the Navajo Nation Council Delegates submit any questions they would like him to address beforehand, something he said would make the process as productive and orderly as possible. Nygrens move to provide his state of the address in person comes after the Navajo Nation Council voiced their concerns about his failure to appear and present during the opening of the spring session on Monday. Although Nygren was expected to deliver his address, he was absent, leaving the council with only a written report. The Navajo Nation Council stated in a press release that Nygren has failed to appear and present the address to the council and the public four times since he was elected into office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nygrens last appearance before the council was on Jan. 27 during the Winter Session, but it abruptly ended when Nygren excused himself and left the Navajo Nation Council chambers before completing his address. In his memo to the speaker, Nygren said that he left the winter session due to the conduct of some of the delegates present, who he felt did not align with the decorum, order and mutual respect expected of naataanii (leader). Before the spring session, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley filed a subpoena ordering Nygren to appear before the council on April 21 at 10 a.m. to deliver his State of the Navajo Nation address and report. In a statement posted on social media, Nygren said he was traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This trip underscores my commitment to working collaboratively, regardless of political affiliationbe it Republican or Democraticto advocate for our Nations needs and priorities, he wrote on Facebook. Nygren said that he fulfilled his obligations to the Navajo Nation Council by submitting a written report, which aligns with the requirements of Title 2 of the Navajo Nation Code. This action demonstrates my commitment to transparency and accountability to the Navajo people, he added. Curley said working with federal partners is important, but the president must also report to the Navajo people and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Council members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, Curley said in a press release. The Navajo people want to hear President Nygren present his report in person and to have an in-depth dialogue with the Council, she added. 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. During Mondays opening day of the spring session, several Navajo Nation Council delegates voiced their concerns about Nygrens administration. They cited repeated absences, unilateral decision-making, and alleged misrepresentations made to both federal partners and the Council. Weve been patient and willing to work with him, Navajo Nation Council Delegate Brenda Jesus said. But enough is enough. At what point does the Navajo Nation Council show that we mean business? Hes not honoring our collaboration hes mocking it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navajo Nation Council Delegate Vince James said the presidents absence was not just disappointing, it was disrespectful to the Navajo people. President Nygren is playing games with this body and with our Nation, James said, adding that Nygren has been scheduling meetings in Washington, D.C., to avoid his responsibility to report to the council. His actions are undermining our programs and our sovereignty, James said. Navajo Nation Council Delegate Andy Nez called on the council to consider hosting a special session to address the ongoing pattern of Nygrens absences. The presidents absence sends the wrong message, Nez said. We cleared our schedules to be here. His staff knows when the Council meets. He chooses public appearances and media over direct dialogue with this body. In 1995, World Bank Vice President Ismail Serageldin warned that whereas the conflicts of the previous 100 years had been over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought over water. Thirty years on, that prediction is being tested in one of the worlds most volatile regions: Kashmir. On April 24, 2025, the government of India announced that it would downgrade diplomatic ties with its neighbor Pakistan over an attack by militants in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. As part of that cooling of relations, India said it would immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty a decades-old agreement that allowed both countries to share water use from the rivers that flow from India into Pakistan. Pakistan has promised reciprocal moves and warned that any disruption to its water supply would be considered an act of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current flareup escalated quickly, but has a long history. At the Indus Basin Water Project at the Ohio State University, we are engaged in a multiyear project investigating the transboundary water dispute between Pakistan and India. I am currently in Pakistan conducting fieldwork in Kashmir and across the Indus Basin. Geopolitical tensions in the region, which have been worsened by the recent attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, do pose a major threat to the water treaty. So too does another factor that is helping escalate the tensions: climate change A fair solution to water disputes The Indus River has supported life for thousands of years since the Harappan civilization, which flourished around 2600 to 1900 B.C.E. in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. After the partition of India in 1947, control of the Indus River system became a major source of tension between the two nations that emerged from partition: India and Pakistan. Disputes arose almost immediately, particularly when India temporarily halted water flow to Pakistan in 1948, prompting fears over agricultural collapse. These early confrontations led to years of negotiations, culminating in the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. Brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty has long been hailed as one of the most successful transboundary water agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It divided the Indus Basin between the two countries, giving India control over the eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and Pakistan control over the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. At the time, this was seen as a fair solution. But the treaty was designed for a very different world. Back then, India and Pakistan were newly independent countries working to establish themselves amid a world divided by the Cold War. When it was signed, Pakistans population was 46 million, and Indias was 436 million. Today, those numbers have surged to over 240 million and 1.4 billion, respectively. Today, more than 300 million people rely on the Indus River Basin for their survival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has put increased pressure on the precious source of water that sits between the two nuclear rivals. The effects of global warming, and the continued fighting over the disputed region of Kashmir, has only added to those tensions. Impact of melting glaciers Many of the problems of today are down to what wasnt included in the treaty, rather than what was. At the time of signing, there was a lack of comprehensive studies on glacier mass balance. The assumption was that the Himalayan glaciers, which feed the Indus River system, were relatively stable. This lack of detailed measurements meant that future changes due to climate variability and glacial melt were not factored into the treatys design, nor were factors such as groundwater depletion, water pollution from pesticides, fertilizer use and industrial waste. Similarly, the potential for large-scale hydraulic development of the region through dams, reservoirs, canals and hydroelectricity were largely ignored in the treaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reflecting contemporary assumptions about the stability of glaciers, the negotiators assumed that hydrological patterns would remain persistent with the historic flows. Instead, the glaciers feeding the Indus Basin began to melt. In fact, they are now melting at record rates. The World Meteorological Organization reported that 2023 was globally the driest year in over three decades, with below-normal river flows disrupting agriculture and ecosystems. Global glaciers also saw their largest mass loss in 50 years, releasing over 600 gigatons of water into rivers and oceans. The Himalayan glaciers, which supply 60-70% of the Indus Rivers summer flow, are shrinking rapidly. A 2019 study estimates they are losing 8 billion tons of ice annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a study by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development found that Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan glaciers melted 65% faster in 20112020 compared with the previous decade. The rate of glacier melt poses a significant challenge to the treatys long-term effectiveness to ensure essential water for all the people who rely on the Indus River Basin. While it may temporarily increase river flow, it threatens the long-term availability of water. Indeed, if this trend continues, water shortages will intensify, particularly for Pakistan, which depends heavily on the Indus during dry seasons. Another failing of the Indus Waters Treaty is that it only addresses surface water distribution and does not include provisions for managing groundwater extraction, which has become a significant issue in both India and Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Punjab region often referred to as the breadbasket of both nations heavy reliance on groundwater is leading to overexploitation and depletion. Groundwater now contributes a large portion about 48% of water withdrawals in the Indus Basin, particularly during dry seasons. Yet there is no transboundary framework to oversee the shared management of this resource as reported by the World Bank. A disputed region It wasnt just climate change and groundwater that were ignored by the drafters of the Indus Waters Treaty. Indian and Pakistan negotiators also neglected the issue and status of Kashmir. Kashmir has been at the heart of India-Pakistan tensions since Partition in 1947. At the time of independence, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was given the option to accede to either India or Pakistan. Though the region had a Muslim majority, the Hindu ruler chose to accede to India, triggering the first India-Pakistan war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This led to a U.N.-mediated ceasefire in 1949 and the creation of the Line of Control, effectively dividing the territory between Indian-administered and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Since then, Kashmir has remained a disputed territory, claimed in full by both countries and serving as the flashpoint for two additional wars in 1965 and 1999, and numerous skirmishes. A ruined village in Jammu and Kashmir, India, during the war between India and Pakistan in 1965. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images Despite being the primary source of water for the basin, Kashmiris have had no role in negotiations or decision-making under the treaty. The regions agricultural and hydropower potential has been limited due to restrictions on the use of its water resources, with only 19.8% of hydropower potential utilized. This means that Kashmiris on both sides despite living in a water-rich region have been unable to fully benefit from the resources flowing through their land, as water infrastructure has primarily served downstream users and broader national interests rather than local development. Some scholars argue that the treaty intentionally facilitated hydraulic development in Jammu and Kashmir, but not necessarily in ways that served local interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indias hydropower projects in Kashmir such as the Baglihar and Kishanganga dams have been a major point of contention. Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns that these projects could alter water flows, particularly during crucial agricultural seasons. However, the Indus Waters Treaty does not provide explicit mechanisms for resolving such regional disputes, leaving Kashmirs hydrological and political concerns unaddressed. Tensions over hydropower projects in Kashmir were bringing India and Pakistan toward diplomatic deadlock long before the recent attack. The Kishanganga and Ratle dam disputes, now under arbitration in The Hague, exposed the treatys growing inability to manage transboundary water conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then in September 2024, India formally called for a review of the Indus Waters Treaty, citing demographic shifts, energy needs and security concerns over Kashmir. Indian Border Security Force soldiers patrol on a boat along the Pargwal area of the India-Pakistan international border. Nitin Kanotra/Hindustan Times via Getty Images The treaty now exists in a state of limbo. While it technically remains in force, Indias formal notice for review has introduced uncertainty, halting key cooperative mechanisms and casting doubt on the treatys long-term durability. An equitable and sustainable treaty? Moving forward, I argue, any reform or renegotiation of the Indus Waters Treaty will, if it is to have lasting success, need to acknowledge the hydrological significance of Kashmir while engaging voices from across the region. Excluding Kashmir from future discussions and neither India nor Pakistan has formally proposed including Kashmiri stakeholders would only reinforce a long-standing pattern of marginalization, where decisions about its resources are made without considering the needs of its people. As debates on climate-proofing the treaty continue, ensuring Kashmiri perspectives are included will be critical for building a more equitable and sustainable transboundary water framework. Nicholas Breyfogle, Madhumita Dutta, Alexander Thompson, and Bryan G. Mark at the Indus Basin Water Project at the Ohio State University contributed to this 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: Fazlul Haq, The Ohio State University Read more: Fazlul Haq 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. Texas lawmakers are debating a bill this session to strengthen parents rights to choose religious education for their children during school hours. Senate Bill 1049, which advanced this week out of the Senate education committee, would allow public school students to be excused during school hours for one to five hours per week to attend off-campus religious instruction. This type of released time educational program is not a new concept. The first such program was established in 1914 by innovative educator William Wirt, who believed that the church, home, playground, library and school were all important components in a childs well-rounded education. Initially, more than 600 students participated in off-campus religious education in the Gary, Indiana school district. Years later, the program faced major court battles. A fourth grader at Louise Junior High School begins writing a prayer. Senate Bill 1049 would ensure students can be excused during school hours to attend religious instruction off campus. In the 1948 ruling in McCollum v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court found the program violated the Establishment Clause due to the excessive participation of the public school with the program, which included taxpayer-funded religious instruction in public school buildings during normal school hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A landmark case that settled the issue came in 1952 in Zorach v. Clauson. The court determined that teaching the Bible during public school hours was constitutional as long as the programs meet three conditions: The program must be held off site from the school, no government funds can be used and parental permission is required. SB 1049 by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, is similar to a bill that recently passed in Ohio that ensures such a program is fully at the discretion of parents, not the local school district. The Ohio measure states that, A school district board of education shall adopt a policy that authorizes a student to be excused from school to attend a released time course in religious instruction One example of a religious instruction program that meets the requirements of the released time program is LifeWise Academy. LifeWise is a nondenominational Christian program that teaches the Bible to public school students during the day. It has 50,000 students across 29 states. The donor-funded academy covers all program expenses, including transportation, curriculum, offsite instructional facilities, staff and technology for the parent-approved students in the program. Released time programs could be held during lunch or study hall, so students would not miss core instructional time or extracurricular activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When writing the 1952 opinion affirming released time religious education, Justice William O. Douglas expressed the same view that has been voiced in recent Supreme Court decisions involving religious liberty. We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being, Douglas wrote. We guarantee the freedom to worship as one chooses. We make room for as wide a variety of beliefs and creeds as the spiritual needs of man deem necessary. We sponsor an attitude on the part of government that shows no partiality to any one group and that lets each flourish according to the zeal of its adherents and the appeal of its dogma. When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. The Supreme Court has determined that parents have the legal right to choose religious education for their children during school hours. SB 1049 ensures this right is protected. Texas lawmakers should follow the best of our traditions and support parents efforts to educate their children in the values and beliefs they deem important and sacred. Matt Krause is a former state legislator now serving as counsel for First Liberty Institute, where he directs the Restoring Faith in America Project. Learn more at firstliberty.org or rfia.org. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Religious instruction during school day is a parent's choice | Opinion AUSTIN (Nexstar) Accountability ratings from two school years ago show Texas public schools saw a decline in performance. A group of Texas Democrats argue the scores are unreliable and inaccurate, but the head of the states public schools said the assessments are fair. The Texas Education Agency released the ratings from the 2022-2023 school year on Thursday, which give schools an A through F rating based on metrics of student achievement, school progress, and how the school closes gaps between different student groups. Legal battles delayed the release of the information for years after school districts sued the agency arguing it did not give proper notice of how it was going to change the rating system. The data shows 44% of the schools stayed the same letter rating, 13% increased to a better rating and 43% dropped to a lower rating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools didnt grow students as rapidly as they had the year before, Mike Morath, the Commissioner of the TEA, explained to reporters in an online news conference. Members of the Texas Legislative Progressive Caucus met with Morath Thursday morning at the Capitol to discuss the scores and their concerns. Immediately following the meeting the lawmakers held a news conference where they alleged the scores were meant to discredit public schools on the same day the Texas Senate gave the final approval on school choice legislation. That is a plan to rob our schools of their resources and hand them over to the profiteers so they can make money off of money that should be going to educate our kids, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D Austin, said. The group of Texas Democrats questioned the methodology of the system, which was updated for the 2022-2023 assessment. They allege the new methodology caused some schools to drop from a B rating down to a F. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They literally changed the goal post, State Rep. Jolanda Jones, D Houston, said. The group of Democrats argued the assessment does not highlight all the good work public schools have been doing in the past couple of years after COVID-19. They have been starved since 2019, they have gone through COVID. They have had to deal with some unimaginable things without any support, State Rep. Aicha Davis, D- Dallas, explained. Morath disagrees the TEA moved the goal post. He explained the agency is required to update its methodology every five years in order to make Texas a national leader in preparing students for post-secondary success. He also argued the new methodology did not force schools to have a lower grade than they would have gotten with the previous methodology. The ratings for the 2023-2024 have also not been released as they are pending in a separate judicial proceeding. Morath argued earlier this week that the raw data used to calculate the rating for schools is available for local school boards to review and make public to parents. The lawsuit only prevents TEA from releasing those numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hinojosa said the House Committee on Public Education will most likely discuss an accountability bill, House Bill 4, next week that could lead to changes in how Texas rates its public schools. When we see how broken, and how theres no trust in this accountability system, that we remake one that makes sense, Hinojosa 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 KXAN Austin. This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Legislation the Texas House of Representatives passed on a bipartisan basis on Tuesday could position the Lone Star State as a national leader on advanced nuclear energy, industry advocates said Wednesday. House Bill 14 would establish a state office to promote advanced nuclear supply chain and power generation projects in Texas and create a fund to provide grants of up to $200 million for eligible nuclear construction projects. The bill heads to the Texas Senate with about six weeks to go in the 2025 regular legislative session. Dive Insight: The Electric Reliability Council of Texas added 43 GW to its five-year load growth forecast last year, or more than one-third of an expected 128 GW of U.S. load growth through 2029, Grid Strategies said in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New data centers (18 GW), cryptocurrency mines (6 GW), hydrogen production (5.8 GW), other industrial facilities (5.7 GW) and oil and gas facilities (2.8 GW) will drive the bulk of the expected load growth through 2029, ERCOT said earlier this month in an updated forecast. On Thursday, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas approved three 765-kV transmission lines the states first to reduce congestion in the rapidly-electrifying Permian Basin oil patch. As Texas considers its energy future, the time has come to invest in nuclear power an energy source capable of ensuring grid reliability, economic opportunity, and energy and national security, Texas Nuclear Association President Reed Clay said in a statement Wednesday. Advanced nuclear firms have already proposed or begun developing projects in Texas. The farthest along is Natura Resources 1-MW, molten salt-cooled thermal research reactor under construction since late last year at Abilene Christian University. In February, Texas A&M University invited Aalo Atomics, Kairos Power, Natura and Terrestrial Energy to build reactors on its RELLIS campus near College Station, according to the American Nuclear Society. Natura subsequently announced plans to build two 100-MWe reactors in College Station and the Permian Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in February, Last Energy said it would deploy up to 600 MW of microreactor capacity to serve data center customers in ERCOT. And in March, Dow Chemical and advanced nuclear developer X-energy submitted a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, advancing plans for a four-reactor, 320-MWe power plant to replace existing fossil-fired generation at Dows Seadrift, Texas petrochemical plant. That project awaits a final investment decision by Dow, the companies said last month. H.B. 14 would authorize a grantmaking account, known as the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund, that could help get larger projects like Seadrift off the ground. The fund would reimburse expenses directly related to advanced nuclear reactor construction, including license application costs and procurement of long-lead equipment, up to the lesser of $200 million or 50% of the expense. It would also reimburse a range of expenses for initial project and supply chain development, such as site planning, front-end engineering and fuel fabrication, up to the lesser of 50% or $12.5 million. H.B. 14 also establishes the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Texas governors office to set statewide nuclear strategy, develop a homegrown advanced nuclear supply chain, attract advanced nuclear developers to Texas and facilitate nuclear project permitting through a newly-created nuclear permitting coordinator position, among other responsibilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nuclear development fund, nuclear energy office and nuclear permitting coordinator affirm recommendations made in November by the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group, overseen by the PUC. Though Gov. Greg Abbott, R, has not yet commented publicly on H.B. 14, he has consistently championed the states nuclear industry, saying in November that we are ready to be No. 1 in advanced nuclear power. Recommended Reading A Texas mom is facing a charge of reckless bodily injury to a child after she allegedly served alcoholic Jell-O shots at a Christmas party for her daughters fifth-grade class. Teresa Isabel Bernal, 33, of Tyler, was arrested Monday for the Dec. 20 incident at her daughters elementary school after the assistant principal told a police officer they believed a parent had brought gelatin shots containing booze to a class party. Police interviewed 15 students who claimed to have imbibed the juiced-up Jell-O, and almost all of them reported having stomach pains and headaches afterwards, according to documents reviewed by Law & Crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One boy told police he vomited twice that day, while another student said he passed out. Another student said in an interview a few weeks after the incident that he had six shots, got dizzy and fell and felt like he couldnt get back up on his feet. Two teachers who sampled the Jell-O shots also suspected they had alcohol, according to an arrest affidavit cited by People. When police interviewed Bernal, she said the Jell-O came from a small sweet shop run out of a private home, but claimed she was unaware they contained alcohol. The arrest affidavit notes that the ad for the holiday-themed Jell-O shots Bernal purchased for the kids party has Smirnoff written on the bottom in thin white font, KLTV reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit noted that the school party started about 11:15 a.m, and Bernal brought the treats to the school earlier in the day, according to KLTV. At 11:13 a.m., Bernal texted the owner of the sweets shop to ask if the shots had alcohol in them. When the owner affirmed that they did and asked why, Bernal texted back, kids. The students already had eaten the Jell-O shots by the time Bernal texted her question, per People. The officer who interviewed witnesses said some of the teachers thought it was odd that Bernal allegedly brought the shots, as she was an involved parent and was present at many functions at the school. Police received lab results on March 6 showing the Jell-O in the shots did have booze, and a warrant for Bernals arrest was issued April 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernal was booked into the Smith County Jail on Monday on a charge of reckless bodily injury to a child, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. She was released the same day after posting a $75,000 bond. No attorney is listed for Bernal at this time. Related... This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Tariffs, already a challenge to the retail sector and U.S. economy more broadly, could scuttle plans to take Nordstrom private and return a majority stake to the founding family, according to research Tuesday from William Blair analysts Dylan Carden and Anna Linscott. This outcome at Nordstrom isnt likely at the moment, but the risk is more than zero and could grow as long as tariffs linger, the analysts said. The speculation reflects the far-reaching and perhaps unintended consequences of a trade policy whose signature has been uncertainty, if not chaos. It is worth stating up front that while the potential downside for shares under a no-deal scenario is compelling, we give small odds to a broken deal here within a month of closing, Carden wrote. The deal was forged a couple of days before Christmas when the companys board unanimously approved an agreement between family members including Erik, Pete and Jamie Nordstrom and Mexican department store operator El Puerto de Liverpool. The closing date for the all-cash transaction, valued at about $6.25 billion, is penciled in for the week of May 18, following a special shareholders meeting on May 16, per financial filings. In one scenario, Liverpool, which is slated to take a 49.9% stake, could take advantage of the tariff-weakened macroeconomic backdrop to renegotiate the price, according to the William Blair analysts, who note that Prada and LVMH have demonstrated precedents for this. Prada cited tariff risk in knocking about 14% off what it paid Capri for Versace earlier this month, William Blair said; and LVMH invoked the pandemic when it successfully shaved $400 million off its purchase of Tiffany five years ago. This is probably the most credible scenario, but there is limited visibility as to Liverpools thinking and strategy, Carden said, but added, In speaking with investors, there is not a great sense as to how sharp Liverpools elbows are. As a family-run business that theoretically will have to work with the Nordstroms over the coming decades, we are inclined to think this is less of a risk. Neither Liverpool nor Nordstrom immediately returned requests for comment from Retail Dive regarding the potential risks that tariffs could pose to their arrangement. The longer tariffs, which include levies both on and from various countries, remain on the books, the more likely they could imperil the go-private plan, according to the analysts research. Amanda Overcash trains AI from home after clocking out from her full-time real estate job. She made nearly $8,000 in three weeks, working long days and nights. Overcash says the work is flexible but demanding, with strict audits and no long-term guarantees. Amanda Overcash, a single mom in Texas, spends her days working in real estate. At night, after her daughter has gone to bed, she opens up her laptop at the kitchen table and starts her second job: training AI. Headphones in and wearing pajamas, Overcash spends hours reviewing chatbot responses, transcribing audio clips, and labeling images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sometimes, I'm at the kitchen table until midnight," she told Business Insider. Other nights, she sets a 4 a.m. alarm to fit in an extra hour before her day job. Overcash is part of a global, largely invisible workforce that underpins the AI boom, working to improve how models respond in the real world. While some contract workers training AI have had negative experiences, Overcash says hers has been largely positive. And it can pay well up to $40 an hour. Last summer, Overcash earned nearly $8,000 in under three weeks from writing and rating chatbot responses. She told BI the job isn't as easy as some people online make it out to be and that it's not a "get rich quick" scheme. Some projects can be demanding, the audit processes can be tough, and juggling it alongside a full-time job can risk burnout. She juggles various projects on multiple platforms Overcash, who is in her 30s, has spent over six years in the AI data industry and taken on projects like ad moderation, transcription, and prompt evaluation. Like many freelancers in the space, she juggles work across multiple platforms a setup Business Insider has verified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Platforms like Appen, OneForma, Prolific, Outlier (owned by Scale AI), and Amazon Mechanical Turk rely on freelancers like Overcash to train and test AI models and products. Appen alone has a base of over 1 million contractors in 200 countries, according to its website. Across different platforms and projects, contributors might label satellite images, transcribe voice memos, review chatbot outputs, and even upload pet videos. Pay rates depend on the project and its level of difficulty, Overcash said. "LLM projects usually pay closer to $20 an hour," she said, referring to large language models, which power generative AI, "while social media or transcription ones can be anywhere from $9 to $11. But the LLM stuff is a lot more difficult and extensive." An Appen spokesperson told BI that although the industry is trending away from simpler data annotation tasks to "more complex" generative AI work, "human expertise remains essential to AI model development." She reviews chatbot answers, voice memos, and social media ads Right now, Overcash is working on two main projects. One involves transcribing casual voice memos, clips that sound like WhatsApp messages, often recorded in cafes, cars, or noisy kitchens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're supposed to sound natural," she said. "But it's hard sometimes. You hear street noise, people eating, conversations in the background." Amanda Overcash juggles parenting and working in real estate with an AI training side hustle. Amanda Overcash She's also reviewing social media ads. She opens each one, watches the video or reads the caption, and then answers a series of yes/no questions about nudity, profanity, misleading claims, age appropriateness, and whether she enjoyed the ad. Based on those factors, each ad gets a star rating. She said this type of job is one of her favorites because she doesn't have to second-guess her answers as much. "It's easy work. If you get in a rhythm, you can move fast," she said. She made nearly $8,000 in 3 weeks Other projects are more intense and demanding. Last summer, Overcash worked up to 16 hours a day on a chatbot evaluation project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She started at $22 an hour, which increased to $40 an hour as the project went on, bringing in nearly $8,000 in under three weeks. (BI has verified copies of her pay slips.) The job involved reviewing chatbot answers to medical questions, political statements, and personal advice and flagging anything misleading or unsafe. "If someone asked about a lump on their breast and the bot didn't tell them to seek medical attention, I had to mark it as unsafe," she said. Overcash recalled working quickly because of strict time limits on prompts, with usually four to six minutes per review. 'It doesn't feel like easy money' At times, the work can be rewarding. "When you get into the flow, it feels good," Overcash said. "You're focused, you know exactly what you're doing I like that about it." She also enjoys the variety. "If you're good at transcribing, or labeling, or languages, there's something for you," she said. "Some projects are so easy, I could teach my teenager to do them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she's clear about the trade-offs. "Forty dollars an hour sounds great, but when you're glued to your laptop all day, it doesn't feel like easy money," she said. "This is still work and it can be stressful. It's definitely not a fast way to make money." The onboarding and audits are tough Getting onto projects isn't easy. Overcash said many platforms require rigorous literacy and guideline tests, which are assessments based on lengthy instruction manuals that outline how to rate or label different types of content. Passing them is often required before starting paid work, and getting to that point can take time, especially when there are long waitlists. "It's a grueling process to get on," she said. "Some tests took me days to complete." Once accepted onto a platform, the pressure doesn't let up. Contractors at some companies are audited regularly, she said sometimes without warning and usually without much feedback. A single failed audit, Overcash said, can cost freelancers access to work for the day or get them removed entirely from a project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You think you're doing great," she said. "Then you get hit with a bad test result. If your scores drop, they'll cut you." She balances multiple jobs, but knows her limits Overcash said she burned out two years ago and had to reduce her AI side hustle. Now, she sets clearer boundaries to avoid getting overwhelmed. "My rule is I don't work weekends," she said. "Even if I haven't hit my hours." That time, she said, is reserved for her daughter. She said her hours are flexible. "Some days I'll do two hours. Other days I'll hit eight." Not every experience in this space is positive. Overcash said she's mostly had good projects, but she knows the industry can be unpredictable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some platforms have come under scrutiny. Scale AI, one of the biggest players in the industry, is facing multiple lawsuits from taskers, some of whom say they were exposed to harmful prompts involving suicide, domestic violence, and animal abuse without adequate mental health support. The company is also under investigation by the US Department of Labor for its use of contractors. Scale AI previously told BI it would continue to defend itself against what it sees as false or misleading allegations about its business practices. Overcash said she finds value in the work she does across various platforms. "It's definitely made me sharper. I've gotten better at spotting issues or bias in language just from doing this for so long." Even though the job isn't always easy, it offers what she needs: flexibility, steady income, and control over her time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not a fast way to make money," she said. "But if you get into a rhythm, it helps. It's helped me pay bills, stay afloat, and show up for my daughter." Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at ewebb@businessinsider.com or Signal at efw.40. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider Editors note: This story contains details related to mutilated corpses. AUSTIN (KXAN) Police have arrested a woman investigators believe forged death certificates and cut limbs off of corpses to conduct embalming-related experiments. The suspect, Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, 50, is charged with Abuse of Corpse Without Legal Authority and Tampering with Government Records. According to online court records, she is out on bond. Police say she turned herself in to the Travis County Jail on April 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case involves complexities that are not immediately apparent and should not be sensationalized, said Jessica Huynh, Buis attorney on behalf of Smith and Vinson Law Firm. Our legal team remains fully committed to defending and advocating for our client with the expectation of fairness and due process. Buis arrest warrant states she did this at Capital Mortuary Services in north Austin. Online state records listed Bui as the owner. The business itself told KXAN it has no comment on the case at this time. Investigation begins with complaint from former employee On April 2, an investigator with the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) informed the Austin Police Department (APD) she was conducting an internal investigation into Capital Mortuary, located at 201 Victor Street, which is near Interstate 35 and Braker Lane, according to court documents. According to documents obtained by KXAN, the TFSC issued a cease and desist letter to Capital Mortuary on April 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation stemmed from a complaint to the TFSC from a former employee who said Bui had fraudulently initiated and obtained at least 10 death certificates under his name, and that he was aware of experiments Bui would allegedly conduct on corpses arms. APDs investigation eventually revealed 128 cases where Bui used the former employees name to complete or amend death certificates. These experiments, according to Buis arrest affidavit, involve her injecting formaldehyde into the arms to see the effect it had over time on severed extremities. The former employee who made the complaint showed police a screenshot from a work computer in December 2023, which appeared to show Bui posting photos and updates about the project under a conversation thread titled Freedom Art Experiment. The TFSC investigator wrote in her report that once Bui was finished with the limbs she then allowed the severed body parts to be placed in the crematory retort, where the body parts in their dissected and disturbed state, would be cremated. According to Buis arrest affidavit, TFSC Executive Director Scott Bingaman said Capital Mortuary was in violation of Texas Health and Safety Code by performing these actions. The commission also called the actions unethical and unauthorized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TFSC deferred comments related to the criminal investigation to APD. Affidavit: Bui admits to experiments Police interviewed Bui when the department executed an April 10 search warrant for Capital Mortuary. According to her arrest affidavit, she admitted to using the former employees identity to submit death certificates without his consent and further confirmed that the employee had never done a death certificate at her facility. She told police she used his name because it was an option on a drop-down menu on the forms. Bui told APD she directed her employees to conduct experiments on bodies to study the effects of embalming fluid with and without formaldehyde, which included cutting heads, arms and spines from remains sent to her facility while acting in the licensed capacity as a mortuary, according to her arrest affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TFSC investigator said the allegations against Bui are a recurring theme related to miscommunication with families, improper documentation, unprofessional conduct and possible fraud. Investigators say Bui worked with a medical-training company, MedtoMarket, on the experiments. She guessed around 15 bodies were mutilated and subject to experimentation with the permission of MedtoMarket and was updating the company on the outcomes. In a search warrant obtained by KXAN, investigators requested access to two devices, an iPhone and an iPad, believed to have additional communication between Bui and a MedtoMarket official. Detectives interviewed the companys CEO who, according to Buis records, said they had a contractual agreement with Capital Mortuary for transport and cremation services. The CEO denied any experimental testing, but said he knew Capital Mortuary was embalming arms to see how long they could preserve them. When APD asked if that was a normal practice, MedtoMarkets CEO said medical schools do it all the time, yeah, according to Buis affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MedtoMarket also told police the company asked Capital Mortuary to do embalming work on two arms. In a statement to KXAN, MedtoMarket said it has become aware of certain allegations related to a mortuary MedtoMarket has contracted with in performing its important work and mission. MedtoMarket will cooperate with law enforcement and state regulatory officials as part of any investigation. The company also said it is an approved anatomical facility, which, according to the TFSCs statements in the affidavit, would potentially authorize it to perform the embalming actions Bui is accused of doing. But TFSCs executive director, told police in regards to Bui performing them at Capital Mortuary it is unlawful for a commercial embalming establishment to use a dead human body for research or educational purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Wednesday, APD said The TFSCs administrative investigation and APDs criminal investigations remain open and ongoing. APD and the TFSC are committed to enforcing state regulations, protecting the public from predatory practices, and ensuring that decedent remains are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Texas law. Texas Funeral Service Commissions cease and desist letter According to the aforementioned cease and desist letter issued to Capital Mortuary, the facility was required to do the following within 14 days: Become compliant with Texas code Pass a subsequent inspection by the TFSC Submit a copy of all documented evidence for all donor remains to licensed anatomical facilities. Failure to comply with the order will result in immediate enforcement action, according to the letter, as well as a fee of up to $5,000 per violation day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TFSC stated in the letter that Capital Mortuary may have (been) performing embalming acts outside of the licensed scope and authority of its license and that it is a violation to allow the use of a dead human body by an embalming establishment for research or educational purposes unless it is done for a school or college of mortuary science and in compliance with state code. KXAN Senior Investigative Producer David Barer, Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle and Investigative Producer Dalton Huey contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. After a three-hour public hearing Thursday night, a Texas towns planning and zoning commission unanimously voted to approve the concessions offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for construction of a smaller temple. But the 7-0 vote set new conditions sure to be discussed Tuesday when the Fairview Town Council considers the churchs request for a conditional use permit to build one of its most sacred edifices in the town. The commission recommended that the town council require the church to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reduce the steeple height to 68 feet, 3 inches, the same height as the churchs meetinghouse next to the proposed temple site. Change the temples name from the McKinney Texas Temple to the Fairview Texas Temple. Shut off the temples exterior lighting on Sundays, Mondays and holidays, when the temple is closed, and every other night between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The commission and council rejected the original plans for the temple last year, when the church proposed a two-story temple with a steeple of 174 feet. The new application is based on a mediated settlement reached in November by church representatives and town leaders. It seeks permission to build a one-story temple with a steeple rising to 120 feet. We appreciate the opportunity to share our revised temple plans, which reflect the terms of the mediated agreement, church spokeswoman Melissa McKneely said in a statement provided to the Deseret News. The adjustments in size and height were made in good faith to address local concerns and demonstrate our desire to be respectful neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe the temple will be a meaningful addition to Fairview. We are grateful for the legal protections that ensure the free exercise of religion and look forward to being part of this growing community. The commission listened to 33 people during the public hearing, with 20 speaking in support of the temple and 13 raising concerns about the height of the steeple and the exterior lighting. Commission staff said the churchs lighting proposal complied with all Fairview ordinances. At one stage, the church had proposed turning off the temples lights at night, but that offer was withdrawn in the new application due to the other concessions the town required in the non-binding settlement reached in November, said Paul McCracken of Kinley-Horne, an engineering and design consulting firm representing the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCracken said reducing the size of the temple and the height of the steeple created a substantial burden for the church, which needs a temple with four instruction rooms to serve a growing Latter-day Saint population in the region. The church agreed to accept that burden in its new application, which calls for two instruction rooms. He also said the church was not open to changing the name of the temple. The church has one congregation in Fairview and about 10 in McKinney. McCracken argued that there are no provisions for churches in Fairviews zoning ordinances, so any conditional use permit for a church or temple requires the commission and council to customize a new, site-specific district. The proposed temple fits the site, McCracken said. It fits the location. ... To say that its not a proper application or that its not administering the code properly because it doesnt fit the requirements of a single-family home is not why were here tonight. Its a conditional use permit zoning district, its own new zoning district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents who spoke continued to insist that the temple should be held to the 35-foot roof limitation for single-family homes, but lighting was a major part of Thursdays discussions. I think all of us agree that leaving the lights on all night is unacceptable, commission chair John Adler said before the vote. The commissions new conditions also prohibits any light fixture that would emit light beyond the temples horizontal plane and sets a color temperature limit of 3000 Kelvin. Church representatives told the commission that people begin to arrive at the temple at 5 a.m. on days it is open and the first sessions begin at 6 a.m. The final session begins at 10 pm and lets out at 11 p.m., when the commission set the exterior lights must be extinguished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marsha Barlow, a Fairview resident who spoke against the application, said she believed the church could build a beautiful functional temple that still met Fairvews zoning ordinances. Doris James, a 24-year Fairview resident who is a church member and a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, spoke in support of the new application. Its my professional opinion that with the revisions currently submitted for the temple, the plan is perfection, she said. Perfect in size, perfect in scale, perfect in symmetry, and in my personal opinion, perfect for Fairview. BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was discharged from hospital after recovering from a high fever, a government official said on Friday. Paetongtarn, 38, was admitted to hospital after returning from a two-day visit to Cambodia on Thursday evening, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said. After a thorough medical examination, doctors confirmed her condition had improved and allowed her to rest at home, he said, adding that she would return to duties on Monday. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat Editing by Martin Petty, Aidan Lewis) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Thousands of people are gathering in New Mexico for a celebration showcasing Native American and Indigenous dancers, musicians and artisans from around the world. Billed by organizers as the largest powwow in North America, the annual Gathering of Nations festival kicked off Friday with a colorful procession of dancers spiraling into the center of an arena at the New Mexico state fairgrounds. Participants wear elaborate regalia some with jingling bells and others with feathers. They dance to the tempo of rhythmic drumming, each coming to the gathering for their own reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not just for show, said Deshava Apachee, who is Mescalero Apache and Navajo. Its for healing, its for strength, its for reconnecting. The event also features the crowning of Miss Indian World, as well as horse parades in which riders are judged on the craftsmanship of their intricately beaded adornments or feathered headdresses and how well they work with their horses. Powwow roots Powwows are a relatively modern phenomenon that emerged in the 1800s as the U.S. government seized land from tribes throughout the Northern and Southern Plains. Forced migrations and upheaval during this period resulted in intertribal solidarity among Plains people and those from the southern prairies of Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alliances were formed, giving way to the exchange of songs and dances during gatherings between different tribes. In the decades that followed, powwows were advertised to pioneers heading westward as authentic Native American dance shows. For some, it was an exploitation of their cultures. The word powwow was derived from pau wau, an Algonquian Narrtick word for medicine man, according to the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Scholars say English settlers misused the word to refer to the meetings of medicine men and later to any kind of Native American gathering. Today, some of the large powwows like the Gathering of Nations have become more commercialized events that use dancing and drumming competitions, with prize money at stake, to provide a glimpse into Indigenous cultures. Reconnecting with culture Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At ceremonial dances, participants wear traditional regalia specific to their tribe, whereas powwow attire often is more contemporary and flashy with sequins and sparkles. It is about dressing to impress the judges, said Warren Queton, a Kiowa Tribe legislator and adjunct instructor at the University of Oklahoma who has participated in community dancing and cultural events since he was a boy. Queton, who served as the head gourd dancer at the university's recent spring powwow, said ceremonial dances are deeply rooted in community, identity and cultural values. It is a struggle to keep traditional cultural practices and commercial powwows from being lumped into the same category, he said. Powwow ways and ceremonial traditions have different meanings in Native American and Indigenous cultures. There has been a focus on promoting smaller powwows held in tribal communities. Queton said these gatherings serve as a way for people who live elsewhere to return home and reconnect with their families and the land, and to share traditions with younger generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing where you come from, your land, your oral traditions, your language, but also values and traits that can only be learned from a community, he said. Thats why those smaller dances are so important because people learn those community values. Theyre all a part of our identity. Capturing good energy There still are elements of tradition woven in to modern powwows. Competitors wear feathered bustles, buckskin dresses, fringed shawls and beaded head and hair pieces. Some of the elaborate outfits are hand-stitched designs that can take months to complete. The sounds, movements and emotions that radiate from the dancing are challenging to capture on canvas. But Cochiti Pueblo painter Mateo Romero did just that when he partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to create a series of powwow stamps unveiled Friday during Gathering of Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powerfully hypnotic, atavistic and somatic is how the artist describes the dancing. One of his pieces depicts what is known as a fancy shawl dance with its dips, pivots, hops and twirls. Each tassel on the shawl flows and flips, accentuating the dancer's movements. Romero said he used color, thick and thin paint and soft and hard edges along with photographic elements to create something that feels alive, embedded with feeling and bright pops of color. Romero called it a huge honor to transform powwow culture into a postage stamp filled with good energy. I look at it as a sort of vehicle to express this sentiment, the energy, the celebration, the vibration, the beauty of it, he said. Its the power of it. ___ This article corrects the spelling of the last name of Deshava Apachee MADRID (Reuters) - Roger Yu, a gay man from the Philippines who abandoned plans to become a priest, said he was in Italy to pay homage to Pope Francis, a spiritual leader he saw as an inspiring supporter of the LGBTQ community. "I think everybody loves him because he's like pro-poor, pro-LGBT. He opened doors for gay people as well, like us," said Yu, who was raised a Catholic and studied for the priesthood before moving to California to work as a nurse. "(His) legacy would be for the refugee immigrants and for the outcasts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yu joined tens of thousands travelling to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican this week to pay his final respects to Francis, who died on Monday leaving a reputation as a pope who tried to shake up the church by shunning pomp and privilege. The crowds eager to see him one last time were so large on Wednesday that St Peter's Basilica, where he is lying in state, was kept open more than five hours past its midnight closing time, and then reopened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT). Jose Luis Nunez, 57, had organised his trip to the Vatican from Guadalajara in Mexico before Francis's death, hoping to receive a blessing from the first Latin American pontiff. He said he felt an affinity with Francis because they came from the same region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think (people will remember) his charisma of kindness, of being a friend, of trying to be like a friend or a brother to everyone," Nunez said, wearing a 'Lucha Libre' mask worn by one of his favourite wrestlers. "He didn't care about race, colour or gender." Tour operator Michael Simmermacher had organised a trip to Italy from South Africa to witness the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died from leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15 and was set to be the first saint of the millennial generation. He was initially disappointed when that event was suspended. But he now saw it as a blessing. 'A PIECE OF HISTORY' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not a lot (of people) can really come here (and) we got to be chosen to be here," Simmermacher said. "This is the biggest thing that I would ever be a part of, essentially a piece of history." Those who couldn't make it to Italy have been paying tribute with ceremonies around the world. Catholics in East Timor held a candle-lit vigil while traders observed a moment of silence on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Francis' advocacy for the poor also touched those who don't practise his faith. Nino Nugara from Sicily stood in line for four hours to see Francis lying in state and receive communion with his wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not a practicing Catholic, but this Pope is a revolutionary. I hope that those who will follow him next will continue in his footsteps." He remembered Francis's visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2013, where the pope celebrated mass to commemorate thousands of migrants who died crossing from North Africa. He also recalled the pontiff's surprise visit to a Rome optician's shop to buy a new pair of eyeglasses and the time Francis ordered salary cuts for the clergy during the pandemic. Both were humble actions that made an impression, Nugara said. Francis broke with papal tradition by asking to be buried outside the Vatican in Rome's Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), where he used to pray before setting off and returning from overseas trips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His patronage of that church struck a chord with Sister Angela Chikodiri Orji who used to go and pray there when she arrived in Italy 20 years ago with nowhere to live and nothing to eat. Now, she wants to follow his example by helping the poor, she said. "I'm planning to open an orphanage, and I want to be doing it the way he used to do, eating with the poor people and the abandoned children," she said. (Reporting by Carlos Barria, Claudia Greco, Susana Vera, Hannah McKay, Mohammed Salem and Dylan Martinez; Writing by Charlie Devereux; Editing by Andrew Heavens) STORY: :: Thousands of Yemenis rally in solidarity with Palestinians, undeterred by U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthis :: April 25, 2025 :: Sanaa, Yemen Drone footage showed huge crowds in Sanaa filling the citys main square with protesters waving rifles and daggers and carrying large Palestinian flags. "Despite the American strikes being launched against our country, we emerge from under the bombing, from beneath the rubble, and from the bleeding wounds," Houthi activist Akram al-Dhabibi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rally comes amid ongoing U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen, part of efforts to stop the groups attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. But demonstrators said that the strikes have only strengthened their support for Palestinians. Fridays rally is the latest in a series of weekly protests in Yemen, reflecting enduring public outrage over the war in Gaza. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) Three people accused of laundering tens of millions of dollars in illicit drug money through South Carolina are now facing federal charges. 28-year-old Nasir Ullah, 34-year-old Naim Ullah, and 49-year-old Puquan Huang were indicted on federal charges in what prosecutors called one of the largest professional money laundering operations in state history. They offered their services to drug dealers across the southeast from whom they would purchase large amounts of cash, said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Brook Andrews. They would then use those drug proceeds to purchase and ship electronics to destinations in China and the Middle East, and use those transactions to conceal the illegal source of their funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants collected drug money from Charleston, Richland, Sumter, and York counties and stored it in two business properties in Sumter County. More than $30 million was successfully laundered through this scheme, Andrews said. The three individuals were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Federal court records show both Ullahs pleaded not guilty to the charges and were each given a $25,000 bond during an April 23 hearing. Information regarding Huang was not immediately available. Money laundering is the backbone of criminal enterprise, said Andrews. It enables drug trafficking organizations to purchase and distribute fentanyl and other drugs to devastating effect. When we target those who launder drug money, we strike at the very heart of these operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Money laundering is the backbone of criminal enterprise. It enables drug trafficking organizations to purchase and distribute fentanyl and other drugs to devastating effect. When we target those who launder drug money, we strike at the very heart of these operations. The scheme was uncovered through an ongoing investigation into the leadership elements of two Mexican drug cartels, which began in September 2024. Over the course of this investigation, agents identified a large scale and complex money laundering network operating throughout South Carolina and elsewhere to launder millions of dollars in drug proceeds which have been traced to the sale of multi kilogram quantities of both fentanyl and cocaine, as well as both marijuana and heroin, said Mike Tooley, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge. The illegal operation began in April 2019 and continued through at least November 2024, according to a copy of the federal indictments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story is breaking and may be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Progress hasn't been linear for Customers Bancorp as it's worked to diversify its deposit base, recruit banking teams and remix its balance sheet. But the start of 2025 showed some payoff. The West Reading, Pennsylvania-based bank maintained its financial guidance for the year, projecting strong deposit growth, net interest income and loan growth. Despite industry-wide tepid loan demand and volatility from Trump administration tariff policies, Customers is still forecasting loan growth this year above what most of its peers are expecting, along with decreased expenses from deposits. Customers President and CEO Sam Sidhu said on a call with analysts Friday that the company's exposure to tariffs is mild, though the bank would have some credit sensitivity in the event of a broader recession. "At the end of the day, this is sort of a policy-driven, macroeconomic-type effort," Sidhu said. "Volatility can be created in a number of weeks. It can also be rolled back in a number of weeks. Our hope is that our administration, policymakers have things under control." Customers, which has added venture capital banking and commercial banking teams in the last two years, expects to grow loans by 7% to10% for the year. In the first quarter, total loans increased by 16% from the prior year. The $22.4 billion-asset company is also projecting that deposits will grow by 5% to 9% in 2025, and that net interest income will rise by 3% to 7%. Peter Winter, an analyst at D.A. Davidson, said in a research note that 2025 seemed to be "off to a solid start." Customers also continued to restructure its balance sheet in the first quarter, incurring a loss of about $40 million. The bank opted to sell $620 million of securities during the quarter, following a sale of $480 million of lower-yielding assets in the prior three-month period. These actions capped off the bank's plans for balance sheet remixing, Sidhu said. The balance sheet optimization was designed to reduce the credit sensitivity of Customers' securities portfolio, Sidhu said. He added that since "our bankers achieved strong loan growth in a typically soft quarter," the company wanted to invest more in lending. The bank plans to use the $1.1 billion of proceeds from the two recent asset sales to reinvest in $400 million worth of higher-yielding securities, and to fund $600 million in loan growth. Sidhu said that pipelines of potential loan deals remain strong, and the company also has a solid backlog that is, booked loans the bank still has to work through. The bank's effort to diversify its lending verticals has complemented efforts to reel in low-cost commercial deposits, he said. Three people were arrested and accused of assaulting a taxi cab driver in Norwalk on Thursday after allegedly refusing to pay their cab fare, including one suspect whose alleged combative behavior injured a police officer. Police responded to the Citgo gas station at 128 Connecticut Ave. at 11:46 p.m. on the report of three people assaulting a taxi cab driver and separated everyone involved once they were on the scene, according to Lt. Tomasz Podgorski of the Norwalk Police Department. Officers found that the victim suffered lacerations to the left side of his face after being punched and hit with a squeegee, Podgorski said. After speaking to witnesses and reviewing video surveillance, investigators found that three men allegedly assaulted the cab driver and stole his personal belongings after refusing to pay their fare, Podgorski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individuals were arrested and taken separately to a holding facility. One of them, identified as 21-year-old Lance Harris of the Bronx, New York, allegedly began kicking the inside of a police cruiser and broke off a plastic partition piece, according to Podgorski. He then allegedly used the piece to strike the window of the car. As officers struggled with Harris to remove the plastic piece from his grasp, Podgorski said one policeman suffered numerous abrasions to his forearm as Harris allegedly swung the piece around. Harris allegedly continued struggling with police and spit at one of them, which landed on the outer vest of an officer, according to Podgorski. After being taken to a holding facility, Harris had to be moved to several different cells after he allegedly damaged two separate security cameras and ripped them from the ceilings of each cell, Podgorski said. Harris faces two counts of assault on a police officer and a single count each of interfering with a police officer, third-degree assault, first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace. His bond was set at $50,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other two suspects were identified as 23-year-old Christophe Bunting of Stamford and 19-year-old Cory Hampton of Long Island City, New York. They each face one count of third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. Hampton also faces one count of sixth-degree larceny. Podgorski said Buntings bond was set at $10,000. Hamptons bond was set at $20,000. All three suspects are set to face a judge on May 12. MONONA, Wis. (WFRV) Three Wisconsin men are being accused of stealing a vehicle, crashing into another motorist, and fleeing police on foot Thursday night. Shortly before 8:15 p.m., the Monona Police Department was alerted to a stolen vehicle operating on East Broadway in Monona. Green Bay woman accused of giving drugs to hospitalized boyfriend, charged with homicide Responding officers located the vehicle near a convenience store and confirmed it had been reported stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Johnathon Brazil, failed to stop and continued west on Broadway before merging onto U.S. Highway 12. Two passengers, identified as 54-year-old Kenneth Maclin and 38-year-old Leon Willis, were also in the vehicle. Brazil exited onto Rimrock Road, crossed the center median, and collided with a minivan traveling in the opposite direction. Following the crash, Brazil and Maclin fled on foot. Willis remained at the scene and was taken into custody without further incident. With assistance from supporting agencies, officers located and arrested Maclin a short distance from the crash. Brazil was found hiding in a dumpster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relentless search for missing Wisconsin woman continues through dangerous terrain, officers share message While officers searched for the suspects, others tended to the occupants of the minivan. A young passenger was transported by EMS to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was not hurt. Brazil was reportedly impaired and was processed for OWI at a local hospital. He faces multiple felony charges and had an outstanding warrant at the time of arrest. Mr. Brazil was impaired, while in operation of a stolen vehicle. He chose to drive recklessly. He chose to elude police. And he chose to flee from his vehicle after striking another car, said Monona Police Chief Brian Chaney. Mr. Brazil has demonstrated that he does not care about others nor the law. We are safer tonight now that he is (back) in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Chaney also said Maclin, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant, no longer qualifies to serve his sentence in the community and has been returned to custody. As for Willis, authorities said he will face misdemeanor charges in court at a later date. Undercover human trafficking investigation in Oshkosh results in 8 arrests, including a man from Florida We wish the young community member who was injured as a result of Mr. Brazils actions a full and speedy recovery, Chief Chaney added. We are proud of you for being so brave during what was a scary moment. We are working hard to ensure that he and others dont hurt anyone in Monona and Dane County, and we plan to check in on you and dad soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further details were 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) said three Mississippi hospitals have been approved to participate in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The hospitals are Greenwood Leflore Hospital (GLH), Magee General Hospital and Wayne General Hospital. Whooping cough cases are rising again in the US Weve worked very hard for years to give these hospitals greater federal support to ensure that they stay open to serve rural Mississippians. It hasnt been easy, but being part of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program will allow them to receive more beneficial reimbursements, which is important to keeping their doors open, said Hyde-Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early March, Hyde-Smith and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) sent a letter to CMS strongly supporting Greenwood Leflores RCHD application, in which they argued why Greenwood Leflore deserved a spot within the program. Hyde-Smith also sent a letter in March in support of Magee General Hospitals application and has supported Wayne General Hospitals inclusion in the program as well. All three hospitals enrollment in the RCHD program requires CMS receiving a signed Participation Agreement within 30 days. 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. Six days after Pope Francis died at Casa Santa Marta, a guest house in Vatican City, he will be honored with a funeral at St. Peters Square. Pope Franciss funeral will begin at 10 a.m. local time tomorrow, Saturday April 26which is 4 a.m. eastern and 1 a.m. pacific. The dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will preside at the mass; Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe will attend, along with world leaders and royalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After, he will be laid to rest at Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a church outside the Vatican. Per Vatican News, 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. At Pope Franciss final public appearance on Easter Sunday, he blessed the gathered crowds, as his Easter message calling for peace worldwide was read. There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others, he wrote. Nor is peace possible without true disarmament! The requirement that every people provide for its own defence must not turn into a race to rearmament. The light of Easter impels us to break down the barriers that create division and are fraught with grave political and economic consequences. It impels us to care for one another, to increase our mutual solidarity, and to work for the integral development of each human person. The papal conclave to select Franciss successor wont begin immediately; the earliest it will take place is May 6. You Might Also Like Less than three years ago, George Santos was an up-and-coming Republican political star, flipping a House seat in New York Citys suburbs. But he soon came under fire for lying about his life story, and on Friday, the now-former congressman was back on Long Island for a very different announcement: He was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for fraud and theft. Here is a timeline of his rise and fall: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nov. 8, 2022: Santos defeats Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the first known congressional election featuring two openly gay candidates. Dec. 19, 2022: The New York Times publishes a story questioning whether Santos fictionalized his resume. Dec. 26, 2022: Santos admits fabricating some details of his biography, including that he had a degree from Baruch College and had worked for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. Despite calling himself a proud American Jew" in a position paper, he insists he never claimed to be Jewish but rather Jew-ish. Dec. 28, 2022: Nassau County prosecutors say they have launched an investigation into Santos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement January 2023: Santos is sworn into office. Questions surface about how he financed his campaign after filings offer contradictory accounts. Jan. 31, 2023: Santos steps down from his congressional committees but says he wont resign. February 2023: Revelations surface that Santos had been charged with stealing puppies in Pennsylvania in 2017 by using bad checks. The case was dismissed after Santos said the checks came from a checkbook that had been stolen from him. March 2, 2023: The House Ethics Committee announces an investigation into Santos. May 10, 2023: Santos is indicted and pleads not guilty to federal charges that he stole from donors and his campaign, collected unemployment benefits he didnt deserve and lied to Congress about his wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oct. 10, 2023: A new indictment accuses Santos of stealing donors' IDs and making unauthorized charges to their credit cards. Santos pleads not guilty to the revised charges later that month. Nov. 16, 2023: The House Ethics Committee says in a scathing report on Santos that it amassed overwhelming evidence of lawbreaking, concluding flatly that he cannot be trusted. Dec. 1, 2023: Santos is expelled by the House on a vote of 311-114, easily clearing the two-thirds majority required. December 2023: Not long after being expelled from the House, Santos is found to be offering the public personalized video messages for up to $200 on Cameo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement February 2024: Santos sues late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging Kimmel deceived him into making Cameo videos that were used to ridicule Santos on the show. April 23, 2024: Santos drops his longshot, independent bid to return to Congress, a month after announcing his candidacy. His campaign committee reported raising no money in March 2024. Aug. 19, 2024: Weeks before the case was to go to trial, Santos pleads guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, blaming his ambition for clouding his judgment and saying he was flooded with deep regret. The same day, a judge dismisses Santos' suit against Kimmel, saying the host's use of the Cameo videos for criticism and commentary was a fair use. April 25, 2025: Santos is sentenced in federal court to more than seven years in prison. That bill doesn't do anything about affordable housing and certainly doesn't require anybody to pay for the infrastructure that's going to be needed for that growth, Rep. Dina Titus told state lawmakers about a measure the overwhelming majority of them support. (Nevada legislative stream screengrab) U.S. Rep. Dina Titus told state lawmakers Wednesday that efforts to open up more federal lands for development doesnt do anything about affordable housing, and warned of the consequences Nevadans will face as a result of economic and budget policies being pursued by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and U.S. Rep. Susie Lee, both Democrats, reintroduced the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, commonly referred to as the Clark County Lands Bill, in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure would open 25,000 acres of public land in Southern Nevada that Cortez Masto and Lee say could lead to development of more affordable housing. Opponents warn the bill is a recipe for unsustainable urban sprawl that will not significantly address the housing shortage. In a statement emailed to Nevada Current, Titus said she is opposed to the lands bill as it is currently written, saying it will make land available to developers to build more homes that average Nevadans cannot afford. There is no requirement for set-asides for affordable housing in new developments in the legislation, Titus said in the email. Affordable housing should be the goal of a lands bill, not incidental to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Titus sponsored a version of the bill with Cortez Masto in 2021. In a statement, her office said it has become clearer since 2021 that developers want to build more expensive homes in the ex-urbs, and the cost of providing infrastructure has become prohibitively expensive especially considering the impact of Trumps tariffs on building materials. State lawmakers recently passed a resolution backing the passage of the federal bill, which Titus took aim at while addressing them in Carson City. Youre supporting a lands bill and think thats a silver bullet for affordable housing, Titus said to legislators. That bill doesnt do anything about affordable housing and certainly doesnt require anybody to pay for the infrastructure thats going to be needed for that growth. When asked about Titus comments to state lawmakers, Lauren Wodarski, a spokesperson for Cortez Masto, said the senator has repeatedly called for an all of the above approach to address the housing crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also noted the legislation is supported by affordable housing organizations and local governments who all agree it is necessary to make more land available for housing development in Southern Nevada. In her email to the Current, Titus also underscored the point she made to state lawmakers that the lands bill does not take into account the cost of providing infrastructure to outlying developments, which taxpayers rather than developers would be required to pay for. She also said the legislation would create new burdens on our limited water supply. Another major flaw of the federal lands bill is that it encourages expensive urban sprawl when there are lands within our existing urban area that could be developed without distant and costly extensions of infrastructure, Titus noted. A local analysis by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern and the regional planning collaborative known as Southern Nevada Strong has shown significant infill land available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study, released in February, found 78,285 acres that were identified as vacant or underutilized land and approximately 85% (69,300 acres) was classified as vacant, while the remaining 15% was deemed underutilized. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has long pushed for more federal land to be opened up as a solution to develop housing. Lombardo sent several letters to the Biden administration last year that blamed the administration for its role in the housing crisis, saying it wasnt doing enough to make more federal land available for housing development. Assembly Joint Resolution 10, which also calls on the federal government to release federal lands, passed April 17, 36-6, with overwhelming support from Democrats and unanimous support from Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six Democratic Assemblymembers, Natha Anderson, Venicia Considine, Tanya Flanagan, Selena La Rue Hatch, Cinthia Moore, and Howard Watts, voted against the resolution. The measure has not been voted on in the Senate. Youll be back Titus, who herself served in the Nevada Legislature for two decades prior to winning election to federal office, spent most of her address to state lawmakers warning of a tsunami of challenges coming to Nevada as a result of actions already taken by Trump as well as policies Trump is pushing the Republican held Congress to enact. Trumps sweeping global tariffs will increase the price not only of consumer goods, but also the cost of housing, Titus said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre going to put tariffs on construction materials like steel, lumber and aluminum and youre going to try to build affordable housing, those prices are going to go up, she said. Trumps many tariffs currently in effect include a global 25% levy on aluminum, lumber, and steel. Again, thats going to hurt Nevadans and make it harder at a time we need more housing for people to get into a house, Titus said. Republicans in Congress have also proposed sweeping cuts to various federal programs including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. Trump has issued multiple executive orders curtailing, halting or ending altogether federal funding for a host of federal programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk, the billionaire head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, has also cut swaths of federal funding, positions and projects. Noting about 30% of Nevada total state government funding comes from the federal government, Titus warned state lawmakers they will be forced to deal with the consequences of federal cuts. As yall have to deal with every day, Nevada requires a balanced budget, Titus said. Youre going to have to deal with whats coming on May 1, she said, referring to the date when the state Economic Forum will set its final budget limits that legislators and the governor must meet when they approve a budget for the upcoming biennium. When you get the economic forecast May 1, youll be hearing how much funds will be cut and how much you can spend. Im not too optimistic, Titus said, adding its likely youll be back in a special session when you figure out just how much it is youre going to have to cut or pay for or eliminate. You have to deal with this firestorm somehow, she said. This article was originally published in CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Want to know how students at your childs school district are performing five or even 10 years down the line? Today, California released a new tool that aims to make that question and many others much easier to answer. Known as the Cradle to Career Data System, these new dashboards consolidate data from roughly 3.5 million high school graduates in California, showing where they enrolled in college, what kinds of degrees they earned, and the wages they made four years after receiving a college diploma or certificate. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter For years, parents and researchers alike have complained that accessing education data is unnecessarily hard with information spread out across various websites, drop-down menus and graphics. A new data system was a key priority for the Newsom administration, though it faced months of delays, in part because of data privacy concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have people whove been calling for this (data system) for 10 years, for 20 years, said Mary Ann Bates, executive director of the Cradle to Career Data System. The effort the state is making now to bring this together is so that students, families, educators and policymakers can have this information at their fingertips. Some other states, such as Kentucky, have already pioneered better approaches, creating a single, understandable website that houses data from the states K-12, college and workforce providers. In 2019, California allocated more than $24 million so it could catch up. But todays data tool represents just a fraction of the states education and workforce data. It only looks at students who attend one of Californias public colleges and universities and it only looks at students who graduate from a public high school. One tool by the California Department of Education shows that among 2015 California public high school graduates who headed to college, 15% went to a private or out-of-state college or university within 16 months. Bates said her team will eventually update these public dashboards to include information about students who attend private or out-of-state colleges and who dont graduate high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of this data system, the state has also promised to release other data, including information about early childhood education and teachers training and retention. Bates team initially said the teacher training information would be available by June 2024, but it remains in limbo. She said that tool would be released soon, though she did not specify a date. How useful is it? Although the Cradle to Career Data System is presenting information in new ways, the information itself isnt new. California has already developed similar tools, but none so widely accessible to the public or incorporating data from so many different schools and state agencies. The state Education Department already allowed users to download data and sort college-going rates by school or district, although its unlikely most parents would spend the time to download the spreadsheet and try to understand all the column names. One strength of the system is its ease of use the tool displays key data visually and intuitively. But each data system may use slightly different numbers. For example, the department uses DataQuest, which has a broader definition of what it means to graduate high school. The Cradle to Career Data System looks only at traditional graduates and not people who receive a GED, said Ryan Estrellado, the Cradle to Career systems director of data programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit Educational Results Partnership operated one of the many predecessors to the Cradle to Career Data System, and president Alex Barrios said hes skeptical that the states new tool is a real improvement. If the dashboard doesnt start the cohort at 9th grade, then the dashboard is useless, wrote Barrios in a text to CalMatters. Just over 88% of students who started as ninth graders finished high school five years later, according to 2024 state data, but for certain groups, such as African American or Native American students, the graduation rates were lower. Without information about high school dropouts, the new tool makes it look like students attend college at higher rates than they actually do, he said. Its called the Cradle to Career Data System, he added, not the the High School Graduation to College Data System. In the previous tool that Barrios helped operate, known as Cal-PASS Plus, researchers could look not just at high school graduates but also at all students who enrolled in 9th grade. Bates said the Cradle to Career Data System is only as powerful as the data that schools and agencies share. This current data uses information from the past 10 years, which is only enough time to measure the long-term college and career outcomes of high school graduates, she said, adding that other data, such as information about the long-term fates of younger students, will be added as its available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the data lacks certain features, it may still lead to powerful findings: One of the new data dashboards shows that community college students who receive a certificate earn more than those who receive an associate degree even though certificate programs typically take much less time to complete. The Cradle to Career Data System is a neutral source of information, said Bates. Our office is not going to weigh in on specific policies or interpret the why. This article was originally published on CalMatters and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license. TOPEKA (KSNT) Its time for the topeka St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, to help fund the mission of the St. Jude Research Hospital: to advance cures. Keegan is from El Dorado, Kan., and he was 13-years-old when his family started to notice he was falling behind on his height and weight. He went to St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. It was there when doctors found a brain tumor. St. Jude doesnt require any families to pay for a thing while their child is getting cared for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $100,000 grant fuels big dreams in 21 Kansas schools When youre going through a life altering situation with a child and you know that you dont have that pressure of hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs that you have to pay and you can focus on your child, that is huge, Keegans dad, Dustin said. The Topeka St. Jude Dream Home Campaign is just one way to ensure families dont have to worry about bills and can focus on their child getting healthy. I want people to know if theyre doing something in support of St Jude, that their money is going to families that absolutely need it and are in or in a spot where, again, youre dealing with the morbidity of your child, Dustin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keegan had surgery years ago and now only goes to St. Jude for checkups. Why did the tornado sirens sound across Shawnee County? In addition to the financial relief, he said his favorite thing about St. Jude is something hell keep forever. You meet some of the greatest people there, Keegan said. And we have kids that are family now to me almost. So they are amazing. The 2025 Topeka St. Jude Dream Home is located at Aquarian Acres in Southeast Topeka. Tickets are now available. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. By the numbers Q1 revenue: $5.74 billion Roughly 1% decrease year over year Q1 net earnings: $954 million 12% decrease year over year Danaher has joined the chorus of companies predicting hundreds of millions of tariff costs in 2025. Yet, the company, which made the forecast in its first-quarter earnings Tuesday, expects to largely offset the impact on operating profits through actions including changes to its manufacturing footprint. The company, which sells diagnostics through subsidiaries such as Cepheid, predicted the tariff impact in its first-quarter financial filing. Abbott and Johnson & Johnson made similar predictions last week. Danaher CEO Rainer Blair made a more specific forecast on an accompanying earnings call, telling analysts he expects the impact to be something like $350 million. The company is well positioned to largely offset the tariffs, the CEO said, by taking a range of actions. We've been executing to regionalize our manufacturing network of over 100 plants for several years now, which allows us to rebalance these trade flows over time. Think China for China, Blair said. We have a combination of both short-term and long-term countermeasures such as surcharges, supply chain management, again, cost actions, but also relocating manufacturing. Danaher forecast earnings per share above the expectations of RBC Capital Markets analysts despite the tariffs. The company based its prediction on the tariffs that were enacted and in effect as of April. Blair said we don't think that the current state of where we sit today is where things ultimately end up. Tariffs on U.S. trade with China and Europe are the main drivers of Danahers costs. CFO Matt McGrew told analysts on the call that China and Europe each account for around half of the anticipated tariff impact. If the trade war escalates, for example because paused tariffs on Europe are reenacted, Danaher may step up its response to mitigate the effects. We can be much more aggressive if we need to be. We've got all those levers to pull, McGrew said. I would say everything is on the table here in that situation, if that's what we get to. I think we'd be looking at more significant surcharges. I think we'd be going after costs even harder, and we'd probably be looking at our manufacturing footprint even harder. TOPEKA (KSNT) Some kids in the Capital City are going to sleep soundly Thursday night. At Ross Elementary School on April 24, Impact Topeka gave away free beds, pajama sets, stuffed animals, new shoes and a hot meal. We come in to the schools, we talk to the kids about the importance of getting a good nights sleep, Impact Topeka co-founder Lauren Ewald said. We do surveys and work with the schools to determine kiddos that are in need of a bed at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $100,000 grant fuels big dreams in 21 Kansas schools During this years Rest for Success bed drive, Impact Topeka gave 100 beds to students from five schools in the area. Nick Gardner, the principal at Ross Elementary, told 27 News it was a great night to see the students, their families and the gratitude on their faces. For a school, it really takes our whole community coming together, Gardner said. And I think our students and our staff outside helping them, knowing that we have their back and were here for them in all different circumstances. And we just truly appreciate their support and the community support along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Country music festival coming to the Little Apple Impact Topekas mission focuses on kids serving kids, and on Thursday evening, some children stepped up to help their peers. It feels really good because you get to help all kids who need it, Kennison Fink told 27 News. 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. SHAWNEE COUNTY (KSNT) Shawnee County Emergency Management (SNCO EM) gave an update on its Outdoor Warning System (OWS) policy this week. SNCO EM reported on April 24 that when a tornado watch is issued, it moves into an increased Situational Awareness posture. SNCO EM teams start by emailing partners and making notifications through social media. More team members are activated as risks increase. Once a warning is issued through the National Weather Service (NWS) or a trusted agent, the sirens in the warned area, using a specific location, will be activated. Once activated, the system will run for two to three minutes and then break. The system will be reactivated and the process is repeated until the warning expires or is cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 61st year for biggest car part swap meet in Kansas The Shawnee County Consolidated Emergency Communication Center can work as a backup to activate the OWS. The SNCO EM says the ability to activate the OWS for a specific area may not be possible, resulting in an all-county activation. The previous policy of an all-county activation is not desired however, the objective of this policy is to warn people in the event of a life-threatening situation in order to preserve life and prevent human suffering. SNCO EM policy guide excerpt A tornado watch means the conditions in our atmosphere are favorable for severe weather and you still have time to prepare. But as soon as a tornado warning is issued, its time to take cover inside of a sturdy structure because severe weather is immediate or actively occurring. In the case of a tornado, that means that either rotation has been indicated on radar or a trained spotter has seen a tornado. Just after 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, the NWS issued tornado warnings for multiple northeast Kansas counties. Tornado warnings were issued in Jefferson, Shawnee and Jackson counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are there public tornado shelters in NE Kansas? This thing popped up so fast and it just said tornado warning Shawnee County, we werent clear where it was so we sounded all county sirens, then once we figured out where it was we shut those all down and just sounded those sirens in that warned area up north, said Shawnee County Emergency Director Dusty Nichols. The next policy review date will be on March 1, 2026. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. (NewsNation) The United States and China are both suffering economic harm as a trade war continues between the two superpowers, a former economist for the Biden administration says. President Trump this week suggested talks are happening with China after the two nations imposed triple-digit tariffs on each other, but Chinese officials denied it. Philip Luck, a former State Department deputy chief economist, is at a loss to explain the discrepancy or to speculate on behind-the-scenes maneuvering. But one thing is clear, he told NewsNation Now on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investors on edge amid Chinas tariff talk denial This is incredibly costly for both of us. Both economies are doing much worse than they would be otherwise, said Luck, director of the economics program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Complicating matters for the U.S., Luck added, is that the Trump administration is attempting to negotiate trade agreements with nearly 100 countries as it grapples with China. Trade wars are easy to start. Theyre hard to end, 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 NewsNation. Rhianan Rudds mother says she was let down by everyone from social services to MI5 and the police - Central News/Web Collect In the autumn of 2020, Rhianan Rudd gouged a swastika into her forehead in a declaration of her love for Adolf Hitler. She had just turned 15. A little more than a year later, she killed herself in a childrens home in Nottinghamshire while in the care of her local authority. Rhianan had been diagnosed with autism as a child. Hers was a disturbing and disturbed life; a life which presents a chilling insight into the ease with which a teenager can be sucked into the hate-filled world of white supremacists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time of her death at the age of 16, Rhianan was an adherent of two far-Right terror groups: the Atomwaffen Division and the Order of Nine Angles, a bizarre neo-Nazi satanist cult. The youngest girl in the UK ever to be charged with terrorist offences, she had planned to build a bomb and blow up a synagogue. Her short life raises profound questions for society about how the authorities deal with children who pose a threat but are also deeply damaged themselves. Alexia Durran, the Chief Coroner for England and Wales, ruled on Monday that she could not be sure Rhianan had intended to kill herself. Rhianan was radicalised by an American white supremacist called Dax Mallaburn who was dating her mother, Emily Carter. Mallaburn has since fled the UK, having left Rhianans mother for a family friend, Ann, who had been helping to care for the troubled teenager. Ann Mallaburn, as she now calls herself, has defended her partner in a rambling 3,000-word email sent to The Telegraph, the contents of which could not be revealed for legal reasons, until now. The inquest into Rhianans death was told that authorities had suspected Mallaburn of sexually grooming the schoolgirl while living with Carter in the home they all shared in Bolsover, Derbyshire. The coroner was told that Mallaburns influence on Rhianan was not known to her mother. So how on Earth did this tragedy unfold? Rhianans mother, Emily Carter (centre), with Anna Moore and Jesse Nicholls from her legal team Rhianans case first reported by The Telegraph has exposed the terrifying pull that extreme Right-wing ideology has on young people, both here and in the US. MI5s director general, Sir Ken McCallum, revealed last year in a rare public speech that 13 per cent of UK terror suspects close to one in seven are now under the age of 18. The vast majority support extreme Right-wing causes. Young people, said Sir Ken, were being driven by propaganda that shows a canny understanding of online culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recognised the difficulties for the intelligence services and counter-terrorism police in tackling the threat posed by vulnerable children. Rhianan Rudds bizarre descent into a world of neo-Nazi terrorism, from being the bubbly, kind and loving youngster her mother remembers, highlights that dilemma better than any other. Rhianan was born in Brentwood, Essex, on September 16 2005, spending her early years on a nondescript suburban housing estate in nearby Basildon. Her family was fractured: her parents separated when Rhianan was young, although her father who only had sporadic contact with her still lives in the area. Rhianan had two older sisters and a brother. In a heart-rending statement read out at the start of the inquest, Carter who called her daughter Rhirhi asked for her to be remembered as a child who had brought so much joy, not the one who had become hate-filled and notorious. She was a little giggler, said her mother, generous, with a kind heart but also different. Rhianan loved animals and baking and collected Japanese manga comic books. Her walls were covered with drawings and pictures of My Little Pony, and she dressed, her mother says, goth style one day, prim and proper the next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a time in 2016 and 2017, one of Rhianans older sisters looked after her. Her autism meant she got fixated on things, says her mother, but she was a child who never lost her temper or became irritated and I felt blessed having her. And then it all began to go wrong. Her being groomed was huge, and I saw Rhianan change, her mother said in a statement read out by her lawyer at the start of the inquest. She didnt say who had groomed her daughter or when. But the inquest would go on to hear that both Mallaburn and another neo-Nazi called Christopher Cook had been involved in her radicalisation. Emily Carter saw a marked change in her daughter after Dax Mallaburn came into their lives Mallaburn, 50, a convicted criminal jailed in the US for possession of weapons and with a large swastika tattoed on his forearm, came to the UK in 2017, having met Rhianans mother through a pen-pal prison scheme in which women exchange correspondence with US inmates. Carter had flown to the US to meet her penpal lover in August 2016 - she knew at the time he had convictions relating to violent, organised crime - and then returned to the UK in November. Mallaburn followed her to Britain 12 months later. The coroner would find that Mallaburn had played a material role in introducing and encouraging Rhianans interest in extreme Right-wing theories and Right-wing materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Carter said she had been unaware of Mallaburns involvement in radicalising her daughter. He [Mallaburn] wasnt involved, to my knowledge. He was involved in that [extremism] in the US, but not while he was with me, she told The Telegraph. She emphasised that they had split up and she had severed all ties with him. I have got nothing to do with him now, because anything to do with him brings trouble. Carter declined to elaborate further. In a later interview, given on the eve of the inquests conclusion, she said: When I started writing to him through the prison pen pal system, he was not in any Right-wing place or anything. When he came out and I met him, he never showed any views. Obviously, people were going to judge because of the way he looked and the fact that he still had a great big swastika on his arm. But I never saw or heard anything of those views from him at all. I might not like the guy, but Im not going to lie about somebody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mallaburns past history is a nasty one. While serving time in jail in South Carolina in 2005 on firearms offences, he circulated a hit list that included the name of an undercover FBI agent who had infiltrated the Hells Angels gang and whose life was at risk as a result. US court papers described Mallaburn as a known associate of the Arizona branch of the Aryan Brotherhood, a notorious neo-Nazi prison gang with thousands of members across the US. His gang nickname, according to court papers, was Whitey. By May 2017, Mallaburn had been released under supervision from prison, but an Arizona court ordered his detention over fears he would either flee or pose a danger to the safety of the community. It is unclear why Mallaburn was suddenly sent back to jail. But by now he had been in contact with Carter through an organisation (not named in the inquest) that connected prisoners to pen pals. By November 2017 Mallaburn had won her over, relocated to the UK and moved in with her and Rhianan in their home in Bolsover. Dax Mallaburn had been imprisoned for firearms offences and was a known associate of the Aryan Brotherhood How a convicted criminal with known links to a neo-Nazi group, who had circulated a hit list naming an FBI agent, managed to evade UK border controls and inveigle himself into a family with a vulnerable child seems scandalous. The Home Office has declined to offer an explanation about what went wrong at the border. It insists that officials have robust safeguards in place to keep out those who intend to sow hatred and division. Despite the rhetoric, Mallaburn got in. Within two years, he was suspected of inappropriate behaviour. Social workers already involved with Rhianans care had become concerned that Mallaburn was sexually grooming her. Rhianan complained to them in 2019 that he had touched her sexually. She had just turned 14. But when police visited the girl at her home she retracted the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behind closed doors, Mallaburn was teaching her his version of the Second World War. In the days before she took her own life, Rhianan would tell a counter-terrorism official that Mallaburn had explained to her what really happened, describing her mothers partner as a literal Nazi. By September 2020, Rhianan had developed a fixation with Hitler and far-Right material so alarming that Carter reported her to Prevent, the Governments anti-extremism programme intended to stop vulnerable people becoming terrorists. I need help with my 15-year-old daughter, Carter wrote in a letter to counter-terrorism police, pleading for support. She has a very unhealthy outlook on fascism she also has massive dislikes for certain races and creeds. Counter-terrorism police didnt delay. By the end of the month, officers had interviewed Rhianan, who told them she wanted to blow up a synagogue. During the course of that interview it emerged that Rhianan had been in regular contact with Christopher Cook. Cook was 18 or 19 and Rhianan just 14 when they first communicated, and they were both infatuated with the Third Reich. They had met on an instant messaging platform called Discord that is largely used to discuss computer games. Covid had not helped. In lockdown, Rhianan - unsupervised and isolated at home, concluded the coroner, had engaged extensively in online discussions that contributed to her radicalisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using coded language, Rhianan and Cook who called himself Coo discussed Nazi ideology. He encouraged her to read books by James Mason, an American neo-Nazi described as the godfather of fascist terrorism, and supplied her with manuals on bomb-making, guerilla warfare and the targeting of black, Jewish, gay and trans people. The pair had also been in contact through WhatsApp, where they exchanged sexually explicit images. In the background, Mallaburn was egging Cook on. An MI5 officer, reading from a statement given behind a screen at the inquest, told the coroners court: The police were also informed that Cook had been in contact with US Person 1 and they had briefly discussed Right-wing extremist ideology. US person 1 indicated to Cook that Rhianan should be taught properly. The Telegraph has established that US person 1 was Dax Mallaburn. A child protection team with Derbyshire County Council found that Cook and Mallaburn had encouraged Rhianan to look at violent material. Counter-terrorism police passed to MI5 their suspicion of radicalisation of Rhianan by Mallaburn. At the inquest, Supt Stephen Riley, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands was asked if his officers were satisfied that Mallaburn had been largely responsible for her radicalisation. He was one of the most significant contacts, the superintendent replied. MI5 contacted their counterparts at the FBI over their concerns about Rhianan and her links to Cook. As it transpired, Cook had been on the radar of US authorities a whole year earlier, prompting their inquiries in October 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Cooks story is by turns terrifying and pathetic. He was just 17 when he first dreamt up a plot to cripple the US power grid, spread chaos and cause a race war. He aimed to recruit 40 like-minded fanatics to attack power stations with assault rifles and home-made bombs. Cooks ultimate goal was grandiose: to create an Aryan homeland through a white supremacist revolution. A handbook written by Cook and his three co-conspirators declared that they would not desist until every enemy of fascism has a rope around their neck. Rhianan began chatting to Christopher Cook on the messaging platform Discord, which is popular with gamers Cook, like Rhianan, had issues while growing up. By the age of four, his parents were struggling to cope and he was subsequently diagnosed with ADHD and put on medication by the start of first grade (equivalent to year two in the UK). By 13 he had started to dabble in neo-Nazi ideology and was becoming radicalised online. His mother, Diane, a lifelong Democrat voter, has been left distraught. He chose a very dark path, she would later tell a judge at her sons sentencing. Cook met his fellow plotters in a chat room, before launching The Front, a combat terror cell. Despite being its youngest member, he was its de facto leader. Cook was in charge of recruitment and, according to sources close to his family, became infatuated with Rhianan, and she in turn clearly fell under his spell. It is not certain when they first came into contact, but at the same time Rhianan was dreaming of blowing up a synagogue in the UK, Cook was criss-crossing the US, travelling through Wisconsin, Indiana, Tennessee and Texas in search of recruits for The Front. Its joining requirements included the demand for a physique photo to demonstrate a fitness for action. Recruits had to be white, and couldnt be obese or deformed, according to promotional material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cell fortunately, given its murderous intent was sloppy. The FBI appears to have infiltrated it early on and at every turn police followed the movements of Cook and his two co-conspirators, who had made suicide necklaces with the drug fentanyl to be ingested if caught. But even that failed. When one of The Fronts leaders was pulled over by a traffic cop, he swallowed the suicide pill but survived. The FBI finally made arrests in August 2020, and in February 2022 Cook pleaded guilty to terrorism offences. He was 20. He remains out of reach of UK authorities. Now 23, he is serving a 92-month sentence in Bennettsville federal prison in South Carolina for orchestrating a plot to blow up power stations in a failed attempt to spark a race war. Emily Carter sent a victim impact statement to the US judge for consideration in sentencing Cook, although none of the charges related to the grooming of her daughter. The letter remains sealed and its unclear whether it contributed to the 92 months handed down to Cook, with 30 years supervised release. Cook, according to his family, has now rejected his far-Right views and is trying to reform. They are distraught at what happened to Rhianan. In emails sent from prison to two investigative reporters in Ohio, Cook declined to answer any questions about Rhianan. Asked about the allegation that he had exploited and radicalised her, his response was terse. No comment, he wrote. By contrast, his replies to everything else were often rambling and, at times, pretentious. He stressed that he no longer espoused white supremacist views. Most fascists, he told the Ohio journalists, are fat rejects whod be killed in their own dream states and communists still dont understand economics. I dont care what society has to offer, Im not interested in it. But Ive changed, Im not bitter or angry at it either I cant be angry at everyone anymore. I can only be an aristocrat in my own little world. Cooks lawyer, Peter Scranton, based in Columbus, Ohio, says his client was, like Rhianan, both depressed and isolated, adding: Obviously their mental health wasnt good and they werent helping each other. Scranton points the finger at Mallaburn, whom he refers to as the stepfather. She was already on the path, he says of Rhianans infatuation with the far Right prior to meeting Cook online. Chris [Cook] felt her stepfather was the whole problem. In October 2020, just as Rhianan was handing a USB stick with damning evidence on it to counter-terrorism police, Mallaburn had decided to leave the UK. His application to remain in Britain had been turned down by the Home Office in March of that year. And by now he had split with Carter and begun a relationship with the family friend who was helping to care for Rhianan. Ann Mallaburn (the name she now uses) had met Rhianan through the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chesterfield. (Dax Mallaburn was also a member and attempted to use his connection to the Mormon church to bolster his application, which failed, to remain in Britain.) Mallaburn was quizzed by counter-terrorism police at Heathrow prior to boarding his flight back to the US. He was interviewed again by Homeland Security on arrival and allowed into the country. He eventually settled in Cancun, the Mexican resort that is a favourite of US tourists. Ann, who is 40, joined him in August 2021, taking a flight from London to Mexico City. Ann Mallaburns father, who did not wish to be identified, had contacted The Telegraph, concerned about her welfare. He said: My daughter completely fell under his [Mallaburns] spell. She has since joined him in what I think is a country in South America. Dax Mallaburn is believed to live in Cancun, Mexico, from where he posted a message on Facebook marking Rhianans death - Facebook The Telegraph contacted Ann Mallaburn in November 2022, six months after Rhianans death. She replied with a lengthy email in which she supports Mallaburn, for whom she left her husband and two children, and is adamant that he was not responsible for Rhianans death. She acknowledged his far-Right links but insisted he was no longer involved. Due to Daxs past, while in prison, he was aligned with what is perceived in England to be the far-Right, she wrote. Dax renounced this many years ago. Attempts were made against his life as a direct result of him leaving the gang. You should also note that the Aryan Brotherhood are a criminal organisation not a terrorist organisation, primarily within US prisons, which are divided along racial lines. Dax has never been charged with any race crime. He was interviewed by the FBI about Rhianan and her online relationship with a man in Ohio. On October 7 2020 [he was] interviewed at Heathrow by anti-terror and by Homeland Security in the US about, not Rhianan, but her online boyfriend in Ohio. She cast light on Rhianans own torment, which she had witnessed first hand. A source at Derbyshire County Council says, Ann was a family friend who did help look after her [Rhianan], but it wasnt foster care or any other kind of official care arrangement. Dax Mallaburns partner, Ann, left her family in the UK to live with him in Mexico. She insists that he no longer has far-Right views Ann Mallaburn wrote that Rhianan was aligned with a number of groups, not just Atomwaffen Division, but also Order of Nine Angles, among others, which I understand to be a strange, quasi-Christian/Muslim/Pagan neo-Nazi organisation. She maintains that Rhianan was courted by what I can only call a melting pot of neo-Nazi sympathisers. She added: If I for one second believed Dax had those same leanings as Rhianan, I would not be with him today. It is my opinion that Rhianan was failed by Social Services on multiple occasions, right back to [when she lived in] Essex. By the autumn of 2020, Rhianans behaviour was becoming increasingly erratic. Her school in Derbyshire also reported her to Prevent after being made aware of disturbing WhatsApp messages she had shared. One fellow student who saw the messages told teachers: It was getting to the point where she wanted to kill someone at school and blow up a Jewish place of worship. Then, in October 2020, she carved a swastika into her forehead, which led to her being admitted to Chesterfield hospital. She subsequently told a social worker she wished she had done it bigger to make more of a statement. (Later in the childrens home Rhianan would try to scratch the swastika out.) Derbyshire County Council opened a child protection inquiry while police, working alongside MI5, decided to arrest her, alarmed that she now posed a risk to national security. On October 21 2020, counter-terrorism police raided Rhianans home and arrested her. Two detectives and 19 uniformed officers descended on the property. Rhianan was so delicately built, the handcuffs didnt go small enough, as her mother recalled, and just fell off her hands. It must have been a pitiful sight. They just held her arms and just walked around. Thats how small she was, she said. Rhianans bedroom, they discovered, had become a shrine dedicated to Hitler. The arrest forced Prevent to cease its de-radicalisation work with her. There was no turning back. Rhianan was finally charged in April 2021 with six separate terrorism offences, including the possession of instructions to make a bomb and another on how to 3D-print a gun. Her mother recalled her little girl coming down the staris and telling her: Guess what Ive done. Ive downloaded a bomb manual. At 15, she had become the youngest female ever charged under the Terrorism Act. The decision to prosecute was hugely controversial. It is not unusual for terror suspects also to be suffering from serious mental health problems, but even inside MI5 there were concerns that entering a young, mentally unstable girl into the criminal justice system was unwise. Were seeing more and more of these cases and it doesnt sit comfortably, one intelligence officer wrote in an email which was made public at Rhianans inquest. The officer went on to state, however, that opening an investigation is sometimes the only way of understanding the threat and the necessity to investigate them in the interests of national security. A senior investigating officer in Counter Terrorism Police concluded that no exception can be made in Rhianans case. The prospect of dragging such a damaged child Rhianan had a history of self-harm through the courts was clearly problematic. But by December 2021, all charges against the girl, now aged 16, were dropped. Theresa May, when home secretary, had put in place a unit within the Home Office to identify victims of trafficking and slavery. It concluded that Rhianan, having been groomed and exploited by Cook in Ohio, had been trafficked, even though she was born in the UK and had never left Britain. But the threat of imprisonment and the stress of a full-blown counter-terrorism investigation had taken its toll. In our submission, Rhianan was subjected to an extraordinary and exceptional level of state involvement in the period leading up to her death, said Jesse Nicholls, her familys lawyer, at the inquest, adding that her known vulnerability made her unable to cope. Rhianan had a history of self-harm and took her own life in the shower at the age of 16 - Leigh Day Solicitors Not long after the charges were dropped, in January 2022, Rhianan was placed in the care of Bluebell House childrens home in Nottinghamshire. Pradeep Manaktala, who founded Blue Mountain Homes (which ran Bluebell House), says Rhianan appeared a very happy child but felt conflicted. Her mood continued to fluctuate wildly at times she suffered a recurrence of disturbing thoughts, at others she felt more hopeful and focused on her GCSE exams. Manaktala blamed her radicalisation on Mallaburn. He taught her to look at the world that way, he says, but at the same time she was being cared for and given unconditional love here by our black and Asian staff. She found it difficult to reconcile this with what she was being told by this white supremacist preacher. Rhianan at times appeared to be responding. I wish life could be normal. I just want to be myself, she wrote in her diary while in the childrens home. But her life was anything but normal to the extent that on a day trip to Alton Towers, accompanied by a support worker, she donned a German military uniform; she also celebrated Hitlers birthday on April 20 2022 by speaking in a German accent and wearing combat gear. With charges dropped, Prevent began working with her again in Bluebell House. But any intervention was perhaps too little, certainly too late, and possibly too challenging, according to her familys legal team. Nicholls, a barrister at the human rights chambers Matrix, suggested the final Prevent session may have had a causal connection to her self-inflicted death just a few days later. Rhianan scrawled a note declaring Kill the Jews that was found by care home staff; and told her mother on a home visit that she wanted to contact yet another American extremist, who had previously sent her photographs of himself in camouflage clothing and holding a gun. Despite the madness, care home staff became convinced her behaviour was showing signs of improvement. But on May 19 2022, Rhianan was found dead in her shower in the childrens home. She was dressed all in black. In the hours before taking her own life she had posted on Instagram a simple, heartbreaking message: Im delving into madness. Three years on from Rhianans death, Emily Carters pain is still evident. I miss her more than life itself. I miss her smile, her laugh and her conversations, she said in the statement read out at the start of the inquest, I will see her again one day and I know she will be the same Rhianan I have always loved and cherished. I miss her more than life itself: Rhianan Rudds mother, Emily Carter She believes her daughter was badly let down by everyone from social services to MI5 and the police. Its been devastating, she says, how everything has gone and the way it was handled. It was wrong in every aspect. Carter admits she herself made mistakes, though she does not specify what these were. But she continues to direct her anger chiefly at the agencies that she says failed her daughter. Im not perfect. Ive made mistakes, she says. And I want the organisations to put their hands up and admit theyve made mistakes and to rectify their mistakes so it doesnt happen again. And then that way everybody can be happy, except me, because Ive already lost my daughter. They need to just make sure they do changes and do changes for the better, because I dont ever want this to happen to another family. This has been devastating. Three days after Rhianans death, Ann Mallaburn posted a manga-style self-portrait by Rhianan on her Facebook page, with the message: Rest in Peace. You deserved so much more. None of it was ever your fault. Dax Mallaburn commented, seemingly without irony: She will be missed dearly and never forgotten. 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. Apr. 24Read the transcript from our April 23 edition of Talk-Line: Brandon Clark from the Shaw Local News Network discusses a controversial homeschool bill trying to be passed through the Illinois legislature, plus more from Sterling. Also discussed: A CGH Hospital union presentation at the Sterling City Council meeting Monday, a local military couple serving overseas as fighter pilots, work on a new wastewater plant for Sterling and an iconic Dixon bakery and a book written on its history. Like what you hear? Be sure to visit WIXN, part of Shaw Local Radio. We're also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) Grocers and farmers come together at the CK Newsome Center to talk about grocery trends, rising grocery store prices, how to keep Evansville fed and increasing food security. Some ideas toward those goals range from storing food long term and giving people the sources to local foods. Those key people in keeping Evansville healthy are working toward the purpose of leaving no one hungry, reducing food waste and having all residents know where their next meal is coming from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday is about connecting the areas 80+ pantries with the city commission on food security. The relationship making sure we alleviate food waste, making sure that we highlight our local farmers, making sure that we understand the trends because when prices of food go up, then that means more food insecurity goes up. And we as a commission need to know all these things, says Lisa Vaughan who serves as executive director for Feed Evansville. Nutritionists, farmers and food preparers are offering solutions toward alleviating that food waste. Were talking about saving foods. We can always can them, long-term storage, says Genevieve McGuire from First Fruits Cannery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Winstead is one of those farmers here at the summit. Shes with Local Source which connects producers with locally grown foods year round. Its also working to get more farmers into the business. Theres no food without farms, Winstead says. You can talk about food all day long, but if you dont have a farmer and a land space for that person to be growing, then this doesnt exist at all. Some of those trends in grocery businesses relating to budgets are that items like cereal, flour and potatoes are beginning to be sold in bulk. Some grocery shoppers are likely to buy seeds and plant instead of buying fully grown produce. Its all ideas discussed which the commission hopes to implement in its strategic plan to Mayor Stephanie Terry and the city council. More from Ben Walls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Trial may be delayed for a man indicted for murder, accused of selling counterfeit Percocet pills laced with fentanyl that killed a 20-year-old Wichita Falls woman. Thats after todays hearing in the 78th district court for a possible change of venue. In late August 2022, when Jakob Joel Blankenship was 19 years old, he was arrested for the death of 20-year-old Zoe Brewer in April of that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the hearing on Thursday, April 24, in the 78th District Court, Blankenships defense informed Judge Meredith Kennedy that not all witnesses had shown up for the hearing. Those from television stations in Wichita Falls that were subpoenaed were there. But other witnesses who were not subpoenaed were not. Judge Kennedy did not allow the defense to question members of the media today about the extent of past coverage and then ask on another date the witnesses who did not show. She said the hearing would need to be rescheduled, and because it was too close to the expected start of Blankenships trial, the trial date would also need to be pushed back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updates will be made on air and online once a new date for a change of venue hearing is chosen by Judge Kennedy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAYS, Kan. (KSNW) A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper is being recognized for his actions during a catastrophic 71-vehicle pileup in western Kansas. On March 14, blowing dust caused by high winds along Interstate 70 in Sherman County caused near-zero visibility, leading to a series of crashes involving 71 vehicles. At least 29 of those were semis and other large commercial vehicles. KHP says despite the challenges of that day, Captain Travis Phillips quickly responded to the crash, assisting with traffic control, transporting stranded motorists to area hotels, and checking on the welfare of KHP personnel directly involved. Captain Phillips actions on March 14 and in the days that followed exemplified the highest standards of service and significantly contributed to the success of our mission. His performance during this incident is truly commendable and worthy of recognition. Kansas Highway Patrol KHP Cpt. Travis Phillips (L) receives the Commanders Commendation Award for his actions during the March 71-car pileup in Sherman Co. (Courtesy KHP) Captain Phillips was presented this week with the Commanders Commendation Award. A Nebraska native, Captain Phillips is a graduate of Ellis High School and attended Barton County Community College and Fort Hays State University for his criminal justice degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He joined the Hays Police Department in 1991 as a patrol officer. Three years later, he became a Kansas State Trooper. Closures, reduced services at some Kansas lakes Phillips was promoted to Captain in 2019. 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. JACKSON, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio State Highway Patrol located a vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run on Tuesday night in Jackson County that left a 2-year-old injured. Troopers said someone was driving a red Dodge Dakota on State Route 93 at about 8 p.m. when they hit the 2-year-old boy in the roadway in front of a home. Five potential legal changes included in the Ohio budget passed by the House The driver pulled over, but as the boys father was providing aid to the child, the driver left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers did not say if the driver of the vehicle has been identified or located. Anyone with information is asked to call 740-286-4141. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Trotwood Fire Department is hosting an event to place a spotlight on child safety. According to a press release, the department will bring their Child Car Seat Safety Check event to station 72 on 5469 Little Richmond Road. The free event will take place on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Certified technicians will ensure that car seats are safely and correctly installed. The event will also feature best practices and tips on safe sleep practices and infant safety tips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This event reflects our continued dedication to protecting Trotwoods youngest residentsand those of our surrounding communitiesthrough awareness, education, and prevention, the department said in the release. Those in attendance are encouraged to allow technicians 45 minutes between car seats. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Driftwood Capital closed a $1.2 billion portfolio consolidation encompassing 18 Hilton, Marriott International and Margaritaville-branded hotels across 10 states, the company announced in a release obtained by Hotel Dive. The 4,203-key portfolio represents some of Driftwoods most strategically located and well-performing assets, backed by $370 million worth of renovations or new construction in recent years, according to the company. The portfolio boasts strong market fundamentals, Driftwood detailed, positioning it for durable performance despite ongoing market volatility, per CEO Carlos Rodriguez Sr. Dive Insight: Driftwood intentionally assembled this portfolio because it reflects strength in markets, performance and long-term fundamentals, Rodriguez Sr. said in a statement. Comprising some of the firms highest quality assets we own and operate, he added, the portfolio will hedge against current market volatility. The portfolio spans high-growth markets in California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Utah, New York and elsewhere, with properties including the 520-key Margaritaville Lake Resort at Missouris Lake of the Ozarks and the 150-key Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach Downtown in Florida. The transaction will drive significant and long-term upside for Miami-based Driftwood, according to President and COO Carlos Rodriguez Jr. We see this portfolio as a blueprint for how we intend to invest and operate in the next cycle, Carlos Rodriguez Jr. said in a statement. It reflects our focus on building high-quality, strategically located hotel portfolios just like we did with our recent Space Coast Fund, which represented over $800 million in assets. In September, Driftwood closed its Florida Space Coast portfolio fund, which is expected to generate more than 20% internal rate of return for the company, Hotel Investment Today previously reported. These two transactions executed within months of each other represent over $2 billion in recapitalizations of assets made to improve the returns of our investors, Carlos Rodriguez Jr. said in Tuesday's release. Carlos Rodriguez Sr., meanwhile, said the portfolio creates a uniquely cohesive investment opportunity for our partners. Industrywide, hotel investment is slated to ramp up this year, hospitality professionals previously told Hotel Dive. (KRON) A truck driver was found guilty by a Contra Costa County jury this week of murdering a transgender woman in Concord. Jurors convicted James William Grimsley of second-degree murder for the death of Terrie Ladwig. Ladwig, 28, was slain inside her apartment on Dec. 2, 1994. She was beaten and strangled with an electrical cord on her bed, the Contra Costa Times reported. Her husband, a U.S. Navy sailor, reportedly found Ladwigs body. Terrie Ladwig (KRON4 Photo) The case went cold until 2023, when 57-year-old Grimsley was identified through DNA evidence. Police found him living in Utah and working as a truck driver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MMA star Cain Velasquez transferred to Soledad prison His trial began in March and ended with a guilty verdict Wednesday. Grimsley is now facing a prison sentence of 15 years to life. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Trolling or actual issue? For just $50, you can own a "Trump 2028" hat, courtesy of the Trump Organization's online store. "The future looks bright!" reads the product description. "Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat." President Donald Trump (born in 1946, and getting up there in the years) being elected to a third term in 2028 would be a violation of the 22nd Amendment. "A lot of people would like me to do that," Trump told NBC earlier this year. "But, I mean, I basically tell them, we have a long way to go, you know, it's very early in the administration." Steve Bannon has also planted seeds along the same lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin Delano Roosevelt had these aspirations too, prior to the 22nd Amendment's passage in 1951, yet his fourth term ended with his death in April 1945, just three months into it. Given that we're still recovering from FDR's 12 years of government and executive power expansion, and given that it would be a huge violation of the Constitution, I don't think Trump seeking another term would be appropriate at all. But is there harm in joking about it? Team Trump loves both their trolling and retaining some plausible deniability via jokes. Putting a Trump hotel up in the Gaza Strip: joke or real idea for a peace process? Building five more Terrorism Confinement Centers (CECOT) and sending "homegrown" criminals off to Uncle Nayib Bukele in El Salvador: friendly chit-chat or legitimate concept? Third term hat: fashion statement or an idea they're working to seed? Your mileage may vary, but I don't love this joke, personally. ACLU tries to get Venezuelan deportees back to U.S. soil: Early today, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)an organization with great roots that has, in recent years, strayed awfully far from its missionfiled a new version of the lawsuit they brought against the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) on March 15. This lawsuit, instead of trying to make it so groups of Venezuelans cannot be deported under the AEA, seeks to bring back the roughly 140 Venezuelan nationals who were already deported to El Salvador last month under the act. The ACLU won its earlier suit, with Judge James E. Boasberg rebuking the administration, ordering it to stop using the AEA to send planes of Venezuelans to El Salvador, and to turn around flights that were already in the air (an order the administration claimed it could not comply with). The Boasberg-Trump showdown is ongoing, but the new ACLU suit seeks to essentially undo the initial act by the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times describes both the procedural question at play"whether the Trump administration has provided migrants whom officials have asserted are subject to removal under the law with sufficient time and opportunity to challenge their deportations in court"and the substantive one"whether the White House should be allowed to use the act at all against the Venezuelan migrants." Does the in-migration of Venezuelans actually constitute an invasion by a hostile nation? Because that's what the AEA is meant to be used for, and this sure looks like a stretched use of that act. Scenes from New York: Yesterday, the Department of Transportation (DOT) said it had axed several of the federal attorneys tasked with defending it in a lawsuit over New York City's congestion pricing program, saying they harmed the DOT's case. "There is considerable litigation risk in defending [Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's] February 19, 2025 decision [to attempt to revoke congestion pricing authorization] against [the Metropolitan Transit Authority's] claimsthat the decision was contrary to law, pretextual, procedurally arbitrary and capricious, and violated due process," wrote three of the assistant U.S. Attorneys tasked withdefending Duffy's case in a private memo that they accidentally filed in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday. "It is unlikely that Judge [Lewis] Liman or further courts of review will accept the argument that [congestion pricing] was not a statutorily authorized 'value pricing' pilot under [the relevant law]," the memo continues. "The 11-page letter instead suggested that the department could build a stronger case if it sought to terminate the federal government's approval of the tolling program 'as a matter of changed agency priorities,' rather than stick with the previous tactic of questioning the legality of the toll," notes The New York Times. QUICK HITS On the use of the word "terrorist," the parallels between this era and the war on terror, and how alarmed we should really be: One of my favorite things about Glenn Greenwald is that he's not afflicted by Trump derangement syndrome (TDS); he's a straight shooter with real principles and a thorough understanding of the law. He defends the civil liberties of the most vile and the most sympathetic alike. The full episode is worth your time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Donald Trump signed a memorandum Thursday targeting ActBlue, the Democratic Party's main fundraising platformtaking aim at one of the key pillars of the financial infrastructure for Democratic candidates," reports CNN. "A fact sheet about the memo said it directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch an investigation into online fundraising platforms with the goal of cracking down on illegal 'straw donors'or those who make donations in the name of othersand foreign contributions in US elections." Yesterday, some people amusingly interpreted my criticism of a certain pundit/COVID-19 revisionist as praise, which it was decidedly not. (The take that the "liberal elite" were huge advocates for school reopening isnot at all how Ior millions of othersremember it.) My favorite thing about Matt Yglesias is where he is a millionaire pundit who confidently & smugly tries to rewrite history and then he gets completely pwned by my favorite internet rando pic.twitter.com/PlUYQfQG9t PoIiMath (@politicalmath) April 24, 2025 Good forecasting of what might happen once we fully feel the effect of tariffs, and a great explanation of how the lags in the global supply chain work: The White House has put itself and the country in a bad situation but doesn't realize it yet. Around April 10th China to USA trade shut down. It takes ~30 days for containers to go from China to LA. 45 to Houston by sea, 45 to Chicago by train. 55 to New York by sea. That pic.twitter.com/8vnGDMWCpt molson ???? (@Molson_Hart) April 24, 2025 "The idea that the internet carries a scythe is familiarthink of Blockbuster Video, the pay phone and other early victims of the digital transition," writes Ross Douthat, our Just Asking Questions guest for next week. "But the scale of the potential extinction still isn't adequately appreciated." Yes: WSJ is exactly right: using the IRS to target nonprofits because of their views or speech will very quickly come back to haunt the people cheering it on today pic.twitter.com/jC9wFBp9Dr Carolyn Iodice (@CarolynIodice) April 23, 2025 The post Trump 2028 appeared first on Reason.com. April 25 (UPI) -- The Trump administration told a court Thursday that it did not have a warrant when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, but argued it did not need one as agents judged the U.S. permanent legal resident to be a flight risk. In a filing, the government stated that generally a warrant of arrest must be obtained, but that officers had "exigent circumstances to conduct the warrantless arrest" of Khalil. The government lawyers said Khalil was not carrying his alien registration receipt card as required, "refused to cooperate with the agents" and had "verbally informed the agents that he was going to leave the scene." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Given the agents' interaction with the respondent and the information received regarding removability ... the agents had reason to believe that the respondent was likely to escape before a warrant could be obtained," the lawyers said in the filing. "Thus, the exception to the warrant requirement applied and the agents were within lawful authority to arrest the respondent." Khalil, who is married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested on March 8, and his lawyers are fighting his deportation. The Trump administration is seeking to deport him for his activist work in support of Palestine and Palestinians amid Israel's war in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Khalil is eligible for deportation on the grounds that his "presence or activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences" for the country. The filing Thursday was in response to Khalil's motion to terminate the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil's lawyers said that the government's latest claims contradict its previous descriptions of their clients arrest and video taken by his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, while also contradicting the arrest report that states agents told him that they had an arrest warrant. According to a declaration filed last month in the case by Amy Greer, an attorney who has been representing Khalil since November, she said an arresting officer told her they had an administrative warrant. Greer was on the phone with Khalil during the arrest, which occurred at the couple's apartment. An agent told Khalil to give him the phone, and Greer said in the filing that the person identified themselves as Special Agent Elvin Hernandez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I asked why DHS was detaining Mahmoud and whether they had a warrant. Agent Hernandez said they had an administrative warrant. I asked the basis of the warrant, and he said the U.S. Department of State revoked Mahmoud's student visa," Greer said in the March 10 filing. Khalil's lawyers are arguing that detaining Khalil without a warrant should be grounds for the case against him to be dismissed. "Today, we now know why they never showed Mahmoud that warrant -- they didn't have one," Greer said in a statement Thursday. "This is clearly yet another desperate attempt by the Trump administration to justify its unlawful arrest and detention of human rights defender Mahmoud Khalil, who is now, by the government's own tacit admission, a political prisoner of the United States." CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) President Donald Trumps administration is asking the Supreme Court to allow enforcement of a ban on transgender people in the military while legal challenges proceed. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes explains how the court could rule and what comes 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 Queen City News. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) The Trump Administration approved Governor Josh Steins Housing Recovery Action Plan for western North Carolina. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved North Carolinas Action Plan for a $1.4 billion grant to help those in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. Compared to other states, North Carolina submitted its Helene Action Plan to HUD in the shortest amount of time following a major hurricane. This is great news for western North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein said. I thank the Trump Administration for moving quickly to approve this plan so we can get busy rebuilding peoples homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approving the plan was the required next step for North Carolina to receive federal funds from the CDBG-DR grant award, which was announced in January. After HUD certifies the states financial controls for the program, North Carolina can sign the grant agreement and start using these funds for housing and economic revitalization. Weve learned so much from the many people and organizations that have taken time to offer their suggestions, and Im grateful for everyones participation so far, Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Stephanie McGarrah said. We know the road to full recovery will be a long journey, but the Department of Commerce and my team are ready to get to work. The states federally approved Action Plan can be found 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. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks at an April 9 mews conference hosted by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus\. She and the lawmakers urged the immediate return of her husband from a maximum security prison in El Salvador. (Photo by Giuseppe LoPiccolo/Capital News Service) As the whole world is now aware, on March 12, 2025, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents; three days later, he was sent to El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). While the Trump administration initially stated that Mr. Garcias removal to El Salvador was an administrative error, it now alleges that Garcia was a member of MS-13 to justify his removal. Mr. Garcia was sent to El Salvador despite a 2019 court order that barred the U.S. from deporting him to that country, based on a finding that he would be persecuted if returned there. He was sent to El Salvador without receiving any form of due process prior to his removal. And he was sent to El Salvador despite his wife Jennifer Vasquez Suras pleas that he be returned to her and their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now reports have emerged that in 2021, Ms. Sura filed for a protective order against Mr. Garcia. A protective order is a civil remedy that enables a court to order that a person not assault, threaten, harass, or otherwise abuse the person who has requested the order, with whom that person generally has a familial or intimate relationship. The protective order can also put into place a number of other conditions designed to foster safety for a person who has been abused by an intimate partner or family member, including requirements that a person have no contact with and stay away from anothers home, school, or workplace. In Maryland, the issuance of a final order of protection requires either that the person alleged to have done harm agrees to the order or that a judge finds by a preponderance of the evidence that abuse has occurred. Your opinion matters Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@marylandmatters.org. We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. What Ms. Sura received, however, was a temporary protective order. Temporary orders are emergency measures put into place to provide safety until such time as a final hearing can be held. Temporary protective orders require less proof than final protective. A court must find that there are reasonable grounds to believe that abuse has occurred. That order can be issued based on the testimony of the person who has been harmed and any supporting evidence they might have. Temporary orders are ex parte ordersonly one side appears at the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has never been a final contested hearing on the allegations raised by Ms. Sura because Ms. Sura like many people subjected to abuse chose not to pursue the final order. Ms. Sura has subsequently said that she and Mr. Garcia were able to address their issues through counseling and that their marriage grew stronger as a result. The Trump administration has used Ms. Suras protective order filing to undermine her claim that Mr. Garcia is a good man, a loving father. The protective order case has become a smoke screen to deflect attention from the administrations blatantly illegal actions. The administrations actions will almost certainly dissuade people from seeking protective orders. Immigrant victims of violence are already reluctant to seek protective orders for fear of the impact on their partners and their families. Knowing that your partner could disappear into a prison that has been described as a gulag, a prison that is well known for torture and inhumane conditions, will prevent people from asking for protection that they may desperately need. A temporary protective order is not grounds for deportation. Even a final protective order, entered after a contested hearing and a judges ruling that abuse has occurred, is not grounds for deportation. Nothing about Ms. Suras request for assistance from the court justifies the administrations actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intimate partner violence is frequently used as a justification for regressive carceral policies. Concerns about domestic violence have been used to justify opposition to bail reform and discovery reform in New York and sentencing reform in Maryland and Oklahoma. The anti-domestic violence movement has recognized its contribution to the rise of mass incarceration and the disproportionate impact mass incarceration has on communities of color. Left unchallenged, Mr. Garcias removal becomes another example of how the anti-violence movement has allowed domestic violence to be co-opted in the name of punishment and persecution. The failure of the anti-violence movement to stand up for the rule of law in this case will further embolden those who use the anti-violence movement to serve their own ends. The Trump administration hopes that the domestic violence allegations against Mr. Garcia will divert us from the illegality of their actions. We should not be diverted. And the anti-violence movement should say so. It took more than 100 lawsuits and 50 restraining orders from dozens of federal judges. But after 20 days of court losses, the Trump administration capitulated, reversing a decision that threatened the legal status of thousands of foreign students in the United States. The Trump administrations abrupt move, announced by a Justice Department lawyer in court Friday, tacitly acknowledged what judges in two dozen states had been saying since early April: Terminating university students immigration records from a federal database a step which appeared to jeopardize their legal authorization to remain in the country was almost certainly illegal. And it was implemented so ham-handedly that judges felt compelled to intervene. Its just kind of sinking in for all those students that theyre now going to be OK, said Brian Green, an attorney for more than 50 students affected by the terminations. This was not decision-making. This was injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whiplash-inducing turnabout was a fresh setback for the administrations aggressive crackdown on foreign students and for President Donald Trumps broader immigration agenda, which has been mired in legal challenges. Courts have blocked or forced the administration to reverse core policies on deportations of purported gang members, refugee admissions, legal status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and other efforts to hurriedly remove immigrants from the country. Those setbacks have come at all levels of the court system and centered on the administrations alleged efforts to sidestep due process requirements enshrined in the Constitution. The mass termination of students legal records is the latest in that line of challenges. In early April, colleges and universities began notifying some foreign students studying in the country and admitted under so-called F-1 visas, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had terminated their student status, preventing them from continuing to study. Many of those students had minor brushes with the law in recent years that fell short of the legal standard to revoke a foreign students authorization to remain in the United States. One woman in Connecticut said she was targeted after a dispute over an airline workers attempt to charge her $100 for a carry-on bag. A student in Alaska claimed his record was canceled because he was once accused of boarding a bus that was out of service. Another was cited by police for driving too slowly. Some students said they had no idea why they were targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, when the Trump administration agreed to reverse the policy, it acknowledged that the terminations were the result of linking the students immigration records with a national FBI database that logs encounters with law enforcement, no matter how insignificant. The results were both bizarre and, for the students, terrifying. Students with years-old DUIs, misdemeanor gambling charges, traffic violations and other minor infractions learned their immigration status had been canceled. In some instances, the schools told the students they could face immediate deportation. And as lawsuits began to pile up, the Justice Department compounded their fear further, with government lawyers saying they couldnt verify whether those students remained in the country legally. Judges recoiled at the lack of information, ordering the administration in several individual cases to undo the damage and restore the students records to the immigration database, known as SEVIS. On Friday, the administration said it would restore the canceled records and no longer terminate students files based solely on information pulled from the FBIs criminal record system. Lawyers for the students are convinced it was the result of some kind of automated setup, perhaps driven by AI, noting that ICE is in the process of manually reinstating students records one by one, despite the mass termination that occurred in early April. Though this might have been elucidated further in court proceedings, the administrations reversal may short-circuit further inquiries. A flood of lawsuits and rankled judges Since April 5, federal courts across the country have been inundated with more than 100 lawsuits stemming from these terminations. A review of the cases by POLITICO revealed that before Fridays capitulation, courts had issued at least 54 restraining orders, with judges growing increasingly exasperated with the administrations refusal to explain the basis and effect of its moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At issue is a decision by ICE officials to mark as terminated the records of thousands of international students in a federal database that verifies their authorization to study in the United States. Students whose approvals were removed from this database say their schools blocked them from completing their studies and warned that they could be subject to deportation. And the Trump administration, in court case after court case, refused to say whether those students remain in the country legally, deepening students fears that they could be detained and deported. You're standing here today on behalf of the United States and you're telling me that you do not know whether this plaintiff is legally in the United States? How is she supposed to know the answer to that question if you don't? U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan wondered aloud at a hearing in Washington Monday. ICE officials actions appear distinct from the efforts by Trump administration officials to target foreign student activists such as Columbias Mahmoud Khalil. Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used statute to seek to deport Khalil over actions Rubio deemed contrary to American policy interests. Rather, this new wave of cases centers on students studying at U.S. colleges and universities, many in specialized fields such as engineering, mathematics or science, or participating in advanced research in some cases just weeks from graduation. These students are studying in the United States through a program that began under the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act known as the F-1 system. That system is part of a long-running effort by the U.S. government to attract and train highly skilled foreign students, many of whom ultimately remain in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before reversing course Friday, the Trump administration insisted the students were exaggerating the gravity of the situation and raising alarm over what amounted to bookkeeping decisions confined to an internal ICE database. But when pressed, Justice Department lawyers said they simply dont know because ICE wont tell them whether those students could stay in the country. I think the government has been and is playing games, Sooknanan said at a hearing Friday just before granting a restraining order in one of the student cases. Judges appointed by presidents of both parties including at least one appointed by Trump himself have nearly all sympathized with the students plight. One labeled the situation "Kafkaesque." Another said the Trump administration had offered literally nothing to suggest it had a legitimate basis to strip these students legal status. A third briefly threatened to hold the Justice Department in contempt until ICE confirmed it had restored a students status. Others were gobsmacked that the Justice Department could not provide a straight answer when asked if these students were considered at risk of deportation because of their change in status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a man trying to evade this country's laws. Hes trying to comply with them, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan told a Justice Department lawyer in Washington on Wednesday. Youre putting him in an impossible situation. And the rejections arent just coming from Washington, California and other liberal bastions. Judges have issued full or partial restraining orders in 23 states, including Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota and Georgia, where one judge shielded 133 affected students in a single lawsuit. The F-1 immigration system The students fighting to continue their studies were admitted to the United States under what is known as F-1 status. When foreign nationals want to attend American universities, their first step is to apply to their chosen schools. If the schools accept them, they send the prospective students immigration forms to present to their local U.S. consulates. Once approved by the State Department, those future students are granted an F-1 visa to present to Customs and Border Protection officials upon arrival in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those admitted under this system are permitted to stay in the United States as long as they comply with a few rules: Maintain a full-time course load at their school; refrain from employment except for jobs connected to their schooling; commit no violent felonies. After they graduate, some may choose to extend their legal stay through school-sanctioned research and employment or permanent residency through a U.S. employer. Others may choose instead to return to their home countries. To track those admitted to the U.S. under this system, the Department of Homeland Security maintains a database known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS. It was mandated by Congress in the wake of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and expanded by the Patriot Act after 9/11 to track foreign students. The administrations response to legal challenges The administration has downplayed ICEs actions, claiming theyre minor bookkeeping adjustments that dont, at least immediately, impact students immigration status. Justice Department lawyers say those edits to an internal database arent subject to these broad legal challenges. Instead, they say, the students could only seek relief under the Privacy Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That leads to what some judges have described as a catch-22. The Privacy Act is only available to U.S. citizens, green card holders and citizens of the UK and European Union. For most of the students caught up in the current wave of terminations, it offers no legal recourse. DOJ lawyers also say students can use a procedure to request reinstatement of their SEVIS record, but immigration attorneys say that requires the students to acknowledge that their status was lawfully terminated. The rules also bluntly declare: If the Service does not reinstate the student, the student may not appeal that decision. Lawyers for the students say the administrations effort to trivialize the SEVIS terminations ignores how it has played out in reality: Students are being held out of classes, are already in jeopardy of losing career opportunities and being warned that they are accumulating days of unlawful presence in the United States, which could fuel deportation efforts or hamper their ability to seek other legal immigration statuses in the future. Who is being targeted? Elika Shams, an Iranian citizen, is a student at the University of Connecticut in her second year of a biomedical engineering PhD program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On December 31, 2024, Elika was rushing to meet a connecting flight when Frontier Airlines staff refused to let her board unless she paid $100 for a carry-on bag. When she questioned this, Frontier staff shut the gateway door. Elika attempted to open the door to explain she would pay, resulting in a warning from TSA, according to a lawsuit she filed. Shams had to stop working part-time on campus after the SEVIS termination. UConn also told her on April 15 that she could no longer attend classes or perform research a move that appeared to put her at risk of deportation, the lawsuit says. Jean Kashikov, a native of Kazakhstan living in former Gov. Sarah Palins hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage last December with degrees in math and professional piloting. He was working as a flight instructor under the Optional Practical Training work-permit program for students and recent graduates when he got an email from the university on April 10. I am terribly sorry to inform you that this morning, your record was marked as terminated indicating that the U.S. government believes you have violated your status, the school wrote. Please note that all employment authorization, including OPT, ends immediately when you fall out of valid status, and that unauthorized employment will make you ineligible for immigration reinstatement, so please cease any employment immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kashikov was given no specific reason for the suspension, but a lawsuit he filed suggests it may be linked to an episode in 2022 in Arizona where he was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing a highway and criminal trespass based on what his lawsuit calls an attempt to board a city bus that the driver alleged was out of service. The charges were eventually dismissed, court records show. The judges siding with the administration A handful of judges have sided with the administration in the early rounds of litigation. Some rejected restraining orders on technical grounds, noting that the Trump administration needed more time to respond to the students claims. Just one judge issued a detailed ruling aligning with the administration. U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy, a George W. Bush appointee based in Michigan, said the student plaintiffs had not convinced him they would be permanently harmed by the SEVIS terminations. The Justice Department has been quick to share his opinion with other courts across the country. Murphy said the lack of clarity about whether students are deportable works in the administrations favor. He said the students failed to fully explain whether they could legally remain in the country, despite the SEVIS termination and whether they were attempting to seek reinstatement. Murphy also said it was conceivable that schools could allow students to continue taking classes though in numerous cases, students indicated their schools said they were no longer eligible. To be sure, some Plaintiffs have future plans that might be impeded, Murphy wrote. But those harms are sufficiently distant to counsel against immediate relief. In most cases, when pressed by judges, Justice Department lawyers have been unable to say whether a student with a terminated SEVIS record is legally allowed to remain in the country and continue their schooling even if theyre weeks from graduation. In recent days, the Justice Department lawyer who has handled a significant share of the F-1 student cases told multiple judges that he has been asking ICE for clarity but has not received a response. Hes either here legally or hes not here legally, an exasperated U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said at a hearing in Washington last week. There is a yes or no answer here. This is not Schrodingers visa, either hes here legally or hes not here legally. Trump administration officials have discussed allowing some Afghan refugees to remain in the United States, days after a group of potentially vulnerable migrants from the war-torn country received emails from Customs and Border Protection revoking their humanitarian parole status, according to two administration officials familiar with the conversations. The policy discussions come as prominent Christian leaders and nonprofit organizations have pressed the White House to protect what they say is a group of hundreds of at-risk Christian Afghan refugees still a fraction of the thousands potentially facing deportation in the months ahead. The leaders argued they could face persecution if returned to Afghanistan, which has reverted to Taliban control after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 agreed to by President Donald Trump in his first term and executed by President Joe Biden. Allowing even a fraction of those refugees to stay would mark a rare turnabout for an administration that has focused its efforts on removing temporary legal status for refugees from around the world as part of its deportation agenda. The push is unlikely to help Muslim Afghans, including those who helped American troops and civilians, who could also face dire consequences if they return to the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration sent emails on April 11 to some Afghans who entered the United States after the Taliban takeover in 2021 and were granted temporary legal protections, revoking their parole and ordering them to leave the United States in seven days. But its unclear how many Afghans were affected by the directive and the Department of Homeland Security would not confirm how many Afghans received the notice, or whether any of the emails were sent in error. Administration officials have discussed ways the parole revocations could be modified to allow certain people to remain in the United States, according to one of the officials, granted anonymity to discuss the talks. Officials also floated an exemption list that identified people who may be most at risk if sent back to Afghanistan, the official said. It is still unclear if any specific policy change or reversal will take effect. But both of the administration officials, granted anonymity to discuss policy considerations, said a final decision has not been made on any solutions for parole recipients. But there will likely be a push from the administration to urge Christian Afghans to apply for asylum a message White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this week. If there are individuals here who came in through the Biden administration who want to claim asylum, there is a legal process to do that, and those cases will be adjudicated by a judge on a case by case basis, said Leavitt, when asked Tuesday by a reporter if Trump would consider deportation exceptions for Afghans who may face death or torture upon returning to their home country. Christian leaders lobby Trump Among the Christian leaders pushing Trump on the issue was Franklin Graham, an evangelical megastar and part-time personal pastor to the president. Graham met with the president and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem last week, according to one of the officials and another person familiar with the meetings, granted anonymity to discuss the private conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dynamic has set up a policy conundrum for the Trump administration, which rarely faces pressure from allies on its efforts to curtail immigration. Trump has moved quickly to undo Biden administration policies, targeting TPS and parole programs, which he has accused the Biden administration of abusing. But the circumstances under which the Afghan refugees entered the United States further complicate the politics for the president. Trump has long railed against Bidens handling of the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, which resulted in the U.S. rushing to evacuate 82,000 Afghans from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. The crisis has left thousands of Afghans in legal limbo, as Congress has also failed to reach agreement on a solution for the refugees to have legal permanent residency and eventually citizenship. Christian advocacy groups have also tried elevating their concern for refugees facing deportation to Trumps administration. In a memo first obtained by POLITICO addressed to Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican members of Congress, the organizations ask the administration to consider a temporary pause on the termination of parole status for Christian Afghan refugees. We recommend that the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the President issue a 90-day pause on the decision to revoke the parole status or provide Temporary Protected Status to hundreds of Afghan Christian refugees seeking asylum legally within the United States of America, the memo says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the Christian refugees mentioned in an initial draft of the memo was tortured by the Taliban in 2021 and has since rebuilt his life in the United States as he awaits asylum adjudication. He is now facing deportation, the memo says. The end of temporary legal protections Afghan refugees who fled persecution after the U.S. withdrawal were granted temporary protections under three Biden-era programs. Thousands were granted humanitarian parole at the time through a program called Operation Allies Welcome, while others entered the United States through the CBP One app, which was launched in 2023 and allowed migrants seeking asylum to make appointments at ports of entry. In addition to the thousands of Afghans granted humanitarian parole at the time, the Biden administration in 2022 also granted temporary protected status to Afghan nationals living in the United States without permanent legal status, citing armed conflict and insurgency in Afghanistan. The additional humanitarian protections were redundant for those already paroled into the United States but provided deportation relief to others who were not evacuated. The Trump administration also ended these protections earlier this month. It remains unclear which Afghans have lost parole, and immigration advocates with Afghan clients say the notification process has been chaotic and confusing. An April 3 email from Customs and Border Protection was sent to some Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in error, the administration has confirmed in a court filing . But other Afghans received an April 11 notice which mirrored the notices sent by mistake revoking their temporary parole and giving them seven days to leave the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even for Afghans whose parole hasnt been terminated, their legal protections will begin to expire in the months ahead, starting in July and through October, said Shawn VanDiver, president and CEO of the nonprofit AfghanEvac. Afghans who helped the U.S government during the war in Afghanistan have been able to settle in the U.S. over the years through the Special Immigrant Visa program, but the program is limited, and a number of Afghans are still in the process of obtaining more permanent status. The temporary protections provided more time, but now immigration groups are growing increasingly concerned about Afghans being forced to return under Taliban rule especially those who worked with the U.S. or other western nations and fear retribution. Many of these Afghans are Muslim, and would not be covered by any efforts by the Trump administration to protect Christian Afghans. DHS did not answer multiple questions from POLITICO about the parole revocations, with DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin instead addressing Noems decision to end TPS citing the countrys improved security situation and its stabilizing economy no longer prevent Afghan nationals from returning to their home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on TPS, which an estimated 14,600 eligible Afghans will lose in May, McLaughlin added that it is designed to be temporary and that DHS records indicate that there are Afghan nationals who are TPS recipients who have been the subject of administrative investigations for fraud, public safety, and national security. Trump has moved quickly to halt temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of migrants, efforts that have been stymied by the courts. The administration also ended legal protections for migrants from several countries from Central America, as well as parole for migrants who entered the country through the Biden administrations CBP One app. Dasha Burns and Sophia Cai contributed to this report. Nathan Laine / Bloomberg / Getty Images A Tesla robot on display in Paris in October. Investors interested in what Elon Musk says is ahead for Tesla (TSLA), rather than the companys latest numbers, got some fresh information from the electric vehicle makers CEO yesterday. On Teslas conference call Tuesday, Musk offered up new timelines for developments ranging from robot production to autonomous rides. Those comments, which included a pledge to spend less time on government work, followed the release of first-quarter financial results that included a 20% year-over-year drop in auto revenue. Here's a summary of four of Musk's latest pronouncements: Autonomous rides: Musk said Tesla expects to be selling fully autonomous rides in Austin, Texas, in June, with that business expanding to other cities this year and becoming financially material in the second half of 2026. Unsupervised, self-driving, personally owned cars: That, Musk said, should be available in several U.S. cities by the end of 2025, with the goal being Can you go to sleep in your car and wake up at your destination? (Musk also said some new Model Y vehicles could deliver themselves to their buyers sometime this year.) Lower-priced Teslas: The company plans to release more affordable Tesla models this year, Musk said. Optimus robots: Musk said he expects thousands of Optimus robots working in Tesla factories by the end of 2025. He said he feels confident that the company will be producing 1 million of the robots a year by 2030. We must execute well, Musk said on the call, a transcript of which was provided by AlphaSense. But if we do execute well, I think Tesla will be the most valuable company in the world by far. Read the original article on Investopedia At each stage in the political and legal fight over Kilmar Abrego Garcias wrongful deportation, the Trump administration has pushed back harder and dug in deeper. The administration first called Abrego Garcias deportation an administrative error, then a clerical error. The words trivialized the decision to send a man to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador without legal proceedings and in direct violation of a judges protective order. Officials insisted that the mistake could not be undone, disregarding a Supreme Court ruling instructing the administration to facilitate his return. Now the president and his advisers maintain, almost daily, that Abrego Garcia will never touch American soil again. [Read: An administrative error sends a Maryland father to a Salvadoran prison] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes NOT coming back, the White House has declared on social media, while repeatedly calling Abrego Garcia a dangerous criminal and a terrorist. But in the days after the administration first discovered its mistake, instead of trying to foreclose Abrego Garcias return, officials looked for ways to bring him home. They puzzled over the fragmentary evidence tying him to gang membership. And they worried about his safety in a prison where he could be targeted for attack. A lawsuit filed by Abrego Garcias family sparked urgent conversations among attorneys at the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security who were involved in formulating the governments response. Their discussionwhich has not been previously reportedreflected serious concerns, at odds with the administrations later statements, according to two people familiar with the conversations, as well as notes and memos I reviewed. Both people spoke with me on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter of ongoing litigation. These conversations show that U.S. officials initially sought to resolve Abrego Garcias case quietly and ensure his safety through the conventional diplomatic channels theyve used in other cases involving a mistaken deportation. This time, though, their efforts were abruptly halted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late last month, three days after Abrego Garcias family filed its lawsuit over his deportation, government attorneys began discussing how to undo the mistake and bring him back. In their conversations, officials went so far as to float the idea of having the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador make a personal appeal to the countrys president for Abrego Garcias return. But first, the State Departments legal team wanted more information from DHS about his alleged role in the MS-13 gang. The thin evidence supplied in response was met with skepticism from the State Department lawyers. Abrego Garcia, who came to the United States illegally when he was 16 years old, was one of 23 Salvadorans deported on March 15. But his name had not appeared on an internal list of 10 gang members sought by President Nayib Bukele. Attorneys at DHS had other concerns. They were aware that, six years ago, a judge had granted Abrego Garcia protected status over fears that he could be targeted for violence should he be returned to El Salvador. That protection was still in effect and had been violated by the March 15 deportation. They wanted to know if U.S. diplomats could ask the Salvadoran government to keep him separated from Barrio 18 gang members who had threatened him in the past and might harm him. But as criticism of the administration over its mishandling of the case spread, White House officials took over the response and began striking a far more strident tone in their public statements. They swiftly turned an admission of bureaucratic error into a political opportunitya chance to flex executive authority and test the judicial branchs ability to restrain presidential power. Abrego Garcias deportation became far more than just the case of one man; it developed into a measure of whether Donald Trumps administration can send peoplecitizens or notto foreign prisons without due process. All the while, Abrego Garcia has remained in detention in El Salvador, unable to communicate with his lawyers or his family. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that there was an initial effort to return Abrego Garcia. The Administration has always maintained the position that Abrego Garcia was the man we rightfully intended to deport because he is an illegal immigrant and MS-13 gang Member, she said in a written response to questions, adding that the administration is complying with court orders in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Trump administration resists the pressure to change course, legal proceedings continue. A conservative appellate-court judge issued a blistering opinion rejecting the governments claims last week, and on Tuesday, the Justice Department said for the first time that U.S. officials had engaged in diplomatic negotiations over Abrego Garcias status. Abrego Garcias lawyers agreed Wednesday to a one-week pause on the case during closed proceedings whose records are under seal. [Stephen I. Vladeck: What the courts can still do to constrain Trump] Abrego Garcia, 29, was raising three children with his U.S.-citizen wife and working in construction during his time in the United States. While the administration has depicted him in public statements as a dangerous criminal, judges overseeing the case have chastised the government for not backing their claims with evidence in court. The government asserts that Abrego Garcia is a terrorist and a member of MS-13, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, a member of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and a Ronald Reagan appointee, wrote last week. Perhaps, but perhaps not. Regardless, he is still entitled to due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some U.S. officials doubted Abrego Garcias alleged gang ties from the beginning. In their discussions, State Department officials repeatedly asked DHS and ICE to explain how Abrego Garcia had been identified as an MS-13 member; his possible affiliation with the gang would be a factor in Bukeles willingness to consider releasing him should the ambassador make a pitch, the officials pointed out. (When Bukele appeared with Trump in the White House on April 14, Bukele called the notion that he would return Abrego Garcia to the United States preposterous.) Abrego Garcias record had traffic violations but no criminal charges or convictions. Yet ICE officials told the State Departmentfalselythat he had faced criminal charges. They pointed to records showing that Abrego Garcia had been suspected of human or labor trafficking after a traffic stop in Tennessee in 2022. State police had referred the incident to federal authorities because Abrego Garcia had been driving a van with eight passengers from Texas to Maryland. Abrego Garcia had told officers that he was driving the group to a construction job and that the vehicle belonged to his boss. He was cited for driving with an expired license but not charged with human trafficking or any other crime. ICE said that Abrego Garcia was a member of an MS-13 group called the Western Clique, citing a 2019 report by a gang investigator in Prince Georges County, Maryland. The investigator who filed the report was suspended soon after and charged with misconduct in an unrelated sex-worker case. The document has not been treated as credible by the federal judge overseeing the lawsuit. The Western Clique operates in New York State; Abrego Garcia has never lived there. An ICE official who provided sworn testimony for a government court filing, Robert Cerna, explained the nature of the error that had mistakenly sent Abrego Garcia back to El Salvador. Abrego Garcias protected status had not appeared on the flight manifest for the deportations. Cerna said that Abrego Garcia had been listed as an alternatenot one of the original passengersand moved up the list because other detainees had been taken off the manifest. Under oath, Cerna referred to Abrego Garcias purported membership in MS-13, but he did not describe him as a confirmed gang member, gang leader, or terrorist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, a U.S. immigration judge granted Abrego Garcia withholding of removal, a protected status that prohibited his deportation to El Salvador. The judge found that, should he return, he would likely be targeted by Barrio 18. Abrego Garcia had arrived in the United States in 2011 to join his older brother, and said that hed fled the Barrio 18 gang that was extorting his mothers business. As DHS attorneys scrambled to respond to the lawsuit late last month, they wanted to minimize the governments liability by seeking to have Abrego Garcia kept away from the gang. But by Monday, March 31, a week after his family filed suit, the Trump administrations position had begun to harden. In its court filing, the Justice Department acknowledged that Abrego Garcia had been deported as the result of an administrative error but said that the government would not take steps to bring him back, arguing that the federal court could not tell the White House how to conduct foreign affairs. One of the Justice Department lawyers who wrote the brief that acknowledged the Trump administrations error was subsequently fired for, in the words of Attorney General Pam Bondi, not vigorously defending Trump. Leavitt told reporters that Abrego Garcia was a leader of MS-13 who had engaged in human trafficking. Only a few days earlier, government attorneys had discussed how to keep Abrego Garcia safe until they could bring him back. Now the White House was denouncing him as a terrorist, saying that he would never return. As criticism of that stance spread, and federal courts sided against the administration, Vice President J. D. Vance, the Trump adviser Stephen Miller, Bondi, and other top Cabinet officials went on the attack. The White House went from calling Abrego Garcias deportation a clerical error to insisting that no mistake had been made at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller, in particular, was determined to use the designation of MS-13 and other criminal groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations to supercharge deportations and bypass standard due-process protections. The White Houses evolving position fit the pattern of Trumps second term, in which his administration has responded to mistakes by shrugging them off and refusing to take corrective action. Miller took charge of the White Houses messaging, castigating reporters who asked about the case. He also cheered on the administrations escalating standoff with the judicial branch. After the Supreme Court directed U.S. officials on April 10 to facilitate Abrego Garcias return from El Salvador, Miller publicly claimed the opposite: that the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the White House because the Court had acknowledged the presidents prerogative in managing foreign affairs. (Miller did not respond to a request for comment.) [Read: Stephen Miller has a plan] Abrego Garcia was initially sent to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT)a mega-prison from which, the Salvadoran government boasts, no one has ever been released back into societyas part of three planeloads of Venezuelan and Salvadoran detainees. He was transferred out of the facility earlier this month, according to Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who was allowed to meet with Abrego Garcia last week at a hotel in San Salvador. Attorneys for the U.S. government said the Bukele administration has told them that Abrego Garcia is being held at a lower-security facility in good conditions and in an excellent state of health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With respect to any other communications, disclosing any diplomatic discussions regarding Mr. Abrego Garcia could negatively impact any outcome, the Justice Department said on Monday in a court filing. Attorneys for Abrego Garcia say the Trump administration has the ability to ask for his return because Washington is paying El Salvador at least $6 million each year to imprison detainees sent by the United States. (Van Hollen said he was told that the amount is $15 million.) Now that hes been confirmed healthy, Bukele wrote on social media last week, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvadors custody. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Abrego Garcias wife, recently told The Washington Post that she had moved with the couples three children to a safe house after DHS posted online a 2021 court document with the familys address. Her attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, declined on Wednesday to discuss the agreement with the government, citing the court seal. We remain focused on bringing Kilmar Abrego Garcia home, he told me in a text message. We will not rest until hes brought home. *Illustration sources: Alex Wong / Getty; Marvin Recinos / Getty; Win McNamee / Getty; courtesy of the Abrego Garcia family / Reuters. This article originally misidentified Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III as the chief judge of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Wilkinson is a former chief judge and a current member of the court. Article originally published at The Atlantic The Trump administration had no arrest warrant for former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil when he was detained, court documents on Thursday showed. In the documents, the government said the federal officials had exigent circumstances to conduct the warrantless arrest against Khalil and that the former lead negotiator for the pro-Palestinian arrest at Columbia was a flight risk. The agents had reason to believe that the respondent was likely to escape before a warrant could be obtained, the federal government said in the court filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video footage of the arrest from Khalils wife shows him peacefully leaving with the officers, saying, Im coming with you. In DHS [Department of Homeland Securitys] filing in immigration court this week, we learned for the first time that the DHS agents who arrested Mahmoud lied to him: they wrote in their arrest report that the agents told him that they had an arrest warrant, but DHS has now admitted in their filing that that was a lie and that there was no warrant at all at the time of the arrest, said Marc Van Der Hout, one of Khalils lawyers. The Hill has reached out to the State Department for comment. Khalils lawyers are fighting in federal court for Khalil to receive bail and a preliminary injunction to bring him back to New Jersey from Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fight is taking place after an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled the proceedings against Khalil could continue under the governments argument the secretary of State has the right to order the deportation of noncitizens if they pose a threat to the foreign policy of the United States. The government has also argued Khalil did not disclose on his permanent residency application previous employers such as his position at the Syria office in the British Embassy in Beirut. ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] has admitted it detained Mahmoud illegally and without a warrant to justify it, they are now flat out lying with an absurd claim that he tried to flee. At every step of the way, the Trump administration has flouted the law, said Samah Sisay, staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) The Trump administration launched an investigation into the University of California, Berkeley, on Friday centered on foreign funding, making it the latest university to be targeted by the federal government. The investigation revives criticism from several years ago about the universitys partnership with Chinas Tsinghua University. It comes after President Donald Trump earlier this week signed a series of executive orders focused on universities that he views as liberal adversaries to his political agenda. One order called for harder enforcement of Section 117, a federal law requiring colleges to disclose foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Education's Office of General Counsel will investigate "UC Berkeleys apparent failure to fully and accurately disclose significant funding received from foreign sources, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. UC Berkeley denied the governments claims, saying that for the last two years UC Berkeley has been cooperating with federal inquiries regarding 117 reporting issues, and will continue to do so. The department cited media reports from 2023 about UC Berkeley failing to disclose hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from a foreign government" but didn't mention the country. On May 2023, the Daily Beast reported that UC Berkeley failed to report it got $220 million from the Chinese government to build a joint Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, which the University of California, Berkeley, and Chinas Tsinghua University opened in 2014 in the city of Shenzhen to focus on strategic emerging industries, according to the institutes website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, a report by the Republican members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party found that U.S. tax dollars have contributed to Chinas technological advancement and military modernization when American researchers worked with their Chinese peers in areas such as hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, nuclear technology and semiconductor technology. In response to the report, UC Berkeley said Berkeleys researchers engage only in research whose results are always openly disseminated around the world and the school was not aware of any research by Berkeley faculty at TBSI conducted for any other purpose." The university also said then it would unwind its partnership. The university said Friday it's no longer affiliated with TBSI. Last week, the Department of Education demanded records from Harvard over foreign financial ties spanning the past decade, accusing the school of filing incomplete and inaccurate disclosures. Trumps administration is sparring with Harvard over the universitys refusal to accept a list of demands over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests as well as its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. SPRINGFIELD A $1 million federal grant funding efforts to decrease asthma in Western Massachusetts has been terminated, Governor Maura Healeys office announced on Friday. The grant from the Environmental Protection Agency went to the state Department of Public Health, which was working with Springfield-based Revitalize Community Development Corporation. About $900,000 was left to be spent, Healeys office said, and it was intended to go towards improving ventilation and removing mold in homes in Chicopee, Holyoke and Springfield. Its devastating, said Colleen Shanley-Loveless, president and CEO of Revitalize Community Development Corporation, which got some of that grant funding to support a program that remediates peoples homes to address asthma risks and triggers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield ranked fourth in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americas Asthma Capitals 2024 list, which takes into account asthma prevalence and emergency room visits and fatalities. The city was ranked number one on the list in 2019. The need is overwhelming, Shanley-Loveless said. Its very frustrating and its very devastating for the people were trying to work with. A spokesperson for Healeys office said the EPA told the state that the grant was being terminated on the grounds that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities. The objectives of the award are no longer consistent with EPA funding priorities. When asked for comment, an EPA spokesperson said in a statement: Maybe the Biden-Harris Administration shouldnt have forced their radical agenda of wasteful DEI programs and preferencing on the EPAs core mission of protecting human health and the environment. Partisan actors can spin this grant cancellation in any which way they choose, this is an environmental and climate justice grant, not about asthma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revitalize Community Development Corporation was subcontracted by the state to work on a three-year program that had already started and expanded the in-home remediation work it does, Shanley-Loveless said. Under the grant, the group sent specialists into homes to assess how they can be remediated to be healthier. They coordinate with contractors on tasks like mold remediation, vent cleaning, and replacing carpets, which can accumulate dust and trigger asthma, Shanley-Loveless said. With this funding, we were able to help those that might fall through the cracks that would be in need of these services, she said. Shanley-Loveless hopes the federal government will reconsider the decision so her group can get back to doing the work we do best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision is misguided, said Dr. Robbie Goldstein, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. We have used these grants to address the root causes of asthma in communities that have been historically underserved places where too many children struggle to breathe because of preventable environmental conditions. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno all expressed their frustration the grant cancellation in statements Friday. I know firsthand, for my youngest daughter Chiara has had to deal with a serious case of asthma, Sarno said in a statement. Sarno made an appeal to President Donald Trump. Mr. President, many people who voted for and supported you and/or their family members and friends are afflicted with asthma and now you turn your back on them?! In the name of public health, I ask President Trump to review and reverse this edict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Department of Public Health submitted a formal dispute over the EPAs cancellation, according to the governors office. More Western Massachusetts News The Trump administration is restoring thousands of foreign students' records, the Department of Justice announced on Friday. In a federal court hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Carilli said foreign students will return to "active" status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, also known as SEVIS, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) develops a new termination framework. SEVIS is a database used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that supplements foreign student visas and tracks activity at universities each semester. Earlier this month, the SEVIS records of over 4,700 students were inexplicably terminated by ICE, which left many panicked and confused, believing their immigration status had been changed. Although a terminated SEVIS record doesn't automatically mean a visa has been revoked, DHS's guidance outlines penalties for termination that include being unauthorized to work on- or off-campus and unable to reenter the U.S., even though both are allowed with a valid F-1 or M-1 visa. Some chose to self-deport after receiving emails from DHS ordering students with terminated SEVIS records to leave the U.S. within seven days to avoid arrest. SEVIS records are typically only terminated after a student violates visa terms, "such as dropping below the necessary course load without approval or doing unauthorized work," according to Inside Higher Ed. However, to the surprise of students and universities, the latest terminations occurred only after students were flagged in a national database search showing interaction with law enforcement. Flagged interactions included dismissed or low-level charges, like small traffic violations, that do not warrant a visa termination. Other students say they've never been charged with a crime at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of students sued over the terminations, stating that schools wouldn't allow foreign students with terminated SEVIS records to continue taking classes or conducting research. Federal judges issued more than 50 emergency orders to block ICE from unilaterally terminating the records and ordered the Trump administration to "temporarily undo the actions," according to Politico. Reactivating foreign students' SEVIS records is a step in the right direction toward restoring due process for those who choose to come to the U.S. for education. However, the Trump administration's change in legal strategy doesn't mean its crackdown on immigrants is over. The post Trump Administration Restores Thousands of Terminated Foreign Student Visa Records appeared first on Reason.com. A statue of "Bowman" on the University of Kentucky campus honors Kentucky Wildcats. The sculpture is located near the Avenue of Champions opposite Memorial Coliseum. The Patterson Office Tower is in the background. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) Visas revoked by the Trump administration for international graduate students at the University of Kentucky and recent international graduates from the University of Louisville have been restored. University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto announced the reversal following the Trump administrations Friday decision to restore student visa registrations of foreign students that faced legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a message to campus issued Friday afternoon, Capilouto said the visas revoked for a small number of international graduate students earlier this month had been restored. On April 4, Capilouto announced the Department of Homeland Security notified UK that the department was revoking some F-1 student visas. This week, we learned that this decision has been reversed for those students and their status has been restored, Capilouto said Friday. University officials again immediately informed impacted students. Teams from across the university continue to monitor this important issue and any changes. Capilouto said UK administration will continue to update students, faculty and staff about how federal policies will affect campus online. International students and graduates at other Kentucky universities Murray State University, Campbellsville University and the University of Louisville faced similar situations over the past couple of weeks. A spokesperson for UofL said visas for three recent international graduates have been restored Friday afternoon. A MSU spokesperson said the university had no additional information to share Friday afternoon. A spokesperson for CU did not immediately return a request for comment Friday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, campus groups and local organizations rallied on MSUs campus to show support for international students there after a students visa was revoked. Inside Higher Ed tracked that as of Friday, more than 1,800 international students and graduates across the country had their legal status changed by the U.S. State Department. Meanwhile, Capilouto addressed how changing federal policies at large under President Donald Trump are impacting higher education in a report to UKs board during a Friday meeting. In addition to the revocation of visas for international students, universities across the country are facing pressure to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies or risk losing federal funding. At the state level, Kentucky public universities are weighing how to implement a recent state law that seeks to eliminate DEI in higher education. In response to that, UK and UofL canceled graduation ceremonies for students in some minority groups. Capilouto said in his report UK took that action because we believe thats what is required under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the board, Capilouto said the administration will be seeking your guidance on how we can best navigate this time over the next few months. How do we comply with the law and the directives we receive from policymakers at both the federal state and levels while, at the same time, working every day to support the people our students our staff our faculty who make our mission possible? Capilouto said in his report. The Trump administration on Friday reversed course on the revocation of visas for international students, making an abrupt if temporary 180 on a policy that left more than a thousand foreign students scrambling and civil rights experts sounding the alarm about free speech. At a hearing in the Northern District of California in Oakland, the Justice Department said visas for international students have been restored while it works up a new framework to review and cancel student visas, NBC News reported. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is developing the new policy for status record termination, said U.S. attorney Elizabeth D. Kurlan during the hearing. Until that framework is in place, foreign students visas will not be terminated based solely on the governments criminal records database, as was previously the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE, however, still has the authority to terminate international students records for other reasons, including if a student fails to maintain their nonimmigrant status after it is reactivated, or engages in unlawful activity that would render them removable from the U.S. under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Kurlan said. The administrations decision to terminate student visas for many foreign students a decision that appeared to be linked in some cases to political activism or minor infractions like DUIs was met with intense pushback in the courts. Some students said they were informed of the sudden change in status and ordered to self-deport with little notice, and colleges said they were given little to no information or reason for the revocations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in March that the government had already revoked 300 or more visas for students and other visitors, in part due to pro-Palestinian activism, and that the administration was doing it every day. The visa terminations led to a bevy of lawsuits against the administration. Dozens of judges have since ruled against the government, as least temporarily. Still, some foreign students have already left the U.S., The New York Times reported. That includes Momodou Taal, a British Gambian student at Cornell University whose visa was terminated in late March over his pro-Palestinian activism. Taal said in a statement at the time that he had lost faith that a favourable ruling from the courts would guarantee my personal safety and ability to express my beliefs. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com On Friday, the Trump administration reversed course on its termination of student visas, USA TODAY reported. The administration said it's restoring the student visa registrations of potentially thousands of foreign students in the U.S. whose legal status was abruptly terminated, setting off a scramble among students who feared being deported immediately. The Justice Department announced the decision in a filing on April 25 in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Indiana, protests have erupted around the policies, and the American Civil Liberties Union sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, saying they wrongfully terminated some students' legal status. Here's a look at what's been happening around the state. IU students rally against revoked visas for international students In Bloomington, graduate students hosted a rally April 10 after the State Department revoked an undisclosed number of visas. Theres an old union saying that, Coming for one of us is coming for us all, said David Garner, communications chair of the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition (IGWC), at the rally. Were here to demand that IU stands for our international students. Read the full story from the Herald-Times. Purdue provost declines to tell faculty how many visas revoked Purdue President Mung Chiang addressed the visa revocation at a meeting with faculty April 22, but mostly repeated a statement the university released earlier that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Purdue has been in contact with anyone who has become aware of a change in their visa status according to government databases," the news release said. "Impacted individuals are encouraged to contact the embassy of their home country and to seek outside legal assistance to address their individual situations." Read the full story from the Journal & Courier. ACLU lawsuit about revoked student visas In the ACLU of Indiana lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, attorneys argue the agency wrongfully terminated the legal status of seven international students. Those students were informed April 3 that their F-1 student status was terminated. Previously: DHS to revoke legal protections for migrants living in Indiana Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement F-1 status allows international students to stay in the United States during the duration of their schooling and practical training, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs, the lawsuit noted, were in compliance and not engaged in conduct that would justify termination. A few days after filing, ACLU refiled the lawsuit to adjust the students represented. International students' legal status: Judge denies ACLU's request for temporary protection of IN students with revoked legal status CONTRIBUTING: Wil Courtney. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: International student visas terminated, then Trump administration reversed Parents and families are finding it harder to reunite with migrant children in federal custody after the Trump administration tightened security restrictions on sponsorships, according to lawyers and other advocates who work with them. The rules have put some undocumented families in a desperate situation, leaving children who crossed the border unaccompanied languishing for months in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the advocates say. Among the raft of new rules implemented since January is a requirement that families provide proof of their income source, show a U.S. identification and in many cases take a DNA test. Scheduling a test can take weeks in some states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Guatemalan mother living in California had been told in March that she would soon be reunited with her children, ages 7 and 14, who had been detained at the border without a legal custodian in January. Then new policies required the identification. In California, the only ID undocumented immigrants can obtain is a driver's license, and the mother had never driven. "She had to learn how to drive to apply," said Molly Chew, project director at Vecina, a nonprofit whose ReUnite project works nationwide to help expedite the process for families with detained immigrant children. "She is terrified of driving." Chew said she is requesting an exemption, but now the Office of Refugee Resettlement is also requiring the DNA test. The mother took the test and has been waiting for the results for a month. "These families are put in an impossible bind," Chew said. They're being asked to "submit documents they legally can't obtain, comply with procedures that expose them to immigration enforcement and wait indefinitely while their children remain in detention. They are being systematically set up to fail." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a sponsor can't produce a tax return or pay stubs for the last 60 consecutive days, they are being advised to turn in a note by their employer on official company letterhead, and case managers must be able to speak with a supervisor or human resources. Neither the Office of Refugee Resettlement nor the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the office, responded to inquiries from The Times. In the past, the administration has said that tight security restrictions are needed to protect children. "Safe and timely release must promote public safety and ensure that sponsors are able to provide for the physical and mental well-being of children," the agency's online policy states. The changes leave many feeling vulnerable, as the Trump administration is stripping other services, including access to lawyers, for migrant children amid a broader immigration crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What were witnessing isnt just bureaucratic dysfunction its a calculated strategy to prolong child detention, discourage and impede reunification, and extract as much personal data as possible for future immigration enforcement," Chew said. As of April 4, there were 2,223 children in ORR care, according to the agency's website, a significant drop from January, when about 6,200 were in custody. But statistics show that children are staying at the facilities longer. Children in ORR facilities have on average been there for 175 days as of March, compared with 67 days in December, according to ORR data. Advocates fear that immigration detention is harming children's mental health. It's unclear exactly why children are staying for longer, but some researchers believe it is directly related to the administration's stricter policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We can look to the policy changes to make guesses about why it's more difficult to release a child to a vetted sponsor," said Jonathan Beier, associate director of research and evaluation for the Unaccompanied Children Program at Acacia Center for Justice, a group that coordinates legal services for undocumented immigrants. Other ORR data suggest that the rate at which children are being released to sponsors has sharply slowed. "Every day our team hears from distressed children, crying as they lose hope of ever seeing their families again," said Marion Donovan-Kaloust, director of legal services at Immigrant Defenders Law Center, who works with immigrant children. "Requiring a childs own parent to show proof of income or submit to lengthy and invasive DNA testing even when there is no reason to question the parent-child relationship with proper documentation is already resulting in a new family separation crisis." Another Guatemalan family whom Chew worked with was told last month that they would be reunited with their 7-year-old boy, only to be told days later they that had to comply with new ID requirements. The mother couldn't legally obtain acceptable identification in the state she lives in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A 7-year-old can't understand why he's still in custody, can't understand why he hasn't been released to his mom when he had been told that his release was imminent," she said. "He told his mom, through tears and an incredibly emotional phone call, that she really just must not want him after all." Children detained at the border are often fleeing persecution, violence or poverty in their home countries, and are trying to reunite with family who had come earlier. They are especially vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and abuse. With no parent or legal custodian, unaccompanied minors are transferred to ORR within 72 hours. Before these new rules, sponsors could recover them after they proved their relationship and were vetted to ensure that they could provide for the childs physical and mental well-being. According to ORR policies, they made sure children were released "in a safe, efficient, manner without unnecessary delay." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it will be very difficult for a family to come forward in this climate," said Nerea Woods, an attorney who works with unaccompanied minors. ORR has rescinded its policy of not sharing information on sponsors with immigration agencies and law enforcement, and a wave of wellness checks on formerly unaccompanied minors has made many families skittish. "We're obviously very skeptical about the true purpose of these wellness checks," she said. "Are they using that information to really just get to undocumented sponsors or undocumented people that are living in the home?" Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Company has entered into a purchase agreement with Olympus Energy Holdings Hyperion Midstream and Bow & Arrow Land Company, collectively, Olympus Energy, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to acquire the upstream and midstream assets of Olympus Energy for total consideration of $1.8B. Consideration is composed of approximately 26M shares of EQT common stock, representing $1.3B based on the 20-day volume-weighted average price as of April 21, and $500M in cash, as adjusted pursuant to customary closing purchase price adjustments. The Company expects to fund the cash consideration with cash on hand and borrowings under EQTs revolving credit facility. The assets comprise a vertically integrated, contiguous 90,000 net acre position offsetting the Companys existing core acreage in Southwest Pennsylvania with net production of approximately 500 MMcf/d. The Company expects the assets to generate average annual adjusted EBITDA and unlevered free cash flow over the next three years of approximately $530M and $270M, respectively, at April 16, strip pricing, implying an attractive ~3.4x adjusted EBITDA multiple and ~15% unlevered free cash flow yield. The transaction is expected to close early in the Q3, subject to regulatory approval and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Companys Board of Directors. Moelis & Company served as lead financial advisor and Greenhill, a Mizuho affiliate, served as financial advisor to EQT, and Vinson & Elkins is serving as EQTs legal counsel on the transaction. Jefferies served as financial advisor to Olympus Energy, and Kirkland & Ellis is serving as legal counsel to Olympus Energy. Stay Ahead of the Market: Discover outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks. Filter, analyze, and streamline your search for investment opportunities using Tipranks' Stock Screener. Published first on TheFly the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on EQT: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Welcome back, Deadline: Legal Newsletter readers. Is the Trump administration working to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States? It sounds like an odd question at first, given the governments stubborn stance in this case and others. But there was a mysterious development raising the possibility. Plus, yet another judge ordered yet another persons return from El Salvador, all while lawyers for scores of people held in that nations notorious terror prison press a new claim for urgent relief. Ahead of the mystery move, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis blasted the governments willful and bad faith refusal to comply with discovery obligations. (Discovery is the information-gathering process during litigation.) In an order Tuesday, Xinis assailed the Trump administration's continued mischaracterization of the Supreme Courts demand to facilitate Abrego Garcias release and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. She told officials to answer his lawyers questions by Wednesday evening. But then a sealed motion appeared Wednesday on Xinis docket. It was from the government, seeking a weeklong pause in the discovery fight. A sealed response from Abrego Garcias lawyers followed, and Xinis granted the motion. Crucially, she noted the pause was [w]ith the agreement of the parties. The details of the filings werent public, so we dont know what each side said. But why would Abrego Garcia and Xinis agree to any delay if its not to get him back? The docket has been silent since Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, another judge ordered the return of another man from El Salvador. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher sided with a 20-year-old going by Cristian in court papers who, she said, was wrongly sent to that country before his asylum application was processed. Thus, like Judge Xinis in the Abrego Garcia matter, this Court will order Defendants to facilitate Cristians return to the United States so that he can receive the process he was entitled to, Gallagher wrote. But what about all the others shipped to El Salvador and loaded into a notorious prison without due process? Lawyers are now seeking their return, too. The motion is pending before U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who found probable cause last week to hold Trump officials in contempt, which the administration is currently trying to appeal. Speaking of Trump v. The Judiciary on immigration, his administration just escalated the war by arresting a Wisconsin state court judge whom the federal government alleged obstructed an immigration arrest. No one is above the law, Donald Trumps attorney general, Pam Bondi, said upon the arrest of Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan. A statement on Dugans behalf said she has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career and looks forward to being exonerated. Elsewhere in Law & Order, three more federal prosecutors from the Eric Adams boondoggle resigned rather than betray their oaths. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wanted them to admit wrongdoing in refusing to dismiss the case for Trumps political aims, but they declined to confess wrongdoing when there was none. And one of the presidents latest clemency grants for a loyal supporter is memorably captured in The Associated Press headline: Trump pardons Nevada politician who paid for cosmetic surgery with funds to honor a slain officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court enters its final full week of hearings Monday, after considering a request this week from parents to keep their elementary school kids away from instruction involving LGBTQ-themed books. The high court majority sounded ready to side with the parents religious appeal, while another big argument is set for Wednesday over a bid for the nations first public religious charter school in Oklahoma. That would typically be the final hearing of the term, but remember that the justices set a rare May 15 hearing on birthright citizenship, too. As always, emergency appeals will keep the court busy on immigration and more, with the administration this week adding another urgent filing seeking to enforce its transgender military service ban. We could learn next week if the court wants to help Trump out on that one so far in his second term, his record is mixed at the court. Whats certain is that the appeals will keep coming. Have any questions or comments for me? Please submit them on this form for a chance to be featured in the Deadline: Legal blog and newsletter. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com In a sudden reversal, the Trump administration said on Friday it would restore visas to thousands of foreign students studying in the United States, after revoking them for having minor infractions on their records. During a federal court hearing for one of the many lawsuits levied against the administration for its recent student visa policy, a Justice Department attorney said they working to provide a framework for record terminations, but until then would restore visas. ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for [Student and Exchange Visitor Program] record terminations, the attorney said. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain active or shall be reactivated if not currently active. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays reversal arrives as dozens of federal judges across the country have ordered the Trump administration to reinstate student visas, declaring the practice of mass cancelling student visas in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System unlawful. Students across the country had been protesting the Trump administrations crackdown on student visas (AFP via Getty Images) Officials in the administration have revoked visas for more than 1,500 students across the country in recent weeks, a move that arrived weeks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to cancel visas for students who participated in political protests, specifically pro-Palestinian protests. Recent visa cancellations appeared to arise from foreign students with minor infractions on their records, such as a DUI. Students, graduate students and professors had shared stories of immigration law enforcement officials showing up to their homes or in public to inform them they were being deported due to their revoked visa status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations crackdown struck fear in international students at colleges and universities across the country who rely on student visas to study in the U.S. But on Thursday afternoon, some international students who had terminated visa status noticed their records were suddenly restored with no explanation, immigration attorneys told NBC News. The Justice Department lawyer said ICE will no longer modify a students visa record based solely on National Crime Information Center records, which they had cross-referenced with visas to issue terminations. But the attorney contended that ICE maintains authority to terminate visas for other reasons, such as if a student engages in other unlawful activity or fails to keep their legal status after the record is reactivated. Its unclear how the administration will move forward in handling student visas, leaving foreign students relieved only for the moment. President Donald Trump said Crimea will stay with Russia as part of the deal he is pushing, seeming prepared to grant Russian President Vladimir Putin a major win to realize his goal of ending the Ukraine war. SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images In an interview with Time published on Friday, Trump appeared optimistic that the conflict would end on his watch, claiming he is uniquely positioned to deliver peace, even though he has failed to meet his campaign promise of ending the war on Day One of his second term. Well, I said that figuratively, Trump said. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, once again, seemed to side with Moscow, blaming Ukraine for the war prompted by Russias full-scale invasion Feb. 24, 2022. I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO, Trump said. If that werent brought up, there would have been a much better chance that it wouldnt have started. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Trump, according to Time, is now pushing for a deal that would grant Moscow 20% of Ukraines land, including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, while former President Barack Obama was in office. Crimea will stay with Russia, he said. And [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that its been with them for a long time. Its been with them long before Trump came along. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recognizing the peninsula as part of Russia would break with over 10 years of U.S. foreign policy. Zelenskyy also has made clear he would not agree to cede Crimea to Putin. There is nothing to talk about. It is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people, Zelenskyy said Tuesday. Trump blasted Zelenskyys comments, calling them inflammatory in a post on his Truth Social platform this week. Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, he said, accusing the wartime leader of hindering peace efforts. Trumps interview with Time comes a day after he claimed Russia was making a pretty big concession by stopping short of taking the whole country of Ukraine. Russia has been unsuccessfully attempting to take the entire country since February 2022. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Harvard University took the extraordinary step of suing the Trump administration on Monday, claiming that the pressure campaign mounted on the school by the president and his Cabinet to force viewpoint diversity on campus violated the Constitution's guarantees of free speech. "Defendants' actions are unlawful," Harvard's lawsuit states. "The First Amendment does not permit the Government to 'interfere with private actors' speech to advance its own vision of ideological balance.'" Yet in his first term, President Donald J. Trump declared that free speech mattered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump issued the Executive Order Restoring Free Speech and Ending Federal Censorship on March 21, 2019. In it, he expressed the importance of free inquiry and open debate to education and directed federal officials to use the federal government's funding of higher education to ensure that universities promote free inquiry. Channeling free-speech champions Benjamin Franklin and James Madison, Trump wrote that "free inquiry is an essential feature of our Nation's democracy." As a professor of constitutional, criminal and comparative law, and as a citizen who enjoys his liberty, I agree. Free speech is fundamental to human progress. Scientific, medical, technological and social advancements all rely on the free flow of information. Robust discussion and disagreement are equally important to maintaining a healthy constitutional republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the words of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, "If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein." The First Amendment's free speech and press clauses protect all forms of expression -- oral, print, digital and artistic -- from governmental interference or punishment. Of the many types of speech, political speech is the most protected. On the first day of his second term in office, Trump issued another free speech executive order. It affirms the administration's commitment to free speech, directs that tax money is not used to abridge free speech and instructs federal employees to "identify and take appropriate action to correct past misconduct by the Federal Government related to censorship of protected speech." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a vacuum, Trump's orders appear to bode well for free speech. But what is important is free speech reality, not rhetoric. Three months into his second term, where does Trump stand? The many interconnected orders, letters, statements and actions of Trump's White House make an assessment of any positive effects difficult. On the other hand, the Trump administration has clearly violated and chilled free speech on many occasions. At his second inauguration, Donald Trump promised to 'stop all government censorship' and 'bring back free speech.' Repression and retaliation Attempts to silence the president's adversaries are developing as a pattern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law firms and attorneys who have sued or prosecuted Trump, or represented his adversaries, have been targeted for retribution and concessions. It began with an executive order on March 6, directed at the U.S.-based global law firm Perkins Coie, which had once represented Trump's opponent in the 2016 presidential race, Hillary Clinton. A second order was issued on March 14, against Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison because it once employed an attorney who investigated Trump. Subsequently, at least six other prominent law firms were also targeted. Several law firms acceded to the president's demands, agreeing to accept clients without regard to political beliefs, to eliminate DEI practices and to perform pro bono work valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars for causes Trump supports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firms that didn't accede to the president's demands had their security clearances removed, access to federal buildings restricted, and working for federal agencies banned. A few of the firms that didn't relent have won temporary injunctions barring the administration's actions against them. The nonpartisan free speech advocacy organization Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression decried the orders as threatening the foundations of justice and free speech. In one of several challenges to these orders, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell wrote on March 12 that Trump's order appeared motivated by "retaliatory animus" and concluded that it "runs head on into the wall of First Amendment protections." Two other federal courts reached similar conclusions. In the first three months of his second term, Trump withdrew Secret Service protection of several prominent critics who are former federal government officials, including John Bolton, a former Trump national security adviser. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, his top aide, Brian Hook, and former high-level health official Anthony Fauci also lost their security protection. It is hard to imagine that these decisions won't have a profoundly chilling effect on potential critics of the president, especially since the revocations were publicly announced and each individual has been the subject of credible threats resulting from their governmental service. Targeting the press A similar pattern exists for journalists, where Trump is using his power to punish organizations whose reporting he doesn't like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Associated Press journalists were banned from the White House and Air Force One on Feb. 11 for refusing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, the new name Trump had ordered for the body of water. On April 9, this ban was found to violate the First Amendment by a judge nominated by Trump during his first term. Denouncing CNN and MSNBC as "illegal" and claiming they are paid political operatives, Trump suggested they should be investigated during a speech at the U.S. Department of Justice. Trump effectively closed Voice of America after 83 years of continuous broadcasting for being "anti-Trump" and radical in its views. By charter, the broadcaster represents "America, not any single segment of American society," with "accurate, objective and comprehensive" news and "a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions" through television, radio, internet, social media and satellite broadcasts to people around the world. The Federal Communications Commission has initiated regulatory actions against the licenses of several television stations for broadcasts that have been accused by the president of being anti-Trump or biased in favor of Kamala Harris. Early in the process, the outcomes of these actions are to be determined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other administration actions, I believe, raise serious free speech issues. Harvard not the only university feeling pressure The administration is threatening to withhold federal money from universities as a way to coerce many of them to comply with administration policies in ways that implicate free speech and in some instances violate legal processes for the withholding of federal support. Some of the Trump administration's recent immigration enforcement efforts have targeted international students who are in the United States lawfully, but who participated in Palestinian rights protests and disagreed with Israel's actions during the war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration claims that some students whose visas have been revoked were either Hamas supporters or violated criminal laws. The administration has also said that many students are being deported under broad authority the secretary of state has to deport those deemed a danger to national security. Democracy and free speech In the past decade, the United States has fallen in press freedom, rule of law and democratic governance, resulting in the classification of a "flawed democracy" by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a democratic watchdog. Unsurprisingly, there has been a simultaneous rise in public support for authoritarianism. These changes make support for free speech increasingly important. On March 4, Trump declared in a speech before a joint session of Congress that he "stopped all government censorship and brought free speech back to America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The record doesn't support this claim. Daniel Hall is a professor of justice and community studies & political science at Miami University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The views and opinions in this commentary are solely those of the author. Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross tells theGrio that Trump is wading into full blown authoritarianism with his repeated flirtation with seeking a third term. Though hes only about 100 days into his second and final term as president, Donald Trump is already selling Trump 2028 merchandisefueling ongoing talks about the 45th and 47th president seeking a third term despite its unconstitutionality. The Trump Organization, President Trumps family business, is now selling 2028 Make America Great Again hats in its signature red for $50 on its online store. The presidents son, Eric Trump, was photographed wearing the red cap, which is being marketed by the organization as a way to rewrite the rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The online sale is sure to drive continued talks about Trump seeking another term in office. However, the Constitution clearly limits a U.S. president to only two four-year terms. The 22nd Amendment, which was ratified by the states in 1951, says, No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. Despite constitutional limitations, Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to serve a third term and even said hed like to be president forever. President Trump has gone as far as signaling to Republican lawmakers that hed like them to take up the issue in Congress. I suspect I wont be running again unless you do something, he told GOP members of Congress during a meeting shortly after being inaugurated in January. He added, Unless you say, Hes so good, we have to just figure it out. WASHINGTON, DC APRIL 23: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC.. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Based on U.S. law, the only way for Trump to be able to serve beyond his second term is for the Constitution to be amended either by a vote in the affirmative by two-thirds of Congress or by ratifying the Constitution through a special meeting known as a convention, where three-fourths of all 50 U.S. states must agree to it. Neither outcome is likely given political divisions between the Democratic and Republican parties and the voting electorate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross told theGrio that Trump is wading into full blown authoritarianism with his repeated flirtation with seeking a third term. I dont think that he is joking when he talks about 2028 and when he talks about running again, even though the Constitution bans a third term, she shared. Cross said Trump has demonstrated multiple times throughout his presidencies and private life that he has no hubris about him when it comes to the law, adding, He doesnt believe he has to follow it. He doesnt believe that the laws were made for him, and he believes that he can skirt them all. During a recent interview with TIME Magazine, President Trump was more coy when asked about his previous statement that he was not joking about seeking a third term in office. Id rather not discuss that now, but as you know, there are some loopholes that have been discussed that are well known. But I dont believe in loopholes, said Trump. Cross assessed that Trumps reticence was a reflection of his desire to show strength amid recent polling showing Americans are growing frustrated with his job performance, particularly on the economy, immigration and actions taken by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [He] knows that the polling is looking a little shakywhenever he feels that he is underwater, he tries to exert some level of strength and force, she said. This is him being Trump, using the bravado, responding in this way that will at least ratchet up his base. But I dont think its going to work long term. More must-reads: When the Vatican announced funeral plans for Pope Francis, the timing of the Saturday service eliminated one awkward conflict for President Donald Trump. The April 26 date meant that his decision not to attend this years White House Correspondents Dinner was, for better or worse, a moot point. Unlike every other president over the last century, Trump has eschewed the annual black tie confab, ostensibly meant as a fundraiser for scholarships for promising young journalism students, but which in practice serves as the culmination of a week of celebrity-studded parties, receptions and social events that are often derided and mocked as examples of the incestuous swamp that is Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps absence from the dinner isnt new during his first term, he broke the longstanding tradition of having the president sit at the head table in the Washington Hiltons cavernous ballroom. Hes also had bad experiences with the dinner before he entered the White House, such as when Barack Obama and Seth Meyers mocked him during the 2011 dinner after Trump had spent months questioning whether Obama was born in the United States as he teased the press about a 2012 presidential run. Thats not to say he wasnt welcome. Each year, the president of the White House Correspondents Association invites the President of the United States. And reporters who cover the White House extend invitations to White House staff and officials from across the administration. The idea is to build relationships and trust between the incumbent administration and the press corps, but it often looks like the supposedly adversarial relationship between the president and the press is all just for show. Its not going so well this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since returning to the White House, Trump and his aides have upended many aspects of how we go about our jobs. In February, the White House took control of the press pool the daily rotation of journalists who follow the president everywhere he goes and ask him questions in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One or anywhere else he might be. The administration has essentially banned the Associated Press, the worlds oldest newswire service, from being in that small group because the outlet refuses to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by the name Trump gave it at the start of his new term, the Gulf of America. Trump is suing or has sued numerous news outlets on dubious grounds and is exerting pressure on them to soften their coverage of him lest they lose broadcast licenses or their parent companies lose government contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in the view of some, his decision not to attend the dinner is seen as yet another slap in the face the latest in a long line of Trumpian insults to the news media. Im not usually one to offer opinions, but thats a load of crap. At its core, the entire reason for this insufferable, widely-mocked ritual of official Washington has nothing to do with whether the president sits down for whats usually an utterly forgettable hotel ballroom dinner, only for the press to fake-laugh at jokes he didnt even write during the roast. Its about celebrating the fact that this country has built into its founding document the right to have a free press that can report critically on the leaders of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about honoring the winners of the associations awards for the best reporting on the president over the previous year and about celebrating the next generation of journalists, the scholarship winners who are some of the brightest, most promising young people I have ever met. If anything, the president not being there makes all of that easier. The president being at the head of the table means we have to be on our best behavior and play nice with the person whom we are supposed to hold accountable. With the president at the Vatican, we can focus on celebrating our colleagues, having a few drinks and taking a brief reprieve from the firehose of news the Trump White House sprays in our face. President Donald Trump campaigned for the presidency on ending Russias war in Ukraine on day one, but now appears to have backpedaled on the bold claim and said it was made in jest. Trump repeatedly boasted throughout his presidential campaign and after his White House victory that he could end the war in 24 hours. Three months into Trumps presidency, Russia is still bombing Ukraine. In a sit-down interview with TIME published Friday, he was quizzed about the comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, Trump told the outlet. And you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news...Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended. Trump also repeated his claim that the war would never have happened if he were president in 2022, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, and blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden. President Donald Trump claimed his comments about ending Russias war in Ukraine in 24 hours were made in jest. The president also repeated his claim that the conflict would not have started if he were president in 2022. (AP) It's a war that would have never happened if I was president, Trump said when he was asked whats taking so long to end the conflict. It's Biden's war. Its not my war. I have nothing to do with it. I would have never had this war. This war would have never happened. Putin would have never done it. The president started making the claim in March 2023, just over a year after Russia invaded Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will have it solved within one day, Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in March 2023. Theyre dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And Ill have that done Ill have that done in 24 hours, Trump said in May of that year. Three months into Trumps presidency, Russia is still bombing Ukraine. Its missile attack on Kyiv killed at least 12 and injured 80 others, local officials said. (REUTERS) Last August on the campaign trail, he told a National Guard Conference that before [he] even arrived at the Oval Office, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. Russias bombing of Kyiv overnight Thursday, where at least 12 people were killed according to local officials, marks the worst attack on Ukraine in months. Trump lashed out about the strikes as the White House attempts to broker a deal to end the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, Trump fumed on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow and has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for critical peace talks after the president claimed they were very close to a deal. They discussed the U.S. proposal for peace in Ukraine, which has been billed by Washington as a final offer to Moscow and Kyiv. The Kremlin called the talks constructive and very useful, according to Reuters. Photo: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images) President Donald Trump said in an interview published Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called him and that he has already made 200 deals regarding tariffs that he will announce in the weeks ahead. But China says the two countries arent even talking. During the interview with Time magazine, Trump said the U.S. is meeting with China to talk tariffs. Of Xi, Trump said: Hes called. And I dont think thats a sign of weakness on his behalf. But Trump said he would not call the Chinese leader himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Chinese officials have categorically denied that there have been any trade talks between the two nations. On Thursday, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong told reporters, At present there are absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S., adding that reports regarding progress on bilateral talks should be dismissed. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated on Friday that China and the U.S. have not consulted or negotiated on the tariff issue and the United States should not confuse the public. A day earlier, Jiakun called reports of U.S.-China talks fake news. As he left the White House on Friday for a trip to Italy, Trump was asked by reporters for more details on the supposed call with Xi. I dont want to comment on that but Ive spoken to him many times, Trump said. The president also told Time that hes made 200 deals regarding trade and tariffs. He said he would announce the deals over the next three to four weeks, and were finished, by the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump later said hed be finished with the deals in three to four weeks. Some countries may come back and ask for an adjustment, and Ill consider that, but Ill basically be, with great knowledge, setting ready? Trump would not say what countries he has made deals with. There are 195 countries in the world. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ullstein bild/Getty Images This article was originally published by The 19th. For the first time in five years, student loan borrowers whose payments are long overdue could face stiff consequences, and that puts a disproportionate number of women at further financial risk. The Trump Department of Education announced Monday that, starting on May 5, its Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will start collecting student debt in default. Delinquent borrowers could have their wages garnished as early as the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The COVID-19 lockdowns that started in 2020 led to a series of pandemic payment pauses for student loans that ended in 2023. To help borrowers transition into repayment, former President Joe Bidens administration offered a year-long grace period sparing them harsh penalties if they struggled to resume covering their monthly loan costs. Now that Donald Trump is president again, a new and less forgiving era for borrowers is here. 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, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. Women are likely to be disproportionately affected by the policy change. Overrepresented on college campuses, they hold nearly two-thirds of the nations $1.6 trillion student debt. Critics of the Education Departments plan to aggressively collect student debt say the move is particularly insensitive since Trumps policies from his trade war to mass cuts at federal agencies have led to economic chaos and driven up costs for essentials like groceries. 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, said Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC), a nonprofit focused on the student debt crisis, 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 maw of the government debt collection machine. This is cruel, unnecessary, and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country. Only 38 percent of borrowers are now making payments on their student loans, according to the Department of Education. More than five million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in over a year. Another four million have not made a payment in the past three to six months, putting them in late-stage delinquency. The agency projects that almost 10 million borrowers could be in default on their loans in the next few months, which would mean nearly a quarter of the nations federal student loan portfolio would sit in default. Although the Department of Education blames Biden for this predicament, Pierce held the Trump administration accountable. He noted that in February, the Trump administration prevented an estimated 1 million borrowers from applying to programs focused on consolidation and income-driven repayment (IDR) that wouldve allowed them to make affordable payments. The administration made the move after a federal appeals court expanded an injunction against the Biden-era IDR plan known as Saving on a Valuable Education. Rather than just blocking access to some of these plans, the Trump administration halted access to IDR programs not involved in the injunction. In March, after SBPC and the Berger Montague law firm filed suit against the Trump administration on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers, the IDR application was reinstated, but processing of this paperwork has lagged. Hundreds of millions of cuts to the Department of Education and layoffs to nearly half of the agencys staff have exacerbated the problem. In the meantime, borrowers have said theyve been informed that their debt payments will increase exponentially, with one saying her payments will rise from under $600 to as much as $3,400 monthly, Forbes reported in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women stand to suffer the most from the fallout. According to the American Association of University Women, a nonprofit that advocates for equity for women and girls, it takes women roughly two years longer than men to repay student loans, with the gender pay gap compounding payments for women over time. As it is, women with bachelors degrees graduate owing $2,700 more on average than men do. And with a mean student debt of $37,558, Black women owe more than any other group of women, the AAUW reports. Student debt can hinder women from saving for retirement, buying homes or launching businesses. As the Department of Education prepares to take action against delinquent borrowers, it will launch a communication campaign focused on helping them manage their debt. Individuals in default will receive emails from FSA over the next couple of weeks advising them to reach out to the Default Resolution Group to begin repayment or to sign up for an affordable payment plan or alternatives. For more information, visit: studentaid.gov/end-default. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Check out more Teen Vogue education coverage: By Scott DiSavino (Reuters) -U.S. energy company EQT, the country's second-biggest natural gas producer, plans to reduce capital spending but produce more energy in 2025, while rival Range Resources said it would hold expenditures and output relatively steady from 2024. The companies released their spending plans late Tuesday alongside first quarter earnings statements. With U.S. gas prices forecast to rise in 2025, firms are expected to pull record amounts of gas out of the ground this year. [NGAS/POLL] EQT said it planned to spend $1.950 billion-$2.070 billion on maintenance capital in 2025 and produce about 6.03-6.30 billion cubic feet of gas equivalent per day (bcfed). That compares with spending of around $2.266 billion in capital in 2024 to produce an average of 6.10 bcfed. EQT CEO Toby Rice attributed the forecast for higher production and lower spending to strong well performance, efficiency gains and synergies from the company's purchase of Equitrans Midstream in 2024. "This underscores the tremendous momentum we're experiencing at EQT and we see no signs of slowing down as we look ahead," Rice said in the earnings release. In its prior 2025 outlook, released in February with fourth-quarter results, the company said it expected to spend $1.950 billion-$2.120 billion and produce about 5.96-6.23 bcfed. Separately, EQT said it agreed to spend about $1.8 billion to acquire upstream and midstream assets from Olympus Energy in Southwest Pennsylvania with net production of about 500 million cubic feet per day. EQT expects to close the Olympus transaction in the third quarter of 2025 and did not include the impact of the pending acquisition in its 2025 guidance. RANGE RESOURCES OUTLOOK STEADY Range Resources, another big U.S. gas producer, said it planned capital expenditures of $650 million-$690 million in 2025 to produce about 2.2 bcfed. The forecast was unchanged from a spending and production outlook Range released in February. In 2024, Range spent about $654 million in capital and produced around 2.18 bcfed. Range also said it was collaborating with Liberty Energy and Imperial Land to supply gas to a proposed power generation facility in Washington County, Pennsylvania. "The proposed power facility is expected to serve as a catalyst for attracting data centers and industrial operations seeking long-term, reliable, efficient energy solutions," Range said in its earnings release. Other big U.S. gas producers, including the nation's biggest, Expand Energy, will report earnings in coming weeks. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino in New York; Editing by Nia Williams) The Department of Transportation (DOT) has replaced the lawyers defending it in a case related to New York Citys congestion pricing, just after it was revealed lawyers with the Department of Justice (DOJ) accidentally filed a document questioning the legitimacy of the Trump administrations case. The move came after DOT accused the lawyers of undermining the departments attempt to end the Manhattan toll, The New York Times reported. On Wednesday evening, the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office said it accidentally filed a confidential memo that questioned DOTs legal strategy and urged the department to take a new approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the filing, dated April 11, three assistant U.S. attorneys on the case warned that DOT and its secretary, Sean Duffy, were exceedingly likely to fail in their goal of ending the congestion pricing plan, the Times reported. The attorneys said they thought the administration would have better success in court if it challenged the program as a matter of changed agency priorities instead of questioning the legality of the plan. A DOT spokesperson said that the filing of the memo was legal malpractice. The spokesperson questioned whether the Southern District of New York lawyers on the case are incompetent or was this their attempt to RESIST? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its sad to see a premier legal organization continue to fall into such disgrace, the DOT spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office said the publication of the filing to the website was an honest error and that the office looks forward to continuing to advocate for its clients, the DOT and Federal Highway Administration. The filing is no longer up on the case docket online. DOT officials confirmed to The Hill that the case transferred to the civil division of the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. Duffy and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) are engaged in a battle over the toll program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duffy said this week that he would cut off approval and funding for construction projects in New York City if the state doesnt end the congestion pricing program since the deadline the Trump administration gave passed. Hochuls office has insisted that the congestion pricing plan is working, and the state is achieving its goals of lessening traffic and pollution while collecting a toll to go toward other infrastructure projects. New Yorks Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) filed a lawsuit in February to keep the program in place. Duffy initially set the expiration of the plan to be March 21, but delayed it 30 days until April 20. Federal officials said MTA provided a proposed schedule that would allow the toll to continue through the summer and possibly go until October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 8:17 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. US President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a raw materials agreement. "Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, while en route to the papal funeral in Rome. "It is at least three weeks late," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A memorandum of understanding on the deal was signed by both sides last week. The document said that the text of the final agreement was to be concluded by Saturday, April 26. It was uncertain whether a signing could take place on Saturday, or what the status of the deal is. The raw materials agreement is intended to give the United States access to Ukraine's mineral resources, particularly rare earths, which are crucial for high-tech industries. For Ukraine, the deal represents a bid to secure the US as a long-term protective ally, which the Trump administration has not agreed to. The memorandum of understanding emphasized the significant financial and material assistance the US has provided to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, potentially indicating that Kiev may need to use the critical minerals as a repayment. A preliminary framework agreement failed in late February after Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, clashed with Zelensky at the White House. Donald Trump doesnt know, or at least isnt revealing, how much hes paying Savaldoran President Nayib Bukele to detain immigrants deported from the United States without due process. After reaffirming he hopes to soon deport American citizens to El Salvador in Times 100 Days interview released Friday, Trump was asked how much money El Salvador is getting to hold more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants unlawfully deported from the U.S. I dont know, Trump responded. I could get you the information, but were paying less than we would normally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did you personally approve those payments? the interviewer asked Trump. No I didnt, he replied. Its either a concerning admission or a damning lie from the president, who seemingly knows very little about an international deportation deal thats been heavily scrutinized across the globe and resulted in multiple court orders, which Trump has ignored. The White House previously disclosed that its paying Bukele $6 million to hold deportees in the megaprison CECOT, which can hold up to 40,000 inmates and is notorious for human rights abuses. Last week, Democratic Senator Christopher Van Hollen visited the country and reported that he believes the deal is closer to $15 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Hollen had made the trip to see Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was unlawfully deported to El Salvador and detained in CECOT due to an admitted administrative error from the Trump administration. His deportation prompted vigorous pushback from a handful of Democrats who are fighting for his return. Abrego Garcia is now being held at a lower-security prison, but Trump maintains that the father of threewhom he baselessly claims is part of MS-13will remain in El Salvador despite a ruling from the Supreme Court ordering the Trump administration to facilitate his return. Trump played dumb yet again when asked by Time about Abrego Garcias release. I leave that to my lawyers. I give them no instructions, he said of the Supreme Courts directions. Have you asked President Bukele to return him? the interviewer asked. I havent, uh, he said he wouldnt, Trump responded, before delving into the White Houses go-to lie about immigrant men with tattoos. He wasnt a saint. He was MS-13, Trump said, despite there being no evidence connecting Abrego Garcia to MS-13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interviewer asked Trump if he thought Abrego Garcia deserved a court hearing regardless. Thats not my determination, the president saida pathetic response, given hes done literally whatever he wants in his first 100 days in office. FBI Director Kash Patel said Friday the agency has arrested a Wisconsin judge for obstructing an immigration operation. Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on charges of obstruction after she intentionally misdirected federal agents away from an immigrant man, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, to prevent his arrest, Patel wrote in a post on X Friday, which he initially deleted before reposting again two hours later. Patel said FBI agents chased down the man on foot, and he is now in custody. X screenshot FBI Director Kash Patel @FBIDirectorKash: Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest. Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public. We will have more to share soon. Excellent work @FBIMilwaukee. A spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C., confirmed Dugans arrest Friday morning, as did several Milwaukee judges, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the Journal Sentinel reported that the FBI was investigating Dugan over whether she tried to help an undocumented immigrant in her courtroom evade arrest. Federal agents reportedly came to the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 18 with an arrest warrant. Their visit occurred the same day that Flores Ruiz, the man Patel accused Dugan of assisting, appeared in her courtroom for a pretrial conference related to three counts of misdemeanor battery, the Journal Sentinel reported. When they went to the chief judges office, Dugan directed the defendant and his attorney to a side door in the courtroom, directed them down a private hallway and into the public area on the 6th floor, the report reads. The 30-year-old man originally from Mexico is now being detained by ICE at Dodge Detention Facility in Juneau, according to the federal detainee database. His arrest marks at least the third time in recent months that ICE agents have appeared at the courthouse with arrest warrants, according to the Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugans arrest comes as Trump continues his widespread attack on immigration judges, eight of whom have been fired or put on leave in the last week across California, Massachusetts, and Louisiana. This story has been updated. A judge blocked the Trump administration's bid to halt federal funding for sanctuary cities. Also, a poll shows the majority of Americans disapprove of President Trump's handling of immigration. The Washington Post National Politics Reporter Sabrina Rodriguez joins Jose Diaz-Balart to explain more. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump can't stop contradicting himself on his own tariff plans. He says he's on a path to cut several new trade deals in a few weeks but has also suggested it's physically impossible" to hold all the needed meetings. Trump has said he will simply set new tariff rates negotiated internally within the U.S. government over the next few weeks although he already did that on his April 2 Liberation Day, which caused the world economy to shudder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican president says he's actively negotiating with the Chinese government on tariffs while the Chinese and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have said talks have yet to start. What should one believe? The sure bet is that uncertainty will persist in ways that employers and consumers alike expect to damage the economy and that leave foreign leaders scratching their heads in bewilderment. And the consequences of all this tariffs turmoil are enormous. Trump placed tariffs totaling 145% on China, leading China to retaliate with tariffs of 125% on the U.S. essentially triggering a trade war between the world's two largest economies with the potential to bring on a recession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's negotiating trade deals with himself The president told Time magazine in an interview released Friday that 20%, 30% or 50% tariffs a year from now would be a total victory, even though a financial market panic led him to temporarily reduce his baseline import taxes to 10% for 90 days while talks take place. The deal is a deal that I choose, Trump said in the interview. What Im doing is I will, at a certain point in the not too distant future, I will set a fair price of tariffs for different countries. If that is confusing for the nation's trading partners, it's also sowing anxiety at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Reserves beige book, a compilation of anecdotes from U.S. businesses prepared eight times a year, on Wednesday reported a huge spike in uncertainty among American companies that has caused them to pull back on hiring and investment in new projects. The word uncertainty cropped up 80 times, compared with 45 in early March and just 14 in January. Beyond the idea that Trump plans to keep some level of tariffs in place, the world finance ministers and corporate executives who gathered this past week in Washington for the International Monetary Fund conference said in private discussions that the Trump administration was providing no real clarity on its goals for substantive talks. "Theres not a coherent strategy at the moment on what the tariffs are supposed to achieve," said Josh Lipsky, senior director of the GeoEconomics Center at The Atlantic Council. My conversations with the ministers and governors this week at the IMF meetings have been they dont understand completely what the White House wants, nor who they should be negotiating with. Other countries trying to get talks going Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, in an interview with broadcaster SRF released Friday, said after a meeting with Bessent that Switzerland would be one of 15 countries with which the United States plans to conduct privileged negotiations. But she said a memorandum of understanding would have to be reached for talks to formally begin. She was happy to at least know whom to talk to, saying that we have also been assigned a specific contact person. This is not easy in the U.S. administration. Nations are deploying various negotiating tactics. The South Korean officials who met with their U.S. counterparts this week say they specifically asked for the tariffs to be lifted with the goal of working toward an agreement by July. The European Union has pushed for cutting tariffs to zero for both parties, though Trump objects to European countries charging a value-added tax, which is akin to a sales tax that he says hurts U.S. goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump continues to radiate optimism that negotiated deals with other countries will occur despite his claims that he will set his own deals and a lack of clarity about how the process goes forward. Im getting along very well with Japan, Trump told reporters on Friday. Were very close to a deal. As part of a deal with Japan, the Trump administration has publicly called on the Japanese government to change its auto safety standards that put a greater focus on pedestrian safety. But the steering wheels on autos sold in Japan are on the right-hand side, while U.S. automakers put their steering wheels on the left. I dont think left-hand drive cars sell in Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a parliamentary session this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to make sure we arent seen as being unfair, Ishiba said, suggesting a possibility of reviewing Japanese car safety standards. Higher prices and shortages are likely As Trump continues to make conflicting statements about tariffs, companies are actively looking at higher prices, lower sales and possibly bare shelves in stores due to fewer shipments from China. Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, a supply chain company, said on the social media site X: In the 3 weeks since the tariffs took effect, ocean container bookings from China to the United States are down over 60% industry wide. Consumers are getting notices via email and social media from retailers that lamps, furniture and other housewares will now include tariff-related charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The showerhead company Afina on Wednesday reported on a test to see if people would buy an American-made product that cost more than an import. Their Chinese-made filtered showerhead retails for $129, but to manufacture the same product domestically would take the price up to $239. When customers on the company's website were given a choice between a showerhead made in the USA or a cheaper one made in Asia, there were 584 purchases of the $129 model made abroad and not one sale of the domestically produced showerhead. Ramon van Meer, Afinas founder, said in an interview that the scale and the speed of the tariffs were part of the challenge for smaller businesses looking to adapt, adding that part of the challenge is that Trump imposed the import taxes without proper planning or announcements. He concluded in his written analysis: If policymakers and pundits want to rebuild American industry, they need to grapple with this truth: idealism doesnt always survive contact with a price tag. ___ AP economics writer Christopher Rugaber in Washington and AP writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. Consistent with his promises during the 2024 campaign and going back to his build the wall rhetoric from his first administration, U.S. President Donald Trump has begun a massive immigration crackdown. The individuals being detained and deported range from undocumented workers, to those whom the State Department claims violated the terms of their visas, to those who are simply associated with the wrong group. With respect to that last group, the Trump administration has begun capturing and deporting individuals who it claims are affiliated with the notorious MS-13 transnational gang. While the gang originated in the United States, it is comprised largely of Salvadorans. For that reason, the administration has been deporting alleged gang members to El Salvador, where they are then held in that countrys notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, prison. The word alleged is key, as deportation seems to be based on whether the administration deems an individual to be a member of the gang, which it classifies as a terrorist organization, not the result of any process to confirm membership. The administration is using a 1798 wartime law, the Alien Enemies Act, as the legal basis for the deportations. Under normal circumstances, even if gang membership merited deportation, it would not merit a prison sentence. Hence, the administrations approach has been controversial, leading to, for example, a court order in March to stop planes with such individuals on board from leaving the United States. In addition, on April 19, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency order blocking deportations conducted under the Alien Enemies Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the concerns over this policy reached a heightened state when it was revealed that Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a man who has lived in the United States legally since 2012, was possibly mistakenly deported as an MS-13 member. As with the word alleged above, the word possibly is key because the Trump administration has doubled down on the claim that Abrego Garcia is a member of the gang even if they initially admitted that his deportation was an administrative error. Moreover, even if Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13, he, like the other deported individuals, should have been given the due process required to ensure that he was, in fact, properly subject to deportation. That did not happen, as lower courts and the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 9-0 decision, affirmed. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. For those who wish to see Abrego Garcia receive proper due process, his case is especially nettlesome as it lies at the intersection of constitutional law and international relations. Even if one issue is resolved, the other can impede it. While it is common to ask if international law matters, the international element of this case is raising questions about whether domestic law, or at least whether the rulings of domestic courts, actually matter as well. On the constitutional law side of the case, the issue ultimately boils down to the rulings of courts and the willingness of the Trump administration to abide by those rulings. While the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States, the administration, at least initially, has chosen not only to ignore that ruling, but to go as far as interpreting the ruling as supportive of its actions. As one legal analyst wrote, The Trump team read the Supreme Courts order in the stingiest terms possible, acting with a degree of bad faith that the justices may not have anticipated. The irony of the whole situation is that the Trump administration appears to be making a defiant case for no other reason than because it wants the drama. Specifically, it seems the Trump administration read the Supreme Courts order to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia as pointing to a lack of obligation to actually secure his return to the United States. Their claim is buttressed by the fact that the justices also called for the lower court to clarify its ruling with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. In other words, when it comes to international relations, the Executive Branch is seen as the primary branch, not a co-equal branch. While this allows the administration to claim that it is not defying the court, that it is not above the law, it is still a recipe for a constitutional crisis. As U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, who visited Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, remarked, Trump administration officials are very much flouting the courts as we speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the international side, there is a reason that the Supreme Court focused on the word facilitate. Regardless of how Abrego Garcia ended up in a Salvadoran prison, he is in that prison. This means he is now under the control and jurisdiction of El Salvador, a sovereign nation. As U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed during an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, If they want to return him, we would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane. Thats up for El Salvador if they want to return him. Thats not up to us. Whether to send him back is now El Salvadors decision, the Trump administration claims, and Bukele doesnt seem interested in doing so. Im not going to do it. The question is preposterous, Bukele said in the same meeting. Of course, as many have pointed out, it seems implausible that the United States could not induce El Salvador to send Abrego Garcia back to the United States. The power differential between the two countries would suggest that the Trump administration has at its disposal a host of tools, both in the form of diplomatic sticks and carrots, to facilitate the release. But apparently the opposite is happening, as the United States is paying El Salvador to hold individuals such as Abrego Garcia in prison. The irony of the whole situation is that the Trump administration appears to be making a defiant case for no other reason than because it wants the drama. When the Supreme Court ruled last summer that the U.S. president is largely immune from prosecution, it was saying out loud what has long been quietly acknowledged: The U.S. president wields wide power on a host of issues. Immigration is one such issue. It is why the first Trump administration, after several rewrites, was ultimately able to implement its Muslim ban policy. It is also why the State Department, as Marco Rubio recently pointed out, has wide discretion in determining if the terms of a visa have been violated. In other words, even if Abrego Garcia were returned to the United States and the proper due process were followed, the Trump administration may still be able to deport him. The administration could likely simply fly him back to El Salvador as a free citizen of that country, rather than have him locked away in a notorious prison. That difference matters, even if the outcome of deportation is the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fundamentally, Abrego Garcias case boils down to a key question among legal scholars and political scientists: What makes a rule enforceable and who determines that rule? Within the United States, the rules are, at least according to the U.S. Constitution, determined by co-equal branches of government. Outside the United States, the rules are, at least in theory, determined by co-equal sovereigns. But the hard reality is that the application of rules, be they domestic or international, comes down to exercises of power. Paul Poast is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago and a nonresident fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The post Trump Knows That the Rules Dont Enforce Themselves appeared first on World Politics Review. Sean Gallup / Getty Images KEY TAKEAWAYS The European Union fined Apple and Meta Platforms hundreds of millions of dollars for breaching its Digital Markets Act. The DMA came into place early last year with the aim of ensuring big tech players don't dominate Europes digital market. Spokespeople for Apple and Meta said the tech giants plan to appeal. The European Union (EU) fined Apple (AAPL) and Meta Platforms (META) hundreds of millions of dollars for breaching its Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission, the EUs enforcement arm, imposed a 500 million euro ($570.4 million) fine on Apple, and 200 million euro fine on Meta for violating the antitrust act. It also ordered Apple to remove what it called technical and commercial restrictions on steering and to refrain from perpetuating the non-compliant conduct in the future. The Commission said Apple had violated DMA rules ensuring app developers distributing their apps on the iPhone maker's app stores can steer customers to their products free of charge. Both companies have suggested they would appeal. The DMA came into place early last year with the aim of ensuring big tech players don't dominate Europes digital market. Apple shares were up 3% in premarket trading, while those of Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, jumped 5% as stock futures surged after comments from President Donald Trump eased worries about tariffs and Federal Reserve independence. (Read Investopedia's live coverage of today's market action here.) Apple, Meta Plan To Appeal Fines An Apple spokesperson told Investopedia that the tech giant plans to appeal the EU fine. Todays announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple in a series of decisions that are bad for the privacy and security of our users, bad for products, and force us to give away our technology for free, the spokesperson said. We have spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours and made dozens of changes to comply with this law, none of which our users have asked for." Meanwhile, the commission said Meta breached the DMA by requiring users of the Facebook and Instagram parents products to consent to sharing their data or pay for an ad-free service. A Meta spokesperson said the decision was completely flawed and confirmed Meta intends to appeal. "The European Commission is attempting to handicap successful American businesses while allowing Chinese and European companies to operate under different standards, Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan said in a statement to Investopedia. This isnt just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service. April 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum directing the Justice Department to investigate ActBlue, an important political action committee and fundraising platform for Democratic Party candidates. The memorandum is the latest attack by Trump targeting political opponents, critics and organizations that stand against his policies. Targets have ranged from law firms with ties to Democrats and attorneys who prosecuted him to former Trump administration officials who contradicted his narrative election fraud in the 2020 contest and even universities that pushed back against his administration trying to direct hiring practices and curricula. A factsheet from the White House states that the memorandum directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate online fundraising platforms for illegal "straw" donations, "dummy" accounts and contributions from foreigners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Straw donations are those made under the name of one person to conceal the funds' actual owner and dummy accounts use gift cards or prepaid credit cards to conceal the origin of the money. The memorandum specifically calls out ActBlue, highlighting a House Republican report published earlier this month, stating that its internal documents show at least 22 "significant fraud campaigns" over the last few years that include fraudulent donations to a handful of Democratic politicians. The memorandum also states that during a 30-day period of the 2024 election campaign, ActBlue detected 237 donations from foreign IP addresses using prepaid cards. "We're going to fix our elections so that our elections are going to be honorable and honest," Trump said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Ky., applauded the memorandum as building on Republican efforts to "hold ActBlue accountable. "Thank you @POTUS for standing up for election integrity, putting America FIRST and fighting back against fraudulent schemes from groups like ActBlue," he said on X. UPI has asked ActBlue for comment. On its social media accounts, the nonprofit said Trump's attack is "an attempt to tear down all we have built, but we are united and undeterred." The memorandum was met with swift condemnation and accusations of being designed to undermine the United States' democracy and an act of hypocrisy by Trump, who has been accused of receiving millions from more than a dozen governments during his first term in power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today's presidential decree targeting the campaign infrastructure of the Democratic Party with precisely zero evidence of wrongdoing is the kind of edict you'd expect from a power-mad dictator in a banana republic," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. "It's not too late for my Republican colleagues -- who once pretended to care about the political weaponization of government and even stood up an entire committee purporting to investigate it -- to call out this blatantly partisan assault on American political freedom." A joint statement from the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Governors Association rebuked Trump's attack on ActBlue as retaliation. "He knows Americans are already fed up with his chaotic agenda that is driving the economy off a cliff, so he's trying to block lawful grassroots donations from supporters giving must $5 or $10 to candidates who oppose him while further empowering the corrupt billionaires who already control his administration," the organizations heads said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As Democrats, we're unified in standing with the millions of Americans who are fighting back against Trump's dangerous abuses of power." Since returning to the White House on Jan. 20, Trump has used his executive powers to conduct a campaign of retaliation against his opponents. Through memorandums and executive orders, Trump has sanctioned at least five major law firms over their connections to Democrats, such as his former presidential opponent Hillary Clinton, and Robert Mueller, the former special counsel tasked with investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and potential links between the Kremlin and the New York real estate mogul's election campaign. He has also stripped security clearances from dozens of officials from the former Biden administration. The president also opened Justice Department investigations into Chris Krebs, the former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency head, who disagreed with Trump's allegations of widespread election fraud in 2020 -- when he said it was "the most secure" election in U.S. history -- as well as former Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff Miles Taylor, who was a critic of Trump's first term in office. Three weeks out from "liberation day" when Donald Trump announced severe tariffs on US allies and adversaries alike the president is reeling from a hard lesson about the global economy in 2025: that China, not the United States, is holding the leash on international trade. After a series of confusing financial escalations and retaliations, the White House now wants to substantially walk back its threatened tariff rate, which at one point rose as high as 245 percent. "No one thinks the current status quo is sustainable" with tariff rates that high, Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told JP Morgan bigwigs at a closed door meeting in DC earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Trump has insisted that Chinese officials were negotiating to bring that number down, Beijing says it hasn't been in contact with the US at all evidently content to watch as American businesses agonize in the wake of Trump's hystrionics. Trump has previously insinuated that Xi should "request a call" to discuss trade relations, evidently too proud to make the first move. At one time, officials in Beijing had hoped that Elon Musk, who has substantial business holdings in mainland China, might act as a go-between for Xi and Trump, avoiding the ugly business of tariffs altogether. That's obviously out the window now. Instead, China has reportedly considered whether to "kneecap" US tech companies like Tesla, Apple, Qualcomm, and Intel, according to a CNN analysis, but has so far backed off for fear of upsetting Chinese consumers. Still, US tech companies are bearing the brunt of the tariff whiplash, as Chinese-made consumer goods like iPhones skyrocket in price, and China halts the export of rare earth metals, to Musk's horror. China, meanwhile, seems well positioned to wait out the storm. It currently dominates the global electric vehicle market, has legions of manufacturing robots at its disposal, and boasts a record-breaking freight rail system to keep its supply chain running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Average Americans might not be in such a good spot. In the three weeks since liberation day, shipping container traffic from China to the US seems to be plummeting. Weekly cargo bookings bound for the US from Chinese manufacturers are reportedly down as much as 60 percent across all industries, signaling doom for Americans used to cheap consumer goods. As Trump carries on his game of chicken with Xi, it remains to be seen: will the American tycoon fold under the pressure, or will he bide his time while the US plunges into financial ruin? Time will tell. More on China: China Fires Up World's First Thorium-Powered Nuclear Reactor President Trump in an interview published Friday was adamant that he is serious about his talk of adding Canada as the 51st state, something Canadian leaders have outright rejected. The president sat down for an interview with Time magazine, during which a reporter suggested Trump may have been trolling a little bit with his repeated comments that Canada should be absorbed into the United States. Actually, no, Im not, Trump said in the interview, which was conducted Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Canada, what you said that, Well, that one, I might be trolling. But Im really not trolling, Trump added. Canada is an interesting case. The president repeated his frequent claims that the U.S. is losing money to Canada because of trade deficits and that there is no need for America to import Canadian products. Were taking care of their military. Were taking care of every aspect of their lives, and we dont need them to make cars for us, Trump told Time. In fact, we dont want them to make cars for us. We want to make our own cars. We dont need their lumber. We dont need their energy. We dont need anything from Canada. And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state. Trump has for months mused about Canada becoming a state, shrugging off the border between the two countries as arbitrary and mockingly referring to then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some critics at the time had suggested Trump was not serious about the idea, Trudeau and the Canadian politicians who were vying to replace him as prime minister, including his replacement, Mark Carney, repeatedly shut down the concept of Canada becoming a state. Trump has also spoken about acquiring Greenland, which is an autonomous territory under the kingdom of Denmark. Danish leaders have rejected that idea. The president told Time that Greenland would be very well off if they I think its important for us for national security and even international security. Updated at 4:28 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 The Hill. In our interview last year, Mr. President, you committed to complying with all Supreme Court orders. I said what? You committed to complying with all Supreme Court orders Yeah. When you and I spoke last April. Are you still committed to complying with all Supreme Court orders? Sure, I believe in the court system. The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that you have to bring back Kilmar Abrego Garcia. You havent done so. Arent you disobeying the Supreme Court? Well, thats not what my people told methey didnt say it was, they said it wasthe nine to nothing was something entirely different. Let me quote from the ruling. The order properly requires the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador. Are you facilitating a release? I leave that to my lawyers. I give them no instructions. They feel that the order said something very much different from what youre saying. But I leave that to my lawyers. If they wantand that would be the Attorney General of the United States and the people that represent the country. I dont make that decision. Have you asked President Bukele to return him? I havent, uh, he said he wouldnt. Did you ask him? But I havent asked him positively, but he said he wouldnt. But if you havent asked him, then how are you facilitating his release? Well, because I havent been asked to ask him by my attorneys. Nobody asked me to ask him that question, except you. Do you believe he deserves his day in court? I believe that they made him look like a saint, and then we found out about him. He wasnt a saint. He was MS-13. He was a wife beater and he had a lot of things that were very bad, you know, very, very bad. When I first heard of the situation, I was not happy, and then I found out that he was a person who was an MS-13 member. And in fact, he had a tattooed right on hisIm sure you saw thathe had it tattooed right on his knuckles: MS-13. No, I believe hes a man who has got quite a past. This is no longer just a nice, wonderful man from Maryland, which people, which the fake news had me and other people for a period of time believing. Now, nobody believes that. And I think this is a very badI think this is another men [in] womens sports thing for the Democrats. Donald Trump has said he will not let Israel drag the US into a war with Iran. In comments published on the eve of a third round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, the US president said he thought Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, may go into a war with Iran. However, speaking during an interview with Time magazine, Mr Trump added: But were not getting dragged in. Asked if the US would stay out of a conflict if Israel acted alone, the president said: No, I didnt say that ... I may go in very willingly if we cant get a deal. If we dont make a deal, Ill be leading the pack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since returning to office, Mr Trump has maintained a tough stance on Iran, reverting to maximum pressure as he did during his first administration to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Last month, he warned Iran there would be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before if it rejected a new deal. Yet his appetite for conflict appears much lower than that of his Israeli counterpart, leading to differing views on how to handle Iran. Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that Mr Trump had blocked an Israeli plan for a series of joint strikes in May on Iranian nuclear facilities in favour of a diplomatic path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the president said: I wouldnt say [I] waved off joint strikes, but added: Im not in a rush to do it. When asked by Time this week if he had stopped Israel from attacking Irans nuclear sites, he said: I didnt stop them. But I didnt make it comfortable for them, because I think we can make a deal. An Iranian soldier salutes an image of Irans supreme leader during a parade in Tehran earlier this month - ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Earlier this week, Mr Trump offered to meet Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, who has advocated for the destruction of both Israel and the United States. However, Mr Khamenei only recently warmed to the idea of talks and many of the countrys hardliners remain opposed to negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the eve of talks earlier this month, Ahmad Alamolhoda, an influential cleric, said: Negotiating with America is against our national pride, according to the Mehr news agency. Kazem Sedighi, a fellow hardline cleric, added: There is no room for negotiation at all if they want to take nuclear power away from us. While Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned this week that Iran had enough enriched uranium to produce several nuclear warheads. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, Mr Grossi said: Iran is not far from having a nuclear problem. They dont have it, we know it. But the material for it already, its already there. To make a few warheads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to Time, Mr Trump admitted that the possibility of a military strike was not yet off the table. Its possible well have to attack because Iran will not [be allowed to] have a nuclear weapon, he said. Last year, Israel and Iran came close to all-out war after Tehran launched ballistic missiles at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Israel retaliated with strikes on Irans air defences, a secret nuclear research base and missile production facilities. However, both sides appeared keen to limit the amount of damage caused to avoid further escalation. 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. US President Donald Trump has denied his previous statement about having a deadline to reach a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia. Source: Trump in a comment to journalists outside the White House on 25 April, as reported by European Pravda Details: Trump noted that his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and said he hoped that "in the end, we're going to end up with a lot of good deals". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So we're going to try and get out of the war so that we can save 5,000 people a week," Trump said, referring to the Ukrainian and Russian troops being killed on the front lines. "And that's a big honour, if I can do it. I think we're pretty close." When asked about the deadline for achieving this goal, he responded, "No deadline." "I just want to do it as fast as possible," Trump added. Background: Only yesterday, at the White House, Trump claimed that he had set a deadline for achieving peace between Ukraine and Russia. "And after that, we're going to have a very much different attitude. But I think that there's a very good chance of getting it done," he concluded. Trump also said he would prefer to answer questions about potential sanctions against Russia "in a week". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Its a setup, they said: President Donald Trump, an accomplished demagogue with his finger on the pulse of Americas most reactionary voters, wanted Democrats to make a big fuss about his lawless deportations and extraordinary renditions to show how out of touch they are with the majority of Americans who say they want fewer people to step foot in their country. Look, what Donald Trump did was set up a trap for Democrats to run into, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., told a newspaper in Tucson last month. He was talking about the hundreds of Venezuelan men expelled from the country without due process and sent to a prison in El Salvador, where, according to the administration, they should remain until they die. Of the 500 they sent there, Im sure 200 of them are actually hardcore criminals, Gallego said (reporting suggests that more than 90% have no criminal conviction anywhere in the world). Now, are we going to go run to the podium and defend and try to get those people back? No, absolutely not. That, again, would be taking the bait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the debate they want, Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., chimed in earlier this month, describing the Trump administrations defiance of a Supreme Court order to facilitate the return of one man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, as the distraction of the day. That, he argued, is in part because court orders should not be the subject of a public back-and-forth between politicians When a judge adjudicates, its not in question. How in the hell are we even debating that? but he also suggested its bad politics. Its exactly the debate they want, because they dont want this debate on the tariffs. Newsom has advocated for the return of one asylum seeker who was sent, without charge or trial, to spend the rest of his life in a Salvadoran hellscape. But his message, and long the conventional wisdom, was thus: Dont get stuck fighting on Trumps turf when cruelty towards immigrants is a big reason why a plurality of Americans many with ancestors who stumbled onto a boat and got off at Ellis Island without a visa (the right way) decided he should get another shot at being president. Democratic timidity is an understandable reaction to seeing former Vice President Kamala Harris lose to an already-disgraced man who campaigned on little more than the idea that immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country and, accordingly, responsible for all of its problems. Its also craven and wrong; even if throwing foreigners into a volcano polled at upwards of 90%, opposition would be both justified and required for the simple fact that civilized, free societies do not incinerate their guests. Its also not, it seems, such a big loser. Ignoring the advice of every Beltway consultant, some elected Democrats decided that there are worse things than falling into the trap of defending immigrants and the U.S. Constitution like losing the republic (and ones humanity). Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., traveled to El Salvador and demanded to meet Abrego Garcia, noting that if you deny the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights of everybody; a delegation of House Democrats followed suit, draping their cause in the red, white and blue of the flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, there is nothing more American than due process and the rule of law, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., explained to Fox News Laura Ingraham. Recent polls suggest that framing could be broadly popular and that refusing to bring back a man admittedly expelled by mistake, in defiance of the Supreme Court, is not. In a survey released this week, Reuters found that 45% of Americans now approve of Trumps approach to immigration, down from 48% in January and below the 46% that now disapprove. YouGov likewise found that Trump is underwater on immigration: 45% approve compared to 50% who dont, a double-digit drop from last month. As G. Elliot Morris, former editorial director of data analytics at FiveThirtyEight, wrote about the latest numbers, the big reveal here is: Public opinion can change! For too long, many Democrats have treated public opinion as something they must respond to rather than shape. That has resulted in cliched language that tests well in a focus group but feels inauthentic to real voters who do not actually care, in practice, about Bipartisan Solutions to Americas Policy Challenges. In the case of immigrants, some Democrats decided to just do the right thing to not just abandon an inconvenient category of human beings while noting that the rule of law benefits all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timid and cowardly do have a point, though: Americans, by and large, remain horrid on the issue of treating immigrants with dignity. Another recent survey from Pew found that 20% of Americans say they like Trumps approach to immigration the most, more than double any other policy, with 48% expressing confidence in his handing of the issue, his highest-rated issue; this, despite or more distressingly, perhaps, because of the administration advertising its lawlessness and inhumanity. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. The median voter need not read an expose in ProPublica to understand that abuses are being carried out in their name; the White House brags about it, images of immigrants in shackles packaged and shared on social media. Asked to defend specific abuses and the average American will likely say no, but tens of millions will nonetheless express confidence in the abuser. The problem is not all Americans with all due respect, its the white ones. After the Trump administration expelled a man by mistake and refused to bring him back; after the president promised to send asylum-seekers to a military prison at Guantanamo Bay, and then did; after the White House announced, fittingly, that only Caucasians from South Africa would be welcome as refugees after all that, a majority of white Americans are telling pollsters that they like what they see. The blood of the country has in fact been poisoned, and theres no getting around the grim reality that, for millions of Americans, the evils imposed on others are not cause for outrage but just another form of sick content to like, share and subscribe to. But there is no alternative to confronting this darkness head on; if defending the rights of ones neighbors is a trap poor politics and bad optics, in the words of one newspaper editorial then this is indeed the time for taking the bait. Public opinion may well reward a plucky fight for the soul of the nation and if it doesnt, then the republic was already lost. Ending Russias war in Ukraine in "24 hours" was "an exaggeration" made "in jest," U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with Time published on April 25. Speaking at the White House in an interview on April 22 ahead of his first 100 days in office, Trump was asked about his achievements so far, including his administration's ongoing efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. Before winning the election in November, Trump had repeatedly said he would end Russias war within 24 hours. Upon taking office, this was extended to "within 100 days," a prospect that currently seems highly unlikely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about his original claim of 24 hours, Trump said he was speaking "figuratively," adding he "said that as an exaggeration." "Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended," he added. Video compilations of Trump's multiple "24 hours" claims show him speaking authoritatively, forcefully, seriously, and with little to no sign of any "jest." Left: Trump bragging that he'll stop the Russia-Ukraine war 'in 24 hours' of his term Right: Trump begging Putin to stop publicly almost 100 days into his term pic.twitter.com/gHMiyK3j6c FactPost (@factpostnews) April 24, 2025 The Trump administration is now intensifying efforts to broker a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine, but Washington has warned it may withdraw from the mediation process if no progress is made in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on April 24 said that both Russia and Ukraine "want peace," adding that he had set a deadline to finalize a deal aimed at ending the war. Read also: End policy of appeasement European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trumps Russia stance Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Jana Choukeir (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump this week said he is open to meeting Iran's supreme leader or president and that he thinks the two countries will strike a new deal on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. However, Trump, who in 2018 pulled the U.S. out of a now moribund nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, repeated a threat of military action against Iran unless a new pact is swiftly reached to prevent it developing nuclear weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, in an April 22 interview with Time magazine published on Friday, said "I think we're going to make a deal with Iran" following indirect U.S.-Iranian talks last week in which the side agreed to draw up a framework for a potential deal. The Republican U.S. president, speaking separately to reporters at the White House on Friday, reiterated his positive prognosis, saying: "Iran, I think, is going very well. We'll see what happens." A U.S. official said the discussions yielded "very good progress." Asked by Time whether he was open to meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, an anti-Western hardliner who has the last say on all major state policies, or reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, Trump replied: "Sure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expert-level talks are set to resume on Saturday in Oman, which has acted as intermediary between the longtime adversaries, with a third round of high-level nuclear discussions planned for the same day. Israel, a close U.S. ally and Iran's major Middle East foe, has described the Islamic Republic's escalating uranium enrichment programme - a potential pathway to nuclear bombs - as an "existential threat". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a complete dismantling of Irans nuclear capabilities, saying partial measures will not suffice to ensure Israel's security. Asked in the interview if he was concerned Netanyahu might drag the United States into a war with Iran, Trump said: "No." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'I'LL BE LEADING THE PACK' However, when asked if the U.S. would join a war against Iran should Israel take action, he responded: "I may go in very willingly if we can't get a deal. If we don't make a deal, I'll be leading the pack." In March, Iran responded to a letter from Trump in which he urged it to negotiate a new deal by stating it would not engage in direct talks under maximum pressure and military threats but was open to indirect negotiations, as in the past. Although the current talks have been indirect and mediated by Oman, U.S. and Iranian officials did speak face-to-face briefly following the first round on April 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last known face-to-face negotiations between the two countries took place under former U.S. President Barack Obama during diplomacy that led to the 2015 nuclear accord. Western powers accuse Iran of harbouring a clandestine agenda to develop nuclear weapons capability by enriching uranium to a high level of fissile purity, above what they say is justifiable for a civilian atomic energy programme. Tehran says its nuclear programme is wholly peaceful. The 2015 deal curbed its uranium enrichment activity in exchange for relief from international sanctions, but Iran resumed and accelerated enrichment after the Trump walkout in 2018. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir; additional reporting by Gram Slattery; editing by Toby Chopra, Kevin Liffey and Mark Heinrich) The Trump Organization has begun selling hats with "Trump 2028" emblazoned on them. That's raising talk, once more, about whether Trump will attempt to run for a third term. While it's constitutionally forbidden, he has previously expressed interest in doing so, but has recently said he plans to serve out this term "and then I'm gonna leave." Donald Trump is once again raising talk of a third term as the Trump Organization's online store has begun selling "Trump 2028" merchandise. The company has begun promoting the $50 hat on social media, and Eric Trump posted a picture of himself wearing one on his Instagram story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat," the product listing reads. The product could easily be a troll for Trump's opponents. Eric Trump's Instagram post also seemed to mock the media questions that came after the hat's release. Constitutionally, of course, Donald Trump cannot be elected to a third term as president. He has, however, talked about it repeatedly. Just 69 days into his second term. Trump told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker that a lot of people" want him to serve a third term, adding he was not joking about the idea. The 22nd Amendment of the Constitution sets a two-term limit for presidents, clearly stating no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. And while some have floated the idea of Trump running as a vice-presidential candidate under Vance or someone else, who would resign upon taking office, the 12th Amendment states no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite all of that, Trump told Welker "there are methods" for him getting a third term. He seemed to back away from that stance in an interview with Time this week, however, saying " I'm going to serve one term, I'm gonna do a great job And then I'm gonna leave." This story was originally featured on Fortune.com By Maggie Fick LONDON (Reuters) -A 25% U.S. tariff on pharmaceutical imports would increase U.S. drug costs by nearly $51 billion annually, boosting U.S. prices by as much as 12.9% if passed on, a report commissioned by the industry's U.S. trade group and reviewed by Reuters shows. The analysis, conducted by Ernst & Young, found the United States imported $203 billion in pharmaceutical products in 2023, with 73% coming from Europe primarily Ireland, Germany and Switzerland. Total U.S. sales of finished pharmaceuticals that year were $393 billion. The report, dated April 22 and not made public, was commissioned by the main U.S. pharmaceutical lobby, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, whose members include Amgen (AMGN), Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY), Eli Lilly (LLY), and Pfizer (PFE), among others. PhRMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The group has argued tariffs would undermine efforts to boost domestic manufacturing, a goal of U.S. President Donald Trump. Pharmaceutical products have long been spared from trade wars due to the potential harms, but he has repeatedly threatened a 25% tariff on pharmaceutical imports. Last week, the Trump administration announced probes into pharmaceutical imports, citing national security concerns over reliance on foreign drug production. The move triggered a 21-day public comment period as part of the investigation led by the Commerce Department. Drugmakers see the probe as a chance to show the administration that high tariffs would hinder their efforts to swiftly ramp up U.S. production, and to propose alternatives, said Ted Murphy, a trade lawyer at law firm Sidley Austin, which is advising companies on their submissions to the Commerce Department. Drugmakers have also lobbied Trump to phase in tariffs on imported pharmaceutical products in hopes of reducing the sting from the charges. On Thursday, Swiss drugmaker Roche said it is petitioning the U.S. government in direct talks for import tariff exemptions, arguing the products it ships into the United States are offset by its exports of U.S.-made drugs and diagnostics. Production costs are only one factor shaping the price of newer medicines and it is unclear to what extent tariffs on imported intermediate inputs or imported finished products would be passed forward to consumers, the report said. Tariffs on imported finished products could be passed through to consumers by the wholesale or retail distributors paying the tariff. But if duties were fully passed on through higher prices on domestic sales, EY estimates U.S. drug prices could rise up to 12.9%. The White House fired an official because he knew the guy who criticized President Donald Trump in the famous Anonymous op-ed in The New York Times seven years ago, The Washington Post reported Friday. The executive director of the Office of Trade Relations at Customs and Border Protection, George E. Bogden, was abruptly asked to leave his post over apparent ties to Miles Taylor, the author of the anonymous 2018 op-ed, sources told the Post. Taylor was Trumps chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security at the time, and the piece revealed he and his colleagues internal efforts to thwart parts of the presidents agenda. Taylor made his authorship public in 2020 after leaving his position as chief of staff. The president has reportedly been obsessed with the op-ed ever since. Bogden was asked to step down from his role, despite his centrality to implementing the presidents absurd tariff scheme. Bodgens job was to listen to the trade industrys complaints and grievances amidst the economic chaos spurred by Trump in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear what merited Bogdens ousting, and there are few ties connecting the two men other than a Facebook photo of Bogden at Taylors wedding in 2019, one year before Taylor had revealed he wrote the op-ed. Sources told the Post that Bogden and Taylor have not been close, and that few Trump allies, including Bogden, were aware of Taylors role in writing the piece at the time it was published or by the time of the wedding. Another source familiar with the story told The New Republic that there was no evidence presented to Bogden other than the Facebook photo, making it seem more like collecting opposition research rather than an investigation. Taylors humiliating revelation to the public clearly instilled a deep sense of paranoia in the president that hasnt dissipated even seven years later. From the White House to executive branch departments and agencies, senior officials will privately admit their daily disbelief at the commander in chiefs comments and actions, Taylor wrote at the time. Most are working to insulate their operations from his whims. As Trump works to rid his administration of any officials acquainted with Taylor, his firing of a years-long supporter like Bogden (while the president continues to defend a Cabinet member who shared national security information over text) is a stark reminder that the president values unwavering loyalty above all else. This story has been updated. President Donald Trumps intense pressure on Ukraine and deference to Russias President Vladimir Putin is extinguishing any lingering notion that the United States is an evenhanded peace broker. The US effort leans heavily toward Russias positions, even though Moscow started the war with its unprovoked invasion. This stems from Trumps view of a war in which Kyiv has no cards to play. The president forcibly denied on Thursday that he has a dog in the fight, saying he was simply motivated by a desire to end a war that has killed thousands of civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have no allegiance to anybody. I have allegiance to saving lives, and I want to save a lot of lives, a lot of young peoples mostly young people, the president said. But the unbalanced nature of the US peace effort can be seen in Trumps deliberately unspecific language about the conflict and the strange, even bizarre ways that hes talking about the war. Rescue workers search for people under rubble of an apartment building in Svyatoshynskyi district destroyed by a Russian missile strike on April 24, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. - Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images Vladimir, STOP! Early Thursday morning, Russia shot 70 missiles and launched 145 drones toward Ukraine. Most raced to Kyiv in the most murderous attack on the capital in nine months. At least 12 people were killed and 90 were injured as casualties were trapped under the rubble of residential buildings. The capitals terrified residents were forced back into their air raid shelters some taking their small kids and pets with them. Trumps response to this resumption of terror? A tepid posting on his Truth Social account that seemed most concerned with when the attacks took place than with the carnage wreaked on defenseless civilians. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! Trump wrote. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president expanded on his post during an Oval Office appearance later in the day. I didnt like last night. I wasnt happy with it, and were in the midst of talking peace, and missiles were fired, and I was not happy with it, Trump said, noticeably using a passive tense and not blaming Putin directly. Another US president might have offered condolences to the victims, pointed out that deliberately targeting civilians is a war crime and threatened consequences. But Trumps response was consistent with his long practice of refusing to connect the results of horrific attacks with the leader who ordered them. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who blasted Putin as a thug and a gangster during his 2016 presidential campaign, was on the Oval Office sofa Thursday afternoon. He adopted Trumps obfuscatory tenses in a way that almost implied Russian missiles ended up in Kyiv all by themselves. What happened last night with those missile strikes should remind everybody why this war needs to end, Rubio said. Its horrible, those missiles landed, but whats even worse is there are people that were alive yesterday that are not alive today because this war continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrations limp language about Putin contrasted with the fierce dressing-down of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in that same Oval Office in March. Trump went after the Ukrainian president again this week after Zelensky ruled out recognizing Russias annexation of Crimea. On Truth Social, Trump complained about Inflammatory statements like Zelenskys that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country. The contrast in the presidents tone toward the two leaders is remarkable. When Zelensky dares to speak the truth, Trump truly slams him, John Herbst, the former US ambassador to Ukraine told Paula Newton on CNN International. When Putin murders civilians with ballistic missiles hes merely corrected. Or slightly chastised. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 28. - Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Russias big concession? Not taking all of Ukraine Trump got defensive on Thursday, when he was asked what concessions Russia had made in the conflict, compared to his constant pressure on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession, Trump said. This answer betrays a strange misunderstanding of what happened in the war and shows just how comprehensively Trump views the war through Putins lens. The reason a Russian-backed president is not running Ukraine now is that the countrys armed forces performed a heroic rearguard action that shocked the world at the start of the war and saved the capital. And years of arms and ammunition transfers from the US and its European allies kept it that way. It is absolutely no concession, Oleksandr Merezhko, a member of Ukraines parliament, told CNNs Jim Sciutto on The Brief. From my perspective at least, it is absolutely absurd to say something like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump insisted that hed been plenty tough on Putin although theres very little evidence that the Russian leader has paid any price for ignoring Trumps ceasefire plans and for continuing attacks on civilians as peace talks drag on inconclusively. You dont know what pressure Im putting on Russia, he told a reporter. Were putting a lot of pressure on Russia, and Russia knows that, and some people that are close to it know or he wouldnt be talking right now. Sources familiar with the peace discussions told CNN on Thursday that Trump is privately frustrated with his failure to broker an end to the war. But so far, his impatience hasnt prompted any efforts to coerce Russia into accepting exceedingly generous terms. Trump could, for instance, rush arms to Ukraine to increase the price of the war for Russias forces. He could send Patriot anti-missile systems to Kyiv or provide defense against ballistic missiles. The president could also impose secondary sanctions on nations that continue to buy Russian oil and bankroll its war effort. But hes done none of that. And his uneven approach threatens to further punish the wars victim. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Trump on Wednesday signed a full and unconditional pardon for Michele Fiore, the conservative firebrand and former Las Vegas City Council member who was convicted of wire fraud last year. A jury found Fiore guilty of six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October 2024, for using money that was intended to go toward the construction of a statue honoring a fallen police officer for personal gain. Prosecutors said Fiore used the money on plastic surgery, rent and her daughters wedding. Each count could have carried up to 20 years in prison, and Fiores sentencing was set for May 14. Her lawyers, on Thursday, filed a motion to vacate the sentencing date, citing the presidents pardon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House official confirmed the pardon in a statement and said Fiore was targeted because of her outspoken conversative views. Michele Fiore, a former RNC Committeewoman and elected official from Nevada, made a name for herself through her outspoken and maverick personality. A supporter of President Trump, she was also the first female Republican Majority Leader in the Nevada State Assembly, the White House official said in the statement. Due to her outspoken conservative views, she became a target and incurred government investigation and prosecution. She was convicted of wire fraud, but now she has received a pardon. Fiore announced in October 2019 that she would run to become the Nevadas governor. She then mounted a bid in March 2022 to be Nevadas state treasurer. Fiore was defeated in November of that year by Democrat Zach Conine. Fiore served in the state assembly from 2012 to 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 8:10 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trump has pardoned former Las Vegas city councilwoman Michele Fiore, who was convicted last year of stealing $70,000 from a charity. Fiores attorneys on Thursday filed a motion to vacate her sentencing, citing the presidents grant of clemency dated April 23, NBC affiliate KSNV reported. Fiore was found guilty last October of pilfering $70,000 from a charity she had established to purportedly raise funds to construct a statue honoring a slain Las Vegas police officer. Prosecutors argued she used the cash for personal expenses like plastic surgery, rent, and her daughters wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fiore was convicted on six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with each carrying a possible penalty of twenty years in prison. She was scheduled to be sentenced May 14. A Nevada GOP commiteewoman, Fiore briefly ran for governor in 2022. After dropping out, she campaigned for state treasurer instead, but lost in the general election. Fiore was later appointed a justice of the peace in Nye Country, but was suspended without pay after being indicted last July. In a statement to KTNV-13, Fiore thanked Trump for his act of mercy. Today, I stand before you not just as a free woman, but as a vindicated soul whose prayers were heard, whose faith held firm, and whose truth could not be buried by injustice," she said in part. I am deeply and eternally grateful to President Donald J. Trump for granting me a full and unconditional pardon. This act of mercy is not just a correction of a legal record it is the restoration of a life, a reputation, and a mission long targeted for destruction. The Trump administration is pausing its crackdown on international students, saying now that it won't terminate their student status just because their name appeared in an FBI database. The reversal is a win for international students across the country, including many in Michigan, who have feared deportation and in some cases, self-deported to avoid arrest. Many have sued to stop the practice. Foreign students who study at American universities must obtain a student visa issued by the State Department. They also must maintain what's known as student status, by attending class regularly and meeting other criteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency polices the status requirement, collecting data through an online portal called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). In recent weeks, ICE has been scanning the FBI's database of law enforcement records to identify foreign students who have had run-ins with the law. In some cases, the students were convicted of crimes, but in others, an arrest that didn't warrant charges was enough to catch the attention of ICE. ICE would then notify the student or the university that it was terminating the student's status in SEVIS, a move that jeopardizes their student visa and could subject them to deportation. In a lawsuit brought by an international student studying in Massachusetts, a government lawyer said Friday that ICE leaders had recently informed him they were changing their approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations," Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter said in a written statement to the court. "Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiffs in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain active or shall be reactivated if they are not currently active." Sauter also said that ICE would no longer terminate students' status based solely on a hit in the FBI database, though it reserves the right to terminate it for other reasons. If ICE applies that practice nationwide, it could help students in Michigan, who have been targeted. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, whose district includes the University of Michigan, applauded the change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the right decision to restore the visas of students that had been revoked suddenly and without explanation, many just weeks before they are supposed to graduate," she said in a statement. "International students who are in the U.S. legally for school deserve to continue their education without the fear that their visa might be revoked without warning or reason." Students across Michigan have been snared in the crackdown, including some who weren't charged with crimes. Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump pauses crackdown on international students Donald Trumps threat of placing 25 percent tariffs on all foreign pharmaceutical imports would increase U.S. drug costs by nearly $51 billion, a new report has found. Prices of medication and other costs could increase by as much as 12.9 percent if the tariffs, which have not yet been implemented, are put in place. The findings come from a report commissioned by the pharmaceutical industry's U.S. trade group, conducted by Ernst & Young, and reviewed by Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The analysis found that in 2023, the U.S. imported $203 billion in pharmaceutical products, 73 percent of which came from Europe primarily from Ireland, Switzerland and Germany. Total U.S. sales of finished pharmaceuticals that year were $393 billion. Life-protecting medicines (davit85 - stock.adobe.com) Dated April 22, the report was commissioned by the main U.S. pharmaceutical lobby, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, whose members include Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer, among others. It was not made public. The report was commissioned after the Trump administration announced it would investigate pharmaceutical imports, citing national security concerns over reliance on foreign drug production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 21-day public comment period, during which individuals, organizations, and other interested parties can provide input to help shape the final form of a proposed policy or regulation, is now underway. So far, pharmaceutical products have been spared from the presidents sweeping global tariffs on foreign products coming into the U.S., though he has threatened to impose the 25 percent levy multiple times. PhMRA has argued tariffs would undermine efforts to boost domestic manufacturing of drugs and other pharmaceuticals, contrary to the presidents aims. So far, pharmaceutical products have been spared from the presidents sweeping global tariffs on foreign products coming into the U.S., though he has threatened to impose the 25 percent levy multiple times (Getty Images) Foreign drugmakers have also lobbied Trump, in case tariffs are imposed, to phase in levies on imported pharmaceutical products in hopes of reducing the impact of the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear to what extent tariffs on imported intermediate inputs or imported finished products would be passed on to consumers, the report said. In addition, roughly 25 percent of U.S. pharmaceutical products are exported. The total export costs totalled $101 billion in 2023, according to EY. The consultancy firm added that a portion of the 490,000 export-related jobs in the industry could also be at risk if higher input costs weaken foreign demand for U.S. medicines. The PhRMA report did not include the impact of possible retaliatory tariffs. The economic impact on those for U.S. producers would be much more significant, Reuters reports. Reuters contributed to this report. The Trump administration hasnt been great for the oil industry. In its quest to drill, baby, drill and expand trade wars, the White House has also sent fuel prices tumbling and brought about what could be the industrys most tumultuous period since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the prospect of lower gas prices might hold some populist appeal, cheap oil is potentially disastrous for the companies responsible for actually getting those products to the pump; drilling here is expensive, and low prices mean that many firms could struggle to break even. Tariffs are making it more expensive to build and maintain rigs, while the general chaos of Trumponomics 2.0 threatens to bring about a recession that would crater already sluggish demand. A new report from the energy consultancy Wood McKenzie notes that if prices fall below $50 per barrel, domestic production could decline by up to 1.2 million barrels per day by 2026. The International Energy Agency has slashed its forecast for oil demand growth by nearly a third since last month and projects oil supply will outstrip demand by the greatest amount since 2020. Despite oil and gas executives blistering criticism of Trumps policies, the White House seems determined to stay the course. Few have been more enthusiastic about that project than Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. This week, he announced plans to loosen rules on the types of drilling companies can do in the Gulf, overhaul federal leasing, and open up new areas for oil and gas extraction, in line with Trumps move to reverse Biden administration bans on drilling in parts of the Pacific and Alaska. The Department will further implement emergency permitting procedures to fast-track leasing, production, transportation, and refining for oil, gas, coal, and several other commodities. A draft strategic plan obtained by journalists at the investigative Substack outlet Public Domain outlines plans to treat national resources as national assets, prioritizing oil and gas development and peeling back regulations. With the help of the Department of Government Efficiency and longtime oilman Tyler Hassennow serving as assistant secretary of policy management and budget, or AS-PMBBurgum is planning on unifying and consolidating key departmental functions. The ultimate goal is to create significant efficiencies across the Department by improving processes, eliminating redundant efforts, and helping integrate technology adoption. Mass layoffs are expected to begin early next month. Many of these plans, though, seem bizarrely out of touch with what the industry seems to actually want. Take Burgums plan to expand drilling in the Gulf. Verite News reporter Tristan Baurick notes that only a fifth of active drilling leases there are currently producing oil, per Bureau of Ocean Energy Management records. Given gloomy price and demand projections, how will selling off more of those leases spur production? Its not the regulations that are getting in the way, its the economics, Hugh Daigle, a professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Texas in Austin, told Baurick. Its true that there are a bunch of undeveloped leases in the Gulf, and itll stay that way if we continue to see low or stagnant oil prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shares in the oilfield services firm Halliburton plummeted earlier this week as company executives warned about the impact of tariffs and lower oilfield activity on its bottom line. Halliburton Chief Executive Jeff Miller said, on a quarterly earnings call with investor analysts, that customers in North America are are in the midst of evaluating their activity scenarios, and plans for 2025 activity reductions could mean higher than normal white space for committed fleets and in some cases, the retirement or export of fleets to international markets. (White spaces refer to periods when the companys equipment isnt booked for use.) One oil and gas executive put it more bluntly, responding to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallass anonymized quarterly survey of the industry, released late last month. There cannot be U.S. energy dominance and $50 per barrel oil; those two statements are contradictory, the executive wrote. At $50-per-barrel oil, we will see U.S. oil production start to decline immediately and likely significantly. For as long as its existed, the U.S. oil and gas industry has depended upon a complex array of government support that reaches well beyond long-standing tax breaks. Over the last century, executives have routinely relied on local, state, and federal officials to stabilize prices, fund basic research, and open up markets for their products abroad. The Department of Interior plays an important part in that. The federal government, that is, provides a long view that industry insiders chasing short-term returns tend to lack. As Burgum and his colleagues in Trumps Cabinet take a chain saw to supposed government waste, they risk kneecapping the bureaucracies that help keep his favorite industry afloat. The White Houses ideological crusades, in other wordsto downsize government, tear up regulations, and get as many fossil fuels out of the ground as possibleare increasingly divorced from the interests of the industry it claims to be defending. Despite being stocked with and paid for by oil and gas executives, the Trump administration might end up doing more damage to Americas fossil fuel industry than Democrats alleged Green New Scam ever dreamed of. Donald Trump has made a new promise to end the Ukraine war by Wednesday. Trump repeatedly pledged on the campaign trail hed end the war in Ukraine by the first day he returned to power. But as he fast approaches his 100th day in office, his inability to find a solution has become an increasingly obvious flaw of his presidency. After a surprise attack on Kyiv killed at least 12 Ukrainians amid collapsing peace deal negotiations late Wednesday, the president reportedly told aides that he wants to resolve the conflict before his 100th day arrives next week, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rising frustration over the ongoing conflictand Russian President Vladimir Putins and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys deep hatred for one anotherhas flustered Trump. On Thursday, the president had resorted to begging Putin to stop the violence. At a White House press conference later that day, Trump claimed that Russia had offered major concessions in a possible peace deal. Those concessions, however, amounted to stopping taking the entirety of Ukraine. Senior officials in the Trump administrationincluding the president himselfhave also verbally recognized Crimea as a part of Russia, a remarkable reversal of long-standing U.S. policy that made Kremlin propagandists on state-sponsored television laugh at the downfall of American power. Trump has since tried to backtrack his initial promises over the war. In a 100-day retrospective with Time magazine, Trump claimed that his pledge to end the war on day one was little more than a joke. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended, Trump told Time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when pressed on when the war would finally end, Trump said, I dont think its long. I mean, look, I got here three months ago, he continued, again deflecting blame for the conflict onto former President Joe Biden. Its Bidens war. Its not my war. I have nothing to do with it. I would have never had this war. This war would have never happened, Trump said. Putin would have never done it. This war would have never happened. [October] 6 would have never happened. [October] 7 would have never happened. Would have never happened. Ever. You then say, whats taking so long? Do you hear this, Steve [Cheung]? The war has been raging for three years. I just got here, and you say, whats taken so long? Donald Trumps administration will restore student visas that were terminated solely based on minor legal infractions. The Department of Justice announced in federal court Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement was developing a new policy regarding students with F-1 visas. In the meantime, international students terminated online visa records would remain Active or shall be reactivated in the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program, or SEVIS, database. ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Carilli, referring to the National Crime Information Center, which holds records of students misdemeanor charges and dismissed cases that had been used as justification for their loss of legal status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crucially, under the current F-1 visa policies, students can only be removed for committing violent felonies, not the minor and dismissed charges levied against the students the Trump administration has targeted. Earlier this week, a federal judge ordered that the Trump administration reinstate the legal status of 133 students who had their visas revoked by Tuesday evening, arguing that they had been abruptly and illegally terminated by ICE. The Trump administration has terminated the student visa records of nearly 1,900 international students at more than 280 colleges and universities, as part of its crackdown on immigration and pro-Palestinian speech. The terminations have summoned more than 100 lawsuits, with judges in more than 50 cases across 23 states issuing orders to undo the governments actions. BEIJING (Reuters) -China has been flexing its control over the mining and refining of minerals by adding metals essential for clean energy, chipmaking and defence to its export control list, disrupting global supply and sending prices soaring. Through its export licensing system, Beijing gets a direct say over who gets what, and how much. Below is a description of how the system works and how easy it is to get an export license. WHAT IS THE CONTROL LIST AND WHAT MINERALS ARE ON IT? Since 2023, China has restricted the export of at least 16 minerals and related products. Earlier this month, it added seven rare earths to that list as part of its retaliation against hefty U.S. tariffs. China's export control law justifies including items to safeguard its national interest, security and work towards non-proliferation. Export controls aren't unusual and the United States has a similar program. WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO GET A LICENSE? Exporters are required to furnish six sets of documents, including profiles of end-users. That requirement in particular has led some importers to stop buying from China as they consider the information commercially sensitive. Once submitted, a decision can involve a minimum of five officials spread across up to three agencies, including sometimes the State Council, China's cabinet. Customers also need to shoulder some of the administrative burden. Importers and end-users need to sign declarations which, among other things, commit them not to transfer the product to a third party without China's permission. Earlier this month, South Korean companies were reportedly warned by China not to sell equipment containing Chinese rare earths to U.S. defence companies. China's Ministry of Commerce did not respond to Reuters' request for comment. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A LICENSE? The Ministry of Commerce says forty-five working days, although it reserves the right to take longer if the state council or military has to be consulted. It does not say when that is required. The Commerce Ministry's official working hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Beijing time, including a two-and-a-half-hour lunch break. However, industry sources tell Reuters it takes two to three months, or longer, to get a license. One rare earth trader said it would be "especially hard" to get licenses for U.S. clients during the trade war. (Reporting by Beijing newsroom and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Varun H K) LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) President Trump will rally in Warren today to celebrate his first 100 days in officehis first since taking office in January. He is scheduled to speak at Macomb Community College at 6 p.m., with doors scheduled to open at 1:45 p.m. At this time, it is not confirmed what the president will discuss at the rally, though a news release mentioned topics including immigration, the economy, and DEI. White House Press Secretary posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) Wednesday night, confirming Trumps trip to Michigan. Later this week, the president will travel to Rome for Pope Francis funeral, his first trip outside of the country in his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This trip follows a series of meetings with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has said she hopes to cooperate with Trump and find common ground in his second term. 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 WLNS 6 News. US President Donald Trump has reiterated in an interview with Time that he believes Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO is the main reason behind Russia's military aggression. He also stated that he considers Crimea to be lost to Ukraine. Source: Trump in the interview with Time, conducted on 22 April and released on 25 April, as reported by European Pravda Details: Trump repeated what he has said earlier that Ukraine supposedly provoked the war by seeking to join NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO," the US leader said. He also made it clear that he considers Crimea to be lost to Ukraine. "Crimea will stay with Russia," Trump said. Trump has previously hinted commenting on a Ukrainian proposal to purchase American Patriot air defence systems to protect its skies that it was Ukraine that "started the war". Time did not provide more complete quotes. In the interview, Trump also boasted that he had forced the Europeans to take steps to increase defence spending. The US president also said he feels more confident and less constrained in his actions in his second term than he did in his first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Last time I was fighting for survival," Trump noted. "This time Im fighting for the world." Background: Earlier, it was reported that the Trump administration handed over a one-page document to Ukraine in Paris last week, presented as a "final proposal" for a peace settlement. Among other things, the US is prepared to recognise Russia's control over Ukrainian Crimea and ease sanctions against Moscow. On 24 April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US had presented its strategy for the Ukrainian territories during talks in London, but that after the US proposal, "another paper appeared", which he said had been drawn up following a conversation between the Ukrainian delegation, the European team and the United States. The Telegraph has revealed details of a new negotiation document aimed at ending the war, with Kyiv hoping to deny Russia official international recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea and other occupied territories as part of the peace talks. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on April 25 that he believes Ukraine's desire to join NATO triggered Russia's full-scale invasion, adding that Crimea "will stay with Russia." In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said, "If Crimea will stay with Russia we have to only talk about Crimea because that's the one that always gets mentioned." "Crimea will stay with Russia. And (President Volodymyr) Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time. It's been with them long before Trump came along." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments come as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. A draft plan presented to Ukrainian and European officials in Paris on April 17 reportedly includes U.S. recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO. Any move by the Trump administration to formally recognize it as Russian territory would contradict a decade-long bipartisan consensus in Washington and international law. The U.S. president also repeated his claim that Ukraine provoked the war by pursuing NATO membership. "I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That assertion contradicts the historical record. Ukraine has publicly expressed interest in joining NATO since the early 2000s, including during the 2008 Bucharest Summit, without triggering war. Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 was widely condemned as an unprovoked act of aggression that violated international law and Ukraine's sovereignty. Read also: CIA deputy directors son killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, investigation claims President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any peace deal involving territorial concessions. "This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine," he said on April 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has denied that the U.S. is pressuring Ukraine to accept Crimea's annexation, but has also criticized Zelensky's refusal to consider it as "harmful to the peace negotiations." He previously claimed the U.S. has a deal with Russia and only needs to reach one with Ukraine, adding that Zelensky has been "harder" to negotiate with than expected. The peace proposal has sparked strong backlash even from Trump's backers. Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it a "reward for Russian aggression" that risks allowing Moscow to regroup for another attack. On April 24, Russia launched a deadly missile strike on Kyiv, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring 90. Trump responded by calling the attack "not necessary" and "poorly timed," but did not condemn Russia or suggest any punitive measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire first introduced in March, contingent on Russian participation. Moscow has rejected the proposal and continues offensive operations across Ukraine's front line. Despite expressing frustration with Russia's failure to de-escalate, the Trump administration has yet to impose new sanctions or take other steps to pressure the Kremlin. Read also: End policy of appeasement European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trumps Russia stance Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The United States has already struck 200 trade deals, President Donald Trump said in an interview this week but he refused to say with whom. Trumps comments come just two weeks after he announced a 90-day pause on most of the sweeping global tariffs he imposed earlier this month to allow time for trade negotiations with hundreds of countries slugged by the punishing levies. Only China was exempted from the 90-day pause. Ive made 200 deals, Trump told Time Magazine in a wide-ranging interview published Friday, 100%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pressed on which countries he had made deals with, Trump refused to say, nor did he clarify the terms of the agreements. He added that he would announce them over the next three to four weeks, once the negotiations are finished." Now, some countries may come back and ask for an adjustment, and I'll consider that, he said. Trumps trade adviser Peter Navarro said earlier this month that it was possible to sign 90 deals during the 90-day tariff reprieve, but the administration has so far yet to announce a single trade agreement. Given there are about 200 countries in the world, and assuming every purported deal is with a different country, Trump would need to have negotiated deals with just about every nation on the planet. Vice President JD Vance traveled to India this week, where he said the Trump administration and New Delhi are hard at work on a trade agreement. Vance claimed he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made very good progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talks are also underway with Japan, though Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told his parliament this month that Tokyo would not capitulate to American demands simply to conclude negotiations swiftly. Comparing the U.S. to a department store and countries as customers, Trump told Time Magazine he would be uncompromising in trade negotiations. And on behalf of the American people, I own the store, and I set prices, and I'll say, if you want to shop here, this is what you have to pay, he said. ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) - India and Pakistan will figure out relations between themselves, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday as tensions soared between the two neighboring countries after an attack in India's Kashmir region that was the worst in nearly two decades. Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One, cited historical conflict in the disputed border region and said he knew both countries' leaders, but did not answer when asked whether he would contact them. "They'll get it figured out one way or the other," he said as he traveled aboard his plane. "There's great tension between Pakistan and India, but there always has been." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, 26 men were killed at a tourist site in Kashmir, shot dead in a meadow. India has said there were Pakistani elements to the attack, a claim Islamabad denies. Both India and Pakistan have claimed the region of Kashmir, and have fought two wars over the area. Relations between the two South Asian nations have deteriorated in the days following the attack, with India setting aside a critical water sharing pact and Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian airlines. Their trade is also at risk. On Friday, Indian stock markets fell on fears of fresh tensions as Indian authorities searched for militants in the region, before markets recovered some losses. (Reporting by Steve Holland; writing by Susan Heavey; editing by Diane Craft) President Donald Trump doubled down this week on his proposal to send American citizens to foreign prisons. I would love to do that if it were permissible by law, Trump said in an interview with Time magazine that was conducted on Tuesday and published Friday. We're looking into that. The comment comes after Trump said earlier this month in a Fox News interview that his administration is looking into the legality of sending homegrown criminals American citizens to foreign prisons, most notably in El Salvador. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has welcomed the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you ask me whether or not I would do that, I would, Trump told Time. People are looking to see if it would be allowed under law. In the Fox interview where he made his initial comments, Trump said his administration was all for sending violent American criminals to prisons overseas and that he was impressed by Bukeles maximum security prison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center. The Trump administration has so far deported hundreds of undocumented migrants to the Salvadoran prison, in most cases with minimal, if any, due process. When pressed by Time on the specifics, Trump appeared defensive, responding that for career criminals, he has absolutely no problem with deporting them to the Central American country. Trump said the U.S. was paying Bukele less than we would normally for housing the prisoners. In the Oval Office with Trump two weeks ago, Bukele said he wouldn't return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was illegally deported to El Salvador last month. How can I return him to the United States? Am I going to smuggle him? Of course Im not going to do it, Bukele said. The question is preposterous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return, but Trump officials remain defiant. Thats not up to us, Attorney General Pam Bondi said at the Oval Office this month of the case. If they wanted to return him, we would facilitate it. The Abrego Garcia case has since garnered significant blowback from Democrats, most notably from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who traveled to El Salvador to meet with the wrongfully deported Marylander last week. On Thursday, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the Trump administration must return a second man who was illegally deported from the U.S. to El Salvador in violation of a previous court order. The 20-year-old Venezuelan man was deported in March in violation of a court-approved settlement agreement which was reached last year. US President Donald Trump has not ruled out meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the papal funeral ceremonies in Italy on Saturday. When asked about this before boarding a helicopter to the airport on Friday, Trump said: "Its possible." He added that he would meet with a number of foreign heads of state and government. At the end of February, a conversation between Trump, his Vice President JD Vance, and Zelensky resulted in an open confrontation at the White House. The situation remains tense after Trump offered a plan to halt the war Russia started against Ukraine more than three years ago that includes allowing Russia to keep Crimea, which it illegally annexed 11 years ago. President Donald Trump said hes not defying a Supreme Court ruling to facilitate the return of a man wrongly deported to El Salvador, amid ongoing resistance from his administration to advance the Salvadoran native's return. The Trump administration has been digging in its heels over Kilmar Abrego Garcia, making the high-profile case a flash point for its broader immigration crackdown. Despite the Supreme Court ruling that the administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return, the Trump administration has repeatedly dodged efforts to bring him back to the United States after his illegal deportation, with the administration arguing it merely has to allow his entry back into the country should Salvadoran authorities release him. I'm not defying the Supreme Court, Trump said in an interview with TIME Magazine staff posted Friday. I never defy the Supreme Court. I wouldn't do that. I'm a big believer in the Supreme Court, and have a lot of respect for the justices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats and legal experts have rallied around Abrego Garcias case, calling it a bubbling constitutional crisis that challenges due process rights. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia. But when asked about the ruling, Trump said his lawyers were on top of the situation and that he believes hes in compliance with the courts ruling. I leave that to my lawyers, he said in the interview, which was conducted Tuesday. I give them no instructions. They feel that the order said something very much different from what you're saying If they want and that would be the attorney general of the United States and the people that represent the country. I don't make that decision. Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native who was living in Maryland, was deported last month to El Salvador, despite a previous court order saying he could not be sent there due to a fear of persecution. He was part of a group of over 200 other Venezuelans and Salvadorans the Trump administration accused of being gang members when the president invoked the Alien Enemies Act in March. A federal judge has said the evidence around Abrego Garcias alleged gang membership was flimsy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond Abrego Garcias case, the Supreme Court blocked Trump from deporting a second wave of Venezuelan immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act last week. Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this month that Abrego Garcia is not coming back to the United States. Pressed on if Abrego Garcia deserves to have his day in court, Trump said bringing him back and retrying him wouldn't bother him. Trump added that he hasnt directly asked Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele who has called Abrego Garcia a terrorist to facilitate the return, saying I havent asked him positively, but he said he wouldnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said hed comply with lower court rulings, despite his ongoing attacks against federal judges who have halted the implementation of a string of his administrations immigration orders. The U.S. district judge overseeing Abrego Garcias case Tuesday said the Trump administration is trying to obstruct efforts to get information on how Abrego Garcia was deported and said the administration was mischaracterizing the Supreme Court ruling. That Order made clear that this Court properly required the Government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador, Judge Paula Xinis wrote. American attitudes toward China have improved marginally after years of consistent decline, as per latest findings from the Pew Research Center. While cynicism remains high, there are indications of a shift in tone. What Happened: A March 2025 Pew survey of over 3,600 U.S. adults revealed that unfavorable opinions of China have gone from 81% to 77% since last year. The proportion of Americans who perceive China as an absolute enemy also dropped, from 42% to 33%. Dont Miss: Scrolling To UBI' Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum. Why It Matters: This shift in views comes in the middle of mounting economic friction, including a series of tariffs introduced by the Trump administration and retaliatory tactics from Beijing. The survey revealed that Republicans are now just as likely to label China as a competitor as they are to see it as an enemy. There is an even split that had not been observed in the past. Democrats, meanwhile, have directed attention toward other global players. "There's been a noticeable change in the way Americans frame the U.S.-China relationship, particularly among conservatives," said Pew researcher Laura Silver. The report also highlights doubts about the efficacy of tariffs. Among Republicans, 44% said they believe the new tariffs on China will help the U.S., while only 24% think they will cause harm. However, only 17% expect the tariffs to positively impact their personal finances. See Also: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you? Tax deferring is their number one strategy. On the contrary, 80% of Democrats say the tariffs will hurt the country, and 75% believe their situation will be negatively impacted. "Trade relations are still viewed as lopsided, and skepticism about tariffs is significant," said Silver. The Latest Update At a press briefing Tuesday, President Trump reacted to comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had called the current tariff levels "unsustainable". Trump said that the current 145% tariff rate would not be maintained long-term, and that it would be reduced "substantially." "It won't be that high, not going to be that high," he said. Still, he made clear, "It won't be zero." Read Next: President Donald Trump said the only reason he wouldnt support an increase in the tax rate for millionaires is because it could lead to election losses for Republicans. Ill tell ya, I certainly dont mind having a tax increase, he told Time as part of a broad-ranging interview to mark his first 100 days in office. He added, I actually love the concept of raising taxes on the wealthy to take care of the middle class, but I dont want it to be used against me politically. The comments came after Trump was asked about some discussions swirling among his party: raising taxes on Americans making more than $1 million a year as part of a tax package under consideration in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump said hes paying attention to history. The only reason I wouldnt support [a millionaire tax hike] is because I saw [George H. W.] Bush where they said, where he said, Read my lips and he lost an election, Trump said. He would have lost it anyway, but he lost an election. He got beat up pretty good. Bush said his infamous Read my lips, no new taxes line when he accepted the Republican nomination for president in 1988. When taxes were ultimately passed during his term, it hurt Bush significantly. Trump, whose personal fortune is well above $1 million (estimated to be over $5 billion on Forbes real-time billionaires list), said he would be honored to pay more in taxes. But I dont want to be in a position where we lose an election because I was generous, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said a millionaire tax wouldnt even be that onerous. Were talking about one point, Trump said. It doesnt make that much difference, and yet, I could just see somebody trying to bring that up as a subject, and, you know, say, Oh, he raised taxes. He said, Ive seen people lose elections for less, especially with the fake news. In the interview with Time, Trump also said he would veto any bill that imposed cuts on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits. Republicans in Congress want to extend the 2017 tax bill, but that would add more than $4 trillion in tax cuts extensions and balloon the national debt. Due to a budget resolution that Congress adopted earlier this month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid, must find at least $880 billion in savings over 10 years to offset the tax cuts. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. President Trump on Friday said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is late to sign the minerals agreement with the U.S., nearly two months after an expected deal signing was called off. Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States. It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY. Work on the overall Peace Deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. SUCCESS seems to be in the future! Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump shared the post while he was traveling to Rome for Pope Franciss funeral, which Zelensky is also planning to attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump last week said he expects to sign the deal with Ukraine in the coming days, telling reporters it would be soon. At the time, Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that White House officials were still working on the details of where and when the signing would take place, but that they were shooting for this upcoming Saturday. Zelensky reportedly said last week that Kyiv and Washington could soon sign a memorandum of intent related to the deal. When Zelensky visited the U.S. in late February, he was expected to sign off on a deal that would give the U.S. access to Kyivs critical mineral supply in exchange for some protection amid its war with Russia, but Trump called off talks after the two leaders clashed. Last month, Trump signed an executive order seeking to boost production of critical minerals in the U.S. while confirming the deal with Ukraine was still on track. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Time magazine published earlier Friday, Trump blamed Ukraine for initiating the war with Russia by eyeing a NATO membership and said he thinks Crimea will stay under Moscows control as part of a deal to end the war. And, the president said Thursday that Russia would be making a concession toward peace if it agrees not to take over Ukraine. He has also said Zelensky has been harder to work with than Russian President Vladimir Putin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trumps OG science guy just threw in the towel after sharp spending cuts under the new Trump administration. National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, nominated by Trump during his first presidency in 2019, still had over a year left of his term. But it seems Trumps second-term agenda might have been too much to stomach, and the Indian-American computer scientist announced his resignation on Thursday afternoon. I believe I have done all I can to advance the critical mission of the agency and feel that it is time for me to pass the baton to new leadership, he said in a parting statement. Donald Trump nominated Panchanathan during his first term in office / Win McNamee / Win McNamee/Getty Images His departure coincides with painful federal spending cuts driven by Trumps so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Elon Musk-led task force set up to reshape the federal bureaucracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The advisory bodys reforms have resulted in mass layoffs and grant cuts at federal agenciesincluding NSF grants worth more than $230 million. The NSF sacked 168 workers, or about 10 percent of its workforce, via a Zoom call on Feb. 18. Panchanathan reinstated 84 of them a fortnight later after legal challenges and updated guidance from the White House Office of Personnel Management, The Register reported. The NSF, which had a $9.06 billion budget last year, is an independent federal agency and the only one tasked with advancing all fields of scientific discovery, technological innovation and science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, per its website. Its affected grants included those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and misinformation/disinformation, and some titled Racial Equity in STEM, Antiracist Teacher Leadership and Advancing Gender Equity in Computing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle DEI programs. The reforms have sparked backlash from stakeholders and research organizations, according to CNN. NSF said in a statement on April 24 that it had a rough couple of weeks dealing with the Trump-triggered shakeup. Until early April, NSF had managed to avoid the level of destruction and politicization that the science community was witnessing, the agency said. The spending cuts have been driven by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency / Samuel Corum / Samuel Corum/Getty Images Panchanathan said he came to NSF inspired by its mission, with a desire to serve the scientific community alongside the exceptional people of the agency. This has motivated me every day over the last five years. I have always believed that innovation and opportunities must be unleashed everywhere at speed and scale, thereby nurturing talent in every corner of our great nation. This will ensure we remain competitive and innovative on a global scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a pivotal moment for our nation in terms of global competitiveness, Panchanathan continued. NSF is an extremely important investment to make U.S. scientific. He concluded by thanking both Trump and his predecessor President Joe Biden for the opportunity to serve. For the time being, the agency will be headed by Brian Stone, his chief of staff, Politico reported. DOGE claims to have slashed $160 billion in wasteful spending since Trump returned to office on Jan. 20. Students and faculty from the City University of New York (CUNY) hold a rally supporting international students who have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration in lower Manhattan on April 11, 2025. Credit - Michael NigroPacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images After weeks of courtroom battles, student protests, and escalating pressure from universities and federal judges, the Trump Administration has reversed a sweeping effort that jeopardized the legal status of thousands of international students in the United States. The Department of Justice announced Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will reinstate the immigration records of international students whose student visa data had been abruptly terminated, often due to minor or dismissed legal infractions. The decision marks yet another retreat by an Administration that has made hardline immigration enforcement a centerpiece of its second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The abrupt mass terminations earlier this month, which the American Immigration Law Association estimates impacted about 4,700 students, sent shockwaves through campuses across the country. Students were thrown into legal limbo with no notice, as their records in a system known as SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) were erased. That meant they were technically no longer in the country legally and at risk of detention and deportation. Some were blocked from attending classes or accessing campus resources. Others, already in precarious positions, found themselves detained or forced to self-deport. Judges across at least 23 states issued emergency orders temporarily blocking the government's actions, slamming the move as arbitrary, opaque, and potentially unlawful. Over 100 lawsuits were filedby students, universities, and advocacy organizationscharging that the terminations violated due process and targeted students without sufficient cause. The Trump Administrations reversal came just hours before ICE officials were expected to testify under oath in the court challenge. ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations, a Justice Department attorney said in court Friday, according to Politico, signaling a temporary halt to the practice of revoking records solely on the basis of prior legal encounters. Heres what to know about what this means for international students in the United States. Whos still at risk? For many affected students, the path forward remains unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The widely publicized cases of Rumeysa Ozturk and Mahmoud Khalil, for example, which are both entangled in broader national security and foreign policy debates, reflect the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the Administrations intent. Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student, was detained in Massachusetts after ICE agents confronted her on the street. Her F-1 visa had been quietly revoked days earlier, allegedly for activities in support of Hamas, though her attorneys say the real reason was her outspoken support for Palestinian rights. Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident and pro-Palestinian activist at Columbia University, faces deportation proceedings following a State Department order stripping him of his green carda dramatic escalation in a campaign that critics say is as political as it is legal. While the governments reversal applies to students with minor or dismissed legal infractionssuch as traffic violations or dropped chargesit remains unclear whether cases like Ozturks or Khalils fall under the Trump Administrations reversal. ICE retains authority to terminate a students record for national security concerns or other violations of immigration law. The State Department, which separately revoked many student visas, did not respond to a request for comment on whether those cancellations are being reversed as well. ICEs quiet expansion of campus control The origins of the mass terminations of student visas remain murky. Students from across the country have reported learning of their status loss only through school administrators or attorneys. Several said they were never arrested or even aware of any charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traditionally, it has been universities, through designated officers, who notify SEVIS of changes in a students status. Under the Trump Administration, ICE has begun taking more direct control, in what immigration lawyers describe as a dramatic shift. Though ICE and the State Department have framed the actions as necessary to protect national security and uphold immigration law, critics argue the crackdown fits into a broader pattern: pressuring universities to conform to Administration priorities including limiting political dissent. Just this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that students engaging in pro-Palestinian activism could face visa revocations for allegedly undermining U.S. foreign policy. The campaign has drawn comparisons to the post-9/11 surveillance of Muslim students and scholars, though with new digital tools. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. President Donald Trump said Crimea will stay with Russia as part of the deal he is pushing, seeming prepared to grant Russian President Vladimir Putin a major win to realize his goal of ending the Ukraine war. In an interview with Time published on Friday, Trump appeared optimistic that the conflict would end on his watch, claiming he is uniquely positioned to deliver peace, even though he has failed to meet his campaign promise of ending the war on Day One of his second term. Well, I said that figuratively, Trump said. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, once again, seemed to side with Moscow, blaming Ukraine for the war prompted by Russias full-scale invasion Feb. 24, 2022. I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO, Trump said. If that werent brought up, there would have been a much better chance that it wouldnt have started. Trump, according to Time, is now pushing for a deal that would grant Moscow 20% of Ukraines land, including Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, while former President Barack Obama was in office. Crimea will stay with Russia, he said. And [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy understands that, and everybody understands that its been with them for a long time. Its been with them long before Trump came along. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recognizing the peninsula as part of Russia would break with over 10 years of U.S. foreign policy. Zelenskyy also has made clear he would not agree to cede Crimea to Putin. There is nothing to talk about. It is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people, Zelenskyy said Tuesday. Trump blasted Zelenskyys comments, calling them inflammatory in a post on his Truth Social platform this week. Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, he said, accusing the wartime leader of hindering peace efforts. Trumps interview with Time comes a day after he claimed Russia was making a pretty big concession by stopping short of taking the whole country of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been unsuccessfully attempting to take the entire country since February 2022. Related... President Trump signed an executive order Thursday that aims to jump-start mining on the ocean floor. Large-scale deep sea mining has never been done though some companies have pushed for it but the seafloor is expected to contain valuable materials. A Trump administration official told reporters Thursday that it expects to find manganese, cobalt, nickel and copper at the bottom of the ocean. These materials have energy, weapons and consumer uses, making up components of batteries, steel and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents order was expected to direct the Commerce secretary to expedite permits for commercial undersea exploration and mining. It directs the Interior secretary to set a program to allow for mining off U.S. coasts. Officials described the measure as a win for both the economy and national security as China controls a significant share of the worlds mineral supply chains. Environmental advocates have raised concerns about the potential impacts of deep sea mining, saying it could release toxins, destroy habitats and contribute to biodiversity loss and noise pollution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Just over a 100 days into his second, and final, term, an organization under President Donald Trump's brand is selling "Trump 2028" hats, as he continues to float the idea of an unconstitutional third term. On April 24, the Trump store began selling red ball caps with "Trump 2028" embroidered on the front for $50. This is the latest in a string of increasing commentary about Trump seeking another term in office. Almost a month ago, Trump stated he's "not joking" about seeking a third term as president, and now the Trump store is selling merchandise promoting a third term in 2028. In February, official White House social media platforms portrayed Trump as a monarch, with the declaration, "long live the king," on the social posts. A day later, Trump asked supporters at a White House reception, "Should I run again?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people want me to do it, Trump said in a phone interview after the post. "But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, its very early in the administration." Here's what the 22nd Amendment says about term limits and more. Who owns the Trump Store? The Trump Store is operated by the Trump Organization and is the Trump family's company, not Trump's campaign committee. The campaign committee operates a different online store where the same hat is not on sale at this time. Could Trump run for a third term? Simply put, no. The United States Constitution makes it impossible for any president to hold the office for more than two terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Constitution was changed after Franklin Delano Roosevelt spent four consecutive terms in office during the Great Depression and World War II. The Amendment took years to be ratified by the states and Congress. What does the 22nd Amendment say about presidential term limits? The 22nd Amendment clearly outlines that a person serving as president can only hold the office twice. Here's what it says: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once." When did presidential term limits become part of the Constitution? The 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951, according to the National Constitution Center. The idea of term limits came from Republicans after President Franklin D. Roosevelt won four consecutive elections. His presidency started in 1933 during the Great Depression and spanned over 12 years until his death on April 12, 1945, during his fourth term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took nearly four years for the amendment to be ratified though. How is the Constitution changed? It's not an easy process and takes time. To make a change, an amendment can be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate, or two-thirds of state legislatures can call a constitutional convention. Then three-fourths, which is 38 out of 50, of the state legislatures or conventions must ratify it. The last time the Constitution was changed was in 1992 with the 27th Amendment. Have there always been presidential term limits? Not in writing. America's first president, George Washington, set an unofficial precedent when the first elections in the United States were happening. Washington only served as president twice, declining multiple times to serve a third term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In later years, Washington's decision to not seek a third term was seen as a safeguard against the type of tyrannical power wielded by the British monarchy during the Colonial era. According to the National Constitution Center, the concept of term limits was discussed at the Constitutional Convention when America was first founded but not added to the Constitution at that time. Has anyone sought more than two terms as president? Only a handful of people have sought a third term as president before the 22nd Amendment was ratified. Ulysses S. Grant tried for a third term in 1880, but he lost the Republican Party nomination to James Garfield Grover Cleveland lacked party support for a third term Woodrow Wilson hoped a deadlocked 1920 convention would turn to him for a third term Theodore Roosevelt originally passed on running for a third term in 1908, but would later run as a third-party candidate in 1912 after a fallout with then-President William Howard Taft. Roosevelt beat Taft, but both lost to Woodrow Wilson This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump store selling 'Trump 2028' hats. Can he run for a third term? This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter. William Smith, the former CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, was sentenced to 19 years in federal prison Thursday after pleading guilty in November to embezzling $40 million from the nonprofit over more than a decade. Smith also received a three-year term of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $44.3 million in restitution and will forfeit all assets acquired with the stolen funds, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. William Smith stole an astonishing amount of money from an important community institution and spent that money to finance an extravagant lifestyle, said Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck. Every dollar that Smith spent on luxury goods for himself is a dollar the Conservancy could not spend beautifying and improving our citys riverfront. Smith served as CFO of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit responsible for developing public access and green space along the Detroit River, funded by a mix of private donations and public grants, from 2011 to May 2024. His role gave him complete oversight of financial controls and created an environment that allowed him to manipulate funds. The scheme was carried out across three main fronts, according to court documents: 1. Unauthorized transfers to a shell company Smith created and controlled an entity called The Joseph Group Inc., which had no business relationship with the Conservancy. From February 2013 to May 2024, he transferred approximately $24.4 million from Conservancy accounts to The Joseph Group. The entity was not an approved vendor and provided no goods or services to the organization. 2. Personal credit card payments using conservancy funds Smith had an American Express account under another entity he owned, William Smith & Associates LLC, with four different cards linked to the one account. Between November 2012 and May 2024, he used about $14.9 million in Conservancy funds to pay these cards off. Purchases included personal items such as furniture, designer clothing, handbags, airline tickets and lawn care. None of these were authorized by the Conservancy. 3. Misuse of cashiers checks Smith used Conservancy funds to buy cashiers checks from various banks. These purchases were not authorized by the Conservancy or its board. He personally used the checks for his businesses and lifestyle. To sustain and conceal the embezzlement, Smith produced multiple falsified financial records. These included bank statements provided to the Conservancys bookkeeper, in which he removed evidence of unauthorized transfers. He also fraudulently obtained a $5 million line of credit through Citizens Bank by forging documents claiming board approval. Toward the end, he used this credit to refill Conservancy accounts to hide some of the missing money. Its been expected for some time that President Trump would eventually roll out a strategy ahead of the 2026 Midterms that involved at least a bit of ratfuckery, and, potentially, Big Lie version 3.0, taking aim at Democrats running for office and election administration generally. His recently released presidential memorandum going after ActBlue the fundraising machine that powers the vast majority of the Democratic Party ecosystem, and is used by candidates running for offices at every level across the nation could well end up being the beginning of his schemes grand unveiling. Politico was first to report that Trump planned to issue a presidential memorandum directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate ActBlue; the memorandum, released a few minutes ago, waves toward unsubstantiated security concerns related to straw donors and foreign contributions. (Republicans in Congress have cited similar concerns in launching their own investigations, but have not substantiated the claims.) Trump asks Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to look into the claims and to bring a report on the results of her investigation directly to him. Writes Trump: These activities undermine the integrity of our electoral process. Therefore, I direct the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to use all lawful authority, as necessary, to investigate allegations regarding the unlawful use of online fundraising platforms to make straw or dummy contributions or foreign contributions to political candidates and committees, and to take all appropriate actions to enforce the law. I further direct the Attorney General to report back to me through the Counsel to the President within 180 days of the date of this memorandum on the results of the investigation. The issues here are glaring and two fold. Trump has made retribution the theme of his second term, as he takes actions against law firms, universities, organizations and even guts his own executive branch to remove the threat, real or perceived, of anyone at odds with or simply uncommitted to his political agenda. But this is different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In ordering Bondi to investigate, he is innovating on, and getting more direct about, his campaign of targeting his enemies. Trump has taken executive actions to instruct Bondi and the Justice Department to investigate the investigators and rid the DOJ of whatever and whomever she deems the deep state. So far, it has mostly been the allies hes installed in leadership positions within the DOJ who have taken steps to act on his retribution agenda and erode even the appearance of the Justice Departments traditional independence from the White House (though the White House did, reportedly, directly order the firing of two federal prosecutors last month). Now, the president apparently intends to openly and directly oversee their work. And by targeting ActBlue, which serves as the main pillar of the Democratic Partys digital fundraising apparatus, Trump is attacking the infrastructure of the Democratic Party and its ability to effectively compete in elections. Since its inception in 2004, ActBlue has raised nearly $16 billion for Democratic candidates and Democratic causes. In an email to Democrats Wednesday warning of potential White House action against the group, CEO Regina Wallace-Jones called it out for what it appears to be. Nothing will deter or interrupt ActBlues mission and work to enable millions of Americans to participate in our democracy, she wrote. There is an ongoing and persistent effort to weaken the confidence of the American people in whats possible. This is the next version of the big lie. House Republicans have been angling to target ActBlue for some time, claiming the fundraising tool didnt have proper security protocols in place to block foreign donations. Those efforts have not borne fruit; a recent congressional subpoena revealed that the organization has policies in place to immediately reject foreign donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Elon Musk has, in recent weeks, made ActBlue a target of his screeds on X. In March he suggested without evidence that ActBlue-funded groups were behind the spate of protests against Tesla, as Americans object to his rampage through their federal government. Raskin Takes Another Stab At Ed Martin Accountability Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, is calling for the FBI to investigate acting D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin for not disclosing his appearances on networks funded by the Russian government, per a recent report from The Hill. According to a report from the Washington Post, Martin made over 150 appearances on RT America and Sputnik as a guest commentator between August 2016 and August of last year. The Congress of the United States and the American people deserve a full picture of Mr. Martin, his relationships to Russia, and his political loyalties, Raskin wrote, according to reporting from The Hill. RT and Sputnik have been critical elements in Moscows propaganda and disinformation efforts, which have been addressed by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Since 2017 and 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has required RT and Sputnik to register as foreign agents, reflecting Russian government control over their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first time Raskin has called for an investigation into Martin. Last month, Raskin called on Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate Martin; in a March 12 letter, he argued that Martins recent actions appear to violate the Constitution, federal statutes, DOJ regulations, and rules of legal ethics. The FBI confirmed receipt of Raskins letter in an email to TPM, but said they dont have any additional comment. Khaya Himmelman DHS Decides: 12 Hours Is All The Time You Need Before Being Sent To El Salvador We now know how the Trump administration is interpreting SCOTUSs requirement that those set for removal under the Alien Enemies Act receive notice before being expelled and have enough time to file a habeas corpus claim. The answer is 12 hours. If you want to file a habeas claim, then theyll give you a total of 24 hours to go to court before you become acquainted with the Salvadoran detention system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stingy puts it mildly. The notices are offered in English, and only make a vague reference to the ability to object to removal. Does this comply with the Supreme Courts order? Clearly not in spirit. And even in deed, only maybe in the flimsiest, narrowest way. Josh Kovensky FDA Commissioner Leaves Door Cracked On Restricting Abortion Pill More from Semafor: Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary said Thursday he has no plans to take action to restrict the availability of mifepristone, the pill used in most medication abortions in the US. Speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit, Makary took a firmer stance on the issue than he did in his Senate confirmation hearing last month, when he said he would do a review of the data and didnt commit to specific action leading some to wonder whether the Donald Trump administration would ultimately move to roll back access to the pill. At the summit, though, Makary still left the door open to future action on the medication. There is an ongoing set of data that is coming into the FDA on mifepristone, he said. So if the data suggests something or tells us that theres a real signal, we cant promise were not going to act on that data. In Case You Missed It Another Dem Sends Warning To Bukele Judge Rejects Trumps Vision Of An All-Powerful Presidency In Blocking Chunks Of His Election Order Judge Pauses Abrego Garcia Case After Parties Reach Secret Agreement Yesterdays Most Read Story Trump DOJ Launches New Secret Gambit In Abrego Garcia Case What We Are Reading Judge blocks part of Trumps order calling for proof of citizenship to vote Trump Lashes Out at Rupert Murdoch Over Fox News Trump Hating, Fake Pollster After Survey Reveals Record-Low Approval Ratings U.S. Sidelines Lawyers Who Doubted Their Own Case on Congestion Pricing As garment workers in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lesotho and Vietnam brace themselves for some of the most expansive of President Donald Trumps so-called reciprocal tariffs, currently on hold, their counterparts in the United States are feeling the pressure from the stiff levies that are already in place, including an extra 145 percentperhaps 245 percent?punitive tax on Chinese goods. They include women like Maria, a Los Angeleno who asked that only her first name be used because of potential retaliation. If the trade war drags onor worse, escalatesthe American businesses and workers that the president claims to want to put first will be hit hard as the rising cost of necessary imports such as fabric, buttons, zippers, threads and machinery wipe out any advantage that increased orders from companies looking to avoid hefty tariff payments may afford. Already, the 10 percent universal tariff that will serve as a baseline while the 90-day pause is still in effect is beginning to add up. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people may not know this, but garment workers typically have to bring their own tools to work, and most of these tools are made in other countries, so this will take more money out of garment workers pockets because our toolstrimmers, feet, sewing tweezers, bobbinswill become more expensive, she said. Tools like sewing feet get worn down quickly and we have to replace them often. Its going to be hard to afford to replace them if they become much more expensive. As is the case elsewhere in the world, its the worker at the supply chains lowest rung that ends up bearing the brunt. Maria expects her already meager paycheck to shrink further still. Despite a 2021 law requiring Californian factories to pay the people who stitch their clothes the minimum wage, violations are still widespread. She pointed out that while factories may gain more work, they may also lack the wherewithal to take it on. Basically, all the textiles we use to make clothes will also become more expensive, she said, adding that the additional costs will end up hurting everyone, whether employer or employee. They could even lead to layoffs, which would have the opposite effect of what Trump said he wants. It isnt for nothing, either, that former L.A. County district attorney George Gascon once dubbed Los Angeles the wage theft capital of America. A 2022 Department of Labor survey of 50 randomly chosen garment manufacturers in the Southern California area, for instance, found that half of them were illegally paying their workers off the books, including through the outlawed piece-rate system. In what investigators called a particularly egregious case, one garment contractor paid its workers as little as $1.58 per hour. Garment workers elsewhere in the country have even fewer protections, though it hasnt been for a lack of trying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of which is to say that cutting into already razor-thin manufacturing margins could make unscrupulous employers behave even worse. While tariffs are often framed as a way to protect American jobs, they can actually backfire when it comes to apparel by increasing jobs for brands without addressing the root causes of why domestic apparel manufacturing has declined, said Katrina Caspelich, executive director of Remake, a fashion advocacy group that has been lobbying for federal legislation in the form of the Fashioning Accountability and Building Real Institutional Changeor FABRICAct. Like its California predecessor, the FABRIC Act wants to end piece-rate payments, albeit at a national level. But it also proposes giving domestic manufacturers a leg up through a $50 million-a-year support program, administered by the Department of Labor, that would dole out grants and technical aid to help manufacturers with facilities and equipment upgrades, workforce development and safety training and improvements. Caspelich said that fashion made in the United States can be part of a thriving future, but only if its people-first. If the Trump administration wants to bolster local productionand in a way thats ethical and sustainableit needs to pour in real investment, including expanding workforce development programs, bolstering labor protections, enforcing existing laws against wage theft and unsafe workplace conditions and offering tax incentives and grants to businesses that commit to fair labor practices at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we truly value made in America, we have to value the people who make it possible, she added. Instead of blanket tariffs, we need policies that directly invest in rebuilding the infrastructure for responsible domestic manufacturing. An absolutely terrifying time The fact of the matter is that the strength of domestic apparel manufacturing isnt what it used to be. After the advent of free trade and Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization sent production fleeing to cheaper climes overseas, only 2 to 3 percent of clothing sold in the United States is also cut and sewn in the United States. The sprawling ecosystem of cotton ginners, yarn spinners, textile mills and dyeing and finishing houses that once underpinned any semblance of self-sufficiency has mostly been broken up and sold for parts. And the rest have been struggling to hang on, with more than a dozen textile plants permanently shuttering in 2024, according to the National Council of Textile Organizations, a lobbying group. But Marissa Nuncio, director of the Garment Worker Center in Los Angeles, still cant help but feel a twinge of indignation whenever she reads takes that dismiss the existence of an American labor force. Roughly 100,000 garment workers still toil in the United States, most of them concentrated in downtown Los Angeles and New York Citys Garment District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really important that the impact on workers doesnt get lost, she said. Its also really important that there is a growing ecosystem of sustainable, ethical, high-road fashion businesses that are trying to change the industry from within, and theyre directly impacted by this. Without attention to what it takes to support and bolster and build up domestic industry, were going to see the negative impacts of these tariffs. Leaner paychecks arent the only concern for garment workers. As the prices of groceries spiral upward, adding to the higher-than-average cost of living in cities like Los Angeles and New York, the squeeze is going to come from both sides, creating more financial duress. Garment workers also tend to be of immigrant extraction, with many of them undocumented women from Latin America and Asia. The White Houses aggressive push to apprehend and deport as many people as it can has created a climate of fear and uncertainty over potential sweeps of their factory floors by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Its an absolutely terrifying time, said Nuncio, whose organization has held at least half a dozen know your rights workshops in the various regions in L.A. County since November, complete with free consultations with immigration lawyers. We speak to our members; they have a lot of questions: what does this particular news or this executive order mean? she said. Weve heard from multiple members who said we had a real increase in ICE activity in the south L.A. region, where a lot of our members are, where our factories are. And weve heard from members who said, I didnt go to work today. Im scared to go out. Thats a real direct impact. Folks need to be able to live their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of miles west in Brooklyn, where Roopa Pemmaraju, founder of Refugee Atelier, helps equip refugees and asylum seekers with the tailoring skills that will allow them to seek fair-paying jobs, the mood is one of resigned acceptance. These are people, she said, her voice barely rising above the factory floor din, who are used to being taken advantage of because of their desperation for a better life. They just say that if they have to get picked out, thats the reality and nobody can change that, Pemmaraju said. But meanwhile, Ill continue to help them fill out their paperwork and get the right wages, connect them with affordable housing. Thats what Im focusing on now. Garment workers frequently skew older, too, with many already on the verge of aging out of the business, said Jennifer Guarino, president and CEO of the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center, or ISAIC, in Detroit, which trains young people in the fundamentals of advanced and automated apparel production at its factory classroom. Especially with technology in play, the problem isnt so much the labor force, she said, but whether there is a long-term commitment to sustain it. Consider, for instance, the rise and then collapse of the domestic personal protective equipment sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. As soon as China resumed exports of masks and gowns, the American businesses that rallied on a shoestring were abandoned en masse. The same fear infuses the industry today. What if American suppliers threw everything they had at expanding their capacity, only to see tariffs dissipate and orders dwindle once more? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think businesses have to get beyond this reactionary hair-on-fire response to tariffs and say, Oh, you know what? If its not this, its going to be another, Guarino said. What we really need to do is commit to a transformative supply chain that will be good no matter what happens with tariffs. And that itll be better for us in the long term, for our business and the environment. ISAIC is an example of how garment jobs, with the proper investment that Caspelich was talking about, can be transformed for the better. It sees its trainees as more than just future bodies on a production floor. Its not just training sewing operators, she said, but flexible product fabricators that, yes, can sew, but they can also run digital cutting machines or interface with digital embroidery and printing. Making jobs higher-skilled and higher-wage will make it more appealing to the next generation, but it also requires reassessing talent development. When I hear manufacturers say, We cant find enough sewers, well, its just not the right answer. Its just doing it the old-fashioned way, she said. So, at least from our perspective, the talent will be there, but you have to present a different career value proposition. You need the dedicated commitment that the jobs will be there. Taking the high road There are a few certainties in the domestic garment production sphere. American military uniforms have to be made in the United States by law. And since 2012, Team U.S.A.s opening and closing Olympic ceremony uniforms have been manufactured by Ralph Laurens stateside contractors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the fact that the online shopfront for the L.A. Olympics in 2028 has, to date, no products that are made locally is a sign that larger impediments are involved, said Daniel Cardozo, CEO of Ethix Merch, a responsibly sourced swag merchant that founded the Alliance for Responsible Apparel Manufacturing & PurchasingARAMP, for shortwith the Garment Worker Center, the Sweat-Free Purchasing Consortium and others to provide a vetted marketplace of high-road L.A. manufacturers that take care of their workers the right way. I cant tell you how many labor unions there are that we talk tothat we lose business tobecause they go and they buy imports for their rallies, events and giveaways without any kind of labor regulations behind them, because its written into the DNA of the economy at this point that you just get the best deal, and you dont have to do the work to identify the impact that your purchases have, he said. And now theres no system in place for the L.A. Olympics to support its own garment industry whatsoever. Cardozo thinks that the tariffs, done properly, could bring some clothing manufacturing back to the United States. The problem is that he has little faith that this is the case. He wouldnt be surprised, in fact, if most of the new work ends up going to sweatshops. Theres no prep work being done to invest in the industry on the front end so that we can have the capacity to take advantage of these opportunities, he said. Theres no guarantee that these tariffs are going to last. The administration has been extremely capricious about it. Theyre coming, theyre being lowered, theyre being raised, they may be paused, etc. It doesnt give the industry the opportunity to invest because you dont know whats coming down the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then theres the fundamental flaw that Christian Birky, founder of Because Capital, a firm that focuses on reducing overproduction in fashion, and co-founder of ISAIC, sees as that reason many garment workers, including those in the United States, have to grapple with near-, if not below-poverty wages. For reshoring to take, he said, brands will have to recognize that the current tack of massive overproduction, followed by selling off the surplus at deep discounts, is not a viable financial strategy. The capital that we need to invest in better wages and to treat people fairly in this industry is tied up in huge amounts of clothing being produced that we dont need, he said. Thats the reality of it. And until we address that, were going to be playing in the margins. We make too many garments for the number of garments that we sell. Nuncio agreed. The notion that tariffs are going to rebuild American apparel manufacturing is an incomplete analysis, especially from a worker organizing standpoint. And ARAMP, she said, is getting close to being able to run a pilot to see what forward-looking partnerships and solutions might look like. Otherwise, fashion production will continue to be a race to the bottom, whether in the United States or overseas. Workers are the backbone of the industry, she said. Theyre the ones who can articulate what are the needs of the industry. And for us that that needs to be a focus in this conversation: Whats needed to keep good, dignified jobs present and growing for them? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York and California are among the states suing the Trump administration for illegally imposing tariffs through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which imbues the president with extraordinary economic powers during a national emergency. But the cities where garment workers are concentrated, like Los Angeles, could do more to help garment workers, too, Maria said. The city would have the power to price things at the necessary level for the workers to make what they should be making, she said. The city could make the choice to invest taxpayer dollars in good-paying jobs. In the end though, its not just our tools and materials that will increase in cost, but likely everything in our lives will go up: cost of food, everything. And this will cause more financial stress in our lives. President Donald Trump speaking at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, on Feb. 22, 2025. (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0) A dozen Democratic attorneys general, led by the AGs in Arizona and Oregon, filed a lawsuit Wednesday arguing that President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs were illegally implemented and will cause irreparable harm to their constituents. In the 38-page filing, attorneys general for Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Vermont urged the U.S. Court of International Trade to find that the presidents tariffs were issued illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past three months, Trump has at various times declared and withdrawn the financial penalties on multiple countries. For now, the White House has settled on a 145% tariff on most products imported from China, 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods and 10% base tariffs on the rest of the world. Another 57 countries were subject to reciprocal tariffs that were actually based on trade deficits, not existing tariffs that those countries had applied to American goods. The attorneys general argued that the whiplash of constantly changing tariff rates has injected uncertainty into the countrys economy and said the presidents misuse of his strictly defined powers violates the U.S. Constitution. These edicts reflect a national trade policy that now hinges on the Presidents whims rather than the sound exercise of his lawful authority, reads the lawsuit. By claiming the authority to impose immense and ever-changing tariffs on whatever goods entering the United States he chooses, for whatever reason he finds convenient to declare an emergency, the President has upended the constitutional order and brought chaos to the American economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona AG Kris Mayes, who has mobilized her office to challenge the federal governments actions in thirteen different lawsuits, called the tariffs economically reckless in a news conference announcing the latest lawsuit. As Arizonas chief law enforcement officer, I will not stand by while the federal government imposes policies that harm our economy, violates the constitution and ignores the limits of executive power, she said. This lawsuit is about protecting Arizonans and businesses large and small, it is about defending our constitutional system and reminding this administration, yet again, that no one not even the president of the United States is above the law. The attorneys general argue that only Congress has the power to impose tariffs, and that Trumps bid to circumvent that by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act is unlawful. The act, they wrote, makes no mention of tariffs, and only empowers the president to regulate, investigate or block trade while an investigation is ongoing. And, they argue, the requirements for Trump to act during peacetime havent been met. The act grants the president the ability to regulate trade between the United States and other countries if there is an unusual and extraordinary threat that poses a risk to national security, foreign policy or the countrys economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To satisfy that, Trump has justified his tariffs by accusing Canada and Mexico of not doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl and China of failing to intercept the chemical precursors that are used to manufacture fentanyl. And while Trump relied on IEEPA to greenlight 10% tariffs against the rest of the world, he provided no reasoning that might comply with the acts requirements. The lawsuit also notes that applying tariffs to every product from Canada, Mexico and China violates IEEPA, because not every product that is imported from those countries is related to the presidents purported goal of addressing the fentanyl crisis. The Plaintiff states agree that the fentanyl crisis requires urgent government action, but the imposition of tariffs is neither an effective nor a lawful response to that crisis, the AGs wrote in the lawsuit. The (tariff orders for China, Mexico and Canada) lacks any rationale for the tariff rates imposed and bears no relationship between the goods subject to the Order and the claimed emergency. During Wednesdays news conference, Mayes highlighted the damage the tariffs risk causing to the Grand Canyon States business community and government agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat, who previously served on the Arizona Corporation Commission, said she has discussed the possibility of increased rates with utility companies in the state, and while they havent committed to avoiding doing so, they also havent ruled them out. Mayes pointed out that some utility companies depend on lumber from Canada to erect telephone poles, and others use solar panels, which are largely made in China, or transformers, which come from Europe, China and South America. Likewise, the Arizona Department of Transportation is already seeing prices rise, and Mayes said that will ultimately increase the cost of highway and road construction. Bill Sandweg, the owner of Copper Star Coffee in central Phoenix, said that his business depends on ingredients that are grown in other countries, with climates that cannot be replicated in the United States, and specialty equipment that isnt manufactured in the country. He said that he buys around $5,000 worth of spices from India every year, but the new tariffs have increased that cost to $7,500. Sandweg called the tariffs taxation without representation and warned that, if they arent reduced, his costs will eventually be transferred to consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first lawsuit the White House has had to contend with in the wake of its tariff policies. Last week, California launched its own legal challenge in federal court that similarly attacked the presidents use of his emergency powers to impose tariffs. And a Florida woman who owns a stationary business went to court to contest the fact that her voice, and those of other U.S. citizens, was ignored because the tariffs werent subject to congressional debate. A group of small businesses also filed a lawsuit against Trumps use of the IEEPA in the U.S. Court of International Trade on April 14. On Wednesday, a panel of judges overseeing the case decided against freezing the tariffs while litigation continues. A hearing is scheduled on May 13 for the court to consider the issue. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE After President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that he opposed increasing taxes on the rich to pay for the rest of his policy agenda, Democrats could breathe a sigh of relief. The idea would be very disruptive, Trump said, echoing House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who told Fox News earlier that day, Im not in favor of raising the tax rates because our party is the group that stands against that traditionally. Taxing the rich is a policy typically associated with Democrats. Since most voters think the wealthy dont pay enough in taxes, that works to the partys advantage. But Washingtons highest-ranking Republicans were reportedly increasingly comfortable with the notion, as well. Had they followed through with the idea, it could have scrambled the image of both parties. This guts the AOC-Bernie oligarchy tour, former Trump adviser Stephen Bannon said in predicting what would happen if Republicans supported higher taxes for the wealthy. He was referring to the wildly successful events Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., have been holding around the country in recent weeks. Politically, its game, set, match. But unfortunately for Bannon, as Johnson said, the Republican Party traditionally cuts taxes and especially cuts taxes for the rich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The possibility of a tax increase on the wealthy has percolated in Washington for weeks, supported outside the Beltway by Bannon and others. The Washington Post, citing two administration officials and three other people briefed on the matter, reported Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance and budget director Russell Vought expressed openness to the idea. According to NBC News, GOP lawmakers had considered letting the rate for the top tax bracket return to 39.6% (from 37%) when the 2017 tax cuts expire at the end of the year or creating a higher bracket for households making more than a million dollars. The mere consideration of this heresy reflects two major problems with Trumps legislative agenda: one numerical and one political. The GOP wants to extend the 2017 tax cuts, which would cost $4.6 trillion, and add hundreds of billions of dollars in spending on the border and the military. To assuage the partys most zealous fiscal hawks, Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., say theyre looking at $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. But because Trump has kept Social Security and Medicare off the table for this budget at least the numbers dont work without hundreds of billions in cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Along with the effects of the tariffs, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that Trumps agenda will reduce the poorest Americans incomes by 10%, while the top 1% of Americans get an additional $25,500 in income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That leads us to the political problem. The 2017 tax cuts were unpopular from the moment they were passed, so much so that Republicans largely stopped touting them ahead of their 2018 midterm shellacking. Cutting programs like Medicaid to pay for an extension of those will likely be even less popular (and in a new Fox News poll, just 38% of voters approve of Trumps job performance on taxes). Just last week, a dozen moderate Republicans that is, far more than his two-vote margin in the chamber warned Johnson against cutting the health care program too deeply. If past is prologue, those moderates will cave, as they have throughout Trumps second term. But Republicans will have to face the 2026 midterms having voted to cut Medicaid and food aid to reduce the taxes for millionaires. Increasing income taxes on the richest Americans wouldnt do much to close the gap between them and the rest of us; for that job youd need a wealth tax or a higher capital gains tax. But it would address Republicans two problems, shrinking the necessary spending cuts and rebutting the widespread image of the party as the handmaiden of the wealthy. With more low-income voters backing Republicans, trashing this bit of GOP orthodoxy would come at a perfect moment to cut further into a traditionally Democratic cohort. Bannon is right that making the wealthy pay more in taxes is a no-brainer. But if hiking taxes on the rich is a no-brainer, cutting taxes for the rich is the GOPs primary reflex. No other policy so closely binds the party; no other goal leads billionaire donors to open their checkbooks again and again. Ronald Reagan brought the myth of trickle down tax cuts to the White House. George W. Bush pushed through two tax cut packages tilted to the wealthy. And in Trumps chaotic first term, the 2017 tax cuts were the only major policy that united Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe, one day, Bannon and his ilk will get their wish, and the faux populism of the MAGA-era GOP will become real. But this GOP remains in the grips of the donors and the oligarchs, even as Americans are as furious as ever about our unequal society. Those Democrats, like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who recognize this truth are best positioned to capitalize on it. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com US President Donald Trump repeated in an interview with Time magazine that Crimea will remain under Russian control as part of a peace agreement with Ukraine. "Crimea will stay with Russia. And [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time," Trump told the magazine in an interview conducted on Tuesday but published on Friday. Russia occupied the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula in 2014 and subsequently annexed it in violation of international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Trump stated in response to a question about Crimea that Ukraine had lost the peninsula 11 years ago when it did not fight the Russian occupation then and it would be tough to get it back now. "If he wants Crimea, why didn't they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday. In the Time interview, Trump also blamed Ukraine for causing the war with its desire to join NATO. "I think what caused the war to start was when they [Ukraine] started talking about joining NATO," Trump told Time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If that weren't brought up, there would have been a much better chance that it wouldn't have started," he said. The US president also repeated that Ukraine will not be able to join NATO. "I don't think they'll ever be able to join NATO," Trump said. Employee Jericho Talatala assembles a forensic computer workstation used in police investigations at the Sumuri LLC plant in Magnolia, Del., which could be hurt by tariffs and reduced government spending. Tariffs meant to encourage U.S. manufacturing could have the opposite effect because many materials are imported from China. (Courtesy of Sumuri LLC) Steve Whalen loves his home state of Delaware and hes proud to manufacture computers there that police officers use to catch bad guys. He said tariffs on imports from China and other countries, along with sharp cuts to government spending and the winding down of a program for small manufacturers, will make it harder for him to do that. We got into business to keep costs low for the good guys, but tariffs or anything else that raises prices keeps us from doing that, said Whalen, co-founder of Sumuri LLC in Magnolia, Delaware, which makes computer workstations for police and government investigations. Whalen has to buy materials overseas, often from China, and he said the tariffs could force him to triple his price on some workstations to $12,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tariffs are the main tool President Donald Trump is wielding to try to boost manufacturing in the United States, calling the achievement of that goal an economic and national security priority. But the higher levies have led to retaliation and suspended shipments, and Whalen said they are just one of several Trump administration actions squeezing his small manufacturing business. The wave of federal spending cuts, which has affected grants to state and local governments, could make his customers put off purchases. And the administration has moved to cut off funding for a $175 million state-based program that provides expert advice to smaller factories like his. The Delaware version of that program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, helped Sumuri fit expanded product lines into the limited space in its small-town factory. We were really having a tough time trying to figure out how to utilize our space efficiently, Whalen said. They came here and helped us organize and optimize, and it made a huge difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 1, the Trump administration cut off funding for 10 such manufacturing programs that were up for renewal in Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming. Other state MEP programs will expire over the next year. The administration gave a reprieve to those 10 states until the end of the fiscal year after objections from Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, which manages the program, extended funding for the 10 states after further review and consideration and will continue to evaluate plans for the program, said agency spokesperson Chad Boutin. The program has come under fire from Republicans since the George W. Bush administration first tried to end it in 2009, and again during the first Trump administration, but Congress has continued to fund it. The conservative Heritage Foundation said in a 2023 book that MEPs functions would be more properly carried out by the private sector. Dots dont quite connect Buckley Brinkman, executive director of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity, which works with his states MEP program, said it didnt make much sense for the administration to shutter the program as it seeks to boost the number of U.S. manufacturing jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its one of those things where the dots dont quite connect, Brinkman said. I mean, jeez, heres a part of government that doesnt cost a whole lot, in the grand scheme of things less than $200 million a year thats returning 10-to-1 to the national treasury, working on a priority for the president. A 2024 Upjohn report found an even higher return: 17-to-1 on $175 million in the 2023 fiscal year, creating $3 billion in new federal tax revenue. In Wisconsin, which has lost more than 138,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000, some parts makers report that business is booming as manufacturers seek to avoid tariffs by finding U.S. alternatives to Chinese manufacturers, Brinkman said. But more broadly, he doubts that the tariffs will spark a manufacturing boom in the state. Do we want all this manufacturing back? Do we have the will to get it back? The answer to both those questions is no, Brinkman said. Even without the tariffs we dont really want Americans doing a lot of those jobs that are in Chinese factories right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Delaware, the MEP helped Sumuri manage its expansion, but unpredictable tariffs and budgets are now a bigger danger, said Jason Roslewicz, Sumuris vice president of business development. Hes had to devote two employees to monitoring supply lines, tariff news and competitor pricing to stay afloat. We went from putting things together in a basement to a 19,000-square-foot facility, doing exactly what were supposed to do here in the U.S., and its all in danger of coming apart because of this problem, Roslewicz said. Other small manufacturers express similar concerns. TJ Semanchin, who owns Wonderstate Coffee in Madison, Wisconsin, said his business roasting and distributing coffee is in crisis because of the tariffs. I mean, jeez, heres a part of government that doesn't cost a whole lot, in the grand scheme of things that's returning 10-to-1 to the national treasury. Buckley Brinkman, director of Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity Wonderstates costs have almost doubled between tariffs on imported coffee and packaging materials from China, plus a cyclical rise in coffee prices. Im borrowing money to pay for this and at some point well have to raise prices. Well have no choice, Semanchin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many Republican state officials, and even some Democrats, have backed Trumps tariff push, including Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who credited the Trump administration with reshoring manufacturing and restoring this middle class which has been eviscerated over the last 20 years. Theres dislocation in the short term, theres long-term opportunity, Youngkin said in an April 15 interview on CNBC. He said his state is hearing more interest from manufacturers looking to build or expand local factories since Trump took office. For instance, Delta Star recently announced a plan to add 300 jobs building power transformers in Lynchburg. The president has been clear that there will be some level of tariffs, and folks are coming, and thats good for Virginia, Youngkin said in the CNBC interview. Virginias MEP program, called Genedge, claims successes in streamlining production and quality control for local factory products including TreeDiaper, an automated tree watering device made in Ashland, and for advising EDM, a Lynchburg plastic product assembler that needed more efficient production to keep overseas competition at bay. But Virginias MEP is one of the state programs slated to expire in the next year. Long-term trend The slide in U.S. manufacturing jobs has continued on and off since 1979, and many experts say tariffs will not bring them back. Despite a modest bounce back under the Biden administration, the number of manufacturing jobs has declined from nearly 20 million in 1979 to less than 13 million today, even as the total U.S. workforce has grown from 89 million to 159 million during that period. Manufacturing faces labor shortages, with many factories operating below capacity because they cant find enough workers, according to Jason Miller, a professor of supply chain management at Michigan State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt bode well for a mass reshoring of factories from China and other countries, but Miller doesnt expect that to happen anyway. Firms are not planning on reshoring much of the work that was offshored 20 to 25 years ago, Miller said. Im not concerned about having enough workers for manufacturing jobs that would be reshored because this isnt going to happen. In a 2024 survey by the libertarian Cato Institute, 80% of Americans said America would be better off if more people worked in manufacturing, but only 25% said they personally would be better off working in a factory. The Chinese government has poked fun at the idea with memes of American workers struggling to make Nike sneakers with sewing machines. Joseph McCartin, a labor historian at Georgetown University, said the idea of a manufacturing rebirth is a mirage being conjured to attract the support of workers who have been underpaid in an increasingly unequal economy for the last 40 years, and are desperate for some hope of renewed upward mobility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manufacturing isnt the magic wand to make that happen, McCartin said. What we need is to raise workers wages and make the economy less prone to producing inequality, McCartin said. That mission is not at all what Trump is about. He is dealing in stale nostalgia. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@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. Donald Trump is selling merchandise with the slogan Trump 2028 in a nod to a potential White House run that is banned under the US Constitution. The US presidents official website is offering his popular red hats along with T-shirts and can coolers that feature the slogan. The T-shirts also include the phrase rewrite the rules in brackets. Mr Trump would be barred from serving more than two terms as president under the Constitutions 22nd amendment, which expressly forbids it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, Mr Trump, 78, said he is considering running for a third term, telling NBC in March that he was not joking about his ambitions and that there are methods for him to do it. The two-term limit was an unwritten tradition dating back to George Washington, the nations first president, who famously decided not to seek a third term because he said he did not want the new country to be a monarchy. The countrys presidents largely followed that tradition until Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president, who served three full terms in office before he died a few months into his fourth term in 1945. The T-shirt also features the phrase rewrite the rules - TRUMPSTORE.COM A two-term limit was then formalised in 1951 with the 22nd amendment, which states that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, many of Mr Trumps supporters have encouraged him to run again in 2028. Steve Bannon, a former chief strategist for several months of Mr Trumps first term, told News Nation last month that the president will run and win again in 2028. Trump supporters can also purchase can coolers - TRUMPSTORE.COM A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday showed a slim majority of Republicans think the president should not seek a third term. Three quarters of respondents said he should not run again. But even among Republican politicians, the idea of a third term is growing in popularity. Tennessee representative Andy Ogles has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution so Mr Trump could serve again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the proposal is unlikely to succeed because of the high threshold to enact it a two-thirds majority of both the US House and Senate must approve it, and then three quarters of state legislatures must ratify it. Despite these barriers, Mr Trump and his Maga allies appear to be cashing in on the idea. His second son, Eric, posted a link to the merchandise on his X account along with a picture of the Trump 2028 T-shirt. Eric was also pictured wearing the new red hat. Mr Trump on Thursday. He would be 82 in 2028 - REUTERS Earlier this month Mr Trump said he would love to challenge Barack Obama, who is also constitutionally barred from running after serving two terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked by a reporter if he would run against Mr Obama if the former president sought a third term, Mr Trump said, I love that, that would be a good one. Id like that. I never looked into it. They do say theres a way you can do it. But I dont know about that. He continued: I have not looked into it. I want to do a fantastic job. We have four years, just about almost close to four years, and some time is flying, but its still close to four years, and were getting a lot of credit for having done a great job in the first almost 100 days. Legal experts have suggested there are a number of potential avenues to get around the 22nd amendment, including JD Vance, the US vice-president, nominating Mr Trump as his vice-president and then stepping aside for him. 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. Latest Donald Trump news: People gather in Boca Raton for an anti-Trump protest; President's approval rating drops; Chinese spy concern in Florida. Donald Trump has kept the world on edge with a trade policy that seems to change by the day. So far, American consumers have been shielded from much of the impact. But as the world of international shipping adjusts to his policies, the president is facing a potential reckoning. With the US-China trade war starting to gum up container traffic between the worlds two biggest economies, freight companies are warning of plunging bookings and a surge in blank sailings where ports are skipped or voyages are called off altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, Americas most powerful retail executives trooped into the White House to deliver a blunt prognosis: tariffs on Chinese goods risked causing empty shelves in two weeks without a change of course. The three companies who attended the meeting Walmart, Target and Home Depot are among the most exposed to the presidents policies, which include tariffs of up to 145pc on Chinese goods and higher port fees for Chinese-made vessels. Walmart sources roughly 60pc of its imports from China, including clothing, electronics and toys, according to Reuters research, while around 50pc of Targets suppliers are also based there. Many retailers and manufacturers will have a buffer of stock kept in warehouses and other storage facilities that will have initially allowed them to weather any disruptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But these can only last so long, usually a matter of weeks. And after that point, retailers will face a choice: pay the tariffs and either swallow the extra cost or pass them on to customers; or stop buying goods from China and accept shortages on shelves. Sailing into trouble There are signs that many American companies are now responding by cancelling orders, at least temporarily. It takes about two to three weeks for vessels from the east coast of China to make their way to the west coast of America. According to data published by the Port of Los Angeles, which handles large amounts of goods shipped from Chinese ports including Shanghai, container traffic was 56pc higher this week than a year earlier, likely reflecting a flood of orders that were placed just before Trumps liberation day tariff announcement on April 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But next week traffic is expected to be 11pc lower, and then 33pc lower the week after. The drop in predicted arrivals at Los Angeles follows reports from data provider Vizion of a crash in container bookings in April. For shipments from China to the US, bookings fell 64pc in the first week of the month compared to the previous week. Analysts blamed the crash on importers who were cancelling shipments to reassess costs, timelines, and broader trade strategy. This is leaving more container ships half-empty and prompting more shipping companies to cancel voyages in a bid to reduce losses and stop fees plummeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spot cost of shipping a 40ft container has already fallen from $5,729 (4,300) at the start of the year to $2,793, according to Xeneta, a shipping data platform. Meanwhile, the number of blank sailings is surging. Since early April, the number of voyages cancelled between Asia and the east coast of America has doubled to more than 40pc, data from Sea Intelligence shows. When we look at the data, it is quite evident that the impact of the trade war has caused many shippers to pause, or outright cancel, shipments, analysts at the company said on Thursday. This in turn reduces demand for capacity on container vessels, to which carriers respond by cancelling sailings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This level of escalation in blanked capacity illustrates a dramatic change in the market. Were going to be very nice Peter Aylott, head of policy at the UK Chamber of Shipping, says the question of whether this will now result in empty spaces on American shelves will depend on a range of factors. But it is the uncertainty that is likely to prove most damaging, he adds. There is still a hell of a lot of uncertainty, says Aylott, and in that situation many people just pause activity to wait and see what will happen. The president had previously defended his tariffs strategy as being necessary to re-shore American manufacturing. But within hours of this weeks closed-door meeting with retail chiefs, he appeared to have shifted his position dramatically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to be very nice. Theyre going to be very nice, and well see what happens, he told reporters on Tuesday, in comments that were viewed as an olive branch to China. Ultimately, climbing down from the trade war on terms acceptable to Washington is not in Trumps gift alone. Beijing has hit back with its own tariffs of 125pc on American exports. And despite his claims that the two sides are in regular contact, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Thursday shot this claim down, telling reporters that the suggestion was groundless and has no factual basis. Whatever Trump now hopes to accomplish, he needs to do it quickly. If not, American shoppers may see the impact of this trade war on shelves within weeks. 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. Businesses grappling with falling stock prices amid an economic downturn like the one the world could be approaching should consider revisiting their vacation policies, an investor survey suggests. Bloomberg's research reveals that approximately two-thirds of investors see potential in companies with unlimited time-off policies, suggesting they could potentially outperform the S&P 500. In a survey of 1,061 participants conducted through Bloomberg's weekly Markets Live Pulse, 65% of professional investors and 57% of retail investors expressed the belief that companies offering unlimited vacation could fare better than the top 500 companies listed on the U.S. stock exchange. The perk, which originated at small Silicon Valley startups, has slowly trickled its way to major corporations like LinkedIn, Netflix, and Microsoft. Even, Goldman Sachs, which is well known for its long hours and always-on culture, introduced the generous holiday package in 2022 (albeit only for senior staff). How many companies offer unlimited PTO? Currently, just 7% of companies in the States offer unlimited PTO, but demand for it is growing: In 2022, Glassdoor reported that mentions of "unlimited" leave policies in employee reviews were up 75% from pre-pandemic levels. Not only does the policy enable employees to attract top talent, but it also helps cut costs associated with unused vacation. If Im the CFO, I'm loving this. This is a big money saver for me, Rich Fuerstenberg, senior partner at consulting firm Mercer told Bloomberg, who thinks that its adoption was accelerated by the pandemic lockdowns because unused leave ballooned when employees werent able to travel. Really, offering unlimited PTO is more than a well-being booster for workers; it also enables firms to eliminate accrued vacation liabilities from their books. Whats more, its unlikely that workers will even make the most of the generous offer. How much PTO do people usually get? Counterintuitively, offering staff unlimited time off work won't result in staff being endlessly away from their desks. Prior research indicates that many workers do not fully utilize the vacation time offered by their employers. This trend is particularly evident in the United States, where almost 46% of employees do not use all their allocated paid time off. About two-thirds of participants in Bloomberg's survey reported receiving more than 20 paid vacation days per year from their employer. However, less than 40% of respondents actually took more than 20 days off. That doesnt change with the introduction of unlimited PTO: When Bloomberg asked respondents how much leave they would take if they had an unlimited vacation, 41% said that they would take no more than 20 days of leave. Mass deportations are difficult, and the White House knows it. President Donald Trump largely failed to carry out his far-reaching immigration enforcement plans during his first term. Some of his efforts were blocked by federal courts; others were undone by practical hurdles and poor planning. Removal numbers barely rose above their Obama-era levels for most of his term. This time around, the administration wants to be far more aggressive. The Washington Post reported earlier this month that, in internal conversations, Trump officials hope to deport at least one million people from the United States in their first year in office. This may sound feasible on paper since there are at least 1.4 million undocumented immigrants currently in the country who have received final deportation orders from immigration courts, meaning that they can be lawfully removed as soon as they are taken into custody. But even those goals will face severe logistical challenges and may fall short. To that end, the Trump administration and its allies appear increasingly willing to use authoritarian and antidemocratic tactics against American citizens along the wayto make deportations logistically easier, to punish and criminalize political dissent and resistance, to create scapegoats for future shortcomings, or some combination thereof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Trump administration is earnestly trying to remove as many immigrants from the country as it can, there is also a highly performative nature to its second-term strategy. It is not enough to cite year-to-year removal statistics from federal databases; the Trump administration wants to be seen arresting immigrants, jailing immigrants, and deporting immigrants. To better lend his draconian policies some reality-television aesthetics, Trump officials have filmed high-profile deportations to El Salvador and promoted the videos on social media, often with dramatic movie-like scores and thriller-like editing. Their productions emphasize the humiliation and subjugation of those whom they removed from the country and the military-style nature of the operations. Trump is far from the first American president to release propaganda footage in office, but he may be the least subtle one. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has also gone on multiple highly publicized raids with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents, often in the same gear that they wear. In at least one instance, she brought along a right-wing influencer to promote them. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that some ICE officials were rankled by her presence at a raid in New York City, one that apprehended fewer immigrants than its planners had hoped. It nonetheless served the goal of making the administrations tactics as visible as possible. Carrying out raids in large cities has both practical and propagandistic implications. Mass deportations are more feasible when local authorities cooperate with federal immigration officials. That cooperation has to be voluntary: Federal officials generally cannot conscript or compel state officials to help them enforce federal laws without violating a constitutional rule known as the anti-commandeering doctrine. At the same time, the federal government can welcome voluntary cooperation, as the Trump administration has done with state officials and local sheriffs in sympathetic jurisdictions like Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In sanctuary cities and states, where officials have avoided helping immigration officials for public safety reasons, Trump signed an executive order on Inauguration Day that instructed the attorney general and the secretary of homeland security to evaluate and undertake any other lawful actions, criminal or civil, that they deem warranted based on any such jurisdictions practices that interfere with the enforcement of federal law. It also directed them to ensure that so-called sanctuary jurisdictions do not receive federal funds to the maximum extent possible under law. The civil aspect of Trumps order is a familiar battleground for states and the Trump administration. During Trumps first term, thenAttorney General Jeff Sessions tried to cut off public safety grants to sanctuary jurisdictions due to their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Those efforts floundered after a federal judge ruled against the Justice Department in the fall of 2017, holding that Sessions did not have the legal authority to add new conditions to the grants. What the criminal aspect means could be far more sinister. Last December, a pro-Trump legal organization led by Stephen Miller, his top domestic adviser and an avowed opponent of immigration, warned more than 200 elected officials in California that they could face federal criminal charges for their sanctuary policies. In a letter to San Diego County officials, for example, the group claimed that officials could face charges ranging from obstruction and conspiracy to illegally harboring aliens. Trump officials have also suggested that they would consider criminal charges if they face resistance from local officials. Tom Homan, the Trump administrations border czar, claimed on Fox News last December that there are laws on the books that we will prosecute against mayors who refuse to help federal immigration officials. New York City Mayor Eric Adams became a close ally of Homan after the Trump administration dropped pending criminal charges against Adams earlier this year, in tacit exchange for his cooperation on immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sebastian Gorka, the White House senior director for counterterrorism, also recently suggested that the administration might bring criminal charges against Democrats who pushed for El Salvador to release and return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man deported in error by the Trump administration last month. You have to ask yourself, are they technically aiding and abetting them, because aiding and abetting criminals and terrorists is a crime, he claimed in a Newsmax interview last week. This would go far beyond what past administrations have done to enforce federal law. There is no precedent for federal prosecutors to target elected state and local officials with criminal charges merely for refusing to cooperate with a presidents policy goals. Even during the desegregation battles in the 1950s and 1960s, which represented the sharpest clash between state and federal officials since the Civil War, the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations did not prosecute or arrest segregationist governors, mayors, and sheriffs for defying court orders. Trump and his allies often insist they have a democratic mandate to carry out their agenda. So do state, local, and federal elected officials who resist them. Prosecuting the peoples representatives for policy disputes would be a severe blow to American democracy. If nothing else, the Trump administrations goal is apparently to induce a chilling effect on state and local leaders who might resist its sweeping immigration priorities. One of the most disturbing cases came in February after New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of Trumps most prominent Democratic opponents, hosted a Know Your Rights event webinar to instruct her constituents on the powers of federal immigration agents and the legal options they have when interacting with them. That drew a furious reaction from Homan, who suggested that informing immigrants of their rights could itself be a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is that impeding our law enforcement efforts? he said in an interview shortly after the webinar. And if so, what are we going to do about it? Is she crossing the line? So, Im working with the Department of Justice and finding out. Where is that line that they cross? So maybe AOCs gonna be in trouble now. That barely veiled threat prompted the lawmaker to contact the Justice Department herself to warn about his behavior. Mr. Homans repeated attempts to use your agency to politically intimidate duly elected officials are a textbook threat to the right to free speech in the United States, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi in February. Threatening criminal proceedings for exercising the First Amendment is itself a violation of the First Amendment. Ordinary American citizens are also feeling pressure from immigration officials for helping immigrants. Investigative journalist Radley Balko reported earlier this week about a lawyer in Texas who was asked for legal help by an immigrant family. Two days after he spoke with them, two men in civilian clotheswho never identified which, if any, law enforcement agency they worked forknocked on the lawyers front door and questioned him about his assistance. The lawyers internet access briefly went offline while the agents were present, and they refused to give him their names or badge numbers. (As the lawyer told Balko, the suspicious timing of his internet outage ensured that the Ring camera on his front door could not capture the exchange.) Balko linked the encounter with the Trump administrations efforts to go after nonprofits, universities, Democratic fundraising networks, and its many critics. The goal here isnt to get convictions, at least not yet, he wrote. Its to harass, intimidate, and incapacitate anyone with the power, money, or platform to thwart this administrations aspiration for authoritarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What also stands out to me is not only the authoritarian tendencies but the timing. The second Trump administration is barely one hundred days old. This is supposed to be the presidents honeymoon phase after an election. Presidents are never more popular or more influential than they are at this point in their terms. Trumps public approval ratings are only now starting to dip to their lows. The economy will likely run aground in the next few months once the full force of his tariffs is felt, but it hasnt done so yet. If this is the administrations baseline behavior, what will happen when something actually goes wrong? Every presidency comes with major disasters, international crises, and internal scandals. What happens when immigration officials fall short of their lofty aspirations for deportationsa near-certainty given the natural constraints of ICEs current manpower, the administrative and procedural hurdles it faces, and the challenge of finding other countries willing to take them. Trumpworlds authoritarian actions so far signal that its critics and opponents will be the ones who pay the price. (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration aims to cut billions of dollars from programs that support child care, health research, education and housing in its fiscal 2026 budget proposal, the New York Times reported on Friday. The plan would also hit community development and housing assistance and is being finalized by the White House's Office of Management and Budget, according to the report, which cited preliminary documents. An OMB spokesperson said: "No final funding decisions have been made." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House will release the budget as soon as next week, the New York Times cited two people familiar with the matter as saying. A second measure that will slash more than $9 billion in previously approved spending for the current fiscal year, including funds for media outlets PBS and NPR, is also set to be released next week, the report added. Since taking office in January, Trump has been trying to downsize the federal government. Earlier this year, Congress passed a broad Republican budget plan for the 2025 fiscal year that had few details yet aimed to cut billions in spending and extend tax cuts that will otherwise expire. (Reporting by Costas Pitas and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) President Trump has pressed for quickly deporting hundreds of Venezuelan and Salvadoran men who are said to belong to a foreign crime gang. Those deportations have been challenged as illegal and last week, blocked by the Supreme Court if the detained men are not given a hearing to argue they are not gang members. But Trump's deportations are unusual and may face a legal challenge for a different reason. Most of the deported men will not be sent back to their home country but instead to a maximum security prison in El Salvador where they can be held indefinitely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sending someone to prison "constitutes punishment," says UCLA law professor Ahilan Arulanantham. Before imprisoning people, including noncitizens, the government is required under the Constitution to charge the defendants with a crime and to prove their guilt in a jury trial, he said. The unusual mix of civil deportation and criminal-style punishment has received relatively little attention, he said. Last week, however, he filed an appeal on behalf of a Venezuelan man held in Texas, arguing that it would be unconstitutional for the government to send his client to a brutal prison. Read more: Supreme Court temporarily halts more Venezuelan detainee removals under Alien Enemies Act Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There should be no serious dispute that sending someone to the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, constitutes punishment," he said in the case of Matos vs. Venegas. "CECOT is not a civil detention center, but instead a maximum security prison in El Salvador. The inhumane conditions there have been well-documented. Detainees share communal cells that can hold up to 100 men where they spend 23.5 hours per day; the cells contain no furniture beyond rows of stacked metal bunks without mattresses or pillows; the lights are always on; and detainees have no access to visits or phone calls with lawyers, family, or community. Indeed, the conditions are so harsh that El Salvadors own justice minister has said the only way out is in a coffin." In defense of its deportations, Trump administration lawyers have pointed to the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and said it gave the president wartime powers to quickly deport foreigners. But administration officials also described the prison as imposing punishment on criminals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said El Salvador had agreed to accept for deportation any illegal alien in the United States who is a criminal from any nationality." Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele sounded the same theme, saying "we are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted U.S. citizens) into our mega-prison in exchange for a fee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers and family members say many of the deported Venezuelan men had no criminal records but were taken into custody because of their tattoos. They are now in a foreign prison with no rights to appeal or plead their innocence. Kilmar Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador as a teenager and has lived for 15 years in Maryland, where he has no criminal record. Administration officials allege he was a member of MS-13, a Salvadoran crime gang, which he denies. Although being a member of foreign crime gang can be grounds for deportation, it is not a crime in itself that would authorize sending Abrego Garcia to state or federal prison in the United States. But because of an "administrative error" by Trump officials, he remains in prison in El Salvador. In the past, the Supreme Court has made clear that during wartime the government can detain indefinitely people who were picked up on the battlefield. The George W. Bush administration relied on this authority to hold detainees at a U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County jails also may hold persons who have been charged with a crime while they await a trial. But it is generally understood people cannot be punished and sent to a prison unless they have been convicted of a crime. Writing in Lawfare this week, Benjamin Wittes also questioned the legal basis for the reliance on the Salvadoran prison. Read more: Chabria: Rep. Garcia returns from El Salvador with a sliver of hope for deported gay hairdresser "What law lets the Trump administration store Venezuelans in Salvadoran prisons?" asked Wittes, who is editor in chief of the Lawfare site. "By what authority can the U.S. government pay a foreign government to lock up for the long term people who were detained in the United States on the basis of no allegation of criminal misconduct?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it is "only a matter of time before the courts confront the question of what being on one of those flights really means. ... I would hope there are not five justices who will vote for the proposition that the United States government can knowingly and intentionally deport a person to face such lawless imprisonment." Arulanantham, co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at the UCLA Law School, said the judge may decide the Matos case without ruling on the constitutional challenge to sending deported men to a foreign prison. But he wrote about the case Tuesday on the Just Security site to draw attention to the significant constitutional issue. "The three men I have represented in habeas litigation were all scared to return to Venezuela," he wrote, "but they were absolutely terrified of being sent to CECOT. They firmly believed, for good reasons, that there would be no coming back from that place." Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Trump administration got a setback today. A federal judge in New Hampshire blocked directives from the Department of Education threatening to cut federal funding for public schools with diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This comes as the Trump administration makes drastic changes at the Justice Department, including reassigning more than a dozen senior career lawyers in the Civil Rights Division. By Mark Trevelyan and Steve Holland MOSCOW/LONDON/ROME (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours in Moscow on Friday to discuss the U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine, and Trump said the two sides were "very close to a deal," despite apparent differences in their positions. Trump said in a social media post after Witkoff's meeting concluded that it was a good day of talks and called for a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow to close a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most of the major points are agreed to," Trump said in the post after landing in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday. "Stop the bloodshed, NOW." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was also expected to attend the funeral, although he said on Friday he was not certain he could make it. Russia and Ukraine have not held direct talks since the early weeks of the war, which started with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who took part in Friday's meeting and brief reporters on the details, earlier described it as constructive and very useful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues," he told reporters. "As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine." There was no immediate comment from Witkoff. A real estate billionaire, Witkoff has emerged as Washington's key interlocutor with Putin as Trump pushes for a deal to end the war. His latest trip follows talks this week at which Ukrainian and European officials pushed back against some of the U.S. proposals for how to settle the conflict, the deadliest in Europe since World War Two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff's meeting took place just hours after a car bomb killed a senior Russian military officer near Moscow, which the Kremlin blamed on Kyiv. On Thursday, Trump criticised a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people, and posted a message to Putin on social media that read: "Vladimir, STOP!" Trump has warned both sides that the U.S. will abandon its effort unless there is genuine progress. NEWCOMER TO DIPLOMACY Witkoff had no diplomatic experience before joining Trump's team in January and critics have portrayed him as out of his depth when pitched into a head-to-head negotiation with Putin, Russia's paramount leader for the past 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the start of Friday's meeting showed the American, accompanied only by a translator, seated opposite Putin, Kremlin aide Ushakov and Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, also with an interpreter. Critics have at times accused Witkoff of echoing the Kremlin's narrative. In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson last month, for example, Witkoff said there was no reason why Russia would want to absorb Ukraine or bite off more of its territory, and it was "preposterous" to think that Putin would want to send his army marching across Europe. Ukraine and many of its European allies say the opposite. Putin denies any designs on NATO territory, and Moscow has repeatedly cast such charges as evidence of European hostility and "Russophobia". According to texts seen by Reuters, the peace proposal Witkoff has presented calls for formal U.S. recognition of Russia's control over Crimea - the Ukrainian peninsula Moscow seized and annexed in 2014 - plus de facto recognition of Russia's hold on areas of southern and eastern Ukraine that its forces control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A European and Ukrainian document defers detailed discussion about territory until after a ceasefire is concluded, with no mention of recognising Russian control over any Ukrainian territory. There are also differences over the lifting of sanctions on Russia, the shape of security guarantees for Ukraine and the future size of the Ukrainian military. Zelenskiy said this week that recognising Crimea as part of Russia would violate Ukraine's constitution. Trump said in an interview with Time magazine published on Friday: "Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelenskiy understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time." (Reporting by Reuters in Moscow, Maxim Rodionov and Darya Korsunskaya in London, Steve Holland aboard Air Force One, and Gram Slattery, Doina Chiacu, Trevor Hunnicutt and Simon Lewis in WashingtonWriting by Mark Trevelyan and Simon LewisEditing by Kevin Liffey, Frances Kerry, Nia Williams and Cynthia Osterman) (This April 25 story has been refiled to add back words dropped from the headline) By Karen Freifeld (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's nominee for NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, was arrested on fraud charges in 2010 and faced lawsuits in two states for writing $2 million in bad checks to casinos, according to government records and court filings. Isaacman is a billionaire pilot and astronaut who founded the Shift4 Payments company as a teenager and commanded the first civilian space crew in 2021 aboard a SpaceX capsule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isaacman's nomination is scheduled for a vote by the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday. In a February 22, 2010 press release titled, "Nevada Fugitive Captured at Canadian Border," U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it arrested Isaacman on a warrant for alleged fraud at the Washington state line. He was taken to a county jail for extradition to Nevada, where Clark County, home to Las Vegas, had issued the felony warrant. No further detail on the alleged fraud was provided. According to jail records, he was released the next day. In a questionnaire in connection with his nomination to head the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Isaacman said he was returning from the Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, in February 2010 when he was detained by CBP for "drawing and passing checks without sufficient funds." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the arrest stemmed from a dispute with the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas over a travel reimbursement the resort promised and failed to honor. Isaacman said he resolved the matter in less than 24 hours and the charges were dismissed. The court records were sealed, he said. A spokesperson for the Palms Casino declined to comment. A spokesperson for Isaacman declined to comment. Jared Isaacman is exceptionally qualified to advance President Trumps bold agenda to restore American leadership in space science, technology and exploration," White House spokesperson Liz Huston said in a statement. "We look forward to the Senates swift confirmation of him." Court records from New Jersey and Connecticut filed in 2009 and 2010, respectively, allege the New Jersey native failed to pay casino debts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil cases were brought against him by Trump's now-defunct Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, according to court documents. The Trump Taj Mahal sued Isaacman in July 2009 in connection with a line of credit he got in November 2005. Isaacman wrote four checks in 2008 for a total of $1 million but his bank account did not have the funds for them to be cashed, according to the complaint. The case was settled in 2011 for $650,000. In a 2010 complaint filed in Connecticut, the Mohegan Sun said Isaacman had written four bad checks totaling $1 million. That action was eventually resolved and withdrawn, according to a court filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a subsequent filing for his nomination, Isaacman disclosed four civil casino cases: the two described above, plus another from the Taj Mahal and one from the Trump Plaza, a source familiar with the matter said. The other two cases, from 2008, could not immediately be retrieved, according to New Jersey court personnel. In a written question submitted after his April 9 nomination hearing, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell asked Isaacman about being detained at the border and sued four times between 2008 and 2010 in connection with casino debts and allegations of fraudulent checks. "In my early 20s, I was fortunate to experience business success at a young age, and I spent time in casinos as an immature hobby," Isaacman answered. "The legal matters referenced were, in fact, forms of negotiation and were all resolved promptly. The incident at the border, following my return from the Olympics, stemmed from a payment issue that had already been resolved, which is why I was detained for only a few hours." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isaacman assured the committee that the behavior was in his past. Still, while orbiting Earth in a SpaceX capsule in 2021, he placed the first sports bet in Las Vegas from space. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld. Additional reporting by Chris Prentice and Luc Cohen in New York and Joey Roulette in Washington. Editing by Chris Sanders, Chizu Nomiyama and Rod Nickel) Two weeks ago, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that foreign nationals threatened with summary deportation as "alien enemies" have a due process right to challenge that designation through habeas corpus petitions. As the Court explained in Trump v. J.G.G., that meant alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua "must receive notice" that "they are subject to removal" under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) "within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs." As the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) notes in a lawsuit it filed on Friday, the Trump administration maintains that it is obeying that order by giving AEA detainees 12 hours to indicate whether they plan to file habeas petitions, then another 24 hours to do so. If they fail to meet those extremely tight deadlines, they can be immediately shipped off to El Salvador, where the Salvadoran government has agreed to imprison them at its notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). That notion of due process, the ACLU argues, is plainly inconsistent with the Supreme Court's order, relevant case law, and historical practice. "The lack of adequate notice is all the more concerning," it says, because "designees are at grave risk of erroneous removal due to the government's dubious methods for identifying alleged [Tren de Aragua] members." Those methods include an "alien enemy validation guide" that relies on iffy evidence such as tattoos, clothing, social media posts, and "associating" with "known" Tren de Aragua members. The ACLU notes that relatives of some deportees sent to CECOT "maintain that they have no connection at all" to the gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU also reiterates its challenge to President Donald Trump's dubious interpretation of the AEA. In a March 15 proclamation, Trump invoked that 1798 law to describe Tren de Aragua members as "alien enemies," which counterintuitively implies that the gang is a "foreign nation or government" that has "perpetrated, attempted, or threatened" an "invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States." Even while affirming the due process rights of AEA detainees, the Supreme Court said they must file habeas petitions in Texas, where they are being held, rather than seek relief under the Administrative Procedure Act in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The justices therefore vacated a temporary restraining order (TRO) that James Boasberg, the chief judge of that court, issued on March 15 in response to the ACLU's original lawsuit. The ACLU nevertheless filed its new motion in D.C., which it argues is appropriate for two categories of AEA detainees. More than 130 people deported before the Supreme Court's order "remain imprisoned at CECOT," the ACLU says. Those deportees are effectively still in U.S. custody, it argues, in light of the Trump administration's arrangement with El Salvador, which is being paid to imprison them at the U.S. government's behest. But since they are "being detained abroad and outside any judicial district," the ACLU says, the appropriate venue is the District of Columbia, where the relevant federal officials are located. The ACLU is seeking an order requiring the government to "immediately request and take all reasonable steps to facilitate the return" of those deportees from "Respondents' jailer in El Salvador." It notes that the Supreme Court recently upheld such an order in a case involving an accused member of the MS-13 gang who was illegally sent to CECOT because of an "administrative error." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU is also seeking a preliminary injunction on behalf of suspected Tren de Aragua members who are in criminal custody within the United States. As of last month, the government said 32 people subject to AEA deportation fell into that category. Although the usual rule is that habeas corpus petitions must be filed against a detainee's "immediate custodian," the Supreme Court has said that rule does not apply when a detainee is challenging "his future confinement" in a different place. That "more expansive definition of the 'custody' requirement," the Court noted in 1973, "made it possible for prisoners in custody under one sentence to attack a sentence which they had not yet begun to serve" and "enabled a petitioner held in one State to attack a detainer lodged against him by another State." In this case, the ACLU argues, that means AEA detainees in U.S. criminal custody can challenge their future confinement in El Salvador by appealing to a federal judge in D.C. The ACLU is asking for an order that blocks the removal of those detainees and requires the government to "provide immediate, adequate notice of designation to each subclass member and class counsel." It says that would entail "a reasonable opportunity of no less than 30 days to challenge their designation, detention, and removal under the AEA." That would be consistent with the government's practice during World War II, when people designated as "alien enemies" had that much time to challenge their detention and removal. The government also gave those individuals an opportunity to voluntarily leave the United States. Here, by contrast, the government has not only deported accused gang members, including people who insist they were erroneously identified as such, without notice or an opportunity to be heard; it has contracted with a foreign government to imprison them indefinitely without due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU notes that "detainees at CECOT are subject to tortureincluding regular beatings, waterboarding, and use of implements on fingers to force confessionsin addition to ill treatment, overcrowding, lack of access to counsel, lack of access to healthcare and food, and physical abuse by both prison personnel and gangs." It says they therefore "have been subjected to conditions that are much worse than those at [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] detention facilities in the United States"worse, in fact, than the conditions for "prisoners serving criminal sentences in most places in the world." According to the lawsuit, AEA detainees who want to avoid that fate still have no practical recourse, despite the Supreme Court's order upholding their right to due process. The government dodged a subsequent TRO in the Southern District of Texas by moving "a large group of Venezuelans" to the Northern District of Texas, the ACLU says. Then "a judge in that district denied a TRO as to the named petitioners and deferred decision on class certification" based on his understanding that the government would not seek to remove the proposed class members "without adequate notice." The government's idea of "adequate notice" became clear when it "quickly distributed AEA notices to detainees and not long after began loading them onto vehicles," the lawsuit says. "The English-only form, not provided to any attorney, nowhere mentioned the right to contest the designation or removal, much less explained how detainees could do so. It also did not provide a timeline by which designees needed to seek habeas relief." The government's reading of the AEA is just as farcical as its definition of due process. Prior to Trump's proclamation identifying alleged Tren de Aragua members as "alien enemies," that 227-year-old statute had been invoked just three times: during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. "The government seeks to invoke this limited wartime authority to execute removals wholly untethered to any actual or imminent war or to the specific conditions Congress placed in the statute," the ACLU notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court has not yet addressed the legality of Trump's proclamation. But the historical evidence overwhelmingly indicates that Congress understood an "invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States" in military terms. In support of that conclusion, the ACLU cites contemporaneous dictionary definitions, correspondence among the Founders, court decisions in the early 19th century, and the U.S. Constitution, which "in every instance" uses the terms invade and invasion "in a military sense." That understanding also comports with the AEA's surrounding language and with the context in which Congress enacted it. The statute applies when "there is a declared war" between the United States and a "foreign nation or government" or when a "foreign nation or government" has "perpetrated, attempted, or threatened" an "invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States" (even when a war has not been declared). "At the time of passage," the ACLU notes, "the United States was preparing for possible war with France and already under attack in naval skirmishes. French ships were attacking U.S. merchant ships in United States waters. Congress worried that these attacks against the territory of the United States were the precursor to all-out war with France." Trump's equation of Tren de Aragua with a "foreign nation or government" is equally problematic. "By no stretch of the statutory language can [Tren de Aragua] be deemed a 'foreign nation or government,'" the ACLU says. "Those terms refer to an entity that is defined by its possession of territory and legal authority." It adds that the historical context of imminent war with France "also reflects Congress's intent to address conflicts with foreign sovereigns, not criminal gangs." Tellingly, Trump's proclamation does not explicitly assert that Tren de Aragua is a "foreign nation or government," although it does aver that the Venezuelan government has "ceded ever-greater control over [its] territories to transnational criminal organizations." The proclamation "notably does not say that [Tren de Aragua] operates as a government in those regions," the ACLU notes. "In fact, the Proclamation does not even specify that [Tren de Aragua] currently controls any territory in Venezuela. And even as the Proclamation singles out certain Venezuelan nationals, it does not claim that Venezuela is invading the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to the confusion, Trump refers to "members" of Tren de Aragua as "alien enemies." But the AEA defines that term as "natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation or government." It makes no sense to say that members of Tren de Aragua are "natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects" of the gang. And as the ACLU notes, Trump is not claiming to be at war with Venezuela. The government initially argued that courts could not assess the plausibility of Trump's puzzling definitions because it was a "political question." But at the Supreme Court, the Trump administration's lawyers conceded that detainees "may be able to obtain narrow review of 'the construction and validity of the statute,'" focused on "questions like 'whether the detainee is an alien, and whether the detainee is among the 'natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation' within the meaning of the Act." The Court, after all, had said as much in the 1948 case Ludecke v. Watkins, which is where those quotes come from. "Nowhere did Ludecke suggest that questions of statutory interpretation are beyond the courts' competence," the ACLU notes. "Indeed, four years later, the Court reversed a government World War II removal decision because '[t]he statutory power of the Attorney General to remove petitioner as an enemy alien ended when Congress terminated the war.'" And federal courts "have reviewed a range of issues concerning the meaning and application of the AEA's terms" in a long line of cases. The "political question" doctrine "exists primarily to reinforce the separation of powers," the ACLU notes. "But applying the doctrine here would undermine Congress's constitutional authority, because it would render the limits that Congress wrote into the statute unenforceable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not the ACLU succeeds in this particular case, in other words, the courts ultimately will have to determine whether Trump's invocation of the AEA against alleged gangsters makes any sense in light of the statute's language and history. Spoiler alert: It does not. The post Trump's Understanding of Due Process Is Just As Farcical As His Definition of 'Alien Enemies' appeared first on Reason.com. On April 13, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa secured a resounding victory in the countrys second-round presidential election, returning him to office through 2029. The businessman-turned-politician initially won a snap election for a shortened term in November 2023, after which he led the country through some of its most turbulent years in decades. Noboas victory was partly due to voters preference for his increasingly hardline governing approach, particularly when it comes to gang violence. His re-election also marks a definitive swing to the right in Latin American politics, adding another regional ally and a key strategic partner for the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. But challenges for his upcoming four-year term abound, including ongoing rampant insecurity, a sluggish economy, high unemployment and an uncertain global geopolitical environment. Noboas surprising 12-point win over leftist candidate Luisa Gonzalez took most observers apparently including Noboa himselfby surprise. Noboa narrowly edged Gonzalez to win the presidency back in 2023. Pollsters had predicted another tight second-round outcome this time around, particularly as Noboa had barely won more votes than Gonzalez in the first round, held in February. Perhaps to hedge against the possibility of defeat, Noboa even chose to host a low-key election-night gathering in his private residence in the beach town of Olon, instead of an attention-grabbing event in either Quito or Guayaquil, the countrys largest cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Ecuadorians rallied to support Noboa, it was primarily because they perceived him to be the best-suited candidate to tackle the countrys two main issues: insecurity and the economy. Once among the most peaceful South American nations, Ecuador is now among the worlds most violent. During the first two months of 2025, violent murders almost doubled compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, other crimes like robberies, kidnapping and extortions are widespread, albeit largely underreported. Beyond the security crisis, Ecuadors economy contracted by 2 percent in 2024, amid cuts in public spending, persistently high underemployment and an electricity crisis. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Following some of the countrys most challenging years in decades, Ecuadorians handed Noboa a full term in office, trusting him to be the best-placed candidate to guide them through a period that promises to be just as turbulent. Throughout the campaign, Noboa offered few policy specifics on how he intended to combat these pressing issues. Nonetheless, Ecuadorians widely regarded him as their safest bet amid a complex and evolving local and regional environment. On the security front, Noboa has pledged only to maintain and strengthen his flagship Phoenix Plan, as his hardline security policy is known. The strategy, announced after a flare-up of gang violence in early 2024, shares many characteristics with so-called mano dura, or iron fist, approaches implemented in countries like El Salvador, from building large penitentiaries and strengthening sentences for criminals, to increasing militarized patrolling, arrests and convictions. Since its implementation, human rights watchdogs have raised concerns of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and dismal conditions in prisons and other detention facilities. During the first year of the plans implementation, homicides declined by 16 percent, although they subsequently ticked back upward and remain at near all-time highs. Despite its positive, if controversial results, the strategy lacks a comprehensive approach for combating organized criminal activity in a country that is now plagued by powerful and growing gangs allied with some of the worlds largest criminal syndicates. Ecuadors long borders with the two largest cocaine producers, Colombia and Peru, and its network of coastal ports make it strategic territory for transnational drug-trafficking groups. Over the past decade, Mexican cartels and Colombian criminal and paramilitary groups have extended their activities into the country, establishing a network of alliances with regional gangs along the way. The countrys criminal landscape is now so complex that a wide array of gangs exert territorial control over large swathes of the country, especially its coastal and urban areas. These groups have not only terrified the population at large, but often disrupt public order through overt displays of violence during confrontations with rival gangs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Noboa remains convinced that a strategy of frontal confrontation, such as the one pursued by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, is the best way to tackle these groups, evidence from similar violence-ridden Latin American countries, especially Colombia and Mexico, shows that this approach often leads to protracted and bloody conflicts. In El Salvador, the principal gangs were mostly active in urban areas, and they committed a limited range of crimes. By contrast, Ecuadors main gangslike Los Lobos and Los Chonerosare much more scattered, with a presence in virtually all coastal provinces, from Esmeraldas to El Oro, as well as increasing activities in the countrys Andean region. They also engage in a wide range of criminal activities, from drug dealing and kidnapping to illegal mining. As such, they are much more difficult to combat simultaneously. For a strategy like Noboas to be effective and yield positive results in the short term, it would need to devote significantly greater resources and personnel to law enforcement agencies. That remains unlikely amid strained government finances. Similarly, reviving Ecuadors ailing economy will be no easy task over the coming years. The country entered 2025, which already promises to be a turbulent year for the global economy, having suffered an annual contraction in 2024 and facing several structural challenges. Investment is desperately needed in the power and electricity sector, which was severely disrupted following major droughts that dented the hydro-electric generating capacity on which Ecuadors power grid depends. Meanwhile, oil prices, which have helped to buoy the economy in past decades, are likely to remain low, putting pressure on government revenues. A comprehensive fiscal reform is needed, but Noboas prospects for guiding one through the opposition-controlled legislative branch are limited. He will therefore likely concentrate his efforts on complying with demands from the International Monetary Fund to negotiate further financing, while seeking to boost his pro-business credentials with the international community to attract investment, especially in industries such as agriculture, fisheries and mining. His victory has so far offered some relief in this regard, with the financial community welcoming his commitment to maintaining dollarizationEcuador adopted the greenback as its currency in 2000as opposed to the dual-currency system floated by Gonzalez during the campaign. The Ecuadorian economy is expected to rebound this year and reach growth of over 2 percent. Nonetheless, this is well below the rate needed to reduce underemployment and tackle the countrys brain drain to countries across Latin America, as well as to the U.S. and Spain. Geopolitically, Noboas victory was widely celebrated in Washington, where the Trump administration regards him as an ally and member of a growing group of right-wing Latin American leadersincluding Bukele and Argentine President Javier Mileiwith strongman credentials akin to Trump. His tenure will also deepen Latin Americas once again growing right-left divide, with Ecuador having tepid to no relations with regional neighbors led by left-wing presidents, like Colombia and Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following some of the countrys most challenging years in decades, Ecuadorians handed Noboa a full term in office, trusting him to be the best-placed candidate to guide them through a period that promises to be just as turbulent. After more than a year in office, his ideology and political leanings are clear. What remains to be seen is whether Noboa can set those aside when necessary to adopt the kinds of pragmatic and unorthodox approaches often needed during unpredictable times. Eduardo Arcos is a senior political and security analyst for the Americas, based in London. His research focuses on international political economy, organized crime and Latin American affairs. The post In Turbulent Times, Ecuadorians Have Put Their Trust in Noboa appeared first on World Politics Review. Estonia (99.1%) - Estonia leads globally with near-universal data sharing among providers. Its centralized governance through the Estonian Health Information System (EHIS) and secure, real time exchange via the national X-Road platform allow for seamless clinical coordination, real time access to complete patient records, and high provider satisfaction with system usability and reliability. Black Book's global interoperability ratings are based on feedback from nearly two million healthcare professionals and stakeholders who participated in surveys between 2020 and 2025. Respondents were asked to evaluate how well their electronic health records or national health data systems shared patient information and supported full, real time connectivity across care settings. Black Book defines the interoperability rate as the percentage of healthcare providers such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, laboratories, and general practitioners actively exchanging patient data through standardized digital systems. These ratings are calculated using a combination of reported integration metrics from national health platforms and direct survey responses, offering a comprehensive view of how connected and effective each country's digital health infrastructure really is. The study arrives as countries push to modernize healthcare through digital tools that improve patient outcomes. Black Book's multi-year survey data shows that true interoperability leads to better care coordination, faster diagnoses, fewer medical errors, and reduced costs for both patients and systems. In top-ranked countries, providers report stronger continuity of care, improved patient safety, and less duplication of tests, clear evidence that when health data flows freely, patients benefit the most. These systems also support more proactive care, enabling clinicians to identify risks earlier and respond with timely interventions. Ultimately, fully connected health infrastructure gives patients greater control over their health and delivers a more efficient, personalized care experience. LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / April 24, 2025 / A newly released international research by Black Book ranks the digital interoperability performance of healthcare systems worldwide, spotlighting major disparities in health data exchange capabilities and system integration across 18 high-income countries. The study-based on verified usage data, government platform metrics, and over 2 million stakeholder surveys-highlights Estonia as the global benchmark in EHR connectivity, achieving a 99.1% national interoperability rate. Estonia, Finland, and Denmark lead global performance in health data exchange; the U.S. ranks below key international peers Story Continues Finland (98.9%) - Finland's national Kanta Services platform sets a high standard for digital health integration, backed by mandatory participation, strong regulatory enforcement, and widespread adoption of HL7 FHIR protocols. Survey respondents consistently noted improvements in care quality, timely diagnostics, and reduced duplication of tests as a result of the system's consistent data availability. Denmark (98.2%) - Denmark's success is rooted in robust national mandates and the Sundhed.dk portal, which enables real time access to unified clinical data across public and private care settings. Providers reported high confidence in system accuracy, ease of use, and support for cross-sector collaboration. Sweden (95.4%), New Zealand (90.3%), and Singapore (90.1%) - These countries have achieved high interoperability through national strategies that prioritize data standards, patient-centered platforms, and public-private collaboration. New Zealand's Health Information Standards Organisation (HISO) and Singapore's national electronic health record system were specifically highlighted in surveys for their responsiveness and efficiency in clinical workflows. Netherlands (88.9%) and Norway (87.3%) - Both countries benefit from strong digital health infrastructure and increasing FHIR adoption, though survey data revealed that regional variation and administrative complexity can occasionally impact full data consistency. Norway's central eHealth governance is making progress, but some stakeholders noted slower adoption in rural areas. Australia (85.7%) - Australia continues to advance through its National Healthcare Interoperability Plan (2023-2028), but faces integration hurdles at the state level. Despite its My Health Record platform, providers surveyed cited uneven digital maturity and variable system engagement across regions as key challenges to achieving full connectivity. Lower Performing Nations and Interoperability Challenges United Kingdom (80.5%) - While NHS Digital has driven major interoperability initiatives, disparities between regions and digital system maturity persist. Black Book survey feedback pointed to variable experiences across care organizations, particularly between urban and rural NHS Trusts. Canada (74.6%) - Canada's interoperability progress is shaped by provincial autonomy and decentralized digital strategies. While the Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap offers national guidance, survey respondents reported inconsistent data-sharing capabilities and gaps in cross-jurisdictional access. Germany (70.2%) - Germany has invested heavily in digital health through the electronic patient record (ePA) and Medical Informatics Initiative, but complex federal governance and regulatory delays have slowed adoption. Providers in multiple Lander noted limitations in cross-provider record visibility and inconsistent standards implementation. United States (59.8%) - The U.S. continues to face significant structural challenges. Fragmented EHR systems, voluntary participation in health information exchanges, and inconsistent compliance with federal interoperability rules hinder widespread data sharing. Surveyed providers expressed concerns over administrative burden, limited patient record portability, and insufficient cross-platform compatibility - even within the same state or hospital network. Vendors Driving Interoperability in Top-Performing Nations Countries leading in healthcare interoperability - such as Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and New Zealand - have advanced far beyond foundational EHR adoption. Their success is powered in part by interoperability-focused technology vendors delivering the infrastructure for real-time, standardized health data exchange. In Estonia, local firms like Nortal and Helmes have built core national platforms, including the X-Road framework and Estonian Health Information System (EHIS). Finland and Sweden rely heavily on vendors such as Tietoevry and Cambio Healthcare, which offer openEHR and HL7 FHIR-compliant solutions across regional and national care networks. InterSystems and Orion Health provide enterprise-level interoperability platforms in countries like Denmark, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, supporting unified patient records and population health initiatives. Meanwhile, Graphnet Health and Philips continue to shape data sharing in the UK and continental Europe through advanced care coordination and diagnostic integration platforms. These vendors offer scalable, vendor-neutral architectures and are instrumental in transforming interoperability from aspiration to reality - laying the digital foundation for connected, patient-centered care. Estonia: A Case Study in National Digital Infrastructure The report includes a deep-dive into Estonia's ecosystem, highlighting the country's legal mandate for provider participation, seamless national ID integration, and centralized patient record architecture. In a Q1 2025 Black Book survey of 128 Estonian providers: 96% expressed high satisfaction with overall data-sharing effectiveness. 98% agreed that cross-institutional record access improved care coordination 89% rated the system's usability as excellent and also, 89% believed digital infrastructure investments produced measurable ROI. The Estonian model demonstrates the power of unified health IT policy, not just product deployment. In countries where interoperability is optional or overly fragmented, the patient experience suffers and clinical decisions are delayed. Estonia is showing what true digital maturity looks like in healthcare. "Interoperability works best when it's built into the foundation, not added later," said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book Research. "We're seeing that real progress happens when countries align governance, adopt shared standards like FHIR, and enable transparent, real-time access across systems-without locking providers or patients into closed ecosystems." Countries like Germany (70.2%), the UK (80.5%), and Canada (74.6%) are making progress through national roadmaps and investments, but continue to face challenges such as provincial fragmentation, legacy systems, and regulatory delays. About the Report The 2025 International Interoperability and Health Data Connectivity Rankings is an independent global study developed by Black Book Research. It evaluates comparative EHR utilization, national infrastructure maturity, and real-time health data exchange effectiveness across 18 high-income countries, using both quantitative data and stakeholder sentiment. The 2025 Black Book of Global Healthcare IT is a 600 page resource offered to the industry without charge at https://blackbookmarketresearch.com/register-for-the-black-book-of-global-healthcare-it-2025-report Black Book also offers another complimentary report on global opportunties for openEHR at https://blackbookmarketresearch.com/the-black-book-global-growth-opportunities-for-openEHR-adoption-in-2025-2026 About Black Book Research Black Book Research is a global market intelligence firm recognized for its independent, vendor-agnostic evaluations in healthcare technology. Since 2004, Black Book has surveyed millions of healthcare professionals, executives, clinicians, and patients to assess software, services, and digital transformation initiatives across the care continuum. Media Contact: Media Relations, Black Book Research research@blackbookresearch.com www.blackbookmarketresearch.com 8008637590 . SOURCE: Black Book Research View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Two arrested after man barricaded himself inside home GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) What started as an attempted traffic stop ended with a suspect fleeing, barricading himself inside a home before being arrested along with someone else The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m., Thursday, when the Grand Junction Police Department attempted to stop the driver of a vehicle linked to a suspicious incident earlier that morning, according to GJPD. Kevin Anderson The driver 38-year-old Kevin Anderson allegedly did not comply as officers followed the car to the 500 block of Reed Mesa Drive. After stopping his vehicle, the suspect allegedly fled on foot and entered a nearby residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GJPD and Mesa County Sheriffs Office SWAT operators responded to the scene after authorities learned Anderson may be armed. Anderson, who had an active warrant for his arrest, was taken into custody without further incident, although it took several hours to get him to comply, the police department said. Gabriel Martinez He was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the outstanding warrant along with charges related to the incident. The charges were not given in the news release. But during this incident, officers contacted a second person, Gabriel Martinez, 38, who was arrested on three outstanding warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A shelter-in-place notification was issued to nearby residents during the holdout. GJPD said this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation is still active. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Two people were arrested and a significant amount of drugs were seized following an investigation in Springfield on Thursday. The Springfield Police Department states that over the past two weeks, members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) have been investigating community concerns about drug dealing around St. James Boulevard and St. James Avenue. Three arrested in robbery in Springfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives noticed on Thursday a suspected drug deal on the 100 block of St. James Circle. A subject got into a car, and a traffic stop was performed after the vehicle stopped in the parking lot on the 1000 block of St. James Avenue. Cocaine was found on one of the passengers, 32-year-old Nathaniel Soto of Springfield. He was placed under arrest for drug possession and two outstanding arrest warrants. Springfield Police Department The detectives then conducted surveillance at the home on St. James Circle, where they saw a suspect, 51-year-old Wilfredo Santa of Springfield, in the driveway, and he was placed under arrest. Santas residence was searched and 2,341 bags of heroin, which is approximately 46.82 grams, cocaine, and crack-cocaine were found in the basement. An illegal firearm and over $2,900 in cash was also recovered. Wilfredo Santa of Springfield is charged with: Distribution of a Class B Drug Trafficking Herion/Fentanyl 36-100 Grams Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug Subsequent Offense Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony Possession of a Firearm without a License Convicted Felon in Possession Firearm Violation with 1 Prior Violent/Drug Crime Arrest Warrant (Springfield District Court) Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Crash Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle Arrest Warrant (Chicopee District Court) Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License Failure to Stop/Yield Nathaniel Soto of Springfield is charged with: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Possession of a Class B Drug Subsequent Offense Arrest Warrant (Chicopee District Court) Possession of a Class A Drug Subsequent Offense Possession of a Class B Drug Subsequent Offense Resisting Arrest Default Warrant (Springfield District Court) Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle Motor Vehicle Lights Violation Possession of a Class A Drug Possession of a Class B Drug Resisting Arrest Fugitive from Justice Court Warrant (Enfield, Connecticut) 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Two brothers were taken into custody on Thursday, April 24, accused of firing multiple shots into a Salt Lake City crowd, causing mass panic. Yanick Baitia, 18, and his brother, Styve Baitia, 20, both face third-degree felony charges of aggravated assault and felony discharge of a firearm. Court records show Yanick also faces an additional misdemeanor charge of threaten with or use of a dangerous weapon in a fight. UPDATE: SLCPD arrests two brothers in connection to street race shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the court documents, the Baitia brothers were involved in a large-scale fight near 300 South and 5600 West in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 12. During the fight, Yanick Baitia allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at the ground, causing the crowd to move back. The Baitia brothers reportedly then jumped into a car before firing multiple shots toward the crowd, causing mass panic and individuals to jump on the ground and hide, before they fled the scene. Police did not report any injuries as a result of the shooting. However, one bullet struck a cars headlight, shooting it out. Styve Baitia was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail the following day for failure to stop at the command of law enforcement and marijuana possession. He was later released on bail until he and his brother were arrested after detectives established enough evidence to allegedly connect them to the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While being interviewed by detectives, Styve Baitia allegedly admitted to being at the scene and involved in the fight, but would not say anything about a gun or the shooting. Meanwhile, Yanick Baitia allegedly admitted to being involved in the fight and being in possession of a gun at the time. Court records show both men have been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two men were arrested early Friday after police in Newington spotted a vehicle believed to be involved in a number of larcenies and successfully deployed a GPS dart used by law enforcement to track vehicles, which led to a foot chase in New Britain. Officers were patrolling the Berlin Turnpike near the Wethersfield town line around 1 a.m. when they spotted the vehicle believed to have ties to several thefts throughout the state, according to Lt. Scott Amalfi of the Newington Police Department. Amalfi said police were able to deploy a StarChase dart on the vehicle, as it was known to engage officers in a pursuit. An officer tried to pull the driver over, but he did not stop. Police did not pursue the motorist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dart allowed police to track the vehicle to New Britain where it ran out of gas, according to Amalfi. Officers with the New Britain Police Department assisted Newington police during a brief foot pursuit which led to two people being apprehended. The suspects were identified as 35-year-old Jason Bartone of Manchester and 45-year-old Tucker Platt of New Haven, Amalfi said. Bartone was charged with interfering with an officer, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, possession of a controlled substance (second offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on May 9. Platt was charged with interfering with an officer and possession of a controlled substance. He was also released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and expected to face a judge on May 9. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Two now-former detention officers in Greene County, Arkansas, are charged with animal cruelty after a retired police K9 officer was found dead. The Greene County Sheriffs Office said it received a tip Sunday that the dog, named Bane, was being left outside on a chain with no access to food, water, or shade, and was underweight. When officers began investigating the next day, they say they found Bane dead in an igloo doghouse. His advanced state of decomposition suggested he had been dead for several days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bane was a retired K9 officer with the Greene County Sheriffs office. His owner was identified through an anonymous tip as Ethan Huffstetler, a Greene County Detention Center officer. Huffstetler advised detectives that it had been four to five days since he had last checked on retired K9 Bane and stated that he did not have food for retired K9 Bane, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post. Woman jumps from moving car to escape kidnapping in South Nashville Payton Johnson, Huffstetlers roommate and also a Greene County Detention Center officer, told officers he had a dog of his own that he let outside, but he had not seen Bane for about a week and didnt know about his condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said it wasnt reasonable that Johnson would not have known about the dog. Huffstetler and Johnson were each charged with Aggravated Cruelty to a Dog, Cat, or Equine and Killing or Injuring a Service Animal or Search and Rescue Dog, both felonies. Hufstetlers bond was set at $20,000 cash only, and Johnsons bond is $10,000. They have been terminated from the Greene County Detention Center and are being housed in a neighboring facility. Suspects aged 14, 10 charged in mobile home arsons Bane was retired from duty in January 2024 at the age of seven. Upon retirement, he was adopted by Huffstetler, who was his handler at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired K9 Bane was certified in drug detection, tracking, apprehension, and article search during his time as an active police K9. Retired K9 Bane served Greene County very well during his time with this department, the sheriffs office said. Greene County, home to Paragould, is about an hour and a half northwest of Memphis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A 15-year-old girl and a woman were injured during a shootout in East Nashville Thursday night. The shooting was reported shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday in the 600 block of South 5th Street. According to Metro police, the teen girl was shot in the foot while hanging out at a playground. The adult victim was shot in her stomach inside her apartment, which is directly across from the playground. Both victims have non-life threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Investigators believe two people shot at a group near the playground, including the 15-year-old. The group of people who were being shot at then returned fire, according to Metro police. One of the suspected initial shooters, a 15-year-old, was later located by officers in a Cayce Homes apartment and taken into custody. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, unlawful gun possession by a juvenile and possession of a gun to commit a dangerous felony. Detectives are working to identify the other suspects involved in the shootout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was immediately 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 WKRN News 2. JEFFERSON, Ohio (WJW) A rash outbreak has forced two elementary schools in the Jefferson Area Local School District to close for cleaning. Both Jefferson Elementary and Rock Creek Elementary were shut down Friday after multiple students reportedly developed a viral and contagious rash. The closures come as Ashtabula County continues to deal with public health concerns, including a recent measles outbreak that infected 16 people earlier this month, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Local firefighter laid to rest amid investigation into his death Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are still a lot of unknowns, said Heidi Hale, a mother of two elementary students. I didnt really know what was going on. It was pretty much word of mouth on Facebook about the rash. The only thing the school posted was that they were closed so they could properly disinfect. In a statement, Superintendent John Montanaro said the district decided to close the schools as a precaution due to uncertainty surrounding the cause of the rash. The closure will provide time to thoroughly disinfect and sanitize all school buildings and buses and implement additional safety precautions to help prevent further spread, Montanaro said via email. The Ashtabula County Health Department was notified immediately and is working with the school district to mitigate any potential spread. In a statement, the health department said: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We strongly encourage any parent who has an ill child to take them to see a doctor for an official diagnosis and treatment. At this time, the county is seeing increased activity in some local schools of parvovirus (Fifth disease), but without a diagnosis, the Ashtabula County Health Department cant definitively say that this is what the Jefferson staff are seeing. Man jumps from third story apartment in Canton as building goes up in flames According to the Cleveland Clinic, Fifth disease also known as slapped cheek is caused by parvovirus B19 and is characterized by a bright red facial rash. It mainly affects children but can also occur in adults. The illness typically resolves on its own within several days but is highly contagious and can spread through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing or close conversation. Hale said the sudden closure is concerning, and her daughter is dealing with a light, dry skin rash on her leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Very worried, very scary, she said. My son has already been in and out of the hospital due to other reasons. The last thing I want is for a kid to be sick and in the hospital not even just mine, anybodys. So as a mom, its a very big concern. There are some serious illnesses going around out there. The rash outbreak follows a measles outbreak in the county this month and a scarlet fever outbreak that led to the temporary closure of Kingsville Elementary just over a month ago. One arrested in Elyria shooting Health officials said they will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) Two Romanian men who investigators claim may be a part of a nationwide large-scale criminal enterprise have been arrested by Ozark police in Florida. Adelin Denis Lonescu and Catalina Marian Matei, both 23, were arrested in Lynn Haven, Florida, and charged with encoded data fraud, computer tampering, and criminal possession of a forgery device. According to the Ozark Police Department, the investigation that led to the suspects arrest began on March 25 after an employee of an Ozark grocery store found a card skimming device and reported it to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say these devices capture data from magnetic strips and record PINs typed on a keypad. Lonescu and Matei were arrested in the Florida panhandle 12 hours into the investigation, police said in a release. The investigation has led to networking with the Secret Service, who have indicated that the suspects are connected to a large-scale criminal enterprise operating throughout the country, said Ozark Police in the release. We commend the hard work and dedication of all officers involved in this case and remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our community 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. TYLER, Texas (KETK) A Tyler High School senior earned a scholarship worth more than $100,000, providing her a full-ride to college. Yoselin Bustamante was named a Terry Foundation Scholar, which is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to Texas students. The scholarship will cover Bustamantes tuition fees, books and on-campus living expenses. Longview ISD students get scholarships to University of Texas at Austin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bustamante expressed her gratitude for being awarded the scholarship and how it reflects the hard work she has put into her high school career. To me, this scholarship is more than just financial helpits a door opening into the future Ive been working towards, Bustamante said. Most people dont see the work that happens behind the scenes, but I do. This reminds me that hard work really does pay off. Im beyond grateful knowing I can focus on my goals without worrying as much about money. Photos courtesy of Tyler ISD Bustamante will be attending the University of North Texas this fall where she will be pursuing a major in social work. Following her college career, she hopes to become a licensed clinical social worker and work with children in underrepresented or underserved communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lufkin ISD to open new alternative education campus Bustamante explained her passion for social work and why she wants to help children who come from underprivileged communities. Advocating for mental health, particularly in communities where it is often considered taboo, is incredibly important to me, Bustamante said. Coming from a Hispanic household, I understand how hard it can be to ask for help. I want to make that process easierespecially for children. In order to keep receiving finical support through her undergraduate career, Bustamante must remain in good academic standing and live on campus during her first year in a Terry-designed residence hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. A segment of U.S. Highway 95 southwest of McCall will reopen Monday after a month of repairs, the Idaho Transportation Department announced Thursday. ITD closed 25 miles of the highway between New Meadows and Council last month after a landslide collapsed several hundred feet of the roadway due to heavy rainfall on March 16. Since March 31, crews have been working double shifts to repair the collapsed roadway, an ITD news release said. That work involved a 10-foot-deep excavation of the collapsed road, followed by constructing a retaining wall anchored into the roadside using steel piles, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. Experts were aware of the potential for storm damage to this area, according to the Idaho Department of Transportation. U.S. Highway 95 is one of Idahos most essential transportation routes Dan McElhinney, ITDs chief operations officer, said in the news release. The closed section travels north-south through towns including Hoover, Fruitvale, Starkey, Glendale, Stevens, Evergreen, Woodland, Pine Ridge, Tamarack and Rubicon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some residents, the four-week closure meant long detours on Idaho 55, which was ITDs suggested alternative route. McElhinney thanked the nearby residents patience during the closure. The release noted that roadside and guardrail work may continue after Monday, requiring temporary lane closures. ITD had initially anticipated reopening the highway in early May. This busy Idaho 55 turnoff is getting a traffic signal. Heres when its coming Gas line break leads to road closure in Meridian near Interstate 84 Male youth dies after motorcycle collides with truck in West Boise This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter. General Motors head of global manufacturing has resigned from his post after just over a year on the job, the automaker confirmed in a statement to Automotive Dive. Jens Peter Clausen was named EVP of global manufacturing in March 2024 to replace company veteran Gerald Johnson, who retired after a 44-year career at the automaker. In a LinkedIn post, Clausen said his decision to leave was not easy, but was the right move for himself and his family. Working at GM has been a defining chapter one that challenged me, shaped me, and allowed me to contribute to vehicles that millions of people rely on every day, Clausen wrote. He added that the experience has taught me what it means to build not just vehicles, but trust and legacy. A GM spokesperson in an email said the company was grateful for Clausens contributions. He will remain in his role through mid-May. Among his responsibilities, Clausens oversaw nearly 95,000 employees across 118 sites in 13 countries. In his hiring announcement last year, GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra said Clausens experience in global manufacturing innovation, engineering and operations would accelerate the automakers ability to deliver the highest quality vehicles to customers. Before joining GM, Clausen held executive roles at Tesla and Google. While at Tesla, he led efforts to scale production of the companys electric vehicle propulsion systems at its Gigafactory 1 in Sparks, Nevada. As VP of engineering at Google, he focused on product development and process optimization for the tech giants data centers. Clausens successor will be named at a later date, the GM spokesperson said. Recommended Reading A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was arrested after he allegedly used two sham businesses to illegally request and receive nearly $150,000 from a COVID-19 pandemic relief program intended for small-business owners, authorities said this week. Amer Aldarawsheh, 45, was indicted Wednesday on five counts of wire fraud. He is accused of intentionally misleading the U.S. Small Business Administration and mishandling loan funds, according to the U.S. attorney's office. He has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020 and 2021, prosecutors say, the Moreno Valley man applied for loans under the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program on behalf of two businesses: Nahar Enterprises Inc., which was described as a San Bernardino-based trucking and freight company; and Ameral, a purported automotive repair company. However, investigators later found that neither company had "substantial business or employees," according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office. Read more: San Diego restaurant owners charged with COVID-relief fraud, money laundering "Aldarawsheh knowingly misappropriated and misused the EIDL funds he received from the SBA for his own personal benefit," federal prosecutors alleged in the statement, citing a December 2020 transfer of almost $150,000 in loan funds to a bank account they said was "under his control." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aldarawsheh, who is facing a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, was released on $30,000 bond, authorities said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Agent in Charge Todd Siegel, of the agency's Los Angeles professional responsibility office, did not respond to questions about Aldarawsheh's employment status, but said in a statement that the agency takes all allegations of misconduct and criminal activity by its employees very seriously." The Small Business Administration has estimated that, in an effort to more quickly distribute relief, it gave out more than $200 billion in potentially fraudulent funds through its COVID-19-era disaster loan programs. 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. Travelers planning a trip to Colombia should be aware of the new changes to the U.S. Department of States Travel Advisory for the country. On April 24, the advisory for the country was updated with information about potential civil unrest and kidnapping threats in the country. Colombia is rated at Level 3 by the U.S. Department of State, meaning travelers should reconsider travel to the country. Violent crime, like murder, assault, and robbery, is common in many areas in Colombia. In some places, organized crime is rampant. This includes extortion, robbery, and kidnapping, the travel advisory states. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in Colombia. "What do the advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State mean? Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) Level 4 (Do Not Travel)" The advisory lists places that are common targets for terrorists and terrorist groups, including U.S. government facilities, tourist areas and attractions, shopping malls, hotels, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some regions are highlighted as potentially more risky, however. The advisory recommends strongly that American visitors do not travel to Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayan), and Norte de Santander departments, due to the potential for crime and terrorism, as well as the Colombia-Venezuela border region, due to ongoing conflict between armed groups and the possible risk of detention. Both regions are ranked as Level 4, which means Do Not Travel. Do not travel to this area for any reason. Crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict are common here, the travel advisory states. Do not cross the border into Venezuela from Colombia. You may be detained by Venezuelan authorities. Due to the risks, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens here. The advisory recommends that travelers avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, refrain from ostentatious displays of wealth, and stay aware of their surroundings. Despite the risks, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination in South America, with untouched beaches, vibrant cities, and stunning nature to explore. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Students at the University of Cincinnati are worried. Their "home away from home," they said, will likely be stripped away from them. As the university dismantles its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to comply with President Donald Trump's executive order and the recently passed Ohio Senate Bill 1, student identity centers are at high risk of closing. The university has not explicitly said the centers will close, but students and staff believe their futures are bleak. A view of UC's Ethnic Programs & Services in Steger Student Life Center. SB 1, which Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law March 28, prohibits state universities from "the continuation of existing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or departments" at any state institution of higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also says state universities are not allowed to create new DEI offices or departments or replace DEI offices or positions with ones for the same or similar purposes. Supporters of the bill say it will create an inclusive environment, one that includes conservative voices, and provides equal opportunity to all students. The bill doesn't define diversity, equity and inclusion, also known as DEI, so it's unclear whether the identity centers fall under this term. But similar legislation in other states has caused schools there to close such centers. UC's African American Cultural & Resource Center, commonly called the AACRC, the LGBTQ Center, the Women's Center and Ethnic Programs & Services provide resources for the identities they serve. Friendship. Mentorship opportunities. A safe space. Support. Advocacy. Opportunities to develop confidence. Visibility. Internships. Feeling less alone at a big university. To the students The Enquirer spoke to, this is what the identity centers give them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the resources offered by each center are focused on the needs of specific groups, students say they are open to everyone. UC Student Mel Searle at the Steger Student Life Center. Searle, a sophomore who described UC's women's center and LGBTQ center as her "home on campus," is not optimistic about the centers' future. For Mickell Owusu-Korkor, a fifth-year student studying biomedical engineering, the African American Cultural & Resource Center ensured she had the "college experience." She became involved in the center's peer mentoring program called Transitions. "I've seen a lot of things where people are like, 'Oh, I went to school and it was like, I'd never had that college experience, I never got to know people,'" she said. "I feel like joining Transitions and coming to the center from the beginning definitely erased that from happening to me." While UC has not yet released plans for the identity centers, administrators have met with "those most impacted," according to a statement from Nicole Mayo, vice provost for student affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The most important thing I would wish to convey is our foundational commitment to individual student success. We will welcome every qualified student and provide them with the caring support they deserve all while meeting our compliance obligations," the statement reads. She said the university will announce a plan as soon as possible. Students say identity centers drew them to the university The African American Cultural & Resource Center played a large role in why Genesis Anderson, a third-year pre-law student of Caribbean and African descent, chose to attend the university. "When I was first coming here to UC, my biggest concern was, 'Where is the space for people that look like me?'" he said. He found the AACRC and "immediately" got involved. Anderson said the staff make sure the students there feel safe, advocated for and taken care of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center also gives students a platform to become student leaders. Kuamka is the center's leadership competition. The Transitions Program offers leadership training, workshops and social and academic activities. UC's African American Cultural & Resource Center. The center has its own building. Anderson says the African American Cultural & Resource Center helps minority students like him feel seen through its Black Student Graduation Celebration, Tyehimba. The ceremony honors Black graduates before the campuswide ceremony. "I think that ... people fail to recognize it can be challenging on a campus where you're the minority, right?" Anderson said. Not everybody can handle that level of stress, he said, so with Tyehimba, those who "made it through" are acknowledged. Ohio law's broad language creates confusion about DEI, identity centers SB 1 eliminates diversity, equity and inclusion programs and scholarships, along with preventing faculty from striking and universities from taking a stand on controversial beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear, according to the language of the bill, whether the African American Cultural & Resource Center and other identity centers count as offices designated for the purpose of diversity, equity, and inclusion, because the bill does not define DEI. Mel Searle, a sophomore who described UC's women's center and LGBTQ center as her "home on campus," said she's not optimistic about the survival of either center. UC's LGBTQ Center in Steger Student Life Center. Other universities in the Greater Cincinnati area announced changes. Miami University will close its Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion and relocate its staff within the university. Northern Kentucky University, which is affected by a similar bill in Kentucky, is repurposing its Center for Student Inclusiveness. The center will be renamed the Center for Community and Connections and will be directed to the entire student community, the university said in a release. The departments within the center African American Student Initiatives, Latino Student Initiatives and LGBTQA+ Student Initiatives will be dissolved. More: Republicans want to eliminate DEI offices on campus. What do they do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio State University announced April 17 that it would keep its Hale Black Cultural Center and programs open, despite closing two diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Sen. Jerry Cirino, the bill's primary sponsor, said he doesn't "have a definition of DEI particularly," though it "tends" to be "divisive." The Enquirer asked Cirino if theres a pathway for the centers to stay open if they are inclusive. It's likely that they would be OK, said Cirino, though he clarified that he didnt know enough about UCs identity centers to say whether that's the case. More: Despite DEI closures, Ohio State to keep Hale Black Cultural Center and programs open Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it's proven to be a divisive organization, if it's eliminating and restricting who can participate, you know, then they may have some problems," he said. Students like Anderson were firm that the AACRC does not exclude other students. "Everyone," Anderson said, "is welcome here." (from left) Genesis Anderson, Mickell Owusu-Korkor and Arianna Spaulding at UC's African American Cultural & Resource Center. Students see ramifications of the law, even though it doesn't go into effect until June. Tyehimba is one of the programs already affected. Typically, the graduation celebrates Black students at Fifth Third Center. This year, however, the University of Cincinnati is not allowed to host the ceremony due to "recent and forthcoming legislative changes at the federal and state levels," the university officials said in the letter. Instead, the local organization Light of the World Church is hosting a similar event at Hughes High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owusu-Korkor said the new venue means she can only invite five people to the ceremony. In previous years, students had an unlimited number of tickets. Tyehimba was a chance for students to invite family and friends who would not attend the university-wide commencement, which has a limited number of tickets. Anderson is dreading this change. Especially in communities like the Black community, when someone is winning in a family, everybody wants to show up to support," he said. By removing Tyehimba, he said, it's restricting the joy and level of togetherness. Ohio legislators who passed SB 1 maintained that the bill would make Ohio's universities and colleges a more welcoming place for all students. But for Anderson, what drew him to the university is disappearing. My younger brother's considering going here," Anderson said. All the big things that I was excited to share with him if he were to come here are not here anymore." This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Future of University of Cincinnati's centers unclear amid Ohio DEI law UK Defence Intelligence has analysed the latest large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine on the night of Thursday 23-24 April. Source: UK Defence Intelligence update on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: UK intelligence noted that the attack involved strategic aircraft, bombers, Black Sea Fleet ships and ground-based systems. The Russians have mainly targeted Kyiv and Kharkiv. Other Ukrainian cities were also attacked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This combination of munitions almost certainly sought to complicate and saturate Ukrainian Air Defence efforts. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting 112 munitions, as well as interdicting others via electronic warfare," the update said. UK intelligence has noted that Kh-101 cruise missiles remain Russia's primary weapon for conducting large-scale strikes. The recent 30-day ceasefire in the energy sector enabled Russia to replenish its stockpile, which had only been used twice since early March, the update says. "Rebuilding its stockpile enables long-range aviation to sit ready to conduct strikes such as these with little to no notice, at a time of Russia's choosing, as Russia continues normal strike operations," the review concluded. Background: On the night of 23-24 April, Russian forces mounted a large-scale combined attack on Ukraine. Overall, Russia launched 215 missiles of various types and drones on Ukraine, with the main impact falling on Kyiv. Ukrainian air defence units shot down 112 Russian aerial targets. After the attack, US President Donald Trump urged Putin to "stop". French President Emmanuel Macron stated that "Americas anger should be directed at only one person: President Putin". [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda doesn't recognise Putin as president ed.] Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The U.K. is expected to scale back earlier proposals to deploy thousands of ground troops to Ukraine, as officials warn the risks are now considered "too high" for such a mission. The original plan, which included protecting Ukrainian cities, ports, and nuclear power plants, is being reconsidered in favor of a more limited and strategic presence. A source involved in the discussions told the Times, "The risks are too high and the forces inadequate for such a task. This was always the U.K.s thought. It was France who wanted a more muscular approach." On March 15, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a high-level virtual summit in London. The peacekeeping mission would be "a significant force with a significant number of countries providing troops and a much larger group contributing in other ways," a senior government source told the Sunday Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of placing troops near the front lines, the U.K. and France now aim to send military trainers to western Ukraine, fulfilling a commitment to deploy personnel without engaging in direct defense roles. "The trainers reassure by being there but arent a deterrence or protection force," the source added, expressing concern that any breakdown in a ceasefire could escalate into a broader conflict. The revised approach would shift focus toward rebuilding and equipping Ukraines military, with continued weapons deliveries and air and sea protection measures forming the backbone of future support. Read also: Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian Operation Interflex, the U.K.s domestic training mission for Ukrainian troops, is expected to wind down by the end of the year, with operations relocating to a base near Lviv. However, Ukrainian officials remain cautious, recalling how Western trainers withdrew just before Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our problem now is to try and find a landing zone where Ukraine doesnt have to break all its red lines," said a diplomatic source. European and British officials are also working behind the scenes to advance peace talks, hoping to arrange a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome following the Popes funeral. We will move our position but we want Moscow to break their red lines, one diplomatic source explained. The push comes amid growing fears that U.S. support could waver if Ukraine refuses to make concessions, particularly as Trump maintains a tougher stance on Zelensky than on Putin, according to British officials. Ukraine remains under pressure to respond to a broader U.S. peace plan first presented in Paris on April 17. According to the Wall Street Journal, that plan includes U.S. recognition of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO two long-standing Kremlin demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the revised strategy, the U.K. insists it remains committed to Ukraines defense, according to the Times. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense responded to reports of the plan change by saying, "This is speculation. Advanced operational planning within the coalition of the willing remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian armed forces. In the meantime, were continuing to support efforts for peace, while stepping up the military support for Ukraine as Putins illegal invasion continues." Read also: Trump says Russia has shown willingness for peace by not taking over all of Ukraine, calls it pretty big concession Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By 2040, the 3 billion of global health research and development (R&D) funding invested by the United Kingdom since 1994 will have saved 1.43 million lives, averted 99 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and prevented 183 million cases of neglected disease. Behind each one of the numbers is a person, a family, a community whose lives have been saved or changed for the better. We believe that as one of the richest nations in the world, the UK has an ethical responsibility to take a lead on breakthroughs in neglected diseases. But the case for continued support and investment is much stronger than just ethical responsibility; there are widespread and measurable economic and social benefits not only in the countries where these diseases occur but in the UK itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On world Malaria day, a new report, by Impact Global Health in collaboration with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, found that the UK directly benefits from R&D investment into diseases like malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. It shows that the UK economy would gain an additional boost of 7.7 billion and 4,000 additional jobs by 2040 from public funding of neglected disease R&D. Some 6 billion has already been gained but around 1.5 billion, equivalent to an average of 100 million a year, is yet to be felt and is contingent on funding being sustained. And the benefits to the UK of investment in global health do not stop there. Now is the time for bold action Covid-19, and the West African Ebola epidemic demonstrated that infections dont recognise geographic borders. Nobody is safe from future pandemics until everybody has access to effective diagnostics, drugs and treatments and robust health systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Put simply: the UKs own global health security depends on continued investment in this early pipeline of global health R&D. Yet 2025 has been a challenging year for global health with significant cuts announced to critical funding internationally and continued uncertainty about future investment. Already, many projects have been forced to pause or stop, causing a direct negative impact on the people and communities which are most in need. In an age where there are multiple calls on government and other budgets, global health R&D could be seen, mistakenly, as an easy target. But the impact of R&D funding in the UK and across the globe should not be underestimated. This latest research clearly shows how this funding has already significantly improved health outcomes and positively impacted individual lives and wider society. We must keep this momentum to realise these benefits into the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a very real risk that funding cuts now or in the future will reduce the impact of what has already been achieved and will lose the opportunity to develop new products, save even more lives and create even more sustained economic benefit. Any reduction in investment could rapidly unravel the substantial progress made to date, leaving future advances in life-saving interventions in jeopardy. Now is the time for bold action to protect critical investment in this area. Every pound of funding lost will negatively impact the UK economy, make the UK more vulnerable to future pandemics, and most importantly, expose the most vulnerable communities around the world to greater health threats. The UK has been a leader in funding and conducting research and development targeted at neglected diseases over the last two decades. Along with saving countless lives within some of the worlds poorest communities, that investment has had real health and economic benefits in the UK. Professor David Lalloo is Vice Chancellor of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Professor Liam Smeeth is Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Astrid Bonfield is CEO of Malaria No More Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed hope that a ceasefire in Ukraine could be declared by the summer. Source: Starmer in an interview with The Telegraph Quote: "We are at an intense stage in the negotiations. In the end, Im always mindful of the fact that it is Ukraine that must decide on those issues its not for other people to decide on behalf of Ukraine. It is for Ukraine to decide. And Russia must come to the table for that unconditional ceasefire." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Telegraph stated that Starmer had also expressed hope that a ceasefire could be declared by the summer. He reiterated his call for US security guarantees for UK and other Western forces to be deployed to Ukraine to monitor the peace. The Telegraph added that Starmer insists Ukraine should have the right to determine the terms of any peace agreement with Russia. Starmer also refused to support US plans to recognise Crimea as Russian as reported by Axios, and demanded that Moscow agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Quote: "Its got to be a ceasefire that is on terms that all parties can accept, including Ukraine, and its got to be a lasting ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I dont want to see is a ceasefire that is temporary, because I am as convinced as I can be that that will simply leave Russia with the capability and wherewithal to come again at some future time. Theyve done it before, Ive no doubt that they will do it again." Background: On the morning of 24 April, the UK announced a new package of 150 sanctions against Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine is "at least three weeks late" in signing a minerals deal with Washington, and peace talks with Ukraine and Russia are "going smoothly," U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 25. The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a memorandum on a minerals deal that is yet to be finalized, Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on April 17. The memorandum states that technical discussions should be completed by April 26, with the goal of signing the agreement shortly thereafter. "Hopefully," the minerals deal will be "signed immediately," Trump said, directly mentioning President Volodymyr Zelensky in his statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelensky, has not signed the final papers on the very important rare earths deal with the United States. It is at least three weeks late," Trump said, despite the memorandum signed between the two countries stating a deal could be signed following April 26. "Work on the overall peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is going smoothly. Success seems to be in the future!" Trump said. The U.S. president has increased pressure on Ukraine as the White House intensifies efforts to reach a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Trump has in recent days suggested the U.S. could de jure recognize Russian control of Crimea, among other major concessions Ukraine has not agreed to, such as barring Ukraine from gaining NATO membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on April 25, Trump reiterated that he believes Ukraine's desire to join NATO triggered Russia's full-scale invasion, adding that Crimea "will stay with Russia." The minerals agreement has been in the works for several months and has been a point of contention between Ukraine and the U.S. Zelensky and Trump got into a heated argument in the White House on Feb. 28 when the deal was set to be signed by the two leaders. Trump wants to use the deal as a signal that the U.S. stands with Ukraine as an economic partner, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview released on April 4, adding that it would incentivize Russia to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The sequencing has been thrown off, but I think we can fix it," Bessent said, referring to the steps the U.S. plans to take in establishing a peace plan. Read also: Front-line situation not severe enough for Ukraine to be forced to accept Trumps deal, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Schindler also said that AI is helping Googles ad business better match ads to searches letting marketers reach customers and searches where we would not previously have shown their ads. The companys ad revenue was $66.8 billion (versus an expected $66.4 billion). While investors had been wary about whether AI-driven search results would be less profitable than traditional search results, chief business officer Philipp Schindler said on the earnings call that the company is monetizing AI Overviews at approximately the same rate. According to William Blair analysts, Alphabet is in a good, positive cycle for search with AI, with strong engagement trends and growing traction from new tools. Part of that engagement is being driven by Googles generative AI Overviews tool, which is bolted atop the companys search results, making it virtually unavoidable. CEO Sundar Pichai said AI Overviews now has 1.5 billion users per month and expanded in the first quarter to more than 15 languages across 140 countries. The company also launched AI mode in March for more complex queries, which Google said has received positive user feedback. Google Search continues to be Alphabets revenue anchor. Its the companys largest ad segment, and its revenue grew almost 10% year over year to $50.7 billion, slightly ahead of the Streets estimates. The stock popped in after-hours trading and continued to rise Friday 1.6% around midday buoyed by better than-expected revenue, margin expansion, and bullish sentiment from analysts who noted broad-based strength and Googles early success in monetizing its AI tools. The company also announced a $70 billion stock-buyback program and said it will increase its quarterly cash dividend by 5% to $0.21. Fueled by growth in cloud services and AI, Alphabet posted a net income of $34.5 billion on $90.2 billion in revenue a 12% year-over-year increase that beat Wall Streets estimate of $89.2 billion. The company also reported earnings per share of $2.81; analysts were expecting that number to be $2.01. Net income increased 46%. Googles parent company, Alphabet ( GOOGL ), was a big winner on Wall Street this week, delivering first-quarter earnings that largely surpassed expectations and highlighted momentum across its search, cloud, and AI businesses. The report sent investors a strong signal that the company is weathering macroeconomic headwinds with diversified growth and continued strength in its core businesses. Story Continues William Blair noted that this quarter is the largest expansion for AI overviews, with new users and more responses, and said advertisers using demand-generation tools a key driver of AI-powered ad personalization are seeing a 26% year-over-year boost in conversions. Wedbush analysts were similarly upbeat, noting that advertising trends were healthy to start the year. They pointed out that first-quarter Google Search revenue growth exceeded consensus by roughly 40 basis points and that the company didnt call out any signs of softening ad backdrop, likely tempering some investor concern in the near-term. Morningstar analysts said they were particularly impressed with the wide range of monetization angles the firm is creating by leveraging AI, including Google Cloud, Gemini, AI Overviews, and improved ad targeting tools provided to advertisers. On the earnings call, Pichai highlighted the companys recently released Gemini 2.5 AI model, which he called an extraordinary foundation for our future innovation in the report. The updated model, integrated across Google products and Google Cloud, is powering features such as AI Overviews and advanced developer tools. While Geminis user count has grown substantially, it still lags behind OpenAIs ChatGPT and Meta AI (META). Cloud keeps growing Google Cloud remained one of the fastest-growing and most important segments in Alphabets portfolio. Google Cloud now holds the third-largest market share in the global cloud infrastructure space, behind Amazon Web Services (AMZN) and Microsoft Azure (MSFT). But Googles cloud services growth seems to be outpacing the rest of the sector. Revenue reached $12.3 billion, up 28% year over year, just about matching analysts expectations. The segments profitability improved significantly, and operating income was up 142%. Those numbers were driven by strong growth across both core and AI-specific products. The company said demand continues to outpace capacity, reinforcing the need for continuing infrastructure investment. Alongside Thursdays earnings, the company reiterated plans to invest approximately $75 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, much of that dedicated to AI infrastructure and data centers to support workloads. Wedbush called Clouds revenue growth encouraging and noted that the more aggressive pace of investment should alleviate capacity constraints as AI demand continues to scale. Waymo is still ramping up Alphabets autonomous driving company, Waymo, also had a big quarter. The company said its providing 250,000 paid robotaxi rides a week five times what it did a year ago and has expanded operations across San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin. Further launches in Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. are planned. At the moment, Waymo remains a small contributor to Alphabets bottom line, but its drawing increased investor interest. This is probably the first question Ive got on an earnings call on Waymo, Pichai joked in a Q&A session after the quarterly earnings report was released. Its a sign of progress. He then suggested that Waymos self-driving robotaxis might be available for purchase but didnt offer a timeline or any detail beyond saying there is future optionality for personal ownership. Headwinds ahead Despite the strong quarter, Google faces big regulatory risks, which the company didnt comment on during its earnings call. Two antitrust cases that have both already been decided in the governments favor are entering the remedy phase of their trials, with potential outcomes ranging from enforced data sharing to a company breakup. The search engine giant was back in court this week, related to a ruling that found the company has an illegal monopoly in online search in part by paying web browsers and smartphone manufacturers to feature its search engine. And the DOJ told the judge it had an eyebrow-raising solution: forcing the company to sell its popular Chrome browser. In a separate antitrust case, a federal judge ruled that the company had illegally maintained a monopoly in some of its online advertising technology, which could result in regulatory fines or structural changes to how Googles ad business operates and maybe even a break-up. And Japans FTC recently sent the company a cease-and-desist order after it said Googles search practices were monopolistic. Alphabet also acknowledged that changes to the U.S. de minimis trade exemption could pressure the companys ads business, primarily among Asia Pacific-based retailers such as Temu and Shein. Google executives said its still too soon to determine the full effects of the current macroeconomic volatility but said there could definitely be signs of weakness in an area of spending that had been robust until recently. I mean, were obviously not immune to the macro environment, but we wouldnt want to speculate about potential impacts beyond noting that the changes to the de minimis exemption will obviously cause slight headwind to our ads business in 2025, primarily from APAC-based retailers, chief business officer Schindler said on the earnings call. He added that Google is well-versed in navigating periods of uncertainty. Alphabet has traditionally chosen not to provide specific forecasts for revenue or earnings. When chief financial officer Anat Ashkenazi made a presentation three months ago, she didnt mention the looming trade war or macroeconomic uncertainty she didnt mention them on Thursdays call, either. Investors takes Wedbush moved its consolidated estimates higher second-quarter revenue of $91.9 billion (up 8.5% year over year) and 2025 operating income of $123.2 billion, up 4% from the firms prior forecasts. Its 2025 revenue estimate now stands at $383.1 billion, up 9.5% year over year and up 2% from its previous estimate. While we remain cautious across the group, we are incrementally constructive on the potential outcomes for this year, analysts wrote. They also said they see a case for multiple expansion in the coming quarters. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ukraine and its allies are working on security guarantees that offer "the protection that Article 5 provides to NATO countries," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 25. U.S., U.K., German, French, and Ukrainian officials met in London on April 23. A copy of a peace proposal given to the U.S. by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week calls for a NATO "Article 5-like agreement" backed by the U.S. Zelensky said Ukraine and its allies worked on security guarantees at the London meeting on April 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There were American proposals or visions, a group in London worked on this, consisting of our colleagues from Europe and the United States," Zelensky told journalists. Zelensky clarified that Ukraine and Europe did not propose Article 5 protection from NATO itself, but that the security guarantees mirror the protection it offers. "Not Article 5 itself, but specifically those forces and the protection that Article 5 provides to NATO countries," he said. If Ukraine does not receive backing to join NATO, "then at this time we need security guarantees," Zelensky said. The president noted, "these are proposals, and our responses to these proposals," and not finalized security guarantees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump has said Ukraine could be barred from joining NATO as part of a potential peace deal to end Russia's war. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on March 19, "Extending NATO's Article 5 to Ukraine seems to be the simplest and most effective proposal of all, also because it would help call a possible bluff." "If Russia does not plan to invade its neighbors again, it is not clear why it should not accept security guarantees that are only defensive," she said. Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A copy of the peace proposal given to the U.S. by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week includes "robust security guarantees" including from Washington, and no talks on territorial concessions until a "full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land and at sea" has been implemented, Reuters reported on April 25. The document, reprinted in full by the news outlet, contains numerous points that show the diverging viewpoints of the U.S. on one side, and Ukraine and its European allies on the other as they seek to end Russia's full-scale invasion. The Trump administration has so far refused to offer Kyiv any security guarantees, but the Ukrainian proposal calls for an "Article 5-like agreement" backed by the U.S. while NATO membership for Kyiv remains off the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week it was reported the U.S. could give de jure recognition to Russia's control over occupied Crimea, but the Ukrainian and European proposal insists that "territorial issues will be discussed and resolved after a full and unconditional ceasefire." Read also: Trumps latest Crimea comments put Zelensky between a rock and a hard place, again Reuters published details of the U.S. plan, confirming earlier reports and revealing key disagreements with Ukrainian and European positions. The proposal also demands that sanctions on Russia only be eased after a "sustainable peace" has been achieved, a move the White House is reportedly considering implementing even before a peace deal has been agreed on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other points call for the "return (of) all deported and illegally displaced Ukrainian children," the implementation of the minerals deal, and that Ukraine "will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially," including through the use of Russia's frozen assets. Washington's allies have been voicing growing alarm over the Trump administrations proposed framework to end the war in Ukraine, which would allow Russia to retain seized Ukrainian territory. Multiple diplomatic sources told CNN that officials in Europe and Asia are bracing for the outcome of renewed U.S.-Russia talks and fear the plan sends a dangerous message. "If one country in Europe is forced to give up parts of its legal territory... no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO," one diplomat told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In high-level meetings held in London on April 23, U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials reportedly made progress in narrowing differences. U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg called the talks "candid, positive and productive." At the same time, a European official said negotiators had "managed to convince the Ukrainians to convince themselves to get in a more U.S. administration-friendly position." Still, the core issue territorial concessions remains fraught. A German official acknowledged that "the Ukrainians are coming around," but emphasized they "have red lines they cannot cross." Read also: Front-line situation not severe enough for Ukraine to be forced to accept Trumps deal, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has officially handed over a list of Russia's violations of the energy truce to the United States. The truce has been in force since 25 March, following talks between the Russian and American delegations in the Saudi capital. Source: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi during a briefing on 25 April, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent. Details: During the briefing, the Foreign Ministry spokesman was asked whether Ukraine had reported Russia's violation of the energy truce to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We reported Russia's violation of the so-called energy truce. We have reported it to all international organisations, all foreign countries, including our state partners, and in particular the United States," he said. Tykhyi said that Ukraine submitted the list of violations through official channels, not just the media. "We believe that these partial ceasefires are problematic, to put it mildly, and that is why a full, unconditional ceasefire is needed," he added. Background: On 24 March, Russian and American delegations concluded talks in the Saudi capital Riyadh to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As European Pravda previously reported, Ukraine agreed with the United States on a list of energy facilities that Russia would stop striking as part of a partial ceasefire, which differed from the one insisted on by the Russian side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on the details and problems of the "peace talks" in Riyadh, read Ceasefire on Moscow's terms? How peace talks in Riyadh made US redraw its red lines on Ukraine Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Moscow has inflicted another round of deadly strikes on Ukraine despite US President Donald Trumps plea for Russian President Vladimir Putin to STOP! attacking its neighbor. At least eight people were killed in drone strikes across the country, a night after Russia launched its deadliest bombardment of the Ukrainian capital since the middle of last year. A drone attack on the eastern city of Pavlohrad on Friday killed three people, including a 76-year-old woman and a child, and injured 10 others, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In southern Ukraine, two people were also killed in strikes on Kherson, the regions governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said, adding the strikes targeted critical infrastructure and residential buildings. Two more people died in attacks on Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, and one person was killed in Kharkiv in the northeast of the country, regional leaders said. Ukraines capital Kyiv was the main target of Russias massive bombardment on Thursday, which hit several locations across the city, killing 12 people and wounding 87 others. Ukraines emergency services said on Friday that it had completed the search for survivors in the rubble of one residential block, hit by what Ukrainian authorities said was a North Korean ballistic missile. Police officers help an injured woman leave her house, which was damaged by a Russian airstrike, in a residential neighbourhood in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. - Evgeniy Maloletka/AP The fresh round of attacks come after President Trump vented his frustration over the lack of progress on a peace deal on Thursday, saying he is not happy and urging Putin to STOP! the attacks, in a post on his Truth Social platform. Hours later, however, Trump said he believed both Russia and Ukraine want peace. On Friday, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Moscow for further talks with Putin on reaching an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was ready to reach a deal, in an interview with CBS News on Thursday, but added that there were still some specific points that needed to be fine-tuned. Earlier this week, Trump launched a new tirade against Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of harming peace negotiations, after Zelensky said it was against his countrys constitution to recognize Russian control of Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Any move to recognize Russias control of Crimea would reverse a decade of US policy and could upset the widely held post-World War Two consensus that international borders should not be changed by force. As part of its mission to seal a peace deal to end the three-year war, the US administration has proposed recognizing Crimea as part of Russia, a move which diplomatic sources have told CNN has highly alarmed US allies in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spat over Crimea is the latest in a series of very public disagreements between Trump and Zelensky. Trump has insisted he has been equally as tough on Putin, but got defensive on Thursday when asked by White House reporters what concessions Russia had made in the conflict. Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession, Trump said. Were putting a lot of pressure on Russia, and Russia knows that, and some people that are close to it know or he wouldnt be talking right now. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the attack on Wednesday into Thursday was the deadliest on Kyiv since July 2024, not Ukraine as a whole. Jennifer Hansler, Alex Marquardt and Kylie Atwood contributed reporting For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukraine has secured 270 million in funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), backed by state guarantees, to purchase large volumes of natural gas. An additional 140 million grant from the Norwegian government will further support the effort. Source: Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram Details: Shmyhal signed the relevant agreement on 25 April together with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso. The deal aims to strengthen Ukraines energy resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This will enable Naftogaz [Ukraine's largest national oil and gas company ed.] to import significant volumes of natural gas in preparation for the upcoming heating season," Shmyhal stressed. He also added that since the start of the full-scale war, the EBRD has provided Ukraine with more than 6 billion in loans, grants and guarantees. In the public sector, Ukraine and the EBRD are jointly implementing 12 projects, including in the fields of energy, logistics and critical infrastructure. Background: Due to Russian attacks on gas infrastructure and the resulting decline in production, Ukraine will significantly increase gas imports in 2025. The Naftogaz Group has already begun preparations for the 2025/2026 heating season by purchasing gas and modernising power generation facilities. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine may be forced to temporarily give up some territories to Russia, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in an interview with BBC published on April 25, as U.S. pressure mounts for a peace deal with Moscow. "Right now (there are) a lot of conversations about a possible solution. One of the scenarios is... to give up territory. It's not fair. But for peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution. Temporary," Klitschko said in a released excerpt of the interview. He added that Ukrainians would "never accept occupation" by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klitschko's remarks come amid renewed diplomatic activity following a deadly Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed 12 people and injured almost 90 on April 24. The strike took place just a day after the Kremlin reiterated its demands that Ukraine cede occupied territory and that the West end its military aid to Kyiv. The Trump administration's latest proposal for ending Russia's all-out war against Ukraine reportedly includes U.S. de jure recognition of Moscow's control over Crimea, along with de facto recognition of its partial occupation of other Ukrainian regions Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Klitschko appears to be the first senior Ukrainian politician to suggest that Ukraine may need to consider temporary territorial compromises. Earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine has not received any official proposals for territorial concessions as part of potential peace talks with Russia from the U.S. or other partners. He has also repeatedly said that Kyiv won't recognize occupied territories as Russian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his popularity abroad, Klitschko faces criticism in Ukraine for his handling of the capital. The Kyiv mayor has had a long-standing conflict with Zelensky. He claims ongoing pressure from government authorities. Asked whether Zelensky had talked to him about any possible war settlement details, the Kyiv mayor said, "No." Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. When Donald Trump blamed Volodymyr Zelensky for the failure to reach a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine this week, it is impossible to draw any conclusion beyond this: the American president is no longer living on planet Earth. As much was already obvious, but perhaps now we have enough clarity to say that when it comes to Ukraines fight for its survival, no deal is better than a bad one. Lets start with the so-called peace plan being proposed by the US: Trumps seven-point-proposal, released on Tuesday. At its heart, that deal forces Ukraine to cede Crimea and the best part of the four occupied territories to Russia. Ukraine will also be barred from joining Nato, all US sanctions on Russia will be lifted allowing the countrys war machine to rev back up and Ukraine will sign a minerals deal with American companies for the pleasure. Putin could hardly be happier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That deal is coming at a time when after three years of fighting, nearly one million casualties (according to British officials) and the loss of 4,000 tanks, the Russian army has been badly bruised. European armies are also getting serious about defence spending: Britain has made cuts to fund the army and Germany has rewritten its debt rules for the same purpose. If Trump bolstered this coalition with his overwhelmingly powerful military, or even offered it as a backstop, then Putin would surely come to the negotiation table rather than just sit back and watch as a terrible deal got pushed down Zelenskys throat. If Trump had any grasp of warfare he would understand that you dont cave in when the enemy is at its weakest. But he doesnt and wont listen to anybody who does so he wants to end the fight now. Indeed for all his business-like approach, there has been no progress against the hard reality of war. Thats unsurprising given the presidents closest advisors are real estate men like Steve Witcoff, the Middle East envoy when what the present moment really calls for is people with direct military experience. Thats who youd want if you wanted to sign a good deal. So ask yourself this: whats the worst that could happen if Trump does step away from negotiations? The last deal he got over the line resulted in the Taliban taking over Afghanistan. Ukraines best option, provided they are fully backed by Europe, may be to just keep fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian bear is injured; Trumps attempts at peace today will only allow it to recover and go again tomorrow. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. LONDON (Reuters) - Reuters has seen the text of a set of proposals to end Russia's war in Ukraine that were presented to European officials by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff at talks in Paris on April 17. The text of the document is published in full with no changes. Russia-Ukraine Deal Framework Transmit verbally Overview: These terms represent the final offer from the United States to both sides. Ceasefire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Permanent ceasefire * Both sides immediately engage in technical implementationnegotiations Ukraine security guarantee * Ukraine receives robust security guarantee * Guarantor states will be an ad hoc grouping of Europeanstates plus willing non-European states * Ukraine will not seek to join NATO * Ukraine may pursue EU membership Territory * US provides de jure recognition of Russian control ofCrimea * US provides de facto recognition of Russian control ofLuhansk * US provides de facto recognition of Russian-controlledparts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson * Ukraine regains territory in Kharkiv Oblast * Ukraine regains control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear PowerPlant through US control and administration of the plant, withelectricity distributed to both sides, and also the Kakhovka Dam * Ukraine enjoys unhindered passage on Dnieper River andcontrol of the Kinburn Spit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economics * United States and Ukraine will implement economiccooperation/minerals agreement * Ukraine to be fully reconstructed and compensatedfinancially * Sanctions on Russia resulting from this conflict since2014 will be removed * U.S.-Russian economic cooperation on energy and otherindustrial sectors (Reporting by Reuters, Editing by Timothy Heritage) WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will be at the Vatican Saturday for Pope Francis funeral. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says hell be there, too. The Trump administration is trying to broker a ceasefire to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier this week President Trump said he didnt know if he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump says he wants the fighting to end. More than three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the fighting continues. Ukrainians are mourning three more people, after hours of Russian strikes across five Ukrainian regions. Its horrible. Its a killing field. 5,000 soldiers a week, said Trump. President Trump and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store say the U.S. and Norway are working toward a ceasefire. U.S. engagement is critical. And President Trump made that possible, said Store. President Trump says he wants Ukraine to give up Crimea. Russia seized it from Ukraine in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy says he wont. That was handed over during a president named Barack Hussein Obama. That had nothing to do with me, said Trump. President Trump insists hes asking Russia to make concessions, too. Stopping the war. Stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concession, said Trump. The president indicated the U.S. may walk away if the peace process goes nowhere but both President Trump and the NATO secretary general say theyre optimistic the loss of life will end and peace will prevail. I believe that some huge steps have been taken over the last couple of days, said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance says as part of the peace deal the U.S. has proposed both Russia and Ukraine would have to give up some territory, essentially freezing the lines where they are today. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The Ukrainian delegation has handed over a response to the peace proposals from the Trump administration, including those on security guarantees, to the American delegation in London. Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with journalists in Kyiv on 25 April, as reported by European Pravda citing Interfax-Ukraine Details: Zelenskyy stated Ukraine, together with its European partners, presented "our vision on the proposals opened by the US" during a working meeting in London on 23 April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stated that the proposals concern security guarantees, including alternatives to Ukraines NATO membership. Quote: "There are absolutely constructive proposals, as I mentioned, including the contingent and the format of the Fifth Amendment [Article 5 of the NATO Treaty on collective defence ed.]. Not the Fifth Amendment itself, but specifically those forces and protections as provided by the Fifth Amendment in NATO countries." Details: Zelenksyy added that Ukraine is now awaiting a response from the US. Background: Zelenskyy previously confirmed the existence of alternative "peace proposals" to those from the US, which were drafted following the meeting in London. The Telegraph published details of a new negotiation document aimed at ending the war. Within the peace framework, Ukraine hopes to prevent Russia from gaining formal international recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea and other occupied territories. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Guyana has reported a 3% increase in oil production in March, reaching an average of 631,000 barrels per day (bpd) compared with the same period last year. However, there was a slight dip in March output to 627,000bpd from February, reported Reuters, citing data from the country's Energy Ministry. In 2024, Guyana emerged as Latin America's fifth-largest oil exporter, trailing behind Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia. The nation is poised for further growth with the anticipated installation of a fourth floating production facility for the Yellowtail project, which is expected to increase capacity to around 940,000bpd. The consortium leading Guyana's oil and gas operations, headed by US major ExxonMobil, recorded an output of approximately 613,000bpd in the first quarter of the previous year. The government forecasts a surge in production to an average of 786,000bpd, driven by the commencement of the Yellowtail project, Exxon's fourth venture in the country. Negotiations are currently in the final stages between the Exxon group and the government regarding the release of a section of the vast Stabroek offshore block. The Finance Ministry earlier reported oil revenue of $605.46m from royalties and sales in the last quarter of the previous year. This revenue includes the export of seven cargoes of crude from the government's share of production within the country. In a move to expand its natural gas operations, ExxonMobil announced plans in February to increase gas production in Guyana. This project aligns with the government's request for a greater gas supply to support onshore power generation and petrochemical industries. With ExxonMobil's offshore activities having catapulted Guyana to the status of the world's "fastest-growing" oil producer, the government is focusing on the more efficient use of associated natural gas. "Guyana Q1 oil production sees 3% YoY increase" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Ukraines officials said three people were killed by a Russian drone attack early Friday, less than a day after President Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the assaults and focus on peace negotiations. The drone hit an apartment building in the southeastern city of Pavlohrad, killing three people and injuring at least 14, according to the citys governor Serhii Lysak. The overnight strike damaged infrastructure and injured at least three children aged 6, 15 and 17. Pavlohrad, with a population of just more than 100,000, is situated within the Dnipropetrovsk region, some 48 miles east of the city of Dnipro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian military launched 103 Shahed and other decoy drones in five regions within Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force. Ukraine was able to shoot down 41 Russian drones in the east, north and center parts of the country. The Kremlins military also targeted Kyiv on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and injuring 87 in what was the deadliest attack on the nations capital since July last year. The attack drew a rebuke from Trump who emphasized that Putin should focus on striking a peace agreement with Ukraine to end the war in Eastern Europe that has been raging for more than three years. I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV, Trump wrote in a Thursday post on Truth Social. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Since taking office, the president has pushed both Russia and Ukraine to reach a permanent ceasefire, but with limited success. Trump, Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have all warned that if there isnt imminent progress in negotiating a lasting truce between the two sides, the U.S. might relinquish itself from facilitating talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are set to travel to Vatican City on Friday for Pope Franciss funeral, which is set for Saturday. It is unclear if they will meet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It took several DNA tests to confirm the identity of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who was killed in Russian captivity last fall. Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories, with Moscow acknowledging her detention the following year. Ukraine was devastated by the news of her death, which was followed by a five-month delay in the return of her body by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 24, however, lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, who chairs the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, said that her body had been returned in late February, but the news was withheld due to uncertainty over her identity. "Given the signs of torture and the condition of the body, Roshchyna's family requested not just one but several DNA tests. As far as I know, the tests were conducted both in Ukraine and abroad to conclude with certainty that it was indeed Viktoriia," Yurchyshyn wrote on Telegram. "Russians killed the 27-year-old journalist after unlawfully detaining and torturing her for an extended period," he said. After launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has increased its assault on press freedom, deliberately targeting Ukrainian journalists with attacks and abducting media workers in occupied territories in an attempt to control the narrative. Throughout the full-scale invasion, journalists have played a crucial role in spotlighting Russias brutal war, documenting its war crimes and their aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of April 24, Russia has committed 833 crimes against journalists and the media in Ukraine, according to the Institute of Mass Information (IMI). One hundred two media workers have been killed, including both those on assignment and those who had joined Ukraine's Armed Forces. At least 30 Ukrainian journalists remain in Russian captivity as of April, IMI reported, with little known about their health conditions or whereabouts. Multiple reports have revealed that Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are tortured and killed while in Russian captivity. "Russia does this deliberately. It eliminates and silences journalists," says Kateryna Diachuk, head of the Freedom of Speech Monitoring Department at IMI. Torture and fabricated cases When Russia occupies a new settlement, one of its first actions is targeting individuals who could resist the occupation, including journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russian troops have lists of journalists, activists, and war veterans, and they look for people on those lists when occupying a territory," Diachuk says. Ukrainian journalist and poet Oleksandr Hunko, who was briefly detained in occupied Nova Kakhovka in April 2022, says that FSB (Russian Federal Security Service) officers asked him about other local journalists during interrogations. To hold journalists in captivity, Russia fabricates cases against them, often accusing them ofextremism, espionage, and sabotage. Dmytro Khyliuk, a journalist with the UNIAN news agency, was kidnapped alongside his father from their home in Kyiv Oblast in March 2022, while the area was under Russian occupation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Khyliuk's father was later released, Russia accused the journalist of communicating with the Ukrainian military and put him in a penal colony in Russias Vladimir Oblast. According to a recent report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), citing a man who spent a year in the same prison cell as Khyliuk, the journalist is being subjected to torture and humiliation, with his current weight reportedly "no more than 45 kilograms." A Ukrainian journalist, Viktoriia Roshchyna, was captured by Moscow while reporting from occupied eastern Ukraine in 2023 and died in Russian captivity in 2024. (Nataliya Gumenyuk / X) Another Ukrainian journalist, Iryna Danylovych, was abducted in occupied Crimea. She was sentenced to seven years in prison for "illegal possession of explosives" and transferred to a penal colony in Russia. Recent reports also indicate that her health has declined while in captivity: According to the Crimean Tatar Resource Center NGO, 45-year-old Danylovych "lost hearing in her left ear." In addition, "the left side of her body is numb following a micro-stroke, and she constantly complains of heart issues and headaches." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian troops also target retired journalists and the relatives of media workers, just like the family of Iryna and Oleksandr Levchenko from the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. According to the Media Initiative for Human Rights, 62-year-old Iryna is a retired journalist. She and her husband were kidnapped in their hometown of Melitopol in May 2023, with few details known about them since then. "Russians do not give access to journalists in captivity," Diachuk says. Details about Roshchyna's captivity remained largely unknown, too. According to the Media Initiative for Human Rights, Roshchyna had been held in at least two notorious Russian prisons: the penal colony 77 in Berdiansk in occupied Ukraine and the detention center 2 in Russia's Taganrog. Both facilities are known for the use of torture against prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was tortured with electric shocks while in Russian captivity, Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Info reported in early March, citing an unnamed witness in the Taganrog detention center. There were also cuts on Roshchyna's arms after interrogations, the witness said. The journalist lost weight and weighed up to 30 kilograms, according to the witness. The cause of her death is yet to be established. Roshchyna reportedly died on Sept. 19, marking the first known death of a Ukrainian journalist in Russian captivity. Protestors demand the release of Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, who has been in Russian captivity since March 2022, in Kyiv in March 2025. (Nataliia Moseichuk/Facebook) "Vika was a young, 27-year-old woman. And what did Russia do to her that she died just one year later?" Diachuk says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As civilians, Ukrainian journalists are trapped in legal limbo, as international law prohibits the capture and exchange of civilians for prisoners of war, with only two of them liberated since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to IMI: Nariman Dzhelyal, a Crimean Tatar journalist and politician, as well as Maksym Butkevych, Ukrainian journalist and human rights activist. "Ukrainians in Russian captivity are like insects frozen in amber. Time has stopped for them, but it's important for all of them to know that everything possible is being done to secure their release," Butkevych said during a meeting with Zelensky days after his release from captivity on Oct. 18. Russia began targeting Ukrainian journalists long before the full-scale invasion. First reports of media workers being kidnapped, attacked, or detained emerged shortly after the annexation of Crimea and the start of the war in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in 2014. According to Oksana Romaniuk, the head of IMI, over 100 journalists, both Ukrainian and foreign, have been detained by Russia since 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But those detentions were not as long as the current ones," says Diachuk. But some of the journalists detained between 2014 and 2021 still remain in captivity. Most of them are Crimean Tatars the indigenous people of occupied Crimea. Among them are journalists and activists Oleksii Bessarabov and Dmytro Shtyblikov who were detained in occupied Crimea and both accused of espionage in 2016. As a result of a fabricated trial, the two were sentenced to 14 years behind bars, according to IMI. "What Russia is doing is undoubtedly a crime. I would say it is a crime of genocide, as we see the filtering of citizens based on specific criteria," says Romaniuk, as quoted by IMI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Journalists document Russia's crimes. They capture historical moments. And disseminating this truthful information to the world is not beneficial for Russia because it does not want to show that it is committing crimes," says Diachuk. Note from the author: Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russias brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russias war against Ukraine. By becoming the Kyiv Independent's member, you can help us continue telling the world the truth about this war. Read also: Crimean Tatar freed from Russian captivity: Recognizing Russias control of Crimea would legitimize crime Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on April 25: High-ranking Russian general killed in car bombing near Moscow, as Witkoff meets with Putin Full text of US peace proposal at odds with Ukrainian, EU positions, Reuters reports Trump says Crimea 'will stay with Russia,' blames Ukraine's NATO aspirations for war Putin, US envoy Witkoff discuss direct talks with Ukraine, Kremlin aide says UK may abandon plans to deploy large troop force to Ukraine, the Times reports A senior Russian general has been killed in an explosion in Moscow, a spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia confirmed on April 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Russian state media, a car exploded in the yard of a residential building in the Russian city of Balashikha, Moscow Oblast, killing one person. The Investigative Committee of Russia later identified the deceased as Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the main operations directorate of Russia's army. "According to available data, the explosion occurred as a result of the detonation of a homemade explosive device," it added. A criminal case has been opened. Ukraine has not commented on the attack. The incident took place as U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow earlier in the day to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is limited publicly available information about Moskalik. He was listed as a member of the Russian delegation during the 2015 Normandy Format talks, set up to find a resolution to Russia's war in eastern Ukraine. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that Moskalik was also involved in the high-level Normandy Four meeting in 2019, as well as in talks with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad a year earlier, who has since been ousted. While Ukraine has not been officially linked to the recent car bombing, Kyiv has previously targeted Russian officials who play a key role in Russia's full-scale invasion. Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, was killed in an explosion at a residence in Moscow in December 2024, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mikhail Shatsky, a Russian expert involved in modernizing missiles launched against Ukraine, was shot dead near Moscow on Dec. 12, a Defense Forces source told the Kyiv Independent. Aleksey Kolomeitsev, a Russian colonel who trained specialists in the use of attack drones, was killed in the city of Kolomna in Moscow Oblast, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported on Sept. 28. Read also: CIA deputy directors son killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, investigation claims Full text of US peace proposal at odds with Ukrainian, EU positions, Reuters reports Reuters on April 25 published the full text of a U.S. peace proposal presented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to European officials in Paris on April 17, offering the clearest look yet at the Trump administration's plan to end Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The publication also released a counterproposal delivered by Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week. The documents expose disagreements on critical issues, including territorial concessions, sanctions relief, security guarantees, and the size of Ukraine's armed forces. The U.S. draft includes a provision to legally recognize Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and de facto accept Russian control over Ukrainian territory seized since 2022. In contrast, the European-Ukrainian proposal insists that territorial questions should only be addressed after a full ceasefire and start from the basis of the line of control. Security guarantees also remain a key dividing line. The U.S. text offers vague language about a "robust security guarantee" for Ukraine to be provided by unspecified European and "friendly" countries. It also requires Kyiv to abandon its bid to join NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian-European proposal calls for reliable, enforceable guarantees from allies including the U.S. and rejects limits on Ukraine's military or its ability to host allied forces. The documents also diverge sharply on sanctions policy. The U.S. plan calls for lifting sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014, including those related to Crimea. The Ukrainian-European text proposes sanctions relief only after establishing a "sustainable peace" and includes mechanisms to reimpose them if Russia violates any agreement. Kyiv also calls for the return of all deported and illegally displaced Ukrainian children, which the U.S. proposal does not mention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: End policy of appeasement European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trumps Russia stance While proposing concessions on core political issues, the U.S. plan does include conditions for Moscow. It demands that Russia return occupied in 2022 Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to Ukrainian control, under U.S. oversight, to provide power to cities on both sides of the front line. The plan also calls for restoring Ukrainian control over the Kinburn Spit, providing secure passage across the Dnipro River, and reclaiming occupied areas of Kharkiv Oblast around 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) currently held by Russian forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the economic front, the U.S. draft outlines a future agreement on cooperation and reconstruction, pledging financial support for Ukraine's recovery and infrastructure development. Ukraine has already accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposal introduced by the U.S. in March, provided Russia reciprocates. Moscow has so far rejected the ceasefire and continues offensive operations across the front. Despite promising to end the war swiftly, U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to impose new sanctions or take other steps to pressure the Kremlin. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Trump says Crimea 'will stay with Russia,' blames Ukraine's NATO aspirations for war U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on April 25 that he believes Ukraine's desire to join NATO triggered Russia's full-scale invasion, adding that Crimea "will stay with Russia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said, "If Crimea will stay with Russia we have to only talk about Crimea because that's the one that always gets mentioned." "Crimea will stay with Russia. And (President Volodymyr) Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time. It's been with them long before Trump came along." The comments come as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Any move by the Trump administration to formally recognize it as Russian territory would contradict a decade-long bipartisan consensus in Washington and international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. president also repeated his claim that Ukraine provoked the war by pursuing NATO membership. "I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO," Trump said. That assertion contradicts the historical record. Ukraine has publicly expressed interest in joining NATO since the early 2000s, including during the 2008 Bucharest Summit, without triggering war. Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 was widely condemned as an unprovoked act of aggression that violated international law and Ukraine's sovereignty. President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any peace deal involving territorial concessions. "This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine," he said on April 22. Trump has denied that the U.S. is pressuring Ukraine to accept Crimea's annexation, but has also criticized Zelensky's refusal to consider it as "harmful to the peace negotiations." He previously claimed the U.S. has a deal with Russia and only needs to reach one with Ukraine, adding that Zelensky has been "harder" to negotiate with than expected. The peace proposal has sparked strong backlash even from Trump's backers. Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it a "reward for Russian aggression" that risks allowing Moscow to regroup for another attack. On April 24, Russia launched a deadly missile strike on Kyiv, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring 90. Trump responded by calling the attack "not necessary" and "poorly timed," but did not condemn Russia or suggest any punitive measures. Ukraine has accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire first introduced in March, contingent on Russian participation. Moscow has rejected the proposal and continues offensive operations across Ukraine's front line. Despite expressing frustration with Russia's failure to de-escalate, the Trump administration has yet to impose new sanctions or take other steps to pressure the Kremlin. Read also: Ukraine shocked by torture of captive journalist, as at least 30 remain in Russian hands Putin, US envoy Witkoff discuss direct talks with Ukraine, Kremlin aide says Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff discussed the possibility of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv during a three-hour meeting in Moscow on April 25, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told the Russian state-run Interfax news agency. Ushakov described the conversation as "constructive and useful," saying it helped "further bring the positions of Russia and the United States closer not only on Ukraine, but also on several other international issues." The presidential aide added that, per an agreement between the Russian and U.S. presidents, bilateral dialogue "will continue to be carried out in the most active mode." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the meeting "shuttle diplomacy." Witkoff's visit to Moscow follows a mass Russian missile and drone assault on Ukraine. On April 24, Moscow launched 215 missiles and drones across the country, many targeting Kyiv, where at least 12 people were killed and 87 injured. The Trump administration is ramping up efforts to secure a ceasefire in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, but has warned it may end mediation efforts if progress is not made soon. One day before the Moscow meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump said that both sides "want peace" and reiterated that he had set a personal deadline for finalizing a deal. "They have to get to the table," Trump said during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. "And I think we're going to get peace." Read also: Trump hopes to end war this week. Heres what you need to know UK may abandon plans to deploy large troop force to Ukraine, the Times reports The U.K. is expected to scale back earlier proposals to deploy thousands of ground troops to Ukraine, as officials warn the risks are now considered "too high" for such a mission. The original plan, which included protecting Ukrainian cities, ports, and nuclear power plants, is being reconsidered in favor of a more limited and strategic presence. A source involved in the discussions told the Times, "The risks are too high and the forces inadequate for such a task. This was always the U.K.'s thought. It was France who wanted a more muscular approach." On March 15, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a high-level virtual summit in London. The peacekeeping mission would be "a significant force with a significant number of countries providing troops and a much larger group contributing in other ways," a senior government source told the Sunday Times. Instead of placing troops near the front lines, the U.K. and France now aim to send military trainers to western Ukraine, fulfilling a commitment to deploy personnel without engaging in direct defense roles. "The trainers 'reassure' by being there but aren't a deterrence or protection force," the source added, expressing concern that any breakdown in a ceasefire could escalate into a broader conflict. The revised approach would shift focus toward rebuilding and equipping Ukraine's military, with continued weapons deliveries and air and sea protection measures forming the backbone of future support. Read also: Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian Operation Interflex, the U.K.'s domestic training mission for Ukrainian troops, is expected to wind down by the end of the year, with operations relocating to a base near Lviv. However, Ukrainian officials remain cautious, recalling how Western trainers withdrew just before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. "Our problem now is to try and find a landing zone where Ukraine doesn't have to break all its red lines," said a diplomatic source. European and British officials are also working behind the scenes to advance peace talks, hoping to arrange a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome following the Pope's funeral. "We will move our position but we want Moscow to break their red lines," one diplomatic source explained. The push comes amid growing fears that U.S. support could waver if Ukraine refuses to make concessions, particularly as Trump maintains a tougher stance on Zelensky than on Putin, according to British officials. Ukraine remains under pressure to respond to a broader U.S. peace plan first presented in Paris on April 17. According to the Wall Street Journal, that plan includes U.S. recognition of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO two long-standing Kremlin demands. Despite the revised strategy, the U.K. insists it remains committed to Ukraine's defense, according to the Times. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense responded to reports of the plan change by saying, "This is speculation. Advanced operational planning within the coalition of the willing remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian armed forces. In the meantime, we're continuing to support efforts for peace, while stepping up the military support for Ukraine as Putin's illegal invasion continues." Note from the author: Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines Defence Ministry has unveiled the Droid TW ground robotic system, which provides fire support to the Ukrainian defence forces. The system's main difference from many other platforms is that it was designed and built for reconnaissance and strike missions. Source: Ukraines Defence Ministry Details: In addition, artificial intelligence is integrated into the Droid TW system to recognise enemy personnel. It increases the effectiveness of fire support and surveillance through remote control and autonomy in difficult combat conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Defence Ministry said that the development of Droid TW began several years ago. In 2023, the first field tests took place, and in December 2024, the platform was codified for delivery to the Armed Forces. "The first Droid TW models were based on a 12.7 mm Browning machine gun. Today, the model line has been expanded to include a 7.62 mm machine gun. Depending on the modification, the ammunition can be 480 or 1,000 rounds, which can hit enemy manpower or equipment at a distance of up to 1 km," the Ministry of Defence said. The robotic platform can be used both day and night and is equipped with a thermal imager that offers different display modes on the operator's monitor. The target detection range is up to 1.5 km during the day and up to 1 km at night. "Additional equipment allows detecting, recognising and tracking targets in an autonomous mode. The system also has a ballistic calculation system to improve fire accuracy. Its equipment supports military communication systems, as well as Starlink and LTE technologies," the ministry explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The platform can be transported in a pickup truck or on a trailer. It can be deployed into combat readiness in just 5 minutes. After that, the Droid TW is ready to engage the enemy via remote control using a tablet or gamepad. One key difference between ground drones and aerial drones is that the former carry a much heavier payload hundreds of kilograms. Despite the advantages of robotic platforms, Ukraine is not yet using them on a large scale against Russian forces. The main reasons are that most of the robots remain technologically underdeveloped, and the army has not yet fully learned how to deploy them effectively. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commented on the expected presence of Serbian military personnel at the Victory Day parade led by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on 9 May. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May ed.]. Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, at a briefing on 25 April, as reported by a European Pravda journalist Details: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic recently stated that he had not changed his stance on attending the parade and confirmed that one of Serbia's military units would participate in the 9 May parade in Moscow's Red Square. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a question from European Pravda, Tykhyi remarked that the Russian military personnel marching on Red Square on 9 May are "very likely participants in war crimes against Ukraine and Ukrainians during the Russian aggression". "This means that any foreign military personnel planning to attend this parade should be aware that they are likely to march side by side with people who committed war crimes in Ukraine," he stressed. Background: It was reported that Vucic will travel to Moscow alongside Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. On 14 April, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, urged European leaders to refrain from participating in the military celebrations in Moscow on 9 May, advising them instead to show solidarity with Ukraine. The European Union also issued a clear directive to EU candidate states, urging them not to attend the 9 May parade in Moscow or visit Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian defence forces have repelled an attempted breakthrough by Russian troops on quad bikes on the Kupiansk front. Source: Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group; a video by the 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Details: Ukrainian forces reported that the Russians had used motorised vehicles to deploy assault groups in an attempt to breach Ukrainian defences. Ukrainian troops targeted these Russian assault groups moving on ATVs, killing most of their personnel and destroying their vehicles. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) At the Ukranian Center in Rochester, many attended a film screening of People of Steel, created by filmmaker Serhiy Fomenko. Fomenko said the film offers an unlimited look at the front lines of Russias war against Ukraine told through the eyes of Ukranian soldiers and their families. As news broke Thursday morning about a deadly strike on Kyiv by Russia, killing at least 12 people and injuring nearly 100, Fomenko said now is the time to spread his message about the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This fight is not just Russia and Ukraine, this is the fight between free democratic world and the world of dictators and dictatorships, Fomenko told News 8 Thursday. This is the war without rules. Proceeds from Thursdays film screening also benefited the Ukrainian National Womens League of America, providing support to Ukrainian medics and women on the frontlines. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday that it has depleted all its food stocks in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid. "Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in the Gaza Strip," the WFP said in a statement. "These kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days." "For weeks, hot meal kitchens have been the only consistent source of food assistance for people in Gaza. Despite reaching just half the population with only 25% of daily food needs, they have provided a critical lifeline," the statement added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No humanitarian or commercial supplies have entered Gaza for more than seven weeks as all main border crossing points remain closed. "This is the longest closure the Gaza Strip has ever faced, exacerbating already fragile markets and food systems," the WFP said. Food prices in Gaza have "skyrocketed up to 1,400%" since the ceasefire, and critical shortages are "raising serious nutrition concerns for vulnerable populations," including young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly, the WFP said. The agency warned that the situation has "once again reached a breaking point" and, without urgent steps to open the borders, "WFPs critical assistance may be forced to end." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel accuses the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas of seizing aid supplies by force and selling them at high prices to the civilian population. Witnesses have also reported in the past that members of Hamas stole aid supplies, in some cases under threat of armed violence. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in early March that humanitarian aid had become Hamas' main source of income. The last ceasefire phase between Israel and Hamas collapsed a month ago, with Israeli armed forces resuming their attacks from the ground and the air. At least 1.9 million people approximately 90% of Gaza's population have been displaced, many multiple times, according to UN figures. 21 killed in two strikes in Khan Younis Israeli airstrikes on two houses in the southern Gaza Strip killed 21 people, according to a local Palestinian-run health facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The homes of two families in the southern city of Khan Younis were hit, staff at the Nasser Hospital said. The information could not be independently verified. The Israeli military did not initially comment on the reported incident. Five members of one family were earlier killed in an Israeli airstrike, Palestinian media reported. According to news agency WAFA, a man, his pregnant wife and their three children were killed when their tent in the al-Mawasi refugee camp in southern Gaza was hit. WAFA also reported that a 3-year-old child was killed when a fire broke out in one of the tents at the camp. It was initially unclear whether the blaze was caused by the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Mawasi, a sprawling and squalid series of encampments along Gaza's south-west Mediterranean coast, had previously been designated as a humanitarian zone by the Israeli military. However, the camp has repeatedly been hit by Israeli airstrikes, with the military saying it was targeting infrastructure operated by Palestinian extremist group Hamas. Israel demands release of hostages Israel's stated intention is to crush Hamas and free the last Israeli hostages being held by them. Israeli authorities believe 24 hostages are still alive in the Gaza Strip, while Hamas and its allies hold the bodies of 35 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, when some 1,200 people were killed in Israeli communities and more than 250 Israelis taken hostage. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in the Gaza Strip, more than 51,300 people have been killed since then. The figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths. The United Nations World Food Programme has run out of food in Gaza, the organization said Friday, almost two months into Israels humanitarian blockade of the besieged enclave. The agency says it delivered its final food stocks to kitchens in Gaza on Friday, and the kitchens are expected to deplete their supplies in the coming days. For weeks, hot meal kitchens have been the only consistent source of food assistance for people in Gaza, the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a statement. Despite reaching just half the population with only 25% of daily food needs, they have provided a critical lifeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel imposed a humanitarian blockade of Gaza on March 2, cutting off food, medical supplies, and other aid to the more than 2 million Palestinians who live in the territory. Israel says the blockade, along with the militarys expansion of its bombardment of Gaza, is intended to pressure Hamas to accept a US-backed ceasefire proposal. If we do not see progress in the return of the hostages, we will expand our activity into a more intense and significant operation, said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during a visit to Gaza Thursday. The US has made clear that it will not push Israel to allow in more humanitarian aid. On Monday, Mike Hucakbee, the new US Ambassador to Israel, said a UN World Health Organization official asked him to put pressure on Israel to open the borders. How about we put the pressure where it really belongs on Hamas, Huckabee said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blockade has worsened Gazas already dire humanitarian situation, with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) warning earlier this month of imminent famine. The PRCS said most essential supplies, such as flour, sugar, and cooking oil, had run out of Gazas markets. More than 116,000 metric tons of food is waiting at aid corridors outside of Gaza, ready to be brought in by WFP and its partners, the organization said. The supplies which are enough to feed one million people for up to four months, WFP said can enter as soon as the borders reopen. The situation inside the Gaza Strip has once again reached a breaking point: people are running out of ways to cope, and the fragile gains made during the short ceasefire have unravelled, WFP said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Tonys Fresh Market CEO Frank Ingraffia is stepping into the newly created chief transformation officer position at parent company Heritage Grocers Group, according to a Tuesday announcement. The previous week, the Hispanic grocery company announced two executive promotions, including a new group vice president of merchandising and a group vice president of marketing. These leadership changes come less than six months after Suzy Monford, a veteran grocery executive, took over as chairman and CEO of Heritage. Dive Insight: Since Monfords appointment to helm the company in November, Heritage has announced a slew of executive appointments, primarily stemming from internal promotions. As chief transformation officer, Ingraffia will lead the companys newly created Transformation Office. Heritage said it created the department in December to focus on e-commerce, retail media, price and promotion optimization, and inventory and supply chain improvement, per the press release. Ingraffia will take on this role in addition to his current responsibilities as CEO of Tonys Fresh Market. Ingraffia, who is the son of Tonys Fresh Markets founder Tony Ingraffia, has been with the Heritage banner since 2003, starting as a bagger and eventually working in every store-level department, according to the announcement. At the corporate level, he held a variety of positions for the chain, including real estate director and vice president of corporate operations, before taking over his fathers role as CEO. The previous week, Heritage also announced it promoted Kim Cates to serve as group vice president of merchandising and named Allison Garcia as group vice president of marketing. Cates brings more than 20 years of experience from Texas-based grocer H-E-B, where she held a number of store operations titles. Before joining Heritage, she worked for Associated Wholesale Grocers as its director of center store sales. Garcia has spent her 16-year food industry career with Kroger in roles such as marketing leader at Ralphs, director of marketing for Kroger Enterprise and marketing leader at Frys Food and Drug. While both women stepped into these roles for Heritage in mid-April, they both originally joined the company in February, with Cates as vice president of center store and Garcia as vice president of marketing. In February, Heritage promoted Matthew Holt from chief accounting officer to CFO. He now oversees financial and accounting functions for the grocery companys banners, including Cardenas Markets, Tonys Fresh Market, El Rancho Supermercado and Los Altos Ranch Market. OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in Oshkosh say eight men were arrested following an undercover human trafficking operation. According to the Oshkosh Police Department, on April 24, it conducted an undercover human trafficking investigation. Eight adult men were arrested during the investigation, police said. The men reportedly ranged in age from 20 to 48 years old and were from Oshkosh, Appleton, Clintonville, Wautoma, Oakfield and Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI Director: Wisconsin judge accused of helping someone evade immigration agents arrested Police said it remains steadfast in its commitment to combat human trafficking. Below is part of the departments Facebook post. For a variety of reasons, it can be very hard for Human Trafficking victims to get out of these situations. We partner with local non-profit organizations so that resources can be quickly provided to victims. The Oshkosh Police Department strives to reduce the number of victims by doing proactive investigations and being vigilant in our efforts to combat Human Trafficking. Our door is always open to those seeking help, and we encourage anyone with information or concerns about human trafficking to come forward. Together, we can create a safer community and enhance the quality of life for everyone. Oshkosh Police Department No additional information was provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. The final vote tally for members of the House and Senate totaled 33-27, to sustain Gov. Dunleavy's veto of House Bill 69, to increase school funding, on April 22, 2024 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon) On April 22, 2025, the Alaska Legislature had the opportunity and responsibility to secure stable and meaningful investment in our childrens education. With the override vote on House Bill 69, lawmakers were given a chance to rise above political posturing and provide the first real increase to the base student allocation, or BSA, in nearly a decade. They failed. Seven no votes. Thats all it took to deny our public schools the $1,000 per-student increase so many have been fighting for, not for political gain, but for survival. Our students, educators and families are not abstract line items in a budget. We are not special interests. We are the very people who hold up the future of this state. And yet, 27 elected officials chose to turn their backs on us. Their No votes were loud and clear: They do not believe our children, especially those in underfunded, rural, and urban schools deserve a fully resourced, safe, and equitable education. They chose the governors austerity politics over our students needs. They chose silence in classrooms over music. Larger class sizes over individualized attention. Closures over community. Lets be honest: This was never just about numbers. This was about priorities. Those who voted against the override would like us to believe Alaska cant afford to fund its public education system. But for the last seven years, they found money for everything but schools for tax credits, bloated bureaucracies, private interests and the Permanent Fund Dividend, which somehow remains sacred while our kids go without updated textbooks, working heat or school counselors. Meanwhile, school districts across the state now brace for catastrophic consequences. Layoffs. School closures. Slashed programs. And most devastatingly, students losing opportunities they may never get back. As a mother of five, a teacher, and the Alaska education chair for the NAACP Tri State Area Conference, I am furious. But I am not surprised. Weve seen this coming. Weve been warning them. Weve testified, rallied and begged. This veto was a betrayal. The failure to override it was a choice. Let me be clear: This is not over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And to be clear this doesnt just impact students and teachers. It affects all of us. When schools suffer, communities suffer. When education is unstable, workforce readiness declines, mental health needs go unmet, and family stress skyrockets. Local businesses lose future workers. Property values drop. Crime and disengagement increase. These outcomes do not stay confined to the walls of a school they ripple through every neighborhood, every economy, every generation. Well-funded public education is a public good. It is the bedrock of a strong democracy, a healthy economy, and a just society. Undermining it undermines us all. To those who stood with us the 33 House and Senate members who voted to override we see you. We thank you. And to the others: well be seeing you, too. Because this is not just about a failed vote. Its about a fight for the soul of public education in Alaska and we are not backing down. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX At the entrance to Mexico Citys largest park lies a towering marble monument to six young military cadets killed in battle. The Ninos Heroes "boy heroes" died while defending Mexicos capital during the Mexican-American War, which broke out 179 years ago this week. That conflict may not loom large in the minds of most Americans. But in Mexico, which in defeat was forced to cede more than half of its territory to the U.S., memories of the war and other military quarrels with the nation's powerful northern neighbor remain deeply felt. As Mexicans, we have to unite for this new battle which is a trade war Felix de la Rosa, chemical engineer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Mexico is once again locked in battle with the United States, this time facing an American president who is hurling insults, tariffs and threatening U.S. drone strikes here. Many see it as just the latest chapter in an age-old tale of U.S. aggression. "In Mexico there's a perception that the United States is the villain of our story," said historian Alejandro Rosas. "That's the narrative you grow up with, it's what they teach you in school. We've been victims of the United States forever." The Ninos Heroes are often viewed as the embodiment of courage, teenagers who fought like men against a northern invader. Their faces have appeared on currency, Streets bear their names, children learn about them in school. Then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Ninos Heroes monument in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park on Oct. 12, 2017. (Eduardo Verdugo / Associated Press) At the white marble monument in Chapultepec Park, which this week was crowded with families enjoying spring break, many stopped to take pictures in front of the monument where the remains of the Ninos Heroes are entombed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's unfair," said Monserrat Martinez Hernandez, 20, a college student who snapped selfies alongside her mother, sister and two cousins. "They already took away half our territory," she said of the United States. "Now they want to abuse their power again, this time from an economic perspective." Since Trump took office in January, Mexico has been seized by a wave of nationalistic zeal. On TikTok, users have demanded a boycott of American products, filming themselves pouring Coca Cola down the drain. Companies have embraced the red, green and white of the Mexican flag in ad campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the government announced a relaunch of the "Hecho en Mexico," or Made in Mexico, seal on locally produced products, Grupo Modelo said it would print the slogan on its beer bottle caps. Thousands gather to take part in a massive boxing class for peace and against addictions, organized by Mexican authorities in order to motivate people to live a healthy lifestyle and to stay away from drugs, at the Zocalo main square in Mexico City on April 6. (Daniel Cardenas / Anadolu via Getty Images) Leading the way is Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has both stoked and benefited from the surge in national pride. In the face of Trump's repeated attacks, Sheinbaum has had to walk a thin line, appeasing him enough to try to avert potentially catastrophic tariffs while also showing fellow Mexicans that she is defending national sovereignty. She has cooperated with Trump on several key measures, sending thousands of National Guard troops to fortify the northern border and transferring dozens of suspected cartel members wanted by the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Mexico's president wants to ban U.S. ads warning against migration But she has pushed back when possible, suggesting Mexico would retaliate if the Trump administration carried out drone strikes in its territory, pushing a constitutional measure that effectively bans the planting of U.S. GMO corn and recently asking television stations to pull what she called "discriminatory" ads produced by the Trump administration warning against undocumented migration. Her approval ratings which hover around 80% are among the highest in the world for a head of state. She seems to work the word for sovereignty soberano into almost every speech. Tellingly, she has often invoked history in her effort to rally support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This month she marked the anniversary of the sixth-month long U.S. occupation of the port city of Veracruz in 1914. "Mexico is and always will be a great country," Sheinbaum told a stadium filled with smartly dressed naval officers. "We are neither a protectorate nor a colony of any foreign nation." Recently, Sheinbaum used the word "traitor" to describe an opposition party member who voiced support for a U.S. effort to designate drug cartels as "terrorist" groups. She compared him with the conservative Mexicans who, in the 1850s, invited the French to help overthrow the liberal government of President Benito Juarez. The French ended up occupying Mexico for several years, briefly installing Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, an Austrian duke, as emperor. A supporter of presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum takes a selfie with a campaign poster during Sheinbaum's closing campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City on May 29, 2024. (Matias Delacroix / Associated Press) But it is the history of U.S. antagonism, with its roots in manifest destiny and President Polk's obsession with territorial expansion, that Mexicans best remember. In 1845, the U.S. annexed Texas, a move Mexico rejected. After Mexican troops attacked U.S. soldiers in Texas on April 25, 1846, the U.S. formally declared war. The 1847 battle over Mexico City is recalled on the U.S. side in the opening line of the Marines' Hymn: "From the Halls of Montezuma ..." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. and Mexico share a 2,000-mile long border and deep cultural, economic and family ties. Americans are largely welcomed with open arms and warm hospitality when they visit Mexico's vibrant cities, archaeological ruins and vast beaches. But if an undercurrent of hostility is at times detectable, Rosas says it is related to how Mexicans are educated about their history. While neighboring countries often have territorial disputes, he said Mexican governments, particularly those associated with the Institutional Revolutionary Party, made the U.S. the boogeyman in order to drum up domestic support, he said. "They needed a shared enemy," Rosas said. "So they embraced very defensive, nationalistic and anti-interventionist politics." It's no mistake, he said, that the war between the U.S. and Mexico is often referred to as "the United States intervention." At the Ninos Heroes monument, Mexicans reflected on that past and possible conflicts economic ones looming in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Felix de la Rosa, 64, a chemical engineer from the state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, says he visits the monument every time he's in Mexico City. "As Mexicans, we have to unite for this new battle which is a trade war," he said. "But we shouldn't bow our heads without fighting. I think the boy heroes are a great example, and that is how we should act, with great courage and dignity in the face of this new battle." But for some, the lesson of history is that Mexico may again suffer the fate of being neighbor to one of the most powerful countries in the world. "The truth is, our country doesn't have the economic strength they have," said Gerardo Santos, a 33-year-old businessman. "Our country is weaker, and President Trump knows this and takes advantage of it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the end, the gringos will win again," he said. "There's nothing we can do about a man like Trump. The guy is crazy." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The University of Louisville, a public institution in Kentucky, has canceled its LGBTQ+ graduation event and reached a nearly $1.6 million settlement with a former professor who sued, claiming that his anti-transgender comments had led to his demotion and firing. The school canceled its Lavender Graduation event, which was to take place last Monday and honor the achievements of LGBTQ+ students, amid new federal and state policies calling on schools to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices, The Courier-Journal of Louisville reports. In March, the Republican-controlled Kentucky legislature overrode Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a bill banning DEI initiatives at public colleges and universities in the state. At the national level, Donald Trumps administration has threatened to revoke federal funding from schools with DEI programs. On Thursday, however, two federal courts issued preliminary injunctions blocking that guidance from the Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University spokesman John Karman told The Courier-Journal that the cancellation came because of the new state and federal policies. However, he said he was not aware of any other graduation ceremonies canceled due to the policies, the paper reports. Meanwhile, the University of Kentucky, based in Lexington, canceled its Lavender Graduation as well, along with the Harambe Unity Celebration Graduation, which was to honor Black graduates, and the First-Generation Student Pinning Ceremony. Also, the University of Louisville has settled a federal lawsuit filed in 2019 by Allan Josephson, who had been a professor in the Department of Pediatric and who had denounced gender-affirming care for trans youth, The Courier-Journal reports. Josephson was represented by the anti-LGBTQ+ Alliance Defending Freedom. In 2017, he spoke at a Heritage Foundation event, at which he said transgender ideology endangers young people and that the notion that gender identity should trump chromosomes, hormones, internal reproductive organs, external genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics when classifying individuals is counter to medical science. This view is contrary to that of every major medical group in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was first demoted to the role of a junior faculty member and stripped of his teaching duties, says an ADF press release, and after that the university declined to renew his contract. The university declined to divulge details of the settlement, but the ADF said it was close to $1.6 million. The suit was dismissed Monday, as the parties have settled all claims raised in this litigation, states a document from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Im glad to finally receive vindication for voicing what I know is true, Josephson said in the ADF release. An arch at the entrance of Montana Tech in Butte, Montana. (Courtesy image) Two weeks after the Montana University System announced the appointment of a new chancellor at Montana Tech, MUS and University of Montana officials announced her withdrawal. In a news release Friday, Karen Marrongelle, the Chief Science Officer of the U.S. National Science Foundation, said she is withdrawing from consideration for the chancellor position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with a heavy heart that I must withdraw from consideration as chancellor of Montana Technological University, for circumstances beyond my control during these unprecedented times, Marrongelle said in a statement. Marrongelle was set to lead Montana Tech in Butte starting Aug. 4. Montana Tech is a special place, and I am deeply grateful to everyone in the Butte community who so warmly welcomed my family and me during our visit, Marrongelle said. Montana Tech deserves a great leader, and I am disappointed that it will not be me. I wish the faculty, students and staff nothing but the best as they continue their search for a Chancellor. The news release did not provide details, and MUS spokesperson Galen Hollenbaugh could not be immediately reached Friday for additional information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UM President Seth Bodnar said he was disappointed Marrongelle would not be at the helm of the Butte campus with some 2,500 students. Montana Tech is connected to UM. Dr. Marrongelle is an exceptional and talented leader and would have been an outstanding chancellor for Montana Tech, Bodnar said in a statement. While we are disappointed that she wont be joining the MT Tech community, we wish her every success. Marrongelle could not be immediately reached Friday through a message left with her office. The news release said Commissioner Clayton Christian, Bodnar, and chairperson of the Search Advisory Committee Deputy Commissioner Tyler Trevor will discuss with the Search Advisory Committee options to re-engage the search process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release earlier this month, Marrongelle said she was honored to be selected, and she and her family were looking forward to joining the Butte community. Commissioner of Higher Education Christian earlier said Marrongelles leadership would help expand the universitys nationally ranked engineering, science and health care programs. Dr. Marrongelles extensive STEM and research background is a perfect fit for Montana Tech, Christian said earlier this month. The news release Friday said Montana Tech was originally chartered as the Montana State School of Mines and provides a world-class science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, preparing graduates for impactful careers. In April 2025, multiple posts on social media accused Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of misappropriating millions of dollars of state Medicaid funds obtained in a legal settlement. I know nothing matters anymore but DeSantis has been caught dead-to-rights funneling millions of dollars in Medicaid money to himself, his wife's sham charity, and a PAC he controls https://t.co/9wkwLWrny6 same @ on NudeAfrica (@lib_crusher) April 22, 2025 Several weeks after the allegations began to spread online, the Tampa Bay Times published an expose (archived) on April 22, 2025, indicating DeSantis' administration diverted $10 million from a $67 million settlement between the state of Florida and the state's largest Medicaid contractor, Centene, to the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity headed by his wife, Casey DeSantis. The money then went to two "dark money" groups that later contributed $8.5 million to a political committee behind DeSantis' campaign to oppose a pro-marijuana bill, according to records the Times acquired. Before the Times published its investigation, DeSantis implied the $10 million donation was in addition to the settlement, saying at a news conference on April 10, 2025, "This is kind of like a cherry on top, where they agreed to make an additional contribution." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to DeSantis' office, and a spokesperson for him pointed to a news conference the governor gave on April 23, in which he alleged the Times' investigation was a "fabricated report." He claimed the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which oversaw the settlement funds, released a document hours after the investigation published showing the state and Centene reached a $56 million settlement, not $67 million, with an additional $10 million donation to Hope Florida. However, the proposed written agreement the Tampa Bay Times acquired indicated Centene paid a "total settlement" of approximately $67 million, not $56 million. Centene responded to a request for comment via email with a statement saying the Medicaid provider "had no part in or knowledge" regarding Hope Florida's use of the $10 million donation. The corporation's full statement is as follows: The terms in the settlement document speak for themselves. The allocation of funds detailed in the settlement document was directed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and approved by the Florida Attorney General's Office. Centene had no part in or knowledge of any decision by the Hope Florida Foundation regarding the subsequent use of any Foundation funds. As more details emerged on April 22, a Florida Senate spending panel passed a bill that would establish a joint legislative committee on Medicaid oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below, we break down what the Times' investigation found and what we know about Hope Florida as well as the eventual payments to the political committee behind DeSantis' campaign to defeat Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana. What did the Times' investigation find? In February 2022, Florida drafted an agreement with for-profit health care company Centene Corp. following allegations across multiple states that the company overcharged Medicaid recipients. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration oversaw the funds. This agreement indicates that Florida proposed Centene pay a total settlement of $67,048,611. Mississippi law firm Liston & Deas reached out to the state of Florida offering services to reach this settlement DeSantis' spokespeople at first maintained that Centene notified Florida it was eligible for money. The Times' investigation found Florida eventually fired the law firm in 2023 and never paid it for its services. Instead, DeSantis officials quietly reached a settlement with Centene that included a one-time $10 million donation to Hope Florida in addition to the "balance" of the "Settlement Amount," which was $57,048,611. Attorney Lawrence Deas told the Times that the state did not mention a donation to Hope Florida during the settlement talks, and the firm didn't learn of it until its lawyers saw media reports. The complete agreement the Tampa Bay Times acquired is below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://media.snopes.com/2025/04/centeneflorida_settlement_agreement.pdf The Times' investigation also referenced the newspaper's finding from earlier in April in which the outlet used campaign finance records and documents to confirm that the $10 million allocated to Hope Florida then went to two "dark money" groups meaning that as 501(c)(4) organizations, they are under no legal obligation to reveal their sources of funding. The Times reported (archived) that Hope Florida sent $5 million each to two organizations that then gave $8.5 million to a political committee overseen by DeSantis' chief of staff in a kind of circular payment back to DeSantis' administration. The committee's purpose was to oppose Amendment 3, a failed bill that would have legalized marijuana in Florida. (Snopes illustration) While other states published news releases announcing their settlements with Centene, Florida did not. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation HealthNews story from March 5, 2025, "State officials declined to answer a reporter's questions about whether Florida has dropped the case, reached an undisclosed settlement, or is still discussing the issue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times reported that the state did not disclose the $67 million settlement to the public until state Rep. Alex Andrade, a Pensacola Republican, and others began raising questions. "This was Medicaid money that was squandered, plain and simple," Andrade told the Times. "They were in no rush until suddenly they needed cash to fund their campaign" to oppose Amendment 3. What we know about the Hope Florida Foundation The Hope Florida Foundation, which Casey DeSantis launched in 2021, is a charity branded as a program to help get Floridians off government assistance. "Since this has been implemented, we've gotten 30,000 people off welfare and saved the state of Florida $100 million," Ron DeSantis said on April 14. In a 2022 opinion piece, Casey DeSantis claimed, "So far, Hope Florida has improved the lives of nearly 50,000 Floridians." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the foundation's major goals is to help people "graduate" from Medicaid, which funds health care for people with low incomes. The Hope Florida website explains how the foundation connects with Floridians through a hotline and identifies local resources to assist them in getting off government assistance. Its About page reads: But Hope Florida doesn't stop there we firmly believe that more government is not always the best solution to the problem. Instead, government is utilized as a meaningful connection point and then gets out of the way. Our partnerships with the private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits bridge the gap between Floridians in need and local community resources available to them. Through our collaboration with CarePortal, Hope Navigators can post real-time needs such as a warm meal, a bed for a foster family, or an outstanding utility bill, notifying good people in the community of impactful ways to give help. Next, we step aside and let the power of the community shine through. At Hope Florida, we're not just offering a handout we're empowering individuals to embrace their full God-given potential. However, state officials have not shared any evidence regarding data about the charity's performance or how much it costs, according to The Miami Herald. What was DeSantis' response? On April 10, DeSantis said during a news conference that "the AHCA settlement was 100% appropriate, they negotiated a very good deal and it served the state very very well" (at 32:45). He said the donation was "kind of like a cherry on top" (at 34:55). On April 23, DeSantis said at a news conference that hours after the Times' investigation published, the AHCA put forward a document that explained the agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We wrote to the AHCA via email, and the agency responded with its letter to Andrade in which it claimed the "$10 million donation to the DSO ["direct-support organization" to the Department of Children and Families] was not comprised of Medicaid funds." The letter said Centene identified about $56.2 million of Medicaid-related damages and that the remainder of the settlement $10.8 million "was not to compenstate the State for loss of Medicaid funds, but rather 'to provide reimbursement for any other potentially alleged damages.'" The full letter was as follows: https://media.snopes.com/2025/04/ahca_letter_to_andrade.pdf In sum The Tampa Bay Times acquired records in early April 2025 indicating the DeSantis administration directed $10 million obtained in a legal settlement to the first lady's charity, where it then went to two "dark money" groups that gave $8.5 million in total to a political committee behind a DeSantis campaign to block a pro-marijuana bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countering DeSantis' claims that the $10 million donation to Hope Florida was "in addition" to the settlement, on April 22 the Times reported the funds consisted of Medicaid money owed to taxpayers. DeSantis, meanwhile, has said the settlement was "appropriate," and Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration said in a letter that the $10 million "was not comprised of Medicaid funds." Sources: 'Centene Legal Settlements Are Still Unfinished with Two States. One Is Florida'. WUSF, 9 Mar. 2025, https://www.wusf.org/courts-law/2025-03-09/centene-legal-settlements-are-still-unfinished-with-two-states-one-is-florida. 'Countering DeSantis, $10M Hope Florida Donation Came from Medicaid, Draft Shows'. Tampa Bay Times, https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/04/22/desantis-casey-medicaid-settlement-hope-charity-andrade/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'DeSantis Defends $10 Million Donation from State Agency Settlement to Charity Linked to His Wife'. AP News, 10 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/hope-florida-ron-casey-desantis-florida-republican-f998ab21342fd3bb5be3854d1a1fcb64. FL Centene Settlement Agreement | DocumentCloud. 23 Apr. 2025, https://web.archive.org/web/20250423221614/https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25893125-fl-centene-settlement-agreement/. 'Florida Had a $67 Million Settlement, Then Moved to Help Hope Florida'. Orlando Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/04/23/florida-had-a-67-million-settlement-then-moved-to-help-hope-florida/. 'Here's Where $10 Million Donation to DeSantis' Hope Florida Effort Went'. Tampa Bay Times, https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/04/11/desantis-charity-hope-florida-casey-uthmeier-legislature/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hope Florida. https://hopeflorida.com/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. 'Lawmaker Will Subpoena Florida Attorney General in DeSantis Charity Probe'. Tampa Bay Times, https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/04/14/desantis-uthmeier-casey-hope-florida-legislature-medicaid/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. Miller, Andy. 'Years Later, Centene Settlements With States Still Unfinished'. KFF Health News, 5 Mar. 2025, https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/centene-settlements-pbms-medicaid-silence-holdouts-georgia-florida/. Team, CBS Miami. Florida Nonprofit Tied to Casey DeSantis' Program Probed over $10 Million Grants - CBS Miami. 15 Apr. 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-nonprofit-tied-to-casey-desantis-program-probed-over-10-million-grants/. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IMr6A7Vufk. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Friday! In case you missed it, were offering $50 off Dispatch Premium memberships with the promo code SCOTUSBLOG. Join today! Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fire along the line of control separating the two countries overnight, three days after separatist gunmen killed 26 people in Indian-ruled Kashmir. The cross-border fire, which Indian military officials accused Pakistan of initiating, came as both countries moved to revoke visas for one anothers citizens, ordering them to leave in the coming days. Also this week, India closed a primary border crossing and terminated a 65-year-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan. A separatist group known as the Resistance Front took credit for the Tuesday terrorist attack, which India alleged contained Pakistani elements. New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of arming militants to carry out terrorist attackscharges Islamabad denies. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he was not happy with Russias overnight missile and drone barrage on Kyiv, which killed at least 12 people and injured more than 90 others to become the most fatal airstrike on Ukraines capital since July 2024. Vladimir, STOP! Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets [sic] get the Peace Deal DONE! A day earlier, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his refusal to recognize Russias occupation and annexation of the Crimean peninsula, saying his insistence will do nothing but prolong the killing field. A Russian military court on Thursday sentenced Ivan Popova former Russian commander who criticized senior military leaders after he was removed from his postto five years in a penal colony after finding him guilty of large-scale fraud. After his dismissal in July 2023, Popov sent a voice memo to his troops claiming he had been pushed out for highlighting the militarys poor reconnaissance capabilities and the high number of casualtiesremarks that were later made public. Speaking to Russian state media, Popovs lawyer indicated plans to appeal the ruling, which supporters denounced as politically motivated. U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Gallagher ruled on Thursday that the Trump administration must issue a good faith request to the El Salvadoran government for the return of a 20-year-old Venezuelan man, identified only under the pseudonym Cristian, who the White House deported to the El Salvadors megaprison last month over his alleged involvement in the Tren de Aragua gang. Cristian initially entered the U.S. illegally as an unaccompanied minor, and, in 2019, was one of four plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the government seeking temporary protection from deportation. A settlement reached in 2024 established that all four could not be removed until their asylum applications were processed. The White House argued that Cristians alleged gang connection breached the settlement, but Gallagher ruled that the settlements text made no such stipulation and that all four were protected from deportation. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled on Thursday that Trumps executive order on securing election integrity cannot require voters to present documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the statesnot the presidentwith the authority to regulate federal elections, Kollar-Kotelly wrote in a 120-page opinion, adding that Congress is currently debating legislation that would effect many of the changes the president purports to order, a reference to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which recently passed the House but reportedly faces an uphill battle in the Senate. Other provisions in Trumps March 25 executive order on elections, including increasing oversight into the security of electronic voting tabulators and prosecution of election law violations, are allowed to remain in effect. Rubios Renovation An exterior view of the US Department of State headquarters in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood in Washington, DC, on April 15, 2025. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) In his first speech from the State Departments Washington, D.C., headquarters in January, Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the distinguished work of its employees. This is an extraordinary honor and a privilege to serve in this role, he said. To oversee the greatest, the most effective, the most talented, the most experienced diplomatic corps in the history of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just three months later, hes striking an altogether different tone. We will drain the bloated, bureaucratic swamp, empowering the Department from the ground up, Rubio wrote on States official Substack on Tuesday, announcing plans to overhaul the agency. He outlined a significant consolidation of several departments and bureaus, singling out officesincluding the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migrationthat he accused of [pushing] through their own agenda. The American people deserve a State Department willing and able to advance their safety, security, and prosperity around the world, one respectful of their tax dollars and the sacred trust of government service, Rubio concluded. Reorganizing the State Department is not an unusual step for a new secretary of state to takemost previous secretaries have sought to put their stamp, and the presidents, on their department. But Rubios move may be part of the battle taking place behind the scenes of the administration in dozens of different areas: the clash between the cost-cutting ambitions of the Department of Government Efficiency and career politicians like Rubio who generally want to reshape, not just radically reduce, the size and scope of the federal government. Rubios announcement was only the first part of the plan, and weeks or months will pass before the full details emerge. But the main thrust of the initiative, as shown in the announcement statement and an organizational chart posted to the State Departments official website, is clear: a leaner, meaner, and markedly less woke agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two main structural components of Rubios plan. Firstly, the secretary is looking to take a side in a longstanding State Department balancing act between regional and functional bureaus. Regional bureaus are exactly what they sound like, focusing on geographical areastake the Bureau of African Affairs and the Bureau of Near East Affairs, for example. Functional bureaus focus on specific policy areas, like the Bureau of Global Health Diplomacy and Security. Rubio aims to concentrate more policymaking power in the heads of regional bureaus, which will now have the tools necessary to advance Americas interests abroad because region-specific functions will be streamlined to increase functionality. In non-bureaucratic language, that means that different bureaus will, at least in theory, be less likely to step on each others toes. For example, the secretary announced that all non-security foreign assistance, such as food aid and democracy promotion, will be consolidated under regional bureaus, rather than functional ones. For many foreign policy experts, efforts to streamline some of the State Departments functions are a welcome change. State has always had the geographic bureaus as its center of gravity, Kori Schake, the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute and a former official in the State Department, National Security Council, and Department of Defense, told TMD. The functional bureaus often dont think regionally enough, she added. But others argue that Rubio could be too optimistic about the ability of regional bureaus to quickly adapt to their new role. They primarily focus on the business of the embassies, said Frederick Barton, a lecturer at Princetons School of Public and International Affairs and the first assistant secretary of state for conflict and stabilization operations under President Barack Obama (a position which is slated to be eliminated). Dealing with emergent situations like ethnic conflict or corruption, which are often handled by functional bureaus, might be difficult for diplomats used to working closely with foreign governments to handle. Those are awkward issues to raise in a country, and so striking that balance has always been sought by a secretary of state, Barton told TMD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rubio appears convinced that paring down the department is the best strategy. The Bureaus of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, the Office of Global Womens Issues, and the Office of Global Criminal Justice will all be eliminated. And offices dedicated to arms control, energy, and human trafficking will be merged with existing bureaus. Its clear, however, that the move isnt solely about cutting down on bureaucratic turf wars. This is where the second goal of the plan, eliminating entrenched progressivism, comes in. Many of the offices that were eliminated or downgraded in status were those overseen by the under secretary for civilian security, human rights, and democracy. This expansive domain, Rubio said, provided a fertile environment for activists to redefine human rights and democracy. The secretary claimed that the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, for example, had pursued vendettas against anti-woke politicians in Hungary, Brazil, and Poland. Meanwhile, he accused the Bureau of Population, Human Rights, and Migration of funnelling millions of taxpayer dollars to groups that facilitated mass migration around the world. Democratic members of Congress, meanwhile, characterized the reforms as another example of executive overreach. Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned the potentially sweeping changes and called for Rubio to testify immediately before Congress. Secretary Rubios proposed reorganization of the State Department, developed with zero consultation with Congress, raises significant concerns about the future of American diplomacy, Meeks said in a Tuesday statement, arguing that the State Department was abandoning the defense of human rights and democracy and eviscerating American soft power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meeks may be right that Congress will eventually have to be consulted on the moves. According to some former State officials, the cuts risk eliminating positions and departments that are mandated by Congress. In order to get rid of these programs, Rubio may have to seek congressional approval, although there are no indications as of yet that he intends to do so. Earlier this year, Rubio oversaw the effective dismantling of the United States Agency for Aid and International Development, which was codified by Congress in 1998. Schake, however, noted that it was fair for a secretary of state to attempt to ensure that the federal departments operations reflect a presidents agenda. There is sometimes a belief at State that they are the guardians of American foreign policy, she told TMD. We would never tolerate that [view] from the Pentagon. And a pared-down version of proposals to reform the department appears to have won out. Last week, the New York Times reported on leaked internal memos from the State Department, which outlined plans to potentially cut the agencys budget by nearly half, with a particular target on funds earmarked for humanitarian assistance. Another draft executive order, also reported on by the Times, envisioned shutting down almost all of the State Departments operations in Africa. The flurry of conflicting proposals may represent fluid and shifting debates within the State Department and the White House, driven in large part by the Department of Government Efficiencys drive to drastically reduce the size of the federal workforce. Rubios plan would close or consolidate more than 100 of the State Departments roughly 700 offices and bureaus and cut about 700 positions of a total departmental workforce of nearly 80,000. Its not nearly as drastic as early leaks, although embassy closures and further firings are not off the table as the reorganization proceeds. Rubio, who has sought to defend his department from the more extreme reforms of Elon Musk, DOGEs leader, appears to have won at least a temporary reprieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as the secretary of state attempts to leave his mark on his department while also managing brewing and existing crises in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Asia, he will need to lean on the institutional knowledge of existing staffers. Working with, rather than against, the State Department will be how Rubio ensures that his reforms are effective and lasting, analysts noted. Too often, they [administration officials] act like the government is working against them, instead of using people who actually know the system and genuinely want positive change, Schake said. Ive seen people waste all of their energy on reorganizations, Barton cautioned. It totally destabilizes institutions, and then you cant get anything done. Rubio, like much of the rest of the Trump administration, is betting that his reorganization will revitalize, rather than hamstring, the State Department. He wrote Tuesday that the American people deserve a State Department prepared to meet the immense challenges of the 21st Century. We will see if he can deliver one. Todays Must-Read Then-EPA Administrator nominee Lee Zeldin, FBI Director nominee Kash Patel, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, and Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon depart inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Michael Warren Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a long and winding road after losing a primary bid for a U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota in 2012, but Pete Hegseth has (for now at least) leapfrogged back into politics after being denied all those years ago. Hes not alone. Hegseth is only one member of the second Trump administration to have been plucked from the pantheon of electoral duds and given a second lease on political life. From the Cabinet all the way to high-profile White House aides, there are failed candidates for major office who might have otherwise toiled for years in obscurity or, even worse, local politics if not for Trumps magnanimity. Contrary to the presidents boasted affection for winners, its loyalty to Trump, sometimes even in the face of defeat, that remains the most valuable characteristic for a Republican looking to get ahead these days. Toeing the Company Line President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House on April 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Policy April 24, 2025 Nick Catoggio How Trumps Ukraine peace plan resembles his trade war. A poster for a protest at Harvard University on April 15, 2025. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Politics April 25, 2025 Kevin D. Williamson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This moment is what all that money is for. Illustration by Eduardo Luzzatti. Politics April 25, 2025 Matthew J. Franck If nominated, I will consent to be elected, but dont expect me to do much else. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks after a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the Capitol on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, as Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Majority Leader Steve Scalise look on. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images) Politics April 25, 2025 Charles Hilu To reach its spending cut requirements, the GOP must target a popular social program. Boxes of ivermectin. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Fact Check April 24, 2025 Peter Gattuso The drug is approved only for treating parasitic diseases. Dispatch Podcast site HQ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Podcast April 25, 2025 Jonah Goldberg, Steve Hayes, Sarah Isgur, and David French A lot of people in politics dont believe in anything. Advisory Opinions site HQ Podcast April 24, 2025 Sarah Isgur and David French The Dispatch is well-positioned to become the definitive source for authoritative reporting and analysis of the Supreme Court. Worth Your Time Yesterday, as the world observed Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Times of Israels Zev Stub interviewed 99-year-old Michael Smuss, the last known living fighter from the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. On the first day of the uprising, the Jewish resistance caught the Germans completely off guard. We had some Polish Jews who had previously fought in the army against Germany, and they thought of everything, Smuss said. They were shooting from the balconies with the Italian Berettas, protected by helmets and beds they had set up as shields. When the Germans spread out over the ghetto, they were sitting ducks. Their leaders had no idea what to do. It was a perfect ambush, Stub wrote. Smuss continues to speak to groups about the horrors he saw during the Holocaust and to serve as an inspiration for others. Ive dedicated my life to helping to make sure this never happens again, he said. Ive gone to Poland with students many times, and I continue to speak about it. During the Shoah, we didnt have an army of our own. Today, we have a country with God watching over us and an air force protecting us. Im very grateful for that. For Public Books, Harry Stecopoulos profiled Americas literary Mecca: Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa City is the place where contemporary English literature matters more than anywhere else on earth. The home of arguably the worlds most famous MFA program, Iowa City has authors plaques embedded in the sidewalk (yes, our streets are paved in literary gold), over 100 literary readings per year, and roughly 1,000 writersyoung and old, town and gownin a community of 75,000. No surprise, then, that in 2008 Iowa City was named a UNESCO City of Literature, he wrote. If we want to keep these communities dynamic, we should work hard to keep them weird. Places like Iowa City often have scandalous reputations, particularly when embedded in red states. Yet that reputation sometimes stems not from bacchanalian excess, but rather from a refusal to accept the status quo. Ensuring that our college towns remain places of real not rote learning, of innovative education not AI simulation, means encouraging their residents, within and without the university, to forge ahead, push the limit, break through. Presented Without Comment New York Times: [Former New York GOP Rep.] George Santos, Facing a Possible 87 Months in Prison, Is Out of Jokes Right now, my expectation is Im going to prison for 87 months, he said flatly when reached by phone on Wednesday. Im totally resigned. Gone was the pugnacious rhetoric and quick wit that became part of his mystique as he lied his way to Congress, his deceits leading to criminal fraud and a guilty plea. Instead, Mr. Santos was disconsolate and bitter. I came to this world alone. I will deal with it alone, and I will go out alone, he said. Also Presented Without Comment ABC News: DOJ Accidentally Files Document Outlining Flaws With Trump Administrations Plan To Kill NYC Congestion Pricing Lawyers with the Department of Justice accidentally filed a document overnight that outlined a series of legal flaws with the Trump administrations plan to kill New York Citys congestion pricing tolls. In an 11-page letter to the Department of Transportation, lawyers with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York wrote that Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffys attempt to terminate congestion pricing faces considerable litigation risk and is unlikely to be accepted by the court. Also Also Presented Without Comment NBC News: Trump 2028 Apparel on Sale at the Trump Organizations Online Store In the Zeitgeist Comedian Nathan Fielders latest project, HBOs The Rehearsal, debuted its second season this week. The shows premise? Stage meticulously planned rehearsal scenarios of real-life events, and have real people act them out as practice for the real thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let Us Know Do you think the United States needs more or less presence overseas? 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. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has said that it is unable to distribute essential food supplies in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza. "Humanitarian aid and supplies have not entered the Gaza Strip for over 50 days now ... when the Israeli authorities imposed a siege," the agency said in a statement released on Thursday. "As a result, critical humanitarian supplies, including food, fuel medical aid and vaccines for children, are rapidly depleting," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency stressed that its flour supplies have run out and only 250 food parcels remain containing rice, lentils, beans, oil, salt, sugar, milk powder, hummus, halawa/halva, yeast and canned fish - designed to meet the needs of a family of five for two weeks. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated on Tuesday that nearly 3,000 trucks are ready to deliver critical humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, the Israeli military has blocked all shipments of goods into the region since March 2, according to UNRWA. "Hunger is spreading & deepening, deliberate & manmade," Lazzarini wrote on X, describing Gaza as "a land of desperation." The World Food Programme has reported that food prices have soared by up to 700% compared to before the Gaza war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last ceasefire phase between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas ended a month ago. Israeli armed forces then resumed their attacks in the Gaza Strip. At least 1.9 million people approximately 90% of Gaza's population have been displaced, many multiple times, according to UN figures. Israel says 24 hostages are still being held in Gaza, as well as the bodies of 35 people kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, when some 1,200 people were killed in Israeli communities and more than 250 Israelis taken hostage. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in the Gaza Strip, more than 51,300 people have been killed since then. The figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths. Illinois first measles case of the year was in an unvaccinated adult in downstate Marion, according to the state health department. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the first measles case Wednesday news that comes amid a swell of measles cases across the country. The health department provided the additional details about the location of the unidentified individual and the persons vaccination status in a health advisory sent to local health departments and health care providers. The advisory also listed eight locations where people might have been exposed to the individual with measles from April 7 to April 15: three laundromats, a Walmart, a Kroger, a gym and a restaurant, all in Marion, and the clinic where the person sought care, which was not identified in the advisory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A public health investigation is underway to identify locations where the patient was while infectious, according to the advisory. Persons exposed will be contacted to determine immune status. Those susceptible will be monitored for symptoms and asked to quarantine. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious health complications, especially in young children. Symptoms can include a high fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The virus can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and a person can catch the measles just by being in a room where an infected person was up to two hours earlier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are considered 97% protective against the measles, and one dose is considered 93% protective. Children typically receive the first dose of the vaccine, or the similar measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine at age 12 to 15 months, and the second dose from ages 4 to 6. Cases of measles have surged this year amid wariness of vaccines. As of April 17 there had been 800 cases across the U.S. this year the second-highest number of cases in the U.S. in 25 years and 180% higher than the number of measles cases in the U.S. last year, according to a CDC report released Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three people with measles in the U.S. have died this year, including two children, and all three were unvaccinated. Before this year, there had not been a measles death in the U.S. for a decade. There have been 10 outbreaks across the country, with the largest one in Texas, which has had 624 cases this year as of April 22, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The last time Illinois had a case of measles before now was in March 2024, when 67 cases were reported, with most linked to a Chicago shelter for migrants on the Lower West Side. That outbreak was the largest in Illinois since 1990, according to the state health department. People can look at their medical records or contact their health care providers to check their vaccination statuses. They can also visit the Illinois Department of Public Healths online portal, Vax Verify, to check their immunization status. The state health department has also released a online tool that allows people to look up measles vaccination rates and data about the risk of outbreaks at individual schools across the state. ____ For veteran market watchers, the volatility of the stock market in 2025 brings back echoes of 2020, when the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on asset prices. At the time, even the most popular stocks of the day suffered huge losses as investors seemed to lose total interest in owning them. But if you had the fortitude to step up and buy shares, you could have made a handsome profit in just five short years. The lesson is an appropriate one in light of the recent market volatility. As in 2020, even the most popular market leaders have been absolutely hammered in a short period of time, with some companies down over 20% or more in a matter of days. Read Next: Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Bought Over $73 Million in Shares of This Tech Company Heres Why Learn More: 4 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 To help keep things in perspective, heres a look at how five of the most popular stocks in the S&P 500 have performed over the past five years, since the approximate time of their pandemic-era lows. By way of comparison, each stocks year-to-date performance and average analyst one-year projections are shown as well, offering a glimpse of how well the stocks might bounce back after their 2025 dips. Nvidia (NVDA) Price on March 16, 2020: $4.89 Price on April 21, 2025: $96.91 Percentage return: 1,882% Year-to-date return: -28.7% Average analyst 12-month price target: $164.74 Nvidia may seem like a recent phenomenon to retail investors, but its actually been on a tear for decades. Although its notoriously volatile, that volatility is often to the upside. In fact, as of Dec. 10, 2024, Nvidia was the best-performing S&P 500 stock over the past five-, 10-, 15- and 20-year periods, according to Visual Capitalist. It suffered mightily during the pandemic bear market, but that just spring-loaded the company for incredible future growth. Analysts are still bullish on the stock for the foreseeable future, as its the undisputed leader in artificial intelligence (AI) chips. A $1,000 investment in Nvidia made on March 16, 2020, would be worth over $19,700 as of April 21, 2025. Check Out: Robert Kiyosaki Is Dumping Gold and Silver: Heres What Hes Buying Instead Apple (AAPL) Price on March 16, 2020: $58.78 Price on April 21, 2025: $193.16 Percentage return: 229% Year-to-date return: -18.3% Average analyst 12-month price target: $237.87 Apple is likely the most well-known company on this list, as it has been innovating and developing outstanding consumer products since 1976. That was the year that the budding tech firm, co-founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, released its Apple I computer. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A community meeting was held Thursday night in Antioch that addressed everything from public safety updates and upcoming additions to the community. With new officers and safety measures coming into Antioch, officials have said the added police presence could help combat crime. Metro officers also said the new D-Detail patrol unit has started impacting crime. Officers said the Southeast precinct is on track to be completed no later than September or October of this year. The MNPD said that 75 officers will be stationed at the precinct to monitor the land from Murfreesboro Road to Nolensville Road all the way to Percy Priest Ferry. Detectives with the violent crime, robbery investigation and vehicle crime investigation divisions will also work out of the new precinct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More At the same time, officers say the D-Detail, has meant reduced response times for non-emergency calls as well as fewer calls from the Antioch area. The D-Detail consists of 41 officers operating seven days a week between noon and 10:30 p.m. Officer Ryan Storm with the Metro Nashville Police Department said the decrease in calls has sent a message and has started making an impact. Were getting the calls quicker. Were able to respond quicker and the other thing thats allowed us to do is get back into some proactive police work, especially in this area that needs it so much, Storm said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents could continue to see a difference in response times once the precinct is completed. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.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 WKRN News 2. TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (WSPA) A Travelers Rest man is facing multiple sex crimes charges after police said they received a 911 call from a friend of the victim. 41-year-old Christopher Robert Fisher was arrested Friday and charged with eight counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, among other charges. Police said they responded to Fishers house on April 18 after the victim called a friend to call the police to help her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers responded and brought the victim safely to a relatives home, according to Travelers Rest Police. Investigators conducted a search of Fishers house on April 22. He was arrested on Friday after being released from the hospital. Travelers Rest Police said Fisher is a registered sex offender and had been arrested on similar charges in 2009 involving other victims. The police department said there may be additional victims. Police are asking anyone with more information to call the Travelers Rest Police Department at 864-834-9029. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CNN has reported, with reference to its sources, that US allies are concerned about Donald Trump's peace plan for Ukraine, which includes territorial concessions, including Crimea, to Russia. Source: CNN Details: CNN quoted an unnamed official as saying that the administration's concept, presented in Paris last week, calls for significant sacrifices by Kyiv, including the US recognising Crimea as Russian territory and Ukraine ceding large swathes of territory to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked what concessions Russia was offering, Trump said that not "taking the whole country" was "a pretty big concession". CNN writes that many diplomats from NATO member states said they were concerned about what the Trump administration was proposing because they believed it would send a dangerous signal to Vladimir Putin and other world leaders, including Xi Jinping, that illegal takeovers will be rewarded. "This is about the fundamental principles of international law. This is very much about our own existence and the weakening of any safeguards that my or other countries have for our own independence," an Eastern European diplomat told CNN. "If one country in Europe is currently under pressure or being forced to give up parts of its own legal territory, territory that has been recognised as part of Ukraine if one country in Europe is forced to do that, no country in Europe or elsewhere can feel safe, NATO or no NATO," the diplomat said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN noted that a proposal to de facto recognise Crimea as part of Russia would overturn longstanding US policy that has maintained that, despite Russian occupation, Crimea is Ukrainian territory. European officials say they would not go down this path, leaving the US isolated. According to CNN, Asian allies are also growing increasingly concerned that a deal to end the war that would reward Russia after the deadly conflict could be struck. In private conversations with their US counterparts, Asian diplomats have made clear their concerns about the global implications of a settlement that violates Ukraine's borders. "China is watching. We have told the Trump administration that. We are worried about the message they might take away from any end to the war that appears to reward Russia for the bloodshed," said one Asian diplomat. Now, CNN writes, all eyes are on Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's expected meeting with Vladimir Putin on Friday, which comes after sources said progress was made in talks with European, Ukrainian and American officials in London on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, many Europeans fear that progress may not be fast enough to satisfy Trump's ambition to end the war quickly. Asked how flexible the Ukrainians are on territorial issues, an unnamed German official told CNN that they understand the situation, although they have red lines that they cannot cross. A second European official said the UK government was working with the Ukrainians to try to move forward with American policy, noting that this would be backed by security guarantees regularly discussed by European allies, including potential troops in Ukraine. Russia has rejected this prospect, and Trump has said that US troops will not go to Ukraine. "There is a realpolitik reality: any deal that can get Russia on board will look unfavourable to the Ukrainians. But within reason the Ukrainians will have to come to terms with something that may be second best to a deal they would have wanted two years ago," another European diplomat said. "That is just where we are." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Pam Bondi has been chastised by a New York judge for calling Luigi Mangione a cold-blooded assassin. Ms Bondi, the attorney general, asked for Mr Mangione to face the death penalty for federal charges relating to the alleged killing of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of United Healthcare. Luigi Mangiones murder of Brian Thompson an innocent man and father of two young children was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America, said Ms Bondi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out president Trumps agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again. At a federal arraignment hearing in New York on Friday, Judge Margaret Garnett said that given the nature of the case she reminded both sides about public comments they made that could impact or affect Mr Mangiones ability to get a fair trial or to choose an impartial jury. Supporters of Luigi Mangione protest outside the court in New York on Friday - SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock She would be speaking to Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in New York, and asking him to relay this to Ms Bondi as well. The attorney generals comments came after Mr Trump said in December: Just a cold-blooded, horrible killing. And how people can like this guy [Mangione] is thats a sickness, actually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Mangione, 27, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder as an act of terrorism and weapons offences. His lawyer, Karen Agnifilo said that they would now be opposing a handshake deal agreed with the prior administration in which Mr Mangione, who is facing both state and federal charges, would see his state case first. She said that because the death penalty was now on the table, she would be requesting the federal case go first. Judge Garnett said that both sides had to file motions as to whether prosecutors should be precluded from seeking the death penalty. A protester against Mr Mangione is escorted by police - SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock During the hearing, Ms Agnifilo also claimed prosecutors in the state case admitted they had been eavesdropping on Mr Mangiones phone calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said they claimed it was inadvertent and included calls between herself and Mr Mangione, which are protected by attorney client privilege. The calls were handed over by federal prosecutors, she said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Friday were described by a Kremlin adviser as "constructive and quite useful," according to Russian news agency Interfax. The three-hour meeting reportedly focused on prospects for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine, including the possibility of direct talks between Kiev and Moscow. Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Russia remains open to such negotiations but insists that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must first revoke a decree prohibiting direct talks with the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was Witkoff's fourth time meeting Putin. He also met on Friday with Putins envoy for economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, who heads Russias Direct Investment Fund and later joined the meeting with the Russian president. The intensifying talks with Russia come as the United States, under President Donald Trump, continues to take a tough line with Kiev. Washington has scaled back long-term military support for Ukraine and is pressuring Zelensky to reach a swift peace deal, even if it involves territorial concessions. In an interview with Time magazine published on Friday, Trump reiterated his position that the Crimean Peninsula should remain under Russian control as part of a settlement. "Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The peninsula was annexed by Moscow in 2014 in violation of international law. For his part, Zelensky continues to say that Crimea and other territory conquered by Russia remains Ukrainian. On Thursday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that Ukraine "handed over" Crimea "without a shot being fired" and questioned why it had not fought to retain it at the time. In the Time interview, Trump also blamed Ukraine for causing the war with its desire to join NATO. Despite Moscows stated openness to peace talks, Russian attacks on Ukraine continue. A drone strike on the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad killed at least three people, including a 15-year-old girl, officials said Friday. Fourteen others, including three children, were injured, according to regional military governor Serhii Lysak. Trump exerts pressure on Zelensky to sign rare earths deal Trump is meanwhile increasing pressure on Zelensky to sign a raw materials agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "It is at least three weeks late," he said. A memorandum of understanding on the deal was signed by both sides last week. The document said that the text of the final agreement was to be concluded by Saturday, April 26. It was uncertain whether a signing could take place on Saturday, or what the status of the deal is. The raw materials agreement is intended to give the US access to Ukraine's mineral resources, particularly rare earths, which are crucial for high-tech industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Ukraine, the deal represents a bid to secure the US as a long-term protective ally, which the Trump administration has not agreed to. The memorandum of understanding emphasized the significant financial and material assistance the US has provided to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, potentially indicating that Kiev may need to use the critical minerals as a repayment. By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) -A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the administration of President Donald Trump from stripping hundreds of thousands of federal employees of the ability to unionize and collectively bargain over working conditions. Senior U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in Washington, D.C., blocked an executive order Trump issued in March from being implemented pending the outcome of a lawsuit by the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents about 160,000 federal employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union says Trump's order, which exempted more than a dozen federal agencies from obligations to bargain with unions, violates federal workers' labor rights and the U.S. Constitution. Eliminating collective bargaining would make it easier for agencies to alter working conditions and fire or discipline workers. And it could prevent federal worker unions from challenging Trump administration initiatives in court. Friedman, an appointee of Democratic President Bill Clinton, said he would issue an opinion explaining his decision in the next few days. Trump in the executive order excluded agencies from collective bargaining obligations that he said "have as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work." It applies to the Justice, State, Defense, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services departments, among other agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly called the ruling "absurd" in a statement and said the Trump administration would immediately appeal. "Employees in certain agencies that deal with national security, intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative functions may not unionize to slow or halt the Presidents agenda," Kelly said. NTEU President Doreen Greenwald in a statement said the decision was "a victory for federal employees, their union rights and the American people they serve." Trump's order affects about 75% of the roughly 1 million federal workers represented by unions, according to court filings. NTEU has said the order applies to about 100,000 of its members and that it is losing $2 million a month in dues that agencies are no longer deducting from workers' paychecks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It significantly expanded an existing exception from collective bargaining for workers with duties affecting national security, such as certain employees of the CIA and FBI. On the same day Trump issued the order, eight federal agencies filed a lawsuit against dozens of local union affiliates seeking to invalidate existing union contracts covering thousands of workers. The Treasury Department has filed a separate case against NTEU seeking to invalidate a bargaining agreement that covers Internal Revenue Service employees nationwide. NTEU in its lawsuit says none of the agencies covered by the order are primarily involved in intelligence or national security work. The union claims Trump issued the order to punish federal-sector unions that have sued over his policies and in some cases stopped them from taking effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friedman, during a hearing in the case on Thursday, seemed to agree that the order was an act of retaliation against unions. He told a government lawyer that Trump "is willing to be kind to those that work with him, but those that have sued him hes not going to bargain with." Trump's order is also being challenged in a separate lawsuit in California federal court by the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal worker union with more than 800,000 members. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Alexia Garamfalvi and Diane Craft) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that President Donald Trumps administration has outlined the path to peace for both Ukraine and Russia and defined what the "finish line" of this process should look like. Source: Rubio, during the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in the Oval Office, as reported by Ukrinform Quote: "First of all, what was put before our partners was options to discuss about things that it would take to end a war. This war is endable. Both sides just have to agree to it. Weve shown them the pathway forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The secretary of state noted that discussions of these ideas have taken place. "There was a good meeting yesterday. There will be good meetings over the weekend. Weve shown them the finish line. We need both of them [Ukraine and Russia ed.] to say 'yes'." He also commented on Russias missile strike on Kyiv, calling it a reminder of why the war must end. Quote: "Everyone should be thanking the president [Trump ed.] for being a peacemaker and trying to save lives. Thats what were trying to do here. It's not our war. We didnt start it, as you know, but we are trying to end the dying. Were trying to end the destruction and weve shown the path forward. We can see the finish line, but both of them have to get there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More details: Rubio reiterated that the US administration will do "everything we can" to ultimately get both parties to agree. Background: Trump recently stated that the US has a specific deadline for achieving peace between Ukraine and Russia. Earlier, the US President said he was "not happy" with Russias missile strikes on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people, and told the Kremlin leader: "Vladimir, stop!" Media reports indicate that the US will also demand that Russia recognise Ukraines right to maintain its own armed forces and defence industry as part of a broader peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Swiss Confederation President Karin Keller-Sutter on Thursday said the U.S. is planning what she called privileged trade negotiations with 15 countries, as President Trumps tariff agenda threatens to rattle the global marketplace. Keller-Sutter, during her visit to Washington on Thursday, told reporters Switzerland is one of the countries the Trump administration is looking to make a fresh trade deal with. It is unclear which other nations are included, according to The Associated Press. The Swiss leader said in an interview with broadcaster SRF, which was released Friday, that the U.S. envisages conducting I would say somewhat privileged negotiations and finding solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added she was satisfied with the discussion she had in Washington, which included a one-on-one meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and attending the International Monetary Funds spring meetings. Keller-Sutter noted that both the U.S. and Switzerland agreed to draft a Letter of Intent which outlines the most important topics they want to hash out, and that we have also been assigned a specific contact person. We discussed key economic issues and opportunities for enhanced collaboration between our two countries, she added, referring to her meeting Thursday with Bessent. As part of his latest tariff announcement, which targeted nearly all foreign trading partners, Trump slapped a 31 percent import tax on Swiss goods coming into the U.S. days later, the president halted most of the country-specific tariffs for 90 days to leave wiggle room for negotiations, leaving in place a 10 percent baseline tariff on most imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. authorities have clearly expressed their desire to find a solution with Switzerland, Keller-Sutter told SRF, adding that both governments are swiftly moving ahead since uncertainty is poison for the economy. She emphasized during the interview that the two sides have to find a solution, as the changing economic landscape is affecting Swiss industries and families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on Friday demanded answers about the arrest of a local Wisconsin judge by federal authorities for allegedly helping an immigrant avoid arrest. The Trump administration must explain to the American people the legal basis for arresting a Wisconsin judge or drop all charges immediately, Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, wrote in a social media post. We will never be intimidated by these far right extremists, the House Democratic leader added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a side door last week after learning that immigration authorities were seeking his arrest. The man was taken into custody outside the courthouse after agents chased him on foot. Dugan was released Friday after a brief appearance in federal court. She faces two felony charges of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judges arrest dramatically escalates tensions between federal authorities and state and local officials, whom President Donald Trumps administration has accused of interfering with his immigration enforcement priorities. It also comes amid a growing battle between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary over the presidents executive actions over deportations and other matters. Attorney General Pam Bondi called Dugan deranged and said her actions endangered the public. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., called the arrest of Dugan a gravely serious and drastic move that threatens to breach the separation of powers between the branches of government. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders and arresting a sitting judge, this president is putting those basic democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line, Baldwin said. _________ By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Thursday a blast on Sunday near a UNESCO world heritage site in Yemen's capital city of Sanaa was caused by a Houthi missile and not an American airstrike. The Houthi-run health ministry said a dozen people were killed in the U.S. strike in a neighborhood of Sanaa. The Old City of Sanaa is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of U.S. strikes on Yemen last month, with his administration saying they will continue assaulting Iran-backed Houthi rebels until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping. A U.S. Central Command spokesperson said the damage and casualties described by Yemen's Houthi officials "likely did occur" but they were not caused by a U.S. attack. The closest U.S. strike that night was more than three miles (5 km) away, the spokesperson said. The U.S. military assessed that the damage was caused by a "Houthi air defense missile" based on a review of "local reporting, including videos documenting Arabic writing on the missile's fragments at the market," the spokesperson said, adding the Houthis subsequently arrested Yemenis. He did not provide evidence. A Houthi official was quoted by the New York Times as saying the American denial was an attempt to smear the Houthis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent U.S. strikes have killed dozens, including 74 at an oil terminal on Thursday in what was the deadliest strike in Yemen under Trump so far, according to the local health ministry. The U.S. military says the strikes aim to cut off the Houthi militant group's military and economic capabilities. Rights advocates have raised concerns about civilian killings and three Democratic senators, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, wrote to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Thursday demanding accounting for loss of civilian lives. The Houthis have taken control of swathes of Yemen over the past decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since November 2023, they have launched drone and missile attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, saying they were targeting ships linked to Israel. They say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza where Israel's war has killed has killed over 51,000, according to Gaza's health ministry, and led to genocide and war crimes accusations that Israel denies. The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israel. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) Investment bank Canaccord Genuity today increased its price target on ServiceNow (NOW) stock to $1,075 from $900 after the company late yesterday reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results. Canaccord kept a Buy rating on the name. Thumzup Media Corporation (TZUP): Among Stocks Insiders Were Piling Into Recently An experienced software engineer working on a complex line of code in a programming suite. High Praise for NOW Stock Calling NOW "one of the highest-quality names in large-cap software," Canaccord believes that the shares should be bought after their steep retreat since January. Moreover, Canaccord considers NOW to be the best firm in its class, and it thinks that the tech firm's outlook is quite positive. Another Bank Raised Its Price Target on NOW Japanese bank Mizuho today increased its price target on NOW to $1,025 from $980 while keeping an Outperform rating on the shares. Mizuho believes that the company reported "genuinely good" results, and it thinks that the firm's GenAI offerings are growing at a solid pace. And although Mizuho is worried about the economy, the bank thinks that NOW can accomplish its goals. The Recent Price Action of NOW Stock In the last month, the shares have jumped 12.5%, but they have retreated 18% in the last three months. While we acknowledge the potential of NOW, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NOW 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. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is holding further talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow two weeks after his last meeting with the Russian president, Russian officials confirmed on Friday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agency Interfax that Putin was receiving Witkoff. State television showed the two men shaking hands. "Good to see you," Witkoff said in greeting. The plane carrying US President Donald Trump's envoy landed at Vnukovo Airport in the capital in the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff first met with Putin's economic cooperation envoy, Kirill Dmitriev. The head of the state fund for direct investments also took part in the talks between Putin and Witkoff as did Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. Putin and Witkoff are expected to continue discussions on a possible peace agreement in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Lavrov says peace deal must be 'fine-tuned' It comes after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said parts of a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine still need to be "fine-tuned," though he believes the process is moving in the right direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are still some specific points elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned and we are busy with this exact process," Lavrov told US broadcaster CBS on Thursday evening. "There are several signs that we are moving in the right direction," Lavrov said, adding that Russia is "ready to reach a deal." The remarks came after a combined Russian missile and drone attack on Kiev killed at least 12 people and wounded dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities. The attack drew rare direct criticism from Trump, who urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the violence. The US has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the peace negotiations if no agreement is reached soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for over three years. Berlin stresses Ukrainian sovereignty In view of the negotiations between Russia and the US on ending the war, the German government stressed the importance of Ukraine's independence. "It is crucial that Ukraine's sovereignty is preserved and that Ukraine must decide what is important for it. There will be no peace agreement without Ukraine's consent," deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said in Berlin on Friday. Russia is demanding that Ukraine renounce the Crimean peninsula and four other regions as a way to end the war started by Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically ruled out ceding territory to Russia, citing his country's constitution. The German government welcomed the current talks between the US and Russia in principle. "However, it is also clear to us that this cannot be a dictated peace at the expense of Ukraine," Hoffmann underscored. Ukraine would continue to need strong armed forces in future. "This is the most important security guarantee Ukraine can have, and it will also be crucial after a peace agreement," Hoffmann asserted. In addition, the path to the European Union must remain open for Ukraine in future, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin must not be allowed to "get away with his aggression towards Ukraine," Hoffmann stressed. Russian drone strike kills three A Russian drone strike on the south-eastern Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad has killed at least three people, including a 15-year-old girl, officials said on Friday. Another 14 people, including three children, were injured in the attack, regional military Governor Serhii Lysak wrote on Telegram. While Moscow has said it is open to a peace deal in the war it started more than three years ago, Russian attacks on Ukraine continue unabated, including on civilians. Russian general killed by car bomb Across the border, senior Russian general Yaroslav Moskalik was killed by a car bomb in the Moscow suburb of Balashikha on Friday, Russian investigators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lieutenant General Moskalik, a senior member of the Russian General Staff, was killed by a blast triggered by a man-made explosive device, the investigative committee in Moscow said. High-ranking Russian officers have been targeted by a number of attacks in Moscow following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "The investigation and operations team, which includes investigators, criminologists, experts and members of the law enforcement agency's operational units, has begun examining the crime scene," said Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman for the investigation committee. High-ranking Russian general Igor Kirillov was killed in a Moscow bomb blast in December, in an attack later claimed by Ukraine intelligence. The explosive device that killed the 54-year-old, one of the most high profile figures behind the war in Ukraine, was placed in an electric scooter outside his home. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow for further talks on a peace deal in Ukraine, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Friday. Both the US and Russia had previously announced further talks without giving a specific date. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, parts of a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine still need to be "fine-tuned," though he told US broadcaster CBS he believes the process is moving in the right direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff has met Russian President Vladimir Putin several times and always spoke favourably of the Kremlin leader afterwards. Their last meeting in St Petersburg lasted more than four hours. He is expected to meet Putin again on Friday, with the talks also seen as paving the way to a potential meeting between the Kremlin leader and US President Donald Trump. After the Trump administration took office in January, Washington drastically reversed the country's Ukraine policy, threatening to withhold support for Kiev to pressure Ukraine to agree to a peace deal. Trump has also said NATO membership for Ukraine is off the table, while signalling that Kiev might have to make territorial concessions for Russia to stop the war. By Andrew Hay and Nate Raymond (Reuters) -From warnings not to leave the country to guidance on how to complete degrees, U.S. universities are advising foreign students how to withstand President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. First immigration agents arrested students involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Then thousands of foreign students were targeted for deportation over minor offenses and arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, university advisors quietly told students from abroad to hire a lawyer and keep attending classes while legal appeals played out, according to over two dozen students, immigration attorneys and university officials Reuters spoke to. For now, the strategy appeared to be working as the Trump administration on Friday said it was restoring the visa registrations of foreign students whose legal statuses were terminated since late March. The move followed dozens of legal wins by students who challenged the terminations. With a record 1.1 million foreign students in the country, at stake is the $44 billion they contributed to the U.S. economy last year, according to the Association of American Universities, a higher education advocacy group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not just the money. MIT President Sally Kornbluth pointed to global talent, saying hers "is an American university, proudly so but we would be gravely diminished without the students and scholars who join us from other nations." INDIANS HIT HARD Over half of foreign students in the United States are from India and China, according to the Institute of International Education advocacy group. Since late March U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deleted more than 4,700 names from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems database of visa holders, often citing criminal activity, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of those, almost half were Indian students, many of them graduates in work experience known as Optional Practical Training, based on an AILA study of 327 cases. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged students whose SEVIS status had been revoked to leave. "If you are in our country illegally, we will arrest, we will deport you, and you will never return," McLaughlin said in a statement. DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment after Friday's reversal on SEVIS terminations. Over 200 students removed from SEVIS have won court orders temporarily barring the administration from taking actions against them, according to a Reuters count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University officials told full-time students with SEVIS terminations to hire a lawyer. Those who contested being deleted from SEVIS were allowed to continue studying, said an official who advises foreign students at one major university, asking to remain anonymous in order to speak about the situation. For the most part, the students I've spoken to, their schools are permitting them to keep attending classes, said New York immigration attorney Clay Greenberg, who is representing students with SEVIS terminations. George Mason University in Virginia told students to contact advisors to discuss ways to complete coursework. The University of California said it was finding ways for students to continue their education, said Rachel Zaentz, a spokesperson for the UC Office of the President. With summer break weeks away, Duke University recently warned international students not to leave the United States over fears they may not be let back in come fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STUDENTS WORRY, SELF-DEPORT After watching videos of pro-Palestinian students picked up by federal agents, foreign students fear deportation for speeding tickets or being fingerprinted, said an Indian computer science grad student at a Southwest U.S. university, who asked not to be named. Some have self-deported. Momadou Taal, who led pro-Palestinian protests at Cornell University, left in March after being told to surrender to immigration officials. "I'll be able to finish up remotely," said Taal, a dual citizen of the UK and Gambia who planned to complete his studies in the United Kingdom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Indian student in Georgia said his legal status was revoked after he was identified in criminal records showing he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The charge was dismissed, he said. "My college is letting me continue," said the computer science undergraduate, adding that he was being careful. "If I see anyone in a uniform, I turn around," he said, requesting anonymity. (Reporting By Andrew Hay in New Mexico and Nate Raymond in Boston. Editing by Donna Bryson and Franklin Paul) NEW YORK (AP) Far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was speaking to a small crowd at a Manhattan steakhouse Thursday afternoon when a Brooklyn man, who had been hiding in a bathroom for two hours, stormed into the private event. Get the (expletive) out of New York! cried the protester, Gabriel DeFazio. He was swiftly removed by security, though not before telling the minister he would be remembered as a Nazi and Palestine will be free. So it has gone for Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist settler leader once on the fringes of Israeli politics, as he embarks on his first official U.S. state visit since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His appearances near Yale University on Wednesday drew hundreds of demonstrators, along with the resignations of several members of the Jewish society that hosted him. The following night, he visited the headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Brooklyn, where he was greeted by scores more protesters who waved Palestinian flags. The group jostled with Orthodox Jewish counter-demonstrators, resulting in six arrests and leaving one woman, who was draped in a kaffiyeh, bloodied, according to social media videos. Rabbi Motti Seligson, a spokesperson for Chabad, said Ben-Gvir was invited by some members of the community, but that the event was not officially sanctioned or organized by the synagogues leadership. The state visit has not only ignited fierce protests but exposed big fissures in American Judaism, said David Vincent Kimel, a former member of Shabtai, the group that hosted Ben-Gvir near Yale University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimel and two others resigned from the group this week, citing the decision by Shabtais co-founder, Rabbi Schmully Hecht, to host the deliberately provocative event. Ben-Gvir represents a grotesque extreme that for tragic circumstances was elevated to high power, said Kimel, who was born in Israel. Itd be like a white society hosting the Ku Klux Klan. Hecht didn't respond to inquires from The Associated Press, but he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he admired Ben-Gvir. Itamar promotes what he believes is best for his people that democratically elected him," Hecht said. A hard-line supporter of Jewish settlements, Ben-Gvir was previously convicted in Israel of racist incitement and support for terrorist groups. He has called for the deportation of all Arab citizens from Israel and, for years, hung a picture in his home of a man who massacred more than two dozen Muslim worshippers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, he said that his right to move through the West Bank was more important than the right of movement of the Arabs. Though once widely shunned by Israel's politicians, Ben-Gvir's influence has grown alongside a rightward shift in the country's electorate. And his brand of ultranationalist religious ideology, which once prompted President Joe Biden's State Department to accuse him of sowing chaos, appears to be finding purchase with American officials as well. He kicked off his trip to the U.S. with a dinner on Monday at Mar-a-Lago, where he said he met with Republican Party officials who expressed support for his plan to bomb food and aid depots in Gaza. A spokesperson for Ben-Gvir did not reply to a request for comment about who he had met with, though it did not appear that President Donald Trump was among the attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From there, he visited the Miami Police Department, a Jewish school in Florida and a Jewish-owned gun shop, according to social media posts. Other scheduled events have since been canceled, including a meeting with a Hasidic congregation in Brooklyn and a Modern Orthodox synagogue on Long Island, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported. On Thursday, a group of Jewish leaders gathered in New York to denounce Ben-Gvir, including U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, who called him a racist, terrorist, Jewish supremacist. As a response to Ben-Gvirs visit, Nadler said he planned to introduce legislation to combat violence in the West Bank. DeFazio, the protester who confronted Ben-Gvir at the steakhouse event, said his brief disruption was aimed at calling attention to the extremist politics that were becoming normalized in both the U.S. and Israel. I was shocked to see he can freely traipse around the U.S., through our most prestigious campuses and even New York City, he said. When I realized this guy was coming here, it became my duty to make sure he didnt feel welcome. (Reuters) - The United States wants a tariff solution with Switzerland, the Swiss president said in a Friday interview after meeting U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. "We are satisfied with the talks we have held," President Karin Keller-Sutter told national broadcaster SRF, adding the U.S. was planning to hold "privileged negotiations" with a group of 15 countries, with Switzerland among them. Drawing up a declaration of intent as soon as possible would be the next step, Keller-Sutter said, after which negotiations could start. "U.S. authorities have expressed a clear desire to find a solution with Switzerland," Keller-Sutter told SRF. (Reporting by Ariane Luthi, editing by Rachel More) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a productive meeting with his South Korean counterpart on Friday in which they agreed on the importance of making swift progress toward reciprocal and balanced trade, his office said in a statement. Greer and South Koreas Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Dukgeu instructed their teams to engage in technical talks next week, the statement said. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Doina Chiacu) A group of UT students and community members gathered on the South Mall to demand divestment from Israel and support campus free speech on the anniversary of student protester arrests. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump signed a slate of education-related executive orders this week, with lawmakers already preparing legislation to codify those directives into law. Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, is among those making efforts, with one bill making its way through Congress on the college accreditation process. The Accreditation for College Excellence Act, or ACE Act, would prohibit college accreditors from implementing certain standards related to diversity, equity and inclusion as part of their approval process. The ACE Act would make sure (credits) are focused on merit and not DEI, Owens told the Deseret News in an interview. Those kind of things will be very important for us to make sure we have transparency (and that) those who are supporting our colleges are friends and not putting ideologies and their thought process into our kids minds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens introduced that bill earlier this month, and it is currently making its way through the House Committee on Education and Workforce, of which the Utah Republican is a member. A similar bill passed the House last year, although it was never considered by the then-Democratically controlled Senate. The bill closely mirrors the executive order signed by Trump on Wednesday, which directs the Department of Education to consider revoking the recognition of some accreditors if they mandate DEI standards. Trumps executive order would direct the secretary of Education to hold accreditors accountable through denial, monitoring, suspension, or termination of accreditation recognition if they are found to engage in unlawful discrimination in accreditation-related activity under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Accreditors have pushed back on accusations that they mandate DEI standards, pointing to colleges in states with DEI-related bans that have not had issues getting accreditation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens bill has similar language that would prohibit agencies from requiring, encouraging or coercing an academic institution to support or oppose specific partisan or political beliefs, viewpoints on social or political issues, or support the disparate treatment of any individual or group. Although the bill did not make it through Congress last year, Owens expressed confidence that Trumps executive could help spur a vote on the legislation relatively soon. No question about it, Owens said when asked if the executive order will help speed along the process. Were getting things done the quickest way possible through executive orders, Owens said. The people can understand what were trying to get accomplished from the president from his pulpit, we can talk about why its necessary and all we do is just follow up with the legislation that will make sure that it stays there forever. Trump wants universities to reveal foreign gifts While presidents have the authority to issue executive orders, those can be easily overturned by the following president with a similar stroke of the pen. As a result, lawmakers in the presidents party will typically seek to pass legislation codifying those orders into law so that it would be far more difficult to be repealed later on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed another executive order to require full and timely disclosure by higher education institutions when they receive gifts by foreign nations. That order is similar to a bill that already passed the House earlier this year, which contained proposals drafted by Owens. The Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions, or DETERRENT Act, seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand current requirements and in some cases ban certain contracts that have not received a waiver from the Department of Education. Under the DETERRENT Act, the foreign gift reporting threshold for colleges and universities would be significantly reduced from $250,000 to $50,000. That threshold would be further reduced to $0 for countries of concern. The bill includes several provisions in Owens Reporting on Investments in Foreign Adversaries, which implements increased reporting requirements for private universities with endowments above $6 billion or investments above $250 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed other orders, including one looking to crack down on behavioral issues in K-12 schools, which Owens says could be quickly followed by legislation. The upside is that we have things that we can push through. Its a slow process, but because of what the president can do with executive orders, we can start implementing it quicker and people can start to see the results of it, Owens said. And it helps us on our side to get the support, the groundswell that we need to push things through. VALLEJO, Calif. (KRON) Police closely monitored three Vallejo elementary schools this week and served as cross guards to make sure children safely made it to class. The Vallejo City Unified School District and the Vallejo Police Departments joint initiative, Safe Start to School Days, aimed to ensure the safety of students and families during morning drop-off at select schools, VPD wrote. Patterson Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary, and Loma Vista Vista Environmental Science Academy were selected for the initiative based on high traffic volume and past safety concerns during peak drop-off times, between 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Uniformed police officers monitored traffic, assisted pedestrians, and boosted visibility around school zones. Officers were on high-alert for speeding vehicles and illegal parking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vallejo Police Department Chief Jason Ta said, Our goal is to deter dangerous driving behaviors and improve the overall safety of children as they travel to school. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. The Vatican is preparing to handle big egos as world leaders fly in for the state funeral of Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Westminster has said. Follow the Popes funeral live Cardinal Vincent Nichols said the ceremony on Saturday would be a masterpiece of stage management when you consider those state leaders who have high opinions of their importance. Donald Trump, the US president, is among the leaders set to attend the service, which will be held outside St Peters Basilica on Saturday. His Catholic predecessor, Joe Biden, will also be in attendance, according to Il Messaggero, the authoritative Rome daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump, due to arrive on Friday evening, will be joined by Sir Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, and the Prince of Wales, attending on behalf of the King. Security measures are being ramped up in preparation for the Popes funeral - Shutterstock/Giuseppe Lami Michael D Higgins, the Irish president, will also attend the funeral and arrived in Rome on Friday. The Vatican said at least 130 foreign delegations had confirmed their attendance at Pope Franciss funeral, including around 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs. Vatican sources told The Telegraph: The Vatican is a small machine trying to take on an enormous task at very short notice. We are being as flexible and understanding as we can be, given the egos flying in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral will go ahead and in a way that is suitable but getting there has been quite a process. The Vatican didnt even know until Thursday evening exactly who was coming, so nothing could be planned in advance. World leaders will stay outside the Vatican, which has no capacity to support foreign heads of state. They are expected to reside within the confines of ambassadorial homes or well-guarded presidential suites in hotels. Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, and his wife Brigitte pay their respects to the Pope inside Saint Peters Basilica - VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Cardinal Nichols said organisers of the funeral are geniuses at dealing with these big events. He added: I think theyve been doing it since the emperors ruled Rome that they know how to deal with big egos. And I think every leader of a nation that comes here on Saturday will go home reasonably content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican has not released official details yet, but clues as to the seating plan could be gleaned from the last funeral of a sitting pope that of the Polish pontiff John Paul II in 2005. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said the ceremony on Saturday will be a masterpiece of stage management - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has broken his silence in the wake of the death of the Pope, offering condolences three days after the pontiffs passing. The pontiffs death has revealed rifts between the Vatican and the Jewish state. Just hours after Pope Franciss death was announced, Israels foreign ministry posted a short message on X: Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing. But it was deleted just a few hours later without a reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday night, the official account of the prime minister posted on X: The State of Israel expresses its deepest condolences to the Catholic Church and the Catholic community worldwide at the passing of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace. After the deletion of the original message, an Israeli ambassador told The Telegraph: Its like a bullet, once shot, it cant be retrieved. The damage is done, and nothing can be fixed. Israels foreign ministry declined to comment on the deletion. On Friday, worshippers will continue to queue to see Pope Francis lying in state, with more than 125,000 people lining up so far. It is the final day members of the public will be able to pay their respects in person before the coffin is closed in a ceremony this evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral service is expected to attract as many as 500,000 people to St Peters Square. Once the service is completed, Pope Franciss coffin will be taken 2.5 miles away to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he had chosen to be buried. A collage by street artist Laika depicts Pope Francis reading a paper with a list of world leaders and a text bubble saying But who invited them? - Piero Cruciatti/AFP The late pontiff will be the first pope in over a century to choose a final resting place outside the Vatican, but he had a personal attachment to the basilica and always prayed there before departing on and after returning from overseas trips. Pope Francis was also greatly concerned for the needs of impoverished people and refugees, communities with which the basilica is heavily involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Holy See press office has confirmed a group of poor and needy people will be present on the steps leading up to the basilica to pay their last respects to Pope Francis before the burial of the coffin. Vatican officials have also released much-anticipated images of Pope Franciss tomb. The simple structure features a replica of the cross the late pontiff wore on his chest and is made with marble from the Italian region of Liguria, where his grandparents lived. Writing in his will, Pope Francis requested a tomb that must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration. A sole inscription of the late pontiffs Latin name, Franciscus, is engraved on the tomb. 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. By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -New Jersey sued the property management software company RealPage, accusing it and 10 of the state's largest landlords of conspiring to drive up residential rents, violating federal and state antitrust laws and New Jersey consumer fraud laws. The complaint filed on Wednesday by state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the defendants, including AvalonBay Communities, illegally used RealPage's revenue management software and algorithms to inflate rents for apartments in multifamily properties. New Jersey said the defendants also quietly exchanged non-public data such as lease prices, amenities, concessions offered, property values and housing inventory, in order to align pricing and avoid competition to lower rents. The state said the collusion has inflated rents for hundreds of thousands of residents, with half of low-income renters paying more than 30% of their gross incomes toward rent. Many real estate and financial experts recommend a 30% limit. "This lawsuit is about putting a stop to corporate greed at its worst," said Jeremy Hollander, acting director of New Jersey's division of consumer affairs. "The housing market in New Jersey is already stacked in favor of landlords but the defendants wanted more." RealPage, based in Richardson, Texas, has said its pricing software sometimes recommends lowering rents instead of raising rents, and leaves decision making to landlords. A spokeswoman, Jennifer Bowcock, added that the software is designed to comply with housing laws. "The claims brought by the New Jersey attorney general are devoid of merit and will do nothing to make housing more affordable," Bowcock said in an email. "New Jersey should stop scapegoating pro-competitive technology." AvalonBay, based in Arlington, Virginia, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit seeks an injunction, civil penalties, the recouping of illegal profit and the appointment of a monitor to prevent more wrongdoing. New Jersey sued eight months after the U.S. Department of Justice and eight other states also sued RealPage over its algorithms. On April 2, RealPage sued the city of Berkeley, California, calling an ordinance against using algorithms to set rents an unconstitutional restriction on content-based speech, violating the First Amendment. The case is Platkin et al v RealPage Inc, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, No. 25-03057. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Diane Craft) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A former employee of Virginia Beach City Public Schools was arrested Friday at Kempsville High School. According to officials, police responded to Kempsville High School after reports of a subject trespassing. Police said the man, later identified as 59-year-old Joseph Molineaux, did not enter the school and was arrested in the parking lot. Joseph Molineaux VBCPS told 10 On Your Side said Molineaux was hired on Aug. 30, 1999. He retired as a PE teacher at Kempsville High School on Feb. 16, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos provided by a WAVY viewer from the scene show officers in the parking lot of the school. Man arrested at Kempsville High School Police said Molineaux was served with outstanding warrants from another jurisdiction. A search of Molineauxs vehicle resulted in the seizure of multiple bladed weapons. He was then additionally charged with possession of a weapon on school property and felony threat to commit serious bodily harm. 10 On Your Side has reached out for more information on the incident. Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) provided a copy of the letter the principal sent to the Kempsville High School community about the incident. Today, there was police activity in our parking lot. I want to assure you that all students and staff are safe, and the school day has continued without interruption. The incident was related to a matter being handled by local law enforcement. Out of an abundance of caution, we worked closely with the Virginia Beach Police Department and the Office of Safety and Emergency Management to ensure campus safety. As always, we are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for all students and staff. We encourage families to talk with their students about the importance of reporting anything they see or hear that may be concerning. When students and staff speak up, we can respond quickly and appropriately. Thank you for your continued support of Kempsville High School. VBCPS Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. 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. Vermont has joined a coalition of 19 states mounting a legal challenge to the Trump Administrations threat to withhold federal education funding from states that participate in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Earlier this month, The U.S. Department of Education ordered states to certify that local school systems complied with civil rights laws, including the rejection of what the federal government calls illegal DEI practices. Schools were warned that continuing such practices could lead to litigation and a termination of federal grants and contracts. Read the LawsuitDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark said Vermont would continue to abide by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination by agencies that receive federal funding. But, she said, state officials would not certify to any Executive Orders, memoranda, or guidance regarding DEI practices in schools Vermont joins lawsuit over DOGE access to government payment system The Trump administration has tried to place unlawful conditions on federal funding for our schools. Clark said. Vermont has been and will continue to follow education laws, and I will continue to protect Vermonters against any unlawful actions by the federal government. The lawsuit filed Friday seeks to bar the U.S. Department of Education from withholding funds based on its misinterpretation of Title VI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vermont receives more than $100 million in federal funding for children and education, Clark said. Other states that joined the lawsuit are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Denver (KDVR) Thursday marks two years since two people were killed inside the West Highlands restaurant American Elm, and the families of the victims still want answers after no arrests have been made. Emerall Vaughn-Dahler and Ignacio Gutierrez Morales, or Nacho as his friends and coworkers called him, were both fatally shot inside the restaurant off West 38th Avenue two years ago. The double homicide happened on April 24, 2023. Denver police are offering a sizable reward of $32,600 for information in this unsolved case. Double murder at American Elm remains unsolved 2 years later Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emeralls mother and father-in-law, Debbie and Tom Dahler spoke with FOX31 on the anniversary. Its kind of frustrated and disappointed that they havent found who is responsible for it yet. We still miss her today as much as we have the past two years. Debbie said. Emerall was the manager at American Elm and Nacho a cook; the shooting happening before the restaurant opened. Tom says Emerall wasnt even supposed to be there that day and only came in to work on payroll. To this day, police have not released a suspect description or possible motive. I want to know who did it and then why? Was it somebody that knew her? And did they have a beef against her? And we cant figure out who would have a beef with her? Or was it random? Tom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri girl missing since 2024 found in Fort Collins, alleged kidnapper arrested My personal feeling is that it wasnt random. Just the way they entered the building and the fact that the restaurant was closed, who knew she was there? And they didnt take anything. Tom said. The Dahlers feel someone must know something and plead for that person to come forward. I would encourage people if they saw anything, heard anything even I they think its the smallest thing to report it and they can do it anonymously. Debbie said. Anonymous tips can be made by calling 720-913-7867 (STOP). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Washington State History Museum in Tacoma is opening a new exhibit on Saturday to showcase Vietnam War veterans personal keepsakes, commemorating half a century since the wars end. Titled The Things They Brought Home, the exhibit showcases the stories of Washingtons Vietnam War veterans by displaying a collection of personal objects that people brought back from their service. People from a variety of roles in the war are represented, including medical workers, nurses, the United States Navy, Air Force, Naval Construction Battalion and the Army, said retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and military historian Erik Flint, a co-curator of the exhibit. The exhibit will open to the public on April 26, displaying dozens of personal artifacts until Nov. 16, 2025, to reach until Veterans Day, said Gwen Whiting, lead curator of exhibitions at the museum. Tickets cost $17 for adults, $14 with a military or senior discount and $11 for students, but are free for Washington State Historical Society members or children ages five and under. An opening reception will be held Friday evening, April 25, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and is free for all guests, although registration is required. Personal objects brought back from Washington Vietnam War veterans service sit on display at the new exhibit The Things They Brought Home, at the Washington State History Museum on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tacoma. Included in this display case are, from left to right, an engraved Zippo lighter, a piece of shrapnel and the Purple Heart awarded for the shrapnel injury and a North Vietnamese Army flag. Megan Nishikawa, co-curator of the exhibit and a post-doctoral fellow at the museum, said the collection focuses on unique personal items, such as a collection of letters between one veteran and his Vietnamese landlady, as well as war artifacts such as bullet casings and uniforms. Lesser-known facts about the war period such as that some veterans had been able to live in civilian buildings with landlords are brought to light in the exhibit, Nishikawa said. Another special display item includes a video of a Navy dentist performing dental work on his units pet bear in Vietnam, Flint said. Objects will also be accompanied by written stories and photos of each veterans time in Vietnam, Nishikawa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The unit) loved to feed the bear cookies, and the bear loved the cookies, but in the end, he ended up having to have a tooth pulled, Whiting said, chuckling. And so you see them helping the bear, and then you see them feed him cookies immediately afterward the last thing I expected was that I would hear a story about a pet bear. Information and photos from the Vietnam War line the wall of The Things They Brought Home, an exhibit at the Washington State History Museum on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tacoma. The exhibit showcases the stories of Washingtons Vietnam War veterans by displaying a collection of personal objects that people brought back from their service. Over 184,500 Vietnam-era veterans reside in Washington, and 1,123 Washingtonians were killed or declared missing in action in Vietnam, according to a proclamation from former Gov. Jay Inslee. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration recognizes all those who served in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces between Nov. 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975 as Vietnam veterans. According to the National Museum of American Diplomacy, the Vietnam War effectively ended on April 30, 1975. Nishikawa said the idea for the exhibit was inspired by the museums director of audience engagement, Mary Mikel Stump, whose father was a medical corps advisor of the 1st Special Forces Group in Vietnam. Stump said her father carried her sisters baby bracelet and a personal firearm throughout his time in the war and kept them always in his sight on his desk upon his return, sparking the idea for the project. The idea of commemorating that experience 50 years later is about making important those individual memories and things they brought home with them, Stump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exhibition will also lead into another display planned for November 2025 about Vietnamese resettlement in Washington state following the wars end, she added. Stump said the museum is here to teach, adding it was important to consider that its also the 50th anniversary of those Vietnamese communities being established by people who had to leave their country as a result of the fall of Saigon. As Flint and Nishikawa began to contact veterans for the project, they discovered that many veterans had stories about objects they had brought home from the war, which shifted the projects focus from its original title, The Things They Kept with Them, to The Things They Brought Home. Some veterans even donated their items to the museums collection, which will help preserve history for years to come, Stump added. While many objects were collected by Flint and Nishikawa as they interviewed veterans in the community about their stories, some items on display came from the museums existing collections, Whiting said, adding that some are materials from Cheryl Dineen, a late advocate for Vietnam War veterans who had received many objects from veterans as thanks for her assistance in helping them return to civilian life. Many objects in the collection show fuller perspectives of the details of daily wartime life, Whiting said. The doors to The Things They Brought Home, a new exhibit at the Washington State History Museum stand open on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. The exhibit showcases the stories of Washingtons Vietnam War veterans by displaying a collection of personal objects that people brought back from their service. I often like the simple stuff; we have a wallet, for example, that has the immunization certificate that you had to get to go over there, to identification, to personal little notes, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other items include a C-ration jam can with a bullet hole and a war-era insect repellent bottle, Whiting said, adding that the latter has sparked conversation with many veterans on the museum staff because of their own vivid memories with repellents and insects in Vietnam, a detail that might be overlooked in exhibits on the war itself. According to the University of Washington website, Fort Lewis Army Base, just south of Tacoma now known as Joint Base Lewis-McChord after later merging with McChord Air Force Base to its north served as an embarkment and training center for troops before their deployment to Vietnam. It was the largest military branch in Washington during the war, and including the states Air Force bases and Puget Sound Navy bases, about 100,000 servicepeople were stationed in Washington at any time throughout the wars peak years, according to the UW. Flint, who is also a former director of the Lewis Army Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, said many veterans returned to settle in Washington state after the war because of their experiences training there. The community has shown plenty of interest in attending the exhibit, including over a hundred registrations for the Friday opening reception, which they hope to record and post online later for interested people across the country, Flint added. It is going to be 50 years, and this is a wonderful way to commemorate it, Flint said, Were acknowledging the end of the war and its relation to the state and the people of the state. WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) Next week, dozens of Michigan veterans will be in our nations capital as part of the mid-Michigan Honor Flight. Its especially meaningful for two West Michigan veterans, because they werent fully appreciated when they returned home from Vietnam. One group of veterans get together weekly at Marges Donut Den. Theyre all dealing with PTSD. Ismael Figueroa, of Wyoming, doesnt just go for himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of them are hurting. I like to go because I can learn from them, but I can also share, and I feel I can help, just by talking to them, said Figueroa. 52 years later, Navy veteran finally gets his service medals Vietnam veteran Ismael Figueroa. (April 24, 2025) Figueroa was 21 years old when he was drafted and sent to Vietnam a long, divisive war. Absolutely nothing. They tell you nothing until you land in Vietnam and they open the door, he said. But this mechanic who took care of the hydraulics, electronic, anything to do with the firing of the weapon, would soon find out. When you get in Vietnam, the one thing they do tell you: If you can make it for 90 days, your odds on surviving Vietnam are great. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only were Figueroa and his buddies fighting to stay alive, they were also dealing with heartache from home. In Vietnam, you get Dear John letters, which me and Frank got one, Frank wanted to shoot himself and I talked him out of it. You got guys that got divorce papers. Can you imagine getting divorce papers and youre in the middle of a war? Figueroa said. Middle schooler raises funds for Mid-Michigan Honor Flight When the deserters were going to Canada to get out of the draft or to get out of going to Vietnam, I couldve gone there legally, said John Racicot, of Caledonia, who wasnt even a U.S. citizen when he was sent to war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he didnt. No. I had been in the United States at the time for nine years, its your duty, he said. It wasnt pleasant, you never knew, just never knew what would happen. He knew quickly he needed help. Once you got in country, you learn religion real fast, because then its real, Racicot said. Figueroa and Racicot were ready to go home but some Americans werent ready for them. Nobody approaches you; they keep their distance, explained Racicot. There was no party. It was basically business as usual. I dont think my dad ever said anything about welcome home, said Figueroa. Figueroa, who was told to not even wear his uniform home, knows it was worse for others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre in a war, youre doing what youre told, youre serving your country, and youve got these certain people treating you like trash, Figueroa said. But he feels the love and support of his son, also named Ismael Figueroa, who is a veteran as well. You were there every time I came home, Figueroa said to his father. A Mothers Mission: Honoring her fallen son by helping heroes Hell be his dads guardian for the mid-Michigan Honor Flight. Theyll be among dozens of veterans who will be in our nations capitol seeing the memorials dedicated to them. Its an honor to go, said the older Figueroa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was surprised and honored, said Racicot. After waiting several years, Racicot also got the call. Hell be going with his grandson. I want to show my grandson what happened there, he said. While the older Figueroa and Racicot have heard stories about the Honor Flight, they dont know how theyll react. Figueroa will soon be back at his weekly gathering to talk about his experience on the Honor Flight. While his family wasnt there to greet him when he returned home from war, theyll be there when he gets back from the Honor Flight. They deserve this, they deserve that recognition, hes my world, said the father Figueroas wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be sure to tune in Sunday after News 8 at six to watch Vietnam: A Lost Generation 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 WOODTV.com. Peter Nguyens first English sentence at 9 years old was Give me candy, after his grandfather carried him away from the naval base their family had been staying at. They were fleeing Northern Vietnamese forces, and Nguyen was face to face with a fleet of battleships and American sailors tossing handfuls of sweets off the boats to Vietnamese children and their families lined up below. He shared his story with NBC News as part of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which effectively ended the Vietnam War 50 years ago on April 30. North Vietnamese forces had captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, and reunited the country as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It spurred a refugee crisis with people fleeing by water, described as boat people, who faced attacks by pirates, starvation and drowning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was pandemonium, Nguyen said. Everybody just grabbed and just ran to the ships. More than 100,000 refugees from Saigon arrived in the United States through Guam. Today, Saigon is called Ho Chi Minh City, named for the first president of North Vietnam, and April 30 is observed in the country as Reunification Day. Vietnamese American families described their experiences fleeing Saigon and their new lives in the United States. Nguyen, who was interviewed by his daughter, Porschia, said he had to leave because his father was a lieutenant colonel in the South Vietnamese army, and he feared they might be persecuted when Northern forces captured the city. Nguyen boarded one of the Vietnamese battleships and docked in Subic Bay, Philippines, a few days later. From there, a commercial freight ship took him to Guam, where he stayed at a makeshift refugee camp. Nguyen, who was 9 when he left Saigon and now lives in the United States, keeps a photo of ship number 502 the now-decommissioned ship that aided his escape from Vietnam in 1975 during the fall of Saigon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dzung Pham, who was 14 when he fled Vietnam, said his family had to leave because his father worked for the U.S. government and his mother worked for an American company. His uncle, a retired colonel in the military, never made it out. Dzung Pham was 14 when he fled Vietnam. He was enduring all the mortar fires, and the kid was sick, my cousin. And hes taking her out, you know, to get to some medicine, to see a doctor, and that he will come back in, Pham said. He got stuck up there. And ... he was left behind after the fall of Saigon and he was imprisoned and sent to a labor camp. They called it re-education camp for 10 years. Hundreds of thousands of people who had worked for Southern Vietnamese or American forces were imprisoned in re-education camps, in which torture and forced labor were commonplace. Lehoa Wilson was eight months pregnant when a colonel in the U.S. Embassy knocked on her door and told her that she, her husband and their children needed to evacuate Saigon immediately. She had married her husband on one condition: They would live in Vietnam together nowhere else. Wilson said her tear-stricken goodbyes and headed to the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her son, Michael, who fled Vietnam at 13 with the family, has lived most of his life in the United States. 1975 happened just like a flash or, you know that short adventure was fun, he said. But now you have to start out new and a new country, a new language, new friends, people dont look much like you. Now, though, he said, the United States is his home. To me, when I go back to Vietnam to visit its just a destination to visit, Michael said. So Im not really missing living there, but I still enjoy the people and the scenery and the food and the culture there. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The man accused in a double stabbing and deadly abduction was found not fit to stand trial on Thursday. While in court on Thursday, Dana Plummer, who is accused of stabbing his ex-wife and stepdaughter before abducting his three children in August of 2024, was ruled incompetent and ordered to undergo in-patient restoration services. VBPD: 1 child dead, 2 injured after Amber Alert ends in crash in Maryland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes after a doctor said in court in February Plummer was fit to stand trial, but required more testing before coming to a decision. Another competency evaluation for VB abduction suspect Police said on Aug. 15, 2024, Plummers vehicle was spotted on I-95 after an Amber Alert was issued for three children. One of the children, Plummers 16-month-old daughter, died after a pursuit ended in a vehicle crash in Maryland. Shortly after the incident, Plummer told 10 On Your Side he believed he was mentally competent, saying, mental fortitude is something Ive always taken pride in, always. Im of sound mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Beach child abduction suspect arraigned, says hes of sound mind Plummers next court date is scheduled for July 31, 2025. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. VIRGINIA BEACH A man charged with stabbing and wounding his ex-wife and stepdaughter, abducting his three biological kids and then causing a crash that killed the youngest child was ruled incompetent to stand trial at this time. Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Judge Jennifer Shupert made the ruling Thursday during a hearing for Dana Plummer, despite objections from Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Tabitha Anderson, according to prosecutors. Plummer will be sent to a state psychiatric hospital, where staff will work to restore his competency. He will return to court July 31 for a hearing to update the judge on his status. To be competent to stand trial in Virginia, a defendant must be able to understand the charges and proceedings they face, and be able to assist with their defense. The most common problems with incompetent defendants stem from mental illness or intellectual disability. Medication, therapy and education are the typical tools used to restore them to competency. Its extremely rare for a defendant to be declared not restorable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is obviously an extremely tragic case, Plummers defense lawyer, Bassel Khalaf said afterward. Two independent professionals confirmed that there are mental health issues at play that predated the legal situation Mr. Plummer is now facing. The judge made a prudent ruling by making sure Mr. Plummer is thoroughly evaluated prior to standing trial. Plummer, 36, was arrested in August after he was involved in a police chase and crashed his SUV off a Maryland highway. Plummers 16-month-old daughter was killed, and his two young sons were injured. State police had issued an Amber Alert after Plummer allegedly went to his ex-wifes home, stabbed her and her 12-year-old daughter, and then fled with his children. His vehicle was located hours later by state police in Northern Virginia, who followed him into Maryland. Troopers were attempting to pull Plummer over when he crashed into two other vehicles. Plummer also was injured. He was extradited to Virginia after being released from a hospital and has been held without bail in Virginia Beach since then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Beach police first became concerned about Plummer several months before his arrest, according to court records. Officers reported seeing him display paranoid behavior while armed with a shotgun in a restaurant with his sons. They later obtained a court order that prevented Plummer from possessing or buying firearms, and required him to turn over any that he owned, which he did. Less than two weeks before his alleged crime spree, Plummers 14-year career with the Navy ended when he was separated from the service. A Navy spokesperson refused to say at the time whether it was voluntary. Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility also known as the SAVE Act is now heading to the senate after being passed by the house last week. But what does this mean for those who plan on voting in federal elections? It would require people to provide proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote. Supporters of the bills say it would help eliminate voter fraud from those who are not citizens, but others say it will be harder for those who are. Congressman Joe Morelle spoke to News 8s Adelisa Badzic on Thursday and said, It makes it hard for married women because to register to vote in the future, under the SAVE Act, youd have to bring birth certificates and marriage certificates and proof of citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morelle said he debated against this act in the house just a couple of weeks ago adding he believes its an effort to suppress voters and votes in America. Everyone that Ive talked to so far in the Senate has assured me that they will not agree to put the bill on the floor, so hopefully were going to stop it, Morelle said. News 8 also spoke to the League of Women Voters President, Barbara Grosh. If youve ever changed your name for any reason. Such as, for example, if a woman got married and changed her name, you would have to get your birth certificate, which not everyone has. And then you would have to be able to prove a paper trail to match your birth certificate to the name that youre currently using, Grosh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just Thursday, a judge has blocked the Trump Administration from enabling certain aspects of the act. The 120-page decision can be found here. NY Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R) is a co-sponsor of the bill. Its a common-sense legislation that safeguards this principle by ensuring only U.S. citizens can vote in our elections. Read Tenneys full statement on the passage of the SAVE Act here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Recently Talked About These 15 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discussed recently. On Tuesday, Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, offered his perspective on the days market rally as he delved into the impact of the ongoing dynamic between President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. All day, I heard that todays rally was just a bear market rally, okay? That it was a phony spike, and the market will go right back down the moment the president posts that therell be no compromise on tariffs. Who knows, maybe Fed Chief Jay Powell should be deported. READ ALSO: 9 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar and Jim Cramers Thoughts on These 5 Stocks. However, Cramer pointed out that the tone shifted significantly just after the market closed. In his words, We get incredible news that is sure to drive this market higher. The news came directly from the President, who clarified that he had no intention of firing Powell, a rumor that Cramer identified as a major factor in the prior days market slide. Trumps statement, Never did, never will, regarding any plans to remove Powell effectively erased the cloud of uncertainty that had been hanging over the markets. Given this reversal, Cramer questioned whether the rally could still be called a bear market bounce. In his view, it now looked like something more substantial. He explained that real recoveries are often mischaracterized at first. According to Cramer, they typically begin with what appear to be bear market rallies, short-lived, suspicious upticks that many investors brush off due to repeated disappointments in the past. He stressed that the early stages of genuine market turnarounds are often marked by disbelief and hesitation, with only the boldest or most reckless traders recognizing their potential early on. He added: Now look, just because the President doesnt want a constitutional crisis and is going to keep Powell doesnt mean we have more to go on. For example, theres been no sign of change from the administration on the trade wars. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 15 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 22. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. Apr. 25MATTAWA The Wahluke School Board met Tuesday night for a regularly scheduled board meeting where the plan to implement an updated dual language learning program was approved for the 2025/26 school year. "As we look at our data, we notice that our kids hit more than they need to in their English language development and they're not necessarily getting all the way where we want them in their Spanish language development," said Bethany Martinez of Wahluke's Migrant Department. Instruction is currently on the 50/50 model, meaning students learn in either English or Spanish at the start of the unit and by the end convert to the other language. Instead, the district is considering switching to an 80/20 model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new plan aims to have all students become bilingual and biliterate and gives both English- and Spanish-speaking students the ability to read, write and communicate in both languages, according to the WSD Dual Language Immersion Program Master Plan document shared on the district website. "The research says both will give you the exact same result for English and the 80/20 will give you the higher results for Spanish," said Martinez. "(Students) tend to feel like they connect more with their Spanish and want to use it." With the 80/20 plan kindergarten will start out with an 80% focus on learning in Spanish and bridge to 20% English learning by the end of the unit. As the students move up grade by grade they will transition to more English learning, eventually coming back to the 50/50 model by the time they reach fourth grade. "It still gets them to the English level of proficiency that we want them at, instead of them trying to navigate both languages in the very beginning," Martinez said. "Once you learn to read in one language you know how to read." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Focusing on immersion for both students with and without a Spanish background is key to the program and the school wants to ensure that students feel comfortable talking in whatever language they prefer, she said. Martinez said the schools will hold a Dual Language Celebration on April 30 that will be fully hosted by students in multiple languages. These ideas were in part brought about by the recent National Migrant Conference in San Francisco, Representatives of Wahluke School District attended and presented at the conference. "We had the opportunity to go explore San Francisco and go learn a little bit more about what other school districts are doing in the migrant program," said Liliana Barajas, migrant graduation advisor at Wahluke High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the conference WSD staff discussed strategies to engage parents, mental health support, working cooperatively with other programs, the importance of students embracing their language and cultures and ideas for helping staff gain a better understanding of their migrant students. Wahluke hosted their own workshop as well to show what their schools are doing currently to help students coming from migrant families, said Barajas. Other national presenters at the conference representing Wahluke were Magali Gonzalez, Daisy Pfeifer, Chelsea Brannock and Alice Jaakola. "We got to hear from the former secretary of education and the deputy secretary of the English language acquisition," said Brannock. "They shared some other pieces of legislation, what's going on across the country with multilingual learning." The conference had students from around the area embracing their different cultures, showing the variety of different cultures that exist across the country, said Pfeifer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other items of business included environmental standards for school buildings, planned trips for clubs throughout the rest of the school year and into the summer, the Wahluke senior trip to Seattle and the plans for Prom presented by the Student Board Representatives Damien Cardenas and Jasmin Gil Aguilar. Aguilar said the Wahluke High School prom is planned for May 10 at Sagecliffe Resort, the first school dance held outside Mattawa. Transportation would be provided for students who are unable to get their own ride. "I think we just wanted to try something new," said Cardenas. "Not many kids go to our events ... that's what we're trying to do, just get more kids involved." UPDATE: Georgia men face felony charges for Walton County crime spree WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Walton County Sheriffs investigators believe they may have solved a series of vehicle burglaries. They began receiving reports of the burglaries last Saturday. The thieves were targeting hotel parking lots on Highway 98, using punch tools to break car windows. Then on Wednesday night, there was another round of break-ins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a lieutenant was responding, they received a report of a shooting between 98 and Holiday Road. Paramedics took the victim to a nearby hospital, where they are expected to recover. I believe it to be kind of a crime of opportunity, possibly in the process of additional vehicle burglaries. And the victim was at his vehicle, and then it turns into a shooting robbery again, that kind of situation. And so what we are concerned about, obviously, theres a big difference between a vehicle burglary and a robbery or a shooting that changes it from a property crime to persons crime, Walton County Sheriffs Office Major Dustin Cosson said. Sheriffs officials identified three persons of interest. They say the same suspects are involved in both the shooting and the vehicle burglaries. FDFS investigators seizes computer from Holmes County Commission office Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in Cook County, Georgia, spotted their vehicle and arrested them. Walton County Sheriffs officials are going to Georgia to interview the suspects and search their vehicle for evidence. If they have probable cause, theyll issue a warrant and extradite the suspects to Walton 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 mypanhandle.com. By Gradel Muyisa BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Threatened by armed conflict, volcanic activity and rampant deforestation, Africa's oldest national park is turning to a new product to raise its profile and boost conservation efforts: chocolate gorillas. Virunga National Park in war-ravaged eastern Congo is marking its 100th anniversary this month by producing 25,000 handcrafted treats at a nearby chocolate factory to be sold in Europe, including Belgium, Congo's former colonial power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spanning more than 3,000 square miles, Virunga is home to many of the world's last mountain gorillas, yet much of the park is under rebel control and fighting has accelerated forest loss. M23 rebels have seized eastern Congo's two largest cities since January in an unprecedented advance that has risked igniting an all-out regional war. Cocoa for the chocolate gorillas comes from farms created at the periphery of the park, part of a push to promote agricultural and industrial activities in the area so residents do not turn to logging and poaching. The chocolate factory is located five kilometres (3.1 miles) outside the park. Profits from sales of the chocolates are meant to be reinvested in nearby communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarisse Kyakimwa has been working her small cocoa farm for three years. "This cocoa has several benefits. It helps me send my children to school, feed them, pay my hospital bills," she said. Buyers take her crop to the Virunga factory, but she has not seen the finished product: a glistening chocolate rendering of a full-grown gorilla with its arms on the shoulders of one of its young. "They say this chocolate is taken abroad... I've never seen this chocolate, since we're not used to eating it," Kyakimwa said. SYMBOL OF 'RESILIENCE' Instability has been a problem at Virunga since well before M23's latest advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With the insecurity we're seeing in the region, it's sometimes difficult to access the raw material, which is cocoa," said Roger Marora, master chocolatier and a native of North Kivu province. The United Nations and Western governments say Rwanda has provided arms and troops to M23. Rwanda denies backing M23 and says its military has acted in self-defence against Congo's army and a militia founded by perpetrators of the 1994 genocide. Mediation efforts by various African leaders as well as Qatar have not yet yielded a ceasefire. "The chocolate gorillas symbolise the park's resilience in the face of multiple threats," said Virunga National Park Director Emmanuel de Merode. (Reporting by Gradel Muyisa; Writing by Robbie Corey-BouletEditing by Gareth Jones) WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Rubber duckies will be racing down the Mahoning River on Saturday as part of the first River Duck Festival in Warren. The Warren Rotary Club is hosting the event in place of its Slice of the Valley fundraiser, which has been retired. The festival gates will open at 11 a.m. Saturday at Perkins Park. There will be music, vendors, raffles, a Jeep competition and duck adoptions ahead of the big race at 3 p.m., weather permitting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We thought what could be best for promoting Warren City, promoting the river thats opening up for recreational use now and everything. So this is why we wanted to bring it into the city and a River Duck Festival can bring all ages out, said Cindy Matheson, president of the Warren Rotary Club. Admission to the event is free. All other proceeds raised will go back to the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) Officials with the Washington County Sheriffs Office arrested suspect in shooting that occurred in the Plymouth area. Jahbarie R Ford was arrested on Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025, by Washington County Sheriffs Office, Plymouth Police Department, and the U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force. Ford had been running from law enforcement for more than five months for having outstanding warrants for a shooting in the Plymouth area, as well as many other shootings and robberies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has a $150,000 secured bond as well as a $500,000 U.S. currency only 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. ST. LOUIS A 37-year-old man from Washington, Missouri, admitted in court Wednesday to recording child sexual abuse material. Todd Kelly pleaded guilty to one count of child pornography, where he recorded his sexual activity with a 14-year-old, according to court documents. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Prosecutors say that Kelly made the recordings on his cell phone between June and July 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims father contacted police after discovering the relationship in Aug. 2023. The 37-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2025. However, the U.S. Attorneys office recommends a prison sentence of 25 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Recently Talked About These 15 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discussed recently. On Tuesday, Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, offered his perspective on the days market rally as he delved into the impact of the ongoing dynamic between President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. All day, I heard that todays rally was just a bear market rally, okay? That it was a phony spike, and the market will go right back down the moment the president posts that therell be no compromise on tariffs. Who knows, maybe Fed Chief Jay Powell should be deported. READ ALSO: 9 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar and Jim Cramers Thoughts on These 5 Stocks. However, Cramer pointed out that the tone shifted significantly just after the market closed. In his words, We get incredible news that is sure to drive this market higher. The news came directly from the President, who clarified that he had no intention of firing Powell, a rumor that Cramer identified as a major factor in the prior days market slide. Trumps statement, Never did, never will, regarding any plans to remove Powell effectively erased the cloud of uncertainty that had been hanging over the markets. Given this reversal, Cramer questioned whether the rally could still be called a bear market bounce. In his view, it now looked like something more substantial. He explained that real recoveries are often mischaracterized at first. According to Cramer, they typically begin with what appear to be bear market rallies, short-lived, suspicious upticks that many investors brush off due to repeated disappointments in the past. He stressed that the early stages of genuine market turnarounds are often marked by disbelief and hesitation, with only the boldest or most reckless traders recognizing their potential early on. He added: Now look, just because the President doesnt want a constitutional crisis and is going to keep Powell doesnt mean we have more to go on. For example, theres been no sign of change from the administration on the trade wars. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 15 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 22. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) The Bryan County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) gives an update on the I-95 construction worker. The worker was first reported missing on Monday, April 7, and multiple agencies have conducted thorough search efforts to locate the worker, identified as 55-year-old Jose Tilo Hernandez Garcia. BCSO confirmed to WSAV on Thursday, April 24, that the body of Garcia had been discovered. 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. LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) A brazen burglar was arrested Tuesday after police said he was caught on camera running out of a Lakeland arts and crafts store with a cash register drawer. Juan Carlos Figueroa Cruzado, 42, of Lakeland, was seen walking into the Michaels on South Florida Avenue just after 5 p.m. on April 22, according to the Lakeland Police Department. SUV crashes into Sarasota home, 1 person injured Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees said they noticed Figueroa acting suspicious as he wandered around the store for about two hours. At one point, it was reported that he asked the employees questions about the cash register. An employee stepped away from the register for a moment, and thats when authorities said Figueroa took advantage. He could be seen slipping on a pair of latex gloves and walking behind the counter. He then yanked the cash register drawer from the counter and took off running, police said. Responding officers said they quickly found Figueroa after receiving reports of a theft at the store. Officers said he still had the cash register drawer with him at the time. A photo provided by the police department appears to show Figueroa standing outside a building with the drawer on the ground next to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested for grand theft, burglary to an occupied structure and criminal mischief, Lakeland police 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 WFLA. PARRISH, Fla. (WFLA) Deputies in Manatee County, Florida, had to expel a reptilian visitor that unexpectedly showed up at a local high school Tuesday. A team of at least three deputies came to Parrish Community High School that evening and, in true Florida fashion, one arrived with a cowboy hat and a lasso. A large alligator was waiting for them near a fence that sits in front of a pond on the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caught on camera: Dispute over foster dog turns physical in Tampa Body camera video showed one deputy tossing the lasso around the alligators neck as it hissed and tried to wrangle free. Were still gonna have a pretty good fight with this one, a deputy remarked halfway into the fight. Hes getting tired now, though. The deputy in the cowboy hat later climbed on top of the gator and held its jaw down as his colleague placed a restraint around the reptiles mouth. Yall make this look like you do this on the regular, a person watching the ordeal said. We do, a deputy replied. And this one is not happy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gator was placed into the back of a pickup truck after its limbs were restrained. Deputies safely released the animal into a body of water far from the school grounds. Once at the drop-off site, the gator slowly backed into the water prompting one onlooker to compare its movements to moonwalking, the bodycam video shows. Thats pretty amazing, the woman remarked. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PARRISH, Fla. (WFLA) Manatee County deputies had to expel a reptilian visitor that unexpectedly showed up at a local high school Tuesday. A team of at least three deputies came to Parrish Community High School that evening and, in true Florida fashion, one arrived with a cowboy hat and a lasso. Caught on camera: Dispute over foster dog turns physical in Tampa A large alligator was waiting for them near a fence that sits in front of a pond on the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body camera video showed one deputy tossing the lasso around the alligators neck as it hissed and tried to wrangle free. Were still gonna have a pretty good fight with this one, a deputy remarked half-way into the fight. Hes getting tired now, though. A deputy then climbed on top of the gator and held its jaw down as his colleague placed a restraint around the reptiles mouth. Yall make this look like you do this on the regular, a person watching the ordeal said. We do, a deputy replied. And this one is not happy. Deputies eventually got all of the gators limbs restrained and placed the reptile into the back of a pickup truck. It was taken to a body of water far from the school grounds and safely released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body camera video showed the alligator slowly backing into the water, with a woman comparing the gators movements to moonwalking. Thats pretty amazing, 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 WFLA. Pope Francis, who died Monday at the age of 88, was laid to rest Saturday with a funeral service and procession that melded Catholic Church tradition with some of Francis' humble personal wishes. The ceremony at the Vatican began at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. Eastern, 1 a.m. Pacific), and you can now watch the full video here on CBS News. Church leaders and a long list of dignitaries and heads of state, including President Trump and former President Joe Biden, attended the funeral, along with a crowd of thousands of the faithful in St. Peter's Square. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A procession then carried the pontiff's coffin to his final resting place, a fifth-century church about 3 miles away that held special meaning for him. In his last will and testament, he requested that he be buried not at the Vatican but at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) in Rome, where he went to pray before and after each of his journeys abroad. "The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus," he wrote. Unlike other popes, his tomb will not bear any mention of his papacy only the name he chose to honor St. Francis of Assisi. Where can you stream Pope Francis' funeral? Full coverage of the funeral service streamed live on CBS News and can be watched in the video player above. Download the free CBS News app to watch on your mobile or streaming device. You can also watch on Paramount+. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will there be a replay of Pope Francis' funeral? The full funeral service for Pope Francis replayed on CBS News 24/7 after live coverage concluded at about 7:30 a.m. Eastern. You can watch the full video the player above. What time did Pope Francis' funeral start? The funeral began at 10 a.m. local time Saturday at the Vatican, which is 4 a.m. Eastern, 1 a.m. Pacific. How long did Pope Francis' funeral last? The funeral service at St. Peter's was expected to last around an hour and a half, but it actually ran longer, clocking in at a little over two hours, followed by a procession to the church where Pope Francis will be buried. The procession of the popemobile carrying the coffin was expected to take about 30 minutes. Then another, shorter service took place there before the interment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral for his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in 2022, lasted about two hours. Before that, the 2005 funeral for Pope John Paul II ran more than two and a half hours. What's the schedule for Pope Francis' funeral procession? The simple wooden coffin carrying the pope was brought in a procession to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning from his residence at Casa Santa Marta, where he died. For the next three days, he lay in state as crowds waited hours in line to file past and pay their respects. Pope Francis is brought to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on April 23, 2025, for three days of lying in state before his funeral. / Credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images Saturday morning, the funeral Mass took place outside St. Peter's Basilica. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the funeral liturgy and delivered the homily. "At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, the Ultimo commendatio and Valedictio will take place," the Vatican says, referring to the concluding prayer and farewell remarks where Francis will be formally entrusted to God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the funeral Mass, the coffin of Pope Francis was transported from St. Peter's in Vatican City to the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome for interment. Crowds lined the streets of Rome to catch a glimpse and pay their final respects as it slowly drove past. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who as the camerlengo (chamberlain) is one of the highest ranking Vatican officials, presided over the burial rite. / Credit: Graphic by IOANA PLESEADAVID LORY/AFP via Getty Images When will the papal conclave begin? The date of the papal conclave the gathering of cardinals to choose the next pope has not yet been announced, but by church rules it must begin 15 to 20 days after a pope's death. That would put the start of the upcoming conclave in the first or second week of May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian foreign minister on latest Kyiv strikes: "We only target military goals" Who will be the next pope? Some of the top possible candidates Saturday Sessions: Goose performs "Thatch" Pope Francis funeral will take place Saturday, April 26 in Italy, meaning it will be early in the morning for most wanting to watch from America. The pontiffs passing on Easter Monday, April 21 followed a respiratory tract infection, for which he was hospitalized for five weeks in February. Complications arose as he was diagnosed with bilateral pnuemonia. The head of the Vaticans Health Department, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, confirmed that the religious leader died of a cerebral stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure. The Pope died less than a full day after his visit with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Guests at the funeral will include President Donald Trump, Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prince William who will go in place of his father King Charles. Charles met with the pontiff just days before his death as well. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For where to watch the popes funeral online and via streaming, find all the details and options below: ABC ABC News coverage of the funeral mass Celebrating Francis: The Peoples Pope, will take place on Saturday, April 26, beginning at 3:30 a.m. EDT in St. Peters Square. ABC News will also cover the developments of the upcoming papal conclave and the installation of the new Pope. World News Tonight anchor and managing editor David Muir will lead comprehensive coverage from the Vatican, joined by 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts, chief international correspondent James Longman, senior national correspondent Terry Moran, foreign correspondent Maggie Rulli, reporter Ines de La Cuetara, WABC-TV Eyewitness News anchor Mike Marza, KABC-TV Eyewitness News anchor David Ono, and contributors Father Jim Martin, Father John Wauck and Helen Alvare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News Studios also presented the one-hour, primetime special Francis: The Peoples Pope ABC News Special on Tuesday, April 22 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC, streaming the next day on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. RELATED: Vatican Unveils Pope Funeral Details & Images Of Pontiff Lying In Open Casket; First Confirmed Guests Include Trump, Zelensky & Prince William ABC News Group will provide ongoing programming throughout the week, including on all ABC News programs and platforms. In addition to its live reports from Vatican City, ABC Owned Television Stations will focus on local communities commemorating and celebrating the late Pope throughout the week. A special half-hour streaming feature titled Francis: The Peoples Pope which captures the most impactful stories across each market will stream on Friday, April 25, ahead of Saturdays coverage of the funeral services. ABC News Live, Americas No. 1 streaming news channel available on Disney+, Hulu and other digital platforms, will be on the ground in Rome, providing coverage all throughout the day beginning April 22 through the funeral. CBS Beginning at 3 a.m., ET, CBS News will offer extensive coverage of Pope Francis funeral starting with Norah ODonnells historic interview with Pope Francis from April 2024 right at 3 a.m. ET and ODonnells anchoring of The Funeral of Pope Francis with John Dickerson overlooking St. Peters Basilica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coverage will feature special reporting from: CBS News Chris Livesay and Seth Doane, plus insights from experts including Vatican analyst Delia Gallagher, Father Anthony Figueiredo and editor of Crux John Allen. CBS Saturday Morning and CBS Weekend News will offer ongoing reporting through Saturday, with more on CBS News Sunday Morning on Sunday, April 27. Check local listings to find out more. CNN CNN anchor Anderson Cooper will lead CNNs special live coverage of The Funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26 beginning at 3 a.m. ET from Rome with analysis and reporting from CNN Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb and CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN International will broadcast early coverage of the funeral starting at 12 a.m. ET with anchor Erica Hill in New York and live updates from Christopher Lamb, Clarissa Ward and Ben Wedeman in Rome, Nic Robertson from London and Patrick Oppmann from Havana. CNN en Espanol will broadcast live coverage of Pope Francis funeral from 3am-11am ET with Rafael Romo anchoring from 3am-8am ET from Rome followed by Gabriela Frias and Nacho Giron co-anchoring from 8am-11am ET from Mexico City and Buenos Aires, respectively. From 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET CNN will air a special edition of CNN Newsroom with Victor Blackwell highlighting the key moments of the papal funeral. A custom vertical livestream with live commentary from CNNs experts in the field will be available starting at 3:45am ET on CNNs apps for iOS and Android without requiring a login. In addition, CNN will highlight key moments in both horizontal and vertical formats across all platforms including TikTok and YouTube. CNNs coverage of The Funeral of Pope Francis will stream live for Pay TV subscribers on CNN.com and via CNNs apps for iOS, Android and CTV. CNNs live coverage of the funeral of Pope Francis will also stream live on Max for subscribers. FOX NEWS FOX News Channel (FNC) will present special live coverage of the services commemorating the life of Pope Francis beginning Wednesday, April 23rd through his funeral on Saturday, April 26th. The Storys anchor and executive editor Martha MacCallum will anchor coverage of Pope Francis funeral on Saturday from Rome, Italy and FNC will report live on ceremonies throughout the week leading up to the funeral with correspondent Kevin Corke in Washington, DC and chief religion correspondent Lauren Green, contributor Jonathan Morris and correspondents Alex Hogan and Connor Hansen live from Rome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning at 3 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 23rd, Corke will anchor live from DC as the public viewing of Pope Francis begins in St. Peters Basilica with contributions from Green, Morris, Hogan and Hansen in Rome. On Saturday at 3 a.m. ET, MacCallum will lead coverage from Rome of the popes funeral mass, which will begin at 4 a.m. ET. Internationally There are large Catholic populations across Europe, Asia and Africa who will tune in from around the world. Many will watch via Vatican News YouTube channel, which will be available globally in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and German. Italy country will come to a standstill, with thousands heading to the Vatican or lining the streets of Rome. Everyone else will watch a special broadcast on Rai 1, which begins at 7.25 a.m. local time and runs for five hours. Commercial network Canale 5 will also run coverage around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spain, another European country with a significant Catholic population, will run programming on pubcaster RTVEs La 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while Telecinos coverage runs between 9.15 a.m. and 1.25 p.m. LaSexta is also expected to carry the funeral. In the UK, the Popes funeral will be broadcasted on BBC News, BBC1 and BBC Scotland, and made available on iPlayer as a news special soon after. MSNBC On Saturday, April 26, MSNBC will deliver special coverage of the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City, as well as live coverage of the White House Correspondents Dinner. Beginning at 3:45 a.m. ET, MSNBCs Chris Jansing, who has covered the papacy for years, will report live from the Vatican within Vatican City to cover the funeral of Pope Francis. Christina Ruffini will also join live from Washington D.C. to provide in-depth analysis throughout the proceedings. RELATED: Pope Francis Remembered By Martin Scorsese, Antonio Banderas, Eva Longoria, Whoopi Goldberg, Russell Crowe, JD Vance, GLAAD And Others MSNBCs The Weekend will pick up coverage from 7 to 10 a.m. ET, with co-hosts Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez, providing continued analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, MSNBC will deliver special coverage of the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, with Ayman Mohyeldin helming coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET. NewsNation NewsNation will present special coverage of the funeral Mass of Pope Francis entitled, The Funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26 from 3-7 a.m. ET. Anchored by NewsNation Nows Connell McShane, the four-hour broadcast will commemorate the passing of the 266th Pontiff in the Roman Catholic Church. National correspondent Robert Sherman, EWTNs Vatican correspondent Colm Flynn, and WGN journalist Dina Bair will be live from Vatican City to provide on-the-ground reporting from Rome, Italy. Additional contributions will be provided by priests and other key figures from the Christian community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Host Hena Doba will resume special coverage on the networks signature morning show, Morning in America at 7 a.m. ET. RELATED: Pope Francis The Film Buff: Pontiff Cited Federico Fellinis La Strada As Favorite Movie Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Pope Francis died on Monday at age 88. On Saturday, hell be laid to rest. The popes funeral is set to begin at 2 a.m. MDT on Saturday. It will bring together religious and political leaders from around the world. Heres what you should know about the funeral Mass and what comes next for the Catholic Church. Time of Pope Francis funeral The popes funeral is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in Rome on Saturday. Thats 4 a.m. EDT/2 a.m. MDT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral will take place in St. Peters Square, according to USA Today. Trump at popes funeral More than 200,000 people are expected to attend Pope Francis funeral, including top leaders from around the world, USA Today reported. President Donald Trump will be there with first lady Melania Trump. Prince William of Great Britain is also expected to attend, as is U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Here are some other notable figures on the guest list: Javier Milei, president of Argentina, where Pope Francis was born and spent much of his career Emmanuel Macron, president of France Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil How to watch the popes funeral Several major television networks will air the popes funeral live, including NBC, CBS and ABC, according to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funeral will also be available to stream on Vatican News YouTube channel. What to expect Saturdays funeral Mass will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals. It will be simpler than past papal funerals because of changes Pope Francis made to the papal funeral rites. However, it may not seem simple to observers, since it will still feature plenty of pageantry. There will be a procession of cardinals and a reflection on the popes leadership. Thousands of cardinals, bishops and priests will celebrate the funeral Mass together. Most of the funeral will be celebrated in Latin, and there will be incense and hymns and Gregorian chants, The New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the funeral, a procession will take the coffin to Pope Francis burial site: Romes Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Popes are often buried in St. Peters Basilica, but Pope Francis chose Saint Mary Major in large part because of its ties to his religious order, the Jesuits. Seven other popes are buried there, but none since 1669, The Associated Press reported. What happens next? Pope Francis funeral marks the start of a formal nine-day mourning period. The following eight days will feature special Masses led by Catholic cardinals from around the world. While these Eucharistic celebrations are open to everyone, each day a different group is scheduled to participate based on their connection with the Holy Father," Vatican News reported. The conclave, or the process by which the Catholic Church chooses a new pope, is expected to begin sometime between May 6 and May 11, according to Reuters. KEY LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) An orphaned manatee calf got a second chance at life after being rescued. According to the Dolphin Research Center, the manatee was rescued on April 15 in the Key Largo area. Video taken by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows the manatee resting and catching its breath on top of several life jackets. The Florida FWCC said the calf is at SeaWorld Orlando, recuperating and receiving the care it needs so it can make a safe return to its natural environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. WASHINGTON The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must do a better job of overseeing and keeping track of billions of dollars of taxpayer money aimed at preventing truck crashes, according to a government watchdog. In an audit report released Friday on the agencys Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grant program, the Transportation Departments Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed that FMCSAs division offices do not always follow the agencys MCSAP monitoring policies and procedures. In site visits conducted between May 2023 and February 2025 at FMCSA division offices in four sample states Arizona, California, Texas and Virginia OIG auditors also found that the guidelines FMCSA provides its division offices for reviewing grant recipients MCSAP reimbursement requests are insufficient and outdated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, auditors concluded that FMCSA faces challenges prioritizing Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan [CVSP] goals and performance tracking. The reason for the audit and why the findings are so concerning is that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by then-President Joe Biden in November 2021, authorized over $2 billion in appropriations over five years for MCSAP state grants, along with $400 million in supplemental funds a 61% increase over the previous five years. Because of this substantial increase in MCSAP grant funding and the importance of FMCSA oversight of state plans to reduce crashes and enforce commercial motor vehicle regulations, we initiated this audit, the OIG stated. FMCSA reported that 5,176 fatalities involving large trucks and buses occurred in 2023. FMCSA needs to apply strong monitoring activities to verify funds are expended on eligible expenses that increase CMV [commercial motor vehicle] safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To make the necessary oversight improvements, the OIG made five recommendations to FMCSAs administrator (summarized): Issue guidelines that clearly and comprehensively address MCSAP oversight responsibilities, including documentation and supervisory reviews of quarterly report monitoring. Revise annual risk assessment guidelines to include an assessment of MCSAP-specific risks, emphasizing organizational management factors. Develop and implement a process to notify FMCSAs state programs division of grantees that receive a medium or high priority level from the annual risk assessment. Revise monitoring plan guidelines to incorporate supervisory review and approvals of monitoring plans and verify plans are fully completed and include a rationale for any activities not completed. Revise guidelines on the impact of CVSP goal performance for creating a clear line between the performance of CVSP goals and when to take enforcement action and urge division offices to document oversight of CVSP goals. FMCSA told the OIG it planned to implement the five recommendations by Dec. 31. Related articles: Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Watchdog calls out lax FMCSA oversight of $2B in grant money appeared first on FreightWaves. Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco, left, gives an opening statement on the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot measures at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star) LINCOLN A nonpartisan watchdog and a Lincoln state senator filed requests this week to learn more about private and state resources spent against 2024 ballot measures, namely medical cannabis. The first complaint came from executive director Gavin Geis of Common Cause Nebraska, a nonpartisan organization focused on government accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geis filed a complaint Thursday with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission requesting an investigation into whether John Kuehn, a former state senator and a lead opponent to medical cannabis in the state, failed to disclose related legal expenses in his late 2024 challenge of the related ballot measures before and through the election. Gavin Geis, executive director of Common Cause Nebraska. (Courtesy of Common Cause Nebraska) Kuehn filed an initial lawsuit in September on his own behalf seeking to declare the ballot measures legally insufficient and invalid. The Lancaster County District Court sided with the ballot measure, and Kuehn is appealing to the Nebraska Supreme Court. After the election, Kuehn filed a second lawsuit seeking to invalidate the laws, citing federal preemption. Thirty-eight other states have approved medical cannabis and lawmakers continue work to help implement additional regulations. The NADC confirmed receipt of a complaint from Geis. Under state law, neither the NADC nor Geis can speak about the investigation further until its conclusion, or if Kuehn speaks out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2001 advisory NADC opinion said expenditures against a ballot measure not related to its qualification, passage or defeat, such as constitutionality, are not a campaign service. Public disclosure laws Geis said in a news release that Nebraskans deserve to know whos working to influence our elections, whether that is Kuehn or someone on behalf of Kuehn. Allowing special interests or individuals to oppose ballot measures without disclosing their spending undermines our citizen initiative process, Geis said. If we want to ensure Nebraskans voices are heard, we must enforce disclosure laws that show the public who stands against them. Geis complaint cites state law requiring an individual challenging the qualification, passage or defeat of a ballot question over $250 to report such expense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geis said that if lawsuits are not covered in this way under current disclosure laws, the Legislature should strengthen them. Past marijuana-related disclosure complaint was dismissed in 2021 In 2021, the nonprofit Nebraska Families 4 Medical Cannabis filed a Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission complaint against Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner. He helped boot a medical cannabis constitutional amendment from the November 2020 election when the Nebraska Supreme Court agreed 5-2 with Wagners attorney that the measure was too broad. The NADC complaint alleged that Wagner, as an elected official, needed to disclose any gift over $100 he received to file and pursue the case on his annual disclosures. The NADC ultimately dismissed the complaint, finding that Wagner did not solicit the money and therefore was not a gift. Wagner had said he didnt know who paid for the lawsuit in 2020, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. Elections lawsuit continues Kuehn, approached Thursday afternoon by a reporter, said it was the first he had heard of the complaint. He did not respond to multiple requests for comment, including on whether he or someone else funded the election-related challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of that first challenge Kuehn v. Secretary of State Bob Evnen and the three sponsors of the ballot measure campaign the Attorney Generals Office joined Kuehn in seeking to invalidate the measures before the November election, alleging widespread fraud. Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong rejected those arguments. More than 200,000 signatures were collected between the campaigns legalization and regulatory petitions. They passed with 71% voter approval and 67% voter approval, respectively. Kuehns legal team included an attorney from Texas, and his team hired the services of an out-of-state cloud-based petition validation service, Signafide, to review the petitions. Artificial intelligence and manual labor were used in that process. Politically charged litigation State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln sent a Wednesday request to Attorney General Mike Hilgers in the interests of government transparency and legislative oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As always conscious stewards of taxpayer funds and in light of the present fiscal situation, it is important for senators to appreciate the expenses your office has incurred in pursuing an aggressive politically charged litigation agenda under and within your sole discretion, Conrad wrote in her two-page letter shared with the Nebraska Examiner. The state currently faces a projected budget deficit for the next two fiscal years of $457 million, as the Appropriations Committee has worked to whittle that down to $0. As of Thursday, when the baseline budget advanced 7-1, it was still $124 million short under state law. Two bills advanced Thursday would help build a positive $7 million, if passed. Thats before the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board returns Friday afternoon, where many senators expect to be hit with an additional $100 million hole, at the least. Specific cases targeted Conrad narrowed her request to expenses regarding ballot measures last year, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff time. Filing fees. News conferences. Administrative costs. Social media or other paid advertising. Mileage, travel, lodging or related expenses. Litigation expenses such as deposition costs, discovery expenses, expert consultation, outside counsel (or co-counsel, experts or outside attorneys needed to be hired to defend other state actors). State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Ben Hansen of Blair. April 10, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) She specifically asked for related costs to State ex rel. Brooks v. Evnen before the Nebraska Supreme Court in September (abortion), State ex rel. Collar v. Evnen before the Nebraska Supreme Court in September (school choice), Kuehn v. Evnen and others in Lancaster District Court and now the Nebraska Supreme Court through 2024 and into 2025 (medical cannabis) and Kuehn v. Gov. Jim Pillen and others in Lancaster County District Court (medical cannabis). The AGs Office hired a forensic document examiner from Colorado as a handwriting expert to review a handful of petition pages in the election-related case from Kuehn last year. Conrad also included the states criminal case against Jacy Todd of York in Hall County District Court and Hall County County Court. Todd is a public notary who helped the medical cannabis campaign and is believed to be the first notary ever criminally charged in this manner. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hall County District Judge Andrew Butler this week questioned the extent of resources being used to pursue 24 counts of official misconduct against Todd, when looking at the current climate of the state and voice of its residents. The Attorney Generals Office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. It has traditionally not disclosed specific litigation costs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Suggests Gunboat Diplomacy For China & Discusses These 7 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discussed. In a recent appearance on CNBCs Squawk on the Street, Jim Cramer discussed potential actions by the Federal Reserve in response to President Trumps tariffs. Trump has denied having any plans to fire Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, and Cramer commented on the historical context of the current tariffs and Powell: Anyone who knows Powell knows that hes a deep historian of the marketplace. And hes obviously looking at Smoot-Hawley, the tariff in 1930 and thats, you could argue, a 33% tariff. And arguing a second that this is higher, and that he knows history, and he knows that Smoot-Hawley was what was one of the things that caused the Great Depression. So, unless youre ahistorical, you cant disagree with him. The CNBC TV host also discussed how people who were alive during the Smoot-Hawley era are no longer with us so its impossible to put it in a real-life framework. According to him: Well I mean, we do have Grapes of Wrath, David. Now I think that truth lies in novels. Its very hard to get the real truth unless you go to novels. . . alright, when youre a journalist covering homicide, like I was, my editor . . .I try to do this, he goes, Jim thats for, only fiction can tell the truth about homicide. You just tell the facts. What Im saying is that if I look at the fiction of what happened in the Great Depression, I have a better feeling than when actually look at the statistics. Cramer also stressed that the recent stock market selloff meant that the Magnificent 7, as a term, continued to be irrelevant. We dont use that anymore thats gone, he said. Yeah thats gone. Yeah I dont know its not like the Mag 7. . .no were done with that, Mag 7, whole thing. Now its the Wild Bunch. . . were switching, its no more, I mean honestly, Wild Bunch was actually a better movie, Cramer said. As for AI, Cramer believes that [t]his is a winner take all, loser takes none, just like Google was, this is a 200 billion dollar business. Whoever gets the mind share right now I have every one of these. Ive got Grok, Ive got Gemini, Im not going to go, believe me, one year from now, Im only gonna have one. And right now its Grok. On diplomacy, he shared that the one thing we havent done yet is gunboat diplomacy. Im waiting for that. So what is Jim Cramers gunboat diplomacy? Well, according to him: While companies are aligned in wanting to reduce water consumption in denim production, the amount of water it requires to make a pair of jeans continues to be debatable. At Kingpins Amsterdam, representatives from denim mills, chemical companies and technology firms discussed their strategies to measure water consumption. While annual sustainability reports, universal measurement tools, and other transparency-promoting platforms can help establish a common baseline, they explained that certain factors beyond their control make it challenging to achieve true alignment. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efforts to significantly improve water resource and wastewater management in Crystal International Groups denim factories in Cambodia and Vietnam are advancing the company closer to reaching its goal. The company aims to reduce its freshwater consumption by 20 percent by 2030, compared to an internal 2022 baseline. However, water usage varies across factories because production processes and the methodology to calculate consumption are all different, said Janet Lui, senior manager, design and product development, denim division, for Crystal International Group. Without a common baseline, Lui said factories create their own. At this moment, we still need to compare internally, factory by factory, she said. But in the future, who knows? I think everybodys talking about how to align the whole dynamic industry. Companies also must consider the trade-offs or unintended consequences of using some water-saving technologies. For example, Lui said that while laser reduces water and chemical usage, it increases the energy level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Region plays a factor as well. Brazilian mill Vicunhas uses the water footprint method to measure, beginning with cotton and ending with the final fabric. The method categories water into three categories: blue (water from natural sources), green (rainwater), and gray (water needed to dilute chemicals). With this method, Luiz Eduardo Veloso, Vicunhas product development general manager, said the mill found that it requires 5,000 liters to make a jean, but 82 percent is green water. A lot of new technologies have come. New ones will come soon, and all these technologies [aim to reduce water consumption, he said. An investment to recycle city wastewater to use as industrial water has had a large impact on Vicunhas production. The idea is to not use more water from the surface or undergroundto keep this water for the human beings and the animals, Veloso said, adding that the companys goal is to have plants that only use recycled water. Chemical supplier BluConnection teamed with its mill and laundry partners to create a benchmark using the best available technology, which Alexander Bock, COO of BluConnection, said is always a moving benchmark. Our industry standard is 80-90 liters of water for a pair of jeans, he said, adding that 20-40 liters comes from the denim production itself. However, with the best available technology, Bock said water usage can be reduced 10-12 liters in the laundry and 10-11 liters in the denim manufacturing. The biggest bulk of water usage is in cotton growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average amount of water used in fabric and finishing stage is 100 liters with finishing accounting for 70 percent, according to Carmen Silla, Jeanologia marketing director. However, the companys sustainable technologies such as laser, ozone and e-flow can reduce impact during the finishing stage to 45 liters per garment on average. Jeanologia landed on this number through the first Environmental Impact Measuring (EIM) impact report, which analyzed over 200,000 finishing recipes. The company uses EIM, the measuring tool it created in 2009 for internal use and graduated to a commercial version in 2018, as a compass. Silla said EIM has become a way to speak a common language between fabric makers, brands and garment manufacturers, evolving into a standard. Suppliers are also looking at ways to reduce wastewater. A new solution to eliminate wastewater is part of BluConnections water strategy. The company has developed a new process that replaces hydrosulfite, a chemical that eventually becomes salt, with a natural and biodegradable alternative that can reduce salt in wastewater up to 60 percent. Jeanologias H2zero system treats water, leaving it in optimal conditions for reuse for up to 30 days in the washing finishing processes without the need of chemicals. The technology can also connect to existing water treatment plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While brands and retailers are concerned of the water and sustainability, in general, Silla said the reality burden of investments for water-focused technologies falls on suppliers like fabric mills, laundries and garment manufacturers. There are so many initiatives, but we need to join forces to get this alignment, she said. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) A water main break caused a road closure at Bainbridge Blvd. and McCloud Rd. in Chesapeake Friday afternoon. According to employees at Sunbelt Rentals, a delivery driver hit a fire hydrant which caused the break. Sunbelt Rental employee Jay Busch told 10 On Your Side that he sprang into action alongside coworkers to provide assistance. We were just sitting in the office and all of a sudden just heard a loud boom and seen a delivery driver hit a fire hydrant, said Busch. So, we came out proactive with the fire department. We started directing traffic and stuff until E.M.S. and the police showed up to shut the road down. Water main break at Bainbridge Blvd. and McCloud Rd. Water main break at Bainbridge Blvd. and McCloud Rd. Water main break at Bainbridge Blvd. and McCloud Rd. Bainbridge Blvd. will remain closed at S Military Hwy while crews continue emergency repairs. Officials ask drivers to follow marked detours. There is currently no estimate as to when the road will reopen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Norman at 11:33 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. This warning applies to Blaine, Canadian, Custer, Dewey and Kingfisher counties. Meteorologists warn of winds as strong as 60 mph. Use caution, officials warn of hail as large as 1 inch. The NWS warns: "For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building." See weather radar for Oklahoma City area What are NWS meteorologists saying? At 11:33 p.m., the NWS issued a statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "SVROUN The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for, Western Kingfisher County in central Oklahoma, Northeastern Custer County in western Oklahoma, Central Blaine County in northwestern Oklahoma, Southeastern Dewey County in northwestern Oklahoma, Northwestern Canadian County in central Oklahoma, Until 12:15 a.m. CDT. At 11:32 p.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles south of Eagle City, moving southeast at 30 mph. HAZARD: 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE: Radar indicated. IMPACT: Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations impacted include: Watonga, Greenfield, Oakwood, Eagle City, Fay, and Omega." What is a severe thunderstorm warning? A severe thunderstorm warning means the area is experiencing or is about to experience a storm with winds of 58 mph or higher or hail an inch in diameter or larger. Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. Keep a battery-powered weather radio nearby in case of loss of power. Remember to bring pets inside. If there is time, secure loose objects outside as these objects often become dangerous flying debris in high winds. Postpone outdoor activities until the storms have passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporters Jana Hayes and Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez contributed to this article. This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor. Let our News Automation and AI team know what you think of this story here. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Weather: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Oklahoma City area ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the new Webster Highway Department Facility. The facility has been renamed the Barry A. Deane Highway Facility in recognition of former Webster Highway Superintendent and Councilman Barry A. Deane, who served the town for almost four decades. When the 80,00-square-foot facility was originally proposed to Webster residents, it was met with public concern after town officials disclosed it would cost $28 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from the Town of Webster said the projects early 2025 completion ended up being earlier and costing less than they had previously prepared. Mendon Highway Superintendent resigns amid sexual misconduct claims Webster Town Supervisor Tom Flaherty and Webster Highway Superintendent Pat Stephens cut the ribbon alongside current and former Town Board and Highway Department members. This facility was built with the future in mind. As the town of Webster changes and progresses, this state-of-the-art building will ensure our community can expect a high level of service from the Highway Department, Stephens said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility includes updated administrative and staff areas and proper storage for the Highway Departments fleet. Tours will be provided to the public 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 RochesterFirst. The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of a Venezuelan man arrested in March has finally been solved. But for his family, the news brings little peace. Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel faced the same fate as hundreds of other Venezuelans men who have been deported to El Salvador based solely on tattoos the U.S. government claims indicate affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang, even though experts say that, unlike Central American gangs, TdA does not typically use tattoos to identify its members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Crime of tattooing: Why experts say body ink is no way to ID Venezuelan gang members The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to the Miami Herald on Wednesday night that Leon Rengel had been deported to El Salvador. The confirmation came after repeated inquiries to Immigration and Customs Enforcement dating back to April 10. For more than 40 days, Leon Rengels family searched for him. His girlfriend, Alejandra Gutierrez the last person to see him told the Miami Herald that agents arrested him without a warrant in the parking garage of their apartment building in Irving, Texas. They asked him to lift his shirt to show his tattoos, and when they saw them, they claimed he was affiliated with the Tren de Aragua, Gutierrez said. They took his documents and took him away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among his documents was the receipt of his application for Temporary Protected Status, for which he applied in December 2024, after living in the U.S. for more than 18 months. His application is still pending, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, even after Homeland Security confirmed he was deported. Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel, and his girlfriend Alejandra Gutierrez in Christmas event in Texas in 2024 where they lived. Leon Rengel 27, a Venezuelan national, was deported to an unknown location in March. His family is desperate for answers. He disappeared from an ICE detention center the same day several other Venezuelans were deported to El Salvador but his name is not on the list of those transferred. When asked what charges were brought against Leon Rengel and why he was deported despite having a pending TPS application, DHS responded with a general statement that didnt address the specific details of his case. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said in an emailed statement that Leon Rengel entered our country illegally in 2023 from Venezuela and is an associate of Tren de Aragua, but did not provide any documentation to support the claim. Records show, however, that Leon Rengel was admitted to the United States in June 2023 through a scheduled appointment with immigration authorities a process made possible by the Biden-era app called CBP One, which was created to manage the flow of migrants entering from Mexico. The Trump administration announced in early April that migrants who were temporarily allowed to live in the U.S. using the app are now being instructed to leave the country immediately, according to officials. Since January 2023, approximately 936,500 people have entered the country through this process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tren de Aragua is a vicious gang that rapes, maims and murders for sport. President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow foreign terrorist enemies to operate in our country and endanger Americans, McLaughlins email said. They will always put the safety of the American people first. Leon Rengel had no violent history and no serious criminal record. In November 2024, he was a passenger in a car that was pulled over in Irving. He was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, a non-jailable misdemeanor under local law. He pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and agreed to pay a $492 fine, according to Irving city records, with no jail time or probation. World was shattered on his birthday On the very day Leon Rengel turned 27March 13his life was turned upside down. That was the day he was arrested, and just two days later, he was flown to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, a facility that has been widely criticized for alleged human rights violations. Because his name has appeared no list of those sent to the Central American country, his family had no idea of his whereabouts until well after a month later. Born in 1998, the year Hugo Chavez was first elected, Leon Rengel belongs to a lost generation that grew up in the shadow of Venezuelas collapse. They are living proof of a broken system that forced millions to flee in search of opportunities denied at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his search for opportunity, Leon Rengel came to the United States to make a living as a barber, after spending six years in Colombiawhere, according to national police, he had no criminal record. But instead of finding the American Dream, he ultimately landed in a mega-prison in a foreign country, branded an alleged gang member a label his family vehemently denies. The news felt like a bucket of cold water. My brother is not a criminal or a gang member, Nedizon Leon Rengel, one of his brothers, said to the Miami Herald. He added that the hardest part will be breaking the news to their mother, whose health is fragile. The deportations of the hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador followed the Trump administrations invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, a 227-year-old wartime law used last month to justify targeting Venezuelan migrants by claiming the gang is invading the U.S.. READ MORE: Trump sent these Venezuelans to El Salvador mega prison. Their families deny gang ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the deportation of more Venezuelans to a third country under a wartime-era law. However, court records show that the government continued to deport both Venezuelan and Salvadoran nationals under the same provision as recently as March 31. The identities of some of those individuals remain unknownjust as they were for Leon Rengels family, who only discovered his whereabouts after media inquiries a response from the Department of Homeland Security. Now, the family is seeking legal counsel in an effort to bring Leon Rengel back home. In a GoFundMe campaign, created by League of United Latin American Citizens, a non profit organization, to raise funds for legal expenses, they wrote: ICE wrongfully deported Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel.... We are raising funds to cover legal fees, challenge this injustice, and reunite him with his loved ones. This is about more than one man its about justice, human rights, and standing up for all those who should never be disappeared without due process. We refuse to let him remain lost in a prison cell far from home. His family is fighting every day to locate him, secure his safety, and win his freedom. the GoFundMe campaign said. We are assembling a legal team and working to have the U.S. and El Salvador return him to his family. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) WeGo has invited community members to Ride the WeGo Star Train for free as part of the eleventh annual Ticket to Ride event Friday. From 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., WeGo encourages residents to use public transportation. The event is part of Metros month-long initiative to promote sustainable transportation options in Davidson County. Community members can ride the WeGo Star train for free from Riverfront Station in downtown Nashville to Donelson Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More Leaders with the Tennessee Department of Transportation will also speak on project updates related to sustainable transportation throughout the mid-state. Riders can use a vanpool from Donelson to downtown Nashville to return to Riverfront Station. The event is free, but registration is required. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.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 WKRN News 2. OWEGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A Binghamton X-ray manufacturing corporation is expanding its operation to the Tioga County Corporate Park. Upstate Shredding president and CEO, Adam Weitsman, announced Thursday that SureScan Corporation will be moving into the old Harvard Manufacturing Building in the Tioga County Corporate Park. Weitsman bought the 163,000 square-foot building in 2022 for $3 million. The X-ray manufacturers new location will, in Weitsmans words, immediately bring 50-60 jobs in the immediate future, and will climb to 100 jobs when the company is fully up and running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weitsman says SureScan needed to expand its operation after landing multiple contracts with several airports to produce checkpoint security scanners. He thinks SureScan entering the fold in Tioga County will be a good thing. The building is located right by my office in Owego, and each time I drove by it bothered me the facility was vacant because I felt it had enormous potential for Tioga County, Weitsman said. In my conversations with SureScan they loved the building, location and community and are going to be a great corporate addition to the Business Park, he added. According to Weitsman, SureScans multi-year lease covers 93 percent of the building, or 153,000 square feet. So, Weitsman is still looking for tenants to cover the remaining 10,000 square feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SureScans new facility is located at 941 State Route 38. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wendy Williams is not alone in her journey to freedom! The former TV host's mission received much-needed solidarity from Reverend Al Sharpton, who paid her a visit at her quarters. Wendy Williams' conservatorship has witnessed significant phases of development, including complaints from her and her niece, Alex Finnie over her condition at the New York care facility. Wendy Williams And The Reverend Had A Moment In Prayer During His Visit To Her MEGA Sharpton recently visited Williams at The Coterie assisted living facility in Hudson Yards after she reached out to him for help in challenging her legal guardianship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharpton described the unexpected phone call he received from Williams, who introduced herself excitedly. During their brief conversation, Williams expressed her belief that she was being held against her will at the facility and sought Sharpton's assistance. He spent over an hour with her, and while he remained tight-lipped about their conversation, he told Page Six that they prayed together before he left. The two have maintained a friendship for decades, and Sharpton's visit highlights his commitment to supporting her during this difficult time. The Former TV Host's Lawyer Described Her Move Towards The Reverend As A Call For Help ZapatA/MEGA On the other hand, Williams' lawyer, Joe Tacopina, explained that his client reached out to Rev. Sharpton to amplify her fight against conservatorship. The attorney continued that Williams took the step, hoping his presence would attract more attention to her cause. Tacopina emphasized Sharpton's reputation as a courageous and influential figure unafraid to voice his beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that when Sharpton speaks, people tend to listen, which can help draw attention to important issues. During his visit, Sharpton expressed his intention to assess the situation and offer prayers, stating that if he finds injustice, he will speak out against it and provide assistance as needed. Williams' Attorney Claimed Her Cognitive Abilities Are Fully Functional News Licensing / MEGA Williams has been making headlines as she navigates her current living situation, which she describes as her "luxury prison." She resides in a memory care unit where she feels out of place among residents who, as she notes, are often much older and suffering from dementia. The former BET star is actively fighting to overturn her previous diagnoses of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, claiming her cognitive abilities remain intact. Her attorney, Tacopina, emphasized her frustration at being in a facility designed for individuals who struggle to recognize their own names. According to him, "Her cognitive abilities are completely intact." He remains confident that she will secure her release, citing their available resources and options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Williams has been increasing her public profile, further drawing awareness to her situation. She was recently spotted dining at upscale restaurants with figures like Don Lemon as part of her efforts to support her case in court. The Judge Lashed Out At The 60-Year-Old And Her Niece In Court Licensing / MEGA Williams' impressive momentum took a hit during a court hearing on April 10. The Blast reported that tension escalated as Judge Sokoloff expressed disdain for both the entertainer and her family. The judge's remarks were harsh and confrontational despite Williams attending the hearing with her niece and loved ones in a supportive atmosphere. Sokoloff accused Williams' niece of leaking information to the media and threatened her with sanctions for future misconduct. The judge did not hold back in her criticism, suggesting the entire family engaged in questionable behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also delivered a blunt assessment of Williams' career, stating that while it had once flourished, it was now over, declaring, "It's done." Wendy Williams' Niece Was Slammed With Accusations Of Kidnapping The Star Instagram | Alex Finnie Williams and Finnie previously found themselves in a difficult situation with the police when Finnie attempted to take her aunt out for dinner. The Manhattan facility where the former TV host is currently staying filed a report against Finnie, accusing her of "evading staff" by taking Williams out of the building without permission. Both women expressed their confusion over the allegations, insisting they were leaving for a psychological evaluation before enjoying a meal at an Italian restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams also argued that the facility had prior knowledge of their movements and emphasized that there were no restrictions on her mobility, as claimed by her guardian. This incident raised concerns about the honesty and behavior of her legal guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, and the facility itself. Insiders noted that the facility had strict protocols preventing anyone from leaving the fifth floor of its memory unit without an attendant. However, they also revealed that Williams and Finnie were reportedly escorted to the lobby and into their Uber by a staff member, complicating the narrative of the incident. Wendy Williams continues to intensify efforts to make her conservatorship a thing of the past! U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas may enter his state's Republican primary for a Senate seat, adding more intrigue to what is already a marquee midterm contest. Hunt this month discussed a potential Senate bid with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and political director James Blair, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The meeting occurred days after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his primary challenge of four-term Sen. John Cornyn, two of the people said. A political action committee is running ads across Texas promoting Hunt's biography in cities well outside his Houston-area district. One of the ads has also aired in Washington and in West Palm Beach, Florida, home to Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence, according to media tracking firm AdImpact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Hunt bid for Senate could assuage national and Texas Republicans worried about Cornyn, whose past Trump criticisms and support for gun regulations have angered the states Republican base. It might also address concerns about Paxton, who faced impeachment proceedings and a federal investigation that he abused his office to aid a political donor even as he remains one of the state's most powerful Republicans. But it also could put Trump in a position to have to endorse one or more of the three candidates and alienate parts of his base who support the other candidates. Hunt, who is Black, campaigned frequently for Trump last year, attending events geared to Black men, and is known to be close to Trump's political team. Hunt has served two terms in the House. A graduate of West Point and Cornell University, Hunt piloted Apache helicopters in the Iraq War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunts profile has risen sharply in the past five years, starting with Trumps endorsement in a six-way GOP House primary in 2020. He lost that November but won election to the House two years later. Hunts district spans some of the wealthiest establishment Republican areas in the country, notably Houstons River Oaks neighborhood, along with more working-class reaches of Harris County. He endorsed Trump's 2024 campaign for president the same day Trump announced it, Nov. 15, 2022, and campaigned across the country for him. Trump rewarded Hunt with a prime-time speaking slot on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last summer. During an April 8 event at the White House, Trump was recognizing lawmakers in attendance when he called out Hunt and the ad airing on television. That was the same day Paxton entered the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wesley Hunt, my friend too, Trump noted from the podium in the East Room. Wesley, great, I love your commercial. Cornyn has a long legislative record and served for decades in elected office in Texas. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has asked Trump directly to endorse Cornyn, according to two people with knowledge of the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Referring to Cornyn and other incumbent Republican senators facing challenges within the party, Thune suggested last week that the party leadership party should stand by them. These are incumbent Republican senators who are members of our team and do a good job for their states, their constituencies, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Cornyn, who narrowly lost the leadership election to Thune in December, is unpopular with a segment of Texas Republicans for distancing himself from Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol, though he voted against the House impeachment. Paxton has had a more consistent history of backing Trump and stronger base bona fides. He began his campaign on April 8 promising to confront career politicians in Washington. Paxton also has repeatedly criticized Cornyn for supporting a bipartisan gun restriction measure after the 2022 elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The Cornyn and Paxton campaigns had no comment on Hunt's moves. An email request for comment from the White House confirming the meeting with Hunt and on Trump's plans for endorsing in the Texas race was not immediately returned. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Hunt endorsed Trump's 2024 candidacy on Nov. 15, 2022, not two days later. ___ Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) A local organization encourages people to share their feedback about the West Central Indiana region. The West Central Indiana Partnership is holding a Regional Census Day on April 24. Its an opportunity for residents, students, and visitors to share their feedback about five counties in the region: Clay, Sullivan, Vermillion, Parke, and Vigo Counties. Its just a three-minute survey that anyone in the area can go on, fill it out, provide their feedback, said Josh Alsip, Vice President of Regional Engagement for the West Central Indiana Partnership. We are going to do this once a year so that we are able to gauge how these feelings change over time and then make strategic changes to our regional plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alsip said the feedback helps the partnership gauge whether their efforts are effective in the five counties. With us being able to track this data over time over the next three, four, five, six years, were able to see when were being effective and maybe when we arent, and pivoting, said Alsip. So, your three minutes really contributes to the overall well-being and productivity of all of West Central Indiana. You can find a link to the survey 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 MyWabashValley.com. We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Recently Talked About These 15 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discussed recently. On Tuesday, Jim Cramer, host of Mad Money, offered his perspective on the days market rally as he delved into the impact of the ongoing dynamic between President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. All day, I heard that todays rally was just a bear market rally, okay? That it was a phony spike, and the market will go right back down the moment the president posts that therell be no compromise on tariffs. Who knows, maybe Fed Chief Jay Powell should be deported. READ ALSO: 9 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar and Jim Cramers Thoughts on These 5 Stocks. However, Cramer pointed out that the tone shifted significantly just after the market closed. In his words, We get incredible news that is sure to drive this market higher. The news came directly from the President, who clarified that he had no intention of firing Powell, a rumor that Cramer identified as a major factor in the prior days market slide. Trumps statement, Never did, never will, regarding any plans to remove Powell effectively erased the cloud of uncertainty that had been hanging over the markets. Given this reversal, Cramer questioned whether the rally could still be called a bear market bounce. In his view, it now looked like something more substantial. He explained that real recoveries are often mischaracterized at first. According to Cramer, they typically begin with what appear to be bear market rallies, short-lived, suspicious upticks that many investors brush off due to repeated disappointments in the past. He stressed that the early stages of genuine market turnarounds are often marked by disbelief and hesitation, with only the boldest or most reckless traders recognizing their potential early on. He added: Now look, just because the President doesnt want a constitutional crisis and is going to keep Powell doesnt mean we have more to go on. For example, theres been no sign of change from the administration on the trade wars. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 15 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 22. We listed the stocks in the order that Cramer mentioned them. We also provided hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) With a need for more plumbers and electricians, New Mexico is making a push to get more students in trade school, but how those students figure out which trade is most interesting to them is now the focus of a new, first-of-its-kind program in the metro. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a super-heated torch heats up copper, nine West Mesa High School students are getting a hands-on opportunity to figure out what path their career could take. Anything that helps me for the future get me a better job, higher pay, said student Luis Zamarripa. I feel grateful, you know what I mean? Its a blessing to have this opportunity, said student Noah Garcia. Soldering pipes is just one of the many parts of this new learning experience that APS students are getting in a first-of-its-kind pre-apprenticeship program through Bernalillo County, ABC Community School Partnership, Local 412 Plumbers and Pipefitters, and the Outreach and Education Foundation, which is bringing a new career pathway to West Mesa High School. The 120-hour program gets students learning about 13 different trades like plumbing, electrical, and more. That means that we recognize that the traditional route of college isnt for everybody. So we want to figure out what that means and create as many different opportunities for them in general, said Jake Mirabal Bernco, Director of the Community School Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Department here in Bernalillo County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union reps said theres a major deficit in getting younger people interested in trade jobs. Theres a huge need. We have seen shortages in the building trades, and theres national shortages in the building trades. As the older generation retires, we see 10 individuals retire out of the construction trades for every one that we replace them with. Outreach director, said Joan Baker, UA Local 412. While the students are learning after school, theyre also getting paid to do it, plus theyll get six months worth of course credit toward a full apprenticeship program, something Noah Garcia said he hopes to use toward a full-blown career. Actually, I enjoy it quite a bit. I like soldering, said Garcia. Albuquerque Public Schools, the county, and its partners hope to expand this new program for more students next year, as well as expand on food and hospitality opportunities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FAIRMONT The state of West Virginia spent two years of painstaking work settling on fiber optic cable as the best way to expand broadband service in the state. The Morrisey administration may undo that decision after taking a 90-day review period. Basically, were going to throw away two years worth of work getting everything where it was, Jeff Anderson, president of Communication Workers of America Local 2010 and a telecom engineer, said. Governor Morrisey has decided to go along with this complete change in thought process. Hundreds of people had input, went through a painstaking process and likely there will be a significant amount that will be directed to satellite internet, specifically Starlink Elon Musk and its just not a great transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state spent the past two years putting together a proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program. The Biden Administration set BEAD up in 2021 to provide funding for a nationwide broadband infrastructure roll out to rural and underserved areas. The program was built with fiber in mind. The state of West Virginias proposal was also one of the first three to be approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. In a press release, the Morrisey administration stated its intent to make its proposal more consistent with the Trump administrations broadband goals. The governors office did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Anderson said in that two years of work, satellite internet had been eliminated as a possibility because its not easy to upgrade. A large consideration was that whatever technology the state used, it had to have a service life of at least 50 years. The advantage fiber has once the lines are laid down the internet speeds consumers will receive are dictated by the equipment put on either end of the line. Its how telecoms such as Frontier are able to deliver service improvements 14 times faster over a span of three years. Satellites, by contrast, dont have the same flexibility. After five or seven years, Anderson said the satellite system starts to accumulate problems which results in the need to either launch more satellites or purge users from the system. SpaceX charges $1,200 per pound to orbit. A third generation Starlink satellite weighs about 4,188 pounds. A conceivable cost to launch a single additional Starlink satellite to augment the network could cost as much as $5.03 million. Planetside equipment is much easier to access by comparison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than that, Anderson said capacity constraints present in a satellite system can end up throttling the speeds users get during peak times. Users who rely on telework would also experience suboptimal performance since satellite service bottlenecks upload speed. Telework is upload intensive. Relying on Starlink is like slapping a bandage on the states broadband problem, Anderson said. Anderson hasnt been the only one to raise these concerns. The Intermountain reported that the Grant County Commission sent a letter to Morrisey arguing fiber is a more affordable solution for Grant County residents, and has better technical support from local internet service providers. From our experience, you cannot talk to technical support when asking for help from Starlink, they wrote in the letter. Bill Bissett, chairman of the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council, also told the Intermountain that fiber is the best deployment of broadband, with the longest life, best throughput and whats needed for Morriseys push to turn the state into a hub for data centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson sits on the West Virginia Workforce Council, and he said they spent a lot of time talking to lawmakers and other stakeholders, as well as the broadband council. They received input from education leaders in higher education, K-12, business and labor, all who provided the input which eventually boiled down to fiber as the best choice. However, the complication fiber advocates face is that after receiving notification the state would receive $1.2 billion for fiber, none of it has materialized yet. To be honest, it turned into a very difficult process, a process I dont believe another state in the country was able to negotiate through the process and all the steps, Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, said. I think new administration at the state level, the Morrisey administration, really needs to take a step back and look at how technology has changed in roughly the last 24 months, and what actual dollars are going to be available and try to make some decisions. Politico reported last September that the requirements for funding in BEAD, specifically those tied to affordability requirements telecommunication companies say is too tight, delayed disbursement of the funds. Oliverio placed blame on the Biden administration for making states jump through too many hoops for the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National level Republicans turned the program into a culture war issue, blaming Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for delays, but Democrats argued it was reasonable to ensure companies that receive federal money roll the program out in a responsible way that consumers could afford. Although the state had its BEAD proposal approved by NTIA, Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, said none of the funding from the BEAD program has been allocated yet. Politico reported in September the Biden administration expected funding to roll out by 2025. Garcia said that although Starlink may part of the solution for broadband access in West Virginia, fiber, once built, will provide lower rates for consumers. If were just going to allocate money toward having Starlink, at some point, consumers are going to be responsible for that, Garcia said. I think thats going to be an issue for how many West Virginians can afford it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also the Elon Musk shaped elephant to consider. Anderson pointed out how close Musk is to the Trump Administration. The administration has already shown a willingness to bolster one of Musks companies by holding a Tesla car show on the White House lawn after consumers started boycotting Tesla over Musks work to dismantle the federal government through DOGE, as well as his two Nazi salutes at inauguration rallies. The Trump Administration is rewriting the BEAD program to enable federal dollars to go toward satellite internet. Charlie Dennie, former director of the states Broadband Office, told Mountain State Spotlight the states changes to its proposal would allow Musk to collect more dollars from BEAD. Evan Feinman, who had his contract renewal as head of NTIA rejected by the Trump administration, wrote in a farewell letter that stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so the worlds richest man can get richer was another betrayal in a long line of them from Washington. However, the administration argued its adopting a technology neutral approach. Anderson brought up an additional dimension of how switching to satellite might hurt the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jobs. All of the [telecom] companies around here locally, in anticipation of getting this funding, we have ramped up our employee base and provided a lot of people with good local jobs, he said. If this funding is slashed or cut completely, a lot of people will be laid off or let go in general. Its going to be a real hit to the economy. Anderson said they expect a final decision from Morrisey on May 9. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) The West Virginia Department of Human Services recently provided data showing a significant drop in overdose deaths across the state. Between January and October 2024, West Virginia saw a 40% decrease in drug overdose deaths compared to 2023, the most of any other state. So whats working for our state? 12 News spoke with West Virginias Director of Drug Control Policy Stephen Loyd, who said the decrease is the result of access to overdose-reversal drugs, the statewide increase in quick response teams, cooperation among law enforcement, access to treatment and rehabilitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite that, Loyd said one of the biggest reasons for the decrease was West Virginias sense of community. The sense of community in West Virginia is unlike anything that Ive seen, and I really see that in our communities and people pulling together to look for solutions to help families suffering with addiction. Now, weve still got stigma, and weve still got things weve got to overcome, but those are things that I see. And we talk about it, Loyd said. West Virginia saw its highest drug overdose rates during COVID. Loyd said that this was due to treatment and access options being limited. Gov. Morrisey signs Laurens Law in Morgantown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Correctional facilities played an important role in the decline, providing medication-assisted treatments and after-care plans for people in need, as the risk of overdose increases two weeks after being released from prison. We were the hardest hit state, we were targeted the hardest, and now other states are looking for us in how to come out of this. And I have to admit, Im a bit of a romantic, but I love the idea of West Virginia leading the way out of it, Loyd said. West Virginias 40% decline surpassed the national average of 26.5%, which, according to the Department of Human Services, translates to 468 people who are still alive. The states decline also led to a significant decrease in children entering the foster care system. Loyd also spoke to 12 New on how legislation can help keep the downward trend going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont tear down what weve already built. Lets look for the holes in it and see how we tie it together and draw quality providers to our state rather than blowing up what we have. That will not work, and we will hurt West Virginians, Loyd said. You can find more on the West Virginia Department of Human Services data on the states overdose death decline in its press release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: Nikolay has been found and is okay. See the original story below: WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Westfield Police are asking for the publics help in locating 40-year-old Nikolay Kontsemal, a Westfield resident who has been reported missing and is believed to be in immediate need of medical care. Westfield mayor works to address $16 million budget deficit Kontsemal was last seen around 5 p.m. on Wednesday in the Birch Bluffs area of Westfield. He is described as a white male, approximately 56tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Nikolay Kontsemal (Courtesy of Westfield Police Department) According to the Westfield Police Department, Kontsemal has not taken his required daily medication, which was found still at his home along with his vehicle. Concern is heightened due to reports from individuals who last saw him and noted that he appeared pale and lethargic. Authorities have also confirmed that he is in need of a critical surgery and may be facing a medical emergency. Nikolay Kontsemal (Courtesy of Westfield Police Department) Police say Kontsemal has ties to Westfield, Southwick, and Suffield, Connecticut, and may be in any of those areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who sees Kontsemal or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call the Westfield Police Department at 413-562-5411. 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. Apr. 24WESTOVER According to city code, it remains perfectly legal for any sober individual who's at least 18 years old to enjoy consumer fireworks in the city of Westover but only between 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on July 4th, Labor Day and Memorial Day. The law is far less specific, however, when it comes to selling said fireworks. During its most recent regular meeting, Westover City Council approved on first reading an ordinance amending Article 545.10 of city code, pertaining to sale, possession and discharge of fireworks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change was initiated by interest from a large fireworks wholesaler in the former Wells Home Furnishings building at the corner of Fairmont Road and Dents Run Boulevard. "He has 90 stores. He has a couple in West Virginia, and he was looking to buy that building, " Westover Public Works Director Jason Stinespring explained earlier this month. According to attorney Tim Stranko, there is nothing in Westover's zoning code that would prohibit the establishment of a brick-and-mortar fireworks store. However, the way Article 545.10 is currently worded, the city will only provide a license to sell fireworks for undefined "timeframes " around the patriotic holidays listed above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was explained this section of code was originally written to regulate the temporary tent sales that pop up every summer, not permanent retail stores. The proposed ordinance change not only specifies that these parameters are specific to temporary structures, but spells out when those seasonal sellers can operate from July 13 to July 6 for the July 4th holiday and three weeks preceding and three days following Memorial Day and Labor Day. When questioned by council, Stinespring explained the state fire marshal must sign off on both permanent retail locations and temporary sellers. Further, he said the state has specific regulations in place for brick-and-mortar stores that consider everything from the distance to neighboring buildings to the number and types of sprinklers that must be installed to the manner in which the merchandise is situated within the building. According to the Monongalia County Assessor's parcel viewer, the building in question is 11, 680 square feet and sits on.91 acres. The property land and building was most recently appraised at just over $1.4 million. April 25 (UPI) -- The United Nations World Food Program announced Friday that all of its food stocks for families in Gaza have run out. "Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in the Gaza Strip," the program wrote in a press release, "These kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days." WFP then stated that the kitchens have served as the "the only consistent source of food assistance for people in Gaza," and added "WFP has also supported bakeries to distribute affordable bread in Gaza," but that all 25 WFP-supported bakeries closed," in March "as wheat flour and cooking fuel ran out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Israel-Hamas conflict has continued, Israel has maintained a blockade, which has stopped all humanitarian or commercial supplies into Gaza for over seven weeks, with all main border crossing points closed. Over 127,000 tons of food assistance, "enough to feed one million people for up to four months, is positioned at aid corridors and is ready to be brought into Gaza by WFP and food security partners as soon as borders reopen," WFP explained. WFP said this is the longest closure ever imposed on the Gaza Strip, which has driven food prices up 1,400% when compared to during the cease-fire, and in combination with the end of its food stocks, it especially impacts "vulnerable populations, including children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly." The organization has concluded that the "situation inside the Gaza Strip has once again reached a breaking point," and unless "urgent action to open borders for aid and trade to enter," is made, WFP may have to pull out. The annual White House Correspondents Association dinner is shaping up to be a more low-key affair this year, with no customary comedian headlining the event and, once again, the conspicuous absence of President Donald Trump. Trump, whose administration has been aggressively combative with the mainstream media, is not expected to attend the dinner Saturday. In an interview with Status published Thursday, WHCA President and MSNBC correspondent Eugene Daniels called the dinner a celebration of the First Amendment and suggested he is indifferent about the presidents decision. I dont have a feeling one way or another about anyones decision to not join the dinner, Daniels said. As we have done for decades, I sent an invite to the president, the first lady, and the press secretary to join us on the dais. As President Trump has done in the past, he has chosen to skip it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I want folks to remember is that this dinner is not about the president. Its about the journalists and the more of them in the room, the better, especially those doing the hard work every day of covering the White House. Any additional guests are icing on the cake. It will be the fourth time Trump has skipped the annual event after he abstained from it entirely during his first term, bucking a long-standing tradition of presidents attending. (The 2020 dinner was canceled because of the pandemic.) Trumps absence would be no surprise: He has a history of reacting poorly to criticism, whether in jest or not. And his relationship with the media is arguably at its lowest point right now: Trump has targeted The Associated Press over its use of the name Gulf of Mexico for what Trump has renamed the Gulf of America; baselessly claimed that news outlets coverage of his administration is illegal; singled out reporters for criticism in public settings; and his administration has repeatedly mocked and denounced media coverage of its chaotic immigration policy. There are signs that Trumps browbeating may be having ripple effects. Major news outlets have recently settled or considered settling with Trump over lawsuits that First Amendment experts largely consider frivolous. The WHCA, which organizes the annual dinner, also embroiled itself in some drama last month after rescinding an invitation to comedian Amber Ruffin, who has been critical of Trump, to perform at this years event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Politico, Trump officials have considered planning some counterprogramming on the night of the dinner, which coincides with first lady Melania Trumps 55th birthday. MSNBC will air special coverage of this years White House Correspondents Dinner at 8 p.m. ET Saturday. MSNBC's YouTube channel will livestream the event, as well. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com JMG Group, through its subsidiaries GS Group, Greenwood Moreland and Lighthouse Risk Services, has carried out three acquisitions for an undisclosed sum. JMG Group CEO Nick Houghton emphasised the acquisitions as balancing entrepreneurial autonomy with Group-wide support. GS Group acquired W K Insurance, a Scottish broker with a history spanning more than 40 years. This acquisition brings a team of seven professionals to GS Group, including newly appointed managing director Scott King. King, who succeeds Kevin King in the role, brings multinational experience, including the London market. Kevin said: Scotts appointment, along with our integration with GS Group, future-proofs the business. We are pleased to join a wider network while staying committed to delivering excellent client service. Greenwood Moreland has taken over UKI Direct, a broker based in York, UK, that serves small and medium-sized enterprise clients nationwide. The acquisition sees three broking professionals join Greenwood Moreland, with Ian Donald taking the helm in a planned succession from former owner Mike Howard. This move increases Greenwood Moreland's gross written premium by 2.5m ($3.32m), pushing its total placed premiums to more than 58m across its seven UK sites. Lighthouse Risk Services has acquired TSE Solutions, a Leeds-based company specialising in customised risk management. The acquisition is the culmination of a professional relationship between Lighthouse director Chris Hall and TSE Solutions managing director Antony Eckersley. Eckersley stated: This enhances our service offering in the health and safety market. We have long admired Lighthouses high standards and look forward to strengthening our proposition as part of the Group. Eckersley will join the Lighthouse team, continuing to serve his existing clientele while also contributing to business development. JMG Group CEO Nick Houghton says: These acquisitions reflect the strength of our businesses and their confidence in the support we provide. Each firm has identified and seized growth opportunities that align with their values and ambitions. Our role is to support them providing infrastructure, financial backing and operational expertise while enabling them to grow independently and make sound commercial decisions. Last year, JMG Group, through JM Glendinning North Yorkshire, acquired C P Bennett, a personal and commercial lines insurance broker based in Bridlington. "JMG Group expands with triple deal " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. After the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, ignited the devastating war in Gaza, a deadly new reality also took hold for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. With the worlds attention focused on Gaza, Israeli military operations in the West Bank grew in size, frequency and intensity. The army launched the stepped-up campaign to counter what it says is a growing militant threat. Heres a look at where things stand, with data collected by the U.N.s humanitarian office and Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement tracking group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian deaths by Israeli fire have surged Since the war in Gaza erupted, the majority of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank have been shot during military raids in villages and towns. Israel says the operations are needed to stamp out militancy. Many of the dead were militants killed in clashes, or youths throwing stones or firebombs. But Palestinians and rights groups say scores of uninvolved civilians have been caught in the crossfire. Of those killed since the Hamas attack, at least 182 have been children under 18, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, some of whom Israel says were involved in stone-throwing and militancy. Rights groups accuse Israel of using excessive force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli offensives evicted 40,000 from refugee camps Israel is staging a massive offensive across four major refugee camps in the north of the West Bank. The raids, at their height, pushed 40,000 people from their homes. Many are now sheltering with relatives in neighboring villages, others racking up debt renting apartments while they wait to return. Israeli officials, meanwhile, have said those displaced will not be allowed to go back for at least a year. Forces have ripped up roads, destroyed infrastructure and demolished hundreds of homes. Israel says it is dismantling terrorist infrastructure. But civilian homes have also been destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another escalation, the military has resumed previously rare tactics, like drone strikes, in these densely populated areas. Settler attacks on Palestinians occur almost daily Settler attacks causing injury or death to Palestinians surged in the wake of the Hamas attack. For Palestinians living in small Bedouin villages in areas under full Israeli control, the attacks have become a near-daily occurrence as settlers emboldened by Israels pro-settler government build new unauthorized outposts on nearby hilltops. Israel says it opposes settler violence and blames it all on a small, extremist fringe. Palestinians say that the Israeli army does little to protect them, and that the attacks are part of a systematic attempt to expel them from their land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli outposts spring up across territory Settlers have established about 80 new outposts since the war began. Rights groups say the outposts, often populated by extremist activists, are the main drivers of violence against Palestinians. The tiny unauthorized land grabs are tolerated and even encouraged by Israel, which over the years has converted many outposts into authorized settlements as it cements its hold on the territory and moves to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israels government, dominated by settler leaders and supporters, has established 13 new settlements since the war began, at least five of which originally sprung up as outposts. That brings the total number of settlements to 140. Most of the international community considers settlements illegal, though U.S. President Donald Trump has supported them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Checkpoints choke Palestinian movement Meanwhile, movement between Palestinian towns and cities has only grown more difficult. New checkpoints have further divided the territory and created choke points the Israeli army can shut off on a whim. Crossings that had been open 24/7 started closing during morning and evening rush hours, disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and turning once-routine commutes into hours-long journeys. As the war in Gaza continues and the West Bank seethes, Palestinians say life is only growing more difficult. WASHINGTON The D.C. press corps is set to gather at a flurry of galas, soirees and other glitz-and-glam events for the annual White House Correspondents Dinner this weekend. The yearly dinner has been a staple for journalists and politicians alike since its inception in 1921. Not only does the event offer an opportunity for reporters to socialize with their otherwise sources and subject material, but it typically entails a three-day stretch of parties and happy hours as a break from the 24-hour news cycle. Ahead of the dinner on Saturday, celebrities and other attendees have the opportunity to pose on the red carpet, offering viewers at home a fun game of spotted. Those attending typically go all out for the black-tie-only event, decked out in attire that would fit more naturally in New York or Los Angeles than usually-staid D.C. The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is this Saturday (watch it LIVE on @cspan!). On American History TV we're looking at dinners from past years. Here's a preview of some iconic moments. Watch #WHCD throughout history from 12:45pm to 8pm ET on C-SPAN 2. pic.twitter.com/3Yft0oiHNI American History TV (@cspanhistory) April 24, 2025 The event acts as the main source of revenue for the White House Correspondents Association and the speeches are typically used to educate the public about the value of the First Amendment and a free press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those speeches are then typically followed by a presidential address paired with a politically edgy comedic routine. This year, however, may be a little different. The most obvious difference is that one of the main guests of honor, President Donald Trump, will not be in attendance. His absence is not necessarily a surprise the president skipped all four dinners held during his first term. But this time around, the snub comes amid a feud between the Trump administration and the White House Correspondents Association, which hosts the annual dinner. Tensions have been brewing between the two for months, especially after the White House announced in February it would be taking over the press corps rotating assignments for journalists covering the president. That decision breaks decades of tradition of the WHCA handling the affairs of journalists in the press pool, and prompted pushback from the association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WHCA has also pushed back against efforts by the administration to limit access to some news outlets based on their reporting, most notably the ban on Associated Press reporters from accessing pooled events due to the outlets style to use Gulf of Mexico rather than Gulf of America. Also missing this year: a headlining comedian. Dark Brandon made an appearance at the White House Correspondents Dinner. pic.twitter.com/lNfWrNXj0i President Biden Archived (@POTUS46Archive) April 30, 2023 The WHCA pulled comedian Amber Ruffin from the speaking lineup for the televised event over concerns of recent anti-Trump comments. The WHCA said the decision was made to ensure the focus is not on the politics of division but entirely on awarding our colleagues for their outstanding work and providing scholarship and mentorship to the next generation of journalists. What will remain the same are the events preceding the annual dinner, albeit in a slightly smaller fashion than years past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are fewer parties in the lineup this year, and several of the exclusive events have become harder to get on the guest list. Still, there are several pre- and after parties for the dinner this weekend, and A-list celebrities are expected to attend. SATURDAY: White House Correspondents' Association Dinner marathon - Starting at noon ET on C-SPAN2 (via @cspanHistory) pic.twitter.com/k3Hwl52gtz CSPAN (@cspan) April 24, 2025 But a slew of high-profile lawmakers and even some reporters may be missing in action as the funeral for Pope Francis will be held in Vatican City this weekend. Thats where Trump will be, along with several members of the House and Senate. The pre-dinner reception begins at 6 p.m. ET and will be live streamed on CSPAN. President Donald Trumps team privately alerted Wall Street executives to the state of its trade deal negotiations, according to a reporter for the Fox Business Network. Correspondent Charles Gasparino reported on X that people inside the Trump White House are alerting Wall Street execs they are nearing an agreement in principle on trade with India, citing his sources who are senior Wall Street execs with ties to the White House. The scoop reflected earlier comments made by Vice President JD Vance indicating that the U.S. and India had finalized terms of reference for a potential tariff deal. Gasparino said the office of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to comment but did not deny his reporting. SCOOP: People inside the Trump White House are alerting Wall Street execs they are nearing an agreement in principle on trade with India, according to my sources who are senior Wall Street execs w ties to the White House. No details on timing, and recall that we have been here Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) April 24, 2025 Gasparinos followers on X were focused on something else, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this is true, isnt the big story that The White House gives Wall Street executives early heads up on trade negotiations, rather than the existence of the deals themselves? Bloomberg editor Joe Weisenthal wrote in reply. Wall Street analyst Gordon Johnson had the same question: Why are Wall Street executives getting inside information from inside the White House? Why does the SEC allow this? And given they do, shouldnt they just be disbanded? Or is enforcement only for the poor? The remarks prompted Gasparino to go on the offensive, denying that the White House and his sources were involved in any sort of insider trading. The Fox reporter hit back at Weisenthal: Joe obviously has never reported on Wall Street; I broke all of the financial crisis stories because the White House was talking to Wall Street. Joe obviously has never reported on Wall Street; I broke all of the financial crisis stories because the White House was talking to Wall Street https://t.co/vjE6S17GXl Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) April 24, 2025 That response only led to even more eyebrow-raising. Finance writer James Surowiecki jumped in to point out that the 2008 financial crisis involved the solvency of financial institutions, naturally prompting the White House to talk to Wall Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats radically different from giving Wall Street institutions advance notice of possible market-moving changes in tariff policy, he said. Gasparino remained defiant and pointed the finger at progressive mainstream media outlets instead. This is about the economy and trade deals which I cover; its alerting the public about an ongoing situation that impacts them in an existential way, he wrote. Its called REAL reporting and it should have been done during the Biden Admin so the public would have been alerted to the presidents mental decline before it was too late. And besides this NOT being insider trading (again I know a lot about this subject) where's the progressive MSM outrage over the constant drumbeat of national security stuff thats leaked to newspapers? All the phony investigations about Trump? All the political nobodies that got https://t.co/dJJM97BK7O Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) April 24, 2025 On Wednesday, Gasparino also cited the talk on Wall Street based on their sources inside the White House when he reported that the Trump administration was looking for a face-saving off ramp in its heated trade war with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his final word on the matter, Gasparino said trying to move markets is a fools game. Never done that and I never will, he said. I also know, as I reported, this aint done until you see the proverbial press release and even then read the fine print. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. A flyer sitting on the ground near the press area during Vice President JD Vance's March 14, 2025 visit to Bay City demands Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer call a special election in Michigan's vacant 35th Senate district. | Kyle Davidson Its been more than 100 days since U.S. Rep. Kristin McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) was sworn into the 119th U.S. Congress, resigning from her role as the Senator for Michigans 35th District. While McDonald Rivets seat has sat vacant for more than three months, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has been sparse on the details of when the seat may be filled, as Republicans put forth a clarion call demanding a special election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other side likes to talk about threats to Democracy. The threat to Democracy is no representation here in Midland, Bay and Saginaw County, Rep. Bill G. Schuette told audience members during Vice President J.D. Vances visit to Bay City on March 14. Alongside Republicans calls to fill the vacant seat, residents of the district have made their concerns known, traveling to Lansing on the date of the governors State of the State speech to demand a special election on the steps of the state Capitol. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On Thursday the nonpartisan voting rights group Common Cause joined the call, emphasizing that it is the governors duty to set a special election and general election dates, and noting that shed previously called similar elections without dallying. The groups Executive Director Quentin Turner suggested in a statement that the Legislature may need to take action to prevent further delays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While spokespeople for Whitmer did not respond to an emailed request for comment, the governor told WCMU on April 3 that her team was still reviewing dates, saying At some point there will be one, but I dont have an announcement to make yet. In an op-ed for the Detroit News, Senate Minority Leader and candidate for governor Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township), said Whitmer has called 10 special elections across her six years in office, averaging about 17 days in fulfilling her constitutional obligation to call an election. At a Feb. 26, 2025 press conference, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) holds up a button reading Free the 35th as he calls on Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call a special election in the states 35th Senate district. | Kyle Davidson He further noted that Whitmer had called the special election to replace outgoing state Reps. Kevin Coleman (D-Westland) and Lori Stone (D-Warren) without delay. When Stone and Coleman won their mayoral elections in 2023, Democrats held a slim two-seat majority over Republicans. However, Coleman and Stones resignation left the House in a 54-54 deadlock until Reps. Mai Xiong (D-Warren) and Peter Herzberg were elected in April of last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to the Michigan Advance on Friday, Turner noted that Democrats in the Michigan Senate currently hold a one-seat majority. While he could not speak to the governors motivations, the optics come across fairly partisan, Turner said. Calling a special election in the swing seat could see Democrats yielding further ground to Republicans, who took control of the Michigan House in the 2024 election, ending Democrats trifecta control of the House, Senate and governors office. If a Republican candidate claims victory in a special election, the chamber would be split 19-19. While Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat and president of the Senate, can break the tie in any party-line vote; all members must be present and voting. If any member is absent, a 19-18 vote on the bills would leave Gilchrist unable to vote, killing any legislation that fails to achieve a 20 vote majority. Lt. Garlin Gilchrist (L) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (R) before her State of the State speech, Jan. 24, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Adrian Hemond, a Democratic consultant and the CEO and Chair of Grassroots Midwest in Lansing said its not uncommon for governors to play politics with when they call special elections as the Michigan Constitution gives them incredible broad discretion on when to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether this is a political or partisan decision to delay, it self-evidently is, Hemond said. If you proceed under the assumption that Republicans are quite likely to win a special election in this district, that means, functionally, that calling the special election is equivalent to giving away your Senate majority, Hemond said. While Democrats could win the 35th Senate District, given McDonald Rivets 2022 victory, they would need the right candidate, as the seat has trended away from Democrats in recent election cycles, Hemond said. Ultimately, Whitmer will call a special election when the political price for not calling the election is higher than the price for calling it, Hemond said, and Michigan Republicans have a long way to go to make that happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his op-ed, Nesbitt played on the themes of bipartisanship collaboration Whitmer expressed in her state of the state address, calling on her to work with whoever the next senator may be. It should not be up to her or me or any other single elected official to determine if the state Senate operates with a new 19-19 tie or returns to a 20-18 split for the remainder of the current legislative term. That is a question for the voters of the 35th District, Nesbitt said. In the meantime, nearly 270,000 residents have been left without representation as the Legislature continues to hold hearings and vote on bills. There are a number of extremely important pieces of legislation that are moving through the House and the Senate in Lansing this year, Turner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While lawmakers take up legislation that includes a proposal from State Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford) that would place a Constitutional amendment requiring voters to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote and casting their ballot, Turner said Michigan voters deserve to have someone in Lansing advocating for them and their right to vote, alongside their other rights. Looking to legislative solutions, creating a hard timeline for calling a special election would be a good place to start, Turner said. Several years after an encounter that turned him into a self-professed tuberculosis nerd, John Greens son came home from school with a question. Did the best-selling author realise that the disease played a small role in the onset of the First World War? I was like respectfully, if that were true I would already know, said Green, who is best known for young adult novels such as The Fault in Our Stars. But I looked it up, and he was so totally right. It turned out that three of the assassins who plotted Archduke Franz Ferdinands death a crucial if chaotic moment in the build-up to war were suffering from tuberculosis (TB). Historians have posited that they were prepared to die for their cause partly because they knew already that their days were numbered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tidbit is one of Greens favourites, but as his obsession with TB has grown, so too has his collection of anecdotes. Did you know that Ringo Starr first discovered percussion while recovering from TB in a sanatorium? Or that cowboy hats were created for the midwest sun after a hat-maker in the 1850s moved in search of cleaner air for his struggling lungs? I think we do underestimate the extent to which, not just tuberculosis but disease in general, has shaped human history, said Green. Think of how different the world could be if Alexander the Great hadnt died of typhoid or malaria when he was still a young man [or if] Louis XVIs son hadnt died of tuberculosis as the French Revolution was beginning. But while the intriguing history of the worlds deadliest infection may have informed the title of Greens latest book, Everything is Tuberculosis, it was never the driving force for writing. Instead, the story began with Henry Reider, an uncommonly charismatic patient in Sierra Leone. The pair first met in 2019. Green was in the west African country on a trip related to maternal mortality when he visited a TB hospital at the time, he had no idea that the curable disease still kills upwards of 1.2 million people every year, and infects another 10 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought that TB was a disease of 19th century poets, not a disease of the present, Green said, in his first interview with a British newspaper about the new book. Then I met this kid who looked to be about the same age as my son, who was nine at the time, and who had the same name as my son, Henry. But as Green toured the Lakka Government Hospital with Reider, he was in for a series of shocks. Henry Reider was not nine but 17 hed been stunted from severe malnutrition in childhood and his experience with TB was devastating. Reiders father, distrustful of the health care system, had halted his sons treatment part way through a months-long course of drugs, allowing the infection to develop drug-resistance. Later, when the usual toxic cocktails of drugs failed him, bedaquiline a safer treatment regimen that involves few tablets over a shorter period was deemed too expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was infuriating to me. You or I would receive the kind of personalised, tailored treatment that Henry was told was unaffordable without hesitation or question, said Green. Meeting Henry and spending that afternoon with him really reshaped my understanding of illness. Reiders story forms the backbone of Everything is Tuberculosis, where Green argues that injustice is behind the continued presence of TB a bacterial pathogen formally identified in 1882, but which has been killing people for centuries longer. Although the airborne disease can infect anyone, today it is largely a disease of poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 1.25 million people died from TB in 2023 81 per cent of fatalities were in south Asia and Africa, compared to just 1.4 per cent in Europe. Green first met uncommonly charismatic TB patient Henry Reider in 2019 - Instagram This has impacted everything from investment in vaccine and drug development, to the accessibility of expensive treatments and specialist doctors for patients. But it wasnt until Green spoke to a renowned TB doctor that the implications hit him: even with todays imperfect tools and knowledge gaps, the disease could be wiped out.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked him, how many people would die of tuberculosis if everyone had the kind of health care that I have? And he said: none, zero. And that shocked me, it means that every death from tuberculosis is optional. Drawing attention to this reality felt essential for Green. Still, he was unsure how the book would land. Every time I try to market the book, I feel almost apologetic like I have to explain that its a non fiction book about tuberculosis, he said. [But] it feels like a natural progression, in the sense that Ive been interested in illness for a long time I wrote about cancer in The Fault in Our Stars, I wrote about OCD in Turtles All the Way Down. And you know, this is also a book about a smart teenager who loves poetry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He hardly needed to be concerned. The response has been wildly unexpected: since it was published last month, Tuberculosis is Everything has topped the New York Times bestseller list for non-fiction for a fortnight, while Greens US book tour sold out within days. Green isnt entirely sure how he captured the public imagination, but he wonders if part of the explanation lies in the timing. The book was published after Donald Trumps administration slashed the foreign aid budget and closed the USAID agency an unprecedented move with huge ramifications for global health, including the fight against tuberculosis. The US contributed roughly half of all international donor funding for TB last year, according to the WHO, which last month warned that efforts to curb the disease are now in peril as health workers funded by USAID have been laid off, testing and surveillance services halted, drug development paused and access to treatment curtailed for millions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I never imagined that the cuts under the Trump administration would be this severe, and that they would lead to this scale of mass death. I was a little naive, I think, said Green. It is absolutely devastating its a massive failure of global resource allocation, and a mark of shame on all of us. He added that it is disappointing to see the UK also reduce its aid budget, from 0.5 per cent of gross national income to 0.3 per cent in 2027. Reider has since recovered from TB, completed exams at the University of Sierra Leone, and launched a YouTube vlog - Instagram In West Africa, Reider has recovered from TB, completed exams at the University of Sierra Leone, and launched a YouTube vlog. But Green fears for other patients Reiders hospital is among those hit by the US aid cuts, and TB is not the only disease affected. A friend in Sierra Leone who has HIV called me and said: Look, theres two weeks left of medication, and after that they dont know. I said Sarah [Greens wife] and I will make sure you and your mom have access to HIV medicine, of course. And he said: Thank you, but what about everyone else? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truth is, there is no way for individuals and philanthropy to set up and act at the scale that governments are acting. And so that question what about everyone else? is a question that haunts me. I think it should haunt us all. But although Green is less optimistic about the promise of eliminating TB than when he finished writing the book, he has retained a sense of hope that the outlook can change especially because cheaper diagnostics, better treatments and promising vaccine candidates are in the pipeline. If you think of the fight against tuberculosis as a very long staircase, weve walked a long way up that staircase since Hippocrates told his students not even to bother treating tuberculosis, because it would make them look like bad healers, said Green. In the last eight weeks, weve fallen down the staircase and thats devastating. But when you fall down a staircase, you get up and start walking up the staircase again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. Fort Lauderdale, Florida Mayra Villalona is sitting on what she thought was real estate gold. She bought a two-bed, two-bath condo near Fort Lauderdale in 2021 for $145,000, hoping to pounce on pandemic-era real estate prices. "This is really a great community to live in," Villalona told CBS News. "It's just to me, for me, it's not an investment right now. It's not a good one." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Villalona's condo has been on the market since last November. Despite spending $20,000 upgrading the kitchen and the bathrooms, she has seen virtually no potential buyers. She has lowered the price twice with no luck. It is currently listed for $255,000. "Because it wasn't movingAndI wanted to sell it," Villalona said of why she lowered the price. In an already challenging U.S. real estate market, many South Florida condo owners cannot sell because some buyers have been scared off from a surge in special assessment fees that are used to make safety upgrades to older condominiums in response to a new state law passed following the 2021 partial building collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers in Surfside, killing 98 people, one of the deadliest building collapses in U.S. history. Older buildings, like Villalona's that are three stories or higher, are now required to increase inspections and build up a reserve to fund restoration projects. Fees are paid by the homeowners, which can range in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Villalona says her fund restoration fees have increased "three times already" because of the law, from about $20,000, to now over $50,000. "Well, it used to be 20 and then they went to 35, and now I owe over 50," Villalona said. In hindsight, would Villalona have still bought the condo back in 2021? "Probably not this one," she said. Brokers told CBS News that mortgage giant Fannie Mae has compiled a list of 1,400 condo developments across Florida that are considered high-risk to secure a mortgage because the buildings are either underinsured or have overdue repairs making them harder to sell. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates NIH | Sunday on 60 Minutes It happened to an electrical engineer from New Hampshire, a medical researcher at Harvard University, and an aging auntie from Seattleall of them permanent residents. They were each returning home to the United States from an ordinary trip abroad when they were pulled aside by immigration agents, subjected to a lengthy interrogation, and then taken into custody and transferred to a detention facility miles away from home. Now they face an enormous, crushing bureaucracy that uses minor or long-forgotten infractions to keep them under indefinite detention. This type of encounter is not new, but it is headline news in 2025. It also happens to be how my dystopian novel, The Dream Hotel, opens. Set in a future of total technological surveillance, the book follows an American archivist who is detained at Los Angeles International Airport because an algorithm has used her dreams and behavior to predict that she will commit a crime. One review called it a Trump-Era Update on Philip K. Dicks The Minority Report. Another credited its eerie sense of prescience. When I was on tour for the book last month, someone asked if Id known that the twice-impeached president and convicted felon would return to power. I hadnt. I started working on The Dream Hotel in 2014, during Barack Obamas administration, and wrote the bulk of it during Joe Bidens term in office. I had no idea Donald Trump would run for president in 2016, and after he lost in 2020, I didnt expect hed be reelected. I was thinking instead about the ever-more-invasive forms of data collection that Big Tech had unleashed. I wondered if, one day, one of their devices might target the subconscious. The novel takes U.S. systems of surveillance and incarceration that have been deployed at the southern border or on foreign soiland applies them to Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In writing about this potential future, I found inspiration in history. Surveillance has always been a part of the human experience, because its one of the mechanisms that enables power to be exercised and enforced in society. No creature is hidden from His sight, the Bible says, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. The Quran warns, God is all-knowing. Omniscience is not confined to the realm of religious belief. Authoritarian systems share in the idea that, even if youre hidden behind the walls of your own home, someone might find out that you said the wrong thing or read the wrong books or met with the wrong people, and punish you for your transgressions. During the Cold War, East Germanys government employed a sprawling network of informants whom it equipped with state-of-the-art technology in order to spy on the population. On a visit to Berlins Stasi Museum in 2023, I was struck by the range of everyday objects that could be used to conceal miniature camerasa checkered tie, a jacket button, a watering can. The secret police even endeavored to create an archive of scents, by inducing suspects to touch yellow cloths and saving these in hermetic glass bottles. The Communist Party used this elaborate surveillance system to consolidate its power and crush political dissent for 40 years. [Read: They dreamed of Hitler] The United States has a long history of surveillance as well. The FBI famously spied on civil-rights activists, Black Panthers, feminists, Vietnam War protesters, and other leftist groups through programs such as COINTELPRO, which used wiretapping and mail interception to keep tabs on people it considered subversive. This gave the Bureau access to information it could then use to disrupt their activities or sow division among them. The program cast a wide net. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Angela Davis were surveilled, as were Bobby Seale, Tom Hayden, and Jane Fonda. In addition to mechanical data collection, the agency also relied on information collected by informants and undercover officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all its power to harm, though, surveillance can also take forms that almost everyone would agree are benign, or even beneficial. For example, medical doctors have a range of tools at their disposal to track patients heart rates, brain waves, or blood-glucose levels. The Federal Aviation Administration routinely conducts random drug and alcohol testing of its pilots and crews to ensure that they can fly safely. We watch young children when they play on the monkey bars, and keep a close eye on elders when they grow too frail or incapacitated to care for themselves. Big Techs insidious hold on our lives comes from the fact that it combines both ends of this surveillance spectrum. Our devices deliver services that are highly protective (receiving a text alert each time a financial transaction affects a bank account, for example) as well as potentially abusive (making our political speech or our geographic movements available to, say, a police officer or an immigration agent). Technology companies are careful to present the equation as balanced, with convenience and connection on one side and collection of granular information on the other, so it is much harder for users to simply stop using their devices. In the early years of the internet, many people thought their data would be used only for targeted advertising. By 2014, when I began working on my novel, the unholy alliance between Big Tech and the government was becoming apparent. Edward Snowden had revealed the existence of PRISM, a mass-surveillance program that the National Security Agency operated in partnership with tech companies such as Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and Google. PRISM was authorized under the PATRIOT Act, and although officials maintained that its targets were foreigners, the communications of Americans were routinely collected as well. A friend of mine, an avowed liberal, shrugged it off; he had nothing to hide, he said, and he trusted that then-President Obama would do the right thing. But even if you conceded that Obama could be trusted with the datawhich I didntwhat would happen if this surveillance apparatus were run by someone else? The Snowden disclosures led to a monthslong national debate about privacy, but that eventually died down, and the program continued to operate. Still, its potential for abuse stayed with me. I grew up in Morocco in the 1970s and 80s, a period of state repression, kidnappings, and disappearances that came to be known as the Years of Lead, so I knew well what could happen when a government set its sights on an individual it found suspect or troublesome. A popular joke at the time went something like this: The CIA, the FBI, and the Moroccan police enter into a friendly contest. The Secretary of the United Nations releases a rabbit into the woods and asks them to catch it. The FBI places informants in the forest and, when it cant find the rabbit, concludes that it was never there. The CIA hits the forest with heavy artillery, then announces that the rabbit is dead. The Moroccan police go in and bring out a fox with two black eyes. Okay, okay, the fox says. I am a rabbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: A new kind of immigrant novel] Growing up under state control made me hypersensitive, decades later, to the dangers of technological surveillance. Tech companies have access to an ever-growing and highly detailed archive of our lives: our texts and emails, our pictures, our habits and movements, our cultural tastes and political opinions. In The Dream Hotel, I wanted to explore a world where privacy as we know it has ceased to exist, and Big Techs alliance with the government has led to indefinite detention for pre-crime. Since the novel came out, friends have been sending me stories in the news. Like a Guardian report about how the U.K. government commissioned the development of a homicide-prediction algorithm. Or a CNN piece about how the State Department considers the expected beliefs, statements, or associations of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia graduate and green-card holder currently being held in a Louisiana detention center, to be sufficient reason for his deportation. Or a Rolling Stone article about how the Trump administration might pursue denaturalizing American citizens and sending them to El Salvador. Then there is the New York Times story about how Elon Musk is leading efforts to create a giant government database that merges information from all existing federal records. Under this scheme, the personal, legal, financial, housing, educational, and employment information of every American would be centralized. (In my novel, this is called the OmniCloud.) I thought I was writing about a time 20 or 30 years into the future. I didnt foresee that in 2025, an unelected billionaire would have his underlings enter federal agencies over staffers objections andaccording to an official whistleblower reportjust copy the private data of millions of citizens. Nor did I imagine that the acting director of ICE would bluntly state his vision of a deportation force that operates like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the point of a speculative novel isnt to see what a writer got right or wrong about the future. A speculative novel isnt even about the future, exactly, but about an alternative world in which our anxieties about the present moment are on full display. What if we faced a society-altering epidemic? (The Plague, Blindness.) What if the planet warmed? (Parable of the Sower.) What if we could clone ourselves? (Never Let Me Go.) What if some words and ideas were forbidden? (The Memory Police.) What if the government outlawed books? (Fahrenheit 451.) We dont put firefighters in charge of burning booksat least not yetbut Ray Bradbury gave us language to speak about the freedom to read and showed us how to notice threats to it. My hope is that readers will open themselves to the emotional experience of The Dream Hotel. And yes, maybe they will also think about the data they so easily and so frequently relinquish. Article originally published at The Atlantic The United States and Iran wrapped up a third round of nuclear talks on Saturday, which experts have described as a more difficult phase of technical negotiations as Washington lays out its conditions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the negotiations this time were much more serious than previous ones; we engaged in conversations that were more detailed, more expert-level level and more technical. The expert conversations also went well. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the US does not envision Iran enriching its own nuclear material, but rather importing the nuclear fuel uranium needed for a civilian energy program. Iran has repeatedly stated that its right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the US and Iran have described previous talks as positive, despite President Donald Trumps threat of US and Israeli military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites should Tehran fail to accept a deal. But Saturdays talks were are set to involve negotiations on the details of Irans nuclear program, an area where Tehran and Washington remain sharply divided. Araghchi said Saturday that there are still differences in major issues and in details. Until the next talks, we are both going to have conversations back in our capitals to see how to bring these differences back together. Omans Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi said talks will continue next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know. How the two sides got here A nuclear deal was reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers, including the US, under which Iran had agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions that have crippled its economy. Formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 deal allowed Iran to enrich uranium at a level that ensured that its nuclear program would be exclusively peaceful. That agreement was abandoned by Trump in 2018 during his first presidential term. Iran retaliated by advancing its uranium enrichment up to 60% purity, closer to the roughly 90% level that is needed to make a bomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran insists its nuclear program remains peaceful. Last month, Trump sent a letter to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing negotiations on a new nuclear deal, making it clear that Iran had a two-month deadline to agree to a new deal, a source familiar with the letters contents told CNN. What does Trump want and what are the key issues? The president has said that he wants a stronger deal with Iran than the one reached in 2015 under the Obama administration, but US officials have flip-flopped on their demands over the past month. In its bid to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, it remains unclear whether the US is demanding a full dismantling of its nuclear program including its civilian energy component or whether it would allow such a program if Iran abandons domestic uranium enrichment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This month, Steve Witkoff, Trumps envoy to the Iran talks, said theres no need for Iran to enrich uranium beyond what is needed for a nuclear energy program. He stopped short of demanding that Iran stop enriching uranium altogether or dismantle its nuclear program. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations confirmation hearing at Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC on January 15. - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images He reversed his position a day later in a statement on X in which he said any final deal with Iran would require it to stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meanwhile has called on Tehran to fully dismantle its nuclear program. Then, in an interview on Wednesday, Rubio said that Iran could have a civilian nuclear program but it would have to import the nuclear fuel needed rather than produce it domestically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a pathway to a civil, peaceful nuclear program if they want one, Rubio told The Free Press. But if they insist on enriching (uranium), then they will be the only country in the world that doesnt have a weapons program, but is enriching. And so, I think thats problematic. While most countries that enrich uranium domestically also have a nuclear weapons program, others dont. Brazil, for instance, enriches some uranium domestically for its energy program, according to World Nuclear Association. Meanwhile, the British-German-Dutch nuclear fuel consortium Urenco operates enrichment plants in Germany and The Netherlands, neither of which has nuclear weapons. Those countries, like Iran, are party to the United Nations Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Last week, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told The New York Times in Saudi Arabia that Riyadh and Washington were on a pathway to reaching an agreement that could see the kingdom enrich uranium. The issue is control of sensitive technology. Are there solutions to that that involve enrichment here in Saudi Arabia? Yes, he said. What is Iran saying? Iran has doubled down on its right to enrich uranium and has accused the Trump administration of sending mixed signals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irans enrichment (program) is a real and genuine matter, and we are ready to build trust regarding potential concerns, but the issue of enrichment is non-negotiable, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is representing Iran at the nuclear talks, was cited as saying by the state-run Iranian broadcaster Press TV. Tehran has laid out its red lines in talks, including threatening language by the Trump administration and excessive demands regarding Irans nuclear program. The US must also refrain from raising issues relating to Irans defense industry, Iranian media said, likely referring to its ballistic missile program, which the US Middle Eastern allies see as a threat to their security. Meanwhile, Irans highest leadership has approached the talks with extreme caution. In his first comments on the issue, Khamenei said that Tehran was neither overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic about the negotiations with the US. The Islamic Republic has also tried to present a potential nuclear deal as beneficial to the US. This week, Araghchi touted the possibility of US companies playing a role in Irans nuclear energy program, promising tens of billions of dollars in potential contracts. What other possible hurdles lie ahead? Alongside high-level talks between Araghchi and Witkoff Saturday, technical teams will begin to hammer out the details of a potential agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Anton, the State Departments head of policy planning, will head the technical team from the US side, spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday. The team will consist of roughly 12 working-level experts from various US government agencies and discuss more granular details about a path to a new nuclear agreement, such as potential sanctions relief and limitations on Irans nuclear program, a source familiar told CNN. Technical talks are challenging as they will try to address issues that were not pursued in the 2015 deal, said Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Washington DC-based Quincy Institute. This requires technical expertise to make sure these different ideas actually can become feasible. As well as the issue of enrichment, complications may emerge if poison pills are introduced, including a demand to fully dismantle Irans nuclear program, Libya-style, as Israel has pushed for, he added. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team members take part in negotiations with the US, in Rome, Italy on April 19. - Abbas Araqchi/Telegram/WANA/Reuters Libya in 2003 dismantled its nuclear program in the hopes of ushering in a new era of relations with the US after its two-decade oil embargo on Moammar Gadhafis regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After relinquishing its nuclear program, Libya descended into civil war following a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Gadhafis regime and led to his killing. Iranian officials have long warned that a similar deal would be rejected from the outset. Another hurdle could surface if the US demands that restrictions on Irans nuclear program be in perpetuity, Parsi said. Meaning, this would not be like normal arms control agreements, (where) restrictions are time-limited and over time expire. The 2015 deal had an expiration date, ending in October 2025 unless otherwise decided by the United Nations Security Council. When he pulled out of the deal in 2018, Trump lambasted the agreements 10-year time limit, saying that even if Iran fully complies, the regime can still be on the verge of a nuclear breakout in just a short period of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parsi said there may be an opportunity to extend the timeline. But anything that pushes toward infinitive and in perpetuity restrictions is very likely going to fail, and perhaps by design. Where does Israel stand? Israel has been among the staunchest advocates for Iran to fully dismantle its nuclear program so it can never acquire a nuclear bomb. Sources familiar with the matter had previously told CNN that news of the US-Iran nuclear talks were certainly not to Israels liking, and it remains unclear if Netanyahu was given advance notice of the negotiations or if he was consulted. The only deal that Netanyahu would view as acceptable is a Libya-style nuclear deal. The New York Times reported last week that Trump had waved Israel off striking Irans nuclear sites as soon as next month to let talks with Tehran play out. The Israeli Prime Ministers Office did not deny the veracity of the article, instead asserting that Israels actions have delayed Irans nuclear program. Responding to the report, Trump said: I wouldnt say waved off, but Im not in a rush to do it because I think that Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death. CNNs Leila Gharagozlou, Alex Marquardt, Kevin Liptak, Kylie Atwood, Michael Williams, Alayna Treene, Alireza Hajihosseini, Pauline Lockwood, Eyad Kourdi, Dalia Abdelwahab, Betsy Klein, Oren Liebermann, Jennifer Hansler and Abbas Al Lawati contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, has broken with tradition when it comes to where he is being laid to rest choosing a light-filled basilica instead of the grottoes of the Vatican. Popes are usually buried within Vatican City, beneath St. Peters Basilica. But Francis will be the first pontiff in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican, as he requested a simple tomb a couple of miles away in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore also known as St. Mary Major. Francis funeral was held Saturday before dignitaries and crowds of mourners in St. Peters Square. His body was then carried to the basilica on the other side of the river in central Rome for burial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tomb must be in the earth; simple, without particular decoration and with the only inscription: Franciscus, the pontiff said in his will, released by the Vatican. He also said the costs of his burial would be covered by a sum provided by a benefactor. While Francis tomb will be humble, the basilica above it glitters with sunlight and gold. The ceiling is covered in gilded wood, and light pours in through high-up windows to illuminate intricate mosaics that line the nave. Mourners and visitors have flocked here in the days since Franciss death, interested to see for themselves a place that he loved. Perched on top of one of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built, Santa Maria Maggiore is one of four papal basilicas. Its bell tower is the tallest in the Italian capital, rising to a height of 246 feet, and its position on the hill makes it the highest point in the city. The legend goes that the Virgin Mary came to both Pope Liberius and an Italian aristocrat asking for the church to be constructed in her honor in a place that would be miraculously revealed. Romes Esquiline Hill was identified as the spot after snow fell on its summit in August of 358, at the height of summer. In contemporary times, a celebration marking the Miracle of the Snow takes place at the basilica on August 5 every year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church as it stands today was commissioned by Pope Sixtus III in the year 431. The mosaics date from that time, and the interior also boasts Classical columns plundered from other buildings, although its encased in a Neoclassical facade built in the 1700s. The church has long held a special significance for Pope Francis, who used to visit on Sunday mornings to honor the Virgin Mary. Francis' coffin arrives at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, the pope's final resting place. - Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters A view inside the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy, where Pope Francis decided he would be buried in a "simple" tomb. Seven other popes are also buried there. - Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters Pope Francis is seen in May 2013, attending the recitation of the Rosary at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. - Franco Origlia/Getty Images He would often visit the basilica before and after foreign trips, as well as after hospital stays, to pray to the most important Marian icon, the Salus Populi Romani, to which he entrusted the protection of his apostolic journeys, in keeping with Jesuit tradition. Clearly a spot close to his heart, its where Francis began his first full day as leader of the Catholic Church in 2013. It is also the first place he visited after leaving the hospital last month, offering flowers to be placed before the icon of the Virgin Mary before returning to his residence in the Vatican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis revealed his plans to be buried there in December 2023, explaining that he felt a very strong connection with the basilica. I want to be buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, Francis said. Because it is my great devotion. A place is already prepared for his burial, the pope said in 2023, adding that he had been working on streamlining papal funerals. We simplified them quite a bit, Francis said. I will premiere the new ritual, he added with a smile at the time. Although seven other popes are buried in Santa Maria Maggiore, Francis will be the first not to be interred in St. Peters Basilica since Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and was laid to rest in the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. The last pope to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore was Clement IX, back in 1669. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the only time the pope has broken with tradition: Francis also refused to live in the Apostolic Palace, the official papal residence, instead choosing to live in a small apartment in the Vatican guesthouse, Santa Marta. Throughout his life, he was known for eschewing luxuries. As a cardinal in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was known for taking the subway instead of using a chauffeured car. Later in his career, he would travel to work at the Vatican in an unassuming blue Ford Focus. Pope Francis, who at the time used his given name Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, rides the subway in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2008. - Pablo Leguizamon/AP The day after his death, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore was far busier than usual, with mourners, worshipers and other visitors coming by the hundreds. The atmosphere was filled with sentiment but not somber, and the afternoon Mass opened with a brass quintet and bright organ music. It was just a remarkable experience, Kerry Bruder, 71, from Ontario, Canada, said after seeing the vast artworks and marble sculptures inside the church. You know that people for centuries have been going in there and it just made you feel small, but in a good way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victoria Ferreira, who traveled to Rome from Brazil for Easter, said she had already visited the basilica days before but it felt different after the pontiffs death, adding that it was very emotional. Ferreira, 33, told CNN that as a Catholic, she hopes the next pope will direct the church down the same path as Francis. He filled us with love, with empathy, with hope, she said. And I think we need to, more than ever, have this in our mind and in our actions to be like him. CNNs Lauren Said-Moorhouse contributed to this story. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Mimosa Spencer PARIS (Reuters) -Shares of Kering traded down 5% in European morning trade on Thursday, after the group reported a first-quarter sales drop that was worse than analysts' expectations. Kering after the market close on Wednesday posted a 14% decline in sales, with a 25% drop at flagship label Gucci, the latest signal the luxury sector faces another tough year. The sales report confirmed "a weakening backdrop" since February, said analysts at Jefferies, noting "the uncertainties around reigniting Gucci's desirability remain plentiful". The brand, which accounts for around two-thirds of group profits, is betting on in-house talent Demna to revive sales, but new designs will only arrive gradually at the end of the year. The French luxury group flagged worsening sales in North America and Western Europe and said it expected sales to continue to fall in double digits, percentage-wise, in the second quarter, before starting to improve. This leaves the "heavy lifting" for the second half, which will likely depend on a recovery in Chinese demand, noted analysts at Bernstein. Prospects for the luxury industry, which had pinned hopes on growth from the United States to help pull it out of a slump as the Chinese market remains weak, have been darkened by recession fears prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff announcements. As trade tensions have risen, Bellwether LVMH has fallen 23% and Burberry and Kering have both lost 30% since the start of the year. Hermes and Cartier-owner Richemont, viewed by analysts as better insulated from economic downturns because of their wealthier clientele, are up 1% and 3%, respectively. First-quarter reports from Kering's larger rivals last week also reflected the sector's slowdown and disappointed investors, with sales at LVMH's fashion and leather goods division down 5% while Hermes, which routinely outpaces expectations with double-digit growth, posted a 7% rise. Analysts at Deutsche Bank on Thursday lowered their 2025 earnings per share estimate for Kering this year by 13% to 8.65 euros ($9.84), citing the company's cautious outlook for the first half, and noting the slowdown in all regions except Asia was slightly worse than peers. TD Cowen lowered sales forecasts for Gucci this year by 15% to a 20% decline. The analysts added that Gucci, as well as another Kering label Yves Saint Laurent, were expected to be slower to raise prices to offset tariffs than peers. The Kering labels have a broader base of less-wealthy clients who are more reluctant to splash out in a choppy economic environment. US President Donald Trumps suggestion that Ukraine should recognize Russias control over Crimea, the southern Ukrainian peninsula that Moscow annexed more than a decade ago, is threatening to upend international law and order. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has long made it clear this is a red line for him. There is nothing to talk about. It is against our constitution, he told reporters on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump scolded Zelensky for that remark, accusing him of making it so difficult to settle this war and saying Crimea was lost years ago. It is a topic Trump revisited in an interview with Time magazine, saying as part of his proposal to end the war Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that its been with them for a long time. This spat between the two presidents has put the region firmly back on the agenda. Heres what we know. Is this legal? No. If the Trump administration was to somehow recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea, it would be breaching international law as well as multiple declarations and agreements made by the United States, including by the first Trump White House. In terms of international law, such a pronouncement would be null and void, said Sergey Vasiliev, an international law expert and professor at the Open University in the Netherlands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That territorial acquisitions that result from the use of force shall not be recognized as legal is basically one of the bedrock principles of international law, Vasiliev told CNN. Recognizing Crimea as part of Russia would put the Trump administration in breach of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which the US made a commitment to respect Ukraines sovereignty and borders, in exchange for Kyiv giving up its nuclear weapons. In 2018, during the first Trump administration, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement reaffirming the US refusal to recognize the Kremlins claims of sovereignty over Crimea. Police officers stand guard during a rally to celebrate the second anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea, just off Moscow's Red Square in March 2016. - Ivan Sekretarev/AP Carla Ferstman, a law professor at Essex University and director of its Human Rights Centre, said that recognition of Russias sovereignty over Crimea by the US could in principle provide some weight to Moscows claim that the peninsulas status was decided in a 2014 referendum that was condemned by Western powers as a sham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far more likely, however, is that such a declaration creates a further rift between Europe and the US, and within NATO, she said. Recognizing Crimea as Russian would also be illegal under Ukraines constitution which is one of the reasons why Zelensky said it was out of the question. But Vasiliev said that even if Ukraine changed its constitution and signed some sort of agreement handing sovereignty of Crimea to Moscow, this could be considered invalid if Kyiv was coerced into it. What would it mean in practice? Since any recognition of Crimea as part of Russia would be in breach of international laws and norms, it is unlikely that other countries would follow in the US footsteps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the fluidity of US positions under the Trump administration, it is not clear that it would have any practical impact, Ferstman said. If this manifested into a clear and permanent position of the US, then it would make it more difficult for the US to engage in collective efforts in support of Ukraine and would make the gulf between the US and other NATO partners more entrenched, she added. Why is Crimea so important to Ukraine? Crimea has been part of independent Ukraine since the country split from the Soviet Union in 1991. Roughly 2.5 million people lived in Crimea before its illegal annexation in 2014 and many more would regularly visit the tourist hotspot, known for its beaches and nature reserves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many other Ukrainians have emotional links to the peninsula. How did Russia annex Crimea? The crisis in Crimea started shortly after the 2014 mass protests in Ukraine that toppled the countrys Russian-backed regime of Viktor Yanukovych. As the nation grappled with the chaos caused by the Maidan protests, Russian soldiers dressed as civilians or in uniform without identifying insignia at the time referred to as little green men started popping up outside government buildings and military bases across Crimea. Heavily-armed soldiers without identifying insignia guard the Crimean parliament building shortly after taking up positions there on March 1, 2014 in Simferopol, Ukraine. - Sean Gallup/Getty Images Russia has had a major naval base in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol for over 200 years. A dispute over that facility and the Black Sea fleet stationed there erupted between Kyiv and Moscow after the fall of the Soviet Union. The argument was later settled in a deal that saw Ukraine leasing the base to Russia in exchange for stable gas prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Moscow denied any involvement in the appearance of the little green men in Crimea, it held a sham referendum on joining Russia just weeks after the covert operation. Putin would later acknowledge he had deployed Russian troops there. Did Ukraine fight for Crimea? In his latest tirade against Zelensky, Trump asked why didnt they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired? The truth is more complicated than Trump suggests. The Russian operation took Ukraine and much of the world by surprise. Russia spent weeks covertly beefing up its military presence across the peninsula before taking control, overpowering the Ukrainians. Moscow says Crimea was always Russian. Is that true? No. Before the annexation, Crimea was part of independent Ukraine, known as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the only self-governing region within unitary Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The peninsula voted for Ukrainian independence in a referendum in 1991. Before that, it was part of the Soviet Republic of Ukraine. And while its true that Crimea was part of Russia for more than a century and a half since it was annexed by Catherine the Great in 1783 until it was transferred to Ukraine in 1954 this period is a relatively short blip in Crimeas long written history, which dates back to 1,000 BC. Over the course of the millennium, the peninsula was part of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, it was invaded by Mongols and fought over by Venice and Genoa. For some 300 years, Crimea was under the control of Crimean Tatars, who are recognized as the peninsulas indigenous people. After the 18th-century Russian annexation, the Tatar population lived through more than two centuries of persecution and exodus. What has happened since? Russia has imposed an increasingly brutal and repressive regime on Crimea and its people over the past 11 years, human rights observers say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has repeatedly reported on the human rights violations allegedly committed by Russia in occupied Crimea from unlawful detentions, to sexual abuse and torture, to forcing people to send their children to Russian schools and training programs. Russia has repeatedly denied accusations of human rights abuses, despite substantial evidence and victim testimonies. According to official data from the Ukrainian government, more than 64,000 have fled the peninsula to other parts of Ukraine since the annexation. However, Crimean NGOs estimate the number of refugees might be twice as high, as not everyone has officially registered with the government. Meanwhile, Moscow has worked on its plan to Russify the peninsula. It put in place incentives to persuade Russian citizens to relocate to Crimea and the Ukrainian government estimated in 2023 that some 500,000 to 800,000 Russians had moved there permanently since it was annexed, with the number jumping sharply after the opening of the Kerch bridge that connects Crimea to Russia. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The screaming sounds of air alerts and blasts woke 46-year-old Anzhela Zalivada up at 1:15 am on Wednesday. Still rousing, she wondered if she was back in her hometown of Mariupol, where she experienced a bombing back in 2022. Or maybe she was back in the ruined library with her crying son after Russias missile attack on the childrens hospital last July? Boom, boomshe heard more explosions. No, she was in her 13-floor apartment block in Kyiv under a massive attack, she realized, now fully awakened. The nightmare was back. Rescue workers search for people under the rubble of an apartment building in the Svyatoshynskyi district of Kyiv. / Global Images Ukraine / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Russia struck Kyiv Wednesday night in its worst attack on the city in more than a year, killing at least 12 and injuring 90 others. The bombing prompted a rare rebuke from President Donald Trump, who said he was not happy with the strikes on Truth Social. Vladimir, STOP! Trump wrote Thursday morning. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainians had hoped that Russian President Vladimir Putins bloody campaign would inspire Trump to action and bring peace. Indeed, Trump called for peace in his post, writing, Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! But any hopes for peace have been shot since Trump announced a proposed deal in which Ukraine would have to cede Crimea, which the Constitution establishes as an inseparable constituent part of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the proposal a nonstarter on Tuesday, saying his hands are tied. The war was chasing the mother and son like a madman with a gun in hand. Zalivada jumped out of bed and rushed to look for her 10-year-old son, Yaroslav. Her boy was already hiding in the hallway. Yaroslav knew too well what kind of destruction the Russian missiles could cause: One of them ruined Ohmatdyt Childrens Hospital, which treated him for cancer and diabetes last July. This is so weirdTrump wants to force us into peace while shaking hands with Putin, Zalivada told the Daily Beast in an interview on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many Ukrainians, Zalivada hoped that Putins violent attacks on their cities would spur Trump to come to their defense. But on Wednesday, hours before Russian missiles fell on Kyiv, Ukraine learned that the White House was debating lifting sanctions on Russias energy sector, prompting local observers to question what Trumps strategy isor whether there is one at all. Rescuers and civilians pull victims from the rubble of a residential building. / Libkos / Getty Images Is Trump going to start improving relations with Russia without a peace deal for Ukraine? said Ivan Yakovina, a popular political analyst, on Facebook on Wednesday. He might, but that would be a totally unjustified gift to Putin. Kyivs magnolias, lilacs, and Sakura bloomed this month, unleashing a most wonderful array of scents. What a shame it is to die in spring, the monsters who rained missiles and drones on our cities last night must love war more than peace, death more than life, 36-year-old Tetiana Hrytsenko, a mother of two, told the Daily Beast. Of course, we all understand that Trump, the major peace broker, is trying to force us to surrender, since he cannot make Putin stop bombing us. I wish he were here with us in Kyiv last night and saw the eyes of our children when they heard the blasts. Among the injured at the residential building were six children and one pregnant woman. / Libkos / Getty Images Smoke was rising as Kyiv burned. The largest childrens hospital, Ohmatdyt, was once again moving all its little patients, including preemies, to bomb shelters. Ambulances brought two more wounded children. According to the United Nations report, Putins war on Ukraine kills an average of 16 children every week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is so painful to see how our children are suffering from the warwe see wounded kids getting paralyzed, we see them losing their limbs, and the entire world seems to be just watching indifferently, Yelizaveta Karpenko, the hospitals spokeswoman, told the Daily Beast on Thursday. Nobody seems capable of stopping Russiathe bloom of our nation, not only our young men but also children, get constantly killed. A girl carries toys in her damaged room following the Russian missile attack. / Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images Kyivs city hall reported at least 100 killed and wounded in Thursday nights bombing, including siblings Nikita, 21, and Sofia, 19. A group of teenagers hoped all day that rescuers would dig their 17-year-old friend out from under the rubble in the most ruined of five hit Kyivs districts, leafy and thickly populated Sviatoshenskyi. They hoped he was trapped alive under the rubble. A destroyed residential building in daylight the morning after the bombing. / Anna Nemtsova/The Daily Beast Hours passed. They continued to watch pieces of the mostly ruined two-floor apartment building falling, while emergency workers, covered in dust, looked for victims. Back in her apartment, 10-year-old Yaroslav was going to sleep on Thursday night. Just in case, his mother moved his couch and his laptop to the hallway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One hundred people were wounded and killed in Kyiv only today, hundreds of people ended up homeless in one night, like us in Mariupol back in 2022; Russian peace terms are ugly, unthinkable, but this nightmare has to stopeverybody is longing for peaceful nights. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Some community leaders are working with local real estate agents to discuss ways to attract more potential residents to Wichita Falls. The Wichita Falls Association of Realtors met with the city partners panel today to foster relationships, learn how to serve real estate clients better, and stay informed about community developments. Members of the panel included Mayor Tim Short, Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Kitchens, Glenn Barham with the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee, and Dr. Keith Lamb of MSU Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Short said that real estate agents here are so important because theyre some of the frontline people in our community who deal directly with those looking to move here. We appreciate all that they do. We wanted them to have the facts, the real story about whats going on in Wichita Falls, so they can be ambassadors and pass that along to you know, the folks who are moving here, the folks who are interested in potentially moving to Wichita Falls. Short 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 Texomashomepage.com. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A 26-year-old Wichita man has been sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole for 54 years, for the murder of a 1-year-old child. In March, a Sedgwick County jury found KVeion Richard guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm, and criminal threats. The charges stem from an altercation and shooting on Feb. 19, 2024. According to the Wichita Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call in the 2500 block of South Oliver and found three shooting victims: 1-year-old Taidyn Anderson and two 24-year-old women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The baby died. The two women suffered critical but non-life-threatening injuries. An investigation revealed that other people were also in the home, including a 24-year-old man, a 5-year-old girl and a 10-month-old girl. They were not injured. Woman avoids jail for fatal hit-and-run in Wichita Based on the evidence, investigators believe it was a targeted incident and arrested three people. Richards defense team argued that there was no evidence that he was directly involved in the shooting, and the states argument was based on the theory that he convinced two other men to carry out the shooting. Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced Richard to life with a minimum sentence of 653 months before he is eligible for parole, plus an additional 323 months for his other convictions to run concurrently. His defense plans to appeal his sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two others who were arrested in the case were also charged with first-degree murder: Jonathan Tillery-Matthias, 22, is scheduled for a jury trial in September. Roames Bonner was initially charged as a juvenile. He is now 18 and was charged last week as an adult. His next court date is May 1. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Every student at Colvin Elementary School is stepping into spring with a brand-new pair of shoes, thanks to a donation from the Genesis Foundation. The nonprofit donated 2,000 pairs of shoes on Thursday and measured the feet of 600 kids to ensure they were a good fit. The initiative is part of the foundations mission to support families facing financial hardship. Deann White, the executive director of the Genesis Foundation, emphasized the impact of the donation, noting how meaningful it is to ease the burden for struggling parents. Dodge City to have a new affordable housing development Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are truly in need of new pairs of shoes, she said. Its something we often take for granted. We outgrow our shoes or they wear out, and we just get another pair. But these kids cant do that. Theyre lucky if they get a pair in August. Their parents are focused on food and rentshoes are the last thing on their minds. Colvin Elementary was selected by the school district to receive this years shoe donation. 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. Pollutants disproportionately impact many of the United States' marginalized communities. The life story and advocacy efforts of Robert Taylor reinforce this fact. Currently, he is attempting to find the most productive outlet for his environmental commitments. What happened? As the Guardian detailed, Taylor lives in "Cancer Alley" in Reserve, Louisiana. The community is known by that name because of its proximity to a Denka plant that produces neoprene. It is the only place in the U.S. where the carcinogen chloroprene is present in the air. Chloroprene's density in Reserve exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency's recommended lifetime exposure limit by 14 times. Taylor asserts that the contaminant is what caused the illnesses leading to his wife's unfortunate death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His beliefs are as strong as ever, though he cites President Donald Trump's administration for the region's climate regression. "The federal [government] was my only option," Taylor told the Guardian. "And now it's not." Why is Taylor's story important? His activism and narrative reveal the individual and societal implications of ignoring climate action. The chloroprene was the reason a local elementary school decided to close, and it's also why Taylor and his wife lived in separate states for many years during her treatment. Progress toward clean air will slow, and public health crises will worsen without citizens holding Denka and politicians accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contaminant exposure is linked to more ailments than cancer, including skin conditions and dementia, among others. The spread will hurt wildlife, as well, making it harder for everything to survive in nearby habitats. The story of Reserve also highlights how governments dismiss the importance of protecting Black, low-income communities. Taylor described it as a "sacrifice zone," asserting how much environmental racism and injustice continue to plague the region. Other widespread air pollutants, such as radon, also demand international attention. The EPA states that it leads to 20,000 U.S. deaths annually from indoor air alone. Taylor's experience urges people to learn more about these issues. What's being done about Reserve's air pollution? Communities across the U.S. can raise awareness of these concerns by staying informed about air policy and pollutants. Something as simple as installing an air quality monitor in the home can improve understanding of the subject. Additionally, it's important to stay informed about new legislative moves, such as regulations on oil refinery air pollutants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives from organizations like Earthjustice are fighting at the local, state, and national scales. They are combating the legal moves made by the Denka chemical plant and politicians with interests in these corporations. Volunteering time to work alongside these groups and speaking to representatives are some of the best ways to fight against climate inaction. It's also crucial to maintain momentum, just like Taylor is doing. The planet will heal so long as people continue fighting for it. 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. (SOUTHERN COLORADO) On Thursday, April 24, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention (DFPC) briefed Governor Jared Polis on Colorados 2025 Wildfire Preparedness Plan, and while most of Colorado will have a normal fire potential, some southern parts will likely be above normal. According to the outlook, forecasts indicate that a normal fire potential is expected across Colorado from April through July, but Southern Colorado will likely experience above normal due to continued drought and expected hot, dry weather before the monsoon develops. In Colorado, we are no stranger to the impact of devastating wildfires, said Governor Polis. We remain focused on aggressively implementing effective mitigation efforts to prevent wildfires and ensure our brave firefighters have the resources needed to protect us and our communities when a wildfire starts. We understand that wildfire season is year-round, and that is why our mitigation efforts and investments in new technology, aerial equipment, and first responders are so important to the safety of the entire state. The federal cuts to wildfire services are troubling, and we continue to urge the administration to remain at the table with states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southeast Colorado will continue to see increased large potential during the pre-green-up period through April. According to the outlook, historically, that means in early spring, there may be short-lived episodes of elevated fire potential in lower elevations, especially along and east of the Front Range Foothills and the San Luis Valley. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Southern Colorado is under drought conditions, with parts of Conejos and Archuleta Counties experiencing D3- Extreme Droughts. On April 10, the National Weather Service (NWS) Pueblo launched a Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado that showed drought had worsened over four weeks in areas over and near higher terrain and portions of the southeast Plains. Fire potential in May will be normal across the entire state, in June southwestern Colorado will see above normal potential due to the drought and anticipated hot, dry weather. According to the NWS statement, drought conditions look to persist and expand across south central and southeast Colorado through the rest of Spring and into early Summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In preparation for the 2025 fire season, the Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service is hiring up to 50 temporary wildland firefighters and support positions across national forests and grasslands in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. The Centennial Fire burns in the White Mountain National Forest in May 2022. (Photo courtesy of the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau) In 2024, New Hampshire wildfire numbers climbed 24%, burning nearly double the acres compared to 2023, according to the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Rapidly changing weather conditions in the fall brought about the bump, said Chief Steven Sherman, head of the states Forest Protection Bureau. The flames threatened 37 structures and destroyed four, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had really dry, low relative humidity conditions, and the forest fuels just dried out so quick that we ended up with a lot of acres in the fall, Sherman said, which isnt completely unheard of, but last year was just the way everything changed so quick, I think, is what was surprising to everybody. With Gov. Kelly Ayotte declaring this week Wildfire Awareness Week, its a reminder of the dangers the fires pose in New England, where wildfire risk is considered relatively low. While the flames can bring destruction, the smoke alone can cause serious health problems, even for residents far from the site of the fire. Granite Staters experienced this up close in 2023 when Canadian wildfire smoke prompted air quality concerns in the state. Changes in the climate, driven by human use of fossil fuels, are creating the warmer, drier conditions in which wildfires thrive, scientists say. I think its a really fair expectation that one of the most widely experienced impacts of global warming will be reductions in air quality from wildfire, said Justin S. Mankin, an associate professor in Dartmouths Department of Geography. The Centennial Fire burns in the White Mountain National Forest in May 2022. (Photo courtesy of the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau) Theres been a lot of compelling science that has shown that the particulate matter so these are little, little aerosols from burned fuels that can then get mobilized throughout the atmosphere, carried extremely long distances, thousands of kilometers, deposited elsewhere, and affect the air quality of people very far away from from the wildfires, he said. And it poses some, you know, real cardiovascular and pulmonary issues, particularly for people that have pre-existing conditions of some kind, or for the young as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though 2024 saw higher activity, Sherman said the number of wildfires in the state has remained consistent, with the average sitting at over 200 fires a year and between 220 and 250 acres burned. Really, what were seeing happen more often now is that we just have these extreme shifts in weather, Sherman said. Even with rain in the state so far this spring, he said, conditions can change just so rapidly, where before we get into green up, well probably have a period here, it looks like we might be entering one, where were going to have those lower relative humidities, and conditions will just change very rapidly. Sherman attributed the quicker shifts in extreme weather to the impacts of climate change. He said those shifts are the biggest change hes seen since he started doing this work in the late 1990s. He also noted the impact of lower snowpack in the winter. It used to be more common that your snowpack would get you out of that drought situation with the slow melt in the spring, and youd go into a nice, lush spring, Sherman said. And this year, you can still look at the drought monitor and see that that drought in the southern part of New Hampshire is still hanging on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mankin said the ingredients for wildfire are fairly straightforward: fuel, ignition, and a way for the fire to spread. The way climate change is really most saliently impacting wildfire risk is by altering the fuel loadings on the ground and kind of creating the conditions that give the wildfire time to spread, Mankin said, so often by altering precipitation patterns, because its really precipitation that puts out wildfires. Mankin emphasized that wildfires are an essential and natural part of ecosystems, and an important sign of ecosystem health. New England in general has historically been described as the asbestos forest, meaning it took a lot to get it to burn, said Steven Roberge, a professor of natural resources and the state specialist of forest resources for the University of New Hampshire Extension. A New Hampshire forest ranger works on a prescribed fire. (Photo courtesy of the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau) But there are forest types and ecosystems in the region that rely on periodic burning, historically, either by Indigenous people or just natural events like lightning strikes and things like that, Roberge said. Prescribed fires carefully planned, managed fires set for a purpose are used as management tools today, but I think most folks who do prescribed fire would probably tell you that they dont have a chance to do it enough, Roberge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Northeast is full of fuel for wildfires, and it likely has a wildfire deficit owing to the way weve managed wildlands in the Northeast and our kind of history of fire suppression, Mankin said. And at some point, that deficit will likely be recouped by the climate system and by those ecosystems. The changing conditions raise questions about the status quo of management practices. I think the risk is increasing, and I think we need to be prepared for that, Mankin said. You know, to the extent that we are acclimatized to the status quo, the status quo is no longer right, and to the extent that we are adapted to a wildfire regime that we had, that regime is no longer, and so that requires a real careful interrogation of current practices and how they should be altered to accommodate a rapidly changing climate system. To monitor the fires, each town has a forest fire warden appointed by the state, Sherman said. Local fire departments are the first to respond to the fires, with the state there to offer support, he said. And each day, working in conjunction with the National Weather Service, the state puts out an updated fire risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a wildfire starts in the state, the response is 100% suppression, Sherman said. But about two to three times a year, the state will do a prescribed fire. These fires follow detailed burn plans, and are done under very strict guidelines, he said. The White Mountain National Forest runs its own program and does significantly more burning than the state. But in the past few years, weve actually hired a prescribed fire coordinator, so were building up our capacity more, Sherman said. Spring is the start of wildfire season, prompting the awareness week in late April. Research shows that the vast majority of wildfires are caused by humans. Residents need to obtain fire permits for any outside burning, such as bonfires, Sherman said. Additionally, they should be aware of weather conditions and avoid burning on hot, windy, dry days, he said. And its vital to extinguish fires completely; that means stirring it up, putting water, stirring it up again, and doing that until its out cold, Sherman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department also recommends residents clear pine needles and leaves from gutters and roofs, as well as keeping wildfire fuel (such as twigs, branches, firewood, shrubs, or other flammable materials) at least 5 feet away from buildings. While wildfire risk in New England is considered relatively low, these hazards are experienced locally and need to be managed locally, Mankin said. Its hard to kind of get wildfire intensities that look anything like the American West, but we are not invulnerable to it, Mankin said, and I think this last year and the last several years have actually really been salient examples of that. The most obvious way to mitigate these risks, Mankin said, is decoupling human well-being from carbon emissions, which means, you know, investing in the energy transition and the decarbonization of our economy away from this ancient, fossilized way of sourcing energy. That will prevent future climate change, which alters the risks of wildfire massively. Power lines extend through heavy wildfire smoke in Estacada, Ore., in 2020. Utilities in Oregon and elsewhere are pushing lawmakers to pass liability protections, giving them legal immunity in exchange for following safety plans. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) As climate change drastically increases the frequency and severity of wildfires, power companies say theyre facing growing risk for payouts that could bankrupt them or require massive rate hikes on customers. Across the West, electrical utilities are pushing state lawmakers to grant them legal immunity or limit damage payouts if their equipment sparks a blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre backing bills, which have passed or been proposed in at least eight states over the past few years, that would require the utilities to follow plans to limit their risks of causing a fire, such as trimming trees or burying power lines. In exchange for taking those steps, lawmakers would give utilities protection from lawsuits that could expose them to billions of dollars in damage claims. Were only one wildfire away from bankruptcy, said Shawn Taylor, executive director of the Wyoming Rural Electric Association, a group that represents electrical cooperatives. Even if we avoid bankruptcy, wed have huge rate increases to cover the cost of a lawsuit. Already, utilities are facing soaring insurance premiums because of the magnitude of claims they would face if they caused a fire. Taylor and other industry leaders argue that power companies should be granted relief if they take actions to limit their risk. In 2019, Pacific Gas and Electric Company in California declared bankruptcy over its roughly $30 billion liability from a series of wildfires caused by its equipment, including the devastating Camp Fire. And in Oregon, PacifiCorp is facing billions of dollars in damage claims due to its role in the states 2020 Labor Day fires. PacifiCorp has been a key player backing liability bills in five states, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposals face strong opposition from wildfire victims, insurance companies and trial lawyers. Those groups say the bills dont do enough to protect residents from dangerous electrical infrastructure. And insurers say their own customers could pay the price if lawmakers protect utilities. When you push in one side of the balloon, it comes out somewhere else, said Greg Van Horssen, a representative for State Farm Insurance, delivering testimony before the Montana House Judiciary Committee in February. If we have a problem with recovering costs for burnt-down houses in Montana, from an insurance companys perspective, we only have one option, and thats to raise the rate of homeowners insurance. Utah became the first state to limit utilities liability when it passed a law in 2020. The law protects companies from negligence charges if they have a wildfire mitigation plan in place, and it puts limits on the damages victims can collect, using a fair market value figure that can fall well short of the full cost to rebuild. This year, Idaho and Wyoming have enacted similar measures, and lawmakers in Montana and North Dakota have sent proposals to their governors. North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed the measure, Senate Bill 2399, on Thursday. A bill in Arizona has cleared the House, and an Oregon measure is still in committee. Alaska has also considered liability legislation in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah state Rep. Carl Albrecht, a Republican who sponsored that states liability law, said it has compelled power companies to trim trees, bury lines and take other steps to ensure they are complying with their safety plan. He said utilities are frequent targets of litigation. People look at the utility as deep pockets that can pay out a lot of damages, he said. Its whoever has the best attorneys and can sell their case in court. Michele Beck, director of the Utah Office of Consumer Services, serves as an advocate for Utah energy customers. She said its difficult to protect electrical customers and wildfire victims at the same time. The costs for ratepayers are substantial, and its reasonable to try and find a balance between these extremely high jury awards, she said. I admit, its a devastating loss for people who are impacted [by wildfires], but somebody is also paying on the other side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Oregon, consumer advocates are similarly torn. It is a difficult place to be, having utilities close to bankruptcy and unable to make investments that are necessary to provide service, said Bob Jenks, executive director of the Oregon Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit representing ratepayers. At the same time, the principle that customers shouldnt be bailing out utilities for bad practices is a critical standard. PacifiCorp says it faces more than $45 billion in liabilities, much of that driven by the 2020 Labor Day fires in Oregon. Multiple juries have found the company liable for failing to cut power to its lines. The massive costs PacifiCorp is facing have limited the companys ability to invest in its infrastructure and clean energy, Jenks said. PacifiCorp did not grant a Stateline interview request, but the company has been involved in shaping legislation across several Western states. Oregon state Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat, said her bill would not give utilities legal immunity. It would establish a certification process to ensure utilities are mitigating wildfire risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The utilities need somebody else to help them identify the risk theyre carrying, she said. We never meant that if you got a safety certification in April that youre bulletproof over the next year for any sort of wildfire liability. But some legal experts told the Oregon Capital Chronicle that utilities would likely use their compliance with the certification process in a legal defense against wildfire claims. In Arizona, a liability measure has passed the House and advanced in a Senate committee. The bill would protect companies from lawsuits if they follow mitigation plans. Utility leaders say its necessary to ensure they can continue providing service. Unlike other businesses that might stop doing business in an area where risk has grown too high, we have an obligation to serve customers, said Joe Barrios, senior media relations specialist with Tucson Electric Power. Wildfire liability costs and higher insurance costs are passed along to customers through the rates that they pay. [This bill] helps to maintain service affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But state Rep. Alex Kolodin, a Republican, believes the proposal violates a state constitutional provision that bars the state from limiting residents right to sue. And he said that limiting utilities liability will reduce their incentive to take safety measures. I wouldnt want to be the legislator who voted for this, and then the utility causes a fire that burns down 200 houses in my district, he said. Then I have to explain to my constituents why they cant recover any damages. Sorry, guys, its because your legislator is an idiot. Brandon Vick, a regional vice president with the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies trade group, said utility groups have made a coordinated push across several Western states this session. He noted that more and more residents in fire-prone areas are going without insurance coverage, leaving them with no recourse if they cant seek damages from a utility. Utilities are rightfully concerned that theyre gonna do something that causes a catastrophic wildfire, he said. The question weve been posing is, who should be responsible when that ultimately happens? [These bills] are really pushing that liability onto the people who can least afford it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several states are also considering a wildfire fund similar to the one California enacted in 2019. Such measures allow utilities to set aside money, funded by a mix of rate increases and shareholder contributions, which they can later tap into to help cover damages caused by wildfires. Marsh, the Oregon lawmaker, said her proposal would allow wildfire victims to quickly access funding to rebuild their lives. Residents would still have the option to forgo payouts from the fund and sue utilities for full damages. The bill died in committee amid opposition from wildfire victims who characterized it as a bailout for utilities. Stateline reporter Alex Brown can be reached at abrown@stateline.org. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) This past week, Central Pennsylvania has been battling massive wildfires throughout Cumberland County, one of which has now grown to more than 1,100 acres. But one question remains: how do these wildfires get named? One wildfire has been designated as the Hammonds Rock fire, which has expanded to 200 acres. The largest wildfire, referred to as the Thompson Hollow fire, has now spread to more than 1,100 acres. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts While first responders are working to contain these fires across the Midstate, some of you may be wondering how the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has been choosing the names for them. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), there are certain principles and recommendations for picking a wildfire name. VIDEO: Drone footage shows massive Thompson Hollow Fire in Cumberland County They say that in the absence of naming protocols, incidents and wildfires should be named after geographic locations or nearby landmarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NIFC says these names could include highways or streets, but if that is the case, departments should consider including the nearest mile marker number or cross-street in the fire name to describe the location more precisely. Furthermore, the NIFC says wildfire names should not be the same as wildfires in the same year. They also advise against naming any new fires with the same name that is being used for a fire that is currently being reported on. In summary, wildfire names should be unique, concise, and reference the area or location of the fire. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. By Kane Wu, Yantoultra Ngui and Luciana Magalhaes HONG KONG/SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Southeast Asia's Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) and Asia Pulp & Paper Co (APP), as well as Brazil's Suzano SA are the final bidders for Kimberly-Clark's international tissue business valued at around $4 billion, four people said. The three short-listed companies are doing due diligence on the business and are expected to submit binding bids by mid-May, said the people who had knowledge of the matter but did not wish to be identified as the information was not public. Kleenex tissues maker Kimberly-Clark has hired Goldman Sachs and Centerview Partners to run the sale of the business, said two of the people. The unit, which was put on the block by Kimberly-Clark as part of a restructuring initiated last year, generates around $500 million in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), they said. Irving, Texas-headquartered Kimberly-Clark did not respond to a request for comment. Singapore-headquartered resources and energy group Royal Golden Eagle, and Brazilian pulp maker Suzano declined to comment. Indonesia's Asia Pulp & Paper did not respond to a request for comment. Goldman Sachs and Centerview declined to comment. The sale is proceeding as U.S. President Donald Trump's broad trade tariffs weigh on Kimberly-Clark's business outlook. The consumer goods company slashed its annual profit forecast on Tuesday due to increased costs as a result of the tariffs. Its international tissue business, however, will not be similarly impacted, said two of the sources. The business, on the other hand, benefited from the recent depreciation of the U.S. dollar against major currencies around the world, one of the sources added. RGE is vying for the business as it is planning a major global expansion with potentially billions to spend on acquisitions, said two of the sources. The group, owned by Indonesian billionaire Sukanto Tanoto, won a bid over APP in 2023 to acquire a 52% stake in Hong Kong-listed tissue and diaper maker Vinda for $3.4 billion. RGE acquired 100% of Vinda in 2024 and took it private. Suzano, which also participated in Vinda's sale process, told investors last year it would acquire assets to generate growth, according to analysts' reports. The Brazilian company also engaged in talks in 2024 to buy International Paper but failed to reach an agreement with the U.S.-based firm, in a deal estimated at about $15 billion. In 2022 Suzano announced a deal to buy Kimberly-Clark's tissue paper operations in Brazil for an undisclosed sum. Apr. 25WILKES-BARRE A Wilkes-Barre man's apology for sharing child sexual abuse images was not enough to keep him from state prison. Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas sentenced Matthew Kennedy, 41, formerly of Blackman Street, to five-to-10 years in prison followed by 10 years probation on three counts of dissemination of images or videos of child sex acts. Kennedy pled guilty to the charges Jan. 21. Kennedy was arrested in October 2023, by detectives with the district attorney's office while investigating a Cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cyber tip involved images of child sexual abuse materials were downloaded and shared by an electronic device registered to Kennedy, according to court records. Descriptions of graphic images involved girls as young as 5-years-old with files linked to a fraudulent modeling agency based in Ukraine, court records say. Detectives in court records say the Cyber tip involved 42 images of child sexual abuse materials linked to Kennedy's electronic device. "I take responsibility for what I've done; There is no excuse for what I did," Kennedy said prior to being sentenced. Kennedy is subject to 25 years registration of his address under the state's Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act. He was given credit for 562 days time served at the county correctional facility. William H. Stoller, founder, CEO and chair of Oklahoma-based Express Employment International, passed away on April 24, the company announced this week. Stollers business and philanthropic service helped more than 11 million people worldwide. He was 74. Stoller began his career in staffing in 1973 at Acme Personnel in Portland, Oregon, and was admired for his innovative ability, along with his integrity and commitment to helping others succeed, according to a news release. When the company later went bankrupt in the early 1980s, he and two other Acme employees one of them Bob Funk, from Oklahoma City founded Express Employment. William Stoller. They made two key decisions: to be a franchise company and to focus on temporary help flexible staffing, which might well have anticipated what's now called "the gig economy," in which people provide services on demand, as actors, musicians and others have traditionally done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 30 years after founding the company, Stoller replaced Funk as CEO after a prolonged legal battle, the details of which remain mostly sealed. Funk and Stoller have both said they remain on good terms. Express grew to be one of the largest employment companies in the country and moved its headquarters to OKC, The Oklahoman previously reported. In November 2024, Stoller told The Oklahoman that Express' franchise structure set them apart in a crowded industry increasingly moving online. "Most important, I think, is that we're a franchise company, so we have business owners that are in the field who live in the marketplace or live close to the market they're dealing with. And I think that gives an advantage to us because we know the community and the people who live in the community know they can go to our offices to apply for jobs," he said. "Number two is our culture, our value system. Our franchisees strongly believe we're there to help people find jobs, and that leads our culture to accomplish that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from his work with Express Employment, he also was the founder and proprietor of Oregon-based Stoller Winery. Limited details are being shared at this time out of respect for the family, the company said in a news release. Funeral arrangements and other remembrance opportunities will be announced at a later date. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Express Employment International co-founder William Stoller dies at 74 NASH COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) On Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2025, a Wilson man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling narcotics and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Navon Shemar Freeman, 24, pled guilty on November 11, 2024, to planning to distribute and possess 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and some cocaine, and possession of a firearm to further a drug trafficking crime. Court documents say that investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information in July 2023 that Freeman was selling narcotics. The Nash County Sheriffs Office (NCSO) and Nash County Probation Office searched Freemans house where they located fentanyl pills and firearms. One of the firearms seized was equipped with a fully operational, 3-D printed switch, which is a device that is placed into a semi-automatic firearm to make it fully automatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Nash County Sheriffs Office, Nash County Probation Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie A. Childress, Jimmie Bellamy, and Nicholas Hartigan 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. The U.S. National Weather Service said Friday that low humidity and gusty winds could lead to an increased risk of rapid fire spread across parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania as the Ocean County wildfire continues to grow. The minimum relative humidity for Friday afternoon is expected to be between 25 and 35% with high temperatures getting close to 80 degrees, forecasters said. Southerly winds should be between 10 and 15 mph with gusts near 20 mph. These conditions, along with the continued drying of fine fuels, could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control, the NWS warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencys special weather statement is in effect for south Jersey and parts of eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. The highest risk for wildfire spread is expected between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Open-air burning is strongly discouraged, officials said, urging residents to fully extinguish or safely discard any potential fire hazards, including smoking materials like cigarette butts. While no campfire restrictions are in effect for New Jersey, fire danger for the entire state is classified as high, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Agricultural burning is allowed, but caution is advised. While theres a 70-90% chance of showers and storms tonight, forecasters say it wont be a washout. Temperatures are expected to remain above normal through Saturday, with highs near 80 inland and 60s near the coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NWS warning comes as the massive Jones Road wildfire has now burned more than 15,000 acres, officials said. The fire has forced thousands of evacuations in Ocean County, N.J., led the state to declare a state of emergency and triggered an air quality health advisory for the New York City area. In its Friday morning update, the fire service said the fire had grown to 15,300 acres with about 60% containment. At least one commercial building, several outbuildings, and vehicles have been destroyed in the fire, officials said. Four additional structures remain threatened. Evacuation orders for the approximately 5,000 residents evacuated in Lacey and Ocean townships have now been lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, state officials announced the arrest of a 19-year-old man on charges of aggravated arson and arson in connection with the fire, which may end up being the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years, according to New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn LaTourette. Investigators believe Joseph Kling, of Ocean Township, was the individual responsible for setting wooden pallets on fire and then leaving the area without the fire being fully extinguished. Fort McCoy | Photo by Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner The commander of Fort McCoy, a military base near Sparta, Wisconsin, has been suspended after a controversy over the base not displaying portraits of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In a statement, the U.S. Army said that Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez had been suspended as garrison commander at Fort McCoy. The statement said that the suspension is not related to any misconduct, though the base drew recent criticism for not displaying pictures of Trump and Hegseth, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. On X, formerly known as Twitter, the Department of Defense posted a picture showing Trumps portrait missing from a leadership wall and Hegseths turned so only the back of the picture was visible. The post declared: Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy. WE FIXED IT! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokespeople from the Department of Defense and Fort McCoys 88th Readiness Division declined to comment, but told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Ramirez has not been relieved of command. A subsequent statement on the U.S. Armys website said that neither Ramirez nor anyone else on the forts leadership team had directed the removal of the portraits. After Ramirez was suspended, Hegseth shared a post on X mentioning the commanders suspension. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Wisconsin judge was arrested and charged with helping an undocumented immigrant evade arrest, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on obstruction charges, Patel said Friday in a post on X that he later deleted and then posted again a couple hours later. The FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week, Patel said in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from an April 18 incident in which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials entered the Milwaukee County Courthouse with a warrant for 30-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, was in court for three counts of misdemeanor battery from a March 12 fight. The FBI alleges that Dugan helped Flores-Ruiz escape ICE custody. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject an illegal alien to evade arrest, Patels post read. The post added that there would be more to share soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources told the Milwaukee Sentinel that Dugan directed ICE agents to Chief Judge Carl Ashleys office and then allegedly helped Flores-Ruiz leave through a side door, down a private hallway and into a public area. Flores-Ruiz was arrested by ICE a short time later. An affidavit filed Thursday by the FBI alleges Dugan became visibly angry at seeing ICE agents in the courthouse and allegedly commented that the situation was absurd. Agents with ICE previously had made two other arrests in the hallways of the courthouse. The affidavit alleges Dugan directed Flores-Ruiz to leave her courtroom through a door meant only for jurors. Flores-Ruiz returned to the courthouses public hallway before he and his lawyer took an elevator down and exited the courthouse, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although there was a DEA agent in the elevator with Flores-Ruiz and his attorney at the time, Flores-Ruiz and his attorney spoke to each other in Spanish, which DEA Agent A did not understand, the affidavit reads. Outside the courthouse, agents located Flores-Ruiz and went to apprehend him. Flores-Ruiz turned around and sprinted down the street, the affidavit against Dugan alleges. A foot chase ensued. The agents pursued Flores-Ruiz for the entire length of the courthouse and ultimately apprehended him. Dugan appeared in federal court Friday before being released from custody, The Associated Press reported. Her next court appearance is May 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. It was not made in the interest of public safety. Mastantuono declined to speak to reporters following the hearing, AP reported. Dugan previously declined to speak to reporters about the investigation. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, condemned the Trump administrations attacks on the judiciary in a Friday statement. Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) called the arrest of Dugan a gravely serious and drastic move. In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons, Baldwins statement said in part. The Presidents administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a Democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. Related... The FBI has reportedly arrested a judge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on allegations that she helped an undocumented immigrant try to evade arrest. On Friday, April 25, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X, claiming that Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan had intentionally misdirected federal agents away from Eduardo Flores Ruiz as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were attempting to detain him last week. Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 25, 2025 Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and hes been in custody since, but the Judges obstruction created increased danger to the public, Patel wrote in the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dugan, 65, was charged with obstructing or impeding a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety, her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries during Dugan's Friday appearance in federal court, according to the Associated Press. Related: ICE Took a Trump Supporter's Wife as They Returned from Their Honeymoon. Still, He Says, 'I Don't Regret the Vote' On April 22, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the FBI was investigating Dugans conduct in regard to an incident on April 18. However, in an email reply, Dugan denounced some of the publications source reporting as inaccurate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Journal Sentinel also noted that court records indicated Dugan did not have a case scheduled at the time ICE agents reportedly arrived at the courthouse. Dugan's apprehension is not the first notable courthouse arrest since the Trump administration ramped up ICE activity. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Kash Patel Kash Patel On Feb. 20, surveillance cameras inside the Nashua Circuit Court in New Hampshire captured federal agents knocking an elderly bystander to the ground as they attempted to detain Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, a 33-year-old Venezuelan man. Related: After ICE Agents Realized They Arrested the Wrong Teen in N.Y.C., They Were Told to 'Take Him Anyway': Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colmenarez was at the Nashua Circuit Court on Feb. 20 for an arraignment on misdemeanor charges related to an alleged drunk driving incident on Feb. 9. However, before he made it to court, he was thrown to the ground and detained by the agents. 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. An older man walking with a cane was also caught up in the scuffle and fell on his back. The man remained on the ground seemingly unable to get up for several moments while the agents kept their focus on holding Colmenarez down. Read the original article on People MADISON - Wisconsin Republican lawmakers may act to remove Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan if the obstruction charges against her are "confirmed," a legislative leader suggested Friday. Lawmakers may seek to remove sitting judges through an impeachment proceeding that must begin in the Assembly, or a process known as removal by address. "These charges are serious, deeply troubling, and strike at the core of public trust," Rep. Tyler August, R-Walworth, said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the legal process, but Assembly Republicans stand prepared to act decisively if these serious allegations are confirmed.""Accountability is not optional it is essential to the integrity of public service," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement August did not define how the lawmakers would seek to "act decisively" and did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker said lawmakers should meet "ASAP" in a special legislative session known as an extraordinary session to remove Dugan. "The Members of the Wisconsin Legislature should vote to remove disgraced Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan from office," he said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers described Dugan's arrest as a "frightening escalation of the Trump Administrations attacks on Americas judicial system." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is part of a pattern by this Administration defying court orders, flouting the democratic system of checks and balances, ignoring the right to due process, and threatening judicial independence that alarms us as legislators and as residents of this great state and this great country," said Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton and Sen. Dora Drake, a Democrat from Milwaukee who sits on the Senate's committee overseeing the judiciary. "We will follow this case closely. We will continue to stand up to lawless and unconstitutional actions. And, we will always fight for a bedrock principle of American democracy: equal justice under the law, the lawmakers said in a statement. There are several ways to remove an elected judge from office in Wisconsin. Here's what to know: Impeachment of a judge can be launched in state Assembly Impeachment can be used to remove "civil officers of the state," although state law does not define "civil officers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A person can be impeached for corrupt conduct in office or for committing a crime. Proceedings start in the state Assembly, where a simple majority must vote to impeach before the state Senate can take it up. From there, the Senate can conduct a trial based on the evidence. If two-thirds of the senators present vote to convict, the official is removed from office. There are no criminal sentences or penalties involved. More: Protesters decry arrest of Milwaukee judge charged with helping immigrant evade ICE A judge could be 'removed by address' Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan A judge could be removed by address, which is a procedure that allows the Legislature to remove justices or judges from office based on a supermajority in each house of the Legislature. Before removing a justice or judge, the Legislature must serve the individual with a copy of the charges forming the grounds for address and provide an opportunity for the justice or judge to be heard and to present a defense, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Council. The Legislature may then vote on removing the justice or judge by a two-thirds vote of all the elected members of the assembly, as well as a two-thirds vote by all elected members of the state senate. Under state law, charges against a justice or judge must allege either misconduct, or that the judge is not physically or mentally qualified to exercise the judicial functions of the office, according to the council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: What to know about Hannah Dugan, Milwaukee judge arrested amid ICE investigation on April 25 A judge could be recalled A judge also could be recalled, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Council. A recall in Wisconsin requires an elected official to run for his or her office a second time after recall organizers gather enough signatures to force a new election, according to the reference bureau. If the official is defeated in the recall election, he or she is removed from office and replaced by the winning candidate. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Can Judge Hannah Dugan be removed? How it works in Wisconsin. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 25. Witkoff's trip follows a mass missile attack on Ukraine overnight on April 24, which saw a combined 215 missiles and drones launched at the country. Many of the missiles and drones targeted Kyiv, killing 12 and injuring 87. The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to broker a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine, but Washington has warned it may withdraw from the mediation process if no progress is made in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump on April 24 said that both Russia and Ukraine "want peace," adding that he had set a deadline to finalize a deal aimed at ending the war. "So we are thinking very strongly that they both want peace," Trump said during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. "But they have to get to the table. We've been waiting a long time. They have to get to the table. And I think we're going to get peace." Witkoff has visited Russia several times this year and met with Putin on at least three occasions. The envoy has drawn criticism from both U.S. and Ukrainian officials for promoting Kremlin-aligned positions, including the idea of trading Ukrainian territory for peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: No point in negotiating: Russias deadly attack on Kyiv sows distrust in Trump peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SEOUL (Reuters) -LG Electronics is considering price increases for some products in response to U.S. tariffs and is also reviewing its options for shifting production of home appliances to the United States, the South Korean company said on Thursday. "We are optimizing our production locations and also considering price hikes through discussions with our distribution channels as a potential response," LG senior vice president Kim I-kueon said in a post-earnings conference call. Kim said LG was considering moving manufacturing of home appliances, including washers and dryers, to its factory in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The Tennessee plant's output could cover nearly one-fifth of LG's total home appliance sales in the U.S. market, he added. LG expects tariffs will have a major impact on its business from the third quarter if they go ahead, Kim said, adding that, in the meantime, the company had established a roadmap for price hikes to mitigate them. U.S. President Donald Trump has paused a raft of tariffs against dozens of trading partners until July. Asked about LG's Indian unit's delayed initial public offering, Kim said the company would not rush the decision and would instead first thoroughly review the optimal timing for the IPO. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Joe Bavier) DENVER (KDVR) A second gray wolf introduced to Colorado has died during April, this time inside the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said that the female gray wolfs GPS tracking collar issued a mortality alert on April 20. The wolf was one of the 15 released by CPW earlier this year, brought to the state from British Columbia, Canada. Why commissioners, ranchers are against a ballot initiative to end wolf reintroductions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPW and the National Park Service confirmed the wolf died inside the boundaries of RMNP, and said that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct a necropsy and other investigative efforts because gray wolves are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act. In March, another one of the gray wolves brought to Colorado from Canada was shot and killed by Wildlife Services in Wyoming during a livestock death mitigation effort in central Wyoming. On April 11, CPW said a second collared gray wolf had been found dead in Wyoming. CPW said Thursday that wolf survival in the state is still within normal margins for a wolf population in the Rocky Mountains. The agency added that it expected wolf deaths in its gray wolf reintroduction plan and noted that the average length of a gray wolfs life in the Rocky Mountains ranges between three to four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A woman driver who fatally struck a 57-year-old pedestrian in Brooklyn in January has been arrested three months after the deadly crash, police said. Megan Martin, 30, was driving a Nissan Pathfinder eastbound on Blake Ave. and attempting to make a left turn onto Pennsylvania Ave. in East New York when she barreled into Janet Henriquez, who was crossing the street shortly before 9 a.m. on Jan. 24, according to police. EMS transported Henriquez to Kings County Hospital in stable condition, but she took a turn for the worse and died at the hospital later that day, police said. Martin, who lives in Queens, stayed at the scene after the crash. She was arrested Wednesday following a police investigation, and was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian, and failure to exercise due care, cops said. CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Two wanted suspects led Cheatham County law enforcement on a lengthy, multi-county search, but only one of the individuals has been taken into custody. It all started a few days ago, when Laura Jean Wallhead missed court after being booked on meth charges. A local bail bond company tipped gave authorities a tip about where the 41-year-old might be and what SUV she might be traveling in. Armed with that information, members of the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office spotted the dark 2002 Toyota Sequoia and initiated a traffic stop. Body camera and dash camera footage show the vehicle going more than 80 mph, running stop signs, and traveling on the wrong side of the road over the course of several minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies later learned that two wanted suspects were in the vehicle: Wallhead was in the passenger seat and 45-year-old Chester Loudy was behind the wheel. Teens charged in connection with bomb threat that led to evacuation of Murfreesboro church According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, Loudy was previously convicted of initiation of process to manufacture meth and sentenced to eight years. He was granted parole in 2023, but officials have him listed as an absconder, meaning he has failed to report for a certain amount of time, which is a violation. Chesters got a violation of parole warrants. I think hes been on the run for a couple years, Sgt. Ryan Hawkins with the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Loudy continued driving recklessly, deputies shut down the pursuit out of an abundance of caution. Thanks to a tip, though, authorities received intel that led them to a wooded location where people are known to hide. Body cam videos show law enforcement cautiously walking through the woods, with their guns drawn, toward an abandoned house. While searching the dark structure, a deputy carefully tested a flimsy staircase and then moved to the second floor. A short time later, he declared the scene safe and empty. However, another tip kept Cheatham County authorities on the hunt, taking them to a storage facility just over the Davidson County line. Thats where law enforcement found an open storage unit with numerous items spread around it, as well as Wallhead, who seemed more concerned about the property than the warrants against her. Deputy: Come on. Wallhead: Look, man, I got all this stuff out here. Can I throw it back in real quick? Deputy: We can work with that. Wallhead: Theyre going to take all this stuff. Deputy: We can work with you if you work with me. Pulaski daycare worker arrested for dozens of counts of child abuse, assault Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities handcuffed the wanted woman and began to question her about how she got there and where the Toyota driver was. The 41-year-old was vague. Wallhead: Who you talking about? The guy who ran from you? Deputy: You can work with me, I can work with you, like I just told you. Wallhead: What sheriffs department is this? When law enforcement searched the longtime offender, they found a powdery substance in her pocket. Deputies suspected it was meth, but Wallhead claimed it was baking soda. She called it woo and admitted she planned to sell it to unsuspecting drug users to make money. Wallhead: Im broke. I was going to try to make some woo. You know what woo is? Deputy: No, Im not familiar. Wallhead: I know a couple crack heads, so- Deputy: So you were going to rip some people off? Wallhead: Well, maybe. Well, not really. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We had never heard that either, but apparently she had some powdery substance in a baggie in her pocket that she said was woo,' Hawkins told News 2. She was going to make up some fake meth and sell it some crack heads in Nashville to make some quick money, is what she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Loudy, the sergeant shared this message: Were going to find you. Its what we do. Capt. Chris Gilmore with the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office was thankful to community members who were willing to work with his team, as well as his deputies for staying on the case. Im very proud of my men and women for what they do every day, and they do go into the unknown a lot; very proud that they take the chances that they do take, and at the end of the day, they take the bad guy into custody and make sure that they get the justice they deserve, Gilmore said. As of this writing, Wallhead is being held in the Cheatham County Jail, charged with failure to appear and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also warrants for Loudy out of Cheatham County for evading and driving on a revoked license, but more charges are possible. Officials said Loudys SUV was found in Nashville and towed, but hes still missing. If anyone knows his whereabouts, youre asked to call your local law enforcement agency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH) A woman was arrested Thursday after a shots-fired incident at a Burger King parking lot in Berlin, police said. Juliana Rivera, 37, of Middletown, was charged with criminal attempted assault in the first degree with a firearm, threatening in the first degree with a firearm, reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge. Two men charged after hate crime investigation in Southington Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to authorities, it happened Tuesday around 9:55 a.m. on New Britain Road, between three people in separate cars, who know each other. A suspect pointed a handgun at another woman and attempted to fire. The gun jammed a few times, and the suspect tried to clear the malfunction, continuing to try to shoot at the victim, police said. Police said a round was fired as the victim fled the scene north onto New Britain in the car, closely followed by the suspect. Berlin police were notified of the incident on Wednesday and initiated an investigation. She was arrested on an arrest warrant and is being held on a $250,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A 20-year-old woman has been sentenced for a hit-and-run crash that killed a man last June. Peyton Allart will not have to do any jail time if she does not violate probation. The crash happened at Central and McLean shortly after 3 a.m. on June 23, 2024. Police said a pickup crashed into a car and then fled. Jaz DOray Brooks, 28, of Wichita, was a passenger in the car. He died at the scene. The driver of the car was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police investigate a fatal hit-and-run at Central and McLean on June 23, 2024. (KSN News Photo) Peyton Allart (Courtesy Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office) Police found the pickup several hours later and arrested Allart, who was a Friends University student-athlete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 Hutchinson residents charged in fatal fentanyl overdoses Allart was initially charged with: Leaving the scene of an accident, severity level 5 Transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage Purchase or consumption of alcoholic beverage by a minor She pleaded guilty to the first charge in March, and the other two charges were dropped. On Friday, Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced Allart to three years probation. If she violates probation, she must serve 31 months behind bars. 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. GOSHEN Phoenix Rae Allen had almost no chance in life with a mother like Alauraeve Allen, the prosecutor in the infants murder case said Thursday. Alauraeve Allen, 26, received a 35-year sentence, with 10 years suspended to probation, after admitting to neglect of a dependent resulting in death. The Level 1 felony was an amended charge after she was originally accused of murder in the July 2023 death of 6-month-old Phoenix Rae Allen. Phoenix Allen had a short and very tragic life, Deputy Prosecutor Don Pitzer said in Elkhart County Circuit Court. This baby had almost no chance from day one, considering the circumstances she would be in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allens daughter died in hospital on July 8, 2023, after she was found unconscious in a Middlebury Street residence. An autopsy soon found her cause of death to be homicide. Pitzer described the girls injuries as gut-wrenching to look at. They included bruising on her face, neck, back and buttocks as well as bleeding on the brain. He said some had likely been inflicted over the course of days. I hesitate to use the word torture, but this wasnt like a quick death from a gunshot wound, he told Judge Michael Christofeno. This was a tough case to work on. I know your honor has worked on cases like this, but this is one of the worst ones Ive ever seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pitzer said prosecutors dont believe Phoenix Rae Allen died at her mothers hands, but that Alauraeve Allen did cause her death by putting her in danger. Allen admitted on March 10 that she left Phoenix Rae Allen in a situation where she knew drug use was occurring and with an individual she knew to be dangerous. Alauraeve Allen on Thursday asked the judge to consider a list of things in her favor. Those included her lack of criminal history, a very rocky upbringing, poor mental health and the fact that she took responsibility for the crime. She said she was forced to grow up at a young age and didnt have anyone to guide her. I called 911 as soon as I realized something was wrong with my daughter, she said. Im devastated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christofeno acknowledged the abuse Allen suffered while growing up, during a childhood that Pitzer said he wouldnt wish on anybody. But the judge said he was bothered by a lack of remorse he saw in her, instead focusing on herself at every turn. You have not showed me that you have remorse for playing a part in the death of your child, he said. Before I got on the bench and since Ive been on the bench, I saw a lot of people sat in that seat who had caused a death. The first thing all of them said was how sorry they were, how they wish they could take it back, how they wished it never happened. I am concerned that the only reason you feel remorse is because you got caught. SOPHIA, WV (WVNS) One woman died after a two-car accident on the Coalfields Expressway in Raleigh County over the Easter weekend and criminal charges are pending. According to a press release from the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, deputies were alerted to an accident on WV Route 121- Coalfields Expressway in the Sophia area of Raleigh County. Once on scene, the first deputy on scene, Lt. James Williams found a catastrophic crash between a Toyota Tacoma and a Chevy Tahoe. The driver of the Chevy Tahoe, later identified as Baylea Bower, 24, of Bloomingrose, West Virginia was entrapped in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma, identified as Destany Lester, 18, of Fairdale, West Virginia was severely injured and asking for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Tech student dies in Raleigh County car accident Lester was flown to the trauma center at CAMC General by Health-Net Aeromedical Services in critical condition. Further investigation revealed that Lester was travelling south on WV 121 when she allegedly hit a guardrail before crossing both southbound lanes and the grassy median before hitting Bower head on while in the northbound lanes. Investigators believe the speed and the driver impairment on behalf of Lester were contributing factors in the accident, according to the press release. Criminal charges are anticipated once the investigation is completed. Stick with 59News for updates on the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. UPDATE (6:12 p.m.): The Mobile Police Department is releasing more information after a chase started on Interstate 10 and ended near the Alabama-Mississippi state line. According to an MPD spokesperson, officers tried to make a traffic stop around 4:25 p.m. Thursday, April 24, on I-10. MPD officials said the driver refused to stop and hit a patrol vehicle while trying to drive off. The driver continued driving westbound on I-10 and eventually left MPDs jurisdiction. The driver was eventually taken into custody without incident. PREVIOUS REPORTING: MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile Police Department officials said a woman hit one of their cruisers while trying to escape them during a chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gulf Shores police open urn, locate ID tag According to officials, the chase started in the Tillmans Corner area and ended on Franklin Creek Road in Mississippi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two people, including the woman driver, were in the car, which had been reported stolen. The chase ended after the driver attempted to turn around on Franklin Creek but got stuck in the mud, according to officials. Dauphin Street crash: Eyewitness recalls chase, thoughts (updated) No injuries were reported. Neil Costes contributed to this article. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Norfolk officers shot a woman Friday afternoon, the citys police chief said, after she pointed a weapon at them during a confrontation. Mark Talbot said officers were called to the 7300 block of Sewells Point Road in reference to a female suspect who was previously involved in an assault. Thats in the Washington Park neighborhood. Talbot said they encountered a woman who was believed to be in possession of a firearm. He said she was carrying a large bag, which the officers instructed her to put down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued to refuse their commands. She at one point reaches in the bag and pulls out a weapon, points it toward the officers and they were forced to protect themselves, Talbot said in a video posted on X. Officers fired several shots at the woman, striking her at least once, he said. She was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Around 4:30 p.m., Norfolk police and Virginia State Police were seen investigating. Investigators placed a camera on a tripod to survey the area in the Sewells Point Plaza shopping center parking lot at 7616 Sewells Point Road. Evidence markers were strewn across the scene, including near an Aldi bag and on top of a black SUV. Police said no officers were injured. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com Macy Friend, mfriend@dailypress.com A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Rocky Swift Europe's souring business sentiment looks likely to put stocks on the defensive on Thursday, as President Donald Trump's erratic tariff moves sap market confidence even as surprisingly resilient corporate earnings offer some flickers of optimism. The German Ifo index due today is forecast to show a decline in business morale for April in Europe's biggest economy, a day after dour PMI readings for the euro zone and Britain. France and Britain are both expected to show declines in consumer confidence for this month. Stock futures pointed to a nearly flat open in European markets and a dip in the United States following yesterday's rally on Trump's softened rhetoric about China and the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that high tariffs between the U.S. and China are not sustainable, signalling openness to de-escalating a trade war between the world's two largest economies. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.5% but a report that Trump may spare carmakers from tariffs provided a tailwind for auto shares in Japan, where the benchmark Nikkei stock gauge jumped more than 1%. The tariff relief may not extend to Canada, however, with Trump saying late yesterday that duties on their autos could rise from the current 25%. But in the same breath, Trump said he'd had "nice conversations" with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, so who knows? South Korea's SK Hynix, a supplier to AI heavyweight Nvidia, said its first-quarter profit more than doubled on robust chip sales, adding to a string of strong corporate results, albeit for the period just before Trump's tariffs roiled markets. The earnings calendar is light in Europe today but investors will be keen to see if results from Merck, Alphabet and others in the U.S. can keep the positive trend alive. Key developments that could influence markets on Thursday: -- Germany's Ifo business climate index -- U.S. earnings including Merck, Procter & Gamble, Bristol-Myers Squibb, PepsiCo, Alphabet. -- U.S. seven-year Treasury note auction. -- G20 Finance Ministers and central bank governors to hold a press conference after two-day meetings. -- France consumer confidence for April. Trying to keep up with the latest tariff news? Our new daily news digest offers a rundown of the top market-moving headlines impacting global trade. Sign up for Tariff Watch here. (By Rocky Swift; Editing by Edmund Klamann) BLENDON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH) Its been nearly two years since TaKiya Young was shot and killed in Blendon Township by a police officer. Almost every month, Youngs family gathers at the Blendon Township Kroger parking lot where it happened, and Thursday was one of those days. Young was shot on Aug. 24, 2023, and since then, on the 24th day of each month, family and friends have shown up at that Kroger, wearing shirts with her face on them. Her family said they can feel her spirit when they are there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These central Ohio Walmart locations set for remodel Nearly two years ago, the 21-year-old pregnant woman was shot by Blendon Township Police Officer Connor Grubb. At the time of her death, Young had two children and was expecting another child. Her children are now four and seven years old; they were three and six when it happened. They miss her and they talk good about her, but you can tell by their hearts that they miss her, TaKiya Youngs grandmother Nadine Young said. Young said these past two years have been like a roller coaster of emotions, but coming back to this spot is important to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel her here, I feel the spirit, and when we send the balloons off, its like shes saying something to us every time, she said. We feel it. Troopers hunting for pickup truck that struck 2-year-old boy in Jackson County Young was suspected of shoplifting from the Kroger on South Sunbury Road. Grubb and another officer approached her vehicle. Grubb stood in front of the car and shot Young as the car moved forward. Grubb has been charged with killing Young and her unborn child. As of Thursday, he remains on paid administrative leave. His case is next scheduled for a status hearing on May 21 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court; a trial date is currently scheduled for July 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past few years, weve seen four central Ohio police officers charged with murder, Sean Walton, the Young familys attorney, said. Each of those cases has moved at a snails pace. Walton said he would not be surprised if Grubbs July 14 trial date was postponed. Ohio State faculty vote to join Big Ten alliance against Trump Theres likely to be a long fight in the criminal justice system, he said. Our hope is that, in the civil justice system, Blendon Township will come to the table and have a serious conversation with this family about what it looks like to heal. Both Walton and Youngs family said theyd like to see accountability from the police department, but for now, Nadine Young said she will continue to show up at the Kroger as a way to connect with her granddaughter so that her name is never forgotten. 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. Authorities are offering a $15,000 reward for information on the suspect who killed a woman in a Los Angeles drive-by shooting in 2024. On July 2, 2024, Raejonette Morgan, 22, was driving on Vermont Avenue near the 105 Freeway in the West Athens neighborhood of L.A. As she approached the freeway, a suspect vehicle drove up alongside her and a gunman fired several shots at Morgan, killing her. Her Mercedes-Benz sedan crashed near the freeway onramp. Raejonette Morgan is seen in a family photo. Police and bystanders at the scene of a shooting in South L.A. on July 2, 2024. (Citizen App) Police and bystanders at the scene of a shooting in South L.A. on July 2, 2024. (Citizen App) The heartbroken family of a woman killed in a shooting near the 105 Freeway is holding a candlelight vigil in her memory as they seek justice for her death. (KTLA) Raejonette Morgan is seen in a family photo. Police and bystanders at the scene of a shooting in South L.A. on July 2, 2024. (Citizen App) The suspect vehicle is described as a blue, two-door 2016-2018 Honda Civic sedan with a spoiler, louvers on the rear window, all-black wheels and a loud exhaust. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) The suspect vehicle is described as a blue, two-door 2016-2018 Honda Civic sedan with a spoiler, louvers on the rear window, all-black wheels and a loud exhaust. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) Footage posted by witnesses on social media showed Morgans vehicle was riddled with bullet holes as bystanders rushed over to help her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was rushed to Harbor UCLA Medical Center, where she died two days later. Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department believe Morgan was the innocent victim of gang violence and was mistaken for someone else when the suspects vehicle drove up and opened fire. The suspect vehicle is described as a blue, two-door 2016-2018 Honda Civic sedan. The car has a spoiler, louvers on the rear window, all-black wheels and a loud exhaust. The suspect vehicle is described as a blue, two-door 2016-2018 Honda Civic sedan with a spoiler, louvers on the rear window, all-black wheels and a loud exhaust. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) The suspect vehicle is described as a blue, two-door 2016-2018 Honda Civic sedan with a spoiler, louvers on the rear window, all-black wheels and a loud exhaust. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department) Morgans family held a candlelight vigil to honor her life while pleading for the publics help in tracking down the person responsible. On April 24, a $15,000 reward was announced by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on the case is asked to call LASDs Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 38-year-old woman from Temple, Texas pleaded guilty to arson following the destruction of Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church (SLLC), according to a release from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Natasha Marie ODell set fire to the Snohomish County Church on August 25, 2023 causing more than $3.2 million in damages, the DOJ said. Surveillance video, which survived the fire, shows ODell pouring gasoline out of a red container around the church. A federal indictment showed that cell phone records and credit card purchases linked ODell to the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the plea agreement, she expressed to several people her anger toward SLLC specifically and told another that she planned to burn a nearby church. The DOJ says she pleaded guilty to Arson, which carries a maximum of 20 years, as well as Damage to Religious Property, and Obstruction of Persons in the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs, which is punishable up to 40 years. Her sentencing is scheduled for August 7, 2025. Republicans are gearing up to put pen to paper on President Donald Trumps big domestic policy bill. It could give Democrats a big, beautiful target for their midterm messaging. Next week, GOP lawmakers will start rolling out portions of the planned megabill, with House committees slated to hold a series of meetings advancing individual portions. Speaker Mike Johnson has set an aggressive Memorial Day deadline to get a final product through the chamber. Democrats, meanwhile, are mapping out a committee-by-committee fight over the drafting of the megabill. Theyre planning to force a plethora of votes, aiming to put vulnerable House Republicans on the record regarding some of the most controversial pieces of the GOP agenda. Theyre eyeing likely changes to Medicaid in the Energy and Commerce Committee and food assistance in the Agriculture Committee as particularly ripe avenues for attack, not to mention tax provisions in Ways and Means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hope is that the emergence of concrete proposals will finally give the Democratic attacks on the GOP agenda some bite. Already party campaign committees and allied groups have sought to soften the ground by accusing Republicans of targeting Medicaid, but the GOP has parried by insisting no such cuts have been offered. The NRCC succeeded in getting some billboards on that topic taken down last month. They won't have anywhere to hide once legislation emerges, said Anne Shoup, a senior adviser to Protect Our Care, one of the best-funded groups engaged in the fight against the GOP bill. We know how important the next couple weeks are in this fight, and we're so we're going to be ramping up and really taking it to the Republicans. Theyre writing the playbook for Democrats to take back the House in 2026, added House Majority PAC spokesperson Katarina Flicker. Party officials are essentially planning to re-run the playbook that gave Democrats control of the House following the 2018 midterms after they hammered Republicans for months over votes they took to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to enact the tax cuts for wealthy Americans that Hill Republicans are now looking to extend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-week congressional recess now coming to a close gave a preview of that familiar messaging after Democrats took part in a coordinated campaign around Medicaid and Social Security and held town halls, some of them in GOP districts, where leaders talked up economic issues. Republicans can pass the megabill on their own if they can manage to stick together theyre planning to use special procedures to bypass a Senate filibuster and thus wont require Democratic votes. But Democrats are intent on making the GOP pay a price for it. If House Republicans push ahead with their plan to gut Medicaid and rip health care away from millions of Americans just to fund another tax cut for their billionaire donors like Elon Musk, Democrats will fight them every step of the way and well make it as painful as possible, said Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), an Energy and Commerce member. Democrats are eyeing ways to put purple-district members serving on specific committees on the spot. Those include Reps. Tom Kean (R-N.J.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), who serve on Energy and Commerce and could have to vote on changes to Medicaid state reimbursement rates that GOP leaders have floated. On the Agriculture Committee, swing-district Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Derek Van Orden (Wis.) and Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) could find themselves targeted over cuts to SNAP, the food aid program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are expected to vote together to defeat Democratic amendments in committee. Some panels, such as Energy and Commerce, have enough of a GOP advantage on their rosters that Republicans could afford a defection or two. But party leaders will still face plenty of hurdles in getting the legislation to the House floor, with various factions of the conference vying to include provisions to expand the state and local tax deduction while others push to avoid cuts to SNAP or Medicaid. Those factions could band together and threaten to vote against the legislation if it doesnt reflect their priorities. Some purple-district Republicans have vowed not to cut social spending programs as part of the megabill, but most experts believe the House GOP needs to find cuts to pay for the package putting some Medicaid spending at risk. Republicans are also betting a permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts will become popular with Americans, not to mention other Trump priorities including exempting tips from income tax. And while Democrats have talked about threats to Social Security as part of their messaging around the domestic policy package, seizing on agency cuts made by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency initiative, the legislation isnt touching that program or Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All national Democrats have are pathetic lies and fear-mongering tactics to distract from their failures, said NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella. They were already forced to take down their dishonest Medicaid ads across the country because Americans know theyre full of crap. Still, Democrats see the potential changes to Medicaid as one of their most potent issues to highlight against Republicans, especially after its expansion under the Affordable Care Act put many more Americans on its rolls. The [Energy and Commerce] markup is put-up-or-shut-up time for Republicans who say they wont cut Medicaid. Trump has said he doesnt want this to be a health care bill, but when you gut Medicaid, you make it a health care bill, said Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), who serves on the panel. Even Donald Trump knows thats not a fight worth picking. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Dodds Park will be hosting a remembrance ceremony for Illinois State Troopers Corey Thompsen and Todd Hanneken. The Workers Day Ceremony will take place on Monday at 5 p.m. in Champaign. The event will honor troopers Thompsen and Hanneken, who both lost their lives while they were on duty. Families, friends and co-workers of both troopers will attend the ceremony. Theyre trying to go after us, Candlewood Estates residents say they wont be charged for electrical issues Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Thompsen and Hanneken were both based at the Pesotum post and died after traffic accidents while on duty in rural Champaign County in 2024 and 2021, respectively. On March 25, 2021, trooper Hanneken was on patrol west of Champaign when his vehicle left the road and struck a pole and tree. 45-year-old Hanneken was from Long Creek and was the son of a retired state trooper. He spent 20 years with the state police and is survived by his wife Shelley and two sons, Ben and Nick. On Oct. 18, 2024, trooper Thompsen was finishing a traffic enforcement detail north of Champaign when another driver pulled into the roadway and struck his motorcycle. 28-year-old Thompsen lived and grew up in St. Joseph and is survived by his wife Chelsea, mother Susan, father Steve and brothers. Best Buddies Friendship Walk making a difference in Champaign Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both officers made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our community, said Matt Kelley, president of the AFL-CIO of Champaign County. We appreciate their bravery and selflessness and are eternally grateful for their service. The local ceremonies are among hundreds of Workers Memorial Day events taking place across the nation. These events started in 1970 with the signing of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The AFL-CIO of Champaign County and East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council have organized local ceremonies annually to call attention to the need for greater workplace safety for everyone. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MCCRORY, Ark. Imagine going to grab a glass of water or turning on the shower and brown water pours out of the faucet. Thats a reality for many in the city of McCrory and across Woodruff County who say they have been dealing with brown water for years. Neighbors called Working 4 You after several attempts with the water company to get the issue fixed. There are particles at the bottom of it, though the water looks clear, Stacy Picklemann said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One by one, Picklemann picks up and examines a jar of collected tap water. It looks like something out of a science fair, but this display is far from any school project. Its Picklemanns drinking water. Ive never seen anything like it before because its just like brown, Picklemann said. Picklemann said she first noticed a discoloration in her tap water in May of 2023. She was a brand-new mom at the time. I opened the lid to the washing machine, and its just stained, Picklemann described. It looked like, kind of like a tie-dye, but you could tell it was like a substance. She said she ran to the kitchen to double-check the water. Sure enough, the sink went brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cried at the washing machine and was on the phone with my mom, just sobbing because waters like a necessity. You need it to survive, Picklemann said. Picklemann said every day is a mystery, not knowing what will come out of the faucet. Two years ago, she started buying her drinking water from the store, but that hasnt solved all her problems. It was messing up appliances, and bathtubs, swimming pools, Picklemann noted. Stacy said neighbors have replaced dishwashers, water heaters, and stained coffee pots. She said they are doing this with little to no explanation of what is causing the brown water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first summer, it was someone stealing water. When it was cold, theyll blame it on the cold water. Last year, they said they needed a part, and they needed more money for the part, Picklemann said. Working 4 You reached out to the water company that handles most of Woodruff County, Cross County Rural Water System. KARK 4 News asked for an on-camera interview, but instead was sent this email from its executive director, David King. We have been trying to resolve this issue for 4 years, we have rebuilt filters and even changed some chemicals dosages, this has helped but we need big money to solve this problem. We have applied for grants the last 4 years and finally got approved for some help, we have been approved for a chemical feed to fix our problem, This was supposed to be final in Aug. 2024 but was giving a 6-month extension and we are getting close to the end of that and we only seen enough money to pay the law firm for their work. We have already spent money on rebuilding filters and re-piping at the plant. AS soon as the money gets released to CCRWS for the new chemical building and feed system will be built at the Morton Plant in Woodruff County. -David King Last Summer, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders made a visit to the water treatment plant to discuss solutions. Stacy said the water went clear for several months after that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Then] in November, I saw it again, Picklemann said. Arkansas State Rep. Jeremiah Moore said hes been following the issue closely. He claims Cross County Rural Water System was awarded two grants: one in June of 2023 and another in June of 2024, totaling more than $1.5 million. Additional water fluoridation bills filed with Arkansas legislature The money will go toward fixing piping and making upgrades to the treatment plant. Moore told Working 4 You the project went to bid in December and was awarded in February for just under $700,000. I am doing everything I can from my position to ensure that customers of CCRW have access to clean water, Moore said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CCRW says it has a year to get the project completed. People in Woodruff County say theyve waited long enough. I invite anyone to drink it if they want to, but thats not going to be me, Picklemann said. An assessment of the water in Woodruff County was conducted back in 2023. The annual report found the city of McCrory had a medium susceptibility to contamination and could have traces of lead and copper. The standard for lead in water is 0. McCrorys water is .015. At 15, water utilities have to take action to reduce lead levels. McCrory has been placed on a reduced monitoring schedule. This means samples will be taken every three years. As of April, construction on the water plant has not begun. 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. Apr. 24At the front of the church on Thursday, draped in black, stood a photograph of a smiling Pope Francis. The leader of the Catholic Church died Monday, just a day after presiding over Easter mass in Rome. He was 88. To honor the late pontiff, the Cathedral of our Lady of Lourdes dedicated its noon service on Thursday to honor Francis. Presiding over the service was Bishop Thomas Daly, of the Diocese of Spokane, who personally met with Francis for three hours on Feb. 3, 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What a great way to end your papacy, to die in the Easter season," Daly said after the mass. "It's springtime, it's hope and it's renewed life, and eternal life." Speaking before a crowd that was about half the 1,200-person capacity of the cathedral in downtown Spokane, Daly said that Francis strove to uplift those who are less fortunate. "When Francis came, first of all, he was the first pope from South America; his emphasis was mercy and hope," Daly said. "But he wasn't much for formalities. He went to the heart of the Gospel, which is mercy and love." Those themes were repeated during Francis' final message on Easter Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter," he said in his last public comments at the Vatican in Rome. He then asked an archbishop to read his address, a blessing "to the city and the world." His speech mentioned the conflicts in South Sudan, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, Myanmar and the South Caucuses. "May the risen Christ grant Ukraine, devastated by war, his Easter gift of peace, and encourage all parties involved to pursue efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace," the message read. "Even with his weak condition, he was able to be a voice for the voiceless," Reni Meak, a nun from Indonesia, told The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the service in Spokane on Thursday, Brian Kraut, the director of evangelization for the local diocese, said the mass served to honor the work that Francis had done. "It's a world event, because a leader like Pope Francis sought what was best for all people," Kraut said. "That's not the world we live in today." Daly said Francis' final message on Easter was a reflection of the 12 years he served as Pope. "Don't let wealthier countries harm the countries where the poor are," Daly said of Francis' message. "It takes many decades to say what this Pope did for the church. That will take time. I would say as a bishop, by the pope who appointed me here, it was that mercy and hope." The Washington Post contributed to this story. By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Food Programme warned on Friday it is facing a funding shortfall that could affect its ability to support people facing acute food shortages in Sudan within weeks as donor states reduce humanitarian funding. The United Nations agency said it has a shortfall in funding of $698 million out of the nearly $800 million it had asked for from donors to help seven million people from May through to September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be shortages of items, such as cereals, pulses and ready-to-use food from May as it is confronted with a broader trend of global donor states reducing humanitarian funding, the organisation warned. Rations in areas at risk of famine have been reduced to 70% of a standard WFP ration (equal to 2100 kcal per day), the organisation said. "We are stressing the need to ensure funding flows at a very critical time where we are entering the rainy season and also the hunger season in Sudan, and at a time when conflict is escalating and displacements are increasing," Samantha Chattaraj, the WFPs Sudan Country Office Emergency Coordinator told reporters in Geneva via video link from Port Sudan. The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, sparked by a power struggle between the army and the rival Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has since displaced millions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WFP said it is mobilizing support across the country, including to some of the 450,000 people displaced from Sudan's Zamzam camp in North Darfur after it was taken over by the RSF earlier this month. The organisation said it had assisted 4 million people across Sudan in March - the highest monthly figure since conflict began - and is now able to reach more areas, after overcoming bureaucratic challenges and insecurity. More aid trucks are expected to arrive in the next few days, it said. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by Miranda Murray and Sharon Singleton) By Emma Farge and Nidal al-Mughrabi GENEVA/CAIRO (Reuters) - The World Food Programme said on Friday it had run out of food stocks in Gaza due to the sustained closure of crossings into the enclave, while Gaza authorities said Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 78 people in the past 24 hours. "The WFP has depleted all its food stocks for families in Gaza," a WFP statement said, adding the U.N. agency on Friday delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days," it added. The agency said no humanitarian or commercial supplies had entered Gaza for more than seven weeks as all main border crossing points remained closed, resulting in the longest closure the Gaza Strip had ever faced. Israel has previously denied that Gaza is facing a hunger crisis. The military accuses the Hamas militants who have run Gaza of exploiting aid - which Hamas denies - and says it must keep all supplies out to prevent the fighters from getting it. Since March 2, Israel completely cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, and food stockpiled during a ceasefire at the start of the year has all but run out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WFP warned that if the aid blockage was not lifted it might be forced to end its critical assistance. On March 31, all 25 WFP-supported bakeries closed after wheat flour and cooking fuel ran out, while parcels giving families two weeks of food rations were depleted. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office on Friday said that famine is no longer a looming threat and is becoming a reality. "Thousands of Palestinian families are now facing starvation after becoming unable to provide even a single meal for their children," it said in a statement. Fifty-two people have died due to hunger and malnutrition, including 50 children, while more than one million children are experiencing hunger daily, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli ministry of foreign affairs said 25,000 aid trucks had entered Gaza in the 42 days of the ceasefire - before it shut the border at the start of March - and that Hamas had used the aid to rebuild its war machine. Food prices have risen 1,400 percent compared to during the ceasefire, WFP said, adding that more than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance which could feed one million people for up to four months is currently stuck at the border crossing. STRIKES IN GAZA On Friday, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 78 people in different areas of the enclave in the past 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents said Israeli forces operating in Shejaia and Rafah in northern and southern Gaza blew up clusters of homes overnight. Citing attacks initiated from those areas, the Israeli military ordered residents of Beit Hanoun and the Beit Lahiya towns to leave their homes in a post published on X by an army spokesperson late on Thursday. The new orders caused a new wave of displacement as many families began leaving their homes in the early hours on Friday, according to witnesses. Sources familiar with the mediation said a Hamas delegation was expected to visit Cairo on Friday to meet Egyptian officials and discuss ways to salvage stalled ceasefire talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since a January ceasefire collapsed on March 18, Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,900 Palestinians, many of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced as Israel seized what it calls a buffer zone. An attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023 killed 1,200 people, and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza. Since then, more than 51,300 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive in Gaza, according to health officials. (Reporting by Emma Farge, Additional reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin in Geneva, Editing by Rachel More, William Maclean) A 117-story skyscraper in the Chinese port city of Tianjin has stood unfinished and empty for nearly a decadebut according to Chinas state media, construction on Goldin Finance 117 may resume as early as next week. If plans stay on schedule this time, the nearly 1,960-foot-tall supertall structure will open its doors in 2027. Goldin Finance 117 has remained the worlds tallest unoccupied building since 2015, when financial fallout from the Chinese stock market crash forced the liquidation of its Hong Kong-based real estate developer. The skyscraper is just one of numerous similar abandoned projects across the country that have since become symbols of Chinas ongoing real estate problems. In 2020, the countrys housing ministry and National Development and Reform Commission released guidelines banning any new buildings over 1,640 ft. As CNN noted on April 24, the legislation is likely aimed at curbing the rampant speculative financing that often backs such projects. This means that, if finished, Goldin Finance 117 could be one of the last of its kind for the country. Goldin Finance 117 will be among the worlds tallest buildings once completed. Credit: Mahmut Resul Karaca / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Groundbreaking on Goldin Finance 117 began in 2008. The tower relies on mega columns to strengthen it against earthquakes and high winds, while its overall aesthetic is intended to draw comparisons to a walking stick. Once completed, the supertall skyscraper will include apartments, a luxury hotel, and businessesall topped by a diamond-shaped atrium level featuring an observation deck and swimming pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear if the project will retain its original name. Its new, $78 million construction permit no longer lists the now-defunct Goldin Properties Holdings, which implies Goldin Finance 117 will officially receive another title at some point. China still has numerous unfinished skyscrapers located across the country. Credit: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images This isnt the only revitalization effort underway for Chinas abandoned skyscrapers. On April 20, Greenland Group announced construction would soon resume on the 1,535-foot-tall Chengdu Greenland Tower after a nearly two-year pause. Such projects arent generally seen as particularly profitable, but its often more about what they represent to investors and the public. By having [these projects] revived and completed, the government at least hopes it can increase peoples confidence, Duke University law professor and Chinese real estate expert Qiao Shitong told CNN on Thursday. A diamond-shaped atrium featuring a swimming pool will top the the building. Credit: Costfoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images These delays have had consequences on bragging rights, as well. Since its pause, Goldin Finance 117 was surpassed in height by Shanghai Tower and Ping An Finance Center. If finally completed, the skyscraper will become Chinas third tallest, as well as the worlds sixth tallest structure. Even so, the nation is still home to 91 buildings over 656 feet tallthe most of any country in the world. Housing activity for new residential construction climbed in March, spurred by a greater supply of houses during a crucial spring period. Sales of new homes rose 7.4% in March to a seasonally adjusted rate of 724,000 units, up from February's rate of 676,000, according to the Census Bureau data released on Wednesday. The reading came in well above Bloomberg's consensus forecast of 685,000. Inventory also ticked up, with 503,000 homes for sale at the end of March, a 0.6% increase from the prior month and the highest level since 2007, according to Bloomberg. Regionally, sales in the South jumped at their fastest pace in nearly four years. Transactions also rose in the Midwest but declined in the West and Northeast. The data shows a rise in housing activity despite challenges for homebuilders at the start of the spring selling season, including high mortgage rates and ongoing uncertainty around tariffs. Many would-be buyers are staying on the sidelines, deterred by high borrowing costs. In fact, some measures show mortgage rates approaching 7%, which has discouraged potential buyers. Read more: When will mortgage rates go down? A look at 2025 rate predictions. Home loan rates tend to track the 10-year Treasury yield (^TNX), which has risen recently as investors retreated from the traditional safe haven. The Trump administration's tariffs and threats to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell caused a reassessment of US assets and a blow to investor confidence in the central bank's independence, though some of those pressures eased slightly on Wednesday. Adding to affordability challenges, house hunters are also grappling with high home prices. The average sales price of a new home rose 1% to $497,700 in March, while the median sale price declined by 7.5% to $403,600. Those affordability pressures may worsen. During its post-earnings call Tuesday, PulteGroup (PHM) cautioned that new tariffs could drive up construction costs by about 1% in the back half of the year. "We're in the range of $5,000 on average, and it will impact every single price point and consumer group that we serve," the homebuilder's CEO, Ryan Marshall, told investors and analysts on Tuesday about tariff-induced price increases. "There might be a few minor nuances, but it's pretty broad across the spectrum." Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Houses undergo construction in a neighborhood on April 17, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Brandon Bell via Getty Images Builders have been leaning on generous incentives to boost sales, but it's unclear how long this approach can continue if tariffs remain in place. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) What started as an honor for local BMX Olympian Kamren Larsen, quickly turned into a surprise ceremony recognizing his great, great grandfather who served in World War I. Representative Vince Fong pulled the switcheroo at his district office in Bakersfield, at 2 p.m. Thursday, awarding a Purple Heart to the family of Private First Class Andreas (Andrew) Cagoulides. Granddaughter, Rachel Larsen said, Very honored, very honored, and it was a big surprise. They kept the surprise. They really did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whistle, a Vietnam Rat Pack Commander said, Vietnam Rat Pack assemble. All hands on deck! Vietnam veterans saluted the family, and presented their own honor, a wooden box to encase the precious medal. Cagoulides was born in Turkey in 1892 and immigrated to the United States in 1913. He joined the Army in 1918 where he served in the 315th Infantry in World War 1. He came to the US through Ellis Island, and immediately turned around, and went to France to fight, said Larsen. Cagoulides was injured in the line of duty November 4, 1918 just a week before the end of the war. He was honorably discharged in 1919. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He died in 1984. Throughout his service, Cagoulides became a naturalized U.S. citizen and was an active member of the VFW for more than 50 years. Granddaughter, Andrea Archibald, said, Its a legacy in our family of service. Cagoulides granddaughters remember their grandpa as the kind man who gave free goodies to customers at his grocery store in Santa Barbara during the Great Depression. People would walk by hungry, and my grandmother would feed anybody who came by, said Archibald. Cagoulides leaves a legacy of service passed down to the newest generation whos currently serving in the U.S. Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, Cagoulides does not have a grave site at the Bakersfield National Cemetery built in 2009 because family members say his military records were destroyed in a fire. His memory lives on through Americas oldest military decoration his granddaughters are proud to hold. He was a very humble, hardworking man that lived the american dream, said Larsen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apr. 25STERLING Four years after winning the right to unionize, CGH Medical Center employees are still fighting for a collective bargaining agreement. The labor union on Monday night took that fight to the Sterling City Council to gain city leaders' support in the quest for a contract. Members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 urged the council to pass a resolution showing its support for CGH management to quickly reach an agreement with the union. The resolution was only for presentation and no action was taken by the City Council. Mayor Diana Merdian said a copy of the resolution would be forwarded to CGH's board of directors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CGH medical technologist Shelly Houzenga has been a member of the union negotiation team for more than three years and made the request for support on behalf of the union. She said CGH has continued to delay reaching a collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME and spent $1.7 million in attorneys' fees related to its efforts to fight the establishment of the union and "silence voices." "This is about supporting front-line workers of this city-owned hospital that directly provides care for the members of this committee," Houzenga said. "Please, I beg you, consider showing your support to resolve this conflict by passing the proposed resolution." In late 2019, employees at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, led by Council 31 of the AFSCME, began efforts to unionize. The union filed petitions after months of organizing, claiming majority support among staff. CGH objected, alleging fraud and coercion in collecting union cards, and argued that certain employees, including a specialty nurse group and an electronic medical records trainer, should be excluded from the bargaining unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in 2021, a state labor judge dismissed most of CGH's objections for lack of evidence, agreeing only that the EMR trainer should be excluded from the union. Following that decision, AFSCME urged CGH to accept the ruling and certify the union. Almost 1,000 employees, including nurses, CNAs, phlebotomists and other health workers, supported the unionization to secure better pay, fair treatment and a stronger voice in patient care. At that time, CGH leadership said it still was considering the next steps, prioritizing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Union supporters emphasized that forming a union would strengthen the hospital and improve service to the community. However, after the union was officially certified by the Illinois Labor Relations Board in 2021, tensions between the hospital and the union continued. Melissa Greschke is a nurse who has worked at CGH for the past 13 years. She said she was not initially interested in unionizing, feeling confident she had a good rapport with CGH leadership and co-workers, until recently filing for an intermittent Family Medical Leave Act absence due to a health condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "CGH not only expressed disapproval with the fact I might need to use FMLA, but moved me, against my wishes, to the flow pool," Greschke said, visibly upset and moved to tears. "I had not taken any leave. At this point, I was moved at the possibility of using my protected leave. I did not want or need to take a lesser position, but because I exercised my right by law to protect its lead, I have been punished by management at CGH. This has turned my world upside down." "CGH is a city-owned hospital, and our job is to take care of the health care needs of our community, yet employees aren't allowed to have health issues," Greschke said. "Unfortunately, my story is one of many. My situation only illustrates how badly employees need representation and what they call a seat at the table." Over the past few years, the union and CGH have filed multiple complaints against each other, including an issue involving a December 2019 letter from CGH President and CEO Paul Steinke. [ Union members protest lack of contract at CGH, two years after certification ] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Administrative Law Judge Anna Hamburg-Gal ruled in March 2022 that the letter, published by Shaw Local in print and online, violated state labor laws. The letter provided detailed instructions on how employees could revoke their union support and included disparaging remarks about the union, claiming it would waste dues and harm relationships with management. Hamburg-Gal found that the letter was coercive, discouraging employees from maintaining union membership and encouraging them to report revocation to human resources. The letter came out just before Gov. JB Pritzker strengthened state labor laws. Although CGH argued the union's complaint was filed too late, the judge proceeded with the case, siding with the union. [ Judge: CGH Medical Center violated labor law during unionization efforts ] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shaw Local reached out to Steinke for comment about the union's presentation at the council meeting. A member of CGH's media relations team replied with the following statement from representatives of CGH Medical Center: "Illinois law severely limits what public employers can say on bargaining matters. Subsequently, while we continue to bargain in good faith, we have no further comment." Young Americans continue to struggle financially, with 42% reporting that they are barely getting by, according to a Spring 2025 Harvard Youth Poll. Douglas Murray, author of On Democracies and Death Cults, joins On Balance to discuss young adults perceptions of the American dream. Murray goes on to discuss how many students, particularly those at Ivy League schools, have been led to believe that supporting Hamas places them on the right side of history. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. As the Democratic Party takes stock of the first 100 days of the Trump administration and the upcoming 2026 midterm elections -- where the party aims to take back control of the U.S. House of Representatives a slate of political newcomers are challenging longtime incumbents and calling for generational change within the party. The challenges come amid a broader debate among Democrats over how to respond to the Trump administration and reach voters after its bruising losses in 2024, and if the party needs younger leaders to revitalize it or whether Democrats should avoid the risk of infighting. The debate was supercharged in recent weeks when Leaders We Deserve, a political organization led by Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman David Hogg, the Parkland school shooting survivor and gun-control activistannounced that it will spend $20 million to help elect younger leaders -- including primary challengers to House Democrats who are in safe Democratic seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group has not yet announced who it is supporting. MORE: David Hogg-run group announces $20M initiative to support primary challengers to House Democrats MORE: Democratic Party 'doubling down' on town hall meetings targeting Republican-held districts "Given the loss that we had last cycle, a lot of people have expressed their frustration with our leadership," Tamia Booker, a veteran Democratic strategist, told ABC News. "I think what we're seeing now is the ramification of that, where people are deciding to run themselves because they believe that they're more effective leaders." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jake Rakov, 37, is a primary challenger taking on his former boss -- Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat who represents California's 32nd District. "I'm running because we do need a new generation of Democrats to step up if we want anything to change in Washington; we cannot keep sending the same both decade after decade, and expecting things to change," Rakov told ABC News in an interview. PHOTO: Jake Rakov, a Congressional candidate in California. (Courtesy of Jake Rakov for Congress) Rakov worked for Sherman as a deputy communications director in 2017 and since then worked in Los Angeles politics and some campaigns. But he slammed Sherman as ineffective, adding, "He likes to brag about seniority. He has been passed over for leadership positions on his committees ... Seniority doesn't matter if no one is willing to work with you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherman, in an interview with ABC News, pointed to his position as a ranking member on the House Financial Subcommittee on Capital Markets, and that other experienced members also often get passed over for leadership positions. But Rakov is not attacking Sherman on policy. Instead, he said, "I think there is enough of that want of generational change," adding that it is not about age but about people wanting their members of Congress "to be accessible and accountable and to actually meet voters where they are emotionally." PHOTO: Rep. Brad Sherman speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, April 10, 2025 in Washington. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) Sherman, speaking to ABC News, dismissed Rakov -- who he indicated had not worked with him directly -- as one of an expected number of challengers. "I always have lots of opponents and I usually win by a huge margin," Sherman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More generally, Sherman sounded a skeptical note on the efforts to primary incumbents more generally. "I see these efforts to turn the Democratic Party into a circular firing squad It's very difficult to see how their efforts will help us win the 2026 elections. What it means is that we waste a lot of money in the primaries," he said. In Indiana's 7th Congressional District, which includes much of Indianapolis, George Hornedo, a 34-year-old alum of the Obama administration and Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Andre Carson. Hornedo alleges that Carson, 50, who was first elected to the House in 2008, has not delivered for the district. "I'm running because my community here in Indianapolis is still waiting for everything from safer streets to affordable housing to, really, just real leadership," Hornedo told ABC News. "After nearly 20 years in Congress, it's clear that Congressman Carson is just holding the seat but not actually doing anything with it." PHOTO: George Hornedo, a Congressional candidate in Indiana. (Courtesy of George Hornedo for Congress) But Hornedo does not think the divide is simply about age or time in office. The split, he said, is between members "like Congressman Carson" who think the current institutions in place are working for people, "versus those like myself that acknowledge that, of course, we have to try and protect what we currently have, but we also have to acknowledge that President Trump and Elon Musk are actively dismantling government day in and day out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carson told ABC News he welcomes new voices but thinks that Democrats need to work together under a common goal -- and he pushed back against Hornedo's claims. Carson pointed to the bills he's worked on that have been signed into law, as well as his work across the aisle with Republicans and the federal funding he has delivered to Indianapolis as testament to his effectiveness. PHOTO: Rep. Andre Carson walks up the House steps for the vote on the budget resolution in the U.S. Capitol, April 10, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images) But Carson also believes his own background makes him a nontraditional member of Congress already: "I think I'm one of the few members of Congress that have ever lived in a homeless shelter along with my grandmother, I was raised by the community. I was raised by the village, and so I'm always sensitive to the needs of the downtrodden and the less fortunate." In nearby Illinois, Kat Abughazaleh, 26, a former reporter and researcher with a large social media following, announced in March that she would run for Congress in Illinois' 9th Congressional District -- currently represented by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 80, who has not yet announced if she will run for reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abughazaleh has had some early success on the fundraising front, raising more than $375,000 in the first week of her campaign, according to Federal Election Commission filings. She outraised what Schakowsky fundraised in the entire first quarter. PHOTO: Kat Abughazaleh, a Congressional candidate in Illinois. (Eliana Melmed/Kat Abughazaleh for Congress) Abughazaleh is quick to emphasize that her run is not a "vendetta" against the incumbent -- but she says the Democratic Party is discouraging primaries and critiques in general. "It's time for new ideas. If what we were doing was working, then we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place," Abughazaleh told ABC News. Abughazaleh pointed to her own life experiences that dovetail with what younger generations are experiencing -- as someone from a generation dealing with school shooting drills, out-of-pocket medical costs, and spending most of her income on rent -- as differentiating herself from longtime members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to ABC News, Schakowsky said she will decide on her own plans "soon, but if I do indeed decide to retire, there are dozens of talented leaders, advocates, and organizers in the 9th Congressional District who know our community and who are ready to lead the charge as we fight back against the extreme MAGA regime and Trump's shameful policies." PHOTO: Rep. Jan Schakowsky listens while Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson appears before the House Oversight Committee, March 5, 2025, during a hearing on Capitol Hill about sanctuary cities and immigration policy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) She also said she has "always encouraged more participation in the democratic process." On Wednesday, she posted on X that she still had not yet made a decision about running. In Georgia, Everton Blair, 32, grew up in the Peach State's 13th Congressional District, which spans the eastern metro Atlanta area. He made history as the youngest, first Black, and first openly gay person elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Education, where he went on to serve as chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blair is now setting his sights on his next role in public office. PHOTO: Everton Blair, a Congressional candidate (Courtesy of Everton Blair for Congress) "I'm running because District 13, my home turf, deserves better leadership. And I think we learned a very important lesson in November and we need to respond immediately to the chaos of this administration with stronger, more competent and forceful leadership," Blair told ABC News in an interview. Incumbent Rep. David Scott has held the seat for 22 years, following a career in the Georgia General Assembly. Blair argues that Georgia's 13th Congressional District needs a leader who is "agile and present" -- qualities he no longer sees in Scott. "When somebody's served in elected office for over 50 years, there comes a time where you have to ask when you're actually ready to prepare the next generation of leadership." PHOTO: Rep. David Scott attends the House Financial Services Committee hearing on 'Make Community Banking Great Again' Feb. 5, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images) Spokespeople for Scott did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country on the West Coast, Saikat Chakrabarti, 39, is mounting a primary campaign against one of the Democratic Party's most prominent figures -- Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who has represented San Francisco for about 38 years. A former Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur and founding engineer of the online payment platform Stripe, Chakrabarti got his start in politics working on Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. MORE: Florida, Wisconsin races are a possible glimpse into how Dems and GOP could approach midterms: ANALYSIS MORE: Schumer spending bill fallout a symptom of disjointed Democratic strategy: ANALYSIS Asked why he believes he can unseat a party heavyweight, Chakrabarti told ABC News he's done it before. He served as campaign manager for Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez during her 2018 upset victory over Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley. PHOTO: Saikat Chakrabarti, a Congressional candidate (Courtesy of Saikat Chakrabarti for Congress) Chakrabarti sees echoes of 2018 in 2025: a post-Trump election environment marked by frustration among Democrats over their party's defeat. "That moment of change, in my opinion, is dwarfed by the moment of change you see right now. The level of anger at the Democratic Party for failing is huge," Chakrabarti said. Chakrabarti added that those who want to stand up to Trump should also have the courage to stand up to members of their own party, including Pelosi, 85. "The one thing we know is if we go into 2028 with the party being what it is right now, we're in trouble," Chakrabarti said. PHOTO: Nancy Pelosi delivers remarks at the Anti-Corruption Champions Award Ceremony at the Department of State in Washington, Dec. 9, 2024. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images) Pelosi's office declined a request for comment. Booker, the strategist, told ABC News that the younger candidates generally will have the challenge of building up name recognition among voters -- who may already have strong connections to the incumbents. "As humans, we are very connected to who our person is. A lot of these members that have been in these seats a long time also have deep relationships, and they also have a lot of money, and those deep relationships also extend to the donors," she said. "So while I'm all about supporting young people to run, they have to be thoughtful so they can actually have a well-oiled campaign, because otherwise they're going to be, yes, a challenger, but they're not going to be able to be successful in these runs for office." Young Democratic primary challengers seek to oust longtime House members -- but they say it's not about age originally appeared on abcnews.go.com An Ashland man has been arrested and charged with transportation of child sexual abuse material, with the alleged images depicting children as young as 4, the U.S. Attorney said Thursday. Brent Vreeland, 36, was arrested and charged Wednesday with one count of transportation of child pornography, U.S Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, Vreeland was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for later Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the charging documents, Vreeland was flagged for secondary screening at Bostons Logan International Airport upon arrival from Reykjavik, Iceland in October. Prosecutors allege that during a review of Vreelands cell phone, images and videos depicting child pornography were found in his Telegram Messenger app. A subsequent forensic examination of the device allegedly revealed approximately 30 media files depicting CSAM in direct messages with other unknown Telegram users, Foley said. Prosecutors allege that Vreeland received and distributed three such videos in October 2021, depicting the abuse of minor victims between the ages of four and 10 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one exchange, Vreeland allegedly asked another user to trade CSAM files for the youngest [they] hve [sic], prosecutors said. If convicted of the charge of transportation of child pornography, Vreeland faces a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. 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 YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Youngstown State University graduate and citizen of Nigeria is suing Immigration and Homeland Security officials for the termination of her status through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS). Cynderila Patrick, whose address is listed in Brooklyn, MD, was enrolled at YSU in the fall of 2022 as an F-1 nonimmigrant student, receiving a student visa. She also has a pending asylum claim, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Patrick graduated from YSU with a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in May of 2024, the lawsuit states. Prior to her graduation, she received a complaint and summons on a fourth-degree misdemeanor menacing charge in January 2024 following an angry email exchange with a professor, the lawsuit states, but court records show the case was dismissed in May of that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite having no criminal conviction, on April 8, 2025, YSUs Office of International Programs notified Patrck via email that her SEVIS record had been terminated due to the individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked, the lawsuit states. According to the lawsuit, there was no further documentation or explanation, and no contact preceded the termination. Patricks lawsuit contends that due to the cancellation of her visa, she has been unable to apply for or receive Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows her to continue employment related to her field of study. This disruption will severely hinder her ability to gain professional experience in the United States, undermines the educational investment she has made, and places her at a competitive disadvantage in her field, the lawsuit states. Patrick also fears that the termination will harm her pending asylum application and says there was no opportunity for her to be heard before her legal status was revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick is asking for her SEVIS status to be restored, as well as an injunction barring the defendants from initiating or continuing removal proceedings. She is also asking for compensatory damages for the deprivation of her constitutional rights, as well as attorneys fees and costs. She names Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General; as defendants in the lawsuit. Earlier this month, YSU sent an email to international students stating that some students visas had been revoked. The email, from YSU President Bill Johnson, said the university was actively engaged with the affected YSU students, and had reached out to federal agencies and elected officials. YSU has around 1,300 international students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kent State and Ohio State, among other universities around the country, have also seen some international students get their visas revoked. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraine would like to have a "common understanding that Russia is the aggressor," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a wide-ranging interview with American commentator Ben Shapiro released on April 24. "We would like... to have this common understanding that Russia is the aggressor," Zelensky said. "(Y)ou shouldn't be saying that Ukraine and Russia started this war, I believe that it's painful for our people to hear," Zelensky added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump and the White House have made inflammatory comments, claiming Ukraine shares the blame for Russia's war. On Feb. 18, Trump said Ukraine "should have never started" Russia's war. Zelensky said that Ukraine is defending against Russia's war and did not start it, comparing Ukraine's relations with Russia and the U.S. as opposite of one another. "You have to understand Ukraine, that we are defending against Russia's offense and we believe Russia is an enemy, we believe (the) United States is a true and real friend," Zelensky said. Zelensky thanked the U.S. for its role as a mediator to stop Russia's war, but emphasized that Ukraine views the U.S. as an ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know that (the) United States has a position to serve as the mediator in this conflict, that is the choice made by the United States, but we consider (the) United States as a strong, strategic partner," Zelensky said. "We would really like to have peace through strength that would be used towards Russia... because they are the one who is the aggressor," Zelensky said. Zelensky said he expects to hold more meaningful conversations with Trump and noted Ukraine counts on its "strategic partnership" with the U.S. "I think that we will have more fruitful meetings with President Trump," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky noted the U.S. plays a key role in Ukraine's defense against Russia's war through materiel support, but has not paid for pensions or salaries in Ukraine. "(T)he United States (has) to know that they were not feeding our pensioners and our soldiers with regards to the salary or the compensation, surely you've provided the most important aspect, that is the weapons," he said. Far-right American commentator Tucker Carlson claimed the U.S. funds Ukraine's "retirement accounts" in an interview with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, released on April 4. On April 23, Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine insists on an "immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That was the proposal put forward by the United States on March 11 of this year and it was absolutely reasonable," Zelensky said. So far, Russia has not agreed to an unconditional ceasefire and continues its war against Ukraine. Twelve people were killed and 90 civilians, including six children, were injured in a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on April 24. Read also: Crimean Tatar freed from Russian captivity: Recognizing Russias control of Crimea would legitimize crime Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that he may not attend the funeral of the late Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday. "If I cannot make it, Ukraine will be represented with dignity. The Foreign Minister [Andrii Sybiha] and the First Lady [Olena Zelenska] will be present," Zelensky told journalists in Kiev. On Thursday, the Russian military launched a massive combined missile and drone attack against Ukraine, killing at least 12 people in the capital, Kiev. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to the possibility of cancelling his trip to Rome, Zelensky said: "For me, it was important to be here." Numerous state guests from around the world are expected to attend the funeral on St Peters Square, including US President Donald Trump. Before his departure for Rome, Trump did not rule out meeting Zelensky on the sidelines of the funeral ceremonies. In late February, a meeting between Trump, US VIce President JD Vance, and Zelensky ended in a confrontation and Trump continues to be highly critical of Zelensky. Zelensky cut short his state visit to South Africa on Thursday to return to his war-torn country after Russia's latest attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday Zelensky, along with foreign diplomats, commemorated the attack's victims. "I thank all the ambassadors present; 67 representatives are here today," the head of state said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. "The whole world is here, in Ukraine, here in Kiev, and disagrees with Russia's aggression," Zelensky emphasized. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may not be able to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, but Ukraine will be represented by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and First Lady Olena Zelenska. Source: Interfax-Ukraine citing Zelenskyy Quote from Zelenskyy: "If I can't make it, Ukraine will be represented at a high level. The minister of foreign affairs and the First Lady will be there. As for me, it was important for me to be here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy also stated that he has several military meetings scheduled, as well as a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Quote from Zelenskyy: "There are several closed issues related to the strike [the Russian strike on the night of 23-24 April ed.] and the corresponding steps Ukraine will take. I dont know how long that will take. If I can make it, I will definitely be there, because I have already said its important for Ukraine." Background: It was previously planned that Zelenskyy would attend the Popes funeral. After the Russian strike on the night of 23-24 April, he cut short his visit to South Africa and announced that he was returning to Kyiv. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! TOKYO (Reuters) -Nissan Motor sees a record net loss of 700 billion yen to 750 billion yen ($4.91 billion-$5.26 billion) for the financial year that ended in March, it said on Thursday, due to impairment charges as the struggling automaker restructures. That compares with a previous forecast for a loss of 80 billion yen. It would be the company's largest ever loss and comes as new CEO Ivan Espinosa attempts to turn around Japan's third largest automaker, which is cutting jobs, reducing capacity and closing plants. Nissan booked impairments of more than 500 billion yen in North America, Latin America, Europe and Japan after reviewing production assets with additional restructuring costs to total more than 60 billion yen. "We are taking the prudent step to revise our full-year outlook, reflecting a thorough review of our performance and the carrying value of production assets," Espinosa, who took the helm this month, said in a statement. Nissan and Honda ended merger talks to forge a $60 billion car company in February. The deal broke apart due to Honda's proposal to make Nissan a subsidiary, sources have said. Nissan said it sees full year operating profit of 85 billion yen, around 30% lower than its previous forecast. The automaker, which said it will forego a dividend for the full year, will report its earnings on May 13. ($1 = 142.4300 yen) (Reporting by Kantaro Komiya and Sam Nussey; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Susan Fenton) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine does not currently have enough weapons to regain control over temporarily occupied Crimea. However, he emphasised that the world has various tools at its disposal to exert pressure on Russia in order to raise territorial issues. Source: Zelenskyy during a conversation with journalists, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine Quote: "It is true what President Trump says. I agree with him that we do not currently have enough weapons. Weapons specifically, not people. Because our people are more important, the most important thing. But it is not true to say we do not have an army." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy stressed that the world does have tools such as sanctions, economic pressure and diplomatic pressure "to say this, to discuss territorial issues, but only after a complete and unconditional ceasefire". He also commented on US President Donald Trumps statement that Crimea should remain Russian. Quote: "Our position remains unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian. And the Constitution of Ukraine decides: all temporarily occupied territories they are temporarily occupied, they all belong to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian people. Ukraine will not legally recognise any temporarily occupied territories." Background: On 22 April, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine does not recognise Crimea, which is internationally recognised as Ukrainian territory, as Russian. Trump criticised the statement, saying that "Crimea was lost years ago" and that Zelenskyys words were "very harmful to the peace negotiations with Russia". US President Donald Trump reiterated in an interview with Time that he believes Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO is the main reason behind Russia's military aggression. He also stated that he considers Crimea to be lost to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Over a month since ZZ Top announced drummer Frank Beard would be sitting out a number of tour dates over an unspecified health issue, its been confirmed that his absence will now extend to the bands forthcoming Australian tour. In a statement issued on Thursday (April 24), promoters Live Nation explained that Beard will not be joining his bandmates on the forthcoming trek, as recommended by medical personnel. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas trio revealed on March 15 that Beard would be absent from the groups current Elevation tour due to the need to undergo an unspecified health procedure. Shelter Music Group, ZZ Tops management, has announced the bands drummer, Mr. Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term, a social media post from the band read. Beard, along with fellow ZZ Top members Billy F Gibbons and Elwood Francis, presently on the Elevation tour since March 5, have engaged fellow Texan and longtime tech member, percussionist and drummer, John Douglas, for the interim. Douglas has long maintained a close relationship with both Beard and his bandmates, having previously sat in for the drummer during a Paris performance in October 2002 when he underwent an emergency appendectomy. Beards continued physical therapy has shown to be very effective in dealing with the issue that caused him to leave the recent US leg of the tour, Live Nations statement continued. While cheered by the positive news, band and management believe that his total recovery must be priority #1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beards attending physicians have suggested more physical therapy over a longer period would potentially achieve better and longer lasting results, and this will now be his focus. Beard has been the drummer of ZZ Top since 1969, when he took over from co-founder Dan Mitchell. Alongside vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons, Mitchell and bassist Lanier Greig had founded the band that same year. Following Griegs replacement by Billy Ethridge, Dusty Hill assumed the role of bassist in 1970, with their lineup remaining unchanged for 51 years until Hills death at 72 in 2021. Elwood Francis has since served as the groups bassist. The group will embark upon their first Australian tour since 2013 on Saturday, April 26th. The ten-date tour will conclude in mid-May, with a handful of New Zealand tour dates to be followed by an additional North American trek in June. The bands 51-date trek will run through until October. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. 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. At Millennium Plaza, two people stand toward the back of the crowd during the Homeless Person' Memorial Day candlelight vigil in Yakima, Wash., on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Loan Duong, mother of Hien Trung Hua, stands near a shrine in his memory at her home in Yakima. Hien Trung Hua died inside Yakima County Jail in November 2023. (Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times, 2024) Alex L., whose legal status has been reinstated, at his home Thursday afternoon in Kirkland, Washington on April 24, 2025. (Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times) Mourners gather at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York to pay respects to Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88. By Gianluca Lo Nostro and Boleslaw Lasocki (Reuters) -Nokia reported first-quarter profit well below market expectations on Thursday and flagged a short-term disruption from U.S. tariffs with an estimated impact of between 20 million and 30 million euros to its second-quarter profit. Comparable operating profit fell to 156 million euros ($176.9 million) in the first quarter of 2025, a 36% miss against the average forecast of 243.83 million euros by analysts surveyed by LSEG. A one-time charge in its mobile networks division had an impact of 120 million euros on quarterly margins, the company said. Nokia's sales in North America have been growing steadily despite losing market share to Nordic rival Ericsson, reflecting a renewed market strength after years of weakness. But now the sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump could counter this trend, as companies might pause orders fearing price increases. Nokia's net sales totalled 4.39 billion euros in the first quarter, down 3% on a constant-currency basis compared to a year earlier and a notch lower than the 4.41 billion euros expected by analysts. It confirmed its annual outlook, which now includes the acquisition of Infinera, but said achieving the top-end of the range for operating profit would be more challenging than initially expected. Nokia CEO Justin Hotard, who took the helm in April, said he had not seen a significant shift in demand due to U.S. tariffs, and added that there was an additional opportunity to consider investments in the United States. "It is not a discussion on (moving) our headquarters ... that is less critical than it is in terms of investment in research and development (R&D) and manufacturing capability," Hotard told Reuters. Nokia has more than a dozen sites in North America, and it owns the Bell Labs in New Jersey for R&D. On Thursday, the Finland-based company announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with T-Mobile in the U.S. to expand the carrier's 5G network coverage. Nokia declined to disclose financial details of the deal. Its shares dropped more than 6% in early Helsinki trading, as weak earnings offset the positive news of the T-Mobile contract extension, J.P.Morgan analysts said in a note to investors. ($1 = 0.8820 euros) (Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro and Boleslaw Lasocki in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi) This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Beginning June 3, Nordstrom is updating its Nordy Club terms and conditions with additional ways for members to receive discounts and other benefits, most notably at its Nordstrom Rack locations. Customers will no longer be able to earn points on purchases at Nordstrom Rack stores, its website or Last Chance stores, according to a Nordstrom spokesperson. Instead, customers can receive a 5% discount at Nordstrom Rack, its website and app when they use their Nordstrom credit card on eligible purchases. Card members may only use their Nordstrom credit card at checkout to pay for their purchases to get the discount at the Rack or online. They cannot use Apple Pay, PayPal or Afterpay, per the company. Dive Insight: Nordstrom is updating its Nordy Club loyalty program to offer new benefits to its Rack customers, according to Deniz Anders, Nordstroms executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "We are excited to evolve The Nordy Club and introduce exclusive benefits to Nordstrom Rack customers, delivering great brands at great prices with even more perks each time they shop with us, Anders said in an email. The new benefits offer our Nordstrom Rack customers more value, providing instant discounts, special promotions, and early access to new arrivals. Nordstrom has been growing its Rack locations in recent years, with 23 opening last year with plans for 21 more in 2025. Nordstrom struck a deal to take the company private last year, with investment from Mexican retail conglomerate El Puerto de Liverpool. The all-cash transaction valued at about $6.25 billion, which was unanimously approved by the board of directors in December, is expected to close around May 18. The department store in its most recent quarter reported net sales fell about 2% year over year to $4.2 billion. Nordstrom Rack net sales rose 6.6%, with comps up 3.5% at the banner. The Nordy Club changes come as other major brands have refreshed their loyalty programs over the recent past, including J.C Penney, which is in the midst of a turnaround. Ulta Beauty changed its loyalty program name and refreshed its look last year, while True Religion and Foot Locker both reimagined their programs in 2024 attempting to jump-start sales by offering more discounts to those who purchased more items. Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated where shoppers can receive a 5% discount with their Nordstrom credit card. It is at Nordstrom Rack. By Maggie Fick LONDON (Reuters) - Since launching its wildly popular weight-loss drug Wegovy in 2021, Novo Nordisk has raised its annual sales guidance several times a year. But recent weak U.S. prescription data is leading some investors and analysts to question whether that stellar run, which helped make Novo Europe's most valuable listed company worth $615 billion at its peak, is coming to an end. In February, the Danish drugmaker forecast 2025 sales growth of 16% to 24% at constant exchange rates, a much slower pace than in the past few years. Half a dozen analysts and investors say even that may no longer be realistic and the company could cut the guidance when it releases first-quarter results on May 7. Novo said in February it had increased supplies of Wegovy to the United States to meet booming demand and that its guidance reflected this. However, weekly U.S. Wegovy prescriptions have plateaued since mid-February, according to IQVIA data cited by analysts, while there is increased competition from Eli Lilly's Zepbound obesity shot, prescriptions for which outpaced Wegovy by 128,000 in the week ending April 11. Novo and its rivals also face the threat of their products becoming ensnared in U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. While a consensus of 25 analysts polled by LSEG shows Novo's 2025 sales expected to rise 19%, Bank of America analysts expect the company to cut its guidance to 14%-22%, which would be the weakest since 2021. "I am very cautious on Novo. I definitely see the possibility of a guidance cut," agreed Lukas Leu, a portfolio manager at Bellevue Asset Management, which owns Novo shares. Concerns about how Novo is faring against Lilly in the fiercely competitive obesity drug market and disappointing trial data for its next-generation drug CagriSema have wiped $230 billion, or 45%, off its market value since early December. Some analysts expect prescriptions of Wegovy and Ozempic to recover after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces a ban on copies, which Novo says could redirect demand to its own products. The FDA has given pharmacies until May 22 to stop producing compounded copies of Wegovy, following its assessment that Wegovy and Ozempic are no longer in shortage. Berenberg analyst Kerry Holford said Novo has been highlighting that it estimates about 30% of volume of semaglutide - the active ingredient in both drugs - in the U.S. is currently supplied by compounding pharmacies. Novo declined to comment because it is in a quiet period ahead of results and it does not comment on speculation. Esztergom offers visitors a perfect mix of history, culture, and easy adventure - all just under an hour from Budapest. So whether you fancy a scenic day trip, a meaningful brush with Hungarys spiritual heritage, or even a quick cross-border detour into Slovakia, this riverside gem delivers - as the video below shows. With its breathtaking Basilica, charming central square, and centuries of royal and religious history, Esztergom is a true 'must-see' that adds depth to any expats exploration of Hungary. One of the oldest places in Hungary, Esztergom is a city in northern Hungary, just 46 kilometres northwest of the capital Budapest. The seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church, it lies in Komarom-Esztergom county on the right bank of the river Danube, which forms the border with Slovakia there - so you can also visit another country with ease from here, even if just for a little shopping. Top 5 Sights in Esztergom 1. Basilica of Esztergom The seat of the Catholic Church in Hungary was built on the site of the first cathedral in the country, where the first Hungarian King St. Stephen was crowned in 1000 AD. Rebuilt during the 1800s in Neo-Classicist style, this is the largest church in Hungary. Pope John Paul II visited the Basilica during his trip to Hungary in 1991. Special Commercial Break For You to Take a Break: Fun Fact: This special Basilica is depicted on the HUF 10,000 banknote: The Basilica of Esztergom, a masterpiece of Classicism, is the third largest church in Europe. Established around 972 AD, Esztergom has always played an important role in Hungary's history. It was the birth and coronation place of the first Hungarian king, St. Stephen, as well as the capital of Hungary until the 13th century. After the Mongolian invasion, King Bela IV moved the Royal Seat to Visegrad and later to Buda, giving his palace to the archbishop and making Esztergom a religious center. The majority of the historic sites and the city's architectural heritage are of a religious nature: Primate's Palace, the Franciscan monastery, and several chapels and churches. Remains of the former royal palace, Turkish, Classicist and Baroque buildings, as well as the Basilica, attract many visitors. The reconstructed remains of the former royal palace founded by Prince Geza, father of King St. Stephen, are in the neighborhood of the Basilica. Today, the building is home to a museum. Vizivaros, or Watertown in English, built on the banks of the Danube, is home to several baroque churches; however, ruins of medieval fortresses, city walls and Turkish bastions can also be seen when strolling around this part of the city. Surrounded by Baroque churches and Classicist buildings, the Primate's Palace also stands here. 4. Christian Museum (Kereszteny Muzeum) The world's third-largest diocesan museum after the Vatican and Munich (Freising), this museum houses the largest ecclesiastical collection in Hungary. It features Hungarian, Italian, Dutch, German and Austrian art works from the 13th century up to the 19th century. The museum is located in the north wing of the Neo-Renaissance-style Primate's Palace. 5. Maria Valeria Bridge One of the newer additions to Esztergom is the Maria Valeria Bridge, which connects the city with Slovakia, so you can easily pop over for shopping, gastro adventures and more. Getting to Esztergom from Budapest Esztergom is about an hour's drive from Budapest, and Route 10 is the quickest way to get there. In the Spring and Summer seasons a great option is to take the hydrofoil, which leave from Vigado ter (Pest) - the ride takes about one and a half hour. Regular trains run from Budapest's Nyugati Station, and buses leave from the Arpad hid bus terminal. Final Fun Facts: Esztergom is often nicknamed as the 'City of St. Stephen' and the 'Hungarian Rome'. Source: visitbudapest.travel Close to 6,000 homeowners have submitted applications for HUF 33.2bn of subsidies to support energy efficiency improvement projects, the Energy Ministry said in a post on social media. The ministry noted that HUF 73bn had been earmarked for the programme that was relaunched at the end of January. Around HUF 67bn of the allocation will go to homeowners in Hungary's smallest settlements. The funding is available for homes built before 2007. It may be used to insulate, replace windows and doors, and upgrade heating systems. So far, payouts adding up to HUF 4.6bn have been made to over 1,300 applicants. 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. AI Symposium 2025, a three-day international symposium on artificial intelligence, will be held in Budapest between May 8 and 10, jointly organized by the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. According to a statement from HUN-REN on Wednesday, the world's top researchers in artificial intelligence will meet in Budapest to discuss the latest developments, trends and breakthroughs. The more than 50 leading researchers will include experts from the US, Germany, Singapore and Hungary. The symposium will explore the most important issues of artificial intelligence along four main themes: reliable and sustainable artificial intelligence, network science, healthcare, and industrial automation. The announcement highlighted Tao Dacheng, a professor at NTU and one of the most cited AI experts in the world with over 112,000 citations. Albert-Laszlo Barabasi will speak about network science, while Professor Guan Cuntai, a leader in BCI (brain-computer interface) research, will present biomedical AI applications. The frontline of industrial automation and robotics will be represented by Professor Lin Weisi from the field of visual signal processing. "Artificial intelligence is not the future - it is the present. This event creates an opportunity for Hungary to be not only a follower, but also a shaper of the AI revolution. Artificial intelligence is also a scientific responsibility. Hungary aims to be at the forefront of the development of reliable, transparent and human-centered AI through its research network. Artificial intelligence is therefore a compass towards the future," Jakab Roland, CEO of HUN-REN, was quoted in the statement. The information sheet emphasized that the special feature of the symposium is that domestic researchers and representatives of companies can become active participants in the scientific dialogue. They added that the event is supported by international partners such as Bosch, Nokia, Ericsson and Continental, which strengthen the cooperation between science and industry with their professional presence. Hungarian researchers and companies can learn about the latest international results and build direct connections with leading AI researchers - the announcement reads. Further information and program details are available on the official website of the symposium, at https://hun-ren.hu/ai-symposium-2025/. Representatives from Ondo Finance met with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to discuss ways of issuing and selling tokenized U.S. securities in compliant ways. Ondo Finance is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that tokenizes real-world assets (RWAs) such as U.S. Treasuries, stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). It is one of the pioneering projects engaged in tokenization of RWAs. The platform aims to bridge the gap between decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi) by offering on-chain investment products. The SEC released a memorandum on Apr. 24 as per which representatives from Ondo Finance and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP met the SEC's crypto task force on Apr. 24. Ondo Finance representatives included founder and CEO Nathan Allman, CSO Ian De Bode, and general counsel Mark Janoff. The discussion involved the Web3 firms proposal for issuing and selling wrapped, tokenized versions of publicly traded U.S. securities. The topics under the agenda included structural models of tokenized securities, registration requirements, broker-dealer requirements, market structure regulations, financial crimes compliance, and state corporate laws. The DeFi platform also discussed securing a sandbox or other such relief. A sandbox is a facility offered by a regulator that allows a crypto firm to test the latest financial products and services using emerging technologies in a controlled environment before full-scale deployment. The ONDO token rallied more than 10% immediately after the SEC sharing the memorandum. It was trading at $1.01 at press time. However, its price is still more than 50% lower than the all-time high (ATH) of $2.14 that it hit on Dec. 16, 2024. In this hypnotically precise work, body, light and music not only tell an intimate story, but also provoke a new awareness of our viewing habits and systems of thought. 17 years after showing her seminal work Jerk, the renowned French artist returns to Budapest with her newest creation. Two siblings who meet again at the end of a night of partying. A trauma that brought their close relationship in childhood to an abrupt end. A moment of realisation that might pave the way for a different life after twenty years. Gisele Vienne fragments the moment of epiphany into its many facets: past, present, anticipated future, memory construction, and the imagination. The world-famous French choreographer and director bravely confronts the denial arising from suppressed trauma and explores its painful consequences with sensitive openness. EXTRA LIFE is the promise of a new life in which not only speaking out and sharing, but also processing and healing becomes possible. It raises questions of particular relevance in the context of current societal discourse in Hungary, where child protection is highly instrumentalized politically. Gisele Viennes reflection on perceptual hierarchies takes the form of a heterogeneous collage, created in collaboration with the performers. Adele Haenel started her career as a cinema actress, among others working with filmmakers such as the Dardenne brothers and Celine Sciamma. Katia Petrowick and Theo Livesey both come from a dance background and have been working with many established directors and choreographers before joining the company of Gisele Vienne. The sensuous yet oppressive dramaturgy is underscored by the music of synthesiser composer Caterina Barbieri, sound design by Adrien Michel and the immersive laser-light stage architecture by Yves Godin. Over the past twenty years, Gisele Viennes work has toured in Europe, Asia, and America, among others the productions and films Showroomdummies #1, #2, #3, #4 (2001 2020), I Apologize (2004), Kindertotenlieder (2007), Jerk (2008), This is how you will disappear (2010), LAST SPRING: A Prequel (2011), The Ventriloquists Convention (2015) in collaboration with Puppentheater Halle, Crowd (2017), LEtang (2021), and EXTRA LIFE (2023). In 2021, she directed the film Jerk and in 2024 Kerstin Kraus. Vienne has frequently exhibited her photographs and installations in museums, among them the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Buenos Aires, the Centre dArt Contemporain in Geneva and Musee dArt Moderne de Paris. More: Trafo.hu Look! Guangzhou's Dongshanhu Park has welcomed a new fluffy cygnet to its black swan family - 2025-04-25 23:06 Mumbai: Rajkummar Raos highly anticipated action-drama Maalik has been postponed. The film, which was expected to make waves with its intense action sequences, will now arrive later than initially planned. On Friday, the makers took to social media to announce the new release date of the film. The actioner, which was earlier scheduled to hit theatres on June 20, will now be released on 11th July 2025. Announcing the same, the makers shared a striking poster featuring Rajkummar holding a gun and wrote, Raub, Rutba, aur RAJ hoga Maalik ka, 11 July se. Aa rahe hain #Maalik, 11 July se sirf cinemagharon mein. In the film, which is currently in post-production, Rao will be seen playing a ruthless gangster. Known for his versatile roles in the past, Rajkummars transformation into a menacing and powerful character has generated significant buzz. His portrayal of a gangster promises to showcase a side of him that fans havent seen before, adding an intriguing edge to the film. The Stree actor has previously dazzled audiences with his comedic performances in films like Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shadi Mein Zaroor Aana, and Chhalaang. In these films, he showcased his impeccable comic timing. Maalik, however, will offer a stark contrast, with Rao taking on the role of a menacing and intense gangster, showcasing a darker side to his acting prowess. Directed by Pulkit, "Maalik" is produced by Kumar Taurani under the Tips Films banner and Jay Shewakramani's Northern Lights Films. The film will release in theatres on 11th July. The film was initially announced on Rajkummar Raos 40th birthday. While sharing the poster, the actor wrote on Instagram, Maalik ki duniya mein aapka swagat hai. Shoot shuru ho chuka hai, jald hi mulaqat hogi (Welcome to the world of #Maalik. The shoot has begun, and we will meet soon (sic). Rajkummar Rao is currently awaiting the release of his film "Bhool Chuk Maaf," which also stars Wamiqa Gabbi. The film will hit theatres on May 9. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detained BluSmart co-founder Puneet Jaggi from a Delhi hotel, after the agency conducted raids in a case related to Gensol Engineering Ltd. The raids were conducted at company's offices in Delhi, Gurugram, and Ahmedabad under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED is investigating Gensol promoter brothers Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi after a SEBI report accused them of financial irregularities, corporate misgovernance and fund diversion. Gensol was yet to issue a statement. Earlier, government-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) filed a complaint with the Delhi police against Jaggi brothers-promoted Gensol Engineering Ltd for allegedly filing false documents to take loans for buying electric vehicles (EVs). PFC has filed a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi police concerning the issuance of falsified documents. PFC is committed to safeguarding its interests and ensuring the recovery of its loan while upholding transparency in its operations, the public sector financial company said in a statement. Gensol, the parent company of all-electric vehicle (EV) app BluSmart which was providing green cab services, allegedly forged letters from its two lenders -- PFC and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) -- to show that it was servicing its debt regularly. However, the claim was exposed when the credit rating agencies began verifying the letters with the lenders. The public sector undertaking said it is also examining the matter internally under its anti-fraud policy. The investigation will focus on tracking missing delivery receipts for EVs financed by the PFC. Gensol had taken loans to the tune of Rs 978 crore from PFC and Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to buy electric vehicles for running an online green taxi service which had become quite popular in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. A SEBI investigation also revealed that Gensol has not been able to account for Rs 262.13 crore of the amount. On April 15, 2025, SEBI released a detailed interim order showing what went wrong at Gensol. The order said the promoters of Gensol, including Anmol and Puneet Singh Jaggi, had treated the company like their personal 'piggy bank'. There were no proper financial controls in place, and the promoters had diverted loan money to themselves or related entities. Gensol had secured loans amounting to Rs 977.75 crore from IREDA and PFC between FY22 and FY24. Of this, Rs 663.89 crore was specifically meant for the purchase of 6,400 EVs. However, the company admitted to buying only 4,704 vehicles, worth Rs 567.73 crore, as verified by supplier Go-Auto. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has asked the Bureau of Immigration to issue a look-out circular against Puneet Singh Jaggi and Anmol Singh Jaggi, the promoters of Gensol Engineering Ltd, in connection with an investigation into the diversion of funds from the scam-hit company, reports said on Friday. A portion of the loans raised by Gensol from financial institutions is suspected to have been diverted overseas in violation of the Foreign Exchange Act (FEMA). Investigations are on to collection information on other firms linked to the Jaggi brothers that may have been used as front companies to route funds to foreign accounts, an NDTV Profit report said. Anmol Singh Jaggi is reportedly in Dubai, while Puneet Singh Jaggi was questioned by ED officials for over 6 hours in connection with the case on Thursday. Earlier in the day, a news report had cited sources to say that Puneet Singh Jaggi had been taken into custody, but a senior ED official later denied any arrest or detention of the businessman. The ED has searched multiple premises in Delhi, Gurugram, and Ahmedabad linked to the Jaggi brothers. The ED is investigating suspected foreign exchange violations involving unauthorised remittances of around Rs 200 crore to Rs 300 crore. Government-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC) has already filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against Gensol Engineering Ltd for allegedly filing false documents to take loans for buying electric vehicles. The public sector undertaking said it is also examining the matter internally under its anti-fraud policy. The investigation will focus on tracking missing delivery receipts for EVs financed by the PFC. Gensol had taken loans to the tune of Rs 978 crore from the PFC and the Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to buy electric vehicles for running an online green taxi service, which had become quite popular in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. These loans were supposed to be used for buying EVs, but over Rs 200 crore of the amount was routed through a car dealership and sent to other companies linked to the promoters. Some of the money was used for luxury purchases, including flats in DLF Camellias, where the price of an apartment starts at Rs 70 crore. A SEBI investigation revealed that Gensol has not been able to account for Rs 262.13 crore of the amount. On April 15, 2025, the SEBI released a detailed interim order showing what went wrong at Gensol. The order said the promoters of Gensol, including the Jaggi brothers, had treated the company like their personal 'piggy bank'. There were no proper financial controls in place, and the promoters had diverted loan money to themselves or related entities. Mumbai: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has pledged Rs 1 crore to the next of kin of the victims of terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, that killed 26 people. Ashish Chauhan, Managing Director and CEO of NSE, said the exchange stands in solidarity with their families during this difficult time. We are deeply saddened by the tragic terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22, 2025 where 26 people lost their lives, Chauhan tweeted on X. In a humble gesture of support, NSE pledges Rs 1 crore to the next of kin of the victims, standing in solidarity with their families during this difficult time, he wrote. Meanwhile, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has announced that it will expedite claim settlements to provide financial relief for victims Pahalgam attacks. "LIC of India expresses deep grief over the death of innocent citizens at Pahalgam in the terrorist attack on April 22. LIC of India is committed to supporting those affected and will expedite claim settlements to provide financial relief." the countrys biggest life insurer said in a statement. LIC said that all efforts will be taken to ensure that the claimants are reached out and claims are settled expeditiously to the affected families. LIC Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Siddharta Mohanty said that LIC announced many concessions to mitigate the hardships of the claimants of LIC Policies.In lieu of death certificates, any evidence in Government Records of death of the policyholder due to the terrorist attack or any compensation paid by Central/State Government will be accepted as proof of death. New Delhi: Amid the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, the official website of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has gone offline followed by a deadly terror attack in Kashmirs Pahalgam. The outage came as the stock market opened sharply lower, reacting to strong retaliatory measures announced by the Indian government after the attack, which claimed 26 lives. The PSX website is currently showing a "We'll be back soon" message, but there's no update yet on what caused the outage or when the site will be back online. The website crash came after the PSX saw a steep decline for two days in a row. On Thursday, the KSE-100 index plunged 2.12 per centa drop of 2,485.85 pointswithin just five minutes of opening, ending the day at 114,740.29. This followed another sharp fall on Wednesday, bringing the total two-day loss to over 2,500 points. The sharp market drop and website crash came during rising tensions between India and Pakistan after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which targeted tourists. The incident created uncertainty on both sides of the border. While Indias Dalal Street also slipped by around 1,000 points, the sudden shutdown of Pakistans stock exchange website has added to investor worries across the region. The PSX website currently shows a simple message saying its under maintenance and will be back soon. However, no official explanation has been given for the sudden crash. Along with rising regional tensions, Pakistans stock market is also under pressure due to economic challenges. Just a day earlier, the IMF lowered Pakistans GDP growth forecast for this financial year to 2.6 per cent, adding to investor worries and triggering more selling in the market. As tensions rise between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan announced on Thursday that it will ban Indian airlines from using its airspace. New Delhi: In one of the major responses from India after flagging Pakistan links to Wednesdays Pahalgam attack on innocent Indian citizens in Jammu and Kashmir, India has decided to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, an agreement that has governed water-sharing arrangements with Pakistan for decades. India has responded harshly after at least 26 people were killed by a group of terrorists in Baisaran meadows in the upper reaches of Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. A day after the horrific incident in Pahalgam, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made the announcement on Wednesday. The government said the move will stay in place until Pakistan stops sponsoring cross-border terrorism. In an official letter to her Pakistani counterpart, India's Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee declared, The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect. This is the first time that India has officially placed the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, despite years of political tensions and conflict between the two countries. What is Indus Waters Treaty? The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 with the World Bank as a mediator. The treaty divides the six rivers of the Indus Basin between India and Pakistan. According to the Treaty, the eastern rivers of Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej were given to India while the western rivers of Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab were given to Pakistan. India is allowed to use the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes like irrigation and hydropower. However, India is not allowed to store or divert large amounts of water from them. Why the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty matter to Pakistan? Pakistan is already being plagued by a water catastrophe. The country has relatively little water storage capacity, with the two main dams Mangla and Tarbela, able to store only about 14.4 MAF. These western rivers are vital to Pakistan. In fact, nearly 80% of the country's irrigated agriculture depends on them. It contributes nearly 25% to Pakistans GDP, primarily through agriculture. The Indus Waters Treaty is a lifeline for Pakistan. It plays a key role in Pakistans economy. The latest developments could have a far-reaching impact on Pakistans agriculture, energy, and economy. Experts warn that the ban might have severe consequences. It may impede the flow of water used for most of Pakistans crop irrigation and human consumption. Food production may decline significantly. Crop yields such as wheat, rice, and cotton can be lower. Agricultural exports like Basmati rice and textiles may decline. Hydropower plants like Tarbela and Mangla depend on uninterrupted flows. Power outages could become more frequent. Cities and towns may face drinking water shortages. UP Board Class 10th, 12th Result 2025 LIVE Updates:: The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) will announce the Class 10 and Class 12 board exam results for 2025 on Friday, April 25, at 12:30 PM. Once the results are out, students can download their scorecards from the official UPMSP website at upmsp.edu.in. The results will also be available on DigiLocker at results.digilocker.gov.in. This year, the exams were held from February 24 to March 12, 2025. A total of 54,37,233 students were eligible to appear, with the exams conducted across 8,140 centers in the state. This includes 27.32 lakh students appearing for the Class 10 exams and 27.05 lakh students for the Class 12 exams. To pass the UP Board Class 10 and 12 exams, students need at least 33% marks. Those who do not meet this requirement can apply for the compartment exam. All the candidates are advised to keep checking the official website for all the important updates. Check UP Board 10th Result 2025 / UP Baord 12th Result 2025 / UPMSP 10th , 12th Result 2025 Direct Link At upresults.nic.in. Packsize has reached an agreement to purchase Dutch packaging automation company Sparck Technologies. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed by either company. This move is aligned with Packsizes strategy to expand its global footprint in the automated packaging sector. The company plans to integrate its service framework with Sparcks technology, including its lid-and-tray and box-last systems. This combination is set to expand the firms offering to better respond to changing customer demands. Packsize CEO David Lockwood said: Sparck has long been recognised for its innovation, reliability, and strong commitment to sustainabilityvalues that align perfectly with our own. Together, our complementary technologies create a more complete product offering for our customers. This acquisition brings us one step closer to realising our mission of Smart Packaging for a Healthy Planet by accelerating our ability to deliver more sustainable, right-sized packaging solutions to customers around the world. Sparck Technologies is known for its advanced solutions in automated packaging systems. It operates from its headquarters in Drachten and its offerings include CVP Impack and CVP Everest. The company claims that these systems are designed to enhance operational efficiency by producing customised boxes at scale, reducing waste in the process. Sparck was formerly a division of Quadient, a publicly traded company based in France. Standard Investment separated the business in 2021, allowing Sparck to operate independently under its current identity. Standard Investment has played an active role in supporting Sparck through a significant business transformation. This included initiatives to strengthen operations and refine the company's focus in Drachten. Sparck CEO Kees Oosting said: This acquisition is a perfect match. It allows us to bring more value to our customers faster and at a greater scale than either company could achieve alone. In February, Packsize launched X6, a new automated right-sized packaging system. "Packsize to acquire packaging automation company Sparck Technologies" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. Nagaland Board Result 2025: The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) is set to release the class 10th and 12th results Today, i.e. 25th April, 2025, Friday in the afternoon. However, the board has not mentioned the exact time of the result yet. Once released, all the students who have appeared for the Nagaland class 10th and 12th examination will be able to check their results from the official NBSE website, i.e. nbsenl.edu.in. This year, the NBSE HSLC examination took place from 12th February, 2025 to 24th February, 2025 and the HSSLC examination took place from 11th February, 2025 to 7th March, 2025. Nagaland Board Result 2025: Steps To Check Via SMS Step 1- Open the SMS application on your mobile phone. Step 2- Type the message in this format: NB12(Roll number) or NB10(Roll number) Step 3- Send this message to the number provided by the board- 56070 Step 4- Your Nagaland Board result will appear on the screen in SMS format. Step 5- Check your scores and save it for future reference Nagaland Board Result 2025: Steps To Check Via Website Step 1- Go to the official NBSE website- nbsenl.edu.in. Step 2- On the homepage, find the section of Results and open it. Step 3- Find the link of NBSE Class 10 or Class 12 Results 2025 or HSLC/ HSSLC Result 2025. Step 4- Enter the required credentials of yours like roll number and date of birth and submit it. Step 5- After submission, your result will appear on the screen. Step 6- Check your scores and download the page. Step 7- Print out your results for future reference. Last year, the Nagaland result was released on 26th April, 2024 and the examination was held from 12th February to 6th March, 2024 for class 12th and from 13th February to 23rd February, 2024 for class 10th.All the students are advised to keep checking the official website for all the important updates. UP Board Result 2025: The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has announced the Class 10 and 12 UP Board results. The results were declared today, April 25, at 12:30 PM. Students can now check their scores on the official websites upmsp.edu.in, upresults.nic.in, and results.digilocker.gov.in. The Class 12 results were officially announced during a press conference held at the UP Board headquarters in Prayagraj. The UP Board will provide Class 12 mark sheets online through DigiLocker this year. Students dont need to visit their schools to collect them. To download the mark sheet from DigiLocker, Class 12 tudents need to enter their roll number and date of birth. Class 12 students must enter their roll number and their mothers name. UP Board Result 2025: Steps to check here Go to the official website upresults.nic.in. On the homepage, click on the link for "UP Board Result 2025." A new page will appear where youll need to enter your login details. After filling in the details, click on the submit button. Your result will be displayed on the screen. Check your result, download it, and take a printout for future use. The Uttar Pradesh Board held the Class 12 practical exams for 2025 in two phases. The first phase was conducted from February 1 to 8 in divisions like Meerut, Kanpur, and Prayagraj. The second phase took place from February 9 to 16 in regions such as Lucknow, Agra, and Ayodhya. This two-phase schedule was introduced after the original dates, set for January 23 to 31, were revised. In the last 48 hours, India has taken a series of unprecedented steps against Pakistan including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. These bold decisions indicate that this time, India may be preparing for a far more decisive and historic response to cross-border terrorism. Like the adoption of a 1971-style war model essentially, breaking Pakistan into parts. This incident is the chilling resemblance between the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and the targeted killings of Hindus in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1971. In both instances, victims were selected based on religious identity and physical markers. In today's DNA, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor, of Zee News, analysed the resemblance between the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the targeted killings of Hindus in Bangladesh 45 years back. Watch Today's Full Episode Eyewitnesses and survivors of the Pahalgam terror attack confirmed that the attackers asked for names, checked religious identity, and targeted Hindus specifically. A similar pattern of religious targeting occurred just before the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Renowned academic and historian Professor Nayanika Mukherjee of Durham University, UK, authored a research report titled "The Absent Piece of Skin: Gendered, Racialized, and Territorial Inscriptions of Sexual Violence During the Bangladesh War." The report, which was presented at Cambridge and Lancaster Universities, provides detailed accounts of how Pakistani forces systematically identified and massacred Hindus based on physical markers like sacred threads and circumcision status. One image analyzed between pages 15 and 18 of the report was first published in Dainik Bangla, a leading Bangladeshi newspaper, in December 1972. The photo shows Pakistani soldiers checking the physical identity of men to determine whether they were Hinduthose who were, were executed on the spot. Pahalgam Terror Attack: In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir where 26 people were killed, the Congress party has called upon the Narendra Modi government to take possible action while extending full support. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also urged the Prime Minister to launch an attack on Pakistan and regain control of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Addressing a gathering during the solidarity candle march organised by the state government against the terror attack, Reddy said that this was not the time for talks. "This time, 140 crore people are India are ready to respond to Pakistan in a befitting manner. Today, 4 crore people of Telangana and representatives of 100 nations have come together to help India fight terrorists. We all will together support the country's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. When China attacked our country in 1967, Indira Gandhi gave a befitting reply. After that, in 1971, Pakistan attacked the country, Indira Gandhi gave a befitting reply and divided the country into two parts - Bangladesh and Pakistan," said Reddy. The Telangana CM further added, "Prime Minister, remember Goddess Durga today and attack Pakistan or take whatever action you want. Today, we have to take action against Pakistan. We have to give a befitting reply. This is not the time for talks. We are with you, 140 crore Indians are with you. Divide Pakistan into two parts and merge Pakistan Occupies Kashmir with India, we are all with you...This is not the time for politics or blame parties. " Congress leader Pawan Khera, who was also attending the rally, said, "This is not just a candlelight rally, this is the entire country coming together, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, everybody coming together. Because anybody who tries to give such an experience to India or who tries to harm India...should see this...how India can come together in solidarity with each other... The central government filed its preliminary affidavit in the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking the dismissal of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The 1,332-page affidavit submitted claimed that the total area of waqf land created from both the pre-independence and post-independence eras in India was 18,29,163.896 acres. "Right before even the Mughal era, pre-independence era and post-independence era, the total of waqfs created was 18,29,163.896 acres of land in India," the affidavit said. The affidavit was filed to the Apex court by Shersha C Shaik Mohiddin, joint secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs. "Settled position in law that constitutional courts would not stay a statutory provision, either directly or indirectly, and will decide the matter finally. There is a presumption of constitutionality that applies to laws made by Parliament," the government said in the affidavit quoted by PTI. The Centre went on, "While this court would examine these challenges when the cases are heard, a blanket stay (or a partial stay) without being aware of the adverse consequences of such an order in a generality of cases (even on members of the Muslim community itself) were the petitions to be unsuccessful would, it is submitted, be uncalled for, especially in the context of the presumption of validity of such laws." The affidavit stated that the petitions challenging the Act were based on the false premise that the amendments infringe upon fundamental rights to religious freedom. The Centre stated that the law was valid and a result of the proper exercise of legislative power. The affidavit also argued that replacing the legislative regime enacted by the legislature was impermissible. The government argued that for over a century, waqf by user has been recognized only through proper registration, not merely by word of mouth, making the amendment consistent with long-standing practices. It also clarified that the Waqf Council and Auqaf Boards would include a maximum of two non-Muslim members among the 22, promoting inclusivity. Furthermore, the government stressed the importance of rectifying revenue records to address cases where government land has been incorrectly identified as waqf property. On April 17, the Centre had assured the top court that it would neither denotify waqf properties, including "waqf by user", nor make any appointments to the central waqf council and boards till May 5. (With, PTI, IANS inputs) Delhi Bandh Today: The markets of Delhi are likely to remain shut as a part of 'Delhi Bandh' on Friday to protest against the bloodshed terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam. This one-day Delhi Bandh is an attempt to honour the victims of the Pahalgam attack by the trade unions and market associations across Delhi. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is spearheading the initiative and announced that over 900 markets in the national capital will remain closed. What's Closed in Delhi Today? The commercial markets are expected to remain shut in observance of the Delhi Bandh on Friday. As visible in the visuals shared by the news agency ANI on X, markets in Chandni Chowk of the national capital are visibly shut. #WATCH | Delhi: Markets in Chandni Chowk are shut as traders call for a 'Bandh' to protest against #PahalgamTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/7JMWXZkuMb ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025 What's Open In Delhi Today? The essential services, including the Delhi metro services, government offices, public offices, banks, and hospitals, will remain open as usual. However, the Delhi government or the police have not issued any official directive regarding the enforcement of 'Delhi Bandh' in protest of the Pahalgam terror attack. The participation in the bandh is voluntary, and no organisation will be compelled to shut down, as organisers have emphasised peaceful observance over forced participation. Pahalgam Terror Attack In the spine-chilling incident, 26 tourists, including two foreign nationals, were gunned down by the terrorists in Baisaran, near Pahalgam, earlier this week. After the attack, India took its measures against Pakistan and suspended the Indus Water Treaty, among other things. It is one of the deadliest terror attacks in the Union Territory since the 2019 Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Protests Across India Against Pahalgam Attack Protests against the attack in Pahalgam by terrorists have been taking place across the entire India as citizens mourn the loss of lives. On Thursday, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) too protested by tying black bands and taking out a candle march in Delhi's Connaught Place. According to ANI, in Anantnag, the Government Degree College for Women students marched through the town and condemned the attack. In Delhi, the Khan Market Trade Association members held a similar march, with candles lit in memory of the victims. (with agencies' inputs) The field is open for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Raja Iqbal Singh to be chosen as the next Mayor of Delhi on Friday, as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to boycott the mayoral election en masse. The poll, which will take place on April 25, comes after there was a big change in the power play in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) following a spate of AAP to BJP jumps. BJP In Pole Position, AAP Keeps Away The BJP has 135 councillors backing it in the 274-strong electoral college, while the AAP's 119 members have kept away and 12 seats are empty. The Congress, with only eight councillors, put up its candidate Mandeep Singh from Nangloi, but his chances are thin unless AAP does a rethink. As per a senior MCD official, the candidates can withdraw nominations prior to voting. "If Congress withdraws, BJP will win unopposed. Even otherwise, Raja Iqbal Singh is all but assured of victory," the official stated. Who Is Raja Iqbal Singh? Raja Iqbal Singh (54) is a two-time councillor from Mukherjee Nagar ward and has been the Leader of Opposition in the MCD for more than two years. He was also the Mayor of North MCD before the civic body was unified. Singh belongs to a political family with origins in the Shiromani Akali Dal. AAP Blames BJP, Declares Boycott Addressing a press conference on Thursday, outgoing mayor Shelly Oberoi reaffirmed AAP's decision to boycott the elections to the mayoral and deputy mayoral posts, attributing it to unjust conditions and "undemocratic limitations" imposed on councillors. "With BJP now holding power at the municipal, state, and central levels, we expect them to deliver on their promises without excuses. AAP will now play the role of a constructive opposition," Oberoi said. 'Triple-Engine Government' Returns to Delhi The BJP's monopoly at all three tiers of governmentmunicipal, state, and centerdemonstrates a comeback to the "triple-engine" model of governance, the last time it existed between 2004 and 2007 under the Congress regime. The phrase represents harmonized control that, in principle, can push development at a rapid pace, although earlier stints were also tainted with corruption scandals. BJP Hits Out: 'AAP is Falling Apart' Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor claimed AAP's boycott signals internal chaos. "Their councillors are disillusioned and breaking away. This boycott is an attempt to avoid cross-voting embarrassments and internal dissent," Kapoor said. He added, "With the BJP set to take over the MCD, Delhis development will finally gain momentum under the triple-engine leadership." AAP's Decline In MCD: From Majority To Minority AAP's fortunes in the MCD have turned upside down since its 134-seat win in 2022 over BJP's 104. Shelly Oberoi defeated BJP's Rekha Gupta by 34 votes in February 2023. But come November 2024, the difference narrowed down to three votes, indicating increased evidence of cross-voting and switchovers. In the wake of BJP's victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly polls, several AAP councillors jumped ship, ensuring BJP a definite majority in the MCD. The anti-defection law governing state assemblies doesn't extend to municipal corporations, allowing the BJP to ascend the civic body. What's Next? If the Congress withdraws its candidate or the vote proceeds as expected, Raja Iqbal Singh is all but confirmed to be Delhi's next mayor. With a solid BJP majority, attention now turns to how the new administration plans to fulfill its development promises and restore administrative momentum in Delhi's civic governance. Pakistan was created in 1947 on religious grounds but the partition failed to bring peace to the region with the Islamic nation continuing its war against India. Pakistan has been India's biggest security challenge and the Pahalgam attack shows that there is no end to the growing conflict. Last year, India witnessed 490 terror attacks backed by Pakistan. Pakistan has not only fomented trouble in Jammu and Kashmir but also in Punjab and Northeastern states. Pakistan has been economically devastated and is heavily dependent on foreign aid and bailouts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite this, it never fails to pursue war against India. The recent statement of Pakistan Army Chief General Asif Munir is sufficient to explain Pakistan's behaviour. Addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, General Asim Munir said, "You should definitely tell Pakistan's story to your children. Our forefathers thought that we were different from the Hindus in every aspect of life. Our religion, our customs, traditions, thoughts and ambitions are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory that was laid." He said that the country's people must not forget that they belong to a 'superior ideology and culture'. Munir further said, "Our forefathers, they have sacrificed immensely, and we have sacrificed a lot for the creation of this country, and we know how to defend it." Munir's statement shows that the Pakistan army not only considers itself the guardian of Islam but also looks upon Hindus as a third-class people. Pakistan considers India a threat to its existence due to the Hindu majority population. Author and scholar Christine Fair, who wrote the book 'Fighting To The End', said that Pakistans army has assumed the role of protecting its ideological frontiers and maintaining 'Islamic' identity. Fair claims that Pakistan wants to stop India's growth or keep it chained to conflicts to slow it down. According to Fair, after losing multiple wars against India and seeing the huge power gap, any other country would have chosen peace but that would mean that Pakistan would have to accept India's dominance while settling down on the Kashmir issue. This is unacceptable to Pakistan as it cannot see India rise and dominate, she explained. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with Sky News, admitted that Pakistan has been funding and supporting terrorist organisations and alleged that they have been doing the 'dirty work' for the United States. This comes after the terrorist attack rendered a bloodbath in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Pakistani Defence Minister Statements A video of the interview went viral on social media, in which the Pakistan Defence Minister is asked by the news anchor if he admits that Pakistan has a history of supporting, training, and funding terrorist groups. The anchor asked, " But you do admit, you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations? Also Read: 'Delhi Bandh' Today In Protest Against Pahalgam Terror Attack; Check What's Open And What's Closed To the question, Asif replied that Pakistan has been doing the "dirty work" for the US and the West, including Britain, for three decades. Asif said, "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades... and the west, including Britain That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan's track record was unimpeachable." The Pakistani Defence Minister also warned of an "all-out war" between India and Pakistan and said that a "clash between two nuclear powers is always worrisome". He alleged that the attack was staged and that Pakistan condemns terrorism. Pahalgam Attack and India's Measures After the Pahalgam attack by terrorists, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed about the several diplomatic measures that India was taking against Pakistan. In a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought and it was noted that this incident occurred after elections were held successfully in the Union Territory. Also Read: 'Terrorist Attack, Plain And Simple': US House Committee Rebukes NYT's Pahalgam Coverage, 'Fixes' Headline Following the Pahalgam attack, the Central government announced the measures, including the closing of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides, and suspending Indus Water Treaty. (with ANI inputs) Vinubhai Dabhi, a resident of Gujarat's Bhavnagar who was injured in the Pahalgam attack, and his wife Lilaben, on Friday, recounted the carnage, which included seeing a young man fall to the bullets of the terrorists. Dabhi (55) and his wife were among a group of 20 persons from Gujarat who had gone to the Union Territory on April 16 to listen to the discourse of renowned spiritual leader Morari Bapu in Srinagar. "Everyone started running when we learnt about the firing. I got separated from my wife. Those who were left behind were unfortunately killed by the terrorists. While I was running, a bullet pierced through my right arm, while another grazed my left shoulder, leaving a minor wound," Dabhi told reporters at his residence on Thursday night. "When I finally got reunited with my wife, she collapsed three times seeing my bloodied shirt and the bullet injury. We managed to somehow reach the foot of the hill, where Army personnel took me to a hospital. I was admitted for three days," he said. A teary-eyed Lilaben said it was when she was separated from her husband that she saw a terrorist gun down 20-year-old Smit Parmar. Smit and his father, Yash Parmar, were among the 26 who were killed in the horrific episode at the picturesque meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday. The father-son duo was among the group of 20 who had gone from Gujarat to Srinagar. "When I was running, I saw a terrorist pump a bullet into Smit's chest. That poor boy fell to the ground immediately. That scene was unbearable. I learnt later that his father too was shot dead. Army personnel helped survivors get hospitalised and also arranged for accommodation," Lilaben said. She said she started praying to Lord Shiva after seeing blood on her husband's hand. Khushi Vaghela, who was also part of the group that went from Gujarat for Morari Bapu's discourse, however, flagged the lack of Army presence on the hill. "Two to three terrorists started firing indiscriminately at tourists. However, there were no Army or any other security personnel at that place. I learnt that four Pakistani terrorists were held at that place just recently. If that is true, then Army personnel should have been there. But, there was no one there, " Vaghela told reporters. PepsiCo lowered its full-year earnings expectations Thursday, citing increased costs from tariffs and a pullback in consumer spending. The maker of Pepsi beverages and Frito-Lay snacks also said Thursday it plans to accelerate a shift to natural flavors and colors in its food and drinks. Earlier this week, U.S. health officials including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged companies to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors. PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said 60% of PepsiCo's business is already free of artificial colors, and the Lays and Tostitos brands will phase them out by the end of this year. He said the company plans to phase out artificial colors or at least offer consumers a natural alternative over the next few years. We stand by the science. Our products are very safe and theres nothing to worry about, Laguarta said in a conference call with investors. But we understand that theres going to be, probably, a consumer demand for more natural ingredients. PepsiCo said it now expects its adjusted earnings per share to be even with last year, when it reported a full-year adjusted profit of $8.16 per share. Previously it expected mid-single-digit percentage growth. A 25% tariff on imported aluminum is among those hitting PepsiCo and other beverage makers. But PepsiCo is also more vulnerable than some rivals because it makes much of its concentrate for the U.S. market in Ireland, which is now subject to a 10% tariff. Rival Keurig Dr Pepper, which makes concentrate for the North American market in St. Louis and Ireland, reaffirmed its full-year adjusted earnings guidance Thursday despite tariff pressures. Weve factored in what we know about tariffs today, and we factored in mitigation plans," PepsiCo Chief Financial Officer Jamie Caulfield said Thursday in a conference call with investors. Some of those will be able to execute more quickly. Some of those will take more time to execute. The company didn't provide details of how it plans to mitigate tariffs. PepsiCo said in February that years of double-digit price increases and changing consumer tastes had weakened demand for its snacks and drinks. Caulfield noted that U.S. consumer confidence has only worsened since then. We probably arent feeling as good about the consumer now as we were a few months ago, Caulfield said. The company has responded by investing more heavily in value brands, like Chester's and Santitas, and adding more promotions and value packs. It also burnished its health credentials last month by purchasing Poppi, a popular prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion. The Pahalgam terror strike in the Baisaran Valley, killing 26, has been attributed to the chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and mastermind of the 26/11 strikes, Hafiz Saeed, said Indian security personnel. The strike is one of the worst attacks ever after Article 370 was removed in 2019, leading New Delhi into vigorous security as well as diplomatic actions by indicting Pakistan on protecting perpetrators. LeT Module Behind the Attack The strike was conducted by a foreign-led LeT module assisted by local overground workers and militants operating in Kashmir. Inquiries have shown the organisation has direct control of operations by Hafiz Saeed and his second-in-command, Saifullah, from Pakistan, with ideological and logistical support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Security forces suspected the module's hand in previous attacks in Sonamarg, Boota Pathri, and Ganderbal. Six tunnel workers and a doctor were killed in Sonamarg in October 2024, while four individuals, including two Army personnel, were killed in Boota Pathri. One of the Pahalgam attackers, Hashim Musa, is reportedly involved in these attacks. Terrorists Identified J&K Police have put out sketches of three suspects: Hashim Musa alias Suleman (Pakistani national) Ali Bhai alias Talha (Pakistani national) Abdul Hussain Thokar (resident of Anantnag) A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been offered for specific information leading to their arrest. Security forces have also found a hideout connected to the module in nearby forests. Gruesome Details Of The Attack The militants attacked at three sites in Baisaran Valley. Survivors broke down and exposed that the assailants chatted with them in brief exchanges prior to shooting at them. There were some that were mowed down by assailants in fields, and other victims who were killed by them close to fence structures. They only left people who fled. Diplomatic Fallout: India Acts India called an emergency meeting of a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Major decisions include: Reduction of diplomatic personnel in India and Pakistan from 55 to 30 Expulsion of Pakistani defense attaches from New Delhi Recall of Indian advisors from Islamabad Suspension of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistanis Closure of Attari-Wagah border crossing Nationwide Protests And Security Alert Massive protests against Pakistan were held in Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and other states, demanding justice for the victims. The attack has reignited concerns over cross-border terrorism and Pakistans role in harbouring terror outfits. The government is likely to take further action in international forums, with top intelligence and defence officials coordinating operations to dismantle the terror module behind the Pahalgam attack. India vs Pakistan Military Might Comparision: India and Pakistan are bracing for further escalation following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. While Pakistan has denied any role, India highlighted that the attack was carried out by at least four Pakistan-based terrorists along with two local terrorists. India has already suspended Indus Water Treaty while Pakistan has put Simla Agreement in abeyance. The SAARC visa programme between the two nations has already been cancelled and trade has been halted. While Pakistan has put its army and air force on high alert, we take a look at the military might comparison of Pakistan with India with some key weapon systems: * Air Power: India has a total of 513 fighter jets, while Pakistan has 328. India possesses 36 Rafale fighter jets, capable of speeds up to 2,200 kmph, and can launch attacks up to 3,700 km away. The Rafale is equipped with three types of deadly missiles, laser-guided bombs, and radar-blocking capabilities. It is also nuclear-capable and can carry up to 16 tons of bombs and missiles. It can operate from altitudes as high as 60,000 feet. Pakistan currently has no direct counter to Indias Rafale jets. Pakistan has around 75 F-16 fighter jets in service. While the F-16s are considered among Pakistans most capable fighter jets, they are not considered a direct match for Indias Rafale jets, especially in terms of radar systems, weapon load, and electronic warfare capabilities. * Ground Forces: India has a ground force of 13 lakh (1.3 million) soldiers, compared to Pakistans 6 lakh (600,000). India fields 4,200 tanks, while Pakistan has 2,600. * Artillery & Missile Systems: India and Pakistan both possess advanced missile systems, but India holds a technological and strategic edge in range, versatility, and precision. India's missile arsenal includes the BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile with a 300 km range, and the Agni series of ballistic missiles, capable of striking targets over 5,000 km away, giving it strong second-strike capability. India also fields multi-barrel rocket launchers with ranges up to 180 km and the Rampage missile with a 250 km reach. In contrast, Pakistans missile systems like the Shaheen and Ghaznavi are capable but generally have shorter ranges and are more focused on regional deterrence. While both nations are nuclear-armed, India emphasizes long-range precision and diverse delivery platforms, whereas Pakistan focuses more on tactical (short-range) nuclear capabilities to counterbalance Indias conventional superiority. India uses the Bofors gun, which is capable of striking targets up to 35 km away. The BrahMos missile has a range of 300 km, offering precision strike capabilities. Indias multi-barrel launchers can hit targets up to 180 km away. The Rampage missile has a strike range of 250 km. * Naval Power: India has two aircraft carriers, while Pakistan has none. India operates 18 submarines, compared to Pakistans eight. * Nuclear Arsenal: India holds 172 nuclear bombs, while Pakistan possesses 170. However, Pakistan holds an edge in tactical (small) nuclear weapons. Expressing strong disapproval over the Indus Water Treaty, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the pact which was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 is the "most unfair document" to the people of the Union Territory. Addressing the media, Omar Abdullah said, "The government of India has taken some steps. As far as J-K is concerned, we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the Indus Water Treaty has been the most unfair document to the people of J-K." Chief Minister also discussed assurances received from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the safety of J-K residents in other states. "It is regrettable that this attack took place and we ensured that whatever issues that were kept in front of us in the meeting, we will work on them. During this meeting, I spoke with the Union Home Minister and he assured me that all steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the people of J-K who are staying in other states...An advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry and the Union Minister also spoke with the Chief Ministers of many states," he added. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in the national capital on Friday evening. Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Paatil, other senior government officials attended the meeting. Sources told ANI, "India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty." Sharing his reaction on X after the meeting, Patil said, "The historic decision taken by the Modi government on the Indus Water Treaty is completely justified and in the national interest. We will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus River goes to Pakistan." Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, as informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty. This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Security personnel on Friday razed the residence of terrorist Asif Sheikh, believed to have played a role in the recent deadly terror strike at Pahalgam, said PTI. The operation was conducted in Tral, Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. VIDEO | House of terrorist Asif Sheikh, who was allegedly involved in Pahalgam terror attack, was blown up in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral. More details awaited. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/KQLGoPRpgf April 25, 2025 The move followed the Pahalgam terror attack in Baisaran Valley, where 26 individuals were massacred after terrorists indiscriminately fired at civilians. The horrific attack has caused shockwaves across the country and attracted strong condemnation from all corners. https://x.com/ANI/status/1915623477148557408 India Reacts With Firm Measures In a major retaliation, the government of India formally issued a notice to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. The two-decade-old treaty regulates water sharing of river waters between both countries, and its suspension signifies a sharp new turn in India's reaction against cross-border terrorism. Authorities have yet to announce additional details of the Tral demolition, but sources indicate that it is part of an extended crackdown against terrorists and sympathizers in the Valley. Pakistan Suspends Simla Agreement Pakistan on Thursday suspended the 1972 Simla Agreement and other bilateral agreements with India, suspended all trade relations, shut down its airspace for Indian airlines, and issued a warning that any Indian move to divert its own share of water under the Indus Water Treaty would be an "Act of War." The move was made after an emergency session of Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in reaction to India's suspension of the Indus Treaty and diplomatic downgrades after the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates: Amid the simmering tensions between India and Pakistan along the LoC days after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, multiple Pakistani Army posts opened unprovoked small arms fire across various sectors of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir during the night of April 25-26. Indian forces stationed along the LoC responded in an appropriate manner using small arms. There were no reports of casualties on the Indian side. Meanwhile, in Bandipora, a Lashkar-e-Taliba (LeT) terrorist associate was killed by the security forces during an encounter on Friday. The terrorist associate was identified as Altaf Lalli of the Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit. Two security personnel were also injured in the exchange of fire in the Kulnar area of Ajas in the district. According to the police officials, the two policemen suffered gunshot wounds and were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where their condition is said to be stable. The security forces had launched a search operation in the area based on the intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, following which the fighting ensued. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Udhampur on Friday to review the security situation at the Northern Command headquarters. On Friday, India came down heavily on the perpetrators of the attack. As a part of retaliation, houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack were destroyed in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Friday. The houses were destroyed in a blast on Thursday night. The officials said security forces were conducting searches inside the houses of two LeT terrorists, Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh, when the explosives already kept inside the houses went off. The explosives caused destruction of the houses, they added. Thokar, a resident of south Kashmir's Anantnag district, is one of the key accused in Tuesday's Pahalgam massacre, while Sheikh, a resident of Tral in Pulwama district, is suspected to be involved in the conspiracy of the attack. Pakistan on Thursday put the Simla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India on hold, suspended all trade, closed its airspace for Indian airlines and said any attempt to divert the water meant for it under the Indus Water Treaty will be considered an Act of War. Islamabad also closed the Wagah border post, cancelled visas given to Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and asked military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leavemirroring steps taken the previous evening by India over the Pahalgam terror attack. The Pakistani announcements followed a meeting here of its National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in response to the Indian decision on Wednesday to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties with Islamabad. That call was taken by India after the attack Tuesday in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. On Thursday, without naming Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a public meeting in Bihar that the killers of Pahalgam will be pursued to the ends of the earth and promised to identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. As tensions escalated, Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar postponed his visit next week to Bangladesh. The stock market in Pakistan saw a sharp dip Thursday. Stay Tuned With ZEE News For All Live Updates Pertaining To Pahalgam Terror Attack Kerala Lottery Results Friday 25-04-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Nirmal NR-429" Lucky Draw Result today Nirmal NR-429, April 25, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Nirmal NR-429" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Nirmal NR-429 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-429 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 25-04-2025 April: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR NIRMAL NR-429 Draw LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS:NV 854962 LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKHS IS: NX 576207 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: 1) NN 247097 2) NO 756160 3) NP 845720 4) NR 668794 5) NS 267428 6) NT 100295 7) NU 809667 8) NV 532107 9) NW 669650 10) NX 219960 11) NY 855519 12) NZ 557727 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: NN 854962 NO 854962 NP 854962 NR 854962 NS 854962 NT 854962 NU 854962 NW 854962 NX 854962 NY 854962 NZ 854962 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0096 0313 0786 1858 2025 2331 2411 2602 3452 4951 5285 5342 6607 6718 8375 9178 9244 9709 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0082 0433 0790 1403 1672 1828 2147 2186 2484 2613 2626 2754 2847 3215 3580 4153 4218 4285 4603 4617 4724 5441 5484 5553 6108 6238 6676 6729 6858 7036 7592 8096 8233 8384 8873 9784 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0233 0455 0606 0777 0996 1056 1177 1210 1623 1770 1999 2010 2069 2146 2514 2572 2968 2990 3076 3118 3187 3426 3470 3596 3800 3829 3937 4171 4206 4238 4356 4360 4388 4434 4706 4982 5129 5202 5398 5450 5517 5569 5633 5663 5883 6170 6328 6465 6538 6572 6771 6899 7051 7180 7340 7566 7583 7609 7662 7760 7982 8107 8222 8409 8422 8432 8557 8566 8721 8858 8964 9089 9180 9329 9489 9497 9544 9710 9817 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0057 0093 0107 0131 0238 0339 0354 0371 0689 0718 0787 0798 0927 1151 1410 1422 1486 1552 1554 1561 1569 1674 1696 1815 1862 1935 1998 2006 2091 2093 2223 2290 2323 2435 2464 2496 2592 2898 2912 2933 2950 2966 3086 3195 3267 3359 3477 3854 3917 4017 4143 4201 4278 4416 4453 4519 4545 4743 4800 5103 5142 5220 5338 5363 5371 5507 5566 5596 5600 5684 5893 5953 5959 6026 6095 6181 6434 6563 6640 6709 6843 6869 6885 6937 7045 7131 7142 7153 7326 7327 7341 7446 7484 7655 7900 8007 8040 8072 8089 8169 8192 8249 8329 8371 8474 8651 8700 8732 8774 8837 8866 9010 9063 9085 9169 9196 9213 9306 9719 9831 9871 9879 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 25-04-2025 April: NIRMAL NR-429 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) New Delhi: Activist Medha Patkar was arrested here on Friday after the court issued a non-bailable warrant against her in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena. She was arrested by the Delhi Police in the morning and will be produced in the court later in the day. A court here on Wednesday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Patkar over her non-appearance and non-compliance with the sentence order in connection with a decades-old defamation case filed by Delhi L-G Saxena. The court had observed that she was deliberately flouting its sentencing order to submit probation bonds and Rs one lakh as fine in the defamation case filed in 2001. Additional sessions judge Vishal Singh had observed that instead of appearing before the court to comply with the sentencing of April 8, the 70-year-old social activist had remained absent and deliberately failed to comply with the order to avail of the benefit of probation subject to furnishing the compensation amount. The intention of convict Medha Patkar is apparent that she is deliberately violating the Court order; she is avoiding to appear before the Court and also avoiding to accept the terms of the sentence passed against her, said an order passed by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vishal Singh of the Saket Court. The court said that Patkar, instead of appearing before it and complying with the sentence order, remained absent and deliberately failed to comply with the order on sentence. The Court is left with no option but to enforce the production of convict Medha Patkar through a coercive order. Issue NBW (non-bailable warrant) against convict Medha Patkar, through the office of the Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, for the next date, the judge said. Further, ASJ Singh cautioned that if the convict fails to comply with the terms of the order on sentence by the next date, then it will be constrained to reconsider the benevolent sentence and will have to alter the order on sentence. The court said that Patkars plea for adjournment of the proceedings was frivolous and mischievous and was only calculated to hoodwink it. On April 8, Patkar, a leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), was ordered to be released on probation of good conduct for a period of one year, subject to prior deposit of a compensation amount of Rs 1 lakh, to be released in favour of the complainant (Saxena). The appellate court had modified the order of the trial court, which had sentenced Patkar to five months of simple imprisonment, apart from ordering her to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to Saxena for the harm caused to his reputation. The defamation case dates back to 2001, when Saxena -- then chief of the Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties -- filed two defamation suits against Meha Patkar. One pertained to allegedly derogatory remarks she made during a television interview, while the other involved a press statement. The legal tussle arose from an earlier suit filed by Medha Patkar in 2000, accusing Saxena of publishing defamatory advertisements targeting her and the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Advocates Gajinder Kumar, Kiran Jai, Chandra Shekhar, Drishti and Somya Arya, represented Saxena, before the court. The sister of a terrorist allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack on Friday called him a 'Mujahideen" and said that the family is innocent and unaware of anything. The houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists suspected of involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack were demolished today. One belonged to a LeT terrorist in Tral, Pulwama, and the other to terrorist Adil Guree in Anantnag. "My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a 'Mujahideen', and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here from my in-laws' place, I did not find my parents and siblings at their home. Police had taken them all away," the sister of the terrorist whose house was demolished in Tral told ANI. The sister further added that the family is innocent and unaware of anything. "While I was here, the Security Forces came and asked me to move to a neighbour's house. I saw a man wearing a camouflage uniform placing an object like a bomb on top of the house. After that, the house was demolished...We are innocent. They have destroyed our house. We don't know anything and have nothing to do with it," she added. Adil Guree, a resident of Guree village in Bijbehara block of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, is believed to have been involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national, mostly tourists. He has been declared the most wanted, and the Anantnag Police have offered a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any specific information leading to his arrest. Two Pakistani nationals were also declared most wanted in the case, Adil had illegally travelled to Pakistan in 2018, where he reportedly received terror training before returning to Jammu and Kashmir last year. On April 22, Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (With ANI inputs) Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil on Friday said the Centre has formulated a detailed roadmap to prevent the flow of Indian river water to Pakistan, following a key meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Union Minister emphasised that immediate steps are being prioritised, including the desilting of rivers among others. Speaking to the media, Paatil said, "A roadmap was prepared in the meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Three options were discussed in the meeting. The government is working on short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures so that not even a drop of water goes to Pakistan. Soon, desilting of rivers will be done to stop the water and divert it. The move comes amid escalating tensions following the terror attack in the Pahalgam. Meanwhile, expressing strong disapproval over the Indus Water Treaty, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the pact which was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 is the "most unfair document" to the people of the Union Territory. Addressing the media, Omar Abdullah said, "The government of India has taken some steps. As far as J-K is concerned, we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the Indus Water Treaty has been the most unfair document to the people of J-K." The Chief Minister also discussed assurances received from Amit Shah regarding the safety of residents of Jammu and Kashmir in other states. "It is regrettable that this attack took place, and we ensured that any issues that were brought to our attention in the meeting, we will work on them. During this meeting, I spoke with the Union Home Minister and he assured me that all steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the people of J-K who are staying in other states...An advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry and the Union Minister also spoke with the Chief Ministers of many states," he added. Earlier, in the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. Pahalgam Terror Attack: Days after US President Donald Trump extended his unconditional support to India following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, the US has called for the perpetrators of the terrorist attack to be brought to justice. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Thursday (local time) shunned a Pakistani journalist during a press briefing for questioning her over border tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, adding that US President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear that the US stood with India and strongly condemned all forms of terrorism. "I am not going to be remarking on it. I appreciate this, and perhaps we will come back to you with another subject. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as has the Deputy Secretary; they have made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner," Bruce said. While addressing a press briefing on Thursday (local time), Tammy Bruce said that Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have made clear that Washington stands with India and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. She said that the US prays for those who lost their lives in the attack and for the recovery of the injured. On the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, Bruce said, "As President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We pray for the lives of those lost and pray for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice." Here Are Top Updates 1. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing at least 26 tourists while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. 2. Asked whether the US sees Pakistan behind the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Tammy Bruce responded, "I put it at the top because it was a horrible situation. At the same time, that is going to be the extent of the comments at this point. What I can tell you, of course, as we all know, it's a rapidly changing situation, and we are monitoring it closely, as you might imagine. And we, of course, are not now taking a position on the status of Kashmir or of Jammu either. So that's really going to be the extent of what I can say." 3. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the CCS meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. 4. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission as Persona Non Grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. India has also decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. 5. The US administration under President Donald Trump continues to support India after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday. 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". 6. 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." 7. On Tuesday, 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. (With agencies Inputs) Presidential Message on Armenian Remembrance Day, 2025 NEWS PROVIDED BY The White House April 24, 2025 WASHINGTON, April 24, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ The White House releases the following: Today we commemorate the Meds Yeghern, and honor the memories of those wonderful souls who suffered in one of the worst disasters of the 20th Century. Beginning in 1915, one and a half million Armenians were exiled and marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. On this Day of Remembrance, we again join the Great Armenian Community in America, and around the World, in mourning the many lives that were lost. Every year on April 24th, we reflect on the strong and enduring ties between the American and Armenian peoples. We are proud of the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, a groundbreaking effort established in 1915 that provided crucial humanitarian support to Armenian Refugees, and grateful for the thousands of Americans who contributed or volunteered to help the Armenians expelled from their homes. On this day, we bear witness to the strength and resiliency of the Armenian people in the face of tragedy. We are fortunate that so many Armenians have brought their rich culture to our shores, and contributed so much to our Country, including decorated soldiers, celebrated entertainers, renowned architects, and successful business people. As we honor the memory of those lost, my Administration remains committed to safeguarding religious freedom and protecting vulnerable minorities. We look forward to continuing our strategic partnership with Armenia, and upholding regional stability as we continue to pursue enduring prosperity and security. SOURCE The White House CONTACT: www.whitehouse.gov/contact The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged the founder of now-defunct crypto and foreign exchange investment company PGI Global, with violating federal securities laws, alleging he ran a Ponzi-like scheme that defrauded investors of nearly $200 million and spent $57 million of customer money on Lamborghinis, real estate and luxury goods. Ramil Palafox, 59, of Las Vegas, Nevada, also faces parallel criminal charges tied to his role at PGI Global. In March, a Virginia grand jury charged him in a sprawling 23-count indictment that included eight counts of wire fraud. Due to what prosecutors described as Palafoxs substantial ties to the Philippines, including dual citizenship, the judge overseeing his criminal case issued an order on Tuesday that he should remain in custody until further notice. According to court documents, PGI Global was a crypto investment scheme that ran from January 2020 to October 2021. Approximately 90,000 investors around the world purchased membership packages with either bitcoin or fiat currency that promised hefty returns on their investments up to 3% daily and a 200% total return. But instead of actually investing his clients money, prosecutors say Palafox spent over a quarter of the funds unjustly enriching himself and his family members, and used the rest to pay back earlier investors in the scheme until it collapsed. Palafox used the guise of innovation to lure investors into lining his pockets with millions of dollars while leaving many victims empty-handed, said Laura DAllaird, chief of the SECs new Cyber and Emerging Technologies Unit, in a press statement. In reality, his false claims of crypto industry expertise and a supposed AI-powered auto-trading platform were just masking an international securities fraud. Since the beginning of U.S. President Donald Trumps second term in January, the SEC has overhauled its approach to crypto regulation, dropping investigations and some litigation against crypto companies tied to purported securities violations. But despite its about-face on the so-called regulation-by-enforcement practiced during former Chair Gary Gensler's tenure, the SEC has promised that it will continue to go after crypto-related securities fraud. Similarly, the DOJ has narrowed its approach to crypto-related prosecution, disbanding its crypto task force and instructing staff not to criminally charge regulatory violations in cases involving crypto. In a memo to staff last month, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told prosecutors to focus their efforts on going after individuals who victimize digital asset investors. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met with the ambassadors of Israel and Argentina in New Delhi on Friday and held discussions on several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including the condemnation of the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack. In a series of post on X, External Affairs Minister shared the details of the meetings held with the envoys of the two countries. EAM Jaishankar appreciated Israel's steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism. "A good discussion with Ambassador Israel @ReuvenAzar in New Delhi today. Appreciated Israel's steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism," EAM Jaishankar wrote. Upon meeting the Argentinian ambassador, Jaishankar welcomed Argentina's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. Both also held discussions about the advancement of ties between the two countries. "Met Ambassador @CaucinoMariano of Argentina today. Welcome Argentina's strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack. Spoke about advancing our bilateral and multilateral cooperation", he wrote on X. Earlier on Friday, the envoys of US, Israel and Spain had arrived at the South Block office of the Ministry of External Affairs. While speaking to media, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said called the Pahalgam terror attack a "watershed moment" and said that discussions were held on areas of mutual concern that have to do with fight against terrorism. On Thursday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had briefed ambassadors of select countries based in New Delhi, including Germany, Japan, Poland, the UK, and Russia, on the Pahalgam terror attack. Top diplomats from the United States, European Union, Italy, Qatar, Japan, China, Russia, Germany, and France, among others, were seen arriving at the Ministry of External Affairs located in South Block in the national capital. Foreign Secretary Misri briefed the envoys from G20 countries, including those from China and Canada in a meeting that lasted for 30 minutes according to sources. Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. Pahalgam Attack: The shopkeepers at the 56 Dukan food street of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, have put up a poster against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. In the poster, there was a picture of a Pakistani Army officer in uniform with the head of a pig overlapping on the face, and "Pigs and Pakistani citizens are not allowed at Chappan Dukan" was written on it in English. Netizens who visited the 56 Dukan street of Indore shared the pictures of the poster on the social media platform X of the poster. Saw this poster At a very famous place 56 dukan in Indore#PahalgamTerroristAttack pic.twitter.com/2Cxi3aXKY1 Sanyam Jain (@modivanibharat) April 25, 2025 Read More: 'Got Separated From Wife, Bullet Pierced Arm': Gujarat Survivor Of Pahalgam Terror Attack Recalls Horror Pahalgam Terror Attack Terrorists in Baisaran, a scenic tourist spot in Pahalgam of south Kashmir, opened fire on tourists, killing 26 and injuring several others. According to ANI, amid diplomatic tensions with Pakistan, the government of India on Friday revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27, 2025. The medical visas issued to Pakistani citizens will be valid only till April 29, 2025. Read More: 'Doing Dirty Work For US': Pakistan Defence Minister Admits To Support For Terror Groups Protests Across India Against Pahalgam Attack Protests against the horrific Pahalgam attack by terrorists have been taking place across the entire nation as citizens mourn the loss of the lives of the victims. According to ANI, in Anantnag, the Government Degree College for Women students marched through the town and condemned the incident in Pahalgam. The Khan Market Trade Association members held a similar march previously, with candles lit in memory of the deceased. (with ANI inputs) Pahalgam Terror Attack: The United States government has slammed The New York Times (NYT) for its coverage of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee criticised the prominent American media organisation and "fixed" the news headline. In a post on the social media platform X, House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority shared a picture of the NYT headline and changed the word 'militants' to 'terrorists'. The original headline was - "At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir", in the picture, the US Committee struck out the word 'militants' and replaced in bold red with 'terrorists'. "Hey, @nytimes, we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK, plain and simple. Whether it's India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM, the NYT is removed from reality," the US Committee's post read. Hey, @nytimes we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK plain and simple. Whether its India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM the NYT is removed from reality. pic.twitter.com/7PefEKMtdq House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) April 23, 2025 Read More: 'Delhi Bandh' Today In Protest Against Pahalgam Terror Attack; Check What's Open And What's Closed Kashmir's Pahalgam Attack This reaction by the US government comes days after the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir. In the incident, the terrorists singled out the Hindus and were gunned down. The terrorists opened fire at tourists in the Baisaran Valley. In the attack, 26 tourists were killed and several others were injured. The Pahalgam attack was claimed by 'The Resistance Front', an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. US on Pahalgam Attack On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his condolences and offered his 'full support' in bringing the perpetrators to justice. In a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said, "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." (with IANS inputs) Rahul Gandhi Defamation Case: The Supreme Court on Friday rebuked Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and warned him not to make such statements in the future, or else it can lead to serious consequences. The apex court made these remarks while staying the Allahabad High Court order refusing to quash the summons issued to the Congress by a trial court in Uttar Pradesh. While hearing the Savarkar defamation case filed against Gandhi, the top court said, 'They gave us freedom, and you treat them like this,' as quoted by news agency PTI. Asking him to avoid such remarks in future, SC asserted that in future it may take suo motu cognisance. The decision came a day after Rahul Gandhi moved the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad HC, which refused to quash summons against him in a case of defamatory remarks against Savarkar. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan heard the matter. The defamation case stems from Gandhi's comments on Savarkar made on November 17, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra at a rally in Maharashtra's Akola district. The bench asked senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Congress leader, as to whether Rahul Gandhi knew that even Mahatama Gandhi used words like "your faithful servant" in his communications with the Britishers. The top court issued notices to complainant Nripendra Pandey, who filed a complaint accusing Rahul Gandhi for "intentionally" insulting Savarkar during a rally, and the Uttar Pradesh government, on the Congress leader's plea seeking their responses. Speaking during the Maharashtra leg of his yatra last year, the former Congress chief had claimed that Savarkar, during his incarceration under British rule, wrote to the colonial masters pleading for clemency. The Lucknow bench of the high court on April 4 said that Gandhi can file a revision petition before the sessions court, making the high court's intervention unnecessary at this stage. Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, challenged a subordinate court's decision to summon him in the case, while contesting the ongoing proceedings against him. Advocate Pandey filed a complaint, accusing Gandhi of intentionally insulting Savarkar during the rally. The complainant alleged Gandhi's remarks were part of a well-planned conspiracy to defame Savarkar. (With agency Inputs) Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday said that the idea of the terrorists is to divide the society, and make brother fight brother, but the people of India must stand together to defeat terrorism once and forever. Addressing the media here at the end of his daylong visit to the Kashmir Valley in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, Gandhi said, "It has been a terrible tragedy, and I came here to get a sense of what is happening and to help." "I met one of the injured because the rest of the injured have gone back home. I assure the families who have lost their dear ones that the entire nation stands as one with them," he said. Noting that the "entire J&K has condemned this terrible action and they have fully supported the nation this time", he said: "The idea of the attack was to divide the society and make brother fight brother. It is very important that every individual and the entire nation stands as one so that we can defeat what the terrorists want to do." Terming it "sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir in the rest of the country", Gandhi said that it is important that all of us stand together to defeat terrorism. "We had a (all-party) meeting yesterday (on Thursday) and the united opposition has assured the government that we support whatever action the government wants to take. I met the Chief Minister and the LG. They briefed me about the situation. I assured them that my party and I support the government in whatever action they take to end terrorism once and for all," the Congress leader asserted. Earlier on Friday, Gandhi visited the Army's Base Hospital in Badamibagh Cantonment area of Srinagar, where he met one of the injured tourists. A total of 26 civilians were killed, and around two dozen people were injured in that cowardly terror attack that took place in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam. As per Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi met various delegations, including those from the party and trade and tourism sectors. He also met Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "Rahul Gandhi has come with a message of healing the wounds of the people of the country, including Kashmiris, in the wake of the attack and its aftermath," a Congress leader said. On his arrival, Gandhi was received by J&K Congress President, Tariq Hameed Karra and senior leader G.A. Mir at the airport. Gandhi attended an all-party meeting on Thursday called by the Centre to brief parties on the horrific terror attack, and extended his full support to the governments action. He had cut short his visit to the US to attend the crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee scheduled on Thursday. At the all-party meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday, the Congress offered complete support to the government to avenge the killings of innocent civilians in Pahalgam by the terrorists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack, said in Bihar on Thursday that the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack, their handlers and backers would get such punishment they would not even have imagined. The time has come to destroy the shrinking space of these terrorists and their backers. We will chase them to the ends of the earth, the PM said. New Delhi: Police in Jammu and Kashmirs Ganderbal district have arrested 28-year-old Ayaz Ahmad, a mule service provider at Sonamargs Thajiwas Glacier after a female tourists video and a circulating photograph accused him of asking intrusive religious questions during a ride, as per media reports. The complaint went viral on social media, prompting investigators to quickly identify Ahmad, take him into custody. Ganderbal Police Take Swift Action Ganderbal police jumped into action as soon as the video went viral, arresting Ayaz Ahmad from Gohipora village. Ahmad is now in custody has been extensively questioned and is facing formal legal proceedings. Tourist Describes Suspicious Behavior The female tourist claimed that just before the attack, on April 20, she had gone to visit Baisaran Valley. The suspect shown in the sketch gave her a mule ride. During the ride, the suspect asked her several strange questions, including ones about religion, visits to religious sites and the religious identities of her friends. The tourist also showed a photo on her phone and screenshots from a WhatsApp group in which her friends helped identify the suspect. In the photo, the man is seen wearing a maroon jacket and pajama-style trousers. Tourist Helps Identify Suspect The tourist says that on April 20just before the attackshe visited Baisaran Valley, where the man in the sketch gave her a mule ride. During the trip, he asked her odd questions about religion, visits to holy sites and even her friends faiths. To help identify him, she showed officials a photo saved on her phone and some WhatsApp group screenshots where her friends recognized him. In the picture, hes wearing a maroon jacket and pajama-style pants. Suspicious Phone Call Overheard by Tourist The female tourist claimed that the mule service provider received a call on his phone during which she overheard coded phrases like "Plan A" and "Plan B as per AajTak. In the call, it was said, "Plan A, brakes failed, Plan B I have sent 35 guns, they are hidden in the grass." Afterward, when the suspect realized that the tourist was paying close attention to his conversation, he switched to speaking in the local language. The Opposition asked why security personnel were not deployed at the site of the attack. The government explained that the Baisaran area is customarily secured ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins in June. It is then that the route is officially opened and security forces are deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims who rest at Baisaran en route to the Amarnath cave shrine. Responding to the Opposition's questions about the absence of security personnel at the attack site, the government stated that the Baisaran area is typically secured ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin in June. It is only then that the route is officially opened and security forces are deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims. According to media reports, the Centre stated that local tour operators allegedly started bringing tourists to the region on April 20, well before the security forces were mobilised for the pilgrimage season. The meeting, convened by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, came a day after the government announced a suite of retaliatory measures against Pakistan. Government representatives during the meeting also stated that the local administration had not been informed about the early commencement of tourist visits, and thus no deployment of troops had occurred. Pahalgam Terror Attack: The United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday extended support to India following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed after they were asked to recite Kalma and shot at point-blank range by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Taking to X, Gabbard termed the incident as a 'horrific Islamist terrorist attack'. "We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM Narendra Modi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack," said Gabbard. We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM @narendramodi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) April 25, 2025 Gabbard's statement came hours after a similar statement by the White House. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam to be brought to justice. While addressing a press briefing on Thursday (local time), Bruce said that US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have made clear that the US stands with India and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. She said that the US prays for those who lost their lives in the attack and for the recovery of the injured. On terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Bruce said, "As President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India, strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We pray for the lives of those lost and pray for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice." Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance, who was on India visit when the attack happend, has extended support to New Delhi. "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 on X. A top Russian general was killed in a car bomb blast near Moscow on Friday, with the Foreign Ministry describing it as a terrorist act, according to a media report. Deputy director of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defence, Lt. General Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed when an improvised explosive device went off, Vesti FM radio cited the Investigative Committee as saying. "Fragments of the device were found at the site and have been sent for examination," Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Peternko said. Moskalik, 59, represented the defence ministry in various negotiations. It was not immediately confirmed whether his assassination was linked to US Envoy Steve Whitkoffs talks with the Kremlin later on Friday over Ukraine negotiations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the general's killing as a "terrorist act". "The main question is how to stop the war in the centre of Europe, the world. We see so many victims every day. Even today, a Russian soldier was killed in a terrorist attack in Moscow," Zakharova was quoted as saying by TASS. Several Russian military officials involved in the Ukraine campaign have been killed near their homes, hundreds of kilometres away from the battlefield, by alleged agents of Ukrainian Intelligence SBU. The US representative to the United Nations condemned the People's Republic of China (PRC) for "misusing" a 1971 UN resolution to prevent Taiwan from being included in the international organisation, as reported by Taipei Times. Taiwan's government expressed its appreciation for the criticism. According to Taipei Times, during a UN Security Council meeting convened by the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Wednesday at UN headquarters in New York, Ting Wu, deputy political counsellor of the US Mission to the United Nations, criticised China for "misusing" UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. According to a transcript from the US Mission, Wu referred to the meeting's Concept Note, titled "The Impact of Unilateralism and Bullying Practices on International Relations," which called for opposition to "all forms of unilateralism and bullying." He emphasised that the US opposed China's misuse of the resolution to isolate Taiwan, misrepresent the policies of other countries, and limit their options. Wu pointed out that this resolution does not prevent Taiwan from having meaningful participation in the UN system or other multilateral forums, the Taipei Times cited. Wu further stated that the US, in collaboration with its allies and partners, would continue to counter Beijing's efforts to impose its authoritarian principles at the United Nations. In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed gratitude for the US statement, marking this as the first time the US had raised the issue during a UN Security Council meeting, according to MOFA. The last instance of US criticism regarding the misuse of Resolution 2758 was in February, during the World Health Organisation's 156th session of the Executive Board, MOFA noted. Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, addressed China's representation at the UN and resulted in the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan's official name, losing its seat to the PRC. Since then, Taiwan has been excluded from participation in the UN and its affiliates, as the UN and the majority of its member states do not recognise Taiwan as a country. Celyn Armstrong, general counsel and head of compliance at crypto market maker Portofino Technologies, is the latest senior member of staff to leave the firm. He follows Mark Blackborough, the company's former chief financial officer, who also recently left the business. "Were grateful to Celyn for his pivotal role in building Portofinos regulatory and compliance infrastructure. His leadership helped us obtain key licenses and establish the strong controls that underpin our operations today," a Portofino spokesperson said in emailed comments. "Were also pleased to welcome Dilan Bastin as our new head of compliance her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to scale responsibly across global markets." Armstrong, who was based in London and had worked for the crypto trading firm for three years, declined to comment. Prior to joining Portofino he worked for legal firms including Dentons and Linklaters. He was also employed by the U.K.'s financial services regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), for more than six years, according to his LinkedIn profile. In addition to Armstrong and Blackborough, Cristian Dinu, a quantitative developer, also recently left the firm to join rival market maker Optiver, according to his LinkedIn profile. The Swiss company told CoinDesk last month that it was exploring opening new offices in New York and Singapore. Portofino raised $50 million in equity funding in late 2022. It was founded by two former Citadel Securities leaders Leonard Lancia and Alex Casimo in 2021. Read more: Crypto Market Maker Portofino Technologies Has Big Plans For 2025 Procter & Gamble lowered its full-year forecast on the back of lower sales and sky-high tariffs on China. It also indicated that it would likely raise prices. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based consumer products group, which makes Pampers, Tide, Olay and SKII, among other brands, now expects sales for fiscal 2025 to be flat. It previously forecast growth of between 2 and 4 percent. More from WWD Chief financial officer Andre Schulten said: Our approach in the face of this near-term volatility is to protect our investment in our long-term health of our brands, innovation and demand creation. We are adjusting our fiscal year guidance in accordance with this approach. On tariffs, he told analysts that while China accounts for just over 10 percent of the groups imports, the size of the tariff rate makes the cost impact more substantial. At the beginning of the month, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping punitive tariffs on around 60 countries, sending the markets into a tailspin. While he soon stepped back, authorizing a 90-day pause and a substantially lowered reciprocal tariff during this period of 10 percent, he upped import duties on China-made goods to as high as 145 percent. Beijing responded with 125 percent on U.S. goods. Well be looking for every opportunity to mitigate the impacts, including sourcing flexibility and productivity improvements, Schulten said. We also need to consider some level of consumer pricing in affected categories and markets. For third quarter fiscal year 2025, net sales fell 2 percent to $19.8 billion versus the prior year. Analysts had penciled in $20.1 billion. Organic sales, which excludes the impacts of foreign exchange and acquisitions and divestitures, increased 1 percent versus the prior year. A breakdown on that headline sales number showed that beauty segment organic sales increased 2 percent versus a year ago. Within that, hair care sales were unchanged as increased pricing in Latin America and North America was offset by volume declines, primarily in Greater China. Skin care organic sales, meanwhile, declined low-single digits due to volume declines and unfavorable geographic mix. In the grooming segment, organic sales increased 3 percent versus year ago. On a geographical basis, organic sales in North America grew 1 percent, below the 4 percent growth trend over the last five quarters, driven by weaker consumer demand. Australian accounting and advisory company Rose Partners has announced the acquisition of MSI Taylor, a Queensland-based advisory and accounting business. MSI Taylor, established in 1990, offers accounting, tax, audit and advisory services, specialising in supporting pharmacy clients with mergers and acquisitions (M&A), structuring, financial management and planning. The company is a part of the MSI Global Alliance, a network of more than 260 independent legal and accounting practices worldwide. MSI Taylor managing partner Matthew Harris said that the acquisition brings multiple advantages to the company, including the establishment of a dedicated management team, an expanded range of client services and improved professional development opportunities for staff. The acquisition is part of Rose Partners' plan to bolster its presence on Australia's east coast and its ambition to become a national mid-tier operator. Following the deal's closure, the Melbourne-based accounting and advisory company will have eight partners and 75 employees. The deal will also enhance Rose Partners business advisory services portfolio, which includes taxation, corporate consultancy, management and strategic planning. Founded in 1976, Rose Partners provides investment, valuation and due diligence analysis. The deal follows Rose Partners' strategic partnership with AZ NGA in 2023, which provided it with significant M&A resources to further its expansion plans. Rose Partners partner and COO Natasha Chambers hinted at future M&A, indicating the company's interest in extending its reach beyond the east coast. She also acknowledged the increasing need for scale in the wealth management sector among smaller businesses, a need that Rose Partners aims to address. Expanding along the east coast is a natural progression for our business and we are looking to continue expansion in Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and possibly Adelaide through both M&A and organic activity, Chambers added. "Rose Partners buys advisory and accounting business MSI Taylor " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. Russia's finance ministry and central bank are set to unveil a crypto exchange for "highly-qualified" investors, news agency Interfax reported on Wednesday. The exchange will "legalize crypto assets and bring crypto operations out of the shadows," Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said during a ministry board meeting, according to the report. "Naturally, this will not happen domestically, but as part of the operations permitted under the experimental legal regime," Siluanov said. The Central Bank of Russia proposed allow crypto trading within a pilot known as the experimental legal regime (ELR) in March. This would apply to highly qualified investors, a new investor category for individuals whose investments exceed 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) or an annual income exceeding 50 million rubles ($600,000). The absence of a centralized domestic crypto exchange in Russia means Russians rely on overseas trading platforms to buy and sell cryptocurrency, which the Finance Ministry and Central Bank may be seeking to counteract. The Central Bank has also proposed allowing highly-qualified investors to access derivatives and securities linked to digital assets, that do not involve the delivery of crypto to the investor but derive returns based on its value. This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. UPDATE: April 30, 2025: The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit on Monday, according to court documents. Attorneys listed for the plaintiff did not respond to requests for comment. Dive Brief: Sams Club and vendor Cleo Communications failed to take reasonable security measures to prevent a data breach that resulted in the unauthorized access and disclosure of customers and employees sensitive personal data, a former Sams Club employee alleged in a class-action lawsuit April 21. According to the complaint in Pass v. Cleo Communications US, LLC, the two companies collected personally identifiable information but did not encrypt it or delete it when it was no longer needed. The plaintiff further claimed the defendants willfully, recklessly or negligently failed to ensure their data systems were protected from unauthorized intrusion and failed to provide prompt and accurate notice of the breach. The plaintiff said she took reasonable efforts to mitigate the breachs effects but alleged actual injury as a result of the breach. She sued the two companies for negligence, breach of implied contract and unjust enrichment and demanded a jury trial. Sams Club said the claims had no merit and that it would aggressively defend against the litigation. Cleo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dive Insight: The lawsuit comes nearly a month after Sams Club confirmed to Cybersecurity Dive that it had been investigating a potential cyber attack. The company had been named by cybercrime organization Clop in a list of organizations that Clop said it targeted by exploiting vulnerabilities in Cleos file transfer software. News of a critical vulnerability affecting Cleos file transfer software first surfaced last year, and researchers found that a patch issued by the company after initial reports of the vulnerability failed to provide adequate protection, according to Cybersecurity Dive. Cleo issued a subsequent patch in December. Aside from Sams Club, others affected by the Cleo breach include food manufacturer WK Kellogg Co., which confirmed earlier this month that at least one employees sensitive data had been affected. Supply chain management company Blue Yonder said in January it was similarly investigating potential fallout from the Cleo hack, Cybersecurity Dive reported. Customers of car rental service Hertz filed two similar class-action complaints, one in Florida and one in Illinois, alleging damages resulting from the Cleo breach. Singapores sovereign wealth fund GIC is set to deepen its presence in Indias hospitality sector through a new joint venture with hotel ownership and asset management platform SAMHI Hotels. With an equity investment plan of up to $300 million, the partnership will focus on developing upscale and premium hotels across key Indian cities, according to a regulatory filing made by SAMHI Hotels on Thursday. As part of the agreement, GIC will acquire a 35% stake in three SAMHI subsidiaries Ascent Hotels, Innmar Tourism and Hotels, and SAMHI JV Business Hotels for INR 7.5 billion ($88 million), valuing the combined enterprise at INR 22 billion ($257.8 million). The joint venture will initially cover four existing properties: Hyatt Regency Pune; Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott in Bengaluru; and Trinity Hotel, also in Bengaluru, which is being converted into a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel. GIC already holds an 8% stake in SAMHI Hotels. GIC's Earlier Hotel Partnership In India This isnt GICs first foray into Indias hospitality space. In 2019, the fund partnered with Taj Hotels parent company, Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), to launch a $600 million investment platform targeting the acquisition of luxury and upscale hotels. GIC held a 70% stake in that joint venture, while IHCL held 30%. Although the pandemic stalled acquisitions and the venture was extended by two years, no deals were closed during that period. How SAMHI Will Use the Capital Of the capital being infused into the SAMHI partnership, about INR 6 billion ($70.6 million) will go toward reducing debt and covering transaction expenses. Another INR 1.4 billion ($17.46 million) is earmarked for developing a dual-branded Westin and Tribute Portfolio property in Bengaluru over the next two years. SAMHI said the investment would significantly strengthen its balance sheet and fuel expansion through its category conversion strategy, which focuses on repositioning underperforming hotel assets. The company expects to reduce debt by around INR 5.8 billion ($67.95 million) post-transaction, improving its net debt to EBITDA ratio and boosting profit after tax to an estimated 1520%. This does multiple things. It reduces our debt significantly on closing, which frees up a lot of our free cash for future growth. In addition, GIC and SAMHI are committed to growing this whole partnership to about $300 million, said Ashish Jakhanwala, CEO & Managing Director of SAMHI Hotels, in a statement to CNBC. The company emphasized that the transaction will not dilute its control or reduce its shareholding below 50% in any of the involved subsidiaries. SAMHI remains primarily owned by institutional and public shareholders and has no single identified promoter. By Sameer Manekar (Reuters) -As reverberations from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs are felt across markets, investors are increasingly gravitating toward Singapore's high-yield, defensive companies, including telecom firms, pivoting away from old favourites such as banks. Singapore's benchmark index has proved resilient in the face of the back-and-forth tariff salvos, eking out a small gain for the year and faring better than regional peers as investors hunt for safe bets during the market tumult. "Singapore is a high-yield market, which is going to be interesting and defensive in these times," said Kenneth Tang, senior portfolio manager at Nikko Asset Management. "It has characteristically been a lot more defensive and yield focused, and that will work in its favour." Singapore's telecom, industrials, and utilities stocks - viewed by investors as defensive sectors during extreme volatility - have become hot favourites, attracting the most institutional money in the last two weeks. Telecommunications firm Singtel pulled in S$343.6 million ($261.6 million) in the past two weeks alone from institutional investors, more than the S$297 million it received in the first three months of the year, exchange data showed. That compares with S$259 million net institutional outflows from the three Singapore banks - DBS, OCBC, and United Overseas Bank - over the last two weeks, and combined outflow of S$2 billion this year. Financials comprise nearly half the Straits Times Index and powered the market surge in 2024. But the three big banks have underperformed the broader market this year due to worries over a slowdown in earnings growth and macroeconomic headwinds. In contrast, Singtel has gained more than 22% this year and was last near an eight-year high, while ST Engineering has advanced 54% to record highs. The tariffs have refocused investors' attention on Singapore equities - previously overlooked due to limited growth prospects - for their high capital returns, alongside the city-state's stable political environment, steady currency and deep fiscal reserves that can help it weather trade headwinds. "A lot more corporations are paying out even more yields or more dividends, and that is a perfect narrative at a time when there is a flight to safety and investors are focusing more on the certainty of income," Tang said. Foreign investor interest, as reflected by the BlackRock-managed iShares MSCI Singapore ETF, has also returned, though it remains far below where it was before Trump's April 2-tariff announcements. Skechers (SKX) has a tough hill to climb as it navigates Trump's trade war. The shoemaker reported its first quarter results on Thursday after market close. It withdrew its 2025 guidance, citing "macroeconomic uncertainty stemming from global trade policies." It had released in February that it expected 2025 sales of $9.70 billion to $9.80 billion and diluted earnings per share of $4.30 to $4.50. The company said it doesn't plan to provide any updated guidance at this time. This trend could be indicative of future earnings for sportswear giants like Lululemon (LULU) and Nike (NKE), which also import a substantial portion of their products. Skechers imports 100% of the products it sells in the US; around 40% are sourced from Vietnam, while another 40% are from China, which now faces a 145% duty. CFO John Vandemore clarified in its earnings call that the withdrawal of guidance has "nothing to do with consumer demand." COO David Weinberg said two-thirds of its business is outside the US, which is not impacted by tariffs. The company will minimize importing Chinese goods to the US in the short term, he said. Though Skechers can make shoes in other countries, China is hard to replace when it comes to kids' footwear. "It follows all the regulatory requirements for consumer product safety in the US and meets the right price point for a notoriously lower gross margin business ... that will be a challenge," Vandemore said. Shares fell 7% in after-hours trading. Prior to the report, Skechers stock was down 25% year to date. Peers Nike (NKE), Deckers (DECK), and Crocs (CROX) are down around 22%, 45%, and 9%, respectively. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) has dropped nearly 7%. For the first quarter, the company posted mixed results, with adjusted earnings per share and revenue of $1.17 and $2.41 billion, respectively. Here's what Skechers reported, compared to analysts' expectations, per Bloomberg consensus: Adjusted earnings per share: $1.17 versus $1.17 Revenue: $2.41 billion versus $2.43 billion Gross Margin: 52% versus 52.18% CFRA analyst Zach Warring warned of a "tougher macro environment in 2025 as excess savings are spent and consumer spending normalizes," and that "margin pressure from higher wage and marketing costs [is] offset by lower freight and input costs." He has a Hold rating on the shares. Prior to the report, Warring said guidance will be key to watch. "If companies just withdraw guidance because of all the uncertainty ... you'll see a lot more companies follow suit over the next two months as they report," he explained. "You're probably going to have a kind of a domino effect, and these companies are going to think that's probably OK to do." By Arasu Kannagi Basil and Tommy Reggiori Wilkes (Reuters) -Cantor Fitzgerald is launching a crypto venture with Tether and Japanese technology investor SoftBank Group to buy bitcoin, wagering that interest in the digital currency will expand under U.S. President Donald Trump. The deal, announced on Wednesday, has blank-check vehicle Cantor Equity Partners merging into newly formed Twenty One Capital. The combined vehicle is valued at $3.6 billion, based on a bitcoin price of nearly $85,000 and Twenty One launching with more than 42,000 bitcoins, which will make it the world's third-largest bitcoin treasury, Twenty One said. The venture deepens ties between the Wall Street brokerage chaired by Brandon Lutnick, son of the former Cantor boss and current U.S. commerce secretary and Tether, the company behind the world's largest stablecoin. "We're not here to beat the market, we're here to build a new one. A public stock, built by Bitcoiners, for Bitcoiners," said Twenty One Co-Founder and CEO Jack Mallers. The new business will seek to replicate the success of Michael Saylor's bitcoin acquirer Strategy, whose market value surged late last year as crypto prices jumped following Trump's presidential election victory. Trump has promised to support the crypto industry by easing regulations for digital assets. Strategy, the biggest corporate holder of bitcoin, held 538,200 units of the world's biggest cryptocurrency as of April 20, and has a market cap of around $91 billion. Tether will contribute $1.6 billion worth of bitcoin to the venture, while Bitfinex, a crypto exchange linked to Tether, and SoftBank will put up $600 million and $900 million, respectively, according to an investor presentation. The companies will raise $585 million in additional capital through a combination of convertible bonds and equity financing. Some analysts have touted bitcoin , currently trading at $93,780, as a hedge against global economic risks. It has gained more than 40% in the past six months but fell this month along with stock markets and other asset prices when Trump sparked a global trade war. Matt Mena, crypto research strategist at 21Shares, said macro and global conditions highlighted the need for a "digital, next-generation store of value", and claimed bitcoin was stepping into that role. However, gold has been among the biggest beneficiaries of a flight to safety during the trade war, with the precious metal's price soaring to record highs while bitcoin's price is down this year. Team from Nashville and Chicago Bring Help and Hope to Village in Armenia From Rust to Renewal: Bringing Christ to Armenia through Playground Revitalization The Armenian Relief Mission team (and the completed playground) with some of the local children from Ujan, Armenia NEWS PROVIDED BY Armenia Relief Mission April 25, 2025 WINNETKA, Ill., April 25, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Armenian people are no strangers to suffering. As you prepare to return to your homes, leave your hurt and pain with us. We will keep it for you. said Murad from the village of Ujan, Armenia as he stood, a backdrop of mountains stretched out behind him, next to one long interconnected table adorned with fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, lavosh, and more, addressing the guests that would soon be returning to the United States. Your five days work here in our village will last many years to come and add smiles to the faces of our children. Armenia, landlocked by the nations of Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, owns a deep cultural legacy, its people marked by war and genocide, and an earthquake in 1988 that killed thousands and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Hurt and pain are deeply familiar to Armenians, but they are a people rich in spirit, resilient in nature, and full of genuine gratitude. With the backdrop of Mount Ararat, where Bible references suggest Noahs Ark came to rest after the Great Flood, Armenians like Murad and many others from Ujan celebrated and expressed this inherent gratitude. Armenians and Americans dined side-by-side to celebrate the completion of one of many village playgrounds built in the former Soviet Republic of Armenia, the first nation to embrace Christianity as a state religion in 301 A.D. Serving the People of Armenia Through Playgrounds The mission team of eight included two teenagers and six adults (one from Church of the Redeemer in Highwood, IL, two from Winnetka Bible Church in Chicago, IL, and five from Green Hills Community Church in Nashville, TN) and was led by Steve and Rozik Kashian, both of Armenian heritage and the founders of the Armenian Relief Mission (ARM). We've been putting playgrounds up in Armenia for the last 21 years, just a little bit after their independence, Steve states. Many of these areas where we've placed them have never had a playground at all. The equipment and materials come from playgrounds that are broken down and being replaced in the United States. Volunteers tear down the old, yet still high-quality playgrounds, others volunteer to store them or ship them to Armenia, and then we arrange for teams to come and help put them up. Very often, when we put it up, the local people help us in doing the work. The playgrounds have been placed throughout Armenia, including orphanages, some poorer villages, and in Spitak where a tragic earthquake occurred in 1988. Approximately a year ago, a playground was placed right by the Azerbaijani border where there's been conflict, shooting, and threats from the Azerbaijanis. This last playground we did was in Ujan, Steve continues. We just finished last week. Ujan is a very great village and the people we love the people there and they loved us back, and they participated in building the playground. We met the mayor, an amazing guy, 29 years old, the youngest mayor the town has ever had. He was very proactive with us and had personally done a lot of improvements in the area where the playground was placed. We built some great relationships there and hope to continue those relationships through our summer camps and programs. In addition to other outreach efforts across the nation of Armenia, the Armenian Relief Mission and its volunteers have put up multiple playgrounds in the past. One such playground was in 2000 in Vanadzor, behind a medical clinic that the organization had just established. The children there didnt even know how to use swings, Steve recalls. We had to teach them how to use the swings and it was quite a bit of fun for all of us. The Origin of the Armenian Relief Mission Steve and Rozik Kashians work in Armenia began when Steve received a phone call from a friend a few years after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck northwest Armenia in 1988, asking if he would be willing to assist with the ongoing relief efforts. Spitak, the epicenter, was devastated and surrounding villages were severely damaged. The earthquake occurred during school hours, so almost two-thirds of total deaths were children. The doctor wasnt sure what he could do, but felt the urge to go, taking all the donated drug samples two suitcases could hold. The earthquake happened when Armenia was still under Communist Russia, explains Steve. It caused a complete collapse of the Armenian economy. The nuclear power plant had been shut down for safety reasons. There was no electricity. It was colda very dark and depressing place. When I asked a man there what I could do for them, he said just come back. I realized then that I had more work to do there. In subsequent trips, Steve helped establish a storefront pharmacy and by 1995 the permanent ARM Medical Clinic was established in Vanadzor. The clinic is staffed with all native Armenians, including highly skilled Dr. Ruzanna Hayrapetyan. The high-quality medicine we provide here that comes from America, medication that you cannot find in Armenia it not only helps and heals people, but it also saves peoples lives, she says. This clinic continues to provide free diagnostic services, free patient care and free pharmaceuticals to the people of Vanadzor who need aid. Other members of the staff include a pharmacist, diagnostic technicians, and nurses. The clinic logs more than 400 patient visits each month. Although the Armenian Relief Missions primary work is through the clinic in Vanadzor, they also operate as the center of the ministry distributing clothing and toys, running kids summer camps, and installing playgrounds throughout the region, just like the most recent one in Ujan. ARM has also developed a program called Adopt-A-Family which provides food, heat, and clothing to around 300 families during the harsh winter months. Throughout the years, ARM has continued to grow and change as they meet people where they are and become aware of their needs. However, ARMs mission remains the same: to care for the most vulnerable in Armenia. The Poor, Sick, Orphans, and Widows Rozik, Steves wife of 41 years, recalls that for the first six years Steve was coming to Armenia, she was unsure, but says the Lord called her to go. He changed my heart for the sake of the children, Rozik says. I started with the orphanages and realized how poor and desperate they were, and that we could do something for them that they could not do for themselves here, and weve seen the impact over the years. They see us coming back, they see our love for them, and they see no reason for us to come and help them. Theres no reason in their minds that we would come and put up a playground. They always ask, Whats the gain? Who is paying you? We let them know that no one is paying us. We are just here because as a Christian, the Lord tells us to love you because He loves you and we love Christ, and we want to follow him. He tells us we are to take care of the poor, take care of the sick, take care of the orphans, and to take care of the widows. Steve recalls a time when he and Rozik were going with a driver who had taken them to his home. Steve overheard the Armenian husband and wife talking. Do we have food for our guests? the husband asked his wife. Yes, we have food for our guests, but we wont have food for our kids tonight, she replied. Theyre only here tonight. Give them enough food, the husband answered. It was powerful, Steve tearfully recalls. Such hospitality. Rozik notes that in Armenian culture, your guest is very much the owner of the house. They want to put the best there is out for you the best they have is for the guest. Its just like the widows mite in the Gospel of Mark in the Bible. We here in the United States give out of our abundance, but the people in Armenia give out of their emptiness. Armenias chronology of political turmoil, war, genocide, and the 1988 earthquake have all caused the Armenian people to suffer. They have a history of suffering, Steve says. I dont know any Armenians in the state who dont have a relative who was killed during the Armenian genocide, and they carry this kind of deep-seated sorrow of what has happened in the past yet it just amazes me because they still find joy. I think it has built character into the Armenian people. But they still carry this thing in their hearts of what has happened in the past, and all the hate that still goes on in the world. Some are still in very desperate situations, living in carboard boxes and shipping crates. The motto of the Armenian Relief Mission is to serve, love, and feed them first. Its much easier to preach the Gospel when you care for their needs rather than just to say you need to repent or you are a sinner when theyre in misery or sick, or theyre poor or are orphans, says Rozik. We were at an orphanage once and it was a very bad situation and we told them that we might not remember their name, but there is one person who knows who you are, where you are, and your name, and he loves you. Thats Jesus. The evening of celebration for the completion of the playground in Ujan ended with traditional Armenian song and dance, food and festivities, and the fostering of relationships that will hopefully last a lifetime. I love the people here in Armenia. Theyre very loving, hospitable, genuine people. I want them to have a love for God and introduce them to Jesus Christ, says Steve. The team returned across multiple time zones to the United States filled with humility, love, and admiration for the people of Armenia and for the people of Ujan. Like the people from the village, the team also returned with smiles that will not soon fade, all being filled with the blessings and love of so many precious Armenian people. The Americans and Armenians all agreed together with Murad, from the village of Ujan, when he concluded his blessing: We all together serve one Lord. Our oneness our kindness is because we serve one Lord. Pray for the people of Armenia. If you would like to learn more, please visit: https://www.armrelief.org Holly Abernathy is a communications and creative arts professional. She works in a variety of media and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.6qCreative.com. SOURCE Armenian Relief Mission CONTACT: Holly Abernathy, habernathy@6qCreative.com By Anna Peverieri (Reuters) -France's Dassault Systemes lowered its annual operating margin growth forecast on Thursday due to tariff-related market volatility, sending the software company's shares tumbling. Its shares had fallen 9% to the bottom of France's mid-cap SBF 120 index SBF120 and the CAC 40 blue-chip index by 0740 GMT. Dassault, which sells its software to automakers, airplane manufacturers and defence companies, now sees its 2025 operating margin rising by 50-70 basis points, compared to its previous growth expectation of 70-100 bps. "The introduction of new tariffs has created a more volatile market environment, which could lead to longer decision-making cycles," Chief Financial Officer Rouven Bergmann said in a statement. Both Jefferies and Stifel pointed to the 2025 operating margin growth cut in notes to investors, with the former adding that revenue growth guidance for the second quarter was also "soft". Dassault's results echoed Swedish peer Hexagon, which issued a profit warning earlier this month that cited lower growth in its North American and China markets in the last two weeks of March due to economic uncertainty. Dassault maintained its 2025 outlook of 6%-8% total revenue growth and 7%-10% earnings per share growth. Bergmann said it lowered its operating margin outlook to have more flexibility and make necessary investments to support long-term growth, notably regarding Gen 7 - the faster, artificial intelligence-enhanced upgrade of its 3DEXPERIENCE software. He added that it will help the company navigate an environment that has become more volatile than the company had expected at the start of the year. Dassault said its total revenue rose 4% to 1.57 billion euros ($1.78 billion) in the first quarter, limited by declining services revenue. Analysts were expecting 1.60 billion euros on average, according to a Visible Alpha consensus cited by Morgan Stanley. Software revenue increased 5% year-on-year to 1.43 billion euros, in line with expectations of 1.44 billion euros. The division's growth acceleration was driven by aerospace and defence, transport and mobility and high-tech, the group said. Dassault Systemes forecast revenue growth of 3% to 7% in the second quarter. ($1 = 0.8817 euros) (Reporting by Anna Peverieri in Gdansk; editing by Milla Nissi, Varun H K and Joe Bavier) At the nexus of the trade war and the use of steel as a bargaining chip is China, which dominates both global steel production and wind power manufacturing as a whole, undercutting global competition with cheap and heavily subsidised exports in what the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) calls the Chinese overcapacity problem. On 12 March, a 25% tariff on US imports of steel, aluminium and other derivative products went into effect . Both the EU and Canada announced retaliatory tariffs of 25% each, but the EUs plans have since been paused until July. Uncoincidentally, the market is undergoing a period of extreme volatility, most notably making headlines as part of President Trumps tariffs . According to the World Steel Associations most recent data, the start of 2025 has seen a year-on-year decrease in global steel production from 2024. Steel serves as the backbone of wind development, constituting up to 90% of a turbines mass. As such, the health of the global steel supply chain is of major importance to wind manufacturers. For the industry to maintain its upward trajectory, securing supplies of wind turbine components is crucial. Diversification through alternative materials and near-sourcing are key risk management strategies for wind manufacturers to futureproof their place in the energy transition. Only two months later, in February, Mitsubishi paused its plans for offshore wind projects in Japan, pointing to supply chain issues once again. Indeed, in December 2024, wind developer rsted cited supply chain bottlenecks as a key reason for opting out of Denmarks offshore wind farm tender in the North Sea, which received no bids overall. Recent geopolitical developments led by US President Donald Trumps trade war and macroeconomic headwinds have exacerbated the complexities of these supply chains for manufacturers globally. However, the industrys supply chain poses a potential hurdle to these ambitions, as the construction of wind turbines requires a range of materials including steel, fibreglass and rare earth elements (REEs), all of which are dominated by China. By 2028, global wind turbine installation, both onshore and offshore, is predicted to reach 760.20GW, up from 119.86GW in 2023, according to Power Technologys parent company GlobalData. Both public and private investment has been funnelled into the technology as part of the energy transition while traditional energy companies, including oil and gas giants such as TotalEnergies and Equinor, have invested in wind to diversify their portfolios. Wind power is increasingly occupying space in the global energy mix, and supply chains for turbine components are growing in tandem. Story Continues Chinas dominance is nothing new in the wind industry, but the tariffs on steel have brought into sharper focus the need for supply chain diversification as a shield against geopolitical stressors. China is a powerhouse nobody can get around, but it's not about pitting countries or regions against each other," explains Markus Zeitzen, wind energy service provider Det Norske Veritas (DNV) ESG senior business development manager. "Selecting two or three suppliers from different areas can give you resilience in your supply chain through competition. Speaking to Power Technology alongside Zeitzen, DNV global head of sustainability and ESG services Christopher Lilholm adds that it is increasingly important to look at the sustainability performance of the steel that goes into the turbines. Indeed, low-carbon steel, also known as green steel, has become another consideration for wind turbine manufacturers looking to reduce their emissions. It is produced through technologies such as direct reduced iron, electric furnaces and green hydrogen. While these developments are necessary to address the emissions-intensive production process of steel, this inevitably adds additional costs and complications in the supply chain, particularly as there are currently no universal standards for green steel. Even steelmakers find it hard to label their products correctly, says Lilholm. So, for a turbine maker to navigate communicating that to clients is not easy, but it will be essential. Alternative materials to steel continue to gain traction, such as wood, which is attractive both for its superior sustainability and widespread availability. Since securing an EU grant of Skr69m ($7.3m) in 2020, Swedish start-up Modvion has been developing wooden turbine towers that can reach taller heights than steel equivalents due to less material being required. However, steel is only one branch of the turbine supply chain that manufacturers must negotiate. Fibreglass in wind turbines Fibreglass is a key component in turbine blades, nacelles and hub covers and is arguably the strongest tier of the turbine supply chain. According to industry association Glass Fibre Europe, due to the materials raw mineral components, which include silica sand, kaolin clay, limestone and dolomite, there is no risk of supply shortages or over-reliance on concentrated sources. However, fibreglass also faces excess capacities from Chinese producers. On 19 March, the EU imposed anti-dumping duties of between 26.3% and 56.1% on imports of glass fibre yarns from China, citing the importance of the material in the EUs clean tech supply chains and green transition. For World Wind Energy Association secretary-general Stefan Gsanger, the main challenge in fibreglass supply for wind energy is recyclability and how fast the recycled material can re-enter the market. The life cycles of fibreglass and the epoxy resins that coat turbine blades remain a sticking point for the wind industrys environmental footprint. The complex layers in the chemical compounds are difficult to separate, leading to landfilling and resource waste. Several wind turbine manufacturers are exploring the possibilities of recycling fibreglass to further boost supply chain resilience. US-based Carbon Rivers uses pyrolysis technology to recover glass fibre that can be remelted, closing the material loop and securing supply for manufacturers while reducing dependence on volatile material prices. Wind giants such as rsted and ENGIE have also successfully recycled turbine blades from specific projects, but this has yet to be achieved at scale across the industry. Wind Europe senior supply chain analyst Lizet Ramirez confirms that alternative technologies and materials require a big push to be ready on the scale that we need them. Quality assurance is also essential in recovering and reintroducing materials," she adds. Another consideration is the impact of the innovation race on supply and demand, as Zeitzen explains. Over the last few years, turbine components have gotten bigger, but if you innovate constantly, you overburden your supply chain, as well as research and development and asset lifespan. We are seeing several turbo manufacturers slow down for security, he says. REEs and the future of turbine supply chains Out of the 17 classified REEs, four are primarily used in wind turbines: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. These are essential in producing neodymiumironboron permanent magnets that generate electricity and maintain the integrity of a turbines walls. China dominates this supply chain too, controlling 60% of global REE mined production and roughly 90% of global processing output. Ramirez confirms that there is a near total reliance on China for permanent magnets and limited alternative supply routes available. In December 2023, China initiated an export ban on separation and extraction technologies for manufacturing permanent magnets, which has escalated to export controls on seven REEs, announced in April this year. The impact of this on REE supply chains for wind turbine manufacturing has yet to become clear given the to-and-from nature of the US-China trade war, but Ramirez highlights global shifts towards proactive and preventative supply chain risk management. For example, the EU is investing in innovations to secure critical raw materials. From the recently announced 47 strategic projects, five are dedicated to REEs and permanent magnets. This is good news for the wind industry in making the most of domestic resources and building new partnerships, she confirms. With such policy support, near-sourcing key materials can become more of a reality for turbine manufacturers outside of Chinas monopoly, which also covers copper and aluminium. However, Lilholm points out that competition for access is the ultimate issue: Do wind developers have the economic gravity to purchase supplies over other sectors? Investment in diversified materials and supply chains is pivotal especially as high demand for materials from major industries such as construction and automotives relegates wind turbine manufacturing to relative unimportance in times of strained supply. Gsanger identifies solar energys amazing development and supply chain as a model for the wind industry to look to, adding that we need the markets because supply chains and manufacturing follow where the markets are. This is really where the wind industry needs to grow up, asserts Zeitzen. It is time to look deep into the entire supply chain. "The supply chain limitations facing the wind turbine market " was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cos (NYSE:TSM) Arizona factorys substantial losses reflect the repercussions of Washingtons attempt to restructure global semiconductor supply chains through political intervention. The chipmakers Arizona facility incurred a loss of ~14.3 billion New Taiwan dollars ($441 million) in 2024, marking the most significant loss since its establishment, Global Times reported, citing Economic Daily News, the contract chipmakers latest annual general meeting report. Trending: Scrolling To UBI' Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum. Contrastingly, the chipmakers factory in Nanjing, East Chinas Jiangsu Province, reported 2024 revenue of nearly ~$26 billion New Taiwan dollars ($800 million). While the U.S. excels in chip design, it lags behind Asia, especially East Asia. The Arizona factory hugely depends on importing key components and raw materials, which drives logistics costs and extends the supply cycle. Additionally, high labor costs in the U.S. further inflate per-unit labor expenses. Taiwan Semiconductor founder Morris Chang estimated in March 2023 that chip costs in Arizona were 50% higher than its flagship production line in Taiwan. Contrastingly, the Nanjing facility benefits from Chinas efficient and stable industrial ecosystem, the report said. Also Read: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey no cost, no obligation. In March, Taiwan Semiconductor announced an additional $100 billion investment in U.S. chipmaking (on top of its $65 billion in April 2024). The investment followed President Donald Trumps verbal attacks on Taiwan for stealing the U.S. semiconductor business and generating massive trade deficits for Washington. Taiwan Semiconductors first-quarter revenue rose 41.6% to $25.53 billion, topping the analyst consensus estimate of $23.92 billion. The second-quarter revenue guidance predicts $28.4 billion-$29.2 billion versus the $26.79 billion analyst estimate, with strong demand for 3-nm and 5-nm technologies. Read Next: This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. The construction industry faces a stark shortage of workers, but programs and people across the country are working at the local level to solve the problem. This series highlights those efforts helping to recruit the next generation of construction pros. Read previous entries here. Do you know of a group that is helping to attract workers to the construction industry? Let us know. When Roderick Colvin introduces himself, he sometimes starts by stating his title: senior external learning and development relationship specialist with GAF Roofing Academy. Other times, he begins by listing his former inmate numbers from when he was in federal prison. I introduce myself in such a way because I'm absolutely transparent about who I am, where I've been and hopefully serve as an example of what an individual could be, Colvin told Construction Dive. The GAF Roofing Academy offers free weeklong roofing classes and soft skills training from Parsippany, New Jersey-based roofing and waterproofing manufacturer GAF. Colvin said the program often connects graduates with commercial firms for potential placement. Since 2020, the academy has trained more than 4,300 people nationwide in over 365 classes and has made upwards of 2,500 job placements across the country. The goal is to get participants job-ready promptly. This week for example, a class is taking place in Grand Junction, Colorado, providing graduates a certificate of completion and an OSHA 10-hour certification for free. About 10% of those individuals are in situations GAF describes as justice-involved, meaning they have been charged with a crime or served time in prison. Colvin knows it can be a challenge for individuals with a criminal background or those reentering the workforce from prison to navigate their career path. Colvin received a 15-year sentence for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and spent his time in federal prison earning a teachers aid certification through the Department of Labor. He later obtained further teaching certification from Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Illinois. He eventually pursued a job to support others in reentry. On the justice-involved side of it, I always encourage them that it is never the fact that they are a convicted felon that would prevent them from getting employment. The fact of the matter is that it would be a lack of skills that would prevent you from getting employment, Colvin said. So, I would encourage them to take a direction of going toward skilled trades. This month, a federal judge in the United States granted a 60-day stay order in a case brought against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by 18 largely Republican state attorneys general. Launched last year, the lawsuit aimed to correct what the plaintiffs viewed as "gross government overreach" against the crypto industry under the previous tenure of former SEC chair Gary Gensler. Genslers regulation by enforcement era was marked by a string of high-profile lawsuits against crypto firms such as Coinbase and Ripple. According to Cornerstone Research, enforcement actions against crypto firms surged by 80% under Gensler's administration, resulting in fines over $6 billion. However, President Donald Trumps appointment of crypto-friendly leadership at the SEC, has shifted the legal landscape for crypto firms. The regulator recently dropped investigations and lawsuits against OpenSea, Kraken, and Coinbase, among other firms. [D]ue to a leadership transition in the Securities and Exchange Commission, this case could potentially be resolved, said U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, noting that a status report was due in 30 days. The lawsuit was filed by the DeFi Education Fund along with 18 attorneys general from Kentucky, Nebraska, Tennessee, West Virginia, Iowa, Texas, Mississippi, Montana, Arkansas, Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Utah, Louisiana, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Florida. Gensler, who resigned in January, now teaches at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His successor, Paul Atkins a Trump nominee was recently confirmed as SEC chair in a 52-44 vote, with the majority of Democrats against his appointment. In a letter, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren pointed to Atkins deep ties to the crypto industry, including his role as a board advisor to the Digital Chamber, a major crypto lobbying group. She also highlighted his firm Patomak Global Partners decision to take on the now-defunct exchange FTX as a client. Warren urged Atkins to commit to recusing himself from SEC lobbying after his term ends. Swiss giant UBS Group is in advanced negotiations with General Atlantic to enter the private credit market through a strategic partnership, Bloomberg has reported, citing sources. Sources told the publication that the collaboration could be officially announced shortly, potentially within the next week. The partnership is expected to focus on originating loans for North American and European borrowers with substantial earnings. The proposed partnership would grant GA Credit preferred access or a "first-look" to loans originated by UBSs investment bank. The targeted loans could be as substantial as $500m, aimed at borrowers with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation of $50m or more. This initiative stemmed from discussions between UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti and General Atlantic chairman and CEO Bill Ford, a source told the publication. Meanwhile, UBS has been restructuring its approach to selling private-market funds under wealth management chiefs Iqbal Khan and Rob Karofsky. In March, reports emerged that UBS Group is contemplating moving its headquarters out of Switzerland if the country mandates the bank to increase its capital reserves by an extra SFr22.05bn ($25bn). The partnership would signal UBS's continued ambition to expand its global banking business and leveraged finance offerings, particularly in the Americas. General Atlantic's credit division, GA Credit, which is managed by Tripp Smith, a co-founder of what is now known as Blackstone Credit, oversees $4.8bn of assets. "UBS reportedly in talks with General Atlantic to enter private credit market" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. UK car and commercial vehicle production increased by 17.1% in March to 79,018 units, as reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The rise was driven by export demand, with car manufacturing growing for the first time in 12 months. However, the first quarter still saw an overall decline in production. Car manufacturing was boosted by a 30.6% increase in export demand, with 73.3% of output shipped overseas. Despite this, production for the UK market fell by 6.1%. Electrified vehicle production saw a rise of 38.5%, accounting for 45% of total UK car output. The trade body said the proposed revisions to the ZEV Mandate have been positively received by manufacturers, highlighting government recognition of industry challenges, particularly the lack of robust consumer demand for EVs. Extensions to grants for plug-in vans and trucks are deemed crucial for market growth in line with mandate ambitions. The EU was the largest destination for UK car exports, accounting for 57.2% of shipments. The US remained the second-largest market at 15.0%, followed by China (8.5%), Turkey (2.7%), and Japan (2.6%). Exports to these markets reported notable increases in China (86.0%) and Turkey (272.1%). Commercial vehicle production rose by 8.2% to 8,700 units, driven by a 77.9% increase in domestic demand. However, exports fell by 31.8%, with the EU accounting for 94.2% of CV exports. Overall, Q1 2025 saw a 3.2% decline in car production, with CV output down 27.1% and exports down by 50.3%. Manufacturers face uncertainty heading into Q2 due to potential weakening US demand and new tariffs, stated SMMT. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: A March uplift to manufacturing is overdue good news, although the performance was boosted by a comparatively weaker month last year, when holiday timings and product changeovers combined to reduce output. With the last quarter showing demand for British-built cars rising overseas, navigating the new era of trade uncertainty is now the major challenge. Government has rightly recognised automotive manufacturings critical role in Britains export economy and must now show urgency and creativity to deliver a deal that supports our competitiveness, spurs domestic demand for the latest cleanest vehicles, and helps factory lines flourish. "UK vehicle production rose in March, but Q1 figures decline: SMMT" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. Specialist asset-based lender Ultimate Finance has increased its asset finance securitisation facility with Lloyds Bank from 100m to 145m, according to a press release. The expansion follows a strong start to 2025, with origination growth accelerating in the first quarter and continued expansion of the lenders asset finance loan book. In the first 15 weeks of the year, Ultimate Finance provided 32m in new asset finance facilities to UK businesses through hire purchase, finance lease and refinance products. The company reported a 70% year-on-year increase in origination for Q1, with loan book balances exceeding 120m for the first time. Neil McMyn Neil McMyn, Chief Financial Officer of Ultimate Finance, said the increase reflects strong demand and ongoing support from introducers and broker networks. The facility increase further extends the long-standing relationship we have with Lloyds and our ability to provide even more funding and investment capital to SMEs throughout the UK, he said. Andrew Scott, Director at Lloyds, said the bank is committed to supporting the SME sector through securitised funding. We are proud not only to provide this additional funding to Ultimate Finance, but also to support the company as it continues to deliver on its growth ambitions, he said. The announcement follows Ultimate Finances 370m wholesale funding raise in 2024 across its working capital, asset finance and bridging finance products, the company said in a press release. The lender is part of the Tavistock Group, a private investment company. "Ultimate Finance boosts Lloyds-backed asset finance facility to 145m" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The move is a response to findings from a year-long Section 301 investigation into China's conduct within the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. Under Section 301 of the Trade Act, USTR has the power to respond to foreign practices that unfairly burden or discriminate against US commerce. USTRs probe involved a two-day public hearing, consultation with government agency experts and USTR cleared advisors as well as taking comments from 600 members of the public. The latest measures include a tiered fee system aimed at Chinese shipping operators, vessel owners, and vessels constructed in China. Furthermore, the USTR is considering additional duties of 20% to 100% on essential transportation equipment such as containers, chassis, and ship-to-shore cranes. These fees and tariffs are expected to diminish US trade, leading to losses for American companies and increased expenses for US consumers. USTR ambassador Jamieson Greer said: "Ships and shipping are vital to American economic security and the free flow of commerce. "The Trump administrations actions will begin to reverse Chinese dominance, address threats to the US supply chain, and send a demand signal for US-built ships." AAFA had already voiced its opposition to these measures during a hearing with the USTR on 24 March 2025 and submitted written objections against the proposed fees. The association also conducted a study which concluded that these fees would negatively affect US farmers, workers, and the overall economy. According to the study, these measures could cause a significant 11.56% drop in US exports and a 0.23% contraction in the nations GDP. AAFA senior vice president for policy Nate Herman expressed significant concern regarding the impact of recently implemented port charges and shipping regulations. He emphasised the potential for severe repercussions on US employees, buyers, and exporters. "With fees as high as $1.5m per port call, these measures are driving up shipping costs, shrinking GDP, and reducing US exports. When ocean carriers raise rates, American families will pay the price through higher costs and growing product shortages, at a time when they can least afford it. Smaller regional ports will see fewer vessel calls, putting local jobs at risk and disrupting the flow of US goods, Herman said. He added: "We fully support strengthening the US maritime industry, but penalising shippers for not using American-flagged or built vessels, when they cost up to five times more and remain in limited supply, is counterproductive." By Laman Ismayilova On April 28-30, Days of Azerbaijani Cinema will be held in Istanbul. The event is organized in accordance with the agreement on cooperation in the field of culture between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. The event will be held within the framework of joint cooperation of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as the Azerbaijan Cultural Center operating at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ankara. During the Days of Cinema, Azerbaijani films produced in recent years by order of the Culture Ministry will be screened. Within the framework of the event, meetings will be held between Azerbaijani and Turkish filmmakers and specialists, and the possibilities of joint film production will be discussed. It should be noted that the opening ceremony of the event and the screening of films will be held at Atlas Cinema, located in Istanbul, and at two prestigious universities in Turkiye. The Azerbaijani delegation will take part in the Days of Azerbaijani Cinema in Turkiye. US-based rural lifestyle retailer Tractor Supply Company has initiated the construction of a new distribution centre in Nampa, Idaho. The 865,000ft facility marks the company's 11th distribution hub, bringing in an investment of approximately $225m to Canyon County. The centre will support more than 200 stores in the Pacific Northwest region, enhancing service for local outlets in Middleton, Kuna, and Emmett, Idaho. Moreover, the facility is being constructed to meet LEED certification criteria. The projected completion for the distribution centre is slated for late 2026 or early 2027. Tractor Supply selected Nampa for its new site after considering multiple locations across five states. The expansion will introduce more than 500 full-time jobs to the local economy, with recruitment for various roles at the distribution centre to begin in the second quarter of 2026. Tractor Supply chief supply chain officer Colin Yankee said: Today is an exciting milestone in our companys storied history. As we mark the ground-breaking of the Nampa facility, we are celebrating the extension of our distribution network to the Pacific Northwest for the very first time. We are also celebrating the hundreds of Team Members who will join our Tractor family, and we are celebrating our arrival in our newest home, one that shares our agricultural roots and our commitment to community. This announcement follows the opening of Tractor Supply's largest distribution centre in Maumelle, Arkansas in March 2024. The facility measures 1.1 million square feet and serves 250 stores while also processing online orders within its region. Tractor Supply currently operates a network of 12 stores in Idaho and maintains a total of 2,296 stores nationwide across 49 states. Its existing distribution infrastructure includes ten centres that span from New York to Arizona and beyond. "US retailer Tractor Supply breaks ground on Idaho distribution hub" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Meanwhile, Citi lowered the firms price target on Alphabet to $195 from $229 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. After spending time at Google Cloud Next, the firm came away incrementally positive on the Google Cloud Platform given continued progress across its artificial intelligence tools, Agent offerings, and infrastructure upgrades. However, Citi cut the price target to reflect more limited visibility across the broader online advertising landscape, due in part to tariffs. Still, the firm continues to believe Googles product halo and newer search experience with AI Mode can drive search usage and relatively consistent revenue growth. More recently, Piper Sandler lowered the firms price target on Alphabet to $185 from $208 and kept an Overweight rating on the shares. Alphabet may be a port in the storm in digital ads given its scale, but recent share data has not been positive and the firms ad buyer had a mixed report, Piper said. For Q1, the firm is looking for $88.2B in revenue and Piper lowered its 2025 and 2026 revenue estimates 1% and 2%, respectively. A few days later, Jefferies lowered the firms price target on Alphabet to $200 from $235 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. The firm lowered price targets across its U.S. software coverage to account for multiple compression amid early signs of softening macro factors impacting deal decisions across tech. The firm now believes we may have another mullet year in software with first half chop followed by second half flow, the analyst told investors. While not lowering estimates yet as the firm noted that recent guidance levels were set for no material improvement, the firm added that ongoing uncertainty meant investors are waiting on the sidelines to assess the impact. On March 27, Guggenheim lowered the firms price target on Alphabet to $190 from $215 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. The firm updated its Alphabet model ahead of Q1 earnings to reflect modest incremental softness in the brand advertising environment and to provide more detail on its YouTube subscription estimate, noted the analyst, who said the firms advertiser checks indicated slower brand ad demand in March with the trend likely to continue into Q2. EXPECTATIONS: Current consensus EPS and revenue forecasts for Alphabet s March-end quarter stand at $2.01 and $89.15B, respectively, according to data provided by LSEG Data and Analytics. That $2.01 EPS estimate for the first quarter is down 2c over the past 90 days ago, according to LSEG Data. Alphabet ( GOOGL), the parent company of Google, is scheduled to report first quarter 2025 results after the market close on Thursday, April 24, with a conference call scheduled for 4:30 pm Eastern Time. What to watch for: Story Continues Among analysts tracked by Bloomberg that have updated their views on Alphabet within the last twelve months, 60 have Buy or equivalent ratings, 15 have Hold or equivalent ratings and the average twelve month price target of 56 of those analysts is $202.96. AI LEADERSHIP: On February 4, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, called Q4 a strong quarter driven by leadership in AI and momentum across the business. Pichai added: We are building, testing, and launching products and models faster than ever, and making significant progress in compute and driving efficiencies. In Search, advances like AI Overviews and Circle to Search are increasing user engagement. Our AI-powered Google Cloud portfolio is seeing stronger customer demand, and YouTube continues to be the leader in streaming watchtime and podcasts. Together, Cloud and YouTube exited 2024 at an annual revenue run rate of $110 billion. Our results show the power of our differentiated full-stack approach to AI innovation and the continued strength of our core businesses. We are confident about the opportunities ahead, and to accelerate our progress, we expect to invest approximately $75 billion in capital expenditures in 2025. Earlier this month, BofA noted that Google was hosting its Cloud Next conference from April 9-11 and said it saw the opening keynote from Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian on Day 1 being the top event for updates on Googles cloud and AI strategy. The firm, which said at the time that it thought the event could potentially boost AI sentiment on the stock, kept a Buy rating and $225 price target on shares of Google parent Alphabet. ANTITRUST FIGHTS: In August of last year, a federal judge ruled Googles payments to make its search engine the default on smartphone web browsers violates U.S. antitrust law. Earlier this week, Nick Turley, the CEO of OpenAIs ChatGPT, said the company would be interested in buying Googles Chrome browser if a federal court orders it to be spun off, Bloomberg reported. Turley testified that having Chrome more deeply integrated into Microsoft-backed OpenAI would allow for a better product and a more seamless user experience. The Justice Department is looking to force Google to divest Chrome, among other remedies, to prevent the company from monopolizing the online search market. Meanwhile, a Google executive testified during the same trial that while ChatGPT has drawn some search queries, it hasnt yet cannibalized lucrative commercial searches, though Google anticipates this will eventually change, according to The Information. In a separate antitrust action against Google brought by the federal government and seventeen states as plaintiffs, they claim that Google has monopolized three digital advertising technology markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act, and has tied its products in these markets together in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act. In a ruling posted to the site of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on April 17, Judge Leonie Brinkema wrote: With the benefit of a three-week bench trial and extensive post-trial filings, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have failed to prove that there is a relevant market for open-web display advertiser ad networks, but have proven that Google has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by willfully acquiring and maintaining monopoly power in the open-web display publisher ad server market and the open-web display ad exchange market, and has unlawfully tied its publisher ad server and ad exchange in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act. Having found Google liable, the Court will set a briefing schedule and hearing date to determine the appropriate remedies for these antitrust violations. Afterward, Citi said this ruling focuses primarily on Googles advertising network, which Citi projects accounts for 8% of 2025 gross revenue, but is declining, and contributes 1% to overall company EBITDA. Citi believes that while it is likely to take some time for any proposed remedies to be ruled upon and the appeals process to be completed, it wouldnt be surprised to see Google ultimately spin off its ad network as a result. Googles core search and owned and operated ads business would not be as impacted from a spin or divestment, the firm added. Meanwhile, Craig-Hallum also commented on the federal judge having ruled against Google, citing monopolistic behavior in its adtech business, noting that behavior between Google exchange and ad server was the primary culprit of these behaviors, with remediation focused on a divestiture of some combination of GAM and AdX. The firm sees clear benefits to supply side platforms as Googles behaviors have artificially suppressed win-rates, which should see an immediate boost as Googles anti-competitive behaviors are remediated. The biggest opportunity resides with Magnite (MGNI), the number 2 SSP, which has flourished despite Googles monopolistic practices, Craig-Hallum argued. Overall, the firm views this as a win for the broader open web and publishers. BofA noted that the judge concluded that Google maintained monopolies in both the publisher ad server and advertiser ad network markets, but also found that the DOJ failed to show that Googles advertiser tools or acquisitions of DoubleClick and AdMeld were anti-competitive. The ruling may raise the possibility of behavioral or structural remedies, but the firm thinks the potential financial impact for Alphabets bottom-line may be modest given that the segment at risk, Google Network, had revenue of $30B in 2024, or under 9% of Googles gross revenues and just 3% of net revenues. In addition, any final remedy would likely be stayed during the appeal, which could take 18 months, possibly pushing any enforcement into 2027 or later, the analyst added. The firm maintains a Buy rating and $185 price target on Alphabet shares. WIZ DEAL: On March 18, Google announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wiz, a cloud security platform headquartered in New York, for $32B, subject to closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction. Once closed, Wiz will join Google Cloud. This acquisition represents an investment by Google Cloud to accelerate two large and growing trends in the AI era: improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds, the company stated. After Alphabet announced an agreement to buy cloud security provider Wiz for $32B in cash, Jefferies said a deal of this size emphasizes the mission criticality of Cyber and should support valuations broadly. However, in the near-term, it could pressure cloud vendors such as Palo Alto Networks (PANW), SentinelOne (S) and CrowdStrike (CRWD) as Google uses its scale to push pricing and penetrate the market. Long-term, this should benefit pure play vendors as the Switzerland effect is appreciated by customers who may not trust Google to guard Amazons (AMZN) AWS and Microsofts (MSFT) Azure, the analyst added. The firm also noted that it foresaw no changes to Check Points (CHKP) partnership with Wiz. The Wiz acquisition will enhance Googles existing cybersecurity offerings, Threat Intelligence, Security Operations, Security Command Center, Mandiant Consulting Services, and enable organizations to operate more safely and efficiently in multi-cloud environments, JPMorgan stated. Importantly, the firm believes the Wiz acquisition will further strengthen Googles multi-cloud value proposition and deepen its enterprise relationships as Wiz is used by over 50% of Fortune 100 companies. JPMorgan expects the deal to have broader implications for large-cap Internet as it will be among the first to test the current administrations tolerance for large scale M&A. It also does not expect any change to Googles approach around capital returns. The firm has an Overweight rating on Alphabet. CHROME KEEPING COOKIES: On April 22, Anthony Chavez, VP, Privacy Sandbox, stated in a Google blog post: The goal of the Privacy Sandbox initiative is to develop new ways to strengthen online privacy while ensuring a sustainable, ad-supported internet, (but) a lot has changed since we announced the Privacy Sandbox initiative in 2019 and entered into a formal engagement with the CMA and ICO in 2022. For example, the adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies has accelerated, new opportunities to safeguard and secure peoples browsing experiences with AI have emerged, and the regulatory landscape around the world has evolved considerably. Taking all of these factors into consideration, weve made the decision to maintain our current approach to offering users third-party cookie choice in Chrome, and will not be rolling out a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies. Users can continue to choose the best option for themselves in Chromes Privacy and Security Settings. Well continue to enhance tracking protections in Chromes Incognito mode, which already blocks third-party cookies by default. This includes IP Protection, which we plan to launch in Q3 2025. And well continue to invest in making Chrome the worlds most trusted browser, with technologies like Safe Browsing, Safety Check, built-in password protections, AI-powered security protections, and more. Publicly traded companies in marketing technology include Trade Desk (TTD), Criteo (CRTO), Magnite and LiveRamp (RAMP). SENTIMENT: Check out recent Media Buzz Sentiment on Alphabet as measured by TipRanks. Published first on TheFly the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See todays best-performing stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on GOOGL: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue The emergence of the Death Cross signal on the technical chart turns out to be not as scary as perceived by the masses empirical research shows that the broader market is actually expected to post a positive return of 1% over the 50 days, following the crossing of the 50 daily simple moving average below the 200 daily one, which already occurred on April 11. We dont claim that history will repeat itself this time; we want to illustrate that this widely discussed and feared event does not have much substance behind it. The growth factor has underperformed year-to-date as the entire US stock market has retracted by more than 15% since its early 2025 highs. The growth stocks performed worse than the market because capital flows to safety assets such as defensive value stocks and gold; the latter is up more than 30% this year, and its price returns actually exceed those of the entire US stock market over the last 10 years. Such situations are rare, and the truth is, by the time growth stocks become cheap enough, many retail investors are no longer willing to buy. This is exactly whats happening now, as the CNN Fear & Greed index shows a value of 20/100, showcasing an Extreme Fear in the markets. This public fear is amplified by the tariff turmoil, especially as the broader market is showing a Death Cross on the technical charts. Similar to Warren Buffetts teachings to be greedy when others are fearful, we maintain our optimistic stance for the long-term financial and economic health of the US and its stock market. Growth stocks are companies that grow their revenues and earnings at a faster rate than the overall market does. To identify the true growth stocks, we believe it is important to use a high enough benchmark over a long enough period. In this case, we define growth stocks as companies that managed to achieve a 5-year revenue compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of at least 20%. It is obvious that all else equal, investors would prefer growth stocks, but the truth is that their high valuations and perceived expensiveness may often make them less attractive. It is not rare that high-growth companies end up underperforming simply because their initially high forward P/E ratio gradually contracts over time, partially or entirely offsetting the contribution of high earnings growth. So, the ultimate grail of investing consists in identifying undervalued growth stocks that would continue to grow rapidly and at the same time maintain or even expand their trading multiple. We recently published a list of 10 Most Undervalued Growth Stocks to Buy Now . In this article, we are going to take a look at where WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) stands against other most undervalued growth stocks to buy now. Story Continues Moreover, the US economy remains resilient, all while President Trump removed his foot off the tariff gas pedal and is gradually granting exemptions to key consumer products like electronic devices. Employment data has been one of the most reliable indicators of recessions, and the latest US data shows that March employment did not show any sequential decline compared to February and is only marginally below the 2023-2024 level. Most of the decline compared to 2023-2024 comes from the public sector and only impacted a minority of workers, which is not enough to trigger a widespread economic slowdown. The US administration is hinting towards a possible agreement between Ukraine and Russia, which could lead to a ceasefire and a gradual return of US businesses to Russia. Such an event would induce a one-time positive shock to the market. Russia represents a giant 150 million consumer market that is significant for many US businesses. Second, the end of the conflict could very likely provide relief for energy prices around the globe, and especially in Europe. Lower energy prices are congruent with more consumer purchasing power and wider business profitability both these factors should drive corporate earnings and valuations higher. With that being said, the key takeaway is that markets currently reflect close to peak pessimism, all while the economic situation in the US and around the world isnt materially worse than it was last year. Such a scenario is highly favorable for growth stocks not only does the currently depressed market offer more undervalued candidates to invest in, but also hints towards a potential economic acceleration if Russia and Ukraine do reach a deal under the supervision of the US administration. Our Methodology To compile our list of most undervalued growth stocks, we used a stock screener to filter for companies that have at least 20% revenue CAGR in the last 5 years, and that trade below 15x forward P/E. Then we compared the list with our proprietary database of hedge funds ownership and included in the article the top 10 stocks with the highest number of hedge funds that own the stock as of Q4 2024. The stocks are ranked in descending order of their forward P/E ratio. 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 WESCO International, Inc. (WCC) the Most Undervalued Growth Stock to Buy Now? A team of professionals operating high and medium voltage project design. WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) Forward P/E ratio: 9.42 Revenue CAGR last 5 years: 20.49% Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62 WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) is a distributor of electrical, industrial, and communications products, as well as maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies. The companys competitive advantage is based on its global presence and ability to serve a diverse clientele, including commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. WCC ranked 6th on our recent list of 10 Best Economic Recovery Stocks to Buy. WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) returned to sales growth in Q4, driven by over 70% growth in global Data Center business and 20% growth in Broadband business, along with positive momentum in Electrical and Electronics Solutions. For the full year 2024, the company delivered record free cash flow exceeding $1 billion (154% of adjusted net income), while reducing net debt by $431 million. The company also made significant progress on enterprise-wide digitalization efforts and business transformation, with technology and capabilities built more than halfway complete. Looking ahead to 2025, WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC) expects organic sales growth of 2.5% to 6.5% with operating margin expansion across all three business units. The company plans to generate $600-800 million in free cash flow and increase its common stock dividend by 10% while continuing share buybacks. Management believes WCC is well-positioned for outsized growth driven by secular trends in AI-driven data centers, increased power generation, electrification, automation, and reshoring, with a strong pipeline of strategic acquisitions aligned with expanding service offerings. With strong guidance ahead and a single-digit forward P/E, WCC ranked third on our list of the most undervalued stocks to consider. Overall, WCC ranks 3rd on our list of most undervalued growth stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential of WCC 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 WCC but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. IonQ, Inc. (NYSE:IONQ) shares gained on Wednesday. The company unveiled a distribution agreement with Toyota Tsusho Corporation, marking the companys official entry into the Japanese market. The partnership, revealed during the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, is set to fast-track the adoption of quantum computing technologies in Japan by leveraging Toyota Tsushos deep commercial networks and tech-forward positioning. Niccolo de Masi, President, and CEO of IonQ, emphasized Japans longstanding leadership in technology and noted that the new alliance has already resulted in the companys first contract through Toyota Tsushos client ecosystem. Also Read: IonQ Jumps On Amazon News, But Can It Defy Quantum Bearish Trend? We have already signed our first local deal through Toyota Tsushos customer network and look forward to continuing our work in the Japanese market, Masi said. The collaboration is part of IonQs ongoing global push to expand the practical use of quantum computing solutions. The announcement further highlights the strategic role of Toyota Tsusho, the business development arm of the Toyota Group, with an annual revenue of around $70 billion. The firm has a track record of helping international businesses scale within Japan, and its diverse industry reachfrom mobility to advanced technologiesmakes it a powerful gateway for IonQs innovations. Kazumi Mizukawa, General Manager of Toyota Tsushos Enterprise IT Department, described the agreement as a momentous step toward commercializing quantum computing across Japanese industries. Over the past year, IonQ has opened the first U.S. quantum manufacturing facility, installed its first quantum computer in Europe through a partnership with QuantumBasel, and formed cooperative agreements with institutions such as AIST in Japan and the city of Busan in South Korea. These efforts reflect IonQs deepening investment in the APAC region, alongside earlier partnerships with Hyundai Motors, Sungkyunkwan University, and Seoul National University. Price Action: IONQ shares closed higher by 4.65% to $26.80 on Wednesday. Read Next: Photo 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. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article What's Going On With IonQ Stock On Wednesday? originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. On Wednesday, optimism was in the air on the stock market, as investors were hopeful that the current tariff war might not be as damaging as feared. They were selective about the stocks they piled into, however, and one they avoided was Stifel Financial (NYSE: SF). This was due almost entirely to the investment bank's first-quarter earnings report, which the market found wanting. Investors traded Stifel down by almost 4% in reaction, on a day when the S&P 500 index posted a nearly 2% improvement. 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 Wealth management woes For the quarter, Stifel's net revenue came in at just under $1.26 billion, which bettered the $1.16 billion in the same period a year ago. Yet that result was under the consensus analyst estimate of $1.3 billion. The company whiffed far more badly on its bottom line result. Its non-GAAP (adjusted) net income fell dramatically over that one-year stretch, landing at $54.2 million ($0.49 per share) from Q1 2024's more than $163 million. Analysts had estimated a far higher per-share number, specifically $1.74. One big culprit for the profitability decline was Stifel's global wealth management business -- the source of most of its revenue. What the company described as "higher litigation-related expenses" drove down the unit's pre-tax net income, to $126 million. In the same period of 2024, that profit was $290 million. Looking forward to the future In the earnings release, Stifel pointed out that the $1.26 billion top line is a new record for the first quarter. Admirably, the company acknowledged the setback in global wealth management, and it waxed bullish about the coming months despite the current macroeconomic headwinds. "We remain optimistic about long-term growth, emphasizing the resilience of U.S. financial markets and the value our advice-driven model delivers during periods of uncertainty," CEO Ronald Kruszewski said. Should you invest $1,000 in Stifel Financial right now? Before you buy stock in Stifel Financial, 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 Stifel Financial 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 $561,046!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $606,106!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 811% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 153% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks The Colorado Supreme Court adopted on Monday a package of revisions to the rules governing child welfare cases, while modifying one section that governs when a parent has surrendered their right to have a jury decide if their child is neglected. A federal judge on Thursday rejected the government's request to put her order on hold while it seeks review of the decision to place temporary procedural limitations on removals of non-citizens suspected of being "alien enemies." The state Senate voted 29-6 on Friday morning to override Gov. Jared Polis's veto of a social media bill. The 29-6 vote was five above the two-thirds majority required for an override. By Laman Ismayilova The Azerbaijan Culture Days has concluded in Kyrgyzstan with a captivating evening of jazz music at the Kyrgyz National Conservatory. This concert, which featured a lineup of talented Azerbaijani artists, served as a fitting finale to the four-day cultural showcase. At the outset of the concert, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan Timurlan Azhymaliev addressed the audience, extending warm congratulations to the Azerbaijani delegation on the successful execution of the Days of Culture. He emphasized that such cultural exchanges serve to strengthen the bonds between the fraternal peoples of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Kyrgyzstan for their warm hospitality and for ensuring a high standard of organisation throughout the events. His remarks underscored the spirit of collaboration that characterizes the relationship between the two nations. The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Bishkek Latif Gandilov, further amplified the sentiment of camaraderie, highlighting the ongoing development of bilateral relations across various spheres. He acknowledged the concerted efforts made by the leaders of both countries to promote unity and equality among their peoples, reinforcing the shared values and cultural heritage that bind them together. The Ambassador also took the opportunity to thank the Kyrgyz leadership for the generous hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation, which greatly contributed to the success of the event. Following these heartfelt speeches, the spotlight turned to the ensemble of Azerbaijani musicians, who showcased the rich tapestry of their culture through an enchanting performance. The jazz trio, consisting of Elbay Mammadzade on piano, Saleh Mammadov on bass guitar, and Eyvaz Gashimov on drums, mesmerized the audience with their renditions of timeless pieces. They performed a delightful selection of compositions, including A. Melikov's "My Flowers," T. Guliyev's "You are Mine" and "Sad Song," D. Reeves's "Tango," E. Mammadzade's "Mikail's Dance," and music from the beloved opera "Carmen" by G. Bizet, as well as V. Mustafazade's evocative "Spring" and the spirited Azerbaijani folk dance "Yalli." Through their impressive performances, the musicians brought to life the depth and nuances of Azerbaijani jazz art, captivating the audience and creating an atmosphere filled with joy and shared cultural appreciation. The Azerbaijan Culture Days, which spanned four exhilarating days on the ancient and culturally rich lands of Kyrgyzstan, left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of attendees. With a dynamic and colorful program that highlighted the artistry and heritage of Azerbaijan, the event not only celebrated the cultural legacy of a nation but also reinforced the enduring friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. As the curtains closed on this remarkable celebration, the memories created will undoubtedly resonate for years to come, paving the way for future collaborations and cultural exchanges. One of the key questions surrounding the state's next spending plan is when and how to fund a voter-approved ballot measure that directs the government to allocate $350 million toward specified public safety needs. Marianne Goodland colorado politics Sens. Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, advocate for a historic override of a gubernatorial veto, on Senate Bill 86. The veto override passed, 29-6. A minimum of 24 votes is required for an override. Despite creation on a new state agency, Colorado had the second-highest prevalence of mental illness in the country in 2024 Members of the Colorado Supreme Court heard on Wednesday that a long-running group effort to revise the rules of juvenile procedure has culminated in an acceptable package of changes including a proposed answer to one disputed legal question pending before the justices. A federal judge on Thursday rejected the government's request to put her order on hold while it seeks review of the decision to place temporary procedural limitations on removals of non-citizens suspected of being "alien enemies." On April 22, U.S. District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney issued a 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 prevented the government from executing unilateral removals of alleged "alien enemies," instead requiring the government to give people 21 days' notice and advise them they can contest their designations and consult with an attorney. That information must be conveyed in a language the recipient understands. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief motion on Wednesday arguing only that the petitioners "have not met their heavy burden to obtain the relief that was granted." They asked Sweeney to suspend, or stay, her 14-day temporary restraining order while it appeals even though such decisions are not normally appealable. Sweeney denied the motion without elaboration. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to step in, arguing Sweeney exceeded her authority and "usurped" the president's authority to address "what he has identified as an invasion." Featured Local Savings The motion in the 10th Circuit was filed by government lawyers in Washington, D.C., rather than Colorado's U.S. Attorney's Office, which originally responded to the petitioners' claims in Sweeney's court. It included lengthy arguments about TdA itself, which the government did not raise to Sweeney. The Justice Department also did not mention a key legal authority Sweeney relied upon when issuing her decision: A U.S. Supreme Court order from Saturday in a Texas case very similar to the Colorado litigation in which a majority of justices blocked the government from removing suspected "alien enemies" from that jurisdiction. The government has asked the 10th Circuit for a ruling by April 29, halfway through the 14-day period covered by the temporary restraining order. In turn, the circuit directed the petitioners to respond by the end of Saturday. The case is D.B.U. et al. v. Trump et al. The man accused of fatally shooting a 36-year-old from West Palm Beach, Fla., in late 2023 was sentenced to 96 years in the Colorado state prison for the murder Thursday. Ontony Hatcher, 28, of Colorado Springs, was accused of killing Brandon Kmetetz in the late hours of Nov. 10, 2023. Police found Kmetetz dead with a gunshot wound in the 400 block of North Murray Boulevard, according to previous Gazette coverage. Court records show Hatcher's jury trial for the crime took place in the 4th Judicial District in January, where he was found guilty of second-degree murder, felony robbery, illegal discharge of a firearm and felony menacing. Hatcher received 96 years for the murder of Kmetetz and another 36 years for other charges. Hatcher's 531 days of time already served will be taken into account. Hatcher turned himself in to authorities at El Paso County jail on Nov. 11, 2023. Days later, Hatcher was also charged, while in custody, for his alleged part in a nonlethal second shooting that occurred on Nov. 6, 2023. Hatcher faced first-degree assault and possession of weapons by previous offender charges from the Nov. 6 incident. He was in court for a disposition hearing Thursday after accepting a plea agreement, according to court records. Hatcher was sentenced to 32 years in prison for the Nov. 6 charge while the others were dismissed through the plea agreement. The 4th Judicial District did not answer an immediate inquiry to whether the sentences for both cases will run concurrently or consecutively Friday. Public records show Hatcher was previously sentenced to prison in 2018, but was granted parole in 2021. By Qabil Ashirov A peaceful demonstration was held in Washington, D.C., in front of Sheridan Circle with the participation of members from the Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas. The protest was organized in response to a march by the Armenian diaspora commemorating the so-called "Armenian genocide". The event gathered hundreds of diaspora members from various U.S. states. Participants raised the flags of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and other Turkic nations while chanting slogans such as ASALA Must Be Held Accountable for Armenian Terrorism, U.S. Supports the Turkish-Armenian Historical Commission, and Reconciliation Is Better Than False Accusations. Photos of diplomats and their families who fell victim to Armenian terrorism were displayed, while acts of terror committed against Turks and Azerbaijanis were strongly condemned. Protesters emphasized that both Turkish and Azerbaijani communities advocate for peace and called for historiansnot politiciansto evaluate the events of 1915. In the evening hours, demonstrators continued voicing their messages as they marched past the U.S. embassies of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, directing their slogans at the Armenian diaspora members moving from Sheridan Circle toward the White House. How to volunteer To volunteer for CAPS, visit www.springscaps.org to see the programs currently looking for volunteers. Applicants must be at least 18 years old with no felony convictions and able to pass a background check. Other volunteer options with Colorado Springs are listed at ColoradoSprings.gov/volunteer. By Qabil Ashirov The European Union considers Azerbaijan a significant partner in the region and has certain expectations regarding the strengthening of bilateral ties, Azernews reports, citing Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, as she said during a joint press conference with Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov. Relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are progressing as a two-way path. The European Union is Azerbaijans largest trading partner. We highly appreciate the efforts undertaken to eliminate the scars of conflict and to save lives, Kallas stated. She reaffirmed the EUs close support for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the ongoing efforts toward achieving a sustainable peace agreement. The EU welcomes the progress made on the text of the agreement and looks forward to further developments. Kallas emphasized the EUs full support for the efforts of both Azerbaijan and Armenia toward achieving lasting peace. There is now a real opportunity for both sides. I welcome the agreement on the draft peace treaty and look forward to the next steps, she said. The EU also commended Azerbaijans humanitarian support to Ukraine, with Kallas praising Azerbaijans leadership in hosting COP29, the UN Climate Change Conference, later this year. At a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges, Azerbaijan has helped diversify the EU's energy supply and strengthen our energy security. Such multilateral efforts show how countries can jointly impact global processes, she said. Kallas further announced that the EU and Azerbaijan have agreed to resume talks on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. This partnership must be based on mutual respect including respect for EU Member States and on fundamental principles such as the rule of law and human rights, she emphasized. She also highlighted the long-standing nature of the EU-Azerbaijan partnership, describing the EU as Azerbaijans largest trading partner and biggest investor. Additionally, the EU is providing significant support for mine clearance operations in Azerbaijan, aiding the country in addressing the aftermath of conflict and saving lives. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter. U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, stopped at the Mason City Cargill Kitchen Solutions location Wednesday. It was one of a number of North Iowa appearances this week, including a contentious Northwood town hall Wednesday morning. City leaders and Cargill employees met the senator during a private meeting. Grassley later took questions from the media. Grassley takes pride in his annual 99 county tour, now in its 45th year. He held 24 events over Easter break alone. Only one of those events, at the Northwood Community Center, was public. At Cargill, he fielded inquiries from employees along with learning a bit about the plant. "I'm here at Cargill to learn about their processing of eggs, because when I think of Cargill, it's corn, soybeans and beef. They're into a lot of things that I may not be up on, but I was glad to learn that they are processing eggs for the number one egg producing state in the nation, which is Iowa," Grassley said. "And then I was able to discuss with them the bird flu problem, how that affects their business. We discussed tariffs, we discussed the Department of Education, we discussed immigration, we discussed tariffs and stuff like that." On tariffs, Grassley sent a mixed message. Over his multi-decade political career Grassley has been a prominent proponent of the free market, but he gave the president the benefit of doubt. "I started out as a free and fair trader. On the other hand, the reality is that Trump ran on a platform that included institution of tariffs to level the playing field so we'd have a fair trading system for the United States of America. And he's trying to carry out that promise. So even though I say I'm a fair and free trader, I should give him an opportunity to see if his plan works." As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley has received pointed questions about the legality of the Department of Justice slow-walking the facilitation of release for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man sent to an El Salvador prison during a roundup of immigrants the Trump administration has repeatedly without evidence called criminals and gang members. Asked if the Judiciary Committee is pressuring the administration to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S., Grassley referred to the Supreme Court's order the administration facilitate the Maryland man's return. "The fact is, that when the court makes a decision, you should follow it. Now this is a tough one for the president to follow from this standpoint. If the goal of the people that have gone to court for him is to get him back from El Salvador, then that's our goal, but if the president of El Salvador doesn't want to do that, regardless of how much pleading the president can do, regardless of our U.S. Supreme Court, there's nothing we can do about it," he said. Earlier Wednesday, Grassley faced heated questions about President Trump's first months in office from a Worth County crowd. The room of about 100 people in Northwood was largely critical of the administration and peppered Grassley with questions about mass deportations, including Abrego Garcia's, Elon Musk and cuts to the federal workforce and tariffs. When one woman used her turn to apologize to Grassley for "all the grief you've gotten this morning," it offered a glimpse at the deep-seated political rifts running through even the smallest U.S. communities. Some exchanged expletives, almost posturing for a fight. There were shouts between audience members to "shut up." Others took out their phones to record the moment. "I've had enough of you Democrats," she said to jeers and retorts from her neighbors. Grassley, hands on his hips, listened. He shook her hand when she held it out to him. After another audience member reminded the crowd that Garcia is just one example of the mass deportations, Grassley invoked the wave of border crossings under former President Joe Biden. "I think it's pretty clear that what's been brought up about Garcia, and ... about many, many other people, that this wouldn't even be an issue if Biden had enforced the law," Grassley said. Some applauded, but most responded with outrage, booing and shouting back a rebuttal. Even before that moment, Grassley struggled to satisfy frustrated Iowans at recent town halls with his answers on what Congress is doing to check the executive or judicial branches of government. He references bills he's introduced, including one that would require presidents to justify future tariffs and another to block judges' orders that temporarily pause a law from extending to the entire country. But Garcia's mistaken deportation in particular has carried the most heat, with Iowans at several of Grassley's town halls in counties that Trump won overwhelmingly pressing their longtime senator on due process. On Wednesday, the first question on Garcia came from Keith Olson, a retired farmer who lives just outside of Northwood. He later told The Associated Press that people are angry, even in rural Iowa, and he wants to see Grassley and other leaders have a "backbone" and "stand up and speak the truth." "It's gonna play out in the courts," Grassley offered to the crowd in response to Olson. "The president has to follow the U.S. Supreme Court." "He's not doing that!" one person yelled. Another asked: "Where is your outrage?" The Associated Press contributed to this report. Giving food typically bound for the garbage disposal or county dump a new end-use purpose is the goal of a Massachusetts waste-management group that broke ground Wednesday on a key Southeast expansion facility in Lexington. The facility will have up to 60 employees at full production. Go to divertinc.com/careers/ for more hiring information. Founded in 2007, Divert has two key missions: recovering edible food items that can be offered to people in need; and converting unsold food products into renewable energy resources. The Lexington facility will have the capacity to process 100,000 tons of unsold food products a year from food retailers, warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing locations. Divert Real Estate Holdings of Concord, Mass., paid $1.3 million for the property near Business Interstate 85 with much of it running parallel to a Norfolk Southern rail line. Divert appears to be expanding its Triad presence with the Lexington facility. The company operates out of a leased 67,500-square-foot industrial building at 3760 Kimwell Drive in Winston-Salem. The company said it is constructing an integrated diversion and energy facility ... that is expected to provide social, economic and environmental benefits to the community. Altogether, Divert has 14 facilities serving customers in 25 states. It has stated a goal of 30 facilities by 2031, including expanding in the Northeast and Southeast. Divert said North Carolina generates about 2.7 million tons of wasted food in a year. As of March, Divert has processed 2.6 billion pounds of wasted food and used its technology to donate more than 13.2 million pounds of nutritious food to those in need, the equivalent of about 11 million meals. Wasted food is a cost that businesses often pay for twice once to procure it and supply their operations, and then again when paying for disposal, the company said. As we look for ways to drive forward our mission, Lexington is a location close to our customers, said Ryan Begin, Diverts co-founder and chief executive. Those customers include Ahold Delhaize, the parent company of Food Lion, Albertson, CVS Pharmacy, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Safeway and Target. The Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Lexington will bring much-needed infrastructure to address the wasted food crisis in the Southeast U.S, Begin said. We know that this community shares our vision for advancing sustainability and circularity, and we welcome the opportunity to bring significant social, environmental, and economic benefits to the region. Food waste is a daunting challenge, and Diverts innovative new facility will drive down food waste, convert it to renewable energy and soil enhancements, and create jobs. Thats a win-win-win for North Carolina, said NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. Nuveen Energy Infrastructure Credit, an affiliate of the $1.3 trillion asset manager of TIAA, has invested more than $90 million to fund the development of the Lexington facility. Diverts remarkable trajectory and strong operational track record exemplify the kind of impact-driven innovation that Nuveen Energy Infrastructure Credit is proud to support tackling critical global issues like wasted food while advancing sustainable solutions, said Julie Findlay, Nuveens mnaging director. Begin took time recently to discuss its plans for the facility, timeframe and goals. An edited version follows. Q. Explain how Divert determines between food that can be retained for human use and those that go to other purposes? A. Divert takes a three-pronged approach with its solutions to advance a circular economy, which we have trademarked as Prevent, Provide, Power. The company partners with its customers to help them prevent waste at the source. Food that is eligible for donation is sent to food banks or other partners. Any remaining unsold food products that cant be donated are brought to Diverts facilities and processed into carbon-negative renewable energy and soil amendment. Divert has engineered its own proprietary de-packaging solution to reliably process unsold food products. The food is carefully separated from its packaging to remove plastic containers and stickers in a way that doesnt release microplastics. Simultaneously during that process, Divert is collecting store level data to inform better practices and reduce loss. The data provides customers with actionable information on what food is being thrown away, identifying trends, to minimize and prevent waste and achieve diversion go Q. Can you give examples of how consumers in the Triad can have a hands-on experience with Diverts production and distribution? A. Consumers who want to get involved and do their part to minimize the wasted food crisis can focus on reducing the amount of food being thrown away in their own homes. In addition, they can engage with their local grocers on how they are managing their unsold food products and encourage improved donation practices. Consumers can also look to volunteer at their local food banks to help distribute food to people in need. Food businesses interested in learning more about Diverts services can reach out to sales@divertinc.com for additional information. Q. How challenging has it been in the Triad to find the employees you want, and how many are transferring from the Winston-Salem facility? A. Given the skilled local workforce, welcoming nature of the city and sustainably minded work, we are excited to bring on employees who are aligned with our mission. When the facility is operational, it will employ approximately 60 individuals, including plant managers, technicians, drivers and other roles. Q. Why was the Lexington site chosen, what are the advantages of the site in terms of logistics, infrastructure and customer base? A. The Lexington facility is in proximity to massive population centers across the region, which generate significant amounts of wasted food. In order to capture that food loss and have a positive impact on the environment and local communities, it was imperative that Divert identified a central location for this facility. In addition, Lexington is an ideal location for Divert due to its rich industrial manufacturing history, particularly in the furniture and textile industries. Because of this, the Lexington region will provide a solid and skilled local workforce for Divert. In the same vein, Divert recognizes that the city is committed to carving out its future as a thriving hub of growth and opportunity without losing its appeal as a welcoming place to live, work and visit, making it a preferred location for potential Divert employees. Jordan FM stresses urgency of ceasefire, humanitarian aid entry into Gaza Xinhua) 09:04, April 25, 2025 Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R) shakes hands with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto during their meeting in Amman, Jordan, on April 24, 2025. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) AMMAN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. "It is necessary to do everything required to remove all obstacles to the entry of aid, and then work toward achieving the just and lasting peace we in the kingdom seek as a strategic option alongside all Arab countries, because achieving such peace is the only real guarantee for the security of everyone in this region," he said. Safadi and Szijjarto discussed ways to enhance the friendship between Jordan and Hungary, develop bilateral cooperation, and strengthen ties within the framework of the strategic partnership with the European Union. The two ministers also discussed the situations in Syria and Lebanon and emphasized the need to support the stability of both countries, the statement said. For his part, the Hungarian official affirmed that Hungary supports the realization and implementation of the strategic partnership between the European Union and Jordan as soon as possible, according to the Jordanian statement. Szijjarto also stressed the importance of Jordan's role in curbing illegal migration to Europe, saying, "We are certain that without Jordan's responsible stance, millions of illegal migrants would have spread throughout Europe, and there would have been waves of migration that Europe could not have managed." Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R) meets with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in Amman, Jordan, on April 24, 2025. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R) and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto attend a joint press conference in Amman, Jordan, on April 24, 2025. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R, Rear) and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto (L, Rear) attend a joint press conference in Amman, Jordan, on April 24, 2025. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi speaks at a joint press conference with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto (not in the picture) in Amman, Jordan, on April 24, 2025. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto speaks at a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (not in the picture) in Amman, Jordan, on April 24, 2025. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Gaza, reaching an immediate ceasefire, fully implementing the prisoner exchange agreement, and allowing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. He made the remarks during a meeting in Amman with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, according to a statement by the ministry. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Alimat Aliyeva The European Commission (EC) has imposed a ban on its employees from holding meetings with representatives of organizations linked to Chinese tech giant Huawei. This decision follows an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in the European Parliament (EP) that may have benefited the company. According to sources familiar with the matter, EC officials are now prohibited from engaging with any lobbying groups or trade associations that represent Huaweis interests or act on its behalf. The restriction extends to all intermediaries connected to the corporation. Brussels reportedly introduced the ban on contacts and meetings with Huawei representatives in March, shortly after the Belgian federal prosecutor launched a probe into suspected corruption tied to the companys activities in the capital. The measure reflects growing concerns over potential foreign influence on EU policy-making, particularly in sensitive areas like technology and cybersecurity. The investigation, initiated by Belgian authorities, focuses on a 2021 case in which eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) allegedly received payments in exchange for supporting an open letter that downplayed geopolitical tensions between the EU and China and encouraged continued cooperation on 5G development. The letter was sent in February 2021 to three European Commissioners and has since become central evidence in the so-called "5G case." While Huawei was not named directly in the letter, investigators believe the message was orchestrated in its favor. This development comes amid broader EU efforts to tighten scrutiny on foreign lobbying and protect its institutions from undue influenceespecially in critical infrastructure sectors. The Huawei case echoes previous controversies involving Chinese influence operations in Europe and adds to the mounting geopolitical friction surrounding the rollout of 5G networks across the continent. MOUNT ZION Decatur Public Schools' four new board members and the three veteran members will have a daunting task right out of the gate. Superintendent Rochelle Clark announced several months ago that she plans to retire in June 2026, and the school board's most pressing task is to choose a successor. Board President Bill Clevenger, one of the speakers at the annual State of the Community luncheon held in Mount Zion Convention Center on Thursday, called that a tough job. Replacing Dr. Clark is the most important thing we'll do for the future of the organization, Clevenger said. The annual State of the Community luncheon hosted by the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce featured, in addition to Clevenger, Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, Forsyth Mayor Jim Peck, Mount Zion Mayor Lucas Williams, and Macon County Board Chairman Kevin Greenfield. Finding a new superintendent is top of the priority list, Clevenger said, and one reason for that is, during his 37 years living in Decatur, the district has had 17 superintendents. Clark's successor will be the 18th. We have to turn that tide, he said. We need consistent, stable leadership. The district has other issues, too. The Roadmap 2030 strategic plan, which included a component to study district facilities and create a plan to reorganize how they're used with an eye to future needs and decreasing enrollment, has temporarily been put on hold, Clevenger said. With four new board members and a new superintendent on the horizon, their input should be considered. They have to be part of the implementation, he said. The district is going to have to look different, and some changes are not going to be comfortable, but they're needed. Greenfield began his talk with jokes about running for senator to replace the retiring Dick Durbin, so he can get the $3 million in funding still needed to finish the Rea's Bridge project. Even though him and I were on opposite sides, I always found him to be a personable guy, Greenfield said. The mayor and I had several occasions to have lunch with him, even if I paid for it every time. Cooperation among government entities has created positive results, he said. A partnership between the county and the city of Decatur has resulted in the demolition of 19 ramshackle houses located outside of city limits, he said, and the new voting facility on Wood Street. The work to bring broadband to rural areas, through cooperation with Shelby Electric, has run into some snags, but work continues on that, and starting in July, thanks to a partnership with the city of Decatur, rural residents will have access to public transportation. If (government bodies) go together, Greenfield said, we have more success. Moore Wolfe discussed the Brush College Road project, which is about half complete, she said. The hope is that it will be finished by July 2026. The lake dredging has provided about 33 more days' worth of water for the city, but with so many things happening, she said, that's not enough, and that work will continue. What we're trying to do is put into place the foundation for businesses to stay here, expand here and grow here, and bringing businesses in, which has been exciting to watch, Moore Wolfe said. On the northeast side of town, all you see is growth, and that's just the beginning. There are a lot of things in the works that we can't talk about yet, but great things are happening. One of those is the Tillamook County Creamery Association plant, now in operation on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. They're making ice cream and we're all going to gain a lot of weight, she said. It's delicious, but it didn't stop there. They want to have a beautiful campus. And remember, that part of town isn't exactly on the Chamber of Commerce route to show people how great the city is. But if you drive by, it's lovely and it's going to serve as an anchor for that neighborhood to grow and revitalize. As for neighborhood revitalization, in the last year, the city has demolished 140 houses and six commercial properties. The list continues to grow, she said, but it's already made a difference. Clean energy projects, such as the solar panels over the Decatur Civic Center parking lot, soy-powered diesel pumps at Pilot, the opening of TCCI's facility on Wednesday, refurbished for electric vehicles. They were looking to locate overseas, Moore Wolfe said. She also lauded Durbin. Most Illinois legislators, she said, focus on the northern part of the state, but Durbin, whose home is in Springfield, never forgot Decatur and Central Illinois. Mount Zion is working on new multi-family housing due to a shortage of those facilities in the village, said Williams. Motorists will soon see traffic lights installed soon in the area of strip malls located along both sides of East Village Parkway and new housing going on there. Williams also noted the tax rate has dropped thanks to increased revenue and the parks have been upgraded there, as well. Peck quipped that he didn't know if anybody had noticed the work underway on U.S. 51 through Forsyth, getting a laugh from the audience. Route 51 is our front door and back door, and they're out there doing a little work, he said. The hope is that will be finished by late summer and the condition of the highway through Forsyth, he added, is key to their economic development. About 20,000 cars a day drive that stretch of road. Several new businesses have located or are building locations in Forsyth, he said: Starbucks, Five Below, a new fitness facility that will open in late fall owned by Matt and Hilary Crawford, and the upcoming cannabis dispensary that will be in the former Hickory Point Bank and estimates are that dispensary will provide the village with $500,000 in sales tax revenue. Horve Builders plans to take over the duplexes that have been part of Hickory Point Christian Village and open the road to public access, which will provide some sorely needed housing options. Carpet Weavers also has opened in Forsyth and a new Dollar General just held a ribbon-cutting for its new store. Seven pocket parks have been upgraded this year, and a new park, set to be a sports and nature park on Macon County 24, will have a fishing pond, a bike trail, a dog park, splash pad and playground/nature area. I truly believe it takes all of us to make a great community, Peck said. By Alimat Aliyeva The Austrian oil and gas company OMV has decided to shut down its network of hydrogen filling stations in the country due to high costs and low demand, Azernews reports. The four remaining stations will cease operations between June 30 and September 30. A fifth station in Vienna has already been closed. The announcement, made on April 22, marks the end of 13 years of investments in hydrogen as a "greener" alternative to conventional petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles. OMV opened its first hydrogen filling station in Vienna in 2012, followed by additional stations in Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, and Tyrol by 2017. For the rollout, OMV partnered with German chemicals company Linde, a global leader in hydrogen production and storage. H2 Mobility, a company formed by Linde, Daimler, OMV, and other partners (now majority-owned by private equity firm Clean H2 Infra Fund), has operated a network of over 50 hydrogen filling stations across Germany. The decision to shut down the Austrian stations stems from high operational costs and almost complete lack of demand, according to media reports. As of April 2025, only 62 hydrogen-powered vehicles were registered in the entire country. Of these, only 5 were privately owned, with the rest being company vehicles. For the owners of these vehicles, the closure of the stations is problematic, as there are no alternative fueling options, and hydrogen cars cannot use petrol or diesel. Brussels Signal reached out to OMV, which is partially state-owned, to inquire about the amount invested in the hydrogen filling station network but had not received a response at the time of writing. In 2015, during the opening of a hydrogen filling station in Innsbruck, Tyrol, OMV had described hydrogen as a "key technology of the future." Manager Alois Wach had called the fuel "nearly limitlessly available and low in emissions," referring to plans to use electricity from solar and wind power to generate hydrogen, which could then be used to fuel vehicles. Despite these ambitions, the process remains inefficient and expensive. In 2023, a study by consultancy BCG revealed that the costs of "green hydrogen" were more than twice as high as previously projected. Hydrogen cars are also relatively expensive. The Hyundai Nexo, a hydrogen fuel-cell powered car made by South Korea's Hyundai, cost nearly 70,000 when it was introduced in Germany in 2018. OMVs decision to shut down its hydrogen stations may signal a setback for hydrogen-powered transportation in Austria, and possibly across Europe. While hydrogen is touted as a promising energy carrier, its infrastructure development has faced significant challenges, particularly in terms of cost efficiency and demand. CHARLESTON U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly's 2nd Congressional District stretches from the southeast side of Chicago more than 130 miles south to Danville. The Democrat, who resides in Matteson in Cook County, traveled a bit farther south Thursday afternoon to speak at a town hall meeting in Eastern Illinois University's Phipps Auditorium. Kelly said her trip to Coles County, which is represented in Congress by Republican Reps. Mike Bost of Murphysboro and Mary Miller of Hindsboro, was prompted by House Democratic leadership asking its members to hold town halls throughout their home states. "Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or an independent, whether you vote or don't vote, you can have your voices be heard," Kelly said. The Coles County and the EIU Democrats hosted Thursday's town hall. Kelly and co-speaker Edwin Yohnka, director of communications and public policy with ACLU Illinois, fielded several questions from attendees about how their organizations are responding to actions of President Donald Trump's administration. Kelly, who was first elected in 2013, said her priorities in the House include blocking potential cuts to Medicaid. She said her district has 753,000 residents and 300,000 of them would be directly affected by such cuts. Sophomore Megan Fox, who is president of the EIU Democrats, noted that the university's administration has reported that 11 international students there have had their visas revoked. Fox asked, "As students, as community members, what can we do?" Kelly responded that concerned community members should call their senators and representatives. "They need to hear from a lot of people. Put the pressure on them. Don't let them off the hook," Kelly said. Yohnka said as hundreds of international students across the United States lose their visas, those who are concerned should demand some dialog from their local university administrations. He said universities can be almost complicit by not articulating the reasons they are being given for the visa revocations. Asked if Democrats are being aggressive enough, Kelly said they have varying beliefs and temperaments. Kelly said she can't be crazy with anger every day and has found that she needs to periodically take a break from watching the news. "I know people are saying we are being too nice, but we are fighting. We are all over this country doing town hall meetings, tele town hall meetings," Kelly said. "Some of us are a little more rowdy than others, but it takes all kinds to be a Democrat." Bost and Miller have not have held town halls in recent months in Coles County. Miller's staff did not respond to messages from the JG-TC about Kelly's town hall meeting. Bost said via a statement that town halls across the country have, unfortunately, become a magnet for organized protests and partisan activist groups. "I recognize theres a lot of division in the country right now; were dealing with some weighty issues," Bost said. "Thats why we need to hear from our constituents Republicans, Democrats, and independents without anyone feeling like theyll be shouted down or embarrassed by the other side." Bost said he welcomes his constituents exercising their First Amendment rights on telephone town halls, on social media, or by visiting or calling his office and expressing their support or disagreement. He said, "That's what our representative form of government is all about." "I can confidently say Central Illinois values are more closely aligned with the values and voting records of Mary Miller and Mike Bost than they are with Chicago Democrats," Bost said. "We know our districts, we communicate with our people, and we represent their interests in Congress." During Thursday's town hall, Kelly said she graduated from Bradley University in Peoria and remains actively involved with her alma mater and its community. Kelly, who has offices in Danville and the Chicago area, said she has spent a lot of time talking with constituents in her district's urban, suburban and rural areas, which include approximately 1,500 farms. "My philosophy is that whether you are urban, suburban or rural, most people want a job and a roof over their head, they want healthcare, they want a good education for their kids," Kelly said. "People bring up the same concerns and it's around a lot of those kitchen table issues." Town halls outside of the 2nd District could also raise Kelly's profile as a possible candidate for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's position now that he has announced he will not seek re-election. Kelly did not comment on this prospect during Thursday's town hall but referred to Durbin as a friend and mentor when asked about his retirement in 18 months. "It's a big loss," Kelly said. "He has been a great senator." A seismic shift in Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. policy for handling a failing national or regional bank foremost securing an acquirer as quickly as over a weekend is stirring memories of the Wachovia-Wells Fargo & Co.-Citigroup financial triangle of September-October 2008. The FDIC currently relies primarily on Dodd-Frank Act living wills that those banks are required to have to demonstrate how they would be dissolved. Those steps often require the use of what is known as a bridge bank, defined as Investopedia as a temporary, newly chartered national bank established by the FDIC to take over the assets, liabilities and operations of a failed bank until a permanent solution, like a sale to another bank, can be found. Establishing a bridge bank typically is an expensive solution, particularly if securing an acquirer takes weeks, if not months, rather than days. FDIC acting chairman Travis Hill said the regulatory agencys new policy is to stop relying on hypothetical failure scenarios during dire economic stress in favor of banks providing the operational information most relevant for the FDIC to quickly broker a deal or take over the failed banks operations for a short period. Under the new policy, banks would no longer be given a week or more to conduct due diligence on a failed bank. Preferred acquirers, particularly First Citizens Bancshares Inc. of Raleigh, would become more pivotal to the dissolution and recovery process. Citigroup taking over Wachovia What makes the FDIC policy shift noteworthy locally is that under those restrictions, Citigroup, and not Wells Fargo, would have been the acquirer of a collapsing Wachovia, the nations fourth-largest bank with $812 billion in total assets, in the early months of the 2008-11 Great Recession. The FDIC applied the over-the-weekend strategy in approving a Citigroup offer of $1 a share for Wachovia, along with massive FDIC financial assistance, culminating with its Sept. 29, 2008, announcement. Under Citigroup ownership, hundreds of jobs in Winston-Salem, tens of thousands of jobs on Wachovias Charlotte headquarters campus, and much of the banks branch network likely would have been on the chopping or divestiture block, according to banking analysts. That appeared to have been an acceptable sacrifice for an embattled FDIC anxious for a quick resolution to avoid a complete failure that could have produced a catastrophic depositors run on Wachovia reminiscent of the Great Depression. However, the FDIC along with Wachovia employees and shareholders were spared that outcome because Wells Fargo was allowed 10 pivotal days to review its withdrawn bid and come to grips with how to handle Wachovias bleak financial status. After Wells Fargo offered $7 a share for Wachovia with minimal FDIC financial assistance, the regulator rescinded its approval of the Citigroup offer and approved Wells Fargos on Oct. 12, 2008. Even though a worst-care scenario was avoided, Tony Plath, a retired UNC Charlotte finance professor, estimated the Carolinas still lost at least $100 billion in wealth as the once bluest of blue-chip stock lost nearly 90% of its value from its share price peak. Wachovias collapse ranks as one of the most significant financial events in the history of the American banking industry, Plath said. As Henry Paulson told the Senate Banking Committee at the time, the U.S. financial system was standing at the edge of the abyss in September 2008, and it quite literally came within a few hours of total collapse over the last weekend of that month. Plath said Citigroup would have dismantled Wachovia into its component pieces, keeping much of the corporate bank, assimilating Wachovias investment bank into its capital markets group in New York, and selling off the retail bank to a variety of possible buyers to reduce its acquisition cost. Instead, the turn of events lifted Wells Fargo into the rarified air of being one of four national banks with more than $1 trillion in total assets, as well as gaining a prominent East Coast operational presence at a steep discount. FDIC reasoning The FDICs primary goal with the new policy is providing stability to customers of a failed bank, as well as to the banking industry as a whole. The inspiration were the 2023 failures of First Republic, Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank. The FDIC said in May 2023 it would collect $15.8 billion in a special assessment over two years from national and regional banks to recoup its losses after its rescue of the three failed banks. The Silicon Valley failure cost the FDIC $20 billion, First Republic $13 billion and Signature $2.5 billion. The assessment to Bank of America Corp. and Wells Fargo was $1.9 billion apiece, while Truist Financial Corp. was $507 million. The 2023 bank failures served as a reminder of how costly and damaging a bridge bank solution can be, Hill said in a statement. Todays action is one step in shifting our approach toward maximizing the likelihood of a lower cost and more stabilizing resolution for large regional banks. Many are familiar with the deposit runs that Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank experienced before they failed, Hill said. But Silicon Valley and Signature also experienced significant deposit runs after failure upon reopening as a bridge bank. For example, Hill said Silicon Valley experienced a $40 billion deposit run before it failed and a $67 billion after it failed with a bridge bank in charge. Combined, those runs represented more than half of the deposits at the bank at the time of its failure. Signature experienced a run of $35 billion in deposits during the one-week period it operated as a bridge bank, representing just under half of the deposits at the bank at the time of its failure This melting ice cube problem is a common feature of bridge banks and conservatorships given that customers and counterparties will always question whether it is worth continuing to do business with an institution that has just failed and has a highly uncertain future, Hill said. Furthermore, prolonged turmoil can potentially be destabilizing to the banking industry and the broader economy. Our primary goal should be maximizing the likelihood of the optimal resolution option, which experience has demonstrated to generally be a weekend sale. Hill said in those scenarios in which a quick sale isnt feasible, a secondary objective should be to be prepared to operate the institution for a short period of time post-failure, while pursuing a sale of at least the deposit franchise as quickly as possible. Our motivation is to be as prepared as possible to rapidly market a large, failing institution with little advanced notice, so we are not flat-footed, as we were with SVB. We will ask questions such as: What information and data do bidders need? How should the information and data be presented? What type of transaction structures are more or less attractive? Is the documentation sufficiently clear? How else can the FDIC improve the bidding process? What happened to Wachovia? Wachovias stock was so prized over the decades that shareholders used it to finance charitable donations and church offerings, and to offset educational costs. Its dependable dividend provided retirees with a secure source of money outside of Social Security payments. Wachovias $25.5 billion purchase of Golden West Financial Corp. in 2006 at the height of the housing boom gained it a coveted West Coast presence to compete with fellow Charlotte-based Bank of America as well as an expanded loan exposure in risky alternative adjustable-rate mortgages. Some of those loans were interest only meant for high-net-worth individuals who could cover a years mortgage expense in a single payment, or people buying a home as a temporary residence with a job transfer. Wachovia took the approach of offering those loans as a mainstream mortgage option. The move, however, proved fatal as mortgage foreclosure rates soared with the collapse of the subprime loan market in the months before the start of the Great Recession. The overexposure to the volatile mortgage loans led to fiscal 2008 quarterly losses of $708 million, $8.9 billion and $24 billion the largest by a U.S. bank at the time. Meanwhile, top Wachovia officials extolled their belief that the bank would rebound, and the stock was a buying opportunity. By late September 2008, the FDIC, Citigroup and Wells Fargo negotiated for control of Wachovia. By that time, Wachovias share price had plunged from a high of $59.85 in April 2006 to $5.80 at the time the FDIC approved Wells Fargos deal. One banks loss, anothers gain First Citizens paid $16.5 billion to acquire $72 billion in Silicon Valley total assets, as well as its 17 branches that included First Citizens first locations in Boston, Chicago and New York City. The Silicon Valley acquisition has been the highest profile of 21 FDIC-brokered deals since 1989 for the Raleigh bank. As a result of being a preferred FDIC acquirer, First Citizens had grown to $221 billion in total assets. Frank Holding, First Citizens chairman and chief executive, said in a 2023 interview with CNBC that First Citizens continuing successes in the FDICs bidding process is not just the function of the quality of bid we put and the competitiveness of it, but also the strength and stability and soundness and expertise that we bring to the transition, which we think adds stability to our industry. Another monumental takeover of a failing bank was BB&T Corps assumption of $22 billion in total assets from a collapsed Colonial BancGroup in August 2009. Colonial, a major provider of real estate loans in several boom-to-bust housing markets, represents the biggest bank failure of 2009. BB&Ts takeover of Colonial gained the bank significant market share in Florida and allowed it to branch out of its Southeast core into Texas for the first time. Plath compared the First Citizens takeover of Silicon Valley to that of BB&T and Colonial in that they were cases of corporate euthanasia that put those banks out of their misery before things got worse. In both cases, Plath said, since no other qualified and healthy bank emerged to acquire either collapsing franchise, the FDIC basically went out and found a buyer in each case and then negotiated the acquisition terms with BB&T and First Citizens directly. The FDIC certainly didnt want the failures of Colonial or SVB to turn into the complete disaster that was Wachovia, which is where the idea of living wills came from in the first place. Thats why the banks got great acquisitions for next to nothing. The FDIC was a very motivated proxy seller in each case. By Alimat Aliyeva South Korea has requested that the United States make exceptions in its tariff policy for South Korean goods. In return, the Republic of Korea has offered cooperation in the fields of energy and shipbuilding, Azernews reports. On April 24, consultations were held in Washington between representatives from South Korea and the United States, with South Korean Finance Minister Choe Sang Mok, Commerce Minister Ahn Dok Geun, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer in attendance. "Minister of Commerce Ahn Dok Geun proposed several bilateral projects aimed at revitalizing American shipbuilding, enhancing the energy security of the Republic of Korea, and improving bilateral trade relations. He also requested exemptions from reciprocal duties for South Korea and industry-specific duties," the statement read. "The consultations were held in a friendly atmosphere." Earlier in April, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on South Korean goods would be raised to 25%, though he reduced them to 10% for a period of 90 days. Additionally, the U.S. administration imposed a 25% tariff on all imported cars starting April 3. South Koreas offer of cooperation in energy and shipbuilding reflects a broader strategy to strengthen its relationship with the U.S. by addressing key areas of mutual interest. Given the growing global focus on energy security and the rise of green technologies, these sectors are likely to be key points of collaboration in the future. An election structure approved 35 years ago by the North Carolina General Assembly to ensure Black representation among Forsyth County commissioners continues to do just that. Two of the boards seven current members are Black. That ratio closely tracks the countywide Black population, as it did in 1990 when Forsyth first elected commissioners by districts rather than countywide. But like the gerrymandered North Carolina General Assembly and two congressional districts encompassing Forsyth County, the commissions political balance does not mirror its constituency. The unusual system of two multi-member commissioner districts and a single countywide seat established by the legislature in 1989 to create diversity on the board ultimately has helped Republicans protect their 4-3 majority in a county where Democrats now make up 35.4% of registered voters while the GOP accounts for 27%. At 37%, unaffiliated voters make up the largest share countywide, but election results show they consistently favor Democrats, a trend that has tilted Forsyth leftward politically even as it remains the most-populous county in the state with a Republican-dominated board of commissioners. Consider these election statistics: In 2024, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Forsyth 57.8% to 42.6% over Republican Donald Trump. The countys closest outcome in a statewide race last year was for insurance commissioner, where the Democrat prevailed 55% to 45%. The last Republican presidential candidate to prevail in the county was George W. Bush in 2004. In the most-recent race for the single countywide at-large commissioner seat, Democrat Dan Besse won by 10 percentage points in 2022. Four years earlier, his predecessor finished 14 percentage points ahead of the GOP nominee in a race that also included a Green Party candidate. Huge implications Forsyths unusual doughnut-and-hole map that initially packed Black voters into an urban district and whites into a suburban district has likely become so entrenched that residents dont give it a second thought, said Katelin Kaiser, policy director at Democracy North Carolina. I think so many times people are focused on state redistricting or congressional redistricting, she explained. But local power is so vital to actually affecting change despite whats going on at the state and federal level. A structure that more closely tracked with the countys voter demographics and tendencies would likely flip control to Democrats and potentially drive a philosophical shift, particularly at this time of year as commissioners deliberate over future county spending. Budgeting has huge implications for residents not only for the next fiscal year but potentially for a decade, depending on what sort of decisions theyre making, she explained. Consider the situation faced by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and the Democrat-majority board of education as they grapple with a funding shortfall for this year while planning their next budget in the face of growing uncertainty over the future of state and federal funding. Commissioners must approve the WS/FCS funding request by June 30 as part of the countys overall budget. A board of commissioners and board of education with Democrat majorities would likely impact their relationship. A flip to Democratic control also could shift other spending priorities, as well as the commissions positions on growth, housing and social issues. I would be interested in understanding whether or not voters in Forsyth are happy with the decisions that the commissioners are making, Kaiser added. Is there something that has not been addressed? For most of an overflow crowd at a March county commissioners meeting, where a contentious issue ended in a party-line vote, the answer to that question would be an emphatic yes. Thats when Republican commissioners rejected a motion by Democrat Besse to move five of the boards regular meetings annually from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Critics complained that the earlier start time made meetings inconvenient if not impossible to attend for many constituents. The panels three Democrats supported the measure while the three Republicans present (Commissioner Richard Linville missed the meeting) voted no, effectively killing the motion with the tie. Forsyth Countys board of commissioners is an outlier, theyre an aberration, Fred Lewis, an attorney who recently moved here from Texas, claimed during the public comment period. And frankly, theyre out of touch. Commission Chairman Don Martin suggested that technology has made public officials accessible enough that it doesnt make any difference to me when meetings are held. That didnt sit well with critics. Its much harder to ignore people standing in front of you than 10 emails in your inbox, Marsie West, a recent Democratic candidate for commissioner told the board. Howd we get here? The General Assembly approved the current two-district arrangement in 1989 after a three-year legal battle between the county and the local branch of the NAACP. In a federal lawsuit, the civil rights organization argued that Forsyths all at-large election method for commissioners diluted Black voting strength by making it more difficult for Blacks to be elected. The two sides reached an agreement just as the U.S. District Court trial was scheduled to begin in June 1988. But that proposed plan which would have retained the countys system of at-large representatives but allowed candidates for primary elections to be nominated from five districts, including one in which residents were 92% Black was scrapped nearly a year later. Instead, in May 1989, the legislature approved a system with two districts whose representatives were apportioned according to population. One district, with a 65% Black population, would elect two commissioners while the second, which was about 95% white and contained twice as many residents, would have four representatives. A single commissioner would be elected in a countywide vote. While the compromise achieved a goal of electing two Black commissioners, such diverging multimember districts can contribute to political divides theyre intended to close, said Leslie Winner, an attorney and former North Carolina Senator who was involved in multiple successful legal challenges of voting districts. This particular type of system is one that I always advised clients against because its too much us against them, explained Winner, who represented plaintiffs in a lawsuit that ended with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1986 that multi-member North Carolina legislative districts diluted Black voting strength. You have this little minority block and a bigger white block. Its better to have everybody on the same footing representing the same number of people, added Winner, who also served as executive director of the Winston-Salem-based Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. It gives more opportunity for coalitions (and) theres just more fluidity in the actual governance. More of the same? The dual Forsyth districts and one at-large seat implemented for the 1990 election remain today, although they are adjusted slightly by commissioners every decade most recently in 2021 with the release of new U.S. Census data. However, the 4-3 Republican majority in a decidedly Democratic county should raise questions among Forsyth voters and elected officials, insisted Democracy North Carolinas Kaiser. Im thinking about the opportunity commissioners had in 2021, she said. Why was the redistricting process not moving forward and why arent they getting the Forsyth (legislative) delegation involved? By law, because it created the commissions two-district system, the General Assembly is responsible for any modifications in how the board is elected, explained Forsyth County Attorney B. Gordon Watkins III. However, as Kaiser noted, commissioners could approach Forsyths legislative delegation about introducing a local bill to redraw the boards districts, adding at-large seats or doing both. There is a time-tested alternative. In 1992, after a separate local legal challenge by the NAACP, the legislature scrapped Forsyths nine-member at-large school board in favor of a system that followed the same two-district model used to elect commissioners. However, to keep the school board at nine members, the new structure created three countywide seats along with six from the two districts (two from A and four from B). As a result, Democrats hold a 5-4 majority on the board because they control the three at-large posts. But dont expect the school board to be a model for restructuring the board of commissioners, Kaiser suggested. In an age of partisan protectionism, a Republican-controlled board of commissioners is unlikely to ask Forsyths seven state legislators five of whom are Republicans to introduce a local redistricting plan in a GOP-controlled General Assembly, Kaiser predicted. If they are receiving the results that they want, theyre probably not going to change the local act that created those districts, she concluded. By the numbers Countywide At-large commissioners: 1 Registered voters: 265,954 Black: 24% White: 59.4% Democrat: 35.4% Republican: 27% Unaffiliated: 37% District A Commissioners: 2 Registered voters: 78,427 Black: 45.6% White: 32.4% Democrat: 51% Republican: 13% Unaffiliated: 35% District B Commissioners: 4 Registered voters: 187,527 Black: 15% White: 71% Democrat: 29% Republican: 33% Unaffiliated: 37% Move over, Nashville. Make some space, Austin, theres a new place for local musicians to nurture their talent. Welcome, Lincoln, to the Music Box or MBX the first piece of Lincolns long-anticipated downtown music district a unique space along 14th Street between O and N streets designed to foster the citys live music scene. The Music Box is more focused on the musician than the audience, a space for bands to practice as well as a spot to cultivate new musicians, giving them a chance to perform on stage and learn all facets of the music industry. The whole goal is to seed the city, said Philip Zach, who owns The Grid Studio, a downtown recording studio. A kid born in Nashville doesnt have more talent than a kid born in Lincoln but he or she has access to expertise and access to tools that push them toward creativity for a living. What if Lincoln nudged young people in that way? Thats the whole goal of Music Box. The idea for a music district began with the citys 2018 master plan for downtown along 14th Street, and while most of the attention has been focused on the area north of O Street on the block where the iconic Zoo Bar sits 14th and O streets is really the epicenter, said Todd Ogden, Downtown Lincoln Association president and CEO. The Music Box space just north of the citys new American Job Center at 1330 N St. included what was once a bank drive-thru and empty office space that the mayor wanted to find a use for once the job center opened, Ogden said. Many of the ideas for the Music Box began with a Leadership Lincoln focus group, and it was one of the first projects the city and the Downtown Lincoln Association wanted to pursue particularly after the association got two federal American Rescue Plan Act grants totaling $2.25 million through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. We had kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we thought that would be a great use of those dollars, Ogden said. The city didnt want to compete with existing downtown venues that bring in live music, Ogden said, but wanted to support them. So they created a space for bands to rehearse or warm up, but expanded the idea to incubate and cultivate new musicians. That's the idea that motivated Zach, who served on a Downtown Lincoln Association board working on the music district. What really got me excited about being part of the process was incubating the next generation of Lincoln musicians, he said. That starts with access to those tools. That meant a full-fledged stage with sound and lights equipment that could help not just budding musicians but the people who work behind the scenes. What if were creating a whole generation of people who know how to survive in the music industry right here in Lincoln? he said. Zach and Zach Watkins will administer the Music Box and its education program, which has three initiatives, Zach said. One is a membership program, which will allow musicians access to the space to use as a recording studio or to rehearse or for small performances, he said. The second is an academy, which will train aspiring musicians in everything from sound and lighting to songwriting, creative production and the financial side of the music business. It will be tuition-based but scholarships will be available. Zach said theyre in discussions with a number of educational institutions to collaborate on programs high schools, including The Bay, which is a Lincoln Public Schools focus program, and the University of Nebraska, among them. The third initiative, he said, is an artist development program, which will work with select aspiring musicians on production, branding and will end with a live performance and performance critique. What were trying to do is equip those artists to outgrow our space, he said. To equip Lincolns musicians with every tool they need to survive fulltime. There are similar spaces in other cities, such as Fort Collins, Colorado, that offer similar education opportunities, but the space Lincoln has created with the stage and lighting equipment makes it unusual, Ogden said. The space also includes an LED wall at the back of the stage. It really recreates that stage, a top of the line stage to rehearse, he said. It has everything a venue has but not the audience or the alcohol. One of the cool parts of the project, he said, is that the city worked with two groups based in the area of the music district: the architecture firm HDR and Bluerock Construction, which is owned by Concord Management, a company that owns Lincoln Flats condominiums on O Street between 13th and 14th streets. Cole Wycoff, with HDR, said the project was unique in every possible way and working closely with all the partners involved made it special in a location just around the corner from his office. The stage opens up to the alley area (once a drive-thru) by a glass overhead door, and they are working with local artists to do murals in the alley, Ogden said. The Music Box used about $350,000 of the grant money, and the rest will be used for the other parts of the music district, which will include branding work, adding public speakers to pump music into the area along 14th Street, and turning a parking garage area north of O Street into a more interactive space, including lighting and music on the ground floor. The music district will coincide with a city project to enhance Lincolns downtown corridors, but the Downtown Lincoln Association grants will allow them to go beyond the streetscape projects the city can do with its own dollars and tax-increment financing, Ogden said. On Thursday, the city celebrated the opening with a nontraditional news conference including live music by local band Nudibrunch, who would perform later at the Zoo Bar. Vilis Lipins, one of the band members, got a tour of the place before the news conference. It was the first hed heard of it. He liked what he saw. Its a great way for a local artist to get more involved, he said. We just play in our basement. This is better for us. We were pretty blown away by what we saw today. We werent expecting that level of professionalism. Aris Stepe, another band member, said he was impressed by the Music Box after they opened the news conference. The sound is incredible, we are speechless at how amazing it looks and feels, he said. Ogden awarded Nudibrunch with the first MBX membership at the end of the news conference, which Stepe said the band is looking forward to using to "level up" the band. Zach is convinced that if the Music Box had existed when he was starting out it would have saved him years of struggle. Its amazing to see Lincoln care so much about art and culture and the power of music, he said. I believe music can change our lives. I want to play a role in giving the opportunity to as many musicians as I can. Nebraska lawmakers took the first step Thursday toward eliminating nearly 40 different boards or commissions once created through legislative action but which are no longer operating or needed. The Legislature advanced the bill (LB346) introduced by Speaker John Arch of La Vista on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen on a 42-0 vote on Day 67 of the 90-day legislative session. Arch said the bill, which follows a similar measure brought by former state Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon last year, aims to reduce the number of committees in statute that are defunct or duplicated elsewhere in state government. According to a 2024 report from the Legislative Research Division, there are currently 240 commissions, boards, committees, and other entities created through legislative action. Pillens bill originally sought to remove 48 of those entities, but Arch said that number was narrowed by the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee before it was advanced to the floor. Generally, if there was any opposition at the hearing or a good case could be made and was made for keeping the board or commission intact, it was removed from the bill, he told senators on Thursday. Among the boards and commissions set to be eliminated by July 1, 2026, are the Nebraska Potato Development Committee, the Climate Assessment Response Committee, the Nebraska Aquaculture Board, the Natural Gas Fuel Board, the Advisory Council on Public Water Supply, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Advisory Committee, the Governors Residence Advisory Committee, Governors Keep Nebraska Beautiful Committee, the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council, and the Veterinary Prescription Monitoring Program Task Force. Other councils would be moved under the purview of executive branch departments and offices, including the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, which would be merged with the Board of Nursing; the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counseling, which would be merged with the Board of Mental Health Services; and the Vacant Building and Excess Land Committee, which would be rolled into the Department of Administrative Services. If passed, LB3467 would eliminate approximately 370 positions most on a volunteer basis appointed by the governor. On Thursday, an Omaha lawmaker successfully amended the bill to save another board the Racial Profiling Advisory Committee, which was created in 2003 saying its work was still needed. Sen. Terrell McKinney said LB346s plan to move the duties performed by the committee to the Nebraska Crime Commission was ill-advised. I believe an advisory committee is better suited than the Crime Commission to take on those duties, McKinney said. Arch said the 12-member commission currently has seven vacancies, and there was a perception that the duties had been assumed by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, but said he would entertain McKinneys motion to keep the Racial Profiling Advisory Commission intact. This was always approached with, if theres an objection and if this is a good function, then we continue with the committee, Arch said. Thirty-three senators supported an amendment from McKinney to remove the commission from the bill, keeping it in place for the time being. Other senators applauded LB346 for looking at ways to reduce the size of state government, and said the savings for taxpayers would be larger than what was noted by the Legislative Fiscal Office. Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, a former chair of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justices human trafficking task force, which would be eliminated from the bill, said the task forces duties had long been assigned elsewhere. Ive been waiting a long time for this day, Clouse said. Its just one of those things that has been on the books and never went away, and Im glad to see that all those duties are now undertaken by the attorney generals office. Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad said LB346 was supported by senators across the political spectrum. This is important legislation for what I hoped would be one of the most significant themes of the 2025 legislative session, Conrad said. Good governance, removing red tape, making government more efficient and effective and streamlined and modern. Conrad added that while the fiscal note was underwhelming, that eliminating boards and commissions would save the governors office time in recruiting, screening and nominating individuals to serve, as well as the Legislatures time in confirming those picks. If we can find some savings in terms of time or opportunity cost for both the legislative branch and the executive branch by the elimination of some of these antiquated or outdated boards and commissions, Conrad said, I do think that is an important step forward in terms of good governance. By Qabil Ashirov The second day of the Space Technology Conference (STC2025) has officially commenced in Baku. The event is being hosted by the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azercosmos). As on the first day, the conference agenda continues to focus on key topics such as "Earth Observation for Sustainable Regional Development," "The Role of Satellite Communication in Central Eurasia," and "Innovation and Investment in the Space Industry." On the opening day, Azercosmos signed several memorandums of understanding with leading companies in the field. Further agreements in the space sector are expected to be signed today as well. This prestigious event has brought together over 400 participants representing 112 organizations from 35 countries. Delegates from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, North and South America, as well as Africa, are taking part in the conference, reflecting its truly global scope. One of my friends from school studied with me in 9th grade. She was exceptionally pretty, the kind of beauty that stood out. She was the only daughter and had a younger brother. She got married at a relatively young age and had one son. After her marriage, she moved to another city. She lived in a joint family and had many responsibilities, managing a lot of issues on her own. Her parents lived in Islamabad. Her father was a deeply religious man who taught several students at various mosques and madrassas. He often engaged in Chillas, which are periods of meditation and solitude lasting forty days, commonly practiced by Islamic mystics and other spiritual seekers. His absences were so frequent that he was home for only a few days. Her mother was a strong woman who worked as a beautician and earned a good income. Her husband did not provide much financial or emotional support for the family, so she raised their children responsibly and eventually helped them get married. After their marriages, she let out a sigh of relief. However, it seemed that fate was not on her side. One day, my friend reached out to me to share that her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment was to be initiated in the oncology department at our hospital. Since my friend couldnt visit Islamabad frequently due to her responsibilities at home and with her in-laws, she entrusted me with the care of her mother. I understood her situation and promised to keep an eye on her mother. The day she came to visit us, I was the first to meet her. I had been waiting because my friend had texted me to say that she would be arriving soon. She was very young, extremely pretty, and it was clear that my friend had inherited her beautiful looks. I wanted to familiarize myself with her case, so I took her medical history. She was quite anxious about the diagnosis, but she felt relieved when she realized that her daughters friend was there for support. We exchanged phone numbers and began talking frequently. She began treatment for her stage 3 breast cancer, and the type of breast cancer she had is considered to have a somewhat better prognosis compared to other types. Initially, she underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery and then radiation therapy. Throughout her treatment, she experienced significant anxiety but placed a lot of trust in me. My reassurance often comforted her, and I admit that at times I even told her small lies just to ease her worries. After returning home each day, I would listen to her audio messages and then reassure her about various side effects and provide explanations regarding her treatment. To be honest, I often felt irritated by her frequent messages. However, I reminded myself that she was the mother of my friend, that her daughter was not there, and that she had no one else to support her. I never felt that she was just the mother of my friend; she was more like a mother figure to me. Perhaps she found a friend in me as well. Whenever she came during her chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she never left without meeting me. She usually waited to be examined by me, expressing that she trusted my opinion and felt relieved only after I had seen her. Although she was under the care of a very capable oncologist and I had no doubts about him, she was so anxious that she sought my opinion every single time. She was always appreciative of my care. After her radiation treatment ended, one day she left a gift for me with the PA, as I couldnt meet her that day. The PA handed me the bag, and I opened the gift when I got home. Inside, I found a lovely perfume, lipstick, metallic bangles, and an unstitched dress (shalwar kameez). My sister immediately snatched the perfume, the lipstick, and the bangles were given to someone else, and I was left with the dress. I had it stitched and wore it often. I enjoy using gifts given to me by others, and many of those gifts stay with me for years. After her radiation therapy, she began hormonal treatment with oral pills. This treatment was much easier for her compared to the earlier chemotherapy and surgery she had undergone, which helped lessen her anxiety. Although I had to provide reassurance on some days, I was relieved that she felt a little better overall. During one visit, she was sulking like a child and complained to me that her oncologist was being cruel. I found it amusing, and upon probing, I learned that she was upset because, after enduring so much, he still refused to say that her cancer was cured. She couldnt understand how he could afford using that terminology while she was still undergoing treatment. Although the treatment was milder, it was still ongoing. Nonetheless, she insisted that she wanted to hear the words you are cured. To make her feel better, I reassured her by saying she was cured, as she had requested. She seemed so relieved when she left that day. I felt guilty for saying it, but I believed I had no other option. Over time, she improved. Her hair grew back, and she started dyeing it, wearing makeup, and looking like the beautiful lady I had known before her treatment. She frequently sent me pictures of herself. I suggested she return to work so she could stay busy and not think too much about her illness. To be honest, I also wanted her to be occupied so she would bother me a little less often I know I was being selfish. The truth is, due to reassuring her multiple times on many days, on a subconscious level, I might have perceived she was cured, and her disease wont relapse ever. How foolish I was. Within a year of starting hormone therapy, she came to the hospital in the evening one day, coincidentally on a day when I was on call. The OPD was closed by then. She came to me and told me that she was experiencing headaches, balance problems, and memory issues that had persisted for a few days. I remembered that she had mentioned the slight memory issues before, but I hadnt taken her too seriously because I thought they were minor. In fact, during those days, I was facing more significant memory challenges myself due to the immense stress I was under. My long working hours, coupled with a heavy workload, endless exams, and the expectations of those around me were overwhelming. On top of that, I had to handle the non-stop text and audio messages each evening from friends, family, and cancer patients, along with ongoing problems at home. ADVERTISEMENT I arranged for her CT scan immediately. Our department has its separate CT machine that we use for radiation planning. This time, her husband was with her, even though he had been absent throughout her treatment. While she was in the CT room for a brain scan, I stood behind the glass door, watching the monitor screen. I silently prayed that she hadnt developed brain metastasis. My heart raced erratically during those two minutes as she underwent the scan. I tried to calm myself by reciting Quranic verses, but, as I feared, the scan showed brain metastases and significant edema. I felt weak in the knees. When she emerged from the CT room, I could see the concern on her face, and I knew she must have sensed something was wrong. She kept asking me repeatedly what had happened. I was searching for her husband so I could explain the situation and discuss the next steps in her treatment. I had her sit in the waiting room while I took her husband aside to explain what had happened. I admitted her to the ward and started her on steroids. I then called my senior, who was her attending physician, to discuss her medications. He advised me on the treatment plan and informed me that he would see her first thing in the morning. She repeatedly asked me what had happened, clearly extremely anxious. I explained that we had noticed some spots on the brain scan that might be causing her symptoms, and that she might need a different type of treatment. She was not satisfied with my explanation and kept asking the same questions. I called my friend to explain everything, and she became very worried. She planned to come to Islamabad as soon as possible. The next morning, when I went to see her, with my senior (her attending physician) I was filled with worry that day, wearing a face mask so she wouldnt see how pale I had become. She seemed more alert and noticeably better, although she had quickly returned to her questioning and interrogation mode. When she got to know that the cancer had relapsed in the brain, she was not willing to accept that. She began by remarkably challenging her oncologist, demanding to know why her cancer had relapsed, especially since she had a type of cancer that is more hormone-sensitive compared to others. My senior was taken aback; she even confronted him, asking how this could happen when I had assured her multiple times that her prognosis was good and she was cured. The oncologist did his best to counsel her and explain the further treatment plan. I tried to hide behind my senior, knowing he would later scold me for giving her false hope in the first place. To be honest, I was completely silent, with tears constantly falling into my mask. Thankfully, she couldnt see them because of my spectacles. When he came out of the room, he noticed my eyes and scolded me for crying. He questioned what kind of doctor I was, suggesting that I shouldnt be affected emotionally in such situations as a cancer doctor. He urged me to control my emotions and not to be a loser. I tried to compose myself; what other option did I have? She began radiation therapy and started on the next line of treatment. This time, she was fortunate; further brain scans showed that the progression of the disease had stopped, and she began to improve slightly. However, she was still anxious and frequently sought reassurance that she would get better. Her daughter began visiting more often, and her husband stopped going on his meditation trips to take care of her. This time, I was mentally prepared for the reality that she had stage four cancer, and I didnt have to lie to myself anymore. Her treatment continued, and for two years, she seemed to be doing well. Subsequent brain scans did not indicate any progression of the disease. Throughout this time, I continued to talk to her, but the communication became less frequent. As months went by, I felt a bit relieved knowing that there were people to take care of her now. After a few months, I started to experience some medical issues and became very sick. I took a leave of absence from work for three months and was quite unwell during that time. Gradually, I began to forget many things about my life, which made it difficult to remember the people around me. She didnt contact me for months, and eventually, I forgot about her as well. When I returned to work, I had forgotten about her completely. I dont blame myself for this now, as I had forgotten many things during that time. A few months later, I saw a WhatsApp status from my friend asking for prayers because her mother had passed away. My heart sank. I reached out to her to inquire about her mother. She explained that her brain metastasis had progressed significantly in the past few months. Her mother was placed on palliative care and became bedridden. She experienced altered consciousness and had forgotten most things. However, I still dont understand how she managed to survive in that condition for so long. My friend told me that she had taken her mother with her to her in-laws home, where her mother passed away peacefully, pain-free, one day by her daughters side. I was a little relieved to hear that she was apparently pain-free and her loved ones were by her side, but still I asked my friend if her mother had ever mentioned me. How could she have forgotten about her loyal friend? I also wanted to know why she never informed me about her mothers decline. My friend explained that her mother had asked about me a few times during her altered state of consciousness, but she didnt contact me as she did not want to bother me because she heard from the OPD staff that I was very sick and not in a condition to talk to anyone. I dont blame anyone for what happened. I dont blame my friend for not telling me, and I dont blame myself for forgetting her because I had been extremely unwell. Even if I had known, there was nothing I could have done to save her. Many days, I open my gallery to look at the beautiful pictures and videos she shared with me from the times when she was happy and felt better. Those were the days when she wore makeup, had dyed her hair, and looked like a princess. I know I could never have changed the course of events. But on some days, when I wear that dress, I wonder, if the dress is still here, where she is. Why did I often feel irritated by her messages? Why did she leave this world so soon? Why was I never able to see her or meet her during her last days? Why did I never get a chance to say goodbye to her? When she considered me her friend, why did she make me cry so much? It has been more than two years, but on some days, I feel angry at God for not granting me closure. Like time suspended, a wound unmended you and I. We had no ending, no said goodbye; For all my life, Ill wonder why. Lang Leav, Love & Misadventure I can do nothing for her except pray; I ask you all, wherever you are and whatever youre doing, to please say a little prayer for her. I would be grateful. Damane Zehra is a radiation oncology resident in Pakistan. Kervan (Photo by Hyemin Lee) If youve ever wandered the multicultural streets of Itaewon, you already know it feels like holding a passport to places around the world, especially through their food. Among the many international dishes youll find in Itaewon, Turkish cuisine stands out with bold flavors and rich spices! Rooted in Mediterranean tradition and Central Asian heritage, it is more than just a cuisine but a cultural bridge between East and West. Heres how I enjoyed my Turkish food journey in the heart of Itaewon without ever leaving Korea! (Map of Korea by Stripes Korea) Kervan - Authentic Turkish restaurant in Itaewon Kervan (Photo by Hyemin Lee) (Photo by Hyemin Lee) (Photo by Hyemin Lee) (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Every time I visit Seoul with my husband Ryan, its almost tradition for us to head to Itaewon. For my husband, a true Turkish food lover, Itaewon is like a dream come true where he can hunt for new Turkish dishes. This time, I found a spot with the best reviews that I hoped would impress us both. As soon as I stepped into Kervan, it almost felt Id left Korea for a moment. Surrounded by colorful tiles, mosaic lanterns, Turkish music and the aroma of flavorful spices, the atmosphere instantly made me feel like walking into a cozy, busy restaurant in Istanbul. It didnt take long to realize that we finally found the first Turkish restaurant in Korea that truly hit the mark for both of us! The menu includes a wide selection of Turkish favorites like kebabs, grilled meats, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). As most dishes were authentic Turkish plates, it was hard to recognize many of the names. Thankfully, the menu was clearly written in both Korean and English with ingredient descriptions. Whether youre new to Turkish food, vegetarian, or seeking halal options, its easy to find a perfect dish that suits your taste. They also had great starters like a Mediterranean-style Greek avocado salad and creamy hummus. But for my meat-loving husband, I let him choose Sac Kavurmaa lamb dish braised with onions, tomatoes, and peppers and a mixed Turkish BBQ set. The set came with fresh Turkish bread, warm soup, and a drinkeither soda or Ayran, a traditional salty yogurt beverage. I asked the waiter if Ayran would taste okay for foreigners like us. He smiled and said, Youll find out only when you try. I asked my brave husband to try Ayran while I ordered soda. A bit strong for us, the ayran was the only part of the meal we didnt finish. We did, however, devour the sac kayurma. If you enjoy lamb, you must try it. The tender lamb pieces were deliciously soaked in tomato-based broth. We started wrapping mouthfuls of the juicy lamb with soft lavash bread, just the way my husband loves. That moment was a genuine Turkish experience. Later, as I insisted, we mixed Turkish fried rice with the warm, savory leftover broth. The fusion of western and Asian flavors was incredible and delicious. The assorted Turkish BBQ was even more impressivea flavorful platter of five kinds of grilled meat served with fried potatoes. Each bite, whether lamb, chicken, or beef, was tender, smoky, and perfectly seasoned. It was a large dish, but once we wrapped them in lavash bread with a spoonful of tzatziki (yogurt sauce), it disappeared in no time. It was a bite of heaven! The restaurant also serves a variety of delightful Turkish desserts like Kaymak, a thick and clotted cream served with honey. You can enjoy it there after your meal or take some home. Kervan is perfect for date nights, friend or family gatherings or anyone curious about an authentic Turkish experience no passport required. What makes this place so special is the Turkish chefs truly bring the heart of their homeland to every dish. My husband is still dreaming of their Turkish BBQ platter. Just make sure to come hungry and bring someone to share with because they have many good options! Address: 192 Itaewon-ro, Youngsan-gu, Seoul or near Line 6. Itaewon Station Exit 3 NAVER MAP: https://naver.me/5XJIv8eu Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 a.m. (next day) year-round Prices for two: Approximately 40,00070,000 won Alpedo Turkish bakery and cafe (Photo by Hyemin Lee) (Photo by Hyemin Lee) (Photo by Hyemin Lee) (Photo by Hyemin Lee) (Photo by Hyemin Lee) baklava (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Our Turkish food journey wasnt complete we finished dessert time at Alpedo, a beloved Turkish bakery and cafe just a short walk from Kervan. This cafe truly felt like discovering a hidden gem in a small Istanbul alley. Beautifully filled with the scent of honey and an array of sweets, cakes and pastries, Alpedo is a feast for the eyes. They looked not only delightful but also uniquely exotic. Many items were very affordable, priced around 1,000 won to 3,000 won which was also an exciting part. Before entering the shop, we promised ourselves that wed order only one small item as we were so full from the big Kervan meal. However, when we stepped into this dreamy dessert spot, we couldnt help but said, Maybe we can take it to go if we cant finish. In the end, we left the cafe with empty hands but dangerously full bellies. The cafes pre-packed cookies looked perfect for gifting or enjoying at home. Its easy to see why many locals and Turkish people in Seoul stop by to grab their favorite sweets. One of the must-try items at Alpedo is baklava, a sweet, crispy pastry made of thin layers of phyllo dough, filled with pistachios or walnuts soaked in honey or syrup. Make sure to grab a free sample of baklava that is sure to entice you to purchase some more treats. Kaymak, a clotted cream dessert served with honey and bread, is another dessert at Alpedo and reason why theres always a long line at peak time. Alpedos Turkish coffee, brewed over hot sand and served with a piece of Turkish delight, a sweet confection, wasnt just a simple drink. It was more like a cultural experience. Watching the brewing process in the traditional way was both fascinating and fun! Please note that Turkish desserts tend to be on the sweeter side, so they may not suit everyones taste. But if you enjoy rich, exotic treats that bring a taste of another culture, Alpedo is a fantastic spot to end your Turkish food journey! Country Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America 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 Politicians need to be accountable to voters, Laura Benjamin believes, and she is ready to take on those who she says threaten constitutional rights and democratic principles. She hopes to be the next U.S. representative for the 3rd Congressional District, which would be a big shift for voters. Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden is in that seat now for a second term which began in January. Im running because we need leaders who work for the people they represent, not billionaires, not mega corporations, and not people who are in it to enrich themselves at the expense of their constituents, she said Tuesday. Benjamin, a Democrat from Eau Claire advocated for progressive policy changes at her first campaign event at The Brewing Projekt in Eau Claire Tuesday night. I see a future for America that uses its immense wealth to provide the things that other nations just take for granted she said. Things like universal health care; affordable child care; free Pre-K and college education; paid family leave; labor rights; home ownership; bodily autonomy; food security; clean energy; clean air and water. Her platform centers on a reform agenda. If elected, she wants to hold other politicians accountable, she said, and stand against any person or policy that threatens the rights of U.S. citizens. Even if those politicians are at the highest levels of power. If youre too scared of losing your job to stand up for the Constitution, you shouldnt be in Congress, she said. Benjamin is stepping into the political ring to fight. I recognize the moment that were in, she said. Im not scared to stand up and fight while others are fearful. Reports that U.S. citizens have been deported alongside illegal immigrants are alarming, she said. We have an administration that has committed crimes against the Constitution, kidnapping 3,500 people without due process including an American citizen violating habeas corpus and engaging in cruel and unusual punishment, sending human beings outside our jurisdiction to what amounts to a modern-day concentration camp. Democrat or Republican, when a president repeatedly defies the founding law of this country, it is the duty of Congress to stop them, she said. Im ready to fight that fight right now, even as a candidate, and take the blame to Derrick Van Ordens doorstep because he and other congressional Republicans could take action today and because a Constitution that fails to protect one of us fails to protect any one of us. Basic rights Inclusivity and protections for diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ and minority groups are priorities for her campaign. These are not far-left radical ideas. They are basic rights, she said. Listening is the core of democracy, Benjamin said, and she has been active in local politics, attending meetings to hear from residents in the 3rd District about what they want and need, and will continue to be through the election, she said. Currently she is working to better understand the issues facing Wisconsin farmers and the ag industry. Van Orden has positioned himself as champions of both. Its certainly an area in which I am less experienced. But what I do know from what Ive observed so far is that I think that its important to put the small- and mid-sized family farms that we still have in the 3rd Congressional, to the forefront, she said. Benjamin said she wants to help those impacted by tariffs on agricultural products, underscoring the need to mitigate their effects. She said the Farm Bill is something that needs to happen to give farmers some stability, and she supports policies to provide relief for labor shortages on farms to reduce the impacts of tariffs. Building a vision At least three Democrats will square off in the 2026 primary for ther 3rd District race. Whichever of the three garners the most votes will advance to the general election against the Republican candidate. Van Orden has yet to announce if he will seek re-election. In the Democratic primary Benjamin will square off against Emily Berge and Rebecca Cooke both from Eau Claire. Benjamin must now set herself apart from two other liberal candidates. What makes me a little bit different is that I have a background in building a vision, she said. When youre building a business, building a campaign, building a vision for what a country can be, you set some goals, and you start to build the plane while youre flying it thats something I am uniquely suited to do. Berge, Eau Claire city council president, and Benjamin both announced last week. In March, Cooke announced she would run a second time just four months after she lost to Van Orden in the general election. Benjamin said she thinks of herself as less of a moderate than Cooke. Rustin Provance also declared his candidacy for the 3rd District as an independent. For Benjamin whatever comes of the August primary and the November election, she said her priorities will remain. Im taking this responsibility seriously. I truly believe that the role that Im taking on right now is essentially a civilian leadership role, she said. I understand the weight of this responsibility, and Im going to be putting it to work for every one of you to try to make sure we can stop whats happening in Washington. By Akbar Novruz The capital of Azerbaijan is set to host a major civil society milestone with the launch of the Global South NGO Platform, a first-of-its-kind initiative bringing together non-governmental organizations from across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. The founding conference will take place on April 2829 at the Baku Congress Center under the theme Solidarity: Strengthening Global South NGOs for a New and Just World, . In a brief speech at the platform, Ramil Iskanderli, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, highlighted that this platform will unite NGOs from countries representing two-thirds of the world.It is an honor and pride for us that the initiator of this platform is the civil society of Azerbaijan, he stated, recalling that the idea was officially proposed at a COP29 side event in November 2024. Since then, the initiative has garnered widespread international backing, with more than 1,000 NGOs from around 140 countries signing a joint declaration of support. The COP29 NGO Coalition 84 percent of whose members come from developing nations also played a central role in advancing this vision and called for the institutionalization of the platform. Azerbaijans National NGO Forum was requested to lead the process, a responsibility it has embraced with the support of the Agency for State Support to NGOs. Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the Agency, described the platform as a product of COP29s transformative influence: This initiative, which emerged during Azerbaijans active chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, has gained unprecedented global support and reflects the trust in Azerbaijans commitment to a more just and equitable world. Nadima Rahimli, Deputy Chairman of the Public Union For the Social Welfare of Citizens, underscored the diplomatic significance of the event, noting that the Global South NGO Platform confirms Azerbaijans growing role as a bridge between the Global North and South. The conference will feature speeches by prominent international NGO leaders and discussions highlighting the enduring relevance of the Bandung Principles adopted in Indonesia 70 years ago. These principles advocate for peaceful coexistence, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference values that underpin the Global Souths vision for a fairer global order. With over 110 countries set to participate, the event is expected to become a cornerstone in the global civil society movement and a new chapter for Azerbaijani NGO diplomacy. Two new Lake Geneva City Council members and two incumbent members have officially begun their terms. Newcomers District 1 Alderwoman JaNelle Powers and District 3 Alderman Brian Smith were sworn in along with incumbents District 2 Alderwoman Linda Frame and District 4 Alderwoman Catherine Stoodley by City Clerk Lacey Reynolds during a City Council re-organizational meeting, April 15. The four aldermen were elected to the Lake Geneva City Council during the April 1 spring election. Powers was elected by defeating Robert Croce, who also was seeking his first term on the City Council. She received 379 votes, while Croce received 282 votes. Powers will replace former District 1 Alderwoman Shari Straube, who decided not to seek re-election. Straube served on the City Council since 2017. Powers said she is looking forward to serving the community she has called home during the past 36 years. "I have been a passionate volunteer for this community even before I moved here, and I'm very excited to continue in service as your alderperson," Powers said. "If anybody has a question or a request for me, please call, email or you can just knock on my door and we will sit on the porch or we will sit in my kitchen and talk. I'm happy to do that at anytime. It is my privilege to serve on your City Council." Frame was elected to her second term on the City Council. She ran unopposed during the election, receiving about 701 votes. She was first elected to the City Council during the spring 2023 election by defeating then incumbent John Halverson. Frame said she is thankful to the residents who voted for her and is looking forward to serving another term. "To all my members, neighbors and families in my district, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing me back to this," Frame said. "I've been here all my life in Lake Geneva, and I love, love this city. I've been to a lot of places and college, and I still came home and I traveled to other places, and I still came home. There's nothing like Lake Geneva." Smith ran unopposed during the election, receiving about 649 votes. He replaces former District 3 Alderwoman Peg Esposito, who did not seek re-election. Eposito was elected to the City Council during the spring 2023 election by defeating then incumbent Richard Hedlund. Smith, who has lived in Lake Geneva for about five years, said he is excited about being elected to the City Council. "I'm happy to be here. I'm very excited to get down to work," Smith said. "The town, to me, is a wonderful, welcoming place to live, and I'm excited to get down to work." Stoodley was elected to her first full term on the City Council. She ran unopposed, obtaining about 399 votes. Stoodley was appointed as a temporary member to the City Council Nov. 25, 2025 to fill in for former District 4 Alderman Ken Howell, who had been on leave during that time. She said she is looking forward to serving her first elected term on the City Council. "I want to say thanks to District 4 for voting for me this time. I also want to say I was blessed for given an aldermanic internship, unfortunately when Ken Howell was unable to be here at the council. Anyway, it gave me an opportunity to really see what goes on in the city and the community that I've been a fundraiser and volunteer for, for 30 years," Stoodley said. "So, I've seen a much different perspective of it. I'm thrilled to be a part of government. I'm grateful to be representing District 4, but I'm always here to represent everybody in the city of Lake Geneva, as well." The Lake Geneva City Council has eight members, with two aldermen serving each district. City council members serve two-year terms. Three times a charm for electing a City Council president Three times was the charm for electing a City Council president. Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier was nominated by Alderwoman Cindy Yager, and Alderman Joel Hoiland nominated himself. The aldermen were asked to vote for a City Council president by a secret ballot. The selected City Council president had to receive at least five votes. The first attempt was not counted because one of votes was written with a pen that did not work properly. "This one's invalid," Mayor Todd Krause. "We're going to start over and do a revote. I don't want to assume where it came from." The second attempt also did not count because one of the City Council members casted a write-in vote when two candidates already had been nominated. "There was a write-in vote, so it counted as a 'no' vote. So, now we're going to have to vote again," Krause said. "You should only be voting for either Alderman Fesenmaier or Alderman Hoiland. That's it. So when you vote, it has to be one of those two." After the third attempt, Fesenmaier was elected president of the City Council. Yager was elected vice-president of the City Council. She was nominated by Fesenmaier, and Stoodley was nominated by Hoiland. Committee members appointed The aldermen unanimously approved Krause's appointments to the City Council standing committees. Finance, Licensing and Regulation Committee now includes Alderwoman Sherri Ames, chairperson, Powers, Frame, Fesenmaier and Smith. Hoiland, chairperson, Powers, Fesenmaier, Smith and Yager were appointed to the Personnel Committee. The Piers, Harbors and Lakefront Committee will now consist of Yager, chairperson, Ames, Frame, Smith and Stoodley. Stoodley, chairperson, Powers, Frame, Fesenmaier and Hoiland were named to the Public Works Committee. Ames, Frame, Stoodley, Fesenmaier, Krause and Reynolds were selected as members to the Board of Review. Krause said he spent a lot of time selecting aldermen to their committees. "This was a lot of work," Krause said. "For the standing committees if you're a chair, you got one other assignment. If you're not a chair, you got three assignments and that's spread evenly." Non-standing committee members selected The City Council members also unanimously approved Krause's appointments to the non-standing committees. Avian Committee: Powers, Sarah McConnell, Karen Gallo and Kelly Happ. Powers' term is set to expire April 20, 2026. McConnell's, Gallo's and Happ's terms are set to expire April 19, 2027. Board of Park Commissioners: Yager, Dana Furlo and Jessica Pokorny. Yager's term is set to expire April 20, 2026, and Furlo's and Pokorny's terms are set to expire May 1, 2028. Business Improvement District Board: Stoodley with her term set to expire April 20, 2026. Cemetery Board: Frame and Ruth Ann Monico. Frame's term is set to expire April 20, 2026, and Monico's term is set to expire May 1, 2027. Hillmoor Commission: Yager, Larry Happ and Lowell Thompson. Yager's term is set to expire April 20, 2026, and Happ's and Thompson's terms are set to expire May 1, 2028. Historic Preservation: Powers, Halverson and Louise Rayppy. Powers' term is set to expire April 20, 2026, and Halverson's and Rayppy's terms are set to expire May 1, 2028. Lake Geneva Public Library Board: Ames, Dennis Lyon, Lynelle Gramm, Christine Brookes and Nicholas Vorpagel. Ames' term is set to expire April 20, 2026. Lyon's, Gramm's, Brookes' and Vorpagel's terms are set to expire April 17, 2028. Plan Commission: Hoiland and Kyle Cary. Hoiland's term is set to expire April 26, 2026, and Cary's term is set to expire April 17, 2028. Police & Fire Commission: Hoiland and Spyro Condos. Hoiland's term is set to expire April 20, 2026, and Condos' term is set to expire May 1, 2028. Tourism Commission: Fesenmaier, Frame, Brian Waspi, Shelley Rowell, Troy Migut and Zakia Pirzada. Fesenmaier's and Frame's terms are set to expire April 20, 2026. Waspi's, Rowell's, Migut's and Pirzada's terms are set to expire May 1, 2026. Tree Board: Ames with her term expiring April 20, 2026. Utility Commission: Fesenmaier and Smith with their terms expiring April 20, 2026. Zoning Board of Appeals: Robert McCormick with Eric Anderson serving as an alternate. Both terms are set to expire April 17, 2028. Chamber of Commerce Board: Yager with her term expiring April 20, 2026. Geneva Lakes Family YMCA Board: Stoodley with her term expiring April 20, 2026. Geneva Lake Environmental Agency: Fesenmaier with her term expiring April 20, 2026. Geneva Lake Museum Board: Powers with her term expiring April 20, 2026. Geneva Lake Use Committee: Frame with her term expiring April 20, 2026. Lake Geneva Economic Development Corporation Board: Hoiland and Smith with both of their terms expiring April 20, 2026. Lake Geneva Fire Chief John Peters was appointed emergency government director. His term is set to expire April 20, 2026. On 24 April Panamas leading teachers association Asociacion de Profesores (Asoprof) staged a second day of an indefinite strike in protest over the recently approved social security (CSS) reform, among other issues. End of preview - This article contains approximately 594 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 24 April Argentinas main opposition Partido Justicialista (PJ, Peronist) accused the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),, of intervening in favour of Presidentahead of mid-term legislative elections in October. End of preview - This article contains approximately 357 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Macau and Zhuhai police have dismantled a cross-border phone scam syndicate behind a Guess Who I Am scheme, arresting 13 suspects in Macau and five in mainland China. The group allegedly defrauded 26 victims of MOP1.11 million. Operating since October 2024, the syndicate used over 800 SIM cards registered with stolen identities. Police seized MOP64,000, 140 SIM cards, and electronic devices. Some suspects denied knowledge of criminal activity, claiming they were unaware of the schemes purpose. Related A survey revealed that 82% of respondents reported spending more time in the northern district thanks to the ongoing Flora Fete with Sanrio Characters campaign, while 75% indicated an increase in their spending in the area, according to the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT). Speaking during public broadcaster TDMs radio program yesterday, Yau Yun Wah, director of the DSEDT, stated that the event, which runs until October 13, was a resounding success. He added that in the first week of the events consumer lucky draw, spending exceeded MOP50 million. Yau pointed out that the success of the event demonstrates the feasibility of the intellectual property (IP) economy in driving community development. As a result, similar initiatives will be expanded to explore community revitalization efforts in other areas in the future. One listener asked whether the concert economy could be a more effective way to attract the younger generation to Macau. In response, Yau revealed that his bureau is currently coordinating with mainland platforms to roll out, in the second half of the year, consumption incentives for mainland tourists purchasing concert and sporting event tickets in Macau, aiming to boost the citys community economy. Also addressing the radio program, Vincent U, president of the Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), stated that this year, efforts will focus on promoting more domestic and overseas listings and attracting leading companies to invest in Macau. The aim is to achieve a 20% increase in the number of listed companies establishing operations in Macau, a 15% increase in international exhibitors and buyers, and the creation of over 1,000 job vacancies. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent leveled harsh criticism at the operations of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday even as he tried to reassure nervous investors that the United States would maintain its global leadership role. America first does not mean America alone, he said in a speech to the Institute of International Finance, where he also promised support for the multilateral banks core missions. To the contrary, it is a call for deeper collaboration and mutual respect among trade partners. Although Bessent said the IMF and the World Bank are falling short, he did not call for the U.S. to withdraw from the institutions, as some conservatives had advocated in a Project 2025 proposal created by the Heritage Foundation. He said the institutions serve critical roles in the international system. And the Trump administration is eager to work with them so long as they can stay true to their missions. It was the latest example of how Bessent, a former hedge fund manager who keeps a close eye on the financial markets, has tried to calm the economic turmoil as President Donald Trump tries to rewire international trade through aggressive tariffs. But his efforts to provide clarity have repeatedly bumped up against Trump, who has contradicted him on policy changes or suggested that more tariffs are coming in ways that have amplified a sense of uncertainty. That same drama played out later on Wednesday as Trump suggested he would choose tariff rates if no deals were reached. By the way, if we dont have a deal with a company or a country, were going to set the tariff, Trump said from the Oval Office. That will happen, I would say, over the next couple of weeks over the next two, three weeks well be setting the number. Trumps launch and then delay of new tariffs has created uncertainty about his policy goals, with the U.S. president indicating that he both wants new agreements and tariff revenues in order to reduce income taxes. That money is going to be used to reduce taxes, Trump said. Were going to get big, big tax breaks. The U.S. president also suggested that he might increase import taxes on autos from Canada. Trump has a 25% tariff on autos, although there are some exemptions related to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and automakers are seeking other policy changes to minimize the tariff burden. Trump has separate 25% tariffs on Canadian goods ostensibly to address drug smuggling into the U.S. I really dont want cars from Canada, Trump said, So when I put tariffs on Canada, theyre paying 25%, but that could go up in terms of cars. When we put tariffs on, all were doing is were saying, We dont want your cars, in all due respect. Trump cautioned that hes not currently considering additional auto tariffs, but he said there could be an increase. After Bessents remarks, reporters asked him about a Wall Street Journal article that said the huge U.S. tariffs that the Republican president has levied on China could be cut in half, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter. Bessent said: Id be surprised if that discussion is happening. However, he said he expects thered have to be a de-escalation from Washington and Beijings trade confrontation. Trump had said on Tuesday that the 145% tariffs on China could come down substantially. And then on Wednesday, he told reporters that everybody wants to be a part of what were doing and everyones going to be happy. Later in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News Channels America Reports that there will be no unilateral reduction in tariffs against China. The president has made it clear China needs to make a deal with the United States of America, she said. And we are optimistic that will happen. Still, Bessents speech in Washington represented a broadside against the IMF and the World Bank, which provide loans and other financial support around the world. He said the Trump administration will leverage U.S. leadership and influence at these institutions and push them to accomplish their important mandates. Some of Bessents criticisms echoed the Trump administrations efforts to root out progressive ideology from federal institutions. Bessent said the IMF has suffered from mission creep and devotes disproportionate time and resources to work on climate change, gender and social issues. He said there were similar problems at the World Bank, which he said should no longer expect blank checks for vapid, buzzword-centric marketing accompanied by half-hearted commitments to reform. Despite the criticism, Bessents support for the IMF and World Bank came as a relief for development bankers and analysts, who partly expected an announcement of a U.S. withdrawal from the organizations. Last October, Jay Shambaugh, former undersecretary for international affairs, alluded to a Project 2025 proposal for the U.S. to pull out of the IMF and World Bank if Trump won the 2024 election. Shambaugh said at the time that without U.S. leadership, We would have less influence and we would weaken these institutions. We cannot afford that. Bessent instead, conveyed a message of deepening U.S. involvement with the institutions. But one of the problems, Bessent said, is that China is still treated like a developing country, which gives it more favorable treatment from global institutions. With China as the second-largest economy in the world, he said, Its an adult economy. Despite growing friction between Beijing and Washington, Bessent said, There is an opportunity for a big deal here. FATIMA HUSSEIN & CHRIS MEGERIAN, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Wednesday that he doesnt expect the U.S. trade war with China to forestall the companys financial recovery, nor prevent it from reaching aircraft delivery targets with Chinese airlines now refusing to accept Boeing planes. Speaking on CNBC, Ortberg said that Boeing had three airliners in China ready for delivery but brought two of them back to Seattle so far because the Chinese airlines that ordered the planes stopped taking delivery of aircraft due to the the tariff environment. Beijing increased its import tax on American goods to 125% this month in retaliation for U.S. President Donald Trump raising the tariff on products made in China to 145%. Chinas tariff would more than double the cost of passenger jets that Boeing, the U.S. largest exporter, sells for tens of millions of dollars. While the company had planneda to complete 50 orders for Chinese airlines this year, Ortberg said Boeing was actively assessing options for diverting those jetliners to other interested buyers. Its an unfortunate situation, but we have many customers who want near-term deliveries, so we plan to redirect the supply to the stable demand, and were not going to continue to build aircraft for customers who will not take them, he said during a conference call with analysts. The standoff between Washington and Beijing is less of a threat to Boeing than it might have been a decade ago, when about one-quarter of the aerospace giants finished planes went to China, according to investment banking firm Jefferies. The companys business in China plummeted in 2019, when the country became the first to ground all Boeing 737 Max planes following a pair of fatal crashes that killed 346 people less than five months apart. Chinese airlines did not resume Max flights until January 2023, much later than other carriers in other countries. China currently accounts for about 10% of an order backlog worth $500 billion that Boeing expects will take into the next decade to clear, Chief Financial Officer Brian West said. About 70% of the commercial aircraft the company expects to deliver in 2025 are for international customers, West said. If tariffs cause countries besides China to retaliate and put off accepting planes, we would expect to see additional pressure on Boeings cash supply, he said. Given our position as a significant U.S. exporter, free trade policy across commercial aerospace remains very important to us, West said. Trumps pursuit of tariffs to counter what he describes as the unfair trade policies of other nations comes as Boeing looked to turn the page on a run of problems, including a panel blowing out of a 737 Max in flight and a labor strike that shut down production last year. The company saw its revenue and stock value drop sharply. Ortberg said the first-quarter financial results Boeing reported Wednesday indicated the companys recovery plan is in full swing and showing signs that its being effective, albeit early. Boeing posted an adjusted loss of 49 cents per share on revenue of $19.5 billion. The results topped the expectations of analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research, which called for a loss of $1.54 per share on revenue of $19.29 billion. The company also significantly reduced its cash burn to approximately $2.29 billion from nearly $4 billion in the prior-year period. Shares of Boeing, which is based in Arlington, Virginia, were up 6.6% in afternoon trading. Trump announced sweeping tariffs on April 2 that triggered panic in the financial markets and generated recession fears. The president put a partial 90-day hold on the import taxes but increased his already steep tariffs against China. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a speech on Tuesday that situation was unsustainable and he expected a de-escalation in the trade war between the worlds two biggest economies. MICHELLE CHAPMAN, MDT/AP South Korean prosecutors indicted former liberal President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges yesterday, saying that a budget airline gave his son-in-law a lucrative no-show job during Moons term in office. Moons indictment adds him to a long list of South Korean leaders who have faced trials or scandals at the close of their terms or after leaving office. Prosecutors allege that Moon, who served as president from 2017-2022, received bribes totaling 217 million won ($151,705) from Lee Sang-jik, founder of the budget carrier Thai Eastar Jet, in the form of wages, housing expenses and other financial assistance provided to Moons then-son-in-law from 2018-2020. South Korean media reported that Moons daughter and her husband were divorced in 2021. The Jeonju District Prosecutors Office said in a statement that Lee was also indicted on charges of paying bribes to Moon and committing breaches of trust. The prosecutors office said Moons former son-in-law was hired as a director-level employee at Lees company in Thailand even though he had no work experience in the airline industry. The office said he spent only brief periods at the companys office in Thailand and carried out only minor duties while claiming to be working remotely from South Korea. The prosecutors office said it had not found evidence that Moon directly performed political favors for Lee, but that Lee, who worked on Moons campaign, likely expected his assistance to be repaid. Lee was later named the head of the state-funded Korea SME and Startups Agency and was nominated by Moons party to run for parliament while Moon was in office. A former Moon aide on personnel affairs was earlier indicted over Lees agency job appointment, but prosecutors said she refused to testify during questioning so they were unable to find any direct evidence that Moon helped Lee win that position. Moons indictment comes before South Korea elects a new president on June 3 to succeed conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over an ill-fated imposition of martial law in December. Yoon, a former top prosecutor, now stands a criminal trial on rebellion charges connection with his martial law decree. Its unclear if Moons indictment will influence prospects for liberals to win back the presidency. But observers say liberal presidential aspirant Lee Jae-myung is heavily favored to win the vote as conservatives remain in disarray over Yoons ouster, although Lee also faces criminal trials on allegations of corruption and other charges. There was no immediate response from Moon. But his political allies at the main liberal opposition Democratic Party criticized the indictment, calling it a politically motivated attempt by Yoon supporters at the prosecution service to humiliate the former liberal leader ahead of the election. Youn Kun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker who worked at Moons presidential office, accused prosecutors of trying to divert attention from Yoons tragic end by putting Moon on trial to influence the election outcome. A Democratic Party committee separately warned it would hold the prosecution service to account for its indictment. Most past South Korean presidents have been embroiled in scandal in the final months of their terms or after leaving office. In 2017, Park Geun-hye, South Koreas first female president, was removed from office and arrested over an explosive corruption scandal. Parks conservative predecessor Lee Myung-bak was also arrested on a range of crimes, years after leaving office. Moons friend and former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun jumped to his death in 2009 amid corruption investigations into his family. Moon is best known for his push to reconcile with rival North Korea as he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times and facilitated the start of the high-stakes nuclear diplomacy between Kim and President Donald Trump. Moons supporters credit him with achieving now-stalled cooperation with North Korea and avoiding major armed clashes, but opponents say he was a naive North Korea sympathizer who ended up helping the North buy time to advance its nuclear program in the face of international sanctions and pressure. HYUNG-JIN KIM, SEOUL, MDT/AP Employment remains one of the most significant challenges facing society today, and prioritizing local job opportunities is essential. However, lawmaker Ron Lam argues that the current governments understanding of the social situation is fundamentally flawed. Since the release of the 2025 Policy Address last Monday, Lam has addressed the Legislative Assembly (AL) twice during Q&A sessions focused on the local job market. This included a debate on the portfolio of the Secretary for Economy and Finance on Wednesday. During the debate, Lam expressed that he would be more emotional than usual, voicing his dissatisfaction with the remarks made by Secretary Anton Tai Kin Ip regarding his portfolios 2025 policy guidelines, which notably failed to address the issue of non-resident workers. Approaching this change objectively, Lam acknowledged that the new government has been in office for only four months, particularly in light of current circumstances. Given that the leader, Sam Hou Fai, has a background in the judicial system, he may not be fully attuned to social affairs. There is widespread hope that the new government will adapt quickly. Lam, however, went on to emphasize the severity of the current economic situation, highlighting unemployment as a major concern that deeply worries residents. He shared that individuals across all age groups, from 18 to 80, have approached him to express their concerns about employment opportunities for the younger generation. Even some elderly individuals living alone have conveyed that, despite having no children, they still care profoundly about the future of the younger generation, he remarked during an interview with the Times yesterday. The lawmaker admitted that he had been emotional during Wednesdays legislative session and acknowledged the need to reflect on his behavior. However, he expressed his frustration with the Secretarys policy guidelines, feeling that the government had not adequately considered how to effectively manage and regulate policies related to non-resident workers. In response to Sams remarks at last Tuesdays legislative session, he noted that the number of non-resident workers last year was 182,542, a decrease of about 14,000 compared to the same period in 2019. In other words, there has not been a significant increase in the number of non-resident workers in Macau post-pandemic. Lam expressed disappointment with Sams response, stating, We expected a more in-depth analysis, not just a simple presentation of data. He pointed out that the number of non-resident workers had significantly decreased during the three-year pandemic, which is a fact. He explained that the lower number of non-resident workers in 2022 was due to the governments prioritization of filling local job vacancies at that time. Lam questioned the governments principle of restoring employment for local residents, saying, Since the use of non-resident workers was reduced during the pandemic, shouldnt the hiring of them be reconsidered from the same starting point during the recovery phase? He emphasized that when rehiring, it would be reasonable to prioritize local individuals rather than directly hiring non-resident workers. The lawmaker reminded the government that social stability relies not only on the rule of law but also on the well-being of residents. He emphasized that healthy economic development and stable employment opportunities are essential prerequisites for achieving this goal, with employment issues being critical to social stability. Regarding the governments complete lack of awareness in addressing issues related to non-local workers, unemployment, underemployment, and illegal workers, Lam admitted that he was very concerned. He criticized the government for failing to effectively tackle these long-standing issues and expressed hope that it would adjust and announce the number and proportion of non-resident workers. Otherwise, he said, the policy of prioritizing local employment, as emphasized in the governments Policy Address, would be undermined, making the importation of non-resident workers as a supplement appear ineffective. The government acknowledges the need for non-resident workers but lacks the necessary human resources analysis and data support. In the current environment, the absence of proper proportions and restrictions has further complicated the non-resident worker issue, Lam pointed out. When asked about local residents referring to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) as the non-resident labor approval office, Lam emphasized that this is no joke. He pointed out that the government dismantled the Human Resources Office in 2015 and merged it into the DSAL, yet has not issued any reports on comprehensive research and analysis of the local human resources market or the approval procedures of non-resident labor. This indicates that the government does not fully grasp the demand for non-resident labor. Additionally, its lack of openness and transparency in managing non-resident workers has ultimately resulted in a diminished trust in its relevant policies within society. India and Pakistan cancelled visas for their nationals to each others countries and Islamabad warned New Delhi for suspending a water-sharing treaty yesterday. The moves came after India blamed Pakistan for a deadly attack by gunmen that killed 26 people in disputed Kashmir. India said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked with effect from Sunday, adding that all Pakistanis currently in India must leave before their visas expire based on the revised timeline. The country also announced other measures, including cutting the number of diplomatic staff, closing the only functional land border crossing between the countries and suspending a crucial water-sharing agreement. In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines, and suspended all trade with India, including to and from any third country. Tuesdays attack in Kashmir was the worst assault in years, targeting civilians in the restive region that has seen an anti-India rebellion for more than three decades. The incident shocked and outraged Indians, prompting calls for action against their countrys archenemy, Pakistan. The Indian government said the attack had cross-border links to Pakistan, without publicly producing any evidence to support that claim. Pakistan has denied any connection to the attack, which was claimed by a previously unknown militant group calling itself the Kashmir Resistance. Pakistans National Security Committee condemned Indias belligerent measures. It said that while Pakistan remained committed to peace, it would never allow anyone to transgress its sovereignty, security, dignity and inalienable rights. Government ministers on both sides have hinted that the dispute could escalate to military action. Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told local Dunya News TV channel that any kinetic step by India will see a tit-for-tat kinetic response. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh pledged Wednesday to not only trace those who perpetrated the attack but also trace those who conspired to commit this nefarious act on our soil, and hinted at the possibility of military strikes. India and Pakistan each administer a part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. New Delhi describes all militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism. Pakistan denies this, and many Muslim Kashmiris consider the militants to be part of a home-grown freedom struggle. The killings have put pressure on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government to respond aggressively. India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers, Modi told a rally yesterday. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth, he warned. AIJAZ HUSSAIN, SHEIKH SAALIQ & RIAZAT BUTT, SRINAGAR, MDT/AP Today marks the 50th anniversary of the start of operations for the jetfoil service between Hong Kong and Macau. The service began on April 25, 1975, with Jetfoil Madeira of the Far East Hydrofoil Co. Ltd. (now TurboJet). The Jetfoil Conservation Concern Group (JCCG) has specifically marked this date, noting that it is setting a new benchmark for the upcoming 50 years of sea travel between the cities. With revolutionary stability borrowed from airplane technology, record-breaking speed powered by dual jet engines, and increased passenger capacity, jetfoils soon became popular. As of today, Jetfoil is the oldest high-speed mass transportation service between the two regions, carrying countless commuters and travelers flying above the sea. Named after the Portuguese island, Jetfoil Madeira arrived in Hong Kong in early 1975 and performed a sea trial on April 10 of the same year before starting commercial operations on April 25. On its first day of operation, the jetfoil completed three round trips, reducing travel time between the two cities from 1 hour and 15 minutes to just 50 minutes while carrying up to 280 passengersdouble the capacity of previous vessels. Each passenger was charged HKD30 on weekdays and HKD35 on weekends and holidays, plus a HKD5 poll tax. According to JCCGs historical records, Madeira represented an investment of around HKD18 million. In an interview conducted after the vessel completed 100 hours of operation, a representative of the Far East Hydrofoil shipping company said the ship had performed its tasks without mechanical issues. Records also show that only four of the first 126 sailings were delayed or canceled due to sea pollution. Madeira operated flawlessly from April 1975 until November 2013, when it crashed into an unknown object at sea, forcing its early retirement. When it was introduced, the Jetfoil represented a significant technological advancement. It allowed vessels to avoid waves and turbulence, providing passengers with a smoother, more comfortable ride and significantly reducing seasickness. The water inlet at the center of the aft foil sucks in seawater and delivers it to a pair of powerful jet engines, which push three tons of water out every second, allowing the jumbo-sized vessel to reach 43 knots (approximately 80 km/h). These features give Jetfoils a special place in the history of ship development. After the success of Madeira, Far East Hydrofoils invested further in Jetfoils, adding Santa Maria to the fleet later that year. In the early 1980s, the company pioneered nighttime high-speed ferry service with an advanced night vision system on Jetfoils. The peak of jetfoil operations between Macau and Hong Kong occurred in the 1990s, when 16 vessels operated concurrently. Pandemic accelerated decline The Covid-19 pandemic was partially responsible for the decline and near extinction of Jetfoil services. After a complete stop in ferry services in February 2020, the operator TurboJet faced unprecedented challenges, prompting the retirement of several vessels. During this period, and as the Times reported, the worlds first Jetfoil Flores was moved to Wang Tak Engineering and Shipbuilding Company Limited, where several other Jetfoils were scrapped. The JCCG also said that after several reports and various parties voices on preserving Jetfoils heritage, the group said the Flores and Madeira remain at the shipyard. After many speculations and delays, in September 2024, Jetfoil Terceira became the first Hong KongMacau Jetfoil to resume service after the pandemic. Currently, Terceira is scheduled for two daily round-trips between the two regions, with the JCCG noting that they Expect to see more Jetfoils back in service in the future. To commemorate the history of Hong KongMacau sailings, Aero Editor launched last year a book titled Hong KongMacau High-Speed Ferries (in traditional Chinese). The book introduces the history, development, and current status of sea travel between Hong Kong and Macau, especially the stories of the legendary Jetfoil fleet. There have been calls for the museological preservation of Jetfoils in Macau, with several voices proposing they be included in the Barra District revitalization project by the casino operator MGM China Holdings Limited. The proposal was made because Pansy Ho is the companys Chairperson and concurrently the executive chairperson and managing director of Shun Tak Holdings Company, which owns and operates TurboJet. For the time being, Ho rejected this idea of including a vessel in this space, citing logistical difficulties. Kenyan President William Ruto pledged to build closer ties with China yesterday, a day after saying a global trade war triggered by Washington could deal a death blow to the current world order. Ruto is on a five-day visit to China, his third trip to Beijing since taking office in 2022. The visit comes at a time when both Kenya and China are seeking to expand ties amid a tariff fight between Washington and Beijing. Kenya wants to learn from Chinas remarkable journey of transformation in governance, economic development and global leadership, Ruto said. He thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping for tens of millions of dollars in support for health, education and disaster relief, as well as for the planned construction of a new complex for Kenyas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ruto, an evangelical Christian from a modest background, was elected on promises to help Kenyas poor in a country struggling with debt. Earlier in his presidency, Ruto favored the West and the United States over China. But as U.S. President Donald Trump pulls back from engagement with Africa and slaps tariffs on trade partners, Ruto is making overtures to Beijing. Xi told Ruto that China attaches great importance to China-Kenya relations and that Beijing would work with Kenya to develop the unity and cooperation of the global South. Xi is looking to shore up partnerships and find solutions for the high trade barrier that the U.S. has imposed on Chinese exports. Kenya is a key participant in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, the ambitious plan that aims to connect Africa, Asia and Europe through massive infrastructure and energy projects. China has funded billions of dollars worth of Kenyan roads, ports and a railway that runs from the coastal city of Mombasa through the capital, Nairobi. During a keynote speech at Chinas prestigious Peking University on Wednesday, Ruto criticized the U.N. Security Council and the current world order, calling it broken, dysfunctional and no longer fit for purpose, and said the tariffs imposed by Trump may be its final death blow. Many African nations face uncertainty over the tariffs, which threaten key industries that export to the United States. The U.S. is one of Kenyas largest export destinations, while China is Kenyas top supplier. After the meeting, the two countries signed security, technology, and economic agreements, as well as agreements on railways and the establishment of a new Kenyan consulate in Guangzhou. DAKE KANG, BEIJING, MDT/AP The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) said it is investigating several social media posts offering private tour services in Macau by unlicensed individuals or companies. In a reply to the Times, the office confirmed that it has received complaints about tourism advertisements on social media platforms, adding, We have immediately assigned personnel to conduct relevant investigations. In the same response, the office notes that it will also follow up and monitor all such situations, including regularly dispatching personnel to relevant tourist attractions and border checkpoints for inspection and monitoring to strictly crack down on illegal activities that disrupt the order of the tourism market, including illegal tour guides, to maintain Macaus image as a tourist city. According to an investigation by the Times, several individuals have been offering paid tours of Macau through social media platforms, including transportation, site visits, and photo-taking services with many of them on tourist visas. The investigation also revealed that most of these posts originate from neighboring regions such as Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries, targeting different markets. Speaking to a travel blogger from Romania, who preferred not to be named, the Times learned that the service is quite complete and convenient, including pickup from the ferry terminal or the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port, visits to landmarks, and hotel drop-off. The tour typically consists of a one- or two-day itinerary to a series of notable landmarks. The blogger told the Times she learned about the service from a similar provider in Hong Kong, who introduced her to a contact in Macau who could provide the local tour. Unaware that this was an illegal activity, she told the Times she was pleased with the service. Confronted with the fact that her blog posts contain inaccurate information and locations, she said she had relied on the information provided by the guide and had not verified it thoroughly. In her case, as in many others, the blogger was taken to the A-Ma Cultural Village on Coloanes hilltop, believing it to be the A-Ma Temple in Barra, among other misrepresented locations shown in her posts. With over 20,000 followers on Instagram, the blogger told the Times she would investigate further and correct her posts, so as not to perpetuate misinformation about Macau as a travel destination. According to MGTO, people offering such services are violating Decree-Law No. 48/98/M of November 3, as amended by Administrative Regulation No. 42/2004. They may also be penalized separately for providing illegal transportation via private vehicles. When asked why she chose this service over a licensed travel agency, she explained that her extensive travel experience led her to prefer recommendations from locals over commercial agencies, which, in her opinion, not only charge much higher prices but also focus solely on the most crowded tourist sites often pressuring visitors to buy souvenirs theyre not interested in. According to one of the self-proclaimed tour guides, who requested anonymity, they typically charge MOP100 per person. She told the Times that there is a noticeable increase in individuals offering similar services at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port and the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. Those who used to offer these tours are now recruiting others in need of work, turning it into a business, she said. She added that they also receive commissions from some souvenir shops. Sands China has confirmed the full opening of all 2,405 rooms and suites at the newly refurbished Londoner Grand, just in time for the upcoming May Golden Week holiday. This marks the near completion of the USD1.2 billion second phase of The Londoner Macaos transformation. The Londoner Grand, formerly known as Sheraton Grand Macao, has undergone a substantial overhaul aimed at repositioning the property for the premium mass market. The renovation has dramatically reduced the number of rooms from over 4,000 to a more curated mix of 1,500 suites and 905 standard rooms, aligning with Sands Chinas strategy to capture higher-value guests. Speaking during Las Vegas Sands first-quarter 2025 earnings call, Sands China CEO and president Grant Chum described the reopening of the full room inventory as a turning point for the company. He noted that while the redeveloped product is now in place, the full financial impact will be realized gradually. We now have the 2,400 rooms and suites in full service. And youll see us leveraging the asset, the new product, to drive customer growth and, obviously, eventually, revenues and EBITDA. But the ramp up will take its course over the next twelve months, Chum told analysts. Were still at the early stages of it. We just got the full complement of rooms in mid-April. As for the other properties, our intention is to maintain and grow each of the existing properties while Londoner is ramped up, he added. The prolonged renovation had previously affected Sands Chinas performance, as the project significantly reduced available room capacity, limiting the companys ability to capture high visitation periods. Sands Chinas total net revenues decreased 5.7% to USD1.7 billion compared to the first quarter of 2024. Net income for the gaming operator was USD202 million, down from USD297 million in the same period last year. Meanwhile, Chum said the company intends to balance its focus between driving growth at The Londoner and maintaining performance at its other Macau resorts, including The Venetian, Parisian, Four Seasons, and Sands Macao. The executive said future investments would be focused on routine updates rather than large-scale redevelopments. The major redevelopment and upgrading at the Londoner is largely complete, he explained. Well have a few more amenities to add and restaurants. But from here on, [] we will continue to reinvest back into the asset base because we need to upgrade and keep up with the competition. LVS withdraws from New York casino bid Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) has opted out of bidding for one of up to three commercial casino licenses available in downstate New York, president and COO Patrick Dumont disclosed. He explained that the firm would instead prioritize capital allocation toward share repurchases for both Las Vegas Sands and Sands China. For Las Vegas Sands, we believe the highest and best use of our capital in the near term is to purchase LVS and SCL shares. Accordingly, LVS has decided not to bid for casino license in New York, Dumont said. LVS had previously expressed strong interest in building a multi-billion-dollar integrated resort on Long Islands Nassau Coliseum site. Despite stepping back, Dumont reaffirmed the sites potential and revealed ongoing talks with third parties who may pursue the project. Concerns over the impact of potential iGaming legalization in New York played a role in the move, Dumont noted. Meanwhile, LVS has increased its share buyback authorization to USD2 billion. A collision between a taxi and a street washing vehicle at the Pac On roundabout in Taipa yesterday morning left seven people injured. Authorities suspect the taxi failed to yield, causing the crash. The impact severely damaged the taxi and deformed nearby railings. Six passengers, aged 39 to 44, sustained minor injuries, while the 66-year-old street washing vehicle driver suffered a facial injury. All are in stable condition. Both drivers passed breathalyzer tests. Related Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday he is cutting short his official trip to South Africa and returning home after a major Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with missiles and drones killed at least nine people and injured more than 70. The Russian attack on Kyiv came as weeks of peace negotiations appeared to be coming to a head without an agreement in sight and hours after U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Zelenskyy, accusing him of prolonging the killing field by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula as part of a possible deal. Zelenskyy has repeated many times during the more than three-year war that recognizing occupied territory as Russian is a red line for his country. He noted Thursday that Ukraine had agreed to a U.S. ceasefire proposal 44 days ago, as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Russias attacks had continued. While talks have been going on in recent weeks, Russia has hit the city of Sumy, killing more than 30 civilians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, battered Odesa with drones and blasted Zaporizhzhia with powerful glide bombs. Senior U.S. officials have warned that the Trump administration could soon give up its efforts to stop the war if the two sides dont compromise. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the attack showed Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to press his bigger armys advantage on the roughly 1,000-kilometer front line, where it currently holds the momentum. Putin demonstrates through his actions, not words, that he does not respect any peace efforts and only wants to continue the war, Sybiha said on X. Weakness and concessions will not stop his terror and aggression. Only strength and pressure will. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that since Russias February 2022 full-scale invasion of its neighbor, Russian attacks haves killed some 13,000 civilians, including 618 children. Kyiv residents spent the night in shelters At least 42 people were hospitalized following the attack on residential suburbs of Kyiv, Ukraines State Emergency Service said. The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 66 ballistic and cruise missiles, four plane-launched air-to-surface missiles, and 145 Shahed and decoy drones at Kyiv and four other regions of Ukraine. Rescue workers with flashlights scoured the charred rubble of partly collapsed homes as the blue lights of emergency vehicles lit up the dark city streets. At a Kyiv residential building that was almost entirely destroyed, emergency workers removed rubble with their hands, rescuing a trapped woman who emerged from the wreckage covered in white dust and moaning in pain. An elderly woman sat against a brick wall, face smeared with blood, her eyes fixed to the ground in shock as medics tended to her wounds. Fires were reported in several residential buildings said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city military administration. The attack, which began around 1 a.m., hit at least five neighborhoods in Kyiv. Oksana Bilozir, a student, suffered a head injury in the attack. With blood seeping from her bandaged head, she said that she heard a loud explosion after the air alarm blared and began to grab her things to flee to a shelter when another blast caused her homes walls to crumble and the lights to go off. I honestly dont even know how this will all end, its very scary, said Bilozir, referring to the war against Russias invasion. I only believe that if we can stop them on the battlefield, then thats it. No diplomacy works here. The attack kept many people awake all night long as multiple loud explosions reverberated around the city and flashes of light punctuated the sky. Families gathered in public air raid shelters, some of them bringing their pet cat and dog. Zelenskyy returning from South Africa Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post that he would fly back to Kyiv after meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Ukrainian leader had hoped to recruit further South African support in efforts to end his countrys war with Russia, now in its fourth year. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the Kyiv attack was yet another appalling violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians must never be targets. This senseless use of force must stop, it said in a statement. Anastasiia Zhuravlova, 33, a mother of two, was sheltering in a basement after multiple blasts damaged her home. Her family was sleeping when the first explosion shattered their windows and sent kitchen appliances flying in the air. Shards of glass rained down on them as they rushed to take cover in the corridor. After that we came to the shelter because it was scary and dangerous at home, she said. VASILISA STEPANENKO & SAMYA KULLAB, KYIV, MDT/AP Power retailer Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Thursday launched its Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, which includes studying the revival of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in a bid to drive innovation and advance the Philippine energy landscape. Meralco introduced NEST as the companys flagship initiative to incorporate nuclear power into the Philippine energy mix as a long-term, low-carbon energy solution during the opening of the two-day Giga Summit 2025: The Fusion of Power and Intelligence organized by the Meralco Power Academy (MPA). - Advertisement - Today, Meralcos NEST has been launched. This is our internal program to assess what it would take to responsibly put up a nuclear power plant in the Philippines, Meralco chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said. The program adopts a multi-track approach to evaluate all viable pathways for nuclear power deployment in the Philippines. These include initiating large-scale greenfield projects through partnerships with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and nuclear operators from France and South Korea; exploring the potential deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in collaboration with the US; and studying the feasibility of rehabilitating the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). Meralco chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho said the company is studying the viability of rehabilitating BNPP. The study, led by the DOE, is in partnership with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). A feasibility study is underway that we hope would be completed within the year. BNPP if feasible will be the quickest route for the Philippines to adopt nuclear power in the 2030s, Aperocho said. He said Meralco is also assessing the option of building a new full-scale nuclear project although it is also looking at small modular reactors or SMRs to deliver nuclear power. With the hopeful passage of the proposed Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act or PhilAtom Bill, Meralco will be able to progress and work with the independent nuclear regulator on selecting the best site to situate this nascent nuclear project, he said. Given the developments in SMR globally, Meralco is identifying possible technologies that are best fit for the Philippine context. With its modular nature, SMRs have great potential in the Philippines especially in powering up our various islands. Meralco hopes that regulations on licensing and development can proceed quickly as the technology progresses, said Aperocho. Pangilinan said Meraldo is touching base with a number of countries familiar with nuclear energy like France. Meralco teamed up with Electricite de France to explore nuclear power development in the country. Were talking to the US government on how we can get assistance in terms of nuclear energy in this country, he said. We need the help of Senate and Congress to set the nuclear framework of the country and of course our regulatory framework as well, said Pangilinan. China is the worlds friend and the Filipino peoples family ON APRIL 23, 2025 the major US news outlet website CNN headlined on its business page: Trump says China tariffs will come down substantially, hinting at potential U-turn. On the same day other international news wires published the US treasury secretary Scott Bessents announcement, US Treasury secretary says trade war with China is not sustainable. - Advertisement - This comes only 21 days after Trumps Great Wall of tariffs on April 2, 2025 Liberation Day declared against China. Trump started the tariff war against China roaring like a crazy, rampaging bear snorting fire, raging against China by piling upon Trump 1.0 tariffs on China with new tariffs two months into Trump 2.0 raising tariff against Chinese imports up to 245 percent on April 15, 2025. Every analyst took this to mean the inevitable de-coupling of the US economy from China and that bifurcation of the World economy had begun. A new economic Cold War splitting the globe into two economic major blocs. China, throughout Trump 1.0 from 2017 to 2021 and Trump 2.0 starting Jan. 20, 2025 to the present, has abided by Sun Tzus advice: Winning through strategy and intelligence rather than brute force for subduing the enemy without fighting. Upon announcement of the tariffs Trump demanded countries make a beeline to Mar-a-Lago to Kiss My Ass while expecting Chinese president Xi Jinping to request a call with Trump that the Chinese leader quietly snubbed while internal US contradictions pressured Trump and China took reciprocal actions. Internally, Trump faced overwhelming pressures from major US companies that rely on their manufacturing offshored to China to supply their American market, such as Apple which produces 90 percent of its iPhones in China. American small businesses rely on Chinese imports to sell toys, cosmetics, appliances on Chinese imports, while the US health sector relies heavily on Chinese pharmaceuticals. Just three days after Liberation Day on April 5, Trump had to declare a 90-day pause on the tariffs and specifically on cellphone, chips and pharmaceuticals. While China imposed reciprocal tariffs to respond to Trumps ridiculously high anti-China tariffs, the real telling actions of China were, first of all, the total export ban on rare earth elements and particularly the ban on processed critical minerals gallium, germanium, and antimony, that will disrupt US production in the energy, electronic chips, computer, defense industries that would take five to ten years to find alternative sources. China moved to import billions of LNG and soybeans from Canada and Brazil that it used to get from the US. China has strategized its reduction of dependence on the US market since Trump 1.0 in 2017, reducing the share of exports to the US down to only 2.5 percent of its GDP today. On the other hand, China has been expanding its market amongst the Global South countries where its trade has grown by more that $200-billion since 2021. Chinas biggest regional trading partner is ASEAN with close to $ 1-trillion annual turnover, while economically growing BRICS and BRI countries ensure ample expansion in the years ahead. China can do without the US. China has strategized the future since 2013 when the Belt and Road Initiative to build global infrastructure-economic corridors were launched to ensure development of emerging economies while China peacefully advanced. Its a two-way circulation of goods and services to and from China, the infrastructures climaxed recently in Perus Chancay Port to bring goods to and from Asia and South America, and in the CIIE (China International Import Expo) where 152 countries, regions and international organization show what they can sell to China. While the US struggles to reverse its precipitous economic-financial crash, China is super-confident about its economic future with the rest of the world starting with ASEAN. While the US is trying to abort the rise of ASEAN with the highest sweeping tariffs of up to 49 percent China is instituting Zero tariff for 94.6 percent of goods from ASEAN. China assures ASEAN of increased purchases and investments amid the US tariff and trade war threats, while Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian assures the Philippines its open door for its goods. Meanwhile, the US continues its peddling of F-16s, Typhon, NMESIS and now MADIS missiles in military drills of the US and the AFP to sell on loan more weapons of war the Philippines needs like a hole-in-the-head while the self-rated poverty level in the country stands at 63 percent, the highest since 2003. China is the worlds friend and the Filipino peoples family, as we all strive to achieve the Community of Shared Future for Mankind. On Sunday 13 April, Ecuadorians went to the polls to elect their president in a second round of voting. The elections in Ecuador have been marred by irregularities, both in the first round and in the second, where the manoeuvring intensified. Candidate and sitting President Daniel Noboa went to extreme lengths to use the state machinery to win these elections. But Luisa Gonzalez, the opposition candidate representing the Citizen Revolution (CR) party, for her part, has not presented a socialist programme that could transform the lives of the working class and youth, which is why she has not been able to mobilise the masses behind her candidacy. In her speech on the evening of election day, she denounced electoral fraud and did not recognise Daniel Noboa's victory. But she did not call on people to take to the streets to prevent Daniel Noboa's victory. She has limited herself to appealing to the electoral institutions, which are controlled by Noboa, and demanding a recount of the votes by the National Electoral Council (CNE). The official figures are as follows: Daniel Noboa obtained 55.6 percent of the votes against 44.4 percent for Luisa Gonzalez. In the first round, Luisa Gonzalez had obtained 4,510,000 votes. But, in the second round, she made very little progress, receiving only 4,680,000 votes, even with the support of Pachakutik, which obtained 538,000 votes in the first round (5.25 percent). This was one of the first signs of electoral fraud. In contrast, Daniel Noboa jumped from 4,527,000 votes in the first round to 5,860,000 votes in the second, a huge jump of 1,340,000 votes, which needs to be explained. It should be added that all previous opinion polls and even the exit polls indicated a tie, as in the first round, with a slight advantage for Luisa Gonzalez. The first irregularity is that Daniel Noboa did not resign from his position as president to run in the 2025 elections. During the election campaign, he continued to carry out his own presidential agenda and used the state apparatus to promote his candidacy, even in state broadcasts and activities, where he used his campaigns colours. Daniel Noboa used public resources and money for his election campaign, including paying out millions in bonuses to buy votes. Twenty-four hours before the polls opened, Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in nine provinces, seven of which were behind Luisa Gonzalez in the first round. With the army and police on the streets, the people were intimidated by the state apparatus into voting for Noboa. Even by the standards of bourgeois democracy, the elections in Ecuador are not even close to free and fair. There are videos of soldiers manipulating ballot papers and inserting them into ballot boxes at the end of the election day. The effect of the president's executive decree declaring a state of emergency in 9 provinces where Luisa Gonzalez had won the first round can be seen quite clearly. For example, in the province of Guayas, the most populous in Ecuador, where Luisa won the first round with 1,206,000 votes against Noboa's 1,083,000, Noboa won the second round with 1,326,000 votes against Luisa's 1,210,000. A state of emergency was also declared in the Metropolitan District of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. In the province of Pichincha, which contains Quito, Noboa won in the first round and extended his lead in the second, jumping from 906,000 to 1,178,000 votes, while Luisa advanced very little, from 700,000 to 718,000 votes. Daniel Noboa used public resources and money for his election campaign, including paying out millions in bonuses to buy votes / Image: Presidencia de la Republica del Ecuador, Wikimedia Commons Another significant irregularity is that, under the pretext of heavy rains that affected some provinces, the polling stations of thousands of voters were changed. A total of 24 polling stations for the second round were relocated in 10 different provinces. Luisa Gonzalez's team identified many modified tallies and discrepancies between the number of votes and the number of voters who turned out to vote. They found that, out of a total of 44,500 polling booth tallies, 1,984 had not been signed by both polling station officials, 1,526 did not match the number of voters, and 1,582 tallies showed results that deviated significantly from the average for the polling station. There was also a significant decrease in the number of blank votes, from 243,000 in the first round to 76,000 in the second round. One more thing to note is that Noboa's election campaign and the bourgeois press have hysterically attacked Luisa Gonzalez's proposal to create peace managers civilians who would be paid half the minimum wage to take charge of organising the communities most affected by surging, drug-related violence. They ran a smear campaign which compared this proposal to the experiences of Venezuela and Nicaragua in a distorted and exaggerated manner. Two years of Daniel Noboa's government Daniel Noboa's government has been a complete disaster. It has not stopped the advance of violence in Ecuador; poverty and extreme poverty indicators have risen, with 28 percent of Ecuador's population now living on less than 91 dollars a month; 52 percent of the working population are now in informal employment; there have been significant environmental disasters, with oil spills in rivers and forests; and there has been an unprecedented energy crisis, as, in September and December last year, Ecuadorians faced power cuts that lasted between 8 and 14 hours a day. Noboa has governed since May 2023, after winning the early elections in April 2023. These elections were called after former president Guillermo Lasso decreed mutual death, which meant the dissolution of the National Assembly and the calling of new presidential and parliamentary elections. He had been completely demoralised by the 2022 National Strike, which saw hundreds of thousands of Ecuadorians take to the streets to change their lives. Due to the lack of leadership with a revolutionary programme, the National Strike did not go any further. None of the demands raised in the streets were met by Guillermo Lasso, but after this he could no longer continue to govern. During Daniel Noboa's two years in office, a series of authoritarian measures were implemented, the police and military were given free rein, and human rights were ignored in prisons. All this in the name of the war against drug traffickers. In reality, the state apparatus was and is being used to oppress Ecuadorians and their struggles for better living conditions. This carte blanche given to the agents of state repression has culminated in the deaths of four children in Las Malvinas, a poor neighbourhood on the outskirts of Guayaquil. A group of sixteen military personnel tortured and killed Ismael, Josue, Nehemias and Steven all aged between 11 and 15 for no reason. The children disappeared on 8 December 2024 and were found burned near a military base in Taura on 24 December. We cannot forget that in April 2024, Daniel Noboa ordered the invasion of the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest Jorge Glas, former-president Rafael Correa's vice-president, who had been accused of corruption. Such a scandalous episode is rarely seen, as it is a serious violation of the bourgeois international law. Mexico has broken off diplomatic relations with Ecuador since then. An even more authoritarian government? In the parliamentary elections in February, Noboa did not obtain a majority of seats in the National Assembly. Correas Citizens Revolution won 67 assembly members, the Indigenous peoples party Pachakutik 9 and Popular Unity one, which means that the opposition parties control 76 out of a total of 151 assembly seats, or half plus one, giving them narrow control of the legislature. Since then, however, it has been reported that a deputy from CR, Monica Salazar, from the province of Los Rios, declared herself independent on 15 April and will probably side with Daniel Noboa. It is not unlikely that others will do the same, both from the CR and Pachakutik. In anticipation of a popular uprising against the blatant electoral fraud, Noboa's team circulated fake news that there were plans to assassinate the president / Image: Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador, Wikimedia Commons During the election campaign, Daniel Noboa advocated a significant amendment to the Constitution regarding the presence of foreign military bases on Ecuadorian soil. Under Rafael Correa's government, the presence of foreign military personnel in Ecuador was banned, which forced the US to close down its base in the country. Now, Daniel Noboa wants the US military to return and plans to start building a military base to station American soldiers in Manta as soon as possible to station. Noboa is sending very clear signals to Donald Trump that he wants to be a good servant of American imperialism. In anticipation of a popular uprising against the blatant electoral fraud, Noboa's team circulated fake news that there were plans to assassinate the president, which served as a justification for filling the streets with police and soldiers in the days following the elections. The 2019 insurrection and the 2022 National Strike were large-scale popular uprisings that expressed the discontent of the masses against their living and working conditions. They were revolutionary rehearsals that could have gone much further, even to the point of taking power, had there been a revolutionary leadership at the head of the demonstrations. The Ecuadorian ruling class knows no other way out than austerity and attacks on labour and democratic rights. It seems to have found its representative in Daniel Noboa, which is why the bourgeois press is legitimising electoral fraud. Noboa will use the state apparatus for repression with even greater intensity. He will not hesitate to violate democratic rights or declare a state of emergency, and now he has four more years to implement his programme of privatisation and attacks on rights, as well as to demonstrate his subservience to US imperialism. Correismo [supporters of former president Rafael Correa] and its party, Citizen Revolution, had enough popular support to win these elections, but its limited programme failed to mobilise the masses to counter this scandalous electoral fraud. Correismo has once again demonstrated its limitations as an alternative for the working class by exclusively working within the limits of the framework of bourgeois democracy and law. None of the problems of the working class and youth of Ecuador have been solved, nor can they be solved as long as capitalism exists. The coming period will be one of struggle for the working class, and it will be required to regroup and reorganise to face the oncoming attacks of Noboa. It is necessary to arm ourselves with a revolutionary programme of social transformation. Since the collapse of the Novi Sad station canopy on 1 November 2024, which killed 16 people, occupations, blockades and protests led by students have been organised across Serbia. This calamity, caused by corruption, sparked a wave of indignation throughout the country. At the time of writing this article in April, over a million people across Serbia have taken part and voiced their support for the students demands. Demonstrations are being held throughout the country. The mass mobilisation sparked by students recently escalated with a gigantic protest organised in Belgrade on 15 March, which drew as many as half a million people. Estimating the size of the demonstration is difficult, but likely between ten and fifteen percent of Serbia's population were on the streets to support the students demands. Serbia is a small country with a population of 6.6 million people. If this were the United States, that would be equivalent to over 50 million people mobilising. Mass mobilisations of this scale are unprecedented in the modern history of the former Yugoslavia. The regime-controlled press, of course, tried to hide the real numbers of participants, claiming there were only 107,000 people but this petty trick is fooling no one with eyes to see. On the day of the giant protest, 15 March, students cautiously moved the protest from one location to another, ending it an hour early due to the use of violence by regime thugs and even a sonic weapon against the people, in an attempt to cause a serious incident. Neither the mass demonstrations nor the giant wave of mass support for the students (80 percent of the population according to recent polls) have been able to stop the current regime. However, the courage and fighting spirit of the students, and the cultural interconnectedness, similar conditions and failed corrupt capitalist regimes in the former Yugoslav countries all of which have suffered the consequences of the restoration of capitalism in the 1990s have led to the protests resonating and inspiring youth and workers throughout the region. Solidarity has come from Croatia, where the spillover beyond Serbias borders has taken a different form. The current major strike by education workers, the biggest strike in recent years, is also partially inspired by the events in Serbia. Croatia experienced a series of gigantic strikes in 1999 around 246 in that year alone during NATO's bombing of Serbia. Many of these ended in the workers occupying factories for months. Due to specific historical circumstances and the traditions of the working class in Croatia, discontent is expressed less through mass demonstrations and more through strikes. During the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Croatia experienced a series of general strikes aimed at stopping the privatisation process. A mass protest also erupted in Macedonia last month in response to a fire that cruelly claimed 62 lives in a Kocani nightclub, injuring 193. This tragedy exposed the corruption and incompetence of the authorities and provoked a similar wave of mass outrage to the events in Serbia. On the other side of the border, Serbian President Vucics attempt to turn this tragedy to his advantage has backfired on him. In a despicable stunt, Vucic entered the intensive care unit of one of the victims being treated in Serbia, thus compromising their safety as they struggled for their lives. As a result, the student protesters in Serbia are now demanding that whoever allowed Vucic into the intensive care unit should be prosecuted. Zborovi The masses learn from experience, and this includes the students. Through the struggle they have initiated, they are now drawing new conclusions. This movement was not planned it was improvised and spontaneous from the very beginning. It ran deeper than its immediate cause, catalysing the accumulated anger against the system. In its first phase, the movement consisted of organised mass protests led by the students using plenums (assemblies) as a form of self-organisation for the struggle. We have written previously about the advantages of plenums. Within two months, the struggle and consciousness of the students evolved, manifesting itself in a call for a general strike. On 24 January 2025, after two months of student occupations, demonstrations, and road blockades, calls for a general strike united students with workers in IT, journalism, education, and culture. While the strike was only partial and affected only a few sectors, it showed the growing momentum of the protest movement. The idea of a general strike had mass support, with over 80 percent of those who supported the students in favour of the strike. With the resignation of the Prime Minister, Vucic decided to sacrifice his own government in order to try and defuse the movement and gain some room to manoeuvre. However, this manoeuvre failed miserably, leading to the next stage of the movement, which culminated in the largest protest in Serbian history on 15 March. Footage of Belgrade overflowing with people was seen around the world. The students, learning from their experiences in the movement, have now reached their most progressive conclusion so far. The student movement grew from strength to strength organising around plenums (mass meetings) in the faculties and schools. They are now calling for the establishment and spread of mass assemblies in the neighbourhoods (zborovi, the plural of zbor, meaning assembly), an appeal that resonated widely with the formation of hundreds of zborovi. The movement is entering a second, more decisive phase. The students say, Everyone into zborovi what the plenum is for students, the zbor is for the people. Huge crowds in anti government protests in Belgrade, Serbia - what started as a protest against the collapse of a train station canopy has become a general movement against the regime. Background article by Yugoslav section of the RCI https://t.co/tl4a8GRPUq pic.twitter.com/mrDcC2xhEs Jorge Martin (@marxistJorge) March 15, 2025 But to understand why the movement needs zborovi, we must understand some details from the history of Serbia and the broader region of the former Yugoslavia. The term assemblies (zborovi) first appeared in the region during the struggle against the Ottoman Empire and was used during the Serbian Revolution (First Serbian Uprising) in the early 19th century. Local communities organised themselves into their own mass assemblies, where they made decisions about how to continue their struggle for national emancipation. Similar things happened in Lika and parts of Dalmatia in Croatia. Later, during the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the term persisted, and during the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), the constitution allowed workers in assemblies to make decisions regarding some aspects of management of the factories and workplaces. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and other former republics retained the concept of zborovi as a form of local regional self-governance in Macedonia, the term sobranie is still used, with the same meaning. For this reason, the students' call for mass assemblies is tied to a legal structure that technically already exists, as such mass citizens assemblies are a part of our history during uprisings and revolutions. It is also interesting that in 1920, numerous zborovi were also organised in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, just before the proclamation of the Obznana, which outlawed the Communist Party of Yugoslavia and any organisation connected to it. Opposition to the Obznana culminated in a general strike in Zagreb. The situation in Serbia is often painted in regional and international media as tainted by Serbian nationalism some even evoking the spectre of the ultra-reactionary Chetnik movement. However, the widespread solidarity with the movement, especially from Croatia, and the inspiring footage of unity between Serbs and Muslims in Novi Pazar show that behind the movement itself stands a general desire for the unity in struggle of all Yugoslav people, in opposition to nationalism and ethnic and religious divisions. The significance of zborovi in Serbia Mass assemblies (zborovi) began sprouting like mushrooms across Serbia after the call was made in early March. At the time of writing, hundreds of zborovi have been held across the country. On the day of the initial call alone, more than 50 cities and municipalities responded. Along with the call, students published a handbook for organising assemblies. It explains that citizen assemblies are the same as student plenums, but organised on a regional basis. In a previous article, we wrote that organising joint plenums between workers and students is a decisive step forward for the movement. The students have drawn the correct conclusion: the struggle must be connected with the broader masses. The call put out by the students in March was already resonating with the working class and the broader masses, who are responding with greater determination. Teachers in Serbia, who have been involved in various forms of strike action since the beginning of the protests, have long been organising their actions through their own plenum. Inspired by the teachers, so-called strukovni zborovi are now being formed. There are workers assemblies for the IT sector, educators, and recently, a new assembly of healthcare workers. Last week, an assembly was formed by the workers in a TV station currently under occupation, through which the workers have raised their own demands. The widespread appearance of assemblies is a consequence of the widespread radicalisation of the masses / Image: fair use As communists, we call for the generalisation of these assemblies as a necessary step to organise the independent participation of the working class, so that they can raise their own demands and stand at the front of this movement against the regime. The comments from healthcare workers are particularly interesting, raising questions about the role of the assemblies and what they are meant to do. One outlet reports: ... healthcare workers took to social media calling for the gathering, urging unity among health professionals, with the goal of meeting, organising, and acting together to protect their profession. They stated that the unions are not doing their job, that they are asleep, and that it is necessary to act together, organise, and create a collective and actionable plan. Students from the Faculty of Medicine supported the gathering and provided moderators, protective units, and note-takers. Assemblies are organised spontaneously via social media or the Viber app. Students often participate as moderators and note-takers. Additionally, assemblies often make decisions they technically do not have the right to make, at least according to the local government statutes. For example, the zbor in Cacak voted to replace the current mayor, and mass demonstrations are now being held until he resigns. The widespread appearance of assemblies is a consequence of the widespread radicalisation of the masses. For example, in Nis, people threw eggs at the current mayor. In Kragujevac, the zbor decided that the city should pay the salaries of education workers. If their demands were not met, they threatened to come to the city hall on Wednesday at 6pm to hold a demonstration. Recently, there has been a tendency towards the centralisation of the peoples assemblies. For example, the city of Novi Sad has a Zbor svih Zborova (assembly of all assemblies) that has been used to organise the occupation of the TV station. Several different zborovi were also partially centralised and used to send defence units around Serbia to protect the students during their blockade of the TV station. We must be clear. The step of centralising the zborovi and introducing methods of workers democracy, such as the election and recall of representatives by local zborovi to a central council, represents the initial step towards the building of an alternative power in society. It poses the question of who decides whether the vast majority of workers and students or the corrupt regime of capitalist oligarchs, incarnated in the Vucic regime. As communists, we fully support any step taken in this direction. What do the assemblies (zborovi) represent? Even mainstream news outlets are writing about assemblies as a way for the masses to become politically engaged. Radar Nova reported the words of a student, who summarised: Assemblies are an opportunity for citizens to publicly express themselves about the political crisis in their community and, through participation, be reminded that politics is not just about parties. Instead of the usual top-down politics, we now have a Copernican shift where citizens define their own needs and invite others to directly take part in working groups. Holding your own future in your hands is a powerful idea and naturally, it mobilises people. The media reports that the assemblies give the political power to the people, and even they unconsciously separate the assemblies from the regular structures of liberal democracy, questioning the significance of the assemblies. One outlet even asked whether they represent a parallel reality? They are right. It is a potential parallel organ of power developing before our eyes. Serbia, like all ex-Yugoslav countries, has relatively weak trade union structures. Only about 20 percent of workers in Serbia are unionised, mostly in the public sector, which includes healthcare, education, and public services. However, based on comments from healthcare and education workers, its clear that assemblies represent a new form of organisation encompassing all workers, an opportunity for them to bypass the brake represented by the trade union bureaucracies, in which they have lost faith. The website of the Serbian culture magazine Oblakoder, for example, published an article which raises the issue of insufficient union organisation and that a general strike can only be pursued if the masses organise themselves like the students in plenums. The movement has been marked by distrust toward institutions from the very beginning / Image: fair use This had naturally raised the question in the media: Can assemblies replace unions? In one interview, a teacher responds affirmatively, saying that this is a new way of organising. Workers assemblies must organise all workers, especially during a strike or a struggle. The surge in workers participation at all levels must also lead the most advanced layers to take control of the trade unions, which are permanent organisations of the working class, to transform them into militant trade unions. As we write, workers are using the assemblies to make the existing unions more militant. The assemblies of education workers, in particular, are tending towards centralisation as they are organising their struggle. The movement has been marked by distrust toward institutions from the very beginning institutions seen as hijacked by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The masses and the working class are increasingly coming to the conclusion that they need their own institutions. Students explain in interviews in the media that, with the idea of forming assemblies, they wanted to overcome the limited ability of the movement to articulate itself politically and try to make it a mass movement. In addition, they have again inadvertently become political leaders themselves, which can be seen in the fact that the masses are currently turning to the students for political advice. The agendas of workers assemblies sometimes include issues like strikes and unpaid wages for teachers. Normally, non-unionised workers have no choice but to write to local authorities and appeal to the relevant institutions. It is essential that they too form their own workers assemblies like the ones already formed by IT workers, teachers, healthcare professionals and TV workers. Within them, they can decide on next steps, discuss strikes, and even organise them like the workers' plenum in Nis did when it voted to strike. They can also fight to make the existing unions more militant. But even before the students made the call to gather in the assemblies, workers throughout former Yugoslavia knew the traditions of the so-called workers' unions. An interesting case is the workers from TENT, a power plant, who organised a strike in January with demands that went far beyond the framework of a regular strike. At the time they announced: "The law says that strike activities can only begin after the announcement. We have to get the consent of the UGS Nezavisnost [trade union federation] and then we will start. But there will be a strike without their consent, if that is what the workers' zbor decides." Their demands were: the fulfillment of the demands of students in the blockade, determination of responsibility for the catastrophic situation in the electricity industry but also the removal of the general director of EPS AD [the state-owned operator of TENT], the entire Executive Board, the Supervisory Board, the Assembly of EPS and the Minister of Mining and Energy. Protecting strikes, protests and demonstrations As the movement escalated, it met with constant provocations by the state, Vucic, SNS and their thugs. Threats have been followed in many cases by vicious attacks. The need to organise self-defence and effective stewarding of protests, blockades, occupations and strikes is now widely understood. Early on, students formed self-defence units called Dabre to protect themselves from brutal attacks from SNS thugs and provocateurs. In the meantime, spontaneous self-defence units were formed by Serbian army veterans and bikers, which began protecting the students during protests. Additionally, IT assemblies in Serbia are raising money to pay the overdue salaries of education workers with the support of other workers across Serbia. This level of class solidarity is not common during periods of so-called social peace. Everything points to the fact that an assembly is not just an assembly, and the canopy collapse was far more than just a collapse. A deep distrust of the whole system One of the main characteristics of the present political situation in Serbia is that students and others mobilising against the regime have a deep distrust for the whole system, including the established parties that are in opposition. The overthrow of Milosevic through the revolutionary mobilisation of the working class in October 2000 brought to power an opposition that did not prove capable of achieving the fundamental change demanded by the mass movement. This betrayal created the conditions for the present Vucic regime. For this reason, the masses say both Vucic is no good, and the opposition is no good, and desire for systemic change. The most advanced layers have already concluded that what is needed is a movement that ultimately becomes a revolution capable of sweeping all of this away. Where did the movement come from? The global economic crisis of 2008 destabilised capitalism throughout the world and triggered tectonic shifts in consciousness. The continued crisis has caused a general decline in the quality of life across the world. Over the past 30 years, Serbia has experienced a continuous decline in living standards as a result of the restoration of capitalism. All in all, there is not a single sector or piece of infrastructure in Serbia that could receive a passing grade from public transport to agriculture, everything is underdeveloped and neglected. Writing from Britain, Ted Grant described the role played by the students on the eve of May 1968 in France: In that atmosphere, the student rebellion developed. It was a symptom of discontent in society. Sons and daughters of the middle class, upper middle class, and even the bourgeoisie rebelled against the rotten values of the ruling class. This movement was a symptom of crisis in the capitalist world. The student demonstrations were violently attacked by elite riot police, notorious for their brutality. The beating of protesters only further enraged students, leading to street battles on the barricades in the Latin Quarter, occupations of universities in Paris, and then throughout France. This in turn sparked a movement among high school students. Ted Grants description of the movement in France strongly resembles the current movement in Serbia. It is no coincidence that students openly say they draw inspiration from previous movements like those in 1968 in France and the former Yugoslavia. Here, the 1968 movement took a different form, with students making demands not against socialism per se, but against the bureaucracy that eventually restored capitalism. Even ordinary news reports often note that the current movement in Serbia resembles the student struggles of 1968. The students mobilisation is a symptom of a much deeper crisis of the capitalist system. In normal times of relative calm and stability, during which the illusions of liberal democracy hold sway, most people do not actively participate in politics. On the contrary, they are often completely disinterested. Only a minority is politically active. Of course, in Serbia, participation in mass assemblies, particularly in the workplaces, has not yet reached the level of a general mobilisation. However, it is getting stronger and stronger. The numbers speak volumes. During March alone, according to CRTA, the agency for collecting data, there were 1,697 protests in 378 places, with hundreds of thousands of people involved, and 200 zborovi in Serbia. Thousands of people are involved in the Novi Sad assemblies alone. We can expect that currently tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people in Serbia are participating in assemblies. And Vucic is trying to brush them to one side as undemocratic, calling them Bolshevik inventions. It is no wonder that in the media some journalists are connecting these zborovi to a revolution in Serbia. The students mobilisation is a symptom of a much deeper crisis of the capitalist system / Image: Bracejerkovic, Wikimedia Commons Trotsky, in The History of the Russian Revolution, defines revolution as the decisive moment when the masses intervene directly in historical events. The making of this can now be seen in Serbia. If we consider what Lenin described as the conditions for revolution, we can see the following: The first condition is that the crisis provokes divisions and wavering within the ruling class. Serbias bourgeoisie definitely shows this, and the local Balkan ruling classes fear the repercussions of a movement that is resonating in various forms across former Yugoslav countries. Vucic could hardly appear more nervous and erratic, and the Serbian Parliament reeks of desperation. For months now, students have been publicly accused in the media of supporting Bolshevism, communism and revolution. The second condition is the wavering of the petty bourgeoisie, which seeks an escape from the crisis, either through the working class or through the capitalists. As Lenin explained, through a firm policy of the working class, under such conditions, support from the middle class could be won. The third condition is the readiness of the working class to fight. Despite numerous calls from students for a general strike and mobilisation, this has not yet been fully realised. This is partly due to the attitude of the trade union bureaucracy, which has thus far only offered verbal support for the students demands and has not spread the call for a general strike among its members. Instinctively, the sections of the working class that are beginning to mobilise, such as the education workers, have created their own organs of struggle, through which theyve organised strikes. Recently, many strikes have been happening in Serbia, as part of the intensifying class struggle beneath the surface. Workers need to fight for their own demands by setting up their own strike committees. But above all, what is missing is Lenins fourth condition: the existence of a mass revolutionary party, with roots among the workers, that is ready to take the boldest steps to secure victory for the working class. Because of the lack of such a party, the movement is subject to pressure from different classes. Bourgeois public opinion, fuelled by the international capitalist media, is trying to describe the movement as the European way out of a system based on corruption. The idea that a government run by experts could guide the transition to a better democratic system threatens to derail the movement in pursuit of sterile constitutional reforms, when the source of the rot is the capitalist system itself. Various bourgeois media outlets try to describe this movement as an attempt to establish the rule of law and a constitutional state, or simply as ordinary anti-corruption protests. It is evident, however, that this ideological campaign is not penetrating deeply into the consciousness of the students at the plenums, and that the aims of the movement go much further than the bourgeois would like. The pressure of bourgeois ideas on the students is intensifying around possible attempts to form a transitional government and by forcing students to make a formal decision regarding future elections. At the same time, the regime is becoming more and more aggressive. A serious provocation by the regime could tip the scales and provoke an even more massive revolutionary upsurge, and the generalisation of mass zborovi. It is in the process of these events that the most militant layers of this movement will be the ones to help form a new mass revolutionary communist party one that will lay the foundations for a future revolutionary leadership. What next? The movement currently lacks decisive, concrete steps for action, but over time it is becoming bolder. From plenums to calls for a general strike, to the formation of mass people's assemblies, and mass workers assemblies. These organs of mass struggle are emerging, and beginning to take a more centralised form. The movement has been continuing for almost six months now, but it cannot go on forever. However, in continuing, the most advanced layers will inevitably draw increasingly revolutionary conclusions in order to protect themselves from the intrusive petty-bourgeois and bourgeois ideas. The students are being taught by their experiences, and will be pushed towards the conclusion that they need to call for unified action between zborovi, plenums, and unions, towards a general strike. So far, students have been the focal point of the movement, and they can continue to be. Their call for generalising the formation of mass assemblies (zborovi) was the right move, as there was a real risk that the movement would be isolated from the working class. In taking on a social perspective and calling on the people to mobilise, they judged correctly. The students have correctly recognised the need for the working class to play a decisive role by fully mobilising its force against the regime. To quote Ted Grant: Not a wheel turns, not a phone rings, not a light bulb shines without the kind permission of the working class! Once this enormous power is mobilised, no force on earth can stop it. But history teaches us that a revolutionary party cannot be hurried into existence, right before major events. That is exactly what the current movement shows it suffers chronically from a lack of leadership. On the other hand, this is also its greatest strength in a sense: there are no reformist leaders, no Stalinised parties, and no political options on the left that could steer this situation in the wrong direction, as happened during the revolution in France in 1968. Yet, students must also be aware that the working class only mobilises in a decisive way when certain conditions arise, and not just because such a mobilisation is desired. That is precisely why the calls for a general strike have not yet produced the desired explosive effect. However, we can be sure of one thing. From the revolt of the students most of whom in Serbia are the sons and daughters of the working class we can sense the discontent of the working class itself. This is a sign of an impending explosion and indicates the intensity of the workers fury once they rise, not only in Serbia, but across the Balkans. Parts of the youth and the working class will draw the conclusion from this movement that a revolutionary leadership is necessary to achieve fundamental social change that is, the overthrow of capitalism and its replacement with a democratically planned socialist economy. What we are witnessing in Serbia are the early pangs of a revolutionary crisis / Image: fair use But for now, the task of achieving the students demands, of establishing a more just system in Serbia, and of overthrowing Vucic belongs to the working class of Serbia and no one else. To achieve these demands, mass mobilisation and a revolutionary general strike will be necessary one unprecedented in recent history in this region. The strike will be led by the youngest workers, unburdened by past defeats and cynicism. As communists, we support the call for generalising the formation of zborovi in every neighbourhood and workplace. We also defend the need to democratically coordinate and centralise them at a regional and national level by introducing methods of workers democracy. All delegates should be elected and subject to recall by the assemblies that elected them. The movement towards a general strike will strengthen the tendency towards mass self-organisation through the assemblies, strike committees and councils of delegates elected from the assemblies. These will emerge not just as organs of struggle but also of self-management, as an alternative power to the corrupt capitalist institutions. All power to the zborovi! What we are witnessing in Serbia are the early pangs of a revolutionary crisis. The whole of society is affected. The consciousness of the masses is being transformed through the experience of mass activity and the class struggle. The seemingly conservative demand of the students that the institutions do their job resulted in the spontaneous initiative of the students and wider strata of the people and workers to make their own decisions about society, to organise themselves into assemblies and begin to coordinate and centralise them as the embryonic formations of workers power. In essence, the movement represents an eruption in the simmering, molecular process of revolution that has been taking place in Serbia since the breakup of Yugoslavia. It is an expression of dissatisfaction with capitalism in general and its simple inability to provide the basic conditions for development. Therefore, the assemblies represent the will of the masses to participate in political decisions and politics in general. The will of the masses can only be realised when the assemblies become the de facto government in Serbia. These assemblies to the degree that they involve the mass of the working class, and coordinate and centralise in councils of delegates are essentially soviets in embryonic form, similar to those which emerged during the revolutions of 1905 and 1917 in Russia. The movement can fight for much more than justice for the victims of the Novi Sad canopy collapse. The strength of the working class can not only overthrow Vucic, but can also win massive, decisive victories. To strengthen the power of the assemblies, we must: Make the zbor the main tool of struggle. Unite students and workers to organise a general strike. Unite students and workers to organise a general strike. Establish more workers assemblies! Workers must form their own mass assemblies in their workplaces, coordinating them by sector, following the example of workers in IT, education, and healthcare. Why? Because the strongest weapon against the state is a strike. Workers must establish their own strike committees and the assembly is the tool to do that! Just as the education workers have already shown. Centralise the assemblies! Create a central assembly a Zbor svih zborova on a national level, to which delegates from assemblies across Serbia (representatives of workers and peoples assemblies) will be sent, as well as delegates from student plenums. Our goal must be the better coordination of actions and the establishment of strike and blockade committees. Organise self-defense under the control of the assemblies. Students are blockading universities. Workers should occupy workplaces. Forward to the revolutionary strike in Serbia! Support for an Arab initiative to reconstruct the Gaza Strip without the displacement of its population has been affirmed by Italy. It was announced during a joint press briefing held on Thursday, April 24 in Cairo. Egyptian Foreign Minister Bedr Abdelatty confirmed that his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, reiterated Italys alignment with the reconstruction plan and a sustainable ceasefire during their discussions. Emphasis was also placed on the facilitation of urgent humanitarian aid into the besieged territory. Regional issues beyond Gaza were also reviewed during the meeting, with particular attention directed to the escalating tensions in the Red Sea. Both parties acknowledged the necessity of de-escalating maritime threats and ensuring uninterrupted navigation through critical trade passages such as the Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandab Strait. Joint strategies to address irregular migration were underscored, alongside commendation for Egypts long-standing role in stemming migrant departures and sheltering millions displaced by conflict. Talks between Italian officials and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi further encompassed a broad array of geopolitical concerns, ranging from ceasefire efforts and humanitarian access in Gaza to broader regional conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Sudan. Egypts diplomatic efforts in mediating hostage exchanges and preventing further destabilisation were praised, as was its cooperation in migration management. Italy reaffirmed its commitment to sustained dialogue with Cairo, recognising Egypts pivotal role in pursuing regional stability and humanitarian relief. The Mozambican government has announced on Thursday, April 24 that the last insurgent training camps in the northern province of Cabo Delgado have been seized, marking what has been described as the official end of a prolonged conflict. The declaration was made following a sustained military effort which has been ongoing since militant activity, linked to the DAESH group, first erupted in the region in 2017. Credit for the success was attributed to regional cooperation under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique, with troops from several member states having been deployed. It was noted by Chief of Defence Intelligence Ricardo Macuvele that Zambia had played a significant role in reclaiming territory from the rebels, with this support acknowledged during his diplomatic visit to Lusaka. The capture of the final camps has been presented as a decisive turning point in restoring control to the resource-rich province. Despite the recent military gains, the regions stability remains crucial for the future of its energy sector. Operations by foreign companies, such as TotalEnergies, had been suspended following deadly attacks. With an estimated 5,800 lives lost and major investments halted, authorities now express hope that peace and order will facilitate the resumption of development projects, particularly those involving offshore natural gas reserves. Plans to raise South Africas value-added tax (VAT) have been abandoned on April 24 by the Finance minister, following intense opposition from coalition partners. The proposal, which would have increased VAT by 0.5 percentage points to 15.5%, was initially justified as a necessary step to address a deepening financial crisis. However, resistance from key political allies, particularly the Democratic Alliance (DA), created the risk of a parliamentary defeat of the national budget, prompting the retreat. The decision to scrap the VAT increase was seen as a political compromise to maintain the fragile unity of the coalition government. Pressure had been mounting, not only from within the governing alliance but also from trade unions, opposition parties, and even within the governments own tax agency. Fears that the proposed increase would disproportionately affect the poor contributed to widespread rejection. With the threat of a government collapse looming, the African National Congress (ANC) was compelled to concede, though it publicly denied succumbing to pressure. Public reaction to the reversal has been marked by relief, particularly among economically strained households. The ANCs declining electoral support, evident in last years historic loss of its parliamentary majority, has been further tested by the budget standoff. While the DA hailed the outcome as a victory for economic justice, critics, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), labelled the episode a budget fiasco and called for the finance ministers resignation. As spending plans are now re-evaluated, the ANC faces a renewed challenge to restore confidence in its leadership and economic strategy. A meeting between Qatar and Ghana has been held on Thursday, April 24 in Accra, where discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring avenues for increased cooperation. The talks were led by HE Secretary-General of Qatars Foreign Affairs Ministry, Dr Ahmed bin Hassan and Chief Director of Ghanas Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ramses Joseph. During the meeting, both sides expressed a shared commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors, including trade, investment, and cultural exchange. Emphasis was placed on fostering mutual understanding and collaboration to address regional and global challenges. The discussions also highlighted the importance of continued dialogue to promote peace, security, and sustainable development in both countries. The diplomatic engagement underscores Qatars ongoing efforts to deepen its partnerships with African nations, particularly in West Africa. The meeting between the Qatari and Ghanaian officials reflects a mutual desire to build a robust and enduring relationship that benefits both nations and contributes to regional stability and prosperity. An admission has been made on April 23 by the Government of Benin that 54 soldiers lost their lives in a recent assault by jihadist militants in the countrys northern region, near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger. The revised death toll, acknowledged by officials days after the incident, marks the deadliest attack suffered by Benins armed Forces since insurgent activity began escalating in the area. The assault, which targeted two military outposts, has been attributed to Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated group originally based in Mali. Although initial reports suggested a smaller number of casualties, the magnitude of the attack was later confirmed following further investigation. The group, through its own channels, claimed responsibility and reported even higher figures, citing the deaths of 70 soldiersthough this remains unverified by authorities. Expressions of national mourning and defiance have followed the announcement, with presidential and government spokespeople vowing continued resistance. The attack highlights the growing reach of jihadist factions beyond the Sahel, as both Benin and Togo face increasing threats from groups tied to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Despite the losses, Benins leadership has pledged that the fight against extremist violence will persist, and ultimate victory will be pursued without surrender. 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: Breathing the air in nearly half of the United States could be putting your health at risk. A new American Lung Association report shows that 156 million people live in areas with unhealthy air. The group's annual "State of the Air" report found that smog and soot pollution are getting worse, not better. The report looked at air quality data from 2021 to 2023. It found that 25 million more people than in the group's last report were breathing "unhealthy levels of air pollution." That's more than in any other "State of the Air" report in the last decade, the association said. Since the Clean Air Act became law in 1970, air pollution has gone down overall, said Laura Kate Bender, an assistant vice president at the lung association, told CBS News. "The challenge is that over the last few years, we're starting to see it tick back up again and that's because of climate change, in part," she said. "Climate change is making some of those conditions for wildfires and extreme heat that drive ozone pollution worse for a lot of the country." The city with the worst year-round and short-term particle pollution? Bakersfield, California, for the sixth year in a row. What's more, it was ranked third worst for high ozone days. In contrast, Casper, Wyoming, was listed as the cleanest city for year-round particle pollution, CBS News said. Here are the top 10 cities with the worst year-round particle pollution, according to the association: Bakersfield-Delano, Calif. Visalia, Calif. Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, Calif. Eugene-Springfield, Ore. Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif. Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, Mich. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, Calif. Houston-Pasadena, Texas Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio Fairbanks-College, Ark. The report warned that pollution isn't just an issue in the west. Extreme heat and wildfires are spreading pollution across the country. In fact, smoke from Canada's wildfires in 2023 caused unhealthy air quality even in the eastern parts of the U.S., the report pointed out. Some of the findings came as a surprise, according to Kevin Stewart, the association's environmental health director. "I think we knew that the wildfire smoke would have an impact on air quality in the United States," he told CBS News. "I think we were surprised at the Lung Association by how strong the effect was, especially in the northeastern quadrant of the continental United States." Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will roll back 31 environmental rules, including ones pertaining to vehicle emissions, CBS News reported. Bender said that puts decades of progress at risk. "Unfortunately, we see that everything that makes our air quality better is at risk," she said. "The EPA is at riskthe agency that is protecting our healththrough staff cuts, funding cuts. The regulations that have cleaned up our air over time are at risk of being cut. If we see all those cuts become reality, it's gonna have a real impact on people's health by making the air they breathe dirtier." Lee Zeldin, the EPA administrator, argued that, instead, the deregulation will drive "a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more," according to CBS News. Air pollution has been linked to asthma, heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer and even poor brain function later in life. "This air pollution is causing kids to have asthma attacks, making people who work outdoors sick and unable to work, and leading to low birth weight in babies," Kezia Ofosu Atta, the Lung Association's advocacy director, told CBS News. The report also found that Black Americans are more likely to suffer serious health problems from air pollution. More information: State of the Air, www.lung.org/research/sota The World Health Organization (WHO) has more on exposure & health impacts of air pollution. 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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 There is no difference over time in the spatial working memory of older people who have autistic traits and those who are neurotypical, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The new research, published in The Gerontologist, is the first study to explore age-related rate of decline in spatial working memory in older people who may be autistic. Spatial working memory helps people to remember and use information about where things are and how they are arranged. It is typically used for tasks that involve navigating spaces or organizing objects. As people get older, spatial working memory can sometimes become less effective, which is an example of cognitive decline. This decline can be a part of normal aging, but it can also be more pronounced in conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Spatial working memory can also be affected in autistic peopleespecially when it comes to tasks that involve remembering and organizing visual information. Consequently, there has previously been debate over whether autism may lead to increased risk of cognitive decline and, by extension, future dementia. For the new study, the research team used data from 10,060 people over the age of 50 in the UK who had been assessed as having autistic traitssuch as difficulty with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interestsfrom the PROTECT study. They found that 1.5% of the cohort had high levels of autistic traits and may be autistic, which is comparable to prevalence estimates of autism in the general population. The team analyzed this data using a method called growth mixture modeling to see how participants' spatial working memory changed over a seven-year period. The findings of the study showed that most people, whether they had high levels of autistic traits or not, maintained their cognitive ability over time. This suggested that autistic people were not more likely to experience cognitive decline in this domain. Corresponding author, Professor Joshua Stott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) said, "Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition associated with differences in social communication and repetitive patterns of sensory motor behaviors. "It is known that autistic people often also have cognitive differences relative to non-autistic people. In light of this and a current global World Health Organization-led focus on prevention of cognitive decline and dementia, there has been considerable interest in whether having a neurodevelopmental condition like autism can affect your risk of age-related cognitive decline, and potentially dementia. "Our work provides no support for any difference between autistic people and neurotypical people in terms of increased risk of age-related cognitive decline. "While there are limitations and more studies are needed, looking directly at other aspects of cognitive decline and dementia risk in the community rather than health care records samples, this research provides useful evidence that can hopefully help to reassure autistic people about this concerning issue." Previous research has indicated that there may be higher dementia rates in older adults with autism. However, these studies, which look at health care records, are hindered by the very low diagnostic rate of autism in older people (around one in nine adults over the age of 50 are diagnosed in the UK), meaning that they only look at a very particular and small subsample of autistic people, who probably have more health care difficulties and consequently are at greater risk of dementia than autistic people in general. Meanwhile, other studies that support the theory that autism has no extra effect on cognitive decline have previously only looked at whether autistic people differ in cognition from non-autistic (neurotypical) people at a single time pointrather than tracking changes over time. Senior author Dr. Gavin Stewart, British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London, said, "Understanding how aging intersects with autism is an important yet understudied topic. Getting older often comes with a range of changes, including in health and cognition. "As autistic people can be at greater risk of certain health problems and have cognitive differences to non-autistic people, we need to know whether autistic people will have different patterns of aging than their non-autistic peers. "This study provides some reassuring evidence that some aspects of cognition change similarly in autistic and non-autistic populations." Future studies should test people for a longer time and include a wider age range to understand memory changes better. These findings also need to be replicated in samples who meet diagnostic criteria for autism. Study limitations The study only included people who could use a computer and the internet, so it might not represent all older adults in the UK. Meanwhile, the test for autistic traits mainly looked at social and communication issues, not other autism-related behaviors, which might affect the results. And most participants were white, so the findings might not apply to people from other ethnic backgrounds. More information: Saloni Ghai et al, The Association between Autism Spectrum Traits and Age-Related Spatial Working Memory Decline: A Large-Scale Longitudinal Study, The Gerontologist (2025). DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaf096 Journal information: The Gerontologist 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 Research presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting, held April 2428 in Honolulu, reveals that young children with chronic conditions are more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) than healthy children. Toddlers with chronic conditions are hospitalized for RSV at twice the rate as healthy toddlers over their first two seasons. The risk was highest for children born very prematurely under 28 weeks of gestation, or with conditions affecting multiple organs, the lungs, heart, or digestive system. Researchers recommend that children with those specific conditions receive immunization against RSV in their first season to increase protection, even if their mother was vaccinated. Current guidelines suggest pregnant women should receive vaccination before birth to pass on antibodies. "Our research finds that many children with chronic conditions require seasonal RSV immunization beyond the period of protection that can be achieved with maternal vaccination. It expands current definitions from traditionally defined high-risk groups to other children with chronic conditions that could equally benefit from RSV immunization, up to two years of age," said Marina Vineta Paramo, graduate student at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and presenting author. "Our study underscores the importance of children with chronic conditions getting immunized against RSV in their second season, and in their first season even if their mother was vaccinated." This study analyzed data from 431,937 infants born in British Columbia, Canada, between 2013 and 2023, including 25,452 infants with chronic health conditions. More information: Abstract: RSV hospitalizations in children with chronic medical conditions during their first and second seasons: A retrospective population, season-stratified cohort study. 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: DNA, which has a double-helix structure, can have many genetic mutations and variations. Credit: NIH Cutting-edge DNA mapping technology has identified new genetic information that can help researchers decipher more genetic diseases, a new study finds. The research was presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting, held April 2428 in Honolulu. The technology identified more genomic imprinting in DNA10 times as muchthan previously published data. Genomic imprinting occurs when only one parent's gene is expressed in a child's genetic makeup, which contributes to rare pediatric diseases, according to researchers. Study authors said the technology, known as HiFi long-read sequencing, helps identify patterns in DNA that could show which parent is linked to genomic imprinting. "Genomic research is uniquely powerful and new technologies continue to enhance understanding of rare diseases," said Elin Grundberg, Ph.D., Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Kansas City and presenting author. "The novel HiFi long-read sequencing technology helps researchers uncover insights into human development and potentially identify diseases that have eluded science." Researchers applied the technology to more than 200 genetic samples from cells of nearly 70 six-to-eight-week-old placentas at Children's Mercy Kansas City. More information: Abstract: Mapping parent of origin methylation by long-read sequencing reveals novel imprinting and insight into pediatric disease. 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 Erythropoietin, a treatment for newborns with critically low levels of oxygen or blood supply to the brain at birth, does not prevent death or disability, according to a new multinational study. The research was presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting, held April 2428 in Honolulu. Researchers found that a high-dose treatment with erythropoietin, paired with standard cooling treatments, does not reduce death, rate of cerebral palsy, or physical or cognitive impairment for newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). HIE, which leads to brain damage, is caused by labor and delivery problems, or problems with how the placenta is functioning just before or during birth. The randomized trial (PAEAN) studied 311 babies born with HIE at or after 35 weeks in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Researchers compared outcomes at age two between babies treated only with controlled cooling of the baby to a few degrees below normal, and those treated with both erythropoietin and cooling in the first days after birth. "Our research supports the findings of the HEAL study, published by Dr. Yvonne Wu and her colleagues in 2022, which also indicated no benefit of erythropoietin for babies receiving cooling for HIE," said Helen G. Liley, MBChB, FRACP, professor at the University of Queensland in Australia and presenting author. "The PAEAN study increases the certainty of evidence from HEAL, and, together, they do not support prior studies showing erythropoietin could improve outcomes, which brought hope to lower-income countries where access to intensive treatment is not assured. "Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a leading cause of death and disability among newborns, and the search for ways to prevent, detect, and treat it remains critical." Between one and five babies per 1,000 born in countries with high health care resources have HIE, while rates are significantly higher in countries with fewer resources for prenatal care and birth, according to researchers. More information: Abstract: Aiming to prevent adverse outcomes of neonatal hypoxic lschemic encephalopathy with erythropoietin - the paean multicenter randomized controlled trial. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: SHVETS production from Pexels 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 hypertensiona leading cause of pregnancy-related deathsby at least 30% and increasing screenings for other potentially life-threatening conditions. Experts in the field and program participants stress that this work is urgentin 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 anothereven 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 moneywhich comes from the federal health department's Health Resources and Services Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Servicesis 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 there's some kind of muzzle on their communication," Aina said. "We don't knoware 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. "We're 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." 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 we're 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 we're attempting to address them." 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Most people living in cities in low- and middle-income countries can reach primary care clinics within 30 minutesyet average quality of care remains poor with clinicians failing to make correct diagnoses or implement appropriate treatments, new studies reveal. The costs of providing services vary significantly and while most people report low out-of-pocket expenses, a minority face catastrophic health costs. Patients often bypass closer, cheaper clinics to access higher-quality care, even if it means traveling further and paying more. A series of research papers published in Lancet Global Health reveal that the average quality of services is subpar, with frequent medicine shortages and inadequate management of long-term conditions. The international team of researchers, led by the University of Birmingham, proposes a range of strategies to reshape the primary health care market in cities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These include: Investing strategically in public health facilitiesstimulating improvements across the sector, crowding out low-quality providers and encouraging higher standards; Strengthening regulation to enhance quality across public and private sectors; Integrating facility-based care with community health workers to provide comprehensive, equitable care, as demonstrated by successful models in Brazil; Providing ongoing education and training for health care providers are crucial for maintaining high standards of care; Empowering patients through health literacy initiatives and community engagementdriving demand for better services; and Removing user fees and providing vouchers to improve access to essential health services, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. Lead author, Professor Richard J. Lilford, from the University of Birmingham, commented, "Our research underscores the importance of understanding the unique dynamics of urban health care markets in LMICs. Facilities are plentiful and easy to reach, but highly diverse in terms of cost, quality, and crowding, resulting in a market of competing public and private providers. "Much policy discussion of health services in LMICs still relies on knowledge and models derived from rural contexts. It simply doesn't account for the dense network of competing providers in the urban health service landscape. "This means that improvement strategies which work in rural contexts are unlikely to be successful in a city setting. We must find ways of creating innovative policy approaches that give patients choice and competitionthis will help to re-shape markets and improve the quality of health care." The researchers note that policymakers must balance public service expansion with subsidies for private care to improve access and equity. Research gaps persist, especially regarding marginalized populations and areas on the edge of cities. More information: Supply-side and demand-side factors affecting allopathic primary care service delivery in low-income and middle-income country cities, The Lancet Global Health (2025). Journal information: The Lancet Global Health 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 More information about gun safety has increasingly led parents to ask about firearms in the homes their kids visit, according to a new national study. The research was presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting, held April 2428 in Honolulu. Every new source of information increased parents' likelihood of asking by 40%. Researchers found that 16% of caregivers who had never received firearm safety information asked about firearms where their child was visiting, compared to 79% of those who had heard about firearm safety from eight different sources. While education from other parents had the biggest impact, the study found that any additional source of informationsuch as a family member, a school official, or social mediamade them more likely to ask about guns when their kids visited other homes. Hearing firearm safety information from a health care provider also increased the likelihood of asking, yet less than 9% of parents report discussing firearm safety with their providers. "Robust firearm education for parents builds a safer future for children where conversations about gun safety among parents and in communities are the norm rather than the exception," said Maya Haasz, MD, associate professor at Children's Hospital Colorado and presenting author. "As the research shows, the more education about gun safety, the safer families can be, especially when children as young as two years old can accidentally pull a trigger." The findings underscore the need for ongoing, multifaceted education about gun safety, the study authors say. Guns are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, research shows. The survey consisted of nearly 1,600 caregivers of children under the age of 18. More information: Abstract: Caregivers' asking about firearms in homes that youth visit: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey. 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: Pragyan Bezbaruah from Pexels New data published in The Journal of Immunology has revealed the role of Plasmodium falciparum infection (malaria) in the development of Burkitt lymphoma (BL), the most common childhood cancer in equatorial Africa and New Guinea. BL has been associated with P. falciparum malaria since 1958, but the underlying mechanism of how it led to cancer had remained a mystery. "Knowing that malaria has a direct role in increasing childhood cancer risk means that measures to reduce the burden of P. falciparum malaria in Africa could also reduce the incidence of Burkitt lymphoma," shared Dr. Rosemary Rochford, Distinguished Professor of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, who led the study. BL is a cancer that affects B cells, important cells of the immune system that produce antibodies. While BL is a rare cancer globally, its prevalence is 10 times higher in areas with a consistent presence of P. falciparum malaria. Five different species of Plasmodium can cause malaria in humans, but only P. falciparum is associated with BL. This study found significant elevated expression of an enzyme called AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase) in B cells during P. falciparum malaria in children. According to the researchers, this pointed to the direct role of P. falciparum malaria in BL due to the role of AID in the development of BL. A hallmark of BL is the translocation of a gene called MYC, a genetic mutation where DNA breaks off one chromosome and attaches to another. The enzyme AID is essential for MYC translocation, which is why its presence in malaria patients indicates P. falciparum malaria's role in BL. This study assessed blood from children with uncomplicated malaria for AID levels and compared them to children without malaria. Uncomplicated malaria is when a patient's symptoms are non-specific, including fever, chills, sweating, headache, nausea, and/or vomiting, without signs of severe organ dysfunction. AID was significantly elevated in B cells of children with uncomplicated malaria and found to be fully functional. The functionality of the excess AID also supports the role of P. falciparum in causing BL. Dr. Rochford hopes that "this study adds to the body of literature pointing to a critical role of the enzyme, AID, in the etiology of Burkitt lymphoma and potentially in other non-Hodgkin's lymphomas." Dr. Rochford and her team are continuing this work by evaluating other effects of P. falciparum on immune function in children and how that creates a permissive environment for cancer. More information: Bonface Ariera et al, Sustained activation induced cytidine deaminase (AID) expression in B cells following Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection in Kenyan children, The Journal of Immunology (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf005 Journal information: Journal of Immunology Provided by American Association of Immunologists 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: UCSF researchers designed new drug candidates that potently block MPro, a viral enzyme that's crucial for SARS-CoV-2 replication. One of these drug candidates, AVI-4516, is shown (center) bound to the active site of MPro (surrounding grey structure), where it prevents MPro from functioning. Credit: Verba Lab A team at UC San Francisco and Gladstone Institutes has developed new drug candidates that show great promise against the virus that causes COVID-19 and potentially other coronaviruses that could cause future pandemics. In preclinical testing, the compounds performed better than Paxlovid against SARS-CoV-2 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, which periodically causes deadly outbreaks around the world. "In three years, we've moved as fast as a pharmaceutical company would have, from start to finish, developing drug candidates against a totally new pathogen," said Charles Craik, Ph.D., UCSF professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and co-corresponding author of the paper, which appears in Science Advances. "These compounds could inhibit coronaviruses in general, giving us a head start against the next pandemic," Craik said. "We need to get them across the finish line and into clinical trials." The work was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to prepare for the next coronavirus epidemicwork that pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned. But the grant to UCSF has since been terminated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the group's antiviral drug candidates face an uncertain future. The discovery came out of UCSF's Antiviral Drug Discovery (AViDD) Center for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern, which is one of nine centers that NIAID created in 2022 to bolster the nation's pandemic preparedness. From virtual to real-world drug candidates The UCSF Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) Coronavirus Research Group (QCRG) was founded in 2020 by QBI's director, Nevan Krogan, Ph.D. It brought together 800 scientists from more than 40 institutions across the world. From this group, he assembled hundreds of scientists from 43 labs across UCSF, Gladstone Institutes, and a wide range of domestic and international institutionsincluding the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Northwestern University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Toronto, the University of Alberta, University College London, Institut Pasteur, and others. "COVID was our wake-up call to apply all our resources and know-how towards new therapies and future pandemic preparedness," said Krogan, UCSF professor of cellular and molecular pharmacology, co-author of the paper, and a leading expert on the biology of infectious disease. For the project that led to the new SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates, Craik, who had experience designing drugs against HIV, partnered with the UCSF labs of Brian Shoichet, Ph.D.; Adam Renslo, Ph.D.; Kliment Verba, Ph.D.; and Krogan, as well as Melanie Ott, MD, Ph.D. (Gladstone Institutes). The group focused on the major protease (MPro), a type of enzyme that breaks proteins into smaller pieces like a pair of molecular scissors. SARS-CoV-2 uses MPro to trim viral proteins into usable parts, which the virus then uses to replicate in human cells. Viral proteases have often been the target of attempts to make antiviral drugs, most notably for HIV. Shoichet's molecular docking program, a virtual system to test how different molecules interact with proteins, helped the team identify a few dozen molecular structures, out of millions, that mildly blocked MProa starting point for developing real-world drug candidates. The Renslo lab then synthesized hundreds of new molecules based on the virtual molecules, which the Craik lab tested against MPro in the laboratory. Tyler Detomasi, Ph.D., a post-doctoral researcher in the Craik Lab, showed that two molecules named AVI-4516 and AVI-4773 had bonded to the MPro active site. These molecules were a perfect fit for MPro. Fortunately, neither blocked human proteases, which are important for human health. "This was our lucky break and gave us some very special molecules," Craik said. "They only react when they're already inside this viral protease, but not to any of our own human proteases, giving us hope that they could have minimal side effects in people." A new generation of effective antivirals With rising confidence that AVI-4516 and AVI-4773 so effectively blocked MPro, Ott, a virologist, tested them against live SARS-CoV-2, first in petri dishes and then in mice. Ott had tested hundreds of drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 by this point. "It's very challenging to fight viruses in general, let alone SARS-CoV-2, but these new compounds were some of the best, if not the best, we had ever seen, in terms of eliminating infection," said Ott, who is a co-corresponding author of the paper. The two drug candidates looked promising as disease therapies. They potently blocked their target; they traveled efficiently through the body, ensuring they reached their target; and, at least in mice, they appeared safe. In a tantalizing follow-up experiment, a further-optimized version of the molecules effectively blocked variants of SARS-CoV-2 like Delta, as well as MERS, a related coronavirus that continues to cause small but deadly outbreaks worldwide. The team believes their drug candidates, once shepherded through clinical trials to demonstrate safety in humans, could be kept "on the shelf" ready to fight the next pandemic caused by a coronavirus. "These compounds are easy to modify and should be easy to manufacture," Renslo said. "AViDD enabled us to discover important new countermeasures for an important class of viral pathogens. It's critical that we see this project through to clinical studies to ensure we're better prepared for the next pandemic." More information: Tyler C. Detomasi et al, Structure-based discovery of highly bioavailable, covalent, broad-spectrum coronavirus M Pro inhibitors with potent in vivo efficacy, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adt7836 Journal information: Science Advances 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 Pregnant women living with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their infants had significantly better health outcomes when treated with buprenorphine, according to a new study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. The research was presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting, held April 2428 in Honolulu. Pregnant women who received buprenorphine, a medication used to treat OUD, were less likely to have a preterm birth, face serious health complications, or have their infants hospitalized in the NICU compared to those who did not receive the treatment, the study found. "We know that treatment with medications like buprenorphine substantially reduces the risk of overdose death for pregnant women with opioid use disorder, but its benefits to newborns have not been well understood," said Stephen Patrick, MD, MPH, senior author and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. "We found a profound reduction in preterm birth among infants whose mothers were treated with buprenorphine, which can have a lifelong impact." Despite rates of OUD in pregnant women increasing more than fivefold from 1999 to 2017, more than half still do not receive treatment, researchers said. Previous research estimates that up to 20% of pregnant women with OUD may have a preterm birth, nearly double those without OUD. Preterm birth, a growing public health issue, increases the risk of health problems in children, including respiratory issues, infections, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and vision and hearing problems. Researchers also noted stark disparities in equitable care. Those receiving buprenorphine were significantly less likely to be Black. "Disparities in access to buprenorphine significantly affect vulnerable populations, including pregnant women," said Sunaya Krishnapura, graduating medical student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and presenting author. "Our findings underscore the urgent need for policies that expand treatment access in the United States to ensure a healthy pregnancy and future for mothers and infants." The study examined more than 14,000 pregnant women with OUD who were enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid between 2010 and 2021. More information: Abstract: Association between buprenorphine treatment for maternal opioid use disorder and maternal-infant outcomes. Peng Liyuan chats over tea with wife of Kenyan president Xinhua) 09:18, April 25, 2025 Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, chats over tea with Rachel Ruto, wife of Kenyan President William Ruto, in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, chatted over tea with Rachel Ruto, wife of Kenyan President William Ruto, in Beijing on Thursday. Hailing the longstanding friendship between China and Kenya, Peng said the two countries have had good cooperation in education, sports, agriculture and other fields, expressing her expectations for closer exchanges and stronger friendship between the two peoples. Peng introduced China's achievements in targeted poverty alleviation, and expressed appreciation for Rachel's long-term dedication to social welfare and consistent focus on women's education and empowerment. Peng said she hopes that the two sides will share their experience to jointly promote poverty alleviation and the cause of women and children in both countries. Rachel, who is accompanying President Ruto on a state visit to China, introduced the work she has done over the years in empowering women and supporting women's entrepreneurship. She praised Peng's long-term contribution to promoting the development of the cause of women and children in African countries including Kenya. She said she will continue to contribute to strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges and deepening traditional friendship between the two countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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 electron micrograph of the measles virus. Credit: CDC/ Courtesy of Cynthia S. Goldsmith Illinois' first measles case of the year was in an unvaccinated adult in downstate Marion, according to the state health department. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the first measles case on April 23news that comes amid a swell of measles cases across the country. The health department provided additional details about the location of the unidentified individual and the person's vaccination status in a health advisory sent to local health departments and health care providers. The advisory also listed eight locations where people might have been exposed to the individual with measles from April 7 to April 15: three laundromats, a Walmart, a Kroger, a gym and a restaurant, all in Marion, and the clinic where the person sought care, which was not identified in the advisory. "A public health investigation is underway to identify locations where the patient was while infectious," according to the advisory. "Persons exposed will be contacted to determine immune status. Those susceptible will be monitored for symptoms and asked to quarantine." Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious health complications, especially in young children. Symptoms can include a high fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. The virus can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and a person can catch the measles just by being in a room where an infected person was up to two hours earlier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are considered 97% protective against the measles, and one dose is considered 93% protective. Children typically receive the first dose of the vaccine, or the similar measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine at age 12 to 15 months, and the second dose from ages 4 to 6. Cases of measles have surged this year amid wariness of vaccines. As of April 17, there had been 800 cases across the U.S. this yearthe second-highest number of cases in the U.S. in 25 years and 180% higher than the number of measles cases in the U.S. last year, according to a CDC report released Thursday. Three people with measles in the U.S. have died this year, including two children, and all three were unvaccinated. Before this year, there had not been a measles death in the U.S. for a decade. There have been 10 outbreaks across the country, with the largest one in Texas, which has had 624 cases this year as of April 22, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The last time Illinois had a case of measles before now was in March 2024, when 67 cases were reported, with most linked to a Chicago shelter for migrants on the Lower West Side. That outbreak was the largest in Illinois since 1990, according to the state health department. People can look at their medical records or contact their health care providers to check their vaccination statuses. They can also visit the Illinois Department of Public Health's online portal, Vax Verify, to check their immunization status. The state health department has also released a online tool that allows people to look up measles vaccination rates and data about the risk of outbreaks at individual schools across the state. 2025 Chicago Tribune. 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: Sleep Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2025.106506 Millions worldwide who turn to wearable devices for sleep insights are set to benefit from recommendations on the use of wearable consumer health trackers (CHTs) for sleep measurement released by the World Sleep Society. Uniquely, the international team of sleep experts from the US, Australia, Europe and Singapore took into consideration industry input, critique from clinicians and previous position papers. The emergent recommendations published in Sleep Medicine provide clear and practical points for consumers, clinicians, researchers, and manufacturers, to tap the potential of wearable CHTs in an evidence-guided manner. Once primarily used for fitness tracking, CHTs are now used by many as a means to monitor sleep timing, regularity, and duration. Used regularly, CHTs serve as a "sleep minder," offering a continuous diary of sleep habits, providing insights into sleep patterns over extended periods on a scale previously not possible. By doing so, they can assist in the maintenance or improvement of mood, heart health, brain function, and immunity for millions. However, the accuracy of different devices can vary significantly, depending on the quality and/or configuration of their sensors, and the algorithms used to interpret the data. The measures used are also not standardized. The reasons behind clinician's concerns are revealed and some solutions are proposed. "If manufacturers align to common principles and standards for sleep measurement, consumer health trackers could significantly enhance their value as tools for improving health and wellbeing. We emphasized the benefits of co-operation between clinicians and industry and provided actionable suggestions for this," said Professor Michael Chee, Director of the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), the lead author of the work. Key takeaways for consumers would be to purchase a device that suits their use case, focus on fundamental sleep measures (among a growing array of these)such as sleep timing and regularity which can be directly acted onrather than obsessing over nightly measurements of specific stages like Deep or Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep which are not. Users are encouraged to reflect on their pre-sleep routines and experiment with changes, with regular tracking enabling them to discover which habits lead to better fundamental sleep measures. Over time, and in recognition of inter-individual differences in sleep need, a person could learn how to customize their sleep beyond what general guidelines suggest. Beyond individual benefits, wearable sleep trackers will redefine what "normal" sleep looks like. By collecting data over long periods and across diverse communities, these devices reveal how factors like culture, work schedules, and even nighttime light or noise affect sleep. Advances in big data analysis and artificial intelligence will further enable the personalization sleep recommendations, moving beyond one-size-fits-all advice. The document touched on existing and promising clinical applications but also cautioned that CHTs are not primarily designed for clinical diagnosis and care. This will change but to develop properly, stronger partnership between clinicians and industry is needed. "With the right focus, and approach wearables can help people make meaningful choices for better sleep and better health. These recommendations are an important step in that direction," said Professor Chee. The recommendations will be discussed at the 18th World Sleep Congress in Singapore, September 510, 2025. More information: Michael WL. Chee et al, World Sleep Society Recommendations for the Use of Wearable Consumer Health Trackers That Monitor Sleep, Sleep Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2025.106506 Journal information: Sleep Medicine 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: Since the 1950s, when researchers first linked smoking to lung cancer, national smoking rates have dropped dramatically. Credit: Matthew Stone/John Pierce, UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science Researchers at University of California San Diego found that cigarette smoking continues to decline across the United States, largely driven by young adults. Their study, published in JAMA Network Open on April 25, 2025, reveals that the states with historically high smoking rates have seen the most dramatic declines. However, smoking cessation progress among adults over 50 has been much slower, which could prolong the public health burden of smoking-related diseases and death. "The rapid decline in smoking among young adults is clear evidence that the smoking epidemic will come to an end in our lifetime," said Matthew Stone, Ph.D., first author and assistant professor at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center member. "Indeed, we project that the national smoking prevalence will be under 5% by 2035. However, the much slower decline in smokers over the age of 50, particularly in previously high smoking states, will mean that the high rates of lung cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that are caused by lifelong smoking will take longer to decrease." Researchers used the publicly available Tobacco Use Supplements to the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey. The survey is a largeapproximately 54,000 householdsmonthly representative survey that provides information on employment and economic well-being. For this study, all analyses were conducted between June and October 2024. A total of 1.77 million respondents were analyzed. The study found: Large differences in smoking prevalence existed across U.S. states in both the 1990s and in 2022, when the study authors obtained smoking prevalence estimates. The most significant decline in smoking happened in states with historically high smoking rates. Differences in prevalence across age, sex, race and ethnicity, and education persisted across the years. There was a larger decline in young adult smoking compared with other states with lower historical rates of smoking. However, the gain was offset by a much slower decline among adults 50 and older. Since the 1950s, when researchers first linked smoking to lung cancer, national smoking rates have dropped dramatically. In 1955, 56.9% of U.S. adults smoked. By the turn of the century, that figure had fallen by more than half, and by 2022, it had dropped again by 50%. The trend is expected to continue, with smoking rates projected to halve again by 2035. Recent evidence indicates that states that have made the greatest progress in reducing smoking have also seen the largest declines in lung cancer mortalitytypically with a 16-year lag. "While the ongoing decline in cigarette smoking is a major public health success story," said John P. Pierce, Ph.D., corresponding author and Distinguished Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center. "Recent evidence suggests that the tobacco industry has successfully recruited a new generation of teenagers into e-cigarette use and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of this shift." In a significant move to improve service delivery and reduce member grievances, the employees' provident fund organisation (EPFO) has revamped its provident fund (PF) transfer process and introduced a new facility for employers to generate universal account numbers (UANs) in bulk without Aadhaar seeding. Earlier this year, EPFO simplified the procedure for transferring PF accounts when employees change jobs. Traditionally, such transfers involved both the source EPF office (from which the funds were being moved) and the destination EPF office (to which the funds were credited), leading to delays and complications. Now, with the introduction of the revamped Form 13 functionality, the requirement for destination office approval has been removed. Once the source office approves the transfer, the PF amount will be instantly credited to the member's current account at the new employer. The updated system also includes a new feature that bifurcates the taxable and non-taxable components of PF accumulations. This ensures more accurate calculation of TDS on taxable interest earned on PF contributions. With these changes, EPFO expects the faster processing of PF transfers amounting to around Rs90,000 crore annually and direct benefits for over 1.25 crore members. In another major decision aimed at easing compliance for employers and addressing long-pending grievances, EPFO has now permitted the generation of UANs without Aadhaar in specific cases. These include scenarios involving the remittance of past PF contributions by exempted PF trusts after surrendering their exemption status, or after quasi-judicial or recovery proceedings. To support this, a software facility for bulk UAN generation has been rolled out to EPFOs field offices. This enables the creation of UANs using member ID and other available member details, allowing for the timely crediting of funds even without immediate Aadhaar verification. "However, as a precautionary measure, all such UANs will remain in a frozen state until Aadhaar details are successfully seeded. Once this step is completed, the accounts will be fully activated, ensuring the security of PF funds while enabling efficient processing," EPFO says. These reforms are expected to significantly enhance the member experience, reduce processing time, and resolve long-standing complaints related to delayed PF transfers and account mismatches. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the certificate of registration (CoR) of Jalandhar-based Imperial Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd due to inadequate capital and the lender's poor earnings prospects. RBI has asked Imperial Urban Cooperative Bank to stop its banking business from 25 April 2025. According to RBI, Imperial 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 Imperial 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, the central bank says. Due to the cancellation of its licence, Imperial Urban Cooperative Bank is prohibited from conducting business, including accepting fresh deposits and repaying them. According to the RBI, on liquidation, every depositor of Imperial 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 Imperial Urban Cooperative Bank, 97.79% of the depositors are entitled to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC. As of 31 January 2025, DICGC has already paid Rs5.41 crore of the total insured deposits based on the willingness received from the concerned depositors of the Jalandhar-based lender. Indian equity indices declined for a second consecutive session on 25th April, with the NIFTY settling around the 24,000 mark. The Sensex dropped 588.90 points (0.74%) to close at 79,212.53, while the NIFTY fell 207.35 points (0.86%) to 24,039.35. Market sentiment has been dampened by the tragic terrorist killings in Pahalgam, prompting India to take strong diplomatic measures including the suspension of the Indus water treaty. Pakistan's retaliatory response has led to exchanges of fire along the Line of Control (LoC), with the Indian Army responding effectively. This escalating tension has made investors hesitant to take long positions ahead of the weekend. Despite the geopolitical concerns, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) maintained their buying momentum for the seventh consecutive day, purchasing Indian equities worth Rs8,250.53 crore on Thursday, bringing their weekly net inflows to Rs29,450.5 crore. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) trimmed its growth forecast for India in fiscal year 2026 to 6.2%, a 0.3 percentage point reduction from its January projection. IMF cited escalating trade tensions and heightened global uncertainty as key factors influencing this downward revision, in its latest world economic outlook. World Bank also revised its growth forecast for India's current fiscal year downwards by 40bps (basis points) to 6.3%. This adjustment mirrors IMF's recent cut, citing benefits to private investment from streamlined regulations being offset by global economic weakness and policy uncertainties. India's net foreign direct investment (FDI) fell sharply to US$1.5bn (billion) during April 2024-February 2025, a significant drop from US$11.5bn in the same period a year earlier. This decline was primarily due to increased repatriation and outward FDI from India, which surged to US$48.9bn.However, gross FDI inflows into India remained robust, growing by 15.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) to US$75.1bn. Singapore was the largest source of inflows, followed by Mauritius and US. Simultaneously, overseas investments by Indian firms also nearly doubled to US$24.8bn. Net inflows through external commercial borrowing (ECB) into India more than doubled in April-February 2025, reaching US$20.3bn, the highest tally in five years. This significant increase, driven partly by lower borrowing costs overseas. Beijing has released a revised negative list, reducing the number of sectors with restrictions or prohibitions for foreign investors from 117 to 106. This move by China's State regulator and planning council aims to improve access to the world's second-largest economy.The relaxation of these barriers, first introduced in 2018, comes as the Chinese economy faces increasing pressure from potential US tariffs. China's National Development and Reform Commission stated on Thursday that the 2025 version of the list is intended to lower the entry threshold for foreign capital and stimulate overall market activity. The trends of the major indices in the course of the week's trading are given in the table below: News India's steel industry is grappling with a soaring trade deficit, reaching US$4.748bn in FY25, 330% increase y-o-y. This surge is driven primarily by a flood of low-priced steel imports, with nearly 30% originating from China. Domestic mills are struggling with price competition and reduced market share in export markets, further impacted by Europe's slowing demand. Indian non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) are projected to experience a deceleration in credit growth, ranging from 13%-15% FY25-26, down from an estimated 17% in FY24-25, according to ICRA Ratings. While overall NBFC credit is expected to expand, retail loan growth is anticipated to slow to 16%-18% from 23%, due to base effects and concerns over borrower leveraging. India's two largest private-sector lenders, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, have slightly reduced their workforces in FY24-25, despite simultously expanding their branch networks. HDFC Bank added a net of 994 employees, while ICICI Bank trimmed its staff by 6,723. India's drug regulator (DGCI) halted the production, sale and distribution of several fixed-dose combination (FDC) cough syrups for children under four. DGCI's action is prompted by safety concerns regarding the use of chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydro . India's prominent online brokerage platforms, including Groww, Angel One and Zerodha, reported client attrition in the March quarter, potentially linked to market volatility and decline. 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%. RBI anticipates these adjustments will bolster banks' liquidity resilience and free up an estimated Rs2.7 lakh crore-Rs3 lakh crore (US$32bn-US$36bn) 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. According to a news report, Tesla was reportedly in discussions with the Murugappa group, along with US memory chip-maker Micron and Tata Electronics, to explore procurement options for semiconductor components. This move aligns with Tesla's strategic goal to diversify its global supply chain and reduce reliance on China and Taiwan. Murugappa groups stocks went up following this speculative news. 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/kg 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. Reliance Industries (RIL) made substantial purchases of government securities, amounting to Rs7,000 crore Rs10,000 crore (US$840mnmillionto US$1.2bn), 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. Bharti Airtel'ssubsidiary, Bharti Hexacom, will acquire 400MHz (megahertz) of spectrum in the 26GHz (gigahertz) band from Adani Data Networks. This acquisition will bolster Bharti Airtel's 5G capabilities, particularly in terms of network capacity and speed. Neogen Chemicals informed the stock exchanges about a fire that occurred at its multi-purpose plant (MPP3) facility, including the warehouse and tank farms located at Dahej SEZ, on 5 March 2025 and 7 March 2025. The company further stated that the Gujarat pollution control board (GPCB) has issued certain directions in relation to this incident. It clarified that there is no change to the revenue guidance, despite the operational disruption caused by the fire and the subsequent regulatory directives, the company's financial outlook remains unchanged. Bharat Forge received the approval of the competition commission of India (CCI) for its proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding in AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited. Lupin received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for its Tolvaptan tablets. This approval positions Lupin as the exclusive first-to-file (FTF) for this particular drug in the US market. Tolvaptan is indicated for slowing the decline of kidney function in adults who are at risk of rapidly progressing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Adani group aims to significantly scale its data centre portfolio to 10GW (gigawatts), pledging an additional US$10bn 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 1GW capacity facilities each. Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL), part of the Cyrus Poonawalla group, announced its entry into the consumer durables loan segment with the launch of a digital EMI (equated monthly instalment) 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. Shree Cement announced the commissioning of a new clinker grinding unit with a capacity of 3.40MTPA (million tonnes per annum) at Baloda Bazar (Raipur, Chhattisgarh). This expansion is a brownfield project, indicating that it is an addition to an existing facility. Sandhar Technologies Limited entered into an agreement to sell a non-core immovable property in Bengaluru. It has received an earnest deposit of Rs15 crore for a total consideration of Rs61.5 crore. This sale is in line with Sandhar Technologies' strategic objective to consolidate and monetise its non-essential assets, ensuring that its focus remains on its core business operations. Coal India and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) entered into a significant agreement valued at Rs16,500 crore (US$1.98bn) for the establishment of a 1,600MW (megawatt) thermal power plant in Jharkhand. This collaboration will involve the development of a pithead thermal power station, utilising Coal India's resources for fuel supply and DVC's expertise in power generation. Orders Intellect Design Arena announced a significant multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement with a leading UK-based global bank. It will deploy its eMACH.ai wholesale banking platform to accelerate its international wholesale banking expansion and create a seamless, future-ready corporate banking experience for its clients. Ashoka Buildcon secured a Rs569-crore project from Central Railway in Maharashtra. The project, located between Pachora and Jamner, involves engineering-procurement-construction (EPC). NBCC (India) announced that it was recently been awarded several work orders in the normal course of its business, totalling approximately Rs64.67 crore. Investment/ Acquisition / Stake Stale JSW Paints and a consortium comprising Advent International and Indigo Paints were reportedly in a competitive race to acquire Akzo Nobel India, the company that owns the well-known Dulux brand of paints. Piramal Pharma entered into a stock subscription agreement and loan conversion agreement to invest in its material step-down wholly-owned subsidiary, Piramal Healthcare Inc (PHI). Under the agreement, PPL Pharma will subscribe to 1,903 optionally convertible redeemable preference shares (OCRPS) of PHI, each with a face value of US$100,000, aggregating US$190.3mn. This investment will be made by way of payment of cash consideration of US$40.1mn and by conversion of outstanding unsecured loan of US$150.2mn owed by PPL Pharma to PHI. PHI, incorporated in USA, is primarily engaged in pharmaceuticals industry and holds investments in the overseas subsidiaries of the Piramal Pharma group. Devyani International, the operator of quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains like Pizza Hut and KFC in India, announced the acquisition of an 80.72% stake in Sky Gate Hospitality, the company behind the popular 'Biryani By Kilo' brand. The acquisition is valued at Rs420 crore (US$50.4mn). Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, will invest Rs752 crore (US$90.24mn) to acquire a 35% stake in a portfolio of five hotels belonging to Samhi Hotels(+11.12%). Biocon's board approved an increase in the company's authorised share capital from Rs625 crore to Rs700 crore. The increase will be facilitated by raising the number of equity shares from 125 crore to 140 crore, with each share having a face value of Rs5. Its board also approved a proposal to raise funds up to Rs4,500 crore through the issuance of various securities, including equity shares, non-convertible debentures, warrants or other convertible securities. Suven Pharmaceuticals announced that it has received the requisite approval from the department of pharmaceuticals, ministry of chemicals and fertilizers, government of India, for the scheme of amalgamation of Cohance Lifesciences Limited with and into Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited. Alkem Laboratories announced the successful completion of its acquisition of a 100% stake in Adroit Biomed Limited. As a result of this acquisition, Adroit Biomed Limited is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alkem Laboratories Limited. Ambuja Cements finalized its acquisition of a 47% stake in Orient Cement. Orient Cement has three manufacturing plants located in Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra, along with a distribution network that spans these regions. 360 ONE WAM Limited (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 14% premium over the three-day Value weighted average price (VWAP) of 360 ONE WAM's stock as of 17 April 2025. As of 31 December 2024, the active assets under management (AUMs) for this business stood at approximately Rs26,000 crore, with a net consideration for the acquisition being Rs307 crore. 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 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. Earnings In Q4FY24-25, Tips Music's sales increased by 24.01% y-o-y to reach Rs78.5 crore, while operating profit increased by 23.51% y-o-y to reach Rs37.3 crore and net profit increased by 18.60% y-o-y to reach Rs30.6 crore. In Q4FY24-25, VST Industries' sales decreased by 7.07% y-o-y to reach Rs349 crore, while operating profit decreased by 28.05% y-o-y to reach Rs69.5 crore and net profit decreased by 39.91% y-o-y to reach Rs53.0 crore. In Q4FY24-25, Oriental Hotels' sales increased by 24.30% y-o-y to reach Rs133 crore, while operating profit increased by 45.52% y-o-y to reach Rs39.0 crore and net profit increased by 0.52% y-o-y to reach Rs19.4 crore. In Q4FY24-25, Mphasis' sales increased by 8.73% y-o-y to reach Rs3,710 crore, while operating profit increased by 9.90% y-o-y to reach Rs703 crore and net profit increased by 13.49% y-o-y to reach Rs446 crore. In Q4FY24-25, Shilchar Technologiessales shot up by 120% y-o-y to reach Rs232 crore, while operating profit jumped 126.75% y-o-y to reach Rs71.2 crore and net profit increased 121.60% y-o-y to reach Rs55.4 crore. In Q4FY24-25, HDFC AMC'srevenues increased by 30.07% y-o-y to reach Rs901 crore, while operating profit increased by 35.62% y-o-y to reach Rs731 crore and net profit increased by 18.11% y-o-y to reach Rs639 crore. In Q4FY24-25, Persistent Systems ssales increased by 25.12% y-o-y to reach Rs3,242 crore, while operating profit increased by 28.63% y-o-y to reach Rs584 crore and net profit increased by 25.71% y-o-y to reach Rs396 crore. In Q4FY24-25, Refex Industries sales increased by 81.31% y-o-y to reach Rs612 crore, while operating profit increased by 45.29% y-o-y to reach Rs63.2 crore and net profit increased by 59.50% y-o-y to reach Rs57.1 crore. In Q4FY24-25, Laurus Labs sales increased by 19.5% y-o-y to reach Rs1,720 crore, while operating profit increased by 74% y-o-y to reach Rs421 crore and net profit increased by 200% y-o-y to reach Rs234 crore. Top gainers and losers of the major indices for the week are given in the table below: Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has withdrawn the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill after facing significant public backlash from bodaboda operators over some of its provisions. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula confirmed the development, explaining that Khalwale decided to retract the proposed legislation due to the intense public opposition it had generated. The House is aware that the committee had started engaging stakeholders on the Bill. However, Honourable Members have now received a letter from the Speaker of the Senate, informing us that the sponsor of the Bill in the Senate has requested its withdrawal and cessation of further consideration, Wetangula stated. According to Wetangula, the Senate Speaker formally requested the Bills withdrawal in a letter dated March 7, 2025. The letter cited public feedback as the primary reason Senator Khalwale decided not to move forward with the Bill. This request introduces a new procedural situation, as this is the first time such a request has been received in the bicameral processing of Bills in the Houses of Parliament, Wetangula observed. He clarified that the current Standing Orders only allow a Bill to be withdrawn by a sponsor from the National Assembly, which is not the case here. RELATED Sonko Takes Helm as Bodaboda Patron as Senate Bill Sparks Outrage The Bill, Senate Bill No. 38 of 2023, had not been co-sponsored by any National Assembly member, making the situation more complex. Wetangula referred to Standing Order 1 for guidance, noting that the rules did not consider the withdrawal of a Bill by someone who was not part of the chamber. To ensure order and predictability in the bicameral process, the matter will be addressed through a motion to discharge the Bill from second reading, Wetangula explained. The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure will issue the notice for the motion. If the House approves the motion, the Bill will be considered withdrawn, and the committee will stop its review. However, if the motion is rejected, the legislative process will continue. Honourable Members, if this House believes strongly in proceeding with the Bill, regardless of the sponsors wishes, and rejects the motion, the Bill will continue. If you agree with the committee chair, then the Bill will end there, Wetangula concluded. The Ministry of Interior has issued a tough new directive requiring the National Police Service (NPS) to immediately report all incidents involving serious injuries or deaths in police custody to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). The directive, announced in a statement on Thursday, April 24, also compels the police to fully cooperate with IPOA during investigations into such incidents. According to the Ministry, the directive marks a significant step in ongoing police reforms aimed at reinforcing human rights and ensuring accountability within Kenyas law enforcement system. On human rights, work is underway to modernize police stations, aiming to make them models of service and accountability, the statement said. As part of the reforms, the NPS must now report any deaths or serious injuries sustained in custody without delay. The Ministry emphasized that law enforcement agencies must not only comply with reporting requirements but also support IPOAs oversight role without resistance. Officials said these changes are designed to help restore public confidence in the police and other state security agencies. We are working to improve transparency and rebuild public trust in the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), and National Youth Service (NYS) the Judiciary as our partners in the criminal justice system should support these efforts, not undermine them, the Ministry stated. Beyond addressing police brutality, the Ministry is also targeting corruption within the security sector. The statement noted that reforms are in progress to clean up police recruitment and traffic enforcement practices. Efforts to curb corruption are ongoing, especially in recruitment and on our roads. Soon we will demonstrate how these processes will no longer be manipulated through online recruitment, a digital Occurrence Book (OB), and instant traffic fines, the statement added. Boniface Mwangi Assault Incident This sweeping directive comes just days after prominent activist Boniface Mwangi alleged that police officers violently arrested and assaulted him while in custody. Mwangi shared the ordeal in a statement on Monday, April 21, sparking widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct. According to Mwangi, the incident occurred at the Sema Ukweli offices where he had been working with colleagues. He said the situation escalated when he confronted an armed officer who appeared intoxicated. That confrontation allegedly triggered a brutal response from the officer. Mwangi said the assault began in broad daylight, in front of his neighbours and colleagues. 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, he recalled. He added that the violence continued even after officers took him to the station. After we arrived at the police station, and I 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, Mwangi said. The activist credited his colleagues, who followed the police vehicle to the station, for intervening. Their loud protests from outside the station forced the officers to stop the beating. It was only my screams that saved me because my colleagues started screaming at the officers, demanding they stop beating me, he said. Mwangi received medical treatment the following morning after the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) stepped in. He underwent X-rays, a head scan, and an ultrasound to check for internal injuries. Fortunately, the scans showed no fractures. I sustained injuries on my wrists, knee, had a busted lip, and severe pain in my left ribs where Ouko hit me with the gun butt. I could also barely see through my left eye, Mwangi shared. Police later released him on a Ksh5,000 cash bail. The activists account has reignited calls for reform and underscored the urgency behind the Ministrys new policies. A dramatic standoff unfolded at Rongo Police Station in Migori County when 57 members of Melkio St. Joseph Missions of Messaiha Africa Church refused to leave, insisting they would only return to their church. This comes after the discovery of two members bodies, who reportedly died after refusing medical treatment. Migori County Commissioner Mutua Kisilu confirmed that registration issues surfaced when the facility was being set up. The churchs location remains cordoned off by police as they investigate allegations of cult-like activities linked to the group. The group of 57 congregants has now spent consecutive nights at the station, refusing to depart. In response to the situation, eight children were transferred to nearby rescue centers. We have agreed with the childrens department that they be rescued, Kisilu said. As the standoff continues, some residents have arrived at the police station to search for missing relatives. Many claim their loved ones have been separated from their families for nearly a decade after joining the church. One of my sons is among those at the station. He refused to return home. Four other residents have been missing since they joined this church, said John Ogeno Agutu, a concerned local. We havent seen our son since he joined, and he left his family behind, added George Adongo, another resident. Grace Oduongo, a parent from Homa Bay, expressed her fear: I came to look for my missing child, who I suspect is part of the group. Meanwhile, the church remains closed, with police patrolling the site and carrying out investigations. We are extending the search and investigating possible cultic links, Kisilu stated. Further investigation revealed that the church had been irregularly registered as a company. Niamey has handed controversial Kenyan businessman Kamlesh Pattni a fresh lifeline, signing him up to build the countrys first home-grown gold refinery and gemstone hub. The agreement, inked on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, creates Royal Gold Niger SA, a joint venture between Nigers government and Dubai-registered Suvarna Royal Gold Trading LLC, where Pattni is chief executive. Nigerien ministers Abarchi Ousmane (Mines) and Mamane Sidi (Budget) presided over the ceremony at Uranium House, as Pattni put pen to paper. From now on, Nigers gold will not only be extracted; it will be transformed here, for the benefit of Nigeriens, declared Mines Minister Ousmane, hailing the pact as a structural revolution. Military rulers under the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP) have framed the project as a leap towards economic self-reliance. Officials say Niger will hold an equity stake, ensuring state oversight as the plant refines bullion, manufactures jewellery, and polishes gemstones on site. Ousmane argued that formalising a largely artisanal sector will curb smuggling and swell tax revenues: Every gram of gold transformed in Niger generates value for our people. Pattni, for his part, called the venture in line with Nigers vision for sustainable development. Pattnis chequered past The warm reception in Niamey contrasts sharply with Pattnis reputation abroad. He first hit global headlines in the 1990s as the alleged mastermind of Kenyas Goldenberg scandal, a KSh 13.5 billion export-compensation scheme that bled the exchequer. More recently, the United States and the United Kingdom slapped asset freezes and travel bans on Pattni and associates, accusing them of running a gold-smuggling and money-laundering network spanning Zimbabwe, Dubai, and Kenya. A December 2024 notice from Washingtons Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) explicitly named Pattni as the leader of the network. What happens next? Construction timelines for the Niamey refinery have not been published, but officials insist the plant will be fully integrated sourcing ore from Nigers artisanal pits, refining it to international standards, and exporting finished jewellery. For Niger, the deal is a risky bid to capture more value from its mineral wealth. For Pattni, it is a high-stakes comeback one likely to test whether sanctions and a chequered record can derail an ambitious African industrial project. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has issued a critical alert about certain batches of Paracetamol 1000mg/100ml injections, warning Kenyans against their use due to serious quality concerns. The affected products, all manufactured by KamlaAmrut Pharmaceutical LLP in India, have been found to exhibit an unusual colour change, raising alarms within the regulatory body. Dr. Fred Siyoi, CEO of the PPB, revealed that the three substandard injection products include: Lumidol Injection (Batch Numbers: CM4594007, CM4594008, CM4594009) (Batch Numbers: CM4594007, CM4594008, CM4594009) Blink Injection (Batch Numbers: CS4594005, CS4594004) (Batch Numbers: CS4594005, CS4594004) Paragen Injection (Batch Number: K4290027) All the products in question were imported from the same Indian manufacturer, KamlaAmrut Pharmaceutical LLP. In a statement, the PPB has instructed pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare providers, and the public to immediately halt the sale, distribution, and use of these affected batches. The Board has also called for any stock of these injections to be returned to the nearest healthcare facility or supplier to mitigate health risks. In execution of our mandate to protect and promote the health of the public, we have flagged these products as substandard due to observable changes in appearance. Continued use poses a potential health risk, Dr. Siyoi warned. The PPB reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining access to high-quality, safe medicines, urging all citizens to report any suspected substandard products they may encounter. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka is standing by his belief that the fatal helicopter crash that killed Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla was not an accident and says he is ready to give a statement to detectives. Speaking on Thursday, the former vice-president dismissed last weeks Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) report that blamed an engine malfunction, arguing only an independent commission of inquiry can settle lingering questions. Tell DCI Amin to summon me right now; tutaenda kule Kenya nzima kwa miguu, na Gen Z wote its not the CDFs job to be sent to inspect a primary school, Kalonzo said, hinting at foul play. He noted that the President and the CDF are among Kenyas most protected officials: To bring down a helicopter carrying the CDF is not only negligence but criminal negligence. Kalonzo also claimed unnamed figures had earlier vowed to oust Ogolla over his role on the National Security Council, adding: Maybe they were thinking it was over. The Ministry of Defence investigation, released on 11 April 2025, found the Bell Huey helicopter KAF 1501 suffered a sudden engine surge, leading to total power loss moments before it crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet on 18 April 2024, killing Ogolla and nine others. Investigators ruled out crew error and said the aircraft had a relatively high level of reliability prior to the mission. Kalonzos renewed push keeps pressure on the government amid public unease over a spate of military air accidents. His call for a commission mirroring inquiries held after past high-profile crashes opens another front in the oppositions wider critique of President William Rutos administration. Whether the Directorate of Criminal Investigations takes up Kalonzos invitation could determine if the debate shifts from Parliament to the courtroom or fizzles out as yet another unresolved chapter in Kenyas aviation safety record. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the government is drafting new laws to regulate religious groups, addressing rising concerns about cult-like activities. Speaking in Kitui County on Thursday, April 24, Murkomen pointed out that some religious groups have been involved in troubling practices, specifically referencing the St Joseph Missions of Africa Church in Rongo. The proposed regulations are based on a report from a taskforce appointed by President William Ruto. Murkomen shared that the draft regulations will be presented at the next cabinet meeting for approval. Following cabinet approval, the regulations will be sent to Parliament for further discussion. This is something that we must deal with, Murkomen said. The task force appointed by the President, which is led by Mutava Musyimi, came up with a raft of recommendations, including registration for churches. This will be submitted to Parliament. Murkomen added that the report has already been submitted to the cabinet committee, and once approved, it will move to the National Assembly for amendments. Meanwhile, Murkomen urged Kenyans to report any suspicious religious activities. He commended the police in Rongo for their quick action, emphasizing that delays could have led to a situation like the Shakahola tragedy. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has ordered an immediate multi-agency meeting to address the devastating floods and landslides that have caused widespread destruction in Nairobi County. The meeting aims to coordinate rapid response efforts to protect residents and mitigate further damage. During a visit to Drive-In estate in Ruaraka, where floods tragically claimed the lives of a 23-year-old single mother and her two young children, CS Ruku confirmed that 55 households have been affected, leaving nearly 200 people displaced. This is a heartbreaking tragedy. The government stands with the affected families, and we are committed to taking all necessary steps to protect lives and livelihoods, Ruku said. In response to the crisis, Ruku assured residents that the government had already dispatched relief supplies to the affected areas. As part of the coordinated emergency response to the flood crisis in Drive-In settlement, Ruaraka, the government, through the State Department for Special Programmes, delivered foodstuffs, beddings, kitchen kits, and sanitary wear to the affected families, he added. Ruku also emphasized that the government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will relocate residents from high-risk areas to safer locations. He reassured the public that these relocations would be carried out in a humane manner, fully complying with the law. He urged residents living in flood-prone areas to voluntarily move to safer grounds. We must act swiftly to prevent further loss of life, he said. The relentless rainfall has overwhelmed Nairobis drainage systems, causing severe damage to homes and infrastructure across the city. At least six people have died following heavy rains on Monday, and authorities warn that the death toll may rise as floodwaters continue to flow. Nairobi police commander George Sedah confirmed that a deadly boulder collapse in Mathare 4A settlement claimed lives and that additional rainfall could cause further devastation. Mohammed Abduba Dida, the fiery former Kenyan presidential contender and one-time high-school teacher, is free on parole after spending just over three years at Illinois Big Muddy Correctional Centre. He left the medium-security prison on 3 March 2025, two years and four months into a seven-year term handed down for stalking, transmitting threats and breaching a restraining order. The remainder of his sentence will be served in the community under supervision until 3 April 2029. Didas release ends a legal saga that began in November 2022 when an Illinois court convicted him on two counts, one carrying a two-year term and the other five years, for repeatedly contacting a woman despite a court order. Illinois law treats such violations as aggravated stalking, a felony that can attract lengthy custodial sentences. Now aged 50, the outspoken 2013 and 2017 presidential hopeful is back in his Minnesota home, sketching plans to revive a modest charity he registered shortly before his arrest. He is living in his house in Minnesota. He had started the Dida Foundation International and had completed its registration just before he was arrested. He is currently looking for an office to rent in Minnesota, his wife Amina Liban told Daily Nation. The non-profit is already listed on Charity Navigator, the US watchdog that vets philanthropic entities. But the platform says it lacks enough data to rate the foundations impact, noting that its programmes are either nascent or not yet heavy on public donations. Dida has not commented publicly since walking free, yet allies say he wants to channel his trademark bluntness into social work. Back home, the news has rekindled debate over Kenyas colourful fringe politiciansand reminded supporters that a man once best known for quipping Dont try me, Im a teacher is again a free man, albeit under Americas watchful eye. Kenya has turned to Beijing for a fresh push on its busiest transport corridors, sealing a deal that will see Chinese financiers dual the NairobiNakuruMau SummitMalaba highway, expand Kiambu Road, and build the Eldoret Bypass alongside the accident-prone Nithi Bridge. State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the agreement emerged from President William Rutos four-day state visit to China, where he held lengthy talks with President Xi Jinping on Wednesday and Thursday. Additionally, China has opened the door for increased private-sector investment, which will be channelled into these infrastructure projects through Public-Private Partnerships, further accelerating development and deepening economic ties, Hussein Mohamed noted in a statement. The flagship road, stretching from the capital to the Ugandan border, had been earmarked for a 1.3 billion (KSh 190 billion) French-led consortium, but Nairobi cancelled that contract earlier this month after the Kenya National Highways Authority raised cost concerns. Beyond roads, the two leaders agreed to fast-track Kenyas National Digital Superhighway by extending the fibre-optic backbone, while Beijing pledged grants to modernise hospitals and invest in local pharmaceutical manufacturing. Rutos team did not disclose a price tag for the new package, but officials said Beijing favours a mix of concessional loans and PPPs terms the Treasury views as lighter on the exchequer than the scrapped French deal. Construction on the NairobiMalaba dual carriageway is expected to begin in June 2025 once design reviews are complete. With traffic on the Northern Corridor rising and the Nithi Bridge still claiming lives, transport planners argue the Chinese-financed upgrades could unclog Kenyas main artery to East Africaprovided, critics warn, the PPP model delivers value for money where the last one failed. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has pointed to outdated drainage systems and inadequate funding as key challenges hindering the citys ability to manage the ongoing heavy rains. During an interview with Citizen TV on Wednesday, Sakaja explained that Nairobis drainage infrastructure was never designed to withstand the intense downpours currently overwhelming the city. He said the system catered to lighter, seasonal rainfall and is now struggling to cope with the unprecedented volumes. The sheer amount of rain that is coming down is higher than ever before, and a lot of our drains were designed for a smaller capacity of seasonal rain in the city, he said. Sakaja appealed to the national government to urgently release the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), saying that timely financial support is essential to upgrade the citys urban infrastructure and effectively respond to the flooding crisis. Sakaja Urges National Support He also urged the government to acknowledge the critical role county roads play in national development. Sakaja highlighted that counties manage the bulk of Kenyas road network, yet receive little funding for maintenance and upgrades. Everyone who buys fuel pays a levy. The levy is to fix roads. In our country, we have two categories mainly: national and county roads. County roads are more than 65 per cent of all the roads, but all that money goes to national roads, he stated. Responding to claims that his administration had failed to act, Sakaja defended his efforts, saying the county has actively tackled the crisis within its means. He pointed to the deployment of the Green Armya workforce of 3,800 youth tasked with clearing garbage and unblocking drainage systems. We got our Green Army. We have 3,800 youth who collect garbage, remove the blockages, and they are doing a good job, but for real, we need to expand in some areas and look at the cost of it, he said. Sakaja emphasized that while the county is doing its part, long-term solutions depend on fair resource allocation and national government support. The humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti has spiraled to alarming levels, prompting urgent calls from United Nations officials for increased international support. According to the UN, the only viable path forward is to strengthen Haitis national security forces and reinforce the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. During a high-level briefing to the UN Security Council in New York on Monday, UN Special Representative for Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, issued a dire warning. She reported that escalating gang violence has paralyzed communities, incited mass panic, and overwhelmed Haitis fragile institutions. The government cannot manage this crisis alone, Salvador said. The magnitude of the violence has left people terrified, and immediate, robust international support is essential. She urged member states to rally behind the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan and provide the resources needed to stabilize the country and protect its most vulnerable citizens. I must be frank and honestno effort by the Haitian government alone will suffice to reduce the grip of violent criminal groups, she added. Salvador commended Kenyas steady leadership in the mission and thanked all contributing countries for supporting efforts to restore peace. Haitis humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels, she emphasized. All member states must increase support to Haitis security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission, not as a matter of choice, but of necessity, as no viable alternative remains. She warned the international community that Haiti is approaching a tipping point. As armed gangs spread into new territories, citizens are losing hope in their governments ability to ensure safety and deliver essential services. We are approaching a point of no return, Salvador cautioned. The Haitian people are growing increasingly vulnerable and disillusioned. Echoing her sentiments, Kenyas National Security Advisor, Amb. Dr. Monica Juma, stressed the urgent need to scale up MSS personnel. She noted that increasing troop numbers is crucial to making meaningful progress on the ground and meeting the Haitian peoples expectations. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula departed Kenya on Thursday evening to represent the country at the funeral of Pope Francis, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at St. Peters Square in the Vatican. Earlier, Wetangula led a delegation of lawmakers in offering their condolences at the Apostolic Nunciature in Nairobi, where he paid tribute to the late Popes lasting impact on the world. As a devout Catholic, Wetangula praised Pope Francis for his tireless dedication to humanity and peaceful coexistence. He was a man who dedicated his life to humanity and peace, Wetangula shared with the media, reflecting on the Popes significant contributions to global unity and compassion. While addressing the media, Wetangula recalled one of Pope Franciss profound teachings. When we observed a minute of silence in the House, I quoted one of his statements: The world is like a public hospital that heals wounds but wounds hearts. He was a champion of building bridges between people, not walls, Wetangula said. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who also joined the condolence delegation, echoed Wetangulas sentiments. Odinga described the late Pope as a gentle figure who was deeply committed to prayer for the world. He was a voice of reason in times of trouble and always stood up for the downtrodden, opposing injustice, Odinga remarked. Although not Catholic himself, Odinga expressed heartfelt solidarity with Kenyan Catholics, stating, I hope the Church finds another Pope like him. As a Christian and a friend of Catholics, we are all deeply pained by his loss. He was the first Pope from the Global South, embodying hope, reconciliation, and compassion. Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Kenyas Apostolic Nuncio, added a spiritual perspective, reflecting on Pope Franciss leadership. He shared, The Lord doesnt choose someone based on qualifications but on mercy. The Pope showed mercy not just to himself but to others, lifting many from crisis. Kenyas bid to shift more than 360,000 public-school teachers to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) has stalled, after the insurer admitted it does not yet have the country-wide network needed to look after them. Teachers Service Commission (TSC) chief executive Nancy Macharia told the National Assemblys Education Committee that the Commission had approached SHA while wrangling with complaints about its current provider, Minet. Last year, when we had issues with Minet, we wanted to move our teachers to SHA. We have always wanted to have our teachers under the national insurer, even during the NHIF days, she said. According to Macharia, SHA officials explained in a recent meeting that they would need roughly KSh 37 billion to bring teachers on boardand even with that funding, they could not be ready this year. The revelation came as MPs grilled the TSC over mounting reports of teachers who struggle to access treatment despite the KSh 20 billion contract signed with Minet. Committee chair Julius Melly recounted the case of one teacher placed in solitary confinement for three months after failing to clear a hospital bill. What kind of insurance cover is this? Its a mongrel; it has no head or tail. You have an insurer, a lead consortium, an administrator, a capitator- its a very funny type of insurance. You must get out of this thing, Melly told Macharia. Luanda MP Dick Maungu urged the Commission to ease approval delays by clustering teachers by job group or region. With Bliss Health Care being the master capitator and considering the large number of teachers, it becomes difficult for them to handle approvals in time and thats where the delays come in, he said. Why is it not possible to cluster teachers to narrow it down? Currently, the system is overwhelmed. Macharia conceded that limited funds and late disbursements to the insurance consortium have hamstrung the scheme. If our teachers were to get the best medical services, they need to be fully insured, she said. But we are unable to do that because of budgetary constraints. We also need timely disbursements to the consortium, because most times we delay. For now, teachers and their families remain in limbo caught between an under-resourced national insurer and an overstretched private cover many say is already failing them. Indian stock markets opened on a positive note on Thursday even as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to rise. The benchmark Nifty 50 index opened at 24,289, gaining 42.30 points or 0.17 per cent. The BSE Sensex also began the day with a modest rise of 28.72 points to open at 79,830.15. Market experts noted that foreign portfolio investor (FPI) inflows into India remain strong despite the ongoing geopolitical concerns. However, they warned that any military action between the two neighbouring countries could trigger a major sell-off in the markets. Ajay Bagga, banking and Market Expert told ANI "Indian markets saw a brief break after seven days of continuous rise. FPIs remain buyers, lending strength to the market rally. The overhang of Indian retaliation on Pakistan for the terrorist massacre in Kashmir on the 22nd is what is holding back Indian markets. He added, "Today is pointing to a strong gap up open and with FPIs piling back every day, this should sustain. Given the previous two retaliatory actions by India on Pakistan sponsored terrorists was after 10 and 15 days respectively of the terrorist strikes, we could be some days away from the event. That is adding to market uncertainty, with the Karachi exchange also falling two per cent in the aftermath". On the global front, investor sentiment has improved due to growing hopes of progress on tariff agreements. The US markets have registered gains for the third consecutive day. Market participants believe that the phase of peak uncertainty and peak tariffs is now behind us. Expectations are high that countries will soon announce new tariff agreements with the US, which is further supporting market confidence. There is also talk of a "Trump Put" acting as a safety net for global markets, especially as the Liberation Day month of April nears its end. Meanwhile, several key Indian companies are scheduled to announce their Q4 earnings today. These include Reliance Industries, Maruti Suzuki India, Hindustan Zinc, Shriram Finance, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance, Oracle Financial Services Software, Lloyds Metals and Energy, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, LT Finance, Bank of Maharashtra, Poonawalla Fincorp, Tata Technologies, and Dr Lal PathLabs. Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research, Axis Securities said "As long as the 24120 level is holding, the trend is firmly bullish. 24500 remains important resistance. Meanwhile, FII net short positioning in index futures is now at the smallest reading since October 7, when they first went net short since the record peak, so that's another sign of optimism". Asian markets were trading in the green at the time of this report. Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose more than 1.3 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained over 1.4 per cent, South Korea's KOSPI was up by more than 1 per cent, and Taiwan's Weighted Index climbed over 2 per cent. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], April 25: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch AI Careers for Women--a pioneering skilling initiative aimed at empowering women in higher education institutions to pursue careers in Artificial Intelligence (AI). This strategic collaboration seeks to bridge the gender gap in emerging tech by equipping women with industry-aligned AI skills, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and become active contributors to India's innovation-led growth. As part of this collaboration, Microsoft will provide 240-hours training curriculum under AI skilling and Innovation framework for women, aligned to the industry standards, and developed in consultation with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). The training will be delivered in a hub and spoke model in partnership with the state government departments for higher education, across a network of 30 Centre of Excellence - Hubs and 150 educational institutions - spokes in Tier-II and Tier-III towns across six states. Speaking on the partnership, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, said, "This initiative exemplifies how government and industry can come together to shape an inclusive and future-ready workforce. Our partnership with Microsoft underlines the Ministry's commitment to expanding opportunities for women in emerging tech fields like AI. By embedding this program within credit-linked university curricula and aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP), we're reimagining 21st-century learning--making it flexible, interdisciplinary, and deeply rooted in industry needs. Empowering young women with in-demand digital skills will not only transform individual careers but also accelerate the nation's journey toward a more equitable and innovation-driven economy." As one of the program partners, Edunet Foundation will implement this program, working closely with the participating academic institutions, government bodies, corporate organizations and industry bodies, building an alliance to bring ecosystem change and enable industry relevant skills and economic opportunities for Women in AI, thereby enhancing their workforce participation. The program complements classroom learning in higher education by establishing 30 centers of excellence at women institutions that act as hub centers and further support 150 spoke centers in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, offering in-depth AI training with hands-on exposure to AI tools and real-world applications, helping 20,000 learners to gain industry-relevant skills and project-based experience. Learners will benefit through structured training from experts, AI certifications, internships, apprenticeship, fellowship, career guidance and job opportunities in AI enabled roles. The program will also create opportunities for women in rural India to innovate on AI and enhance their economic opportunities, equipping them to be AI developers, building AI applications and datasets, thereby building talent pipeline for rural AI innovation/enterprise. This initiative builds on Microsoft's ongoing skilling efforts with MSDE. MSDE will collaborate with Microsoft in accreditation of the curriculum and enable rural girls with apprenticeship and job opportunities through these centers of excellence. Highlighting Microsoft's commitment to inclusive skilling, Aparna Gupta, Global Delivery Center Leader Microsoft India, said, "I'm thrilled to see Microsoft's partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) take shape, empowering young women in India to build careers in AI. We believe that equitable access to AI skills is crucial for inclusive economic growth. Through this collaboration, we're strengthening capacity building across institutions in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, ultimately enabling more women to thrive in an AI-powered economy and shape the workforce of tomorrow". This initiative also reflects Microsoft's long-term commitment to enhance women workforce participation in digital economy and aligns with the government's mission of creating equitable access to future-ready skills. The program is designed to expand digital career pathways for women and contribute to a more inclusive technology workforce. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 25: SBI Life Insurance, one of the leading life insurers in the country registered a New Business Premium of Rs. 35,577 crores for the year ended on 31st March, 2025 vis-a-vis Rs. 38,238 crores for the year ended March 31, 2024. Regular premium has increased by 11% over previous year ended on 31st March, 2024. Establishing a clear focus on protection, SBI Life's protection new business premium stood at Rs. 4,095 crores for the year ended March 31, 2025. Protection Individual new business premium stands at Rs. 793 crores for the year ended March 31, 2025. Individual New Business Premium stands at Rs. 26,360 crores with 11% growth over previous year ended on 31st March, 2024. SBI Life's profit after tax stands at Rs. 2,413 crores for the year ended March 31, 2025 with a growth of 27% over previous year. The company's solvency ratio continues to remain robust at 1.96 as on March 31, 2025 as against the regulatory requirement of 1.50. SBI Life's AUM also continued to grow at 15% to Rs. 4,48,039 crores as on March 31, 2025 from Rs. 3,88,923 crores as on March 31, 2024, with the debt-equity mix of 61:39. 94% of the debt investments are in AAA and Sovereign instruments. The company has a diversified distribution network of 309,034 trained insurance professionals and wide presence with 1,110 offices across the country, comprising of strong bancassurance channel, agency channel and others comprising of corporate agents, brokers, Point of sale persons (POS), insurance marketing firms, web aggregators and direct business. Performance for the year ended March 31, 2025 * Private Market leadership in Individual Rated Premium of Rs.19,354 crores with 22.8% market share * Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE) stands at Rs.21,417 crores with growth of 9% * Individual New Business sum assured stands at Rs. 2,76,918 crores with 43% growth * Improvement in 13M & 61M persistency by 63 bps & 528 bps respectively * Value of New Business (VoNB) stands at Rs. 5,954 crores with a growth of 7%. * VoNB Margin stands at 27.8%. * Indian Embedded value (IEV) stands at Rs. 70,250 crores with 21% growth. * Profit After Tax (PAT) stands at Rs.2,413 crores with 27% growth * Operating Return on Embedded Value stands at 20.2% * Assets under Management stands at Rs.4,48,039 crores with 15% growth * Robust Solvency ratio of 1.96 Disclaimer Except for the historical information contained herein, statements in this release which contain words or phrases such as 'will', 'expected to', etc., and similar expressions or variations of such expressions may constitute 'forward-looking statements'. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, opportunities and growth potential to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the actual growth in demand for insurance and other financial products and services in the countries that we operate or where a material number of our customers reside, our ability to successfully implement our strategy, including our use of the Internet and other technology our exploration of merger and acquisition opportunities, our ability to integrate mergers or acquisitions into our operations and manage the risks associated with such acquisitions to achieve our strategic and financial objectives, our growth and expansion in domestic and overseas markets, technological changes, our ability to market new products, the outcome of any legal, tax or regulatory proceedings in India and in other jurisdictions we are or become a party to, the future impact of new accounting standards, our ability to implement our dividend policy, the impact of changes in insurance regulations and other regulatory changes in India and other jurisdictions on us. SBI Life Insurance Company Limited undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof. This release does not constitute an offer of securities. About SBI Life Insurance SBI Life Insurance ('SBI Life' / 'The Company'), one of the most trusted life insurance companies in India, was incorporated in October 2000 and is registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) in March 2001. Serving millions of families across India, SBI Life's diverse range of products caters to individuals as well as group customers through Protection, Pension, Savings and Health solutions. Driven by 'Customer-First' approach, SBI Life places great emphasis on maintaining world class operating efficiency and providing hassle-free claim settlement experience to its customers by following high ethical standards of service. Additionally, SBI Life is committed to enhance digital experiences for its customers, distributors and employees alike. SBI Life strives to make insurance accessible to all, with its extensive presence across the country through its 1,110 offices, 26,355 employees, a large and productive network of about 240,304 agents, 60 corporate agents and 13 bancassurance partners with more than 41,000 partner branches, 141 brokers and other insurance marketing firms. In addition to doing what's right for the customers, the company is also committed to provide a healthy and flexible work environment for its employees to excel personally and professionally. SBI Life strongly encourages a culture of giving back to the society and has made substantial contribution in the areas of child education, healthcare, disaster relief and environmental upgrade. In 2024-25, the Company touched over 50,000 direct beneficiaries through various CSR interventions. Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange ('BSE') and the National Stock Exchange ('NSE'), the company has an authorized capital of Rs. 20.0 billion and a paid-up capital of Rs. 10.0 billion. The AuM is Rs.4,480.4 billion. For more information, please visit our website - www.sbilife.co.in and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn. (Numbers & data mentioned above are for the year ended March 31, 2025) Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2672544/SBI_Life_25_Years_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The Indian aviation industry continues to face serious disruptions due to the ongoing supply-chain issues and engine-related problems, according to a recent report by credit rating agency ICRA. These challenges have significantly impacted the operational capacity of airlines, leading to higher costs and operational delays. The report said, "Supply-chain challenges and engine failure issues impact industry capacity, the industry has been facing supply-chain challenges and issues of engine failures for the Pratt and Whitney (P&W) engines supplied to various airlines". It added that Go Airlines (India) Limited was among the worst-hit, grounding nearly half of its fleet in FY2024 due to faulty engines. The airline was finally ordered to be liquidated in January 2025, by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Another major airline, InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo), had around 60-70 aircraft grounded as of January 30, 2025. This included aircraft affected by powder metal contamination, a defect in materials used to make engine parts. As a result, approximately 133 aircraft belonging to select Indian airlines were grounded in March 2025, which accounted for nearly 16 per cent of the total fleet. Although this number is slightly better than the 154 grounded aircraft as of September 30, 2023, it still represents a major blow to the industry's capacity. These capacity constraints have affected the available seat kilometre (ASKM), a key industry metric used to measure airline capacity. The global recall of P&W engines and delays in testing by the manufacturer have made matters worse. Airlines are now forced to lease additional aircraft--mostly through wet leasing arrangements--to make up for the grounded fleet. This has increased lease rentals, operating costs, and reduced fuel efficiency, especially since some of the replacement aircraft are older models taken on spot leases. Despite these headwinds, the industry has seen some support from healthy ticket pricing (yields), high passenger load factors (PLF), and partial compensation from engine manufacturers. These factors have helped offset the financial burden to some extent. Adding to the operational troubles in FY2025 were staff shortages, particularly pilots and cabin crew. This led to frequent flight delays and cancellations, further affecting capacity and causing inconvenience to passengers. While some improvement is expected in FY2026, the Indian aviation sector continues to grapple with multiple challenges that are affecting its efficiency and profitability. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], April 25: In an evolving global carbon market, where businesses are increasingly seeking reliable, cost-effective, and transparent ways to procure carbon credits and International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs), Hestiya is emerging as the go-to platform. With its blockchain-powered carbon marketplace, Hestiya is solving the inefficiencies of traditional platforms, ensuring buyers get the best value, verifiable impact, and seamless transactions. The Buyer's Challenge in the Carbon Market For businesses looking to offset their carbon footprint, the process of purchasing carbon credits and I-RECs has been fraught with challenges: * Lack of Transparency - Many platforms fail to provide clear traceability, leading to concerns over double counting and credit legitimacy. * High Costs and Hidden Fees - Traditional brokers and intermediaries significantly increase the cost of transactions. * Inefficient Verification - Ensuring that purchased credits are verified, retired properly, and truly contribute to sustainability goals can be a cumbersome process. * Limited Marketplace Options - Existing platforms often have restrictive pricing structures and limited direct purchase options, making it difficult for buyers to acquire large-volume or custom bundles of credits. Hestiya is tackling these issues head-on with a marketplace designed specifically for buyers who want hassle-free, secure, and cost-efficient access to carbon credits and I-RECs. How Hestiya Gives Buyers an Edge Over Other Platforms Hestiya's blockchain-powered carbon marketplace delivers a buyer-first approach that sets it apart from competitors like Climate Impact X, Verra, and Gold Standard marketplaces. Key advantages include: * Direct P2P Buying: Businesses can purchase credits and I-RECs directly from verified suppliers, eliminating intermediaries and reducing transaction costs. * Real-Time Pricing & Spot Trading: Unlike traditional marketplaces that rely on fixed pricing or lengthy negotiations, Hestiya offers a dynamic, real-time trading environment where buyers get instant access to competitive rates. * Blockchain-Powered Transparency: Every transaction is immutable, traceable, and verifiable on the Polygon blockchain, ensuring no double counting and full compliance with regulatory standards. * Guaranteed Credit Integrity: All carbon credits and I-RECs on Hestiya are pre-verified and aligned with global sustainability frameworks, ensuring buyers receive only high-quality, legitimate assets. * Custom Volume Purchases: Buyers can tailor their purchases to match sustainability goals, whether they need bulk carbon offsets or targeted I-REC acquisitions. * Instant Retirement Mechanism: Hestiya ensures that purchased credits can be immediately retired, providing businesses with official proof of their climate action in real-time. The Smart Choice for Enterprises, Corporations, and Investors For corporations with net-zero targets, ESG commitments, and regulatory obligations, Hestiya provides a one-stop solution to manage carbon procurement seamlessly. The platform caters to industries, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and energy buyers, offering a scalable and cost-effective way to meet compliance needs. Furthermore, investors looking to engage in climate finance will find Hestiya's transparent, efficient, and growth-oriented platform an attractive alternative to traditional carbon credit investment mechanisms. What Buyers Are Saying "Hestiya's marketplace is a game-changer. The ability to directly buy I-RECs with complete visibility into pricing and verification is something the market desperately needed." -- Rohit Kumar, General Secretary of Carbon Markets Association of India. Expanding the Marketplace with Strategic Partnerships Hestiya is actively onboarding global green projects and forming partnerships with corporate sustainability teams, renewable energy developers, and institutional carbon credit buyers. The company is in discussions with governments, industries, and financial institutions to expand the accessibility of high-quality carbon credits and I-RECs worldwide. About Hestiya Hestiya is a blockchain-powered carbon credit marketplace revolutionizing the way businesses buy, sell, and trade carbon credits and I-RECs. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the platform ensures full transparency, reduced costs, and enhanced efficiency in the carbon market. For corporate buyers, sustainability officers, and investors looking to streamline their carbon offset strategy, Hestiya is the future of carbon trading. Email: connect@hestiya.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) SMPL Pune (Maharashtra) [India], April 25: The School of Defence and Strategic Studies (SDSS) at Sri Balaji University, Pune (SBUP), is advancing its mission to prepare students for a dynamic and complex global environment through its forward-thinking interdisciplinary programs and inclusive educational initiatives. A Vision for National Development through Education Rooted in the vision articulated by the late General Bipin Rawat--who emphasized development as a collective national responsibility, SDSS offers a comprehensive postgraduate curriculum in National Security. This program addresses key topics such as national security, geopolitics, energy security, and technological advancements that are reshaping the defence and manufacturing sectors. "The enemy is not merely across the border. It is all around us, in the form of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, and communal disharmony. To fight this enemy, you need to join the Indian Army of Development." - General Bipin Rawat, Former Chief of Army Staff. Bridging Academic Knowledge with Real-World Application In an evolving job landscape, where adaptability and critical thinking are paramount, the SDSS curriculum provides students with a multi-dimensional academic framework. The program emphasizes a cross-sectoral approach, equipping graduates to pursue careers in civil services, think tanks, journalism, corporate strategy, and defence-related roles. "Our students benefit from exposure to a diverse set of subjects and real-world insights delivered by veterans and serving officers, who regularly contribute as guest lecturers and visiting faculty," said Dr. Mansi Kapoor, Head of the School of Defence and Strategic Studies. NEP-Aligned Curriculum with Skill-Focused Add-Ons The curriculum, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), integrates Ability Enhancement and Value-Added Courses, along with hands-on internships in emerging fields. These elements are designed to foster leadership, research aptitude, emotional intelligence, and effective communication--critical competencies in today's workforce. Empowering Merit through Inclusive Scholarships In addition to its academic excellence, SBUP is committed to making quality education accessible. The university offers a range of scholarships to meritorious students from varied socio-economic backgrounds, reinforcing its dedication to inclusive growth. "With rising education costs and the diminishing standalone value of degrees, students and parents are encouraged to explore new academic avenues and ask critical questions," added Dr. Kapoor. "Our Defence Outreach Program Officers are available to guide prospective students and address their queries with personalized support." Shaping the Lifelong Learners of Tomorrow Sri Balaji University invites aspiring learners to embrace the future of education--one that goes beyond traditional boundaries to create adaptable, skilled, and socially responsible professionals. To know more, please visit: https://www.sbup.edu.in/sdss/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], April 25: Dreame Technology, a global leader in smart home technology appliances, is proud to announce Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon as its first Indian brand ambassador. This collaboration marks a significant step in Dreame's journey to bring innovative and intelligent home solutions to the Indian market, redefining convenience and efficiency in daily household tasks. The partnership between Kriti and Dreame Technology represents a crucial milestone as the company intends to enhance its footprint in India, reinforcing its commitment to smart living solutions that simplify and enhance household chores and daily experiences. It aims to cater to Indian consumers seeking intelligent cleaning and personal care solutions that simplify daily chores, empowering them to focus on living their dream life. Manu Sharma, Managing Director of Dreame India, said, "We are extremely delighted to welcome Kriti Sanon into the Dreame family. Her keen interest in technology and forward-thinking mindset align with our vision of redefining Indian homes through intelligent solutions and products. As we continue to introduce cutting-edge innovations in India, her association will reinforce Dreame as the preferred choice for those who appreciate smart living and superior performance. India is an integral part of Dreame's global expansion strategy - it represents a high-growth market, driven by an evolving consumer base increasingly embracing modern, technology-first lifestyles." As the face of Dreame Technology, Kriti Sanon will champion the brand's expansive range of smart home cleaning appliances and grooming products. This includes intelligent robotic vacuums for hands-free home maintenance, high-performance cordless stick vacuums for seamless cleaning, versatile wet and dry vacuums that handle both spills and dust and grooming products including airstyle and high-speed hair dryers designed for effortless styling. Additionally, Dreame's advanced grooming products provide precision and efficiency, catering to modern lifestyles that demand convenience without compromise. All Dreame products are available on Amazon India. Expressing her excitement, Kriti Sanon said, "I am excited to be a part of Dreame Technology, a brand that resonates with my philosophy of blending innovation with convenience. My lifestyle is fast-paced, and having smart solutions that take care of everyday tasks makes all the difference. With Dreame's smart cleaning and personal care appliances, I can focus on what truly matters while the technology handles the rest." As the face for Dreame, Kriti will be featured prominently in digital, print, and TVC campaigns, representing the innovative spirit and stylish essence of Dreame products, which include robotic vacuums and grooming products. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 25: It was in 2014 that the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) officially designated April 26th as World Pilots' Day, acknowledging the essential role pilots play in sustaining global aviation. Since then, the day has been observed annually to honour their contribution in connecting people and ensuring safe air travel. Even in today's tech-driven era, with ongoing advances in autonomous flight research, pilots remain at the heart of flight operations and are irreplaceable. With the aviation sector expanding rapidly, the global demand for trained pilots continues to rise. According to Boeing's 'Pilot and Technician Outlook 2024-2043,' 6,74,000 new pilots will be needed over the next 20 years to operate and maintain the global commercial fleet. The report highlights strong demand in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in countries like India, where civil aviation is growing steadily. Recently, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu noted that India will require around 30,000 pilots over the next 15 to 20 years, considering the scale of aircraft orders placed by Indian airlines. Official data shows that the country currently has about 6,000 to 7,000 active pilots, a number that must rise substantially to meet future needs. The government is introducing several measures to address this, and according to Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One, India should now set its targets on becoming a global hub for pilot training. In 2023, India issued a record 1,622 Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs), though the number dropped to 1,342 in 2024. Mr. Mirchandani stresses the importance of maintaining momentum through timely policy updates. "The DGCA's new rating system for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) is a step in the right direction, as it promotes higher training standards. Strengthening the domestic training infrastructure and developing dedicated airports for cargo and pilot training can have a lasting impact," he says. He also points to the need for cadet programmes structured around models used in Western countries, where training is often subsidised or partially funded. "The cost of pilot training is shaped by multiple factors, including rising aviation fuel prices, the use of imported simulators and spare parts and the need for experienced instructors, many of whom are brought in from abroad. Addressing these challenges requires effective coordination between the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airlines, training institutes and other key players," he explains. Mirchandani adds that introducing financial support mechanisms, such as subsidised loans or scholarships, can ease the burden for aspiring pilots. "Encouraging airlines to train and employ local talent not only helps fill the current gap but also contributes to the broader economy through job creation and reduced dependence on foreign-trained pilots," he concludes. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 25: Manipal's American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, part of the renowned Manipal Education & Medical Group, is now accepting applications for its August 2025 intake. AUA offers a comprehensive medical program tailored for students who have completed their 12th grade or equivalent and aspire to become global doctors. Students can begin their academic journey at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in Manipal, India. For more details on admission and eligibility visit go.auamed.org/india or click here Established in 2004, the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, part of the prestigious Manipal Education and Medical Group, is a fully accredited international medical school offering a rigorous, innovative education designed to prepare students for successful careers in medicine. Manipal's AUA has grown into a hub for international education, operating from a modern, 150,000 sq. ft. technologically advanced campus in Antigua. It follows a US-modeled curriculum that emphasizes hands-on training and personalized learning through small batch sizes. With clinical rotations at over 35+ affiliated teaching hospitals across the United States, UK, and Canada, and a vast network of over 4,000 accomplished alumni practicing worldwide, Manipal's AUA provides a dynamic and nurturing environment for students to develop their medical expertise. The university is recognized by the Medical Board of California (MBC), approved by the New York State Education Department, and accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). Graduates are fully eligible for residencies and medical licensing exams in the USA, Canada, and the UK, opening doors to global opportunities. Backed by Manipal's 70-year legacy in healthcare and education, Manipal's AUA is more than just a medical school. It emphasizes a holistic admissions approach, selecting highly motivated students based on a well-rounded profile that includes 10th and 12th scores, personal interviews, entrance test, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, rather than relying solely on the NEET score. Alumni Spotlight"I didn't come from a family of doctors, and my path wasn't traditional, but AUA believed in me when others didn't. With strong academics, supportive mentors, and hands-on training, I was prepared to match into residency and complete a competitive fellowship in interventional cardiology. Today, I'm a board-certified interventional cardiologist at Medicor Cardiology in New Jersey, treating complex heart and vascular conditions using advanced, minimally invasive techniques. AUA gave me the foundation and confidence to pursue the career I truly wanted." * Dr. Parija Sharedalal, MDInterventional Cardiologist, Medicor Cardiology, New JerseyAUA Class of 2015 Apply Now Applications are now open for the August 2025 intake. For more information on admissions and eligibility criteria, visit go.auamed.org/india. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) This in a way is an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poverty reduction claims. Over the past decade, India has significantly reduced poverty. According to the Poverty & Equity Brief report of World Bank released earlier this week, rural extreme poverty dropped from 18.4 percent to 2.8 percent, and urban from 10.7 percent to 1.1 percent, narrowing the rural-urban gap from 7.7 to 1.7 percentage points--a 16 percent annual decline. Meanwhile, India also transitioned into the lower-middle-income category. Using the USD 3.65 per day lower-middle income category poverty line, poverty fell from 61.8 percent to 28.1 percent, lifting 378 million people out of poverty. Rural poverty dropped from 69 percent to 32.5 percent, and urban poverty from 43.5 percent to 17.2 percent, reducing the rural-urban gap from 25 to 15 percentage points with a 7 percent annual decline. The five most populous states--Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh--accounted for 65 percent of the country's extreme poor in 2011-12 and contributed to two-thirds of the overall decline in extreme poverty by 2022-23. Nevertheless, these states still accounted for 54 percent of India's extremely poor (2022-23) and 51 percent of the multi-dimensionally poor (2019-21). As measured by the multidimensional poverty index (MPI), non-monetary poverty declined from 53.8 percent in 2005-06 to 16.4 percent by 2019-21. The World Bank's Multidimensional Poverty Measure is at 15.5 percent in 2022-23. According to the World Bank report, the employment growth has outpaced the working-age population since 2021-22. Employment rates, especially among women, are rising, and urban unemployment fell to 6.6 percent in Q1 2024-25, the lowest since 2017-18. "Recent data indicates a shift of male workers from rural to urban areas for the first time since 2018-19, while rural female employment in agriculture has grown. Challenges persist: youth unemployment is 13.3 percent, increasing to 29 percent among tertiary education graduates. Only 23 percent of non-farm paid jobs are formal, and most agricultural employment remains informal," the World Bank report read. "Self-employment is rising, especially among rural workers and women. Despite a female employment rate of 31 percent, gender disparities remain, with 234 million more men in paid work," it added. (ANI) NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], April 25: SignDesk, India's leading digital contract and workflow automation platform, has announced a landmark partnership with NeSL (National E-Governance Services Ltd.) to power Digital Document Execution. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in simplifying and digitizing the traditionally paper-heavy and time-consuming document execution process for corporates and financial institutions in over 29 states and union territories in India. As a pioneer and leader in the digital contracts space, SignDesk continues to push boundaries by integrating cutting-edge technology with regulatory frameworks to create frictionless, compliant, and scalable document automation solutions. Partnering with NeSL underscores SignDesk's commitment to transforming how businesses manage document execution process - making the process paperless. "This partnership with NeSL is a milestone moment in our journey to further our objective of paperless solution," said Krupesh Bhat, CEO and Co-founder of SignDesk. "For years, the paper-based stamping has been mired in inefficiencies and time-consuming process. With NeSL, we've built a secure scalable and paperless solution that will change the way document execution is done in India." The Digital Document Execution will benefit banks, NBFCs, fintechs, and enterprises by significantly reducing turnaround times, operational costs, and fraud risk apart from fostering ease of doing business in India. It will also provide a centralized, regulator-compliant infrastructure aligned with RBI and IBBI mandates, furthering India's digital financial infrastructure goals. Debajyoti Ray Chaudhuri, MD & CEO of National E-Governance Services Limited commented, "At NeSL, we are committed to bringing trust and efficiency into India's financial systems through technology. NeSL's DDE is a digital and paperless documentation solution already popular with banks and in the securities markets. It is also used by corporates for their operational contracts. SignDesk is an established player in this segment and this partnership would help us reach out to many users who would benefit from digital and paperless e-stamping, which is also legally enforceable in digital form." With this initiative, NeSL and SignDesk aim to empower stakeholders across the financial ecosystem, from banks to businesses, to adopt digital execution as the new standard - making paper-based stamping a thing of the past. SignDesk is a leading digital contract automation and workflow platform enabling businesses to digitize, sign, and manage contracts with ease. Trusted by India's top banks, NBFCs, fintechs, and enterprises, SignDesk is at the forefront of creating intelligent, compliant, and scalable digital workflows. National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL is India's first Information Utility regulated by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC). NeSL is a repository of financial information, including documents, submitted by the financial or operational creditor with the parties to the debt being given an opportunity to authenticate it. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Google and Kantar released a study to understand Gen AI adoption, potential, and impact among people in India, surveying over 8,000 people across 18 cities. The study found that while AI excitement is high, it's still early days for adoption: 60 per cent aren't familiar with AI, and only 31 per cent have tried any Generative AI tool. The research also showed a strong, innate desire among Indians to improve and excel, with the majority seeking to boost productivity (72 per cent), enhance creativity (77 per cent), and communicate more effectively (73 per cent) in their daily lives. On average, 75 per cent of Indians desire a daily growth collaborator. The study underlines the massive headroom for Gen-AI adoption in India, people's desire to use such tools to excel in life, and how Google Gemini is helping Indians boost their confidence and capabilities. Gen AI tools like Gemini are increasingly meeting this desire of a collaborative guide. Google is seeing significant positive impact among early adopters: 92 per cent of Gemini users report a boost in confidence, 93 per cent report it has supercharged their productivity, 85 per cent Gemini users in India feel it helps spark their creativity, among other benefits. Google also unveiled new Gemini features enabled by Google's best, state-of-the-art AI models. This includes Veo 2 in Gemini helping people generate stunning videos straight from their ideas, Gemini Live with Video enabling users to have natural, back-and-forth visual conversations about the world around them using just their camera, and new capabilities with Gemini's Canvas, Deep Research and Audio Overviews features. Manish Gupta, Senior Director, Google Deepmind said "Gemini represents Google's most state-of-the-art AI models designed to push boundaries, enabling experiences that were previously unimaginable - for instance, creating video with Veo 2 or having interactive intuitive conversations with Gemini Live. We're continuing to push the envelope in our goal to build a truly personal, helpful AI assistant for everyone." Shekar Khosla, Vice President, Marketing, Google India said "We're seeing Gemini make a difference in how they feel about their own capabilities, with 92% of Gemini users feeling more confident in their daily lives. Our focus with Gemini has always been to harness Google's leading innovation to build a truly personal, helpful AI assistant for everyone, and we're glad to see that come alive in so many meaningful ways across ages, cities, needs, and languages." The majority of the people surveyed are seeking personal efficiency, with 72 per cent expressing the need to be more productive in their daily lives. While 77 per cent want to be more creative, 73 per cent want to communicate more effectively. People face hurdles like constant time pressures, frustrating creative blocks, and challenges expressing themselves clearly, impacting confidence and opportunities. Crucially, this desire extends beyond work or school: 76 per cent want to save time on everyday tasks like planning travel or managing budgets, and 84 per cent want to be more creative with everyday tasks like helping kids with homework or trying recipes. Common roadblocks often prevent progress, such as simply getting started, a struggle for 68 per cent, or lacking necessary skills and guidance, which holds back 52 per cent. "These aren't minor frustrations; they can sometimes have real costs, often stopping people from pursuing goals altogether, with 61 per cent of Indians reporting they abandoned a professional or creative aspiration due to such hurdles," they said in a statement. Beyond these bigger goals, this daily friction also sometimes saps confidence - for instance, 73 per cent worry about how their message or tone comes across - and prevents people from fully pursuing everyday passions, like trying new recipes, where 71 per cent feel blocked, or planning desired travel, which 67 per cent find hindering. Gemini impact among early adopters: 92 per cent of Gemini users report feeling more confident, with particularly high impact among Gen Z (94 per cent), Students (95 per cent), and Women (94 per cent). Gemini users also report significant tangible benefits across the board. 93 per cent report Gemini boosted their efficiency and task management, while 85 per cent feel it helps spark new ideas and unlock creative expression. Communication is enhanced for 94 per cent, who report Gemini helps them express themselves clearly and effectively. Furthermore, 80 per cent report Gemini has helped with complex decision-making or expert guidance, 69 per cent say it supported their skill development and learning journey, and 77 per cent found it helped them pursue a new creative or professional pursuit. Google also shared Gemini's top use cases in India spanning across diverse needs: simplifying complex information, offering 'how-to' guides, generating creative ideas, assisting with writing, and even culinary exploration. (ANI) Google Gemini, the generative artificial intelligence tool of technology major Google, can be a great collaborator for humans in fulfilling their creative desire and curiosity - from creating customized videos just on a basis of a prompt, classes for students, troubleshooting through visuals, converting reports into a podcast for simple understanding, and what not. The use cases are endless. Google Gemini showcased some of its tools today at an event in the national capital, offering firsthand experiences to tech enthusiasts and media personnel. Google shared Gemini's top use cases in India, spanning diverse needs: simplifying complex information, offering 'how-to' guides, generating creative ideas, assisting with writing, and even culinary exploration. Speaking to ANI, Shekar Khosla, Vice President of Marketing, Google India, explained how these tools can become a collaborator for people. "Those who have adopted these AI tools say their productivity levels have risen, creativity improved, and confidence has elevated," Khosla told ANI. He cited an example about a boy who prepared for his first job interview through Google Gemini. He mentioned another teacher who utilised Google Gemini to prepare lessons for the students, a mother who makes learning fun for her children, and a retiree who uses AI for filing income tax returns. "Google Gemini is adding value in the day-to-day activities of people by becoming a collaborator," he said. "This is not a replacement for humans. It is human augmentation. Humans will always be deciding when to use, how to use, and where to use it. And that is what Google Gemini," Shekar Khosla said. Google Gemini particularly showcased five new, powerful features: Gemini's advanced users can now generate high-resolution, eight-second videos using its state-of-the-art Veo 2 model. Simply describe the scene you want, and bring your ideas to life on screen. This builds on our powerful image capabilities - powered by our Imagen 3 model, helping you generate richer detail and higher-quality images in various styles directly from your text prompts. For refining text or code, Canvas tool offers a new interactive workspace within Gemini. Need to work through the logic for a new app or 'vibe code' a new game together? Collaborate directly with Gemini in this interactive space, iterating easily with changes appearing in real-time, making Gemini feel like a true coding partner. Going beyond text and voice. With Gemini Live, Android users can now talk to Gemini and show things via live video or screen sharing. Imagine the exciting possibilities: point your camera at a cluttered space for instant organization help, get instant advice on an outfit by showing your wardrobe, troubleshoot a problem visually, brainstorm based on your surroundings, or even get feedback on your work by sharing your screen. You can save hours on research. Use Deep Research (powered by our most intelligent model, Gemini 2.5 Pro Experimental) to get comprehensive reports synthesizing information from across the web in minutes. Gemini even shows its 'thinking' process as it researches. Google Gemini users can learn on the go with Podcast-Style audio overviews. You can also instantly convert documents or research into a personalized podcast. Gemini's Audio Overview features two AI hosts who discuss your content, summarizing, connecting ideas, and offering perspectives in an engaging audio format for easy learning on the move. In another tool, you can upload your materials, get summaries, ask questions, and transform information into formats like audio discussions. These features, combined with ongoing advancements, truly bring Google's vision of a helpful, personal AI collaborator to life, ready to assist in ways that uniquely benefit all, the technology major believes. Manish Gupta, Senior Director, Google Deepmind said "Gemini represents Google's most state-of-the-art AI models designed to push boundaries, enabling experiences that were previously unimaginable - for instance, creating video with Veo 2 or having interactive intuitive conversations with Gemini Live. We're continuing to push the envelope in our goal to build a truly personal, helpful AI assistant for everyone." Separately, Google and Kantar released a study to understand Gen AI adoption, potential, and impact among people in India, surveying over 8,000 people across 18 cities. The study found that while AI excitement is high, it's still early days for adoption: 60 per cent aren't familiar with AI, and only 31 per cent have tried any Generative AI tool. The research also showed a strong, innate desire among Indians to improve and excel, with the majority seeking to boost productivity (72 per cent), enhance creativity (77 per cent), and communicate more effectively (73 per cent) in their daily lives. On average, 75 per cent of Indians desire a daily growth collaborator. The study underlines the massive headroom for Gen-AI adoption in India, people's desire to use such tools to excel in life, and how Google Gemini is helping Indians boost their confidence and capabilities. Gen AI tools like Gemini are increasingly meeting this desire of a collaborative guide. (ANI) Reliance Industries Limited on Friday reported that t has posted record annual consolidated revenues at Rs 1,071,174 crore (USD 125.3 billion), up 7.1 per cent on a yearly basis. This record revenue was supported by continued revenue growth in consumer businesses and oil-to-chemicals (O2C), the conglomerate said in a statement post its Board Meeting. Reliance Industries becomes the first Indian company to cross total equity of over Rs 10 lakh crore in 2024-25, the company said. Reliance Industries announced a dividend of Rs 5.5 per share for the year ended March 2025 Reliance's annual consolidated EBITDA increased by 2.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 183,422 crore (USD 21.5 billion) with strong positive contribution from consumer businesses Reliance's annual consolidated Profit After Tax and Share of Profit/(Loss) of Associates and joint ventures increased by 2.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 81,309 crore (USD 9.5 billion) The capital Expenditure for the year ended March 31, 2025, was Rs 131,107 crore (USD 15.3 billion). Coming to January-March quarter, Reliance's gross revenue for the quarter was Rs 288,138 crore (USD 33.7 billion), up 8.8 per cent year-on-year, supported by double-digit growth in O2C and consumer businesses. Reliance's quarterly EBITDA increased by 3.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 48,737 crore (USD 5.7 billion) with strong contribution from consumer businesses. Quarterly profit after tax and Share of Profit/(Loss) of Associates and joint ventures increased by 6.4 per cent year-n-year to Rs 22,611 crore (USD 2.6 billion). RIL's consolidated capital expenditure for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, was Rs 36,041 crore (USD 4.2 billion) Coming to digital services business, Jio Platforms' EBIDTA for quarter ended March 2025 increased by 18.5 per cent to Rs 17,016 crore Jio's net profit for the quarter grew 25.7 per cent to Rs 7,022 crore Jio reported 6.1 million net subscriber addition during the quarter driven by continued subscriber addition post tariff hike related churn and steady ramp up in home connects. Jio's subscriber base stood at 488.2 million on March 31, 2025, including 191 million True5G subscribers Jio's ARPU increased further to Rs 206.2 with continued impact of tariff hike and better subscriber mix partly impacted by lower number of days in the quarter. Residual impact of tariff hike to flow through by June 2025. Jio's customer engagement levels continued to remain strong with per capita data consumption of 33.6 GB/month, and total data traffic growth of 19.6 per cent year-on-year to 48.9 billion GB during the quarter. Voice traffic increased 3.5 per cent year-on-year to 1.49 trillion minutes Further, Reliance Retail recorded a revenue of Rs 88,620 crore, up 15.7 per cent, for the March 2025 quarter. The retail business opened 1,089 new stores with total store count at 19,340 and total area under operation 77.4 million sq. ft. "The registered customer base grew to 349 million, making Reliance Retail one of the most preferred retailers in the country," the company said in the statement. Total transactions recorded were at 361 million, up 16.1 per cent. Digital Commerce and New Commerce contributed 18 per cent of total revenue. Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited said: "FY2025 has been a challenging year for the global business environment, with weak macro-economic conditions and a shifting geo-political landscape. Our focus on operational discipline, customer-centric innovation and fulfilling India's growth requirements has helped Reliance deliver a steady financial performance during the year." "The Oil to Chemicals business posted a resilient performance despite considerable volatility in energy markets. Significant demand-supply imbalances in downstream chemicals markets have led to multi-year low margins. Our business teams ensured optimization of integrated operations and feedstock costs to enhance margin capture across value chains. The Oil & Gas business recorded its highest ever annual EBITDA led by higher production from our KGD6 and CBM blocks," he further said. "The Retail segment also delivered consistent growth. In FY25, the business focused on a strategic recalibration of our store network, aimed at improving operational efficiencies and long-term sustainability. Our enhanced product catalogue and user experience across all formats, strengthened customer engagement. The quick hyperlocal deliveries initiative has also gained significant traction in the market, connecting strongly with the users. Our suite of omni-channel offerings and wide-spread presence will enable Reliance Retail to continue delivering superior value to all its customers," Mukesh Ambani added, as per the statement. During 2024-25, Mukesh Ambani said Reliance has laid a strong foundation for its projects in renewable energy and battery operations. "In the coming quarters, we will see the transition of this business from incubation to operationalization. I firmly believe that the New Energy growth engine will create significant value for Reliance, for India and for the world," the Chairman and Managing Director said. In a notable news, during the January-March quarter, Jio announced an agreement with SpaceX to offer Starlink's broadband internet services to its customers in India. This agreement is subject to SpaceX receiving authorizations to sell Starlink in India, RIL said in the today's statement. Jio will offer Starlink equipment in its retail outlets and also establish a mechanism to support customer service installation and activation. Jio and SpaceX are also evaluating other complementary areas of cooperation to leverage their respective infrastructure to enhance India's digital ecosystem further. (ANI) In the aftermath of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra has joined the chorus of public figures expressing outrage and grief. Taking to his social media platform, Dharmendra shared his profound sorrow and outrage, condemning the cruelty of the attack that claimed 26 innocent lives. The actor shared an emotional message on Instagram that read, "I hate inhumanity, my heart cries for cruelty in Pahalgam. I pray for peace, love, and humanity all over the world." https://www.instagram.com/p/DI21fsUhFgT/ The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, has not only shaken India but also drawn widespread international condemnation. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof extended his heartfelt condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a conversation following the attack. PM Schoof condemned the "cowardly act" in the strongest terms, reiterating the Netherlands' unwavering stance against terrorism in all its forms. Schoof's gesture of solidarity with India was echoed by a statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on social media. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), announcing the conversation between the two leaders. "PM Dick Schoof of Netherlands @MinPres called PM @narendramodi and conveyed condolences on the tragic and inhuman cross-border terror attack in Pahalgam, India. He strongly condemned the cowardly act and rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the post read. The Ministry further noted that Prime Minister Modi had thanked Prime Minister Schoof for his support and expressed India's resolve to work closely with the Netherlands in the ongoing global fight against terrorism. In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has swiftly implemented a series of diplomatic and security measures aimed at addressing the gravity of the situation and reinforcing national security. One of the most significant actions taken by the Indian government was the closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, a critical border post for trade and movement between India and Pakistan. Additionally, India announced the suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country. The government has also reduced the number of diplomats stationed at both the Indian and Pakistani High Commissions. India has also halted the Indus Waters Treaty, a historic agreement signed in 1960. The treaty has long been seen as one of the most successful international accords, despite enduring periods of tension. In the wake of the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, vowing that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack would face severe retribution. PM Modi assured the Indian people that justice would be swift and uncompromising. "The terrorists responsible for this heinous attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination," PM Modi declared. He stressed that the time had come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism, pledging that India's resolve would break the backbone of the perpetrators. (ANI) Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, whose recent remarks on Brahmins sparked widespread controversy, is now facing further legal trouble. The Surat Court has issued a notice requiring Kashyap to appear before the court on May 7. Failure to comply, the court has warned, will result in further legal actions. Additionally, the court has directed that a copy of the notice be sent to Kashyap's residence, heightening the legal consequences of his controversial statements. The complainant, Kamlesh Rawal, a lawyer, said that Kashyap will not be forgiven for his comments this time, setting the stage for a legal confrontation. The complainant claims that this is not the first time the filmmaker has made controversial statements, particularly regarding religious communities. The complaint alleges that Kashyap has repeatedly attempted to stir religious tensions, with prior remarks in 2020 about Hindu society and a reported altercation with actor Anil Kapoor in 2024 also forming part of the case against him. In the current case, Kashyap's social media posts regarding the censorship of film 'Phule', a biopic on social reformer Jyotirao Phule, have triggered further backlash. The post led to accusations of insulting the Brahmin community and inflaming religious sentiments. Although Kashyap later apologised, the complainant has made it clear that they are not willing to let the matter rest. On April 16, 2025, Anurag Kashyap posted a reaction on social media that quickly escalated into a significant controversy. In the post, he criticised the ongoing censorship of 'Phule' and made remarks that some interpreted as offensive towards the Brahmin community. These remarks sparked backlash from various sections of society. Kashyap, facing mounting criticism, issued a public apology, but the complainant insists that this apology is insufficient and that Kashyap must face legal consequences for his actions. In a subsequent Instagram post, Anurag Kashyap expressed deep regret for his comments, explaining that in a moment of anger, he "forgot his limits" while responding to a comment. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIvPATRN8LZ/ He apologised for using inappropriate language against the Brahmin community, a group he acknowledged had many people he respected and who had contributed positively to his life. "I spoke badly about the entire Brahmin community. That community whose many people have been in my life, are still there and contribute a lot. Today, all of them are hurt by me. My family is hurt by me. Many intellectuals, whom I respect, are hurt by my anger and my way of speaking," Kashyap wrote, offering a heartfelt apology to his family, colleagues, and the Brahmin community. Kashyap further vowed to work on his anger and ensure that such an incident would not occur again. He pledged to choose his words carefully in the future and urged the Brahmin community to direct their anger towards him, not his family, who he claimed had been unfairly targeted by some of his critics. "I will work on not letting this happen again. I will work on my anger. And if I have to discuss the issue, I will use the correct words. I hope you will forgive me," Kashyap added. Despite his public apology, Kashyap's troubles are far from over. The legal complaints continue to pile up, with the latest one filed in Indore by Anoop Shukla, accusing Kashyap of hurting the religious and social sentiments of the Brahmin community. In his complaint, Shukla emphasised that Kashyap's remarks were not just offensive but also intended to stir hatred between different social groups in India. (ANI) Filmmaker Payal Kapadia was honoured by the French government in Mumbai earlier this week for her outstanding contributions to the world of film and the cultural ties between France and India, reported Variety. According to the publication, the Mumbai-based director received the prestigious Officier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) award on Wednesday. The Consul General of France presented the award during a ceremony held at the French residence in Mumbai's upscale Peddar Road area. https://www.instagram.com/p/DI1GF9zod3V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Kapadia, who made history last year by winning a major award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, expressed her joy while speaking at the event. According to Variety, Kapadia said, "It is an honour and a privilege to be conferred with the distinction of Officer of Arts and Letters. I am also very thankful for the French Government's dedicated support towards independent cinema all over the world." With this honour, Kapadia joins a list of Indian artists that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Lata Mangeshkar, who the French government has also awarded for their contributions to the arts. The Order of Arts and Letters is one of France's highest honours, recognizing people around the world for their creativity and contributions to arts and culture. Kapadia's journey in cinema began in 2017, when she gained international recognition for her short film "Afternoon Clouds," which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival. She later won the Golden Eye award for her debut feature documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing. In 2024, Kapadia went on to achieve global fame with her fiction feature debut All We Imagine as Light. The film won the Grand Prix at Cannes, making her the first Indian director in 30 years to win an award in the festival's main competition. The film also received a Golden Globe nomination and several international honours. All We Imagine as Light, which was co-produced in France, was even shortlisted as France's official entry for the Oscars' international category. (ANI) Actor Varun Dhawan, who turned 38 on Thursday has thanked his fans for lovely birthday wishes and also gave an update for his upcoming film 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'. On Friday, Varun posted some pictures of himself where he is looking handsome in a beige outfit. "Thank you for all the birthday wishes sorry if I couldn't reply to everyone. Felt very lucky that I got to spend a working birthday," he captioned the post. Varun also gave an update of his shooting schedule fo 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'. He wrote, "kick off our outdoor schedule of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai." https://www.instagram.com/p/DI3tlFJMMsL/?img_index=1 Being helmed by veteran filmmaker David Dhawan, the film stars his son Varun alongside Pooja Hegde. The actors recently finished an adventurous sequence in Rishikesh. Apart from the leading pair of Varun and Pooja, 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' features Mrunal Thakur, Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Mouni Roy, Chunkey Panday, Rakesh Bedi, and Ali Asgar in key roles. A lot of combination scenes, leading to chaos on screen, will be shot in Scotland. The conclusion of the Scotland schedule will lead to a film wrap, notwithstanding a couple of songs and some patchwork sequences," the source shared. Produced by Ramesh Taurani under the Tips banner, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai sees Varun Dhawan return to his signature comic flair. Talking about how he celebrated his birthday, Varun chose to celebrate his special day with his fans in Mumbai. The 'Baby John' actor took to his Instagram to share a video from his meet-and-greet event at a local restaurant. In the video, Varun can be seen cutting his birthday cake with photographers, posing for pictures, and later meeting fans inside the cafe. The actor also recreated some of his popular dance moves, leaving fans excited. In the video, a fan can be heard saying, "After my parents, he (Varun) is the one I love the most." Along with the video, Varun added a caption that read, "I got to celebrate my birthday with the people that matter the most the reason I'm here. The fans. This really made my day. Thank you to my team for putting this together." https://www.instagram.com/p/DI0UrebsNX4/ Other than 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai', Varun has a packed schedule ahead. He is also preparing for Border 2, which brings together a powerful cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. Directed by Anurag Singh, the movie is a follow-up to the 1997 war film Border, a major hit that depicted the 1971 India-Pakistan war. In the coming months, Varun will also be seen sharing screen space with Janhvi Kapoor in 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari'. Originally slated for release on April 18 this year, the makers have now postponed the release date due to undisclosed reasons. The film, written and directed by Sashank Khaitan, will now hit theatres on September 12. The film also stars Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi in prominent roles. It is produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Shashank Khaitan. (ANI) In a strong and fearless response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty urged the citizens to spend their next holidays in the state to promote tourism and show terrorists that they are not afraid of them. While talking to the media at the sidelines of the Lata Deenanath Mageshkar Award 2025 ceremony, Suniel urged the Indian citizens to plan their next holiday in Kashmir and nowhere else. "Hume nagrik ki taraf se ek hi karna hah, hume ye decide krna hah ki aaj se humaari agli chutti jo hogi, voh kashmir me hi hogi aur kahi nhi hogi. Unko ye dikhana hahi ki hume darr nhi hai, aur vakayi me darr nhi hai (As a citizen, we have to do one thing. We have to decide that our next holiday will be in Kashmir and nowhere else. We have to show them that we are not scared)," said Suniel Shetty. The 'Dhadkan' actor further shared that he called the authorities and said that he is willing to visit Kashmir as a tourist or artist if required. "Maine khud phone kr ke bola hai ki agar kal aapko lagta hai ki hume vhaa aana hah, tourist ke haisiyat se ya artist ki haisiyat se hume vha shooting krna hai ya ghoomne jaana hai, hum aayenge. (I myself called them and said that if you want us to come there as tourist or as an artist for shooting, we will come)," added Suniel Shetty. The actor also called for unity among the citizens during the media interaction. "Right now, we need to stay united. Those who are trying to spread fear and hatred, without falling for their manipulation, we must come together and show them that Kashmir was ours, is ours, and will always remain ours. That's why the army, the leaders, everyone is involved in this effort," said Suniel Shetty. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. (ANI) The General Secretary of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Ashoke Dubey, has called for a complete ban on Pakistani artists from working in India. This comes after a deadly terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed. Tensions between India and Pakistan have risen sharply since the attack. Dubey, while speaking to ANI, said, "Since this is a matter of national interest, the nation comes first. The continuous attacks, including the recent one in Pahalgam on our tourists, are shameful. We have again issued a press release stating that if any of our members are found working with Pakistani artists or technicians, we will take action against them and stop working with them." Dubey further mentioned that all associations linked with FWICE are being sent letters. He went on to say that they have also written to the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister to issue a notification stating that if any Indian member works with Pakistani artists, a case of treason should be filed against them. "We are writing letters to all the associations affiliated with us. If anyone is found engaging in such activities again, they will not be allowed to work in the industry," Dubey said. "In the letter to the I&B Minister, we also said that a notification should be issued. Humara koi bhi sadasya, Hindustan ka koi bhi sadasya agar unke saath kaam kar raha hai, toh uske upar desh droh ka mukadma kiya jaye taaki wo aage se ye sab cheez karne se pehle 1000 baar sochne par," he added. (If any member from India works with Pakistani artists, a case of treason should be filed against them so that they think a thousand times before doing it.) Earlier on Thursday, sources from the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting indicated that the film 'Abir Gulaal,' starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, would not be permitted for screening in India. Dubey told ANI that they had already written a letter to producer Vivek Agarwal, asking him not to release the film, warning that FWICE would "stop cooperating with every unit member" associated with it if he went ahead. "The film Abir Gulaal was set to release on the 9th. Vivek Agarwal, the producer, was sent a letter from us. We also wrote to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. We wrote a letter to Vivek stating that you cannot work with Pakistani artists in this manner. If you release this film, we will also cease cooperation with every unit member associated with it, whether it be the cameraman or the director. We asked the I&B ministry to ban this film," Dubey said. Fawad Khan, a Pakistani national, was previously banned from working in India following the 2016 Uri attack. His last Bollywood appearance was in 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' (2016). 'Abir Gulaal,' which was slated for release on May 9, 2025, was supposed to be Fawad Khan's comeback project after a hiatus of nearly nine years. (ANI) Protests and candlelight marches were held across multiple cities on Thursday as citizens, students, and political groups condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. Students of the Government Degree College for Women in Anantnag marched through the town, condemning the attack. A participating student stated, "We strongly condemn this terrible act. We just want to say that terrorism doesn't have a particular religion, and we, as common Kashmiris, stand for peace and will always stand for peace. We strongly condemn what has been done. We are very sorry for this, and this doesn't represent Kashmir. This doesn't represent us." In Chandigarh, people gathered to protest against the incident, holding placards and calling for justice. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a candlelight march was organised to honour the victims of the Pahalgam Terror Attack. In Delhi, members of the Khan Market Trade Association held a similar march, with candles lit in memory of the deceased. In Bhubaneswar, the BJP Yuva Morcha conducted a protest march condemning the attack. In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders and workers held a candle march. BJP MP and state party president VD Sharma also participated. He said, "Today the whole of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and the country have come out on the streets against terrorism... Not a single terrorist will be spared. Today we are moving forward with the resolution that we will end this type of terrorism from the country..." Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang said, "The citizens of Bhopal have come out on the streets with the message that Pakistan's disgusting act will no longer be tolerated... Prime Minister Modi has said that now terror and terrorists will not get any ground... We are all with the army, and today we have come out to demonstrate it. We condemn the way our unarmed tourists have been attacked." Meanwhile, Opposition parties on Thursday conveyed their unanimous support to the government at an all-party meeting over any action it takes in the wake of terror attack in Pahalgam, with officials explaining how "the lapse" took place. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said after the meeting that the government informed about the decisions taken at Cabinet Committee on Security, which was held a day after the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. He said the meeting was briefed by IB and Home Ministry officals on "how the terror incident happened and how lapse occurred". Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda attended the meeting. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, NCP's Shrikant Shinde, NCP leaders Praful Patel and Shrikant Shinde, RJD's Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), DMK's Tiruchi Siva, BJD's Sasmit Patra, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh, Trinmool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, YSCRP leader PV Mithun Reddy (YSRC), BJP's Anil Baluni, TDP's Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Indian Union Muslim League's Haris Beeran and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi were among those present. On Thursday, a meeting convened by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre, brought together leaders from across the political spectrum to deliberate on the path forward in the wake of the April 22 terror attack that shook the region. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) Maulana Qari Syed Fazlul Mannan Rahmani, Shahi Imam of Teele Wali Masjid in Lucknow, on Friday condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and expressed his support for the government's decision to take further action against Pakistan for spreading terrorism in the valley. "Whatever way the PM decides to take any further action, we are all with him, and we will support every decision of the PM," he told ANI. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission person a non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. The Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will be revoked, effective 27 April 2025 . Expressing his deep sorrow and regret over the loss of lives, Rahmani offered his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. In a show of solidarity and protest, Maulana Rahmani has appealed to the people to wear a black band during Jumma prayers on Friday. This silent protest aims to express their outrage and condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack. The Lucknow Shahi Imam said, "I have appealed to the people to wear a black band for Jumma (Friday prayers). It will be a silent protest. I offer my condolences and also pray for those who are injured for their speedy recovery. We condemn this horrific terrorist attack." The Shahi Imam's statement comes after the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow, claiming the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Meanhwile, Opposition parties on Thursday conveyed their unanimous support to the government at an all-party meeting over any action it takes in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam, with officials explaining how "the lapse" took place. Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda attended the meeting. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, NCP's Shrikant Shinde, NCP leaders Praful Patel and Shrikant Shinde, RJD's Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), DMK's Tiruchi Siva, BJD's Sasmit Patra, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh, Trinmool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, YSCRP leader PV Mithun Reddy (YSRC), BJP's Anil Baluni, TDP's Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Indian Union Muslim League's Haris Beeran and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi were among those present. (ANI) Following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Sri Ganganagar district, located on the international border, has ramped up security measures. Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that local authorities are on high alert. Speaking to ANI, SP Yadav said, "Sri Ganganagar district is on the international border and it is a sensitive place... Ever since the incident (Pahalgam terror attack) happened, the police are completely on alert mode... All our weapons in the police station have been checked, especially the long-range weapons... Apart from this, the places of stay here, such as hostels, Dharamshala, etc., have also been checked." In Nainital, Kumaon region, IG Riddhim Agarwal provided details of the enhanced security arrangements. The district has been placed on high alert, and public spaces have been monitored more closely. Agarwal told ANI, "We have issued an alert and directed all the district SSPs to ensure continuous checking at all the crowded places... There should be continuous checking at the border check posts as well. We have also alerted our intelligence unit. People coming and going should be monitored." Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. The Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will be revoked, effective 27 April 2025 . This comes after the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow, claiming the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) Union Minister Giriraj Singh condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that India would not bow to such "cowardly threats." Singh also criticised political parties like Congress and RJD for their response to the incident. Speaking to the Media, Singh said, "India is not afraid of such cowardly threats, and today, the Honourable Prime Minister has clearly stated this, which is why I am saying this." He also lashed out at the opposition parties, including Congress and RJD, over their response to the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh expressed his disappointment that these parties are holding candle marches and demanding an inquiry committee to investigate the attack. Singh pointed out that the opposition's demand for proof of surgical strikes and investigation into the Pahalgam attack is hypocritical. He said, "I feel sorry for parties like Congress and RJD, which hold candle marches in Bihar and demand investigations and committees for this. They should feel ashamed. They want proof for surgical strikes and even talk about investigating the incident that took place in Pulwama. This is a matter of shame. RJD, which says it will turn Bihar and Bengal into Bihar, is both inflicting wounds on one side and sprinkling salt on them on the other." The Union Minister's comments come in the wake of the terror attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam on Tuesday, where 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in one of the deadliest attacks in the region in years. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. The Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will be revoked, effective 27 April 2025. Opposition parties on Thursday conveyed their unanimous support to the government at an all-party meeting over any action it takes in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam, with officials explaining how "the lapse" took place. Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister and BJP chief JP Nadda attended the meeting. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, NCP's Shrikant Shinde, NCP leaders Praful Patel and Shrikant Shinde, RJD's Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), DMK's Tiruchi Siva, BJD's Sasmit Patra, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh, Trinmool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, YSCRP leader PV Mithun Reddy (YSRC), BJP's Anil Baluni, TDP's Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Indian Union Muslim League's Haris Beeran and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi were among those present. (ANI) The mortal remains of Manish Ranjan, one of the victims of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, were taken for the last rites in Jhalda, Purulia district of West Bengal on Thursday. Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar and BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato attended the funeral. Speaking to reporters, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said, "Out of the Indians killed in Pahalgam, three were from West Bengal... There is a lot of agitation against this in the country... Our district leadership and local authority, I took part in the last rites for one of the victims, and everyone was grieving. There was only one question in everyone's eyes: when will they be avenged?" Majumdar assured the grieving families and the public that the Indian government would take strong steps in response to the attack. "I want to assure them, Bengal's people and all Indians, that our government will take account of everything... Our government took a lot of decisions that will cut off the bilateral relations with Pakistan, a country that killed our citizens... This decision is correct... We will create such conditions that Pakistan will think a hundred times before sending such terrorists..." The Pahalgam terrorist attack, which occurred on April 22 at Baisaran meadows, claimed the lives of 26 people, including Indian tourists and one Nepali national. It has drawn widespread condemnation from across the country. Meanwhile, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Sri Ganganagar district, located on the international border, has ramped up security measures. Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that local authorities are on high alert. Speaking to ANI, SP Yadav said, "Sri Ganganagar district is on the international border and it is a sensitive place... Ever since the incident (Pahalgam terror attack) happened, the police are completely on alert mode... All our weapons in the police station have been checked, especially the long-range weapons... Apart from this, the places of stay here, such as hostels, Dharamshala, etc., have also been checked." IG Riddhim Agarwal provided details of the enhanced security arrangements in Nainital, Kumaon region. The district has been placed on high alert, and public spaces have been monitored more closely. Agarwal told ANI, "We have issued an alert and directed all the district SSPs to ensure continuous checking at all the crowded places... There should be continuous checking at the border check posts as well. We have also alerted our intelligence unit. People coming and going should be monitored." India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. The Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will be revoked, effective 27 April 2025. (ANI) The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has sparked widespread condemnation from leaders across India. Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal have demanded stern action against the perpetrators. Pawan Kalyan described the incident as a "ghastly and painful" act of target killing, motivated by religious bias. He met with the families of the victims and expressed his outrage over the attack. He said that the incident is part of "revival of Hindu genocide" and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice. " It was a ghastly and painful incident. Today, after meeting Madhusudan's family and Chandramouli's family, it is very difficult even for me after hearing what they went through...I don't have enough strength to speak. In the name of religion, targeting people. It was a very clear-cut target killing....from 1986-1989 we used to visit Kashmir for Telugu films, so I knew how the situation had changed from 1986 to 1989...from that particular time to now, I feel it is a revival of Hindu genocide," he said. Pawan Kalyan, speaking from Andhra Pradesh, visited the families of victims, two members of the Telugu community, Madhusudan Rao and retired bank employee JS Chandramouli, who lost their lives in the attack. Rao, a resident of Kavali in Nellore district, was on vacation with his family and was among the 26 tourists killed in the attack. The software engineer who had been residing in Bengaluru is survived by his wife and two children. He urged the central leadership to respond firmly. "Perpetrators, the terrorists behind this, should be brought to justice... PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Indian government, I believe they will take stern action." Meanwhile, speaking from Bathinda, SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal called for a complete shutdown of trade with Pakistan until terrorist activities cease. She suggested closing major ports in Maharashtra and Gujarat used for trade with Pakistan and the Attari border. Badal emphasised that the government should take a firm stance against Pakistan's drug trade and terrorism. "There should be no agreement whatsoever with Pakistan until these terrorist activities completely stop. You have closed the Attari border, but the big ports of Maharashtra and Gujarat, from where the rich people do their businesses with Pakistan, should also be closed and stopped. If you want to teach a lesson to Pakistan, make it equal for everyone. The drug trade that Pakistan does via that route, and using ports of Gujarat and Maharashtra, should be stopped. Only closing the Attari border will not serve the purpose. We all want to teach Pakistan a lesson," she said. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. (ANI) Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Friday to assess the security situation in the region following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. "Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will leave for Srinagar and Udhampur shortly," the Defence officials said. According to Defence officials, the Army Chief is scheduled to meet senior Army commanders deployed in the Kashmir Valley, along with officials from other security agencies. He will be reviewing the ongoing security situation in the valley and attempts by the Pakistan Army to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control there. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. "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 withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and 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," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) In the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Maharashtra government took the initiative to ensure the safe return of stranded tourists from the state. The state government arranged four flights to bring back tourists from Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde personally visited Kashmir and worked actively to bring back as many tourists as possible. As a result, a total of 520 tourists have safely returned to Mumbai through four flights arranged so far. " I met many of our stranded tourists--tired, anxious, but resilient. It was heartening to see their spirits lift just by knowing that their government is with them, on the ground. I'm here not just as Deputy CM, but as a fellow Maharashtrian--to stand by them, reassure them, and personally coordinate their safe return home," Shinde said. The first of these flights, operated by private airline Star Airlines, departed for Mumbai at 1:00 AM last night, carrying 75 tourists. Two Akasa Air flights departed from Srinagar at 2 PM and 5 PM on Thursday, bringing back 370 tourists. The first of these landed in Mumbai at 7 PM, and the second at approximately 9 PM. Shiv Sena also arranged special buses to ensure these returning tourists were safely transported to their homes. Additionally, another Star Airlines flight departed at 8 PM on Thursday, carrying 75 passengers who are expected to arrive in Mumbai late at night. With this, Shiv Sena has successfully facilitated the safe return of 520 tourists so far. Under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, the government continues to operate in Jammu and Kashmir, striving to bring back as many tourists as possible safely. As many as 26 people were killed in India, and several others were injured after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. (ANI) BJP Yuva Morcha held a protest in Bhubaneswar on Thursday evening against the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead. Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, who was also present during the protest, condemned the incident, saying that the government stands determined to eliminate terrorism in all forms. Speaking to ANI, Samal said, "It was a sad incident, and what our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, said is the voice of 140 crore people of the country. This act by the terrorist to put a pause to the development in our country won't work... We condemn this incident. Our government is determined to eliminate terrorism in all forms..." Protests have been taking place across the entire country as students, citizens, and political groups condemn the attack. In Anantnag, students of the Government Degree College for Women marched through the town and condemned the attack. A participating student stated, "We strongly condemn this terrible act. We just want to say that terrorism doesn't have a particular religion, and we, as common Kashmiris, stand for peace and will always stand for peace. We strongly condemn the attack. We are very sorry for this, and this doesn't represent Kashmir. This doesn't represent us." In Chandigarh, people gathered to protest against the incident, holding placards and calling for justice. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a candlelight march was organised to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. In Delhi, members of the Khan Market Trade Association held a similar march, with candles lit in memory of the deceased. In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, BJP leaders and workers participated in a candlelight march. BJP MP and state party president VD Sharma also attended. He said, "Today the whole of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and the country have come out on the streets against terrorism... Not a single terrorist will be spared. Today we are moving forward with the resolution that we will end this type of terrorism in the country..." The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) A wreath-laying ceremony was held in Jammu on Friday to honour Havildar J Ali Shaikh, who succumbed to injuries after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district. On Thursday, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district. "Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir was launched in Basantgarh, Udhampur. Contact was established, and a fierce firefight ensued. One of our Bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite the best medical efforts," White Knight Corps, Indian Army, posted on X. On Friday, Security forces launched a search operation in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, according to official sources. According to sources, a search operation is being conducted in the Kulnar Bazipora area of the district. Earlier in another operation on April 23, OP TIKKA, Baramulla, there was a heavy exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists. Two terrorists were eliminated, and the security forces foiled an infiltration bid. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered from the terrorists. Operation is in progress. Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will also visit Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar to assess the security situation in the region following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. According to Defence officials, the Army Chief is scheduled to meet senior Army commanders deployed in the Kashmir Valley, along with officials from other security agencies. He will be reviewing the ongoing security situation in the valley and attempts by the Pakistan Army to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control there. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 people were killed. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) An FIR has been filed against unidentified persons who had given death threats to a Dwarka court judge in the national capital while he was on a walk, Delhi police said on Friday. According to Delhi police, two unidentified men stopped their car before the judge to threaten him in Dwarka's Kakrola village on April 1. The police registered an FIR and are investigating the matter further. Meanwhile, in another disturbing incident, a convict and his lawyer allegedly issued death threats to a woman judge at the Dwarka court on April 2, 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. (ANI) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said that the current fight is between 'Dharma' (righteousness) and 'Adharma' (unrighteousness), rather than just a conflict between sects and religions. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Bhagwat made the remarks in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. He also said that the fanatics who killed people by asking about their religion, Hindus, would never do this. In his address, the RSS Chief said, "The fight that is going on right now is not between sects and religions. Its basis is sect and religion, but this fight is between 'Dharma' and 'Adharma'. Our soldiers or our people have never killed anyone by asking about their religion. The fanatics who killed people by asking about their religion, Hindus would never do this. That is why the country should be strong." He further added, "Everyone is sad, there is anger in our hearts as it should be, because to destroy the demons, immense power is necessary. But some people are not ready to understand this, and there cannot be any kind of change in them now. Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva, knew the Vedas, had everything that was needed to be a good person, but the mind and intellect he had adopted were not ready to change. Ravana would not have changed until he died and was reborn. That is why Ram killed Ravana to change him." The RSS Chief said that evil people need to be eliminated, just like Lord Ram killed Ravana. "We are a people who see the good in everyone and accept all. Our country has an army, but there was a time we felt we didn't need one. We became complacent, thinking there would be no war, and in 1962, nature taught us a lesson. Since then, we have been striving to strengthen our defence. Evil must be eliminated. There is anger, and there is also expectation. I believe that expectation will be fulfilled. But such change doesn't come merely from weapons or anger. The true force behind it is closeness. It is intimacy that keeps society united. In Kaliyug, staying united is our greatest strength," Bhagwat said. The RSS Chief emphasised the importance of unity and closeness in society, stating that while evil must be eliminated, true strength lies in togetherness. "The wave of anger that swept the nation after the recent incident did not differentiate by caste, religion, creed, sect, region, or party. We stood together for the dignity of the country, and this must become our nature. When we are united like this, no one will dare cast a sidelong glance at us. And if they do, their eyes will be forced shut. But to reach that point, we must cultivate deep love and closeness among ourselves. Such incidents keep happening, and we respond strongly--this time too, we expect the same. But to prevent such events, society must unite. This is the very spirit the Constitution expects from us--emotional integration, a feeling of closeness," Bhagwat further added. The RSS Chief said that the nationwide outrage following the recent incident showed unity across different groups, and this unity is essential for the country's dignity. He further said, "Once, it was said, 'Our religions are different; we cannot live together.' And the nation was divided. We accepted this, perhaps with the hope that things would improve. But even after 75 years, that hope remains unfulfilled. Just recently, the Army Chief of Pakistan reiterated the two-nation theory in his speech. We must take this seriously. The whole world is one family. No matter the religion or sect, eventually, everyone moves toward the same truth. Hatred is not our nature. Enmity is not our nature. But neither should helplessness be our nature. A powerful person should choose nonviolence. The weak have no other option. Our strength must be visible; only then will the world understand that these people are strong and should not be provoked. Only then do the evil forces of the world begin to understand." (ANI) Security checks have been intensified in Paltan Bazaar, a well-known market in Dehradun, following concerns about the unauthorised sale of military uniforms on Friday. The action comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, where assailants were reportedly disguised in military attire. Speaking to ANI, the SSP of Dehradun, Ajay Singh, said, "In Paltan Bazaar, old platoons used to shop. There are many old uniform shops. Therefore, a random inspection was launched in the market." The measures aim to prevent impersonation and misuse of military clothing, especially after reports that such disguises were used during recent attacks. A shopkeeper, Sagar Ahuja, while speaking to ANI reporters, narrated the instructions provided by the authorities. He said only police personnel or those officially authorised by the army are allowed to buy such attire. Shopkeepers have been instructed to verify the identity of every buyer. "We've been told to check Aadhaar cards, ID cards, and even verify the buyer's phone number in real-time by calling it," said Sagar. "We also have to note down their full address and, in case of army personnel, their unit details--for example, Garhwal Rifles, then we will have to add Unit 1 or 2, etc." Ahuja added that, in recent years, the government has tightened regulations around military uniforms. "Nowadays, the Indian Army issues official uniform fabric only through army canteens. The materials come with barcodes and cannot be sold to civilians. We merely stitch uniforms for army personnel who bring in their authorised fabric." Following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan and the Kumaon region in Nainital, located on the international border, have ramped up security measures. The districts have been placed on high alert, and public spaces have been closely monitored. Additionally, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Friday to assess the security situation in the region following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam."Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will leave for Srinagar and Udhampur shortly," the Defence officials said. According to Defence officials, the Army Chief is scheduled to meet senior Army commanders deployed in the Kashmir Valley, along with officials from other security agencies. He will be reviewing the ongoing security situation in the valley and attempts by the Pakistan Army to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control there. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. "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 withdraw its Defence, Navy, and 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," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) In preparation for the Chardham Yatra 2025, the Uttarakhand Police Headquarters has taken several steps to ensure that the pilgrimage is conducted in a safe and organised manner. Senior police officers have been nominated to carry out physical inspections of the arrangements at all four Dhams. These inspections will focus on the safety of devotees, traffic management, and basic facilities like accommodation and food for the police personnel on duty. Inspector General of Police (Training) Anant Shankar Takwale has been assigned to oversee arrangements at Yamunotri Dham; Inspector General of Police and Director of Traffic N.S. Napalchal, for Gangotri Dham; Inspector General of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Nilesh Anand Bharne for Kedarnath Dham; and Inspector General of Police (Personnel) Yogendra Rawat for Badrinath Dham. Meanwhile, in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir), the police have also issued directions to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students studying in Uttarakhand. The local police have identified areas where these students are residing or studying and are in regular contact with the institutions and students to address any concerns. Police officials are also closely monitoring social media. To date, 25 posts containing objectionable content have been removed, and an FIR has been filed in connection with this online activity. The police confirmed that all 1,665 Kashmiri students currently studying in the state are safe and that efforts are ongoing to maintain peace and security. The Uttarakhand Police has assured the public that every possible measure is being taken to ensure both the safe conduct of the yatra and the protection of all communities in the state. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh paid tribute to the innocent people killed in the cowardly April 22 terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. During a meeting in the State Secretariat, Chief Minister Dhami and the officers on Thursday observed two minutes of silence and mourned the loss of lives in the terror attack. The Uttarakhand CM has also voiced strong support for the Centre's recent decisions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, particularly the move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. The decisions were made during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to mediapersons, CM Dhami called the move "historic and tough,". He emphasised that India has begun implementing a bold response to terrorism under the decisive leadership of the Prime Minister. Dhami said that these bold steps taken under the leadership of the Prime Minister not only seal India's 'zero tolerance' policy against terrorism, but it has also sent a clear message to the enemies that India is ready to give a befitting reply to every terrorist attack. He said that by banning the Indus Water Treaty, the central government has made it clear that now blood and water cannot flow together. This decisive decision will shatter the plans of Pakistan, which shelters and promotes terrorism. Similarly, other decisions, including the closure of the Attari border check post, have also sent a strong message to Pakistan. Additionally, the government has issued an official notification regarding the holding of the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, sources said on Friday. On Thursday, Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee wrote to her Pakistan counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, conveying that the Indian government has decided that "the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect." "These communications cited fundamental changes in the circumstances that have taken place since the Treaty was executed that require a reassessment of obligations under the various Articles of the Treaty read with its Annexures," the letter said. On the same day, a high-level meeting was conducted at the Ministry of Home Affairs amid ongoing developments concerning the terror attack near Pahalgam town in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory to the treaty. The talks were initiated by Eugene Black, a former World Bank President. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. At the same time, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty allocates 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System to India, with the remaining 80 per cent to Pakistan. Earlier, CM Dhami paid his tributes to those who lost their lives in the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and affirmed that this was new India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Army would take a strong action and kill those terrorists involved. (ANI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday morning paid tributes to those killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which includes those who hailed from the state. He said that "revenge" must be taken against those responsible to put them in their place. "At the beginning of the event, we paid tribute to the 27 Indians, including six from Maharashtra, who tragically lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack two days ago. Revenge must be taken to ensure actual places are shown to those responsible for this incident," Pawar said while addressing the gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new building of the state family welfare bhavan and training centre here. He lauded the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese national. Pawar expressed confidence that the Indian Army would "eliminate" those behind the terror attack in Kashmir. "The Prime Minister has already made significant decisions, such as halting water supplies to Pakistan, among other crucial actions. Such incidents must never be repeated in the future, and I am confident that our Indian Army will decisively eliminate those behind this heinous act," Pawar said. Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Friday to assess the security situation in the region following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. "Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi will leave for Srinagar and Udhampur shortly," the Defence officials said. The government has issued an official notification on holding the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, sources said on Friday. Yesterday, Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee wrote to her Pakistan counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, conveying that the Indian government has decided that "the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect". Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested Mangat Singh alias Manga, a member of the banned Khalistan Commando Force from a village in Punjab's Amritsar, police said in an official statement. The Khalistani terrorist was absconding since 1995 and had a reward of Rs 25,000 on his arrest, and was nabbed by a joint team of UP ATS and Shahabad Police Station team. The Uttar Pradesh ATS has arrested the banned terrorist organisation Khalistan Commando Force (KCA) terrorist Mangat Singh alias Manga late on Wednesday night. He had a reward of Rs25,000 on his head. A joint team of the Noida unit and the Ghaziabad police has arrested him," the statement said. According to the statement, Mangat Singh was arrested in 1993 and got bail in 1995. He has been absconding since then. Mangat Singh was facing charges of attempted murder. He was also wanted in the separate case of robbery and extortion. Mangat Singh's brother, Sangat Singh, was the head of the banned organisation Khalistan Commando Force. He was killed in an encounter with the Punjab Police in 1990, the police stated. Earlier on April 22, the US FBI and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested a terrorist, Harpreet Singh, involved in attacks in Punjab. 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, "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. He 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 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. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has voiced strong support for the Centre's recent decisions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, particularly the move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. The decisions were made during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Friday chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to mediapersons, Chief Minister Dhami called the move "historic and tough,". He emphasised that India has begun implementing a bold response to terrorism under the decisive leadership of the Prime Minister. Dhami said that these bold steps taken under the leadership of the Prime Minister not only seal India's 'zero tolerance' policy against terrorism, but it has also sent a clear message to the enemies that India is ready to give a befitting reply to every terrorist attack. He said that by banning the Indus Water Treaty, the central government has made it clear that now blood and water cannot flow together. This decisive decision will shatter the plans of Pakistan, which shelters and promotes terrorism. Similarly, other decisions, including the closure of the Attari border check post, have also sent a strong message to Pakistan. Additionally, the government has issued an official notification regarding the holding of the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, sources said on Friday. On Thursday, Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee wrote to her Pakistan counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, conveying that the Indian government has decided that "the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect." "These communications cited fundamental changes in the circumstances that have taken place since the Treaty was executed that require a reassessment of obligations under the various Articles of the Treaty read with its Annexures," the letter said. On the same day, a high-level meeting was conducted at the Ministry of Home Affairs amid ongoing developments concerning the terror attack near Pahalgam town in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory to the treaty. The talks were initiated by Eugene Black, a former World Bank President. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. At the same time, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty allocates 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System to India, with the remaining 80 per cent to Pakistan. Earlier, CM Dhami paid his tributes to those who lost their lives in the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and affirmed that this was new India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Army would take a strong action and kill those terrorists involved. (ANI) Five workers lost their lives in Bahraich, after a fire broke out due to a dryer explosion at a rice mill on Friday. A total of eight people were taken to the hospital, and three are currently undergoing treatment. Speaking to ANI, Fire Officer Vishal Gond said, "I received information that a fire broke out at Rajgarhiya Foods. We sent two fire tenders. We noticed smoke coming from the dryer. Eight people climbed up to check the cause of the smoke. They became unconscious because of the smoke. The firefighting team brought them out and sent them to the hospital. Five of them have died and three are under treatment..." According to the Fire Officer, two fire tenders were sent for the rescue operation. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the accident in Bahraich. The Chief Minister has expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased and directed the district administration officials to provide them with proper treatment. He has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. https://x.com/CMOfficeUP/status/1915618033105567783 Informing about the incident, CMS, Dr MM Tripathi said, "Several injured people were brought to us after the accident at the mill today. A total of eight people were brought in. Unfortunately, five of them were already dead. Three others are currently undergoing treatment and are in stable condition. The accident happened in the Dargah area, where a fire broke out." An Eyewitness Arjun said, "I work as a labourer near the PMP Mill in the Dargah area. I don't know exactly how it happened, but suddenly there was a fire in the dryer. One person went up to check and fell inside. The dryer caught fire, and people got trapped. Around five people were brought to the hospital, and they have died. The fire brigade has reached the spot and is still working to fully put out the fire." Further information on the incident is still awaited. (ANI) Two security personnel have been injured in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Bandipora district, police said on Friday morning. A gun fight erupted between security forces and terrorists in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir this morning, according to officials. The security forces had launched a search operation in the Kulnar Ajas area of the district based on the intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, following which the fighting ensued. "On 25 Apr 2025, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Search Operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the general area of Kolnar Ajas, Bandipora. Contact was established, and a firefight ensued." Chinar Corps of the Indian Army wrote on X. Further details are awaited. On Thursday, an Army jawan succumbed to injuries during the encounter that broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, police said. "Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir was launched today in Basantgarh, Udhampur. Contact was established, and a fierce firefight ensued. One of our Bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed. Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will be in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Friday to assess the security situation in the region following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam." This comes amid uproar over terrorists attacking tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday left for Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Yesterday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." Rahul Gandhi, who was on an official visit to the United States, cut his trip short and returned to New Delhi early Thursday morning. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. Meanwhile, families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. (ANI) Aravind, son of N Ramachandran, who was killed by terrorists in the Pahalgam terror attack, said that the terrorist asked them to recite the ''kalma'', but when he failed to do so they instantly shot his father in the head. "My parents, sister, and her 8-year-old twin sons travelled to Kashmir on 21 April. On 22 April, my sister called to tell me that there had been a terror attack in which my father had been killed in front of my sister and her children. They heard gunshots while on a horse ride, and jumped off their horses to try to escape. They crawled through a fence, thinking they were safe on the other side. But that''s when they encountered a terrorist asking them to kneel," Aravind told reporters on Thursday. "He asked them to recite the ''kalma''. Since my father didn''t understand what he was being asked, the terrorist instantly shot my father in the head, and he died on the spot. My sister lay on top of my father''s body, thinking he was alive. The terrorist pointed his gun at my sister, but then he left. They escaped by crawling in the dirt through the forest. They reached a resort, and that''s when the army secured them," he added. Arathi, an eyewitness and daughter of N Ramachandran, a victim of the Pahalgam attack, mentioned that people had started running when they heard the gunshots, and there was chaos. "On hearing a gunshot, I asked my father what that sound was. He said he wasn''t sure. As we heard more gunshots, we started to run. We saw other people also running. It was a chaos overall. Suddenly, we saw a man coming with a gun. There were two to three groups beside us. We saw the man asking the group something, and then he was shooting at them. At this, I panicked, and I told my father that the man was coming towards us. My father was calm, and he said Let''s see what happens. The man came towards us and said, ''Kalma.'' When we said we didn''t understand what he was saying, the man shot my father," Arathi said. On Thursday, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and Congress Leader, VD Satheesan, along with Kerala BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar and other leaders, paid their last respects to N Ramachandran, who was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22. A wreath-laying ceremony was held in Kerala''s Kochi for the deceased. Family, relatives and close friends of the victim attended the solemn ceremony. Following the incident, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep grief over the loss and directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Roots to set up a help desk for Malayalis currently in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao has condemned the BJP IT cell for allegedly targeting Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, calling it an attempt to politicise a national tragedy. He said, NDA is creating unnecessary problems for Rahul Gandhi. This is not correct; it is a serious issue. Such actions are unnecessary and irresponsible" His remarks follow an FIR that has been registered at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru against the Karnataka BJP IT Cell over a social media post allegedly targeting Rahul Gandhi. The complaint was filed by CM Dhananjay, President of the KPCC Legal Unit. In the complaint, Dhananjay alleged that the BJP's state IT Cell posted a message on social media suggesting that "whenever Congress leader Rahul Gandhi goes abroad, there will be one attack after another in Kashmir." The complaint alleged that the post was provocative and aimed at disseminating false information about Rahul Gandhi. Additionally, Rao's statement comes in the context of a recent all-party meeting convened by the central government to discuss the Kashmir situation, where parties across the political spectrum reportedly agreed that there had been a security lapse. "In the all-party meeting, the Congress extended full support to the government regarding its actions on Kashmir," Rao said. On Thursday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the party had pointed to a "security lapse" in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, at the all-party meeting convened by the government, and also conveyed its full support for any action taken against the perpetrators. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have attended the all-party meeting as he would have directly heard the viewpoints of opposition members. "It is very important for PM Modi to be present in such an important meeting because the decision taken by PM Modi is final. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also there. Representatives from almost all the parties attented the meeting. When the ruling party members said that all the discussions would be conveyed to the Prime Minister, we replied that there is a difference between explaining the details later and being present on the occasion," Kharge said. "How did the security lapse happen despite three-tier security? Lot of innocents have been killed. In the three days before the terror incident, almost 1000 tourists went there. Rahul Gandhi asked if so many people were there, then the police should have been there. It is a security lapse...The government said the focus of the meeting was on how to make the system efficient so that such incidents are not repeated," he added. Kharge said there is a " glaring mistake of intelligence and security failure" and the government did not act promptly in response to the terror attack."All the parties agreed to the questions we raised. We will support the government's decision in the nation's best interest. We condemn this incident. We want to send a message that the nation is united," he added. The all-party meeting was attended by leaders from several political parties. The attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22 killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) The Delhi Police arrested activist Medha Patkar on Friday, following a non-bailable warrant issued against her by the Saket court in the national capital on April 23. The social activist is set to be produced before the Saket court today. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vishal Singh issued a Non-Bailable Warrant against Medha Patkar on April 23. "Issue NBWs against convict Medha Patkar, through the office of the Commissioner of Police, for the next date," ASJ Vishal Singh said on Wednesday. The court has listed the matter for report on NBW and for further proceedings on May 3. Advocate Gajinder Kumar and Kiran Jai appeared for VK Saxena. In July 2024, Patkar was convicted in a defamation case filed in 2000 by the then Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena Patkar was sentenced and released on probation and was directed to deposit the compensation amount and to furnish a probation bond. On Friday, she was arrested for not furnishing probation bonds in the defamation case moved against her by Saxena. While dealing with the matter, the court noted, "Instead of appearing before the court and to comply with the order on sentence of April 8, 2025, the convict is absent and deliberately failed to comply with the order on sentence and to avail the benefit of probation subject to furnishing of compensation amount. "The court took seriously the non-appearance of Medha Patkar and termed it deliberate. "The intention of convicting Medha Patkar is apparent, that she is deliberately violating the court order, she is avoiding appearing before the court and also avoiding accepting the terms of the sentence passed against her. There is no order of suspension of sentence passed by this court on April 8, 2025," ASJ Vishal Singh said. "This court is left with no option but to enforce the production of convict Medha Patkar through coercive order," he added. The court makes it clear that if on the next occasion the convict fails to comply with the terms of the order on sentence passed on April 8, the court will be constrained to reconsider the benevolent sentence and will have to alter the order on sentence. An application was moved on Patkar''s behalf on Tuesday to seek adjournment in view of the pendency of an appeal before the High Court. The court dismissed the same. The court stated that the application lacks substance, as there is no direction in the April 22, 2025, order of the High Court that the convict, Medha Patkar is not required to comply with the sentence order passed on April 8, 2025. "The application is frivolous and mischievous and is only calculated to hoodwink the court. The present application is therefore dismissed," ASJ Vishal Singh said in the order. On April 8, the appellate court upheld her conviction. However, the court, after sentencing her, directed her release on the condition of probation for good conduct for one year. She appeared through video conferencing. The court had asked her to appear on April 23. In July 2024, she was convicted and sentenced to three months'' imprisonment by the Magistrate''s court. The court had directed her to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to V K Saksena. However, she was granted bail by the court to challenge the order. The same order was challenged before the session court. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in the national capital on Friday (today) evening. Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, other senior government officials, will attend this meeting. Sources told ANI, "India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty." Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty. The notice mentioned that several fundamental aspects of the treaty have changed and require reconsideration. Changes in population, the development of clean energy, and various factors related to water distribution according to the treaty have occurred. Any treaty should be implemented in good faith, but Pakistan is promoting cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The letter said India has sent notices to Pakistan government seeking modification of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 (the Treaty) under Article XII (3) of the Treaty. "These communications cited fundamental changes in the circumstances that have taken place since the Treaty was executed that require a re-assessment of obligations under the various Articles of the Treaty read with its Annexures," the letter said. "These changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy and other changes in the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the Treaty," it added. The letter said that obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. "However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilization of its rights under the Treaty," it said. "Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect," it added. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect. Following the Centre's announcement to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil chaired a series of meetings yesterday to expedite the implementation of the decision, as directed by the Prime Minister. The Indian government has taken a significant step following the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The government has temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory. The negotiations were initiated by former World Bank President Eugene Black. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict, and has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. The Indus Waters Treaty governs the use and distribution of the waters of the six rivers of the Indus basin - Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej - between India and Pakistan. Under this treaty, the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, while the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India. (ANI) Amid uproar over the Pahalgam terrorist attacks, which claimed the lives of 26 people, the Jaisalmer Police has carried out a flag march in sensitive areas in the district, mainly border areas, while conducting search operations in public places, including various hotels and night shelters as a precautionary measure. According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhir Chaudhary, the police have made special security arrangements in the border areas and assured that the situation was under control. "On the instructions of the Chief Minister, police have made special security arrangements in the border areas. In this regard, we conducted inspections at hotels and other shelters within the district. We have increased police presence...we assure you that the situation is under control," SP Chaudhary told ANI. He said that a strict blockade was being implemented in sensitive areas, and strict vigilance was being maintained in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) in border villages. The SP said that instructions were given to exercise special caution and work in coordination with the security agencies deployed on the border. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Army and Air Force airports and military complexes on the western border have been put on high alert. Official sources said that the BSF has also been put on high alert on the Pakistan international border adjoining Rajasthan, and instructions have been given to annihilate any nefarious activity seen from across the border. Patrolling has been intensified on the border, and all activities across the border are being closely monitored. The BSF was keeping a close eye on sensitive areas along the international border using technical gadgets and other means. Entry is granted only after thorough questioning. Guidelines have been issued to deal with any untoward incident strictly. Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is touring Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar to assess the security situation in the region following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. (ANI) Voting is being held in two sessions, with 7,906 registered students eligible to cast their vote. Of these, 43 percent are female. From the School of International Studies to the School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, the campus is alive with student activity. Candid moments from the polling stations show students gathered around barricades, volunteers managing crowds, media capturing the buzz, and candidates and supporters engaging in last-minute outreach. Red tents and handwritten placards mark campaign presence, while posters from various student organisations--including ABVP, AISA, DSF, and NSUI--decorate the trees and brick walls, creating a charged atmosphere. This year's elections are witnessing a complex four-cornered contest with 13 candidates vying for the post of president, five for vice-president, six for general secretary, and five for joint secretary. The results will be declared on April 28. The elections, initially slated for April 18, were postponed due to an incident of violence and vandalism at the election committee's office. The rescheduled polling was announced on April 11, overcoming weeks of administrative and legal delays. In a major political shift, the once-dominant United Left alliance stands fractured. The AISA has parted ways with SFI and joined hands with the Democratic Students' Front (DSF), fielding Nitish (President), Manisha (Vice-President), Munteha (General Secretary), and Naresh (Joint Secretary). SFI is contesting separately for the first time in years. The ABVP, a strong contender, has fielded Shikha Swaraj (President), Nittu Gautam (Vice-President), Kunal Rai (General Secretary), and Vaibhav Meena (Joint Secretary), and announced 42 councillor candidates across 16 schools with a focus on female representation. Meanwhile, the NSUI, in alliance with the Fraternity Movement, has put forward Pradeep Dhaka for President, Mohammad Kaif for Vice-President, Arun Pratap for General Secretary, and Saloni Bhardwaj for Joint Secretary. Last year's elections, held in March 2024 after a four-year hiatus, saw the United Left win three out of four central panel posts, with Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students' Association (BAPSA) securing one. With alliances reshaped this year and new energy on campus, the outcome is anything but predictable. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and all the allies of the Mahagathbandhan are set to hold a "candle march" in all the districts of Bihar to condemn the Pahalgam terror attack and demand justice for the victims. The march aims to show solidarity with the victims' families and to raise awareness against terrorism. Taking to its social media platform X, RJD party said, "The entire country is mourning after the Pahalgam attack. Today, all the allies of the Mahagathbandhan will jointly hold a "Candle March" in all the districts of Bihar for justice to all the dead and to attack terrorism. The entire country and the entire Bihar are together in this hour of grief. It is the duty of all of us to ensure that the deceased get speedy justice and in future, innocent citizens of India do not become victims of any negligence, security lapse or terrorist audacity." https://x.com/RJDforIndia/status/1915592663216099431 The party said they are going to support the Government, hold it accountable, and inspire action against terrorists to ensure India's security. They emphasised prioritising implementation over words and the country's security over election preparations. "We will support the Government and also hold the Government accountable on behalf of the people, and also inspire to deal with the terrorists in such a way that no one dares to raise an eye towards the great land of India again. Implementation should be given priority over words, the country's security should be given priority over election preparations, and the security of every citizen of the country should be the top priority. With this objective, we are taking out this "Candle March". An appeal to everyone is to strengthen our voice for the country, for Bihar, for the peace of the souls of the dead and to destroy each and every terrorist," the post reads. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) Lucknow Eidgah Imam, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli on Friday prayed for the speedy recovery of all the injured in Pahalgam terror attack and appealed to all mosques and imams to organise a special dua to pray for the elimination of terrorism from the country. "On the occasion of Friday Jumma today, we have appealed to all the mosques and imams to organise a special dua to pray for the elimination of terrorism from our country and the entire world, especially of those involved in this barbaric attack, and for the speedy recovery of all the injured," Mahli told ANI. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack. The Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. "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 withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and 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," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) Reacting to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Friday said that the Congress leader is going to meet and console the people who have suffered due to the Pahalgam terror attack. "Rahul ji is going to Kashmir and is also going to Pahalgam today to console the people who have suffered in the Pahalgam terror attack. We have said that we will stand by the government," Khursid told ANI. Congress leader Vikrant Bhuria said, "We are meeting here today in Hyderabad at the Bharat Summit 2025 to ideate and create a blueprint for our fight for social justice." On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." Rahul Gandhi, who was on an official visit to the United States, cut his trip short and returned to New Delhi early Thursday morning. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. Meanwhile, families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. (ANI) The arrest of Congress leader and former Rajasthan Minister Mahesh Joshi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money laundering case has triggered several political reactions. While the government defends the move as part of due process, opposition leaders have accused central agencies of being misused for a political agenda. Speaking on the arrest, Rajasthan's Minister of State for Home Affairs, Jawahar Singh Bedham, said, "The ED is an independent agency. They only act when there is reason to do so. If Mahesh Joshi has been arrested, there must be something substantial behind it. Everyone should allow such agencies to function independently." In contrast, Rajasthan's Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tikaram Jully spoke in defence of Mahesh Joshi, calling the arrest an act of "mental harassment". Jully said, "Mahesh Joshi has been cooperating with the ED. His wife has been seriously ill for the past 15 days. Arresting him in such circumstances is deeply insensitive and amounts to mental torture". The LoP further alleged misuse of central investigative bodies, saying, "Agencies like ED and CBI are being misused." Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called the arrest of Joshi an example of political vendetta by the BJP. "The arrest of former minister Shri Mahesh Joshi by ED, which has become the extortion department of the BJP, is an example of political vendetta. This arrest has been made at a time when his wife has been struggling between life and death in an unconscious state in a hospital in Jaipur for about 15 days. His wish was to go to the ED after emerging from this difficult situation. This is an attempt to break them emotionally so that desirable statements can be extracted from them," he said. Mahesh Joshi was arrested in connection with the Jal Jeevan Mission scam case. Speaking to the media, Joshi stated that he has not committed any irregularity and has not accepted money from anyone; the action against him is based on the statements of those against whom he has taken action. He also expressed hope that he would get justice. "My wife is in a critical condition. A case has been filed against me. I have not committed any irregularities, and I have not accepted any money from anyone. Action is being taken against me based on statements of those against whom I have taken action. I have full faith in the law, and I am sure that I will get justice," Joshi said. (ANI) Markets across the national capital will remain shut as traders pay tribute to the victims and show solidarity with the government's stance against terrorism. Protesters are raising anti-Pakistan slogans, condemning Pakistan. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal and Secretary General of CAIT, Praveen Khandelwal, is leading the Delhi Traders' protest march as part of the trade bandh. Protests have been taking place across the entire country as citizens condemn the attack. BJP Yuva Morcha held a protest in Bhubaneswar on Thursday evening against the terror attack. Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, who was also present during the protest, condemned the incident, saying that the government is determined to eliminate terrorism in all forms. In Anantnag, students of the Government Degree College for Women marched through the town and condemned the attack. In Chandigarh, people gathered to protest against the incident, holding placards and calling for justice. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a candlelight march was organised to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. In Delhi, members of the Khan Market Trade Association held a similar march, with candles lit in memory of the deceased. In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, BJP leaders and workers participated in a candlelight march. BJP MP and state party president VD Sharma also attended. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) Amid the rising tension between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, for the first time, reached Jammu and Kashmir''s Srinagar and reviewed the security situation of the Union Territory. Upon his arrival, the 15 Corps Commander briefed him about the ongoing security situation and he met with senior Army commanders deployed in the Kashmir Valley, along with officials from other security agencies. The Indian Army Chief General was also briefed on the actions being taken by the formations against terrorists inside own territory and Pakistan Army''s attempts to violate the ceasefire along the LoC. Earlier today, Pakistan Army troops opened fire at some places along the Line of Control (LoC) , prompting an immediate retaliation from the Indian Army, officials said. "Small Arm Firing at some places on Line of Control initiated by the Pakistan Army. Effectively responded to by the Indian Army. No casualties," Indian Army officials said. Earlier on April 22, terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. "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 withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and 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," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) president Sat Sharma on Friday said that a resolution was passed unanimously in the all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, where it was decided that the people and leaders would support the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. He said everyone has welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to impose restrictions on Pakistan. "Yesterday, an all-party meeting was held in J&K headed by our CM, Omar Abdullah. MLAs from all the parties participated. The decisions made by PM Modi were supported unanimously. A resolution was passed unanimously that everyone in J&K, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, stands with PM Modi. Everyone has welcomed the restrictions imposed on Pakistan," Sharma told ANI. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in the national capital on Friday (today) evening. Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, other senior government officials, will attend this meeting. Sources told ANI, "India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty." Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty. The notice mentioned that several fundamental aspects of the treaty have changed and require reconsideration. Changes in population, the development of clean energy, and various factors related to water distribution according to the treaty have occurred. Any treaty should be implemented in good faith, but Pakistan is promoting cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The government has temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese national while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory. The negotiations were initiated by former World Bank President Eugene Black. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict, and has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. The Indus Waters Treaty governs the use and distribution of the waters of the six rivers of the Indus basin - Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej - between India and Pakistan. Under this treaty, the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, while the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India. (ANI) Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) staged a protest in New Delhi against the Pahalgam terror attack. Visuals showed the party members raising slogans demanding the elimination of terrorism. VHP International President Alok Kumar stated that the attack was on the tourism and business sector of Kashmir. "The bullets were indeed fired at the tourists, but the bullets also affect the tourism and business sector. If tourists stop going there, it will be a matter of survival. Therefore, this attack is on everyone in the name of Hindus...This is terrorism, and it is sponsored in Pakistan." Further, he stated that it was high time that the terrorism system in Kashmir comes to an end, further stating that "Ghulam Kashmir" is freed from the slavery of Pakistan and is joined back with India. "Now is the time that all terrorism in Pakistan is brought to an end. Secondly I hope that Ghulam Kashmir is freed from the slavery of Pakistan and is joined back with India," he further stated. Kumar also criticised Robert Vadra's statement on the attack and questioned why the Congress party always spoke in favour of Pakistan. "I don't know why one of Sonia Gandhi's family members speak in favour of Pakistan whenever such situations occur... This is like supporting the terrorists. His statement is being played by entire Pakistani media and they say that PM Modi was shown a mirror. I am disappointed that Congress did not separate itself from this... I believe Rahul Gandhi and this Robert Vadra speak against India." Members of the party also performed a havan and paid tribute to the victims of the attack. Meanwhile, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) called for a "trade bandh" march in the national capital to protest against the terror attack. Markets across the national capital will remain shut as traders pay tribute to the victims and show solidarity with the government's stance against terrorism. Protesters are raising anti-Pakistan slogans, condemning Pakistan. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday reached out to the grieving family of havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh, the army special forces comando soldier of 6 Para from Nadia district of the State, who was killed in the April 24 militant attack in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. Ali Shaikh was killed and two of his colleagues were critically injured in an encounter between terrorists and security forces in the Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur district yesterday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called up Nazim Sheikh, the cousin of Jhantu Ali Sheikh, around 1 pm yesterday. Sheikh spoke to the Chief Minister for about 12 minutes in the call where she offered her heartfelt condolences and assured his family of her full support. The Chief Minister told Nazom Shiekh that he could call her "whenever you need" and said she offered his family a direct line of communication in their time of grief. On Thursday, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district. "Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir was launched in Basantgarh, Udhampur. Contact was established, and a fierce firefight ensued. One of our Bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite the best medical efforts," White Knight Corps, Indian Army, posted on X. On Friday, Security forces launched a search operation in the Bandipora district of the Union Territory, according to official sources who said that a search operation was being conducted in the Kulnar Bazipora area of the district. Earlier in another operation on April 23, OP TIKKA, Baramulla, there was a heavy exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists. Two terrorists were eliminated, and the security forces foiled an infiltration bid. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered from the terrorists Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar today to assess the security situation in the region following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. According to Defence officials, the Army Chief is scheduled to meet senior Army commanders deployed in the Kashmir Valley, along with officials from other security agencies. He will be reviewing the ongoing security situation in the valley and attempts by the Pakistan Army to violate the ceasefire along the Line of Control there. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) The Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives, has devastating implications for the Pakistani nationals living in the border villages of Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, who had been living in India on short-term and long-term visas. The central government's directions for Pakistani nationals who entered India on a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visa to leave the country have created chaos among commoners, especially those living on short-term visas. In Jaisalmer, more than 6,000 Pakistani citizens live on long-term visas, while Rajasthan has 20,000. They are being intimated by the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) and other concerned departments about the government orders, stating that they might have to leave India. In a heartbreaking account, Radha Bhil, a Pakistani national residing here on a short-term visa, received her two-year-old merely three days ago, who she had left in the neighbouring country as a visa for the child was not issued earlier. The child was merely two months old when she left him in Pakistan to come to India. Radha applied for an Indian visa when she was pregnant and was issued the same after giving birth to her son. However, she was unable to arrange a visa for her newborn son and had to leave him in Pakistan. After two years, her son got a visa and came to Jaisalmer to his parents. She fears she will have to send her son to the neighbouring country again. Shaitan Singh Rathod, 25 years old, a resident of the Indroi village of Barmer, was going to Pakistan via the Attari border to marry his Pakistani bride on Thursday. However, after the government's orders, his plans to visit Pakistan to get married were completely shattered. When he reached Attari to go to Pakistan, the security agencies prevented him from doing so and sent him back. Shaitan Singh was scheduled to marry a girl from the Nuiya village in Amarkot on April 30. Another Pakistani refugee, Dilip Singh Sodha, asserted that the decision of the central government was "completely wrong". "We have come to India after enduring so many atrocities and religious persecution in Pakistan and selling everything we had. Now, there are talks of sending them back to Pakistan, this is absolutely not right. You can shoot us here. We will die here. At least our ashes will be immersed in Haridwar," he said. Seemant Lok Sangathan president Hindu Singh Sodha has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, apprising them about the constant phone calls by concerned offices, urging them to reconsider the decision taken by the central government. He said that this decision should not be applied to those people who have been forced to leave Pakistan and come to India due to religious persecution. "Today, the Government of India has made special provisions for granting citizenship to these people under its policy of settling Hindu Pakistani citizens who have come to India fed up with religious persecution and atrocities and the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019. In view of this, you are requested to reconsider your decision for such people and order the officials regarding positive orders," he said. On April 24, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a press release, saying that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27. "Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended," a press release said. (ANI) Chinese, Swiss FMs hold talks, calling for upholding multilateralism, free trade Xinhua) 09:23, April 25, 2025 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Beijing on Thursday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as firm supporters of multilateralism and free trade, China and Switzerland should work together to address the challenges of deglobalization, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, and maintain the international economic and trade order, as well as the basic norms governing international relations. China welcomes more Swiss enterprises to invest and start businesses in China, and looks forward to Switzerland continuing to provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese-funded enterprises, Wang noted. Cassis expressed a willingness to strengthen cooperation with China with a rational and pragmatic attitude, and to accelerate the negotiations on upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement. The international community should join hands to defend multilateralism and free trade, he said. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on issues such as the Ukraine issue and the situation in the Middle East. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Shiv Sena leader Neelam Latika Diwakar Gorhe on Friday refuted the "nothing to do with it" claims made by the neighbouring country amid uproar over the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives, saying that no one has any doubt about Pakistan's involvement. She lashed out at those responsible for the deadly terror attack, saying that the attackers were "hollow from within" and that Pakistan was carrying out such acts to mislead its citizens. "We welcome PM Narendra Modi's decision to move ahead using technical knowledge and mental patience. The people who have committed this attack are hollow from within. They do such things to mislead their country's people... No one has any doubt left that Pakistan is behind this attack." Gohre told ANI. "I welcome the all-party meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shiv Sena has always stood in the front in instances of mishaps. We will fight terrorism together," she added. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) president Sat Sharma said that a resolution was passed unanimously in the all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, where it was decided that the people and leaders would support the decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. He said everyone has welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to impose restrictions on Pakistan. "Yesterday, an all-party meeting was held in J&K headed by our CM, Omar Abdullah. MLAs from all the parties participated. The decisions made by PM Modi were supported unanimously. A resolution was passed unanimously that everyone in J&K, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, stands with PM Modi. Everyone has welcomed the restrictions imposed on Pakistan," Sharma told ANI. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in the national capital on Friday (today) evening. Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, other senior government officials, will attend this meeting. Sources told ANI, "India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty." Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty. The government has temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese national while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory. The negotiations were initiated by former World Bank President Eugene Black. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict, and has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. The Indus Waters Treaty governs the use and distribution of the waters of the six rivers of the Indus basin - Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej - between India and Pakistan. Under this treaty, the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, while the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India. (ANI) Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has called for strict actions against the terrorists on Friday over the killing of innocent tourists in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. He also demanded that the illegal residents be identified and deported. Speaking to ANI, Parameshwara said, "Strict action should be taken against the terrorists. We have to keep an eye on those who are living here illegally. They all should be sent back." Expressing support and assistance to the Central goverment, Parameshwara added, "The central government's Intelligence officials are also in Bengaluru. If we learn about any sleeper cells, we will inform the central government about them." On Thursday, the Governor of Karnataka, Thaawarchand Gehlot visited the residence of Pahalgam terror attack victim Bharat Bhushan in Mattikere, Bengaluru and paid his final respects. The Governor offered his condolences and words of solace to the grieving family. Interacting with family members, he expressed solidarity during their time of immense loss. In a statement following his visit, Governor Gehlot strongly condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. He emphasised that the Government of India is treating the incident with utmost seriousness. "Such heinous acts must not be tolerated. I am confident that India will give a fitting response to those responsible for this cowardly act," said the Karnataka Governor." The Indian government will not let this tragedy go unanswered," the Governor affirmed. Governor Gehlot lauded the proactive efforts of the Karnataka state government in facilitating the safe return of tourists stranded in Jammu and Kashmir, calling the swift rescue operations "commendable and deeply appreciated." The Karnataka cabinet passed a resolution against the Pahalgam terror attack during their meeting in Chamarajanagar on Thursday. The information was provided by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah while speaking to reporters. Siddaramaiah expressed his solidarity with the government of India and said that there is a failure of intelligence in the Union Government." A resolution condemning the incident has been passed in the cabinet meeting, and we also expressed our solidarity with the government of India. There is a failure of intelligence in the central government", Siddaramaiah told reporters. Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that they stand with the Union Government because the integrity of the nation is of utmost importance. He stated that some people are trying to politicise the issue which should not be done and peace should be maintained. "We stand by the government because the nation's integrity is very important. Some of them are trying to politicise...We should all maintain peace and no one should politicise this...", DKS said. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will stand revoked, effective from 27 April 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release. After the Indian government shut the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab Police Protocol Officer Arun Mahal confirmed that while the iconic gates remained shut, ceremonies were conducted separately on either side of the border. Speaking to ANI, Mahal mentioned that 28 Pakistani nationals returned home, while 105 Indian citizens crossed back into India."The government of India has taken very strict decisions. The gates at the Attari-Wagah integrated check post were not opened, and the parade was done in the respective areas. A total of 28 Pakistani nationals left for Pakistan from the Attari border, and 105 Indian nationals have returned from Pakistan. There has been an impact on the number of tourists," the officer said. (ANI) IndiGo Airlines on Friday issued a travel advisory for commuters and offered them rescheduling and refunds after Pakistan closed its airspace for Indian flights. IndiGo Airlines said that they are "diligently" assessing the situation and working on the best alternatives for the customers, following the closure of airspace. "Due to airspace closure by Pakistan, a few of our international flights continue to be impacted. Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and assist impacted customers with the best possible alternatives," IndiGo airlines stated in the travel advisory. "This sudden announcement is beyond our control and we sincerely regret the disruption it may have caused to your travel plans. If your flight is impacted, we encourage you to visit our website to explore flexible rebooking options or claim a refund as per your preference," they added. https://x.com/IndiGo6E/status/1915639744672763956?t=2g1AoqTQAlm5Nr0w78JNQw&s=08 India's strong actions after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 25 Indians and 1 Nepali citizen, have pushed Pakistan to take face-saving countermeasures against India, one of which is the closure of their airspace for Indian flights. Meanwhile, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. dia has also decided to close the integrated Attari Check Post with immediate effect. Further, the country has decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. India declared Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission as Persona Non Grata and ordered to leave India within a week. As a security measure, India has decided to withdraw 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. The overall strength of the high commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effective by May 1, 2025. (ANI) Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar and will enquire about the health of those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack. "Today, LoP Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit GMC, Anantnag to enquire about the health of those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack," Congress posted on X. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that the Congress leader is going to meet and console the people who have suffered due to the Pahalgam terror attack. "Rahul ji is going to Kashmir and is also going to Pahalgam today to console the people who have suffered in the Pahalgam terror attack. We have said that we will stand by the government," Khursid told ANI. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." Rahul Gandhi, who was on an official visit to the United States, cut his trip short and returned to New Delhi early Thursday morning. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. (ANI) The Bombay High Court on Friday granted protection from arrest to comedian Kunal Kamra in the FIR lodged against him by the Mumbai Police in connection with the ''gaddar'' jibe directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his stand-up show ''Naya Bharat.'' A bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and SM Modak refused to stay the investigation for the time being, but stated that "if the police wish to question Kamra, they will have to do so in Chennai, as Kamra resides in Tamil Nadu." "If during the pendency of the petition, a chargesheet is filed in the case by the Mumbai Police, the concerned court shall not proceed with the same," the court said. Earlier on April 16, the court, while reserving its order on the plea, granted the comedian interim protection from arrest. On April 8, Kunal Kamra approached the Bombay High Court seeking the cancellation of the FIR filed against him in connection with the ''gaddar'' jibe directed at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his stand-up show ''Naya Bharat.'' Kamra''s counsel argued that, in light of the Madras High Court''s protective order, his client has offered to provide a statement via video conferencing on multiple occasions due to safety concerns, but the authorities have insisted on his physical presence. Last month, Kunal approached the Madras High Court to seek transit anticipatory bail, claiming he had received many threats following his satirical comments during his show at Mumbai''s Habitat Studio. The comic sang a parody of "Bholi Si Surat", a popular song from the Bollywood movie "Dil To Pagal Hai". With this parody song, he allegedly targeted Eknath Shinde, leading to multiple FIRs against him. The comedian, who has had several run-ins with the BJP-led Centre, has refused to apologise for his remark against Shinde. However, he has said that he would cooperate with the police. (ANI) Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the killing of innocent tourists in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. He called for a retaliatory action and urged that the victims be avenged. He further insisted that the security forces be given free rein. Speaking to ANI, Tiwari said, "These terrorists have given immense pain to all the citizens. This should be avenged and the security forces must be given a free hand... Referring to the all-party meeting held earlier, he said, " Yesterday, an all-party meeting was held. Congress and the INDIA Alliance have assured the government that we are with them in the struggle against terrorism." He also raised concerns about the security lapses. "There are also some concerns. Why was the CRPF not posted, and the response time so high?... However, in the fight against terrorism, the Opposition stands with the government...", he added. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. Meanwhile, families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. (ANI) According to fire officials, the blaze started around 6 a.m. A fire vehicle quickly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control. "A fire broke out at Vijayalakshmi Tyre Retraders near Sagar Road. We received the call around 6 a.m. and immediately sent a fire vehicle. The fire was brought under control and there were no casualties," a Hyderabad fire official said. Although no casualties were reported in the incident, the cause of the fire remains undetermined. Local authorities are looking into the matter. In a similar incident in Lucknow, a fire broke out near Hazratganj Metro Station late Thursday evening. Fire tenders rushed to the scene and successfully brought the blaze under control. The fire has been brought under control, and the likely cause is suspected to be a short circuit, officials said. Fire Station Officer (FSO), Ram Kumar Rawat, confirmed that two women were rescued from the premises and that there were no casualties reported. Speaking to ANI, Rawat said, "Two women who live in the flats have been rescued. No one is currently trapped, and there are no reported casualties. The reason behind the fire is yet to be known, but it was probably a short circuit." Fire officials are currently inspecting the site to determine the exact cause of the incident. More details are awaited. (ANI) The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) paper leak prime accused Sanjeev Mukhiya was arrested by Economic Offences Unit team, Patna, the officials said on Friday. The EOU team arrested Mukhiya on Thursday night, said Naiyar Hussain Khan, Additional Director General, Bihar Economic Offences Unit. On April 9, Bihar Police declared a reward of Rs 3 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Sanjeev Mukhia, a key accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case. Earlier in October last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed the chargesheet in the NEET paper theft case in Patna, before the Special Judge Court for CBI, Patna. The investigation revealed that the NEET UG 2024 question paper was stolen from the control room of OASIS School in Hazaribagh on May 5. The theft occurred after the trunks containing the question papers arrived from the bank vault. According to the CBI, the accused, Pankaj Kumar, was allowed entry into the control room by the school's Principal, Ahsanul Haque, and Vice Principal, Imtiyaz Alam. "The accused Pankaj Kumar was clandestinely allowed entry into the control room by Ahsanul Haque, the Principal, and Imtiyaz Alam, the Vice Principal of the school, as part of the conspiracy. Pankaj Kumar tampered with the hinges of the trunk containing the question papers, removed one question paper, photographed all its pages, replaced the paper and resealed the trunk, and exited the control room," the CBI stated. Following this, the solved question papers were then distributed to the candidates present at the Raj Guest House, Hazaribagh. Further, the solved question paper was scanned and sent digitally to predetermined locations where the members of the accused gang received it. Only those who paid in advance could enter these locations. After their exams, the candidates were prohibited from taking any printed copies with them. The CBI found half-burnt pieces of the question paper at Learn Play School, Patna, which led them to OASIS School, the CBI added in the release. (ANI) After the Indian government ordered the closure of the Attari border in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, many Pakistani nationals were seen leaving India and returning to Pakistan. They were given 48 hours to leave, and several shared their frustration, saying that innocent people should not suffer for the actions of a few. The Central government announced on Wednesday the closure of Attari ICP, reducing the strength of High Commissions in India and Pakistan to 30 officials each, and suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Speaking to ANI, Pakistani citizen Hanir said, "I am from Faisalabad (Pakistan). The situation is normal. There is no issue, neither there nor here. I don't know about the attack. We were told that we must leave, so we are going back..." Another Pakistani citizen on her way back to Pakistan said, "Whatever happened is not right. I am from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and I am married in Pakistan. My husband is from Pakistan... We were going to return after 4 days, but we reached here as soon as possible when we came to know that we had to leave. Only the perpetrators must be punished. The common people must not be punished... We left our crying parents behind... The terror attack was wrong, no matter who did it. Islam does not teach that. Whoever did this has not read the Quran. They don't know what Islam is..." She emphasised that only the perpetrators should be punished, not innocent people. An Indian citizen from Bhognipur, UP, who reached the Atari border to drop his sister off in Pakistan, said, "I am from Bhognipur. I am here to drop off my sister, who is from Pakistan. The attack is wrong, no matter who did it. My sister had been here for 15 days; she had a 40-day visa. We had to hire a car for her immediate return. We had to bear unnecessary expenses... There should be peace..." He condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, emphasising that violence is never justified. A woman on her way back to Pakistan said, "We are told to leave within 48 hours. How is it possible?... Attari is 900 km from Jodhpur. We were not getting buses. My husband had to bear a loss of Rs 1 lakh for the tickets... We have to reach my husband and children today, anyhow. My passport is Indian but I am half-Pakistani. I feel guilty for the terror attack, but what is the fault of the common people in it? I don't know if they did it for Islam, they are not my cousins. For me, both India and Pakistan are important... God will punish them for whatever they did... Some option should remain open for women who are married across the borders... I request that both governments not harass the common people...," A woman, married to a Pakistani national and holding an Indian passport, expressed her distress over being forced to leave India within 48 hours. She condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, emphasising that common people shouldn't be punished for the actions of a few. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. (ANI) Congress leader and Odisha party-in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu on Friday expressed grief on the Pahalgam terror attack and further questioning the government's security arrangements. "Everyone in the country today is immersed in mourning and sorrow. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and also pray for the well-being of the injured. Whose responsibility was it to make sure there were security arrangements? If the security arrangements had been made, this wouldn't have happened. Intelligence is so powerful that if such an incident were to occur, there must have been planning involved. The security arrangements of the government have proved to be a failure on every front," the party leader said, speaking to ANI. Lallu also urged the government to take measures against the attack and expose the veil of the conspiracy. "I urge the government to take measures and expose the veil of this conspiracy," he further stated. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha met Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Srinagar and asked him to take effective steps to not only bring out those responsible for the attack but also to intensify the efforts to crush the infrastructure of terrorism and its ecosystem. During the discussion, the Lieutenant Governor said the nation has full faith in the bravery and valour of our army, police and CAPFS, and they must work in close synergy to identify perpetrators, enablers and OGWS of Pahalgam terrorist killing and pursue the entire chain in a sustained manner and neutralise them. "Every perpetrator and supporter of the Pahalgam terror attack, whatever his location or affiliation, must be hunted and they must pay the heavy price for the cowardly and dastardly act against our citizens," the Lieutenant Governor told the top army officials. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI) Does Rahul Gandhi knows his grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had written letter praising Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, said the Supreme Court on Friday as it warned the Congress MP not to make controversial remarks against freedom fighters in future else he has to "face consequences" A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan expressed disapproval of the remarks of Gandhi against Savarkar. Justice Datta also asked senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, if Mahatma Gandhi could be called the servant of the Britishers merely because he used the term "your faithful servant" in his letters to the Viceroy. "Does your client know Mahatma Gandhi also used your faithful servant while addressing the Viceroy? Does your client know that his grandmother, when she was the Prime Minister, also sent a letter to somebody praising the gentleman (Savarkar)," Justice Datta told Singhvi. You cannot make such statements without knowing the history and geography of freedom fighters, the bench further said. "Let him not make irresponsible statements about the freedom fighters. Is this the way you treat freedom fighters?" Justice Datta asked, and said that Savarkar is worshipped in Maharashtra. The bench, however, said that it was inclined to stay the proceedings, but on the condition that he would not make any such statements in future. Justice Datta further said, "Let's be clear, any further statement and we will take suo moto and no question of sanction. We will not allow you to speak anything about the freedom fighters. They have given us freedom." The bench then stayed the criminal defamation proceedings pending against Gandhi in a Lucknow court over his comments against Savarkar. Leader of Opposition (LoP) Gandhi has approached the Supreme Court challenging an Allahabad High Court's April 4 order which had refused to quash the summons issued to him by a Magistrate court for making remarks against Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Gandhi was summoned by the court as an accused in December last year over his speech at a press conference, where he allegedly said that Savarkar was a servant of the British and that he took a pension from the British. The High Court had orally remarked that a remedy is available to Gandhi to move before the Sessions Judge with a plea under Section 397 (review records of lower court) of the CrPC instead of moving the High Court. Advocate Nripendra Pandey filed a complaint claiming that Gandhi, with the intention of spreading hatred in the society, called Savarkar, a servant of the British and that he took a pension from the British. The summons order was passed by a Lucknow Magistrate court on December 12, 2024. (ANI) Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday hailed the inauguration of the 3rd International Quantum Communication Conclave as a "hallmark day" for India's technological advancement. He emphasises that the country is growing in leadership in quantum technologies. Speaking to medipersons, Scindia said, "It is a hallmark day where the 3rd International Quantum Communication Conclave has been launched. Under PM Modi's leadership, India is heralding a new future." He highlighted that India's indigenous capabilities in quantum computing and communication will not only revolutionise the global tech landscape but also provide secure and scalable solutions for information and national security. "Our products and our capability will ensure not only the provision of quantum computing as a new paradigm shift in technology across the world, but also ensure secure, scalable services for information, security and our country and the world," Scindia added. He further stated, "The 3rd edition will lead to a new impetus for our national quantum mission..." On Tuesday, with the vision of establishing India's first Quantum Computing Village, the Government of Andhra Pradesh convened a high-level meeting at the State Secretariat under the auspices of the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS). According to an official release, the 50-acre facility in Amaravati, previously announced by the state government, is envisioned as a pioneering ecosystem for quantum computing research and collaboration. According to C.DOT, under the Prime Minister's Science and Technology Innovation Advisory Council, headed by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, quantum technology is one of nine national missions of significance that aims to leverage cutting-edge scientific research to support India's sustainable development. The National Quantum Mission, implemented by the Department of Science and Technology, was approved on April 19, 2023, with a total outlay of Rs6,003.65 crore for an eight-year period from 2023-24 to 2030-31. It aims to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D, while fostering a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology. The rise of quantum computing poses a significant risk and challenge to the classical cryptographic algorithms currently used to secure the transmission and storage of sensitive data. It may impact many sectors, including healthcare, energy, finance, security, and defence. Strong quantum communication technologies must be developed and implemented to ensure secure communication in the quantum era. It is believed that an institutionalised collaborative approach is crucial, with a push towards participation in standards development and the creation of intellectual property rights in quantum technologies, based on insights gathered from various academic institutions, industry, start-ups, R&D institutions, and global developments. (ANI) Kerala native N Ramachandran, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, was cremated with state honours on Friday. Earlier today, the mortal Remains of Pahalgam terror victim N Ramachandran were brought home for the last rites after a public viewing at Changampuzha Park. The Kerala government directed the Commissioner of Police, Kochi City, to make arrangements to present full State honours. The Government have learnt with profound grief the demise of N Ramachandran, native of Edapally, Kochi, in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22.04.2025. As a mark of respect for the deceased, I am to request you to make the following arrangements, in connection with the funeral to be held at Noon today at Shanthikavadam, Edapally," the notice stated. Aravind, son of N Ramachandran, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, said that the terrorist asked them to recite the 'kalma', but when he failed to do so, they instantly shot his father in the head. "My parents, sister, and her 8-year-old twin sons travelled to Kashmir on 21 April. On 22 April, my sister called to tell me that there had been a terror attack in which my father had been killed in front of my sister and her children. They heard gunshots while on a horse ride, and jumped off their horses to try to escape. They crawled through a fence, thinking they were safe on the other side. But that's when they encountered a terrorist asking them to kneel," Aravind told reporters on Thursday. "He asked them to recite the 'kalma'. Since my father didn't understand what he was being asked, the terrorist instantly shot my father in the head, and he died on the spot. My sister lay on top of my father's body, thinking he was alive. The terrorist pointed his gun at my sister, but then he left. They escaped by crawling in the dirt through the forest. They reached a resort, and that's when the army secured them," he added. Arathi, an eyewitness and daughter of N Ramachandran, a victim of the Pahalgam attack, mentioned that people had started running when they heard the gunshots, and there was chaos. "On hearing a gunshot, I asked my father what that sound was. He said he wasn't sure. As we heard more gunshots, we started to run. We saw other people also running. It was a chaos overall. Suddenly, we saw a man coming with a gun. There were two to three groups beside us. We saw the man asking the group something, and then he was shooting at them. At this, I panicked, and I told my father that the man was coming towards us. My father was calm, and he said Let's see what happens. The man came towards us and said, 'Kalma.' When we said we didn't understand what he was saying, the man shot my father," Arathi said. On Thursday, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and Congress Leader, VD Satheesan, along with Kerala BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar and other leaders, paid their last respects to N Ramachandran, who was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22. Following the incident, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep grief over the loss and directed the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Roots to set up a help desk for Malayalis currently in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier on April 22, terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) Calling the National Education Policy (NEP) "game changing," Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said that the policy aligns with the "civilisational ethos" and it is a policy for the nation. Addressing the Inaugural Session of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Udhagamandalam, Dhankhar said that taking into consideration inputs from the widest spectrum of stakeholders, there was an evolution of the National Education Policy. "This policy aligns with our civilizational ethos. It gives primacy to Indian languages. It encourages multi-disciplinary learning. It envisions education as the development of a person and not just employability. The most significant aspect of NEP is it allows students to learn in their mother tongue. It has got us out of the colonial regime," Dhankhar said. "NEP is game changing. But the problem is those in academic institutions are not full aware of this policy. I ask them to do a thorough study of NEP to realise its intent and purpose. So that we reap its harvest. I wish to indicate NEP is a government policy. It is a policy for the nation. And therefore it is time for us all to adopt it, understand it, execute it and reap the fruit," he added. Dhankhar said that the languages of the nation are its pride and legacy. "Our languages are our pride and legacy. Go to any country you may not find what we have here. Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bangla etc.., are gold mines of literature and knowledge," he said. The Rajya Sabha Chairman said that the national interest is supreme. "I know my present position here is only to speak on education. I now rose the importance of education is a great equaliser. It can contribute to the rise of a nation and even reduce enmity. I must comment that RN Ravi has taken a thoughtful initiative in 2021 to have bought this new conference of Vice Chancellors. A presence of mind has brought us to the fourth series and this will be very fruitful for the education institutions," he added. Dhankhar praised Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and said that he is doing this because he took oath on the Indian constitution in front of the President. "He took the oath as Governor to preserve, protect and defend the Indian constitution at any point. We need to nurture our education ecosystem in the backdrop of our historical legacy. The gurukul concept is sublime. There was free access to those who were yearning for knowledge and the guru took everyone under his fold. That is our legacy. I assert that accessibility and affordability of higher education is important and also its quality. It is the national priority," Dhankhar asserted. "My suggestion to Governor Ravi is that certain things must not be taken lightly. Those who have not come must be having a situation, we must be understanding, appreciate everybody's presence, and we must appreciate everybody's absence also," Dhankhar said. The three-language row has created a stalemate between the centre and the Tamil Nadu government over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin earlier labelling the three-language policy as a "saffronise policy" aimed at promoting Hindi rather than developing India. He alleged that the policy threatens to destroy Tamil Nadu's education system. The Conference aims to have detailed deliberations 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, creating wealth through Intellectual Property (IP) and careers in rehabilitation of differently abled persons. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the bail granted to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was booked in a drug-related case. Majithia was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2022. A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar dismissed the Punjab government's plea challenging Majithia's bail. The top court also directed that neither party, Majithia nor the Punjab government, will make any statements regarding the ongoing investigation and court proceedings before the media. "In case the prosecution officers come forward to make any statements, they should come and seek permission from this court or else action shall be taken as per procedure established by law", the Court noted in its order. Counsel appearing for the Punjab government opposed Majithia's bail by arguing that the accused is trying to influence witnesses. He further alleged that the investigation into the matter is being affected as Majithia is holding media conferences and speaking on the issue. "He (Majithia) has a free flow of information. Ability to know every single step of the investigation", the counsel told the bench. The bench, however, inquired whether the investigation is being affected while the accused Majithia is out on bail. "Can we say that he cannot go and give statements?" the bench stated. Senior Advocate S. Muralidhar, appearing for Majithia, contended that it's the investigating agency that invites the media to press conferences, not Majithia. After hearing the submissions, the Court directed Majithia to file an affidavit stating that he will not hold any press conferences. The bench proceeded to dismiss the plea and upheld Majithia's bail. In December 2021, the Punjab Police filed a case against SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia for his alleged involvement in a drugs case. (ANI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the dastardly terror attack on the unarmed and unsuspecting innocent civilians in Pahagam, Jammu and Kashmir. "NHRC is deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of 28 people by the terrorists after identifying their faith in Pahalgam area of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 22nd April," NHRC said in a statement. NHRC said that the attack is a serious "violation of human rights." "The Commission condemns the dastardly attack on the unarmed and unsuspecting innocent civilians who were on a holiday to the valley. The incident has shaken the conscience of every right-thinking human being as a serious issue of violation of human rights of the innocent victims and their families," the statement read. NHRC reaffirmed that terrorism is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations and urged to take action against those "aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing" it. "It has been said time and again at various forums that terrorism is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations in the world. The time has come to act against those aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing terrorism and to hold them accountable for this menace. Otherwise, it may result in shrinking of democratic space, intimidation, reprisals, harmony among communities and grave violation of various human rights, including right to life, liberty, equality, fraternity, and livelihood," NHRC said. "It is expected that the State will take all the necessary steps to fix accountability; bring the perpetrators to justice and provide succour to the families of the victims in all possible manner," NHRC added. On April 22, Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI) Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday condemned the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. "I condemn the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack. Our support goes to the families of the deceased and injured. We are all united and in grief. We are all united in giving a fitting response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that, We will identify terrorists and will punish them," Goyal said on the sidelines of an event here. He further added, "India has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience. After the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the Pulwama attack, we emerged stronger each time." Earlier today, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha asked the Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who called on him in Sirnagar, to take effective steps not only to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to justice but also to intensify efforts to crush the infrastructure of terrorism and its ecosystem. During the discussion, the Lieutenant Governor said the nation has full faith in the bravery and valour of our army, police and CAPFS, and they must work in close synergy to identify perpetrators, enablers and OGWS of Pahalgam terrorist killing and pursue the entire chain in a sustained manner and neutralise them. "Every perpetrator and supporter of the Pahalgam terror attack, whatever his location or affiliation, must be hunted and they must pay the heavy price for the cowardly and dastardly act against our citizens," the Lieutenant Governor told the top army officials. The meeting also reviewed security mechanisms in place, various short-term, long-term measures and integration and coordination among the various security agencies. The meeting was also attended by GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and Goc 15 Corps Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava. Indian Army Chief General Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar today to review the security situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Upon his arrival, the 15 Corps Commander briefed him about the ongoing security situation, and he met with senior Army commanders deployed in the Kashmir Valley, along with officials from other security agencies. The Indian Army Chief General was also briefed on the actions being taken by the formations against terrorists inside their territory and the Pakistan Army's attempts to violate the ceasefire along the LoCThe Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. (ANI) The traders'' association of Central Lal Chowk on Friday put up black flags outside their shops in the main market to protest against the dastardly terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam. Feroz Ahmad Baba, President of the Traders'' Association, said that the protest was an expression of solidarity with those who lost their loved ones. He further stated that this was the first time such a massive attack had been seen on the tourists. Speaking to ANI, the President said, "We have put up these black flags outside all the shops in the whole market in protest against the killings in Pahalgam. This is an expression of our solidarity with those who lost their loved ones... We saw such a massive attack on tourists for the first time. It was extremely unfortunate..." Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also condemned the attack on the civilians. "NHRC is deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of 28 people by the terrorists after identifying their faith in Pahalgam area of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 22nd April," NHRC said in a statement. NHRC said that the attack is a serious "violation of human rights." "The Commission condemns the dastardly attack on the unarmed and unsuspecting innocent civilians who were on a holiday to the valley. The incident has shaken the conscience of every right-thinking human being as a serious issue of violation of human rights of the innocent victims and their families," the statement read. NHRC reaffirmed that terrorism is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations and urged to take action against those "aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing" it. "It has been said time and again at various forums that terrorism is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations in the world. The time has come to act against those aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing terrorism and to hold them accountable for this menace. Otherwise, it may result in shrinking of democratic space, intimidation, reprisals, harmony among communities and grave violation of various human rights, including right to life, liberty, equality, fraternity, and livelihood," NHRC said. "It is expected that the State will take all the necessary steps to fix accountability; bring the perpetrators to justice and provide succour to the families of the victims in all possible manner," NHRC added. On April 22, Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI) Haridwar (Uttarakhand) [India], April 25 (ANI)- The ashes of Indian Navy Officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, were immersed in the sacred waters of the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri on Friday, following traditional rituals and prayers. Narwal, a native of Karnal, Haryana, was given an emotional farewell as his family members, including his father Rajesh Narwal and maternal uncle, performed the last rites in the presence of hundreds. Former Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik and several BJP workers also paid their respects at the ghat. Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Rajesh Narwal said, "My son laid down his life for the nation. I only pray that no other family has to go through the same pain." The atmosphere at Har Ki Pauri was filled with emotion as many were moved to tears during the immersion ceremony. Earlier, Narwal's father expressed faith in the government and said that the Union government would do justice, adding that the loss was "unbearable and irreplaceable." "The government is doing its work and we trust the government...They will do justice...Vinay was a very good child...he died like a brave soldier... The country is with me...God will give strength to my family to face this unbearable pain and irreplaceable loss...She (my daughter-in-law) has suffered the most...PM Modi and Amit Shah have taken several steps...PM Modi cut short his visit and came back, and this is also a big step," Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal's father told reporters in Karnal. He praised his son, saying that he was a brilliant student who always came first. "He wanted to be a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, but due to his height, he was not selected and ultimately chose to serve in the Indian Navy...We have complete faith in the government, and we are hopeful that the government will take the necessary action in the matter," he added. Earlier on Wednesday, last respects were paid to Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, including a formal procession and a rifle salute, following which a cremation ceremony took place with full military honours at the late soldier's native hometown in Karnal. The naval officer was killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal had recently tied the knot, with his wedding reception held just days earlier on April 16. Lt Narwal, who was posted in Kochi, had travelled to Jammu and Kashmir on leave and was in Pahalgam with his wife when terrorists opened fire. The widow of the deceased naval officer bid an emotional farewell during the solemn military ceremony, remembering her late husband as a man who lived with honour and left behind a legacy of courage. Amidst tears and tribute, she gathered her strength to share a few final words to the remains of her beloved, capturing both sorrow and admiration. "I hope his soul rest in peace. He lived a good life. He made us proud, and we should keep this pride in every way," she said, her voice trembling with emotion as she broke down. As many as 26 people were killed in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday expressed grief over the Pahalgam terror attack and said that terrorism is a "global menace". Addressing the Inaugural Session of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, Dhankhar expressed grief over the Pahalgam terror attack and observed a two-minute silence. "I believe in positivity, and we'll move ahead with a positive approach. A while ago, we observed a two-minute silence. I join the nation in expressing profound grief and outrage at the heinous attack in Pahalgam that claimed innocent lives. It is a reminder that terrorism is a global menace. Bharat is the world's most peace-loving nation. Our visionary leadership in the shape of a PM who's in his third term is our greatest assurance that any situation, internal or external, cannot handicap the nation's rise," Dhankar said. The Rajya Sabha chairman also appealed to the people to rise above political, personal and other interests to prioritise national interest. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, and Vice Chancellors joined the Vice President in observing a minute's silence in memory of those killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. Earlier on April 22, terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI) Defence Expert DS Dhillon on Friday said that Pakistan's decision to suspend the Simla Agreement of 1972 was a "suicidal" move since it frees India from the obligation to respect the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, which was a result of the ceasefire in 1971. He said that the implication of Pakistan suspending the Simla Agreement was that India was not obliged to respect the LoC and could cross the same. "Like India has suspended the Indus water treaty, Pakistan has also threatened to suspend the Simla Agreement. I will say that this is a good thing because it also ends the existence of the Line of Control (LoC). This means that India is not obligated to respect the LoC. Ye karke Pakistan apne gale main rassa dalega (This is suicide for Pakistan). This also makes India free to cross the LoC," Dhillon told ANI. Responding to the statement made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, the Defence expert said that his remarks were "laughable" since the US earlier threatened to stop funding for Pakistan's involvement in aiding terrorism. "Pakistan's Foreign Minister has openly accepted that their country used to train terrorists. He has put the entire blame on US and west, stating that we trained because they said so. This is laughable since the US threatened to stop funding them, diverting those funds to train terrorists. This is a baseless allegation. They are trying to save face by blaming the US since it stopped Pakistan's funding for aiding terrorism," Dhillon said. Meanwhile, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said that it was not crucial to understand on whose instructions Pakistan was aiding terrorism but to answer them on the same. He said that Pakistan can't evade accountability for the terrorist attacks by making such remarks (blaming the US). "It is not important to know on whose instructions Pakistan is doing this. Our nation and nation's security is important, and if anyone tries to meddle with it, we will answer them. This is why we didn't politicise the matter and stand with the government. Pakistan can't evade its accountability. This is childish talk. We hope that strict action is taken against the terrorists so that people of the country can feel secure," Bhagat told ANI. He further stated that the central government must take action against those responsible for the security lapse in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. "The government must take action against terrorists on the other side of the border. However, it must also investigate the security lapse and take action against those responsible for the same," the Congress leader said. These remarks come after Pakistan suspended the Simla Agreement, which was signed between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the 1971 war. Moreover, the Pakistan Defence Minister admitted that his country has been funding and backing terrorist groups. In a video clip that has now gone viral, Pakistan's defence minister is in conversation with Sky News's Yalda Hakim, when she asks him, "But you do admit, you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations?" Khwaja Asif in his reply says, "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades... and the west, including Britain...That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan's track record was unimpeachable." The Pakistani Defence Minister has also in the interview with Sky News presenter Yalda Hakim warned of an "all-out war" possible with India. (ANI) The family of one of the terrorists allegedly involved in Pahalgam attack whose house was demolished on Friday morning, has called him a "Mujahideen" The houses of two Lashkar-e-Taliba terrorists believed to be involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, were demolished today. One house of LeT terrorist in Tral, Pulwama and the other of a terrorist Adil Guree in Anantnag were demolished. Speaking with ANI, the sister of the terrorist whose house was demolished in Tral, said, "My one brother is in jail, the other brother is a 'Mujahideen', and I also have two sisters. Yesterday, when I came here from my in-laws' place, I did not find my parents and siblings at their home. Police had taken them all away." The sister said that the family is innocent and doesn't know anything about their brother's involvement. "While I was here, the Security Forces came and asked me to move to a neighbour's house. I saw a man wearing a camouflage uniform placing an object like a bomb on top of the house. After that, the house was demolished...We are innocent. They have destroyed our house. We don't know anything and have nothing to do with it," Meanwhile, the second house of the terrorist Adil Guree was also demolished in Anantag today. Adil Guree, a resident of Guree village in Bijbehara block of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, is believed to have been involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national, mostly tourists. He has been declared the most wanted, and the Anantnag Police have offered a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any specific information leading to his arrest. Two Pakistani nationals were also declared most wanted in the case,Adil had illegally travelled to Pakistan in 2018, where he reportedly received terror training before returning to Jammu and Kashmir last year. On April 22, Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI) A massive fire broke out at Gwalior railway station on Friday afternoon and with the immediate action of fire tenders, it was extinguished in about an hour, an official said. The fire erupted at a VIP guest house situated near platform number one of the railway station at around 1:15 pm. Upon receiving the information, the fire tenders reached and began the operation to douse off the fire. With the continuous efforts of the fire brigade team for around an hour, it was extinguished. Though the reason and cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained. Deputy Manager of Gwalior Railway Station, Akhilesh Tiwari said, "As soon as I came to know about the fire, I immediately informed the fire officer. We all engaged in controlling the fire and it was brought under control. The cause of the fire is yet not clear." Meanwhile, Fire Officer Satpal Singh Chauhan said that around four vehicles of the fire brigade were engaged in extinguishing the fire and it was brought under control after continuous efforts for around an hour. "Upon receiving the information about the fire incident, we immediately sent fire brigade vehicles to the spot. Around four vehicles were engaged in dousing off the fire and after around an hour, it was extinguished. The reason for the fire is yet to be known and no casulty was reportred in the incident," Chauhan said. (ANI) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 25 (ANI) - The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday staged a black flag protest in Chennai against Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over their participation in a Vice Chancellors' meeting held in the Nilgiris district. Dhankhar addressed the Inaugural Session of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan in Udhagamandalam today. He called the National Education Policy (NEP) game-changing, and said that the policy aligns with the "civilizational ethos" and it is a policy for the nation. Dhankhar stated that, considering inputs from the broadest spectrum of stakeholders, there was an evolution of the National Education Policy. "This policy aligns with our civilisational ethos. It gives primacy to Indian languages. It encourages multi-disciplinary learning. It envisions education as the development of a person and not just employability. The most significant aspect of NEP is it allows students to learn in their mother tongue. It has got us out of the colonial regime," Dhankhar said. "NEP is game-changing. But the problem is those in academic institutions are not full aware of this policy. I ask them to do a thorough study of NEP to realise its intent and purpose. So that we reap its harvest. I wish to indicate NEP is a government policy. It is a policy for the nation. And therefore it is time for us all to adopt it, understand it, execute it and reap the fruit," he added. Dhankhar said that the languages of the nation are its pride and legacy. "Our languages are our pride and legacy. Go to any country you may not find what we have here. Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bangla etc.., are gold mines of literature and knowledge," he said. The Rajya Sabha Chairman said that the national interest is supreme. "I know my present position here is only to speak on education. I now rose the importance of education is a great equaliser. It can contribute to the rise of a nation and even reduce enmity. I must comment that RN Ravi has taken a thoughtful initiative in 2021 to have bought this new conference of Vice Chancellors. A presence of mind has brought us to the fourth series and this will be very fruitful for the education institutions," he added. Dhankhar praised Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and said that he is doing this because he took oath on the Indian constitution in front of the President. "He took the oath as Governor to preserve, protect and defend the Indian constitution at any point. We need to nurture our education ecosystem in the backdrop of our historical legacy. The gurukul concept is sublime. There was free access to those who were yearning for knowledge and the guru took everyone under his fold. That is our legacy. I assert that accessibility and affordability of higher education is important and also its quality. It is the national priority," Dhankhar asserted. "My suggestion to Governor Ravi is that certain things must not be taken lightly. Those who have not come must be having a situation, we must be understanding, appreciate everybody's presence, and we must appreciate everybody's absence also," Dhankhar said. The three-language row has created a stalemate between the centre and the Tamil Nadu government over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin earlier labelling the three-language policy as a "saffronise policy" aimed at promoting Hindi rather than developing India. He alleged that the policy threatens to destroy Tamil Nadu's education system. The Conference aims to have detailed deliberations 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, creating wealth through Intellectual Property (IP) and careers in rehabilitation of differently abled persons. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the demise of former ISRO chairman Dr K Kasturirangan, saying his visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1915688032658924003 In a post on X, PM Modi said, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr K Kasturirangan, a towering figure in India's scientific and educational journey. His visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered. He served ISRO with great diligence, steering India's space programme to new heights, for which we also received global recognition. His leadership also witnessed ambitious satellite launches and focused on innovation." Former ISRO chairman Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan passed away in Bengaluru today at the age of 84. His body will be kept in Raman Research Institute (RRI) for paying last respects on Sunday, from 10 am- 12 pm. "Dr K Kasturirangan has left for heavenly abode this morning at 1043 am at his residence in Bangalore. His body will be kept in Raman Research Institute (RRI) for paying last respects on Sunday, April 27th, from 1000- 1200 hrs," ISRO PRO said. President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the passing of Kasturirangan, saying that as head of ISRO, he played a stellar role in the evolution of India's space programme. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1915690857115902107 In a post on X, President Murmu said, "Saddened to learn that Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan is no more. As head of ISRO, he played a stellar role in the evolution of India's space programme. With his passion for knowledge, he also contributed greatly in diverse fields. He helped draft the National Education Policy, which is already making a profound impact on the shaping of the next generation. My condolences to his family and admirers." Home Minister Amit Shah expressed sorrow over the demise of Kasturirangan, saying his passing away is an irreparable loss to our nation. https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1915713867440652291 In a post on X, Shah said, "Pained by the demise of scientist and educationist Dr K Kasturirangan Ji. A multifaceted genius, Kasturirangan Ji led Bharat's space mission to new heights as the head of the ISRO and also contributed immensely to the fields of education, law, and policymaking. His passing away is an irreparable loss to our nation. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and admirers at this hour of grief." Union Minister Jitendra Singh also expressed sorrow over the Former ISRO chairman Kasturirangan's demise, saying his contributions to ISRO and Indian science will be remembered for generations. https://x.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/1915683948975546488 In a post on X, Singh said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr K Kasturirangan, a visionary scientist and a guiding force behind India's space programme. His contributions to ISRO and Indian science will be remembered for generations. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti" Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also expressed sorrow over the Former ISRO chairman Kasturirangan's demise and prayed to God to grant strength to his family to bear the loss. https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1915708363448688834 In a post on X, CM Dhami said, "The news of the demise of Dr K Kasturirangan ji, former head of ISRO and who took the Indian space program to new heights, is extremely sad. I pray to God to grant a place to the departed soul at His feet and give strength to the family to bear this immense loss. Under your leadership, ISRO achieved many remarkable milestones including the successful launch and operation of India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which are unforgettable. Humble tribute!" RSS also condoled the passing of Former ISRO chairman Dr K Kasturirangan, saying we pray the almighty to grant a place to the holy soul in his lotus feet. https://x.com/RSSorg/status/1915698546927415623 In a post on X, RSS said, "On behalf of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, we express our deepest condolences to the family and admirers of Dr. Kasturirangan. While paying tribute to this great patriot, we pray the almighty to grant a place to the holy soul in his lotus feet. Om Shanti." A recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, Dr K Kasturirangan served as the chairman of ISRO for nine years from 1994 to 2003. He had also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha (2003-09) and a member of the Planning Commission of India. He played a key role in shaping India's education policy as the chairman of the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam calling it an "assault on national unity". CM Dhami participated in the programme organised under the Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samman Abhiyan at Ashirvad Vatika in Rishikesh. During the event, CM Dhami said, "The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir is not only an attack on our national unity, but through this we have been challenged that unless we all unite, such forces will continue to target us. Now the time has come that we should follow the path shown by Baba Saheb and create a unified society and contribute to the creation of a strong India." Dhami also criticised the Congress and its allies, accusing them of engaging in vote-bank politics and dividing society based on caste, religion, and region during their long tenure. "Congress ruled the country for a long time...Congress and its allies only did vote bank politics and constantly tried to divide our society in the name of caste, religion and region...today we all have to take a pledge from here to destroy it," he added. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting regarding the Indus Water Treaty at his residence in the national capital on Friday evening. Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Paatil, other senior government officials will attend this meeting. Sources told ANI, "India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty." Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty. This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. This comes after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI) BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain launched a scathing attack on Pakistan and, without mincing any words, said that the impact of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty would be huge and Pakistan would turn into a desert with no water to drink. Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said, "The incident of Pahalgam is a huge conspiracy to finish tourism in Kashmir. This is not only a terrorist attack. It is an incident of hatred, the way religion was used before killing. The citizens and government of India washed away the intentions of the terrorists, and the country stayed united against terrorism and Pakistan. Pakistan will turn into a desert. There will be no water available for drinking. The impact of suspending the Indus Water Treaty will be significant. The nation is ready to fight one last war... Pakistan has been exposed to the entire world. Pakistan is scared and shaking in fear. They will get a befitting reply." He said that the country remains united, with 1.4 billion people standing together under PM Narendra Modi's leadership against Pakistan and terrorism. "An all-party meeting was held, and all parties were informed. Pakistan has been exposed in front of the world. Pakistan will now beg for every drop of water. Pakistan is trembling, falling, and shivering, seeing its existence coming to an end," he added. He further said that the response to Pakistan will be in the language it understands. "Our innocent people were killed, and they will get a befitting reply. Mohan Bhagwat has given a great message that this fight is not between Hindus and Muslims, but between righteousness and unrighteousness," he added. Sahnawaj further said that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Munir were responsible for the killing of innocent civilians, and they will get a befitting reply. While offering Friday Namaz, Shahnawaz Hussain protested against the terror attack by wearing a black jacket. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. (ANI) Extending condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said Central government will identify, trace and punish the terrorists along with their backers. Recalling the remarks of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said, "I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society. This is the moment when the entire country comes together and expresses the anger and collective commitment of the nation to give a fitting response to those responsible for this." Reminding people of the resolve taken by Prime Minister Narendra over the terror attacks, Goyal said, "We will identify, trace and punish the terrorists and their backers. This is the resolve of every Indian... We faced the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and came back stronger. We gave a befitting reply to Pulwama attacks." Union Minister also expressed condolences to all the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. "There is outrage across the country from Kargil to Kaniyakumari against the attack on India's very fabric. We are all united in grief, pray for the departed and wish for quick recovery of those injured. We pray that strength is bestowed upon those families who are deeply impacted by this heinous and criminal act of terrorists," Goyal said. "This is a very sad and condemnable incident. The whole nation is standing united to give a befitting reply to these terrorists," he added. The attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and took stock of the situation in the valley. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." The central government has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. (ANI) Sources in the security agencies have refuted "fake news" being circulated by "mischievous elements" that Kashmiri students and traders are facing harassment across the country in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attacks in the Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. The sources confirmed that all Kashmiri students and traders are absolutely safe across the country. "No incidents of harassment of traders have been reported since April 22. The fake news being circulated is with ulterior motives," the sources added. A few calls were received from students--one from Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh and another from SVS University in Punjab--where two students expressed concerns about their safety. Another call was received from Uttarakhand, where a student was feeling insecure. Their concerns were addressed. No incidents have been reported from Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, or any other states and UTs of the country. Security agencies advised people to be aware of fake news. "All Kashmiri brothers and sisters are safe across the country," they said. On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) reported receiving over 1,000 distress calls from students across the country in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. JKSA released emergency helpline numbers and formed a dedicated team to support students and liaise with authorities. JKSA President Ummar Jamal condemned the Pahalgam killings and called for unity in the face of attempts to polarise. "This tragedy must not become a weapon for hate. We urge students to remain focused on their safety and not get caught in political crossfire." This comes amid uproar over terrorists attacking tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, gunning down 26 people and leaving several others injured. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that he had sent Cabinet Ministers to different cities across India to ensure the safety of state residents, especially students and businessmen. On Thursday, Abdullah pleaded to the people of the country not to be under the impression that Kashmiris are their enemies. "I would like to show solidarity towards the families of the victims who had to go through such a tragic incident... Be it our 25 guests who came here to enjoy their vacation, or that one person from our valley who sacrificed his life to save the people there... I am also thankful to the people of Kashmir who came out after the attack and condemned it," Abdullah had said. (ANI) BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Friday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and said the nation is united in combating terrorism adding that no compromise will be made on taking action against the terrorists. Speaking to ANI, Soundararajan said, "I prayed for all the departed souls due to terrorism. All the citizens stand with the Prime Minister to combat the terror attacks. We won't compromise on taking action against terrorists. The whole nation is united." Earlier today, All Parties Hurriyat Conference President Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, saying that the incident has shaken the hearts of the people in the valley. "A very tragic incident took place this week, which has shaken our hearts. The way people were identified, their religion was asked, and more than 25 people were killed in front of their families. We condemn it," he said. He added that the people of the valley stand united in grief and solidarity with the victims of the terror attack. "Kashmiris have always welcomed tourists with warmth and hospitality. It is heartbreaking that one of our own, a Kashmiri youth, lost his life while trying to save others. Many locals opened the doors of their homes, offered free taxi services, and did everything possible to help the victims. This tragedy has shaken all of us, and we stand united in grief and solidarity," he added. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and took stock of the situation in the valley. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." The central government has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will stand revoked, effective from 27 April 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release. (ANI) AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam, who was arrested for his controversial remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack, was produced before a local court in Nagaon on Friday. The police took the legislator into the custody following public outrage over his statements. Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed about the detailed information of those arrested and has vowed stringent action against individuals supporting or defending Pakistan in connection with the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1915695322757529786 In his X post, he wrote, "Assam will not tolerate any individual who, directly or indirectly, supports or defends Pakistan in connection with the heinous attack in Pahalgam. So far, the following individuals have been arrested by @assampolice for directly or indirectly promoting the cause of Pakistan in Social media, *Hailakandi - Md. Jabir Hussain *Silchar - Md. A.K. Bahauddin, Md. Javed Mazumder *Morigaon - Md. Mahahar Mia @ Md. Mujihirul Islam *Nagaon - Md. Aminul Islam *Sivasagar - Md. Sahil Ali Further arrests are underway as part of our ongoing crackdown." https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1915745412537090345 In another post, he said two more are arrested in connection to attack, "As part of its intensified crackdown on individuals promoting anti-national sentiments, the @assampolice has made two additional arrests: *Barpeta: Md. Jarif Ali (25), also known as Sharif Sing, *Biswanath: Anil Bania, District Secretary of the Satra Mukti Sangram Parishad" Earlier on Thursday, according to Nagaon SP Swapnaneel Deka, a video surfaced on social media in which AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam made a very wrong statement on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Deka stated that in the video he was defending the terrorists, due to which the police have taken cognisance of the video and have arrested him by registering a case. Deka added that he will be presented in court on Friday. "Today, we saw a video circulating on social media in which MLA Aminul Islam made a very wrong statement on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. He was defending the terrorists... So we have taken cognisance of this video and registered a case, arrested him, and he will be produced in court tomorrow", Swapnaneel Deka told reporters. Islam was booked under section 152/196/197(1)/113(3)/352/353 of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS), according to an official 'X' post by Assam police. "On the basis of a misleading & instigating statement by Dhing MLA, Sh Aminul Islam in public, which went viral & had potential to create an adverse situation, NagaonPS Case 347/25 was registered for offences u/s 152/196/197(1)/113(3)/352/353 BNS. He has been arrested accordingly", Assam Police's 'X' post said. (ANI) Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and stressed the need to eliminate forces that threaten the communal harmony of the nation. Addressing mediapersons here, Yadav said, "A very sad incident has taken place and it cannot be condemned enough... The government has assured that such an incident will not happen again, and we hope that concrete steps will be taken along with strong action...Those who want to destroy the brotherhood of our country, such forces should be wiped out forever." Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Chief Ministers today and asked them to identify all Pakistani nationals in their respective states, according to sources. Amit Shah is also talking to all chief ministers on the issue, asking them to identify all Pakistan nationals in their respective states and take steps to ensure their prompt return to Pakistan. A decision has been made to cancel all types of visas, effective immediately. Sources told ANI, "India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty." Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The Indian government has taken a significant step following the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called a high-level meeting after discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, said the Directorate of Public Relations, Haryana, in a statement on Friday. There will be discussions on arrangements for law and order in the state. Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police, and ADGP CID will be part of the meeting, added the statement. Earlier, sxpressing strong disapproval over the Indus Water Treaty, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the pact which was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 is the "most unfair document" to the people of the Union Territory. Addressing the media, Omar Abdullah said, "The government of India has taken some steps. As far as J-K is concerned, we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty. We have always believed that the Indus Water Treaty has been the most unfair document to the people of J-K." The Chief Minister also discussed assurances received from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the safety of J-K residents in other states. "It is regrettable that this attack took place and we ensured that whatever issues that were kept in front of us in the meeting, we will work on them. During this meeting, I spoke with the Union Home Minister and he assured me that all steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the people of J-K who are staying in other states...An advisory will be issued by the Home Ministry and the Union Minister also spoke with the Chief Ministers of many states," he added. Meanwhile, sources told ANI, "India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty." Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, about this decision of the Indian government through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The Indian government has taken a significant step following the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI) The CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of innocent tourists. He expressed deep condolences to the victims' families and said that he stood in full solidarity with those affected by this cowardly act of terror. CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar said, "The government must deal with terrorism with utmost seriousness and act decisively to isolate its sponsors--both diplomatically and financially--by mobilising global opinion and taking the entire nation into confidence." Speaking on the all-party meeting convened in the wake of the attack, P Sandosh Kumar said, "Instead of fostering consensus, the meeting became a public relations exercise. The Prime Minister, as head of the government, should have attended, shared his views, and genuinely listened to others. Instead, he chose to speak at a political rally in Bihar," CPI MP criticised the exclusion of several parties from the meeting, "JKNC, the ruling party in J&K, and the CPI--which has consistently fought against extremism from Punjab to Manipur--were excluded on the grounds of not having five MPs. Yet a party with a lone MP was invited, reportedly by the Home Minister himself. This shows the Union Government's fractured understanding of the situation and terrorism. "This flawed criterion defies logic," said P Sandosh Kumar. The Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala added, "It appears that the Union Government views terrorism as a communal and Hindu-Muslim issue leading to selective invitations and exclusion of truly secular forces of unity, like the CPI. Further, should states in the Northeast with less than five MPs be excluded from deliberations on terrorism? National interest cannot be held hostage to arithmetic." The CPI MP further raised concerns about the security and intelligence lapses surrounding the Pahalgam attack, "Reports suggest at least two of the terrorists infiltrated Indian territory days before the incident. "How did heavily armed infiltrators remain undetected? How were nearly a thousand tourists allowed at a vulnerable site barely 100 km from Srinagar when heightened security and combing operations were underway ahead of the Prime Minister's now postponed visit on 19 April?" asked P Sandosh Kumar. The CPI MP also condemned attempts by sections of the media and right-wing forces to communalise the tragedy, leading to the killing of a young Muslim man in Agra."This is exactly what the terrorists want--to divide India. The Union government and state governments must remain vigilant and act swiftly to prevent any communal provocations," he added. He says that Party reaffirms its commitment to the fight against terrorism and urges the Union government to take inclusive, responsible and effective steps. "India must face this challenge and defeat terrorism unitedly--through consensus", he added. (ANI) Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil on Friday stated that India will not give Pakistan even a single drop of water, adding that the decision to scrap the Indus Water Treaty will be implemented in full. He further said that important discussions took place in today's meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. CR Paatil also mentioned that Amit Shah suggested several important points regarding this, which will be implemented soon. He further said that the implementation will be done step by step. Speaking to ANI, following a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Patil stated, "India won't give Pakistan even a single drop of water. The decision to scrap the Indus Water Treaty will be implemented 100%.. Amit Shah suggested several important points regarding this, which will be implemented soon in a "step-by-step approach." The meeting was held at Amit Shah's residence, attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, and other senior government officials. The meeting lasted around 2 hours. India has formally notified Pakistan in writing about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Devashree Mukherjee, has informed the Secretary of Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources, Syed Ali Murtaza, of the Indian government's decision through a letter. India has issued a notice for changes in the treaty. The letter states that the Indian government has given notice to the Pakistani government for amendments to the treaty. The notice mentions that several fundamental aspects of the treaty have changed and require reconsideration. Population changes, the development of clean energy, and various factors related to water distribution, as outlined in the treaty, have occurred. Any treaty should be implemented in good faith, but Pakistan is promoting cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. This is about the Government of India's notices sent to the Government of Pakistan, seeking modification of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 (the Treaty) under Article XII(3) of the Treaty. These communications cite fundamental changes in the circumstances that have occurred since the Treaty was executed, which require a reassessment of obligations under the various Articles of the Treaty, read in conjunction with its Annexures. These changes include significantly altered population demographics, the need to accelerate the development of clean energy, and other adjustments to the assumptions underlying the sharing of waters under the Treaty. The obligation to honour a treaty in good faith is fundamental to a treaty. However, what we have seen instead is sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The resulting security uncertainties have directly impeded India's full utilisation of its rights under the Treaty. Furthermore, apart from other breaches committed by it, Pakistan has refused to respond to India's request to enter into negotiations as envisaged under the Treaty and is thus in breach of the Treaty. The Government of India has hereby decided that the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect. Following the Centre's announcement to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil chaired a series of meetings on April 24 to expedite the implementation of the decision, as directed by the Prime Minister. The Indian government has taken significant steps following the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The government has temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. This decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held on April 23, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The Indus Waters Treaty governs the use and distribution of the waters of the six rivers of the Indus basin - Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej - between India and Pakistan. Under this treaty, the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) are allocated to Pakistan, while the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) are allocated to India. (ANI) BJP leader Shagun Parihar on Friday expresseed support for Central government's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and termed the decision historic. Speaking to ANI, Parihar said, "This is a historic decision and for the first time the Indus Water Treaty has been suspended...PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will take revenge for those killed in the attack...Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians are all united and saying that Jammu and Kashmir should be free from terrorism." Parihar also praised people of all faiths for uniting and condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack. "Everyone wants Jammu and Kashmir to be terrorism-free. I think this is the first time in history that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians have all come together and are saying in one voice that Jammu and Kashmir should be terrorism-free as soon as possible, and these terrorists should be brought to justice," she said. Earlier today, Union Minister Piyush Goyal extended condolences to the victims of the terror attack and said the Central government will identify, trace and punish the terrorists along with their backers. Recalling the remarks of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said, "I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society. This is the moment when the entire country comes together and expresses the anger and collective commitment of the nation to give a fitting response to those responsible for this." Reminding people of the resolve taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the terror attacks, Goyal said, "We will identify, trace and punish the terrorists and their backers. This is the resolve of every Indian... We faced the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and came back stronger. We gave a befitting reply to Pulwama attacks." The attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and took stock of the situation in the valley. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." The central government has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, Central government has decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. Central government has also revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27.(ANI) Leader of Opposition (Lop) in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti on Friday evening. The LoP also joined the candlelight protest organised by the party against the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and injured many. Congress workers held candle-light protest at several places across the country against the terror attack. Congress workers also took out a candlelight protest in Shimla, which was joined by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extending support to the Union government, said, "...Congress party is standing with the government to give a befitting reply to those forces who attack the unity of the nation...The Congress party sacrificed two Prime Ministers for the nation's unity...The Congress party will support every government decision in the nation's best interests." Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar on Friday in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He also met a person injured in the attack at a hospital in Srinagar. He stated that the idea behind the attack was to divide society. Rahul Gandhi said, "It has been a terrible tragedy. I came here to gain a sense of what's going on and to help. The entire population of Jammu and Kashmir has condemned this terrible action and has fully supported the nation at this time. I met one of the people who is injured. My love and affection to everybody who has lost their family members. The entire nation is standing united. We had a meeting yesterday with the government." He said that the United Opposition condemned this action. "We are ready to support whatever action the government wants to take. The idea behind the attack is to divide the society. It is very important that every Indian stands united so that we can defeat what the terrorists wanted to do," he further said. He added that it is sad to see some people attacking people from Kashmir in the rest of the country. He said, "It is sad to see that some people are attacking my brothers and sisters from Kashmir and the rest of the country, and I think it's very important that all of us stand together, stand united and fight this nasty action that has been taken and defeat terrorism once and for all. I also met the Chief Minister and the LG, and they briefed me about what had happened, and I assured both of them that my party and I are going to support them fully." Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." (ANI) In a heart-wrenching tragedy, the Jagdale family from Pune is grappling with an irreparable loss after the Pahalgam terrorist attack claimed the lives of Santosh Jagdale and his brother. The incident has left the family devastated, both emotionally and financially, as they struggle to find a way forward. Asawari Jagdale, Santosh's daughter, shared the unbearable pain of witnessing her father and uncle being shot in front of her. "What has happened to our family is a loss we can never recover from. My father was a very good man, loved and respected by so many. Over 100 people came to pay their respects when his body was brought back," she said, her voice heavy with grief. Santosh Jagdale was the sole breadwinner of the family, and his untimely demise has plunged them into financial uncertainty. Asawari, who is educated but now left to shoulder the family's responsibilities, expressed her concerns about their future. "Our entire household revolved around him. Now that he is gone, darkness has enveloped our lives. We don't know what lies ahead for us," she added. The family is now appealing to the government. Pragati Jagdale, wife of late Santosh Jagdale, has requested assistance in securing a job to ensure a stable future for herself and her mother. "After his passing, the question of how to run the household has become a major concern. I hope the government can help us in this difficult time," she said. Meanwhile, Senior Shiv Sena Leader and Deputy Chairperson in Maharashtra Legislative Council of Maharashtra Assembly Neelam Gorhe also reached out to the family to offer condolences, after meeting with Asavari and Pragati Jagdale, Neelam Gorhe. While speaking to ANI said, " I met the family, they are in deep grief we and along with whole nation is with them, when speaking with them I got to know that they are not in good shape emotionally and financially..i appeal to government and private industries to come forward to assist the family in getting a job for the Asavari..she is well educated if she gets job I am they could manage them financially." Terrorists had attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated a two-day conference for Vice-Chancellors of state, central and private universities in Nilgiri. Addressing the event, the Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, lauded the Governor of Tamil Nadu at the Vice-Chancellors conference, saying, "The Hon'ble Governor is doing this conference because it is his constitutional ordainment. He has taken an oath under the Indian Constitution under Article 159. His oath, as that of the Hon'ble President, is very significant. The oath he has taken as Governor is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the law. By his oath, he is further enjoined to devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu. By organising such events, which are extremely relevant to the field of education, Governor Ravi is vindicating his oath." "I must commend him for this very thoughtful initiative taken by him in 2022 to have conference of Vice-Chancellors. The present one is one in such a series," he added. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi was also present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest at the Inaugural Session of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu in Udhagamandalam today, Dhankhar said, "At the heart of India's great institutions in the past, we had visionary leaders, what we call modern Vice-Chancellors. The Vice-Chancellors of today are enormously talented. They are no less visionaries. They are giving everything which they can. They might face a big task, difficult terrain or air pockets, but I believe in their power to transform." "They are worthy academicians who have the capacity to bring about results. They represent and epitomise the 'Kulapatis' we had once. I urge everyone in governance at the Center and at the state level to believe in the institution of Vice Chancellor and ensure they have played the joints and can perform undeterred by ordinary situations," he added. He further underscored the importance of changing the academic landscape, saying, "Today, not only Bharat but the entire world is faced with formidable challenges and rapid technological disruption. It is far more severe than the industrial revolutions we had. A paradigm shift is taking place every moment. It is difficult to keep pace. The global order, on this count, is becoming increasingly complex." "Every facet of life is being affected and it is therefore in the lap of universities, ably led on the front foot by Vice-Chancellors, to act as the stewards of India's academic landscape. More the challenges, the more the formidability of challenges; we must rise as impregnable, not only to overcome them but also to deliver results for the nation and the world. One challenge which the vice-chancellors must be facing is faculty. Faculty availability, faculty retention, and sometimes faculty addition. I would appeal to all of you to engage in sharing with one another. Use technology; don't be an island in yourselves. It is not a time to be standalone because this challenge has to be fixed. We have no time," Dhankhar stated. The Vice President also expressed deep sorrow over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, saying, "Today I join the Nation in expressing profound grief and outrage at the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed innocent lives. It is a grim reminder that terrorism is a global menace to be addressed by humanity in unison. Bharat is the world's most peace-loving nation and our civilisational ethos reflects Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." He further added, "Our visionary leadership in the shape of the Prime Minister, who is in his third term, is our greatest assurance that the nation's rise cannot be handicapped by any situation, internal or external. But we all have to bear in mind that national interest is supreme. This was echoed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar while imparting his final address to the Constituent Assembly. We therefore have to take a resolve to always keep the nation first; national interests cannot be intertwined with partisan interests; it has to be uppermost. This cannot be subservient to any interest, political, personal or for a group." Touching upon the transformative National Education Policy, the Vice-President said, "After three decades, taking into consideration inputs from the widest spectrum of stakeholders, there was the evolution of the National Education Policy. This policy aligns with our civilisation ethos. It encourages multidisciplinary learning. It gives priority to Indian languages. It envisions education as the development of the person, not just employability." "The most significant aspect of the National Education Policy is that it allows students to learn in their mother tongue. It has got us out of the colonial regime. Even medicine and engineering in local languages, which could not be entertained at one point in time, even in dreams, are getting shape on the ground," he stated. Calling upon institutions to study and adopt the policy in full spirit, he urged, "I beseech you all and the faculty and directors wherever they are to please do a thorough study of the National Education Policy to realise its real intent and purpose so that we reap the harvest of it. From this platform, I wish to indicate National Education Policy is a government policy. It is a policy for the nation. And therefore I appeal, it is time for us all to adopt it, understand it, execute it, and to reap the fruits." He further emphasized that the future of Indian higher education lies in moving beyond traditional silos, "We are well past the era of standalone institutions. It can't be just IIMs, IITs etc. Standalone era for institutions is already behind us. There is now need of convergence for various verticals to give institutions cutting edge. Multi-disciplinary approach across academic pursuits is the only answer. Share your faculty talent virtually, technologically and otherwise also. That will have twofold purpose. While giving it, you will be receiving also." "The winds of innovation and change must have free passage in educational institutions. Evolve a mechanism. There must be tolerance for varying ideas. Intolerance to a thought defines democracy the wrong way. The nectar of university is that a solo voice that has an opinion different than that of the majority is heard with deference by engaging in dialogue and discourse, not by being judgmental," he added. Highlighting Tamil Nadu's historical role in India's academic evolution, the Vice-President said, "Tamil Nadu is a land of vibrant learning centers, those learning centers must be our North Star now. Tamil Nadu has been home to such widely accoladed learning centers like Kanchipuram and Ennayiram. Ennayiram attracted thousands of students from all over Bharat. I see in these conferences emergence of crucibles of ideation that will rekindle the spirit of Kanchipuram and bring back glory of Ennayiram. We must take pride that it was in Tamil Nadu, Madras University was established in 1857. Modern education was exemplified in this land." He concluded with a stirring reflection on India's rich linguistic heritage, especially Tamil's historic recognition, saying, "Our languages, their richness and depth are our pride and legacy. This aspect amplifies the fullness and uniqueness of our culture. Go to any country, and you will not find what we have here. Our treasure is unfathomable. Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bangla, and other languages are a goldmine of literature and knowledge. These have national and global footprints. Educational institutions have to nurture with deep focus this treasure." He further said that "What a pride for Tamil Nadu and the entire country. The Tamil had the distinction of being the first language to be accorded the prestige of being a classical language. This well-deserved recognition was imparted in 2004, which means things started changing in regimes." "Today, there are 11 languages that are classical languages and Classical languages are those that have rich culture, knowledge, literature, depth. Let me just indicate the 11 languages because I had the occasion, as Chairman, Rajya Sabha, to declare to the Rajya Sabha that Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali were recently given the status of classical languages, but earlier we had, as I said Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. Go all over the world, we are matchless. We have to realise our power, our potential. We should not be carried away by insignificant aspects," the Vice President further asserted. (ANI) Delhi State Haj Committee Chairperson Kausar Jahan on Friday termed the Pahalgam terrorist attack "shameful for humanity," adding that those behind the attack will receive a punishment that generations will remember. Chairperson of Delhi State Haj Committee, Kausar Jahan said, "The incident that occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, is shameful for all humanity. We know that Pakistan is behind this attack...They will get such a punishment that generations will remember it." Kausar Jahan added that there is no place in Islam for people who carry out attacks like the one in Pahalgam and expressed hope that the Modi government will give a befitting reply to them. "There is no place in Islam for such people...The entire nation is united against this attack...I am confident that the government will give a befitting reply to them," she said. Earlier today, Union Minister Piyush Goyal extended condolences to the victims of the terror attack and said the Central government will identify, trace and punish the terrorists along with their backers. Recalling the remarks of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said, "I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society. This is the moment when the entire country comes together and expresses the anger and collective commitment of the nation to give a fitting response to those responsible for this." Reminding people of the resolve taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the terror attacks, Goyal said, "We will identify, trace and punish the terrorists and their backers. This is the resolve of every Indian... We faced the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and came back stronger. We gave a befitting reply to Pulwama attacks." The attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and took stock of the situation in the valley. On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." The central government has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, Central government has decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. Central government has also revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27.(ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and all the allies of the Mahagathbandhan held a candlelight protest in Patna on Friday in wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav demanded strong action against terrorism. Tejashwi Yadav said, "We have taken out a candle march to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The entire nation is against terrorism. Strong action should be taken against terrorism. In the all party meeting we have extended our support to the central government. Terrorism should be uprooted from the country." The march aims to show solidarity with the victims' families and to raise awareness against terrorism. Earlier taking to its social media platform X, RJD said, "The entire country is mourning after the Pahalgam attack. The entire country and the entire Bihar are together in this hour of grief. It is the duty of all of us to ensure that the deceased get speedy justice and in future, innocent citizens of India do not become victims of any negligence, security lapse or terrorist audacity." The party said they are going to support the Government, hold it accountable, and inspire action against terrorists to ensure India's security. They emphasised prioritising implementation over words and the country's security over election preparations. "We will support the Government and also hold the Government accountable on behalf of the people, and also inspire to deal with the terrorists in such a way that no one dares to raise an eye towards the great land of India again. Implementation should be given priority over words, the country's security should be given priority over election preparations, and the security of every citizen of the country should be the top priority. With this objective, we are taking out this "Candle March". An appeal to everyone is to strengthen our voice for the country, for Bihar, for the peace of the souls of the dead and to destroy each and every terrorist," the post reads. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, leaving several others injured. It is considered one of the deadliest terror attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, and among the most severe since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. (ANI) The National Commission for Women has expressed deep concern over the recent "communal violence" in West Bengal's Murshidabad and Malda districts, where women and girls were "subjected to unspeakable acts of sexual violence, physical assault, and rape threats." "The National Commission for Women expresses its deep concern and anguish over the large-scale communal violence that recently occurred in Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal. An Inquiry Committee led by the Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, visited the affected regions and recorded harrowing testimonies of survivors, particularly women and girls, who have suffered disproportionately due to the targeted violence," as per an official release. According to observations by the NCW, the communal violence had a particularly devastating impact on women and girls. Many were subjected to unspeakable acts of sexual violence, physical assault, and rape threats. Survivors described how they were dragged out of their homes, brutally attacked, and in some instances, told to send their daughters to be raped. The trauma inflicted on these women is severe, and the psychological, emotional, and physical toll will be long-lasting. Forced displacement has further pushed these women into vulnerable situations, violating their basic human rights and dignity. "The Committee observed a complete breakdown of administrative machinery and governance in Murshidabad district. Despite prior intelligence and visible tensions in the area, the State Government failed to take preventive or responsive action, and instead, appeared to act as a mute spectator," the release read. The violence appears to have been deliberate and premeditated, with many victims alleging that Hindu homes and businesses were selectively targeted in an apparent effort to seize land and property. The porous border with Bangladesh, combined with poor administrative vigilance, has worsened the situation, and the presence of radical religious elements in the area cannot be ruled out. "Women in Murshidabad are being deliberately targeted, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. This is not a series of isolated incidents--it is a reflection of a systemic failure that has caused lasting trauma, destabilized communities, and fractured the social fabric. Survivors recounted losing their husbands or sons and witnessing the destruction of their homes, which were burned or vandalized during the attacks," the release read. The NCW press release stated, Public trust in the West Bengal Police has been drastically eroded. Several factors have contributed to this decline in confidence: The police either ignored or responded slowly and ineffectively to calls for help from victims. Distrust has been amplified by the perception that the police were lenient towards rioters, suggesting possible complicity in a political agenda rather than a commitment to maintaining peace. In an increasingly polarized discourse, public doubts about the police have been reinforced -- questioning their impartiality, capability, effectiveness, and even their willingness to manage crises and ensure the safety and security of victims. "The community, especially Hindu residents, expressed a complete loss of faith in the State Police and demanded the establishment of BSF or CRPF camps to ensure their safety and return to normalcy," the release read. Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, issued a peace appeal on the night of 19th April, 2025, but has not visited the site or met with the victims yet. "The Committee noted with concern that those who attempted to help the displaced and traumatized families were threatened and intimidated. The State Government provided no meaningful assistance to the Committee during the inquiry process, and senior officers failed to attend the proceedings despite repeated requests. This non-cooperation reflects a disturbing disregard for accountability and transparency," the release read. The conditions in the relief camps, particularly in Malda District, are equally dire. Victims lack basic amenities such as food, clothing, drinking water, sanitation, and medical support. The State Government has failed to provide even minimum relief, leaving already traumatized families in a continued state of distress and uncertainty. Violence erupted on April 11 in Murshidabad, a Muslim-majority district, during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The protest turned violent, resulting in two deaths, several injuries, and property damage. Thousands of people fled their homes in search of safety. The protest later spread to other districts, including Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, where incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades were reported. (ANI) In a clear message to Government servants that negligence in their duties will not be tolerated, Delhi LG VK Saxena has approved the suspension of an Executive Engineer (Civil), PWD, with immediate effect, according to a press statement from the Delhi LG Office. Ramashish, Ex. Engineer (Civil) was placed under suspension for negligence of duty towards the maintenance and cleanliness of the drain. On 21.03.25, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, alongwith MLA Ravi Negi, visited a site behind Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya adjacent to NH-24 to review the work and to inspect status of road and drains. During their visit, the poor condition of the drain was noticed, and it was found to be full of silt and encroachment. After the visit, the Minister of PWD recommended disciplinary proceedings and the suspension of Ramashish, EE (Civil), PWD. Since the formation of the new Government, LG Saxena, CM Rekha Gupta and Ministers of GNCTD are regularly inspecting the poor condition of roads, drains and garbage dumps in the city and taking necessary steps for their improvement. Saxena also recommended to extend suspension of Vinay Chaudhary, EE, PWD for further 180 days. Chaudhary was placed under suspension by the LG in the matter of irregularities in the construction of 6, Flagstaff Road. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday convened a meeting with tourism, travel, and trade stakeholders at SKICC, Srinagar to discuss the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Acccording to a press release, the meeting commenced with a minute of silence in memory of the victims, expressing solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident. The press release noted that the interaction was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretaries of Industries & Commerce and Tourism, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, senior police officials, and other concerned officers. Abdullah strongly condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones. As per a release, addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "We collectively condemn the Pahalgam terror incident, mourn the loss of 26 innocent lives, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families." He noted the pain of meeting the victims' families, many of whom were on their honeymoon or family vacation. The CM emphasized that the collective outrage and unity across the Valley send a powerful message to those who seek to sow fear and division. According to the release, he noted the pain of meeting the victims' families--many of whom were visiting Kashmir on their honeymoon or family vacation. "As the Tourism Minister, I found meeting their families extremely difficult. I was at a loss for words," he added. As per the release, highlighting the collective outrage and unity across the Valley in the wake of the attack, Omar Abdullah said this unified response sends a powerful, silent message to those who seek to sow fear and division. Abdullah praised the tourism stakeholders for prioritizing solidarity over financial losses, saying that discussions on economic impact could take place later. He lauded the local who lost his life while trying to save tourists, calling him a symbol of Kashmiri hospitality saying, "You've clearly said this act was not in our name--neither have we ever supported such violence, nor will we ever in the future." The Chief Minister assured that his government would consider constructive suggestions to prevent such incidents in the future. He also addressed concerns about harassment faced by Kashmiri students and traders outside Kashmir, stating that he had spoken to the Union Home Minister and other state CMs to ensure their safety. The release noted that he also addressed concerns regarding harassment faced by Kashmiri students and traders outside Kashmir. He informed the gathering that he had "spoken directly with the Union Home Minister, who assured him of necessary protective measures. An advisory will be issued in this regard, and the Home Minister has also personally reached out to several state Chief Ministers." As per the release, he lauded the tourism and business stakeholders for not focusing on financial losses or seeking compensation, saying, "Business will come and go. Right now, our primary concern is to express our grief and stand in solidarity with those affected by this senseless attack." He added that discussions on "economic impact can take place later, once the immediate pain of the tragedy has been addressed." As pre the release, speaking on the occasion, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said, "This incident has shaken us to the core." He appreciated the people of Kashmir for rising in protest against the attack and sending a clear message across the country and the world that "this act has no place in our society or our religion." According to the release, earlier, stakeholders from the tourism sector unanimously condemned the attack, calling it a "murder of humanity." They emphasised that the Valley is in deep mourning and that commercial concerns are secondary at this time. According to the release, they suggested the Establishment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) at key tourist destinations and countering misinformation and biased media narratives. As per the release, the Chairman of Raja & Rani Tour and Travels informed the gathering that the Maharashtra Tour and Travel Operators' Association has pledged to adopt Syed Adil Hussain's family. The association will support the educational needs of his children and provide long-term assistance to his family. Furthermore, the association has decided that no tour bookings to Kashmir will be cancelled, in a strong show of support and solidarity. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday reaffirmed the government's commitment to tackling Naxalism in the state. While keeping the door open for peace talks with Naxalites, Sai emphasised that those who refuse to abandon violence will face a strong response from the government. Speaking on the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the state, the Chief Minister said, "As far as peace talks are concerned, ever since we came to power, we have kept the door open for them (Naxalites). They have been told repeatedly that you people should leave this language of bullets and violence and join development and come into the mainstream." Sai highlighted that many Naxalites have already joined the mainstream, embracing development and leaving behind the path of violence. However, for those who continue to resort to guns and violence, the government is prepared to take decisive action. "Many people have also come, but those who will not agree now, those who understand the language of guns or violence, the government is ready to deal with them accordingly," he said. Sai cited Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resolve to eradicate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026. Expressing full confidence in achieving this goal, Sai assured that the government will work tirelessly to ensure peace and development in the region. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also resolved that by March 31, 2026, Naxalism will be eradicated from the entire country and I am fully confident that this will be accomplished," he added. Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel met the family of Dinesh Miraniya, who was killed in the Pahalagam terror attack. The mortal remains of Miraniya reached his residence in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Thursday, Multiple political leaders were seen arriving to pay their respects and attend the last rites of Miraniya, who was among the 26 people, mostly tourists who were gunned down by terrorists in Phalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. Recounting a harrowing incident during a family trip to Kashmir, Neha Miraniya, the wife of Dinesh Miraniya, described the tragic events that unfolded in Pahalgam.' "We had planned a family trip to Kashmir as the children wanted to visit. On April 22, we arrived in Pahalgam and intended to proceed to Gulmarg next. We planned to leave Pahalgam around 1:00-1:30 PM, but our daughter wanted to engage in some activities, so we were scattered across the area. By 2:00 PM, I stepped away to use the washroom. When I returned, I heard gunshots. I was in complete shock. I didn't have my phone or purse, as they were with my husband," she recalled. Panic-stricken and unable to locate her family, she sought help from bystanders. "I asked people for a phone to call my son. He told me a horse rider had saved him during the firing and that he was safe. Later, I found my daughter outside a hospital where the injured were being taken. Her clothes were blood-stained, and she had sustained a minor injury. She said that her papa had been shot. I was terrified, especially knowing my husband had a blood clotting condition," she said. Desperately searching for her husband, she contacted her in-laws and relatives while locals assisted her. "My son received a call, and soon after, I saw my husband's body lying in front of me," she added. His wife expressed gratitude for the respectful farewell given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She remains hopeful that the government will officially recognise her husband as a martyr and provide support for her children. "Amit Shah ji had come there (Pahalgam), he gave such a beautiful farewell to my husband, gave him a martyr-like farewell, so I am hopeful that the government will give the title of martyr to my husband... I hope that the government will also put its hand on the heads of my children and maybe give them some support. I am their daughter, so they (government) are my family, so they will definitely help me." (ANI) In a solemn and heartfelt gesture, Tripura University, a Central University located at Suryamaninagar, Agartala, organised a peace rally in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 persons. The rally witnessed the participation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Ganga Prasad Prasain, senior professors, Deans of the Science, Commerce, and Arts faculties, and hundreds of staff and students. United in grief and solidarity, the university community gathered to honour the memory of the departed souls and express deep sympathy for the bereaved families. Concluding the peace rally at the university's open theatre, Professor Prasain led a silent tribute, observing a moment of silence to pray for eternal peace for the victims. In his address, he condemned the heinous act and emphasized the importance of unity, peace, and harmony in the face of such tragedies. The event served as a tribute and a reminder of the university's commitment to fostering a spirit of compassion and national solidarity during times of sorrow. The attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and assessed the situation in the valley. On Thursday, the central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action." The central government has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, the Central government decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abandons its support for cross-border terrorism and closes the integrated Attari Check Post. The central government has also revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27.(ANI) Lieutenant General Rajendra Ramrao Nimbhorkar (Retd) on Friday hailed the Cabinet Committee on Security's decisions in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, stressing the need for the government to take the matter "seriously". "The government is taking this matter very seriously and it should be taken seriously. Because this is an attack on the whole country... The government has taken good decisions in CCS," he told ANI. "There were three wars between India and Pakistan and then Kargil; even at that time, we did not suspend the Indus Water Treaty, and it is the greatness of our government and our country that we did not do so; we could have done so even then," he added. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. Among other measures, the government announced the immediate suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari ICP, cancellation of SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme visas for Pakistani nationals, and reduction of diplomatic presence at both Indian and Pakistani High Commissions to 30 officials each by May 1. Meanwhile, opposition parties took out candlelight protests against the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack at several places across the country. The Samajwadi Party took out a candlelight protest against the attack in Lucknow. Congress leaders also held candlelight protests at various places in the country, including Delhi, Bengaluru and Shimla. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti on Friday evening. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, " AICC has decided to conduct a candlelight march to pay our respects and tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack... Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi visited the victims today...we stand with the Govt of India...in the all-party meeting also, we expressed solidarity with the Govt of India. We are not here to do politics." Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. (ANI) Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Scindia assured that India will give a befitting reply to the brutal killing of innocent people. Scindia cited Prime Minister Modi's statement, emphasising that the government will identify and neutralise the sources of terrorist activities. Speaking in Gwalior, Scindia said, "India will give a befitting reply to the brutal killing of innocent people, and as Prime Minister Modi himself has said, we will find them and we will barren the land where terrorist activities are born..." He called the terrorists inhuman and highlighted that those who dare to attack India forget that it is Bharat Mata, evoking a sense of national pride and unity. "I would even say they are not human. But those who have tried to attack the soul of India have forgotten that this is Bharat Mata (Mother India). When a challenge arises, every citizen, every person, rises together with one voice against such wicked forces," said Scindia. Referring to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister assured that India would respond to the killing of civilians with full force. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will give such a response that no such evil ideology will ever dare to rise again." Highlighting the resolve of the Indian people and government, Scindia stated, "India stands united, with one voice, against this. Every citizen stands together. Watch how this unfolds." He warned that the current action is only the beginning of a broader strategy. "The Government of India and the people of India, with one resolve, will take every possible action against such elements. And this... is just the beginning." This comes after 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen were killed in Pahalgam on Tuesday, in one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. On Friday, Several people from the Muslim community offered Friday prayers (Namaz) wearing black bands in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal to mark their protest against Pahalgam terror attack. The people offered their namaz at Bhopal's biggest Taj-ul-Masjid and also raised slogans against Pakistan. On Thursday, while addressing people at National Panchayati Raj Day in Bihar's Madhubani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and said that India will "pursue the terrorists to the end of the earth." PM Modi added that the entire nation is saddened by the brutality with which terrorists killed innocent civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. "On April 22, terrorists killed innocent people of the country in J-K's Pahalgam... The country is in mourning and in pain following this incident. We stand with the families of the victims. Today, from the soil of Bihar, India will identify, track and punish every terrorist, their handlers and their backers. We will pursue them to the end of the earth. India's spirit will never be broken by Terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is on our side. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders, who have stood with us in these times," PM Modi said. "I want to say in very clear words that these terrorists and those who conspired towards this attack will get a punishment bigger than they can imagine. The willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the back of the masters of terror," he added. (ANI) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday assured a smooth Amarnath Yatra, which is set to commence on July 3 this year, despite the Pahalgam terror attack. Despite the attack, Goyal expressed confidence that tourism in Kashmir will resume soon, emphasising that no one can derail Kashmir from its developmental path, highlighting the region's progress and potential. "People of India are capable and confident enough that soon tourism will resume there, Amarnath Yatra will be conducted successfully, and no one can derail Kashmir from the developmental path that it has taken," said Goyal. Registrations for this year's Shri Amarnath Yatra began in Jammu and Kashmir on April 15. They took place at 533 branches of Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, J&K Bank, and Yes Bank across the country. The Amarnath Yatra is set to commence on July 3 this year, simultaneously from both routes--the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. It will culminate on August 9 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Goyal reiterated that the government has already announced the cancellation of visas for Pakistani nationals, and they must leave India. "We have already announced it (visa cancellation for Pakistani nationals) and they all must go...," he said. Goyal strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, emphasising that India will not tolerate terrorism. Goyal stated that India has no interest in having trade relations with Pakistan, labelling it a "terrorist nation." "India has no interest in having a trade relation with a terrorist nation like Pakistan... There will be no place in India where we will let terrorism rise...," added the Union Minister. Referring to Pakistan's persistent challenge, Goyal made it clear that India has already taken steps to sever ties. "The loss caused to Pakistan is of no interest to India. What is the use of trading with a terrorist country like Pakistan?" he said. He further assured that India's decisions, particularly regarding the visa cancellations, would be communicated soon, underscoring that these steps are part of a broader strategy to tackle terrorism. "As long as 140 crore Indians consider patriotism and nationalism their highest duty, such incidents will continue to trouble the nation," he added. Meanwhile on Friday, while extending condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said Central government will identify, trace and punish the terrorists along with their backers. Recalling the remarks of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said, "I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society. This is the moment when the entire country comes together and expresses the anger and collective commitment of the nation to give a fitting response to those responsible for this." Reminding people of the resolve taken by Prime Minister Narendra over the terror attacks, Goyal said, "We will identify, trace and punish the terrorists and their backers. This is the resolve of every Indian... We faced the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and came back stronger. We gave a befitting reply to Pulwama attacks." Union Minister also expressed condolences to all the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. "There is outrage across the country from Kargil to Kaniyakumari against the attack on India's very fabric. We are all united in grief, pray for the departed and wish for quick recovery of those injured. We pray that strength is bestowed upon those families who are deeply impacted by this heinous and criminal act of terrorists," Goyal said. The attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and assessed the situation in the valley. On Thursday, the central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has fully supported the government in taking any action." In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The country further decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. (ANI) UK Members of Parliament have condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people while several others were injured. UK MP from Slough, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, expressed hope that the perpetrators behind the attack will be swiftly brought to justice. In his speech at the parliament, Dhesi expressed sadness over the terrorist attack on civilians and said that he is praying for the families of the victims. He also expressed sadness over the passing away of Pope Francis. https://x.com/TanDhesi/status/1915399104294768842 He said, "We've been dealing this week with the sad passing of Pope Francis, but also I was deeply saddened this week with the cowardly, deadly, shocking terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. The families of the victims are very much in my prayers, and I sincerely hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice." Leader of the UK House of Commons, Lucy Powell, called the attack in Pahalgam a "cowardly act" and said that the UK government's thoughts are with the people affected by it, particularly those who have lost their loved ones. In her speech at the parliament, Powell said, "The horror of this horrific terrorist attack in Kashmir was utterly devastating and it was, as he says, a cowardly act and my thoughts and the thoughts of the whole government are with those affected, especially those who've lost loved ones." As many as 26 people were killed in India, and several others were injured after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. On April 23, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the terrorist attack in Kashmir "utterly devastating" and said that his thoughts were with those affected by the attack and the people of India. "The horrific terrorist attack in Kashmir today is utterly devastating. My thoughts are with those affected, their loved ones, and the people of India," Starmer posted on X. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. In the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, India decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post. India has also declared the officials of the Pakistani High Commission persona non grata and ordered them to leave India within a week. The central government also decided to cancel any visas provided under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and ordered Pakistan to leave the country within 48 hours. The Government of India has also decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals will stand revoked, effective from 27 April 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a press release. (ANI) US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce shunned a Pakistani journalist's questioning over India-Pakistan border tensions following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people while several others were injured. When asked about the border tensions between India and Pakistan during the press briefing on Thursday (local time), Bruce responded, "I am not going to be remarking on it. I appreciate this, and perhaps, we will come back to you with another subject. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as have the deputy secretary; they have made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner." As many as 26 people were killed in India, and several others were injured after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. While addressing a press briefing on Thursday (local time), Bruce said that US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have made clear that the US stands with India and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. She said that the US prays for those who lost their lives in the attack and for the recovery of the injured. On terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Bruce said, "As President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India, strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. We pray for the lives of those lost and pray for the recovery of the injured and call for the perpetrators of this heinous act to be brought to justice." The US administration under President Donald Trump continues to support India after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday. 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." US Vice President JD Vance also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives and reiterated that the United States stands with the people of India in this difficult hour. PM Modi thanked Vance and Trump for their messages of support and solidarity. "Vice President @VP @JDVance called Prime Minister @narendramodi and strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He conveyed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives and reiterated that the United States stands with the people of India in this difficult hour. He expressed that the United States is ready to provide all assistance in the joint fight against terrorism. PM thanked Vice President Vance and President Trump for their messages of support and solidarity," Jaiswal posted on X. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also expressed support for India. In a post on X, Rubio wrote, "The United States stands with India." After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which lasted over two hours. The meeting was attended, among others, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Following the CCS meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed mediapersons on Wednesday about the slew of measures announced in the wake of the terrorist attack which took place in Pahalgam. He said that recognising the seriousness of the terrorist attack, the CCS decided upon the following measures, which included five key decisions. Misri said, "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." He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Misri said, "Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025." Other measures decided upon by the CCS include the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty "with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism". Misri also said that 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 an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India," Misri said. The Foreign Secretary said that further reductions, to be effected by May 1, 2025, will bring the overall strength of the High Commissions down to 30 from the present 55. (ANI) People gathered outside the Indian High Commission in the UK in support of the victims of the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on April 22. People carrying posters and Indian flags chanted slogans, "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." People carried posters which said, "Keep Calm and Crush Jihadist terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir to Jerusalem" and "Hindu Lives Matter." Overseas Friends of BJP in the UK President, Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, said that people have gathered in front of the Indian High Commission in the UK in support of the victims of the Pahalgam attack. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the strongest possible action against terrorists who were behind the attack and who gave them support. Speaking to ANI, Shekhawat said, "We have gathered here in front of the Indian High Commission today just in support of those victims in Pahalgam. Innocent people were enjoying life; they were there as tourists and to enjoy themselves. Suddenly, life was taken away from them by these terrorists. Innocent civilians are being killed is not on. If people are so bad in this world that they would like to kill innocent civilians, it is absolutely unacceptable at any level." "We will not accept this kind of behaviour by Pakistan, and if Pakistan is treating this as their way of life, then India will react in a very powerful way. I request my Prime Minister to take the strongest possible action against those who have committed this crime and against those who have given them shelter and support. There is not a single Indian who likes this, and there's not a single person in this world who will support this kind of act. We are here in support of the Indian community," he added. Another man said that people have gathered here in solidarity with the people of India. He expressed Israel's support for India. He stated that collaboration between India and Israel will defeat jihadism from Jammu and Kashmir to Jerusalem. Speaking to ANI, he said, "We have come here today to stand in solidarity with the people of India, with our Hindu brothers and sisters. We know what jihadist terror looks like. We have suffered it for years in Israel, and we want you to know you are not alone....And we stand with you today and forever. We want you to know that with our collaboration, with our alliance, we will defeat jihadism from Jammu and Kashmir to Jerusalem. We stand with you, and I actually set up a society called the Israel India Friendship Club. Anyone who wants to join us and bring our two people together is more than welcome to do so. I think that if we unite, our enemy stands no chance, and together, we will defeat them. Jai Hind." The High Commission of India in the UK held a solemn commemorative ceremony at the India House to remember the victims of the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on April 22. UK Minister Catherine West, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan, UK Members of Parliament Bob Blackman and Kanishka Narayan, and members of the House of Lords, including Sandy Verma and Lord Raval, joined Maharashtra's Minister of Social Justice Sanjay Shirsat in paying heartfelt tributes. The event brought together members of the Indian diaspora from across the UK, who came to pay their respects and stand in solidarity with the victims and their families. India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, addressed the attendees, emphasising the importance of resilience, unity, and justice in the face of such tragedies. Community members and officials observed a moment of silence to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the cowardly attack. The gathering stood united in their condemnation of terrorism and voiced unwavering support for India's pursuit of justice. Speaking in unison, the dignitaries declared that terrorism must not go unpunished and emphasised that India will relentlessly identify, track down, and bring to justice every terrorist, along with their handlers and backers, according to the official statement. According to the official statement, the ceremony not only highlighted the deepening ties between India and the UK but also reflected the global consensus against terrorism and the collective resolve to combat it in all its forms. As many as 26 people were killed in India, and several others were injured after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Following the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. (ANI) Following the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Pahalgam, Abhay Kumar Singh, United Russia party's Deputat (MLA), from Russia's Kursk, condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with India and emphasised Russia's support for India. While speaking with ANI, Singh said, "Russia always stands with India, and in such a tragedy, we have expressed our sympathies. Our president has also conveyed it. We are ready to help in whatever way possible, if needed. Even the common man here is in shock because of the attack on tourists (in Pahalgam). Now, everything depends on how the diplomats of both countries (India and Pakistan) tackle this situation. It will be better to get through the situation via diplomacy." Calling the incident sad and shocking, he urged the Indian government to take action to bring the attackers to justice, even if they are hiding in another country. Singh said, "It is a very sad incident and a big shock for the entire world. People from every religion live in a society, but killing someone just because of someone's religion is creating a huge divide in the society. Killing innocent people must meet a firm response. The Indian government should bring those who committed this crime to justice, even if they are hidden in any other country." Terrorists on April 22 attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. "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 withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and 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," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. He also mentioned that the Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. (ANI) US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's chief of staff, Joe Kasper, officially stepped down from his position on Thursday, according to a report by The Washington Post. Kasper stated that his departure was voluntary and that he would transition into a part-time advisory role as a special government employee, focusing on areas such as science, technology, and industry. While the specifics of his new responsibilities and official title remain undefined, the role allows him to work up to 130 days annually in a government capacity. Kasper had been discussing the move with colleagues for weeks, and Hegseth appeared to allude to the possibility in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday. Kasper, he said, is a "great American," and was "certainly not fired," The Washington Post reported. Kasper's departure comes amid reported tensions between him and other senior officials within Hegseth's team. These internal divisions have raised concerns about the current leadership direction at the Pentagon. Recently, the New York Times reported that Hegseth had shared sensitive information about the planned strike in Yemen on March 15 in a private group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer. Hegseth shared sensitive details about a planned military operation targeting the Houthis in Yemen through a private Signal group chat on his personal phone CNN reported, citing three sources. The chat was initially created during Hegseth's confirmation hearings to coordinate with his closest allies to strategise, two sources said. However, he continued to use it post-confirmation, maintaining communication with a group of over a dozen people. The second Signal chat is in addition to the one Hegseth used to communicate with Cabinet officials last month about military plans. That chat is under investigation by the Defence Department's acting inspector general. Earlier this month, in a letter to Hegseth, Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins notified him of an upcoming evaluation following a request from the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Stebbins had said that the evaluation is in response to recent public reports regarding Hegseth's use of an "unclassified commercial messaging application" to discuss military actions in Yemen in March. A leaked Signal chat had revealed that senior Trump administration officials, including Hegseth, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe, shared details about an upcoming military strike on Yemen, The Atlantic reported. The messages, inadvertently sent to The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, had raised serious concerns about operational security. (ANI) Following India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Indian Embassy in Washington emphasised that the treaty was signed in a spirit of goodwill and friendship. However, it noted that Pakistan's support for state-sponsored terrorism has "corroded this spirit." In response to media queries regarding India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance, the Indian Embassy in Washington, in a post on X, wrote, "The Indus Water Treaty was concluded by India with Pakistan in a spirit of goodwill and friendship in 1960." It added, "Pakistan, through its well-documented, state-sponsored terrorism directed against India, has corroded this spirit. India cannot be expected to continue to cooperate with a country which is responsible for killing innocent civilians." https://x.com/IndianEmbassyUS/status/1915536575284277586 Following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Ministry of External Affairs announced a series of strong measures in response, including the abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty "with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly abjures its support for cross-border terrorism." The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory. Former World Bank President Eugene Black initiated the talks. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. Former US President Dwight Eisenhower described it as "one bright spot ... in a very depressing world picture that we see so often." The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. At the same time, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty allocates 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System to India, with the remaining 80 per cent to Pakistan. (ANI) The Inaugural Army-to-Army Staff Talks between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) took place in New Delhi from April 23-24, with the discussions centered around strengthening defence ties through the Annual Defence Cooperation Plan, which included plans for Joint Exercise Sada Tanseeq, military training and education, domain expert exchanges, and collaborative efforts in operational logistics. In a post on X, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence wrote, "Inaugural Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) were held in New Delhi from 23-24 April 2025. Discussions focused on the Annual Defence Cooperation Plan, covering Joint Exercise Sada Tanseeq, training, military education, domain expert exchanges and engagements in areas of mutual interest." The post added, "Both sides also explored avenues of collaboration in operational logistics, battlefield management systems and niche technologies to enhance interoperability and capability development." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1915610252168343717 Earlier, following the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia, both sides appreciated the deepening of the defence ties as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership, and welcomed the creation of a Ministerial Committee on Defence Cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Council. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a joint statement said, "They noted with satisfaction the growth of their joint defence cooperation, including numerous 'firsts' like the first ever Land Forces exercise SADA TANSEEQ, two rounds of the Naval Exercises AL MOHED AL HINDI, many high-level visits, and training exchanges, towards ensuring the security and stability of the region. They welcomed the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation held in Riyadh in September 2024, noting the initiation of staff-level talks between all three services. Both sides also agreed to enhance defence industry collaboration." Both sides welcomed the growth of the economic relationship, as well as the strengthening of trade and investment ties between India and Saudi Arabia in recent years. (ANI) Following the Pahalgam terror attack, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasised that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring the situation with deep concern. He reiterated the UN's strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, and called on India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation. He stressed that any issues between the two nations should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement. During a daily press briefing on Thursday, Dujarric said, "He (Antonio Guterres) is following the situation very closely and with very great concern. We were very clear in our condemnation of the terror attack that occured in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed a large number of civilians. But we very much appeal to both the government of Pakistan and the government of India to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that the situation and the developments we have seen do not deteriorate any further. Any issues between Pakistan and india, we believe, can be and should be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagement." Notably, Guterres had strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam and emphasised that targeting civilians is unacceptable under any circumstances. The Secretary-General also extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. In a statement issued by the UN Spokesman, Guterres strongly condemned the attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Dujarric, responding to inquiries, emphasised the Secretary-General's condemnation of the attack. "Guterres extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," said Dujarric, underscoring "that attacks against civilians are unacceptable under any circumstances." Meanwhile, on being asked if the Secretary General have anything to say about India suspending the water with Pakistan, Dujarric said, "I think this would go under the rubric of us appealing for maximum restraint and not taking any actions that would deteriorate the situation further..." Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory to the treaty. The talks were initiated by Eugene Black, a former president of the World Bank. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. At the same time, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty allocates 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System to India, with the remaining 80 per cent to Pakistan. (ANI) The truth about Pakistan is out of the bag, with its defence minister admitting that Pakistan has been funding and backing terrorist groups. In a video clip that has now gone viral, Pakistan's defence minister is in conversation with Sky News's Yalda Hakim, when she asks him, " But you do admit, you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations? Khwaja Asif in his reply says, "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades... and the west, including Britain...That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan's track record was unimpeachable." The Pakistani Defence Minister has also in the interview with Sky News presenter Yalda Hakim warned of an "all-out war" possible with India. Asif's statement lays bare the fact that Pakistan, for many years, has been harbouring these terror groups. Earlier, India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri had said that in the meeting of the Cabinet Committe on Security, 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. Following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. (ANI) Following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his sorrow and condemnation over the "heinous act" that claimed the lives of numerous civilians. Abbas also reaffirmed Palestine's support for India's security and stability. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abbas wrote, "We have followed with sorrow the news of the tragic incident that claimed the lives of and injured dozens of innocent civilian tourists as a result of a criminal shooting in the regions of Jammu and Kashmir." "We strongly condemn and denounce this heinous act, and affirm our support for India in preserving its security and stability. We extend to Your Excellency, to your friendly people, and to the families of the victims our heartfelt condolences," the letter stated. The Palestinian President also wished a speedy recovery for the injured in the terror attack and prayed for prosperity for India and its people. "We pray for mercy and peace for the departed, a speedy recovery for the injured, and for continued prosperity and well-being for India and its people. Please accept, Your Excellency, the expression of our deepest sympathy," the letter added. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory to the treaty. The talks were initiated by Eugene Black, a former president of the World Bank. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over 50 years. The Treaty allocates the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. At the same time, the Treaty allows each country certain uses of the rivers allocated to the other. The treaty allocates 20 per cent of the water from the Indus River System to India, with the remaining 80 per cent to Pakistan. (ANI) India on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to the Neighbourhood First Policy by sending USD 2 million worth of medical aid to Nepal. The assistance includes medicines and vaccines for patients with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease. The first tranche of this aid consists of 17,030 vials of vaccines for the immunisation of Thalassemia patients. Sharing a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "Reaffirming India's commitment to Neighbourhood First Policy. India sends assistance consisting of medicines and vaccines for patients with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease worth $2 million, responding to a request from Nepal." The post added, "The 1st tranche of 17,030 vials of Vaccines for Immunisation of patients with Thalassemia was handed over to Nepal." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1915649226077282349 The Neighbourhood First policy guides the management of India's relations with countries in its immediate neighbourhood, focuses on creating mutually beneficial, people-oriented, regional frameworks for stability and prosperity, including through the building of physical, digital and people-to-people connectivity. India engages with these countries on a consultative, non-reciprocal and outcome-oriented basis, driven by the principles of Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), and Samriddhi (prosperity). As part of India's Neighbourhood First policy, the Government has been extending necessary developmental assistance and capacity-building initiatives, as per the needs and aspirations of the neighbouring countries, thereby contributing towards the holistic economic development of their countries. Under this approach, India has been assisting neighbouring countries in the development of infrastructure projects ranging from large-scale infrastructure to community-related provisioning of assets and platforms, augmentation of capabilities and extending financial, budgetary and humanitarian assistance. India's assistance under its Neighbourhood First policy is regarded as valuable by diverse sections of public opinion among our neighbours, ensuring a sustainable basis for these assistance programs to continue despite changes in administration in these countries. Government keeps a vigilant watch on all developments which have a bearing on India's national security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it. (ANI) Leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), currently held in Huda Jail in Quetta, have allegedly been subjected to severe torture by security forces, as reported by The Balochistan Post. Among those reportedly abused are Dr Mahrang Baloch, Bebarg Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Beebow Baloch. Allegations suggest that personnel from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) entered the prison and carried out the physical assaults in the presence of jail authorities, The Balochistan Post reported. Family members of the detained activists claim that prison authorities initially refused to grant them visitation rights. It was later confirmed that Beebow Baloch had been taken from Huda Jail by personnel from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and remained missing for several hours before being moved to Pishin Jail, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to her relatives, she has endured severe torture and is now on a hunger strike. In a video message, her brother stated that when they tried to visit her, female police officers threatened to detain their cousin and aunt, The Balochistan Post cited. After waiting for three hours, Beebow Baloch's family was finally allowed to meet her in Pishin Jail, where they learned about the torture she had suffered. Beebow also confirmed that Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Gulzadi Baloch were subjected to similar abuse. According to The Balochistan Post, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has strongly denounced these actions, stating that the state is using unlawful and inhumane methods to crush their movement. Nevertheless, they emphasised that such tactics will not weaken their resolve in the fight for their rights. When Gulzadi Baloch's family was later permitted to visit her, they noticed visible signs of physical abuse. Gulzadi confirmed that her fellow detainees had also been mistreated. In reaction, human rights organisations and legal associations throughout Balochistan have issued strong condemnations. The Kech Bar Association declared a boycott of court proceedings as a form of protest. Furthermore, the Makran High Court Bar Association, along with the Kech, Gwadar, and Panjgur Bar Associations, released a joint statement denouncing the violence. They described Beebow Baloch's removal from prison by CTD personnel as unlawful and a clear breach of human rights, The Balochistan Post reported. On 24 April, legal bodies across the Makran region carried out a full boycott of court activities and issued a warning to authorities, stating that any further unlawful actions against Baloch women could lead to intensified protest measures. (ANI) Consul General Xu Wei of the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata attended the Chinese Culture Day celebration at South City International School, where he highlighted the friendship between China and India. He emphasised the importance of promoting Chinese culture to foster better understanding, especially among the younger generation, and strengthen the ties between the two nations. While speaking with ANI, Xu said, "I am so impressed today, I am so happy. Seeing many smiling and warm faces, especially the students, I can feel the friendship between China and India. Through this Chinese Culture Day, we can promote Chinese culture and let more people, especially the young generation, know better about China..." On the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Xu condemned the violence, expressing sorrow for the loss of lives and extending condolences to the victims' families. "We oppose all acts of terrorism. We are sorry for the loss of lives. We express our condolences to the bereaved families," he said. Following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over half a century. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. (ANI) Tibetans-in-exile in Shimla observed the 36th birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, with special prayers and offerings. The Jonang monastery jointly organised the event with the Shimla chapters of the Tibetan Women's Association and the Tibetan Youth Congress. Tibetan monks, men, and women gathered at the Dingu Hill prayer site near the Jonang Monastery to offer prayers both for the long life and immediate release of the Panchen Lama, as well as to pay homage to the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The prayer ceremony was presided over by Khentul Kyabje Kunga Chopel, a high lama of the Jonang Monastery. "We prayed for the long life of Panchen Lama and the souls of those killed in Pahalgam. Today is the 36th birthday of our 11th Panchen Lama. As we do every year, we are celebrating it again this year, but we have kept it low profile this time because of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where many innocent lives were lost. We have offered prayers here not only for the long life of Panchen Lama but also for the peace of the souls of those killed in the Pahalgam attack. We want world peace, and so we prayed for global harmony and the nation's peace as well," said Tenzin Magyal, a Tibetan Buddhist and one of the event organisers. "As part of Panchen Lama's birthday, we offered white scarves as a sign of respect, distributed festive food, and even cut a cake, though we kept it modest this year. Yesterday, many shops in our community remained closed in mourning for those who died. Today, the Panchen Lama turns 36, but we have no idea about his whereabouts. China has kept him under control, whether he's in jail or somewhere else, we don't know. We continue to pray for his long life," Magyal added. Tibetan monks in exile also appealed to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. "Buddhist monks here today offered prayers not only for Panchen Lama's long life but also for the souls of those killed in Pahalgam. We celebrate Panchen Lama's birthday here every year, though he remains under China's control. No one knows where he is," said Rinchen Tsering, a Tibetan Buddhist lama. "Today's prayers were organised not only by monastics but also lay members of the Tibetan community. We pray for the departed souls of those tourists killed in Kashmir and for peace across the country and the world. This place near the monastery has become our offering site today," he added. Gendhun Choekyi Nyima was born on April 25, 1989, in Lhari village, Nagchu region of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. In May 1995, at the age of six, he was officially recognised as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama. However, China rejected this recognition and appointed its own Panchen Lama, Gyatsen Norbu. Shortly after the Dalai Lama's recognition, Chinese authorities allegedly abducted Gendhun Choekyi Nyima and his family. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown, making him one of the world's longest-held political prisoners. Tibetan communities and human rights groups worldwide have consistently called for his release and transparency regarding his well-being. The Tibetan community continues to urge the international community to pressure China for the immediate release of the Panchen Lama. The peaceful observance in Shimla this year, while subdued in celebration, stood as both a tribute and a quiet yet firm resistance against religious suppression. (ANI) Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof extended his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the Aprill 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Strongly condemning the "cowardly act," PM Schoof rejected terrorism in all its forms and expressed solidarity with India. In response, Prime Minister Modi thanked the Netherlands for their support, emphasising India's commitment to collaborating closely with the Netherlands in strengthening the global fight against terrorism. Sharing a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "PM Dick Schoof of Netherlands @MinPres called PM @narendramodi and conveyed condolences on the tragic and inhuman cross border terror attack in Pahalgam, India. He strongly condemned the cowardly act and rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." The post added, "PM Modi thanked PM for his words of support and solidarity and conveyed that India looks forward to closely working with Netherlands to strengthen the global fight against terrorism." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1915692696255312344 Following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over 50 years. PM Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. (ANI) Mathew Hilakari, Member of Parliament for Point Cook in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, expressed his sorrow over the tragic Pahalgam terror attack and said that many in the Australian community are grieving, and emphasised that Australia, having experienced similar tragedies, understands the impact of such events. While speaking with ANI, Hilakari said, "I am so saddened that the tragic events have occured. We are all saddened. Many in the Australian community are grieving. We have experienced these tragedies in Australia before as well. So we understand the tragedy, and we grieve too." Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had said that Australia stands with India at this "difficult time," calling the Pahalgam terror attack "an act of senseless violence which has shocked the world." Albanese also spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered his condolences on behalf of Australia following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. "This afternoon, I have spoken to my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer my condolences on behalf of Australia following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The horrific loss of life of innocent civilians is an act of senseless violence which has shocked the world. Those responsible must be held to account. Australia and India are great friends, and we stand with India at this difficult time," Albanese said in a post on X on Wednesday. Following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over 50 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. (ANI) The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has announced that it will hold protest demonstrations across Balochistan today in response to the brutal torture of Mahrang Baloch, the Organiser of BYC, along with Beboow Baloch and Gulzadi Baloch, and the enforced disappearance of Beboow Baloch by officials of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Quetta Police at Huda Jail in Quetta. In a post on X, BYC stated that these demonstrations are being organised to send a clear message to state institutions that the Baloch nation will not bow to oppression, tyranny, or authoritarianism. The BYC emphasised that the Baloch people will continue to resist all forms of injustice and remain committed to the pursuit of truth, justice, and peace. The protests will take place in various cities across Balochistan, including Turbat, Panjgoor, Nokundi, Dalbandin, Yakmach, Charsar, Mashkhel, Ormageh, Chaghi, Ameenabad, Kharan, Karachi, Uthal, Gadani, Nushki, Kalat, and Mastung. The BYC's call for demonstrations underscores the growing discontent with state actions and the determination to stand firm in the face of adversity. Recent reports indicate that leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), held in Huda Jail, Quetta, have been subjected to severe torture by security forces. Among those allegedly abused are Mahrang Baloch, Bebarg Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Beebow Baloch. The abuse is said to have been carried out by personnel from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), who reportedly entered the prison and assaulted the detainees in front of jail authorities. Family members of the detained activists claim that prison officials initially denied them visitation rights, further fueling concerns over the treatment of the detainees. The situation in Balochistan is increasingly alarming, with reports of severe human rights violations, including torture and enforced disappearances, by security forces. Activists, especially those from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, are facing brutal treatment in prisons. This intensifies fears over the safety and well-being of detainees and highlights ongoing state oppression. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from the United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who strongly condemned the heinous Pahalgam terror attack and expressed that the UK stands with India in this hour of tragedy. UK PM Keir Starmer conveyed his condolences on the loss of innocent lives to Prime Minister Modi. The details of the call were shared by the Ministry of External Affairs' spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X. "PM @Keir_Starmer of UK called PM @narendramodi and conveyed his sincere condolences on the innocent lives lost in the heinous terror attack on Indian soil. He strongly condemned the barbaric terror attack and expressed that UK stands with the people of India in this hour of tragedy." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1915698245524684930 Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof extended his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Strongly condemning the "cowardly act," PM Schoof rejected terrorism in all its forms and expressed solidarity with India. In response, Prime Minister Modi thanked the Netherlands for their support, emphasising India's commitment to collaborating closely with the Netherlands in strengthening the global fight against terrorism. Following the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Recognised as one of the most successful international treaties, it has endured frequent tensions, including conflict. It has provided a framework for irrigation and hydropower development for over 50 years. PM Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. (ANI) Raja Abid, Chairman of the Revolutionary Students Organisation, has condemned the deteriorating education system in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB). He has issued a series of demands aimed at rectifying the situation, warning that failure to address these issues by April 30 will lead to widespread protests, as reported by Markhor Times. In a statement, Abid highlighted the severe deficiencies plaguing the region's educational infrastructure, including a shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate facilities, and outdated curricula. He emphasised the disparity between the education received by affluent students and that of their less privileged counterparts, noting that while wealthy individuals have access to quality education, the poor are subjected to substandard schooling, the Markhor Times cited. According to Markhor Times, Raja Abid, Chairman of the Revolutionary Students Organisation, has put forth several key demands to address the education crisis in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. Firstly, he has called for the appointment of new teachers to fill the existing gaps and improve the quality of education in the region. Abid also demands the transfer of headmasters between Astore and Diamer to promote better management, accountability, and ensure that each area has effective leadership. Additionally, he has made a special request for the transfer of the current education director, seeking a change in leadership to facilitate much-needed reforms and improvements in the education system. Abid has directed these demands to the Education Department and the Chief Education Secretary, urging prompt action. He has warned that if these issues are not addressed by the end of April, students will organise protests to voice their concerns and demand immediate reforms, as per the Markhor Times. Education in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) faces significant challenges, including a shortage of qualified teachers, outdated infrastructure, and a stark disparity between the education provided to the wealthy and the underprivileged. These issues hinder students' access to quality education, perpetuating social inequality and demanding urgent reforms for improvement. (ANI) In a significant demonstration of its ongoing commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the people of Nepal, Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava handed over the first consignment of vaccines for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia to Minister of Health and Population, of Nepal, Pradip Paudel. As per the release from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu the first consignment of vaccines is worth USD 2 million. It would be for the management of patients with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease responding to a request from Nepal. "The first consignment of vaccines/ medicines includes Influenzae Vaccine (3100 unit), Salmonella Vaccine (1550 unit), Meningococcus Vaccine (3100 unit), Haemophilus Influenza Vaccine (4640 unit) and Streptococcus Pneumonia Vaccine (4640 unit)," the release detailed. This vital contribution from India will help bolster Nepal's efforts in addressing these inherited blood disorders, which pose significant health challenges to affected individuals and families. "The provision of these vaccines underscores the strong and enduring partnership between the two nations, particularly in the crucial healthcare sector," the embassy highlighted. Speaking at the handover event, the Indian Ambassador noted that these vaccines would be instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia in Nepal. He further mentioned the deep-rooted friendship between India and Nepal and India's readiness to extend support in areas of mutual interest. Receiving the vaccines on behalf of the Government of Nepal, Minister of Health and Population expressed gratitude for India's generous support outlining the positive impact these vaccines will have on public health. Paudel acknowledged the long-standing collaboration with India and its contributions to Nepal's healthcare system. "This initiative is a testament to the close ties and collaborative spirit between India and Nepal, reflecting a shared vision for a healthier future for their citizens," the release stated. Furthermore, the India also has committed to partnering with Nepal in various sectors, including health, to foster mutual progress and development. (ANI) Co-Chairs of the US-India Caucus, Ro Khanna and Rich McCormick in a joint statement called for close intelligence cooperation between US and India in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir. In the statement, Khanna and McCormick called for counterterrorism operations to dismantle Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. https://x.com/RepRoKhanna/status/1915497613543047472 "They urged the US Department of State to increase information- sharing platforms, joint operations, and real-time intelligence support US and Indian intelligence agencies must strengthen and expand existing collaborative efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating in the region," the statement said. "This includes increasing information- sharing platforms, joint operations, and real-time intelligence support to combat the recruitment, funding, and logistics capabilities of these groups," the statement added. The statement said that both the countries must work to integrate their counterterrorism strategies. "Both India and the US must work towards integrating their counterterrorism strategies to enable the rapid identification and disruption of terrorist cells, weapons caches, and smuggling routes. Leveraging advanced technologies and satellite surveillance can help uncover hidden training camps and other infrastructure used by these groups, helping prevent future attacks while ensuring regional stability," as per the statement. The statement said that US must provide India with intelligence analytics, satellite tools, and communications platforms in its fight against terrorism. "Considering the persistent threat posed by extremist groups operating in the region, the US should work to provide targeted support to Indian counterterrorism efforts. This includes technical expertise and logistical capabilities, such as intelligence analytics, satellite tools, and communications platforms, to enhance the effectiveness of Indian security forces on the ground. In addition, the US should assist in developing counterterrorism strategies that ensure Indian forces can neutralize terrorist threats, while aligning with international standards of engagement," the statement said. The statement said that the US must support India and Pakistan in their endeavour to de escalate. "It is critical that the US work not only to assist in dismantling terrorist networks but also support India and Pakistan as they work to maintain peace and avoid further escalation. We recognize the geopolitical complexities in the region, while emphasizing India's longstanding struggles in addressing cross-border terrorism. We respect the careful judgement its leaders bring to these challenges and deem it critical to support both states in their efforts for civility," the statement said. "The United States must continue to stand with India in condemning and combatting terrorism to promote a stable, secure environment in the region that protects civilians, discourages further violence, and upholds the rule of law. It is crucial to keep diplomatic channels open to India and Pakistan so that they may work toward reducing hostilities and fostering a more secure environment. Our actions must be swift, targeted, and strategic to ensure the long-term security interests of both India and the international community," the statement added. The statement said that the The Resistance Front, which claimed responsibility for the attack, is a designated terror group as per the US state department. "The group responsible for this attack, known as The Resistance Front (TRF), has been identified as being affiliated with extremist organizations operating within Pakistan's borders, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. These groups have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) by the State Department, and this latest attack comes amidst a growing wave of violence linked to such actors who threaten regional and international stability," the statement read. (ANI) Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, has strongly condemned the brutal treatment of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders by Pakistani security forces while they were in custody. In a post on X, she expressed concern over the mistreatment of Baloch Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD'S), including Mahrang Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Beebow Baloch, and the reported transfer of Beebow to another prison. Lawlor called for their immediate release and emphasised that any treatment they endure in custody should adhere to the Mandela Rules. The detainees, including Mahrang Baloch, Bebarg Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Beebow Baloch, are reportedly victims of abuse, with allegations that Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel assaulted them while prison authorities were present. Relatives of the activists claim that they were initially denied visitation rights, but it was later confirmed that Beebow Baloch had been moved from Huda Jail to Pishin Jail by CTD personnel after being missing for several hours. She is said to have suffered severe torture and is currently on a hunger strike, The Balochistan Post reported. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has condemned the actions, accusing the state of using illegal and cruel tactics to suppress their movement, but reaffirmed their commitment to continue their struggle for rights. When Gulzadi Baloch's family was allowed to visit, they noticed visible signs of abuse, and Gulzadi confirmed that her fellow detainees had also been mistreated, The Balochistan Post cited. According to The Balochistan Post, human rights groups and legal organisations across Balochistan have condemned the violence, with the Kech Bar Association announcing a boycott of court proceedings in protest. The Makran High Court Bar Association, along with other bar associations in Kech, Gwadar, and Panjgur, released a joint statement condemning the unlawful removal of Beebow Baloch by CTD personnel, calling it a clear violation of human rights. (ANI) US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday affirmed her support to India after the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam. Gabbard affirmed her support to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in hunting the perpetrators down. In a post on X, she said, "We stand in solidarity with India in the wake of the horrific Islamist terrorist attack, targeting and killing 26 Hindus in Pahalgam. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with those who lost a loved one, PM Narendra Modi, and with all the people of India. We are with you and support you as you hunt down those responsible for this heinous attack." https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/1915753705766260923 Earlier in the day, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce shunned a Pakistani journalist's questioning over India-Pakistan border tensions following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people while several others were injured. When asked about the border tensions between India and Pakistan during the press briefing on Thursday (local time), Bruce responded, "I am not going to be remarking on it. I appreciate this, and perhaps, we will come back to you with another subject. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as have the deputy secretary; they have made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner." As many as 26 people were killed in India, and several others were injured after terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. On April 23, US President Donald Trump affirmed his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the victims of terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. Trump said he stood with India in its fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has asked the Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who called on him at Srinagar on Friday to take effective steps not only to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack to justice but also to intensify efforts to crush the infrastructure of terrorism and its ecosystem. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met Egypt Ambassador to India, Kamel Zayed and discussed deepening of strategic partnership of between the two countries. Jaishankar during his meeting with Zayed appreciated Egypt's support in the fight against terrorism. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Received Ambassador Kamel Zayed of Egypt. Discussed deepening our strategic partnership. Appreciated Egypt's support in the fight against terrorism." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/19157344953800663133 Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met with the ambassadors of Israel and Argentina in New Delhi on Friday and held discussions on several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including the condemnation of the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack. In a series of post on X, External Affairs Minister shared the details of the meetings held with the envoys of the two countries. EAM Jaishankar appreciated Israel's steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism. "A good discussion with Ambassador Israel @ReuvenAzar in New Delhi today. Appreciated Israel's steadfast support in combating cross-border terrorism," EAM Jaishankar wrote. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1915737482378838479 Upon meeting the Argentinian ambassador, Jaishankar welcomed Argentina's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. Both also held discussions about the advancement of ties between the two countries. "Met Ambassador @CaucinoMariano of Argentina today. Welcome Argentina's strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack. Spoke about advancing our bilateral and multilateral cooperation", he wrote on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1915735378058711492 Earlier on Friday, the envoys of US, Israel and Spain had arrived at the South Block office of the Ministry of External Affairs. While speaking to media, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said called the Pahalgam terror attack a "watershed moment" and said that discussions were held on areas of mutual concern that have to do with fight against terrorism. On Thursday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had briefed ambassadors of select countries based in New Delhi, including Germany, Japan, Poland, the UK, and Russia, on the Pahalgam terror attack. Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. (ANI) US representative to the United Nations condemned the People's Republic of China (PRC) for "misusing" a 1971 UN resolution to prevent Taiwan from being included in the international organisation, as reported by Taipei Times. Taiwan's government expressed its appreciation for the criticism. According to Taipei Times, during a UN Security Council meeting convened by the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Wednesday at UN headquarters in New York, Ting Wu, deputy political counsellor of the US Mission to the United Nations, criticised China for "misusing" UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. According to a transcript from the US Mission, Wu referred to the meeting's Concept Note, titled, "The Impact of Unilateralism and Bullying Practices on International Relations," which called for opposition to "all forms of unilateralism and bullying." He emphasised that the US opposed China's misuse of the resolution to isolate Taiwan, misrepresent the policies of other countries, and limit their options. Wu pointed out that this resolution does not prevent Taiwan from having meaningful participation in the UN system or other multilateral forums, the Taipei Times cited. Wu further stated that the US, in collaboration with its allies and partners, would continue to counter Beijing's efforts to impose its authoritarian principles at the United Nations. In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed gratitude for the US statement, marking this as the first time the US had raised the issue during a UN Security Council meeting, according to MOFA. The last instance of US criticism regarding the misuse of Resolution 2758 was in February, during the World Health Organisation's 156th session of the Executive Board, MOFA noted. Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, addressed China's representation at the UN and resulted in the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan's official name, losing its seat to the PRC. Since then, Taiwan has been excluded from participation in the UN and its affiliates, as the UN and the majority of its member states do not recognise Taiwan as a country. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a telephonic conversation with Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The two also discussed the cross-border linkages of the attack. In a post on X, he said, "Had a telecon with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1915773008121352344 Earlier on April 23, During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia, both Indian and Saudi sides condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. Both sides agreed that there can be no justification for terrorism. "Both sides strongly condemned the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians. In this context, the two sides condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasized that this remains one of the gravest threats to humanity," the statement read. "They agreed that there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever. They rejected any attempt to link terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture," the statement added. Both sides acknowledged the cooperation with each other in counter terrorism and rejected the use of terrorism against other nations. "They welcomed the excellent cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism and the terror financing. They condemned cross-border terrorism, and called on all States to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructure where it exists, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Both sides stressed the need to prevent access to weapons including missiles and drones to commit terrorist acts against other countries," the statement read. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his visit to Saudi Arabia. PM Modi was on a two-day State visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, he cut short his visit following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. (ANI) Jaishankar also discussed the bilateral ties between the nations. In a post on X, he said, "Conveyed condolences to Ambassador Shankar Sharma of Nepal on the death of a Nepali national during the Pahalgam terror attack. Also discussed developments in our bilateral ties." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1915733914657685616 Ambassador Shankar Sharma also expressed grief on the deaths of Indian nationals in the attack. In a post on X, he said, "Shared our deep condolences and firm solidarity with India over the Pahalgam terror attack with Hon. EAM S Jaishankar ji today. He also expressed condolences on the death of a Nepali national, Sudip Neupane. We also reviewed our overall Nepal-India ties." https://x.com/DrShankarSharma/status/1915758452925771789 Nepal Embassy in India stated in a post on X, "HE Shankar Sharma paid a courtesy call on EAM Hon. S Jaishankar ji and conveyed Nepal's condolences and firm solidarity with India over the Pahalgam terror attack. Hon. EAM also expressed condolences on the death of a Nepali national. They also reviewed overall India-Nepal ties." https://x.com/EONIndia/status/1915747723816698343 Earlier in the day, Jaishankar on Friday met Egypt Ambassador to India, Kamel Zayed and discussed deepening of strategic partnership of between the two countries. Jaishankar during his meeting with Zayed appreciated Egypt's support in the fight against terrorism. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Received Ambassador Kamel Zayed of Egypt. Discussed deepening our strategic partnership. Appreciated Egypt's support in the fight against terrorism." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/19157344953800663133 Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. (ANI) In a strong show of solidarity, Argentina's Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, expressed unwavering support for India following a horrific terrorist attack on its territory. Speaking on behalf of the Argentine government and people, Caucino condemned the assault as a crime against humanity and emphasised the need for global unity to punish, prevent, and prosecute terrorism, while highlighting the deepening ties between the two democratic nations. "I express solidarity on behalf of the Argentine government and the Argentine people with the Indian people and government and with those affected by this horrific and unacceptable attack on Indian territory.PM Modi is in leadership of the most populated country in the world, and he is right in saying that terrorism should be punished, prevented and prosecuted. Argentina understands this pain as we also suffered acts of terrorism. These are not just attacks on Argentina or Jewish community, but attacks on humanity itself. Because when one person is killed by terror, it is crime against all of us. That is why we immediately gave support to India," Caucino told ANI. Drawing parallels with Argentina's own experiences of terrorism, Caucino underscored that such attacks target not just nations but the shared values of human dignity and freedom. He praised Prime Minister Modi's leadership and India's rising global stature as the world's most populous nation and fifth-largest economy, pledging Argentina's commitment to deepen bilateral ties and leverage platforms like the G20 to collectively address global security challenges. Caucino highlighted the recent briefing by Indian officials to G20 country ambassadors, where widespread international support for India was acknowledged. "I attended a briefing by the Indian Foreign Secretary for G20 ambassadors yesterday. We were given more details about the situation and they thanked that almost all the countries gave support to the Indian government," the Argentina envoy mentioned. Following his meeting with India's Minister of External Affairs, he expressed optimism about India's trajectory toward becoming the world's third-largest economy by the decade's end, affirming Argentina's resolve to stand by India in defending its territory and people against such heinous acts of violence. "India and Argentina are both democracies that believe in freedom and human dignity and we are working together across many areas and in moments like these, we must deepen that cooperation. The G20 is a platform where we can address such issues collectively with our allies and partners... Earlier today, I met with the Minister of External Affairs and he welcomed our support in this difficult moment... India is becoming a very successful country, already the 5th largest economy in the world and may become 3rd largest by the end of this decade. We think Indian people and government deserve our support in defending its territory and people," he added. (ANI) Jaishankar stated that discussions with Clark also revolved around cooperation in health and development. In a post on X, he said, "Good to meet former PM of New Zealand Helen Clark this evening. Appreciate her support and solidarity on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Discussed cooperation in health and development." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1915775966296604888 Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Faisal bin Farhan, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The two also discussed the cross-border linkages of the attack. In a post on X, he said, "Had a telecon with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its cross-border linkages." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1915773008121352344 Jaishankar on Friday expressed his condolences to Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar Sharma on the death of a Nepali national during the Pahalgam terror attack. In a post on X, he said, "Conveyed condolences to Ambassador Shankar Sharma of Nepal on the death of a Nepali national during the Pahalgam terror attack. Also discussed developments in our bilateral ties." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1915733914657685616 He also met Egypt Ambassador to India, Kamel Zayed and appreciated Egypt's support in the fight against terrorism. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Received Ambassador Kamel Zayed of Egypt. Discussed deepening our strategic partnership. Appreciated Egypt's support in the fight against terrorism." Jaishankar also met with the ambassadors of Israel and Argentina and held discussions on several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including the condemnation of the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack. Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. (ANI) The Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM), held a significant protest rally in Sann on the solemn occasion of the 30th death anniversary of revered Sindhi leader and philosopher Saeen GM Syed, under the slogan: "Sindh Demands Freedom: Rejection of All Canal Projects; End Enforced Disappearances and Illegal Disposal of Political Activists' Bodies in Sindh and Balochistan", a press statement issued by the JSFM noted. Addressing the media, JSFM Chairman Sohail Abro condemned the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by Pakistani state institutions, particularly the enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and targeted killings of Sindhi and Baloch nationalist activists. He asserted, "The state has transformed Sindh and Balochistan into zones of oppression, where voices for freedom and justice are systematically silenced through violence and intimidation." The statement brought to attention that Abro emphasised the Sindhi people's unequivocal rejection of all anti-Sindh canal projects, including controversial initiatives designed to divert the region's water resources, thereby jeopardising its agriculture, ecology, and livelihoods. "These projects epitomise colonial exploitation of our natural resources. The people of Sindh will never acquiesce to such injustice," he declared. The rally concluded at Saeen GM Syed's mausoleum, where participants honoured his legacy by laying flowers and a chadar (floral sheet) at his grave, reciting the Sindhi national anthem, and reaffirming their resolve to pursue the peaceful, democratic struggle for Sindh's independence--Sindhudesh, the statement observed. Notably, the JSFM urgently appeals to the international community, the United Nations, and global human rights organisations to investigate the escalating enforced disappearances, custodial killings, and state-led suppression of dissent in Sindh and Balochistan. It appealed to the international community to condemn Pakistan's exploitative canal projects, which threaten Sindh's socio-economic and environmental stability and advocate for the right to self-determination of the Sindhi people, in line with international law. "Global silence emboldens perpetrators. The world must act before Sindh's cries for justice are extinguished," Abro concluded. (ANI) Former Sweden Foreign Minister Ann Linde extended her deepest condolences to the people of India on the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack. She noted that there can be "no justifications" for such a heinous attack. While speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Bharat Summit 2025, Linde said, "My deep condolences to India and the Indian people for the terrible terrorist attack...There can be no justification for such an attack." She also informed that a minute of silence was observed for the victims of the tragedy. Earlier, a statement was issued by the representatives of progressive parties from 100 countries, attending the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad, organised by the Telangana Government. "We, the representatives of progressive parties from 100 countries, with the other participants of the Bharat Summit, Hyderabad, are anguished by the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which targeted and killed 26 innocent civilians and left several others injured." The statement added, "We express our solidarity with the People of India and unequivocally condemn the terror attack in the strongest possible terms." It concluded by saying, "Such acts of brutality against peaceful citizens have no place in society and are a direct assault on the constitutional values of unity, peace, and harmony". Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the country that the terrorists responsible for this attack, along with those who conspired it, will face punishment beyond their imagination, The Prime Minister asserted that the time has come to eliminate the remaining strongholds of terrorism and that the willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the backbone of the perpetrators of terror. (ANI) Members of the Indian community and the Indian diaspora staged a strong protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London, condemning the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Holding Indian flags, banners, and placards, the protesters expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and demanded justice for the victims. They raised slogans against terrorism and criticized Pakistan for allegedly supporting and sheltering terror groups responsible for such attacks. The demonstration was peaceful yet powerful, drawing participants from various age groups and backgrounds who came together in solidarity with the victims and their families. Meanwhile, in a significant development amid heightened diplomatic tensions, the Indian government on Friday revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27. However, medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. "The Government of India has revoked all existing Visas issued to Pakistani nationals, except Long Term Visas, Diplomatic and Official visas, with immediate effect from 27th April 2025. Medical Visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29th April 2025," Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with the chief secretaries of all the states and asked them to take necessary action in this regard.The fresh decision taken by the MHA marks a sweeping policy shift aimed at tightening border security and regulating the presence of Pakistani nationals within the country following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. Following the decision, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held telephonic consultations with the chief ministers of all states, directing them to identify Pakistani nationals currently residing in their respective territories, and instructed to take immediate steps to ensure the prompt deportation of these individuals. (ANI) Members of the Indian community held a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London on Friday and condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Holding Indian flags, banners, and placards, the protesters expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and demanded justice for the victims. They raised slogans against terrorism and criticised Pakistan for allegedly supporting and sheltering terror groups responsible for such attacks. They chanted "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Pakistan Murdabad" as they held a protest against Pakistan and were holding banners which said, "I am Hindu." Speaking to ANI, a member of the Indian diaspora said, "We Indians have gathered here to hold a protest against Pakistan. They (Pakistan) have nurtured a terror factory, and because of which our 26 people were killed in Pahalgam. We have gathered to protest against it." Another protester said that the Indian community staying in the UK is agitated due to the "heinous terror attack" in Pahalgam. Speaking to ANI, he said, "The whole Indian community staying in the UK is agitated because of the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam. So, we are protesting outside the Pakistan Embassy here We have gathered here to express our solidarity and respect. This is a peaceful protest, which has the participation of all Indians." Speaking to ANI, an Indo-Jewish protester said that Pakistani regime nurtures terrorism. He stated that the Jewish community always supports Indians as the two nations have the same enemy, "Islamist radicalisation." He said that the Pahalgam attack reminded him of the Hamas attack on Israel, which was conducted in 2023. He said, "We have a big Jewish community over here which is always supporting India because we have the same enemy, Islamist radicalization. It is the same thing all over the Israel faced it in 7th October and when I saw this happened in India, it reminded me of that, terrorists coming and killing innocent people and this terrorism is fed by the Pakistani Islamist regime and we will be here with the Indians supporting Indians all the time. And Modi is doing great work." "He does something and stops this terrorism happening all the time, again and I was caught in a bomb blast in Bombay in the 90s. Just kind of escaped. And I know from personally how a bomb can affect people and how terrorism can affect people. This will be there always. We have the same enemy. We will be always together," he added. The demonstration was peaceful yet powerful, drawing participants from various age groups and backgrounds who came together in solidarity with the victims and their families. Terrorists attacked tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen while leaving several others injured. Following the terror attack, the Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. India also halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960, following nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan, with the assistance of the World Bank, which is also a signatory to the treaty. (ANI) BRICS Sherpa Secretary (ER) Dammu Ravi participated in the BRICS Sherpas Meeting being held in Rio de Janeiro. During the meeting, the participants discussed multilateralism, sustainable development, and the enhancement of intra-BRICS cooperation. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "BRICS Sherpa Secretary (ER) Dammu Ravi participated in the #BRICS Sherpas' Meeting being held in Rio de Janeiro. The meeting featured constructive discussions on multilateralism, sustainable development and enhancing intra-BRICS cooperation." Earlier on March 25, the 10th BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue concluded in Brasilia, convening policy planners from the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with senior representatives from the newly expanded BRICS membership, covering pressing global geopolitical issues and regional developments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a press release. Hosted by Brazil's current BRICS President, the two-day event from March 24-25 laid the groundwork for the upcoming BRICS Summit later this year. The Indian delegation was led by Raghuram S, the Joint Secretary of Policy Planning and Research of the MEA. According to the release, the dialogue offered a platform to assess the bloc's institutional evolution following its recent expansion and key discussions centred on priorities such as global health cooperation, international trade and financial dynamics, climate action, artificial intelligence governance, and reforms to multilateral peace and security frameworks. Brazil's hosting of the dialogue underscores its leadership in steering BRICS toward addressing contemporary challenges and fostering collaboration among member states. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), BRICS brings together eleven major emerging economies, representing around 49.5 per cent of the global population, around 40 per cent of the global GDP, and around 26 per cent of global trade. As a formal grouping, BRIC started after the meeting of the leaders of Russia, India, and China in St Petersburg, which was held on the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. The grouping was formalized during the 1st meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of UNGA in New York in 2006. The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. 4. At the BRIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York in 2010, it was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS, with South Africa included. Accordingly, South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. BRICS was further expanded in 2024, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members on 1 January 2024. In January 2025, Indonesia joined the BRICS as a full member while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan were inducted as partner countries of the BRICS. (ANI) Member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, Raminder Singh Ranger strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Describing the incident as "heinous" and "barbaric," Ranger expressed his outrage over the attack on innocent tourists. Speaking to ANI, Ranger emphasised that the attack was a cowardly act of violence against defenceless people, singling out individuals based on their religion. He said, "It is very, very shocking, and we are appalled. Every decent human being on this earth will be appalled by this heinous attack on tourists who are going about their lives, defenceless, without any concern for the outside world, and these people, with the element of surprise they came, they had planned it, and they achieved their objective of killing humanity," he said. Ranger questioned the perpetrators' motivations, stating that no faith justifies taking innocent lives. "What kind of people are they? You know, if they are motivated by faith, then they're letting down their own faith as well, because no faith teaches us to take the lives of innocent people. For no good reason whatsoever, and these people were innocent," he said, adding, "They had nothing to do with any conflict in the world, and yet they were massacred in a cold blood manner, identifying them on the basis of their religion and then singling out one by one, very, very ruthless, merciless killing. And this is such a horrible act of cowardice to attack unarmed people." The UK politician appealed to the world to unite against terrorism in all its forms. "The world should condemn terrorism in any shape and form, and we must unite," he said, warning that anyone could be the next target. Following the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Central government announced several diplomatic measures, such as closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country, and reducing the number of officers in the High Commissions on both sides. (ANI) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday arrested a Milwaukee County Circuit judge and charged her in federal court for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest, CNN reported. Judge Hannah Dugan is facing two charges for hindering and concealing the person from arrest. She appeared in court initially and was released. The arrest on federal charges is an escalation in the Trump administration's attention on the conduct of judges, especially as it is connected to immigration enforcement. The Justice Department has repeatedly said that it will carry out an investigation against local officials who do not assist federal authorities on immigration matters. FBI Director Kash Patel said that the FBI arrested Judge Dugan as they believe that she intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse to evade arrest. He praised FBI agents for arresting him and said that the judge's obstruction caused increased danger to the public, CNN reported. In a post on X, Patel stated, "Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on charges of obstruction -- after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject -- an illegal alien -- to evade arrest." "Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public. We will have more to share soon. Excellent work @FBIMilwaukee," he added. https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1915800907318468626 In charging documents, investigators said that federal agents in plainclothes went to Dugan's courtroom on April 18 to arrest Flores-Ruiz. A Mexican immigrant, Flores-Ruiz had been removed from the United States in 2013. However, immigration officials learned he returned to the US illegally due to his arrest in a local domestic abuse case. After being informed about the presence of agents by her courtroom deputy, the judge "became visibly angry" and said that the situation was 'absurd,' left the bench, and entered chambers," according to court documents. Witnesses told investigators that Dugan confronted the federal agents in a public hallway, where she asked them to leave, saying they needed a different kind of warrant to arrest him, CNN reported. Dugan directed the agents to speak with the chief judge of the courthouse. According to court documents, several witnesses--including Dugan's courtroom deputy, the prosecutor, and the Victim Witness Specialist on Flores-Ruiz's case--allegedly recalled seeing Dugan telling Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to leave through a "jury door," which leads to a non-public area of the courthouse. One of the witnesses told investigators that Dugan stopped the two as they attempted to leave through the normal door to the courtroom, saying something to the effect of "wait, come with me." According to the investigators, Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer quickly left the courthouse before the agents could catch up with them. Agents found Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse and identified themselves. He ran away from the site, however, officials were able to capture him, CNN reported. Officials from the Trump administration called the arrest an important step in achieving their immigration crackdown. Attorney General Pam Bondi took to X to confirm Dugan's arrest. Sharing a post on X, Bonde wrote, "I can confirm that our @FBI agents just arrested Hannah Dugan - a county judge in Milwaukee - for allegedly helping an illegal alien avoid an arrest by @ICEgov. No one is above the law." https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/1915799429455516128In a post on X, Trump's border czar Tom Homan stated, "Nobody should be surprised by the arrest of two judges. I have said many times within the past few months that people can choose to support illegal immigration and not assist ICE in removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities, BUT DON'T CROSS THAT LINE. If you actively impede our enforcement efforts or if you knowingly harbour or conceal illegal aliens from ICE, you will be prosecuted. These actions are felonies. More to come." https://x.com/RealTomHoman/status/1915831430547997172 Opponents of the administration criticised the arrest, terming it a threat to the legal system. In a statement, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said the Trump administration has used "dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level," and stressed that the "fundamental demand of justice in America" is that defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson stated that the arrest could scare people from attending court, thereby undermining public safety in the city. Democratic Representative called Dugan's arrest "shocking" and said it has "all the hallmarks of overreach." Moore said, "Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is serious and would require a high legal bar." She said she was "very alarmed" by the "increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration", particularly ICE, which she said has been defying courts and taking actions in disregard for the Constitution. (ANI) FUKUOKA, Apr 25 (News On Japan) - In response to a third-party committee confirming five cases of power harassment involving senior officials in Onojo, including the deputy mayor, the city government held a press conference on April 24th. Mayor Soji Imoto stated, "We take this extremely seriously, and we aim to implement the recommendations one by one." Now serving his fifth term, Imoto expressed a sincere stance in acknowledging the findings, announcing he will voluntarily reduce his own salary by 20% until the end of his term. The deputy mayor, who was found to have committed three of the confirmed harassment casesincluding berating staff loudly while banging on a deskwill resign effective April 30th. A department head involved has already resigned upon request. As part of its prevention measures, the city plans to introduce new regulations aimed at eradicating workplace harassment. In light of growing distrust among staff, who fear their concerns may leak from existing consultation channels, a new independent office separate from the personnel division will be established to handle complaints. Source: KBC The Iowa Senate amended an open meetings and records bill Thursday to list security camera footage from the Iowa Capitol building as confidential records. House File 706 is this years attempt to implement higher penalties and training requirements for Iowas open meetings and records laws. Fines for violating open meetings laws would increase to between $500 and $2,500 from the current range of between $100 and $500. Knowing violations of these laws would rise to between $5,000 and $12,500; the current fine is between $1,000 and $2,500. The bill also would require that a member of a government body be removed from office if they engaged in a prior violation of open meetings laws. Additionally, newly elected and appointed public officials would have to complete a training on open records laws when they take office. The bill passed the House unanimously in March. The measure is largely a response to alleged violations of open records laws by the city of Davenport following a six-story apartment building collapse in 2023 and alleged open meetings law violations regarding the city of Davenport reaching settlement agreements with three city employees without the city councils approval in a public meeting. Lawmakers also approved similar legislation in 2024, but the bill was vetoed by Gov. Kim Reynolds over language added as an amendment introduced by Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, that changed the definition of a meeting of a government body. Though this language is not present in the 2025 bill, Webster introduced an amendment that would add two types of information to the list of approved confidential records in Iowa Code information obtained from security cameras operated by the legislative branch on property owned or leased by the state, and information obtained from state employee identification card access systems for buildings and rooms owned or leased by the state specifically referring to the Iowa State Capitol. Webster said this language, approved as an amendment in a 32-15 vote, would prevent people from using open records requests to find blind spots in Capitol security and prevent stalking or harassment of elected officials and government employees. If people wanted to cause this harm to the Capital building to the peoples building wanted to find out and go through all the camera footage to figure out where the blind spots might be in this Capitol, they could do it through an open records (request), Webster said. Were eliminating that availability right now, which makes everybody in this building safer. Legislative staff said they are not aware of security camera footage being used to stalk or harass any lawmakers at the Statehouse. Webster said an agreement was reached with groups like the Freedom of Information Council, the Iowa Newspaper Association and House lawmakers removing restrictions on the Iowa Department of Public Safety footage in an earlier version of the amendment, to ensure access to body camera footage would not be impacted. But Democrats said the measure would prevent Iowans from accessing public information. Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said that Iowans, as taxpayers, are paying for lawmakers and public workers time at the Iowa State Capitol, and should be able to access footage as requested. Theyre paying the bill to run the camera, Petersen said. Theyre paying the bill for this beautiful building. Why would we take public access away from them in an open meetings bill no less? You want to take away public access and say its because of security no its not. Webster said security camera footage could still be accessed through subpoenas court orders to provide information or records in cases where a person commits a crime in the Capitol building. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said the potential use of subpoenas to access these records was an excuse to obscure the limit being put on public access to what happens at the Capitol. The average citizen doesnt have access to getting a subpoena, and shouldnt need that access in that manner, Quirmbach said. The bill, as it has been amended, restricts the public access. It is not something that this Legislature should endorse. The measure returns to the House for approval of the amendment. Maroc Telecom and Vodafone Business have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide connectivity and broad digital services to enterprise customers in Morocco, with the first phase focusing on smart city and energy management solutions. The alliance between the two companies supports Moroccos ambition to become a major digital hub by 2030. The partnership will expand over time to encompass a range of enterprise products and services including Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), Mobile Private Networks, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity. Customers will be able to tailor Vodafone Businesss global connectivity services and digital platforms with Maroc Telecoms local know-how to meet their specific local in-country needs and regulatory requirements. The two companies will also serve Maroc Telecoms multi-national and regional customers working across key industry sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, retail, and public services, providing them with a unified portfolio of managed service that can be quickly scaled across multiple markets. Maroc Telecoms local expertise and digital skills combined with Vodafones secure platforms will give new momentum to new fintech, healthcare, and industrial applications driven by young workforce and startups in Morocco. Morocco is a country of great strategic importance to the UK whose energy future depends on stronger ties with Morocco, said Labor MP Joe Powell in an Op-Ed published Thursday in the UK HuffPost. The Morocco-UK Power Project, recently recognized in TIME Magazines Worlds Top GreenTech rankings, promises to supply enough clean electricity to power seven million British homes, said the MP for Kensington & Bayswater constituency in London. This landmark project aims to reduce wholesale electricity prices by over 9% in its first year supporting the governments Warm Homes agenda cut UK power sector emissions by around 10% and deliver more than 20 billion in value to the British economy, said the MP of the ruling party. This project is built with a stable and long-standing partner (Morocco) just across the Mediterranean, he added, noting partnership with Rabat extends far beyond energy to growth, security, and sport. Morocco is just a three-hour flight from London, it is a key trading partner, supplying British supermarkets with fresh produce, pioneering renewable energy solutions, and playing a crucial role in regional security, said MP Joe Powell. The UK and Morocco share a deep historical relationship spanning over 800 years, making it one of the worlds oldest diplomatic partnerships. Today, bilateral economic ties are stronger than ever. Trade between Britain and Morocco grew by more than 60% in 2024 to reach 3.8 billion. Morocco supplies a quarter of the tomatoes in our supermarkets, a fifth of all soft fruits, and 60% of our canned sardines. In return, the UK exports cars, refined oil, and metals to Morocco, demonstrating a mutually beneficial relationship. Furthermore, Morocco is playing a key role in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain, becoming strategic hub in the global transition to clean energy. With its strong production capabilities and a key position in Europes EV market, Morocco is well-placed to drive innovation and sustainability in the sector. As the UK seeks to deepen trade and energy partnerships, Morocco stands out as a valuable ally, offering exciting opportunities for sustainable growth and technological advancement, said the Labor MP. Morocco should increase its strategic stockpile of wheat to cover up to 6 months from about 3 months currently, head of the Moroccan federation of wheat traders, Omar Yakoubi said. Crises during 2008, 2018 and the most recent supply disruptions following the war in Ukraine, were triggers for Morocco to consider expanding its strategic reserves to ensure steady supply of the domestic market, he said at a conference at the international farming fair SIAM in Meknes. Moroccan traders should not assume that wheat available elsewhere will be accessible easily to them, he said, urging the state and the private sector to build more silos to be able to build a strategic reserve that would spare the country steep price fluctuations. Yakoubi also called for priority to be given to collecting the domestic harvest, which has been hit by at least seven years of consecutive drought. This year, Morocco expects its cereals harvest to increase 41% to 44 million quintals, including 24 million quintals of soft wheat, the main staple in the country. The increase was thanks to a 19% increase in rainfall, which was still 18% below an average year. Usually, Morocco drafts its budget on the basis of a crop year of 70 million quintals. Trade between Morocco and the EU grew by 7% in 2024 to 60 billion euros, the highest level since the two parties signed an association agreement 25 years ago. According to data released by the EU commission on the occasion of its participation in the agricultural fair SIAM, the EU remains Moroccos main supplier, covering nearly half imports. Morocco stands as the first trading partner for the EU in the southern Mediterranean, the EU Commission said. Agricultural products accounted for 12% of overall trade, at a value of 7 billion euros. Moroccos fresh produce exports to the EU market have more than tripled since the two parties signed an agricultural deal in 2012, to stand at 3.4 billion euros in 2024, or 14% of Moroccan sales to the EU. The EUs agricultural exports to Morocco grew to 3.6 billion euros, representing 10% of its exports. Tomatoes represented 29% of Moroccan agricultural exports to the EU, while wheat represented 22% of Moroccos agricultural imports from the EU.